The staff at Tool & Die Magazine has invited me onto their team as a sales representative! In addition to my contribution as a writer, I will be generating leads for advertising in the magazine.
If you are interested in expanding your business by marketing to the Tool & Die readers, both locally and nationally, please contact me at kevin@toolanddiezine.com I will be more than happy to deliver copies for your business partners and customers in an effort to expand our distribution.
HELP US KEEP THIS MAGAZINE FREE!
A friendly reminder that this magazine is the concept of my bassist, Chuck Kahl and is now available thanks Cindy and Bob Hopper! The next issue will be available September 25th at the following locations in the Syracuse area:
Liquor Town (Brewerton, NY)
The Movie Gallery (Brewerton, NY)
The Checkpoint Tavern (Cleveland, NY)
The Lost Horizon (DeWitt, NY)
Fat Jamies (N. Syr., NY)
Evil Needle (N. Syr., NY)
Speakerworks(N. Syr., NY)
County Line Choppers (Phoenix, NY)
Biker Alley (Central Square, NY)
The Music Center (East Syracuse, NY)
The SoundGarden
C & G Music (Baldwinsville, NY)
The Half Penney (Syracuse, NY)
Dinosaur BBQ (Syracuse& Rochester, NY)
A Harley shop & Tatoo shop in Rochester, NY(Names submitted soon)
Various places in Utica, NY (Names submitted soon)
Various places in New Jersey (Names submitted soon)
Issues are being shipped to Pittsburgh, PA, Florida, California, Colorado and Illinois
http://toolanddiezine.com
http://www.myspace.com/tooldiezine
Thanks to the owners:
Chuck "Gulch" Kahl
Chuck@toolanddiezine.com
Cynthia "Syn" Hopper
315.254.5266
Cyn@toolanddiezine.com
Robert "Hop" Hopper
Bob@toolanddiezine.com
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
TOOL & DIE MAGAZINE!
Tool & Die Magazine is available at The Half Penny Pub, Dinosaur BBQ, The Lost Horizon, Checkpoint Tavern, The Music Center, The Soundgarden, C & G Music and Evil Needle Tattoo! (SYRACUSE, NY)
It's a FREE publication so go out and get one! Help us promote it so we can review your band, restaurant or favorite motorsports shop and keep this scene rolling! At this time the magazine is bi-monthly and regional. Eventually our goal is to make it monthly and national!
If you know any businesses that want placement in this magazine direct them to http://www.toolanddiezine.com
The deadline is September 6th for the next issue. I don't know of any publication like this in our region.Let's keep it alive!
Chuck@ToolandDieZine.com
Cin@ToolandDieZine.com
Bob@ToolandDieZine.com
Thanks for the support and spread the word!
-Kevin Dean
It's a FREE publication so go out and get one! Help us promote it so we can review your band, restaurant or favorite motorsports shop and keep this scene rolling! At this time the magazine is bi-monthly and regional. Eventually our goal is to make it monthly and national!
If you know any businesses that want placement in this magazine direct them to http://www.toolanddiezine.com
The deadline is September 6th for the next issue. I don't know of any publication like this in our region.Let's keep it alive!
Chuck@ToolandDieZine.com
Cin@ToolandDieZine.com
Bob@ToolandDieZine.com
Thanks for the support and spread the word!
-Kevin Dean
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Rock dads
My singer, Joe Sweet was recently interviewed by the Utica Newspaper - http://www.uticaod.com/homepage/x903585837/Local-musicians-find-balance-between-performing-fatherhood
It is an article about rocker dads. Joe's son Angelo is only a 5 or 6 months old and their first time away from each other for any significant length of time was recently when we went to Michigan for a couple days.
I remember the fear. Driving home from the hospital I thought I was going to have a panic attack watching my infant son's newborn head bobble back and forth after every bump in the road. "We don't have enough experience! How are we going to do this?" I thought. I can remember waking up in the middle of the night trembling, worried about all the dark media stories like SIDS and walking into Collin's bedroom just to check and see if he was breathing.
