Cloaca Melodia

Count Basie Theater, Red Bank, NJ..... This show took place at the same day the U.S. began bombing Iraq, initiating the war. Very surreal, but it was great seeing Hamell perform at this venue. His song "Big as Life" (which I loved) uses Count Basie as a part of the lyrics..

The Saint, Asbury Park, NJ.... I went primarily to see Dorothy, who had written a song I was obsessed with at one point. The show also served as a birthday celebration for WBJB Music Director Jeff Raspe and The Saint manager Scott Stamper.

The Bitter End, New York, NY.... Since the summer of last year, I've been working on writing a book about the music scene of 1992. One of the bands that my old radio station, WHTG, used to play in '92 was called the Cliffs of Dooneen, a rock group of Scottish and Irish lads transplanted to Boston. I was surprised to see that Flynn, the former Cliffs frontman was not only still recording but was doing a solo show at The Bitter End in New York this evening. I decided, at the last minute, to zip in to the city and see the show.  Irish rock band Stand, a quartet of expats, opened.  

Arlene's Grocery, New York, NY..... My friend Suzanne always raved about The Vitamen, so I went to see them. They're sort of a Ween-meets-Pavement band: very quirky lyrics and indie rock sound, but not afraid to mix in different styles. Their song "Pretty Little Secret" is a perfect example--an R&B styled song filtered through modern lo-fi with, um, offbeat lyrics to say the least.  That night I also met former Sumak frontman and current "Boy Wonder" Mark McAdam. His solo album was titled Boy Wonder, and it was perhaps the best unsigned album I've heard in a long, long time. McAdam's songs are a touch of Tom Waits, a bit of Leonard Cohen, and maybe some of Paul Westerberg's wry self-deprecation. His old band Sumack, purveyers of self-described "junk rock," were more like a typical pop-rock band, albeit with really sharp lyrics (although McAdam's future direction was certainly foreshadowed).

The Saint, Asbury Park, NJ.... The duo Swan Dive performed at The Saint in Asbury Park, and I attend on this chilly night. On record, the duo seems very earnest. In person, however, Bill DeMain and Molly Felder are very humorous and genial. Bill purchased a fake mustache kit when the tour started and he began the show by selecting one of the six different lip coverings included in the kit to wear during the performance (it started falling off almost immediately and didn't last long).    

The Saint, Asbury Park, NJ..... I had to do an interview with Island recording artist Rosey at WBJB, but due to scheduling conflicts I did all the engineering and everything myself (normally it's a three-person job). I saw her perform that evening at The Saint in Asbury Park that evening. Nicole Atkins and Mimi Cross opened the show. Frankly, I enjoyed the opening artists better than the headliner.    

The Saint, Asbury Park, NJ.... Jason Ringenberg is the formerly (and still occasionally) frontman for Jason & The Scorchers, and he put on an amazing show. He was playing solo, but with enough energy for a whole band. He not only did all the major Scorchers tunes, but he played some of his great solo numbers and even a cover of "Trail of Tears" from Guadalcanal Diary. I met him before the show, and a genial follow as well. We discussed Ed "Hamell on Trial" Hamell, who had made a guest appearance on Ringenberg's latest solo release. I told him that I had a record from Hamell's early band, The Works, and promised to send him a scan of him with '80s hair. Ringenberg gave me his business card, which listed a series of descriptions of what he does and "ruthless music industry mogul" was among them. Great guy.

Stone Pony, Asbury Park, NJ sorry, Mike has not yet written about this show... add your own comments if you were also there!

Brookdale Performing Arts Center, Brookdale Community College, Lincroft, NJ sorry, Mike has not yet written about this show... add your own comments if you were also there!

Count Basie Theater, Red Bank, NJ sorry, Mike has not yet written about this show... add your own comments if you were also there!

The Saint, Asbury Park, NJ sorry, I haven't yet written about this show... add your own comments if you were also there!

Tradewinds, Sea Bright, NJ..... setlist : "Survival Car," "Red Dragon Tattoo," "She's Got a Problem," "Mexican Wine," "No Better Place," "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?," "Leave the Biker," "Hackensack," "Troubled Times," "Sick Day," "Bright Future in Sales," "Denise," "Radiation Vibe," "I've Got a Flair," "Bought for a Song," "Sink to the Bottom"

Maxwell's, Hoboken, NJ sorry, Mike has not yet written about this show... add your own comments if you were also there!

Maxwell's, Hoboken, NJ sorry, Mike has not yet written about this show... add your own comments if you were also there!

The Be Gallery, Asbury Park, NJ sorry, Mike has not yet written about this show -- coming soon!