JOURNAL
Previous Journal Page
(September 18, 1999 - October 16, 1999)
THIS PAGE:
October 30, 1999 - Madison, WI w/pix
November 5, 1999 - Green Bay, WI
November 6, 1999 - Oconomowoc, WI w/pix
December 4, 1999 - Wisconsin Rapids, WI w/pix
December 10, 1999 - Madison, WI w/pix
December 18, 1999 - Wind Lake, WI
December 31, 1999 - Sheboygan, WI
Journal Master Index
| Saturday, October 30, 1999 "Badger Bowl" Madison, WI Opening Act: Hyde Park |
Sound: Sticha Brothers - operated by Rufus Peterson & Dec Dwyer Lights: Josh Becker - operated by Tom "Hog" Hilber |
| SET 1: High Wire - Badlands Everybody Wants You - B. Squire Perfect Strangers - Deep Purple Looks That Kill - Motley Crue Tie Your Mother Down - Queen/LM New Girl Now - Honeymoon Suite Jamie's Crying - Van Halen Beth - Kiss Faithfully - Journey Rock Me - Great White Round & Round - Ratt Pour Some Sugar... - Def Leppard Monkey Business - Skid Row |
SET 2: Fantasy - Aldo Nova Photograph - Def Leppard Runaway - Bon Jovi Still of the Night - Whitesnake Everything About You - Ugly Kid Joe HALLOWEEN COSTUME CONTEST All She Wrote - Firehouse Turn Me Loose - Loverboy Still Loving You - Scorpions Calling Dr. Love - Kiss Turn Up the Radio - Autograph Here I Go Again - Whitesnake Rebel Yell - Billy Idol Bulls on Parade - RAtM ------- Getting Better - Tesla New Girl Now - Honeymoon Suite |
| PHOTOS: |
 Josh, John & Dave |
 Nick |
 John |
 Joe |
| This was exactly what a Halloween gig should be. A kick-ass band, Hyde Park, started the show with their high energy covers of such great rock tunes as "Blackout" (Scorpions), "Shout at the Devil" (Motley Crue) and "I Don't Know" (Ozzy). We hit the stage at about 11:00 and filled the dance floor pretty quickly. We were all in costume as were much of the large crowd. John was made-up as Alice Cooper, Dave was a hippie, Nick was a nun, I was made up as Gene Simmons and Joe Oldenberg, who was filling in on bass for the evening, was covered in green make-up. A couple of dozen people entered the costume contest. The winner was dressed as Garth from "Wayne's World". Some of the other costumes included a cheerleader, "Biohazard Man", the classic French Maid, a "Freak on a Leash", a She-Devil, members of Kiss, a foxy nurse, a genie and of course the usual assortment of witches, vampires and Star Wars characters. Cheryl Mehlbrech came down from Wisconsin Rapids along with some family and friends. Ellen Rassmussen, Deanna & Kim, Don & Heather Peaslee and Michael Kane were also in attendance. Rod Cupp and Jennifer Rozanas were dressed as king & queen of the Prom. Their creative twist was that while Jennifer was decked out as beautiful as could be, Rod was made up as a total nerd. It was a humorous exercise in contrast. Joe, who was a founding member of the band Livewire, did a great job filling in on bass. He may be filling in again at a show or two in the near future. -JB |
| Friday, November 5, 1999 "Studio East" Green Bay, WI |
Sound: Mighty Decent Sound - operated by Jerry St. John Lights: Studio East - operated by Tom "Hog" Hilber |
| SET 1: High Wire - Badlands Everybody Wants You - B. Squire Perfect Strangers - Deep Purple Looks That Kill - Motley Crue Jamie's Crying - Van Halen Round & Round - Ratt Down Boys - Warrant Faithfully - Journey Rock Me - Great White Still of the Night - Whitesnake Monkey Business - Skid Row |
SET 2: In the Flesh - Pink Floyd Carry On Wayward Son - Kansas Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin' - Journey New Girl Now - Honeymoon Suite Rebel Yell - Billy Idol Tie Your Mother Down - Queen/LM My Sharona - The Knack Beth - Kiss Calling Dr. Love - Kiss Smokin' - Boston Helter Skelter - Beatles/Motley Crue Pour Some Sugar... - Def Leppard |
| SET 3: Fantasy - Aldo Nova Photograph - Def Leppard Seventeen - Winger Runaway - Bon Jovi Everything About You - Ugly Kid Joe (Lead Vocal by Keith Pratt) Turn Me Loose - Loverboy Right Now - Van Halen Still Loving You - The Scorpions Turn Up the Radio - Autograph Uncle Tom's Cabin - Warrant Gettin' Better - Tesla Here I Go Again - Whitesnake Bulls on Parade - Rage Against the Machine |
