Cocaine Sandwich- Behind the Scenes

The lead vocals for Cocaine Sandwich was one of the last things we tracked in Hudson. The Sons of Thunder had all left, and Rumi and I were tuckered from ten days of straight 12 hour workdays. I was feeling good and funky, but it turns out that my "s"- sounds were plum exhausted. Click here to view full size.

(The Making of) Push That Rock

I'm still recovering from my two weeks in Hudson. I returned to South Philly, eager to reconnect with my neighbors, only to find that one of them had freshly vomited on the sidewalk directly outside my house. But Dotty was so happy to see me, I really didn't mind.

Many people are asking me about my experience in the studio, so I compiled a video about the making of one of the hits from my upcoming debut album, "Love is the Message".



View full size on You Tube HERE.

Wade in the Waterfront

It's been a week straight of eating, sleeping, and drinking nothing but "Love is the Message". We start at about 11am, after some coffee, and go well into the night. Most of the tracking has taken place in this gorgeous old sanctuary. Photos by Noami Salami





Workin' it out with Rumi Kitchen



In the control room, giving a listen



Co-Producer Henry Hirsch



Some of Henry's credentials...



Co-producer Rachel Alina Russell

Waterfront Studios

It's been an incredible ride so far, recording our album "Love is the Message".

Check it out!

A Poem: Dear Dear Tick

This poem is the first part of my second cannon "Things That Are Really Small, But Make A Difference". It is dedicated to the deer tick at the Folk Festival in Chester County that gave me Lyme Disease last June.

Dear Deer Tick,
Are you Joking Me?
Seriously, Deer Tick, are you kidding?
Who do you think you are, to begin with, anyway?
You hide out in the tall grass,
Waiting for me as I pass, flying a kite, or
Basically skipping in the sunlight of morning.
Just being myself, Deertick.
Just trying to be a pal and get along with everybody
And then you jump on me, and treat my body like
Your personal clubhouse, and you call me your host
Like my body is a party. Is my body a party?
Is it, Deertick? Because I feel wicked awful right now
You raptured my body with a hurricane of flu-like syptoms
Dear Deertick,
This poem is plum awful.
You were a moment
Lyme disease is forever
You locked into my with your never unclenching jaws
With undying fervor. Fervormore, Deertick,
I hate you with my soul.
You alone hit my bullseye rash
And Doxycycline hurts my stomach.
Dear Deertick...

3 Weeks Until We Record!

On April 18th, I am going to pack the Sons of Thunder into my Ford Taurus, and drive up to Hudson, NY to record my very first record with legendary producer Henry Hirsch (Lenny Kravitz, Madonna).

I can feel the hot breath of my own anticipation, going over songs in my sleep, working on schedules and contracts...

I've also been brushing up on my trumpet, as I am going to be laying down my own horn tracks, alongside bassist Andrew Nelson, who is doubling on trombone and also doing some horn arranging.

We are doing ten or eleven songs, including many of our hit numbers...

James Sugg

There are few artists who really have their finger on the pulse of a generation. James Sugg says that I am one of them.

I first met Sugg when I moved to Philly from Rhode Island. I was looking for someone to accompany me on the accordion. He never called me back, so I invited and fellow Rhode Islander, Deb "Stache" Sorenson, to join me. I tried for a while to pass her off as James Sugg, and I think it worked for a while... This, of course, led to an artistic relationship that lasted until Stache quit last year, outside the Fringe Cabaret at 2:30 a.m.

But I have been able to admire James through all of his successes and awards, especially with my good friends at Pig Island Theatre Company. This resulted in a wonderful song that debuted at the last Lefty Lucy Cabaret in February. James Sugg, this is for you.

PW Shoot Footage

Here's some footage from my photo shoot last week. It was a strange and blustery night outside the Ric Rac. I had just come from a gig across town, and happened to have my guitar with me...

Run For Cover!

To be honest, I've tried to be very cool about this. I've played it off, and tried to say that this is just part of business, but Mama Ciacassi called me up, crying. She is just so proud. And I have to say, I'm a little proud, too. So here it is. My very first cover and feature article. Thanks to Tara Murtha and photographer Jeff Fusco. Read the article here...

