It Is Not About Winning, Is it?

So, Switzerland lost against Turkey in the Euro 2008 and can focus on what the Swiss do best: Hosting. Finally, done with the drama, the supersized star posters, the bread rolls with Swiss flags in it and every car seller giving away free soccer balls etc. Back to quaint quiet non-euphoric Swissness, watching others play and commenting dryly on their mistakes instead of keeping our own porch clean. Who's gonna win? The Germans, probably. Or the Italians (I hope). But it's not about winning - it's about playing the king of games, Football. So forgive me for taking a break from all that Rock'n'Roll and focusing on the round leather. But, just so you know that there are good concerts in the alps, let me give you a rundwon of what I've seen so far: Palace SG hosted the first Silver Jews show ever in Switzerland and fans came from hundred of miles away to be treated to an intense and beautful set of alt country with a bitter twist. Switzerland's own Guz played Palace, too and he is so real and true, even you Americans would be impressed - i'll have to get him to come to NYC one of these days. Then there was the unique Jeffrey Lewis and his brother Jack, who don't get enough out of supporting Steven Malkmus on his tour and use their days off to play strangely beautiful squat places such as the Binz in Zurich, where hundreds of alt folkies managed to transform old factory spaces into a Swiss Mini-Bushwick. The Lewis brothers, you could tell, felt like home and rewarded us with two hours of music and history lessons. Grand. More to come, I am looking very much forward to reporting from the Open Air St. Gallen, where we will have a chance to see acts such as Beck, Bad Religion, The Enemy and, erm, Lenny Kravitz. No Witz.

Out and About in Zurich

Here, for you Roman, is a list of some clubs and music venues in Zurich, to help you find a place to go hear some music. You might try the Helsinki Klub, it's pretty cool, I've been there a couple of times. Hope this helps!
http://www.outandabout.ch/clubs.html

Roman Is Having A Dream Time In Switzerland

Ah Now I Understand The Style Guide For This Blog. Thanks, Roman For Helping Me. I Have Included A Picture That Helps Illustrate My Post While Providing Some Visual Stimulation For Your Readers. Now I Realize That Roman Is Not Updating His Blog Because He Is Extremely Busy Staring At This Clock. It's For His Job, Honest. He Is Working Hard!

Heather Peng Looking for Green Pastures!

Thanks, Heather for taking care of the blog while I am gone, and not just that, as the post below demonstrates you do it tactfully and tastefully! I adore your use of the language, the depth and insight you manage to pack into your few lines, and the creativity you put into your esteemed writing! Just some minor reminders on how we want the blog to look: 1. Main words in headlines start with capitals. 2. Make sure the headline ist not too short and not leaving a lot of empty space (f. e. "Roman is Gay" is way too short, "Roman Is Having A Dream Time in Switzerland" would have been much better. 3. Try to find a picture that fits the story - but no vulgar or offensive material, kids love the blog, too.
Looking forward to your next blog, Heather, and do not fear: I won't sue you before I'm back!

roman is gay

roman moved to switzerland and decided he didn't have to update his blog anymore, oh i guess there is no music in switzerland, how convenient for roman who has decided to turn GAY or LAZY! denise is going to hear about this, do you think she is not going to notice that you turned GAY! and NO LONGER CARE ABOUT MUSIC? don't get me wrong, i am not HOMOFOBIC i love the gays but this is lameness, not love! come on! how busy can you be?

It's Burnt Finger's Birthday and we give him Room!

Bernd writes: What should I add, I'm usually not that big in self PR but I guess I can blame it on Roman who was so kind to organize and also made that great flyer. Please ignore that strange person on the picture but isn't it a BEAUTIFUL guitar? I should try to sell it to Gretsch for their ads (the picture, not the guitar, that is).

So yes, please come and join us and have a drink! Oh, right, feel free to bring friends, relatives, and kids and whatever (did I just write kids? well, what the heck - fine, yeah, kids too) and forward this, I don't have everybody's email address and at my age people tend to forget a lot so don't be angry if you don't get this email from me but from a friend of yours...

Bernd

P.S.: You think 6 pm is early? I don't know about you but I'm not getting younger...

I Saw Mick Jones and The Clash Won

So I finally got to see The Clash in New York! 24 years after being denied attendance of their show in Bern, Switzerland, by parents and teachers (which in hindsight, didn't turn out to be such a bad thing, cause they just kicked out Mick Jones and it wasn't that good anyway), I've seen them all. Mind you, not together. My brother an me went to one of Joe's last shows with the Mescaleros at Irving Plaza, about a year before he died. Then, last year, an astounding Paul Simonon lent his full credibility to Damon Albarn with The Good, The Bad and the Queen. Now, Mick Jones played Irving Plaza, standing on the same stage from which Joe belt out a last "I fought the law". Now, Mick was in the best of moods, helped by the trusty guitar of Tony James and a couple of shots of whiskey, I guess, but all the merrier. James was Billy Idols sidekick in Generation X, the first punk poppers, and then briefly had success with the rather embarrassing Sigue Sigue Sputnik. He must have a flair for unusual names, Mick and Tony's band thus is called Carbon/Silicon - why, nobody really knows, at least it's easy to google. They didn't play any clash songs, except for a bit of "Police on my back" mixed into one of their new songs. The pieces are pretty nice pop rock tunes, especially memorable was "The Global War on Culture" and those moments when Jones and James showed off on guitar. Mick was, after all, the best punk guitar player. But with The Clash it's a bit like with the Beatles: Just like McCartney solo always lacked that shot of bitter Lennon, Mick's boyish singing lacks the bite of the Strummer.

