two step and sashimi

I've never been to a DMB concert. I've had plenty of reason to; friends and siblings have been, and all tell me how great the live shows are compared to the CD's. But now I know I NEED to go see Dave Mathews live, and this is why. I whitnessed what had to be one of the best bands in the Carolinas, and they claim to be the Ultimate Tribute to DMB. Two Step is their name, and they put on one helluva show. Their cover of DMB's cover of Hendrix' "All Along the Watchtower" was incredible, and these guys are in their early twenties at most. Anyway, that's how the night ended.

Today went well. Did some training with a fairly large group of orderfillers at the building. These girls crack me up; although sometimes they get a little unweildy. I was asked by 3 different ones if I was married or had kids. I had to cut one off when she asked what hotel I was staying at and for how long. Freaky Carolinians. South Carolina is a beautiful state. It's like a big spacious back yard with some very interesting people living in it. Mitch and I finished early and I worked from the hotel for the rest of the day.

8pm, and I felt the need to explore. I took the Grand Marquis and v8'ed my way toward Barnet Park to check out a Jazz Festival I had heard about earlier. Good stuff; the crowd was into it, nice bowl-type venu with lush grassy fields. The music was smooth, relaxing, funky. A group called Spyro Gyro headlined with some cool original stuff, but I liked the opening act better. Time to move on.

I ventured toward Greenville on the advice of the clerk at the hotel. Aparently, that's where the night life is around here. Lolita kept me company for the drive as I unwittingly got lost. This girl is great; more on this later. A couple laps afoot around the center of town, and I stumble upon a sushi place that opened just today. Some miso, Sapporo, and a plate of sashimi, and any doubts about South Carolina sushi quality are quickly squashed. The bartenders were chatty about how the town had changed as they grew up. Aparently, the place was pretty run-down as recently as 10 years ago. Reminds me of old-town Pasadena/Burbank/SOMA/etc during the 80's.

Recent gentrification and development has brought a lot of life to this town, aparently. They're quick to point out that the european auto manufacturing satellite facilities (BMW, Jaguar, M-B) and the corresponding automotive engineering school has helped on this front as well. Of course, along with the new night-life come the bible-thumpers on the street corner, heavy police presence, and eventual risk of drunk-driving/etc. All in stride, I guess. Two guys next to me recommend the bar next door.

I walk into it, and upstairs was Two Step jamming away. A great end to a great night.