Hollywood/Seattle here we come!

Rock School doing Zep - and yep, that's my son on drums, wearing a fake mustache and looking scarily like John Bonham. He was totally in Bonham character for the show (but no, he was stone cold sober) and if you closed your eyes, you'd have thought you were hearing the real thing. But better, of course. Ha.

So, the household is in an uproar right now - we're doing last minute packing for our trip to Hollywood today. Our flight leaves at 6:00 p.m. but of course we have to be at the airport by 4:00 p.m.; we're staying at a top of the line, really cool hotel right on Hollywood Boulevard and after the private screening of the movie tomorrow, the kids will perform at the LA Knitting Factory with Jon Anderson and possibly...this just in...Alice Cooper. He was a Yes, he was a No, now I hear he might be a Yes again. But speaking of Yes, yep, Jon Anderson is a definite and he will be performing Heart of the Sunrise with my daughter on bass, my son on drums, my "adopted" son Louie on guitar and Larry Allen on keyboards. In a perfect world, Teddi Tarnoff, who owns that song (via her performances at Rock School) will be doing the harmonies but I guess that all depends on Jon and how things go at soundcheck/rehearsal tomorrow prior to the show.

What's really cool is that we have a big chunk of down time tomorrow in L.A. - and this hotel has all the amenities. So I'll be sitting in a jacuzzi all day and soaking up some sun prior to the festivities and this time I can have a giggle and take the kids to see what Hollywood Boulevard is really like. When we went on tour last summer, the kids had no sight seeing time at all and I was horrified by the tourist stuff to which I was exposed (because I did have down time and was basically dropped off on Hollywood Boulevard while the kids rehearsed) but now that I know what to expect and exactly where to go, I can show the kids a fun time. Oh yeah, I can easily live like this 24/7 and I will have both the digital camera and laptop with me after all and since both hotels have high speed internet in the rooms, I'll hopefully be popping by daily with reports and photos.

On Wednesday morning we have to leave for Seattle at 6:00 a.m. after partying all night Tuesday in LA so who needs sleep - I'll nap on the plane, and then again, we have down time all evening until soundcheck at 6:45 p.m. So to all my friends in Seattle, if you are free during the day, call me on my cell phone or drop me an email. I'm going to email all of you with my number as soon as I finish this post but in case you guys don't get it, we'll be staying at the W Hotel so you can find me there.

Also, there is a chance the Seattle venue for the kids' concert with Eddie Vedder and Ann Wilson of Heart may be changed from Neumos to the Experience Music Project, which is this totally cool museum highlighting musicians from the Seattle area so you know I'm going to go there regardless to see the Jimi Hendrix exhibits, etc. -- if it turns out the show is in fact at Neumos as still advertised, I'll hit the Music Project during the day.

So yep, I'm way excited and sorry about no Zep review or further comments about that in my blog yesterday...I was too busy working on my novel and doing wash and packing for the trip out west. Worse, the kids weren't home and I didn't have anyone around to remind me of the names of the performers I don't know. So all I can say is, the concert was fantastic, there no clunkers, every kid was so terrific it was like viewing an All Star show. I have to be honest, I wondered how Philly Rock School was going to keep up its level of excellence losing people like Allie Hauptman, Max Rothstein, Cameron Sima, Max DiMezza, Eric Slick, Larry Allen, Lauren Pollock, and Jeremy Blessing but I needn't have worried. There's a whole new slew of All-Stars waiting in the wings and I was fortunate enough to see them this weekend.

Rock Music rules and it lives! And yep, we have our Uberlord, Paul Green, to thank. And of course the parents rule, too, because we put up with his bullshit. (Hahaha - just poking some fun at Paul - our battles over the years have been legendary but I'm also probably his biggest fan because I look at my own kids and am flabbergasted at how far they've come - both musicially and confidence wise -- and I know he's played a major, major part. Oh, and did I mention I get to go to Hollywood today courtesy of Rock School? And of course thanks to Rock School directors/producers Don Argott and Sheena Joyce, and Newmarket Films as well. Yay!)

