Allegiance?

I pledge allegiance to no flag
But to the united state of humanity
And to the real public for which it stands
No nations under nature
Barely visible
We live only if justice is for all

The Roman Games finally online and digital

25 years after the release of their debut album "The Crimes of Small Talk" in a beautiful vinyl edition on the Free Luv Society label, the Roman Games' first LP is now for the first time available online, as well as for digital download on itunes, amazon, and google play. Listen to this record produced by Fredy Stieger, Peter Niedermaier and Pierre Bendel also at all major streaming services such as Spotify, Deezer or Napster.

The Roman Games and Former Franks team up for their 25th Anniversary this June!

It’s official: On the 25th anniversary of the release of their first LP, the "The Roman Games" will once again be performing for two concerts in Switzerland in June, with all original band members, and supported by their friends and musical rivals from back in the days, the Former Franks, who also will get the original cast together for the show.

The Roman Games in the 90s (from left to right): Peter Niedermaier (Keys, Voc.), Roman Elsener (Git, voc.), Fredy Stieger (bass), Oli Rohner (Drums, Voc.)

Former Franks in the 90s (from left to right) Stefan Peterer: Drums, Peter Lutz: Lead Guit, Frank Heer: Voc/Guit, Mirco Koch: Bass  

“There is no dealing with time,” the Roman Games sang in their radio hit in the 90s - time comes and goes - and knows, as the song says, when love has won. The band played British influenced indie rock. “Here, in the supposedly small is contained everything that makes the greats so great. The four musicians Peter Niedermaier (Keys, Voc.), Roman Elsener (Git, voc.), Fredy Stieger (bass) and Oliver Rohner (drums, voc.) cover a broad spectrum of styles with grace and speed,” one critic wrote at the time. 

25 years has passed since the Games released their first LP "The Crimes of Small Talk" on the indie label "Free Luv Society" run by Pat Federli. "I still get goose bumps, even now that I hear the songs for the umpteenth time," Federli wrote in the liner notes. The Pop/New Wave sound was also radio-friendly and hit the Swiss airwaves daily for a period.

The Roman Games released two more albums ("Pyroman" 1994 and "By" 1996), then the band members moved to different corners of the planet, from New Zealand to New York, to Berne and the Valais. But the songs have stood the test of time, and the love for the music has remained with fans and musicians of the band.

So they return to the stage for the 25th anniversary for two concerts, on the 16th June at Treppenhaus in Rorschach, and on the 17th of June at Grabenhalle in St. Gallen.

The reunion of prominent representatives of the Eastern Swiss indie scene of the 90s is completed by sets by DJ Stanley (Die Letzte Übung, The Boiled Stanleys, Here Hare Here) and DJ Samuel K. (The Valets, The Alroys).

For the 25th anniversary of the record, the Free Luv Society publishes its entire catalog of The Roman Games for digital download, including the LP "The Crimes of Small Talk", the EP "Reading the Roman Games" and a T-Shirt.

A new long-play record of the Roman Games is also planned for the end of 2017.

Come on down to the Delancey this Monday, October 29th for a special pre-Halloween Small Beast. Of course, the Beast is a feast all year round, but this one will be a kind of its own...

8pm Model Kite

Tom Keidel aka Model Kite has been performing his hauntingly beautiful songs for 10 years. After graduating from Tufts University he taught music at a high school for 4 years before deciding that he was better suited for life on the road. He recently produced the debut album for the Brooklyn-based band AJJA, on which he played drums. He also plays guitar in the bands Lou-is and Ghostwise. Tom is a highly talented axe-man with an exceptional ear for melody.

http://soundcloud.com/tom-keidel


9pm The Roman Games



Tom will stay on stage and pluck the strings in the Roman Games, who recently gave their debut show as a new four piece, featuring Heather Wagner on drums and Jesko Stahl on bass. Growing up in Switzerland during the golden Punk years, singer/songwriter Roman Game embraced the lessons learnt from bands like the Jam, the Clash, the Stranglers and more poppy writers like Lloyd Cole, Blur, or Crowded House and created his own brand of songs, combining catchy hooks with clever lyrics. A collection of his work from the last three years can be heard at

http://www.youtube.com/romangame


10pm Mollie King

Moving from Tennessee to New York at eighteen, Mollie King was the singer and lyricist for many different bands back in the '90s, including the jazz/hip-hop/metal of Kingstone and was the first lead singer in the psych/blues/improv of the Elliott Sharp band-Terraplane. In the last decade she led her own rock band-Lotus 33, sang and recorded with the supernatural circus- Starchild and collaborated with Elisa Jimenez and the Hungerworld, creating the music for several fashion fantasy rock operas. She has performed all 
over the world.
http://www.myspace.com/mollieking


