Prohibition 2008

Okay, first the bar car, now the city is calling for no beer in Wrigleyville after the 7th inning. What's the deal Chicago? Next they'll want to ban Coed Naked Drunk X-mas Shopping or make Cook County dry. Its un-American I tells ya'.

What we need is a Bizarro version of the Untouchables running around with Super Soakers full of gin and rye.

Scoop: Word is they're going to repeal Prohibition. What'll you do then?
Ness: I think I'll have a drink.

-- The Untouchables (1987)

Tips for Creative Groups

Just saw a great presentation from Adaptive Path's Bryan Mason and Sarah B. Nelson on managing creative groups (click here to see it on SlideShare). I really connected with it, especially since they interviewed a few on my favorites to get the material (The Neo-Futurists and Avenue Q). It had a lot of great points to consider for anyone who creates in groups. The presentation is like an hour, but worth it to get you thinking about how your creative group works. Nice work Adaptive Path guys!

NYC: Oyster Shucking Fit and Meat Pies

So after the first day at the Web 2.0 Expo in NYC, I hit the hotel and remembered my brother-in-law, a tug boat captain of some renown, telling me, "Hey if you go to Manhattan check out Ulysses. The Oysters are great!"

Well being from Chicago where good oysters are rare and since we're in the tail end of shellfish being palatable (September does have an "R" after all) I decided no time like the present. I walked over to Grand Central Station (Which was, well, bigger than I expected) and caught the number 5 subway train to Bowling Green. I came up looking for 58 Stone Street, which confused me for a minute because it appeared that Stone Street ended in big building. Only after walking around the building did I see the REAL Stone street: a narrow brick street sectioned off for pedestrian travel only, and that was filled with tables.

Half way up the street I found it, Ulysses Folk House. I came in, took a seat, and a friendly waitress named Georgia, helped me get a beer right way: The Brooklyn Pumpkin Ale (It was good for one beer, but I wouldn't have more than that at one sitting: you know how flavored beers can get). Georgia asked me what else she could get for me and I said, "Well, I was told your oysters are excellent." She nodded at me knowingly and I ordered four oysters at $2 a piece.

Now, I'm not really an expert, so I was a little worried about eating raw shellfish for two bucks. However, when the came out they we big, firm, and tasty; no slimy, fishy, ugghh that would make me wretch back home in the Midwest. Just goes to show, get your seafood on the coast. I found that they were best with just a bit of horseradish and lemon.

After the oysters and the Brooklyn Ale I got a Guinness and a cottage pie, which was excellent. Tasted like fresh rosemary and sage and you could tell that the veggies were not from a can: a HUGE plus in my book. I left stuffed and feeling fine.

So, If you happen to be in NYC I recommend. In fact September 27th is their big Stone Street Oyster Festival. It should be a shucking good time.

Goodbye Bar Car - We Hardly Knew ‘Ye.

We don’t know if you’re aware, but last Friday signaled the sudden and unexpected end of a Chicago Metra tradition. The "Bar Car" on the RTA’s Metra system closed last week, leaving thousands of rail riders thirsty and, what’s worse, sober for their long commutes home.

In memory of this end of an era, we suggest all our fellow Chicago-ians... Chicago-ites... People in North-East Illinois go out, buy a tall boy of your favorite beer and ride the Metra while listening to some BT classics like Beer, Beer, Beer, Commuter Railway Blues (or watch the video on your laptop) or So Long, Goodbye. But if you do, please have a designated driver waiting where you wind up getting off. Oh and make sure to offer the conductor some beer... They love that.

Goodbye, sweet, sweet bar car. We hardly knew ‘ye.

Live Interview On Matt Pinfield's Morning Show

Tomorrow morning (Wednesday September 3), Randy and Jason will be talking about The Indie Band Survival Guide on Matt Pinfield's "In The Mornings" show. Check it out on the air in the New York City area at 101.9 RXP or online at http://www.1019rxp.com/pinfield/. Here's the details:

Matt Pinfield In The Mornings, 6am - 10am EST


Interview with Randy and Jason will take place at about 8:30am EST


Tune in over the air in New York City at 101.9


Get the online stream at http://www.1019rxp.com/pinfield/