Thursday, April 29, 2010

The Secret Show - Rub Wrongways Caravan of Stars, Sunday.

Again, the following is lifted straight from www.bourgeoisheroes.com.  It's about a secret, tiny, and quiet show this Sunday.  To attend or for more details, please email Jason.

This Sunday the Rub Wrongways Caravan of Stars are playing a mellowish, byob, acoustic-eee, semi-secret show in Easthampton, MA.  It's going to start at 7pm, there will be cheese & crackers and there will be wine.  We have two wonderful opening acts scheduled:

You & Yourn



The Accident That Led Me to the World

If you would like to attend, please send me an RSVP via email: bourgeoisheroes@gmail.com.  Directions and other info will come your way.

-jason

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

The Last Bourgeois Residency Show

The following is copied directly from www.bourgeoisheroes.com.
Well, we've reached the end.  It's the last Bourgeois Residency at the Elevens.  It's been a pleasure to be able to host these interesting and weird nights for you all.  As Graham Chapman once said, "it's truly a real honorable experience to be here this evening, a very wonderful and emotional moment for all of us, and I'd like to sing a song for all.... of you..."   So, I've decided to finish things off with a bang (and a pow, in fact) with a night called "Cover Versions".  There's zero original music, but plenty of songs from the 1960's you'll know by heart.

However, just before we arrive at the swinging 60's, we begin with an instrumental folk duo called Serendipity.  I predict ten minutes of blistering, brazen and brash folk music.  Note, my mother will be playing the mountain dulcimer.


Paper Piano will then head to the stage and play a set of Kinks Klassics.  We've selected numbers from "Arthur", "The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society", "Muswell Hillbillies", "The Kink Kontroversy" and many more.  We'll be sloppy and loud (think Fillmore West '69).


Monkees music courtesy of ALOTTLE will close out the night.  I've seen these dudes perform Monkees covers before and I know you won't want to miss it.  

Stop on by!

Friday, April 23, 2010

Tonight: Bourgeois Residency #3 - "Big Ideas"

The following is stolen directly from bourgeoisheroes.com.  It's about tonight's 7:00 FREE show at The Elevens in Northampton, MA.  I'll be there.  Will you?

This week the Bourgeois Residency at the 11's will be perhaps be at its most eclectic state.  This one is entitled "Big Ideas".  We'll begin with vibraphonist Jeannette Muzima.














We will then make a smooth transition into a mathematics lecture by my good friend, Dr. Penny Ridgdill.














Finally, we will conclude with the electro, hip-hop sounds of Glitter Guerrilla.  This is a new project by Gabe Sullivan (mastermind behind the Thungs, World's Greatest Dad, Ouch & Don't).  He is Northampton's finest frontman and never disappoints.















Warning: you will learn something this Friday.
0 comments

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Musicians gather Saturday to honor unsung rock hero Alex Chilton

Another article about Alex Chilton and Big Star and the big Tribute Show that we are having this Saturday at The Iron Horse in Northampton: Article by Dave Madeloni.

Clubland: Local musicians sing the praises of Alex Chilton

There's a nice article by Ken about this Saturday's Alex Chilton Tribute Show at The Iron Horse.
I think you can read it here even without a subscription. Clubland: Local musicians sing the praises of Alex Chilton

Did that work?  Worked for me.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

No Proclaimers For Me

I was scheduled to be the support act for the Proclaimers in May here in Northampton at the Iron Horse, but just received word that there was a mix up and they do not want a local musician after all. 

I'll just have to find something else to do that night, even if I have to walk 500 miles to do it.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Thank You Friends: A Celebration of Alex Chilton of Big Star and the Box Tops

