Crowded House - The recent shows and new songs
Current mood: ecstatic

This one is for my FRENZ and fellow CROWDIES on myspace.


*Make sure to minimize this after 40 seconds or so, or you could get car sick.
Shakey camera but the sound is great.
Twice if You're Lucky - in D.C.

My favorite band, Crowded House, came back to North America for only 14 shows this month, and I was lucky to catch 3 of them. They're working on a new album and it was the first time they've played the new songs on our side of the world.

I won't bore you all with a long drawn out gush fest about how much I love them and how great they were, again.

Also I thought the intimate show at the Troubadour last summer was the best CH show I'd ever seen.

Then I saw them at the Orpheum last night for the last show this tour.

Not only was it the longest show that I've seen, but the set list blew all the others out of the water.
29 songs and almost 3 hours of music.

In fact this tour was a 'deep cut' field day for Neil and the guys which for hard-core fans like me is such a treat.
This truly was, in the words of the late great Paul Hester, Massive.
Massive.

After last night's show, some of us hung out to talk to the band. This is something I've only done 4 times in the 19 years I've been going to shows, and I've been to a lot of them. So I pick my moments, and this show was one of them. I figured better now then never. None of us are getting any younger.

Neil was very kind, when he saw me he said hello, smiled, then asked me how many shows I went to this tour. I also got a few waves and nods from him when I was in the front row on Friday night. I think it's wonderful he acknowledges the "arms length" fans.
Then he chatted with Eamon, Sandy and I for the 10 or so of us who were gathered around him>Here is what we he told us;
The new album won't be out until the end of the year. ( Thank God for all my bootlegger friends I can't wait that long)
He too agreed that, that was one of the best CH shows ever and expressed that to me when I thanked him for coming.
He was elated and you could tell he wanted to know if we agreed with how he felt about that night. And we did. 100%.
He also said loves us in LA and will be back in July or August for some more shows.
Thanks Neil. That was slightly out of character of him to come out like that and incredibly cool.

Twice if You're Lucky, was a highlight on all three shows.
Here are some others I could not believe I was so "lucky" to see them play.

This is from all three shows and not in any particular order.

Mean to Me
"In the arms of a poet, not a very good poet, it has to be said.
Good enough to woo you, good enough to screw you."

NEW SONGS
Twice if You're Lucky
Isolation
Either Side of the World (amazing bridge)
Falling Dove
789
Turn it Around

AND...

Everything is good for you
Love you till the day I die
Love this Life
Into Temptation
It's Only Natural
Message to My Girl (Neil alone on the piano) amazing
Now We're Getting Somewhere
In the Lowlands
Sister Madly
When you Come
Chocolate Cake
Pineapple Head
Locked Out - rocked
Fall at Your Feet
Four Seasons in One Day
Weather With You
World Where you Live
She Walked Her Way Down
Heaven That I'm Making
Pour le Monde

Never Be the Same
I GOT YOU w/ Jon Brion - what a treat
WWY - w/ Sebastian Steinberg, Jon Brion, and Lisa Germano
Recurring Dream
Not the Girl You Think You are
And of course;
Dont' Dream It's Over, Dont' Stop Now, Better Be Home Soon and Throw Your Arms Around Me.

I have pictures that my friends took and some video from the greatest show ever. I will post it all by Wednesday, please check back then if you're one of my Myspace "FRENZ"

In the meantime, PLEASE listen to this song I've posted in the video above. It's my favorite of the new ones, Twice if You're Lucky.
The camera work is not great, but the sound is and have a listen if you're a fan you'll love this new song. And if you're not, you'll become one. It's so...Crowded House-y..
Scott has a better video of this. Yes the infamous Scott.
I'll post his in place of this one when he sends it.


Mark and Nick sandwich!

Currently listening : Farewell to the World By Crowded House Release date: 2007-01-16

3:08 PM - 7 Comments - 8 Kudos - Add Comment

Average White Male vs White Women Comics - EDITED
Current mood: accomplished

In the light of recent events;

The comic emailed me, apologized and gave his side.
He was not defensive and handled in a very mature manner.

He agrees the choice of material was not a good idea and apologized.
That's all I wanted.
I believe it was sincere.
He also reminded me that he did say, "present company excluded" and he was also not told after his set how we felt. He left the gig, which was an hour from where he lives, not knowing he offended us in that way.


He also asked politely that I take this down.

I will honor that since I am not a mean person and don't want to cause any more
drama.

But I hope we all learned something from this and that is...

I can't believe all these amazing people actually read my blog.

