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(April 10, 1999 - June 16, 1999)
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June 26, 1999 - Wind Lake, WI
July 2, 1999 - Oconomowoc, WI
July 30, 1999 - Madison, WI
July 31, 1999 - Oconomowoc, WI
August 13, 1999 - Madison, WI
August 28, 1999 - Wisconsin Rapids, WI w/pix
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(September 18, 1999 - October 16, 1999)
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| Saturday, June 26, 1999 "Kelly's Bleachers II" Wind Lake, WI |
Sound: Lewis Audio - operated by Brent Archibald Lights: Josh Becker - operated by Tom "Hog" Hilber |
| SET 1: High Wire - Badlands Everybody Wants You - B. Squire New Girl Now - Honeymoon Suite Uncle Tom's Cabin - Warrant Jamie's Crying - Van Halen Round & Round - Ratt Rock Me - Great White Beth - Kiss Perfect Strangers - Deep Purple Still of the Night - Whitesnake Looks That Kill - Motley Crue Pour Some Sugar... - Def Leppard |
SET 2: Fantasy - Aldo Nova Photograph - Def Leppard Seventeen - Winger White Wedding - Billy Idol Everything About You - Ugly Kid Joe My Sharona - The Knack Smokin' - Boston Faithfully - Journey Final Countdown - Europe Sweet Emotion - Aerosmith Helter Skelter - Beatles/Motley Crue Monkey Business - Skid Row |
| SET 3: Love it Loud - Kiss Tie Your Mother Down - Queen/Lynch Mob Right Now - Van Halen Calling Dr. Love - Kiss Wicked Sensation - Lynch Mob Turn Me Loose - Loverboy Here I Go Again - Whitesnake Still Loving You - Scorpions Shot in the Dark - Ozzy Osbourne All She Wrote - Firehouse Rebel Yell - Billy Idol Bulls on Parade - Rage Against the Machine ------- Getting Better - Tesla Looks That Kill - Motley Crue |
| This night was very satisfying. Being our first time in this club and with Milwaukee's Summerfest raging just 30 miles up the road, our prospects for drawing much of a crowd looked bleak. During set-up, the management even told us not to take it personally if there was nobody to play to when it was time for our third set. Well, the night turned out great. First, obviously we were helped by family and friends, this time including Dawn Busalacchi; Andi Brodsky; Eric Mandernack; Penny Ferrell & her friends Diane, Vicki & Terry; Michelle Bawiec & husband Mark; Jane D'Angelo & her friend Sue; Shauna Zaffke; Jack Divito; Tina Whiting; Earl Buckwalter & his brother Cecil; and, yes, Hit Squad's #1 Superfan Cheryl Mehlbrech, who again made the trip down from Wisconsin Rapids (over 200 miles one-way), this time with her friend Marie. The evening's success was also largely due to a couple of Bachelorette Parties going on. One in particular really kept things lively all night, led throughout by the bride-to-be herself Kim Weber. Other members of her awesome party included Chris Weber, Dawn Mainus, Kim Schmidt, Amy Callahan, Jill Walczak and Jennifer Kleimike. Thanks a lot gals. The show itself went well. I was frustrated by a broken guitar string on the very first song, but that didn't turn out to be an omen as just about everything went right after that. John sang "Still Loving You" from atop the bar's mechanical bull in the center of this large room. He was even able to sway back and forth on it (somewhat seductively I suppose). Not many people were leaving as we went deep into the night with quite a respectable crowd. It was even bolstered a bit at the end as several people showed up from Summerfest during our encores. We really look forward to returning to Kelly's Bleachers II later in the season when we should really be able to blow the roof off the place. -JB |
| Friday, July 2 , 1999 "Fire Dept 4th of July Celebration" Roosevelt Park Oconomowoc, WI |
Sound: Lewis Audio - operated by Dave Lewis Lights: Josh Becker - operated by Tom "Hog" Hilber |
