Wow! Thanks for One of the BEST Muffins Ever!!!

This was truly a Muffin for the record books! You can't possibly capture in a single post how much came together at this year's Muffin but it was pretty darned amazing. Thursday's rain and hail turned into near perfect Muffin weather for the remainder of the weekend! Some great performances were turned in at the Friday night open mic. Miz Jen, for one did a fantastic set in case you missed it. Expect big things from her at the Open Mic this summer!

The Saturday pot luck was a real wiener and a must have for future Muffins. Psuedo's fusion machine got the party up and running fast with their own mash brand of funk-hop and R&R. Very cool! They were followed by Berkeley's finest geezer punk band, The Happy Clams. Wow... what can you say! As tradition dictates, The Unreal Band capped off the night. Clearly they have been working hard because in 25 plus years of playing the Muffin, they have never sounded better! They had everyone up and dancing until well after midnight. Wow, is this world's greatest party or what!

Sunday saw Dandy G. wrap up the horseshoe tournee by defeating not one but two of his sons in the final rounds. TOC didn't do too bad either. Another terrific Itchy spin-off the Cosmic Shenanigans kicked off the third evenings show. Keep your eye on this band... they are big fun! The lone Hokum Boy himself H. Hollander dragged himself out of double H-surgery all the way to the Muffin for the next set. Nice to see you up and about H. Next up was a loose consortium out of Berkeley called the Lost Hippies (a.k.a. Cavepainters) who jammed with various Muffin family members including Doggie Jomo with a rousing rendition of the "D. J. Theme Song". The LH also performed a valuable dynamic load test of the stage by placing no fewer than 12 people on it at one time thereby qualifying it GTG for yet another year. "Laid back" Sunday was topped off with some very cool and classy blues by (all the way from Portland OR) Mr. Dan Lange. If that wasn't enough, Muffin newbie (and hopefully future regular) David Matela brought the show back to Earth with some incredible riffs that had everybody feelin' groovy. Nice!

The fun just spilled over into Monday for those who just couldn't make themselves leave. The traditional meat fest was done up right with some fine goat ribs a-la-Elin. A guitar-off ensued giving birth to at least three new verses to "Ghost Muffins in the Sky" and a rendition of D.J.'s "Muffin Song". And a very long song it is. Thirty-five years and counting!

Some individual thanks go out (in no specific order) to...

Mr. Ed P: for graciously allowing us to do this on his property AGAIN!
G. Lee: for delivering world class sound under the worst conditions possible.
Vasco: for organizing the Marin front.
Pin-head Mike: for hauling the lil-JuJu all the way from Alameda.
M.C. Shoot: for projecting what might be Muffin's raunchiest videos to date.
Greg M: for rounding up all the homies and keeping them in line.
Chris: for commandeering the HS tore-knee AND ticket design/printing.
Candy: for those SUPER stickers.
the Pirates: for Tiki cocktails (especially the "bilge water").
Paul Pot: for encouraging the whole mess.
Laura (Pink Boots): for being a ticket nazi.
Rickey D: for keeping that Itchy spirit alive.
The Weazels: for inventing the Muffin and abdicating their horseshoe crown again.
Marshall (with help from Pope): for not wrecking the hay wagon completely.
Lee: for fixing the hay wagon (just in the nick of time) and drawing/mailing the flyer.
Bee People: for keeping the gate running smoothly and those critical cappuccinos.
Gary & JA: for keeping the faith!
Bishop Joey: for forming the decorations committee on his own.
Matt: for pitching in on sound.
Vee: for being a firewood taskmaster.
Antoinette: for hauling out the hay-ride.
Bill: for upgrading the KMUF transmitter.
Tim & Dina: for firing up the pot luck.
Hans: for the Muffin portrait studio (Just don't put me on facebook!).
Stephen & the Neck: for continuing to show up and entertain us after 30+ years.
the Roadies: for humping gear and hanging in (beer pong rules!)
Pope: for filling in the many gaps and keeping us on course (most of the time).
Everyone who attended: we couldn't do it without you!

