Musician, Freak, Dayjobber, Etc.

Goslings. Kashmir. Retrograde lemonade. These and other things pass for thoughts in this, my damaged mind. Thanks, you fuzzy warbler, for tuning into my Psychedelic Blog (where you can smell the words and taste the semen). Sorry I am once again FILTHY LATE. "What can I say", as the Scaggs-ster might sing.

So, first and foreskin, let me thank everyone -- BeBelinda and Nipper -- who came out to the International Pop Overthrow show last Sunday specifically to see yours drooly perform (special sauce and g-love thanks to Bill Bostick for the cool photograph). Sure, my vocals might've wavered a bit (I made sure to take deep breaths, as Mike Keneally once advised me to do), and I threw in a few random, surprising chord changes here and there (covering my hacking ass on the fly), but, overall, I was happy with my set. I felt good, in a bad way. David Bash made my day by giving me the coolest introduction ever. Thanks, David!

This past Tuesday, Nipper and I headed over to Spaceland for another International Pop Overthrow show, this one featuring The Dukes of Silverlake, a 'tribute' to The Dukes of Stratosphear featuring Jason Falkner, Matt Mahaffey and members of The 88. The show was excellent, with the band performing the EP "25 O'Clock"; everyone changed instruments throughout the set, highlighting the fact that these are some talented mofo's. Good times. Later that evening, our good friends The Jupiter Affect rocked the roof off of the place, playing some new, earth-shaking material and a few gems from their latest release "The Restoration of Culture After Genghis Kahn (read my review of it here). I had a lot of bourbon and the next day I paid dearly for my indulgences. "Never again!", I told myself for the 1,456,348th time.

Last night I partook in an Abe Lincoln Story rehearsal in preparation for our gig this Saturday in Highland Park; we are playing in the bandshell as part of "MUSIC IN THE PARK" sponsored by The Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council and Mexicola at Sycamore Grove Park, 4702 N. Figueroa Street, Highland Park; we go on at 4:30PM, followed by John Stowers and Son del Sur. It's free!!! See you there.

Later Saturday night I plan on hitting the Baked Potato for a Mike Keneally Band gig. I'm not sure if Nipper will be joining me or not (she's not really into guitar hero-type music, even though I insist that Keneally is not 'one of those' kind of musicians, but whatever). Show up and let's drink colas and coffee whilst having our asses rocked, muchly.

Then on Sunday Nipper and I are off to Palm Springs for a couple of days of rest, relaxation, love and sex. Should be fun.

Next week, I'm kicking it into high gear on the Tribeca front. Main Tribeca man Dave English has decided that he'd like to try out some other guitatists for the band instead of using my hack-ish guitar stylings (boo hoo!!!), so I graciously offered to switch to bass. I'm telling you, if I didn't love these songs and this band so much, I'd probably never agree to such a blaphamous (phaces) thing. Me, switching to bass? How freakishly absurd. Actually, the scary part is that I totally understand where Dave is coming from!!! I'm definitely more of a hack-type 'rawk' guitar player with fake-jazz ambitions, and we -- Tribeca -- really need someone a bit more accomplished, tasteful, and knowledgeable. The guitar slot is *really* important, so I'm totally cool with Dave's decision (and, frankly, I'm grateful to be in this band at all). Although -- truth be told -- I feel I haven't been offered a fair shake at the guitar slot; I've learned tons of the material on guitar and have performed with Dave acoustically, and I was looking forward really rocking out on the electric guitar live with the band, but what are you going to do? The *music* is still amazing, and I actually love playing bass, so I think it's a good thing overall. We shall see!

Okay, that's it. The dayjob has been brutal this week. I'm ghost. Lots of love and firecrackers. Until next week, remember whatever the hell it is you're supposed to remember. See you Saturday. xoxox kErrY xoxox

A last, desperate plea! Yes, I am playing a solo (yawn) "church service" at International Pop Overthrow festival this Sunday, July 25th at 1:30PM (the Lord's half-hour). The Church of kOMpOsT is located at The Joint (a roadhouse temporarily masquerading as a place of worship), 8771 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, (310) 275-2619. Admission is $6, and all proceeds go to charity (ie. David Bash) (just kidding). Expect fire, brimstone, and even -- perhaps -- witness the Blessing of the Whiskey Sours. See you there, or else you will burn in hell for the rest of your days. May all your trout be rainbows.

Cokebugs!

Screetch. Scratch. Hey there, freaky fondlers, thanks for tuning into the old Weekly Blog, the Official Blog of the 2004 International Pop Overthrow festival. Ah, yes, nothing says 'summer' in Los Angeles like IPO. This is, what, the 5th or 6th consecutive year of IPO, and still going strong! I am happy to report that yours drooly will be playing a solo-acoustic set this Sunday, July 25th at the ungodly hour of 1:30PM -- that's the afternoon, mind you -- at The Joint, 8771 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, (310) 275-2619. Admission is $6, but if you tell David Bash that you're there to see me, I will pay for your cover -- seriously. Regardless, I will do everything in my power to play a focused, consise, emotional set chalk full of melody, missed notes and random vocals. I might even throw in a Todd Rundgren cover -- if you're nice. Please, I beg ye, show up and offer me a whiskey sour and lend this fondler your support. Or not. Either way, in geologic time, it won't matter, so whatever happens, happened. Hair plug over.

