We Struggled Hard All Our Lives To Get By.

Tomorrow will be the 40th anniversary of the release of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. I plan to listen to it as much as humanly possible. This album was probably one of the first I ever owned. I still have my first copy. It's completely unplayable and covered in crayon writing. The cover is long gone. I remember when I lived in Denver, someone telling me I have to hear it in mono because the mix is different and i'll hear it in a totally new way. I searched high and low for a mono copy of the LP and it couldn't be found. The first day I arrived in my new home, San Francisco, I headed down to the Haight and found a copy for 100 bucks. I had to have it so I went home and got the money and bought it. It was well worth it. The mix is really different and I listened to it about 5 times in a row which drove my roommates crazy. I've since found and bought 5 mono copies in various states of wear. It's weird to think they intended the mono version to be the definitive one and you can't get it legally outside of the LP issue. I bought a bootleg cd on ebay and it sounds great! I remember when it came out on cd and I bought it without even owning a cd player. I used to listen to it on headphones over a friend's house.
I'm not convinced it's their best album but it is a great one. As usual, Capitol/EMI has not done anything to commemorate the occasion. It would have been nice if they would have remastered it in mono/stereo with bonus tracks like "Strawberry Fields/Penny Lane" and "It's Only A Northern Song" which was recorded at those sessions. Bastards. Tomorrow, i'm off to Marathon to play Friday and Saturday at a place called The Hurricane. We stay in a really gross band house behind the club. The beds are broken and stained but at least the TV and air conditioning work. I'll be taking a camera so i'll have some pix to post. I'll miss you, family!

I'm Home For Lunch.

Here's some photos of St. Pete from Karen Wideen, a friend of the band. Thanks, Karen! She co-runs a site for and about Charlie Pickett at www.trashfever.com. Check it out some time! Jojo woke up this morning looking like Rocky Balboa with a puffy eye. The doctor says she has influenza B and there's nothing to worry about. Some anti-biotics and some rest and she'll be hula-ing in no time. Whew!

I Only Took One Lousy Photo.

Like a dope, I left my camera in the car so i've asked around for a photo of yesterday's gig but more about that later. God, I felt like shit this weekend! Friday, I had the Dillengers' gig at Elwood's and I was deep in the sore back/sore throat thing so I was especially on edge about being able to play. My voice sounded like Kim Carnes and I had a few more gigs to go! We came out swinging like we were demolishing a skyscraper. Everybody was super-loud and that didn't help at all. The tip jar was fumes and we parted barely the winner. Very little sleep was clocked and the next afternoon was the Jetsetter. There wasn't many people there to hear us destroy the "Monkee's Theme". It was pretty hot and we were barely under a canopy. We did our best to play like nice boys and the little frog in my throat took five. My swimming cap made it's first appearance and went over as well as could be expected for the heat.
I had a bit of time off in-between so I did nothing as long as I could and headed off to O'Hara's. The gig was pretty good. I completely lost my voice and it still sounds pretty rough. My amp decided to fuck with me and do some weird shit. I cooled it off and it seemed to be okay. I got the fuck out of there as soon as I could to count sheep before St. Pete. Next morning, I picked up Rick and we headed out. The picture was from some gas station on the way. It looks like the Scion has a beard. Damn love bugs! I had to use some serious elbow grease to get those things off. We were a little early to St. P, so we found a manual car wash and Rick tutored me in the fine points of bug removal. I'm the first to tell you I don't know about anything that doesn't have music in it so this was interesting shit. Got to the gig and set up on the porch. The hosts were very kind and accommodating. The house was cool 'cause it reminded me of houses i've seen in Georgia...all wood floors, porch, small rooms. A few songs into the first set, Charlie was killing time talking and I ran in the house and had a hotdog before the song started. After the set, I made friends with a kiddie guitar they had lying around and that was one of the best parts of the trip. It's weird how easily you can lose yourself with a guitar in your hands. I tried to entertain, but my voice wasn't having it.
Second set started and we ran out of material quick. Charlie, being the showman, let the band play out and the folks were none the wiser. It was great seeing Karen and Jeff and getting to hang with Ed who is just a swell guy. We said our goodbyes and left St. Pete in a blur. We tanked up on iced coffee and 7-11 food (and i use that term loosely!) and we couldn't wait to hear the clunk of our brains hitting the pillow. Rick turned me on to some Sonny Rollins and I brought the new Mavis Staples. We hit town close to 2 a.m. and home has never looked so beautiful. Kissed Jojo on the forehead and El Kabong-ed the brain out. Today, I was reminded that Kris and I have been inseparable for 9 years today! Way to go, team! I can't believe it's been that long. This is easily the longest lucky streak i've ever had. How anyone can put up with my shit is a miracle and she does it with such grace and a wicked backhand. That's her new haircut. Love ya, babe! I'm so glad to be home! Next week: Marathon.

