We got into the line out on the ass-end of Sunset. Lines are fun sometimes, tonight there was a guy at the front conducting a snap poll every time somebody else queued up. "Prophet or Isbell?"

"Huh?"
"Who are you here here for Prophet or Isbell?"
"Chuck Prophet!" says Mrs. Sepulveda.
"Yeah, Prophet" says I. Trying to be cool you know.
A tepid cheer arose from the line which was actually pretty damn impressive for a Monday night in L.A.

Wearing your fealty on your sleeve for a scrappy quintet, it makes you feel young again. I'm talking walking-around-in-February-in-the-Alice Cooper-T-shirt-you-bought-at-the-concert-last-night-'cause-that's-just-what-you-do-young.

I was probably seventeen the last time I saw a band launch their set with an epic twin- guitar overture that eventually turned into the first song. But that's just how CP and The Mission Express handled "Sonny Liston's Blues". Jesus please don't let anybody ever tell these guys guitar solos aren't cool anymore.

Opening for Jason Isbell at the Echo on a Monday night, they still treated us to a full on Saturday night headliner set. New songs, old songs, Stephanie taking a turn at center stage and as always nothing but the coolest covers. We got to be in the same room as Chuck and James' beautiful guitars during "Would You Love Me" one more time and that alone was worth the drive south.

After the set, Chuck and Stephanie mingled around. I think Ms Finch had alot of her family in attendance. I gave Chuck a big hug and we discussed a future interview for Guitar Geek Confidential. I snapped a pic of Mrs. Sepulveda and Stephanie back by the merch table.

Right before we left, I sat down with Kevin White. He looked tired but happy (the guy always looks happy) talking about the set he said "I have the best job in the world." I shook his hand and wished him a safe and happy tour.

Yeah we bought a CD and aT-shirt. Mrs. Sepulveda wore it to the beach the next day 'cause that's just what you do.


PS

Escorting three lovely women into a club makes you feel pretty good too. I had Mrs. Sepulveda, our friend Lisa and the Brink's own Burning Sand buying me drinks because the next day was my 51st birthday. Got a kiss on the cheek from Kathleen Haskard too. I don't care if it was the ass-end of Sunset, hanging with the girls schmoozing with the band, I felt like Hugh Hefner there for awhile.