My triumphant return to the coaxial waves - The best $0.99 you can spend

Thanks to prodding from several trusted sources who prefer to remain nameless, I decided to launch myself back into the blogospace. Lots has happened since the last time I was up here, but who cares about yesterday's laundry? On to the pressing concerns of the day.

What can you buy for under a dollar anymore? Due to the entropy of inflation, a dollar doesn't go as far as it used to (go). Instead of bemoaning this fact, I'd like to put forth a nominee for the best dollar you can spend:



Quick quiz.
Arizona Juices and Teas are awesome because:
a) They only cost $0.99
b) They're a whopping 23.5 fl oz
c) You can get them at the Citgo across the street from my house
d) All of the above

If you picked (d), I'm sorry, try again next time. Because, while the others are true, you can find many things that are both whopping and on my block (for example, the number of religious zealots whose knock on my door serve as my 9 am alarm clock), but they are hardly awesome. Arizona Watermelon juice is awesome because it only costs $0.99. (In unrelated news, I started working for Kaplan Test Prep last week.) Always the one for over-effusion, Arizona made a brilliant decision by making a drink that's cheap because it's just juice concentrate and sugar.

A close runner up is the McDouble.

On a more musical note (!), if you're doing anything tomorrow that is not going to the Fish Head Cantina in Arbutus for the Ed Clopein benefit, then cancel your plans. Forkman is the biggest fan of the blues. Ever. And he needs your help.

A story I might be relating tomorrow:
When I was 19 or 20, I went to Kclinger's in Hanover, PA (a 90 minute haul) to see Junior Watson who, as you know, is a minor blues deity. At 8:45, someone came around collecting covers (fine) and checking IDs (wtf!). Convincing them that my parents were on the way, I managed to narrowly escape eviction, confident in the hope that Ed and Tobi would be able to vouch for me as their offspring. Upon their certain arrival, I professed to the doorman that these old hippies were, in fact, my folks, and I should be allowed to revel in the sol-like lucency that is the relfection of the stage lights off Jr.'s bald dome. Said doorman greeted Ed & Tobi as the old friends they were and proceeded to inquire as to which of Ed & Tobi's 6 daughters I was. With my tirade about transgender equality falling on deaf ears, I was relegated to standing outside in the drizzle listening to Jr. quote "Jingle Bell Rock" through an open window. Did I mention I had drudged my girlfriend at the time through this charade? In retrospect, it's a surprise she stayed married to my ass as long as she did.

Verbose diatribes aside, here's what you need to know:

You.

At Fish Head Cantina.

Tomorrow. All day.

If you're one of those sticklers for details, here ya go.

See you tomorrow. I'm off to Cheeseburger in Paradise in Pasadena.

Olde Bowie Towne Grilleee

Played tonight for a packed house at Old Bowie Town Grill. Bob runs a great joint and having a club owner that's a musician is always a plus. Saw many old friends and made a couple new ones. Notables include Norma Jean and her friend Reeeeneeee (smile to say it!), Zach's grandfolks, Curt with some GREAT blown up pictures from The Country Store, Tom from Zach Sweeney and the Old Weenies (2nd best band name ever!), and the punk rock grrrl at the bar that left before I could say hi. The always effervescent Poxons were also present to bring Andy out to open up for us. Great people, great show, great response, great, great, great. And I didn't even have to play that much. In other news, thanks to Allison for letting me borrow her "NORML" shirt. We decided it's the sorta' thing that you don't kinda' get.

Also, I'd like to have a cheap wireless laptop that lets me have a browser on the road. It should also have a Kerouac. "Why?" you ask. Well, so I can update this hunk of the interstate every day (...I wake up before 4). So, if these troubling times have you down and you have an extra potable interweb box lying (laying, lieing..?) around, give me a holler.

Kelley, out!

Blog Bankruptcy

I, Matt Kelley, do hereby declare blog bankruptcy. All unpaid debts I have to the blogging community shall hereby be annulled. As partial remunerations, I offer the following tidbits.

Gigging: Things couldn't be going better. I have a new gig doing happy hours at Cat's Eye. This makes for incredibly long Fridays, however well worth it, as most of these days, I have 2-fers. If you haven't seen me lately, I've been told that my stage presence has changed dramatically (thanks Mr. E) and I'm making more eye contact, performing more dynamically, and, consequently, attracting more female attention, which is always appreciated. Also, PP has now added Zach Sweeney on upright bass.

Recording: Idle Americans has been in the studio the last few weeks, and you're not going to believe how good some of these songs sound. The Kid's playing is unbelievable. We're looking at a release date of June/July. PP is also looking to go in the studio; we're just trying to figure out which one. The Big Boy Little Band has been making some great live recordings at Zoo Bar.

Other news:

'Nuff said.

Zoo Bar tonight!

Zoo Bar 2-12-09 Big Boy Little Band

Zoo Bar
3000 Connecticut Ave
Washington, DC

A couple weeks ago, I had the (admittedly rare) drunk idea that stood up in sober light to challenge Allan to a Desert Island Dozen, listing the 12 albums that you could not live the rest of your life without. A couldn't quite get it down to 12, but here goes nothing...

