Monday, December 17, 2007

Finally, some new Davey G songs on myspace.



In a recent bout of competence, I have converted two of my new songs to MP3 files and they are now available for listening on my myspace.
“Handshake,” and “Be My Friend,” from the new Chairman of the Keyboard album, available for your pleasure here.
And if you’re so inclined, and want to purchase this album, got to the Davey G and the Keyboard website. It will make a fine gift, I promise to rush it to you if you order now!

www.daveygandthekeyboard.com

http://www.myspace.com/daveygandthekeyboard

Monday, December 10, 2007

Kyle Update

The last post about the Kyle Christmas Miracle...well, the car is running fine, but it failed that emissions test. I have 4 months to either fix the problem, or show that I've spent 450 dollars in trying to fix it and be granted an exemption. My mechanic says he'd have a hard time bringing my bill up to that level on this car. It's a strange problem: my mechanic doesn't want to rip me off (!) but there is no guarantee that even if he put, say 300 dollars worth of work into it, that it would pass the test. And, even if I did, and then it failed, then the money would not count up to that 450 dollar total.

Kyle is running really well--I don't want to trash the car because some bureaucrats made some messed up rule that there is no way for me to comply with. And people at the emissions place? They are just plain mean.

Wednesday, December 05, 2007

Kyle lives on! A Christmas Miracle!


Back on 6-18 I wrote about my car, the Kyle, cheating death a number of times (two collisions, breaking down in upstate New York, lots of trouble starting, etc.) and as I left things in the last Kyle-related post, I was stuck climbing into the passenger side door while a rope held my door shut (and let in the rain, the snow, and any elements thrown at me by passing cars and trucks).

Let me backtrack: September of 2006, My girl and I were going to the movies. After parking the car around the corner, I tried to shut the door when suddenly, I was greeted with a thud, the noise of a door that did not catch. I tried again--thud. And again. Thud. I thought that there was maybe just a seatbelt in the door or something, so I checked it and then tried again. Thud. And again. Thud thud. And it was now that I realized that the damn door was just broken. The latch that holds the door shut was busted.

The next day I went to a body shop. A guy came out to take a look at it, told me it was the latch, but then he was intercepted by his boss, who upon seeing the mess the rest of my car was (the drunk driver who hit me in 2004 left a big dent just behind the door and the guy who rear-ended me in 2005--my fault--left a big dent on the back of the car) refused to even touch the car. “I don’t want to be responsible for this.” I left, annoyed, but certain that the next shop would be happy to take my money and fix the latch.

The woman at the next shop came out and looked at my car, looked at the body damage, and pretty much dismissed my problem as one that would require thousands of dollars in body work, which she claimed was the reason for my door not closing. “Sure, we could replace the latch, but it won’t hold because of the body damage.” I knew this was a lie: I had the body damage a full 2 years before this incident with the door not closing. While a cursory and superficial examination of my car might lead someone to think that the body damage was to blame for this, I knew that this was not the case.

Two places turning down my business was annoying, and frustrated me into just saying “Screw it.” I let it go…and as a result, I kind of let my car go. No Jiffy Lube, no car washes (not that I ever did that anyway), no basic maintenance, save for one oil change during Kyle’s brush with death last June.
A few months ago, a flyer was distributed in the neighborhood, on all the cars on my street for a body shop that claimed it could beat any of it’s competitors estimates. Realizing that I soon have to face the dreaded Maryland Emissions Test (in which they climb into your car and try to determine if your car meets the states environmental standards, but in which they can pretty much fail you for any safety problems--I failed once because of balding tires) I knew I would have to get this fixed if I have any chance of passing.

I drove over there, the guy looked at it and said he could look at it for 75, and if it was just a latch, it would be another 75. Great, I thought. The only catch was that this place was Cash Only. Two problems: One, I just didn’t have 150 bucks on me, and two, I doubted the integrity of a business that does not accept credit cards. It’s 2007, for Chrissakes! Get a web-site, take plastic, do something! I left, ultimately going to a place across the street. The guy across the street took plastic, but did the dismissive “You need a new door,” thing as he started walking away. As I’ve said, I know this to be a lie. It’s a small part on a small car that was causing me more heartache than I would have ever imagined, and my problem was that Kyle and I do not look like we have any money, so body shops are unwilling to invest any serious attention to us.

I went home more depressed than ever. I made a last ditch appointment for an estimate at another body shop, but was pretty sure, given my experience with this, that any place that takes appointments would not be interested in helping me.
In my darkest hour, I headed to the warm inner place that comforts me: Google.

I literally picked to first place in the alphabet that showed up on my google search, wrote down the name and number, along with a couple other close places. I just decided that I was going to hit one after the other until someone would help me. I called them up with a completely new approach: I would position whomever I was talking to against every other body shop in town. As in, “The other body shops all are giving me this line of crap. I know what the problem is, I just want someone to give me a straight answer and help me.” It must have been at least partly effective, because the very nice man on the phone invited me down there.
I found the place on Maryland Ave, drove in to the garage and let the man look at Kyle. I kept up my spiel from the telephone about how I just really needed someone to help me, and no one would. “Can you come take a look at this?” he called to one of the mechanics.

The guy came over, I undid the ropes around the car so he could get in there, and he took a look at it. “I’m going to have to take the door panel off,” he warned, “and then I can see. You might need a brand new latch, which we’d have to get from the dealer. Or a junkyard. But good luck with finding one for a car like this.” Old Honda Civics are unusually popular with the do-it-yourselfers crowd.
The nice man said, “I’ll get on the phone with the dealer.” I felt good: things were moving. He just started to go into his office when the mechanic said “hold on a minute.” And then I saw him shut the door and I heard a sound I had not heard in over a year: Click. The door shut! “”There was some broken plastic wedged in there, I got it out.”

Tears practically formed in my eyes as Kyle’s door was finally shut on it’s own. I went over to him, opened and closed the door myself, in complete disbelief that this moment had finally arrived. Kyle was whole again.
I thanked the men, over and over, more happy than I ever thought possible. I offered money, but they both said no. “You could give him a few bucks,” the nice man said about the mechanic, “but he won’t take it.”

Just today, I cleaned out the inside of the car, for the first time in forever. I vacuumed it, even as a light snow is falling around me. And the final touch: I “Febreezed” it.
For now I have my Kyle back: my early Christmas miracle.



I guess I love this car because I feel sorry for it. And yeah, I know it’s gay to call your car a boys name. Shut it.--my quote from 6-18

www.daveygandthekeyboard.com

These are the people who helped me:A Reliable Body & Paint Shop
(410) 727-0077
1815 Maryland Ave - Baltimore, MD 21201

Saturday, December 01, 2007

The Pittsfield Return of Davey G!

