SuperSuckers and Atomic Drops in Pittsburgh, 2009 at the Altar Bar

It was the bands 20th Anniversary ! They rokked ...of course. Atomic Drops opened the show and absolutely blew my socks off...what energy and cohesiveness while still sustaining a raw hard core feel that gives you a gut check. Mike, the owner of the Altar Bar, had an incredible laser lighting systemn in place. He overheard me commenting on it to my fiance Rhonda and came right over and introduced himself...what a treat, he even bought us a few beers and let the bartender know they were on him. ( After he introduced himself...I asked Rhonda who that was because it was hard to hear him (bad hearing for me from loud music) she told me he was the owner and bought us a few rounds). I was taking a break before the show and was needing to use the facilities so Rhonda and I headed to the basement.. I was suppose to wait just outside the entrance to the Men's room and forgot...I was upstairs when, to my surprise, in walks a guy that looks like Eddie Spaghetti. Well I had never seen them live before and was not sure if it was he or not, but then I just new it was most definitely him. I asked him if he was ready to rock this fucking place, and he just casually said...HELL YEAH. I begged him to stay so Rhonda could meet him...he kindly obliged. What a cool dude...very very laid back. Rhonda was in shock when I jokingly said let me introduce you to a good friend of mine...she looked at him and said hello sir...I said he was in the band...she shockingly asked him what he did in the band...he said he sang and played bass...I then told her it was eddie Spaghetti...she was AWE STRUCK...STAR STRUCK...she knew who it was...so pumped to finally see her favorite band she was in shock to be actually meeting him...what a trip...well they rokked...i do not know how else to say it...EXCEPT TO SAY GO SEE THEM LIVE. In life there are studio bands and live bands. Some bands are great at each, biut that is the rarest situation. Supersuckers is INCREDIBLE live...and not bad out of the studio ! I have since seen them in Baltimore, Maryland and Fort Collins, Colorado as well. The second and third show were in 2010, the first in 2009. The new guitarist was on board with the band in the second and third show. He was absolutely stellar. He can shred a Les Paul and make it scream the blues like no other guitar knows how to scream. He is smooth, fast, technical and has a great sound. We had a few PBR's at the first show...not the best beer but suitable for a hardcore concert...the brews, The Atomic Drops, and The Supersuckers made the feeling in Pittsburgh, Pensylvania in the Altar Bar (a reconditioned Church)downtown a rocking place to be. On the way there that day we saw a beautiful rainbow that landed in a field and passed right through a windmill. That was an answer I needed that day, as I was at a juxtaposition in life where I did not know if I thought the windmills would be good on Dan's Mountain in Maryland...that was a huge sign that it was just fine. We drove a different way to Pitt that day and no doubt it was pure destiny to see that after the massive storm we drove through. We then stayed at our home in Pitt and drank a few more beers and did what a couple does after a great concert and a few beers. That was most certainly a day in my life where everything was as it was suppose to be. Well, except the following days headache...Thanks baby for turning me on to such a rokkin band...I know we will see them as often as possible. Eddie...if you read this...see you one day in Barcelona, Spain.

Robert Rowe (RIP) and The Ricky Funkhouser Band

We were not the best band...more like a band of friend with a mutual desire for music that we did our best to play. Well, Robert died on May 15, 2010. Our hearts are saddened with tyhe loss of our friend. The band consisted of Robert Rowe (bass), Kurt Thornburg (drums), Ricky Funkhouser (guitar), Steve Swygert (vocals) ...so many many memories...wow...I am over run with all of them. I will do my best to capture many here...mostly light hearted, as with death's cruelty , I feel that we should have some good laughs and celebrate life. My first memory is we are jamming in the basement at Kurt's house (practice) (and thanks Kurt for being the responsible one with a home for us to practice in and keep our equipment safe)...well I am trying my best to sing and all of a sudden I start laughing uncontrollably. Robert looks at me like WTF is wrong with Steve...I was never one to drink a couple of beers...more like lets start with a 12 pack...well I was well on my way laughing in the middle of our practice set when Robert sees me and realizes I cannot stop laughing, I was laughing so hard that Robert started laughing. It was a totally contagious laughter. Robert proceeded to fall backwards, bass in hand, against the wall, now laughing too. He slumped slowly down the wall until his butt was on the floor...but being the consumate musician that he was, he played the bass all the way through the slump and even after his landing on the ground...and even after his laughter. Now Ricky and Kurt are looking at us wondering what is going on and they just bust out laughing too...It was time for a break and we all just laughed and laughed...great times when friends are together and all laughing...and you ask what were we laughing for...I do not remember what made me start it all, it's just the point that laughter is contagious. Tell a joke today with friends and watch it lighten the day and make everyone smile. Nothing ever wrong with that. That was my first memory when I heard of Robert's passing and I want that fresh in my mind. WE DID CELEBRATE LIFE AND MUSIC TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITY. Robert was a friend like no other. We were always friends, be it playing at my house, a park, recording at his home at the lake, talking about instruments, etc and ad infinitum. I loved Robert for his unconformity, like myself and most of our friends, we are truly the rare breed today. We were drawn to peaceful lives with no violence and celebrated with music. We are all still friends, as those are bonds that cannot be broken. Today, with robert passing, I am closer to all of those friends, and they are closer to me. That is how this thing works. We stick like glue to support one another with love and friendship. You all know who you are and when you read this I expect you to post something up under comments. This is a tribute to our friend, so let's record all the fun stories and memories like IceMan, the 55 Chevy, 5 guys burgers back in the day, Robert loved us as his family because we gave him what family could not...unconditional love and acceptance. We all thrived together through out music. I want you to know that I love you all and I am here for anyone that reads this posting on Robert. Let us celebrate his life and our lives that we shared with him so that he does not die in vain, which he most definitely di not. If you have a pictur of Robert, or any or all of us, please email it to me so I may post it up. rokkinroll@yahoo.com c/o Steve swygert...I will be making a memorial site for Robert so we can visit often. Love to all and God Speed, Steve


Top Stories