Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Some More From My Home

Usually when I sit down to compose a post on this here blog, I seek to describe (what I consider to be) epic-ness with broad strokes. I've been on the road for about a month, & I came home last night, longing for my bed. I didn't even make it, falling asleep on my couch for 12 hrs of blissful reenergizing.

I made it over to Bar 4 here in BK for the Marco Benevento hang tonight, and my ears, eyes, senses, mind marveled at what I witnessed. Maybe it was the ragged cover of James Brown's "I Can't Stand it"? Maybe it was the guest vocalists, including current Scott Metzger bandmate Serenajean crushing a Gillian Welch tune? Maybe it was the Bustle trio of Marco, Scott & Dave playing a subdued, yet perfect version of Zep's "Thank You"? Maybe it was me & Scott & Marco & Dave & Serena & Karina & Gabrielle & Steph & Monica & Josh (who catalyzed the whole night) just hanging in the same room, so immediately post a long stretch for me on the road?

Whatever the notion that takes responsibility, I don't think it matters. What does, for me, is how wonderfully nights like this strike my soul. Just another Monday in Brooklyn. How could I not desperately miss it? I still cannot brag that "I've Been Everywhere" like Mr. Cash, but I've been to a shit ton of places. I'll take Brooklyn with tonight's company anytime.

Do yourself a favor, and listen to some Meat Puppets. I'm digging on II right now, and it's sending me off right.

Stay Gold...

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Home is where I want to be.

Discussion over at PT fell in love with The Talking Heads Naive Melody. Reading the thread brought me back to the early days of my time on the road, and I felt inspired to share some more.

I was out with Project Logic in the fall of '01, just after 9.11. We played in San Antonio at a defunct venue called Niles Wine Bar, and the band got an offer to open for Jane's Addiction in FL. They canceled their show in Denton, TX, and flew to the Jane's gig, leaving me behind to drive the gear from San Antonio to San Diego. I was still pretty green as a road guy; I had been working for bands just over a year, and that was the longest solo drive I faced at that point. I swear, I must have listened to Naive Melody 60 times during that drive. Because I faced an unknown quantity in myself, I latched on to the timely lyrics and bouncy groove, and I know that song got me to safely San Diego.

Looking back, I realize that 1275 miles on your own isn't that big of a deal on these kinds of gigs, but I'll never forget how I needed my 4 favorite RISD products (and friends) to keep me focused. Since then, I've gone from NOLA to the northeast too many times to count; Denver, Dallas, and Jackson Hole to home, and (my favorite), Brooklyn to Montgomery, AL and back to Asbury Park, NJ in time to catch WEEN in a 24' box truck with all of MMW's gear.

Home is always where I want to be, but I guess I'm already there.

Stay gold...