Monday, October 11, 2010

Starting 'Rocktober' On Our Backs

October started off so hot that I am going to rename it to Rocktober. We kicked off opening weekend to ‘Rocktober’ with two very exciting shows. On Friday Model Stranger had a chance to play the inagural Southside Oktoberfest in Bridgeview just outside of Toyota Park. This show was some of the most fun we had during this festival season. For starters we were playing at night for the first time at a festival and it was during a carnival of sorts. To add to the awesomeness of playing in the middle of a bunch of amusement rides, the crowd was enthusiastic and interactive throughout the night. The stage was ginormous and the weather was perfect. Kevin and I had no problem using it up. At one point I bummed a smoke from a man in the front row. He tossed it into the air and the wind took it well over my head. Without hesitation I turned and ran after it, simultaneously leaving my feet I dove and caught it shortly before crashing to the ground. It was a good cigarette.



1:28 am The Café Macomb, IL Oct. 2nd Kamikaze mission failed. Drummer still breathing.
 In the morning we made our way to the Qualude Mecca of the world… The Café in Macomb, IL. Qualudes are a drink that they serve at the Café. We indulge heavily on this fine concotion when we stroll through town. Macomb doesn’t come off as anything special at a first glance but like most smaller towns it is the crowd and energy that really defines our experience when we perform here. Macomb has been a home away from home for us this year. The fans keep growing and getting wilder and wilder with every visit.


These shows we are left sometimes at our wits end to fill a four hour slot. We dig deep into our catalouge and play some really interesting covers to achieve this and it is always a martathon. The last set always yields the most energy. The show attendees are usually mouthing off and dancing their asses off by this time. I love being mouthed off to. This particular visit our last set climaxed with launching myself into the drumset, as you can see from the pic above. Battlewounds on our bodies are present but the equipment made it out unscathed. We return to the Café on Nov. 6th to close out our appearances for this semester. Can’t wait to get back.


In the meantime Model Stranger will be putting final touches on their music video for “Where do We From Here?” and playing some shows in the Chicagoland area.













Thanks for Reading!

Stephen Francis