gremmie.net

“…..sad, sad jennifer…”

Friday night was raging success. Gremmie’s Noisebucket played to a lively crowd at Coda on 34th, a crowd that consisted entirely of Noisebucket fans; so much so that once we were done playing, the place more closely resembled a ghost town than a swank midtown bar. Since the opening band had cancelled, we were first to play and we went on at 8:30pm. The Bucket, as we’re affectionately called, opened with a blistering Possum Kingdom by the Toadies. In Hiding and Too Much followed. As we wrapped up Too Much, I busted out the acoustic electric Guild that my pal Steve lent me in preparation for Sad J, a Gremmie original. Jillian, sat in attendance with her lovely parents and recorded the song on video using my wee Elph. Below is a link to the video, it should play fine in Windows Media Player.

Sad J Video - 3.3.06

The set wound down and as we moved into the encore song Corduroy, Pete broke a string on his sweet-ass guitar. In an impromptu act, he picked up my acoustic electric, plugged in and kept right on rocking. Taking cues from Mikey and Carlos, we toned down the ferocity of the song and did an “unplugged” version that would have made McCready proud. My band is remarkably impressive. They play off one another like professionals all the while acting like jovial gremmies. I couldn’t ask for a better ensemble.

The place emptied once we finished. I started to realize that the best compliments you can hear are the ones that are unbound by obligation. Folks I had never met before approached me, and to my knowledge - my bandmates as well, with kind and complimentary words. Nothing trumps that satisfaction; the distinct sense of accomplishment through music.

The following day was the inaugural gMas (g). Goof and Sarah came by. I nearly cried when I got my gifts from Goof, Though I tried not to show, I welled up. I don’t know if anyone noticed. I suppose brotherhood, where I never had it before, is a sentiment I hold closest to my heart. Fortunately for me, my brother is as thoughtful as he is goofy. The rest is none of your business. Pictures in the gallery.

Pearl Jam will be releasing their long awaited 8th studio album on May 2nd of this year. Further details of the eponymous disc have yet to surface other than the first single, which will be “World Wide Suicide”. Rumors are awash on the various Pearl Jam bulletin boards about an upcoming tour to support the new album. However the dice fall, you can expect Goof and I to be at all the New York shows. The newly redesigned website is a treat with the additions of a setlist archive, a song archive complete with lyrics, and a downloads section that teases fans with the possibility of owning shows recorded as early as 1990!

Having heard about this mid day in the midst of a complex project, my general response can be summed up in the happy dick picture below. In the words of Borat, “High five! Success!”