The Final Countdown - 8/27/12 Via Satellite and Cellphone.

Hello My Friends, Well it has only taken me 25 months for an update but here goes. 

This will be my Final Entry for some time, White Wedding did speak about our schtick of being an 80s band who was 80 years old and this is about 30 years coming still for some of us but, hang on folks, it will happen, Funny how time flies isn't it. Anyways, I wanted some closure to his Blog and This Is It.

I got my pink slip one September afternoon in 2012 and I knew it just from the tone of the phone call, Rob placed it and I called Spicoli back and requested he let me know what was going on.
, he wanted to meet me in person at my house but I wanted no meeting at my house and of course I wanted to keep the Drama levels at an all time low, I said "Just tell me now otherwise I won't be able to sleep".

I was at Jamie's place that afternoon and getting ready to go out to Dinner with her and our Great friends Bill and Max. After playing it back in private I played the phone message to Jamie and ever the optimist she denied any wrongdoings or decisions made, Jamie said "Oh No, They Love You maybe they want to buy a car or something", Max being a Realist said "I Dont know Spike", Bill and myself being a bit on the pessimistic side felt this was The Axe and the Axe it was.

None of us were wrong, it was up in the air but from the tone of the message I knew it was not good, on one hand it was just Too Formal, On the other hand it was Also just Too Formal.

I only had a Great time in this band and in a nutshell, we were formed from Craigslist ads and there was never any Drama in the original few lineups, we all forged friendships together, did some sleepovers and went from strength to strength with the gigs getting better and the pay getting better and most of all the band getting better. I learned to be a Professional Musician which can only come with experience and I of course wish Everyone the best of luck in their future endeavors

The band is doing Great at the time of this writing and it is Quite Amazing the lineup changes they have survived, Thanks for reading This BLOG past, present and future Folks.

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Private Party/Flannerys Pub 8/25/12 New York City

We were hired to celebrate Lenny's 30th Birthday party and celebrate we did. Flannerys bar on 14th street had us move the band upstairs from the party room downstairs and we played 3 great sets and everyone involved had a blast, towards the end of the night Flannery's bartender,barback told us it was the best party he had seen thrown there in ten years and with Rob and Diana including Lenny in the proceedings it really was an 80s Birthday Party bar none.

Unique to tonight's performance was the requested "Bad Romance" by Lady GaGa.

 

As can be seen stage conditions were cramped, I have been in worse situations.



Diana enjoying a pre-show Tuna Melt.



One of the best things about living in New York is I can walk down the street dressed like THIS and no one bats an eyelid.



After our first set I made a beeline for the Taco Truck up on 8th avenue and while only having a fifteen minute window they prepared my 2 Araby Tacos in record time. I added some Green Sauce and my mouth was burning as the second set begun.



Flannery's Pub facade.



The Donut Pub stood next door and at the end of the evening I purchased twelve dollars worth of Donuts and Cake. There was a Vanilla Iced Blueberry Muffin cake in the window that I just had to have.



GaGa audio and a nice view of the in-house mixing console.

This Is Show # 188

- Spike

JC Cove 8/24/12 Freeport, Long Island

It was a Beautiful yet muggy night for a casual set at JC Cove, Due to noise ordinance issues we were asked to keep levels down so I expended zero energy. Pictured above is my Bass Drum before the drunken mexican showed up, more of that below.



There was no one taking photos at this show so I snapped a few during the opening bars of "Dont Stop Believing" right before the drums come in.



Diana ending our second set with some Journey.



Emcee Rob beginning the show.



Tonight Eric decided to cup or dull my crash cymbal and hi-hat throughout our performance at his whimsy, the effect this has is the cymbal gives off an abrupt Clang as opposed to a vibrant resonance. Things were indeed getting silly on our side of the stage but we had fun. You had to be there.



(L to R) - David Herbert, J.C. , Gilbert

Gilbert Gottfried joined us onstage for the jewish portion of the proceedings.



