You can find TONS more from the shows (including more vids of The Stevedores, The real Orson Brawl and Tin Tin Can) via her youtube channel! Enjoy!
The Spencer Bell Legacy Shows were AMAZING. And when I say amazing, I mean these shows truly topped the show I got to experience in February.
The whole afternoon started around two when the doors opened. It was nice to be back in Callahan’s knowing the treat we were about to get, but not knowing how special an event it was going to be.
First and foremost, Bill Bell came out do the amazing introduction, and welcome everyone and thank us all for attending the event to celebrate the life of his son, Spencer.
Next came Johanna and Shannon to talk to us about the wonderful raffles that were being held to raise money for the legacy and things of that nature.
Next came the wonderful and saddening Tourist Tribute to Spencer Bell. It’s a beautiful video that will leave not a dry eye in the house.
Then came the most wonderful band I’ve seen to date (sorry my 100 Monkeys, I do love you, but I think these guys stole my heart.) The Stevedores took the stage and the whole show blew me away. I’ve owned a copy of Tamuawok for quite sometime now, but nothing I could ever dream of could have prepared me for the show that those four men put on for us. They played a variety of songs from Advice to Thunderdome, Fearful to Hardwired, Top Hat Big Hands to I Heard It On The Radio. I was blown away by their set.
Up next came The Tin Tin Can. A wonderful set which included Animal Bones and Arkansas among others. As well as Billy Jean, by Spencer Bell, a beautiful cover that rocked as much as the original. They are truly an amazing group worth checking out.
Next we were all treated to a short set done by Dan Graupner (Aka Mr. Orson Brawl). He played three songs, including a song in the works called Little French Shoes, and told us short but cute stories of his times with Spencer. A wonderful addition to the wonderful music.
Last but not least came the 100 Monkeys. They rocked it nice like with a very energized set with songs ranging from Ugly Girl to Looker and Smoke to Arizona, and a hauntingly beautiful cover of Spencer Bell’s Violin. And no Monkey set would be complete without The Monkey Song.
The guys wrapped their set and Mr. Bell very kindly asked everyone to take a place in line to give them a chance to straighten up the bar a little and have a short break before the next set.
The second show was as amazing as the first if not better. Actually I will say it was better. While we were treated with another healthy dose of the Stevedores, Dan Graupner, The Tin Tin Can and the 100 Monkeys, we were also treated to some Drew and The Medicinal Pen. Fantastic band. Seriously. Their amazing set was wrapped with an awesome and quite tearful rendition of Spencer Bell’s Dandelions. Seriously AMAZING!
On top to the wonderful musical styling of Drew, we got to participate in a lovely toast done by all the bands as well as an extended version of Thunderdome after the 100 Monkeys set was complete. An amazing thing to watch, all of Spencer’s friends and family rockin out on stage to an amazing song.
Lucky Strike the next afternoon was a continuation of showing the love to Spencer, as we were all very excited to see Drew, The Stevedores and the 100 Monkeys again.
I will give mad love where it is due, when I say Ben Johnson made this weekend of shows amazing. Please don’t get me wrong when I say that every band that we got to see was amazing, but the man played 6 sets in two days time. I’m amazed he was still standing to play The Monkey Song at the end of the Lucky Strike set. His voice was gone, but to be able to sing that song back to them, and when I say them, I mean to the guys in all the bands as well as Spencer’s friends that were in attendance, is a moment I will never forget. As is the awesome improve done by Jerad and Dan, and Jerad taking lead vocals on an awesome rendition on Thank You.
My highlights of the whole weekend? Really meeting the Bells, Top Hat Big Hands and I Heard It On The Radio Station, Arkansas and Billy Jean, Dandelions, An improv about some chick named Theresa, stories about Spencer, Little Black Dog, Thank You (which can never be said enough), and seeing many old friends, and making many new friends. Seeing the bond that one person can build even in death, and the love for that one person from friends and family and strangers.
Thank you Spencer Bell.
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Liquid Zoo
Every Monkey Dookies
Bleeding Horse Express
