MOG - Lizziegreeneyes's Posts

My Most Memorable, Emotional & Personal Moment at a Live Show... What's Yours ???

Lizziegreeneyes — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 20:03:15 GMT

Now I’ve posted about this artist before – long ways back… & I’ve also talked about one of the times I’ve heard it live – though not by the original artist… but it bears repeating in both accounts & it poses a question to all you kiddies out there.

What is your most memorable, emotional & personal moment at a live show ?

Mine was on the last night of the Electric Picnic 2006 at the Stradbally Estate in Ireland. I was with my best friend Deb who was 5 months pregnant with Chase, my Godson & with a fellow music junkie & all around dear & talented photog friend & Corkonian Sean. We began to hear word through the hushed crowds of people that The Frames would be playing one last impromptu set at the Big Tree Stage after all the other acts had finished for the evening & set up our "camp" for the set that followed the Dublin Gospel Choir.

The Frames took to the stage & played their hearts out for us – we’d seen them the second night at the second biggest stage & they blew my mind then as well – but I was much inebriated on So Co thanks to a few cute Scots & Irish lads so some of that show is a bit blurry.

At the Big Tree though – there was many a snafu in their set – didn’t bother them in the slightest. They were so happy to be at the EP & so thrilled we all were such a grand audience – that Glen – who can be a bit broody if mood suits, was all smiles & laughter when the mics would shout out interference & his guitar would suddenly quit playing properly. The songs kept coming & coming. A few guests joined in the merriment & thrilled the crowd. Damien Rice (who’s stage it was… he designed it & the ecofriendly set up), Lisa Hannigan danced in the crowd & an old Bodran player came up to sing a traditional song with Glen & Colm on fiddle. It was a magical end to the night to be sure – but I haven’t gotten to the memorable, emotional & personal moment…

For their final song the lads decided to play a song by the fallen Mic Christopher. Mic passed away a few years back after falling outside a gig, hitting his head on a hard bit of stone & falling into a coma from which he never did awaken. He was best mates with Glen from their days busking on the streets of Dublin (hey, wasn’t Glen just in a movie about Dublin buskers) ?!? ;) Glen & Mic’s friends & family were all by his side when he passed.

I had never really gotten into Mic Christopher, even at the urging of Sean who sent me his one and only album. But that night changed everything for me.

Glen explains briefly that they will be playing Skylarkin by Mic & he then goes on to say (& I paraphrase)… "we lads have had the best time ever performing live here at the Electric Picnic – it’s been the experience of our careers & we don’t ever want it to end – as I am sure none of you ever want it to end either." He was right. He then asked all of us to please do them a favor. Since they never wanted it to end – he suggested we not clap at the end of the song. "You see, clapping signifies the end of the song, the end of a show, the end of this festival, but if you all sing along with us, just keep on singing the chorus, as you walk back to your tents & cars, just keep on singing the song, it never has to end – we can take it with us wherever we go & always know that the EP 2006 lives on in our hearts & minds & souls."

Yeah – the Irish are the quintessence of the poetic & romantic experience. No it was not the ciders I imbibed… silly monkeys ;)

So they begin the song & the entire crowd sings every note along with Glen & Joe. It was perfection. It was beyond any word. It was the beginning of my shared memorable, emotional & personal moment times a million.

At the end of the song, Glen reminds all of us not to clap – not to request "one more tune"… but to "keep singing it – just keep singing it throughout your lives as we will – thank you all for making this the most memorable, emotional & personal moment for us lads…" (that last bit is definitely paraphrased ;)

A few months later Glen was touring with The Swell Season (Marketa Irglova) & came to the Philly area & I saw him with my Mum – a huge fan of The Frames & the one who found this – my most favorite band. I got a chance to speak with Glen prior to the show starting & said to him with tears in my eyes, "you will never know what it meant for me to be at the EP this past year. To see all the bands & be in a land my entire being considers home, I was with two of my dearest friends & my Godson who was 5 months in utero at the time of the fest. But what I carry with me is Skylarkin – that stays with me and I think on it daily… it will never stop – no matter where any of us or what we go on to do in our lives – that is our moment & to have shared it with you, the lads & the crowd it’s the best moment of my life". As I said those last words – he too got a little teary & said simply, "yeah, it was that, wasn’t it ?"

It WAS.

Now yours MOGgers… what’s your moment ?!?

PS (take a look at the lyrics as you watch the video - the lyrics kill me they are so beautiful)

Skylarking

You learned a lot when you were out there
About this foolish game
And finding cause to let your nightmares
Get in your way
And watching from your bedroom window
Cause you don't wanna play
You believe in what you wanna
We'll go anyway

Skylarking
Isn't this a way that we can go

So let us never let our relationship
Treat us like fools
Let us never ever wonder
What our friendship could do
'Cause my songs don't know that I exist
And though I give them life it is
A friendship that will never grow
My songs are friends I'll never know

Skylarking
Isn't this a way that we can go
Skylarking
Cause you know we never will grow old

My Evening Poncho - or MOGmeet # 99 ;)

Lizziegreeneyes — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 21:25:52 GMT

So... as some of you may already know... I am a MOGbassador & have enjoyed immensely my share of MOGmeets over the last year+.

This past Friday I finally got to meet the fantabulous jameson & his sister & fiancee (both named Jess) ;)

We all met up at Festival Pier in Philadelphia to see My Morning Jacket. Once again - it was the people who thrilled me more than the band & that's saying a lot because as far as I am concerned MMJ put on one of the best live shows & Friday was NO exception !!!

