We played in Boston last night. It was good to hook up with friends that I haven’t seen in a while. We were getting all nostalgic with Greg and Mike from Mix 104.1. We talked about the humongous turnout at city hall when Stunt came out, back in '98. I like those guys. I liked ‘em then, and I like ’em now.

I don’t mind walking down memory lane. It’s like a second chance to appreciate a moment that I couldn’t fully appreciate at the time. The event was extraordinary, but at the time I was probably consumed ( as I usually am) with a small unimportant detail like: “Am I flying low?”, and “How do I pull up my zipper without 80,000 people noticing?”, “This is so Embarrassing”. David Lee Roth wouldn’t do that though. He would take the opportunity to say ”Guess what Boston, my !*?#$in zipper's down!! It’s time to reach down between my legs and ease the seat back!” The crowd would then go wild. I’m not quite there yet, but I’m working on my DLR rock chops one car seat at a time.

Anyway, in sound check yesterday, Kev and Ty started playing some of our favorite Biz Markie songs. It’s started a snowball effect, and overnight, we’ve launched into a full on Biz Markie renaissance. Ingrid Michaelson is on the show again, tonight in Worchester. I caught her set in Boston. Great singing. I also fell in love with her band so I'm looking forward to seeing them tonight.

Comments   ShareThis

I'm currently regrouping in my hotel room in Primm Nevada.  The hotel is Buffalo Bills.  It looks like a big grain elevator except for the roller coaster that sends screaming people past my window every 20 minutes.  At first I thought it was a Harley Davidson Hog blowing it's muffler off into my room, but after I had the guts to peak outside my window, I realized it was just some folks having a thrill.  I'm cool with it now.  It's amazing how you can get used to anything. Maybe I just know what it's like to be a screamer.

We just played one of my favourite shows this fall at The Fresno Fair.  It was our first show after actually rehearsing for a couple weeks.  We were really sitting on the grooves.  Tyler drew a comparison between us and a real famous hockey team ( maybe it was the Edmonton Oilers with Gretzky and Messier?).  But I'm hesitant to encourage that kind of comparison, because with enough support, Tyler will actually lobby to turn us into a hockey team.  I'm not saying I don't like getting in the corners, and keeping the passes tape to tape, but I still enjoy playing the bass and singing.

I'm looking forward to sitting on some more grooves tonight.  Hope to see you at the show.  If not I'll look for you screaming outside my window.  Ahhhh!!!

jim

Comments   ShareThis

 I grew a beard this summer. It’s the first beard I have physically been able to grow. When I’ve tried in the past, I often end up with random sprouts of hair on my face. Mind you, my moles are consistently the most prolific whisker makers. There is a mole on my right cheek that if left a day or two, becomes the consistency of a needle. So much for Montreal style greetings. I have to keep that one well trimmed, at least for the sake of the French.

Anyway, it’s been a season of highs and lows. I lost some friends this summer, and their passing was unexpected and deeply saddening. Spending August in the woods with my family brought me some light. The beard might have been a kind of protection from the reality of the hard news, or at least a cover to give me a chance to be sad for a while.

For most of August, I went cottage hopping with my family across northern Ontario. It was nice to be with friends, and to swim around in cool, dark lakes. We had a wicked time at Ed’s cottage, where we had a record rap-up party. Ty and Ed smoked a huge brisket for everyone. They started smoking it at 1AM. Tyler might be late for a lobby call but he’s not late when it comes time to smoke the brisket. Because of Ty’s generous catering of the record, I taste his cooking whenever I hear the album. I hope fans can catch a whiff of Stewart soul food while sampling the new tunes. Vegetarians, don’t worry, he includes salads with every serving.

Another highlight of my summer was canoeing in Algonquin Park. My family teamed up with our friends Capella and Greg (who play in the string section on the record) for the trip. I remember watching the sunset streak orange across the sky, and I tried to come up with reasons why the scene was so beautiful. I found a smoothed out part of the Canadian Shield that fit my back perfectly. When I watched a humming bird disappear as it flew across the lake, I tried to think about all the things around me that I’m unable to see. Algonquin is always a place of wonder for me. Maybe, that’s another reason for the beard. I was able to live my Grizzly Adams fantasy. Well, only for a short time, but I’ll be back.I’m looking forward to rocking in Rockford on the 5th. This show will be my first big step out of hibernation. Bring it on.

Comments   ShareThis

 It's a day later, and I'm still enjoying the after Taste Of Chicago.  Your city is amazing, and I want my town of Toronto to follow your lead.  The way Chicago has reinvigorated its waterfront is truly inspiring.  I even saw palm trees lining a beach outside my hotel window.  I'm not sure how Chicago pulled this off, but I'm all ears.  The free Classical music concerts in Millennium Park has made chamber music fun again.  Pizza, and Paganini in the park, what else could one ask for? 

The Chicago show was a huge boost for us.  The audience was completely game for us to do our rockin' best.  Whether we were trying out our new stuff, or re-creating older songs, there was a willingness to go along for the ride.  Since this is pretty much our maiden voyage as a four-piece, I'm never sure how some of the older songs will work, especially the songs that Steve sang with us.  Ed took a flying leap, and sang What A Good Boy in the past few shows.  I couldn't believe how familiar it felt to play it, and to see people in the audience sing it back at us.  It revealed to me just how much that song continues to resonate with me, my band, and the fans.  And if it's played with the spirit in which it was created,  it allows the song to live, and grow, and reflect on experiences that Steve and Ed might never of imagined when they put it together.

Comments   ShareThis