11pm Fuckintosh with Special Guests


Mash-up artist and sound designer Fa Ventilato is always eager to explore and experiment within the limits of our music culture eventually transforming it into imaginary soundscapes or surreal moments. From crackling noise to orchestrated music his improvised approach including guest appearance may surprise or not....at the end its all about taste anyway...His philosophy: no output without input. Therefore any feedback or suggestions are very welcome prior or after the show.

http://www.killingmusicathome.com/

Small Beast OCtober 1st at the Delancey!

Curated by Roman Game and Bob Gaulke

8.30 Kerry Kennedy and Roman Game http://www.youtube.com/romangame
9.00 pm Daniel Harnett http://www.facebook.com/daniel.harnett.31
9.30 pm Kevin Cerovich http://www.myspace.com/kevincerovichmusic
10.00 pm Bob Gaulke http://soundcloud.com/bobgaulke
10.30 pm Ethan Kray  http://ethankray.vaesite.com/
11.00 pm Steerhenge http://www.steerhenge.com/

8.30 Kerry Kennedy and Roman Game 

From her punky days in the unforgettable Blue Sparks to her dark folky Patti Smith days, Kerry Kennedy has never lost her unique skill to strip a song to its core, rid it of all fake and present it in all its honest fragility. Roman Game is a writer and singer from Switzerland who chronicles life in New York in songs. Kerry and Roman have been performing together on and off for over ten years and will play a few of their own favorites from the past decade. 

http://www.myspace.com/kerrykennedynyc
http://www.youtube.com/romangame


9.00 pm Daniel Harnett 

Daniel Harnett started playing out in the late 80's and has since brought his songs to almost every club in town, from Irving Plaza to Pete's Candy Store and back. Now, he's taking the Delancey.
Daniel's songs have aired on WNYC and WFMU, most recently on Irwin Chusid's show.

http://www.facebook.com/daniel.harnett.31


9.30 pm Kevin Cerovich 

Hailing from Kansas City, Cerovich always brings an intense dose of the soulful blues and spirit of his hometown to any setting. His debut release, "The Last Spring" highlights the young musician's composition skills and met much critical acclaim. A true Renaissance man, Kevin Cerovich can be seen and heard anywhere from a stage in Europe in front of thousands to a Sony Pictures soundtrack to a cozy jazz club in lower Manhattan. As a drummer Cerovich has toured the world with various artists, namely piano iconoclast ELEW (aka Eric Lewis) and French music superstar Charlelie Couture. As a trombonist, Cerovich has won numerous awards and accolades including the 2007 International Trombone Association's JJ Johnson Jazz Competition and the Eastern Trombone Workshop's Solo Jazz Competition. 

http://www.myspace.com/kevincerovichmusic


10.00 pm Bob Gaulke 


Bob Gaulke will try to get your attention with his wordy tunes that owe much to Chanson, Mpb, and Troubadour traditions as embraced by Jacques Dutronc, Caetano Veloso, or Ray Davies. Expect songs with lots of major seventh and ninth chords delivered with breathiness. 

http://soundcloud.com/bobgaulke


10.30 pm Ethan Kray  

Hailing from Iowa and rocking in Brooklyn, Ethan Kray is the music scene’s newest fascination. His sound – edgy, melodic and visceral – evokes a variety of emotion in the listener. Ethan’s dynamic vocal range powers a body of work spanning from in-your-face rock anthems to melodious love songs. Ethan Kray is a genre all his own – something new, yet familiar that is altogether captivating. 

