Reunions & Reviews

Hello Everybody-

Returned from Boston late last night and had a really good time. Although travelling alone is often times a drag, I think the solitude did me good. Allowed me to think about some things and clear my head.

Quick story:

Art Solari (Drummer on State of Grace) and Brian Csencsits (Engineer on When I Bleed) are two of my oldest and closest friends. We've all known each other since we were 10 or 11 years old.

My very first band consisted of Myself on Guitar and Vocals, Brian on Bass Guitar, Art on Drums, and another friend named Dave Meyer on Guitar . We practiced in Art's basement throughout our high school years, played many a gig, and learned many a hard lesson. Our band name was Charisma (lame name I know, but what do you want?? We were 11 years old when we started for chissakes!) It was my introduction to music, and it obviously changed my life.

Last Saturday night Art's Parents celebrated there 25th wedding anniversary with an event at a local Banquet Hall. Myself, along with Brian and Rich DeCicco were all invited. There was a Band there to provide some entertainment. After several hours the band took a break and we found ourselves being asked for an inpromptu reunion of sorts. I guess everyone had enough drinks in them that it sounded like a good idea.

I picked up the guitar players axe and was pretty much a nervous wreck. Art hopped behind the drumkit and Brian picked up the bass. Rich and another friend, Matt Jacobs, hopped behind the percussion setups and off we went. We played three songs: I Can't Explain, Knocking on Heavens Door, and You Really Got Me. We blew the room apart! It was really a great moment! Emotions ran high along with the alcohol intake.

Afterwards people were coming up and complementing us on how well we played. It had been 14 years since we last played together! When I started off the opening chords to I Can't Explain I had butterflies in my stomach. As soon as everyone kicked in, everything just gelled! It felt like yesterday that we had played our last gig.

I compare it to walking down the bread isle of a grocery store. Whenever I walk down a bread isle and smell the bread, memories just flood my brain. Mental pictures from when I was just a child in my Mother's shopping cart. It's really an incredible thing. The same thing happened when we played together the other night. Every gig, every song, every moment, just flashed before my eyes...really incredible!!

They always say "you can't go home again", well that's pretty much bullsh*t, because the other night we went home!

In other news.....

My friend Mil was kind enough to put up a review page on The Luna Stage show. We are working on getting her a permanant home on my website, but until that happens you can read the review here: http://artistinsane.com/luna_stage_9-25-04.htm Please check out the rest of her site while you are there. She's a great writer and there is a lot of interesting stuff on her site.

Thanks for reading everybody and be safe!

Brian

Boston, Benefits, & Big Ideas

Myself & The Band will be performing at the annual Underpass Benefit Show. I figured I would allow Christine (Co-Owner of the Underpass) to give y'all a little background info on the nature of the benefit show. I copied this from a post off of The Underpass website:

This post goes out to Pop who asked the question about the benefit (and for anyone else who is new to us). My brother-in-law had the original vision for this bar and opened the doors 7 years ago. Sadly, he passed away 4 years ago however Ken and I, with alot of help from the amazing Joe Beets have kept the bar running. The $10 cover charge at the door is for Tommorrow Children's Fund. It is the organization that we had donations sent to when Paul passed away. It is a very worthy organization. The benefit is alot of fun so you should check it out. I'm glad to hear that there are new friends coming into our bar and we hope you and your friends continue to support us. Look forward to seeing you all at the benefit!!!

This year the benefit will take place on Sunday, November 21st. We perform at around 5PM, however, there are some great bands playing throughout the day so be sure to get there early!

Heading up to Boston next week to open a couple of shows for my friend and fellow songwriter James O'Brien (www.jamesobrien.cc). Some of you may remember James, as he opened up The Luna Stage gig for me back in October. Now I am heading up to return the favor. Just found out that after this stint I will return to Boston in February (22nd to be exact) to play Club Passim. Passim is a legendary venue, and it is certainly a thrill to be offered the gig.

I played the GEMS Music Conference this past Sunday. Playing music conferences is always a little odd because your performing mainly for other musicians. I did have a pretty good time playing, but I had a much better time hanging out in the back room. Myself, Jay, Alisa, George and friend Matty Z basically hijacked a room and spent the majority of our time laughing about different things. Guess you kinda had to be there. Anyway, there are a couple of very exciting things in the works as a result of the conference, so we'll have to see what happens!

Still getting lots of great response to the new album. Thank you all very much! Hey, if you get a chance and your so inclined, could you write a review of Further Down The Line at this website: http://cdbaby.com/cd/fitzpb4 Just scroll to the bottom of the page and post your thoughts, positive or negative. I would appreciate it very much, as it definitely helps to sell discs if there are some reviews on the page. And if you think a friend might be interested in my tunes, send 'em in the right direction for me. I want to be able to keep writing and recording songs for you all, but unfortunately it costs money, so it's important that I move as much product as possible. We've come this far together!

Thanks Everybody, and look forward to seeing you all real soon!

I am always appreciative!

Brian

A Moments Peace.....

I am scheduled to play at The GEMS Music Conference tomorrow (Sunday). The last time I was scheduled to play a music conference was in Delaware about a year back. Ed and I performed outside on the roof of a bar. About halfway through our set it started pouring rain. Needless to say, I am glad tomorrow's conference will be indoors.

Rumour has it that my former hardcore band, A Moment's Peace, will be performing a reunion show on December 11th. It is not confirmed yet, but should be soon God willing! Myself and Jay were both members of the band. We recorded an album of sure fire hits that has yet to be heard by the masses. To see some photos and hear a song or two click here: http://www.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=2513875&Mytoken=20041106112141

Heading up to Boston in another week or so to play with my friend and fellow songwriter, James O'Brien. Looking forward to heading up north and hanging with some friends. Should be fun.

Myself and the band will be performing at the annual Underpass Benefit Show. This is a show that takes place every year and the money is donated to the "Tomorrows Children Fund". This year it will take place on Sunday, November 21st. We will be performing around 5:00, but there will be great bands throughout the day. Come on down and support a great cause!

Hope to see you all soon!

Brian