I went to Churchills in Miami last night with our friend Mike to see Jesse Jackson and Raffa and Rainer.  It was a good time. 

Churchills, for those of you who don’t know, is right smack dab in the middle of Little Haiti.  You have to pay some crack head to “watch” your car in the parking lot.  It’s just awesome. It is, however, actually a pretty cool bar.  It is also Hispanic indie kid central. 

After being away from Miami for a while, I forgot this.  I love it.  There was also a litle record store attached to the bar.  “Hey mang, ju got day new Arcade Fire?” 

The bartender we had was kinda cute from a distance until we realized she had a bona-fide soul patch on her lower lip.  I’m talking full on goatee-bit.  Then, we spent the rest of the night trying to figure out if she was actually a guy.  It is Miami, after all.

So, we sat on the back porch, which was kinda cool, kinda like CG’s porch, but Little Haiti is outside.  Evidently, the owner, an authentic Brit, lives in a house adjacent to the bar!  Can you imagine?  Why would anyone move from England to Little Haiti?  But then, why would anyone move from England to open a bar in Little Haiti?

The 2nd band was a Spanish hard rock band with a lead singer who looked like she escaped from Miami Seaquarium.  This girl was trying to get all intense and growl into the mic, but she was just too damn hilarious looking to be taken seriously.

Jesse’s set was pretty awesome.  He’s just a great songwriter. 

During it, however, a bunch of chismosas were talkng really loudly behind us.  At one point, I heard one yell “chees (she’) going to get us empanadas,” about their friend who left.  Evidently, she had the empanadas in her car.  and she brought them in for her group to share.

ahhhh, Miami.

I do miss it sometimes, but bandwise, leaving it was the best decision we ever made.

 

I bought some NyQuill just a few minutes ago.  It cost 4.99 with tax for some unknown reason.  Usually, it’s tagged at 4.99 and with .06% sales tax, well you know how it works.

I told the girl, I don’t need the change. 

It’s a penny.

But, there is no way to say that without sounding like an asshole.  “Oh, by the way, sweetheart, no change for me.”  It’s almost as if either party HAS to acknowledge that the “change” is only one penny. 

“You don’t want the penny?” she’ll invariably reply.  Or, I’ll head her off at the pass and say “It’s only a penny.”

Which leads me to my point, the theme of this slipshod essay if you will.  Pennies are no more than formalities anymore.  No one cares about em.  It’s time to start rounding to the closest Nickel.  Embrace the round, ostracize the penny. 

This will of course render the old adage “my two cents” obsolete.  So, start saying “That’s my two cents rounded to the closest nickel.”

Currently reading : The New Complete Joy of Home Brewing By Charlie Papazian Release date: By October, 1991

Myspace event invites have been so f’d up lately, so here’s what’s going on this weekend.

Hello friends,

Morningbell is doing it to you in your earhole all weekend long for FREE.

all listed times are when the Bell is scheduled to start

Thursday @ The Orange and Brew (Reitz Union) @ 10:30.

-this will be an encore performance of the CD release/choose your own adventure show since a bunch of people couldn’t get into the Atlantic.

Friday @ the O’Connell Center @ 10:30 (Walk for Life event)

Saturday @ the Reitz Union Lawn @ 1:00

These are all perfect opportunities to use that would be cover charge to buy a copy of our new album!  It’s sellin like hot-cakes, so get it while it’s still hot.

And finally, Saturday night, we’re playing as the Shitty Beatles at the Shamrock for 5 bucks.  It’s with Inuit Jargon and a few new side projects.  It may be the last Shitty Beatles show ever, so come on out and sing with us.

-First: Just Duet : Shaun and Travis square off on some of your favorite karaoke duets.

-Second: Bubblegum Popcorn : New mystery synth-pop duo.
(these sets will only be 10-15 minutes long each)

-Third: Military Junior, a smarth math rock group from Tampa.  their drummer is sick!

-Fourth: Inuit Jargon

-Finally: The Shitty Beatles.

Hope to see you all.

Also, if you can’t make it out and want a copy of the new record, Hyde n Zeke’s has it.  If you don’t know where Hyde n Zeke’s is, shame on you!  402 NW 10th Avenue 352-376-1687.  You can also buy it by emailing morningbellonline@gmail.com and sending us some cashish thru paypal. 

Finally, if you have any friends/family/lovers along the east coast, we need help putting a tour together in June.  Any contacts are welcomed and appreciated!

Sincerely,
The Morningbell Robot

 

 

I (Eric) went to a conference today in Crystal River.  It was 5 counties worth of public defenders and office staff.  Basically, every single person was introduced, and a few higher ups got standing ovations. 

I’m sick of standing ovations.  They are dead to me.  From now on out, I’m calling them Standing Obligations.  There’s nothing impressive about that.  It’s like washing your hands after using the bathroom (hopefully) or stopping at a red light (again, hopefully).  It’s somethign you’re obliged to do.  Nothing inspires one to stop at a red light, they’re obliged to do it. 

So, enough.  No more standing ovations unless you really mean it.  And you should feel free to NOT stand even if everyone else does.

