Julie Slick: She is My New Hat

ETA: Hurrah! My latest book, "Daddy Left Me Alone with God" is now available on Kindle! Here's the link! And um, just a heads up that my current NaNo project (National Novel Writing Month - a 50,000 word novel written during the month of November, as in RIGHT NOW) is the sequel, which will bring you all up to date on these *cough* "fictional" characters as well as introducing you to a couple of new ones (and to use the word characters is putting it mildly)...

So yeah, the ABPT is in Russia right now, doing two shows with Eddie Jobson, and some interesting stuff has popped up. But first, here are some photographs of the show in Perm last night, courtesy of my "lifeline", Andre Cholmondeley.

Here they are at soundcheck:













In concert:













With Eddie Jobson for Lark's Tongue:



Final bow:



Also, there's this mention in The Moscow News, and I'll just pull out some quotes; click on the link for the whole article, which, erm, isn't quite accurate as you will see:

"To the dismay of some fans, the legendary British progressive rock band itself isn't actually taking part in the fest, but one of King Crimson's current members - singer and guitarist Adrian Belew - is to perform with his side project, the Adrian Belew Power Trio. Their set is expected to be the fest's main highlight. Belew, who has been a King Crimson member since the band was formed by guitarist Robert Fripp and drummer Michael Giles in 1969, is known for participation in many other projects. And while King Crimson is currently in a phase of semi-activity, Belew has been quite focused on touring and recording with his trio.

The trio, which also includes bassist Julie Slick and drummer Eric Slick, has been around since 2006, touring the United States, Europe and Australia. It put out its debut studio album with the title "e" earlier this year, "an extended suite in five distinct but interrelated sections", according to Belew.

Material from the album is likely to be performed in Moscow, as it was at the band's previous shows this year. A reviewer for The Buffalo News described their show last September as featuring a "lyrical, classical introduction", "bits of industrial near-metal, African polyrhythmic motifs" and "a purely ‘free' section of improvisation", observing that it triggered a "visceral and chaotic" response from the audience."

When I took a look at Eddie Jobson's forum board to see if there were any reviews from the Perm show last night, I struck out, but I did find this (and speaking of Andre, there's some really nice and well-deserved comments made on his behalf):

Adrian Belew Power trio
Author: gogo
Date: 10-13-09 22:16

-------- OK----------
"May I suggest that EVERYONE
who has a chance to go see this band
----------------------------GO FOR IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I knew nothing of the man,
his band, or his music,
other than DISCIPLINE
when I was in grade 10
and what I read of the Eddie Russia festival..........
(which is all VERY cool)

And for whatever reason,
too wrapped-up in stuff
to discover this music..........

And also that our friend
and fellow EJ Forum member
Andre Cholmondeley is their Tour manager........

So, my house-building buddy
Tony Thompson bought a pile of tickets
and handed them out to his friends
and I wasn't going to go over to Vancouver
on my first non-gigging weekend in a while.......

And I emailed Andre, and I say YEAH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tracy-Lyn was wrapped-up in making
a HUGE Thanksgiving Dinner for the gang here
and I said "I will blast over to this show and be back early tomorrow"
....and use the opportunity to pick-up
the violin that I just inherited from Uncle Tony
(another post, another story)......and
our dear friend ROSE decided to go over
for the trip as a sit in.........also YEAH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So we hit the 3pm ferry
and my old guitarist Randal Frew
picked us up..and we went to his place
......and hearing him play was worth the trip alone

....but his cat scratched Rosie...

Then, we hit the downtown
and yap with the cats in the line-up
and move into the front row
..really neat room, black, tall ceiling.....cool club......

we got to chit chat with Andre a bit
(super cool guy...and THANK YOU)
and it was a trip to see how busy he is
and how well he treats and represents his band.

Tour managers are more rare than keyboard players
and worth more than GOLD in the modern rock world.
The guy I work with is basicly irreplaceable.
I have seen very smart and cool men literally
loose their minds as tour managers.

The work-load does not let-up,
and the responsibilities are everywhere.
And it can be very thankless......cos
nobody sees a fraction of what actually goes on.

It takes an extremely reasonable, unflappable
and diversely talented person to tour manage a rock band.
Andre treats people well, and represents his act
very respectfully.

So this says volumes for our friend Andre.
Totally cool...proud to know you, man.



OK, so I did have some preconceived notions
of what this show would be all about......
and it was all good..of course......

But forget all that........
I was totally knocked out..amazed and had an total
full-out riot.

YOU HAVE TO SEE THESE CATS.

Julie Slick
.....She is my new hat

She is great.
I can not get her off of my mind
LOVE YOU Julie Slick.

I was right in front of
the beautiful bass player
and MAN ! she GOES FOR IT
the whole time....excellent !!!!!!!!!!!

Great fuzz bass..a million riffs...
I guess this is called Prog Rock
cos there were a lot of guys,
dressed in black
some with arms folded
and all smiling........

But I call it art rock
so we jjust spazzed out a lot

This is the floor
where a guy fell
unconscious
at Rosie's feet

Poor Rosie.
One minute he is staring at her
and next thing, he hits the floor.

I get to see tons of bands
but never as much fun as this.

This is total wild fun full-out music
and wild to dance to
cos it goes everywhere !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is the most fun I have had since UKZ.

Can you imagine these guys opening for the Eddies in Russia ?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

The band did huge at merch,
stuck around, signed stuff,
my friends were thrilled
to meet the band
....very freindly, a total 100% class act.

I have never heard music like this before.
I understand it, but I would never think to write
and arrange like that.

There were great dynamic open spots for crowd howls.......just a riot.

RAA-DA-DA-DA-DA-DA-DA-DA

----WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO !!!!!!!

RAA-DA-DA-DA-DA-DA-DA-DA

----WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO !!!!!!!

RAA-DA-DA-DA-DA-DA-DA-DA

----WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO !!!!!!!

If they play anywhere near your town
....you GOTTA go see this act..........

The best fun to be had.

I would go again..and again........

I LOVE IT.
and THANK YOU
love
GOGO"
*******

Re: Adrian Belew Power trio
Author: Dusty
Date: 10-13-09 23:39

"These guys played nowhere near me but I saw them in NYC recently - first time I saw Adrian with the Slick Siblings, killing band.

Ade sits betwixt the Slicks
Ade sits betwixt the Slicks
Ade sits betwixt the Slicks

...eh, on a big, springy stool... amongst an array of technology and sound reinforcement, and black boxes with flashing lights. The rest of the power trio have comparitively spare, minimal set-ups. Bass sound is aggressive, plenty of attack and very clear. I like it a lot. And drummer played a brief but inspired, and very musical solo.

Luckily, the guy sitting opposite me at the Belew gig was an Eddie fan and saw both the UKZ show and the U-Z gig at the same venue the week or so before...."

******

Reply To This Message

Re: Adrian Belew Power trio
Author: gogo
Date: 10-14-09 11:19

"Dusty !
great review !!!!!!!
you loved it too !
just as I doooooo !

Yes, i never mentioned how HEAVY this band is.
Excellent rock, so totally fun.

I love being so surprised
and having such a gas
..a rare rare thing.....

love
Gogo"

******

Reply To This Message

Re: Adrian Belew Power trio
Author: gogo
Date: 10-19-09 10:06

"So, the corporate gig this weekend
turned out to be a pub at a Technical Institute,
unadvertised.....and great to have anything
as winter looms on the horizon.....I suppose.

The driver went into a rave review
of the Adrian Power Trio gig
that he attended in Calgary Alberta.

He chatted away,
with no connection,
until this topic came up.........

