Year Two Day 137 – August 27th 2010
The 10! Show
Come on...Like I could sleep last night.
Today would be culmination of a couple of years of work. The boys and I would play the 10! Show this morning.
For those of you who don't know, The 10! Show is a local lifestyle show that comes on NBC 10 (Philadelphia) after the Today Show Monday through Friday. It's one of very few locally produced programs in the city that has an audience that watched the show regularly. It may be the only show in town that features local music artists ever (as well as national/international acts) so to get on the show is a big deal. I've been trying to get on the show since the Superego days. It's one of the few chances you get locally to reach an audience that may have never seen you before so when I was finally able to get it I was over the moon.
This wasn't my first time on television, I had done VH1 Fanclub in 2001, Comcast's Broadcast of the Philadelphia Distance Run in 2008 and (of course) Jimmy Kimmel Live in 2009 with Bang Camaro. I had some idea as to what to expect but I was still nervous because this would be the first appearance on television for the Boy Wonder Project.
I “woke up” around 6 to shower get dressed and head to the studio. We pick up Jake on the way and Rob is already there when I arrive (as per usual) We load the gear in and then I see it...the Set of the 10! Show. There are always a few things that leave you taken aback no matter how many times you step onto a television set.
One is the size...they're always significantly smaller than they look on TV, chalk that up to wide angle lenses
Two is how different segments either happen in different rooms or set pieces are rolled onto the set for them...on TV it looks like a different piece of a vast set, I guess going back to size.
Three...this is the third time I've been on television, and no has ever put me in a make up chair.
Four...When Bands play they always have to do a rehearsal for the cameras
Five...It always goes by really fast
After the rehearsal was done we step into the green room and we met the other guests on the show True Blood's Tanya Wright, “Be Sleeveless and Sexy” Author JJ Virgin, WDAS DJ Patty Jackson and Phillies chef Katie Cavuto Boyle. Pretty much all of them were very nice and we got to talk to pretty much all of them.
About half an hour goes by and they tell us that they're ready for us. I was pretty tight initially because we had to do a new arrangement of the song that cut for time, I was concerned we'd forgetand by we I mean me.
I was nervous until I see the album cover swing into focus on screen and Bill Henley introduces me it sounded so pro like I was legit and I had to look around ot make sure it was me they were talking about. I get a little amped up because this is MY moment, I don't have to worry about the other groups that are sharing the bill, I don't have to take a backseat to someone else, I don't have to question whether or not I deserve to be there because they wouldn't have let me come on the show if they didn't feel I was good enough. It's not about the other 3 bands that I'm apart of (God Bless Them and I dig all of the things that I get to be a part of) it's about me, Jake and Rob and all I have to do is concentrate 100% on my performance and what I have to do pull this off. I hear the roar of the crowd and we're ready and we go into the song and I can't help but smile.
As I'm busy amping myself up I'm not noticing the battle I'm about to wage against a front stage light. I'm not standing in the right spot and It starts shining directly into my eyes and I can't see shit. I focus on the song and try to be as natural as possible hoping that muscle memory and a few well placed looks will hide the fact that I'm blind. 15 seconds or so go by and I step to the correct spot and I'm fine after that. Jake is enjoying himself and Rob is laying it down and I can't think of two people who I'd rather share this with. My band is sweet.
It all went by so fast. We did a post tape following the show of another song and then it was time to go. We went to Fridays after wards and then I went home.
All in all it was a positive experience I'm still getting texts and calls and emails from people who've seen the show and gave me nothing but positive reviews. Some were snarky but that's part of the territory, I'm learning people don't have good things to say no matter what you do.
WSTW Hometown Heroes is Sunday and I can't wait.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Boy Wonder: Professional Musician 270
Year Two – Day 123 – August 13th 2010
When you come home from a tour (even a brief one) it's always a good news/bad new proposition. One one hand you are excited to be home, you get to see your family and friends and get to slide back into a life that's a tad more normal. On the other hand, you miss being out there because you leave other endeavors behind and your only mission in life is to get to the gig and play music.
Back Home and Psyched about the next few weeks. This blog will be the first one that shy's away from the narrative and give the few of you read this blog regularly some news about things that are upcoming in the Boy Wonder Universe
With the release of Animated coming up we've got quite a bit going on.
Boy Wonder Presents: Animated Unleashed
On September 4th we will celebrate the release of the Animated Album with a huge show Downstairs @ World Cafe live @ 7PM. The show is going to be a night to remember featuring a collection of artists who are not only some of the best in the region but are reflective of the ecclectic sound and feel of the new album including
Boy Wonder
Wyldlyfe
Caitlin Potter
Shon Penn
Catherine Prewitt
Damien Anthony
More Artists will be announced soon
Tickets are $11 if you purchase them from me beforehand and $13 at the door. If you haven't been to a Boy Wonder show @ World Cafe Live before, or it's been a while since you've been, this would be the one to catch. Hope to See You There
Tickets can be purchased on-line HERE
New Myspace
As with every other Album Release I've done, I'm celebrating it with a change to my Myspace page. It has a simpler sleek new look as well as two new songs from the Upcoming Album upoladed to it, so if you have a chance take a look, it'll be like traveling back in time five years
http://myspace.com/boywonderrocks
Range Recording Studios Newsletter
I am featured in this month's Range Recoding Studios E Newsletter which goes out every month.
