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Eric Domander - 7/24/2007 7:45:32 PM

Hello Everyone !!!!! Eric from Plenty here !

Just a short note to everyone who was out at our show in Saturday.

A HUGE THANK-YOU to EVERYONE !!!!! You people MADE the night a success, and we are SO greatful !!!

Everyone has been SO wonderful to us and we can't thank you enough. We worked really hard on putting a decent show together, and YOU guys were the inspiration for that. Like the song says, "If there ain't no audience, then there just ain't no show !" I've been swamped with wonderful words today, and boy, I'm blown away !

I've gotta run right now to the club and get the chairs back to the donator ( how cool was that ! ) but really wanted to say a big THANK- YOU TO EVERYONE for being so wonderful to us, and appreciative. It really makes all the hard work worth it.

I'm taking the rest of the week off ( just to recover my sanity and get used to my new lid - LOL), so I probably won't have email, but will chime-in next week.

Once again,

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR BEING OUR DEAR FRIENDS !!!!!!!! LOVE YOU GUYS !!!!!!!!!

Talk soon

Eric and all the guys from PLENTY !!!!!!!!

Kim - 7/24/2007 7:43:23 PM

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Eric

I can't tell you how impressed I am with 'Plenty' .. great band ... great songs ... great promo / swag.

Congratulations !

I now believe more than ever you MUST go to MIDEM .. or send someone to 'rep' your band .. I know you realize this better than I do .. there is a HUGE 'prog' scene in Europe .. Hell, you could be touring Europe by next summer if you start prepping now for a MIDEM trip !

I did say hello to you.. but you looked a little frazzled and I don't think you recognised me ? ! ?

You look great with the chopped skullular region !

Your Pal Kim

Mike Clasen - 7/24/2007 7:42:17 PM

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Hey Doug, you really nailed it with that review. Like you, I have now
seen Plenty twice and I feel that they were even better than last
time. I feel that this band is on the verge of that elusive next step
to greatness that will only come now with continued hard work,
promotion and of course a lot of luck. I'm going to drag more than
just two people to the next show, guaranteed. I also hear elements of
Hackett and Porcupine Tree but I hear a similarity to another
great(but not well-known) progressive band from the U.K. which is
Twelfth Night. I'm pretty certain that this is total coincidence
because I doubt that most guys in Plenty know this band, but at times
it was uncanny how similar the bands are, not only in their stylings
but also in the use of theatrics and so on. And I mean this only as a
compliment because I love Twelfth Night.(By the way Marillion in their
early days were the OPENING ACT for Twelfth Night but Marillion
luckily got the big record deal). If anyone is interested, check out
Twelfth Night's great Live At The Marquee album entitled "Live and Let
Live"--it's KILLER!!
Anyhoo, it's late so...Eric and the gang--awesome show, loved it!!
Wilton, Ken, Doug and Steve---nice to see you guys again albeit short.
I meant to get their earlier but stacked to much on my plate for the
day and got there about a song or so into Plenty's first set. See you
next time and good night!!

Glenn Knowles - 7/24/2007 7:40:45 PM

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Eric - GREAT party last night, thanx - you looked like you were having the time of your life up there - the energy, musicality and joy in playing came through in spades! Keith made it most of the way through the second set. See you for a bevy sometime soon. Regards, Glenn

PS - any chance you can send me that clip from George?

Ken Baird - 7/24/2007 7:39:01 PM

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Hey Doug, good appraisal of the show! Hunter was a very good choice for an
opener. As a keyboard player I really dug her performance and sound choices!
Great vox and tunes as well!

I've seen Plenty quite a few times over the last 8 or 9 years and I was very
happy and impressed to see a full-length show from them. And yes, I agree
that Doug Stevens is a rare gem among guitar players-that's not normal
talent there, it's something beyond. Great show from all the guys. Eric had
some fantastic drumming as well. He was hitting so hard and passionately at
some points that I think I was feeling the vibration from the actual drum
kit rather than through the PA.

Great show guys, and hey--I understand and know what you're saying Doug but
I don't think age is a down-point for these guys--The energy onstage was as
youthful as a 14-year-old punk band but the dif is that these guys can play
and have a real musical REASON for being up there! I know the industry
stinks for older artists (it stinks for anybody in my opinion) BUT consider
these points:

I remember talking to Rob Lamothe (a local songwriter who's had some very
good industry success but isn't that well known around here) who said to me
"You know it's funny but it seems to be us stubborn guys that stick around,
that keep doing this through thick and thin that eventually find a niche". I
also recall a classical music prof Dr. Alan Walker who said "One way to
being a successful composer is to live a long time--people start to take
notice if you've been at it so long" True in classical, but look at prog
band IQ--I heard about them for years and finally took notice--They're great
and I don't care how old they are--if anything, I respect them even more.

Oddly enough, I think dying young is also a way to become successful in the
long term--I mean would people idolise Jim Morrison as much if he hadn't
died so tragically young? Kurt Cobain? Talented people yes, but were they as
amazing as the media portrays them? No! And I wouldn't advise anyone to
follow in those footsteps!

