hey now……..did ya miss me?………let’s catch up…….spent the week of July 28 workin’ on the tune “Merry Christmas everybody” and cleaning up the building on Monongahla Ave…..also worked on “All Growed Up” n’ “It Sure Don’t Seem Like Christmas”…..i ain’t sure why i started workin’ on Christmas songs in the middle of summer…….on Aug 2 we realized that my mother in law, Jean Milliken, who has been slowly declining healthwise, was comin’ to the end of her time……..spent the best part of the next 5 days with her…….played a show at Jergels on Tuesday Aug 6………on the afternoon of Wednesday Aug 6 Jeanie passed away at Highland Park Care Center in the same room my mother passed away in almost 2 years ago……..on Friday August 6 i had lunch with my ole friend Basil DeGrazia n’ we talked n’ laughed about things that happened 40 years ago………Saturday Aug 6 we played Moondogs n’ did a 3 n’ a half hour show, no breaks……wow, this was so much fun, i love playin’ in my rock n’ roll band so much that i didn’t want the night t’ end…….i gotta find a way to get this band in front of more audiences…..we’re becoming a religious experience, folks need t’ feel the power and the glory of what it is that we do……Sunday Aug 9 we had a viewing for Jeanie at Kepner Funeral Home in Elm Grove West Virginia and on Monday we laid this beautiful woman t’ rest next to her lovin’ husband Gene……..that’s right, Gene n’ Jean are now together again……we had a great lunch at the Bella Via where i got the chance t’ hang with some very nice folks…….spent Tuesday Wednesday n’ Thursday cleaning up 2053 Monongahela n’ workin’ on my 2 Christmas tunes and the song i wrote for my mom. “Glory” plus the song i wrote for my niece, “All Growed Up”……on Friday i had the tramatic expierence of gittin’ a tooth pulled out, i’m OK now…..on Saturday i played a short opening set as a duo with Shari Richards at a back yard event called Cindystock in Wexford……….lookin’ forward to a great show at Scotchfest this comin’ Saturday and the Sunday afternoon hit at the Boston Waterfront……..this summer has flown by……..i plan on using the rest of the summer to continue to clean up 2053 Monongahla Ave ’cause i wanna start doin’ things their in the fall…….i’m gittin’ some recording gear and i’m also tryin’ t’ figger out how t’ do a ton of video recordin’ of unique musical situations…..i’m excited about all the possibilities for huge fun……..let’s keep on livin’…..let’s keep on lovin’……..ya feel me now?
Saw you & your crew at Moondog’s in Blawnox Saturday night, August 9, 2014.
Small crowd. I’m born and bred in the Burgh. With heavy duty excellent music and your ‘yaza’ about this really happened stories, your old man, and Pennsyl-tucky.
Not stuck next to any of my politically correct, overeducated, vegan friends or prudes that would squirm/ sneer at your STRONG unapologetic ‘dis is who I am and what I seen’ humor. Dead on.
In my neighborhood, some grandma’s never spoke American. Banter enough in Hungarian, Italian, whatever as needed to be polite, get kissed on the cheek and fed really good food. My house, generations of immigrants, HEAVY brogues, constant talk and sarcastic humor. Cabbage boiled for hours. Like if the zoo had an Irish monkey cage. God blessed me with Italian god parents and neighbors, where it was normal if folks maybe scream in the driveway.
Magic music and real talk. Refreshing. I didn’t get home before the street lights were on. It was so worth it. My husband in Jacksonville, FL got quiet on the phone Sunday morning. The ‘I got home at 3 AM, how huge the moon is, hearing one slammin’ band’ was not well received. Why lie? Then you got remember your story.
Thank you. Again. And again. I should be so lucky to be among my own kind, fit in & have joy.
hey now………..this whole week was all about the Pittsburgh Blues Festival……..spent Monday cleaning the big studio room at 2053 Monongahela cause i’ve been planning t’ rehearse our big band the day before our Blues Fest show…..scrubbed the floor and the walls, which hadn’t been done in years……..Tuesday was spent at Robbie Klein’s house workin’ on the horn charts with Robbie and Larry……Wednesday was spent scrubbin’and organizing the basement at 2053 Monongahela which desperately needed a severe douching……..Thursday was our big rehersal……Flo was on tubs, Harry on bass, me on geetar, Larry was blowin’ tenor n’ playin’ keys, Robbie was on tenor and baritone and Danny Donahue was blowin’ trumpet……..Shari Richards was singin’ along with Whitey Cooper n’ we was learnin’ the arrangements that were being built all month long…….our good bud Greg Lintner came out to observe the process of turnin’ noise into music, which can be painful at times………Friday was the big day……the weather was outstanding…….we were on the big stage at Hartwood so everybody was front n’ center n’ right in front of us…….John DeCola, who Larry had prepped a week earlier was on squeeze box, Felix Kos, who i had prepped a few times did two lead vocals, Bob Bubs McKeag sang two of his songs as well…….i met Chris Nacy on stage n’ Chris blew harp on McKeag’s tunes……..Ron Yaroz joined us on the finale on harp……..a cast of thousands had been put together to make this a special show………..after all the crazy shit i said last January in my EVIL EMPIRE RANTS it was extremely important to stand up n’ show hard and i do believe dat as a team we proved, dat when we work together, Pittsburgh musicians can truly compete on a world class level…….i’ve always wanted to be the leader of the real music scene in these Pennsyltucky hills n’ this amazing show was the first step in lifting myself up after over twenty years of being black balled by the EVIL EMPIRE and their sniveling minions……..i’m very thankful to the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank for allowing me the opportunity to show what i have to offer and i’d like to thank Greg Lintner and all the musicians that joined together to make real live vital Pittsburgh music with heart n’ soul………tonight i soar with the eagle…….tomorrow i’m back at work doin’ what i can to make myself and my music a lil’ better each day……i’m also very interested in reaching out to the younger generations to help to teach them how to compete on a world class level…….we can over come the dark ages of Pittsburgh music that the EVIL EMPIRE has fostered here for so long……it’s a brand new world…….feel me now…….the uncrowned king
hey now………hope yer gittin’ a ‘lil…….had a Bone A Fide ball at the Map Room last night, did da show 4 piece me, Larry, Harry, n’ Flo……..lots a’ laughter…..Gerard sang the late great Bobby Womack’s “It’s All Over Now”……….gonna spend all next week gittin’ ready for the Blues Fest, spent all last week gitttin’ ready for the Blues Fest……….on Tuesday, i had big bad Felix over t’ prep his two vocal shots for da Fest, “I Hate A Nickel” “If I Had A Child”………on Wednesday i had Shari Richards n’ Whitey Cooper over t’ prep for da Fest, worked on “Three Times Your Fool” mostly……….on Friday me n’ Larry Siefers went over t’ Robbie Kleins house t’ prep da horn arrangements for da Fest, worked on “Three Times Your Fool” “Little Things” “If I Had A Child”………..on Thursday Brice Foster n’ i cleaned up a couple country tunes n’ sent ’em out t’ a few buddies t’ see if i can git some folks t’ sing ’em……sent out “Pennsylvania Rain” “That’s Us” “Home Sweet Home Town”……….today i snuck out to an undisclosed location t’ hack up some piano playin’ fer some very appreciative folks………..been real busy n’ dat’s da way daddy like’s it……..i’m all excited ’bout da Fest but i’m just as excited ’bout da after jam’s dat will go down at Moondogs on Friday n’ Saturday nights……these shows are always huge fun……..i love my job n’ i love my life……i’m one lucky greeze ball…..why don’t ya come out n’ see me sometime?
