If your election last longer than four hours, call a doctor

America's Finest Hour (not available on Fox)

Well, if you weren't doing time last month, you probably saw us call it- again. Landslide. Repudiation. The end of an error. THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN. In a voice that cannot be denied. Yes, we can; yes, we did; and yes, we will. Emphatically. It seemed as if the whole world breathed a sigh of relief, the outpouring of approval and sincere good wishes from around the world was palpable. Like throwing off a weight, or a yoke. Not only that, but it seemed to kickstart the beginning of the end of eight long, ugly years almost immediately, with people waking up to a world of possibilities when a few hours before, there was only dread and fear.

And although January 20th still seems like an eternity away, the misleaders who have done their utmost to defy the will of the people and openly thwart our intentions by every means at their disposal have apparently accepted the inevitable and appear to be content to slink quietly out the door so the wheels of progress can begin turning again. It reminds me of when Rumsfeld was thrown under the bus the day after the disastrous 2006 elections. Or Brownie. Or Gonzo. Or Ridge. Or....Just another long and poorly written chapter in this epoch of failure.

Subtle, Mr. President Elect. Subtle.

But believe it or not, I have come not to bury Still President Bush, but to thank him, and his party. For they went to such extreme lengths as to terrify all but the most diehard Kool Aid drinkers, and prove beyond a doubt that the conservative values and promises they claimed to represent had been abandoned long ago. Their mad dash for money and power has finally come home to roost, and the emperor and his court stand exposed by their arrogance and ambition. Using fearmongering and negative tactics, they were willing to stop at nothing to continue marching this country straight off a cliff. I only hope we managed to put the brakes on in time.

But out of this, somehow, a weird coalition was created. Certainly, the Democrats were united, energized and organized in a way that they hadn't managed to pull off since JFK made Nixon a punchline in 1960.



Blue collar workers, students, academics, actors, musicians, vocal Alaskan housewives and even proud "Rednecks for Obama" who stood up to be counted, negating the much feared "Bradley effect" that neocon pundits hyped and hoped in a vain effort to defeat this amazing rainbow coalition. But all for naught. The fear and hatred, innuendo and dirty tricks, the shrill and increasingly irrational calls for investigations of his birth certificate, contributors, and religious beliefs ended disastrously for the old guard.

McCain: Returning to his senses, and showing the leadership we remember

To his credit, John McCain's early and gracious concession speech (and subsequent pledges of cooperation and loyalty to the President Elect) certainly seemed sincere. McCain, after consorting with the same heinous ward healers who used slander, robocalls, and racism to get George Bush the Republican nomination in 2000 over the party's 2008 candidate, seemed to find his way back to the high road he'd once aspired to, after seeing his fever dream of residing at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW elude him for perhaps the final time. In recent days, McCain has even further distanced himself from his running mate and free wheeling rogue shopper, Sarah Palin, signaling that maybe her selection was never his choice, that it was not a wise one, and that he really didn't think she was right for the job all along. Asked point blank, he refused to give her his endorsement for 2012, although she's done her best to keep in the public eye and continue to stir the roiling emotions of hate and distrust of the intransigent 28%, and vow to attack, filibuster and spread every unsupported rumor and innuendo, and keep bitterly pulling our country apart for the privilege of being able to say "there, I told ya so" rather than accept and work with "That One." We sincerely hope Ms. Palin will be back in the igloo soon, making mooseburger sloppy joes for Trig, Track, Willow, Piper, Pooper, Slapshot and her fast approaching grandchild, little Puck. They need you a lot more than Alaska, or America does.

Strangely, even Bush has been uncharacteristically conciliatory and has met with the President Elect, even brokering a meeting with all living ex-Presidents (including Carter, Clinton and of course, his Dad) at the White House on January 7th. Perhaps he seeks to make that legacy- his place in history and not eternal infamy- one of the guy born on third base who recognized that it took a real clutch hitter to bring it on home. But before we go throwing bouquets to the lamest of lame ducks, I offer a word of caution to Mr. Obama: bring someone (perhaps Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is free?) to sample the menu that day (after all, we know how much GWB admires his good buddy Putin!), and wear something that's appropriately presidential, like a nice three-button kevlar suit. Dick Cheney may be hunting quail in the Rose Garden.

