The Sidebar Show: The Culmination of my Training

(photo courtesy of Mike R)

The Sidebar show with Lebanon and Mr. Moccasin, the one I’ve been writing about for weeks now, was a big success, and after I finished, I got the weirdest compliment (?) yet, from one of the guys from Lebanon (from Israel) : “If you’re not a Jew, you should be.” Thanks.
Turnout was good, new songs went off well, I made a few new fans, the lotion was somewhat clumpy.

I took a one day break from blogging and doing anything remotely productive, but I still had to send this e-mail to my supporters:

Hi Everyone,
Just wanted to send a big "thank you" for all who attended the Davey G and the Keyboard show at the Sidebar Tuesday night. Turnout was great, especially for a Tuesday, and as always, I am so grateful when people come to see me play.
I am not-so-secretly hoping that this good showing on a non-weekend night will be a good sign for future shows at this club. So I truly thank anyone who supports all things Davey G, and hope that you will continue to do so in the future. If you didn't make it out this week, maybe I'll see you at the next one. Stay tuned.
And one big favor, maybe? If anyone can send me pictures from this show, I will post them to my site/blog and give you picture credit and a good firm handshake.
Thanks!
Davey G and the Keyboard

As far as the effect of the 2 weeks of Davey G training beforehand: I still was just a bit sloppy at times, forgetting things or losing track but managing to cover well. I think it is really hard to ever simulate the conditions of a live performance while I am practicing in my basement: for one thing, I don’t drink at home when I’m practicing, I don’t have people watching me (as far as I know) and the adrenaline doesn’t ever reach show level when I’m by myself.
But…I can say that the fact that I put a lot into practicing this time helped a lot with smoothing over rough spots--I felt comfortable, even after a 4 month break. I would say that the possibility for a few more shows this year (before the big CD release in November) is very good.


www.daveygandthekeyboard.com

Davey G Training, Final Day and Stuff I’m Reading

Not much more to say other than if you’re going to the Sidebar tomorrow to see me, come early. Show starts at 9:30.
www.sidebartavern.com
*
Stuff I’m Reading:
Stealing the General: The Great Locomotive Chase and the First Medal of Honor by Russell S. Bonds

The story of a group of 22 Union men who went into the South during the Civil War in 1862 and stole a Confederate locomotive right out from under its engineers. Wildly entertaining, at least for most of it, when it focuses on the actual theft and their subsequent chase, capture, and then some of their escapes from captivity. However, in the book’s attempt to do a thorough history of the Great Locomotive Chase, it does get bogged down in details I didn’t find myself caring about--the thoroughness is its main weakness. It winds up with a whole section about the Medal of Honor, which rounds out the story, but doesn’t really make it more interesting.
But all of this is a quibble, really, as otherwise this is a really great book. It didn’t focus on politics or morality of the war--just told of a good old-fashioned chase that ultimately could have greatly affected the outcome of the Civil War.

www.daveygandthekeyboard.com

And The Studio Went Dark: Day 11, Davey G Training.

This was it. A short and bittersweet practice at my old studio, then I packed up and the studio went dark.

Goodbye, Southwest Baltimore.

www.daveygandthekeyboard.com

Day 10, Davey G training

Tomorrow will be my last practice at my old studio--I have been clearing all my possessions out of my old house and then practicing and now I’m done. It’s been a good spot for me the last 2 years I’ve been back playing as Davey G and the Keyboard. But now it’s time to go.

When I practice, I’m having a fucking hell of a time with “Childhood Pain,” one of my songs from my new album. It’s not hard, it’s just I fuck up the lyrics and wind up playing this damn angry depressing song over and over again. Word.

By the way, had an idea for a future album title: “It’s not Awkward, it’s Heavy,” and the cover would be some fat guy carrying a box and falling over.


www.daveygandthekeyboard.com

Day 9, Davey g Training

Feeling stronger now, like, like, I almost could do this show. 5 new songs from the new album in a set of 15. It’s been a grind, trying to move all my stuff out of one place, then practicing, then packing up a carload of more stuff. I’m still playing out of the old studio, just to keep up the continuity. But after the show, hopefully my new studio will come together.
Have suddenly remembered what my old acting teacher said about “blocking,” or those actions you perform while you’re giving your lines that make you remember the lines. I realize that songs that are more “complicated” are easier to remember because of this blocking phenomenon.

www.daveygandthekeyboard.com

Day 6, 7 and 8, Davey G Training.

