Year Three - Day 228 – October 22, 2011
The Road
I didn't sleep a wink until I heard from Jake.
Jake had a show with The Parachuting Apostles back in Philadelphia tonight so he had to catch a flight back. Once I got the text that said everything was cool I rolled over and caught a few winks. I got the room to myself tonight...which is always rare and wonderful.
It's a rare moment to be alone with my thoughts which can sometimes be a dangerous thing. I'm a dreamer with an analytical brain, I often take everything apart and over analyze and it drives me crazy. I did eventually get to sleep though, I'll deal with the questions in the am.
I woke up with the sun, cold symptoms lingering so the sleep wasn't amazing. I'm a little hungover, cause Minneapolis always gets me I scoop Andrew from his room, the slight rash has now engulfed his entire body and he's itchy from head to toe. we scoop Rob and after a quick visit with Flip we've hit the road to head back home.
As we journey back home the ride is quiet for the most part leaving me alone with my thoughts again...dangerous lol.
I'm basically of two brains about the immediate future.
Boy Wonder wants to keep going. That part of me loves the van, the hotels, the bad food, and most importantly bringing music to people. To perform night in and night out is a dream come to get paid for it is amazing. Opportunities keep popping up and I want to take advantage of every one.
Andre, the smarter/creative part wants to go home and rest, recharge, and write new songs. Everyone's heard the songs from Animated a bunch over the past year and some change. If you want the audience to stay there you have to keep it fresh and for me that means new material. You learn so much out here and I'm anxious to pick up the Pen and the Martin and throw myself into the process. There are 5 or 6 new tunes already, who knows what will happen in a week or a month.
The focus now is the show at Johnny Brendas on Wednesday. I was a bit more aggressive with the marketing for this show this time around, mainly because I'm excited to have the opportunity again. I want it to be bigger and better than it was before, I want Jake not to have food poisoning, I want to be seen in a more professional light, I want to feel better about the show, I want to slow everything down like we did in Minneapolis so I can enjoy it. To be completely blown away by two Killer Bands in a 5 day span also intrigues me.
Part of me is (and will always be) still haunted by the voices of the people who laughed when I said I wanted to do this for a living. There are a lot of people who would like to stick a finger in my face and tell me I'm no good, who'd prefer that I'd be quiet about the things I'm doing. People are really nasty about it sometimes. But as a I ride in the front seat of my Dad's 1993 Blue Dodge Ram I get over it real quick.
I like who I am and I'm proud of the few things I've accomplished. No one knows better than me exactly where I stand in the grand scheme of things. There are still people in my hometown that have no clue who I am or what I'm doing. We tour in my Dad's conversion van that I'm not licensed to drive, the electronics don't work half the time (As rob smacks the Dashboard) we play to a few hundred people a night and get paid if we're lucky, I'm broke half the time, I live with my parents, there are promoters in town who hate my guts because I refuse to be taken advantage of, I'm nowhere near where I'd like to be. Can I be annoying? Sure. Even I wish I didn't have to be in people's faces as much as I am...especially lately. But when someone says “Hey we like you to play” or “Hey would you be willing to come on my radio show” or “Hey I think your band is awesome” I get excited and I wanna tell everyone I know, and even some that I don't because I know that without people in my corner I've got no chance.
Night falls and my tirade is over we popped for some cheap DVD's at a Best Buy in Wisconsin and I'll do my best to stay awake with Andrew as he drives.
Home tomorrow
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Boy Wonder: Professional Musician 286
Year Three - Day 227 – October 20th 2011
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Today's the day
The show that I've been salivating to play since August. Boy Wonder, Jettison Juliet, Machine 22, The Morning Voice, and of course Vanity Theft in Minneapolis, MN. Andy has a few rash like spots on his arms and body.
Minneapolis, home of Bob Dylan, Soul Asylum, and of course Prince has become a second home to us. Other than home in Philly we've played Minneapolis the most times in the past two years. This particular city has proven to be very fertile for us, our audience is growing and the gigs keep getting bigger and bigger, not to mention it's one of the strongest music scenes I have ever seen. People like music there which makes it easier for us.
Taco John's and Naked Juice made for an...eventful 7 hour drive to The Twin Cities. We check into the hotel and pretty much immediately get to the 400 Bar. Of course I am immediately intimidated by the size and the posters on the wall. And as soon as doors opened at 8 people were coming in...the place was getting crowded pretty quickly. Brue is a helluva promoter, best I've ever seen. All I could think of was “Man I hope I don't screw this up” A text from Nichole Lynn calms my nerves.
Jettison Juliet was on first...they were really good, as they wind down I venture into the green room to do vocal Warm Ups, I do the same ones I learned from the Bang Camaro Vocalists pretty much to a T. I feel better than I did last night but we'll tune down to e flat just to make sure. I have the butterflies but I'm ready to go.
We approach the stage and when you've got a few nerves the worst thing you can do is look out into the crowd...so of course I looked out into the crowd. All my friends/supporters from the twin cities are here so I feel a bit better. I look back at my crew and I'm confident I can pull this off, but just in case I pray a silent prayer
“God keep me upright for 45 minutes and I promise I will take my black ass back to the hotel and go to sleep”
I count it off and we tear into the set
Slowdance
What's My Name
Ex-Girlfriend
Surrender
Sexy Machine
I Don't Dance
Feels So Good
Never Gonne Give You Up
Psycho
This show is probably us at our loudest. As I skulk around this stage doing my best Rock God impression I begin to notice something. I'm not in a rush, I'm taking my time and I'm enjoying it more. This all used to go by so fast, and now it's starting to slow down, I'm aware that you don't get moments like this very often so I want to enjoy every single second.
We're playing like a well oiled machine quite different from how we sounded on Wednesday Night at Home. I don't really want this to end but sadly it has to. I just have to work harder to make sure we play like this as often as possible.
But good for us the end of our set marked the beginning of Vanity Theft's. There are many words I can use to describe them but I'm only going to use two; Real Deal. An all girl band (which I love) from Venus or Mars or something. I dug the music and the show, they know exactly how to present themselves musically and on-stage, the perfect blend of sex and music. I'm sure when I have (imaginary) Grand kids I can tell them that I opened for Vanity Theft...who will likely be HUGE by then.
Then Machine 22 and The Morning Voice took the stage and killed it. All in all it was the best Minneapolis show so far. We hung out for a while with all the Minneapolis peeps and then dropped Jake off at The Airport. I close the hotel door and try to get some sleep.
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Today's the day
The show that I've been salivating to play since August. Boy Wonder, Jettison Juliet, Machine 22, The Morning Voice, and of course Vanity Theft in Minneapolis, MN. Andy has a few rash like spots on his arms and body.
Minneapolis, home of Bob Dylan, Soul Asylum, and of course Prince has become a second home to us. Other than home in Philly we've played Minneapolis the most times in the past two years. This particular city has proven to be very fertile for us, our audience is growing and the gigs keep getting bigger and bigger, not to mention it's one of the strongest music scenes I have ever seen. People like music there which makes it easier for us.
Taco John's and Naked Juice made for an...eventful 7 hour drive to The Twin Cities. We check into the hotel and pretty much immediately get to the 400 Bar. Of course I am immediately intimidated by the size and the posters on the wall. And as soon as doors opened at 8 people were coming in...the place was getting crowded pretty quickly. Brue is a helluva promoter, best I've ever seen. All I could think of was “Man I hope I don't screw this up” A text from Nichole Lynn calms my nerves.
Jettison Juliet was on first...they were really good, as they wind down I venture into the green room to do vocal Warm Ups, I do the same ones I learned from the Bang Camaro Vocalists pretty much to a T. I feel better than I did last night but we'll tune down to e flat just to make sure. I have the butterflies but I'm ready to go.
We approach the stage and when you've got a few nerves the worst thing you can do is look out into the crowd...so of course I looked out into the crowd. All my friends/supporters from the twin cities are here so I feel a bit better. I look back at my crew and I'm confident I can pull this off, but just in case I pray a silent prayer
“God keep me upright for 45 minutes and I promise I will take my black ass back to the hotel and go to sleep”
I count it off and we tear into the set
Slowdance
What's My Name
Ex-Girlfriend
Surrender
Sexy Machine
I Don't Dance
Feels So Good
Never Gonne Give You Up
Psycho
This show is probably us at our loudest. As I skulk around this stage doing my best Rock God impression I begin to notice something. I'm not in a rush, I'm taking my time and I'm enjoying it more. This all used to go by so fast, and now it's starting to slow down, I'm aware that you don't get moments like this very often so I want to enjoy every single second.
We're playing like a well oiled machine quite different from how we sounded on Wednesday Night at Home. I don't really want this to end but sadly it has to. I just have to work harder to make sure we play like this as often as possible.
But good for us the end of our set marked the beginning of Vanity Theft's. There are many words I can use to describe them but I'm only going to use two; Real Deal. An all girl band (which I love) from Venus or Mars or something. I dug the music and the show, they know exactly how to present themselves musically and on-stage, the perfect blend of sex and music. I'm sure when I have (imaginary) Grand kids I can tell them that I opened for Vanity Theft...who will likely be HUGE by then.
Then Machine 22 and The Morning Voice took the stage and killed it. All in all it was the best Minneapolis show so far. We hung out for a while with all the Minneapolis peeps and then dropped Jake off at The Airport. I close the hotel door and try to get some sleep.
Boy Wonder: Professional Musician 285
Year Three - Day 227 – October 20th 2011
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Today's the day
The show that I've been salivating to play since August. Boy Wonder, Jettison Juliet, Machine 22, The Morning Voice, and of course Vanity Theft in Minneapolis, MN. Andy has a few rash like spots on his arms and body.
Minneapolis, home of Bob Dylan, Soul Asylum, and of course Prince has become a second home to us. Other than home in Philly we've played Minneapolis the most times in the past two years. This particular city has proven to be very fertile for us, our audience is growing and the gigs keep getting bigger and bigger, not to mention it's one of the strongest music scenes I have ever seen. People like music there which makes it easier for us.
Taco John's and Naked Juice made for an...eventful 7 hour drive to The Twin Cities. We check into the hotel and pretty much immediately get to the 400 Bar. Of course I am immediately intimidated by the size and the posters on the wall. And as soon as doors opened at 8 people were coming in...the place was getting crowded pretty quickly. Brue is a helluva promoter, best I've ever seen. All I could think of was “Man I hope I don't screw this up” A text from Nichole Lynn calms my nerves.
Jettison Juliet was on first...they were really good, as they wind down I venture into the green room to do vocal Warm Ups, I do the same ones I learned from the Bang Camaro Vocalists pretty much to a T. I feel better than I did last night but we'll tune down to e flat just to make sure. I have the butterflies but I'm ready to go.
We approach the stage and when you've got a few nerves the worst thing you can do is look out into the crowd...so of course I looked out into the crowd. All my friends/supporters from the twin cities are here so I feel a bit better. I look back at my crew and I'm confident I can pull this off, but just in case I pray a silent prayer
“God keep me upright for 45 minutes and I promise I will take my black ass back to the hotel and go to sleep”
I count it off and we tear into the set
Slowdance
What's My Name
Ex-Girlfriend
Surrender
Sexy Machine
I Don't Dance
Feels So Good
Never Gonne Give You Up
Psycho
This show is probably us at our loudest. As I skulk around this stage doing my best Rock God impression I begin to notice something. I'm not in a rush, I'm taking my time and I'm enjoying it more. This all used to go by so fast, and now it's starting to slow down, I'm aware that you don't get moments like this very often so I want to enjoy every single second.