Mr. Still President: "Clearing brush is a lot tougher than you'd imagine."

ON THE RADAR...

Greetings fellow kids!

1600 will take a temporary hiatus from our rabid election and political reporting to give you an up to the minute overview of some of the great artists heading to the National Capitol region in ROCKTOBER, NOVEMBER, and the near future!



THIS FRIDAY: October 3rd, the Birchmere in Alexandria presents an evening with TUCK and PATTI, with special guest the ever-vivacious JUDITH OWEN! Ms. Owen and her talented trio take the stage at 7:30, tickets still available at $29.50- so get there early!

NEXT THURSDAY, October 9th- The PAT McGEE BAND, with Andrew Ripp live at the fabulous Birchmere, 7:30 pm Tickets are $27.50

SATURDAY, October 11: WIRE, with special guests TONE, at the 9:30 Club early show, 7:00 pm doors, tickets $25


TUESDAY October 14th, vocalist extraordinaire JULIA FORDHAM (from JUDITH OWEN's touring troupe), live at the Birchmere, 7:30 pm tickets $29.50 and on sale NOW!

THURSDAY, October 16th: SECRET MACHINES, bringing their blend of technopopartrock to the 9:30 Club, tickets $20!

WEDNESDAY, October 22: Montreal's mightiest music ensemble, BROKEN SOCIAL SCENE appear at The State Theater in Falls Church, 8:30 pm. Tickets still available at $25


THURSDAY, October 23rd: NC Swingers The SQUIRREL NUT ZIPPERS will perform at the State Theater, 8:30 pm, tickets are $25

THURSDAY, October 23rd- SATURDAY October 25th: the BLACK CROWES perform for three wild nights, at the 9:30 Club, tickets $45



MONDAY October 27th- ZAPPA PLAYS ZAPPA "You Can't Fit That On Stage Anymore" Tour, 7:30 pm at the Birchmere. Tickets $115.00, includes a digital download of the show, and a chance to win a Hagstrom guitar!

MONDAY, November 3rd: Join HENRY ROLLINS on Election Eve for a night of thought provoking commentary as he says goodbye to Mr. Bush and delivers the "Recountdown Tour 2008" on stage at the Birchmere, 7:30 pm, tickets are $25


TUESDAY, November 4th: Celebrate Election Day 2008 with HR and BAD BRAINS, Dr. Know, and Daryl Jenifer and Earl, at the 9:30 Club, tickets $25. Early show- doors at 5:00 pm


FRIDAY, November 7th: Join MARK LANEGAN and GREG DULLI, A.K.A THE GUTTER TWINS, with Afterhours, at the Black Cat, 9:00 pm. Tickets are $20

SUNDAY, November 9th: the legendary ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO with Amy Cook, at the Birchmere, 7:30 pm at the Birchmere, tickets are $25


FRIDAY November 14th- Rock pioneer BRIAN WILSON's triumphant return to Washington, at the Warner Theater. Tickets on sale this Friday (Oct. 3rd) at 10:00 am!

WEDNESDAY, November 19th: Songsmith, humorist, actor LOUDON WAINWRIGHT III at the Barns of Wolf Trap, 8:00 pm, tickets are $22


FRIDAY and SATURDAY, November 21st and 22nd: Fan favorites and Friends of 1600 UMPHREY'S McGEE return for two shows of original music, crazy covers, and extended jams at the 9:30 Club. Tickets on sale soon

AND IN OTHER BREAKING ENTERTAINMENT NEWS: Janet Jackson hospitalized in Montreal before a concert (possibly saving the audience from even greater calamity!)...Blink 182's Travis Barker and DJ Adam Goldstein injured in South Carolina plane crash that left four dead...George Michael arrested AGAIN in a public bathroom, this time for possession of drugs...founding member of Pink Floyd, keyboardist Richard Wright dies of cancer, at 65...Grammy winning pop/country singer and actor Jerry Reed dies at 71 from emphysema...and the world mourns the loss of famed actor and philanthropist Paul Newman, from cancer, at 83.

