ESCAPE FROM TRANSIT ll - GJOA Club 7/9/14 Brooklyn, New York

It has been a year since Brian's retirement and his retirement party Escape From Transit l so what better course of action than to celebrate the one year anniversary of his retireabration with an anniversary of the event itself under the banner Escape From Transit ll.

As a mildly seasoned musician (chili powder, cumin and bay leaves notwithstanding) it was ironic and quite humorous to leave my apartment with two used pairs of drumsticks in a rite-aid shopping bag as opposed to a carload of drum gear and a garden gnome in tow but I am certainly grateful about my light luggage. 

(Thanks go out to Phil for providing the Tama drum kit & Eugene for the Zildjian cymbals).

This afternoon's spot held great promise as Joe pulled his back out so much and was in such discomfort that he considered performing this gig in a sitting position (of which he did not) and this was my first time back behind the drums since I recently had an organ removed of which I am thankfully in full recovery and we had not played together in some months with no rehearsal for today's spot as well but I personally like it like that and we sallied forth as Yeggs United.

Looked like this afternoon might be a performance by The Wounded Yeggs but we delivered.

The removed organ (three octaves as you can see).

Brian's friends & family put on quite the bash for him at the GJOA (pronounced Joya) sporting club in beautiful Sunset Park (the neighborhood in which I was raised in) with the promise of Free Food & Free Beer which almost always ends prematurely and lands flat especially with a lot like us but the promise was fulfilled entirely as there was no shortage of food items or drink stuffs at anytime.

The Dillon Lane Syndicate - Brian (vocals, guitar), Sylvester (vocals), Phil (drums), Thomas (bass), Joe (guitar).

Guesting tonight as syndicate members was our very own Thomas "the fish" Roberto on Bass and Joe Vasquez on Guitar.

These guys are up and coming and gigging quite a bit. Well,... with Sylvester as front man I am frankly not surprised at all.

The Good Yeggs - We went on at 5 p.m. and played our normal set, nothing outstandingly different here except we swapped out a few numbers and were asked for two encores. Since we do an absolute minimum of on stage patter great vistas of time open up for us to fill our allotted quota. The crowd did enjoy the Johnny Cash numbers so we added "Folsom Prison Blues" following "Ring Of Fire".

Brian graciously purchased us all a whiskey on the rocks which was proffered by our third number.

In this photo we see Joe telling me to "Get on with it and stop taking pictures for the Blog !!!" as we were ready to proceed with our set.

photo courtesy of DLS/Facebook.

Nohrmal - ?... Bill (Everything)

It is always something different with this guy. Dare I call him a performance artist or just plain THE performance.

As I was preparing to leave the stage after The Good Yeggs set Bill offered me the opportunity to sit in with him in a "if you want to stay and play the drums then go ahead but don't play anything for the first three verses" kind of style.

Aside from this being a "flying by the seat of your pants" performance for myself I feel this is great for any musician, mind you Bill is vocals and electric guitar unfettered by guitar effects or much in the dynamics department which a challenge does make and I love a challenge. We performed "Creep" by Radiohead, David Bowie's "Five Years" (accompanied by Brian Dillon on backing vox) & Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" as well as a few other tunes.

As a much added plus I got to duet with a drummer from our clique of whom I admire, Phil was on Cajon so kit and sticking dynamics on my part of the unobtrusive kind was just the ticket. 

Low pressure, jamming fun gig and we had a nice time.

photo courtesy DLS/Facebook.

Black Death - Brian (vocals, guitar), Vlad (vocals, guitar), Sal (guitar, vocals), Phil (drums).

Like always Black Death performed a 45 minute set of family fun and kids songs for people of all ages. Free balloons and cotton candy were NOT on offer.

(L to R) - Beef Empanada, Sweet Italian Sausage, Vegetable Samosa.

I have been "jonesing" for some Indian food and there it was, A Samosa.

The GJOA Sporting Club.

Digital Ad Campaign.

This Is Show # 24

- Spike

CD Release Party 5/11/13 Three Jolly Pigeons Brooklyn, New York

You know that old saying "The Burrito Got The Best Of Me".

