news

~ Jeff's Blog page 14 ~
aka Weavils Blog
...so on Sat., 7/17/4, I was hangin' with guitarist Roger Steen in a hotel bar in Port Washington, WI after the Fishday Festival in which The Tubes opened for Blue Oyster Cult. He suggested that I start a blog to document my times and travels.

me with roger steen of the tubes on 7/14/4
This is my blog...thanks Roger

(photo by Sharon - cropped by smeeg)
Dig the LIARS shirt - available at: rundgrenjunkie@aol.com
(tell him i sent ya)

(banner designed by mark larson)
*Now with more pages*
for easier load

~~~~* 2005 *~~~~
comments?

11/30/5

the new TODD RUNDGREN DVD came out today and it is stellar
taken from the LIARS tour of 2004, this is not to be missed
(screenshots by nightotter)

11/26/5

modeling the latest in trbazaarwear at the wildhorse saloon in kellner, pre-lizardz "show"
(photo by grant meyer with my cell)

11/25/5

nephew christopher shoots us with my cell

F"little miss megan" gets a brush lesson from my sis'

the coolest kid in the universe

11/23/5

From the Reaper Wire comes the sad news that singer/songwriter/guitarist Chris Whitley
has passed away from lung cancer at age 45.

When this is over, over and through
And all them changes have come and passed
I want to meet you in the big sky country
Just want to prove mama, love can last

Like hallelujah in the big sky country
Just like forever and ever is why
Be getting over in the big sky country
Be kissing time, kissing time goodbye
God knows it's all been done
Let me tell you why

'Cause you held my number, you held my name
You held my body through the thick and thin
On a bed of roses in the big sky country
Spread out to love you, love you in your second skin

Like hallelujah in the big sky country
Just like forever and ever is why
Be getting over in the big sky country
Be kissing time, kissing time goodbye

Hallelujah mama, razzle dazzle mama
Probably got lights on all over the place
Hallelujah, I mean glory hallelujah
If I could only come 'round once and see your face

So just watch them lovers out on parade
You watch them lovers while they slip and slide
They gonna prove it to the big sky country
Just gonna prove it while the whole world collides

Like hallelujah in the big sky country
Just like forever and ever is why
Be getting over in the big sky country
Be kissing time, kissing time goodbye

11/8/5

den 2 and another of my 'pads' in rapids
11/6/5
LOOOOOOoooooong weekend with many many miles

Friday - Genesis' The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway performed by The Musical Box in Milwaukee
(via Appleton to pick up Hawk Hawkins AKA Jesus)
at the GORGEOUS Pabst Theatre. many thanks to exec director Gary Witt for bein' so hip

Saturday - Madison's Crystal Corner mixing for the Respite Center benefit with Sara Pace, Clyde Stubblefield Band,

and Box Elder
GREAT NIGHT!

Sunday - another Packers loss with several friends in Madtown

11/1/5

Jeff as A Wizard, A TRue Star
10/31/5 with The Lizardz at Hollyrock's in Wis Rapids, WI
(photo by Mike Haessig)
10/29/5

a glimpse of one of my 'new pads' in wisco rapids

10/9/5

w/ The Lizardz and nephew and niece in the Hotel Mead parking lot for Hogs to Bogs,
a charity event sponsored by (dig this) bikers and cranberry growers
10/8/5
(photos courtesy of Maggie Molesky-MANY MANY THANKS!!!!!)

10/7/5

in memorium of my cousin eric gauss (right)
ERIC J. GAUSS
Eric Joseph Gauss, 29, of Marysville, died Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2005, in
Marysville. He was born March 19, 1976, in Royal Oak.Mr. Gauss loved music,
cars, NASCAR, models and Civil War history. His family said more than
anything, he loved his two girls. He married Stacey on May 24, 2002.He is