Everyone LOVES that band !

love
Gogo"
*****

Reply To This Message

Re: Adrian Belew Power trio
Author: Mike Piazza
Date: 10-22-09 07:39

"WOW !
Love the Adrian Belew Power Trio !!!
Seen them multiple times and always a great show !!!
They are geting better and better every day !

Thanks so much for the great posts GOGO....

If you all get the chance to see them....Do so !
You will definitely enjoy........

They are some of the most down to earth musicians you've ever met !
And they truly enjoy performing for us...every single time !

Peace...

Mikey P"
******

Reply To This Message

Re: Adrian Belew Power trio
Author: Lenny
Date: 10-22-09 09:51

An interview with Julie Slick
******

Reply To This Message

Re: Adrian Belew Power trio
Author: gogo
Date: 10-29-09 11:00

"A great interview !!!

She is wonderful !

The conversation gets better as it goes along
cos she tells some good food stories.....my kinda girl !

Love
Gogo"
******

Ha, gotta love that Gogo!

There's a a nice review of the trio's recent show in Seattle and here's a few snippets I pulled out:

"It was unusual to see the drummer perpendicular to the audience, but it gave us the opportunity to get an appreciation of Eric Slick’s incredible footwork. Adrian has a very unique sense of syncopation, but this lad never missed a beat."



..."Sister Julie Slick was masterful on the bass. And definitely the most photogenic of the group. (That must be the reason I have so many more pictures of her…)"


***********

Ha, that was fun. There's a bunch of articles about their show tonight in Moscow and the next two shows in Turkey - I will have to see if I can get them translated for my next blog post. And as I sit here typing this, Andre keeps sending me more photos so if I don't end this entry now, I may never stop!

In other news, I have had the head cold from hell, which prevented me from going to New York and reading this past Saturday, but under the category of "much better", I finished my edits for Bitten to the Core and they were accepted (whew, that's a relief!) and now it's being line edited so I guess we're right on track for publication for next month. Hurrah! You can't believe what I've decided to do in connection with its release. I can't believe it, either. I've discovered how to live stream a broadcast from my new mac right in the comfort of my living room, so I'm going to have a virtual party here. I'll read from part of the book, maybe drink some wine, introduce you to the dog, show you some cool artwork and maybe even a guitar or two...hell, I'll even play you some music. This could be a lot of fun. Assuming publication of the digital version is in fact December 7, I'm planning on doing it on Saturday night, December 12. I would normally do it that Friday, December 11, but it has come to my attention that there is something very special scheduled for that night, namely, this!

Okay, that's not a direct link. What "this" is: What is mistakenly listed as "Julie and Eric Slick Power Duo" is an error, it's actually their new band with Robbie "Seahag" Mangano, Paper Cat, and they are opening for the amazing band Julie produces, Cheers Elephant...and I can't believe they are all playing the Khyber Pass, because yeah, yeah, Gary and I used to hang at that very bar when we were Julie and Eric's age and we took them to see Richie Havens there when they were kids and I could swear someone else, too, but my brains are fried with this cold. I called Gary and asked him, and he doesn't remember, either, but he, too, has a vague recollection of another band though he did say that Eric did an AC/DC show there when he was still at the School of Rock so maybe that's what we're thinking of. (Eric, if you read this and remember, shoot me an email or a text and I'll add it in and do I believe my son is in Russia and can actually read this on his iPhone?)

Anyway, getting back to me, yeah, the virtual book release/reading party for Bitten to the Core should be lots of fun and I just realized, in a perfect world I will have the house decorated for Christmas by December 12 and it will look all festive and pretty in here (well, if I wasn't going to do it before now, I just decided I will, so hurrah, I have the much needed impetus now to start cleaning blah blah blah). But as I type this, I'm wondering if people will be home on a Saturday night right before the holidays and if I shouldn't make it on Thursday night, December 10, instead. Hmm. Well, I'll let you know...this is all contingent on the release date of my book not being pushed up, too, so I don't want to set anything in stone yet, anyway.

But how much fun will that be? Ha ha, maybe I can bribe Julie and Eric over here, too, for a little comedic/musical participation at my party... as they grit their teeth and shudder in Moscow right now reading this and not from the cold :(

Oh well, speaking of colds, it's time I rest mine and go take a nap. But yeah, tentatively circle December 12 on your calendars! And if you are anywhere near Philadelphia, see you at the Khyber Pass on December 11!

Later,
xo
P.S. I know, I know, the photography/food reviews and posts from the tour. I need Julie's help, memory, and some of her photos. So that's on hold until she gets home.

Odds and Sods for Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Good afternoon....

So you'll notice there's a new song on my playlist today, which totally freaked me out this morning when the alarm went off because my alarm is the radio and I have it tuned to XPN, and the reason it freaked me out is because????

Well, it's Al Stewart's Road to Moscow. And Moscow is where Julie and Eric are headed this very minute. It blew me away that this song was playing as I woke up. I mean, what are the odds? When is the last time you even heard that on the radio?

Yeah, so the kiddies are headed to Moscow, then Perm (also in Russia but naturally being geographically challenged I've never heard of it), then Istanbul. Poor babies. They are playing a festival with Eddie Jobson in Russia; the Turkey gigs are trio only. What a life. Julie was actually moaning "Oh man, Russia again?"

As for me, my travel days are over. At least for the time being. All I've wanted to do since I got home last week is sleep. But when I did wake up and hit the streets, I decided it's time for change.

So. New song on playlist, which in a perfect world, I'll change weekly (I know better than to promise daily)

New hair, straightened with bangs...therefore, new blogger profile photo just taken today:



Heh - obviously I've discovered Photobooth on my new mac and finally I can control the photos, damn it. I promise I'll keep my clothes on, though.

Last night we had our usual bon voyage supper at Silk City; Julie and I got there way early and enjoyed a cocktail hour of Jaded Rubies (grapefruit juice and vodka - Julie) and I forget what the hell my drink was called but it involved Jack Daniels, butternut squash, pumpkin something or other...trust me, it was great. Thanksgiving in a martini glass. We snacked on edamame beans but they don't exactly mitigate the damage of those mighty drinks; luckily the boys arrived for dinner just as our heads were about to hit the table.

It was fun. I'm going to miss those little rascals while they are on tour - I've been hanging out with them non-stop since August. But they will be home November 15 so I can deal. And then it's the holiday season, so it's all good.

Hey, I found out that my books are best sellers on Kindle. So that made my day. If you own one of those things, or an iPhone, here's the link to my "digital page" at Amazon...knock yourself out!

I notice even Another Bite of the Apple is doing well, which is good considering Part III of my "Sin in the City" (so named by my publisher on their website which was news to me but I dig it) comes out next month, provided I finish my final edits. (Kat, if you are reading this, tomorrow...I swear...you will have them...99% done). Speaking of Another Bite, I see it was recently reviewed and The Romance Studio likes it, they really like it:

"This book is the sequel of Three Days in New York. Last year, when Elizabeth, then turning 40, spent those three days in New York with Richard, from England, she went home deciding to change her life. Now, one year later, she’s not at all sure that she did the right thing. Yes, she has left her job as a corporate attorney and her husband of 20+ years, but her painting is still on the back burner and she is working herself crazy at her friend’s (Rob) restaurant, “Nana’s.” She’s in a financial disaster and her apartment looks like it’s for the unemployed—there is no elevator for the 5-story walk-up, it’s in Brooklyn, and has roaches! She has come down a long way since leaving her old life!

She has loved her boss for a long time, but he has a gorgeous girlfriend. To top it off, after leaving her ‘hanging’ for a whole year, Richard calls and he is back in New York and wants to see her. She is still mad at him, but secretly enjoys the attention that she has been lacking for so long! Then Marianne, Rob’s concert pianist girlfriend, leaves for an extended period and Rob needs some help; he promotes Elizabeth to Marianne’s position at the restaurant, and, still, Richard keeps calling!

