Set List: Distress, Flashes, Adelaide, This Life, Silver Lining, Coat of Arms, Something True, jam, Spiral, Sureshot;
encore: Dreaming (by Blondie), Windows, Island

Carrie Akre is a great singer and much like Goodness, her voice is the centerpiece of this band. The Rockfords album has some solid songs on it, particularly the single, Silver Lining, but I can't help but wonder what the 'next level' of songwriting would do for her or this band. She fronts the band well -- you don't get the feeling that she's just the 'chick singer' or anything -- she holds her own among all those boys!

Rick Friel, the bassist, quite simply needs a larger stage. He is a rock star begging to break onto the arena circuit! I've never seen anyone divide a small club into 2 parts and have us "woohoo" against each other, but Rick did it and it was actually kind of fun...or funny. He can't get enough attention from the crowd, but seems so good natured you can't help but like him.

Danny Newcomb and Chris Friel don't stand a chance for being noticed with their other 3 bandmates. Between Mike's *starpower* (not to mention his guitar prowess), Rick's desperate appeals for attention and Carrie's shining vocals, the "other guitar player and the drummer" seemed to fade into the background!

Mike played his flying V on a few songs; and get this...he was wearing what I can only describe as a wife-beater undershirt! It was hotter than hell in that club -- is there ANYPLACE in Seattle that has air conditioning that WORKS??? -- and there's Mike, in his Underoos, haha. Some kind of tan/gray pants. Short spiky blond hair, freshly dyed. He had a tattoo on each bicep -- up high, near his shoulder...anyone know if they're real? The one on his right shoulder was a treble clef and three music notes, all in black, very nice. It looked real to me. ; ) The other one was mostly red and black and since he barely turned that direction, I can't tell what it was but the ink seemed less sharp, so maybe they were drawn on, ha. I liked that black one, though. He looked great -- I cannot say that enough.

They all seemed to be having a good time, except perhaps Danny, who I think was a little overwhelmed by the crowd! Mike and Rick did the "heavy metal move" a couple of times -- you know, guitar necks up, guitar necks down, in tandem...think Judas Priest! Mike did a lot of jumping up and down but no running around; the stage at the Croc is the size of a postage stamp -- no room for that! At one point, Rick came over and was grinding his head into Mike's shoulder and Mike was banging his head back, and then threw his head back with his mouth open, like they were such guitar gods! Mike also did some backup vocals on at least one song (This Life) and it was fun to see him step up to the mic.

Mike smashed his guitar at the end, of course. They did one cover song, Dreamin, by Blondie. I was kind of disappointed with the closer...a long, bluesy/rock song that RICK sang (Island?) and it pretty much sucked the energy out of the room! During the guitar solo on one song...I believe it was This Life... Mike was playing this killer solo...just shredding...and with his left hand still working, reached up and casually scratched his cheek with his right hand...it was priceless. All that was missing was the YAWN, haha. He smoked a cigarette during one song and was pleased as punch to be offered -- and accept -- a light from someone in the crowd. He was making a LOT of eye contact and really into the crowd -- smiling and mouthing the words to songs and making eyes at people.

My first and lasting impression? Mike never looked so good. He is adorable. He seemed confident and relaxed and glad to be onstage. The entire band was very appreciative of the sold-out crowd. (The room was PACKED!) As a PJ/McCready fan, IMO Mike should stop worrying about stepping on Danny Newcomb's toes and just wail on guitar, though. It seems like he's really holding back except for a couple of scorching solos. But I guess this isn't the Mike McCready Band, so *yay* for Mike for finding a niche within this band made up of friends.

For those who have been in the Crocodile, I made it up to just left of the pole in the middle of the room, and that's as close as I got, which I thought was excellent considering I didn't make a move for the hot, sweaty band room until right before the Rockfords started. (The pole is about 10 feet from the stage -- unstrategically placed in the middle of the room, causing many obstructed sight lines, which particularly sucks if you're watching The Rockfords, Pete Droge, Cheap Trick, or Pearl Jam!) I stayed there through about half the set and then much like the people who had vacated before me--allowing room for me to creep up front--I also retreated to the cafe for some cooler air. I could still see Mike from there and could also breathe, which was a huge bonus.

I didn't arrive in time for Garth Reeves (opening band) but caught most of Kim Virant's set and they were very good. They did a nice cover of the Who's "In Tune" and put on a very enjoyable set.

Oh, cool Rockfords posters, by Ames Bros, of course. And free CD singles signed by either Rick or Mike, I can't tell. It says "Love " Something tells me that's how Rick spent his day today, though, not Mike. ; )

LeAnn Mercer
Seattle, WA