April 11th @ Mean Fiddler, New York, NY

It wasn't raining, it was POURING. Pouring. Johnny John and I decided to take the train, because really, who wants to park in Times Square? Sure it's possible, but it's Friday, and it's late, and it's raining and that's what's so cool about backlines and being a guitarist, you don't have all that much stuff to bring.

So we get ready, we hop on the train, we made set lists, everything's all good, we've got plenty of time until we get to 42nd Street and I realize- Shit! I have Derek's cymbals and snare in my car from the night before and I don't have my car. Damn it. John was nice enough to go back for it. "Start without me, it's fine, I'll just jump in when I can." Man I felt stupid. Fortunately (?) Kenny and Derek were also running late because they were driving (poor things!) and it all sorted itself out. John got back in plenty of time, Kenny and Derek found parking, and we all had a chance to chill for at least a few minutes before it was time to go on.

While I was waiting for the boys, I was lucky enough to catch the end of Positive Logic, an awesome awesome awesome band from Long Island. They had played with MuRR back in the day and apparently have been on hiatus for awhile now, so it was actually very lucky that I got to see them at all.

Now, I don't know how many of you know the story, but this show was a benefit in honor of April Ann Arcuri, the drummer of MuRR who died at the end of 2006 from injuries she got from a car accident. As you know, I'm particularly sensitive to stories about losing someone close to you, especially someone so young, so when the booking agent offered us the opportunity to play this show I was honored.

We went on last and managed to rock as fast as humanly possible because the show was running super late. My apologies for the feedback, apparently my band is too loud. Thank you so much to all our friends who came to say hi! (Collin and Dan of Victor Bravo, my buddy Joe who just had a birthday, Rich, Ben, Will, Leslee, you know who you are... *smile*) And to all the people who put on the benefit and to all the drunk people dancing and having a good time even though I know you were really there to see Mickey Harte, (boy do the ladies love him!) but I appreciated the screams and cheers none the less.

Set List:
-Without You
-This Happens
-Falling Stars
-Consider Me Gone
-Out of Ideas
-Leave Me Here
-Destiny
-Don't Know Why
-Stuck In My Head

April 10th @ Sierra Grille Music, Northampton, MA

My best friend happens to live in Northampton. We went to school together and I love him so so so much. So playing this show was the biggest treat for me, not only because I got to meet so many cool and awesome people, but also because I got to hang out with Kristepher. We had lunch together and I got to see his new place (very nice!) and the rest of the day I spent practicing, trying to get ready, and hanging out at The Raven working on Johnny John's new scarf. (That is such a sad story, but he's such a good sport for being so positive about it.) Chris and John from Boston met us there around closing time and Chris had me cracking up because he said, "Yes, I'm the dork wearing the Stewart shirt to the Stewart show and I don't care." He's ALWAYS the one wearing the Stewart shirt to the Stewart show, and I love him for it!!!

After hanging out at The Raven I went to the Grille and met the gang. Mark who organized the event was SO nice! Him and the owner had dinner for everyone before hand so we can all get to know each other, and even though I missed out on the grub, the other bands were just so super- Curious Buddies (who I happen to LOVE,) Finn Riggins (so talented, so hip, so worth checking out,) and Rotary Club (more Brooklyn-ites! Small world!) I helped hall in the gear considering all I had was a gear bag and a guitar. Everone was nice enough to let little ol' me open, which was awesome, because I can't imagine having to follow Finn Riggins. Seriously.

So I got up there with my mic and my guitar and my lack of stage and sang my little heart out. About halfway through I pressed a button on my portable CD player and out came drums through the speakers. Rah! It was a little rough at first (thank you guys for laughing and being sweet and supportive and playing along! *smile*) but after the first song it sorted itself out. I finished up with Try So Hard, which was fun because we haven't played that in a while. Mark was nice enough to post Falling Stars on our comments if you'd like to see. I thought it was great! I had so much fun and thank you everybody for all your support and encouragement and thank you to my new friends for being so sweet and my old friends for being so wonderful. I truly had the best night I've had in a million years and it's all because of you.