Which brings me to my next point.  The conference was in Crystal River, FL.  That’s Citrus County for those keeping score.  Just take Williston Road (SR 121) west into the bustling charming gem that is called Williston.  It’s a shithole people.  SHIT HOLE.  Then, hop on US 19, for 20 miles worth of 4 lane divided highway thru nothing.  Absolutely nothing.  No houses, businesses, signs, telephone poles, NOTHING. 

Then, on to Crystal River, home of one of Florida’s Nucular Power Plants.  That’s right, Nucular.

After the conference, i had 2 hours to kill before heading back, as we were playing a private event in Ocala, so I decided to head west until the road ended.  Crystal River is right on the Gulf, and the conference center was about 10 miles inland.  So West I went.  All of a sudden, the crap scrub vegetation yielded way to a vast sea of sawgrass and the thickest palm tree forest i have ever seen.  I was truly amazing,  I have never seen so many palm trees together.  And there were Nucular cooling towers in the background to boot. 

There was a little beach at the end right on the gulf.  It was pretty nice, despite the local yokel Citrus county residents peppering the sand.  The beach was so serene facing the gulf, but a mere 180 degrees behind us was the ominous nucular power plant.  It was quite surreal.  Also, the air raid siren style warning sirens were pretty trippy.  Especially since they test them on Fridays at noon, right when i was in town.  Hello 1950’s, duck and cover, baby.

On a positive note, i did get to drive through 3 (yes, there are at least 3) state forests in the area.  I saw a bald eagle, and he even had a yellow ribbon tied around his leg.  Or maybe it was a 6 pack holster.

Currently listening : The Sophtware Slump By Grandaddy Release date: By 06 June, 2000

Hey friends,

We’re trying to head up the east coast this June and need help with contacts along the way.

If you have any friends or bands you know in Georgia thru New York, please let us know who they are so we can try to put together a dandy little 2 week tour of the eastern seaboard.

saluta!

STOP ADVERTISING FOR MALE DATING SERVICES.

Isn’t the point of Myspace for corporate america to custom tailor its advertising to your specific likes and interests?

I mean, i’m getting shirtless black dudes, frat guys in bubble baths, the guy from the STrokes playing volleyball.

STOP STOP STOP STOP

Morningbell and Friends Podcast 8 up now!

Umoja Orchestra (latin/afrobeat)
Morningbell (melodic psych rock)
Rickolus (Jacksonville)
Bubblegum Popcorn (mysterious new power-pop duo)
More jingles by Travis
Inuit Jargon

take it on spring break with you!

if you’re already a subscriber, just open iTunes and hit refresh.  if you’re a first time listener, go to www.morningbellonline.com/podcast.htm for directions.

Jacksonville, city of 20 dollar bills, you know that it’s true.

So, we played Jacksonville tonight for the 3rd time ever and for the FIRST time ever, it was lots of fun. This had largely to do with the fact that we were playing with Chris Estes and Rickolus, two of our favorite artists.

The venue appeared to be an old Firestone or equivalent garage and everyone there was really cool. The theater/venue room was pretty sweet and the stage had this movie screen behind it upon which crazy lights were flashed throughout the set. We need to seriously get it traveling with us!

Rickolus is just purely outrageous. I strongly recommend, nay, implore you to catch him if you ever get the chance.

I realize that I have been remiss in my podcast duties and promise you a brand spankin new one within the next week.

Daylight Savings Time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Currently listening : The Very Best of Aretha Franklin: The 60's By Aretha Franklin Release date: By 22 March, 1994

Saturday night was prophetic in many ways. The new record is about the sea, and the release show was held at a club called “The Atlantic.” There was a total eclipse of the moon, but you couldn’t see it because it was obscured by clouds. the night’s forecast called for rain all week, but it changed that morning and didn’t rain a drop. In fact, the radar showed constant rain from Micanopy to Orlando almost all day, but something was keeping it down there and away from Gainesville. All 4 bands shared equipment and transitioned between sets almost flawlessly.

It was a good time.

The crowd was solid all night long and it wasn’t terribly hot or smoky inside.

It just seemed like a good night.

Despite my pre-show anxiety level being at a near all time high, I enjoyed playing the new songs and the crowd was in to them.

Travis messed up the choose your own adventure story line halfway thru the set, and as our friend Ben said “we knew there was no turning back at that point.” so, the concept had a bit of a flaw, but it was the first time we tried it.

We were also hoping to put up more decorations around the Atlantic and have a few more light props on stage, but we ran out of time. Since everyone shared our gear, we were able to set up right away when we arrived. This frequently poses a problem, as it removes the element of urgency to the process. We start taking our time, shit is everywhere, there are cables strewn about, and all of a sudden, it’s 20 minutes till doors.

Umoja is easily the sickest thing in town right now. The horns alone can light a fire.

Thanks to everyone who came out and if you didn’t pick up the album yet, shame on you!!!

http://gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070301/COLUMNS20/70301004/-1/entertainment

http://www.alligator.org/pt2/070301morningbell.php

Currently watching : Theremin - An Electronic Odyssey Release date: By 24 July, 2001