ZTNB 2005
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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 (& Julie)
Robert Steel
Troy Thibodeaux
Robbie Wilson
Location:
Troy & Lisa's House
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We had a New Years Eve fish fry, which is becoming a tradition at our house. I think we might have had a fish fry on New Years Day before, but whatever. Robert and Ashley, Robbie and Tonya, and Neil and Julie were all there. We cooked and drank and ate and then started the ZTNB part of the evening. I drew the first slot, so I started.
At our previous ZTNB we had an idea that everyone had to draw a name and play each other’s song. I had drawn Rob’s name, so I played “Running to Catch Up”, which is one of my favorites of his. No one else played their song, and I must admit that I learned it earlier in the day, but pulled it off I think. Rob, and everyone else, was surprised. That was kind of cool.
My set ended around 11:40, so we stopped to make noise, drink champagne, etc. after the countdown. That was fun and exciting. We got back to the show and had a good big ol time.
There were some really good sets by all. Julie played on Neil’s new song and it sounded great. I played bass on it and I thought the whole thing was really good. I need to get a good recording of that with violin and bass.
Both Robbie and Rob’s sets were really good too. I played some percussion on Rob’s set and I thought it sounded good, but I meant to ask him afterwards what he thought. I was playing an empty 5 gallon Ozarka water bottle, and I had a few beers by then, so maybe it didn’t sound as good as I thought.
Everyone slept over and Robbie went pick up little Robi the next day, and Amber came over also, so the Wilson’s were all accounted for. That was nice to see them all there.
Doug stayed in Lafayette and I’m sure was drinking Jack and smoking a cigar around a big bon fire in Carencro. He was defiantly missed.
Participants:
Neil Brincks
Robert Steel
Troy Thibodeaux
Robbie Wilson
Location:
Backstage Ranch (Tira, TX )
We had a city slickers weekend out in Tira, TX. We rode 4-wheelers, shot guns, fished, went to a haunted house, etc. We also mixed in a ZTNB jam with it. It was a great relaxing weekend. The Wilsons invited us out to their property in Tira, which is about 25 miles outside of Sulphur Sprints, TX. I was having flash backs to my childhood when I spent many a weekend out in Iota, LA at my cousin Brett’s house. Brett and I would ride our mini bikes for hours down the gravel roads and through the rice fields. We hunted and fished, and all the country stuff. I have some great memories, and this weekend brought me back there.
After a day of riding the 4-wheelers and shooting guns, we set up for the night time activities. We had successful ZTNB Sat night. We missed Doug, but we still had some quality sets, although rhythmically, there was something missing.
Robbie kicked it off with a great set. He had a couple of new covers that caught me off guard. He played a great version of “From your mouth” by God Lives Under Water. He has a new original that is very good, very offensive, and very Robbie. I’ll leave it at that for now.
Robbie did not play, “Pitiful Loser”. I felt I should let him play the set he planed. I always want to hear the song at every ZTNB, but I don’t want him to think it’s the only one we really like. I’m sure he doesn’t think that, and likes it when we request it, but I thought I would let him do his thing.
Robert’s song, which I can’t remember the name of …(I would always get mad and quit), is becoming one of my favorites. I think I’ve said that before, but I don’t really listen to other guy’s songs very often, so when ZTNB comes around it’s a real treat. Not that I would get tired of them, but I’m really anticipating the songs every month. It will have to really grow on me to knock “Marissa” out of the top spot, but it’s moving up the charts.
Neil’s set was really good too, and it ended up turning into a jam. I jumped on bass, and Julie played her violin and we fumbled our way through some tunes. Robbie jumped in and so did Robert. Robert sang a few songs from the couch, and I think he was even laying down while spouting out lyrics. He even broke out the classic song by I-45 and Cult Ceavers, “The Bike Song”. We went through all the Bob Schneider songs we could fake our way through. We did a stirring rendition of “Black Water” by the Doobie Brothers. I almost broke a vocal chord trying to sing the harmonies on “Already Gone”, by the Eagles.
After jamming, we loading up the truck and went exploring and old house that looked to be abandoned for many years. It was dilapidated and decomposing, but it was very creepy. The house was left with many household items still there. The counters had things on them, the closets had clothes, the wall still had a calendar, and there were letters from family members.
The really wild thing is that Robbie had explored this house before and Tonya mentioned this to one of her co-workers, and it turns out that the house belonged to this woman’s grandparents. What are the chances of that? This house is about 75 miles from Dallas, and just happened to be in the tiny tiny town that Robbie and Tonya has some property. That’s wild stuff.
We woke up the next day and rode the ATVs more, played horse shoes (first time for me), and watched some classic movies (Spinal Tap, Old School, and The Girl Next Door). OK, “The Girl Next Door” is not a classic, but after watching old school, Robbie had to see more of Elisha Cuthbert.