Man, what a nervous wuss I was. Eventually, the child grew and continues to grow and shape all of our lives. We adapt just as he does only it's much different as a child. You just don't understand the rules; especially WHY there are even rules at all. Patience is something I thought was one of my fortes. I'm still learning it. I have an awesome son, yet I sometimes find myself walking out of the room to avoid a blowout. Smart. Then sometimes I snap and yell at him. Dumb. I'm learning. So is he. He's going to be alright. He's very smart and I'm sure he gets frustrated when he can't fully communicate what he needs or wants so he'll lash out in the form of throwing things, screaming, maybe even hitting. I don't understand the hitting part but I'm told it's normal and it will pass. Don't get me wrong here, he's not violent. He'll just kind of slap you like you'd slap someone on the back ('hey what's up buddy') yet he'll end up scraping your eyelid scaring the shit out of you!
Anyway, reading the article made me think about my role or multiple roles in this life. I, like many men, have some great responsibility! I need to continue the path I'm on and see all these great things through to fruition. All these things include my marriage, my parenthood, my musicianship and my band.
A musician's day can be spent on the phone and computer corresponding with media and/or fans, booking shows, planning tours, paying bills, preparing budgets, designing websites and graphics, editing recordings and videos, designing posters and flyers and any number of multi-tasking skills that many people with "real jobs" wouldn't be expected to do. All this while juggling the spazz-attack child(ren) bouncing off the walls and demanding your attention while ruining the nice clean floor you just mopped 3 times in one day. It is definitely convenient to be a musician in a rock band. Our work days are at night allowing us to be there during the day. In the fall we are planning weekend runs so it will be a little tougher - 3 or 4 days gone and 3 or 4 days home. It will be a new adjustment for us but it's a fantastic plan. Now, remember my kid isn't quite an infant anymore - he has some independence and he demands it! It's hard to balance it all out. I realize that sometimes I have to stop working and get on the floor and get nuts with him a little...get outside...let him be a kid and be around other kids.
It's not always about partying your face off living the dream in a tour bus and being the center of attention and ending up in rehab (sounds fun though huh?). Touring is a nice break and it really is what we all desire. The drawback is missing your family when your gone. Then again, we miss the road when we're home - Catch 22 (I'll have to read that book someday).
Kenny and Kris have been at this longer than I have and they both have two kids.
But you all know that we really joined a band to get chicks right?
It is an article about rocker dads. Joe's son Angelo is only a 5 or 6 months old and their first time away from each other for any significant length of time was recently when we went to Michigan for a couple days.
I remember the fear. Driving home from the hospital I thought I was going to have a panic attack watching my infant son's newborn head bobble back and forth after every bump in the road. "We don't have enough experience! How are we going to do this?" I thought. I can remember waking up in the middle of the night trembling, worried about all the dark media stories like SIDS and walking into Collin's bedroom just to check and see if he was breathing.
Man, what a nervous wuss I was. Eventually, the child grew and continues to grow and shape all of our lives. We adapt just as he does only it's much different as a child. You just don't understand the rules; especially WHY there are even rules at all. Patience is something I thought was one of my fortes. I'm still learning it. I have an awesome son, yet I sometimes find myself walking out of the room to avoid a blowout. Smart. Then sometimes I snap and yell at him. Dumb. I'm learning. So is he. He's going to be alright. He's very smart and I'm sure he gets frustrated when he can't fully communicate what he needs or wants so he'll lash out in the form of throwing things, screaming, maybe even hitting. I don't understand the hitting part but I'm told it's normal and it will pass. Don't get me wrong here, he's not violent. He'll just kind of slap you like you'd slap someone on the back ('hey what's up buddy') yet he'll end up scraping your eyelid scaring the shit out of you!
Anyway, reading the article made me think about my role or multiple roles in this life. I, like many men, have some great responsibility! I need to continue the path I'm on and see all these great things through to fruition. All these things include my marriage, my parenthood, my musicianship and my band.
A musician's day can be spent on the phone and computer corresponding with media and/or fans, booking shows, planning tours, paying bills, preparing budgets, designing websites and graphics, editing recordings and videos, designing posters and flyers and any number of multi-tasking skills that many people with "real jobs" wouldn't be expected to do. All this while juggling the spazz-attack child(ren) bouncing off the walls and demanding your attention while ruining the nice clean floor you just mopped 3 times in one day. It is definitely convenient to be a musician in a rock band. Our work days are at night allowing us to be there during the day. In the fall we are planning weekend runs so it will be a little tougher - 3 or 4 days gone and 3 or 4 days home. It will be a new adjustment for us but it's a fantastic plan. Now, remember my kid isn't quite an infant anymore - he has some independence and he demands it! It's hard to balance it all out. I realize that sometimes I have to stop working and get on the floor and get nuts with him a little...get outside...let him be a kid and be around other kids.
