Doppel Ganger

So the new album is done...sort of. We still have to mix and master it and come up with the artwork. All very important and time intensive things, but it's hard to be patient when all of my work is done. Patience, grasshopper.

Also, I'm trying to motivate to pack for my move back to Burlington. My self-imposed hermitage in Middlebury has been nice, but it's time to move back and rejoin society (read: hang out with girls). So, I'm moving up this week sometime (I hope). I've started packing a little, but have reached the point where it's a little overwhelming figuring out what to do next. I'd really like to go through everything I own and thin the herd as I go but I'm pretty much at the level of motivation where I throw everything in garbage bags, load up the trailer, and sort it all out when I get there. Is that wrong?

SDTK: La Fille D'Autostop - Das Grift

Time keeps on slipping...

That's right. Nice work, America. The Grift is in the middle of recording our new album (get ready for a shock) and we had a nice break on Tuesday to watch the returns come in. Nothing is more inspiring than inspiration. It's kind of fun to be doing something momentous in your professional life and have it dwarfed in scope by something momentous for the world. No matter how long we play in the band, we'll always get to remember the good time we were having when America stepped up to the plate and knocked one out of the park.

Sdtk: A president who once again speaks in cohesive sentences...finally.

NYC Bound

After a busy weekend, I'm headed out tomorrow for 6 days on the road. Two showcase shows with Jer Coons at Arlene's Grocery in NYC, a couple weddings and a benefit show. Busy, busy, busy. That's ok, it distracts me a little from worrying about the upcoming election and will fill my time until the new NFL season starts this week. Lots of stuff packed into this little post, but that's how it works when I've got less than 12 hours to eat, pack, and sleep before hitting the road.

Sdtk.: The clock ticking...

Suh-weet!

I just made an amazing discovery: my TV has Picture-in-Picture!!! I tried the buttons a YEAR ago when I first got cable in my apartment and they didn't work. Or so I thought. It turns out you just have to press on them harder than you might think at first. I found this out by dropping the remote on my end table and poof! up pops the magic screen. It also works with the DVR. I can now watch taped Daily Shows while keeping an eye on the Red Sox. Currently I'm watching my first Pre-Season NFL game and the Olympics at the SAME TIME!! I love it. Truly, truly love it. So much so that I'm not even mad I haven't discovered it until now.

Also, I am way into the Olympics at this point. I had to record last nights women's gymnastics all-around and watch it today.

SDTK: "You gotta be kidding me?! Picture-in-Picture?!" (Minor dance party ensues)

G's up, Ho's down

That's right. I'm back. Just as I started writing this Snoop Dogg came up on iTunes so I might have to take writing breaks to dance a little.

So, It's been a while. Sorry to all my readers for the prolonged absence. There was a lot going on to write about, but I just didn't feel like it. Not in so much that I didn't feel like WRITING, but I didn't feel like writing about myself. I was just bored with myself. Do you ever get that? Bored with everything about yourself: your likes, your dislikes, feeling lonely, feeling like you need some time alone, your brokeness, your music, your apt, etc. I finally got to where I was bored of being bored. Also, we started playing weddings and some actual money started rolling in. I can't explain how much everyone's outlook changes for the better when we're actually making money. Not having the stress of playing chess with your bills to get them all paid is a significant boost to the system. So what is going on?

Well, it's summer so that means wedding season. Woo Hoo! We've played some pretty fun weddings so far. Last weekend was at The Round Barn in Waitsfield. It's our favorite place to play weddings by far. They just have their shit together at such a higher level than anywhere else and they're really nice. Also, there was the added bonus of my favorite bartender from Waitsfield (who I have a secret crush on - shh, don't tell) working the wedding. The people attending the wedding were really nice, but not so much the dancing crowd. Belting out "Don't Stop Believing" to 100 people sitting down ranks among the stranger things I've done in my career. But, we gots paid, so that makes up for a lot.

