Completing something of a trifecta of live-music-mishaps, the Joe Russo and Friends show at ABC last night was nothing short of surprising- and rang consistent with a series of minor mishaps that keep this promoter on his toes-

Here’s a bit of backstory-

November 17, 2005, Roundtable Presented an evening with The Benevento/Russo Duo to a pretty full house. At the time, it was our biggest name to date- along with one of our bigger crowds. Having only graduated from shows at dive-bars merely six months prior, we still had a lot to learn.

Three times during the ripping performance by The Duo, we overloaded the breakers and the power cut out mid song.

Three times.

Embarrassing? Yeah, a little. But more importantly, we learned a thing or two about preparation for bigger shows. Two weeks later we completely upgraded the power system at ABC- and haven’t had a problem since.

Skip ahead about a year and a half to spring of 06- Brothers Past returned to The Brewery for their incredible “Intro To Ilya” show- kicking off a tour with their new drummer Ilya Stemkovsky.

The crowd was stellar- the music was on-point- and good times were being had by all. Until halfway through the second set- when the FIRE ALARM went off.

Two hundred dancing-happy music fans filed politely and orderly into the parking lot while the Harrisburg Fire Department made their way through the building. After determining the alarm went off from a combination ofof a very smoky audience and the use of a fog machine, everyone filed back into the building and the show continued without a hitch.

About a month ago, I got a call from The Duo Management about a one-off date that Joe Russo was planning with Brothers Past guitarist Tom Hamilton and a bass player that had yet to be determined.

Excited about the unique combination and shuffling around an open mic for the week, I booked the night and began promoting.

Support duties went to the Quagmire Swim Team/Slamo!-spinoff Suburban Transit- with Tobey Forsman, Buzz from QST and Kelly Hollinger on drums.

Sub Tran played a ripping-as-usual set to a small but warm and anticipatory crowd of Duo Fans, Brothers Past Heads and local scenesters.

And just as I got to the point in the night where I think that everything is coming up roses, it happened.

While mounting the stage, bass player for Joe Russo and Friends and longtime jamband collaborator Justin Wallace took a freak spill and fell frontwards onto his bass guitar.

After walking it off and sitting down for a minute to look at the damage, he quickly realized this was no simple scraped knee- and we could clearly see his shinbone.

Requiring a trip to the Harrisburg Hospital emergency room for five stitches and a night off his feet.

So there it is.

Power problems with The Duo.

An emergency evacuation with Brothers Past.

And get them both together- and it’s a trip to the emergency room.

Tobey Forsman- bass player for Suburban Transit filled in for most of the night- resulting in nearly two hours of incredible jams spanning all genres- all completely unrehearsed.

Was it a good night? Hell yeah it was-

And it’s nights like those that keep me coming back for more.

See you at the next show…