http://ethankray.vaesite.com/

11.00 pm Steerhenge 


Have you ever thought that your soul might also be occupying the resurrected body of a bovine-human being running through the streets of your city or town? No? Well, a good whiskey can help you feel that way. So can the soothing sounds of Steerhenge. The appeal of this music is cross-generational; your great aunt can tap her foot to it while the young ones run circles around her, giving you a chance to mingle with your cousin's soon-to-be-ex-whatever. But make no mistake, this is not music for your dreaded family reunion at the Franklin, TN Ramada. This is the stuff you want to hear when you joyfully reunite with your loved ones anywhere here on earth and yes, perhaps even in the afterlife. Have a listen and dare say we're wrong!

http://www.steerhenge.com/

Open Mike TONIGHT at the Delancey NYC

Tonight, Monday 26th of March 2012, is your chance to test new material in the unique setting of the Small Beast! We have three full acts for you, then the stage is open till 1am for everybody who wants to share a song or two! Come on down to the Delancey, 168 Delancey Street, NYC! Two for one drink specials.

8.15pm

Marcel Van Dam

Marcel van Dam is a musician, singer and songwriter from the Netherlands and France. He has won many awards for his music including recently First Place for Impul’sons (2010) organized by the French newspaper L’Est Republicain. Marcel has produced three music albums and is in the process of recording his fourth. He has also composed, produced and recorded children’s musicals. Marcel’s music has country, folk and bluesy flavors. His influences include Norah Jones, James Taylor, Harry Sacksioni and Francis Cabrel.

http://www.myspace.com/marcelvandam

9pm

Tobi Joi

Tobi Joi is one of Switzerland’s premier rockers. Known for his bass, guitar, and trumpet playing skills in bands such as Lobster, The Flying Shrimps, Steven’s Nude Club & the Nude Horns, Sylvia Juncosa Band, Switzerland’s only Mod band The Reaction and many more. Audiences experience stoner-rock anthems and heavy psychedelic bass and drum symphonies that meander to a fully amplified crawl. Tobi has also parlayed his improvisational loops into sound installations for art openings and festivals throughout Switzerland, Italy, France, Germany, Great Britain and the USA. His homemade Alp-hose (mirrored after the sound of a Swiss Alphorn) showcases his ability with and love of horns. "Lombardo Loops", Tobi Joi’s debut solo album is available at: 

www.cdbaby.com/cd/tobijoi

www.myspace.com/tobijoi

www.facebook.com/tobijoi

9:45pm

Busby Marou

Jumping in at the last moment for Michael Lawson, who had to call in sick, is one of Australias most promising new talent in Music: Busby Marou (pronounced Buz-bee Ma-roo) are an pop/rock duo originally from Rockhampton in Queensland. They are characterised by their melodic guitar riffs and meaningful lyrics. The band primarily consists of Thomas Busby and Jeremy Marou, but will play with a full band tonight. Busby Marou have recorded with and played in support of Pete Murray and recorded at his studio.

http://busbymarou.com

10.pm

Open Mike with host Roman Game

Growing up in Switzerland during the golden Punk years, singer/songwriter Roman Game embraced the lessons learnt from bands like the Jam, the Clash, the Stranglers and more poppy writers like Lloyd Cole, Blur, or Crowded House and created his own brand of songs, combining catchy hooks with clever lyrics. A collection of his work from the last three years can be heard at

