In $trick9 & The Truth, there were generally four big shows a year.

In the Spring, there was the Spring Hootenanny. Winter brought the Winter Formal. Fall was the Fall of Humanity, which was often a charity show. But, Summer was marked by Summer Heat.

There was an iconic show poster that depicted $trick9 and I as a Miami Vice duo in front of a white Corvette at Gray’s Lake. I need to track down a copy of that.

The show at the former Vaudeville Mews went down as one of my favorite shows we ever played. It was probably due, in part, to the incredible light show that we had brought in and ultimately ate into the ticket sales so deeply that I think any of us only walked away with a $1 from the performance, if not having to pay back into the coffer.

But, it’s memorable to me, because no one was doing shows like this. It was the late 00’s. Bands rarely had themed shows. Audiences were never asked to participate. We asked more of the crowd. Lose yourself in the moment for an evening. Dress up. Play a part. Leave whatever you’re going through at the door for a couple of hours and just let loose.

And, man. We showed up and we showed out.