Heritage Bar - 12/31/11 Yonkers, New York

I finally learned what an Ulster Fry is, oftentimes on the daily menu specials at the Heritage (but not tonight) this item is listed. I previously surmised that it was a "fried food platter" and that Ulster is "a place" and I was right on both counts (Ulster is geographically located at the top of Ireland and the contents of the plate was rattled off to me so expertly and quickly that I can only remember that there were Beans). This information was provided by members of the wait staff who had ended their shift and were counting out receipts at the very table next to which I set up my Drum Kit and as it was getting closer to showtime I went ahead and set up around them, they were all very sweet but realized once the band "came in" that this was a bit loud and somewhat intrusive. Oh Thats Right SHOWTIME, this entry is about the show.

It being New Years eve the Heritage was its usual lively self with a few extra well wishers 'Round Midnight, this place has fans and a core audience that need no explanation once you have experienced the Heritage spirit.

Tonight there were 2 Michael Jackson's at one point but dont worry I know who the real one is and I aint telling, there was also some breakdancing during "Sister Christian" which was instigated by Rob, Well... at least that sounds right to me, I was in prescription shades in a dimly lit room but I mean who else would do that!!!. This is also the show that I experienced a common drummer nightmare, that of the band being onstage ready to start without you, I was at the bar getting a third set Guinness discussing the band Rush with a patron when I heard Rob introducing the opening number "Anyway You Want It" by Journey.

Thanks Steve for delivering the Stout to me.



The Two Michael's



Is this a Material Girl ?



Welcome to the Jungle.



Note: White Wedding t-shirt



Axlette Rose.



Rockin' The Heritage.



The band played very well and it was nice to have Nancy back in the fold for the evening. Nancy had a blast as well, I was there.



We got there early (Sean drove me) and actually got a seat at the bar along with Nancy & Paul. I purchased a Heritage Bar polo shirt since they treat us so well there (and its a nice shirt) and finally tried their Sliders which were very tasty.



Dave and myself vamped behind MC Rob counting down the new year for the crowd after which I meant to shut off my digital camera but forgot so we get 18 minutes of audio from tonights show instead of five, ALL for the price of a dime.

This Is Show # 148

FLICKR

- Spike

Breezy Point Surf Club 7/30/11 Long Island, New York

Consumption of alcoholic beverages is accepted behavior and almost pre-requisite in the business of performing music and presenting it as well but on some nights you can step backwards instead of forwards and I am so glad that I am not speaking from my experience or any of my bandmates.

Our regular sound engineer Sean could not make this show so we hired an outside freelancer from Craigslist who was serious enough to come see the band last month and tonight he got his audition (albeit he was payed for his services) and at first I thought he seemed to know what he was doing (he used terms like XLR cable, Guitar & Electricity) and I was impressed at the fact that he mic'ed the resonant head of the Snare Drum as opposed to the batter keeping that pesky microphone clip out of harm's way, He even had me plug in the mini-XLR so I was able to put my Qualified "Recording Engineer" skills to work.

By the second set something was rotten in Pepperland (Beatles reference) as a feedback hum overtook the stage monitors of which I initially wrote off as Gain/Fader problems but they persisted throughout our set to no avail, the band sounded good on the dancefloor but onstage things were getting fuzzy. Turns out both of our sound crew had a bit too much to drink and at one point had to be nudged awake by Rob to ask for hotter (in level) vocals. I am told that throughout the second set there were proud exclamations of "Dont Worry, I Do This ALL THE TIME!!!" which makes you kind of wonder, there was also vomiting into dixie cups which I happily missed. As a band this gig separated the men from the boys as White Wedding played non-stop, un-phased and very well too without a hitch,... at least not from our end.

The engineer's assistant was a very nice guy who volunteered to take photos of us so I lent him my Lumix camera and he got a few good shots as seen here.







- Spike