Matt's Desert Island (Baker's) Dozen

William Clarke – Tip of the Top
The Faint – Danse Macabre
Holly Fats Band – Rock This House
Ray Wylie Hubbard – Live at Stingaree 4-13-07
BB King – Live at the Regal
Little Walter - The Essential Little Walter:1
The Pixies – Doolittle
Reverend Horton Heat – Smoke 'Em if You Got 'Em
Jimmie Rivers & the Cherokees – Brisbane Bop
Raymond Scott - Reckless Nights & Turkish Twilights
Junior Wells – Blues Collection
Hank Williams III – Straight to Hell
Stevie Wonder – Songs in the Key of Life

(in alpha order)

In other exciting news, this blog's now the first hit when Googling 'Giggin for a Livin'.

Quarry House AND! Bangkok Blues 2-8-09 The Idle Americans and Pessimist Parade

My first 2-fer (2 gigs in a day) since I started blogging!

Quarry House (2-6)
Georgia Ave & Bonifont
Silver Spring, MD

onto

Bangkok Blues (7-11)
926 W. Broad St.
Falls Church, VA

I am a big fan of playing shows at The Quarry House with both bands, The Idle Americans and Pessimist Parade. One of the biggest goals I've had since starting down this tortuous musical path is to unite the Skins (young punks) and Rockabilly cats (old punks) and playing shows with both bands is a big step towards that. IA played a great set (if a little long) that turned on some of the PP fans to us. It was frustrating to tell some of the skins for months that I was in another band that was really good and get shrugged off. But, the only way to change minds is for folks to see us play.

Pessimist's set was also really good (I remembered to stay sober!) until the last 3 songs. We had folks right were we wanted them, we were getting ready for the last 3 songs ANDDDDDDDDD...Wilson's bass broke. The ground came loose. So, after fumbling around for a couple minutes, losing everyone's interest and any energy we had in the set, we played two last songs as a trio and Rio and JJ did 'She Said' as a Lux Interior (RIP) and Hazel Atkins tribute.

*scramble, scramble, scramble*

By the time we got to Bangkok and played our opening set, we were all chugging Red Bulls, trying to keep some energy up. And poor Scott, it was his 3rd gig that day after doing his Sunday church service (I know, right?) in the morning.

This was also remarkable for being the first time in 3 days that I hadn't seen Mr. Enthusiasm.

Last gig for today coming up...

Zoo Bar 2-7-09 Big Boy Little Band

Zoo Bar
3000 Connecticut Ave
Washington, DC

Ok, y'all can stop givin' me shit now because I'm back with a vengeance.

And I think I even remember all the gigs I've played since then.

The last time we played a full night at the Zoo Bar on the first Saturday, I had a manic time getting down to Zoo Bar because the way I use to get out of Baltimore was blocked and I spent 30 minutes longed than I planned in downtown Brawlmer. That'll learn me to cut things too close. I've been really good about showing up on time since then though (knock on computer desk).

After showing up 15 min late and setting up, I look out in the crowd and notice DC harmonica/singer luminary Bruce Ewan was kind enough to join us. After the gig, he talked to Big Boy and some of that conversation was relayed to the band and seemed to support the reflections that I had on the Big Boy Little Band from Thursday.

Bruce confirmed that the new originals were a strong point to the band and that the flow had improved due to the aforementioned brutal practice schedule (3 times a month is intense for a blues band). I (we?) was (were?) also flattered when he said that we should skip over trying to book bars in the area and move right to bigger venues (the Wolf Traps, State Theatres, and festivals) of the DC music world. So, I managed to recover from my late start and we put on what I thought was a good show where a number of regulars that might have departed at midnight a couple months ago stayed around an extra hour or two (or three (I *heart* (parentheses))).

On to the next gig...

Country Store 2-6-09 Idle Americans

Country Store
somewhere down Medley's Neck Rd.
Leonardtown, MD

The only way I am fortunate enough to be doing what I'm doing is via the kindness of friends and strangers. I get to eat (and not just pay my rent, etc.) because of folks nice enough to drop a little in the tip bucket. Often I get to sleep because friends nice enough to let me crash at their place offer up a couch. I was fortunate enough to meet another friend at the Country Store that happened to live across the street from BFE who not only had his own place, but a full band set up.

But, before the after-hours jam that lasted till 7 in the morning, there was the CS jam. Here I was going to give an annotated slideshow of the jam, but Shutterfly won't let me d/l, embed, or nuthin.

So, screw you Shutterfly.
Comments welcome.

Suffice to say that we were graced with the company of the Big Money Experience (incluye two-way sax) and Carl-from-across-the-pond, who's a whiz on the pedal steel. Personally, I theorize that pedal steel players have an extra brain-organ that helps them deal with all those strings, levers, pedals, and bars.

Oh, so much has happened since then. I'm gonna have to go on a blogging binge.

Zoo Bar Jam 2-5-09 Big Boy Little Band

Zoo Bar
3000 Connecticut Ave.
Washington, DC

Reflections on the progress of the Big Boy Little Band:

As Bret (Big Boy Little) has said out there on the interwebs, he wasn't sure what he was going to do when Rusty left: whether he would dissolve the band or try to soldier on with someone else. I was honored when I got fingered (TWSS!) to take Rusty's place in the band, but I wasn't sure whether the feel of the band would be up to BBL standards. I feared it might be a shadow of its former self and fizzle out.

