Soberly

Ya gotta wonder, would Janis Joplin REALLY have gone onto great things if she hadn't crawled into that bottle of Southern Comfort? Would Kurt Cobain actually have gone onto write better and bigger records? Or would he have ended up like Gibby Haynes, living in Red Hook, bumbling around the streets with his dog mumbling to himself about glory days gone by, sober?

Can a rockstar be clean and be a rockstar? And did they peak early on regardless of their vices? Now theres a REAL opinion question for you dear reader. I'm not so sure.

While the drop and the drug will sap some of their creative spark, some thrive upon them and can't create without. Guess we'll never know, because they're dead, and we're still here, wondering.

Ehh, sorry for the bummer, just typing out loud...

LAST NIGHTS WINNERS WERE:

THE CHERRY FLAVOURED SCHMOOS, SWEPT THE NIGHT.

Apologies to The Unholy Trinity, who have been kicking ass for the last couple of weeks.

Thursday night, The Jones Street Boys and Goes Cube will appear at Union Hall in Park Slope and it's going to rock like the proverbial hurricane and you should go!

The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy blogger

Hi, so firstly, many MANY apologies to The Unholy Trinity for my failure to post their triumphant sweep of last weeks game. They made it happen and can cure cancer and always have a shiny golden glow around them and smell quite good too.

There Adam, ya happy?

Also, thanks to Justin Martin of PBR for sponsoring us and bringing us lots of great PBR and PBR products for prizes, mucho gracias!

Tonight, the Forms record release is at Cakeshop. Why should you go? Well, there will be open bar, and a free CD with admission and the best reason to go is that The Forms are playing, and they will rip your head open and stuff a metric assload of rock into it, sew it back up, powder your bum, and send you away humming the best music in the world, thats why. Oh, and theres an open bar. Doors are at 8pm, see you there!

Also, the Jones Street Boys are playing at Bowery Ballroom. Not going to make that because I'll be having my head ripped open and stuffed with Forms rock, but if you like great Blue-Grass pop music, you're in for a treat!

Last nights winners were:

ROUND 1: THE CHERRY FLAVORED SCHMOOS

ROUND 2: THE SCHMOOS AGAIN!

ROUND 3: THE UNHOLY TRINITY, UPSETTING A SCHMOOS SWEEP.

I'm pretty sure we'll have a very special guest host next week, will let you know more later.

Brooklyn invaded Manhattan last night

Hello dear readers,..all two of you. Last night was the usual blast at Pianos. I wasn't actually thinking of making it because I was going to go see The National at Highline last night, but decided to be true to my own night and I'm glad I did. My Brooklyn peeps from Gowanus Yacht Club in Carroll Gardens came out to represent and a lot of other people I'd never seen at trivia before. Nice!

Since the Unholy Trinity and The Schmoos took the night off to support the National boys, the playing field was pretty level. Except for the Cinderella story that lie in wait in the far corner who swept the night. Oh, also Alex Forms and Jen Gothamist brought the singer from Ghostland Observatory who told me he had a blast at trivia, later at Darkroom. Nice kid. Check them out on Conan tonight. Jesus, I went to 7 bars last night. Shit,...thats fucked up, Donnie!

Last nights winners were:

Sweeping the night- BOINKING YOUR SISTER

Nice job guys, thank you and drive thru.

Guns and Poses

Well, thats what we used to call 'em anyway. Why did people freak out about this band so much? Was it the top hat? The bad boy image? Honestly, just about every rock band I've ever met worth their salt has had a drug problem/girl trouble/dysfunction, etc. What made those guys so special? My opinoion question last night was most annoying voice in metal and the answer was Axl Rose. Now, I got alot of huffing and puffing over that one (except Alex Tween from The Forms, because he's smart like me) and I gotta take issue with that. What the fuck was so great about that guy? I swear he wore that bandana to keep his ego from spilling out, WHY I have no idea because he couldn't really sing that well. Ripped his moves off from Davy Jones from the Monkees (dude, get a REAL idol, please..) and had a half way decent band behind him. Anyway, for my money, I thought David Lee Roth was much more entertaining, even if he wasn't that great of a singer, I have a feeling he'd tell Axl to stop whinning (literally and figurativly) and try and cheer up.

