Rolling out of bed today it is our anniversary, and Brian and I plan to do it in true rock star style. I shoot a call into Jesse James Dupree's assistant to set up the interview have breakfast and head off to the
tattoo shop to join my hubby. After our mutual inkings, we head back home to load up and trek back down to the lake front a mere 15 minutes from our home.
I'm not sure who had the brilliant idea to close streets and only allow traffic into the grounds from one direction, but personally I would like to slap them upside the head. The drive took over an hour for less than 5 miles. Traffic was horrible and being someone who actually knows the city well, I managed to get lost because of so many closed streets. We had planned to arrive an hour before Black Stone Cherry's set, but got there as they were preparing to load on the stage.
I hooked up with Jesse's road manager and met with Jesse briefly. He didn't realize it was a video interview, and while he didn't mind the fact, he did want to wash the road off. Taking a round a bout way to Milwaukee on the back of his Harley, a shower was in order. So we kicked back and relaxed to the
Black Stone Cherry set.
I was really shocked with these kids. I wasn't expecting what I heard, I was expecting a more pop sound. There was almost a bluesy undertones to their music and the guitars just had an amazingly warm sound that filled up the air. For some reason sitting at the lake, with a warm breeze blowing and listening to "Rollin On" was probably one of the most relaxing moments I have had in a while. Mixing in blues, southern rock and classic rock sounds, these kids (and I do mean kids, the oldest is 23) have some impressive talent and a well rounded sound. They closed with an amazing cover of "Voodoo Child", which they managed to change up just enough to make their own while still keeping the original in your mind. I cant wait to see how this band grows over the years!
I ran out to hit the real bathroom (I still can not use the back stage porta potty, just cant do it) and pick up some food. AHHH
Mader's. A quick dinner and time for the sit down with Jesse. Unfortunately I did have to tear him away from the JJO girls for a few minuets and we found a quick room to sit down a chat. That interview will be posted shortly. I kept it fairly short as he was hitting the stage in a half an hour.
For those who have never taken the time to see a
Jackyl show, you are missing some good old fashion fun. Jesse is a true frontman who is there to entertain, be it the front row or the guys on stage behind him. Outrageous and outlandish, when he is fronting Jackyl he is the "Redneck Punk". Their show is tried and true and while little changes (except for the stories) the band puts on a phenomenal show. A few change ups, including a short "NIB" cover, they play their hits. The crowd overpowered Jesse's vocals on "Secret of the Bottle". And yes both the Johnson Red and the Stihl were there backstage. Yes Jesse did drop his drawers. As they cleared the photo pit I issued a look to my husband that meant only one thing. Get me my photo of Jesse and the Chainsaw and he did not disappoint. Closing with the
ever classic "Lumberjack", the entire crowd went insane. My only disappointments (well kinda) were the fact that the mic was not loaded (his mic stand is a shotgun, and at previous outdoor shows I have seen him shoot it) and that they did not play "Rev it up and Go Go" from the new album being released by Jesse James and Dixie Inc. I really wasn't expecting to hear it, but a girl can dream. I have to say that this show was as good as the first, second and third Jackyl shows I have seen. The band still has amazing energy and still entertains the crowd.
As we meander our way through the heavily imbibed attendees at the close of the night, we make it to our car at 11:45. We turn on our car at 11:50 after letting the heat out. We turn it off again at midnight. And we sit. Once again, the closed roads are our nemesis. We finally pull out of the parking lot at 12:45 am and arrive home at 1:30. Summerfest 2008 is over for us. While attendance was down this year (I would assume high gas prices kept a lot of our neighbors to the south away) it was still a respectable 831,024 for the 10 days. See everyone next year down there!