Open Mic Recap @ The Living Room

This is actually a recap of last Monday’s open mic at the Living Room in Collingswood. I was late in getting there, so I missed Broken Bones, the featured artists this week. Many of the regular performers were sick or at least pretended to be, but you couldn’t tell from the performances. Jason, Adrien, Willie and the guy Greg sounded great. The standout performance was definitely Cathy’s. I’ve heard her play a few times and she definitely played at a higher level than usual on Monday. She sounded terrific. She’s headed off to college, but I’m sure she’ll be around as long as the Living Room doesn’t go out of business while she’s gone (that’s what happened to all the places I played in high school).

This is actually a recap of last Monday’s open mic at the Living Room in Collingswood. I was late in getting there, so I missed Broken Bones, the featured artists this week. Many of the regular performers were sick or at least pretended to be, but you couldn’t tell from the performances. Jason, Adrien, Willie and the guy Greg sounded great. The standout performance was definitely Cathy’s. I’ve heard her play a few times and she definitely played at a higher level than usual on Monday. She sounded terrific. She’s headed off to college, but I’m sure she’ll be around as long as the Living Room doesn’t go out of business while she’s gone (that’s what happened to all the places I played in high school).

Open Mic Recap @ The Living Room

The Living Room has a great mix of regular performers these days, although I’d like to see someone new once and a while. The inbreeding is getting a little rampant and I think someone needs to come in and throw something new into the show. I think my favorite point of the night was when four youngish teenagers came in wearing sunglasses at 9:30PM. I thought to myself, “These guys need to start a band and call themselves the Fishstick Overlords. That would be great.”

I saw Girl Upstairs for the 2nd time last night and they seemed a lot more solid. I loved their last song and hope it was an original. Somewhere along the way Maria has gone from a quiet performer to someone I wait to hear play/speak every night. I like hearing people get better over time. Roz King, Mike Scanlon, and Keith Lewis’s new band “W Bench” did some great stuff although the keyboard was really drowned out. James Collins played some great covers, but I’d really like to hear what this guy’s own material sounds like. Jack Sparks did a couple of covers as well, including “Hey Jealousy” by the Gin Blossoms. I can’t stand the song, but it reminded me of when I saw them at the Y-100 Feztival years ago. They were horrible live and I think Jack did their song better than they did. Willie Tapps has a show this Saturday at the Living Room (8:30 – 11:00PM). Adrien and Cathy are opening up for him and I assume playing during his break. I won’t be able to make it, but it should be a good show.

I played “Thesis” and “Why Now Satan?” And honestly, Why now?

The Living Room has a great mix of regular performers these days, although I’d like to see someone new once and a while. The inbreeding is getting a little rampant and I think someone needs to come in and throw something new into the show. I think my favorite point of the night was when four youngish teenagers came in wearing sunglasses at 9:30PM. I thought to myself, “These guys need to start a band and call themselves the Fishstick Overlords. That would be great.”

I saw Girl Upstairs for the 2nd time last night and they seemed a lot more solid. I loved their last song and hope it was an original. Somewhere along the way Maria has gone from a quiet performer to someone I wait to hear play/speak every night. I like hearing people get better over time. Roz King, Mike Scanlon, and Keith Lewis’s new band “W Bench” did some great stuff although the keyboard was really drowned out. James Collins played some great covers, but I’d really like to hear what this guy’s own material sounds like. Jack Sparks did a couple of covers as well, including “Hey Jealousy” by the Gin Blossoms. I can’t stand the song, but it reminded me of when I saw them at the Y-100 Feztival years ago. They were horrible live and I think Jack did their song better than they did. Willie Tapps has a show this Saturday at the Living Room (8:30 – 11:00PM). Adrien and Cathy are opening up for him and I assume playing during his break. I won’t be able to make it, but it should be a good show.

I played “Thesis” and “Why Now Satan?” And honestly, Why now?

Open Mic Recap @ The Living Room

I was the featured artist yesterday at the Living Room’s open mic and overall the show went pretty well. My sound was a little screwy at times, but that happens. I played a new song called “DRM Sucks” about how Digital Rights Management could possibly invade our privacy and limit our freedoms, but unfortunately the only thing that sucked was the song itself. Poor sound, crappy songs: Sounds like a great gig so far doesn’t it? The rest of my set was fine, although I was sweating like a filthy animal up there in the 100 degree weather. My set list was as follows:

“The Genius of it All”
“I Hope I Die on the Moon”
“Why Now Satan?”
“DRM Sucks”
“All My Dreams are in Cartoon”
“16-18”
“The Cut in Half Blues” by Beck
“Get Miles” by Gomez

Great performances were put on by Keith, Roz, Jason, Willie, Maria, Matt and of course, Adrien, who ripped out an amazing cover of “Walk Like an Egyptian” in the honor of her fourteen year old Bangles t-shirt. Matt took about 2 hours to tune his guitar up there, but I always like his stuff so I didn’t mind.

What’s up with the guy who always comes in wearing those tiny grey cut off sweat pants shorts that are beyond tight? He semi-heckles the performers and distracts people with his package practically busting through his shorts.

I don’t have any more gigs lined up, but that’s ok with me for now. I got a little burned out promoting the last one and I think I’m going to try and write a ton of songs. I should be able to get at least a one worth playing.

