May | 2009 | mochaLouder

Family Anvils and DJ Dogs

Ok – catch up time.

It’s almost Mother’s day, and it’ll be the middle of summer before you know it.

So, let’s skip back with a spring in our step to the pre-Europe days of March 2009.

I had been hinting at some black kites changes, and I hate to say that my paranoid mind was right on the money with that whole little ))there’s still a black kites, ol’ buddy, it’s just gonna happen without you(( thought…

Yup, got word upon my return that singer-dude had decided to keep the black kites going but decided it was best to do it without me, and for whatever reason, couldn’t figure out a way to tell me. I’m not going to get into it here, but I have to say – every time I think about it, I get really angry. Almost hulk-like angry. But I’m taking the high road, and just trying to let it go. It kinda sucks though, but – I’ll move on.

So – March 6^th – my sister arrives in LA for a brief visit. We take her to Daichan, and introduce her to Flight of the Conchords.

Saturday, she heads off to see LACMA with some of her other LA friends, Shelley heads off to Necromance, and I attempt to get some music reviews written. I love writing ‘em, but sometimes it’s just so hard to focus.

That night we head over to Damon’s to have dinner, the three of us, Karen & RJ, and Shelley’s sister.

Fine family fun time.

Sunday – it’s brunch in Malibu at the Beachcombers, my sister relaxes at the house while I get a haircut from Amy, we do the Fred 62 for dinner, and then a brief hi hello to Steven and Tomi at Malo.

Monday morning, my sister leaves, back to canadaland, and it’s back to work for Shelley and I.

Friday the 13^th, Valley Inn with Tina and Nathan, Saturday, Daichan again – with audra & brennan, who are making a short LA visit from San Francisco, and Sunday – we try the nearby Sushi Park, and discover it’s both good and cheap. Hooray, a nearby joint for our sushi-to-go cravings….

St Patrick’s day – I attempt some other music, a little AMP studios jam with the same band I played with in February.

I cannot even tell you how great it was to just play drums. Unfortunately, it seems as if this has fallen flat, and once again, nobody bothered to tell me –

How hard is it to just say “thanks, but it’s not working out.”

Or “I think we need someone with a different style.”

I mean, it’s not like I signed a contract or anything – it was like two “practices” – and then nothing.

Ok, whatever.

So – The week moves on, and then on Sunday the 22^nd, we get together with Karen and RJ, and Paul and Laura, for a nice little Brunch at the Tam O’Shanter.

Monday the 23^rd, and it’s off to the Scene to see my former band, Black Nite Crash, play. It was great to see Jim again – and the new songs were great, and it felt kind of cool being in the audience as BNC played songs that I helped build. I’ve heard us before, but never while in the audience. Kind of a thrill.

::BNC @ The Scene::

then the 27^th hits, and we are off to London…..

…. And then you read the previous post, and we are back.

April 7^th. Shelley and I are off to the Egyptian to see the premiere of Anvil: The Story of Anvil.

First, Keanu Reeves steps up in front of the audience to “present” the movie, then the Director says a few words, then … Brilliant film, and after the movie, Anvil appears and plays a few songs, and then a couple more when Scott Ian comes up to join them, as does director Sacha Gervais, who gets behind the kit for a song, and Shelley and I are in the movie theatre, bangin’ our head, goin’ “Metal on Metal!”

Easter hits, we have ourselves a nice dinner, and I give Shelley a little Elizabeth McGrath Easter present which kinda matches the previous little V-Day present.

Then on the 17^th, it’s off to the Academy to see a screening of 8 ½. Very cool seeing that film on the big screen, and a very kind of upscale Hollywood artsy crowd in attendance. So we had to balance that scene out with a late night dinner at Carney’s. Hot Dogs and Hamburgers, hooray.

April 18^th, Record Store Day. So – it’s off to Necromance for Shelley, and off to Amoeba for me, where I pick up a few nice circles of vinyl and leave a little poorer, but happy.

Sunday, we stop in at Porto’s for a nice little brunch, and then It’s hanging out with Tina and Nathan fro dinner at Fab’s on the 21^st.

The 23^rd, we stop by The Pass studios, where a certain rock band is recording, meet up with K. who takes Shelley and I out for dinner down the street.

Sunday the 26^th, it’s Pet Adoption day – the big Best Friends Pet Adoption at Westchester Park. We get there close to 7 am, drive the little cart around, loading and unloading crates and pets and boxes and dog food… lots and lots of dog food… and then leave, exhausted and aching and happily satisfied, by 7 pm.

April 28th, we try out Umami Burger, and man – them burgers are good!

The 30^th, and it’s off to Damon’s – dining for a cause. Proceeds of the meals go towards Project Angel Food, so our steaks and chi-chi’s are even more enjoyable.

May hits, and on Saturday the 2^nd, I get to play DJ at Meltdown Comics for Steven’s “Gag Me With A Toon II” show. Some great art, some great people, and I did my best to throw down the great tunes. Tunes for the toons. It was all pretty much revolving around a demented 80’s theme, so I did a good job, or so I’ve heard.

It’s always fun playing DJ – hopefully I’ll get to do it again, somewhere – sometime – we’re there from 6:30 until just after 11, and then meet up with Tina and Nathan at Fred 62 for the late night mac ‘n’ cheese balls.

By this point, I’m almost actively searching for new band possibilities, and there are mutterings and whispers, but nothing definite, but after going back and forth, I’ve pretty much realized that I am not yet ready or willing to call it quits. I need the music, and I’m not going to let some idiot convince me that it’s over. So – more on this as it happens, but I’m actually feeling some good positive feelings about some of the possibilities… we’ll see. I just want a band that will make me feel as good as playing with BNC did….