Concert Post 5 The Shibs Feb 6th, 2010 Lucky's Bar and Grill

So I went to play music and a hockey fight broke out...

Well close.  First a quick note, I have been dealing with all types of crap in the life and haven't had time to write.  I know, don't apologize in a blog... but then again you should be thanking me for not filling your personal life with my warped ramblings.  Don't worry blog fan ("fans" if someone else is drunk and clicked the wrong link finding themselves here)... I have all the gigs that have been played on record and will be bloggin my way back to you babe (breaks out in song). *cough* Ok back to it.

Ahh Lucky's.  What a great name for a place that has seen no luck at all.  At this location, I have defeated the Cobra Kai, who tried to steal my camera all while punching Ryan's wife on Halloween, had people fall into the equipment, had drunken college students chanting my name.. You get the picture.   If you don't.. imagine Bob's Country Bunker from the Blues Brothers.... Only no chicken wire, college students, and no Bob.  Hell it's nothing like that now that I write this.

Well Lucky for the Shibs, we had the outdoor hockey game at Camp Randall to fill the bar for us.  Let me paint a picture for you.  Take 45 people who never go out, give them a reason to try and sneak booze into an event, put that event in 2 degree weather so you HAVE to consume to be outside in it, let them drink for oh 5 hours, then stuff them in an elevator where you only funnel in limited amounts of said booze to keep them placated.  Hey let's add a band to that mix. Why not?!?

Walking in the door I was greeted by a guy that threaten to beat me down if I didn't show ID.  No, he didn't work at Lucky's, but he thought that his day-glo camo would surely qualify him as a Lucky's employee.  Umm no.  The bonus was I got a buzz off of his breath so I saved some dinero on the first round.  Needless to say the "gathering" was nun too welcome to having us play in the ol Elevator.  They would much rather stand, drink, and regale how cool they are that they are 45, drunk, and don't know their own names.

Set-up was an adventure, and once we finally got locked and loaded the songs started to flow.  One thing about playing for a mess of intoxicated people, they love them some music.  The Shib faithful were out as well, adding to the sweet aroma of booze infused B.O. and perfume soaked college women.  The music flowed well, and all were approving of the vibe.  Interesting moment of the night?  Drunk college student hitting on a MILF.  She was mostly plowed but damn... he was wiped.  What would he have done if he would have gotten her home.  He couldn't get his arm up to dance never mind his well umm you get the picture.

In the end, an overall average Lucky's gig.  No one got stabbed, no major fights, and we even sold a couple of CD's.  I'm off to rock out some Spice Gurls and maybe write another one of these things... or not.

Til next time....

Concer Post 4: Mr. Breeze Jan 23, 2010 Lake Ripley Lanes, Cambridge WI

What does a hooker, a lesbian penguine, some herion, the pope, and 4 live chickens have in common?  Well, Nothing.  But it made you think there was, and now for some other incoherent thoughts, brought to you by your resident Harmonica player.  Who else would be writing this?  Wait.  Don't answer that.

Tonight's adventure was just that.  The wife and I tend to be the kind of people that will set off in a direction, visit some establishments, and then wander back.  Unlike the majority of the and/or significant other couple combinations we know of, we have always had fun together.  To the point that we do random wild crap on the few nights of the year that we have nothing planned.  We actually never have a down night, but when we do, they usually end up like Pee Wee looking for his bike.  Going all over no where and ending up somewhere.  Now that the "Day's of Our Lives" portion is over, we can get on with the show review and my odd ball take on things.

On this particular eve, we found ourselves wanting to go back to our old "haunt" in Rockdale.  Heather's bar and Grill has faithfully served the sauce to yours truely since he brought his first home just a block away.  The place is literally another home to me, and there is just something to be said about a sweet neighborhood bar, stocked with locals, that all just enjoy being around each other.  Additionally, Mr. Breeze, a cover band outfit that I had initially ran into at Heathers, was playing in near-by Cambridge.

