Chapter 11

11 years ago - December 1, 1995.

My mother and my aunt decide to open up a store based on a store they frequented in Ozone Park, Queens. It was a place to have kids birthday parties and adult women to have a night away from their own lives. So "Plaster Art" was born. It quickly became a staple part of the community. My first girlfriend was their first worker and did so for about 5 years. Tommy's sister worked there. My cousin's worked there. My sister worked there. Actually, I think I may have even done a few parties there - and I know my brother did. Tommy's mother also spent many week nights there with a number of other women - and I believe there were even nights that alcohol was involved.

In short - you picked out a piece which ranged from cars to baseball plaques to large pedestals. Then you painted it however you'd like. Kinda like Kindergarten - except at a store. The kids loved it - as did the parents. It came at a time where kids parties were becoming increasingly more expensive - $18 a kid for bowling or a trip to "Fun Bubble."

Over the past few years - rent steadily increased and income did not go along with that. So today - after a 2 week sale - we sat and ate pizza for the last time there. Thought about the funny times and then tomorrow the doors will lock for good. It was very reminiscent of the last "Growing Pains" episode - if you remember that at all.

So - goodbye "Plater Art" - thanks for letting kids and adults get Plastered for the last 11 years.

Frank

Shortsheeted

Watch this - it's funny and - well - I have an appearance. Good job Karen!

The biggest event of my career

This event will be insane - the place will be at capacity - which is around 1300. The largest crowd I've ever played for. If you want to join me on my career pinnacle - let me know. And can you really beat an open bar for 1 1/2 hours?

I'm already nervous - but I'm so looking forward it.

Frank

Dance Your Cares Away...

To the movie theatre - Fraggle Rock - The Movie/ I know its not a music post - well ok now it is.


Dance your cares away,
Worry's for another day.
Let the music play,
Down at Fraggle Rock.

Work you cares away,
Dancing's for another day.
Let the Fraggles play,
We're Gobo, Mokey, Wembley, Boober, Red.

Dance your cares away,
Worry's for another day.
Let the music play,
Down at Fraggle Rock.
Down at Fraggle Rock.
Down at Fraggle Rock.



Now life is again good.

2 Random Pics

This one is of the Union Square clock - located on the south side of 14th st. As I sat down it had just turned Midnight - and was followed by a deep breath of relief. Oh and right - and fucking amazing hot chocolate from here.



In the bathroom at chocolate heaven - found the mirror funny - and found it more funny how the picture came out.

Flashback Friday

So on Friday I went to see KT Tunstall at Webster Hall. Her opening act was a man by the name of Kevin Devine. I was very excited for this show. I had never seen KT live - and since her album is amazing, has one of my favorite tracks of the year on it and know that she uses lots of live loops and effects - I thought I'd go. Now Friday was the beginning of an interesting weekend, and despite a Yankee loss - it was a great night.

I walked around an area of Manhattan (3rd ave & 11th) for a bit - somewhere that reminds me of a very different time. Circa 1997-1998. When I used to go and hang out with him before he left NYU. Standing on the corner next to the movie theater - where I saw a movie that I shouldn't mention ever - it was very relaxing.

So on to the reason for the blog...

(I will be putting up the mp3s of these songs here - they're also linked below - this will not be up indefinitely)

This is the second time I've seen Kevin Devine perform live. Now this may not be a shock if I said that about most music acts - but it was about 11 years ago. At the JCC on Arthur Kill Rd which is approx 10 mins from my house. He was in a band called "Delusion" which was one of the biggest bands in the SI rock scene at the time. Yes there was a SI rock scene - and it was very popular. So I saw Kevin after his set, congratulated him on the show and the major label debut CD released next Tuesday and told him that I still had a Delusion 45 record. I also told him that "Falter" is still one of my favorite songs. (Side note - because of that song - "falter" is one of my favorite words. That would be my answer if I'm ever on Inside the Actors Studio) So I came home found the record and ripped it - and also found the lyric sheet. So there's song 1.

