Recording Session 10/4/14 HesDeadJim Studios - Queens, New York

How HAL 9000 sees The Good Yeggs

This is about as artistic as one can get with an iPhone camera, or was that autistic.

We reconvened at Thomas' recording studio as we slowly build up our repertoire of tracks for the next CD. This is a photo of the boys re-recording the Guitar and Bass for "Going On Without You" as I was happy with my Drum track.

Two Songs were finished today and all involved were quite happy, Thomas' boy Sonny also gave his seal of approval and they only await mix down and mastering which is Thomas' forte' and then we bitch back and forth about smaller details via email.

Aside from "Going On Without You" we also finished Joe's song "Good Enough Is Good" replete with double tracked 3 part harmony on the chorus backing vocals making us like this crazy six headed Yegg and I also added a 2 bar Drum intro off the cuff, we were all quite chuffed I have to tell you.

A photo from the mid-80s of three quarters of The Sub Basement Blues Band (thats me, Thomas and Franklin, Joe is not in the pic but was probably in the other room playing snooker) that was propped up on the mixing console taken at a RESIDUE gig (Pete Lomenzo, David Stumacher, Ernie Brescia, Bobby Poska & Mike Roberto), thats Thomas' dad in the background talking to very possibly Jamie. 

What is important about this photo is the early implications and usage of the "photo bombing" technique if you look in the background there. I will have to ask Thomas who that forward thinking individual is.

Joe and his buddy Bud getting mic levels before laying down lead vocal tracks.

Tambourine in hand. I wouldnt wear a t-shirt on purpose to a recording session knowing there were photos being taken and then pose in said t-shirt making sure the headphone cable and tambourine was not obscuring the t-shirt graphic now would I ?.

Thomas showing off his Big Board with 24 track capability. He has a nice mixing console too.

You really had to be there but I did get to utilize The Bose Headphones.

We were all in our headphones during the initial warm up and run through and as we are using modern recording techniques the guitars are running direct through the board and there being no acoustic amplification involved we need to hear each other, I spied a little red light on Thomas' headphones and asked peering under my right crash cymbal at Joe, I commented "Joe, Thomas has a little red light on his headphones" (we were sporting the twenty dollar jobbies) to which Tom replied "Well, these are the good BOSE headphones".

Later in the day came time for Tambourine overdubs and I Chose The Bose.

BOSE laboratories can contact me via this Blog for future sponsorship deals.

Upon seeing this photo my friend Kristine commented "You all look like your in the Apollo space ship floating at Zero Gs"

Hello Mission Control from the Yegg 3.

Joe and Thomas had Ham & Cheese Sammiches for our lunch but I went for a Roast Beef & Cheese with Lettuce, Tomato, Mayo and Salt & Pepper on a Roll. I also got rather ill towards the end of our session, I don't blame the Sammich but you never know do you.

On the way to the store I mentioned how I needed to take photos for this here BLOG and Joe said "yeah more pictures, we are just a little older and a little fatter". In the corner Deli as I was seeking my Lipton Citrus Green Tea which I did actually find I came up with "Beers, Bitches & Pork Rinds" as a possible future CD title so we added them together.

"Beers, Bitches & Pork Rinds, A Little Older & A Little Fatter" 

You had to be there but I for one don't want to lose the LP title to the winds of time so I jotted it down here.

- Spike

Peter Maybeck Birthday Celebration - American Bar 9/19/14 New York City

We gathered at Peter's watering hole the American Bar to celebrate his Birthday and I was honored to be invited and welcomed along with my bandmates to provide the entertainment of Music which was secondary only to the BOOZE that everyone was so excited about. I had something called "JD on the Rocks" and 2 helpings of "Cider" Quite refreshing indeed these Earth Drinks. 

Jennie took the photo above at the end of the evening.

(L to R) - Joe, Peter the Birthday Boy, Spike and Thomas.

Rocking it out at a new venue for us. Joe is about to do the Chuck Berry Duck Walk here.

Premiered tonight was the Elvis tune "That's Alright Mama"

Joe resplendent in the spotlight but then the microphone wanted to eat his eye, How Dare it, We Own These Mic's and provided them. 

Digital Ad campaign for the gig.