We all (Deb - my trusty companion, mother of Chase & best friend in tow with me) decided to meet up around 7-7:30 pm at the pier for the show that didn't start til around 8:00 even though the tickets said 7:30. No worries though - there was no opener for them... it was all MMJ all the night ;)

Traffic was horrific - not usually that bad on a Friday night & the Phillies were in Mets territory so I still don't know why there were so many folks on the road - no bother. Deb & I had good tunes & since neither jameson nor I were driving we could text to our hearts' content. Deb & I arrived first & waited for the rest of the crew til we started hearing music coming from the stage... that & I heard a couple of beers calling my name... Lizzie LizzieGreen LizzieGreenEyes - come find me whispered the Miller Lites just through the big time feel up & down check point & ticket collection. I then let the jameson crew know we'd meet up with them just the other side of the stage & second/third base check point.

About 10 minutes after the miller lite touched my lips & slid down my gullet, jameson comes walking straight towards us & I head right up to him with a big fat MOGhug at the ready. It was so great to finally meet my brother in music :) He brought us over to the Jess's to meet his sister & fiancee. Loved everyone from moment one... not surprised - we MOGgers have great taste in music, in the loved ones we surround ourselves with & in fabulous fashion statements ;) jameson & I were talking like old friends almost instantly - a few inside jokes - hellos from the other MOGgers who knew we were meeting up - conversations about ones we've already met & just plain enjoying the music going on in front of us.

MMJ were ON Friday night. It was amazing seeing them perform in the dark... glow sticks work much better against a dark evening sky backdrop. The boys were having a blast on stage there can be no doubt about that. Jim James had a few extra chatty moments about loving the city of brotherly love & you could feel good vibes throughout the entire crowd. Heck - even the guy who sold me all my beers almost gave me one for free after checking my ID & telling me I don't at all look my age... the big flirt... we're getting married next weekend at MOGolith ;)

Even my beloved guitarist - went from boyfriend status (as Amber is well aware) to GODLIKE status - he picked up a sax for one tune & wailed as hard as he does on his axe... impressed doesn't even come close to cutting it kiddies - he was & THEY WERE off the hook.

After the show - and as our weather reporters were dead on with a 10 pm start to the rainy weather - we heading to Johnny Brenda's a Fishtown institution, for some eats & a couple of beers before we all headed on our ways home. I felt right at home straight away in this little pub with it's English/Irish vibe - especially as you headed further & further back into the depths of tables & people. The beers were great, again the company even better. jameson even ran into one of his dearest college friends & the ladies let the lads catch up as we did our best to flag down the ever busy bartenders to order beers, eats & a sprite for Deb. She headed back to the car that I parked - parallel left side - very impressive on my second try & two wheels up on the curb to catch a few zzzzs before I took her home - she was beat after a week of 4-5 am wake ups & full work week then caring for Chase the madtoddler speed boy who runs us ragged & loves us hard. I hated to leave - I nearly said - just one more beer - but I was driving the two of us home & didn't want to make Deb wait any longer - she was in the car for long enough on her own & I wanted to get her home to bed... a much more comfortable place to lay your head no ?!?

jameson has promised a visit to the area every few months or so & to this I must say I am thrilled - his sister lives in the suburbs of Philly as well so she & I are also planning to get together - what a love. But knowing that I will soon be seeing jameson & his gal Jess & his sister Jess thrills me. His sister got tickets for jameson & Jess to seen Ben Folds last night at the Mann - a little jealous - and from what j said - a brilliant show as well... I however had a sleepover date/party with Chase so I too had a brilliant night ;)

MOGgers rock kiddies - we really do - we're amazing & funny & intelligent & fabulous with hearts of solid gold & platinum & diamonds of love. I've had the extreme pleasure - as stated above - of meeting quite a few of you over the past year+ & next weekend I will tack a few more official meets under my belt with MOGolith at Red Rocks in Denver.

Keep em coming I say & again stress to all of you - any chance you get to meet up with others in your near area or at a fest - don't debate it - just do it - be like Bo - or if you feel better - be like Lizziegreeneyes - you'll thank me for it for sure !!!

XOXOX

~lge

Memories in TOTO ;)

Lizziegreeneyes — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 22:12:34 GMT

Sure... I realize that most of you - if you know of Toto... know them through two songs if not only one. Rosanna (written about Rosanna Arquette) & Africa. Both are good songs - especially Africa if you were to ask me - maybe you weren't planning on it - but there it is.

Me, I think the rest of the album from wence both songs came, is the standout. And it's been an album on constant rotation since it first came out & I had it on cassette. I can sing all the words & often - I do - whether in my car or at work or at home & I belt out the choruses for all I am worth.

I remember 1982-1983 & spending a couple weeks at a condo in Sun River Oregon with the Henry's & bike riding (on a ONE SPEED bike) all over the place, swimming up a storm, building tree forts & then having the neighbors force us to take down the forts... all in all, splendid times.

Still it's the music that stands at the forefront. Well, the music & Brad Henry. We grew up together & were more like siblings than friends. His mom was the first person to tell my mom I had a gift when it came to music. & their house - just like mine - was always filled with music. You will see more about the Henry's later - specifically a post about Kristin & her love of a band: QUEEN.

But this one goes out to Brad & Sun River & Toto IV.

