What, no live shows?????

After not having talked to the guys in the band for a couple of weeks, I had a fine conversation with them the other day. Although they have not played live since the Taste of Fernie, they are not resting on their laurels. Buried deep in their practice space, the band has been working on some new songs and they have made some significant progress in the recording studio.

Look to find them spending New Years Eve at 'The Red Tree', and in February they'll be anchoring the 2009 'We Fest' (likely at 'The Arts Station') once again. Follow this blog to find out who else will be on that bill.

Another 'Taste of Fernie'

Just when will we be full? When we we need no more tasting of Fernie? As long as BBT is a headline act, I gotta say, at least once more!!!!

What a perfect day. Blue sky, sunshine, light breeze, and a large crowd.

The 'Taste of Fernie' (September 12th and 13th) began with BBT playing background music at the BBQ cook-off on Friday night. Set up in a beer tent, protected from the rain (but not the wind), the band played a selection of original tunes done in a laid-back, quiet mood, nearly perfect for the scene.

Too bad the people wanted to hear more BBT and less BBQ cook off.....

This was a 5 piece band weekend, as Andrew was there to fill in the sound with his unique work on trumpet, tuba, and so on.

Saturday saw the band in attendance for the whole day - helping other groups set up, blowing up balloons, and finding 'aliens' to work their show.

6:30 came along (after a few non-band related delays) and to the sounds of music from a 1970's sitcom, out of the Arts Station came aliens, superheros, giant rabbits, smoke, and huge balloons. Before the crowd knew it, BBT was on stage and tearing into 3-Eyed Farmboy.

45 minutes later, after the first ever 'wave' at Fernie Fest', and after a politely decline audience request for an encore, BBT was finished. People looked around and realized they'd experienced 3 explosions of confetti (driven by huge compressed air cannons), numerous hand-held streamer guns, smoke, tuba solos, balloon explosions, and BBT's trademark theater show. 3-Eyed, George Foreman's Grill, Peanut Butter Tongue, and more brought the crowd in, turned them on, and got 'em partying.

What a show.

August 9th - "Best band we've had"

And so the summer of 2008 drew to a close. Troy, Mike, Mark and Steve blew the doors off the bar. Word on the street grew as people noticed the trucks pulling up in front of 'A Bar Named Sue' in the afternoon as 4 men unloaded instruments, lights, amplifiers, and other unidentified boxes into the bar...'Big Bubba Tres' is playing tonight...

The bar was empty at 9:30 as BBT fired up - the lights all along the street dimmed as BBT sucked the power out of the grid. By 10:30 word has gone out by cell phone, by word of mouth - even by land line, and the bar had filled up.

One 15 minute break was all BBT took. They played until the powers of Big Brother forced the bar to say 'last call' and lock the doors behind the last customer.

On reflection the night was magnificent. The dance floor stayed busy all night. Girls were photographed by their boyfriends dancing with the aliens... encores were called for and delivered.

Troy was dancing and kickin', his voice was brilliant - Mike was workin' his 'Les Paul', Mark was pounding the skins at a furious rate - never missing a beat, and Steve was in the shadows, laying down the beat and making the floor throb with his solid bass work.

Even Uncle Charlie was out to play that night!!!

3 hours of original rockin' music pulled them in and kept them going.

A night to remember. More than one patron asked "why are you playing in Fernie, shouldn't you be on tour across Canada?"

the question is, when will the CD be out?

Plan for the August 29th show at 'A Bar Named Sue' in Fernie.

Here is a teaser for you - rumour has it that Big Bubba Tres will be playing a loud rock show ('black shirt show') at A Bar Named Sue (2nd Ave., Fernie - down the block from the Vogue Theatre) on the 29th. Further details include a hint of confetti and lights. Quite possibly you'll hear the world premiere of more than one song from the planned themed CD....

Plan on staying up late that night for sure!

August 14th @ 'The RedTree'

The RedTree is a new restaurant in Fernie. A larger room than the other places too. They have been running a summer entertainment program where they bring in local acts to play through the dinner hour. BBT was offered a night and accepted.

The band gathered together at 1:00 PM to load out for the ‘acoustic show’ (guitars, ukuleles, banjos, accordions, 3 keyboards, a trumpet, baritone, tuba, cello, two electric basses, electric guitar, mandolin, lights, sound system....). All five were there - Troy, Mike, Mark, Steve, and Andrew. They filled Mike’s Blazer and Steve's Toyota. A small show only in band's mind. Set up was nice (and really hot).

They took to the stage at 7:00 PM to a half-full restaurant… and most everyone liked them – BBT kept the volume quite reasonable. They broke for a dinner break of prime rib etc. (beer was on the house too). They then got back up for a second set – until 10:30 or so. They played really well, with lots of heart and colour in their music.

A great show that left everyone very happy.

Jam Night @ 'A Bar Named Sue' August 12th

After a really solid practice, the band packed it in about 11:30 or so and headed to ‘A Bar Named Sue’ to find out about the specifics around the August 29th show – were they sharing the stage with other bands or not. The boys unintentionally dropped in to a jam night. As they walked through the door, the room said ‘hey BBT is here…’ They grabbed beers as they were asked to play. The stage held a drum kit, one guitar, and a bass.

The bass player of the group before BBT was left handed, (he is an excellent player by the way) so there was no issue around instruments. Troy, Mark and Steve played three songs – 3 Eyed, Peanut Butter Tongue , and …. ?? they rocked… they got applause, and they were asked to play more (as it was a jam night, they declined to play longer).

Afterwards, the other players – all younger, commented on how cool it was to see the older generation rock out.

July 4th @ The Brickhouse in Fernie BC

Another great show by the boys. The bar was full - with people coming from neighbouring towns just to hear BBT play, and play well. When they took to the stage at 9:30 it was full, and as they ended their half-hour encore at 1:30 or so, it was still full. In between those two points, the band played their 'black shirt' show to their usual high standards - including their live hits 3-Eyed Farmboy, Utopia, George Foreman Grill and others. They also played their interpretations of a couple of pop hits (of course they played War Pigs!), a few Johnny (Cash) tunes, and some of their new works from the Speckie project.



Take a look at the photos of Steve (bass, ukulele, keyboards), Mark (drums), Andrew (various horns, electric violin), Mike (guitars, keyboards, strings)and of course Troy (guitars, vocals, accordions, banjo, ukulele, and other things) having fun at the show.



Their next show is a coffee house at 'The Redtree' in Fernie on August 14th, and a full bar show at 'A Bar Named Sue' in Fernie on the 29th of August (you might even hear some wild covers of a few Led Zeppelin favourites!!!).