Musician, Freak, Dayjobber, Etc.

You know, sometimes I just wanna get out on a boat and do the Cuban slide, but, really, not today. Please.

I recently blogged:

>>...smiling that vacant, idiotic smile, squirming, while old friends lie to you about how great your set was...<<

It has recently come to my attention that the old friend I referred to above did not, in fact, lie about enjoying our set; he was truly gracious and really did enjoy the performance (much to my amazement and relief). I never really believed otherwise -- I was just trying to be funny. I failed miserably. To Wayne-Wayne, I offer my sincere apologies for implying that you lied. You, of all the people I know, are anything BUT a bull-shitter; in fact, you are one of the most straight-shooting people I am lucky enough to know, and, again, I apologize for trying to squeeze out a little buttery humor at your expense. You are sunshine, you are laughter, you are morning, you are night. You also have balls the size of Jupiter but that’s another blog altogether.

What else is up? Well, the Ryo Okumoto prog-rock project continues at full speed. We actually made it all the way through Ryo’s twenty-minute epic “Close Enough” in rehearsal the other night, and our version of Spock's Beard's “Go the Way You Go” continues to take shape. Man, I love playing music with these guys. Ryo is just a retardedly amazing musician. The dude can play ANYTHING, and often does. I have never been kept so on my toes before, musically speaking, but damned if I’m not keeping up, at least most of the time. Personally, I’m still not really confident that the project will ever see the light of day – Ryo is extremely busy and we just don’t seem to rehearse enough, to me anyway – but I’m bound, gagged and determined to stick with it until the bloody end, I’m having too much fun! I tell you, hanging out with Ryo, post-rehearsal, drinking a beer or two, listening (and sometimes jamming) to new music, is a total privilege. I still can’t believe I get to hang out with this guy!

I’m also proceeding full steam ahead with a little solo band project. I’ve gotten CDR’s of some demos out to “my” bassist and drummer, and we’re hopefully going to start rehearsing them right after the new year, in anticipation of recording some music in four-song increments. I figure I can have rough tracks done within a couple of months, then can spend the rest of the winter overdubbing to my heart’s content. Here’s hoping...

It’s finally a little windy today up here in Van Nuys, which is fantastic. I am the proud custodian of a massive Montebello Ash tree that drops every single leaf during this time of year. I mean, TONS of leaves accumulate and my yard can literally be covered two feet deep in leaf litter. It’s messy and a HUGE pain in the scrotum to keep the place clean. I imagine uptight neighbors whispering bad things about the rocker in the little white house: “He can’t afford a gardener.” “His yard is a mess, I hate him and his family of misfits.” “Kerry is lazy.” Some years, the Santa Ana’s will blow around this time, completely denuding the offending tree and blowing all the leaves out and across the neighborhood, right into Sherman Oaks just a block away. Other years, no winds come, and the tree drops leaves, constantly, over a period of two or three months. I hate those years. So, today it’s a little breezy and I’m hoping it really kicks in and cleans my mess for me. I really am lazy.

I figure now is as good a time as any to reflect on some cool things that happened to me this year.

1) All the amazing fly fishing, camping and backpacking I managed to find the time to do. I have officially reconnected with Nature and I am happy, inside. Next year, I vow to keep a field journal and to try and fly fish every month of the year.

2) Partying with my family for my parent’s 50th Anniversary. Good damned times, people!

3) The Tribeca album finally being released.

4) All the cool Abe Lincoln Story gigs, in and out of town, but especially opening the show for Cake.

5) The Stew gig in Houston (I played guitar, willingly).

6) The party I hosted for Jim Laspesa’s birthday (insanely good time).

7) Finishing The Ultra Suede album (still to be released).

8) Playing IPO, both solo and with The Dons.

9) Getting a solo recording project together.

10) Writing my ass off, mostly fishing-related.

11) Playing TONS of guitar (I did solo’s for three or four different projects).

12) Getting the bass playing/vocals gig with Ryo Okumoto.

13) Being with my girlfriend for over six years.

There’s a lot more stuff I could mention but I think thirteen is a nice number.

And with that, I bid you a happy holiday season. Give yourself a gift. Call me next year. Be my Kathy Valentine. Fondle something. Be nice to otters. And just, simply, believe.

Well cover me in clam sauce and call me Mark -- I've written an essay
for a contest over at Smallstreams.com, and, if you're at all interested, please, by all means, feel more than free -- feel NAKED, if you like -- to drop by and read the damned thing. The winner of this "competition" will receive an ass-kicking Gary Lacey-built bamboo rod. Man....I won't even mention how frigging cool one of these rods would be to own....I can practically feel it now....oh god....I'm coming....

Sorry.

Anyway, thanks in advance for reading!!! Love and sausages to you this fine McChristmas season.

kErrY