PSA: Ghost Bikes

It was a year ago this week that Jessica Bullen was struck and killed while riding her bike. Jessica was heavily involved in the Quann community garden and was a strong advocate of public transportation and bicycle use.
You may have seen these signs around town. Go to GhostBike.net to learn more about bicycle safety, rights and the Jessica Bullen Memorial Fund.

New Band Outfits?

Robin discovered this web site of 80's videos: http://www.freephotosandvideos.com/

Aldo Nova BABY!

Mo Harmony Pix

Big yellow UFO coming to take us away!





Where's their ear protection?

Real Country Music Song Titles

All I Want From You (Is Away)
All My Exes Live In Texas
All the Guys that Turn Me On Turn Me Down
Am I Double Parked by the Curbstone of Your Heart?
Are You Drinkin With Me Jesus?
Are You on the Top 40 of the Lord?
At the Gas Station of Love, I Got the Self Service Pump
Billy Broke My Heart at Walgreens and I Cried All the Way to Sears
Bubba Shot The Jukebox
Bubba's Inconvenience Store
Can't Get Over You, So Why Don't You Get Under Me?
Come out of the Wheatfield Nellie, You're Going Against the Grain
Cow Cow Boogie (Moo Moo My Love)
Cow Cow Strut
Did I Shave my Legs for This?

From http://www.countrysongtitles.com/

I saw Elvis!

So we've been having some work done on the house and one of the guys that did some painting for us invited Mike and me to see his show at the Cottage Grove Fireman's Festival. He's in an Elvis Tribute Band, Tony Rocker and The Comeback Specials. Now, I'm not a huge Elvis fan but it's pretty clear that he had something going (Ignore the hype and just listen to the music sometime).

They put on a fun show and Tony had a ton of energy on stage.



Elvis



Tony Rocker

Laugh all you want but they're booked out into 2007.

Smiling Buddha fortune #3:

"The only rose without a thorn is friendship."

Not True!

Catherine Howard was known as the rose without a thorn.
Cartherine Howard was Henry the VIII's 5th wife. Hank was a total freak who blamed his wifes for not providing him with a male heir to the throne. He got his first marraige (Catherine of Aaragon) annulled. He trumped up treason charges against Anne Boleyn and had her axed. Jane Seymour finally birthed a son to the H-man (Edward VI) but she died a few days later. He then married Anne of Cleves who he insulted by saying that she looked like a horse. The marraige lasted 6 months and they divorced. Then, he married Catherine Howard:
When she married Henry in 1540 she was 19 and he was almost 50. It is said that the time Henry spent with Catherine rejuvenated him. She was, however, accused (rightly) by his courtiers of having many lovers, and so was beheaded (along with the lovers) at the Tower of London in 1542 with an axe.

"Now the moment was at hand, Catherine was calm. Her composure, however, owed much to the laudanum with which the flagon of sweet, redcurrant wine had been doctored. Her attendants fussed over her headdress and the folds of her gown while Catherine dazedly reflected on the events that would soon culminate with the wielding of the Royal Axe."

Finally, Henry married Katherine in 1543 because Henry needed somebody to look after him in his old age.

...I just thought you should know.

You Can't Get There From Here

So, there's this joke that goes something like this:
Traveler: Hey old man! Where does this road go?
Local: Son, I've been living here my whole life and it ain't gone nowhere yet!


Well, I'm staying in a Schaumburg hotel and attending a seminar in Itasca (less than 8 miles away). It took me 45 minutes to get there because I-290 was in the way. If you're on I-290, you can't get off. If you're not on I-290, you can't get across it.


I could see my destination for about 25 minutes but couldn't get there. What a god-forsaken, **ck-hole this place is!



So, after the conference I needed to walk a bit but, as I posted yesterday, there's nothing but parking lots and highway. So, for the first time in about 2 years, I went to a mall. Woodfield Mall's close to the Hotel.

I entered at the Nerdstroms, walked to the Bored & Failure and walked past the Crap & Sterile. I started to feel dizzy and my eyeballs dried out. I saw nothing I needed, nothing I wanted then started to feel bad and left.

You can't go anywhere if you're no where.

On a good note: My left over Smiling Buddha fortune cookie said, "You will have a party." Awesome!

Cheers from Schaumburg

Fortune cookie from Smiling Buddha restaurant in Schaumburg, IL says:
"He who hurries cannot walk with dignity."

But, you can't walk with dignity when there's nothing but a sea of parking and six lane roads.

The parking is plentiful (and free) but there's nowhere to go.

WE Have the Trademark!

Yo! To whom it may concern:
1. The verbage/concept is ours.
2. The font is ours.
3. The logo is ours.
Don't even try it Trek!

Fun at Mickey's

Mickey's Tavern has been around a lot longer than I have. Sitting adjacent to the Yahara at Willy St., it quietly serves as a comfortable place to stop, relax chat with friends and listen to live music.