Don't even get me started on Chinese Democracy. 'Yes Axl, we all wait with baited breath for that turd to drop.' Eeesh..

So I got lazy and forgot to post last weeks' winners so here they are first:

ROUND 1- THE UNHOLY DUO

ROUND 2- KA-KA-KA-KA-KOW

ROUND 3- THE CHERRY FLAVORED SCHMOOS

Last NIGHTS' winners were:

ROUND 1- THE CHERRY FLAVORED SCHMOOS

ROUND 2- THE CHERRY FLAVORED SCHMOOS

ROUND 3- THE UNHOLY DUO

Stalk ya later!

Weird

I had a dream last night that I was at a sex club auditioning for a job. Only because attached to the sex club was an amazing studio I could record in for free if I was employed there. The lady running the place was a real ball buster too. I ended up not taking the job in my dream. Come out to trivia tonight and make sure I'm ok...

If theres a hipster heaven, they're going to have a hell of a band OR My night in hell.

So, I went to see Interpol Friday night at Madison Sq. Garden. Typically I hate to see shows there as the sound is usually all over the place although, ironically, the best sounding show ever was Radiohead at MSG in 2001, but I digress. I missed the Liars, not that I cared much, not a fan of their bizarre cacophony. Caught an underwhelming Cat Power set with her band, the Dirty Delta Blues band. The only dirty thing a saw was their hair but maybe I was too far away. I dunno.. Then the black clad boys joined the fray from behind a 50ft tall scrim that was supposed to come down much earlier than it did.

A friend saw something poetic in that. I thought about it some more and they were right.

I mean, their brand of Kraut influenced rock has always been delivered from behind some veil of insecurity and snotty apathy. Not to say I don't enjoy some snotty apathy, I do, but when it finally went down and we could see them better, those kids seemed to be having a good time up there. I swore I even saw Carlos crack a smile, or what would pass for one, a couple of times. There also seems to be a new love for groove and what some might call a more pedestrian sense of melody in that you find yourself humming along more than usual. I like that. Good for them. Maybe they're cheering up in their, uhh, mid to upper 20's??

Speaking of hipsters, Thurston Moore put out a solo record today. It's supposed to be good, lemme know what you think.

LAST NIGHTS WINNERS WERE:

1. THE UNHOLY FLAVORED SCHMOOS
2. CMG- New comers, nice guys!
3. THE UNHOLY FLAVORED SCHMOOS

OH, btw, whoever asked about that country rock book I'm reading, it's called 'Are You Ready For The Country' and I can't remember who the author is but I'll look around for it and let you know.

Thats all for now dear readers, stalk ya later!

Heah's ya beah!!

I've been thinking about country music alot lately, been reading a book on the connection of it to rock, and I'm becoming much more interested in it. There was a time when I'd rather listen to hipsters talk about how much better the Elephant 6 collective used to be as opposed to today or how awesome MisShapes this week (seriously, if you ever hear me speaking about either one, hang me without benefit of trial and dump my sad ass in the Hudson) than country music, but old school stuff s not so bad. And screw you if you don't like the Eagles. I do. You know, rocks' beloved Bob Dylan was through, done, put a fork in Bob he's over. That is until Jonny Cash insisted he come to Nashville and be on his weekly TV show,...and play electric. Folkies actually wretched in the streets, but the rest of the country forgave Bob, liked the new direction and thus an icon was born. So, the couple of you who hate on country music, be a bit more open minded like all NYers are supposed to be. Oh, yeah and one more thing, all you NYC'ers who slag on the South about how dumb we are, and backwards, et al, just remember, blues and country came from the South, no country, no rock. No backward-ass rednecks, no Elephant 6 collective,...er, wait, Elephant 6 is from Athens GA!! There you have it.

Ugh,..I'm not making any sense am I?? Heres the winners from last night:

THE CHERRY FLAVORED SCHMOOS SWEPT THE NIGHT, WINNING ALL 3 ROUNDS.

Go buy the new Forms record, it's awesome! Stay tuned for Hipster Olympics!!

No trivia tonight!

Sorry if you showed up anyway. Next week we're back so come out!!!

