New Heathens - Rootsy Rock 'n' Roll Band in New York City

One Week
Thursday, March 11, 2010

A Chip Off The Old Rock
Sunday, March 7, 2010

Had the pleasure to visit my old friend Chip Whitson and his family in Kailua, Hawaii. Chip and I know each other from Missoula, MT. When I was in high school, Chip's bands were the first ones I ever fell in love with. Though I was underage, I zipped all over town on my bicycle trying to see Chip every time he performed with his band Top Jimmy. He played with other bands too, including The Furies and the Small Town Deputies. Chip was so proficient he'd go from Stonesy rock 'n' roll, to Eddie Cochran-like rockabilly, to Johnny Cash style country. His favorite guitarist is Brian Setzer from the Stray Cats.

Chip really helped set me on my way as a rock 'n' roll guy. When I was about 16 he would let me come sing a couple songs with his band, my first real stage experience fronting a rock band. He also taught me how to play guitar. He showed me how to play the Chuck Berry "ronka-ronka" rhythm, which was the only thing I ever wanted to know. In fact, to this day it's the only thing I can play with any proficiency.

Chip's work transferred him to Hawaii and he hosts a cool open mic every Saturday night at a coffee shop called Morning Brew. What was really cool about visiting was I got to see Chip perform with his 8-year-old son Jayce.

The apple didn't fall far...

Jayce was awesome. He and his dad rocked Pink Floyd's "Another Brick in the Wall," then they stomped out a cool power-pop tune and then Jayce brought the house down playing lead guitar on the Stones' "Satisfaction."

Jayce, who said his favorite bands include Nirvana, the Offspring and Audioslave, couldn't have a better guitar teacher, or a nicer guy for a dad.

Jayce, rocking the Hawaiian shaka, with his mom Stephanie.

For old time's sake, Chip and I did a few tunes together as well. He played licks and leads on the Heathens tunes, "Proud Highway," and "July 1, Near Helena, MT," and then sang harmonies with me on the Stones, "Time is On My Side," and Chuck Berry's "Let It Rock." It was great fun. Chip's a great singer, and nobody crafts a guitar solo better. But there's a kid who is on his way.

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Hello Disaster #9 on Euro Americana Charts March 2010
Friday, March 5, 2010

Eat our shorts, Reckless Kelly.

1 Matt Harlan Tips & Compliments Berkalin rec. JD, ML, BM, MP
2 Johnny Cash Ain't no Grave American. EL, RH, AD, HH, PG, MB, PK
3 Jason and the Scorchers Halcyon Times Blue Rose RK, HB, FC, TJ
4 Carolina Chocolate Drops Genuine Negro Jig NoneSuch Rec. DH, BH
5 Patty Griffin Downtown Church Chordant JB
6 Overmountain Men Glorious Day Ramseur Rec. LM
7 The Coal Porters Durango Prima Rec. BP, VM
8 Krista Detor Chocolat Paper Suites Corazong Rec. FC, BR
9 New Heathens Hello Disaster Avenue A Rec.
10 I See hawks in L.A. Shoulda been Gold 2001-2009 American Beat FH
11 Reckless Kelly Somewhere in Time Blue Rose. RS
12 Ray Wylie Hubbard A.Enlightenment;B.Endarkenment
13 Lucas Dawson Another Way To say Goodbye Self Rel. LK
14 Zoe Muth Zoe Muth & The Lost High Rollers Self Rel. MW, PJ
15 Allison Moorer Crows Rykodisc. Pk

1 comments

Sweethearts of the Satellite
Monday, March 1, 2010

My good friend Mike Storey, of The Izzys, and I had the small honor last night of being the first musical act to play Williamsburg's new Satellite Lounge on Havermeyer Street. Not knowing what to call ourselves, we tentatively decided on, "Sons of the Wild West Sweethearts," taking a cue from this guitar of Mike's which I think is both extra cool and very fun to play.

NYC music folks might not know the Satellite Lounge yet, but they certainly know owner Rob Sacher's previous venture, the famous Luna Lounge.

Luna opened up on the Lower East Side in the mid-1990's and hosted scores of local, unsigned bands and a few beloved artists including Elliott Smith and Joey Ramone. It was fun, relaxed and a great place to play original music. Luna's welcoming vibe was a pleasant change from the seedy hustle of Continental and the snobby ripoff of the late CBGB's, two other Manhattan clubs that also hosted unsigned bands. I used to gig at Luna with a band called "Blame Hound."