We also went out to Cooper Lake and did a little fishing. I caught a few sand bass and catfish. Little Robi caught a few also. I let Robi use my fishing pole with my trusty rooster tail on it, and right away he caught a little bass. I showed him how to hold the fish and take the hook out. He soon caught another fish, and it was a little catfish. I had not anticipated him catching a catfish, and he used the same method to unhook the catfish as he did for the bass. Well he was quickly stuck with a fin in the finger. I felt bad about that, but it was a tiny catfish and he seemed to be fine…Robi and the catfish.
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Participants:
Doug Duhon
David Harbour
Robert Steel
Troy Thibodeaux
Robbie Wilson
Location:
Club Thibodeaux (Troy & Lisa's House )
We had a great ZTNB. It was really a full weekend of ZTNB togetherness. It was a two day festival of music, eating, drinking, and fun.
It started early. Around 3 or 4 in the afternoon, people started to show. Robert, David Dye, Robbie, Tonya, and Robi, Doug, Becca and her friend. It was starting to kick early. Lisa made her famous enchiladas and the fixins. Tonya and Lisa really treated us like kings the whole day, and the following day. They kept us fat and happy.
On Sunday, Robbie even fixed his famous Buffalo chicken strips and took a shot at making Banditos, like Chuey’s. There were really good, but it’s hard to live up to the original. I thought they were great, but Robbie was not satisfied.
On Sunday, along with the food, and more beer, we had a marathon, Christopher Guest, watching party. We watched Best in Show, Waiting for Guffman, A Mighty Wind, and even Napoleon Dynamite. We also watched the who previous nights video. The camera was set up poorly and Robbie’s head was cut off for his set, but we could see his guitar and midsection really good.
We had an array of good beer too. We had Young’s Oatmeal Stout, Double Chocolate (a new favorite of mine now), Optimator, Beck’s, Warsteiner, Boddington's, and much more.
There was some “manning up” also. Mr. Daniel’s made the rounds.
Lisa and I partnered on the bass for a few songs. That was cool. We do everything together now.
Robbie had a truly rare set. He was carpet bombed by forgotten words and chords. It was really great…for us…not him. Little Robi got up (after being paid $6) and sang “Kenny”. That was priceless. Although you could say it wasn’t because it costed $6, so there is a price.
David Dye played a really good set, and his son DC played percussion on a song too. Everyone gets into the act.
Harbour and Wanda were there also. Harbour did his thing and also we jammed a bit, which is always fun. It was David Dye’s first time seeing him, which is always fun to see the jaw drop during his set. As we all went outside and took a break, Wanda played a set, so we really didn’t hear much of it, but what I heard sounded great.
Robert played a great new song, along with his hits. He had a bit of another song, which I thought was new, that ended being an intro for Marissa.
Doug busted out some of his drummer theatrics with rhythms from hell. One again, making a djembe and one cymbal sound like a full set. He pulls off some magic every time. He can make a metal chair sound like a specialized finely-tuned percussion instrument.
We broke out into some jams and sing-alongs here and there. The shots were flowing as usual.
Neil and Julie, along with Wanda, had a gig earlier in the night, but did show up later, although he did not play. I hope next time he gets up and does his thing. It was good to see them though.
Again, it was a great weekend.-Pictures-
Participants:
Neil Brincks
David Harbour
Robert Steel
Troy Thibodeaux
Robbie Wilson
Julie (?)
Location:
The Village on Timberglen Clubhouse (Troy & Robert's Apartment)
We threw down at the apartment. It was probably the last one there. An era has ended. It was a fun, and interesting night. We heard some great music and had some conflicts that I won’t go into, but I hope everything is worked out by now.
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Participants:
Neil Brincks
Doug Duhon
David Harbour
Robert Steel
Troy Thibodeaux
Robbie Wilson
Julie (?)
Location:
Brincks Amphitheater and Bar-B-Que Pavilion (Neil's House)
We set up in Neil’s back yard for a good, big, happy, fun time, and it turned out to be just that. Doug and fly made the trip from Carencro and made it a proper ZTNB. It was a strong showing by everyone. Robert brought Ashley and her friend Sarah, Robbie, Tonya, and little Robi were there, but no Amber, which was too bad. Lisa and the girls were there, Neil and Julie, and Harbour and friends.
We had an early jam with me (Troy), Julie (on violin), Harbour on bass, and Doug on percussion. We did some cool stuff I thought.
Julie jammed with one of Neil’s neighbor who played some country/bluegrass classics. That was a nice primer.
Doug went way above and beyond and brought some boudin and cracklins. This was awesome. Don’s in Carencro makes some top-notch stuff. It was great.