Photo by Derwoody (who else): See more of Darron's Muffin photos

Muffin Gate "Sauna" Seeking Buffalo Robes

... or old blankets will do if you have 'em. Here's a message from the Muffin "Gate" crowd: For all you out there with the cold of spring in your bones the fix is a good sweat. To complete the image we need all the old blankets, cotton coverlets, down comforters, moving pads and buffalo skins we can find. Help us out by bringing an old cover and dropping it off at the entrance camp on yur way in. If we can find enough rocks we'll have a warm place to drive out those chills and get ready to roll. A few logs of Oak will be gratefully accepted as well.

Editor's Note: That's right, a proper sweat lodge is NOT covered with plastic tarps alone! It needs to breath. So break out those healing crystals and get your chakras tuned up and prepare yourself to shed all that bad stuff you've been carrying around. Rumor has it that some creek access has been opened up complements of "mow down II" and it sounds like we will really be able to use it.

Lastly: IF YOU SUFFER FROM A SERIOUS ILLNESS OR HAVE AN ACUTE HEART, CIRCULATORY OR RESPIRATORY PROBLEM, CONSULT A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SWEAT BATHING (Or MUFFIN'ing in general for that matter!).

Extended Muffin Forecast: Better Than Fair To Middlin'

As of Tuesday PM things seem to be shaping up in the weather dept. It looks a little iffy for the early arrivers but by Friday any major weather should be well on its way to Boise. Saturday is lookin about as good as it gets for one of the coldest Mays on record. Zero % chance of precipitation Sat/Sun/Mon! ... you gotta like those numbers! Then again we are talkin about the foothills here where a little downburst can happen at any time. That and those expected lows are for way down the hill in balmy Mutantville so be prepared for a chilly evening or two. That said, what other excuse are you gonna come up with for not Muffin'ing this year? Once again, last minute discount tickets are available. Phone lines are open. Get your nose out of Facebook for a minute and track down a ticket! Could just be one of the best Muffins ever!

Just Announced: Saturday Evening Pot Luck (Without Elvis)

Hate cooking those 5 course meals? Especially at the Muffin? This year we'll make it simple for you. Slap together just one of your favorite dishes and bring it out to the Saturday Evening Pot Luck. Don't have a favorite... or even a specialty dish? I guess you could go with the Elvis/trailer trash theme here... Fried squirrel anyone? How about a Frito casserole? Peanut butter and banana sandwiches? Squirt cheese and Ritz crackers? Pigs in a blanket? OK, maybe not. Just bring something YOU want to eat. Plates and sporks will be provided.

Muffin XXXV Has Landed: Only Minor Damage Reported

So... the grass is cut, firewood and port-o-pots are on order, the music is lined up, T-shirts are being screened, pins are on the way, movie screen is going up, trophies are being polished, capes dry cleaned, pits groomed and the stage is set ... for yet another huge MUFFIN!

If you haven't got your ticket yet, you still have a week left to do something about it and save yourself 5 bux and the embarrassment of having to pay the outrageous full price once you get there. There is still enough time to drop a check (payable to Meadow Muffin please) in the mail and get your very own discount ticket to Muffin XXXV.

If you can't make the entire party (it's a big weekend!) one-day (one-night) discounts will be available at 1/2 the normal price. No extra charge for those that want to make it a 5 day event.

For those that want to pitch in, there is considerable stage, sound and drive-in setup to be done on Friday so feel free to show up a little early and get some extra Muffin in before the throngs arrive. You always wanted to be a roadie for a big R&R show... now is you chance to live that dream!

Stay tuned for additional posts as the big date approaches.

Pins Are Back! Lil' Lucky Ju Ju is Muffin Bound!

