On stage at Metro Gallery, Baltimore, Md. The backdrop was a crazy painting!
Departing from Casa Hankin. My dad doesn't actually report for the New York Herald circa 1932, that's just the only hat he has.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Baltimore Pixxx
Joe here. Just adding a couple of pictures to Ray's account of our night in Baltimore:
On stage at Metro Gallery, Baltimore, Md. The backdrop was a crazy painting!
Departing from Casa Hankin. My dad doesn't actually report for the New York Herald circa 1932, that's just the only hat he has.
On stage at Metro Gallery, Baltimore, Md. The backdrop was a crazy painting!
Departing from Casa Hankin. My dad doesn't actually report for the New York Herald circa 1932, that's just the only hat he has.
Action Painters bassist/ghost writer Ray here.
Night three of the tour brought us to the Metro Gallery in Baltimore. Right after unloading we gave an interview to B'more blog Vinyl Visions (whose writers had to talk their way in after they were turned away for being under 21). Pretty in-depth stuff, too; we covered everything from favorite food to the difference between a Venn diagram and a Van diagram, the latter being who gets shotgun on the looming nine hour drive to Athens, OH.
We played against the backdrop of artist Brian C. Baker's ethereal painting series Soulforms, whose massive scale fit the giant gallery space just right. Nice turnout since the show doubled as AP guitarist/local hero Joe Hankin's homecoming (big ups once again to the 'rents, Craig and Esther Hankin).
Loaded out, drank down the street at Club Charles, piled back in the van and headed to Paper Moon for a 2 AM early/late breakfast with Joe's electron microscopist buddy Ned, called it a night.
So now it's on to Philly for cheesesteak and cheap beer. I promise I will blackout by the end of the night since my girl Cameron will be in attendance, and today she turns 23! It is impossible to outdrink a birthday girl, although I will give it my all.
On a serious note I've gotta say RIP Bea Arthur from our very own Golden Girls superfan and keyboardist Allison.
Come on Philly.
Night three of the tour brought us to the Metro Gallery in Baltimore. Right after unloading we gave an interview to B'more blog Vinyl Visions (whose writers had to talk their way in after they were turned away for being under 21). Pretty in-depth stuff, too; we covered everything from favorite food to the difference between a Venn diagram and a Van diagram, the latter being who gets shotgun on the looming nine hour drive to Athens, OH.
We played against the backdrop of artist Brian C. Baker's ethereal painting series Soulforms, whose massive scale fit the giant gallery space just right. Nice turnout since the show doubled as AP guitarist/local hero Joe Hankin's homecoming (big ups once again to the 'rents, Craig and Esther Hankin).
Loaded out, drank down the street at Club Charles, piled back in the van and headed to Paper Moon for a 2 AM early/late breakfast with Joe's electron microscopist buddy Ned, called it a night.
So now it's on to Philly for cheesesteak and cheap beer. I promise I will blackout by the end of the night since my girl Cameron will be in attendance, and today she turns 23! It is impossible to outdrink a birthday girl, although I will give it my all.
On a serious note I've gotta say RIP Bea Arthur from our very own Golden Girls superfan and keyboardist Allison.
Come on Philly.
tour press
People have been writing about us and our tour.
Broken Bell
Pasta Prima
Vinyl Visions
Brightest Young Things
Broken Bell
Pasta Prima
Vinyl Visions
Brightest Young Things
Friday, April 24, 2009
Day 2 - New Hope - New Bag of Corn Chips
Day 2
Venue: John & Peter's
City: New Hope, Penn.
Band's Caloric Intake: 6800
Band's Mood Ring Color: Orangish
Phrase of the Day: "Get me awaaaay from those Fritos"
After several hours of serene suburban sprawlin' we got into pre-gig mode. Applied make up, stretched out our jazz hands and played a variety of Commie trust games. On our way out of Baltimore we stopped for a spiritual re-charge at the local Guitar Center. I bought some sticks, Allison bought a keyboard stand, Tom was trying to barter with a guy in Pro Audio for his goatee - but failed.
In the car I devised a game that I believe will catch on very quickly in the US - The rules are simple, the pleasure is unimaginable. It doesn't have a name yet but I am open to suggestions. Basically, one names 2 real full names from ones high school and one made-up name. After this, the other bored, nauseous passengers then have to guess which name is bullshit. Extra points for you if you can keep the first name constant (i.e. John Glenn, John Roberts, John Balls) or construct believable sounding Indian surnames.
Three short hours later we arrived in New Hope. New Hope is a great town if you like over priced tie-dye gear and yuppies pretending to be hippies pretending to like you. I kid, I kid, its a great town, home to The Bucks County Play House, where I won an acting award several years back for my one man review "Shelly Long: Where The Shit Are You?"
We arrived at the bar and announced ourselves. This was met with smiles and confusion since we walked into the wrong fucking bar. Too bad- the bar looked cool. At the right bar, John and Peters, we loaded out with the help of some locals who were wonderfully kind and juiced for our set.
John and Peters is a cool looking venue, cavernous and cottagey - blues & rock semi- famous rockers pictures pepper the walls. The stage is situated smack in the middle of the room and carpeted really really nicely. I think the stage doubles as a gymnasium for toddlers during the days. The sound is pretty good and the lighting rig is no joke man.
We set up, drank beer, ate various foods and talked to locals. We hit the stage with a mission to rock and by all accounts succeeded - though Tom's amp died two songs in, and the NHL playoffs are systematically trying to fuck our draw, we overcame these obstacles and played a spirited and energetic set. The highlights included a powerful "Sooner or Later," "That's Alright Momma" Featuring Z-Cup on lead vox, and my personal fav of the night Tom sharing with the audience that he is indeed the son of Cindy Lauper and either Sting or Captain Lou Albano.
The crowd felt our heat and were thoroughly entertained. We made some friends, some cash and a thoroughly strong enough response by the club to be asked back again on a Saturday - Holla Holla!
And so we did our thing in New Hope and hit the road back to Baltimore. On the way home I once again debated Tom on the merit and glory of right wing, religious or wacky sports talk radio. Allison and Joe slept, Ray serviced himself in the back row for most of the trip, all the while barking uncontrollably every time he saw a bright red car. Why do you do that Ray...? Perhaps we will find out later this tour.
Amit
More photos + video (below post has max of 5 lame)
A few pics from this morning + video from last night.
Day 2 of the Tour in New Hope: A Night of Firsts
I'm not going to write much today cause it's technically "Amit's day." Whatever. Today is day #3 of the tour. We played New Hope last night after a failed attempt at stenciling the amps and drums (who knew the spray paint we found in Joe's parents' garage would be old and empty?)
New Hope was quaint and smokey. You can smoke inside there no shit. Joe, Ray, and Tom had cigs hanging from their lips while rocking it, which looked like more trouble than it was worth to me. We played to a rocking room, and since we were the only band on the bill we kept the jams coming despite Tom's blown amp. I sang a little "That's Alright Mama" live for the first time for the enjoyment of everyone. I also played behind a double-stack keys stand for the first time - very strange. Wall of keys! A night of firsts indeed. Here are some photos - enjoy!
XO,
Allison + Action Painters
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