Rock stars hang out with other rock stars

What an amazing night, truly. Last night Scott and Brian Devendorff of The National guest hosted with Conrad and I. And as a bonus, they brought a suprise in tow; Ms. Nicole Atkins. Beat that shit! You can't. Not with a 50 foot mic stand. Even kicked it off with a Bon Jovi question, Mmm,Mmm,Mmm. She's like, the nicest person in the world AND from Neptune NJ, close to my hometown of Long Branch,NJ. Just awesome. She's playing at Bowery Ballroom Rocktober the 12th, you should go. Oh and The National play Terminal 5 on the 11th of that month as well. Two badass shows back to back. I can't thank them enough for helping out last night, you are my heroes!

Go hear them respectivly at:

Nicole Atkins-http://nicoleatkins.com

The National- http://americanmary.com

Also there last night was Aaron Dessner of The National and members of The Forms, The New Pornographers and Grizzly Bear to boot! Lots of good competition and high scores last night.

Winners:
ROUNDS 1 & 2- THE NEW CRUSADERS (AARON DESSNER OF THE NATIONAL, CARL NEWMAN OF THE NEW PORNOGRAPHERS AND CRISSY....WELL, EVERYONE KNOWS CRISSY, YEAH?)

ROUND 3- THE LANCELOTS OIF ROCK TRIVIA, THE CHERRY FLAVORED SCHMOOS

We're working on some special upcoming co-hosts, stay tuned, this should be good.

Also, we'll probably take next week off for Labor Day. Theres just too many good outdoor shows to see.

AND, we might be making some Brooklyn stops, theres talk of having SmartAss at the Gowanus Yacht Club when they start up trivia soon, that would be interesting. You guys wanna do this outside in a beer garden?? We'll see what the Pianos peeps say and get back to ya.

Amy Winehouse is stable.

Wha Wha What??!

Damn good game last night everyone! We had special guest hosts, Oliver, Ruthie, John and Sandy of the band Wha Wha Where? They did an awesome job and brought in a great round. Applause, applause.

Anyone catch our interview on Gothamist.com? You can see it here: http://gothamist.com/2007/08/20/todd_satterfiel.php

Here's last nights winners!

ROUND 1- (TECHNICAL WIN- PIANOS STAFF) DRINK WINNERS- FUGAZI OSBOURNE
ROUND 2- THE CHERRY FLAVORED SCHMOOS
ROUND 3- (TECHNICAL WIN- PIANOS STAFF) DRINK WINNERS- FUGAZI OSBOURNE

Congrats to newcomers Fugazi Osbourne for almost sweeping. Let's hope they come back next week and kick more ass!

Speaking of next week, Brian Devendorf and one of his other co-members of The National will guest host. Don't miss it!

OH, send in those YouTube clips of rock goodness!!

Kurt Cobain and Courtney Cobain with Frances Bean Cobain

This kid turns 16 in three days. Fellin' old? I am.

Sid Vicious Interview

Priceless...

Accolades and acknowledgments

SmartAss got a best of the borough award from Our Town newspaper this week, came in the mail at Pianos for me (Thanks Billy from Other Passengers, awesome band!) and we also got a write up in the New York Press. People startin' to rek'onize.

Look for an interview on Gothamist.com very soon.

Last nights winners,....we're not suprising.

ROUND 1- THE UNHOLY TRINITY
ROUND 2- CHERRY FLAVORED SCHMOOZE
ROUND 3- THE UNHOLY TRINITY

Don't forget, The National and The Forms and Takka Takka this Friday at 6pm at the S. Street seaport, fo' FREE!

See ya'll next week!

Flight Of The Conchords - Bowie Song

Soup du jour,..Jaques Cousteau,..Baugette!

Those of you who get that, know how funny Flight of the Conchords was this week,..eh,..w-what? You don't watch the show?? Well, you sir or madam are missing out. Two folk songwriters from New Zealand in NYC, trying to pick up girls? It's pretty much awesome, and certainly hilarious. At anytime they can break into songs and they're always the funniest thing you ever heard. This week, while buying crossants they broke out into this 60's, Serge Gainbourg, type stuff. Funny stuff. And they filmed the sequence in my old front yard in Greenpoint, MaGorlick park. Look them up on YouTube. Check out the 'Bowie song'.