We're playing like a well oiled machine quite different from how we sounded on Wednesday Night at Home. I don't really want this to end but sadly it has to. I just have to work harder to make sure we play like this as often as possible.
But good for us the end of our set marked the beginning of Vanity Theft's. There are many words I can use to describe them but I'm only going to use two; Real Deal. An all girl band (which I love) from Venus or Mars or something. I dug the music and the show, they know exactly how to present themselves musically and on-stage, the perfect blend of sex and music. I'm sure when I have (imaginary) Grand kids I can tell them that I opened for Vanity Theft...who will likely be HUGE by then.
Then Machine 22 and The Morning Voice took the stage and killed it. All in all it was the best Minneapolis show so far. We hung out for a while with all the Minneapolis peeps and then dropped Jake off at The Airport. I close the hotel door and try to get some sleep.
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Today's the day
The show that I've been salivating to play since August. Boy Wonder, Jettison Juliet, Machine 22, The Morning Voice, and of course Vanity Theft in Minneapolis, MN. Andy has a few rash like spots on his arms and body.
Minneapolis, home of Bob Dylan, Soul Asylum, and of course Prince has become a second home to us. Other than home in Philly we've played Minneapolis the most times in the past two years. This particular city has proven to be very fertile for us, our audience is growing and the gigs keep getting bigger and bigger, not to mention it's one of the strongest music scenes I have ever seen. People like music there which makes it easier for us.
Taco John's and Naked Juice made for an...eventful 7 hour drive to The Twin Cities. We check into the hotel and pretty much immediately get to the 400 Bar. Of course I am immediately intimidated by the size and the posters on the wall. And as soon as doors opened at 8 people were coming in...the place was getting crowded pretty quickly. Brue is a helluva promoter, best I've ever seen. All I could think of was “Man I hope I don't screw this up” A text from Nichole Lynn calms my nerves.
Jettison Juliet was on first...they were really good, as they wind down I venture into the green room to do vocal Warm Ups, I do the same ones I learned from the Bang Camaro Vocalists pretty much to a T. I feel better than I did last night but we'll tune down to e flat just to make sure. I have the butterflies but I'm ready to go.
We approach the stage and when you've got a few nerves the worst thing you can do is look out into the crowd...so of course I looked out into the crowd. All my friends/supporters from the twin cities are here so I feel a bit better. I look back at my crew and I'm confident I can pull this off, but just in case I pray a silent prayer
“God keep me upright for 45 minutes and I promise I will take my black ass back to the hotel and go to sleep”
I count it off and we tear into the set
Slowdance
What's My Name
Ex-Girlfriend
Surrender
Sexy Machine
I Don't Dance
Feels So Good
Never Gonne Give You Up
Psycho
This show is probably us at our loudest. As I skulk around this stage doing my best Rock God impression I begin to notice something. I'm not in a rush, I'm taking my time and I'm enjoying it more. This all used to go by so fast, and now it's starting to slow down, I'm aware that you don't get moments like this very often so I want to enjoy every single second.
We're playing like a well oiled machine quite different from how we sounded on Wednesday Night at Home. I don't really want this to end but sadly it has to. I just have to work harder to make sure we play like this as often as possible.
But good for us the end of our set marked the beginning of Vanity Theft's. There are many words I can use to describe them but I'm only going to use two; Real Deal. An all girl band (which I love) from Venus or Mars or something. I dug the music and the show, they know exactly how to present themselves musically and on-stage, the perfect blend of sex and music. I'm sure when I have (imaginary) Grand kids I can tell them that I opened for Vanity Theft...who will likely be HUGE by then.
Then Machine 22 and The Morning Voice took the stage and killed it. All in all it was the best Minneapolis show so far. We hung out for a while with all the Minneapolis peeps and then dropped Jake off at The Airport. I close the hotel door and try to get some sleep.
Boy Wonder: Professional Musician 284
Year Three - Day 226 – October 20th 2011
Fairfeild, Iowa
Rob Saved My Life Tonight....But let's go back to the beginning
I awaken to the sounds of Watch The Throne Blaring in my ears, must have had it on while I was sleeping. Jake's mouthing words but I (obviously) don't know what he's saying. I take my ear buds out and the words are “Hey there's a Denny's. You wanna go there or do you wanna wait for Bob Evans?” I opt to wait for Bob Evans. When we see one we stop to get our grub on. The banter has already begun.
As we get back in the car I look around, mostly out of the window, I've always liked the scenery here. It's especially beautiful in the fall and summer (I won't come here in the winter to compare it...too f'n cold) We're not too far away from Fairfield I get a call from Zach, he's not home yet so we're gonna go to the Grocery Store and get some stuff to make Chicken Vegetable soup. I'm still sick and Andy (Tour Manager is Too) coughing up Lung Butter For Days, it's a s gross as it sounds. We stock up on food and meds and head towards Zach's.
One of the many benefits in having a band that can tour is that I see my friends who have (in the past couple of years) scattered across the country, Casey's in DC and Zach's in Fairfield, and they're a lot like crack...need a fix everyone in a while. I made soup and I got a phone call from Kruu FM, the solar powered radio station in Fairfield. Apparently the booker at Red Rock Tavern, the venue we're playing tonight set up some time for us to come in for an interview...awesome. Me and the boys finished our soup and rolled down.
I like to bring the guys with me on stuff like this. I could do the interviews myself but it's more fun with three people that can answer questions. Those guys are quick witted and they keep me on my toes . The interview is going along nicely I play a song on my guitar and it's winding down with no problem and then I'm asked a question about my band mates. Along the lines of what excatly they bring to the table I start off by saying;
“It's my vision and my songs but the other guys bring so much to the sound of the band and that I wouldn't be much without them”
Now the appropriate thing to say after a statement like that is...nothing. At least that's what someone with class would have done. What came out of my mouth was
“...Cause music is a lot like sex. Sure you can get the job done by yourself but it's better with at least two other people.”
Yeah...I know. I dropped that little gem on the radio...In Iowa. They'll probably never have me on again.
Everyone was really nice and we loaded into the venue shortly after. The task tonight is simple, play four sets in the hours between 9PM and 1AM, which is fine...we do that on a regular basis. We'd tune to e flat to make the songs easier to sing. I feel worse than I did yesterday as the aches set in. After aggressively combining several different cold medications together to combat different symptoms I said a silent prayer
“Dear God if you can keep me upright for the next four hours I promise I will take my black ass back to Zach's house and go to sleep!”
The dropped tuning seems to be working as I'm getting through the songs no problem. The people are packing in this place (Which I wasn't totally sure about, small towns are hard to judge) and they're dancing, mostly the girls, who are super cute, this brings a smile to my face. I like it when people are having a good time.
I can't begin to tell you how amazing this place was, the people were friendly, the people that worked there were Johnny on the spot with everything, and everything was handled in a professional manner. I recommend any band that is coming through the area to make a stop there.
People had nothing but good things to say and we were invited to a post show party at someone's house ...we oblige...so much for going to bed early lol.
I'm not used to places without streetlights, it was dark as hell going to this lady's house, like something out of a horror movie. We got lost and a cop followed us for a while, he left then we figured out how to get to the party spot.
The stars were out though...and they were beautiful.
We enjoyed the company of some of Fairfield's finest. Most of these guys are into Transcendental Meditation, so they think differently than me, it's refreshing. They live in a world where just about anything's possible and often we as musicians are bound by the shackles of the “Real World” we forget about all the possibilities that can come from just deciding to live your life a certain way, there's much to learn from people like that.
After chillin for a bit the host, a lovely Scottish woman begins passing out glasses of Red Wine, I love red wine so I reach for a glass
Rob: Andre...do NOT Drink that.
Andre: Why? I like Red Wine.
Rob: It's got Mushroom Tea in it.
Andre: Like...Magic Mushrooms?
Rob: Yes
I quickly give the glass to someone who wants it.
And that friends is how Rob saved my life. Me tripping face off mushrooms, something I don't need to experience and the world doesn't need to see.
Soon, Zach's followed by jokes and bed. Minneapolis tomorrow...can't wait!
Fairfeild, Iowa
Rob Saved My Life Tonight....But let's go back to the beginning
I awaken to the sounds of Watch The Throne Blaring in my ears, must have had it on while I was sleeping. Jake's mouthing words but I (obviously) don't know what he's saying. I take my ear buds out and the words are “Hey there's a Denny's. You wanna go there or do you wanna wait for Bob Evans?” I opt to wait for Bob Evans. When we see one we stop to get our grub on. The banter has already begun.
As we get back in the car I look around, mostly out of the window, I've always liked the scenery here. It's especially beautiful in the fall and summer (I won't come here in the winter to compare it...too f'n cold) We're not too far away from Fairfield I get a call from Zach, he's not home yet so we're gonna go to the Grocery Store and get some stuff to make Chicken Vegetable soup. I'm still sick and Andy (Tour Manager is Too) coughing up Lung Butter For Days, it's a s gross as it sounds. We stock up on food and meds and head towards Zach's.
One of the many benefits in having a band that can tour is that I see my friends who have (in the past couple of years) scattered across the country, Casey's in DC and Zach's in Fairfield, and they're a lot like crack...need a fix everyone in a while. I made soup and I got a phone call from Kruu FM, the solar powered radio station in Fairfield. Apparently the booker at Red Rock Tavern, the venue we're playing tonight set up some time for us to come in for an interview...awesome. Me and the boys finished our soup and rolled down.
I like to bring the guys with me on stuff like this. I could do the interviews myself but it's more fun with three people that can answer questions. Those guys are quick witted and they keep me on my toes . The interview is going along nicely I play a song on my guitar and it's winding down with no problem and then I'm asked a question about my band mates. Along the lines of what excatly they bring to the table I start off by saying;
“It's my vision and my songs but the other guys bring so much to the sound of the band and that I wouldn't be much without them”
Now the appropriate thing to say after a statement like that is...nothing. At least that's what someone with class would have done. What came out of my mouth was
“...Cause music is a lot like sex. Sure you can get the job done by yourself but it's better with at least two other people.”
Yeah...I know. I dropped that little gem on the radio...In Iowa. They'll probably never have me on again.
Everyone was really nice and we loaded into the venue shortly after. The task tonight is simple, play four sets in the hours between 9PM and 1AM, which is fine...we do that on a regular basis. We'd tune to e flat to make the songs easier to sing. I feel worse than I did yesterday as the aches set in. After aggressively combining several different cold medications together to combat different symptoms I said a silent prayer
“Dear God if you can keep me upright for the next four hours I promise I will take my black ass back to Zach's house and go to sleep!”
The dropped tuning seems to be working as I'm getting through the songs no problem. The people are packing in this place (Which I wasn't totally sure about, small towns are hard to judge) and they're dancing, mostly the girls, who are super cute, this brings a smile to my face. I like it when people are having a good time.