For those of you who Follow the Blog Range Recording Studios is where I recorded Animated as well as my last Album Superego. It's an amazing place and I was more than happy to sit down with marc Eimer to give him all of the information he needed for his article, which turned out pretty sweet
The Article can be found HERE
The 10! Show
In what was probably the worst kept secret ever, I will be appearing on the 10! Show on Friday August 27th. The show airs at 11am, most of you will be at work but that's what the DVR is for. We will be playing Surrender off of the new album Animated. This will be the first major Television appearance for Boy Wonder and the first time I've been on TV since I did Jimmy Kimmel Live with Bang Camaro.
If you want to see the show live you can get tickets HERE.
93.7 WSTW – Hometown Heroes
On Sunday August 29th I'll be the guest on 93.7 WSTW's Hometown Heroes show. Hometown Heroes is a show hosted by Mark Rogers. The station is based out of Deleware and it features some of the Deleware Valleys finest local music. They have spun me on their station several times as well as nominated me for their Homey Awards last year, I even walked away with two (Best R&B and Hip Song and Best Open Mic Host)
It's going to be an awesome show, the boys and I are gonna play some acoustic tunes, I'll do some interview stuff and we'll play some stuff off of the new record which will be exciting
The Show airs August 29th @ 8PM
WSTW's Hometown Heroes can be found on the web HERE
So many cool things are happening around the release of this record
I'll keep you posted as more cool things should be happening once the record comes out
Be Good, if not, Be Good At It and I'll see you real soon
When you come home from a tour (even a brief one) it's always a good news/bad new proposition. One one hand you are excited to be home, you get to see your family and friends and get to slide back into a life that's a tad more normal. On the other hand, you miss being out there because you leave other endeavors behind and your only mission in life is to get to the gig and play music.
Back Home and Psyched about the next few weeks. This blog will be the first one that shy's away from the narrative and give the few of you read this blog regularly some news about things that are upcoming in the Boy Wonder Universe
With the release of Animated coming up we've got quite a bit going on.
Boy Wonder Presents: Animated Unleashed
On September 4th we will celebrate the release of the Animated Album with a huge show Downstairs @ World Cafe live @ 7PM. The show is going to be a night to remember featuring a collection of artists who are not only some of the best in the region but are reflective of the ecclectic sound and feel of the new album including
Boy Wonder
Wyldlyfe
Caitlin Potter
Shon Penn
Catherine Prewitt
Damien Anthony
More Artists will be announced soon
Tickets are $11 if you purchase them from me beforehand and $13 at the door. If you haven't been to a Boy Wonder show @ World Cafe Live before, or it's been a while since you've been, this would be the one to catch. Hope to See You There
Tickets can be purchased on-line HERE
New Myspace
As with every other Album Release I've done, I'm celebrating it with a change to my Myspace page. It has a simpler sleek new look as well as two new songs from the Upcoming Album upoladed to it, so if you have a chance take a look, it'll be like traveling back in time five years
http://myspace.com/boywonderrocks
Range Recording Studios Newsletter
I am featured in this month's Range Recoding Studios E Newsletter which goes out every month.
For those of you who Follow the Blog Range Recording Studios is where I recorded Animated as well as my last Album Superego. It's an amazing place and I was more than happy to sit down with marc Eimer to give him all of the information he needed for his article, which turned out pretty sweet
The Article can be found HERE
The 10! Show
In what was probably the worst kept secret ever, I will be appearing on the 10! Show on Friday August 27th. The show airs at 11am, most of you will be at work but that's what the DVR is for. We will be playing Surrender off of the new album Animated. This will be the first major Television appearance for Boy Wonder and the first time I've been on TV since I did Jimmy Kimmel Live with Bang Camaro.
If you want to see the show live you can get tickets HERE.
93.7 WSTW – Hometown Heroes
On Sunday August 29th I'll be the guest on 93.7 WSTW's Hometown Heroes show. Hometown Heroes is a show hosted by Mark Rogers. The station is based out of Deleware and it features some of the Deleware Valleys finest local music. They have spun me on their station several times as well as nominated me for their Homey Awards last year, I even walked away with two (Best R&B and Hip Song and Best Open Mic Host)
It's going to be an awesome show, the boys and I are gonna play some acoustic tunes, I'll do some interview stuff and we'll play some stuff off of the new record which will be exciting
The Show airs August 29th @ 8PM
WSTW's Hometown Heroes can be found on the web HERE
So many cool things are happening around the release of this record
I'll keep you posted as more cool things should be happening once the record comes out
Be Good, if not, Be Good At It and I'll see you real soon
Monday, August 9, 2010
Boy Wonder: Professional Musician 269
Year Two - Day 118 – August 8th 2010
Minneapolis Minnesota
We drove through the night from Indy, probably a bad idea. Rest is so important when you're doing this job and frankly it's tough to get it in a conversion van.
As I say good morning I realize my voice sounds and feels like I smoked a bag of cigarettes. Lizards was full of smoke last night even the pregnant ladies were smoking. Of course I'm concerned about my voice tonight. My throat is killing me and my chest is muccusy (probably not even a word) and as I scratch my face I realize that I probably need a shave as well so when we touch town I need meds and a razor. Sounding and looking good is essential tonight.
We pull into town around 1PM, I can't get over how hot it is here. I walked to the Walgreens and was baking in the Minneapolis sun. I hadn't showered so I was smelling awesome. I got in, got what I needed, and got out. I arrived back at the hotel and was pretty much ready to crash. Luckily the room had an awesome shower and an Law and Order SVU marathon on TV. As I drifted off to sleep I heard a knock on the door. Jake and Brian are dressed to kill and they're ready to go out. I'm glad these guys are here to balance me out, if they weren't here I'd probably stay at the hotel all day till the show and never see any of these places.
