rock'n'rill

The latest gigs, first thoughts about a new album

Been keeping busy. Two gigs last week.

Thursday at Rohrmeisterei in Schwerte. Usually, this is a songwriter series with three performers, hosted by harmonica ace Chris Kramer (who also happens to be my music publisher). Last Thursday, however, was very unusual. One of the scheduled performers – a local legend named “Klocky” – had passed away two weeks before the gig so it was turned into a special memorial gig. The entire local scene had gotten together to pay tribute to Klocky. People he had played with along the way played some of his favorite songs in various configurations. I was the only outsider, opening with a solo 40-minute set. I went over very well.

At various points during the course of the evening, I would’ve loved to jump on stage and contribute. Lots of Stones songs were played, Randy Newman, John Hiatt, lots of good stuff. I was most impressed with the Lennerockers, a rockabilly/country type band, and with singer Heike Meering. She rocked my socks off. It later turned out I had seen her years ago with a soul cover band named Die Komm Mit, Mann’s (the band name is an awkward wordplay on The Commitments). Anyway, great venue, a very well-organized gig and a lovely spirit of camaraderie among the local scene.

Before heading to Gießen on Friday, I paid Chris and the publishing company a visit. They’re doing an excellent job there. They had also hooked me up with my Friday gig at the Gießen Irish Pub. It’s sure been awhile since I last played an Irish Pub. Usually, they cater more to cover acts but I know my buddy Tom Ripphahn (Hands On The Wheel) had played there before so I figured it was going to be ok.
Turns out the semester hadn’t started yet and so the better part of the Irish Pub’s usual clientele wasn’t in town yet. The other half was home watching the German soccer team on TV. Which meant I was left with the very friendly wait staff and less than a dozen listeners. And then my best friend Chris who lives hundreds of kilometers away showed up out of the blue. What a wonderful surprise. I had just been thinking of him on the ride.
That brightened my spirits. I played a bunch of new songs cause I wanted Chris to hear them and I also played some of the Stones stuff I hadn’t been able to sit in on the night before. You Can’t Always Get What You Want came out real cool, I may have to demo that sometime. Dead Flowers – always a favorite. Chris really liked my brand-new song The Late Great TvZ. I had a good time despite the low turnout. A few more folks trickled in in the course of the evening.

On Sunday we had a great band rehearsal. We tried out a couple of new songs and they fell out effortlessly. I wish we could’ve recorded them right then and there.
I think we’re just about ready to go into the studio and start making another record. I have a whole bunch of real cool new songs and I’m super-excited about the band. We’ve found our groove in this four-piece formation. By the way, the live DVD that’s gonna show you all about that … I’m not sure we can get it out this year. We’re doing our best. But just maybe it’ll be more prudent to put out a real good DVD early in 2012 than doing a rush job just to have it out before Christmas. We’ll keep you posted.

Stay tuned,
Markus

12 October 2011 ·