I can't begin to tell you how amazing this place was, the people were friendly, the people that worked there were Johnny on the spot with everything, and everything was handled in a professional manner. I recommend any band that is coming through the area to make a stop there.
People had nothing but good things to say and we were invited to a post show party at someone's house ...we oblige...so much for going to bed early lol.
I'm not used to places without streetlights, it was dark as hell going to this lady's house, like something out of a horror movie. We got lost and a cop followed us for a while, he left then we figured out how to get to the party spot.
The stars were out though...and they were beautiful.
We enjoyed the company of some of Fairfield's finest. Most of these guys are into Transcendental Meditation, so they think differently than me, it's refreshing. They live in a world where just about anything's possible and often we as musicians are bound by the shackles of the “Real World” we forget about all the possibilities that can come from just deciding to live your life a certain way, there's much to learn from people like that.
After chillin for a bit the host, a lovely Scottish woman begins passing out glasses of Red Wine, I love red wine so I reach for a glass
Rob: Andre...do NOT Drink that.
Andre: Why? I like Red Wine.
Rob: It's got Mushroom Tea in it.
Andre: Like...Magic Mushrooms?
Rob: Yes
I quickly give the glass to someone who wants it.
And that friends is how Rob saved my life. Me tripping face off mushrooms, something I don't need to experience and the world doesn't need to see.
Soon, Zach's followed by jokes and bed. Minneapolis tomorrow...can't wait!
Boy Wonder: Professional Musician 283
Year Three - Day 225 – October 19th, 2011
Philadelphia PA
Leaving for any kind of a tour run is always that hardest part. Not emotionally, this is old hat, I'm used to leaving, the guys I tour with are used to leaving and the people around us are used to us being gone. I mean it's hard from a logistical standpoint. Doing something like this always requires uprooting your life and in my case putting things in place so that things will be taken care of while I'm gone. We have always been grownups in the sense that we have responsibilities at home that need to be taken care of before we leave.
Before we do anything Rob and Andrew have to meet me at my house. We have to pack the van, pick up my guitars from the repair shop, grab Jake, re-pack the van (with his bass amp in the car) and head to Triumph.
I decided to do a tune up gig at Triumph Brewery, I figure since we're playing two very important shows this week why not start at home. We packed the car and headed down. We pick everyone up and pull into Triumph. As I walk inside I notice that I'm sick, the kind of sick I hate the most, congestion cough, runny nose, lungs (seemingly) covered with that green and yellow buttery stuff. I feel like crap, this presents a problem.
Set List
Slowdance
Get Me To California
Never Gonna Give You Up
Sexy Machine
I Don't Dance
Feels So Good
(I Think We Should) Breakup
Psycho
I struggle to sing, my guitar refuses to stay in tune, I'm sluggish, it isn't pretty. The Most you can do at that point is hope that things end better than they started.
We end the night driving towards Farfield, Iowa I dream of terrain that is both foreign and familiar with the stars shining bright I go over the tour plans in my head one more time.
-Get To Fairfield
-Get Some Rest
-Radio Interview
-Play
-Sleep
-Wake Up
-Get To Minneapolis
-Rest
-Play
-Get Jake To The Airport
-Sleep
-Drive Home
If I can get all of these things done without my head exploding I'll consider it a successful week.
Philadelphia PA
Leaving for any kind of a tour run is always that hardest part. Not emotionally, this is old hat, I'm used to leaving, the guys I tour with are used to leaving and the people around us are used to us being gone. I mean it's hard from a logistical standpoint. Doing something like this always requires uprooting your life and in my case putting things in place so that things will be taken care of while I'm gone. We have always been grownups in the sense that we have responsibilities at home that need to be taken care of before we leave.
Before we do anything Rob and Andrew have to meet me at my house. We have to pack the van, pick up my guitars from the repair shop, grab Jake, re-pack the van (with his bass amp in the car) and head to Triumph.
I decided to do a tune up gig at Triumph Brewery, I figure since we're playing two very important shows this week why not start at home. We packed the car and headed down. We pick everyone up and pull into Triumph. As I walk inside I notice that I'm sick, the kind of sick I hate the most, congestion cough, runny nose, lungs (seemingly) covered with that green and yellow buttery stuff. I feel like crap, this presents a problem.
Set List
Slowdance
Get Me To California
Never Gonna Give You Up
Sexy Machine
I Don't Dance
Feels So Good
(I Think We Should) Breakup
Psycho
I struggle to sing, my guitar refuses to stay in tune, I'm sluggish, it isn't pretty. The Most you can do at that point is hope that things end better than they started.
We end the night driving towards Farfield, Iowa I dream of terrain that is both foreign and familiar with the stars shining bright I go over the tour plans in my head one more time.
-Get To Fairfield
-Get Some Rest
-Radio Interview
-Play
-Sleep
-Wake Up
-Get To Minneapolis
-Rest
-Play
-Get Jake To The Airport
-Sleep
-Drive Home
If I can get all of these things done without my head exploding I'll consider it a successful week.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Boy Wonder: Professional Musician 282
Year Three – Day 165 – August 20th 2011
Boston, Massachusetts
I wake up in the morning and I'm pretty pumped. Why? Cause tonight we're gonna play in Boston.
If you've been reading this blog over the past two plus years you'd know how important this particular city is to me. From the concert tour I didn't get to do in 8th Grade to ending up there as a singer for Bang Camaro, to our first show there a few months back. I have a special relationship with this particular place, mainly because it has treated us so well since I've started playing there.
Kyle's behind the wheel we go pick up Jake and off we go. I had some concerns about leaving so late but at this point I;m figuring as long as we get there on time to play none of the other stuff matters. The ride up was quiet, peaceful. Being able to deal with silence is such an important thing out here especially with solitude in such short supply.
According to Steve Marchion, the plans for Boston were drawn by a Drunken Toddler with Crayons on an Applebee's place mat. I'm startign tot hink he's right. When we got to the street that the club is on we drove around in circles for like half an hour before finding out it was actually down an alley.
The alley way had several bars lined up inside of it. It sort of reminded me of a mini olde city. Lots of scantly clad women out looking for some dancing and a good time. Something that I full intend to provide. We load into the bar and I run into an old friend Allie Carroll. She's someone that I flat out dig but I rarely see. It's her birthday today and she spends a lot of time up here, I didn't put two and two together to figure out that she would be up here this weekend. She had a bunch of friends with her...score.
Alex (Bang Camaro/Township) was the next person I saw, that dude can't really escape his rock starness, he has that intangible, that rock and roll spirit most of us wish we had. Star quality exudes from him even when he's sitting on a stool. I'm always happy to see him, my memories of him from Camaro and beyond always come rushing back, it's a relationship I'm glad I've maintained.
Mayte would be the last (but definitely not least) we're pretty tight and I'm glad she lives in Boston and not San Diego. That girls like 15 kinds of awesome. She's one of those people that if she says she's comin...she'll be there. Something that is always appreciated.
Danielle Ashley was playing when we arrived. It was hard to hear her over the noise but I can think of a few rooms at home she'd go over pretty well in. She does a good job at drawing you in once you start to pay attention, her cover of blackbird was especially striking. She stopped around 11 and it was time for us to set up. By 11:15 we were on
Set List
Slowdance
Get Me To California
Body
Baby One More Time
Ex-Girlfriend
Wasted
Private School Girl
Happy Birthday
Never Gonna Give You Up
Surrender
Sexy Machine
I Don't Dance
Feels So Good
Billie Jean
(I Think We Should) Breakup
Hoochie Coochie Man
Psycho
By the time we hit the Funk part of the set the bar was PACKED and I was seeing Dance Moves from people I had never seen before. People were into it, I was a little afraid but a bunch of girl shakin their asses never hurt any one...especially the one who grabbed my mic stand, bent down and popped her but...this was very comical. For a moment in time we had whipped the crowd into a frenzy. When we were done being Funky a lot of the crowd left and we finished the set.
Then we were given shots by the bar tender and asked to play a few more songs...Sure.
Encore
The Way You Make Me Feel
Walking on The Moon
300 Miles Away
Everyone at the club seemed to like us a lot, they want us to come back and play regularly, which is awesome. There was an attempt to go to Bryn's birthday but that attempt failed epically.
Our adventures on the road are really giving me a sense of what people like and don't like depending on what we're playing. Suggesting a musical direction that I had not yet thought about. We've got one more run before I shut the caravan down for a month or two to write new songs. We've got some heat so I would love to use that creatively in the studio. I'll keep you posted.
I have two downstairs shows at World Cafe Live this week so I have to gear up and get ready for them should be an interesting close to the summer .
Boston, Massachusetts
I wake up in the morning and I'm pretty pumped. Why? Cause tonight we're gonna play in Boston.
If you've been reading this blog over the past two plus years you'd know how important this particular city is to me. From the concert tour I didn't get to do in 8th Grade to ending up there as a singer for Bang Camaro, to our first show there a few months back. I have a special relationship with this particular place, mainly because it has treated us so well since I've started playing there.
Kyle's behind the wheel we go pick up Jake and off we go. I had some concerns about leaving so late but at this point I;m figuring as long as we get there on time to play none of the other stuff matters. The ride up was quiet, peaceful. Being able to deal with silence is such an important thing out here especially with solitude in such short supply.
According to Steve Marchion, the plans for Boston were drawn by a Drunken Toddler with Crayons on an Applebee's place mat. I'm startign tot hink he's right. When we got to the street that the club is on we drove around in circles for like half an hour before finding out it was actually down an alley.
The alley way had several bars lined up inside of it. It sort of reminded me of a mini olde city. Lots of scantly clad women out looking for some dancing and a good time. Something that I full intend to provide. We load into the bar and I run into an old friend Allie Carroll. She's someone that I flat out dig but I rarely see. It's her birthday today and she spends a lot of time up here, I didn't put two and two together to figure out that she would be up here this weekend. She had a bunch of friends with her...score.
Alex (Bang Camaro/Township) was the next person I saw, that dude can't really escape his rock starness, he has that intangible, that rock and roll spirit most of us wish we had. Star quality exudes from him even when he's sitting on a stool. I'm always happy to see him, my memories of him from Camaro and beyond always come rushing back, it's a relationship I'm glad I've maintained.
Mayte would be the last (but definitely not least) we're pretty tight and I'm glad she lives in Boston and not San Diego. That girls like 15 kinds of awesome. She's one of those people that if she says she's comin...she'll be there. Something that is always appreciated.
Danielle Ashley was playing when we arrived. It was hard to hear her over the noise but I can think of a few rooms at home she'd go over pretty well in. She does a good job at drawing you in once you start to pay attention, her cover of blackbird was especially striking. She stopped around 11 and it was time for us to set up. By 11:15 we were on
Set List
Slowdance
Get Me To California
Body
Baby One More Time
Ex-Girlfriend
Wasted
Private School Girl
Happy Birthday
Never Gonna Give You Up
Surrender
Sexy Machine
I Don't Dance
Feels So Good
Billie Jean
(I Think We Should) Breakup
Hoochie Coochie Man
Psycho
By the time we hit the Funk part of the set the bar was PACKED and I was seeing Dance Moves from people I had never seen before. People were into it, I was a little afraid but a bunch of girl shakin their asses never hurt any one...especially the one who grabbed my mic stand, bent down and popped her but...this was very comical. For a moment in time we had whipped the crowd into a frenzy. When we were done being Funky a lot of the crowd left and we finished the set.