Last weekend Nipper and I partied down with Adam Marsland's Chaos Band on Friday night, enjoying another great set of original music by Reseda's Best Songwriter. Saturday found us celebrating Nipper's dad's 86th birthday at a nice restaurant in Studio City, where we chewed champange, sippped steak, and broke plates over our heads in celebration. Good times were had by all. Sadly, we were pretty STUFFED and TIRED after the birthday dinner, so much so that we neglected -- with a sense of remorse and sadness -- to attend the birthday party for the one and only Jim Freek. Damnit, Jim, happy birthday! Sorry we missed your din-shig, bro. Then on Sunday, Nipper and I spent the entire day in Beverly Hills, hanging out at our private pool, listening to music, reading, and swimming the day away. All in all, a very nice, relaxing weekend. 

 So, this week finds me: 1) practicing my IPO set; 2) practicing with the Abe Lincoln Story for an upcoming gig on July 31st in Highland Park; and 3) relaxing. I might catch an IPO show here or there, or, perhaps, might just lay around the house, naked and noshing. Who knows? How about you? Any parties happening?
 
Until next week, remember: architecture is frozen music, so eat a peach. I know, that makes no sense at all (it's not meant to). Come on out to The Joint this Sunday and let me know you care. Seriously. Bring some pot, too, or buy me a whiskey sour or something. Much love in the hood. Loving you blind, blond and blameless. xoxox kErrY xoxox

Late with the blog again! Nothing, absolutely NOTHING to report. Been partying like crazy. Been working on my IPO set. Been partying like crazy. Been working on new Abe Lincoln Story material. Been partying like crazy, with more parties on the horizon. That's about it. The dayjob has been keeping me busy. Been partying like crazy. More next week. Love you. xoxox kErrY xoxox

So, it's been a couple of weeks, and no blog entries. I'VE BEEN BUSY! So many beheadings, so little time. Here's a quick update:

Two weeks ago, my buddy Bernard Yin and I took a 12-mile roundtrip backpack/bushwack into one of the more remote LA/Ventura county areas, spending two days in blissful reverie fishing an awesome stream, seeing TONS of wildlife, and catching so many beautiful wild rainbow trout we lost count. This trip was the first time I'd been backpacking in about seven years, and I had such a blast! For the first time ever, I rigged up a freestanding tarp-type shelter instead of a tent, and it was very cool, very Early Man. I made a great Martha Stewart-style trail dinner for the two of us (how gay), and we just had an absolutely incredible time. Here's to more backpacking!!!

Meanwhile, on the Abe Lincoln Story front, lead Abe-ster Steve Moramarco and I hooked up last week and I overdubbed a ton of guitar parts for the upcoming album. The Abe Lincoln Story also played an incredible party over the Fourth of July weekend; here's a picture of me from the party sporting my new violet hair. The gig was a blast and a great time was had by all.

Last weekend Nipper and I also partied with our good friends Edwin and Julie over in Lincoln Heights, where a small brushfire threatened to shut the party down! Luckily, the fire was quickly put under control thanks to the LAFD, and a great time was had by all. The views of Los Angeles from Edwin's place is incredible, and the fireworks -- seen all throughout the LA basin -- were gorgeous. Thanks, Edwin and Julie, for an awesome evening!

On the Tribeca front, mixing and mastering of the new album is proceeding at a snail's pace as lead Tribec-ster Dave English continues to hone and polish the material. The new album release timeframe is now early 2005. Sure, it's taking a long time to come together, but, trust me, you won't be sorry. This album is going to rule!

Speaking of ruling albums, I've been immersed in the new Mike Keneally album "DOG", an incredible collection of wack tunes from everyone's favorite ex-Zappa guitarist. If you like truly progressive rock music performed with dazzling musicianship, I beg you, check this album out, like, NOW!!!

On the kOMpOsT front, I am now getting elbow-deep in practice sessions for my upcoming solo gig at International Pop Overthrow on July 25th. I'm still trying to figure out a setlist, working on my vocals, etc., and it should be a fun set. Details to follow.

This coming weekend, there's a couple of cool parties happening; email me for details if you wanna party.

There's so much more I should write -- that's what blogs are for, right? -- but I am just too busy at the moment, so that will have to wait for now. Cool? Thanks so much for tuning in, I really appreciate it. Until next week, remember: architecture is frozen music, so build yourself a Spanish mansion on a hilltop today. xoxox kErrY xoxox