Richenbockers, Gainsville, Florida

Opening Bands: Theater Gallery, Love In Reverse

The first thing I did when I got back in town was give Jon Taylor a call to let him know how good the Holy Barbarians were and to tell him that Pat Sugg said "Jon is the king, he blows Reprises web site away, I can't wait to meet him!"

Here is how it the day went down.

I woke up that morning or afternoon around 11:30 on my couch with the TV on, I was totally hammered from the night before, The Holy Barbarians put on a damn damn good show, I just wished it didn't stop, I was still pumped and couldn't wait to go to Gainsville, but first I had to find out where they were playing in Gainsville. I didn't think to ask the night before because I just figured that it would be announced. I called the local radio station, they had no idea, I even called information in Gainsville to get the number for 103.7 which is a local radio station in that area. They didn't have a listing for it, I need the call letters. At this point I was getting pretty pissed. I called information again to get the number for The Florida Theater in Gainsville, assuming The Holy Barbarians might play there. I was wrong but I did find out where they were going to be. Richenbockers? I called them and they told be yeah there playing tonight around 12 or a little before, hey and you gotta where a black tie and if you bring any women make sure they have black underwear on.

I only traveled to Gainsville a few times, the last time I saw The Cult it was in Gainsville for free at the bandshell and Lenny Kravitz opened up on February 14th 1992. It was rainy and I was a far distance away from the stage.

I tired to get my friends to come with me to see The Holy Barbarians again, but I ended up going by myself. I left Jacksonville about 9:40 I thought I gave myself enough time. I noticed while driving, (listening to my Holy Barbarians CD Cream turned up full blast) that my car reaked of beer and there was beer smeared on my windshield form the night before. I didn't care I just wanted to get there. For some unknown reason I must have made a wrong turn I ended up driving towards the state prison in a little town call Starke outside of Gainsville. I quickly turned back around and found myself again and returned to the correct path in my journey.

It was about 11:30 when I walked in, all of the equipment for The Holy Barbarians was set up and there were a good 80 to 100 people there. I went over to the bar to get a beer and there next to the bar was Matt Garrett, the bassist, I asked him how he liked the Jacksonville show and he said it was great he said that Jacksonville rocked and he gave me two thumbs up. Right next to him I noticed Ian he was talking to some people who came to see the show. I couldn't believe again I was in the presence of The Holy Barbarians, having a conversation with some of the members. I was still talking to Matt when Ian excused himself so he could get in front of me which he said as he put his hand on my shoulder "Hey mate how are you doing?" I said great how are you?" Good he said, I then asked if he remembered me from the night before and he said oh yeah, oh yeah. He was then talking to Matt about getting a beer, I just stood there almost petrified, I couldn't believe it Ian Astbury. Man I was so happy I came to this show at that moment. Ian was had on another basketball jersey, this time it was a local one (The Gators) #35. I found out latter from Matt that Ian is a big Basket Ball and Soccer fan. He had the same skirt on from the night before. I asked him how the Milk Bar show was, he said "The Milk Bar show was EXCELLANT!" I was maybe there five minutes when all of this took place. I couldn't believe that I was actually talking to him, I was in awe. Then the poetry recording come on. Ian got his beer and I heard him say, I guess he was frustrated with the bar keep, "Let me see your Id, My fucking id, fuck him." I couldn't believe it, the bar keep didn't know Ian was with the band and plus he even carded him. Of course Ian didn't show him his id, he had no place to put it.

After that Ian and Matt went back stage and the jazz music started, I made my way up to the front with a Foster Oil can, by the way Ian was drinking the same. They came on stage and started jamming just jamming no songs yet, Ian was talking and said it looked like a fucking cemetery out there, he wanted everyone to have a good time. He introduced the band as the Holy Barbarians and stated that they were going to play THREE hours of none stop alternative music by... and then he mumbled some name which I didn't get. I pretty much knew he was kidding. I was just as close if not closer to Ian at this show. I noticed a song list under Ian mic, I decided that when the show was over I had to make it mine. It was the same songs, but man he wanted the crowed to get into it, when The Witch came on some guy was talking shit to Ian and Ian got the guy on stage and the guy started talking about bullshit while the reset of band was just tearing it up, Ian told the guy to keep on while he was shaking his moroccos. Finally the guy was booed and was getting yelled at, so security took him away. This time they were just raging into The Witch. I was just checking them out again, man they are tight. Scott was beating the shit out of the drums, I bet he must have broken a couple sets of sticks. Pat was in his own world, which he told me that's how he is (this was after the show) Matt was pumped, you could just tell all these guys where giving 110%. Every time Ian would get the tambourine in his hands he would just hit it anywhere, his hip, stomach, chest, even his ass, both checks. I was watching his eyes when they played Brother Fights, Ian is really into that song hard-core, you could just tell he was pouring out. I was just singing along, Pat caught me a few times and just smiled. For 25 years of age Pat sure looks a lot younger (compliment).

When Helter Skelter came on Ian introduce a new member of the family the lead singer from Love In Reverse, he played guitar on that songs with the rest of the band. When I spoke to Pat after the show I told him I though that the guy from Love in Reverse was trying to get in there you know trying to blow Pat out. That's when Pat said you know I am just in my own world when I am up there, it's great!

No Cult songs (except for The Witch, when ever time he would say Witch the word Bitch came out so I guess they played The Bitch). After they left the stage I immediately grabbed the playlist, which was ripped because of the microphone. Everyone in the place started leaving. I spoke with a couple women that told me they too were at the Jacksonville show. We were talking and then Pat walks out from the back with a beer in his hand talking to some girls. I told the women I was talking to that I was going to try to get his autograph. I approached him and excused myself and asked for it and he was very pleased to give it to me. He asked me my name and I signed the play list I took from the stage. I thanked him and told him it was an AWESOME show, he thanked me and I went back to the women I was talking to and they told me "You Suck" I told them just go up to them and start talking, they are so cool I just couldn't believe it. I then scored a couple drum sticks and a guitar pick just because I was standing next to the stage. Then Ian came out I quickly asked him if he wouldn't mind signing the playlist. He responding by saying "Not at all" and signed it Respect Ian. I was so pumped at this point I convinced myself that I was going to get the reset of the band to sign the play list.

I then saw Scott and got his autograph and told him what a great show it was and he was very thank full and then it was Scotty brother Matt who was cool with signing my song list too. What a great evening I got to talk with all the band members, got there autograph, meet some really cool fans and I am going to see them again on Tuesday the 2nd of July in Orlando, which is a hour and a half away from where I live. I am still pumped e-mailing this to Jon so he can put it on the net and its only 8:30am on Sunday and I haven't been to bed yet. While I guess I stay up until the shows over on Tuesday. I can't wait. Until then I'll be a Space Junkie with my Magick Christian hanging out with The Witch going Blind while I Cream, because THE HOLY BARBARIANS ARE AWESOME!!!!!!

Steve Holland

Setlist:

Jazz/Howl
Blind
Dolly Bird
Cream
The Witch
You Are There
Space Junkie
Brother Fights
Bodhisattva

Encore:

Midnite Exspress
Magick Christian
Helter Skelter