Then we were given shots by the bar tender and asked to play a few more songs...Sure.
Encore
The Way You Make Me Feel
Walking on The Moon
300 Miles Away
Everyone at the club seemed to like us a lot, they want us to come back and play regularly, which is awesome. There was an attempt to go to Bryn's birthday but that attempt failed epically.
Our adventures on the road are really giving me a sense of what people like and don't like depending on what we're playing. Suggesting a musical direction that I had not yet thought about. We've got one more run before I shut the caravan down for a month or two to write new songs. We've got some heat so I would love to use that creatively in the studio. I'll keep you posted.
I have two downstairs shows at World Cafe Live this week so I have to gear up and get ready for them should be an interesting close to the summer .
Boy Wonder: Professional Musician 281
Year Three – Day 163 – Thursday August 18th 2011
New York
Man we've been on the road a lot this summer. Tonight is New York and it's just like old times. Rob's behind the wheel and we're traveling three hours to get to a gig.
New York's always been tough. I have friends but historically hadn't been able to get them out but this year has seen a change of fortunes, finding venues and bookers that like us, pay us, and promote our shows. But New York is a major market and I can't completely ignore it. Playing regularly in New York if nothing else helps with perception.
Tonight's the Shrine in Harlem. We've played here before, we like it and generally there's a built in crowd to supplement the draw that we have here. So going up there and rocking is usually no problem. I look around the big blue van and marvel at how this has become old hat in the past few years. We've toured enough period and have toured enough together where every one's used to gettign in the car and going somewhere, playing great, and then going home.
We arrived and kicked it with the clientele. There was a girl next to me at the bar, Anya, not bad looking but I was completely turned off once she started talking. She was an actor you see, one of the bitter ones, New York does that to folks of the thespian persuasion. New York's and acting mecca and there just isn't enough work out there and that would make a person bitter.
Soundcheck, which didn't help, happened about five minutes before the show started. We played about an Hour
Slowdance
Get Me To California
How Can This Be Love
Ex-Girlfriend
Surrender
Sexy Machine
I Don't Dance
Feels So Good
Hoochie Coochie Man
Psycho
We had a nice little crowd at the front by the time we were done, the last show was better but The Shrine is still one of my favorite places to play in New York other than Santo's which I'm dying to get into.
We drove home shortly after and all I can think about is the Saturday show in Boston, who would be there and how hard I intend to rock it.
New York
Man we've been on the road a lot this summer. Tonight is New York and it's just like old times. Rob's behind the wheel and we're traveling three hours to get to a gig.
New York's always been tough. I have friends but historically hadn't been able to get them out but this year has seen a change of fortunes, finding venues and bookers that like us, pay us, and promote our shows. But New York is a major market and I can't completely ignore it. Playing regularly in New York if nothing else helps with perception.
Tonight's the Shrine in Harlem. We've played here before, we like it and generally there's a built in crowd to supplement the draw that we have here. So going up there and rocking is usually no problem. I look around the big blue van and marvel at how this has become old hat in the past few years. We've toured enough period and have toured enough together where every one's used to gettign in the car and going somewhere, playing great, and then going home.
We arrived and kicked it with the clientele. There was a girl next to me at the bar, Anya, not bad looking but I was completely turned off once she started talking. She was an actor you see, one of the bitter ones, New York does that to folks of the thespian persuasion. New York's and acting mecca and there just isn't enough work out there and that would make a person bitter.
Soundcheck, which didn't help, happened about five minutes before the show started. We played about an Hour
Slowdance
Get Me To California
How Can This Be Love
Ex-Girlfriend
Surrender
Sexy Machine
I Don't Dance
Feels So Good
Hoochie Coochie Man
Psycho
We had a nice little crowd at the front by the time we were done, the last show was better but The Shrine is still one of my favorite places to play in New York other than Santo's which I'm dying to get into.
We drove home shortly after and all I can think about is the Saturday show in Boston, who would be there and how hard I intend to rock it.
Boy Wonder: Professional Musician 280
Year Three Day 150 – August 5th 2011
It's 4 am and I must be lonely...I think that's right...the time at least. This reminds me of our first tour through the mid west; get up early, drive 9 hours, play a show, find a hotel room, sleep, get up, and do it all over again.
10 Hours to DC. The most focused Drive ever, constantly looking at Tom Tom hoping that the arrival time is the actual arrival time. I'd panic everytime one of us had to pee.
We got there around 5 and went up one flight of stairs...this place is too small for us to do a full on show. I remember back to the emails exchanged with the booker for the room asking if there was room for a band of my size and her responding oh yes of course. I immediately decided we'd play a quieter Set tonight.
Steve Marchion Got a Chance to Open...Dude's getting better and better and if I have anything to do with that I'm glad.
Set List
SlowDance
How Can This Be Love
Get Me To California
Surrender
Ex-Girlfriend
Wasn't Supposed to Be This Way
(I Think We Should) Breakup
We Definitely Cut the Set Short as to not wear out our welcome...all the people at the venue were super cool and we wanted to get out of their way. Casey was there, He and Julie just moved to DC it was like we still lived in the same city. A few hours later we left headed towards home.
As we drove we realized the headlights were out, the first real problem we've had with the van since we started using it for the tours. I'm aware that it isn't exactly the lap of luxury, but it runs, I'm thankful to have it. Someday maybe we'll get a sweet vehicle with a trailer which would be amazing.
Steve decided to drive with the blinkers on, we hit a bump and the lights come back on.
As Steve and I are talking in the car approaching Philly I settle into my seat and reflect. This particular tour was hard. I've grown comfortable touring the midwest, people like us there and come see us when we're in town or at least people are out when we go places and we can win them over and it just wasn't as strong in any of the three cities we played. I need to do a better job of getting us in front of people.
I laugh to myself because I look around and all of this is as routine as getting up and pooping in the morning. I started this journey almost three years ago and the question then was “Do I have what it takes?” and once I answered that question so many more popped up some stupid like “ Should I get a pair of red jeans?” and more profound stuff like “Will I ever get that break or opportunity that would really put me and the boys over the hump?”
One thing's for sure, I'm dying to write new songs.
It's 4 am and I must be lonely...I think that's right...the time at least. This reminds me of our first tour through the mid west; get up early, drive 9 hours, play a show, find a hotel room, sleep, get up, and do it all over again.
10 Hours to DC. The most focused Drive ever, constantly looking at Tom Tom hoping that the arrival time is the actual arrival time. I'd panic everytime one of us had to pee.
We got there around 5 and went up one flight of stairs...this place is too small for us to do a full on show. I remember back to the emails exchanged with the booker for the room asking if there was room for a band of my size and her responding oh yes of course. I immediately decided we'd play a quieter Set tonight.
Steve Marchion Got a Chance to Open...Dude's getting better and better and if I have anything to do with that I'm glad.
Set List
SlowDance
How Can This Be Love
Get Me To California
Surrender
Ex-Girlfriend
Wasn't Supposed to Be This Way
(I Think We Should) Breakup
We Definitely Cut the Set Short as to not wear out our welcome...all the people at the venue were super cool and we wanted to get out of their way. Casey was there, He and Julie just moved to DC it was like we still lived in the same city. A few hours later we left headed towards home.
As we drove we realized the headlights were out, the first real problem we've had with the van since we started using it for the tours. I'm aware that it isn't exactly the lap of luxury, but it runs, I'm thankful to have it. Someday maybe we'll get a sweet vehicle with a trailer which would be amazing.
Steve decided to drive with the blinkers on, we hit a bump and the lights come back on.
As Steve and I are talking in the car approaching Philly I settle into my seat and reflect. This particular tour was hard. I've grown comfortable touring the midwest, people like us there and come see us when we're in town or at least people are out when we go places and we can win them over and it just wasn't as strong in any of the three cities we played. I need to do a better job of getting us in front of people.
I laugh to myself because I look around and all of this is as routine as getting up and pooping in the morning. I started this journey almost three years ago and the question then was “Do I have what it takes?” and once I answered that question so many more popped up some stupid like “ Should I get a pair of red jeans?” and more profound stuff like “Will I ever get that break or opportunity that would really put me and the boys over the hump?”
One thing's for sure, I'm dying to write new songs.
Boy Wonder: Professional Musician 279
Year Three – Day 149 – August 4th 2011
I woke up in a car
I look around
Steve's to my left awake and driving (Good Thing) Jake and Rob are asleep in the back. Laughter is abound as we wake up and head to a Waffle House in the Carolinas for breakfast. One of the things that I've always thought was essential to making this thing work is that we have a core group of people that genuinely like each other.
I'm still blown away by the owner of Mojo Main's reception to our show, not because he thought we we're good (cause I think we're good) but that he would walk through the rain to tell us that. That's a place we might play again.
After a meal and several off color jokes we head toward Atlanta a place I haven't seen in over two years. The last time was with Camaro, and it wasn't pretty, Tequila, Cougars, Old Strippers, and the like. I remember feeling off about the city itself, but I also remember Atlanta as a musical hotbed, at least it was ten years ago. This is where John Mayer came to make it among so many others that used to call Atlanta home. I was happy that my friend Elizabeth lives down here, finally a connection.
We arrived at the Masters Inn around 3 and truthfully it looks a little sketchy but as long as the rooms are clean and I don't see anyone carrying out a corpse in a trash bag I'm cool. I need rest and I can feel my voice slipping away from me. I turn on pardon the interruption and I let those guys put me to sleep for an hour at least.
I wake up around 7 and shower, my phone is ringing off the hook because along with the pressure of performing in a new market for the first time the HYPE! has a show at World Cafe Live Tonight and for the first time I'm not there to run the show. As far as booking and hosting go it's probably my favorite venue to do shows at. But I left Man Wonder (The Nickname That Someone Gave My Father) in charge of the proceedings. It's the closest thing to me being there, we are definitely similar people and most of the things I learned about managing people and performances I learned from him. But as many parents can tell you, you can leave the best babysitter in the world with your child and you are still gonna worry, but once I got the call from Chris telling me the show was running on schedule I was able to shift focus to the work here in the ATL.
We arrived at The Music Room at Vesuvius around 7:30, loaded in, ate pizza and sat around for a bit waiting on word when to start. I hugged Elizabeth cause she got me the gig and she rules pretty hard on a 24/7 basis. Jake suggests we tune to E flat (he's been especially good with the ideas on this tour) so that's what happens. When we're given the cue we start
Set List
Ex-Girlfriend
Superhero
Get Me To California
Slowdance
Surrender
Sexy Machine
I Don't Dance
Baby One More Time
Psycho
I spend most of the show lost at sea, there's no monitor so I can't hear if I'm singing properly, the guitar was out of tune most of the time and to tell you the truth I spent most of the gig just not really being all that comfortable on-stage. The boys were amazing and the last three songs I had finally gotten my bearings. I was greeted by the few of the members of the audience, good show I was told. It's almost harder to be gracious when someone tells you you've done well when you think you haven't than the other way around.