Brad & I were playing near the condo, with Toto IV playing loudly & the two of us singing up a storm, and some lads we didn't know came along to see if they could join in our game. Sure - why not ?!? Course, what we didn't know at the time is that these lads wanted nothing to do with playing with girls & since I was a girl - I was on the outs pretty quick. Never fear - we're talking about a miniLGE & I was ready to play regardless of their desires. Brad kept me included & they decided it was time to get a little rough. They decided to break some rocks with a really big stone. (do you see the inevitable outcome yet) ?!? As I was clearing away some of the broken bits to make ready for the next stone - one of the lads threw the stone down on top of my fingers.

Brad punched the kid square in the face (mind you we were 7 years old at most) & picked up a tearfacestained LittleLGE & carried me all the way back to the condo. When the mothers came running, all he could say was - those boys were aholes & went straight to his room - he was FURIOUS with them. My Mum patched me up good - my fingers were sore & bleeding - but it was more my pride that was hurt by the actions of a few simpleton lads. Brad - he got over it too... & we were back to playing just the two of us - listening to Toto IV & biking & swimming & fort creating til the sun went down on Sun River Oregon. I fell for him that day. & whenever I think of a "knight in shining running shorts & OP tshirts", I think of Brad Henry... my own personal knight ;)

The sync is a bit off - but enjoy the song regardless please :)

I've Fallen in Love with a Man Who Doesn't Believe in Love...

Lizziegreeneyes — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 02:59:36 GMT

With anyone but himself... aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

His name is Justin Currie & I am just chipping away at the tip of the iceberg with him... I saw him on Live at Abbey Road tonight with Ben Harper (another lover of mine)... but this Justin Currie - is quite simply GENIUS... He's from the band Del Amitri & for me - it's his solo songs that have got me all a flutter - nothing against DA... but his solo album is to KILL MAME & DIE FOR !!!

His mutton chops don't even phase me (but his soul patch turns me on) - he's glorious - he's not sentimental, he's lovely... as soon as I get his cd & will get him up for you... ahhhhhhhh he's so lovely... I needs me a man who doesn't believe in love I guess... not so sentimental ;)

This is Still in Love - breakingly heartedly stripped down, but each song is different, some with horns, some with strings, some electronic & some acoustic... he's perfection... ENJOY !!! I can't believe I am the first to post about him - that is criminal !!!

So... Here's my first hop into writing children's books...

Lizziegreeneyes — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 17:31:05 GMT

Chase the albino cricket had a plan. He knew he had to get to Indio for the Cricketchella fest. You see, Chase loved live music & Cricketchella was the place to be for music. Plus, all his friends & cousins would be there. Ella Anne, Izzie, Debbie, Lucas, Amber & Craig to name but a few.

But HOW ??? He lived in Pennsylvania & Indio was all the way across the country.

He went to his mother and asked "Mommy, how do I get to Indio?"

"Well now, my little Buboo," she said with a smile, "your father & I have a plan too. We will take you to the airport next week & you will fly to Indio. I’ve already sent word to your Aunt Mary Ann & Uncle Mark & they will meet you at the airport."

With a big huggie & kissie for his mom, he skipped off to his room to start packing. It didn’t matter that it was a week away – he wanted to be prepared. He packed snacks & his MP4C (music player for crickets), he packed his cricket cell phone & his charger. He then started to think about all the bands he would see once he got there. His aunt sung back up on the Blurry Melons album – but they wouldn’t be at Cricketchella this year. No, he would surely see The Vipers & Crickethead; & he couldn’t forget Glen Chirpard was a must see too, (especially since he was coming all the way from Dublin Ireland to play for the festival). Chase also had heard that Mark Stream from Pink Cricket fame was one to see as well. There were so many bands, he knew it was a good thing he had a week to decide who to see.

Looking on the WWCw, (world wide cricketweb), he found out that Crickets of the Old Stone Age would be playing & he quickly added them to the list. NIC (Nine Inch Crickets) & The Cricket Formerly Known as King would also be in attendance. It just kept getting better & better. Oooh, QuietCricket Math was playing too… happy days !

He barely slept for the next six days, but the last day before he would fly out to Indio, he didn’t sleep a wink. He was too excited. He hadn’t seen Ella Anne in quite some time & his mother had just informed him that his best friend Izzie would be there when he got off the plane. But the most exciting thing of all was that he would soon be at Cricketchella & seeing so much live music. Crickets are all fans of music, but Chase the albino cricket came from a very musical family so his love of music went a little bit deeper.

Finally, it was the day of the flight & his parents gave him many a huggie & kissie so that he would have plenty to tide him over until he saw them after the weekend.

"Oh Chaser Buboo, how I will miss you this weekend, but am so glad you will see your family & friends & see such wonderful music" his mother said as she squeezed him tightly.

His father added, "Boo, please be sure to thank your aunt & uncle for their generosity, behave & have a wonderful time!"

"We love you son," his mother said with a tear in her eye.

"I wuv you too Mommy & Daddy, see you soon" Chase said & hopped up to the ticket counter to get on the plane.

After the flight (& finally a nap), Chase arrived… He could barely stop hopping he was so excited. He saw his Aunt & Uncle & Izzie all waiting at the bottom of the plane & almost knocked over the cricket in front of him to give them all big huggies & kissies.

"WELCOME CHASE!" Said his Aunt Mary Ann

His Uncle Mark chimed in, "My how you’ve grown young man" !

"Boobersteen, it’s been way too long" Izzie said as she hugged him tightly, "I’ve missed you something awful, so glad you’re here safe & sound".

They hopped off to his Aunt & Uncles where some of his other relatives & friends were having a little barbeque for his arrival.

