Thursday, January 27, 2011

KITTY. WRECKROOM. TONIGHT.

DJs Jess Ramsay & Seyhan Musaoglu from the MeKaniKdolls are doing it up tonight at Wreckroom at KITTY.Photobucket All of you cat loving queers and and lovers of both are encouraged to attend!Photobucket
Just wait til the February schedule is revealed! The graphic is insane... the line up- insaner!
That Jerk Party and and and D.J.I.Friday dew it up right-O!

LALO THE DON - LET ME IN

DJ Porkchop makes unannounced appearance in somebody else's video. Lalo was the man, and I love a free CD. By coincidence, I happened to be on the cut that evening and caught the end of the shoot. I happened to have my trusty CDJ in tow, and he asked me if I'd play it and I beat it into my set. I actually beat like four songs off it, at different parts in the night. It ended up being a very fun night. I love some neighborhood shit. Wreckroom is my spot, and this is some underground ass shit.

It's a good spot for a music video. What?

Bang!

Thursday, January 20, 2011

SEE SSPS AND JUDGE FOR YOURSELF

Moving forward. SSPS rides again. I won't go so long this time as there four other bands. I will however be going strong! SSPS plays on Saturday night, the 22nd at the RAD PAD in Greenpoint, Brooklyn with the Amil Byleckie Band, Red Dawn 2, Predator Prey, and Buddy Bag.
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AND ON 5 FEBRUARY 2011
CLAREVOYANCE- A BENEFIT SHOW for CLARE ARMORY!
Brooklyn Fireproof East
119 Ingraham St. Brooklyn, NY 11237
8PM
As some of you may know, our beloved friend Clare is fighting a serious battle with cancer. Our intention for the show is to gather our positive energy from one location and cosmically channel it to Clare (and Nathan) for strength. SSPS comes together with Enoch A.L.N., SETH, and in her first NY musical appearance-from St. Paul, Minnesota- GARLAND VILLANOVA. This woman attacks our psyche from multiple angles, be it aural, visual, or magical. Visuals provided by the those unusual, usual suspects- Jon Williams, Rebbecca Gaffney. THEO G from those fine folks at WESTERN BEEF will be providing the best DUBSTEP, SPACE MUSIC, TRIP HIP, and FUNKY STOP in all of north Brooklyn. All donations will help to offset medical costs.
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Dave Smith and Roger Lynn Do It Again! THE TEMPEST!

I have been a fan of Dave Smith instruments for some time now. My Mono Evolver is the central nervous system in my live rig, but this machine is completely nuts! Time to start saving. This drum machine called the Tempest takes the cake! I have been happy with my gear and if anything, have been trying to shrink my live set up. I am very excited for the spring, when Tempest hits the shelves! Check out the DSI site for more information!

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

In Response to Mike Wolf of the Voice

There was a show reviewed in the voice. You can read it-here. It was a good time and I appreciate the constructive criticism. In my defense, I can say that I do have the tendency to play long format sets in underground settings. What we have here, in my eyes, is an underground show where time is not as much of an issue than at any show there there are concrete schedules and artists can express themselves, as artists. If I would have played, when I was supposed to go on and push it to the limit, I would have played for a half hour at 9:30PM, the Markers would have played, and the whole show would have been over before midnight. I don't think the kind people who threw the show, would rent a space and put all of that effort into doing a show that was gonna end before midnight. I totally grew up with that rock and roll time space continuum experience. Half hour blasts of expression. Punk. Noise. All of that. My program, for the most part, is outside of those short bursts and certain sequences take time to unfold. The Markers kicked ass. What we do is different as night and day, and clearly, when you put two, achingly different acts together, there will be some tension on the floor. I saw more interest than disinterest. There was no mention of the people who danced and cheered in appreciation. While it's cool, I was not aware that basement keg parties were the types of shows that were being reviewed in the Voice. Must be trying to give the music section that "zine" feel. A little grit. I like that.

Things You May Have Missed: Homework

These dudes went to Europe, last November and broke off a piece of the electronic funk that Chicago is so revered for having. I ran across this little video of Traxx beating a track called "Tribute" and was reworked from a little known track called Lil Louis called "Homework". It's subtle changes in sequence and rhythm are the key for any proper jack track. There are very few copies of any surviving recordings of this track, that was privately passed around in the late 80's via cassette tape and fewer people have been so daring as to play such a coveted track. The original has long since been lost. Regardless, it is a privilege to hear Homework's "Tribute" in any form out on the dancefloor.

