Yesterday's news today...

July 3, 2007...

Please watch the LIVE EARTH Concert 7-7-07! It is vital that each and every one of us fully understand what is really happening to our planet. This is no ordinary concert... It's not your standard telethon or fund-raiser... It's a genuine and heartfelt attempt to educate us all about global warming and the myriad of environmental problems that are facing us. This isn't just a bunch of BS. It's real and it needs to be taken seriously!

I won't preach. It's up to each and every one of us to do what we can. Please visit the Live Earth website. Do what you can. Before there are no more beautiful tomorrows.

Go green ...

JG

January 3, 2006...

What the hey?? .... Has another year come and gone already? Other than the flood at the studio, the always fun tax audit, the newly etched lines on my face, the new inches on my waistline, and my new 'fat pants', I can't really think of anything really 'big' to report. I'm not sure what occurrences of any importance might merit mentioning... I must have something tangible to show for the past year, yeah, I'm sure I do... I'm just not sure what at the moment... It's probably all for the better. I read some of our old news items recently. Whether it's good news or bad news..... it can sound like boasting on the one hand, or whining on the other, so this time, as a gift to you all, I'll spare you my take on the latest news. Now that's news!

One thing that must be mentioned, however, is the continuing appreciation and thanks I have for our customers, friends and supporters. Special thanks to each and every band that rehearsed, recorded and/or worked, on their pre-production at Musclehead Music Productions in 2005. It's your patronage that keeps us in business... Your artistic growth is what keeps us excited... We relish watching your improvements and gains at every level. Thanks for the opportunity and privilege of working with you. This past year we've shared a lot of laughs and good times, but more importantly, we've heard some really great music created on the premises. For sure, 2006 holds many surprises and rewards ahead. It's an honor to be a part of your musical endeavors, and I'm truly grateful to be able to share these sessions with you all.

Here's to a great year ahead...

JG

January 3, 2005... Whoa! Here we are in the new year, 2005, or MMV as the Romans might put it. Pretty fitting I'd say, since 2005 marks the beginning of a new niche here at Musclehead - our DVD division - MuscleheadMusicVideos. Like everything else we do here at MMP, we aren't thinking it's going to make us a ton of money, but rather will allow us the means to make available to you, on DVD, some of the true video gems we've had the priviledge to be a part of over the past several years. There are some really great, and extremely rare, live performances stashed away in the MMP vault - footage that features some of the finest and most timeless artists in Orange County - including Spider Kelly, Stikkitty, Scarlet Crush, Oprah's Diet Secrets, Jamometer and all the other bands and artists who participated in the phenomenal 'Friday Night Jams' series over the past 12 years. As of this update, we're not really sure exactly what all we'll be able to release, but we've at least decided on our first two DVD releases: Spider Kelly Live at Geezerfest 2004, and Spider Kelly Live at Jimmy McGee's, shot in early 1983. Both will contain some pretty cool extras, and will be available only through our webstore. One thing's for certain - you won't find them anywhere but here!

Also, since it is a new year, I'd like to express some love and gratitude to all of you who have helped us make it through another year. Very special thanks go out to Scarlet Crush, Boxcar, and the SC side project we lovingly refer to as Dax and the Hacks. These are the artists whose patronage in 2004 has been instrumental in helping us keep the bills paid, and at the same time, made the progress enjoyable every step along the way. Also, at the risk of making him blush with discomfort, I'd like to single out Scarlet Crush's Jeff Sterzer for all that he's done for us not only this year, but over the past 5 plus years, sharing his connections, friendship, enthusiasm and encouragement. Jeffrey, we love you and truly appreciate all that you are and all that you bring to the party. Thank you, brother, for all you do to help make Musclehead a better place!

Who knows what tomorrow may bring? Not us! But we're looking forward to seeing what MMV has in store for us all. We wish you all the best now and throughout the year ahead.

Love and gratitude to all our friends and supporters...

JG

August 26, 2004

(from the SK news page) Geezerfest 2004 is now, just like the band itself, a slowly fading footnote in the history of rock. What was it like? Did it rock? Did it suck? Did the band survive their return visit into those days of their musical youth and lives of non-stop rocking and rolling? Well, I can only speak for myself, and I have to tell you people, I'm still alive and actually feeling tremendous at the moment. Not only did I survive, but I thought it was a groove-a-licious, totally sighteous, rock-a-saurus of a bash. There was tons of food, bottomless drinks... old band video footage playing in the lobby... Spider Kelly 'reunion tour' t-shirts (thanks, Steel)... two sets of choice original SK songs... there were old friends and fans of Spider Kelly who came from far and wide... newer friends that had a chance to hear some live Spider Kelly tunage for the first time, including some of the progeny of the band members themselves (who had possibly never seen their old man do any rocking except for on the old wooden chair on the front porch)... all six members of the band... three-fourths of the crew... late sets from Scarlet Crush and Boxcar... a little jamming to end the night... what more could a bunch of old geezers ask for? Well, if you want to nit-pick, maybe someone could have spent a little more time brushing up on the lyrics, and maybe we could have rehearsed more than once in 20 plus years, but all things considered, it was really a great time, and musically speaking, you could still hear that sound.... To me, that's a good thing. I guess it's possible that someone might feel otherwise... I'm just going by how I felt and the vibes I got from the smiling faces I saw everywhere. If you were there, please let us know what you thought! You know where the guestbook is - it's right here.