hey now…….our Saturday night hit at Satalio’s up on Mt Washington was a gas……good buds Jeff n’ Cathy was puttin’ a party for Cathy’s birfday……my geetar amp was buzzin’ way loud so i couldn’t play geetar which gave me the shot t’ draw on other skills dat i’ve developed over da years…….did lot’s a cover tunes n’ turned ourselves into an instant party band……..the view was delicious as was da birfday cake…….our Sunday hit up in Conneaut was canceled due to rain……..had Whitey Cooper over again this week to prepare for da Blues Fest, worked on developing “Three Times Your Fool” as a duet to be sung by Whitey n’ Shari Richards…..she’ll be comin’ over this week………did a lunch time hit on Thursday in Market Square to promote the Blues Fest……this show was a blast, fun in da sun for everyone……got t’ hang out wit da Beadman’s beautiful daughter fer a minute, she works wit da Pittsburgh Food Bank……….had Larry Siefers over on Wednesday t’ start writin’ horn parts for our Blues Fest band, talked t’ Robbie Klein about gittin’ involved……….had Altoona’s finest rocker, big Felix Koss over on Tuesday to learn “I Hate A Nickel” and “If I Had A Child”……..seems like this whole month is all about The Pittsburgh Blues Festival……..we’re very excited about puttin’ on a hi level performance t’ represent for our town……..we think it’s a real honor t’ be involved………..this comin’ Saturday we’re gonna be droppin’ da meat at The Map Room in Regent Square…….summer’s flyin’ by, in da wink of an eye……….i so happy t’ be on this planet, thankful as well
hey now………didn’t do any shows this past week except my Sunday afternoon solo piano hit at an undisclosed location on da Eastside of Pittsfield Pennsyltucky………played tunes like “I Been Workin’ On The Railroad” “Hey Good Lookin” “You Are My Sunshine” “I Fall To Pieces” “I Can’t Stop Loving You”……….spent most of da week workin’ on gittin’ da building on Monongahela Ave in Swissvale back in business…….hopin’ to spent July and August preparin’ da joint for tons a fun…….wanna start recordin’ in September……ain’t got no gear yet, but soon enough we gonna be makin’ music in dat ole brick fortress dat we put together back in da 80’s when i was young n’ pretty like Conway Twitty…….can’t wait…………hey…….got together wit Whitey Cooper this week n’ started t’ work on da show dat we’ll be throwin’ down at the Pittsburgh Blues Fest later this month………we focused on “Three Times Your Fool”……..turnin’ da lead vocal into a duo presentation dat will feature Whitey n’ Shari Richards goin’ face t’ face on this dramatic love song……..we’re also preparin’ “Look What You Done” for a duo presentation…….talked t’ ole bud n’ powerful vocalist Bob “Bubs” McKeag about doin’ a few numbers at da fest n’ he said…”book it Dano”…….talked t’ Altoona’s finest, Felix Koss about frontin’ a couple jams, so he’s comin’ over this week t’ tighten up “If I Had A Child” and “I Hate A Nickel”……….talked t’ Larry Siefers ’bout puttin’ together a horn section for da show…..ain’t sure who we’re gonna use but we should know this week……….we got a few other choice players dat we’re gonna git involved as well………July is turnin’ out t’ be Blues Fest month, looks like we’ll be workin’ all month t’ make sure our show is special…………..this comin’ Saturday we’re doin’ a first time hit on Mt Washington at Satalio’s…….Sunday we’ll be up in Conneaut doin’ an outside afternoon show from 3:00-6:00……………did some homework on my piano studin’ up on “Glory” and “All Growed Up”…………don’t forget t’ check us out on Facebook, i think that we’re doin some pretty cool stuff…..been puttin’ up short snips a’ song lyrics, folks seem t’ really enjoy seein’ the written word……naked……….git up n’ go, come on out to a show
hey now………i’m lovin’ this summer in a large way, hope yer doin’ the same………this past Tuesday we did our third Jergels Bike Night……so we’re rippin’ n’ Rick Jergel walks past me n’ says hey man, “Brian Bassett from Foghat is in the house”……..Brian’s an ole bud so i calls him up on stage t’ play da last 3 songs of act 1, hands him my geetar n’ we blow thru 3 tunes……Mr Bassett is playin’ as well as ever n’ folks was eatin’ it up……..Brian says, “come over to our table n’ say hello to Roger”…….Roger is Roger Earl, legendary drummer of Foghat who i first met in ’81 or ’82 at the Ritz in NYC……..i remember that night well, we finished our set n’ was gatherin’ up our stuff t’ head back to these Pennsyltucky hills when these long haired dudes come bustin’ in n’ says, “we love you guys, we want you t’ come out t’ Long Island n’ play live in our studio so we can record ya, while we party with our family’s”…….i says, “who in the hell are you guys?”…..somebody says, “we’re Foghat”….so i says. “you shoulda’ said that when ya come bustin’ in here”…….so we goes out to their studio at the far end of Long Island…….i ain’t seen Roger since then, but i was real glad t’ see him again, and a ‘lil surprised he even remembered me…….TV news anchor man Paul Martino’s in da house celebratin’ his birthday so we gets him up t’ sing one….long time friend Herman Granati gets up with Paul n’ bangs keys while Mr Martino sings Barry Gordy’s ole tune “Money”……..i calls Roger Earl up t’ play tubs, Brian gets back on geetar, Herman stays up on keys, Larry starts blowin’ sax n’ we plow thru 6 or 7 ole tunes wit our instant fresh line up…….ya all shoulda’ been there, it was one a’ those magic musical moments dat happens when ya least expect it…………Thursday me n’ Shari Richards did a duo hit at the Meadows Casino in Headliners Lounge…..it was a song writers night so they wanted us t’ play our songs n’ tell the stories dat made these songs come t’ life…….very stark n’ underwhelming but very challenging and very much fun……i played keys about 30 percent of the show n’ did fairly well………saw ole bud and high level musician Jason Francis Treuman for da first time in years…………Saturday night me n’ mine drove down t’ Johnstown PA to play the huge event Thunder in the Valley…….saw the Budweiser Clydesdales up close then got da chance t’ hang fer a minute on Pittsburgh country music band The Stickers bus n’ socialize fer a minute…….they got a great new LP out that i had the time t’ give a good to listen this evening, also had time t’ listen t’ my dear friend Mike Vale’s new LP……..met Jay McNight of The Stickers thru Mike Vale a few years back…..met Jay Casper of The Stickers thru his brother legendary engineer Robert Casper who passed on a few years back……Jay Casper did me the honor of singin’ one of my tunes. “At The Bottom Of This Bottle” at a show we did together in the late 90’s……….this was a very exciting week fer this ole bag a’ meat……..the hightlight had t’ be seein’ Roger Earl again and meetin’ his wife and manager Linda, very very cool people……..also enjoyed seein’ Jane from Thunder, she’s beaufiful…….i wish every week was as much fun as this one was…….i hope ya’ll had a great one as well………..i’d love t’ see ya’ll at a show sometime soon……seein’ friends n’ hangin’ is what makes it da world turn……you feelin’ me, like i’m feelin’ you?
