My Weekend

Yet another fun & eventful weekend to write about...

Friday night, Beth & I met up with Randy & Tempy at the Canal Room to see ABC. The best thing was their 9:00PM set time. Can't remember the last time I went to see a headliner that early. Anyway, the Canal Room has a capacity of maybe, I'm gonna guess, of about 300 tops, and it was packed. Median age of the crowd had to be about 40. After working our way up towards the front of the room, we didn't have to wait long for the band to come on...

Following a 60 second or so introduction (from debut album Lexicon of Love), their set kicked in lead by singer Martin Fry who, by the way, was wearing a very beautiful suit. Must've been custom made. They ran through all the highlights of their career...Poison Arrow, Tears Are Not Enough, All of My Heart, Show Me, The Look of Love, That Was Then But This Is Now, How To Be A Millionaire, When Smokey Sings, and quite a few others...the band and the songs were clean, crisp, funky, just this side of sophisticated. Great melodies that were fantastic to hear...no irony or anger, just sweet, fun, and thoughtful. Besides Martin Fry, the only other original member was drummer David Palmer. Since the early 80's, he's gone on to a very successful career playing with people like Rod Stewart. The rest of the band was filled out guitar, bass, and two keyboardists. The crowd was with them every step of the way, singing along with every word. Randy took some pictures which he or I may post...what's up with those pix Randy?

Immediately following the set, Randy & Tempy disappeared (I'll leave his story to him). Beth & I started talking to a guy (Neil?) who had on an old school original Danceteria t-shirt. Then we met up with my cousin & his wife for a few minutes, and out the door. Goodbyes were said, Beth was put in a cab home (she wasn't feeliing well), and I got my own ride over to CBGB...switching gears!

Jack Rabid's old friends Channel Three were kind enough to leave a pair of tickets at the door. This was fantastic because it was a $40 cover charge! The theme for Friday & Saturday at CB's was So Cal Orange County punk rock at it's best...Electric Frankenstein (who are actually east coast but that's another story), D.I., the aforementioned Channel Three, the Adolescents, and the Circle Jerks.

Having missed Channel Three, who I wouldn't have minded seeing, I really only wanted to to see the mighty Adolescents. The last time I had seen them was probably the mid 80's at the old Ritz on 11th Street, and their self-titled debut album is one of my all time faves of the genre. They certainly didn't disappoint. The greatest thing about them is now, besides the original singer and bass player, they have an excellent drummer (original Social Distortion drummer Derek O'Brien), and two (literally) kids - both about 15 years old, on guitar. One of their dads is original Adolescents guitarist Frank Agnew who doesn't like to travel anymore. I'm not sure who the other kid belongs to but his father is somehow involved with the OC scene as well. Anyway, the kids just kicked ass...they knew the songs and played great legitimizing the fact that a few 40-somethings play in a band called the Adolescents. As I said to bassist and original member Steve Soto after their set, the kids coming into the band must've lifted up & renewed the band somewhat, and he agreed.

After they played it was the Circle Jerks turn...we stayed for a few songs but I had had enough and worked my way out of there. Keith Morris was ranting a bit at the crowd, and I was ready for bed.

Saturday, it was off to Yankee Stadium for my first ever Yankees-Red Sox game. The Sox spanked the Yanks on a picture perfect afternoon for baseball.

On my way home, I stopped at the Carlton Hotel for a meeting with the Adolescents label guys from Finger Records to talk about getting their releases up on eMusic.com. So a big shout out to them...they are very cool guys...then home, and out for dinner, and then bed time.

Now it's Sunday. It feels like this weekend has gone on forever - in a good way. Guess I squeezed a lot in. Here's to taking it easy today!