Trogg Concerns...(Looooong)

[Cavestomper@xxxxxxx]

I understand the concerns expressed by some, over what kind of set The Troggs 
might turn in Sat. Nov. 4 at CS!2000.  Will we see a band suffering from the 
symptoms of Shadows Of Knight Syndrome?  Known as SOKS, as in "This SOKS!", 
and easily recognized by these tell tale signs: wireless Washburn or Charvel 
guitars in neon colors, headphone mics, and anything that says Korg on it.  
Symptoms of anti-social behavior and dimensia may be exhibited by : a keen 
sense of unawareness or disregard of audience interest in hearing songs 
performed in the period style that  made them so loved originally, and got 
them invited back to play 30 plus years after that fact, in the first place!  
And accompanied by audial hallucinations: 15-20 minute jams and medleys of 
their most popular song(s) that they actually believe sound cool re-tooled 
for "the kids today" in a cutting edge 80's style and followed  by a "choice" 
Chuck Berry cover ot two.  And noticable increase in musical skill levels 
that are directly proportionate to decreases in musical good taste. 

I don't think so.  The Troggs, and with rare exception most of "the legends" 
deliver the goods.  They know exactly why they're here and what's expected.  A
nd we miss no opportunity, in the nicest way, to remind them. EVER!  In fact, 
I'd like to suggest that you real Troggs and Blues Magoos fans, for fun 
compose the set list of your dreams for them to do.  We'll get it to them. 
(NOT that they really need it.)  And what they're not already doing, we'll 
urge them to work up.  We've done this before. It's fun and it works.  Really.

I know there has recently been a a good deal of criticism in regards to how 
worthwhile it is for us garage fests to feature these legends after all these 
years.  Particularly those bands that have been out on the oldies or state 
fair circuit and then bring their "slick, surface level only show" to us 
purists- when it's a given we prefer it "old school" (Hell, we're well beyond 
purist about this stuff, we're fascist about it!)  Well, most of the time it 
works out just fine, the bands give us the show we want to see and done most 
impressively.  As a matter of fact, those in attendance have seen stellar 
shows by Question Mark, Barry & The Remains, Mark Lindsay, and The Pretty 
Things, to name just a few.  And when it falls short, and it sometimes 
does-it just goes to show you that garage rock ain't just about knowing where 
to put your fingers on the fretboard.  

Not to say the music's not crucial, it is-but there IS more to it than that.  
These fests are a celebration of who these older bands once were and what 
they've given us, as well as a unique opportunity to actually meet, see, and  
hear them now...and usually just once.  Because it's a gift to be in a band 
that's successful and tours with the nurturing support of what is a 
notoriously very unsupportive industry.  And almost all of these old bands 
didn't get any of that much deserved and needed support back then, and they 
certainly don't get it now.  So for them to even be on a LVG or CS! stage is 
often a personal challenge and professional triumph.  MOST go through some 
pretty difficult circumstances just to get back together that one time for us 
to hear.  Health and money (the lack of them) usually being the main 
obstacles.  

So regardless of how it actually may have sounded that evening, it's a chance 
to have all the usual fun we have at these things (with a vengence), and an 
opportunity to demonstrate our appreciation for a scene and lifestyle we're 
all passionate about.  And to see and thank these old guys just once for all 
the amazing music and culture they left for us to enjoy and be inspired by.   
Even The Shadows Of Knight...
-Jon