Busy busy, no time, at a public library and late for work.
1. I moved.
2. no internet yet
3. myspace account compromised
4. had radio play last week
5. Have the rough mix of my new songs for new album.
6. My show at the Sidebar will rock.

www.daveygandthekeyboard.com

Day 5, Davey G Training. (I should be asleep)

I have to admit, I’m a little stressed out this week, with the moving to a new studio and the forcing myself to practice thing. And then today, at work for 14 hours, I find out that my myspace account has been hacked, and I can't do anything about it for like 8 more hours…well, it’s a bit much. I shouldn’t be up blogging right now.
But I will say that it seems like most people know that I would never spam them with some stupid shit about an I-phone (or whatever it is.) But I did lose 3 myspace friends over it. I won’t miss them, ‘cause as I once read on a sugar packet at the bagel store back home “Never explain--your friends don’t need it, and your enemies won’t believe you anyway.”

I don’t even know what the thing that they’re selling is.

Day 4, Davey G Training (of 14 days)

I give and give but what does the keyboard want of me? It gives out after 10 minutes into set practice, I curse myself, it curses me--the batteries are dead. I need to buy more…
Again, the soreness, the tightness, and the despair…can I make a comeback after 4 months offstage? Can I make it another year? Another year of grueling basement practice, playing with a Kawai X20 that hates me, hates me because of my new mistress, the Casiotone…is it possible to love two keyboards without hating yourself?

I’m losing my mind.
*

Hey, everybody, check out my show at the Sidebar!

www.daveygandthekeyboard.com

Day 3, Davey G Training

Raw. Sore. In pain. Hours in the basement, banging out a tune that’s been stuck in my head for days. I’m tortured by my own songs stuck in my head. How do others bear it?

Um…an old friend of mine was biking in the heat once, going uphill, tired, exhausted, overheated, and felt like there was no way that she could ever make it up the hill she was climbing. And then, out of nowhere, she heard the opening horns to the “Rocky” theme, and suddenly she got pumped up and was inspired to get over that hill.

Hearing the “Rocky” theme while I’m trying to rehearse really fucks up my timing.

www.daveygandthekeyboard.com

Day 2 of Davey G Training.

Gotta get in shape. So very old and weak…

Um, yeah. Day 2, rocking out. My set is sexy and compact, 14-16 songs, depending on whether or not I throw in 2 more of my new ones. I may play as many as 6 from the new album. And all within a half hour.
Like I always say, if you hate one of my songs, at least it’ll be short.

www.daveygandthekeyboard.com

Davey G Training

One of my goals for this year was to devote 2 full weeks of practice for every show, to avoid the sloppiness of some of my past performances. The two week period before the Sidebar show begins today. And then somewhere in there my lady and I are moving uptown, the whole Davey G Studio and all.
Last week I recorded 3 more songs for the new album, upping the total to 8. The highlight for me so far? An absolutely retarded closing song of self-affirmation, called simply “I am a Champion.”

www.daveygandthekeyboard.com
*

Tuesday, March 27.
Doors at 9, show at 9:30.

http://www.sidebartavern.com/shows.html

Jared Can Suck It

I wasn’t going to do this today, but…

I hate Subway. Officially, and without remorse, and here’s why.
I am at heart a cheapskate, and also I do not eat fast food (for the most part) except for Subway. I also don’t drink soda or eat chips (partly as a result of my cheapness). The Subway daily specials (Wednesday: Turkey, Thursday: BMT) for 2.93 were, for what it is, the highlight of my lunch week. Until the one day a few weeks back I went in and was told it was no longer possible to get a sub for 2.93--now they only have the daily special with chips I don’t eat and soda I don’t drink for 3.99--I can no longer just buy the sub for 3 bucks and then go home and drink my beer to wash it down. Strike one.

I live in Baltimore, where Subway has made a surge, seeming to triple in the last several years. You can walk outside and literally find a Subway anywhere you go. Which is fine, but honestly, the food there isn’t THAT GOOD. And up until they took away the daily special, it used to be cheap. But now--it’s overpriced, sucky, and ubiquitous. Strike two.

And last night, I went to Subway with my girlfriend, armed with coupons that were supposed to allow us a free sub with the purchase of another sub. Only the Subway wouldn’t take them. They said “we don’t take those coupons.” I said “You mean these coupons? The ones that say ‘Subway’ on them?” I was pissed. Strike 3.

