Cherie Currie - Revolution Bar, Amityville NY November 8, 2013

Oddly enough I hadn't been to Revolution Bar and Music Hall in Amityville, NY since the last time I was seeing an ex-member of The Runaways (back on March 29 of this year when Lita Ford was playing with Faster Pussycat.)  This time it was for lead singer Cherie Currie.

That last time time, it was a very late show with Lita taking the stage around 1:00am, so when we walked in at 9:30 and heard Cherie would be on after the next band that was just starting, we were glad we didn't delay as evidently two other openers had already finished their sets.

Once the band ended we were treated to the quite cute babe of an inhouse DJ playing a great little set of classic punk (Stooges, Ramones, Damned, etc) before Cherie hit the stage at 10:30.

Before I talk about her set, I have to say I totally dig this place and wish it wasn't such a hike (a little over a two hour drive from where I live in Kingston to this joint on Long Island.)  It's a full on rock n roll bar/club - which honestly you don't see much anymore.  If this were local it would be my regular hang without a doubt...but back to the show at hand..

Cherie played for basically exactly an hour straight through with no encore break and I think everyone got just what they hoped for - a nice mix of solo, Runaways and cover tunes (some of which the Runaways were known for playing)

But...this being Long Island...what about Joan Jett?

Of course everyone in attendance knows this is basically Joan Jett's home turf and everyone has that dream of being at the gig where Joan hops up onstage for a little reunion.  Well, that question would be answered shortly...

Cherie opened with a double shot of Runaways tunes with  "Queens of Noise" followed by "California Paradise"..

She both looked and sounded great

With a crack band (including her son on drums who we got to chat with after the show) backing her.

A great one two punch of an opener and before going into a cover of the Velvet Underground's "Rock and Roll" (a Runaways standard). Cherie mentioned how she had not been to this area in many years and was very happy that her friend and ex-bandmate Joan Jett was in attendance (with Kenny Laguna).  It turned out they were sitting in the booth right behind me (as shown in this shot taken by my buddy Jim Long.)

There of course was much applause and many fingers and other limbs were immediately crossed in hopes of perhaps a duet on say "Cherry Bomb."

Cherie was quick to add though, that Joan was very particular about what guitars she would play and that she had not brought any of hers on this night.  We all still hoped a bit, but I'll burst the bubble now.  It did not happen, but was cool to see Joan and Kenny showing their support.

After the Velvet Underground cover, we got "You Wreck Me", Sweeney Todd's "Roxy Roller" and the Runaways "Is It Day or Night?"

Next was Cherie's "Heartbeat" followed by "Mr. X" a song she wrote with Duff, Slash and Matt Sorum of Guns n Roses.

A really great mix of a set with another stellar cover to follow with Tommy James and the Shondells' "Draggin' The Line" and then back to The Runaways with "C'mon"

"Rock n Roll Oblivion" was next followed by "American Nights"

Then they brought it all home with "Cherry Bomb" and ended with a great cover of David Bowie's "Rebel Rebel"

A killer hour set.  As soon as Cherie ended, Joan and Kenny left through the backstage door while it was announced that Cherie would be at the merch booth to sign any memorabilia anyone brough and take pictures.  Why don't all artists/bands make it this easy?

Went out to the car and got My copy of "We Got The Neutron Bomb" (basically the LA counterpart to "Please Kill Me".  Both highly entertaining and great reads for fans of punk) along with the CREEM collection book.

Kim signed this shot of her with Kim Fowley from "Neutron Bomb"

And this classic shot from Creem

I then got a shot with her and yes I realize I have crazy grin/eyes going...

Also I am NOT pointing to her boob, I'm throwing horns, but a bit unfortunately sideways.  Cherie told my buddy to take another for safety and it's hard to imagine, but I have even WORSE crazy grin/eyes in this shot! (and if you notice...I think it was scaring even him as he backed up a little)

What's a fan to do.  A Gal pal of mine suggested it was because I was with a legendary rock babe...could be, but I tend to think I was still on the rock n roll high of the show.  While waiting the DJ played more great tunes...just a fun night...do wish this place was closer...but I'll be back here for other shows and if Cherie comes around again, I'll be there too - hopefully sans crazy grin/eyes. 

