UNDERTOW 2.17

Hotter than hell...

IF YOU FACTOR IN WIND CHILL IT ONLY FEELS LIKE 104…

You all know it’s hot, you don’t need me talking about how hot it is, but Jesys fucking CHRIST is it hot…

DISCLAIMER: I do not give two shits about any typos in here, and I encourage you to do the same.

I want to start this week by recognizing what was a pretty incredible night at La Mer for the Terry & Jerry Duo. We were surrounded by many familiar faces like Lynn & Alex Sosik, Ralph & Sandy Mannik and Sandy’s sister Michelle. La Mer bartender James Sharpley server Amy Emerson, both longtime friends, were working the Pier House. And local luminary Tom McNulty and a gaggle of friends and wives sat down in the front row at 6pm and left at 9pm. And dozens of other people filtered in and out throughout the show. And it was all just really nice. It felt communal. One of those rare c onfluences of time, setting and people. Rain threatened early but gave way to an armada of dark clouds over the ocean that spawned at least two amazing rainbows. After sunset a hazy fog rolled in and gave the evening a gauzy sheen. It was like playing a concert at an exclusive Rocky Mountain music venue known only to the hippest and coolest. The band sounded good. The tip jar nearly overflowed. And one was left with the feeling of just having experienced something that was not the usual. As I said, a confluence.

Then Trump got shot.

A NEW JOB FOR TERRY?

I wont get too far over my skis, but I had an interview today (Wednesday) for a potential new full-time job at a place closer to my home. Not that the 15-20 minute commute to the hospital is a big deal or anything, but a 5-minute commute would be awesome. If things progress, and it feels like they will, I should know more by early next week. Then… I’ll have a decision to make. I dont hate my job at the hospital. But it’s a job I mostly took because I had no job and no money and it was Christmas and I just needed something. I’ve come to enjoy some aspects of it (the preciseness of it pairs well with my mild OCD) but, after some early hints that there might be a little upward mobility in my department, it’s become pretty clear that the job is what it is. A job.

Anyway… (Joe Biden joke alert)

As to the aforementioned La Mer gig, I was pretty worried going into it because my throat was killing me. We had had a pretty great gig at Jersey Girl on Thursday, but I worked an extra day at the hospital for extremely boring scheduling reasons (I’d needed the previous Thursday off to play July 4th and could only switch days with one of my colleagues during the same pay week so ended up working 10 out of 11 days and I can just about hear your eyes glazing over) and was pretty exhausted. Our Friday gig was canceled at literally the last minute (I was coming off the N. Wildwood bridge, about three minutes from Flip-Flopz) due to a scheduling SNAFU and, honestly, I had no idea how I was going to get through it, so cancellation was a small mercy. (And shout-out to Flip-Flopz for doing the classy thing and giving us a % of our pay for the inconvenience). So yeah… I was a little worried on Saturday. But with Jerry on my wing and a crowd full of love I was able to loosen up and get it going.

Throat hurt like shit on Sunday, though.

Ran into former Love Me Dude (remember them?), bassist Terry Dougherty, as Cath, Owen and I had drinks (Diet Coke for me) and snacks at Stowaways, the new restaurant at the Ferry and TERRY DOUGHERTY HAS A PONY TAIL. Can you imagine?

Which reminds me, I have (a few) gigs coming up…

Thursday 7/18, 530-930: Jersey Girl with “Sugar” Dave Hughes on guitar.

Sunday 7/21, 5-9, 5-9: Rusty Nail, Terry & Jerry Trio w/ Emily Bryce. We had an absolute blast two weeks ago. Emily really brings it.

Thursday 7/25, 530-930: Jersey Girl, Terry & Jerry Duo.

And that’s it for July. I agree. That’s not enough. But I can get fucking arrested in Cape May these days, despite spending 20+ years singing in or hosting karaoke at every bar in town and providing good times and good vibes but whatever, nobody gives a shit anymore, except for those of you in here. Not to go all GET OFF MY LAWN on you, but in my 20s it used to be a point of pride in Cape May for bars to get the best bands possible. It was a competition. The Ugly Mug got those guys? Well The Shire better get THESE guys because Carney’s has THOSE guys. And so on. Now… it’s just a box to check. Lemons cut? Check. Glasses stocked? Check. Music booked? Check. Sigh…

But in less depressing music news…

TERRY O’BRIEN, TRIBUTE BAND LEADER EXTRAORDINAIRE, FRIEND TO MANY, LOVER OF ANIMALS, MAKER OF BABIES, DRINKER OF SODAS, PROUDLY PRESENTS TO YOU…

ME GENERATION! AN 80S TRIBUTE.

Yeah, we’re doing it again. Anglesea Pub owner Sean MacMullan texted me a few days ago, “Lad, anything available Colombus Day weekend?” Yada yada yada. Me Generation, my new 80s tribute, will be playing the Pub on Colombius Day Saturday and Sunday, October 12th and 13th. Who’s in the band, you might ask? Shut up and I’ll tell you, you might answer. (That’s an ooooooold Undertow call back…)

Vocals: Terry O’Brien

Keyboard & Vocals: Emily Bryce

Guitar: “Sugar” Dave Hughes

Bass & Vocals: James Howell

Drums: The Iron Horse, Al Olivero

So, 80% of The Strangers plus James Howell, Al’s partner in their duo, Indelible Groove. Unfortunately, Jerry is unavailable, but, with his blessing, we’re going to give this thing a go. And if you don’t know James, I can assure you, he’s a HUGE get. Top notch bassist, EXCELLENT singer, and overall good dude. This band will rock… unless we go all 80s in rehearsal, load up on hookers and blow and sleep with each other’s girlfriends. But that might be a little TOO 80s.

Did I put a paywall in yet? If not, here’s a paywall.