I'm happy to hear that Rob is writing a book about his experiences running the Luna Lounge, as it was a vital part of NYC's music scene during an interesting decade.

From 2005 to 2007 the Luna Lounge moved to Williamsburg into an aircraft-carrier sized venue on the corner of Metropolitan and Havermeyer. The stage and sound were great, but the space was just too monstrous for most baby bands to fill.

When Rob moved down the block and opened up Satellite -- a cozy, neighborhood bar with bartenders that spin vinyl and a half-dozen pinball machines -- he brought with him enough show posters from the Luna Lounge to paper one of Satellite's walls. I was very gratified to see, upon my first visit, that one of those posters is from the Gram Parsons tribute we put on there in 2007. Rob, who actually saw Gram Parsons perform in the early 1970s, graciously said that was one of his favorite shows.

Wall of Fame

That gig was a fun 'un. Here's the New Heathens, with Charlene McPherson, doing Gram's "100 Years" at the Billyburg Luna. This was the first gig we did with Brandy Wood.

Back to last night, Mike and I sat on Satellite's bite-sized stage and passed his guitar back and forth. We took turns singing harmonies on tunes by Hank Williams, Jimmy Reed, Bob Dylan, Gillian Welch, and, yes, Gram Parsons.

Here's to many more nights of music under Rob's watch.

**********

Kensuke in Hyogo, Japan, your copy of Hello Disaster is on its way.

0 comments

Setlist, Banjo's 2.26.10
Saturday, February 27, 2010

July 1, Near Helena, MT
Lucky Day
Before You Were My Baby
Born on Third Base
Keep Me
Gaps in my Resume
I Get Excited
Elemental
Only You, Lonely Me
Whatever Makes You Happy
Proud Highway (with Drina Seay)
Don't Think I Can't Stop (with Charlene McPherson
I Thought You Were My Friend (with Charlene McPherson)

Thank you to everybody who came out!

********

Ralf in Lauchhammer, Germany and Jarle in Grimstad, Norway, your copies of Hello Disaster are on their way!

0 comments

Star In A New Heathens Video -- Proud Highway
Thursday, February 25, 2010

Friends, I want you to be in the little YouTube video I'm making for the song Proud Highway, which is on the new record Hello Disaster.

Here's how it will work. The video will feature clips of different folks each lip-syncing a line from the song (lyrics posted below).

If you want to be in the video, please video yourself lip-syncing some or all of Proud Highway and e-mail it to me at newheathens(at)gmail.com.

Get a free download of the song from our MySpace site http://www.myspace.com/thenewheathens, download it for $0.99 off iTunes, or e-mail me at newheathens(at)gmail.com and I'll send you an MP3.

Videos must be compatible with Mac's iMovie.

Can't lip-sync? Send me a video of you playing air-guitar. Can't play air-guitar? Send me a video of you dancing. Can't dance? Send me a video of you doing something fun. Keep it clean, we're out of our blue phase.

DEADLINE: FRIDAY, MARCH 12, 2010.

I'll post the video on Thursday, March 18, the day of our Disaster Release show at the Lakeside Lounge at 9 p.m.

PROUD HIGHWAY

Take the proud highway
Gets you where you're going
Take the proud highway
Hammer down you're gone

You can come
And you can go
That's all right by me
But don't say yes
And then say no
I can't stand duality
I wouldn't mind
To spend your time
I can't speak for you
The proud highway is out the door my friend
And you are free to choose

To take the proud highway
Gets you where you're going
Take the proud highway
Hammer down you're gone

Rest stop
Truck stop
Engine block
Classic rock
Lug nuts
Bug guts
White cross
Cheesy puffs
Butt-cramp
RV camp
Runaway truck ramp
Trucker tan
Minivan
Take me to the promised land

On the proud highway
Gets you where you're going
Take the proud highway
Hammer down you're gone

Black ice
Jesus Christ
Something in the headlights
Little town
Broke down
Tow yard
Tow pound
Stay awake
Don't be late
Lost on the interstate
Too much speed
Cop sees
"License registration please."

I drive fast and I take chances
That's the way I live
And if you want to ride with me
I'll give you all I got to give
But if you've got somewhere else to be
Put your signal on and go
The proud highway will take you there
I might see you up the road

On the proud highway
Gets you where you're going
Take the proud highway
Hammer down you're gone

On the proud highway
Gets you where you're going
Take the proud highway
Hammer down you're gone

Proud highway
Take the proud highway

Hammer down you're gone
Hammer down you're gone
Hammer down you're gone
On and on and on

1 comments

Lakeside Lords
Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Friends, I know I've been away for three weeks but I've never been so happy to return to New York City as I was on Saturday night. I went straight from Newark Airport to the Lakeside Lounge and have visited that favorite bar o' mine every night since. I'd like to give you Reason #17,304 and Reason #24,001 why It's Great to Live in New York.

