THIS Week's What's Good with Wood

It's been a busy week, people are getting back into things. The CMJ MUSIC FEST has been rescheduled till October and schedules are messed up. Add to that all the benefits coming up and it's a sure sign that NY'ers agree with the F**K THEM attitude. We're united in our determination to continue living and especially in helping out as much, if not more, than we can. As some of you might know I am involved with charity fundraising by staging some interesting benefits shows. I have been approached by numerous musical groups who want to help and owners are donating venues. I'm gonna try and help as much as possibleand everyone can by supporting some of these events and any you hear of. Oct 6 at Tobacco road & Dec 13 at CBGB's more on that later.

Last tues at Arlene's Grocery, 69 Nova blew the roof off the place! Tuesday (the lead singer) was in fine form, from her sultry gyrations onstage, to her powerful lyrics, and the crowd that was so into she dove right into to dance while Joe/g, Dave/d, and Mike/b played their butts off. Then it was off to Motor City, to calm down a little. Morgan was D.J.'ing while 'Morticia Addammes' sister danced the night away with 'Divines' sister while a HOT little, bespectacled schoolteacher joined in. I also caught a band called Rearview. These guys (rob, james, mitch & robert) kicked butt (www.rearview@online.com).

A minor misunderstanding over motor vehicle law interpretation (courtdate), caused me to miss LOURDS at Meow Mix on Thurs. but my friends told me there wasn't a dry eye in the house after she did her version of the national anthem (Lookout Jimi, you may be no.1 but a look in the rearview mirror and you'll see LOURD'S face clearer and clearer every second.) I did make it for the end of BLUE NUMBER 9's set at TOBACCO ROAD (41st & 9th avenue, NYC) and then saw Swamp Belly. I preferred No.9 myself. The other band reminded me of the old 'Rolling Thunder Review' of the late 70's, complete with the sound and clothing. Tobacco Road is a great venue with excellent sight lines, a killer sound system, an awesome light show and top it off with one of the few club owners who appreciates live-music and really is interested in seeing it kept here in NY.

A word about our mayor, he's doing a f**king GREAT job in this time of awakening and he's the only guy I would want running the show, it is his dictatorial style that we need in this situation, BUT ONLY in this situation! It is these same characteristics, that the club scene knew he was capable of, that has made live music hard to survive. Now that his focus is on the right track, we know he'll get it done. Tobacco Road has obtained a 24-hour permit for a fundraiser for the victims of our nightmare. It will be on Oct. 6 (more info later), let's get out there and show our support, and at the same time show that live music has an important positive part of what makes this city great.

Sorry for the politics.

Friday night had the Latin/rock of TAINO at the Parkside Lounge (www.parksidelounge.com). This intimate little backroom was hopping to their style salsa/rock, between Frank Ocasio's searing guitar riffs and Vic's fingers dancing on the keys, Frank Cotto laid down a wicked bass, which was complimented by Hector on timbales and Angel on congas. All of it maniacally driven by Toby's drumming and I was exhausted. So it was around the corner to El Patio (Stanton & Attorney Streets) for a quick little snack and found LOS HERMANOS UNIDO performing meringue/bachata I had to leave (too much dancing, it was only 11pm, and I still had more to do.) Mimirock was over at Acme Underground and I was asked to do some video for them. Led by sweet looking Mimi, in a little tutu, it was an interesting journey into pop rock. Then it was time to relax and that means Motor City once again. I first went to this bar because it was on the way home, but I was a quick convert. They have DJ's just about every night, & the atmosphere is very friendly, so I often find myself losing track of time and closing the place. This night was no different, I was tired & ready to call it a night, but Pat Pervert & Jack were the DJ's I was soon relaxed and oops! It was 4am… again!

Homocorps celebrated its 2nd anniversary. At CBGB's. Dean Johnson has one of the 'rockingest' nights of every month. I went to see DADDY and she was as out there as usual. She always does her best to surprise/shock as many as possible. FOLK FICTION (www.folkfiction.com) performed what Vasseria, the exotic lead singer, called a theatrical rock experience to be remembered, and she wasn't lying. I wanted to stay and find out more but I had to get back to CBGB's for THE VELVET MAFIA, fronted by the 6'8"/domed headed/albino/drag queen performance artist extrodanaire Dean Johnson. He led his band through a teasingly, tight, high-powered, way too short set, but came back for an overwhelming encore of "The Girl From Planet Muff" If you ever get the chance you gotta see them (Dean's always threatening retirement/ I hope he never does.) I was all set to leave when JONNY McGOVERN /the GAY PIMP came out with his asst. crew of dancers, to perform some N'SYNC styled satire that you couldn't avoid cracking up with laughter. Then it was back to Motor City where Jodie (from the WANDA JACKSON 5) was spinning from her unique style of R&R.

Wait we're not done yet. Sun. had me at Harlem's historic LENOX LOUNGE (Lenox Ave. & 125 St.) to see the DANNY MIXON TRIO featuring the singing voices of RYO & Sahiko. These lovely Japanese ladies melodic versions of some old jazz standards was refreshing and relaxing.