After the show we were treated to a set by The Swear. I can't say enough about Elizabeth Elkins as a vocalist and songwriter. To do Folk/Coutnry and then turn around and hit you with the Heavy Rock, it's not an easy thing to do. I really love her and Vanessa (Olivarez) a lot, the fact that musicians and songwriters of that caliber have anything to do with me is pretty awesome. During the set I got a phone call basically sayign that The World Cafe Live show was a smashing success so good feelings all around.
As we get in the car and head for the hotel I reassess. The crowds haven't been great like they are in the Midwest but that's to be expected. This is my first trip through and I have to start somewhere. Next time things will be better and we'll find some cities to play in that work and add them to the ATL where we'll build off of what we had last night.
Next time I'll take the boys to Claremont
I woke up in a car
I look around
Steve's to my left awake and driving (Good Thing) Jake and Rob are asleep in the back. Laughter is abound as we wake up and head to a Waffle House in the Carolinas for breakfast. One of the things that I've always thought was essential to making this thing work is that we have a core group of people that genuinely like each other.
I'm still blown away by the owner of Mojo Main's reception to our show, not because he thought we we're good (cause I think we're good) but that he would walk through the rain to tell us that. That's a place we might play again.
After a meal and several off color jokes we head toward Atlanta a place I haven't seen in over two years. The last time was with Camaro, and it wasn't pretty, Tequila, Cougars, Old Strippers, and the like. I remember feeling off about the city itself, but I also remember Atlanta as a musical hotbed, at least it was ten years ago. This is where John Mayer came to make it among so many others that used to call Atlanta home. I was happy that my friend Elizabeth lives down here, finally a connection.
We arrived at the Masters Inn around 3 and truthfully it looks a little sketchy but as long as the rooms are clean and I don't see anyone carrying out a corpse in a trash bag I'm cool. I need rest and I can feel my voice slipping away from me. I turn on pardon the interruption and I let those guys put me to sleep for an hour at least.
I wake up around 7 and shower, my phone is ringing off the hook because along with the pressure of performing in a new market for the first time the HYPE! has a show at World Cafe Live Tonight and for the first time I'm not there to run the show. As far as booking and hosting go it's probably my favorite venue to do shows at. But I left Man Wonder (The Nickname That Someone Gave My Father) in charge of the proceedings. It's the closest thing to me being there, we are definitely similar people and most of the things I learned about managing people and performances I learned from him. But as many parents can tell you, you can leave the best babysitter in the world with your child and you are still gonna worry, but once I got the call from Chris telling me the show was running on schedule I was able to shift focus to the work here in the ATL.
We arrived at The Music Room at Vesuvius around 7:30, loaded in, ate pizza and sat around for a bit waiting on word when to start. I hugged Elizabeth cause she got me the gig and she rules pretty hard on a 24/7 basis. Jake suggests we tune to E flat (he's been especially good with the ideas on this tour) so that's what happens. When we're given the cue we start
Set List
Ex-Girlfriend
Superhero
Get Me To California
Slowdance
Surrender
Sexy Machine
I Don't Dance
Baby One More Time
Psycho
I spend most of the show lost at sea, there's no monitor so I can't hear if I'm singing properly, the guitar was out of tune most of the time and to tell you the truth I spent most of the gig just not really being all that comfortable on-stage. The boys were amazing and the last three songs I had finally gotten my bearings. I was greeted by the few of the members of the audience, good show I was told. It's almost harder to be gracious when someone tells you you've done well when you think you haven't than the other way around.
After the show we were treated to a set by The Swear. I can't say enough about Elizabeth Elkins as a vocalist and songwriter. To do Folk/Coutnry and then turn around and hit you with the Heavy Rock, it's not an easy thing to do. I really love her and Vanessa (Olivarez) a lot, the fact that musicians and songwriters of that caliber have anything to do with me is pretty awesome. During the set I got a phone call basically sayign that The World Cafe Live show was a smashing success so good feelings all around.
As we get in the car and head for the hotel I reassess. The crowds haven't been great like they are in the Midwest but that's to be expected. This is my first trip through and I have to start somewhere. Next time things will be better and we'll find some cities to play in that work and add them to the ATL where we'll build off of what we had last night.
Next time I'll take the boys to Claremont
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Boy Wonder: Professional Musician 278
Year 3 Day 148 – August 3rd 2011
Back on the Road Again...The First Tour of The South...Second If You Count The SXSW Tour in 2010.
It's a Four Day run with the big show happening in Atlanta and it seems that leaving Philadelphia is (logistically) the hardest thing to do when I'm trying to hit the road. There are so many things to take care of before leaving that I often forget something, this time it was toll money and the AC Converter for the Laptop. Oy!
Jake, Rob, Steve (Marchion), and I left around 9:30 on our way to Mojo Main In Newark Delaware. With the Van working we got there, albeit a lot later than we would normally arrive someplace. I bolt into the venue and look frantically for the sound guy. I find him.
Me: Hello I'm in the last band...I'm just wondering where we would load in at
Sound Guy: Excuse Me?
Me: Hello -
Sound Guy: First Introduce Yourself
Me: Hello I'm in Boy Wonder...
I Shake his Hand
Me: I'm just wondering where we would load in at
Sound Guy: Oh just go in the middle door
Me: Sorry we're late
Sound Guy: Oh don't worry about it.
We waited about an hour and we played.
Set List
Ex-Girlfriend
Wasn't Supposed To Be This Way
The Way You Make Me Feel
Sexy Machine
I Don't Dance
Feels So Good
(I Think We Should) Breakup
Psycho
I could feel a cold coming on. The room was practically empty and dwindling by the minute, we were left with an older gentlemen who thought we were the bees knees. Although we were killer I chalked the gig up to a loss and was ready to pack up and leave Newark with the little confidence I had left.
As we were pulling out a gentlemen in a green shirt walks through the rain and I rolled down the window. Turns out he owned the place. Said he loved the set and how we put on a good show despite the fact that no one was there, he was gushing, I was floored. It was a good thing Jake was quick enough to hand the guy a CD...I was too busy being shocked. He wants to bring us back during the school year for a paying gig with a crowd. So the show's not a total loss.
We leave under the cover of night on our way to ATL, when we get to the hotel I plan on taking a bunch of Cold Medicine and going to bed, the rocking out with The Swear
Back on the Road Again...The First Tour of The South...Second If You Count The SXSW Tour in 2010.
It's a Four Day run with the big show happening in Atlanta and it seems that leaving Philadelphia is (logistically) the hardest thing to do when I'm trying to hit the road. There are so many things to take care of before leaving that I often forget something, this time it was toll money and the AC Converter for the Laptop. Oy!
Jake, Rob, Steve (Marchion), and I left around 9:30 on our way to Mojo Main In Newark Delaware. With the Van working we got there, albeit a lot later than we would normally arrive someplace. I bolt into the venue and look frantically for the sound guy. I find him.
Me: Hello I'm in the last band...I'm just wondering where we would load in at
Sound Guy: Excuse Me?
Me: Hello -
Sound Guy: First Introduce Yourself
Me: Hello I'm in Boy Wonder...
I Shake his Hand
Me: I'm just wondering where we would load in at
Sound Guy: Oh just go in the middle door
Me: Sorry we're late
Sound Guy: Oh don't worry about it.
We waited about an hour and we played.
Set List
Ex-Girlfriend
Wasn't Supposed To Be This Way
The Way You Make Me Feel
Sexy Machine
I Don't Dance
Feels So Good
(I Think We Should) Breakup
Psycho
I could feel a cold coming on. The room was practically empty and dwindling by the minute, we were left with an older gentlemen who thought we were the bees knees. Although we were killer I chalked the gig up to a loss and was ready to pack up and leave Newark with the little confidence I had left.
As we were pulling out a gentlemen in a green shirt walks through the rain and I rolled down the window. Turns out he owned the place. Said he loved the set and how we put on a good show despite the fact that no one was there, he was gushing, I was floored. It was a good thing Jake was quick enough to hand the guy a CD...I was too busy being shocked. He wants to bring us back during the school year for a paying gig with a crowd. So the show's not a total loss.
