The Thomas Brotherz: Checkin' in

Well, well, well. Boy was it ever hot up there in Monrovia for the Relay For Life gig. We learned a valuable lesson that day… Never, ever agree to play a gig in direct sun. With a mild sun stroke, it took Paul over a week to get back to normal. (What ever normal is for Paul.) Because of the whole sun/heat debacle we didn’t stay any longer than we had to but I hope those good folks made a lot of money for their cause. I know that every year they work their butts off to raise money and awareness for cancer research and cures.

As you can see, we’ve changed the design of our web site. Personally I was getting a little bored with the old look and I thought it was time for some color. We also added more videos for your dining and dancing pleasure. The plan is to add new ones on a regular basis. For the most part they are bits and pieces of rehearsals and what goes on in our studio. We’ll continue to include video from our shows too. Actually there’s no telling what might end up as a video.
In the near future we are going to begin some projects with Sax Man, Mr. Art Esparza. We’ve played with him before and he is a monster! Art is also a Sr. Master Guitar Builder. He’s done work for Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, U2 and others. Check out some of his work at: http://www.wizardsofaz.com/guitars/Masterbuilt.html

Funky and Grainy. A sneek peek inside PaNic Prod's. Thomas Brotherz studio during rehearsal.

The second annual ‘An Evening with the Thomas Brotherz’ was a great success thanks to everybody that walked though the door at Theatrx ( Escondido, CA) last Friday night, August 18th. One gentleman drove down from Riverside for the show. Another group drove all the way down from Los Angeles. Wow! Thank you soooo much. We were also graced by the support of a big contingent of Italian Americans that filled up about a quarter the audience. - “La ringrazio dal profondo del mio cuore per essere venuti al nostro spettacolo. Noi amiamo tutti voi e speriamo di vederti presto.”
We had some music notables in the crowd too. Julius Chambers of the
Chambers Brothers, and the promoter of the Dobbie Brothers accompanied by a
representative of the famed Museum Club in Arizona (listed among the
Top 10 Roadhouses by Car & Driver Magazine).
The show was shot in Hi-Def by Escozoo Productions. Check back because we’ll have some links with videos coming soon.

Oops! Wow what a jerk. In our last entry I forgot to mention the other band that played, boogied, rocked and tore it up. “The Third”. Four young dudes that just might set a new standard for LOUD. But that’s not a bad thing. It’s a tearin’ it up, know your instrument and give the audience the ol’ what-for kinda thing. Check ‘em out on their my space site.

We want to thank all the good folks at Oceanside Ale Works for a great 2nd anniversary party this last Saturday (the 24th). The place was packed, tons of food of every kind and the beer was a-flowin’! Three days of rain, thunder and lightning threatened to force the cancellation of entertainment but to everyone’s amazement…. Sun.
We had us a time FO SHO. We were joined on stage by Mr. Art Esparza who blew some mean sax. Art is the new sax man for ‘Aunt Kizzyz Boys’. They represented San Diego in the 2006 IBC (International Blues Challenge). He sounded great and we definitely want to play with him again. After finnishing our set Michael drank his weight in Buccaneer Blonde Ale 4.2% and I with American Strong 9.2% - YOWZA!
Can't wait for the 3rd anniversary party an' you're invited!

...and what's this about more songs damn it!!!!!!!!!!!!

What the…….! Let’s see. Birthdays -- Muddy Waters birthday was on the 4th. Gary Moore turned 56 on the 4th, Billy Holliday: the 7th 1915, Carl Perkins: the 9th 1932, Brian Setzer: the 10th 1959, Lowell George: the 13th 1945, Jack Casady: the 13th 1944, Bessie Smith: the 15th 1894, Sean Costello: the 16th 1979, Stefan Grossman: the 16th 1945, Nicole Damico (my lovely bride) the 16th 19--, Alexis Korner: the 19th 1928, Charles Mingus: the 22nd 1922, Roy Orbison: the 23rd 1936, Charles "Cow Cow" Davenport: the 23rd 1895, Albert King/Albert Nelson: the 24th 1923, Ella Fitzgerald: the 25th 1917, Johnny Shines: the 26th 1915, Otis Rush: the 29th 1934, Reverend Gary Davis: the30th 1896
And us? Well no birthdays (THANK GOD!) but we're still in the studio polishing songs and sets. I promised Michael that I wouldn’t write anything new until we got caught up. Suffice to say, I’ve got 3 new tunes waiting for his immediate attention. So shoot me. (See above for Michaels e-mail to me) This coming month you can find us recording in the studio and out on the road for a few giglets. On ward on awkward, May 2008 here we come.

Okay, I think this might sound a little like a commercial but bear with me. This last weekend my self and my lovely bride (the highly talented owner of Nicole Damico Photography) got the chance to stay and play at the Palomar Lodge on Palomar Mountain. A circa 1920’s establishment that housed workers for the Palomar Observatory when it was being built---hey, even Albert Einstein stayed there in 1948 for the observatory’s opening festivities. Palomar Mountain is north of San Diego and it’s the only California Mountain not to be bordered by a desert. But I digress. At a mile plus high the place is just, well, breathtaking. The owner/operator is an American original by the name of Brian “Krash” Covington. A one of a kind artist, poet, musician with a wicked wit and an angelic heart. The moment you enter is the moment you’re home. And ‘Krash’ is the mad maestro orchestrating the magic. There’s an eclectic sense of balance that some how makes it all work. In 1927 it took three hours to get there from San Diego. These days ya got modern roads and the trip time is less than half that. So wadaya waitin’ for? There’s Wi-Fi access (if ya can’t quite let go), live music, real air, clean water, mountain quiet, friendly folks that wave to ya as yer passin’, lots of seasonal snow, rigorous hiking and tranquil walks.

If you’re a member of the two-wheeled motorized family of leather clad warriors, beard and long hair ilk then this is the place for you. If you’re a member of the mini van 2.3 kidz per household variety you belong here too. Pack some snacks and B.Y.O.B. if that’s your proclivity ‘cause you’re gonna have a time! Oh, and if ya bring and a guitar ‘Krash’ is gonna give ya five dollas off per night. Room rates are $70 to $150.
Go to our links page to get contact information.

Why it seems like only yesterday the Thomas Brotherz were an unknown blues duo from Southern California… Well we’re still workin’ on that.
And in that vein I’d like to thank the Blues Lovers Of San Diego’s Vice President Mr. Ken Boozer for his kind review of our 2007 CD release “The Thomas Brotherz “ in their BLUE INK publication.

In other news, we’re in the studio working on some new, more electric leanin’ stuff. And boy are we havin’ a time. Feels great to plug the old Strat into the Fender Tweed again. And Michael is just beatin’ the crap outa his acoustic doin’ what he does so well.

We’re really looking forward to getting back out there.
Look for us soon!

Hey kidz! Paul here....
I just want to thank all of my friends at the San Diego Wild Animal Park (you know who you are) for a wonderful summer. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Hey Kidz!
We want to thank every B-O-D-Y for coming out to see us at Theatrx in Escondido Friday August 17th.
It was a sold out show thanks to you. A special thank you to Sharon Mack who put the whole thing together. She did a wonderful job and she even honored us by belting out a tune with us. Thank you Sharon. It was wonderful seeing familiar faces and meeting so many new folks.
It was a great night.