Since we’re off this week and I just found out that Reverse Cowboy is playing at O’Malley’s I thought I’d go hang out. I got to the pub and the first audible phrase I heard was, “Mom, did you remember to bring your gluten pills?”
It’s gonna be that kind of night, eh?
Our busy season has come to a close. We played some really fun shows at the Ballydoyle Pubs in the Chicago area before doing our standard all-day St. Paddy’s Day thang back in Minneapolis. Now it’s time to rest & relax a bit before we move into Spring. And not a moment too soon — I’m sick of the snow!
I love cover songs. I make no apologies for it. I’ve always enjoyed hearing a band give a new take to an old favorite. To name a few:
All the Young Dudes – Bruce Dickinson (Original by Mott the Hoople); Taxman – Stevie Ray Vaughan (the Beatles); Cry – the Philosopher Kings (Creme & Godley); Johnny B. Goode – Judas Priest (Chuck Berry – cousin of Marvin Berry, for all you Back to the Future fans); Pipeline – Anthrax (the Ventures); and even — oh, heck, why not? — It’s a Hard Life Wherever You Go – Wild Colonial Bhoys (Nanci Griffith).
This list doesn’t even include all the various incarnations of these songs. These are just my favorite versions. Well, another band has thrown their yellow and black Stryped hat into the cover song ring. Yes, Stryper has released an album of nothing but cover songs. And what a variety of sources!  The aforementioned Priest, Kansas, KISS, Iron Maiden, and even heavy metal godfathers Led Zeppelin.Â
There are some terrific selections on Stryper’s “The Covering.”  So when this album came out last week I was anxious to hear a new take on some of the music that defined my youth (I’m not as old as the above bands but for some reason I’ve always been at least 10 years behind the curve, musically speaking).  Now, when Michael Sweet goes to sleep each night on his pile of money, if he were so inclined to investigate he’d find several dollars that originated in the shallow pockets of a young Canadian guitarist. I admit it, I’m a Stryper fan; another thing for which I apologize not.
What an age we live in! Just the other day I bought an album while sitting on my couch. iTunes is the best! So, naturally, I went back to iTunes to check out the sound of the new Stryper album. This band, with their tight vocal harmony and great guitar playing, has always been right up my alley. Just how will the safest hair band of all time go Over The Mountain to Shout It Out Loud while they’re Breaking The Law?
Now for everybody out there who’s saying, “whatever, man! Nobody does it like Priest and Zeppelin and Ozzy,” you’re right!
On Monday I’ll be heading to Saskatchewan for a few days. Stay warm! And I’ll bring back enough Groundhog Stew for everyone. 
Happy Ice Day! So, for any who weren’t aware, I’ve been living in Kansas City for a while. Yep, lotsa driving. Anyway, one of my bigger pet peeves about living down here has been the absolute terrified reaction when the weather isn’t at least 65 degrees. If there’s even the smallest threat of a few snowflakes the schools, churches, etc. are boarded up and there’s a palpable “wait ’til spring comes” attitude toward resuming classes, church activities, and even Meals on friggin’ Wheels! Seriously, people! Don’t the people who need Meals on Wheels need it even more when the weather is bad?!
Cut to Tuesday morning. Schools were, of course, closed yesterday in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. It was a balmy 40 degrees yesterday — beautiful. Well, Chicken Little, there was a brief rain shower overnight before the temperature dropped back below freezing. So what do we see on the morning news? You guessed it! A never-ending crawl at the bottom of the screen with a list of all the schools, churches, Meals on Wheels (again!), and you-name-it that will be closed due to treacherous road conditions. In Minnesota, showing such cowardice after a few chilly sprinkles is enough to get you laughed out of your ice fishing hut. In Canada, it’s cause to tie you to the goal posts and shoot frozen pucks at your nether regions.
Hello, ironic twist! Just when it’s starting to look like they’ve closed every school twice (just to be on the safe side) the regular local news is interrupted by breaking news to bring us a high-speed car chase. “But, Geno,” you ask, “what about the life-threatening conditions on the icy roads?” Well, cautious reader, thankfully there are helicopters to bring us clear views of all the safe, dry streets. Now, I’m not going to pretend that some of the side streets weren’t a little slick. But as long as drivers – most of them, anyway – aren’t fleeing the police they’ll be just fine.
This chase goes on for almost 15 minutes as the driver weaves in and out of traffic in a car that we learn was obtained in a car-jacking. Fortunately, there is no damage or injury in what will ultimately be a trip to the local McDonald’s. Something compels the car to stop. I could speculate as to whether it was the new oatmeal that Ronald is offering or maybe it was something as simple as a good old strawberry milkshake, but we see a young urban troubadour exit the vehicle and run inside the restaurant. Another XL man in 4XL clothes is summarily escorted out of the building by at least a dozen cops and a couple of service dogs.
Martin Luther King, Jr. would be so proud.
Under the heading of “Took Ya Long Enough,” he’s finally been given his due. Bert Blyleven will join the ranks of baseball’s elite in the Hall of Fame.  WCB hereby circles Bert as our favorite Twins’ pitcher!
Still trying to catch up on my sleep after the long, busy week in Ireland! 
Our week in Ireland marked our first proper tour with our full band. We’re really lucky to have shared it with so many supporters who traveled a long way to make it the great tour that it was. I think everyone had an absolute blast — I know the band did!Â
Our shows were so much fun. It was really easy to get right into our playing when there was a built-in audience every night. When you bring a crowd with you there’s no worry about how you’ll be received. I think we played a little more loosey-goosey than normal and the result was fantastic. Every place we played wants us back so I guess it’s time to start planning the next tour.
I’m trying to get rested up. I’m taking it easy and working of a few unfinished songs. I guess the next big project will have to be a new album.
Thanks again to everyone who made this tour great:Â Our Fhans, our bus drivers (Owen and Paddy), the friendly people of Ireland, and most of all Maria and everyone at Celtic Journeys who worked so hard to make our trip so much fun!
Cheers,
Geno
I can’t believe the tour starts in a couple days. Where did the year go?? I hope everyone who is joining us is ready for a lot of fun on very little sleep! And if you couldn’t make it this time, don’t worry. You can come next year.
I guess I’d better get my things in order. Laundry, packing, unpacking, repacking. I’m sure I’ll take something I don’t need and forget something crucial. But that’ll be part of the adventure!
Geno
Head for the light, my friends. It’s all over. How do I know? I saw it on a sign:
“Commercial Property For Sale, Contact WAL-MART Realty”
*sigh*