Chase was thrilled to see everyone, including his two cousins Tobey & JD & the barbeque was fantastic, but still, he kept thinking about the bands he was soon to see at Cricketchella.

Again – he barely slept at all, but after the long flight & restless sleep last week, he did catch a few zzzzs in the hot daytime Indio heat before heading off at 12 am to see the first of the bands.

(There is another festival that plays for people during the day, but crickets come out at night so their Cricketchella began everyday after the other festival ended).

Once they arrived at the venue, they had to navigate their way through many people & cars all coming from the opposite direction. Chase got lost in the cricket & people crowds & accidentally hopped into a short bus filled with 8 people. They were laughing & giggling & talking about how amazing the first days shows were.

"So Henry, being from Denmark – what did you think of your first US fest?" a boy named Dale asked.

"It’s amazing – but to be here with all of you is unbelievable!" Henry replied.

"I wish this Beamer would move out of my way… big goon" said the greeneyed girl driving.

Chase found a comfy spot on another greeneyed girl’s lap in the middle of the short bus. They must be sisters he thought.

Suddenly her leg shifted & she said – "Someone turn on the lights please! There is something on my leg" !!!

The girl named Kate who sat next to the driver turned on the inside lights & Chase became the center of attention.

"Oh Lizzie, it’s just a cricket!" chimed Jaye & August together.

The boy on the right side of Lizzie looked terribly frightened as he tried in vain to open the car door & get as far away from Chase as possible. (This made Chase giggle – why would such a big boy be so scared of a tiny little albino cricket)?

"Oh Blair", said Jaye, "you’re fine, it’s just a cricket!"

The boy named August gently picked up Chase & placed him kindly on the ground outside the short bus. "Good luck little buddy." Chase could hear so much laughter coming from the car.

"DID YOU SEE THE SIZE OF THAT THING?!?" exclaimed Blair.

"Better yet", said Lizzie, "Did you all see how high Blair jumped when he saw that large albino cricket??"

But the best thing about his detour was hearing all these wonderful people talk about the festival being the cherry on top… it was what they were experiencing, the live music TOGETHER, that really mattered.

Chase rubbed his legs together mightily to get a hold of his Aunt Mary Ann… & no sooner did he call out for her, did his entire group converge where he was & profess how glad they were to have found him.

"You’ll never believe what happened to me" exclaimed Chase as Izzie grabbed him & pulled him towards the stages.

"Later Chase – right now we have so much good music to hear, I checked the schedule & MOGtiply Cricket Singers are starting in five minutes on the South Stage" !!!

Oh, he would tell them all about his short trip on the even shorter bus. While he was looking around from the vantage point of the nice girl’s leg, he saw that these 8 people hailed from all over the WORLD: Denmark, Washington State, Ohio, California, Pennsylvania, Florida & Kansas. How cool is that ? One of them was even from the same state as Chase… I wonder which one he thought as the MOGtiply Cricket Singers took to the stage.

He gave Izzie a big kissie & said, "LET THE CRICKETCHELLA FEST BEGIN" !!!

And so it did :)

It was THE BEST. WEEKEND. EVER.

It's OFFICIAL - You ALL ROCK MY WORLD

Lizziegreeneyes — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:45:48 GMT

I had the crappiest day in a month of MONDAYS today... got reemed out by my supervisor for something someone else did - got crap news from a dear friend & woke on the wrong side of the bed - A TOTAL CASE OF THE MONDAYS...

But when I got home - I had a package sitting there waiting for me.

A package from one of the dearest people in my life - the man I originally knew as the guy with the COOLEST pair of DOCS ever & who became my beloved Brothermine DaleBro !!!

Cookies & a mix of giganticgreen proportion inside... & let me just say - the cookies - chocolate chocolate chip... I am not a girl who loves the chocolate - I like it fine, but it's not anywhere near obsession - these cookies are my new obsession - they are THAT GOOD kiddies.

THANK YOU DALEBro - somehow - you knew I really needed your most precious of gifts today above all days & I lurve you for it... even more than I lurve those gorgeous DOCS !!!

so... you may have noticed me mention I am writing a book...

Lizziegreeneyes — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 23:01:49 GMT

Thanks to TyleDurden ; "you ever think about writing kids books or something (I'm sure you could write adult books, it just seems like you are so good with kids :))

anyway -> TD out", I am now looking into two books - one is still my own style of memoir... a music/friend memory book that helps to explain who I am & why... but now I am talking with a very talented artist friend of mine who actually majored in children's psych to be the artist/creative consultant to a children's book(s)...

I know this seems out of left field - at first it did to me too - but something Tyler said made total sense to me... I really do love kids - I GET them - I adore them - love seeing what makes them tick & really love reading to them - how cool would it be to read a book to them that I wrote ?!?

My first inclination is to write "a book of whys..." as my cousin once asked me while we were at the shore... where does the ocean go at night... WHY does it go away... as I struggled with my 7 year old mind to figure out what would answer best - getting shot down at every turn - I finally said to her... "because God pulls the plunger every night to let the ocean go down the drain - then before we all wake up in the morning, he puts the plug back in the drain & fills the ocean back up each day". "OK" she says...

I just think it would be a great book for children and their parents - especially if the ending page is as my friend's husband says... "BECAUSE I SAID SO" ;)

Ok so that is negotiable - but I think a book of whys would be a fun book for anyone to read... and I haven't seen one before... so it's what I am working on as I work on my music memories...

Any thoughts from those who's impressions I value most ?!?

