Welcome to the House of Floyd
by David Giarrizzo

Is there anybody out there? The air was cool in Eureka one early Fall night, whispers of fog curled around the brick masonry surrounding the old buildings as my wife, myself and an old friend strolled up F street to the rarely lit Art Deco Eureka Theater. We were adventurous youths at one time, exploring the escapism of rock shows with intense visualstimuli. "Did you bring anything?", my friend inquired. I laughed. "Maybe ten years ago, I might have". As we approached the neon lit ticket box, other groups of seekers gradually wandered towards the same destination, some with tickets, others with nothing but time. As we entered the grand old theater with it's mosaic colorful floor work, the inside was just as regal looking. The red and purple pony motive swirled around the main lobby. At one time, there was a staircase in the center that led to the balanced beamed balcony. (An architectural innovation for its time, way before Metal Bands and Moshe Pit behavior) I once saw a Dance Hall Reggae band play there and i sat up in this balcony while I felt the crowd rocking the entire balcony like a loose floor beam. Quite exhilarating, really. Back to the show

As usual, I spied some seats near the mixing board. and close to an isle, (Every good audiophile knows thats the sweet spot) and settled in as the audience began filling the seats. (Old hippies, young hippies feel alright on a warm Humboldt County night.) Clouds of smoke began circulating towards the back as the lights dimmed to black.Then, one lone robotic voice bleats out in a Steven Hawkins tone. "Welcome to the House of Floyd!" Lights up, lazers set to stun.

Shari Showalter soars on "Great Gig in the Sky "

One by one, the spotlights come up on stage as a familiar keyboard rif floats through the theater, and immediately I recognize the intro to "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" from the Wish You Were Here album. I spy Micheal the K in the left isle scooting up to the stage with his camera in hand. "Wow" I say to my wife."This is going to be good. Little did I know how skillful and amazingly talented these fellow Bay Area Folks were, both musically and visually professional true tribute for Pink Floyd. With Mark Showalteron Lead Vocals, Keys and Sax, Pat Potter/ Lead Vocals, Guitar Lou Portola/ FourStringed, Five Stringed, and Fretless Bass Guitar, Doug Canfield/ Drums and Percussion, Bill coonley/ Lapsteel Guitar, Keys and Vocals, Sheri Showalter/ Vocals and Mellissa Hartely/ Vocals we have the incredible HOUSE OF FLOYD

As the smoke machine billowed away, the second part of Shine On You Crazy Diamond ensued with an incredible Saxophone solo by Mark. The old theater screen was even utilized as the technician ran a digital imagery of different skins upon the archaic silver screen, obviously from a laptop, but incredibly effective. A small lazer was perched atop a frame which sent blue beams of light through the clouds of smoke coming from the smoke aparatus. Swirls of blues and greens went in waves as the pulsing emg pattern filled the screen, then rushes of purple and red fly across the palette. After working out a couple of bugs between the first song and the next, the band kept a good energy about them and took the crowd with "Welcome to the Machine". Imagery from old silent films played in the background with an eerie sepia tint as the lights along the edge lit up like huge Christmas columns. "Have a Cigar" soon followed by "Wish You Were Here ( complete with haunting imagery of Sid Barrete, the founding guitarist) to finish that album's segment. Then, a real surprise, Sheri Showalter stepped up to the plate and sang an inspiring rendition of "Coming Back to Life a song from the Division Bell, an album that was recorded without Rodger Waters followed by "Young Lust" (Mark on vocals) from the Wall.
The HOF came through with an emotionally charged version of "Wearing the Inside Out" written by the recently deceased keyboardist extraordinary Richard Wright showcasing yet another incredible sax solo by Mike Showalter. Once again the backdrop was of a slide show montage, this time with Richard's mug going across the screen. Next, the band showcased Pat Potter with his seemingly effortless manner in which he aped David Gilmore , and I mean that in a very good way. It seemed like the band wanted to cover material that was grouped by albums but had to thow the audience a bone or two of familiar favorites.

"Dogs of War " was gritty and nasty as "Young Lust" sung by the sonic bass player, Lou Portola while "Pigs" brought some levity to the show with comical imagery of the Bush administration and the different pedigrees they represent. As the nervous kids were brought on stage, we all clapped our hands in unison to the "Me Generation's " credo, "Another Brick in the Wall." One of the kids was too busy watching the back screen and kept just slightly out of time with his marching peers while the crowd chanted on, "We Don't Want No Education!" "Me" indeed!

Rick Wright tribute

 

Intermission

The opener for the second set was "Echoes", title track from one of their older albums, apparently, a sound track for a movie. Of course, true to their intentions, they came through with a tasty version of "Hey You" from the Wall. "Arnold Layne", an even older song from the album Relics (hah, hah!) featuring Pat, Mark and Bill on vocals with an introduction to the techs and band members. Then, it came time to explore that mysterious edge of the a natural satelite : "Breath/On the Run", "Time","Great Gig in th Sky" ( with incredible vocals from Sheri!), "Money","Us and Them", "Any Colour You Like", "Brain Damadge/Eclipse" and "Run Like Hell" which are all on The Dark Side of the Moon recordings This is the crescendo of the show, and with that, the mighty Pat Portola bid us all goodnight. But wait, they had not left the building yet. We all got out our lighters and beckoned them back with cheers and clapping until the HOF were back on stage to perform their encore number, "Comfortably Numb" from the Wall, a nice bitter/sweet night cap. I wandered out of the theater with a sense of amazement.

I had seen Pink Floyd at the height of their popularity and had a few Lazarium experiences, so I didn't really have very high expectations of a "cover Band", but, I was pleasantly surprised. Of course, I was spoiled by the real thing and at larger venues, but, these folks have so much integrity and professionalism, that I really didn't mind hearing them play Pink Floyd"s songs with minimum stage accessories and personnel.

The House of Floyd was truly alive and kicking a few tails around Eureka that night!
http://www.houseoffloyd.com

photos by Michael the K