A Night I Wont Soon Forget

Hello everybody and welcome back to HAIR IN THE AIR, The Official Blog of 3D In Your Face.  Things have been just wild in our world and I apologize for the lack of blog the last two weeks.  I may just have to make it up to you with two blogs this week.  Big things are just around the corner this week.  First and most importantly I want to thank everyone that came out to The 21st Saloon last week.  If you haven't heard the news, well together we sold the place out.  We had over 300 people through the door last Friday.  Amazing.  The official beginning of The Friday Night Residency begins this week Friday, Oct. 2nd at The 21st Saloon.  From now until May 2016 we will be at The 21st Saloon every Friday night.  Come rain, snow, sleet, or hail we will be there to give you the best damn Rock N Roll party we can give.  Saturday we will begin album rehearsals with Storm.  We will start going through all of the original material we have ready for the new album and get him up to speed in the next few months.  The hope is to get into the studio by Dec. 2015.  Just a little behind schedule but I think this is going to make all the difference in the world.  We are very happy to have Storm behind the drums and we can't wait to see how this all unfolds.  Lastly don't miss my radio show HAIR IN THE AIR, on 101.9 The Keg Saturday at 10 PM CST.

Like I said earlier last week together we sold out The 21st Saloon.  I have never been in a band that has sold anything out.  I have played some of the lowest attended shows imaginable but last Friday we took it to a different level.  I think all of you know how proud we are so I want to kind of go through some of the other side with you.  We knew the show was going to be big.  I kept saying "Sell Out" but I wasn't sure if it would get to that point.  I've been to shows at that place when they wouldn't allow anymore people in the door and it was wild.  The mood on that Friday was pretty normal.  We were all more nervous about debuting our new drummer than anything.  About 7:30 we were all sitting in the dressing room and people started showing up.  That's nothing really new.  People like to get a good seat.  Around 8:30 we got news that all the tables were full and the bar was all full.  No more seats available.  Then about 9:10 the owner came back and informed us we were at about 150 and the safe capacity of the place was 230.  I thought to myself "Well we gave it a good try and 150 is still a pretty great crowd".  As we started the set and the curtain dropped I was absolutely floored by all the smiling faces and the packed dance floor.  I was on pins and needles just trying to live that moment forever.  Then the guitar solo came and I ran off the stage and saw a line of people waiting at the door.  They told me they weren't allowing anyone else in unless somebody left.  That was the official sell out bell.  It rang loud and clear.

Like I said selling out that club was an amazing feeling.  I felt the love on and off the stage.  There were so many people I wanted to say "hi" to but never got a chance.  Just know I am extremely thankful and humbled by your support.  I've said it before but I think every musician that picks up a guitar dreams of playing to a capacity crowd of die hard fans.  It's part of the package.  Granted in the end it's still all about the music and the artistic expression but that feeling gets amplified by lightning when your doing it in front of a huge audience.  Any band will tell you that these things just don't happen over night.  We busted our butts promoting this show.  We had so much help from the radio station and the Fat Jak's Reunion as well as the bar and word of mouth from you the fans.  It was such a group effort and such an accomplishment.  I know they won't all be sell out shows but I also know that we must be doing something right.  It's that fool-hearted belief in something that pushes you to do something great.  It's the dream that you never let die because there was no other option.  It's that absolute dedication to music and to the people surrounding it that makes you keep coming back for more.  Selling out felt great but seeing people lose themselves in our music felt even better.  A night I wont soon forget.

ALWAYS LOUD
FOREVER PROUD

Sam Spade

I Wont Let Them Win. I Just Can't. We Just Can't.