Cool Hand Luke lives...FOREVER.



AND THE GOOD NEWS:



PHISH is reuniting! Trey, Page, Jon, and Mike will perform 3 nights March 6th- 8th, 2009 in the Hampton Auditorium, Hampton VA! Remember, you heard it here FIRST!! (Thanks to Jay for the timely notice!)

BULL MARKET

"Reformers" McCain, Palin belly up to the bar to swap a few tall tales



Hurricane Ike Aftermath; Merrill Lynch Sold; Lehman Bros. Goes Belly Up

Sorry, nothing about music this time, either. Except to say that we seem to still be following the Pied Piper's merry tune as we march straight off a cliff.

More signs of the struggling economy. Some fresh evidence that Phil Gramm's "mental recession" may have legs in the real world that the rest of us- (those in the middle class or below, pulling in less than the $5M a year John McCain thinks rich people make), as opposed to the exclusive, platinum card world his brain trust of advisers- seem to occupy.

Unemployment: at 6.1%, the highest its been in six years. Even after they finagle the statistics to take out people that have been unemployed for more than 18 months, people that are no longer drawing unemployment benefits, (if they were ever eligible in the first place!) and temporary workers with no job security or benefits, this is still undeniably bad news. Our "robust" economy has hit a "downturn," a real "slowdown," all right- W said today that it's "painful," and "in a pinch." Strong words for the guy who still swears it's fundamentally sound! Well, he isn't worried about being on the unemployment line in January. He'll be busy clearing brush and building the George W. Bush Memorial Library in Crawford, TX. to house the last book he read, "The Pet Goat."

I understand it's autobiographical in nature.

And gas is right back up as high as it was Memorial Day, rising .50 overnight as Ike blew through the Gulf. The funny part about it is, the gas we're buying now was already bought and paid for in August. So we're paying the price for what they think it will cost after the admittedly less than expected damage to the offshore rigs that are offline. But don't complain about prices here- it's up $2 a gallon in Texas, because distribution is now limited. And oil is down about $50 a barrel from where it was in July. So how does this all become the consumer's problem? Don't you wish you were a fly on the wall during Mr. Cheney's "Energy Summit" (you remember- the one where he withheld all his documentation and defied subpoenas by first claiming Executive Privilege, and then argued that it was part of his "legislative discretion?")? Dollars to donuts that this little plan went into effect then, and they've been rolling in growing piles of cash ever since then, like school kids jumping in piles of fall leaves...only a lot greener.

The housing market and mortgage crisis: Figures suggest we may not have hit bottom yet. Sales of new homes were down another 6.1% last month, the lowest level in 17 years (when King George I was still on the throne!), values were down, and millions more homes empty, with foreclosures skyrocketing. But on that front, some new breakthroughs in low income housing: can you say "Hooverville?"


Then, the government has to bail out AIG to the tune of $85 Billion today. Or about the same amount as it takes to pay for seven months of the war in Iraq. Can't they just hold some bake sales and be done with it? Oh, that's right- WE'RE the ones paying for it. Just like with Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. So now we can rest easy, right? What do you mean, you didn't want to invest in an insurance company? What are you, unAmerican? Suck it up, whiners!

Conspicuous Failures on Wall Street: After the rampant speculation and backing of questionable deals led to the demise of Merrill Lynch before it was gobbled up by Bank of America (who in recent months has also consumed Fleet Bank, MBNA and Countrywide Mortgage), we've also seen JP Morgan/Chase Bank absorb another Wall St. luminary, Bear Stearns, and Goldman Sachs declare bankruptcy. The Dow fell over 500 points in one day, and is off almost 1,000 points just this week, the lowest it has been since 9/11. Investors are fleeing the markets with their tails between their legs.

