Caught in the Act! KK plays KKeyboard!

Not A Vampire - A Keyboard player!
Originally uploaded by romangame.

A successful debut as keyboardist and the proof that all the rumors are wrong: Kerry Kennedy switched from guitar to keys in the new outfit NV which is creating quite a buzz in the NYC underground already after their first gig. Here's what they write about themselves: Ghosts and goblins, sonic despair, angelic voices... From the ashes of Pumpernickel, The Moldy Peaches, and Blue Sparks...meet NV. The show was a lot of fun, we hear, and so are the rehearsals. The future looks bright for Mrs. Kennedy who has a strong bunch of songs and is currently recording her first solo album with Mike Fornatale and a little help from her friends. Don't worry - it wont be all keyboards, there's bound to be beautiful guitars, of course.

Morex Optimo Ready For Europe

Kristofer Krooning
Originally uploaded by romangame.

I missed it, again and could kick myself for it, because I only hear the highest praise: "Best Morex Optimo show", "XTC on Acid", "Tight cool punk rock" is what those who were there say. And this is coming from people like Mr. Bongers, the usually quiet, well-balanced, stoic German bass player for Botanica. There we go then: Morex Optimo are definitely ready for their Euro Summer Tour. Here are the dates and cities, but watch out for changes! Exact venue information to follow later!

Aug 26: Vienna
Aug 27: Budapest
Aug 28: Hungary show II
Aug 29: Hungary show III
Aug 30: Maccagno, ITA
Aug 31: Zürich, Club Helsinki
Sep 1: St. Gallen, Grabenhalle
Sep 2: Bern
Sep 3: Rorschach
Sep 4: Basel
Sep 5: Zürich, Kalkbreite

Life Shows No Mercy: Melomane Rock Again

The daze of lounge are gone, it seems. No more soothing cello and lamenting violin, no escapades on the trumpet, but a tight lyric driven set was presented at their show at the Knitting Factory main stage. The band always resented the idea of being chamber pop, as Time Out had labelled them for years. Time and Life have not been easy for the core quartet around singer Pierre, thus the release of their new record has been delayed - but Melomane have just the right sense of humor to take it easy: The Stranglers' "Life Shows No Mercy" was the absolut highlight of the show. The audience was very appreciative of the music and was well spiked with prominent people such as Christian Gibbs or Paul Wallfisch and Christian Bongers of Botanica. Great to meet Quentin's sister and his oldest son, too! The lanky 16 year old promises to be even better than Dad in just a few years... we'll all be hearing of the new Brit sensation. It's good to have the cool Melos back, especially for these days of heat wave. I'll say hello to Frank from you guys in just about a week!