Last night's show was brief, but so excellent I'm hoping someone is still going to wander across my ride request post (gas money, that's something!) and say: "We must take her or the evening will be most lackluster, and we'll spend so much time moping we'll entirely miss the spirit of the show!" Tee-hee. I think I can continue so daydreaming 'till about 1pm and then it's just sheer madness unless this daydream Mr/Ms X happened to be a racecar driver.

The band on before Eric, Superman Loses The Girl, was incredibly dissimilar but also really good - so the show started in the perfect music zone. Eric came on a little before 11:30 after contending with mad traffic on the way from Anaheim. He apologized for being late but worked into a couple of song lyrics how mad the traffic was, and also apologized between songs for being unprepared. Perhaps "unprepared" would mean something with other bands, and I think it was probably unsettling to Eric, but I'm pretty sure I can speak for the audience when I say: We don't even notice the difference (save for the sweet passing moments of confusion). I actually even think last night's show was my favorite. It was all about interaction... among "friends" (heh)... and just about playing the music. There was less performance for the sake of performance - antics and the like, I mean - and it just made for one killer aural experience. Some women called up that he was cute, and he responded that was probably not going to help him make it as a musician. I said much too softly, I don't think most of us are here to look at you; we're here for good music. It's the sheer talent and the live experience, of being there to WATCH music happen. Ahhhhhh. My visiting friend echoed my thoughts and was completely bemused by the interaction even though it was largely humorous. Why detract from the music by taking it down to something (i.e. attractiveness) that an artist has no control over?

Anyway, here's the show:

1. Payback

2. ... a song about bar stools

3. The First Time

4. Dancer

5. Union Dues - this song literally gave me goosebumps. I think it's becoming a favorite, along with "Offstage Lines," both of which just hit me right at the core... where I'm not in control of any responses I have because I'm suddenly caught up in this different world where everything else disappears and there's just sound, this amazing sound, and soul.
I think it's not too far of a stretch to say the two are linked inextricably.

6. ?Princess of Venice? - a "long-winded pretentious folk-song" to buy time for his OTHER friends (the ones who weren't us to show up. He was informed by the employees he had two songs left. He'd been told he could play till his friends showed up, he said, but went right back to the music...

7. Everybody Wants to Rule the World - Before deciding which song to sing next, he asked for requests. One request, American Pie, led him into a monologue about how he used to go sing all these folksy kinds of gigs at coffee houses. He'd know all these crazy songs but everyone would just want to hear American Pie, which he didn't ever think was that good. When he said he didn't know everyone would be shocked, here joking: "Gimme that guitar." (As in, "You, Eric Kufs, are unfit to call yourself a folk singer!") He did throw in a few references to American Pie at the end, which caused some laughter, especially the "I don't really know the words" bit.

8. Indie Rockin' - very different just by himself, but most excellent still.

9. Fortunate - THIS was where the real tension of the evening happened. After the song was over, he asked if he could play just one more song but the sound guy said most emphatically NO. Eric frustratedly flung the electrical equipment aside, moved up closer, and began singing anyway. About a minute into the song, Adam finally arrived, singing that he was fortunate to have made it almost in time in spite of the mad traffic and being out of gas. It's the most amazing thing how these two can just leap right into that comfortable space of being up there together with no time or no confusion over where they're at. They just picked up like they'd done the whole set together and my friend Jane got to see a taste of what really makes these guys remarkable. They're incredibly talented and clearly pour untold hours into their music, but it's the way they interact that distinguishes them from all the other bands I've enjoyed. (Not near so much, I'd like to add.) They've definitely earned a place in my heart forever, and I know when I'm a little old lady, I'll tell tale of this band I used to love - it was crazy how they always just knew where to go! Anyway, another of Adam's lyrics involved how they'd pissed off the sound-check guy but really didn't care. When they'd finished, the sound-check guy came and gave Adam a piece of his mind we could hear from the front of the stage. Fortunately it was brief (heh, get it, fortunately? I know I suck), 'cause if it was longer I'd have to have given him a taste of my kung fu skills.

Eric thanked us repeatedly after the show, which was silly since we were the ones who'd gained by being there. It was fun though somewhat baffling. I wonder if he's really completely unaware how incredible they are to thank us - like it's an effort to be there!

One more bit about the chemistry... my friend was completely silent and contemplative in the car, amazed at how quickly and clearly the friendship between Eric and Adam expressed itself. I'm glad she got a chance to see those few minutes of the two of them together, because that's really all it takes to see where they differ. I'd have been extraordinarily sad if she'd missed that, even though we both would've gone home jubilant after an AWESOME show. Okay, jubilant and a little depressed it was already over.

Thanks, Eric, for going into that last song even after being told to stop. Thanks, Adam, for coming in and joining the show after a mad evening. Thanks both of you (the whole band really) for just rockin' my world and making LA that much more pleasant a place to live.

You guys rock.