UNLIKE Henry Rollins who USED to be funny, well, actually first he was angry and punk and hardcore, then he was funny in the spoken word shows he did, and now? Well, he's,..Johnny Carson. The Henry Rollins show (on IFC Friday at 10pm) can be funny and he has good guests, but, I'm just not sure I buy all the glad handing and ass kissing, it's just not the Rollins I grew up with. Guess it beats watching him play another cop/henchman/security guard...

LAST NIGHTS WINNERS WERE:

UNHOLY TRINITY SWEPT THE NIGHT! Nice,..

I know it's the dog days and everyones away, but we need to get some more peeps down to the game. Tell friends, let them know that they will get at least one right if they are the shy types who say "Oh, I'll never win, I'm not even going to play.."

And so we say thanks!

To Amy Slonaker for co-hosting the past two weeks. She did a great job and asked some tough ones. Also thanks to http://misswit.net for the free t-shirts, one of which was a grand prize for round 3. Go to her site for so cool tees!

Conrad should be back next week.

Heres last nights winners!

ROUND 1- LEXILITO
ROIUND2- LEXILITO
ROUND 3- (TECH) PIANOS PALS, (DRINK WINNERS) THE UNHOLY TRINITY

Congrats all! See you next week!

A Reminder

Good times last night, we had Miss Amy Slonaker (she Dj's alot over at Lolita bar) to guest. She did a bang up job in Conrads abscence. Conrd s band, Takka Takka played the Mercury last night. If all goes well, she'll be back next week to sub for busy Conrad.

Amy had a question last night about Man or Astroman that brought back some memories. Man or Astroman are from Atlanta, where I lived for many years before coming to NYC. I was there for 8 great years in the 90's and while Seattle was all broody and sad, there was an amazing music scene that got overlooked in the SouthEast that was much more healthy and positive. I went to SO many of these shows and have notes books filled with reviews I did just to write (I was big into Lester Bangs back then). Some bands in that scene you may or probably haven't heard of were: Long Flat Red, Babyfat, Five Eight, Loudflower, Drive By Truckers, Flat Duo Jets, Carmine, Cat Power, the list goes on. It's a shame that some of those bands never got the attention they deserved. Look some of 'em up, especially Five Eight, they're still kickin' like a Bruce Lee flick.

Here's last nights winners:

WELL, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF TWO TECHNICAL WINS BY THE PIANOS STAFF IN THE LAST TWO ROUNDS, THE CHERRY FLAVORED SCHMOO'S SWEPT THE NIGHT. END OF STORY.

WAY TO PUT THAT USELESS INFO TO WORK GUYS!

Sorry there was no post last week, Conrad was supposed to do it but he fell asleep.

My ice cream is melting..

So's my brain, and everything else. Is it hot in here or is it just me?? Summer got here last night around 11:30 and it's pissed. It wants it's CD's back and custody of the dog.

SmartAss was a hoot as usual last night, we went a bit easier on you last night because it is so dizzingly hot outside. Don't want to warp your young minds too bad. Here's how it went:

1ST ROUND: THE FREUDIAN SLIPS

2ND ROUND: THE FREUDIAN SLIPS

3RD ROUND: A TIE- THE UNHOLY TRINITY AND THE GAZILLIONAIRE RUDDY HUDSUCKERS (HUDSUCKERS TOOK IT, NICE!)

Remember folks, don't raise your hands in a tie before the question is answered, it could cost you a free drink.

Just 12 more hours til HP and The Order Of The Phoenix comes out!!!

Sicko

Just saw Sicko, it was an eye-opener.

If you:
-Don't know much about our country's health care system.
-Want to know more.
-Don't mind being pretty pissed off at what you find out.
-Ever secretly wandered what was so great about France and why our government talks so much smack about them.

This is the movie for you.

Its a commutation..

That means I have to pay a $250,000 fine and have two years probation,..IF I decide to take the fall for allowing the outing of a CIA agent. Sorry, those spooks stay a secret, I can't afford it. But, you know, Scooter can.

Personally, I think Bush just felt bad for the guy. You don't send a guy named 'Scooter' to prison. Whats this got to do with rock trivia??? Nothing.

WINNERS FROM LAST NIGHT:

1ST ROUND: KYOTO 5-0

2ND ROUND: THE UNHOLY TRINITY

3RD: (TECHNICAL-PIANOS STAFF) DRINK WINNERS: THE CHERRY FLAVORED SCHMOOS

More later...