On Tuesday I did my 14 hour work-day, and by the end of it I knew something was wrong. I was just starting to feel the beginning part of a cold/sore throat coming on and I cursed the timing of it. The Pittsfield (Lenox) Econolodge show was Friday, and unlike the unfortunate and untimely zit that formed on my face two days before the HAC show, this time I was facing an untimely problem that was not merely cosmetic.
All day Wednesday I took Vitamin C, and after a practice, I rested for the remainder of the day. Thursday I took the drastic step of not practicing, to save my body. As some long-time readers may know, I made it a New Year’s Resolution to always put in two weeks worth of practice before every show. I was still fresh from the HAC show on November 10th, so it didn’t feel as urgent, but still, I only got in about 3 practices, and the sore throat was an unfortunate occurrence. But, I tell myself that I am a pro, I should be able to get through this. We drove up Thursday night, and by the time Friday rolled around, I hoped to be in the best possible shape for a show that was billed as Davey G’s Return to the Homeland!
Flavours at the Econolodge is set up in the manner of a three ring circus, with multiple rooms having different events. Karaoke was happening in the main bar, while this show was in the ballroom (used for weddings and such). As this was an all ages show, we had to drink in the bar and not inside, (and as I was catching up with many old friends, I didn’t make it inside for Millions Dead, though I heard Pittsfield’s newest punk rock sensation pretty clearly) It’s good to see that the energy is still there, that kids are making the music in the unlikely places.
The Poncherellos have been in existence as long as Andy Poncherello has kept the faith, and even after some death and then resurrection, still they stand before you like it’s 1977 (or in their case, 1992). The last time I saw them was at the Lampstand reunion show in 2000, when Robbie Poncherello was still on guitar. The Flavours show featured the original line-up, with the Beat Machine on guitar and Arnoldo Poncherello on drums. They played a few new songs, blasted through the old ones, and though a little rough at times, it was great to see them back together. I hope to hear more new stuff soon.
My set wound up being a truncated version of what I played just a few weeks earlier, but it still was about 17 songs long. I looked at my set-list, still taped to the keyboard from the last show, and I decided to discard “You Triumph When You Quit,” for the reason that I just did not trust my voice to hold out during the “Ahhhhhhh, it’s so satisfying” part. There was dancing, a good crowd of appreciative kids, who were certainly a lot younger than I am used to. As it got later and I pushed the throat with my screaming (“Kill You,” “Be My Friend” are killers). I drank water and made it through to an encore, “Pittsfield’s From Hell.”
And I’ve learned one thing from my last two shows: I have got to learn “Guilty of Being White.” As in, how to play it live (it appears on the Chairman of the Keyboard CD). I learned it on the keyboard, then I recorded it with the vocals separately, but I’ve never put them together. And in the last two shows, that’s what the crowd has screamed for, and me, like a putz, haven’t been able to do what they wanted. I do promise that by the next time anyone sees me, I will have incorporated this song into my set, or into my encore. Let’s call it a resolution for 2008.
Thanks to everyone who came out! As always, if anyone has pictures or video or a recording, I’d love to get a copy!

www.daveygandthekeyboard.com

Sunday, November 25, 2007

In four days, Pittsfield. After that? I’ll go home.



I am planning a really special show for the folks back home. Pittsfield, land of our fathers (and mothers, baby's mama's, absentee fathers, whichever applies), is it even possible that somehow Pittsfield’s From Hell will be on the set-list, or in the encore?

Plus, I have a brand new CD, recently debuted at the HAC in Baltimore and sold throughout the region and on-line, and I will be bringing it, along with my rock. I know some of you have been getting hit over the head with this, via e-mail, and myspace, etc., (thanks, Andy!) but trust me, it will be a really great show. And, and, AND…this will be my last show of 2007. So it is extra triple special.

In 4 days! Friday, November 30, At Flavours-Econo Lodge
130 Pittsfield-Lenox Road (7/20)
Lenox, MA

Davey G and the Keyboard, the Poncherellos, and Millions Dead.

8:00 pm doors
All Ages/21 & over drink w/ID
Food Available

$6.00 in advance
$7.00 @ the door

www.myspace.com/daveygandthekeyboard

www.myspace.com/theponcherellos

www.myspace.com/millionsdead



--DGK

Monday, November 19, 2007

My Return to the Homeland!



Note: This message is only really relevant if you live in Massachusetts...but read it anyway!

The last time I played Pittsfield it was a younger, simpler time. I took the floor of the now defunct Source of the Nile, and for a whole new generation of fans, I showed them the path to “G.”
But good things were not to last, as Source has gone by the wayside. Undoubtedly, some of you are kicking yourselves for not having attended my one and only Pittsfield appearance (at least, the first one since 2001). Or there are others who were there and who are telling you all about it, and you are slowly torturing yourself over having missed the show of the decade.
It’s time to make things right.
In two weeks! I will be appearing once again in the Pitt. (Lenox, actually. Maybe you need a ride. But come.) Headlining a great show, featuring

Davey G and the Keyboard, the Poncherellos, and Millions Dead.

11/30 @ Flavours-Econo Lodge
130 Pittsfield-Lenox Road (7/20)
Lenox, MA

8:00 pm doors
All Ages/21 & over drink w/ID
Food Available

$6.00 in advance
$7.00 @ the door

www.myspace.com/daveygandthekeyboard

www.myspace.com/theponcherellos

www.myspace.com/millionsdead

It’s a rare appearance up north for me…so come out and see what you’ve been missing!

--DGK

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

The show for the Davey G CD Release at the Hamilton Arts Collective!


What a show! What a place! I cannot say enough about the Hamilton Arts Collective and what an amazing place it is for live performances. The couches are great, the people are nice, and for your dollar, it is one amazing and affordable night out. Please support them, by going to shows, friending them on myspace, whatever they need.

Pieness opened the show with something called “Journey to Silliness,” and indeed, it set the tone for a night that was in fact very silly (I mean that in a good way!). Her set was 20 minutes of video game music with vocals, set to the lighting of Imaginary Voyage, Inc., and was enjoyed by all. It was her first performance in a year, and hopefully we will be seeing more of her soon (right, Pie???)

The Dirty Marmaduke Flute Squad kicked the crap out of that stage, played a song for a lady who wandered in and stuck her head inside Steve’s horse-head-gear to request an encore. They played the Milli Vanilli hit “Blame it on the Rain” and the crowd went wild. I love this band, and you should, too!

I had pumped this show up for almost a whole year, and now it was time to deliver my first honest to God attempt at being a…(a-hem!)…headliner. It’s risky to play for a long time, I think, because I’ve always felt my strength was knowing when to shut up (Dr. Demento himself said as much in my 1992 rejection letter!) But apparently it went well, because 19 songs later I was going an encore, which I did not practice for. I did a rough version of “Why Must We Wear Pants?” which I haven’t played since 2002, and then ended with “Billy W.” It was a great way to launch the CD. That long-awaited CD…

Imaginary Voyage’s lighting was such an unexpected bonus, I thank them for their efforts. It made me feel like the rock star I like to pretend I am.

And by the way--if you were there and have pictures, video, audio, whatever, I would love to have a copy. I will post pictures to my website, with credit to the photographer, and my eternal gratitude. Comment back if you have anything cool!


So what now? You ask. Well, there is the CD promotion, making it available on-line and in fine local stores, such as these:

Atomic Books
1100 W. 36th Street
Baltimore, MD 21211
410.662.4444
http://www.atomicbooks.com/_Home.html

Reptilian Records (they carry my zine, as well!)
2545 N. Howard Street,
Baltimore, MD 21218
410-327-6853
http://www.reptilianrecords.com/

Soundgarden
1616 Thames Street
Baltimore, MD 21231
410.563.9011
http://www.cdjoint.com/


True Vine
1123 36th st., Baltimore, mad 21211
u.s.a. telephone: 410-235-4500
http://www.thetruevinerecordshop.com/THETRUEVINEPHYSICALSHOP.html

Normals
425 E. 31st Street
Baltimore, MD
21218
410-243-6888
www.normals.com

These places all carry the Davey G and the Keyboard CD, you can check them out at your leisure. Or you can buy it from me off of my site
www.daveygandthekeyboard.com

For any Pittsfieldians, I will be playing a show up in your area in about 2 weeks (more on this in a future post) and then…I’m taking a break for the winter, and I will re-emerge on March 1 for the Hole in the Wall Cabaret, back at the Hamilton Arts Collective.


Thanks for reading, thanks for listening, thank all of you who came out! I hope you enjoy the new CD!

--Davey G and the Keyboard
www.daveygandthekeyboard.com

Monday, November 12, 2007

Chairman of the Keyboard CD Now Available!




Hey Everyone,

I will be writing a full review of the CD release show last Saturday, which will probably appear on my blog on Wednesday. For now I just want to thank everyone who came out to the show--it was great and everyone had a lot of fun.

Thanks to Pieness, the Dirty Marmaduke Flute Squad, Imaginary Voyage, Inc., and the Hamilton Arts Collective. It would not have been the same without the positive energy of everyone involved. It made this long-awaited event one that will be long-remembered.