survived by his wife of three years, Stacey; children, Amber Chevy-Lynn and
Ruby Anne; parents, Robert and Linda Gauss of Shelby Township; siblings,
Scott (Mandy), Steven (Amy) and Kim; grandmother, Elizabeth Quick;
great-uncle, Jerry Quick; and godparents, Terry and Karen Quick.

10/2/5

Halloween preview from Christopher and Megan

9-10/5
looooong move that saddens
g'bye madtown...hello (again) hometown

9/5/5
SONG of the WEEK
"Falling Down" by The Red Walls-from De Nova, their second release
Intro:

E 7 77 7 77---3 33----10 1010---
B 8 88 8 88---5 55----12 1212---
G 7 77 7 77---4 44----12 1212---
D------------------------------------

G
What's this shit goin' down 'bout the fcc
Em7
gone to war against obscenity?
G
well, in times like these you better watch what you say
Em7
watch 'em take your fucking rights away

C
darlin' i've been
G
falling down
C
darlin' we've been and i'm
G
falling down
Am
don't you wanna
D
know. oh oh oh

Intro

G
just a shame, just a drag, just the usa
Em7
more concerned about the things we say
G
then the lies they tell i'll tell you that's what's unjust
Em7
what the fuck they've been telling us

C
darlin' i've been
G
falling down
C
darlin' we've been and i'm
G
falling down
Am
don't you wanna
D
know. oh oh oh

Play a G in this part right before the Bridge

D C G
and it's a long way out
D C G
and it's a long way out

D C G

Intro

G
here come the witch hunt, black listin' fcc
Em7
callin' out the fucking cavalry
G
when they come for you, why don't you come to me
Em7
as you sit through this insanity

C
darlin' i've been
G
falling down
C
darlin' we've been and i'm
G
falling down
Am
don't you take it
D
away
Am
don't you take it
D
away
Am
Don't you wanna
D
know. Oh oh oh

*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*

All-nighter as Ron and i headed to the Highway 18 Outdoor for the
"Dusk to Dawn" closer to the weekend...that's right, 10 hours of movies (for a mere $7)
a couple Disney's - Sky High (funny...will sell gazillions!) and Herbie: Fully Loaded (unmemorably fun)
a total yawn of disappointment with Dark Water (quite awful)
and then two 'surprise' classic flicks picked by the owner,
Lee Burgess-a great guy...
Alien - totally classic sci-fi

The Warriors - thrilling tale of late 70s gangs

all finished at dawn with about two dozen folks bein' served FREE breakfast (scrambled eggs, toast, donuts, and coffee)
very cool scene that i was pleased to be a part of
...thanks, Lee, for a great way to help close out summer.

9/4/5
Return trip to the taste of madison for local reggae faves Natty Nation

Natty now homes two members of The Spontaneous Throwdown
(AK and Slater-actually "Konk" aka AK has been manning their keys for a while)
and it is good to see their unique chemistry in action again.
They featured many new tunes and also world-debuted one.

Other bands i caught on various stages included the modern country pop crap of Aaron Lines ,
the crybaby metal of Jimmy Newquist,
the polkas of the La Movida stage,
(hey, they are just polka tunes sung en Espanol)
and the unwanted fox valley/milwaukee cover tunes of The Love Monkeys...why are these bands everywhere now?
These bands, from the same should-be-broken molds that brough you Vic Ferrari and Road Trip,
are now at fests all over the state-
sucking money from artists that actually write songs and stealing energy and money from the unknowing sheep.
One wants to scream, "Go back to the Fox Valley!!!!" after every song...and they weren't even performed very well.
Lead singer, John, either had a bad day or simply sucks as he relied on his coke-wanna-be stage presence
to disguise his lack of vocal abilities...
it didn't work.