Photo By John Huber

Connie's Ric Rac, February 19, 2011

Album Recording Dates!!

Every time we play, people are asking when an album is coming out... Well, I am thrilled to announce that I have finally found a great producer for my very first studio album. On April 18, Rumi Kitchen, the Truth, the Sons of Thunder and I are heading up to Hudson, NY, where we will spend ten days in the studio with legendary producer Henry Hirsch, who has produced all of Lenny Kravitz's albums. He is also responsible for Madonna's "Justify My Love", which stands as one of the great compositions of the late 20th Century. He has also worked with Mick Jagger and Michael Jackson! His next masterpiece, My Album to-be-named, will be out this summer! Stay tuned to the blog for details...

I became connected with Henry as I was working on my own self-produced album, Mystic Ticket, and called my old pal Rachel Russell to see if she would mix it. She now works for Henry, and encouraged me to send my stuff to him. He fell in love with our sound, and with Rachel, will co-produce my record in a studio built in a beautiful old church... Don't worry, the psychedelic odyssey Mystic Ticket will be out next year!

Darling Vikki

Vickie Fastlane, I've been thinking of you. Every now and then, Martha leaves the room for a fluffing, and I get to thinking of how it used to be. You and me, Vickie. Here is some footage from Purr, Pull, Reign. It wasn't my shining hour of kindness, but you understand. Plus, the Six Lady Dancers are so incredibly sexy, I can't even stand it.

2 Night Stand!!

This weekend's shows at Connie's Ric Rac were simply incredible. The Sons of Thunder were just out of this world... It must have been the full moon, or the incredible blustering wind that swept thru Philly all day Saturday. But the crowd was just wild, and we gave them just what they wanted.



Early on, the program was interrupted by this real pervert named Raymond Charles II, who turned out to be hear just to steal my women.... He did sing a nice little ditty, though...



Martha even showed up! I just knew she would... At first it was extremely awkward, after I was stood up on Valentine's Day.



All was set right later in the evening, with a stirring rendition of my hit song, "Push That Rock"



Pictures and more videos to come!!

Set List 2/18, 2/19

Hip Ship
Woman, You My Woman
Baby Come Over
Raymond---- Seduced
Hit it from the Back
Chairman Mao
Martha and Johnny ----I Can't Make You Love Me/ I'm Gonna Make You Love Me
Love is the Message
Rumi Kitchen----Tomorrow Never Knows
Shalamon
Martha and Johnny ------ Push That Rock
"James Sugg"

Fingernail Clipping of the Moon
Sensual, Not Sexual/ Cocaine Sandwich

Songwriting Instruction Series

Due to the overwhelming requests I've received via email, I've begun a series of videos that give insight into the mysteries of songwriting. Let me know what you think! (view on You Tube for full screen)

Back in the Day

This week's Cabaret marks two years since we began to kill it at Connie's Ric Rac. How young we were. I'm gonna miss you, Stache. I can't believe I would ever say that. Here is the poster from the first ever Connie's Ric Rac Lefty Lucy...

Valentine's Day

Martha, I need you today. Maybe it's memories of my ex-wife Bonnie, but today makes me so sad and sometimes nauseous. I rented Pink Flamingos for us to watch, our first date movie. Remember? You cried in the end, and I kissed your tears. Your eyelashed came off in my teeth, and we just laughed and laughed.You haven't called. Remember how happy we were once? Will you at least come to the cabaret this weekend?

Johnny at Pig Island

Last week, we blew the lid off of the Trocadero and the Pig Island Theatre Company Benefit. 700 people were witness to the miraculous Sons of Thunder, playing our new hit "hip ship", as long as classics "Sensual (Not Sensual)" and "Love is the Message", complete with a horn section! Here is a peak from backstage.



Martha and I met again, our one year anniversary after we were theatrically wed. I would like to say that it went well, but I'm afraid I would be telling a tale. It turns out we are on the outs again. I was twitting her all night, and tried to reach her backstage. Her dresser and bodyguard, Max, would not let me see her. The only reason I showed up at the benefit was because she didn't show up for the movie night I had planned. I rented "Beaches". I hope to see her at Connie's. Martha, come home.

