Skip to main content

Avion & Oscar

Hey Soul Mates,
just checking in on a beautiful Sunday in LA.

Friday night, I went to the Gig to do some business for our show there in March. Also happened to be a night when some old friends in a new band were playing. Steve Bertrand and Jamie Wallham formerly of the Tories have a new group called Avion. They rock... still. I always enjoyed the Tories, had followed them from '95 to '01. I even appeared with them on national TV in a segment of Farmclub. They recently signed with Columbia: meaning they are my first acquaintances since Remy Zero to be signed to a major label. I'm very proud of them. They have worked hard and have earned it. Hopefully, the general public will embrace their music, too.


Ok, here's my rant. I'm not a huge Oscar Awards wonk, but they snubbed Mick Jagger and Dave Stewart. Those two should have gotten a best song nomination for "Old Habits Die Hard" from Alfie. Instead, some real schmaltz from Polar Express and Phantom of the Opera got nods. Boo. "Old Habits" is a genuinely good song. The Academy honored U2, Neil Young and winners Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen. You'd think they wouldn't overlook Mick. Oh, well.

I'm off to rehearsal shortly.
Love, Power, Peace.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

John Lennon 40 Years On

Remembering John Lennon today. Forty years have flashed by. I can still hear my clock radio turning on to the incongruent sound of the Beatles on Dec. 9, 1980 and wondering why? I think about John every day. I am fortunate to have been able to make pilgrimage to Mendips, Abbey Road and Strawberry Fields, NY; to play on stages like the Cavern, the Jacaranda and the Troubadour where he performed or made trouble, or both. Here’s a quick playlist for you and me. (Just Like) Starting Over I Should Have Known Better Bless You Nobody Told Me Strawberry Fields Forever Nowhere Man Enjoy the day. Fill it with peace. Fill it with music. #JohnLennon #Liverpool

Murderous Haircut of the Mayor of Bel Air - Book Review

“The Murderous Haircut of the Mayor of Bel Air” is a trippy new mystery novel from Phillip Mottaz. It captures the grit and gilt of the City of Angels with the flair of a contemporary Raymond Chandler. The brisk pace and wit are reminiscent of Douglas Adams’s entries in the detective game. Flourishes of  Fletch  and “Medium” also spring to mind. However, Mottaz has added a psychic/mutant/superhuman touch and his own comedic voice, structure and internal monologues to the proceedings that help the author announce his own style and the arrival of a literary heroine for a new generation. Hairstylist and budding private investigator, Danica Luman is the perfect character to convey the irony, angst and sarcasm needed to tell a 21st century L.A. crime story. Danica also represents anyone who thought it would be neat to get tangled up in a mystery and the darkly comic cautionary tale that follows. The genre is recognizable, but Mottaz offers a fresh take on the not-ready-for-prime-ti...

Rush Hour Soul Returns

Hey Soulmates, been some time, but many of you on Facebook have already seen that Rush Hour Soul is back. I am very excited that while we are looking back at the 15th anniversary of our 2006 UK tour, there are things happening behind the scenes for 2021. For those unfamiliar, Rush Hour Soul is a trio with myself on bass and lead vocals. We were a part of the Indie/Powerpop scene in Los Angeles from 2004-2008, although our style was heavily informed by the Rolling Stones, Chic, ABC, and Sam & Dave. Funkier than our peers.  The well-known venues Rush Hour Soul played around Los Angeles included The El Rey, B.B. King's Blues Club and The Hard Rock Cafe. Our travels in Britain took us to Sheffield, Liverpool, York and back to London. There was a four day detour to Monnow Valley Studios in Wales where recorded in the old manor house. We shot a music video in London, as well. 2006 was a magical summer for the band. In 2008, the project was rechristened as a solo recording under my n...