It's not always about partying your face off living the dream in a tour bus and being the center of attention and ending up in rehab (sounds fun though huh?). Touring is a nice break and it really is what we all desire. The drawback is missing your family when your gone. Then again, we miss the road when we're home - Catch 22 (I'll have to read that book someday).
Kenny and Kris have been at this longer than I have and they both have two kids.
But you all know that we really joined a band to get chicks right?
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
WHERE ARE WE GOING?
"Dude, let's start a band and record a CD and shop it to record labels. Then we'll get ourselves on MTV, get into a movie, tour with Lemmy and Zakk and go to Europe and live happily ever after!"
No one actually said that of course but that's what happened...and let me tell you - only YOU are in control of the "happily ever after" part; not your bank account.
Record labels:
As much as I fear record labels, I would love a venture capitalist to knock on my door. Money allows you time but not necessarily quality music. With a record label advance also comes a deadline. Yes it is true that many labels and or investors will boast on the highest mountain to be part of the union with your band but mostly, they want a return for their investment! They wouldn't lie. They'd tell you before you signed the 35 pages, "you'd better deliver". They would put it nicely of course and make you feel that they have every confidence in the world or they wouldn't consider the offer. However, it's a loan. Hopefully not too big of one.
Let's take the word 'day' and replace it with the word 'song' for a moment:
A Song in the Life
A Hard Song's Night
That'll Be The Song
Lucky Song
One Song at a Time
They all seem to fit this topic here. Especially the last one (without the religious connotation, although a prayer or two wouldn't hurt). 'One Song At a Time' - that is the way we are running the show right now. It's not really a plan. It's convenient. We're broke uh..eh...(excuse me while I clear my throat) I mean we are very frugal with our money and we are not on a label anymore. A band member has some excellent recording gear and we record as we write. When the song is ready we release it. "Huh?" You say? Is that against the rules? Who's rules? In the 1950's the whole industry was based on the 'single'. 45 rpm record. 1 song per side. Why make our fans wait? If a song is ready publish it! Most people will find a way to get it free anyway. That said, why go through all the trouble of finding some corporate giants who treat us like schmucks, waste time and money developing us in the wrong genre and turn around to renegotiate the next time around and/or blame US for lack of CD sales? It's our burden, our passion, our music so why shouldn't it be our decision to do with it what we please?
This is not a rant it's an epiphany:
There sure is a lot of writing on the wall these days! It seems that modern day musicians will only benefit from merchandise, live shows, publishing and subscriptions/on-demand services.
Pack for the trip - let's see, camera, phone, Ipod, laptop, PDA, camcorder, all the wall-chargers, car-chargers and cable connectors, spare batteries, battery chargers, adaptors, USB, SCSI, Mini jack, 1/4 inch, RCA, firewire.........
I need a bigger suitcase!
Much like the way the consumers have been tired of carrying around a PDA, cell phone, Ipod, Laptop, digital camera, video camera and any number of other gadgets that require grown men to harness 'bitch-bags', the cell phone companies have opted for the 'all-in-one' devices. Now the damn phones hold multiple gigs of music, web browsers, camcorders, cameras and who knows what else? Soon consumers will inevitably subscribe to ONE company for ALL their music. There's no doubt in my mind that it will be part of some conglomerate umbrella of Verizon or AT&T (whatever).
If you are subscribing to get ALL your music from one place you would expect ALL artists to be in their archives. Right? Not yet. It's getting there. Emusic boasts that it has "the world's largest catalog of independent music". OK, that's great for independent music. What about U2, Shaggy, Kid Rock(footnote 1) and Nickelback? Itunes, Rhapsody, Sony Connect? The main question I guess, relating to my theme here the best I can, do these companies accept artists if they only submit a single song? Is it absolutely necessary to have a pressed "CD" in order to stand along side the giants in the industry? I think you can see where I'm going here (if you know tell me and I'll meet you there). Much of my experience with a full recorded album [they still call them albums] is the time fillers! With the exception of a few artists (Boston's 1st record, Led Zeppelin, Stone Temple Pilots, Pantera, Soundgarden, Pink Floyd) I cannot listen to an entire album without skipping tracks. It seems that most artists, whether premeditated or unintentional, have but 1 or 2 'good' - maybe 'great' - songs and the rest are garbage or just mediocre. Why is that?
