[DeadFish]

I'm a tired puppy from way too much fun.
First off, Scott, once again, you're an super host. Food and drink tastey, spirits high!
Hey, I'd be happy to trade you some devilled eggs for that carton of 'politically incorrect' (gasp!) cigarettes.
I knew I was going to forget something besides the eggs today.
Musta been my 'haid'.
Truly excellent meeting all you fellas in the GAS group, finally.   I think we have gathered a great bunch.  And you all have such great taste in music!
More music and equiptment than one can shake a remote at  
I won't begin to report all the 'stuff' there; too late, too few braincells in working order.
Ain't we got a secretary taking notes or something on this stuff???  
I did want to take the heat of the moment and thank you all for helping make my day enjoyable as heck.
When my ears heal, we gotta do this again! heheh

P.S. Thanks to Bill @ Response Audio (if I remember right) for sending out those Ushers to let us have a listen!
They merit more listening!  (Great, I *needed* more choices!)

Regards,
DeadFish

[steve k]

Ditto Deadfish!!
Thanks again Scott to you and your family for the wonderful day. You definitely raised the bar on the culinary portion of our meets! The speaker shootout was great fun. All those bookshelfs packed a lot of punch and each it's own distinct character.

I really enjoyed meeting all the new members. Mike, we particularly enjoyed your insight into the "long-haired" side of Ellington!  

It was a real treat to hear Willie's locomotive pulling those Lowthers. Smoothasbutta! Thanks to all who brought equipment--sheesh we never got to hear all of it. Maybe the next meet should start where we left off?

Scott, I'm glad I wrote down that Hawaiin crooner's name this time. I couldn't remember that one sober. What a set of pipes! I'm really looking forward to the next meet. Oh and Scott, dynamite job on the dirt track dude. Sturg had his eyes closed the whole time!!  
Great bunch of Gassers!

I'm workin on the pics.
steve

[Scott F.]

Mornin all!

First, I had a blast. This was waaaay too much fun. It was great finally putting names to faces (voices and monikers).

Hey Deadfish, looks like you've got another reason to come come back over. This time you need to bring your better half. Oh, want me to put the carton in the freezer?

Steve, does Sturgus's Coupe DeVille qualify as a 1/4 Midget? Maybe I'll build a wing and we can install it next time we get together. Man you missed it!!! After you (and a couple other guys) left, we broke out some of my hardcore collection (music, not......you know).

Mike D lit up when I put on Metallica's Black Album (on vinyl) and played Enter Sandman. Then we cued up some Nine Inch Nails,  Downward Spiral (on vinyl). After that things really went down hill. Lots of obscure (but really cool) music. Loads of fun.

The distance award goes to Brad (bmed) for driving all the way down from Springfield Illinios (and bringing his VMPS's along with his other gear). Way to go man

And absolutely, a special thanks to Bill at Response for sending down the Ushers (they were a hit), Wayne at Bolder for making sure the Radii Monoblocks showed up for the gig, and last but not least,  Chris VenHouse (sorry for the mispelling) for his interconnects that we didn't get a chance to listen to.

Next time we need either less gear or more time.

Well, off to work.

[Scott F.]

Oh, and I almost forgot the biggest thanks of all ........ a Special Thanks to my lovely wife Laura and youngest daughter Julie for helping put together a great day for all. Laura did the cooking for all of us.

So Mike D, how did the Zerna Brats measure up to yours?

[steve k]

Uhhh, just exactly what are you getting at, Scott?
 
steve k.

[Mike D]

Scott,

Mine are bigger.  



Thank you for the great day!  

Mike

[bmed]

Just echoeing the above sentiments.  Scott, you and your family were very gracious hosts.   Thanks so much!

I wondered if everyone made it out of the mud ok.  Sturgus' car looked a little socked in as I was pulling out.

Great selection of gear.  Amazing cannon fire from the Lowther/Goodman combo.

Oh yeah, MikeD, where's my cable for the door prize of driving the longest distance for GAS (ME! not Matt M).  I'll send you my address, one of those HT PC's will do fine.

Brad

[Scott F.]

Uhhh, just exactly what are you getting at, Scott?
 

Just our chioce in music. I've saved a few more juicey selections for the next get together like - Rob Zombie, Sinister Urge (on vinyl) (you're all sinners!!!), some Yingway Malmenstien(sp) and Steve Via (both on vinyl). Plus a few more hardcore treasures.

Who'd ever of thunk a short, fat, bald guy in his 40's (gulp) would ever listen to this stuff  I get some pretty strange looks at stop lights. My hooptie has as much slam as my gear down in the basement.

