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Blogger.com was messed up there for a bit but appears to be back.
Two things:
1.) There is some nice and some not-so-nice conversation going on over at Your Own Rockumentary, why not swing by and say hello.
2.) Tomorrow morning early, I will be leaving for my annual weekend get-away to the nether regions of Maine. 17th year in a row tha't I'll be up there hanging out with my highschool friends. I'll be as far away from a computer as I have been since last year at this time. In other words, I won' t be writing anything here or there or there, so don't be offended if I don't respond to you immediately. Have a nice weekend.
Thursday, July 31, 2003
Welp, I missed Fountains of Letterman last night. I forgot about it, but I was working at Harry's anyway. We SHOULD have taken a break and put it up on the TV but like I said, I forgot. (Actually I thought it was tonight.) Word has it that Chris was wearing a Smith College shirt. Of course, he should have been wearing a School for the Dead shirt, but the college one is kind of funny.
Last night at Harry's was strange. There were three performers: Shawn Fogel, Josh Crane, and Lanky.
The thing that made the night strange, though, was not any of those performers, it was the other background noise. First, there was some kind of DJ spinning on the City Cafe side of the bar and the bass was thumping through the aquarium windows into Harry's, louder than I had heard it before. To make it worse, people kept going in and out of that back door and leaving it open, letting in this barage of heavy bass and Hydro Thunder, while the solo acoustic performers struggled to be heard.
Even more annoying than that, though, were the four cast members of Friends sitting up at the bar, screaching and guffawing their way right into the anger lobes of the attentive audience. I almost approached them a few times to ask them to be quiet, but I was intimidated by the two guys who seemed to be quite enjoying the beverages and, I thought, would probably be more than happy to stand up for their honor in front of the ladies. In other words, I thought I might get punched. So I didn't say anything directly to them.
There were also a few older drunks stumbling around, who I think were probably displaced, from their usual City Cafe stools, by the DJ.
Musically, the night was nice, but the constant battle of sounds made me very tense, especially since I was doing the sound.
Shawn Fogel was good. It was his first time playing at Harry's. I think he just turned 21. He played upbeat, funny, clever, country-pop-slacker songs. Good lyrics and nice melodies. Really good stage persona, too. Funny. He gave me a CD but I haven't listened yet.
Josh Crane was wonderful again. He played a set of all new songs ("I can't stop writing," he confessed to me later. "Don't." I said) and they were as good or better than his old catalog. I swear that kid's sole is a reincarnation of an old prospector or something. Plum Crane was there, also, in the audience. Another talented songwriter from the Crane family. Where are they from, Krypton?
Lanky was pretty good, too. He approached the stage as a stranger in a strange bar, somewhat defensively, I think, battling for attention. He's a good singer and played a long set of mid-tempo rock songs. Not much variety, but he seemed to be good at what he did. Reminded me a little of that band, Johnny Lives. Emotive, modern rock.
Last night at Harry's was strange. There were three performers: Shawn Fogel, Josh Crane, and Lanky.
The thing that made the night strange, though, was not any of those performers, it was the other background noise. First, there was some kind of DJ spinning on the City Cafe side of the bar and the bass was thumping through the aquarium windows into Harry's, louder than I had heard it before. To make it worse, people kept going in and out of that back door and leaving it open, letting in this barage of heavy bass and Hydro Thunder, while the solo acoustic performers struggled to be heard.
Even more annoying than that, though, were the four cast members of Friends sitting up at the bar, screaching and guffawing their way right into the anger lobes of the attentive audience. I almost approached them a few times to ask them to be quiet, but I was intimidated by the two guys who seemed to be quite enjoying the beverages and, I thought, would probably be more than happy to stand up for their honor in front of the ladies. In other words, I thought I might get punched. So I didn't say anything directly to them.
There were also a few older drunks stumbling around, who I think were probably displaced, from their usual City Cafe stools, by the DJ.
Musically, the night was nice, but the constant battle of sounds made me very tense, especially since I was doing the sound.
Shawn Fogel was good. It was his first time playing at Harry's. I think he just turned 21. He played upbeat, funny, clever, country-pop-slacker songs. Good lyrics and nice melodies. Really good stage persona, too. Funny. He gave me a CD but I haven't listened yet.
Josh Crane was wonderful again. He played a set of all new songs ("I can't stop writing," he confessed to me later. "Don't." I said) and they were as good or better than his old catalog. I swear that kid's sole is a reincarnation of an old prospector or something. Plum Crane was there, also, in the audience. Another talented songwriter from the Crane family. Where are they from, Krypton?
Lanky was pretty good, too. He approached the stage as a stranger in a strange bar, somewhat defensively, I think, battling for attention. He's a good singer and played a long set of mid-tempo rock songs. Not much variety, but he seemed to be good at what he did. Reminded me a little of that band, Johnny Lives. Emotive, modern rock.
Wednesday, July 30, 2003
I just heard that Philip Price will be the opening act at the Listening Room show on the 11th. Awesome.
I also spoke to Dan Richardson (he does the sound for those shows) and he had major reservations about having a five piece band play there. We need to talk about what our possibilities are or perhaps see if we can bribe him to try and accomodate us all.
I also spoke to Dan Richardson (he does the sound for those shows) and he had major reservations about having a five piece band play there. We need to talk about what our possibilities are or perhaps see if we can bribe him to try and accomodate us all.
Here's an interesting piece on the Moonhoax about college radio selling out. The specific station that is mentioned is WJUL (Umass Lowell - my Alma Mater.) They just sold 25 hours a week to the Lowell Sun (Local paper.) It's a disturbing trend.
Bri - I took down the DL picture, just cause I didn't want to get a call. But, thanks for the accolades.
It's nice to be included in the Grand Band Slam. I haven't seen the list myself, yet, but I'll take Brian's word on it. It would be nice to win, I guess. I am definitely not really into the whole idea of artists competing against each other, but I'm not gonna protest if we were selected, and I do feel kind of honored to be included in the line-up. Yee.
A few folks have contacted me in regard to my abrasive post about the pope. I always feel that when someone is wealthier and more powerful than yourself, that it's pretty much ok to make fun of them. For some reason people get touchy about the Pope. Maybe it's because he is frail and wears robes and seems very gentle and kind. That's sweet, but you can't forget that he is the spokesperson for one of the most powerful political and religious groups in the world. When someone with that much power (or someone with no power, for that matter) speaks out in encouragement of bigotry than I think I can say whatever I want about them. Granted we are not a political band and this is not a political forum, but it is a journal in which I try to be honest about things and express my feelings. I'll try not to harp on it too much (too late, you might be thinking, sorry.)
The point is when I called the Pope an "old, crazy homophobe." It wasn't really an insult. The truth is that he IS old and I think the church uses that frail old image to make him seem gentle and kind and non-threatening (imagine if the pope was a guy in his mid-thirties in a power suit.) The truth it that he is a Homophobe and THAT makes him crazy. See? Anyway, it doesn't matter - the guy is infinitely more wealthy, powerful, and dangerous than I, or any silly sentence I ever write, could ever be.
Bri - I took down the DL picture, just cause I didn't want to get a call. But, thanks for the accolades.
It's nice to be included in the Grand Band Slam. I haven't seen the list myself, yet, but I'll take Brian's word on it. It would be nice to win, I guess. I am definitely not really into the whole idea of artists competing against each other, but I'm not gonna protest if we were selected, and I do feel kind of honored to be included in the line-up. Yee.
A few folks have contacted me in regard to my abrasive post about the pope. I always feel that when someone is wealthier and more powerful than yourself, that it's pretty much ok to make fun of them. For some reason people get touchy about the Pope. Maybe it's because he is frail and wears robes and seems very gentle and kind. That's sweet, but you can't forget that he is the spokesperson for one of the most powerful political and religious groups in the world. When someone with that much power (or someone with no power, for that matter) speaks out in encouragement of bigotry than I think I can say whatever I want about them. Granted we are not a political band and this is not a political forum, but it is a journal in which I try to be honest about things and express my feelings. I'll try not to harp on it too much (too late, you might be thinking, sorry.)
The point is when I called the Pope an "old, crazy homophobe." It wasn't really an insult. The truth is that he IS old and I think the church uses that frail old image to make him seem gentle and kind and non-threatening (imagine if the pope was a guy in his mid-thirties in a power suit.) The truth it that he is a Homophobe and THAT makes him crazy. See? Anyway, it doesn't matter - the guy is infinitely more wealthy, powerful, and dangerous than I, or any silly sentence I ever write, could ever be.
Best rock photographer: Ning Ohlenbusch.
If folks haven't looked at the photos Ning took, please do. The ones of musicians are so great--I do believe Harry's should have a gallery of them, framed and for sale. Perhaps in the pool room. Ning, I'm your agent.
For example, I'D buy the ones of Beth, Ari and Ray Mason. Where'd the DL one go? I believe you don't need anyone's permission. I mean, remember going to the Flywheel and finding a huge Diana Davies photo of Lord Russ on the wall. It's your property.
If folks haven't looked at the photos Ning took, please do. The ones of musicians are so great--I do believe Harry's should have a gallery of them, framed and for sale. Perhaps in the pool room. Ning, I'm your agent.
For example, I'D buy the ones of Beth, Ari and Ray Mason. Where'd the DL one go? I believe you don't need anyone's permission. I mean, remember going to the Flywheel and finding a huge Diana Davies photo of Lord Russ on the wall. It's your property.
So, some of us made the Gand Band slam categories. SFTD for pop band, me in drummer, Ken in keyboard (he stands alone!! Though he is the best, there are more out there, right?).
Congrats to the Fawns who made a couple categories.
Though I'm half as busy as I was 3 years ago, NOW I'm in the drummer category. I'm not complaining. But there are some glaring omissions, as always.
There aren't many better guitarists in town than Mark Schwaber, or Alex Johnson for example. Or Jim Armenti.
Dave Hower is a great drummer. Max is a great bassist. Again, I'm not complaining, I just wanna give props to some of my faves. Tony's a great Dad. If I didn't have to go to work in 5 minutes, I'd make some funny sub-categories.
But go ahead, vote. AND VOTE FOR ME.
Congrats to the Fawns who made a couple categories.
Though I'm half as busy as I was 3 years ago, NOW I'm in the drummer category. I'm not complaining. But there are some glaring omissions, as always.
There aren't many better guitarists in town than Mark Schwaber, or Alex Johnson for example. Or Jim Armenti.
Dave Hower is a great drummer. Max is a great bassist. Again, I'm not complaining, I just wanna give props to some of my faves. Tony's a great Dad. If I didn't have to go to work in 5 minutes, I'd make some funny sub-categories.
But go ahead, vote. AND VOTE FOR ME.
Has anyone ever played kd langs "Miss Chatelain" and Michael Nesmith's "Rio" back to back? Has kd ever mentioned Nesmith's fusion of latin and country, decades before? Shame his cover of "How Insensitive" from 1968 remained unreleased until the mid 90's--it sounds right out of "Ingenuine". Not a diss to kd.
Do any of you care? I didn't think so.
Tony, if you're getting homesick being at Henning's for an hour, should I cancel the 3 month tour? The 3 hour tour?
Today I learned a tough lesson about cell phones and long distance relationships and paying attention to your calling plan's quirks. Ouch.
So 2 days ago I was underused. Today I feel I have enough to make August a very fulfilling month.
Now I just need to get some damn sun.
Anyone who'd like to say howdy to Andrea I'm sure will see her next month, as I have 5 shows in the 2 weeks she's here.
SFTD is not a rock band. We've done quite well in that regard.
Do any of you care? I didn't think so.
Tony, if you're getting homesick being at Henning's for an hour, should I cancel the 3 month tour? The 3 hour tour?
Today I learned a tough lesson about cell phones and long distance relationships and paying attention to your calling plan's quirks. Ouch.
So 2 days ago I was underused. Today I feel I have enough to make August a very fulfilling month.
Now I just need to get some damn sun.
Anyone who'd like to say howdy to Andrea I'm sure will see her next month, as I have 5 shows in the 2 weeks she's here.
SFTD is not a rock band. We've done quite well in that regard.
Tuesday, July 29, 2003
Open Letter to Comedy Central:
Dear Comedy Central,
Thank you for making television something worth turning on again. With shows like: Strangers With Candy, The Upright Citizens Brigaide, South Park, The Daily Show, Insomniac, Trigger Happy TV, and now Reno 911, you have continued to impress me with your intelligent and unrelenting programming.
Sincerely,
Henning
Dear Comedy Central,
Thank you for making television something worth turning on again. With shows like: Strangers With Candy, The Upright Citizens Brigaide, South Park, The Daily Show, Insomniac, Trigger Happy TV, and now Reno 911, you have continued to impress me with your intelligent and unrelenting programming.
Sincerely,
Henning
Open Letter To The Pope (after the Vatican's recent statements about same sex marriage):
Dear John,
Shut up, you old, crazy homophobe.
Your pal,
Henning
Dear John,
Shut up, you old, crazy homophobe.
Your pal,
Henning
I'm having my monthly open mic at Harry's next Wednesday, August 6. There might not be one in September since that first Wednesday is Dan Fields with yours truly opening. So, come out next week and sing sing sing, or listen listen listen.
