Dave Clucas was in rare form on this night. He seemed at one with his material and this gave off a charisma that matched his material perfectly. The audience loved the Horsepainters’ set and I watched with a tinge of pride. You’ve got to watch out for those guys, cause the charm of their music will sneak up on you.

Meanwhile, I had to deal with Brian again. This time around he played guitar and sang backups with us. The original idea was for him to borrow Ted’s Wurlitzer, but it didn’t get out of the shop on time. So, bless his heart, he brought a Tele and a Fender amp and gave me a thick rhythm backing from which I could spring forward in front man full-court pressure. One member of the audience who has seen us more times than I can even begin to guess said that it was the best we had ever sounded. Then again she needed a ride home.

During "Doesn't Get Better" Ted broke a string. While he changed it we performed "Norweigan Wood." A bootleg, dutifully recorded by my friend Bill, shows that I blew the lyrics for the first bridge. No wonder the bird flew.

The audience was not large. Spring break and the Grand Prix pulled away some of the average foot traffic that Long Beach usually offers to the Blue Café. As we began the set it was announced that we would do the same show for 5 as for 500. Then I believe we did it. The dance floor never cleared.

Set list: Half A Boy/Your Own Nightmare/At your Place/Not That Kind/I’d Like To Think/Telling That Lie/Doesn’t Get Better/Shattered Flower/I’ll be True/Victim at Bedtime/Congrats/Permanent One/Run to Me/My Favorite Revolution/Pretty Baby