Cavepainters' Holiday Party Friday, December 26 at the Starry Plough

Post holiday blues got you down? Well come on down to the Starry Plough in Berkeley for some fine tunes provided by the Cavepainters! Things will get rolling around 6PM with the usual crew and some special guests. Grab a pint, order a pizza or a Plough burger and enjoy some fine listenin'. Many thanks to the Cavepainters for all the events they have entertained at over the years. See you there!

Mission Accomplished! The Evil Ice Hobbit has Returned to Her Cave!

That's right, the long and tortuous election is finally over and the Wasilla Hillbillies are back in the freezer (apparently with a couple hundred thou worth of fancy new threads). It appears the world has been saved once again by democracy and we and other countries like Africa can breath a huge sigh of relief. Hopefully we won't see these morons and their imaginary friends (Joe the what?) for at least another 4 years. That said, this seems like a good reason to CELEBRATE!

So collect your good cheer and head down to the Starry Plough in Berkeley this Saturday (November 8th) for what is bound to be the best party of the fall season. All your Muffin fave bands are participating and the party starts at 3PM. It's also the Plough's 35th anniversary party in case you need another reason to have a good time. By the way, wish Sandy a happy 50th if you happen to see her. Come early and stay late (for Gary and the boys)!

In order of appearance:

The Cavepainters (Starry Plough stalwarts!)
Joan Pez's Open Mic Allstars (the cream of the #1 open mic)
The Happy Clams (geezer punk)
Xenia Rudnycka (she's a hoot!)
Yard Sale (PP's personal favorites!)
Ragged Glory (awesome, dude!)
The Naked Barbies (You gotta love em!)
The Unreal Band (When that reality check is not in order!)

Paul sez Clams go on around 5:30. They are devil clams with horns!
Andy D,G. and the Hanging Chad have got brass!

NO COVER (and cheap food deals!)

Starry Plough
3101 Shattuck Ave
Berkeley CA

Clams With Horns?!? Here's The Latest Pot Poster For The Plough Anniversary Party!

That's right, the Happy Clams are playing the Starry Plough 35th Anniversary on Nov. 8th and they will be joined by the Hornblowers, unless the Clams do something to really tick them off. The raucous noise that the Happy Clams and the Hornblowers produce will just be part of an all-star lineup that will start in the afternoon and go until about 1 am. Look at this list, you are never going to want to go home. It's a good thing that both food and drink can be obtained on the premises.

Guess this makes it official... and quite a partie it should be... Heck, the Clams are even hiring a horn section for your entertainment pleasure. What more could ask for? Better make those reservations right away... wait, this is a FREE event... Oh well, just get there early... and be sure to rest up beforehand cause Gary sez the Unreal are gonna rock the house way LATE into the night ... that's past midnight at least for you folks in the geezer set. Oh and don't fergit yur HORNS (and ear plugs)!

The Starry Plough is at 3101 Shattuck in Berkeley. Corner of
Shattuck and Prince. You have NO EXCUSE... this is a F-R-E-E show!

Berkeley's Starry Plough 35th Anniversary Party, Saturday November 8th, Features Muffin Family Faves

The Starry Plough ... 35 incredible years in Berkeley! This will be a FREE party (4PM - 1AM) with BBQ and beer specials all day long... and check out this lineup!

• The Unreal Band
• The Happy Clams
• Cavepainters
• Pickin' Trix

Plus these great bands...

• The Naked Barbies
• Ragged Glory
• Yard Sale
• Xenia Rudnyckya
• Joan Pez's Open Mic All Star

This is clearly a MM (Muffineer Mandatory) event. Without the Starry Plough, so much that is (and was) the Muffin NEVER would have happened! Stay tuned for more details!

ALSO: Gary sez that the Unreal and others will be helping to kick-off the Anniversary Party with a Buffalo Roam Reunion Show at the Plough on Friday November 7th at 9:30.

Starry Plough Pub
3101 Shattuck Ave , Berkeley CA
(510) 841-2082
http://www.starryploughpub.com/

San Francisco to Honor Dirk Dirksen with Dirk Dirksen Alley

The City of San Francisco has authorized the street naming of Dirk Dirksen Alley at the former Rowland Street location. For those of you who don't know, Rowland Street is the alley next to the old Mabuhay Gardens location at 443 Broadway Street in North Beach.