Ms. Robin Slick has written another hilarious fast-paced tale about Elizabeth’s escapades in finding her new self! This cute, sometimes sad, story details how she is unable to tell one man NO and how she cannot tell the other one how she feels. Ms. Slick has us both laughing out loud and shedding tears over Elizabeth. She writes extremely graphic sensual scenes which are not for the faint of heart. Not only are they graphic, they are frequent! Overall, this is a beautiful story about how one woman seeks, and then finds, her own true self. It is definitely a book that will be remembered!

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Explicit"

Ah yes, I'm so graphic..

I have to admit I love the last line about it being "a book that will be remembered!" Yeah! (Though I laughed at "she has roaches!" probably because of the exclamation point and probably because I live in downtown Philadelphia where people name their roaches and take them out for walks on a leash.)

In other news, my reading for tomorrow night in Philadelphia is cancelled. This is because, one hopes, that it will be Game 7 of the World Series. Of course the Phillies could lose it all tonight, but all of the writers involved felt it hopefully prudent to cancel the reading "just in case". Which of course then makes me wonder about my reading in New York Saturday night. No matter which team wins, that damn parade is liable to be Saturday and it will be held in either Philadelphia or New York. So either way I'm screwed.

Oh well. Stay tuned for details. So far, it's still a go for Saturday night on my end, but if the World Series does go to game 7, all bets are off. At least for me.

I again want to remind you about Julie and Eric's latest project, Paper Cat. When they return home from Istanbul, they are going into the studio to record a new EP with Robbie "Seahag" Mangano and that's all I'm allowed to say at this point...erm...other than I have heard talk of a tour and I better shut up before Eric and Julie, currently at the airport, call me from their respective iPhones and threaten to cut me off (from the grapevine, that is). But I'm truly excited for them and I have always loved Robbie so I have a very good feeling about this and as soon as I'm allowed to spill the beans on what's really happening, you'll read it here.

Hey, did you know the trio gets quite a mention on Rotten Tomatoes as having the album of the year with "e'? You can read it right here but I'll give you a snippet:

"My favourite album of the year so far has probably been heard by virtually nobody. It's e by the Adrian Belew Power Trio. If you're at all into progressive rock, it's definitely worth checking this out. Adrian's solo career has been a bit hit and miss, some great songs mixed in with some dated awkward cheese, at least when compared to his work with King Crimson, which was for the most part fantastic.

Finally he's released a solo album that lives up to his immense talent and measures favorably with the best of the Crims. e is all instrumental, and plays around with many interesting variations on a central theme, showcasing the guitar and studio wizardry that Belew is best known for. The sound is great considering, as far as I can tell, it was produced by the band without the aid of a record label. Unfortunately that means that this isn't getting the exposure it deserves.

The other two members of the 'trio,' (brother and sister) Eric and Julie Slick, are definitely part of the reason for Belew's renewed inspiration. Both are in their early twenties and both are potential stars of prog rock. They comprise an amazing rhythm section, and if there is any justice in the music world their names will be well known someday. When I saw the Power Trio live a few months ago in New York, Adrian Belew said that Eric Slick was the best drummer he's ever played with, and for those of you who know all of the legendary musicians that Belew has worked with over the years that's saying something. I feel lucky to have met them after the show in New York and gotten my copy of e signed. That was the second time I saw them live, and both times they killed; the Adrian Belew Power Trio must be seen live to be fully appreciated -- they get into some truly wicked grooves.

Considering that the album is basically one long 40 minute instrumental broken up into smaller movements, it's hard to pick out highlights, but if I had to I'd say that "a2," "b2," "d," and "e2" are my favourite moments...."

Anyway, things I owe you: Food review of the tour and links to all the great photographers/photographs. This will be a huge project for me and I really must finish my edits as well as work on my new novel for National Novel Writing Month - I have 5,000 words so far which is not keeping pace so I need to write like hell over the next few days. But you know me, the minute I get news or need a break, I'll be back here with my little reporter cap on...

But for now, grr...must finish my edits!

Later,
xo

Happy Halloween!

Who is this green man?



Surely you recognize the character from this:



Here's a hint: He spent the entire summer on tour, just got back late Monday night, and has three - yes three - gigs today/tonight for Halloween with three, yes three, different bands - where he'll also be playing guitar and bass (who knew) before taking off for Russia and Turkey on Wednesday...

Okay, I know it's obvious.

I should have made the clues harder, like...

He played the slot drum in the audience of a Stephen Stills concert when he was four years old and stole the show from Stephen;

or

He met Captain Noah in person right after he was potty trained but got so excited he pooped his pants, anyway, and made a public announcement:



or

I recently learned he used to eat Reese's peanut butter cups for breakfast and lunch at school, even though I slaved in the kitchen half asleep at 6:00 a.m. and packed him four course meals in his little lunch bag...


(Yes, Google images actually yielded me someone insane enough to have made a Reese's peanut butter cup sandwich, which, in retrospect, had I known about...har har...not that I spoiled my kids or anything...)

So in case you haven't guessed by now, and here's hoping you are lucky to see him at one of his gigs tonight dressed as such...Greenman is...



My favorite son (not including the dog)...Eric Slick!

Eric always comes through with the most amazing costumes, doesn't he? And I know he's thrilled to be home and not touring for the first time in years on Halloween, even if he is technically working (though I don't think he ever considers playing music "work").

And now for my annual torture - do I or do I not eat an entire bag of miniature Almond Joys tonight? I'm thinking of being a grinch this year and turning out all the lights and not answering my door so that I don't need to have any candy in the house. But then I remember how I hated those mean neighbors when I was a kid trick or treating, and I so, so, so never wanted to be one of those people. Now I could do something tricky like buy candy I don't like to give out, but as it turns out, THERE IS NO CANDY I DO NOT LIKE, DAMN IT.

Sad but true. I'll even eat Dum Dum suckers, those little wax bottles filled with weird fake juice, Bit'O Honey, even stale, packaged licorice...bleh..I am truly hopeless.

And don't ask me to put Gary in charge. He will promise to keep the candy away from me but I can wear him down. That, and I find every hiding place he's ever thought of - he just isn't a devious guy and after over thirty years, I know how his brain works. "Oh Robin will never think of looking in the washing machine since she hardly ever does the wash."

First place I look every time, Gar, and I'm seldom wrong.

I know about your hiding place under the sink, too, and I also know where you hide your own candy in the corner cabinet where we keep the oatmeal and dried fruit but luckily you really do buy yourself crap - who enjoys Jujyfruits for Christ sake?



I'd even take a Dum Dum sucker over those. (But I am happy when I find your contraband blister peanuts so continue to knock yourself out, dear)

Anyway, Happy Halloween!

Later,
xo

Happy 5th Birthday to In Her Own Write

Okay, okay, I know I said I wouldn't do anything as cheesy as a five year birthday tribute to my blog, but yeah, I just confirmed today is the day and since I do have some other stuff to talk about, why the hell not.


Drawing by the late, great John Lennon (and if you didn't know that and the fact that this journal is named in his honor, you are not cool enough to be here so go away. Or not. You know I like to kid around because hey hey, I'm still a kid even if the mirror tells me otherwise.)

