The Stingers: Bombs Away at the Beach!

Mike Faure' (Saxophone) 

Last Sunday was a monster for bike riding along Chicago's beautiful shoreline which definitely needed the action after a fifteenth month shutdown. Grinding gears up hill, stopping and going. Turning and diving quickly to avoid a high speed impact and shouting words like, "ON YER LEFT"! is just good cycling etiquette, zooming past folks as if they were standing still on this congested thoroughfare. Yes sir,! The Too Much Club is open for business and the Lincoln Park Zoo had much to offer with the monkeys, lions and a lonely Polar Bear that was wishing for winter on this hot summer afternoon. Not much to report at the free zoo. So I flip-flopped back north toward Foster Beach.

Becoming thirsty, I noticed The Dock at Montrose beach, walked on deck and ordered a cold brew and some fish tacos. The outdoor seating was perfect as gentle breeze blew off Lake Michigan where I was maybe forty feet from the small wooden stage. I recall my friends at TNT Chicago playing here a few summers ago before the invisible war and the many suicidal casualties  lost on the front lines. However, the wonderful world of music will always been plagued with rock stars with lost hopes and dreams of becoming rich and famous. And today was no different.

Since 2011, The Stingers have been preforming live shows all over Chicago, Rockford and Blue Island. But that's all a big fat lie. Their docket stated that The Stingers have played in the surrounding area and that could suggest places like Niles, Jefferson Park and The Penny Road Pub. I may have Facebook fact check this and have my attorney review my article before it's published. Fuck all that nonsense!  There's no time for all that and we need to get moving on this show review. 

Opening up the show with an Amy Winehouse classic titled: "Rehab" with a nice steady tempo as the spectators sway to the snappy beat. Watching the bright orange wedge drip from a Blue Moon beer on the hot wooden table, my friend Mark Rainman shows up. "Dude, What's up?" he shouts with glee. "Take a seat Rainman," I said. This band sounds pretty good, but the chick on stage doesn't look like the girl I have on file." I was referring to the lovely female vocalist, Yvette Lee. Again, my sources are full of Miss Information and that can get a man killed during war time. 

The Stingers came out strong on stage, yet their audience was weak with that feel-good energy that most musicians crave. Mark Rainman came back with two double shot Margaritas for us as the band played songs such as "Walking on Sunshine" and "I Love Rock-n-Roll."  Mark was having buyers remorse paying $50.00 for only two drinks and the lead vocalist/ guitarist Rick Ricchiuto was taking request for The Stingers next set on stage.  I wrote out a request list with song such as "Fuck Like a Beast" (WASP) "Balls to the Wall" (Accept) and "Angel Fuck" (Misfits) gave the list to Mark to give to the band and management almost tossed him out again.  

Perhaps these song were too complex for these Frank Zappa fans and simpler chord progression would be in order for this family friendly concert event at The Dock. The most impressive band members are Mike Faure' (saxophone) and bassist Mitch Ferris. These two musicains created a dynamic force that Sunday evening and with that in mind, The Stingers get a satisfactory performance as they closed the their set with the blues hit titled: "Messing With The Kid" written by Junior Wells. You gotta love that smooth bass line and saxophone complementing each other under the blue and purple stage lights. I suggest coming down to The Dock for more summer fun before The Too Much Fun Club gets shuts down by the Mayor of Chicago. 
      

 

The Northside Band Beach Party Review.

Northside

Summer is right around the corner folks and dancing to the Latin beat, getting sunburn in the crazy heat, and all those memories shared, as children play and eat is just part of the American Dream. For myself, it's live music and cold beers and last week had been very busy. I spent most of my time on Lake Shore Drive bike riding to the Museum Campus and back to Uptown in Chicago. 

On Saturday, the traffic along the beach exits was pure madness and everyone driving like fuckers to get "There" first, where ever that may be located is just rude. Using my bike to breeze pass the Fuzz and right inside The Too Much Fun Club I noticed the place was packed so I booked a reservation for an hour later. I locked my bike smoked a blunt and could hear the music from the live band at approximately 50 yards away north as I sat under the shade of a small tree listing to "Hey Jude" written by the Beatles. 

The Dock at Montorse Beach was jammed packed and everyone here wanted to see The Northside Band. But let's not confuse them with the English alternative rock band from Manchester that was banned by the BBC. "Let's Take A Trip" had been released in 1998 with government restrictions with no airtime due to the song's suggestive drug content, still hit the top 50 Billboard Charts 

That's the problem here as I sit in the plush green grass and this heavy police presents harasses small families violating their Fifth Amendment Right. Next, a
team of firetrucks scream loud down the beach to rescue a drowned victim. As Air Mobile flies above, I checked out The Chicago Northside Band's docket and discovered each member live in Chicago,IL. Band members include, Rebecca Bolluyt (lead vocalist/keyboards) Louie Kritikos (lead guitar) George Skoubis (rhythm guitar) Bob Spoils (bass) and drummer, Chris Stamos make up this five piece ensemble of Rock-n-Roll Thunder! 