Leroi Moore Passed Away Today

Lizziegreeneyes — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 02:36:57 GMT

http://www.tmz.com/2008/08/19/dave-matthews-band-member-dead/

I have no words people... he's gone & it's unreal.

hey kiddies... hit my man Tallpo's post for the words I couldn't & still can't find...

http://mog.com/Tallpo/blog/183682

PO... How Many Years Has it Been Man ?!?

Lizziegreeneyes — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 18:46:49 GMT

Wow… I don’t even know where to begin for this one. A best friend & brother of the highest order is my Tallpo. We’ve been friends since meeting through a mutual friend our sophomore year in college. They dated for a while & when things went south for them – he & I still kept in fairly close contact, visiting each other while the ex fell further & further off our radar.

Pretty soon we were attending shows together, making mixes, smoking, drinking & winning nearly every game of beer pong we ever joined. As our Philly native would say, "Yeah, it’s that easy !" ;)

Po is 6’8". He’s a very big boy – as tall as he is – that’s the size of his heart – only multiply by about a thousand or so. He’s what all his friends call "our rock" & is the responsible, steady & kind soul I am proud to call my brother (if not by blood – certainly by music) !!!

I am the auntie to both his boys & I even introduced him to his wife – AT A CONCERT no less ;) Train & Matchbox Twenty… good show – even better outcome.

So for Mike (Po) there are countless musical memories… I will do these in shifts as they all deserve their moment in the sun, & I don’t want to hear August whining about the lengthy arse posts of mine ;)

This isn’t the first of my memories – but it is one my favorites. Po used to have the coolest ride – it was the (GIGANTICALLY) BIG GREEN MACHINE, Caprice Classic, with the plates 3PO (he was the third boy in his family & I guess it’s fair to say he digs Star Wars). This car had many incarnations, at one point it sported a tie-dyed ceiling… later in it’s life there was the distinct stentch of berryflavored-poo in the air ;) We lived for rides in that car – with the bench seating in front, it was the most comfortable ride in all of Scranton, if not the entire state of PA.

(Side note on the berryflavored-poo smell… It was winter in Scranton – Po went to Kings College & a pastime of ours was to do circles in the snow of the empty parking lots late at night… getting into the car before such an escapade, I was warned just one step beyond, about a large pile of doggie poo right in front of the passenger door… let me tell you – heated dog poo on car carpeting is one of the worst smells – the winner would be cat urine, but thankfully – there were never any cats in Po’s car. The berryflavor came into play as PO tried EVERYTHING to get that stench out – nothing worked, so he went with an attempt at masking it – every time he set foot in the Caprice, he sprayed… it helped finally – the way the final stab put Caesar out of his misery… still we loved that ride).

Back to the music memory though… Po & his ex loved listening to Soul Coughing – I took some gentle nudging to get on the train, but once I did – I devoured them. My theme song since college has been Super Bon(d)-Bon(d) & I positively adore the wackiness of Mike Doughty.

But the song that Po dreamed up a video for is the song in this post. Screenwriter’s Blues. I remember driving around with him playing it for me one early morning in Scranton & telling me exactly how he would make a video for the song about livin & dying in LA. It was pure brilliance & I added to the ideas that had come to him & together we made the most AMAZING VIDEO for a song ever. Every time I hear the song or a lyric from the song pops into my head – so do visions of the BIG GREEN MACHINE, Po back in the days of no facial hair, but plenty more on top, our video playing for Doughty who waits til the end & then says he’s getting the band back together because it’s that frickin good & the quote, "We are all in some way or another going to Reseda someday, to DIE"… & the keys... oh when those keys come into play, it blares from my brain stereo & I can’t get it to go any lower than 11.

Sure I miss those days… Some of the best times I’ve had I’ve shared with my man Po & his band of miscreants… some of the best shows – he’s been right by my side – either at the back of the venue, or seated the entire show – cuz he’s considerate of the shorter folks who might actually want to see the band. I remember seeing 4 towns worth of fireworks in my neighborhood from atop one of the hills behind my development & watching his face as he talked with Kristen for the first time at the Matchbox show… knowing my one foray into matchmaking was working rather brilliantly.

Now, we see each other a lot less – he’s married with two beautiful young boys & I live the life of a single girl – you know – ON MOG ;) But when we do get together – it’s treasured time & we do it up old school, laughing all the while & taking his Expedition for a few circles in the snow of the Southern Jersey parking lots that are empty late at night… OK ok – we go to bed early – but the thought is always there… & as I presently listen to DMB playing So Damn Lucky, "…with my foot on the gas, I started sliding" I can’t help but think how lucky we were to have met all those years ago.

Thanks Po… for all the times before & all the times to come – you are my brother & I love you man. No, I mean, I LOVE YOU MAN !!! ;P

Young Love - Ain't in Grand ???

Lizziegreeneyes — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 19:47:49 GMT

Ahhhhh Jeff Husted. My first "real" boyfriend – you know the boy… can’t say "I love you", but can write I <3 You on the bottom of your KSwiss sneakers before you head to Phoenix for a wedding. Was my first real kiss too… definitely not my best kiss (I walked away with bruises thanks to my braces & his hard mouth pressure)… no, the good kisses, those would come later, but he beat out Jason Hocheimer who licked the whole side of my face cuz I wanted nothing to do with his tongue in my mouth ;)

Husted & I shared a love of arthouse movies, of writing, of doing well in school (he more than me) & most importantly a love of music. Prior to dating me though – he really didn’t listen to a wide selection of tunes. He liked R.E.M., Def Leppard (no jokes kiddies – I likes me some Leppard too), Led Zeppelin & Jethro Tull. I showed him the many different ways you could take those few artists/bands & find countless more that granted he may or may not like – but at least it gave him more variety :) He soon became immersed in The Cure, Depeche Mode, Joy Division, New Order, The Smiths though he fought that band at first… "Lizzie, seriously – who sings a song about a girlfriend in a coma, or shoplifters uniting ?!?" But with Everyday is Like Sunday, he began to understand the genius of Morissey & he began to check out the sheer brilliance of Morrisey coupled with one of my all time favorite guitarists, Ladies & Gentlemen, Mr. Johnny Marr (screaming & fainting from the audience).

