Introducing Block 37
With one gig and dozens of rehearsals under our belts (and five - count 'em - FIVE upcoming gigs scheduled) I figure it's high time to promote my latest band, Block 37, a five-piece act hell-bent on not boring you to death the way so many other bands do. Seriously, I'm really excited about this venture for several reasons, three of which I'll highlight today.
1) The band's mission to stay clear of classic rock and over-played hits and instead focus on fun, upbeat power pop gems, many of which you might have forgotten all about. So yeah, we'll play some great tunes by bands you know like The Clash, The Cars, The Black Keys, White Stripes and the like, but then we'll perform that one tune that needs to be exercised from the recesses of your mind. Songs like "Save it for Later" by The English Beat, "Here It Goes Again" from OK Go (which I just heard on an episode of Scrubs!), "Ah, Leah" by Donnie Iris, "A Million Miles Away" from the Plimsouls. And Wilco. And Elvis Costello. Any Joe Jackson. Vampire Weekend. The Kings. Fountains of Wayne. The Knack. And, and, and...can you tell I'm really excited about our set list?
2) So our current selection of songs is excellent, but what's really cool is we're learning new material all the time, which not only keeps us excited, it also means that our shows will constantly evolve so that you'll never get the same set list twice. I've been in bands that are very reluctant to learn new material. Not Block 37. We are here to explore the vast soundscape of power pop gems from the last four decades.
3) The musicianship of this band is ridiculous. How Phil can remember all the lyrics to these tunes is beyond me, and Matt's spot-on guitar solos kills me. Add to that a thumpin rock-solid rhythm section by Johnny and Doug, and it's a pleasure for me to add some keys to what's already a great sounding arrangement.
WHAT DO WE NEED FROM YOU? First please go to our Facebook page and like us. We're at 163 likes but we need more. You can also check out our ever-changing website for news, videos and photos.
Second, come out to one of our shows! As of this writing, you have five opportunities to hear Block 37 play:
Fri, July 31: Block 37 will be performing power pop gems for an evening gig at Phyllis's Musical Inn in Chicago, 10 to 1.
Sat, Aug 1: I'm back with Block 37 at Bono's in Lisle from 9:15 to 12:45 or thereabouts.
Sat, August 22: Block 37 is heading to Palos for a rip-roaring night of power pop favorites. At Trio in Palos, 9 to really, really late.
Sat, August 29: My newest band, Block 37, will be performing at the Highland Avenue Block Party in Elmhurst Illinois. Details to follow.
Fri, Septmber 18:Block 37 is back at our regular gig at Bono's in Lisle. 9:15 or so to the wee hours.
So come on out and see what all the hub-bub is about, help us grow, and with any luck, one day we'll play during daylight hours!
