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

Private Party 7/14/12 Malvern Pennsylvania

Tonight we were truly a Party band because the party joined us on our makeshift stage. Once again not too many pictures since this is a private event but this was indeed in Dave's words "one for the books". We drove over two hours to Malvern, Pennsylvania and set up our equipment on the sun deck at (for argument's sake we will call him) Grant's house and were asked to make ourselves at home as we all banked on a rainless day which is what we got.

First set went without a hitch after which we had a bite to eat and some Beer, Water & Soda (depending on who you ask) and Grant brought us up some Beer and Wine to the deck. Second set was going smoothly but we had to vamp with a few Diana songs since we did not want the crowd (who were at the Piñata and Frozen Yogurt truck) to miss the Michael Jackson segment. Michael arrived but during his performance Grant decided to give us some liquid fun and proceeded mid - song to each band member feeding us Ketel One Vodka from the magnum to our mouths which was hysterical, decadent and just plain fun (we are so professional), afterwards Michael Jackson exclaimed "Well, its made out of potatoes so its healthy" then proceeded to ask for more "special juices" from the podium of which of course Grant obliged, the band was starting to feel a bit wobbly.

Third set was the "All Request" set and we started showcasing with Madonna and Billy Idol which led into the request portion interspersed with regulars from our show, we were asked to extend our third set and the band played on. Someone requested Led Zeppelin so we made up our version of "Rock and Roll" that I caught audio of with my trusty camera and we also did a version of "L.A. Woman" giving Rob a chance to get his inner Jim Morrison out.

Unique to tonight's show is "Call Me, Maybe & "Roller" by April Wine.

Premiered tonight was  Foreigner's "Juke Box Hero".



Dave's new 80s shorts and the extra 2X10 cabinet for outdoor shows boosting levels from a paltry 300 watts to a devastating 500 watts.



Another Pepsi accident waiting to happen *



Is it the Ketel One Vodka or did Spike just become a thousand times more attractive ?



Half of the band cooled in the pool directly after our performance.



Grilled Chicken, White American Cheeseburger, Homeade Mac & Cheese (obscured by Burger) & Corn Avocado Salad.



A bunch of the ladies accompanied us on this.



Off The Cuff and flying by the seat of our pants and dresses.

* - I have to give Jamie credit for this caption as I could not think of anything at all except "Eat It"



This Is Show # 180

- Spike

Peggy O' Neill's/Mermaid Parade 6/23/12 Coney Island, New York

It would be hard pressed to make me believe that White Wedding was not cut out to be the band most suited perfectly for Peggy O' Neill's Mermaid Parade 2012 after party. We reached a whole new crowd of people today and this is what I was most excited about, by the end of the evening band had won over audience and got our name out to the festive Mermaiding crowd. The parade was most interesting as well and aside from catching a fleeting glimpse of Jackie "Jokeman" Martling I also saw Underdog Woman's back. We performed outdoors and fortunately someone in management decided to put a canopy over the talented and dynamic drummer (lest they pass out from the heat) that at one point buckled a bit during a gust of wind leaving me a little fearful that it would collapse on top of me. I didn't want to become the invisible drummer but was prepared to be if duty called. Also unique to this show due to the canopy was my view of the band and crowd, I only saw my bandmates from the shoulders down but being pro as they are no one forgot to give me any visual cues as they arose.

Diana Does Debbie.

Jamie came up with some witty subtitles of her own and here are some of them.

My pisano JC - an Italian feast for the K-eyes and my favorite eyetalian.

GlenGlarey Glen Rob.

HA!

Dave is Groovin' on a Saturday afternoon.

Yeah Baby- Tap that sh-t

Rob is so fierce that he can even balance the light/antenna thingy on his microphone.

Facebook ad.

Pulled Pork Sliders, How bad could they be ?

The Journey block ended our second set with "Dont Stop Believing".

There were quite a few colorful people in the crowd as can be seen in this video clip. I found this by googling "White Wedding Mermaid Parade" and I am glad an audience member captured this for posterity.

Set One "Footloose", We are warming up but energetic.

O.K. I speak for the band, Looks like Rob is already there.

Apologies for the weird font problems, this posting gave me more problems then I care to think of.

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This Is Show # 176


- Spike

Private Party 6/22/12 New York City

The band played a private party in midtown on 12th avenue and 42nd street right across the street from the circle line of which whose neon marquee I kept glancing at through the windows behind me all night. Not only was this a birthday party but the birthday boy himself proposed to his girlfriend standing two feet in front of me as he was announcing "Best 80s" costume awards and then proceeded to sing the intro and first verse of the Georgia Satellites Hit "Keep Your Hands To Yourself" with the band that incidentally he requested we learn especially for this occasion.

