White Wedding - Mickey Spillane's 2/25/12 Eastchester, New York

During the Michael Jackson segment.

Bar Patron - "Beat It"
Rob (as Michael) - "Sir, what you do at home is your own business"

A drummer's job is to roll around the drum kit but Rob also had me rolling with laughter quite a few times during tonights performance speaking in character to the attendees. It was not at all a hostile crowd but a new venue for us and we brought no built in audience which considering such was a success for the band indeed as the patrons were up and dancing and most stayed for the entire show.

I played pretty much effortlessly (meaning without effort) and for the arrangements selflessly (meaning no showing off) while enjoying one 1/2 price drink ($3 pint of Newcastle) until discovering the FREE Bud Lights. Nice venue and hopefully we will be back, this was the night that Nancy spilled a little Rum and Diet Coke on Dave's Bass (everything is fine).
But also became the first victim in the clutches of our invading nemesis the surge protectors !!! (more on that below)



Pre-Show/Invasion and Eric is Poised.



J.C. wiring the planet for electricity.



"Here's Looking At You Kid", Is Dave One Of THEM ?



I was the only earthling BLOG photographer tonight so took these candid shots, and heres one of ME!!!.

Got a chance to take some group pics during my break in the first two verses of Journey's "Faithfully" which is where the header photo is from.



Here is Eric's Guitar Distortion Effect (singular), whereas even most bass players these days use a complete pedal board (multiple effects) Eric continues to amaze me with his incredibly clean playing. At least once a performance I am wowed by a guitar solo of his and tonight it happened twice. There is a theory that the aliens used this as a homing beacon, with full cooperation from the Fender corporation of course.



Looks like some dude at the bus stop has a light saber or is that just an alien craft landing outside the bar ?



More like the mother ship landing an armada of bloodthirsty surge protectors !!!

We fought them off valiantly and saved a few lives too.
See you at the Heritage Bar, March 3rd.



This Is Show # 156

For The Love Of Vinyl - The Album Art Of Hipgnosis

An absolute must read for lovers of the Vinyl LP as art form and those who appreciate imagination and creativity dedicated to the visionary artwork that was once placed on album imagery while retaining individual artistic integrity.

During the heady daze that spanned 1968-1979 Hipgnosis reigned supreme designing classic album covers for the likes of Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Paul McCartney and Genesis amongst many others. This coffee table book printed on good stock paper gives the back story to many of the covers the team of Thorgerson and Powell produced to present to the non stop parade of music visionaries (and their managers) that kept Hipgnosis in business and at the forefront of their craft for a decade.

Revel in stories concerning the Pink Floyd "Animals" inflatable pig, manipulating polaroids for a Peter Gabriel photo shoot and having the Sex Pistols as your neighbors. Always fascinating and never boring, as I told my singer "This Book Rules !!!"

From lesser known album artwork.







To icons of the genre.







These images and stories are within these pages.



After writing this I Googled "Hipgnosis" only to find I had missed a screening of this film that happened just yesterday and less than 24 hours ago.



HIPGNOSIS COVERS

Storm Thorgerson Site

Fat Tuesday 2012 - Two Boots Pizza 2/21/12 Park Slope/Brooklyn, NYC

Photo by Jamie.

Two Boots interior festive roof 2012.



A Hurricane and Pina Colada, Beads Mandatory.



Jambalaya, Gumbo and Crawfish Pie. Just like the song says.



The KING Cake.

White Wedding - Zeppelin Hall 2/17/12 Jersey City,New Jersey

This was the first show from my vantage point at the back where I realized we might be building a little following at the Zeppelin hall (Giseli, Hector etc.) and the crowd was definitely into it. At one point the man spotted to the right in the photo above was holding Rob's microphone stand over him as he lie on the stage floor singing in his Bono guise and I was in fear for his safety but the guy was truly having a good time and not to worry as Zeppelin hall has an attentive and professional security staff (one of which complimented my drumming) of which we can count on.

Premiered at tonight's performance was "The Safety Dance" by Men Without Hats.



Rocking Out with Dave on the 5 string bass.



Partying on a Friday Night with us.



Bono in mid leap.



Eric, Michael & Dave.



During our first set I glanced at the floor tom to see it mysteriously garnished with French Fries (I didn't spot the sandwich till later) and wondered if someone was throwing food at me, they were a bad aim if they were because I certainly wasn't hit with any but I remained perplexed for the rest of the set. If I was being heckled it should not be happening at this stage of the game should it ?, was it my looks ? dark visions of being bullied through my formative years at school returned. After the set I ran to Jamie and asked if she was "throwing food at me" ? Turns out she wasn't throwing it at me but was feeding me the Philly Cheese Steak I had ordered and for the second time in a row was not able to appreciate due to my lateness arriving at the hall. Thanks for trying Jamie, I will make sure I get there earlier next time to indulge properly.

This was also the night that Robert Smith spilled Schweppes Raspberry Ginger Ale on my down pillow.

This Is Show # 155

FLICKR

The 20th Annual Napoli Pizza Party - 2/11/11 Staten Island,New York

Invited back to the Napoli Pizza party a second year in a row was an honor for me and it was great to see everyone again. The Dough was flying like usual and many more Pies and Rolls (Calzones, Sausage Rolls, Sfingione*) were created than photo space allows in this column, here are some of the outstanding selections (and my creation this year).

Cellphone camera's (plural) documented the proceedings as Pizza's were posted to Facebook in real time that Bill Gates could only imagine and Steve Jobs only be proud of.



Once again Carol outdid herself with the creation of a KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) Pizza which is (apart from the Pizza dough) made up completely out of KFC materials in this order from the ground floor up. --> Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Chicken "from the bucket" pieces and some shredded Cheddar Cheese to top off the toppings.



