LIKEHELL and Run Westy Run

In the late 90's I loved festival concerts. I could go to Edgefest in Sommerset, WI and see all of the popular bands for the price of one ticket. At Edgefest 4 in 1997 I got to see Beck, Rollins Band, Iggy Pop, Local H (remember them?), and a handful of others who were popular at the time. One band that played early in the day was a local band called Likehell. I'd never heard of them, but I was there.

Usually the bands early in the day just ruin your conversations, harsh your mellow; but I loved Likehell from the first note. They played good, albeit simple, rock and roll with hard rock undertones. The lead singer, Nick Eldorado, didn't play an instrument, but he was a show in himself. I couldn't take my eyes of his stage antics. He strutted around like they were the headliners for the night.

I made a note to catch them next time I could, which was easy since they're a Minneapolis band. I saw them again at the 7th Street Entry, and Eldorado was full of as much energy as he was at Edgefest in the intimate venue. I loved it. I tried not to miss a show when I saw they were playing. I saw them at The Uptown Bar, The Quest, The Fine Line, Lee's Liquor Lounge, and First Ave. Probably more places too, but I don't remember.

It was at the beginning of my drinking career, so I was pie-eyed most of the times I saw them, but I enjoyed every performance. The liquid courage made me approach each member of the band in the various clubs before and after shows sometimes. They probably knew me as "that drunk guy." I learned that Eldorado and the drummer, Tony Baloney, are brothers. Eldorado once told me that their dad would be playing Christmas music before their next show at The Uptown, so I was there early to see Mr. Oliveri (their real last name) playing a keyboard.

I felt cool, and still do, that I had a local band that I knew about and could take friends to see. They either stopped gigging, or I found new drunken interests in the mid-00's, and stopped seeing them. I 'like' their Facebook page, and knew about a show they did last year around this time at The Entry. Ozzie was only 6 months old and I couldn't get out to see them. They recently advertised that they'd be opening for a band called Run Westy Run on 12/26/14. Mommy and Ozzie were going out of town, so I knew I had to go to this show.

This New Year's Day will mark 4 years sober for me. I was excited to see them sober for the first time since 1997. I had heard the name Run Westy Run, but had never seen them. There's a guy at work with whom I talk music, and I brought them up. He said they had some legendary shows in the 90's. When I told him I'm actually going to see Likehell he told me that he played with them in the early 90's, before I got into them. He advised that I not miss Run Westy Run.

I walked into First Avenue for the first time since 2006 when I saw Ray Davies with my dad. I've been to a lot of shows there, but obviously not recently. It hasn't changed much. I walked around familiarizing myself again with the legendary club. I know that they'll sometimes post a trivia question on Twitter for a chance to win a seat at a table for the show, so I looked at Twitter. Sure enough there was a question there that no one had answered. I Googled it, posted the answer, and won the table.

A server showed me to my table, which was upstairs right on the edge. A great seat, and I had been worried about standing for the whole night. I ordered a Diet Coke and awaited Likehell. I had almost forgot that it was always fun to see how Eldorado would take the stage. The band starts playing first, and he has come out in a dress and combat boots, or decked out in all-white with a boat Captain hat (that he threw into the audience and I scored) before. This show was no different. He shakily walked to the mic wearing a long white wig, a robe, and using a walker. I thought Likehell is here!

He shed the get-up after the first song, donning a silver lamé suit. They played all of the favorites that I remember, and a few new tunes in a 45-minute set. Eldorado shimmied and shook as he did back in the day as the nightclub slowly filled. I was happy to be at a table, and happy to be sober.

Eldorado did the worm to the mic stand before the last song

A band called BNLX was on next. They were good. Solid rock and roll. I missed some of their set when I had to go move my car from the meter I parked at right outside. It turned into a tow-away zone at 11:00, and I had only paid until 10:00. I moved it into the ramp behind the Target Center and was back in time for the end of their set. The nice server informed me the table and chair were mine for the night. I was glad I didn't have to say jack-jack-seat-back.

Run Westy Run took the stage at 11:00, and First Avenue was almost full by then. Their lead singer was also fun to watch. Not playing an instrument, he bopped and weaved all over the stage. After about four songs I thought to myself this IS a great band. Every song sounded different in the way The Pixies mix up their sound. Their 90-minute set was an excellent way to end the night. I drove home with a few of their songs I had just heard for the first time in my head.

RWR doesn't play much anymore, so unfortunately I don't know if I'll get a chance to see them again. We celebrate a new year in a few days. If you think of bands as "friends," I got to make new friends, and keep the old. One was silver and the other was gold.