It all started October 26th, 1995 when I went to see the Blasters at the Dingo Bar. I showed up pretty early (to get a good seat) and caught some no name band from Hoboken N.J. They were alright, but nothing special. While they tore down their set, I went to the restroom and came back to find this cowboy had just taken my seat. The seat I was going to sit in to see the Blasters, dammit! Well, I just walked up and said, "Excuse me fella, I was sittin' here." I was expecting friction, but, to my surprise, he said, "Sorry 'bout that."
I got my seat back, and the cowboy went on talking with some drunk guy. I was finishing my Guinness, talking to the guy next to me about the Pogues and Shane MacGowan, when I decided to get closer to the stage. I placed myself in front of the sound guy and nestled in till the band started.
Show time! The Beat Farmers started up, and (guess what?) the cowboy who stole my seat earlier was none other than Country Dick Montana. The band then began kicking some rock and roll ass. Midway through the first song, Country Dick jumped on some guy's shoulders and rode him over to the bar. He then jumped up on the bar and, while the band was still rockin', ordered the largest glass (yes, that's right, glass) of Jagermeister. All eyes were on Country Dick as he drank it down in one gulp and commenced to tell us a story about a little midnight rendezvous with Mojo Nixon's Mom. As the story came to its climax, Country Dick rode the guy's shoulders back to the stage and launched into another song.
Four songs later, Country Dick, in backwoods revival fashion, called us brothers and sisters to join him for a little campfire tune in the middle of the Dingo's dance floor. The tune was "Are You Drinking With Me Jesus?" and Country Dick Montana took us on a little tour down inebriated lane. Taking us home, he cussed out a police officer and wet his pants with beer to close out the song.
The Beat Farmers rocked! The most memorable thing about the night, though, was Country Dick. He stole the show like a John Wayne for the 90s. Later in the night when the Blasters were playing, he joined Phil Alvin in a duet on the song "I'm Shakin'" where he proceeded to play grab ass with Phil, who, squealing, slapped his hands away. The Blasters kicked ass supremely. But that's a whole other story. A week after that show, I found out that Country Dick had died onstage in British Columbia. Totally tragic event. The Beat Farmers are now the best band you'll never get to see.