Reason #17,304: Secret Happy Hour Shows by Bands Reunited After Two Decades

The Del Lords rocked the hell out of New York City from the bands inception in 1984 through their fourth and last studio album in 1990. After 20 years the four original members, Scott Kempner, Eric "Roscoe" Ambel, Manny Caiati and Frank Funaro, reunited and cut an outstanding new EP entitled, "Under Construction." Check it out.

Yesterday at the Lakeside Lounge the Del Lords (billed as "The Elvis Club") played a secret show that was hard-charging, rhythmic, exciting and totally rocking. Today the Del Lords flew to Spain for a tour.

I knew of the Del Lords from Roscoe's biography and I own their compilation CD but seeing them yesterday was a shot in the arm. Check these dudes out. They rock.

Reason #24,001: J.D. Hughes

I'll never understand why people go to comedy clubs in New York City. Rather than suffering through scores of unfunny Andrew Dice Clay wannabees, visit the Lakeside Lounge on Monday and Friday nights. Those are the nights that J.D. "Doggie" Hughes bartends.

He may be the funniest man in New York City.

J.D. has a whip-quick wit and a Muppet's sensibility (indeed, one of his favorite utterances is Fozzy's "Waka-waka-waka!"). J.D. will switch from scatting gibberish ("A-doo-ba-da-ba-dee, a-dee-ba-da-ba-doo!") to miming a zombie singer, to playing air-drums complete with stick tosses (in another incarnation, J.D. is one of the best drummers in the city). On top of all the wackadoo humor, J.D. can fire off puns and witty comebacks the likes of which would make Groucho Marx cheer.

This guy is a gem. If you go to the Lakeside on either Monday or Friday nights and don't leave in hysterics, your tab is on me.

One more Lakeside thing: New Heathens will play a little Hello Disaster gig there on March 18. 9 p.m. Free.