We moved to Madison in 1991 and didn't "discover" Mickey's until around 1995. At that time, Mickey's was a place that you'd enter and the 3 or 4 guys at the bar would look up at you, stare for a while, and then go back to the business of discussing their day with Mickey himself. Mickey was a very sweet man that would "hold court" at the end of the bar, talking with all comers to make them feel welcome. He was already in his 90's when I met him and I still remember his stories about hunting and how he could legally hunt from his pick-up because he could no longer "get around so good."
They had live Celtic music jams on Wednesday night that we loved to attend when I was still in school and didn't have to get up at 5:30 the next day. Then there was the Isthmus article just before St. Pat's day one year and the place became super popular and probably one of the most smoke filled rooms in the city.

Then there was the night that some drunk woman got mad at Mike for talking during the Celtic music "concert" and tossed her drink on him. I think she thought that she was at the civic center or something. I never saw a crowd scatter that quickly. It was just like a scene from an old western. The music stopped, musician scurried to prevent their expensive acoustic instruments from getting wet and I was waiting for Clint Eastwood to come swaggering through the door. No such luck. Mike kept his cool, the bartender took the woman's glass and refused to serve her for the rest of the evening. Despite this, she refused to leave and so did we. She just stood and stared at us. The bartender asked us if we wanted him to call the cops to throw her out. We said no and he proceeded to give us free drinks the rest of the evening. She finally left and as she was leaving, the crowed hurled insults at her. We still see her around the neighborhood sometimes. She stares at us.

Then Mickey passed on and the tavern came under new management. Extra rooms were opened up to expand the bar. And the decor changed from taxidermized fawns & small rodent-like creatures to mod lamps and couches. It was an instant hit amongst the hipsters in town and it somehow managed to get even more smoke filled. We stopped going for a long time because, well, we're not very hip. Actually, we're not very cool either. I'd be in there for about five minutes and start whining about how my eyes were burning.

Somewhere after that time, Mickey's started hosting more local live music. We tried to go to a few shows but it was hard for me to enjoy the scene because of the smoke.

Then the smoking ban hit. I know there's a lot of bad feelings about the ban but for me and a large number of my friends, it's a big plus. I'm going out more AND I'm having fewer "hang overs." I'm not drinking any less. The smoke simply amplified the retribution for the over-indulgence.

Well, I've just experienced Mickey's Tavern in a whole new way. This time, as a musician. Playing Mickey's last night was fantastic. I love the proximity to the fans (no dang stage to get in the way). There were familiar faces and new ones that just seemed to be enjoying themselves. The staff were super friendly and accommodating. Ellie's new band, Spoonbender, opened for us and they were appropriately unpolished and weird!

Mickey's is a treasure!

Come out and see us!

The Elbow Dancers and Radio Deli

Apparently, you people didn't get the memo! There will be no commercial airplay of Motor Primitives songs. The big radio conglomerates say, "NAY! Now here's some more Jack Johnson!"

Well, yesterday was the Atwood Community Center Pantrython and 105.5FM were taking donations for song requests. Payola for a good cause!?!

A bunch of you knuckle heads pledged and requested the MPs. Someone donated $250 and others donated $50. We figure you guys gave $350 to $500 (or more) to the food pantry. I know Mike, Pants and Barb called in. But, there were a few more of you. I'm lookin' at you J.O., Dan, Anne...

We have the most generous and positive minded fan base in the world!

...And they’re mighty fine dancers!

FYI - Pat Gallagher played Beautiful Mind, Be The Engine (Part I) and Look Away as the "Side Dish" on the "Radio Deli" Noon show.

Big Time Radio to Play MP Music

WMMM 105.5 will be playing a Motor Primitives song Thursday between 11:30 and 12 Noon. At least three different elbow dancers called in and contributed to the Atwood Community Center's annual Pantrython held June 7th in exchange for song requests. Those contributors will remain nameless but you can thank Mike, Pants and Barb.

The DJs couldn't play the requests on June 7th because they didn't have the CDs on hand (they seemed to have misplaced the Be the Engine EP that was sent to them) and the comp copies of both of our CDs that were given to the program manager happen to still be on his dining room table (2 months after having received them).

No worries, Pat assures us that he knows where they are. So tune in! We don't expect any further radio play until we can raise more payola.

All joking aside, the Pantrython fundraiser is a great event. If you missed out on donating via the Pantrython, you can still give directly to the Atwood Community Center Pantry anytime!

Centered in Six

Yesterday, we participated in a performing arts extravaganza at the Real Library. The basic concept was that on 6/6/6, starting at 6 and running for 66 minutes, various artists (visual, performing, spoken word, etc…) would present a 6 minute long performance. Our hostess, the lovely and talented Tracy Doreen organized the event. You may remember her as the championship hula-hooper who performed with us during our Wisconsin Film Festival show in April. Parts of what was called “6 in the City” were to occur inside and other parts outside

Our plan: Load drums, amps, PA and selves into Robin’s VW van. Everything was plugged in to one power strip. At seven pm, we would pull into the driveway, Matthew would jump out of the rear door and plug us in to the extension cord provided. Pam would start playing the opening chords to Perfect World. Kat would jump out of the passenger door, open the sliding side door, pull the vocal mic out. Robin would pop the camper top. Then, everybody picks up instruments and start playing. When we were done, we throw everything back into the van and drive off. We called our masterpiece an “MP Drive by rockin’!”

