We drove to Chicago to see friends who happen to be exceptionally talented musicians. I’ve known Mike Keneally, Bryan Beller, Rick Musallam, and Joe Travers for over a quarter of a century. I’ve seen BFD live more than any other band - countless shows. Saturday night’s show was the first in years, and it was epic.
The show was at Reggie’s Banana Shack, a dive bar live music / comedy venue about 2 miles south of the Chicago loop. The room held maybe 125 people with tables three feet from the stage. The “green room” was a big booth stage right. It was an intimate room with a cool vibe and electric crowd.
We got there early enough to find two seats at the front of the stage - three feet from Mike’s piano. Kelli pointed out there was a reserved sign on the table after I sat down. We talked to our server, and she talked to someone who approved our presence at the table. Kelli wanted to move to the two empty chairs at the other end of the table and that was fine with me. Six feet is just as good as three.
Matt Dorsey opened with an acoustic set of beautifully composed progressive rock. Two Brits, Sally Minnear and Dave Bainbridge, hit the stage next. Sally’s voice is other-worldly and Dave’s work on synth patch, loops, and blazing guitar were the perfect appetizer for what was to come.
Two young people came in right before BFD’s set and sat on the front row. Another couple closer to our age showed up shortly afterwards and took the last unoccupied seats. I don’t know if the younger couple had ever heard BFD, but the young man appeared to be having as much fun as me. He gave Mike knuckles at one point. The older couple seemed to be fighting over who got to wear the iPods.
I was today years old when I found out iPods are effective noise cancelling devices at a rock show. Who knew? No more cheap 3M plugs for this guy.
Mike dug DEEP into the catalogue and played many of my favorites including the shredding Lightning Roy to open. They played one non-BFD song, a selection off Bryan’s solo epic Scenes from the Flood called Bunkistan. That song featured something that has never been done at a BFD show - they played with a track. The first encore song is one of my all-timers - Live in Japan.
Mike’s liner notes talk about the origins of the name. There was a time when live albums were all the rage - especially ones from Japan. Deep Purple Live in Japan is one of several.
The inside joke is the song title is pronounced like you live in Tokyo. I live in Japan. (I wish I could go there in a van.)
That’s the story, and Joe Travers didn’t know it because he didn’t read the liner notes. Mike made a little light of that fact and kicked into one of the early riffs that hooked me on his music. You can tell these are friends who enjoy playing together.
Sidenote: Joe is the Zappa Family Trust’s “Vault Meister” and has played a HUGE role getting Frank’s MASSIVE catalogue digitized. He’s been instrumental in the remixing and releasing of at least fifty posthumous releases. I am so thankful for Joe Travers and what he’s doing for Frank’s music. Here’s a video of him talking about the soon to be released Halloween 78 box set. (If anyone is looking for Christmas ideas for me that would be an excellent choice!)
Right before he counted off the first song he yelled “FUCK!”. Joe also left his setlist at the green booth and the tour manager had to retrieve it. It was glorious. Joe is such a good natured soul. I love watching him play - he has so much fun behind that silver sparkle DW kit.
Bryan was not feeling well, but you wouldn’t know it from his performance. Bryan and Joe Travers are a formidable rhythm section and I forgot how much I love watching them play together.
Rick Musallam’s riffs always perfectly compliment Mike’s gonzo guitar capabilities. Rick and my friend Jeff know each other from school which I didn’t know until about 10 years after I met him.
This band delivered the goods for two solid hours.
Mike had two drawings up for silent auction for Patreon members at the merch table. I couldn’t help but to put in a bid which held up and I am now the proud owner of a Keneally original.
Mike and I chatted for a few minutes after the show. While we were talking, he drew another original for me with a sharpie. For me it’s reminiscent of characters on Cheers! yelling “NORM” when he enters the bar, only this time it’s me entering a Keneally show. It’s a piece I will cherish forever.
This is a band I love for many reasons, most importantly because they are my friends.
Postscript - Bryan texted me Sunday and said he had Covid. I woke up a week later feeling like crap and sure enough - Covid.
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