CRITTERS HOW DO?FRIDAY the 13th of APRIL was a very memorable evening.Not only did i get to see ROKY ERICKSON perform but also got to meet the man and get his autograph.I also gave him a copy of our album.He started to sign that also but i said ROKY it's a gift and we do one of yer songs.HE looked at me and smiled.I don't think he spoke a word at all that night.Next MAY the 4th at MAGNETIC FIELD for the STAR SPANGLES and the BAMBOO KIDS.I arrived late and unfortunately missed the SPANGLES.THEy were having a goodtime when i arrived so i figure they had a good gig.The blonde chick at the door said they were good so i took her word for it.The BAMBOO KIDS were next and added a second guitar player.It's the infamous DEAN RISPLER i hear so much about.THE kids were great.GREAT songs ,stage presence, joking between songs.They had vinyl for sale so CHRIS the drummer hooked me up 2 fer 1 .The next week they are headed to EUROPE for some gigs.NEXT the much anticipated MR. BEERY'S CINCO de MAYO show.The LORD HUMONGOUS,the VISITORS,and JOHN WILKES BOOTH.MR. BEERY'S is the best place to play on LONG ISLAND.DOMN AND DIRTY ROCK n ROLL JOINT.The only way to be.It's been called the CBGB of L.I.First up the LORD.MATT the singer was in the REPERCUSSIONS this is his new band.REminded me of a rockin gritty pink floyd mix.SPACEY rock in roll.THE place is starting to fill up.Show kicked off about 10ish.Up next the VISITORS.We havent played the island much 3,4 times.This is my home town.JONES CRUSHER my old band is well known and this is me new band so i wanna knockem'dead.ALOT OF FAMILIAR FACES startbpopping up.We start setting up.The MERKLE man helps with me gear.DIRTY HARRY from J.W.B. lent BRIAN his amp.My cousin THERESA SAYS hi. I didn't recognize her at first.HEAVY.TOM at the bar gives us free tap or dollar bottles.BEERY'S rules.I see my brother tom ,peggy and oh shit my dad.HOLY shit.O.K. lets do it! BRAD and BRIAN playbtheir asses off,as usual.GREAT show.DID BRIANS brand new one.BIG AL brought us up some TEQUILA.HOW FITTING.WE did the WHO .BRADLEY made an announcement about the land of the HELTZES.The joint was a jumpin'.jumpin'.Pretty much no one there has ever seen us before.We've done well.Sold a bunch of disc's.Next up J.W.B.I really dig this band.HEAVY TIGHT DIRTY ROCKIN' ROLL.The MERKLE man SINGING and POPPING veins i thought his head was gonna explode.JAY on guitar and BROWN pants.GREAT player.CHRIS the BLOODGEOUNER on drumms.ALLWAYS smilling.AND last but not least.HARRY.THE DIRTIEST BASS AROUND.LOW end thumppin'.GREAT night had by all.WE all made new fans that night.BRAD,BRIAN and SARAH kept pushing off going to the train.Didn't want the fun to end i guess.They finaly did go and cut it close.I didn't know if they made it till a few days later.They did.Next MITRO'S BBQ B-DAY BASH at MAGNETIC FIELD with the VISITORS and MIGHTY FINE.NO better way to spend a sunday afternoon.MITRO made some beer can chickens.INCREDIBLE.MAGNETIC FIELD great staff and music.SUNDAY BBQ'S.RICHIE from MIGHTY FINE let me use his vintage SLINGERLAND set.SOUNDED badass.WE play, great fun. next MIGHTY FINE.I SUGGEST you treat yourself and check this band out.ROCKIN soulful righteous musica.We eat ,we play ,we dance and laugh and smile.GOOD DAY.And finally CHANDLER'S BIRTHDAY EXTRAVAGANZA.It's at DON PEDRO'S the loudest little club on earth.It's next to CRYPT RECORDS.First off i worked a 10 hour day bustin me ass doin construction on L.I. and the gig is in BROOKLYN.O.K. big deal.I find out at 6:30 that we're going on first at 8.It's 6:30 and i'm about to eat.No way am i gonna be ther by 8 and who is gonna be there at 8?SHIT.FUCK.SHIT it's hot.I'm fucking tired.I ask BRI why are we going on first? Because we're his friends.SHIT.I wasn't feelin'it at this point.I head in get their 'bout 9ish.Say hi to CHANDLER,MITRO i'm in a bit of a daze.See brad no BRIAN.LATER the BETTER.PLACE is fillin up.The D.J.(from CRYPT RECORDS)must be deaf it is so GODDAMN loud.WE can't talk on stage.I set up JOHN'S vintage LUDWIG'S and BRI show's up and asks me if i'm ready to kick some ass. I said that's why i'm here.Man is it loud and hot.CHANDLER is M.C.ing the bands and commented we wer'nt happy bout going on first.Wich was true but turned out it was the best slot to go on.Let's DO IT.WE PLAYED our ASSES OFF.I couldn't believe i made it through the set.We played to a lot of new faces and they dug it.After us was the SPIDER BAGS a southern jammie type band.THEN CHANDLER and the CHASER'S.CHANDLER on VOCALS ,MITRO on GUITAR,TOM DASH on DRUMS ,and a female BASS player whom i don't know.REALLY GOOD BAND.SOULFULL 60's GARAGEY ROCK QUARTET.HAD a few beer's going down to easy had to cut myself off and go to bed and get up at4;15 for work.A lesser man wouldn't have made it in.I got through the day.That night back to the same neighborhood for a surprise B-DAY party for JAMES.I MET BRAD and SARAH by the trash bar .I bought 2 books off a street peddler for cheap.A kerouak book and WHITE RABBIT a book of short stories about drug experiences by different writers.It's finaly MEMORIAL DAY weekend and i survived the gig.Making it through and playing my best is allthat matters.VISITORS FIRST work is second.HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!
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