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.