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

Napper Tandy's - 4/1/11 - Miller Place, Long Island

And Now some wacky photos from the live on the stage perspective (as seen from the live on the stage perspective), between songs, pre-set, still life and moments when photos are not usually taken by active band members... like during performance.



about to Metal.









Pre-Gig Dinner was from Zara Pizza & Restaurant located in the nearby strip mall.
Being a former Italian Brooklyn Snob Food Critic (IBSFC) I was surprised to find this Long Island SQUARE Slice to be very nicely textured but sadly was lacking a bit in flavor.

Cheese? texture yes/flavor no, almost like a salt-free cheese.
Sauce? a bit jar sauce tasting even for a jar, kinda bland, NO OOOMPH!!!
BUT!!! nice chewy dough reminiscent of the L & B Spumoni Gardens Square compensates very nicely.



There's such duality in nature.

To the man that ran into me at Penn Station saying "Animal!, White Wedding!, I auditioned for you guys two years ago, Im auditioning for X-Factor next week" You made my night and I wished you the best of luck as you did me. We are all in this together.

- Animal

Napper Tandy's 3/4/11 Miller Place, Long Island

They were up and dancing at the Napper Tandys for this gig and I was slightly adventurous in my playing tonight as I continue to watch tempo. Sean and Ginger provided sound for us and I finally got a straight answer from the staff "Drinks for the band are half price"





Premiered tonight was the first mention of Chocodiles, Made In China conical hats and a Zucker,Abrahams & Zucker film onstage.



Spiccoli, McFly and myself stopped off at Friendlys for the PreGigSupperNombulusFrammodification, and how could we not.

Pictured above is (TunaMelt, side of Fries, Coffee)
Yet Another non-photogenic and fulfilling yet blandish dish.
This Is WHY They Created MSG fer chrissakes !!!
MSG - (monn-ohh-so-dee-umm-gloo-tah-mate)

Napper Tandy's 2/4/11 Miller Place, Long Island

We missed last months gig at Napper Tandy's due to Blizzard expectations so it was nice to get back to the place again and fall right into the swing of things. Tonights performance started out sedate but before the second set a crowd had filtered in and onto the dancefloor requesting songs and enjoying themselves liquidly.







And Now a photo of the "certificate" on the inner shell of my DW snare drum. Ya See Two days ago I broke the batter head on my drum (and with excellent timing as this happened during rehearsal, PHEW) so I got the chance to upgrade to my current head of choice the Remo Powerstroke lll Coated Batter Clear Dot (Say that Ten Times Fast) which I proceeded to apply gig-prior. Batter head removed allowing "Inner Shell Photography"

About the DW/Powerstroke combo, the ring/overtones seems to have completely disappeared due to the skins second "thin underlay" and I am getting a nice dry crack. The DW/Remo Factory provided head was fine (and had the DW logo on it which I liked) but the Powerstroke is an improvement to my ear's taste and as I try her in new and different rooms I shall fine tune accordingly.



Our sound technician's Sean and Ginger lend their expertise to our in-house mix at Napper Tandys so once mic'ed I was guaranteed a resonant Bass Drum which is always personally a nice touch and people can really HEAR it as well. I would like to thank Ginger for offering to take some pics of the gig at the gig (see above) and their company Boardwalk Entertainment can be found HERE.



On the road to Tapper Nandy's



I did a Very Brave thing and decided to try Mexican Food a la Friendlys (YES The Friendly's) and it was Not unenjoyable, As a matter of fact I enjoyed it quite a bit, This is EXACTLY what any Mexican Frozen Meal tastes like before it is frozen and then reheated again, the Rice was the deal breaker here and I finished almost every last grain. What appeared to be a Paltry Dollop of Sour Cream to my greedy eyes was quite enough to compliment the Meal.

Napper Tandy's 1/7/11 Miller Place, Long Island

THIS SHOW IS SNOWED OUT.

Napper Tandy's 12/3/10 Miller Place, Long Island

What made this gig interesting was the addition of Sean the sound engineer to fatten and balance the audio distribution over the dance floor at the Napper Tandy and while I could never listen first hand I heard that we sounded just that much better, I for one always love a mic'ed Bass Drum and the low frequency thud that fills the room, likewise the crack and richness coming off of the snare drum when sent through speakers. On the downside I had a keyboard heavy monitor mix for a bit but these things can be worked out after the trial run which is what this was.

The band played great to an intimate crowd and DJ Pacman Pookie declared us his "Favorite Band at the moment"

Song premiered at this gig "Old Time Rock and Roll"





Even though I have had run-ins before it was at this gig that I realized how physically demanding it was to play most of these songs, I know that we are an High Energy Eighties Dance Band but a drummer with Flu-like symptoms does not bode well with
High Energy Eighties Dance Band Music. I got through three sets but barely and from my bandmates reactions I think they noticed. Most Importantly the audience didnt realize anything was amiss and I even got compliments on my drumming from two patrons. I know now that I am capable of playing with my eyes closed and I do mean Literally but I just wish these germs would keep away on show-nights.



A Few hours before the gig Spicoli and myself did our Friendly's sojourn and I ordered a Cheddar Jack Chicken Supermelt Sandwich (Savory Tender Freshly Grilled Chicken Smothered in melted Monterey Jack and Cheddar Cheeses Crisp Hickory Smoked Bacon with Dijon Mustard on Grilled (its toast) Sourdough Bread) which sounds great on paper but was kind of bland in flavor and presentation, add to that now that I think of it I think they gypped me out of my Crisp Hickory Smoked Bacon !!!



- Animal

Napper Tandys 11/5/10 Miller Place, Long Island

Our sophomore show at Napper Tandy's found us a regular monthly attraction replete with canvas banner and advertisement's up in the Loo. Fine by Me, this is called beer room success in my book and theres very little that I can say negatively about success whichever way you slice it. Top that off with an Energetic, Dancing and Appreciative crowd and I must digress. Actually I am Stuck with all this running on of sentences writer's block (JERK) and Effing Language. BRB





Cyclone Ranger.



Our T-Shirt winner of the night. Joey answered our Rick Springfield question before we even asked it, and I mean Really. Well, He said "General Hospital"

Congratulations Joey.



White Wedding, Now amongst the corporate Giants.



Spiccoli and myself stopped off at Friendly's gig-prior in the strip mall for a few Friend-z Reeses Peanut Butter Cup Sundaes. For Dinner I ordered an Chipotle Firecracker Chicken Sandwich on Jalapeno Cornbread (sounds so much better than what I tasted that was still awesome mind you) which consisted of Chipotle Chicken, Monterey Jack Cheese, Lettuce,Tomatoes and Red Onions in a Honey Chipotle Sauce (DELICIOUS)



- Animal

Napper Tandy's 10/1/10 Miller Place, Long Island

While this was a completely new crowd to us we had the dance floor jumping by the second set and won over the now somewhat lubricated crowd. Napper Tandy's is a nice spacious room and the in-house D.J. was very accommodating to us and our act keeping the revelers busy between sets and emceeing for the band before each segment.







What lots of bands subsist on for road gigs, Bottled Water and Peanut Butter Cups.

- Animal