This week is all about Alex Chilton and Big Star.  Musicians all around the area are memorizing words and figuring out chords.
On Saturday (April 24) The Iron Horse Music Hall presents:
Thank You Friends: A Celebration of Alex Chilton of Big Star and the Box Tops
7:00 PM - Adv: $10.00 - Door: $13.00
In their words: "Some of the Valley's best musicians pay musical tribute to the late Alex Chilton, teenage singer for the Box Tops in the '60s and leader of seminal Memphis pop quartet Big Star in the 70s. As is said of the Velvet Underground, not many people heard Big Star in their prime but everyone who did started a band. Chilton led a reformed Big Star (original drummer Jody Stephens, Jon Auer and Ken Stringellow of the Posies) since the early 90s, playing rare and much ballyhooed live shows and recording one new album, "In Space." News of his  passing last month one day before a scheduled Big Star show at Austin's SXSW Festival put a damper on the mood of the weekend for anyone who had ever become a Chilton devotee, and very few who heard his music did not."
The following folks are doing songs, likely joined by others in make shift one-off band arrangements.
Matt Silberstein, Dave Houghton, Thane Thomsen, Rick Murnane, Claudia Malibu, Henning Ohlenbusch, Lesa Bezo, Brian Marchese, Paper Piano, Winterpills, Mark Mulcahy, and Chris Collingwood, also expect to see Peyton Pinkerton, Ray Mason, Dave Trenholm, and others grace the stage.

It's going to be a real nice night. I can tell by the excitement and enthusiasm of those preparing to really pay justice to Chilton.

Friday, April 16, 2010

Five New Live Videos of School for the Dead

I just added five live videos to the Rub Wrongways You Tube Channel.

This first one is us doing a cover of "Freeze" by Robyn Hitchcock and then going straight into Omnivore. It was filmed on March 9, 2007. Just three years ago.



If you were at that show, perhaps you filled out our very first School for the Dead Instant Survey. It was about soup. Here we are doing Soup of the Moment with your survey responses included: Soup of the Moment Live
and here is Disgruntled Lover from that same show.

I also added two songs from our more recent show at the Kresge Theater in Hardwick, MA. Photobooth Curtain and Save My Place.

FInal installment of Band names

My imposed deadline of two weeks are up- here is the final installment of band names. Are these the utter dregs or did I save the best for last? YOU be the judge. Except for you, Henning- you're doing fine being hard on yourself. Remember- you can't say you don't know anything about anything because at least you know that you don't know. Anyway, here is the final five:


1. Nerf Angel

2. Sin & Salivation

3. Supercalifragilisticosteoporosis

4. Colostomy Bagpipe Bomb

5. Cinnamon Anemone

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Lesa Open Mic, Flywheel, Studio.

No gigs this weekend for me.  On Saturday night, Paper Piano is playing at the big Fly Wheel opening celebration.  On Sunday night, Lesa Bezo is hosting the World War II Open Mic (sign up starts at 8:00, Lesa starts at 9:00).

The weather looks pretty lousy.  I'm hoping to take advantage of that and use the time to work on bringing the studio back to life.  I'm in the process of moving everything over to a new system and not one single thing has gone smoothly yet.  It takes doing things like this to remind me how little I actually know about anything.

School for the Dead has penciled in a date to start recording a new album, so I've got to get it working by then.   It's good to have deadlines.  Sometimes.

Penultimate list

We’re almost to the end of the two-week daily onslaught of band names.

1. Slush Fund

2. Dunktanktop

3. Dueling Debussys

And these last two amusement park-themed ones I liked so much, I wrote songs for them:

4. Selfesteemrollercoaster

5. Glum-Go-Round

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

My Divided Attention

My Rockumentary writing is, in general, not very inspired.  This is usually because I am multi-tasking while composing these entries.  I apologize for this.  I do dislike it when a person is not giving me their full attention.  There's nothing worse than talking to someone who is also reading texts, right?  I'm guilty of this myself.  I apologize to anyone who has told me a story only to have me glance at my phone in the middle of it.

We've got too much information coming at us.  And I love it.

I'm not going to complain about the constant distractions and conversations that are flowing our way at all times.  I love it.  I will complain, however, about the way people sometimes handle these portable computers, these hi-tech walky-walkies.

I have an iPhone.  It's one of my favorite things.  There, I said it.  But listen to this.  That phone's ringer is turned off 90% of the time.  It'll vibrate if someone calls or texts but it won't ring.  Nobody else in the, say, restaurant will be disturbed by my machine.  I might take it out and see who's contacting me.  I certainly will not start talking on it in a restaurant etc. 

