Thanks to Terry and Bev Reiten for the pictures.

Posted 7/14/03

Local Band Upstaged by Greasy, Leather-Clad Rocker

So we're on stage at Lee's Friday night, minding our own business, doing what we do, and this dude comes up and wants to play a couple tunes with us. At first we're like, no way, but it's late and he looks the part: great hair, both arms sleeved, in a black wife beater with black jeans and motorcycle boots, roadie wallet chained to his belt and a very cute girlfriend at the bar; almost looks like he invented the nouveau-greaser look...so we figured what the hell...Grabbed one of Dave's guitars and plugged in. Played a couple of Stray Cats covers, Rock This Town and Built for Speed, (like we really need to hear those again.)

Anyway, he had a pretty good grasp of the tunes and people seemed to like it ok. We shook hands and he took off and we went on with our set. Nice guy. Found out later his name was Brian Setzer. Thanks Bri'! And sorry we massacred 'Built for Speed.' Thirty lashes with a wet noodle for us I suppose.

An ever-ready fan had a camera and took the snaps you see here. Lee's is always a tough place to take pictures lemme tell you, kind of dim and awash in yellow and brown tones, but we squeezed out some halfway convincing evidence that the above isn't a pack of lies. Though with today's photo manipulation software, who can you trust? Who?

P.S. 8/20/03

It has come to our attention that the above tongue in cheek description of Mr. Setzer's suprise visit has led to some discussion on the world wide web and other places that the Vibro Champs collectively had no idea who Brian Setzer was and that the import of his appearance only became known to them after his departure.

That is not true.

Here's a quote from theVoodoo Lounge.com chat board:

"They almost said no?! Can you imagine if they didn't let him play and later found out who he was? I'd want to shoot myself for being so STUPID! How could you be in a rockabilly band and not know who Brian Setzer is? Ugh! I'm sick!
That'd be a great story if they actually knew what the hell was happening to them!"

And this:

"This dude could have said, "Woah! Brian Setzer played with our band..."
Rather than advertising their ignorance and saying, "Uh...some guy played with us and it turned out to be Setzer.""

For the irony deprived here is the official Vibro Champs statement: Woah! Brian Setzer played with our band! It was totally awesome! He was really cool.

And it was totally awesome and he was very cool. It was an amazing night.

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