Well that was tonight's Gig, I had a Burrito and I played my best pretty much aside from warmup pains for the first few songs (of which I recently bragged to Tom that I no longer suffered from) and dropping my stick during the third encore (of three) at the end of our rendition of B.B. King's "Sweet Little Angel" (no one noticed and SHIT I almost played a perfect show), Forgot my high-hat stand at home of which Joe came to the rescue and brought his and propped Tom's flashlight on my Burrito filled bag for my printed/teleprompter lyrics to The Beatles "What Goes On" of which I sang and there was also a U.F.O. sighting. That said and done lets get on with the gist of the evening.

The Good Yeggs arrived with our gear and a Box of CDs to celebrate the digital fruition of our recordings made over a few years time and we promise ourselves and You the beloved listener that it will be a much shorter gap in production now that we are out in the open with our debut CD and the natives clamoring for more.

To me this was the best show we have played to date, songs were fluid and the Drink's were fluid as well. During the encore portion we had planned out "Johnny B. Goode" but were asked for two more before night's finish. The Yegg's played a sublime version of the Sub-Basement Blues Band warhorse "Coney Island Summer" and if that wasn't enough we ended with "Sweet Little Angel" (mentioned above) with some very tasty dynamics as called upon by Thomas during his guitar solo (Keep it Low and then Blow It Out).

Thanks for the Good Yegg's photo's by Matt Shanley.

Photo Via Vlad Viz

The Subway Serenader had the crowd in Punk Rock Anarchist mode with Vlad and Carl on the Guitars along with Thomas, Joe and myself providing the Rhythm/Lead Guitar section. Add the heroics and conducting from The Subway Serenader and it was a Great set.

Most of us being New Yorkers well,... we understand what a song like "Hate The T.A." is all about.

Costume Changes and stage props abounded in abundance. The Santeria doll was left out by accident but let's leave that to the Santerians, I think the Thorny Devil Horn's made a better, positive and effective Christian impression.

There was Moshing too, from The Subway Serenader himself and the crowd was Most Receptive.

Harold the Horny Hunter had an Enormous Horn.

In this case it's Joe with his Longhorn which is light in weight and has become Joe's favorite weapon of choice, so much so he is considering purchasing the company and their forefathers and their forefathers forefathers.

Thomas with his Tasty Tone On Tube amp.

My Favorite Drummer in the World.

Jazelyn our Banshee Singing Friend, Cohort, Noisemaker, Criminal and Sweetheart joined The Yeggs for "American Crank" of which she is on the official recording as well.

My Friend and Blues Guitarist Stephen made it down to the show all the way from Jersey City. A nicer man you will never meet.

Blue Moon in the glass, Pro-Mark Hot Rods on the snare (These are used during Johnny Cash' "Folsom Prison Blues") They compliment each other. Beer and Wood or if you prefer Wood and Beer.

I captured video of what I was looking at all night through the window 2 feet to the left from me behind the kit. A U.F.O. that is plain to see. 

It's a reflection of one of the light fixture/fans on 3 Jolly Pigeon's ceiling for all you naysayers and unbelievers.

This Is Show # 9

- Spike

The Good Yeggs meet The Subway Serenader - Freddy's Backroom 4/6/13 Brooklyn, New York

This gig has been a long time coming for me as I was booked with another band last time the Good Yeggs accompanied The Subway Serenader and I felt as I had missed out on a different kind of musical experience just from firstly knowing Brian and secondly knowing material from his groups Box Of Crayons, Black Death and Rock Farm. 

After 2 rehearsals with Brian (The Subway Serenader), Carl (Guitar) and Vlad (Guitar, Backing Vocals) with The Good Yeggs - Joe (Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals), Tom (Guitar, Backing Vocals) and me, Spike (Drums) we performed 10 Original songs in a tight concise set (4 Clicks "on the sticks" Please) comprised of melancholy subway serenades to soothe the soul and salve the sores of salty straphangers everywhere. 

Performed tonight was also the annual holiday favourite "Christmas In the Subway" of which Fran Powers (Box Of Crayons) joined us onstage for this rollicking yuletide event and in April nonetheless. 

After the performance my ladylove Jamie said without Delay that The Subway Serenader "fared very well".

                                Thomas watches in bemused amazement.

