this will be an epic day at the artful dodger--i doubt that downtown harrisonburg knows what it's in for...


friday, october 2nd.
amen, brothers & sisters!

it's sweaty & warm in the friendly city again, preacher is playing our humble songs, and as long as a vengeful bolt from these violent thunderstorms doesn't sneak in the back-room window where we sit, scheme, & rehearse, we'll soon be playing a number of exciting gigs for our dear brothers & sisters in virginia & beyond.

i just wanted to thank our dear brothers josh brubaker & jon helfers, of the cobras & the wolf gang respectively, for carrying us through our show at the reddist little grill last night.  they brought bass, keys, hoots & hollers more tasteful & beautiful than we deserved.  also, our brothers & sister in mild winter were a divine pleasure, as always.  we were honored to have them join us, as they've been oh so good to preacher since our humble & messy conception new years last.

but now, brother "bass man" john hostetter has come flying back down the tracks, & we'll soon be playing more than is safe or prudent.  don't say you weren't warned, brothers & sisters.  really, you'd be better off on the run:

we believe in you, brothers & sisters.

so, we trust your ability to differentiate between our fancier & homelier demos on the page.  plus, the spirit is moving so strongly w/in us, it's difficult to keep little bits & songs from passing out of us every once & awhile on to the inter-tube-web.  we try not to be embarrassed by our own noise & stink.

well, we always say, one brother's filth is another's precious gift.

take a look at the new concert calendar over at the state.
every good sheep needs a little guidance & who better to provide it than statesmen, eh?

i just preached a bit over at the state on someone's complaint about a show we were just a part of.
i believe her quote was "seven $, my ass!"
well, sister, we'll offer you a trade: keep your seven bucks next time and give up your ass.

the Lord taught us to claw and scratch to hold on to every last penny that comes our way.  amen and thank gawd for all he provided, and like hell am i gonna give it up for some touring rock bands, some local artist, some good local food...

...i just need to pay my phone bill and feed my car.

while wandering the empty streets of the friendly city just yesterday, i was veritably smitten in my tracks--¡a sign!

turns out, the song must be true:



it may be a weary land, but the pink letters buoyed my spirit.

another child is born--
we got our 3 songs all wrapped up--
now we throw them up on the profile and hand them over to our brothers and sisters--
and to the Lord, as always, go the credit & the spoils.

i heard earlier a review of christopher guest's new instrumental album.  sounded like some smooth stuff.  the critic called it "thinking man's americana."

we are not thinking man's americana.
goodnight.

in the interest of full transparency, we want to share the forms of our evolving & ever-more-grotesque creations (we call them the "back-room demos") w/ our web-surfing brothers and sisters.

the two new songs show off the booms, grunts, stomps...of brothers jon and josh, and a few other tricks.

so, from our twisted hands to yours--enjoy.

and sweet dreams to all our brothers & sisters, the lost sheep of the blue nile (& beyond).






we had a splendid time as this monstrous little tyke of a band took its first baby steps.
but it warmed to the teat of public gaze
& promises to return all too soon.

we'll keep you posted.

we're all set to play at the blue nile tomorrow night (jon of the wolfgang made an invite page here).

we're also polishing up a few new songs (and some recordings, stay tuned), which reminded us of this chestnut:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxaIga7Z62o