Photos HERE

Some photos from backstage:

Rumi and the Truth:



The group at ease:



Martha was just shining that night on Pig Island. Her arm hair was glistening in the limelight, and her voice just soared in transcendence among the choir. I tried to catch her eye, to no avail... i'm hurting inside.

Back to the Ric Rac!

That's right, lovers. Be there.... My theatrical wife, Martha Graham Cracker will be making an appearance, as well as local lady killer Raymond Charles II. You might not want to attempt eye contact with him. That's how he gets you...
get tickets here!

Available for Private Events

This November, Rumi Kitchen, Noami Salami, The Truth and I blessed the home of Marj Rosenblum with an intimate acoustic concert. The night was filled with food, music, and stories. A local gypsy fortune teller even came to share the future.

I really pulled through with this emotional version of "Hit it From the Back". As you can tell my arm is in a sling. I sustained a fracture in my elbow.

Here is the story:

In early November, I left my South Philly Apt late at night to play my numbers and maybe get some chocolate milk.

I stopped at the 7-11 at 10th and Snyder, where I saw my old friend Tony, who I knew from St. Raphael Academy in Pawtucket. I hadn't seen him in years. I dated his sister Marie, who also moved down here. For years, Antonio had a great gig Dj-ing weddings and other events. His sister used to be a plant at the events to get people moving on the dance floor. Apparently no one would question if she was invited or not. She had a familiar face.

So I was real surprised to see him, and find out that he was still Dj-ing weddings. I'm trying to get into private events myself, and I thought it was surreptitious. He said, of course, everything is do-it-yourself now a days, and you really have to set up your own system, set up the disco balls, have an interweb presence, etc.

He also said it just so happens that Marie had recently married a former DJ, also named Tony, who had come into some remote control dico balls that he was looking to get rid of, and would I be interested? Now, I have been on the market for two disco balls, one for home use, and one to use professionally.

He said I could get two balls for $125, which is a steal, considering Dino's Party store on 9th and Morris wants to charge me $80 for one them, which is bullshit, and they know that.

So I jumped in Antonio's car and we went over to 7th and Shunk, where Marie and Tony were staying with his mother. Tony said the balls were in the basement, and we had their permission to go get them. Apparently we had to into the basement through the bulkhead to get them. Tony was selling them on the sly, because Marie wasn't supposed to know he wasn't still Dj-ing.

Tony asked me to go in by myself, which I thought right away was a bit suspicious. But he had been listening to the rebroadcast of Radio Times with Marty Moss-Coane, and I had heard it earlier, so I agreed.

So I open the bulkhead to the basement. It's totally dark, except for the light shining down from the kitchen through the closed basement door. I sneak down, as I as was told not to wake the house, and begin to look around for the disco balls. I can actually see them, reflecting the light from the kitchen. I grab them, and I am about to leave, when I hear some wicked weird sounds coming from upstairs. They are sexual in nature, I think, but I am not certain. It sounds a bit like crying, and chewing. Someone is playing "Back in Black" over and over again. I can't make it out, everything was so confusing, but I couldn't tell if someone was being hurt.

I slowly climbed up the steps of the basement, holding my breath and listening. I hadn't really formed a plan of what to do, I figured I would just wing it. The crying got louder, someone else was screaming what sounded like medical jargon. The ten o'clock news was blaring about healthcare reform. I really couldn't make it out.

Just then the door opened. Marie was dressed in sequens and clown face. She screamed. I screamed, and then fell down the steps. I grabbed the disco balls and ran out to find Antonio gone. I then blacked out.

I am still healing from the incident, two and a half months later. I still don't have full range of motion in my left arm, which the doctor said is ok. Apparently Alan Iverson doesn't have full motion in his shooting arm, and he is a bigger celebrity than I am.

Enjoy the video, then please hire me to do your next private event. I have my own equipment, including a disco ball, which I got cheap.

Johnny on the Kickstarter!