And now, for those of you who didn’t make it…go to my website and order the new CD. It is 15 songs of keyboard pre-set brilliance, including the single “Office Supply Store.” On Wednesday I will make a full listing of the stores that are selling it in the Baltimore area. Or you can order it through the mail--send 8 bucks, either in cash or check to
David Cookson
P.O. Box 23568
Baltimore, MD
21203

And I’ll send it right out to you in a discreet brown package. (wait, that sounds yucky.)

Thanks a lot!
--DGK.

http://www.daveygandthekeyboard.com

Thursday, November 08, 2007

Only two more days.

of
Me: practicing, writing these little e-mails and bulletins and stuff, and additionally, causing trouble over at The Parochialist. (Question: is it okay to make up lies about City Paper if the lies are funny and completely ridiculous?)
You: going to the show. It's here. The Hamilton Arts Collective.

And...

Just go. It'll be an awesome array of awesomeness.



www.daveygandthekeyboard.com

Friday, November 02, 2007

Monday is 5 days before Saturday

This is the e-mail everyone got this morning (last night, actually) and now it's just 5 days until the big show.
I thought it was kind of funny. That picture of me is awful, I know--I had someone make fun of me for it today. It's my passport photo--I usually don't look that bad.





In case you haven’t happened along these listing in the Baltimore Metromix

http://baltimore.metromix.com/music/concert/davey-g-and-the/242015/content

or the WTMD Events Calendar
http://events.publicbroadcasting.net/wtmd/events.eventsmain?action=showEvent&eventID=655183

or looked at the Examiner Website
http://events.examiner.com/Baltimore/eventDetail.cfm?EventID=4310§ion=events_calendar

Or seen this flyer around town:
daveygpostercopy72revised
(my flyer)

Or have seen me:
site pix
(me)
to tell you about it,
Then let me tell you about it one more time:

Come to the Davey G CD Release this Saturday, November 10 at the Hamilton Arts Collective!
5440 Harford Road (on the third Floor)
Baltimore, MD 21214
(443)653-2120
Doors at 8, show at 9.
5 bucks, BYOB

With
Davey G and the Keyboard
The Dirty Marmaduke Flute Squad!
And
Pieness!

Lighting by Imaginary Voyage, Inc!
You will not be sorry!
Check out my things you need to know (like directions and parking and stuff) here.

http://daveygandthekeyboard.blogspot.com/2007/10/some-important-information-about-show.html

www.daveygandthekeyboard.com

Thursday, November 01, 2007

Putting up flyers...




I’m putting up a lot of flyers for this CD release. I have often wondered at the value of putting up flyers as a way to get people to come to shows--after all, when was the last time I went to a show just because I saw a flyer? And who the hell is this Davey G guy and why should anyone give half a crap that he is doing a show? But it is kind of a fact of life of the performer: I want people to come, and I know that if I didn’t put the flyer up, I wouldn’t feel like I’ve done all I can to boost the turnout. It's like one of those weird things that I have to do, even if I don't entirely understand why--like going to church or something.
So there they are--on poles, in restaurants, on some cars (with permission, of course) and every other day or so I’m checking back to see if they are still there, or if the wind or the rain or some angry garbage man has taken it down. In most cases, they are still there, and that makes me happy. It makes me happy to see my face on a pole and know that others can see it too, and are maybe, just maybe, thinking about coming to the show.

But after the show is over and I am no longer stressing about all the things related to the show, I will be happy when I can look at a light pole without thinking “that would be a good spot for a Davey G flyer.”


Only 9 more days ‘til the CD Release!
Come see my countdown clock on my Website!
www.daveygandthekeyboard.com

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Some Important Information about the show

Hi Everyone,

By now, if you have been following the progress of my upcoming album, or if you have been around the Baltimore area in the last week, you are at least vaguely aware of the Davey G and the Keyboard CD Release on November 10 at the Hamilton Arts Collective, if not through me, or through a friend, then maybe through seeing this flyer all over town:


My hope is that you are already planning to attend, and don’t need any further sales pitch, so this message is directed at the people who have already made up their minds to attend--some things you should know, because at this point, I have done so much planning and promoting for this that I really just want to cover the bases and not let anything get in the way of your enjoyment of this show:

1. The Hamilton Arts Collective is wonderful place to see live performances--it has couches, and is set up like a really comfortable living room--but it is a little far from the immediate downtown area. I strongly suggest that you leave early, and you spend a few minutes looking at this page on the HAC’s website. It has directions, and important info about parking.

http://www.hamiltonarts.org/dhome/?q=node/14

2. I know many of you are big Davey G fans, and this show is going to be a full-on experience. The opening acts are very strong, and the lighting magic of Imaginary Voyage, Inc is sure to set this show apart from the rest. Pieness does songs set to video game music, something which is right up my alley and sure to entertain. The Dirty Marmaduke Flute Squad were recently on Fox’s The Next Great American Band performing Kim Wild’s “Kids in America,” and in complete sincerity, I have been looking forward to playing with them all year. So what I’m trying to say is I encourage you to stay for the whole thing, because it’s going to be an overall really good show with acts that are very complementary.

3. Please note that this event is BYOB. I will be bringing some extra National Bohemian from my personal stash to share, but if you want anything else or are worried there won’t be any left for you, make sure you make that all-important stop at the liquor store before coming!

4. When I run out of CD’s, that’s it--so make sure you buy yours early. They will be a special show price of $5, and I will be available for signings as needed.

5. If for whatever reason you really want to go to this show but can’t make it, I forgive you. Just make sure you buy my CD, which will be available on my website and at stores throughout the Baltimore area, to be named in a future message.

Thanks for reading! I will be hard at practice for the next two weeks so see you at the Hamilton Arts Collective!

Davey G and the Keyboard


www.daveygandthekeyboard.com

Friday, October 26, 2007

Saturday, October 20, 2007

Three Weeks...




Three weeks. The whole year boils down to the next three weeks. I copied more of these fine Alex Fine flyers, sent several of them off with my handy press release to a bunch of publications and radio stations, just starting to hang these flyers in the windows of stores. (Funny thing is how many of his flyers for other shows are already up--like the Alex Fine empire: he’s a great artist, I highly recommend him.) Much like ads for Coca-cola, soon you will not be able to get away from them as the buzz builds and builds...

Go to www.daveygandthekeyboard.com for chance to win tickets to the CD release!

And read The Parochialist, it’s seriously taking off!

Monday, October 15, 2007

Davey G and the Keyboard CD Release!


Hello Everyone,
The Cd Release For the long-awaited Davey G and the Keyboard: Chairman of the Keyboard CD is a mere 4 weeks away! 15 new songs, and this is your first crack at it!

Saturday, November 10
At the Hamilton Arts Collective
5440 Harford Road (on the third Floor)
Baltimore, MD 21214
(443)653-2120
info@hamiltonarts.org
Doors at 8, show at 9.
5 bucks, BYOB
With
Davey G and the Keyboard
The Dirty Marmaduke Flute Squad!
And
Pieness!

Lighting by Imaginary Voyage, Inc!

Go to www.daveygandthekeyboard.com for the official “Countdown to Davey G CD Release”!

Saturday, October 13, 2007

The Parochialist

The Culmination of my week-long blog campaign against the Baltimore City Paper is my new blog called The Parochialist, which you can find here. http://theparochialist.blogspot.com/
I will try to update it every week, most likely on Thursday. Read it, comment on it, please offer suggestions, especially of interesting columns and blogs and places to find out about what’s happening in and around Baltimore. Anyone who can find a decent movie review site or book review site would be especially appreciated.
Help me in my campaign to provide an alternative to City Paper.
From now on, my gripes about CP will be on the pages of The Parochialist, as the Davey G blog will get back to Davey G things.

