Gorilla Pimp: The End of an Era
Midwest Family Night at Maloney’s, Council Bluffs, NE, USA
The Midwest Family Fun show at Maloney's in Council Bluffs, NE promised to be another exciting adventure for my family and me. Little did we know that this particular trip would be far from typical.
With Gorilla Pimp (GP) and our crew, including my wife and our two oldest children, we loaded up the merchandise and embarked on our journey.
The day took an unexpected turn when we encountered a detour to Lennox due to rising water shutting down a section of the interstate. Despite the delay, we finally arrived at Maloney's a bit later than planned.
GP and I wasted no time setting up, while my wife took the kids to dinner with her cousins in the area. Her timing couldn't have been better, as what unfolded at the show was something unforgettable.
Although we were familiar with most of the artists performing that night and had enjoyed their previous shows, there was one artist we hadn't cared for in the past. Tonight, he proved to be the cause of the commotion. Just like the previous night, he fumbled through his lyrics and blamed the DJ for his mistakes, creating a scene on stage.
This is when Maloney's, once again, demonstrated why we love them as a venue. The staff immediately scanned the crowd for children, as the show was open to all ages. The parents did an excellent job sending the kids to the back of the venue where the games were located. Meanwhile, the other artists quickly intervened, stepping on stage to de-escalate the situation. Remarkably, not a single punch or shove was thrown. They positioned themselves between the troublemaker and the DJ, repeatedly emphasizing that this was an all ages show and there were children present. Despite their efforts, the guy seemed unfazed by their words.
They persistently asked him to leave and eventually escorted him out of the venue. Right as he “left” my wife returned with the kids! It was handled well, and I felt comfortable with them there, but I’m not upset that they missed that one. Maloney's even allowed him to return after he had cooled off to retrieve his belongings. In my opinion, this was a generous gesture considering the circumstances. In most venues, the offending party would have to wait until the next day to reclaim their belongings, as part of a policy aimed at preventing further escalation and providing an opportunity for the owner or manager to address the issue privately.
Despite the commotion, the night was ultimately a success. Artists delivered outstanding performances, and everyone seemed to have a great time. GP took the opportunity to announce that this would be his last normal show as GP, with his new moniker of Chris Gnarly taking its place in the music world. As a tribute to the late great Chris Farley, one of his idols, this new name carries great significance. His very last show as GP will be at Sioux Falls Four Winds Music and Art Festival.
The journey back home proved to be the most challenging part of the night. With floodwaters rising, we hurriedly packed up and hit the road. The initial drive seemed fine until we reached Vermillion.
We discovered that the route we had planned to take had closed just as we arrived. One crossing was still open near worthing so we headed that way and it closed as we arrived as well. Forced to backtrack, we found ourselves back on the interstate. Water started to flood the exit road.
In a race against time, we hurriedly crossed the bridge before it became impassable.
Our detour took us through Highway 48, leading us east to Akron, IA. From there, we navigated through Sheldon, IA, Sanborn, IA, and finally Worthington, MN, before we could continue heading west towards home. What is normally a three-hour drive, turned into an arduous eight-hour journey, including necessary bathroom breaks and backtracking.
Despite the unexpected detours and the commotion at the show, the Midwest Family Fun event at Maloney's will forever be etched in our memories. It served as a reminder of the incredible experiences and challenges that come with being a part of the Midwest music scene.