Playing the Terrace

You might ask, "How does one get a gig at the UW Memorial Union?"

Well, let me tell ya. It wasn't the electronic press kit we sent. It wasn't the very clever hard copy press kit with the snazzy CD that Robin hand carried over. It wasn't the numerous emails that we sent. It was dumb luck. It was being in the right place and knowing someone who was organizing a special event. Yes, I admit it. We're still not cool enough to score a gig at the Terrace through the Union Directorate.

Who cares? Not me! We're playing the Terrace on Friday, October 6th for the Students for Tammy Baldwin Rally and we're psyched! In case you haven't been paying attention, Rep. Baldwin is up for re-election and is being challenged by that doofus that changed his name to make himself sound like a porn star.

October is a cold month. The averaged high temperature is 58 degrees and it usually seems colder than that 'cause we're coming off of the balmy summer months (58 degrees seems warmer in March than it does in October). October 6th is the last weekend date that the Union even considers having music outside. So we're hoping that we get a native american summer heat blast that weekend.

Some one suggested that we have a big bonfire to keep people warm. That might work but the only practical place for it would be right in front of the stage and that might melt the plastic canopy over the stage. That also wouldn't keep people sitting in the upper tiers of the terrace warm.

Or, perhaps we could buy everybody electric socks. You know, the kind that you plug in and they keep your feet warm. However, that would take a lot of extension cord and create a tripping hazard.

After much thought (and beer), the only real solution is multiple burn barrels. Yes! Nodes of warmth scattered throughout the terrace!


Actually, If it's too cold, we'll be playing in Der Rathskeller.

Other bands playing that night are: The Fingers, The Optimisitc and Fake Fiction.

I believe we are playing at 9pm but we might be playing at 10pm - I can't get a straight answer from anybody at this point.

My First Post, and then my last post.

Hello. My name is Kat and this is my first blog post. I just figured out how to use the internets. I plan to use this blog to remind myself of all the things I'm supposed to write down during practice. Notes to self:

1) Play a descending set of chords to open BTE II.

2) Play a two-note figure in the post-verse of ->0<-.

3) Play a syncopated pattern in the other song.

4) Ask Pam for lyrics to Sheen/Shine.

5) Check this blog before next Tuesday.

Actually I just realized how boring this is for readers. So, this is my last blog post. Goodbye.

The Revolution Continues!

As the house band for the revolution, we take our "work" very seriously. Last night's show at Revolution Cycles was very carefully planned out.
"Hey Jeff! Are you getting the beer or should we? Ah, whatever, let's both get the beer."

"Hey Jeff! What's the openning band's name so we can put it on the flyer?"
Jeff: "uh, well, they told me but I forgot. It's something really kind of funny though."

"Hey Jeff! What's that? There's gonna be DJs?"

"Hey Jeff! If the party starts around 7pm, why's half of the first keg already spent by 5:30?"

"Hey Jeff! Tell that guy to put his pants back on!"

"Hey Jeff! Thanks for the great party!"

Hey Alright! Another show!!

There will be music and beverage and, I hear there'll be DJs. Actually, I've got no idea what's going on. Just show up!

Dance like a monkey Dieter!

A German art student made himself part of the terracotta soldiers created 2,200 years ago to protect the tomb of Chinese Emperor Qinshihuang.

As reported by the BBC:
Pablo Wendel, made up like an ancient warrior, jumped into a pit showcasing the 2,200-year-old pottery soldiers and stood motionless for several minutes.
The 26-year-old was eventually spotted by police and removed from the scene.
The story


As Mr Wendel's "performance art" did not harm any of the ancient relics, he was not arrested or charged but given "serious criticism", the reports said.

"serious criticism?!" Like, "Hey, your shoes don't match your outfit" or, "I thought all German art students were supposed to wear black."

Pope Benedict XVI Speechifize!

The Pope had not intended to offend when he quoted a 14th-century Christian emperor as saying the Prophet Muhammad had introduced only "evil and inhuman" ideas into the world.

He's been taking speechification lessons from our fearless leader (a.k.a. Deserter George). Apparently, the main goal is to see how many people you can piss off without even trying.

From the Guardian UK:
"The Vatican last night said Pope Benedict XVI had not intended to offend when he quoted a 14th-century Christian emperor as saying the Prophet Muhammad had introduced only "evil and inhuman" ideas into the world.
"It certainly was not the intention of the Pope to carry out a deep examination of jihad and Muslim thought on it, much less to offend the sensibility of Muslim believers," a Vatican spokesman said."
link

Good think the Pope has the hard fighting Swiss Army to protect him.

Those sticks look like they could hurt!

What does this have to do with music? Well, there's definitely less harmony in the world.

The Planet Bike/Bike Fed Party

Coments:
The Mosquitos were out.
The first band got the cops called on us.
We had to play "library quiet."
I played like poo.
We love our elbow dancers.
Bike advocates rock!
That is all.

Too Much Flame?

Just too cool of a gig poster to keep under wraps!

Interstate Highway Story

I'm not sure who to attribe this little story but it seems appropriate since the Pro Bike/Pro Walk conference is in town:

It had been a quiet night at the local bar so far, but then the door was thrown open and an Interstate highway strode in.

"I'm an Inter- state highway," he declared. "I stretch from coast to coast and have at least four lanes, shoulders, and a median almost my entire length. I have the highest speed limit of any highway. I'm the best of the highways, and I'm afraid of no highway and no road."

He then strode up to the bar, ordered a beer, and began drinking it, while looking around.

A short time later, a four-lane highway came in, went to the end of the bar, and ordered a beer.

The Interstate looked him over and walked over to him. "I'm an Interstate highway," he declared. "I stretch from coast to coast and have at least four lanes, shoulders, and a median almost my entire length. I have the highest speed limit of any highway. I'm the best of the highways, and I'm not afraid of you."

The four-lane highway said "I agree that you're the best. I don't want any trouble with you. Let me buy you a beer", and he did. They drank their beers and discussed their engineering specifications.

After a half hour, the door opened again and a two-lane road came in, went to the other end of the bar, and ordered a beer.

The Interstate looked him over and told the four-lane highway that he had to take care of the new arrival. He walked over to the two-lane road and said "I'm an Interstate highway. I stretch from coast to coast and have at least four lanes, shoulders, and a median almost my entire length. I have the highest speed limit of any highway. I'm the best of the highways, and I'm not afraid of you."

The two-lane road quivered a bit and said "You're absolutely right. You are the best of the highways. I'm just a lowly two-lane road. I don't want any trouble. Can I buy beers for you and the four-lane highway?"

The Interstate motioned the four-lane highway to come over, the two-lane road bought beers for each of them, and the three of them drank their beers and discussed the merits of various paving materials.

After another half hour, the door opened again and a strip of asphalt about eight feet wide came in. The Interstate highway ducked behind the bar and hid there quivering quietly.

The bartender was shocked.

After serving the asphalt strip, he walked over to where the Interstate was hiding. "I watched you stand up to the four-lane highway and the two-lane road. You said you weren't afraid of any highway or road. Why are you hiding from that little asphalt strip?"

The Interstate replied quietly, "It's true that I'm not afraid of any highway or road, but he's a cycle path."

It's so easy a chimp could do it!

This story is rather appropriate for the Pro Bike/Pro Walk international conference held in our lovely city this week:

Study uncovers 'chimp cross code': Experts studying chimpanzees while investigating the evolution of human social behaviour have uncovered their ability to safely cross roads.

(The large males took up protective positions while road crossing)

The full BBC story here.

The Advo-Cats are Coming!

Pro Bike/Pro Walk is coming to Madison! We really wanted to be part of this happening 'cause we do dig our advocates! Through the BFW and Planet Bike we got ourselves a gig playing at a party that they set up for the visiting advocates. It isn't part of the "official" program and so we haven't been advertising it to the general public. But, good old Dave Medaris at the Isthmus "outed" the event in this weeks issue. Should any of you show up to the party and you're not a conference-goer, consider sending a donation over the the Bike Fed of Wisconsin. They've been doing good work for our community for a long time now.