Set List:
-Six Degrees
-Leave Me Here
-Who We Are (Kristepher's favorite)
-Don't Know Why
(with drums)
-Not That Bad
-Without You
-Don't Look Back
-Falling Stars
-Guiltless
-Try So Hard

April 1st @ Goodbye Blue Monday

The second the car rolled to a stop pretty much the sky exploded and dumped a good bit of the ocean on our heads, soaking me very much to the bone. I wasn’t complaining, but then again, I love the rain. This was a problem for our amps though, as they were in the trunk and not so much in the love with the rain. It eventually stopped, and we eventually got them, but it took awhile for things to settle down.

When we got there it was packed! It reminded me of high school- back in the days when we would just hang out and listen to music and talk and drink coffee (or milk in my case,) and play games and be silly. When your friends got up and did skits and sang songs, and bands came in and rocked the place silly. Last night we got to be one of those bands.

We ended up going on last, which was just as well. The stage at Goodbye Blue Monday is awesome, because it’s the perfect size, just right for four people. We couldn’t really move, but man could we rock! We thought we forgot John’s gear bag, (even though it turns out it was just in the trunk,) which had his strap in it so he decided to rock out in a chair. Seriously, awesome. I can’t even tell you. It was amazing. My guitar was cutting in and out because I just had the switch for one of the pick-ups replaced and apparently it’s a little loose. Plus, I was coming out of a little tiny Marshall we brought, which is a bad ass amp, but has trouble competing with a drum kit. I didn’t even bother playing Stuck In My Head. No point.

I played a few impromptu openers while Derek set up the drums, no need to keep everyone waiting, and the rest of the band busted in with me at the end of Not That Bad, and then, well, then we did our thing. It was short set because it was late, but we really enjoyed playing it and it really means the world to me every time we do a show and people dance and get so psyched and happy.

Turns out Goodbye Blue Monday films their acts and already posted most of the show on YouTube! (Which is way better and faster than me doing it. *grin*) Rad! For your viewing pleasure:

Dark Side:






Falling Stars:






Without You/This Happens:






Out of Ideas:






Don’t Know Why:






Stuck In My Head:






Thank you so much to all the people who came out and all the people who stayed and all the people who came up to say hi afterwards. I love each and every one of you. Rich, you are awesome. And Green Andy- hilarious! He took some pictures which I will post (assuming I can have a copy?) once he works his magic on them. I love it when Green Andy takes pictures! :)

Now, I’ve been getting super chastised lately because we have a million shows coming up and no one seems to know about them. Here goes:

-April 10th Northampton, Massachussetts.
Kristepher, Chris Neal and I together again at last. That’s all I gotta say about that.

-April 11th Mean Fiddler, New York
This is a benefit show in Midtown that should be AWESOME. I highly recommend to anyone in the Manhattan area (Joe that means you) that you should make the trek out and say hi. It should be a great night and it’s for a good cause.

-May 3rd Luna Lounge, New York
FREE CD Release party (the CDs are free, not the party,) AND it’s my birthday party, and I’m sure I can think of a thousand more reasons why this show is going to be the best show ever!!! :) Please come to this one. If you can only see us once, this is definitely the show to be at.

That’s all. Thanks again to everyone for making last night so wonderful, special, and memorable. You guys are the best!

Until next time...

Set List:
-Who We Are
-Not That Bad
-Dark Side
-Falling Stars
-Without You
-This Happens
-Half Here
-Out Of Ideas
-Don’t Know Why
-Stuck In My Head

Show Tonight and New Song!

Show tonight at Good-Bye Blue Monday. It’s for Linda’s going away party. :( We’re going to miss her!!! For more info check out their myspace:
http://www.myspace.com/goodbyebluemondayinc

Address:
1087 BROADWAY
BROOKLYN, NY 11221

Directions:
Take the J or Z line to Kosciusko St. or M to Myrtle Ave. and walk a few blocks. Call the club at 718-453-6343 if you’re lost, they will help. :)

Party starts at 9, we go on at 11ish. Hope to see you there!!!

Love,
Stewart

ps- I added a new song in honor of the occasion. It’s called "Out of Ideas," hope you like it!