0 comments



	One Week Thursday, March 11, 2010 0 comments A Chip Off The Old Rock Sunday, March 7, 2010 Had the pleasure to visit my old friend Chip Whitson and his family in Kailua, Hawaii. Chip and I know each other from Missoula, MT. When I was in high school, Chip's bands were the first ones I ever fell in love with. Though I was underage, I zipped all over town on my bicycle trying to see Chip every time he performed with his band Top Jimmy. He played with other bands too, including The Furies and the Small Town Deputies. Chip was so proficient he'd go from Stonesy rock 'n' roll, to Eddie Cochran-like rockabilly, to Johnny Cash style country. His favorite guitarist is Brian Setzer from the Stray Cats. Chip really helped set me on my way as a rock 'n' roll guy. When I was about 16 he would let me come sing a couple songs with his band, my first real stage experience fronting a rock band. He also taught me how to play guitar. He showed me how to play the Chuck Berry "ronka-ronka" rhythm, which was the only thing I ever wanted to know. In fact, to this day it's the only thing I can play with any proficiency. Chip's work transferred him to Hawaii and he hosts a cool open mic every Saturday night at a coffee shop called Morning Brew. What was really cool about visiting was I got to see Chip perform with his 8-year-old son Jayce. The apple didn't fall far... Jayce was awesome. He and his dad rocked Pink Floyd's "Another Brick in the Wall," then they stomped out a cool power-pop tune and then Jayce brought the house down playing lead guitar on the Stones' "Satisfaction." Jayce, who said his favorite bands include Nirvana, the Offspring and Audioslave, couldn't have a better guitar teacher, or a nicer guy for a dad. Jayce, rocking the Hawaiian shaka, with his mom Stephanie. For old time's sake, Chip and I did a few tunes together as well. He played licks and leads on the Heathens tunes, "Proud Highway," and "July 1, Near Helena, MT," and then sang harmonies with me on the Stones, "Time is On My Side," and Chuck Berry's "Let It Rock." It was great fun. Chip's a great singer, and nobody crafts a guitar solo better. But there's a kid who is on his way. 0 comments Hello Disaster #9 on Euro Americana Charts March 2010 Friday, March 5, 2010 Eat our shorts, Reckless Kelly. 1 Matt Harlan Tips & Compliments Berkalin rec. JD, ML, BM, MP 2 Johnny Cash Ain't no Grave American. EL, RH, AD, HH, PG, MB, PK 3 Jason and the Scorchers Halcyon Times Blue Rose RK, HB, FC, TJ 4 Carolina Chocolate Drops Genuine Negro Jig NoneSuch Rec. DH, BH 5 Patty Griffin Downtown Church Chordant JB 6 Overmountain Men Glorious Day Ramseur Rec. LM 7 The Coal Porters Durango Prima Rec. BP, VM 8 Krista Detor Chocolat Paper Suites Corazong Rec. FC, BR 9 New Heathens Hello Disaster Avenue A Rec. 10 I See hawks in L.A. Shoulda been Gold 2001-2009 American Beat FH 11 Reckless Kelly Somewhere in Time Blue Rose. RS 12 Ray Wylie Hubbard A.Enlightenment;B.Endarkenment 13 Lucas Dawson Another Way To say Goodbye Self Rel. LK 14 Zoe Muth Zoe Muth & The Lost High Rollers Self Rel. MW, PJ 15 Allison Moorer Crows Rykodisc. Pk 1 comments Sweethearts of the Satellite Monday, March 1, 2010 My good friend Mike Storey, of The Izzys, and I had the small honor last night of being the first musical act to play Williamsburg's new Satellite Lounge on Havermeyer Street. Not knowing what to call ourselves, we tentatively decided on, "Sons of the Wild West Sweethearts," taking a cue from this guitar of Mike's which I think is both extra cool and very fun to play. NYC music folks might not know the Satellite Lounge yet, but they certainly know owner Rob Sacher's previous venture, the famous Luna Lounge. Luna opened up on the Lower East Side in the mid-1990's and hosted scores of local, unsigned bands and a few beloved artists including Elliott Smith and Joey Ramone. It was fun, relaxed and a great place to play original music. Luna's welcoming vibe was a pleasant change from the seedy hustle of Continental and the snobby ripoff of the late CBGB's, two other Manhattan clubs that also hosted unsigned bands. I used to gig at Luna with a band called "Blame Hound." I'm happy to hear that Rob is writing a book about his experiences running the Luna Lounge, as it was a vital part of NYC's music scene during an interesting decade. From 2005 to 2007 the Luna Lounge moved to Williamsburg into an aircraft-carrier sized venue on the corner of Metropolitan and Havermeyer. The stage and sound were great, but the space was just too monstrous for most baby bands to fill. When Rob moved down the block and opened up Satellite -- a cozy, neighborhood bar with bartenders that spin vinyl and a half-dozen pinball machines -- he brought with him enough show posters from the Luna Lounge to paper one of Satellite's walls. I was very gratified to see, upon my first visit, that one of those posters is from the Gram Parsons tribute we put on there in 2007. Rob, who actually saw Gram Parsons perform in the early 1970s, graciously said that was one of his favorite shows. Wall of Fame That gig was a fun 'un. Here's the New Heathens, with Charlene McPherson, doing Gram's "100 Years" at the Billyburg Luna. This was the first gig we did with Brandy Wood. Back to last night, Mike and I sat on Satellite's bite-sized stage and passed his guitar back and forth. We took turns singing harmonies on tunes by Hank Williams, Jimmy Reed, Bob Dylan, Gillian Welch, and, yes, Gram Parsons. Here's to many more nights of music under Rob's watch. ******** Kensuke in Hyogo, Japan, your copy of Hello Disaster is on its way. 0 comments Setlist, Banjo's 2.26.10** Saturday, February 27, 2010 July 1, Near Helena, MT Lucky Day Before You Were My