I also will not talk on it while I'm driving.  I am 100% incapable of holding a conversation on the phone and driving well at the same time.  It has nothing to do with having my hands free or not.  There is a part of my brain that, while converting phone conversations, shuts off the other parts of my brain.  I don't know if this is true for others or not, but as an observant pedestrian, I can with-out-a-doubt tell you that the drivers who usually almost hit me happen to be talking on their phones.  Maybe they are talking to the person who hired them to run me over.  Maybe...

The point is that full attention is a rarity these days, isn't it?  It's only going to become harder and harder to come by, too.  Even as I write this, trying to concentrate, I have other browser windows open.  I've answered three emails between sentences.

Maybe this is why I like playing shows so much.  At a good show, when the band is really on, I'm focused on very few things.  I'm focused on singing, playing, and listening and I'm focused on what song is next and how the audience seems to be doing (getting tired, getting inspired, what's required of me as the host?).  My phone is off.  Hopefully, there are no TV screens in view.  It's just us and the lights and the faces.  That's at good shows.

I know I'm, as an audience member, at a good show when I feel no distractions either.  I don't feel the need to check the time or the email or to glance around the room.  A good performance will grab onto my full attention and remind me how nice it is to just do one thing.

Anyway, thank you for your attention.  I'll try to make reading this thing worth your while.  I'll tr...hold on...text coming in...Brian's got another idea for a line of T-Shirts.  I gotta go.

Starting to run out

But here are some more:

1. The Collard Green Preservation Society

2. Mermaid Marmalade

3. The Swinging Nun

The last two are almost the same group, kinda like how Jefferson Airplane became Jefferson Starship.

4. Dense Airheads

5. Narrow-Minded Broads

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

More stupid band names

More band names (probably only if you have no self-respect)

1. Squirrel, Interrupted

2. Pseudoprosciutto

3. Top Secretion

4. The Octo-Twins

5. Mucus on the Block


You may or may not have hears of these other groups but #4 is a play on “The Cocteau Twins” and #5 “New Kids on the Block.”

Monday, April 12, 2010

Recap: The Rub Wrongwangs Caravan of Stars Hits A Pothole!

photo.jpg On Saturday night the Rub Wrongways Records Caravan of Stars traveled to Mocha Maya's in Shelburne Falls, MA.

Lesa and I began the night with another delicious meal at Ollie's Down Under, which is just down the street from the venue. And when I say THE street, I mean THE street. There's pretty much just the one there in the center of town. Shelburne Falls is small but it's a destination.

When we emerged from the restaurant we looked up the street and saw Jason, Ryan, and Brian standing outside Mocha Maya's with their equipment. We went up to meet them and found a parking spot right in front of the place. I quickly ran back to the car and backed into the spot so we could load out easily. (warning: the very confrontational and defensive policeman in Shelburne Falls gets quite angry when you do this.)

The Mocha Maya's man inside was setting up the stage and lights for us and as soon as he finished, we loaded our stuff in. As we did, Max pulled up. It was a tight squeeze and it took some maneuvering to get everything in its place and plugged in. There were six of us and we had drums and amps and a keyboard and pedal steel and guitars and all that.

When 8:00 came around a few folks had wandered in off the street and Jason took the stage and started to play a nice solo set. He kicked things off and following him were: Sitting Next To Brian, School for the Dead, The Fawns, Senator (our friend who just happened to be in town visiting from NYC. We asked him to play a song and he kindly agreed.), and then the full Supergroup.

The audience sat in the dark and was comprised of a few great friends and mostly strangers. None of them, apparently were from Shelburne Falls. How could I tell? I asked them. All through the night I ran a crowd fueled MadLib. Since some people came and went as the evening progressed, they never got to hear their words in use, but otherwise, it worked out very well and put a nice cap on the night.

We filled the room with music from eight to ten thirty. I was exhausted by the end of it. The room felt so alive the whole night that I was very surprised to find a deserted town center when we stepped outside. Sleepy little place. I dig it.