With your help we will be purchasing a memorial plaque and installing it at the Dirk Dirksen Alley location. Nonprofit organization, H.E.A.R. will be managing the contributions going towards the Dirk Dirksen plaque creation and the city sidewalk installation. Our goal is to raise $3000.00. Please help the friends and family of Dirk Dirksen and the City of San Francisco to complete this last step to honor the Pope of Punk and San Francisco's Counterculture Music Scene that he presided over.

Dirk Dirksen Alley Memorial Plaque Drive Donations are being excepted now at http://www.hearnet.com/auction.html Your contribution in any amount is welcome and tax deductible. You can give $5, $10 $25, $50, $100 or more.

Thank all of you for your wonderful support!

Fall Fest Forecast: Sunny Days, Clear Nights with a Chance of Cavepainters

One week out, the weather forecast looks great for the Muffin Fall Fest... and the word from Rick & Co is that the Cavepainters will try to assemble in some form for the event. The deal commences on Friday but if you can't show til Saturday you won't be alone. If skies are as clear as they say, we should have some phenomenal harvest moon action as the weekend progresses. Friday night is up for grabs but the BFD (big fish dinner) is on for Saturday. Expect that Chef Lorenzo will commandeer the cook shack for your Sunday brunching pleasure. Make mine over easy on top o' the stack with a side of sausage please. There is even a rumor that Dandie Gee may make an appearance so with the Weazels in the house, a bit of shoein' might be in order. Whatever the case, do your best to bust out of town for a relaxin' weekend country style. If you can chill til Monday all the better. If you haven't posted an RSVP yet, git on it... Time is running out!

Fall Fest 2008 Features Wild Alaska Salmon Feast

The notorious Weasel and world champion horseshoe pro, Man Mountain Bobby Beautiful, has just returned from yet another victorious fishing expedition from the wilds of Palinland to offer you a once in a lifetime special event... A Wild Alaskan Salmon Feast!

How many other Muffin horseshoe teams can make that sort of claim... willing to travel to the arctic and back, braving high seas, gale force winds and airport security to bring you the best damn fish in the whole universe.

If that doesn't get you out to this year's Muffin Fall Fest, I don't know what will. Remember Fall fest is an "eventus pro bono", we just ask that you RSVP by October 8th.

Muffin Fall Fest is Friday - Sunday, October 10-13 at the old same place.

More info to come.

Captain Mike plays "Blues for Obama" benefit show in Berkeley September 27th

Captain Mike sez: "Some like a spoon full of Obama Some like a spoon of that bad McCain. Just one little spoon of all 'a my friends attending the Obama Fundraiser eases ALL of my pain.... So come on down to Berkeley this Saturday evening."

The Obama Campaign is throwing a fundraising Party at the Ethnic Arts Gallery, 1314 10th St, from 6-9PM. Live Music starts at 6, and somewhere around 7 Captain Mike will count to 4, and his band will blow the roof off the house! We got some very (very!!) special guests sitting in with us for the occasion, I'm sure you're gonna dig - don't miss it! $25 at the door.

Ethnic Arts Gallery

1314 10th St

Berkeley, CA 94710

(510) 527-5270

Berkeley Institution "Brennan's" Ousted For Condos! Farewell Gathering Friday, September 12th

A large part of the Muffin crowd mis-spent much of their youth in West Berkeley (Autogenic Systems, Clance and Rhiannon's, Virginia Street Gang). A favorite gathering place back in the late 70's and throughout the 80's was Brennan's, a bar and hofbrau style restaurant at the foot of University Avenue. After almost 50 years, Brennan's is being booted out to make room for condos. Brennan's will try to re-establish next door at the old and much smaller train depot (which can't be torn down due to its "historical" value!).

A number of the old Sam's 58 Club crowd (another sorely missed Berkeley institution) will be meeting at the old place for a final farewell on Friday September 12th. No time specified... probably around 8PM. Hope to see you all there! More info as it becomes available.