[Bostekrisco]

Echoing what everyone else said, Thank you Scott for hosting, and definately thanks for the vinyl. I had a great time. And thank your lovely wife for me. Not only putting up with that band of loonies, but cooking for us as well. That was definately above and beyond. It was great seeing everybody. I hope we can get together again soon. Someone needs to see if Bill at Response Audio can send us a set of knobby tires and a lift kit for Sturgis' Caddy.

Bob

[Scott F.]

......Oh yeah, MikeD, where's my cable for the door prize of driving the longest distance for GAS (ME! not Matt M).......
Brad

Ooops... sorry about that one  I fixed it above..

[Mathew_M]

It was fun meeting you guys.  Scott's got an awesome basement, cooler than I ever had as a kid.  There was a ton of music there that I'd love to just explore.  I'm still just a newb compared to most of you guys. Mrs. and little Miss. Faller saved the day by feeding us.  Otherwise we would of all just gourged on peanuts and beer (though one of us would probably been shrewd enough to order pizza.)  The only thing I think I would of done as cheesy as it sounds is to have had name tags.  It's bad enough trying to remember the nomenclature of the audio gear much less the guy's name that you are discussing with it about.

The only bad thing of course was a blown fuse in the rogue amps.  It would of been cool to hear how well they pushed my vmps with 80watts in triode.  The Radii sounded very musical with my speakers though I think maybe it needed some more break-in.  Also the VMPS as has been said are very setup dependent and probably could of used a few more tweaks to get them to sound their best.  And oh yeah...Wayne do you think it would be possible to put a triode switch on them?  Both Scott and I agree that a triode mode would help with the imaging which is good but could use a little more weight.  I know Steve (I think it was) has some VTL monoblocks that I'd like to hear.  Maybe we can do a big tube amp shoot out sometime.

Scott's big rig (which ironically consists of flea powered horns) performed amazingly well with Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture.  As Deadfish so accurately observed, it was good enough for a standing ovation.  Probably the most surprising thing was that he had those little ASL wave8's driving his custom made subs.  With the 1812 Overture that was literally the best bass I've heard out of any system period.  Not overbearing or earth shattering but very tuneful and realistic.  I was also impressed with the Njoe Tube cdp.  We'll have to compare the Njoe and Jolida some time...if anything to see if I need to sell the Jolida for the Njoe.  

[Bill Baker]

HI All,
  Glad to hear everybody had a good time over at Scott's joint. My day was excellent with my daughter's 17th birday and a great day to be outside with temps in the 80's in the sun. What a break from the freezing cold winter we have been having.

  Also glad to hear the mentions of the "little"  Usher speakers. Glad some of you enjoyed these. You are more than welcome.

  Triode switch on the Radiis? Sure, it is absolutely a possible mod if Wayne can't have it done.

  Okay, where's the PICs.

[sturgus]

Just want to say that it was great meeting everyone. Nice to be able to put a face with a moniker. Matt that would be a good idea about the name tags. Since I am close to fifty and I just happened to have lived through the (Great Expermentation Age). My memory just isn't as good as it once was. Dead Fish you hear me talking  Scott thanks for being a great host and thank your lovely wife for being so understanding of our illness.
Steve what  about  that Ella that Mike D. played? Sweet Also thanks everyone for getting me out of the mud.  Steve where are the pic's ? Any ideas about the next meeting. I can do a thur evening or a fri afternoon. The problem is only 4 or 5 can listen at once. Once again hope to see everyone at the next gathering.
Sturgus

[steve k]

Pics are up gassers!

Ella was stunning, I should've brought my Sarah Vaughan!!

steve k

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?action=gallery;area=browse;album=275

[Scott F.]

Hey Sturgus,

Got any pull with the management at the Casino?

Reason I ask, remember the Los Lonely Boys CD that everybody flipped over? Those guys are touring right now. They are all over the midwest but aren't making a stop in St Louis. Just so happens they cruise by (in a round about manner) in early May, mid-late June and early July.

Usually new bands aren't overly expensive to book, especially if they are in the area. Lots of times they give a decent discount off their normal booking price just to do another gig nearby.

I'd bet if the bookng agent at the Bottleneck heard these guys, he'd book them in a heartbeat. Do you know the BA or is he back at the corporate office?

If you don't have any luck, maybe I can try whats-his-name over at Elite Entertainment (Generations).

http://www.loslonelyboys.org/cms/index.html

Steve, nice job on the pics  Hey, you got my best sides    

deadfish mind melding ....... that made me laugh out loud  

My lovely wife Laura has read all of the responses and said "Don't come back"....... I - I mean..... "You are all very welcome." She actually enjoyed herself. She finally got to talk to all of the guys she hears me typing to all the time.

