Homeopathy - 11/5

The word of the day was Persistent spelled e-n-t not a-n-t.

Holme played at a benefit for a family with 2 sick children and a ton of medical bills.  The benefit was held @ Bar-A.  Marian, Donna & I got there as the band was setting up.  We ran into Kip & Harry outside.  Kip said "Hi Girls".  Donna really liked he said girls.  Once plugged in Joel came over to us.  We chatted.  He wasn't feeling well and had canceled his gigs before & after this benefit.  I went over to Peter Schulle to ask if Cats on a Smooth Surface had a website.  I had surfed the web for one and found none.   We used to go see Holme with every intention to stay until closing (Let's Go Ladies).  However, once Holme started playing Build Me Up Buttercup or Mony, Mony we would roll our eyes, look at each other and leave to go see Cats.  Years later we would leave Holme to see Cats and leave Cats to see Glen Beandip (Burtnik) or Bobby Bendyourearoff (Banderia) or Pugster's band, The End.  One of the highlights of seeing Cats was seeing Harry sing & move to "Pump It Up".   Anyway, I had wanted to check Cats' schedule and pop in to see them.  Unfortunately they do not have a website.  In speaking to Peter I learned that he had cut an album of original tunes with Emmett Findley in 1971.  How interesting is that?   I would love to hear it.

Harry said it didn't feel right playing so early in the day and I agreed.  He sang a few lines of "Michelle" to me.

Kip looked fabulous in the cherry red shirt he was wearing.  It made all the difference in the world to see color up on stage.  In addition the lighting in Bar-A was superior to the lighting they use for the band in D'Jais.  It wasn't just unflattering red lights beaming on them.  During the 1st set they played a new Beatles song whose title escapes me now.  I was thrilled they added another song to their repertoire but not as thrilled as I would be in the 2nd set. Sharon showed up midway through the 1st set.   Joel seemed happy to see her.  I wrote on a napkin "The Word of the Day is Persistant" and put it in front of Joel.  When they broke he came over to talk to Sharon.  He told me I had spelled Persistent wrong that it was ent not ant.  I told him I knew it as soon as I wrote it.  Sharon asked what we were talking about and I said that Joel was smarter than me.  Joel corrected me and said not smarter, just a better speller.

During the 2nd set, to my surprise and amazement, they played another new song "Brass In Pocket".  Kip told the crowd the song went out special to me, that I wanted it and I got it.  I had put it on my wish list either in an email on the Holme website or I told Kip to play it when speaking to him during the Summer.   It was the BESTEST surprise.  I felt famous and I felt powerful.   Joel sang it and the twist they put on it blew me away. Joel came over to Sharon again during break but there was no talking.  

The 3rd set another new song!   Joe Jackson!  2 Holme runs!!!  Now if I can just get them to do Lola, Pump it Up,The Breakup Song (Greg Kihn) Someday Someway & Switching to Glide & Tired of Towing the Line.  I'd also love for them to do the Rolling Stones version of Bob Dylan's Like a Rolling Stone, Aerosmith's Walk This Way, I Think I Love You (Partridge Family) Respect, Nancy Sinatra's These Boots are Made for Walking & a medley of David Bowie songs.  Joel was asking the audience for a lozenge from the stage and unbelievably Sharon had Halls Spearmint lozenges in her truck.  She retrieved them for Joel.

Other than the days when Camille & I would drive down to Bar-A to have a drink & watch some TV I had never had a good time at Bar-A.  I never left it feeling that I couldn't wait to go back until seeing Holme there.  It was fun.  A good time was had by all!  Afterwards Marian & Red went on the Boathouse and continued their party.  Donna, Sharon & I went to 507 Main for Pizza.

Stayed Tuned:  I was given some exciting news about one of the members of the band but was asked not to post it yet. 

Thanks:  To Kip and the guys for Brass In Pocket.

Correction:  I made a mistake on the photo of posted of us circa 1981.  That's Kathy M's friend, Ellen in the picture, not Sharon.

Note to Marian:   Blog is posted now you owe us the rest of the story.

 

Holme Remedy - 10/8

I was asked:  “Was the Ball a ball?”  My answer:  “I fell 3 times!”