My Pepperoni Slice from a Pizzeria that needs not be named because I found it quite Horrid, Everyone else seemed to enjoy theirs, Maybe I got "The Bad Slice"

Exterior of American Bar on the upper east side.

This Is Show # 17

- Spike

Three Jolly Pigeons 7/26/14 A Night Of Three Trios and Two Asian Drummers - Brooklyn, New York

A Great gig with the band and nary a mistake from any of us. I did walk away with a nice feeling at the end of the night though as there is certainly camaraderie, support and friendship within our little circle of Friends who perform at and frequent the Three Jolly Pigeons. It was Vlad's Birthday Celebration eve so a splendid time was had by all but there is also an unspoken respect and support system built in.

I saw my bandmates from SMOOCH too and we all joked around and chatted, I told no one this but I was so exhausted and under the weather for many hours before and up until showtime that I just needed to sit down or maybe even take a nap but did indeed put on my brave face, in the end a Great night and I live to write about it.

Pictured above is the Chalked Up advertisement for the band and it was so nice to see our name in calcium sulfate on slate.

We arrived with the Amplifiers, P.A. and accoutrements before 7 p.m. so were plenty early before Sound Check and the Drum Kits arrival, not to even mention the other bands.

First band on tonight was Girl To Gorilla and they played a Great Set.

Catchy Tunes, Great Lyrics and Music and we were instant fans. Steve brought the Kit Drums down and this was one of the most interesting Drum Kits I have seen and my bandmates were also Very impressed and amused, I was So looking forward to trying my hands (and feet) at it.

We made comrades with John (Guitar,Vocals), Steve (Drums) and the Enigmatic Spyro (Bass), Great Guys, Great Tunes.

Thomas had heard that it was a larger than usual Bass Drum, I was fine with that.

This was not only slightly larger but is a Marching Band Bass Drum usually played with Mallets rigged up as a "Kick" Drum. The Drums were Ludwig green sparkle finish with Paiste Cymbals and a Beautiful Ayotte Wooden Snare Drum, more on that later. Actually maybe it wasn't "rigged" up but certainly unconventional, the Spurs and Hoops were in place.

The Good Yeggs played the second set and as I said in the opening paragraph we performed very well, someone even yelled out "Drum Solo" I wish I knew who it was.

Premiered tonight was The Elmore James Classic "Dust My Broom" and new original songs "Goin On Without You" and "Good Enough Is Good".

Thomas Of The TONE.

The Premiere Live performance of Joe using his newly acquired 1959 Danelectro Short Horn Bass.

To end the nights festivities was Brian Dillon's friend Steve White who had just flown in from the U.K. only to immediately proceed to 3JP for a set of Music and of course we were all excited to hear him.

Being an Anglophile myself I just had to smile through his set what with songs mentioning how it is always Christmas at Tesco's and how American's drink Budweiser as they watch the World Cup.

Steve did mention how he was going to perform a long song so after the set I said to him "Well you must know who Roy Harper is then" to which of course he replied to my delight "Yes".

Pictured above are our friends Fran and Brian backing up Steve with grace and élan.

The Ayotte Classic 10 ply Snare Drum. This was pretty much life changing for me which is always welcomed from any progressive minded musician and I must say most of us are, aside from Steve's (Girl To Gorilla) unethical Drum Kit I was also checking out his Snare Drum and as Drummers we do chat about hardware at first. I saw the wooden hoops and was highly expectant of a Great Tone as I had seen a former bandmate playing with his band and that Drummer had wooden hooped (rims) of which I questioned him about, that was a Tama Bubinga Star Classic Snare Drum which I loved the sound of.

Snare Drums are personal so of course I brought down my beloved DW Custom Series wooden Drum but when trying to mount it on the stand which Steve supplied found that it would not fit. The Ayotte is 13" and mine is 14".

Panic Time !!!

Thomas kindly asked if I could borrow his and Steve obliged informing me that he forgot it was a 13" Snare Drum stand which is a bit of a specialty and not standard size. I of course was somewhat elated, I would Love to try out this Drum. The elation only rised as I played it, what a Joy to perform on.

Steve and I discussed after The Good Yeggs set how he enjoyed "hearing" his Drums as as a listener. It is quite different when you are actually "playing" them and I got a thrill from "playing" a wooden hoop Drum for the first time. I still adore my DW but I want an Ayotte now as well. We are both Asian Drummers as well and I nearly asked for a photo with him but we just met, maybe next time.

