It feels like it was just Christmas. Time is really flying but I feel as though winter is just about to begin! How confusing this weather has been lately. What happened to being snowed in with your loved one?!?! Oh yeah, that happened last year. I guess that's why we're 3 now instead of 2! Well, nice weather brings about lots of progress. Got to check out Love Sexy in NJ, catch up with a couple of old buddies, met some new ones and heard from a few peeps with the last update. Thanks to all well-wishers. My little family is doing quite well. For an update, please check out the Ward Family website to catch up on our adventures and Madison's rapid growth. I'll be heading out a little more, so maybe I'll see ya! Please email me with new band info cuz I'm always looking to hear something new. OH!!! And congrats to Scott & his beautiful Kiwi bride! Lots of luck & much love to you both. 02/02
Calendar
And what a secret he is! Roy Edroso, bass-man for Lach & The Secrets has a plethora of hats he enjoys wearing, but writer is the big one. Every week or so, I get a little email with a link to his current column(s) in Alicubi.com. There he has a regular column called "Crank Watch," his irregular column about life in NYC called "NYC RFD" and he is also associate editor of the 2+ year old internet mag. Alicubi is a great read on an irregular basis, with updates monthly, weekly & sometimes daily. According to his Alicubi write-up, he also teaches English, writes copy and is a freelance reporter. A very busy guy. Wish he were around when I needed tutoring in English! His musical resume includes Lancaster County Prison, Reverb Motherfuckers, and the Shaved Pigs. But there's more! Roy also keeps his own site, "edroso.com" for other personal amusements. I met Roy one night after a Lach & the Secrets gig a while back and ever since, we've remained quaint internet buddies. He says the nicest things. See Roy play with Lach this month, before they head off on a European tour.
Joey/DBG is hosting a WVKR 91.3FM radio show on 3/2 at 12am. He's also in the new Mojo mag. The Housepets have a new bassest & have added a key boardest. Good luck on the change. Make sure to catch the Winter Antifolk Fest at Sidewalk Cafe 2/22 thru 3/1! Congrats to Reid Paley on the German release of Revival on XXS Records & his contribution to the "Balling the Track" UK compilation with Tom Waits, Nick Cave, & Diamanda Galas! Pam of Bionic Finger will be playing drums with the Trouble Dolls at Luna Lounge, with The Rosenbergs. Early Edison made the Daily News. Check their website for the copy. I'm very happy to hear Drew Blood finally has an EP out. Drew, I can't wait to catch up! Rising out Love Sexy in. Props to Mandy & peeps at Crack the Whip Promotions for their recent success! Oh how I miss you JSH; even after a year, I still miss our emails. Katie Elevitch is back in the studio working on a full- length recording.
I get a lot of band references from friends of mine. I did a web search for American Anymen and came up with two sites: Olive Juice Music (their label) and their own website. FYI: I do this with every band before I go to one of their shows, to get a feel for them and listen to their tunes (I'm not the only one). I love their sound! They've got a groovy jam sound with a bit of Beck, a touch of God Lives Underwater and a pinch of the Sugar Cubes. I've always enjoyed the girl-guy vocal exchange & AA demonstrates this technique very well in almost every song! And they've got lots of play in NYC and NJ. After looking through their photos, I knew I recognized the sexy "Meechal" from Sidewalk Cafe. I really look forward to seeing them live and feeling their sound. The release party for their newest CD Hello (Olive Juice) is at the Continental on March 12th.
A new friend suggested I check out Flat Earth Society. A refreshing taste of angst, that's not so rough around the edges. Although I'm quite the newby in this business, I have met a lot of people whoring their sound to whomever they meet. This is one band that doesn't seem to have one ounce of pretentiousness! They have their own sound and aren't afraid to admit they have more than NYHC in their influences. Check out their mp3 site. I haven't come across a hard rock band that I've enjoyed since the summer of 98. These guys are like a magnet! I plan on checking out one of their many shows this month and maybe I'll get to take home a tasty, uh CD treat. Click on the picture to check out their site.