when i moved to madison in '93 there were none of these crappy copy bands, especially at festivals...now they are everywhere,
a sad sign of the state of music in madison...and probably around the globe.

STILL......
GREAT FOOD and good people- speaking of which:
what happened to the cultural diversity in this town?
whites as far as the eye could see...and at a REGGAE show even.

also what happened to the openness and liberalism madison is "known for"?
not a doobie to be seen either day/night at the Taste.
* SAD but still a unique fest to this land of PC known as Wisco's capital *

9/3/5
~The Dream Weavil sees the Dream Weaver~

(courtesy of concertshots.com)
FREE retro music is something i will sure miss about madison. today's great example was at the taste of madison as
Gary Wright hit one of the four stages with 3 keyboard band
to lay down some familiar hits, a little Spooky Tooth, and even some funky new stuff!
very interesting to catch a band with no bassist. although a bit buried in the mix
(handled by Gary's son Justin, who played the fest earlier with Intangible),
the bass was handled competently by a hipster on an old moog.
at first i really didn't dig it but, as the mix came together it started to make sence...
so much so that i handed their "bassist" a treat after the show.
Set ran the gammut from funky to psychedelic to ballads to power pop-ish and
highlights included (in no particular order):
Power of Love, Really Wanna Know You, If You Believe in Heaven, Water Sign,
Better By You, Better By Me (Spooky Tooth),
a TERRIBLY YAWNING and pretentious Time Machine->I Am the Sky->Who Am I? (featuring his son at 5),
The Light of Smiles, Keep Love in Your Soul, Let Me Feel Your Love Again, Love is Alive,...

-------> and, of course Dream Weavil! <-------

Encore: a very funky Can't Find the Judge (with extended probe solo)
Robert Moog would be proud of this band

10 blocks from my place...and did i mention it was FREE?!

9/2/5
KILLER double bill with two of my fave 'touchstones' from my youth at one show!
Cheap Trick opened for Alice Cooper at the Alliant Energy Center in Madtown

Alice's band is amazing
Setlist from this great show full of segues, surprises, and theatrical goodness:
(Hey Stoopid intro CD cut)
Department Of Youth (from Welcome To My Nightmare, 1975)->
No More Mr Nice Guy (from Billion Dollars Babies, 1973)->
Dirty Diamonds (from Dirty Diamonds, 2005)->
Billion Dollar Babies (from Billion Dollars Babies, 1973)
Lost In America (from The Last Temptation, 1994)
I Never Cry (from Goes To Hell, 1976)
Be My Lover (from Killer, 1971)
Woman of Mass Distraction (from Dirty Diamonds, 2005)
I'm Eighteen (from Love It To Death, 1971)
Between High School and Old School (from The Eyes of Alice Cooper, 2003)
What Do You Want From Me (from The Eyes of Alice Cooper, 2003)
Is It My Body (from Love It To Death, 1971)->
Go To Hell (from Goes To Hell, 1976)->
Black Widow Jam (Inc. Drum solo) (from Welcome To My Nightmare, 1975)
Gimme (from Brutal Planet, 2000)
Feed My Frankenstein (from Hey Stoopid, 1991)->
Welcome To My Nightmare (from Welcome To My Nightmare, 1975)->
"The Piece" (Includes The Awakening)
Steven (from Welcome To My Nightmare, 1975)->
Only Women Bleed (from Welcome To My Nightmare, 1975)->
Steven (from Welcome To My Nightmare, 1975)
Ballad Of Dwight Fry (from Love It To Death, 1971)->
I Love The Dead (Band vocal only)/Guillotine->
School's Out (from School's Out, 1972)
encore:
Poison (from Trash, 1989)
I Wish I Was Born In Beverly Hills (from From The Inside, 1978)
Under My Wheels (from Killer, 1971)
(Escape intro CD cut)
Unfortunately, due to AEC curfew, the encore set featuring both acts as seen in other cities