3:42 PM - 30 Comments - 23 Kudos - Add Comment

Merry Christmas - Poems repost

..> ..>

Poems I wrote in 2nd grade REPOST from NOV 2005. I found these last night when I was cleaning out boxes of my junk in the basement. I always knew I wanted to be a writer I just don't remember ever being this bad. These are horrible, even for a 2nd grader. I also copied them with the original borderline retard spelling and grammar. My favorite one is Betty Boop. I would love to know what you guys think. the bug the bug the bug he lives in my rug my mom yells for help the only one is kelp he cant take the bug out Help there's A Bug A Bug in my. SNout cried the Elephant out loud it tickels help theres a mouse oh gosh what a aful house Joe Hello Hello my name is Joe I work in a place that's full of Lace. this is the shoe store shoes and more like socks and shoe Lace such a Quiet place. Nobody has come Exsep For my num on my thumb. on my toe my name is Joe Work mother wake up time to go to bed. you must wake up and put on your lead. For the pencils you need. and the pens will work indeed. so go to bed oh please oh please hurry up here come the fleas The big bear hello there how's my bear want some honey want some hair NO cried the bear I'am sick of Hair. have some honey then NO. what did you have For breakFast 500 Wrens Betty Boop Iam Betty Boop I have Hair that droops. down on my chin. I know a boy with a Fin. of a trout carrieing A bowling pin my name is Betty boop (sigh)

10:31 AM - 5 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

Crowded House at the Troubadour
Current mood: On cloud 10

For those of you who were expecting something funny I apologize for this blog.
Also, I'm too busy to be funny this summer because I have a lot of concerts and musical theater to go to.

Last night my favorite band, Crowded House, played a small music club in West Hollywood.
And I was so lucky to be there and see the best Crowded House show I've ever seen.
Both my favorite bands have reuinited this year, Crowded House and Squeeze, and they are both touring right now.
It's going to be great summer.

http://www.sacbee.com/954/story/277081.html

Of course come September I'll be homeless and broke, but it will be worth it.
The music means a lot to me since, I was in 8th grade I have loved Neil Finn's music and over the years have seen hundreds of concerts with Neil, Tim and Crowded House. I even went the MTV awards when they played "Better Be Home Soon" in the aisle, and presented best new artist the year after they won in 1987, but THIS was the most exciting.

Neil, Nick, Mark, and Matt fed off our energy for sure and gave us a show to remember.
Elroy, Neil's son, was there as well, carefully placed behind Mark on acoustic guitar for some of the new songs.

Best Crowded House concert ever. Have I said that already?
The opening act was a young guy who looked like Johnny Depp, named Daniel Spree. I think he's a new act the record company was pushing, he was really good.


Paul Hester was missed for sure and he could never be replaced but... Matt Sherrod brings a different sound to the old songs and I really like it.

Here are some pictures my friend Midge took, I was standing 2 people to her right so, I was directly under Neil one person deep.
Crazy.
We stayed to chat with other fans we knew and to meet the band afterwards.
They were so inviting and happy to talk with us. I dont' know who had more fun the fans or Neil and the guys.
Happiest I've seen Neil after a show in years, not that he was ever not friendly, but...the frenz know what I mean.

Neil even took a picture with Midge and I and thanked us for coming, shook our hands and said, "See you all at the Greek, right?" we said of course so then he waved goodbye to us and said,"Ok, girls see you in a month!"

The rest of the tour, aside from the next secret show like this one in NYC, are at large venues.
The Greek, Boston Garden, etc. This was just for the true fans and I think to give the band a jump start. It's going to be a great tour. I was very lucky to get a set list and to one by one have each of them sign it. It's at the bottom after the pictures.
I am not an autograph seeker by any means, in fact, in the almost 20 years I've been going to these shows, have never asked any of them to sign a set list or whatever.
But this was special and they were there and happy to do it. Even the "House" knew this was an historical night in the life of the band.

Ok, you can throw up now.










..









NOTE: Neil took a request for 'Throw Your Arms Around Me" and played that instead of "There Goes God"
MORE PICTURES TO COME!!!

Currently listening : Time on Earth By Crowded House Release date: 10 July, 2007

7:54 PM - 10 Comments - 18 Kudos - Add Comment

S.O.B coming to BET July 25th at 10PM

The show I wrote for this past winter is airing this month on BET.
It's a different kind of hidden camera show, with DL Hughley as host.

Yes, I worked at BET on two shows this winter, feel free to make all the obvious jokes in my comments.

Anyway, here is what the creators of the show had to say about it on their Myspace page.
Btw, please add them as a friend to help spread the word about the show.