The 1st annual Beaux Eaux Ball was held at D’Jais to benefit the Belmar Arts Council (BAC).  The BAC helped D’Jais in their fight against the Town of Belmar.  Tickets were $50.  For your money you got 1 ½ hrs open bar, food, a goodie bag and Holme.  There was also an art show on D’Jais porch and a raffle of prizes.  Camille, Susan, Sharon, Donna, Marian and I went.  Most of us stayed at the Belmar Motor Lodge.  The BML has not changed an iota in 20 yrs.  They still have the “no guests after 10 pm” rule.  The room rate was $60 and you got what you paid for.  We went out to eat before the benefit.  There was no way we were going to eat small portions of food and stand to do it.  Also, as I am a vegetarian I always eat before any party.  Camille’s choice was Mom’s Kitchen in Neptune.  Susan didn’t care as long as they had liquor.  We feasted and then went back to our rooms to get ready.  Camille packed light.  Lucky for her I over packed.  She wore my white curly ruffle tux shirt and Sharon’s rhinestone belt.  We were all dressed sparklee.  Sharon wasn’t staying the night so she took her p/u truck to D’Jais.  The rest of us took a taxi.  The cab driver seemed a little surprised we were going to D’Jais as it had closed for the Summer.  He hadn’t heard about the benefit.  We filled him in and he said he had an uncle like Frank Sementa (whatever that meant).  I told him I had been married to Frank for about a second and he found it admirable that we got along so well that I could go to D’Jais.   We were given a red clown nose at the Ball.  We didn’t need them as I had mailed everyone one earlier in the week to wear as an accessory.   We got our goody bags and put them in Sharon’s truck.  Late we found that one of the goodies you got was a 2006 D’Jais courtesy card!   The open bar part was fun.  Jen & Ashton look-a-like were bartending.  Ashton’s mom had been at D’Jais a few weeks prior.  I asked him whether women thanked his mom for having such a cute son.  He said yes and that she was embarrassed being asked.   The open bar made it feel like D’Jais past ala 6 beers for a dollar as my friends were ordering rounds 6 at a time.  Too bad they can’t charge $50 every night and give you open bar.  The $50 fee also kept the crowd at a nice number.  You were able to maneuver on the dance floor and keep your place at the bar.  None of us won the raffle, none of us cared.  Donna, Marian & I had the best New Years Eve of our lives at a D’Jais theme night party in the 80’s.   I don’t know how the subject came up but we reminisced about how there had been so much confetti dumped in front of giant fans that open champage bottles ended up being full of it and when we went home and took off our dresses confetti fell out.  There was confetti all over their house that Summer and Belmar for days.  It was at that party that I decided I wanted to be cremated and have my ashes dumped in front of those fans so that I would be in every nook and cranny in D’Jais forever partying in my favorite place in the whole wide world.

Donna & Marian are from Staten Island via Brooklyn and had never seen Holme before.  Sharon had but not this year.  They all loved them and wished they had gone to see them during the Summer.

We saw Joel across the bar and Sharon held up her arm and licked her armpit.  He came right over and I introduced Sharon as the girl he had sex with at my shore house.   He told me he finally ready my Blog.   We discussed its contents and he gave me carte blanc to write anything I want about him good or bad.  He told me I shouldn’t be writing according to who talked or paid attention to me.  Joel took note that except for Susan we all had pointy shoes on.  Kip also took note of Camille’s shoes telling her he had never seen her in such high heels before (not true). 

Kevin Kavanaugh substituted for Peter Schulle who probably had a prior commitment with Cats on a Smooth Surface that night.h

We were wrecked.  When Frank saw us all together he said: “Just like old times”.  I told him I’ve always loved him and added the disclaimer that I was very drunk.

Sharon was leaving early and Susan, Camille & I did our best to keep her there.  We all took turns wrapping ourselves around her and jumped up and down to the music.  Surprisingly I did not fall then.

Marian met a guy and dance the whole night with him.

The first 2 times I fell going out the door onto D’Jais porch to view the artwork.  The 3rd time was a doozie (or so I am told).  I got everyone on the dance floor to dance to I Wanna Be Sedated and just as the song began, I fell backwards onto the floor hitting the side of my head against a pole as I went down.  Everyone rushed to help me up and sit me down and the bartenders immediately made me an ice pack for my head.  I was laughing and still drinking.  When the band came off stage, Harry asked me what happened and Billy kissed the cut on my head.  Camille says she will never hear that song in the same way again.

