Ginger & the Gents, Eneeone Smash the Ice Haus
... and shameless plugs for my wife and friends
Well, I’m going to break the “fourth wall” in this article because:
I’m tired and have a huge, sad story to break in the next day or so. I’ve been eyeball-deep in researching legal papers, and I’ll be in court tomorrow to follow the case. I needed some levity. So my wife and I took some dear friends out to see an amazing band at Ice Haus last night, and I had hoped to do short telephone interviews today with members of both acts, but that didn’t work out.
It’s like that sometimes. Indulge me, please, and we’ll just roll with it.
I don’t have fancy camera equipment or a budget to hire a professional, just some good people who took photos and video to share with you. Please don’t judge.
First off, I want you to know that Ice Haus has some of the best food you’ll ever get in a bar. Good prices, huge portions, and great service — so long as you order extra ranch right off the top. Not the servers fault. She tried twice before I went downstairs to the kitchen and got it myself.
A little personal history: I turned 21 in 1986. So it must have been around 1985 that I rented a basement in a home across the street from Ice Haus, which was then Uncle Albert’s. I used to go in after work sometimes, with an obviously fake ID, and drink a pitcher or two of beer while watching the shenanigans and music by myself at a little table above the stage. It was nostalgic, and a little awkward since I’m sober 16 years now, to sit at the same table.
Anyhoo, last night I met Ray Martinez, aka Eneeone, a rapper who opened the show with Mike “Mixtermike” George. Ray and Mike were very kind and generous in our brief talk before the show. They were selling their own merchandise, but they showcased t-shirts they’d brought to raise money for a friend who is fighting cancer.
I am far from qualified to review anything rap or hip hop, but I’ll tell you — it didn’t run me out of the room. I was drawn in by Mike’s beats and Ray’s heartfelt lyrics and performance. Lord, I feel OLD just trying to compliment them.
Headlining the show was Ginger & the Gents, an original rock band with strong roots in the local scene. Forgive me for gushing on them, Mike and Ray, but I’ve waited three years to coordinate our schedules so my wife could see this act.
You see, my wife, Nyrie Hadnot, is often fan-ranked in the top five female vocalists in Utah, along with G&tG’s front woman, Chandra Marie. It’s time they met!
Chandra has an “it” factor that few front men, let alone front women, can dream of having. There’s something simultaneously simple and approachable, yet larger-than-life about her. She has the audience in her palm. She commands that stage. She slips in and out of view, wardrobe changes, easy banter, and moments of raw power and raw vulnerability. She utilizes every inch of that stage — in three dimension.
I’d like to properly shout-out every member of the band, they deserve it, but without an interview I can’t fact-check things I’ve read about them online. Maybe next time. For now …
Jesse Kyle Long: Guitar — Jesse lets his guitar do the talking. I don’t even know how to describe the sounds he gets outta that thing. It’s wonderful.
Sam Sumpter: Bass — Sam also does dad jokes and back-up vocals.
Steven Butler: Drums — Steve told me after the show that he’s been with the band about three years. I have never seen a drummer with more energy. The guy plays with his whole body. Think Jerry Lee Lewis with sticks. That was bad, but you get the idea.
My buddy Adam Clawson of Adam & the Crackerjacks, and a brilliant drummer himself, sat quietly through the whole show. “I was blown away. I just wanted to soak it all in,” he said.
VIDEOS, thanks to Wendy Hobbs.
And Nyrie? Well, my wife has a new girl crush, fo sho’. I don’t mind.
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