Hello everybody and welcome to HAIR IN THE AIR, The Official Blog of 3D In Your Face.  I want to start off by saying sorry for missing last weeks blog.  With all of the big announcements I didn't get a chance to sit down and let you know what was going on, nor did I get much sleep.  That's beside the point, I play in a Rock N Roll band we thrive on no sleep.  If you missed all the big announcements I will run through them right here very quickly.  Last Tuesday morning on The Crash Davis Morning Show on 101.9 The Keg we introduced the world to our new drummer Mark "The Storm" Mefford.  Mark will be making his debut with us on Sept. 18th in Omaha at The 21st Saloon.  We also announced that we will be starting our Fall/Winter Tour back at The 21st Saloon with another Friday night residency.  This will get kicked off on the first Friday of Oct. I know this is a bit confusing but unfortunately Mark had prior commitments and wont be in the state on Sept. 25th.  Also another breaking announcement will be our partnership with The Omaha Rollergirls.  The Omaha Rollergirls will be pre-selling tickets to their bouts at The 21st Saloon the week prior to their home bouts.  We have been fighting for this endorsement for a while and finally 3D In Your Face will be teaming up with the toughest girls in Omaha.  Please support this amazing group as we start this partnership moving forward.

As for this weekend, we have entered full rehearsals and will be hitting it hard the next few days in order to get Mark up to speed.  The road crew has also been hard at work installing new "toys" into our residency show at The 21st Saloon.  Expect new lights, new fog cannons, and even a nice little bubbly surprise.  Friday night Sept. 11th, the whole crew will be out to support Great White and Warrant at The Ralston Arena.  This show is being put on by my radio station 101.9 The Keg.  We will be armed with our brand new hand bills promoting our new residency at The 21st Saloon.  Make sure and grab us, say hi, get a picture, and a hand bill if you are at the show.  Saturday don't miss my radio show also called HAIR IN THE AIR at 10 PM CST on 101.9 The Keg.

I told you there was a lot of news.  I also wanted to thank everyone that was at Septemberfest last week.  That was the biggest Septemberfest crowd we have ever played to and it was amazing seeing so many smile faces in the audience that night.

Now comes the real work.  This is the part that is very tough.  We have been held up in rehearsals getting Storm ready for the 18th and most of all getting ourselves ready.  Being away from the action for so long is making me quite stir crazy.  Everybody says "Relax.  Enjoy your time off."  Impossible it's actually quite the opposite.  The time off eats me up inside.  We live for the show, the fans, the hard work, the long miles, the lack of sleep, and the shitty food.  It always feels like hell when you are going through it but then the minute it's over you wish to be right back in the action.  Having this much time off has given me the chance to slightly catch my breath on all the Internet work we do but nothing compares to that rush of waking up on show day.  It never gets old and I never take that feeling for granted.  Standing on that Septemberfest stage, I looked over at Sniper and he looked back.  I knew exactly what he was thinking.  "This is the greatest thing in the world."  I truly feel that way.  The whole show was a blur.  I barely remember the two hours I stood on that stage.

To say that we have our work cut out for us would be an understatement especially Mark, our new drummer.  I know we will get there and I know this part is going to be hard.  There will be some growing pains but we will pull through.  We take each catastrophe as it comes, deal with it, then push forward as hard as possible.  There is no other option.  Every part of this business is hard.  There has never been a point in ten years where I thought playing in a band was easy.  But that's what gets me going, that's what pushes me to move forward.  The odds are always stacked against you.  It's to easy to fail.  It's even harder to succeed.  I wont let them win.  I just can't.  We just can't.

Always Loud
Forever Proud

Sam Spade

Baby The Best Is Yet To Come

Hello Rock Fans and welcome to HAIR IN THE AIR, The Official Blog of 3D In Your Face.  So much is happening and this is supposed to be our two weeks off from the tour.  I can't help but love all the action and excitement.  For those just catching up to recent online developments, we have officially found our new drummer.  Unfortunately due to circumstances beyond our control we are going to wait until the time is right to announce the name of our new member.  As with everything else we have done we want to do this right and we want to do this big.  Give me a week or so and we will be launching the new tour and revealing the new lineup of 3D In Your Face.  (We need time for a photo shoot).   For now we have begun full scale rehearsals this week to train Drummer X.  Not to psyche him out but he has a little under one month to learn over 30 songs with the beginnings and endings. He will then be thrust into the circus that is this band.  He then will be swooped up by The 3D In Your Face Army and his life will never be the same.  OK maybe that was a little over dramatic but I honestly can't wait to show you what we have been working on.  So for this week I don't have any show announcements except for next weeks show on Saturday, Sept 5th for Septemberfest at The CenturyLink Center Parking Lot.  This will be Dax's farewell show and will be a very bittersweet evening.  Also don't forget to listen to my radio show this Saturday, also called Hair In The Air, at 10 PM CST on 101.9 The Keg.