We go solo, dance flo's and talk shows, hot sex in back rows, you know..

Last night I hosted all on my own. First time in awhile and I gotta say it was pretty fun. Not that I don't enjoy Conrads game or anything but it was a nice change of pace. Sorry about being so precious about repeating questions but it does get a bit taxing and you want to make sure everyones paying attention. Drunk people tend to wander, me included.

We also previewed some tracks ('Pioneer To The Falls' and 'Heinrich Manuever') from a certain black-clad, Brooklyn band who has a new album coing out to, suprisingly, a lukewarm response. But you know, I like 'em and it's only neo-punk rock and roll. I actually think Paul Banks sounds quite well on the new offering 'Our Love To Admire'. I dare say I would have been much more impressed with this record as a debut album. But thats just me. I do wish Carlos would stop dressing as close to a Nazi as he can get away with. Tsk, tsk.

I got heckled for having questions that were too hard again last night. I keep tellin' you people, it's not called rock common knowledge, it's called rock TRIVIA. If you don't know all the answers then I'm doing my job correctly.

Last nights winners were:

1ST ROUND: TIE: PIANO'S PALS AND THE UNHOLY TRINITY WITH UNHOLY TAKING THE DRINKS.

2ND ROUND: THE CHERRY FLOVORED SCHMOO'S

3RD ROUND: THE UNHOLY TRINITY

Well done guys.

Last nights playlist was:
2 Minutes to Midnight-Iron Maiden
Gonna Never Have To Die-Guided By Voices
Tell It Like It Is-Graham Coxon
Pump Up The Volume-Art Brut
Pioneer To The Falls-Interpol
The King Is Half-Undressed- Jellyfish
Any Way You Want It-Journey
Over My Head-King's X
Houses Of The Holy-Led Zeppelin
Big Tall Man-Liz Phair
Traces-Lydia Brownfield
Words-The Monkees
Suddenly Last Summer-The Motels
What A Bore-Muzzle
The Heinrich Maneuver-Interpol
(When You Wake) You're Still in a Dream-My Bloody Valentine
Give 'Em Hell, Kid-My Chemical Romance
Hey Ya-Outkast
Canary in a Coal Mine-The Police
Housequake-Prince
Texarkana -R.E.M.
Carbon Paper-Raising The Fawn
Disarm-Smashing Pumpkins
Another Nail in My Heart- Squeeze
Trippin' On A Hole In A Paper Heart-Stone Temple Pilots
Black Swan-Thom Yorke
Shot In The Arm-Wilco

There were some pics taken last night, if I get 'em I'll post 'em later.

Neil Armstrong: "I was walking on the moon one day, in the very merry month of July..."

Kareoke killed Def Leppard

If you weren't at SmartAss last night, you missed the Karoke kids butcher 'Pour Some Sugar On Me'.

Believe me when I tell you, it was a worthwhile stay at KKTC last night.

I like Def Leppard just fine. Lots of people are somehow above Def Leppard. Never understood why people take offense to a well crafted pop song. Hmm,.. When I was a kid, they made some tasty pop songs and were slightly less dangerous than the Iron Maiden I was about to emerse myself in, and somehow slightly more dangerous than the Van Halen I'd been wallowing in since 1984. What with the swords and other standard metal trappings.

But for a short time, I too wondered what "Guter Gleeben, Glauten, Globen" meant. Apparently, it means nothing. Which pretty much sums up thier careers at this point. Pour guys,..

THE WINNERS FROM LAST MIGHT:

ROUND 1:
THE GOON SQUAD

ROUND 2:
THE GOON SQUAD (ONE GUY, SAT BY HIMSELF, ATE A BURGER, RULED AT TRIVIA AND LEFT. COMPLETE BADASS).




ROUND 3:
THE UNHOLY TRINITY


Today June 16th 2007, is the tenth anniversary of the release of Radioheads "OK COMPUTER".



Adam: "Maybe you should slow down."
Me: "Yeah.."

Ahoy smooth rockers

It occurred to me last night, as I listened, really listened to Toto's 'Rosanna' at last nights SmartAss (We did a Yacht Rock theme for a couple rounds last night), that they really do create some magic.

Now, now, hear me out because I can FEEL your eyes roll.

