Tuesday, August 16, 2005

NEW BLOG PAGE

Hello, I just decided to change blog companies, the one i was using before was too complicated . Hey, life should be easy after all. This is really a test as I get used to the new format. Also my computer had just gone kaput and I have a new ibook to be in touch with you all. As a test, I am gonna post the last blog about the CGB benefit Kid Congo and The Pink Monkey Birds took part in last week. Read on!. Thanks.

CBGB BENEFIT 8/5/05 /Kid Congo and The Pink Monkey Birds/ Elliot Sharp and Carbon, The Bush Tetras, Ari Up and The True Warriors,The Electro Putas


It was fun to be onstage at CB's again, it had been awhile. I actually remember my first show as a fan there, The Dead Boys in 1977. I was on a short stop over to Europe and met my friends Marcy and Jet in NYC. We were big music fans from Los Angeles and couldn't stand NOT being able to be a part of the punk music scene . So the pilgrimage was made. I remember it was a hot summer night and we had gone to see The Heartbreakers at The Village Gate, which was on Bleeker St. at the time in the Village. I remember the entire audience marched from the Heartbreakers show down to CBGB to catch the late set of The Dead Boys. It was so exciting and happening. That is such a vivd memory for me. I was 17 or 18 at the time. Funnily enough, I was to see THE SLITS in London at the Vortex club on the same trip. So It was great to play with Ari Up this weekend. Actually the first show of KID&KHAN was on a bill with Ari Up. Small world, eh? I have played there various times with The Cramps and The Gun Club in the 80's, so it was a good feeling to do something to try and save the club that held so many memories for me.
Anyways, back to the other night. If I do say so myself, we did an amazing show, one of our best. I think that since we recorded our album, something happened and clicked with our live set. I am never sure what THAT THING is, but it is HOT! We ended the set in tribute to CB's with our version of the Patti Smith version ( a version of a version?) of "Gloria" which was a trip to perform on The Bowery. People who were there seemed to really dig it and we did our set as long as we liked, despite the threats of having the plug pulled. Ha Ha, real punk attitude.
Next Elliot Sharp & Carbon went on with Elliot's very signature avant guitar work. people were starting to float in at a bigger rate by the time he ended. THEN the BUSH TETRAS came on and really blew everyone away. I think it was 4 or 5 years since they last played. I will tell you that Pat Place still is one of my all time favorite guitarists, truly original and quite rocking! I first saw her at CBGB playing with The Contortions ( on a bill with The Cramps, when Bryan Gregory was with them, who knew I would end up taking his place when he ran off in the night?) . Anyways, her crazy slide and wall of chords are a real inspiration to me still. I love Link Wray and Jimi Hendrix, and Pat Place is right up there for me!... This night the Bush Tetras ruled. They played all the hits, "Can't be Funky", "Cowboys in Africa", Things Go Bump in the Night" and "Too Many Creeps" where Cynthia Sley threw in "NYU!" when repeating the "too many creeps " refrain at the end. I love when songs maybe 20 years old still are relevant and change meaning. I was with some friends who were not familiar with them and they were converted on the spot and next day were seeking the records! Bravo Bush Tetras! Please come back to the live circuit and teach these upstarts!
Speaking of "upstarts" next up was the "legendary" punky reggae queen, Ari Up and The True Warriors. She is still full of the crazy uplifting energy that I saw way back in 1977 and in the 80's with THE SLITS. Me and Jeffrey Lee Pierce were fascinated and delighted by The Slits and, believe it or not, they were an original influence when we started our first band, The Creeping Ritual, which morphed into The Gun Club. Their mix of dub reggae, free jazz and punk rock somehow spoke to us. And their ability to have crazy humor and still sing of struggles was such an intoxicating cocktail we could not resist. Many agreed and still do!.
So this night, Ari performed many Slits, songs, opening with my fave, "Instant Hit". She did a great fashion show, stopped songs to talk to the audience, brought up some "Typical Girls" to sing, scream and dance, Swung her extra long dreads like a airplane propeller, and brought a whole new meaning to "freestyle" .... The True Warriors were a great band doing both the punk and reggae turns on a dime. I was dizzy by the end of her set , and thrilled. A true original voice and style. AND the bass player was a Bear in a kimono! Beat that!
The Electro Putas were next but i am sorry to say I had to leave. Too bad because they are one of the bands that are true originals in NYC today. The night had just been too long for this older punk ! But it was a great night of music, and made me feel on the right track with The Pink Monkey Birds. That true punk, and post punk, was about mixing musical styles to come up with a new voice. These folks this night were , and are, all successful at that. It is what keeps me going. for real. And the night did make me sentimental towards CBGB. It has been a great place and really helped shaped my musical profile today. It has been years since I frequented the place, as I am not into the music style they book the past decade or longer. But it is the fact that it has always been there since i first stepped foot in NYC in 1977, and that it is just always been THERE. I don't even miss living in the East Village any more, however I will miss CB's if it goes. What will replace it? Oh yeah, "TOO MANY CREEPS!"