Photos from the Saturday Led Zep show

Part II

I was going to talk up last night's Rock School tribute to Led Zep but I've decided to wait until tomorrow so I can write all about tonight's final show for keyboardist Allie Hauptman and bassist Matt Rothstein. Also, there's a lot of new faces at Rock School and now that Julie and Eric have filled me in on who is who and I've seen the show, I'll be a lot better qualified to talk about each kid individually after I see it a second time tonight. Just know that everyone was awesome!

That being said, if you are anywhere in the Philadelphia area, come out for the Zep concert tonight. It's a brilliant performance and it's going to be a very touching finale for Allie and Matt. And of course it also marks the end of regular season shows for graduating All-Stars Eric Slick, Max DiMezza, Lauren Pollock, and Jeremy Blessing.

I was pretty good about not losing it last night, but I'm teary eyed sitting here now just thinking about this evening. Must not forget to bring the Kleenex.

Later...

Oh my God - Part I

So you know I need to talk about last night's Rock School Led Zep show at Indre Studio because (1) it was mind blowing fantastic and (2) I want everyone who couldn't make it last night to do whatever possible to be there tonight because it's a swan song for some of the greatest, most talented kids you'll ever want to meet and while Paul did a very touching wonderful tribute to them last night, tonight is going to be even more emotional. I want to devote an entire post to it so while I'm busy writing that, I want to post something I just found on line which is apparently in all of the Seattle newspapers this morning. I didn't know what I'm about to post is a sure thing, and since I've discovered so many previous journalistic errors, I will check with Paul later to make sure this is correct...but holy shit....

Rock School Jam Session
featuring the students from the film,
ROCK SCHOOL
with special appearances by:

ANN WILSON (Heart) and special guests

(Okay, that's the Oh my God part. I did NOT know she was a sure thing; I know I was hoping, because Eric is on drums and Julie is on bass with Ann Wilson playing Barracuda on the Rock School soundtrack IN STORES ON MAY 31, 2005. And you know from reading this blog who the other special "guest" is but guest(s) in plural...if there are any more surprises like this, I may have total heart failure altogether!)

STUDENTS ROCK AT ROCK SCHOOL JAM SESSION

Rocks Stars. Guitar Gods. Kids.

At some point in their lives, most everyone dreams of becoming a rock star: feeling the roar of the crowd; basking in the adoration of legions of fans; experiencing the adventures of life on the road. Now imagine fulfilling that fantasy as a child. Welcome to ROCK SCHOOL.

Seattle, WA - The Seattle International Film Festival is pleased to present the “Rock School Jam Session”, Wednesday, May 25, 9:00 PM at Neumos (925 E. Pike St.), featuring the young musicians from the acclaimed documentary ROCK SCHOOL.

Admission is $8.00 and the event is open to audiences 21 and over.

Performing at the “Rock School Jam Session” will be ROCK SCHOOL students: Julia Rainer, Teddi Tarnoff, Madison Flego, Julie Slick, Louis Graff, Bryan Purcell, Joe Randazzo, Larry Allen, Eric Slick and CJ Tywoniak with ROCK SCHOOL teacher Paul Green.

The students have played over 350 concerts to more than 100,000 people at such legendary venues as The Knitting Factory, The Big Easy and BB Kings in Times Square. In Seattle, the play list will feature songs from a wide range of rock classics and will include special musical guests Ann Wilson (Heart) and special guests.

A meditation on talent and teaching, the documentary film ROCK SCHOOL is a celebration of youthful promise and steadfast dreams. It is also a kick-ass music movie that should be played loud!

ROCK SCHOOL is directed by Don Argott and produced by Sheena M. Joyce and Don Argott. ROCK SCHOOL will screen at the Seattle International Film Festival on Wednesday, May 25, 7:00 PM at the Egyptian Theatre. For tickets to the film and after-party, please call: (206) 324-9996 or online visit: www.seattlefilm.org.

Today's insanity...

