Nov 13, 2014 | On My Mind
KG* is a big massive Sloan fan, and she had a plus one to the show – so she invited me! I am not a big massive Sloan fan only because I haven’t heard that much from the band. My girl friend, Krista, at the IATSE Canadian Office has been sending me Canadian artists to check out; Grapes of Wrath, Bran Van 3000, Blue Rodeo…Prism! I know all about Jim Cuddy and Ronnie Hawkins! – but we hadn’t made it to Sloan, yet. I did know a few of their songs from college radio and WEQX, but I haven’t dug into their catalog…and I really wish I had. The band was great. Sloan is a true rock band with harmonies and riffs and catchy hooks and thoughtful lyrics. I bought two cds at the show – “Navy Blues” and “Pretty Together”. Chris Murphy and Jay Ferguson both signed my cds. That was really cool. Here’s a live clip of my favorite Sloan song, “The Other Man”, at the CBC Music Festival at Echo Beach in Toronto. Notice that Chris Murphy is playing a really sweet Mustang bass 🙂 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyfejnBGtRk See you on the low...
Nov 6, 2014 | On My Mind
Chrissie Hynde is so cool. She’s so punk rock, and rock’n roll, and the audience in the Loge last night at the Beacon was not punk rock and it was not rock’n roll. It was a bunch of dinosaurs who have lost touch with their youth, and had no realization that they were at a rock’n roll concert. They tried to get the two ladies in front of me to sit down and stop dancing by calling over not one, but two ushers to tell them to sit down. So, what did I do? After some choice words to the dinosaurs, I stood up and danced in a gesture of rock’n roll solidarity….and so did about a half a dozen youthful spirits around us… Regardless of the audience, Chrissie still has it. Her vibrato is as unique as it was 35 years ago. Set Highlights From the Show: – Vintage Ampeg amps – Chrissie’s sparkly telecaster – The album, “Stockholm” – “Night in My Veins” – “Back on the Chain Gang” – “Talk of the Town” – “My City Was Gone” – “Precious”!!!!! And she closed with…. – “TATTOOED LOVE BOYS”!!! Here’s something that I found yesterday on the YouTube. It’s pretty current with some Shirley Manson fairy dust… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7u0CndiljPQ See you on the low...
Oct 15, 2014 | On My Mind
Lily Sparks released a new song today called “Slaves of New York.” We think a lot of you will be able to relate to the tune…because truly, aren’t we all a little bit of a slave to something? Please have a listen and a share! ReverbNation: www.reverbnation.com/lilysparks Spotify: https://play.spotify.com/album/1r9oiz5uSgoYE6bLnNBYGW iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/slaves-of-new-york/id926618716?i=926618720&ign-mpt=uo%3D4 CD Baby: www.cdbaby.com/cd/lilysparks3 Mixing by Ted Marcus, Artwork Design by Kevin Delaney “Bar Napkin Art” See you on the low...
Aug 22, 2014 | On My Mind
John Doe and I went on vacation together! No, we didn’t! But seriously…doesn’t this picture just say: “Now, here we are outside the City Winery in New York, after we just saw a show with a couple glasses of Prosecco…” That’s exactly what is says. The show was X, and they played “Los Angeles” (plus hits), and it was LOUD! I had my earplugs in as deep as they could go, and the sound was not muddled. It sounded as if I had no earplugs in, and I was listening at normal volume. That’s how loud it was. Also, John Doe is like, really cool, and so nice. I told him that I am a bass player and he gave me a “high-four”, and as our fingers locked in together, I told John “may the fourth be with you.” And then he said, “I knew you were a bass player because only bass players have a sense of humor.” And then I said, “I love you.” NO! I DID NOT SAY THAT! We also had a drink with the 2nd guitarist for these shows named Michael Kilpatrick who is really cool, and an excellent guitar player. He and Billy Zoom exchanged some tasty janglies on “I Must Not Think Bad Thoughts.” Michael is out of Alabama, and if you ever need an all around multi-instrumentalist down south, I would highly recommend him. My gut reaction is that in addition to being a great rock’n roller; he’s an all around good guy. The night ended with Ted joining me and KG* at the City Winery because his old buddy – the Meat Puppets manager – was...