Brennan's Bar & Restaurant
720 University Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94710
(510) 841-0960

Muffin's Fall Fest 2008 Tentatively Scheduled For Columbus Day Weekend

The Muffin central committee has announced that the second annual Fall Fest is being planned for Columbus Day weekend in recognition of the genocide and environmental destruction brought to this great continent by CC himself back in 1492. That's October 11, 12 and 13 for you non-government employed working schmucks. You heard right... break out the winter woollies and that bottle of Wild Turkey you've been squirrelin'! This year we intent to wallow in full-on Fall-like weather! The pope sez that there's gonna be a full moon on Monday so you may just want to stick around for that. Game plan same as last year for all those in the know. One last blow-out before the big chill sets in! Please post your feedback to the this posting. Stay tuned for further details...

You Are Invited! Mid-Summer Classic at Paul Pot's House

Discover the mystery. Party at Paul Pot's house. All muffiteers are invited. If you don't know where the house is, ask another muffiteer and another and another. Somebody's got to know dammit! Tell other muffiteers. No, I repeat, no hammerheads. Saturday August 2 at 8 pm. For info contact paul at thehappyclams dott com.

Ever wonder how a band like the Clams found their way to the muffin? Well this party (many years ago) had a lot to do with it! That should give you a clue what a cool scene it is! So come Aug 2 drop whatever it is you're doing and head on over to Pot Manor. You won't be disappointed!

Happy Clams Appear At Festival of the Breasts, June 15th at the Stork Club

All possible disclaimers apply here. Not sure what this is all about but it sure is a fine poster (I want that font!) and some great bands are appearing including Muffin's own show bustin Happy Clams! Muffin sez attend at your own risk!

The Festival of Breasts was originally conceived as an epic music festival that would take place at The Rack Lodge, in Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park. The bill was going to be filled by bands that had breasts or know somebody who did. Eventually, the idea morphed into a Sunday BBQ at the Stork Club with real and/or fake breasts. even chicken breasts...We will celebrate all things round & soft, like a nice pair of boobs.

Mill Race 12am
Brad Electro 11pm
ApplePie Hopes 10:30pm
ASP 10pm
The Happy Clams 9pm
The Bleu Canadians 8pm
5¢ Coffee 7pm
The Clarences 6pm
Bunny Numpkins and the Kill Blow-Up Reaction 5:30pm
Plasterkatz 5pm
The Lemmies 4pm

DJ Mole, Mike Glendinning & Alayna Stroud's Group Ascension
in between sets
Sunday, June 15th 2008, 4pm Stork Club, 23rd St. & Telegraph, Downtown Oakland
(510) 444-6174

Harlan Hollander and the Hokum Boys at the Muffin!

Check out Harlan's Video on MySpace:

http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=35896278

What more can you say?

Muffin "Post Op" this Wednesday June 11 at the Missouri in Berkeley

Feeling a bit disoriented lately? Can it really be summer already? Vague memories of another Muffin gone by? How did this happen? How did I get here? Well, the truth is that if you wait long enough, everything will pass you by! But now is your opportunity to again touch base with a handful of other brave Muffineers. Hmmm, its all coming back to me now! So it's another unofficial Muffin debrief at the Miz in Berkeley at Paul Pot's open mic on Wednesday June 11. Apparently Paul is buying drinks for anyone who performs a baseball related tune... or perhaps a baseball related joke for those not musically inclined!

So if Muffin owes you some money (or some microphone or guitar stands for that matter), show up at the Miz and chances are good that you might just be able to collect your due. You've had plenty of time to rest up so you don't have any excuses. Plus it's free! And rumor has it that if you bring your Muffin ticket stub, Greg will buy you a drink, no joke required!

Bring out your Muffin photos!

This blog has a new gallery for photos if anyone wants to submit some. Attach'em to email and send to thos.bell@gmail.com. They will appear in the gallery or on the slide show below in time.

Derwoody has a bunch of great shots (including the above) at:

http://darron.smugmug.com/

Dan Lange has posted some on his blog as well at (plus some new tunes!):

http://buskersblues.blogspot.com/

If there are other galleries with photos out there include a link in your comments below and I will post 'em. Thanx!

