Messages

My original rock and roll turn on was in about 1963, before the Beatles hit. My brother turned me on to the Beach Boys and it just hit every mark for me. Every fantasy I had about being a teenager in California, ripping music, Carls Fender Jaguar tone, and the pictures of them in the studio on the  back of the albums. First time I ever saw a Fender bass.

Years later i learned that every note on the records came through Brian Wilsons brain and that Brian WAS the Beach Boys. As years go by and i know more about music, every time i hear them I am blown away by the brilliance of the arranging and production. Brian is like Beethoven writing songs about cars and girls. Even on the first records you could hear what he was going for. Ive read a bunch about Brian and the boys and its like the SoCal version of that great American story we call the Grateful Dead. Quintessential 60s history, right down to Charles Manson's cameo. 

The other night I listened to Smile all the way through and i got to say that its absolutely the most psychedelic music Ive ever heard. It propelled me into a full blown flashback. (Im prone to hallucination) Its nothing short of symphonic. And people always say it was competition between Brian and the Beatles. I always would have gone with the Beatles but Ive been turned around. Beatles are the best rock band but Brian is an immortal genius composer like the great classical music guys.
If there is anyone out there, discuss.

Everytime i look at the "visitors" list its like 1 member, 92 guests.  Who are these guests?

Im looking for amanita mushrooms and extracts. Could you point me at a supplier?

How many of you are out there?

Has anyone bought ethnobotanical products or plants on ebay? How did it work out?

Just in case you didnt get my feelings, know this: I quit a job Ive had for 19 years because my bosses *trump love was losing me clients. Also: anyone still supporting him is complicit in his traitorous behavior and needs to fuckin move to Russia so Donnie has company when he flees.

Oh yeah, one more : Fuck *trump.
Cenacle, can you add your own take on him? 

Hes pretty much confirmed everything we feared and more. We live under an occupation basically and *trump is getting more unhinged every day. Did I make myself clear? How about this: Fuck *trump!!  Or * go to fucking hell, Donnie Boy" or "death is too good for you"

It was a great experience!! Cant wait till it happens again!

There was an album of reggae bands covering Dead tunes years ago as well. I also love Deadicated. Elvis Costello and James Burton doing Ship of Fools? Too much! Los Lobos of course do great Dead covers and were the first band Garcia played with after his coma. I saw them last month and they did Not fade Away into Bertha and just killed it.

I had a real thrill last weekend. Id did a show with Matt Rainey and Dippin Sauce. We play a lot psychedelic blues, Americana, and we can do a full night of Dead covers. The gig was in the heart of Dead territory, 19 Broadway in Fairfax, in Marin County, CA. We were blessed by having Phil's keyboard player Scott Guberman join us. As usually we did about half Dead covers and the rest Matts originals and some deep blues. What a treat it was!! Scott is a lot like Brent, mostly plays organ and sings the high parts. After being just a little star struck and nervous we just totally got it on for 4 hours. And what a nice unpretentious cat Scott is! I remember playing Cassidy and thinking "the last time this guy played this song Bob Weir was probably singing it. Ive gotten to play with Melvin too.

Playing that music with these guys, in Marin is like a life long dream. I got a full adult dose of Dead!  The music never stopped because its bigger than any of us, including Garcia.

Im gonna put this in its own post too. Shameless self promotion? Im all about that.

I had a real thrill last weekend. Id did a show with Matt Rainey and Dippin Sauce. We play a lot psychedelic blues, Americana, and we can do a full night of Dead covers. The gig was in the heart of Dead territory, 19 Broadway in Fairfax, in Marin County, CA. We were blessed by having Phil's keyboard player Scott Guberman join us. As usually we did about half Dead covers and the rest Matts originals and some deep blues. What a treat it was!! Scott is a lot like Brent, mostly plays organ and sings the high parts. After being just a little star struck and nervous we just totally got it on for 4 hours. And what a nice unpretentious cat Scott is! I remember playing Cassidy and thinking "the last time this guy played this song Bob Weir was probably singing it. Ive gotten to play with Melvin too.

Playing that music with these guys, in Marin is like a life long dream. I got a full adult dose of Dead!  The music never stopped because its bigger than any of us, including Garcia.

Look, John cant help it hes not Garcia. Nobody is. But John Mayer is a great guitar player and singer. I had that attitude when I saw DSO last but then i saw a video of the Dead playing. I think this version of the Dead is fucking great!! What DSO does it is amazing but they AINT THE DEAD. )I always feel a little like Im at a Hippie Theme Park when i see DSO. Id rather see some guys playing Dead tunes and OTHER stuff in their own way. But Mayer and Otiel bring them into now. Bands like the Dead transcend the members, the music is bigger than anyone. Ever see the Glen Miller Orchestra. Glens been gone for a number of years but the music still lives. We are ALL DEAD!

Still looking.

I remember way back when, when Garcia was still alive hearing the Deadbeats, one of the first Dead cover bands and being more than a little creeped out. At that point I knew the music buy hadnt played much of it since trying to learn the tunes on Skull Fuck when i was a teenager. Since Garcia checked out there has been a rash and rush of bands playing the Grateful Deads extensive book. Now Im often called on to play the tunes made famous by the great band.

And I really love playing those tunes, especially the ones that open up for some outside jamming. Most of the time they are just tunes on a list, part of a bigger repertoire but this last weekend I played 2 shows with the Saints of Circumstance, all Dead or JGB tunes. And while it is a pretty good band and some great songs,  it felt a little weird.
Now Ive seen DSO 4 times and they do a spot on imitation of the OGs. And again, while Ive enjoyed the shows it did feel a little weird.
Your thoughts?