We leave under the cover of night on our way to ATL, when we get to the hotel I plan on taking a bunch of Cold Medicine and going to bed, the rocking out with The Swear
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Boy Wonder: Professional Musician 277
Year 3 - Day 99 – June 15th 2011 – Philadelphia PA
Let me preface this list with a quick story then we'll get into it straight away
I have a twitter page http://twitter.com/boywonderocks
I've never really used it for much other than show promotion and the occasional Random ass thought. I never got why people tweeted so compulsively until I came across the trending topic #NameAsongAndAddWithMyPenis. For some reason I found this funny probably because inside I'm still around 10. I was floored at how easy it was to come up with some really funny ones that kind of made sense. So in between all my work stuff yesterday I kinda went nuts. So for your viewing pleasure here is my complete list of
Name A Song And Add With My Penis
Oops I did it again With My Penis
Pleasure Pleasure With My Penis
Slow Dancing In a Burning Room With My Penis
"Let's Do It" (Right This Time) With My Penis
Ten Years Gone With My Penis
Finally Got It Right With My Penis
Tea In The Sahara With My Penis
No Sleep Til Brooklyn With My Penis
(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party!) With My Penis
Wanna Be Startin' Somethin With My Penis
A Moment Like This With My Penis
U Can't Touch This With My Penis
Play That Funky Music With my Penis
Let's Go Crazy With My Penis
I Kissed a Girl With My Penis
She Will be Loved With My Penis
Massive Attack With My Penis
Heal The World With My Penis
Sittin on The Dock of the Bay With My Penis
Ain't Too Proud To Beg With My Penis
Who's That Girl With My Penis
Come out and Play With My Penis
Dj got us Fallin In Love With My Penis
Party and Bullshit With My Penis
Wind Cries Mary With My Penis
Under The Bridge With My Penis
I Hope You Dance With My Penis
Kung Fu Fighting With My Penis
Rolling In The Deep With My Penis
Show Me The Meaning of Being Lonely With My Penis
Under The Sea With My Penis
Ease On Down The Road With My Penis
A Whole New World With My Penis
What a Feeling With My Penis
Back In Time With My Penis
Walking On The Moon With My Penis
She Came in Through The Bathroom Window With My Penis
Across The Universe With My Penis
Bad Romance With My Penis
I Saw Her Standing There With My Penis
It wasn't long till others joined in the fun here are some of my favs from others
Karley Cohen
Learn To Fly With My Penis
Take It Easy With My Penis
Hand In My Pocket With My Penis
Wild World With My Penis
8 Days A Week With My Penis
Since You've Been Gone With My Penis
Hella Good With My Penis
Jake Dean
I Don't Dance With My Penis
I Drink Alone With My Penis
The Way You Make Me Feel With My Penis
Lay Down Sally With My Penis
Uncontrollable Urge with My Penis
Whip It With My Penis
Satisfaction With My Penis
Give Me Shelter With My Penis
Street Fighting Man With My Penis
Zach Dean
Norweigan Wood With My Penis
Keep The Car Running With My Penis
Mean Mr. Mustard With My Penis
Simple Kind Of Man With My Penis
Twist and Shout With MyPenis
Hard Days Night With My Penis
I'm Only Sleeping With My Penis
P.Y.T. With My Penis
Joe Bisirri
Come Together with My Penis
You Can't Always Get What You Want with My Penis
Salute Your Solution with My Penis
Brian Fitzgearld
Yah Mo B There With My Penis
It's Not Easy Bein Green With My Penis
Bad Moon Rising WIth My Penis
Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic With My Penis
And Finally Some New Ones
Mama Said Knock You Out With My Penis
Fur Elise With My Penis
Beautiful Day With My Penis
On The Floor With My Penis
The Show Goes On With My Penis
Endless Love With My Penis
Dancing on the Ceiling With My Penis
Hard To Say I'm Sorry With My Penis
Say Say Say With My Penis
We Built This City With My Penis
How Do You Talk To An Angel With My Penis
One Sweet Day With My Penis
Truly Madly Deeply With My Penis
Livin La Vida Loca With My Penis
Say It Right With My Penis
Love The Way You Lie With My Penis
The Lady In My Life With My Penis
A Long Walk With My Penis
Heard Em Say With My Penis
Something's Missing With My Penis
The Space Between With My Penis
Don't Speak With My Penis
Simple Kind of Life With My Penis
That's What You Get With My Penis
Brick By Boring Brick With My Penis
The Harder They Come With My Penis
Everybody Hurts With My Penis
Ain't No Stoppin Us Now With My Penis
Killing Me Softly With My Penis
Walk On The Ocean With My Penis
Be Good To Yourself With My Penis
Keep On Loving You With My Penis
I'll Be There With My Penis
I Wanna Be Where You Are With My Penis
Sittin Up In My Room With My Penis
It's Gonna Be Me With My Penis
This I Promise You With My Penis
Smooth Operator With My Penis
Separate Ways With my Penis
Bittersweet Symphony With My Penis
What More Can I Say With My Penis
Anyways I had a lot of fun, just taking a day to get a little silly so I don't go a lot crazy. Maybe we'll do this again sometime with something else...I promise I'll be serious tomorrow
Let me preface this list with a quick story then we'll get into it straight away
I have a twitter page http://twitter.com/boywonderocks
I've never really used it for much other than show promotion and the occasional Random ass thought. I never got why people tweeted so compulsively until I came across the trending topic #NameAsongAndAddWithMyPenis. For some reason I found this funny probably because inside I'm still around 10. I was floored at how easy it was to come up with some really funny ones that kind of made sense. So in between all my work stuff yesterday I kinda went nuts. So for your viewing pleasure here is my complete list of
Oops I did it again With My Penis
Pleasure Pleasure With My Penis
Slow Dancing In a Burning Room With My Penis
"Let's Do It" (Right This Time) With My Penis
Ten Years Gone With My Penis
Finally Got It Right With My Penis
Tea In The Sahara With My Penis
No Sleep Til Brooklyn With My Penis
(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party!) With My Penis
Wanna Be Startin' Somethin With My Penis
A Moment Like This With My Penis
U Can't Touch This With My Penis
Play That Funky Music With my Penis
Let's Go Crazy With My Penis
I Kissed a Girl With My Penis
She Will be Loved With My Penis
Massive Attack With My Penis
Heal The World With My Penis
Sittin on The Dock of the Bay With My Penis
Ain't Too Proud To Beg With My Penis
Who's That Girl With My Penis
Come out and Play With My Penis
Dj got us Fallin In Love With My Penis
Party and Bullshit With My Penis
Wind Cries Mary With My Penis
Under The Bridge With My Penis
I Hope You Dance With My Penis
Kung Fu Fighting With My Penis
Rolling In The Deep With My Penis
Show Me The Meaning of Being Lonely With My Penis
Under The Sea With My Penis
Ease On Down The Road With My Penis
A Whole New World With My Penis
What a Feeling With My Penis
Back In Time With My Penis
Walking On The Moon With My Penis
She Came in Through The Bathroom Window With My Penis
Across The Universe With My Penis
Bad Romance With My Penis
I Saw Her Standing There With My Penis
It wasn't long till others joined in the fun here are some of my favs from others
Karley Cohen
Learn To Fly With My Penis
Take It Easy With My Penis
Hand In My Pocket With My Penis
Wild World With My Penis
8 Days A Week With My Penis
Since You've Been Gone With My Penis
Hella Good With My Penis
Jake Dean
I Don't Dance With My Penis
I Drink Alone With My Penis
The Way You Make Me Feel With My Penis
Lay Down Sally With My Penis
Uncontrollable Urge with My Penis
Whip It With My Penis
Satisfaction With My Penis
Give Me Shelter With My Penis
Street Fighting Man With My Penis
Zach Dean
Norweigan Wood With My Penis
Keep The Car Running With My Penis
Mean Mr. Mustard With My Penis
Simple Kind Of Man With My Penis
Twist and Shout With MyPenis
Hard Days Night With My Penis
I'm Only Sleeping With My Penis
P.Y.T. With My Penis
Joe Bisirri
Come Together with My Penis
You Can't Always Get What You Want with My Penis
Salute Your Solution with My Penis
Brian Fitzgearld
Yah Mo B There With My Penis
It's Not Easy Bein Green With My Penis
Bad Moon Rising WIth My Penis
Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic With My Penis
And Finally Some New Ones
Mama Said Knock You Out With My Penis
Fur Elise With My Penis
Beautiful Day With My Penis
On The Floor With My Penis
The Show Goes On With My Penis
Endless Love With My Penis
Dancing on the Ceiling With My Penis
Hard To Say I'm Sorry With My Penis
Say Say Say With My Penis
We Built This City With My Penis
How Do You Talk To An Angel With My Penis
One Sweet Day With My Penis
Truly Madly Deeply With My Penis
Livin La Vida Loca With My Penis
Say It Right With My Penis
Love The Way You Lie With My Penis
The Lady In My Life With My Penis
A Long Walk With My Penis
Heard Em Say With My Penis
Something's Missing With My Penis
The Space Between With My Penis
Don't Speak With My Penis
Simple Kind of Life With My Penis
That's What You Get With My Penis
Brick By Boring Brick With My Penis
The Harder They Come With My Penis
Everybody Hurts With My Penis
Ain't No Stoppin Us Now With My Penis
Killing Me Softly With My Penis
Walk On The Ocean With My Penis
Be Good To Yourself With My Penis
Keep On Loving You With My Penis
I'll Be There With My Penis
I Wanna Be Where You Are With My Penis
Sittin Up In My Room With My Penis
It's Gonna Be Me With My Penis
This I Promise You With My Penis
Smooth Operator With My Penis
Separate Ways With my Penis
Bittersweet Symphony With My Penis
What More Can I Say With My Penis
Anyways I had a lot of fun, just taking a day to get a little silly so I don't go a lot crazy. Maybe we'll do this again sometime with something else...I promise I'll be serious tomorrow
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Boy Wonder: Professional Musician 276
Year 3 – Day 88 – June 4th 2011 – Chicago, Illinois
I wake up in a hotel in Minneapolis, I'm exhausted.
This isn't the way I normally do things
This thing has grown to the point where I can't possibly do everything myself, I need help so I have to develop a new muscle...knowing the right people and surrounding myself with them. In this business you encounter a lot of mouth runners, folk that talk a good game and may even mean well but they can't get anything done. Unfortunately it's often too late before you realize who's just talking smack.
As we journeyed to Chicago I find myself still trying to call the guy that booked me for the show tonight. I've been furiously emailing him all week long and still nothing. Tis of course makes me nervous, I have a hotel booked, a van full of gear, and possibly no gig. I confirmed before I left but never heard anything about set times, opening acts, etc. and as we inch closer and closer to the Windy City I'm sweating bullets like a semi-automatic.
So finally I get the booker on the phone.
Me: Hey
Booker: What's up?
Me: We're on our way to Chicago and I'm just wondering when load in is and all that.
Booker: Oh! I've been meaning to call you and talk to you. I don't work at The Tonic Room anymore.
Me: Excuse me?
Booker: Yeah, but I handed off your information to the new guy
Hangs up
I call Booker #2
Booker 2: Yeah
Me: Hello?
Booker 2: I'm at a street festival what's up?
Me: Boy Wonder from Philadelphia, wondering about load in tonight.
Booker 2: Oh yeah man call the owner he'll be able to tell you when load in is and all that.
Me: Don't you know?
Booker 2: Nah not really.
My opinion of myself as a booking agent back home has increased exponentially after these two conversations. I may not be the best booker on earth (or even in Philly) but compared to these two I could teach a college course
I was able to get in touch with the owner and we were able to load in. He informed me that we were the only act scheduled to play tonight...Ugh. There were no other bands on the bill meaning there would be no one there outside of the few friends and fans I have in Chicago if they can even make it. Apparently the guy booked me in the room and quit the next day never informing me and basically hanging me out to dry. Who does that?
We set up the gear and a few people walked in and as I looked around I remember words that Bryn told me on my very first tour “Whether it's 3 or 300, you rock the show just as hard!” I basically decided that we were going to play lights out for the people that turned up.
Set List
Batman Theme
Superhero
God May Forgive You But I Never Will
Ex Girlfriend
New/Untitled Song
Surrender
How Can This Be Love
Always Givin Me The Blues
Sexy Machine
I Don't Dance
Feels So Good
(I Think We Should) Breakup
Psycho
Encore
Walking on The Moon
Wasn't Supposed To Be This Way
Billie Jean
Ain't No Way
Baby One More Time
And much like the rest of these dates on tour (aside from Minneapolis) the place was packed as we were wrapping up our intended set. We end up playing for 30 extra minutes or so and by then end the crowd was dancing and when we were done they pretty much left.
I'm realizing more and more how good this act in it's current form actually is. I thought my playing and singing tonight was pretty strong (Jake and Rob are always good) I need to get it more exposed in these different markets. If I can get more people there I know we can deliver a great show and get a buzz going. I just need to find the right person to partner up with in each city. This is something I will be going over in my head for quite sometime upon my return home
We ended the night dancing the night away at a few clubs in Chicago. It was a great opportunity to meet some of the natives and see what it was all about. We had a great time and Mexican food for the 3rd day in a row.
Indianapolis is tomorrow, last stop, we'll finish strong.
I wake up in a hotel in Minneapolis, I'm exhausted.
This isn't the way I normally do things
This thing has grown to the point where I can't possibly do everything myself, I need help so I have to develop a new muscle...knowing the right people and surrounding myself with them. In this business you encounter a lot of mouth runners, folk that talk a good game and may even mean well but they can't get anything done. Unfortunately it's often too late before you realize who's just talking smack.
As we journeyed to Chicago I find myself still trying to call the guy that booked me for the show tonight. I've been furiously emailing him all week long and still nothing. Tis of course makes me nervous, I have a hotel booked, a van full of gear, and possibly no gig. I confirmed before I left but never heard anything about set times, opening acts, etc. and as we inch closer and closer to the Windy City I'm sweating bullets like a semi-automatic.
So finally I get the booker on the phone.
Me: Hey
Booker: What's up?
Me: We're on our way to Chicago and I'm just wondering when load in is and all that.
Booker: Oh! I've been meaning to call you and talk to you. I don't work at The Tonic Room anymore.
Me: Excuse me?
