ZTNB 2007
Archives - ZTNB 2003 | ZTNB 2004 | ZTNB 2005 | ZTNB 2006 | ZTNB 2007
ZTNB stands for Zero To None Bunch. It’s a group of friends getting together to play music, share their thoughts through song, drink beer, and have a good time.
It started as a great idea that we thought would never happen (zero to none chance of happening). We're too busy, too lazy, too old, etc.
But look at us now. It's turned into a really fun event. We have all progressed as muscians and songwriters, as well becoming better friends.
Participants:
Neil Brincks
Doug Duhon
Robert Steel
Troy Thibodeaux
Robbie Wilson
Location:
Lakehouse Lounge (Rob's Family Lake House)
The 2003 ZTNB season has come to an end. We all grew as friends, players, and songwriters. We have managed to get together 12 or 13 times in 2003. That alone is quite an accomplishment. From a little 3 man group in an apartment, to full-blown family outings with games, presents, t-shirts, hats, posters, pets, swimming pools, banners, smoke machines, colored lights, etc.
It has snowballed into one exciting extravaganza, but it’s still boils down to friends getting together and sharing their musical ideas.
It’s been a blast and it can only get better.
Some highlights:
The first real blowout was the ZTNB Crawfish Festival at Doug’s
house. This was done right. We had tons of crawfish, Cajun music
blaring, kids running around, presents exchanged, etc.
After an all-day food and beverage throw down, we started the music portion of the festival and made it through a few sets when the rains came…. a mad rush of guitars, speakers, chairs, people, etc. scrambling into the garage. With the rain beating down the music started back up. The setting was great. The whole crew was crammed into Doug’s garage amongst the lawn equipment, tools, bikes, etc. It was great. Nothing could thwart our spirit and need to “Rock”.
Then the floods came. Water came rushing in under the garage doors and our live music mobile unit was on the move again. We went for higher ground this time. Our last stop was the living room where the night finally wound down with more great sets from the ZTNBers.
Truly an event that will live on in infamy.
The next big one was Neil’s Backyard Bash. We had the flatbed trailer, a chandelier, smoked salmon, and assorted bar-b-qued dead animal stuffs. We kept the neighbors and ourselves entertained into the wee hours. Robbie’s unveiling of “Pitiful Loser” was a definite musical highlight of the show.
Not to gloss over anything here, because every show was really a blast and special in its own right, so please read the other notes from the shows for more info….but the end of the year Christmas show was the topping on the cake..or icing…or something
We set up camp at Robert’s family lake house and this was
really a special event. The shows have evolved into family slumber
parties also, so we really go til we drop. This show had the unveiling
of the ZTNB Electric Band, or DropKick, or whatever we will decide
on. We had our first full-blow rock show with drums, bass, guitars,
singing….. the works. Me (Troy), Robbie, Neil, and Doug
worked up (after 1 full practice) a few songs and rocked that
mother. That was fun.
Here is the song list:
Jonas
Victim
Lead Me On
She Loves You
This is Me
Words Don’t Come
Break My Fall (twice)
After the show we switched out the stage and set up for the acoustic jam. Doug had his makeshift tribal trap kit, Neil with his cello, and Robert, Robbie, and me (Troy) got up and did our sets.
But before that, Robert kicked us all out of the house to set up his surprise. As we waited we sang Christmas carols. It was very cool and Christmasy feeling.
We all went back in side and Robert and Neil had constructed a ZTNB light show. It was unbelievable. It was hundreds of individual Christmas lights spelling out the ZTNB logo. It was awesome and really added a cool touch our stage presents. We have pro gear and attitude, and now we have pro lights too.
Robbie and I both had a few Christmas songs in our repertoire. We all joined in at the end on Silent Night.
So after the music was done and many shots were taken…we decided to go on an early morning adventure. We walked over the hills and through the woods and I’m sure came really close to drowning, as we went to a pond and tried our best to destroy the dock we were all standing on…and then our plans were to all jump in a canoe and ram the beaver dam…but thank God there were no paddles.
Participants:
Neil Brincks
Doug Duhon
Robert Steel
Troy Thibodeaux
Robbie Wilson
Location:
Amli Couch Cafe (Troy & Robert's Apartment)
We are finishing off a great year of shows. I can’t tell you how much fun we have had all year and how much my playing and writing has flourished, and I see a huge improvement in all of us. Not that we sucked before, but it’s even better now.