There was a storm threatening to bust open and soak the twin cities so we opted to hit Cause (Formerly Sauce) for an early dinner instead of roaming downtown Minneapolis. I remember the gig in October like it was yesterday; the filled room, the cheering crowds, the lines at the merch table. It was the first time I felt like a legitimate artist and I knew that making a life for myself out here was possible. We were so well received that playing in Minneapolis again was at the top of my wish list of things to do. Would it be like it was before? Who knows, it's a Sunday night, there's no cover, and people have seen us before. But I know we've got a crowd coming and if Grey Matador delivers (which they always do) this house will be packed.
My voice is loosening up as I walk down Lyndale street looking for gum (Dinner although delicious, made my breath quite scummy and disgusting) and a button down shirt (which I didn't find) I get a call from My good friend Katherine Mundy called. She has a respiratory condition that is going to force her to pull out of the CD Release show on September 4th. This is unfortunate because not only is she an awesome singer/songwriter, she's featured on Animated. She'll be missed but I'd rather her sit this one out than do permanent damage to her voice. The sky is getting even darker so I head back. Nerves are starting to set in, is anyone coming? Will they enjoy it? Is anything strange going to happen?
When I saw Roe and Brue of Grey Matador I felt a lot better. Brue's running the show so I feel better with him here. As the rest of the band walks in I get pretty stoked, it's nice to see some friendly faces. Working through booking agencies and clubs directly for all of the previous dates I missed the camaraderie the comes with doing shows with fellow musicians. It adds a certain touch and flare to the proceedings because the bands have a stake in people showing up.
As the night progresses Kibra, Lori, and Kristin among others walk in. The Twin Cities are awesome because we have real fans here. Kibra saw us in Chicago on Wednesday, Lori came the last time out and brought people with her this time and Kristin came all the way from Fargo to check it out, Rob had some buddies show up, and I recognize a lot of the people who came to the show before. We were missing some soldiers but I couldn't be anything but happy that we have such a strong contingent of people so far away from home.
Matador hits the stage first, and they play one helluva set, I've always been intrigued by how Brue can hit the drums like a tank but not be earsplittingly loud. They get better and better every time I see them. I enjoy watching them, they seem to have such an easy chemistry. After about 40 minutes of pure unadulterated post punk power we were up. It was time to play the show that I'd built this tour around. I take a deep breath and I count it off.
Set List
Ex- Girlfriend
Get Me To California
(Oh) I Wish I Loved You
Wasn't Supposed To Be This Way
I Wanna Be Your Lover
Surrender
Feels So Good
Sexy Machine
I Don't Dance
Psycho
Encore
Baby One More Time
We tore into this set with a sheer ferocity unmatched by the rest of the dates on this tour. We didn't have to focus on winning the crowd over because 90% of them were already there to see us and were expecting a good show. They were in it with us and it raised our game to another level. I was floating on air which made it difficult to be in the moment. I flubbed a couple of pedal switches, but even I didn't notice till later.
I got the idea in my head to use Roque (Grey Matador's guitarist)'s Amp in conjunction with mine to create a bigger more stereo guitar sound, it's something I've seen people do but I've never done myself. It rounded out my sound and I think I'll probably use two amps from here on out.
It was truly an amazing experience. We played a great show, hung out with some awesome people, and saw some great bands. The John Snell Xplosion was pretty awesome and Grey Matador...I mean what else can be said. I can't wait to do stuff with them in the future.
The last note played marked the end of this tour. Possibly the best tour yet. We worked like a well oiled machine and these three guys were a perfect example of professionalism and basic kick-assness. We played for hundreds this time but I'm more determined to play to thousands next time around. As we've done before, all of us will take the lessons we learned and apply it to future endeavors
I could stay out here forever but I know it's time to come home...we got big things ahead. Brace yourselves Philadelphia, we'll be back in a few days
Minneapolis Minnesota
We drove through the night from Indy, probably a bad idea. Rest is so important when you're doing this job and frankly it's tough to get it in a conversion van.
As I say good morning I realize my voice sounds and feels like I smoked a bag of cigarettes. Lizards was full of smoke last night even the pregnant ladies were smoking. Of course I'm concerned about my voice tonight. My throat is killing me and my chest is muccusy (probably not even a word) and as I scratch my face I realize that I probably need a shave as well so when we touch town I need meds and a razor. Sounding and looking good is essential tonight.
We pull into town around 1PM, I can't get over how hot it is here. I walked to the Walgreens and was baking in the Minneapolis sun. I hadn't showered so I was smelling awesome. I got in, got what I needed, and got out. I arrived back at the hotel and was pretty much ready to crash. Luckily the room had an awesome shower and an Law and Order SVU marathon on TV. As I drifted off to sleep I heard a knock on the door. Jake and Brian are dressed to kill and they're ready to go out. I'm glad these guys are here to balance me out, if they weren't here I'd probably stay at the hotel all day till the show and never see any of these places.