The Bourgeois Residency

Friday night was the first show in a series of shows called The Bourgeois Residency at The Elevens in Northampton, MA.  Rub Wrongways recording artist, Jason Bourgeois, is putting together and hosting these events.  All of them begin at 7:00 and are FREE.
  • April 16, 2010 - "Rock Show" - music from Death to New England & the Claudia Malibu
  • April 23, 2010 - "Big Ideas"- A mathematics lecture by Penny Ridgdill with music from vibraphonist Jeannette Muzima & Glitter Guerrilla
  • April 30, 2010 - The Bourgeois Residency Volume IV - "Cover Versions" - Jason & friends perform the Kinks and ALOTTLE plays a roaring Monkees set. Special guest stars Serendipity (Jason's mom's band)
On this past Friday, the event was called A Song & A Guitar and it featured twenty one performers, each playing only one song on one guitar.  I'm not going to try to remember everyone who played or what they played.  I'll just say that all around the show received positive reviews.  I sat up front throughout the entirety and thoroughly enjoyed being able to hear all these songs.  Well played, everyone.  Someone was making videos and taking pictures, so keep your eyes peeled.

I'll see you on the next three Fridays.

Band names pt. 6

Some more punky band names:


1. The Hatchet Girls

2. The Grumpy Nuns

3. Gastric Catastrophes

4. The Number Fudgers

5. Corpse Pus Crispy

Friday, April 09, 2010

The Rub Wrongways Caravan of Stars Hits A Pothole!

Ah, Shelburne Falls, that tiny charming town nestled in the hills. They have glacial potholes, a bridge of flowers, excellent restaurants, and this Saturday, a super intimate night of music with the Caravan.

Expect short sets by School for the Dead, The Fawns, Jason Bourgeois, and Sitting Next To Brian followed by a full set with the whole Caravan.

Mocha Maya's is the coziest little coffee shop you've seen. It's right on the strip and offers excellent soothing beverages and delightful snacking treats. The lights dim and the Caravan hits the small window-front stage and you sit back take a sip and feel like you're somewhere far away.

EXPECT a Crowd Fueled MAD-LIB.
EXPECT a variety of instruments shining in the lights.
EXPECT another splendid evening with Rub Wrongways.

Please spread the word. Invite your friends. Tell your neighbors.

Band names part 5

Band names part 5:
Punky band names:

1. Soiled Doilies

2. Group Home Hug

3. The Zy-goats

4. Creamy Creatures

5. Penius

Thursday, April 08, 2010

A Song & A Guitar - This Friday

Jason Bourgeois has a weekly residency at The Elevens in Northampton.  These Friday Matinee shows atrt at 7:00 and admission is free.

This Friday is the first one.  It's called A Song & A Guitar.  A line-up of musicians will each take the stage with one guitar and will play just one song.  Some of the performers are: Lesa Bezo, Brooke Brown Saracino, Jason Bourgeois, Luke Cavagnac, John Crand, F. Alex Johnson, J. Johnson, Ella Longpre, Brian Marchese, Ray Mason, Matloaf, Ken Maiuri, Mike McLellan, Rick Murnane, Henning Ohlenbusch, Ryan McGovern Quinn, Ian Reed, Matt Silberstein, Brandee Simone, Kaliis Smith & Tony the Bookie.

Doors open at 7:00 and music starts at 7:30.

For details on the other shows in the residency (and there are some cool, strange, interesting ones) visit bourgeoisheroes.com.

Band names part 4

Pun-ishment with a Capital P installment:


1. Für Lease

2. In C’est La Vie

3. Heavin’ Hoe

4. Fecal Position

5. Tennis Elbow Grease


And here's a really great one from my colleague, Matt Brown:

Dewey Death Metal System

Wednesday, April 07, 2010

Henning and Chris at the Beehive - A Recap.

This morning my portable randomizing music machine played Neko followed by Nico.  I was ready, but alas, it did not follow up with Biko.

 at=Last night I had a pleasant excursion to Boston.  Come to think of it.  This may have been one of my best musical Boston excursions, if for no other reason than it wasn't cold and windy and I didn't have to deal with any burnt out, angry, cynical rock club casualties.  Most everyone at this venue was a delight.

