KJHK - a photoset on Flickr

I stopped by KJHK when I was in Lawrence for the Embarrassment show and took some pictures. The vinyl collection is slowly fading into history and not only are the albums showing their age, but so are some of the unique bits of musical commentary; AKA the liner notes or album review. The notes from KJHK music staffers guided disc jockeys who didn't have the luxury of previewing the whole record before they took to the airwaves and were often written in long hand and taped on the cover. See KJHK - a photoset on Flickr for some of my random cover shots. You may have to enlarge the image to read the review.

Attention Capote Fans

The former Clutter home in Holcomb, Kansas is for sale.

Bowling Tonight

I bowl in a league in Mission, KS. It's my 14th year with the same guys and I like it a lot. It's a handicapped league; if I bowl my average or better I'm helping the team win. Tonight was a different story. We started with no average, so it's to one's advantage to sandbag and bowl low on this, our first week of the league. So what did I do? I managed my best series in at least two years - a 514. That included a 209 - my first 200+ game since 2004 or earlier. So I've screwed my average for the rest of the year, but that's okay. I got five strikes in a row in the second game. Maybe this will be my season. The same guys who turned me on to KJHK when I was in high school recruited me for bowling too - The Westhoff brothers, Craig and Kurt.

Choose This Video

Check out this rare footage of the Embarrassment. It's the 1981 video for "Don't Choose the Wrong Song". From Doug Hitchcock via YouTube.

Arpeggio Style

Bill Goffrier plays lead and rhythm guitar simultaneously.

17 Years Later, They Still Rock

From left: John, Bill, and Ron on stage last Sunday in Lawrence, KS. Drummer Woody is just out of range. The Embarrassment are my favorite band of all time for many reasons; they've got heart and a sense of humor, unique qualities for rock stars. My favorite song from the show was "Two Week Vacation".

More Micronotz

Here's another picture of the Micronotz in action. From left: Steve Eddy on drums, original lead singer Dean Lubensky, and guitarist John Harper. The Micronotz surprised everyone by playing three songs for the crowd who awaited the arrival of the Embarrassment. Matt Kesler and Jay Hauptli are not pictured but also appeared with the group. This is perhaps the least blurry of the snapshots I took of the group.

Before the Show

That's Embarrassment guitarist Bill Goffrier on the left with KJHK alum Tom Hoyt at the Free State Brewery before the concert Sunday night in Lawrence. I heard Bill and fellow band mate John Nichols were in the building but I was surprised when Bill actually appeared at Tom's table of KJHK alumni. I rounded the corner in time to take this photo and shake Bill's hand. Last Sunday was the 4th time I saw the band, and the first time since 1989. I was lucky enough to see them twice in one day on December 31, 1986 when they played Cogburns/The Bottleneck. The Micronotz opened for them and Dean Lubensky came back for that one as well.

Surprise: Micronotz in Lawrence

My digital camera didn't work fast enough to capture the Micronotz as they wailed through three songs in a surprise addition to the Embarrassment reunion show last night in Lawrence. From Left: Jay Hauptli, guest bassist Matt Kesler, Dean Lubensky, and Steve Eddy. Not Pictured: John Harper.

Sunset tonight

You can't quite see it from here, but there's a huge fusion reactor over the hill from my house.

Check out Hyperopia

Ex-Von Bulow singer Lori Wray and ex-Micronotz drummer Steve Eddy have a new band.

The Embarrassment | lawrence.com

What are you doing August 20th? Why not see The Embarrassment lawrence.com and while you're checking the link, download a MP3 of Drive Me to the Park.

Flickr link

Concert photos from CBGB's and other NYC venues here.