One week to go.

Rehearsal, Dave's basement.  Amps are fired up, drum heads tuned, mic stands placed.  We discuss any minor business, record update: Mixing begins this week.  Ear plugs are in, and we are ready.  New covers are tried, old ones are finely tuned.  We figure out what works and what doesn't.  Heart of Gold is a great song, but it is still a tad loose.  Stray Cat Strut will give Brian a chance to take a break from the guitar, and me a chance to let a little rockabilly out!  Hey Jealousy will pull in those Gen Xers and Simple Man will get the bikers revved up!

We will see you at The Levee Saturday night!

Two weeks before a gig: Countdown

The Levee is our homebase, so it would seem.  We play there about once a month, and we always have a great crowd.  The bar is perfect for live music, though we jam ourselves onto the stage with no room to spare, we do our damnedest to give every ounce of energy to the audience.


Two weeks before a show Brian and I are rehearsing new covers and playing new originals back and forth.  We decide what to try with the band, what needs tuning, and what works well side by side.  The setlist starts to come together, and we get an idea of the flow.

Next comes the band practice this weekend.  We will work out arrangements on covers, decide if they are ready or whether they stew for a few more rehearsals.  Tighten up problem spots from previous shows (I try to record all of our performances, for just this reason).

The camera will be with us while we rehearse, so stay tuned for some footage.

The Band

Brian Johnson & The Acquitted

This is The Acquitted.  We rock.  That isn't all you need to know, but it is a good start.  Dave Allgeier is our drummer extraordinaire.  From the bowels of Louisville, he has played in many a band and sailed the seas playing on cruise ships.  His basement is one of our main rehearsal spaces, his kitchen one of our many drinking spaces.  Phil Regan rounds out the rhythm section.  Playing his customized Fender bass, he makes sure your chest rattles with the sound of The Acquitted.  His weakness is Bourbon, his love is cooking.

I don't like talking about myself.  I play guitar, keyboards and sing backup.  I kid myself I look real cool.

Brian Johnson, the man-glue that keeps the band stuck on the path of righteousness, is the lead singer, the lead songwriter, and the leader of this band of misfits.  His place is filled with album covers, pictures with the likes of Gary Louris and Kathleen Edwards.  CD's by Josh Ritter and The Wrens adorn his shelves.  This man knows his stuff.  Picks, lyrics, strings and mason jars litter his floor.


If you are fond of rocking, and aren't adverse to rolling, keep your eyes peeled, and your ears to the ground.  You'll hear us long before you see us.

The Beginning

We had a great time opening for Heart Of Gold last week.  They have a show in Indy tonight, as well as another Louisville gig on Friday, then they continue on to the East Coast.  Zanzabar had a great stage and a great sound system, as well as a collection of fantastic classic arcade games such as Donkey Kong and a Ted Nugent pinball machine.  The crowd was great to both bands, and we can't wait to play there again!

I personally enjoyed all three.