A TEARY SALUTE TO CAPSULE.

so the band is breaking up. damn it, janet -- i wasn't ready for this.

text and photos by laura sensabaugh.

it doesn't really matter what my realization was (it's really none of our business anyway), the point is that the music was so gosh darn great, that it moved me. i was on the verge of tears. i was inspired.

if you‘ve heard Capsule, then you know what i'm talking about. and you know that they are all about the rock and roll that makes your innards tingle with excitement, and your whole body buzz with the feeling of music in your blood stream. no, i'm not talking about how you feel when the KISS guys wiggle their tongues, or when you see Elvis do those pelvic thrusting motions . . . . . i mean the feeling of rock and roll music like the Beatles; like Bowie; like the Stones. timeless and solid. music that is crafted so perfectly that it makes you in awe of the geniuses who thought up that tune, that lyric, that transition, that chorus -- all at the same time. wow.

and when they can sing. . . . lord, can Capsule sing. they have incredible voices, and they harmonize. they're great. they're just so great, and i don't know how else to say it. i'm sitting here thinking how to describe the music, and i realize that it's sort of impossible: if you could experience the meaningfulness of melody through written word, it wouldn't be music (maybe that's why i love it). i could attempt to draw parallels to Capsule, and maybe mention Radiohead or Ziggy Stardust -- but that's still not an accurate description. unlike so many of the other bands playing on stages and in garages across this great nation, Capsule have a sound that is uniquely their own: it’s the sound of true inspiration.

well, now, seeing what with how enamored i am of their work, imagine how i felt the other day when i was talking to my friend and he said, "oh, bad news, Laura: Capsule broke up." stop. i felt as if my guardian angel had been zapped by a power line, fallen out of the sky, and landed at my feet. I was devastated.

actually, then i found out that there's a little more to it than that. as i understand it, Capsule will go on, but it just won't have the same people in it. and it won't be in san francisco anymore. damn.

bass player Andy is going to get a career as a computer guy, and drummer Kevin is going off to do his own thing. in the meantime, lead singer Bob is going to take the Capsule name and all those goshdarned great songs he wrote, and move to los angeles to hunt down a record deal. and he's getting married somewhere along the way there too (sorry girls). talk about life changes. . . . i wonder if Bob had an epiphany too.

anyway, so all is not lost -- Capsule will endure. now we can tell our kids that we knew Capsule when it had it's original line up, and reminisce about the good old days when they used to play paradise lounge and the cover was only eight bucks. (i’m getting a little misty already.) and for all you poor kids who never got the chance to see them, get ready to rock out, because i'm here to tell you that you still have *one last chance* to see Capsule perform live before Bob carries on the torch alone:

their last shows will be on a double bill with JoJo at THE LOST ISLE (night club, island, Sacramento delta -- need i say more?) on 31 july and 1 august. okay, now this place is famous for wet t-shirt contests and biker guys and gals, so it should be pretty rowdy, i'm thinking. i wouldn't miss it for the world, and anyone who cares about Capsule and JoJo and great rock and roll should make it there too. of course, i'm too lazy to have the info on me right now, but if you go to http://www.jojo.com, they have all the specifics and links on how to get there, etc.

incidentally, this almost definitely will also be the last time you have the chance to hear Capsule and JoJo do their spectacular cover of "Under Pressure" (you know, originally by Queen and David Bowie, and then sampled and destroyed by Vanilla Ice?). at this point i find myself at a loss for words as i am thinking about that, because the Capsule/JoJo version is just so amazing and i don't know how to tell you that you can't miss this or else you will hate yourself for the rest of your life. really.

okay, having said that, i don't want to hear any excuses or doubtful retorts -- they won't change the facts: if you don't make it, you will be very very sad. that's fine with me, if you can deal with it -- it's your life afterall -- but also just know that you can still buy their CD, Songs From the Living Room at your local record store as long as they still have it in stock. then you can have an epiphany in the privacy of your own home. the other alternative is to wait until Bob rises again, like the phoenix from the flame, and comes back with his new band. but what with record company execs with their heads up their asses the way they are, who knows how long that will be.

anyway, in closing, i would just like to thank Bob, Andy, and Kevin for the years of great music (and epiphanies) they have given us, and i want to wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors. the music is a breed apart in my book, and i hope it never dies. . . . . so, everybody get up and give a rousing standing ovation as we say goodbye to our local boys. and let’s all say cheers to Bob: go show them how to rock on in LA.

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