Thursday, December 18, 2003
Rock and roll is work! Last night's show was somewhere in between the bad of the first week and the good of the second. Not a very big crowd and not too many singers. We probably did half the night as a cover band. A liquor company considering sponsoring us showed up and they were game for a few songs. And, as always, Betty was there to do a couple numbers.
But one of the regulars made the night tortuous at times. He has a problem with boundaries. We musta spent a good 10 or 15 minutes arguing with him during the sets. You see, he likes to call songs we don't know and tell us we know them. And on the occasions when we actually do give one a shot, he doesn't know the words and walks off halfway through the tune. Not cool. Not cool at all. At one point, I had to literally slap him upside his head to get him to leave the stage!
And so we've realized it's time to draw up some karaoke rules. This is really bumming us out, though I guess it was inevitable and better sooner than later, etc. meh But it does look like we'll be adding a second night every week after the holidays. Ray, the club owner, believes in us and wants us to be the house band. For all the problems this brings (and I still think it might be a little early), it's nice to have that kind of support. Doesn't happen often in this business.
So we're off for the next couple weeks, give or take. Discussions are in the works for a New Year's Eve show and we really need to find time for some rehearsing. We've gotta learn a big bag o' new tunes, particularly some female vocals. Looks like plenty of homework during the downtime.
But one of the regulars made the night tortuous at times. He has a problem with boundaries. We musta spent a good 10 or 15 minutes arguing with him during the sets. You see, he likes to call songs we don't know and tell us we know them. And on the occasions when we actually do give one a shot, he doesn't know the words and walks off halfway through the tune. Not cool. Not cool at all. At one point, I had to literally slap him upside his head to get him to leave the stage!
And so we've realized it's time to draw up some karaoke rules. This is really bumming us out, though I guess it was inevitable and better sooner than later, etc. meh But it does look like we'll be adding a second night every week after the holidays. Ray, the club owner, believes in us and wants us to be the house band. For all the problems this brings (and I still think it might be a little early), it's nice to have that kind of support. Doesn't happen often in this business.
So we're off for the next couple weeks, give or take. Discussions are in the works for a New Year's Eve show and we really need to find time for some rehearsing. We've gotta learn a big bag o' new tunes, particularly some female vocals. Looks like plenty of homework during the downtime.
Wednesday, December 17, 2003
Well, third night, people! After a wildly succesful second show, we've been asked to add Friday nights to our weekly schedule at the club. I believe it's too early. And there's no guarantee tonight will go all that well. Rains coming down and it's expected all evening, ending in a slush storm right about the time we're packing up.
But we're relaxing somewhat. Gonna try for a third set of all new stuff tonight. Songs we've never played before. Working without a net. Not a new concept to me. It's become immediately apparent that we need to add songs regularly. After tonight, we should have about a hundred. Pretty good for five shows.
Tonight will be our biggest playlist yet and, without a doubt, our longest show to date. Last week, we promised a singer that if she came back this week, we would do her request for Sweet Child O' Mine. We're ready to hold up our end of the bargain. Let's see if she shows.
OK. Dinner, then heading out. More later.
But we're relaxing somewhat. Gonna try for a third set of all new stuff tonight. Songs we've never played before. Working without a net. Not a new concept to me. It's become immediately apparent that we need to add songs regularly. After tonight, we should have about a hundred. Pretty good for five shows.
Tonight will be our biggest playlist yet and, without a doubt, our longest show to date. Last week, we promised a singer that if she came back this week, we would do her request for Sweet Child O' Mine. We're ready to hold up our end of the bargain. Let's see if she shows.
OK. Dinner, then heading out. More later.
Well, third night, people! After a wildly succesful second show, we've been asked to add Friday nights to our weekly schedule at the club. I believe it's too early. And there's no guarantee tonight will go all that well. Rains coming down and it's expected all evening, ending in a slush storm right about the time we're packing up.
But we're relaxing somewhat. Gonna try for a third set of all new stuff tonight. Songs we've never played before. Working without a net. Not a new concept to me. It's become immediately apparent that we need to add songs regularly. After tonight, we should have about a hundred. Pretty good for five shows.
