Sweet Suite Sweded

As ET said: "ouch" (...he also said, "Elliot". Hmmmm.)

ON July 4th weekend (ok, on the 5th) we played a gig at the first (annual? Bi-annual? Monthly??) Juri Street Block party in SAN FRANCISCO. Andrew wasn't in town so we played with the lovely Chris McGrew--& it was a super-super fun. Great crowd, food, music ( if we say so ourselves), there was even mudwrestling and outdoor movies later on. NOW THAT's a PARTY!

***AND HEY!! Our regular drummer WILL be here soon! YES! At last! ANDREW WILL BE in CALIFORNIA THIS WEEK FOR OUR GIGS ON FRIDAY 7/25 in SF @ Dolores Park Cafe/ and Monday 7/28 @ Monterey Live in Monterey!!

And I for one can't wait, after a hellish trip down Stomach Flu Lane ( right after the block party as a matter of fact) with the added bonus of a throbbing neck-cramp-migraine-ish-head-throbbing business for two weeks+. WHOA--viruses sure don't hold back the way they bestow symptoms ever so abundantly.... Say it for me ET: "ouch."

Anyhoo, now I'm feeling much better, and I did get to catch up on some DVD watching...some highlights:
Vanity Fair-- loved it, though many liberties were taken with plot & character, esp that of Becky Sharp who becomes more of the sympathetic breed of heroine and less of that prototypical anti-hero that Thackeray so cleverly invented.

East Of Eden--w James Dean!! JD: whoa I never knew! James Franco's ( and Michael Pitt, River Phoenix, and and and) all sensitive, brooding-yet-ever-so-compelling boy-man roles got their start here. And the film is another based on a great writer's work (Steinbeck in this case). Super intense.

Seven Brides For Seven Brothers-- Holy Mother of Gender Identity! Wow! The 1950's were no doubt a crazy time for gender roles. It shows. Some insanely cool dancing and "Lonesome Polecat" is the awesome standout tune.

Singing in the Rain--Hilarious plot involving the advent of talkies creating challenges for an actress with a horrid voice and opportunities for the melliflous Debbie Reynolds chracter. And it has, of course, super-famous dances with Gene Kelly & cast. Mostly fun-- though it slows in the middle. But there's a particularly entertaining scene with audio gags as the film director-within-the-film gets a handle on producing a talkie.

Hair-- Hippies. Psychedelic drugs. Mild nudity. Vietnam looms. & If you wanna hear some kickass bass playing this is the place: the superstar rhythm-section of Wilbur Bascomb & Bernard Purdie funk up the 1979 Milos Forman version of the 1960's musical. There's no doubt the plot is pretty thin, but by the end there's not a dry eye on my face. It has the famous songs: "Age of Aquarious" & Let the Sun Shine In"--although my personal fave song is the show-stopping "Easy to Be Hard" sung by the spectacular Cheryl Barnes--WOW. I saw on das internet that the version in the movie was done in one take. LORDY GOD what a singer.

AND.

About a month ago Sarah & I watched Michael Condry's, "Be Kind Rewind". In case y'all haven't seen it here are some spoilers. It has the premise that two guys working in a video store ( Mos Def & Jack Black) accidentally erase the videos and must attempt to reshoot them. The new versions turn out to be immensely popular. The particular detail I found the most hilarious in this mildy diverting film: the way they inexplicably refer to their new homemade guerilla videos as the" sweded" versions of the original blockbusters. Well well well. Last night I just discovered a whole section of "sweded" films on youtube! You can watch Titanic, Aliens, Juraassic Park, Fellowship of the Rings, Back to the Future, WIlly Wonka, and yes, ET & more more more. Yes it has caught on! A whole sweet suite of sweded films . If you dare to watch some you'll see that they are quite international too--some Brits, some Aussies... maybe even some Swedes are sweding! I'd say it's viral.

& Viruses are abundant-- in this latter case, sweet!

The Sci Fi Gene (or Help! That Dingo Got My Wall.E)

**Depending on your level of purism, it could be said there are spoilers here...**


There are mysteries sewn into the very fabric of existence and they cannot by any means be traced without unraveling the unravelable and thus causing further mystification. Mysteries like: where the hell did we really come from and to where do we really go after this plane of being, what is the seat of consciousness, why is time linear ( or is it?), will humans survive on this benighted planet, who will win Wimbledon and, why does science fiction leave some folks cold, while the rest of us, well, we others just can't get enough of sci fi. As to the latter question: I suppose that it's genetic perhaps--like curling your tongue, blue versus brown eyes, the weird way asparagus makes some pee-ers' urine aroma change, an affinity for disco versus country versus musical theatre versus metal, etcetera ( for examples), a taste for coconut, and so on and on.