It's not even about hearing the music, it's about watching a crowd of people react to a bonifide hit. 'Rosanna' WAS a hit, theres no doubt, I don't even know the chart position it reached (look it up, key-junkies), but the look on some of the faces last night as they slid into keyboard and guitar solo's was bliss!

BLISS, I saw it! I know bliss when I see it.

So, you can keep your band-du-jour (who is it this week? Interpol's coming out with a new one soon...The Horrors? Eeeesh, apt name, BUT, nice boys, nothing personal guys!) but I'll take a good guilty pleasure pop song anyday. And really, if you dig it, is it fair to claim guilt? Fuck your built-in-NYC-Bedford Ave-for the lova God-why-did-the-trucker-hat-have-to-go hipster sensibilities. You just keep bobing your head to 'Rosanna' and enjoy. Forget about the fact that these guys would have NEVER gotten signed in todays music biz. Just keep in mind it was written about a very pretty girl, heart-felt, and got to the top 10 and you like it. Really, thats all that matters.

OH, almost forgot, we want to thank the Maack family who came in all the way from ICELAND, (not for us; for Karoke Killed The Cat) but had a good time with us as well. Welcome to America, Icelanders!

Here's last nights winners:

1ST ROUND: Our trivia Lancelots, The Cherry Flavored Schmoo's

2ND ROUND: TIE between The Unholy Trinity and The Schmoo's

3RD: Again with The Schmoo's...

My friend Beth wanted me to post the yacht rock setlist from last night, it was:

I'm Alright (Theme from Caddyshack)
Hold the Line Toto
Life In the Fast Lane Eagles
Ride Like the Wind Christopher Cross
Baker Street Gerry Rafferty
Rosanna Toto
Angry Eyes Loggins & Messina
Don't Fight It Kenny Loggins (w/ Steve FUCKING Perry!! DLed it NOW!!)
Any Way You Want It Journey
Top Jimmy Van Halen
FM Steely Dan
Carry On Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
Private Eyes Daryl Hall & John Oates

Put THAT in yer book, Sarah.


Hey, The National are out on the road, if you are reading this from a city they will be frequenting, do yourself a favor and go see them.



Me (walking into the comedy show last night): "Hey man, ..Dude, is that Louis CK up there??"

Dimitri Martin: "Yeah,....."

Me: ".......(to myself) "Shit,...Thats Dimitri Martin..I just called him "Dude".."

New blood

Last night was Conrad's debut at trivia as my new partner and what an awesome job he did! Great questions and vibe. Lots of fun.

So, I just don't have any good stories this week. I will say I am very disappointed that, lately, if you want to see a great show you have to damn near take out a loan to score tickets. I'd love to go see the Police but I don't even have a first born to give. And at $500 for decent seats, well..fuck that.

Last night, The Unholy Trinity swept the night. Awesome, just awesome.
(Although, technically, I won the first round and Piano's the last, but since we're not eligible for prizes..)

Anyone got a Police ticket they don't want??

Princes' understudies...

Last nights opinion question was who was Pinces' hottest female protogee. The 10 point was Vanity, mainly because I've always been facinated by her and thats my opinion. Lot's of people chose Applonia Kotero, which is completely understandable and was certainly worth 5 points. Hell, maybe I'm wrong, maybe she was hottest, but then, Carmen Electra (who's last name Prince bestowed on her) was also one of the harum.

But, I digress.

Vanity was #1 muse because she was from New Orleans, not particularly jaw dropping, and sorta talented and had wild sex and crack binge's with Nikki Sixx. Ass opposed to just being eye candy like most of the others, (Kim Bassinger, please pick up the "Man, I wish I could sing" courtesy phone). And, I find that amusing.

Last nights winners were:

ROUND 1:
(Technical- Piano's Staff) drink winners- Kansanadia

ROUND 2:
I Can't Believe It's Not Todd

ROUND 3:
(Technical- Piano's Staff) drink winners- Glasses Are Cool

Only 1 week til The National residence at Bowery, til then the boys are in Europe eating worse food and drinking better wine.

Jon Stewart is funny,...no really!

