Does anyone know if Funeral for a Friend is named after the Elton John song of the same name? So thinking back to Thursday makes my brain hurt ever so slightly. It feels like it was ages ago, but that’s beside the point. Thursday night was spent working the 2nd door for the Phoenix concert (1st NYC show) featuring local flavors or favorites Inouk and Benzos. The show isn’t something I’d go out of my way to see, but everyone there thoroughly enjoyed the band. It amazed me because what I saw of Phoenix was such a fucking wank. Sure they were tight, but their songs sounded like a rip off of Jamiroquai. Phoenix was textbook guilty pleasure, (at least I’m hoping so because my NYC counter parts went ape shit). Their brand of Frenchpop didn’t shake me in the loins like the rest of the crowd, but I stuck it out for most of the set because Beach, Daylen, Lucy, Tumblehawk and Macchia were all present. Phoenix rocked some highly infectious danceable tunes, but eventually I couldn’t take anymore and it was time to duck out.
On Friday I managed to get my spirits up despite my lack of tickets for the Guided by Voices send off shows, (Check out what ProductshopNYC had to say). Noah came over after work, and we sat around listening to the Dungeon album which seems to get better after every listen. I also gave my live Make Up record a spin which hadn’t seen the light of my stereo in ages. They are so killer. I have to thank my former lady friend, Christine, for getting me into their brand of post-punk art-rock, (quite possibly the most over used phrase in today’s music press). My early 2000 love of all things D.C. made my acceptance of the band all too natural.
Around 8pm we set out to meet up with Beach so we could split a cab down to Bubby’s for some BBQ in celebration of Oveis’ 25th birthday. We arrived much to the delight of Dr. Roberts who was tending bar at the delicious establishment. Daylen, Oveis and Dave joined us and we got tossed into a booth and were kept extremely happy by Roberts and his crew.
Speaking of Dr. Roberts, you all must take note; he is opening a bar called the Bushwick Country Club. The bar is located 5 blocks from the Lorimer stop on the L Train, (when I get the exact address, I’ll post it). The kicker of this bar is that Dr. Roberts has built an 8 hole mini-golf course inside the bar. Yeah, you heard me right. Mini-fucking-golf! At this point the BCC will also feature cheap PBR and free rounds of golf until 10pm. Now pick your jaw off the ground and continue reading.
The meal was outstanding. We started with their patented Blue Cheese Potato Chips and a pile of nachos. My meal was capped with the BBQ combo featuring ribs, chicken and pulled pork. Put all that food in my stomach along with four PBRs, and you won’t have to guess what happened next. Thankfully Noah held my hair. Dr. Roberts was kind enough to give us a break on the bill so we ponied up and made way for the L.E.S.
Our next stop on the Friday Night Tour was Mars Bar which is a hole in the wall establishment on the corner of 2nd Avenue and 1st Street. A few years ago my old roommate Pete Stevens introduced me to this joint that reeks of piss and body odor, and it quickly became a favorite. Cheap drinks, scary locals and bathrooms worse than Welcome to the Johnson’s are just a few of the Mars Bar attributes. We were joined by Dana, Mia, Shari, Merida and Mark who were stopping in before heading over to the Eagles of Death Metal show, (the same show Jesse promised me that I’d be on the list, but the crackhead forgot). After the Mars Bar, Dana and I split from the group to stop in at Orchard Bar where Phoebe and Christian where holding their birthday party. We stuck around for a few drinks, and I got to catch up with Molly (my love). We also ran into Brian who kindly bought me a drink for helping him out the previous night and the ever present John. Although my stomach was screaming NO, Dana bought us a couple of tequila shots which started the night in a downward spiral.
We packed it in and met up with the rest of the crew at the Mercury Lounge. The Legendary Shack Shakers were playing, but no one could seem to get into their Psycho-Billy style. This led us to gathering in the front room where many drinks were had deep into the evening. Beach was playing the kind roll of mayor and making sure everyone was in high spirits. We were joined by the EoDM crew along with a few others and the night seemed stretch itself to its very limits. Around 2am I decided my head had enough, and I walked back to 186 only to get a second wind 15 minutes later that put me right back in the thick of things. As the night pressed on everyone in the house got pissed. Friday’s gold medal goes to Oveis who not only puked in the show room’s garbage can, but he also received a textbook birthday Culkin at the hands of Beach and me. It was indeed a solid showing by all involved.
