I get that question asked a lot, what's it like sitting back there behind the kit and what's the view like?  Simply put, it's noisy.  Most of that of course, is my fault. Lots of clanging metal, wood, plastic and whatever else I'm hitting.  Plus I've got Tom on one side and Magoo on the other, and they are both noisy too.  So to sum it up.... kinda like those comedy skits where someone opens a closet and a ton of stuff comes crashing down making all kinds of racket, that's pretty much it every night. 

As for the view, well, I decided instead of describing it, I would show you.  I brought a secret 'Dave Cam' to the Dive Bar last week, and now for the first time ever, you can see exactly what I see every single night.  I warn you, it may be shocking to some of you, so be forewarned... ok here you go... Butts... Jimmy's, Tom's, Magoo's...  I told you it was shocking...

 

I told you, this blue food thing is for real...

www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/07/28/spinal.injury.blue.dye/index.html

I'm totally converting to an all blue food diet, have to come up with a good name for this, vegetarians call themselves Vegans, so what should I call myself now, a Bluegan?  So far on my list is blueberry cereal, bleu cheese (not really blue, but the name works), blue M&M's and blue drinks.  The only caveat so far is coffee, I must figure out a way to brew a pot of blue coffee... I'll work on that in the lab...

Looks like a potential 4 gig week coming up this week.  At this rate we'll be a full time band again, just like when we were kids.  Usually for guys our age, twice a month is enough.  Instead of slowing down, we're speeding up.  Maybe when we're in our 70's, we'll back down to two gigs a month...

Got some new stuff on the site.  Some new cover tunes recorded recently (can't remember where).  Some new pics from some recent events if you haven't checked recently.

Also have some new mixes of the MNG CD on the download page.  Tom did some re-mixing of the original tracks, which sound better (a little beefier) than the originals.  Now here's the deal, if you had previously purchased an MNG CD either by getting the actual CD or by download the songs from here, please drop an email to info@mngband.com and let me know if you would like copies of the new mixes, these will be sent to you free of charge of course.   

For 2008, I really wanted to come up with practical, easily attainable, and digestable resolutions this time.  Nothing lofty and pompus, just good common sense stuff.  Like...

Better posture-  I have this bad habit of slouching when I play, starting to hurt my back you know.  So this year, I'm going to straighten up just a little bit back there.  Not too much of course, cause you can't be a real rock drummer unless you lean into the kit just a little...

Become a millionare- All I need is a million dollars and I can mark this off...

New Shoes-  I saw some nice Rockports the other day...

Learn to play drums-  I've been hitting these things for over 30 years, but now I'm going to learn how to actually play.  I'll start with that right hand-left hand thing...

Learn to catch a bullet with my teeth- I figure it this way, no one will mess with me if they know I can do this...

Visit a distant land-  I'm thinking Boston...

Mow the lawn-  Wait, I did that yesterday, so we can mark it off right now!!!

I promise, I mean REALLY PROMISE to get some pictures up in the next week (I'm serious this time, I'm gonna do it).  I have some great pics taken by Hal, a ton of pics from Fernstock.  I just haven't had the time to collect them, resize and post them.  But I will do it this week, I promise.  In fact, it's my only New Years Resolution, to post pictures this year. 

The south Florida music scene lost a popular and respected musician with the tragic passing of drummer Bruno Martinez this week.   Please take a moment to view the Myspace Memorial page for Bruno.  Below is a copy of something I posted on the Limestone Lounge forum thread on his untimely passing.

I've known Bruno since the Z-Car days in the 70's at Rollo's. I met him through my sister Karen, who was a bartender there and knew the band very well.

As a fellow drummer, I've always admired Bruno's powerful playing. Brooks Reid mentioned his 'Meat and Potatoes' style, meaning ' just lay it down' and nobody could lay down a groove with more conviction than Bruno. He had that Bonham fatback feel that never let up. Anytime I would see him, we'd talk drums like two little kids. His love of music and drumming was infectious, he was a great guy with a heart of gold.

Here's a great video of Bruno doing what he does best, laying it down, Bonham style. This was from Fernstock 2006, playing with friends John Simmons, Steve Mele and George 'Jawz' Miller, 'How Many More Times' (my favorite Zep tune). Keep banging Bruno!!! 

Los Malos at Fernstock 2006

Just some random thoughts on this year's Fernstock...  The weather was perfect, the crowd was the biggest yet, and the bands were all great.  I've played every Fernstock since it's inception, and it's interesting watching it grow and mature each year.  I didn't get to catch all the acts, but the ones I saw were great...

Papa Joe is a staple at Fernstock and this year he had a good size band onstage, with special guests like Steve Mele joining in on the fun.

Deck 52, with good friends and MNG alumnus Jawz and Noel, played some great classic songs that you just don't hear a lot bands even attempt. Nice renditions of Moody Blues and Chicago classics brought back a lot of memories for the 'older' set (I would be included in that group).

JK Project-  Once again, these guys played a great set and got the crowd up on their feet dancing. 

MNG- Who?  We decided to try out our originals on you guys, hoped you enjoyed them.  One of the bands best friends, Ralph 'RAF' Fiol took some video of our set, here's one clip he posted on Youtube of us doing Drinking on Monday and Signed, Sealed, Delivered   We had a great time as always, and want to thank all of you who continue to support us, we love you guys.

Brooks Reid and Sonickats-  I got to sit in with Brooks and his band for his set.  Brooks pulled out all the stops, bringing an actual Hammond B3 Organ on the stage, holy cow!  There are keyboards, and then there is the Hammond.  All wood, weighs a ton, and a sound that is often imitated but cannot be duplicated.  Of course, he'll have to bring it every year from now on... 

Slowride - Closing out the night, former original Foghat bassist Tony Stevens, along with Billy Livesay, Eddie Zyne, and Tom Hall (John Quinn also filled in on keys), played a great set of originals and Foghat tunes like Fool for the City and Slowride.  The music was tight and strong, great playing by everyone in the group.

Certainly it was the best Fernstock yet, which only means that next year it will even better! As I get some pictures and videos, I'll start posting them here for you... Keep checking in!