Our monthly get togethers have really brought us together as friends also…at least I see it that way. I’m happy that Doug and his family have become friends with Robert, Robbie and family. It’s becoming almost like family for all of us. I hope things get even better next year.
We were back to the Amli Couch Café for another show. Robbie and I both tried standing up for our sets. It was different but cool. I need a pickup for my guitar so I don’t have to stand next to the mic the whole time. Neil’s sets get shorter and shorter for some reason, but his songs are solid and I’d like to hear more. Doug played some nifty brush work and brought some household items to hit on, and he added some tasteful percussion to all of the acoustical stylings. Robert's set was really good and finished up with his classic show-stopper song, "Did I Say That Out Loud?".
Participants:
Neil Brincks
Doug Duhon
Robert Steel
Troy Thibodeaux
Robbie Wilson
Mark (sorry I don't remember Mark's name)
Location:
Rowlett Road House (Robbie's house)
We broke in Robbie’s new digs with a special Halloween edition of the ZTNB show. There were some very scary stuff going on…and that was just my set. I’d say that Robbie had his best set ever. The emotions were flowing and the songs just poured out. It was a great performance. At one point he even had a row of soccer moms on the front row cheering, shaking, dancing, and gyrating to the music. I think he could have had any of them…or at least one.
Neil brought over his friend Mark, who was immediately berated by Robbie, so he was broken in right away. He placed some very nice instrumentals.
It was a great night and Robbie and Tonya were great hosts. It was like a slumber party for 30 year olds.
Participants:
Neil Brincks
Doug Duhon
Robert Steel
Troy Thibodeaux
Robbie Wilson
Location:
Lakehouse Lounge (Rob's Family Lake House)
We had another installment of ZTNB. We went out to Rob’s family lake house. It was very cool. We had an adult slumber party. We all played and drank and were very merry. I can’t believe we have gotten together once a month for 10 months now. It’s evolved into a family thing at times. We bring the kids, food, and sometimes a pillow and a blanket. This is really fun stuff. I can’t believe we waited this long to do something like this.
I played one all original set. I think it was OK. Neil played cello on a few songs, and Doug had the tablas and snare drum working. It is something really special.
Robbie did one long set and played a few tunes I had never heard. He played a song off of Rob Schneider's new CD. It was really cool. He also played a song about his mother that I wasn't sure if I had heard before, but it was great.
Robert floored us once again by reading a letter from his daughter that he used as an into to one of his songs. It was touching and really drove home the songs lyrics.
Participants:
Neil Brincks
Doug Duhon (Doug was on IR but showed up for
moral support)
Robert Steel
Troy Thibodeaux
Robbie Wilson
Location:
Brincks Amphitheater and Bar-B-Que Pavilion
(Neil's House)
For more images go here.
The ZTNB Tour took us to the Brincks Amphitheater and Bar-B-Que Pavilion. The fair grounds had many high-brow wine and cheese event type amenities. A lovely chandelier hovered over the stage for some soft intimate lighting, and Hors D’oeuvres of smoked salmon were served. Not to alienate the less cultured of the crowd, burgers and hotdogs were also served.
This warm air even had the feel of a good old Louisiana festival. The grill was going, the beer was flowing, and the flat bed trailer showcased some great live acoustic music.
Neil, thanks for hosting ZTNB IX, and a huge thanks to Robert for hauling out the PA and recording gear. Robbie and I had it pretty easy...So did Doug, seeing how he didn’t bring any instruments and didn’t play… except a little cello. But it was great to see Doug and fly. We hadn’t seen him in a while and I wasn’t sure if he was going to stay in Lafayette forever. The food there alone can suck you back in.
Robbie floored us all with his most introspective song to date, and that’s saying a lot. He threw down an emotional new tune that had a great melody and gut-wrenching lyrics. To quote another great song, Robbie “holds his flaws out in his hands” on this song. Robert and Robbie dig deep when it comes to expressing themselves lyrically and I’m always impress with how they hold it together. I’m not sure if and when I’m ready to (musically) deal with some things in my life, but it seems to be a great way to express yourself and not burned people with it. None of us have the “Victim” mentality, but never hide from or deny the challenges that life presents us.
He also shocked up with his brush with the law and how he almost went to big house on “murder one”. Yes, Robert, a.k.a. Robbi, the heavily tattooed white male.