Premiered tonight was Maroon 5's "Moves Like Jagger" and U2's "I Will Follow"

Eric took this beautiful shot of this view of the Hudson River with his cell phone.

Prior to us going on Rob said he had a present for me and presented me with the other half of his dinner  (and I do not mean that he vomited) that he had purchased at "Sandwich Planet" and being a man of good taste it was a "Sopranos" Sandwich (Prosciutto di Parma, Toscano Salami and Provolone on a Rosemary Focaccia Bread) which was most Delicious and to top that off Rob didn't even realize that I was starving and didn't have time to eat before the show and was so late (due to traffic) that I would only have time for a drink before we went on, in this case it was a Purple Passion (Vodka and Grapeade) but that's another story.



O.K. If not the Best Lemon Chicken/Chicken Francaise I have Ever Had this stands amongst them.

By this time we had played our first set and I was full of Soprano and Purple Passion, at these private events so long as we are privy to the Food Dais I always try the Chicken Francaise when on menu. Superbly Tender Cutlets are Floured and served immersed in Aromatic Lemon Butter Sauce. If you don't believe me ask Eric who also was floored by this delicacy catered by Avellinos.

Such a catchy tune and fun to play, none other than "Moves Like Jagger".

Sandwich Planet site

Avellinos Pizza site

This Is show # 175

- Spike

JC Cove 6/16/12 Freeport, Long Island

One of the most appreciative audiences we have played for this summer made this a memorable show for the band and the staff at JC Cove loved us up as well. Rob made quite a few tactical maneuvers in the Zipcar to get us to Freeport promptly and safely but there was lots of traffic (in Brooklyn !!!) to contend with. Upon arrival we set up quickly and started the show a little early as per managements request and tripled the crowd size by shows end, the seventh member of the band Ed (see below) provided shaker and tambourine throughout the evening and while not every song calls for additional percussion Ed was having a good time and is a very nice fellow.



80s Factoid - Prince provided Stevie Nicks with Synthesizer on "Stand Back" (1983).



"There goes a Snapperhead, Nope Really, Look Over There !!!"



Eric and Diana rocking the crowd with an enigmatic nautical structure in the left foreground.



(L to R) - Ed (tambourine and shaker), His Purpleness (being him), Dave (Bass Guitar, cell phone), Diana (being Stevie Nicks), J.C. (Keys, backing vox)



Early in our set and Bono had the crowd on our side with Truth, Justice and the can of Guinness way.



Perhaps in reverence and respect to their recently departed and eaten brethren just a few feet away in the JC Cove restaurant not one Lobster hat flew off even in these windy conditions.



Set One - Edge of Seventeen/Stand Back



Last song, Third Set prior to encore was SUGAR sweet.
Dave finally got to read his texts once we were through as well.
Dave endorses the Samsung Fascinate.

FLICKR

This Is Show # 174

- Spike

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

Heritage Bar - 4/21/12 Yonkers, New York

The band played really well tonight and were all very pleased with our performances as a unit and as individuals. Collette rose to the occasion once again and played to the crowd with showmanship and Eric got to meet one of his musical heroes Prince Rogers Nelson who is quite the showman himself (see photo above).

After the show Collette, Rob, Eric and myself had some drinks in the dressing room and discussed the minute details of our individual ensemble contributions, RickRolling, other bands, the universe at large, future songs to cover and Meg White.

... after which Collette found sixty dollars which may or may not have been hers.

Rob ferried us all home in the zip car but for the commuters heading away from Brooklyn it was all Burrito's and brake lights as we passed a large convoy of sedentary police cars with roof lights ablaze in the opposite lane.

For awakening him from his slumber I apologize to Sean for accidentally texting Blog ideas to his phone in the wee hours (and what will he make of it all tomorrow ?).

Also of note David Lee Roth is a bit effeminate in real life so I hear.



Eric giving the Molocchio to Dave for an unknown reason, this is becoming habitual with us.

Is White Wedding becoming Black Wedding ?



Collette fronting the band during the Journey classic "Don't Stop Believing".

There was no one available to take photos at this show so I stepped out from behind the drums during my brief "intro" pause to snap this pic and fortunately got back in time without a hitch.



Living in the Limelight.



J.C. tickles the ivories and was a good sport dodging my flying drumsticks, he did promise to "throw them back the next time" however.

its o.k. I have his red bag for ransom.



The Heritage is a fully stocked bar as well as the home of the best Guinness this side of Dublin. One of our most favorite places to play and a home base of sorts for us.

This Is Show # 167

- Spike