http://www.youtube.com/user/romangame

http://romangame.blogspot.com/

Monday Feb 27: The Small Beast 145 at the Delancey

We have another beastly night coming up and are happy to invite you to this free show at the Delancey, 168 Delancey Street, Manhattan. Come and see the following five acts: 8pm Ruby Akeret 9pm Colwell 10:00pm Mollie King and Charles Wallace 11pm The Roman Games and Lost in Sound 8PM Ruby Akeret Doctor Robert Akeret is one of the most interesting characters you'll ever meet. He's a philosopher and psychotherapist, a bestselling author and a treasure trove of stories collected in his rich life of over 80 years. This unique man about town of Swiss roots will perform with a set of a dozen harmonicas and play several international songs - Russian Korobushka, Argentine Tango, American Square Dance (Ruby composing), Israeli Miserlou and a Persian explosive tune. He plays in E minor, D, C, and G and is ready to sit in on a song with other artists performing. http://www.robertakeret.com/ 9PM Colwell Colwell are cousins Clayton & Jeb Colwell. Long time best friends and bandmates, these two old geezers have been a songwriting team since their early teens, and were the brains and inspiration behind their formers bands Hector on Stilts and Freakwent Flyahs. The cousins are carrying on a family heritage of music for the masses. Their fathers were the co-founders and songwriters for the 1960’s Pepsodent-fresh glee club, Up With People, who were performing at Super Bowl halftimes before Janet Jackson got her first training bra. The senior Colwells passed onto Clayton and Jeb a legacy of people-pleasing music and an unending fondness for the sweet and "poppy." Sounds like: The Jayhawks covering Katy Perry. http://www.colwellmusic.com 10PM Mollie King and Charles Wallace Moving from Tennessee to New York at eighteen, Mollie King was the singer and lyricist for many different bands back in the '90s, including the jazz/hip-hop/metal of Kingstone and was the first lead singer in the psych/blues/improv of the Elliott Sharp band-Terraplane. In the last decade she led her own rock band-Lotus 33, sang and recorded with the supernatural circus- Starchild and collaborated with Elisa Jimenez and the Hungerworld, creating the music for several fashion fantasy rock operas. She has performed all over the world. Former HeadQuarters leader Wallace is back in town after a three-year stay in Zurich and the swiss air must have had a invigorating and inspiring effect on this ever so stylish artist: He delivered such a passionate performance at the Small Beast a month ago that we want him back immediately! Mollie and Charles have been performing songs together as long as most of us can remember. The beatnik Wallace goes folk, the soul diva King adapts to the mod: In combination, the duo creates a new blend of stellar pop. http://www.myspace.com/mollieking http://cwallacesongs.com/ 11PM The Roman Games and Lost in Sound With Mike Lawson on drums, Jesko Stahl on bass, Dave Spinley on sax and Quentin Jennings on keyboards, Swiss writer and singer Roman Game has found to a new and more quiet but all the more convincing sound and expression. By trying to stick to Mr Keith Richards lesson that what you don't play is more important than what you do, the band gives the songs space and depth. To close out the night, Mike will switch from the sticks to the guitar and close out the night with the mighty Jaguar. http://www.romangame.blogspot.com

Happy 2012 with Charles, Kerry, Tom and Roman

Happy new year and please come to my first Small Beast in 2012! There is a very special bunch of artist performing this night and they're all in it for the music's sake, cause it's all free for you. Also, we plan to make this year the Beast's Biggest yet and need your help - special Beast awards to be won!

8 pm Model Kite

Tom Keidel aka Model Kite has been performing for almost 10 years. After graduating from Tufts University he taught music at a high school for 4 years before deciding that he was better suited for life on the road. He recently produced the debut album for the Brooklyn-based band AJJA, on which he played drums. He also plays guitar two other Brooklyn bands, Lou-is and Ghostwise. He is currently working on an EP, to be released in early 2012.

http://soundcloud.com/tom-keidel

9 pm Charles Wallace

Charles Wallace is one of New York's too rarely sung heroes, a Weller, Lennon and Rotten rolled into one, a man of impeccable taste with the songs to back it up. He was the leader of popular New York neo psychedelic band HeadQuarters, playing shows with bands like The Brian Jonestown Massacre, Soundtrack Of Our Lives, Dead Meadow and The Black Angels. Wallace produced the by now canonized short film „American Mod“. Since 2007, he splits his time between New York and Zurich, recording here and there. Brand new amazing rock CD in his bag!

http://cwallacesongs.com/

10 pm Ghostwise 

Kerry Kennedy takes center stage at the Small Beast again, and it looks like it's going to be only the first in a big year. The Ghostwise album is finally ready to be released, the songs sound bigger yet closer than ever, soft, yet edgy. From her punky days in the unforgettable Blue Sparks to her dark folky Patti Smith days, Kennedy has never lost her unique skill to strip a song to its core, rid it of all fake and present it in all its honest fragility. Come watch this before she's on HBO.

http://www.myspace.com/kerrykennedynyc

11pm The Roman Games

After 8 years of writing material for the band Room, Roman last year turned to more personal, often quiet songs. On his new album "In Medias Res" he is taking a look at politics, the economy, society, words and the media, while experimenting with keyboards and loops. With a little help from his friends, he'll let you hear more tonight.

http://www.myspace.com/theromangames

It's the Holiday Beast Flyer Competition!