(Helter Skelter and My Generation),
was NOT performed.
The theatrics of the show are a whole other experience with the crowd, with special mention to Alice's daughter Calico who appears in various roles including a ditzy Paris Hilton towards the end during 'I Wish I Was Born In Beverly Hills'.
Of course, the guillotine his still there, and Alice's head is in the basket beside it. Luckily he is reconstructed during
'Feed My Frankenstein', in time to complete the show.
Kiss drummer Eric Singer is also Alice's drummer and don't the audience know it? Kiss shirts everywhere!
Singer received a great round of applause when introduced and excelled with his drum solo following 'Devil's Food'.

Cheap Trick's set was exactly the same as Wisco State Fair (see 8/11/5 entry below) but played, as always,
with high energy and emphasis on fun.
"Voices" provided the shivers and hair-raising tear swells

BEST STUFF OF THE NIGHT:
Steven->Only Women Bleed->Steven

9/1/5
new page for me and bands at myspace

nephew Christopher's first day of first grade...TODAY!

8/26-7/5
The Lizardz played the wonderful CMN balloon rally in Wisco Rapids Friday night amidst flights of pouring rain...stuck around the next day to catch Roger and the Ramjets, Ferris Wheeler (Todd Ashbeck's new retro band), and
Relentless (featuring "my Lizardz backup" Gary Mossack)
Sat bands got the better deal as the weather was wonderful and thousands attended this free all ages fest

2002 Rally
(photo by WGLX)

8/24/5
Rico and i headed to Highway 18 Outdoor...again
caught wes craven's Red Eye (just another killer in the house slasher in disguise...with LOOOOONG setup)
and the AWFUL The Island which made War of the Worlds (see below) look Oscar-worthy...
AN AMALGAMATION OF MANY TIRED SCI-FI FILMS
*** AVOID THE ISLAND AT ALL COSTS ***

8/22/5
although i did enjoy it, a second viewing of Star Wars-Revenge of the Sith at the budget theatre ($2.75) proves that
george lucas (an eewok) can neither write nor direct as
terrible dialogue/execution and awfully amateur scene changes
(counting the swipes could become quite a drinking game)
fill most moments of this film.
the droids were ridiculously silly at times
(and they also have awful dialogue done in terribly over-the-top voices),
the scenes "at home" between anikin and padme are
complete wastes of time that would make the worst daytime soaps blush,

however, the story line is worthy and nobody does better spaceships and battles above than lucas
so, somehow, it turns out to be very entertaining, completely hilarious,...and FUN

8/21/5
mixed a great show with three fine madison bands at the crystal corner last night:
the apologists - garage country
the familiars - harmonies and power pop ala (4 piece) UTOPIA
the motorz - power pop ala cheap trick and kiss

interesting that the last two bands shared a couple members and that the familiars are so young they know not yet that
they wear Utopia on their sleeves
also the motorz covered Cheap Trick's "He's a Whore" and Kiss' "Strutter" (by my request)

8/19/5
TORNADOES ABOUND!!!!!

26 confirmed tornadoes pummeled the madison area with most damage being done just 10 minutes east of here in
stoughton, wisco. 1 person found dead, at least 20 in hospitals, 15 homes destroyed, 35 homes damaged,...
MUCH DESTRUCTION
letters to stoughton residents found as far as 65 miles away (near milwaukee) as they were carried in the atmosphere
* $45 million in damages *
Ma Nature is upset, people!

(photos posted at COAST TO COAST AM, my fave radio show, site by Pat J.)

8/18/5

caught the red walls at an almost sold-out high noon saloon last night
if ya like early beatles, badfinger, and acts of their era then you will LOVE this act
