Well, sorry. I'm long overdue on a post again. But know I've been thinking of you all. I spent hours on the phone today re-establishing my presence with my closest friends, whom could be reached. It sure is good to be home, and I really do feel home. True I had a few frustrating moments re-establishing my "spot" in the fam. (It was just one week, but things seem so different!) and I felt like jumping on the first Accela Express back to my apt. in NYC, but alas, that really is not an option.
I really feel some sort of "wrap-up" is due. I'm pretty "knackered" still as my good friend Kieferskate would say. However, I will attempt it and try to keep it under 10 pages!!!
I believe I left you all when Kieferskate and I were on our way out the door to the second concert night. After our usual Gray's Papaya lunch, (Oh God I just love those!!!) I put her on the Subway straight to the concert hall (Webster Hall In the East Village), where she had the good luck of seeing all the guys in the bands again coming in for their show. Again with her cigarette smoking she managed to talk to the" extra" film crew that interviewed Rocco on the front steps of the venue. She of course told them she had come all the way from the "Edge of Wales" to see Rocco. (By the way it was 28 hours in transit for her to make this trip!!! That's dedication huh??) So when they had Rocco in the interview they asked him if anyone had come a long distance to see him!!! LOL!!! He of course told them about the lady who traveled from the "Edge of Wales" to see him God Bless him. He is so sweet! You go Kate!! Score another one!! That night at the meet and greet, he was nice enough to tell her he had mentioned her in the "extra" interview. He really is very nice.
So Kate got to the venue very early and was so rewarded. I on the other hand went to play my heart out on the electronic drums, at you guessed it, my favorite store - The Sam Ash Percussion Store in Midtown. I had a fab time playing to my new ipod. They work so well together!!! I also bought the drummer and percussionist a pair each of brand spanking new Vic Firth drum sticks, with the crisp red label!! I wrote on them, "Thanks for reaching my 'inner drummer' guys. Rock On! L--------. and gave them to Rocco the second night to give to the guys who couldn't get out for the meet and greet as it was packing up night. For Rocco I got a business card with the address to one of the best shops in the NATION for Dobros!! Apparently it's in Staten Island. Who knew? He seemed grateful for the tip.
My camera battery was dead the night before, and I had told Rocco that I was pleased with all my autographs, but would definitely like to get some photos Wednesday night. Which as you can see I certainly did! And just look who came to the concert the second night!!! MY MUG!!! Yep, that's right people, and Rocco thought it was very cool! I agree of course!!! I actually made a print of this in NYC for him to sign at the Boston concert Friday night, which he did!!! Along with another ass-kicking photo of him wailing on his new Dobro! But by the time Sparky actually scans these for me, you'll all have forgotten about Rocco DeLuca & the Burden!! ( I may have too for that matter!! My friend mmorris can back me up on this one!!) So these are the unsigned versions!!
The show was awesome the second night too! However, by this time the tour was wreaking havoc on our bodies as we are not in our 20's-30's anymore. So I'm sorry to let you all down, but the truth is we just hailed a taxi right after the show and were back resting in the apt. by midnight!! (Having our dinner!) However, we did stay up till nearly 4 am again rehashing everything, blogging, sorting pics etc., and watching one of our favorite Kiefer movies "Dead Heat". This was all great fun too!
The next day the fam woke us up with a phone call at 1:30 pm!! We took our time puttering around the apt. Then off to Greenwich Village where Kieferskate treated me to a lovely Chinese dinner in a restaurant we just know Kiefer may have eaten in!! Then the Apple store! Then home, and again up till 2 am!!
Next am up by 7:30 am, run a few errands, pack myself, clean apt. a bit and say farewell to Kieferskate at 11am for 12:03 Accela Express to Boston!!! (She let herself out a few hours later for flight back to England at 8 pm) Must beat the band back!! NOT!!! Accela delayed one hour!! Arrived South Station 4:30 pm! Concert doors open at 6 pm with Rocco on stage 6:30 pm sharp!! Would have checked my bags at station and collected them after the show, but Amtrak won't check a laptop. Therefore, jumped on the orange line out to Oak Grove. Fam and Mellojoe waiting there for me. I really felt like "Jack Bauer" as I ran off the train, slammed a new cell phone battery into my phone, got money and "documents" off Sparky, quick kiss-kiss to the kids and immediately jump back on the orange line (with all the Red Sox Fans!!) and of course Mellojoe ! Arrived in time to use bathroom, comb hair, eat half a burrito and come into venue just as Rocco is coming on stage!!