Arriving for Northside's second set, they opened with "Highway Tune"  and the blunt I smoked earlier kicked in with the Blue Moon once "White Rabbit" was preformed. The Dock was spinning, my brain happy swimming in dangerous chemicals. "Remember what the doctor" said, belted out Bolluyt, and I did as she order and feeding my head full of booze that whole night.  The food from the galley wisp with thick juicy aromas in the night summer sky outside. Other song included: "Boot Are Made For Walking" and "Proud Marry" had the crowd wanting more. I ran into an old friend that wanted to dance naked on the stage. He was so wasted and told me he was king around these parts. I should have let him dance up there in his birthday suit but said, "Don't fuck with those people. They're at work and they may not like that Mark. "Not a good idea," I explained.  

Northside Band closed out their set with classic tune by the Beastie Boys titled: "Sabotage" and mixed it up with a montage of "Rolling on the River" and smooth bass line by Spilios. Some rotten chicks at the table next to me left a dollar upside down in cup full of water on the table as a tip. "Look how shitty that is, I said to myself. It's time go home, People Suck! 

Northside Band did not suck. In fact, they rocked the night away and fill the Dock with good vibes and positive energy that Saturday night. Rumors are brewing about them playing Blarney Island next weekend. I suggest you set sail with some Capt. Morgan and check these groovy cats out before summer is gone this year. 

  

Facebook, The Communist Community

Mark Zuckerberg is like an American vampire that cast no shadow, yet his shadow rules all over our social network. Folks have been trying to reach me via Facebook regarding more Wuhan friut bats in heat and flying back to the United States. I can not confrim nor deny anything about the Wuhan laboratory, but what I can say is that I've been in Facebook Jail again for another seven days without a fair trial. In a free society we have what is know as Due Process that states...."No State (Community) Shall Make or Enforce Any Law Which Shall Abridge The Privileges or Immunities of Citizens of The United States." And in this country an Outlaw Journilist such as myself should go to court and see the judge. However, my last post about an Angry Orange Man and buring down cities did not follow Facebook community standards and I was sent up river. Ken Kope, Mike Dove and Eddie Bak are always being put in Facebook Jail for expressing their opinons. Soon our Divider-in-Chief, Joe Biden would like to see everyone in real prison to get free labor out of the poor. There is no public danger talking shit on Facebook and removing our Liberty for a punchline has become a way of tyranny in this counrty. I was placed in jail for posting "Kill the Head and the Body Will Die" and again with no trail, I was forced to go back to the Hole. This may sound funny today, but what if our governmant could really lock us up and place us in some tyep of living hell without a fair trial? This is not good and we need to wake up before it's too late. We have four clowns in office and they want to give away the whole circus and with Zuckerberg controlling free speech, this country is doomed. Since all this nonsense began, I went from 1200 readers a post to only 21 viewers reading The Bad Americans. The world of Facebook clout is comming to an soon and Zuckerberg's team of egg heads will be dropping the "Like" button in the near future. "We are removing likes and focusing on followers,explained Mashable publication in a press relese. The new update will be rolled out officially to all the Facebook pages in the coming months. Facebook was spotted testing a new design for pages last year in July which included removing the ‘like button’ to give a cleaner design for pages. I say, "Fuck all that!" and will soon leave this Facebook Prison and try not drink the Kool-Aid this time. Hell, being locked up inside your cell phone device is unhealthy anyway, and no one cares about your Adult Beverage that you post on the weekends. What we should care about is giving our freedom away to bunch of wild whore-beast ready to strip us of our God-given-Rights!

Operation: Long-Shot, Failed But Not Forgotten.

                        Blackened & Maiden Chicago Preforms at Bourbon Street.  

Maiden Chicago. Photo By: Robb Estland

Not all battles are victorious and not every operation is successful. For example, Operation: Paperclip, and Operation: Bloodstone had a major influence in American society.   However, Operation: Long-Shot was not about Nazis propaganda or kidnapping German scientist to plunder their knowledge and steal the secrets to build the Death Star. No sir, My battle is against poverty and the mission was to have Blackened & Maiden Chicago play at my college graduation party for all my friends, family and professors in Chicago, Illinois. Perhaps my poor leadership skills, lack of planing along with shitty outside weather had much to do with the failed outcome for a canceled operation. Even General Patton was forced to pull the plug on this emotional drain, and then it hit me like a cold bucket of water, that I do not matter in this life. 

