Sal's Archives

(back)

Sal's rants and rave's from days gone by...

5-20-03

Man, it was really cool playing with Mr. Dick Dale last week at the Double Door! This guy practically invented the “Surf Guitar” style of playing and man he can still wail 65+ years old. I kinda heard he was a grumpy old man, but I was SO wrong. He was very very gracious to his fans and sat on the stage for hours until every autograph hound got theirs…what a class act! You think people get frail at 65+? Damn, this guy almost broke Skipper’s hand shaking it. I think he could wipe the floor with all the Goldstars + road crew, this guys a f*&kin’ bad ass!!!

Well, while I’m on the subject of the Dick Dale show, we were talking about the Pulp Fiction soundtrack (Mr. Dale is featured) and also talked about local hero’s Urge Overkill (yes, they are on the soundtrack too!). Anyway, later that night, who busts into our dressing room but Mr. Nash Kato (OK, I know, I’m name dropping, but I can’t help it)! I think he got lost or something and looked confused for a moment, but instinctively made b-line for our beer, grabbed it, introduced himself, then took off his coat and made himself at home. Who says rockers can’t adapt? So what’s the gossip? Do you really care? Well, theirs absolutely no chance for an Urge Overkill reunion, that I can say for sure, but Nash is still a cool cat, has great style and looks pretty damn good. I’m really hoping for a come back soon, cuz it rock, it ain’t over till the lead singer gets all fat & bald…

Hey, I know we didn’t tell anyone this (except our mothers), but we are currently in the studio laying down tracks for our first full-length album for Pravda Records! We hope to be done in the next few months, but so far we are very excited about the results and are happy to be working with Chainsaw from ACME studios! Wish us luck and I’ll be keeping you posted on our progress…

Finally, don’t forget to rock with us Friday, May 30th w/Slyvain Slyvain & the Peelers at the Beat Kitchen! Please visit our GIGS page for more details.
See ya at the show,
Sal

3-11-03

Man, we had lots, lots, and loads of fun with those kats The Noble Spirits! If you don’t remember, we had a mini tour with THEE hottest band from Holland last month! They ruled! OK, here are some quick hightlights: Watching Jackie of NS trying to eat truckstop food (“Fucking thing taste like chemicals”), The Noble Spirits almost breaking up in Springfield (ever hear “Turn The Page”?), Wrote a song at sound check, then played it for our encore… and it sucked ass (in a good way?), Watched the 1988 classic “Mac & Me” in the hotel room--Dag was mesmerized, and Skipper said we broke an attendance record in Dekalb! OK Noble Spirits, now it’s our turn to cross the pond…

Hey, we took a short break, but we are back and ready go! We have upcoming shows at Cal’s (April 4th) and Beat Kitchen (April 18th, part of IPO festival). Check our GIGS page for more details! We will have few new songs (you know, the one we wrote at our last sound check—hey it will sound better this time, I promise!) and a new cover tune.

So last Saturday I went to see Chicago’s own Gaza Strippers (www.gazastrippers.com) and they totally kicked my ass! If you like “real” rock N’ roll you’ll really dig these rockers. But the headlining band kinda sucked… Speaking of rockers, I FINALLY had a chance to check out the Lakeview Lounge house-band NightWatch (5110 N Broadway)! These guys are so cool, best part is they don’t play a song written after 1974. Hey, what good songs were written after ’74 anyway?

Sal
www.Iranoutofshittotalkaboutsorryokseeyouattheshow.com (under construction)

1-22-03

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Boy, it’s been awhile, but I’m back (thanks for reminding me DoBee!) and I’ve got lots of Goldstars news! Here we go…

So what happened to our guitarist Mark “MARK LANE” Lane (anybody care?)? Have YOU seen him? Well, I know we haven’t seen or heard from him since our show @ the Beat Kitchen on Thanksgiving Eve. Seriously! Were scratching our heads on this one. I think he quit (you think?). Well, it’s going to go down in history as one of the most bizarre ways to quit a band I’ve ever experienced. Poof, just disappeared…

Well, don’t you worry, The Goldstars didn’t miss a beat, made a few phone calls and dug up one of the most talented guys (I know) in all of Chicago to fill in. His name is Dag. This cat has been playing with The Slugs, x-Poi Dog Pondering member, and has a lucrative solo career! Honestly, we have never looked and sounded better! Dag rules and I hope this doesn’t end. We’ll be BEGGING him to become a full-time Goldstar very soon (please don’t tell him). Hey Mark, if your reading this (I doubt it, he doesn’t have a computer), just want to wish you luck in your future projects, stay cool, and thanks for teaching me what PRO really means.