Booker: Yeah, but I handed off your information to the new guy
Hangs up
I call Booker #2
Booker 2: Yeah
Me: Hello?
Booker 2: I'm at a street festival what's up?
Me: Boy Wonder from Philadelphia, wondering about load in tonight.
Booker 2: Oh yeah man call the owner he'll be able to tell you when load in is and all that.
Me: Don't you know?
Booker 2: Nah not really.
My opinion of myself as a booking agent back home has increased exponentially after these two conversations. I may not be the best booker on earth (or even in Philly) but compared to these two I could teach a college course
I was able to get in touch with the owner and we were able to load in. He informed me that we were the only act scheduled to play tonight...Ugh. There were no other bands on the bill meaning there would be no one there outside of the few friends and fans I have in Chicago if they can even make it. Apparently the guy booked me in the room and quit the next day never informing me and basically hanging me out to dry. Who does that?
We set up the gear and a few people walked in and as I looked around I remember words that Bryn told me on my very first tour “Whether it's 3 or 300, you rock the show just as hard!” I basically decided that we were going to play lights out for the people that turned up.
Set List
Batman Theme
Superhero
God May Forgive You But I Never Will
Ex Girlfriend
New/Untitled Song
Surrender
How Can This Be Love
Always Givin Me The Blues
Sexy Machine
I Don't Dance
Feels So Good
(I Think We Should) Breakup
Psycho
Encore
Walking on The Moon
Wasn't Supposed To Be This Way
Billie Jean
Ain't No Way
Baby One More Time
And much like the rest of these dates on tour (aside from Minneapolis) the place was packed as we were wrapping up our intended set. We end up playing for 30 extra minutes or so and by then end the crowd was dancing and when we were done they pretty much left.
I'm realizing more and more how good this act in it's current form actually is. I thought my playing and singing tonight was pretty strong (Jake and Rob are always good) I need to get it more exposed in these different markets. If I can get more people there I know we can deliver a great show and get a buzz going. I just need to find the right person to partner up with in each city. This is something I will be going over in my head for quite sometime upon my return home
We ended the night dancing the night away at a few clubs in Chicago. It was a great opportunity to meet some of the natives and see what it was all about. We had a great time and Mexican food for the 3rd day in a row.
Indianapolis is tomorrow, last stop, we'll finish strong.
Boy Wonder: Professional Musician 275
Year 3 – Day 87 – June 3rd 2011 – Minneapolis Minnesota
Quicksand
First one thing goes wrong (no matter how minor) and that's all you need. The more you fight, the more you sink until you can't breathe. You're drowning and there's no hope in getting out. It happens to the best of us, so it certainly happens to me.
My guitar stopped working properly in Des Moines, I hit the string and it pops out of place. I was worried about it all day long making me more nervous in terms of today's show.
Often Minneapolis is the peak of our Midwestern Tours. I work with a guy that knows what he's doing in terms of getting us with the right bands and promoting us, and it is by far our biggest fanbase outside of Philadelphia. Believers are hard to come by so we try to see them all as often as possible. We build these midwestern tours around the Minneapolis shows because we know we're gonna be taken care of, the scene here has really opened it's arms to us and often it feels like a second home. I always want very badly to give these people the best show they've ever seen but tonight my entire focus was on the situation with my guitar. I thought I'd dodged a bullet and that I would simply use my back up, but as I was tuning it it clearly refused to stay in tune so we had to use the busted one.
I needed to get my head in the game, it's easy to perform when everything's going perfectly but the challenge is can you still be the guy that you are when shit's goin horribly wrong. I decided to view it as a challenge to see if I could step up to the plate.
I focused on what I did have, my voice wasn't broken, nor my playing, and not to mention I have the very best rhythm section on the planet that can carry me if need be.
Set List
Batman Theme
Superhero
God May Forgive You But I Never Will
Ex Girlfriend
New/Untitled Song
Surrender
Sexy Machine
I Don't Dance
Feels So Good
(I Think We Should) Breakup
Psycho
It was hard to tell how or if we went over well. The stage lights shined pretty far down in my face and it was hard to see. The Boys played great (As Always) and I just popped my string back in place whenever it fell out. After a while you just have to laugh it off because you simply can't control the problem or make it go away at that point in time. As always I had a blast.
The highlight of the night was of course seeing all of our friends and fans in the twin cities. I didn't feel like I personally gave them the best show possible but the love I get washes that feeling away if only for a night. The other thing that's always been an issue for me is grace after a less than perfect performance. A lot of people shook my hand and said “Good Show” because to them it probably was. My instinct is to say something like “Were we at the same show, I was awful” but if someone compliments you, you say Thank You, you mean it, and you save the self criticisms for another time, possibly a tour blog.
We hung out with 3 of my fav people for the rest of the night and we went back to the hotel. The tour marches on to Chicago tomorrow, we'll play the tonic room and get some Giordanos. There's a guitar center by the venue, maybe I can get my stuff fixed.
Quicksand
First one thing goes wrong (no matter how minor) and that's all you need. The more you fight, the more you sink until you can't breathe. You're drowning and there's no hope in getting out. It happens to the best of us, so it certainly happens to me.
My guitar stopped working properly in Des Moines, I hit the string and it pops out of place. I was worried about it all day long making me more nervous in terms of today's show.
Often Minneapolis is the peak of our Midwestern Tours. I work with a guy that knows what he's doing in terms of getting us with the right bands and promoting us, and it is by far our biggest fanbase outside of Philadelphia. Believers are hard to come by so we try to see them all as often as possible. We build these midwestern tours around the Minneapolis shows because we know we're gonna be taken care of, the scene here has really opened it's arms to us and often it feels like a second home. I always want very badly to give these people the best show they've ever seen but tonight my entire focus was on the situation with my guitar. I thought I'd dodged a bullet and that I would simply use my back up, but as I was tuning it it clearly refused to stay in tune so we had to use the busted one.
I needed to get my head in the game, it's easy to perform when everything's going perfectly but the challenge is can you still be the guy that you are when shit's goin horribly wrong. I decided to view it as a challenge to see if I could step up to the plate.
I focused on what I did have, my voice wasn't broken, nor my playing, and not to mention I have the very best rhythm section on the planet that can carry me if need be.
Set List
Batman Theme
Superhero
God May Forgive You But I Never Will
Ex Girlfriend
New/Untitled Song
Surrender
Sexy Machine
I Don't Dance
Feels So Good
(I Think We Should) Breakup
Psycho
It was hard to tell how or if we went over well. The stage lights shined pretty far down in my face and it was hard to see. The Boys played great (As Always) and I just popped my string back in place whenever it fell out. After a while you just have to laugh it off because you simply can't control the problem or make it go away at that point in time. As always I had a blast.
The highlight of the night was of course seeing all of our friends and fans in the twin cities. I didn't feel like I personally gave them the best show possible but the love I get washes that feeling away if only for a night. The other thing that's always been an issue for me is grace after a less than perfect performance. A lot of people shook my hand and said “Good Show” because to them it probably was. My instinct is to say something like “Were we at the same show, I was awful” but if someone compliments you, you say Thank You, you mean it, and you save the self criticisms for another time, possibly a tour blog.
We hung out with 3 of my fav people for the rest of the night and we went back to the hotel. The tour marches on to Chicago tomorrow, we'll play the tonic room and get some Giordanos. There's a guitar center by the venue, maybe I can get my stuff fixed.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Boy Wonder: Professional Musician 274
Year 3 – Day 86 – June 2nd 2011 – Minneapolis, Minnesota
We rolled into Minneapolis around 7 but the dude behind the desk wouldn't let me check in without paying extra so I did what any other normal American would do, I waited till that guy's shift was over and sweet talked the new person behind the desk (a girl) into letting us check in early (Still Got It!)
We met up with Brue who kindly brought us Arby's and then headed downtown to get into some trouble...we were unable to find any.
I'm not good at off days yet...I'd rather be playing, but it's also awesome to rest the voice and have a few with the dudes every now and again
We are going to rock The Underground Tomorrow...I can't wait to play the show
We rolled into Minneapolis around 7 but the dude behind the desk wouldn't let me check in without paying extra so I did what any other normal American would do, I waited till that guy's shift was over and sweet talked the new person behind the desk (a girl) into letting us check in early (Still Got It!)
We met up with Brue who kindly brought us Arby's and then headed downtown to get into some trouble...we were unable to find any.
I'm not good at off days yet...I'd rather be playing, but it's also awesome to rest the voice and have a few with the dudes every now and again
We are going to rock The Underground Tomorrow...I can't wait to play the show
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Boy Wonder: Professional Musician 273
Year 3 – Day 85 – June 1st 2011 – Des Monies, Iowa
This was the night Bang Camaro was supposed to play at Vaudeville Mews, In Des Moines Iowa with Electric Six. Obviously with the car trouble we didn't make it and would catch up with them later on that week. So on that first trek around the country Vaudeville Mews was the only venue we missed, I didn't get a chance to play here...till tonight.
We hung out at Zach Dean's for a final day, a day that started off with a killer hangover. There's a reason I don't normally drink on the road...cause I feel like crap all day. Andrew, Rob and I went to McDonalds and I couldn't eat anything...booo.
We made the ride to Des Moines stopped at a German restaurant and drank beer out of a 32 ounce glass boot, it was pretty clutch, then it was off to the show.
As I walked into the venue the first thing that crossed my mind was, “How on Earth were Bang Camaro gonna fit on that stage?” Crystal City and The Half Hearts Rocked out like only they can. It was an awesome looking place, albeit empty. I had consigned myself to the notion that we may be playing for just the bar tender, the sound guy, and the bands tonight
Set List
Batman Theme
Superhero
God May Forgive You But I Never Will
Ex-Girlfriend
Untitled/New Song
Surrender
Sexy Machine
I Don't Dance
Feels So Good
(I Think We Should) Breakup
Body
How Can This Be Love
I Wanna Be Your Lover
Hit Me Baby One More Time
Private School Girl
Walking on The Moon
3000 Miles Away
Psycho
The place was pretty lonely until we were about 2/3rds through our planned set then there was a rush of people and they wanted to dance, so we kept it funky for the most part and grooved with them until I couldn't sing anymore. We went over really well with the few that were there, met some cool people, and played a great show...All in all it was a pretty good night and I think we laid an excellent foundation to return here later.
We climb in the van to go towards Minneapolis, I'm soaked in sweat, I'm tired, but I feel awesome, can't wait to see everyone in the Twin Cities tomorrow and Friday, it's gonna be amazing.
Year One - Day 29 – April 9th 2009 – Clearlake, Iowa
We get back on the road and hit a bunch of traffic in Minnesota we finally get free and Rodrigo gets off of the road in order to stop for Gas and pee. Then I hear a sound, I don’t know anything about cars but I could kind of tell that it was a bad sound. Then the car stops moving…crap. We cut it off and restart it...nothing. It’s obvious that something has gone horribly wrong. We then thought that if we pushed it maybe it would start like Daniel’s mom’s car in the Karate Kid…nothing doing. We were able to push it off of the ramp and onto the side of the road. Someone called Triple A, Rod and Zach went to get transmission fluid, and I had to pee so I went to the bathroom.
