Opening for Living Colour!

When I was a young aspiring guitarist, Vernon Reid emerged as a standout musician unafraid to blend influences from across the sonic spectrum. I recall stumbling upon interviews with him in Guitar Player magazine, where I discovered a artistic point of view I’d never heard articulated anywhere else before: that it was perfectly acceptable to love both Bad Brains and Steely Dan. This revelation came as a breath of fresh air, especially after being told by others that such a mindset — a mindset which I shared — was somehow erroneous. Punk, jazz, classical, funk... Reid fearlessly incorporated it all into his playing, inspiring me to embark on my own genre-defying journey as an artist.

Oh, and let's not forget, the man can shred like a mofo.

My first live encounter with his band Living Colour was at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, when I was just barely out of my teens. They were a hungry, youthful band that absolutely decimated the small auditorium. And let me tell you, their performance left an unforgettable mark on my eardrums… and also on my skull. Corey Glover's show-closing stage dive culminated in his spandex-clad knee unexpectedly greeting my forehead, leaving me dizzy for a couple days. Yet, among my mosh pit comrades, the purple mark on my head was a badge of honor. Little did I know that this would be just the beginning of my encounters with the band.

Years later, I witnessed Living Colour's sheer brilliance once again during the inaugural Lollapalooza tour. And fate had another surprise in store for me when I found myself living in Switzerland and attending the Montreux Jazz Festival. The lineup that day was an absolute powerhouse, featuring not only Living Colour but also Run DMC and the legendary George Clinton. Holy hell, that show was an experience for the ages.

Fast forward to this year, when Moving Panoramas bandleader Leslie Sisson reached out to me with an invitation to join her band for some gigs. Being a huge fan of her band, I wouldn't turn down such an opportunity unless I was already booked elsewhere. To my delight, the list of performances included the chance to open for Living Colour and Mt Joy at Houston's Love Street Music Festival. Without hesitation, I responded with an affirmative: with a guitar already in hand, I hastily recorded a video of myself playing the iconic intro of Cult of Personality, my head bobbing along with infectious enthusiasm. I sent off the video without further comment.

Finally, the day of the show arrived, and we pulled up to the main stage at Karbach Brewing Company. Living Colour was in the midst of their soundcheck, and their electrifying performance made it seem like they were already playing for the thousands who would soon fill the venue, rather than the empty auditorium before them. It was a mind-blowing sight. As we walked backstage with our gear, I couldn't help but revel in the moment: Corey Glover belting out his vocals at full volume as if he were still 21 years old and Vernon Reid unleashing his demon-like shredding skills… all while drummer Will Calhoun and bassist Doug Wimbish masterfully everything together with an otherworldly effortlessness. They were incredibly gracious as we set up our gear in front of theirs, introducing themselves as if we didn't already know exactly who they were. Their warm welcome made us feel at home on their stage, and inevitable gear nerdy-ness was had (let’s just say, I didn’t come close to winning the “Biggest Pedalboard” award, sigh). Vernon even complimented my shirt, playfully lamenting that he had forgotten to wear his own to match. In that moment, I couldn't help but reflect on how much I wanted to reach out to my 18-year-old self, to tell that struggling, depressed kid that if he just held on through all the hardships, everything would eventually turn out more than fine.

We were treated to exceptional hospitality as we dined in the green room, preparing ourselves for our set. The grounds were packed with enthusiastic fans, and we took the stage. We delivered a particularly rocking performance that ranks among my all-time favorites with this band. But the real magic happened when we cleared off our gear, making way for the main event. We had the incredible privilege of watching Living Colour from the wings, just mere feet away from the musical onslaught about to unfold. And boy, did they deliver. Living Colour once again unleashed their undeniable musical prowess, leaving my bandmates and me in awe. We exchanged slack-jawed glances, speechless at the sheer brilliance we witnessed up close (and yes I totally filmed the intro of Cult of Personality).

Following the show, we had the opportunity to hang out with our new friends before everyone headed to their hotels. But not before capturing the moment with a series of group photos. These gentlemen were not only extraordinary musicians but also genuinely kind-hearted individuals. The word "grateful" falls short of describing the euphoria I felt from this sacred experience. Nevertheless, for now, it will have to suffice.