Giraffe’s Page In the ProgFest ‘94 Program

A 20th Anniversary Tribute Performance of Genesis’ The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway

Keep your fingers out of my eye. The strangest set of coincidences can sometimes push people into doing things they ordinarily would not do. The people concerned are pinned to events I can’t recall too well, but I’ll put them down anyway to watch them decompose and feed another sort of life. The ones in question are all fully biodegradable materials and are categorized this evening as “Giraffe” (i.e. the resemblance is planned, folks). Kevin Gilbert (ersatz Gabriel) is perhaps better known as “the-guy-in-Toy-Matinee-before-they-got-the-guy-from-Mr. Mister.” He ordinarily frowns on impressionists (having had a rather uncomfortable experience with an Elvis Impersonator) but in the spirit of the event has donned a leather jacket for our Lamb’s 20th. Were any of you a fly on the wall of his bedroom ten years ago, you would have witnessed the unsightly spectacle which led unexpectedly to tonight’s performance. Namely, Gilbert, home alone, lights off, leather jacket on, stereo cranking, running around wildly singing and miming to “The Lamb.” David Kerzner (our stoic Tony Banks) is a player, composer and collector of all things vintage - particularly barely usable, antiquated keyboard devices, some of which he is performing on this evening. He too spent many hours of his adolescence playing Lambisms, although he’s not willing to admit he did it alone with the lights off. He has also been spotted recently playing in Kevin Gilbert’s Band, who, it’s rumored, is releasing a record called Thud early next year. Dan Hancock (Hackett) was second aboard the HMS Lamb - he was spotted crouching in a corner of a North Hollywood rehearsal studio cradling a Les Paul and making the most Hackett-like noises. He cites Hackett as his major influence and insists the glasses are prescription. His band Dogpark is presently recording an album, with Gilbert producing, to be released in 1995. Stan Cotey (holding down the thankless Rutherford fort) might be familiar to the hard core collectors in the audience as the guitarist from Giraffe, a band he and Gilbert piloted in the late eighties. Stan, who plays most everything real well, could probably have played many of the musician roles this evening, however it should be noted that the size and shape of Stan’s fingers (long and thin if you must ask) were absolutely critical to the successful negotiation of the ludicrous chord voicings of “It.” Nick D’Virgillio (Collins with hair) was the wild card of the group. Gilbert had only played with him once on a pickup gig in a bar at a ski lodge playing America songs (“Horse With No Name” - geez). But they got to talking and Nick divulged his Collins obsession and mentioned that he had learned to drum by playing along to The Lamb. Coincidence? Divine intervention? Who knew that 3 years later he would be counting out time for this one off Lamb chop. Nick also writes pop songs, sings beautifully, an [sic] we have picked a better Phil? Due to time considerations, this evening’s performance is a slightly chopped Lamb. But enough of my rave, the band assures you the task they did not crave was what to kill and what to save and they’re sorry if they skipped your fave. It’s over to you. Keep your fingers out of my eye. The strangest set of coincidences...