Sand Machine made its first foray onto foreign soil this past weekend. It was a lot like The Beatles landing in the U.S. Check the footage.
I've walked by this diner I don't know how many times. Never knew there was a room in back... and it's a nice room. I guess they serve their ham and eggs with a side of rock and roll.
It has the "red room with mirrors" feel like the Lizard, but with much more room and more seating (not taking anything away from our beloved Lizard of course). The bands play at floor level in the corner facing both the entrance and separate bar section.
I'm looking forward to hooking up with our old friend Rick Berlin at the Lizard Lounge next Saturday (4/24). He has been a huge part of the Boston music scene for #$%^7 years and our paths have crossed a lot over the years. Noah played in Rick's band Shelley Winters Project for two or three years in the early 00s. Rick was partially/largely/completely responsible for our first show ever at the Lizard Lounge back in 2002. In the meantime we have played on the same bill at least seven times according to my sometimes reliable records.
... and hear, they would tell you that these are the last 10 CDs I have listened to. Yup, still listening to those silver things.
10. Muswell Hillbillies by The Kinks
9. Paul Simon (self)
8. James Gang Greatest Hits
7. Garage D'Or by Cracker
6. With the Beatles
5. McLemore Ave by Booker T & the MGs
4. Leaving Wonderland in a Fit of Rage by Marcy Playground
3. Gravel Pit Manifesto by The Gravel Pit
2. Kind of Blue by Miles Davis
Anybody who is in the market for a new (old) song for their playlist should check out "Ma Belle Amie" by the Tee Set. I first heard the song when I was in 6th grade or so and it stuck with me. Probably heard it three more times on the radio since then until I finally bought it on itunes. It has the classic 60s cheesy organ going behind also cheesy love song lyrics. But the melody is very catchy, the bridge/chorus is a nice change, and the overall feel brings me back to a time when I wasn't yet born (the music video on youtube as well).
Based on fairly random chronological selections from a small summer journal, with no repeats.
I just got back from a few-day jaunt to Burlington. It's a drive, but it is certainly worth it. The scenery is beautiful, the people are nice, there's plenty to do, and they actually are passionate about their thai dye.
We swam at North Beach one afternoon and then rented kayaks and took them out on Lake Champlain. The Adironracks looming over the water is a great view. The Lake is much larger than I expected, and when the wind picked up it felt like being on the sea.
This past Saturday we continued what has become an annual mid-summer tradition playing at our fifth Hop Jam (sixth for Jay and I). Hop Jam is a pool party/cookout held in the back yard of the Hagenbuch family's home in Hopkinton, Mass. In one corner of the yard there is a stage set up where bands play throughout the afternoon into the evening. Very good times. Jay Hagenbuch and Chris Harris of the band Goh have been organizing this event for the past nineteen years. Many thanks to the Hagenbuch family for being great hosts every year. This was our set:
Put a Brave Face On
Sad to hear that WBCN will no longer exist next month. Unfortunately I can’t say that I am surprised however. I’ve been complaining for quite a while about their programming. They used to be the beacon of light for new rock and roll music. Now most of what they play which possibly could be labeled “new” they were playing back in 1996. They’ve also resorted to digging up classic rock like Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and the like. Of course the old rock bands are revered, but they belong in your CD player, on your ipod, or on a classic rock or oldies channel.