Someone tape those cables down.



For our third set I procured 2 Vodka and Cranberry Juices.



While waiting for the Zipcar to arrive I set up my drum stool and was sitting outside as a wayward mexican passed me with a serious list to port, so serious that I put my hand out so he wouldn't fall on me. Realizing his drunken situation I went for my camera to get a photo and then my super Ray arrived for backup support.



Probably the worst Grandma Slice I have ever had but I ate it crust and all.



This Is Show # 187

- Spike

Living Social Cruise 8/19/12 New York City

And it's back on the Jewel just one week after our Rocks Off concert but for a different client so this was comfy and new, This was the first White Wedding afternoon show aloft the sea's but fun indeed like always due to the partying audience enjoying the tunes and dancing, not as drunkenly lively as the evening crowd's can get but lively nonetheless. The agreement with  Living Social is the band gets a 75 minute set so we do get to enjoy most of the 180 minute cruise which is a pleasure.

Afterwards as Jamie and I strayed behind a few minutes extra chatting with DJ Buffalo Bill the crew of the Jewel removed the gangplank so we had to literally jump ship over a little water, safe enough but not as leisurely as a staircase. I jumped off when no one was present so I am rather pleased that I did not take a wrong step and drown instead.



ERIK Of The Green Plectrum.



 I Shake My Stick At You Pig Dogs !!!



poise, grace, Cyndi.

Diana rocking the crowd.



One Buffalo Bill, One Buffalo Bill !!!

Goes Round The Outside,
Goes Round The Outside.



Most of us as children were drawn to tasty looking watery products just like purple or green water only to learn that it was a cleaning agent or some sort hopefully before imbibing but they still look enticing don't they ?. Or Do I assume wrongly ?

Almost drank this but smelled first.



Jamie & myself were first to arrive at the 'Sky Port Marina' for this early show so at this point it was only pre -10 a.m. thusly my sleeping patterns were deeply disturbed. Cart was procured, filled with Drummage and wheeled dock length purposefully and Confidently knowing this pier from prior engagement's and being that there never wuz' a checkpoint for the Jewel I didn't expect one now but as we passed through the gates a rather well groomed, sporting and bulky gentleman asked to inspect my cases of which I duly obliged secure in the knowledge that there were no weapons or alcohol in stowaway. He then proceeded to search Jamie's cases with greater zeal and determination.

The inside joke between Jamie and myself was his reply to me. I had mentioned that "I was never searched getting on the Jewel before" to which he replied in an ominously friendly yet official security kinda guy tone "It's a whole different world since the last time you were here", saying hello to us on the deck afterwards he told me the band did a great job and chatted a bit with us, nice guy and never was offense taken at having my bags gone through, especially from such a handsome, burly piece of man such as himself,.... errrrr,... i mean.......

HELLO FRISCO!!!



"Oh I can see Daniel waving Goodbye, Must be the stars in my eyes"

Shortly after noon the Jewel left pier with a few late passengers behind. From the deck we were happy to see the boat backup and re-dock to pick up the last of the manifest whom I saw dancing away to the Music during our set and got to speak to letting them know I was happy they were not left behind.



After-Gig the caterer jokingly added "I have never seen a band eat so much Lentil's" to which I explained the Domino Effect the plastic bowls of Lentil's & Rice developing on the deck had amongst us, also adding that I am going to try the Pulled Pork Sandwich next cruise!!!



Jamie's "Living Social" poster 1 (above).

The original poster (below) was thrown together in about 10 minutes from an evening photo I had taken of the river on our prior "Rocks Off" engagement and did not have much of a party ethic or feel to it but it adorned our Facebook ad for 8 hours until it was improved upon.



























The answer is - "Black, None More Black"

This Is Show # 186

- Spike

Private Event 8/11/12 Atlantic Beach, Long Island

Becoming an experienced gigging musician you see sameness and this was the typical catering hall type of show where you are asked to keep it down as people are eating and enjoying cocktails, Not Very much suited for what this band does,.... but cooperate we did understanding the craft with respect to the Atlantic Beach Club's wishes and room dynamics.

