April Fools. And then some.

We are hosting the Official April Fools Day Concert.

First Flower 2011

Well our annual first-flower came up later than usual this year  To tell you the truth, I'm surprised it came up at all.  It just didn't seem possible.  But, sure, enough, there it is and it's on the first day of spring at that.  Well done, little yellow flower.

First opened on March 20, 2011:



First opened on March 8, 2010:



First opened on March 14, 2009:



First opened on March 24, 2008:

In the Buffalo Surround

Here's a nice review of In the Buffalo Surround by our good friend, Dennis Crommett.  If you haven't picked up a copy, I highly recommend it.

Boston Globe article

Dennis Crommett Website

The Tobolowsky Files - David Byrne and True Stories etc.

The Tobolowsky Files is a nice podcast by character actor Stephen Tobolowsky. I've only listened to two so far but I really enjoyed this one about his meeting David Byrne and how he came to work on the film True Stories.


Here is the mp3.
Here is the official website.
Here is the itunes link:

Where's That Sound Coming From?: XTC were the best live band from 1979-82 and that'...

Where's That Sound Coming From?: XTC were the best live band from 1979-82 and that'...: "At the bottom of this blog will be a link to a (very enjoyable) 20-song file of live XTC songs I've lovingly compiled from various online s..."

Coincidences

I have to write this down.  Something strange is happening today.

While I was walking past lawns that until a few days ago had been covered in snow for months, a Nick Drake song started to play on my shuffling music machine.  It fit the mood perfectly and I started to think about what other music I had that was similar to Nice Drake.  Dennis Crommett popped into my head, but as the NIck Drake neared its end, I thought, the mood is probably about to change It'll probably play a Buzzocks song or some weird Laurie Anderson thing.  But, you know it, the next thing that came up was Dennis Crommett.

After Dennis?  Laurie Anderson.

Then a few minutes later, I was inside and I got an email from Jason Bourgeois pointing me to an article about the new R.E.M. album.  I opened the article and just as I started to read it, the radio played an R.E.M. song.

Then I went over to Facebook and saw a post by friend Mark Schwaber about Marketa Irglova from the film "Once".  As soon as I saw that post the Radio started to play a song from that Once movie.  Then I started to write this little piece about the weirdness of all the music coincidences.  Then, when I was about two sentences in I realized that it wasn't a song from the Once duet after all. It was a Mumford and Sons song.

Nevermind.

Get Yer Tickets Now! School for the Dead and Chandler Travis Philharmonic

School for the Dead is returning to the Iron Horse stage, this Sunday!  It's been five years since our last band show there.  In 2006 we played with Naked Eyes (There's Always Something There To Remind Me).  That night ended up not be very well attended due to a combination of other events that were happening at the same time and, really, Naked Eyes?

This show will be different.  The Chandler Travis Philharmonic puts on a great, crazy show.  The concert is nice and early at 7:00 and it's priced well.

If you are thinking of going, we've got a special deal on tickets.  From us they are $10 even, you don't have to pay any courtesy fees.  I think you save about $2.50 per ticket.

I only have fifteen at this lower price, though, so think quick, I guess. 

You can order them here through PayPal or if you can send me an email at henning (at) schoolforthedead.com and we can work something out.

Or if you are a real trouble maker, you can spend a few hours using the picture of the tickets above to create your own counterfeit versions.  Make sure you find the right paper and add the perforations.  Also, I'd advise using different ticket numbers than these since these will already be accounted for.  Or you could risk it.

Anyway, we really hope you can make it.  It's always a great pleasure for us to be able to play on the Iron Horse Stage with their excellent sound system. 

To learn more about Chandler Travis Philharmonic you can go to their website here.

Here's a brief synopsis:

Chandler Travis has had a long and checkered career in the world of show biz, beginning in in the seventies with Steve Shook as Travis & Shook whose comedic pop landed them on the Tonight Show, the Midnight Special, and Dick Cavett. They toured with George Carlin for many years. Then there's Cape Cod based Incredible Casuals, who toured consistently all over the world, and are still at it. In 1988, Chandler began moonlighting as a solo performer, presenting the unlikely mixture of oddball humor and incisive songwriting that continue to be his trademark Late in 1996 Travis found himself fronting a nine-piece band, the modestly monikered Chandler Travis Philharmonic -probably the world’s only alternative dixieland / omnipop band.

Bad News From Spouse

Just received this upsetting newsletter from one of my all time favorite bands and good friends, Spouse.

Dear friends, fans, family members, and supporters,

Everyday, just about everyone on this planet makes a choice.  Sometimes that choice is a simple one, like deciding what to eat for lunch, or what to wear to work.  Sometimes that choice is more difficult, like deciding whether to make a big purchase or adopt a new pet.  Occasionally, you wake up and have to decide whether to keep going in the same direction, or change course.

Since my return home from our most recent tour of the Midwest this past November, I’ve been consumed by a similar decision, and ultimately, I’ve made my choice.  As of May, Spouse will be taking an indefinite hiatus.  I’ll be concentrating my time and energy a little more on releasing some new solo material, which I will invite you all to check out when the time comes.  But for now, I’d like to announce a few of our final shows.

On March 26^th, Spouse will be performing Downstairs at the Middle East in Cambridge, MA, opening for our good friends, The Grownup Noise who will be celebrating the release of their new album, “This Time with Feeling”.  We will be playing 2^nd of 4 bands.  The Kingsley Flood, and Joe Fletcher & The Wrong Reasons are also a part of this bill.  Tickets are a mere $10, and they can be purchased here.    

On April 10^th, Spouse will be performing an abbreviated set as part of a benefit for Safe Passage at John M. Greene Hall on the Smith College Campus in Northampton, MA.  The show starts at 4pm, and will feature the Young @ Heart Chorus and Lux Deluxe.  It should be a real treat!  Tickets are $25 in advance and $35 at the door.  They can be purchased here.

On April 30^th, Spouse will be joined by Spottiswoode & His Enemies at Empire in Portland, ME.  This will be a fantastic night of music as our guests always bring their A Game, and they’re easily one of the most entertaining and enjoyable bands around. 

Additionally, I’ll be performing some solo shows, premiering some new music:

03/25 @ Blue, Portland, ME w/ Elizabeth Lorrey
04/22 @ Slainte, Portland, ME w/ The Grownup Noise & guests (I play 1^st of 3)
05/21 @ Dark Dining Room, (House Concert, in the Western Mass area, email me for info)
06/03 @ Bishop’s Lounge, Northampton, MA w/ Adam Sweeny & guests  (I play 1^st of 3)
07/27 @ Bangor Public Library, Bangor, ME – free show

Thanks very much for your time and your support,

Perfect March 1st Music

I suggest Spanish For Hitchhiking's The Starling for starting off your March in the right way.