I Saw Quicksand Three Times in One Week

You can really tell how much you like a band by how long you’ve been listening to them. Quicksand is one of those bands. I’ve been listening to them for over 20 years, and every time I hear them it never gets old. I remember first getting the 7-inch and being blown away by the sound. There was nothing like it at the time—it was breath of fresh air. I was able to see them open for Helmet, and I was changed by their mind-melting sound and energy. (Side note: I traded Walter Schreifels, the guitarist and singer, a Ravers Suck shirt for a Quicksand tour shirt that night.)

Later, a friend who just moved to NYC sent me a tape with “” and “Head to Wall” on it before Slip came out. I swear I wore that tape out. I was able to see them one other time when on a headlining tour in 1994. Then out of nowhere they were gone… but I kept listening. Fast forward to 2000 when Napster came alive. I downloaded every single live track, B-side, and bootleg I could find, and those strange sessions re-sparked my love for the band. I then met Sergio Vega, the bassist, at his DJ spot Niagara in the East Village, and I’d occasionally cross paths with him, Alan Cage, who played drums, and Walter around NYC over the years—always hoping to see them play again in that band. (They’d be in others.) Rumors that spring surface that Quicksand was going to play the Revelation Records 25th anniversary shows in Pomona. Over lunch about two months before the fest, I asked Sergio if it was true, and he said no, but that they had talked about it. The weekend approached and I got a text from him saying that he was headed to the fest and bringing his bass. We get to the Glass House in Pomona, Sergio hooks it up, and I see Alan Cage so I know it’s on. To the defense of the other bands—who killed it—I don’t think they stood a chance when Quicksand actually played. Their music, coupled with the skill they possess individually, has only gotten better. Seeing them now really showed they were ahead of their time, making timeless music. The short set they played was enough for me, since I never thought it would happen again. The energy  and in the crowd… it seemed like this show was the right thing to have happened. Then Sergio hits me with good news again and says they’re playing two nights in NYC and one at FYF fest in LA a few days later. The energy of the first show at the Bowery Ballroom was insane, the place exploded the second Sergio hit the first note of “Omission.’ It was amazing being able to hang close with them, watch from the side of the stage, catch sound checks, hang backstage, and see their friends and family so proud of these dudes. The amount of positive energy from the New York shows traveled to LA for FYF, and made me feel really lucky to be a part of it all. It’s all a reminder that 20 years later they are still one of my favorite bands. Thank you Sergio, Alan, TC3, and Walter. Now peep these pics.