HALIFAX IS FOR LOVERS

Being back in the city of Halifax, even in the cold blustery chill of late October, was just lovely. Scarce was invited to come play The Halifax Pop Festival. Living the rock and roll dream—free Hotel, booze, loud music, and all play and no work for three days. Our first night began with wandering down the streets in and out of clubs, and finally settling in at the Seahorse Tavern Inn where we were going to play the next night. Onstage was a DJ and rapper laying down old style hip hop beats and rhymes. Chick stayed at the bar, and Joe and I took over the dance floor. A little hot chick joined our group giving Joe the eye... and Joe returning the favor...but at set end turns out she is dating the lead rapper. Joe and I make a quick escape to the bar to find Chick has split—ditched us in our rhythm section haze of drunken dancing. Joe and I head out to continue the night and me to play wingman at yet another club for Joe. Sipping on my whiskey on the rocks, and ahhh said drunken stupid jock tries to pick me up...and where has my wingman gone? AHHHH...Joe has been distracted by a blonde. A waitress sensing male harassment vibe, links my arm and then escorts me away from him. I am so thankful that women seem to have that inner sonar. And Joe is back again as blondie has disappeared onto disco floor. We try to follow, but she has escaped...Ahhh those blondes.

Drunk, drunk, drunk, finally Joe and I decide wisely night should end and find our way up the hill to our hotel next to the big fort, time for a little drunken sleep. Next day late wake up just in time for our midday instore book reading and acoustic set in a mall. Forgot it was a weekday we set the bookstore happening for, so two people show up. Timing is everything. Still we make the most of sipping Irish coffees out of styrofoam and talking to two very nice people who show up. One of them even offers us a ride to the club for soundcheck (god I love Halifax!). But no one has shown up at the club to give us our soundcheck. We head out to promote the show punk rock style. Chick takes the no thank you helping and goes back to the hotel to chill. Joe and I, the ever ready tourists, head down a nice small street to see if we can drum up some folks to come down to the show. A nice girly shop catches my eye and Joe gladly follows me in after seeing the cute salesgirl through the window. Joe picks out a nice newspaper boy hat for me as then checks out a redhead salesgirl in the mirror. Joe pushes the impulse buy and begins flirting with the redhead as I throw away some money. Joe is encouraging, "looks good, Joyce". Joe tells her about our show. "Cool, she says, I'll try and make it."

In and out of a couple shops repeating our same covert action, and looks like we might have some girls at the show. Our two man PR campaign continues store to store, except I am doing all the buying and asking Joe why this must be so? All in the name of rock and roll, and I am having fun, throwing caution to the wind and my bank account. Finally, hunger wins out over our promo campaign, and we plan to meet up with Chick and his friend Lisa who flew in for the festival. A night of our favorite food, sushi. MMMMM. Then we hang out at Lisa's pad at The Westin. Nice hotel. We make ourselves right at home in the lobby, and the man at the desk eyes us...yep a rock band. GUILTY!

At 1 A.M. we take the stage to a nice full house at the Seahorse Tavern Inn. And just like London, we feel the love spreading out from the room onto the stage. Then we let it all go, sweat, sex, lusty, rocking long set—pure rock and roll bliss. The crowd shows us the love, shouting out song titles, and driving us on into a frenzy. These are the moments when I feel truly alive in this world. That kind of energy can't ever be replaced. It is truly an addictive rush.

After the show we are invited by some friends who own a bar and lounge to come down for drinks. They open the bar just for us, giving us the rock and roll treatment. AC/DC blasting through the stereo. I am informed that this was the same place where we played a party on our first trip to Halifax, but back then it had been a big warehouse of cinder blocks and rubble. In my drunkenness I feel a waft of Deja Vu, but then another rockin' song on the stereo and another whiskey and I am back in the present and hoping that the night can last just a little bit longer. Halifax has given this band another warm welcome and we are feeling the love. Hoping to make it back again another festival next year.

A BIG SHOUT OUT TO HALIFAX. SCARCE LOVES YOU!