September 7, 2005
Hi There,
Hope everyone had a great Labor Day weekend. Now it's back to the grind. Actually, down here it's always summer, but it's still not NYC. I can't wait til November when I return to NYC to celebrate my 50th birthday with THE 6 DAYS OF WOOD.
On a serious note, a good friend of mine lost almost everything in the Hurricane that hit NEW ORLEANS. He goes by the name BLACK MOSES and his band is VIVID. He got out on time, expecting to return home in a few days. Never in his wildest nightmares did he anticipate not being able to return for 4 or 6 or even more months. Much less not knowing if there is anything to return to.
Right now I'm asking anyone who knows of any possible gigs in the southeast portion of the USA to help out.
He and his bandmates are living in their cars and with new friends they are making in these dire times. They don't want handouts (not that they would refuse) but they want to play. We MUST keep that Louisiana funky groove alive!
So if you can help out, please contact me ASAP.
Now back to the weekend. The SEX SLAVES were in town and... What Happens On The Road, Stays On The Road. Needless to say there was all kinds of debauchery had in the true SEX SLAVE spirit. I am not allowed to disclose anything else, but you know these guys... (see some photos).
Now I have to wait til October for my next dose of NYC-style rock'n'roll when JOKER 5 SPEED arrives down here along with the NEW YORK DOLLS!
Meanwhile, back in the city, Labor Day Sunday was KAREN CURIOUS' first night of hosting WIND DOWN SUNDAYS at OTTO's. From all reports, the MUSIC MAGIC IS BACK! The place was rockin' like it used to. During MAGGES' show there was a surprise appearance by JAMEELA, my favorite Japanese belly-dancer (probably the only Japanese belly-dancer).
This week MARY BETH will run the show at GRAND CENTRAL, as Mr. BAGHDADDIO will be busy with something over at EMI (good luck Kenn). But not to worry, she has a killer line-up scheduled. This spot has also had a rebirth on Thursdays, now that we have the new hosts. I want to thank NICK and LARRY for holding down the ship while I set the ship straight on its true course.
Between KAREN and MARY BETH & KENN the shows will be back to the way they were before I left. Good vibes and on time shows!
This Sunday, THE EVIL CITY FILM FESTIVAL will be at OTTO's showing some videos of some NYC bands (4:30 PM) along with some films. One of the films will be SON OF EYEBALL MAN (3:30 PM) which had the voice of yours truly for the character of EYEBALL MAN. It is half live and and half animatronics. It's by VICKERS GRINGO. You know him as the artist behind 70,000,000 RATS which is in the NEW YORK WASTE every month. He's also in the bands HANDSOME PUBLIC and DEUCE AND A QUARTER. Go check it out.
There will also be at least 2 benefits for the survivors of Hurricane Katrina at OTTO's in October. As I get more details I will let you know.
Get out there and support your local bands and clubs. They can't do it in New Orleans. Be thankful for what you have, you never know when it won't be there.
Take care,
WOOD
"Then HE commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labor the days of his life, which GOD giveth him under the sun."
- Ecclesiastes 8:15
"We're on a mission from GOD!"
- The BLUES BROTHERS