There was a storm threatening to bust open and soak the twin cities so we opted to hit Cause (Formerly Sauce) for an early dinner instead of roaming downtown Minneapolis. I remember the gig in October like it was yesterday; the filled room, the cheering crowds, the lines at the merch table. It was the first time I felt like a legitimate artist and I knew that making a life for myself out here was possible. We were so well received that playing in Minneapolis again was at the top of my wish list of things to do. Would it be like it was before? Who knows, it's a Sunday night, there's no cover, and people have seen us before. But I know we've got a crowd coming and if Grey Matador delivers (which they always do) this house will be packed.
My voice is loosening up as I walk down Lyndale street looking for gum (Dinner although delicious, made my breath quite scummy and disgusting) and a button down shirt (which I didn't find) I get a call from My good friend Katherine Mundy called. She has a respiratory condition that is going to force her to pull out of the CD Release show on September 4th. This is unfortunate because not only is she an awesome singer/songwriter, she's featured on Animated. She'll be missed but I'd rather her sit this one out than do permanent damage to her voice. The sky is getting even darker so I head back. Nerves are starting to set in, is anyone coming? Will they enjoy it? Is anything strange going to happen?
When I saw Roe and Brue of Grey Matador I felt a lot better. Brue's running the show so I feel better with him here. As the rest of the band walks in I get pretty stoked, it's nice to see some friendly faces. Working through booking agencies and clubs directly for all of the previous dates I missed the camaraderie the comes with doing shows with fellow musicians. It adds a certain touch and flare to the proceedings because the bands have a stake in people showing up.
As the night progresses Kibra, Lori, and Kristin among others walk in. The Twin Cities are awesome because we have real fans here. Kibra saw us in Chicago on Wednesday, Lori came the last time out and brought people with her this time and Kristin came all the way from Fargo to check it out, Rob had some buddies show up, and I recognize a lot of the people who came to the show before. We were missing some soldiers but I couldn't be anything but happy that we have such a strong contingent of people so far away from home.
Matador hits the stage first, and they play one helluva set, I've always been intrigued by how Brue can hit the drums like a tank but not be earsplittingly loud. They get better and better every time I see them. I enjoy watching them, they seem to have such an easy chemistry. After about 40 minutes of pure unadulterated post punk power we were up. It was time to play the show that I'd built this tour around. I take a deep breath and I count it off.
Set List
Ex- Girlfriend
Get Me To California
(Oh) I Wish I Loved You
Wasn't Supposed To Be This Way
I Wanna Be Your Lover
Surrender
Feels So Good
Sexy Machine
I Don't Dance
Psycho
Encore
Baby One More Time
We tore into this set with a sheer ferocity unmatched by the rest of the dates on this tour. We didn't have to focus on winning the crowd over because 90% of them were already there to see us and were expecting a good show. They were in it with us and it raised our game to another level. I was floating on air which made it difficult to be in the moment. I flubbed a couple of pedal switches, but even I didn't notice till later.
I got the idea in my head to use Roque (Grey Matador's guitarist)'s Amp in conjunction with mine to create a bigger more stereo guitar sound, it's something I've seen people do but I've never done myself. It rounded out my sound and I think I'll probably use two amps from here on out.
It was truly an amazing experience. We played a great show, hung out with some awesome people, and saw some great bands. The John Snell Xplosion was pretty awesome and Grey Matador...I mean what else can be said. I can't wait to do stuff with them in the future.
The last note played marked the end of this tour. Possibly the best tour yet. We worked like a well oiled machine and these three guys were a perfect example of professionalism and basic kick-assness. We played for hundreds this time but I'm more determined to play to thousands next time around. As we've done before, all of us will take the lessons we learned and apply it to future endeavors
I could stay out here forever but I know it's time to come home...we got big things ahead. Brace yourselves Philadelphia, we'll be back in a few days
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Boy Wonder: Professional Musician 268
Year Two - Day 117 – August 7th 2010
Indianapolis Indiana
I woke up in the hotel in Cleveland pretty stoked about tonight. Lizards in Indianapolis was the kickoff for our first tour almost a year ago, we had a strong draw and met some super cool people. After the weirdness that was Cleveland I was like “Yeah this is where we're gonna get it goin” No one was looking forward to the ten hour car ride, and then a realization was made as I'm carrying my suitcase to the car
Brian: Andre
Me: Yo.
Brian: Indianapolis is only five hours away.
Me: I see
So the plans that we had were more or less blown up and we would have to travel to another city and find a way to fill space until the show.
A whole Pizza, a couple pictures of Miller lite and some sandwiches later it was time for us to hit the stage. I look around and 4 things are apparent
1)The Cigarette smoke is so thick in here you can cut it with a knife (Meaning singing's gonna be a real hoot)
2)My Family's not here (Which means the rooms damn near empty)
3)Vocally My upper register is shot (Probably because of fatigue)
4)We're all pretty wiped
But because we are who we are. We fire up the amps and we go to work
Set List
Ex-Girlfriend
Get Me To California
(Oh) I Wish I Loved You
Wasn't Supposed to Be This Way
I Wanna Be Your Lover
Surrender
Feels So Good
God May Forgive You But I Never Will
(I Think We Should) Breakup
Sexy Machine
I Don't Dance
Psycho
The sounds less than stellar. The monitors make me sound like I was in that movie white noise and you can hear the monitor feedback in the house. The sound guy's not even at his post to fix it, and when the time came for my talk box solo he was nowhere to be found to turn my mic up, by the time he finally did I was finished. Cool guy, but because of the broad range of stuff we do (especially if we're playing longer and have to dip into the catalog) we're not the kind of band you can set levels for and go smoke a cigarette. We had the same problem in Cleveland last night (I take solace in the fact that I know these problems won't be problems tomorrow) it can be pretty frustrating because you do all you can to put on a good show but if the sound guy's not paying attention it's not gonna go right.
