It’s time again that we start to play some music, so Sunnydale High has our first date since COVID. It is a free show slated for August 21st at the Lion’s Park Amphitheater. But this comes with a bittersweet celebration.
Our pal Fran, who has helped write some of our favorite songs, named our EPs, helped design some great art direction, as well as just being an all-around inspiration through out her time in the band, has decided to take time to herself. ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜
We absolutely wish her the best, and will certainly run into her and share non-musical memories with her in the future. We have been fortunate to have played with such an amazing person. She will always be a part of the Sunnydale High spirit and legacy.
So, with Fran’s blessing and suggestion, the band has added Jenny to play keyboard. Jenny has filled in with Fran before, such as when we played with the Descendents, and has helped the band exist in many ways over the years (Making shirts, making buttons, stickers, selling merch etc.).
Drummer Will and Seneca of the Sunnydale High went to grab a sneak peak of the Lincoln in Cheyenne. It is the city’s first dedicated music venue, and it looks super frickin’ great. The owners, Rene and John Jelinek, and venue manager, Dave Soules, gave a small Q&A session. Although Covid couldn’t have had worse timing for their venue, their perseverance and ingenuity has led them to have a slew of shows coming up. Check out this newspaper article that tells more about it here.
They encouraged the musicians present to get excited for a new era in Cheyenne live music. They said they were determined to succeed. Their goal is simple, have great bands play and have something to do for the people in Cheyenne who are wanting live music more and more.
The building itself still has some of its great historic flair with modernized music venue elements. The non-covid max capacity rings in at 1290. Large PA speakers hang from the ceiling and in front of the stage. The backstage areas have plenty of rooms for bands to make themselves at home and get in the zone. Tons of cool art decorate the hallways. Overall it has a great post-modern decor that is pure class. The stage itself is roomy. It could probably hold like 20 ska bands at once. JK. But it really is a great size.
We got to mingle with a lot of familiar faces and meet some new ones. Quite the gamut of musicians crawled out of the woodwork to tour the place. Denver-based The Trujillo Company’s Mike represented. Like Seneca, he spent many years in his younger days watching movies at the historic theater. Drummer Will and Mike have known each other forever and have collaborated on some hella rocking music endeavors.
Fun fact: Bassist Will worked at the Lincoln.
The über talented Madison who played drums on Sunnydale High early self-recordings was present with his awesome Stay Awhile crew. Laramie synth pop duo the Dollhouse said they were excited to tour the place.