Please forgive the lapse in posting; I've been working on my novel and crash dieting which is sapping my energy (yes, yes, I'm an idiot, I know)and after skipping dinner last night, I remembered I have a doctor appointment after work today where they do blood work to monitor my cholesterol and I'm supposed to fast all day. So I've now gone over 24 hours without anything in my stomach and I'm hallucinating. But I do have some news. You all probably knew Rock School will be playing at the Ritz in Philadelphia and New Jersey but it's also been added to the Bridge, which is very cool since all the college kids (well, the ones still around for the summer) in University City will find it a lot more convenient. I'm just totally thrilled that it's going to be playing throughout the city at the coolest venues!
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So ever since I've been researching Rock School the movie and the soundtrack I am just astounded by the journalistic errors I'm finding. Take a look at this published in a newspaper out of Toronto (and you know I've written to them to correct this debacle)

"Paul Green is a rock star. Green runs the Rock School in Boston, where kids aged 9 to 17 learn to play Sabbath, Zeppelin, and, if they're good enough, Frank Zappa. Judging by the Rock School documentary screening here, Green is a pudgy holy terror. He screams at the kids, berates them, then cracks sloppy rude jokes that put him right at the kids' level. "Don't look at your fingers," he yells at one boy trying to master a guitar lick. "Girls look at their fingers! Do you wanna be a girl? Do you wanna be in The Bangles?" There is absolutely no mention of School Of Rock in Rock School, which makes me suspect either hurt feelings or legal action. Green is funny and out of control, but strangely, not as convincing in the role as Jack Black was."
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Okay, gang, let's play Where's Waldo. An award to the first reader who can identify all the mistakes in this article. Man, I already went nuts on another Canadian entertainment website who confused Gene Simmons with Paul and then condescendingly told me in a post on their site that I should watch the T.V. show and get it right. Ahem. I will post that later because we're still in a battle and I just zinged him or her pretty good. Whoever is fighting with me is doing in anonymously; I'm using my real name. Oh, I so hope it's Gene Simmons! Ha! (Don't worry - I'm not being obnoxious, just gently suggesting that the poster get his/her facts straight and that NO THE SOUNDTRACK COMING OUT MAY 31 IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE GENE SIMMONS T.V. SHOW! And err...I might have mentioned how horrified I am at the very thought...)
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I dug this review a lot better -- it was posted in a Texas newspaper following the recent screening of the movie at South by Southwest:

"Don Argott's "Rock School" played to capacity crowds who generated a vibe more like a concert than a movie. People laughed, hooted, clapped; many flashed the devil sign with raised hands. They were responding to Paul Green, the demanding dean of the School of Rock Music in Philadelphia, where kids ages 5 to 17 learn the notes, moves and collaborative dynamics of playing in a rock band. Green is mean, shouting expletives and slamming doors when a student fails to make her mark. Yet it's this flamboyant, John Belushian passion, at once crude and caring, that spurs his young charges to play their best, nailing even the most byzantine Frank Zappa compositions at a major festival in Germany. With a trajectory of pain and triumph and a compelling cast of hobbit-height headbangers, the film makes an immersive, exhilarating experience that leaves you giddy."
**************
Now this I loved altogether. You know I'm going to LA next week for a private screening of Rock School. Check this out. $3,000.00 for an all day pass? What does that mean? Hahahahaha - what, to see the movie and see my kids perform? $3,000.00? Can that be right? YAY!
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Speaking of that, Rock School apparently is being released internationally this summer as well - here's the info for a movie theater in Australia!.
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So that's basically it for now -- I'm dizzy as hell and have to leave for the doctor where I will probably fall face down the minute they stick a needle in my arm to draw blood. Holy cow, this may be the longest I've ever gone without food. My luck, my doctor's office is right down the street from Jim's Steaks. I could probably eat six of those at the moment. And probably will.
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P.S.

Oh god...just back from the doctor.

(1) Robin, there is a suspicious looking lesion on your back. I'm giving you the name of a dermatologist and I want you to promise me you will call him immediately for appointment.

Me: IS IT SKIN CANCER???!!!!

Doctor: Well, it isn't uneven around the edges but I have to tell you I don't like the looks of it and it's best to have a dermatologist take a biopsy and then remove it.

Doctor: Your ankles are swollen. Are you eating a lot of salt?

Me: NO! I'VE BEEN WATCHING MY WEIGHT, DOING EVERYTHING RIGHT, WALKING FOUR MILES A DAY. IS IT CANCER?

Doctor: Let me draw some more blood and I'll call you Monday - it could just be you're sitting at the computer too much and not walking around enough.