We we left our taxi driver (Bill) was waiting for us.  We made him take us to  Dunkin Donuts and he came in with Donna, Marian & me and ordered along with us.  He dropped us off at the BML and then took Marian’s dance partner home.  When we got back to the room I realized I had left my camera in the taxi so I called “Mr Taxi Driver” and he said he’d bring it to me at the hotel.  When he returned with it he stayed awhile hanging out with us in the lobby.  He owns the cab company and we will no doubt be his life long customers.

The next day we did what all girls do – go over the night’s happenings over breakfast.  We had bagels and Camille broke a tooth.  Sharon uttered a truism when she said that bread will always do your teeth in.  You never hear of people breaking their teeth on a raw carrot.  It’s always bread.

It took me and Camille until Tuesday to recover.

Donna called me at work on Monday.  She hadn’t seen Susan in 20 yrs, Sharon in a year and Camille in quite awhile yet she did not really talk to them at the benefit or the hotel.  She did not talk to me or her sister either so she called to ask me:  Just what was she doing all night?  Does anybody know?

As Kip informed us, the band is now “On the Road”.  You can find out where they’ll be playing by visiting their website:  holmeband.com.  You can access their website from this Blog in the Links box. 

Thanks for all the emails.  I even got one from a guy from England who’s in band called “Home” there.

A special thanks to holmefan for your comment. 

And in answer to kmk8376's questions:

1)  Not big.  Not available.

2)  Don't know.

3)  Don't know.  Yes.

4)  It was the 70s, 80s before Aids and before I got old.

5)  I would not pick you as partner in Holme Trivia Contest.

If you haven’t been yet, please come.  I’ll see the rest of you at an upcoming gig.   Please fill me in on any dates I miss.  Love, M.

Retirement Holme - 9/26

Anti-Climatic.  No special guests, no surprises, no new songs, no CD giveaway.

It was the last night for Holme at D’Jais this year.

It rained hard just like the first night they played.

This time I wore black.

There was a buffet from Joe Leone’s in Pt. Pleasant (yum).

Joe Lepis was there sans Sarah.

Marissa was there. 

Patty Spychala & friends were there.  (Patty thought it was very nostalgic and worth the drive).  A special thanks to Patty's friend for this week's entry title.

Joel played and sang barefoot.  He was better than he has been in weeks.

At midnight Susan turned 49.  Alexis Krauss had a birthday too but she was a no show.

Marguerite drank all night for free.  She also left wearing a Holme t-shirt.

Like I said – Anti-Climatic.

 

A word about Bubba -  I received a very nice email from Bubba’s wife, Nancy.  They were married in Washington Square Park 4 years ago.  They have 2 daughters and live in NJ.  Hopefully they’ll come one night to see the band.   Although not a good one, this is my favorite photo of Bubba.

 

Holme Movies - 9/19

I was going to skip another night of going to see Holme but the last few days were full of interesting little bits of news.

First I received a (blog) comment from someone wondering if I had stopped writing in my journal.  Since I didn’t recognize the signature I became intrigued.  Then I noted that I had 375 blog hits.  The last time I looked I had 282 so I became curious.  Just who is reading this blog besides you?

Then I received an email from a man who knows where Bubba is and can put me in touch with him.  Apparently Bubba is still working for Saturday Night Live.  How about that?  So I had to notify Frank & Kip that I found him and he won’t be interested in working for them.  The man who wrote me also mixed sound for Holme & the band Condor before that.

Next Camille tells me that her niece is Geralyn Guerra’s nanny for her 5 mo. old daughter.  So any hope I had of seeing Geralyn & Phyllis show up one night is now squelched.

So I go, I stay 1½ sets.  There were 400-500 people there which is very impressive now that Belmar has officially told you Summer is over, go home, by making the streets 2 way again.

Again Frank is in a white tee-shirt and everyone else is in black except Tommy who’s in drab olive green.  Please somebody get these guys a stylist.  Frank says he needs to take Kip shopping.  I hope they both go to Barneys like they used to after music lessons in the city.  Wait, is Barneys closed?

