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CONCERT SCRAPBOOK Sapphire Supper Club, Orlando, FL 4/8/96 |
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CONCERT SCRAPBOOK Sapphire Supper Club, Orlando, FL 4/8/96 |
picture from Atlantic Records' Digital Arena
As I listened to WJRR, the station which put 7M3 on the map, I was startled when I heard that Spock Jenkins would be playing the Sapphire Supper Club, a small club in Orlando, which seats about 200. I realized that 7M3's fan club's name was Spock Jenkins High and soon made the connection - 7M3 was giving a homecoming concert under the name Spock Jenkins! I was so excited - I called the Sapphire to ensure the info was correct, and they verified that 7M3 would be playing along with two other bands for $5 - what a deal!
My friend Sam and I arrived at the Sapphire Supper Club around 8:00 in order to obtain tickets. Once we ventured inside we were shocked to see about fifteen people hanging out. We were able to secure seats, which were in front of the stage, at one of the few tables in the club and anxiously awaited the performance. As we relaxed, we noticed that Ross and Giti were mingling throughout the club and chatting with everyone. As the pair passed us, they both greeted us and Giti said, "Thanks for supporting us since day one, guys." This was my seventh time seeing 7M3 over the past two years, and I've been able to closely watch them grow to be a huge success.
The first band, Los Knievels from Orlando, came onstage around 9:00 - they were sort of a country-rock band. This band was very energetic and obviously were intent on making their mark on the growing Orlando musical scene. Next up were the Frantic Flattops, a band from Rochester, New York. This group played fifties and sixties style music with nineties themes - they're devoted fans dressed straight out of the sixties - greased hair, poodle skirts, etc. Whenever the band played a particularly catchy song, the fans would jump in front of the stage and break into old-time dancing - very cool. Finally at about midnite, 7M3 came onstage - by this time, the club was packed.
First, the band took a minute to thank everyone in the central florida area for their support the past few years and soon began their acoustic set at about 12:10AM. The concert started of with a strong performance of "Margaret." Next, the band set the tone for the show by playing new songs and also older material which was rarely played in concert. The band members physical appearances were varied: Ross, looked like the kid next door, was polite and serious. Casey Daniel was rather reserved, kept drinking, and was quite inebriated. Giti, the consummate musician, was controlling things from the corner of the stage. Now for the surprise! Jason Pollock, previously thought to be a nice All-American kid, was extremely stoned! So much so that Ross was getting angry. Pollock began to sing lead vocals for a Hank Williams cover, and said partway through, "sorry, i dont know all the words yet," as he nervously laughed. Pollock didn't move much during the entire show - his eyes were red and glassy - he was simply baked.
At about 1:00, the band played their second song from "American Standard," a stirring performance of "Anything." At this point, 7M3 was joined onstage by Steve Burray(sp.?) who used to be the lead singer of the Beat Me Ups, a Gainsville band. Surprisingly, Burray knew all the words to the songs he played with the band. Burray used to play with 7M3 when they were Spock Jenkins, and it seemed as though he might continue to play with 7M3?!?!
At 1:30, a few fans starting filing out of the Sapphire, but the band kept playing. When Ross noticed the people exiting, he said, "Those are the ones who are pissed we're not playing stuff from the album." Next, the band belted out "Lame," the third and final song from American Standard. At about 2:00, the band profusely thanked everyone and left the stage. Yet, minu and for the second straight concert, I caught one! What a great way to end the best 7M3 concert I've ever attended!
--Ben