| SET 1: High Wire - Badlands Everybody Wants You - B. Squire New Girl Now - Honeymoon Suite Uncle Tom's Cabin - Warrant Shot in the Dark - Ozzy Osbourne All She Wrote - Firehouse Jamie's Crying - Van Halen Beth - Kiss Perfect Strangers - Deep Purple Round & Round - Ratt Looks That Kill - Motley Crue Pour Some Sugar... - Def Leppard |
SET 2: Fantasy - Aldo Nova Photograph - Def Leppard Seventeen - Winger White Wedding - Billy Idol Everything About You - Ugly Kid Joe My Sharona - The Knack Smokin' - Boston Faithfully - Journey Final Countdown - Europe Sweet Emotion - Aerosmith Helter Skelter - Beatles/Motley Crue Monkey Business - Skid Row |
| SET 3: Love it Loud - Kiss Tie Your Mother Down - Queen/Lynch Mob Right Now - Van Halen Calling Dr. Love - Kiss [Drum Solo] Rebel Yell - Billy Idol Still of the Night - Whitesnake Rock Me - Great White Still Loving You - Scorpions Wicked Sensation - Lynch Mob Turn Me Loose - Loverboy Here I Go Again - Whitesnake Bulls on Parade - Rage Against the Machine ------- Getting Better - Tesla Pour Some Sugar on Me - Def Leppard |
| This was most likely to be our only outdoor festival show of the Summer and we were determined to make the most of it. The overall turnout was a bit disappointing in terms of pure numbers, but as usual, not in terms of attitude. We were'nt the only ones putting on a "show" as plenty of hijinx in the dancing area in front of the stage managed to keep us entertained. Yes, this "hijinx" did include some nudity :-o Of course, all I could think of was "you'd better watch out for mosquitos". Nick had so many family members in attendence that he was blushingly talked into doing a drum solo during the third set. It totally kicked ass - but you shouldn't count on hearing one at every show. Nick's just so damn modest that way. Former Hit Squad bassist Don Peaslee again graced us with his presense as did Main Attraction manager Karen McNitt, Jamie Harland, Lisa Harseny, Roberta Kienast and buddies Robin & Natalie who were always the first ones up to the stage whenever John offered the audience refreshing beverages courtesy of his handy SuperSoaker. -JB |
| Friday, July 30, 1999 "Badger Bowl" Madison, WI Opening up for Bad Boy |
Sound: Dove Tail Audio - operated by Jeff Everts |
| SET LIST: High Wire - Badlands Photograph - Def Leppard Seventeen - Winger Calling Dr. Love - Kiss Right Now - Van Halen Monkey Business - Skid Row Tie Your Mother Down - Queen/LM Helter Skelter - Beatles/Motley Crue Pour Some Sugar... - Def Leppard |
(continued) Perfect Strangers - Deep Purple Still Loving You - Scorpions Uncle Tom's Cabin - Warrant Looks That Kill - Motley Crue Smokin' - Boston My Sharona - The Knack Still of the Night - Whitesnake Bulls on Parade - RAtM |
| Based on the premise that, at this point in the band's brief history, there is no such thing as "over-exposure" we accepted an offer to open for veteran rockers Bad Boy at the Badger Bowl. This means that our show there in two weeks will mark our fifth performance at the Badger Bowl in less than four months. Anyway, things went pretty well. We made our way through a rather long set, shaking off the rust from our time off. We did seem to accomplish our intention which was to recruit some loyal Bad Boy fans into our flock. There were some familiar faces including Diane Spray & her cousin Katrina, Valerie Schultz & her friend Pamela Jahn, Wayne Ward and John Benson. In addition, Badger Bowl regular Sandy Snyder was having a bachelorette party with some of her usual gang including Becky and Tanya. I recently played in a short-lived R&B band with Bad Boy frontman Xeno. Our familiarity led to me being invited up on stage to jam some blues organ during the Bad Boy set. -JB |
| Saturday, July 31, 1999 "Main Attraction" Oconomowoc, WI |
Sound: Mighty Decent Sound - operated by Jerry St. John, assisted by Pete Sandoval Lights: Josh Becker - operated by Tom "Hog" Hilber |
| SET 1: Final Countdown - Europe Tie Your Mother Down - Queen/LM Uncle Tom's Cabin - Warrant Rock Me - Great White Everything About You - Ugly Kid Joe Everybody Wants You - B. Squire My Sharona - The Knack Faithfully - Journey Smokin' - Boston High Wire - Badlands Right Now - Van Halen Epic* - Faith No More |