| This was Hit Squad's first time at Studio East but certainly will not be our last. This is one of those delightfully seedy rock clubs that I like to play so much. The crowd was mostly made up of faces that were completely new to us with the notable exceptions of Cheryl & Ann Mehlbrech who once again drove all the way from Wisconsin Rapids to see us. This was made even more interesting by the fact that Cheryl had her tonsils removed just four days earlier - What a trooper. My old bandmate from Jukebox Heroes Dennis Panneck came out with a couple of friends. The new fans we made that night include Chad Bornfloth, Steve Pomplum, Stacy Bohnart, Scott Olson, John Lemke, Heidi Murphy, Jay Wagnitz, "Miller" and "Squirrel". One particularly enthusiastic new fan was Michelle Brabant who was celebrating her birthday. Perhaps she was enjoying herself a bit too much because after a while she couldn't even make it back to the dance floor without falling over. Early in our third set her friends Shannon Schroeder and Ric Leverquin mercifully carried her out and drove her home. That final set was also puncuated by a guest vocal performance by Keith Pratt on "Everything About You". He sounded great. Ironically, his girlfriend Jolee Jackson had earlier refused to sing along with John on "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin". John doesn't get stood up like that very often ;-) -JB |
| Saturday, November 6, 1999 "Main Attraction" Oconomowoc, WI |
Sound: Mighty Decent Sound - operated by Jerry St. John Lights: Josh Becker - operated by Pete Sandoval |
| SET 1: High Wire - Badlands Everybody Wants You - B. Squire Perfect Strangers - Deep Purple Looks That Kill - Motley Crue Jamie's Crying - Van Halen Round & Round - Ratt Down Boys - Warrant Rock Me - Great White All She Wrote - Firehouse Everything About You - Ugly Kid Joe Monkey Business - Skid Row |
SET 2: In the Flesh - Pink Floyd Carry On Wayward Son - Kansas Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin' - Journey New Girl Now - Honeymoon Suite Rebel Yell - Billy Idol Tie Your Mother Down - Queen/LM My Sharona - The Knack Smokin' - Boston Beth - Kiss Calling Dr. Love - Kiss Helter Skelter - Beatles/Motley Crue |
| SET 3: Fantasy - Aldo Nova Photograph - Def Leppard Pour Some Sugar... - Def Leppard Runaway - Bon Jovi Still of the Night - Whitesnake Turn Me Loose - Loverboy Right Now - Van Halen Turn Up the Radio - Autograph Uncle Tom's Cabin - Warrant Here I Go Again - Whitesnake Bulls on Parade - Rage Against the Machine ------- Gettin' Better - Tesla ------- Sweet Emotion - Aerosmith |
 Jackie & John  Natalie & John |
| In typical Oconomowoc fashion, the crowd started off loud and spirited, but it took a little coaxing to get them to dance. Jackie Moretti was celebrating a birthday and enjoyed a complimentary beverage in the center of the dance floor as John affectionately teased her with crude comments. Chris Bock and Kim Uttech were celebrating their engagement with friends Tracy Johnson and Rachel Gelting. Others in attendence included Natalie Loppnow, Kelly McGinn, Amy Fera, Jenny Steiner, Tim & Coreen Gartzke, Jamie Harland, Al, Lynn & Jenny Moretti, Pat Lemke, Mike & Kathy Lafler, Mike & Lisa Hawes, Cathy Schardt and Mary & Ronnie. Foxy bar manager Karen McNitt has always been an avid dancer herself - But on this night it seemed that she would be sidelined all night because of recent ankle surgery. But, when things really got going, even she took the floor and hopped around, cast and all. "Bulls on Parade" drew some moshers on to the floor (as it often does) and this time John joined them and managed to sing the song while throwing himself around violently in the "pit". In fact, it really drained him and we had to practically drag him out of the dressing room for the encores. On this night, he definitely gave his all. -JB |
| Saturday, December 4, 1999 "Four Stools Short" Wisconsin Rapids, WI |
Sound: Mighty Decent Sound - operated by Jerry St. John Lights: Josh Becker - operated by Pete Sandoval |
| SET 1: Fantasy - Aldo Nova Everybody Wants You - B. Squire Perfect Strangers - Deep Purple Looks That Kill - Motley Crue My Sharona - The Knack Rock Me - Great White Faithfully - Journey Turn Up the Radio - Autograph Right Now - Van Halen Round & Round - Ratt |
SET 2: In the Flesh - Pink Floyd Carry On Wayward Son - Kansas Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin' - Journey Jamie's Crying - Van Halen Smokin' - Boston Here I Go Again - Whitesnake Beth - Kiss Down Boys - Warrant Calling Dr. Love - Kiss New Girl Now - Honeymoon Suite Pour Some Sugar... - Def Leppard Sweet Emotion - Aerosmith |
| SET 3: Runaway - Bon Jovi Still of the Night - Whitesnake Turn Me Loose - Loverboy Rebel Yell - Billy Idol Photograph - Def Leppard Everything About You - UKJ (Tom "Hog" Hilber on drums) Still Loving You - Scorpions Getting Better - Tesla Paranoid - Black Sabbath (impromptu) Pour Some Sugar On Me - Def Leppard Turn Up the Radio - Autograph ------- Right Now - Van Halen |
