I´ve been really lucky to play with some wonderful musicians (some not-so-wonderful
ones too, but this story isn´t about them). I learned to play in a punk band
in Pennsylvania called Wasted Talent, and later moved to Virginia and played in about
a zillion bands there, one Unseen Force, toured the States in 1986, and it was on that
tour that I met Chris Stein from Blondie. We got to be friends and it was because of
him that I got the job playing for Debbie Harry. She is so great.
From her I learned a lot about being professional and that the show must go on.
We didn´t play a lot though, because she was so busy making movies and stuff.
But I thought it would be a good time to stick around the city and try to have some
sort of "serious" music career so I started playing all SORTS of gigs and
learning a lot.
I played with around 40 bands and some of the really special ones were: The Toilet
Boys (www.toileftboys.com): a really fun band with a GREAT live show.
SUPLA`S ZOO: a wonderful fun Bossa-Nova/punk band. The singer, Supla, was a big
star back in Brazil and SUCH a wonderful guy. I was really sorry to quit the band to
go on the Moby tour.
The NUNS: legendary band from San Francisco, relocated to NYC. The singer/songwriter,
Jennifer, is very musical as well as prolific. I got to go some recording with them
with awesome THOMMY PRICE (Billy IDOL, JOAN JETT) on drums. Thommy is the most economical
drummer I´ve ever met; there is not a hi-hat out of place in his playing.
While all this was going on, L7 (www.L7.com) called me one day to play bass on their
album, "The Beauty Process", Jennifer Finch had just quit and they didn´t
yet have her replacement, the terrific GAIL GREENWOOD (www.bennysizzler.com) installed
that was a fun trip, and they treated me very well.
Meanwhile I was band leader of the SQUEEZE BOX BAND, before the MOBY gig came along.
This was the most challenging, annoying, frustrating, yet interesting gig yet Squeeze
Box was weekly punk/fag/drag party at my favorite club: DonHils. Each week the poor
beleagured house band learned 6-10 songs, with a different DRAG QUEEN SINGER every
time. Boy, did we WORK! The drama factor was huge, and I got a lot of practise in being
calm and diplomatic. Some amazing talent came through there too: from JOEY ARIAS, SHERRY
VINE and MISTRESS FORMIKA to HOLE, GREEN DAY, and MARILYN MANSON. We recently had the
final kiss-off party; we learned 23 songs and had appeareances from CHERIE CURRSE and
SANDY WEST (the RUNAWAYS), JAYNE COUNTY and lots of others. BOB GRUEN took photos,
they´re at www.bobgruen.com.
I also had a lot of fun with a similar gig, a fake 70s lounge singer called JOHNNY
FAYVA (a.k.a. RUSSEL STEINBERG) it was at one of those gigs that Moby first saw me
play.
In about June 1999, I got a call from MOBY`S bassist, Ali (of STIFF LITTLE FINGERS
fame). He was feeling bumed out of playing and road managing at the same time, and
asked if I´d be intrested in the gig. I said sure, and went over to MO´s
house to talk and stuff. A few days later, Mo called and asked if I´d like to
play the Letterman Show, and I said sure.
Then he asked if I´d like to play Woodstock `99. Next thing I knew, we went
on a 6 week tour. All of a sudden the "Play" record TOOK OFF, and we didn´t
get home for a year and a half! We went around the world twice, and I met some terrific
people. What a great experience!
Just recently, I went to Tacoma to record with a band called LUCID NATION, who don´t
have songs! They turn on the tape and go! I´ve never done a gig like that and
it was very intresting. Plus, the drummer was PATTY SCHEMEL from hole, she is GREAT.
That´s all for now, stay tuned for more adventures!
