NYC, the album, and a clarification

Our gig at Kenny's Castaways in New York this weekend was spectacular. I'm taking modesty lessons from Phil.

This was our first out-of-town gig since we lost our bassist to aliens that had invaded Harrisburg, PA. This gig wasn't quite as odd, but it did have it's own little surprises:

1. One of the members of the first band of the night didn't show up. Just didn't show. Assuming that there wasn't some catastrophic emergency, how the fuck do you just miss a gig?
   
2. We had a drunk heckler. This in itself is not odd. See the old myspace blog for historic drunks. However, this guy had a style all his own....he ended each song with a cheer of, "That was good as snot!" He also verbally assaulted Phil's between-song monologues with, "Shut up and play a fucking song." Phil does get longwinded at times, but this was just after the first sentence!! Finally, after a nearly fatal stumble, he was escorted from the bar.
   
3. The soundman had actually miced up a pair of congas before!
   

A good time was had by all.....or at least by me. I'm guessing our drunk heckler went on to either get assaulted in an alley or to another bar to heckle someone else. It was good to be close enough to Connecticut that we could bring in a bunch of family and friends. I think Phil even got some of his elementary school buddies to show.

The album is progressing....albeit slowly. I have high hopes that we'll be able to polish it off by the end of the summer, but this is a busy summer, what with Phil getting married.....

Finally, I'm hopeful that this is the start of a larger education of the masses, presented without further comment. This is a picture of me playing CONGAS:



And this is a picture of a pair of BONGOS.

Week 1. Part 1.

I gotta say,  Zach kicked a great deal of ass last night.  I can’t take much credit for it.  Alright. I can’t take credit for it.  My scratch tracks were brilliant. But not that brilliant.  Good for a laugh, maybe.  Anyway,  all I did last night was adjust some levels and hit record.  The rest of the time, I drank Captain Morgan and played with Zach’s large cat (not as big as the Kingo).   He got a majority of the songs done for the foundation percussion parts.  

And the train continues forward….

why an album?

Why record an album?

I think there are a lot of reasons to record an album.  Some obvious, some not so obvious.  It was a consideration since we recorded the Bad Habit promo – what did I/we want to accomplish next.  This has been going on for over three years now.  The Habit. The Phil Rossi Experience (well, that has been going on for countless millennia – or so I’m sure it feels to some).  In the various incarnations, designs for EPs, singles, and what not flew about.   The process never blossomed, though.  Maybe I was writing too much?  Or doing to much other stuff.  Focus was never my strong suit.   Well, came to a concrete decision the other night.  This album would happen this year and it would happen soon.  10+ scratch tracks in hand, and a bit of the fire-water in the veins, I rolled up to Zach’s house to begin laying down percussion.  

It was a disaster for various reasons and nothing got recorded.  Undeterred, I went back to the ‘burn, to the pub, and drank.

Which solved a lot, incidentally.

We’re gonna pick it up again.   Most of the major bugs are worked out.   Building it from the bottom up is the only way to go this time. That Zach is a motherfucker on the percussion – we wanna pick up that on those mics.  
Take our time, but linger.

We’ve made a lot of good music this past several years.   You wouldn’t believe the stock pile. Now is a great time to take a snapshot of the where we’ve been and where we just might go.

xo,
Phil

and now that the smoke has settled

Everyone has been working their asses of lately. Unfortunately, schedules haven't really jived and we had to sideline practices. I have a feeling that Zach has been singing to himself through the PA, dancing in his underwear and such. It could be a weird gut vibe, or it could from the pictures that he tried to send Ann, but went to my email inadvertantly. Zach, here's a bit of advice: don't hit reply all next time.

Scratch tracks'll be down for the next three songs were going to record within a couple of days. It also looks like the plan is to get together this Saturday. Sweet. I

Current Research:

Stasera - DC9 - Ci sarà molta felicità!

Stasera. DC9. Phil Rossi e l'abitudine difettosa, facente musica che è sia sessuale che completamente fantastica. Camicie e pattini puramente facoltativi per questa. Potrebbe essere notte di mercoledì, ma non c'è motivo di non lasciare i vostri capelli giù. E chi più meglio quello con? Speriamo di vederli fuori.

Acclamazioni!
Phil Rossi

That 50 cent is tough as nails

Well, he seems to think so. Ya never know whats going to come up on an iTunes party shuffle. Going from Shivaree to 50 cent was a little jarring, but the electic mix of music I've got going here keeps things interesting. In the interest of keeping things, well, interesting, last night kicked off the latest season of el habito male. Vacation was nice, but it's time to move forward once again. We had a lovely little practice session where we shook off some cobwebs, shared some frosty beverages (mmmm), and just had a good time. Everyone is excited about the upcoming shows. The nearest being October 5th at DC9 (see the web page for details - www.philrossimusic.com). Its an early show, but considering it's a Wednesday night, people shouldn't mind too much. Following the show is the Stellarstar* after party (they're an Interpol-esque band playing 'round the corner at the 9:30).

... iTunes has now shuffled me from the Doors to Skinny Puppy. Yowsa. But, I digress.

In other news, we're beginning the recording process anew with our sights set on an EP. I'd like to release a single or two as well, because, singles are just cool. That's up to the collective though. They put up with me, but just barely.

The web site is undergoing a steady face lift. Look for more updates in the days to come.

Hope to see you crazies out this coming Wednesday.

I shall leave you on this note:

Donde esta el habito?

Yes, we've been gone for a while.....something about vanishing bassists, babies, engagement rings, new schools, old schools, and general other misadventures.

The king of self-absorption has pryed his eyes away from looking himself in the mirror long enough to cement his engagement in the most traditional way. Join me in congratulating both Jen and Phil.

Ann and Brian are back in school... I don't envy them.

And yes, I have a new baby, and new ability to post stream-of-conciousness blather on the Habit blog. Phil doesn't know what he's gotten himself into.

We're on our way back to filling your ears with our brand of sex-infused rock. We'll be at DC9 on October 5th.....come join us in the carnal pleasure of la musica del habito malo.

-Zach