I Woke Up This Morning…

Ever notice how many Blues songs seem to start with that line ? Can ya get a more positive message ? I mean, if you woke up this morning – you're already better off than, at least, that 1% who didn't.

Well, I woke up this morning and as I was rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I glanced down at my morning newspaper. "Holy Shit! Mom – did you see this ?"

My mother looks and asks, "Who's that?"

This is the newspaper that I delivered through middle & high school, and used to dream of seeing my face on. Dreams do come true – you just might have to wait a lifetime, or two. My mom said, "now you have to get on Rolling Stone".

You can't read the fine print, but this is promoting our Benefit for the WEST MEMPHIS 3, on Sept 5 (Friday) at the SCHOOL OF ROCK, 31 Scheifer St, So. Hackensack, NJ. THE UNDEAD goes on at 10:20, followed by Michale Graves.

All proceeds from this show will go to help in reversing one of the worst injustices since the Salem Witch Trials. If you haven't seen the documentary, PARADISE LOST, and don't know who the WM3 are – please check it out. There's no doubt as to the innocence of these three. When they do get released, they're going to need a lot of support. It's unlikely that they've been given the skills they'll need to make it on the outside, and they'll need homes. I've already pointed out to the benefit's promoters that there are still parts of the U.S. where you can buy a  decent house for under $30,000, and that might be the route to go in the near future.

1:38 PM - 28 Comments - 36 Kudos - Add Comment

CLOWN DAD

Troma Films has become synonymous with cheap, fun, gory films. No other film company could get away with releasing such titles as 'Sgt. Kabukiman', 'Surf Nazis Must Die', 'The Class of Nuk'em High', or 'Toxic Avenger'.

Now, we can add a new character to the population of Tromaville… CLOWN DAD – coming soon to a theater near you.

A few months ago, I got an email from Mike Nirenberg – asking if I'd be interested in appearing in a slapstick scene in his film that was shooting that weekend. He rightly figured I'd appreciate something as silly as he had planned, but unfortunately I already had a commitment and couldn't do it… But I knew of a song that Dave Street used to do as a part of his comedy act, 'Sometimes You Gotta Laugh At Yourself', and suggested that Mike might like the song for the movie.

Thus began a mad whirlwind of activity, as we found a recording of Dave doing the song, accompanied on piano. I can't pick out chords from a piano, so Dave sent a copy of the recording to one of his old friends from the L.A. punk scene – whose name escapes me, but Dave will let us know – and he sent back the chords.

Then it was a matter of scheduling time when Joel could come and record.

Luckily, Mike liked the song – and as payment for its use, he agreed to direct a video of the song for us. We had a few brainstorming meetings, and agreed that we shouldn't get too slick with production values, but should keep it in the spirit of Troma… cheap. We settled on a story line based on some things that had actually happened to me at one time or other – things that might not have seemed so funny then, but on hindsight are stranger than fiction.

I get banged up pretty good in this, and did most of my own stunts – except for when we tossed my 'body double' into the shot.

In one scene, after I get hit by the second drunk driver – we hadn't taken into consideration that it was gonna be a hot summer day, and I had to lie 'unconscious' on the hot asphalt. Each take took about 20 minutes to set up, and then shoot – and I ended up with first degree burns on my back...

...but it was worth it. The family that played somewhat dishonest passersby were the highlight of the day – especially the little girl who stole my cane. She was told to act surprised; and her performance deserves an award.

Dave Street did a great job playing a drunk driver who runs me down.

But that's not what I wanted to tell you about…  I wanted to remind you not to miss our FREE CONCERT this Saturday at Tompkins Square Park (7th St between Aves A & B). We'll be going on at 2:00, followed by THE VICTIMS, Hi-TEEN BOOGIE (w/Hitomi), GRANDE, THE BULLYS, SEA MONSTER, & V.

11:36 PM - 18 Comments - 24 Kudos - Add Comment

I don’t wanna go out there…

This week marks the 20th anniversary of the infamous Tompkins Square Riot. Though this was the riot that set things in motion, it was only the first in a long string of riots – perpetrated by a group of anarchists & leftists, who had somehow declared themselves official representatives of the homeless. At a subsequent riot, I overheard homeless families pleading with the rioters to please stop disrupting their lives. Suddenly, the wishes of the homeless no longer mattered. What mattered was what "we feel is in your best interest", and to quote Mike Muir – how do you know what MY best interest is ? It's like they say – 'fascism will come to America – not in brown shirts & jackboots - but in Smiley Face t-shirts & Nikes…'

That was when I realized it was a sham. From then on, I'd observe these riots that ended with just enough time to run home and see if you made the Ten O'Clock News – and I came to the conclusion that it was all a joke.