Kip had a little laryngitis and said he sounds like Rod Stewart without all of the ex-wives. 

Like I told you previously, the band has packs of Coors beers propping up their speakers.  I look at them and think don’t they know that beer only makes the music sound better if you drink it?  I have noticed on more than one occasion that men are now standing up front on the sides of the stage where the women groupies (me, us, them) once used to.  I wonder if the women are no longer interested.  I also wonder when did men become more annoying than women at shows?  Kip announced this Monday, September 26th is their final night @ D’Jais (other than the night of the benefit show) and that it will be crazy and they’ll be surprises.  I would like my surprise to be that they’ve learned a new song.   This week I suggested to Kip they do Brass in Pocket.  I heard Kip telling someone they are going to try to play weekends locally.  He also told everyone of their website and said I should be their webmaster.  Kathy checks all of the websites and had to resort to calling D’Jais for the skinny on what information is correct.  Holme’s website?  D’Jais website?  KC Productions’ email notification?  Next week I’ll suggest they use D’Jais phone number after the bar closes for the season for people to call to hear a recording of their scheduled dates.  This way Kathy only has to check one place for her info.

One of the boys is in trouble big time.  Unfortunately bad habits die hard.  I hope he pulls himself together.  Which again asks the question where is Puggy DeRosa and his rose colored glasses?  I know where he is and how to get in touch with him I just can’t believe he hasn’t wanted to make an appearance.  I guess his days of tonguing Banderia are gone forever.

Harry gets the award for most improved.  His Pink Cadillac was very strong this week and I learned that his instrument is a blues guitar.  He continues to be very sweet to me.  On break he stopped to chat then went on to talk to a guy who was just released from prison that day.

I remember when TVs in bars were used for cool things like videos, photos, messages.  If the bar has dancing it should not have a TV.  Kathy had her 8mm movies of Holme put on DVD.  There’s 8 minutes of Holme, no sound.  Alot of it is Joel & Billy Coleman but Kip is there, Frank in shirt & tie and Danny in long sleeve baby tee with a rainbow on it.  I suggested Frank loop it and play it over & over on D’Jais TVs during break but does he EVER take my suggestions?  I am still gravely disappointed to see that Sementhead continues to smoke.  His girlfriend Theresa was celebrating her birthday and there was the obligatory “Birthday” song dedicated to her.

By the way, in the short time I was there Joel only sang one song (Jenny). I was very surprised he did not mess it up.  He seemed so out of it, so distracted.

NOTE:  If you were thinking of going to the benefit you only have until the 25th to buy tickets @ $50.  After they’ll be $65.  There will be food & you will get a bag of goodies.  Just think how explosive a room full of artists will be.  They’ll make you feel so normal!

 

He's Leaving Holme Bye, Bye - 9/5

Labor Day was a long time ago.  This is what I remember.  Frank Sementa wore a white t-shirt.  Pete, Kip, Joel & Tommy wore black shirts.  Bill wore a very dark brown shirt that looked black.  The black shirts with the red lighting was not flattering.  Kip changed his shirt during a break.  The new shirt was white & rust plaid, cowboy looking and reminded me of that Zepplin song "Hot Dog" they used to do.  I really couldn't tell you if he went from bad to worse.  Joe Lepis was there and we went over the Holme line-up.  Banderia, an original member of the band, left the band 3 times as did Joel.  Harry told me no new songs were learned (a truism for 30 years now).  Kathy suggested they do the Ramones' "Rock & Roll Radio" and maybe something more current like Green Day.  Harry did not seem to know Green Day.  I'm still waiting for "The Breakup Song" by the Greg Kihn Band.  Alexis sang 4 songs - the same old & Gimme Shelter.  There was an announcement that Alexis had just been or was going to be on the Today SHow.  I wish I could answer why & what.   I have come to the conclusion that it is not a small world, Marissa just knows everyone.  She also seems to hate the same songs we do which is a good thing when you want to leave the dance floor.  A wheel chair bound black guy with 2 artifical legs (not 3?) named Ron was persistent throughout the night to get up on stage & sing with the band.  He did to the chagrin of the band & sang Suspious Minds.  It was not the best.  Frank excitedly gave me a blog entry he had in his pocket.  A man named Jack Bogdanski in Oregon has a political blog.  His entry of Aug 27th talked about H-O-L-M-E.  Remember how Kip used to spell the name of the band out at every break?  Anyway, I updated Mr. Bogdanski on the band in a comment on his blog:  Jack Bog's Blog.  Kathy & ran into Sharon the girl Joel did have sex with (not me) and she reminded us that Joel had a thing for armpits.  I think he likes to lick them.  Lastly I won myself a D'Jais sweatshirt!  I filled out a "Holme Email List" postcard and it was drawn by Frank during the giveaway.  Well, I actually filled out numerous cards throughout the night & some I comically filled out.  However, Kathy would probably tell you that I really won the sweatshirt for having breasts and showing them.  The top I was wearing was low cut and gave my breasts definition.

