Well, I'm headed off to SoCal again this weekend for more Battle shows. We're expecting good crowds all the way. If you're in the area, come see the melee our way. Free food at the LA show too!
Friday 6/29 - Sportsman's Lodge, Camarillo, CA
Saturday 6/30 - Twigg's, San Diego, CA
Sunday 7/1 - Molly Malone's, Los Angeles, CA
For a preview check out the site at www.RomanticallyDysfunctional.com
Friday, June 29, 2007
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Why Radio Sucks...
Besides the fact that you rarely hear a good song on there these days...
http://www.mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=101210
Now, really. I understand being in business. I understand making as much money as you can using your power and resources. I don't understand not playing by the rules and jacking the little guy out of his pittance. Truthfully, radio royalities don't amount to much. The bigger money from the SRO's is in visual media. TV mostly. Film if you're shown in other countries.
I simply don't play with big radio. They're ONLY concern is selling ads to play for you. That's it. No art. They'll switch formats on a dime to whatever will get them more advertising revenue. That's fine. Doesn't mean I have to play.
Who am I kidding... They're not going to play "Lying Cheating Whore"...
http://www.mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=101210
Now, really. I understand being in business. I understand making as much money as you can using your power and resources. I don't understand not playing by the rules and jacking the little guy out of his pittance. Truthfully, radio royalities don't amount to much. The bigger money from the SRO's is in visual media. TV mostly. Film if you're shown in other countries.
I simply don't play with big radio. They're ONLY concern is selling ads to play for you. That's it. No art. They'll switch formats on a dime to whatever will get them more advertising revenue. That's fine. Doesn't mean I have to play.
Who am I kidding... They're not going to play "Lying Cheating Whore"...
Monday, June 25, 2007
Off my game...
You ever have one of those days (weeks...) where you just can't seem to get it right? You know how to do what you do, but for some reason the connection isn't being made.
That's where I'm at right now. My last few shows haven't gone as well as I'd like for some reason. I think maybe I've been too uptight about them. Not just getting into the groove and feeling it. I don't know. The connection is missing between me and the audience somewhere and I'm doing my best to get it back.
I'll pop out of this at the Purple Onion on Wednesday night. Can't miss. :)
That's where I'm at right now. My last few shows haven't gone as well as I'd like for some reason. I think maybe I've been too uptight about them. Not just getting into the groove and feeling it. I don't know. The connection is missing between me and the audience somewhere and I'm doing my best to get it back.
I'll pop out of this at the Purple Onion on Wednesday night. Can't miss. :)
Friday, June 15, 2007
Gigged with Jen Kober
Did a great gig with Jen Kober last night at Tommy T's in Pleasanton. Very nice of her to get me a guest set.
Jen is always hilarious. If you haven't heard her yet, check out www.KoberComedy.com
Jen is always hilarious. If you haven't heard her yet, check out www.KoberComedy.com
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Milpitas Post
The Milpitas Post (my hometown paper) ran a nice profile on me today.
http://www.themilpitaspost.com/arts/ci_6132251
You'll notice there's nothing in there about all the Milpitas jokes I start my shows with. :)
http://www.themilpitaspost.com/arts/ci_6132251
You'll notice there's nothing in there about all the Milpitas jokes I start my shows with. :)
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Interview and Influence
I did an interview for a profile in the Milpitas Post last night. It'll be out on Thursday and I'm very excited about it. Hometown paper and all. :)
And in talking about myself for an hour (yeesh), I started thinking about the shows I've seen that really influenced me. My favorites were always the ones that leave you completely drained at the end.
One of the earliest I can remember is Bill Cosby: Himself. Saw it on cable. I was young, but I don't remember exactly what age. We use "rofl" pretty liberally on the internet these days, but during that show that's exactly what I was doing. Literally rolling around on the floor laughing so hard I couldn't breathe. "The Dentist" is still bit that is often quoted in my family. Absolutely classic and one of the funniest bits ever written.
When I was 19 or so I saw Savatage at a place called One Step Beyond. I was a metal head at the time and into their music. But the energy of the show was over the top. They had a great rapport with the audience. And the place was so packed that my feet literally didn't touch the floor for two hours. We were packed up against that stage like sardines. Fun then. Not sure I'd be too into that now. :)
I saw Carrot Top at two different county fair shows. By the end of the show my face hurt from laughing so much. Poor ol' CT is much maligned among comedians, but there was no denying how ambitious, energetic, creative his shows were. I've got his live Veagas DVD and it doesn't translate somehow. But those fair shows were over the top and I was exhausted by the end.