hey now……….hope yer gittin’ yours……i’m damn sure tryin’ t’ git mine………we had a Bone A Fide good time at Moondogs on Friday, did a two n’ a half hour set……..da more ya play, da better ya play……to all da young musicians tryin’ t’ learn da craft, git yer shit can up on dat stage n’ work it……it don’t matter if ya go on first or last, it don’t matter who goes on before ya, or whose on after, it matters dat ya do da work…….and by da way, when done right, it is work…….when done right, it looks easy………we’re playin’ Jergels this Tuesday n’ lookin’ forward t’ hittin’ dat big stage wit da eastside sound……on Thursday, me n’ Shari are doin’ a duo at the Meadows Casino…..it’s a special show dat’s all about song writin’, tellin’ stories ’bout da tunes…..should be a blast……..on Saturday we’re doin’ a huge hit at Thunder in the Valley in Johnstown PA…..Thunder is a great event dat draws a bunch a folks from all over, we will be puttin’ on a show wit some git up n’ go……..did Thunder last year n’ i think we made some new friends………hey…….got da chance t’ hang wit my ole bud Mark Stutso this past week……maybe we’ll be able t’ do some things together sometime soon, we’re yackin’ ’bout it……..i love da way dat hill jack sangs, he’s a very soulful gentleman……….worked on upgradin’ da lyrics t’ “All Growed Up” last week……gonna stay focused on dat tune till i feel dat it’s sayin’ what it needs t’ say………..really enjoyin’ this summer weather, hope yer doin’ da same….ya gotta git yer self out to a show sometime soon………we’re always growin’ always showin’……..i promise ya, we will not let ya down……although da corporate community in town does not acknowledge our existence, we are da real rock n’ roll people in these hills…….bring out da rest, n’ let ME put ’em to da test, we’ll see whose good rockin’ n’ who’s just talkin’………….git wit us
hey now………been around a while, learned what i learned by trail, with so much grace n’ style, tried t’ make da peoples smile……….turned 64 years old on full moon Friday the 13th of June……played at the R-Bar n’ had a full faced good time…….my A hole buddy, “Moondog” showed up t’ sing “the” song then sung “Happy Birthday” in Polish like his Grandma used t’ do for him……..Deb came out da kitchen wit a cake, n’ i got myself a celebration……i am blessed………..Saturday’s show at the Rex Theatre in the Southside was a tribute show for our dear friend Tommy Osh who passed on recently……this gig was rocked out, got t’ see Trash Vegas, The Bessemers, Torn n’ Frayed………our show was short n’ sweet, it was very cool t’ have the opportunity to perform for this elite crowd……stone cold rockers standin’ side by side, ready n’ willin’ for da killin’…….that’s why i was dropped off here on this planet, t’ touch the stone cold rockers…….they need me, but i need them more……….lookin’ forward to this comin’ Friday at Moondogs, anything can happen at the dog house, we’ve done some hi level world class performances in that little road house……..hey, started t’ rewrite a tune i wrote a few years back for my niece Tara……tune called “All Growed Up”, i’m puttin’ together a piano arrangement for it as well…………in light of it bein’ my 64th birthday AND my 50th year playin’ rock n’ roll, i’ve been tryin to write somethin’ that might help to shed light on the Evil Empire Rants that i wrote back in January of this year……..i wrote two extended pieces that i never put up in Feburary as well………so all i can say is, i ain’t got nothin’ t’ say……already said it………50 years playin’ rock n’ roll…..what an amazing journey……..made my own name in this town……played my own game in this town, still playin’ it……………………………………….i stand alone, you all stand together, propped up by each other in this town, n’ as i piss into the wind, ya’ll say that i’ve sinned, so i cry the tears of a clown……is it possible that a man be born a king, and yet he wears no crown?
hey now……how you doin’………hope yer livin’ large n’ in charge……..had a blast at both gigs this week…….Saturday at the Kosbar Ranch was a total gas, lottsa folks rockin’ strong……we ‘spose t’ play 90 minutes, but we hit da two hour mark……a lesser band woulda’ crumbled…….today at the Boston Waterfront was also a good rockin’ hang…..saw a mess a’ folks i ain’t seen in a coons age……….got a couple jams booked fer this comin’ week, Friday at da R-Bar is gonna be a blow out, i feel it in my ole bones i feel it…..Saturday is a quick hit at the Rex Theater in the southside…..we’re on the show with a bunch a’ Pittsburgh bands…..not sure who all is on da show but The Cheats, The Addicts, Trash Vegas, Submachine…….Vinny Q is playin’ with his ole band “Torn n’ Frayed” as well as with me n’ mine……we’re goin on at 8:30 n’ doin a crazy 20 minute hit……this show is a benefit and tribute to our dear friend Tommy Osh who passed away a few months back……Osh was a mainstay of the original Pittsburgh punk movement, ain’t nobody didn’t like Tommy Osh………..got together wit Brice Foster n’ cut a couple short video’s…….did da rap i wrote for “Loverboy” back in da 80’s wit Brice playin’ tambourine, also did a verse a’ Brice sangin’ “Minimum Wage” n’ me tryin’ t’ play piano…….we also spent some time studin’ on the recording we recently did of “The Devil”……….will ya still need me, will ya still feed me?…….when i’m………
October of 1981
The Decade, located at the corner of Rock and Roll, also known as Atwood and Sennott, Oakland, PA.
cover charge: $2
bottle of Iron City beer: $2
live performance by Norman Nardini and the East Side Tigers: Priceless!
I reminisce fequently about those live performances back in the day. Audio taped a few, wish I had access to video equipment back then. Any chance of any video segments from the Tigers days being made available?
Been following you ever since, Norman. Always lurking, never smirking! The hunky with the junky! You haven’t influenced me at all….
hey Ed……thanks for followin’ our journey thru the madness……..it’s been a gas…….many great Decade shows over those years………we’re thinkin’ about transferin’ some of the old VHS video to digital format some time soon…….always lookin’ for new ways to entertain folks…….we crazy like dat
hey now……..been enjoyin’ the beautiful spring days that have taken so damn long to arrive…….had a blast last Friday night at very cool new club here in these Pennsyltucky hills, a joint called the Dead Horse Cantina……..but, truth be told, this Horse ain’t dead, it’s rockin’…..love the way it feels in this rock n’ roll showcase venue……….Tom Weber came t’ town n’ rolled video of our performance, can’t wait t’ take a look at the footage…………we played fairly well…….gotta couple shows comin’ up this week, Saturday night, June 6, at 9:30 we gonna kick off a 90 minute benefit show at Kosbar Ranch in Robinson Twp……Katie Simone n’ Shari Richards, along with a couple other acts are also on the bill………Sunday, from 3:00 till 7:00 we gonna be at the Boston Waterfront for their biker event……..been preparing myself for my next shot t’ git in the studio, workin’ on detailin’ the lead vocal melody for Pittsburgh Pa n’ The Devil…………come see about me……..nn
Dear Norman, Visited Pittsburgh in April via Oak Park, IL. I am a long-time Chicagoland record collector and have been a huge fan of Eat’n Alive! for some time. We cruised Jerry’s Records in Squirrel Hill and I picked up a copy for my 16 year-old daughter, Frances. She loves it. I also found another Nardini oddity across the river where all of the paint by number colored houses are blended into the mountains. It’s a 4-song advance release with your autograph. This was definitely my Pittsburgh find! I wish we could have seen you live. If you’re ever in Chicago performing, drop me a line. There are venues such as The Metro and Lincoln Hall that could use some Norman Nardini magic If you come you will be guaranteed a gallery of screaming teenage girls. Just to let you know as I sit writing this, I am listening to “Mama Let Your Love” from the second Diamond Reo LP. Just superb. -Jim Farlee, Oak Park IL.
