CD Launch Report
"Welcome to the Instrumental Asylum" was officially launched at "The Rainbow
Hotel"
in Fitzroy on the 4th February, 2006 (photos
here). The enthusiastic crowd demonstrated
their fine dancing style to the pounding "bush surf" of Ben Rogers' Instrumental
Asylum. The first 100 lucky punters received the inaugural "Asylum
badges". These hand made treasures (keep
your eye on e-Bay...) were not the only gifts bestowed by the band on the night.
The generosity of Instrumental Asylum knows no bounds as evidenced by the
magnificent prizes distributed throughout the
night.
The band was ably assisted throughout the night by the "Asylum Hostesses",
Jayne and Margaret. The delectable duo distributed badges and prizes and
sold CDs to the more solvent sector of the audience. (Speaking of
solvents, a fair few were consumed over the course of the night... No
names at this point.) Highlight of the night (no prizes for guessing who's
writing this) was the outing of bassist Nikki Scarlett: mild mannered musician
by night, wannabe evil scientist by day. Resplendent in lab coat and
safety glasses Nikki set the tone for a rousing rendition of "Surfing
the Synchrotron". During this tune Asylum Hostess Margaret dished out
the fabulous synchrotron frisbees donated by our friends at the Australian
Synchrotron (check out their
website
and "be enlightened"). Most of the glassware survived the experience.
The band also featured some very special guests for the more complex numbers.
Drummer, Denis Close, contrary to aural appearances, is not possessed of
multiple pairs of arms. In order to fully realise the percussive vision of
this "Maestro of the Maracas", help was required. This help came in the
form of our percussive chorus girls: Elspeth and Jasmine (aka "The Two Bob
Watches"). Elspeth was entrusted with the sounding of the gong (imagine
the start of a J.R. Rank production, but without the sweaty chap) in Surfing the
Synchrotron and later on treated us to a particularly memorable cow bell
solo. Her lead triangle in Kangaroux also sets
the bench mark for this vastly underestimated instrument.
Co-conspirator, Jasmine Mahon, was persuaded to break the instrumental spell
by singing a wonderful version of From Russia With Love, instantly
transporting the assembled mass to the frozen steppes (with vodka martinis in
hand, of course!). Jasmine also tapped the primal beast that lives within
us all with her revved up version of Mean, Mean Man in the final set, wringing
out the last few dance steps from even the tiredest punter.
It ended as all nights must, with happy punters weaving their way home and a
tired band rejoicing in the fact that they had actually been paid for having
that much fun (don't tell anyone that). Thanks to everyone who came and
made it the fantastic night it was and special thanks to those who helped us,
not only on the night but in preparation (in no particular order):
Margaret Rogers
Jasmine Mahon
Serge Thomann
Julian Druce
Jayne Sunbird
Elspeth Close
Jack Rogers
Rachel Taylor
Karen Conrad
3RRR
3PBS
Tim Thorpe
Gary Young
Max Crawdaddy
Ron Dickinson
Terry Iredale
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