Being that I'm always starting these diatribes off with a quote from someone else, I thought I'd start this one off with a quote of my own from the upcoming Roxie 77 album entitled "Two Sides To Every Story"-

"I'm just looking out, for what's within.....please don't ask me where I've been....I ain't the only one who sleeps with sin....you'll learn that in time...."  -taken from Smell the Coffee...1st verse

In my own cryptic and sometimes circumspect way, these lines pretty much describe what I've been through these past few years since the last time you "officially" heard from your humble host that happens to front the aforementioned rock band, Roxie 77.

For many of you, the last that you had heard is that I had moved to Stockholm to become a shoe cobbler (specializing in Swedish wooden clogs)....well I'm pleased to announce that just like the 911 conspiracy and the marketing of "mini-discs" in the 1990's, it was all an elaborate hoax.

I spent much of these last few years thinking, writing, exploring, and ultimately experiencing just exactly what my "story" is all about....that's why in the end, there was really no other option for me then to title this album "Two Sides To Every Story". I realized that good/evil, truth/lies, life/death all are part of the "story", both sides always in both perfect harmony and dischord with each other. 

Three quick examples of this....

1.My dedication to be a working, touring musician is only surpassed by my dedication to be a reliable stay home father....meaning, I got the closest thing to a "real" job I've ever had in my life (I was touring all around Scandinavia doing guitar clinics for Gibson guitars) which allowed me time to be with my kids, but took me away from playing all over the rest of the world, which is not the easiest lifestyle to turn your back on for too long.

2.I established a great bond and unity with my kids that I don't think would have been possible otherwise if I would have continued my "other" life. But in the process, I got separated from the most incredibly beautiful and intelligent girl I will forever refer to as simply "V"...bittersweet, but not to worry, there are songs on the new album that explore that whole issue in depth...

3. I formed a new rock n' roll band with some amazingly talented Swedish musicians (Anton, Magnus, and Eric whom you will all get to know a little later) and we put out some singles, made a few videos, and played some big rock shows blah blah blah... and we named it  Happypill thinking that the name would signify a fresh start. Only later did I realize that the music we were creating is a perfect extension and complement to what the Roxie77 vision is all about, and that the name "Happypill" itself was causing way too much unneeded grief and controversy in the extremely drug paranoid and Viagra enthralled country of Sweden.  

I always say that you have to know and respect where you came from to know and respect where you are going in the future.....Roxie77 seemed like the perfect "new" name for the band....!  Starting to understand this whole "Two Sides" concept? ha!

Roxie 77's "Two Sides To Every Story"  will be unlike any other record launch (see, I'm ol skool...I still call 'em records kids...go ask your parents!) that I've ever done before.  The songs will be released digitally over a period of time on more of a "roll out" schedule, meaning that you will be able to climb on board the R77 band wagon anytime you want and join in on this truly grassroots campaign. There will be FREE downloads, videos, blogs, interviews and recipes (recipes?!?) to enjoy on all of our usual suspect media outlets (roxie77.com, myspace/roxie77, facebook, etc.)  We will of course implement the patented-pending concepts of "Splitting The Profits" (STP) and the "Conscience Free Download"(CFD). Learn more about those a little later...

The truly unique thing about "Two Sides" is that you will actually get TWO versions of each song released simultaneously in both ELECTRIC and ACOUSTIC arrangements. Same song, but different keys, different approach, and different feelings....don't wanna hit you over the head with a hammer, but that "Two Sides" concept might be starting to make a bit more sense now...eh?...

And when does this whole thing kick off?..... July 7, 2009....or as I like to write it:  7-7-2009......and let's just say 7:07 p.m. for those of you keeping score at home...

So what's the next step? Well...you've already done it!....you've read this far (and in this day in age with the mind of a flea & tick attention span our society promotes, that's impressive!)....and now that you have gotten all the way here, let's see if you can convince a few of your friends that the return of Roxie 77 is viable and that listening to R77's "Two Sides To Every Story" will make them better people....it will actually turn them into Saints! (or Sinners, depending on whose "side of the story" you listen to...get it?)......

Now go and fish out that Bic or Zippo lighter of yours....it's time to re-light the Torch of Rock....Roxie 77's back.....and I couldn't be happier!

Peace, Love & R77-

Roxie