Rippers 6/2/12 Rockaway Beach Queens, New York

Tonight Rob was dancing on the tables which is not an uncommon sight during our shows but we also had Dave leaping off the seating for "finale/Townshend" effect and an audience member up on the table just friggin' dancing on their own volition.

The crowd was into it and so was the band during this windyish outdoor performance. I also enjoyed the onlookers/non-bar patrons outside the perimeter myself who were just enjoying the novelty of amplified music along 86 Shorefront Parkway. so it was a nice outdoors show overlooking the beach that leads into the vastness of the Atlantic Ocean Real Vast Like.

Premiered tonight was "Rockaway Beach" (full band version*) which we wuz learned for this occasion.



Diana whipping the crowd into a Nix frenzy.



a few days after this show I was in the subway refilling my Metrocard and this conversation took place between the token booth clerk and myself.

me: 10 dollars on this card please.
token booth clerk: hey man I've seen you around, are you part of the rock scene ?
me: yes, I'm in a few bands, maybe White Wedding the 80s tribute band
token booth clerk: nah man not that far back

I give him the thumbs up and on my way.



Eric The Brave brandishes his Ibanez (sounds like a dirty limerick doesn't it ?)



Rob raises baby squid & sea monkeys as a hobby and would like to help the world to sing in perfect harmony.



After-show Diana asked us to watch her shoes and went sauntering onto the beach as Jamie, Eric and myself enjoyed the view & refreshments from the boardwalk (a few stiff Rum & Coke's) whilst conversing about everything from grapefruit's to gorgonzola.

Eric searched for Diana amongst the moonlit horizon that the deep blue jeweled beach offered him.

Diana returned after a spell with a few balloons that she had adopted, mind you we (or even Rod Serling) have not a clue where they came from but they are friendly, cuddly, housebroken and spayed.



Smokin' in the boys room.



Online Promotion Poster, a Virtual Poster as it were.



We ended the show with a medley of Ramones tunes consisting of "Rockaway Beach/Blitzkrieg Bop/I Wanna Be Sedated" and encored our encore with Def Leppard's "Pour Some Sugar On Me"

* - White Wedding did play an improv version of "Rockaway Beach" at Thai Rock but it was only half the band improvising (Rob, Spike and Paul Little on guitar)

This Is Show # 172

- Spike

Napper Tandy's - 6/3/11 - Miller Place, Long Island

It was an odd and pleasurable summer experience getting to the Napper Tandys venue at dusk with the sun setting in the sky opposed to complete night as we all rolled out of the car and into the bar. I proceeded to set up my kit (Ludwig Black) and in a fit of pique changed my cymbal setup (see below) but more importantly it was a return show for the band and our first with McFly helming the guitar.

Accolades to THE DJ Pac Man Pookie spinning tunes (hearing that he likes my Foodie pics on Facebook also makes me happy as well), Case Logic Lives, I gave a dollar to a Roll Up Q-Base Guy and didnt take my Roll Up (candy) since he said he was a musician so I "felt for him" I will Never Do This Again, he gains a buck/I gain one less buck, Caught the 5:41 (earlier) as opposed to the 5:53 (later) train (to RONKONKOMA) and couldn't get a seat so I stood while I read MODERN DRUMMER Magazine (JUNE 2011) and did NOT have my (Cheesy Melt Burrito) food until I sat down at "A" Round forty past six, Dropped my stick during the Drum intro to "Call Me" but no one noticed,... WELL... The BAND DID..., McFly singlehandedly wrestled the crowd up onto the dancefloor during our second set and This fits right in with the behavior I have come to expect from my bandmates of late. The Wonton soup was Really Good also.



FACT - this man has learned less than 200 songs in the six weeks since he joined.

O.K. he learned almost a Hundred in that time which is QUITE THE FEAT including Medleys and unique cues!!!
.... plus he likes Twin Peaks.

AND he's a fluid guitar player.







To accomodate Napper Tandys smallish stage which was crowded with mic stands, microphones, XLR cables, amplifiers, pint glasses, tambourines, set lists, effects pedals, cowboy hats, keyboard stand, cymbal bag, gig bag, guitar stands, drum case, back pack, power strip, replacement drum head and a soup container I used a different cymbal configuration which can only be described as garish and unmanageable. (on the left) Hi-Hats, Both Crash Cymbals. (on the right) Ride, China (Zildjian) (All Sabian AAX unless it says its Zildjian)

DOH. switch out the 20" Crash with the China, PROBLEM SOLVED.



Before and Between sets I almost delighted in some Wonton Soup from the Ho Ming Chinese Take Out Restaurant just a few doors down and the favorite of east coast pigeons everywhere.

- Animal