The Bull Poops HERE. Watch your head!

Which somehow reminds me of this conversation.
Walter Brooke (as Mr. McGuire) to Dustin Hoffman (Benjamin Braddock)in The Graduate:
McGuire: "I want to say one word to you. Just one word."
Braddock: "Yes, sir?"
McGuire: "Are you listening?"
Braddock: "Yes, I am."
McGuire: "Plastics."
Braddock: "Just how do you mean that, sir?"

McGuire was right. Plastic is ubiquitous, and eternal. One look at Ms. Palin (and for that matter, Ms. McCain) and you can be confident we'll never run out of plastic, whether it's in the form of botox, silicone, or other cosmetic surgery enhancements, not so long as millionaires and movie stars abound and care more about appearance than substance. 'Cause everybody knows: beauty is only skin deep, while ugly goes to the bone! And those two look like they just walked out of Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum. Nearly lifelike!

BUT WAIT- THERE'S LESS!
Then, there's the upcoming election. And ya know when Karl Rove says that your campaigning has "crossed the line" from being arguably true to plain, bald-faced out and out smears, distortions and LIES, he knows what he's talking about. And even Spin Doctor MC Rove, the Obfuscator General, the Duke of Disingenuousness, that Prince of Prevarication, shudders at the latest bilge strewn from the McCain/Palin camp. The "Straight Talk Express" has been permanently mothballed while the candidates instead choose to ride hell bent for victory atop the Mighty "Flying Bullshit Special" into electoral history, with claims and promises described by some critics as the "dirtiest, most dishonest campaign in history." And without Karl Rove at the helm, that is no small accomplishment!

In fact this week, even ultra-conservative pin-up boy George Will came out with a statement that McCain is unfit, and that Palin has no credibility (even though she can see Russia from the turret of the Governor's Castle!) While I hate to agree with Will on any subject besides baseball, this demonstrates that even the hardiest rats are grabbing life preservers and diving headlong into the drink as the GOP ship heads to a watery, and long-deserved, grave. RIP.

But let's be honest here, gang: I'm sure they can (and will) go lower. After all, there's still almost 2 months to go! The Swift Boats still have many black ops missions to run before they go back into hiding to await the 2010 elections! But finally the Dems seem to have learned (from the debacles that occurred in 2000 and 2004) to hit back. And hammer on issues, not personalities.

Will it work?

And what's next?

I don't even wanna think about it!


I just can't wait 'til it's over....

Bush Vows Support for Georgia, Sends Blackwater to Atlanta

President Bush admiring a US volleyball player, making a mental note of how to duplicate the position for future summits with Russian tyrant Vladimir Putin. "Heavy on the KY, Vlad!"

An incensed President for life George W. "Dada" Bush made strong comments Tuesday after leaving Beijing for a hasty gathering in Washington condemn Russia's invasion of neighboring Georgia. "First the dog fighting scandal with Michael Vick, now this!" an emotional W, still wearing his "USA #1" t shirt and finishing off a random bowl of stir fried pork rinds stated. "How much can these poor people take?"

Bush calmed down considerably upon learning that it was the former USSR satellite nation, and not the state just north of Florida, that had been invaded. Undeterred by evidence to the contrary, Blackwater operatives immediately began interrogating and waterboarding all registered Democrats in Atlanta, Macon, and Augusta, and set up a barracks on the Augusta National golf course. Still, stern words for sometime ally and fellow sociopath and backstabber Vlad ("The Impaler") Putin were offered.

"I have looked into his eyes and seen his soul. And I told him that I strenuously object to Russia's hard line stand against dissent from this sovereign nation. They must accept the outcome of free elections. Unless we don't, and then all bets are off."

Bush and invertebrate Secretary of State Condeleezza Rice were soon even more incensed after learning that the occupying Russian forces had also stolen American Humvees that had been positioned in Georgia as part of a recent US exercise in that beleaguered state. "That's absolutely the last straw," Bush said. "We hadn't even finished paying for those hummers yet. They were loaded- DVD players and everything! And Condi negotiated such a great financing deal on them from Cadillac, too! And my Cabinet is taking this seriously: we're all holding our breath and having a tantrum until Russia leaves. Cheney's even going on a hunger strike! And Attorney General Mukasey has declared martial law in Athens and Savannah, just in case."