The show was good. Unfortunately not as good as the NYC shows because they let in 12 year-olds!! They just had a bracelet so that they couldn't drink alcohol. So it was a nice crowd of "kids" but not what I was hoping for. I don't think the bands were that happy either! Matt Kearney actually seemed more well-received in Boston. All the "kids" were singing his songs. Anyhow, I of course sooo enjoyed the live music, for the third time that week!! Mellojoe and I stuck together, and I believe she really enjoyed it too! She definitely of course liked Rocco! Said she would go to another show with me to see him if I wanted!!!
Carolyn1968 and cousin S liked Rocco. Carolyn1968 definitely enjoyed Rocco and will also go to future shows with us! They weren't too crazy about the other bands. Unfortunately they went out for a smoke after Rocco's set and we never hooked up again as the crowd really grew! They say it holds 3,000?
Mellojoe and I battled the Red Sox fans home, and her hubby was nice enough to pick us up at the T. Luckily I was home about 11:30 pm and I must say thoroughly KNACKERED!!!
The fam was sooo glad to see me, and I them. The kids had got this new nintendo Brain Quiz game and so wanted me to test my brain age right on the spot!!!! AAAGGGHHH! Somehow I managed to put that off, as I think I had but one neuron still firing!!!!
So that does bring me to the end of this most excellent adventure!!! It was probably an outlandish thing to do - invite a stranger I met over the internet to my apt. But it really couldn't have gone any better than it did. Kieferskate and I got on like a "House on Fire" as she would say. I am soooo glad I did this. Certainly not something I'll do often, but it was great.
I just know I haven't seen the last of Kieferskate, as she has invited me AND the fam to visit her on the "Edge of Wales"!! And I feel confident we will someday.
As for the whole Kiefer thing. As I said in a earlier post, he was not in NYC when we were there, as he is busy filming the season finale episodes of 24, which by the way has taken yet another interesting plot twist with just 5-6 episodes to go!! We had a lot of "discussion" regarding HIM. And I gotta say - It's All Good!!
Rest assured I'm NOT as Kiefercrazy as I was before this trip. However, I still like him and admire his work a lot!! Rock On!! Kiefer!!!
So that's it for me. I'm glad to be home with all my Homies!! Look forward to seeing you all soon!!!
Cheers!!! Kieferskate, Love Lovekief1
Monday, April 16, 2007
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Rocco DeLuca & the Burden
My Dear Still Most Treasured Friends, (I've not yet run off with The Band), but notice I have dropped poor Steve off the list today. Nothing bad, just probably best not go on about this all with him ad nauseum,
Well what can I say? Having Fantastico Time! Wish you were all here (highly reccomend such an outing for all at some point). Cheers!
I have to keep this short, as Kate and I did not get to sleep untill nearly 4:30 am! I was awakened by Betsy's little voice at `10:30AM on her way home from reading lessons!! The whole fam. was in the mini-van (so camp!) including little Sally, whom Steve really has taken to carting around with the kids on all the things I've scheduled for them!! Note: it was also very nice to hear Betsy's little voice on my voicemail when I got home at 2:30 am wishing I was having a good time, they missed me, and were saying goodnight. I really must say I hadn't checked my phone from about 6 pm when the party started, till I got home at 2:30 am. Trust me I could never have heard it!! I saved the message.
Well we got to Webster Hall at about 4 pm for a 6 pm show (Kate's idea) but must say it worked out well. She's inclined to get there about two hours early again tonight. I on the other hand will have a little look see around The East Village, and join her on line about an hour early.
By being early last night we did see the bands arriving with instruments going in to set-up and do their soundchecks. That was fun. The skinny young British group The Feeling were cute to see! This surely was not Melrose, this scene!
We got in just fine and stood right up first next to the stage! I positioned myself to get the best view of their two drummers of course (I could have handed them back a stick if they dropped it I was so close!) I was also right in front of Rocco, of Rocco DeLuca & the Burden. He's very cute, and plays a mean Dobro. The guys really gave a great show. Unfortunately , since they are sharing the venue with two other bands on this vh1 "you ought to know" tour they were first act with only a 30min set. They picked their best songs to play and gave enough extra on the songs so that you felt like you got your money's worth for the Live Show!! Well Done! as my friend Kate would say!! (Actually, she would probably say it was "fucking, bloody, well done!"
