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


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The day I met Steve Morse

The day I met Steve Morse is certainly a day I will never forget.

I was simply going to my friend's music store where I wanted to look at some guitars and buy some string. Well, there was a guy setting some equipment up and I asked my friend what was going on. He said that Steve Morse was performing a clinic for D'Addario string, and he insisted I stick around, it should be pretty awesome.

I stuck around, and boy was he right. I did not know of Steve Morse, and a short time later I was blown away and convinced I may have seen one of the greatest guitarists ever. You can google him and check him out if you do not know of him.

He is a humble man and not one to toot his own horn. The guitar does that for him. He has had a solo career as well as played with Kansas and is currently the guitarist for Deep Purple.

After the clinic he entertained questions and then after that session we all got to hang out and meet him if we liked. What a pleasure to talk to such a wonderful guy. He was never in a hurry, he was encouraging to the other artists present, and was just a laid back very nice and humble man.

I arrived at the Birchmere (Arlington, Virginia), ordered a beer, and Steve eventual;ly came out to the stage...he is not flashy, other then when he plays, because let's face it...his guitar does all the talking for him. What a virtuoso!


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Music Review: Chuck Carpenter's debut album,"can't keep this bird down"...Local CUMBERLAND, MD Artist

Well, this will be my first review of a local artist. This man is not only an artist of music but of drawing as well. Rhonda and I met him one day as we were going to the Post Office. We observed a man with a huge sign around his neck and a small table built into the front. We were a little taken back honestly. I have not seen this type of street vending in a long long while. Made me think of times when there were guilds and the artists wre the merchants too and they would peddle there wares. Well, we drove up to him after a quick run into the Post Office on Park Street here at home and said a loud hardy, "Hello"...what ya selling...we had read his sign best we could and it looked like he was selling his debut album...and we read right. It was May of 2010, and this entrpenuerial artist was peddling his very own debut album which he sold us for $ 1.00 You just cannot be more honest then that. he hand drew the album covers artwork. He did that for each individual cassette. yes you heard me right cassette. he honestly looked as though he felt a little bit guilty that he was charging an entire $ 1.oo...of course I just had to have one and would have payed $ 10.00 just to get my hands on it...I proceeded with a five minute interview with Mr. Chuck Carpenter and asked what was his music like before I got to listen to it...He stated it was a melding of Pink Floyd, The Sex Pistols, and some Deep Purple...more or less. I then said..." and I bet you played all the instruments on the tape too...right?"...He had...we left with a hearty thanks and he said with the $ 1.00 he could now go buy a Soda that he had been thirsting for...made my heart melt for real...because this was...REAL...he said I hope you all like it and if not at least you will have a good laugh...he even said that with pure sincerety. So when we got home we opened the tape...brought it to the cassette player...yes we still have one...well, several...and that in itself is another story as well...anywho...as the silly expression goes...we listened...what a different fusion we had in our hands and ears. I was speechless it was as original as he had stated...I quickly called it circus music...and not in a demeaning way...it is the keyboards...they are up beat, cheerful, and frantic all at once like a rabid sheep trying to escape from a burlap sack that was not there. The songs definently had a feel and a vibe and Rhonda and i got our groove on...we even shared it with our amazing neighbor Charles...he will be featured soon...if he lets me write about him...a truly fascinating man with both smarts and, as he put it, "MAD SKILLS"...and anyway again...that is another story...quickly becoming my favorite line! Well Charles was as floored as we were ...what had we found. Well I will post some tunes or links to the tunes soon, if Chuck the artist let's me digitize his cassette and upload it. I hope you will all give it an in depth listen. Mr. Carpenter states in the back cover of the groovy album art work that if you listen to his tape for an entire week...7 day...and listen to absoluely nothing else it may very well be your favorite cassette. Honestly, it may be your only cassette! I absolutely admire the drive and ambition that it took to individually make the album art work...again for each individual cassette, by hand none the less...no photo copies here...this was fly it in your face marketing at it's finest. Then to sell it on the streets alone with a sign worn like armor showed he was a true warrior with a message. he was determined that he would produce an album, and he was not letting anyone stop him!...The name of the album is"you can't keep this bird down."...lower case, very non chalaunt, and the TRUTH...in my book he did it. he made an album, he marketed it, and it sold ! Eurekea ! Success ! My hat is off to you Mr. Carpenter. I have my geat...guitars and a bass, a keyboard, rhythm instruments and my voice, but in nearly 30 years I have produced ZERO albums and only a handful of unpolished songs...and quite honestly I like them unpolished. You are more notorious in town as a musician then I ever will be. My hat is off to you sir. If anyone nows Chuck carpenter...tell him to get ahold of me here so I can post up his songs. Thanks...did you read the story here about the burning bush in my hand...it is a must read. Peace all !

