The Old Sleight Of Hand

It took exactly 24 hours for Black Lives Matter and all of the inherent horror that followed to be replaced in the news cycle by the most fiendish threat facing us as a world today... Pokemon Go. Dead bodies found, kids walking into traffic, dogs and cats marrying each other... how will we overcome this?????

I am astounded it took that long to transition from real news.

Plus, my wager was lost, as I had figured a sex scandal would have been the distraction.

And I'll Stick It Deep Inside

I am playing as part of a "Tribute To Iggy & The Stooges" show in Brooklyn on July 2. My main challenge is how to re-work the three sawngs we're gonna do so that Mr. Crappy Bass Player (yours truly) can sing and play at the same time...plus make the sawngs interesting and not slavishly devoted to the originals. So for "Loose", imma gonna dumb the bass line during the verses waaaaaay down. For "1970" instead of a sax player, we've got a trumpet player who'll do his best to destroy everyone's minds. And for "I Got A Right"... we shall see.

I can't say that this even has reborn my addiction to Iggy and co... as my addiction never left. But it's always interesting to listen to the classics with a different ear...that being to dissect the songs with the intent of playing them.

Easy enough to feature the originals here, but instead...some variations on a theme.

A Visit To The Ramones Exhibit

We went to the Ramones exhibit at the Queens Museum this weekend. Here are some pix:

One of the rooms

                           Joey and Dee Dee's report cards- All failing grades!

Marky's snare, Johnny's amp, various clothes

Tour Posters

A very cool CBGB's diorama

This painting was done in felt

They also gave this out as a free poster!

Johnny's original amp

Johnny kept a record of every show, attendance and $

One of Johnny's Mosrite Guitars

Lots of video and monitors to see and listen to

Tour laminates

The Boy Who Flew Too Close To The Sun

A very brief recap of the past three or so missing years:

rock n roll lifestyle >lotsa fun > interpersonal drama > more drama and fucking up  > success in business > lotsa fun and more fucking up > complications > reconciliation > diabetes diagnosis > oops, almost died > no more rock n roll lifestyle > health health health > family family family > GOT A DOGGIE !!!!!! > finally got my shit together (for the most part) > and here we are.

Here in Noo Yawk... lotsa shit going on this weekend... Punk Rock Bowling in NJ (Descendents/Dag Nasty/Flag, etc)- I wuz goin', but now I'm not. The old "white and lazy" thang has struck again. There's also this thing called the Northside Festival- a whole lotta shows in Satan's Asshole. I think the shows this old guy is gonna check out are Grandmaster Flash, King Khan & The Shrines and maybe Brian Wilson (tho I doubt that I will get to that one- just too sad).

Oh, and the Anti Nowhere League are playing Pussyville. I saw them "back in the day" and the NYHC crowd scared the shit out of those Poseurs. I remember everyone flipping them the bird and "Animal", the lead "singer" was crapping his pants. What a buncha wankers.

Is There Anybody Out There?

Back from the grave. Wonderin' if I should stick around...

Taking The Show On The Road

This weekend,  the thang that I am involved in (as host/mc) The Original LIVE BAND PUNK ROCK HEAVY METAL KARAOKE will be taking the show on the road. 

We are doing shows in Boston at TT The Bear this Saturday 6-9 and at Ri Ra in Providence, Rhode Island Sunday 2-5 pm.

These are shows benefitting NE Distance, a running based charity.

If you’re in those areas this weekend, c’mon down, indulge your inner rock star, & get on stage with a kick ass band. We’ve got everything from GG Allin to The DK’s to AC/DC to Kelly Clarkson. Because Kelly Clarkson is more punk than any of us.

You can click on the links for ticket info, directions, etc. 

I’ll be the guy in the Yankees shirt, berating and engaging the local populace.

Punk Rock!

PUNK METAL KARAOKE songlist

PUNK METAL KARAOKE Website

PUNK METAL KARAOKE Facebook

TT The Bear (Boston)

Ri Ra (Providence)

The More Things Change

Saw DOA last nite. Joey Shithead (though now he goes by Joey Shithead Keithly- a nod to his political career) looked great, a bit greyer these days, but lookin’ healthy in his torn and patched jeans and sleeveless denim jacket (the Canadian Tuxedo). Thankfully, the band blazed (Joey even played geetar behind his back and with his teeth- holy guitar hero, Batman!). Joey was as unintelligible as ever (think of a Grizzly Bear singing) and the old and newer songs sounded great. I think I first saw them as a tyke in ’81, and it’s probably a small miracle that they are still a-showin’ and I’m still a-goin’.

And then tonite, the Angry Samoans are playin’! I would have liked to have gone to that too, but I’m lazy, it’s a Sunday nite, and besides, “Breaking Bad” is on. Yeah, white and lazy.

