(March 2018 "Something New") - "Royal Oil Can" (Live at ProgStock 2017)

Only two days before we were scheduled to perform at ProgStock 2017 (a new Progressive Rock Music Festival held in Rahway, New Jersey), The Tea Club was met with an unexpected tragedy. There was a death in the family of one of our band members.

We knew that we wouldn't be able to play the show as usual with our 5 piece full band. So, rather than cancel the show, we decided to carry on playing it, but as a 3-piece; just the Brothers McGowan and Joe Dorsey.

With only about 36 hours to do it, the three of us put together a set of music that would be able to showcase a different side of the band. If we were going to play in this limited capacity, then we would be sure to make it special. We'd play songs that we don't get a chance to play in a usual rock band setting. Many of the songs we decided to put into the set were either songs we hadn't played in years, or had never played before at a live show.

So on October 14th, 2017, the day of the show, we were introduced by our old friend (and NJProghouse founder) Jim Robinson. Before we took the stage, he explained to the audience a little bit about the circumstances that led to us playing the show as trio. When we came out to play our music, we were underprepared and pretty damn anxious. But what we were met with was an absolutely wonderful audience, filled with attentive and enthusiastic music lovers. They cheered us on as we played; occasionally fumbling, occasionally triumphing, occasionally making terrible jokes. What could have been a nightmare scenario was elevated by a loving audience to be one of the greatest live experiences I've ever had. Easy.

The very last song of our set was this one, "Royal Oil Can", from our album Rabbit. This song has a lot of sentiment and deep meaning for me, and playing it live is always been an intense experience. This performance felt like it carried a particular intensity, with the circumstances surrounding the show, and with me being so exposed (I had never played the song solo before). I could really feel the audience, and it lifted me to another place. I hope that the feeling was mutual. I am happy to share this with you, our awesome Patrons. Since the audio and video quality came out so well, it's safe to say that we will be releasing more songs from this performance here in the near future!

-Dan McGowan

The only good that could have come of this
Is if I learned from my mistakes
But still I'm pulled in by an iron tide
That knocks me down, right back in the sand
They made me wait outside 'til I fell asleep
There was so much snow, I couldn't move
And when I woke up, I was in love with bad ideas
And cold weather moods
When I came back after the storm had passed
And realized how long I'd been gone
I set out looking for the people that
I used to know, before I fell asleep
But they left me in the pool 'til I learned to swim
There was so much rain, I couldn't breathe
And when I closed my eyes, the things I used to see had changed...

But then, I hear a siren and a voice say
"The love that you were seeking was worth waiting for"
Heart in hand, The Iron Woodsman clears a path
I'm on my roof, as everything turns white
Someone is carrying me
And taking me to the Stars, Sun, and Moon
And when I woke up, the things I used to feel were gone

This recording of “Royal Oil Can” was performed by:

Dan McGowan - Vocals and Guitar

Recorded live at ProgStock 2017, October 14th, 2017