10/22/04: Massimo now a trio / CDs being pressed / social Darwinism / more fun with Jewel

So Massimo has been continuing on as a trio, with past bassist, Dave Bokhour, rejoining the group. I have to say it has been a bit uncomfortable for me in this format at first, not knowing how to compensate guitar-wise and missing the extra power another electric guitar provides. Had a couple of shows this week, Tues @ Whiskey Bar and Thurs @ The Saint. Thursday's show was infinitely better. I'm starting to get my sound together and things are looking promising. Now we just need to do a few shows to get the chemistry going.

Been courting some freelance guitarists for the CD Release party (12/2 @ The Bitter End, NYC). If things work out we may continue to do one 4pc show a month while covering the rest of the shows trio. It gets expensive, though. I have to admit I'm just a bit annoyed with the constant lineup changes this band has had. I wish people could stick around for more than just a couple of shows so we could finally build something. We have never sounded like I intended it to, with all the harmonies etc. Someday. It's just as well; I'd rather know as soon as possible who's in it for the long haul and who isn't. In the meantime, the gameplan is to continue playing out and in the process meet players that want to be part of the project because we've got something going on. It's all about momentum. And delusion. And therapy.

CDs are being pressed as I type this! Should be delivered sometime next week, up for advance sale on the website shortly thereafter. T-shirts, stickers will be available in a couple of weeks as well.

In the "Too Stupid To Live" file:
I couldn't believe this when I heard about it. True story: A couple of winters ago, two men in the backwoods town of Tamaqua, PA were blown to smithereens (smithereens!) when they attempted to HEAT UP GASOLINE ON A STOVE. Evidently they believed the reason their truck wouldn't start was that the gas was too cold to ignite. Theory disproven in a BIG way. Score one for Professor Darwin.

And yet another gem of a story from Jewel tour log(courtesy of 9/04 Blender): "At a recent New Hampshire show, Jewel reportedly told the audience to stop staring at her teeth and to look at her breasts (she's learning). The kooky singer also responded to a shouted song request by saying, "Shut the hell up!" In a 10-minute monologue, she then metioned the antidepressants Paxil and Zoloft." Awesome. Though she has a way to go, she's approaching Courtney Love as my favorite musical spectator sport.

New songs are on the way. Waiting to get the CD release out of the way and solidify this damn band before giving out new music to learn. Always good to be one album ahead.

That's all I got for now. Mark your calendars: CD Release party, 12/2, Bitter End, NYC.