Creature

Good evening,

Deep in the night lurks a creature so terrifying no one dares speak its name.




 

Join me tonight and search for this creature...
Do not be afraid. The Creature smells your fear.

Mark Harvey

Bite

Good evening,

Tonight's song is about kitty love. More specifically Spim the Cat. Spim was a cat that was with Jay for years - while we were roommates and was Rain Station's official mascot. I recorded a CD about Spim - "Songs for Spim" - some songs were for that CD specifically while others made it onto the CD based on subject matter (or Spim meowing on the track). When I lived with Spim it was always fun to record with mics since you'd never know when she'd sing along. She loved the recording process and would spend her time sitting by me when I'd record music. She appreciated the arts.

Spim LOVED plastic and back then Jay and I would drink a decent amount of Snapple (back when it came in glass bottles with the plastic ring around the top).  We'd peel off the plastic and toss it on the ground and Spim would gnaw on the plastic until it was a heap.

I know Jay misses her. I miss her as well. I don't know that there will be another cat like her. I like to think that she's out there in the kitty spirit world watching over Jay and I, enjoying our music...liking good music.

Enjoy the music and give your pets a hug.  They need lovin' too.

Mark Harvey

Drink To The Dead

Greetings fiends and ghouls,

Tonight I thought I would write about a track from "Fleshrot: Songs from the Dead" called "Drink To The Dead".  The intention was to write a cowboy zombie tune (I think I am remembering this right) and so I used a stringed instrument that my buddy Jay bought for me (I think in Thailand - I guess this post is going to have a lot of "thinking" or "supposing").  Anyhow, I hope you like the track...have a listen...

The soundtrack to Fleshrot: Tales from the Dead is a companion to the graphic novel. This CD features 13 tracks of music inspired by the book. The music is a combination of edgy and gritty songs and ambient/soundtrack 'HauntScapes' capturing the feel of the art and stories from the pages of the book. I wrote/recorded/produced the album in association with my buddy John Pearson from Frightworld Studios. The CD titled Fleshrot: Songs of the Dead is still available for purchase (shameless plug).

Sleep well...

Mark Harvey

Empty Home

Good evening,

Over a month has passed since I last blogged so I thought I should break radio silence with a track from Rain Station's "Fancy Fancy" CD - "Empty Home".

 
This track was recorded at our 45th & Lawton beach home - many, many years ago. It has always been a favorite of mine - Jay and I singing - a dreamy kind of track.

Well, that's all I have for you tonight - just a little check in for ya...

Mark Harvey

Train at the Cafe Du Nord

Good evening,

Back in February I heard that Train was going to play a San Francisco-only tour consisting of six concerts in six nights at six local clubs - the Café Du Nord, the Great American Music Hall, Bimbo’s 365 Club, Slim’s, the Independent and the Fillmore. As soon as tickets went on sale I logged in and found that every show was sold out except for the April 10th show (the first night) at the  Café Du Nord which was fine with me since I love that venue. It is the smallest of all of the venues Train was planning to play. I read the capacity at the  Café Du Nord is around 350.

My wife was really excited that I got tickets and so we braved the rain last night to head into the City to watch one of our favorite bands in a tiny club. We saw Train last year at the Sleep Train Pavilion (my daughter's first concert - Train, Maroon 5 and Matt Nathanson) so I sort of knew what to expect. I like Train, my wife and kids LOVE Train and I always like to see bands in small venues.

The opening act, Jeff Campbell, played a solo guitar set of around 8 songs (or so).  My wife and I enjoyed his set and I plan to seek out his music.  Here's what I read about Jeff (from the Café Du Nord website): "A Philadelphia native, Campbell moved to San Francisco in 2004 specifically for the Rock scene he had heard was developing. 

It was here that, in addition to his solo efforts, Campbell started writing, recording and performing as front man for the San Francisco-based rock band Pine and Battery, who still can be heard in regular rotation on both AAA’s KFOG and KQED radio in the San Francisco." Read more about Jeff here.

After some sound check tweaks it was showtime.  Pat took the stage alone for "California 37".  The rest of the band emerged for "This Will Be My Year".

Here's the set list:

California 37
This Will Be My Year
Get To Me
If It's Love
Mermaid
All I Ever Wanted
Wanted/Something More
Calling All Angels
Save Me, San Francisco
50 Ways To Say Goodbye
Getaway

Bruises (joined by vocalist Megan Slankard)
I Am
Drive By
Soul Sister
Encore - (Pat, Jimmy and Scott didn't leave the stage and played Feels Good at First and were joined by the rest of the band for the rest of the encore)
Feels Good at First
Days
Drops of Jupiter
Meet Virginia

They played a fantastic set that was comprised of tracks from their new album and tracks from years past (as you can see above). Pat played sax on a couple tracks and harmonica on another. He kept the crowd chuckling as he complained of not remembering the lyrics to the new songs (and some old songs too).  The band is a lot of fun to watch and having seen them in a LARGE venue last year it was a real treat to see them at the  Café Du Nord.  The San Francisco love was flowing and I can't resist a band that loves my City by the Bay as much as I do.

I had to purchase a t-shirt - I mean, really...a Giants nod as well as a shirt with only six dates listed on it.  

I know a lot of folks who don't care for Train, but I honestly could care less. I'm a sucker for great musicians, good hooks, great singing and fantastic showmanship.  They have these in spades.  I would recommend seeing them to anyone.  Seeing my wife have such a great time made my night even better. The weather was no damper...I'd see them during a monsoon...earthquake...whatever...

