I Shall Be Released

Henry and the Bat

I am back at Waterfront Studios, doing the final overdubs, mix and master for "Love is the Message". It's great to be back with Rachel and Henry, and by the end of today, we will have finished an amazing album.

Last night we had a an unwanted visitor. A bat had gotten in, and was trying to record up in the sanctuary.

Henry, his wife Tina, and Rachel Alina burst into action. Within seconds, they had a plan of attack. Here is Henry's part of the plan. It involved a swiffer.

Click here to view in You Tube.

Judgement Day

Well, Judgement Day came and went. My deepest regret to anyone who euthanized your fish or bunnies in anticipation of the rapture.

I realized that I never posted pictures from the Judgement Day Dance Party. It went beyond our expectations. We were frankly surprised at first by the sheer number of people left behind by the Lord.

Here are some great pictures by host Jamie Moffett. It was an amazing crowd...




They were so hungry for some sort of spiritual direction, so I led them in a mystical dance....










Rumi and the Half-Truth get on the Hip Ship


















Noami Salaami on the keys
















Check out my killer energy gloves. You want some sexy gloves like these?

PS Some of the drink money went to benefit this!

We want to play in your home! Book us for house concerts at johnny@johnnyshowcase.com

Happy Birthday, Prince

This one's for you...
From our 2009 Fringe Festival Odyssey Purr, Pull, Reign.

Don't be mad.

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?