(Part One: 1987-2005)-2006-2007-2008
Metro Minnesota (cont'd.)
2006
Memphis continues playing shows with Great Uncle Helmer, of course, and resumes playing some very enjoyable shows with old Urban Rust mate Justin Bell. A band called "Kites Don't Bite" forms briefly featuring familiar faces Matt Quinn, Stu Edeal, Andy Honigman, and Kent Mortimer. They play the Bob Dylan tribute show at the 400 Bar and Kites Don't Bite are literally the only act worth listening to. Man, everyone else was awful. That is not even ego talking.
Great Uncle Helmer does some recording out at Mandimae Studios in Deer Park, WI. (Karl's house) Projects include a cover of "Joy to the World" for the Various Artists' Toys For Tots CD, other songs for a GUH holiday CD, and songs for the next all original full length GUH CD.
GUH college buddy Bill Turner opens several shows for GUH, playing mostly covers and one original, Total Peace. This is very enjoyable for all involved.
A band so new it has yet to be named forms as the brainchild of Kaptain Karl. It features eight different musicians playing old time, bluegrass, and country flavored originals and covers. Memphis, increasingly fascinated by rhythm, volunteers to play the drums and proudly buys the Kent Mortimer recommended "Clayton Cameron signature Regal Tip brushes" for his minimalist kit of kick drum, snare drum, and ride cymbal. The first three rehearsals are very fun, but feature dwindling attendance. Stay tuned.
Recording efforts at Memphis' studio The Waterpark are hurt by computer malfunctions. In Septmber Memphis gives up on having a functioning recording computer and goes back to his four track roots. After a brief, flirtatious April 22 reunion between man and magnetic tape results in the ponderous instrumental "Growhl", recording finally begins in earnest in September with Memphis' best, most dreamiest song in years, "Echo Some Tune".
Several bands, including Honigman, Jubilant Dogs, and Great Uncle Helmer, gather/reunite for Andy Honigman's September 28-30 multi-venue rock festival spectacular. Despite illness, Memphis has a great time and is decisively healed by a version of "How Can A Man Overcome His Heartbroken Pain?" longer than some wedding ceremonies.
Metro Minnesota (cont'd.)
2007
Memphis continues playing shows and working on recordings, or at the very least thinking about recordings, or at the very, VERY least thinking about working on recordings, with Great Uncle Helmer.
In February four of the six members of newly christened band Shotgun Johnson & The Mississippi Seven make it to Luck, Wisconsin's finest live performance venue, Cafe Wren. This debut show is well received and sporadically recorded. Memphis enjoys his role as drummer and occasional vocalist.
In March, Rob Weaver voluntarily leaves Justin Bell & The Lazy Susan Band. For the second time in their lives, Memphis amicably replaces Weaver in a band. After initially playing electric guitar, Memphis later switches to keyboard.
Flush with the successful submission of the two disc compliation album "Copyrights Vol. 6" to the United States of America's famous Library of Congress, Memphis distributes several customized CDs of various new and old material to interested friends, including his new internet pal Cody Weathers of Flip Nasty and UFO Catcher. This new mutual admiration society trades several CDs and posts interviews and reviews of each others material throughout the summer.
In December, a second round of participation in the Doc's Kids Toys for Tots holiday spectacular, including a CD of exclusive tracks and several live performances, is enjoyable for everyone involved, especially Great Uncle Helmer, who take the opportunity to introduce several new songs, including "Powerful Statement".
Metro Minnesota (cont'd.)
2008
Memphis continues playing shows with The Lazy Susan Band, subbing for TNA on bass in January when TNA stays in Mexico just a little bit longer. The subsequent blisters serve as sweet reminders of Memphis' bassist days in Urban Rust.
In February Memphis writes and records an entirely new ten-song CD, The Shapely Bottles, as part of the RPM Challenge. Plans are made for the CD to be released in two editions on a single disc, the first being the songs as they were when the March 1 deadline came and the second to be slight (or dramatic) re-imaginings/mash-ups of each track.
Shotgun Johnson & The Mississippi Seven continue to perform when asked, sometimes with as many as five members participating. Plans are made for the recording of their first album to begin at Kaptain Karl's secluded estate in rural Wisconsin in mid-July.
Memphis Evans, Kaptain Karl, Great Uncle Helmer, Doc's Kids, Justin Bell & Lazy Susan, and Shotgun Johnson & The Mississippi Seven continue to write, perform, and record new material. By the year 2009, scientists and archivists estimate that Memphis and his friends will have recorded well over six hundred fifty hours of studio and live material. Watch for it.
(note: All celebrities are included for humor purposes only except for Jesse Ventura, who really did become governor of Minnesota in the sweetest election in which I have ever voted.)