I hate this feeling of limbo because I am usually the first person to blurt out the good news.  I can't help it I want to feed you.  The goal is to get the timing and planning together first before we rush into this.  To be honest with you people I was pretty nervous going into the auditions that we wouldn't find the right guy.  I know there is nothing you can do and the when the cards fall you have to play the hand you are dealt but we totally were blown away by the very first guy that auditioned.  I can't say enough that he came in prepared.  He knew every song we called out and even suprised us with a few tough ones.  He downloaded our original tunes, we played those, and then we just sat back and talked.  It was amazing to talk to a guy that shares the same passion for glam rock, hair metal, and just Rock N Roll in general.  The vibe was there but I kept very quite during the entire audition so as not to come off to eager.  I was ready to go right then and there but I knew I had to play it cool.  The rest of the guys have been through this process many more times than I have and I figured maybe there was something to be learned by just sitting and watching it all go down.  I'll say this until I am blue in the face but the other guys in the band are always great to learn from.  I just have to remember that everything I am going through they have gone through too, except faster and louder.  Grab a pencil and a pad of paper you might want to take notes.

To say we are starting a new chapter is to minimise everything that is happening right now in this band.  We are taking the next steps that will determine the next year or two of our careers.  It's not something I want to take lightly but it's something I am excited to dive right into.  It's a shame that the new album will be pushed back but I truly feel the extra time will give us a chance to deliver a better album.  These next few weeks of rehearsals will be the true test but I don't think we have anything to worry about and I know you have nothing to worry about.  We have always prided ourselves on delivering you one of the highest quality Rock N Roll shows out there and this will never change.  I think most of all I am excited to see your jaws hit the floor when we come out on stage for the first time.  I am excited to see the floors fill up with people smiling right back at us.  I am excited to share it all again with you.  It's been said before but "Baby, the best is yet to come."

ALWAYS LOUD
FOREVER PROUD

Sam Spade

"I Don't Need To Fight To Prove That I'm Right".

Hello everybody and welcome to HAIR IN THE AIR, The Official Blog of 3D In Your Face.  Well it turns out last weeks blog was quite popular.  It got the highest amount of reads ever with right around 450 views in one week.  Everybody was excited to read the dirt.  Sorry I couldn't have made it juicier.  Well first of all what are we up to this week?  Summer tour is officially over for us but that doesn't mean we are slowing down.  No my friends quite the opposite.  This Thursday Sniper and I will be making a public appearance at Soldier Valley Spirits in La Vista, NE as special guest judges for The 101.9 The Keg National Anthem Guitar Competition from 6PM-8PM.  This is an exclusive event and you need to listen to The Crash Davis Morning show in order to win tickets.  For the rest of the week we will be auditioning the remaining drummers and we hope to have a decision on who is our newest member by Sunday.  If you are still craving that big hairy Rock N Roll tune into my radio show Hair In The Air, Saturday night at 10PM CST on 101.9 The Keg.  Also there is only one more week to vote for 3D In Your Face for 'Best Cover Band' at this year's Omaha Entertainment Awards.  We need your nomination to be invited to the big party.

As I said earlier last Saturday night we ended the 2015 Summer Tour.  This is around the 9th summer tour I have done with the band and 4th as the full time bass player.  They start running together after a while.  This years tour was very special.  We were busier than any other year in the bands history.  This in itself is an accomplishment and I know Sniper and I hope that next year is even busier.  We honestly just love to play.  It never matters how big the crowd as long as we have an excuse to crank our amps up real loud, it's all smooth sailing.  This summer we played some shows that were first time adventures.  Places we had never been before.  These shows are always fun for me.  A challenge.  I feel like we need to come out firing on all cylinders.  I want to just crush any doubt in their minds as to why it is that we were hired.  The best part is that it's always the same reaction.  When the band hits the stage the jaws hit the floor.  For the first half of the set people just stare back at us.  I feed of that kind of attention.  It makes me jump higher and run faster.  After a few jabs and upper cuts by the second set the party is on and we are steam rolling straight to Rock N Roll pound town.

