Rain
One perfect LA moment.
Something I’ve been chasing since I first saw footage of Sunset Strip in its heyday. When The Doors were the house band at the Whisky (reads Berly’s Whisky memories for more from them), and girls in short shorts and go-go boots hung off the arms of their favourite bands.
I’d finally get that moment at around 2am the morning after Dick Jr. & The Volunteers stormed the stage at 8901 W Sunset Boulevard (long after their name had been removed from the marquee to make room for the next night’s acts).
Before that moment, however, I was making Whisky memories that will last a lifetime.
Here are just a few -
Emma confiding that she hadn’t realised the height of the stage when she chose her outfit (a dangerously short black dress) for the show. Being Emma, she carries it off beautifully, of course. But man, that stage *is* high.
The venue announcer being unable to get to grips with the band’s name *at all*. Every attempt is more amusing. My particular favourite? “Rick, Jr. & The Directors”.
Billy Moran being the most unassuming rock god on the planet. He shows up, shreds, sings his beautiful, self-penned tunes better than a guitarist has any right to, and then slopes off as humbly as if he simply turned up to clear glasses.
Jaci’s face glowing with pride and love during “Where I Go”. If your heart didn’t grow like the Grinch’s when Rich tipped his hat to The Machete at the close of the song, we cannot be friends.
So many familiar faces from Richard’s day job showing up to support his on this most special night - not just SPN cast from the Burbank con that weekend, but others too. I bonded with Ildy Modrovich of Lucifer over mutual appreciation of each other’s outfits, for instance.
But mostly, I’ll remember Dick Jr. truly coming into his own as a frontman. Having a guitar to hold onto makes such a huge difference to his comfort level on stage, and the interaction between him and Billy is electric. The band rock, and they know it.
And as for my LA moment. The one where I’m Penny Lane, or Daisy Jones, or any other starry-eyed gal who lives for the band she loves.
Post show, Rich dumps his guitar and comes back to hang with a few remaining fans, taking pics and shooting the breeze with these Sunset stragglers. Among them is a grateful English fan in a lovingly stitched “Dick Jr & The Volunteers” leather jacket.
And short shorts, of course.
Kat
As soon as the Whisky show was announced I knew I was going to do whatever it took to make it there – flying out to LA from the UK just for the weekend for the sole purpose of getting in those doors was crazy and stressful but so worth it! Seeing some of the artists who have had a huge impact on my life for so many years, long before I jumped on the Supernatural train, all together on stage is always a fantastic experience. And being at such an iconic, bucket list venue was a dream come true. The atmosphere was incredible all night and it was amazing to see so many come out to support the show, including some very familiar faces! That was so fun and great to see them getting that support from their buddies.
The night was so mind-blowing that it’s hard to pick out highlights, but one has to be Your Whiskey On My Lips. I have written before about how much I love that song and what it means to me but hearing it live on stage was insane and unforgettable. Rich and Emma were stunning and I literally got chills down my spine from the very first note.
All in all it’s hard to put into words everything that made the show and the whole night so memorable but the crazy talent of everyone involved, the awesome energy on stage and in the crowd, and getting to share it all with some of my favourite people had me buzzing for weeks afterwards. I always have a great time at these guys’ shows but this was honestly one of the best and I wish I could do it all over again. A truly incredible experience.
Vicky
So proud of these three! Loved seeing them at the historic Whisky A-GoGo. What a blast! Love the friendship and this is certainly wasn’t just the beginning.
Erika
The best way to describe a Dick Jr and the Volunteers show it to liken it to that of a freight train passing by. It starts with a slow rumble as Jason Manns opens and croons to the crowd in that honeyed sweet style of his, setting every heart softly a flutter, the floor trembling lightly as the train whistle sounds melodic in the distance. Then as Billy Moran mans the helm, his fingers setting fire to the strings of his guitar giving fuel to the engine, the roar of the crowd increases and the ground rumbles as fire spreads wildly like coyotes chasing the wind. Now the train is bearing down on you full speed as Dick Jr, flocked by his many Volunteers are met with thunderous applause rivaled only by a pack of guitars and homespun lyrics that shake the walls as the pulsation of the music takes your breath away. You sing out loud, lights flashing, hearts pounding, like steel wheels racing by taking your very soul with it. Afterwards you need a shot of whiskey and good friend to share how exciting it was to stand so close to such an incredible shock to the senses. That's what it's like to attend a Dick Jr and the Volunteers show, but don't take my word for it, go!
Kendra
My favorite things from the Whisky concert:
Billy taking the stage solo ~ and owning it!
Seeing how proud Rich was of Billy.
Rich and Rob singing "Cautionary Fairytale".
Sixteen Tons with Rob and Emma, too! and
ALWAYS "Low Bar". The whole aesthetic of the venue and the lights were amazing. And I just love how happy Rich and Billy and Rob are on stage, and how free. They don't realize how much their music heals us. It's nice for me to be able to just forget everything in life for a few hours and just bask in the music.
Tracey
The whole show was incredible and had such amazing energy. I loved how many people came out to show their support. I especially loved getting to see Rich perform “Where I Go” to Jaci, who was smack dab in the middle of the crowd. It made an already beautiful song more meaningful.
I was impressed, too, that Rich came outside after the show (at, like, 2am after a con weekend) to make sure he spoke to and thanked anyone who wanted to say hi. There’s a good reason why he has such devoted fans.
Berly
During Dick Jr. and the Volunteers' unique rendition of Steve Earle's "Copperhead Road," the front man started singing "The End," by The Doors. While this influence may have been obvious to many listeners, it had not dawned on me until Speight literally sang it. Hit me like a ton of bricks! I don't think I'd heard this version before Whisky, but it's apparent from the start of the song that The Doors were inspiration for this outstanding cover. I blame my choice of beverages that evening for my not making the connection sooner. Fortunately, my beverage choices are also responsible for two memorable souvenirs from that night: 1. The bartender decided that I had good authentic vibes, and rewarded me with a crystal; 2. When the after party had relocated to the sidewalk, I acquired a trucker hat during my side quest for water. IYKYK.
Kera
For a long as I can remember, I've wanted to go to a concert at Whiskey A-Go-Go. Looking back it still feels like a dream. Jason Manns was wonderful to start us off. Billy Moran making his solo debut was exciting! I loved watching him find his way into the front spotlight. Then Dick Jr. And the Volunteers came out. It was so fun to watch everyone dance and sing. Feeling the emtion in the room while Rich sang the song he wrote for his wife. The haunting story with Emma Fitzpatrick's voice was incredible. Listening to the crowd sing Low Bar as Rob held a white board for us all to learn the song was so fun! After it was over, I sat in a chair and just watched everyone. I wanted to remember that night and the energy in the air. I got emotional because it really was the most magical night, surrounded by all my favorite people, a dream come true!
Photography Credit to heyitsKayla1