Chapter 45 (cont.)

 

Jefe of

Burnt Sienna

​Burnt Sienna on stage at the Balloon, courtesy of Lauren R, UD '04Burnt Sienna started in March 1997. We’re from Reading, PA, Jersey outside Philly, and UD. I attended Delaware from 1990 to 1998 (Dr. Jefe?) as well as our first drummer, Jim Cesca, who performed with us for the first year-and-a-half, and is now my chiropractor.

 

We first played house parties on Courtney Street and South College (solo acoustic), as well as fraternity parties (ATO, Lambda Chi). Did solo gigs at El Sombrero / Border Crossing (now Pat's MVP), Kate's, and the Brickyard (now Kildare's).

 

Burnt Sienna played a few semi-original shows at the Balloon with the original incarnation of the band ('95 - '97), and the Balloon’s owner was familiar enough with our following to give the new version of the band a shot. I think our first gig was graduation weekend May '97, which was definitely a little scary since the band had rehearsed probably twice.

 

Mug Nights were always the best. In our earlier years Saturdays were fun as well. Saturdays were probably only 60% of the Mug Night crowd, but the better night for having after-parties at our house in Nottingham Green. Best memory ever of course was the Balloon’s last Mug Night. We hosted a jam with members of Kristen and the Noise, Flip Like Wilson, Strange as Angels, and Liquid A. I frantically concocted a set that had a constant rotation of all these other band members, who were all at their absolute best, in front of a crowd that was as electric at the 10 PM start, as any prior Mug Night during last call. Favorite memory ever in this band, was hearing ten minutes of a, “One more song!” chant, followed by ten more minutes of, “We won't leave!”

 

As far as the song we performed that got the most reaction from the UD kids at the Balloon…it was a hit for us everywhere, but something about the UD crowd and “Piano Man” by Billy Joel. Biggest song for us by far for the last three years of Balloon gigs. Still kills at the Deer Park, and is my number one request for encores at my solo gigs.

 

UD girls were historically the hottest girls I've ever seen in a college bar. Funny story: I invited two guys once (Digger’s Note: Two guys who shall remain nameless!) down to the Balloon to party and watch Mr. Greengenes -- this was probably February of '97. Both guys left with college girls. One wound up getting sick in her bathroom, the other was lost on Main Street and left stranded by his girl, taking shelter in the doorway of the Main Street doctor's office across from Academy. Needless to say, both got better with partying, directions, and of course, the UD girls.

 

The Balloon’s closing was definitely one of the saddest moments for Burnt Sienna, and cover bands in general. Only consolation was that the final fall there, especially the last few weeks, were absolutely insane at the Balloon. I think everyone realized what was coming to an end, and took advantage.

 

Nothing will ever compare to the Stone Balloon anywhere, in any town, college or not. We do love playing at the Deer Park. The stage / venue situation obviously isn't comparable, but the staff is great and it's still the same receptive UD crowd.

 

We probably wouldn't have been nearly as successful had I gone to school somewhere else. The UD following helped us get our start, and were faithful to us for all the years of the Balloon and Deer Park. Even better, a good percentage of alumni are at our shows in PA, the Jersey Shore, Dewey Beach, Arlington VA, and Boston…the UD following gave us a head start in all those places.

 

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