Thanks for reading!

www.daveygandthekeyboard.com

Thursday, October 11, 2007

The Future of the *uck *ity *aper campaign

I may take this Anti-City Paper Project and put it on a separate blog, as I’m pretty much doing it for my own benefit and for the benefit of likeminded people who are sick of the declining quality of the Baltimore City Paper. I don’t want to detract from the usual Davey G related subjects that normally fill my blog by ranting endlessly about the same subject.
It’s still a germ of a project, I don’t know how far I will go with it. For all I know, I could be putting my tail between my legs in a month and deciding that boycotting them is just too much of a hassle (as a local music artist, it feels like biting the hand that feeds me to speak ill of the only weekly alternative paper in town. But really, what have they ever done for me?). But for now, I just want to put links to the syndicated columns that appear in CP and allow you to avoid ever having to deal with them.
I am content to do my own thing my own way, but it’s really frustrating to see how badly this paper panders to their friends, and makes half-assed sarcastic comments about others (honestly, if I were the Talking Head owner, I would have sued them for libel--but I have probably beaten this issue to death). In short--I just want to stay positive, and if I have an axe to grind with anyone, I prefer to take my revenge through satire (see the Low Level Bureaucrats series). It’s not very Zen of me to let someone make me angry. But the last time I looked, my name was not Buddha. Or even Siddhartha. Or even Herman Hesse. Or Yoda. Or…

So if I get this going, I will link to it here. And if not…there will be several missing days in the Davey G Blog as I try desperately to cover up my involvement in bad-mouthing the City Paper.

Enter to win tickets to the next Davey G and the Keyboard show here!
www.daveygandthekeyboard.com

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Monday, October 08, 2007

Dave Makes up a Controversy

So you wanna boycott the Baltimore City Paper because you’re sick of their pandering to an elite few while ignoring your favorite artists (like Davey G and the Keyboard?) Boy, are you in luck!

I have (had) been a City Paper reader for 13 years, and I’d always found it to be worth the ten minutes or so I spent with it every week. But now, I just can’t even conceal my disgust for this Alternative Weekly. The complete pandering to their butt buddies from whatever local group is cool this week, the snotty and useless movie reviews, their handling of the Talking Head situation (where they unnecessarily highlighted the owner’s criminal record in a “fair” and “balanced” assessment of why the club had to close down last winter), the god-awful ramblings of Mr. Wrong (yeah, I get it, you’re supposed to be that guy everyone loves to hate--only you express yourself so poorly that even when I agree with you I want to disagree). Hell, they can’t even admit when they actually LIKE something, as that would somehow subtract from their coolness. In short, I am sick of reading the City Paper, and I refuse to support them anymore.

But there is a problem. Do I throw out the baby with the bathwater? After all, there are things in the CP that I do like to read, such as Savage Love, Political Animal, This Modern World, etc. Not to mention that CP is a free source for what’s going on in Baltimore on any given week. How can I still get this information without having to resort to picking up the paper that irritates me so much?
Well, here’s where my plucky resourcefulness comes in. I am making my own bastardized version of the City Paper, for my own personal use, (minus their snotty, annoying commentary) and you can too! Print it out for yourself, add your own columns!

Here’s where I begin:
I love Brain Morton’s Political Animal, and here’s where you can get it: http://www.smirkingchimp.com/thread/10287

I also love my Savage Love. Here you go! http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/SavageLove

This Modern World!
http://www.salon.com/comics/tomo/2007/10/08/tomo/

Like the Maakies? http://www.maakies.com/

Straight Dope. http://www.straightdope.com/ You can subscribe and get their e-mail every week!

There are about a million places to find movie and book reviews. I invite you to find a place you like and tell me about it.


Stuff to do! Pick up the Thursday Baltimore Sun for the Live Section!
http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/custom/live/

Friend “Baltimore” on Myspace for their weekly newsletter! Ask people you know! Pick up that music mag. (I’ll get the name later)

Other stuff to do: Read a book! Go to Davey G and the Keyboard shows!

This is by no means comprehensive. But it’s a start. Any suggestions on alternatives to other things you may miss in the City Paper? Leave a comment!

Boycotting is hard. But the alternative is to support an institution that has lost sight of it’s purpose. If you are not part of the in-crowd with City Paper, you are out of luck. In their own way, they represent everything that is wrong with Baltimore: parochialism. Yeah, you heard me: parochialism.
Goddamn Parochialism.

Join the fight! Let us never soil our hands with City Paper again!

Davey G.
www.daveygandthekeyboard.com

Thursday, October 04, 2007

some Davey G related news



Just a smattering of some Davey G related news, for your edification:

If you have been paying attention to anything in the blog this year, you already know about the Davey G CD Release, so let me make it official (before I announce it to the general public):

The Davey G and the Keyboard, Chairman of the Keyboard CD Release is on!
Saturday, November 10, at the Hamilton Arts Collective!
5440 Harford Road (3rd Floor)
Baltimore, Maryland 21214

With Pieness, The Dirty Marmaduke Flute Squad and featuring the lighting magic of
Imaginary Voyage, Inc.

This will be a BYOB show, and you will all get first crack at the new CD. I would go to this show, even if I weren’t in it.
*******

Sad news (at least for now). My trademark sunglasses, the ones I wear for every Davey G show, have unfortunately gone missing. I had the CD cover photo taken last Thursday, then went to a baseball game and the next morning they were gone. I am unclear now as to whether I even took them to the game. Really, this is stupid, but it upsets my world. (That, and the perpetual cough I’ve had for over a month now.) They are prescription glasses, so they are not cheap. I still keep some hope that they will turn up, but for now I will be squinting along with the rest of us. (It’s okay, I’ll survive.)

*******
For those fans up in Pittsfield, Massachusetts--look for a possible show next month. (!) It hasn’t been confirmed yet, but if it happens I will be all over getting the word out. The March of ‘06 show at the Source of the Nile (R.I.P) turned out to be one of the best I’ve ever done. I still get people messaging me about it. Honestly, I’m excited about this prospect of another return to the homeland; I hope it gets off the ground. Stay tuned!

*********
And if you miss those…there will be Davey G at the Hole in the Wall Cabaret, coming up in March. Check out Hole in the Wall Cabaret, they’ve got a schedule for this season with lots of great stuff.
That’s all for now! More info to come!

www.daveygandthekeyboard.com

Monday, October 01, 2007

Silent Auction Recap!



This weekend’s Silent Auction for the Race for the Cure was a big success! I asked my girl “What do they do with the stuff that doesn’t sell?” and she said “Everything sold!” All right! My Davey G and the Keyboard Gift Package was one of the first things to go, along with a whole slew of great stuff, including tool sets, learning packages for kids, gift certificates for restaurants--literally, there was not one item left standing as the event helped to raise many, many dollars to help the fight against breast cancer.

I’d like to thank everyone who came out to help, it was an unbelievable success and I was proud to be part of it.

Let me tell you about the day--after helping to load all the gift packages from ISG Headquarters to the Waterfront Hotel, I went around putting up signs with arrows, pointing people to the event. On the way, I talked to some Lyndon Larouche guy who was out stumping for his cause. While I admit to my ignorance of Lyndon Larouche (the extent of my knowledge comes from a Simpsons episode where Homer is kidnapped by aliens and says “Lyndon Larouche was right!”) he was a nice guy who for the most part said things I agreed with (e.g., “nice day today, isn’t it?”).

About an hour after all the signs were up, I went out and saw that the one on the corner of Thames and Broadway had been taken down and (gasp!) thrown in the trash! I was shocked…well, not really. That particular place I had put it is known for being a bad spot for that sort of thing (no punk rock flyer ever stays up there for long.) But this led to a tactic that may have done more good than the sign: we went around with signs and drew people in! I held up the once-discarded sign with the arrow and said “Silent Auction at the Waterfront Hotel!” The foot traffic that came from taking it to the streets was tremendous.

And now I must offer a humble, heartfelt admission. While I am on record, both in song (“Giuliani Time”) and in the blog and in person of being a huge Yankees and Yankees fan hater, I have got to offer them my thanks. I believe that their presence in town boosted the success of this event. With all of them walking around, with nothing but time on their hands and money to spend, they truly were an asset to the Silent Auction. Big thanks to the one fan who was drawn in by my arrow, then spent the whole afternoon at the auction!