After practicing with the band (OMGee! in Blues-World), playing a couple months of gigs, hearing feedback from others, and listening with my own damn ears, here are my findings:

1) We're a lot tighter band. Due to practicing, songs don't seem to all have the same structure (that is, there are separate 'parts' for every song). This gives the night a better flow, keeps people around, and takes out some of the 'drag' that blues shows can have after a while. At the beginning, BBL was making set lists, but we almost don't need that anymore, because we have a larger repertoire.

2) The band has more breadth. Because we're practicing, we can bring in some songs that take a couple minutes (hours?) to figure out. Memphis soul, New Orleans R&B, and some more arranged songs (as well as arrangements that are combinations of these) are no longer off-limits. See: 'Memphis Train', 'Down Home Girl', 'Get Out My Life, Woman'. Also, because I'm singing songs, it breaks the set up when Artie's not there (which is most of the time).

3) The originals that BBL has been bringing are not your standard fare blues songs and really add some pop to the band. People tend to respond more when they like a song and know it's yours.

4) I can not put together an epic solo like Rusty can. Rusty Bogart can solo for 12 verses and tell a story with it, making no 2 licks sound the same. When he gets brings a solo to a close, as an audience member, I felt a needed a 'phew!' kinda' breath. I can go for about 2 minutes at the max. Some people like this because they get bored with just guitar, guitar, guitar. Some see it as artistic expression that makes showing up worth showing up. I fall in the latter category.

5) In any case, we have not had a slow night at the Zoo Bar as the Big Boy Little Band. Some nights have been better than others. But, in general, bigger crowds are coming, people are staying longer, and the tip bucket and the ring reflect this. And, if anything, fewer musicians are coming compared to diners, drinkers, and fans. In blues jam world, this=good, because musicians tend to have low tabs and take up space (myself included). And, Wolf and I have only had this gig during the winter. The real test will be to show if we can sustain this good attendance into the busy months.

My New Year's Resolutions were (I know it's late, but I didn't want to jinx myself):
1) Update this blog with every gig.
2) Keep up with recording my income/expenses.
3) Go to a bar to see/play music every night.

NYR findings:
1) Grade: C- I'm about a week behind.
2) Grade: D I'm about two weeks behind.
3) Grade: A+ Haven't missed a day.

Cheers!

Tyson's Tavern 2-4-9 Ken-G Songwriter's Night

Tyson's Tavern
2112 Fleet St.
Baltimore, MD

On my Monday night pub crawl, I usually stop by the open mic at Leadbetter's in Fells Point to

a) practice new songs
b) hang out with musicians
c) fulfill my insatiable desire to play live music
d) try to hook up with the bartender
e) all of the above

If you picked (e), you are wrong because the answer was (f).



(f) only a), b), and c)

because that's not the type of guy Fonz is.

Anyway, Ken-G Shorts was hosting and he came up to me and asked if I had any plans for Wednesday, when he hosts a songwriter's night at Tyson's at Fleet and Boston. I told him I had plans before recognizing that he wanted to have me on a gig.

My first solo acoustic gig!

So, after apologizing for not being able to hang out on Wednesday, I show up and there's another fine, fine singer/songwriter named Kristin Watts. In a unique format, the three of us trade songs all night, filling in when we can. Ken-G has a really great ear for chords, so he can usually find something on some instrument (mandolin, lap guitar...) to fit.

After doing all our originals and a couple odd covers, Kristin had to leave at 11. Ken asked if I wanted to stay till 12 and I wasn't doing anything, so I said sure.

That's when the fun started.

We ended up trading songs back and forth as more late-nighters wandered in until 1:30. The owner, Dean, really seemed to enjoy us and Ken knows so many songs, both common and un-, that he could pick things that were predictable or memorable enough to follow along with (sorry, sorry, sorry!!! --with which to follow along) that we could both play/sing all night. The bald contingent (Rucker, Dr. Pimpenstein, and Dean) made for a good time with odd requests, Mr. Enthusiasm (Pino) showed up to keep the night interesting, and I met a bunch of remarkably cool people (well, mainly 1). The night did not end until well into the morning, which made it hard to run errands on Friday. Speaking of errands, I must split. Will be back with the weekend wrap-up next time.

Next: Need to blog Thurs., Fri., Sat., and, oh shit, fucking SUNDAY!

Cat's Eye 2-3-09 The Idle Americans

Cat's Eye Pub
1730 Thames St.
Fells Point
Baltimore, MD

This was the first full set (that I remember) that IA had played in some time and, from the reactions of the band and several folks who have seen as on numerous occasions, probably our best show ever. Sadly, owner-bartender Tony was not there due to a wicked hand injury, but Dave Palmer filled in.

The people that wandered in liked us, stayed, got on the e-mail list, bought a CD, and vowed to be back in a month. The number of fans that we bring in that go out of our way to see us is steadily growing (shout-outs to Josh Lieberman and his whole crew (Duke, Liz, etc.), Kim & Bob, Kingsnake, Steve Kierns, Bonnie & Andy, The Trossbachs). Even the day-time bar staff (hi Jackie!) even stayed 'till the end of the night. The only notable absences were Chris, Dora, and Allison.

The originals were tighter than they'd ever been. Wolf and I were pretty unanimous on the set list. And once my hands got warmed up, Zach and I were firing on all cylinders (or some other mixed metaphor).