The Beehive is a swanky yet casual comfortable place with cool brick walls and draped heavy curtains, interesting lighting, and artwork everywhere.  Chris and I were slated to play from roughly 6:30 to 8:30.  The times seemed somewhat flexible and I didn't take the stage until 7:00 because, well frankly, at 6:30 all of the tables and seats were empty.

At 7:00 I walked out on the stage and played a quiet set of songs to a nice group of diners.  The stage volume was incredibly low.  I played: 1,000 Times, Back To School, Disgruntled Lover, Joe Vs. The Volcano, Day Job, I Wasn't Looking For This, and Super Hero.  Chris took the stage after me and played a concert of classic Fountains of Waynes songs, a few new ones, and a few solo numbers.  Then I came back out and picked up the electric and we did Fire In The Canyon, Campground Daughter, and Hung Up On You (a few of our old Gay Potatoes stand-bys).

After the show we hung out with some of the artists who had their works on exhibit there and I had the best chicken club sandwich of my life.  So far.

Band names volume 3

Bar bands & guitar heroes:

Bar bands:

Private Defective
Ritalin & Booze
The Full Bull
Jiggle the Love Handle


Guitar virtuosos:

Axe Of God
The Guitarchitect

Tuesday, April 06, 2010

mo fake bands

mo:

1. Powernap

2. The Speed Bumps

3. Scrambled Eczema

4. Sunshine Sandwich

5. Sausage Shortage

Monday, April 05, 2010

Henning and Chris Live in Boston at The Beehive (April 6)

On Tuesday, April 6.  I'm playing a solo show in Boston at The Beehive.  I'll be sharing the stage with Chris Collingwood (Fountains of Wayne).  We'll each play solo sets and then we'll play some songs together at the end.  That's the plan anyway.  You never really know what's going to happen at gigs like this.

This is a link to the venue and the specific event:  Beehive Chris and Henning  Details are there.

I've never been to The Beehive, but judging by the pictures and this description, I'm gonna dig it.  Maybe you will, too.
Located in the underbelly of the Boston Center for the Art’s (BCA’s) Cyclorama, the architecturally breathtaking space (converted from the boiler room, a woodshop and former artist studios) has the look and feel of an artist’s studio, complemented by works of art and musical entertainment by local artists. The Beehive gets its name and inspiration from La Ruche (fr. the beehive), a 1920’s era artist’s residence in Paris designed by Gustave Eiffel. Similar to its Parisian namesake, The Beehive is a melting pot for lovers of art and the artists themselves. With its exposed brick, warm woods, and antique chandeliers, The Beehive is part artists’ showcase, part rustic bistro, and part music hall. Patrons can enjoy an array of nightly live music featuring jazz, cabaret, and burlesque acts in one of three dining rooms or at one of the two custom-designed bars by local artist Jeff Smith using wood remnants and other unique materials. Come to enjoy a night of rustic fare, eclectic wine and vintage cocktails, in a space like no other in the city of Boston.
 

Fake Band Names

I've entered into a fun exchange with one of my colleagues here at work where we make up fake band names. I've had a number of these kicking around in my head for years now. So I figured I'd share them here as well as with my friend at work. 5 a day for several weeks. Here goes:

1. Gristle

2. Siddhartha Vicious

3. Bananaramadan

4. The Epileptic Lepers

5. Sweet Gland

Thursday, April 01, 2010

The Fawns at The Brass Cat on Saturday April 3 - Easthampton, MA

Brass Cat Poster for Group Deville and The FawnsThis Saturday, the Fawns are returning to The Brass Cat in Easthampton, MA.  We'll be sharing the stage with Group DeVille.  We'll do a half hour set, they'll do a half hour set.  We'll do a half hour set, They'll do a half hour set.  Back and forth, we'll volley the pop.

Come on out and grab a few peanuts and help us celebrate two things:
1.) Springtime!  It'll be a beautiful evening tomorrow in Easthampton.

2.) St. Patriot's Day.  This is the closet thing we'll have to a St. Patriot's Day celebration this year.  Wear your hat.