My voice is shot and I don't get it going really till midway thorough the set. Unbeknowst to me the few people there are falling in love with us. There aren't many people there but the numbers are increasing. I talk to a guy that runs a couple of radio stations in town who was interested in the possibility of airing some of the tunes on the station (A tremendous help for when we return to Indy) and the promoter of the event wants us back. He likes us so much he wants us to play a short set tonight for the new people that just came in.
Set List
How Can This Be Love
Hit Me Baby One More Time
Wasted
I think we really proved our steel the past few days. It's easy to be professional and kick ass when things are going well. It's harder
We hung out for a minute and then we hit the road on the way to Minneapolis...for a night of Epicness
Indianapolis Indiana
I woke up in the hotel in Cleveland pretty stoked about tonight. Lizards in Indianapolis was the kickoff for our first tour almost a year ago, we had a strong draw and met some super cool people. After the weirdness that was Cleveland I was like “Yeah this is where we're gonna get it goin” No one was looking forward to the ten hour car ride, and then a realization was made as I'm carrying my suitcase to the car
Brian: Andre
Me: Yo.
Brian: Indianapolis is only five hours away.
Me: I see
So the plans that we had were more or less blown up and we would have to travel to another city and find a way to fill space until the show.
A whole Pizza, a couple pictures of Miller lite and some sandwiches later it was time for us to hit the stage. I look around and 4 things are apparent
1)The Cigarette smoke is so thick in here you can cut it with a knife (Meaning singing's gonna be a real hoot)
2)My Family's not here (Which means the rooms damn near empty)
3)Vocally My upper register is shot (Probably because of fatigue)
4)We're all pretty wiped
But because we are who we are. We fire up the amps and we go to work
Set List
Ex-Girlfriend
Get Me To California
(Oh) I Wish I Loved You
Wasn't Supposed to Be This Way
I Wanna Be Your Lover
Surrender
Feels So Good
God May Forgive You But I Never Will
(I Think We Should) Breakup
Sexy Machine
I Don't Dance
Psycho
The sounds less than stellar. The monitors make me sound like I was in that movie white noise and you can hear the monitor feedback in the house. The sound guy's not even at his post to fix it, and when the time came for my talk box solo he was nowhere to be found to turn my mic up, by the time he finally did I was finished. Cool guy, but because of the broad range of stuff we do (especially if we're playing longer and have to dip into the catalog) we're not the kind of band you can set levels for and go smoke a cigarette. We had the same problem in Cleveland last night (I take solace in the fact that I know these problems won't be problems tomorrow) it can be pretty frustrating because you do all you can to put on a good show but if the sound guy's not paying attention it's not gonna go right.
My voice is shot and I don't get it going really till midway thorough the set. Unbeknowst to me the few people there are falling in love with us. There aren't many people there but the numbers are increasing. I talk to a guy that runs a couple of radio stations in town who was interested in the possibility of airing some of the tunes on the station (A tremendous help for when we return to Indy) and the promoter of the event wants us back. He likes us so much he wants us to play a short set tonight for the new people that just came in.
Set List
How Can This Be Love
Hit Me Baby One More Time
Wasted
I think we really proved our steel the past few days. It's easy to be professional and kick ass when things are going well. It's harder
We hung out for a minute and then we hit the road on the way to Minneapolis...for a night of Epicness
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Boy Wonder: Professional Musician 267
Year Two Day 116 – August 6th 2010
Cleveland Ohio
We left Toledo with the feeling of conquering heroes...well at least I did. Touring is such a gamble when no one knows who you are but when it works, it works. Those kids could have basically went in the other room while we played but they clapped and swayed and crowded the front of the stage and showed us love, I never take that for granted.
Cleveland was only an hour and some change away from Toledo. One thing that I've done this time around I think is booked things closer together so that we're not spending 9, 10 hours in a car at a time (*pats self on the back*) we're a lot fresher or we would be if I wasn't so wiped. The anxiety of the last two days has made more tired than anything else. I'm looking forward to Saturday and Sunday when I know that I'll have people there and that the jitters of doing new songs will be done.
We pull into the hotel and are unable to check in so we grab a coffee somewhere and I check on the things that are going on at home.
We just booked the 10! Show for August 27th, I've been wanting to do that for the past 4-5 years, no time like the right time. We just booked CampJam for September 18th another thing I've wanted to do the past few years, that weekend's going to be epic. I'll be losing a night at Lickety Split but possibly gaining one at Triumph, that's how these things work, and things are looking pretty rosy in the personal life department.
Jake had a really good idea this time around; instead of stopping and eating bad rest stop food on the road, we;d hit a grocery store and make some sandwiches to eat while we're driving. It saves money and it's probably better for us then the crap one would usually eat out here, and I don't have to step foot inside of a subway which is a nice added bonus.
We laid around for what seemed like forever. Jake came back and put the sandwiches together and we headed to the venue.
Wilbert's is a pretty cool spot behind Progressive Field where the Indians played, Major League is one of my all time favorite movies so it was kinda cool to be near the ballpark. We meet the owner, Mike who's really nice. He loves music and is happy to have us here. I look around and see pictures of some really good blues musicians on the wall. I guess in Ohio they want you to get a feel of a places history and pedigree by letting you know who's played here. We ate and basically waited around for sound check when Paul walked in.