Well, we got there two minutes early and pulled into the driveway. There were a large number of people standing in a circle holding hands, chanting and side-stepping. So, we stayed in the van hoping they would finish soon. Our conversation roamed to different topic. Three minutes go by and we’re talking about revving the engine. Four minutes go by and we’re talking about peeling out and leaving. Five minutes go by and we’re talking about farts. Six minutes go by and Kat decides she’s going to play with her shoes off so that she can be “one” with the chanters. Finally, it’s 7:05 (five minutes into our six minute performance) and Tracy says, “go ahead and start ‘cause they don’t look like they’re going to stop any time soon.”


Matthew dives out the back door. We’ve got power! I start playing cords. Kat jumps out, opens the side door and sets the mic stand up. I get out continuing to play. Robin pops up the camper top then sits behind his kit. We all look over at Kat and she keeps trying to pick up her guitar. Every time she tries, she gets a shock! So we’re all yelling, “Pick it up!” and she keeps trying! Well, I just start singing the first verse and Matthew yells, “Put your shoes on!” Half way through the second verse, Kat’s got her shoes on and she’s playing without a problem. Funny thing, that day, Tracy had emailed me asking if we needed a two- or three-pronged extension cord. I said three. (Note to Tracy: That third prong ain’t just for show. Check your ground wires.)



So, we’re playing along and the circle chanters are continuing. We’re getting smiles from a lot of people and sneers from a few others. Innocent civilians are caught in the cross fire of the new age v. rock culture clash. Most of them are bewildered but loving it. Aaaahh, life on the isthmus!

But seriously, if you can’t “center” yourself in under six minutes, there’s something wrong.

Here's a video of part of our performance that captures the event quite well:



*No hippies were harmed in the filming of this video...But Kat still has a twitch in her left hand from the repeated shocks.

Fear no Art!

Its time for:

DCLXVI or 666 or 6 in the City…

coming to Madison’s near east side on June 6, 2006 (06/06/06). The event hosted at The ReaLibrary 515 S. Paterson, Madison Wisconsin begins at 6pm and lasts about 66 minutes. In the six days preceding 06/06/06, between 6 to 36 artists of multi-disciplines as well as anti-disciplinary artists will put together a sixy event including spoken word, performance art, video, music, installation art and more. Some of the artists presenting brief world premier pieces are: Bonnie Brown, Tracy Doreen, Lewis Koch, Luciano, Angela McJunkin, Cate Riedl, Barb Tarockoff and Echnaton Vedder. Weather permitting, part of the event will be held outside.

Sliding scale donations from 6 cents to $66 are gratefully accepted.

The MPs fully endorse this event. Hope to see you there!

How we spent our Saturday

Well...We sorta hung out in the park. After all, it was a gorgeous day! Fluffy white clouds dotted the blue sky. A nice breeze floated across the hill leading to lake Monona.

Then, there was music!



Then, there was this Cowboy Junkies tribute band.



Then, a little chair dancing!



Then, night fell.



Then, things got strange...



Very strange!

Surprise Show at The Harmony Bar!

It was the evening before Kat and Leah's wedding. Nearly all of the family members had assembled in Madtown. Kat had been trying to get us a gig Friday, June 2nd so that her family could see her and her band. Finally, the fine folks at the Harmony bar (our "club house") said they would let us play if they didn't have too much softball league business (They normally don't have live music on Fridays during the summer).

We had to wait and see how things went! The plan was to be prepared for a guerilla gig at the Harmony (after the rehearsal dinner).

8pm I'm laying around the house watching Lara Croft Tomb Raider (my she has big...Lips). No call yet but I can see the traffic outside the Harmony bar seems a little heavy.

8:30pm and there's a call from Robin. Things don't look good. Kat just called and said the folks at the Harmony are too busy. But Robin says, "let's wait and see, things could change."

8:50pm and there's a second call from Robin. It's a "GO!"

Scramble, scramble!!! To the Bat cave! We were set up in about half an hour. The wedding party started trickling in, followed by more family, friends, elbow dancers. The evening couldn't have turned out better! We had a blast and we could tell that Kat and Leah's family were enjoying themselves. It was a wonderful atmosphere bathed in love.


"I command you little fingers...Fly! Fly like the wind!"


"Too much beer make me burpy."


"See, little sister. I told you to practice your scales!!"


"I SAID, no flash photography, damn it!"


"When's she gonna shut up so I can rip another killer solo!"


"Kat! Turn around. The audience's the other way!!!"

Enjoy YOUR Weekend!