Wichita, Kansas

Kirby’s Beer Store in Wichita (which is actually a bar) was perhaps the smallest venue I’ve ever seen, it was also one of the most fun to play. The place was basically a 30-foot by 30-foot box with pinball machines and a bar. Flyers and stickers are plastered in every nook and cranny. Some great bands such as Superchunk and Pansy Division have been through Kirby’s doors since opening in the early 70’s. The place reeked of history and various other indescribable odors.

When we took the stage, or rather, the corner of the room, there were about seven people in the place including one man who pulled his shirt over his face and drank beer through the fabric. This man also danced like a freak for the hour we played. About a third of the way through the set four young Indian guys walked in, apparently from the college across the street. When I saw them I was thinking they would probably just turn around and walk out. Within minutes these guys placed pitchers in front of us and pointed at us and yelled in broken English that it was our gift. After our little exchange these guys proceeded to dance as crazily as the drunk with the shirt over his head. So at one point we had a drunk on one side and four rather conservative looking students on the other, dancing and acting nuts. This was indeed a great night.