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Gig Updates September 29, 2007- Saturday P.D.’s Pub: Pittsburgh, Pa. “Lazybones”, “Till the Cows Come Home”, we were all playing real well tonight, that makes it fun. A crushing version of “T-Bird” stood out, as did “Shackin Up”. “Steeler Nation” got a strong response. A special request for “King of the Road” gave Harry a chance to shine. A special request for Whitey to sing “Shama Lama Ding Dong” gave me a chance to start the song in the wrong key, which I did. After an abrupt stop we kicked into the right key and Whitey kicked it’s a**. Set two was also a gas. Katey Ramone up got to sing “Chain of Fools” the ole Aretha tune, and kicked it’s a**. “Ain’t It Amazin”, “That Ain’t Gonna Happen” and “I Seen Too Much” all hit the mark. “Son Of A Gun” was my favorite of the night. We shut er’ down wit a smokin “Smoke Two Joints”.
September 28, 2007- Friday Moondogs: Blanox, Pa. This Paul Shook memorial show was a roaring success on all levels. I’ve never seen Moondogs more crowded. Da joint was a sardine can. Da parking lot had a crowd of folks that couldn’t take the heat. I didn’t get to see the opening bands, but I did get great reports on all of them. Kevin K from New York City fronted the first band, which included drummer Ricky Rat of Detroit’s Trash Brats. Pittsburgh’s Five*Dive, former members of Torn n’ Frayed, went on second and rocked the house. Pittsburgh guitarist Frank Soriano’s one time project, Shook, Rattle and Roll did a set of cover tunes that Paul would’ve enjoyed. By the time we went on, the walls were sweatin. Vinny Q played guitar with us and was kickin it strong. Folks went nuts when we busted “Ready Freddy”. “Rock n’ Roll City” took off. I talked briefly to introduce the song I wrote “When God Took Paul”, I could see tears in people’s eyes as we banged out this tribute to an ole dear friend. A couple Tiger standards, “High Times” and “That Girl” made us all remember the 80’s like it was yesterday. At this point, Vinny left the stage and Glenn Pavone took over on guitar with Kenny Blake on saxophone. “Burnin’ Up” was just as hot as it could be. “Somethin’s Cookin” and “Little Things” gave both Glenn and Kenny a chance to take the audience to places that only the angels go, extremely powerful. Let’s get goofy; “Lovedog” did just that. Everybody was dancing & smiling. Kenny and I left the stage as Warren King took over to sing and play with tons of heart. After a couple tunes with Whitey, Harry, and Glenn they stepped down to make room for Scott Wilson on drums, Rocky LaMonde on bass, and Frank Soriano on guitar, to back WK as he closed out this incredible show. Tonight was living proof that folks loved Paul Shook. I happen to be one of those folks. PAUL SHOOK, paid in full. Saturday-September 15, 2007 Excuses: Southside- Pittsburgh, Pa. The two hour first set was quite a ride. “Git By” warmed us up, and then we got goofy doing “Steeler Nation”. Now was the time to start firing on all cylinders. “Yesterdays Gone”, “People Takin Care”, “ Last Night I Had A Dream”. I could feel the power and glory running thru my body. “Amazin Grace”, “You Go Your Way”, “Shakin Up”. The new song “When God Took Paul” came off well, but I missed Vinny’s high vocal part. I just remembered that we did “Walkin The Dog” right after “Git By”, sorry bout dat. Harry did a strong take of “Pot’s n’ Pans”. “Pittsburgh, Pa.” felt just right. Dodo, Shelly, and Artie came in towards the end of the set and brought some life to the room. Have I mentioned how much I appreciate the wild people. Set one ended with “T- Bird” and a reprise of “Steeler Nation”. Set two opened wit the ole George Jones tune “She Thinks I Still Care”, “Graceland” kicked some *ss. “Somethin’s Cookin” soared like da eagle. We ended this totally rocked out show wit two distasteful numbers. The last few shows we’ve done at Excuses have been outstanding. Ya outta come down and let me touch you in a manful way. Friday- September 14, 2007 Moondogs: Blawnox, Pa. I was not permitted to speak on this special, one time performance. My good friend Ron (Moondog) Esser came up with the idea. Vinny Q played with us on this show. “Nightclub”, “Reddy Freddy”, “Rock n’ Roll City”. I taught Vinny “When God Took Paul” this week, but Whitey and Harry had never heard it. Before we went on stage, down in Moondogs basement I talked to Whitey and Harry about the arrangement, and wouldn’t you know they nailed it. “Amazin Grace”, “You Go Your Way”, “End Of The Line”. I love the way Vinny tunes into the rhythm section when we play together. “Weekend” made me high, luv dat. Two ole Pittsburgh rock n’ roll tunes; “Heat of the Night” and “Burn’in Up” reminded us all where we came from. Whitey shouted out “Shama Lama Ding Dong”. Vinny ripped da lead on “T-Bird” while the Ratman danced onstage in a girl’s cheerleader out fit. Singer Andrea Pearle, then joined us for “Minimum Wage”, which set the stage for Warren King’s bone chillin take on “Goin Down Slow”. After a short break we came back with “Boiler Maker” and a crushing “Son Of A Gun”, a song we hadn’t played in a while. “I Seen Too Much”, Vinny singing “You Better Move On”, Andrea getting back on stage and shouting “Little Things” was a turn on. “Graceland”, “Nothin To Lose”, we then did a trumpet fueled “Tequila” that featured Bob Adelman on the horn and the Ratman dancing, complete with a strip tease. I took a breather as W.K. played his *ss off with Dave Pellow on bass, Whitey on drums and Harry singing “Little Wing”, this lineup then blew thru a feel good shuffle. I got back on guitar with Dave on bass, Bob on the horn, and Whitey sang “Knock On Wood”, I screwed up the bridge section. Shades, of The Offenders, sang “Tossin n’ Turnin” which rocked the house. “Bob Adelman sang “Runaround Sue”, he really sounded great. Young Katie Ramone sang “Be My Baby” with all her heart. Ron “Moondog” Esser then sang “I Shall Be Released” with Andrea & Bob joining in on the fun. Folks wasn’t ready to go home so we came back out and did “Shake Your Moneymaker” after we got rolling I handed my slide guitar to W.K. then him and Vinny ripped sh*t up. I couldn’t fall asleep after all da action. Too much, is not enough………………….. Saturday, September 1-2007 Billy’s Roadhouse: Wexford, Pa. The place started filling up just about the time we started to play. Our regular sound guy Skibo was on vacation. So we had ole buddy Chuck mixing sound, he did a great job. Harry had his bass amp newly re-vamped and it was smoking. Glitter, Artie, and Ro was in the house on this beautiful eve. How bout we just start throwin from da git. When da soul is in da rock n’ roll, well, dat’s what we like. “Yesterday’s Gone”, “People Takin Care”, back to back, belly to belly, nice. Shelly had to hear some Elvis, so we did “Are You Lonesome Tonight”, “Suspicious Minds”. That ole Jerry Butler tune, “Let It Be Me” is starting to sound good. “I Seen Too Much” was sent out to Patty. We did “Bring It on Home” as requested, and for the first time I think I played the chords right. “High Times” and “T-Bird” both kicked a**. On this precious eve we brought da good lick to da burbs, and it was goooood……………
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