GFW 2009 at Maxwell’s, Hoboken

On April 9, we gathered for a good cause. This was an amazing night filled with great music and fun for a really important cause.


This was an amazing night. I’m so happy to have been a part of it, even if it was just a small part compared to what my buddy Nelson Pla pulled off. In no short order, he conceived and executed this night virtually single handed. I’m not downplaying the efforts of others, but to do what he did having never done it before is pretty amazing.

It had been his dream for a while to do a special show on his birthday.

Did I mention 4/9 was his birthday? No? Well it was.

He first started tossing around the idea of having a benefit show a few months ago. But who would be the beneficiaries. He wanted it to center around human rights issues, and the usual suspects came into his sights (you know who they are). Then he thought that none of these big names really need any help, nor are they likely to be very helpful when dealing with an unknown promoter.

His search brought him to Global Fund for Women. They’re not a small organization by any means, but they’re not a household name either. Right from the start Nelson felt a chemistry with them and could sense their enthusiasm. With that part of the puzzle in place, now came the task of finding performers and a venue.

Maxwell’s (1039 Washington St, Hoboken) was Nelson’s first choice. Partly for it’s historic status in the NYC rock scene, partly for the convenience in proximity to his home base just a few miles away. To get there, he needed to convince Todd Abramson (long-time booker/part owner) that he had a lineup that guaranteed a large crowd. This is no easy task.

Anyone who has ever been involved with the NYC area music scene knows it is a fickle mistress with extreme ADD. You can book a show, promote the hell out of it and get all sorts of positive RSVPs only to be thwarted by some other dozen shows that come to town on that same night.

Nelson’s plan was simple and brilliant. Book a local band with a hometown following that will come to see them no matter what. Then, spice up the night with special guest performers that will pull in the curious and old-school fans. Top it off with an emcee with his own following and toss in some raffle prizes for good luck.


Click for more photos

The plan worked. The show was a great success.

In the role of emcee we had DJ Tico Clavero of FJSRadio.com. With a sharp wit and a command of the mic, he kept the show moving. The music began with a stripped-down but still aggressive set from G-Spot. This was followed by what I called Nelson’s Bag O’ Tricks. On the bill as clueLess (his acoustic project with his brother Josep Pla), they were essentially the house band for a parade of guests doing classic covers. The set up was larger and louder than usual.

The House Band:
Nelson Pla (clueLess) – Drums/Voclas
Josep Pla (clueLess) – Guitar
Jeff Slate (The Badge) – Guitar/Vocals
Rob Simpson (Kagero) – Bass
Allison Tartalia – Keyboards

The parade of guests included Collette McLafferty (edibleRed), Lloyd Gold (Lloyd United), Myke Hideous (Empire Hideous), Alex Alexander (Dido, Eminem, Chaka Kahn), Steve Holley (Wings, Ian Hunter, Joe Cocker), Christopher Gwinn (The Badge) and Ted Mason (Modern English).

A couple of highlights for me were:

The tambourine Steve Holley was playing on the cover of ‘Baby You’re a Rich Man’ was the tambourine that was used on the original recording. I teased Nelson, asking if he’d get to keep it. After all, it was his birthday.

Ted Mason can shred on the guitar. Playfully mocking American fans for only ever wanting to hear ‘Melt with You’, he then turned the classic ditty into an all out jam. Squealing leads and a popped string totally put the song into a new light for me.

Following this amazingly fun cavalcade of hits came Hoboken’s own The Fave. People used to tease them about the name (i won’t say who … you know who you are). Yet, as they continue to grow and expand their sound and songs, more than ever they truly are a local fave.

This was a fun night for a great cause. Emails from the Global Fund for Women show how proud they were of the event and of Nelson’s (and everyone’s) hard work. I can’t wait until next year which, if the rumors are correct, should be even bigger and better.

See Also:
Photo Gallery
Global Fund for Women
Maxwell’s
clueLess
The Badge
Kagero
Allison Tartalia
edibleRed
Lloyd United
Myke Hideous
Alex Alexander
Steve Holley
Modern English


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