Aside from Cider or some Jack on the Rocks (the official band drink) I do Love a Blue Moon on Tap with the obligatory Orange Wedge, most refreshing.

(L to R) Steve White Direct From England and the incomparable and much Loved Brian Dillon.

Prior to the gig we had time for a bite to eat, tonight it was at Circles Cafe. We all got the "English" Burger that is served on an English Muffin which are filled with "nooks and crannies". A Passable Burger, I think my bandmates enjoyed it more.

OF NOTE - While ordering I informed our waiter that Thomas would not be needing his Lettuce and Tomato which is included as part of the entree, I do have a theory.

Thomas was made to eat his Vegetables as a child, now as an adult he is shunning the entire process altogether, I have seen him throw his Veggies asunder to the wind. no waste, no want.

Digital Ad Campaign

Digital Ad Campaign

Set List

Had To Play This Word.

This Is Show # 16

- Spike

ROCK FOR A CURE - Benefit For Prader-Willi Syndrome - Swing The Teapot 5/18/14 Floral Park, New York

Sonny blowing his horn between acts at this years "Rock For A Cure - Benefit For Prader-Willi Syndrome" Concert at the Swing The Teapot Bar & Grill in Floral Park, New York. Joe and I arrived via car service and as we greeted friends outside I heard Sonny's Trumpet from the sidewalk.

All the bands were here to lend a hand raising awareness and hoping to bring a larger crowd into this event which was indeed well attended without our help. On the bill today (in order of appearance) was The Cool Table, Frankie's Attic, Klassic Rewind, The Good Yeggs and Heart & Soul.

Nina & Thomas' Son Sonny is affected by PWS and we all love him so. This was the very least we could do and everyone had a Blast as well you can see. There were raffles, food & drink, Music and high spirits throughout the day. 

Donations can be made here.

PRADER-WILLI SYNDROME ASSOCIATION

Sonny's brother Lennon who is not shy to the microphone gave a moving speech about his brother and what Prader-Willi Syndrome means amongst a family unit and the love they have for each other. 

Frankies Attic takes the stage and proceeds to mesmerize the audience. The Wonderful Fran Simpson Cozzolino on Vocals and some guy on Guitar.

It may be a Guinness Stout and A Porkslap Pale Ale in this photo but what is Most important is that Corona Beer is now offering More Mayonnaise in their recipe. 

Corona De Mayo Indeed.

(L to R) - Fran, Joe and Frank

Interior of Swing The Teapot, The place was only about half full here as I took this shot. 

Nina and Thomas were busy performing Emcee and Stage Manager duties all afternoon and evening so Joe and I were lucky to finally claim a spot at the bar before and after we had to go on.

Can anyone spot Joe Yegg in the photo above ?

The Good Yeggs performed a set of Blues & Country Music cover versions. The Johnny Cash numbers "Ring Of Fire" & "Folsom Prison Blues" went over especially well. 

Everyone Loves Johnny Cash.

Taken by me from behind the Drum Kit during tune up. What a handsome devil Joe is, His Bass Guitar has a Longhorn as well..

The Reunion Of Heart & Soul with a whole bunch of friends of mine for many years playing in this band. I remember seeing them at a club,... Well I do not want to make anyone feel their age, lets just say I saw them in performance over 10 years ago.

The Big Winner of the night was Joe Yegg who got two of his raffle tickets called off winners, he graciously donated one basket to a patron but he got the good one, Lots of Italian Specialities hand picked by none other than Tom Yeggs mom Mrs. Roberto. 

This was when Joe earned his third Colapasta (Colander) and as I have two Colapasta's myself the Colapasta Wars are not long off and who knows how many dozen Colapasta's Thomas has in the house, watch this space.

For Dinner Joe got the California Burger (Swiss Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato and Avocado) ($12.95) and I the Cajun Selection (Jalapeño Peppers, Cheddar Cheese, Chipotle Mayo and Pico De Gallo) ($10.75). I told Joe at the Bar as Thomas was on stage at the time "Either I am Really Starving or this is a Really Good Burger" I lean towards the latter.