Paul Eager is another friend from the virtual world known as the internet. We used to efed together when I was in High School and College (if you really wanna know what that is you'll have to look it up) we kept in touch via Aim and Facebook over the years but it was nice to finally meet him. It was very similar to the meeting I had with Sophia a few days back. You would think that we;d feel like strangers but we clicked in real life the same way as we did on-line which was cool. Unfortunately we went on to late for him to catch the whole set but we got to talk for a long time which was really cool. He said he was making an art piece for me, he's really really good so I'm pretty stoked about it. I'm looking forward to coming back here and hanging out with him, might just take a non music trip out.
So I'm then told by Mike that he wanted us to play for like 75 minutes so there had to be adjustments made to the set. There was a sweet post game Fireworks session before hand.
Set List
The Way You make Me Feel
Ex-Girlfriend
Get Me To California
(Oh) I Wish I Loved You
Wasn't Supposed to Be This Way
God May Forgive You But I Never Will
Psycho
Surrender
Feels So Good
How Can This Be Love
Body
(I Think We Should) Breakup
Sexy Machine
I Don't Dance
Walking on the Moon
I lost a string during the Feels so Good Solo which caused me to lose a lot of momentum. I was really freakin out when we realized that after Feels so Good Was Over we'd only been playing for 45 minutes. I had to add a few more songs to the planned set to make it longer. Fortunately I had another guitar and I got through the gig.
Kind of a weird crowd. Superdrunk and they kinda just sat and watched us. Some people danced and gave us fist pumps, people came in and out from the deck outside to check it out, and two people were even making out on the dance floor. But the sports bar crowd weren't as enthused as the kids in Toledo were last night. Not to mention that we were the only band there that night. We probably would have benefited from having a local band with a decent draw on the show before us. Mike dug it and it looks like we're gonna get another shot so thank God for that.
Indianapolis is tomorrow. The first long drive of the tour. I'm excited about returning to Lizards
Cleveland Ohio
We left Toledo with the feeling of conquering heroes...well at least I did. Touring is such a gamble when no one knows who you are but when it works, it works. Those kids could have basically went in the other room while we played but they clapped and swayed and crowded the front of the stage and showed us love, I never take that for granted.
Cleveland was only an hour and some change away from Toledo. One thing that I've done this time around I think is booked things closer together so that we're not spending 9, 10 hours in a car at a time (*pats self on the back*) we're a lot fresher or we would be if I wasn't so wiped. The anxiety of the last two days has made more tired than anything else. I'm looking forward to Saturday and Sunday when I know that I'll have people there and that the jitters of doing new songs will be done.
We pull into the hotel and are unable to check in so we grab a coffee somewhere and I check on the things that are going on at home.
We just booked the 10! Show for August 27th, I've been wanting to do that for the past 4-5 years, no time like the right time. We just booked CampJam for September 18th another thing I've wanted to do the past few years, that weekend's going to be epic. I'll be losing a night at Lickety Split but possibly gaining one at Triumph, that's how these things work, and things are looking pretty rosy in the personal life department.
Jake had a really good idea this time around; instead of stopping and eating bad rest stop food on the road, we;d hit a grocery store and make some sandwiches to eat while we're driving. It saves money and it's probably better for us then the crap one would usually eat out here, and I don't have to step foot inside of a subway which is a nice added bonus.
We laid around for what seemed like forever. Jake came back and put the sandwiches together and we headed to the venue.
Wilbert's is a pretty cool spot behind Progressive Field where the Indians played, Major League is one of my all time favorite movies so it was kinda cool to be near the ballpark. We meet the owner, Mike who's really nice. He loves music and is happy to have us here. I look around and see pictures of some really good blues musicians on the wall. I guess in Ohio they want you to get a feel of a places history and pedigree by letting you know who's played here. We ate and basically waited around for sound check when Paul walked in.
Paul Eager is another friend from the virtual world known as the internet. We used to efed together when I was in High School and College (if you really wanna know what that is you'll have to look it up) we kept in touch via Aim and Facebook over the years but it was nice to finally meet him. It was very similar to the meeting I had with Sophia a few days back. You would think that we;d feel like strangers but we clicked in real life the same way as we did on-line which was cool. Unfortunately we went on to late for him to catch the whole set but we got to talk for a long time which was really cool. He said he was making an art piece for me, he's really really good so I'm pretty stoked about it. I'm looking forward to coming back here and hanging out with him, might just take a non music trip out.
So I'm then told by Mike that he wanted us to play for like 75 minutes so there had to be adjustments made to the set. There was a sweet post game Fireworks session before hand.
Set List
The Way You make Me Feel
Ex-Girlfriend
Get Me To California
(Oh) I Wish I Loved You
Wasn't Supposed to Be This Way
God May Forgive You But I Never Will
Psycho
Surrender
Feels So Good
How Can This Be Love
Body
(I Think We Should) Breakup
Sexy Machine
I Don't Dance
Walking on the Moon
I lost a string during the Feels so Good Solo which caused me to lose a lot of momentum. I was really freakin out when we realized that after Feels so Good Was Over we'd only been playing for 45 minutes. I had to add a few more songs to the planned set to make it longer. Fortunately I had another guitar and I got through the gig.