I can answer that question a few ways:
1) Maybe they didn't have enough material and slapped together a few tracks at the last minute to meet a deadline.
2) Maybe they were trying to cross over into different genres and just should have stayed with their forte
3) Maybe I'm a presumptuous asshole and I'm too picky or elitist to accept anything but the best.
4) Maybe I have a certain taste and end up biased based on particular styles of songs.
Notice my last two reasons pointed out the fact that the previous paragraph won't stand up as a valid argument to most people. The reason is basically this: Music is subjective; one man's junk is another man's treasure. You cannot expect to please all the people all the time. You can also take a bunch of cliches and make a hit song out of it (haha - it's true though). Back to the point: In my opinion, it seems most bands release a full length CD because it's the standard way of doing things. It's what you are supposed to do. I don't agree with that philosophy. If 4 songs feel good and sound good together and that seems like the best package STOP right there! It looks to me like you have yourselves an EP this time! Release it as it is!
What's my point? I don't know but it feels good to let it out. I think what my cerebrum is trying to convey (while side-tracking myself like a ADHD kid who forgot to take his Ritalin) is that the 'singles' format may very well be the vehicle for independent artists. Also, I feel that independent artist should remain that way: Indy!
1.) It's interesting that I happened to mention Kid Rock while assuming that all major artists have their music on Itunes and the like. I should do some research before running my mouth: I just read in Rolling Stone Magazine that Kid Rock REFUSED to publish his songs on Itunes. Maybe that's the reason he sold 1.3 million copies of his latest release, "Rock N Roll Jesus" (which came out last October). "All Summer Long" hit number 4 in July. According to Atlantic general manager , Livia Tortella, he's "the only artist that's not available on Itunes with a monster hit right now." At that level, maybe that is what it takes to actually sell CDs...hold out as long as you can. In his own words, "it's not very American to me when Apple tells you how they want to sell your product and tell you what it's worth." - Rolling Stone issue 1059 August 21, 2008.
-KD
No one actually said that of course but that's what happened...and let me tell you - only YOU are in control of the "happily ever after" part; not your bank account.
Record labels:
As much as I fear record labels, I would love a venture capitalist to knock on my door. Money allows you time but not necessarily quality music. With a record label advance also comes a deadline. Yes it is true that many labels and or investors will boast on the highest mountain to be part of the union with your band but mostly, they want a return for their investment! They wouldn't lie. They'd tell you before you signed the 35 pages, "you'd better deliver". They would put it nicely of course and make you feel that they have every confidence in the world or they wouldn't consider the offer. However, it's a loan. Hopefully not too big of one.
Let's take the word 'day' and replace it with the word 'song' for a moment:
A Song in the Life
A Hard Song's Night
That'll Be The Song
Lucky Song
One Song at a Time
They all seem to fit this topic here. Especially the last one (without the religious connotation, although a prayer or two wouldn't hurt). 'One Song At a Time' - that is the way we are running the show right now. It's not really a plan. It's convenient. We're broke uh..eh...(excuse me while I clear my throat) I mean we are very frugal with our money and we are not on a label anymore. A band member has some excellent recording gear and we record as we write. When the song is ready we release it. "Huh?" You say? Is that against the rules? Who's rules? In the 1950's the whole industry was based on the 'single'. 45 rpm record. 1 song per side. Why make our fans wait? If a song is ready publish it! Most people will find a way to get it free anyway. That said, why go through all the trouble of finding some corporate giants who treat us like schmucks, waste time and money developing us in the wrong genre and turn around to renegotiate the next time around and/or blame US for lack of CD sales? It's our burden, our passion, our music so why shouldn't it be our decision to do with it what we please?
This is not a rant it's an epiphany:
There sure is a lot of writing on the wall these days! It seems that modern day musicians will only benefit from merchandise, live shows, publishing and subscriptions/on-demand services.
Pack for the trip - let's see, camera, phone, Ipod, laptop, PDA, camcorder, all the wall-chargers, car-chargers and cable connectors, spare batteries, battery chargers, adaptors, USB, SCSI, Mini jack, 1/4 inch, RCA, firewire.........