Tonight will be our biggest playlist yet and, without a doubt, our longest show to date. Last week, we promised a singer that if they came back this week, we would do her request for Sweet Child O' Mine. We're ready to hold up our end of the bargain. Let's see if she shows.
OK. Dinner, then heading out. More later.
But we're relaxing somewhat. Gonna try for a third set of all new stuff tonight. Songs we've never played before. Working without a net. Not a new concept to me. It's become immediately apparent that we need to add songs regularly. After tonight, we should have about a hundred. Pretty good for five shows.
Tonight will be our biggest playlist yet and, without a doubt, our longest show to date. Last week, we promised a singer that if they came back this week, we would do her request for Sweet Child O' Mine. We're ready to hold up our end of the bargain. Let's see if she shows.
OK. Dinner, then heading out. More later.
Friday, December 12, 2003
Well, this was the week that was. Super Karaoke Fun Time Band had a successful second night at The Cage. Last week's debut didn't go so well. Right off the bat, my brilliant idea to run the vocal mics through the DJ sound system was a failure. The speaker placement guaranteed either inaudible vocals or constant feedback. And neither of those options is gonna cut it for a karaoke band.
Of course, even a functioning PA wouldn't have helped the evening. The most important ingredient for a successful karaoke band is, of course, singers. Last week, we walked in to an "audience" of five regulars who weren't particularly in the mood to belt out an uplifting rendition of Ziggy Stardust. No, our choices were be a cover band or front for Jon, the house crooner, all night. It ended up a mix of both. But I'll tell you this. The last thing you wanna hear from the first singer up at your first karaoke show is, "Follow me!" Needless to say, we didn't. We were a pretty cranky karaoke band for the rest of the evening. Which didn't last very long.
After an hour of convincing people we really didn't know how to play the songs they were positive we could fake, we huddled around a small table and wept in the ashtrays. Then we took off like Hulk Hogan at a Randy Savage rap concert.
I was expecting more of the same this week, but I was in for a surprise. As were we all. The fun started a week ago, when Arthur, the bass player, told me he had a previously booked engagement this Wed. So we were without a bass player. I knew this kinda stuff was gonna come up, but I didn't expect it the second week. Sammy suggested Dan, our drummer's Kevin's brother. Got it?
Dan had sat in with us at a couple rehearsals when we came up short. We begged him to take the gig, but he lives 45 minutes away and he's already in another band. With his brother Kevin. Our drummer. I don't know how these guys do it. Kevin is in two other bands. Each band has a minimum of two Hyland family members. I'm embarrassed to say I haven't seen either band, but if the rest of the family is as good as these two, they're worth going out of your way to see. But Dan loves the band and offered to sit in whenever we needed him. And Boy Howdy did we!
I was first at the club this past Wednesday. Kevin was right behind me. The routine is that I go to Kevin's to pick up gear. We rehearse in Kevin's loft apartment, where he lives with his girlfriend Betty, their friend and bandmate, Gary and a cat named Uh Oh. These kids are living the rock and roll dream. House full of amps, guitars, PA equipment, keyboards and drums. Lots and lots of drums. Everybody's in a few bands and they all rehearse there. I admire their energy.
So I unloaded my car and headed out to buy a small booklight for the ingenious lyrics post I made. I'd describe it, but I think I'm gonna copyright it and make money off future karaoke bands. But it is brilliant.
When I returned, Kevin had arrived and was unloading. I discovered I had to run out for duct tape. I returned to find no Sammy and no Dan. Both were arriving on their own and both were 30 minutes late. Which was fine, cuz now I had to run out for extension cords. At 8:40. For a 9:00 show. But, hey! I'm in Hoboken! Where dreams come true!
Got back with the powerlines to find Dan and Sammy waiting. So we threw up the gear, ran line checks and we were off like Uh Oh in a bag of black cats in heat. Well, bing bang BOOM, we make our first friend, JJ. He was ready to sing and he didn't particularly care what he sang. "How bout some Tom Petty?" I suggested. And so we opened with American Girl. Our buddy JJ didn't miss a beat. "Braaaa brrraaa bllmmmm mmummmummmuu guh!" OK. Got it. But that didn't really bug me. It was kinda amusing. No, I was busy wondering if we'd die by electrocution or engulfed in flames when JJ's beer finally left the mug and landed on the wrong box. But it never happened! JJ was with us most of the night, running back and forth between his pals, the bar and his good friends, Super Karaoke Fun Time Band.