Once, a riot made its way down my block. I watched out my window as police and rioters clashed below my window – and I dumped a bucket of water down on the scene, then went back to my business.

After a while, I felt hungry, and got ready to go out to get some food – when it struck me… The mob scene was still going on, and I said to myself, "I don't wanna go out there – there's a riot". BAM! Inspiration struck me like a riot-cops baton, and the lyrics spilled out of my mind in rapid succession. In about two hours, I had the song - "THERE'S A RIOT IN TOMPKINS SQUARE" I don't agree with the Anarchists, or the Communists… nor the kind of tactics the City used to squelch their right to make fools of themselves, as long as they don't harm anyone. For my first demo, I sampled the intro to SHE – and sang the lyrics over it. Later, I did a demo with my drum machine, and mailed a copy to OVERGROUND RECORDS – to give them an idea of what I was working on, and they insisted on releasing the track as it was.

There's a Riot in Tompkins Square has been added to our Myspace Music Player.

2:44 PM - 13 Comments - 10 Kudos - Add Comment

JERRY THE MEDDLER - update & correction

In case you missed my comment that was buried in my previous blog, last night I ran into one of the TRUE promoters of this show - and it turns out that Jerry The Meddler has been falsely taking credit for this, and other shows - and creating a lot of trouble for THE SHADOW.

Chris Flash, Editor of THE SHADOW - and a long time friend, who I can disagree with without risking life or limb; wrote to let me know that "This asshole has NOTHING to do with the three 20th anniversary shows".
So, we can be rest assured that Santa Clause will do no harm - and it'll be a good, fun, event... with boring political chatter between sets.

I'll be closing out the show at 6:00 with an 'environmentally safe' acoustic set...
...unless someone pulls my finger.

The show starts at 2:00 and features some of the classics of the NYHC scene.

Hammerbrain, Reagan Youth, Nihilistics, False Prophets, APPLE, David Peel, Professor Louie, KRAUT, Bobby Steele (of the UNDEAD)

4:16 PM - 19 Comments - 8 Kudos - Add Comment

A WORD OF WARNING FROM YOUR FRIENDLY PEACE ACTIVIST

10:38 AM - 46 Comments - 26 Kudos - Add Comment

Last Friday’s Show!

I want to thank all of you who came out to last Friday's gig at The Delancey. It was the debut of our new drummer, Hitomi - and judging from the feedback I've gotten, she was a hit with UNDEAD fans. There were so many people looking to get a photo op, that I felt like a fucking pinball - getting bounced from one group to the next, until my head was spinning in the confusion.

I did get to say Hi to some old friends, like Walter Lure, and the members of Sea Monster – THE VICTIMS played a typically amazing set, and I could tell a lot of the audience was hearing these songs for the first time in over 25 years, by the smiles of recognition as they broke into one song after another; and Peter Crowley spun classic Rock'nRoll between sets. There were also a few guests who were there in spirit only – and judging by some of the pictures I've seen, of 'Orbs' floating above Hitomi's sticks, those spirits were doing their best to make their presence known.

If you missed it... you missed it.

Our booking agent, Frank Wood, is busy lining up some dates in the NY/NJ area, for August - so if you're a promoter who's interested, get in touch with him now. His email is MRFWOOD@Yahoo.Com

In other news, I've been in contact with a promoter in Las Vegas, who's trying to work out a deal to get THE UNDEAD out to Sin City, and shake up the Hi-Rollers.

10:36 AM - 24 Comments - 26 Kudos - Add Comment

SHOW: 7/11 at The Delancey - NYC

A MAXimum nite of Rock'n'Roll - NYC Rocks For Peter

Don't forget; this Friday, July 11th – some of the Legends of Macksis Kansus Sitty are getting together to pay tribute to Peter Crowley, the guy who deserves credit for making it happen – thanks to his excellent taste in music and strong background in the roots of RocknRoll.

Peter produced two of the best punk rock albums in memory – THE HEARTBREAKERS "Live at Max's" – , and THE VICTIMS "Real Wild Child" – pure, blues based RocknRoll.

Representing THE HEARTBREAKERS, will be Walter Lure and THE WALDOS. Even though Johnny Thunders is the one most associated with the sound of The Heartbreakers – one listen to The Waldos, and you can see that Walter deserves at least as much credit – if not more for surviving so many years of Johnny's antics.