So yeah, happy birthday, blog! Thanks to you, I've met some really cool people (oh, no one special...just Robert Fripp (who remarked, "I've read your blog", causing me to almost swallow my tongue while mortified that I had a camera in my hand which I desperately tried to stuff down the back of my jeans while simultaneously attempting to croak out an answer...and anyone who is familiar with Mr. Fripp understands the gravity of that camera situation and my subsequent horror/terror), also from DGMLive Sid Smith, California Guitar Trio, Tony Levin, Barry Eisler, David Morrell, Neil Gaiman, Amanda Palmer (well, sort of when it comes to Amanda -- I bumped into Neil and Amanda at the Highline in New York City a week or two before they "came out" as a couple but anyone who follows them on Twitter or their respective blogs had to have guessed months earlier; I was at the Highline with Eric to see some friends of ours read their six word memoirs published by Smith Magazine; anyway, I saw Amanda and Neil together in the audience because Amanda was the musical portion of the show following the reading and blurted out (much to Eric's humiliation yet again) "Ooh, I'm telling the internet!" Amanda turned around and laughed but due to the Eric factor, i.e., I'm running out of free passes for mortifying him in public, I didn't wait around to chat any further and hustled past to the bar)...and of course, last but not least, all of the fans, both of my books (all 4 of them!) and of Julie and Eric and the Adrian Belew Power Trio.

So yeah, having this blog has been a gateway and diary to all kinds of fun, and if you check out the archives, particularly in 2005 and 2006, you'll find everything from our infamous pizza date with Eddie Vedder; Julie and Eric's performances with everyone from Jon Anderson of Yes to Ann Wilson of Heart to Alice Cooper, Stewart Copeland blah blah blah...and yeah, the whole evolution of their respective careers - Eric landing his first professional drumming gig with Project Object, Julie's brief stint with punk skateboard band McRad and their tour of the UK (yeah, I went. So shoot me.)...and then the call from Nashville when they landed the gig with Adrian.

Hey, speaking of Project Object, Eric, who has been home all of three days from the ABPT west coast tour and is taking off with Julie next week for two weeks of gigs in Turkey and Russia, anyway, Eric will be joining Project Object for their winter tour and here's the preliminary info on that, though I suspect more dates are going to be added:

SUN 12/27 - Sellersville Theatre - Sellersville, PA

MON 12/28 - 8 x 10 Club - Baltimore, MD

TUE 12/29 - Rex Theatre - Pittsburgh, PA

WED 12/30 - Beachland Ballroom - Cleveland, OH

FRI 1/1 - Martyrs - Chicago, IL

SAT 1/2 - Martyrs - Chicago, IL

SUN 1/3 - Miramar Theater - Milwaukee, WI

THU 1/7 - BB King Blues Club & Grill - New York, NY

FRI 1/8 - Regatta Bar - Cambridge, MA

SAT 1/9 - Revolution Hall - Troy, NY

SUN 1/10 - Toad's Place - New Haven, CT

Also, I've been remiss in that I should have posted this earlier, but better late than never...here's a note from P/O's founder, Andre Cholmondeley:

"Hello folks...

Hoping this message finds you well.

While there have been real high points and really great moments --It's been a very hard year for me and my loved ones, most of you know about the tragic & sudden loss of my mom in July, 10 weeks ago today. Many of you also know that day arrived against a backdrop of very tough times -- my other half and love of my life Cheri Jiosne has been fighting breast cancer for almost a year now.

She is doing as well as one can, in fact better I think - she looks great, feels great and is several months into an intense program combining various schools of herbalism, holistic methods, Qi gong, Acupuncture and diet with a low dose Alternative Chemo program called IPT. We're at a crossroads now, looking at what the next move in her fight needs to be.

It's ironic (or not) that the current national debate has been about health care -- we too are amongst the millions of Americans without health care insurance. The small amount she had at one of her jobs ran out -- and we are dealing with this out of pocket. We are looking at creative ways to keep paying the bills, and one idea was to do a benefit in NYC. The ACOUSTIC PROJECT/OBJECT benefit went fantastically - especially on a Sunday, and a major Jewish Holiday. THANKS SO MUCH for showing up, sending in donations, letters, emails, cards etc. The silent auction run by our dear friends Laura Dardi & Rob Bruce went fantastically - thanks to those who bid. The support from all corners has been touching and amazing. We are trying to plan a benefit in MONMOUTH COUNTY NJ somewhere before the end of the year - stay tuned here and on the email list. Once more --THANK YOU IMMENSELY.

- Andre', Project/Object

We have a pay pal account as well as a PO Box you can send a donation check/money order to. Here are other options:

You can go to paypal.com and make payments to projectobject (at) earthlink.net

You can send a check or money order written to
CHERYL JIOSNE to:

Cheri Jiosne Cancer Fund
PO BOX 16672
Asheville NC
28801

Thanks! No amount is too small.....Stand by for further info and please forward this to anyone you think would be interested.

Thanks so much for all your support, in so many ways through the years. She is a fighter and we will make it thru this difficult time, with victory over this!

- André Cholmondeley"

I know personally that Cheri's medical bills are freaking staggering (God Bless America and our fucked up healthcare system) so every little bit helps and perhaps in the spirit of the approaching holidays you will keep them in mind? Hope so!

So I know I said I'm turning this blog back over to my writing career, and that's true, but it's kind of ludicrous for me to say I'm never going to write about Julie and Eric again - they are my best friends, my family, and hell yeah, I'm gonna shout it out when cool stuff happens in their lives.

And trust me, cool stuff is in the works...I can't talk about any of it yet in detail, naturally, but well, I can sorta say some stuff. California Guitar Trio has asked J&E to contribute bass and drums to three songs on their new CD...in fact, here's the mention right in Bert Lam's diary:

"Wednesday, October 7, 2009

This past weekend Paul, Hideyo and I met in Louisville, Kentucky, for a recording session at Funeral Home Studios, with sound engineer Kevin Ratterman.

We recorded several strong pieces: Chacarera, an original piece by Paul, based on an Argentine rhythm.

Next was Hazardous Z, a piece by Hideyo. Paul came up with some Spanish 'flamenco style' chords, and I composed a new part on classical guitar. Sessions were fun, and went very smooth, thanks to some good preparation, and the professionalism of Kevin.

We've sent out tracks for some of our friends to play on: Tony Levin, Julie and Eric Slick, Dilek Engin(viola), and Daniel, Shri and Colty from the UT percussion ensemble.

We now have recorded about 10 pieces, and a few improvisations; plenty of very strong material for an all-originals new CD release."

Ha ha, Julie Slick and Tony Levin, together again. Heart be still.

Julie and Eric have in fact laid down their respective tracks but of course it will be up to the CGT to make the final decision as to whether to officially include them or not or ask for changes...whatever....you know it's all good!

Also, as soon as they return from Russia/Turkey, J&E will be recording an EP with their new band, Paper Cat, featuring astoundingly fantastic guitarist Robbie "Seahag" Mangano and while I could really go to town blabbing on that one, I will stay quiet and simply post this.

While on tour, I received so many emails I cannot possibly respond to all of them; we were in the car for over eight hours most times and I had limited internet access in a lot of venues and hotels. So I thought I'd put up some of letters I received here because they deserve some recognition and a huge thank you!

From Frank Jordan:

"I saw them play this last week in Santa Ana, and was simply blown away. I saw Ade's Trio a few years ago, before Julie and Eric came aboard. It's mentioned in several reviews, how they have ignited Adrian with their youthfulness and talent, but it's all talk until you see and hear them live. Unbelievable. My friend and I were able to meet with them for a few minutes afterwards, and as a parent, I must say that your children are so far beyond their years in how they interact, and so open and friendly with the fans. I'm a drummer also, and when I'd asked Eric about his snare drum, he invited me up onstage so he could show it to me up close. That was very kind of him to do. The show was again wonderful throughout, and I especially loved the new material from "e". You know, you read alot and hear alot about how good they are, and they seem to me to be as good of people, as they are musicians. I love the passion for what they are doing. (And, at least Julie puts her socks on after the show for the fans). I know it makes me feel worthwhile when someone says it to me, so I'll say to you, you have great kids, Robin."

