The Del Amitri Concert, August 21, 1997
by Darren Holmquist

Okay, tonights' show. Well, first... I'm running on Crystal Ale (5) and a bagel, so my metobolic balances are a little off. Forgive me.

I got to the Crystal Ballroom at about 4pm. I wanted to get a decent parking spot, as there is really only street parking in that area, as, The Crystal Ballroom is in the downtown area of Portland. So, I park across the street, next to a big record store. Taire, this happens to be the store where I get all my Dels promo stuff, just down the street from the store you and I went to. An idea hits me. I go inside, and Justin is not there. So, relax.

But, Mark is. I walk up to him and say, "You're Mark Price, aren't you?" He gives me a look, like, "should I run?" He quietly says, yes he is. I explain who I am, and he relates that he DID wonder "Oh, God. What have I done? What have I done that they would find me in PORTLAND?!?" We talked for awhile about how he likes the tour, this band, etc. A very nice guy. He bought a used copy of The Doors first album, and a weird disc he didn't even know what it was. He says he likes to sample stuff in his studio when he's at home, and this would be an interesting disc to sample. I explained about I&P and he knew about it from the other guys, but hadn't read it himself.

He bought his discs, and we walked to the corner and to the venue together, continueing our conversation. I went in the bar, he went up to soundcheck. I met one of my old roommates in the bar. Totally by chance. So, that was good. Networking. It's all about networking.

Before the show, THE Melissa found me. Dog's Eye View came on. They were okay. The sound was atrocious. Midway into their set, I went back by the soundboard to see what it sounded like back there. I wanted to find out what they thought sounded so appealing. (why weren't they fixing it?) I literally turned away for a second... (Okay okay, it was a skirt I was looking at!) When I looked back, there's Justin standing in front of me. Short hair and glasses, checking out the sound. He didn't look happy. I didn't intervene.

I went up front, where the cool people were, for the show. They did the standard set. They dropped Stone Cold Sober and Medicine for some reason. They were actually crossed off the playlist taped to the floor.

For the encore, Justin didn't even leave the stage, as there was literally no backstage for him to go to. He'd have to go down two flights of stairs, so he just got the acoustic and told the audience, they could shut up because he wasn't going anywhere. He had the acoustic capo'd up for Downfall, but someone asked for Tell Her This. He said "Olright." Moved the capo up, and did a perfect rendition with Andy and Iain coming in right on cue. I do believe it was a momentary decision. He did have to physically change the capo on the acoustic.

And then, our friend Melissa wrote out a request for Whiskey Remorse. He said "Olright." and did a letter perfect rendition. Then the band came back for Kiss This Thing Goodbye, and that was the end of the show. They skipped Downfall and Driving; which is what was written on the playlist. But in return we got Whiskey Remorse and Tell Her This.

The only miss-mark was a point when Iain was over next to Kris, and was doing some big guitarist move, and bonked Justin aside the head with his flailing stumming hand. Justin thought it funny, as did everyone else.

During Start With Me, the show ender, Justin left the stage and came down in front and bounced and danced like one of the audience. He was there for probably 2 full minutes. He was truly among friends down there, and I think he sensed it.

During Whiskey Remorse, Iain was off stage left and opening a bottle of beer. It made one of those thunderous "pops" that are common with champagne bottles! This REALLY cracked him up. When he told Justin afterwards, Justin found it funny too. Which is good, because at the start of the show, Iain came out looking like his dog had just gotten shot. He did not look like he wanted to be there. By the end he was having a great time, though.

So, the show ends. This is where I typically have to decide to stick around or go home. There was some fans waiting by the stairwell. Melissa sent her friend to talk to Derek, who said they'd all come up in 15 minutes or so. They wanted to take a shower.

So we waited. Mark and Kris came up first. I introduced myself to Kris after he'd signed all the immediate autograph hounds. We talked for 5 mintes or so. Then Andy came up. I did the same thing. Waited for him to sign the autographs and then introduced myself as one of the folks who kept the Andy Is Bored rumor alive! He said he didn't mind that, because, actually, at the time, he WAS! We talked for 10 minutes or so. About alot of things. The juciest being about Ashley, which I really shouldn't repeat. Not because it's bad, but because it's heresay and just Andy's opinion and recollections. Kelli and Anna have probably heard the same stories.

Iain was standing next to me the entire time I was talking to Andy, but he was besieged. And then Justin came up. After the obligatory signitures, I introduced myself. There were all of 10 people waiting to see them. So, it was really quite nice. No one was bothersome. And they actually left Justin and me alone! It was nice that he knew of me from I&P, and he was immediately at ease with me as well. And, as everyone has said, he's a great guy to just talk with. I had a ton of things I'd like to talk with him about, just for my own knowledge, but, Quinner was eager to get the show on the road to San Francisco. They were pulling out tonight to drive down.

I introduced myself to Quinner, and he was quite gracious, but he had a band to get on the road.

Mark came back over to say goodnight, which was nice of him. He also said hello from the stage. And I told Justin that I'd be in Minneapolis. When he was leaving he yelled back, "See you in Minnesota!!" So, who knows?!? Maybe I will!

Melissa, her friend and I were out front talking, when Quinner and Iain were going back and forth between the bus and lobby of the venue. I made some joke about getting all the kids on board. He played the frustrated father as if to say, "Don't I know it!" He put two buckets full of ice on board, then climbed on and locked up.

They are now on their way to Alison and Caroline country.

So, I finally got to meet the guys. And they lived up to everything everyone told me.

Karen, I told Justin to warm up Evidence, because he's going to have it requested for the next 4 shows. He said, he thought he could do that without warming up! So, my hunch is, request it, and you'll get it!

Kelli, Justin's picked a winner. He said it's a head and a shoulder above the rest. Actually, he said, he'd like to put music to it and release it himself!! I told him, there's probably a lyricist out there who'd like that too! I asked him if he'd sign the lyric sheet and send it back to you. He was worried that it was supposed to be for this issue. I told him it wasn't, that he didn't have to rush.

What else? Only one T-shirt being sold. The black SOSP shirt. Even Dog's Eye View had two shirts! The sound sucked, and Justin & Andy agreed. Somehow, I doubt they'll ever play The Crystal Ballroom again.

I didn't get anything signed, and I didn't have my picture taken. That's the way I like it. For now. :)