Dayyyumm...almost for got the best part...Mr Carpenter gives a highly critical review of his self that includes his influences, artictic musical examples, and his musical philosophy. This is an album NOT TO BE MISSED.

He is the Beck of Cumberland, Maryland with a mean keyboard.


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George Passed Away !

That 's right...I have a neighbor that passed away...we had known one another for many years...the entire time I have lived in Cumberland. We were both city boys, he being a NewYork Jew, and me being the Washington DC WASP, and we shared so many mutual laughs over that. We moved to Cumberland, Maryland about the same time. He often often said there was a map to Cumberland but not everybody could find it. We feel blessed here. However, life is a strange thing and we had a very bitter falling out. He came to me one day to mend fences sincerely, and a few days later he was found deceased. So, needless to say, seeing the ambulance there at George's home the next day, and knowing he was and had been ill for sometime, it immediately hit me in my gut that he to was gone. Some emails he sent me were the most hurtful and hateful letters I have ever in my life received. So I prayed for him. Times were tense and taut between us, and then he was gone. His sister came from Jersey to get things straight at his home, I was to overwhelmed here to help there, but did my best. Well, George grew up a Jewish man in Jewish family. He was a smart man and well educated. He became a Christian and he built a site called...

www.virtualjesus.org

when he passed I knew I must keep this as a legacy to him. So I paid for two years of licensing for the name and made sure the site stayed put. So I have many questions about what to do, and perhaps you all will make some suggestions to me about what to do with his site. George was a peculiar fellow, and educated man from New York that found his way to the countryside and drank beers and told stories with our "gang of old men" here in our "hood". He is laughing now. I was just going to write a few more things to keep it fresh...fresh in my head that we had mostly great times and friendship. We liked to combine words...many sometimes...to make new words and that was always fun, we always told jokes and puns, and listened to lots of tunes together too. he helped me often when he could and taught me a lot. Perhaps taught a good bit of both good and bad. It is ironic how some folks have so much smarts and then the common sense just seems to escape them...I could be one of these men myself...and George certainly was. What each of us has is Faith. Faith is more powerful then anything except God. We both new that and it was that that prevailed in the end. I am happy to know at the very least he is finally at spiritual peace and is cruising across the universe on a journey like what he thought he would have here on Earth. Our journey is an incredible combination of many things much to great for old Steve to try to explain...the point is...do not sweat it...just enjoy it...and GREAT things will come to pass. I miss the good old George I knew, I miss the laughs, the BBQ's, the beers, the friendship. From different walks of life we shared views on religion, friendship, politics etc...and when you see our picture at a BBQ...you will know we were chums. Until the big BBQ in the sky, you are missed and thought of by friends often. May you be at PEACE as you so desired. I do wish I could have said an even better good-bye. There is nothing men of Faith cannot overcome if they are first peaceful, and then understanding. Seems to me so much of life is perspective, and for crying out loud we all come from and stand in different places most of the time. I, for one, try my best to daily pray first and then try to see where it is from where another comes. I try to patiently understand and offer a hand of friendship first, and always help if wanted. Not everybody wants help either and that is another story entirely. If you have any enemies however little...just mend a fence a little today...take a step of Faith and follow your heart. Use common sense. Of the friends I have mentioned here...I will never again have time on this Earth with them. George, and I know you hear me, know you are missed and Gods plans for you were to take flight abroad and live a fresh life with no demons ever again...you have slipped these surly bonds and have Peace everlasting now. Until you show me how to use my wings, Amen

PS...got to end with a laugh...watching him say Redneck to a local he just met and him meaning it from kindness and they not taking it at all well...well, that is just something you have to see for yourself. SHOCK FACTOR was something George was never short on.


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The Time I Met Dokken LIVE !!! Jaxx, Springfield, Virginia

Once I went to see my teen idol's Dokken (one of many teen idols) live at Jaxx in Springfield, Virginia.

I was drinking a beer before the show and saw a friend of mine named Bob Nalls and proceeded to

ask him what he was doing there. Bob was older then me, and I figured Dokken to perhaps not be his

cup of tea. Bob and I met at the Alexandria Bowling Center in Alexandria, Virginia and would often

throw darts together. He was working in the automobile sales industry at the time...anyway...Bob

said he was the manager...and I was like WTF...can you get me back stage to meet Dokken bro...he

cooly said...not a problem...and so I waited after the show...and there walks in Don Dokken and

George Lynch. I am now truly awe struck...all I could do was tell George how awesome he was and

that he was the baddest guitarist in the land and had some of the most insane riffs I have ever heard.