Pic of Kevin and KT Tunstall rocking out to The Flaming Lips "She Don't Use Jelly"

Delusion - Falter

I have to forget, you even exist
but I can't block it out
And I try to try
not to try anymore
it makes it all so trying

And I'd like to change,
but I waiver way too much
And I falter sometimes
because it's easy to stay the same

And I'd like to erase
the scar you put on my back
but I falter sometimes
it hurts too much
I cannot stop the bleeding

And I ask for you nothing at all
sometimes that's just what you give
sometimes that's just what you give
and I don't know
what you did what you did

why do I care anymore

And I'd like to change,
but I waiver way too much
And I falter sometimes
because it's easy to stay the same

And I'd like to erase
the scar you put on my back
but I falter sometimes
it hurts too much
I cannot stop the bleeding

It's everything I'd cry about
that isn't worth the waste of tears
and it's everything I'd laugh about
but it's everything I wish
That I feared

And I'd like to change,
but I waiver way too much
And I falter sometimes
because it's easy to stay the same

And I'd like to erase
the scar you put on my back
but I falter sometimes
it hurts too much
I cannot stop the bleeding

-------------------------------------------------------------------

KT Tunstall doing the solo Jackson 5 jam


So KT Tunstall rocked as well. She played every song on her album I think. Plus 2 or 3 from a live CD. As mentioned before - she played a Flaming Lips cover - however the best part was at the end when she gave us 1 more song which was a cover of one of my favorite songs EVER!!

Jackson 5 - I Want You Back

When I had you to myself
I didn't want you around
Those pretty faces always make you stand out in a crowd
But some one picked you from the bunch
when love was all it took
Now it's much too late for me to take a second look.
Oh baby give me one more chance
won't you please take me
back to your heart
Oh darlin I was blind to let you go
But now since I see you in his arms
I want you back
Yes I do now
I want you back
Ooh ooh baby
I want you back
Ya ya ya ya
Na na na na
Tryin to live without your love
Is one long sleepless night
Let me show you girl
that I know wrong from right
Every street you walked right on
With a tear stain on the ground
Following the girl
I didn't even want around
Let me tell you now
Oh baby all I need is one more chance
(to show you that I love you)
Won't you please take me
(back to your heart)
Oh darlin I was blind to let you go
(let you go baby)
But now since I see you in his arms
Uh-huh
A buh buh buh buh buh(5 times)
All I want
All I need
All I want
All I need
Spare me of this cause
Gimme back our love oh baby



While she was playing - I thoght "oh that's what the hell the words are!" So my reccomendation is to pick up Kevin's album on the 17th and try to catch KT when she comes around again.

Next concert is Wednesday - Basement Jaxx @ Webster Hall with Tom G. Which will really help in bringing this all full circle.

Frank

Cankles Thursday @ Roxy

I absolutely laughed outloud when I got this e-mail the other day. It's actually pretty interesting. Who do I have to go down on to get to DJ This event? Um - Well... Nevermind.

Now I actually support her - not enough to shell out $50 on a Thursday night - but I support Hillary. If anyone goes - of if you know anyone that is going - please let me know. I'd love to know the setlist. Let's open up the comments for that. Person that comes up with the best 3 songs that should be played will - be the winner!

I heard that you save $10 if you show up wearing something that accents not having ankles.

https://contribute.hillaryclinton.com/events/newyork1012.html?sc=e170

1984

So enter the obscure and the 80s. Howard Jones is one of those people whose songs you know - but have no idea who the hell he is. Well at least that was my case. Sirius helped me out with figuring out who sang "Things Can Only Get Better" which is one of my favorite 80s tracks of obscurity. Up there with Joe Jackson's "Steppin' Out" and Talk Talk's "It's My Life" - so accurately covered by No Doubt a few years back. Yes that was a cover.

So here's a track that could easily be covered by Ben Folds and make it sound just as good. As an added bonus - here's a link for Ben Folds covering The Postal Service's "Such Great Heights." Gotta love when indie covers indie.

Frank

PS - There are all links to iTunes above. I am going to try and start posting these songs as MP3s if I can figure out a good way to do it.