hey Jim…..thanks fer bloggin’ wit us…….it’s great t’ hear that your daughter Frances enjoys music that we made all those years ago…….crossin’ generations is a big deal to us……that Diamond Reo Lp that you mentioned was recently re-released in England on Rock Candy Records……i got a brother in law that lives in Chicago………..keep on rockin’…….nn
hey now, happy Memorial Day to all…..and a huge thank you to all those that have served our country……….no gigs this week, life always feels a bit hollow when they’re ain’t no gigs……but i gotta say dat me n’ mine are all jacked up about the show dat’s comin’ up this Friday May 30, 2014 at the Dead Horse Cantina in da Rocks…..ain’t been there yet but i hear great things about this very hip rock n’ roll club……..my buddy, Tom Weber, from Erie PA is comin’ t’ town t’ film our show……i’m already tryin’ t’ put the perfect song list together for this live forever performance………..hey, i got together with Tom Weber last week t’ record some video for a documentary he’s doin’ about music people……..got a chance t’ play a quick hit at an undisclosed location in East Liberty this afternoon, played n’ sang fer some folks dat need t’ feel da power of rhythm n’ rhym……….hey, me n’ my buddy Brice Foster, from wild wonderful west by God by way of Cashville Tennessippi, spent a minute puttin’ together a couple song snips t’ post up on Facebook……..i’m always tryin’ t’ find ways t’ use Facebook as a way t’ interest folks in what we’re doin’ musically……….usin’ Brice Foster’s new smart phone we shot me, tryin’ t’ play piano as i sing the first verse of a couple tunes……..an appetizer, if you will…….”Fire Fighter” and “The Tree”……..i do a lil’ conversatin’ then, hit it………….i also posted up lil’ snips of song lyrics, folks seemed t’ respond t’ that………didn’t see dat comin’……….”The Tree” n’ “Three Kings In Memphis” both have lyrics dat touch a man…………come see about me………nn
hey now, really had a blast at this weeks shows……Tuesday at Jergels we saw da Pens bein’ eliminated from the playoffs as da band played on and Saturday at Moondogs we played a brilliant 2 n’ a’ half hour first set……..both shows gave us the chance t’ shine……and shine we did…….hey, got into the studio this week n’ cut the acoustic guitar for “The Horse Your Riding”, used the little Martin parlor guitar that my good buddy Jay Flores lent me a couple years ago and refuses to take back…..this tune is shapin’ up like some ole Elton John ballad dat is played in capital letters from da rhythm section up……..also cut Harry Bottoms bass tracks for “Pittsburgh PA” and new tune “Girl With A Gun”…….so now we got 5 tunes recorded for our next release…….”Me n’ Josey Wales” “The Devil” “Pittsburgh PA” “The Horse Your Riding” “Girl With A Gun”…………..i was yackin’ between songs at Saturday’s gig at MoonDogs, talkin’ ’bout Larry Siefers, n’ i said dat Larry only eats food that’s good for him, Larry don’t never eat no crap…….so i told ’em, yo Larry, if you don’t change yer ways, you might live fer ever………i blog cause i can……hugs n’ kisses, da blog dog……
hey now…….HAPPY MOTHERS DAY…….hope ya’ll got a chance t’ see your mom…….hey, Tuesday night, May 13 gonna be a shake up, show down at Jergel’s in Warrendale, in the great northern suburbs a’ Pittsfield Pennsylyucky, hell yes, this 8:00 start time Bike Night Show will be chock full a’ rock, we really enjoy the big stage n’ kickin’ p.a. system dat JERGEL’S offers…….go north young man, go north……..this comin’ Saturday May 17, we gonna be smokin’ some high level stone cold rock n’ roll at the Dog House, MOONDOGS, our shows at this venue have been religious experiences for me n’ mine……..i know dat were touchin’ peoples, as well……..come on out for some ole time religion, some rock n’ roll, n’ some insane conversation…….Pittsburgh rock n’ roll is still alive, goin’ on and on since back in da 70’s……i ain’t never stopped, n’ dat’s almost a miracle……how could one little ginny be so damn hard headed?……it’s in da genes, baby……you can’t lose wit da things i use……..last Friday night at JAMISON’S was a blast, lots a’ bull crappin’, lots a’ laughin’…….it’s crazy, i’m just startin’ t’ realize just how funny the most simple things can be……simple stuff like my parents n’ my Uncle Larry, n’ high school, my crazy friends, bein’ 100 percent Italian, bein’ a life long musician…….on n’ on n’ on n’ on……….started t’ fine tune the vocal melody of “The Devil” this week and in the process, started t’ put together some piano parts……..didn’t git in to the studio this week but did prep work on “Pittsburgh PA” as well as “The Devil”………..it’s been real, n’ you know the deal, it’s only as good as it feels……..you feel me?
My wife and I really enjoyed hearing you again in Altoona. We have been fans since before we were married in ’82, and saw you and the Tigers a lot in those days. Thanks for the tunes and doing what you’re supposed to be doing – and doing it well!
hey Steve, thanks for comin’ out to the show……and thanks for the kind words……i love seein’ folks that remember the The Tigers…….hope t’ see ya’ll again
hey now……..what it look like?…….who stole the kieska? somebody call the cops……..Frankie Yankovic da polka king, from Davis WV………did ya know dat da great Johnnie Johnson was from Fairmont WV?……..hey we goin’ green this Friday at JAMISON’S in Greensburgh PA…….we’re lookin’ t’ git a great gang a knuckelheads out this Friday night, May 9, 2014…..COME ON OUT……..hey, we had a holy hell of a time in Toone Town last night, i’m still highed up from da buzz…….The Church In The Middle Of The Block was da place t’ be……young Nate Meyers n’ his Aces opened up da service wit a throw back kind a’ style but a new fangeled angle on da whole damn mess……these Harrisburgers represent pretty damn well……..we got all 6’6″ a Nate back on stage fer our encore, a slow fry sizzlin’ “Minimum Wage” then a desperate, almost punk blues hit of dat ole Elmore James rave up, “Shake Your Money Maker”, Larry was goosin’ da goose n’ Nate was spittin’ juice thru da Mississippi saxophone…..ya’ll should a’ been ridin’ wit us dat night………..but before dat whole happenin’……me n’ mine had our way wit some fine up standin’ Altoids……Jim Price was in da house, Monica, the patron saint of greyhounds was in da house……..we put togather a great show mixed wit a ton a’ humor and a unique song selection…..”Three Kings In Memphis” was killin’……back at da hotel ’bout 2:00 in da mornin’ my ole buds Felix n’ Bobby from da Hurricanes showed up fer a strong 2 hour hang…….we was laughin’ so hard dat somebody farted thru da laughter, ain’t sayin’ who……….hey, cut a cool geetar track fer “The Horse Your Riding” this week, it’s big n’ bold……D-Rod got it soundin’ huge………..hey, started t’ put together a piano arrangement fer “Glory”, it’s really gonna be cool……also put together a swingin’ piano arrangement fer dat ole Ray Charles classic “I Can’t Stop Loving You”……what a beautiful, yet very sad song……i need t’ see ya live and in person……….please come on out to a show n’ watch me n’ mine blow………..
Dear Norman Nardini, Just wanted to tell you how wonderful you all were performing for us at the Church In The Middle Of the Block. Your band was amazing as well as your guitar playing. What a showman you are. You are our High Priest. WE LOVE YOU and we hope you will consider coming back and play again for us. What a show. You guys are always welcomed at the church. If you are in Altoona Town stop by the church. Frank and his buddies are there Monday and Wednesday nights. KEEP ON ROCKIN …God Bless you all…Frank and Renee Modico.
hey now, how you doin’?….you good?……..i’m all jacked up ’bout this comin’ Satuday, May 3, 2014…..gonna be in Toonetown, translation (Altoona PA) at the Church In The Middle Of The Block………it’s a benefit show that supports the adoption of Greyhounds……we’ll be sharin’ the stage wit an act from our state capital……..Nate Myers and the Aces, i’m lookin’ forward t’ checkin’ these guys out………..had a blast last night at the Map Room, folks young n’ old was havin’ cocktails n’ rockin’ strong……i love when folks in their twenties look up to da stage like they ain’t never seen a real live rock n’ roll band……..it’s like they never got da feelin’ dat gits da girls squeelin’, pain’s they start t’ healin’, when da uncrowned king starts t’ dealin’…..priceless………..played the Penn Hills Coffee House last Wednesday…….got t’ see Eve Goodman and Chuck Beatty do solo acoustic sets, i think i learned a ‘lil from both of ’em…….i didn’t play guitar at this gig, i set up my piano n’ played dat……gotta admit, i was nervous ’bout it……..never really played a solo go on piano before, hell, ain’t played all dat many solo gigs on guitar……..did “Fire Fighter” “The Tree” “Wonder” “Minimum Wage”…………Moondog was also on this show n’ he did a solo slot…….i got back up after Moonie’s hit n’ did one more, “I Fall To Pieces” dat ole Patsy Cline classic………..i love the vibes at the Penn Hills Coffee House………….on Thursday, i started t’ put togather a solo piano arrangement of “Glory”, the song i wrote for my mom, can’t wait till i can present it………..went back in da studio wit Brice Foster on tubs n’ D-Rod (Darrell Rodgers) engineerin’ n’ cut two outstanding rhythm tracks…….layed down “Pittsburgh PA” and a brand new one, “Girl With A Gun”…..i’m proud as a ruttin’ buck ’bout the work we’re doin’ right now……….got 5 rhythm tracks in da bag………”Me n’ Josey Wales” “The Devil” “The Horse Your Riding” “Pittsburgh Pa” “Girl With A Gun”……..new tunes, new life………i wanna stick it right in yer ear…..you feel me?