A frustrated President Bush retreated immediately to his ranch in Crawford to undergo sedation and spend the remainder of his term doing what he does best- "clearing brush." More brush is being imported for Bush to clear from all over the country, including driftwood salvaged from New Orleans following its complete abandonment by FEMA and other federal agencies after Hurricane Katrina.

In a related story, the city of New Orleans is now negotiating directly with Putin to be occupied to restore order and enhance their quality of life. Governor Bobby Jindall was quoted as saying: "Why not- we can't get anyone here to do it." Putin could not be reached for comment, but is allegedly interested in oil reserves along the Gulf Coast not currently being utilized by American companies, too busy counting their record profits to actually produce more oil, which could jeopardize the ridiculous price gouging that has occurred in the last 6 years of the Bush Cheney maladministration.

Just say...CHEESE!

L to R: Bobby Ricotta (keyboards), Richard Cheese (vocals and vodka), Frank Feta (drums), Charlie Limburger (bass)

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER DEP'T.

Apologies to all interested parties regarding the untimely delay for this entry, too...

June was a busy month for shows. And where better to close it out than among a crowd of friends for a night on the town at the illustrious 9:30 Club? That's where the relentless 2/3 of the 1600 team (yep, Steve's still under the weather, but getting better) waited expectantly for an unusual seated show and for an act that defies categorization, part stand-up, part jazz virtuosity, and all 100% cheese. That's Richard Cheese, and Lounge Against the Machine, a primarily west coast act that has been on a favorite with talk shows like Jimmy Kimmel and Adam Carolla, to sold out performances in Vegas, New York and across the country. And naturally we were there, ready to dig the cheesy goodness and sing along.

In their first Washington appearance, the band (musical director Bobby Ricotta on keyboards, Frank Feta on the drums, and latest member Charlie Limberger on bass) played nearly all their hits with great gusto and the skillful proficiency you'd expect from these lounge lizards par excellence, backing crooner Richard Cheese's melodic murmurs to the max, and making fun of all your favorite alternative rock, hip hop, metal and pop tunes with great glee. No target was spared the patented Cheese treatment, "swankifying" beloved songs from Radiohead (both Airbag and Creep were recast as Vegas lounge numbers), Snoop Dog's classic Gin and Juice (a hilarious video of this can be found at the band's My Space page, http://www.myspace.com/richardcheese), the Beastie Boys' Brass Monkey, Nena's 99 Luftballoons, and Nirvana's Smells Like Teen Spirit, and dozens of other "lounge standards of the future."

In addition to the favorites that Richard Cheese and LATM have become famous for, there were also some new tunes in the repertoire that night. Buckcherry's Crazy Bitch was perfect fodder for the band's lounge treatment as well as AC/DC's You Shook Me. He also introduced a L'il Wayne song "the band just learned," holding up a supposed sheet of lyrics and incoherently mumbling his way through them, except for the occasionally-audible F-bomb or other slang. No doubt L'il Wayne would have been proud! But the song that brought down the house for our entire mad crew was Nine Inch Nails' Closer, Mr. Cheese's romantic delivery only accentuating the risque lyrics even more.

The rowdy, raucous show was a real crowd pleaser, whether for the newcomers in the audience, or the hardcore fans (like myself) that rushed to get tickets the moment they went on sale. And even though this was an all-ages show, they didn't spare us a single filthy word, nor a salacious aside. At one point, after gathering up a group of women to sit in the front row to provide him "inspiration," Cheese made smalltalk with a younger-than-average lady in the audience, who eventually said she was there with her Dad. "Nice parenting," he observed. Clad in a series of quality tuxedo jackets, including his signature tiger striped coat, RC came through loud and clear, his dulcet tones punctuated by many four letter words and other scandalous phrases that kept the audience on its toes. Whether high-kicking with a group of spirited attendees in the back of the house, or making overtures to any (and all) women who crossed his path as he worked the room, RC was a true lounge lizard unleashed, unashamed, and unrepentant.