For some damn reason I woke up around 11am on Saturday morning. This may not seem early to most, but after the prior evening’s festivities, it was way too soon for me. It took a little coaxing, but eventually Hawkins answered my phone calls. Thankfully he let me borrow the Outback for the afternoon so I could cruise out to Long Island for a hang with Annette, Jay, Bruce and the lovely Marie. When I arrived the house was empty except for mom so we did some catching up. It was sweet because I was feeling under the weather and she did all the mom things that make you forget. Bruce and Uncle Jay returned to the house and as per the usual Bruce and I got into a sports debate while Mufson passed out on the coach. Bruce reminded me of one thing; it’s been a loser style year for yours truly. First the Yankees lost to Boston. Then Kerry lost to Bush. Then Ty Willingham is fired from Notre Dame. Then the Giambi steroids scandal broke. He said all I need is for the Jets to lose a couple games and I’ll be the perfect loser. Thanks Bruce!
Mom hooked up a bitching pot roast for dinner. Pot Roast is the type of meal I only get to eat once in a blue moon, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. As I sat there packing my arteries with the red meat, it reminded me of the Seinfeld mutton episode when Jerry would spit his food into a napkin. Though I kept mine down, my belly was stuffed. While we ate, I couldn't help but notice that my family is crazy in a good way. I asked them if they thought I'd ever be able to bring a girl home. They assured me they would calm down, but let's face it, my inability with women will prevent this issue from seeing any stage time. Once my laundry was done, I said my goodbyes and hit the road back to New York. It is always great to see Mom and Bruce even if it’s only for an afternoon.
It took me nearly an hour to park the damn car, but I managed to find a killer space right in the neighborhood. A quick stop by Dana’s found me with a tape of last week’s episode of the O.C. You heard my thoughts on this yesterday so I’ll spare you my gushing. Around 11pm Kyle and I headed up to the Hanger with the hope of kicking off another top notch evening. We ran into Dee on the way, and we were joined by Sean, Sarah, Lance, Jody, Jack, Christie, Bri, Andrew, Noah and Liz for a couple drinks. You really can’t deny a bar that offers not only 1, but 2 beers for only $2 a can, (even if it is PBR and OE). Liz and I ducked out around midnight and made way for the Mercury Lounge whose gravitational pull is a force unparallel by any establishment in the L.E.S.
As we made way into the club, you could hear the heart-pounding beats coming from the back room. It could only mean that Out Hud was already playing. We grabbed a quick beverage and caught up with Beach, Sarah, Lucy, Daylen, Tumbleweed and David who were tucked away in the back corner of the room. We happily danced around to what felt like a short set. I’m going to spare you the comparison to their big brother band (!!!) because Out Hud could stand alone if they wanted. Their set was fueled by some serious drum and base beats emanating from a huge board of knobs and switches. Out Hud also features some live instruments and probably 5 or 6 people, but my poor view of the stage didn’t matter. The beats spoke for themselves. It was hot. It was sweaty. It was fantastic. I can’t wait for the Chk Chk Chk show on December 30th.
Once again we decided to spend the latter portion of our evening at the Mercury. When you have such an awesome bar full of some of your favorite people, there is no reason to leave. Mia, Adam, Shari, Mark, George and few others cruised up after finishing with the Bowery and Builder stopped in for what is now a rare appearance. If my memory serves me, even Noah made his way back through the bar at some point in the evening. There was only one botched Culkin attempt, but the Culkin can no longer be the gauge of a great evening because Saturday had it all.
If you’re wondering, I went home around 4am, ate some bread and proceeded to watch the film Rudy in its entirety.