From Dan Reagan:

"Robin,

I just saw Julie and Eric tearing it up with Adrian last night in Portland, OR at the Aladdin theater.

I just wanted to say that your children are truly awesome musicians; they blew my mind. I think the future of music is in very capable hands.

Take care,

Dan"

From David Reynold:

"Greetings!

I met you this evening (Oct 13th, if anyone cares) behind the merch counter at a small, out of the way venue to see -- OH WAIT, IT'S YOUR PROGENY! wow.

What ever it is you have done, you have done it well. As a single dad, I work hard to make sure the lizard (Elizabeth) has a good grounding in classical education (that is, I pay for piano lessons and get up in her face about homework and how it applies) and do my damnedest to make sure sure she can still have fun. With luck she will be the next 'It Girl' out of Hollywood, but that's only 'cause I'm a pushy stage parent and my cousin is a producer.

You are patently not THAT and have been an obviously good influence on your progeny; Thanks for letting them tour, and even more -- thanks for coming with them -- you probably can claim 'BEST MOM EVER" just for that.

PS: They _better_ bring flowers on Mother's Day..."

From Stephan and Kim in Calgary:

"Hi Robin!

We had a blast getting to know you guys at PikNiq after the show in Calgary.

Like I said on my Email to Adrian, they are great musicians ( we knew that) but more importantly, you are great persons. Your kids are wonderful, probably because you are too.

Hopefully we will see you again here or in Quebec city.

Big hugs, stay warm and enjoy the road to Vancouver,

Stephan and Kim, Calgary"

And my personal favorite, from Patrick Gaumond of Quebec, who incredibly enough is good friends with Stephan from Calgary - they were in a band together in high school and how insane that we ended up having drinks with both of them in different cities a month apart:

"Dear Power Quartet,

Thanks to all of you for the wonderful musical and social evening. You let me stay in your bubble and be part of your tour memories and I’m really thankful for such an honor.

I didn’t take any picture or made you sign my whole CD collection because I wanted you to feel at home in my City. I tried to be a friend, not a fan.

Eric, thanks for the subtle drumming on your “non-Bozio kit”, your funny eye contact with the crowd and your kindness.

Julie, thanks for your “almost Hendrix” moment, your French effort and your "joie de vivre".

Adrian, thanks for your unstoppable communicative smile while you perform, the music you share with us and your warm humanity.

Robin, thanks for answering my first email, thanks for having trusted your kids' talent and your devotion. I owe you for the rest of my life.

It’s been a pleasure chatting with all of you. You made me felt very comfortable. Let me write it again: “You have a perpetual invitation whenever you come in Québec City for vacation or playing music, whatever the group, venue or else. I’ll always be happy to help you get food, attractions and fun”. I'm in the phonebook, I’m easy reach by email and it will always be a pleasure to meet any of you again.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

A really happy guy,

Patrick"
********
And so many people took such cool photos! Ack, that will have to be another post. It will take me forever to link them all and my publisher has taken to sending people to ABPT shows to hound me for my edits on my latest book so I better end this post right now and finish said edits before I no longer have a career.

But um, speaking of that, please notice to banner on the top of this page. It will take you right to my Amazon page. Those reading today's blogpost and my series of journal entries about the trio would probably really dig my latest book, Daddy Left Me Alone with God. I'm not gonna lie, a good chunk of that book is based on Julie and Eric and the beginning of their career...i.e., the School of Rock years. Is the rest of the book fact or fiction? Ha ha - you will have to decide that for yourself. I'm not saying a word.

And I couldn't help but notice a few really great reviews have popped up while I was on tour...like this one over at Coffee Time Romance:

"DADDY LEFT ME ALONE WITH GOD
ROBIN SLICK
ISBN#: 9781607670308
February 2009
Tease Publishing, LLC
www.teasepublishingllc.com
Paperback
$12.59
368 Pages
Contemporary Romance
Rating: 4 Cups

Annie has an opportunity that few receive. Through her talented children, she can revisit her teenager rock star god, Mick. Her father was once her dealer, and after being left alone with a god, she became his enthusiastic lover; leaving behind her first love.

Mick is a rock star who has always remembered little Annie and often wondered wistfully how he let her get away. Now he wants her back, even if it means stealing her from another man. Her husband and first love is the man she chose to marry when he stood beside her during a difficult period of her life, but is his love and support enough to keep her.

Annie starts out sure that her marriage is over; especially if she can have Mick back. Her children are grown and on their way, and now just may be the time for her to have what she thought she had always missed. But did she really miss anything and is the gamble worth giving up the man who has loved her for so long?

Daddy Left Me Alone With God is all about getting a second chance and the choices we would make if we had it to do all over again. I enjoyed the character of Annie because she was never portrayed as a perfect woman but as woman with all the flaws of a real woman. The road trip from hell made the story so funny, sad, and poignant, depicting the end of an era and the beginning of the next. Well worth the read; I would recommend that everyone make it least one visit to the world of Robin Slick.

Delane
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More"

And on Amazon:

"Daddy Left Me Alone With God tells the story of Annie, an aging rocker who's accompanying her children, gifted musicians in a rock band, while they play gigs across the U.S. Here's the hook: In her youth, Annie had a torrid affair with rock god, and he's the headliner on the tour, while her children are the opening act. Part travelogue, part road story, part romance, and definitely a coming-of-age story, this book was witty and wildly entertaining while straddling the literary line. Annie is a conflicted woman with a difficult past. Her kids are her heaven, but her every day home life is lacking and she struggles with her advancing age while being tempted to recapture a piece of her past. We generally think of coming-of-age stories as youths getting a taste of adulthood, being forced to make choices or sacrifices or having their eyes opened to indignities of the world. But life isn't a one-and-done experience when it comes to growing up, and we face major transitions into different stages of life. The male experience of mid-life crisis is well documented in literary fiction, but the female's perspective is generally ignored or trivialized. Annie does suffer indignities, but they're hilarious, and she gets tested on her adult status, and ultimately has to make a choice. Throw in the will-they-or-won't-they tension, and this book certainly kept the pages turning."

So I hope that tempts you to at least click on the link and consider buying "Daddy" as well as my other titles with Phaze, which are erotic comedies, and I cannot stress the word "comedy" enough. In fact, I stumbled upon a recent review of my first book for Phaze, Three Days in New York City, and I wanted to share it here because it really made me feel great:

"Three Days In New York City (a book review, sorta)
September 28, 2009

A few years ago I came accross this book called Three Days In New York City by Robin Slick. I read a review in a blog I frequented regularly and it sounded interesting so I thought I’d give it a try. You see the blogger talked about how funny and quick witted the book was.

Oh sure! Don’t get me wrong! It mentioned other stuff but what drew me in was the fact that the reviewer/blogger mentioned how he hadn’t laughed so hard yadda yadda… how funny it was, etc etc.

That is what drew me to it. Not the “other stuff.” The funny stuff.

The day my book order came in was a day that my boys had baseball practice.

“Yay,” I thought! “Now I have reading material for the two hours that we are gonna be stuck at practice.”

So there I go! I got to practice and took my book out and started reading.

Page one umm… hu?

Page two: WHOA… whatta?

I was only able to read about a page and half. OK OK so maybe it was three. It was then that I realized I had to stop reading it.

IMMEDIATELY!

I was shocked at the content.