The many quick retorts and ready repartee contrasted with the serious bona fides of Lounge Against The Machine as impressively-skilled jazz musicians. The intro to Chop Suey was one of many spots where the band, and pianist Bobby Ricotta in particular, showed that they could keep up with pretty much any "serious" jazz combo touring today. The band had no trouble keeping everyone's attention even as RC wandered through the crowd, causing no delays in the bouncing, fast-paced set.

1600's enthusiastic entourage included the triple Italian onslaught of muscle for hire Luca Brazzi, Consigliare Galluch, and our illustrious benefactor Pimp Daddy G, he who first told us of RC & LATM, and many of our other twisted friends who were on hand for an evening of familiar melodies and R rated punchlines. Seeing several of these characters as he proceeded through their row, RC remarked "All dudes. I'm outta here," as he spun on his heel and reversed his course. It was a truly ribald and randy event, and the gang all seemed to enjoy the hijinx, including new converts to the Cheese legacy like Pinky and Ellen, Sheryl, and co-host Jerry, who guffawed with great vigor as the show wore on...We were also gratified to have the high turnout from the legal profession by music mavens Dynamo Dave and the elusive Texas Stu (making his first 9:30 Club show and first live music event in many moons!), which assured merrymakers that at least someone would be able to come up with a bail bondsman if things got really out of hand. And just in case, Mike had Jen on speed-dial to bail us out in case the barristers were all dragged in, too...

But fortunately, the call never came. And we retain our perfect record....no convictions.

NEW CHEESE UPDATE:
An email from the fan club revealed yesterday that RC will have 3 new CDs out next year, "Lavapalooza," "Viva La Vodka," and "OK, Bartender." Check in with the Man Himself at www.richardcheese.com to find out how you can pick them up before they are released to stores!

He said they'd be back here again. And with the reception they received, I have no doubts they'll return. Maybe next time, we can get them in for that interview!

Peter Hammill Rocks the House

And in the midst of the busy summer concert season, yet another venue hosted a great show by an amazing performer and longtime singer/songwriter, Peter Hammill. At the last minute, about 2 1/2 weeks before the show, I finally noticed that he was coming, and emailed him on the slim chance he might have time to talk with us. I could hardly contain my glee, when Mr. Hammill emailed back to me, and agreed to an interview with the 1600 team in the familiar red room at Jammin' Java last Sunday!

And you can see that interview in 2 installments over 2 ALL NEW weeks of 1600 in July! It will also be available right here after it airs on Channel 10, so keep your eyes peeled for a very intimate and thoughtful conversation with one of the most prolific musicians of the progressive rock scene for the last 40 years!

Peter Hammill is a rarity in the world of music: an auteur, who has experimented with opera (The Fall of the House of Usher) and prose; a writer, illustrator, and musical visionary, to whom bands as diverse as the Sex Pistols to Nine Inch Nails acknowledge their debt. An incomparable singer-songwriter and storyteller whose style is distinctive, unique, thoughtful, inspired, uninhibited, and imaginative. His band Van der Graaf Generator, critical favorites at the dawn of progressive rock era in 1968, have reunited in recent years for several successful and highly- acclaimed recordings (the most recent of which, the outstanding "Trisector," features three of the four founding members- Hammill, drummer Guy Evans, bassist and keyboardist Hugh Banton, but without saxophone and flautist David Jackson). He has been a frequent contributor on projects with other noteworthy artists including Peter Gabriel, Robert Fripp, David Thomas, and Stuart Gordon, among others. A multifaceted musician that plays guitar and piano with equal skill, on "Singularity," his most recent (2006) solo album, Hammill plays all of the instruments, in addition to writing, producing, and providing the vocals on each of its tracks.