Then, much to our shock, a couple came in who had heard about the karaoke band and wanted to give it a shot. They each did a few songs. Then JJ came back and he brought one of his buddies. Then Betty, Kevin's girlfriend, came up to do a few songs. And a couple more people came up for a number. Some guy even drummed, while Kevin came up front for a loud version of TV Eye.
At one point, we ended a song, only to discover a screaming match going on at the bar. Turns out, some jabroni was drinking on a tab, then refused to pay up. I called Rumble and we launched into the Link Wray classic. Felt like the Letterman Band.
Before we knew it, we had two solid karaoke sets under our belts! And as soon as we finished, the bar emptied. Hey hey, suddenly we got some hand! And I found a parking spot on my block!
I'm Otis Ball. This is Project SMonkey.
Of course, even a functioning PA wouldn't have helped the evening. The most important ingredient for a successful karaoke band is, of course, singers. Last week, we walked in to an "audience" of five regulars who weren't particularly in the mood to belt out an uplifting rendition of Ziggy Stardust. No, our choices were be a cover band or front for Jon, the house crooner, all night. It ended up a mix of both. But I'll tell you this. The last thing you wanna hear from the first singer up at your first karaoke show is, "Follow me!" Needless to say, we didn't. We were a pretty cranky karaoke band for the rest of the evening. Which didn't last very long.
After an hour of convincing people we really didn't know how to play the songs they were positive we could fake, we huddled around a small table and wept in the ashtrays. Then we took off like Hulk Hogan at a Randy Savage rap concert.
I was expecting more of the same this week, but I was in for a surprise. As were we all. The fun started a week ago, when Arthur, the bass player, told me he had a previously booked engagement this Wed. So we were without a bass player. I knew this kinda stuff was gonna come up, but I didn't expect it the second week. Sammy suggested Dan, our drummer's Kevin's brother. Got it?
Dan had sat in with us at a couple rehearsals when we came up short. We begged him to take the gig, but he lives 45 minutes away and he's already in another band. With his brother Kevin. Our drummer. I don't know how these guys do it. Kevin is in two other bands. Each band has a minimum of two Hyland family members. I'm embarrassed to say I haven't seen either band, but if the rest of the family is as good as these two, they're worth going out of your way to see. But Dan loves the band and offered to sit in whenever we needed him. And Boy Howdy did we!
I was first at the club this past Wednesday. Kevin was right behind me. The routine is that I go to Kevin's to pick up gear. We rehearse in Kevin's loft apartment, where he lives with his girlfriend Betty, their friend and bandmate, Gary and a cat named Uh Oh. These kids are living the rock and roll dream. House full of amps, guitars, PA equipment, keyboards and drums. Lots and lots of drums. Everybody's in a few bands and they all rehearse there. I admire their energy.
So I unloaded my car and headed out to buy a small booklight for the ingenious lyrics post I made. I'd describe it, but I think I'm gonna copyright it and make money off future karaoke bands. But it is brilliant.
When I returned, Kevin had arrived and was unloading. I discovered I had to run out for duct tape. I returned to find no Sammy and no Dan. Both were arriving on their own and both were 30 minutes late. Which was fine, cuz now I had to run out for extension cords. At 8:40. For a 9:00 show. But, hey! I'm in Hoboken! Where dreams come true!
Got back with the powerlines to find Dan and Sammy waiting. So we threw up the gear, ran line checks and we were off like Uh Oh in a bag of black cats in heat. Well, bing bang BOOM, we make our first friend, JJ. He was ready to sing and he didn't particularly care what he sang. "How bout some Tom Petty?" I suggested. And so we opened with American Girl. Our buddy JJ didn't miss a beat. "Braaaa brrraaa bllmmmm mmummmummmuu guh!" OK. Got it. But that didn't really bug me. It was kinda amusing. No, I was busy wondering if we'd die by electrocution or engulfed in flames when JJ's beer finally left the mug and landed on the wrong box. But it never happened! JJ was with us most of the night, running back and forth between his pals, the bar and his good friends, Super Karaoke Fun Time Band.