Muffin XXXIII Photos! More to come...

Another GREAT Muffin!!! Thanks to Everyone!!!

Just a quick post here to let everyone know that Muffin wrapped up in good shape. Hope that all you Muffineers made it home safely. The place looked very clean and back to normal yesterday morning... thanks to you all for tidying up and hauling out garbage!

With on-site sales, we ended up selling over 80 tickets, providing enough funds to cover expenses. All the t-shirts were sold so they paid for themselves including all the musician comps! We still need to pay a few bills and deposit cash and checks, but when the dust settles we will be paying anyone that was promised cash and hasn't been paid yet.

Once again, THANKS to all the folks who participated, especially all the musicians and support people, those that traveled long distances and those who braved the less than perfect weather. More later and perhaps a "debrief" meeting to be announced. MUFFIN!!!

p.s. Looks like Derwoody has some Muffin XXXIII pics posted! Follow his link in the "links" section.

Muffin Forecast: Partly Cloudy, Full On Party!!!

Looks like we will be spared the oven like conditions of a week or so ago. The down side is it will likely be a bit on the cloudy and cool side... particularly on Saturday and into Sunday. On the bright side, Friday and Monday are looking really good! Here's the official weather map for Saturday showing Muffin surrounded by light rain... who knows... maybe it will snow! So be forewarned... pack the poncho, a fleece or 2, the rain fly and don't pitch your tent in a gully! What the hey, maybe all those motor-homes will come in handy after all! Come hell or high water, DRIVE SAFE and get ready for some fun!

Muffin XXXIII: Year of the Cheap Event?

Given the lackluster ticket sales (yes tickets REALLY are still only $30 bux!) the Muffin committee is seeking really cheap events to delight and entertain the throngs of Muffineers expected to flood Muffinville this season. Rumor has it the "pirate" contingent is planning another sneak attack and beach-style weenie roast for Sunday night. Mention has also been made of a "Paella" night, perhaps Saturday... bring your biggest paella pan, swimps, chicken parts and plenty of saffron or whatever else might slow cook on a bed of spicy rice. Club Ouiselle has hinted that "The Dude" night is in the works for Sunday night... wear a bathrobe, a bowling shirt or an ugly alpaca sweater and get a free white Russian! HH is threatening to bring his copy of the Newlywed Game (home edition) and intends to force anyone who's been married in the last 5 years to answer incredibly embarassing questions on stage in front of everyone. Prizes to be announced. To make matters worse Hank Gimee is negotiating a deal to be MC. So sounds like this year is shaping up to be a memorable one.

Another Muffin Miracle: Meadow Drive-In Sign Rises after 18 Years on Junk Pile

How can this be!?! The Meadow Drive-In sign appeared briefly way back at Muffin XV. It later served a couple unseemly years as the bar surface for Club Ouiselle after which it was spurned and cast upon the junk pile where it has waited all these years for a new lease on life. Now it has risen to claim its rightful place of glory at Muffin 33.

Hell if that old sign can look this good after all that time on a trash heap what's your excuse? Bet you haven't even bought a ticket yet! You're probably thinking "I'm getting too old for all that camping, music, dancing, partying and having a really good time".

OK, be that way. All the more good time for the rest of us to suck up! And just look at that beautiful new layer of OSB on the stage (another muffin miracle... knock on wood) ready for a whole new generation of pogo'ers. This could just be the best Muffin ever and you're going to miss it because you are thinking that you're all washed up.

You know who you are. Well the truth is you still have a week or so to dust yourself off, slap on some new paint and get hold of a ticket. Just show up at the Miz this Wednesday (Paul Pot's Open Mic) or at the Starry Plough on Thursday (Cavepainters Happy Hour) with 30 bux in hand for your slice of one of the best kept secrets in the whole danged universe!

Photo: Meadow Drive-In impresario Playboy Millionaire Hank Gimme admires miracle sign as the "Pope" looks on.