Last night we had a practice and went over a few Tom Petty songs for Transperformance. They are sounding good. After that, Brian and Max stuck around and the Fawns went over a Madonna song for our upcoming tribute to her at Pearl Street on the 16th. Tony, stuck around, too, and when the Fawns were done he and I listened to some recordings of The Parents to try and figure out what the next step needed to be on that project. They sounded good, I had forgotten.
Last night we had a practice and went over a few Tom Petty songs for Transperformance. They are sounding good. After that, Brian and Max stuck around and the Fawns went over a Madonna song for our upcoming tribute to her at Pearl Street on the 16th. Tony, stuck around, too, and when the Fawns were done he and I listened to some recordings of The Parents to try and figure out what the next step needed to be on that project. They sounded good, I had forgotten.
Monday, July 28, 2003
make a long story short, I was let go from my day job at Motherwear a week and half ago; in September, I'm going to school to become a high school English teacher. Short, right?
At this moment, I'm sitting at Henning's computer while The Fawns rehearse their cover of Madonna's "Borderline" in the RubWrongways rehearsal space in the other room. I rarely write on the Rockumentary these days. Dunno know why I fell out of writing but I never quite seem to be in the mood anymore. Even now, with nothing else to do, it's pulling teeth. Although I spent all weekend with the family, I'm kinda homesick for wife and baby. However, by now Hannah's asleep and possibly Shelly too, who is very ill with a summer cold and may likely sack early as well. But after the Fawns practice, Henning and I are going to take a listen to the recordings Sam Loewenstein and I started last December for The Parents' disc. Although Sam and I perform just as a duo with two vocals and one guitar, I'd like to arrange some of our songs with a full studio band made up of RubWrongways regulars and record them that way. Other songs will remain basic guitar and vocals. Henning, in his producer's role, will help me decide which songs will fall into which category as well as to suggest instrumentation.
Sighhh.......
Keep myself occupied, maybe I'll try to write out one of those Onion articles....
Deceptively Nonchalant Yet Fiercely Competitive Jockeying Between Starbucks Customers To Claim Easychairs
Yikes, that's a gobful. Could be a funny article but a) I need to pare that unwieldy headline down somehow and b) anyone can imagine the scenario in their minds without having to read through the accompanying story. See what I mean? I'm just fighting writing.
A, b, c... ready? A, b, c... ready? A, b, c, d, f, g, h, i, yay, k, p, oh yes! t, u, v, dubyex, y, z, now know a, b, c, me! Yay!
I heard that about 80 times this weekend. A favorite new song of mine.
At this moment, I'm sitting at Henning's computer while The Fawns rehearse their cover of Madonna's "Borderline" in the RubWrongways rehearsal space in the other room. I rarely write on the Rockumentary these days. Dunno know why I fell out of writing but I never quite seem to be in the mood anymore. Even now, with nothing else to do, it's pulling teeth. Although I spent all weekend with the family, I'm kinda homesick for wife and baby. However, by now Hannah's asleep and possibly Shelly too, who is very ill with a summer cold and may likely sack early as well. But after the Fawns practice, Henning and I are going to take a listen to the recordings Sam Loewenstein and I started last December for The Parents' disc. Although Sam and I perform just as a duo with two vocals and one guitar, I'd like to arrange some of our songs with a full studio band made up of RubWrongways regulars and record them that way. Other songs will remain basic guitar and vocals. Henning, in his producer's role, will help me decide which songs will fall into which category as well as to suggest instrumentation.
Sighhh.......
Keep myself occupied, maybe I'll try to write out one of those Onion articles....
Deceptively Nonchalant Yet Fiercely Competitive Jockeying Between Starbucks Customers To Claim Easychairs
Yikes, that's a gobful. Could be a funny article but a) I need to pare that unwieldy headline down somehow and b) anyone can imagine the scenario in their minds without having to read through the accompanying story. See what I mean? I'm just fighting writing.
A, b, c... ready? A, b, c... ready? A, b, c, d, f, g, h, i, yay, k, p, oh yes! t, u, v, dubyex, y, z, now know a, b, c, me! Yay!
I heard that about 80 times this weekend. A favorite new song of mine.
Story: Last weekend Lesa and I were in search of the Essex Green albums, but much to our dismay all of the record stores were already closed. All of them except for Newbury Comix, that is. Newbury is where I grew up buying albums, they always had the best selection of interesting stuff for the lowest price. At least they did where I was when I was. You could always count on them and that's why they became so popular. Appearently that has all changed. The Essex Green's newest CD was 17 BUCKS!! 17!!! What the?!?!
I exclaimed loudly, "this isn't Newbury Comix!" I guess it's been a while since I have shopped there. Then I thought, maybe it was a rare import or something, so I glanced around at other random cds and they were all 16 or 17 bucks! What the?!?! Wicked Cheap used to be their motto, is it still? Because if it is, then some people need to be punched in the throat.
After we left the store, heads down in dismay, we stood on the sidewalk for a second and heard a phone ringing. There on a stoop, all alone, was a little flashing cell phone. I picked it up, feeling like I was about to be the punchline in a practical joke, or a participant in an upcoming court case.
I said, "Somebody's Cell Phone."
Voice, "Garble Garble Cell Phone."
I repeated, "Somebody's Cell Phone."
Female Voice: "That's Samantha's Cell Phone can I PLEASE talk to her."
Me: "I just found this cell phone on the sidewalk, and picked it up thinking the owner was calling it to see where it was."
Her: "That's my stupid daughter's phone. Are you serious?"
Me: "Yep"
Her: "Are you near Newbury Comix?"
Me: "Yep, just out front."
Her: "My daughter lives just up stairs, I don't remember her apartment number, but I think her roomate's names is...now what was her name, I think it is Amy..."
Me (Cutting her off): "I'm gonna go give this to the people working at Newbury Comix, your daughter can pick it up later."
Her: "Ok"
Me: "Bye"
I exclaimed loudly, "this isn't Newbury Comix!" I guess it's been a while since I have shopped there. Then I thought, maybe it was a rare import or something, so I glanced around at other random cds and they were all 16 or 17 bucks! What the?!?! Wicked Cheap used to be their motto, is it still? Because if it is, then some people need to be punched in the throat.
After we left the store, heads down in dismay, we stood on the sidewalk for a second and heard a phone ringing. There on a stoop, all alone, was a little flashing cell phone. I picked it up, feeling like I was about to be the punchline in a practical joke, or a participant in an upcoming court case.
I said, "Somebody's Cell Phone."
Voice, "Garble Garble Cell Phone."
I repeated, "Somebody's Cell Phone."
Female Voice: "That's Samantha's Cell Phone can I PLEASE talk to her."
Me: "I just found this cell phone on the sidewalk, and picked it up thinking the owner was calling it to see where it was."
Her: "That's my stupid daughter's phone. Are you serious?"
Me: "Yep"
Her: "Are you near Newbury Comix?"
Me: "Yep, just out front."
Her: "My daughter lives just up stairs, I don't remember her apartment number, but I think her roomate's names is...now what was her name, I think it is Amy..."
Me (Cutting her off): "I'm gonna go give this to the people working at Newbury Comix, your daughter can pick it up later."
Her: "Ok"
Me: "Bye"
In other news: The Fawns have been confirmed a openers for The Essex Green at the Iron Horse on September 4. We'll have tickets soon, so don't buy any yet, ok?
Someone just filled out our Chain Cd Activity Sheet with their secret magic word. Hello, Texas. I discovered recently that the form actually has not been working for quite a while. My apologies. Those of you that have filled out the form previously, please, if you have the time, go back and fill it out one more time. I'm sorry. Sorry.
Those of you that have Chain Cds and haven't filled out our form, please stop on over here and let 'er rip: Chain CD Activity Sheet.
Eventually, I hope to have some statistics available on where the chain cds are and what kind of music the people who have them like and all kinds of cool stuff. For now, we still have hardly any submissions so there's not yet much to report.
Those of you that have Chain Cds and haven't filled out our form, please stop on over here and let 'er rip: Chain CD Activity Sheet.
Eventually, I hope to have some statistics available on where the chain cds are and what kind of music the people who have them like and all kinds of cool stuff. For now, we still have hardly any submissions so there's not yet much to report.
So last night I played the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival with the Nields... If you are thinking lots of dirty people who need showers, cringe-worthy folkies singing songs about mid-life crisises, and a sea of tie-dyed clothing, you aren't far off. But that being said, it was still one of the best times I've ever had on stage. This was by far the largest crowd I'd played in front of, and the buzz of having thousands of people get up and start dancing at once is an amazing feeling. It's also completely nerve-wracking. On stage was a person translating lyrics into sign language - a tough job with the Nields, as many of the two vocalists' parts weave together. In fact, many of the down-home folkie aspects of the festival are things I secretly enjoy: the massive group sing-along; the politeness backstage; the general hippie liberal vibe. On the other hand, I decided I hate John Gorka (folk bigwig), the backstage food was awful, and I really don't like massive group sing-alongs after all.
Brian, yes definitely practice tonight. It seems like a really long time since we were all in the same room at the same time. We need to start learning Tom Petty songs as well as working on the secret project and scheduling some recording sessions and learning that new song.
Matt Hebert has asked if we can do a Listening room show on August 11 or 18 instead of in September. We would be the headliners. Ken and Brian both prefer the 11th. How's about Tony and Max? Speaking of Tony and Max, what are your new email addresses? Send me them so I can update (or rather so I can ask Dan to update) the group mailing address.
Ken, I may have gotten a good angle on a piano to record. It's over at the Woodmont (Bruce Tull's) and with his help, we could probably get a great sound, I think we need piano for three of the songs so far right? Wichita, Gripe, Photobooth.
I got a request for some stickers but we don't have any left.
Brian, is this week the Brian-as-Local-Hero week on WRSI? Do all of you out there know the connection between the Local Hero show on WRSI and School for the Dead? Listen to the theme song sometime. Every week day evening at 9:00.
Matt Hebert has asked if we can do a Listening room show on August 11 or 18 instead of in September. We would be the headliners. Ken and Brian both prefer the 11th. How's about Tony and Max? Speaking of Tony and Max, what are your new email addresses? Send me them so I can update (or rather so I can ask Dan to update) the group mailing address.
Ken, I may have gotten a good angle on a piano to record. It's over at the Woodmont (Bruce Tull's) and with his help, we could probably get a great sound, I think we need piano for three of the songs so far right? Wichita, Gripe, Photobooth.
I got a request for some stickers but we don't have any left.
Brian, is this week the Brian-as-Local-Hero week on WRSI? Do all of you out there know the connection between the Local Hero show on WRSI and School for the Dead? Listen to the theme song sometime. Every week day evening at 9:00.
Sunday, July 27, 2003
So why did I enjoy myself so much at the Iron Horse tonight, coupla vodka gimlets notwithstanding? And not just happy because the Red Sox won 2 out of 3 from the Yankees?
Because it was not so loud, each band had a Fender Rhodes player (that's electric piano), each band was a bit retro, heavy on the melody..
It was the best I've ever seen Claudia Malibu. MM noticed that tonight we witnessed the birth of a star: Adrian, the young guy in the band. He's the Ken Maiuri of the new generation. The audience loved him and appreciated what he did for the Malibu's sound (awesome keyboard parts and harmonies). My geneology may be off, but is this the first time in Rock history where a son replaced his mom in a band?
King Radio sounded awesome as well. Like Syd Barrett to Dave Gilmour, I blankly stared at the new percussion guy all night. Just kidding.
And Ladybug Transistor, well they seem to do everything right. I noted to Ken, if I did put a band together for my solo show, I'd want it to sound like LT. Nothing too loud, lots of textures.
OK, time for bed.
Practice tomorrow?
Because it was not so loud, each band had a Fender Rhodes player (that's electric piano), each band was a bit retro, heavy on the melody..
It was the best I've ever seen Claudia Malibu. MM noticed that tonight we witnessed the birth of a star: Adrian, the young guy in the band. He's the Ken Maiuri of the new generation. The audience loved him and appreciated what he did for the Malibu's sound (awesome keyboard parts and harmonies). My geneology may be off, but is this the first time in Rock history where a son replaced his mom in a band?
King Radio sounded awesome as well. Like Syd Barrett to Dave Gilmour, I blankly stared at the new percussion guy all night. Just kidding.
And Ladybug Transistor, well they seem to do everything right. I noted to Ken, if I did put a band together for my solo show, I'd want it to sound like LT. Nothing too loud, lots of textures.
OK, time for bed.
Practice tomorrow?
What I like most about summer:
Riding my bike through the woods, trying to stay just a few feet away from a swarm of deer flies.
Grilling dead animals, then eating them.
Ice-cold showers.
Kid sounds: the bounce bounce thud of a basketball being knocked around a driveway hoop for hours on end.
Watching the worms squirm back into the soil when I turn over the compost.
Pretending I know how to garden.
I wish I could have made the Bright Horizons' show on Friday. What songs did you play? Sitcom Theme? I bet the kids would like that one. I think School For The Dead should complete the all ages (and I mean *all* ages) concert circuit and play a nursing home this year. I guess we would probably need to change the name of the band again.
I will be playing bass for the Nields this evening at the Mighty Wind, I mean, Falcon Ridge Folk Festival.