Subway Serenader - On The Subway - (Jenniecam)

The Good Yeggs played a loose yet tight set of 13 tightly loose songs. We prepared well and the only hitch was that I held the only setlist and began withholding info on the next number so I could  get a sip of my Miller and/or PBR Liquid Bread before barreling into the next number as my bandmates kept rolling them Off!!!. Premiered tonight was "Passing By"

American Crank (profane mix) (Jamiecam)

Never Lie To You (Jenniecam)

Minnie The Moocher (Jamiecam)

In a first tonight I broke my Drumstick right on the last beat of a song. 

The Subway Serenaders "Hip Hop" tune "Going TA Hell" ends with a Flam (hitting the drum with both sticks at the same time but just slightly apart) and at this very moment my stick came apart. 

Also of note was Freddy's Band Policy tonight which was Free PBR or Miller for band members, hence the PBR on Snare drum photo.

Nina's Pet Pocketbook.

This Is Show # 8

- Spike

FACEBOOK ALBUM

Subway Serenader Digital Ad Campaign 2013

Being that Brian (the Subway Serenader himself) still does things with mailing lists and by choice is not internet savvy I wanted to spearhead an online ad campaign via Facebook for his next appearance at Freddy's Backroom that incidentally will have the Good Yeggs accompanying him for his performance followed by a full set by us (The Good Yeggs) to close out the night.

Who Is The Subway Serenader ? (3/29/13)

Are You Ready For The Subway Serenader ? (3/30/13)

Three Jolly Pigeons 1/26/13 Brooklyn, New York

(above) I Stealthily Sleuthed a Sharp Spy Shot of Secret Subway Serenader Stuff being discussed but more on that later (Watch this Space).

The Yeggs played well this evening for two sets at Brooklyn's watering hole of choice for discerning waterholes and such so we must be speaking of the Three Jolly Pigeons of Bay Ridge.

Premiered tonight was Jerry Lee Lewis' barnstormer (and one of Mao Tse Tung's favorite tunes) "Great Balls Of Fire", Our new original "Comin' Loose", My vocal debut on The Beatles "What Goes On", the 3/4 waltz tempo original "You Are the One" and our medley of "End Of The World/Minnie The Moocher".

Sweethook played support and it was great to see our old friends again as well. Jazelyn backed us up vocally on "Another Brooklyn" and "American Crank" as per the studio recordings.

Thomas showing his handsome Prestige semi-acoustic hollow body who is boss by tuning it however  he likes amidst a rare Stigwood monitor and humidity exposed Sabian ride cymbal.

Joe's gorgeous Longhorn and he has a nice bass guitar too.

Of note is the Stigwood monitor speaker just behind Joe, This is from Robert Stigwood's (Jesus Christ Superstar, Saturday Night Fever and his most well known Classic film "Sgt. Pepper") brief but memorable foray into Musica Amplification circa 1978.

Self Portrait of a quality Showtech bowling shirt and the 3JP windowsill. Tonight was my vocal debut on the Beatles tune "What Goes On" that I still have not memorized the lyrics to AND this being a dimly lit bar on top of the fact that I was wearing prescription sunglasses that are failing on the prescription side and I could not see the printed lyrics that I had taken along (wether taping them to the rack tom or the floor tom) I flubbed the second verse, still fun to do and a challenge.

Gig prior I grabbed a pint of Pork Lo Mein from Fu Lai Kitchen. After we had set up the gear and I was "tucking in" to my noodles from atop the Snare Drum I looked over as Thomas offered me some Pringles Potato Crisps to which I gestured towards the Lo Mein that there already was a dish to ponder after which Thomas gestured (completely in gesture) "SO, have it with some Pringles" this I did do.

Never let it be said that Thomas is a man that will Not bend the rules or the Potato Crisps.

It started as an inside joke at Box Of Crayons and Rock Farm gigs in which I would offer Brian salty snacks from the bodega down the block but tonight he Trumped my usual offer of a Bag O' Dipsy Doodles with Two bags of Frito Lays Corn Chips and a tube of Pringles for the Yeggs to share that he "Showered us with" during his entrance.

Later into the evening Brian was overheard exclaiming "Right!!! What's all this then Ya Bit of Crumpet!!!" to All of the womenfolk and some of the butch attendees as well as he pillaged and plundered his way into the night.

- Spike

This Is Show # 7