Hope you enjoy these blogs.  Please feel free to comment, follow the blog and follow the twitter which will always alert you to a new post!

Reignwolf - The Parish at House of Blues - New Orleans, LA - November 1, 2013

This was my fifth trip to New Orleans for Halloween and The Voodoo Experience Festival.  

I'd picked up the tickets during pre-sale before any bands were announced and I was relatively underwhelmed when this year's lineup came out a few months ago.  The headliners were some favorites (Pearl Jam and Nine Inch Nails) that I'd seen many times before and a few other bands I was interested in checking out live (Macklemore and Ryan Lewis in particular always seemed to put on a good live performance in their TV appearances and Those Darlins who I haven't seen in a few tours) and even a somewhat surprising old fave who I haven't seen live in 24 years (Billy Squier). The rest of the 100 or so bands I'd either heard of and didn't know anything by or just never heard of at all.

But Voodoo is always a blast, the grounds of the park are beautiful, there's some amazing food and always the possibility of discovering a new favorite band.

So I spent a couple of days pulling up all the bands online and started making a list of the ones I would potentially check out when I finally got Reignwolf.

and in the words of the great Lou Reed "and then my mind split open!"

This was music...this was performance!  Luckily there was no shortage of youtube clips of this amazing band made up of Jordan Cook, David "Stitch" Rapaport and Joseph Braley.

A goddamn true blue monster of a power trio who put every ounce of blood (in a literal sense during the next day's afternoon gig - which we'll talk about in another post), sweat and energy into every performance I watched.

Reignwolf became the band I was going to Voodoo to see, then a week before the gig, it happened.

Deja Voodoo Friday night aftershow with Reignwolf at the Parish in the House of Blues in New Orleans!

Oh I was a happy boy.

I spread the Reignwolf gospel to all those in our crew.  Told them how not only were they going to be the gig to see on Saturday afternoon, but there was a damn good chance that this lil gig was going to be even better than anything at the city park that weekend.

Oh how right I was.  

In the end, two of our crew were too beat to make it to this gig, but I was there front row with about maybe 40 other folks (and numerous new friends) who witnessed a band tear the roof off the joint! (and what a cool room by the way and TINY...just what I was hoping for)

I had high hopes and honestly wondered if the band could live up to them, well they surpassed them.  They played just about everything I had heard (although not their cover of Fleetwood Mac's "The Chain" - which they would bust out the next day) and I can honestly say I know I witnessed something very special here.

I've been to well over 1000 shows since my first in 1985 and this gig (paired with the following day's) were up there with the best of them...it was like catching the White Stripes in a NJ club or Nirvana at Roseland or the Stooges anytime I've seen the Stooges.  

Reignwolf are all that is good about music - especially live music.

This band is going to be big soon and in a tour or two, when they come to New York and I'm seeing them with thousands of other folks instead of a few dozen like on this night, I will always remember this show but enjoy the boys rocking the bigger stages because this band is meant to rock the masses.

So Jordan, David or Joseph...if any of you are reading this...please come back to New York soon before everyone catches on...give me one more chance for the up close and personal sonic fury you gave us this night.

I'll let these pictures tell the rest of the story:

When I first saw there was an opening band I wasn't all that thrilled either as a full day at Voodoo does wear you down, but when the brothers that make up Baby Bee hit the stage - the thrill was not gone.  The boys did a fine opening set of great catchy straight ahead rock n roll songs.  I think half the audience knew them and I was glad to make their acquaintance.  I hope to see them again and would suggest checking them out as well.

Me and Jordan - super cool and friendly dude.  Rock on!

Lou Reed and the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame

Lou Reed died today.

