Soon after the release of the one and only CD by my first band, The Smarties, I recruited some friends to help me record a solo project, The Aquatones. Named after my aqua-colored Fender Mustang, The Aquatones consisted of musicians who had all been members of The Smarties at one time or another. Mark Bilyeu, one-time bass player for The Smarties, engineered the recording and also played guitar and sang back-up. Jay Williamson was the original percussionist for The Smarties and played snare and bongos here. Matt Netzer played bass and Sheri Hurst sang back-up and played tambourine and maracas. We recorded all 6 songs ‘live’ in the living room of a house in the woods that belonged to Mark’s family on a Sunday night in October of 1996. The set consisted of one of my songs and others originally done by Ricky Nelson, X, Lone Justice, The Jive Five, and Madonna. Considering the constraints of having only one night to record and recording without overdubs, I think it turned out pretty good. Now you can check out The Aquatones on the internet.

Keep an eye out for a new recording from my current band Spoilsport. We’ve been working on it off and on for a while now but we’re getting really close to finishing it up. Hopefully it won’t be too much longer!

My painting exhibit is still up  at SPACE 242, and I’ll be there Tuesday, August 18, 7-8pm for an artist talk. The other artists and I now showing at the gallery will discuss our current exhibitions, our work process, and answer questions. If you still haven’t had a chance to check out the exhibit it would be a great time to stop by.

Spoilsport is very excited to be playing at Jacque’s Cabaret Friday, August 21 2009. Jacques is located at 79 Broadway, Boston, MA in the theatre district. Admission is $10 and gives you access to both the drag show(!) and rock show. 21+ 8:30pm-12am. Nearest subway stops: Green Line-Arlington Street, Orange Line-New England Medical Center. Our friends Thick Shakes and The Great Buriers will also be playing.

Spoilsport is very excited to be playing at Church, Sunday, August 9 with The Last Second and The Cretins. Please come out for some Sunday night summer fun. Your boss is on vacation so who cares if you crawl in a little late on Monday?

Spoilsport has a show coming up! We’re playing Jacque’s Cabaret Friday, August 21 2009. Jacques is located at 79 Broadway, Boston, MA in the theatre district. Admission is $10 and gives you access to both the drag show(!) and rock show. 21+ 8:30pm-12am. Nearest subway stops: Green Line-Arlington Street, Orange Line-New England Medical Center. Our friends Thick Shakes will also be playing.

And this Friday (July 31) check out “Sin Alley”, my art exhibit at Space 242. It’s a tribute to all your favorite deadly sins. Lust! Greed! Gluttony! They’re all here and more. The opening is from 6-8pm. RSVP and more information at space242.com

Hope to see you soon!

Space 242: http://www.space242.com
Jacque’s: http://www.myspace.com/jacquesunderground
Thick Shakes: http://thickshakes.net
Spoilsport: http://www.spoilsport.net

Spoilsport is playing at the Midway, in Jamaica Plain, MA this Monday. Come see us if you can!

The Midway is located at 3496 Washington Street, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130. 617-524-9038

The schedule for Monday is:

9-9:35 Spoilsport

9:50-10:25 Sweet Japonic

10:40 – 11:15 Love Via Dance Machine

11:30-12:05 The Banner Year

12:20-12:55 Same Mistake Twice

Wow! Spoilsport just got added to the bill with the incredible Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players.
If you are not familiar with the Trachtenburgs, they are a domestic trio (dad Jason, mom Tina Piña, 15-year-old daughter Rachel), who play quirky indie pop songs with rhyming lyrics which come from the vintage slide collections they’ve found at estate or garage sales that accompany their performance.

The show is this Thursday, 3/26 at PA’s Lounge.
Also on the bill is Eckhardt Sir.

9pm Eckhardt Sir
10pm The Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players
11pm Spoilsport

The amazing guitarist Tom Scanlon will be playing with Spoilsport this time.

Seriously, you don’t want to miss this.

Age Restrictions: 18+
Doors Open: 8:30PM
Ticket Price: $8 for 21+ / $11 for 18-20

PA’s is at 345 Somerville Avenue, Somverville, MA

This Tuesday, October 16th Truth Serum presents Spoilsport (featuring guest guitar genius Tom Scanlon) and more at the newly remodeled O’Brien’s (3 Harvard Avenue, Allston MA) 9 pm, $7, 21+ .

Also on the bill:

The Winsome Griffles (from San Francisco) – “Swish Americana”, rural standards and sassy originals
The Stay At Home Ramblers – lazy whiskey fueled old time songs
The Can Kickers – old timey music with punk kick

We’ll probably go on second, around 10pm, but get there early because all these bands sound like fun.

I’m having an art exhibit at Magpie in Davis Square (416 Highland Ave, Somerville MA 02144 ). The show will run through November 4th with an opening reception this Saturday, October 6th from 2-5pm.

Then Tuesday, October 16th Spoilsport plays at the newly remodeled O’Brien’s in Allston with The Winsome Griffles (from San Francisco), and The Stay At Home Ramblers. Should be a very fun show.

Spoilsport is part of Boston’s Cream of the Pop festival April 26-28. Sixteen bands, three venues and three days. Spoilsport will be playing with The Specific Heats, Mittens and more at the festival finale Saturday, April 28 at Great Scott in Allston. Seriously, how could you even consider missing this?

Show The First:
Thursday night at the Lizard Lounge: Yoni Gordon, The Juliet Kilo, Indian Style

Show The Second:
Friday Night at PA’s Lounge: The Icicles, Shumai, The Smittens, Casper & the Cookies

Show The Third:
Saturday Matinee at Great Scott: Joe Finkel & the Wild Kindness, The Besties, The Li’l Hospital

Show the Fourth:
Saturday Night Finale at Great Scott: Mittens, My Teenage Stride, Hands & Knees, The Specific Heats, Spoilsport, Ryan Walsh

My band Spoilsport is honored to be a part of the Cream of The Pop festival at the end of April. We’ll be playing Saturday, April 28 at Great Scott in Allston with a bunch of great bands including Mittens, My Teenage Stride, Hands & Knees, The Specific Heats, Ryan Walsh (Hallelujah the Hills). For more information about the festival check out the Cream of The Pop MySpace page.

There’s a new edition of Monkey School up now too. This one’s all about songs sung in other languages besides English. Be sure to check it out and let us know what you think.