This Is Show # 15

- Spike

PRADER-WILLI SYNDROME ASSOCIATION ONLINE

SWING THE TEAPOT ONLINE

Recording Session 3/16/14 - HesDeadJimStudios - Queens, New York

In Honor of this Blog's forty-seventh posting we have decided to run a contest. 

Simply leave your comment below in the "comments" section on who you believe this is that Thomas took a candid photo of literally through the keyhole from the control booth and you might win a personal email from one of The Good Yeggs (providing that we do in fact have your email address). 

To be fair we will give a few clues. This is Spike Yegg composing the text so I will clue you in with  some personal remembrances of our mystery guest from my very personal memory.

1.) - This person taught me all about "schmaltz" back in the heady days of the 1980s

2.) - In a great act of compassion and selflessness he/she once brought to my home Ricola "All Natural" cough drops, Robittusin and Cloraseptic when I had a bad cold, they were thrown at me but brought to me unannounced, this is a big clue as obviously this person was/is a drug dealer

3.) - We knew each other in high school and after school one day my bell rang, the person in question forced himself in demanding to be fed. I proceeded to make Fried Chicken Soup (thats Lipton instant chicken soup mix made in a pan).

Good Luck Folks.

Here I am tracking behind Thomas' Drum Kit, Joe caught me in mid blink so No I am not sleeping. It's all about the MAGMA t-shirt anyway.

The only screwing around here will be when Thomas had to unscrew the mic stand for his condenser microphone used in the Guitar ISO booth (closet) after his Fender tube amp was emanating a weird buzz. No time to start troubleshooting during a session but fortunately like any studio worth its own salt HesDeadJimStudios has about a dozen amps to offer, I think Thomas switched to a Music Man.

We have all heard of A Boy and his Dog. Well, This is a Man and his Bass. Joe proudly wielding his 1959 Danelectro Shorthorn. The Danelectro Longhorn was used for tracking, Joe brought the Shorthorn over so Thomas could set it up.

Words cannot say how much I Love This Man so i will put it into numbers instead. 67392876201

Mr. Franklin Poska popped by the night before our recording session to add some always tasty guitar stylings to two of the tracks we are working on "Come Up And See Me Sometime" and "Tuna Fish". Its not like he didn't want to see me and Joe he just didn't want to see me and Joe.

OK, so not to bore anyone who may happen to be reading this with all the serious tech talk above lets make this a bit more lighthearted. On this sunday the third of our almost consecutive sessions The Good Yeggs (individually and as a whole) got a bunch of work done, Firstly we recorded pretty much "Live" recordings (only 36 overdubs this time) of Stevie Ray Vaughan's "Tell Me" and Johnny Cash' "Folsom Prison Blues" for our website so we can sell our wares to the unsuspecting public and grateful pub, club and biergarten owners, mended a glitch in the backing vocals on the bridge of "Little Brown Valise" and finalized a master of said song, also recorded was a Full Blown version of Thomas' song "Unfaithful Lady". 

We also learned that as a band collectively that we are much more "Boozers" than Beer drinkers. The Beer's quickly lost their luster and even though we only had one Manhattan apiece they hit the spot with much greater satisfaction. also the conclusion was made that we could drink many bands under the table, well one at a time of course.

- Spike

Three Jolly Pigeons 3/8/14 Brooklyn, New York

Tonight began like any other gig, with a Pendejo (Idiot, Stupid, Dumbass) trying to pick a fight. Thomas picked me up in his vehicle as Rock Farm was bringing the Drums and we drove over to Joe's to get some Microphone stands, Amps and Guitars. As we were loading up the car Thomas had his car door open and an RV comes down the street but pulls up right behind Thomas, this guy is obviously in a rude rush, Thomas loads in closes his door and throws his hands up briefly in the air in a "c'mon buddy WTF" manner and lets the guy pass. Obviously this is not good enough for the man child as he stops his vehicle 10 feet in front of Thomas' car and gets out complaining.