Have a listen to Train's new album, "California 37" streaming here. "California 37" will be released April 17th, 2012.

THANK YOU, TRAIN... you guys are TOPS with me.

Mark Harvey

Swervedriver at Slim's - April 6th, 2012

Good evening,

Several weeks ago my buddy Brian told me that Swervedriver was coming back to the Bay Area to play Slim's and wanted to know if I was interested in going to see them again. Brian and I have seen them three or so times and I've seen them at least once or twice on my own. Knowing April was going to be a busy month and that the show was on Good Friday I wasn't sure, but decided I couldn't miss seeing these guys again. I am so glad I chose to see them. This makes the 6th time I've seen Swervedriver "live" and they NEVER disappoint!

Swervedriver was one of the best bands in the mid ’90s and was certainly my favorite from this era. Their history dates back to 1984 in Oxford, England with the formation of Shake Appeal (who disbanded in 1988). The band reformed as Swervedriver after demos of new songs "Son of Mustang Ford", "Volcano Trash" and "Afterglow" that Adam Franklin had recorded at home were heard by former bandmates. Swervedriver debuted with a series of 12" EPs between 1990 and 1991: "Son of Mustang Ford", "Rave Down" and "Sandblasted". They then issued their debut album "Raise" in 1991. In 1992 Swervedriver’s final release with the original lineup was Never Lose That Feeling 12" EP/ 7" single, but they reemerged in 1993 with "Mezcal Head" which was their most successful album. "Ejector Seat Reservation" was released in April 1995, but Creation Records dropped the band a week after the release ( it was reissued on CD in 2003 by Sony International). In 1996, Swervedriver signed to Geffen Records and began recording their fourth album, "99th Dream", but their contract was terminated when their A&R (Artists & Repertoire) representative was fired in a corporate downsizing. Geffen never officially released the album for sale and in 1998 Zero Hour Records released "99th Dream". The band went on a hiatus that lasted nearly a decade.

I had a chance to see them a few times before the hiatus and in 2008 got to see them "live" again.  I've seen them (and Adam Franklin and his side projects) every time they've been through town. I've had a chance to talk with Adam at some of his shows. He's a really nice guy.

The opening act was the NYC trio Heaven (here) comprised of Matt Sumrow (The Comas, Dean and Britta, Ambulance LTD), Mikey Jones (The Big Sleep, Adam Franklin, Snowden), and Ryan Lee Dunlap (Fan-Tan). They played a very solid set of dreamy psychedelic noise pop...check 'em out...

Got a chance to talk with the guitar player, Ryan Lee Dunlap, a bit after their set and congratulated them on a fantastic set. I'm expecting great things from this band and am looking forward to picking up some of their music once it is available.

Next up was Swervedriver and they were incredible. Mikey Jones from Heaven was on the drums. Not sure where Graham Bonnar or Jez Hindmarsh were, but Mikey is a VERY good drummer and honestly I think this Swervedriver line-up was one of the best I've seen.

Swervedriver is the kind of band that I can see again and again.

They played:
"Sci-Flyer" from "Raise"
"Scrawl & Scream" from "Never Lose That Feeling"
"Deep Wound" a new track from a disc hopefully out soon
"The Birds" from "Ejector Seat Reservation"
"Never Lose That Feeling" from "Mezcal Head"
"Pile-Up" from "Raise"
"These Times" from "99th Dream"
"Deep Seat" from "Raise"
"Motor Away" a Guided by Voices cover from "Alien Lanes"
"Son of Jaguar E" from "Ejector Seat Reservation"
"Wrong Treats" from "99th Dream"
"Rave Down" from "Raise"
"Sandblasted" from "Raise"
"Last Train to Satansville" from "Mezcal Head"
"Son of Mustang Ford" from "Raise"

and for their encore they played:

"Girl on a Motorbike" from "Mezcal Head"
"Cars Converge on Paris" from "Last Train to Satansville"

"Duel " from "Mezcal Head"

I hadn't heard a bunch of these songs "live" so it was a real treat to get to hear them.  If you ever get a chance to see them live you really should.  Swervedriver is a band that shouldn't be missed. They continue to be one of my favorite bands of all time - hands down.

Have a great night,

Mark  Harvey

Phate

Good evening readers,

Tonight's track is "Phate" taken from the mopehead CD "It's Always Good". Making a special appearance on this track is Brian Peet on backing vocals.



Wile your days away
While your life turns gray
It's there to haunt you
Try and get your senses in orders
Got to try and make it start


And I've never felt this way 

Cross your fingers
Pray it's your phate
And wish for it


Your dream is not for everyone
My dreams are far from done
I wish for world prosperity
And yet I give little to anyone


And I've never felt this way


Give your dreams a chance
Give your life a moment to recover
Think of all the time you've spent in the fire


And I've never felt this way


Cross your fingers
Pray it's your phate
And wish for it


Throw caution into the wind and sail with me
Worlds we can see
Sailing the seas together


And I've never felt this way


Groove your life on down to the dock we're on if you're coming
We're got room board bring the Lord if you have him


And I have felt this way before


Cross your fingers
Pray it's your phate
And wish for it

Good night, readers (and hopefully listeners) and good luck chasing your dreams down.

Mark Harvey