Tune in to BET Wednesday, July 25 at 10 p.m. (ET/PT) for our first episode. BET's new show, "S.O.B."

(Socially Offensive Behavior) is a humorous look at our biggest hangups – in the most un-politically correct way possible. With a hidden camera and a cast of comedic actors, unsuspecting everyday people will have to react to ridiculous situations, unaware that their actions are being caught on camera. Exposing how people really feel about stero-types, racism, religion, sexuality, politics, social issues and more, "S.O.B." will have you asking, "What would I do if that were me?" We as the Producers, Cast and Crew of the series welcome your thoughts, opinions and suggestions.

JULY 25th 10PM on BET Share me! Press reply to copy the code and repost! generate your own "whore me" bulletin

9:19 AM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Jersey Boys, you're just too good to be true
Current mood: awake

UPDATE - JUNE 4, 2007

Below I added some comments, to myself, about the Los Angeles production of Jersey Boys. I saw a Preview show last week and attended opening night and the opening night party afterwards. Details below! Complete with typos and teenage girlish commentary.

Being a theater junkie I've seen...almost everything. Except "Mamma Mia", I just can't bring myself to see a musical where "Dancing Queen" is considered the show stopper.
In all my years of studying theater and attending plays and musicals, never have I rushed back to the theater to see a show for the second time, except this week.
If you haven't seen "Jersey Boys" and you enjoy a great show, and happen to be a fan of the music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, then I have no idea what you're waiting for.
Of course the music is timeless and stands on it's own but put a story, lights, scenery, and an incredible cast behind it and it becomes an experience.
When you go to a Broadway show matinee you expect to get that little slip of paper in your Playbill that lets you know the lead role will be played by, someone else.
For the first time I was actually blown away by the "someone else" performance when I saw Michael Longoria play the role of Frankie Valli this week.
Normally he plays the part of Joe Pesci, who was a friend of the group and a important character in the show, but Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2, he blows the roof off the August Wilson theater with a voice like an angel.

Michael Longoria has an enormous stage presence so natural and so inviting, I could watch this kid in anything. In fact if he was in "Mamma Mia" I might actually give it a shot.
When he sang "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You" I thought grandma panties were gonna go flying. All the ladies, and even some men, swooned and he made everyone in that theater believe he was Frankie Valli.
He owned it, as does the rest of the main cast.Not to take anything away from the regular lead and '06 Tony winner, John Lloyd Young, who I have seen on TV several times and is also featured on the soundtrack. He has a sick voice himself and his performance is amazing I just wanted to toss some love to the the new guy, he deserves a mention for sure. I would be shocked if he wasn't the permanent replacement for Young when he leaves the show.
Hopefully they'll both stay for a long time to come, but you never know the vocal demands of this role are pretty intense. Have a listen and you'll see what I mean.
Everyone in this show is great, Christian Hoff, Daniel Reichard, and J Robert Spencer are just SO fantastic, you have to see this. This entire cast is so talented it's insane. My mother can't stop GUSHING about Daniel Reichard, who's music page is really worth checking out btw, what a voice.
This show is... it's just...Ok, I'll stop.

What I'm saying is, if you're in New York and you want to see a fabulous show, go see this.
And see it Wednesday or Saturday at 2, then when you go to see it again get in whenever you can, it's tough.

[By the way, this is by no means a "review" of the show, it's obviously just me gushing about it becuase I loved it so much, I can't get "Walk like a Man" out of my head and I need to get some sleep]

This is what myspace blogs are for.
Right?

Hello?

Currently listening : Jersey Boys (2005 Original Broadway Cast) By Ronald Melrose Release date: 01 November, 2005

11:38 PM - 12 Comments - 8 Kudos - Add Comment

Disneyland makes me so mad

I've been having problems with my anger lately;Road rage, short temper, and I get easily annoyed.
For instance, I blew up at these kids in line at Disneyland the other day because they cut in front of us on Thunder Mountain.
They were 12.
Then we got stuck on Space Mountain because the ride broke down.
There were about 30 people in front of us blocking the exit, and I wanted to get out.
Those idiots were waiting for the ride to get going again because they could get right back on without having to wait in line, and THEY WOULDN'T MOVE. I said about 30 times, "can you move so we can get out, can you move so we can leave, I want to get out of here, I'm getting hot and dizzy IN HERE!"
Idiots.
Of course when the ride got going and we didn't go out the exit either, we got right back on.
They're still stupid, but it shouldn't have made me as angry as it did.
Now I need a drink, so we go to the pizza place at Downtown Disney.
Then at dinner this 35 year old man behind us, dressed as Captain Jack Sparrow, was yelling at his family. He had no manners, his kids were eating like savages and he was a total idiot.
My sister quickly put me in my place, all I had to do was ignore the bad mannered pirate...sure no problem.

