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It all went so fast! The holidays were such a blur of shows, parties and chaos, that I think I’m still recovering. In December, I got notification that we had won a Jane Magazine competition for our Joey Ramone song, and I won a Shure microphone songwriting contest as well, so they started on a high note. Then Mickey Leigh, Joey’s brother, called me to do a holiday show for the release of Joey Ramone’s Christmas CD “Christmas Spirit…in My House”. Many years before Joey’s death, I was in the recording session for the Phil Spector song he recorded with Ronnie for that CD, with D Generation on his backup band, In fact, we had planned on making that our first single on Coney Island High Records, but that whole project fell apart, along with the club.

But here was the time to celebrate sharing that recording with fans and the holiday spirit, as Joey shared it with us every year at The Continental. I was really excited for the big show. There I was, all dressed up for the big Christmas show – I even made my Cat pose with me! An even extra-special surprise was the appearance of Kowalski fan and super-music buff Kamikaze Dead Boy with his friends all the way from Japan for the show! Among the spectators and performers were Mickey Leigh, their mother Charlotte, Richie Stotts (www.richiestotts.com/intro.htm) formerly of The Plasmatics, the new Misfits lineup – Jerry Only, Dez Cadena (formerly of Black Flag) and Marky Ramone, Joey’s backup bandmates Andy Shernoff and Daniel Rey, Joey’s proteges The Independents and Punk Magazine (www.punkmagazine.com) founder John Holmstrom, who did Ramones Album covers and other artwork for them. Of course, I ran around taking their photos with Kamikaze Dead Boy, as he has quite a photo collection.

For the show we were supposed to play three Ramones songs. We picked “We Want The Airwaves” and “The KKK took my baby away”, and I also thought we should play the Joey song that I wrote to do something different – that’ s a tribute, right? So I brought the extra copies of the CDs that I had from Jane Magazine to give out if people wanted them. One band cancelled so I asked Trigger, the owner of The Continental, if we could play again later, and he said we could. So later after a couple of beers and a couple of bands, we played AGAIN! After that, I was all out of CDs, but not before I gave one to Joey’s Mom. I figured it was the least we could do. Also, the up-and-coming band of the night that was my personal favorite was USA Wasted (www.usawasted.com)– a brother duo of guitar player and drummer. If any of you have been reading this column for a while, the guitar player is the David of the Punk Magazine 25^th Anniversary Party! I may be biased, but one thing that turns me off is a band that SUCKS, no matter how cute the boy is, and I STILL like them. They must be good! We also were invite don stage with the all-star band to sing Blitzkrieg Bop, and I got to share a mike with Dez Cadena.

So I think it was TWO days apart from that big bash that the Niagara Christmas party happened. That’s always like a family reunion. As I was coming in, Bob and Elizabeth Gruen were leaving, so I had to get their photo, since I got Bob a photo Album of all the pictures I had taken for his birthday. I see Jesse’s friends from Queens that I’ve known since we were teenagers, band members who were getting ready to go on tour to the UK on the new Jesse Malin record, produced by Ryan Adams, (www.jessemalin.com) and the other bar and club folks I’ve gotten to know. Don Hill was there, who gave me my first nightclub job, as were new parents Handsome Dick Manitoba and Zoe, who were beaming just weeks after Jake’s birth. This was the party where Jesse gave me the “Santa” hat I wore for every event throughout the holidays! You can even see Jesse wore his, as he is pictured with Jazz musician and Niagara regular Will. It was actually a relaxing time where I could sit down for one, not have to perform and catch up with old friends with a glass of champagne! Or two, or three, or four…

It was right after Christmas when we got a big shock on the news of Joe Strummer’s death! I instantly thought back to Niagara, which was the time I really got to meet Joe after one of his shows, and he was there with Joey Ramone. Joe was so healthy, still touring and making music. Even weirder, it was outside Niagara that Bob Gruen took my photo with Joe, eating a piece of pizza. I now cannot find this photo ANYWHERE – all I have is the little image from the proof. There is a weird thing going on with my negatives. The only other time I had a photo with Joe the negatives got damaged because the camera back popped open, and now these ones disappeared. I also told Joey’s family at the Tribute show about pictures I had of his last performance, and those disappeared, too, and then re-appeared a few weeks after in a really strange place. I hope the same happens with these. Joe, give me a sign.

So it comes to a few days after – New Year’s Eve. Not really the night to celebrate, but I’ve committed to a few things. The Gruens have flown to the UK for Joe Strummer’s funeral. I have a band to check out, another Jesse party at Niagara, and the Motherfucker party to go to (www.motherfuckernyc.com). Scott is out for the duration, having found his freedom, he’s ready to check out the scene – and the chicks.

The first stop is Don Hill’s to see the Kick. (www.the-kick.com). They are one of the younger bands to come out of the New York “Rock Revival”, and I have not seen them in six months – which is a lot of time for a young band. They are a cool blend of New York, Rock and a bit of Manchester indie rock as well. The Toilet Boys are playing as well, and that’s always a good show, but I promised to go to Niagara for Jesse’s New Year’s party, and he’s family! In fact, there are a lot of people there that I have known since I was a teenager. I introduce Scott Kowalski to longtime friend Jessica, and we share a toast for the New Year. CJ, the third of the Charlie’s Angels Rock and Roll trio of 2000, is back in town and joins us as well. The champagne flows freely, and it is one of my last opportunities to see Jesse before his band goes to Europe. Check out his new album produced by Ryan Adams. www.jessemalin.com

Next stop is Motherfucker, and it is IMPOSSIBLE to get a cab, and we are waiting out in 15 degree weather. We finally get a car service car to take us over there for $20 – best $20 I ever spent. Doors are supposed to open at 2 am (yes, that’s when it STARTS), and people have been lined up since 1 am. Luckily, we run into members of Dean Dean & The Sex Machines (www.deandeanandthesexmachines.com) and they let us sneak in line with them so we only have to wait 20 minutes instead of an hour from the looks of the line. We get in, and the house is rocking – they play punk, glam and dance music and have boy and girl go-go dancers. I run into my friend Athena of Blisster and we boogie for a while. It starts getting MORE and more crowded. We walk around, and the Toilet Boys show up after their show. After a couple hours of dancing, cruising and carousing, it’s 5 am and I’m actually pooped out!!

I have been going to a LOT of shows, and taking a lot of photos lately, so I will be updating more often!!!

Also, my condolences to the friend and family of those killed in both Chicago and Rhode Island in the recent club tragedies. Everyone is on edge, so be safe, look for your fire exits when you enter a club and try to keep a cool head should anything happen. Treat it like you would airline safety – look for your emergency exits, understanding that the closest one may be behind you.

Most of all HAVE FUN and rock!