Black Rebel Motorcycle Club  - In Store Performance
Words: James Kilby
Photos: Kilby Photo

June 10, 2007
Park Ave CDs, Winter Park

It takes a lot to get me out of the lake on “Wake Skate” Sundays. However, BRMC’s new album Baby 81 hit heavy rotation on my iPod almost as soon as it came out. Besides, how else can you bypass a twenty-dollar show price and still see one of your favorite bands perform for free? I have to admit, I was curious to see how BRMC would pull off a stripped down set – void of their fuzzy sonic surf sounds – just a mic, guitar, and some bad lighting. So off I went to Park Ave CDs in Winter Park where I found two of the three band members freshly plucked off the tour bus – propped up and submitted for our approval. Peter Hayes was dressed in black (of course) and sporting some wafer thin side burns and was joined by his reluctant side kick and rhythm section Nick Jago. The set list was random and eclectic and not what I had anticipated, which was great. At one point Peter stripped it all the way down to a cappella, which instantly earned my respect. In between there was feedback, funny moments, forgotten lyrics, and a glimpse into the personality of the band.  About midway through the set I began to regret not buying tickets for the show. But for now just a stripped down version of “Not What You Wanted” was a damn good fix. Thanks to Park Ave CDs for the free ride…