A Pirate Looks Long And Hard At 40

Friends have told me that you fall apart when you near 40 and I'm starting to believe it. Sunday night, I started to feel sick like fatigued and fluish. I figured it was nothing and it would be gone by morning. Monday, I went into work feeling lightheaded with a sore throat and I had a panic attack for some reason. I felt like I just needed to get out of there and did some deep breathing and eventually talked myself off the ledge without anyone knowing what was going on. Over the next few days, the sickness got worse. I went to the doctor yesterday morning and they gave me some anti-biotics to take. Then I went to the chiropractor for my regular visit. This time with a sore lower back from the incident on Friday night where I felt like I pinched a nerve. He didn't really help me.

Last night, my throat and back hurt so bad i hardly slept. I had the feeling my kidney stones were coming back 'cause the pain was in the same place. This morning, I went to the emergency room to find out what's going on. The worst part about all this? Before my catscan, they wheeled me in front of a TV and I was stuck watching a press conference with President Shithead. I don't know why, but sometimes I feel sorry for him. The world is ganging up on him (with good reason) and he has to keep a brave face. I can relate to his stammering when asked a tough question; I never stuttered in my life until my boss yelled at me the first time and now, when he does, I sound like Mel Tillis. I can't get any logical thoughts out like someone's stepping on my brain. Anyway, I had a catscan and I do have kidney stones but they're really small and not showing signs of affecting me. But I did sprain my lumbar which, i guess, is your lower back. They gave me percosets for the pain and, by cracky, i'm using them. Right now! So now i'm worried 'cause i have a bunch of gigs this weekend and I don't know how i'm gonna handle them.

Which brings me to my next problem; I gotta slow down. I'm playing way too much and not spending enough time relaxing with the family. I don't wanna be one of these guys who never gets to see their kids grow 'cause they're too busy working. I really feel like i'm going to lose my mind if I don't slow down a little. I absolutely love playing but I gotta lower my stress. I'm working a full time job and juggling a few bands and lately it seems all my free time is swallowed up by music. Now wonder i'm having panic attacks! I'm not allowing my mind and body to rest. I'm a terrible sleeper as it is. The hard part is gonna be telling the guys in The Dillengers. I may get fired. I don't wanna quit playing. I just want to have a few days off. I haven't been blogging 'cause I haven't really wanted to think about all this but I have to confront it. I may be combing the Musicians Wanted section of the paper soon. Wish me luck. I really need it this time. I still haven't been able to stop listening to REM. In fact, it's gotten worse. But I haven't had any iced coffee in almost a week. Maybe that's my problem........

Night In The Ruts

I'm sorry, Blog. I haven't written lately 'cause I haven't had anything nice to say. I guess i've been a bit low down and I don't wanna go back a year later and read a bunch of depressing hoohah. I almost got my Telecaster back in time for the Alligator Alley gig. I went to pick it up and it wasn't right so I left it. Shit. I ended up using the Esquire and I wish I hadn't. Jim's set was predictably ramshackle (to put it kindly). Before a note of music was struck, I bent down to adjust a pedal and I threw something out or pinched a nerve in my back, Owie! It got a little better the next day but, as I write, it still hurts. New bass player Mark held on admirably, but the ship took him down with it. People were polite and all I can say is "better luck next time". Next up: The Dillengers. Rick had an issue with the house amp and that caused a bit of delay. We didn't recover well and it's better left forgotten.

Saturday night: Funkabillies. It was Scott's birthday so mostly everyone felt the need to get shitfaced. Predictably, the playing suffered but there were good moments. Humor: 10. Music: 6 at best. Chuck looped his cable around one of Tim's cymbal stands and lobbed a crash cymbal into a table full of drinks. Excellent! Smartass me says over the mic "Who's gonna pay the drycleaning then?" Chuck: "That would be me". I left there with ears ringing and the overwhelming odor of asstray permeating every porous surface. This morning, the family went out to Tom Sawyer's in Byoca to have breakfast and to remember Kris' dad, the honorable Jerry Hackett. We used to meet him there and have breakfast together. Sad. Months ago, I played a show that re-united some local bands from the early '80's like the Cichlids and The Kids which featured a young Johnny Depp. I played with Charlie Pickett who was an important part of that scene. I didn't know it beforehand, but Johnny Depp was going to fly in to play the show. I didn't get to stay for his part 'cause I had to go play with the Dillengers somewhere. Bummer. They professionally filmed the whole thing and it's supposed to be a big deal documentary. I'm sure the involvement of Mr.Depp is not hurting the project.