Howard Jones - No One Is To Blame

You can look at the menu but you just cant eat
You can feel the cushions but you cant have a seat
You can dip your foot in the pool but you cant have a swim
You can feel the punishment but you cant commit the sin
And you want her and she wants you
We want everyone
And you want her and she wants you
No one, no one, no one ever is to blame
You can build a mansion but you just cant live in it
Youre the fastest runner but youre not allowed to win
Some break the rules
And live to count the cost
The insecurity is the thing that wont get lost
And you want her and she wants you
We want everyone
And you want her and she wants you
No one, no one, no one ever is to blame
You can see the summit but you cant reach it
Its the last piece of the puzzle but you just cant make it fit
Doctor says youre cured but you still feel the pain
Aspirations in the clouds but your hopes go down the drain
And you want her and she wants you
We want everyone
And you want her and she wants you
No one, no one, no one ever is to blame
No one ever is to blame
No one ever is to blame

Ironic...and not Alanis

2 songs - 1 you know - 1 you may or may not know. Let's start with the one you know.

Covered recently by the Counting Crows (and then Vanessa Carlton was added on) this song made a resurgence. It apparently was included in the movie "2 Weeks Notice" which, I will say, I have never seen. Written by Joni Mitchell and covered about a billion times, this one is obviously a classic. This was originally released in 1970, which I would say is ahead of its time, but I'm sure what was going on then, is very similar to now. Although, on good old Staten Island, I would say put up a parking lot, 18 row houses and 38 traffic lights. And that was last week alone. Oddly enough, this reminds me of this chick that was a secretary at my last job in Jersey. I copied the Joni Mitchell "hits" CD from her. On a side note, she's the only girl I've ever met that I know had a breast reduction. Which, I guess adds to the irony of this post.

Joni Mitchell - Big Yellow Taxi
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot
With a pink hotel, a boutique
and a swinging hot spot
Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got
Till it's gone
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot

They took all the trees
And put them in a tree museum
And they charged all the people
A dollar and a half to see 'em
Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got
Till it's gone
They paved paradise
And they put up a parking lot

Hey farmer farmer
Put away that D.D.T. now
Give me spots on my apples
But leave me the birds and the bees
Please!
Dont it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got
Till it's gone
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot

Late last night
I heard the screen door slam
And a big yellow taxi
Took away my old man
Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got
Till it's gone
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot


So let's rewind a few weeks. Clerks 2. Aside from being a fabulous and hysterical movie, and a great scene about beast - um - ok - nevermind (Just incase Joel Siegel is reading). It did include some great songs. Soul Asylum, Jackson 5 (with a dance sequence) and this one. This was the opening sequence track. I had heard it years ago and have been listening to it a lot lately. I always like the Talking Heads and find this a song funny and sarcastic. It becomes more surreal as I run in the new park by my house and think about moving out. So this is the ironic flipside to Big Yellow Taxi.


Talking Heads - (Nothing But) Flowers
Here we stand
Like an Adam and an Eve
Waterfalls
The Garden of Eden
Two fools in love
So beautiful and strong
The birds in the trees
Are smiling upon them
From the age of the dinosaurs
Cars have run on gasoline
Where, where have they gone?
Now, it's nothing but flowers

There was a factory
Now there are mountains and rivers
you got it, you got it

We caught a rattlesnake
Now we got something for dinner
we got it, we got it

There was a shopping mall
Now it's all covered with flowers
you've got it, you've got it

If this is paradise
I wish I had a lawnmower
you've got it, you've got it

Years ago
I was an angry young man
I'd pretend
That I was a billboard
Standing tall
By the side of the road
I fell in love
With a beautiful highway
This used to be real estate
Now it's only fields and trees
Where, where is the town
Now, it's nothing but flowers
The highways and cars
Were sacrificed for agriculture
I thought that we'd start over
But I guess I was wrong

Once there were parking lots
Now it's a peaceful oasis
you got it, you got it

This was a Pizza Hut
Now it's all covered with daisies
you got it, you got it

I miss the honky tonks,
Dairy Queens, and 7-Elevens
you got it, you got it

And as things fell apart
Nobody paid much attention
you got it, you got it

I dream of cherry pies,
Candy bars, and chocolate chip cookies
you got it, you got it

We used to microwave
Now we just eat nuts and berries
you got it, you got it

This was a discount store,
Now it's turned into a cornfield
you got it, you got it

Don't leave me stranded here
I can't get used to this lifestyle

Hmm - where do we go next?

