Mickey Spillane's 2/25/12 Eastchester, New York

During the Michael Jackson segment.

Bar Patron - "Beat It"
Rob (as Michael) - "Sir, what you do at home is your own business"

A drummer's job is to roll around the drum kit but Rob also had me rolling with laughter quite a few times during tonights performance speaking in character to the attendees. It was not at all a hostile crowd but a new venue for us and we brought no built in audience which considering such was a success for the band indeed as the patrons were up and dancing and most stayed for the entire show.

I played pretty much effortlessly (meaning without effort) and for the arrangements selflessly (meaning no showing off) while enjoying one 1/2 price drink ($3 pint of Newcastle) until discovering the FREE Bud Lights. Nice venue and hopefully we will be back, this was the night that Nancy spilled a little Rum and Diet Coke on Dave's Bass (everything is fine).
But also became the first victim in the clutches of our invading nemesis the surge protectors !!! (more on that below)



Pre-Show/Invasion and Eric is Poised.



J.C. wiring the planet for electricity.



"Here's Looking At You Kid", Is Dave One Of THEM ?



I was the only earthling BLOG photographer tonight so took these candid shots, and heres one of ME!!!.

Got a chance to take some group pics during my break in the first two verses of Journey's "Faithfully" which is where the header photo is from.



Here is Eric's Guitar Distortion Effect (singular), whereas even most bass players these days use a complete pedal board (multiple effects) Eric continues to amaze me with his incredibly clean playing. At least once a performance I am wowed by a guitar solo of his and tonight it happened twice. There is a theory that the aliens used this as a homing beacon, with full cooperation from the Fender corporation of course.



Looks like some dude at the bus stop has a light saber or is that just an alien craft landing outside the bar ?



More like the mother ship landing an armada of bloodthirsty surge protectors !!!

We fought them off valiantly and saved a few lives too.
See you at the Heritage Bar, March 3rd.



This Is Show # 156

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Zeppelin Hall 2/17/12 Jersey City,New Jersey

This was the first show from my vantage point at the back where I realized we might be building a little following at the Zeppelin hall (Giseli, Hector etc.) and the crowd was definitely into it. At one point the man spotted to the right in the photo above was holding Rob's microphone stand over him as he lie on the stage floor singing in his Bono guise and I was in fear for his safety but the guy was truly having a good time and not to worry as Zeppelin hall has an attentive and professional security staff (one of which complimented my drumming) of which we can count on.

Premiered at tonight's performance was "The Safety Dance" by Men Without Hats.



Rocking Out with Dave on the 5 string bass.



Partying on a Friday Night with us.



Bono in mid leap.



Eric, Michael & Dave.



During our first set I glanced at the floor tom to see it mysteriously garnished with French Fries (I didn't spot the sandwich till later) and wondered if someone was throwing food at me, they were a bad aim if they were because I certainly wasn't hit with any but I remained perplexed for the rest of the set. If I was being heckled it should not be happening at this stage of the game should it ?, was it my looks ? dark visions of being bullied through my formative years at school returned. After the set I ran to Jamie and asked if she was "throwing food at me" ? Turns out she wasn't throwing it at me but was feeding me the Philly Cheese Steak I had ordered and for the second time in a row was not able to appreciate due to my lateness arriving at the hall. Thanks for trying Jamie, I will make sure I get there earlier next time to indulge properly.

This was also the night that Robert Smith spilled Schweppes Raspberry Ginger Ale on my down pillow.

This Is Show # 155

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Private "SKI" Party 2/4/12 New York City

The Crowd Totally ROCKED!!! We Totally ROCKED!!! It ROCKED!!!

White Wedding played here about a year ago to aid a benefit/Ski Party for the homeless to an insane crowd and they just got insanier!!!. Everyone was in lovely spirits from the start and on the dance floor by our first number "The Promise". Springsteen went over BIG tonight!!! and the crowd chanting Born In The USA with us in spirit and key was special.

Tonight was one of those shows when I was so proud to be in this band and I am sure it was in no small part to this being our last show with our bandleader and architect Mike (Doc Brown) who resigned his post for the most righteous of duties, namely starting a family with Tawni and their daughter Thora. Not in Any way to belittle the valiant efforts of Mike's understudies Marco or Paul and our new full time guitarist Eric (Who are all awesome players might I add) but a lot of our detailed arrangements are Mike's that Dave, Nancy and myself executed for well over five years and as happens without realizing it, we became organic natural players together so the smoothness of tonights performance in some part was just setting it on auto pilot.

p.s. - the bum leg on the floor tom of the orange school bus drum kit kept collapsing so I played with no floor tom tonight, at one point it became aplasticcupofseltzerstand to which Nancy questioned me about during song but I couldn't answer since I was drumming and all but Nancers had me dying laughing.



In all his Purpleness.



80s SKI Fashion Abounds.



Rob, Nancy & Grand Marnier Globular Drinking Vessel in Crimson.



a.k.a. Billie Jean & Doc Brown. (whats with the cigarette Mike ?)



Me & Dave (what the hell am I playing)

a: the intro to 1999



The Candid J.C.



and Sean and Ginger did our sound and lights again, always a pleasure.
you can find their services here



This Is Show # 154

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Resorts World Casino/Bar 360 2/2/12 Queens, New York

Bar 360 at the Resorts World Casino offered us a most unique stage to perform on offering a three hundred and sixty degree view from stage as well as being our first casino performance. On the grounds of aqueduct raceway in Queens, New York is a slots only gambling "Racino" (I use gambling for lack of a better word all you shriners out there) offering complete smoke-free entertainment until the wee hours, most impressive.

The band delivered three one hour sets to an appreciative and ever changing crowd of onlookers (there were quite a few who stuck around with us most of the night as well) as is the nature of playing a casino since not many are there to watch the band all night, the next step is to build a casino following and before you know it we could be competing with Wayne Newton. After our second set the A/V crew got a handle on what our show is about and Mike the sound engineer was yelling "Billy Idol!!!" at Rob dressed as Billy Idol and then asked me most good naturally "Who are you supposed to be Phyllis Diller ?" after which I replied "I have heard many things in my life but never Phyllis Diller" turns out that was a stock personality for Mike.



Fancy Nancy in her Day-Glo shades.



Dramatis Personae Rob



Eric as The Beast of X-Men fame.



The Coolest Pic of Dave Ever.



J.C. Keys



Your Blogmaestro.



The Green Room at World Resorts Casino was far away enough from the stage that I wondered if anyone gave a second glance at Rob or Nancy in Full Billy Idol or Cyndi Lauper Regalia,... This is Queens, NAH!!!





Jamie had SLOTS of fun taking some photos too, as you can see. Thanks for taking the pics Jamie.





This Is Show # 153

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