SET 2: Runaway* - Bon Jovi All She Wrote - Firehouse Fantasy - Aldo Nova Rebel Yell - Billy Idol Still Loving You - Scorpions In The Flesh* - Pink Floyd Carry On Wayward Son* - Kansas Bohemian Rhapsody* - Queen Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin'* - Journey Photograph - Def Leppard Seventeen - Winger Round & Round - Ratt Pour Some Sugar... - Def Leppard |
| SET 3: Still of the Night - Whitesnake Helter Skelter - Beatles/Motley Crue Perfect Strangers - Deep Purple Bulls On Parade - Rage Against the Machine Calling Dr. Love - Kiss New Girl Now - Honeymoon Suite Turn Me Loose - Loverboy Getting Better - Tesla Looks That Kill - Motley Crue Love It Loud - Kiss Jamie's Crying - Van Halen Sweet Emotion - Aerosmith Monkey Business - Skid Row ------- High Wire - Badlands Round & Round - Ratt |
* - Debut |
| YEAH BABY YEAH. Unlike our last time at the Main Attraction, this time we had no trouble at all keeping the dance floor full. Whether it was be-bopping to "My Sharona", getting R-rated to "Faithfully" or moshing to "Bulls on Parade" these people came to PARRRR-TY. Nick had a lot of family in town from California including his Mother Linda who got to see the band for the first time after following our adventures from the beginning by reading this journal. Nick's high school art teacher Kitty Zaradka was also in attendence along with her husband Jim. Other family and friends included Natalie, Tamela, Chantelle, Rod Cupp & his fiance Jennifer Rozanas and Don & Heather Peaslee. The "Party Animals from Hell" Award went to Cindy Bankert, Dawn Bolstad and Lori Lamke. The show itself was punctuated by the debuts of six songs which were new to us. We knew things were going right when we actually played the new stuff better live than in rehearsal. The crowd seemed to like the new stuff too as many people were seen singing along with "Runaway", "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin'". John even got a number of people to sing on mic during the "Nah nah nah nah nah's". -JB |
| Friday, August 13, 1999 "Badger Bowl" Madison, WI |
Sound: Mighty Decent Sound - operated by Jerry St. John, assisted by Pete Sandoval Lights: Josh Becker - operated by Tom "Hog" Hilber |
| SET 1: Final Countdown - Europe Tie Your Mother Down - Queen/LM Jamie's Crying - Van Halen Rock Me - Great White Everything About You - Ugly Kid Joe Everybody Wants You - B. Squire My Sharona - The Knack Faithfully - Journey Smokin' - Boston Right Now - Van Halen Epic - Faith No More |
SET 2: Runaway - Bon Jovi Getting Better - Tesla Fantasy - Aldo Nova Rebel Yell - Billy Idol Beth - Kiss In The Flesh - Pink Floyd Carry On Wayward Son - Kansas Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin' - Journey Photograph - Def Leppard Seventeen - Winger Round & Round - Ratt Pour Some Sugar... - Def Leppard |
| SET 3: Still of the Night - Whitesnake Helter Skelter - Beatles/Motley Crue Perfect Strangers - Deep Purple New Girl Now - Honeymoon Suite Turn Me Loose - Loverboy Here I Go Again - Whitesnake Faithfully - Journey (Lead vocal by Ben Zerr) Runaway - Bon Jovi (Lead vocal by Shelly Emerson) Calling Dr. Love - Kiss High Wire - Badlands (Lead vocal by Ben Zerr) Bulls on Parade - Rage Against the Machine |