My throat was sealed shut Sunday morning so I self medicated with tons of juice and some emergency. The Loose Record crew came over for an early afternoon meeting, and let me tell you, I’m feeling great about this project. Soon we’ll be your industry standard, but don’t let me get ahead of myself. For some reason the internet hasn’t been working at 186 so Mike and I stopped into DT/UT for a cup of coffee and some wireless. We had no luck in the café so it was time to give up. I returned home, watched the rest of the Jets drubbing of the Texans and got myself cleaned up.
Later that afternoon, Dana and I met up because she wanted to watch the Packers play the Eagles in what was supposed to be the game of the week. Unfortunately for her and Brett Favre, it was anything but a good game. The birds beat the pants off the cheese and established themselves (once again) as the team to beat in the NFC. With the game out of reach for the Wisconsin native’s home team, we decided to head back to her pad to watch last year’s holiday spectacular, Elf. Is it me or did that film such? Will Ferrell fell flat in his attempt to bring the yuletide cheer to this grinch. I understand it may have not been directed at an older demographic, but the story just seemed to drag on and on to the point where I wish someone would have pulled out their Dave Chappelle created Wrap-It-Up box.
Yesterday was an easy day. Kyle and I both got out of court without any sort of fine or probation. Though it took me a bit longer to get out of the court room, I was psyched to avoid a fine since my current balance reads, “poor”. Actually, it isn’t nearly as bad as I’d lead you to believe, but Christmas shopping is looking like it will break the bank.
The Natural History needs a drummer and guitar/piano player...
1) Drummer: We're looking for someone is equal parts Dave Grohl, Sam from Interpol, and Greg Kotch from Wilco. Someone who can kick ass, but do it thoughtfully. Someone who is willing to serve the music whether that means playing something straight and solid like Mick Avery from the Kinks or playing something fucked up and syncopated like Elvin Jones. We love Terry Chambers from XTC. We love Pete Thomas from E.C. and The Attractions.
2) Guitar/Piano: Our new album has a lot of second guitar and piano parts. We're also looking to make this a regular part of all songs we write from now. I'd say with guitar we're looking for someone who shares our influences: Beatles, Kinks, XTC, Elvis Costello, Squeeze. As guitar players go we love Richard Thompson, Jerry Harrison/David Bryne, George Harrison, the dude from Can. At this point our music is very rhythm oriented. You get the idea. Well rounded. Ideally you'd be able to play piano proficiently. You don't have to be Bach or Ludwig Van B. Also, you'd be able to sing back ups and have a voice in the high register. Overall we're looking for our Mike Mills. Our Jerry Harrison, Our Dave Gregory (XTC). Our musical secret weapon.
Our new record will be done by the end of the month. It was recorded by Joe Chicarelli (Beck, U2, Rufus Wainwright) and will be mixed by Chris Shaw (Wilco, Super Fury Animals, Ted Leo). We've had two releases on StarTime (French Kicks, The Walkmen), but we're now looking for a new label.
We're looking for musicians who want to be in a full time band. We tour a lot and we practice a lot. With this new record, this year is going to be filled with lots of touring both in the US and Europe. Overall, somebody who would take being in a band seriously.
The band is not a dictatorship. My brother and I write the songs and sing, but we also love to flesh out ideas by jamming. We're looking for people who like to have musical freedom when they play.
All right. That's all and looking foward to hearing from everybody.
2 Comments:
i think the best part of going home is watching my dad scream "ZAY-E-T-S ZETS ZETS ZETS!" compleeetely out of sync.
both phoenix albums are really smooth, but with the immobile lead singer and all, i can imagine the show was extremely boring.
see you saturday, jjjjjay. mind if i bring some manilow or japanther vinyl? ok fine, i'll leave the manilow home, but only if you say so.
bidi... how goes it?
few things... jets rock
phoenix... immobile lead singer? that wasn't the case. did you think he sat behind some keys? the guy i saw was all over the place. i just didn't feel the sound. the energy was high and the crowd loved it, but i thought it was definition cheese.
as for manilow... are they that new bklyn 3 piece of bass drums bass? they have some killer dance tunes.
thats me kidding. saturday shall rock!
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