Sorry. I'm terrified by the idea of a "lesion". It's taking all the willpower in the world not to go on Google and see if ankle swelling and skin cancer are related in any way. Why would he draw blood for ankle swelling?

So...I have to leave to Hollywood on Monday with this on my mind? Jesus Fucking Christ.

Happy Birthday Eric - Part II

So as I've been advertising, Eric turned 18 yesterday and one of his gifts is that he gets to spend the night with Levon Helm Memorial Day weekend in Woodstock, New York at a jam which will be webcast in case anyone is interesting in having a listen/look. Also joining them will be a great guitarist, Jimmy Vivino - you may know him from the Letterman show and he's also one of the Fab Faux, the world's greatest tribute Beatle band:

Anyway, because I bought this gift for Eric with my paypal account, I'm now getting Levon Helm emails from his manager every day so this morning I decided to write back and say, Hey, it's cool I'm getting this stuff but you should really be emailing my son. And then of course me being me and never being able to send a one sentence email, I proceeded to tell Levon's manager all about Eric and Rock School - both the movie and the soundtrack, etc.

Hahahaha - it pays to be an obnoxious "stage mother". I got an excited email back five minutes later; Levon and his manager can't wait to meet Eric...Eric should go up and introduce himself immediately when he gets there, etc. etc.

So how cool is that? Even Eric is impressed. I didn't get the usual "Oh mom..." Hahahaha - I bought him a new suit for the trip to Hollywood next week and of course I opened up my big mouth in the mens' store as well and he had salesguys fawning over him. But Eric does have star quality and they probably would have picked up on it anyway, but he had eight guys rushing to wait on him - it was hilarious.

Speaking of Hollywood, Julie and I bought "gowns" on Saturday morning for the premiere party. Oh my god, we had so much fun. We went to Lord and Taylor and tried on all of these fancy dresses which is so out of character for both of us but we had a blast! We were laughing our asses off posing in front of the mirror and then a couple times we couldn't get the dresses over our heads because of complicated linings; one time Julie tried on a gown with beaded straps which cost a fortune and I'm trying to help her take it off and all I could think was Holy Shit, we're both such clumsy goofballs these straps are going to break and beads are going to fly everywhere and I'm gonna be stuck buying this thing. What made it more fun is that the two of us actually looked decent in almost everything we tried on because we've both been dieting so that put us in a great head. Unlike the poor mother in the dressing room next to us with her spoiled brat daughter who was trying to get a gown for the prom. Oh my god, I don't know how that Mom didn't slap her or storm out and leave her there. Not that I would ever hit either of my kids, but this chick -- I might have made an exception. She was whining about some country club and her poor mother was so desperate she was offering to take her to malls all over the State of Pennsylvania and the girl was so verbally abusive back...anyway,I am so lucky to have Julie as my daughter and not some spoiled mentally unbalanced selfish twat.

So in other news, I spent the entire weekend writing which was AWESOME! I'm really happy with the direction my book is taking. I wrote non-stop except for an hour or two last night when we had dinner out for Eric's birthday. If you live in Philadelphia and haven't eaten at Joseph Poon's, you really should. I had an appetizer of salmon satay which was to die for and Julie and I split an entree of heart healthy coconut shrimp. No really, it was heart healthy - it was steamed shrimp quickly stir fried in light coconut milk with a hundred different fresh crunchy vegetables. Eric got duck tacos and of course I was like Pavlov's dog looking at them but if I want to fit into this gown next week, I have to like live on lettuce this week, too. I almost cracked when Joe brought out those complimentary home made almond cookies for dessert (that's twice in three days I've been offered cookies in a restaurant. If this is a new trend, oh man, I'm sunk!) but I let the family eat them and I kept telling myself: A few seconds of pleasure is not worth the week of torture to lose the pound I'll gain if I eat these.

Ahem. I can think of times a few seconds of pleasure is worth anything, but um, not for a cookie. At least not this week.

