January 2, 1998

Saturday the 20th of December the chaos began. You had to be there! The House of Blues was the always courteous host of the WJRR Christmas Bash, featuring Nicklebag, Head Swim and local act Gumwrapper Curb. Nitro driven children of the world unite on the mouse! And they did.

I arrived at the sold out show stressed by the holiday season. I have had enough blinking lights and glittery crap in my eyes to cheer up a nation. The joy of living in the "Tourist capital of the World!" I walked into the front doors to find that a canned food/toy drive was taking place "Right On" genXers' doing some good. Now as I looked into the crowed I saw every different kind of person imaginable - we had punks, skas, surfers (go figure), stoners, loners, all wishing that they where with some of the hottest women I have seen congregate since the last 'Big Shirley' show.

I laughed as I felt my age when the floor was crowed surfing to the house music before the show! I looked to see about five security dudes monitoring the crowed. I laughed, this should be funny. And it was. Gumwrapper Curb lit up a doobie of energy to the live-starved crowd and all Christmas broke loose - slam dancing-crowd surfer-butt jiggling and beer drinking to one of the most awesome sound systems that I believe Orlando has to offer. Headswim, lived up to their name with one of the evil Hanson triplets doing flips off the stage (you had to be there).

WJRR then commenced with the dispersing of the Holiday joy by shooting T-shirt into the audience with a compressed air cannon! They then proceeded to draw for multiple prizes ranging from CD's to an $11,000 dollar pool table! All for bringing in a food or toys for the misfortunate (got you in the raffle), god bless America!

Several tourist- priced beers later I was ready to get the digs on with Nicklebag. Guitar - Stevie Salas, - Background Vocals Bernard Fowler - lead and background vocals, Bass - Carmine Rojas, Drums - Brian Tichy, and Keyboards - Bernie Worrell make up action pack Funk-Old School Rock with a splash of heavy new school rifts.

What? Confused? Well, you had to be there. When you have the chance don't delay. Steve Salas is an amazing talent on the guitar worth the price of admission alone. And with Bernard Fowler (who must be in Lenny Cravitz's family tree) you cannot go wrong. The night ended on strong notes and deafening cheers, and the next day hangovers of the world united as well, I'm sure.

Did I mention you had to be there?

Justice Mitchell Loves: Art & Photography, Mom & Dad, Eileen, Friends, Music, and Film. Hates: Dan Leeds and his army of satanic, homophobic, undead girl scouts. Other Articles I've Written