I need a bigger suitcase!
Much like the way the consumers have been tired of carrying around a PDA, cell phone, Ipod, Laptop, digital camera, video camera and any number of other gadgets that require grown men to harness 'bitch-bags', the cell phone companies have opted for the 'all-in-one' devices. Now the damn phones hold multiple gigs of music, web browsers, camcorders, cameras and who knows what else? Soon consumers will inevitably subscribe to ONE company for ALL their music. There's no doubt in my mind that it will be part of some conglomerate umbrella of Verizon or AT&T (whatever).
If you are subscribing to get ALL your music from one place you would expect ALL artists to be in their archives. Right? Not yet. It's getting there. Emusic boasts that it has "the world's largest catalog of independent music". OK, that's great for independent music. What about U2, Shaggy, Kid Rock(footnote 1) and Nickelback? Itunes, Rhapsody, Sony Connect? The main question I guess, relating to my theme here the best I can, do these companies accept artists if they only submit a single song? Is it absolutely necessary to have a pressed "CD" in order to stand along side the giants in the industry? I think you can see where I'm going here (if you know tell me and I'll meet you there). Much of my experience with a full recorded album [they still call them albums] is the time fillers! With the exception of a few artists (Boston's 1st record, Led Zeppelin, Stone Temple Pilots, Pantera, Soundgarden, Pink Floyd) I cannot listen to an entire album without skipping tracks. It seems that most artists, whether premeditated or unintentional, have but 1 or 2 'good' - maybe 'great' - songs and the rest are garbage or just mediocre. Why is that?
I can answer that question a few ways:
1) Maybe they didn't have enough material and slapped together a few tracks at the last minute to meet a deadline.
2) Maybe they were trying to cross over into different genres and just should have stayed with their forte
3) Maybe I'm a presumptuous asshole and I'm too picky or elitist to accept anything but the best.
4) Maybe I have a certain taste and end up biased based on particular styles of songs.
Notice my last two reasons pointed out the fact that the previous paragraph won't stand up as a valid argument to most people. The reason is basically this: Music is subjective; one man's junk is another man's treasure. You cannot expect to please all the people all the time. You can also take a bunch of cliches and make a hit song out of it (haha - it's true though). Back to the point: In my opinion, it seems most bands release a full length CD because it's the standard way of doing things. It's what you are supposed to do. I don't agree with that philosophy. If 4 songs feel good and sound good together and that seems like the best package STOP right there! It looks to me like you have yourselves an EP this time! Release it as it is!
What's my point? I don't know but it feels good to let it out. I think what my cerebrum is trying to convey (while side-tracking myself like a ADHD kid who forgot to take his Ritalin) is that the 'singles' format may very well be the vehicle for independent artists. Also, I feel that independent artist should remain that way: Indy!
1.) It's interesting that I happened to mention Kid Rock while assuming that all major artists have their music on Itunes and the like. I should do some research before running my mouth: I just read in Rolling Stone Magazine that Kid Rock REFUSED to publish his songs on Itunes. Maybe that's the reason he sold 1.3 million copies of his latest release, "Rock N Roll Jesus" (which came out last October). "All Summer Long" hit number 4 in July. According to Atlantic general manager , Livia Tortella, he's "the only artist that's not available on Itunes with a monster hit right now." At that level, maybe that is what it takes to actually sell CDs...hold out as long as you can. In his own words, "it's not very American to me when Apple tells you how they want to sell your product and tell you what it's worth." - Rolling Stone issue 1059 August 21, 2008.
-KD
Monday, July 28, 2008
Hittin' The Road
[UTICA, FLINT & DETROIT]
To paraphrase Chuck in his upcoming magazine, 'when we're in it we miss home...when we're home we miss it. It's our bed, our living room, our solace, our garbage can, our wrestling ring... the van is our home.'
AAAHHHH! As we ventured 500 miles to Michigan I noticed the tension leaving my being after 8 months of being grounded. This is where we need to be; on the road showcasing Brand New Sin and visiting old friends. Michigan feels like home to us. Dave and Wendy once again invited us into their home to eat some home-cooked grubbin' and treat their house like it was our own (ironically, they live on Syracuse Street - coincidence?) They open their doors to us with a warm embrace just like mom would after a semester away at college. We weren't playing Detroit until tomorrow but they insisted that we swing by for a nice meal and some rest before heading north to Flint (about an hour and a half away).
