Potential New Setbacks Side Project

February 11th, 2005

by: Trevor Kealey

Last night we had an unofficial band meeting. To be honest it has been a while since we have all been together in the same place other than for practice or a show. Since I had a baby and with Chris’ new day job taking up so much time, we have struggled to get together (Steve and Chet are available anytime – they have nothing to do ever it seems).

We met up at the Aloha Room for a few cold ones and to talk shop and plan our attack for the next few months. Our new friends from Harshey were there, and their singer Jeff regaled us with stories of gigs past. The unofficial fifth Setback Brett Tackaberry was there too. He regaled us with stories of ball hockey and donkey punches.

We also wanted to talk about our new side project: The Awesome Time Friendship Band. We’ve been inspired by a wall hanging which Chet recently installed in our practice space. It is a carpeted weave that shows a heart, and out of that heart, a rainbow streaks across. It is very beautiful and brimming with positivity.

That is when it hit us. Almost simultaneously, we all began playing a chord progression. It was very happy and upbeat; something that has been missing from a lot of music since grunge made the B-52’s obsolete. We worked it out, inserted some well timed BaDaBaps, WooHooHoos and hand claps, and a beautiful, positive song was born. The song was called The Awesome Times Friendship Band, and since it didn’t fit in with Setbacks material, we’ve been forced to create a side project with the same name.

I expect we may try to play this song at our next show at Greenfields (Feb 19) just for fun. I suspect that while we are playing it, some flowers will fall from the ceiling and a rainbow will appear. Suddenly a deer will walk by and a rabbit. People will began holding hands as their positive auras become so strong that it will be seen by the naked eye.

Miracles can happen, and will.

Also: recently Chris has been saddened by my constant teasing him on our website. I would like to take this opportunity to apologize to him publicly, and hope that we can still be friends. Also to point out that we are proud of his Italian heritage. So much so, that Steve, Chet, and I have written a song about it. It will also be an Awesome Time Friendship Band song.