I was the featured artist yesterday at the Living Room’s open mic and overall the show went pretty well. My sound was a little screwy at times, but that happens. I played a new song called “DRM Sucks” about how Digital Rights Management could possibly invade our privacy and limit our freedoms, but unfortunately the only thing that sucked was the song itself. Poor sound, crappy songs: Sounds like a great gig so far doesn’t it? The rest of my set was fine, although I was sweating like a filthy animal up there in the 100 degree weather. My set list was as follows:

“The Genius of it All”
“I Hope I Die on the Moon”
“Why Now Satan?”
“DRM Sucks”
“All My Dreams are in Cartoon”
“16-18”
“The Cut in Half Blues” by Beck
“Get Miles” by Gomez

Great performances were put on by Keith, Roz, Jason, Willie, Maria, Matt and of course, Adrien, who ripped out an amazing cover of “Walk Like an Egyptian” in the honor of her fourteen year old Bangles t-shirt. Matt took about 2 hours to tune his guitar up there, but I always like his stuff so I didn’t mind.

What’s up with the guy who always comes in wearing those tiny grey cut off sweat pants shorts that are beyond tight? He semi-heckles the performers and distracts people with his package practically busting through his shorts.

I don’t have any more gigs lined up, but that’s ok with me for now. I got a little burned out promoting the last one and I think I’m going to try and write a ton of songs. I should be able to get at least a one worth playing.

Open Mic Recap @ The Living Room

Adrian is so far above everyone at the Living Room (or almost anywhere else) that it’s almost embarrassing. I had to follow her tonight and even I would have rather seen her play another song. A ton of other great performers came out tonight, too(Keith, Roz, Maria, Willie, Lee and great keyboard player named Alan).

I played “Why Now Satan” and “Get Miles” by Gomez and it seemed to go over very well. The Living Room is definitely one of the most supportive venues I know and I think that’s why I like it so much.

I noticed a flyer on the wall promoting a music and arts festival and Roz King was one of the performers. They listed him as “grizzly, woodsy folk” and I found that pretty entertaining.

Adrian is so far above everyone at the Living Room (or almost anywhere else) that it’s almost embarrassing. I had to follow her tonight and even I would have rather seen her play another song. A ton of other great performers came out tonight, too(Keith, Roz, Maria, Willie, Lee and great keyboard player named Alan).

I played “Why Now Satan” and “Get Miles” by Gomez and it seemed to go over very well. The Living Room is definitely one of the most supportive venues I know and I think that’s why I like it so much.

I noticed a flyer on the wall promoting a music and arts festival and Roz King was one of the performers. They listed him as “grizzly, woodsy folk” and I found that pretty entertaining.

Open Mic Recap: The Living Room

The Living Room’s open mic was a lot of fun tonight. Jason Wheatly, Roz King, Keith Lewis, and Willie Tapps all put on great performances. Adrien and John blew everyone away with two originals and I’m sure they’ll be playing around a lot. I also enjoyed the guy who went right before me, John Romeo, and pretty much everyone else. The night was so good, I skipped the Crab’s open mic.

I felt like rocking out, so I started off with Gomez’s “Get Miles” and closed with “I Hope I Die on the Moon.” The Living Room always seems to have a great crowd thanks to Jason’s prodding. On a monday in the near future I’m going to be a featured open mic artist. The featured status lets me play for about a half hour at the start of the show.

It looks like the Living Room has settled on keeping the refrigerated shelf in the middle of the counter because it’s still there. It’s so distracting especially when someone opens its door and a blinding light shoots from the inside.

I hope you like this site’s new color scheme. The green looked worse and worse every time I looked at it. I also switched the megaphone icon from the “Random” topic to the “New” topic. Random got the famous chicken head and I couldn’t be happier.

The Living Room’s open mic was a lot of fun tonight. Jason Wheatly, Roz King, Keith Lewis, and Willie Tapps all put on great performances. Adrien and John blew everyone away with two originals and I’m sure they’ll be playing around a lot. I also enjoyed the guy who went right before me, John Romeo, and pretty much everyone else. The night was so good, I skipped the Crab’s open mic.

I felt like rocking out, so I started off with Gomez’s “Get Miles” and closed with “I Hope I Die on the Moon.” The Living Room always seems to have a great crowd thanks to Jason’s prodding. On a monday in the near future I’m going to be a featured open mic artist. The featured status lets me play for about a half hour at the start of the show.

It looks like the Living Room has settled on keeping the refrigerated shelf in the middle of the counter because it’s still there. It’s so distracting especially when someone opens its door and a blinding light shoots from the inside.

I hope you like this site’s new color scheme. The green looked worse and worse every time I looked at it. I also switched the megaphone icon from the “Random” topic to the “New” topic. Random got the famous chicken head and I couldn’t be happier.

Open Mic: The Living Room

I’ll probably check out the new Monday night open mics over at the Living Room in Collingswood, NJ (corner of Haddon and Collings Ave). I’m not sure if it’s just me, but their coffee seems a lot better than it used to be.

This site seems almost ready to go live now.

I’ll probably check out the new Monday night open mics over at the Living Room in Collingswood, NJ (corner of Haddon and Collings Ave). I’m not sure if it’s just me, but their coffee seems a lot better than it used to be.

This site seems almost ready to go live now.