GET WELL SOON RICHARD - Richard Lloyd at the Grog Shop 6/11/2012
Following his concert at the Grog Shop on Monday June 11th 2012, Richard Lloyd was taken by ambulance to a hospital in the Cleveland area. Subsequent June tour dates have been canceled.
“Remember Saturday morning cartoon noises?”, Richard Lloyd asked the audience during his set Monday night. He then proceeded to play a glitchy, springy sound effect on his guitar that was right out of Loony Toons. The noise only made it that much easier to imagine the ring of stars that seemed to be circling his head all night.
Yes, there were false starts followed by drunken rambling that when on far too long. And yes, Richard and former Television band mate Billy Ficca threw their drinks at each other before even taking the stage.
“I love you like a brother.” Richard told Ficca. “Yes, like cain loved abel.” Billy sarcastically replied. “Too bad Tom isn’t here. He’s the only one who could fight me.” This was one of the funnier and more coherent things Richard said at this gig.
His Fender Stratocaster was plugged directly into his Vox AC30. Well, not quite directly in. He also ran it through a tuner and drunkenly forgot to switch back to his amp several times. But his stripped down classic setup sounded great.
One of Richard’s songs that impressed me the most at this show was ‘Pleading’ off of ‘Fields of Fire’. This song’s opening riff and verse/chorus part is simple but really catchy.
Danny Tamberlli (little Pete from Pete & Pete) was the bassist with the group. You could tell he was annoyed with the drama going on but he still played very well. I didn’t recognize him at first because he wasn’t wearing a plaid hunting cap.
Sadly the show ended with Richard unplugging his microphone and then getting mad that it wouldn’t work. Hopefully Richard will be less hammered and back on the road soon.