Tomorrow: First ever solo acoustic gig at Tyson's in Canton!

Bangkok Blues Blues Jam 2-1-09 The Idle Americans

Bangkok Blues
926 W Broad St.
Falls Church, VA

Apparently, there was some soccer game today that most folks watch, so instead of 7-11, the jam was from 2-6.

So, after seeing (Dave)^4 (The Swinging Daves at Cat's Eye), I got a ride back with Chris & Josh to my house. I woke up with enough time to spare--if my car had been at my house instead of on the other side of Baltimore. So, I frantically scurried the streets of Baltimore looking for a cab and, for the first time since I started blogging, I was late for a gig; which is pretty good for me.

So, thanks to Wolf for starting the jam without me. The one 3 song set we did play as The Idle Americans was held to a very responsive crowd that, for a remarkable number of people, were champs and stayed from 2-6. When I showed up at 10 past 2, the place was as crowded as I've ever seen it at 7 on jam night.

Also of note, Rt. 7 looks very different in the day light. Who would've known?

Next: Cat's Eye on Tuesday

Zoo Bar 1-30-09 The Idle Americans

Zoo Bar
3000 Connecticut Ave
Washington, DC

I remember everything that happened before the gig. I hung out with Nikki, went to Chris's, we had a jam and he drove my car to the bar.

I remember everything after the bar: Chris driving my car back, getting pulled over at the traffic stop, eating chicken soup, crashing in the guest room.

But, the gig itself is a total blank.

Could not tell you a single song I played.

And while alcohol was a factor, I wasn't black-out drunk. Any suggestions, please comment.

Next: Tomorrow off, Stupor Bowl Sunday at Bangkok

Zoo Bar 1-29-09 Big Boy Little Band

Zoo Bar
3000 Connecticut Ave
Washington, DC

Ode to the Back Room:

Bastion of the tired
Manager of our respite
From the noise at the bar
That so often holds us despot

Not that you aren't good
But we do this all night
And we just want a break
Or to have a little light

To eat our bacon cheeseburger
Or opine on what we're sick of
And where else in the bar
Am I gonna' read this week's Savage Love?

So farewell Back Room
And here stops my bitchin'
Cause while we don't have our space
At least Steve gets a bigger kitchen

Next: Zoo Bar, take 2

Bangkok Blues Blues Jam 1-25-09 The Idle Americans

Bangkok Blues
926 W Broad St.
Falls Church, VA

I should have just set up a cot in the back and stayed the night.

I've developed a habit when I'm at jams that I'll call "Ship without a Port" (kudos to Scott on the name). Since I've been coming here a minute, I know most people that wander through the door on a Sunday night. This is, of course, amazing. There are so many people to talk and catch up with that I end up not ever staying at any one seat or table.

This is not inconvenient until you go out to just listen to music. I can not sit still in a bar anymore. I'm like a 5-year-old at a birthday party. I have to be either talking to someone at the bar, smoking outside, smoking inside, in the back writing a song, making Family Guy references with Zach, squatting down talking to Wolf and Connie, or any other number of brief enterprises.

Is it possible to develop ADHD at 25? Cause I hear that adderall stuff is pretty cool.

Also, I realized on Tuesday night that that last stint was 11 gigs in 12 days. Go Matt!

Next: These last few days off
Next-Next: Zoo Bar on Thursday AND Friday

Bangkok Blues 1-24-09 The Idle Americans

Bangkok Blues
926 W Broad St.
Falls Church, VA

Top 5 reasons why this gig was awesome:

5. We played the early show, so I could play and then start partying and listening to music. That's a much more convenient order than what typically happens.

4. It was a pretty good payday.

3. Nikki was there, but didn't have to work.

2. During our set, the dining room was full and a lot of folks stayed for the Swampkeepers.

1. The Swampkeepers were awesome. They played good songs and played them well. Ian Walters is not a totally unique animal, a completely new species (his name even sounds like an 18th-century taxonomist). I am pretty sure that if Ian and I had learned different instruments, then we could switch places.

Apehangers 1-23-09 Idle Americans

Apehangers
Rt. 301 south of La Plata
Bel Alton, MD

Apehangers is a biker bar. There are no two ways about it. Every conversation going on outside while people were smoking involved either bikes or ink. Needless to say, the Idle Americans are not standard fair for this place. The impression that I got was that most bands in there have there Marshall half stacks, Ampeg 8x12s, subwoofers on the PAs playing their Nickelback and Monster Magnet covers (for the uninitiated, REALLY loud, REALLY generic rock).

At places like this, generally the only people that like us are the doormen and bartenders because we're something different. This is also the same reason that we don't go over so huge with the regs. We did manage to make a couple new fans with our obscure covers and a couple of fans from other venues down-these-parts showed up. All-in-all though, the place was kinda empty and we don't bring heavy drinkers. But, the regulars in the back did stick around all night shooting pool and shimmying to our Ramones cover. I'd be surprised if we got another gig here, which is fine by me, but a payday is a payday.

To give you a flavor for the night, in-between songs, Zach launched into the head for AC/DC's "Hells Bells". That's funny if you're playing at, say, Bangkok where it's assumed that you won't play Hells Bells. But, at a place where it's assumed you will play Hells Bells, it just comes off as disappointing. Though, as Wolf pointed out, Zach is more than welcome to play Hells Bells if he sings it.