I shouldn't be getting annoyed at Disneyland.
It's the happiest fucking place on earth for Christ sake.

Yesterday, my friend Craig asked me if I've read "The Secret" and if I know what it is.

I said, "Yes, I know what it is."

He says, "So you understand how it works?"

I replied, "Yeah... I just dont' want to use it."

11:39 AM - 12 Comments - 10 Kudos - Add Comment

Frenz of the House

[Nerd alert]
Oh my God, it's true.
Crowded House is doing a 12 month reunion tour starting this Spring and releasing a new album.
This is something that the fans, since Paul Hester's death 2 years ago, have been quite curious about. They are auditioning a new drummer now and granted, it won't be the same without Paul but it will still be amazing.
You can bet that I will be at as many of these shows as my wallet will allow. This has been a long time coming, it's been about13 years since I've seen CH together as a band.Of course all the Neil and Tim solo and Finn Bros shows I've seen since have had their share of CH tunes, but Nick, Mark, and Neil, and hopefully Tim too, is going to be insane. Since CH broke up while I was still in college and I was just starting out in comedy I missed a lot of the final concerts. I am a huge nerd when it comes to Neil Finn's musicand those of you that know me well know what a big deal this is to me.
It's the 10 year anniversary of their "Farewell to the World" concert in Sydney. I'm sure with the release of the DVD and CD, which is amazing btw, is what prompted them to FINALLY get back together.

My wish set list? Some of the more obscure fan favorites like
Same Language as Me, Can't Carry On, Instinct,
Left Hand and Convent Girls.
I don't care where they play, or what they play I'll just be there.
Like Neil Finn says;
"I dont want an explanation.
But Ill be there when you bring the house down."


If you are a "Dont' Dream It's Over" fan...you're sure to like the rest of their catalog. Check out a show, support Crowded House on their American tour so they do it again!

Here are some clips of CH with and without Paul Hester.

Distant Sun with Paul at the Farewell to the World concert.



Weather With you ; after Paul left the band.



Tim Finn was in the band for the 3rd album WOODFACE (and best in my opinion) Here are all the members together Neil Finn, Tim Finn, Nick Seymour, Paul Hester and Mark Hart at the "Farewell" show. It's Only Natural.

Currently listening : Temple of Low Men By Crowded House Release date: 25 October, 1990

1:26 AM - 6 Comments - 8 Kudos - Add Comment

Return of the Bubonic Plague
Current mood: nauseated

I have managed to avoid the flu the last 3 winters by having those 24 and 48-hour bugs that you can get rid of with Vitamin C, Dayquil and a few naps. Even traveling in and out of different climates all winter long, I was never sick for more than a few days.
This year has been a whole new kind of infectious evil. Those of you who have been hit with the "new flu" know what I'm talking about.
Is this a terrorist attack on our immune systems so clever we can't prevent or completely cure it?
What is this lingering ear, eye, nose, throat, lung and yeast infection that takes a month to fully get rid of?
Seriously, after finally beating Christmas SARS with 10 days of antibiotics, quitting smoking, and 5 days straight of resting, and 2 weeks of slow living... I got the stomach flu.
Great, thanks a lot.
Seriously what the fuck is going on? I haven't had the stomach flu since I was 9.
Do any of you dirty sick people ever wash your hands?
Don't touch me...you know what don't even talk to me you might have something deadly hiding in your breath that will make me miss something else important.
Fuck it, you know what? Just stop reading this blog right now. With my luck you probably have some rare flesh eating disease that can only be passed on through reading myspace blogs.

Currently listening : Live at World Cafe By Gabe Dixon Band Release date: 09 August, 2005

5:51 PM - 6 Comments - 8 Kudos - Add Comment

Who comes first, the audience or the booker?
Current mood: annoyed

Today I was told the following, by an angry booker;

"The show is not about pleasing the audience, it's about pleasing the booker."

Is it really?

I have always thought that comics are there for their audience and to appease the booker's requests such as language and subject matter, but to play to the crowd that paid to be there.
My image of that insane statement would be to then have the booker sit front row dead center, so we could just play to them, not the crowd. If that was the deal, I would have canceled right away.

What do you guys think?

11:58 AM - 18 Comments - 14 Kudos - Add Comment