You all gotta come out for this Small Beast: It's free anyway plus you can win 20 bucks and 2 minutes in the spotlight if you come up with the best lines of what these dear deer are saying to each other! Winner announced on stage when you join the feast of sounds, melodies, words and inspiration. What a line-up to get into the spirit: First, the Bay Leaves, then see Gibbs, then Hilary, Pierre and Elisabeth and finally jam with he Roman Games.

Small Beast with John Watts, Roman Game, Lost in Sound, Blackfriars Bridge, Andrew Keoghan

If you have no plans for tonight, come on down and hear songs of protest, love and meaning: The great John Watts who with his distinct voice and songwriting lead the New Wave supergroup Fischer-Z, is in town for the CMJ Festival and treats us with a free show at the Delancey at 10pm. He will be joined for a very special performance by Michael "Lost in Sound" Lawson. Andrew Keoghan, Blackfriars Bridge and Roman Games from 8pm to 10pm.

Curated by Roman Game

8pm Andrew Keoghan 

8:45pm Blackfriars Bridge 

9:30pm The Roman Games 

10:15pm John Watts of Fischer-Z 

11pm John Watts with Lost In Sound 

11:30pm Lost In Sound

John Watts playing the Small Beast, Monday, July 18th!

We are happy to welcome our dear friend John Watts of Fischer-Z in New York again - he's one of my favorite songwriters, from the early New Wave Days back in the late Seventies and Eighties up to his most recent work - check out the link, the man's seen the world! Don't miss the experience of the hauntingly beautiful voice and guitar of Alfonso Velez, the witty yet warning words of Chris Pan, and the astounding sonic ride Lost in Sound is going to take you on. Free! Two for one drinks!

8:30PM PINKY SWEARZ

The members of Pinky Swearz recently pulled a drowning boy from the steep waves in Long Island and we don't expect to be on the cover of the paper or anything. A great way to show appreciation for the fragile and terrifying beauty of life and our intangible need for one another would be simply to darken the door of Delancey, buy a drink, and let us take you to the beach, where you will be well looked after while shapely lifeguards flirt through a hangover. We are, B Jams on guitar, Ben and Jessica sing.

http://www.pinkyswearz.bandcamp.com

9PM CHRIS PAN

Inspired by Morrison, Johnny Cash and honest gamblers, Chris Pan is playing melodic solo songs, crafted from romantic moments of love, death, danger, defiance, performed in the spirit of "taking chances" - in the pursuit of love, liberty and a life lived fully.

http://www.thePan.com

9:30PM ROMAN GAME

Roman Game arrived in New York from Switzerland more than 15 years ago and over time found the perfect musicians who share his love for melodic punk and edgy pop. A prolific songwriter and lyricist, Roman has been influenced by The Church, The Clash and, of course, John Lennon was his favorite Beatle. In his most convincing compositions for example the intriguing - “The Parachute Tester” - he manages to combine melody and text into one beautiful story. Saxmaster Dave Spinley adds a fine touch of jazz.
http://www.myspace.com/theromangames

10PM ALFONSO VELEZ

When Alfonso Velez first played the Small Beast a couple of months ago, you could hear a gasp of surprise run through the audience. Everybody then fell instantly silent, as not to miss a single note played or sung by this unique musician from Spain. This is how it must have felt for those who heard Elvis’s voice for the first time. Or Chuck Berry’s guitar. But we write the year 2011 now, and it’s a hundred times harder to pull this off with just one guitar and a voice. But Alfonso Velez does it easily. Mark our words: This man will be a superstar very soon.

http://alfonsovelez.bandcamp.com/

10:30PM JOHN WATTS OF FISCHER-Z

John Watts has been described by a fellow artist as “a force of nature”. He was the mastermind of Fischer-Z, contemporaries of the Police and Talking Heads, with just as big a fan base as those groups in Europe. John easily commands a variety of musical forms encompassing written word, poetry and humor. He has a distinguished catalogue of seventeen original albums with sales in excess of two million. The Small Beast performance is his first show in New York in 5 years – expect new compelling songs like “The Heart of New York” as well as older hits from the Fischer-Z days and be prepared for John's decidedly British humor!

