TWO TIMES THE NOISE!

The first pic is from Friday’s gig with Supernova at the Beacon; the second is from Saturday’s show with Rubber Duckie Riot. I forgot to take gear pics at the RDR show because…well, I just did. But these are proof that I rocked out this weekend!

Two times the noise…more noise, more fun!

Let’s start with Friday’s show. Singer Mike McCormick had a family obligation which always comes first, so Tony’s girlfriend Deb stepped up to sing the first set. And she knocked it out of the park! The set list was altered with songs ranging from Amy Winehouse to…Deep Purple?! Yep, she and I used to do “Perfect Strangers” in a previous cover band, and it definitely turns heads. Also chucked in some Zeppelin, Elle King, and Dobie Grey’s “Drift Away” (NOT Smash Mouth…sorry, people!) Mike showed up to finish the night, and of course he was great, ran around the room since he didn’t have a guitar around his torso. He and Deb would trade vocals on some tunes and it was so much fun

Saturday’s gig with RDR went quite well, decent turnout, gorgeous day, played on a nice big black stage. And the best part? My hands weren’t stuck to the guitar necks! This show was special because it was a charity for the fire fighters who sadly never survived 9/11. It was my honor, as well as the band’s, to pay it forward and acknowledge how they put their asses on the line. All the while, everyone there were digging the songs from Ozzy, Rage, Ramones, and yes…Neil Diamond.

The most interesting part of the day happened when someone approached me with “Hey do you know The Star Spangled Banner?” I said “The Hendrix version, why?” The guy responded, “We would love for you to play it to open the cornhole tournament.”

Yes that sentence actually happened.

I said “Well, I don’t want anyone thinking I’m disrespecting the flag if I do the Jimi way” and was told “Nah, they will LOVE it!” Oh boy did they love it! After I played it, I was getting hugs and “HOLY SHIT” from people but I didn’t do it for my own vanity. I did it because I was asked to show support for this great country. No I will never come close to how Hendrix did it, but the people enjoyed the sonic squalor, and that’s fine with me.

(BTW I messed up one part but nobody noticed!)

I had fun at both shows, felt great to let my fingers and hair fly around for a few hours. Now I am in hiatus mode until Sept 19 (the schedule is on the UPCOMING EVENTS page) but as I always say, anything can happen.

Now what will I blog about between now and Sept 19?!