So that’s what we do, enjoying everything from “99 Luftballoons” to Foreigner, and Madonna and a whole slew of other great and not so great 80’s music. They have a TV set up that plays old 80’s music videos and they have decent drink specials early on in the night.

This 80’s Saturday thing has just become a weekly thing, too. It’s happening tonight, and I think it’ll be a cool thing to join in on. There’s no cover, it’s full of dancey goodness, and it’s . . .

It’s the 80’s. I can’t really say anything else about the damn thing, as if saying, “the eighties,” sums everything up.

Here’s this flyer thing they made for the event.

Like tonight, chillin’ up in the DJ Room’s Friday Night Dance Party are DJ Sat One and White Mike. They do their thing however they want but then you’d find me headbangin’ to (and you’re gonna think I’m crazy or just plain weird for this lineup:) Shane Hines, Chili Stu, Fooling April, and Whiskey Train.

I only really have heard Fooling April. They’re that poppy piano rock that reminds you of the Beatles if they were around today. Billy Joel had that thing going in the 80’s, and now it’s Fooling April, up and coming straight out of our little city. My buddies are going to see Shane Hines and Whiskey Train, too, and my buddies have good taste in music. We’ll see how everything turns out. It’ll be awesome and cool and if you got some free time and a few minutes to kill on I-76 (unless you know a better way, in which case TELL ME!) swing by for a musically moving good time!

oh, and a bottle of chimay. i’m getting one and will need help finishing it.

Man I gotta stop living outside the city and start living inside the city.

Anyway, I learned a parking trick that could save me $17.00 (too late to be of any help, of course) and John and I loaded in and set up at the Old Pine Community Center’s amphitheater on 4th & Lombard, and ran a sound check. Showtime was 6:30, and Chris Bell arrived just in time to play. He sounded good and had a few new songs since last I’d seen him, in November 2006. He still remembers the date. November 2nd or something like that. Last time he was in Philly he played at the Fire. that was in February. I tried to invite myself up to his area some time and maybe I will, if not to play a gig in a nowhere place where no one’s heard of me than at least to see what his area of the world has to offer musically.

YSI played and Otama said my pedalboard effects were a little too much and I said it’s because half the time I couldn’t tell if they were on—which was true. For next time I’ll remember to lay off that Boss flanger. But this was the best performance I think me and the guys have put on so far, and I’m really proud of that.

Kyle Justin played with his drummer and he had a few new songs as well, but I didn’t care about the new songs. I cared about the “Easy Like Sunday Morning” cover and his final song “Holy Ghost” which he unfortunately cut to four minutes from the original 8-minute epic. I think I have the times off but whatever. It’s a cool folk song that I really love listening to. Kyle also had a duet that he performed, but without a female to sing it, he did both parts. And some punk teenager passing by grooved to the final chorus, which warranted a reprise from Kyle & Dave.

John had let me put together the bill, and I really appreciate him allowing me the chance to mix in an eclectic mix of music, from folk-punk to pop-rock to blues-soul. I enjoy seeing Kyle live and it’s always nice to kick back with a lager and chat with Chris. The night was awesome, and I can’t wait for next month’s OPCC concert with IKE and OutSet. I think that’s who’s playing, anyway . . . . .

Christopher Bell’s next gig is at the Hookah Cafe in eerie Erie, PA on the 14th of July
Your Secret Identity’s next gig is at the Fire on 4th & Girard in Philly on July 13th
Kyle Justin’s next gig is on Monday, July 16 at the World Cafe Live

Oh crap I forgot to kick back with a lager and chat with Chris last night.

The first night I had gone because Adrienne Hamilton Bevin Caulfield (who also fronts Quintero), Keisha Hutchins, Sue Steen, and of course Jerzy Jung.

And of course Adrienne Hamilton, who is just as much a fan of Philadelphia local musicians as she is a musician.

Of course, clicking on the funny-colored versions of all these ladies will bring you to their MySpace pages for further investigation, if you know what I mean. For a schedule of their next gig,…

Adrienne’s next gig is on August 31st at the Philly Songwriter’s Shuffle at World Cafe Live, where a million and one other awesome singer-songwriters will be performing at a frenetic pace. A fun and exciting and sometimes adventurous time, as I am told.

Bevin is playing next on the Tuesday, July 10th, at Studio Luloo in Haddon Twp, right over the Ben Franklin Bridge in Jersey.

Keisha you will find at the end of the month at the Metropolitan Bakery by 40th & Walnut on July 20th.

Sue Steen, who doesn’t have a gig scheduled any time soon, is keeping busy with her band OutSet, so you can check her out on bass and background vocals at Whiskey Dix on July 14th.

And Jerzy will be playing in a scant few days, on July 8th! But sadly she’ll be in LA for that gig. Maybe the LA Metbloggers can at least go or something, cuz she’s one hot number on the keys and has a voice to die for.

Then again, all these ladies have a voice to die for and are hot numbers in their own ways, if you know what I mean. And what I mean is on the guitar or keyboard.

A big surprise to the evening was Marc Silver playing a short interlude set. Marc pulled up with his band of the night, banjo John and upright basser-dude Matt. There was some cross mojination regarding the booking for Fergie’s that evening, apparently, but the Cabin Dogs are cool people and Marc got to play, which is cool because I missed him at last week’s open-air concert at the Old Pine Community Center.

Adrienne Hamilton was also there. If you don’t know her, then you simply must. (a) she’s hot. (b) she’s a great pianist. (c) she’s a great singer-songwriter. (d) she kept me company when my friends left Fergie’s, and drove me to my car down in Old City.

Marc’s next gig is at Three Bears Park on June 8th.
Adrienne’s next gig is at the Tin Angel on June 23rd.
Cabin Dogs‘ next gig is at the Camden Waterfront, also on June 23rd, but that’s at noon.
Your Secret Identity’s Jay V (that’s me!) is playing a solo gig at Pat’s Shamrock on June 13th.

Info for all these great musicians can be found on their websites. Or just go to their myspaces.

The Third Leg - www.myspace.com/thethirdleg
Ne’er Do Well - www.myspace.com/thene39erdowell
Michael Fitch - www.myspace.com/michaelfitch

check it out. i will.

i once got my palm read in college. during freshman orientation at drexel this girl amy took my palm and looked at it, pointing out that my life line splits at a point where i’ll either live a long time or be severely crippled, or something; and pointed out that i have a lot of friends, wouldn’t make money; and also she couldn’t find my love line. i didn’t pay for this service, but damn that girl was right on on just about everything so far. the life-thing i’d have to wait another twenty years at least to prove, in my estimation.

hey, anyone out there read palms? or do i have to go to the black market now to get a new reading?