Zoo Bar Jam 1-22-09 Big Boy Little Band

Zoo Bar
3000 Connecticut Ave.
Washington, DC

It took me a while, but I finally found it. Generally, when I go to a restaurant regularly, I order the same thing and I hadn't found that Zoo Bar dish that was to replace all others. So, perhaps in reference to the roots of the blues, I recommend the beef brisket sandwich.

Most of The Swampkeepers--the new blues band that's sweeping through the DC roots community--showed up. It made me look forward to the show we played with them on Saturday at Bangkok, but more on that later. Ian Walters is an amazing vocalist. He has a style that immediately recognizable and no note is ever out of place. It's also good to see that Alan Hoffman is back in fine form after setting the Guiness Record for Fastest Recovery from Arm Surgery.

Next: Hanging of the Apes

Glen Echo 1-20-09 The Idle Americans

Glen Echo Spanish Ballroom
Glen Echo Park
MacArthur Blvd.
Glen Echo, MD

I normally abhor playing Glen Echo. Due to its swing-dancy nature, we are limited in our song choice almost to where they're dictating bpms. The place is huge, but loud, so we have to turn WAY down (Jamie-the-sound-guy, though a sweet guy, is always bringing up some sound issue with me). And you can't even drink!

I don't know if it was all the Change-love in the air, but Tuesday was actually a pretty fun gig. First of all, traffic was supposed to be redonkulous, but ended up much ado about nothing. It was the lightest Beltway traffic I have EVER seen on a Tuesday at 6pm. Musically, our oeuvre has expanded to the point where I really don't have to limit myself too much in song choice. After playing there 6 times, I finally was able to find an amp setting that I didn't hate that was low enough for them. And Scott and I found this Thai place so we didn't have to sit around the back room, cold and sober.

The waltz band that was on before us was A-mazing. It was sort of a thrown together group of pros (Jamie called them The Gigmesiters), but they were tight. Like, so tight that Rob Bamburger's a fool for not booking them when he does a live thing.

And the fact that about 300 folks showed up in everything from jean shorts to tails (we were somewhere in between) and it was a good payday for a frickin' freezin' Tuesday made it the sort of gig that makes me love what I do.

I was expecting to spend after hours in DC because the bars were all open till 4. Turns out only the bars I didn't want to be in were open till 4 and I ended up at Josh's at 2.

Up Now: Headin' off to Zoo
On Deck: Friday at biker-bar-bar-none Apehangers
In The Hole: Saturday at Bangkok with Ian, Joaquin, and Bob's band

JV's 1-19-09 The Idle Americans

JV's
6666 Arlington Blvd.
Falls Church, VA

This was our best attended and most well-received show at JV's so far. Lorraine and the bar staff are being real receptive, though we're not making a huge pull (plus they have great outlaw country type stories). The regulars all know about us by now, but the semi-regulars musician-y types still aren't coming in droves. I mean, we're young folks that play old-folks music and we play it well. Though, old folks are slow to change... Though, DC legend Billy Hancock did make it out and he gave me a compliment on the song-writing and Zach props on the picking, which was cool. Folks stayed till the end and were requesting songs, we finally pulled off "Fine, Fine, Fine", and Sariel came out with Spencer, who I haven't seen since I was engaged. All in all, a fine, fine, fine night.

Next: Obama-nation

Bangkok Blues Jam 1-18-09 Idle Americans

Bangkok Blues
926 W. Broad St.
Falls Church, VA

We need to start getting some new blood out here. I mean, all the regulars out sounded mighty fine as usual, but some of the punks (I'm looking at you, Wilson) and folks from other jams (Liz) need to start taking this thing to the next level of both musicianship and popularity. Otherwise, this one was a blur. On the upside, I did get to hang out with Nikki, Laura, and Dawn afterward. :) Oh, and Scott is starting to fit in better, both from a personality and musical perspective.

Next: JV's, INAUGURATION-CELEBRATION, Zoo...

Country Store 1-17-09 Idle Americans

Country Store
Medley's Neck Rd
Leonardtown, MD

When we decided to move the jam from Thursdays (because Wolf and I got the Zoo Bar gig), we knew we were gonna have 2 weekends a month over there and we weren't sure if we wanted to make them both jams, or one a jam and one a gig, or what.

Pros for making them both jams:
1. More musicians will come out because they can play.
2. The same number (or more) non-musicians will come out because the slight drop in musicianship won't scare them away and their friend might be playing.
3. More time to sit around, talk, smoke, and drink.

Cons for making both a jam:
1. The very few blues nazis around won't come out for a slightly inferior show.
2. We don't get to put on the best show possible.

So, I didn't really think it was a decision and both the 1st Friday and 3rd Saturday are jams now. Andy Poxon and Big Money both came out. Doug brought the whole crew. I had a good chat with the new owner. Little drunk hillbilly kept hitting on me and then had to leave with mom. All in all, a successful jam. The fact that I ended the night with a flat tire barely put a damper on my night.