Anyway, I can see that I've possibly opened up the floor for some discussion
here....What do you all think?

Anyway, great show in any case! Long live prog how ever many grey hairs (or
hair-cuts ha!)

Ken.

Doug LeBlanc - 7/24/2007 7:36:43 PM

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Just a quick note here - I didn't mean age as in a
lack of energy on stage! Far from it! I was
referring to responsibilities, and how much you can
put into rehearsing, doing shows, setting up, tearing
down, being mobbed by beautiful young women who want
to make wild, passionate love to you until you drop
from exhaustion, etc. Okay, maybe not that last one,
but some dreams die hard.
Once again, an incredible show by everyone
concerned. Doug.

Doug LeBlanc
Canadian Progressive Music Society

Neill Nucifora - 7/24/2007 7:34:32 PM

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Hello Eric

let me start this off by saying WOW. That was probably one of the best shows ive seen in a long, long, long time. you guys are as tight as a virgins vagina, haha. I dont think I've ever, and no lieing here, ever seen a band that was as flawless and tight as you guys. Every hit was dead on. Your drumming was phenomenal, even when you were doing it with one hand during Mr.Boggs when you were fixing the hi hat stand. That ride part in mr.boggs is probably my favorite groove of all time.
The harmonies that you and the singer, as well as the group vocals were perfect. The great thing about Plenty, and as a drummer, especially with your playing, is the dynamics that you guys have in your music. Its like a plot to a movie, there so many different parts and emoitions but it's all somehow tied together. The images and characters/costumes were also very thought out and appropriate.
That kit though, man, its bloody huge, i forgot just how big it is. Here i complain about taking a 4 piece, and your have a 40 piece, ha.
Now im sure you remember the 15 minute mastering idea, well thankfully that didnt happen lol, logically, i was insane to think that, my original hope was just to run it through his gear, but if its not set properly then theres really no point, the compression and eq can be all wrong, and then the whole song is ruined, so we decided against it, and as it turns out, my school screwed up their wording and we werent actually allowed to touch anything, those bastards.
But i should hopefully have some stuff up of my band on my website, myspace.com/eternalsound

tomorrow is going to be a HUGE day, im actually going for an interview at a recording studio. I'm shitting my pants right now, i hope it all goes well because it would be literally a dream come true.

We should definitely get together for lunch soon, catch up on things, check out how the new dew is going, we cant go to any death metal shows anymore lol, but check the website when you have a chance and take a look at some of the pictures, i think you have to be a member, so i can send you some if you want. but ill let you know how everything goes tomorrow and we'll talk then.

thanks
-Neill

Judy Vendramini - 7/24/2007 7:29:45 PM

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Hi Eric:

Man, I am SO, SO, SO, SO proud of you. That was a fabulous concert.

I know that mom and dad were sitting in the front row gleeming. Okay, mom was gleeming and dad was tapping his feet to the music. Trust me, they were there.

You and the band were awesome. The music was great, the sound fantastic. I AM SO PROUD OF YOU!!!!!!

We will talk soon about the whole experience. The place was packed, so we could not talk then, but we will later. The hair was great. Next, the mustache!!!!!

I love you.

judy

Ken Baird - 7/24/2007 7:27:41 PM

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I know you didn't mean it that way Doug---I was just stickin' up for bein'
older and still proggin'! I totally have days when I feel I'm too old to be
doing this and should get a real job too. I wonder though--- can't we have
tons of young girls screaming anyway? I wonder if they're screaming for
Sting and the boys on the current Police tour? I think they still scream for
Bono...

Cheers,

Ken.

Steve Cochrane - 7/24/2007 7:26:02 PM

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Excellent show last night, Eric and company. When do we get to see the
DVD?

It was great to see a lot of familiar faces. I only wish I could have
had decent conversations with some of them, but that's impossible for
me when they drown everything out with Van Halen and AC/DC. That's my
only complaint. Other than that, a great evening.

Steve

Doug Leblanc - 7/24/2007 7:23:12 PM

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What a glorious night! Anybody who thinks prog is
boring should have my memories inserted into their
brain!

To start with, Hunter Eves opened the show. She
styles herself an 'electronic artist', and we here
have argued whether or not she belongs in a prog
setting. Well, I certainly found her delightful music
progressive! As a solo artist, I find her music
multi-faceted and emotionally evocative.
Spaceman Stan, the prog legend DJ (well, around here
he is!), MC'd the event, adding his ususal wit and
humour to brighten the times between bands and
intermissions. Decked out in top hat and tails (what
animal the tails originally belonged to was somewhat
difficult to ascertain, though), he brightened up the
audience, and even the wait staff seemed to enjoy his
witticisms.