www.johnwatts.co.uk

11:30PM LOST IN SOUND

After fronting his own band In Cat State, and then experimenting with Beast guest curators Anton Sword and Roman Game as well as other musicians, Mike Lawson grew comfortably into leading his grand solo project “Lost in Sound”: An highly adventurous trip through the full range of noises, melodies, walls, valleys and mountains a guitar can conjure. You’ll be asking yourself what just happened when Michael’s last note rings out.

http://lostinsoundaudio.blogspot.com/

168 Delancey Street (between Clinton and Attorney), F train to Delancey Stop
Call 212-254-9920 for information.

ROOM and SWORD & SLAVE at Fat Baby July 7th

On Thursday, July 7th, we are playing a set of classic Room songs as a quartet, with Jesko Stahl on bass, Dave Spinely on saxophone, Martial Vivot on drums and Roman Game on guitar and vocals. We start at 10pm sharp... Our friends Sword & Slave play after us: Anton Sword on keys and voc with Gina Marie on bass. Be sure to catch their new hit "Hurricane" with guitar hero Michael Lawson (Lost in Sound) on guitar! It's seven bucks, but we'll make it up to you with a drink or a free CD! Fat Baby is at 112 Rivington, between Essex and Ludlow Streets. Take the F train to Delancey and Essex.

Lloyd Cole at City Winery

So Lloyd Cole, huh, he spots a moustache now and looks a lot like my uncle Bernie. Bernie has a lot of jokes to tell, Lloyd's still not very good at that, but my uncle to my knowledge never wrote anything that comes near the pristine songs of Lloyd Cole, be they from his days in the Commotions back in Glasgow or from his various records in New York. The best pieces though come from his newest album, "Broken Record", on which Mark Schwaber and Matt Cullen, the two brillant guitar players Lloyd brought to his left and right, made the songs sparkle and shine. Lloyd still lives in Conneticut, but his son moved to New York. We suggested a collaboration between Lloyd and Will with Neil Finn and his son Liam. Generations of Beatles fans would be delighted. As long as that doesn't happen, this songsmith deserves your full attention, he still says it better than most poets can.

The Lloyd Cole Small Acoustic Ensemble with a big warm sound.

Come Perform at the Small Beast - Mon, June 13th

Monday by now is not the dreaded day of the week it was during The Boomtown Rats' time, but the day of the glorious Small Beast at the Delancey, a free showcase for musicians from all walks of life.

The next MONDAY JUNE 13th, also happens to be my birthday... So i hope all of you could come out and sing a song, or play a piece of music, or stage a presentation... Every performance will be rewarded with a free drink!

Let me know, if you plan to perform... a few people have already signed up for it, and it promises to have a few must-hear/see surprises.

If you don't want to perform, join us as a guest, it's free!

Those of you who have been to Pierre's legendary Arty Party know the concept and the comedic skills of some of our friends... Also, see this as a rehearsal for the grand revival of the real Arty Party, which will be launched by Pierre, Heather and me on June 25th at Tip Top Lounge, but more about that soon.

Moreover: There is also a proper birthday rock show coming up, on WEDNESDAY JUNE 15th at MATCHLESS in Greenpoint, with ANTON SWORD AND THE WE OURS and PSXO and THE ROMAN GAMES. It's the night before the Northside Festival begins, and unfortunately that one is not free, but we all rehearsed for this hard and will sound good... More about that one soon, too!

Missed Ed Ball, won't miss Jowe Head

Mr. Head comes to New York.
How could I have missed Ed Ball and the Times at Union Hall in Mid April! Was anybody there? Video? Photos? The Times, man, I would have given everything to see them when I was young! Ed Ball is one of the best songwriters imo, up there with Weller and Lennon and Davies. To see him live has been one of the few remaining names on my list of artists yet to see live, like Julian Cope.

So I defintely won't miss Jowe Head with the Mad Scene + The Surprisers + Cuffs at Bruar Falls, tonight at 8pm. 245 Grand St (between Driggs Ave and Roebling St) Jowe Head spent time in two of the U.K.'s coolest underground bands: Swell Maps and Television Personalities. Nuff said.