June flew by at an unbelievable pace. I can’t believe it’s already July! What ever happened to endless summers?
Broken Clown (my band) got some big news this month........ we have a few songs posted on a site called garageband.com, in which people from all over the world can listen to music and review the songs randomly. Our tune “Feelgood hit of the summer” has been lodged in the top 20 for months now, and for the for most of June, we were number #1 in the metal charts, and in the top 20 overall. As I’m writing this, we slipped to number #3 on the metal charts, and still remain in the top 50 overall. (#42, I think)
The winners get a sweet deal and all the non-recoupable goodies a contract can provide, but we’re not expecting anything out of it, I think we’re better off from the attention we receive from labels and fans from around the globe. Pretty cool though, and the Portland Phoenix did a bit on it, you can read it by clicking here.
Comedy was busy this month. I did a stretch of 14 shows in 14 days, and they were a blast. The 15th and 16th at the Connection in Portland were the best of course, the crowds were fantastic, and I got to work with my great friend Roe, and Mike Donovan. Donovan was awesome, and I found myself sneaking in to every show to watch him. He’s that funny.
The Drum shop that I work at hosted a clinic last week with Peter Erskine. He is one the top drummers of our time, and he was great. We had dinner later on that night, and I pestered the A@R guy at Yamaha drums to build me a wacky Shaner snare drum. I don’t think he bought it. He did buy my dinner though, and that’s all that matters.
My shallow little world reached it’s crowning achievement as well.
I was working at Jester’s in Kittery for a weekend a coupla weeks back, which was great, but what was even better, was that across the street at the strip club, the featured starlet was none other than my all time fave, Nikki Dial.
I found out as I was approaching my car, about to head home, and needless to say, I ran to the club and dove in. There she was. All 5’6 110lbs of her. It was the same feeling I got when I saw Iron Maiden live, but instead of goosebumps, well, you know.
I first encountered the lovely Ms. Dial about 8 years ago, and it’s been an obsession ever since. I can’t see why she ever did porn, she’s easily one the worlds most beautiful women. And she was considerably richer when she left my lap. It was worth it.
I took some time off late in the month to do some writing. I hooked up with an online rag, The Comedy Exchange, and they’re posting my stuff, pretty cool, and I also completed a 1500 word piece called “The Predator” which I’m gonna try to sell to one the bigger ‘zines. Wish me luck, and I may post it later on.
This past weekend I was off, and traveled to Worcester with the Al Klemick to see Doug Stanhope. Al was working there, so I tagged along for the show, and free Chinese food. I had worked with Stanhope before, and he blew me away. He did the same this weekend. I’ll say it now, Doug Stanhope is the world’s BEST comic. Trust me. You have to see this guy.
Oh yeah, my buddies Kyle and Efram sold their film Pennyweight to the Sci-Fi channel a couple of months ago, and it first aired last Sunday. Gorge Hamm, Bob Marley, Butch Bradley, and myself are all featured in the film, and Hammy and I watched it at J’s Oyster that night. That was pretty cool.
Next week..................going to see The Cult in Worcester!!!!! Life just gets better.
-Shane