Anyway, today/tonight they had some more filming at a dump in Pompano called the Scene. Yours truly played with Charlie again and we played rather well. It was fun but the whole day was blown hanging around with the Rock Vampires and other coiffed almost-rans of the day.
If you look at this trailer, you can see my arm in a green shirt behind Charlie. Maybe i'll get some arm modeling work out of this. The first pic is from the Wurster (Worster?) gig. The second is Rick and Charlie from today. The other one is me and Ed O'Brien from Charlie's band and The Eat. They've got a best-of coming out on Alternative Tentacles. I may play some shows with them as their drummer has passed on. He was easily one of the best, Look them up.

If Bushes Were Trees, Trees Would Be Falling.

I don't know why, but I can't get REM out of my head and it's starting to bug me. I am constantly going through phases where I listen to something endlessly for a while and then put it away for about 3-6 months. Before REM, it was George Jones. The Beatles phases tend to last quite a while. And I can listen to a few things during a phase. All it takes is a trigger like seeing a band on TV or reading an article and i'm off. I can't remember what kicked off the current one but here it is and it's getting to be time to replace it. I haven't gotten into a Jimi Hendrix phase in a while...maybe that'll be next. Anyway, this morning I woke up with "Stand" and "Can't Get There From Here" rolling around in my brain at the same time. They're not even in the same key! When "Stand" came out, i liked it and then it became annoying. I'm back to liking it now. It's a pretty clever song. And it's not "Shiny, Happy etc.". Do we just not like happy songs? I like Otis Redding's "Dum Dum (Happy Song)".
I often wake up with a song in my head. It's really distracting. Yesterday, it was "World Leader Pretend". Not the whole song. Just the piano flourish that leads up to the chorus. Over and over and over. It could be worse. It could be the beeping in "Helter Skelter". Tomorrow is the Jim/Dillengergig and i'm a bit nervous about that. I was gonna play mandolin for a few songs but I couldn't come up with a pickup for it in time. I haven't got my Telecaster back yet either. I hope it's tomorrow! I have a long list of things to pack; drum stuff, guitar stuff...i'd like to bring a camera to post some pics from the thing. I'll probably forget. I'm also happy to report i've gotten my iced coffee consumption down to once a week during school days. Now if only I could stop the REM..........

I Got A Million Of Them.

Today was much better. No yelling or anything like that. All of a sudden, The Funkabilly Playboys are rearing their ugly heads and things are going to get out of control. This thing is going to kick into overdrive and i'm never gonna have a day off. I gotta work on this. I made a boo-boo on an earlier post. I'm not at the Jetsetter this Saturday. It's next Saturday. I was almost late this morning 'cause I picked up my SG and lost all sense of time. I'm getting a humbucker installed in my Telecaster ala Andy Summers and hopefully i'll have it in time for Friday's Jim Wurster gig. We're finally getting a little rain and my grass is smiling. Thanks for the cheer up, friends. I think it did the trick.

Why Do I Keep F*cking Up?

This morning, I was hauled into my boss' office and told if I made just one mistake today, my job could be in jeopardy. I was pretty worried. Jobs are hard to come by. I don't know why but lately i've been making mistakes. Maybe my mind wanders? I certainly don't get enough sleep. When I do sleep, I wake up quite a few times during the night. I haven't had restful sleep in a while.
Kris thinks i'm depressed about something. Maybe, subliminally, i was low down about my birthday. This job has given me a variety of aches and pains. I'm on my feet all day which has sent me to a chiropractor. I used to just grind my teeth while i sleep and now it's all day. I'm 39 and i still get pimples. It's so dark there that it's making my eyesight worse. I can't blame my boss. I must seem like a real idiot to him. If you played me a song on the radio and asked me what key it's in, i could help you but I can't get a simple order right? I dream i'm one of those english rock stars. All i do is write songs all day in my garden. No one can yell at me or make me feel inferior. Where did I take a wrong turn? Who's ass didn't I kiss? God, I gotta get happy. Reading this is depressing me. OK...I'm gonna go look at Jojo sleeping. Maybe i'll pick up a guitar and some mint ice cream. Calgon, take me away!!!!!!!!!!!

Tchinactadoy

Mom,
Can I have one of these?