Don’t get me wrong. It turned out to be a very funny book but…

well….

you’re gonna think I’m a dumb ass..

and I should have known better..

Don’t judge me! I’d never read this “type” of book.

I mean, I could sort of imagine… but I guess I really didn’t know…

It’s labeled EROTICA.

And yes, while I know what the word means, I guess I didn’t really “KNOW” what the word meant?

Yes, I can be slow like that. I’d never read erotica before and didn’t really know what to expect. Well, ok maybe I just figured it would have a passionate kiss here and there and maybe a description of a nipple being perky or a private part tingling with anticipation. But I wasn’t exactly figuring it was gonna be how it was.

The book starts off with phone sex while she’s on public transportation on her way to meet her lover at a hotel in New York City while wearing a short skirt with no panties, per HIS request. And by phone sex, I mean VERY EXPLICIT phone sex.

Ummm yeah. Definitely feeling “funny” but not funny-ha-ha. Feeling a little bit more like “funny, I never expected THIS!”

So anyways, after reading a little bit my face started to feel a little flushed. I looked up and felt like all the other baseball moms were staring at me. With INDIGNATION!

Oh my GOD! Did they KNOW?

Can they read my thoughts as I’m reading?

Can they tell that my heart is racing?

Can they feel my sweaty palms?

Did I accidentally mouth the words as I was reading?

Or worse…. did they have Three Days In New York City at home?

Did they recognize the cover?

Are they judging me thinking, ”BAD MOM, reading that smut while at at her kids baseball practice? I mean, what kind of mother does that?”

The crack-ho/nynpho kind, that’s what.

– So I very discreetly put the book back IN my purse, looked around to see if anybody had been able to read my thoughts.

*If I was Catholic I would have quickly recited ten hail Mary’s(is that what they call it?)

DAMN.

I can’t even remember what those prayers are called. Not that it matters since I’m not Catholic, so even if I did know what it was called and how to recite them, the Catholic God would look down at me from heaven and say, “Nice try, Twinkie, but you’re not fooling anyone!”

Bad Twinkie! Erotica is the devil~

That evening I went home, made dinner and did all that other motherly/wifely stuff, then once everyone was in bed, I finished the book. Devoured it, really.

I was like a perv in a brothel.

Don’t judge me! To my defense, like I said, not only is it “EROTICA” but it’s really funny too.

The book follows a sexual escapade between a married almost 40 year old American woman going through a sort of mid-life crisis empty nest syndrome. She’s bored with her corporate job. Regrets not following her dreams as an artist and decides to take a cyber-office romance with an overconfident, freaky Brit to the next level.

What ends up happening between this unfullfilled but very vanilla American will make you laugh out loud till your stomach hurts.

It was a short and very easy read.

Since then? Erotica became my very own guilty pleasure.

Don’t worry though. I’ve learned my lesson. From now on, if the cover has certain key words like sex, erotic, for dirty crack ho nympho’s only, etc on it, I will NOT take it to my kids practice. In fact? I will ONLY read it in the privacy of my bedroom. With the door shut."

Ha! I really do love that review. And you should know that there is a sequel to Three Days, called Another Bite of the Apple, and a third book, which is tentatively scheduled for release December 7 ASSUMING I EVER FINISH MY EDITS ARGHH, called Bitten to the Core...and you can purchase them at Amazon or directly from my publisher, right here.

Oh wow, there's something else I'd better mention! I'm doing two readings, one in Philadelphia on November 5 and one in New York on November 7! Here's the details...

As advertised on author Greg Olear's Facebook page:

"The Totally Killer Book Tour / Philadelphia
Let's get ready to mumble!
Host:
TOTALLY KILLER by Greg Olear
Date:
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Time:
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Location:
Moonstone Arts Center
Street:
110A S. 13th Street
Philadelphia, PA

"I'll be in the City of Brotherly Love as part of The Nervous Breakdown's Literary Experience, the traveling roadshow of the web's premier address for creative nonfiction.

Joining me on stage:

-- ROBIN SLICK, author of "Daddy Left Me Alone With God," and mother to two-thirds of the Adrian Belew Power Trio

-- J.E. FISHMAN, co-author of "Life is a Series of Presentations" and writer of the mystery "Mr. Gloom and Pollyanna Fight to the Death," soon to appear in serialized form on TNB

and

-- ELIZABETH COLLINS, my fellow Madison High School alum, the event's hostess and organizer, winner of the Columbia University Nonfiction Prize and the Best Essay of Literary Nonfiction at UNI's Critical Writing Conference, finalist for The Missouri Review's Nonfiction Award, and author of several YA novels."

And regarding my New York reading on November 7, I'll be at Barbes in Brooklyn as part of Dime Stories, reading my piece, Picnic, which, as you can see, was previously published in the absolutely fabulous Smokelong Quarterly.

Finally, November 1 begins my yearly ritual of National Novel Writing Month, where I will attempt a 50,000 word novel in thirty days. Hey, trust me, after being on tour all summer/fall with the trio, I have more material than I know what to do with.

Muhahahahahaha...

Hey, if I don't get back here tomorrow, Happy Halloween, everyone. I know I promised a restaurant/foodie heaven review of the tour, and yes, I will post links to all the great photographers I've mentioned above; I've got some great film footage as well...stay tuned. But for now...gah...my edits await and playtime is over.

Later,
xo

Adrian Belew Power Trio in Guitar Player Magazine

So much for my statement that I'm resigning as unofficial publicist for the Adrian Belew Power Trio to concentrate on editing/writing my new book(s) but I had to make an exception because the trio is featured in this month's Guitar Player Magazine.

Here's their video interview with Julie and Eric Slick:



To see Guitar Player's interview with Adrian and to watch their footage of the trio's performance at Slim's in San Francisco last Sunday, click right here!

I have much to talk about - hopefully see you back here tomorrow.

Later,
xo

Almost home...

I've never been so homesick in my life.

Okay, so it does look like I'm having a good time catching some rays and reading a fantastic book (Nobody's Fool by Richard Russo) in Redondo Beach, California, that is true:



Though I was seriously terrified when leaving Phoenix for Utah when we had to make a bathroom stop and this was the only place for 400 miles.

"You ladies have come to the right place," the men outside said when Julie and I walked by.

Oh. My. God. Inside, they had hand printed signs that they'd "cut and freeze whatever animal you'd shot and killed." It was a combination gas station, convenience store which sold saddles for fuck's sake, and a bathroom which was so disgusting I sat about 12 feet in the air above the toilet. But the best was it was also a saloon, and they had five dusty half-empty bottles on the shelf: Tequilla, Wild Turkey...hmm...that may be it. I am a city girl but I was positive Julie and I were going to end up chopped in little pieces in the walk in freezer, later to be identified by our dental records, assuming they didn't eat our teeth, too.

"We should have told Adrian and Eric if we're not out in ten minutes they need to come in and rescue us," I said to Julie.

She laughed. We both knew we'd be the ones to rescue THEM.

But it was cool. I don't know if you can see it in this photo, but it was such a cliche. Everyone wore cowboy hats and there was even an ancient hound dog snoring outside with flies buzzing around his head.



But then we got a really cool surprise. When we punched the address of our next destination into the GPS system, it told us we would be going through the Grand Canyon. Are you kidding me? I got little kid excited.

This is just the beginning of what turned out to be the most beautiful drive of my life, and I thought that had happened two weeks earlier when we drove through Jasper National Park in British Columbia (see post below).



And here is the official Adrian Belew Power Trio shot taken adjacent to the Canyon - the first time Julie ever approved of my photography skills:



Well, duh, I had to have my photo taken as well. When the fuck am I ever going to get to the Grand Canyon again?