Friday Picks For Non-Planners: Mick Jones in NYC

In case you have no idea yet what to do tonite, here a few tips for shows of musicians who definitely are worth your attention:

a) Carbon/Silicon, Irving Plaza, 20 bucks: Mick Jones, guitar player of the Clash and Tony James, guitar player of Generation X, Billy Idol's first group, bring their new band to NYC. We just wish Paul simonon was on bass. And dedicate a prayer to Saint Strummer.

b) Anti-Nowhere League, Club Europa, 10 bucks: Second wave punx (ca. 84) from England, 24 years later still going strong. A furious version of Streets of London made them famous back then, we hope it's still in the set. Lead singer animal, we hear, is still roaring.

c) Steve Wynn, Luna Lounge, 12 bucks: Former singer of psychedelic rockers Dream Syndicate, recently released a new Album of great pop tunes. Last time I've seen them, he was backed by an excellent band. Plus Luna Lounge needs your support. If you dont go tonite, do not miss former Feelies main man, Glenn Mercer, there.

See Christian Gibbs on Broadway!

Time to tell you of "Passing Strange", a rock musical on - hear, hear - Broadway. It tells the story of a young man in Los Angeles who wants to travel the world writing songs. He lands in Amsterdam and Berlin, where he gets to know sex and drugs and rock'n'roll, politics, philosophy and finds out about love. The strong all-black cast is supported by white musicians on stage, most notably the ever rising star Christian Gibbs who adds special rock flavor to the catchy songs written by the witty MC of the cast, Stew, and the elegant bass player Heidi Rodewald. With his offbeat humor Stew, whose semi-autobiographical story is told, creates an instant connection to the audience that is only enhanced by the versatile actors/singers. After the show Christian gave us a tour of the beautiful Belasco theatre, where the legendary Harry Houdini made an elephant disappear. The top apartement, left unchanged since the death of Mr. Belasco, is said to be haunted by his ghost. Another helpful ghost behind the machine makes sure everything stays in tune: the ubiquitous Mike Fornatale. You go to rock shows all the time in dindgy clubs, now treat yourself to the real thing, the New York institution Broadway and enjoy Passing Strange, finally a musical that truly rocks.

Do Robots Do It?

We didn't think so, but no, they do. If they can play such passionate folk music whith such emphatic titles like "I break for Cannibals" and "4 Senses on Alert", they must be capable of sex. Listen to 'No They Do' by Pierre's friend Pete Kellers and you'll find proof in such sorrowful tunes as 'Robot Love' and 'Lonely Robot Blues. It's a concept album of robot folk music, as Pete describes it. Not robotic are the influences they list: Tall Dwarves, Elf Power and Daniel Johnston. We also hear some Violent Femmes in there.

Room Serenade You This Thursday

ANTON SWORD and his fine band kick off their American Tour with two sets of some of his songs and some covers at Club Midway (Avenue B, btw 2nd and 3rd Streets), TONIGHT at 7.30pm. He has invited a dozen or so guest singers. I will sing an old Velevet Underground song in set II, around 9pm. Come by and sing along!

But that's not all. ROOM, impressed by such beautiful recent work from friends such as Lucinda Black Bear, Melomane and The Snow, leave the loud guitars and amps at home and play it safe and soft, probably for the last time at BAR ON A, this THURSDAY, 27th of March. We had so much fun playing five songs for five friends last month, we want to do it again. We start after 9pm and it is, as always, free.

The Painted Word Video

Look Forward to St. Nightingallen!

A word to the rock loving people of Eastern Switzerland: Do not miss your chance to see The Nightingales at Palace in St. Gallen on March 26th. Here's a band that weathered all the storms already the first time around in the early Eighties, playing Northern Soul in the left wing of the Fall, Television or Gang of Four. Now, the unique drunkenly dodgy singer Robert Lloyd and his trusty guitarero Alan Apperly are back, reinvigorated, rejuvenated by Matt Wood, who looks like John Cooper Clarke and hits the strings with mozartesque genius. The show in Brooklyn two weeks ago at Death by Audio was pure fireworks of rhythm, rhyme and frantic melodies, swirling around the serenading, barking, burping, howling Lloyd. The band has been touring extensively and is vehemently tight - captivating from the first manic beats to the last stroke. Born and bred, indeed.

Melomane Gear Up For Tour

So Pierre and Daria leave Kenny and Quentin at home, but bring Eveline and Heather along to Germany and Switzerland, where they'll hook up with Privateman Frank to give Europe the yearly dose of Melomane it has come to depend on. There's a goodbye show for all us New Yorkers and if it's as funny as Eveline's invitation blurb, we should all go see them. Here's what Eveline writes:
"Honey, what's for dinner"...Smack your lips on some Texas-style BBQ brisket then shake your hips and shimmy your biscuit! Your swiss art director/trombone slinger Eveline Feldmann and the band Melomane (www.melomane.org) are popping up at Hill Country (30 W. 26th St./Broadway & 6th) on Thursday, March 6 from 9:30-Midnight. So bring your friends, appetite and dancing boots because pig and pop together never sounded better. Melomane plays cinematic, catchy and clever pop-rock. Sounds like Elvis Costello and Serge Gainsbourg collaborating on an album with Calexico.

Sword Cotillion and Extravaganza

The wound of the sword heals, the wound of word never, goes an old african saying...well: here is the Sword with the word: Anton Sword is inviting us to a tour-kick off extravaganza at Club Midway on March 24th. He neither says who the surprise guests during his excursion into pop history are, nor where his tour is going... So come by, ask him, hear the swordsmith. Not to spoil the suprise: Expect Pierre de Gaillande, Kerry Kennedy and Erik Paparazzi among the NYC stars. I'll be among the attention hogs.