although they are quite young, their parents musta had some GREAT record collections as these youngins ROCK like the great acts of retro-yesteryears

Setlist (more or less):

It's Alright
Robinson Crusoe
For You
Love Her
When I Paint My Masterpiece
Easy Come-n-Go
Wont' Be Easy
Falling Down
Front Page
On My Way
Back Together
To Rule the World
Glory of War
Balinese

encore:
dead flowers

8/17/5
Rico and i headed to Highway 18 Outdoor...

the screen looked like this as we arrived just in time
who'da thunk the battle of the remakes woulda been won by Bad News Bears?

NOT I...but lemme tell ya
War of the Worlds REALLY STUNK BAD
-ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE -

********Do Not See this film********

STOP THE ASSAULT ON FREEDOM IN MADISON, WISCONSIN!!!!!!

RALLY AUGUST 16TH, 5PM AT THE CITY COUNTY BUILDING...
STAND FOR FREEDOM AND FAIRNESS FOR MADISON WORKERS!

***************OVER 500 PEOPLE ATTENDED***************

UPFRONT BROADCASTED LIVE FROM THE EVENT!

THE MADISON SMOKING/TOBACCO BAN IS HURTING BUSINESS, HURTING WORKERS AND HURTING BEVERAGE DISTRIBUTORS--NOT TO MENTION IS AN UN-AMERICAN ASSAULT ON PERSONAL FREEDOM. WE DON'T NEED TO WAIT UNTIL A BAR OWNER HAS TO CLOSE HIS DOORS OR A WAITRESS OR BARTENDER TO LOSE HIS/HER JOB TO TELL THE CITY COUNCIL ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

ANTI-TOBACCO GROUPS ARE WELL ORGANIZED, AND WELL FUNDED. ALREADY THEY HAVE BEGUN EMAIL CAMPAIGNS IN ANTICIPATION OF THE DEBATE AT THE CITY COUNCIL OVER THIS UNFAIR BAN. DON'T LET THEM GET THE UPPER HAND. LIBERTY LOVING PEOPLE ALL ACROSS THE CITY MUST CONTACT COUNCIL MEMBERS NOW TO LET THEM KNOW THAT MADISON WILL NOT TOLERATE A DEFACTO ELIMINATION OF SMALL TAVERNS.

EMAIL THE CITY COUNCIL AND LET THEM KNOW TO REPEAL THE TOTAL SMOKING BAN NOW.
HELP NOW!!!!!
IF YOU CAN AFFORD IT, PLEASE HELP THE CAUSE:
SEND DONATIONS TO:
COALTION TO SAVE MADISON JOBS
Attn: Scott Toomey
5313 Kvamme Lane
Madison, WI 53716
**DONATIONS ALSO TAKEN AT LOCAL TAVERNS**

****GET YOUR BAN THE BAN T-SHIRTS WHILE THEY LAST FOR A
ONLY A $5 DONATION AT LOCAL BARS AND TAVERNS.
THEY'RE VERY COOL SHIRTS, BY THE WAY!****

!!!!!This is about economics as MANY people are losing jobs and clubs are already closing!!!!!

JEFFEST '5
8/12-14/5

~me with Ross the Boss at Hollyrock's on 8/14/5~
Rundgren Junkies shirt available here
(photo courtesy of Barrymore Sal via chefdean-THANKS!)

Another FABULOUS weekend as JEFFFEST plowed through 650 (solo) miles of Wisco madness...6 sets w/ the Weavils shows in Minocqua (at the amazing T. Murtaugh's) and a great Lizardz/Brain Surgeons combo in Whiskey Rapids.

The Brain Surgeons 8/14/5 Setlist:

Red and Black
Gun
Jimmy Boots
1864
Lonestar
Constantine Sword
Dark Secretes
Verböten
Astronomy
Plague of Lies
Cities
Godzilla
Dominance and Submission
e: Tattoo Vampire
e: Change the World Henry

(photos courtesy of Redcap-THANKS BRO!)

The Lizardz played mostly originals (for the first time ever)
and it was respected and admired by Albert Bouchard-very cool!
Set included Who Do, Gypsy Moth (Trouvelot's Mess), I Didn't Come to Dance, Linda,...and
******** Also...Albert played drums on my song "Make It Happen" ********

(photo courtesy of Barrymore Sal-THANKS MUCH)

"new" axeman Ross the Boss is fukkin' amazing!

Go Go ALZILLA!

Ice Dog after the Brains ripped Rapids apart
(photos courtesy of Kira-THANKS)

the crowd at the 'rocks
(photo by Albert Bouchard)

Ross IS the fukkin' BOSS
(he is a KILLLLLLLLLLLLLER axeman-one of the best i have ever seen)

Ross Rocks Hard!

crossed guitars...like days of olde
(photos courtesy of Redcap-THANKS BRO!)
~~~~~~ * MORE great photos by Redcap HERE*~~~~~~~