Riding my bike through the woods, trying to stay just a few feet away from a swarm of deer flies.
Grilling dead animals, then eating them.
Ice-cold showers.
Kid sounds: the bounce bounce thud of a basketball being knocked around a driveway hoop for hours on end.
Watching the worms squirm back into the soil when I turn over the compost.
Pretending I know how to garden.
I wish I could have made the Bright Horizons' show on Friday. What songs did you play? Sitcom Theme? I bet the kids would like that one. I think School For The Dead should complete the all ages (and I mean *all* ages) concert circuit and play a nursing home this year. I guess we would probably need to change the name of the band again.
I will be playing bass for the Nields this evening at the Mighty Wind, I mean, Falcon Ridge Folk Festival.
Saturday, July 26, 2003
Fighting back tears, Henning asked me this morning, "why no people blog much mo'?". Well, I'm sorry if some of us have a LIFE, NING!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fortunately, I'm not one of those who have one.
So, I'm still all excited having a good computer and a CD burner (already I forget what life was like without one. already I forget what I just said about forgetting something.)
In fact, the busy bee Ken-ee came by after the Bright Horizons show to burn some things. Specifically, copies of his own stuff that few have heard, but nobody thinks is less than awesome. (awkward sentence...restructure please)
I borrowed a bunch of CDs from Ning to make compilation CDs and I'm also probably gonna get rid of those CDs I own on which I really still like 2 songs(also awkward. get more sleep). When I began the process, I was actually pleased that there weren't as many as I imagined.
I missed the Mark Mulcahy show on Monday, after having told everyone the previous week how excited I was for it. After work, and SFTD practice, I went home and ended up unintentionally falling asleep, to be woken up 45 minutes later by thunder, and the undeniable fact that I'd probably run, Frankenstein-like, through the lightening and pouring rain down Gothic street (and what a Gothic scene I'm painting!) only to find it was sold out. Which it was--they coulda sold it out twice.
Bright Horizons was awesome. We played for about 25 kids, aged 5-10. Ray was the teacher, and a really cool and sweet guy. The kids were a blast--I feel like we went in there to be entertained, not entertain them. But hopefully we did entertain them. Afterwards, SFTD (minus Max, who couldn't get off work) plus my sister Alyssa and neice Josephine went for grilled cheese sandwiches.
So, this summer so far........what's everyone think? I think this summer will be looked back on (for me) fondly, because I always romanticize transition times. If anything, I'm not feeling stuffed with ennui though it would be easy for me to be. But it's not my nature. I kind of wish I had 2 shows a weekend to play. I'm underused! I'm a perfect plum rotting on the vine! Well, I do have 4 impending summer-only side projects. 2 recording and 2 performing. The latter are "Rehab, Massachusetts", Thane Thomsen's new song cycle centered around the 12 steps to recovery. It's a great band--2 Stuntmen, and Lo Fine minus Mark Schwaber.
Speaking of Stuntmen, I'm doing a gig with Al Johnson in August. His songs are great.
Ken has it pretty good these days, Good on ya, KM!
He's in the midst of a King Radio mini tour, opening for the Pernice Bros. They'll be at the Iron Horse tomorrow (sunday) with Ladybug Transistor and Claudia Malibu. Hey, those last two bands are on a poster on John Cusak's wall in "High Fidelity".
Hey, Phil on the River may be doing Brian week this week. Each night at 9pm listen for a Local Hero song with me on it (Figments, SFTD, Steamtrain, Lo Fine and a Sitting next to Brian song).
Fortunately, I'm not one of those who have one.
So, I'm still all excited having a good computer and a CD burner (already I forget what life was like without one. already I forget what I just said about forgetting something.)
In fact, the busy bee Ken-ee came by after the Bright Horizons show to burn some things. Specifically, copies of his own stuff that few have heard, but nobody thinks is less than awesome. (awkward sentence...restructure please)
I borrowed a bunch of CDs from Ning to make compilation CDs and I'm also probably gonna get rid of those CDs I own on which I really still like 2 songs(also awkward. get more sleep). When I began the process, I was actually pleased that there weren't as many as I imagined.
I missed the Mark Mulcahy show on Monday, after having told everyone the previous week how excited I was for it. After work, and SFTD practice, I went home and ended up unintentionally falling asleep, to be woken up 45 minutes later by thunder, and the undeniable fact that I'd probably run, Frankenstein-like, through the lightening and pouring rain down Gothic street (and what a Gothic scene I'm painting!) only to find it was sold out. Which it was--they coulda sold it out twice.
Bright Horizons was awesome. We played for about 25 kids, aged 5-10. Ray was the teacher, and a really cool and sweet guy. The kids were a blast--I feel like we went in there to be entertained, not entertain them. But hopefully we did entertain them. Afterwards, SFTD (minus Max, who couldn't get off work) plus my sister Alyssa and neice Josephine went for grilled cheese sandwiches.
So, this summer so far........what's everyone think? I think this summer will be looked back on (for me) fondly, because I always romanticize transition times. If anything, I'm not feeling stuffed with ennui though it would be easy for me to be. But it's not my nature. I kind of wish I had 2 shows a weekend to play. I'm underused! I'm a perfect plum rotting on the vine! Well, I do have 4 impending summer-only side projects. 2 recording and 2 performing. The latter are "Rehab, Massachusetts", Thane Thomsen's new song cycle centered around the 12 steps to recovery. It's a great band--2 Stuntmen, and Lo Fine minus Mark Schwaber.
Speaking of Stuntmen, I'm doing a gig with Al Johnson in August. His songs are great.
Ken has it pretty good these days, Good on ya, KM!
He's in the midst of a King Radio mini tour, opening for the Pernice Bros. They'll be at the Iron Horse tomorrow (sunday) with Ladybug Transistor and Claudia Malibu. Hey, those last two bands are on a poster on John Cusak's wall in "High Fidelity".
Hey, Phil on the River may be doing Brian week this week. Each night at 9pm listen for a Local Hero song with me on it (Figments, SFTD, Steamtrain, Lo Fine and a Sitting next to Brian song).
Friday, July 25, 2003
Thursday, July 24, 2003
Colleen Stone brought my attention to this nice article in the Times about the future of albums. You need to register, just do it, it's free and there a lot of good articles popping up all the time that you might want to read.
Scott over at BlogBeat continued the discussion by presenting this list of the top selling albums of all time. Just in case you care.
I don't know. I like albums. But that's not really the point I guess.
Scott over at BlogBeat continued the discussion by presenting this list of the top selling albums of all time. Just in case you care.
I don't know. I like albums. But that's not really the point I guess.
A while back I sent some MP3s to this thing called Whole Wheat Radio in Alaska "Whole Wheat Radio is a unique Internet webcast, originating from a 12 x 12 cabin in Talkeetna, Alaska. We play music by independent artists, and we broadcast 24 hours/day, 365 days/year." Now I see that they have added Uncomfortable to their play list. You can learn more and listen here: Whole Wheat Radio
I forgot to mention this. When we went to see the Fountains play in Boston a while back, I brought a bunch of Chain CDs. Gave one to Adam (I had sent him a package but he missed that is from me probably and most likely tossed it.) I gave on to a woman named Martha that we met. She asked me if Everybody Loves Martha was about a particular person or if I was just making fun of the name. I told her I wasn't making fun of the name at all and that it was about her. I also gave a bunch of the discs to Pete, who is a huge Fountains fan that I had met a few times before at Potatoes shows. He's a really nice guy and I think he will pass the discs around. Then today I found this post that he put up on the Yahoo Fountains of Wayne messages board. This is just an experpt from the whole post (it's the part about us.)
ONE MORE THING:
Sorry for the long post....but I spoke with Henning Ohlenbusch after the
Boston show. For those of you not familar with him, he is a member of the Gay
Potatoes and was a member of the Aloha Steamtrain. His new band is called
School for the Dead, and they have self-released a 4 song CD called "The Chain
CD" while working on putting out a full length record (that will include some
of Henning's songs from the Potatoes). It's some pretty good stuff. You can
find more info on the band at http://www.schoolforthedead.com and even download
the songs on "the chain cd" by clicking on "chain cd" (how thoughtful eh?).
Henning gave me a few extra copies of the CD to give to friends, so if any of
you would like a real copy (instead of downloading it) just email me and I'll
mail it to ya. Enjoy,
Later all,
Pete
Thanks, Pete.
ONE MORE THING:
Sorry for the long post....but I spoke with Henning Ohlenbusch after the
Boston show. For those of you not familar with him, he is a member of the Gay
Potatoes and was a member of the Aloha Steamtrain. His new band is called
School for the Dead, and they have self-released a 4 song CD called "The Chain
CD" while working on putting out a full length record (that will include some
of Henning's songs from the Potatoes). It's some pretty good stuff. You can
find more info on the band at http://www.schoolforthedead.com and even download
the songs on "the chain cd" by clicking on "chain cd" (how thoughtful eh?).
Henning gave me a few extra copies of the CD to give to friends, so if any of
you would like a real copy (instead of downloading it) just email me and I'll
mail it to ya. Enjoy,
Later all,
Pete
Thanks, Pete.
Perhaps the Sopranos thing came up from way back when I was watching 3 episodes a day for 2 straight weeks and it was all I could talk about.
Hey: anyone know anything about The Sleepy Jackson? I read a review in Uncut, and then listened to bits of songs on their website jukebox and dug it. It's totally Indie for those with classic rock roots. They're Australian. Or he. Or something.
Ken? Help?
Hey: anyone know anything about The Sleepy Jackson? I read a review in Uncut, and then listened to bits of songs on their website jukebox and dug it. It's totally Indie for those with classic rock roots. They're Australian. Or he. Or something.
Ken? Help?
Well, thanks to our cyber godfather, Dan, I have a great new way to check up on the statistics for the school for the dead web site. One of my favorite things is finding out referring links (meaning a link on some other website that somebody clicked on to end up here. Here are a few worthy of your time.
Some of you may be familiar with AmIHotOrNot.com in which you rate people's "hotness" based on a submitted picture. Well, appearently there are a number of take-offs on this famous site and one of them is Am I Emo Or Not. I guess maybe someone thought we were close enough to warrant presenting our practice collage. Here's the link to the site: AmIEmoOrNot (although it doesn't bring you to OUR page necessairly since it is random. I found us on the second page to come up, but I tried again later to test this link and didn't find it after checking like nine or ten pages. Ah, do what you want!)
This next referring link came from a J Mascis message board on the Mascis site called Freak Scene following is the link to the thread in which someone presented quotes from the gig diary for the Cobra Verde show that we played. They used Tony's snotty sentence as their post title: Mr Alt Rock MTV Guitar Hero
What do you make of the next person's response to that post, Tony?
Some of the referring links, I can't figure out. Like this one: Hartford Summer Stage I can't find anything that would lead anyone to us from there. Do any of you out there in-the-know understand this? IS it a link that has now been deleted or something? Or a hidden link?
Or this one?!?! Sopranos.
Some of you may be familiar with AmIHotOrNot.com in which you rate people's "hotness" based on a submitted picture. Well, appearently there are a number of take-offs on this famous site and one of them is Am I Emo Or Not. I guess maybe someone thought we were close enough to warrant presenting our practice collage. Here's the link to the site: AmIEmoOrNot (although it doesn't bring you to OUR page necessairly since it is random. I found us on the second page to come up, but I tried again later to test this link and didn't find it after checking like nine or ten pages. Ah, do what you want!)
This next referring link came from a J Mascis message board on the Mascis site called Freak Scene following is the link to the thread in which someone presented quotes from the gig diary for the Cobra Verde show that we played. They used Tony's snotty sentence as their post title: Mr Alt Rock MTV Guitar Hero
What do you make of the next person's response to that post, Tony?
Some of the referring links, I can't figure out. Like this one: Hartford Summer Stage I can't find anything that would lead anyone to us from there. Do any of you out there in-the-know understand this? IS it a link that has now been deleted or something? Or a hidden link?
Or this one?!?! Sopranos.
Wednesday, July 23, 2003
Eye On Northampton: It's raining so hard that I can barely see across Main Street. People have stopped to seek shelter under the awnings lining downtown. Others are running full speed for where ever it is that they need to be that's so important that they can't wait 2 minutes for the downpour to stop. One couple is dancing arm and arm in front of CVS.
Here's some stuff I did.
1.) There are a bunch of new pictures up in the photo gallery.
2.) I added our most recent press to our press page on the web site.
3.) I added some links to large tif files of our halo picture for printing for press folks, on our pictures page.
4.) I confirmed a big secret project for SFTD.
1.) There are a bunch of new pictures up in the photo gallery.
2.) I added our most recent press to our press page on the web site.
3.) I added some links to large tif files of our halo picture for printing for press folks, on our pictures page.
4.) I confirmed a big secret project for SFTD.
Tuesday, July 22, 2003
I ain't blogivated in forever and I have stories to tell but tonight isn't the best time so I'm just dropping in to say if you enjoy movies of the b&w sort, "The Lady Eve" starring Barbara Stanwyck is delightful from beginning to end. I also have soft spots for Roman Holiday, You Can't Take It With You, Arsenic & Old Lace and Pillow Talk (though that last one's in color). Those are just off the top of my head faves but what do I know?- I'm a Jerry Lewis fan. (The Bellboy!)
