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