We just debuted in Joe Sweet's home town the night before (Utica, NY) Kick ass! Stage sound wasn't that great - in fact it was terrible. Drums are too loud for that room plus the back wall is brick. Anyway, Joe did a terrific job of captivating the young ladies in the front and impressing our devoted fans who we're itching to see and hear the new sound. We hung out for a while, said our goodbyes and began our journey. We needed to stop back to Chuck's to drop off some gear and put a couple rows of seats back on the van before we picked up Chucky Luv - if he's available, all bands should consider taking Mr. Luv on the road. Invaluable entity that guy is.
Side note: Utica is rocking on Thursday nights!! Especially Varick Street right around the corner from The Saranac Brewery. Every Thursday they have a concert series at the brewery with a huge stage and all the streets and bars are packed!! If you live near Utica you should take a chance and check out a Thursday!
We arrived at The Machine Shop to an open buffet - all you can eat and drink! "Welcome back my friends"... even if you've never been there, it is so familiar and welcoming at The Machine Shop in Flint Michigan. The two owners (brothers Kevin and Craig Zink) and the staff that works there dress and comb their hair like The Outsiders: INSIDE AND OUT - they're greasers! James Dean and Buddy Holly would feel right at home here. The chicks are hot. The place is decked out in custom designed diamond plate metal, steel chains, motorcycle parts, hot chicks and rock & roll and metal.
We played "Know Yourself" during sound check and I noticed three or four rockers watching and grooving to us. It was DOPE! Afterword, Virus came up to our table and introduced himself. He said that he didn't even know we were playing and I explained that we got on the bill a couple weeks ago. He mentioned that he was from the Central New York area. I could tell that he didn't recognize me so I mentioned that I was in a band with a childhood friend of his and that I knew his old band members (including his brother) from the band "One" who became "Bully". That led to a cool conversation - then the singer and guitarist came up and introduced themselves to us. They didn't have to take the time to do that. Much respect to the Dope guys for that! They definitely left a great first impression on me.
This was the first time I saw Bobaflex...great band!! Really, I'm not kissing ass here - I was very impressed with their show and stage presence. I had a good long talk with the guitarist and then the drummer. Nice guys. They seem to have a great plan and good work ethic. They were very easy to talk to. Chucky befriended them on his last tour with Soil and Bobaflex. Hopefully we get to share the stage with them in the future.
Unfortunately, I did not get to see A New Revolution but I did hear them. I was outside breaking down my drums and repacking the van. They sounded great and Kenny said he thought they were an awesome band (he's very critical so I would take his word for it).
After our show we got some feedback from strangers and friends. Honest feedback. Most people absolutely love the new sound with Joe Sweet. One person asked permission to be frank and I said, "let me have it man". He just isn't used to anything other than Joe Altier. He wasn't bashing the new guy but he thinks that the old singer was a better fit and he doesn't think we should play the old tunes anymore. OK. He was honest and I thanked him. What are you going to do? Quit or find a replacement? Well, you obviously know our answer to that. Regardless of the difference of opinion, I respect him for sharing his honest opinion.
We got to spend some time with Mercedes, the drummer of Kittie. She told me that she loves the new singer! Nice. It's been a while since we've toured with Kittie. She introduced me to the two new girls in their band. I believe they are all from Canada. I have to hand it to them, her and her sister, Morgan, were just young teenagers when their first album, "Spit" came out. They have this knack for taking bands on the road who later explode! Seriously, they've given a lot of exposure to many up and coming bands who are now at the top of the industry. They are still young and do not seem jaded or sour from the music biz. Plus they still tour! Good for them.
"Alright, gentlemen, time to leave!!" - Chucky Luv. Poor guy. He's the responsible one since he doesn't drink anymore. Trying to round up a drunken Brand New Sin is like trying to catch a bunch of fruit flies with chopsticks.
Here are some photos: http://www.mintypics.com/BNS%207-25-08.html
A little over an hour later we show up at Dave and Wendy's house (who, incidentally, made sure to express their love for the new guy - which really means a lot to us). It's hard to sleep after you play your first show back on the road, especially if you're among friends who feel and treat you like members of their family! We had a blast.