Also, the mangos at Stop & Shop & Stop this week are delicious. Just make sure you get the mangos there and rent your movies at Pleasant St. Video or Video To Go in Amherst, not the conveniently-next-to-the-supermarket video chain store. There's only one copy there but I know for a fact Pleasant's got "The Lady Eve" on DVD. Who's gonna get it? Hurry, hurry!
Also, the mangos at Stop & Shop & Stop this week are delicious. Just make sure you get the mangos there and rent your movies at Pleasant St. Video or Video To Go in Amherst, not the conveniently-next-to-the-supermarket video chain store. There's only one copy there but I know for a fact Pleasant's got "The Lady Eve" on DVD. Who's gonna get it? Hurry, hurry!
Last night's practice was kind of a strange one. It was just me, Brian, and Tony. We touched upon a few Tom Petty songs, discussed what to play for this Friday's appearence at a daycare center, and went over the new song a few times. I played acoustic, which I hadn't done in a band setting for a little while now. I'll probably do that if we get this show at the Listening Room on September 8, which reminds me, I have to make a call about that.....ok, I just talked to Matt Hebert and we are on for that show. It's the Lonesome Brothers headlining and us opening. We'll have to figure out what kind of setup to do, Hebert suggested me solo or with someone else, maybe we can work it into a livingroom style full band. We'll talk.
Last night's Listening Room show with Mark Mucahey sold out, Matt told me, and he had to turn away about 40 people. That's sad but happy. I didn't make it down there on account of our practice.
Last night's Listening Room show with Mark Mucahey sold out, Matt told me, and he had to turn away about 40 people. That's sad but happy. I didn't make it down there on account of our practice.
I know that some of you out there are on your summer vacations and are probably renting a lot of movies to watch on these warm summer nights. Here are some suggestions off the top of my head of movies to rent. Also, if possible, try to rent from a smaller locally owned video store, Blockbuster is convenient but they are evil and take it upon themselves to pick and choose and censor what you get to see. But, if it's all you got then go for it anyway. Here are some that I highly recommend, and I am cerntainly not speaking for the band, I know that Tony hates at least one of these movies, and probably all of them.
Rushmore - Rock and Roll. I like all of Wilson's movies but this is still my fave. American.
Amelie - I need to rent this again, I've only seen it the one time at the Academy, it was very life inspiring. French.
Magnolia - It's long but it's intense with wonderful characters and great music (Aimee Mann). American.
The Year My Voice Broke / Flirting - Two movies, in a series, that I can watch again and again, coming of age stories. Australian.
Secrets and Lies - Mikel Leah makes perfect movies with the best acting around. This one stands out, but if you loved it, try Working Girls and Sweetie. British.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind - If somehow you still haven't seen this movie, stop delaying. It's perfect especially for the summer. American.
Run Lola Run - If I described it, you wouldn't want to rent it, so I won't. German.
The Others - I don't know why this movie didn't get more reaction when it came out a year or two ago. Awesome scary house movie. American.
The Ice Storm - Rent this on a really hot day, find out why Ang Lee is famous. Also enjoy a young Toby Maguire, Christina Ricci, and Elijah Wood. American.
Harold and Maude - Have you really not seen this yet? American.
Rushmore - Rock and Roll. I like all of Wilson's movies but this is still my fave. American.
Amelie - I need to rent this again, I've only seen it the one time at the Academy, it was very life inspiring. French.
Magnolia - It's long but it's intense with wonderful characters and great music (Aimee Mann). American.
The Year My Voice Broke / Flirting - Two movies, in a series, that I can watch again and again, coming of age stories. Australian.
Secrets and Lies - Mikel Leah makes perfect movies with the best acting around. This one stands out, but if you loved it, try Working Girls and Sweetie. British.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind - If somehow you still haven't seen this movie, stop delaying. It's perfect especially for the summer. American.
Run Lola Run - If I described it, you wouldn't want to rent it, so I won't. German.
The Others - I don't know why this movie didn't get more reaction when it came out a year or two ago. Awesome scary house movie. American.
The Ice Storm - Rent this on a really hot day, find out why Ang Lee is famous. Also enjoy a young Toby Maguire, Christina Ricci, and Elijah Wood. American.
Harold and Maude - Have you really not seen this yet? American.
Monday, July 21, 2003
Why not vote for our buddies in Fountains of Wayne on TRL? Here's the link, select Stacy's Mom and fill out the rest, use a fake name and birth year if you want. It would be so incredibly funny to see Chris on TRL that I implore you to do this.
Go Here (takes 30 seconds)
If you actually want to see the video you can by clicking on their listing on this page: Buzzworthy
Go Here (takes 30 seconds)
If you actually want to see the video you can by clicking on their listing on this page: Buzzworthy
Monday Monday. My vacation is over.
I spent my last day of vacation at home and I actually managed to record a song. It's an older song that I had previously recorded and then almost immediately lost when my hard drive died. Hopefully, it is not the song that destroys computers because I haven't backed up anything for a while. Maybe tonight.
The song is called "The Center of Time" and is based on a chapter in a book called "Einstein's Dreams". It's about a place where you can go that is in the center of time. Once there you are frozen in that exact moment. That way if you are very happy, you remain happy forever. Kind of like the movie "Brain Candy" in a way. Anyway, the song is sort of a lullaby and features: four different shakers, a djembe (Xmas present), my 20 dollar nylon string guitar, synth, bass drum played by hand, sample of the intro to Smetana's "The Moldau", and voice. It is all finished except that I need to record some of my back yard insects when they are out in full force come the end of August.
It's the second song that I have recorded on my own lately and while doing them I realized that I really missed that whole process. In my formative musical years (they aren't over yet, believe me) my procedure was very different than it is nowadays. In the old days, I would write a song and then immediately record it. I had a 4-track cassette recorder and I would use any instruments within my reach. Often times the parts that I recorded were being written on the spot. It was kind of like painting a picture, you know? Very immediate and inspired. There needs to be some more of this color over here, this part is missing something, what if I put these bongos through a wah wah pedal, etc.
Nowadays, the process has changed a lot. That's what happens when 1.) you have a band and 2.) you think somebody else might actually hear your recordings. I like both processes very much. With the band, we play a song many times live and the arrangements come gradually and organically and are perfected over time long before the recording. I like that, I like feeling that we have really put a lot of effort into making the song sound like it should. As fun as the old recordings were to make and as fun as it is for me to listen to them, I don't feel proud enough of them to play them for just anybody - at the same time though, what they captured was something timely and evasive, the inspiration.
So, recently I have begun again to record songs on my own. These are the songs that band will probably never play, so I don't feel bad for doing them without the band. It's also nice to be able to do it at the spur of the moment rather than to have to schedule a time for everyone to come over. Busy boys in the band.
But, speaking of such things. It is far far past the time when we should have finished our new album and it is imperative that we schedule another basic tracks recording session. Maybe this upcoming weekend? Brian? Max? Tony? Ken?
It is true that when you have something permanently you don't use it as much or with as much fervor as if you are renting or borrowing something. Ever since I set up the Rub Wrongways studio, it seems like I have done less and less recording. It's like if someone gives you a video, you end up never watching it, but if you rented it you would watch it immediately. The art of putting things off is all powerful. Well, it's time to fight back. Let the recordings begin, that's what we are here for afterall, to make music.
I spent my last day of vacation at home and I actually managed to record a song. It's an older song that I had previously recorded and then almost immediately lost when my hard drive died. Hopefully, it is not the song that destroys computers because I haven't backed up anything for a while. Maybe tonight.
The song is called "The Center of Time" and is based on a chapter in a book called "Einstein's Dreams". It's about a place where you can go that is in the center of time. Once there you are frozen in that exact moment. That way if you are very happy, you remain happy forever. Kind of like the movie "Brain Candy" in a way. Anyway, the song is sort of a lullaby and features: four different shakers, a djembe (Xmas present), my 20 dollar nylon string guitar, synth, bass drum played by hand, sample of the intro to Smetana's "The Moldau", and voice. It is all finished except that I need to record some of my back yard insects when they are out in full force come the end of August.
It's the second song that I have recorded on my own lately and while doing them I realized that I really missed that whole process. In my formative musical years (they aren't over yet, believe me) my procedure was very different than it is nowadays. In the old days, I would write a song and then immediately record it. I had a 4-track cassette recorder and I would use any instruments within my reach. Often times the parts that I recorded were being written on the spot. It was kind of like painting a picture, you know? Very immediate and inspired. There needs to be some more of this color over here, this part is missing something, what if I put these bongos through a wah wah pedal, etc.
Nowadays, the process has changed a lot. That's what happens when 1.) you have a band and 2.) you think somebody else might actually hear your recordings. I like both processes very much. With the band, we play a song many times live and the arrangements come gradually and organically and are perfected over time long before the recording. I like that, I like feeling that we have really put a lot of effort into making the song sound like it should. As fun as the old recordings were to make and as fun as it is for me to listen to them, I don't feel proud enough of them to play them for just anybody - at the same time though, what they captured was something timely and evasive, the inspiration.
So, recently I have begun again to record songs on my own. These are the songs that band will probably never play, so I don't feel bad for doing them without the band. It's also nice to be able to do it at the spur of the moment rather than to have to schedule a time for everyone to come over. Busy boys in the band.
But, speaking of such things. It is far far past the time when we should have finished our new album and it is imperative that we schedule another basic tracks recording session. Maybe this upcoming weekend? Brian? Max? Tony? Ken?
It is true that when you have something permanently you don't use it as much or with as much fervor as if you are renting or borrowing something. Ever since I set up the Rub Wrongways studio, it seems like I have done less and less recording. It's like if someone gives you a video, you end up never watching it, but if you rented it you would watch it immediately. The art of putting things off is all powerful. Well, it's time to fight back. Let the recordings begin, that's what we are here for afterall, to make music.
Sunday, July 20, 2003
Pay to Play. Pay to Play. Do you folks out there in rockumentary land know what that means? Pay to Play means that the four bands scheduled to perform at the Webster Underground each pitched in 50 bucks to pay for the sound person and the door person. The idea is that then we would split up the take at the door or the sale of any tickets and recompensate ourselves that way. The way these things tend to work out, though, is that hardly anybody shows up and the bands end up paying 50 dollars for the priviledge of playing to an empty room (or in this case a room of 15 other musicians who are all waiting to play for you.)
It's a sad state of affairs and it's really nobody's fault other than the bands. Of course, coming from out-of-town we had no idea what to expect of the Webster Underground. Although, Jason of the Heros did let out a little harumph when I mentioned playing there.
The Webster Underground is the exact opposite of the Space. The Space has a supportive and inspiring atmosphere while The Underground lives only to beat you down.
Located in a depressing neighborhood of boarded up buildings and honking cars, at first the Webster shines like an oasis, and perhaps for the national acts that play in the theatre proper it serves as one also. The connected smaller club known as the Underground, however, opitimizes everything that leaves a bad taste in my mouth in the rock world.
Stale beer smell, old smoke, black walls, ripped apart furniture, angry owner, loud angry music, no sign of any imagination or inspiration, a few beer signs on the wall, a pool table too close to the walls to play, restrooms with open doors, and the little bottles of spring water cost $2.50, not a smile in the house.
The plusses were this, the sound person Casandra was nice, the sound quality was actually pretty good, and the Screwdrivers were good (the band, not the drink, I was conserving my king's-ransom-costing water, sipping gingerly.)
We played our half hour show to hardly anyone and then we got off the stage. Max and Brian took off immediately and Tony and I stayed behind to enjoy the Screwdrivers. There was another band before them that fit into the Webster Underground perfectly. I didn't really talk to any of the band members and I don't remember one thing about their music. However, their manager/promoter/lawyer was unforgettable. As the band played, she scampered around the room while badgering folks to sign their mailing list, talking up the band to everyone, explaining certain songs ("during this song, everytime the singer says "sorry" you are supposed to do a shot), dancing and cheering. She was a beacon of enthusiasm and a chapter straight out of a "so-you-want-to-promote-a-band" pamphlet, which was wonderful, I wish I had that much energy...ever. But, in the long run she upstaged the band, it really should have been her on the stage, I bet she would be perfect as a performer.
The Screwdrivers played a nice set of musical music. They have some really good songs and each time I see them their arrangements get a little bit tighter and wilder. At one point, during a psychedelic freakout, they broke into Omnivore for a few bars. Pretty funny. As soon as they were done, Tony and I grabbed our stuff and got-the-hell-out-of-there.
Pay to play this, Webster. We won't be returning to that pit of despair any time soon.
It's a sad state of affairs and it's really nobody's fault other than the bands. Of course, coming from out-of-town we had no idea what to expect of the Webster Underground. Although, Jason of the Heros did let out a little harumph when I mentioned playing there.
The Webster Underground is the exact opposite of the Space. The Space has a supportive and inspiring atmosphere while The Underground lives only to beat you down.
Located in a depressing neighborhood of boarded up buildings and honking cars, at first the Webster shines like an oasis, and perhaps for the national acts that play in the theatre proper it serves as one also. The connected smaller club known as the Underground, however, opitimizes everything that leaves a bad taste in my mouth in the rock world.