So I know it's early in the week but I'm going to keep issuing reminders: This weekend, Indre Studios - the final Rock School spring show EVER for graduating students Eric, Allie Hauptman, Jeremy Blessing, Lauren Pollock, Fil Smith, Matt Rothstein, Max DiMezza...arghhh....this is going to be a three box of Kleenex event for me...performing the music of Led Zep. Ooh ooh - I know the show ender - it's Lauren Pollock singing Stairway to Heaven. If that doesn't bring the house down, nothing will. Eric is on drums for that and I'm guessing most of the "graduates" are going to be on stage for that as well. Shows Friday and Saturday night. I'll be there both evenings -- just look for the weeping blonde in front. Man. And then two days later we leave for Hollywood.

Life is good!

Happy Birthday Eric!

So yeah, Eric is 18 today. Right now he's at brunch at Silk City Diner - his pals called him an hour ago and said Get yourself over here, we're taking you out. But this morning I'm the one who came downstairs to the real present. I got the following email from a Paul Green School of Rock parent following the Rock School 80s' concert last night at Indre Studios. This was Eric's first stint as Assistant Music Director for a show.

Robin,
We just returned home after the second night of the 80s show (and parent fun afterwards), and it's time I share our praise of Eric (Julie is also amazing, but we've only had the privilege of hanging out with Eric).

My daughter joined PGSRM approx one year ago and, through her, I've had the good fortune to be exposed to Eric and his art (performances, original CDs, etc.). Now, with the 80s show, we've also seen the additional fruits of his (co-)production talent.

As a musician, human being, and soul, he is incredible yet refreshingly humble! Kudos to all adults who provided the environment, example, and stimuli which have fed his vast vision, talent, appreciation, empathy, respect, intelligence, and humor! His energy will definitely find its way in our universe, not only from the impact of his own talent, but also in that which he teaches to/shares with/encourages from others. It's rare to find an artist who has such a great rapport and respect for his peers! All of his "little buddies" love him and he's no slouch in keeping up in conversation with all of us "old folks."

(I do know enough about music to assure you that our praise of your brood is well deserved.)

Wow! Thanks for sharing Eric and Julie with the world! Keep "fueling" them, sit back, and enjoy the ride!

*********************

Now you know that email killed me -- I read it out loud to Eric and Julie when they woke up and completely lost it. I started crying, they started laughing -- the usual.

...more later

TGIF...

So my paperback is still a best seller -- I lifted the above images right off my publisher's website -- and now you can get yourself a copy with my autograph and a secret little message here. I know, I know, you all want to read about Rock School and not my book but I've got nothing new at the moment, and well, I did originally start this blog because I'm a writer...

Wait, I do have some news and it's pretty exciting. Julie's been offered a job this summer as an intern at Studio Four/Jive Records where they recorded the Rock School soundtrack and she's grabbing it. This is way cool since recording/producing is her major in college though of course her main dream is to play bass in a viable rock band. Speaking of that, her band (which features Eric on drums, Dan Nitz on guitar, and Teddi Tarnoff on vocals) is totally fabulous - they just recorded a demo CD and it blew me away. What's really wild is that her dad is friendly with someone knows Phil Nicolo (owner of Studio Four and president of the local chapter of the Grammys) and he said his pal told him that Phil compared Julie and Eric to Sly and Robbie Dunbar as the world's best rhythm section and may be interested in using them for future studio work, too.

Ah well. That's it for now. I have to really focus on my novel(s) over the next several days and then I'LL BE LEAVING FOR HOLLYWOOD/SEATTLE AND THE SCREENING OF ROCK SCHOOL AND ACTUALLY SEEING THE KIDS PERFORM WITH JON ANDERSON AND EDDIE VEDDER AND HOW FUCKING GREAT IS THAT.

Sorry. Just needed to let that out. Being cooped up all day in a law office is very, very frustrating. I seriously don't know how much longer I'm going to do this 9-5 paralegal gig -- I've done my time and I'm so, so tired and burnt out. I want to spend my (yuk)golden years doing what I love most, which other than being groupie Mom is of course writing, and I am going to find a way to do it or have a stroke trying.

Have a nice weekend -- I have got to seriously concentrate on my book, but of course if I get any news, I'll pop on to post.

As promised, more on the Rock School Soundtrack

Okay, I rock.

If you live in the Boston area, you can listen to cuts from the Rock School soundtrack on WZIX in Boston at 9:00 p.m. on Sunday.