| This show had a bit of a bizzare feel to it. The crowd was good, the response was quite favorable and the dancing was swell. However, it was sometimes difficult for us to enjoy all that when we were dealing with a series of minor technical difficulties (after all, it WAS Friday the 13th). The most obvious problem involved John. The poor guy had a bad cold aggrivated by allergies. He was in marginal voice to begin the night and it only got worse from there. By the third set, we had decided to pass over some of his more challenging songs such as "High Wire", "Still Loving You" and "Monkey Business". Then, late in the show when John's voice was really shot, a couple of audience members came to his rescue. First, Ben Zerr, an old friend of Shane's who'd come out with his wife Kim, came up and sang "Faithfully". He really did a great job and received quite an ovation. Then, Shelly Emerson, an old friend of mine who currently plays with the band Blizzard of Oz, came up and sang a spirited rendition of "Runaway". Ben returned to the stage a few minutes later to sing "High Wire". This was fine with John who could hardly speak after the show. Some of the folks in attendence included my brother Jason, his wife Cirsten & friends Jonathan & Noelle Thomas; Sandy Schroeder & her friends Carrie Wisneski, Ralph Vrdoman, Wendy Van Maren, Brian Leedom & Lisa Leedom; Ellen Rasmussen & her friends Dave & Chris; Christine Henker; Lolita Martens; Bonnie Denny; Jodi Hanna; Tessa Chivers & her friends J.T. & Denise, Jason Phelps of the band Munkypunch; "Raven" Murray of the band Nightmare's End; Rod Cupp & Jennifer Rozanas; and Joshua Brunk, a guitar student of mine. -JB |
| Saturday, August 28, 1999 "Four Stools Short" Wisconsin Rapids, WI |
Sound: Mighty Decent Sound - operated by Jerry St. John, assisted by Pete Sandoval Lights: Josh Becker - operated by Tom "Hog" Hilber |
| SET 1: Final Countdown - Europe Tie Your Mother Down - Queen/LM Jamie's Crying - Van Halen Rock Me - Great White Everything About You - Ugly Kid Joe Everybody Wants You - B. Squire My Sharona - The Knack Faithfully - Journey Smokin' - Boston Sweet Emotion - Aerosmith High Wire - Badlands Right Now - Van Halen Epic - Faith No More |
SET 2: Runaway - Bon Jovi All She Wrote - Firehouse Fantasy - Aldo Nova Rebel Yell - Billy Idol Still Loving You - Scorpions In The Flesh - Pink Floyd Carry On Wayward Son - Kansas Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin' - Journey Photograph - Def Leppard Seventeen - Winger Round & Round - Ratt Pour Some Sugar... - Def Leppard |
| SET 3: Still of the Night - Whitesnake Helter Skelter - Beatles/Motley Crue Perfect Strangers - Deep Purple Bulls On Parade - Rage Against the Machine New Girl Now - Honeymoon Suite Turn Me Loose - Loverboy Here I Go Again - Whitesnake Beth - Kiss Calling Dr. Love - Kiss Uncle Tom's Cabin - Warrant Looks That Kill - Motley Crue Monkey Business - Skid Row ------- Getting Better - Tesla |
 Dave  Josh |  Nick  Sing Along Photos by Dan Mehlbrech |
| The Packers played the Saints in a pre-season game that started at 7 PM. With a pretty good crowd riveted to every play, management was quite adamant that we would not start until the game was over (fine with us). The game ended and we started "The Final Countdown". Over the keyboard intro John yelled "And now for your post-game entertainment!" The folks responded by moving toward the stage, soon to be joined by dozens of others, most of whom had watched the game elsewhere. Cheryl Mehlbrech was there (of course) and she had a large group of people with her including her husband Dan and friends Nita, Marie, Becky, Anne and Chad. During the second set we presented a birthday cake to Diane Spray who had baked cookies for the band (a typical rock'n'roll baked goods exchange). Kay & Karen Juhnke helped eat the cake and proved to be very enthusiastic singers when John presented them with the microphone during "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'". Jo'el Hoesly danced the night away along with her friends Kay and Gene. Combined with the rest of the crowd, this audience was certainly one of the most vocal we've ever had. At the end of the third set they chanted "We want more". However, our late start had put us behind schedule prompting bar manager Shannon to take John's microphone and announce "OK, they can play ONE more quick song, and then you all have to get out of here! It's my alcohol license that's on the line!" -JB |
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