Pointed Stick Presents : Colter >> Little Rock blog, photoblog, photo journal, Arkansas

Mike Keneally & Beer for Dolphins

@ The Empty Glass
Charleston, West Virginia
11/11/01

Mike Keneally is the single most creative human being I have ever witnessed. He composes music that no one else can compose. He plays guitar AND keyboards with mind-bending facility. Even while writing simple text for his newsletters and website (http://www.keneally.com), he always expresses himself with complete originality, not to mention a sense of humor that makes Dave Barry look like Ben Stein. Recently he's started painting, prompting me to ask, "Why? You selfish mammal - you're already so damn good at everything else you do, why be so artistically greedy?" The nerve of some people...

I should also mention that Mike was an early fixture for me in the Internet. His website has been on my Favorites list for over 5 years now. So influential was it that, in large part, it inspired me to create a website of my own (and now look at this place!). His site just oozes creativity.

Watching Mike play (I was standing 3 feet in front of him), I feel I must comment on his playing. His fingers in particular are a joy to watch. I, and many of my heroes, have spent many years practicing various exercises to get our fingers to move consistently and expeditiously across the fingerboard. I strongly suspect this is not the case with Mike. Mike's got so much music pouring out of him, I think his fingers just have to hang on for the ride. Each finger seems to be so excited to play that they all seem to compete with one another to get to the necessary note. The result is a phalangical feeding frenzy of frenetic fretboard fireworks. It reminds me of feeding the trout at Dogpatch (yes, for you non-Arkansans, there is an actual Dogpatch just south of where I grew up); toss in some fish food nuggets and watch the slippery mass of fish zoom in for the vittles. Such are the digits of Mike.


Mike Plays Guitar like he gots the devil in hisself.	Mike Plays Keyboards even better than Liberace.	Mike Plays Pretty Much Anything He Can Get His Hands On and I'll be damned if I have any idea what the hell that thing is....

R2-D2 and C-3PO, Laurel and Hardy, Abbott and Costello, Jack and Coke, Pork and Beans...where would Mikey be without his trusty sidebottom, the amazing Mr. Bryan Beller?
	The warm and personable Mr. Beller was kind enough to assist the lovely Jennifer (at right) in the cleansing of her fingertips following the consumption of several hot wings from the bar prior to the show. Naturally, my friends and I got to the show early to watch soundcheck, and I can honestly say it was an honor and a privilege for me to buy a round of drinks for Mike and the boys.

Rounding out the band this tour are two more ass-kicking dudes by the name of Nick D'Virgilio (from yet another rocking group that I have also had privilege to witness, Spock's Beard) and Rick Musallum.

Nick!

Rick!

The night of the show was also Nick's birthday. His cake said "Ass." I'm quite sure I don't know why...nevertheless I got a piece of his Ass. Specifically, the first "S."

Plus I got a pick. It's the little things that make life worth living.