But its the lyrics, and the voice that brings them to life, which are the key elements that set him apart from his contemporaries. With unrestrained, electrifying emotion, and an unflinching glimpse into his bared soul, Hammill's work is often challenging stuff, not for casual listening over dinner, but demanding the listener's active attention. The audience that evening came from far and wide- Seattle, Vancouver, Montreal, Toronto, Philadelphia, New York- eager to attend Hammill's first American date in nine years, in the cozy, intimate atmosphere offered by Jammin' Java. And all of us sat riveted, as this modest, genial artist graced us his insights, and spun some true to life stories in the classic Hammill manner.



An offhand comment I made during the interview about "not doing a lot of (mundane) songs about cars and girls" earned an animated gleam from Peter's eye, and his response that "I've actually done quite a few songs about cars and girls." Not knowing what would follow, I was mildly embarrassed and then heartily amused when he announced to the audience that he reorganized his set to devote at least half of it to songs about cars, girls, and songs about cars and girls. But his warm smile throughout the show assured me that his good-natured nudges and winks were all well-intended.

So, I'll take credit for "helping" Pete select a great set! He led off the festivities with The Siren Song, reaching waaaay back, from Van der Graaf Generator's 1977 release "The Quiet Zone, the Pleasure Dome." Too Many of My Yesterdays, from "As Close As This," and Time Heals followed, the latter an solo early track of melancholy and regret about love never quite realized. But the anguish never gives way to self pity, only self realization, and allowed us all to share the sentiment of the moment. (I find many of his most introspective and personal songs, like this one, certainly apply to my own experiences. In that way, Hammill's work is refreshingly cathartic as he succinctly captures sometimes vague and unresolved feelings with a few well-chosen words.)

Hammill also offered Friday Afternoon, a song about tragically losing a friend to a drunk driver; His Best Girl, from 1991's "Fireships," a song about the uncertainty of love; Comfortable, examining faith and hypocrisy; and Shingle Song from 1975's "Nadir's Big Chance" (the Ricky Nadir persona Hammill put on a la his contemporaries David Bowie's "Ziggy Stardust" or Peter Gabriel's Rael in "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway").

As the evening went on, we were treated to many more great, raw, emotional performances of songs from throughout his career. Driven, from his all acoustic 2002 release "Clutch" (yet another car reference) was next. It was followed in short order by Sitting Targets, from the album of the same name, another all-time favorite. And it still sounded as good as it did when I first heard it, nearly thirty years ago. (Note: since Caroline Records wasn't one of the distributors I could get when I was working at Kemp Mill Records, I special ordered it from Tower....before I even owned a CD player!) Happy Hour was also outstanding, an ironic story about acting out under the excuse of intoxication, not a mindless drinking song. But what else would you expect from him? And Meanwhile My Mother, from his latest solo release "Singularity," evinced the introspective nature of an artist who has the rare honesty and confidence to look at himself and the world around him without ever sugar-coating what's there.

Chatting and playing to the crowd, who had responded they preferred him to finish the show on guitar, he gave us Faculty X, from another of his earlier solo releases, 1979's "pH7." He also played A Way Out, and doubled up on two more great selections from "Sitting Targets," closing with Stranger Still, and an encore of one of his finest ballads, Ophelia. (For those seeking to replace their well-worn vinyl copies, most of these albums are newly remastered and available directly from the artist at www.sofasound.com.)

Finally, some regrets: I wish we'd been able to stick around and thank Peter again for delivering such an inspired performance after the show. No doubt, those who stayed were treated to a rare opportunity to speak to an intense, personable, and thoughtful gentleman who has been at the center of some of the finest progressive rock music being made over the last 40 years. And I am equally sorry that it took so long to get this review to the blog. I plead overcommitment and exhaustion! And my sincere apologies for the delay!!

However, some good news- 9 more North American dates have been announced on this tour! So, beginning on September 30th in San Francisco, with other dates in several US cities and Canada already booked and more to come, you still have a second chance to catch Pete's one man show as he comes back for a second round! I'll see ya at the Club Cafe in Pittsburgh on October 11th (for more dates and cities, go to www.sofasound.com and click the "touring" tab). And the interview will be on the air soon!