What time is it? Whew! Back to sleep. My wife would have kicked my ass if I was rolling our of bed just to take a leak and crawl back in at 2 pm!! Don't get me wrong, my wife is awesome but at home I have some responsibility - my 2 year old son (yes of course I miss them but it's only been two days - they understand). She would have every right to kick me out of bed much earlier in the day.
Anyway, this was one of the most relaxing days I've had in a long time. It was nice to decompress.
The Token Lounge! Once again, this place feels like a home town bar. John, the owner, is also an independent film director. He specializes in drug-trafficking, gun-toting, 'violent for no apparent reason', action packed movies with plenty of explosions and corruption! Nice. I wrote a blog years ago about an incident regarding a van-breakdown turned into a van-funeral in which we ended up handing over the title to John so he could blow it up in his next movie! I can't wait to see the footage. The show: not a jam-packed show but the people there were either hard-core BNS fans or became such fans enough to stay interested. Most people stuck around for the entire show! That's a great experience when you can captivate strangers while you're playing - enough to actually meet them after the show. That was cool. We met almost everyone left in the bar at the end of the night. Everyone we met was easy to get a long with and again, I keep saying it, it feels so familiar here. Even Joe said it. You find yourself among a group of strangers getting along with them as if you'd known them for years. I got to spend quite a bit of time with Allen Beck from WRIF - a rock/metal station in Detroit. They are the first radio station to spin "Know Yourself". Here's a link to the interview:
http://brandnewsinmusic.com/wrifinterview.htm
Stay tuned for a link to another blog written by Dave (our Michigan Host), some photos and hopefully some video footage.
[edit] Well, that didn't take long. Here's Part 1 of Dave's recap: http://brandnewsin.hyperboards.com/index.php?action=view_topic&topic_id=3394
It is posted on the Brand New Sin forum - please don't complain...just make up a screen name and join us on the forum if you want to read it.
-Kevin
To paraphrase Chuck in his upcoming magazine, 'when we're in it we miss home...when we're home we miss it. It's our bed, our living room, our solace, our garbage can, our wrestling ring... the van is our home.'
AAAHHHH! As we ventured 500 miles to Michigan I noticed the tension leaving my being after 8 months of being grounded. This is where we need to be; on the road showcasing Brand New Sin and visiting old friends. Michigan feels like home to us. Dave and Wendy once again invited us into their home to eat some home-cooked grubbin' and treat their house like it was our own (ironically, they live on Syracuse Street - coincidence?) They open their doors to us with a warm embrace just like mom would after a semester away at college. We weren't playing Detroit until tomorrow but they insisted that we swing by for a nice meal and some rest before heading north to Flint (about an hour and a half away).
We just debuted in Joe Sweet's home town the night before (Utica, NY) Kick ass! Stage sound wasn't that great - in fact it was terrible. Drums are too loud for that room plus the back wall is brick. Anyway, Joe did a terrific job of captivating the young ladies in the front and impressing our devoted fans who we're itching to see and hear the new sound. We hung out for a while, said our goodbyes and began our journey. We needed to stop back to Chuck's to drop off some gear and put a couple rows of seats back on the van before we picked up Chucky Luv - if he's available, all bands should consider taking Mr. Luv on the road. Invaluable entity that guy is.
Side note: Utica is rocking on Thursday nights!! Especially Varick Street right around the corner from The Saranac Brewery. Every Thursday they have a concert series at the brewery with a huge stage and all the streets and bars are packed!! If you live near Utica you should take a chance and check out a Thursday!
We arrived at The Machine Shop to an open buffet - all you can eat and drink! "Welcome back my friends"... even if you've never been there, it is so familiar and welcoming at The Machine Shop in Flint Michigan. The two owners (brothers Kevin and Craig Zink) and the staff that works there dress and comb their hair like The Outsiders: INSIDE AND OUT - they're greasers! James Dean and Buddy Holly would feel right at home here. The chicks are hot. The place is decked out in custom designed diamond plate metal, steel chains, motorcycle parts, hot chicks and rock & roll and metal.
We played "Know Yourself" during sound check and I noticed three or four rockers watching and grooving to us. It was DOPE! Afterword, Virus came up to our table and introduced himself. He said that he didn't even know we were playing and I explained that we got on the bill a couple weeks ago. He mentioned that he was from the Central New York area. I could tell that he didn't recognize me so I mentioned that I was in a band with a childhood friend of his and that I knew his old band members (including his brother) from the band "One" who became "Bully". That led to a cool conversation - then the singer and guitarist came up and introduced themselves to us. They didn't have to take the time to do that. Much respect to the Dope guys for that! They definitely left a great first impression on me.
