Birthday Celebration

Well it’s my birthday and I’ll fly if I want to. As another year made history in the story of my life, I decided to fly up to San Francisco to celebrate. From trolley car rides to clam chowder on the wharf, Kerouac’s digs to the hotel Hemingway frequented, you can read all about my journey to the city by the Bay HERE.

Back in LA, there was plenty going on the past month. Starting with my ol’ pal Stevie D. who resurrected his lounge act to play at the Echo Park restaurant Taix. With his classic suited-up style that mixes Nick Cave, Elvis and Harry Connick Jr., Stevie D. goes best with a strong martini and a room full of sophisticated rocker pals. Plus, he never fails to add a touch of dry wit to lighten up the night. And by the way, Happy Birthday fellow Libra!

For those who’ve ever had to contend with a psychotic ex lover, there’s comfort in knowing there just might be someone out there who can top your nutcase stories. For former Wall of Voodoo frontman/ White Trash Wins Lotto creator Andy Prieboy, his experiences turned into a book contract as he teamed up with his current love match, author and Emmy-winner Merrill Markoe, to get their own form of relationship closures by putting pen to paper and turning all their past mistakes into a light-hearted game of self-deprecation. They recently released the novel “The Psycho Ex Game,” and appeared for a book party reading at Border’s in Santa Monica. While the book is labeled “fiction,” it is suspiciously close to the author’s own resumes and good for a laugh. They closed the night with Andy at the keyboards belting a out a few numbers from his popular musical WTWL including my personal fave, “Mansion Full of Pussy and Drugs.” Now that’s what I call a night of intellectual rock ‘n’ roll!

I got my rocks off a couple of weeks later with the band S’Cool Girls, who are aren’t girls at all, but a bunch of glammed out guys from S. Cali and Sweden who do it up as big as their platforms will take them with an infectious dose of glittery party rock transfused directly from the veins of such glam icons as Sweet, Bay City Rollers and Slade. Following their record release party at Star Shoes, the Girls took part in the Intravenous records party at Spaceland. Even though they went on at nearly 1 am, they managed to wake up the audience and turn the place into their own “Rock ‘N’ Roll Discotek,” inspiring people to join the band at front of the stage to dance and bop to their utlra-spirited glam anthems and fun-loving stage presence. (I personally think it was singer Noah’s skin tight glittery body suit that did it!) Out of sight!

And I got the perfect treat for Halloween when Alice Cooper came through town playing in the cool open air of the Greek Theater. With a backing band that included local icons guitarist Ryan Roxie and bassist Chuck Garruc. Nice thing about an Alice show is knowing you’re gonna get all the classic props every time — the top hat, the snake, the canes, the straight jacket. We love it! This time he even added a few “Westside Story”-style gang fights on stage and his teenage daughter to bring a little jailbait sex appeal to the stage, which was only topped by Alice’s introduction of her with a shout of “put some clothes on!” For his pre-election finale, Alice busted out an American Flag for the all too appropriate, “Elected.” Alice for President!

I can’t think of two things that go better together than Vespa Scooters and rock ‘n’ roll, so it was only fitting that the Vespa store should have a party with local bands to treat their guests including ‘70s-pop inspired Flair. And I have to say, they looked mightly groovy playing with a backdrop of blown up photos of ‘60s-style mod hipsters on scooters!

And finally, looking for the perfect holiday gift? One of my all-time favorite singers, Rod Stewart, has a couple of great ways to stuff your stockings. If you missed his show with pal Ronnie Wood a the Hollywood Bowl over the summer, pick up the beautifully packaged Faces anthology “Five guys walk into a bar…” for a complete dose of the band that started it all as the rollicking rockers are captured on four CDs and an exceptional booklet. For a taste of how Rod has grown up, pick up his recent 3-CD “American Songbook” collection with covers of classic standards and Rod’s signature edgy vocals.

A nod is as good as a wink,

K.