My favorite all time performer is Prince. But to me his shows are a different experience. It's a listening experience. I'm sure the front row fans are getting a much larger wash of energy than the cheap seat people like me. I never been exhausted after a Prince show. Exhilerated for sure. But it's a different experience.
Last year when we shot our DVD at the Hoover Theater I talked to audience members after the show. People were coming out of there out of breath drenched in sweat, and looking like they'd just been through at two hour workout at the gym. They told me they danced til they couldn't anymore. They told me their cheeks hurt from laughing. They told me they needed water because they felt dehydrated. Amazing. That's what I always want to do. I haven't been able to sustain that over a string of performances yet, but it's coming. I'm still developing as a performer.
But mark my words, one day a Roadside Attraction tool will be seen as a worthwhile and effective way to lose weight. :)
And in talking about myself for an hour (yeesh), I started thinking about the shows I've seen that really influenced me. My favorites were always the ones that leave you completely drained at the end.
One of the earliest I can remember is Bill Cosby: Himself. Saw it on cable. I was young, but I don't remember exactly what age. We use "rofl" pretty liberally on the internet these days, but during that show that's exactly what I was doing. Literally rolling around on the floor laughing so hard I couldn't breathe. "The Dentist" is still bit that is often quoted in my family. Absolutely classic and one of the funniest bits ever written.
When I was 19 or so I saw Savatage at a place called One Step Beyond. I was a metal head at the time and into their music. But the energy of the show was over the top. They had a great rapport with the audience. And the place was so packed that my feet literally didn't touch the floor for two hours. We were packed up against that stage like sardines. Fun then. Not sure I'd be too into that now. :)
I saw Carrot Top at two different county fair shows. By the end of the show my face hurt from laughing so much. Poor ol' CT is much maligned among comedians, but there was no denying how ambitious, energetic, creative his shows were. I've got his live Veagas DVD and it doesn't translate somehow. But those fair shows were over the top and I was exhausted by the end.
My favorite all time performer is Prince. But to me his shows are a different experience. It's a listening experience. I'm sure the front row fans are getting a much larger wash of energy than the cheap seat people like me. I never been exhausted after a Prince show. Exhilerated for sure. But it's a different experience.
Last year when we shot our DVD at the Hoover Theater I talked to audience members after the show. People were coming out of there out of breath drenched in sweat, and looking like they'd just been through at two hour workout at the gym. They told me they danced til they couldn't anymore. They told me their cheeks hurt from laughing. They told me they needed water because they felt dehydrated. Amazing. That's what I always want to do. I haven't been able to sustain that over a string of performances yet, but it's coming. I'm still developing as a performer.
But mark my words, one day a Roadside Attraction tool will be seen as a worthwhile and effective way to lose weight. :)
Friday, June 8, 2007
Spice Girls Reunion?
http://www.mirror.co.uk/showbiz/3am/2007/06/06/spice-world-tour-89520-19251590/
Just read this article in the Mirror about a Spice Girl's reunion... Um.... why? And they're each going to get 5 million pounds for the deal, so we know what's in it for them. I just can't believe some sucker is going to sink that much money into it.
Isn't this kind of like getting Menudo back together? Are we going to see a Pussycat Dolls reunion 10 years after they break up?
I love the part in the article that says they're greatest hits record is "sure to sell millions of copies". Suuuuure.... Since only one CD has passed the million mark so far this year, I wouldn't bet on that.
I know Europeans are more open minded about music than we Americans, but I hope they're not tasteless as well. That would be a shame.
It's a big money grab and I fear it's much to late for them. Could we at least push someone talented on the public?
Just read this article in the Mirror about a Spice Girl's reunion... Um.... why? And they're each going to get 5 million pounds for the deal, so we know what's in it for them. I just can't believe some sucker is going to sink that much money into it.
Isn't this kind of like getting Menudo back together? Are we going to see a Pussycat Dolls reunion 10 years after they break up?
I love the part in the article that says they're greatest hits record is "sure to sell millions of copies". Suuuuure.... Since only one CD has passed the million mark so far this year, I wouldn't bet on that.
I know Europeans are more open minded about music than we Americans, but I hope they're not tasteless as well. That would be a shame.
It's a big money grab and I fear it's much to late for them. Could we at least push someone talented on the public?
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
The Living Room Bootleg Series
I'm working on a new series of acoustic tracks called the Living Room Bootleg Series - From my living room to your's. Once a month I'll be sending out a special MP3 featuring an acoustic version of a song, plus some discussion about what it's about and why I wrote it.
