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:

Hail to England, by way of IFC.

Hello, dear reader! Welcome back to another fun filled blog post! So, I have some very exciting news to tell you about. Last Friday I was lucky enough to attend the NYC screening of "All Tommorrow's Parties" by director Jonathan Caouette. It is a collage of footage compiled by concert goers of the 'All Tommorrow's Parties' festival in the UK. The festival is curated by some of today's most amazing indie bands such as Belle and Sebastian, Sonic Youth, Portishead and features such bands as Patti Smith, Grinderman, Iggy and The Stooges, Mogwai, Slint, Grizzly Bear, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Gossip, Daniel Johnston and The Boredoms.

It is an amazing film mainly because of the close proximity of the fans to the bands. It is shot on an English vacation compound that houses all the bands, and from what I could gather, most of the fans as well. Which makes for some interesting, up close and personal interactions with the artist and audience. It literally was like a small, modern Woodstock, only with different drugs. The footage from back in the day when the English would arrive by bus to the compound and expunge on how bloody awesome the place was, only fed the psychedelic tinge the film held. I strongly urge you to seek out this gem (even if it's only on Netflix soon, there was only two days of screening. Which baffles me still! This is an important film and I expect it will be back very soon)!

Thursday night is another fun night of the game. We had a great metal night last week and this coming week promises to be just as fun.

Here's the trailer for All Tomorrow's Parties:

Now Playing:"Master of Puppets" by Metallica

So, dear reader, I have FINALLY gotten confirmation that I will soon be getting the raw footage for the game in the mail soon. That means the ball is rolling and we are another step closer to making this thing bigger than it is. Fingers and toes crossed.

The game has been 'pretty' well attended lately. We are grateful, but we need more teams out still.

Ever heard of love? A friend told me once at a very pivital time that:

Love is all you need, love is like oxygen, love is a many splendored thing. There is Radar love, Adhesive love, love on the rocks. Courtney Love, Mike Love. Tender love, and Modern love. A Whole Lotta Love.

But none higher than the J. Giles band's description: Love Stinks.

You're welcome. Glad I could hip you to that.

Here's proof: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GluCM_ggMvw

State of Love and Trust

Hi, dear reader,..I've missed you so, really I have. I'm sorry that I only blog when I am in the mood, but cardinal rules for me are:

1) NEVER schedule sex! Just takes the wind out of everyone, creates expectations, and needless pressure.

2)NEVER schedule blogging! Just takes the wind out of everyone, creates expectations, and needless pressure.

Ok, so tonight was poorly attended, BUT a very close game! Everything in it's right place, right people were there and I feel like things are a'brewin' again. We're not sure where everyone went after championships? Why did you guys think we were done? We are still rolling along like Aerosmith's train! Get back here!

So much to talk about, hmmm..lessee,..there was a row this week between Courtney and Ryan Adams, no suprise there. Two drama queens square off about who funded Ryans record (I'm inclined to think Ryan is correct and Universal did, but where theres smoke theres usually fire.)

Maryln Manson got the swine flu,...with the chemicals that guy has ingested throughout his career,..just another hang over.

Theres these old Hendrix demos that are going to be released soon. I understand that theres even a collaboration with 2-Pac! I'm telling you people, it's only a matter of time til the celebrity zombie uprising!

Apparently, Steven Tyler and Roger Daltry are going on tour with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra this upcoming holiday season. I hear the rider demands railings in front of the stage so no one falls into the crowd. What??

Zoltan Bathory of Five Finger Death Punch (yeah, never heard of 'em either) went missing after a gig in Vegas, prompting an all out search by the police and their fans (which apparently are legion) and was found on a casino rooftop surrounded by a shitload of small, empty bags and a couple of tired hookers. The tour will continue and thank God we still have SOMEONE out there that acts like a rockstar. How very Russell Hammond AND Superman of you, Zoltan.

Pearl Jam are apparently putting out a new album that promises to be poppier, punkier, and more awesome than the last few records that have come out that we never heard. I'm told Target are the only major retailer who will carry it. Thats fine with me. Target are kinda the perfect retailer for it honestly. They are a forward thinking company who take care of their employee's (My ex used to work for them, and I trust her opinion), but apparently the only other retailers who will carry it are grass-roots, mom and pop record store's. Go get 'em, boys. Maybe one day you truly will be the next Grateful Dead.

Me? It's a dog eat dog world and I'm wearing steak underwear. Lot's more to tell, but honestly, I'm tired and getting weary of typing.

Here are the winners tonight:

1st places: Three and a half chord trick (Dan)-530 pts

2nd place: Morressey aches for anal quivering (Anne and Logan)- 470 pts

3rd place: The band Stewart (Andrea and co.)- 420 pts

Haven't seen Andrea in a coon's age. Good job for joining in the third round!

OH, one more thing, I hear The Small Faces are re-uniting sans Rod Stewart. Thats ok, apparently you earn a pass with that kind of solo career, but I'm disappointed I gotta say. I love me some Rod Stewart AND some Small Faces.What would the Black Crowes be without them?? Eh,...here's a video if you don't know what I mean.