I Just Can't Convince Myself

I said I wouldn't do it but I have to. The Andy Summers solo in this clip is probably my all-time favorite by anyone.


And this is just plain funny.

Dessert Topping vs. Floor Wax

Yet another weekend has come and gone and the chores keep piling up. Last night's gig was almost OK. Everyone was playing at top volume and my ears are still whistling. Let's see how long it continues. It was a very expensive evening for me. I broke three sets of sticks and at one point, my bass drum pedal beater unscrewed and flew off. Luckily, I found all the parts and was able to salvage it. I got these really cool blisters for my trouble. I hate playing loudly (?!?). I got home around 4 smelling like I was doing the breaststroke in a 7-foot deep ashtray. PU! I laid down in Jojo's bed and got to sleep around 5. We were due at Kris' mom's house for brekkie at 10:30 so, as i'm writing this, i'm coasting on fumes. Thank goodness I had TWO ICED COFFEES today. (iloveyouicedcoffee!!!)
Happy Mother's Day, all! Brekkie went well. Then we went to my Mom's. We met the family at Friday's and that was INTERESTING. Got home just in time to load drums and head to Elweird's to entertain the troops. No surprises there. After i broke down my drums i went to wash my hands. When i got back, the rack tom was missing. I went into full-on red-alert panic mode. A little later, i discovered the bartender pranked me and put it on a chair under a table. Don't you hate when you're really mad and have nowhere to put it? I couldn't be mad at this person 'cause it wasn't mean-spirited. Anyway, the picture of Marnie is for you, Keith. That was when she visited in Denver. Let's have a good week, shall we? I have possible rehearsals on Tuesday and Thursday. Alligator Alley w/Jim Wurster and The Dillengers (a double-header!) on Friday (i'm thinking about changing my clothes for the different sets to see if anyone notices i'm in both bands playing different instruments). The Jetsetter on Saturday afternoon W/The Dillengers and O'Hara's W/The Gayboys that night (yet another double-header!). Some sort of filming W/Charlie Pickett for a documentary of the local SFLA scene on Sunday. Help me, ICED COFFEE MAN!!!!!!!!

Meatloaf vs. Jefferson Airplane

OK, i'm gonna try not to post You Tube videos for a while. Last night was fun. I didn't get the camera out of the car so I have no evidence. Went to Keith's gig and inhaled and iced coffee 'cause that's what you do there. I was just following orders. Highlight: Keith destroying the intro to Brown Eye Squirrel. Honestly, it needs destroying. I don't know why but I drifted and envisioned Nico singing that song very slowly. Could work. Oh wait, she dead. Keith was displaying his ability for getting a terrific guitar sound with very little effort. DIE!!!!!!! (but not for 100 years). Am I punk when i refuse to use emoticons? Then we made our way to Vena's party. I haven't been to a party for a real long time and I had to re-learn how not to look like I didn't know anybody and wipe the social anxiety off my face. I failed. I had some interesting conversations. Kris met some people I know that she didn't. Got to see Tracy Bennett, Chandra, Carol Lyn (?) and a host of other swell folks. Had a conversation about children with a stranger. Went to the bathroom once. Highlight: I was asked to reach a glass that was high up by someone shorter than me. Actually, it was fun and we were honored to be invited. Thank you, Vena! Happy 21st! Tonight, i'm at the Ashtray (oh, i'm sorry....The Poorhouse) in Fart Rockerdale with Noel DuSilver and The Knuckleheads. Come by and laugh at my lack of social skills.

$ 2.00 !!!!!!

I should have never been shown how to do this. I'm addicted. I'm addicted to lots of things. Lately, I have a worrying addiction to McDonald's iced coffee. I feel incomplete without it and it's making me fat. I'm addicted to music. That's why I try not to go record shopping because I pine for the things I can't have or afford. That's also why I try to stay out of music stores. That and I can't stand musicians. And 14 year-old guitar players who are better than me. Which is all of them. Tonight, we're going to see Keith play and go to a birthday party for a friend called Vena. I'm thinking of the bringing a camera for blackmail purposes so stay tuned.

Of Course, I've Had It In The Ear Before

I'm glad my REM post opened up a debate. It seems everybody liked them at some point. This is my new favorite band. Rick sent this to me and it is awesome.

Opportune

Today is a good day. I took Jojo to school and the weather is perfect. Breezy. A little chilly. Excellent. I'm definitely a weather-driven person. I won't go outside if it's too hot. Cold I can deal with. I picked up this stupid thing called Cold Uticaria(?) which makes me break out in hives if cold hits my skin. It's not always so severe but I have to take Benedryl to make the hives stop and then I have to have a nap...which is always encouraged! Kris asked me to make an REM cd for her so i've been listening to them. They ruled my world for a lot of years and i've stolen some of their approach now and again. Who doesn't like jangly guitars? I'm sure (next to John Lennon, Roger McGuinn and Tom Pettty) Peter Buck has helped sell quite a few Rickenbackers. When i'm on a session and I run out of ideas, I always revert back to the Peter Buck picking method. Works every time.

Citrus Mod

Not a bad weekend. Dinner with family. Drum parts. Last night, we finally got some rain. Unfortunately, it was while we were playing. I got some of Harry's cymbals from Bill and Rick. Thanks guys. I put some heads on Bob's drums and trotted them out for the four people who showed up to see. Got the Zombiies dvd that just came out. I haven't watched it yet. The Sunday gig starts earlier now. Johanna built some butterflies so we let the last one go on Saturday. Welcome, new week!

You've Been A Problem So Long, Maybe Someone Should Solve You.

I believe i've found the worst song ever. Not surprisingly, it's by Santana (who we will now refer to as Satana). The only Satana I really like is the first LP. Mike Shrieve was/is an excellent drummer and fellow disciple of Elvin Jones. Anyway, the song is called Open Invitation. It's so cliche and Carlosguitarlos is getting this cheesy metal-type sound (rather unconvincingly). The production (i e drum sound) is typical late 70's poof. A co-worker brought in "The Best Of Satana" and forced me to listen to it. I'd much rather sandpaper an eyeball or three than do that again. Tonight, we ate dinner at Pei Wei and it was swell. I went to Home Depot to get some crap to take 20-year old adhesive off Bob's drums. It's gonna take some elbow to remove this stuff. It clearly tells you on the label to use in a well ventilated area. Well, that would be the smart thing to do (I hope by now you're seeing where i'm going with this.). After a while, my chest felt heavy and I had to go outside for some air. I still don't feel right. Stupid. Jojo is currently sleeping in my bed so we can wake up together tomorrow. Everything is suddenly all right in the world.
P.S. There's a Yosemite pic for ya, Keith!

Does It Hurt To Be So Full Of Shit?

I don't know why, but I was watching some of the Republican candidate debate and I realized they are so full of shit. That really goes for all politicians. I know i'm a little late to come to this conclusion. Why do they always talk about health care? They're never gonna do anything about it 'cause we need more fucking tanks and flame throwers. God, i'm pissed off. Last election, I got all whipped up into a frenzy over this and the bad guy won. We got our dicks knocked into the dirt majorly! I don't know if I have the mental energy to do this again. Why are all these losers afraid to stand up for gay marriage and abortion rights? We're not all Neanderthals who haven't changed with the times. Stand up for us little guys, you stupid fucks! We went to see the Lion King play the other day and it was really cool. Johanna loved it, naturally. Tonight, I went to a funeral for a fellow drummer named Harry Johnson. Thankfully, it wasn't too religious. They were having a jam afterwards but I didn't stay for it. I've been waiting all week for Friday to come. I have a rare weekend off except for Sunday. I gotta make my way down to Hollywood to get some drum supplies to work on Bob's drums and get them out of my house. They've become furniture.

The Key Of PH

I'm finding it very hard to blog these days. I'm so busy doing stupid things that not only have I not stopped to smell the roses, the damn things died waiting for me. I had a rehearsal tonight with Jim Wurster for our May 18th gig which will probably be a disaster. Especially if i'm involved in it. The Zombies are reuniting in London next year to perform "Odessey and Oracle" (one of my favorite LPs)live and I wanna be there. I was thinking of some more guilty pleasure songs today and most of them were by Fleetwood Mac. I tend to prefer the blues band era with Peter Green but I still love the 70's-coked-out version too. They really liked the key of F which is one of my faves. "Gypsy","Go Your Own Way","Sara"...all in F. "Crazy Arms", "Day After Day"(badfinger), "Just Like A Woman", "Mr. Tambourine Man", "Give Me Love", "Hot Burrito #1"....all in F. Just a good key all the way around. I was also listening to James Taylor's first album (on Apple) and wondered why it bombed. It's got some really cool stuff on it and Paul McCartney plays bass on "Carolina On My Mind". Isn't that enough? Tomorrow I go to a funeral of someone I barely knew. The service is supposed to be quite religious and it's making me nervous. I might have to duck out early. I'm so tired that i'm starting to believe the voices in my head.