Damn, we had a great time last night! I'm sitting on my couch, half dressed, eating omelette, and watching a Jon Stewart stand-up from 1996. 1996 was a great year, Oasis was poppin' Blur was still relevant, I had met a great girl in Atlanta where I was going to ad school and life was good. It sucks to grow up. Really does.

Aaaaanyway, the usual suspects cleaned up last night but you know what, there are some definite up and comers in the works that are kicking ass lately (looking at you Air Force 1 and 2!).

Heres the winners from last night:

1st round: (Technical win: Pianos Staff) Drink winners: The Schmoo (there would be only one for the first round, and she took it!)
2nd round: Glasses are Cool
3rd round: The Schmoos

We really would like to get some new blood in to knock these guys out of the winners circle. And thats in the works, more later.

The Smiths, etc..

Ok, so about two years ago I started liking The Smiths. Before, I hated them, really didn't get it. I thought they were ok songwriters, with and average singer with his whole "am I gay, am I not, I look like an Irish Elvis" schtick,...personally I thought it was bullshit. BUT, I have seen the light and finally, 20 years later "got it". Shoplifters of the World, Sheila Takes a Bow, etc,..BRILLIANT! Yay for fucking me, right? I'm a moron, right? No, THIS guy is a moron. This guy is the OTHER side of that whole thing. Here is a factoid, that was posed as a question last night.

In 1987, some guy held up a radio station in Denver, CO for 5 HOURS and demanded they play nothing but The Smiths, and at gunpoint, they did it.

Now, that guys' a moron. I love Iron Maiden, but I wouldn't even do THAT! Well, thats also because I'm sane,...a little.

Here's last nights winners:

1st round- (technical win- Pianos staff), drink winners- Unholy Schmoo's

2nd round- Team Tallahassee

3rd round- Unholy Schmoo's

Show hype of the week: Well, The National are supporting The Arcade Fire on their tour of the US this and last week, THE FUCKING ARCADE FIRE!! Sadly, it's sold out and you can't go if you haven't already gotten tickets.

Thats awesome and I'm very proud of the boys. But otherwise, in Un-sold out news:

SAT 5/12
THE CHANGES + TAKKA TAKKA + THE END OF THE WORLD at UNION HALL

(the night before, Elk City are playing at Union Hall, make it a two nighter!)

xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

They're paying attention..

We got a mention on the gothamist.com yesterday, yay for that. Thanks ya'll! Things were a bit rocky last night. Tech difficulties, last minute questions, short films,etc. We made it though, because Miz Dj Shred Savage and I are professionals, right? Right.

Winners:

Round 1: (Technical) The Pianos Staff, (drink winners) Unholy Todd

Round 2 & 3: new comers Air Force One (Nicely done guys!)

I played round 2 with a lovely girl named Lena who was there all on her own. Making new friends is cool.

Tonight is night 2 of Sousalves record release residency at Midway and our friend Debbie Sassivier is opening at 8pm, DO NOT miss this rock goddess! Sousalves at 10pm.

AC/DC is from the devil

What with the horns and all on Angus, AAAND my determined resolve to screw up any AC/DC question. It must be Satan. Yep. Thanks to Conrad AGAIN for setting me straight about a question that I wrote regarding said Australians/Scots and their contribution to Stephen Kings' "Maximum Overdrive" (not to be confused with Kathleen Turner Overdrive, but thats a story for another day). You'd think being a metalhead in the 80's would solve that, nope.

Here's the winners:

Round 1: Technical- The Piano's Staff, Actual- Glasses Are Cool ( With a "C", I looked)
Round 2: Glasses Are Cool
Round #: The Bunnyslappers

Don't forget tonight, at Midway, Sousalves record release co-starring The Sprinkle Genies at 8:15, my buddy Kris Roebling at 9 and the man himself, Sousalves at 10. Do not miss.

Quote of the night-

Peter: "You know, I'm sober now?"
Me: "Really??"
Peter: "Phfft, no..."

All byyy myyyselllf!!

Great night last night! It was nice to get back to basics one man, one test. Last nights quiz was based in the 90's, which is recent enough to make it a bit more challenging. Which makes those free drinks taste all the better.

Last night winners were:

1st round: Glasses Are Cool

2nd round: The Cherry Flavored Schmoo's

3rd (new comers): Emma Grants

I had trouble with the orgin of the Cardigans (Swiss vs Swedish) in one question. Look, their all blonde and pretty, ok. 'Nuff said. Also, yes, Ms. Shirley Manson sang for ANGELFISH, not Starfish or Jellyfish or Grungefish or whatever I put down. (Thanks for the correction Schmoo's!)

