Shockingly, it seems I’ve developed something of a reputation when it comes to…the “R” word. Okay, so I may have written some disparaging things about Rehearsals. I admit, I’m not the biggest fan. There are times and circumstances where taking an “Art is fleeting” approach to music is more exciting.

   There are times, however, when a little rehearsal can be called for. Thursday is the debut premiere grand opening show for KT & the Wicked Gents. This is a band made up of some hardened professionals. We could easily walk in, and play right out of the box. “Do you know this song?” “What key?” and BLAM! We’d all like this to be a more than a ‘pick up’ band, so when the first gig was booked, we scheduled in two rehearsals. We’re not reinventing the wheel here, we just want to be able to try some different things; put a different beat on a familiar tune, maybe stretch some passages out for solos…fun musician-type junk!

   The first rehearsal, a couple of weeks ago, it was the first time we were all together. It was a warm night in Benicia, so we left some doors open, and after about an hour, the Police showed up. It was like I was sixteen again, in Jamie Riddick’s garage! So our first rehearsal became a “band meeting”.

   The Cop actually said “Are you a band?” Nope. Podiatrists. Go figure.

   Last night we had our second rehearsal, this time with doors closed. Smokin’! Working our way through arrangements, going over transitions from solo to bridge, and from rumba to swing, ‘jazzing up’ old favorites…having a great time, when all of a sudden; POP; power goes out. Pitch black.

   First thought; blew a fuse. Second thought; somebody cut the power. Third thought; I am not getting out of here without tripping over everything.

   A peek out the window confirmed that the whole neighborhood was dark. Weird. No storm, not really windy, just a power outage. A little walk down the street, and it became apparent that the whole city of Benicia was dark! From the hill, you could see the lights of Vallejo, Port Costa and Crockett, but Benicia was blacked out. Once again, rehearsal became “band meeting” as we went over what would be our Set List. Some things had to be dropped. Without playing them, we don’t want to try to play them. Not much though; like I said – professionals.

   As I made my way out of Benicia, the lights of the city came back on. Flat out conspiracy against us. Damn you, Benicia! Some people are sensitive to the concept of ‘omens’, and would say that KT & the Wicked Gents should be mindful of whether there’s an overabundance of Bad Mojo, but I have seen Bad Mojo (someday I’ll tell you a story of death, heartbreak, and madness, all on a ‘first gig’), and I’m pretty sure we’re okay.

   Just in case, though, come out and help us with our Karma! Hey, just because I say ‘I think we’re okay’ doesn’t mean I ignore this stuff!

KT & the Wicked Gents
Armando’s
Thursday, October 8th, 8 to 10PM
707 Marina Vista, Martinez