Our new robot footsoldiers command you to attend next weekend's lecture!

BOW to the COG, or our new footsoldiers will MAKE you BOW!!!

a week of stuff!

Wow, life has been so dense with coolness and activity that I haven't had time to post anything recently! So let me play catch-up a bit and update my blog regarding the past week's events and advances.

Monday - good solid rehearsal with the first-string C.O.G. team. We worked on Dr. Z's new song 'Big Bomb'. Fun!!! Lab Girl couldn't make it, being engaged at work on a banquet.

Tuesday - completed local impersario King Louie's new 45 single with his whole band present. Wow, first vinyl record I've ever mixed! It came out great too; gonna be fun. I also learned that Louie had done me the favor of walking our new C.O.G. singles ('Mallet of Metal' and 'Zombie Apocalypse BBQ') over to Tulane's radio station, WTUL, where they promptly began playing them. Nice! Think I need to send the single to some other people too, like Dr. Demento & Ivan Stang, ASAP...

Wednesday - good solid rehearsal with the second-string C.O.G. team. We went over the entire setlist that Dr. Z's backup, Steven Moffat (sorry Dr. Who fans, no relation!) had learned previously. We've named him as the official bass backup; now he's got to figure out what his character's all about. C.O.G. fan, special effects artist and part time zombie Weland Bourne sat in for rehearsal. Earlier that day I was donated some computer components that enabled me to upgrade some family members' computers (including my mom's. She was quite gratified for the substantial speed upgrade!)

Thursday - last minute touchup on the guitar on one of King Louie's songs before it went out. Then I worked on the drums a bit for 'King of the Renaissance Festival' and 'Big Bomb'. Did some work on booking; we've got some great shows coming up that I'll announce shortly! In the long range booking outlook, I'm also working on the concept of a Sci-Fi Rock Festival for fall - this will be like a con but oriented more towards music, with one or two touring acts joined several local acts at a favorite local venue. Very promising start to those plans; I'll keep you appraised!

Friday - watched the first ep of the new Kids In The Hall series (they're still funny as hell!), then went out to see two things I'd been meaning to catch - The Swaggers over at Maison Musique and Alias:Orion over at The Howlin' Wolf. The Swaggers is the backup band to a local burlesque troupe that includes D.C. Harbold on drums and Greg Schatz (bassist on Zombie Apocalypse BBQ) on bass. And ex Lab Girl Trixie's alter ego has actually been singing with them recently, so it was a must-see. Trixie did a fine job on a song that suited her vocal range comfortably. During a lull in their set I slipped out and hit the Howlin' Wolf to see a band that I've been missing, Alias:Orion, a serious local science fiction band with some spacefaring progressive metal music. They put on a really tight, professional performance, marred only by a somewhat dodgy drum sound and a bit of equipment trouble between songs. I'm more impressed by them than ever; gonna have to book a show with them sometime soon! I also checked out the Howlin' Wolf's new adjunct, a small club set up within the same building housing the larger one, suitable for standup acts and the like. It's literally been years since we've performed at the 'Wolf, mostly due to crowd indifference to the place; perhaps later this year I'll have to stage something there. It was once our home, under different management. The place is about the same as I remembered, nice stage, old fashioned lights, modest crowd on a Friday night. New mixing board though; they've got one of those digital Yamahas that everybody's got now. Don't like it...

TODAY - watched the Saints steamroll the Cardinals and finished a good demo of 'Big Bomb'. Now it's off to another place we don't play to see our friends The Local Skank at their calendar release party!

My New Year's resolution is...?

What a quandary! For starters, should we play shows more often or do fewer, higher production quality shows? Should I concentrate on getting the new CD out as quickly as possible (tempting...) or just keep crafting it slowly and carefully? Should I TAKE OVER the world or just DESTROY it as evilly as possible?

Hmmm, perhaps I'd better turn the proverbial microphone over to YOU.

What should I pledge for my New Year's resolution???

Anyone? Anyone?

ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE BBQ

Ever wonder what would happen if the long-awaited-by-survivalists Zombie Apocalypse were to occur during a righteous hillbilly barbecue? WELL WONDER NO MORE, for we have simulated the outcome of this scenario in our largest, most inefficient computer and HERE ARE THE EARTH SHATTERING RESULTS!!!

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN!!!

lead vocal: Dr. Milo T. Pinkerton III
drums: drumbot
guitar: Filbert Snodgrass
upright bass: Greg Schaltz
fiddle: Sam Craft
harmonica: Charlie Brown
cowbell: Lewis D'Aubin
belch: Ben Beamis
jaw harp: Ryan Worthington
Zombies: David Loti, Billy Riecke, Ron Ainsworth, Eric Beletto, Glenn Barbarot, Glenn Grass, Joseph Grabko, Cos Solo, Jered Perez, Louie Bankston, Melissa Crory, Caesar Meadows, Carrie Dahlby, Weyland and Dylan Bourne

Special appearance by Dr. Gangrene as the Grillmaster

Recorded, mixed and mastered January 2010 at the C.O.G. Secret Lab, Harahan LA

Apocalicious artwork by Caesar Meadows

(for the real story behind this song, click here.)

2009 wrapup

1. What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?
Rocked Huntsville.

2. Did you keep your New Years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Fell a bit short of performing in town and out of town each month... but close, and 2010 is a new opportunity!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Hmmmmm... don't think so...

4. Did anyone close to you die?
My dear aunt Ruth.

5. What countries did you visit?
Does Huntsville qualify?!

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
Management - representation. To finish the upcoming C.O.G. album. More shows!

7. What date from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
The majority of it will, as that's the kind of memory I have.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting road-worthy. Deciding not to remain limited by the schedules of any one bandmate. Life is too short and despite my efforts cannot be paused!!!

9. What was your biggest failure?
Failing to perform in Houston, AGAIN!

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
None significant.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
A trailer for road adventures...

12. What was the best thing someone gave you?
The love, time and friendship that my wife gives me are the best things I could hope to receive.

13. Were you lucky in love or lucky in cards?
BOTH.

14. Where did most of your money go?
The bank, apparently!

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Performing & writing new music

16. What song will always remind you of 2009?
Zombie Apocalypse Barbecue!!!

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

Happier or sadder? Happier - always!
Older or wiser? Somehow, neither...
Thinner or fatter? Stasis
Richer or poorer? Somehow, richer

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Writing music. Performing. Video & filmmaking. All the forms of art that I love.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
House repairs!

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Spent it with family (on two consecutive days!)

21. How will you be spending New Year's Eve?
Home with wife + fireworks

22. Did you fall in love in 2009?
Again and again

23. Did you fall out of love in 2009?
Nope!

24. What was your favorite TV program?
Doctor Who remains my favorite TV program of all time.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Hatred is a waste of time and energy. That said, it's preferable to simply ignore people who work at earning my disrespect.

26. What was the best book you read?
Currently reading 'What They Don't Teach You In Film School'. It's quite an eye-opener...



More later, perhaps... but right now it's a clear bright day - time to swing into action!