The night arrived eight months after the genesis of the band. This also meant it happened eight months after I first picked up the bass guitar. Eight months of practicing, rehearsing, writing songs, accumulating equipment, and developing some level of confidence. Every time I told folks I was in a rock n' roll band, they asked where we played our gigs. I told them we were still in the garage (technically the back room of a house). Much like everything else in American society, no one cares what you do unless you make money doing it. Last night on a warm November Saturday at Burt's Tiki Lounge, Old Beans played their first bar gig.

Matt and I drove at seven o'clock to Willy's house, and we ran through a warm up set. Nine loud and simple rock n' roll songs blared through our amps and PA system. Eight originals and one obscure cover (Fifteen Birds from the animated Hobbit movie). To say we are proficient musicians would be a blatant lie, to say we enjoy playing these songs would be the absolute truth. Although I am a writer, actor, director and cab driver, there is still some indescribable and unmatched pleasure when I rock out with my two oldest friends in Albuquerque.

After the pre-gig set, we tore down our equipment, packed the gear, and loaded up. Unlike our house party gig last week, we left our PA system behind. Guitar, bass, drums, cymbals, stands, amps, heads and cords (leave no cord behind!). Hauling gear is a work out, but a necessary element to the professional rocker. It will be a long time before any roadies do the work for us.

With a cruise down Lead to downtown, we got to Burt's Tiki Lounge at about 9:15. We instantly found out we were not the first band on the bill but second. This happened the week before. Nobody wants us to play first yet. We also instantly picked up our next gig. Rex, the guitarist from Romeo Goes To Hell, asked if we wanted to be the opening band featuring Captured By Robots at the Launch Pad on November 24. Although I had no clue who Captured By Robots was, even though the gig is on a Monday and I have to drive the cab the next day, regardless of the fact that it will be the night after I finish acting in 12 Angry Men for its opening four-day weekend performances, all I had to do was see our guitarist's eyes light up at the offer, and I knew we would play the gig. We're professional rockers, you know.

I watched a messy set by the opening band called Id and the Egos in which the singer kept asking between songs if anyone wanted to see his dick (no takers). Then, Old Beans took the stage. We tore through our songs with fervor, and I hopped and jerked around while thumping simple bass licks. I definitely have more attitude and presence than actual musical ability, but I'm working on it. As one guy told me, I play the part well. The crowd, which did its best to ignore the first band altogether, warmed up a little to our set. Everyone kept their distance, but there was applause mixed with a few hoots, boos and hollers. Always nice to get a reaction.

After our set, we switched out equipment with the final band, Romeo Goes To Hell. I could finally drink without apprehension. Old Beans has a two drink maximum before playing a show. We've seen too many drunk bands play like drunk bands. I shook hands and hugged folks I knew who came to see us, threw back a couple Fat Tire pints and watched Romeo Goes To Hell close out the night.

With drunken glee, I chatted it up with the bassist from Id and the Egos and basically anyone who came by with anything to say. As I waited to load up, I walked outside and stood in front of Burt's, watching the Saturday late night downtown crowd wander by. The evening was winding down, and the drunks either had to find the late night digs or call it a night. I can't remember how long it's been since I stayed out until the bars closed, but the public still does it all the time. God bless them.

So after eight months, I can say Old Beans has gigs. We play out, we play in, we play on. The fruits of labor from our first bar gig at Burt's: $20 bucks for the band and two drink coupons for each member of the trio.

So you want to be professional rocker? You're damn right, I do.

Chris Jungle is also Aaron Bean.