Erm...actually, that's not the Grand Canyon. Now that I carefully look at that pic, I think it was taken in the parking lot right outside of Zion National Park in Utah a few hours later. Oh well. Whatever. Most gorgeous drive/destination EVER. And if you don't believe me, have a look at the rest of the photos from our Utah gig:







Here's a shot of both Eric and me in the parking lot of the hotel where we stayed in Springdale, Utah...it was called Majestic View and yes, it was the most magnificent view ever...but the lodge, oh the horror, inside it was taxidermy heaven...I looked away from the big stuffed bear and various deer heads but when I saw the tiny stuffed mountain lion hanging on the wall in the restaurant where we had breakfast, I gagged and was once again proud to be a vegetarian. If you click on the photo of the lodge Julie took and enlarge it, I believe you can see pretty clearly what I'm talking about.





The Bit and Spur in Utah where the trio played that night was another one of the more pleasant surprises of this tour. Not only was it incredibly gorgeous, it was a Zagat rated restaurant which catered to people who liked their veggies, and owned by two really cool, laid back guys who came to Springdale via LA and Chicago...they went on vacation to Zion National Park, were mesmerized by its beauty, and decided to stay forever. Their place boasted an outdoor deck which faced the mountains no matter where you sat; the sky was so starry we could see the milky way, and have a look at the menu. We started off with the evening's special, a coconut, ginger, carrot bisque; I followed that with butternut squash canneloni -- thyme roasted squash with spinach, shallots, goat cheese and heirloom tomato sauce with field greens and balsamic vinegar. Actually, we all had the bisque; Eric followed that with the roasted pecan fall salad and Julie had a (non-meat) soft taco special.

Naturally Adrian had the strip steak, but maybe some day he'll join our team. Or not. Whatever.

In my next post, I will show you photos of our dessert as well as a more comprehensive write-up of the wonderful meals we had on the road as promised, but for now, it's time to leave Aspen and head for our final show in Littleton, CO at Toad's Tavern where once again the band is listed as "Adrian Belew" and not "Adrian Belew Power Trio" and there are no photos of Julie or Eric on the poster...are you sensing my frustration here? I don't think I'm being out of line after three and a half years, do you?

Oh well, I guess I'm just exhausted, cranky, and frustrated because I'm ready to go home and work on my edits for my upcoming book and really dive into the new one.

Anyway, I digress. Getting back to our tour travels, after we left Utah, we headed for Aspen, and get a load of the scenery on this drive - we stopped a couple of times to take photos:











If I were to tour with the trio again, and trust me, I'm not, I would have to get a t-shirt printed up which says 'YES I AM" because at least fifty people say the same thing to me every single night after the show: "You must be so proud."

Of course I am so proud. But not just of their musicianship - I'm proud that Julie and Eric are honestly kind and decent human beings and everyone they come into contact with notices it right away and comments on that to me as well. My God, they are both so humble and three and a half years on the road with Adrian has done nothing to change that; if anything, they are warmer and sweeter and more intellgent than ever because they've traveled the world and gotten to see how the other half lives in more ways than one. And when I say "the other half", that refers to people who bicker, people who think money is the key to happiness...you know...all the petty bullshit that I personally have no time for. I think Gary and I should be proudest of the fact that we did pass that on to them in addition to supporting them in every way imaginable and giving them the confidence to know that anything is possible. Maybe it's because I lost my own mother as a young girl; maybe it's because Gary has been to hell and back himself and it's made him so much stronger and such a wonderful father...but yeah, J&E have their heads screwed on straight and after spending most of the summer in such close confinement with them on tour, I admit it, I've never been prouder of anyone in my life and I never will.

And speaking of that, here's a fantastic interview with Julie Slick. My thanks to John Wilcox of Prog Sheet -- I hope you all enjoy this piece as much as I did.

Do you believe this tour has had us traveling in a minivan almost 7,000 miles across America and Canada in 21 days through snow, sleet, treacherous mountain passes and ten hour drives after which the trio has to perform without a day off? So much for the rock star life, huh. My brain is exploding and heiny hurts!

And on that note, I think I will end this post...I cannot wait to go home tomorrow...but ugh, our plane has stopovers and even though we take off at noon; we won't be home until 9:00 p.m. It would have been nice to have a direct flight but there you have it...welcome to the music biz, 2009...or at least as we know it at present.

Oh well. As I always say, onward and upward!

Later,
xo

The Slick Famiy on Tour...More Tales from the Road

Well, we’re in the final stretch of the tour and to say I’m homesick is putting it mildly. All I want to do is sleep in my own bed in between my two guys.

Oh wait. That didn’t sound quite right, did it. Oh well, Ha ha, get your minds out of the gutter, I’m talking about dogs. Oh Monty, I miss you so much!



So as I indicated in my last post and as you may have read on my Twitter feed, this marks my swan song as merch woman for the Adrian Belew Power Trio as well as unofficial publicist. I am knee deep in my own writing, and it’s time to focus on my career after three and a half years. It’s been an interesting ride, but it’s time to fly.

But rest assured you haven’t heard the end of me – I am writing a non-fiction book which will address many of the ups and downs of life on the road and my personal behind the scenes account as “groupie mom”. It won’t be a sensational tell-all but it will be a comedy, that is for sure.

Anyway, now that I’ve got that out of the way, I may as well have a last hurrah or two and talk about some of the awesome things that have happened on this tour. For one thing, if you follow us on Facebook, you’ll know that Pete Docter and Andrew Stanton, founders of Pixar Films, are huge Adrian Belew Power Trio fans. So they showed up at our show at Slim’s in San Francisco , were blown away by my brilliant offspring, and invited us for a personal guided tour of Pixar the following day.

Well.

What an experience that was. I get the feeling that if you work for Pixar, you wake up each morning and say “Huzzah! I get to go to the office today!” Because dear God, what an “office” it is. Words cannot even begin to describe it. So here’s a few photos to start with:







Our tour started with a private screening in what had to be the most amazing theater ever…the ceiling was a planetarium with shooting stars. Because I no longer have little kiddies, I may have missed the two greatest films in recent history – Up and Partly Cloudy. Got to see trailers for both of them, as well as the trailer for Toy Story 3, coming out in June of 2010. Oh. My.

Eric and I freely admitted we cried during all three screenings. Our eyes filled up – from the sheer genius and pretty much from excitement, too…and maybe even a bittersweet feeling as well.

Instead of cubicles, Andrew and Pete went out and bought a bunch of sheds at Home Depot and each employee has their own shed which they decorated any way they wanted. One guy had a tiki hut with bamboo everywhere; but the absolute best was a guy who didn’t have a shed, but a corner office where he found a crawl space. Holy cow, look what he did…the world's coolest secret room. I don't know about you guys, but a secret room is like number #1 on my top ten list of fantasies.







Here's Adrian, in an extremely fitting photo given his approaching *cough* 60th birthday, using the cane which was a prototype from "Up"...check out the tennis balls...



Here are picture and story boards used for every film...as a writer, this just completely fascinated me.





And get a load of Eric, standing at the very mic used by Ed Asner, Reese Witherspoon, Danny DeVito - well, virtually every star that ever lent his/her voice to a Pixar film. Oh, by the way, that secret room I showed you? The wall is full of autographs...everyone from all of said stars...I saw Robert DeNiro's (I signed next to his signature since we share the same birthday of August 17) and the Obama daughters, who visited just last week!)...



Here's our very reluctant good-bye shots...





