The Twelve Days of Wood
by Alan Rand

New York Waste, Dec. 2004

In three years, Frank Wood's multiple day celebration of his November Scorpio birthday has become a new New York City tradition. What makes it significant (no, not Frank's birthday as he likes to think) is that Frank puts together some of the best bands on the New York Music scene. Other promoters, like Steve Blush, help Frank celebrate. Venues this year were Don Hill's, The Cutting Room, Pussycat Lounge, The C-Note and Otto's Shrunken Head in Manhattan and Grand Central Bar and Boogaloo in Williamsburg.

Lenny Kaye chose Wood Day 5 to celebrate 40 years of making music (He'll have another 40 years easily). That night, a Sunday at Otto's Shrunken Head, was magic. Lenny performed solo. Then Sami Yaffa (Mad Juana, New York Dolls, Hanoi Rocks) joined him with a "stand up" bass provided by another band. First Tony "Wolf" Mann and then Billy Ficca (Television, The Waitresses) played drums with them. Mad Juana's Karmen Guy sung a little and did some go-go dancing with Lenny and hubby Sami. Gass Wild's band, Love Pirates was a perfect opener for Lenny Kaye. Earlier in the evening, Lizzie Steelheart of The Fakes showed that she and her band are something to watch for.

Lewd Buddha and Temptress had everyone at Grand Central Bar excited on Day 2 of Wood. Mighty Afrodite cooked chicken on the backyard barbeque. Jessica Carmen (in too many bands to list) had a rollicking time playing bass with Temptress Thursday and with the Heather Larkin band for Day 3 at Pussycat Lounge. Jonesy of F.P. ToZ filled in on guitar for Heather Larkin and people took notice. His guitar playing raised Heather's band to a new level. It was also the kind of unselfish performance that made the whole band sound good. I don't think I've heard Heather sing better. Jonesy played with F.P.ToZ after.

Day 7 at The C-Note started with Bobby Steele (Misfits, Undead) performing his wonderful solo acoustic act. He was followed by a personal favorite, Lisa Ludwig's band, Black Flamingo. Many people know Lisa is my cousin. She started the Valentine's Day God's Love We Deliver benefit that she co-promotes with Frank Wood. Next year will be the 12th annual one. Then, Danny and his NYC Blues Devils did their retro blues starting with their great version of "Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby?". The Brothers Beefalo of the Unpronounceable followed. Frank pretended he was Wood Beefalo by trying to play their stand up bass. The night ended with Acoustic Estrogen, female singers backed by T.J. Jordan and Ron Resigno of Wounded.

Steve Blush made his Wednesday Rock Candy show at Don Hill's Wood Day 8. I came to see Jon Lennon's The Resistants and Karen Curious' New Professionals. I saw Number Twelve do a spirited set before them. I missed the opening act, Yowza, and was sorry I did when I found out Jimmy Bones and Alison played with them. Both The Resistants and New Professionals had revised lineups which can affect a band's performance. It didn't affect these two bands. They sounded great. The Resistants had Sami Yaffa, one of the best bass players there is, as guest bassist. Steve Dalton gave one of the best drumming performances I've heard him do. New Professionals had a new drummer who performed like an old hand with the band and Karen gave a stunning performance.

Nov. 11, Frank Wood's real birthday, was Day 9 back at Grand Central Bar. Wounded with T.J. Jordan's brilliant guitar work played that night. Girl On Top followed. Their singer pulled out a leather whip and feathered crop and asked Frank which one he wanted to be whipped with and how many lashes. 49 lashes was the answer but Frank declined the whipping. She did sing him a nice Happy Birthday though. Jonesy and Baghdaddios' Kenn Rowell didn't get to do their weekly Sofa King Wilde Jam the previous Sunday at Otto's so they did it at Grand Central. Mad Anthony joined them on clarinet.

I went to Continental for Day 10 to see Bantam and Banana Fish Zero. Yeah, Gina may be known for that other band she was in. But she's getting her own deserved reputation for Bantam. Gina and Bantam are among the best straight ahead rock performers out there. It was a thrilling set. Maybe a promoter shouldn't have one favorite band. However, everyone knows Banana Fish Zero is Frank Wood's favorite. (They're one of mine too!) They're the only band he'll let cover his "Jolly Wood" flag with their backdrop. They played their new "Hide My Love" video featuring their friend Kaspur first and it was a panic! Then, another Banana Fish Zero performance had the audience demanding and getting a couple of encores. Man About Town Robert Lund got on stage for his "Bigger toy" line in one of Banana Fish Zero's songs.

Day 11 was at a new venue for Frank Wood, Boogaloo in Williamsburg. It's a very nice small space near Broadway by the BQE. Christine of Alowicious had time off from touring and playing keyboards for Jesse Malin and DJ'd. Her Alowicious bandmate Kaiza was bartending. Frank added funk to the mix with Da Phatfunk Clique and Elwood & Friends.

Sunday, Nov. 14, at Otto's Shrunken Head was the 12th and final Day of Wood. Even Frank was exhausted. Roots Rock Rebel performed some good straight ahead "roots" Rock'n'Roll. After them, Sweet Ami was introduced as having a premier. She sang with an acoustic guitarist backing her. As her name implies, her voice was sweet and a joy to listen to. Bobby from Petro performed solo. He was wearing a vintage Motorhead tee shirt that he said cost $150.

I didn't get to see every show (9 out of 12 ain't bad) or see every band- 70 in all. Lizzie Steelheart of The Fakes told me Bombshell's Day 6 performance was fantastic (Jynx, Heidi, Phil and Dan never disappoint.) as was The Fisherman that evening. Bombshell has some of the best on stage moves to go with their music of any band I know. I missed Erocktica (formerly Porn Rock) on Day 4. Recorder of the scene Pierre Jelenc was there and took some photos Frank Wood will be after for his website. What's next year? Temptress announced "The Two Weeks of Wood".