Next: Keep on chuggin'

Stan & Joe's 1-16-09 Idle Americans

Stan & Joe's
37 West St.
Annapolis, MD

This was both our first time at Stan & Joe's and our first time in Annapolis. Remember that show "Wild On.."? I remember seeing on of those for Annapolis and I thinked to myself, "How could Annpolis, MD be that wild of a time?" Then, I played Stan & Joe's.

The place is tiny. We had to set up our mics on the floor because the stage was so small. The place was shoulder to shoulder all night. People were dancing in the aisles because there was no place else to dance (note to self: Don't bring your mic-stand drink holder to this gig unless you prefer your beer on the floor.) The bar staff seemed like they were used to the fights outside and drunk chicks passing out on the curb (I don't know how their asses didn't freeze to the concrete...). We played an ok set, but that was less important than the impression that we made that I'm pretty sure will lead to another gig here.

And that was all before closing time.

After hours, we met a traveling politico named Dan who went with Connie, Wolf, and I to the Double-T diner down the street. Dan was the type of cool guy (with an extra bed in his hotel room) that make it possible for me to lead this lifestyle that I've carved out for myself. We were up till 5 trading stories about Reverend Horton Heat, polishing off a bottle of wine, and trying to hide his black lab from the hotel staff.

The next day, I had to go to Leonardtown, so if I went home and showered and stuff, I would have basically had to have turned around and gone right back out again. Oh, and Obama was speaking in Baltimore on his whistle-stop thinger, so I wouldn't have been able to get into town anyway. So, I headed straight down to Country Store...

Next: busy week...working every day except Wednesday.

Zoo Bar Jam 1-15-09 Big Boy Little Band

Zoo Bar
3000 Connecticut Ave.
Washington, DC

This has been a rock 'n' roll week. Now, if I could just get the sex and drugs up to this level, I'd be well on my way to fulfillment of the Trinity.

So, to start from the beginning, Zoo Bar was packed on Thursday, filled with some of the finest things that have ever stepped foot on Connecticut Ave to smoke a cigarette in the single digits. I showed up my usual 10 min. before the gig, hustled all my stuff in, parked, went to the Back Room to get that chair I put my amp on..

..and I were devasted.

The Back Room was gone!

It just fucking disappeared!

Apparently, Steve is expanding the kitchen at the expense of the Back Room. Now, I really respect the man, his business sense, and any decision he makes for his Bar, but that doesn't mean I didn't cry a little tear on the inside.

I can't very well read-Dan-Savage-on-the-day-it-comes-out-in-City-Paper if there's no Back Room. I can't very well sit and talk with Robbie about how I fucked up "Get Out My Life, Woman". And I can't very well have only two choices: the loud, dark Bar (which is generally where I prefer to hang out in general, but, sometimes, it can be a bit intense) or Outside, which you may have noticed is fucking Arctic lately.

But, I'll manage.

On the upside, the Band is starting to sound a lot tighter and we're working in a lot of new stuff due to practices. This is not your grandfather's Big Boy Little Band.

I didn't realize this would take that long; See you at JV's tonight.

Next: JV's tonight and I post about the poetic seaside town of Annapolis...Annapolis Gone Wild. Oh, and Glen-Echo-InauguraDancefest.

Bangkok Blues Jam 1-11-09 Idle Americans

Bangkok Blues
926 W Broad St.
Falls Church, Va

I meet someone for the first time and the conversation almost inevitably goes:

Random Person: How long have you been playing guitar?
Matt with the Hat: *feigns thought* Well, I started when I was 12 or 13, so about.....12 years.

RP: Why did you pick it up?
MwtH: Well, originally I wanted to accompany myself on vocals, but then I got better than on guitar than I was at singing, so I just sorta rolled with that.

RP: But, you seem to be doing alright on vocals now.
MwtH: Yeah, I started coming to blues jams and I started singing again because I got to pick the songs if I did it that way.

In music, and especially in a jam atmosphere, the song exists independently of the people playing it. When a person calls a song, it's the job of the people up there to play THAT song. Not to show how many meedlies or weedlies or minor chordlies you know. If you want to revel in your own shit, then please, stay at home and masturbate. By way of Scott, I recommend this pr0n site. Hell, you can even rent a practice space for $50 an hour, play as loud as you want and not bother Nikki ordering your appetizer and waters all night.

I'm not saying I know every song ever, but if I get up there and someone calls something off the wall, then I'm gonna do my best to find SOMETHING that fits THEIR song. On Sunday, a wonderful young lady (who's name escapes me) knew she was going to play a set with me, and, in a very courteous move, came up to me and talked before the set to make sure I knew what the songs were gonna' be so it wasn't a train-wreck.

So, I would suggest, if you're a moderately considerate musician with a moderately sized ego, that when you're up there with Johnny Wanks-a-lot and a solo gets thrown to you, instead of playing the at-this-point-standard two choruses of solo, you play one, make your point, and get the fuck out. Blues songs on 78s and 45s only had 3 minutes in the first place, which wasn't time for two choruses of solo, so for an example of a beautiful one chorus solo, look at almost anything T-Bone Walker, Guitar Slim, or Pee Wee Crayton ever did.

(end rant)

I had a ridiculous amount of down-time this week, having Saturday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday off and I hated it. I'm gonna' go try and book some early-in-the-week gigs.

