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)

The Sub-Basement Blues Band Tape Archive Project.

The first question many (few) would ask is why ?!!!!

My first answer is F.U. We Rocked and at least We Seriously Tried By God!!!.

My second answer is "If nobody else will then it becomes landfill", my bandmate Thomas in the Sub-Basement Blues Band and on the first archived recording "The Enemy Sessions" had this to say after playback.

I Listened to the old SBBB recording. If this tape was ever thrown away, and the landfill that it ended up in excavated and homes built on it, it would be worse than building homes on an ancient Indian burial ground - Tom Roberto - Guitar, Vocals

DISC ONE - The Enemy Sessions contains two versions each of "I'm Not Your Enemy (early run throughs) and Sound Of Music (early run throughs) plus around Ten Minutes of Guitar Tuning. circa nineteeneightysomething.

CD Post-Production, Pacing/Sequencing and Overdubs - 2/2/13 HesDeadJimStudios - Queens, New York

We had a feeling of accomplishment as the long gestating project of our first album was finalized today concerning artwork, track selection and sequencing and are already looking towards our sophomore project.

As these tracks were recorded months and years apart there is a great variety of mood, execution and ambience about. It feels like a field recording but these were all recorded under the same eaves, Not to compare or liken to anyone else I get an "Odds & Sods" by the WHO feel from this collection but that is from my vantage point inside the monster.

Joe brought in a new technique to the Yeggs recording process that he read about in David Byrne's book "How Music Works" and which The "BONO" also utilizes which is that of "Control Room Tracking" wherein no headphones are used but the singer is listening to the track he/she is singing/dubbing onto live via monitor speaker(s).

Negligible microphone leakage (helped along by placement and polar pattern) discrepancies reported to limit the use of this technique.

Lets hear it for Thomas' job at producing, mixing and engineering the record, every track sounds very different from the one right next to it and is crystal clear in clarity and instrument separation. Thomas also has a humble bedside manner during recording by getting a better take without making you feel an inferior musician or imbecilic toadstool.

The highlight of my weekend is Guiro Overdubs,... that and Midget Pierogie Tossing.

Upon arrival at Thomas' house we honored the British with a little "tea party" since Tom likes the Beatles and I like ELO. 

Joe likes "some" Anglophile tunes but for the most part can be heard muttering "screw those Limeys, America created Rock and Roll!!!" to the man on the street and of course visiting British tourists whenever he can.

Thomas' son Lennon helped us with production duties over the course of the day and he and I discussed "Slenderman" and "Minecraft" in some detail. This photograph is a dedication to the Slenderman but can you spot Lennon or has Lennon learnt the first lesson of not being seen?

kindly leave your replies in the comments section below.

Sonically we knew Exactly what this song was going to look like in graphical representation then we opened it and there it was.

Noticeably Superior Chinese Food from "Fortune Kitchen" of Richmond Hill, Queens.

Ironically instead of having my dinner off the snare drum today I am having it off of Thomas' Roland Piano (well, he did offer).

But what really fed the day once we started finalizing track selection order was that Nutritious and Wonderful Elixir, Jim Beam Bourbon Whiskey.

FORTUNE KITCHEN ON MENUNY

- Spike

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

American Crank Video

We begin 2013 with a little something Tom Yegg threw together in the kitchen, a conceptual A/V tribute to America and its American Cranks.

To us presently on the east coast with our city slicker ways let us remember that ninety percent of America is the west and let us also remember that therein is what makes our country great.

We give you our tribute.

Holiday Greetings 2012

A little known holiday fact is that Green cherries are actually grown Green in hue and then manipulated (just like all the fruits) for sweetness, tartness and tartiness.

Private Party 10/27/12 Goshen, New York

Joe rented a van and we took a little road trip up to his sister Terry's house in Goshen, New York to perform at her birthday celebration. The Yeggs played three mini sets and aside from faking our way through "Blue Suede Shoes" we also winged it on "Thats Alright Mama" and "Johnny B. Goode". It was a pleasure to play for the family and they fed us so well too.