So soak up my temporary love, Yankees fans, because next week I am sooooo rooting against you!

But seriously, thanks to all of you.

www.daveygandthekeyboard.com

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Silent Auction Update!



In addition to the other products and services offered at the Silent Auction this Saturday (see the info at the bottom of this page!) there is also a Davey G and the Keyboard package up for grabs! 3 Cds (Have you Experienced the Experience?, Prepare to be Keyboarded, and The Office Supply Store E.P), Davezines #11 and #12, and a Davey G and the Keyboard T-shirt. It is a unique gift package, (dare I say a must-have?) and I am proud to be helping such a fine cause as the Race for the Cure.
Come out and check out all the good stuff available!
Davey G.

**************

ISG, the Internet Strategy Group, is hosting a silent auction fundraiser, and you’re invited!
http://www.internetstrategy.us/

Where: The Waterfront Hotel, 1710 Thames Street, Fells Point, Baltimore
When: Saturday, September 29th from 1pm - 4pm

Participants:

Waterfront Hotel
Avalon Cycles
Monave Cosmetics
Urban Posters
MedSculpt
Cover Girl
Dougherty’s Pub
Dangerously Delicious Pies
The Senator Theatre
Harbor East Hosting
Quiet Winds
Whiskey Island Pirate Shoppe
jewelry by Colleen
reiki by Amanda
Baltimore Blast
AVAM
Danaher Tool
Trapeze School New York (TSNY) Baltimore
National Aquarium in Baltimore
Zina’s Day Spa & Salon of Caton
MAC Harbor East
Mother’s Grille in Federal Hill
Rosemarie’s Handbags
original artwork by Courtney Fiore, Kyndl Walston, Brian Taylor, and Lulonia Cololla
executive coaching by Jodi Hume
My Girlfriend’s Kitchen
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
Maryland Science Center
Red Star Bar & Grill
Harbor Magic
Fiorito Designs
Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor at Camden Yards
Maggie Moore’s Irish Pub & Restuarant
Atwater’s Belvedere Square
Belvedere Square
Baltimore Ravens




www.daveygandthekeyboard.com

Sunday, September 23, 2007

Silent Auction September 29!



Hello everyone,
Just a quick announcement. As Davey G and The Keyboard is not strictly a capitalist enterprise, on occasion I support charitable causes. Last year it was Autism Awareness, this year it is The Race for the Cure.

ISG, the Internet Strategy Group, is hosting a silent auction fundraiser, and you’re invited!


Where: The Waterfront Hotel, 1710 Thames Street, Fells Point, Baltimore
When: Saturday, September 29th from 1pm - 4pm

There is a slew of really cool stuff to bid on, and all the proceeds will go to the Race for the Cure to help stamp out breast cancer. Here is a list of all those participating:

Waterfront Hotel
Avalon Cycles
Monave Cosmetics
Urban Posters
MedSculpt
Cover Girl
Dougherty’s Pub
Dangerously Delicious Pies
The Senator Theatre
Harbor East Hosting
Quiet Winds
Whiskey Island Pirate Shoppe
jewelry by Colleen
reiki by Amanda
Baltimore Blast
AVAM
Danaher Tool
Trapeze School New York (TSNY) Baltimore
National Aquarium in Baltimore
Zina’s Day Spa & Salon of Caton
MAC Harbor East
Mother’s Grille in Federal Hill
Rosemarie’s Handbags
original artwork by Courtney Fiore, Kyndl Walston, Brian Taylor, and Lulonia Cololla
executive coaching by Jodi Hume
My Girlfriend’s Kitchen
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
Maryland Science Center
Red Star Bar & Grill
Harbor Magic
Fiorito Designs
Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor at Camden Yards
Maggie Moore’s Irish Pub & Restuarant
Atwater’s Belvedere Square
Belvedere Square
Baltimore Ravens


And as an added bonus, I will be there! Yes, meet me in person! Davey G and the Keyboard. No, this is not a dream!
See you there!
Davey G. and the Keyboard

(Ok, in retrospect, this announcement was not quick. Oh well.)

I like breasts, I hate cancer.
www.daveygandthekeyboard.com

Saturday, September 22, 2007

Davey G talks about what's important to you.

I apologize to regular readers for the general scarcity of posts (aww, who am I kidding, no one really notices). I have been putting up movie reviews on IMDB.com and book reviews on goodreads.com (look me up there, if you’re curious), and this week I was pretty busy cooking food and washing dishes. Creature of habit that I am, it threw me off from anything Davey G related.
As I stated last time out, I did not win Best of Baltimore, but I gave it a shot. I offer congratulations to my friends in the Dirty Marmaduke Flute Squad for winning Best Album (“Die Humpin!”), the Hole in the Wall Cabaret for Best Hole in the Wall, and any others out there. I didn’t pick up the paper this week due to the fact that not seeing my name in it would have led to an unimaginable sense of despondency that would have made it impossible for me to make awesome music, and frankly, that’s just not fair to you.
On that note---the master of my new album “Chairman of the Keyboard” is done! It is hard to believe that in a short 6 weeks it will be available. I am hopefully going to get the album cover picture done this week, and more hopefully should have it ready to go to the reproduction specialists shortly thereafter. It sounds so good! I feel that my entire life, with all it’s magical highs and inexplicable periods of mediocrity have finally led to this great collection of songs that capture it all. I hope that everyone who comes out and hears me play will get this album and enjoy what 7-plus years of keyboard excellence really sounds like.
And finally, with any luck at all, it is possible I may be doing a benefit show within the next 3 weeks--I do not want to give any further details, in case I can’t pull it off, but I just want everyone to be aware that I may be doing something which you can attend. So keep your eyes open!

www.daveygandthekeyboard.com

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

My Concession Speech

I would like to thank everyone who put in a vote for Davey G and the Keyboard for Best of Baltimore, but I am officially conceding the race for Best Solo Music Artist. I guess it just came down to the fact that while I have a very rabid and loyal following, my fame is not conducive to winning a citywide race in which getting many many people to vote for me is important. I would just like to let everyone know that I will not be challenging this in court, as I feel that this is the only way for us, as a country, as a people, to heal. I wish all the best to the winners.
As I look to the future I find that I must take the time to re-evaluate my priorities, and see just how I can use my gift to benefit…myself. I will finish this album, I will continue to play shows and bring smiles to the masses. And of course, there’s always next year. So stay tuned, and thank you for supporting Davey G!

www.daveygandthekeyboard.com

Thursday, September 13, 2007

The Price is Right: a vision of Utopia?

I don’t usually watch this show beyond 5 minutes, but today I feel like ass so I committed to a full hour of the Price is Right.
Today, a perfect show, 6 winners, everybody’s happy. One guy got the price of a bbq package exactly right, which won him the bonus prize of $500. In fact he had a t-shirt that said “I’ve come for the money in Bob’s Pocket” which is exactly what he got (they are still showing repeats from Bob Barker's last days before retiring). In the relative haze of sneezing and feeling gross, the warm fuzzy feeling of seeing hundreds of people genuinely excited for their fellow contestants, minus some of the “you bitch, you undercut my bid” common on contestant’s row (they don’t say it, but you know they think it) just made me feel really happy. It made me wish that life were a little more like the Price is Right, with that sort of “good for you, you win!” in a non-ironic, totally un-hip sort of way. But then again, this could be the Thera-Flu talking.

www.daveygandthekeyboard.com

Saturday, September 08, 2007

Davey G and Pittsfield Radio for Everyone!