Speaking of which, the one show I woulda loved to have gone to was The Replacements re-union at Riot Fest a couple of weeks ago. Though, imma not big on this reunion talk, since imho the ‘Mats were done when they threw smokin’ and drinkin’ Bob Stinson out and the band became a Paul Westerburg solo project.

But, dang if I wasn’t weeping like a little girl and pogoing at 3 am, watchin’ the ‘Mats footage from the show. “Bastards Of Young”, “Left Of The Dial”, “Takin A Ride”, “Color Me Impressed”, “I’m In Trouble”... something about seeing that vidage & hearing that toonage reduced me to my 18 year old ghost.

That’s an emotional response I didn’t expect (especially as I wasn’t there in person). 

But that’s what music can do to ya. It was fun yellin’ out the songs with Joey at the DOA show, and I am sure my visceral reaction will be the same seeing the Keith/Dez/Chuck version of Black Flag this Thursday. BF & DOA were huge bands for me back in my yoot.

However, something snuck up on me watching that ‘Mats show. 

I watched the crowd singing along to every song- yeah, some people were probably really annoyed by that.

All I felt was envy. Wow, to be part of a huge crowd where everyone was feelin’ it. And yet, even as part of the teeming masses, you would still have this personal stake and response to the songs. 

What a rare privilege that would be.

  

Who Can Turn The World On With His Smile...

I have been missing in action for quite some time. Total avalanche and each day I wanted to get motivated to be here and I couldn't.

Between work (good and busy), education (taking some on-line courses), rock n rolling (though not nearly enough), and some familial med challenges; time just vanished.

Here it is, September. My crab grass is dead, I've put on about 20 lbs. Shorter of breath and one day closer to death.

But... enough about happy old me.

Life is good and imma gonna get back to making the world just a little brighter with this blog.

Little Douche Coupe

So… with Princess Nomad needing transportation for college (and guilting me that I owe a car because she got pretty much a free ride with scholarships), I am in the market for the first time in a while. All I want is a dependable car- no leather, sun roof or any bells and whistles (though a horn would be nice).

The usual options apply:

1) Used car- caveat of course is that the car turns to shit in a couple of years and I have to start the process again. Benefit is price, baby, price.

2) Used “certified” car- caveat is that the pricing for this option is almost as high as a new car, and you don’t get the same warranty.

3) New Car – of course the price is heinous- but, as long as I don’t have any business disasters, I can do this.

The Princess would get my 2009 Honda Accord- an awesome set of wheels that I would be more than happy keeping, if I could find a dependable and decent used car. She is NOT getting a new car! Otherwise, King Nazz gets the new car and she’ll get the Accord. Missus Nomad is keeping her 06 Camry.

It’s been fun dealing with car dealers. I will not say the oft heard statement that car dealers are scum. As I am in sales, I know how tough selling is.

However, it is interesting to see how their sales styles differ.

I have been attempting to do this via the internet with a simple statement:

I am looking for (insert name of car with package and color), I would appreciate you sending me your best offer and PUT IT IN WRITING VIA THIS EMAIL. I have neither the time or inclination to speak to you in person unless you can send me this information.

I have on occasion given my cell phone number, but that always ends up with something like:

"Hi Buddy, this is so and so from douchebag auto sales. I can’t give you a number over the phone or via email, but if you come down to the lot, we’ll guarantee the lowest price."

Needless to say, those calls are hung up on or ignored very quickly.

The guy who I am going to use eventually is the guy as it turns out is in my neighborhood (providing he can match lowest price). He’s been low-key, very patient on test drives, and informative.

But… it is fun being the buyer and not the seller again!

Courtney Love- 6/29/13 - Huntington, NY

Saw Mizz Cawt-Knee Luhv Sat nite in the wasteland that is Lawn Guyland. The missus and I had a grand time (the missus more than I- not that I didn’t have a gas too). I don't know which of us wanted to bang Courtney more, actually!

The widow Cobain is Miz Nomad’s fave- and mi' wifey brought it all the way back to her old punk rawk days- tequila and beers in mas quantities (granted, the beer was Miller Lite- but the Cuervo made up for it). I stuck to IPA’s and Guinness- and something called a Dr Pepper- which was beer with a shot glass in the middle that had raspberry likker and rum. Not my fault- the friendly bartender poured it gratis for yers truly.

The goniffs inside the venue were charging $8 for a 16 ounce and $12 for a big‘un (24 ouncer) of what the kids call “craft beer”…Guess which one I kept investing in.

