Tag: Ramones

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Back in Business

Today was a tough one. I had been in California for the last two weeks and although I was working through the holiday, it didn’t feel like a full day of slaving since the eve of Christmas. The alarm went off on time but I didn’t roll out until the coffee brewed and I knew “In the Papers” was on the 1.

I hadn’t booked any meetings today but knew I had to prep for 09 forecast planning. Unfortunately I’m not even sure of what areas of the country I’ll be focusing on or which products. It’s all up in the air so I’m just keeping my head down and working the few projects that slipped last quarter. There still a lot of unknown out there and businesses are skeptical of the new year, reviewing every investment, project and every penny earned. Until I hear my new orders, I’m stewing in the troughs.

I talked yesterday about commitments, and here’s another one. I’m thinking about where I’m going to be at the end of Oh-Nine and I need to “put in work and watch my status escalate” (Put it down Gang Starr!).

Bob Marley & the Wailers – Work
[audio:http://covertcuriosity.biz/Work_Bob_Marley.mp3]

Gang Starr – Work [yousendit]
[audio:GStarr_Work.mp3]

Dropkick Murphy’s – Worker’s Song [yousendit]
[audio:DM_WorkersSong.mp3]

Ramones – “It’s Not My Place (In the 9 to 5 World)”
[audio:http://covertcuriosity.biz/9_to_5_Ramones.mp3]

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Save CBGBs – Mayor Bloomberg goes Punk

Current Mayor of NY, Bloomberg stated “CBGB, it’s a great New York City institution — it’s more than just another club. We are trying to bring both sides together. … It’s part of our culture. They bring a lot of business here. I don’t think they belong any place else other than New York City.” In other words, “I want to be re-elected with even the aging hippies and hipster haters loving me.”

This has been an on going dispute all year between the oldest running rock and punk club in NYC, CBGBs and their landlord, The Bowery Resident’s Committee, a not-for-profit organization that benefits about 8,000 homeless in the NY area. On August 17th, CBGBs won their court case (which was filed back in Feb of this year) against their landlord, who had sued the club for pay of back rent (approximately $307,000 back in 2001) and even the Judge Joan M. Kenney questioned whether the Committee “with suspect accounting, intentionally orchestrated a scenario that precluded CBGB” from paying the accurate amount on time over the past four years. Full story can be read in this Rolling Stones article “CBGB wins round One”

The Committee still contends they are owed money for raised rent and seems to be intentionally pushing to get the club out by excessively raising the rent over 100% (from $19,000 to $41,000) and taking a stance of non-negotiations for this policy. Needless to say the lease on the place is up today Aug. 31st and there doesn’t seem to be much to be done about it, however, you can voice your opinion through the CBGBs site: HERE

CBGBs has been putting on some benefit shows – (Listed here), however, today at 3 PM (lasts till 7PM) you can go down to Washington Square and catch a free Save CBGBs concert with Blondie, Bouncing Souls, Institute with Gavin Rossdale, Chestfield Kings, The Charms and others. Skip work!! Go Now!!! Go!!!

Now although I haven’t attended a show yet, and may ever after today, I fully empathize with this cause and have known of the culture icon of CBGBs for since getting into the Ramones. The club should be saved to further the movement of the punk, and rock music culture in not just NYC, but all over America (something SF I have recently learned has started to take a back seat in lately, but that?s another blog). Save CBGB Site

“CBGB is the last real rock and roll club,” Steven Van Zandt, of “The Sopranos” and the E Street Band said. “There’s nothing like it left in the world.”