Acid Mothers Temple - Knitting Factory 4/17/13 Brooklyn, New York

The Good Yeggs meet The Subway Serenader - Freddy's Backroom 4/6/13 Brooklyn, New York

This gig has been a long time coming for me as I was booked with another band last time the Good Yeggs accompanied The Subway Serenader and I felt as I had missed out on a different kind of musical experience just from firstly knowing Brian and secondly knowing material from his groups Box Of Crayons, Black Death and Rock Farm. 

After 2 rehearsals with Brian (The Subway Serenader), Carl (Guitar) and Vlad (Guitar, Backing Vocals) with The Good Yeggs - Joe (Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals), Tom (Guitar, Backing Vocals) and me, Spike (Drums) we performed 10 Original songs in a tight concise set (4 Clicks "on the sticks" Please) comprised of melancholy subway serenades to soothe the soul and salve the sores of salty straphangers everywhere. 

Performed tonight was also the annual holiday favourite "Christmas In the Subway" of which Fran Powers (Box Of Crayons) joined us onstage for this rollicking yuletide event and in April nonetheless. 

After the performance my ladylove Jamie said without Delay that The Subway Serenader "fared very well".

                                Thomas watches in bemused amazement.

Subway Serenader - On The Subway - (Jenniecam)

The Good Yeggs played a loose yet tight set of 13 tightly loose songs. We prepared well and the only hitch was that I held the only setlist and began withholding info on the next number so I could  get a sip of my Miller and/or PBR Liquid Bread before barreling into the next number as my bandmates kept rolling them Off!!!. Premiered tonight was "Passing By"

American Crank (profane mix) (Jamiecam)

Never Lie To You (Jenniecam)

Minnie The Moocher (Jamiecam)

In a first tonight I broke my Drumstick right on the last beat of a song. 

The Subway Serenaders "Hip Hop" tune "Going TA Hell" ends with a Flam (hitting the drum with both sticks at the same time but just slightly apart) and at this very moment my stick came apart. 

Also of note was Freddy's Band Policy tonight which was Free PBR or Miller for band members, hence the PBR on Snare drum photo.

Nina's Pet Pocketbook.

This Is Show # 8

- Spike

FACEBOOK ALBUM

The Subway Serenader Digital Ad Campaign 2013

Being that Brian (the Subway Serenader himself) still does things with mailing lists and by choice is not internet savvy I wanted to spearhead an online ad campaign via Facebook for his next appearance at Freddy's Backroom that incidentally will have the Good Yeggs accompanying him for his performance followed by a full set by us (The Good Yeggs) to close out the night.

Who Is The Subway Serenader ? (3/29/13)

Are You Ready For The Subway Serenader ? (3/30/13)

The Sub Basement Blues Band Tape Archive Project

The 21st Annual Napoli Pizza Party 3/8/13 Staten Island, New York

The Napoli Pizza Off now in its 21st year is Truly a one of a kind family experience and I was honored to be there once again. As testament to the Many delicious Homeade and Handmade Pizza's being made that were simply irresistible you can see in the photo above a Stuffed Stromboli, Ravioli Slices and Sfingone all of which I was too stuffed to even consider. How is this possible ? Come to the Napoli's and find out.

Prom Queen - Jamie's Grilled Cheese with Bacon and Tomato (American & Muenster Cheese)

Sometimes to beat a Pizza you have to NOT be a Pizza and in Jamie's case it worked as this pie flew off the plate hardly finding time to transfer itself from the Pizza skin.

Athlete of the Year - Donna's Gnocchi Putanesca made for the most Italian Pie with Olives and also left the room before most had a chance to sample this beauty as well.

Class Clown - I Cant believe it took me this long to make a Prosciutto Ball Pizza.

I HAD TO make a Prosciutto Ball Pizza after all my Himming and Hawwing Year round about the Glory of the Prosciutto Ball, Decent Pie and the Prosciutto Balls (which were called Spike's Balls at the proceedings) were nice and crispy on the outside and cheesy on the inside being baked in a high temperature oven.

Most Likely To Succeed - Steven's Penne A La Vodka Pizza

Steven's first entry this year had a simple yet zen-like premise. Steven opined that " I Love Vodka Sauce with Penne and I Love Pizza so why not not them together" and he did to great response and another Pizza that disappeared immediately.

Student Of the Year - Concetta's Ravioli Pie.

Can you really go wrong, this was Concetta's creation this year and full of Cheesy Goodness.

