2/9/05: musician search / reviews & airplay / set list adds / ATHF / football fan agony

And so the search for musicians continues. Our guitarist has flaked away and though we are doing fine as a trio, it would be nice to have someone fill that slot again. If you know of anyone who might be interested, send them our way. LOVE the new amp, BTW. It freakin' ROCKS! Almost makes you not miss another guitar player. Almost.

Been getting some internet airplay on the following sites: Harrisradio.com ("There's a rock anthem-like quality to the songs on their latest CD, Massimo, that makes it instantly listenable to"), discoverRadio.com ("Anywhere But Here" is currently #2 on their Alternative Rock chart), blowupradio.com. Also, just got a great review on OutSmartMagazine.com ("Reminiscent of Pearl Jam in their intensity and power, the band pulls out all the stops for this commanding effort."). And don't forget to check out our profile in progress on myspace.com at www.myspace.com/massimo.

Been beefing up our set list lately. While there are brand new songs in the works, I feel like I can't move on until we've done justice to some songs from the past that had been left behind. Revised versions of "Forever", "Music" (now titled "Fade Away" with all new lyrics), and soon "I Can See That Far" will be resurrected (Roger refuses to let it go). As will some covers: "In The Blood" (Better That Ezra) and "Interstate Love Song" (STP). Vocal harmonies are being added with every shows as well, trying to get all 3 of us singing at once.

OK, Now for something really important I need to draw your attention to: AQUA TEEN HUNGER FORCE RULES! For the uninitiated, ATHF is part of Cartoon Network's "Adult Swim" line up (post 11PM programming). It took a while for me to warm up to the show but now I'm completely addicted. Once you get past the fact that you're watching a milkshake, a box of fries, and a wad of meat and don't expect anything special, you might enjoy it too. Or you'll probably just think I'm crazy for watching such a twisted show. Which I probably am.

OK, I must briefly mention football. I know the Superbowl is long over but I'm not even talking about that game. I'm still thinking about a the kind of game that haunts you as a fan season after season because it was just that insufferable: Pittsburgh 20, Jets 17 in final, excruciating overtime. I don't know why I even care so much. I don't know how this happened to me. Years ago I remember thinking I can't be worried about the outcome of some sporting event, whether my team wins or not; I have plenty of other things to worry about. And yet here I am. I say it every damn year - I guess there's always next season...

Next show is 3/8 @ Continental at 7:30 (Happy Hour!). Yes, squeezed another show out of them, but for real, we need some people there this time! Also, notice the addition of 169 Bar on the gig schedule. A new venue for us, this looks like a great place to hang after work - pool tables, darts, a fishtank, cozy lounge, a dozen beers on tap. And MASSIMO providing the soundtrack for Happy Hour! We'll be there on 4/6, 7PM.

Latest album I can't take out of the CD player: Switchfoot - The Beautiful Letdown

That's all for now. Join us for a drink after work at Continental on 3/8!
Hope to see you soon.

M