I do have two thank yous that go out to Mr. Husted, at least – from way back in the day. You see, I unleashed a musical monster when I got the kid hooked on some of the bands I really loved. He’s been schooling me ever since, though I think now we’re pretty well tied – I still hear about new bands through our mutual best friend Kate & they are as many times as not – ones I’ve never heard of, but totally understand why they’ve managed to hook Jeff. He’s become the forefront aficionado of all things girl band/female singer/songwriter & I gotta say I really love that about him. It never fails – I will always lean more toward the male vocals & he to the female… so when our signals cross (rare as it may be these days) he’s got something fabulous for me to check out & I hopefully find a few that he will dig as well !!!

The first thank you is for the song Reflections. You see, Husted was a HUGE Dana Delaney fan & he absolutely adored China Beach. Reflections was the intro song for the show & it became a song that I still love to hear on a regular basis. I imagine the helicopters flying overhead & myself standing next to Marge & Dana readying ourselves for the injured & dead at our camp in Vietnam.

A song that means even more to me though is All My Love – Led Zeppelin. I’ve never been a huge listener of Led. & there is nothing wrong with them as a band – in fact – most of the time – when they come on my iPod or on the radio I am blown away by them, they just never were a constant thing for me. The song All My Love was our silly little love song. It wasn’t the countless times we’d play it before we broke up that makes it so much a part of my musical history & imprint. It’s the one time after we broke up that makes it a song that will always be one of the closest to my heart.

He was my first love, remember, so our song could have gone either way – it could have become a most hated song, or a song that lives with me forever. Husted found a way for it to go from one to the other in a matter of moments.

It was my 16^th birthday & a surprise one at that. Brian Laidlaw – one of my best high school friends before losing touch pre-college threw the party for me & invited all our friends, this included Jeff Husted. It had been months since we broke up – but the wounds for me were still really close to the surface. When I saw him there – trust me – I was STUNNED. He was making his typical high school boy comments through the party – only way more intelligent sounding – the kid was brilliant – as he has remained. He would every once in a while head to the stereo to play a Jethro Tull song – he knew how I hated "Aqualung" & all the boys at the party started singing SNOT IS RUNNING DOWN HIS NOSE ;)

But later in the evening, he was getting calls from the boys to play some song I don’t remember & instead he said – no, I gotta hear something else. He went into his pocket & put an unidentified tape into the cassette player & All My Love began playing through the speakers – before it started though – he looked over at me & held my gaze for a good 15 – 20 seconds.

We finally found a way to ease back into our comfortable friendship. All due to a boy standing in front of a girl – & with music, asking her to forgive him & listen to their song together one last time.

We never talked about that night – not in the years, many years since – but I have a pretty good idea he knows what it meant to me – I can’t be sure it was the same for him – but I will say for certain – we had a good time – we did have that.

The video below is actually Ween doing a hella cover of the song - kinda wanted to add a different spin to it. Is it because the memory of the original is still to precious... maybe. But again - you gotta give a little slack - this was a first love kiddies :)

SO............. what are your first love/first love song memories ?!? TIME TO DISH KIDS !!!

A Quick Post for my MUM

Lizziegreeneyes — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 01:01:10 GMT

So Momma B & I were talking yesterday & being that she is really into the book I am working on, she had some great suggestions for me. One thing she really wanted me to impart to all you is an author that both she & I adore. Frank Conroy. He's a music prodigy & one hella writer... brought jazz to Nantucket... sadly it's my Mum who should be writing this post - hopefully she will & I can add to this post with her grand way with words. Until then though - I wanted to get his name out to all of you. His novel Body & Soul is loosely based on his own experiences & it's a page turner for anyone interested in music... you know someone who might fit that bill - I THOUGHT SO !!!

So check out Body & Soul or any other novel/memoir by Frank Conroy... he's spectacular & understands truly what it means to be a MUSIC JUNKIE !!!

Happy Happy Bday SPIDEY

Lizziegreeneyes — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 03:26:38 GMT

Hope it's one for the record books - being it's a full moon and all ;) Enjoy 31... I think Frankie says it was a very good year...

Happy happy friend. :P

Sexy Picklejar Dancing at the Smushed Pizza Virgin Fest_Day ONE

Lizziegreeneyes — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 17:41:41 GMT

I know all you kiddies want me to get to the goods – but as many of you know… I like to build to the climax, so I will start with my trip down & the girls’ first night out ;)

The plan was to arrive in Baltimore by 8ish & we all pulled that off without a hitch… the "WE" is Katrina , her friend Amanda & yours truly. I had great directions from my regular DC traveler Debbie (Chase's mom) & took the scenic route through Amish country… lots of sweet corn tempting me to stop along the way… but I had girls & a boy to see & music to fill my ears…

First to arrive was Amanda, then myself & finally Katrina (she worked til 4pm). We found a place to eat… Outback Steakhouse "all food, just right" is their new slogan if you ask any of the three of us ;) (let's just say - I am a dork) !!!