We went to the Merchandise table and really got to say hello and get things signed by them and actually have a bit of a chat as they probably were not the real pull for this venue, so the crowd at the table was easy to deal with. They were very nice, and gracious!! We actually chatted with them a little more throughout the show at the bar etc. I got to talk to one of the drummers about my upcoming, earthshaking decision of buying a very good electronic drum set or a real drum set. It was fun. Today I have a total need to go play drums at my favorite store, The Sam Ash Percussion Store. Which I will, They actually have lots of drums set up for this purpose. So I'll take a good half-hour to work out some stuff!! I think I will also pick-up the two drummers a new pair of good VIC drumsticks each as a token of my gratitude for reaching so far inside my drumming soul, (which I have honestly felt since I was about 5 years-old!! It really has not been let out to play very much in it's lifetime YET!)
Anyhow, the second band got the 40 min slot last night, (tonight Rocco and The Feeling switch on that ) . They were suprisingly, very good and had lots of energy which I so appreciated! The drummer had a bigger set and was more the focus than Rocco's Boys, which again , I appreciated. I of course bought their CD for $10 and had them all sign it, and say a good hello to them. They were also extremely nice. It was fun to say, see you all tomorrow night and again up in Boston Friday night!! (I really am just too cool!! Aren't I?!!)
Lastly, was Matt Kearney and his band, his drummer had the biggest best set of the night!!!) which was the top billing for the night. He's a young white guy with a very good guitar, rap, address some political issues type thing going. It's very nice. I don't feel he had the energy of the other two, and felt the songs were a little more repetetive (than again, rap can be!!). It was good in that it was just different enough for me. I did buy his cd also, for $10 and thought I'd get it signed, but he seemed to do an encore instead of a meet and greet. I could get his cd signed and have a word with him as he comes into Webster Hall tonight if I really wanted to. (Nope, just decided Kate's the hard -core one who will be there and she'll get mine signed with hers. Thanks Kate!)
I REALLY enjoyed the nearly three hours of a very good rock show, Melanie, Carolyn, and Stephen, I just know you all are going to enjoy yourselves!!
It may not be too late if anyone else has changed their minds? There may be tickets left, but I don't know for sure? Anyone? Anyone?
So, It was clear to me last night that it was definitely not all about Rocco and the Boys, (which it actually never was) (by the way, I asked the drummer Ryan if Kiefer was in town for their shows, but he said no he was very busy filming the final season episodes for 24. So no Kiefer either, which is good and let's me relax into it all better, as I'm not looking for Kiefer to get an autograph!) but that I appreciated the live, energetic music, and it didn't really matter which band was up there. They were pretty interchangeable in my mind. However, real music wise, I still definitely think Rocco is the best of them. I have been listening to his music a lot lately, and I am so NOT bored of it, like I have easily become within a couple weeks of playing a particular song or group hard and heavy. I take this as an important indicator for me.
I would have been content, to go home after the show, but we were easily swept across the street to The Pourhouse. Which Kate thought they said we were all going to the "Whorehouse, and we still followed!!!! LOL!!!! A nice, popular , after show bar. The place was crowded and I knew we were doing well when I managed to get a seat right up at the bar for my diet coke and a Guinness for my friend. If I had held out 5 mins. longer before I ordered, we would have been added easily to the bar tab of the very nice vh1 people, who we hung out with till 2 am!!! (the place f$#$#%ing closed at 2am!!! at least officially!!) Well done don't you think??!!!
These kids were young. 22- 30 year olds running all theses shows and many were with different advertising companies, Loreal, Wendy's, MTV, to name a few. If what they said was true, and I suspect there was a little exaggerating going on in this crowd, they were handling 50 to 140 MILLION DOLLAR accounts!!! (Didn't feel bad about my Diet Cokes on them!!!) Geez! I learned quite a bit about a slice of life, I really had NO idea about. I found it hard to believe but we really all got on so well. They seemed to be genuinely interested in Kate and I , We did eventually make the running tab!!
WEll this has gotten way too long, and it's 12:30 now and we're trying to get out by 1 pm. Off to The Mary Poppin's Bank (for those of you in "the know"!) They should know what to do with a bloody, British Pound if anyone does!!} Kate and I have taken to spliting the Gray's Papaya special. She get's the papaya. I keep to one hot dog for my blood pressure's sake. which unfortunately, I must report, is still not doing as well as I 'd like.
Saw a new doctor about it at Harvard Pilgrim Medford last week, finally decided to leave Lahey for my healthcare. My bp was found to be 190/112 by her in her office.!!! She told me not to get alarmed and started me on a new antihypertensive, which I was to take all last week and record my pressures. which I did and they came down as far as 170/11o. So I was then to add the second drug this week , which I did and keep track, which I am happy to report it has come down as far as 150/100. Which is slighlty better. Anyhow, know that I am keeping an eye on it throughout this fun escapade.