What can and will be said about him, his music and career will be written by many others more eloquently than myself, so instead I just wanted to share a little bit of Lou's connection to the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame where he has already been inducted as part of the Velvet Underground.  I expect that sadly, because of his passing, he will now mostly likely get inducted as a solo artist in next year's round of nominees.

January 12, 1995: Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City

Lou inducts Frank Zappa into the Hall of fame.

September 2, 1995: The Concert For the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland Ohio

The Rock Hall finally opens and they throw a helluva party at the stadium in Cleveland.  Iggy Pop, backed by Soul Asylum, performs his tribute to The Doors with "Back Door Man." At the songs end, he introduces Lou before leaving the stage.  Soul Asylum continue as backing band as Lou performs "Sweet Jane." Lou dedicates it to Velvet Underground guitarist Sterling Morrison who passed away two days earlier on August 30, 1995.

January 17, 1996: Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City

While eligible since 1992, The Velvet Underground are inducted with the 1996 class which includes Pink Floyd, David Bowie (possibly the biggest VU fan around), Gladys Knight and the Pips, Jefferson Airplane, Little Willie John, The Shirelles in the "Performers" category.

Patti Smith inducted the band:

Lou, Maureen Tucker, John Cale and Sterling Morrison's widow short acceptance speech calling out how much this induction would have meant to Sterling:

Lou, John and Moe perform "Last Night I Said Goodbye to My Friend" for Sterling:

October 30, 2009: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame 25th Anniversary Concert, New York City

A two night extravaganza at Madison Square Garden.  Metallica, inducted earlier that year, bring out Lou for a run through "Sweet Jane" and "White Light/White Heat".  This would lead to Metallica and Lou Reed working on the album "Lulu" which would be released almost exactly two years later on October 31, 2011.  "Lulu" would be Lou's final studio album.

Watch Metallica with Lou on "Sweet Jane" (Pro-shot video below).  They followed it up with "White Light/White Heat" (It does not appear the pro-shot version of this is on Youtube.  This is the best quality audience shot version I could find here although it is cut)

Which sadly bring us to today.  Looking at the Rock Hall's track record, especially in regards to the Velvet Underground's induction after Sterling Morrison's passing - they tend to react after the fact when they realize they missed an induction that perhaps should have happened when the artist was alive.  I think next year we will see Lou inducted as a solo artist.  It looks like Lou believed in the Rock n Roll Hall and there's no question he simply believed in the power of music and rock n roll - I do hope he does get his second induction as any chance to celebrate his music is time spent in a worthwhile manner. 

R.I.P. Mr. Reed.

Days of Wine and Roseland Ballroom

If you're someone who goes to shows on a regular basis and lives in the NYC area, you've mostly likely been to Roseland Ballroom.  According to this article from Billboard, it appears Roseland is scheduled to close it's doors in April of next year.

 

It's sad to see another great live NYC venue shutting it's doors, but at the same time, who's to say how accurate this timeline will prove to be. Maybe someone will step in and "save the day" or maybe this venue's time has simply come.

 

Below are some quick tidbits about some of the most memorable shows I saw at Roseland over the years.

 

Nirvana (with The Breeders and Half Japanese). 

I expect a more in depth blog about this one time I got to see Nirvana when they become first round inductees into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame next year.  For now I will just say this is perhaps the luckiest I ever was in scoring tickets.

 

In 1993, I would find out about most of my shows by checking out the weekly area publications (Village Voice, EC Rocker, The Aquarian) or by simply calling Ticketmaster and asking about newly announced ticket on sales for specific bands or venues.

 

It was probably a Thursday that I made the call (because tix would in general go on sale either on Friday's or Saturday's at 10:00am) to Ticketmaster.  I think we all knew the biggest band in the world at that time (Nirvana) were doing some touring and hoping they would hit up NYC.  I happened to ask if anything was showing up in the Tri-State area and I was told that yes "tickets were going on sale the next day at 10:00am for Nirvana at Roseland."