Stale beer smell, old smoke, black walls, ripped apart furniture, angry owner, loud angry music, no sign of any imagination or inspiration, a few beer signs on the wall, a pool table too close to the walls to play, restrooms with open doors, and the little bottles of spring water cost $2.50, not a smile in the house.
The plusses were this, the sound person Casandra was nice, the sound quality was actually pretty good, and the Screwdrivers were good (the band, not the drink, I was conserving my king's-ransom-costing water, sipping gingerly.)
We played our half hour show to hardly anyone and then we got off the stage. Max and Brian took off immediately and Tony and I stayed behind to enjoy the Screwdrivers. There was another band before them that fit into the Webster Underground perfectly. I didn't really talk to any of the band members and I don't remember one thing about their music. However, their manager/promoter/lawyer was unforgettable. As the band played, she scampered around the room while badgering folks to sign their mailing list, talking up the band to everyone, explaining certain songs ("during this song, everytime the singer says "sorry" you are supposed to do a shot), dancing and cheering. She was a beacon of enthusiasm and a chapter straight out of a "so-you-want-to-promote-a-band" pamphlet, which was wonderful, I wish I had that much energy...ever. But, in the long run she upstaged the band, it really should have been her on the stage, I bet she would be perfect as a performer.
The Screwdrivers played a nice set of musical music. They have some really good songs and each time I see them their arrangements get a little bit tighter and wilder. At one point, during a psychedelic freakout, they broke into Omnivore for a few bars. Pretty funny. As soon as they were done, Tony and I grabbed our stuff and got-the-hell-out-of-there.
Pay to play this, Webster. We won't be returning to that pit of despair any time soon.
Saturday, July 19, 2003
more rock ephemera:
--hey, what was up with the old singer from Ride playing a free show in Brattleboro a couple weeks back? I remember in late 1990 or early 91 standing in line at the Newbury Comics in Cambridge to get autographs from Ride and Lush, who were doing a package tour. I had it inscribed to my band at the time, The Mean Wyoming. I wonder who has it now? It probably became toilet paper or a USA today sometime in '94.
--nice photo of Collingwood rocking in the New Rolling Stone, wearing a Mass Moca t-shirt. Live review.
--hey, what was up with the old singer from Ride playing a free show in Brattleboro a couple weeks back? I remember in late 1990 or early 91 standing in line at the Newbury Comics in Cambridge to get autographs from Ride and Lush, who were doing a package tour. I had it inscribed to my band at the time, The Mean Wyoming. I wonder who has it now? It probably became toilet paper or a USA today sometime in '94.
--nice photo of Collingwood rocking in the New Rolling Stone, wearing a Mass Moca t-shirt. Live review.
The new Clientele album is out. Does anyone else like them? They sound like the first Bee Gees album melded with the third Velvet Underground album. The sound of walking in a rainy dream through London is another way to describe them (at their best).
I remember turning Ken on to them, outside the Baystate. I said "best band I've heard in 5 years!". So, I was setting him up to be disappointed, which I think he was. But he came around. Does Ken like the new one? I think it's not as good as the first, but give it time.
I just came back from working the door at Kim Zombik's jazz show at Harry's. Oh, if I could just hear bossa nova with flute solos and nice female vocals the rest of my life, it wouldn't be so bad.
Bust because of this I missed the Span-it 4 Htchkng cho at Eegull's Klup. I'm sorry for this. Gotta earn a buck.
I remember turning Ken on to them, outside the Baystate. I said "best band I've heard in 5 years!". So, I was setting him up to be disappointed, which I think he was. But he came around. Does Ken like the new one? I think it's not as good as the first, but give it time.
I just came back from working the door at Kim Zombik's jazz show at Harry's. Oh, if I could just hear bossa nova with flute solos and nice female vocals the rest of my life, it wouldn't be so bad.
Bust because of this I missed the Span-it 4 Htchkng cho at Eegull's Klup. I'm sorry for this. Gotta earn a buck.
Friday, July 18, 2003
Don't forget, we have our big show in Hartford tomorrow night at the Webster Underground with the Screwdrivers, The Means and Evil Jake.
Also, even though I am on vacation, I added a gig diary for our show at the Space. It includes pictures and my entry which was not posted on the Rockumentary and can be read only on the gig diary. Enjoy.
Also, even though I am on vacation, I added a gig diary for our show at the Space. It includes pictures and my entry which was not posted on the Rockumentary and can be read only on the gig diary. Enjoy.
Thursday, July 17, 2003
Tuesday, July 15, 2003
I must admit that I was one of those dreading the turnout of the Iron Horse show. And I was very pleasantly surprised. Usually on Monday night we're together, tired from work, practicing. But here we were, hanging downstairs, having a great time, with friends and well wishers. I was psyched to play.
There was a lot of energy. I bought (oh yes I did) Led Zeppelin's "DVD", the 2 DVD set of 69-79 live stuff. The influence of that seeped through, as I just had the urge to hit hard and with authority. And we all sang and shone musically in places.
After, I went to Harry's and soon, I was playing drums again. Kevin was playin gguitar and Connolly Ryan was doing his crazy thing. It was basically 35 minutes of improv. We played after Plum Crane. Josh Crane's sister. She had a very sexy, Juliana Hatfield but cooler stage presence. Her drummer had a Premier Drumset, tied down with rope. Yes, this is what Keith Moon did (same brand drums too). And this guy could do Moon perfectly. A fun and crazy way to cap things off.
There was a lot of energy. I bought (oh yes I did) Led Zeppelin's "DVD", the 2 DVD set of 69-79 live stuff. The influence of that seeped through, as I just had the urge to hit hard and with authority. And we all sang and shone musically in places.
After, I went to Harry's and soon, I was playing drums again. Kevin was playin gguitar and Connolly Ryan was doing his crazy thing. It was basically 35 minutes of improv. We played after Plum Crane. Josh Crane's sister. She had a very sexy, Juliana Hatfield but cooler stage presence. Her drummer had a Premier Drumset, tied down with rope. Yes, this is what Keith Moon did (same brand drums too). And this guy could do Moon perfectly. A fun and crazy way to cap things off.
Last night's dialogue between me and my Rogers 1966 4-piece kit.
B:great job again, you're the best.
R: (forlorn) Yeah.
B: what? what's the problem? A stellar show at the Iron Horse! Your champagne sparkle looked awesome under the lights! The kick drum was powerful!
R: well, yeah. YOU always tell me how great I am, but those other drummers, I hear them talking. They don't think I'm nearly as great as you think I am; they make me nervous and I always fall apart under the pressure and they get angry. I never fall apart for you, just the others. Perhaps you shouldn't lend me out anymore. Or perhaps you should go and buy a brand new 7 piece deep shell Pearl set. I don't know if you've noticed, but I'm OLD.
B: or perhaps I should just get off my lazy arse and try to find the couple parts that would make you good as new. But yeah, it does break my heart to hear about your falling apart when other drummers play you. I'll be visiting ebay soon. You are the best and I'll get a 7 piece Pearl kit when I get an SUV and a pro GW bumper sticker to go with it.
Hey: so, we have TWO recordings o flast night's show. Nate and Ed. I think it'll be fun to hear.
B:great job again, you're the best.
R: (forlorn) Yeah.
B: what? what's the problem? A stellar show at the Iron Horse! Your champagne sparkle looked awesome under the lights! The kick drum was powerful!
R: well, yeah. YOU always tell me how great I am, but those other drummers, I hear them talking. They don't think I'm nearly as great as you think I am; they make me nervous and I always fall apart under the pressure and they get angry. I never fall apart for you, just the others. Perhaps you shouldn't lend me out anymore. Or perhaps you should go and buy a brand new 7 piece deep shell Pearl set. I don't know if you've noticed, but I'm OLD.
B: or perhaps I should just get off my lazy arse and try to find the couple parts that would make you good as new. But yeah, it does break my heart to hear about your falling apart when other drummers play you. I'll be visiting ebay soon. You are the best and I'll get a 7 piece Pearl kit when I get an SUV and a pro GW bumper sticker to go with it.
Hey: so, we have TWO recordings o flast night's show. Nate and Ed. I think it'll be fun to hear.
Since Henning is on vacation this week, I bet he doesn't blog much. Ken is probably playing music with someone somewhere right now, Tony's slaving away in a dungeon, and Brian's driving books around the hills of Western Mass. This means the Rockumentary might be a bit quiet this week. That only means one thing: I have total control and you must all bow down to me now. So I propose the following changes in School For The Dead. Since nobody else is here to vote, my ideas immediately become law.
1. We shall become a Steve Miller tribute band and only play Geraldine's in Springfield.
2. Pants shall hereby be outlawed on stage. Dresses and skirts are approved; skorts and kilts are not.
3. Fans may no longer approach the band prior, during, or after the show. In special instances a special meet-and-greet may be arranged, at which band members will be referred to as "your majesty". Kneeling and asking for forgiveness is encouraged. Gifts are appreciated, and are, in fact, mandatory.
4. I am switching from bass to oboe and will require at least one solo per song.
5. We shall dismantle this website and switch to a push-pin bulletin board, to be set up on Henning's lawn. Everyone knows the so-called "internet" will be obsolete in a few years. Let's be the first on our block to jump into the 21st century!
Thank you for your cooperation.
P.S. - since Brian is now online, he may vote. But his vote will only count if it is a 'yay'.
1. We shall become a Steve Miller tribute band and only play Geraldine's in Springfield.
2. Pants shall hereby be outlawed on stage. Dresses and skirts are approved; skorts and kilts are not.
3. Fans may no longer approach the band prior, during, or after the show. In special instances a special meet-and-greet may be arranged, at which band members will be referred to as "your majesty". Kneeling and asking for forgiveness is encouraged. Gifts are appreciated, and are, in fact, mandatory.
4. I am switching from bass to oboe and will require at least one solo per song.
5. We shall dismantle this website and switch to a push-pin bulletin board, to be set up on Henning's lawn. Everyone knows the so-called "internet" will be obsolete in a few years. Let's be the first on our block to jump into the 21st century!
Thank you for your cooperation.
P.S. - since Brian is now online, he may vote. But his vote will only count if it is a 'yay'.
Oy! I just wrote a fab report of last night, whichincluded a dialogue between my drums and me, as well as a report o fmy exciting post-show activities. I'm at work now, so it'll hafta wait.
In the meantime, rememebr these two things:
there's a Mark Mulcahy show at the Unmi Listening Room next Monday that you should try to go to, and get there early.
In related news, there's a Pete and Pete marathon on Noggin, the weekend after next. Mulcahy's in the opening credits playing the theme song.
In the meantime, rememebr these two things:
there's a Mark Mulcahy show at the Unmi Listening Room next Monday that you should try to go to, and get there early.
In related news, there's a Pete and Pete marathon on Noggin, the weekend after next. Mulcahy's in the opening credits playing the theme song.
I think some of the band, myself included, were kind of dreading last night's Iron Horse show. With only two weeks to promote it, a relatively high ticket, and a Monday night we feared playing to a big empty Horse. Thankfully, Pictures of Animals brought a nice large crowd who generally stuck around for three sets of unfamiliar music. Maybe the glue we spread over the chairs worked after all. In any case, Pictures of Animals pulled off an energetic, tight set of edgy melodic pop. Their bassist Adam and I shared the stage a few weeks ago when his other band the Smokejumpers played with Spanish For Hitchhiking. I look forward to joining Pictures of Animals at Pearl Street in a few weeks for the Madonna tribute (with the Fawns).
There was some confusion earlier in the evening, when, by chance, Caleb from the Mitchells arrived 'early' in preparation for their 9:15 set. Except Schooly D had been given the last spot and Henning was worried that some fans might miss our set if we switched. As two Mitchells were coming from Boston and Connecticut, nerves were frazzled and a fist fight broke out between Henning and Caleb in broad daylight. Luckily, our strongman Tony jumped into the fray and pulled the men apart. That black eye and busted lip Tony was dressed up in last night? As he diplomatically stated, "just part of the job". I think he was feeling better after the woman in the nurse outfit and fishnet stockings treated his wounds, downstairs in the green room. You gotta hand it to the Iron Horse: while the headliners weren't served any dinner and there was no free beer in our rider, at least their house nurse was cute.
During the Mitchells' set, a crack opened in the Iron Horse ceiling and a light fell down from the heavens on Caleb's bobbing head. Then a big booming voice said, "Caleb, it's me... Ian Curtis. I just wanted to say you're doing a damn fine job". The Mitchells set was angular but melodic, feisty and loud. I was very impressed with the newer material and need to follow Dennis Crommett's advice and get the new album today. Dennis has been raving about it for many months.
I had fun during our set, but felt as though I was watching a train wreck in my own hands. Lots of mistakes, flubs, lemons, guffaws, stinkers... You can dock my pay, Henning. Our encore of V66 was a case study in why a band should rehearse. Ok, why I should rehearse. Anyway, thanks to all who made it out. You are all peaches. And cream.
