humbly submitted for your amusement by Ferenc Dobronyi
humbly submitted for your amusement by Ferenc Dobronyi
8:AM Saturday February 1
Pollo Del Mar performs Gate
Pollo Del Mar shows up for our soundcheck at the Cowell Theater in Fort Mason, home of the weekly National Public Radio variety show known as West Coast Live. Backstage we hear a New Mexico Brass Quartet warming up. Million selling mystery author Tony Hillerman is walking around. We set up on the large stage and run through a few songs. "Oh, we didn't know you were going to be so loud," says the stage manager, "We didn't bring ear plugs for the audience." "But you aren't as loud as Dick Dale, so it shouldn't be a problem." Whew, not as loud as Dick Dale, but it gives us something to aspire to.
Going Global on the WCL Satelite feed!
After our soundcheck, the brass quartet comes on. They ask Pollo drummer Chris if he wants to sit in on a Dixieland Jazz number. He says, "Yes" immediately, but under his breath, he calls Pollo bassist Jeff over and asks what a Dixieland beat is.
WCL host Sedge Thompson interviews Jono
The show starts, we are the first act. As we come on stage, host Sedge Thompson announces the famed Ess Eff columnist Herb Caen has died. This is shocking news. Thompson finishes his touching eulogy and introduces us. We play "Teleport," trying to forget that the show has affiliate stations all over the globe, our largest potential audience ever. I feel like I have clam chowder on my hands. Before the next song, Sedge engages us with witty banter. Later, the stage manager will remark, "You guys are pretty articulate for surfer dudes." Hmmm... We did "Death Valley Daze" and took a break. Later, we return to do "Gate."
Chris sits in with the Dixieland Brass Quartet
For the show finale, Chris sits in with the Brass Quartet and does a spectacular job!In the lobby after the show, Pollo guitarist Jono and I are hawking our wares. A young couple comes out and asks us if we had opened for Tom Petty at the Fillmore last night. We ask them if that band had been wearing wrestling masks. When they say yes, we tell them that it was Los Straightjackets, but we understand how they could be confused. After all, how many surf bands could there possibly be in America?
We sell all of the stock we brought to show. This is a money crowd.
Saturday Afternoon, 5PM
Tune the radio in to KFJC. Phil Dirt has the Angelino band Slacktone playing live for an hour, followed by The Reventlos, up from Costa Mesa. Both bands have driven to the Bay Area this morning, prepared for what will be a very long day. Wow, two hours of live surf, followed by Phil's regular two hour show. The adrenaline is starting to flow.
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