There'll be some heavy mileage on the Lil' JuJu rolling pinball arcade after this month. It all starts with an appearance at the Pin-A-Go-Go (5/14-16) at the Dixon Fairgrounds. Then it's off to the Maker Faire (5/22-23) at the San Mateo County Events Center... Finally (assuming the wheels haven't fallen off) its scheduled to make an exclusive two day appearance at (you guessed it) the MUFFIN! Is that cool or what!?!

If you missed the Lil'JuJu three years ago, you are in for a real treat! It's essentially a mobile museum of pinball where you get to play all the machines for FREE! That is after you make your personal donation to Muffin of course (aka a "ticket"). So get busy and get your ticket before they are all gone!

Lucky Ju Ju Pinball

713 Santa Clara Avenue
Alameda, CA 94501

Weather Prediction is FAIR for Muffin Mow Down, Saturday May 15th

Muffin "mow down" or prep day is on for this Saturday May 15 for anyone who would like to help out getting things rolling this year. Or if you are anxious to nail down a camp site or just help nail down the stage top, feel free to make the trek to Browns Valley for the event. Those that are confirmed hope to be on site by 10AM to begin operations. If you would like to attend, please bring your gas powered weed eaters, shovels, tool belts, etc. if you got em. With any luck the tractor will fire up so we can get some real cutting done. If you have questions please send an email to muffinxxxv@gmail.com

Lastly, Advance tickets will be on sale at Paul Pot's Open Mic at the Missouri Lounge in West Berkeley Wednesdays until the Muffin. Stop by and ask your host Paul for information. Admittance is free and you will be highly entertained!

Missouri Lounge Open Mic
Wednesdays, 7 - 10PM

2600 San Pablo Avenue
Berkeley, CA

510 548-2080

Tentative Muffin Music Schedule Posted (Unofficially)

For all those out there that have been waiting with baited breath... here is the current line-up for music performances at Muffin XXXV.

Friday May May 28th, 7PM - 10PM

• "Open Mic" Format
  
• Three song limit (unless you're REALLY good)
  
• Sign-up starts at 6PM (first come...)
  
• Sound system is "No Warranty"
  

Saturday May 29th, 4PM - Midnight

• The World Famous Hokum Boyz
• Pseudo
• The Happy Clams
• The Unreal Band
  

Sunday May 30th, 4PM - 9PM

• Cosmic Shenanigans (All 5 or them at last count!)
• Doggie Jomo Orchestra
  
• Lost Hippies Jam
• David Matela
• Dan Lange

Hmmm, this line-up is looking awful familiar somehow. Maybe we can spice it up with a comedy act or perhaps a few pet tricks... Any takers out there?

Widespread Panic As Muffin XXXV Approaches Earth!!!

Yup, as the weeks to Muffin fade away and the event looms larger and larger, the tickets just naturally get more and more expensive. Come Saturday the Muffin will be bigger than it's been in two whole years and the price of that ever expanding humongous Muffin thing is gonna cost you 30 US bux! But seriously, we are talking about a 3 or 4 day party here... all the fun you will probably ever have for under 10 bux a day!?! Where else you gonna find that? So if your check, money order or other pro-misery note is received by May Day (5/1/10) you will be mailed your very own Muffin ticket (no questions asked).

On other fronts, the long standing tradition of "Mow Down" is being planned for TWO weeks before the big event so that participants will have two entire weeks to recover. For the uninitiated, MD is when we cut the grass, prep the stage and power, etc., etc... for the big event. More details to come but if you would like to help out this year, set aside Saturday May 15th. In the unlikely event of foul weather, MD will likely be postponed until the following Saturday.

That's it for now. The next post will have more details on the music schedule or other events!!!

Another Muffin Milestone --> Flyers* Mailed!!!

