A personal story about playing at the House of Blues...

Here I am at the Outside Lands Festival...
not the HOB of course :)

Ever since I was a young kid, just learning how to play bass and discovering what I liked listening to, the House of Blues on Sunset was always this mysterious presence in my parent's yearly rounds of concerts...a place at which all the top groups performed, but also one that somehow maintained a homely vibe and ambiance. My dad still talks about getting the chance to meet Jimmy Vaughan (Stevie Ray's older brother) just outside the entrance, on the sidewalk of Sunset boulevard. I remember seeing The Roots perform there, and just being in awe of the energy coming off the stage and bouncing around the willing audience.

In the last couple of month's, I've had the opportunity to play this amazing venue as the newest member of Cosmic Suckerpunch, and it has absolutely been a dream come true. I didn't anticipate feeling so accomplished after any one gig, but somehow it just gets to me in a very special way playing in such a cool spot. I know I'm not the only one in the band looking forward to playing there again, but I just know that when we get the opportunity to play on the main stage in the main showroom, whenever that may be, I'm going to put every ounce of energy and emotion I have into that performance, because the venue is just that inspiring for me. Even though we are constantly working to get better as a band and that is definitely happening, I felt like our latest performance at the House of Blues, this past Monday, was our best show in a lot of ways. I can't help but think the venue played a big part in that.

In the Parish Room, where we've played these last two times within the House of Blues, there are relief sculptures of famous musical artists up on the slanted ceilings. When we played "Hey Joe" underneath the relief of Jimi Hendrix, I almost got chills looking up and seeing his face in stone staring down on us...it was an interesting type of energy that urged me to push forward and really play my heart out and do everything possible to honor his legacy. That's the way the whole place makes me feel, a place where good music is propelled to the forefront and held in the highest regard...and it's such a good feeling to join the group of artists who've helped make that reputation possible throughout the years.

-Josh (the new bass player)