Unreal Band and Captain Mike Distract Muffin Mowers May 10th in Berkeley

Dooh! Muffin Mishap! Situation AFU! The Unreal Band and Muffin Committee somehow scheduled a big Muffin Warm Up Show AND Muffin Mow Down on the same danged weekend! And Captain Mike to boot! Arrgh!!! ... You tell me, hard labor in the hot Yuba County sun all day or kickin' back at the cool Starry Plough with a pint and some fine tunes? Not much of a choice unless you are a hard core Downer... or you want to save yourself for that Magic Muffin Moment on the one and only Real Unreal Saturday night in May! OK enough said... If you aren't too keen on sweat and bullets, just march yourself down to the Starry Plough in Berkeley this May 10 for a fine (albeit warm up) show. If you need those last minute Muffin tickets (and it would be nice to sell a couple more) bring along an extra 30 bux! There should be someone on hand that can help you help us out.

Hey You! Muffin is now less than THREE WEEKS away! Get busy!!!

Muffin "Mow Down" Scheduled for Sat/Sun May 10/11

For those hearty folks that want to get their Muffin rolling early this year, this is your chance to get a jump on things. "Mow Down" is a long time Muffin tradition of showing up a week early to whip the property into shape for the big weekend. This year we are trying something a little different by scheduling the "Down" two weeks in advance to give folks a chance to recover from all that hard work, beer lifting and can plinking. The plan is to commence activity around noon, get as much done Saturday and then chill out by the camp fire and wrap up any loose ends Sunday morning. If you'd like to participate email the blog at the address below for more info or just show up with your tool box in hand and lots of gumption. A good time is guaranteed for all!



For additional info: thos.bell@gmail.com

Muffin Planning Committee Announces "Gas Tax Hog-A-Day" Saturday May 24th

Get a load of this rig! What a planet buster! Think you can top it? The Muffin committee has decided that in order to send off the Summer Consumption Season in proper form that we should all be burning as much fuel (preferably good ol' petroleum products) as humanly possible during this year's Muffin (end of the planet) celebration. That means of course getting your paws on the biggest gas guzzling 10 wheel'd hawg that you can find and drive it back and forth to the Muffin (at least once). And hell, if you have to pop out to Sacramento once or twice for brewskies then more power to you! So to mark this VERY special occasion there will be a series of prizes awarded including:

• Hauled Up Most Crap (that you didn't use) Award
• Largest Vehicle Volume (not hauling a trailer) Award
• Most Luxurious Bathroom (driven to the Muffin) Award

and by the way, if you plan to win any of these, you best leave those cheezy solar panels at home.

Courtesy parking provided by O'conno Lodge.

It's Official! The Muffin Flyer Has Landed!

Well I guess that's that. No more doubts. Muffin XXXIII I/III is GO for take-off. Well sort of. There is this little issue of ... where to start? Selling 100 tickets might be nice. So if you know some great people out there (leave the Hammerheads at home thank you very much) you can let them in on this little 33 year old secret and invite them and their 30 bux (25 before May 1) to one of the greatest little parties on the planet! Then again, maybe you are thinking, I'm too busy to do the Muff this year. Well 33 is an awful big number in human terms... 1/2 a lifetime for many. We tried to bury the Muffin back in 2000 but it came back to life. How many lives does a Muffin have anyway? At least 32 that we know of. So just keep that in mind when you think about doing something else this Memorial Day week(end).

Oh, and here is the terrific artwork that Paul Pot put together for this year's invite. Not sure how that 1/3 got in there. Fall fest perhaps. Seems to me we lost a 1/2 a Muffin (the 1/2 baked Muffin) about 15 years back and it took one hell of an effort to get it back. So consider this extra 1/3 as a preemptive Muffin... just in case. The last thing we need now is a Mushroom Cloud! Wait... did I say that? Thank you Paul for another flyer extrordinaire and thanks to Cyn for mailing them out! Hand addressed yet! Wow... this is a whole new dimension of class! And a note to Bill and Chris... it appears you guys are seriously on-the-hook for a first class drive-in theatre this year (and BTW this doesn't have anything to do with horseshoes).

Look Out! Here They Come Again! The Itchy Mountain Men Play Sunday April 13 in Berkeley!

