My buddy Nikolai caught this video from one of our weekly jam sessions. I’m sad to have missed this: just listen to the guttural noises emanating from that woman’s throat. And keep in mind, my buddy’s filming from OUTSIDE the bar.

The :49 mark is the best. That’s where you realize she’s got a real future touring with Yoko Ono.

We’ve been keeping a lid on this for some time now, but you might be interested to know that a bunch of us Pickles play old time music every Tuesday night at the Institute, located at 12th and Green in Philadelphia. that’s about a block north of Spring Garden, in what some out of town intertoobs magazine thinks is the most dangerous neighborhood in Philly. yeah, seriously.

It’s not a show exactly, more of a jam session, and we’re very open. On the other hand, it’s not a free-for-all: no Grateful Dead, The Band, or anything like that. Mostly strictly old-time, with some bluegrass and old pre-country country (if that makes any sense).

So if you have a fiddle/banjo/guitar/mandolin/kazoo/washboard/what-have-you, or you just want to drink some beers with live music in the background, we’ll be there tonight and every Tuesday, starting around 8:00-8:30.

What’s not so well-known about Robert Byrd was that he was a lifelong fiddle player, a much more respectable career than “politician”. So here are a few videos of Byrd fiddling, inspired by Christy Hardin Smith, whose presence on the internets I’ve missed.

Goodbye Senator Byrd.

It’s kind of a regular thing, not a show, just lots of old time.

The Pickles’ regular guitar player, Zach, couldn’t make the Narberth show, so Charlie Hardy and Frankie Basile sat in. Here are a few shots:

This is Charlie, great mandolin picker and singer. I’m hoping to work with him this summer, putting together an educational presentation about old time music that we can pitch to schools and colleges.

Pickin’ a few before Frankie got there (I’d post the Frankie shots, but for whatever reason they’re super-tiny, as in “who made a postage stamp with Frankie on it”).

And here I am, pomp down:

It went up a few hours later, and after washing my hair three times this morning, I still can’t get the stuff out, and now I look like Dr. Who (David Tennant model).

After a good old time in Narberth (and what a lovely little town that is), I headed home with Christina to finish the household chores and to prepare for part 2: rockabilly time at Murph’s bar. Susie Madrak dropped by and took a sweet little shot:

…and I’m waiting for a few more, which I’ll post as i get ‘em.

We were at Murph’s rockin’ until at least 2:30 AM, and didn’t really hit the sack until 4:00 AM. So you can imagine how delighted we were when Little Elvis decided he absolutely needed attention on Sunday morning at 7:00 AM. This is what it looked like:

…except with more swearing on my part.

After dragging my weary ass out of bed, downing some coffee and hauling the gigantic-amplifier-that-weighs-a-million-pounds into the house, it was time for a quick grocery run and then onto practice with the Schuylkill River Outlaws, who I’m playing with on May 1 at the Tritone.

Thoroughly exhausted by this point, I drove to my parents’ place in New Jersey to pick up a few thousand ladybugs my mom bought for my backyard garden. This was a two-hour round trip, which got me home just in time for dinner and the final David Tennant episode of Dr. Who.

Then I went to bed. Long weekend. Tired Brendan

I would be remiss if i didn’t mention some upcoming performance by the Dill Pickles. We took a long break from playing shows so we could spend more time just playing, but some good ones are coming up.

As the photo indicates, we’re playing at the Green Line Cafe in West Philly this Saturday, March 13. Ordinarily, I’m not one for coffeeshop shows, but the Green Line has a great series, with truly excellent and interesting musicians. So come on out!

On Sunday March 14, we’ll be playing at mcShea’s in Narberth, at their annual St. Patrick’s Day Bash. Music starts at 7:00 PM.

And finally, well be on the Showcase Stage at Wilmington Wintergrass Bluegrass Festival in nearby Claymont Delaware. This will be my third Wintergrass (it’s only 20 minutes or so from Philly), and I highly recommned it. If you’ve never been to an indoor festival, you’re missing uniquely insane experience. Also, I’ll be MC-ing the main stage on Friday, which ought to be pretty amusing for everyone.

And on that note, I’m going back to my blogcation, unless something really exciting happens.

Via

(thanks to Kim at facebook for the links)

come on out! we’re gonna have a good ol’ time and you don’t want to miss it!

It’s gonna be quite the show, so come on out.
Check this line-up:

The Dill Pickles, that be we, will open the night with a 6-8 PM Happy Hour set of old time fiddle and jug band stomps.
THEN! Holy Cow!!
The Ganesha Ramblers from Trenton NJ play a bunch of old time, including some sweet guitar work.

Next up, the Scrapple Creek Runners, bringing you bluegrass from Delaware, featuring members of the Conowingo Homeboys.

There MIGHT be a surprise appearance from the Keystone Mountain Boys, Philadelphia’s best undiscovered bluegrass, but no guarantees.

Then, the Dill Pickles close the night, playing til last call.

Don’t miss it, it’s gonna be a GREAT night.