I also finally got a practice drum kit for my apt. Drums are such a physical instrument that it's kind of hard to really practice with out a set. Practice pads are helpful, but only when there's not a kit around. So I'm looking forward to some serious practice sessions most likely resulting in my over-use of Carter Beauford-esque fills in my shows from now on.

What else, you ask? Well, I officially turned 33 last Monday (look for a separate post about that) and got to go home to Rochester/Syracuse. That was a lot of fun. Got to see the fam, my bros. new gianormous house, and The Dark Knight (seen it twice already and probably going for #3 soon!).

That's it for now. Look for my tribute to the number 33 coming soon.

SDTK: Currently iTunes shuffle is playing "Man From The Past" by Tower of Power

Cuddle Parties?

Here's Colbert's take on the newest sensation in New Age group therapy: Cuddle Parties:

"Cuddle Parties? Look, I know an orgy when I see one...If I'm gonna get down on the floor and cuddle with total strangers, things better get real freaky, FAST! I'm talking Sodom and Gomorrah on all fours. I mean there better be things going on that would make Caligula blush."

Hilarious.

Sdtk: The sound of my laughter weeknights between 11:30 and 12:00.

Beat Down

I am beat down. Big weekend in The Manch. 8 Days in April began on Saturday and has been going well. I've been a busy man though. I set up a lot of drumsets (2 actually) and played in 4 bands already. It's fun to be popular (read: music whore), but it's tiring. I'm currently home catching up on my cuff link work and my Dancing With The Stars. I mean, I can't watch The Daily Show exclusively! Although I'm psyched tonight because my favorite Irish politician will be on. I'll post again later with more stories and pics from 8 Days. I have to go vote for Kristi Yamaguchi now.

Sdtk: The sound of my exasperation when I found out NESN was showing stoopid hockey (which is only fun if, you know, you're hammered) instead of the Sox.

King of Kong

Hello! Anyone tall enough to play stand-up arcade games in the 80's needs to see the movie "The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters". It's a documentary about the world of video game high scores centered around a battle for the high score on Donkey Kong. Sound nerdy? It is, but it's hilarious and really well done. You couldn't write characters this good. It's also got a great soundtrack and a bunch of subtle nods to the 80's that only someone alive then (like me) would appreciate. Rotten Tomatoes gave it 96% Fresh, which for them is almost unheard of. See it, you won't be disappointed.

Also check out the new blog in my "links section": The Adventures of GirlTuesday. I've been enjoying this blog for some time now and finally put up the link to it. It's funny, smart, witty, and well written...sound like any other blog you know?? No, really, any other blogs like that? I enjoy reading them.

SDTK: Joe Esposito - "You're the Best" (from the Karate Kid soundtrack)

Flames.

Hello again. As usual it's been a busy time here at The Program. A lot of playing. A lot, yet not enough time in the studio. I say not enough because I feel I have more to do in the studio on Jer's new record, it sounds really, really good, I'd just like to spend more time there because it's a lot of fun. The vibe in that studio right now is electric. We all can sense this project is truly something special. I can't wait to finish it and get it into the world so everyone can understand what I'm talking about. We're looking forward to the upcoming show at Higher Ground on the 21st of March. If you're anywhere within 4 hours of Burlington, VT, you should come to this show. The CD won't be out yet, but you can hear the songs we've all had in our head constantly for the past month and a half.

After getting back from the studio, The Grift had a good show at the new Two Bros. downstairs venue. The space could still use a raised stage, but it's a 30 second drive from my house, so it's hard to complain. The next night I got to participate in my first symposium at Middlebury College. For those of you who didn't go there, Middlebury calls any lecture/conversation with more than one person a "symposium" and they were ubiquitous during my 4 years there. This one was a discussion for the beginning of "Arts Week" about the music business and how alumni from Midd fit into it. The panel was Laura Thomas, Chris Farrell, and myself. It wasn't that well attended (symposiums rarely are), but it was still really fun. We talked a lot about how we got into the business and how Middlebury fit into it. It was interesting to hear their take on it and good to talk out loud about things I hadn't given voice to. We got to play a little too which was fun because I always have a good time playing with those two. Later that night I went to see the Laura Thomas Band play at the afore mentioned Two Bros. They were great. If you live in the NYC region, you should definitely check them out. It would have been nice to see Cletus there, but the band still rocked. I also got to sit in on bass for a couple old Polonius Funk standards. They're still funky tunes.