Best Dressed - Gary's Taco Pizza

There were literally three or four of us (who shall remain unnamed) waiting outside the oven for this baby to exit, the secret here aside from the Dizzyingly Delicious Seasoned Ground Beef was the Chilled Homeade Pico de Gallo topping which was added after this Pie had cooled just a tad. Overwhelmingly Munchable.

Uncle Andrew keeping the Pizza's Flowing.

B

POOM

The Good Yeggs - CD Post Production, Pacing/Sequencing and Overdubs - 2/2/13 Hesdeadjimstudios - Queens, New York

We had a feeling of accomplishment as the long gestating project of our first album was finalized today concerning artwork, track selection and sequencing and are already looking towards our sophomore project.

As these tracks were recorded months and years apart there is a great variety of mood, execution and ambience about. It feels like a field recording but these were all recorded under the same eaves, Not to compare or liken to anyone else I get an "Odds & Sods" by the WHO feel from this collection but that is from my vantage point inside the monster.

Joe brought in a new technique to the Yeggs recording process that he read about in David Byrne's book "How Music Works" and which The "BONO" also utilizes which is that of "Control Room Tracking" wherein no headphones are used but the singer is listening to the track he/she is singing/dubbing onto live via monitor speaker(s).

Negligible microphone leakage (helped along by placement and polar pattern) discrepancies reported to limit the use of this technique.

Lets hear it for Thomas' job at producing, mixing and engineering the record, every track sounds very different from the one right next to it and is crystal clear in clarity and instrument separation. Thomas also has a humble bedside manner during recording by getting a better take without making you feel an inferior musician or imbecilic toadstool.

The highlight of my weekend is Guiro Overdubs,... that and Midget Pierogie Tossing.

Upon arrival at Thomas' house we honored the British with a little "tea party" since Tom likes the Beatles and I like ELO. 

Joe likes "some" Anglophile tunes but for the most part can be heard muttering "screw those Limeys, America created Rock and Roll!!!" to the man on the street and of course visiting British tourists whenever he can.

Thomas' son Lennon helped us with production duties over the course of the day and he and I discussed "Slenderman" and "Minecraft" in some detail. This photograph is a dedication to the Slenderman but can you spot Lennon or has Lennon learnt the first lesson of not being seen?

kindly leave your replies in the comments section below.

Sonically we knew Exactly what this song was going to look like in graphical representation then we opened it and there it was.

Noticeably Superior Chinese Food from "Fortune Kitchen" of Richmond Hill, Queens.

Ironically instead of having my dinner off the snare drum today I am having it off of Thomas' Roland Piano (well, he did offer).

But what really fed the day once we started finalizing track selection order was that Nutritious and Wonderful Elixir, Jim Beam Bourbon Whiskey.

FORTUNE KITCHEN ON MENUNY

- Spike

The Good Yeggs - Three Jolly Pigeons 1/26/13 Brooklyn, New York

(above) I Stealthily Sleuthed a Sharp Spy Shot of Secret Subway Serenader Stuff being discussed but more on that later (Watch this Space).

The Yeggs played well this evening for two sets at Brooklyn's watering hole of choice for discerning waterholes and such so we must be speaking of the Three Jolly Pigeons of Bay Ridge.

Premiered tonight was Jerry Lee Lewis' barnstormer (and one of Mao Tse Tung's favorite tunes) "Great Balls Of Fire", Our new original "Comin' Loose", My vocal debut on The Beatles "What Goes On", the 3/4 waltz tempo original "You Are the One" and our medley of "End Of The World/Minnie The Moocher".

Sweethook played support and it was great to see our old friends again as well. Jazelyn backed us up vocally on "Another Brooklyn" and "American Crank" as per the studio recordings.

Thomas showing his handsome Prestige semi-acoustic hollow body who is boss by tuning it however  he likes amidst a rare Stigwood monitor and humidity exposed Sabian ride cymbal.

Joe's gorgeous Longhorn and he has a nice bass guitar too.

Of note is the Stigwood monitor speaker just behind Joe, This is from Robert Stigwood's (Jesus Christ Superstar, Saturday Night Fever and his most well known Classic film "Sgt. Pepper") brief but memorable foray into Musica Amplification circa 1978.

Self Portrait of a quality Showtech bowling shirt and the 3JP windowsill. Tonight was my vocal debut on the Beatles tune "What Goes On" that I still have not memorized the lyrics to AND this being a dimly lit bar on top of the fact that I was wearing prescription sunglasses that are failing on the prescription side and I could not see the printed lyrics that I had taken along (wether taping them to the rack tom or the floor tom) I flubbed the second verse, still fun to do and a challenge.