Next: Jam tonight at Zoo

Frisco's 1-9-9 Idle Americans

Frisco's
somewhere in
Columbia, MD

I suppose Columbia's an ok town. I certainly know enough cool people from there (Chuck and Chana come to mind). But, damned if it isn't all identical strip malls and office parks. It's like the background of a Tom & Jerry cartoon. Rucker's now spent upwards of 2 hours wandering around the town looking for Frisco's, being successful only 1/2 the time (last night was not a success (Joe: "I guess that depends on how you look at it.")).

Frisco's is an ok gig, I guess. The bartenders are certainly cool enough. A lot of people that won't come to see us anywhere else catch us here (mostly Baltimorons restricted to weekends out). Last time we clicked with a few folks from the crowd (it's where I debuted all of "Hot Rod Lincoln" by request). But, we just didn't click on Friday.

In fact, I'm not gonna' say anything else about this shit before I talk to the band.

I gotta go to Bangkok anyway.

At least Laura & Angel were nice enough to let me blow off steam with Glenn after-hours.

Next: BB jam, now

Zoo Bar jam 1-8-09 Big Boy Little band

Zoo Bar
3000 Connecticut Ave
Washington, DC

As Bret would say, Thursday was "another night of fine, fine music at the Zoo Bar".

After stopping by Hobo Manor*** for a chill, I ordered the beef brisket sandwich (which I think is my new favorite). Oh, the quality of music later in the night almost made me forget the first set that would never end. Bret started "Don't Start Me To Talkin'" in A instead of G. Right at the onset of "It's My Life, Baby", which is my fav song to play, my amp stopped making noise. No pop. No squeal. No smoke. Just stopped. So, I plugged into (Joaquin's?) Pro Junior that was up there and the reverb wouldn't turn off. Then, at the end of the set, I plugged into my Harmony again and everything worked fine.

Anyway.

Doug Jay and El Torro Gamble came out for a rare appearance and Steve and I were lucky enough to get to play a set with them. Doug is universally recognized as one of the finest harp players to come out of the area. Then, they torridly (get it?) left together.

Alan said his arm might be good enough to play next week after being out of commission for weeks, so that's good news.

And we wrapped up the night with (another) "It's My Life, Baby", so I got my fix.

Next: IA at Frisco's in Columbia

***Hobo Manor deserves a shout out here. It's where JJ, Doug, and Alex live in Takoma Park. If these guys weren't as cool as they are, I would never be able to do this like I do (well, it would certainly be a hell of a lot harder (Zach: "That's what she said.")). It's in-between gigs and Bmore in a lot of cases and these guys have gone out of there way to loan me a couch to crash on when I need it. But, why is it called Hobo Manor? I thought you'd never ask. So, we'd be there all day hanging out with Doug and someone would call and ask where we were and someone would say, "Oh, we're at JJ's" even though nobody had seen J all day. So, I was lucky enough to be able to neutrally dub the place "Hobo Manor" after the fire-barrel with the skull that's a fixture of the driveway.

Bangkok Blues Dance Weds. 1-7-9 Idle Americans

Bangkok Blues
926 W. Broad St.
Falls Church, VA

If all the night's got together and raced, Wednesday night would have come in dead last.

That's not to say that it wasn't a good gig. The 2-3 couples that were there to dance stayed the WHOLE night and were up for 3/4 of songs. Someone (who may want to remain nameless) from a record label based in MN stopped by and showed some interest. Though, in his words, we were "sleepwalking through" most of the first set. But, then we picked it up with what I thought were good versions of "Winter of Broke" (thanks Dawn and Lisa for the nice things you said about this'un) and "Sometimes I Think". Nikki brought out Laura, Dawn, and a few other friends of hers. And I finally got to meet Border's Ashley.

So, I keep reminding myself that every show should be the best one you can put forward no matter how many folks are there.

And Wednesday proved it.

Next: Zoo jam
Then: Frisco's on Friday

Cat's Eye Pub 1-6-09 Idle Americans

Cat's Eye Pub
1730 Thames St.
Fells Point
Baltimore, MD

For a shitty, rainy Tuesday in January, this was a pretty good gig. We did a lot in the tip jar, I got my jar tipped, and (as usual at Cat's Eye) everyone came to dance.

Special appearances were made by Bonnie Boswell from Waterfront (who danced her ass off), Nelson who gave me a CD he had promised, Billy Hogg saw me electric for the first time, and the crazy-haired guy from WTF who seemed to really dig us.

But, the night was stolen by Josh Lieberman, the pimp of the Cat's Eye, for having the two finest looking women there.

We played a solid set, song after song. From what I remember. Which is not a whole lot. Apparently, I ended the night by saying to Scott, "See ya later, FATSO!"

Next: Dance Wednesday @ Bangkok Blues

Heaven and Hell 1-4-09 Pessimist Parade

Heaven & Hell
18th St.
Adam's Morgan
Washington, DC

Everyone once in a while, I give up an Idle Americans gig to play with Pessimist. This was one of those days.

So, I texted my phonebook about the gig tonight and Tara reminded me that there was a hardcore matinee show at The Quarry House and so we all went down there beforehand to promote and get a bunch of people from there over to Heaven & Hell later on. And a bunch of people did come.

Thankfully, they got there after the rappers.

Dave Murray, who bartends there on Sundays, had been doing an open-mic hip-hop night so a bunch of those guys "opened" for us. And it was surreal had bad they were.