There were also a lot of shows this year that were return visits for us.  I love these shows too because this gives us a chance to judge how we did last year.  I always say that my goal isn't to be the most successful band in history I only aim to double my success from last year.  Say we play a show in a small town one year and 100 people show up, we are invited back the next year and 200 people show up.  That to me means success as a musician and an entertainer.  My goal was to never sell a million records, that just doesn't happen anymore but I aim to sell twice as many albums this year as I did last year.  Every show that was a return visit for us was at least double the attendance from the previous summer.  I say successful tour.  Granted this year we had a hell of a lot of bus trouble but last year we didn't have any.  Call that what you will.  Actually no, I already know what you are going to say.  Most importantly we I love the summer tour because it gives us an excuse to travel around and see our friends that we haven't seen in a year.  We get to meet new people that become integrated into our lives and become part of this rolling Rock N Roll family.  I wish I could remember all the names.  Hopefully we don't have to wait a whole year to see each other again but if we do I can't wait for that moment we come rolling back into your town.

Thanks for all the great memories and here's to many many more.

ALWAYS LOUD
FOREVER PROUD

Sam Spade

So What Happened? The Low Down.

Hello Rock Fans.  Welcome to Hair In The Air, The Official Blog of 3D In Your Face.  I know exactly what all of you are thinking and trust me I will get to all of it later on in this blog.  As many of you know Sunday we dropped a bomb on everyone by announce the departure of our drummer Dax.  With this out in the open we are moving forward and the future is bright as ever.  I've always said that no one is ever just going to give you anything.  The pot of gold isn't going to just land in your lap.  You have to go searching for it and that's exactly what we plan to do.  This week marks the very end of our summer tour.  We are kicking off two shows this weekend to seal up The 2015 Summer Tour.  Friday, Aug.  14th we are making a return visit home sweet home for a special one night only Rock N Roll party at The 21st Saloon.  This show will be sponsored by Atomic Garage Flea Market and Gifts.  I suspect this will be one of those wild shows.  It's been over a month since we have played to the public in or around the Omaha area.  Heading home.  Saturday, Aug. 15th we are be headlining Wormsfest in Worms, NE.  There will be bull riding, openers Whiskey Bent, and we will be closing the night from 10:30-1:30.  Last year they had 2,500 in attendance.  This show will is being put on by Nitecrawlers bar and will be held at The UBT building.  $15 advance tickets, $25 day of show.

Now for the goods.  What really happened?  Well honestly we are pretty much telling it like it is.  Thursday night at rehearsal Dax approached us with a very heavy heart and told us that he was putting in his notice.  He would fill out the rest of the dates but he just didn't think he was right for this group.  He handled it very professionally and now looking back after the smoke has cleared away I see his side of the story.  Dax became a great friend over the last year and he brought a lot of good to 3D In Your Face.  Personally I am sad to see him go because I feel like we bonded on stage and off.  To say I wasn't devastated by this news would be an understatement.  I was floored, I was pissed, and most of all I felt like the weight of the world now hung on our next move.  I counted it out and this Dax was the 6th drummer that I have parted ways with.  That made me wonder if I was the problem.  I soul searched for a few days and I think I still am.  Sniper and I keep calling each other and it's the same thing, "You in a funk?"  "Yeah."  "Me too."  All joking aside I am thankful to have amazing band mates, a great road crew and a killer support system to help me through this.

Where does that leave us is the next question.  Well, as I said earlier, nobody is going to give us anything.  At this moment we are looking at a few prospective drummers.  We will be auditioning and picking out the guy that fits perfectly into this band.  Our goal has always been to put on the best live Rock N Roll show possible.  The guys It's never going to be easy, if it was everyone would play in a Rock band.  The recording of the next album will be put on hold until we get the new guy up to speed.  We will be making our next tour announcement when we have the drummer lined up and ready to reveal.  I told you last week we are sitting pretty at around 10 completed songs for the next album.  It's there, it just needs that missing piece of the puzzle.  The guys and I take this very seriously.  It's not just a job or a gig this is our life and has been for many years.  In all reality who knows what the future holds.  I do know that we will make this work and we will make this band even better.  Dream big.  Many next week when I sit down to write this blog I will be putting my foot in my mouth again.  From where I stand it's never a dull moment.

