Hi there, welcome aboard for a few nites around NYC, I'll be reporting on different bands and clubs all around the city, plus upcoming shows. I hope you enjoy as much as I have:

I'll start w/Labor day and the West Indian day parade. For those who have never been, you've got to check this out next year. This is a massive party of peace and music and food. Over 2 million people were thereto enjoy over 20 different 40 foot flatbed truckspiled 10 feet high with LOUDspeakers and bands of reggae, soca, steel drum bands so intense you can't not move your feet and boogie, all the time the air is filled with the sweet aromas of some of the most delicious foods prepared on the spot with love by 100's of different booths from all over the Carribean isles. When not eating or dancing you can also check out the many booths of art, clothes etc. We're talking over a mile's worth of booths. It started at 3am sun nite with the steel drum competition and continued till way past 6pm mon.

I had to break myself away because one of the hottest newest bands in town was playing at Arlene's Grocery ( 95 stanton st.,nyc ): The Passengers, featuring Didi Delicious on vocals, and Stu Newman ( nyrock.com ) on guitar, Ken on bass, and Rich on the drums. The music was straightahead R&R, originals and some new takes on some old standards.

Wed nite I was back at Arlene's to see Duncan ( www.innergroove.com ) . This band of 5 is led by Bob Duncan with John on guitar, Rob/bass,Eva/percussion and Alfredo on drums. They played all originals and broke out some of the new stuff from their next cd. This is some catchy riffs and hooks you'll find yourself humming in no time.

Thurs. at Arlene"s again (this place has some of the best new bands in town and it's a comfy friendly room), it was The Passengers again, with another brilliant show. Speaking of brilliant, there was the Brilliant Coroners ( bebopj@ixnetcom.com ) this was a funky/jazzy band that I'll be seeing again, and you'll get more on them later.

Friday in the city is always hoppin' and this week was no exception, starting at Arlene's with Black Flamingo (www.mp3.com/blackflamingo). This band is Black Flamingo/vocals, Sharon/drums, and the kennedys:Caroline/guitar, and John/bass. These are happy pop/rock songs but this nite was glitch nite, ( the gremlins were messing with the equip. ) but I've seen them before and they don't dissappoint, check 'em out. From there it was over to Kenny's Castaway on Bleeker st.( an old standby since the 60's for R&R ) to see a new band WOUNDED. This 3 piece power unit is fronted by one of the most fantastic guitarists to come along in quite some time. I'm talking about T.J. Jordan ( some of you know him as the lead guitar for LOURDS ), along with Nick/drums and I'm sorry but I forgot the bassist's name but not his playing which was phenomenal. Playing originals that kicked ass big time with outrageous solos by T.J and the bass player, along with some new takes on some old favorites.

Now for the gem of the week: LOURDS at the HERE theatre ( Dominick st & 6ave ) performing an all to short set ( 5 songs ), acoustically. The sound was crisp and in this intimate setting the words are so poignant well... Words can't describe the experience. I was left with a jones for more, which was sated later that evening at Ladyfesteast at the world famous Knitting Factory ( 74 Leonard st.,nyc ). This was LOURDS at her best opening with a new song that rocked so hard I thought the place would fall down. She continued for almost an hour and the roar of the crowd was almost as loud as the band. The place was packed with a ratio of 50/1, women/men, so I had a great time.

Well time to rest, I'll be back with more reports from around NYC.