Neil had a few new tunes himself. His reworked original was really great. I didn’t realize it was an original and almost asked him whose song that was. I would take that as a compliment. He played a cool White Stripes song also. I don’t know their fine work, but it was a great song. I might have to look into that band. Neil threw don’t some “D” again. That song never stops being funny, and I’m sure singing a song about F%^$ing with his neighbors probably listening takes some nads….so two thumbs up to you.
We had a fun jam on “faking my way”. That was cool with the Neil on the cello and Robbie playing guitar along with me.
One again, a successful ZTNB show.
You can download the very offensive MP3s from the show. Please listen with extreme caution.
http://www.collectingmyself.com/ztnb/ztnb_ix_8-2-03/
Participants:
Robert Steel
Troy Thibodeaux
Robbie Wilson
Location:
Amli Couch Cafe (Troy & Robert's Apartment)
This ZTNB get together was very soon after the last and had many similar elements of the last one: pool, kids, wives, girlfriends, grilling, etc., and also was only me, Rob, and Robbie again (much to our embarrassment, Neil was ready to show up the next night. I personally am so sorry for dropping the ball on that. We originally planned it for Sat, but our half-ass way of communicating resulted in a casualty of the highest degree… a willing participant that was left out….)
Neil, please, please don't take that as a snub!!!
The big difference in this get together was the performance. We all played really great I thought. There were some stirring performances by Robbie that sent chills through me. I know Robert will not consider that night a great performance for himself, but besides the very end where those (who knows how many) shots of tequila kicked in, it was a great performance. Robert was the unlucky one to go last, and we had started this crazy ritual, earlier in the night, of having a shot before each set. Let's see, that's 3 performers with 2 sets each….I guess that's about 6 shots a piece.
I hope the recording came out. It was a cool night.
It's time for the big show to come back though…..Neil, Doug….get ready
Participants:
Robert Steel
Troy Thibodeaux
Robbie Wilson
Location:
Amli Couch Cafe (Troy & Robert's Apartment)
Well it was back down to the original 3 ZTNBers. We made it another family get together and hung out by the pool and grilled stuff. It was very relaxing. Too relaxing in some ways, at least on my part. We moseyed up to the apartment, I mean the Amli Couch Café, after we had our fill of pool, food, and sun. At this point the banana daiquiris were seriously kicking in. I made it through one set but that was it. Robert and Robbie turned in some great sets (although Robbie's second set is a little foggy to me). Robbie's new guitar has a much brighter tone and really sounds great. Robert busted out a cool new instrumental that features some really nice finger picking.
This was not my best outing, but I did play a couple of new covers. I played Fred Astair by Dayna Kurtz. I had some trouble with the pronouns that had to be altered to make me not sound gay, but the song is so good I just had to play it. It's probably my fav DK tune.
Participants:
Neil Brincks
Robert Steel
Troy Thibodeaux
Robbie Wilson
Doug Duhon
Location:
Doug's Back Porch
Doug's Garage
Doug's Living Room
The ZTNB VI show topped off a great day of food, friends, and fun. The 1st Annual ZTNB Crawfish Festival happened, and it was a complete success. After spending the day eating crawfish, boudin, watermelon, etc. and drinking beer, exchanging crazy white elephant gifts, watching the kids swim, play badminton, foosball, etc……we started the show.
The setting was great. The sun had set and we made a makeshift stage on Doug's back porch. I, for one, was hammered at this point, so I can't say I did my best, but I think it was OK.
Robert started off. The sound was pretty good besides a little feedback, and Rob's emotional songs captured everyone's attention.
The show was rolling along. I did a set, Neil did his set, and somewhere along the way…..the rains came. It was a mad dash to the garage. We moved everyone and the equipment into the garage and picked up where we left off. The rain was so loud, but Robbie and Robert's sets were still very good. Robbie did a very cool version of Fade to Black by Metallica.
To throw in another twist, the water was seeping in the garage and flooding the floor, so we were on the move again. We packed up again and headed into Doug's living room.
We closed the evening with some very intimate sets. Doug finally took out his Tablas and Me, Robbie, and Doug jammed a little at the end of the night.
We played in front of about 17 people. This was a big show for us.
What a day….what a night!