Some margaritas, beers , some conversations & then to bed we went in the hopes of an early wake up, bfast & head to PIMLICO for Cat Power’s opening.

Now you know we slept in don’t you…

But we still got out around 11ish (sans bfast) & took the wrong way – the Bmore GHETTO way to the racetrack thinking shortest distance would be better than sitting in traffic on the expressway with all the other fest goers. A serious GHETTO people – I live outside Philly & we’re the shooting capital of the US last time I checked – I’d take Philly over Bmore any day – scary bad things ;) We three kept discussing our general displeasure with aspects of the roadways, extremely long traffic lights, poor signage & craptacular road surfaces etc. in Baltimore & surrounding areas, translation: ("MARYLAND SUCKS").

We got there a little after 12, so it wasn’t a bad ride all things considered – I was just glad to get out from behind the wheel & hear KT Tunstall as I walked the short distance from car (with red/white checked flag) COACHELLA 2008 IN THE HIZZZIE with LIZZIE & Kat & Amanda.

We headed straight for Cat Power – sister puts on quite a show vocally speaking. She was a lovely intro to the day of the fest… little did I know one of the biggest standouts was less than an hour away.

GOGOL BORDELLO is my new best friend. Sorry to my old one (you know who you are – SUCK IT) ;P

They are amazing live – I’ve never seen anything like it & can’t wait to see them again – Anna et al are dead right when they say YOU MUST SEE THEM… It makes me sad that I missed the chance at Coachella – but I saw them this time round & won’t make that mistake again.

Now it’s time to get in position for my GLEN & his ladyfriend Marketa of The Swell Season. Stellar set y’all. & I am very sad to report – there appears to be bands on the dreaded fingers of both of them – you know – THAT kind of band. I was holding out hope all this time. Even my Mum wanted us to marry… Ah well – maybe they’re FRIENDSHIP rings, right b ;P During the set, the cameraman was messing with Glen & Marketa close-ups & Glen told him to fugg off… poor cameraman – I’d be right up in his grill too if it were me – Who’s that Marketa person though ;P At the end of their set, they got off the stage & stood in the crowd & sang another tune for us. During the set, Glen rocked a solo "Finally" that was ever impressive – when his neck gets red from stressing his vocals, I get a little red myself ;) Threw in Astral Weeks… can’t go wrong with one of the all time greatest Van Morrison songs, not with Glen at the helm, & quite a few from the album/movie.

We then checked out Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings – great good soul food at that one – she’s magnificent. The girls loved her – I really liked her – but my heart belongs to Cinematic Orchestra’s sometimes singer Fontella Bass. We caught a few of their songs & proceeded to Bloc Party – as they are masterminds at the live show. Didn’t disappoint at all… Think the lovely ladies would have preferred staying with Sharon – so I am very appreciative that they let me get my Bloc Party fix ;) Lead singer Kele Okereke rocked a Pokemon shirt with the phrase – SPIT HOT FIRE on the back – we liked that quite a lot a bits… but I especially love him for his intensity – he gets a crowd going & keeps em happy all the way through a set – wanting more – that’s how to do it !!!

Back to Rodrigo Y Gabriela – AWESOME. Seriously – full of AWE best describes watching & listening to them. Just magnificent & how they meld into each other sonically – it was very intimate for a fest show.

Round about this time – we ate some dinner & chilled out to Citizen Cope – the ladies napped, I just chilled. Good eats in my belly, mellow music reminiscent of G Love – a PHILLY BOY, and my first nephew’s song played live… I was happy, very happy. All food, just right. Weather was perfect, great company, family really & live music for two days… what’s not to love about it ?!? At some point during the day we saw a sticker for Sexy Jesus… so that became our quote for the rest of the fest when something was awesome or downright – SEXY… Who doesn’t love Jesus – especially SEXY Jesus. (am I going to hell now) ?!?

Head back into the crowd for WILCO…

Ah WILCO – finally saw them live – been meaning to for ages. Beyond words how spectacular Jeff Tweedy & Co are live. LONG LIVE WILCO !!! Oldies & newies galore & just tons of yummyscrumptiousness. (It’s my new word – go get your own).

We left Amanda to chill with Jack Johnson – I caught his show at Coachella & knew she’d be in for a lovely end to day one Virgin Fest. SISKat & I headed to the other stage for ALL FIGHTERS OF FOO !!! On our way we caught a song from Underworld – WHY oh WHY did that have to schedule them at the same time. AWESOME stuff from the dance tent I tell you & my groove thang was bumpin. Got to Dave Grohl just in time to hear The Pretender – can’t get sick of that song – no matter how much I overplay it – or the radio over plays it… LIVE was off the hook though. Dave let it all hang out – as did the rest of the Foos & I was thrilled to see them with Kat. Perfect loud ending for we two, nice & mellow ending for Amanda & off we headed to our hotel in Columbia in search of some sleep – room service breakfast the following morning & Day TWO of Virgin Fest with our very own Will added to our bag of tricks !!! More to follow…

Oh beloved Virgin - you were TOO GOOD TO ME !!!

Lizziegreeneyes — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 00:31:36 GMT

Oh my goodness - there are so many great stories to tell - of smushed pizzas, sexy jesuses & all sorts of pickle jar dancing goodness... but I am still trying to recoup from the trip so I will give you one little tid bit tonight before I head to nigh time.

I LOVE MOGGERS !!!