ALWAYS LOUD
FOREVER PROUD

Sam Spade

Letting It All Hang Out; "That's It?"

Hello Rock fans and welcome to HAIR IN THE AIR, The Official Blog of 3D In Your Face.  Another week down and another week closer to winter.  YUCK!  Have no fear because there are still a few weeks left to enjoy some live Rock N Roll surrounded by mother nature.  This week there is a bit of a change.  We will only be doing one show.  That is Friday, Aug 7th at Boji Bay Funhouse in Milford, IA.  We are very sorry to all of you that were hoping for a second Iowa date but unfortunately the powers that be pulled the plug and we are stuck with just one night to rock your face off.  No worries though.  This Friday we are returning to an amazing city in the heart of Okaboji for an all ages FREE blow out at a waterpark.  Break out those speedo swimsuits and mexican hats we still have some time to enjoy the warm weather.  Last year we had an absolute blast and we are looking forward to and even better crowd and bigger party.  As I stated before Saturday we will be taking the day and night off, well not really.  After next weekends shows the band will be taking two weeks off to hit the studio to begin recording our 5th album.  So Saturday will be spent diligently working on our new batch of original tunes.  If you are still looking for some action I can almost gaurantee some of the boys will be out on the town cause trouble and making a scene.  Also don't miss Hair In The Air Radio Saturday Night on 101.9 The Keg 10 PM -12 AM CST hosted by your's truly.  The rock never ever stops.

As we make this mad dash towards the last few weeks of summer and eventually recording our next album, I am trying to remember the feelings I went though right before we sat down to do the "Midnight Devils" Album.  That was my first big recording, my first full length album, and my first taste at songwriting.  I had grand illusions for that album and I think we succeeded with many of our goals and dreams for that record.  Two years later we are wiser, better songsmiths, and a tighter unit.  The Rock N Roll ideals and fundamentals are all still there and we aim to keep as much of the recording process the same if possible.  Don't expect anything weird or out of your comfort level.  We are a dirt guitar oriented rock band.  Expect big choruses with catch hooks.  Expect riffs that go on for days and get stuck in your head while you are trying to sleep.  I think our goal at the end of the day was to follow up "Midnight Devils" with a better sounding and more thought out piece of work.  We are artist and the best part about this band is that we get a chance to fully express ourselves.  We aren't copying anybody or imitating another person.  We are letting it all hang out, our hearts and souls for the entire world to see.  If people dig it, thats great, but if they don't that ok too.  We've gotten our release.

I will do my best to keep you updated from the studio and build your excitment and anticipation.  The songs are there and I think they are head and shoulders better than the last album.  If you have been in attendance at some of our shows, by now you have heard some of the better songs and the ones we have been working on for quite a while.  Those songs we are very proud of and you will soon see them they way we do.  I think most of all what I am looking forward to is spending some good quality time with my bandmates creating the next chapter for 3D In Your Face.  After recording then it's time to select a single, get the album, shoot a video, release the album, promote the album, and eventually tour in support of the album.  We will be working on our future and the future of the band.  That is what get's me going and keeps me up till 5 AM tinkering on song lyrics.  Maybe I don't go out as much as I used to but I think this right here and right now is much more important than anything else I could be out doing.  Just you wait and see.  The Rock N Roll wheels are in motion even if they may be sparking and shooting out flames.

