I guess it was the six of Heineken right before bedtime. I had a dream (see: nightmare) that I was in a scroungy little country bar - sawdust floors, disgusting fly-tape, rickety tables - and talking bass with Greg Bump over (you guessed it) a frosty cold Heineken.

Anyway, some guy comes up and asks if one of us can help out on bass. Greg - more smugly sober than I - wisely declines. I, with the boisterous confidence that only many Heinekens can grant, rise to the occasion.

There's no stage. I'm led to a dark little corner of the bar where David Allan Coe is sitting with Greg, who somehow got there ahead of me and is already chilling in the shadows. (Remember, it was a dream.) Coe hands me a bass and starts playing something on guitar. He looks at me expectantly, waiting for me to jump in...

I remember absolutely nothing about how this instrument is played. I fumble helplessly about for an eternity while Greg looks more and more embarrassed to have been seen with me in public. I try everything I know to get focused, but Heinekens, y'know? Coe finally snatches the bass away from me and dismisses me with a contemptuous wave of his crusty old hand.

So there, Greg. Ya happy? Now I'm inferior even in my dreams! And you didn't even have to crush me with your wicked double-thumping! Bastard. I'm taking up ukeléle.

t.

Dude, that wasn't a dream!! Sure, we were drunk, but Dave was just screwin' w/ ya. He handed you a broom, thus your bass brain freeze. Oh, but the tone on that broom!!

And surely you could crush me with your Stu Hamm licks, I can't keep up with all those fluid hammer ons and pull offs.

And now Shakedown haunts my dreams!! I don't know if I'll ever be able to shake the image of Tim in a leather vest, shorts, and combat boots. Too much!!!

But it was a cool show Tim, very professional. I'd be embarrassed if you saw me in The Kind... we take WAY too long between songs. Shakedown was bustin' 'em out, one after the other.

I'm sad to see Shakedown wind down, but I look forward to the funk revolution that you plan to unleash in the fall! You should enlist Dan M - he needs a little funk in his life (don't we all?).

See what happens when you drink St. Pauli Girl.........

Thanks, Greg. I'm really glad you were able to come out. Don't know how long you were able to stay, but it got absolutely PACKED up there! Great crowd. It was awesome (and sad).

I totally chickened on my solo, though, because I didn't know if you were still out there and I was afraid of shitting the bed. I always blow a note or two during it, but I never worry about anyone noticing.

The funk jam will start rehearsals in the fall and plan on being out in the spring of '09. The lineup is solid already, but between now and then, who knows?

t.

Oh, man, I must have left before the bass solo! I didn't KNOW there was going to be a bass solo!!! You'll have to come down and do an encore performance for the throngs here at Rocket Music. I'll provide bongo backup for a minimal fee :)

That bar was so slammed I couldn't even get a beer. 2 bartenders for 200-300 people, what idiots! That's when I dedided I'd had enough fun and bailed :)

But I did notice the Jaeger dispensers and Jaeger ladies in attendance just for your show. Too funny!

I remember absolutely nothing about how this instrument is played. I fumble helplessly about for an eternity while Greg looks more and more embarrassed to have been seen with me in public. I try everything I know to get focused, but Heinekens, y'know? Coe finally snatches the bass away from me and dismisses me with a contemptuous wave of his crusty old hand.


t.



I think that happened once in my garage Tim.
Dan (guitar player posing as a bassist)

And now Shakedown haunts my dreams!! I don't know if I'll ever be able to shake the image of Tim in a leather vest, shorts, and combat boots. Too much!!!

I'm sad to see Shakedown wind down, but I look forward to the funk revolution that you plan to unleash in the fall! You should enlist Dan M - he needs a little funk in his life (don't we all?).



He comes to work that dressed that way ! And yes, I do need a little funk in my life.
You holding that Warwick for me Greg ?

Could ya be more specific? I have about 25 Warwicks in stock at the moment :)

Nah, I know you have your eyes on that Honey Violin Corvette $$ 4. It's still here, and it still rocks (or funks)!!!

Just remember what Clinton (George, not Bill) says - Everything Is On The One.