So ciao for now, see ya in the funny papers, or on the road, again.........

Suddenly....the Smithereens!

Summer is festival season in Washington. People come for miles around to eat, drink, and celebrate the season at the Smithsonian mall, Wolf Trap, all the sheds, and of course, in scenic Old Town Alexandria. That's where the Red Cross recently celebrated the 25th Waterfront Festival, an annual gala which featured rides, food, and live music. Saturday, June 14th featured local faves Virginia Coalition, The Smithereens, and Toad the Wet Sprocket.

And like last year's Memorial Day visit, the 'Reens seem to have developed a nearly Radiohead-like capacity for bringing the rain along with them when playing at outdoor venues (I understand that the same thing also occurred at a show this spring in Virginia Beach, as well). But the crowd was well- prepared this time, sporting slickers and umbrellas, and the band played a solid 90+ minute set before several hundred soggy fans who braved the weather to hear them perform the many hits featured on their recently released CD, "The Smithereens Live in Concert- Greatest Hits and More!" And even under less than ideal conditions, I think everyone was satisfied with the end result.

Pat, Jim, Thrilla, and Dennis took the stage pretty much as scheduled, but blowing wind and rain delayed their start for a few minutes while they worked out sound with the folks manning the board. The band immediately launched into one of their signature tunes, Behind the Wall of Sleep, from their 1986 debut "Especially For You." Largely following the track list from the new album, the band delivered solid performances of Drown In My Own Tears, Miles From Nowhere, Room Without A View, Only a Memory, and House We Used to Live In, getting the crowd into it and inviting them to sing along with the band. Spellbound, from the second album "Green Thoughts," was featured next, a long overlooked but great song that has recently crept back into the band's live sets. Another new addition and personal favorite that has been revived in recent live dates is She's got A Way, a gorgeous ballad Pat wrote for his daughter, from their 1999 set, "God Save the Smithereens."

The band also mixed in a couple of tracks from Pat's recent solo release (which featured both Jim Babjak and Thrilla), and his resonant tenor voice crooned with characteristic aplomb on Since You Went Away, and Any Other Way. Throughout the show, Pat and Thrilla joked with the audience, remarking about the unforgiving weather, reminding the audience to give generously to the Red Cross, and talking up their new label "Koch Records. Doesn't have the same kind of panache as Capitol or RCA Victor, does it?"

Still, the weather and occasional technical difficulties notwithstanding, the boys played another typically inspired show. After Pat broke a string about halfway through the set, the band relied on Jim Babjak's guitar to carry them the rest of the night, and as always, his Strat rang true and delivered with flying colors. In fact, he laid down some of the best leads I've ever heard him play live, prompting me to think that he should be turned up a little more in the mix generally. Thrilla and drummer Dennis Diken were solid as always, and though Pat seemed a little disappointed at not being able to jam along, he channeled his focus into vocals and sounded none the worse for the experience.

By the time the band finished Blood and Roses, the rain finally relented, and the crowd was then entertained by Toad the Wet Sprocket. They performed some of their better known tunes, including All I Want, Come Back Down, and Walk on the Ocean, which is largely what the area in front of the stage resembled by then. Good but languid, while I've always enjoyed the band, it was definitely sleepy and low key after the Smithereens' buoyant performance. However, by that time, I had more than enough, and I was drier than most! Once the Smithereens finished signing autographs and renewing acquaintances with some diehard fans, I tagged along to Bilbo Baggins' Pub in Old Town with Thrilla for a few cold microbeers (I strongly recommend their fine pale ale) and some good conversation with some of his friends.

The good news is that the band will be BACK in VA on August 22nd, playing a FREE, ALL AGES SHOW at the 46th Annual Surfing Championship in Virginia Beach! Be there or be square...and just in case, bring an umbrella!

The Smithereens: Dennis, Jim, Pat and Thrilla- Please consult with the local meteorologist before the next show!