: It never rains but it pours
“…it never rains but it pours
Ee do ba be
Ee da ba ba ba
Um bo bo
Be lap“
So sayeth David Bowie and Freddie Mercury. Very profound words indeed – or at at least in the context of the full song “Under Pressure”.
For me, “it never rains but it pours” has a very different meaning this month. This Friday, June 10th, I am doing a rare double header. At 7:00 PM sharp I will be playing at Ruthie’s BBQ in scenic central Montclair with Jump, Shuffle, and Moan.. At 9:00 sharp I will cease playing, pack up my gear, rush uptown to the Great Notch Inn on Route 46, set up my equipment and at 10:00 sharp (or thereabouts) I will be playing with Better Off Dead. In preparation for this epic event I have been in intensive training. Perhaps you’ve seen me jogging around town, doing extra sit-ups & pushups, running up the steps of the Montclair City Hall (cue in the theme song to Rocky)…
Not.
BTW – All political leanings aside, am I the only one who has heard enough of Anthony Weiner on the news to last several lifetimes?
June 10, Friday, 7:00-9:00ish PM – Shuffle, Jump, & Moan at Ruthie’s Bar-B-Q & Pizza, 64 1/2 Chestnut Ave, Montclair (973) 509-1134
Lead singer & guitarist Rob Signorile always pulls together a great band. This Friday we will have the dynamic rhythm section of Matt Patuto on drums, Adam Gustavson on bass, and yours truly on keys, along with Larry Lipshultz on harmonica. We’ll be doing mostly mid and up tempo blues classics mixed in with a few obscure gems. As always, the shows at Ruthie’s are outdoors, so if the weather is uncertain, so please call first and BYOB.
http://www.ruthiesbbq.com/
http://www.shufflejumpandmoan.com
June 10, Friday, 10:00PM-1:00AM – Better off Dead at The Great Notch Inn, Route 46, Little Falls (973) 256-7742
If the weather is good, “The Notch” is gonna be jumping this Friday. Bring your dancing shoes and your happy face.
http://www.betteroffdead.com/home.htm/
http://www.agreatertown.com/little_falls_nj/great_notch_inn_new_jerseys_rockin_roadhouse_00089580
June 11 Saturday, 8-9:30 PM – Lunatic Fringe, Piano’s Bar & Grill, 36 Broad St, Bloomfield, NJ 07003 (973) 743-7208 Reservations: (973) 429-1527
It’s the last show of the season (sob) and it’s the last chance before the fall for “Big Daddy” Carl to get his act together, walk three blocks, and come see his good buddy play. I don’t know quite why, but I’m anticipating some “weiner” jokes during the course of the evening. Cover charge is $12, $10 with a reservation.
http://www.pianosbarandgrill.com
http://www.lunaticfringeimprov.com
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=53938723078&ref=ts
Jan 18, Saturday, 9:00PM-12:30ish AM – Better off Dead at Robin’s Nest Rhythm and Blues, 3103 Tremley Point Road, Linden, NJ, 07036 (908) 290-3090
It’s a Better off Dead extravaganza this month.
http://www.betteroffdead.com/home.htm/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Linden-NJ/Robins-Nest-Rhythm-and-Blues-RNRB/178750518562
http://www.robinsnestrhythmandblues.com/
June 24, Friday, 7:00-9:00ish PM – Ben & the Franklins at Ruthie’s Bar-B-Q & Pizza, 64 1/2 Chestnut Ave, Montclair (973) 509-1134
After a lengthy lay off, Ben & the Franklin’s makes a triumphant return to Ruthie’s. This version of “the Franklins” will feature the same dynamic rhythm section as Shuffle, Jump, & Moan (you’ll have to look back to the June 10th show if you’ve forgotten) along with Rich Reiter on sax and some other special guests. Call ahead if the weather is iffy.
http://www.ruthiesbbq.com/
http://www.shufflejumpandmoan.com
June 25, Saturday, 7-8:30ish PM – “Just Janis” – Janis Joplin Tribute, Café Wha, 115 MacDougal Street New York, NY 10012 (212) 254-9393 Ext. 7
Café Wha is the legendary hangout for many seminal Musicians from the 1960s & 1970s. This tribute to the life and music of Janis Joplin will feature the incomparable Nikki Armstrong who will welcome in the “Summertime” and grab a Piece of your Heart! Doors open at 6:15 PM and the show starts at 7:00 PM. $10 in advance, $12 at the door
http://www/cafewha.com/
http://www.myspace.com/nikkiarmstrongbands
http://www.nikkiarmstrong.com/
June 29, Wednesday, 8:30-11:30 PM – Arthur Neilson, Hill Country BBQ, 30 W 26th St, New York, NY 10010 (212) 255-42544
I’ve been suffering withdrawal symptoms from not playing with Arthur for nearly 3 months. Hill Country BBQ is a great listening room – and there will be some great music to listen to. There’s no cover charge. The food is super, but if you’re not hungry you can still come and hang out.
http://www.hillcountryny.com/home.php
http://www.arthurneilson.com/