Rebel Sound Radio, with host Andy Poncherello of the Poncherellos, can now be heard at www.wtbrfm.com on Thursdays from 8:30 A.M to 12, with a re-broadcast on Saturdays at 3 p.m.(you can listen today!) The web broadcast requires a download of WinAmp (available on the wtbr site), but it is free and well worth it! And, of course if you live in the Pittsfield area you can listen live at 89.7 f.m.
Rebel Sound Radio is an actual punk rock radio show with all your favorite old school and new school and ones that didn’t go to school (thank you, Tribe 8) artists. Andy is an old friend from my Pittsfield days when I played drums in Lampstand, and he regularly plays Davey G and the Keyboard. I just sent him a short sneak preview of my new CD, Chairman of the Keyboard, which hopefully he will play on his next show. Right, Andy? Andy?
Tune in anyway!
www.daveygandthekeyboard.com

Request stuff!

Wednesday, September 05, 2007

The Sidebar, Last Wave Report



Big thanks to the Sidebar for having me at Last Wave over the weekend! I played with 9 other bands in a mix of styles and enjoyed the pot-luck barbeque beforehand. Old gimmicks, new gimmicks, many of the familiar reactions. A guy from E. Joseph (or maybe E. Joseph is a guy) was standing outside smoking (Sidebar is now smoke-free) and saw two black kids happen by during “Childhood Pain.” They stopped, listened, and kind of danced around a little bit, and said (and I quote, second-hand) “White boy crazy!” He told me this story, and I told him I would write about it in the blog. So here it is.
As always, The Sidebar has been great to me and I really appreciate their continued support in the Davey G experience.

With any luck, I may have big announcements in the coming weeks. Stay tuned.

www.daveygandthekeyboard.com

Saturday, September 01, 2007

The Campaign is Over!

The voting is over, I want to thank everyone who voted for me in the City Paper Best Of Baltimore! It was certainly a fast 34 days, and even if I don't win, it is utterly heartwarming to see people going out of their way to help me and drum up support. Thank you all so much!
If you are reading this today (Saturday) and can make it out, come see me tonight at the Sidebar, Last Wave Festival!
http://www.sidebartavern.com/
I go on around 9. I can thank you in person!
www.daveygandthekeyboard.com

Thursday, August 30, 2007

Chairman of the Keyboard...

I just (for the first time) heard the rough mix of “Chairman of the Keyboard,” the new Davey G and the Keyboard album, and I am so freakin’ happy with the results that I just can’t wait til this whole thing comes out and slays the general public.
“this will be the one that does it,”--quote from me, hours ago..
www.daveygandthekeyboard.com

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Campaign 2007: The Last Week!

Hello Everyone!

It’s coming down the stretch now--my campaign for City Paper Best of Baltimore is in its last week! If you have yet to vote for Davey G and the Keyboard as Best Solo Music Artist, this is the time! The voting ends Friday!

http://www.citypaper.com/bob/poll.asp

I’d like to thank everyone who voted. It really has been great to see the support as I have pursued this. Let’s hope that all the effort pays off and we crown a new Best of Baltimore!

Also, I hope to see you on Saturday at the Sidebar, for Lastwave Festival. There is a potluck barbeque from 4-8, and 9 bands taking the stage for the rest of the night (I’m going on around 9, fyi). Bring your favorite dish and stay for the rock!
http://www.sidebartavern.com/

Thanks for reading!

--Davey G and the Keyboard



www.daveygandthekeyboard.com

Sunday, August 26, 2007

Wild Bill Hagy, a late tribute

Last week I was at work, looking at the paper when I saw this article about the death of “Wild Bill” Hagy, the biggest Baltimore Oriole fan ever, I couldn’t help but smile. Not because he was dead, of course, but because when I read this tribute to a man who obviously cared very much about his team and reflects many of the values I have as a sports fan, I saw something that truly, truly touched my heart. Here was someone who cared, who threw his entire being into supporting his team. I have bitched about the things that bother me as a fan of the Baltimore Orioles (the politics, the way we are treated as fans, etc.) and then I see someone like this, who was exactly the type of fan the team needed, and it makes me a little sad that I was not a part of this time in the Orioles history.
He went to every game, drank beer, led cheers, and most importantly (to me)--he got mad. When Memorial Stadium banned people from bringing in their own coolers and beer, he started a boycott, and he stuck by it. And that was what struck me--he did not simply accept it: he fought back. The lesson I learn from this, is that even if the protest means little to the people you are trying to affect, do it anyway. I wrote about it earlier, how I do not like being among “the Best-Behaved Fans in Baseball,” and from what I can tell, he wouldn’t have liked it either.
The one story I like: He drove a cab, and if an out-of-town fan entered wearing a Yankees hat, he ordered it removed. If the person refused, he refused the fare. (from the obit.) When now, we bend over backwards not to offend the “New York” fans (from Fells Point or from the suburbs) it makes me want to throw up.
Therefore, my personal tribute to a man I have never met: I will play Giuliani Time at my next show.

Saturday, August 18, 2007

The next Davey G and the Keyboard performance!



Hey Everyone,

Davey G plays a pot luck Barbecue with 9 other bands: It’s the Lastwave Festival at the Sidebar Tavern!

LAST WAVE!
Saturday, September 1, 2007
4:00pm – 1:00am
$8
Sidebar Tavern
http://www.sidebartavern.com/
218 E. Lexington Street (corner of Guilford)
POT-LUCK COOKOUT- 4:00pm-8:00pm in the parking lot.

Please feel free to bring some meat, bread, chips or whatever to share and encourage others to do the same. They’ll have a grill and a good selection of starter stuff, but to make it a feast, they need you!

I have included the approximate starting times of the bands for your convenience, but as always I encourage people to come early to hang out and to be sure not to miss me!
12:00-12:40 – The Gonzo Circus
11:10-11:40 – E. Joseph (duo)
10:10-10:50 – Pontiak
9:20-9:50 - Davey G. and the Keyboard (that's me!)
8:30-9:00 – The Alameda
7:40–8:10 – Cult Hero
6:40-7:20 – Dorsal Fink
5:50-6:20 – I Am The Sea (duo)
(No time listed yet)Savory James
5:00-5:30 – Mike Pursley (solo)










www.daveygandthekeyboard.com

Thursday, August 16, 2007

Campaign 2007: Day 19

I am bloodied but unbowed this week as the campaign hit a technical snafu. For some reason, I had been unable to access g-mail or my blogger account from my computer (hence the lack of posts this week). It was a most inopportune time for this, and I strongly suspect foul play. I don’t want to name names, but I really think that the *iberal *edia had a role in this. There are some who will do anything to see my campaign fail, and that is why it is just so important that we stay strong and overwhelm them with our numbers. We cannot let odd or inexplicable boundaries cloud the fact that this campaign is picking up some serious steam. If you haven’t voted, please take the time to do so.
http://www.citypaper.com/bob/poll.asp
My Name is Davey G and the Keyboard, and I want to be the Best Solo Music Artist in Baltimore!

www.daveygandthekeyboard.com

Saturday, August 11, 2007

To Hell with Writer’s Block!

I read somewhere once that when Inventor Thomas Edison’s Lab burned down, his reaction was something like “What a great opportunity! Now I can start over!” (not an exact quote) and I have experienced a somewhat similar feeling with my writing.

I was at work and it just totally hit me: “Scrap the story! Start over!” and as crazy as that sounded to me after having done so much work, it seemed really appealing. It occurred to me that in this great wonderful world of satire and ridiculousness, there is (theoretically) just too much to write about for me to ever claim writer’s block. Suddenly I’m having ideas left and right about where I want to go with the new story-line, and I’m filling pages and pages with them. And just now, today, I sat for a solid two hours and banged out the rough outline and some scenes for the story: Low Level Bureaucrats 3: A New Beginning. And finally, I can truly say that it will be the story I really want to write. Inspiration is crazy like that sometimes. But I’ll take it.

www.daveygandthekeyboard.com
ps--this inspiration hit while reading some article about how the drug they give for Restless Leg Syndrome has a side effect of making people want to gamble. I'm not making this up.

Friday, August 10, 2007

Campaign 2007: Day 13--Some of My Endorsements!