Then the headline act came on. Once before I had
seen 'The Last Placid Days of Plenty' at Wilton Said's
great NUANCE show some months back. At the time I has
stated that I would really need to see them perform a
longer set to see what they could do.
They blew me away. They were everything I was
hoping for, and more. I get shivers down my spine
just thinking of it. Watching their grand opus 'End
Of An Era', I was struck at how powerfully they could
present such a long epic in the tradition of
'Supper's Ready' by Genesis, or 'Ritual' by Yes. As
an ardent fan of both pieces, I can only say that this
nearly excelled beyond them. I don't believe I have
ever given higher praise to any band in my life.
All of the members of the Plenty band are excellent
musicians, but to me the standout is Doug Stevens, the
guitarist. His work simply soars, carrying the
listener to new heights and new places with every
song. His style most closely resembles Steve Hackett,
but at times I see Steve Wilson of Porcupine Tree
there, controlling mind-blowing solos with elegant
ease.

The only complaint I have is the same old complaint
I always trot out - the show was too sort. I know
that is rather selfish of me, but I can't help it. I
love this stuff down to the roots of my very soul, and
I just can't get enough of it. But then, the band,
each and every single member, gave everything they had
in the performance, so I have no right to complain.
I should also mention Eric Domander. The drummer
and backing vocalist for the band did something
wonderful during the intermission. He let his hair be
cut for an organization called Wigs For Kids. Twenty
years of growth were cut for charity, and it was an
indication of what a wonderfully delightful, kind and
loving person he is.

In all a truly wonderful evening. I can only see
greater success for them, and their only drawback is
their ages, and the fact that they have to work for a
living. It seems a tragedy to me that such excellent
musicians cannot make a living at doing what they do
so very, very well. But still, I will hope for the
future. They may be called 'The last Placid Days of
Plenty', but I can only hope these are not the last
days of them. Doug.

Doug LeBlanc
Canadian Progressive Music Society

Madeleine Marque - 7/16/2007 8:47:45 PM

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Hi Eric! Remember me?? :)
WOW!!!! I just listened to Headphone Gallery and had to stop what I was in the middle of doing and sit down on the floor between the speakers. I was lost in it. Completely! Opened up the floodgates of memories... so many memories. The basement in Moffat, the storage room-turned-recording studio, the weekly jam sessions with the early Plenty members, long before "Plenty" was given a birthright, the many recording sessions at Metalworks, YOUR drive and determination, your dream and your visions. I can't believe it finally came together. I'm SO proud of you! I remember every word of every track. Every guitar lick and every drum roll. All the crazy stories that turned into beautiful music. The album (yeah, I know they're called CDs now... but it "feels" like an album) took me on a journey to another place... and that's what music is all about. Thanks so much for including me in your liner notes, that was unexpected but touching and brought a smile to my face. Man, the memories of all the boys that came and went from Plenty are heartwarming. Good times were had and amazing tunes were created in that musty Moffat basement. Thanks for sharing it all with me. Thanks for perservering and sticking tight to your dreams. You're an inspiration! What a ride. What a deep and beautifully blue pool of watery, cool memories. Thanks! Friday the 13th turned out to be pretty cool! All the best for HUGE success with Plenty.

Reply:
Hey Madeleine….

Well, thank-you SO much for your wonderful note to us. So glad that it “works” for you. Yes, you were a huge support to me and this band in the early days and I can’t thank you enough for that. I hope all is well with you that life is treating you well.

All the best from me and TLPDoP

Eric

Simon Hicks - 6/24/2007 9:06:07 PM

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Congratulations on the CD release. It was a lot of fun at the show. I thought "The End of an Era" came across exceptionally well. The humour was great. Who knew that George W. Bush was a Plenty Fan. (Who played that part in the video footage.)Thanks for the great evening. All the best and remember PLEEEEENTTYYYYY.

Reply:
Hey,
Thank you very much for your support and kind words.

The gentlemans name who played the part is George (believe it or not).

Have a great summer and keep in touch through the web site as we will be updating it with the latest news and stuff.

Cheers,
TLPDoP

Rob Malcolm - 6/22/2007 8:56:54 AM

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Eric...Powerful powerful show man!!! Took me back to the days of Rush in the Park when music was pure and true. Loved the second set!!! Cheryl thinks the hair looks Great!! Sorry we couldn't stay a long drive back to Brantford. See you soon...Cheers

Reply:
Thanks Rob!

It was really great to see you at the show! I am glad that the music could take you back to a time of fond memories. We will have to hook up soon! See you then.

Cheers,
TLPDoP

Richard B - 6/21/2007 5:32:56 AM

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Thanks for a great show on Saturday, it was sure worth the trip out from Montreal to see you.The t-shirt is really great. Wore it to work on Monday. Wish I had some time to talk after. Hope to meet up again soon. All the best.

Reply:
Hi Richard,

We can't tell you how much your support means to us. It is really something when a friend drives from that distance to be there for the band. It is always a pleasure to see you. We want to wish you a very healthy and happy summer! We look forward to seeing you again soon. I am sure somebody will be in touch with you as soon as we have any new developments of Plenty.

Cheers to our Plentonians in YUL.

TLPDoP