It was a very enjoyable day thanks to you all (or y'all since we're from St Louis). To whoever brought the brownies (bosterkrisko?), these things are killer. Don't think they'll last much past tomorrow. TYVM

One of these days we need to get together and have a head-bangers day at somebodies house. Nothing but the most agressive music that anyone could stand. Loud, obnoxious and in-yer-face stuff. That would be a blast. Who knows, maybe by then I'll have my big corner subs finsihed.  

Oh, if you remind me, next get together I'll bring some really juicey Ella. Ella in Berlin, Ella singing the Jerome Kern and Cole Porter Songbooks. She's may fav.

One more Oh. Somebody (can't remember who) left a Cassandra Wilson and Organ Music CD here. Also somebody else forgot to take some 70's R&B and Funk LPs with them (Maze/Commadores plus a few others). I'll save them for next time.

[bmed]

Hey Scott, my wife made those brownies.  I'll give her the message.  It may help me get them more often .


MikeD
--Any word on the Rogue's?  Were you able to get them back in business after you got home?

[Mike D]

Yup.  The Rogues just needed the love that they deserve.  I was spanked in front of my friends because I left my two mistresses in the car too long.  I'm convinced they just felt "taken for granted."  

mike

[DeadFish]

Mike, you didn't ask for it, but you are now an honorary member of the Eastside Atari Users Group.  You may submit products in software or hardware for the genuine "It-Worked-At-Home, Honest!" brand which is patented and as familiar as Murphy's law to most people.
Glad that hurt feelings on the amps' part was all it was.\

Great pictures, Steve! I looked to see you were using a Canon, but not the model.  I liked the way your flash fills better than on my camera.
You were kind to mostly get shots of the back of my head.  

Scott, I'll tell you that if Los Lonely Boys played at Generations, it would absolutely have to kick ass!  I was telling a friend about them in email last nite about 12:20, and at the very time, my wife came in to tell me they were playing on Jimmy Kimmel Live.  They smoked.
Speaking of smoking, if you can throw those smokes in the freezer, they'll be fine for a little while.

I'm still awed at all we heard, and just sorry to have had too little time to hear, especially conversationally.  Seems like we all had a lot to listen to, but a lot to say too.  It was just plain fun, and totally repeatable.
I just wish my ears could stand more!

BTW, Willie...it is a true complement to you and your skills how lovely your 'locomotive' worked the room.  As I told you, words fail me.
I'm still not sure though....I think I will have to listen to it again...and again...and... heheheh

I still cannot believe that I was listening to Metallica on vinyl and liking it!

And yeah, Sturgus. I hear you talking.  'Of all the things I miss, I miss my mind the most.' as the man said.  
Nametags would be good, if anyone could remember!  
I forgot the eggs at home, then I forgot my smokes at Scotts...I forgot to give Mike eggs to take home when he dropped me off;
Heck, I even had to think and figure out who that guy in the picture doing the 'mind meld' was! hehehe
BTW, a true kindness accusing me of having 'mind'.

And similarly, there was something else I was going to post, but now that I am doing it am blanking on.

I'll save it for later, I guess.

Ah, I know one thing y'all might think about.  A shopping list.
I'll bring that up on another thread.
(what is it we KNOW exists, but havnt found a copy.  Might be one of the rest of us has it!)

Ah, another one! Who dashed to Best Buy or similar vendors for something new?!  I did BB before work, and Borders doing lunch.
Neither store knew that bass player (Peer?). Hell, I forget where I put my notes!

And finally, Scott, although I know where your tagline "My Brain Hurts" comes from, I finally know *why*!  
 

Regards to all, gotta go chase a broom!

DeadFish

[Bill Baker]

Neither store knew that bass player (Peer?). Hell, I forget where I put my notes!

  Dean Peer?!?! Excellent bass player. I have a bit of his stuff and going after some more.

  You may also want to check out Jonas Hellborg. Jonas can jam as good as Dean from what I heard this weekend on a disc compliments of Chris VenHaus. Jonas is another I will be seeking out this week.

  I am a big fan of dedicated bass performers and found Jonas to have a similar style to Dean Peer.

  They both know how to make love to their bass. Worth auditioning!! When I get my new CDs in, I'll make a copy for the next Jam.

[Daniel]

Cheers from the NY Audio Rave.  Sounds like you guys had a GAS!