Well, Court-Court did not disappoint- she looked great from about 15 feet away and was pos-it-iv-lee lucid for the show. Her non-Hole sidemen were efficient; if totally devoid of stage presence... the better for Missy Lovey to radiate to her acolytes- the crowd had four distinct segments- Courtney-ettes of every female demographic, gay guys, dudes who had no clue but were escorting their dates, and me and a few other all-Merican guyz who had been thru the punk wars. I was sportin' my LAMF shirt- in honor of a certain chanteuse's track-marked past.

Caw-Caw came out in a nice black dress, took it off for a tighter outfit and later changed into an all white rig. Not as many clothes changes as Cher, but effective nonetheless. She had a Red Rickenbacker that prob cost more than my car- and she even played it a little- yeah- that barre chord where your pointer just slides uppp and dowwwnnn the neck.  I also spent a bit of the show grousing that I should be playing bass – as my old band used to kill it on “Celebrity Skin”. She played everything that you'd expect her to from the "Live Through This" and "Cel Skin" elpees, plus some of the "America's Sweetheart" stuff too. Only cover toon was the 'Stones' "Under My Thumb".

Afterwards, Ms. Nomad demanded to wait by the stage door with some other Love-ettes  for a glimpse of Ms. Doll Parts. I told her to come back with me and we’d scam to backstage. As usual, my statement was met with derision. So I went back in and got close (ie the same room) but no cigar to actual meet and great.

However, I did pluck this lovely tusk/phallic symbol from the dressing room area. It looks great in my living room.

Really a fucking fantastic show, and much better than the last show I didn’t get to see because I was in jail!

Chicks Rule!

Chicks Rule

Been digging the shit out of a couple of all gal bands as of late.

Heliotropes are NY based and have sort of a 60’s Pink Floydy vibe. Not really the Syd-Floyd era, more of the “Meddle” era Floyd. They've got buzzy guitars and also a sound that reminds me of early Smashing Pumpkins (in a good way).  The songs are well thought out and somewhat complex. They take their time to develop and have a sinewy bottom end. Yum… “sinewy bottom ends”!!!!!  They got a serious edge to them. Check out “The Dove” and “Psalms”. Good acid music!!!!

Savages are from across the pond and make dark, bass heavy post punk that reminds me of early 80’s bands like Au Pairs, Siouxie & The Banshees, and Delta Five. Throw in a little bit of the echoey production of the Factory Records bands and wrap it all up with some extra drama.  Not quite as dancey as the bands of that era, but very enjoyable and “different” than 99% of the shit that passes off as New Wave these days. Yeah, I said it. New Wave. Check out the songs “Shut Up” and “Husbands”. Good ‘lude music!

And… I am going to see Ms. Courtney Love tomorrow night. Hopefully, I won’t spend THIS show in the inside of a NYC jail cell as I did the last time she played these environs!!!!!!

Amnesia RockFest - Montebello, Quebec

The past weekend was spent in the urban wilds of Montreal, as well as the rural wilds of Montebello, Quebec at the Amnesia Rock Fest.

Amnesia Fest is a Punk/Metal music fest that was developed by a Canadian teenager about 7 years ago. It takes place in Montebello (about 70 miles North of Montreal) and for 2 days- was the Great White North’s version of Woodstock.

Not this this was a completely good thing! The festival reached critical mass this year and three hour waits to pick up tickets were de rigeur. Fortunately, your humble narrator took care of his shit long before the day of show, and J-Lo, Davey-boy and old Nazz sauntered in leisurely both days. And, since the last big crowd headliner's bore no real interest to us (Rise Against and The Offspring-  been there done that for both bands), we also were able to "get outta dodge city" both nites without too much bumping.

 

Black Flag

The good-

• The people of Montebello (including law enforcement) could not have been nicer and more laid back. 50,000 plus punks and metalheads invading a town with more cows than people could have been a disaster- but civility was the name of the game. In fact, the only interaction we had with the long arm of the law was a photo op! The townspeople were wonderful- and as a result, the vibe between attendees, cops and natives was extremely cool.
• $5 beer inside the venue (and lots of it!)- beer kiosks were everywhere (albeit Budweiser) and vendors were actually triasping thru the mud (more on THAT later) to serve us! Kinda weird that they couldn't get Canadian beer sponsorship- but, on the other hand, I guess Bud is exotic in Canada since it's an import!
• Poutine- Inside the show- Pulled pork, gravy, fries, cheese curds…mmmmmmmmm – aside from a convenience store/ gas station sandwich that’s all I ate for the 4 days!
• The bands!- Holy shit!!!!!!  Let’s see, the best bands of the 20 or so (there were 5 stages and about 100 bands that played) I saw were: FLAG (ie – the non Gregg Ginn version)- Keith Morris, Dez Cadena, Chuck Dukowski et al brought it waaaaaay back to 1979!, our NYC homeboys Agnostic Front and Anthrax were great; DropKick Murphys, old skool L.A. band The Adolescents, old skool crust punks Subhumans UK, Alice fucking Cooper, Social Distortion, Rancid.
• But the best band I saw all weekend was FUCKED UP. Lead singer Pink Eyes and his preppy looking band absolutely tore up the freakin’ place. Pink Eyes (all 250 plus hairy lbs of him) spent the entire show singing whilst being held aloft. After the show, he spent about an hour posing for pix and hugging anybody that cam within hugging distance. 

