Melissa Ferrick / Garrison Star / Sam Shaber (3/3/05)



It's quite the coincidence to being seeing Melissa Ferrick one day after seeing Ani in concert, particularly because she is one of the few performers who rivals Ani on the number of times I've seen them live. This isn't particularly because I hold her to the same esteem as Ani, but because she performs at the Grog Shop often. Living in Coventry first, and now only a 10 minute drive from there, it is a ritual that about every 6 months I get to see her again. How could I not?? She's a strong performer with passion rivaling Ani. There are many comparisons between the two, but I feel other than both being women with fierce guitar playing skills that should be where the comparisons stop.

Melissa Ferrick at the Grog Shop had become a ritual, and almost spiritual for me. I know that may sound strange, but I can't help draw comparisons to how I felt leaving her show to that of how a dedicated church-goer feels after a particularly passionate sermon. Every show I walked out feeling more alive. I felt heartbreak, longing, passion and politically motivated. It was a mix of the little indie venue (before the Grog moved) the alternative audience (of which I wanted to meet every one of them) and then Melissa herself (who would erupt with passion on stage). I was even to the point where I made up scenarios where I would meet the perfect boyfriend, and running into him at a Melissa show at the Grog Shop was the most viable... the other was a meeting a children's Ski/Snowboard instructor. :) (who knew it would end up being a burgeoning Spanish instructor).Sam Shaber

Melissa and I have quite the history, going back to my origin of music appreciation and discovery of my sexuality. My first time seeing her was in 1998 at the University of Chicago where I travelled to attend the Midwest Gay & Lesbian Conference primarily to see her perform (I can NOT believe that this page is still up). As you could imagine, having just come out of the closet, that was a momentous experience for me. I met her after the show and got her autograph. To still see Melissa today keeps me grounded in where I was, and helps to keep me focused on where I want to be.

Unfortunately, this night she was performing on the night I had class. Luckily (?) my professor had the whooping cough (?) and let us out early. I sped straight there to see Sam Shaber open up. I hadn't seen or heard much from her before. She had a much bigger presence than what that stage and/or the audience provided. Garrison StarrThe stance, the frequent flip of the long rocker hair, all lent itself to thinking she felt she was a performer of Sheryl Crow stature who just happened to be playing the Grog. It was great because it wasn't pretentious, she just loved what she was doing. I was also very excited to hear that she had a new CD that featured some help from Kristen Hall !! There is a performer who I hadn't heard from in a while and was excited to hear that she was still working. If you ever get a chance to grab the discontinued "Be Careful What you Wish For " album, DO IT. I digress.

Garrison Starr was up next. I had seen her one time prior opening for Steve Earle at the Odeon. There she was on stage with her worn AC/DC t-shirt and her strong southern draw and a voice that rivals Patty Griffin. In fact, if Patty had grown up listening to the likes of AC/DC and other classic rock artists, you would have Garrison Starr. Maybe even a little Tegan & Sara sound there as well... Other than her pleading for you to purchase merch from her, the set was awesome.

So by this time of the night, I had started seeing some of my lesbian friends. Unfortunately, I have such a hard time remembering their names since I only run into them occasionally, but luckily my friend Penny was there to guide me! Here's a shot of Penny and the hottie girlfriend (Penny being quite the hottie herself).
Melissa Ferrick
Melissa walked on stage as she had the so many other times I've seen her. Messy hair, stretched out t-shirt and tattoos on her arm, how could you not be attracted to that. I can definitely see why she's loved by the lesbians. Standing there watching her, I see her play her heart out, I sometimes question the fierceness to which she plays her guitar. Is she too intense sometimes, because her guitar sounds like a machine gun at times? Then I stand back and realize it's that intensity is the reason that I keep coming back.

Posted: Sun - March 13, 2005 at 01:31 PM           |

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