Thanks to everyone who was a part of it all. I know it took some time and resources on everyone's part to get there, especially those that came from miles away. Special thanks to Jeff Sterzer, Robert Sanchez, Brett Scott, John Glover and Dean LaRue for helping with the gear and tech stuff. Extra huge thanks to my wife Janet for all she did to help me get it together and to ease my worries about the minutiae. Hopefully we'll have some photos up within the next week or so. Maybe even a video clip... and an audio clip... we'll see if anything's worthy of downloading once I have the time to get it all together. They say rock and roll keeps you young. I wonder if it'll keep us all young enough to do this again sometime? Hmmm... Stranger things have happened, I guess... and that would probably have to include Geezerfest 2004 happening after 20 plus years... so I'd have to say anything's possible!

Until we meet again, keep on spreading the message we preached back in the Class of '69:

Peace and love, people...

JG

July 10, 2004

What?? How can it be July already? Man! Time flies when you're having fun, especially when you're old! The big news for the month is that Geezerfest 2004, featuring Spider Kelly, will be a reality! The wheels are in motion as I write this update... I've been digging out SK tunage from all corners of the earth and burning it to CDs so that the guys can get re-familiar with the material, most of it not heard live, or at all, in over 20 years. Check out some of the songs we'll be choosing from: Something's Gonna Get You, It Won't Be Long Now, Outlaws, Bastard Son, Nothin' But Naughty, Captain Sacto, Sin City, Mad Earl, Dreamer, Don't Push Me Too Far, Made In Heaven, The Creeper, Hey You Mother, One Step, Changin', Good Evening, etc.. So much stuff to choose from... it's gonna be tough selecting, not to mention remembering! If you're unfamiliar with this stuff, poor you, but luckily you can check out some of it at the SK website by clicking 'Spider Kelly' on the nav bar on the left.

As for the gig itself, it'll be small, it'll be semi-private, but it's gonna be big fun for those of us involved. Spider Kelly is going to be live on the Musclehead Music Productions stage, together as a 6 piece, for the first time in over 20 years. What? 20 years?? Like I said... time flies when you're having fun, especially when you're old! I'll get you updated on the outcome of this historic event next time. Let's just pray there are no physical injuries to the attendees and that nobody gets hurt playing while trying to ignore the ravages of time.

The rest of the Musclehead world is status quo... Scarlet Crush, Boxcar, and a new side project which we affectionately call "Dax and the Hacks", all continue to grow and thrive! Thank God for good friends and good music. May you always have plenty. Until we meet again....

Peace, love and good stuff,

-JG-

 

March 28, 2004

Another month has gone by and good things keep on happening. Last night, the Galaxy Concert Theatre hosted the gala which marked the culmination of the OCMAs for 2004. There's a daunting amount of work involved to put on an event of this magnitude, and sincere thanks go out to everyone who did so much to make it all happen. Martin Brown and Michelle Emard, the producers of the event, really had to do the work of multitudes in order to put it on and pull it all together. I can only imagine the late nights and frustrations that these two have had to endure in order to keep everyone happy. We take our hats off to them, the judges, and everyone else who worked behind the scenes to bring it to fruition. The venue was packed with hopefuls and everyone came out to root on their favorite bands.

There were many great nominees, across the board and in all categories, but of course I want to single out a select few. First of all, Scarlet Crush, project number one at MMP, was nominated for 'Best Pop Rock Band' and also for 'Best Song', the same categories they won the previous two years in a row. They were pleased to hear the announcement they won the award in the pop/rock category, but unfortunately were beaten out for 'Best Song'. C'est la vie, I guess! Of course we at MMP think they should have won that one too, but our sincere congratulations go out to the winners. Major kudos go out to the guys in SC for winning the pop/rock award for the third year running. That's a great accomplishment, men.

Also, MMP was proud of another of our regulars, Tim Chapman and his band Boxcar, for receiving a nomination in the 'Best Classic Rock Band' category. Although they didn't win the award, it was really a great honor to be nominated, especially since they're such a new band, and really still in the formative stages. They're back rehearsing in the MMP live room starting tomorrow, and I know they'll keep improving and plugging away. I'm betting they'll be back again in 2005.

Also, I have to mention what a huge help and influence the guys in Scarlet Crush have been, and continue to be, for Tim. He would not be so far along were it not for their help and guidance. Thanks to both bands for making us extremely proud to be associated with you. Besides, it's fun working with you and watching you grow. It's all gravy seeing you become such a force in the Southern California music scene. Keep on keeping on!