Wanda McKenzie also played a set. She played and sounded really good. She has a beautiful voice (so no talking on the front row).
This was a back-yard jamboree, so we had the tents out and did a mini Woodstock. I ate only brown acid the whole night. We had the grill going, campfire, chandelier, etc. Neil’s did it up right.
All the sets were really good. Robert and Robbie both had new tunes. Neil and I played our hits. Give the people what they want. That’s what I say. Harbour also played some hits of his own, and had a late set, which at one point featured Robbie on drums…with his pants around his ankles. It was a special kind of set.-Pictures-
Participants:
Neil Brincks
David Harbour
Robert Steel
Troy Thibodeaux
Robbie Wilson
Julie (?)
James Martin
Location:
The Village on Timberglen Clubhouse (Troy & Robert's Apartment Clubhouse )
This was a different sort of ZTNB. It had its good and bad points, but overall it was a really fun night and we heard some good music. I rented the clubhouse at my apartments for the show. It was really cool. It gave us some room to move around and had a bar kind of sound to the PA.
We had some screwy scheduling problems and it looked like there would be no Neil or Robbie, and then it ended up being no Doug. So it was a really screwy ZTNB as far as the core is concerned. Lisa and the girls were there, which it had seemed like a while since they had been to a show, but that was great. I really don't like it when she is not there, but there was no Tonya and the kids, and no Doug and his family. Hopefully we will get back to the ZTNB family event for next time. I did like the new people and the open jams, but not at the expense of the family.
We had some new people hang out and listen and some new players. David Harbour brought a few people and it made for a nice change. McKenzie came out after her own gig, but did not play. I was looking forward to hearing her. But her friend, Julie, came out and played violin on a few jam sessions. This was really cool. James Martin came out and played with Julie and me for a few improvised jams. It was good to see and hear James again. It had been a while. Harbour, Julie, and me did some more improving that was a bunch of fun also.
Neil and Robbie were going to be no-shows, but after Robert's begging, then both came out and did sets. Neil sounded great as always. Maybe even a little extra good. He only played three songs (I think), but he nailed them.
Robbie set was really good too. He pissed me off by playing a song from "Mighty Wind". I've had that in the back of my mind for a long time, but he beat me to it. It was great. I'm going to learn "Old Joe's Place" and get Harbour to play bass in a dress. That will be cool. Robbie was really good all around. He handled the crowd in his own not-so-muted way. He commanded attention, even when it wasn't given. He made me laugh with the Kenny song. He insulted a few people also….I love him.
Robert's set was great. I love hearing his songs with new people. His lyrics really touch people (if they are paying attention). "Did I say that Out loud" did grab some attention. It's always a show favorite of mine, for a few reasons.
Harbour had a killer set as always. He never ceases to amaze me, and I've seen the guy play for almost 15 years now.
It was nice to see Ashley (Rob's daughter). It seemed like it had been a while since I'd seen her. Ashley and her friend Sarah performed a rendition of the "Bobby Fisher" cheer from Saturday Night Live. It was awesome.
(Native Americans!!!!!!!!!!!)
Participants:
Neil Brincks
Doug Duhon
David Harbour
Robert Steel
Troy Thibodeaux
Robbie Wilson
Location:
Amli Couch Cafe (Troy & Robert's Apartment)
We had a grand time. We video taped the show, so hopefully we'll get some video clips up here sometime.
Robbie started off the evening and showed up with some remakes of old songs that were AWESOME! We love how he pulls out new stuff all the time. It really shows how much he wants to always entertain us and give us something cool and new.
Neil busted out some favs that we'd be craving since the last ZTNB. Again with the voice and the things and stuff. Neil just has "it".
Troy showed up with some new stuff and played a new song with Robbie and Neil as well. He also busted out a Manowar song acoustic style. It was soo funny. How do they write those crazy ass lyrics and sing them with a straight face. All those wizards and demons and swords. It was funny to hear.
David Harbour played an unbelieveable bass set. How does he do what he does, yeah I know tons and tons of practice, blood, sweat and hours of lonliness and sacrifice, but we all know a lot of people that do that and don't have near what Harbour has. It's unbelieveable how he can write a bass instrumental and have you singing it the next day because it is soo catchy!
Robert did not play. He would have gone on around 4, but we were all too worn out and intoxicated to appreciate it, so since Robert was the only sober one drinking water all night he was kind enough to make a Jack in the Box run at about 5 to give us our share of grease before all passing out.
Doug made the trip up from Lafayette and really held the rythem down. It was great seeing and hearing Doug again. He had not made the last couple of shows and just didn't feel right without him. Doug pulled off some serious gold during Harbour's set. He made that candle holder sing like a MF.
You never know what a ZTNB will bring, but it always delivers a damn good time!!!