Saturday, January 15, 2011

SCENE REPORT:BROOKLYN with JFR

Your man behind the curtain-JFR takes you in to the dirtiest basements in North Brooklyn in search of the finest rock the underground has to offer. Today's report comes from Williamsburg where SSPS and Magik Markerstore it down. Rumor had it that Geraldine Ferraro and Walter Mondale were gonna show up to try to drum up some support for the another shot at the 2012 Presidential bid, but in light of the unfortunate circumstances with a public appearance by Congresswoman Gifford in Tuscon, Arizona and it's outcome, decided to cancel, as Security was not readily available.

Friday, January 14, 2011

TONIGHT!

Begin your evening with US.
Change of Power by SSPS
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Thursday, January 13, 2011

KITTY. WRECKROOM. TONIGHT.

Tonight, and every Thursday for that matter- "KITTY" comes to your Wreckroom! "KITTY" is Bushwick's first night catering to the Queer and the Feline Enthusiast alike. I like to think of Wreckwroom as that type of place where the aware, the curious, the few, the proud, the free, can go and do it up on a shoe string budget. ALL ARE WELCOME. Except a few of you assholes out there (you know who you are).
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I want last week and had a blast! The Cat Fancy centerfolds are to die for... and dancing in a leather miniskirt can be quite fun! I seriously felt like Chaka Khan for a seccond. This is the second week! Heres the rundown...
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This shindig is bought to you by JERK PARTY who does a Fabulous Lifestyle Blog and R.M.Rudy ESQ- Lesbian Extrordinare.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

SSPS LIVE ON STAGE 2011

It is to be my first show of the year. Come and witness a special- one time only- Synthesizer Sacrifice in the name of Progress and Sanctity. I will be playing fist supporting the mighty- MAGIK MARKERS and JAMES FERRARO!
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The Natives are Restless.
132 Graham Ave
THIS IS THE 1st EVER SHOW AT PSYCHOTROPA. KEEP IT REAL. KEEP IT SAFE=NO COPS
$7 boners gets you in the door.
$5 drinks

Why does God need Bass players?

I want all of my secret servants to raise your talons in the face of cancer and scream- NO MORE!!!

Phil Kennemore, Y&T Bassist, Dies at 57. Mick Karn, Bassist in the Group Japan, Dies at 52.


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(PHOTO: Billboard Magazine)

A statement from Dave Meniketti-

It is with profound sadness and disbelief that I tell you that my best buddy for 37 years passed away this morning, January 7, 2011 at 1am at Stanford Hospital. Bravely and steadfastly battling the horrible spectacle of lung cancer, at the end he was surrounded by his family members, and the Y&T family up until his final breath.

All the beautiful things that I could say about my buddy Phil could never be summed up in a short sentence or two, and I promise that I will be back to say so much more about how I feel about him and his talents in due time. But for now, at 3am, after just having returned home from his passing, let me at least put this out there.

Phil Kennemore was not only a sweet and passionate man with his life, friends and family, but as an artist, he also had that rare ability to say what was on his mind with the most eloquent, clever, and to-the-point lyrics, yet could turn it on it's head in a second with some other viewpoint on reality and nail the point dead center. He was able to do what very few can - say the things that others have been thinking, but could never quite seem to put into words. He has always had a keen knack for doing that.

As a musician, with those huge fingers, his bass playing was always loud, strong, and deep, filling the largest or smallest of stages equally.

He had an amazingly strong life force that has influenced everyone who ever had the opportunity to be called a friend of his. I am forever grateful for our lifelong friendship, that was always in place throughout the worst and best of times. I will miss his sense of humor, his amazing wit, but most of all I will always miss not seeing him to my left on the stages I will play from this moment forward.

Yes, he was one of the class guys on this planet, and in this business, and I will always do what I can to spread the legacy of Phil Kennemore across the globe on every stage that I land on.

