Studs in the Studio / News in New York

Sam & I (that's Flora Lee in layman's terms) started recording our first song together on Tuesday. It was all Dr. Pepper and double hi-hat tracks, let me tell you. This photo is Sam and our new friend Matt, of Be Frank records.... listening.... intently.




This hoodlum and I have been playing music together since we were Dyke Jrs, aka, a very long time ago. Gina Pensiero, woman of many talents, is performing a very very rare solo show under her subterranean lofi moniker Umberto. At a subterranean lofi venue in Clinton Hill (where she happens to live) called the 50/50 (who happens to be celebrating its 1 year anniversary). Since I was the first 50/50 show, I'm the special guest. WE ARE DOING A LIL' KIM COVER

What: Umberto and Emily Bate at The 50/50
When: Saturday, Nov. 14, doors open at 8 p.m.
Where: 50 Irving Place #1 (Ground Floor)
$:2
The 50/50

Who's Who

This little bloggie is a try at creating one central command station (think "Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead" mixed with air traffic controlling) on bands I'm in, shows I'm throwing, songs I'm working on, & etc.'s yet to be determined.

at least some of The Bands:
FLORA LEE // My solo, acoustic songs have turned into a band that plays loud(ish) music. With Sam Allingham on drums.
THE GREAT SWAMP // My bff Adam Brody's project, a melancampy theatrical rock band in which I attempt to shred on the electric guitar.
GENDER MOUNTAIN // Dave End & I are a drag cover band best known for playing Annie Lennox in wigs with a glockenspiel and an accordion.
THE KID'S BAND // I may turn up playing kid's music at any library or elementary school gymnasium at any time.

The Mitten:
Big beautiful place where I live and (sometimes) host shows. We used to have a very very full calendar, and now we do fewer, deeply more extravagant shows. Most of the time it's music; we also host the Miss West Philly Fabulous Pageant (3rd annual coming up this winter), occasional secret cafes, dinner theatres, and bonfires galore.

50 Songs:
After I put out my last solo record for a long time, I decided not to record another one until I'd written 50 new songs. I write songs real slow, so it's taking a real long time. Sometimes those songs might wiggle their way here.

Party Store:
A party store is Michigan putting your bodegas and corner stores to absolute shame. NOT ONLY can you buy hot dogs scorched under heat lamps, cigarettes, lotto tickets & circus peanuts, YOU CAN ALSO buy beer and liquor and you can return empty cans to get 10 cents apiece. That is literally everything you need for a party, folks.

Totally Swamped

The second installment of the Great Swamp's First Friday residency at Cha-Cha'razzi. I think there's tofu pups (gross name) and beer?! Personal excitement level for this show is high, since the last one was really packed and fun, AND since I'm counting on Joel's performance to redefine the parameters of my life in Philadelphia.