Seriously - I've never had more fun than I do with MOGgers - I've never shared show experiences like the ones I've shared with MOGgers & I've never been blessed with so many true & valued & absolutely adored friends & family than with MOGgers.

SO this goes out to all the MOGgers I've met, the ones I've yet to meet & the ones I may never have the opportunity to meet, but would love to if the planets align...

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOX,

LGE

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY DALEBRO !!!

Lizziegreeneyes — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:37:37 GMT

As your favorite SLACKER sister... my "check" will be in the mail shortly... still trying desperately to keep from getting the sinus infection capt. Stinker Bean had this weekend when he was shackin up with his auntie :)

BUT... what I can do is post a note to you from all us MOGtipliers who've had the supreme pleasure of your company for several years now & to MANY MANY MORE !!!! (especially if you make some banana pancakes & snikerdoodles !!!) But mostly because you are one of the loveliest persons I've ever known & I truly do love you like a brother & am forever blessed to know you my Doc-wearing, EMCDing, Beth Gibbons-waist-touchin, all around squeeeeeeeing Dalebro !!!

::BIGCOLLECTIVESQUOOSHYHUGSTILMONOLITH::

Much lurve,

~lizzie

(& here's the deal with the video bro... all that mushy gushy stuff above had to be counterbalanced, you know the song is TOTAL tongue & cheek & it IS The Smiths... so that ain't so bad now is it ?!?)

If we could compose this song in total opposites - then it would be a perfect Dalebro song ;)

I’ll Show You Mine, if You Show Me Yours…

Lizziegreeneyes — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 17:12:25 GMT

We all have at least one… that’s another beautiful thing about MOGgers. In fact, I am sure in many cases – as in mine, we have more than one. But for me, my second was my most precious & the laundry list of what he gave me is the standard by which all others are compared.

Jeff Bevan.

He was the second music junkie I met & it was in college where that fateful meeting took place. This kid put everyone else I had ever known to shame & I am certain he could hold his own if he hung with us here in the Ville of MOG. Sadly, our ending was much more WAR than MOGwar, so I haven’t talked to the kid in probably 10 years. (it really wasn’t a warlike ending – but I think it would have been too difficult to remain friends after we shared so much… at least I think that was the case for us). Wasn’t for a lack of trying – for a year we did our best to stay in each other’s lives in some way. Just wasn’t meant to be. One thing I am sure of though, he probably thinks about me as much as I do of him. Not pine mind you – just think about him, as in cursory thoughts… I can’t help it. So much of what I listen to, he influenced in one way or another. My perfectionistic ways when compiling a mixtape I learned by watching him. When I hear something new, often he’s one of the first people I think about & wish I could pick up the phone to talk to him about the artist/band & see what his thoughts are, if I one-upped him on it, or if he was already WELL aware of their existence & could point me further down the yellow brick road of theirs to the Holy Grail/Emerald City – as he often would.

13 years ago – if you had asked me, I would have told you we’d be married after a couple years outside of college… we made sense – best friends who finally took the plunge. & our favorite things to do all revolved around music (or literature). Finding out of the way record stores or flea markets & searching the stacks, heading to concerts… & sure there were other things we did where music was a main ingredient… talk about songs that bring back memories. We struck up a close friendship with a local record store owner who would allow us to go to his "behind the counter stacks" to see what new stuff he’d just gotten in, he’d give us discounts on his rarities, we LOVED going to this shop. I remember sitting outside my dorm room for hours talking about the all things music… the best shows we’d seen – who would be our ultimate show & why. Friends would walk by, join in the conversation for a spell & then realize the water was way too deep for them & swim safely to non-musicjunkie shores. He & I were perfectly happy out there with the sharks… those sharks loved music too ;) Sure we talked other things, but our conversations about music meant the world to me both then & now. It was our life’s blood – so of course it was the penultimate discussion for us both.

And a list of just a few artists that Jeff brought to my music world… let’s see… there was Jamiroquai – he just KNEW I’d love them (& as many of you know – he was absolutely correct in that assessment – picked up Space Cowboy at the little record shop in town), Prince – sure I owned Purple Rain (as do most of the collective in my age group), but he got me INTO Prince, Miranda Sex Garden, Dead Can Dance, King Crimson, Terrence Trent D’Arby, Beautiful South, Mike Oldfield, Francis Dunnery, Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, KRS One… this list could go on – but hopefully you get the idea. I brought artists to him as well… but his collection astounded & he loved his albums so completely – they became friends and family for him. I’d never known anyone to feel the way I did about albums… not til Jeff. & this shared obsession brought me so much joy. It was good to not feel alone anymore. Until MOG – I really missed that kind of special bond that is shared over music appreciation.

Didn’t work out for us – but I know we’ve both been forever changed from our friendship & relationship.

For years after our break up – I would date guys, stand them next to him & they never even came close on the music junkie scale. I’d sooner or later grow tired of being with someone who had little to no interest in sucking the musical marrow out of life & move on. I know there are a lot of you out there where it wasn’t the deal breaker that it is for me, I wish I could say it didn’t matter as much as it does – but in all my life – the shared times revolving around friendships, relationships & music are the moments that I treasure most. I don’t think I can find a substitute for it… I need it… plain & simple.

So as much as this is a thank you to Jeff Bevan for sharing his knowledge & obsessions with me, it’s a love letter to all of you who’ve made my experiences here at MOG second to none.

::BIGSQUOOSHYHUGS::

Now it’s your turn – tell me about one of your first music junkie friends or lovers… inquiring greeneyedgirls want to know !!!