I am a small  man with small dreams and these are great men with great dreams. John Dent is a powerful attorney with his own law office. And Dan Driskill owns several tractor/ trailers, pulling large carnivals across the country. As for myself, I would like to rip the tendons from my hand, so that I do not have to live in the grip of reality. Many questions will remain when this is all gone. What will they say about Blackened & Maiden Chicago? That they were wise men? That they were talented musicians? That they were generous with both time and resources? All is true and without the music and their kindred sprites of these men, there is chance I would not be here now telling my tail. 

On May 08, 2021 our driver, Ricky Bobby and award winning photo journalist, Ken Kope picked me up in 1978 Black El Camion known as the Black Night.  I was forced to sit bitch between Ken & Bobby as we raced to see to see Maiden Chicago and Blackend live at Merrionette Park, Illinois. Topping speeds at over 105 mph we arrived at Bourbon Street at 7:43 PM just making it there before we had to pay the $10.00 cover. Our associate, John Gusman could not make the show and warned us about the north side of the establishment and the yuppie Billy Idol fans that roost there. 

We had moved to the south part of the Establishment and spotted lead guitarist, Al Contreras and did shot together and I wished him luck on stage that night. The place was bullshit with the reserved setting arrangements and patron David Ramirez would agree. "When I tried getting seats online, Bourbon Street said No Way!" said Ramirez. Plus they stated there would be plenty of seating for everyone. This was no true, so I was forced to seize a table under the jurisdiction of the Collegiate Press to cover this story.

At Nine o'clock in the evening the lights are set low and the Maiden Chicago opens with "Aces High" and at 9:01 they restarted their introduction. Okay, take two, "I said to myself whispering under my breath. The band looks a little nervous tonight," I thought. Anyway, All the classics had been preformed and I suggest they update Maiden Chicago's website. I don't know who the singer is and too me, that matters. After Texted Facebook, I found out the new lead vocalist is   Taran de Pablos that has a powerful range and style. He closed the set with "Hallowed Be Thy Name."  

Next up was Blackened and what a night to remember folks! This was all about old school Metallica hits. "Trapped Under Ice"  was awesome to hear live. However, the younger fans did not seem to understand that dynamic force that once drove Metal to new heights. The best part of the show was when Vincent Ochwat would bounce the drum stick off the snare and into the audience. The fans would toss the sticks back to Big V and they continued this until the end of the song. What song you ask? I was too drunk to remember and with that in mind, it was time to leave and say good bey to everyone. 

This was a great show, and these are great men and one day when this is all over, I can honestly say that I was part of something great as well. What's not great is leaving in fear and band members still wearing mask. That is not Metal and that weaken the player's performance. Trust me, I am a Doctor of Journalism and covering your face tells me you are still afraid of the invisible enemy. Not one band member wore a mask in Maiden Chicago and I proclaim them to be the most fearless tribute metal band in the Nation. There are no Mask in Heavy Metal music and this one guy running around looked like a fly wearing his dark looking bug eyed glasses and blue surgical mask. For a moment I though her was going land on someones food and shit all over someone's meal as he rubbing his hands like a nasty bar fly that he was.  Only a coward will hide behind a mask and live in fear and  shame. Stand Up, and Mask Down America! The battle has just begun. 

          

The Grand Re-Opening Of Navy Pier 2021

 

On April 30, 2021, Navy Pier re-opened its door after being shut down for over a year due the Corona Virus Pandemic.  This  has been a very dangerous vice, yet, millions of people are still hooked on wearing masks and will suffer grievously with fear. Traditions having been dying off like dead flies and if you look around, one can see the emptiness behind those eyes of broken will.  However, I was able to spot five friendlies that did not live in the silent fear of uncertainty and enjoyed the Four Star Brass Band. 

Once the toe-tapping fun was over, it was time to enjoy an adult beverage at Margaritaville on this brisk and windy afternoon. "Do as the Romans," I said to myself, and I ordered the Perfect Margarita loaded with plenty Gold & Sliver Tequilas. With a twist of lime and orange, a fierce gust of wind blew that son-of-a-bitch right into my lap. "That's just great," I mumbled. Fuck!  Anyway, my ship was about to sail and I was invited by Navy Pier to take part in the Architectural Tour for approximately 95 minutes.

Ah Yes, Navy Pier has always been media friendly and that's why I love going there so much. But with this new Vax Pass I am a bit worried that Navy Pier will be treating people a little different. The Third Reich has arrived and you better have your papers in order. There where more Chicago Police Officers then there were patrons and this is just the beginning folks. Our window of freedom is closing quickly and Navy Pier will be the Beta testing site.

The new Sable Hotel is a good example with their generic looking facade shaped like three large rectangles. In the future, I can see this being used as officer's quarters during World War Seven and folks without the Vax Pass will be shipped out to Detroit, Michigan. I was buzzing off some Blue Moon when I noticed that the signal towers have changed as well. My bones are cold as the strong wind keeps slapping my face and need to get off this vessel immediately!   

