Pie Hole V

Triptych. Ink sketch. Ball point pen on clean room paper.

Pie Hole IV

Triptych. Ink sketch. Ball point pen on clean room paper.

Official Announcement

Okay, here is my official declaration. After twenty years of working in factories, I am proud to announce that I no longer do that. I have accepeted a full time teaching position. Everything has worked together in a most amazing way and I have been afforded the incredible oportunity to become both an art teacher and a music teacher. Yes, for those who don't know, for the last twenty years while I've been playing in bands and theater productions, publishing articles, showing in galleries, designing book covers, and going to school... I've had to support my family by working factory jobs. Well, today was my last day! I left my factory job today and I am embarking on an entirely new career. I can't begin to tell you how emotional this is for me. I'm literally overwhelmed. I've been simultaneously elated and depressed. Isn't that strange? It's hard to describe and understand. I've had so much happen lately that I've been on an emotional roller coaster. I know this is all for the best, but wow... Special thanks to my dearest: my wife Chris, my boys Zane and Ian, and my dear friends, Kate and Kevin Johnson, Andy Delgado, Frank D' Angelo, Eliot Hillis, and Chris and Val Tallent. I love you.

Pie Hole III

Triptych. Ink sketch. Ball point pen on clean room paper.

Pie Hole II

Triptych. Ink sketch. Ball point pen on clean room paper.

Pie Hole I

Triptych. Ink sketch. Ball point pen on clean room paper.

Cereal

Triptych. Ink sketch. Ball point pen on clean room paper.

Adios Muchachos

Triptych. Ink sketch. Ball point pen on clean room paper.

Very Arizona

Triptych. Ink sketch. Ball point pen on clean room paper.

Ken's Holiday

Triptych. Ink sketch. Ball point pen on clean room paper.

Remote

Triptych. Ink sketch. Ball point pen on clean room paper.

Big Show

Triptych. Ink sketch. Ball point pen on clean room paper.

Mystery Lesson

Triptych. Ink sketch on paper. Who says everything on this blog has to be about drumming anyway?

Writing

For some reason Frank decided to put this on his web site. It's me going over a transcription of one of our songs. I look very musical counting measures, don't you think?

Me 'N" Tony

There's me and Tony Chadwick, owner of Po' Boy Drums, at the "Drummin' For Lou" fundraiser for the ALS Foundation.

Way Back Stage

Here's something people don't often post: the rest room at the last place you gigged (maybe I'll make it a regular feature). Yes, this is the Men's Room at The Toad Tavern. Right there on the entrance to the stall is a poster for the Po' Boy Show! I was good enough to take the picture when nobody was actually using the restroom.

Back Stage

Here's a shot from back stage at The Toad Tavern (well, side stage really, because they don't actually have a back stage per se', but anyway, you get the idea) from the "Drummin' For Lou" benefit show. That's a lot of drums. Even more drums on the other side of the stage.

Toad Stage

Here's a lovely view of the stage at The Toad Tavern in Littleton, Colorado. Of course it had a lot of drums on it when I was there last weekend. There was also a big monitor next to my head which managed to thump my brain pretty good. There were people there as well, so this photo is misleading. After my performance, I stood at the end of that bar you see in the foreground and drank a beer. Hooray for me. Hooray for beer. Hooray for The Toad Tavern.

New Zappa DVD

Okay, it's not my goal to advertise on this blog. None the less, I'm going to promote this DVD - And I haven't even bought it yet! The reason I can so highly recommend it is this: way back in the 1980's this concert was simulcast on MTV and "Star fleet Radio". Somebody recorded it and I bought it because I am a Zappa devotee. I've watched this concert countless times and I've been waiting forever for the Zappa Family Trust to remaster this and release it to the public. This is a fantastic show. It's the Tinsel Town Rebellion and You Are What You Is material, so it has stuff like Doreen, Teenage Wind, Mud Club, Beauty Knows No Pain, and the definitive live performance of Stevie's Spanking. Steve Vai has blue streaks in his hair, Tommy Mars wears a tie dyed cave man shirt, Chad Wackerman looks about 12 years old, and Bobby Martin sings really high. My video is only the second set and it appears this DVD is both sets, so this is a must have.

Cymbals!

Here's a cool thing. Last Saturday I went to The Toad Tavern to practice a bit before my clinic. I got the drums all set and Tony told me to grab my pick of the cymbals he'd brought down. So I set up a nice array: 20" dark ride, 17" thin crash, 16" dark crash, 14" hats, and a 10" splash. OMG! These cymbals were amazing. The ride has a heavy, dark ring to it. The crashes have a short sustain, but they cut through bright and edgy. The splash has a weird trashy tone that I like. Actually I think the thing that stands out the most to me are the cymbal bells. They have a really unique timber. Even on the crashes, I can ride the bells and the tone is bright, clear, and clarion. Bottom line? I love this gear. So anyway, I played the clinic and when I was done I asked Tony what he wants me to do with the cymbals to set up for the Dave Nezat clinic and he tells me to just keep them! I gotta be careful, I could really get comfortable with this kind of treatment.

Home Again

Well, I am home again after a thoroughly amazing weekend. I got to premier the new Po' Boy line. I got to teach. I got to meet wonderful people, and I had some of the most amazing moments of my career. Special props to Dave Nezat. It's awesome when someone who plays a totally different style from you, digs what you do and teaches you something new at the same time. Dave is a New Orleans, second line, zydeco, funk, groove monster! I am honored to have shared a stage with this master. When someone like that compliments your playing, it's hard to not be humbled. Tony and the whole Po' Boy gang really know how to treat you right! I had an absolute blast and that drum kit is just phenomenal, not to mention the cymbals! OMG this gear is really the s***! I will definitely frame that poster and hang it in my studio. Tony and I have been discussing future endeavors so check back, I believe there are some interesting projects in the works! You know what else?... Special thanks to The Toad Tavern. What an awesome club. Those guys did us right. And most importantly we raised over $5000 for the Denver ALS Foundation! What a time.