And of course, THE VICTIMS are representing themselves. I've raved enough about these guys – don't miss it.

Peter will be spinning records – real fucking plastic ones, I'm told – between sets at The DELANCEY, and you can expect to hear some long forgotten classics from the old M*X's jukebox as well as RocknRoll so old, your Great-grandma was probably banging to it when she was 'sweet sixteen' – and that shit makes Post-Tipper Gore punk look real tame.

As if one night isn't enough – this party continues for another two nights of legendary New York musicians paying tribute. Check the other ads – I'm not gonna do all the work for ya!

3:38 PM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

“The Scourge of Max’s”

I wasn't called "The Scourge of Max's" for no reason. Somehow, I always managed to upset someone – without trying.
 
I was relatively new to the scene, still, when I was approached by this one memorable girl. We spent the night drinking & getting high, and then, when Max's closed – we took the party downtown to my apartment.
 
The following night, we headed back up to Max's, and no sooner had we walked in the door to the downstairs bar – but we were accosted by the head bouncer, and shit, he looked pissed. First he looked at my date, "Where the fuck have you been?". Then, he glared at me. "Do you know who this is ?
 
"Uh… no?"
 
Then, he went on to tell me she was the daughter of the U.N. Ambassador from a Middle Eastern country – AND she's only 15!  "We've had the FBI and Secret Service here all afternoon, asking questions. This has caused an International Incident"  She was spirited away, back to her country – but she returned a few years later, briefly.
 
A few months later, what we now would call the Islamic Revolution began – and 50 Americans were taken hostage in the U.S. Embassy in Tehran.
 
She eventually went back to the Middle East, and became a celebrity in her country, before returning to he U.S. and getting married. I run into her and her husband, now and then, and we still get a chuckle out of the night we caused an International Incident. Who knows… maybe they'll be at next week's show at The Delancey, Friday July 11th.
 
I'm hoping to run into a few other long lost friends… as well as rivals… next week. Hopefully, time has healed all those wounds. I've been looking at this lineup, and I can't help thinking that the DELANCEY is gonna be too small to accommodate such a killer lineup – and it should've been at the Bowery Ballroom, or Irving Plaza. So get there early – THE UNDEAD goes on at 8:30 – I don't want ya to miss a beat, especially with our new drummer, Hitomi – who's on loan from the Statues Of Liberty… the Japanese sure know how to pack a ton of power into a small package.

Well… have a happy Fourth Of July – and remember what it's about… INDEPENDENCE !

5:10 PM - 14 Comments - 18 Kudos - Add Comment

Misfit at Max’s

One of my first 'Perks' after becoming a MISFIT was having access to the backstage area at MAX's KANSAS CITY – which was actually on the third floor, and was where the real action occurred.. There were three dressing rooms, and a bathroom –first class accommodations, by punk standards. This was where, during a week of HEARTBREAKERS shows that were being recorded for an upcoming Live album, I had the opportunity to meet one of my guitar heroes.

A lot of people will claim to have been a friend of Johnny Thunders, but my observation was that Johnny had few friends, but lots of hangers-on who'd win their way to his heart by presenting him with bags of heroin – often when he was trying to clean himself up – and then use that as evidence of their bond with him. It was a pretty sick game over the years as his true friends would help him clean up, and then some asshole would come along – and, "for old time's sake" coerce him back to his hell.

But I got my first taste of the 'other' Johnny a couple of months later when they held the record release party for the HEARTBREAKERS "Live At Max's" album. After the set, I bought a copy of the LP, and headed upstairs to the dressing rooms – to get it autographed. I handed it to Walter Lure, who signed it and handed it to Jerry Nolan, and Billy Rath, and then I went looking for Johnny. I handed him my LP, and before I knew it, he jumped up and ran downstairs with my record. When I caught up with him, in the first floor bar, he'd given it to some girl that, I guess, he was hoping to score that night.

Thankfully, Walter stepped in and explained everything to her, and she handed my album back to me. This album is still one of my most prized relics of that period.

Currently listening : Live at Max’s Kansas City ’79 By Johnny Thunders & the Heartbreakers

12:38 AM - 20 Comments - 16 Kudos - Add Comment

This Saturday's Gig Info! 6/21

I just got the info on this Saturday's free outdoor gig at:

157 Rivington Street
New York, New York 10002

They'll have bands playing throughout the day, and at 8:00pm I'll be making my appearance.

I'll have copies of the new Picture Discs on hand also.

9:23 PM - 1 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment