Come on by for the fun as Lauren Flaherty, Big East, and Golden Bloom join me to celebrate the release of “Fiction Memories” (which you can get for FREE by clicking on the music link, by the way) tonight at the Rosebud Bar in Davis Square, Somerville.
Here’s a nice article in the Boston Metro about the show this morning. Literally thousands of disinterested commuters are looking at my face this morning, wondering “Why is he so sweaty?”
A little late, but hopefully worth the wait. Just click on the MUSIC link right below my face up yonder. Download and enjoy!
The EP release show is this Friday the 13th (spooooooky) with Lauren Flaherty, Big East, and Golden Bloom.
Since Andrea and I started this successful juggernaut known as The Cover-Up, there honestly has not been a non-awesome moment in the whole thing. But this past weekend’s Cover-Up was probably the mostest awesomest so far.
I must admit – I have done a lot of ridiculous shit in this series (my Freddie Mercury outfit comes to mind), but nothing was as intimidating as trying to embody the spirit of Jack Black without resorting to imitation. Luckily, I had the best Rage Kage that I could imagine by my side – Nate Leavitt of The Blizzard of ’78. A pure pleasure and joy to work with as well as an absolute shredder on guitar. What a fun memory.
And don’t even get me started on the other talented performers from that night. Golden Bloom absolutely brought it as a one-man Weird Al on some sort of hallucinogen. I had the pleasure of singing (or really slurring my way through) “Sweet Young Thing” with Oranjuly as the Monkees. Always fun to play with those guys. And Sidewalk Driver as Spinal Tap brought things to a whole new level – including a to-scale replica of the mini-Stonehenge.
As far as the comics, Ken Reid, Tim McIntire, and Lamont Price turned a potentially difficult gig (lots of drunken assholes that were all riled up by me) into a roomful of people losing their shit from laughing. Three of the best, which is why I booked them.
Actually, fuck all these accolades for other people. The success of the Cover-Up is all about me, baby, me! (Sorry, still in character as JB for a second there.)
We shift gears on May 15 as the Cover-Up presents…. Fleetwood Mac! Hooray!
This week’s installment of Dear Boogie over at Boston Band Crush is up and running. In this episode, I address the ideas of artistic integrity and some other stuff no one really cares about that much.
Also! The Cover-Up presents April Fools is happening THIS Saturday! We’ve got a killer lineup for you, which is as follows:
Sidewalk Driver as Spinal Tap
Oranjuly as The Monkees
Myself and Nate Leavitt as Tenacious D
Golden Bloom as Weird Al
Plus, comedy by Ken Reid, Tim McIntire, and Lamont Price
You’ll want to get your tickets in advance, as these things do sell out every time. The direct ticket link is here. See you all on Saturday! Links aplenty!
Time for a recap of this past weekend’s show at the Somerville Armory:
- Despite driving by several times, I had actually never been inside the Armory. It turned out to be a really cool venue. We played in the Cafe room which was absolutely perfect for an acoustic show. Great sound system, a nice front section with tables for the people who wanted to pay attention, room in the back for the chatters to drink beer and wine – overall a really great set-up. Not nearly as many bazookas as I was hoping for, but I suppose that’s ultimately a good thing.
- Upon arrival at the venue, Nate Rogers was finishing his soundcheck. We quickly ran through an early Brendan Boogie Band tune that I hadn’t played in years, setting the tone for an evening of musical adventure and collaboration. Then, we made out, setting the tone for an evening of regret and self-loathing.
- When my drummer Justin arrived at the venue, he apparently had some trouble negotiating the Armory’s walls, as I got a text “Can someone come out and lower the drawbridge?”
- As the venue started to fill up, one of my guest artists Jillian Santella was getting a wee bit nervous. See, this was her return to music after several years off and she was getting a little, what’s the word, edgy. Jillian and I have been writing some music together recently and this seemed like a good time to debut a few of the songs. After a few minutes of taking the full brunt of Jillian’s anxiety, I pointed her to the wine bar and got ready for the show. Thank you, wine bar. You have my eternal gratitude.
- The show began with Nate regaling the crowd with some of his finest sad songs. Here’s a sample video, courtesy of Mike “Big Flapi” Mirabella. Check out the sexy mood lighting:
- After Nate brought the house down, it was my turn to play my little songs with a few special guests. Jillian had no reason to be nervous, as she knocked everyones socks on their asses. If she’s going to be that good, she should take another several years off. We were also joined by the always delightful Beth Holub on viola for “February” and a cover of Dire Straits’ “So Far Away,” one of my favorite songs of all time. Here’s a video of Ken, Justin, and I doing “Primary Love Object” from the first record:
- Most inappropriate thing I said from stage: “We have CDs and t-shirts available. I have the ability to take credit cards now. I just bend over and you run your card right up my ass. Somehow, it charges your card.” I spent the next song and a half giggling while the audience looked on in unamused silence.
- Golden Bloom took the stage, featuring the multi-talented Shawn Fogel. If you haven’t had the chance, I strongly recommend checking out a live show if you can. Definitely buy his record. The Golden Bloom set featured Armando the drum machine and a pineapple shaker. Also, a bunch of killer songs.
- After the first round of sets, Nate and I joined Mike Mirabella and a triumphantly returning Keith Michel for an impromptu Scamper reunion. It’s always a magical moment to lure Keith out of retirement to sing a few harmonies. Sadly, there is no video of our version of “Wait Wait,” but just close your eyes and imagine it being really awesomely sexy.
- To close out the night, Nate led Shawn and I in a version of the Gin Blossoms’ “Hey Jealousy.” Nate is always looking for an excuse to play that song, so he didn’t need much prompting. Before we played, Shawn asked “Do you want to play drums or should I?” to which I responded “Drums? I could barely handle keeping time with the pineapple shaker.”
- After the show, we spent the evening closing out the Highland Kitchen with friends old and new. I learned that you shouldn’t say to Nate, Mike, and Justin, “Hey, hold my beer while I go to the bathroom, will you?” Those guys are a bunch of assholes.
All in all, a tremendous night. The Somerville Armory is a great space and I can’t wait to get back there again soon. Hooray for rock and roll awesomeness!
All you Somervillians need to brave the elements tonight to hit the Somerville Armory tonight . Doors at 7, music starts at 8pm sharp. It’s a really cool venue, but the room is small, so be sure to get there on time or you may be shut out. I’m just saying.
Sets from Golden Bloom and old Scamper-mate Nate Rogers (now helming The Future Everybody). There will be collaborations, guests, new songs, old songs, covers, shenanigans. Its going to be a fun night. So be there.
Brendan Boogie: First off, how does it feel to be the first interview on brendanboogie.com who is NOT a former bandmate of mine?
Shawn Fogel: I’m feeling some pressure to make up fake memories from the fame band that we were in together.
BB: People may think that “fame band” was a typo, but we were actually in the movie Fame together.
SF: I wanna live forever! Thanks for turning my typo into something clever.
BB: No problem. So why don’t you give the people not familiar with you guys a brief, pithy history of your band. Remember… keep it pithy!
SF: Well, Golden Bloom for the most part is me, myself and I. I played all of the instruments on the album, but can’t quite pull that off live so I am joined by a rotating collective of top notch musicians when Golden Bloom takes the stage.
BB: Was it tough to resist the urge to name the band after yourself? I certainly couldn’t do it.
SF: Well, I did play under my own name for many years, up until last summer when I made the switch.
BB: I considered changing my band name to Brendan Boogie and the Brendan Boogies. That’s how much I’m all about me.
SF: I like it! Can I join that band?
BB: Only if we do the theme song from Fame.
SF: Sold.
BB: I first saw you guys play at the Middle East Upstairs with The Motion Sick and remember turning to Mike (Epstein) and saying, “This is my new band I’m going to like. These guys have everything I want in a band.” That’s not really a question. I just think it’s not a professional interview without a little game of Asskiss Rodeo.
SF: Oh good, I couldn’t think of answer
BB: But seriously, I really dig your live show and your record. You, like me, are all about the pop. It’s hard out there for us happy popsters in a world of hipster indie cred, isn’t it?
SF: I totally agree. I don’t think a band/artist should have to choose between being cool and being great.
BB: You definitely have the craft of pop songwriting down pat. What’s your approach to writing? Slow, fast?
SF: I wish it were a faster process, but sadly it is a long, slow road for me. I tend to sit on a hook, or a chord progression or even a chorus for a while before it develops into something bigger.
BB: I’m learning more and more that my process is way faster than most people’s. I can’t tell whether that’s a good thing or not.