The next day, Saturday, is when the real shit started. Saturday was one of the most surreal days of my life. A serious 24 hour roller coaster. It started on our drive to Boston from Burlington to play a show we have been looking forward to for months, the CD release party for The Old Silver Band at Harper's Ferry. Actually, the day started with shaving my beard into my mustache tribute to the OSB. Being the mustache aficionados that they are, I knew they'd appreciate it.
Back to the driving... Everything was going smooth. We had a great book on CD by Micheal Connelly and Harry Bosch was getting closer and closer to solving the case. Suddenly there was a loud pop and hiss and then the van started chugging loudly. I was driving at the time and thought we got a flat tire. I may have even said "Shit, I think we just got a flat tire". I braced the wheel, ready for the usual pull to whatever side the tire blew on and nothing happened. I decided to speed up and sure enough the chugging got louder and quicker, right in the area of the engine. We thought maybe we had lost connection with our muffler or something. We were pretty close to an exit for Concord, NH so I pulled off and we looked for a place to park and gather ourselves. After conflicting directions from several people, I called AAA (thanks, mom!) and they told us there was a Sears open 3 miles away. A garage open on Saturday?! We brought it in and they looked at it and thought they could fix it by Sunday afternoon. That's right, they're open on Sunday too! We got a hold of Clint who was already in Boston and he got the OSB's van and came to get us. In the meantime, we're stranded in a mall in Concord for an hour. We pass the time, go outside to meet Clint to go down to Boston and what was a clear, sunny day an hour ago has now turned into an inch of snow and counting. Really!? Could this suck any worse? Luckily we drive out of the snow pretty quickly and make it to the show with just enough time for us to load our crap in before the first band, our friends from Burlington, Bad Suit go on. Finally, we're at the show, we're loaded in, and the music starts. Bad Suit killed it. I had never seen them and they rocked! Then it was our turn and we played really well. I'll say one thing about this band, we play well under stress. It was such a relief to play after the shitty afternoon we had had. We still didn't know how or if we were getting home the next day, but we put all that behind us and brought it. People were psyched and dancing, we were happy to be playing, I didn't drop a stick, it was great. Ahhh...now we could just watch our friends and saviors the OSB and enjoy ourselves. If you've never heard the OSB, it's very happy music. It's good for what ails you. There was a rotating line up of guests with the OSB including all of The Grift boys except one, me. I was too busy enjoying myself dancing and perhaps...(though this is all your going to get) romancing. What started out as a disastrously stressful day turned into a truly great night. The best I've had in a long, long time.

The next day word got to us the van was fixed! Turns out a spark plug blew out of the engine. Whoops! They replaced it and the coil and we were GTG. After walking around sunny Boston for a bit, I met up with Big Time, PD+MLE, and we got a ride back to Concord from our good friend EC (coming through strong!). We got in the van and I slept like a champ all the way back to VT. Sadly, the mustache has come off, but like the day I had while wearing it, I will remember it fondly forever.

SDTK: "Burning Heart" - Survivor (from the Rocky IV soundtrack)

Back to the Lab Again

So, lot of big things doing here for The Program. I just got back from Providence RI where I was laying down drum tracks for the upcoming Jer Coons record. I love being in the studio. It's a lot of work but also a lot of fun. We were recording at Strangeways Recording. I got to use Mike's drum kit and it sounded huge. I'm psyched to hear how the rest of the record turns out. When we weren't recording or watching the results from Super Tuesday, we ate a lot of good food. There are some really nice, cheap vegetarian eats in Providence. Who knew? One of the highlights of the trip was on the first day we got there and we went to Guitar Center and Chipotle in the same hour. That's a good way to start a session, no?