Kind of a weird crowd. Superdrunk and they kinda just sat and watched us. Some people danced and gave us fist pumps, people came in and out from the deck outside to check it out, and two people were even making out on the dance floor. But the sports bar crowd weren't as enthused as the kids in Toledo were last night. Not to mention that we were the only band there that night. We probably would have benefited from having a local band with a decent draw on the show before us. Mike dug it and it looks like we're gonna get another shot so thank God for that.
Indianapolis is tomorrow. The first long drive of the tour. I'm excited about returning to Lizards
Friday, August 6, 2010
Boy Wonder: Professional Musician 266
Year Two – Day 115 – August 5th 2010
Toledo Ohio
We hit up Giordano's in Chicago before heading to Toledo. The pizza was off the chain, very heavy, I only got through a slice before we boxed it up. We got some Starbucks and hit the road.
I always try as best I can to look out the window and appreciate nature. I really love how the scenery changes as we hit different areas of the country. It's a little flatter out here and a few more farms then home. Kinda reminds me of Smallville.
With a rough but successful first night behind us I was looking forward to see what Toledo would be like. It's been my experience that the smaller cities/towns usually pack the room for the original music shows and they tend to be a tad more participatory than the crowds on the east coast who are most of the time too cool for the room.
This would be the first time for all of us in Toledo. The Venue Frankie's Inner City...and from the looks of it, it looks like it's one of “the” places to play here. I look at posters on the wall and it's a virtual who's who in rock music for the past 20+ years or so, The Goo Good Dolls, Limp Bizkit, Kid Rock, Modern English, The B-52's, Puddle of Mudd, The Silversun Pickups, the list probably goes on and on. All these people had played this spot and gone on to bigger things. So because I'm a basket case I allowed that to intimidate me.
We were only given 30 minutes so we had to rearrange the set. Jake came up with the set, looked good to me so we did that. As the show was about to start Brian walks over
Brian: I just met Electric Six's Merch Girl
Me: Em's here
Brian: Yeah Out Front
I run like a school girl to find her. Emily (One of the few people from the whole Bang Camaro/Electric Six crew I talk to on a consistent basis) helped set the gig up. I actually was never really sure where Em was actually from so it was nice to have that question answered. We caught up while we listened to the first group it's always nice to see her.
Once the first act was done the place really started to fill up. You never really know whether or not you're gonna play to an empty room when you play out of town, you're kind of crossing your fingers and hoping to God that the rest of the bands can put people in the room. We met the band that would be following us on stage, they were all about 17 so all these teenaged girls belonged to them. Fine with me hopefully they feel the music.
Set List
Ex-Girlfriend
Get Me To California
Surrender
Sexy Machnie
God May Forgive You But I Never Will
Psycho
So how'd it sound? Beyond a shadow of a doubt it was better than last night. There's just a feeling you get on stage when you know you are killing it. Jake, Rob, and I are in lockstep sounding like the true power trio that we've always have been.
By the time we get to Surrender people are clapping along...by the time we get to Psycho everyone has crowded the front of the stage. People were smiling at us (mainly Jake and Rob) and they were having a good time, which is all you can ask for. We built our mailing list sold some product and made a bunch of new awesome friends.
I've got way too much whiskey in my system at present time and have to find a way to keep rob from eating my left over deep dish so I will bid you all good evening.
Toledo Ohio
We hit up Giordano's in Chicago before heading to Toledo. The pizza was off the chain, very heavy, I only got through a slice before we boxed it up. We got some Starbucks and hit the road.
I always try as best I can to look out the window and appreciate nature. I really love how the scenery changes as we hit different areas of the country. It's a little flatter out here and a few more farms then home. Kinda reminds me of Smallville.
With a rough but successful first night behind us I was looking forward to see what Toledo would be like. It's been my experience that the smaller cities/towns usually pack the room for the original music shows and they tend to be a tad more participatory than the crowds on the east coast who are most of the time too cool for the room.
This would be the first time for all of us in Toledo. The Venue Frankie's Inner City...and from the looks of it, it looks like it's one of “the” places to play here. I look at posters on the wall and it's a virtual who's who in rock music for the past 20+ years or so, The Goo Good Dolls, Limp Bizkit, Kid Rock, Modern English, The B-52's, Puddle of Mudd, The Silversun Pickups, the list probably goes on and on. All these people had played this spot and gone on to bigger things. So because I'm a basket case I allowed that to intimidate me.
We were only given 30 minutes so we had to rearrange the set. Jake came up with the set, looked good to me so we did that. As the show was about to start Brian walks over
Brian: I just met Electric Six's Merch Girl
Me: Em's here
Brian: Yeah Out Front
I run like a school girl to find her. Emily (One of the few people from the whole Bang Camaro/Electric Six crew I talk to on a consistent basis) helped set the gig up. I actually was never really sure where Em was actually from so it was nice to have that question answered. We caught up while we listened to the first group it's always nice to see her.
Once the first act was done the place really started to fill up. You never really know whether or not you're gonna play to an empty room when you play out of town, you're kind of crossing your fingers and hoping to God that the rest of the bands can put people in the room. We met the band that would be following us on stage, they were all about 17 so all these teenaged girls belonged to them. Fine with me hopefully they feel the music.
Set List
Ex-Girlfriend
Get Me To California
Surrender
Sexy Machnie
God May Forgive You But I Never Will
Psycho
So how'd it sound? Beyond a shadow of a doubt it was better than last night. There's just a feeling you get on stage when you know you are killing it. Jake, Rob, and I are in lockstep sounding like the true power trio that we've always have been.
