Freefallin' and Life On The Strip

FREEFALLIN'
Last week, I took a class with Myra Wood on Freeform Knitting. Holy scrumbles batman! This is a whole new level of deconstructed inspiration for me. We learned how to make a scrumble (also known as the act of scrumbling....see, it's both a noun and a verb) and discovered that freeform knitting/crochet really got its start in the 70's from two Brits, Sylvia Kosh and Jim Walters. It is perfect for any of us fiber fiends who like to work without a net....ie....no pattern. And talk about a great way to utilize your stash!

THE SUNSET STRIP
Last night we ventured out to Hollywood on a Saturday night for a dose of old fashioned 80's glam rock. Jetboy had reunited and we're really good friends with guitarist, Billy Rowe (who currently has a fantastic punk/rock band, American Heartbreak.) We interviewed Billy and Jetboy singer, Mickey for Rock n Roll TV and at the gig we saw a lot of old friends including Drew the owner of Lip Service along with Scotty (Heat Slick Records) and Jeremy (The Blessings). The Whisky-a-go-go itself ain't what it used to be with rude bouncers moving everyone out of the path every 5 seconds. Your bags are completely searched as you walk in .....to the degree that the bouncer was going to take my RAW FOOD PROTEIN bar from my bag. Yeah, that's a really nasty weapon doncha think? Sooooooooooo rebellious of me! Sigh.

It was still an enjoyable evening. Don't get me wrong....before Jetboy played we were highly entertained by The Zeros. But after Jetboy, the typical Sunset Strip-I'm-a-big-angry-white-guy-with-big-trousers-and-a-bald-head-rap-frontguy type band came onstage and any semblance of Hollywood rock n roll that had lived in the club for a few moments was promptly dispersed by angry suburban white kids.

This is how the Whiskey books bands nowadays. NOT according to music, but according to a couple of headliners (Jetboy and the Zeros) and then a bunch of bands who still do the pay-to-play rule which is now disguised as "You gotta sell 200 of these tickets at $20 each and turn up on the night you play with the money". Consequently, there is no musical continuity anymore at those types of 'famous' clubs. (Roxy is included in that list!)

BABY YOU CAN DRIVE MY CAR
On the way to the gig, we had the radio on and caught part of an interview from the New Cars. Todd Rundgren is on frontman duties and you can read about it yourself. Gotta say, the songs we heard sounded really good and like the Cars but still different. Surprising.

Comments

[Diana]

Amen!, to your sentiments on the whole pay-to-play crock. It's totally the same thing here in NY. Then afterwards these bands promote themselves as having been the "opening act for such famous bands as...." and conveniently leave out the fact that they didn't earn it they were just the first band to come up with the cash. Whew, sorry just had to get that off my chest.

Anyway, love your blog and Rock n Roll TV. Keep up the great work.

[Neil]

Hey Share, are you going to be at the Vixen show at the Whisky A Go Go on June 23rd? ;-)

[Sheri]

I know you like games! Check this out.

http://www.hurtwood.demon.co.uk/Fun/copter.swf

Could become addictive!