Wow.

I've upped the first few pics from the show over on my photo blog, but I haven't yet written about the show.

I got to the Fillmore at about 8 pm, which was when the doors were supposed to open. Security was already letting people in, but as I approached, the guy asked whether my camera (he's quickly clocked my camera bag for what it was) had removable a lens. It was, I told him, but the band was allowing photography at this gig. He politely but firmly turned me away, saying that unless I had a press pass, I couldn't bring it the camera.

No bother, though; after some texting and a bit of patience, both Lance and Andy were there to escort me in and clear the way with security for any further pro-style cameras. Sweet.

Either the first-billed The Peculiar Pretzelmen played early, or they were cut; either way, Tragedy had just hit the stage when I entered. The band bills themselves as a "metal tribute to the Bee Gees", and yes, indeed they were. I hadn't expected much, but these guys (and girls!) really came through with a show that was quite entertaining. They were, as I'd surmised, quite funny, with the requisite 70s white outfits and spangly flying-V guitars, but along with the humor was a serious amount of musicianship lending credence to their ballsy claim to metal. These guys brought their "A" game, and were, for me, easily the best opener I've ever seen play with the J's.

When they wrapped up, I saw the familiar face of Phillip, whom I'd met last summer when I played Andy Action's wedding bash at Pianos in NYC. He was setting up a hacked Guitar Hero, which, once Tragedy'd cleared the stage, lucky fans from the crowd were selected to compete with each other playing 2SJ songs. After a couple heats, two finalists remained, to return later in the show.

[to be continued]