That's it for now people! Thanks for all your support. As springtime blossoms, keep spreading the love, and keeping the karma clean. Good things are always on the horizon....

Peace, love and good stuff,

-JG-

February 27, 2004

The new Scarlet Crush CD is here!! The new Scarlet Crush CD is here!! The new Scarlet Crush CD is here!! (I feel like Steve Martin in "The Jerk" when the new phone book came out.... except I'm a much bigger jerk, of course! In fact, if you call JERK-059 in the 714 area code you'll be calling me at MMP!)

Yes, it's true, finally 'Hands of Love" is in our loving hands and ready for the world to hear. Though not yet officially released, you can already hear samples here, and buy it here. I think it's a wonderful record, and if early reports and reviews are any indication, the rest of the world will think so too. It's taken quite some time to come to fruition, but just as the first CD was 'Worth Waiting For', so was this one! Listen and let us know what you think!

In other news, last Friday was a monumental day, with Billy Mundi and Bobby Q. coming down for a jam in the MMP live room. Billy brought down his E-Drums, and along with Don King (Club Django) and Kit Potamkin (Wild Child, the Rubinoos, Trilogy), we jammed for hours. We would have gone even longer, but my bad back finally crapped out and I had to call it a night. Dig the photos here. On Saturday, the boys went to a L.A.M.P. seminar on getting radio airplay, where they shared the new Scarlet Crush CD with all the bigshots who were speaking there. Afterward, they headed out to Venice for a gig Billy's Godson, Lee Butterfield (Paul Butterfield's son), was playing with Jake Busey (Gary Busey's son). I shoulda gone, but my back was still hurting in a big way so I had to pass on what turned out to be a great night of fun. The guys then went on home to Northern California in order to get back to all the projects happening there. I'll keep you posted on all of that in future news updates.

Tonight will mark the return of the Beatman, David Outzs to the fold. He's back from a couple of months re-grouping in the bay area. I really enjoy playing with Dave, and I always miss his steady and creative drumming when he's away. It's never boring with Dave behind the kit! Welcome back David, and Jamometer, who will be making the music during tonight's jam session.

Oh yea, one more thing, I want to thank everyone who came out to the Scarlet Crush performances at Angels Fest 2004. Was that too cool or what? You can see a few snapshots on the photo pages at ScarletCrush.com.

That's it for now. Peace, love and good stuff until next time. Keep on spreading the love, and thanks again for all your support.

-JG-

January 22, 2004

Hey everybody! It's update time to let you know what's been shakin' around here. Lotsa good stuff's been happening, and the new year is off to a really good start. Last week the annual NAMM convention was in town, so folks came from all over to join us in Anaheim for a rockin' good time. My good friend and associate, Bobby Q, came from Northern California with his buddy Billy Mundi, who played with Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention, and on many, many other recordings you have undoubtedly heard. They caravaned down with Wayne Charvel (of guitar making fame), the Charvel Twins, Eric Soul and Michael Charvel. After spending the afternoon doing the convention thing, Bob, Billy, Eric and the usual cast of regulars headed over to the Musclehead Live Room for some real fun. It was a gas, baby! Unfortunately, I didn't have a working keyboard there, so Eric was forced to play bass and guitar rather than his main instrument, but despite our gear limitations we had a creative and fun jam. Now, like Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Todd Rundgren and so many others, I can say I played with Billy Mundi! Also, Billy and Bob are doing some A & R for us in the Northern California area while they work on putting together a studio in that part of the state. Guys, I'm happy to have you both on board, and it sure made me feel proud to see you at NAMM representing in your Roughedge Records jackets! Small things sometimes make for big thrills and great memories. Thanks to all you guys for sharing your talents with us. It was an honor to have you in our humble little studio. I hope it happens again real soon.

Also, in other news, we have a new regular at the studio. Tim Chapman, a songwriter in the Bob Segar / John Mellencamp vein, has been putting together a band to play his tunes, so he's been doing auditions and rehearsals on Mondays. He's also been recording some tracks in the Rochester Room with some of the guys from Scarlet Crush, and they have really been coming out nice. He hopes to be able to do the OCMA live showcase thing around the 26th of February at the Gypsy Lounge. Check their calendar, see when he's playing, and go see what Tim's been up to.

Our number one project, Scarlet Crush has been working on putting out the new record, but we have nothing concrete to report yet. We don't want any false alarms this time! As soon as we have the release info, you'll be able to get the scoop right here. Concurrently, the band is working up some cover songs to play at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. The Anaheim Angels are having a two day event, dubbed 'Angel Fest 2004', February 14th (Jeff Smetana's birthday) and Feb. 15th (my birthday). Nice timing Angels! The band will play a couple of hours each day, but the exact schedule is not yet set. Check the Angels or Scarlet Crush website for more info as the event draws near.

Thanks for everything, people. Your support is truly appreciated. See you all soon.

-JG-
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