I feel bad for Adam Ant. He's an icon of my childhood, but like that pacifier or the whoobie, I had to let Adam go. I'm so sad to hear he's having some sort of mental problem(s). Its strange but a lot of boys I've liked in the past were head cases, like Adam; one of them even looks like Adam (in this photo). I hope Adam is classier! Anyway, those who were head cases were all musicians! HA! Okay, enough of that. So Adam is on a strange trip between carrying guns and doing things that would lead the public to believe he may be harmful to himself or society. I hope it's just a strange phase he's going through that a little side-Effexor can help. I say, the gangster look with platinum locks is a good show! Click on the photo to check out his most popular fan-based web site. Here's his cooky adventure story according to the Americans. And take a look back at Adam's career thus far.
Duran Duran are back in the studio working on another record, but I'm not quite sure who DD is anymore. Perhaps Jon Bon Jovi should look into another show, or a new career. I don't think he's hip enough to be on Ally McBeal. He sticks out like a sore thumb. He looks like a guy that looks like a girl that looks like a guy! OH! U2's superbowl performance was great but could have been better had Bono taken his clothes off. I caught the newest Garbage "Breaking Up The Girl" on Much Music & Shirly M. is now platinum! Yikes! What used to be a big turn on is now a big turn off! More importantly, their new sound rocks! I'm very happy for Alicia Keys, a proud musical product of the ghetto!
I had a dream last night that Patti Smith was going out with Joey Ramone. That's an odd thought, cuz I believe she's still with her long-timer Oliver. They were at my BBQ and it was my turn to cook. Joey kept coming back for chicken patties, over and over and over again as if Patti was prego. Strange. I suppose I should have written about my one episode with Mr. Ramone in the flesh. I'd rather not cuz he really wasn't his most recent sober-self that night. Anyways, Joey's solo goodbye to his fans entitled Don't Worry About Me (Sanctuary Records) was released 2/19. I'm sure it's not the last, but probably the most official. I'm sure we'll always see and hear Joey, he's quite the unforgettable guy.
Again, congrats to Scott & Nikki! And what's up with Jackie and Wade? Has anyone heard from Big Daddy lately? Good luck to Kaye, whose big day is coming up in March. Congrats to Paula & her husband on the male addition to their family. Shout out to the girls of Delta Omega chapter of Phi Sigma Sigma; you'll get to meet your legacy on March 3rd! Oh yeah, and if any has seen that hump Mo, tell him he's a squid! Congrats to Kappy on his move out of Park Slope & for saluting those about to rock. NanJen, we'll catch up soon with FroggyGirl. Props to the all-mighty (on my knees) Freddy D.; its nice to have someone like you on our side! Thanks dude.
When MikeWard stepped into my life, little did I know of his intentions (neither did he). Romantically we met through working with the same band, The Housepets (formerly known as Jonas Grumby); He, their producer and Me their Manager. I had seen him from time to time in the Sidewalk Cafe crowd, but had a hard time approaching him thinking he was out of my league (yeah, go ahead & laugh). I was dead wrong. The powers that be brought us together, and made us the happiest we've ever been in our lives. We have our own little family. Not something either of us planned or even yearned for, but somehow accepted with loving arms. Our love is unconditional and solid. We've made it through my pregnancy for crying out loud!!! Me being prego wasn' t exactly the easiest thing in the world to deal with. No matter what, Michael was always by my side. If I couldn't do something, he didn't do it either. Although he was very nervous, he was there right by my side while giving birth. His eyes were my focus. He knew what I wanted, without even saying. Jeez, I feel teary. Ok, so yes, I'm in love, and darn proud of it. It almost took forever, but I finally found my soul mate. Yes girls, there are nice men out there that are capable of loving you for who you are. And the powers that be made damn sure that Michael and I came together & stayed together. I wouldn't change anything that has happened in the past year. To my dearest valentine, the past year has been amazing. How I love thee.
Early Edison
JaNeTvOdKa
Joe Bendik
Joie/DBG
The Housepets
Katie Elevitch
Lach
Mighty Purple
Reid Paley
Rome 56
RJ & The O,
Beastie Boys
The Beatles
Beck
Filter
God Lives Underwater
Luscious Jackson
Method Man
Nine Inch Nails
Nirvana
Red Man
Smashing Pumpkins
Stone Temple Piolets
U2
January 01: Bionic Finger, Michal the Girl, Anne Husick, Dogbowl, Katie Elevitch, David Dragov, tuesdae vs. tuesdae, Reid Paley, PKT Oktoberfest 2k, Satan & the Girls.
January 02: Madison Bea Ward, Lach, Joie/Dead Blonde Girlfriend, Early Edison, The Housepets, Katie Elevitch