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HEY FOLKS - I FINALLY UPDATED THIS PAGE AFTER 4 YEARS

New Post 6.22.05

HELLO FROM GERMANY          3.10 to 3.15.05 

     Well, since my last update I've been VERY busy. The single greatest development was my hooking up with one of the greatest progressive bands of the 70's - NEKTAR.

     The back story: Around '99 or so, one of Prime Time's elustrious clients George Mac was rehearsing with one of the 4 thousand band he was playing with @ the time. He soon befriended Russell Bresloff (Tarik's - Prime Time owner - brother-in-law). They became fast friends due to their musical prowess and love for progressive music. That spawned the "Saturday Night Mutant Jam" as it was called. And some of the greatest local musicians would come down to play. I was 16 at the time and would watch in bewildered awe at the talent and professionalism of these musicians. Everytime the guys would come out of the rehearsal room, they'd see me with a guitar in my hand, so it was just a matter of time b 4 they actually let me play. When I did two things happened instantly.... 1 - Russell became my new guitar teacher and 2 - George became my biggest fan!

     Fast forward a few years. George drives away with Nektar Drummer Ronnie Howden's drumkit after Nektar's  steaming set at NEAR-fest 2000, and low-and-behold, he is the latest, greatest member of the Nektar road crew. Numerous albums and tours later, the band decides to supplement their touring outfit as they have booked a 3 date mini-tour of Germany in March of this year. The latter 2 of which were filmed for the German TV show "Rockpalast" - an electric show, and a 1st Time Ever Acoustic Show. After an inquisition the likes of which were never seen even by the Spanish, the creative element of the band had come up empty in the search for a new crew member. Enter GMac in his inimitable voice, "uh, uh, uh, my friend Artie...''

     The next thing I knew I was winging my way to Germany!  Except for the fact that George, Ronnie Howden (drums), Randy Dembo (bass) and Tour Manager/lighting guru Peter Lango were also on the plane, the flight over was terrible. Sitting next to me was a really pissed off French guy (who was later removed from the plane for opening the overhead compartment while the plane was trying to land), and another guy who looked like the bizarro Peter Lemongello (fortunately, he was asleep most of the time - even when the we were at the terminal). The plane let us off on the tarmat at Frankfurt Airport, and from there, we took a shuttle back to the terminal where we waited for Roye (Albrighton - guitars and lead vox) and Tom's (Hughes keys) flights. Then, onto the bus! 

     After a quick stop outside of Frankfurt to acquire the backline, we were on our way to the first show in Dortmund (a venue called the Musiktheatre Piano). I worked with George to get the Hammond B3, Leslie 122 and Korg Triton Studio hoisted on the stage. After which we helped Peter and Ronnie set up the 7-piece Maple DW kit, complete with Timpani! Roye and Randy, self-suficient as they are, needed very little help, although Randy's Eden World Tour/410 XLT rig and Roye's JCM 800 half stack took some poking and prodding to get running. The wonderful chicken marsala, Nürnberger, Lebkuchen and Stollen were served backstage. Shortly thereafter, the band rocked a packed house with a marathon 2 hour set. Unreal.

     The second two nights were in Bonn @ the Harmonie Club. We stopped at our hotel, "The Esplanade" to shower and all of that and then off to the venue. The parking lot was full of  WDR Fernsehen  remote TV trucks - an impressive site. The biggest culture-shock I got was when we were loading in, all the tv crew members had lit cigarrettes, Heiniken, and Becks in tote - at 2 in the afternoon! Not haveing to break down was a wonderful thing as it made us available to stay @ the private bar attached to the club and party with the staff and about 200 fans until closing! At roughly 4am, Roye, Tom and George sat at the bar's 1930 upright piano and gave a saloon rendition of the group's classic "Good Day." The only problem we ran into was that, Peter, Randy and myself had locked our hotel room keys on the bus and had no way of getting into the hotel. Well, a little breaking and entering never hurt anyone.

    We flew home that Monday. I got to watch Secret Window and The Bridget Jones sequel. I had a window seat so the Sun char-broiled my left arm as I slept. After a full cavity search in customs, I was released to my beautiful girlfriend, my mom and uncle Mike. George, on the other hand, was not so lucky. His driver was not at the airport to pick him up. I LOVE CONTROVERSY.

6.22.05

Which brings us to today. More has happened since my escapades in Deutschland. I am no longer with the Groove Gypsys, albeit for a couple dates. And in true hard rock fashion, there are two sides to the story. According to Johnny T , I quit, according to me I was fired - So I'm like the Vince Neil of Westchester. But, it's all in good fun!! I am, hawever, still gigging with Memories (yes - they're all still alive), as well as Andrea LoCascio and Andrea's Buzz. I am also gigging with Jason Spoor and Jason and The Argonauts as well as recording @ Prime Time's new Yonkers facility.

    So Check The Home Page If U Wanna Hear Some Great Music

thanx

-artie-