I'll close with, we did get invited to see a different even more up and coming band tonight with free tickets and backstage passes left for us at the door if we really wanted them. But we have our Rocco tix for tonight and so enjoy them, that we politely declined. Soo many shows, soo little time!!! Lastly, there was the possibility of following along to the "real after party" down-town at some Chinese Strip-clubs? I'm not really sure about that, but I did hear talk of it!! We also found out through our new found "friends" that Rocco and two other good bands were playing at the well known Milk Studios (photography, awesome gallary in Chelsea) Thursday night, private function, and we may just get a couple of tix gratis from them. They'll call us today. No promises and it's all been way beyond our expectations!! I headed for home at 2 am, Kate stayed out a while with some of the folks, but caught a cab home by 3am. We re-hashed it all till 4:30 am, because it was really well beyound fucking belief!!! Who'd have ever thunk!!!
I was awakeneded by my Betsy this am, now we're off to who knows what tonight!! However, I think we both agree if we died now, we really did have more of a great time than we could have ever imagined!
So Kate's out of the shower, gotta go.
Just remember, It's All Good!!
Peace Out, LPK
Well what can I say? Having Fantastico Time! Wish you were all here (highly reccomend such an outing for all at some point). Cheers!
I have to keep this short, as Kate and I did not get to sleep untill nearly 4:30 am! I was awakened by Betsy's little voice at `10:30AM on her way home from reading lessons!! The whole fam. was in the mini-van (so camp!) including little Sally, whom Steve really has taken to carting around with the kids on all the things I've scheduled for them!! Note: it was also very nice to hear Betsy's little voice on my voicemail when I got home at 2:30 am wishing I was having a good time, they missed me, and were saying goodnight. I really must say I hadn't checked my phone from about 6 pm when the party started, till I got home at 2:30 am. Trust me I could never have heard it!! I saved the message.
Well we got to Webster Hall at about 4 pm for a 6 pm show (Kate's idea) but must say it worked out well. She's inclined to get there about two hours early again tonight. I on the other hand will have a little look see around The East Village, and join her on line about an hour early.
By being early last night we did see the bands arriving with instruments going in to set-up and do their soundchecks. That was fun. The skinny young British group The Feeling were cute to see! This surely was not Melrose, this scene!
We got in just fine and stood right up first next to the stage! I positioned myself to get the best view of their two drummers of course (I could have handed them back a stick if they dropped it I was so close!) I was also right in front of Rocco, of Rocco DeLuca & the Burden. He's very cute, and plays a mean Dobro. The guys really gave a great show. Unfortunately , since they are sharing the venue with two other bands on this vh1 "you ought to know" tour they were first act with only a 30min set. They picked their best songs to play and gave enough extra on the songs so that you felt like you got your money's worth for the Live Show!! Well Done! as my friend Kate would say!! (Actually, she would probably say it was "fucking, bloody, well done!"
We went to the Merchandise table and really got to say hello and get things signed by them and actually have a bit of a chat as they probably were not the real pull for this venue, so the crowd at the table was easy to deal with. They were very nice, and gracious!! We actually chatted with them a little more throughout the show at the bar etc. I got to talk to one of the drummers about my upcoming, earthshaking decision of buying a very good electronic drum set or a real drum set. It was fun. Today I have a total need to go play drums at my favorite store, The Sam Ash Percussion Store. Which I will, They actually have lots of drums set up for this purpose. So I'll take a good half-hour to work out some stuff!! I think I will also pick-up the two drummers a new pair of good VIC drumsticks each as a token of my gratitude for reaching so far inside my drumming soul, (which I have honestly felt since I was about 5 years-old!! It really has not been let out to play very much in it's lifetime YET!)
Anyhow, the second band got the 40 min slot last night, (tonight Rocco and The Feeling switch on that ) . They were suprisingly, very good and had lots of energy which I so appreciated! The drummer had a bigger set and was more the focus than Rocco's Boys, which again , I appreciated. I of course bought their CD for $10 and had them all sign it, and say a good hello to them. They were also extremely nice. It was fun to say, see you all tomorrow night and again up in Boston Friday night!! (I really am just too cool!! Aren't I?!!)