Over the years I have gotten to know these guys from various run-ins here and there.  Shooting a wedding they were part of, shooting some pool with Shannon, shooting the shit here and there.  Basically anything dealing with shooting we were associated with one way or another.  Admittingly, I am closer to both James and Shannon than the remainder of the band, but I'm never one to shy away from stuffing some duckets in the bucket of any establishment that will support live music.  More on that in another post.

After doing some troubleshooting with Marty, and Catfish Kenny, we were able to get some sound issues shook out, and Marty had asked if I had the harps with me.  Like a ADHD 2 year old hopped up on snickers bars, red bull, and a spritzer of Pepsi, they are forever just an arm-lengths away from my proxmitiy.  So what I am saying is I might be able to drum up a harp or two.

Mid-way through a shuffleboard game, Marty asked over the PA if I would roll up for some Doors.  Why, I would never support such heathen music.  Wait... I can't even type that. I'm laughing too hard.  Marty and I traded licks like Jim Morrison traded women in the post show lobby.  Each of us adding our own thoughts to our interpretation of what was going on, all the while stunned that Jim (Morrison) was getting all the chicks.  {I've long gotten over the fact that Harmonica guys are not sexy... and I'm very luckly taken.  Can you imagine the crap my wife puts up with...}

The guys in the band have come a long way since the first time I had seen them, and the miles traveled surely show.  Their sound is growing tighter, the riffs come out cleaner, and the vocals have been cleaned up over the years.  Looking for that great "party" band to head out too?  Mr. Breeze is where you need to be.  Keep your eyes open for a chance to catch them, and their ever growing loyal following the next time you are wandering about the land.

For more reading, tune in next week.  The Shibs are on course to rock out at Lucky's on Feb 6th.  Always an interesting time...

Til then...

Concert Post 3: Jan 16th Oak Street Ramblers, The Malt House, Madison WI

Today's epic adventure in the typed word turned sonic-ly pleasing music... wait... strike that, reverse it.  Is brought to you by the fine folks that comprise The Oak Street Ramblers.  If the rambers are a ramblin.... just let em roll.

The Ramblers have been spreading the disease around the southern WI regions for quite a while now.  You may find yourself suffering from this heinous infection, if you exhibit the following symptoms:  Booty Shaking, Voice raising, Toe Tapping, Soul Shakin, Teeth Grinning, a craving for some old time(y) whiskey (under-agers... this doesn't count; You crave anything booze anyway), overall body wellness, and a general need to congregate with some people and enjoy some tunes.  The Oak Street Ramblers are another assembly of kind hearted souls that many a story could be shared about over the years.  Formed in days of yore as an excuse to sit around a wood stove, struggling to stay warm, and play a lil music while enjoying a little nip of the ol bottle; The Ramblers have come and gone through the years... both literally and figuratively.  Original Ramblers can be found in Utah, Colorado, VT, and anywhere the music is hot, the pick'in is fast, and the people are willin to listen.

Having originally been one of those "suspects" in the garage from way back, and not having a chance to see the gang perform live in far too long, I was more than eager to jump at the chance to hear some bluegrass, and sip a bit at The Malt House.  Quick note on that.  I was very  impressed with said House of Malt...  The service was awesome, and being the nube beer drinker I am, found the staff to be more than helpful.  But your hear not to read of my Barley and Hops fling... your here for the music.

The Ramblers appear as a group of Ramblers should.  A loose group from various walks of life, but as the songs come to life, they are anything but loose.  The guys and gals have serious chops, playing old-time(y) classics to even some originals instilled with the real down-homey feel of that ol bottle of Rubarb wine.  We meandered through a couple of classics, with Going Down The Road Feeling Bad driftin all of us down the ol country dirt road.  Bluegrass harmonica playing is never an easy feat... but when you are surrounded by skilled instrumentalists, you can't help but be carried along, and you would be hard pressed to find anyone Feeling Bad.