There was some confusion earlier in the evening, when, by chance, Caleb from the Mitchells arrived 'early' in preparation for their 9:15 set. Except Schooly D had been given the last spot and Henning was worried that some fans might miss our set if we switched. As two Mitchells were coming from Boston and Connecticut, nerves were frazzled and a fist fight broke out between Henning and Caleb in broad daylight. Luckily, our strongman Tony jumped into the fray and pulled the men apart. That black eye and busted lip Tony was dressed up in last night? As he diplomatically stated, "just part of the job". I think he was feeling better after the woman in the nurse outfit and fishnet stockings treated his wounds, downstairs in the green room. You gotta hand it to the Iron Horse: while the headliners weren't served any dinner and there was no free beer in our rider, at least their house nurse was cute.
During the Mitchells' set, a crack opened in the Iron Horse ceiling and a light fell down from the heavens on Caleb's bobbing head. Then a big booming voice said, "Caleb, it's me... Ian Curtis. I just wanted to say you're doing a damn fine job". The Mitchells set was angular but melodic, feisty and loud. I was very impressed with the newer material and need to follow Dennis Crommett's advice and get the new album today. Dennis has been raving about it for many months.
I had fun during our set, but felt as though I was watching a train wreck in my own hands. Lots of mistakes, flubs, lemons, guffaws, stinkers... You can dock my pay, Henning. Our encore of V66 was a case study in why a band should rehearse. Ok, why I should rehearse. Anyway, thanks to all who made it out. You are all peaches. And cream.
Monday, July 14, 2003
So who's going to the big Iron Horse show tonight? Raise your hands. Now put them down. Now raise them again. Up down up down up down. This is what we call School For The Dead Pilates.
Henning, Lisa, Anya and I went to the Fountains Of Wayne show at the Paradise in Boston last night. It was my fourth FOW band show, and what a show... Let me just say that:
FOUNTAINS OF WAYNE ARE THE BEST LIVE POP BAND IN THE WORLD TODAY.
We had interesting vantage point, in the 'balcony' (or top floor) on the far side. Arriving late, we didn't have a lot of options. Henning and Lisa had staked out the sweet spot on the same floor as us, but being some of our taller friends we decided not to stand behind them. Our almost-behind-the-band perch gave us an interesting view of both the band and the happy audience. It was refreshing to see such a large crowd (sold-out!) for our FOW boys, and exciting to hear lots of people singing along to the new songs. Heck, I even liked "Stacy's Mom" last night. Chris wore a Phish shirt and had a stuffed baboon around his mic (named Vidal Baboon). Lots of people let out a whoooo when he sang 'meet me at the Baystate tonight' (during "Valley Winter Song"), which led me to guess there were a fair number of Noho residents in attendance. We left right after, opting out of some post-show tour bus festivities, so maybe Henning will fill in the gaps on what went on later. I heard a rumor about a live shark being on board.
Henning, Lisa, Anya and I went to the Fountains Of Wayne show at the Paradise in Boston last night. It was my fourth FOW band show, and what a show... Let me just say that:
FOUNTAINS OF WAYNE ARE THE BEST LIVE POP BAND IN THE WORLD TODAY.
We had interesting vantage point, in the 'balcony' (or top floor) on the far side. Arriving late, we didn't have a lot of options. Henning and Lisa had staked out the sweet spot on the same floor as us, but being some of our taller friends we decided not to stand behind them. Our almost-behind-the-band perch gave us an interesting view of both the band and the happy audience. It was refreshing to see such a large crowd (sold-out!) for our FOW boys, and exciting to hear lots of people singing along to the new songs. Heck, I even liked "Stacy's Mom" last night. Chris wore a Phish shirt and had a stuffed baboon around his mic (named Vidal Baboon). Lots of people let out a whoooo when he sang 'meet me at the Baystate tonight' (during "Valley Winter Song"), which led me to guess there were a fair number of Noho residents in attendance. We left right after, opting out of some post-show tour bus festivities, so maybe Henning will fill in the gaps on what went on later. I heard a rumor about a live shark being on board.
Friday, July 11, 2003
That's the thing folks, I hate this crap, but I want to remind anyone that if they want to get tickets for the big exciting Iron Horse show on Monday, they should please please please get the tickets from us. It's silly and what-not but we need to prove to them that people are paying to see US and that way they will book us for bigger and better shows. If you pick them up at the Box Office that's still great (we want you to be there more than anything else) they just don't know if you are coming to see one of the bands or all of the bands or just to get one of those awesome brownie sundaes.
So. I am going away on Saturday for the weekend (part of that involves going to see Fountains of Wayne at the Paradise in Boston on Sunday night.) but I will be around all day Friday and Saturday morning and some of the day Monday. If anybody wants a ticket please let me know, and I will hand deliver it if need be, or we can work out something where I have them there for you at the Iron Horse door and you can catch up to me later. Otherwise, please contact Max or Tony, they both have tickets and will get them to you somehow. Max@schoolforthedead.com. Tony@schoolforthedead.com. Thanks everyone, hope to see you soon.
So. I am going away on Saturday for the weekend (part of that involves going to see Fountains of Wayne at the Paradise in Boston on Sunday night.) but I will be around all day Friday and Saturday morning and some of the day Monday. If anybody wants a ticket please let me know, and I will hand deliver it if need be, or we can work out something where I have them there for you at the Iron Horse door and you can catch up to me later. Otherwise, please contact Max or Tony, they both have tickets and will get them to you somehow. Max@schoolforthedead.com. Tony@schoolforthedead.com. Thanks everyone, hope to see you soon.
Hello, it's me, Henning. Hi. I went down to see Cracker tonight with Lesa. It was crazy crowded and the streets were full of motorcycles and cups of beer. We ran into many friends, Ray Mason, Steve Walbridge, Steve (who's name I already forgot - he knows who he is), Steve from the Naomi Star, Josh from the PACE, George Lenker, and Timmy T. I sold five tickets while I was there. One of them, Ray Mason bought for his friend who has never seen us. Ray is an angel among men.
Thursday, July 10, 2003
Imaginary conversation between me and Max
Me: Max?! What brings you to this cashew and kiwi fruit convention 20 minutes outside of Omaha?
Max: well, it's because you're parodying my excellent 'fake conversation' idea.
Me: well, that's exactly what I wanted to talk to you about
Max: wow! ever see such a perfectly round Kiwi? This has gotta be from the southwest coast.
Me: Max! Listen to me now and we can later go to the "how many cahshews fit in your ears" contest. I think you oughta write a book, with like 25 fake conversations between you and famous people. It'd be HUGE!
Max: Great, holy saltiness! the Cashew Bikini contest is beginning!
Me: Max?! What brings you to this cashew and kiwi fruit convention 20 minutes outside of Omaha?
Max: well, it's because you're parodying my excellent 'fake conversation' idea.
Me: well, that's exactly what I wanted to talk to you about
Max: wow! ever see such a perfectly round Kiwi? This has gotta be from the southwest coast.
Me: Max! Listen to me now and we can later go to the "how many cahshews fit in your ears" contest. I think you oughta write a book, with like 25 fake conversations between you and famous people. It'd be HUGE!
Max: Great, holy saltiness! the Cashew Bikini contest is beginning!
I just talked to Chris down at The Space (I actually thought that I was talking to Steve and then I told him he should tell Chris something but it really was Chris!!! Isn't that the funniest thing you've ever heard?!?!? Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! HA ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! AWESOME!)
We are confirmed as a trio for the huge Mighty Purple, Eschellon show on August 22nd (the day after my birthday.) That's gonna be really cool, man. Dig?
We are confirmed as a trio for the huge Mighty Purple, Eschellon show on August 22nd (the day after my birthday.) That's gonna be really cool, man. Dig?
Wednesday, July 09, 2003
I just finished reading an open letter to Gene Simmons from his 'bosses', posted on Soundboard. In the same spirit, I give you my imaginary conversation with Gene Simmons.
M: Sorry to hear about your limo getting a flat, Mr. Simmons. And your driver running off into the woods. And your cell phone dying.
G: (eases seat back, utters fake snoring sounds). Hey kid, just give me a little time to catch up on my beauty sleep. Wake me when we get to Boston.
M: Actually, I can only take you as far as Springfield.
G: Do you know who I am?
M: You're Gene Simmons.
G: That's the king to you, kiddo. I could buy this state.
M: Oh.
G: I could buy the sun.
M: Neat.
G: So wake me when we get to Boston and I'll make it worth your while.
M: I can't. My wife's waiting for me.
G: Call her on your cell.
M: I don't have one.
G: What?!? Do you like living in a cave?
M: I get by just fine.
G: You should buy a KISS cell phone.
M: No thank you.
G: And you should buy KISS diapers, a KISS lunchbox, a KISS casket. We keep you outfitted from the cradle to the grave.
M: Uhh.
G: How about a KISS artificial hip?
M: Uhh. Hey, is there anything you haven't put your logo on?
G: Well, we're currently working on KISS clouds. You know, kids get bored of just seeing the white stuff in the sky. I won't die happy until I look up and see a KISS cloud.
M: That seems kind of impossible.
G: Nothing's impossible if you've got money. I had my tongue insured for a billion dollars (cackles).
M: Wow.
G: So let me guess. You probably work in fast food, get drunk on the weekends, like shooting squirrels.
M: Nope. I'm a designer and bassist.
G: (Sarcastically) Ooooh. How arty. I'm going to puke.
M: I'm coming home from a gig.
G: What's the name of your band? The Gay Interior Decorators?
M: School For The Dead.
G: (Pauses). That's not half bad.
M: Thank you.
G: Don't let it go to your head. So, there are only two questions to ask after a gig. Did you hook up with any hot women and did you hook up with any hot women?
M: No... and no.
G: You weren't doing your job.
M: I had fun, besides I'm happily married.
G: Don't give me that crap. Everyone knows why you play rock 'n roll. Someday you too will have the encyclopedia KISSantica of girls girls girls (sings "You gotta Uh! All Night Uh! Uh! Uh! Uh! Uh! Whooo!")
M: I kind of doubt it.
G: Than you should go back to painting daisies on the wall.
M: (Rolls eyes).
G: I saw that.
M: I like to play music for fun...
G: (Adopting Cartmen voice) I like to play music for fun...
M: Is it all about the money, women and drugs for you?
G: I've never done drugs. So yes, the money and the women.
M: What about playing bass?
G: The bass is like a battle axe! It can kill!!
M: Do you like playing it?
G: (Waves hands madly as though he's brandishing a sword). Off with your head!
M: Uh... So I guess it's not really about the music for you.
G: Oh sure, maybe when I was 10. But you out grow it, man, and realize music is just an road to bigger and better things. It's no different than the stock market.
M: Well, here's the cab station. This has been... interesting.
G: You got a napkin? I'll give you an autograph in leu of pay. It'll fetch a cool grand on ebay.
M: No thank you.
G: (Shouts) Rock 'n roll!!
M: (Quickly shuts door, turns on NPR).
M: Sorry to hear about your limo getting a flat, Mr. Simmons. And your driver running off into the woods. And your cell phone dying.
G: (eases seat back, utters fake snoring sounds). Hey kid, just give me a little time to catch up on my beauty sleep. Wake me when we get to Boston.
M: Actually, I can only take you as far as Springfield.
G: Do you know who I am?
M: You're Gene Simmons.
G: That's the king to you, kiddo. I could buy this state.
M: Oh.
G: I could buy the sun.
M: Neat.
G: So wake me when we get to Boston and I'll make it worth your while.
M: I can't. My wife's waiting for me.
G: Call her on your cell.
M: I don't have one.
G: What?!? Do you like living in a cave?
M: I get by just fine.
G: You should buy a KISS cell phone.
M: No thank you.
G: And you should buy KISS diapers, a KISS lunchbox, a KISS casket. We keep you outfitted from the cradle to the grave.
M: Uhh.
G: How about a KISS artificial hip?
M: Uhh. Hey, is there anything you haven't put your logo on?
G: Well, we're currently working on KISS clouds. You know, kids get bored of just seeing the white stuff in the sky. I won't die happy until I look up and see a KISS cloud.
M: That seems kind of impossible.
G: Nothing's impossible if you've got money. I had my tongue insured for a billion dollars (cackles).
M: Wow.
G: So let me guess. You probably work in fast food, get drunk on the weekends, like shooting squirrels.
M: Nope. I'm a designer and bassist.
G: (Sarcastically) Ooooh. How arty. I'm going to puke.
M: I'm coming home from a gig.
G: What's the name of your band? The Gay Interior Decorators?
M: School For The Dead.
G: (Pauses). That's not half bad.
M: Thank you.
G: Don't let it go to your head. So, there are only two questions to ask after a gig. Did you hook up with any hot women and did you hook up with any hot women?
M: No... and no.
G: You weren't doing your job.
M: I had fun, besides I'm happily married.
G: Don't give me that crap. Everyone knows why you play rock 'n roll. Someday you too will have the encyclopedia KISSantica of girls girls girls (sings "You gotta Uh! All Night Uh! Uh! Uh! Uh! Uh! Whooo!")
M: I kind of doubt it.
G: Than you should go back to painting daisies on the wall.
M: (Rolls eyes).
G: I saw that.
M: I like to play music for fun...
G: (Adopting Cartmen voice) I like to play music for fun...
M: Is it all about the money, women and drugs for you?
G: I've never done drugs. So yes, the money and the women.
M: What about playing bass?
G: The bass is like a battle axe! It can kill!!
M: Do you like playing it?