Lastly, was Matt Kearney and his band, his drummer had the biggest best set of the night!!!) which was the top billing for the night. He's a young white guy with a very good guitar, rap, address some political issues type thing going. It's very nice. I don't feel he had the energy of the other two, and felt the songs were a little more repetetive (than again, rap can be!!). It was good in that it was just different enough for me. I did buy his cd also, for $10 and thought I'd get it signed, but he seemed to do an encore instead of a meet and greet. I could get his cd signed and have a word with him as he comes into Webster Hall tonight if I really wanted to. (Nope, just decided Kate's the hard -core one who will be there and she'll get mine signed with hers. Thanks Kate!)
I REALLY enjoyed the nearly three hours of a very good rock show, Melanie, Carolyn, and Stephen, I just know you all are going to enjoy yourselves!!
It may not be too late if anyone else has changed their minds? There may be tickets left, but I don't know for sure? Anyone? Anyone?
So, It was clear to me last night that it was definitely not all about Rocco and the Boys, (which it actually never was) (by the way, I asked the drummer Ryan if Kiefer was in town for their shows, but he said no he was very busy filming the final season episodes for 24. So no Kiefer either, which is good and let's me relax into it all better, as I'm not looking for Kiefer to get an autograph!) but that I appreciated the live, energetic music, and it didn't really matter which band was up there. They were pretty interchangeable in my mind. However, real music wise, I still definitely think Rocco is the best of them. I have been listening to his music a lot lately, and I am so NOT bored of it, like I have easily become within a couple weeks of playing a particular song or group hard and heavy. I take this as an important indicator for me.
I would have been content, to go home after the show, but we were easily swept across the street to The Pourhouse. Which Kate thought they said we were all going to the "Whorehouse, and we still followed!!!! LOL!!!! A nice, popular , after show bar. The place was crowded and I knew we were doing well when I managed to get a seat right up at the bar for my diet coke and a Guinness for my friend. If I had held out 5 mins. longer before I ordered, we would have been added easily to the bar tab of the very nice vh1 people, who we hung out with till 2 am!!! (the place f$#$#%ing closed at 2am!!! at least officially!!) Well done don't you think??!!!
These kids were young. 22- 30 year olds running all theses shows and many were with different advertising companies, Loreal, Wendy's, MTV, to name a few. If what they said was true, and I suspect there was a little exaggerating going on in this crowd, they were handling 50 to 140 MILLION DOLLAR accounts!!! (Didn't feel bad about my Diet Cokes on them!!!) Geez! I learned quite a bit about a slice of life, I really had NO idea about. I found it hard to believe but we really all got on so well. They seemed to be genuinely interested in Kate and I , We did eventually make the running tab!!
WEll this has gotten way too long, and it's 12:30 now and we're trying to get out by 1 pm. Off to The Mary Poppin's Bank (for those of you in "the know"!) They should know what to do with a bloody, British Pound if anyone does!!} Kate and I have taken to spliting the Gray's Papaya special. She get's the papaya. I keep to one hot dog for my blood pressure's sake. which unfortunately, I must report, is still not doing as well as I 'd like.
Saw a new doctor about it at Harvard Pilgrim Medford last week, finally decided to leave Lahey for my healthcare. My bp was found to be 190/112 by her in her office.!!! She told me not to get alarmed and started me on a new antihypertensive, which I was to take all last week and record my pressures. which I did and they came down as far as 170/11o. So I was then to add the second drug this week , which I did and keep track, which I am happy to report it has come down as far as 150/100. Which is slighlty better. Anyhow, know that I am keeping an eye on it throughout this fun escapade.
I'll close with, we did get invited to see a different even more up and coming band tonight with free tickets and backstage passes left for us at the door if we really wanted them. But we have our Rocco tix for tonight and so enjoy them, that we politely declined. Soo many shows, soo little time!!! Lastly, there was the possibility of following along to the "real after party" down-town at some Chinese Strip-clubs? I'm not really sure about that, but I did hear talk of it!! We also found out through our new found "friends" that Rocco and two other good bands were playing at the well known Milk Studios (photography, awesome gallary in Chelsea) Thursday night, private function, and we may just get a couple of tix gratis from them. They'll call us today. No promises and it's all been way beyond our expectations!! I headed for home at 2 am, Kate stayed out a while with some of the folks, but caught a cab home by 3am. We re-hashed it all till 4:30 am, because it was really well beyound fucking belief!!! Who'd have ever thunk!!!
I was awakeneded by my Betsy this am, now we're off to who knows what tonight!! However, I think we both agree if we died now, we really did have more of a great time than we could have ever imagined!
So Kate's out of the shower, gotta go.
Just remember, It's All Good!!
Peace Out, LPK
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