As the night drew to a close, we raised a toast to the Ramblers both far and wide.  In actuality, it was a toast to everyone, cause on some level, there's a lil Rambler in us all.

Be sure to stop down to the Malt house the Second Monday of every month.  Pull up a chair, order a brew, and take a listen to these guys.  You won't be disappointed.

Til Next Time...

Concert Post 2: Jan 14, 2010 The Shibs Great Dane Brew Pub, Madison WI

Aweee no he didn't.  Umm Yes I did.  Your residential harmonica guy back for some more text typing thrills, reliving another gig in the life.  This night brought yours truely to town with the full time music machine known as The Shibs.  But since this is the first post about The Shibs, I will bore the heck out of you, not to mention increase aggreate word count, with some history of us.  If your lucky, you might get some bonus old-skool photos of the guys from a couple of years ago... but your lucky enough to get another blog out of my lazy ass so don't press your luck too far.  People always end up with Whammy's when they do.


I met the guys in The Shibs a couple of years back.  I was on the scene to rock it out with Subatomic and a band known as The Beautes at a fest, called Moose-a-plooza.  We were chillin before the show, and Hark asked if I wanted to come up and jam on one of their songs with them.  Well, the Everclear slushy machines weren't QUITE done yet so I said hell yes.  From there, it was a call in January to play on their new CD (three years ago now), and from that point it was all down hill.  3 National Tours, alot of episodes of Always Sunny, one wicked band van, some time on the beach, you know the drill.  Well, maybe you don't, but that's probably a story for another time... when I don't have a gig to tell ya about.


Always being one for pain, I thought, just for shits and giggles, that I would have a couple of teeth ripped out of my ol skull.  I mention this, because it was just a week earlier at this point, and thanks to some "complications" with my right wisdom tooth, I was going all vampire and tasting blood for quite a while.  Despite my undying love for all things "Tween", I could have done without my Vampire Phase.  Just a quick thought on Tweens and the Vampire Phase.. If 40 yr old men were at the movies screaming for 17 yr old women... people would call the cops.  No Doubt.  Regardless, playing was an exercise in pain.  Pro-Tip #1  Harmonica playing requires some pressure to be built up in your mouth.  When you have bloody holes in there, pressure is not a good thing.  And somehow I doubt chicks dig me.

Musically, it was a rather standard night of Shibtastic tunes.  At this point we have a huge staple of our own music, combined with some lesser known covers from Mr. Robert Marley, and you have a night that makes your lil ditty bits feel all warm and fuzzy.  On this particular night, we had several birthdays in the house, we had to make up a birthday song on the spot, and I believe an attempt was made to break the consumption record for the birthday people involved.  Notice I said Attempt.  Yep.... The more you drink, the better we sound.  For Reals' Y'All.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention the on-goings after the show.  We were loading up, around bar-time, and I saw this guy just get knocked down to the ground.  He was laid-out like Tiger Woods at the I-Hop waitress convention. Or was that Denny's... I really don't care, but you get the idea.  When I got back in to pick up some more crap, Andy filled me in on the details.  Apparently, some yutes were walking through the crowd of people waiting for Taxi's and thought.. Hey... I need to knock someone the F*CK out.  And did so... Randomly.  The guy with the massive head wound came to, and ran off, right before he tried to impersonate a human speed-bump.  The poor guy with the wound was gone, and the other victim was getting attended to by the cops.  He and his wife were in town for a business meeting... from Detroit.  I could write more.  But that was too great of a punch-line not to just finish.  Abrupt, I know... But they were from Detroit.

Til Next time...

Mouse

Detroit.  Seriously, gets' randomly punched at Bar Time in Madison.  From Detroit. Crime Capital of the world.

Concert Post 1: Jan 02, 2010 Subatomic. Frequency CD Release Show

As stated on the outset, this here is a gig blog, so with the start of the New Year.. comes the start of some sick new gigs...