hey now……..did ya miss me?………let’s catch up…….spent the week of July 28 workin’ on the tune “Merry Christmas everybody” and cleaning up the building on Monongahla Ave…..also worked on “All Growed Up” n’ “It Sure Don’t Seem Like Christmas”…..i ain’t sure why i started workin’ on Christmas songs in the middle of summer…….on Aug 2 we realized that my mother in law, Jean Milliken, who has been slowly declining healthwise, was comin’ to the end of her time……..spent the best part of the next 5 days with her…….played a show at Jergels on Tuesday Aug 6………on the afternoon of Wednesday Aug 6 Jeanie passed away at Highland Park Care Center in the same room my mother passed away in almost 2 years ago……..on Friday August 6 i had lunch with my ole friend Basil DeGrazia n’ we talked n’ laughed about things that happened 40 years ago………Saturday Aug 6 we played Moondogs n’ did a 3 n’ a half hour show, no breaks……wow, this was so much fun, i love playin’ in my rock n’ roll band so much that i didn’t want the night t’ end…….i gotta find a way to get this band in front of more audiences…..we’re becoming a religious experience, folks need t’ feel the power and the glory of what it is that we do……Sunday Aug 9 we had a viewing for Jeanie at Kepner Funeral Home in Elm Grove West Virginia and on Monday we laid this beautiful woman t’ rest next to her lovin’ husband Gene……..that’s right, Gene n’ Jean are now together again……we had a great lunch at the Bella Via where i got the chance t’ hang with some very nice folks…….spent Tuesday Wednesday n’ Thursday cleaning up 2053 Monongahela n’ workin’ on my 2 Christmas tunes and the song i wrote for my mom. “Glory” plus the song i wrote for my niece, “All Growed Up”……on Friday i had the tramatic expierence of gittin’ a tooth pulled out, i’m OK now…..on Saturday i played a short opening set as a duo with Shari Richards at a back yard event called Cindystock in Wexford……….lookin’ forward to a great show at Scotchfest this comin’ Saturday and the Sunday afternoon hit at the Boston Waterfront……..this summer has flown by……..i plan on using the rest of the summer to continue to clean up 2053 Monongahla Ave ’cause i wanna start doin’ things their in the fall…….i’m gittin’ some recording gear and i’m also tryin’ t’ figger out how t’ do a ton of video recordin’ of unique musical situations…..i’m excited about all the possibilities for huge fun……..let’s keep on livin’…..let’s keep on lovin’……..ya feel me now?
Saw you & your crew at Moondog’s in Blawnox Saturday night, August 9, 2014.
Small crowd. I’m born and bred in the Burgh. With heavy duty excellent music and your ‘yaza’ about this really happened stories, your old man, and Pennsyl-tucky.
Not stuck next to any of my politically correct, overeducated, vegan friends or prudes that would squirm/ sneer at your STRONG unapologetic ‘dis is who I am and what I seen’ humor. Dead on.
In my neighborhood, some grandma’s never spoke American. Banter enough in Hungarian, Italian, whatever as needed to be polite, get kissed on the cheek and fed really good food. My house, generations of immigrants, HEAVY brogues, constant talk and sarcastic humor. Cabbage boiled for hours. Like if the zoo had an Irish monkey cage. God blessed me with Italian god parents and neighbors, where it was normal if folks maybe scream in the driveway.
Magic music and real talk. Refreshing. I didn’t get home before the street lights were on. It was so worth it. My husband in Jacksonville, FL got quiet on the phone Sunday morning. The ‘I got home at 3 AM, how huge the moon is, hearing one slammin’ band’ was not well received. Why lie? Then you got remember your story.
Thank you. Again. And again. I should be so lucky to be among my own kind, fit in & have joy.
Your new fan, Theresa (pronounced Tree-sah)
What is this ‘moderation’ about. 4 syllables, high brow.
hey now………..this whole week was all about the Pittsburgh Blues Festival……..spent Monday cleaning the big studio room at 2053 Monongahela cause i’ve been planning t’ rehearse our big band the day before our Blues Fest show…..scrubbed the floor and the walls, which hadn’t been done in years……..Tuesday was spent at Robbie Klein’s house workin’ on the horn charts with Robbie and Larry……Wednesday was spent scrubbin’and organizing the basement at 2053 Monongahela which desperately needed a severe douching……..Thursday was our big rehersal……Flo was on tubs, Harry on bass, me on geetar, Larry was blowin’ tenor n’ playin’ keys, Robbie was on tenor and baritone and Danny Donahue was blowin’ trumpet……..Shari Richards was singin’ along with Whitey Cooper n’ we was learnin’ the arrangements that were being built all month long…….our good bud Greg Lintner came out to observe the process of turnin’ noise into music, which can be painful at times………Friday was the big day……the weather was outstanding…….we were on the big stage at Hartwood so everybody was front n’ center n’ right in front of us…….John DeCola, who Larry had prepped a week earlier was on squeeze box, Felix Kos, who i had prepped a few times did two lead vocals, Bob Bubs McKeag sang two of his songs as well…….i met Chris Nacy on stage n’ Chris blew harp on McKeag’s tunes……..Ron Yaroz joined us on the finale on harp……..a cast of thousands had been put together to make this a special show………..after all the crazy shit i said last January in my EVIL EMPIRE RANTS it was extremely important to stand up n’ show hard and i do believe dat as a team we proved, dat when we work together, Pittsburgh musicians can truly compete on a world class level…….i’ve always wanted to be the leader of the real music scene in these Pennsyltucky hills n’ this amazing show was the first step in lifting myself up after over twenty years of being black balled by the EVIL EMPIRE and their sniveling minions……..i’m very thankful to the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank for allowing me the opportunity to show what i have to offer and i’d like to thank Greg Lintner and all the musicians that joined together to make real live vital Pittsburgh music with heart n’ soul………tonight i soar with the eagle…….tomorrow i’m back at work doin’ what i can to make myself and my music a lil’ better each day……i’m also very interested in reaching out to the younger generations to help to teach them how to compete on a world class level…….we can over come the dark ages of Pittsburgh music that the EVIL EMPIRE has fostered here for so long……it’s a brand new world…….feel me now…….the uncrowned king
hey now………hope yer gittin’ a ‘lil…….had a Bone A Fide ball at the Map Room last night, did da show 4 piece me, Larry, Harry, n’ Flo……..lots a’ laughter…..Gerard sang the late great Bobby Womack’s “It’s All Over Now”……….gonna spend all next week gittin’ ready for the Blues Fest, spent all last week gitttin’ ready for the Blues Fest……….on Tuesday, i had big bad Felix over t’ prep his two vocal shots for da Fest, “I Hate A Nickel” “If I Had A Child”………on Wednesday i had Shari Richards n’ Whitey Cooper over t’ prep for da Fest, worked on “Three Times Your Fool” mostly……….on Friday me n’ Larry Siefers went over t’ Robbie Kleins house t’ prep da horn arrangements for da Fest, worked on “Three Times Your Fool” “Little Things” “If I Had A Child”………..on Thursday Brice Foster n’ i cleaned up a couple country tunes n’ sent ’em out t’ a few buddies t’ see if i can git some folks t’ sing ’em……sent out “Pennsylvania Rain” “That’s Us” “Home Sweet Home Town”……….today i snuck out to an undisclosed location t’ hack up some piano playin’ fer some very appreciative folks………..been real busy n’ dat’s da way daddy like’s it……..i’m all excited ’bout da Fest but i’m just as excited ’bout da after jam’s dat will go down at Moondogs on Friday n’ Saturday nights……these shows are always huge fun……..i love my job n’ i love my life……i’m one lucky greeze ball…..why don’t ya come out n’ see me sometime?