So you wanna vote for Davey G for Best Solo Music Artist, but you need another 24 categories to make your vote count? Then read my endorsements for Best of Baltimore! (not including bands or bartenders because that gets into office politics and I really don’t want to piss anyone off)

Best place to get a sandwich: Galley Café (on Centre Street). Disclosure: I worked here for 6 years under the old owners. But Judy still kicks out a good sandwich.

Best Gay Bar (I’m not gay…at least, I’m not that gay) : Leon’s on Tyson Street. Could also go for Best Dive Bar. Man those guys seem like they’re having man-fun in there! This place smells really odd. I mean, from the outside.

Best Sports Bar: Long John’s Pub (on 29th). I’ve always had a place in my heart for this Remington Institution. Plus, it’s a great cheap place to watch the Orioles on a big screen.

Best Athlete: Nick Markakis. He is the future of our team.

Best Greek:
Nick Markakis. Look, he's being funny.

Best Place to get a Haircut: Joe’s Barber Shop in Locust Point. Maybe my hair is a bad advertisement for Joe. But frankly, paying a lot for a haircut when I could go to Joes and pay 7 bucks? Why not? The man can crank out a haircut in 8 minutes when he’s busy (I timed him).

Best Auto Repair Shop: Charles Village Exxon. Nick the Mechanic is a Godsend. He works fast, never tries to upsell me (take that, Jiffy Lube!) and didn’t even blink when I warned him that fixing my car (with the broken door that makes it impossible to get in unless I climb through over the passenger side) would be a pain in the ass. Bonus reason to vote for CVE: when my old roommate got a rat stuck in her car, the other mechanic, citing his experience in Vietnam, made it his mission to get it out. I don’t know crap about cars, but these are good people.

Best Place to Workout: Huh?

Best cup of Coffee: Peace and a Cup of Joe (on Pratt and MLK). Okay, I don’t live near there anymore, but when I did this place kicked out a fine cup. Additionally, it has a very liberal “stamp” policy--buy 4 cups and get the 5th free. Plus--this area really, really needs a coffee shop to stay in business longer than a year.

Best Reason to Pick Up City Paper: Henry Hong (Eat me!). He bitched and complained about the food column until City Paper gave him a column. True Democracy in action: he had a point to make and now he’s making it, which is what my entire campaign is about. Besides…I owe him one for getting his girlfriend to vote for me.

Best Reason Not to Pick up City Paper: The Good Old Boy Network that overexposes some and completely ignores others. I know what you’re saying: I don’t have cable and I don’t get that network. Or maybe that’s just me.

http://www.citypaper.com/bob/poll.asp


www.daveygandthekeyboard.com

Thursday, August 09, 2007

Campaign 2007: Day 12

Dear Readers,
If you are on my e-mail list and have not gotten any of my messages relating to my bid for Best of Baltimore, please check in your spam box--it appears that for many of you this is where it wound up--you can fix this by checking "not spam"
(this seems to be a problem with anyone who has g-mail)--that way you will be sure not to miss any future announcements for Davey G and the Keyboard Shows!

Next post: my endorsements for other Best of Baltimore categories!

Oh, and vote for me Best Solo Music Artist!
http://www.citypaper.com/bob/poll.asp

www.daveygandthekeyboard.com

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

Campaign 2007: Day 11


Stressed. The City Paper Website was apparently non-functional over the weekend and many of my supporters could not vote. And an e-mail I sent out to promote my cause has not been delivered to my “base.”
But…as I understand it, the website problem has been fixed, and I just re-sent the e-mail to the Davey G and the Keyboard faithful. Hopefully these little technical glitches will work themselves out (insert some obvious joke about the 2000 Presidential election here).
Otherwise, the campaign is really going well--I urge anyone who might have had a problem voting before to please go back and do so now.

http://www.citypaper.com/bob/poll.asp

I want to be the reader’s choice for Best Solo Music Artist! Please help me to make this happen!

www.daveygandthekeyboard.com

Monday, August 06, 2007

Campaign 2007: Day 9



We are deep in the heart of the campaign for Best of Baltimore (Best Solo Music Artist: Davey G and the Keyboard) and so far, support has been great! But I would like to address one of the darker issues of the campaign: Voter intimidation.
Yes. It’s ugly to think about it occurring here in Baltimore in 2007, but it is a reality. Powerful forces in this town don’t want to give the “Best of…” reigns to anyone else, but we can’t let them force us out! I realize that the polling places are overcrowded and the lines are very long, and in some cases Establishment goons are trying to force you to accept their candidate as the winner, before you’ve even made up your mind. We feel that this is wrong! We need to stand strong and cast our ballots without fear.
We here at Davey G Campaign Headquarters want to know your story. If voter intimidation is rampant in your area, we want to know! I won’t actually do anything about it, but together we can just be really really impotent with rage.
Fight Voter Intimidation! Vote for Davey G and the Keyboard for Best Solo Music Artist! Together we can do it and crown a new Best of Baltimore!



Okay, I’ve just been informed that there are no polling places, no lines, and no Establishment goons. My information was inaccurate. So just vote here! http://www.citypaper.com/bob/poll.asp

www.daveygandthekeyboard.com

Wednesday, August 01, 2007

Campaign 2007 (for Best Solo Musical Artist!)

After selecting "Davey G and the Keyboard" for Best Solo Music Artist, Ian ponders over his other choices for Best of Baltimore.

Day 4
It’s going well so far. I’ve gotten out the vote to many who are fed up with the current administration and want city-wide regime change. It’s gratifying to see more and more people come out in support of what we’re doing here. People seem really excited to help; I think I might have experienced that post self-nominating convention “bounce” the political pundits are always talking about.
I preach a message of hope and unity. I stand for everyone who feels otherwise unrepresented in the pages of the Baltimore City Paper. We’re out here: we count.

Currently, I am gathering paper ballots for anyone who needs one, or you can vote on-line. Vote for Davey G and the Keyboard: Best Solo Music Artist! Thanks for your support! Continue to read the blog as I update throughout the campaign!

Vote here: http://www.citypaper.com/bob/poll.asp

www.daveygandthekeyboard.com

Sunday, July 29, 2007

Davey G and the Keyboard for Best Solo Music Artist!


(photo by Ashley Sauers)

Dear Readers,

It’s time for the Best of Baltimore! Vote for Davey G and the Keyboard!

In the past, I have never done this, but this year I feel the time is right. With 7 years of playing as Davey G and the Keyboard, I feel like nothing would please me more than to be named the City Paper Best of Baltimore Solo Music Artist. But I need your help.

The City Paper Best of Baltimore Reader Poll is open until August 31. Best of Baltimore is the time when various services and artists are recognized for their good work. The rules of the poll are that you must fill out answers for at least 25 categories, you cannot repeat the same answer in more than three categories, and you must fill out the information about who you are and where you live.

If you are a fan go ahead and vote for me! Or maybe you live in the area and are filling out the poll and haven’t decided who will be your choice for that category (Pick me! Pick me!). Or maybe you want me to do the same for you--I will! If you have a category that you want me to promote for you in Best of Baltimore (other than Best Solo Music Artist) just e-mail me or leave a comment on my blog or myspace page (wherever you may be reading this from) and I will push your category for you.
Please go ahead and take ten minutes to fill this out.

http://www.citypaper.com/bob/poll.asp

Thank you so much for your support! Please tell your friends and vote for Davey G and the Keyboard for Best Solo Music Artist!

Davey G and the Keyboard
www.daveygandthekeyboard.com
To hear my music:
http://www.myspace.com/daveygandthekeyboard

Monday, July 16, 2007

The One Month Hiatus Debriefing.




I didn’t want to panic anyone, but I basically took the last month off from Davey G and the Keyboard. I didn’t practice, record, write, or, for that matter, even take my keyboard out of the case after the last show at the Sidebar. Breaks can be tricky, as sometimes they just sort of start and then go on forever, but I think this one was necessary, and my future projects will be better for it.