The Grift also just released a new live CD called "Live at Nectar's". I know it's hard to keep track sometimes, but on this CD I play the drums for most of it and bass on a couple tunes that Russ sits in on. Last Saturday night we had a CD release party at (ironically) Nectar's. It was a blast. The crowd was rocking and hopefully so were we. Anyone interested in picking up the CD can email me or hopefully it will be available for sale up on The Grift site soon.

That's all from The Program. For now, I'm going to try to adjust to life back in the snow (Providences weather was much nicer).

SDTK.: Matisyahu "Youth"

I Still Hate the Giants.

I still Hate the Giants.

I HATE The Giants!

It's true. I do. For those of you who don't know, I'm a Cowboys fan. I'm also a Pats fan, which presented some problems earlier in the season. I was hoping it was going to present some problems for the Super Bowl. Now I'll have no such problems thanks to the Cowboys beating themselves while playing the Giants. I won't go into specifics about that last sentence except to say: who slows down their route in the End Zone when you're down by 7 at the end of the game?!? Crayton... I'm looking in your direction...

Anyways, I would rather have not made the playoff than have to lose to the fucking Giants. For those of you who don't follow football, the Giants are the football equivalent of the Yankees. You might think since the Jest play in the same conference as the Pats, they would be the NFL Yankee doppelganger. The NY Jets are really more like the Mets: they're so inconsistent season to season, that they pretty much only have fans inside the NY metro region (and Long Island, but who cares about Long Island?). The Giants on the other hand have obnoxious fans all over New England (and New Jersey, 'nuff said). I'm not saying that Cowboys fans can't be obnoxious too, but this is MY blog, dammit.

So now it's Pats all the way, relieving me of some tough introspection I would have to do if it was a Cowboys/Pats Sooper Bowl. You'd think I'd thank the Giants for helping me out with that. Well, you'd be wrong.


Sdtk.: The sound of my teeth grinding that ENTIRE FUCKING GAME!!

Back On The Wagon

I'm back! I know, the writers' strike is still going on, but if The Daily Show and Colbert can go back on, so can I. I'm so happy to have them back. I laughed hysterically at last night's shows. There's so much going on what with the primaries, Kenya, Pakistan, etc., etc. I'm glad I can now find out about all of them. I didn't realize how much I actually got my news from those shows. I used to get it from NPR as well, but living in Middlebury, I don't listen to NPR as much as I used to.

So what's been going on with me, you ask? The Grift has been very busy playing shows all over. There were a lot before the holidays and a lot after. It's funny, usually people think of the holidays as stressful because of all the running around and for me it was the most relaxed time I've had in a while. A nice change from not running around as much as I do in my everyday life. Just what I needed.

What else? I've been playing a lot of piano recently. I don't know why, but I've really been in the mood to play some piano. So I said what the hell, why not? So I've been learning tunes in the downtimes between doing things I should actually be doing. This week I've learned 3 songs: Lights by Journey, Warning Sign by Coldplay, and Autumn Leaves. I'm pretty psyched about it.

Well, I'm glad to be back if for no other reason than to have back my outlet for telling everyone how funny I am. Like just before I wrote this I was on Yahoo! and saw a news article about how the Russians are winning the race to put a human on Mars first. My first thought was "Well that's fitting, it is a RED planet." HA!! Man, that's such good joke writing, I should go back on strike! Alas, I won't. So look for more frequent posts in the future. I gotta run, my DVR should have recorded through the first set of commercials on The Daily Show by now. Till next time...

SDTK: A lot of Drum and Bass by Aphrodite that I got from my brother at Christmastime.