This was the first time I saw Bobaflex...great band!! Really, I'm not kissing ass here - I was very impressed with their show and stage presence. I had a good long talk with the guitarist and then the drummer. Nice guys. They seem to have a great plan and good work ethic. They were very easy to talk to. Chucky befriended them on his last tour with Soil and Bobaflex. Hopefully we get to share the stage with them in the future.
Unfortunately, I did not get to see A New Revolution but I did hear them. I was outside breaking down my drums and repacking the van. They sounded great and Kenny said he thought they were an awesome band (he's very critical so I would take his word for it).
After our show we got some feedback from strangers and friends. Honest feedback. Most people absolutely love the new sound with Joe Sweet. One person asked permission to be frank and I said, "let me have it man". He just isn't used to anything other than Joe Altier. He wasn't bashing the new guy but he thinks that the old singer was a better fit and he doesn't think we should play the old tunes anymore. OK. He was honest and I thanked him. What are you going to do? Quit or find a replacement? Well, you obviously know our answer to that. Regardless of the difference of opinion, I respect him for sharing his honest opinion.
We got to spend some time with Mercedes, the drummer of Kittie. She told me that she loves the new singer! Nice. It's been a while since we've toured with Kittie. She introduced me to the two new girls in their band. I believe they are all from Canada. I have to hand it to them, her and her sister, Morgan, were just young teenagers when their first album, "Spit" came out. They have this knack for taking bands on the road who later explode! Seriously, they've given a lot of exposure to many up and coming bands who are now at the top of the industry. They are still young and do not seem jaded or sour from the music biz. Plus they still tour! Good for them.
"Alright, gentlemen, time to leave!!" - Chucky Luv. Poor guy. He's the responsible one since he doesn't drink anymore. Trying to round up a drunken Brand New Sin is like trying to catch a bunch of fruit flies with chopsticks.
Here are some photos: http://www.mintypics.com/BNS%207-25-08.html
A little over an hour later we show up at Dave and Wendy's house (who, incidentally, made sure to express their love for the new guy - which really means a lot to us). It's hard to sleep after you play your first show back on the road, especially if you're among friends who feel and treat you like members of their family! We had a blast.
What time is it? Whew! Back to sleep. My wife would have kicked my ass if I was rolling our of bed just to take a leak and crawl back in at 2 pm!! Don't get me wrong, my wife is awesome but at home I have some responsibility - my 2 year old son (yes of course I miss them but it's only been two days - they understand). She would have every right to kick me out of bed much earlier in the day.
Anyway, this was one of the most relaxing days I've had in a long time. It was nice to decompress.
The Token Lounge! Once again, this place feels like a home town bar. John, the owner, is also an independent film director. He specializes in drug-trafficking, gun-toting, 'violent for no apparent reason', action packed movies with plenty of explosions and corruption! Nice. I wrote a blog years ago about an incident regarding a van-breakdown turned into a van-funeral in which we ended up handing over the title to John so he could blow it up in his next movie! I can't wait to see the footage. The show: not a jam-packed show but the people there were either hard-core BNS fans or became such fans enough to stay interested. Most people stuck around for the entire show! That's a great experience when you can captivate strangers while you're playing - enough to actually meet them after the show. That was cool. We met almost everyone left in the bar at the end of the night. Everyone we met was easy to get a long with and again, I keep saying it, it feels so familiar here. Even Joe said it. You find yourself among a group of strangers getting along with them as if you'd known them for years. I got to spend quite a bit of time with Allen Beck from WRIF - a rock/metal station in Detroit. They are the first radio station to spin "Know Yourself". Here's a link to the interview:
http://brandnewsinmusic.com/wrifinterview.htm
Stay tuned for a link to another blog written by Dave (our Michigan Host), some photos and hopefully some video footage.
[edit] Well, that didn't take long. Here's Part 1 of Dave's recap: http://brandnewsin.hyperboards.com/index.php?action=view_topic&topic_id=3394
It is posted on the Brand New Sin forum - please don't complain...just make up a screen name and join us on the forum if you want to read it.
-Kevin
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