My First Post
Wow, well here I go. The newest coolgrrrls writer. Or should I say, “it’s about damn time!” (just kidding) Well, as some of you know I have written a few articles for Coolgrrls and I absolutely love the site. Okay, they’ve asked me to tell you a little about myself (besides the fact that I’m an egomaniac with an inferiority complex? kidding). Well, I am a punk rock singer & punk rock mommy, residing in Orange County. During the day you can usually catch me saying something like: “okay girls, stop fighting, wow, a caught doing good point at school! I’m so proud of you!, hey- we’re late for school, where are your shoes at?, did you remember to put your backpack by the front door?, do you want a time-out?, I love this- it’s so pretty- what is it?, and of course the all famous…no- you may not listen to song #7 on mommies cd.” And during the night I am usually caught saying something like: ” Where’s my microphone?, Dude- could ya try tuning the guitar BEFORE we get on stage? Hey! It’s your turn to start the song.. maybe if you paid more attention to them!!!!” Yes, mommy & wife by day- singer by night. What band am I in? Well, there is Boobie Trap (my punk rock band) and I also have a solo project I am working on called- (no ego here) Franki Mattson Unplugged which is a blues/rock thing. Boobie Trap has had the pleasure of opening for such bands as The Misfits, D.I., TSOL, 999, US Bombs, Cadillac Tramps, Manic Hispanic, as well as many others that don’t come to the top of my head at this moment… [insert shameless plug here] and at the end of this week we are playing with the UK Subs in Costa Mesa [end shameless plug]. I have been performing since the moment I was born- matter of fact I came out singing- the only problem is I was a little off key at the time and the doctor felt it necessary to slap me (I’m in therapy though- no worries!). I just recently toured Europe for my first time and had a blast. Hmmmm… I am married to an absolutely wonderful and supporting man, we just celebrated our 3 year anniversary a week ago. And life has never been better. I don’t like to get up in the morning and I don’t like to go to bed at night. I wear shoes that hurt my feet just to look good sometimes, my rearview mirror faces towards me so I can watch my facial expressions while I sing and drive. I can’t balance my checkbook to save my life. I love life, love music, love singing, love being a mommy, love being a wife, and let’s just make this totally sickening, I love all of you at Coolgrrrls. Thanks for welcoming me aboard.
Moving on…I was SUPPOSED to cover the Hootenanny this year but due to circumstances, (I had walking pneumonia) I was unable to attend. And I must say I was upset considering I missed the Cadillac Tramps in their prime, raw, live, sexy, local hometown arena. But hey, there’s always next year right?
Well I may have missed the Tramps at the Hootenanny smushed up against 13,000 other people fighting for the front row, but I think I actually made out like a bandit considering I caught last Sundays UNPLUGGED show at Mark DiPiazzas restraunt in Long Beach. And WHERE were you I ask? Since it was the first unplugged show I had heard of for the Cadillac Tramps, I KNEW it was one of those shows I just couldn’t miss. And I am SOOO glad I didn’t.
I got there in time to see Wax Apples (another Brian Coakley project) with his wonderful wife Jamie Coakley on back up vocals. Not to mention Marcus on bass & the rest of the well put together players. I get out to see Wax Apples every chance I get. A much different project than the Tramps, but excellent in it’s own right. One of my favorite songs by them “Rockstar” makes fun of the rockstar attitude and lifestyle, the thing that makes it classic is the truth and irony of this song. Of course every song by them is catchy and sticks with you after you leave their shows. My only complaint about this show is that their set was much too short. I never never get tired of listening to Brian sing. You think he is just an incredible guitar player and showman? No baby, no… he’s much more than that.
As I mentioned earlier, the Cadillac Tramps headlined the show. My husband originally introduced me to the Tramps music years ago when we first started dating, and I can’t quite explain it in words, but there is no one else like them out there, past or present. What it is about the Cadillac Tramps that packs every show, makes the girls feign & cry, and makes the boys feel like a manly man, I can’t tell you. But for me, the lyrics touch my heart and the music makes me HAVE to sing & dance (no matter who’s watching). This particular show was laid back and a little country. I wanted to get up and dance with my man, but I held back the urge. They played through many of their regular songs as those of us sitting around watching excitedly as each song began and we tried to recognize which song it was that was being played. Such a great treat to have a twist to those songs we have grown to know and love over the years. Gabby seemed a little apprehensive at first and of course made us laugh right along with him by the middle of the second verse. The man has personality okay? You just want to radiate towards him no matter what he is doing, and on stage it is no different. I called to talk to Warren Renfrow after the show to ask his take on the acoustic fever and the recent show, and as usual, he was his kind humble self as he told me that “usually the Cadillac Tramps are known for their live shows, this time we got to show them that “wow, these guys can actually play”. He also said, ” there was a little nervousness being used to the live shows- we really had to work on being tight”. Which they definitely were. Warren recently got home from a tour with the Damned and the Warped Tour with Manic Hispanic (both of which he plays bass for). I’m just glad stardom hasn’t changed this man. But back to the show, Mad Dog showed his expertise on the guitar with some finess and country rhythm- Mad Dog is what you call a sure thing, always on, always tight, always good. AND HELLO SPANKY? Spanky showed up once again on stage with the Tramps to show off his newly trimmed body, he is literally “half the man he used to be” and still twice the drummer most could ever hope to be. Lookin good baby!
Brian looked the most at home up there with the acoustic set going on. I like the laid back, ease and comfort he portrays acoustically. He’s just as amazing sitting down as he is standing up and dancing while playing the live shows. But that would be expected since Brian’s acoustic shows seem to be quite often enjoyed by many who frequent the DiPiazza’s scene & follow Wax Apples. And of course Gabby was his normal energetic self, spouting out positive thoughts of love, and “harmony”. Gabby will make you smile, laugh, giggle, scream, and think really hard about life as you know it. As he sang Mr. Politician, Drivin’, and Train… you wanted to get up and dance. But when he broke into Venice- the room just hushed- eyes closed and it was as if we were in a “moment” not to be anything but completely still and calm. And don’t think they didn’t play “Don’t Go” to a tear filled room as they dedicated the song to their old drummer Chris “Lumpy” Lagerborg who died recently of natural causes. Somehow I think he was there watching and smiling during this particular show. I can’t say enough how much you who consider themselves Cadillac Tramps fans missed out by not being there. I asked Brian Coakley if they plan on doing another acoustic show and his response was “definitely, it’s nice being able to strip the songs down to their essence and approach them in a different way while having fun with it”. A perfect way to describe the whole set, I’d say. So once again, I have to tell you out there… if you have (or even if you haven’t had the pleasure) of seeig the Tramps unplugged, DO NOT MISS THE NEXT SHOW… I repeat DO NOT MISS the next show. I’ll be there, you can bet your a** on it!
Until next time,
Toodles… Franki Mattson
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