Anyway, the CDC guidelines are in place and The Too Much Fun Club is open once again. My lunch at Harry Caray's was evidence and with a pint of Guinness and the Holy Cow Burger, life was good once again.  In truth, I was in the mental hospital twice last year and I almost did not make it out alive in 2020 and now a year a later I am back on top of the world. Remember folks Our Government hates us and would like to see the poor parish. Do not let them win, and head over to Navy Pier before the Brown Shirts get there. The Middle class shall rise against the political machine and victory shall be ours together. 

   

      

Prince: The Day Our Music Died

 

There is no more Miss American Pie because it's made in China, and I remember not so long ago when folks were happy and the music made them smile. We have sold our Chevy for a used Toyota mini-van only  to find that the levy was dry due to the water shortage around the world.  History is repeating itself once again and if you study the lyrics of Don McLean most will concur that our next generation is lost in Space-X.  However, there was this one guy that could make everyone dance the night away and his name was Prince.  

Born Prince Rodgers Nelson in Minneapolis, Minnesota on June 7th 1958 had produced his first song at the age of 7-years old titled: "Funk Machine." There is long and rich history with Prince and Warner Brothers Music with songs such as "Kiss" "Girls & Boys" and countless others. At 17-years of age, Prince signed a three record deal and wrote "Manic Mondays" for the Bangles. Not only that, he co-wrote for Madonna and helped out on a Bat Man motion picture.  "Batdance" & "Partyman" tanked and "Arms of Orion" was no one hit wonder to say the lease. 

Not only did Prince earn 8 Grammy's, 6 American Music Awards and an Oscar for his performance in Purple Rain his was the last true American icon. I never liked Prince's dance music, but you have to show respect to a man that can play 37 musical instruments. And after his Dubbed Love Symbol I saw in Las Vegas, Nevada, back in 1999, my mind had warped and I wanted to become the Symbol of Doom. But never all that. Let's move on, shall we? 

With four motion pictures under his belt, 32 albums and selling over 100 million records, Prince was ask to play the NFL Halftime for Super Bowl. Over 140 million people witnessed that greatest performance of all time unless you where a Chicago Bears fan. The Indianapolis Colts had come full circle on the grid-iron on Super Bowl forty-two and smoked the Chicago Bears with a final score 29-17. This was a great time to be alive and things are different today and not in a good way.     

On April 21, 2016 Prince Rodgers Nelson died of an accidental drug overdose using fentanyl. There is much more that needs to investigated and I suggest that foul play was involved. But with no evidence, there is no case to solve. However, something touched me deep inside the year our music died.  It's been five long years without any snappy dance beats and we're stuck with some emo twat named Billie Eilish, just another court jester to the musical Royal bloodline. So go ahead and read that book on Carl Marks and I'll sing Iron Maiden in the dark, because the music has died.   So bye-bye, Miss American Pie. Lady Liberty is going to miss you very much. 
   

Bill Cosby Heads To Supreme Court

Being fleeced, humiliated and sentenced 3 to 10 years in prison, America's dad is heading to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court for a new trial. That's right folks, Bill Cosby the creator of Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids, is paying a team of lawyers to fight for a Standard of Reviews. Proof and lack of evidence will be the focal point in tomorrow's trial as Cosby was charged back in 2004 for drugging and allegedly sexual attacking five women. Bad acts and controversial action will be decided by the jury as Judge O'Neal listens to both arguments in this predatoraly behavior by Cosby. 

However, in the Kingdom of Film & Television, white devils with blue eyes control this industry. They would never allow Cosby to bid for NBC and get that peacock to fly again. When Cosby wanted to purchase the mega network from General Electric; folks laughed and clowned on him like some joke, but that never brought him down.  The deal was worth 6.3 billion dollars and those jekylls over at G.E. was not going to sell their business to a black man. No Sir, not I Spy, not Fat Albert and never an African American. Not in this country full of smoke and mirrors.  

Anyway, the Supreme Court has 90 days to make a diction and from the looks of this case, Cosby will not be getting out anytime soon. In fact, he will not even be attending court as he awaits for the jury to make the call. Being alone with some little blue pills and some Wild Turkey and watching the Electric Company is not a good idea at Cosby's crib and keep in mind that no one is safe. If they have dirt on you, be planed to get burred alive. Bob Seger said it best in his Shakedown lyrics, "It's okay won't you shine, but once you step across that line no matter where you hide, I am coming after you." And he's right. The moral of the story is clear as an empty wine glass for the world to witness...Except for those rotten bastards over at NBC that would entertain some kind of race war. Keep in mind that the media is just a pack of wild dogs ready to devour anyone for a good story.