The Piraguero (A Piraqua Vendor) said something along the lines of "can't you see I'm trying to pass" to which Thomas counters "I'm putting something in my car, can't you see my door is open just gimme a second" to which the Mamao (C**k Sucker) replies "I'm working" to which Thomas replies "I'm working too, I have a show". During all of this Joe tells this Mama Bicho (D**k Sucker) a few times "Hey Guy, Get Back in the car" and cowardly, Korean-Irish-Italian me stands by speechless thinking (what if this guy has a piece" and "oh no, why this ?, we are just trying to get to the gig). In my defense I was ready to Pummel the guy in Yegg fashion but thankfully he backed down and drove away, Thomas did notice some Food packages so he was a Food delivery guy having a bad night I suppose or more likely he was just a Carajito (Little Boy) 

After he pulled away Joe the wise said "What was he going to do ? There are three of us !!!"

And there was much rejoicing and quite a few Pendejo jokes over the course of the evening.

Tonight was also the night that I learned that I ABSOLUTELY HATE TAPING.

I don't mean taping a recording, I mean taping down speaker wire with gaffer tape so no one can trip over cables on their way to and fro as Three Jolly Pigeons does not have a stage proper and people have to pass the band to get to the back room or the restroom. I am usually setting up the Drums while this is going on, Drums were there already, time to tape, Aaaarrrggghhh

Anyways there was a Great gig ahead for us as we played really well and of course the local Pancho's Mexican Food had already been on my mind for days. Who knew at this early part of the evening that we would also be dining as a band many hours later.

Joe IS The Danelectro Man, 

As is tradition when playing The Three Jolly Pigeons there is No Way I am Not going to get some of the Delicious Mexican Food from Pancho's Restaurant just down the block and on the same block. Jennie did the honors of ordering and waiting for the Food (this reminds me I still owe Jennie Ten Bucks for it) while we were finishing setting up. Pictured above is a pair of Tinga (slow cooked shredded chicken) Tostadas (2 for $6.00) of which was a done deal as I have had them before, I ate these by hand and while finishing Joe asked around the table for the next round, I mumbled "a Cider" to which Joe busted out laughing due to my mouthful of food reply.

So far as Pancho's goes I want to try EVERYTHING on the Menu (and pretty much have) but always have second thoughts right up until the time of ordering, Jennie and Joe were getting Al Pastor Tacos ($2.50) and I asked "What's Al Pastor ?" to which Joe replied "It's Beef and Pineapple, its really good"

SOLD, and it was Really good. Bets were almost being placed that I would not finish my Tostadas and Taco as I eat lightly, I Did Finish and all before our first set.

Thomas and Joe are more of the manly Jack on the Rocks Dudes and I had my tasty Cider.

Rock Farm booked this gig and they invited us to co-headline. What a great bunch of guys, Adam  brought down his Gretsch "Gibraltar" kit and the Drums sounded Great, he also informed me that the muffling in the Bass Drum was a brick wrapped in cloth, interesting.

Rock Farm played an eclectic set spanning the 1960s up to present day and I was Impressed by many of the selections including "Maybe I'm Amazed", "You May Be right" and even Jethro Tull's "Hymn 43".

Tonight was Daylights Savings Time so the clocks were pushed forward by an hour, a late night for everyone, instead of ending around 1 a.m. it was now 2 a.m. 

Rock Farm's last number was KISS' "Rock And Roll All Night" at first Thomas and Joe made a beeline to the microphone but being a Huge KISS fan I followed suit, This was spirited and fun as the Yeggs pitched in on chorus vocals for the final song of the night.

I spied this sign in the restroom and being a bandmate of Brian Dillon's in SMOOCH and knowing his sense of humor and also that he was a former member of Rock Farm and a man who frequents Three Jolly Pigeons surmised that he indeed was the one who graffitied "Now With Less Brian" on the flyer.

This exact poster now resides proudly on the wall at HesDeadJimStudios after I pilfered it.

A Meal Fit For A Yegg.

Something we never get to do, The after gig diner Party. Due to the fact that we did not have an entire Drum Kit to lug around and we only provided amps and the P.A. system The Yeggs were able to travel together in Thomas' car so we took this opportunity by the horns (at Joe's suggestion) and "GOT SOME FOOD" at the local Bridgeview Diner. Lime Rickey's All around and Cheeseburger Deluxe's with a cup Of Brown Gravy apiece to accentuate the French Fries. By now it was almost 5 a.m. but as Men will be Men so shall Yeggs be Yeggs.

This Is Show # 14

- Spike