Then, much to our shock, a couple came in who had heard about the karaoke band and wanted to give it a shot. They each did a few songs. Then JJ came back and he brought one of his buddies. Then Betty, Kevin's girlfriend, came up to do a few songs. And a couple more people came up for a number. Some guy even drummed, while Kevin came up front for a loud version of TV Eye.
At one point, we ended a song, only to discover a screaming match going on at the bar. Turns out, some jabroni was drinking on a tab, then refused to pay up. I called Rumble and we launched into the Link Wray classic. Felt like the Letterman Band.
Before we knew it, we had two solid karaoke sets under our belts! And as soon as we finished, the bar emptied. Hey hey, suddenly we got some hand! And I found a parking spot on my block!
I'm Otis Ball. This is Project SMonkey.
Tuesday, December 09, 2003
Sunday, December 07, 2003
Well, I survived week 1, though just barely. In addition to the dogs, I was running back and forth to Hobroken, setting up, or rather, trying to set up the video system at the club and figure out the logistics for playing our karaoke show. Wasn't a grand success, but it wasn't a failure and that's good enough for now. The Cage hadn't even been open a week, so I wasn't the only one ill prepared for a debut.
But I did manage to get three TVs going and we muddled through a long karaoke set before calling it a night. I can't remember the last time I've been so busy, but whenever it was, I was much younger and certainly had more energy than I do now. The cherry on the week was the bug I've been battling for 10 days, which seems to finally be bidding my immune system adieu. And the up side is that it really couldn't possibly get any worse. All downhill from here.
Friday night was the highlight for me. A couple weeks ago, my old friend and occasional bandmate, Chris Butler, invited me to play at a show he was putting together. I thought this might be a good way to promote the karaoke band, so I said I'd do it. Roped Sammy into coming with me. I don't care much for playing the quieter, stripped down shows. Don't think it's a very good showcase for my talents. But it's always a pleasure to hang out with Butler and I knew I'd run into some old friends that I never get to see, being a hermit and all. Here's the release Chris sent out for the show:
============================================================================
hi y’all...
here’s some updated info re: the 5th December show at The Goldhawk. nb - R. Stevie Moore had to bow out due to personal reasons, but he is still welcome to join us, if his situation permits.
Show title is now:
“A CASE OF THE QUIRKS”- an evening of songwriters who march to the beat of a different drum machine
starring (in no particular order):
...and apologies ahead of time if these characterizations of ‘what they do’ are way off-base...I’ve only had one cup of coffee and I’m not thinking clearly.
Half Cleveland - Harvey Gold, Chris Butler & Bob Ethington from Akron’s Tin Huey. performing TH tunes, CB tunes and covers of rare distinction. special guests (if they can make it!): Jim Higgins & Paul Moschella (from The Cranks), James MacMillan - bass, Bill Corney - bass (tentative)...and who knows?
Otis Ball - brilliant, left-field, powerpop songwriter, with an un-stump-able repertoire of cover songs (not actually knowing the song has never been an impediment!). Wreckless Eric meets Ray Davies at Iggy’s house, and they listen to Buzzcocks.
Bianca Bob Miller - old pal and full-time film maker & composer who write sharp, uncategorizable takes on NYC life. The Andrew Sisters meet Carmen Miranda at Pete Townshend’s house, and they watch Max Fleischer & Chuck Jones cartoons.
Nick Berry - another old pal & fellow coffee abuser. fronts Dots Will Echo, writes and sings like a dream...only the dream is equal parts starry-eyed wonder and too-much-pepperoni-pizza the night before. Roxy Music meets Terry Riley at Paul McCartney’s house, and they take turns reading the funny parts from the Book of Revelations.
Venue:
The Goldhawk Social Club
(on the corner of 10th and Park)
Hoboken, NJ
201-420-7989
8PM SHARP - we will be doing a two-songs-at-a-time 'round robin' show, so come early to catch everyone's complete performances.
regards...
cbutler
============================================================================
What we didn't know was that a blizzard would be hitting the area that afternoon. But, hey, the show must go on. And so it did. Sammy managed to make it in from Manhattan, we went over a few songs, loaded up The BallMobile and raced to The Goldhawk at the mind numbing speed of 15 mph. Happily, we were just about the only morons on the road, so the drive in went as well as could be expected under the circumstances.