J-Lo, Pink Eyes & Davey-Boy

The bad-

• Yeah, it was a lot like Woodstock- overflowing toilets, shit piss and mud rivers bisecting the festival grounds. Canadian kids must not have gotten the word on littering, strewn everywhere were empty beer cups, soda bottles etc- though this was at least in part due to the organizers, who did not have enough garbage cans.
• Band cancellations and bad info- several bands such as Lagwagon and The Mighty Bosstones  got shifted around in times and stages- and no one was informed- so we missed them.
• The lines- as said- waiting three hours to pick up my tickets would have been a disaster.
• Old age - I overindulged big time too early Saturday & sorta had to take a rest for a couple of hours in a parking lot in the early afternoon– But that was cool- I arose feeling refreshed and ready to mosh!
• Cookie Monster bands- Christ, is there some sort of Canadian law that every metal band has to sound like the Cookie Monster is their singer?

All in all- a great weekend. I hope to go back next year (it was a pretty long drive) but I am glad I went!

Paul McCartney 6-10-2013

Some thoughts on the Paul McCartney concert I was at last nite.

It’s Paul fucking McCartney! Nuff said

Paul played guitar and piano much more than he did bass.

His back-up band has been playing with him for more years than the Beatles were together!

He brought out several chestnuts never before played on tour: “Lovely Rita”, “Being For The Benefit of Mr. Kite”, Your Mother Should Know”, “All Together Now”.

The dude is 70 years old and played non-stop for 2 ½ hours! He looks great.

That being said, the video close-ups on Paul were not that close up… high res 70 feet high does not make for a pretty picture for an old guy, no matter how well preserved.

Average age of attendees was probably about 45. After all, what young one could afford tickets that ranged from $100 to $500 (without mom and dad, of course!)

Great light show- “Live And Let Die” had lasers and explosions.

Emotionally tingling moments: “Hey Jude” (complete with audience sing-a-long), “Something” (dedicated to George and played on Ukelele, before th whole band joined in), “Here Today” (dedicated to and about John).

It was in Brooklyn… so the “Fuhgettaboutit Paul” sign was especially apropos.

He played “I Saw Her Standing There”- that song is 52 years old!

Cool Hendrix tribute!!!!! With a “Foxy Lady” jam in “Let Me Roll It”  -plus a great story about Hendrix playing Sgt Pepper live only 2 days after the Beatles released it!

“Yesterday” was played of course, but then Paul did a couple of lines from the original song title: “Scrambled Eggs”

When you think about the catalog of material that McCartney has, it’s absolutely staggering.  And when you hear 30 plus songs representing the best of 20^th century music, it is humbling.

$10 beers and a horrible seating scheme (the upper deck is sloped dangerously steep) did not make for a fun customer experience.

Total dick move of the night- some old fuck ratted out a couple of people smoking some grass and they got tossed.

It’s Paul fucking McCartney! Nuff said

But the best part of the show was watching the joy my daughter displayed seeing the show!

The set list:

1.   Eight Days a Week 

2.   Junior's Farm 

3.   All My Loving 

4.   Listen to What the Man Said 

5.   Let Me Roll It 

6.   Paperback Writer 

7.   My Valentine 

8.   Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five 

9.   The Long and Winding Road 

10.               Maybe I'm Amazed 

11.               Things We Said Today 

12.               We Can Work It Out 

13.               Another Day 

14.               And I Love Her 

15.               Blackbird 

16.               Here Today 

17.               Your Mother Should Know 

18.               Lady Madonna 

19.               All Together Now 

20.               Lovely Rita 

21.               Mrs. Vandebilt 

22.               Eleanor Rigby 

23.               Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite! 

24.               Something 

25.               Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da 

26.               Band on the Run 

27.               Back in the U.S.S.R. 

28.               Let It Be 

29.               Live and Let Die 

30.               Hey Jude 

Encore:

31.               Day Tripper 

32.               Hi, Hi, Hi 

33.               I Saw Her Standing There 

Encore 2:

34.               Yesterday 

35.               Helter Skelter 

36.               Golden Slumbers 

37.               Carry That Weight 

38.               The End