Anyway, we got up and played our set (and I managed to stay sober long enough to, you know, remember the songs and stuff) and thankfully we had a bunch of Pessimist's regulars out there that knew the songs and were dancing. So, then all these brothers get up and start dancing too. Even to the Johnny Cash-type stuff!! You haven't lived until you've seen four thugged-out brothers with their arms around each other's shoulders moving their feet to punkabilly.

Good show all around.

Later on, I was getting my last drink and there was some confusion about the price 'cause it was late and the guy standing next to me offered to pay for it. Turns out he knows my old roommate Scott and he asked me if I knew Nick Curran.

I was floored.

I'm the guy that asks you if you've heard of Nick Curran. Nick Curran is a big part of the reason I'm doing what I'm doing. He showed me that you can get into the whole punk thing and still stay a roots player.

Anyway, he had booked some shows for Kim a while back and had toured as merch guy for Deke Dickerson (another of my top 10 guitar players) when he was 18. So, nice meeting you, Chris. Hope we meet up again sometimes.

Next: tonight at Cat's Eye w/ Idle Americans

Zoo Bar 1-3-09 Big Boy Little Band

Zoo Bar
3000 Connecticut Ave
Washington, DC

Young kids don't need no there music to be hippin' and hoppin' to dance to it.

Big Boy Little's monthly Zoo Bar gig was pleasantly besieged by Dancin' Sheila and her ilk for her birthday on Saturday. Events coordinator Connie Warner ensured that there was cake. Even before she got there, the chillun' were up dancin'.

We did a pretty good "How Blue Can You Get" and "Get Out My Life Woman" went off hitch-less. As Bret said, "It's amazing how much practice good does." Or some spoonerism.

Predictably, the night ended with female drama, but that's for quite another blog.

Next: Tomorrow w/ Pessimist at Heaven & Hell
Later: IA @ Cat's Eye on Tuesday

The Country Store 1-2-09 Idle Americans

Country Store
Medley's Neck Rd.
Leonardtown, MD

This shit is getting huge.

The Country Store is literally the only business within 5 miles. It's a blues jam in the outskirts of Leonardtown, St. Mary's County, MD for fuck's sake.

And we get 150 people coming through the place. Most of them aren't musicians.

A mom-less Andy Poxon came out and wowed.

Gay: "Does he stop the room because he's 14?"
Matt: "No, he's just that good."

We were treated to THE BIG MONEY EXPERIENCE. Words do not do it justice.

And Will sounded better than I've ever heard him sound.

On the down side, the new management stopped giving me free beer. But, that's probably good for you as I fuck up fewer songs sober.

So, I'd say that if you live within 15 miles of Leonardtown High School that you should come down. But, I think everyone that that applies to already does.

Also, I'd welcome any opinions: IA's next CD: "Pomade & Cigarettes".

Next: Tomorrow at Zoo w/ Big Boy Little
On deck: Sunday at Heaven & Hell w/ PP
In the Hole: Tuesday at Cat's Eye

The Sidebar 1-1-09 Pessimist Parade

The Sidebar Tavern
Corner of Lexington & Lombard
Baltimore, MD

So, on nights that I'm not gigging, for fun I gig with Pessimist Parade. Punkabilly's what we call it. JJ Damage is the frontman's frontman. If you wanna' see a guy own a stage, come out and see Pessimist.

So, the best laid plans..., right? We had a really good practice the day of, where we play the set we're gonna play and everyone agrees on the order of things. Get to the club in plenty of time. See Alex Fine's new instrumental band and The Arkhams (thanks for the CD, man) play fine, fine sets. Oh, and that other band from NYC I forget the name of was good, too (sick upright). Then, I get drunk on Natty Boh* and Jagermeister** and forget half my licks and can't play the other half right.

My bad.

Though the thing about the punk stuff (that I don't really like) is the reception is generally the same. Still, I wanted to OWN those songs.

Next: Friday night Country Store jam

*Best Beer in the World
**Satan's negotiator

Scott's II 12-31-08 Idle Americans

Scott's II
7070 Port Tobacco Road
Welcome, MD

Our fabulous drummer, founding member of IA, Mike O'Donnell played his last gig with us on New Year's Eve of '08. Responsibilities got the better of him and playing as much as IA does wasn't possible anymore. Thanks for sticking it out as long as you could, Mikey!


Oh, and Scott gave me shit for not mentioning him yet, so I'd like to welcome for the world our new drummer Scott Rabino. Perty, huh?

New Year's Eve gigs are unavoidable and dreaded. Unavoidable because everyone has one and the pay is usually double. Dreaded because it's amateur night at the Apollo.

Take Wednesday for example. In between our sets, there was a DJ that played the sort of songs that I would be forced to endure when chaperoning 7th grade dances in my previous life. We played a good set but the fact that the song that had the most dancers was "Electric Slide" (5 hops this time!) had my shoulders shrugging their hardest.***

All in all, from the meatballs (which were good!) to the grinding hillbillies (which were not good!) to the bikers that came out to see us (which was awesome!) to waking up staring at a 100-year old carousel horse (which was not awesome!), a surreal night.

Next: Thursday w/ Pessimist at Sidebar

***Apologies to Dancin' Doug--you're the man.