Joe's nephew Joe provided us with his drum kit so all I brought was a few stands, Cymbals, Snare Drum and Gig bag.



Joe Yegg tunes the Longhorn.



Thomas running through our brief soundcheck in the great outdoors.



And on Lead Guitar and metal finger Thomas "The Fish" Roberto.



There wuz Frankfurter's, Chili, Nacho's, Deliciously Dense Guacamole, Melted Cheese, Sour Cream and Roast Turkey, Chicken Parmigiana, Spiral Ham and Cheesey Salad in the Patio room as well.



Horsie's



and Hot Dog's

Jennie made us powerful Bourbon drinx as we set up the equipment.

Three Jolly Pigeons 9/29/12 Brooklyn, New York

....Afterwards Jamie mentioned to me that the crowd this night was not only buzzed on some drink but completely soused in some instances, either way nobody fell down or puked in public to my knowledge so no harm, no foul and the band played on.

Unique to tonight's show was an impromptu rendering of "Blue Suede Shoes" as the crowd wanted an encore and we had run out of rehearsed material.



The Good Yeggs played two sets trading off with Brian's band Rock Farm.



The Butcher.



The Baker.



The Candle Stick Maker.

Captions and touch ups on the above three photos by Jamie.



Our friend Fran of Frankie's Attic performed with us at the end of the first set to the delight of the crowd singing the standards "At Last" and "You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman".



The second priority (which comes after the first) of the night was to see if Pancho's Restaurant was open for dining or take-out, just a few doors down and on the same block even!!!

Pre-gig Dining it was, Jamie had an Enchilada Platter (3 Enchilada's, 1 Cheese, 1 Steak, 1 Chicken)



Being a Burrito fan myself I was ready to be WOWed and I wuz WOWed indeed,

Tinga (Chipotle Chicken) Burrito topped with Guacamole, Sour Cream, Tomatoes and Chips served on a red plate which is good luck in some cultures.

This Is Show # 8

FRANKIES ATTIC REVERBNATION PAGE

KJ Farrells/Lets Rock for a Cure Benfit 9/15/12 Bellmore, Long Island

We offered our services at the "Lets Rock and Roll for a Cure" charity concert for a worthy cause and played the middle set (going on around 3 p.m.) amidst 5 bands at K.J. Farrell's on Long Island. This is definitely a bar set up for bands as could be gleaned from the proper placement of the sound tech (opposite stage), Pop Wallpaper (Classic Rock Icons) and hanging TV monitors promoting upcoming gigs for various local cover bands so it was a nice room to play with an actual stage and small lighting setup, the hi-hat was miked for this event which was adequate and backline provided by Thomas' co-worker Gordon.

Premiered at this show was the Stevie Ray Vaughan classic "Texas Flood".




Joe and Tom rocking out.



(L to R) - Spike, Fran, Thomas and Joe.

It was nice to see Fran again after all these years (the last I saw her was in Thomas' band Heart & Soul in the late 80s) and she will be singing a few numbers with us at the next Good Yegg's show later this month.



There was a Buffet laid out that I attacked after our 50 minute set, pictured here is some nicely done Roasted Potatoes (6 o' clock) , Tasty Eggplant Parmigiana (11 o' clock) and some Chicken Francaise (2 o' clock).

Later in the day Thomas ordered KJ Farrell's Mozzarella Sticks that turned out to be the stretchiest the world has known, I still regret not getting a photo.



Later still Jamie made me Homeade Chicken Parmigiana and Broccoli Rabe Ravioli and this being the "Year of the Rabe" it was very fitting and Delicioso too.



 Acorn and Card.



 Online Promo Poster.



 AND Lennon won a basket of Chocolates in the raffle.

LETS ROCK AND ROLL FOR A CURE SITE