Baby Born on Third Base Keep Me Gaps in my Resume I Get Excited Elemental Only You, Lonely Me Whatever Makes You Happy Proud Highway (with Drina Seay) Don't Think I Can't Stop (with Charlene McPherson I Thought You Were My Friend (with Charlene McPherson) Thank you to everybody who came out! ****** Ralf in Lauchhammer, Germany and Jarle in Grimstad, Norway, your copies of Hello Disaster are on their way! 0 comments Star In A New Heathens Video -- Proud Highway** Thursday, February 25, 2010 Friends, I want you to be in the little YouTube video I'm making for the song Proud Highway, which is on the new record Hello Disaster. Here's how it will work. The video will feature clips of different folks each lip-syncing a line from the song (lyrics posted below). If you want to be in the video, please video yourself lip-syncing some or all of Proud Highway and e-mail it to me at newheathens(at)gmail.com. Get a free download of the song from our MySpace site http://www.myspace.com/thenewheathens, download it for $0.99 off iTunes, or e-mail me at newheathens(at)gmail.com and I'll send you an MP3. Videos must be compatible with Mac's iMovie. Can't lip-sync? Send me a video of you playing air-guitar. Can't play air-guitar? Send me a video of you dancing. Can't dance? Send me a video of you doing something fun. Keep it clean, we're out of our blue phase. DEADLINE: FRIDAY, MARCH 12, 2010. I'll post the video on Thursday, March 18, the day of our Disaster Release show at the Lakeside Lounge at 9 p.m. PROUD HIGHWAY Take the proud highway Gets you where you're going Take the proud highway Hammer down you're gone You can come And you can go That's all right by me But don't say yes And then say no I can't stand duality I wouldn't mind To spend your time I can't speak for you The proud highway is out the door my friend And you are free to choose To take the proud highway Gets you where you're going Take the proud highway Hammer down you're gone Rest stop Truck stop Engine block Classic rock Lug nuts Bug guts White cross Cheesy puffs Butt-cramp RV camp Runaway truck ramp Trucker tan Minivan Take me to the promised land On the proud highway Gets you where you're going Take the proud highway Hammer down you're gone Black ice Jesus Christ Something in the headlights Little town Broke down Tow yard Tow pound Stay awake Don't be late Lost on the interstate Too much speed Cop sees "License registration please." I drive fast and I take chances That's the way I live And if you want to ride with me I'll give you all I got to give But if you've got somewhere else to be Put your signal on and go The proud highway will take you there I might see you up the road On the proud highway Gets you where you're going Take the proud highway Hammer down you're gone On the proud highway Gets you where you're going Take the proud highway Hammer down you're gone Proud highway Take the proud highway Hammer down you're gone Hammer down you're gone Hammer down you're gone On and on and on 1 comments Lakeside Lords Wednesday, February 24, 2010 Friends, I know I've been away for three weeks but I've never been so happy to return to New York City as I was on Saturday night. I went straight from Newark Airport to the Lakeside Lounge and have visited that favorite bar o' mine every night since. I'd like to give you Reason #17,304 and Reason #24,001 why It's Great to Live in New York. Reason #17,304: Secret Happy Hour Shows by Bands Reunited After Two Decades The Del Lords rocked the hell out of New York City from the bands inception in 1984 through their fourth and last studio album in 1990. After 20 years the four original members, Scott Kempner, Eric "Roscoe" Ambel, Manny Caiati and Frank Funaro, reunited and cut an outstanding new EP entitled, "Under Construction." Check it out. Yesterday at the Lakeside Lounge the Del Lords (billed as "The Elvis Club") played a secret show that was hard-charging, rhythmic, exciting and totally rocking. Today the Del Lords flew to Spain for a tour. I knew of the Del Lords from Roscoe's biography and I own their compilation CD but seeing them yesterday was a shot in the arm. Check these dudes out. They rock. Reason #24,001: J.D. Hughes I'll never understand why people go to comedy clubs in New York City. Rather than suffering through scores of unfunny Andrew Dice Clay wannabees, visit the Lakeside Lounge on Monday and Friday nights. Those are the nights that J.D. "Doggie" Hughes bartends. He may be the funniest man in New York City. J.D. has a whip-quick wit and a Muppet's sensibility (indeed, one of his favorite utterances is Fozzy's "Waka-waka-waka!"). J.D. will switch from scatting gibberish ("A-doo-ba-da-ba-dee, a-dee-ba-da-ba-doo!") to miming a zombie singer, to playing air-drums complete with stick tosses (in another incarnation, J.D. is one of the best drummers in the city). On top of all the wackadoo humor, J.D. can fire off puns and witty comebacks the likes of which would make Groucho Marx cheer. This guy is a gem. If you go to the Lakeside on either Monday or Friday nights and don't leave in hysterics, your tab is on me. One more Lakeside thing: New Heathens will play a little Hello Disaster gig there on March 18. 9 p.m. Free. 0 comments Website: Castle Builder Design	Get on our mailing list! Send an email to info@newheathens.com. Previous Posts One Week A Chip Off The Old Rock Hello Disaster #9 on Euro Americana Charts March 2010 Sweethearts of the Satellite Setlist, Banjo's 2.26.10 Star In A New Heathens Video -- Proud Highway Lakeside Lords "Can't Go West, Can't Go East," A Bottle Rockets L... More Good News From British Columbia Let Me Not Fail, Lord, For Lack of Trying... 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