Eek-A-Mouse @ Club Suede 3/9/07:
| I'm not necessarily a big Eek-a-mouse fan, but he is a solid dancehall-style reggae artist that I've been familiar with since the '80s and figured I would go ahead and check him out. Tee had no interest in going so I tried recruiting a friend or two to join me. Originally I thought I had wrangled two friends, Mike and Brian, but in the end only Brian joined me. Once again Brian came through in keeping me from feeling lonely at a reggae show! Mike did buy me a couple of beers at Lumpy's before I headed off to meet Brian for the show. Thanks Mike. I met Brian at his house and we hung out for a while in his basement listening to some records (yes, vinyl records), including an old favorite of mine Third World's "You've Got The Power." We timed our departure such that we would arrive at Club Suede around 10:30. Brian was kind enough to drive and we arrived right at the scheduled time. We figured we might have to sit through a set by a warm-up act for another 30 or 40 minutes if we arrived at that time, but as it turned out we had to wait MUCH longer than that (at least it seemed MUCH longer). The warm-up band was a competent enough group of 20-something white guys from Boston call "B Foundation." They played sort of a convoluted mix of ska/punk/pop/rock that was fairly entertaining; at least for the first 30 minutes or so. Despite the fact that they said something along the lines of "Coming right up...Eek-a-mouse!!!" after each song, the fact is Eek-a-mouse wouldn't be seen for another 20(?) songs! It started to become quite humorous. Brian and I were more amused than we would have otherwise have been because we had occupied the comfortable little spot at the bar next to the stage I had sussed out last year at the Gregory Isaacs. We also ended up having a bit of a chat with several of the B Foundation band members who seemed to be affable guys, excited just to be in a band and on the road. FINALLY it was time for Eek-a-mouse to take to the stage, and just as with Gregory Isaacs, because of our position between the dressing rooms and the stage, we received a high-five from Eek-a-mouse as he came out. Wow this guy is an imposing figure! I never knew how big a man he was! He strikes quite an imposing figure at around 6'8" and oozing charisma. He also has one of the most unique voices in all of music; one which makes almost any beat and melody come alive. Brian and I knew very few of the songs he played but it didn't seem to matter much. We skanked along to every tune, loving the whole Eek-a-mouse vibe. Although it turned out to be a late night out it was well worth it. Eek-a-mouse surpassed all of my modest expectations and I would probably go out of my way to see him if he comes through town again. |
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