God Bless Johnny Winter
hey now…….our Saturday night hit at Satalio’s up on Mt Washington was a gas……good buds Jeff n’ Cathy was puttin’ a party for Cathy’s birfday……my geetar amp was buzzin’ way loud so i couldn’t play geetar which gave me the shot t’ draw on other skills dat i’ve developed over da years…….did lot’s a cover tunes n’ turned ourselves into an instant party band……..the view was delicious as was da birfday cake…….our Sunday hit up in Conneaut was canceled due to rain……..had Whitey Cooper over again this week to prepare for da Blues Fest, worked on developing “Three Times Your Fool” as a duet to be sung by Whitey n’ Shari Richards…..she’ll be comin’ over this week………did a lunch time hit on Thursday in Market Square to promote the Blues Fest……this show was a blast, fun in da sun for everyone……got t’ hang out wit da Beadman’s beautiful daughter fer a minute, she works wit da Pittsburgh Food Bank……….had Larry Siefers over on Wednesday t’ start writin’ horn parts for our Blues Fest band, talked t’ Robbie Klein about gittin’ involved……….had Altoona’s finest rocker, big Felix Koss over on Tuesday to learn “I Hate A Nickel” and “If I Had A Child”……..seems like this whole month is all about The Pittsburgh Blues Festival……..we’re very excited about puttin’ on a hi level performance t’ represent for our town……..we think it’s a real honor t’ be involved………..this comin’ Saturday we’re gonna be droppin’ da meat at The Map Room in Regent Square…….summer’s flyin’ by, in da wink of an eye……….i so happy t’ be on this planet, thankful as well
hey now………didn’t do any shows this past week except my Sunday afternoon solo piano hit at an undisclosed location on da Eastside of Pittsfield Pennsyltucky………played tunes like “I Been Workin’ On The Railroad” “Hey Good Lookin” “You Are My Sunshine” “I Fall To Pieces” “I Can’t Stop Loving You”……….spent most of da week workin’ on gittin’ da building on Monongahela Ave in Swissvale back in business…….hopin’ to spent July and August preparin’ da joint for tons a fun…….wanna start recordin’ in September……ain’t got no gear yet, but soon enough we gonna be makin’ music in dat ole brick fortress dat we put together back in da 80’s when i was young n’ pretty like Conway Twitty…….can’t wait…………hey…….got together wit Whitey Cooper this week n’ started t’ work on da show dat we’ll be throwin’ down at the Pittsburgh Blues Fest later this month………we focused on “Three Times Your Fool”……..turnin’ da lead vocal into a duo presentation dat will feature Whitey n’ Shari Richards goin’ face t’ face on this dramatic love song……..we’re also preparin’ “Look What You Done” for a duo presentation…….talked t’ ole bud n’ powerful vocalist Bob “Bubs” McKeag about doin’ a few numbers at da fest n’ he said…”book it Dano”…….talked t’ Altoona’s finest, Felix Koss about frontin’ a couple jams, so he’s comin’ over this week t’ tighten up “If I Had A Child” and “I Hate A Nickel”……….talked t’ Larry Siefers ’bout puttin’ together a horn section for da show…..ain’t sure who we’re gonna use but we should know this week……….we got a few other choice players dat we’re gonna git involved as well………July is turnin’ out t’ be Blues Fest month, looks like we’ll be workin’ all month t’ make sure our show is special…………..this comin’ Saturday we’re doin’ a first time hit on Mt Washington at Satalio’s…….Sunday we’ll be up in Conneaut doin’ an outside afternoon show from 3:00-6:00……………did some homework on my piano studin’ up on “Glory” and “All Growed Up”…………don’t forget t’ check us out on Facebook, i think that we’re doin some pretty cool stuff…..been puttin’ up short snips a’ song lyrics, folks seem t’ really enjoy seein’ the written word……naked……….git up n’ go, come on out to a show
hey now………i’m lovin’ this summer in a large way, hope yer doin’ the same………this past Tuesday we did our third Jergels Bike Night……so we’re rippin’ n’ Rick Jergel walks past me n’ says hey man, “Brian Bassett from Foghat is in the house”……..Brian’s an ole bud so i calls him up on stage t’ play da last 3 songs of act 1, hands him my geetar n’ we blow thru 3 tunes……Mr Bassett is playin’ as well as ever n’ folks was eatin’ it up……..Brian says, “come over to our table n’ say hello to Roger”…….Roger is Roger Earl, legendary drummer of Foghat who i first met in ’81 or ’82 at the Ritz in NYC……..i remember that night well, we finished our set n’ was gatherin’ up our stuff t’ head back to these Pennsyltucky hills when these long haired dudes come bustin’ in n’ says, “we love you guys, we want you t’ come out t’ Long Island n’ play live in our studio so we can record ya, while we party with our family’s”…….i says, “who in the hell are you guys?”…..somebody says, “we’re Foghat”….so i says. “you shoulda’ said that when ya come bustin’ in here”…….so we goes out to their studio at the far end of Long Island…….i ain’t seen Roger since then, but i was real glad t’ see him again, and a ‘lil surprised he even remembered me…….TV news anchor man Paul Martino’s in da house celebratin’ his birthday so we gets him up t’ sing one….long time friend Herman Granati gets up with Paul n’ bangs keys while Mr Martino sings Barry Gordy’s ole tune “Money”……..i calls Roger Earl up t’ play tubs, Brian gets back on geetar, Herman stays up on keys, Larry starts blowin’ sax n’ we plow thru 6 or 7 ole tunes wit our instant fresh line up…….ya all shoulda’ been there, it was one a’ those magic musical moments dat happens when ya least expect it…………Thursday me n’ Shari Richards did a duo hit at the Meadows Casino in Headliners Lounge…..it was a song writers night so they wanted us t’ play our songs n’ tell the stories dat made these songs come t’ life…….very stark n’ underwhelming but very challenging and very much fun……i played keys about 30 percent of the show n’ did fairly well………saw ole bud and high level musician Jason Francis Treuman for da first time in years…………Saturday night me n’ mine drove down t’ Johnstown PA to play the huge event Thunder in the Valley…….saw the Budweiser Clydesdales up close then got da chance t’ hang fer a minute on Pittsburgh country music band The Stickers bus n’ socialize fer a minute…….they got a great new LP out that i had the time t’ give a good to listen this evening, also had time t’ listen t’ my dear friend Mike Vale’s new LP……..met Jay McNight of The Stickers thru Mike Vale a few years back…..met Jay Casper of The Stickers thru his brother legendary engineer Robert Casper who passed on a few years back……Jay Casper did me the honor of singin’ one of my tunes. “At The Bottom Of This Bottle” at a show we did together in the late 90’s……….this was a very exciting week fer this ole bag a’ meat……..the hightlight had t’ be seein’ Roger Earl again and meetin’ his wife and manager Linda, very very cool people……..also enjoyed seein’ Jane from Thunder, she’s beaufiful…….i wish every week was as much fun as this one was…….i hope ya’ll had a great one as well………..i’d love t’ see ya’ll at a show sometime soon……seein’ friends n’ hangin’ is what makes it da world turn……you feelin’ me, like i’m feelin’ you?