Gig prior I grabbed a pint of Pork Lo Mein from Fu Lai Kitchen. After we had set up the gear and I was "tucking in" to my noodles from atop the Snare Drum I looked over as Thomas offered me some Pringles Potato Crisps to which I gestured towards the Lo Mein that there already was a dish to ponder after which Thomas gestured (completely in gesture) "SO, have it with some Pringles" this I did do.

Never let it be said that Thomas is a man that will Not bend the rules or the Potato Crisps.

It started as an inside joke at Box Of Crayons and Rock Farm gigs in which I would offer Brian salty snacks from the bodega down the block but tonight he Trumped my usual offer of a Bag O' Dipsy Doodles with Two bags of Frito Lays Corn Chips and a tube of Pringles for the Yeggs to share that he "Showered us with" during his entrance.

Later into the evening Brian was overheard exclaiming "Right!!! What's all this then Ya Bit of Crumpet!!!" to All of the womenfolk and some of the butch attendees as well as he pillaged and plundered his way into the night.

- Spike

This Is Show # 7

M

n

b

Thanksgiving 2012 with the Moroni's

And It WAS Thanksgiving Central. Jamie prepared Everything for the festive eating army at hand.



I was and always am a large admirer for the Antipasto beginner's portion (with the little olive fork and all) and this was the Beautifully arranged plate before I secured my grubby little hands into it.

one of the florets is NOT. guess and comment below.



OMG, The Sausage Bread, OMG.

What can I say, Jamie's Sausage Bread cannot be beat.
Especially since it doesn't stay around long enough for any contenders to get a chance.



Pumpkin Tortellini in a Cream Sauce, Done To Perfection and Creamilicious.



The Plate Looks sparse Yet Is Dense. As a matter of Fact I would Kill for One right Now!!!!!.
NO, calm, cool and collected.

(clockwise from 9) - Pillsbury (Place and Bake Rounds) Crescent Roll Biscuit, Savory and Juicy Turkey, Sausage Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes with Heinz Gravy center balanced with one (1) Asparagi'.



La Familia and La Korean.



The Korean & The Chef.
(I wore this t-shirt for you Jamie)



gobble, gobble

THE WHO - Barclays Center 11/14/12 Brooklyn, New York

The Detection of an Invisible Fog.

Silver Star Restaurant 11/10/12 Brooklyn, New York

There are Cauldrons.

There are Soups.

There are Cauldrons of Soup.

There is Silver Star.

I chose Indian Food as the dinner to celebrate my 47th year but just as we were about to go to press with an Evite Jamie brainstormed Silver Star as a more fitting location and I could not agree moreso. This Old School Chinese Restaurant (.-)) was attentive in the wait staff and even provided us 2 staging areas and an invisible table nearby for our bags and framed autographed photos of Keith Emerson.

I have to give it to Jamie for calling ahead concerning mixed drinks only to find that Silver Star is a B.Y.O.B. establishment, perhaps it is a good thing we didn't know this 30 years ago. Jennie brought a bottle of Champagne and I donated one red & one white zinfandel, the table enjoyed the Zin while Joe and myself polished off the Shiraz.



The Pu Pu Platter.

Even the erosion of time leaves these sterno's conducive and unchanged.



Wise Mr. Frank ordered his usual, Shrimp in Lobster Sauce with Pork Fried Rice and Egg Roll (combination), of note there is an unusually shaped Crispy Noodle above the plate (1 o' clock).



Bob-San enjoyed Spare Rib with Pork Fried Rice and Egg Roll.



Confuscius say "Confusion Abounds Here" as I do not recall who got the Pork with Mixed Vegetables,  my memory tells me that both Dragon Lady Jennie and China Doll Madge both ordered "Chow Mein" but I am obviously Wong and must commit Harry Carry.



Emperor Joe went the right route for an American-Chinese Restaurant and sampled some Egg Foo Young with Gravy, Pork Fried Rice & Egg Roll.

The Emperor walked away happily.



My fellow Asian and PuertoPino friend Manny had a manly plate indeed with Chicken Chow Mein, Egg Roll, Pork Fried Rice AND Spare Ribs.



Madama Jamiefly was wise in her asian ordering and was served the Boneless Chicken atop Mixed Chinese Vegetables which is a Favorite to ALL.

Boneless Chicken ?
How Did It Walk ?



I ordered my mainstay, Roast Pork Chow Mein.
No One makes it this way.

Thanks Everyone for the Birthday Party.




Spike Blows.



There was a Panda with Bok Choy as well but then I was told it was Bamboo.
Oh Wait, BAMBU.



SILVER STAR MENUPAGES