He actually looked like he dug the compliment deeply...and that was cool...but for the most part I

was so awe struck I was virtually speechless and was 100% thoughtless. Just shows me I must run

my mouth sometimes with no thoughts in my mind to support it. Hope that provokes a laugh. So after

that I went to the bar and grabbed a beer...this was now a private party and the business was closed

otherwise. So here is this guy telling jokes, and I walk over and answer the punchline when this guy

asks me the punchline to a joke he is telling everyone, which is a group of about 30 folks. He looks

surprised I know the answer and says nice to meet you my name is Mic. Well I say, (now using a

strong British accent) Mic...where ya been...it's me Keith...I have been "lookin" for you...he is now

rolling (laughing) and answers me, now using his own made up British accent, my God your a mess I

did not even recognize you!...we all laughed our asses off. He tells two more jokes and you can hear

a pin drop when he is asking them...he looks at me now at the end of each joke and looks at me

like ...well... to finish each one now that I ruined the first. ..and as chance has it I know the punchline

of the next two. These also became the last two, as he saw the jokes were not working as suspected

but had everyone in stitches anyhow. As it finally quiets some, but everyone is still listening for him

to speak, I ask him if he was a Rodie for the band. Now everyone is laughing even louder then before

and they were already so loud it was hard to hear over everyone just before the more quiet period

when I get to ask this question. He looks astonished and so does most everyone around us, and I

wonder how far did my foot get down my mouth this time? He answered me... yeah I know some

guys in the band...I play drums for them. I must have looked dumbfounded or perhaps just plain

dumb. I sing and play guitar...so I guess that is where my focus was earlier in the night watching

them live and then meeting them...because I did not know what Mic Brown even looked like after all

that !!!

... and this was a favorite band of mine and I just watched them from about 15 yards away...I

was standing next to a stack at one time listening to George Lynch just absolutely shred a guitar.

...That was night one...Night two...The next night they were due in Baltimore...and so was I. I drove

to Hammerjacks, arrived a little late, hooked up with friends after the show, as I was suppose to meet

before and be back stage and that just did not happen. So we hooked up afterwards and George asked

me how did I play tonight compared to last night? I was still no doubt awe struck at this moment as

now I am speaking to him for a second night in a row, and simply answered him, "Dude you always

rock!"...and he looked at me grief stricken...like that is all you have to say ( he wanted a real critique

from me because from the night before he new I was good at listening as I told him I played, sang,

and was in the orchestra growing up...so he expected something at least). Looking back, little did I

know that that night I was the embodiment of Beavis. I may be the character he is even based on, as

this happened before his (Beavis') era. Anyway...it was a truly incredible experience to actually meet

these guys. I was so fortunate that they got back together for a tour and that they were in town, and

that I saw a friend and he was good to me. Once again, great things happen when we are good to one

another. I have lived a blessed life and have been fortunate to have fine friends along the way.

Thanks Bob Nalls when you see this...hope to see you soon bro. Maybe I will remember more to this

story...however...as it is written now... this sums it up real well. Moral of the story: Always have

something good to say stored away in memory so you do not pull a very unimpressive impersonation

of Steve ! : ) If you got this far, Thanks for reading and now check out the story of the Burning Bush

I blogged a few days ago...UNBELIEVABLE !!!


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Wish for a Crab Cake Sandwhich

This is one for the ages...how often do we all really eat crab cakes? What a delicacy. Well, we do not eat them often, and even live in Maryland! Rhonda and I were watching television one late evening and she said, out of the complete blue, "I sure could eat a crab cake sandwich." I said sounds good to me too. Well... just so happened that our friend who lives here and rented a room from me worked at a restaurant. He came home and knocked, which he rarely did as he worked late. We answered the door and he had, indeed, a crab cake sandwich in a bag that was leftover from work because someone could not pay for their delivery. This was the only crabcake sandwhich he ever brought us in over a year! Needless to say, Rhonda and I shared in consuming it together and delighted in it with laughter. Nothing like a fun filled favorite free meal from a friend and a wish being answered all at the same time. Random acts of kindness really do have an effect. Thanks Kenny for the sandwich...we love you man. Well, I sure could use a crab cake sandwich.


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