Gary Clark Jr Tour Started Last Night

[itchyfingers]

Finally got to see GC Jr last night on his Sonny Boy Slim Tour opener. I feel like I have been trying to see him live for about 5 years now, but any time he comes to town, I'm either away on a business trip, got a gig of my own booked, or I'm out of town with the family. So when I saw he was coming to my favorite venue, Humphreys by the Bay, I prioritized it into the summer concert schedule. Took the wife out to a nice dinner next door to the venue, and we rolled in right as he started. Overall it was a super mellow show, which is sadly typical of San Diego crowds - we're so aloof. Anyway, he only played one tune on his black and blue Epi, spent a majority of the night using a cherry SG with P90s. Also had a white Strat for several songs. I hope PG does a rig rundown at some point on this tour, as I'd love to know what kind of amps he's using. Looked like a collection of old Fender combos, but I admittedly didn't get up that close to see. He flashed some of his wicked fingerstyle playing, and did some really cool nontraditional wah work during a couple solos. His phrasing was excellent, never in a rush to get anywhere, but pushed every jam to a wicked climax. His voice is on point too, so effortless. He had a solid bass player and drummer holding down that pocket, and some freaky looking dude playing rhythm and slide. He was flashy - see thru poncho, frilly guitar straps, reverse headstocks on sparkly Strats, mirror sunglasses, mohawk-manbun, but his playing was really tasteful and you could tell he was kinda holding back. My only bummer about the show was that I feel like they could have used a bit more volume, the mix was good, just a little quiet for my taste. Regardless, we had a great time and I am stoked to have finally seen him. He embodies cool, and it looks like his guitar is an extension of his body, just so comfortable. Made me realize I need to focus on my stage game a bit more. If you get a chance, go check him out this tour.

[Ruiner]

and some freaky looking dude playing rhythm and slide. He was flashy - see thru poncho, frilly guitar straps, reverse headstocks on sparkly Strats, mirror sunglasses, mohawk-manbun, but his playing was really tasteful and you could tell he was kinda holding back.

That's Zapata... or King Zapata as i guess he's officially known now

He's a strange dude... a really good guitar player though. Dresses like a ninny.

Glad you enjoyed it! I miss the days of seeing Gary play in a room with 20 people every Wednesday night.

[itchyfingers]

and some freaky looking dude playing rhythm and slide. He was flashy - see thru poncho, frilly guitar straps, reverse headstocks on sparkly Strats, mirror sunglasses, mohawk-manbun, but his playing was really tasteful and you could tell he was kinda holding back.

That's Zapata... or King Zapata as i guess he's officially known now

He's a strange dude... a really good guitar player though. Dresses like a ninny.

Glad you enjoyed it! I miss the days of seeing Gary play in a room with 20 people every Wednesday night.

Interesting! Yes, one of his guitars had "ZAP" on it like SRV did, lol. So is he like a well-know Austinite as well? Fully agree with your assessment on him, btw.

Man, I am super jealous about that last part. Intimate shows with a soon-to-be-legend? Tough to top!

[Tortuga]

Awesome! Would really like to see one of his shows

[Ruiner]

and some freaky looking dude playing rhythm and slide. He was flashy - see thru poncho, frilly guitar straps, reverse headstocks on sparkly Strats, mirror sunglasses, mohawk-manbun, but his playing was really tasteful and you could tell he was kinda holding back.

That's Zapata... or King Zapata as i guess he's officially known now

He's a strange dude... a really good guitar player though. Dresses like a ninny.

Glad you enjoyed it! I miss the days of seeing Gary play in a room with 20 people every Wednesday night.

Interesting! Yes, one of his guitars had "ZAP" on it like SRV did, lol. So is he like a well-know Austinite as well? Fully agree with your assessment on him, btw.

Man, I am super jealous about that last part. Intimate shows with a soon-to-be-legend? Tough to top!

Oh yeah, those shows were something else. I don't know if you've ever read the comments i've made in other threads about him but i've known him since he was 18 years old. When he was 19 or 20 we opened up for him once a week for about a year at this tiny tiny club. For some reason he really liked our band and we took him under our wing.... and by that i mean we bought him lots of shots and got drunk with him. Back then he was a one man band. Played kick drum with one foot, hi hat with the other, played guitar, harmonic on his neck and sang. Then he kept getting bigger and bigger. He was getting record contract after record contract but he always said he wanted to do it his way and he'd wait for the right move and he waited WAY longer than i would ever be able to hold out and obviously it worked out for him. Even years later we were all still friends. We'd go over to his house and make hip hop beats and then rap drunkenly over them (he's actually an awesome rapper and producer which nobody really knows). I'm certain he'll drop a rap album one of these days. He said he always wanted to. Then we'd pass out at his place after raiding his frozen dinners.... good times.

Biggest regret............ not solidifying that friendship and getting a whole lot closer than i did.

He's an awesome down to earth dude though. Wish him nothing but the best..... and damn, have you seen his wife?????

[Telephant]

I actually haven't seen Gary since he's blown up. I payed a few shows with him way back in the day when we were both in our early 20's. Want to say one of those shows was at Friends on 6th but that might have been with Eric Tessemer (who also played with Gary quitea bit back in the day. In fact Gary sat in on one of his shows some months ago).

[Stratsouldier]

I went to junior high with him at Covington for one year. Then about 2 years later (age 13) I bumped into him at Ray Hennings H.O.T. and him and his dad were in there and that's the day he bought his red epiphone dot. Never really made a true friendship with him but when I'd see him he'd always give me the nod. Fast forward about 4 or 5 years and we would be playing next door to each other, me at Maggie Maes and him over at Joes Generic. I miss smoking weed on set breaks in that little awning gazebo they had. I'd see him from time to time and saw the one man band gig he was doing that Ruiner mentioned. then about 5 years ago I was downtown showing some out of town friends the club scene and bet them I'd sit in at the club we were at (Friends). I pestered the guitar player until he was like "you sure you can play?" and told me he was glad anyway because he needed another beer and a piss. So I get up there and the first song we do is crosscut saw.......next song I din't even notice the drummer switch out but I turned around and it was Gary! Kinda fucked with me a bit mentally but he's a great drummer too. end of pointless story.

[itchyfingers]

^those are three awesome posts right there!

I hope you Austin-ites realize what an amazing upbringing you guys had. Shit like that simply doesn't happen in a town like Oxnard, CA (where I am from, lol).