hey now……….hope yer gittin’ yours……i’m damn sure tryin’ t’ git mine………we had a Bone A Fide good time at Moondogs on Friday, did a two n’ a half hour set……..da more ya play, da better ya play……to all da young musicians tryin’ t’ learn da craft, git yer shit can up on dat stage n’ work it……it don’t matter if ya go on first or last, it don’t matter who goes on before ya, or whose on after, it matters dat ya do da work…….and by da way, when done right, it is work…….when done right, it looks easy………we’re playin’ Jergels this Tuesday n’ lookin’ forward t’ hittin’ dat big stage wit da eastside sound……on Thursday, me n’ Shari are doin’ a duo at the Meadows Casino…..it’s a special show dat’s all about song writin’, tellin’ stories ’bout da tunes…..should be a blast……..on Saturday we’re doin’ a huge hit at Thunder in the Valley in Johnstown PA…..Thunder is a great event dat draws a bunch a folks from all over, we will be puttin’ on a show wit some git up n’ go……..did Thunder last year n’ i think we made some new friends………hey…….got da chance t’ hang wit my ole bud Mark Stutso this past week……maybe we’ll be able t’ do some things together sometime soon, we’re yackin’ ’bout it……..i love da way dat hill jack sangs, he’s a very soulful gentleman……….worked on upgradin’ da lyrics t’ “All Growed Up” last week……gonna stay focused on dat tune till i feel dat it’s sayin’ what it needs t’ say………..really enjoyin’ this summer weather, hope yer doin’ da same….ya gotta git yer self out to a show sometime soon………we’re always growin’ always showin’……..i promise ya, we will not let ya down……although da corporate community in town does not acknowledge our existence, we are da real rock n’ roll people in these hills…….bring out da rest, n’ let ME put ’em to da test, we’ll see whose good rockin’ n’ who’s just talkin’………….git wit us
hey now………been around a while, learned what i learned by trail, with so much grace n’ style, tried t’ make da peoples smile……….turned 64 years old on full moon Friday the 13th of June……played at the R-Bar n’ had a full faced good time…….my A hole buddy, “Moondog” showed up t’ sing “the” song then sung “Happy Birthday” in Polish like his Grandma used t’ do for him……..Deb came out da kitchen wit a cake, n’ i got myself a celebration……i am blessed………..Saturday’s show at the Rex Theatre in the Southside was a tribute show for our dear friend Tommy Osh who passed on recently……this gig was rocked out, got t’ see Trash Vegas, The Bessemers, Torn n’ Frayed………our show was short n’ sweet, it was very cool t’ have the opportunity to perform for this elite crowd……stone cold rockers standin’ side by side, ready n’ willin’ for da killin’…….that’s why i was dropped off here on this planet, t’ touch the stone cold rockers…….they need me, but i need them more……….lookin’ forward to this comin’ Friday at Moondogs, anything can happen at the dog house, we’ve done some hi level world class performances in that little road house……..hey, started t’ rewrite a tune i wrote a few years back for my niece Tara……tune called “All Growed Up”, i’m puttin’ together a piano arrangement for it as well…………in light of it bein’ my 64th birthday AND my 50th year playin’ rock n’ roll, i’ve been tryin to write somethin’ that might help to shed light on the Evil Empire Rants that i wrote back in January of this year……..i wrote two extended pieces that i never put up in Feburary as well………so all i can say is, i ain’t got nothin’ t’ say……already said it………50 years playin’ rock n’ roll…..what an amazing journey……..made my own name in this town……played my own game in this town, still playin’ it……………………………………….i stand alone, you all stand together, propped up by each other in this town, n’ as i piss into the wind, ya’ll say that i’ve sinned, so i cry the tears of a clown……is it possible that a man be born a king, and yet he wears no crown?
hey now……how you doin’………hope yer livin’ large n’ in charge……..had a blast at both gigs this week…….Saturday at the Kosbar Ranch was a total gas, lottsa folks rockin’ strong……we ‘spose t’ play 90 minutes, but we hit da two hour mark……a lesser band woulda’ crumbled…….today at the Boston Waterfront was also a good rockin’ hang…..saw a mess a’ folks i ain’t seen in a coons age……….got a couple jams booked fer this comin’ week, Friday at da R-Bar is gonna be a blow out, i feel it in my ole bones i feel it…..Saturday is a quick hit at the Rex Theater in the southside…..we’re on the show with a bunch a’ Pittsburgh bands…..not sure who all is on da show but The Cheats, The Addicts, Trash Vegas, Submachine…….Vinny Q is playin’ with his ole band “Torn n’ Frayed” as well as with me n’ mine……we’re goin on at 8:30 n’ doin a crazy 20 minute hit……this show is a benefit and tribute to our dear friend Tommy Osh who passed away a few months back……Osh was a mainstay of the original Pittsburgh punk movement, ain’t nobody didn’t like Tommy Osh………..got together wit Brice Foster n’ cut a couple short video’s…….did da rap i wrote for “Loverboy” back in da 80’s wit Brice playin’ tambourine, also did a verse a’ Brice sangin’ “Minimum Wage” n’ me tryin’ t’ play piano…….we also spent some time studin’ on the recording we recently did of “The Devil”……….will ya still need me, will ya still feed me?…….when i’m………
October of 1981
The Decade, located at the corner of Rock and Roll, also known as Atwood and Sennott, Oakland, PA.
cover charge: $2
bottle of Iron City beer: $2
live performance by Norman Nardini and the East Side Tigers: Priceless!
I reminisce fequently about those live performances back in the day. Audio taped a few, wish I had access to video equipment back then. Any chance of any video segments from the Tigers days being made available?
Been following you ever since, Norman. Always lurking, never smirking! The hunky with the junky! You haven’t influenced me at all….
hey Ed……thanks for followin’ our journey thru the madness……..it’s been a gas…….many great Decade shows over those years………we’re thinkin’ about transferin’ some of the old VHS video to digital format some time soon…….always lookin’ for new ways to entertain folks…….we crazy like dat
hey now……..been enjoyin’ the beautiful spring days that have taken so damn long to arrive…….had a blast last Friday night at very cool new club here in these Pennsyltucky hills, a joint called the Dead Horse Cantina……..but, truth be told, this Horse ain’t dead, it’s rockin’…..love the way it feels in this rock n’ roll showcase venue……….Tom Weber came t’ town n’ rolled video of our performance, can’t wait t’ take a look at the footage…………we played fairly well…….gotta couple shows comin’ up this week, Saturday night, June 6, at 9:30 we gonna kick off a 90 minute benefit show at Kosbar Ranch in Robinson Twp……Katie Simone n’ Shari Richards, along with a couple other acts are also on the bill………Sunday, from 3:00 till 7:00 we gonna be at the Boston Waterfront for their biker event……..been preparing myself for my next shot t’ git in the studio, workin’ on detailin’ the lead vocal melody for Pittsburgh Pa n’ The Devil…………come see about me……..nn
Dear Norman, Visited Pittsburgh in April via Oak Park, IL. I am a long-time Chicagoland record collector and have been a huge fan of Eat’n Alive! for some time. We cruised Jerry’s Records in Squirrel Hill and I picked up a copy for my 16 year-old daughter, Frances. She loves it. I also found another Nardini oddity across the river where all of the paint by number colored houses are blended into the mountains. It’s a 4-song advance release with your autograph. This was definitely my Pittsburgh find! I wish we could have seen you live. If you’re ever in Chicago performing, drop me a line. There are venues such as The Metro and Lincoln Hall that could use some Norman Nardini magic If you come you will be guaranteed a gallery of screaming teenage girls. Just to let you know as I sit writing this, I am listening to “Mama Let Your Love” from the second Diamond Reo LP. Just superb. -Jim Farlee, Oak Park IL.