Long overdue...

Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol

This officially becomes the first song I'm ever able to play on guitar. Which I will say - I'm pretty damn proud of. Granted, its simple, but its a great song. I remember listening to this and thinking about how this song really was scary. How it could be so close to what I was feeling, although the whole album is like that. "Gray's Anatony" used this song at the end of last season, which is most likely how it ever landed itself on Z100. Which was a shock to me and Jillian when we were eating pizza at 5am on the Lower East Side. Both our drunk asses couldn't believe that it was on. So now I play this just about every night before I go to sleep. To practice the guitar and think through the words of a great Irish band (move over U2 and the Cranberries).


We'll do it all
Everything
On our own

We don't need
Anything
Or anyone

If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?

I don't quite know
How to say
How I feel

Those three words
Are said too much
They're not enough

If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?

Forget what we're told
Before we get too old
Show me a garden that's bursting into life

Let's waste time
Chasing cars
Around our heads

I need your grace
To remind me
To find my own

If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?

Forget what we're told
Before we get too old
Show me a garden that's bursting into life

All that I am
All that I ever was
Is here in your perfect eyes, they're all I can see

I don't know where
Confused about how as well
Just know that these things will never change for us at all

If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?


-----------------------------------------------------
Sun Is Shining by Bob Marley vs Funkstar Deluxe


7 years ago I went to Wroxton, England. On what will end up one of the best and life changing experiences of my life. I was 19 and had no idea what to expect in a foreign land. I had previously been to Japan in the 8th grade, which was the extent of getting out of the country. I had actually never been west of Pennsylvania, aside from that trip. So I get there, thinking that I'm trying to be a DJ from NYC and that dance music will be a good thing for me to stock up on. I remember being in a record store - an HMV in Piccadilly Circus I believe, near the first H&M I had ever been in. This song was playing in the store and asked the guy what it was and if they had it. He said no, but it was coming out the following week. I did buy a double mixed CD called "Ibiza Euphoria," which was amazing, that day - but more importantly knew that this song was going to be one of my favorites. The next week I bought 2 copies of the CD single of Bob Marley vs Funkstar Deluxe - "Sun Is Shining." I sent one to Tommy for his birthday, who was still DJing at the time (and is instrumental in helping developing into the DJ I am today) for him to hear this amazing song. It didn't change his life the way it did for me, but every time I listen to this song it just makes life a bit better. Takes me back to a place that is soothing for my soul and makes me feel all warm inside. I guess you put some dance beats with Bob Marley and you can't really go wrong, although the follow up of "Rainbow Country" was less impressive. It became one of the best songs in 1999 in Europe, but most importantly became an anthem for our little class of 33. So for me, I know that at any given moment, I can put on that song and have it come "To The Rescue." As I listen to it now - 7 years has gone by. Unreal. Enjoy it - I'm jealous.

Sun is shining, the weather is sweet, yeah
Make you wanna move your dancing feet now

When the mornin´ gather the rainbow,
Want you to know, I'm a rainbow too
To the rescue, here I am
Want you to know, y'all, can you understand?

Sun is shining, the weather is sweet yeah
Make you wanna move your dancing feet now
When the mornin´ gather the rainbow,
Want you to know, I'm a rainbow too
To the rescue, here I am
Want you to know, y'all, can you understand?

Do you believe me? (x 5)

I'm a rainbow too (x 7)

But to the rescue, here I am
Want you to know just if you can,
here I stand

To the rescue, here I am
Want you to know, y'all, can you understand?
[Sun is shining, the weather is sweet yeah
Make you wanna move your dancing feet now]

To the rescue, here I am
Want you to know, y'all, can you understand?
[When the mornin´ gather the rainbow,
Want you to know, I'm a rainbow too]