G: (Waves hands madly as though he's brandishing a sword). Off with your head!
M: Uh... So I guess it's not really about the music for you.
G: Oh sure, maybe when I was 10. But you out grow it, man, and realize music is just an road to bigger and better things. It's no different than the stock market.
M: Well, here's the cab station. This has been... interesting.
G: You got a napkin? I'll give you an autograph in leu of pay. It'll fetch a cool grand on ebay.
M: No thank you.
G: (Shouts) Rock 'n roll!!
M: (Quickly shuts door, turns on NPR).
Up to 7 possible ticket sales from my corner so far (zero confirmed, natch, but it looks promising).
August 22nd would be somewhat inconvenient for me since Shelly will be in Reno all that week and weekend but that's more than enough advance time to get a bebe-settee lined up so I could still do it. What about if it were just a duo, Henny and Toning? Would The Space still want us to do it if it's not a full band? That's the question, I guess. But I like the duo idea.
In other news, Hamring, I've mulled over ideas for The Parents album. And I've got a good idea on how to instrumentalizify some of the songs and also which tunes would remain only guitar and vocals but a few could go either way and of those, some may not need a full band necessarily but I'm not sure how to arrange them in any way. Have a listen, if you would, to Coolboy, I Wouldn't Know, and maybe Not If I Can Help It. Any ideas?
August 22nd would be somewhat inconvenient for me since Shelly will be in Reno all that week and weekend but that's more than enough advance time to get a bebe-settee lined up so I could still do it. What about if it were just a duo, Henny and Toning? Would The Space still want us to do it if it's not a full band? That's the question, I guess. But I like the duo idea.
In other news, Hamring, I've mulled over ideas for The Parents album. And I've got a good idea on how to instrumentalizify some of the songs and also which tunes would remain only guitar and vocals but a few could go either way and of those, some may not need a full band necessarily but I'm not sure how to arrange them in any way. Have a listen, if you would, to Coolboy, I Wouldn't Know, and maybe Not If I Can Help It. Any ideas?
I just had a nice visit from Rick DeVille. He stopped in at the Eye and bought four tickets for the Iron Horse show! All of Group DeVille is coming, very cool.
Congratulations on the new computer, Brian, welcome to the horrible horrible world of windows. Does your internet connection work better now?
Congratulations on the new computer, Brian, welcome to the horrible horrible world of windows. Does your internet connection work better now?
"Bought a computer
Set it up in the home
On the screen I saw the Holy Ghost.
Where's the cursor? Where's the eraser?
Where's the cursor, where's the eraser?
G.O.H.O.H.O.9.0, G.O.H.O.H.O.9.0
What's a computer?"
-Mark E. Smith (The Fall), "Eat Y'Self Fitter" 1983
"My home computer has me on the run"
-Andy Partridge, "Mayor of Simpleton"
Well, well. Actually, I have no horror stories like these eccentric Brits struggling with 80's technologies.
In fact, after getting home last night from the Space show, well first I paid a visit to the Brewery's outdoor bar where Kevin was tending, and got a couple measures in me.
Then I came home, and well, with 2 large boxes full of potential staring y ou in the face, could you sleep, even if you are very, very tired and a bit buzzed?
NO! OUT with the Mac, IN with the Dell, and by 3:30am, the changing of the guards was complete!
Report, yes, I will be away August 22, and I really did have a feling I had something going on and that's why I couldn't give a straight answer last night. Shame, really, since I loved the place!! I'm sure Ning will fill in all the blanks, and Ken already did some, but what great people, what a great vibe. The coolest thing in CT ever.
I say, do the show anyway, in some other way.
Set it up in the home
On the screen I saw the Holy Ghost.
Where's the cursor? Where's the eraser?
Where's the cursor, where's the eraser?
G.O.H.O.H.O.9.0, G.O.H.O.H.O.9.0
What's a computer?"
-Mark E. Smith (The Fall), "Eat Y'Self Fitter" 1983
"My home computer has me on the run"
-Andy Partridge, "Mayor of Simpleton"
Well, well. Actually, I have no horror stories like these eccentric Brits struggling with 80's technologies.
In fact, after getting home last night from the Space show, well first I paid a visit to the Brewery's outdoor bar where Kevin was tending, and got a couple measures in me.
Then I came home, and well, with 2 large boxes full of potential staring y ou in the face, could you sleep, even if you are very, very tired and a bit buzzed?
NO! OUT with the Mac, IN with the Dell, and by 3:30am, the changing of the guards was complete!
Report, yes, I will be away August 22, and I really did have a feling I had something going on and that's why I couldn't give a straight answer last night. Shame, really, since I loved the place!! I'm sure Ning will fill in all the blanks, and Ken already did some, but what great people, what a great vibe. The coolest thing in CT ever.
I say, do the show anyway, in some other way.
I can do the 22nd, but judging by the calendar, Brian will be in Virginia.
I agree with Ken, the Space was super cool. I'll go into more detail later, when I have time to do it justice. In the meantime, I have put up a bunch of posters in the new Gallery. It's incomplete at the moment, I still have more to upload, including a bunch of great Fawns posters, but it's a start. Enjoy. Gallery
Here's a hint, if anybody want to download somethning from the Gallery in the hopes of printing it out, make sure you download the really big version. Click on the thumbnail to open the big version THEN click on the big version and the really big version will load. It'll take a little while. Then download THAT version for printing. Also, for you photography nuts, when the huge version is open, you can click on Photo Properties and learn things like shutter speeds and aperture settings. Hello.
I agree with Ken, the Space was super cool. I'll go into more detail later, when I have time to do it justice. In the meantime, I have put up a bunch of posters in the new Gallery. It's incomplete at the moment, I still have more to upload, including a bunch of great Fawns posters, but it's a start. Enjoy. Gallery
Here's a hint, if anybody want to download somethning from the Gallery in the hopes of printing it out, make sure you download the really big version. Click on the thumbnail to open the big version THEN click on the big version and the really big version will load. It'll take a little while. Then download THAT version for printing. Also, for you photography nuts, when the huge version is open, you can click on Photo Properties and learn things like shutter speeds and aperture settings. Hello.
Tuesday, July 08, 2003
Bob Dylan at the Pines is 75 bucks. The times they are a changin'.
Last night was the first night of the new Listening Room series in Northampton. I would say, overall, it was a great success. Some might think there is something pretentious about a venue that has no visible signs, tucked away beneath an art gallery in Northampton. But anyone who thinks that is just silly.
I never made it out to eat at Unmi (the restaurant that used to occupy this space), we tried one time and it was closed, so the whole room was brand new to me. It's really cool. The retro modern light fixtures and circular windows are all orange as are the tables. Bamboo, lines the poles and one wall. It's very soothing, like you are in a Lego house.
The room was sold-out last night and it was pretty crowded, but for the most part, the audience really was quiet. There were a couple of loudmouths out in the other room, they didn't actual interfere at all, but the fear that were a suggestion of things to come was palpable in the listening room.
Matt Hebert opened the show and it was the best I have ever seen him. Because he wasn't competeing with crowd noise, his songs were way more dynamic and moving. The guitar sounded perfect. (Dan Richardson did an excellent job in creating a very natural sound for the whole evening.) Matt was joined on one song by Matt Cullen and it was the highlight of his set (his earlier cover of the Replacements "Skyway" was not the highlight as he might have felt. It was good but his own songs were even more enjoyable.)
Lo Fine played after a short breather. They were one member short but I don't think it really was a big deal. I missed some of Mark's guitar parts but there was also a lot of nice room in the arrangements this way which fit in well with the quiet listening environment. Half way through Lo Fine's set the room became a little overwhelmingly hot (It was a very hot night and all the people inside were too much for the AC to handle I think) and looking around the room, I could see a lot of glazed looks. But, I saw even more people relaxing and enjoying some excellent music.
Hooray for Unmi and Matt Hebert for putting together a wonderful venue that accentuates music rather than beer. I hope it can last. I'd love to play for a crowd like that and I'm looking forward to seeing more shows there. In two weeks it's Miranda Brown and Mark Mulcahey. Next week, they don't have a show there, which is perfect because then everybody can come see us play at the Iron Horse, wink wink.
Last night was the first night of the new Listening Room series in Northampton. I would say, overall, it was a great success. Some might think there is something pretentious about a venue that has no visible signs, tucked away beneath an art gallery in Northampton. But anyone who thinks that is just silly.
I never made it out to eat at Unmi (the restaurant that used to occupy this space), we tried one time and it was closed, so the whole room was brand new to me. It's really cool. The retro modern light fixtures and circular windows are all orange as are the tables. Bamboo, lines the poles and one wall. It's very soothing, like you are in a Lego house.
The room was sold-out last night and it was pretty crowded, but for the most part, the audience really was quiet. There were a couple of loudmouths out in the other room, they didn't actual interfere at all, but the fear that were a suggestion of things to come was palpable in the listening room.
Matt Hebert opened the show and it was the best I have ever seen him. Because he wasn't competeing with crowd noise, his songs were way more dynamic and moving. The guitar sounded perfect. (Dan Richardson did an excellent job in creating a very natural sound for the whole evening.) Matt was joined on one song by Matt Cullen and it was the highlight of his set (his earlier cover of the Replacements "Skyway" was not the highlight as he might have felt. It was good but his own songs were even more enjoyable.)
Lo Fine played after a short breather. They were one member short but I don't think it really was a big deal. I missed some of Mark's guitar parts but there was also a lot of nice room in the arrangements this way which fit in well with the quiet listening environment. Half way through Lo Fine's set the room became a little overwhelmingly hot (It was a very hot night and all the people inside were too much for the AC to handle I think) and looking around the room, I could see a lot of glazed looks. But, I saw even more people relaxing and enjoying some excellent music.
Hooray for Unmi and Matt Hebert for putting together a wonderful venue that accentuates music rather than beer. I hope it can last. I'd love to play for a crowd like that and I'm looking forward to seeing more shows there. In two weeks it's Miranda Brown and Mark Mulcahey. Next week, they don't have a show there, which is perfect because then everybody can come see us play at the Iron Horse, wink wink.
Monday, July 07, 2003
The last couple weeks:
So, first there was jetlag, then the computer breaks, then I catch a cold. And I haven't had a day off from one job or another in 2 strtaight weeks. Jetlag is way over, the cold is cured and by mid week, I should have my new Dell. And a day off. Sorry, Mac folks--my budget dictated I take advantage of Dell's crazy deals. I too thought I'd be Mac to the end.
Anyone going to see Dylan? I'm a gonna try. Andrea's in town that week and it'd be a cool thing to take her to. Well, it's not a SFTD show, but..
So, first there was jetlag, then the computer breaks, then I catch a cold. And I haven't had a day off from one job or another in 2 strtaight weeks. Jetlag is way over, the cold is cured and by mid week, I should have my new Dell. And a day off. Sorry, Mac folks--my budget dictated I take advantage of Dell's crazy deals. I too thought I'd be Mac to the end.
Anyone going to see Dylan? I'm a gonna try. Andrea's in town that week and it'd be a cool thing to take her to. Well, it's not a SFTD show, but..
I've been trying to find a good way to put my pictures up on the internet for folks to see. Dan came through again. So far I have just uploaded 30. I recommend the slideshow but also if you view each pictrue seperately you can read the description AND leave your own comments. There is also a way to have the pictures printed, which I haven't tried yet. Let me know if you printed any, just cause I think it would be cool, also I'd like to hear how they came out.
Enjoy: Photos
Enjoy: Photos
Hmmm. Sometime in the cover of night, somebody was out covering the town with posters. I'm not saying it was me and I'm not saying that it wasn't. I'm just saying that it happened. The posters look like black and yellow versions of this: Poster
Saturday, July 05, 2003
For me the calendar year is a rectangle with uneven, slightly rounded corners. June, July and August are like a slightly rounded horizon that bends around for September, with the months leading to Christmas on another arc that's now at a 90 degree angle to the summer months. December on its own is on the opposite side of the summer months (maybe it gets an angle all to itself because that's when my birthday is?) and then January through May are all on one side of their arc, with May slightly bending towards June. What the hell is that all about? There are colors too by the way. Unfortunately, they're colored by those stupid traditional holidays: February is pink (Valentine's), March is green (St. Patrick's), Thanksgiving is "pilgrim" brown, etc. ...
I just realized something. Rooms are set up clock-wise starting at the entrance way, for me. Meaning when I walk into a room, the spacial organization unit in my brain categorizes what I see in that order;-the things to my immediate left are first and the flow continues in a clock-wise direction until it returns to my feet. Does that make sense?
Some people think of a year as a circle sitting horizontally, some think of a year cycle as a circle sitting vertically (like a wall clock), some people think of a year as a line, some people probably associate no shape with a year, and others find different shapes. For me it is the first choice, the horizontal circle, like looking down at a round table with the months sectioned off. The current month is where I am standing and the next month is to my left.
Years and rooms, I'm a clockwise kind of guy I guess.
Some people think of a year as a circle sitting horizontally, some think of a year cycle as a circle sitting vertically (like a wall clock), some people think of a year as a line, some people probably associate no shape with a year, and others find different shapes. For me it is the first choice, the horizontal circle, like looking down at a round table with the months sectioned off. The current month is where I am standing and the next month is to my left.