 

Holy Shit!!!  First of all, Nirvana could have played multiple nights at Madison Square Garden at this point and would have sold out as many as they put on sale.  Roseland holds about 3500 people.  This was going to be quite the show.

 

At the time I was self employed, so I didn't have to worry about being free at the time they went on sale.  I got up the next day and went to J.C. Penny in the Poughkeepsie Galleria, which had our local Ticketmaster outlet.  I didn't know what to expect other than the fact that this was going to sell out super fast and I was not chancing calling in for tix and getting a continuous busy signal.  This was well before ticketmaster had an online presence.

 

Considering I was diligent about knowing about shows and I almost missed it, I guess I should not have been surprised that no one else in the area showed up for these tix at our local outlet.  10:00am came.  I got three tix (me, my sister and my buddy Kev) and the rest is history. 

 

Thank you fate, Nirvana and Roseland.

 

David Bowie The "Bowienet" Fan Club Show
Luck seems to play a large part in my best Roseland shows.  This was a fan club only show.  David Bowie at Roseland - a show that would sell out in minutes if offered to the general public.  I think I saw a news item on it and thought to myself "Damn those lucky fan club members...I wish I had joined...hmm...maybe it's not too late?"

And it wasn't!  I went to the site and I think it was $20 to join.  As soon as my credit card approval went through I went to the "Roseland Tickets" link and it was not sold out!!  Tickets were around $35 each and you could get two.  Each ticket also came with a poster for the show (mine appears to be long gone) and a cool lime green tee shirt specifically for this show (which I think I might still have).  I brought my Bowie buddy Lissette and it was quite the fantastic show, somewhat a send off as I was shortly moving to Denver to be with my true love (I was back a little over a year later...que sera sera!)

This whole show is on Youtube in three parts.  One.  Two.  Three.  It's fantastic and fun and a great career spanning setlist.

Sex Pistols
One of my favorite bands of all time and one of those I never thought I would get to see (I think I'm somewhat spoiled at this point since almost every band I ever wanted to see that broke up prior to my getting a chance to see them now gets back together...although there are a few that haven't yet that I still hope for.)  This original reunion tour run played two nights at Roseland.  This was the second night (although I think it was the first to go onsale and when it sold out they added the previous night.)  One of the most fun shows I've ever attended.  Sold out crowd who of course knew every word...Friday Night in New York City...They played EVERYTHING.  It was simply a complete blast!

 

The Pogues - St. Patrick Day runs
In late 2005 it was announced The Pogues were getting back together with Shane MacGowan for a short two week American tour hitting NYC for a run of shows at St. Patrick's day in 2006.  I was ecstatic as I had never seen the band with Shane and theya re another of my favorites of all time.  I got tix for all of the run.  That first year the shows sold out immediately and were held at the smaller Nokia Theatre.  For the next three years, the Pogues would come back each year at this time and play Roseland.  Below are some of my tickets.

I just heard this year they are playing their favorite album of mine, "Rum, Sodomy and the Lash" from beginning to end along with select hits at their Christmas run in the UK.  I think it would be a fitting to have them return to Roseland just before it's close for one last St. Patrick's Day celebration in NYC.  Let's see if that Roseland luck (of the Irish in this case) comes through one last time. 

That's about it for today, a little celebration of a great venue.  If this is it for Roseland, I can't complain...it's given me some amazing memories with friends and family.

Great Literature Reviews: "The Sexiest Jokes About Madonna!" by Cardinal Syn

"FEROCIOUSLY FUNNY" screams the hot pink cover!

* Not Authorized by Madonna * tantalizes the potential buyer

"Cardinal Syn is the world's leading expert on that weird trollop known as Madonna.  A practicing tri-sexual (he'll try anything), he hides out in New York" reads the "About The Author" blurb on the backcover.

Oh my!  I've always heard laughter was the best medicine and baby...I'm feeling a little sick right now!