!!!!!!Redcap in action!!!!!!

...and JEFFFEST closed with a trip to see my favorite 2 little people in the world,
nephew and niece Christopher and Megan Shields!

an aborted fire at Tork Island (due to damp wood) closed the fest
!!!!!THANKS TO ALL THAT ATTENDED!!!!!

8/12/5
Aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh,
Cheap Trick
   Cheap Trick
       Cheap Trick
           Cheap Trick

gosta love this band o' fun to bring the midwest to fame!
~special thanks to beatpoet for settin me up a great sea and the tricksters~
Hello There
Big Eyes
If You Want My Love
Southern Girls
Best Friend
I Want You to Want Me
I know What I Want
Voices
Never Had a Lot to Lose
The Flame
That 70s Song
Surrender
The Dream Police
guitar intro ---> California Man
Goodnight Now

-WHAT FUN-

*** photos courtesy of Country Girl 3 ***

8/7/5
Finally a show at the Crystal Corner this summer-a WORT benefit on Saturday 8/6 with:
The Buffali
Chris Plata and Extra Hot featuring Clyde Stubblefield
and The Midwesterners featuring Richard Wiegel - good ol' rock'n'roll at its finest
hope we raised some money as the selfishly ridiculous madison smoking ban is
killing small business in Madison as the 'chosen few' are now making rules for all in Madtown,
liberalism gone awry and legislation of morality-sad, sad times indeed

8/2/5

WHAT A GREAT BIRTHDAY WEEKEND!!!
A fabulous time was had by all Weavils at the GGG
We are pleased to announce that we filmed a 3-camera DVD w/ soundboard audio,
and have been invited back for next year!
Big thanks to Sundog, Bill Bongwater for the video, Marv at NCN-North Campground, Camp Boneyfingers,
the kindness of so many campers/dancers/smiling children,
Stu Allen, Marty Harland, all in the hospitality tent, and all crews

Friday, 7/29/5 ~ NCN-North Campground ~ Black River Falls, WI
7:10pm
> ------------------------------------------- <
(Turn on Your) Lovelight->
Comin' into Los Angeles
Make It Happen (Gauss/Finucan)
Television Zombies (Finucan)
Umbilical
Party 'til the Money Run Out
Satisfy (Hawkins)
LA Woman
Boogie On Reggae Woman
Dance of Death (Finucan)
Jingo->
Evil Ways->
Happy Land (Finucan)
Celebrate Yourself (Hawkins)

- 1:14:44 -

7/14-20
The Onion and Pabst Blue Ribbon saluted The Weavils in its Summer Fun issue this week

7/18/5
spent another evening at the UW-Memorial Terrace for a free viewing of
Alfred Hitchcock's PSYCHO, perhaps the greatest movie of all time.
although it was another great crowd, it sure is a different generation as some even laughed during the "horror" scenes, probably due to the desensitizing by horror produced since this ground-breaking film for film-lovers.

the somewhat cheesy pre-show antics thrown by this group of students included some Q&A
hershey's syrup (used as 'blood')
a shower curtain
and a bates motel key
were among the gifts given away

7 days to shoot the most influential/greatest 45 seconds of film
well worth it hitch!

7/16/5
went sailing with my neighbors Bob and Karen on their amazing boat, Aeolos, on a gorgeous saturday afternoon/evening on wonderful Lake Mendota...ending up at the UW-Memorial Terrace for a good ska band,
Deals Gone Bad

the sunset looked VERY MUCH like this!