But the big news is, for all the rest of us, we can listen via the web at WCSX in Detroit where they are playing it throughout the day. However, it is getting special attention weeknights between 10:00 p.m. and midnight, where guess what, the DJ is Alice Cooper, who of course has a special interest in playing the cuts since he appears on the first of two singles released from the CD - Schools Out. They're playing the two cuts together - Schools Out and Barracuda.

Yes, yes, you can all thank me later.

Wow...another hump day already

That's my birthday boy in the background on drums with Napoleon Murphy Brock from the recent Project Object show. Julie took that pic and I love it, it looks like a painting.

Yeah, so Eric will be legal on Sunday...well, not quite legal...but old enough to vote, be drafted (oh my god, Eric, if you are reading this - this is so, so gross but I think you have to register with the draft board. Holy shit...let's just get airline tickets...pick a country, any country...and we'll get the hell out of here), and at 18 he can even get married without my permission but sorry, dude, you still can't have that beer.

That's a joke, actually - Eric isn't fond of any alcohol except champagne. I've taught him well.

So in typical Slick family fashion, we never have just a one day celebration - Friday Eric and I are having lunch at a restaurant which is right up my alley though Eric picked it called The Smoked Joint (sigh..no, no, it's a barbecue place); then of course Friday night and Saturday night he is assistant music director for the Rock School Eighties show at Indre Studios so he'll be there but he's going out afterwards to party with his friends; Sunday we're having dinner at Joseph Poon's Asian Fusion restaurant (I told you I taught that kid well), and he's made it easy for me - he just wants money for the rest of his present. He already got his initial downpayment gift, as I mentioned here before, I bought him a night with Levon Helm...seriously, I think that's the coolest thing ever and wish I was going with him...hanging out with Levon Helm in Woodstock the last weekend in May. It's going to be webcast so you know I'll be posting the link here in case anyone wants to watch the jam session. Ack, there's another famous musician joining them and I can't remember who it is...fuck...well, I'll be posting this again when the time comes anyway.

Ah well, I just can't believe my baby is 18. And by the way, you can purchase tickets to see Eric and his band Flamingo on June 12 at North Star Bar. They also have upcoming gigs at NYC Knitting Factory, World Cafe Live, and the Fire.

It really pays to be an internet sleuth. I found out they will be playing songs from the Rock School soundtrack CD between 7-8:00 p.m. on FM Radio KVRV in San Francisco on Saturday night. I'm still checking - I figured out how to go about finding what stations have the CD and when they'll be playing it, and as soon as I gather all information and find us a live link where we can all be insane fans and listen via the web, I'll post it here. But as for now, anyone in the San Francisco area, and that means you, Ric Tywoniak, please listen and report back! Ric is guitarist C.J.'s father and since he lives in SF, he can listen first hand this Saturday night. If I can't find an internet feed, we're gonna count on him for details, but trust me, I'm gonna find a source for all of us any minute if it kills me.

So it's now Wednesday and I've kept my lifestyle change promises - I've actually lost three pounds since the weekend and feel pretty damn good. I signed on to Zoetrope (n line writing workshop) for the first time today since Sunday and it took me an hour to catch up on my reading but it was all good. I'm glad I'm weaning myself away while I work on my novel(s). And it's true, without eating all that sugar and signing on to Zoetrope every five minutes, I've gotten a shitload of writing done over the past few days and am guilt free. Hahaha - I have such an addictive personality, but the one thing I've learned is that if I can get over the first few days, it gets easier and easier. That one day at a time thing they preach in 12 step programs really does work.

(Then why did I suddenly get an urge for a milk chocolate Cadbury bar with almonds? No! I will not succumb!)

So in less than two weeks I'll be on a plane for Hollywood/Seattle and if you think I'm not going to be going overboard talking about it for the next several days, you are sadly mistaken and had better not visit my blog. I just found out that Julie's boyfriend, Matt, is coming along as well and I'm really glad about that. I mean, how could he miss his girlfriend on stage with Jon Anderson? Matt is a very talented bass player, too, as you will discover when you hear him on the Rock School soundtrack - he rules in Black Magic Woman and Rebel Yell. Eric plays amazing drums on both of those tracks which is way cool. Whooops. Now you know. I've heard the entire soundtrack. Hahahahaha - oh well, I have friends in high places, what can I say?

Later...