Port Jazz - 4/8/11 - Port Jefferson, New York

There were people up and dancing and some viewing us from the side of the stage but we have reached a pretty good level of proficiency and played to some pretty manic crowds that it makes me wonder why there isnt even more dancing feet, I suppose I am getting a bit spoiled and ahead of myself but I finally play an almost perfect set with No Mistakes (I missed the snare drum once) or discernible tempo problems and it's to an almost indifferent crowd too young to remember these songs and preferring some monotonous techno beats to dance along with, not that I am really complaining.

Doc Brown and Spiccoli really rose to the occasion and Rocked Out with conviction amidst and due to the polite applause and I got to look at my reflection in the mirror behind me all night. Port Jazz had us play one ninety minute set for the evening so it was a cakewalk for the band.











It was a pleasure to give my new Sabian AAX Fast Hats their first performance run and they sounded sweet.



Dont expect too much from food prepared at an Ice Cream shoppe (Ralph's in this case) and that is just what I received. The Frankfurter (pictured here with Mustard and Relish) had a slight agreeable tang to it and thats all but the Knish could have been heated through a bit more. Decent Mustard and it was after nine p.m. so am I really surprised ?.

- Animal

JCs Restaurant - 4/2/11 - Manorville, New York

An active motion of intent such as taking photos of people in action as opposed to musicians and performers in action oftentimes will reveal a photo such as the one above, Well... I Like It A Lot.

JCs Restaurant was a great place to play with a circumference riding veranda (overrated patio) outdoors and on the inside in the bar a nice wooden stage and widescreen monitors arrayed behind keyboardists ,drummers and those who play with their back (or fronts) to the wall. The crowd was into the music and dancing which grew proportionately as the evening wore on the band got hot and more drinkies were imbibed. This was the night when Billie Jean (bless her heart) drove Spiccoli and me back to our red eye LIRR train (or face a 2 hour delay) to make the 2:10 a.m. to Penn Station and in my fleeing haste I left my cellphone at the gig (on top of the floor tom is what my minds eye tells me) which was retrieved by Doc Brown and is currently being held for questioning.











- 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

Heritage Bar - 3/26/11 Yonkers, New York

A Pleasant return to the Heritage Bar which is a Real Irish Pub in my book. The crowd was a wee bit more lively this time than the last and the Stout poured heavily. The band played well and we all had a great evening entertaining the crowd.















During the show and prior to the gig I ate some Delicious Guinness Stout. This was somewhat planned as I was bedazzled by their Guinness since the first time I was here just a month ago, I actively had a Guinness last night at the Irish Circle for the impending taste test.

No Contest.

The Heritage Bar serves the Most Delicious Stout I have yet to experience. Dark and Creamy, Full Of Body and Rich in Flavor. On my previous visit I asked about the Stout and was told it was due to its freshness, just tonight I noticed a pouring method, I think its a combination of both and several other aspects but why ask when you can just drink.

- Animal

FLICKR

The Irish Circle 3/25/11 Rockaway Beach, Queens, New York

Awesome Kudos to Daniel-San for stepping up to the plate with less than 24 hour's notice to perform vocal duties for three sets with us. This was a very interesting gig for the core members of the band as we were performing with McFly and Daniel-san at the same time and Amadeus took over vocal duties on "Faithfully","I Wanna Be Sedated" and "Hungry Like The Wolf"











The Irish Circles Nacho Platter is pretty much what one would make at home so I can honestly say that I was not very impressed, Tasty though it was.

- Animal

Bally Bunion - 3/19/11 Brooklyn, NYC

The Next Era Begins.

The band currently has eighteen gigs booked at an average of two a week and the weather is still chilly outside so things are really shaping up nicely. We had the usual energetic, dancing crowd that we provide Bally Bunion with and Jamie's cousin and fellow musician Jack (Geezer) came down to check us out.









The crowd is driven into a frenzy !!!



A Purple Frenzy.

- Animal

Private Party 3/5/11 Garden City, New York

Another private party, Another AWESOME crowd.

This was a birthday toga party which only enhanced the entire experience once the guests really got partying.

I was the first to arrive which is well,..... a first and it was privately comedic to be greeted at the door by a couple of fully garbed romans (Biggus Dickus* anyone). A few numbers into our set and people were literally dancing on the countertop which was also surreal considering that said countertop was in someones kitchen. A Really tight performance from the band and Stellar performances from Spicolli and Billie Jean but the lighting was dimmed for atmosphere so the costumes were missed or perhaps enhanced due to a trick of the light. We never know what to expect out of these parties but we must be doing something right as the crowd was completely on our side and the band was asked to stay and play not a few encores but another short set.



We,The Entertainment were offered to partake in Food and Drinks so I made it over to the Buffet room only to encounter possibly my two favorite dishes, Chicken Francaise and Shepard's Pie in major abundance and almost right next to each other (aluminumnum trays of Baked Ziti was all that kept them apart). Incidentally DW Snare Drums also make decent snack tables (see above).



Since we are professional I make sure never to start snapping photographs in a fan/clients home but I could not resist taking one of the Cheese Platter (Swiss and Mild Cheddar) of which Diamond Dave and myself were enthralled with and happily partook of.



Anomaly's Abound - Prior to the gig while waiting for my train at the LIRR Jamaica station I grabbed a ninety-nine cent bag of Munchos and as I was snacking came across a disc shaped chip, after evaluating that this was not an intergalactic vessel or wayward poker chip I ate the sucker which was a bit more brittle than a Muncho and also overcooked to a degree which was only discernible by taste, I kind of liked it but to the brain the shape was all wrong (MUNCHO+TACTILE=REALMUNCHO) To my delight there was a second disc in the bag which I took a few photographs of and ate as well.

The People at Frito-Lays shall be hearing from me, Watch This Spot.



Doc Brown created a new White Wedding poster for upcoming gigs.

* - Monty Python - Life Of Brian (film)

- 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)

Bally Bunion - 2/26/11 Brooklyn, NYC

McFly's second gig with us was lots of fun and we had a nicely built setlist of tunes. Bally Bunion's usual energetic crowd got really kind of wild during "Purple Rain" influencing people to gesticulate wildly and toss napkins skyward (of which there is some rare footage below)









Maple and Bourbon 101st Anniversary Cuppycakes, Oh My.



Thanks to Joe the bartender for his vocal prowess on "Love Shack"



It was great to see Clay Do The Dance.



This time I ordered the Nacho's Supreme from the bar menu (thanks for reminding me Jamie)

- Animal