Published in 1994 by S.P.I. Books ("a division of Shapolsky Publishers"), "The Sexiest Jokes about Madonna!" (the exclamation point means it's REALLLLLLLY sexy jokes) is 192 pages of haughty, naughty, bawdy jokes about the Material Girl. 

It's a mind boggling little paperback that would have run you $4.99 back in the day.  I got it at the tail end of a local used book sale when it was fill a bag for $2.00 time.  It is the golden (or more accurately - brown) nugget I find myself revisiting for reasons unknown.  Dear readers, I welcome you to join me on a ride into the abyss.

It's obviously not going to be good, but with this level of awful, you'll find yourself unable to put it down without reading just one more joke thinking, it can't get worse.

Oh, but it can. 

I will randomly open this book to 10 pages and give you 10 random jokes.  There's no cherry picking here.

Enjoy won't be the word...and I will tell you right now if you get offended, not easily offended, but simply offended then stop reading as every joke in here is either extremely offensive or puzzling or a mixture of both.

Why are Madonna's lips so big?
- An abundance of oral sex
Starting off strong, that is one sexy joke right there!

How does Madonna usually hold her liquor (licker)?
- By the ears
Yes - that is exactly how it is written in the book.  So, one of two things here.  The author either thought the person reading this book was too stupid to get the joke or they thought the person reading this book was too stupid to pronounce liquor correctly without spelling it phonetically.

What does Madonna have most in common with models Cindy Crawford and Claudia Schiffer?
 - Nothing I can think of
Oh SNAP!  No you didn't!!!

What is Madonna's favorite Instrument?
- The Skin Flute
Okay...c'mon, they're not even trying now

What is the relationship between Incest, S&M and Necrophilia?
- They are Madonna's sexual preferences
Huh?  That's just weird and wrong...but admittedly sexy as the cover states

What is the one fruit Madonna demands with dessert every night?
- The Banana
Okay okay we get it...Madonna likes sex!  For some reason the fact that they write "The Banana" as opposed to "A Banana" intrigues me

I did say I would choose at random, but I couldn't help notice the joke right before this on the previous page (there's in general two jokes in GIANT font per page):
What is the one vegetable that Madonna demands with dinner every night?
- The Cucumber
It's funny because it's shaped like a penis

What do you call a man who can't score with Madonna?
- A Gay
By the way we're only at #8 and you're probably like me right now...just kinda scratching your head wondering how this thing got published.  Also a case of the odd use of an article before the noun.

What do you get when you cross Medusa with Eva Braun?
- A strange monster like Madonna
I'm now just laughing at the absurdity of this book which is what usually happens around now...okay...one more

Why do girls like Madonna and Shannon Doherty behave like such baboons?
- Because they really think they were Born To Be Wild
And bingo!  Book closed and I'll spend another 15 minutes wondering again how this got published.

But let me end with the Afterword:
"Let me ask you something readers, Don't we all agree that Madonna is a sexy, hot wild performer who we all love to hate.  Am I right on with this observation?  Well if you agree please send me your best Madonna jokes and I'll put 'em in my next book.  Also I'll put your name in the book as a thank you for the good jokes that we actually use."
I have to stop for a second and wonder first if anyone sent a joke.  Second was there actually a sequel to this book?  Third, were any of the jokes not used?? 
"As a reward I'll send you a copy of a hilarious, sick book I guarantee you'll love:  GRUNGE JOKES ($4.99 retail price) for free!"
Another side note - I want this book, I'll gladly pay full "retail price" if someone has a copy
"The only catch is that I've got to ask you to send in $3.00 shipping and handling.  The address to send your suggested jokes, your money and your address to receive your complimentary book is..."

How many three dollar bills y'all were lost in this infamous Madonna Joke Book scam of 1994...some estimates go as high as a baker's dozen - but we'll never know for sure.  Instead we'll put this book back right now and when we need to....when we need to revisit those crazy days known as the mid 90's, we'll take it out and gaze in wonder and thank the lord we somehow lived through it.