By the time we get to Surrender people are clapping along...by the time we get to Psycho everyone has crowded the front of the stage. People were smiling at us (mainly Jake and Rob) and they were having a good time, which is all you can ask for. We built our mailing list sold some product and made a bunch of new awesome friends.
I've got way too much whiskey in my system at present time and have to find a way to keep rob from eating my left over deep dish so I will bid you all good evening.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Boy Wonder: Professional Musician 265
Year Two – Day 116 – August 4th 2010
Chicago, Illinois
Back on the Road...the more I do this the more unencumbered I feel. The less I'm concerned with happenings back home, don't get me wrong I still have business to take care of back in Philadelphia, but that's the only thing I'm concerned with these days. What I mean by happenings is the drama that I often subject myself to at home. I was able to avoid a lot of it by spending time with Nikki and Aydan last week followed by a great time at The Plateau Jam. Home for a little over a day to do Philly Rising and then yesterday we were headed towards Chicago. It was quite the long ride to the hotel We pull in and get some much needed rest.
Today was a very big day. First Boy Wonder gig ever in Chicago (I had been here previously with Bang Camaro at the Double Door), first night of the tour, first night playing the tunes from Animated, I'd been nervous for pretty much the entire day. We decided to get up early and see the city, I had originally bitched and moaned about going out last night, but after a good nights rest I was up to spending some time with the guys and seeing a city I missed out on last year. We'd planned to meet up with our friend Ed who was going to give us a tour of the media arts school he works at. It took a lil bit to park but it was worth it, it was a pretty awesome facility. We went back to the lot, grabbed the van and headed towards The Tonic Room.
The Venue was small, but it had an awesome vibe. We at at the Thai Place next door as we watched other bands and their fans come inside. Our people start to trickle in Ed and Lindsay, Kibra from Minneapolis surprised us with her buddy JaJa, and Sophia Dilberakis even showed up. Sophia's been an e-friend of mine for almost ten years (She, I, and a few others bonded over our love for a certain bass player/singer) so it was nice to finally meet her and chat face to face. The whole internet thing is kinda weird, in the sense that you meet these people and you have a connection with them, but you've never actually met. But we chatted and laughed just like we did on-line, it was really really cool.
We spent some time talking to our friends and then at 8:30 we hit the stage. I say hello Chicago and then we're off to the races
Set List
Ex-Girlfriend
Get Me To California
Wasn't Supposed to Be This Way
God May Forgive You But I Never Will
Psycho
Surrender
Feels So Good
Sexy Machine
I Don't Dance
Encore
Walking on The Moon
I was pretty rattled the entire time, I generally don't do nerves but for some reason I was so eager to please this evening. The guys played well but I didn't play as well as I wanted to and there are some adjustments that need to be made to the set but all in all the people seemed to like it and that's all that matters in the end. I know things in Toledo will be even better tomorrow.
We saw some great bands and headed back to the hotel. A flurry of txt messages and leftover thai food was followed by me passing out. Toledo's tomorrow...we're gonna rock it.
Chicago, Illinois
Back on the Road...the more I do this the more unencumbered I feel. The less I'm concerned with happenings back home, don't get me wrong I still have business to take care of back in Philadelphia, but that's the only thing I'm concerned with these days. What I mean by happenings is the drama that I often subject myself to at home. I was able to avoid a lot of it by spending time with Nikki and Aydan last week followed by a great time at The Plateau Jam. Home for a little over a day to do Philly Rising and then yesterday we were headed towards Chicago. It was quite the long ride to the hotel We pull in and get some much needed rest.
Today was a very big day. First Boy Wonder gig ever in Chicago (I had been here previously with Bang Camaro at the Double Door), first night of the tour, first night playing the tunes from Animated, I'd been nervous for pretty much the entire day. We decided to get up early and see the city, I had originally bitched and moaned about going out last night, but after a good nights rest I was up to spending some time with the guys and seeing a city I missed out on last year. We'd planned to meet up with our friend Ed who was going to give us a tour of the media arts school he works at. It took a lil bit to park but it was worth it, it was a pretty awesome facility. We went back to the lot, grabbed the van and headed towards The Tonic Room.
The Venue was small, but it had an awesome vibe. We at at the Thai Place next door as we watched other bands and their fans come inside. Our people start to trickle in Ed and Lindsay, Kibra from Minneapolis surprised us with her buddy JaJa, and Sophia Dilberakis even showed up. Sophia's been an e-friend of mine for almost ten years (She, I, and a few others bonded over our love for a certain bass player/singer) so it was nice to finally meet her and chat face to face. The whole internet thing is kinda weird, in the sense that you meet these people and you have a connection with them, but you've never actually met. But we chatted and laughed just like we did on-line, it was really really cool.
We spent some time talking to our friends and then at 8:30 we hit the stage. I say hello Chicago and then we're off to the races
Set List
Ex-Girlfriend
Get Me To California
Wasn't Supposed to Be This Way
God May Forgive You But I Never Will
Psycho
Surrender
Feels So Good
Sexy Machine
I Don't Dance
Encore
Walking on The Moon
I was pretty rattled the entire time, I generally don't do nerves but for some reason I was so eager to please this evening. The guys played well but I didn't play as well as I wanted to and there are some adjustments that need to be made to the set but all in all the people seemed to like it and that's all that matters in the end. I know things in Toledo will be even better tomorrow.
We saw some great bands and headed back to the hotel. A flurry of txt messages and leftover thai food was followed by me passing out. Toledo's tomorrow...we're gonna rock it.
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