Arrived to find Harvey Gold and Bob Ethington from Tin Huey/Half Cleveland, a couple of hardcore Huey fans and the bar staff. No surprise. The snow was falling and all reports predicted it wouldn't be stopping for a day and a half. The rock gods were smiling down, as I found a parking spot only 6 blocks from the club. If you've ever tried to park in Hobroken on a Friday night, you know how miraculous that is. So now, all I had to worry about was my car being buried or towed and finding a spot when I got back home. I couldn't stop staring out the window at the sheets of snow blanketing the street in front of The Goldhawk.
Eventually, Butler rolled in, back from his umpteenth trip picking up gear for the show. We were in serious danger of being crowded off the stage from all the equipment the Ohio boys had set up. But I quickly realized that might not be a bad thing, cuz at least the room would be full, though not likely with bodies. Next in was Bianca. I've known Bianca for 15 years now. She produced a long form video to promote my first album and I still enjoy watching it. She put up some backdrops, grabbed a video camera and let me riff for two days. She managed to turn the raw footage into a coherent, entertaining look inside the mind of One O Ball. I'm still hoping she finds the raw footage from that weekend. Nutty stuff ended up on the cutting room floor.
Nick Berry canceled that afternoon, so we were down to three acts. Happily, a respectable crowd had wandered in by show time. Sammy and I opened the show. We started with my favorite Otis Ball number, Birthday, then it was a Dark Horses song of Sammy's, Over the Line. Chris shouted out for the title cut from my first album, Love You Til I Don't. So I made him come up and play drums on it. Ironically, the last time I performed the song was a year and a half ago on the very same stage with Chris and Rich Grula, the finest incarnation of The Chains.
Next up was Bianca with her stories of Catholic upbringing and hatred of underwear. The Ohio boys followed with a mini set that was just wonderful! We all went around one more time and Chris and the Huey's ended the night. The finest moment of the evening for me was their last song. Chris brought up bass player extraordinaire, James MacMillan, to join in on a stellar version of one of Chris' big hits, Christmas Wrapping! This was quite a pleasant surprise for me. Chris was the mastermind behind The Waitresses, but I don't believe I've ever seen him perform any Waitresses' songs. It was well worth the wait! I have rarely heard such a joyous ruckus from four musicians. And they are all quite talented.
I had originally accepted the gig out of a sense of responsibility. I couldn't justify turning down an opportunity to promote Super Karaoke Fun Time Band, despite my reluctance to doing non-band shows. But after all was said and done, I left that night with a memory that will be filed in the Very Special Evening drawer. And I found a parking spot on my block!
But I did manage to get three TVs going and we muddled through a long karaoke set before calling it a night. I can't remember the last time I've been so busy, but whenever it was, I was much younger and certainly had more energy than I do now. The cherry on the week was the bug I've been battling for 10 days, which seems to finally be bidding my immune system adieu. And the up side is that it really couldn't possibly get any worse. All downhill from here.
Friday night was the highlight for me. A couple weeks ago, my old friend and occasional bandmate, Chris Butler, invited me to play at a show he was putting together. I thought this might be a good way to promote the karaoke band, so I said I'd do it. Roped Sammy into coming with me. I don't care much for playing the quieter, stripped down shows. Don't think it's a very good showcase for my talents. But it's always a pleasure to hang out with Butler and I knew I'd run into some old friends that I never get to see, being a hermit and all. Here's the release Chris sent out for the show:
============================================================================
hi y’all...
here’s some updated info re: the 5th December show at The Goldhawk. nb - R. Stevie Moore had to bow out due to personal reasons, but he is still welcome to join us, if his situation permits.
Show title is now:
“A CASE OF THE QUIRKS”- an evening of songwriters who march to the beat of a different drum machine
starring (in no particular order):
...and apologies ahead of time if these characterizations of ‘what they do’ are way off-base...I’ve only had one cup of coffee and I’m not thinking clearly.
Half Cleveland - Harvey Gold, Chris Butler & Bob Ethington from Akron’s Tin Huey. performing TH tunes, CB tunes and covers of rare distinction. special guests (if they can make it!): Jim Higgins & Paul Moschella (from The Cranks), James MacMillan - bass, Bill Corney - bass (tentative)...and who knows?