 Sheila's Suck for a Buck |  Steve  Sing-A-Long |
| This was undoubtedly one of the most fun shows we've ever played. Unfortunately Nick was not there to enjoy it. He had a schedule conflict so he was replaced for the evening by Steve MacDonald who played drums with me and John in Beyond the Mirror. He did a great job and told us that he had the time of his life doing it. I was sporting a new outfit which included some leather pants which gave me the foolish courage to try some "Ricky Martin Moves" on stage. Much thanks go out to Hit Squad regulars Dan Mehlbrech & Jo'el Hoesly for operating our newly acquired follow-spot. I think it really adds to the show. Dan's brother Ron was celebrating a birthday with us on this night and so was our own bass player Shane (we even presented them with a cake during the second set). Other birthdays were brought to our attention including that of Dawn Winkler. Of course, Dan's wife Cheryl was also there along with Ron's wife Ann and some of their friends including Marie Lloyd, Sue O'Dell, Becky Zakrzewski, James Layton, Colleen Smith, Kari Scholtz, Kevin Knutson and Josh Fox. Others who frequented the dance floor included Liz Braze, Kevin Houston, Teresa Simpkins, Lisa Hansen, Lora Manning, Colleen Teeters and Vicky Hilgart. Jo'el's friends Sue Newby & Paul Vanalstine were also in attendance as were Joel Houston, Rita Klueckmann, Frank Moeller, Holly, Deb Furkui, Roberta Leiser, Kari Huron, Buzz Flick, Don Somerville, Lonnie Webber and Gary Christiansen. The crowd was not only large and partying big-time, they also stayed late. During the third set we were beginning to feel that we could do no wrong as the throng of people encouraged us with every note. Tom "Hog" Hilber, who occosionally runs lights for us, got up and played drums on "Everything About You" giving the song a kind of energy that only "Hog" could provide. A five-member bachelorette party came in and "interacted" with John on the dance floor during "Still Loving You". Then John invited bride-to-be Sheila to the stage where he partook of one of her "suck for a buck" lifesavers. A short time later Sheila requested that we repeat the song "Pour Some Sugar On Me" which packed the floor for a second time. We repeated a couple of other songs and also improvised Black Sabbath's "Paranoid". Someone had requested some "Sabbath" and even though we'd never played it before we looked at each other and said "How hard could it be?" (That's how cocky we were feeling by that point.) John didn't know any of the words but made it sound good anyway. He combined incoherent mumblings with some impromptu lines about people on the dance floor. The crowd loved it :-) -JB |
| Friday, December 10, 1999 "Badger Bowl" Madison, WI |
Sound: Intellasound - operated by Tim Woodworth Lights: Intellasound - operated by Tracy Roudebush |
| SET 1: High Wire - Badlands Everybody Wants You - B. Squire Perfect Strangers - Deep Purple Down Boys - Warrant Looks That Kill - Motley Crue New Girl Now - Honeymoon Suite Tie Your Mother Down - Queen/LM Faithfully - Journey Turn Up the Radio - Autograph Here I Go Again - Whitesnake Round & Round - Ratt Nothin' But a Good Time* - Poison |
SET 2: Runaway - Bon Jovi Photograph - Def Leppard My Sharona - The Knack In the Flesh - Pink Floyd Carry On Wayward Son - Kansas Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin' - Journey Beth - Kiss Smokin' - Boston Rebel Yell - Billy Idol All She Wrote - Firehouse Helter Skelter - Beatles/Motley Crue Monkey Business - Skid Row |
| SET 3: Fantasy - Aldo Nova Jamie's Crying - Van Halen Everything About You - Ugly Kid Joe Calling Dr. Love - Kiss Right Now - Van Halen Rock Me - Great White Still Loving You - The Scorpions Still of the Night - Whitesnake Pour Some Sugar On Me - Def Leppard Uncle Tom's Cabin - Warrant Turn Me Loose - Loverboy Bulls on Parade - Rage Against the Machine ------- Gettin' Better - Tesla Sweet Emotion - Aerosmith |
* - Debut Everybody  Dave & Shane |  Josh  Nick Photos by Kyle Alt |