However,... Always keep them dancing.

The floor jumped up for "Girls just wanna have fun" mid first set and kept the room moving for the rest of the night. We crescendoed end of the first set with our Prince segment (played louder but with Thunder restriction), second set ending with Journey anthems (also a hesitant Con Brio) and a Rocking third set (Party Volume throughout, still holding it a tad light) taking requests all along the way, Bon Jovi, B-52s, J. Geils Band!!!. Always A Blast To Oblige.



Upon arrival I saw the tables set festively for 80s Night, the hats and menus complimented the flowers or is that the other way round ???.




















Absolutely Ready To Deliver. (and they are nice people too)



























(left) David Herbert - Bass Player - White Wedding - 2007 - present

(right) Holger Czukay - Bass Player - CAN - 1968 - 1979

As soon as I saw Dave in the shades and fedora I thought "CZUKAY" with you "CZUKAY" with me.



There was 'No Alcohol' in our contract but Eric finagled himself a drink at the bar and then was offered Cocaine from an audience member in the rest room!!!!,...

Obliging, he tried to eat the band members !!!!!

Fortunately Moustache Mikey broke it up.




















After our first set we were served Chicken Florentine (Breaded Chicken stuffed with Spinach, Ricotta and Roasted Red Peppers served with Marinara Sauce) with Carrot sliver wrapped Asparagus and (2) Roasted Potato Chunks.

I Never had Chicken Manicotti before.


























The evening did not go without incident however, Amongst the full Dusk atmosphere on the shore Diana with an archer's precision 'harpooned' towards her second helping of the Strawberry Cream Confectionary very closely missing Robs index finger (which he needs) with a tensile fork. (all band members and citizens escaped safely).

Diana spied the Strawberry Shortcake being served during our second set and "set" about getting us some, she did and I finally had one of those Supermarket Dessert cups filled properly with Whipped Cream & Strawberries.


























Self Explanatory.



We enjoyed a couple of videos on the ride up as well.



Maybe you had to be there but Rob & myself were most amused in the front seat without aid of the visuals.

This Is show # 185

- Spike

Rocks Off Concert Cruise 8/12/12 New York City

Take a great crowd, a very capable band, gorgeous skyline and set them to sea in The Jewel,..... and there is indeed a chance of mutiny. Top that off with a fully stocked bar and like minded partygoers on an 80s Concert Cruise and you have a recipe for mutiny-less and party-full dance cruise success.

Great Show for all involved, Everyone had a Blast and it is always different and daring to play on a moving vehicle. It was great to see the Jewel again so we boarded, set up early and sound checked late, had a plate of food and began set one upon castoff of the boat. The energy from the audience makes it all the worth while and this was a Great audience.

"These kids and their Bon Yovi"




The obligatory photo of the drums, for certain shows I expend plenty of energy getting Drums to and from places so there had better be a photo to prove they were there.



This is what you get when you shutter a camera in flash mode inside of an opaque garbage bag filled with ice and 23 Tecate Beers (I was having 24, the first one room temperature at the time).



still no one knows what eric did with his meal ticket.

not even the trolling gophers.



Diana enjoying a plate (Ziti, Salad, Meatballs) pre-show.

Patiently waiting on the chow line with 33 minutes to showtime my ear went to my bandmates behind me and J.C. makes some kind of reference to Diana's penchant for snacking often, yet keeping fit.

This is what I heard.

Diana: I don't know what you're saying, I eat like a bird.

J.C.: Bird's Eat A Lot.



Q: Where's Waldo ?

A: He's under the DEVO hat

Q & A are not people.



Possibly the worst plate of foodstuffs I have ever had (mind you I ate the Hot Dog and Meatballs).

