FIRST SHOW RECAP/BAND NAME EXTRAVAGANZA
Aahhhhhh
Thanks to everyone who came out to Matchless last night and gave my band and the Dirty Birds such a warm welcome at our NYC debut!! It was truly special - the place was packed and I can honestly say I’ve never had a better time sharing the stage with some of the most talented performers/musicians I know, and with my spankin’ new band (Megan Cox on violin and vox, Toby Singer on Rhodes, trumpet and vox, Tomek Miernowski on bass, and Jared Saltiel on percussion/drummzzzzz.) We had a great set, some highlights being our cover of this song from Grease I’ve loved for my whole life that I finally got around to creating a full-band arrangement for, 3-part oohs on our neo-soul reworking of “Different Colored Eyes” (with Jared unleashing his inner ?uestlove) and opening the show by premiering a new song on my loop. Our next full-band show will be Saturday, December 5 at Rockwood Music Hallat 5 pm. Don’t miss it!
The Dirty Birds impressed everybody in their new NYC skins - they were the most cohesive, dynamic and energetic I’ve ever heard them (and I’ve been to a lot of DBs shows, people), Greg Hornby is one of the most spirited and unique guitar players I know and to hear him ripping it onstage with the Birds is always a pleasure. New drummer Dustin Kaufman is a badass and for all anyone knew, he could have been playing with them for years. When he accidentally launched his stick into the crowd during “Purple Rain,” Toby threw it back to him, and Dustin caught the motherfucker in the air without losing a beat. I guess Jared and Dave were pretty good, too. My Dear Disco of course put on a smashing show, playing an epic 90 minute set, complete with a breakdown in their “Wild Wild West” cover in which drummer Mike rapped into the mic with one hand and held down the beat with the other. Will Smith fans say what!!
Finally, it’s common knowledge to those that know me that I go through band names (Charlene and the ______ ) like a druggie with ADD…I impulsively pick one that I think is cool, run with it for a few months, then get sick of it and toss it in lieu of the next cheap thrill. But I’ve been brainstorming for real, because although I’m comfortable being acknowledged by my given name as a solo artist, with this new lineup my live show is absolutely a group effort, and I’ve been feeling the desire more and more to recognize them when we play together onstage. I’m looking for an investment. That said, here are some names I’m throwing around, a list I’ve compiled with the help of the infamous Grime Master and other friends.
Charlene Kaye and the Cagedbabies
Charlene Kaye’s Frozen Eyelash
Charlene Kaye and Groovatron
Charlene Kaye/Valiant Thor
Charlene, Keep it in Your Pants
Charlene Kaye and the Blobs and the Gobs and the Globs and the Bogs and the BLOGS (-Dave Koenig)
Charlene Kaye and Her Stinkbombs
Charlene Can’t
Charlene Kaye and the Way
Charlene Kaye, Slightly Too Astray
More suggestions, additions and revisions are highly encouraged.
CHARLENE OUT



