Reset List

There comes a time in all great rock bands where a drummer steps forth and says, “I wrote some songs you guys.  Wanna hear?”  At that point in time the said drummer is promptly beaten with beer bottles, kicked to the curb and rapidly replaced.

That didn’t happen to us.

Aaron Rice (a.k.a. Toby) is a multi-talented fool of a man.  We took his epic ass into the group at our first and only auditions in 2009 and he has contributed so much to the band in the time he was with us.  Not only did he play drums, but he also played guitar, pan flute, recorder, keys, kazoo, lead/backing vocals, and probably the sexiest saxophone you’ve ever heard.  He’s also an awesome dude and friend.

Well, Aaron has realized that LA is the place for him.  He has moved there to pursue a career in tv/film/writing/improv/music/and the sexiest saxophone you’ve ever heard.  Though we were all sad to see him go we are all happy to see him going after what he wants.  Plus, no one had to be beaten with a bottle.

Andrew Graves played with us for our CIF performance and rocked out on the drums and acoustic guitar.  He is a talented mofo (a lover of women of child-bearing age), a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, and he has agreed to play with us for our next round of shows.  Needless to say, we are stoked to have him aboard the good ship Reset List.

The 2010 Chicago Improv Festival showcased some of the best improv groups in the United States and abroad.  Between April 19-25 the City of Chicago became even more jam-packed with improv goodness and shows spread throughout the city in 12 venues.  It was great seeing so many friends performing in one week, a real testament to all the talent that is already here in Chicago.  Reset List also made new friends with the group KISSprov, who borrowed some of our instruments for their show.  Picture the members of KISS dressed in their full regailia, doing longform improv and peppering the show with actual KISS songs.  Yes, it is as cool as it sounds.

Reset List also had the joy and honor of playing the closing night festivities of CIF at Martyr’s.  We opened up for a roast of Mark Sutton, a Chicago improv staple as a teacher and performer (Bassprov).  Since our set was shorter than usual we changed up our song suggestion strategy and created a set list from a hat filled with audience requests.  It worked well – even though we failed to provide the press with a song request slip (facepalm) – and we had a really fun show.  A big thanks to the CIF Executive Director Jonathan Pitts for having us.  We’re looking forward to the 2011 CIF.

Also, Israel had just gotten married and was off galavanting on his honeymoon so we had the very talented Andrew Graves fill in for him.  Aaron switched from drums to the keys and Andrew rocked out on the drumset providing a fun new dynamic for us.  Did we miss Israel?  Yes.  Did we welcome Andrew with open arms?  NO.  We’re butt slappers, not huggers.

Here’s the set list!

1. Haven’t You Always Wanted a Monkey
2. Aqua Net Queen
3. Rock the Cradle of Love
4. So Much Pain 2 Ca$h in on
5. She Fucked my Uncle

Please Note: any resemblance of our song titles to lyrics of the Barenaked Ladies or Billy Idol is purely coincidental.  The only covering we do is your face with the sweet sounds of rock.

We were hired by the Duane Morris law firm to play their non-denominational all-inclusive holiday party at Hotel 71 in downtown Chicago.  We played in the penthouse of the hotel which had insane views, a killer buffet and great company.

One of my favorite parts of the night was playing an epic pre-show song called “Dinner Music.”  We’re so meta.

Here’s the set list:

1. Too Much Orange Juice in our Vodka
2. I’ll Never Sleep With my Boss
3. Rachel in Red Shoes
4. The Law is a Jealous Bitch
5. Blow Up Doll
6. Northwestern/ University of Chicago/University of Michigan
7. Bars on my Heart

We ended the night with a rap-reading of a mad-libs version of The Night Before Christmas.

Thank you so much to the Duane Morris Agency for having us.  If you have any need for us again we’re game.  And if you have any friends…you know…yeah.

p.s. We’ve got a PA system so this show can travel anywhere now.  Anyone need a wedding band?

Our final show at Donny’s Skybox just so happened to land on Halloween. It was a show filled with ghouls, gore and guests. Gabe was missing for the evening due to a previous engagement so we filled in his spot with three wonderful guest musicians and vocalists. A huge thanks to Eric (insert last name here), Tom Bambara, and Erica Elam for singing and playing their hearts out.

Here’s the set list.

1. Spooky Town

… And with it the sweet smell of sweat… which is salty… unless you’re a princess of power… which we all are… which means… and with it the sweet smell of sweat. For week #5 show we sold out another house at Donny’s Skybox, made out with the audience, and provided a viable alternative to suicide hotlines.