May 28, 2006
“What are you, retarded!” This became a running joke as members of the band Aviso’Hara came to the beach house to describe their hotel party the night before. It seemed that, at 4:00 or so, they all wanted to go swimming. Of course this prompted several complaints from other hotel guests and the night manager came to see what was going on.
He pulled Aviso drummer Benny aside and asked, “What are you guys doing? Can’t you see the pool is closed? Wasn’t the closed sign and the lock enough of a hint?” To which Benny replied, “I’m sorry, we’re just a bunch of retards.” And the manager said, “You say the word retarded one more time and you’re going to jail mister!” He was serious too!
This not only inspired many jokes whenever anyone uttered the word ‘retarded’, it prompted housemate Jared to search the web for actual weird laws. He found things like, “In Kentucky it is OK to beat your wife but no more than twice a month.” In Minnesota, “It is illegal to have sex with a live fish.” And in Virginia, “It is illegal to use an elephant to plow cotton fields.”
As the day at the beach went on, we attracted the most people ever to the house. From the street level to the roof deck, the house was packed with festive festers having a grand old time. There were new faces, old friends, sunshine, booze and laughter. This was a good day. Plus Jim made us all chili dogs for lunch.
I was super impressed with how clean we’d been keeping the house despite the number of people coming and going and the amount of food, beer and whatnot being consumed. Although Margo and Caroline would say they felt the place was starting to smell like feet and ass. They were probably right, but I honestly didn’t notice. Could it have been my feet and ass? Oh my!
During the course of one particular clean-up mode, I found a lighter. On it was the name ‘Jody’ on one side and ‘Rules’ on the other in nail polish. Jody, originally from Syracuse and now living in Chapel Hill, had been part of our after party the night before. She tags her lighters to avoid losing them. So I thought I should return it when I saw her later that night.
When I saw Jody, she was so happy with my consideration in returning her lighter that she asked me to keep it instead. My only task was to keep her abreast of the lighter’s whereabouts and goings-on. So far I have a few images of the lighter at the beach house and my apartment in Hoboken (click here). The adventure continues.
At the Soapbox:
Slow Wire had to cancel last minute due to a construction emergency at singer Dave Urbano’s home in New Jersey. Apparently a sink that was being installed in an upstairs bathroom had sprung a leak and was now threatening serious damage to the kitchen below.
Now the opening spot was handed to Dan Skinner (aka Sabado Domingo). Dan was one of the guys to play the very first night of the very first W.E. Fest back in 1996. He is a mindful, intellegent songwriter who is well aware of the world and our place in it. He had been wondering lately about all of these country singers claiming that American musicians are just not ‘patriotic’ enough.
“Maybe we don’t fly flags,” he said of his fellow festers, “but Kenyata never committed genocide. Dave Jr. never took away anyone’s health insurance. W.E. Fest should be running this country.” And I replied proudly, out loud, “I’d vote for us!”
Meridith Bragg and the Terminals weave a nice quilt of mellow rock songs and atmospheric textures. This is a band that actually lives by the old adage that it’s best to know when not to play. The drummer was a particular stand-out for me with his use of different mallets, brushes and such to best fit the mood of the songs. It’s rare to find that degree of mindfulness in bands these days. Now came what would be the second super-smooth on-stage band transition.
Olivia Mancini and the Housemates is virtually the same band so what I said about the band above applies here. There are however several points that made them by far my favorite band of W.E. Fest (no ofense to anyone else). Olivia’s voice is that of a true rock spirit that loses itself in the songs which are tough, from the heart and honest. This is complimented by both subtle power of the band and the vocal harmonies from bassist Kristen Forbes.
The Sharp Things is a large band with pieces ranging from violins to trumpet to piano and more. Their sound is both sophisticated and simple, big and small at the same time and can fill a large room or tease an intimate one. It is a credit to the strength of the hooks and the skill of the players.
A group this large and diverse can make for a soundman’s nightmare. Guitarist Jim Santo confessed after the set that he was initially worried when he saw what was to be their sound check. Literally nothing more than a pluck, beat or blurp from each player and they were done. However he knew they had nothing to worry about once the set began the house and stage were handed a near perfect sound.
In usual W.E. Fest fashion, I finally got to meet Jim Santo—who is also a long-standing NYC based music writer—by driving all the way to NC. I had known of Jim for years thru his Demo Universe reviews and our many email communications. What happened next was funny and had been happening to me all week.
After a few moments of talking we both realized that Jim breifly thought I was another Stephen Bailey. It turns out that there is a musician that now lives in Wilmington with my name. I hate having such a common name sometimes. Anyway, after I said, “Oh no, I’m the one from Hoboken and the band Ya-Ne-Zniyoo,” we hugged and had a good strong laugh.
Skyline Rodeo rocked us with convulsive pop blended with percussive and melodic tunes. Despite, or perhaps because of, their many influences they have a sound that is distinctive, brisk and fun. They’ve also got an ingenious way to make a normally boring part of any set more entertaining. While they were tuning up, they triggered a sample of game show music.
Sparks Fly From A Kiss is a project that I have seen in just about every one of its variations since their inception. Over the years their sound has always impressed me with its delicate vigor. A myriad of styles blends into a truly unique mix. And now the group is about to go thru another serious change as guitarist, vocalist and key creative contirbutor Ralph Nicastro leaves to persue a new life in California. Everyne in the crowd who had seen them before agreed that this was their best set ever.
Speaking to the other members, especially guitarist, vocalist Johnny Sex, I was assured that this is not technically the end. Still none of them seem to really be sure of what is coming next. Johnny handed me a CDr of the band’s latest recordings that he had in his car. No matter what becomes of the group—name change, personnel change, etc.—I just hope that they release these tracks.
After the Show:
This had been a rainy day and night so I was not really into sitting on the beach. Instead a few of us walked over to another house of festers on the harbor about a quarter mile away. Their neighbors were not as cool as ours so we had to sit inside. The conversation would, as usual, turn to music. In particular reminiscing about W.E. Fest bands of the past.
The Heavy Metal debate started up briefly again as veteran fester Ziggy laid out his definition of the two distinct vocal styles. Toad and Frog. Toad is that guttural, throaty rumble and frog is the more faux-operatic hollering.
We also touched upon Christian music and those who do it in a way that is neither preachy or even obvious. For example U2, Evenescense and our very own Clang Quartet. This prompted a story about Scotty Irving’s personal convictions. He was playing in a club in Ashville as Clang Quartet when the members of perenial noise legends Einstuerzende Neubauten walked in.
They were so impressed with Scotty’s work that they offered him passes to their show. Scotty, despite being a huge fan and extremely honored by the invitation, had to graciously decline because he was teaching a bible study group the next day. I may not agree with the religion he has chosen, but I cannot deny his commitment and strength of character. I would have taken the tickets.