And thus to those of who have the correct gene, Wall.E's character/ personhood is so DANG APPEALING! What is that? That whole R2D2-meets-Johnny 5-meets-ET-meets the Tinman, Chaplin, Pinnochio, Yoda, and a lovelorn puppy thing? Or is it his fetchingly melancholy binocular eyes? His jazz-patch of rust? His mellifluous voice? His killer dance moves? Hi badass crib? His wonderfully contradictory machiney humanity? His profound epic loneliness? His all-too-familiar frailties ( frailty thy name is Wall.E) ? Yes yes--all this and more, oh, that ineffable more, which causes our inner mother -ducks to imprint on this unlikely little metal duckling. When he gets repeatedly banged up in the course of robot events...OUCH! The tears! I had to remind myself that the film is after all G-rated and the protagonist has a great statistical advantage, as such, for survival. But it is nonetheless nerve shattering watching dingos making sport--as it were--with one's baby...

Ah. But I wax demented, nay?

Nonetheless, the larger question of the appeal of sci fi--in a word ( well, in five words), it makes one's head explode. But it's a dry explode. Sci Fi says to you: "Imagine this possible future, if you will." and when the setup & delivery & execution have that special blend of inevitability, novelty, and humanity you say " WHOA". For example Did y'all catch the latest cliffhanger (hmm, nebula hanger?) from Battlestar Galactica--OH LORDY! It doesn't start up again until 2009! DAMN! Anyway, it is clear with these two great universes--Wall.E & Battlestar--that science fiction is going through some fabulous peak phase.

And what a phase independent music is about to go through when our new CD comes out in the gleaming utopian future. It's true--not sci fi.

Endorsements and Concessions

You may ask, what's up in the great wide world--or even on this more narrow stage wherein our humble actions play?

Well, the epic and unprecedentedly protracted race for presidency-- well, the primary phase of it-- has finally ended. Hillary has bowed out oh so gracefully & graciously with her excellent concession speech. NOW! Oh, now it's time to gear up everybody's support for: BARACK OBAMA!!!!!! VOTE VOTE VOTE!!! VOTE VOTE!!! Go Barack, GO! GOD SPEED to thee and thine!

Meanwhile, I was in Portland, OR for Elan's high school graduation--my illustrious nephew, he's one helluva rapper & neo-beatpoet for the new millennium, & his band, STATE OF MIND CREW, has a new CD LIFT OFF Check this out, y'all. GO Elan, go!

Up in Portland with its pleasant homes and quiet expanses of lawns and sweet-smelling greenness, I was transported to my own suburban youth. Oh, how my summers were spent swimming at the Oak RIdge Pool back in Tennessee when I was wee. Oak RIdge (population: 27,387) has a particularly large outdoor spring-fed public swimming pool. How big? Well, we always said--"it's a whole acre and a half!!", or " ...a full fifty thousand cubits", or "Dang, that pool is like a real pond, ain't it?". I recall it being cold, and cold it must've been, to appear to be cold when the summer is so DAMNED hot & muggy in Tennessee. The heat was already oppressive by 9 am, so we flushed-faced bathing-suited children would stand in line with a quarters clutched in our clammy fists waiting to enter the pool at the 10 am opening time. We would jump and splash and dive and flip like maniacs and work up a huge appetite for lunch. At noon the concession stand opened, so we would line up at 11:45, again carefully cradling our cash feet slipping on concrete worn super-smooth by generations of little shivering dripping chlorinated customers. I would order a "dipdog"--called a corndog in California-- and a peanut butter log and a grape soda. Scrumptious. Then we would wait the proscribed half hour after eating and then back to the pool for more minor aquatic mayhem. Ahhhh. And later through the open windows of the car ride home the sun would slant down somewhat and there were multitudes of cicadas singing their grindy metallic ditty unto the dusk; and throughout the clamorous humid torrid night sleep was challenging to achieve without the aid of air conditioning.

Today I was swimming some laps at Garfield Pool in SF. It's one of very hottest of days we get in San Francisco--meaning it's topped 85 degrees F. The door was open and some electrical/ mechanical thumps and buzzes were issuing from the pumping apparatus just outside the pool building. I could almost imagine that these sound effects were crickets or cicadas as I happily splashed down the lane. I concede the season is not as distinct as in other cities/ states but oh, summer, I endorse thee too. Soon we will record the final pieces of the puzzle for our new CD THE JUGGLER's PROGRESS, and in the fall--my very favorite season-- we will head out on the road to other towns to spread the tunes around like so much love.

Unstoppable Forces Meeting Moveable Feasts

Whoa.

One weekend it's Amy Meyers' stunning sitdown CD release concert show, the next week it's Christina Kowalchuk's spectacular gala rockclub album launch at Hotel Utah where much rock was made. You'd think I MIGHT want a break, but no--I wish there was another CD release event this coming weekend... maybe True Margrit's, perchance to dream, for instance?... But, nay, it's not ready... though, soon in the grand scheme of things, soon.