7/15/5

headed to Madison's State Street to hang with buddy Ron and catch the great Latin sounds of Tony Castenada at the UW-Memorial Terrace (for free)

7/14/5
one of my fave thangs to do in the summer is to catch movies at the drive-in.
this first summer outdoor flick venture (later than usual) took me to Jefferson, WI for
Batman Begins

at the Highway 18 Outdoor Theatre.

hooked myself up with a stealth spot on 'house right' near the end for relaxadasical delight...
interesting to hear a nearby race and/or tractor pull on the near right as i sat between two of those old-school drive-in speakers.
Hwy 18 does a great job carrying on the tradition of the 50s drive-ins by beginning the eve with an animation for
the "Star Spangled Banner", an old cartoon, in this case the Pink Panther's "Pink Streaker" from 1975,

and the fun old commercials for their 'lobby food'.
the almost half-moon was beautiful as it lit up the evening sky
but even more stunning as it turned blood red prior to setting appropriately at the end of the flick.

between flicks, this great venue keeps the traditions alive by running the old-school 'time cartoons' which remind one how much/little time there is until the next movie-classic stuff-
this place is great!

LOVE Batman Begins...i saw it opening night at the Ultrascreen...
amazing how QUIET it is...
attempted to struggle through Miss Congeniality 2 (some sequels should never be made) but the cheap jokes and bullock's snorts chased me out about 1/2 hour into it...the first one was at least cute and fun, this was just awful.

7/9/5

another FABULOUS time at The Weavils fave fest in the universe
CORNSTOCK!
Randy and Clay are the best!
shared the stage (again) with Apple Creek and Burnt Toast and Jam
GREAT to see chuch behind the soundboard again-thanks for recording us...
perhaps this two-track tape will see the light of digital day soon

7/8/5
filled in for amazing axeman Kevin Stellman as part of Roger and the Ramjets at Olini'sin waupaca, a great place that all y'all oughta visit when in the area...excellent owners!
look for THE WEAVILS there soon

7/4/5

The Lizardz played the Fireworks Celebration for downtown Wisconsin Rapids
Seen here with: full band (excluding other guitarist milo), including guest/my sub Gary Mossack
bassist Grant
"new drummer" Christopher Shields
niece and nephew Megan and Christopher
(man, how i LOVE those kids!)
(photos by brother-in-law Jason Shields)

6/27/5
a fine evening with buddy Rico at the UW-Memorial Terrace for a free viewing of the classic comedy
Caddyshack
although many of the jokes, especially the drug jokes, seemed lost on the FULL HOUSE crowd,
it was a great time indeed

6/24-25/5
weavils weekend in appleton and private party in waupaca
what a treat to do an entire weekend with my blood and brothers again!

6/22/5
Happy Birthday to my hero-Todd Rundgren
celebrated by catching Roger and the Ramjets in Stevens Point at Clark Place
took notes (ala TR scoping out a new production) for upcoming gig in waupaca

6/17-18/5
The Lizardz attacked the trailer on the street in front of St. Lawrence in whiskey rapids on friday, then pulled an all-nighter that took me to a benefit at the lions club for an altered-states solo show...many jokes and references to the locale-
also joined by Lizard Jack Faville for a few tunes including a rousing rendition of Lake Shore Drive
and a killer version of Duck, Duck, Goose...
then back to St. Lawrence for a good set from
Rapids' Southbound (not the Milwaukee boys) that even included some Cheap Trick (I Want You to Want Me)

6/15-16/5
caught the stellar new comic book movie
Batman Begins

on opening night at midnight on Madison's Ultrascreen...
as the Simpson's comic book guy would say,
"best comic book movie ever!"
!!!!!! KILLLLLLLLER !!!!!!

6/15/5
i sat in on the first of 2 shows celebrating Casey Fox's 15th anniversary on WORT.