OK, onward and upward. GIGS, GIGS, GIGS! We are really excited about playing the Double Door again on Feb 6th w/The Noble Spirits. Actually we’re doing four big shows with The Noble Spirits (please see our GIGS page for details). So what’s the dealio? Well, these guys/gals are our “sister band” from Holland. You still don’t get it? OK, have you ever heard of exchange students? Well, this has been expanded to out of work/under paid local bands. We are so proud to take them under our wing, get them drunk, try to get them laid, and R.O.C.K in the U.S.A. all nite long! So come out and cheer them on!

We’re also excited about adding some new tunes to the set (“Gotta Get Out” & “She Don’t Like”) and will be adding more of our own stuff and cool covers real soon.

SAL’S TIP OF THE MONTH:
Are you into Tiki culture? If so, you probably already know this, but one of the coolest Tiki bars is right hear in Illinois! Yes, it’s called Hala Kahiki located @ 2834 River Rd, River Grove, IL 708-456-3222 (http://home.earthlink.net/~tikibars/tiki/tikihala.html). If you want to kick back and drink in style, visit Hala Kahiki today (No, I don’t get paid for these “Tips of the Month”)!

OK, gotta go and see you at the show,
Sal

11-12-02

Man, the show at the Empty Bottle w/Los Straitjackets was way WAY beyond our expectations (which I’ll admit, aren’t high), it RULED man! Also, I was happy to find out the “Jackets” (only real fans can use this term) actually speak English, and pretty well I might add. The guys were very very nice and didn’t kick us out of the dressing room! What do they look like under the masks, you might ask? Well, I’ll let you in on a little secret, they are actually all beautiful male models and are absolutely gorgeous (I think Skipper used this word, if I’m not mistaken). Why the masks, you might ask? Not sure, but before I could find out The World Famous Pontani Sisters kicked us out of the dressing room.

Hey, for those of you who weren’t at the show, The World Famous Pontani Sisters (TWFPS) do a sexy burlesque show before the band hits the stage & cool dance routines during the Jackets set. WOW! those brunets were H.O.T. Any cat fights between our beautiful Goldstar Go-Go Girls (G4) and the TWFPS, you might ask? No, but I imagined a battle between TWFPS vs. G4 later that night and it RULED man! Who won, you might ask? Well, what do you think?

Calling all Juggalos & Juggalettes, THE SIXTH JOKER CARD JUST DROPPED on 11/5 (but if this is news to you, your probably a nerdy bitch!). Yeah, I’m talking about the Insane Clown Posse punk ass! F@*K Eminem, feel the clown love at: www.insaneclownposse.com.

OK, we are really excited about our upcoming show w/The Millions & Mr. Rudy Day @ the Beat Kitchen Nov. 27th, please check our GIGS page for more details! The Millions ROCK (yes, it’s appropriate to use all caps on the word ROCK), check out www.millionsrock.com. This will be an incredible show, why you might ask? Well, because you don’t have to work the next morning…

Hello purveyors of fine comedy, please check out our own Goldstar Go-Go Girl Hot-Damn Merrie perform in: New Leaf Theater presents its inaugural production of PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE, that v. funny play by STEVE MARTIN.

Where: We perform at New Leaf's new space, inside the charming, Historic Lincoln Park Cultural Center: 2045 N. Lincoln Park West (just northeast of Clark & Armitage, entrances on Lincoln Park West and on the corner of Stockton and Dickens

When: Opens 10/18 at 8:00 pm Runs Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00 pm Closes 11/23 Cost: $10 for all performances

Reservations: 773-463-2575

The reviews are in: "Brandon Bruce's revival fully captures the anarchic spirit of Steve Martin's wild and crazy historical fantasy...New Leaf's staging is just what the jester ordered." - CHICAGO READER

Critic's Choice - WINDY CITY TIMES

Saw it, also gave it my Critic’s Choice - SAL

9-30-02

WOW! The Empty Bottle show was incredible!  BIG BIG thanks to the crazy, sexy  & cool Goldstar Go-Go-Girls (man, I don"t give them enough props). Also, thanks to everyone who came out & especially the guy in the front row who kept flipping us the ÒbirdÓ.  Hey, it"s not what you think, he loved us (it"s a punk-rock thang), but some of our fans thought otherwise.  Although the guy was a little tipsy & crazy, he can flip us off anytime. Oi! 

