Thanks, Dave!

This is the best I could do with the provided materials.

Ouch. You're On My Foot/Balls.

I've got a humongous headache that's not going away. I took a pain killer and I hope it does what it says. My neck is out of whack and that's probably what's doing it. Last week, I had some self-esteem crushing moments with other people that set off a mild depression so that's why I haven't written much lately. I'm better now. As promised, this week has already been busy. Jojo went to NC with Grandma and I REALLY miss her. I've been having dreams about her. I don't remember what's happening in them but she's in them. I hardly ever remember my dreams the next day. Maybe they're never good. Who knows?

Sunday, we saw the Led Zeppelin tribute band at City Limits and they were kinda funny but good. The Bonzo-alike did a great job on Moby Dick and the Robert Plant-alike had big balls...like the real one. Last night, we saw the Simpsons' movie and it was very funny. I haven't laughed that hard in a while. Tonight, we saw the newest Harry Potter and that was good also. We very rarely get to see any movies with my schedule and the kid and all. It was a treat. My face is starting to hurt. Tomorrow: Bamboom. Thurtsday: Zombies. Friday : hopefully no headache.

The Sound Of One Hand Snoring.

Tonight, we chose tile at Lowe's to re-do our bathroom. Before that, we went to Pei Wei and ran into Keith and shared dinner. We talked about our experience podcasting with Dave and agreed it was a success. If you'd be interested in listening to three know-it-all critics spewing their boring opinions about some music they like, by all means, go here. We bag on each other, perform sexual favors for each other and music is discussed somehow. Saturday, Jojo leaves for NC and that's got me and the moms (sic) down. Tomorrow, I rehearse with Jim Wurster and finally give Bob back his drums. I'm gonna be sad to see them go but what are you going to do? I have another gig-free weekend (minus Sunday) and Kris and I are going to see the Radiators at The Culture Room Saturday night. And I guess a gang of us are going to Resurrection Drums that afternoon to shop and I broked (sic) my floor tom and need them to fix me up again. Thanks in advance, Drum Gods!

Bbbbbbbbbabybabybabybabyaaahhhhhhhhh.

I don't know why, but I feel a Led Zeppelin phase coming on. I can't listen to them at work because the people I work with wouldn't stand for it. Led Zeppelin II is one of the best rainy day records there is. REM's Murmur is another good one. I think LZ's secret weapon was John Paul Jones. The guy had some incredible bass playing going on in the strangest of places. Immigrant Song is all over the map. Listen to Black Dog's bass lines. Weird. I guess the weak link, for me, would be Robert Plant. I really couldn't see them without him but he gets annoying now and then. LZ III is another great one. Come to think of it, there isn't an LZ record I don't like. Presence has got some great stuff. The fake out and blues crush of Tea For One (which is a kinda re-write of Since I've Been Loving You). And how about John Bonham? I could use all the rock critic cliches about him but i'll just shut up and enjoy.

Tragically, He Was Eaten By Ahead Of Lettuce.

Today, we Dillengers finally got off our coolies and took photos. I've been in the band almost 3 (?) years now and our website sill does not show my face. It bothered me at first but I learned to live with it. Anyway, we went to Bill's church (which had backdrops) and shot very serious pictures for a few hours. It was pouring out when we came out so we figured Elwood's would be cancelled. Not so. I went home and shaved my head for summer. For some odd reason, it's really difficult to get a haircut around here. SuperCuts is so understaffed that they usually have a long wait. I don't mind being bald because it usually grows back pretty fast. It's too hot during summer , so I chop it off. Also, i've got to make a conscious effort to cut back on the iced coffee. I thought I had it under control, but I had way too many this weekend...three today! Elwood's was pretty empty so we practiced a bit. There wasn't enough in the tip jar to pay for dinner so I had to dip into my pay. Bummer. Jojo goes to NC with Grandma at the end of the week and i'm dreading it. I'm gonna miss the little squirt. I also have to practice with Jim Wurster for our gig at the Bamboo Room in August on Thursday. Must sleep!

Thank You, Friends.

Last night, Dave did his podcast over Keith's and we guested. We picked some albums to discuss and we sort of gave our critical opinion of them. It was a lot of fun. We didn't get finished 'til 'round midnight. Dave has a lot of shits and fucks to edit out. When it's edited, i'll post a link to it if anyone cares to hear it. It's nice to have such eloquent friends. Gabby had to push us out of there or we'd still be carrying on. Sorry, Gab! All of this made me think about some of my musical mentors.

The first would be my Dad. When I was little, he'd play me all this weird music and explain it to me. I got my first exposure to Classical from him. And he was a fan of Memphis Soul which I still love today. My Mom's side of the family would get together and harmonize doo-wop style at all the get togethers and that certainly influenced me. I mentioned Uncle Anthony a few posts back. And then there's Pete Lavezzoli, my oldest friend. We totally bonded as children over music. He had very advanced taste for a sixth-grader. He still turns me on to cool music and i 'spose I do the same for him. I also met this guy in San Francisco named Derek Taylor who broadened my tastes. He got me to go outside the box and appreciate some pretty far out stuff. He still influences me even though I haven't seen or heard from him in years. I don't really know where he is.

Mojo magazine is also a huge one. You can find me on a Tuesday at Barnes and Noble every month buying my Mojo as soon as it gets there. There is so much great information inside every issue. I re-read them all the time. And I wear my Mojo shirt with pride. I guess just about everyone influences my taste in some way. If I hung around Dave long enough, i'm sure i'd max out a credit card trying to keep up. We need a RECORD store around here! Today, I bought The Best of Harry Belafonte and that's where i'm at right now.

Rufus Xavier Sarsaparilla.

Tonight, we saw the Spoon Benders at The Bamboo Room and they were great. Their sound is like funky blues rock and they had some cool re-arrangements of some classics. Not to mention, they're just cool guys. The Funkabillies are playing the same venue with them on August 25th.