Bonus strikes: you know that fucking gross pastrami ads you see on TV? Didn’t even have pastrami at this stupid fucking Subway (yes, yes, these complaints are less about the corporation and more about the individual Subway, but fuck it you’ve read this far, right?). And the whole “Eat Fresh” thing? Please. They are not slicing the meat right in front of you, they leave chicken in a tub of water all day, the only thing fresh is the bread; they are a glorified McDonalds and it pisses me off that they have ever tried to sell themselves as anything else.

Chinese lunch--that’s my new play for cheap lunch. General Tso, rice, soda I can give to my girlfriend, and home for a cold beer, same price as that crappy Subway “Value” Meal.

Jared Can Suck It.

www.daveygandthekeyboard.com

Davey G at the Sidebar March 27!

Hey Music Fans!!! Come to my next show,
Tuesday, March 27.
Davey G and the Keyboard LIVE!
At the Sidebar Tavern
218 E. Lexington Street - Baltimore, MD 21202

With
Mr. Moccasin
and
Lebanon (from Tel Aviv)
7 bucks, (9 if yer under 21)
Doors at 9, show at 9:30 (I'm opening!), and they tell me they mean it, so
come early, or die trying.

http://www.sidebartavern.com/shows.html

http://www.daveygandthekeyboard.com

Rebel Sound Radio Starts Today!

Today I am reposting a press release from legendary punk rock zine editor, Poncherellos’s front man, and former porn star Andy Poncherello about his new punk rock radio show Rebel Sound Radio, to air on WTBR 89.7 in beautiful downtown Pittsfield Massachusetts. I believe his words will describe this show better than I can, so I have reprinted them below.
The show begins today and will have an interview with my friend, old band-mate, and producer of the last 3 Davey G albums, The Beat Machine.
If you live in Pittsfield, Mass, please tune in at 4 today, and on subsequent broadcast days (you might even hear some Davey G!).

Unfortunately, the station web site appears to be outdated and not current--
http://www.angelfire.com/music4/wtbrfm/
So I believe that getting the show over the internet will not yet be possible. But maybe soon?
Enjoy!

www.daveygandthekeyboard.com



REBEL SOUND RADIO Begins March 1, 2007 @ 4:00pm on WTBR 89.7-FM Pittsfield, MA

To some, it may not seem like a big deal, but to others who have nothing, the beginning of Rebel Sound Radio on 89.7 WTBR-FM is a milestone. Rebel Sound Radio is the first time an exclusively punk rock radio program has been produced on WTBR in the station's history. Throughout the 1980s, the station was programmed with music that college radio eventually became famous for. The music was an incredible mix of everything under the sun, WTBR had quite an extensive library and DJs who actually had an interest in keeping air shifts and taking listener requests. Eventually the station fell out of favor with the school administration and went "dark". WTBR-FM was all but dead until local radio celebrity Larry Kratka stepped in at the 11th hour and saved the station from becoming nothing more than a glorified public radio station with substantially less interesting programming than NPR. Currently WTBR is playing a mix of classic rock, oldies, metal and rock. While none of these genres will likely interest a punk rocker, they're important since you can rarely hear any of these genres of music on local radio to begin with.

Larry has worked with the school and has done a tremendous amount of free work at WTBR including equipment upgrades and repair, station remodeling and a computerized music library. The work is far from even being close to the halfway point. What he has done is found a small, but important group of individuals who care about the station and how important the station is to the area.

A meeting was held in mid-February with Kratka and Andy Poncherello with Rebel Sound Radio getting the green light to begin broadcasting on March 1, 2007. The show will run for two hours initially, but could be expanded either in length of the show or in frequency of the show per week. It depends on listener feedback, requests, input and participation within the show. It also depends on the use of My Space as a way to get the word out to punk fans in Pittsfield and anywhere where WTBR 89.7 can be heard on the FM dial. This is basically grass roots networking in the computer age.

If no one responds, how will we know anyone is listening? Please sign up to be a friend of Rebel Sound Radio. We'll post playlists, list upcoming on-air guests, pass along any important information and run contests over the air. We'll also use My Space to take requests. All of the music for the first few shows will be from the Rebel Sound library and while extensive, don't have a cow if we don't have that rare Negative Approach song at our fingertips.

The first Rebel Sound Radio show will feature two hours of punk rock from the past 30 years and will also have a live in-studio interview with Pittsfield's own cyber punk The Beat Machine (ex-Lampstand, Immature Morons and Atari). The Beat Machine will discuss the history and future of punk in Pittsfield as well the challenges involved in self-producing and distributing truly independent albums.

Please be a friend of Rebel Sound Radio at www.myspace.com/rebelsoundradio and please repost this to anyone interested!

Thanks-

Andy Poncherello