Years and rooms, I'm a clockwise kind of guy I guess.
Here are some more responses to my post, about what we should play at Transperformance, on the official Tom Petty Messageboard.
Echo from Maryland writes:
"I agree, Free Fallin is a "must do". My youngest daughter was hooked by Petty with this song at the age of 10. ( she loved the part about being a good girl and loving horses and her momma). It was also the song my oldest daughter first took notice of Petty, she was about 16 at the time. Even my 73 year old mother loves this song. lol So, if ya are trying to please "all" ages, than by all means, include Free Fallin.
Good luck and let us know how it goes!!"
Dinali Says:
.....i would think that, given the audience you mentioned, you could consider 'won't back down.'
of course, i am biased, as we raised our daughter on this ..... and it still matters to her 14 years after we took her to her first petty show to hear it at age 5.
And Jackie from Jacksonville, FL relates that:
Echo, "Free Fallin'" was the one that got me hooked too when I was little because I related to being a good girl, the horses, and loving my momma. Then when I was 16 I liked the part about the bad boys standing in the shadows and the good girls home with broken hearts because it's true man! Now I'm 20 and it's still one of my favorites, so include it!
Echo from Maryland writes:
"I agree, Free Fallin is a "must do". My youngest daughter was hooked by Petty with this song at the age of 10. ( she loved the part about being a good girl and loving horses and her momma). It was also the song my oldest daughter first took notice of Petty, she was about 16 at the time. Even my 73 year old mother loves this song. lol So, if ya are trying to please "all" ages, than by all means, include Free Fallin.
Good luck and let us know how it goes!!"
Dinali Says:
.....i would think that, given the audience you mentioned, you could consider 'won't back down.'
of course, i am biased, as we raised our daughter on this ..... and it still matters to her 14 years after we took her to her first petty show to hear it at age 5.
And Jackie from Jacksonville, FL relates that:
Echo, "Free Fallin'" was the one that got me hooked too when I was little because I related to being a good girl, the horses, and loving my momma. Then when I was 16 I liked the part about the bad boys standing in the shadows and the good girls home with broken hearts because it's true man! Now I'm 20 and it's still one of my favorites, so include it!
Thursday, July 03, 2003
Eye On Northampton: A few weeks ago it was the 5 baby squirrels. Today a human mother and daughter are out there with 5 doggy puppies. They set up a little cage and put the puppies in it, the mom and dad dogs are sitting quietly nearby as pedestrian after pedestrian walks over and plays with the puppies. Want one? A thousand bucks each.
Some initial responses to my post at tompetty.com:
itsemmie says:
"WOW! Wish I could see this.
A great number to do would be "Don't Come Around Here No More"...you could dress up like the mad hatter.......you know big top hat...funky sunglasses the works......."
Patty Petty from New Jersey says:
"Wear a top hat and dark, round sunglasses.. as far as songs... definitely "Don't Come Around Here No More." And what else... hmmmmmmm... "Here Comes My Girl," and "Free Fallin'." (Free Fallin' wouldn't really be the one I'd wanna hear, but it's a crowd pleaser and I think EVERYone knows of that song.. as do they with "Don't Come Around Here No More.") So there ya go, there's my .02"
Roxanne from Bayside, NY says:
"The "Don't Come Around Here No More" is a great idea. Also...........hey...how about BREAKDOWN..you know the version where Tom goes all spastic and twitchy and snarly lol."
itsemmie says:
"WOW! Wish I could see this.
A great number to do would be "Don't Come Around Here No More"...you could dress up like the mad hatter.......you know big top hat...funky sunglasses the works......."
Patty Petty from New Jersey says:
"Wear a top hat and dark, round sunglasses.. as far as songs... definitely "Don't Come Around Here No More." And what else... hmmmmmmm... "Here Comes My Girl," and "Free Fallin'." (Free Fallin' wouldn't really be the one I'd wanna hear, but it's a crowd pleaser and I think EVERYone knows of that song.. as do they with "Don't Come Around Here No More.") So there ya go, there's my .02"
Roxanne from Bayside, NY says:
"The "Don't Come Around Here No More" is a great idea. Also...........hey...how about BREAKDOWN..you know the version where Tom goes all spastic and twitchy and snarly lol."
Nice open mic last night featring performances by Rick Murnane (Group DeVille), Caleb Wetherbee (Ragtime Guitar), Patty (A Capella Star Spangled Banner and originals), Morgan (CD Drum tracks, Electric Guitar), Shawn Germaine (Acoustic), Steve (Ukelele), and Timmy T (Acoustic).
At Open Mic, Greg from Pictures Of Animals gave me some hand bills that they had made to promote the Iron Horse show. It's only a week and a half a way and I have 40 tickets burning a whole in my pocket. Actually that's 39 tickets.
Unrelatedly, I posted on the TomPetty.com messsage board and asked for advice on "becoming" Tom for Transperformance.
This evening, I am mailing out a Chain CD package to Ric Ocasek, thanks to a tip from Rick Murnane. Wha?!?!?
At Open Mic, Greg from Pictures Of Animals gave me some hand bills that they had made to promote the Iron Horse show. It's only a week and a half a way and I have 40 tickets burning a whole in my pocket. Actually that's 39 tickets.
Unrelatedly, I posted on the TomPetty.com messsage board and asked for advice on "becoming" Tom for Transperformance.
This evening, I am mailing out a Chain CD package to Ric Ocasek, thanks to a tip from Rick Murnane. Wha?!?!?
Wednesday, July 02, 2003
So far I have performed in Transperformance as:
Stevie Wonder - The Maggies
The Talking Heads - The Maggies
Burt Bacharach - The Maggies
Nelly Furtado - Ben Demerath
William Shatner's alien attacker - w/Dennis Crommett
Neil Young and Crazy Horse - Philip Price w/Spanish For Hitchhiking
I may be forgetting someone.
Stevie Wonder - The Maggies
The Talking Heads - The Maggies
Burt Bacharach - The Maggies
Nelly Furtado - Ben Demerath
William Shatner's alien attacker - w/Dennis Crommett
Neil Young and Crazy Horse - Philip Price w/Spanish For Hitchhiking
I may be forgetting someone.
The waiting was the hardest part but it's official now. School for the Dead will be performing as Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers this year at Transperformance at the Pines Theater in Look Park , Northampton!
What's Transperformance? You might be wondering.
Transperformance is an event put on each year by the Northampton Center For The Arts. It's a fund raising concert in which dozens of local and regional performers "transperform" into other more famous acts. This year the theme is Southern Fried Rock and we get to be Petty. It takes place in a large outdoor theater with excellent lights and sound on a warm August night (the 26th) and the crowd is a very mixed group of folks. Little kids run around up front, older people sit in lawns chairs, hipsters sneak in coolers. It's a great wonderful thing and gives performers a chance to experience a large stage and perform for hundreds to thousands of people.
In the past I have been involved in the following acts:
Aloha Steamtrain as: Englebert Humperdink, The Beatles, The Doors, Iggy Pop and the Stooges, and The Guess Who.
The Gay Potatoes with Lloyd Cole as Lloyd Cole and the Commotions
Keyboard with the Figments as The Velvet Underground
This will be my 5th year, but my first year singing, and really playing a part.
Which Tom Petty songs do you folks at home think we should do? Decorate Your Own Rockumentary with your suggestions
What's Transperformance? You might be wondering.
Transperformance is an event put on each year by the Northampton Center For The Arts. It's a fund raising concert in which dozens of local and regional performers "transperform" into other more famous acts. This year the theme is Southern Fried Rock and we get to be Petty. It takes place in a large outdoor theater with excellent lights and sound on a warm August night (the 26th) and the crowd is a very mixed group of folks. Little kids run around up front, older people sit in lawns chairs, hipsters sneak in coolers. It's a great wonderful thing and gives performers a chance to experience a large stage and perform for hundreds to thousands of people.
In the past I have been involved in the following acts:
Aloha Steamtrain as: Englebert Humperdink, The Beatles, The Doors, Iggy Pop and the Stooges, and The Guess Who.
The Gay Potatoes with Lloyd Cole as Lloyd Cole and the Commotions
Keyboard with the Figments as The Velvet Underground
This will be my 5th year, but my first year singing, and really playing a part.
Which Tom Petty songs do you folks at home think we should do? Decorate Your Own Rockumentary with your suggestions
Tuesday, July 01, 2003
Max, I changed it mostly because the other version was too much of a pain to work with. I couldn't figure out how to make the links on the left hand side not keep stretching way down below the page and it was making me nuts. Each time I updated a page it was too tough to make it not look stupid. I was thinking it should be changed again, though. It still looks pretty J.V.
I thought I had changed all the Rockumentary Links but I guess I missed the photos one, is that what you meant, because I think all the others went to the new pages. Anyway, I fixed it now. Thanks.
I thought I had changed all the Rockumentary Links but I guess I missed the photos one, is that what you meant, because I think all the others went to the new pages. Anyway, I fixed it now. Thanks.
Henning, I realize this question is a few months late. Why did you change the look of the website? The current front page appeals to me in its simplicity but I wish the links from the Living Rockumentary matched everything else (they revert to the old School look). Overall, the site is pleasing to me.
By the way, because you changed everything without asking me, I quit the band.
By the way, because you changed everything without asking me, I quit the band.
William H Macy.Now there's a guy I'd like to meet.
So, Ken may disagree, but I think I really, really dig the new Lilys record. It reminds me of Echo and the Bunnymen or Julian Cope.
Too, I like "Hackensack" (sp?) by FOW. It was on softly while I was working and my first thought was "new Pernice Bros?". Which I suppose means that the FOW song is unusually lush, or that Pernice has trained us to expect pop from him,or something in the middle.
So, Ken may disagree, but I think I really, really dig the new Lilys record. It reminds me of Echo and the Bunnymen or Julian Cope.
Too, I like "Hackensack" (sp?) by FOW. It was on softly while I was working and my first thought was "new Pernice Bros?". Which I suppose means that the FOW song is unusually lush, or that Pernice has trained us to expect pop from him,or something in the middle.
Hello,
I just wanted to post to prove I'm still alive, but just w/out a functioning home computer. By next week, I will be back to normal, if all goes as planned.
In Sweden, I heard "Summer Wine" by Lee Hazelwood and Nancy Sinatra sandwiched between all the regular Euro dance pop. I realized that Hazlewood lives, or lived in Stockholm,where he's someehat of a hero.
I have a song on my album, "Follow", which is a psychedelic country duet with Lesa Bezo, in the style of Lee and nancy (sorta).
I just wanted to post to prove I'm still alive, but just w/out a functioning home computer. By next week, I will be back to normal, if all goes as planned.
In Sweden, I heard "Summer Wine" by Lee Hazelwood and Nancy Sinatra sandwiched between all the regular Euro dance pop. I realized that Hazlewood lives, or lived in Stockholm,where he's someehat of a hero.
I have a song on my album, "Follow", which is a psychedelic country duet with Lesa Bezo, in the style of Lee and nancy (sorta).
Today, later, I am going down to the Northampton Box Office to pick up 40 tickets for our upcoming Iron Horse Show. We need to figure out a way to sell them. It's an all ages show, which is a bonus. But we need to figure out how to get the word out. I've contacted two local radio stations about doing in studio performances, and I've written to one newspaper about it so far.
If anybody has any ideas, please don't hold back. Anything at all.
If anybody out there playing along at home would like to get some tickets please send me an email at henning@schoolforthedead.com and I'll get them to you. I might try and set up a way to order them through Pay Pal on line, too. The Iron Horse is taking a chance on local music again, maybe we can make it worthwhile.
If anybody has any ideas, please don't hold back. Anything at all.
If anybody out there playing along at home would like to get some tickets please send me an email at henning@schoolforthedead.com and I'll get them to you. I might try and set up a way to order them through Pay Pal on line, too. The Iron Horse is taking a chance on local music again, maybe we can make it worthwhile.
Good productive practice tonight. Secret.
I've been doing some stuff this evening.
Sent out three chain cds.
Researched media contacts and the like.
Fixed the Fawns Smiling page on Rub Wrongways so that the MP3s work (thanks, Ari for pointing that out.)
Fixed the Fawns main page to promote our upcoming Madonna Tribute show.
Added the practice collage to our "pictures" page.
Fixed the Chain CD page by adding an explaination of what a Chain Cd is and introducing a new character, Yellow Cat.
Fixed the Introdution Page so that Louis and the dog look better.
AND added a link to a video Zeke Fiddler made of a nice performance of 1,000 Times at the Woodmont. That's on the "sounds" page of our site, check it out.
I've been doing some stuff this evening.
Sent out three chain cds.
Researched media contacts and the like.
Fixed the Fawns Smiling page on Rub Wrongways so that the MP3s work (thanks, Ari for pointing that out.)
Fixed the Fawns main page to promote our upcoming Madonna Tribute show.
Added the practice collage to our "pictures" page.
Fixed the Chain CD page by adding an explaination of what a Chain Cd is and introducing a new character, Yellow Cat.
Fixed the Introdution Page so that Louis and the dog look better.
AND added a link to a video Zeke Fiddler made of a nice performance of 1,000 Times at the Woodmont. That's on the "sounds" page of our site, check it out.
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