Finally, I'd like to ass-kiss the staff at the EB (Hi Jill) and Bruce.  I'm only saying this because Bruce mentioned a possible opening spot w/Los Straightjackets November 2nd (Ouch, my lips are sore). 

Hey, did you check out our sounds page?  You'll hear a little taste of our upcoming full-length album in early 2003.  Please let us know what you think. Don't hold back.

Please come and see us rock October 12th @ Hoghead McDunnas and October 22nd @ the Double Door (pay $3 to get in and your first beer is FREE!).  You guys are great!

Sal's Tip of the Week: Hey you. Are you a record-collecting stiff like me?  Well, I'm sure you already know this, but the Mammoth Music Mart/ALS sale is right around the corner.  If not, the MMM/ALS is the biggest record sale of the year in the whole damn world & it's for a good cause!  Hey, nerds fly out from Japan for this thing!!  It's happening Oct. 10-20th in the parking lot of the Old Orchard Mall.  Trust me, you'll find EVERY cool album you"ve ever dreamed of. Halloween is my favorite holiday, so I hope you have fun scaring the crap out of the kiddies.

08-02-02

 Hey before I get started, I want to wish you a happy Labor Day!   Did you get enough BBQ?  I did, and I'll be eating this crap for the next few weeks.  Also, I want to thank everyone at Otto's (except that bitchy downstairs bartender who wouldn't serve our beautiful Goldstar Go-Go Girls...jealous?), especially the crowd, for being very rockin & loud!  Thanks for inviting us back to the stage (I think this is called an on chore?) although we ran out of songs.  So we quickly wrote a brand new song backstage, named it "She Don't Like", and rocked it.  Damn we're good.

Hey, don't tell our Go-Go Girls, but we ran into hot TRIPLETS at the show and offered them all the money in our pockets to dance at a future show.  Talk about a gimmick!  They said (in unison), "we have to talk to our management team" and went on to say, "don't call us, we'll call you", so we took that as a 'yes' and are patiently waiting by the phone...

We have a really really cool show coming up on September 20th at the Empty Bottle w/Dead Moon & Baseball Furies, come check us out, the EB rocks and we have two new tunes we'll be trying out...and a bunch of old ones!   For more info please check our Gigs page.

You like rock n' roll?  If so, can I suggest you check out the new album by Butch Walker (this cat was in Marvelous3) called "Left of Self*Centered" (www.butchwalker.com).  Honestly, these days I don't buy many new albums by "new" artists, but this one ROCKS and I caught him at the Elbow Room and he IS a rock*star without the album sales...Well, at least not yet.

I again want to thank DoBeeDeux for all her hard work on our website!  She took some cool photos at Otto's (see our Photos page), has a kick ass re-design of our website waiting for Skipper's approval (he's the boss) (DoBee Update: this is it, hope you like it.), added a message board (see Babblin' Brook) and send us a silly message, and will be putting up sound clips as soon as we get our sorry asses her our tunes.  We will DoBee, I promise!

07-22-02

Well, in Goldstar news: we're just putting the finishing touches to our first Goldstar recording sessions! We recorded 5 songs (more coming soon) in some carpet factory near Midway airport with this cool cat Toby. What songs did we record? Who cares, we grabbed free carpet and got to drive around that cool hydraulic lift thingy! But between take-offs and landings we were able to knock out "The Rattle", "Open Up Your Door", "Devil Queen", "Babblin' Brook", and "I Think I'm Down". Things went great and we'll be putting up song clips real soon!

Oh yeah, rumor is we'll be playing Otto's in Dekalb, IL on August 24th! This date is not quite confirmed, but please keep checking our GIGS page for the latest updates. (DoBeeUpdate Note: This date is now confimed and past, in fact...check out the pictures!!)

Hey, check our own Hot Merrie (one of our beautiful Goldstar Go-Go Girls) in Trey Parker's: "Cannibal! The Musical!" (yes, written by that South Park dude!) now playing at the Improv Olympics on Clark & Addison. She does a great performance and the play is a laugh riot! I'm thinking Tony performance here people. Sorry, I don't have the phone # to Improv Olympics, but check the yellow pages and call ASAP for show times! (DoBeeUpdate Note: The Improv Olympics is located at 3541 N. Clark, Chicago, IL phone: 773.880.0199)