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When I arrived at the Armadillo I remember the incredible smell of food being prepared and soon was having my first experience with a Tex-Mex delectable called a "Nacho"! I have eaten some of the best food you can eat, all over the world, and I still have not come across anything as good as THOSE Nachos!!
When we played (2 shows-2nights) I was sweating so hard there was no way to hold on to my drumsticks!!-Hence the credit, "drums and moisture" on the album!
Personally, I was feeling pretty comfortable with the whole new FZ band & music situation by that time-except I was still very inhibited by George Duke, Tom & Bruce Fowler, who were such heavy players. I remember being awestruck by George's unaccompanied keyboard solos, which I watched from offstage. Plus all the material changed and got much more rock & simple when I joined the band - to accomodate Beefheart & slide virtuoso Denny Whalley(not to mention FZ"s concept). I learned all the older harder music, but Frank was tired of playing it and wanted a change so we never really rehearsed it. Consequentially I ended up feeling like I never proved myself to the "Veteran" musicians.
The crowds & shows were wonderful (except when a stupid road manager suggested I take salt pills because I was sweating so much-and i got sick and had to play with bad stomach cramps) (note to self: NEVER TAKE SALT PILLS!!)
When I've listened back to the record I was struck by the power of the drum sound Frank & Kerry McNab got-classic 70's-single headed toms mic'd up inside from the bottom, plus I was using big thick maple sticks. (When I first heard the mix I told Frank "God, you made it sound like I'm playing with sticks from the "Log Ride" at Magic Mountain!!" He smiled.
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