Due to the incessant complaints form my reader(s), I will attempt to speak about something other than cute, cute kittens. As you may know, we are thigh-deep in the CMJ Music Marathon, which has become one of the most despised events in my show-going calendar. So I'll complain about that now.

As I've whined before, what bugs me about this thing is its overkill, and how despite the hype, when I actually go to these shows, NO ONE seems to be there for the music. Okay, most of the bands playing suck, that's a given, so perhaps it's to some people's credit that they will stand there, talking loudly in front of the stage, while I vainly try to get the bartender's attention. But still, why are they there?

How many people actually buy those badges vs. get the free, through being in a CMJ band or related label? Those who get in for free have little vested interest in the proceedings. Sure, normally I'd wish that all shows be free, but here it backfires, with people stuffing themselves into small rooms and then not paying any attention to anything before heading off to another small, crowded room. Barely anybody seems to be there for the bands; indeed, if I had to judge I'd say the bulk of the people were there just to elbow me in ribs as they push past with their swag bags and Ketel One cocktails.

This year my feelings about CMJ are even more stark: whether by Providence or old-fogeyness, as I look through the listings, I am loath to find a single night of music I would want to attend. Okay, there's some okay stuff (Meat Puppets, Ruins, Sightings, Fresh Kills, Forms, Made in Mexico, Christopher Cross[!]) but who can enjoy even the decent bands when you're surrounded by morons?

Lucky for me, all I have to do is basically hold my breath for the next few days. Things will get back to normal, the good bands will start playing again. Speaking of which ... MOTICO (not to be confused with Modico) is finally off its ass and playing out at the end of the month.

Yeah, it's been a full year since we performed live, a fact that makes me feel like we stepped into a time machine or perhaps have been in a coma for the past 10 months or so. Yes, we had to move to our new digs, and yes, we spent a long time building the new practice room so we could continue to be the biggest cheapskates in the scene and not rent studio space. But even so, we should have been out there sooner.

Once the band room was ready, we got down there and tried to relearn the old songs. Once we worked that up, we realized that more than playing out, we hadn't written any new material in all the time, either. So we set about trying some new stuff, which further extended our absence. Now we're back with newer and better songs, fat-free but doesn't let you down in the flavor department.

Our first gig is (guess) at The Trash Bar, as usual, on Halloween night. Which is on a Wednesday. And we're going on last. Frankly, Halloween or not, this is not the best slot to be in, but it'll be good practice to be on a stage again.

The following week we'll be playing our first REAL show, on a Thursday (much better) at Goodbye Blue Monday, right here in Bushwick. The show will be free and the vibe will be low-pressure. The only thing that would make it better is if they had a full liquor license (only wine & beer), but perhaps I'm not ready yet for total nirvana. We're not totally sure when we're going on but we're trying ti finagle something on the earlier side. I will post when we know for sure. Please mark your diaries now, November 8th is approaching!

Labels: Bands, Motico