SICK STOOGES UPDATES

Happy to report that Sick Stooges are still rocking the Coast with gigs almost weekly, and working during the "off season" is a blessing, indeed.

A while back, we had to say farewell to bassist/vocalist Steve Panetti so that he could be more present with his family. Very talented cat, that Steve.


But after auditioning several guys to fill that void, we were happy indeed to count Tim Hoback as a Sick Stooge. Tim's a talented musician, has been a working musician for many years - has a wicked funny sense of humor - and is a lefty like drummer Barry Allen. Right-handed guitarists watch out for a bass neck where you don't expect it!

Welcome, Tim Ho!


So we continue to "Stoogify" the Grand Strand and beyond. Most recently we took a road trip to Wilmington, playing a local venue down there called Kefi. Great folks work there, and a supportive and energetic crowd was on hand, especially the second night.

Here are some highlights:




We're still rocking like we're in high school - and will never grow up!

See www.sickstooges.com for a full listing of shows and appearances.

In April, we'll be playing with tribute bands Abbey Road and Satisfaction at the Carolina Entertainment Complex in Marion - and look for us on Fox's "Not the News" in support of that event.

The Grand Strand is a magical place.

Holidaze but no Malaise

Phew. All of that planning and preparation - and now the New Year is upon us. I'm borrowing my brother Chris' phrase - "Pressing the big reset button for the upcoming year."

Thanksgiving. Birthday for Wesley and Taylor. Christmas. Whoa - was that a blur or what.

Add to that regular Sick Stooges shows and Weekly Surge and my day job at Tinder Box and it's a wonder everything went off as well as it did.

Oh yeah - and managed to squeeze in my fair share of reveling too. (Had to pencil THAT in, right?) The house needs some front loaders because the wrecking ball has been and gone, leaving a wake of disorganization and debris.

Halloween Follies

My kids had a blast on Halloween. I had a blast on Halloween with Sick Stooges. Girlfriend Brenda had a blast on Halloween. We all had bloody blasts!

Here are some pix:







More to come!

X-Con World and Weekly Surge

I regret that I wasn't able to attend either day of X-Con World 2008 because of Sick Stooges gigs on the same days, but I certainly hope all went well for organizers and attendees.

The corresponding Weekly Surge piece was a bit daunting to produce at first because of the wealth of information provided to me, and the fact that I have been out of the comic scene (because I stupidly sold off my considerable collection in 1990 for financial reasons) made it hard to get a grip on what has been going on lately.

I need to thank organizers Robin Roberts (Palmetto Group), Steven Haines (Corsair Comics) and Chad Hudson (Apocalypse Comics) for participating and giving me a good deal to work with. Also I could not have completed this without some much needed perspective from friends Dave Slusher (that Eisner stuff was priceless) and Andre Pope (Nye's Pharmacy needed to stay in the piece).

Thanks Matt "Six" Bahr for participating in this issue's Working 4 A Living profile. That was fun.

And every time I am called on for a cover story, it is the guidance of Kent Kimes that never fails to steer me in the right direction.

Jeez - this sounds like I'm accepting a statue or something. (All of this is old news now.)

Anyhow - the whole process was fun and I'd like to find out how the inaugural X-Con World went.

L.A. Sunset Strip and Big Hair

My brother Chris and I had fun with our band Rogue Alley in Los Angeles in the early '90's.

Here's a look back to the glory days of arena rock before Nirvana came along and screwed it all up:

Sick Stooges Press Onward

As a second season winds down for Sick Stooges, it's heartening to know that we have expanded our fan base, played in new and different locations and for various events along the Grand Strand, and will continue to work throughout what's known as the off-season here.

Looking back at the Season, we have been fortunate, but in retrospect, we should be seriously thinking about a booking agent, or simply push harder to gain access into places like The Boathouse, which always seems to have a thriving concert series during the summer.

But in addition to various bars like Pat & Mikes Irish Pub, Wild Wing Cafe, Nesbitt's Jackass Saloon and Still Smokin' in Surfside, we have played Celebrity Square at Broadway at the Beach thanks to Craig Smith at Celebrations Nightlife, opened for Zoso at House of Blues - and although things weren't at all what we expected or wanted, the Carolina Entertainment Complex in Marion.


So is it easy selling the idea of juggernaut six-piece band to local clubs at a price we can all live with? Sometimes, but you get what you pay for.

We had a blast all summer, and look forward to new gigs and new faces in the immediate future.

In the Blink Of An Eye

This post is inspired by Andre and Heidi Pope. I wish them much health and happiness and the best life can offer for little Memphis.

It's hard to believe, but the time flies by like nobody's business, and when you're not looking, this will happen.

From this - Wesley and Taylor circa 1994:


And with a little luck, many diapers and formula, food, school, clothes and lots of love - to this:



I am still totally in love with these two - now beginning their careers at Myrtle Beach High School....

... which is why I look like this:
Right on, and good luck to Andre and Heidi!