Subatomic. is a power rock trio consisting of Bryan Moll on Lead Guitar and Vocals, Jim Roof on Bass and Mark Dvorak on drums.  That is the last standard statement I will make about these men, as only simile and metaphor can be used to describe their sound and stellar abilities.  Their music asks you to come over, pours you a stiff drink of whiskey, bitch slaps you upside your head, and then has amazing make-up sex with you.  Yeah.. it's that good. And you find even after the abuse, you come back for more... again and again.  They are your Rock Dominatrix and you just, weather you like it or not, became a submissive begging for another hit of the sweet sweet sounds.

I have a long history of music with these amazing men.  It seems that at ANY point, the song can go anywhere, and we don't leave a brother behind.  Bryan and I met on a faithful night of drinking with Pops and I.  By the end of the night we were jammin in a basement, and have been friends for the 10 years since.  Just as long for Sparky (Mark) and I, and Jim is clearly my lost twin brother.  The Physical resemblance is uncanny.

WTF is this blog

Welcome fellow internet traveler, wayward person in search of porn, or creepy internet guy looking to lure other creepy internet guy acting like a 15 yr old girl into a chat.  What you get instead is a blog based on gigs that have been played by your blogger.


I suppose I should state why I'm doing this, where I hope it leads, and what you can expect.  After all, it would certainly help maintain the focus of my readers if you are at lease a smidge entertained.  I'm writing here for 2 purposes; 1) Convey thoughts about the gig's I've played  2) Have a journal of my travels, people, and times associated with playing live music.  I may review some cd's at some point, but the main focus will be summarizing gigs that I've played, with various bands, so I can learn, grow, and remember some fun times in music.


About me:  I'm 32 years old and have been playing harmonica for nearly 20 years.  It has been an honor to play with some of the best around.  I play full time with The Shibs, a band that is classified as "Americana" but who the hell knows that that is?!?!  We are largely influenced by Ben Harper, The Black Keys, Jon Butler Trio, and Coldplay... ok maybe not Coldplay.  We have been on 3 national tours, and thus why I am starting this blog.  To remember where we have played, and the times I personally have had making music with them, and many others.  Want to read about the band?  Check out forgivetherain.blogspot.com  the band's blog; or www.theshibs.com.  When I'm not jamming with The Shibs, I've been more than inclined to sit in with other bands.  Subatomic, Cool Front, Blue Olives, Westside Andy and Mel Ford, Paul Filipowicz and many others from Jazz to Bluegrass, to Hard Rock. To that end, you can occasionally find me sittin on a bar stool playing some tunes with my good friend Bryan Moll in an acoustic setting. I can blog and write all day, but never express what I can to you through music. Thus the title... The Sound of a Soul.

I am admittingly a horrible self promoter and even worse at bragging about my sound. Everything has it's voice, a soul if you will, my job is not to judge, but to help you feel. If that is remembering, or trying to forget, I seek to play though emotion and power. I have been told by others that I am quite unique in my playing; I'm just honored they felt something when I played. Combining looping, and a wide range of effects, I try to transport us to a sonic world, far from our grounded selves... and hope that along the way you like what you see....

My nickname, "Mouse", was given to me by my father when I was a very young child. I ran before I walked, and squeaked when I slept, thus I was named Mouse. I was proud before, and since his passing in 2006 from Lou Gherigs Disease (ALS), I've worn it as a badge of honor.

Which brings us to The Mouse Effect. The title of the blog, a page on Facebook, etc etc. Mouse Effect in my mind isn't a thing that you can put your finger on. The Effect itself is that moment you hear something in a song that makes you want to cheer, cry, or just moves you. The wave of emotion that comes over you, that shakes you down to your very soul. The Mouse Effect.

Don't fight it, kick back, breathe it in, let your mind be free... enjoy the ride folks.