Courtenay's Pie with Pear Slices, Balsamic Vinegar and Fig Glaze was the most unique Pie this year.



Jamie's Broccoli Rabe and Fontina Cheese with caramelized Onions, probably the favorite of the day.



Joe came up with The M.O.R. - Meatballs, Onion, Ricotta & Basil over Sauce and Cheese and that's hard to beat, I mean think about it'. Off the menu this is the safest bet.



My creation of the Taco Pie is Pizza Sauce and Mozzarella topped with Ortega Taco Seasoning flavored Ground Beef with pickled/jar Jalapeño slices and Crushed "Nacho Cheese" Doritos.



Jamie and Donna prepared the Pulled Pork & BBQ Sauce Pie which flew off the table.



Sirelle's "Healthy" Pie is a Whole Wheat Pizza topped with Arugula,Tangerine Chunks,Goat Cheese and one I need to taste.



This year the Dough was literally giving "rise" to nipples.



a pizza portrait.

* - properly spelled Sfincione

iPhone 4

About a year ago I was sitting behind the drums during rehearsal at the Callbox as Dave, Rob and J.C. were all simultaneously buried in their cell phones for a moment to which Mike exclaimed "Well, its 2011 what would we do without our mobile devices" ? I LOL (as they say) and the joke stuck with me, so true and maybe even moreso a year later.

For two years my LG Envtouch served me well being my first touch screen/internet capable mobile device even though I did have major calibration issues and had to send in to get a replacement just a few months into my foray but just the same I too could be seen buried in my mobile device.

I have had my mind set on an iPhone probably since its inception being a fan of Apple products and waited for my contract with Verizon to be up for some incentive savings on my new phone (in my case $30 credit affording me a $70 iPhone) and a slightly inflated data package ($20 monthly increase). After living with this device for a few days I can only sing its praises and I am totally happy with it but it really is just a phone with internet services BUT lets not forget the joy of Apps (a luxury my LG did not support). Forget about Angry Birds (yes I got that one too) the Uber-Geek in me just had to have the RUSH App that I read about on probably the first BLOG I ever read namely RUSH IS A BAND and this was the first app I downloaded as soon as I got home. I don't want to be one that sits playing games on my Telephone but boy it is tempting, at the moment Im liking the Music Trivia but thankfully these apps only hold my attention for minutes at a time, so far.

My favorite "mobile device" yet. I can't wait for the iPhone 7



iPhone RUSH App

White Wedding - Private "SKI" Party - 2/4/12 New York City

The Crowd Totally ROCKED!!! We Totally ROCKED!!! It ROCKED!!!

White Wedding played here about a year ago to aid a benefit/Ski Party for the homeless to an insane crowd and they just got insanier!!!. Everyone was in lovely spirits from the start and on the dance floor by our first number "The Promise". Springsteen went over BIG tonight!!! and the crowd chanting Born In The USA with us in spirit and key was special.

Tonight was one of those shows when I was so proud to be in this band and I am sure it was in no small part to this being our last show with our bandleader and architect Mike (Doc Brown) who resigned his post for the most righteous of duties, namely starting a family with Tawni and their daughter Thora. Not in Any way to belittle the valiant efforts of Mike's understudies Marco or Paul and our new full time guitarist Eric (Who are all awesome players might I add) but a lot of our detailed arrangements are Mike's that Dave, Nancy and myself executed for well over five years and as happens without realizing it, we became organic natural players together so the smoothness of tonights performance in some part was just setting it on auto pilot.

p.s. - the bum leg on the floor tom of the orange school bus drum kit kept collapsing so I played with no floor tom tonight, at one point it became aplasticcupofseltzerstand to which Nancy questioned me about during song but I couldn't answer since I was drumming and all but Nancers had me dying laughing.



In all his Purpleness.



80s SKI Fashion Abounds.



Rob, Nancy & Grand Marnier Globular Drinking Vessel in Crimson.



a.k.a. Billie Jean & Doc Brown. (whats with the cigarette Mike ?)



Me & Dave (what the hell am I playing)

a: the intro to 1999



The Candid J.C.



and Sean and Ginger did our sound and lights again, always a pleasure.
you can find their services here



This Is Show # 154

White Wedding - Resorts World Casino/Bar 360 2/2/12 Queens, New York

Bar 360 at the Resorts World Casino offered us a most unique stage to perform on offering a three hundred and sixty degree view from stage as well as being our first casino performance. On the grounds of aqueduct raceway in Queens, New York is a slots only gambling "Racino" (I use gambling for lack of a better word all you shriners out there) offering complete smoke-free entertainment until the wee hours, most impressive.

The band delivered three one hour sets to an appreciative and ever changing crowd of onlookers (there were quite a few who stuck around with us most of the night as well) as is the nature of playing a casino since not many are there to watch the band all night, the next step is to build a casino following and before you know it we could be competing with Wayne Newton. After our second set the A/V crew got a handle on what our show is about and Mike the sound engineer was yelling "Billy Idol!!!" at Rob dressed as Billy Idol and then asked me most good naturally "Who are you supposed to be Phyllis Diller ?" after which I replied "I have heard many things in my life but never Phyllis Diller" turns out that was a stock personality for Mike.



Fancy Nancy in her Day-Glo shades.



Dramatis Personae Rob



Eric as The Beast of X-Men fame.



The Coolest Pic of Dave Ever.



J.C. Keys



Your Blogmaestro.



The Green Room at World Resorts Casino was far away enough from the stage that I wondered if anyone gave a second glance at Rob or Nancy in Full Billy Idol or Cyndi Lauper Regalia,... This is Queens, NAH!!!





Jamie had SLOTS of fun taking some photos too, as you can see. Thanks for taking the pics Jamie.





This Is Show # 153

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