We decided to start the year with three days and nights of technical rehearsals at Slim's in San Francisco. Tech rehearsals are simulated show days: from load in and set up through sound check, the show, repack, and load out. They are the music equivalent of spring training. The crew used the time to improve its game and figure out what equipment needs fixing. The band learned a bunch of new songs and refreshed some old ones. The shows were played to an audience of our crew and a few friends who happened to wander by.