SF: I once read that Neil Young would sit down to write a song a not get up do do anything else until it was done. One shot, that’s it – song done.
BB: I’m definitely not that quick, but I do write a lot and tend to not look back. The artform I would compare it to is probably photography. You learn how to take a good shot and then go out and take as many as possible. Not all of them are going to be winners, but you’ll have a lot from which to choose. You sound like more of a painter. Or maybe a kabuki theater performer.
SF: Yeah, I think I usually determine whether I like a song before I finish writing it and sometimes end up scrapping it before its done. Time is like canvas (going with the painter analogy) and canvas ain’t cheap.
BB: Really? Canvas seems like it would be cheap to me. I have no idea what the going rate of canvas is these days.
SF: Blast! My on the spot word of wisdom have been totally destroyed!
BB: It’s… what I do. So you are based in NY, yes?
SF: A beautiful and exotic part of NY called NJ.
BB: I’ve heard its lovely there. Want to hear my favorite New Jersey joke?
SF: Please! Is Bon Jovi in it?
BB: Nope. A guy and a girl are making out in a car, getting hot and heavy. And she says, “Kiss me where it smells.” So he drove her to New Jersey.
SF: Isn’t that the name of your new album? “Kiss Me Where It Smells”?
BB: Yup. And I’ll write that song in the time it takes to transcribe this interview. So you spend a lot of time playing up in Boston. How do you find the audiences?
SF: A lot of people mistakenly think we are a Boston band! Maybe because I try to play Boston as often as I can, maybe because people actually pay attention and like us when we play!
BB: You guys seem to have been able to break into the Boston scene more than any out-of-town band I can remember in a while.
SF: That’s great to hear! NYC is so tough and competitive, I’d rather play Boston any day.
BB: And I think we’d rather have New Jersey-ites invading. If I hear a band is from Brooklyn, I usually groan. But if they’re from New Jersey, I can usually get down with that. I feel like there’s a weird Jersey/Boston kinship.
SF: Well, Boston bands are good kinfolk.
BB: Speaking of Boston bands, you are doing a project with our buddies The Motion Sick. Tell the people about that.
SF: Just mastered it today so it is FRESH! Golden Bloom covered their song “30 Lives” and they recorded Golden Bloom’s “Doomsday Devices”. We’re putting it out as a 7″ single in February. And playing a release show together at Middle East on 2/19.
BB: Looking forward to it. Anything else on deck for 2010? A little bird told me you might be making an appearance in the successful Cover-Up series.
SF: Smart bird! Rumor has it I’ll be acting a bit of the fool in April.
BB: That should be quite the extravaganza. Anything else big coming up?
SF: Over the summer I made an album with some fellas which was my first stab at music for kids. We’re called The Macaroons and our album Let’s Go Coconuts comes out on JDub records in the coming months.
BB: Did you sneak in any subversive messages for the kids?
SF: Nope, we are 4 Jews making fun clean music about bagels and the like…
BB: Finally, what have you got planned for our big show at the Somerville Armory on Friday?
SF: Big fun! I’ll play some tunes on my own and the fellow Golden Bloomer and Boston resident Josh Cohen will join me as well. Working on a special cover or two and my baritone ukulele will even make an appearance!
BB: Well, you know the old expression: “It’s not a party until the baritone ukulele comes out.”
SF: Absolutely.
Check out Golden Bloom with yours truly and Nate Rogers from The Future Everybody THIS FRIDAY at the Somerville Armory. And if you get a chance, visit www.goldenbloom.net and help Shawn with his attempted feud with Rachael Ray by checking out the “Golden Bloom Chicken Challenge”. Yup, you read that right.
Great show coming up right after the new year:
Really cool name, huh? Here’s the deal: it’s a night of acoustic power pop featuring me with a few Best Intentions and other various guests, Nate Rogers (formerly of Scamper and now helming The Future Everybody) and New York’s Golden Bloom. I saw Golden Bloom at the Middle East a few months back and they blew me away. Tremendous pop songwriting and charismatic performing. Just one of my favorite bands right now.
Anywhoozle, you can get tickets for the event here. It’s taking place at the Somerville Armory which is a really cool new space in which a lot of great shows are being played. Plus, as you can tell by the look of it, we’ll be safe if the British get all uppity and decide to attack during my set:
Bring it on, limey bastards!
Friday January 8 at 8pm! Come on down.