In other news, I had a blast yesterday at Redondo Beach. I was feeling really claustrophobic after all the long car rides I’ve endured with the trio these past three weeks so I took off on my own and went for a long walk down by the ocean and then sat down, took huge gulps of the salty air, and read a fantastic book by Richard Russo, "Nobody's Fool", which I picked up at Powell’s when we were in Portland. Oh yeah. Powell’s. Man, I may take a vacation to Portland just so I can spend two weeks in that store. I’d like to buy a sleeping bag and just live there for a while. And that’s not just because they carry all of my books, either. (Though okay, I will admit - what a thrill that was!) Which reminds me…oh hell, I’d better get my ass to the hotel desk or a UPS store because I’ll never get all the books I purchased on the plane with me.. I got over 20 books for the ridiculous sum of $125.00…stuff I didn’t even know existed by my favorite authors (I’m talking to you, Nick Hornby and Mr. Russo and Jane Smiley…oh man, I am set for the winter). Anyway, yeah, I sat on the beach reading all day; then I went off to dinner by myself at a new French/Asian Restaurant on the waterfront called Maison Riz. It seriously may be one of the best meals I’ve ever had anywhere, and to say it was gorgeous…right on the water, the waves crashing literally under my table and next to me, seagulls flying by but on the other side of the glass where they couldn’t hurt me or eat my food (ha)…a cool breeze, a perfect view of the sunset…a salad of white and green asparagus,…oh oh oh. And a green tea tiramisu for dessert that may rank as the most insanely delicious thing I’ve ever eaten.

Hard to believe that I sunned myself yesterday after being in a blizzard in Canada last week but oh joy, I get to relive that in a few days when we go to Aspen and Littleton, Colorado.

And then last night at the show I met Keith Wechsler, sound man/engineer for Keith Emerson and the Beach Boys, to whom I genuflected and also, Doug Lunn, who I already met when he played a gig with Eric and Mike Keneally. What an amazing fucking bass player he is!

Next, Andre introduced me to Carl Restivo, who plays with Perry Farrell and Tom Morello -- just click on that link and sigh like I did. He was totally enamored with Julie and Eric and gave them some interesting incentive to hang out in LA this January. I say GO FOR IT!

I was in freaking groupie heaven.

It was way cool watching Doug and Carl and Andre talk in front of me at the show. Doug and Carl have never met but they’ve played with all the same people so they bonded big time and I just ate that up.

In Seattle, I met Ade’s adult kids Audie (of “Oh Daddy “ fame) and Udo and their significant others, Larry and Autumn respectively. I loved them. Audie is drop dead gorgeous and could be a stand up comedian and Udo is so handsome and sensitive….he also makes music and gave us his CD…amazing, beautiful stuff. I hung out with them after the show and they are just awesome.

Speaking of party girls, I also got to meet long time Belew fan Rena Fay, a/k/a Tickledrop, who came to four of the west coast shows and she came bearing gifts of wonder and delight and let’s leave it at that. Ha! Oh get your minds out of the gutter again – she brought us a basket filled with avocados, fresh fruit, cheese, olive oil, bread, bilanis, apple tartain, really sick cookies…anyway, look what Julie made us for breakfast in our hotel room with the contents two mornings in a row:



Other way cool people I met at Slim’s – Anil Prasad and Barry Cleveland, Mike Molenda, and Jude Gold of Guitar Player Magazine who interviewed Julie and Eric…there’s going to be a video up shortly on their website along with a clip from their show and naturally I’ll post a link as soon as it’s up. Anil took Julie and me out to dinner at an incredible vegan restaurant, Herbivore, but that’s not why I love him. We met on Twitter of all places and it turns out he’s been friendly with Andre for years; anyway, we started an email friendship a couple of months ago and when we met in person, it was as if we’d been friends in real life forever. I suspect we will be hanging out again in the future – at least I hope so!

Also met Gary Platt in San Francisco – he’s the one who mixed “e” – Gary is a character and I understand I blew a chance to hang out with him and Rena after the Slims show, damn it. By the way, we stayed at The Phoenix "How many hotels can claim that Keanu Reeves, Joan Jett, Vincent Gallo and Little Richard have graced their mattresses (no, silly, not all at the same time!)? How many San Francisco hotels are the crash pad and launching pad for world-renowned bands like the Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Psychedelic Furs and Pearl Jam; and up-and-comers like The Killers, Bloc Party and The Shins? With so much creative energy swirling around you never know who might be strumming a guitar, posing for a photo shoot or just kicking back by the pool."

Yep – coolest hotel ever – but I’m such an old fuckwit, I was already asleep by the time they arrived.

Oh well. I guess staying up late does not fit in with my new vegetarian lifestyle, anyway. Hey, this may be a coincidence, but I’m no longer huffing and puffing walking up hills or stairs. Could meat, sugar and butter really have been the culprit? Hmmm…I’ll be curious to see what happens when I visit my doctor when I get back and he draws some blood. I know one thing – he’s going to freak when I get on the scale. I haven’t weighed myself but my jeans are falling off me and when I see a photo of myself now, I’ve definitely lost one of my three chins.

Andre told me "Hey, look at you - reversing the aging process!"

As they say out here on the west coast: "RIGHT ON!"

One hilarious incident happened when we walked into this dive for breakfast. It was a place right out of 1950 and there were all these old hobo looking guys at the counter. One was actually named Earl (we heard the waitress say his name). Anyway, we came strolling in and Earl says “Whoa, look at this gang. Must be movie stars. I’ll take the blonde in the dark glasses.”

Score!

Yep, that’s what it’s come down to. Me and Earl.

It happened to me again yesterday on the beach. Some guy on a bicycle stopped, screeching in his tracks, to say Hi to me.

“Are you married?"

Erm…I pretended not to have heard him but he was a persistent bugger.

“I’m sixty-six. How old are you?”

Lovely.

Let’s see. What else. I’ve met a ton of fans from one of my cyber hangouts, Progressive Ears so it’s been way cool putting faces to names, or screen names I should say. In Portland I finally got to meet Ade’s brilliant photographer Mark Colman, and I understand congratulations are in order because Mark is getting married to his sweetheart, Amy. According to Twitter, he just proposed to her and she said yes! I’m so happy for them.

Man, in watching/listening to Eric drum solo last night, he just gets better and better and the crowds know it, just as they do with Julie. Bit of a bummer that Ade cut Madness from the set but I guess he has his reasons. Julie really rocked out on that one – there’s going to be some disappointed fans out there but I’m through trying to analyze shit, or run peoples' lives – it’s a liberating feeling and it’s all good. ETA: Eric had a meeting with Adrian post-show last night and Madness is back in. Hurrah! Smart move on a lot of levels and um, no further comment necessary.

You know, I read Amanda Palmer’s blog and Trent Reznor’s manifesto on the state of the music business in 2009 and how you need to be ultra creative and think of different ways to promote yourself but at this point it only frustrates me because it’s not my band and like I said, no sense banging my head against the wall repeatedly. Bottom line is the music is great and if that’s not enough, well, it’s not my job or my place to fix it though I will use their brilliant business models for my own career and I can only assume Julie and Eric will do the same in the future.

Mmm…the trio also did an amazing version of Beatbox. . It takes on a life of its own every single night. Ack, it drives me up a wall that people do not know about this band. We drive for hours and hours to play for rooms that should be sell-outs but…

Okay, I said I would be quiet about all that and now I will forever more.

In my next post, I will be talking food, baby. We’ve had some really memorable meals on the road…I’ve got to do a restaurant travel guide for you in case you visit any of the cities we hit on this tour…even though I’m not quite sure you’ll ever find yourself in Kamloops, British Columbia, but still.

Oh yeah, before I end this post, speaing of Kamloops, to get there, we drove through the most magnificent national park (Jasper) to get to our destination…here are some breathtaking shots







And that's a wrap for today.

Later,
xo