The Workers Playground

 

Amy and I had our first gig at Six Flags Amusement Park in Agawam. I had performed here way back when it was Riverside Park in the mid '80s. Many features still exist from the old place, and we got to do a little bit of strolling about in between sets. 

Things started to get busier as it grew dark, but we performed for a good solid 4 hours as people checked us out for a little while in between rides, food and drinks.

Our stage was located next to a Barbeque Joint/Sports Bar and between Oktoberfest, Halloween and a Patriots-Jets football game, there were enough people to make it a good turnout. Plus the incredible weather that was on our side didn't hurt. We had a great time and good some very positive feedback from the staff and the visitors. 

Out of the Fog

 I went for a few walks during the afternoon. Clouds have been hanging low, and were clipping the tops of our low-lying mountains in the Valley.

a few hours later, the sky was quickly growing dark, and the fog had covered  the area to the point that I realized I was surrounded in it.

My mom passed away exactly nine years ago, on a day much like this. I miss her every day (as I do my father, who passed just a couple of years ago). In the years following her death, I was taking care of my dad, who had dementia and was completely lost without her. I felt lost as well, but I was able to stay strong to show the love and devotion that they ultimately showed to me growing up. 

It took a long time to emerge from that fog, and when I did. Everything was different. with no choice, I started over at just about everything, and it took a number of years before I felt like I was anything close to myself again. 

I think it's important to recognize and feel sadness, because it can open yourself up to experiencing joy as well as sorrow. There has been plenty to feel joy about in my life, and I make sure I welcome those feelings, because it's all part of life. 

Tonight, Tonight (The Morning After)

 

The sky was very gray when we woke up. Citizen M has amazing windows with city views. Even this looked cool.

I took a short walk to get some coffee and breakfast and passed by a club I played at as recent as a few years ago - with massive crowds of rowdy college students swimming in a sea of beer, hard seltzer and energy drinks (Pre-COVID times).

We had a wonderful time visiting Boston and seeing a great show. Music is what keeps us going. It got us through the worst of the pandemic, and continues to drive us toward the promise of a new year.

 Now, we head back to home where we start recording our own original music. 

(a little more on that a little later)

Tonight, Tonight (Part Two)

 Four Years Ago, I asked a friend out to see a concert in Northampton (Echo and the Bunnymen) she said yes.

Fast Forward to today.

The sound, lights and vibrations that came from the Jane's Addiction/Smashing Pumpkins concert in Boston was quite the revelation. I was there to see the former, but the latter is whom I came away with a whole new opinion of. Each song by Billy Corgan and company created a different mood. Blistering hard rock and metal danced with the new wave edginess of Gary Numan, David Bowie, and whimsical ballads, ranging from the anthemic balladry of "Tonight, Tonight" to the Tin Pan Alley inspired "We Only Come Out at Night", which had the 8,000 strong crowd singing along.

Janes Addiction was missing their stalwart guitarist Dave Navarro (due to long COVID) but the band was served by special guests from Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Josh Klinghoffer) Troy Van Leeuwen (QOTSA, A Perfect Circle) and Daniel Ash (Love and Rockets). After a Bauhaus cover, the band tore through "Stop" and finished with a loose encore of "Been Caught Stealing", which had the crowd dancing in the isles.

Smashing Pumkins topped Jane's 10 song set with a 20 song marathon. A night of champions on guitar. Plus two of the greatest drummers in Modern Rock both taking turns behind the kit, and two very magnetic personalities fronting each group made for a very memorable event.

Tonight, Tonight (Part One)

 Adventures in Boston. 

                      Saw Janes Addiction and Smashing Pumpkins at TD Garden this weekend.

Booked a room directly above the venue for the concert.

 Citizen M is a chain of funky, modern boutique hotels, that offer small rooms with amazing views, comfortable beds and ample choices for lighting and media controls. 

Strolled around the North End looking for a restaurant, when I realized the best choice was diagonally across from North Station.

The waiter took our picture. Cute. I know.

Strolling all of two blocks back to the hotel. 

I'll Follow The Sun

 I'm not a gambler, yet I've been to Mohegan Sun nearly a half-dozen times. Why is this? You may ask.

Sums it up.

Setting up for a Brew Fest in the Convention Center. I've been here a few times for two different events I was part of.

Such an enormous performance space, and yet the stage was set up to look like a backyard party I played in high school.

But we had a blast, and the event was attended by a huge throng of beer drinkers, many of whom have seen the band as far back as 38 years ago (33 before I joined). And the sound was fantastic. I was not expecting that in a room so big. Monitors have never sounded so good to my ears.