Halloween in the Zoo City, part 1

I was not the only Uncle Sam. There were at least four others in the Ritz Building, up and down, in the Palace and the Badlander. Two were obvious counterfeits, but this guy seemed to be the real deal.


Black Velvet Elvis said this was their last performance. Joe was already gone, Tony was planning his move to the east, and Olivia finally admitted she's moving to Portland. I know bands leave Missoula for bigger scenes all the time, and I still say, if all those bands had stayed here, this would be THE SCENE. BVE combined a ton of talent into a driving trio, one of my favorite groups on the scene. I saw them first on the eve of Valentine's Day, at the Loft, and twice at the Other Side, during the PBR Performance Series, last spring. I've tried to see them every time I could since then.





Olivia gave parting gifts to her loyal fans, including these panties with the phrase, "Shut Up and Fuck," in fancy script. I scored a t-shirt and felt very lucky to have a souvenir. Check the flickr archive for more images of this performance and the audience here.

Zeppo and Photoshop Ads

Zeppo will play the Union Club on Friday, August 29, starting at 9pm. I've begun my initial experimenting with Photoshop, creating a poster and flyer for Zeppo and updating my own flyer.
Chuck Lester

Ruthie Data

The plan now is to move by the end of the month. I hate to give up the river, Hellgate Canyon and the birds. We have two pair of osprey nesting nearby and fishing the Clark Fork here. Last week we were visited first by one bald eagle and then a pair, and later a golden eagle. I'm going to the N/W corner of north Missoula. My email addresses and my phone number won't change. The move requires a business card and flyer update, which is not ready to fly yet.

The second prototype of my blog ad is ready to go, however, and here it is.

BVE at Total Fest

Newsflash: Joe played with Black Velvet Elvis at Total Fest, and said he would play all remaining gigs, until he left town. The latest development is Tony Mats talking about the possibility of moving to Atlanta.

If the bands who left Missoula for bigger scenes had stayed here, this would be one of the biggest scenes. Rolling Stone would have to come here.

Joe Leaves BVE

Who's missing? Joe is, because he is leaving Black Velvet Elvis. He's being coy about his reasons for leaving and about what he may do next. It isn't a stretch to assume he will be playing with another band in the future, but with whom and where? Rumor has it, he is contemplating a move to Portland.

Olivia can still sing, and Tony can play the guitar. That's a double understatement, because they are both terrific at what they do, but without Joe, BVE loses some impact. A drum machine is no substitute.

Joe will play with the group, for one more outing, during Total Fest. His congenial manner has made him popular on the scene, and everyone wishes him well with whatever he does next.

Black Velvet Elvis Benefits Lolo Community Garage

Joe Brennan on the drums.

Give a shout out for the Velvet Underground. How many remember that symbol on Tony's shirt?


Olivia needs no introduction.










































I always thought Joe could power through the longest set, but Olivia pushed him to melt-down this night. First, his glasses steamed up, and then there was a puddle by the drums. Olivia kept asking the audience if we wanted another one, and we kept screaming yes.