Meanwhile, the day after the Hotel Utah show, Christina treated me & her mom & her hubby (her spouse: the incomparable Brian Fahy) to dinner to celebrate all the rock, mother's day, Brian's acceptance into Oxford, etc. We went to a newish place in Bernal Heights called Tinderbox. And yum. After a week of being a veritable virtuous vegetarian, I was ready for viandes. And we partook of many luscious viandes, indeed--lamb, beef, chorizo, bacon, game hen, SWEETBREADS (first time--they taste like a three-way marriage between a pistachio, a shiitake and a chicken liver--YUM!, ). Not to mention the whimsically presented veggies from all corners of the earth in their most glorious technicolor hues. And some sweet succulent shrimps and char ( a mysteriously scrumptious fish served with the greenest spinach ever grown). Plus cheese grits ( in which the aforementioned shrimps swam posthumously--bless them!) peanut butter beignets, basil panna cotta, cheesy filled dates, s'mores,,, All prepared, arranged, (dare I say composed?) and flavored just so. Most impressive. Did I order all these dishes--naw--we were sharing tastes. Lovely. We had about 35 drinks each going all at once and we were all most jolly and mostly spoke of when we would come back & what we would order next time--cuz the force that creates appetite for great food and righteous rock allows for an unstoppable and fast moving feast...

... so, bon appetit, rockstars,

WHERE ARE MY PANTS?

We all know it's a great night that ends with that question.

I realize it sounds (perhaps) more glamorous than it was. I had changed out of my beloved slightly threadbare jeans (and into nominally fancier attire) in the backstage area before Amy Meyers' fun & swanky CD release show. On the way home I realized I had left those very favorite jeans of mine at the venue...TARNATION! DISASTER!

As it turned out, my orphaned trousers were passed by some benevolent soul into Judea Eden's hands for safe keeping. And she returned them ( sadly, minus my keys-- oh well you can't retrieve everything after a gig) the very next day at our superfun rehearsal for Christina Kowalchuk's upcoming CD release extravaganza.

But about Amy's CD release --we loaded in gear, I took off my shoes to do some sliding on the nice slippery polished hardwood floor in the Rhythmix Cultural Center, we soundchecked, we ate some delicious dinner (including but not limited to shrimp cocktail, sushi, pasta salad, mini-croissant sandwiches), we dressed for the show, people flooded in and the 7pm show started. Uh oh--my Doc Martens were somewhere in the darkened venue, perhaps being enjoyed by a mysteriously shoeless Amy Meyers fan. DAMN!! But play I must, and on the show must go, so I popped up onstage in my socks and played keys with Amy's ubergroup, and it was fine--- I secretly like operating the damper pedal with one toe. Since some of the tunes required various configurations of the band, we all ( well, all of us except AMY!) had the odd moments offstage during the set. In one of these breaks I suggested to my cohorts Pam & Jeri & Judea that we should all return to the stage in only our shirts, or that Judea & I should go out when Pam & Jeri were expected, but none of these diabolical schemes were enacted. Come to think of it, the loss of my pants was probably instant karma for my evil ways. Ah.

And what else?

In April, I felt bilious after a particularly carnivorous March, so I have been revisiting some meatless menu delights dredged up from my murky memories of my 12 years of vegetarianism. One of the best things about eating vegetarian food is cheese ( I'm no vegan, dude). Oh I love cheese. I made a strangely scrumptious concoction that I'm finding particularly satisfying after a vigorous swim. It's a sort of casserole situation with a layer of some hearty strain or other of dusky nutty brown rice that I found at Rainbow Grocery, then a layer of toothsome filling --black beans, pinto beans, onions, garlic, apples, a wee bit of shredded brussel sprouts, balsamic vinegar, etc-- and then luscious topping: cheddar cheese, parmesan, pine nuts, walnuts and a bit of breadcrumbs. All toasty in the oven and you too are happy eating it believe me.

Today I had an exalted dinner with the casserole leftovers AND a liberal serving of mozzarella caprese--fresh mozzarella on tomato slices with basil, olive oil, balsamic vinegar.... oh yeah. Moments ago I finished watching the relentlessly post-modern 2006 film, "Tristram Shandy". I'd say it's the 2nd most wacky adaptation of any novel--the winner of wackiest adaptation award goes to "Adaptation" ( which I love). "Tristram Shandy" is pretty hectic & demented & jumps back and forth between 18th century to present day, with a great cast, including Steve Coogan, Jeremy Northam, Gillian Armstrong, etc. Splendidly absurd.


