coolness

(Me, Mike Zelenko, Sweet Lou, Ted Ansani moments after our first rehearsal)

I've already told the guys themselves how thrilled I am that they've joined me for some kick-ass live shows, so I guess it's time to tell the rest of the world.

Time Bomb Symphony are back. Not only that, but the group of guys who've joined me to bring the rock are three of my favorite guys in the world. The truth of the matter is that when I first got the jones to build a better Time Bomb Symphony, I had a list in my mind with three names on it.

Those names were Sweet Lou from Chicago's Penthouse Sweets, Mike Zelenko (ex-Material Issue), and Ted Ansani (also formerly of Material Issue). You can call me egotistical, but I was thinking "supergoup" all the way, baby.

Thankfully, each one of those guys said "yes" and we've been having a lot of fun finding our way in this thing. It isn't about me, or anything we've done prior to this (although that certainly matters to a lot of people, don't get me wrong); it's about the songs. Having a band that can take a great song and make it better is a beautiful thing to behold.

As a fan of so many great Chicago bands - Cheap Trick, Off Broadway, Material Issue, Urge Overkill, and the Elvis Brothers to name just a handful - my hope has always been to put a line-up together that could fill a room with that same excitement.

It's a cool thing to know that all the pieces are in place and that the sky is officially the fucking limit.

UPCOMING LIVE DATES:

9.28 Double Door, Chicago, IL - with Jimmie's Chicken Shack
10.6 Bottom Lounge, Chicago, IL - with Autumn Defense (John Stirratt and Pat Sansone from Wilco)
10.24 Abbey Pub, Chicago, IL - with the Rumble Strips

Stay tuned!

Tunes I'm listening to (and digging) this week:

Cheap Trick - Fan Club (from the 2003 "In Color V2" sessions with Steve Albini)
Tom Petty - Stop Draggin' My Heart Around (demo version)
Ramones - Go Mental (live '79)
AC/DC - R.I.P. (Rock In Peace) [from the non-US edition of the "Dirty Deeds" album]
Snow Patrol - Take Back The City
Guster - One Man Wrecking Machine (live)
Material Issue - Funny Feeling (live)