Thursday, December 15, 2005: 'Twas a cold and foggy night. I just woke up. It was 9:20 pm. My friends and I planned to go to Silverfox Bar. Somehow, I end up going with my lonely ass. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the music.

Silverfox is quite a small bar yet an intimate venue. It's located on 702 18th Street, in downtown, Bakersfield. It is a bar, so no teenagers and only 21+. They didn't know I was only 19 ... ok, just kidding. Plus, the beauty of this bar, they require an admission of only $0.00. Yes! free! Otherwise, my broke college student's ass wouldn't be there at all. The bar has a large digital/plasma TV, which entertained me for a while when Seven to the Right were setting up their equipment. Up on the wall, next to the TV, stand the alcohol beverages glamorously lined up like top models.



As always, before I bombarded the place with suspicious camera flashes, I asked Terry if I could take some pictures of the bands and the bar. "Is it ok If I take some pictures of the bands playing tonight, so I can post them online?" Terry replied in no time, "No, not at all. Go ahead."

So here's how the pogo stick was broken in half ...

So, I showed up at Silverfox Bar looking shitty and tired around 10:10 pm and I thought I was late but nah. Seven to the Right had yet to setup all their equipment. Silverfox Bar does not have a band stage or sound equipment. Bands have to bring their own equipment, including the P.A. I can truly understand why there's no sound equipment at the bar. The place is small enough for the equipment not to be mic'ed up or amplified into much lounder speakers. I thought the sound came out great in the bar.



I introduced my half-asleep ass to the guys from Seven to the Right. They were like, "who the hell is this guy?!" Well, not really. They're nice guys. Slowly creeping my way to a person who I thought was a member of Seven to the Right. I said without introduction, "So, you're the vocalist from Seven to the Right, correct?" He answered with a smile, "Yes, Seven to the Right, and no, I play the bass." Then after correcting myself, I introduced myself. "I'm Mike Generic, just going to take a few pics for the site." He said back, "Hey, I'm Ryan." I thought he said, ok whatever. Ryan was a cool guy with a vibe and one of the best god damn bass player in town.



Seven to the Right started their set with their famous "Pretty Princess." I love that song. Joey's voice is distinct that separates their music from the rest of the rock genre in Bakersfield. Although the band might disagree with me, their music had the sound of "Better than Ezra" edge. Better than Ezra is one of my favorite bands, and not to mention ... I'm starting to like these guys. The bad thing is, they don't like me. Not really. Let's just say, they don't know me ... period.

Jason had that charismatic and humble look while he strums and leads on his guitar. His performance is solid and he also provides a melodic and harmonic backup vocals. While Brett in the back was just banging the drums like no other, he had put out an energy that almost represented the tempo and soul of their entire music.

Up next, Give Impulse. After listening to their songs on myspace, I was excited to here "Dixie and Severed Dream." I know I wasn't as cool as these guys. They had the hair and the attitude ... and I didn't. Anyways, they started busting through their first song entitled "Sweet Sicksteen." Nonetheless, these talented rockers slammed the bar with some slow to mid-paced hardcore rock.

Their music is a reminiscince of my past experiences from watching a sellout action movie. Do you know what kind of music plays after a sellout movie has ended in the theater ... it reminds of Give Impulse. Maybe Give Impulse music will be included in the next action pack movies like The Matrix or alike. So it seems.



Matty was humble and somewhat quiet yet definitely takes in charge when he has the microphone. It has been a month since they've played a show due to Matty's job relocations. Now, he's back to give the crowd some action.

Two of the most talented rock and roll guitar players in Bakersfield are Jorn and Weeze. Although Weeze was having technical difficulties, he was still able to pull through an amazing set performance in Silverfox Bar. Jorn, on the other hand, did not have any problem with his equipment and he even managed to get on the bar counter without breaking anything. The combination of Weeze's and Jorn's guitar sound fills in an astounding harmony to the song, which creates a very vibrant melodies.



And just before I left, I was so tired that I should have just stayed outside of Silverfox Bar and layed my ass down there and fall asleep, I went outside to congratute Give Impulse with their deserving well performance, irregardless of the sound technicalities. Terry of Silverfox Bar came out and asked me if I took some good pictures, I said humbly. "Yeah, I did, thanks again." He proceeded to mention that there's a person who goes to the bar and takes some pictures for publications. I clarified, "Aaah, that's probably J.R. of Illpressed.com you're talking about." He replied back, "Yes, I think that's him." Terry also mentioned about the glory of Empath. Perhaps I'll see them perform live sometime next year.



So, I drove back to my apartment, knowing all my compadres are still asleep, suckers. It was quite a foggy 12:30 morning. I stopped by Wells Fargo to grab some cash from the ATM and went to Del Taco. I inhaled the food in no time and went to bed quickly. I woke up the next morning and asked myself, "did I even go to Silverfox Bar last night?" It's one of those days when I think it's just a dream because of my sleepy and tired ass the night before.

Thanks to Silverfox and good show from Give Impulse and Seven to the Right.