You know how much I love you Phil, and you knew how much your fans and fellow musicians loved and respected you. There was nothing left unsaid. You had a rich and wonderful life and I can only tell you that I was happy to have been alongside you every step of the glorious way.

Cheers to you, Phil.

Your friend forever,
-Dave

Our hearts go out to your family and fans. We were a lucky generation to roller skate to your music back in the day, when we were discovering french kissing. Hair Metal was a girls game, for me back then, being an inspiring young punk. Who would have thought in 1986, that some years later, with some influence, would one day become a fan of such metal.
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(Self portrait 2011)
If anything, I was drawn closer to new wave music because it related more to robots and Blade Runner. Hair metal can take it there too, but the choice for me was obvious.Photobucket
(Jon Nicholson - Fall 1986 PHOTO: Brad Czernik)
Even though Japan broke up in 1982, Mick made his particular low end waves in music through his life.
This is the future music I am talking about...

Canton. A Marvelous instrumental. He went on to play with Peter Murphy from Bauhaus in Dali's Car, among other projects and a successful solo career that teeter tottered the line between, the Avant Garde and something unclassifiable and other worldly. My personal favorites are the collaborations that he took part of with Ryuichi Sakamoto, of Yellow Magic Orchestra.

Self taught, he had a unique style, driving the bass with a delicate beauty and tonal harmony, often mimicking the vibrato of the Violin. Check out his biography, it's pretty remarkable. And so, the torch is passed on to the next generation. You will both be missed by your families, friends and fans. The gifts you left behind, will outlive even us, for music will survive.

Sunday, January 2, 2011

2011

Jan. 1 2011 6PM.
I woke up and this was the first music I heard after I woke up, this afternoon. Excepter never ceases to amaze and in that way that I can partake in a private happiness through being able to observe Excepter as a true fan.

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(Lala Harrison Ryan as S.E.T.H. @ Knitting Factory, Brooklyn NY)
You need to check out the Wizard.-- http://wizardishungry.com
He's the man. After I watched the video I listened to Ludwig Van Beethoven's 9th Symphony.

So beautiful. I cleaned the house. Dicked around on the Casio. Taught my self a little bit. Ode to Joy indeed. Inspired by a one Jim Grimes' Facebook picture of some Star Wars pancakes, I made some Mickey Mouse waffles and bacon.
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2010 has been a fucked up year. The two places that I worked for went under, one of which I had worked at for 7 years. The other of which was what I believe to be an intentional rip off, by a complete sociopath, in total, fucking me out of a good $5000, last year. I am really feeling the pinch with trying to make up for lost money with out selling everything I own. This year is going to be different. I have never been so close to ending up in the streets since when I was in my early 20's. The major differences are that, at 37, I work, and I do the things that are supposed to guarantee me some kind of security, like going to work on time and having a good work ethic. Being an art handler is great and all. The last decade in NYC has been more good to me than bad. I feel like because of someone else's business decisions, or lack of, have in a sense black listed me from working in the industry. I know it's not true. If anything, I know in my understanding that it's partly the art economy. There are not as many art jobs like there were a couple of years ago. Expand. Contract. The art world in a nutshell. It's just starting to recover but it is still bumpy as shit and unpredictable. Let this year be better than the last one.

I'd wanted to write about my job for a minute, but have not too much.
Too busy looking for jobs!
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(Zach and Lip in action with Peter Saul @ Marc Jancou- NYC)
Naw, but seriously, I am going to be committing myself to giving the followers of the Pyramid more of an inside look into what I consider my quintessential NY experience.
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(Lichens @ Brooklyn Fireproof, Brooklyn NY)
I've been doing sound at this spot in Brooklyn. They do all ages shows as well as 21+. It's really great to be back in an all ages setting but on the other side, helping to backline the bands and making sure my mic's don't get stolen or broken and all that shit. The large gamut of music that is the greater live music world in north Brooklyn.

As crazy as my life as been, for others it is much worse. I have seen illness in the lives of people I love and it is never easy. I lost my mother to cancer after all, and it was the hardest I had ever had to face mentally. We can only remain positive and send out our energy to them, in hopes that it can somehow help in the mental fight against illness. Stay strong, wild, and peaceful!
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I'll have more. There is much, much more... and it's only the second of the month! Have a better 2011!