The rest of the week promises more mixing of the True Margrit CD, and for the Crooked Roads--aka Chris Dingman project, more rehearsals for Christina's ( AND TRUE MARGRIT's) big night on SATURDAY SATURDAY SATURDAY!!!!

Hang on to your dungarees.

zzzzzzzzzzzzz

OH to be a bee.
For, if I was, I'd go buzz,,,

Well, with those penetrating aphoristic words of solipsistic supposition, I begin the first blog of April.

& I ask: how goes it all, fair readers? This is a week of bizzzzzy-ness in these parts. I have been rehearsing with
Amy Meyers for her upcoming CD RELEASE EVENT in a supergroup which consists of:

Amy
Me
Pam Delgado & Jeri Jones (of Blame Sally)
Judea Eden
Joyce Baker
Paul Olguin

...hellfire......I'm proud to be American.

Also making me patriotic is getting to mix Chris Dingman's CD ( his cool alt-country/roots/Americana band is called Crooked Roads Go here to hear 'em, you hear?

And I'm equally fired up about the next project in the docket :
Teresa Esguerra's uber hip songs

But wait--the fervor runs deep!

Next week ANOTHER supergroup will rock your worlds (if you dare be rocked--oh do dare, do!) at Christina Kowalchuk's CD LAUNCH at Hotel Utah on May 3! And.. YES! I produced this album, by gum!

And the supergroup for THIS show will include:
True Margrit's own Gary Hobish on bass.
True Margrit's own me on keys.
Robin Roth on drums.
Teresa Esguerra on guitar.
Emil Besson (of the Judea Eden Band) on guitar.
and Christina Kowalchuk on singing her tunes!

True Margrit will be doing a set as well, with Robin Roth filling in for Andrew. Also, there will be sets by: Teresa Esguerra, Judea Eden, and BLUE RABBIT!!!!!

Anyhoo. It is interesting how zzzzzzzz can represent buzzing and hivelike activity-- or sleep and snoring. Soon we shall rock.
Then we shall sleep. THEN WE SHALL ROCK AGAIN--as bees are my witness, honey.

The SPECTACULAR GLORIA JUSTEN + more heretofore unintentionally neglected heroes

Fair readers. As I have been relating in a handful of earlier blogs, we are blessed to have some truly super-special guests sitting in on our upcoming CD, THE JUGGLER's PROGRESS. HOWEVER! I have not yet revealed our viiolin virtuoso hero... until NOW:

GLORIA JUSTEN !!! People, she is a force to be reckoned with! I'm VERY excited for y'all to hear the savory deliciousness of these tasty tracks she has cooked up with us! YES YES YES! So stay tuned as we wind up the CD ( at least a few months away).

Other heroes:


NUSI has written a very cool review of my solo show last month (and it's quotable--she calls me a "piano ninja"--among other flattering things--which I really appreciate and love). AND she posted a photoblog of the big EL RIO show on her myspace page!! WOW! check it out.

Russell David has played us so many times on his cool podcast that ya'll should know by default he has great taste, so check out all the episodes. simplemuzik podcast



...What else?


Today Christina Kowalchuk and I burned through day number four? Seven? Twelve? ( Well, who's counting and why) We are mixing her excellent album project. Then I went up to the Haight to participate in one of Judea Eden's all-star exravaganza shows--this one in celebration of her birthday ( and GARY's too!). In addition to Judea & the True Margrit duo (Gary & me) There were sets by:

Carrie Baum's mind-blowingly awesome rock opera
Vicious Fish
Plus Maria Stanford's awesome set with Shelley Doty and Jeni Day.

and others...

I played my new silly song solo (finished this afternoon...!) and then Gary & I played a wee set of newer tunes.

About the new song---here are the words-- if you watch the L-Word and hate the horrid theme song as much as I do you will appreciate this (otherwise not) .... ++ SPOILER ALERT++

"I Hate the L Word Theme Song (Raise Up Your Remote)"
Some pleasures are guilty and some are profound
some make joyful noise and some make stranger sounds
some stick in your head in the very worst way
I want to be proud to announce I'm gay

So raise up your remote now
put it on mute
a theme song so annoying though it can't pollute
the perfect performance of Jennifer Beals
if you raise up your remote and show us how you feel

I'm really psyched for Elizabeth Ziff
I know she can write way better riffs
than the ones that she used for the L-Word song
even lover Cindy won't sing along

SO raise up your remotes now
put them on mute
a theme song so dismal though it can't pollute
the perfect performance of Jennifer Beals
if you raise up your remote and show us how you feel

We all bow to fate though sometimes we can choose
so why kill of Dana instead of that tune
musical taste is a lot like sex
you might fall in love you might have regrets

SO raise up your remote now put it on mute
a theme song so heinous though it can't pollute
the perfect performance of Jennifer Beals
if you raise up your remote and show us how you feel