hey Jim…..thanks fer bloggin’ wit us…….it’s great t’ hear that your daughter Frances enjoys music that we made all those years ago…….crossin’ generations is a big deal to us……that Diamond Reo Lp that you mentioned was recently re-released in England on Rock Candy Records……i got a brother in law that lives in Chicago………..keep on rockin’…….nn
hey now, happy Memorial Day to all…..and a huge thank you to all those that have served our country……….no gigs this week, life always feels a bit hollow when they’re ain’t no gigs……but i gotta say dat me n’ mine are all jacked up about the show dat’s comin’ up this Friday May 30, 2014 at the Dead Horse Cantina in da Rocks…..ain’t been there yet but i hear great things about this very hip rock n’ roll club……..my buddy, Tom Weber, from Erie PA is comin’ t’ town t’ film our show……i’m already tryin’ t’ put the perfect song list together for this live forever performance………..hey, i got together with Tom Weber last week t’ record some video for a documentary he’s doin’ about music people……..got a chance t’ play a quick hit at an undisclosed location in East Liberty this afternoon, played n’ sang fer some folks dat need t’ feel da power of rhythm n’ rhym……….hey, me n’ my buddy Brice Foster, from wild wonderful west by God by way of Cashville Tennessippi, spent a minute puttin’ together a couple song snips t’ post up on Facebook……..i’m always tryin’ t’ find ways t’ use Facebook as a way t’ interest folks in what we’re doin’ musically……….usin’ Brice Foster’s new smart phone we shot me, tryin’ t’ play piano as i sing the first verse of a couple tunes……..an appetizer, if you will…….”Fire Fighter” and “The Tree”……..i do a lil’ conversatin’ then, hit it………….i also posted up lil’ snips of song lyrics, folks seemed t’ respond t’ that………didn’t see dat comin’……….”The Tree” n’ “Three Kings In Memphis” both have lyrics dat touch a man…………come see about me………nn
hey now, really had a blast at this weeks shows……Tuesday at Jergels we saw da Pens bein’ eliminated from the playoffs as da band played on and Saturday at Moondogs we played a brilliant 2 n’ a’ half hour first set……..both shows gave us the chance t’ shine……and shine we did…….hey, got into the studio this week n’ cut the acoustic guitar for “The Horse Your Riding”, used the little Martin parlor guitar that my good buddy Jay Flores lent me a couple years ago and refuses to take back…..this tune is shapin’ up like some ole Elton John ballad dat is played in capital letters from da rhythm section up……..also cut Harry Bottoms bass tracks for “Pittsburgh PA” and new tune “Girl With A Gun”…….so now we got 5 tunes recorded for our next release…….”Me n’ Josey Wales” “The Devil” “Pittsburgh PA” “The Horse Your Riding” “Girl With A Gun”…………..i was yackin’ between songs at Saturday’s gig at MoonDogs, talkin’ ’bout Larry Siefers, n’ i said dat Larry only eats food that’s good for him, Larry don’t never eat no crap…….so i told ’em, yo Larry, if you don’t change yer ways, you might live fer ever………i blog cause i can……hugs n’ kisses, da blog dog……
hey now…….HAPPY MOTHERS DAY…….hope ya’ll got a chance t’ see your mom…….hey, Tuesday night, May 13 gonna be a shake up, show down at Jergel’s in Warrendale, in the great northern suburbs a’ Pittsfield Pennsylyucky, hell yes, this 8:00 start time Bike Night Show will be chock full a’ rock, we really enjoy the big stage n’ kickin’ p.a. system dat JERGEL’S offers…….go north young man, go north……..this comin’ Saturday May 17, we gonna be smokin’ some high level stone cold rock n’ roll at the Dog House, MOONDOGS, our shows at this venue have been religious experiences for me n’ mine……..i know dat were touchin’ peoples, as well……..come on out for some ole time religion, some rock n’ roll, n’ some insane conversation…….Pittsburgh rock n’ roll is still alive, goin’ on and on since back in da 70’s……i ain’t never stopped, n’ dat’s almost a miracle……how could one little ginny be so damn hard headed?……it’s in da genes, baby……you can’t lose wit da things i use……..last Friday night at JAMISON’S was a blast, lots a’ bull crappin’, lots a’ laughin’…….it’s crazy, i’m just startin’ t’ realize just how funny the most simple things can be……simple stuff like my parents n’ my Uncle Larry, n’ high school, my crazy friends, bein’ 100 percent Italian, bein’ a life long musician…….on n’ on n’ on n’ on……….started t’ fine tune the vocal melody of “The Devil” this week and in the process, started t’ put together some piano parts……..didn’t git in to the studio this week but did prep work on “Pittsburgh PA” as well as “The Devil”………..it’s been real, n’ you know the deal, it’s only as good as it feels……..you feel me?
My wife and I really enjoyed hearing you again in Altoona. We have been fans since before we were married in ’82, and saw you and the Tigers a lot in those days. Thanks for the tunes and doing what you’re supposed to be doing – and doing it well!
hey Steve, thanks for comin’ out to the show……and thanks for the kind words……i love seein’ folks that remember the The Tigers…….hope t’ see ya’ll again
hey now……..what it look like?…….who stole the kieska? somebody call the cops……..Frankie Yankovic da polka king, from Davis WV………did ya know dat da great Johnnie Johnson was from Fairmont WV?……..hey we goin’ green this Friday at JAMISON’S in Greensburgh PA…….we’re lookin’ t’ git a great gang a knuckelheads out this Friday night, May 9, 2014…..COME ON OUT……..hey, we had a holy hell of a time in Toone Town last night, i’m still highed up from da buzz…….The Church In The Middle Of The Block was da place t’ be……young Nate Meyers n’ his Aces opened up da service wit a throw back kind a’ style but a new fangeled angle on da whole damn mess……these Harrisburgers represent pretty damn well……..we got all 6’6″ a Nate back on stage fer our encore, a slow fry sizzlin’ “Minimum Wage” then a desperate, almost punk blues hit of dat ole Elmore James rave up, “Shake Your Money Maker”, Larry was goosin’ da goose n’ Nate was spittin’ juice thru da Mississippi saxophone…..ya’ll should a’ been ridin’ wit us dat night………..but before dat whole happenin’……me n’ mine had our way wit some fine up standin’ Altoids……Jim Price was in da house, Monica, the patron saint of greyhounds was in da house……..we put togather a great show mixed wit a ton a’ humor and a unique song selection…..”Three Kings In Memphis” was killin’……back at da hotel ’bout 2:00 in da mornin’ my ole buds Felix n’ Bobby from da Hurricanes showed up fer a strong 2 hour hang…….we was laughin’ so hard dat somebody farted thru da laughter, ain’t sayin’ who……….hey, cut a cool geetar track fer “The Horse Your Riding” this week, it’s big n’ bold……D-Rod got it soundin’ huge………..hey, started t’ put together a piano arrangement fer “Glory”, it’s really gonna be cool……also put together a swingin’ piano arrangement fer dat ole Ray Charles classic “I Can’t Stop Loving You”……what a beautiful, yet very sad song……i need t’ see ya live and in person……….please come on out to a show n’ watch me n’ mine blow………..
Dear Norman Nardini, Just wanted to tell you how wonderful you all were performing for us at the Church In The Middle Of the Block. Your band was amazing as well as your guitar playing. What a showman you are. You are our High Priest. WE LOVE YOU and we hope you will consider coming back and play again for us. What a show. You guys are always welcomed at the church. If you are in Altoona Town stop by the church. Frank and his buddies are there Monday and Wednesday nights. KEEP ON ROCKIN …God Bless you all…Frank and Renee Modico.
hey now, how you doin’?….you good?……..i’m all jacked up ’bout this comin’ Satuday, May 3, 2014…..gonna be in Toonetown, translation (Altoona PA) at the Church In The Middle Of The Block………it’s a benefit show that supports the adoption of Greyhounds……we’ll be sharin’ the stage wit an act from our state capital……..Nate Myers and the Aces, i’m lookin’ forward t’ checkin’ these guys out………..had a blast last night at the Map Room, folks young n’ old was havin’ cocktails n’ rockin’ strong……i love when folks in their twenties look up to da stage like they ain’t never seen a real live rock n’ roll band……..it’s like they never got da feelin’ dat gits da girls squeelin’, pain’s they start t’ healin’, when da uncrowned king starts t’ dealin’…..priceless………..played the Penn Hills Coffee House last Wednesday…….got t’ see Eve Goodman and Chuck Beatty do solo acoustic sets, i think i learned a ‘lil from both of ’em…….i didn’t play guitar at this gig, i set up my piano n’ played dat……gotta admit, i was nervous ’bout it……..never really played a solo go on piano before, hell, ain’t played all dat many solo gigs on guitar……..did “Fire Fighter” “The Tree” “Wonder” “Minimum Wage”…………Moondog was also on this show n’ he did a solo slot…….i got back up after Moonie’s hit n’ did one more, “I Fall To Pieces” dat ole Patsy Cline classic………..i love the vibes at the Penn Hills Coffee House………….on Thursday, i started t’ put togather a solo piano arrangement of “Glory”, the song i wrote for my mom, can’t wait till i can present it………..went back in da studio wit Brice Foster on tubs n’ D-Rod (Darrell Rodgers) engineerin’ n’ cut two outstanding rhythm tracks…….layed down “Pittsburgh PA” and a brand new one, “Girl With A Gun”…..i’m proud as a ruttin’ buck ’bout the work we’re doin’ right now……….got 5 rhythm tracks in da bag………”Me n’ Josey Wales” “The Devil” “The Horse Your Riding” “Pittsburgh Pa” “Girl With A Gun”……..new tunes, new life………i wanna stick it right in yer ear…..you feel me?