Wow! What an amazing time!
We started in NYC. Steve Berns, Ron Pak and myself line up a quick rehearsal to work in Joe Del Vecchio on bass. Joe was filling in for our bassist Jeremy Christiansen, who couldn't make the trip.
Rick, Ron, Steve, and Joe Del Vecchio
Joe did a great job learning all the Mars' tunes, including our closer "Do Ya" by ELO! Then it was onto Kenny's Castaways for another IPO show. I love NY, especially the food! Since my hotel was two blocks from Little Italy I had Italian food every night I was there!
We then drive to Albany in the rain in our rented mini-van. As we're checking in to the hotel there, Steve opens a copy of Albany's "Metroland" newspaper, and to our surprise finds a write up on Maple Mars - which featured us for that night's gig.
"L.A. psych-pop band Maple Mars definitely picked up what the Strawberry Alarm Clock were throwning down". Really???
The show at Savannah's rocked the catboxed! Keith Caruana of The Crayons set up a fantastic show sponsored by radio station Q103.9!
Rick, Ron, Steve
The best part was the station's "cucumber eating contest" (use your imagination).
The next day we all ate at this typical east coast diner that looks like something from the 1940s. A cross between an old motor home and a train. Loved it!
Then we drive to CT where we have an amazing New England dinner at Joes house. Joann (Joe's wife) made us some homemade clam chowder and picked up some Maine lobsters!
Our show at Hamden's Side St Grille was unforgettable to me. Mainly because of the people involved. My very first live show was in Hamden at the high school "Battle Of The Bands". Now here I am with my brother Michael running sound, my other brother James in attendance and my dad Buddy. Also, a bunch of old friends I've known since the 2nd grade through high school, which put my nerves through the roof!
I opened with a short acoustic set doing a few old tunes of mine, but mainly covers like "Ooh Child", "Sister Golden Hair", "Chevy Van" and the Zombies "Care Of Cell 44". I also got to tell some stories of growing up there, which I probably enjoyed more than the audience. HA!
When Maple Mars took the stage I felt right at home, and the guys were on fire! By this point of our little tour we were like a well oiled machine, and friggin' rocked that place. LOL!
Joe sings lead on "The Beginning"
So that was our short, but sweet tour of the east. We need to do this again soon. Sorry for the long winded blog here. I don't do this very often. Must be the coffee. Or maybe I just need to tour more! Perhaps Japan next?
Cheers,
Rick