A few announcements:

*Have you ever wanted to get your hands on old issues of the Davezine (the self-published fiction ‘zine I have been writing for the last 12 years) but don’t know how? Well…I have rectified that problem. For the first time ever, issues 1-12 (including issue 9.5) are available via my Davey G Catalog. All prices have the postage included.
I’ll be adding CD’s to the catalog soon, updating when I can. If you have any suggestions or there are any bugs, let me know--my web skills are what they are, so…I appreciate any feedback.

*I have restarted work on Low Level Bureaucrats 3, which will eventually come out in Davezine 13. It will be the end the Beatown trilogy, a plot line that has carried through since 2005 in Davezine 11.

*Davey G and the Office Supply E.P is still available (as are all my CDs) on the website. Keep an eye out for news of the Davey G CD Release Party (this November!) for my upcoming “Chairman of the Keyboard” CD. Initial response to the new songs gives me reason to believe this fourth CD will exceed all expectations. I think by the fourth time around, I probably am starting to get some idea of what it is I’m doing.

Thanks for reading! I will have a new show announcement coming soon!

www.daveygandthekeyboard.com

Saturday, July 14, 2007

“Orioles Fans Have a Reputation for Being the Best behaved Fans in Baseball. We Trust you will uphold that reputation.” or…Giuliani Time Part 3

I am a Baltimore Orioles fan. Every game I attend at Camden Yards, this message is shown on the JumboTron: “Orioles Fans Have a Reputation for Being the Best behaved Fans in Baseball. We Trust you will uphold that reputation.”

And it has never really set well with me to be considered “well behaved.”

Football fans are not well-behaved. They are drunk, loud, obnoxious, most definitely not well-behaved. They never, ever, flash a message like this over at M&T Bank Stadium (btw, for all future writings I will call it Raven’s Stadium, as I hate hate hate corporations that name stadiums) during Raven’s games.

But this post is not meant to criticize the fans. This is a post about the management.

Just this message, shown during every game, like Communist propaganda, is an insult to me as an American. (I know, hyperbole, but bear with me.) Management, like the old Soviet state, has a great interest in keeping the fans docile, and passive and apathetic. It helps to distract us from the fact that the team has not put together a winner in 10 years. It helps to avoid nasty little incidents like the big walkout of last year, during which a thousand fans dressed in black walked out of the stadium at 5:08--“5” for Brooks Robinson and “8” for Cal Ripken.
I witnessed a refreshing sign of fan anger when I saw the O’s play a few weeks ago, right before Sam Perlozzo was fired, when upset fans stood up and booed, MERCILESSLY. They booed bad fielding. They booed poor hitting. They booed Sam Perlozzo coming out of the dugout to yank the starter. They booed, swore, and got mad. They were not acting like “the best behaved fans in baseball.” They were acting like human beings, pushed too far, made to suffer too long, like the little kid who is sick of the bully beating him up and taking his lunch money--they fought back.

Oppressive Governments, and Oriole Management, like it when people do not question their actions. They like it when people trust their leaders. They like when people sit at home and watch TV and just accept their lot in life. At the Yard, they like it when you sit, cheer when they tell you, and otherwise keep your mouth shut: Behave.
For a game that drapes itself in the flag and patriotism and the National Anthem and God Bless America, it really doesn’t seem very American to me.

www.daveygandthekeyboard.com

Thursday, July 12, 2007

The Davey G Archive!

Dear Readers,
Coming soon--the Davezine/Davey G and the Keyboard Archive!
That’s right: every Davezine ever made will be available on-line. I am working on the catalog, which will contain Davezine issues 1-12 (including the rare issue 9.5) as well as all of my CD’s as Davey G and the Keyboard.
You can finally complete your collection of “Davey G and the …” products!

Please check back--this will launch very soon!

www.daveygandthekeyboard.com

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Stuff I'm Reading: Why People Believe Weird Things


Why People Believe Weird Things by Michael Shermer

Michael Shermer lays out arguments refuting psychics, creationists, holocaust deniers, and all sorts of other bs artists in an enormously entertaining book promoting skepticism. Skepticism does not mean you doubt everything, he explains. Rather, it is the Missouri “show me” kind of thinking, which basically means don’t believe anything you can’t prove. He discusses fallacies of reasoning, hallucinations, bad thinking, and ultimately gives me some hope that one day the powers of light and reason will prevail in this world.
He explains why science really is of fundamental importance; how creationists and holocaust deniers misuse and abuse science to promote pseudo-science. Science is the promotion of knowledge, and is rife with conflict and competing theories. Pseudo-science uses these conflicts to say “See. They’re wrong!” without ever getting that this is the very essence of science: disagreement, aiming toward the common goal of gaining knowledge, rather than keeping one view point and never, ever, ever changing it.
Lately, after I have delved into issues such as pseudo-New Age thinking, reading about Amway, and maybe just generally losing my mind in a mild haze of mumbo jumbo, this book was a cold drink of water, reminding me of who I am and what I believe and that it is in fact okay to question everything. It is such a refreshing restoration of my faith in humanity to realize that there is a reason for believing…in disbelief.





www.daveygandthekeyboard.com

Saturday, July 07, 2007

Transformers Movie

Transformers is about a group of robots with the ability to transform into automobiles and various other mechanical things, who come to earth to find the Allspark, the source of power and creation on their world, which was long since decimated by war.
This is a wet dream for anyone of my generation... (continued here)
http://imdb.com/title/tt0418279/usercomments-568

all my comments... http://imdb.com/user/ur15766810/comments

Monday...an important Davey G post!!!
www.daveygandthekeyboard.com

Monday, July 02, 2007

IMDB.com for future movie reviews

Lately I have been putting my movie reviews up on IMDB.com, and now I would like to direct readers to this site for all future reviews. I realize the blog hasn’t been about Davey G and The Keyboard stuff lately, but I still feel like I have a lot to say regardless. I will put part of all reviews here and if anyone is interested in the whole thing you can click on the link. Enjoy any and all my reviews on IMDB.com!

Sicko

Sicko may be Michael Moore’s best, though I will always hold Roger And Me close to my heart. I’ve never seen another film that so effectively makes me laugh while making a point about something horrible, like the U.S health care system…
http://imdb.com/title/tt0386032/usercomments-143


http://imdb.com/user/ur15766810/comments (all my reviews)

www.daveygandthekeyboard.com

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Stuff I'm Reading: Amway--the Cult of Free Enterprise


Amway: The Cult of Free Enterprise by Steve Butterfield

Amway is more than just a company: it is a movement, based on conformity and a devaluation of human relationships. Everybody exists either to help you sell stuff or they are “stinking thinkers” who are of no value to you.
A lot of the time this book is so shocking because the author’s tone (up until the climactic chapters) is so dispassionate and matter of fact. He really just lays it out: Amway’s approach on marriage, the family, sex, etc., to the point where it is easy to forget that we’re talking about a company and not an actual cult. I have found myself so shocked at the information within this book, and it is compounded by the really great job Butterfield did in capturing the culture of this group.
Of course, I think Amway is only an extreme example of what goes on in a corporate mentality--even the smaller ones. It is easier to control and maintain people who think that what they are doing is in their own best interests who "love" the company. Amway's perverse use of love to sell their products is enough to sicken anyone, making one doubt the very meaning of love.
I did a six month stint at a grocery store a few years back, and the attitude of many of the workers reminds me of the Amway mentality: people thrilled to work overtime, praising the company’s health plan (which I was screwed out of because I was “part time” at just 39 hours), just a general feeling that The Company Saved my Life. It was a little eerie.
A job is a job and that’s it. Let me work and leave me alone.
This book was chilling. Even though it is over 20 years old, the web research I’ve done would indicate that little has changed. A quick google search shows me that the author died about 5 years ago. This work is an excellent testament to this man’s writing ability and his desire to use the truth to set people free.

Amazon link.

A great site about Amway that led me into the quest for this book.

www.daveygandthekeyboard.com