OK, so just MAYBE there really will be a Muffin this year... Here's proof positive... Many thanks to Lee for getting this together... ummm wait a minute... Happy Band? Clam Buffet? Steamin' Dina? White Water Rafting? This thing is ALL F#%'$& UP! And what's with the dude with the badge anyway? We really don't like badges... especially at the Muffin! Last time the badges showed up they almost pulled the plug! Especially since it was TOC that greeted them at the gate. Come to think of it, maybe someone should have pulled the plug a long time ago! Guess it almost happened again 2 years back. Maybe that's the real reason why we had a "time out" last year. OK, none of THAT this year for sure. After all everyone is sayin' this is just "1 MFN 2 MNY!". We don't want to take that too literally. After all, we've got a whole new generation of Muffin Heads ready to take over. Right Kids? So back to the business at hand... Please notice the outrageous price increase for Muffin this year. That's right... show up at the door without a ticket and be prepared to hand over 35 U.S. Bux!!! Then again you could just purchase before the May 1st deadline and pay a measly 25 U.S. Bux. And if that's not enough, any order for 5 or more tickets will include an additional %20 discount!!! Oh and in case you missed the disclaimer, please note... "Meadow Muffin is a PRIVATE PARTY by invite ONLY(!!!)" and then there is the universally recognized "NO HAMMERHEADS (tm)" seal of disapproval that pretty much says it all.

If you have not received your Muffin flyer/invite you can email the Muffin with your proper mailing address and plead your case why we should invest 44 cents to mail you one.

Email: muffinxxxv@gmail.com

[*the handbill variety, not the hockey team... also known as a "flier"]

Huge Turnout at First Muffin 2010 Planning Meeting

The first official planning meeting for Muffin 2010 was PACKED with enthusiastic Muffineers. Turnout was so good that Lane Splitter even threw in a free pizza and pitcher or two of beer (Thanks Tage!). Greg even came all the way down from Sacto to give the event a touch of legitimacy. So the net result is Muffin XXXV seems to be on a roll. For starters ...

1. 1. A Flyer should be going out around March 17th (St. Patrick's Day) - thanks LEE!
   
2. 2. Tickets should be printed and available by April 1st (St. Stupid's Day) - thanks CHRIS!
3. Price will be $25 before May 1; $30 in Advance and $XXXV at the event.
4. We have been promised the usual world class sound system AGAIN. Thanks GARY!

We are hoping for three nights of music again this year. That will be an open mic on Friday (events permitting), R&R on Saturday and All Acoustic Sunday (to give the neighbors a break!).

Other things going on, we will be looking for help with the following:

• T-Shirt/Hoodie Artwork and Production
  
• Ticket Sales
  
• Mow Down & Stage Prep (Saturday Before)
• Friday Setup & Prep
• Sound Mix (for the qualified)
  
• T-shirt and On-site Ticket Sales (Sweep)
  
• Monday Tear Down & Pack-up

If you would like to assist with something or would like more info please email muffinxxxv@gmail.com

MUFFIN XXXV - May 28, 29, 30 & 31, 2010!

That's it for now. Stay tuned for updates!

Another Geezer Punk ('n Blues) Show At Chester's Fine Eatery in Berkeley!

Winter weather got you down? Retirement fund in the crapper? Job on the skids? Can't shake that post holidaze depression? Forget all that and come on out to Chester's Bayview Cafe in Berkeley for a fine show on Friday, January 15th at 7PM!

P. Pot sez: The Happy Clams return to Chester's for another evening of acoustic geezer punk. (Paul: acoustic guitar, Gail: bass, Rawbird: banjo) This time we are pleased to share the bill with our good friend Dan Lange on one of his infrequent visits to the Bay Area from Portland, OR.

Dan dishes out an entertaining set of street blues on slide guitar. Open mic fans will certainly remember him from the first ice age of the 21st century. Meadow Muffineers, this makes a double bill for you!

We will start with a Clams appetizer at 7, followed by Dan, and then the Clams return to finish off the night after he has had is way with you. Should be approxiatemately 3 forty minute sets.

Chester's Bayview Cafe
1508B Walnut St.
Berkeley, CA
510-819-9995