ALWAYS LOUD
FOREVER PROUD

SAM SPADE

"All That is Gold Does Not Glitter. Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost." Pt. 2

Hello everyone and welcome to HAIR IN THE AIR, The Official Blog of 3D In Your Face.  I know what you are thinking.  Spade where were the live-blogging updates you promised us from last week.  Well to be honest with you, and I feel since we are all friends I can be honest, I figured out that the last thing I wanted to do on the road was write on a computer or my phone.  There is way to much living to be done on that tour bus for me to just simply sit there.  The dick jokes are flying through the air at mach 3 velocity and the guys are usually in rare form.  Not to mention I forgot to download the app, but I am right now as we speak and I will try this venture again someday soon.   As for the state of the tour, it's great.  We keep on movin' on from town to town.  Two great shows coming up this week.  First of all, Friday July 31st we will be heading the Across The Border Raid in Bedford, IA.  This is our first time playing this bike rally but trust me they say things get pretty crazy out there.  Saturday we are very excited to be making a return visit to the town that brought some polka into our Rock N Roll lives last summer.  August, 1st we will be playing the annual Elk Creek, NE Street Dance.  Last year was an amazing night of Rock N Roll and European history.  We can't wait to see all of you again on the road.  If you can't make Saturday's show don't miss my radio show Hair In The Air, Saturday night at 10 PM CST on 101.9 The Keg.

Since I promised you a little taste of life on the road I will indulge you with an experience that happened to us Saturday.  I'm not really sure where to begin it's a long story.  We finished up Friday's show in Sergeant Bluff and had the trailer packed up by 12:30  AM.  This put us in North Platte around 6:30 AM.  Quite a drive and major props to Alan and Mike for pushing the limits.  I woke up around noon Saturday and walked out of the bus.  It was pretty hot but not as bad as I expected.  The rest of the boys were already up and cracking jokes.  Sweet D and I brushed our teeth and I cracked open the trailer.  This set up would be a bit of a struggle as the stage was located in the middle of a dirt rodeo arena.  We set out some boards and started the push towards the stage.  It was hot and we all kept and eye on our water and sunscreen intake.  By about 4 PM we finished and did a quick sound check.  The Lincoln County Fair was gracious enough to supply us with showers but this meant weird band time in the locker room.  Not as bad as you'd think.  They had separate shower stalls but still pretty funny.  Walking back to the bus after the shower I made the boys stop at an inflatable water slide I had spied earlier.  When in Rome you always go down the water slide.  As I climbed the stairs I heard the attendant telling Sniper that the water was pretty dirty since most of the kids were coming over from the horse barn.  Great.  Whatever, I was already halfway up and the kids were giving me bad looks.  Bombs away.  Welcome to splash town.  Totally worth it.

by 5:30 we grabbed some chow and relaxed before our 8:30 start time.  We hit the stage to an overwhelmingly warm response.  The people in North Platte were amazing.  Then came the fire, the smoke, and the fireworks.  It was all smiles as far as I could see.  Then a reoccurring plaque struck my bass rig.  For the last few nights I thought my guitars were messing up but came to realize it was my wireless system.  I had to switch to a chord and limp the rest of the show tied down.  Lesson learned.  We had the trailer packed and ready to roll by 2:00 which put us back in Lincoln by 5:30 AM.  Not to shabby.  I opted to ride behind with Mike in the follow-along car to keep him awake.  The trip was going great until about 8 miles west of York, NE.  We were chatting away when I spotted sparks shooting out of the trailer.  Panicked I phoned Alan and he pulled over the bus.  The bearings on the trailer had gone out and started the center of the wheel on fire.  We doused out the flames and limped it to the next exit.  Our best bet was to drop the trailer and send some boys from Omaha to pick up the gear.  About 45 minutes later we were back on the road without our trailer and gear.  Very scary.  Huge thanks to Dave Shipley, Kenny Beager, Troy Way, and Mike Cloyd for saving our asses.  We made it to Lincoln by about 6:30 AM which wasn't bad all things considered.  This is where I left the rest of the convoy and made my way to an in studio radio interview with Dave Landis on 92.9 The Eagle.  By now it's Sunday and I was a little burnt.  I finally passed out around 1 PM Sunday afternoon.

Sorry this was the long and short of it.  The shows were great but the story is half the fun.  I promise I will get better at this for you and take more pictures.  You are my friends and I know all of you can't be there to experience the magic.  Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed our journey.

ALWAYS LOUD
FOREVER PROUD

Sam Spade