| We feel that we took some important steps toward improving our show this week. A lot of that had to do with upsizing our production. The 80s were a time of excess and rock shows prided themselves in mega-lights, mega-speakers and flashy theatrics. While we've had no shortage of production in the past, we felt that to do the 80s glam rock right we needed even more. Enter Intellasound Productions and their massive sound & light show. By all accounts, with their help along with some new clothes and pryotechnics, the show rocked on a new level for Hit Squad. While we wished that more people were there to see it, I really think that this night was a very positive indication of things to come. Some of the people who did make it out included Rod Cupp, Jennifer Rozanas, Tim Poole, Steve Noeskic, Jason Deery, Todd Todeski, Ellen Rasmussen, Terrie Lammi, Connie Ripp, Tom Harrick, Mary Kittleson, Suzie Pieper, John Benson and Ed Bundy. Some fellow musicians were there also including Shane Hauser of Livewire, Brian Bentzler of Hotter Than Karl & his friend Rita Bartell, Jeff Brickowski of the Wizenhiemers & his friend Elizabeth Cox, Dave Shanklin of Howler and Greg Thorpe & Kyle Alt of Shaman Spell. Dave and Kyle helped us out by operating our followspot during the show. We still don't have a permanent spot operator, so if anyone's interested... -JB |
| Saturday, December 18, 1999 "Kelly's Bleachers II" Wind Lake, WI Double Bill with Bad Boy |
Sound: Postscript Productions - operated by Ehren Tresner Lights: Postscript Productions - operated by Nate Gilbert |
| SET LIST: Nothin' But A Good Time - Poison Jamie's Crying - Van Halen Everybody Wants You - B. Squire Looks That Kill - Motley Crue Beth - Kiss Down Boys - Warrant Pour Some Sugar... - Def Leppard Faithfully - Journey Runaway - Bon Jovi |
(continued) Smokin' - Boston Calling Dr. Love - Kiss Still Loving You - Scorpions Turn Up the Radio - Autograph Round & Round - Ratt My Sharona - The Knack Uncle Tom's Cabin - Warrant Here I Go Again - Whitesnake Still of the Night - Whitesnake Monkey Business - Skid Row |
| Only a few dozen people made it out to catch what was touted as a rockin' double bill at Kelly's Bleachers II which normally runs country and dance bands. It's such a big room that it seemed pretty empty. Even more surprising was that by the time Bad Boy was into their set (we played our set first) there were only about half of the crowd left that we had played to. But, we didn't let the disappointing turnout dampen our spirits. I thought we played quite well and crowd response was pretty good despite not wanting to dance much. I swear - I think this was the first time ever that nobody danced to "My Sharona"! Anyway, I was quite busy with my equipment and helping Bad Boy with some lighting so I wasn't able to mingle much, especially early on. Some of the people that I do know were there included Danny Schmidt, Maria Chaulkin, cousins Chris & Bill Schuler and their wives Stephanie & Karin. We will be playing another double bill with Bad Boy on New Year's Eve in Sheboygan. I'm sure that night will be much more exciting. -JB |
| Friday, December 31, 1999 "Dave's Who's Inn" Sheboygan, WI Double Bill with Bad Boy |
Sound: Trax 52 - operated by Tom Klug Lights: Trax 52 - operated by Paul Edwards |
| SET LIST: Fantasy - Aldo Nova Photograph - Def Leppard Looks That Kill - Motley Crue Looks That Kill - Motley Crue Jamie's Crying - Van Halen New Girl Now - Honeymoon Suite Faithfully - Journey Perfect Strangers - Deep Purple Pour Some Sugar... - Def Leppard |
(continued) Pour Some Sugar... - Def Leppard Here I Go Again - Whitesnake Still of the Night - Whitesnake Calling Dr. Love - Kiss Round & Round - Ratt Still Loving You - Scorpions Runaway - Bon Jovi Turn Up the Radio - Autograph |
| The combination of Hit Squad and Bad Boy fared much better on this night than in Wind Lake, and why not? It was New Year's Eve heading into 2000 and everybody had a blast. Another thing that made this show unique was that we used two substitute musicians. Both bassist Joe Oldenberg, who had filled in for Shane once before on October 30, and drummer Steve MacDonald, who had filled in for Nick on December 4, were in the line-up for this one. Both did outstanding jobs and helped the show go very smoothly. As expected, people were in the mood to party and dancing was plentiful. Many of our regular Sheboygan following were on hand including Lisa Heberlein, Lori Denk, Joellyn Lacko, Laurie Abraham, Eric Grittinger, Karen Stream, Karen Fleck and Shelly Korlesky. Along with ushering in a new millennium (not actually, we know) we are also ushering in a new band name. This was the last time that we were billed as Hit Squad. We announced to the crowd that from now on we'll be known as Cherry Pie. -JB |
Previous Journal Page
(September 18, 1999 - October 16, 1999)
Journal Master Index
CHERRY PIE JOURNAL
UPCOMING DATES
[Home] [Members] [Journal] [Schedule]
©1999 Hit Squad