LOL Thanks so much for writing that up! It sucks in one way cuz it makes me extremely sad that I couldn't have been there but it's great that you and your friend and everyone else had a great time. I'm sure even if he was "unprepared" that it still would be an excellent show.

That is Awesome how Eric just went right on ahead and did Fortunate. And really great how Adam made it right in time for the last song. I love that song and can't even begin to imagine how great it would be to hear it without the guitar or anything...just the words and voice. And they really do have a great friendship and connection on stage.

That sound check guy really didn't know what he'd be getting in to did he? I mean if he messed with them I'm sure all the people around would have had LOTS to say about that. What a jerk, although I'm sure part of it was just him doing a job but you have to realize what you'd be putting a stop to if you are in his position and obviously he didn't realize. (did that make any sense? lol)

I just saw them like 3 days ago and already I'm missing it! Urgh...August 24th better come really fast!

HEY ERIC!~ if you read this...you should really try to add another solo show like around August 23 or 25. LOL You know you'd have no problem filling seats and you wouldn't be rushing from another show. :)C'mon you know it'd be great fun and I've decided that everytime I go to L.A. I have to see you all do two shows. That's how it's been everytime so why break the cycle now? Just a thought which I hope will turn into an actual show. LOL

Anyways...sorry I missed such an excellent show and thanks again Deborah for typing that up! Hugs to all!!

I am the Jane of "Deborah's-friend" fame, and last night's show was the first (and last, unless someone's going to Vegas!) time I will ever see Eric and Adam together. I'd heard a few songs from the old CD, but was unprepared for the music and the personalities themselves, and I was deeply and unsettlingly moved by watching the two sing. The voices were beautiful, but it was the chemistry, the deep, easy friendship, that hit me so hard. I want to add to Deborah's statement that the women yelling were breathtakingly rude and completely missed the point; yes, Eric and Adam are cute, but that's not why most of us were there. I was there because of what Deb sees in these people and their music, and if I buy their CD or somehow make contact in the future, it will be because of the amazing connection they made at the show. Thank you both. And let me add that anyone with a soul or a brain can see what you're about, and in my soulful, brainy opinion, that's music, wit, wisdom, and love. I wish I could have been here longer.

That is great that you got to see them while you were visiting Deborah. And I'm sure you'll get to see them again sometime! You'll just have to visit L.A. more. I sure do it enough. LOL I'm gonna have to start paying Deborah rent for the weekends! J/K! Not enough $ for that but anyways glad you had a great time. Isn't it amazing how music can touch people in such great ways?

I couldn't get all of the words, but here are some clips... all of these are Adam's verses, save the one marked by *. (pretty clear, but doesn't hurt to designate it)

"
I guess I'm fortunate I made it here on time
I guess I'm fortunate to be out of the traffic line
Don't you know I drove so fast
That I didn't realize I was out of gas
And I know that the set is almost done
And Eric has many friends but he only needs one!
...
We pissed off lots of sound guys
But I don't really care
...
*I guess I'm fortunate this guy he showed up
I guess I'm fortunate that Eric didn't throw up

I tapped out time on something better than that last line
..."

That's all I got down. I dig the first of Adam's verses, particularly the last line.

Thanks for sharing those lines. Now, I wish I had begged more to go to the show last night. Oh, well.

I guess I'm fortunate that they will be back in LA in a few more weeks (August 24).

Maybe if they aren't busy on the 18th, they could do a show somewhere.

I'm glad it's them up there and not me cuz I couldn't just come up with lines like that on the spot. LOL

Deb!!!!! Oh hon, you know I loved you before but I love you ever so much more! Thanks so much for the rundown. I had to take that night and spend some quality time with my ex-roommate, but I really wanted to know how it went. Ack, I cannot wait til the end of next month. I was seriously considering flying to Chicago for that show, since my friend just moved out there. But alas I am jobless and broke. Ugh, I've never missed so many CR shows. Oh well.

"When they'd finished, the sound-check guy came and gave Adam a piece of his mind we could hear from the front of the stage."

Just out of curiosity, what did the guy say? I'd hate to think he's really pissed and we won't see them at that venue again. Not that Adam should kiss his ass or anything but I wouldn't think one more song would be a big deal. What was the guy's beef?

I'd say it was the line about pissing off sound-check guys - I can't imagine why he'd have gone after Adam instead of Eric unless this were the case. I couldn't hear what was being said so much as the tone with which it was spoken. I suspect this guy did NOT view himself as a "sound-check guy" and didn't like hearing himself as such. What's really amazing about his response is that he was advertizing comedy routines for early August... apparently not all comedians have to have a sense of humor, or perspective. Fun!

I hope that's not enough to bar future shows there, because it was a nice little venue and I enjoyed the closeness and acoustics of the place. Then again, I know there are many others that'd love to feature Common Rotation. Or would with a little help from Lou the friendly LA mafia rep. But really, they'd love it after they heard it and no force would be needed, am I right?

Now must sleep. Ungh.