Upon my return I saw a cop with a dog in the back and a cop questioning one of my band mates. All I could think of is I hope we’re not goin to jail, I am to small and pretty and will be passed around like a carton of cigarettes. They seemed to be assisting us. Then the cop drops a bomb
Cop: Everything looks in order
Alex: Thank you for all your help
Cop: No Problem
Alex: So where are we exactly
Cop: Clear Lake, Iowa where the music died.
Alex: Come again?
Cop: Yeah where Buddy holly’s plane crashed.
So um you mean to tell me our van breaks down where the music died? Great! Funny how everything balances itself out. The sheer joy of the past three days damn near negated by the van breaking down.
This was the night Bang Camaro was supposed to play at Vaudeville Mews, In Des Moines Iowa with Electric Six. Obviously with the car trouble we didn't make it and would catch up with them later on that week. So on that first trek around the country Vaudeville Mews was the only venue we missed, I didn't get a chance to play here...till tonight.
We hung out at Zach Dean's for a final day, a day that started off with a killer hangover. There's a reason I don't normally drink on the road...cause I feel like crap all day. Andrew, Rob and I went to McDonalds and I couldn't eat anything...booo.
We made the ride to Des Moines stopped at a German restaurant and drank beer out of a 32 ounce glass boot, it was pretty clutch, then it was off to the show.
As I walked into the venue the first thing that crossed my mind was, “How on Earth were Bang Camaro gonna fit on that stage?” Crystal City and The Half Hearts Rocked out like only they can. It was an awesome looking place, albeit empty. I had consigned myself to the notion that we may be playing for just the bar tender, the sound guy, and the bands tonight
Set List
Batman Theme
Superhero
God May Forgive You But I Never Will
Ex-Girlfriend
Untitled/New Song
Surrender
Sexy Machine
I Don't Dance
Feels So Good
(I Think We Should) Breakup
Body
How Can This Be Love
I Wanna Be Your Lover
Hit Me Baby One More Time
Private School Girl
Walking on The Moon
3000 Miles Away
Psycho
The place was pretty lonely until we were about 2/3rds through our planned set then there was a rush of people and they wanted to dance, so we kept it funky for the most part and grooved with them until I couldn't sing anymore. We went over really well with the few that were there, met some cool people, and played a great show...All in all it was a pretty good night and I think we laid an excellent foundation to return here later.
We climb in the van to go towards Minneapolis, I'm soaked in sweat, I'm tired, but I feel awesome, can't wait to see everyone in the Twin Cities tomorrow and Friday, it's gonna be amazing.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Boy Wonder: Professional Musician 272
Year 3 – Day 84 – May 31st 2011 – Iowa City, Iowa
It's been a while almost a year to be exact...back out on the road again. New Places, New Guy Behind The Wheel, Same Band. Since we talked last a few things have happened
Animated Unleashed - September 4th 2010
The CD Release Show Was Amazing! The bands were incredible and we had our logo projected on the back wall. All of the promo we did paid off and we played to a pretty packed house. To top it all off I was joined by Bryn and Alex of Bang Camaro for a rendition of Psycho. It was good to see the boys and Mayte. We partied all night.
Opening For Electric Six - September 22nd 2010
It was our first show at Johnny Brendas, It was the first time we'd ever opened for somebody major, Jake had food poisoning, and we still played a great show. It was an amazing opportunity and to this day there aren't enough words to describe how grateful I am. It was the moment where things finally crystallized for me in the respect that Boy Wonder in it's current form can hang with any band we share the stage with.
Show With Leslie – November 10th 2010
Leslie was on their way to Boston to open for Bang Camaro and I was fortunate enough to play a show with them in Philly. I had an amazing time, Sadler Vaden's def one of the best guitarists around and I learn so much every time I see him play.
Producing Moving On – April 2011
I've been producing Steve Marchion's first Album Moving On. Producing is another avenue of the musical spectrum that I've enjoyed and wish to pursue further. Helping someone reach their artistic vision is almost as satisfying as reaching your own. I like it to the point where I'm considering self-producing my next project. Look for the Release of Moving on in the Fall
First Boston Show – May 5th 2011
We played in Boston for the first time on March 5th at the Middle East. Rob had a previous engagement but Branden King of The Parachuting Apostles filled in quite nicely. We rocked faces off that night and Jaime Kent and The Options really did their thing.
I appreciated the support of my Camaro bretheren, between the show and the party I got to see everyone which really rocked. Hopefully I'll make it up to the next Bang Camaro show in Boston
Tour Launch Party – May 28th 2011
For the first time ever I decided to do a Tour Launch Party at World Cafe Live. The Trick to these Downstairs Shows is keeping them fresh (we do them a lot) and giving people a reason to come out. We shared the stage with Damien Anthony, Phunkyman and Jenna Andrews if you haven't heard her music you should check it out. Highlight of the night the choreographed dance number to surrender.
Other than that it's been shows and shows and more shows I've met lots of people and done lots of stuff. I'm broke but I'm happy.
Which brings me to today.
I woke up in Fairfield Iowa today to the sounds of rain fall and a roaring window fan. It had been blowing on me all night, I worry about my voice as always. We're at my buddy/Jake's brother Zach's house, it's become the official home base for the Iowa section of this tour. I'm grateful to have friends all around the country, we're able to see these places through the eyes of the people who actually live here as opposed to being wide eyed tourists. After some hours at Zach's on the internet sending out press releases and We went to this awesome noodle place and it was off to the show.
The Blue Moose Tap House is your pretty standard sweaty rock club. The posters on the wall indicate that this is the place to play in Iowa City, which made me pretty nervous. I wasn't sure if anyone would show up tonight because there was a dubstep party happening the same night that draws a lot of people. If anything I decided I was simply just going to have a good time and maybe see a good band
The Uniphonics did not disappoint. Blending Hip Hop, Jazz and Rock, The Uniphonics was the best pairing I've ever seen on tour. They brought it hard I can't wait to bring them to Philly one day soon.
The First Show (well second show officially) is always tough for me, I'm jittery and rarely in the right frame of mind but as the people started to file in I began to worry less and less. It's just another gig and I have the best rhythm section on earth Rob Starts Drumming and we're off to the races
Set List
Batman Theme
Superhero
God May Forgive You But I Never Will
Untitled/New Song
Ex-Girlfriend
Surrender
Sexy Machine
I Don't Dance
Feels So Good
I Wanna Be Your Lover
(I Think We Should) Breakup
Hit Me Baby One More Time
Psycho
We had to play longer than I thought but by the time we got to Surrender I felt like I had an already friendly crowd in the palm of my hand. The guys played well, which covered up for the fact that I played like crap, luckily for me my vocals were pretty much spot on. I know it will be better tomorrow and the day after and I chalked it up to getting the first show out of the way. I wasn't at my best but collectively it was a pretty powerful performance. The small crowd was enthusiastic and they danced to songs that I didn't think you could dance to. I had an incredible time.
We ended up at the dubstep party to drink and dance the night away...So far this is the best tour ever
It's been a while almost a year to be exact...back out on the road again. New Places, New Guy Behind The Wheel, Same Band. Since we talked last a few things have happened
Animated Unleashed - September 4th 2010
The CD Release Show Was Amazing! The bands were incredible and we had our logo projected on the back wall. All of the promo we did paid off and we played to a pretty packed house. To top it all off I was joined by Bryn and Alex of Bang Camaro for a rendition of Psycho. It was good to see the boys and Mayte. We partied all night.
Opening For Electric Six - September 22nd 2010
It was our first show at Johnny Brendas, It was the first time we'd ever opened for somebody major, Jake had food poisoning, and we still played a great show. It was an amazing opportunity and to this day there aren't enough words to describe how grateful I am. It was the moment where things finally crystallized for me in the respect that Boy Wonder in it's current form can hang with any band we share the stage with.
Show With Leslie – November 10th 2010
Leslie was on their way to Boston to open for Bang Camaro and I was fortunate enough to play a show with them in Philly. I had an amazing time, Sadler Vaden's def one of the best guitarists around and I learn so much every time I see him play.
Producing Moving On – April 2011
I've been producing Steve Marchion's first Album Moving On. Producing is another avenue of the musical spectrum that I've enjoyed and wish to pursue further. Helping someone reach their artistic vision is almost as satisfying as reaching your own. I like it to the point where I'm considering self-producing my next project. Look for the Release of Moving on in the Fall
First Boston Show – May 5th 2011
We played in Boston for the first time on March 5th at the Middle East. Rob had a previous engagement but Branden King of The Parachuting Apostles filled in quite nicely. We rocked faces off that night and Jaime Kent and The Options really did their thing.
I appreciated the support of my Camaro bretheren, between the show and the party I got to see everyone which really rocked. Hopefully I'll make it up to the next Bang Camaro show in Boston
Tour Launch Party – May 28th 2011
For the first time ever I decided to do a Tour Launch Party at World Cafe Live. The Trick to these Downstairs Shows is keeping them fresh (we do them a lot) and giving people a reason to come out. We shared the stage with Damien Anthony, Phunkyman and Jenna Andrews if you haven't heard her music you should check it out. Highlight of the night the choreographed dance number to surrender.
Other than that it's been shows and shows and more shows I've met lots of people and done lots of stuff. I'm broke but I'm happy.
Which brings me to today.
I woke up in Fairfield Iowa today to the sounds of rain fall and a roaring window fan. It had been blowing on me all night, I worry about my voice as always. We're at my buddy/Jake's brother Zach's house, it's become the official home base for the Iowa section of this tour. I'm grateful to have friends all around the country, we're able to see these places through the eyes of the people who actually live here as opposed to being wide eyed tourists. After some hours at Zach's on the internet sending out press releases and We went to this awesome noodle place and it was off to the show.
The Blue Moose Tap House is your pretty standard sweaty rock club. The posters on the wall indicate that this is the place to play in Iowa City, which made me pretty nervous. I wasn't sure if anyone would show up tonight because there was a dubstep party happening the same night that draws a lot of people. If anything I decided I was simply just going to have a good time and maybe see a good band
The Uniphonics did not disappoint. Blending Hip Hop, Jazz and Rock, The Uniphonics was the best pairing I've ever seen on tour. They brought it hard I can't wait to bring them to Philly one day soon.
The First Show (well second show officially) is always tough for me, I'm jittery and rarely in the right frame of mind but as the people started to file in I began to worry less and less. It's just another gig and I have the best rhythm section on earth Rob Starts Drumming and we're off to the races
Set List
Batman Theme
Superhero
God May Forgive You But I Never Will
Untitled/New Song
Ex-Girlfriend
Surrender
Sexy Machine
I Don't Dance
Feels So Good
I Wanna Be Your Lover
(I Think We Should) Breakup
Hit Me Baby One More Time
Psycho
We had to play longer than I thought but by the time we got to Surrender I felt like I had an already friendly crowd in the palm of my hand. The guys played well, which covered up for the fact that I played like crap, luckily for me my vocals were pretty much spot on. I know it will be better tomorrow and the day after and I chalked it up to getting the first show out of the way. I wasn't at my best but collectively it was a pretty powerful performance. The small crowd was enthusiastic and they danced to songs that I didn't think you could dance to. I had an incredible time.
We ended up at the dubstep party to drink and dance the night away...So far this is the best tour ever
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