MUCH FUN-I was pleased to be a part of such an elaborately diverse gathering of die-hard musicheads
...and even greater to know I am still "Guilty Pleasure's Todd Rundgren correspondent"
We began with the ever-classic Love of the Common Man off Faithful vinyl, Casey IS Captain Analog, and then chatted about the current tour, mainly about Joe, over much of the rest of that side (skipping and all :)

We naturally dove into a current show-5/21/5 Redwood City, CA- for the closer, While My Guitar Gently Weeps from (thanks LISA). Besides being a great example of the shows 'encore set', Casey is a big Beatles fan and had a guest on earlier (Jim Birkenstock) that spoke of the Fab Four.

Next we segued into the most recent release's closer, Liar, to show musical diversity and promote the most recent release.

(animation courtsey of eeeeej)
Finally we rapped up over most of the rest of Faithful side two by speaking a bit of Liv and her "spiritual father", the origin of the name The Nazz, and Todd's upcoming tour plans with Hall and Oates and Donald Fagen.

Overall we filled about 22 minutes of airtime with TR!

THANKS CASEY and CONGRATS on 15 YEARS!

6/10-11/5
The Lizardz weekend in Minocqua at T. Murtaugh's...CRAZY PLACE that you MUST visit when in the northwoods!
many thanks to brenda's dad for the "weekend home"

6/4/5
The Radiators return to the Barrymore Theatre in Madison for another KILLLLLER show!
GREAT live band that ALL should see (and soon)
special thanks to Becky and Craig for the hospitality and to Rads' Dave and Camille for joinin' us there after the show

extra special thanks to steven labuz for shippin' me the show!

5/26/5
just a week after its release,
i caught the new Star Wars (Episode Three...or is it Six?????) Revenge of the Sith at the Ultrascreen and it is the best piece from george lucas since The Empire Strikes Back, the best of the bunch by far.

being directed and written by lucas assures three things:
terrible dialogue
awful direction
the most amature scene changes of all time

so don't count those endless swipes of every variety ('til the inverse circles over and over and over again near the end),
attempt to ignore the crappy verbage used by almost all characters (especially the silly, silly droids),
and watch in horror as even Samuel L. Jackson (one of the best) falls flat...

but, against all these odds, this is a very fun film that has moments of excitement and laughter
so go see, what will hopefully be,
THE FINAL STAR WARS FILM
(yeah right, i smell money mr. eewok)

5/25/5

part of the studio audience for Roger and the Ramjets on public access tv in rapids

5/20-22/5
The Lizardz returned to Big Hunchie's Roadhouse , a great club in Stevens Point on friday and bassist Grant's son Jason got hitched the next day as we filled the Knights of Columbus building with vibes for several hours.
sunday brought an impromptu visit to Hollyrock's for an acoustic set
as well as some very cool improv work with comedian Benny Quasch

5/15/5
"outta my brain on the 5:15!"
SOLD OUT show last night at the Crystal (man, that's been awhile-THANKS bands)
for The Junkers reunion show with great opener
Pupy Costello and His Honky Tonk Band

5/14/5

Post-show fun at the Pabst - 5/13/5
(photo by Chris Braeger-THANKS)

AMAAAAAAAAAZING show last night in milwaukee at the GORGEOUS Pabst Theatre as i was front and center for
my hero Todd Rundgren with Joe Jackson and Ethel.
TR was ON...everyone was WAY ON and unleashed some incredibly special vibes that were wonderful to swim in.
Todd played a unique new axe (that showed up for the first time the night before in St. Paul at the Fitzgerald Theatre) that i have seen Todd's sidekick Jesse Gress advertise in guitar mags. no broken strings, despite a heavy right hand, and no tuning problems like with past axes...here's the model he played (also had a backup). check out the uniquely intriguing design!

special thanks to Scott and fellow lizardz Mark and Milo for the lifts...and to Randy for the 'special vision'