Holme Alone - 8/29

I did not attend this night. 

Holme Strech - 8/22/05

In anticipation of a repeat visit by Bobby Banderia and to ensure a space by the bar, Kathy, Marguerite & I got to D’Jais early and I’m glad we did.  I had almost forgotten that Holme does 2 songs I really like during the 1st set – “Nowhere Man” and “Sister Golden Hair”.  The joint was packed again.

Bendyourearoff did show and it was announced he is now a full time (permanent) member of Bon Jovi’s band.  Hopefully he will still play locally on his down time.

Joe & Sarah Lepis were there and Joe was handing out those wooden nickels with the Holme logo on them.  Sarah said he has boxes of them and I am sure she was happy he was getting rid of them allowing her more space in their home.  I already had my original one laying around in my bedroom at home.  If I remember correctly they were good for a free drink and I think I obtained mine at Joe Pops or The Osprey.  Holme should hold a contest for their fans to bring their most unique Holme memorabilia.  The band and Joe Lepis would decide the winner.

The Holme website is holmeband.com.  It is up and running though not to capacity.  I was told by Kip it will be in another week or 2.  Separately both Frank & Kip told me it will have a suggestion box and both stated they were sure I would fill it.   I will add the link to their website on this Blog so that you can go directly there from here. 

Holme is playing Labor Day @ D’Jais.  They are also playing a benefit for The Belmar Art Council.  The benefit is called Beaux Eaux Ball.  It is being held on SATURDAY, October 8th @ D’Jais.  It begins @ 7:30pm.   I do not know the ticket price but I was told admission will include a T-Shirt, free drink & food (and should be tax deductible!).  Please let me know if you are seriously interested in going.  I will book hotel rooms and pick up tickets.

Speaking of art, Joel drew the clown on D’Jais “Circus Night” t-shirt.

Caroline from the Stone Pony announced the band at the beginning of the 2nd set.  She also announced that the Stone Pony was again saved from closure.  I do not like the Stone Pony and was very relieved her announcements did not pertain to Holme playing there.  Sementa told me she has endeavored to secure them and so have a lot of other places like Bar A and the Borgata in A/C.  The Borgata wanted to book them with Uncle Floyd!  I used to love Uncle Floyd (and Ooogie).  There was also mention of their playing with Southside Johnny & The Jukes.  Frank & Kip would like the band to play somewhere up north but it would be hard on Peter because he has a business to run & on Billy because he has a 9-5 job.  Plus they all live down the shore.  I have no clue as to the ideal place for them to play.  All of the best places are gone (like Creations).

I am now on a quest to track down Bubba.  His real name is Robert Selitto (Sellito?).  Please let me know if you remember anything about him that could help me.

The band practices in a local studio every Monday afternoon.

Frank is hopeful Danny will one day show up.  He saw Puggy last week.  Puggy is busy working as a bartender and has 2 small children.

Alexis sand with the band – Just One Look & I Love Rock & Roll and so did Charlie, a D’Jais employee.

Kip told me it was weird seeing his neighbors dancing in front of him.  He also told me they are going to hand out approximately 300 Holme CDs.  The CDs will include 4 bonus tracks – original Holme songs.  He told me that someone downloaded them from him on the Internet which we both thought was a cool thing.

We left during the beginning of the 3rd set