In case you missed that fine show at the Ashkenaz last month, here is your chance to redeem yourself. The Itchies are playing as part of the St. John's Concert Series at St. John's Presbyterian Church in Berkeley on Sunday April 13 at 4PM. St. John's is at 2727 College Avenue. Tickest are $20 and $10 for students (see what a deal you missed!).

FOR MORE INFO GO TO: http://www.stjohns.presbychurch.net/concertseries.htm

Phone: (510) 684-7563

On other fronts, Muffin flyers have been mailed. If you don't get one by the end of this week, email your snail mail address to this blog and we'll try to send you one.

Muffin Committee Calls Emergency Meeting: Ticket Price Bumped To 50 Bux!

Due to the extremely "light" turnout of Muffineers at the so called "Muffin" Kick-Off show at the Ashkanaz on Saturday and due to lackluster response to early Muffin ticket sales the Muffin Central Committee has decided that the standard ticket price must increase to cover the anticipated budget gap. This slacker surcharge will bring the "gate" price for Muffin 33.333... tickets to an all time high of 50 USD's. Please note that the early bird ticket offer (1/2 price!) will remain in effect until tax day (April 15). Orders postmarked after midnight 4/15 will be charged the new outrageous fee unless somehow things turn around!

Speaking of the show, the Itchy Mountain Men turned in an incredible performance that was HIGHLY enjoyed by all who showed the gumption to attend. The Unreal Band sounded tighter than ever and performed some great new material. The scant handful of "faithful" that stuck around (or showed up LATE!) were treated to an awesome second set that went on and on into the early AM. Wow! Imagine how that'll sound in Muffin holler!

Also of note, expect a Muffin Flyer in the mail any day now! OK, the deal isn't real until you have the official paperwork in hand. Trust me, Monsieur Pot has promised to deliver on this one. After that, you don't have an excuse!

BTW: Happy St. Stupid's Day!!!

Hank Gimme Announces Grand Re-Opening of New and Improved Meadow Drive-In

In a press release earlier today, famous gold country millionaire and professional horseshoe impresario Hank Gimme announced the return of the Meadow Drive-In to the long standing Meadow Muffin music and arts festival. Launched back in the last century when drive-ins all over the country were closing the Meadow Drive-In bucked the trend, providing what was a long honored tradition, the concept of experiencing incredibly bad cinema from the comfort and privacy of other people's cars. A large part of this project will involve excavating the Meadow Drive-In sign from the pile of crap next to the Muffin hanger and restoring it to its former glory. On top of that, Gimme's latest media acquisition KMUF radio has promised to dedicate 100% of their bandwidth to provide in-car audio to the stunning array of cinematic gems projected each and every night at the Muffin Drive-In.

Calling all Bands! Muffin Band Roster so far...

So far the following bands have either commited or shown serious interest in playing at Muffin 33. Like last year, we hope to make Friday night an informal "open mic" for folks who want to get up and play without the benefit of the BIG sound. We are also hoping to do a "mostly accoustic" Sunday this year.

Here is the list so far (in no particular order)...

- The Happy Clams (Sensitive-punk)
- The Unreal Band (R&R)
- Dan Lange (Buskerman Blues)
- The Cavepainters (Traditional)
- Itchy Mountain Men (Funkgrass)
- Pseudo Cru (Headbanger)
- The Hokum Boys (R&R)

If you have a band that might be interested please email the blogmaster at: thosbell@gmail.com

Muffin (Mini Style) Kick-Off Show Set for March 29th in Berkeley (where else?)

I guess this means it's UNREAL! Here is the flyer/poster for the Muffin Kick-Off show later this month.

BTW: We should have Muffin tickets available at this show (yes, we are doing this again!). Tickets purchased on or before May 15 will be available for the incredible discounted price of 25 bux! Once again... any cheaper and we would be paying you to go the Muffin!

Come out and support these great bands!!!

Special thanks to LISA for this fabulous poster.

http://www.ashkenaz.com/

http://www.itchymountainmen.com/

http://www.unrealband.com/

Planning Meeting set for Thursday (3/6) at the Lanesplitter in Berkeley

The first formal Muffin planning meeting will take place Thursday, March 6th at 8PM at the Lanesplitter on San Pablo (1/2 block south of University) in Berkeley. Another Muffin VICTORY in the works??? That could be up to YOU! Feel free to pass this along to other interested parties and/or bring a friend. This is your chance to make this year's Muffin extra special!