Aug 5, 2014 | On My Mind
Buy the album. Just buy it. Chrissie Hynde is so cool. She makes my arm hair tingle. Stockholm sounds like Chrissie, and the production is tip-top. All of her albums sound so clear and to the point, and this one falls into place with the rest. Chrissie also gives the best advice: Don’t think that sticking your boobs out and trying to look fuckable will help. Remember you’re in a rock and roll band. It’s not “fuck me,” it’s “fuck you”! Here’s a YouTuber of her single “Dark Sunglasses” playing with the Roots on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4lLUcUKwFE See you on the low end! Love, Mags...
Jul 21, 2014 | On My Mind
We had a rock’n roll weekend rehearsal o’fun in Talia’s basement in Clifton Park. It was a big one. We rocked for more than 10 hours in two days and we’re very close to being show ready. Speaking of shows….there will be a Talia Denis show announcement in the near future for all you Upstaters, and adventurous travelers! Here’s the band hanging out by a tree because three out of four of us are nature starved! See you on the low end! Love,...
Jul 11, 2014 | On My Mind
Yup – that’s right. I saw Crosby Stills and Nash at the Beacon this week. What a time. I had one of those “New York City” moments. You know that feeling, when everything just seems all right in the world; you’re happy, in the moment, and just thankful that you live in New York City…and walking to the venue is the best. They started at 8:05pm, and didn’t stop until 10:58pm. I was expecting an acoustic performance, but they had a full band; bass, drums, keys, Hammond B3, and another guitar player. They played most of their hits, Cathedral, Southern Cross, Guinevere, Teach Your Children, Deja Vu, Our House, Love The One You’re With, Marrakesh Express, Long Time Gone, and my favorite – Just a Song Before I Go, to name a few. No Wooden Ships, no Ohio, no Suite Judy Blue Eyes….but a good bunch of new original tunes that I liked very much. I have to say, I walked into the Beacon super siked for some Davey Crosby. I mean, he writes the really weird tunes, and is the personality of the band. Then there’s Graham Nash and those high harmonies that were enough to melt my heart (especially in Just a Song…), but man – I walked out of the theater ready to have a love child with Stephen Stills. HE. IS. THE. MAN. Holy smokes, what a guitar player. The glue of the band. He has so much depth to his playing and to his songwriting and to his being! I was brought to tears on Tree Top Flying. It was just Stephen and an acoustic guitar, and him just doing his...
Jun 30, 2014 | On My Mind
Yesterday, I had brunch with some friends at Bread near my old neighborhood in Little Italy. We took a stroll past my old building and walked up Mulberry, to Lafayette, past Great Jones Street, and found ourselves in Washington Square Park and derp! we realized that today was the New York City Pride Parade! What a fabulous treat! We cozied up to the fence on 8th St and 5th Ave and watched the parade just after they turned the corner for the final stretch. It was the perfect spot to see the many gay advocacy programs spotlight their floats. The West Village was packed with love, and everyone was dancing in the street. I made a big note to self – make sure to learn Thelma Houston’s cover of “Don’t Leave Me This Way.” That bass line is infectious and dance – o’matic! Here are some pictures from the day. Oh – the “Guy with Cat on Head” sure makes the rounds…and kitty was even showing his Gay Pride sparkle! See you on the low end! Love,...
Jun 25, 2014 | On My Mind
Big news. Lily Sparks is finishing up our 2nd album that we left hanging around in the ether of our computers two years ago. We’re recording and releasing each track as they are completed. Last week Niamh killed her vocals. It was amazing. She sang with such attitude — a true sassy-lassy! Here’s a photo of Niamh in the booth, KG* laying down the guitar tracks, and a picture Ted manning the console. We can’t wait for the song to be mixed! See you on the low end! Love,...
Jun 23, 2014 | On My Mind
Guess what I did last week and I’m going to do it again next week! I saw this awesome band, New York’s Finest (Police tribute) at Arlene’s Grocery. I met the band at Spike Hill a few months ago during Spike Hill’s cover band night. Mancie played a set of Joan Jett/Runaways tunes, and New York’s Finest came on right after our set. I was blown away. It was absolutely the closest thing that I will ever see to the Police Live at UC Berkley, 1979. New York’s Finest even played Born in the 50’s and Be My Girl!! The lead singer plays all of Sting’s bass parts to a T and even sings at the same time – how difficult and how cool is that??!! See you on the low end – and hopefully Monday night at Arlene’s! Love,...