Thanks to all that came out, see ya'll next week!!

Girls, Girls, GIRLS!!

Fellas, the ladies danced on your corpse last night at Smart-Ass.

We did one round about the food and rock band connection, Dj Shred Savage did a round having to do with movies and wrapped with a great 3rd round if I do say so myself, and I did.

Winner:

1st round: TIE- Pianos Staff & The Cherry Flavored Schmoos
2nd round: The Cherry Flavored Schmoo's
3rd round: One Girl Town (Who by the way, was a single player whose friends invited her and never showed and she went onto win anyway, nice job!)

Tonight at Piano's one of the Schmoo's is throwing a little party with free tequila from Jose Cuervo and three awesome bands. You can go free, just go to http://rollingstone.com/pianos and RSVP.

The triple rock threat!!

Thanks to all that came out last night to witness the awesomeness that was Smart-Ass! Conrad from the band Takka Takka (whom I noticed has a striking resemblance to Gil Gerard from Buck Rodgers,...well, sorta) started things off with a guest round. Great job, C! Afterwards we introduced my new partner in crime; Dj Shred Savage (aka, the lovely Liv) who also did an awesome guest round. She's a breath of fresh rock kids, and she'll be showin' up with fresh questions and she won't be just turning letter blocks like that useless Vanna White. Bitch.... Jking, we love Vanna.

BTW, in case you are mildly curious, sometimes we have a "technical" win, which means that the winners actually got the most points but were not awarded drinks because of an affiation with Piano's ie: the staff (yes, they compete), or me if I'm competing, as I was last night, and drinks are awarded to the 2nd place winners or drink winners becaue we're REALLY fair, FYI. Here's the winners from last night!


1st round: (Technical win) Glasses Are Cool (Brian Devendorf of The National, Beth Devendorf and Dj Spookypants), drink winners: Cherry Flavored Schmoo's (Gina, Beth and Dan)
2nd round: Cherry Flavored Schmoo's
3rd round: Glasses Are Cool (Brian and Beth with Conrad,...who IS rad.)

Props to Glasses and the Schmoo's as there were about 7 teams in the running.

I'm really going to try to get a MySpace page up today, it's kinda hard because I just moved and I can't figure out these damn Ikea directions (fucking Swede's!), but I will do my best.

Seee ya'll next week!!

Umm,..yo..

Last night was off tha hook, fa reals tho! Thanks again to Lord Easy for his rock/rap round. It was awesome. Here are the winners from last night, revel in your rock knowledge!

1st Round: The Unholy Trinity- Jesse, Adam, and Chris
2nd round (Rock/rap): Technical win- The Pianos staff, actual- The Unholy Trinity
3rd round: Thechnical win- The Unholy Trinity, winner: Glasses Are Cool (Brian from The National, Conrad from Takka Takka, and Alex from The Forms)

The Unholy Trinity are up and comers, almost and for the most part, sweeping the night, congrats all!!

Ooops, sorries..

Hey all, ok were back up. Had some logging issues for a couple of weeks but I think we've gotten it sorted.

Tomorrow night, Lord Easy of Karaoke Killed The Cat will be guest hosting on a round of rock and rap trivia, so definately come out for that.

We'll be posting weekly winners as well starting every Tuesday.

ALSO, we got a big article written up about us in the S.I. Advance Weekly, you can read it here

Welcome to The SmartAss trivia blog!!

We'll be posting all sorts of stuff concerning SmartAss trivia here. SmartAss trivia happens every Monday night at 8pm at Piano's in the Lower East Side of NYC. We do three rounds of 10 questions, winners recieve free beers and shots for all teammates up to three. Come out and join us next week!

Last night was the post Oscars edition, concerning musicians who are actors and vice versa. Chad came from Advance Weekly Entertainment (a Staten Island based entertainment paper) to shoot some photos of the night, and Brian Devendorff (The National) djed. It was awesome. Not that dime store type of awesome either, really awesome. Awesome.

Stay tuned for upcoming news and such, check back often, theres all sorts of stuff in the works!