Super-colorful Poster for November 21st Show at Vic's

Be there or be square (or be not in Columbus, Ohio- in which case you may or may not be square, but coming to the show is not a determining factor).

Is something still cheesy if it’s done with full awareness of the cheese-factor?

Oldfield's on High is a bar with that regularly hosts live music in the OSU campus area. We were invited by Pinebox and Jester Jack Band to do a show with them on Halloween night. We went on first around 10:30pm and played a 45 minute set. The sound system was pretty darn good and the guy running it was quite nice. There was a super-nice woman named Brenda who was taking video of all the acts. I had the chance to talk with her later... definitely an awesome person. I'll post her footage when she gets a chance to upload it.

Backstage while Pinebox set up, I got a chance to talk with Greg from Jester Jack Band. Greg just joined their band a month ago as the bassist. A few years back, we was part of Willie Phoenix’s band. We bonded over the stickers on my guitar case. Yeah, cheesy as it is, I do put stickers all over my guitar case. Where the heck else should I put these cool stickers? I mean, I’ll only put a select few on my car. Is something still cheesy if it’s done with full awareness of the cheese-factor?

<-----Kyle from Pinebox.

Pinebox did a great set. They create an awesome, chill environment. We all swapped CDs. Adam digs our song, “They Grow It.” (Thanks, Adam!) Kyle took photos while we played, so I tried to take some good ones of them to return the favor. (Thanks, Kyle!) We’re looking forward to our show with Pinebox on Nov. 21st at Vic’s.

Adam ---> from Pinebox. Adam and I have matching shirts.

Rich and I stayed for a good chunk of Jester Jack Band’s set. They are a jam band. They did a really good cover of a Pink Floyd song (yeah, I know them well enough to know it was Pink Floyd, but not well enough to name the ultra-popular song that was covered). Jack’s voice is good and his guitar playing is excellent. The drummer was solid. Really, the bassist, Greg, was amazing especially as he’s only been with them for one month.

<-----Logan from Pinebox.

So that's that. I was jazzed b/c my phone said 1:30am when Rich and I left the

bar.

Unfortunately, time changed that night, so it was 2:30am. So it goes.

Spooky Eye-ball Clown OR Cute Bumble Bee???

Why hello! We'll be at Oldfield's on High on Halloween night!! I'm trying to decide if I should be a spooky eye-ball clown or a cute bumble bee. I guess it will depend on my mood that night. Halloween is definitely my favorite holiday. Good times to be had. Oh yes.

WHAT: Show featuring Pinebox, Jester Jack, and TSAN!
DATE: Saturday, October 31st
WHEN: 10PM
WHERE: Oldfield's On High
2590 N High St
Columbus, OH 43202
COST: TBA
WHO: Anyone and everyone over 21

CHECK OUT THE BANDS HERE: http://pinebox.org/ AND http://jesterjackband.com/
CHECKOUT THE VENUE: http://www.oldfieldsonhigh.com/

RECAP: 2 Shows- GOBS of ROCK.

On Saturday, September 12th, we did a show at the Treehouse. It was Electric Grandmother's 100th show AND Hotel Eden's last resident show in Columbus. It was also a home OSU game... an evening game! It was decided that OSU football home games kill the music scene. Luckily, there were some non-football folks ready to rock. Pinebox started the show around 10PM. Very cool electro groove going on with neat visuals... We went on after them. We had a bit of a hang-up with a lack of steady electricity. So Rich's laptop was acting up. And sooo... we had to cut a couple songs from our set to be courteous to the other performers.







<------Proof Electric Grandmother then took the stage. They do sitcom-core: rocking songs mocking and celebrating sitcoms from the 80's and 90's. Pete writes/ sings the songs... Mary Alice puts together and operates the slide show to go with them. The combo is super-fun, silly, and high-energy. Happy 100th show!!

Hotel Eden finished the night with his last set in Columbus as a resident. He's heading to San Fran. I was jazzed to get to see him live. Great electro-pop music with a DJ twist. Super-cool.

On Friday, September 18th, we did a show at Victorian's Midnight Cafe (Vic's) with my friend Kevin Milner. Kevin traveled from Dayton to join us. Due to 315's awesomely confusing construction and detours, he made a rock-and-roll entrance just in time to hop on stage. Kevin started a bit after 9PM and did an hour+ set. He does heart-felt folk music. It was wonderful to hear him play again. He even did a Kimya Dawson cover. :) As an added bonus, we got to meet his fiance and brother. Very cool people.








That's Kevin Milner---->




Rich and I did an hour and half set. We played our usually set-list plus "Mourning Time" (a new song). I think it was well-received. It was great to play for some folks that hadn't heard us live before. Great, attentive audience. Good vibe. We'll be at Vic's again on November 21st. It's a great place to play... very cozy... great sound... full bar... good coffee... tables and bar stools... nice set-up for sure.

Thanks to Katie and Bob for taking pictures... you can check them out on our flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/teamsmileandnod/sets/72157622375979973/

September 12th: Team Smile and Nod, Pinebox, Electric Grandmother, and Hotel Eden at the Treehouse!

If you are in Columbus, do come by the Treehouse this Saturday. It's a pretty sweet line-up of electro bands. It also happens to be Electric Grandmother's 100th show AND Hotel Eden's last show in Columbus before he moves to San Francisco. Pinebox puts on a sweet show with a video background (so does EG). Point being... this should be very fun.

In summary, I've been reading a wonderful book called cunt- a declaration of independence by Inga Muscio. I recommend it to everyone. In the world. It is mind-blowing. Often it gives words to thoughts I've had and didn't know how to verbalize. I should have read it years ago when Katie recommended it to me. Don't make the same mistake as I did. Read it now! Cue: Reading Rainbow theme music...