The agenda might look something like this ...

1. Do we really want to do this again?
   
2. What is the interest level out there?


3. Where do we stand money wise?


4. What should we do differently/the same?


5. What bands are interested, committed?


6. What sort of budget is needed?


7. How much should we charge?


8. How do we handle promotion at the Ashkenez gig?


9. What deadlines do we have?


10. Who is going to do what?


11. Tickets/flyer needed by the end March!


12. Do we really want to do this again?

Bring your IDEAS! Hope to see you there!

http://www.lanesplitterpizza.com/

Itchies vs Unreal? Muffin Kick-off Show in the Works for March 29 at the Ashkenaz

Yup, it's that time again... the clouds are parting, the sun is warming up, trees are a blossum... the smell of meat is in the air! Can another Muffin be far off? Ungie has been hard at work arranging a special show at the Ashkenaz in Berkeley for March 29. Details to follow but expect the Unreal Band to headline the show with the Itchy Mountain Men and others as openers and jammers!

Stay Tooned for details!!!

Somewhat Happy Clams Open Stork Club Fan Fest on Prez Day Eve

The (not entirely) Happy Clams kick off the Festival of the Fans 2008 BBQ at the Stork Club Sunday, Feb. 17th during Prez Day Weekend. Doors open at 3pm and then the (not entirely) HAPPY CLAMS are up first at 4pm. Not entirely happy, you say? No, it's just that the entire band can't make the gig. Paul Pot will be there on guitar and vocals. Rawbird will be matching his electric, slow-bluegrass banjo stylings to your favorite Happy Clams tunes and the further he stays away from the microphone the better it will be for everyone involved.

So have something off the grill and let the evening slip away while 9 bands follow one another until the day rolls into the next. All for a measly 7 bucks. ("Wow," he muttered just loud enough for everyone in the room to hear.) Each band is encouraged to perform at least one song, singing through the electric fan. Tips of noses and tongues may be a flying. Bring a hanky.

Show Times: 4 pm The (not entirely) Happy Clams; 5 pm October Allied; 6 pm The Lemmies; 7 pm The Bleu Canadians; 8 pm Plasterkatz; 9 pm The Clarences; 10 pm Rollercoaster Summer; 11 pm Dan Electro; 12 am Mike Glendinning .....with DJ Mole throughout

ALL at the freshly painted Stork Club on Oakland's Posh Telegraph Avenue.

Links to the other bands can be found on the news page at:
http://www.thehappyclams.com/

Fred Weed Appears with Elite Artists in Berkeley at The Freight on February 12

Wow, who knew Fred had this much class! Lara St. John, Mike Marshall, Sam Bass, Dave Grossman, Lynda Arnold, Kelly Back, and Fred Weed. If you haven't heard any of these folks, you are in for a treat! Check it out!

Canadian-born violinist Lara St. John is a passionate, charismatic soloist who has performed with the orchestras of Cleveland, Philadelphia, Minnesota, Seattle, Montreal, and many more, as well as throughout Europe and Asia. Her previous three CDs, two of them dedicated to works by Bach, gained her great critical acclaim for her superb technique, musical imagination, and vitality. She has been featured in numerous publications, from People to US News and World Report, as well as on CNN's Showbiz Today and NPR's All Things Considered.

Joining Lara are an eclectic group of musicians from the worlds of jazz, pop, blues, rock, and classical, apparently united only in their devotion to the music of Bach. Featured are cellist Sam Bass, Dave Grossman on electric bass, Lynda Arnold on flute, electric guitarist Kelly Back, and Fred Weed on piano.

Note to Muffineers: Please refrain from yelling "MUF-FIN!!!" during Mr. Weed's performance.

For more info:

http://www.jsbach.net/bass/2008-02-12-solo-bach-night-berkeley.html

http://www.freightandsalvage.com/2008/0802-february/info_080212.html

Freight & Salvage Coffee House
1111 Addison Street Berkeley, CA (around the corner from the Lanesplitter!)
(510) 548-1761