The hiatus of an era

What's up, G?

So, here's the thing,...the game is not going on anywhere, at any time, for the time being. This week, the lovely and gracious owners of Fontana's approached and let me know of their decision to postpone the game for a bit. The reason's were absolutley understandable and no love was lost.

To be honest, I need a break too.

I am trying to concentrate on my OWN rock and/or roll. I AM a songwriter after all and have spent too much time away from my art as opposed to foisting my knowledge about it onto unsuspecting drunks....yes, thats a joke.

So, I think for a bit, we will sniff around and see if anyone wants it to be part of their family, and if not, we'll see how things go in the Fall at our true home. I sincerely want to thank all of the amazing people I have met in the last year and PAST years hosting this game. You are all friends and are held in the highest regard. Especially, Jasper, Deannie, Holly, Mary and every single employee of Fontana's. You have always been supportive and gone above and beyond to make this game a success and show an example of what every rock bar in NYC could, and more importantly, should be about.

We'll be in touch. Look for new gig's by Your New Best Friend in September and the New York Band Draft in October. Those are the next two times you will see me wield the Les Paul Jr again.

I can't WAIT!

IN THE MEANTIME; here is an awesome video to tide you over til the next post. The 'Kilby' interviewing Grohl. Prince is discussed and there is trivia. Enjoy.
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On the state of metal..

Yes, there is true metal to be had in this burg. I've seen it, I experienced it last night via here AND Chicago.

I used to be a little metal dirtbag like many in New Jersey. Growing up there was kind of like a small East coast California. There were fast cars, fast women and fast metal. Somehow, it has survived and is now somehow, all the rage. How did this ugly little genre get to be so fashionable? I know why, sort of. It's because of the hedonistic, reckless abandon it represents and the ones who are just stupid and daring enough to take advantage of it. I am certainly no better.

Last night was metal night at Fontana's and the entire night was nothing but. All metal trivia, former/present groupies (and their children!),free whiskey and pizza,and loud,heavy bands that made the Earth shake. It was heaven. The parts I remember that is. I met a lovely woman who works for a drummer fan boy magazine. I miss that the most thinking back. Getting that fresh copy of Guitar For The Practicing Musician with some crazy shredder on the cover and delving into pages of tabs of the newest and oldest songs that I could learn how to play just like the pros. Where's my guitar? Metal excites me and really, thats the whole reason to love it. It's exciting.

Best team name last night was: Motley Crucifix.

Enjoy one of New Jersey's finest exports!

RIP Alex Chilton

Shit, I'm sorry, I know I've been AWOL for awhile. Been very busy doing all sorts of things but I had to jot down something about Alex Chilton passing. That was a bummer. I got turned onto Big Star by Jennifer Dopson back in 94 when we were desperately trying to not date each other and failing miserably at it. I was big into the Replacements and she couldn't believe I'd never heard of 'em. "You know that song Alex Chilton, it's a real person, silly." I didn't know shit from Shine-ola and she had toured with Sebadoh, so I took her word on it and it was a pretty profound discovery.

We went to see him at The Variety Playhouse in Little 5 Points one night,..fucker didn't play ONE Big Star song. What a gyp!? Anyway, 'Radio City/#1 Record' became a bible to me. I even liked their second album "You and Your Sister", weird as it was to my musical palette at the time.

Big Star was supposed to play at SXSW this year and it was SO devastating for fans like me who were even excited they they were playing at ALL, even if we couldn't actually be there. I was SUPPOSED to see them this last fall but everyone involved, dropped that ball. Westerberg wrote a great op-ed in the New York Times about him, which is fitting because that guy rarely even speaks to anyone apparently, so you know it had to be a semi-smartass eulogy, and it was that, but you could tell tears were hitting the page as he wrote, or typed or whatever. Look it up, I'm too lazy to link.

Thanks for those records, Alex. I hope you are rockin' out up there somewhere. I'll never travel far without you either.

I've been walking in Central Park, singing after dark...

..people think I'm crazy.

Thats sorta true, and maybe it IS. Smartass has been going very well considering. The usual suspects are WAY too busy and dealing with life things, but TimeOut has been kind and we have a whole new stable. So it goes, to quote Vonnegut.

I want to take the opportunity to thank Fontana's, it's always amazing staff, Jasper, and the amazing owners who believe in us and support the night.

I was told tonight that MTV is looking the night over and seriously considering us for the Fall. Fingers crossed. There have been so many awesome people who have came out to play and eat FREE PIZZA! I can't stress enough how FREE the pizza is! ;)

Thursday is Brendan the bartenders' birthday. You better make it out!

Here's where I am: