Rockin' the Basement

Tonight's Setlist:

Cold day in the Sun -- Foo Fighters
D.O.A. -- Foo Fighters
Times Like These -- Foo Fighters
Generator -- Foo Fighters
Everlong -- Foo Fighters
Good Grief -- Foo Fighters
Resolve -- Foo Fighters
Re-Align -- Godsmack (partial)
Bad Religion -- Godsmack
Fell on Black Days -- Soundgarden

Encore:
Black -- Pearl Jam

Not a bad show for this charming venue, though a tad shorter than last night's performance. Nancy's basement is always nice and cool, and just enough room for her audience of none. There were no fancy stick tricks tonight, but she didn't drop any sticks tonight, either, which was impressive. Re-Align didn't go so well, but she always shines on Cold Day in the Sun and Generator; and of course, Black is her signature closer.

After the set she hung around to sign autographs, which went very quickly as there was no there, then went up to the kitchen--I mean backstage--to have a nice cold glass of chocolate milk. The dogs came out from wherever they go to hide when she performs, taking off their Bose sound-blocking headphones and begging for her to throw her sticks into the audience. She declined, being on a tight touring budget.

This is the third straight gig Nancy has played at this venue, and she definitely seems to be getting more comfortable with her set. The neighbors have yet to call the police, which is also a good sign. (Her shows always close at a respectable 9 or 9:30.)

I'm sure some of you might wonder what rock stars like Nancy do for fun. I mean, playing music is every percussionist's first love, but even professionals need the occasional diversion. In a rare tag-along interview with this forty-something drummer, I learned a little about what goes on behind the stage lights when no one is looking (as opposed to under the stage lights, when no one is looking, either.)

As it turns out, Nancy's success in this business allows her to own two horses (as long as she buys little or no groceries for herself) which she boards in a neighboring town. When her tour schedule allows, as it did earlier today, she goes out to the barn and spends several hours in the company of horses. There is grooming to be done, and exercising the beasts, and then, if time remains, some recreational riding. Most times it is recreation purely from the standpoint of the idle observer, but there are times during which it is actually enjoyable for Nancy herself. Today was such a day. Along with the ranch owners, she took her 16.2 hh black Percheron out into the neighborhood to scare small dogs and children. It was refreshing to get out of the confines of the dusty arena, where Nancy usually spends much time schooling her reluctant rides.

Refreshing also was the light rain than began to fall as the threesome made their way back to the ranch. It has not rained in these parts in a dreadfully long time. Nancy turned Julian back out to pasture and brought up her second mount, a 13.2 hh pony named Jack.

Nancy and Jack sought the cover of the arena, where Nancy downed a quick mixed berry yogurt as Jack trotted aimlessly around the arena. Once he had calmed a bit (his Arab blood makes him a slightly hotter mount than the much more physically imposing Julian) she attached a line to his halter and lunged him for several minutes. The dust of the footing soon muted his dapple grey to an even tan, and coated the inside of both his and Nancy's lungs. This would be of greater concern to her if she were also responsible for the evening's vocals, but she is not. (Not that it stops her from singing, anyway.)

After tacking him up, Nancy spent another half hour slowly working on Jack's trust. Jack is a nervous Nelly, and the trick with him is to keep the engines from revving on a continual basis. It is something like meditation on horseback, and is simply fascinating to witness, I must admit. They trotted and cantered around the arena until the dust cloud made seeing them difficult, at which time she dismounted and untacked her small horse. Jack, being more dog than pony, stayed by her side until she led him out the door to join his pasture mates.

I think it is important to note that, being a simple person, Nancy eschews the need for assistants and carries all her own equipment, even going so far as to pick up manure left behind by her pony. It is tasks like these, she reveals, which keep her grounded.

With only a few hours left before the opening number, Nancy headed back to town in her VW Beetle--another emblem of her humility--to prepare for the show. The dogs still had to be walked, after all.

Stay tuned for more notes from this summer's sold-out basement tour! Jack