- images from the day and night -
Participants:
Neil Brincks
Robert Steel
Troy Thibodeaux
Robbie Wilson
Location:
Amli Couch Cafe (Troy & Robert's Apartment)
ZTNB V went off very well. We all had our moments of brilliance (relatively speaking I guess), and our moments of not-so brilliance. Speaking only for myself, I think I played and sang well, but just lost it a few times. I hit some clunkers too, which are bound to happen, but I still don’t accept them as being OK. I need to focus, relax, and flow.
We have a mascot now. Robert's Bearded Dragon (lizard) named Spewey. He seemed to enjoy the show.
We started the night off by watching some of the movie, Orgasmo with Trey Parker (Southpark fame). This proved to really motivate us…I think. Ok, not really, but it’s a damn funny movie. (I’m not queer or nothin’, but you got a nice ass…)
Robbie busted out some cool new covers. He was a little under the weather, but we insisted he keep going and cough through it. His cover of Kevin Gilbert’s “Water Under the Bridge” was very cool. I also like his cover of a Crash Test Dummy’s song, which makes me want to give that band another listen. Robbie added a new original that was really, really good. I know I’m getting these lyrics wrong, but basically saying, how can I be there for you when I can’t be there for me. It sums up what a lot of us are struggling with from time to time. Maybe he more than the rest of us…or maybe not, but to a degree I can relate.
Robert has some deep though-provoking stuff. He open’s up his soul to everyone in his songs. There’s a vulnerability there that is hard for people to admit too (me being one). Robbie has this too, but Robert gets very literal with his songs and paints a picture from an honest, heart-felt perspective. He cleverly uses metaphors and analogies along the way, but sometimes he cuts right to the heart of the matter.
Once again, Neil did his awesome rendition of Clapton’s, Tears in Heaven, or as someone insensitively referenced it as the “kick the kid out the window song”. I’m not sure who said that, but they punched their ticket to Hell. Neil gave us a small glimpse of a new original, which sounded really good. I am looking forward to hearing the rest of it soon.
I played the same stuff I’ve played before, with one old original that I added. I don’t think it was that great, so it might be scratched from the list.
-- images from the show --
Sat 4-5-03
Participants:
Neil Brincks
Doug Duhon
Robert Steel
Troy Thibodeaux
Clark Walker
Robbie Wilson
Location:
Amli Couch Cafe (Troy & Robert's Apartment)
We had a full house this time. 6 musicians! We had, what had to be, the worst hale storm I've ever seen. We stopped the show to go check it out. Robbie even made a hale-angel.
Participants:
Neil Brincks
Robert Steel
Troy Thibodeaux
Robbie Wilson
Location:
Amli Couch Cafe (Troy & Robert's Apartment)
It was another successful venture, and Neil showed up and played some great covers. I had (and still have) this cough that got in the way. I had to start one song over about 3 times because of my freakin' coughing. It was very frustrating.
Neil played some cool covers: Kevin Gilbert's "When you give your love to me", Clapton's "Tears in heaven", and "F*%# Her Gently" by Tenacious D being my favorites.
Troy's 1st set
Cheat
(Julian Coryell)
I
Just Can't Make Eveything Right (Troy Thibodeaux)
The
Same One (Troy Thibodeaux)
Troy's 2nd set
Victim
(Troy Thibodeaux)
Faking My Way (Troy Thibodeaux)
Happy
Again (just to annoy Robbie) (Troy Thibodeaux)
Edge
of Happiness (Troy Thibodeaux)
Troy's 3rd set
Long
Way to Get (Bob Schneider)
Still
I Wait (Troy Thibodeaux)
Goodness
Gracious (Kevin Gilbert)
Participants:
Doug Duhon
Robert Steel
Troy Thibodeaux
Robbie Wilson
Location:
Amli Couch Cafe (Troy & Robert's Apartment)
ZTNB II happened. Doug Duhon showed up with his tablas and a snare. He added some great textures to all of our songs. It was nice to have the added touch. Most of us played some of the same songs from ZTNB I, but with some additions. I tried a few tunes without really practicing them. I gave "One True Self" a try. It translated ok to acoustic, but I should have practiced (duh). Doug recorded the night on his Roland, and hopefully we will have some files to post soon.
Participants:
Robert Steel
Troy Thibodeaux
Robbie Wilson
Location:
Amli Couch Cafe (Troy & Robert's Apartment)