The Food on Rocks Off cruises is usually killerish *, I even asked the ladies ferrying the food to and fro if the Empanada's would be served tonight,.... they were not.

(pictured above) - Supplemented Meatballs, Grade Z Hot Dog, Overcooked I guess we have to call them Ziti, Threw the Pasta out.

Decent Hot Dog Bun and Packet Condiments.



Our long time fan June was there and she snapped a few pics with her phone.



The view from the deck.



A brief and shaky birds eye tour of the Jewel captured to post here, taken with an iPhone 4.

* -  There is always the salad base of Iceberg Lettuce "which even though I was raised on" irks me still. I mean come on Its Not Even Close To Green !!! (apologies for shouting)

This Is Show # 184

- Spike

Junction 46 8/3/12 Ledgewood, New Jersey

Nestled inside the lobby of a Quality Inn hotel is the Junction 46 hotel bar (not the butter), a dining room and banquet hall, we played the banquet hall. Junction 46 has an in-house audio engineer and stage monitors so everyone and my Bass Drum was very happy and could hear everything, always a plus. Everyone loved us and a few new doors opened, incidentally we listened to The Doors in the car on the way up.

During the Michael Jackson segment Rob had me in stitches as Michael introduced Cyndi Lauper on stage and his third number "Beat It" by exclaiming "Me and Cyndi worked together before, We Were The World, This is a song either about getting the crap kicked out of you or enjoying some time with yourself, I dont know"

The band performed very well tonight and I thank Dave for mentioning it because it made me play with that much more confidence and as we know confidence equals conviction.



Entrance to the parking lot.



It's Alive, ALIVE I TELL YOU !!!

After many outdoor gigs where you are in fear of your set list blowing away and many indoor gigs where you have to reach down to ground level quickly to check the set list between songs only to find it has slid under an amplifier or behind the stage I finally put my invention into use.

Now if we can only give it a name.



Between sets Diana munched on some Sweet Potato Wedges and sipped White Wine.



We were making very good time zipping our car to the show so we stopped off at a local Whole Foods at first to use the restroom but then the product variety and savory goodness took hold of four sixths of the helpless White Wedding clan and we stopped over for a bite to eat, I Mean How Could You Not !!!

First Off it's Diana (the band's foodie) favorite place and as soon as I set eye on the Edamane Succotash I became completely transfixed. Diana and Rob got Sushi (my very close first choice) which from my seating angle at dinner looked like Sugar Cookies, Eric chose the most promising Turkey Bacon Panini only to find it too dry to really enjoy so he got some Mustard packets and made the best of it. I saw some Indian Food at the Salad Bar and my mind was made up!!! Pictured above was my Dinner in a box which is (clockwise from 3 o' clock) Vegetable Pakora, Dirty Rice (they did'nt have Basmati or Saffron). Chicken Tikka Masala, Vegetable Samosa, Curry Chicken.

Delicious and the Chicken was "Pulled" or "Shredded" which is a very nice touch.



Fizzy Lizzy Yakima Grape!!!! Amongst the Hundreds,... maybe Thousands of beverage choices at Whole Foods how could I resist a Fizzy Lizzy ? and she me.



Rob also chanced upon a product he endorses, namely Singer's Saving Grace. Gleaning the ingredients list I was surprised to see "Jack in the pulpit root" amidst the compound as he used to be my local parson.



I met Brenda and her friends who had just gotten back from a Fuckaware party with some goodies.
Take a look at the F&%King Chocolate.



On The Way To Ledgewood and Victory.

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And Now, a rare glimpse into the mysterious world of "Soundchecks" as captured on my iPhone from behind the drum kit.



Rob referencing the Greatest Rock Film Of All Time "This Is Spinal Tap" as he often does at soundcheck to my delight.



Latina Diana befuddles our sound technician for a moment but all is well in the outcome.



Eric tells us "Hello" and sings it too.



This man has an endearing smile (5 second mark).

This Is Show # 183

- Spike