The first one will be released later today, so watch for it!
The first one will be released later today, so watch for it!
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Avoid ATT / Cingular / SBC like the plague it is...
Ok, so I haven't really gotten around to the comedy music stuff to much on this blog. But eventually. :)
My cell phone broke... again... over the weekend. Just a couple months ago, AT and T had to send me a replacement for another phone that broke. Not through any fault of mine. Wasn't dropped or anything. And of course they jerk you out of $50 to send you a new (refurbished) phone. Even though getting a new phone is only about $70.
But ok, so I did it. They send me the phone and it breaks again. So today I call them. I tell them that the display freaked out and it looks like it has burn marks on it. That bad. Not only do they want to jack me out of $50 again, but they also want to remove the insurance. Apparently you're not allowed to have more than two replacement phones within 12 months. Even though it was their fault they sent me a crappy phone. So whatever, the request goes through.
After talking with my dad about it (we have a family plan), we decide to cancel the replacement and just take our business elsewhere. So I call them and they tell me there's no way to cancel a request once it's gone through. With all the wonders of computer technology, they can't figure out how to cancel a request? Really? Send a damn carrier pigeon if you have to. So they were perfectly fine with me telling them I'd take it to small claims court.
I also told them this is exactly the kind of reason I sold my stock in the company. Every step of the way, whether cell, residential, service, or dsl... this company has been a thorn in my side and nothing but trouble.
At the end of one call I had to make about residential service the guys says... "Thank you for choosing AT&T." I said, "Yeah? Did I really have a choice? Is there another phone company I can get in this area?" "Uh, no." came the reply.
So, I encourage you all to just say "Uh, no." to ATT.
My cell phone broke... again... over the weekend. Just a couple months ago, AT and T had to send me a replacement for another phone that broke. Not through any fault of mine. Wasn't dropped or anything. And of course they jerk you out of $50 to send you a new (refurbished) phone. Even though getting a new phone is only about $70.
But ok, so I did it. They send me the phone and it breaks again. So today I call them. I tell them that the display freaked out and it looks like it has burn marks on it. That bad. Not only do they want to jack me out of $50 again, but they also want to remove the insurance. Apparently you're not allowed to have more than two replacement phones within 12 months. Even though it was their fault they sent me a crappy phone. So whatever, the request goes through.
After talking with my dad about it (we have a family plan), we decide to cancel the replacement and just take our business elsewhere. So I call them and they tell me there's no way to cancel a request once it's gone through. With all the wonders of computer technology, they can't figure out how to cancel a request? Really? Send a damn carrier pigeon if you have to. So they were perfectly fine with me telling them I'd take it to small claims court.
I also told them this is exactly the kind of reason I sold my stock in the company. Every step of the way, whether cell, residential, service, or dsl... this company has been a thorn in my side and nothing but trouble.
At the end of one call I had to make about residential service the guys says... "Thank you for choosing AT&T." I said, "Yeah? Did I really have a choice? Is there another phone company I can get in this area?" "Uh, no." came the reply.
So, I encourage you all to just say "Uh, no." to ATT.
Monday, June 4, 2007
Freedom Writers
I've just finished watching the film Freedom Writers. Even though I saw the trailer before it was out, I missed it in the theaters. Thanks be to Netflix. :)
If you haven't seen this movie, go get it right now. It's not just a feel good movie about a teacher motivating her students. Go watch the Bad News Bears for that. This is a film about trying to understand each other. Not just the students, but the teacher as well. As a white person learning to understand why there are racial tensions. And learning that while it's justifiable, it doesn't mean it has to continue. And that learning about the past can fix part of the present.
The subplot of her marriage problems is important as well. When one person has found the reason they exist and pursues it, it can be difficult on the one who hasn't yet found their purpose.
Just as you might educate yourself by watching Schindler's List or reading the Diary of Anne Frank, you should also watch Freedom Writers.
If you haven't seen this movie, go get it right now. It's not just a feel good movie about a teacher motivating her students. Go watch the Bad News Bears for that. This is a film about trying to understand each other. Not just the students, but the teacher as well. As a white person learning to understand why there are racial tensions. And learning that while it's justifiable, it doesn't mean it has to continue. And that learning about the past can fix part of the present.
The subplot of her marriage problems is important as well. When one person has found the reason they exist and pursues it, it can be difficult on the one who hasn't yet found their purpose.
Just as you might educate yourself by watching Schindler's List or reading the Diary of Anne Frank, you should also watch Freedom Writers.
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