Otis Ball - brilliant, left-field, powerpop songwriter, with an un-stump-able repertoire of cover songs (not actually knowing the song has never been an impediment!). Wreckless Eric meets Ray Davies at Iggy’s house, and they listen to Buzzcocks.
Bianca Bob Miller - old pal and full-time film maker & composer who write sharp, uncategorizable takes on NYC life. The Andrew Sisters meet Carmen Miranda at Pete Townshend’s house, and they watch Max Fleischer & Chuck Jones cartoons.
Nick Berry - another old pal & fellow coffee abuser. fronts Dots Will Echo, writes and sings like a dream...only the dream is equal parts starry-eyed wonder and too-much-pepperoni-pizza the night before. Roxy Music meets Terry Riley at Paul McCartney’s house, and they take turns reading the funny parts from the Book of Revelations.
Venue:
The Goldhawk Social Club
(on the corner of 10th and Park)
Hoboken, NJ
201-420-7989
8PM SHARP - we will be doing a two-songs-at-a-time 'round robin' show, so come early to catch everyone's complete performances.
regards...
cbutler
============================================================================
What we didn't know was that a blizzard would be hitting the area that afternoon. But, hey, the show must go on. And so it did. Sammy managed to make it in from Manhattan, we went over a few songs, loaded up The BallMobile and raced to The Goldhawk at the mind numbing speed of 15 mph. Happily, we were just about the only morons on the road, so the drive in went as well as could be expected under the circumstances.
Arrived to find Harvey Gold and Bob Ethington from Tin Huey/Half Cleveland, a couple of hardcore Huey fans and the bar staff. No surprise. The snow was falling and all reports predicted it wouldn't be stopping for a day and a half. The rock gods were smiling down, as I found a parking spot only 6 blocks from the club. If you've ever tried to park in Hobroken on a Friday night, you know how miraculous that is. So now, all I had to worry about was my car being buried or towed and finding a spot when I got back home. I couldn't stop staring out the window at the sheets of snow blanketing the street in front of The Goldhawk.
Eventually, Butler rolled in, back from his umpteenth trip picking up gear for the show. We were in serious danger of being crowded off the stage from all the equipment the Ohio boys had set up. But I quickly realized that might not be a bad thing, cuz at least the room would be full, though not likely with bodies. Next in was Bianca. I've known Bianca for 15 years now. She produced a long form video to promote my first album and I still enjoy watching it. She put up some backdrops, grabbed a video camera and let me riff for two days. She managed to turn the raw footage into a coherent, entertaining look inside the mind of One O Ball. I'm still hoping she finds the raw footage from that weekend. Nutty stuff ended up on the cutting room floor.
Nick Berry canceled that afternoon, so we were down to three acts. Happily, a respectable crowd had wandered in by show time. Sammy and I opened the show. We started with my favorite Otis Ball number, Birthday, then it was a Dark Horses song of Sammy's, Over the Line. Chris shouted out for the title cut from my first album, Love You Til I Don't. So I made him come up and play drums on it. Ironically, the last time I performed the song was a year and a half ago on the very same stage with Chris and Rich Grula, the finest incarnation of The Chains.
Next up was Bianca with her stories of Catholic upbringing and hatred of underwear. The Ohio boys followed with a mini set that was just wonderful! We all went around one more time and Chris and the Huey's ended the night. The finest moment of the evening for me was their last song. Chris brought up bass player extraordinaire, James MacMillan, to join in on a stellar version of one of Chris' big hits, Christmas Wrapping! This was quite a pleasant surprise for me. Chris was the mastermind behind The Waitresses, but I don't believe I've ever seen him perform any Waitresses' songs. It was well worth the wait! I have rarely heard such a joyous ruckus from four musicians. And they are all quite talented.
I had originally accepted the gig out of a sense of responsibility. I couldn't justify turning down an opportunity to promote Super Karaoke Fun Time Band, despite my reluctance to doing non-band shows. But after all was said and done, I left that night with a memory that will be filed in the Very Special Evening drawer. And I found a parking spot on my block!
