The Scooters at the Casbah, San Diego, CA



The Scooters are a Welsh quintet who have great harmony-laden songs in a Beatles and Crowded House vein.



I discovered them about 18 months ago at CDBaby. I had done a "sounds like" search for The Beatles and Crowded House and they were one of the results. Their first CD, "Peepshow," includes two hidden tracks; one a cover of "Rocky Racoon" and the other a cover of Neil Finn's "Throw Your Arms Around Me."



I liked these guys so much I signed up for their mailing list.



I received an email notice the other reminding day me of their gig at a hole-in-the-wall club called "The Casbah," a place near the San Diego Airport. It's a typical dive bar, but it's the best dive bar I've ever been in. My friend and lead guitarist Mark and my friend Natacha and I went. We arrived about 9:30 PM and caught the last part of the first of four bands. The Scooters weren't scheduled to play until midnight. Oof.



I had brought my copy of "Peepshow" with me in order to secure autographs, because, well, I just thought it would be fun to get them. I decided to look for the band members, since I figured finding a few pale-faced Welsh lads in the land of surf, sunshine and permanent tans shouldn't be too hard. It wasn't. I saw two likely looking blokes sitting at a corner table outside smoking and drinking beer.



I walked up to them and said, "Hi... are you...?" and whipped out my "Peepshow" CD.



"Wha...!!!" they exclaimed. "Yeah, that's us!" I had found Simon, the keyboardist and Chris, one of the lead singer-guitarists. "Where'd you get that?!?!" they asked excitedly.



"CDBaby. I did a 'sounds like' search for Beatles and Crowded House and you guys popped right up at the top, so I bought it."



"When was that?"



"Oh, I don't know, maybe 18 months ago." They nodded at me and looked at each other. "CDBaby..." Simon said to Chris.



I asked them to autograph it and they were really happy to. We talked about the album (they told me it was just a collection of demos they'd done and finally released as a record), about the tour a little (I mentioned I'd read about their epic snowstorm voyage from Mineapolis to Missoula, MT.) and some other stuff. Simon ran off to get me a copy of their new album, which they also signed. They also found Tim, the drummer. The two other guys were asleep in the van.



Eventually the other two guys woke up and Simon came into the club to get me. I went out and met Tony and Bob and they signed as well. I rehashed the CDBaby story with them. It was fun to see these guys come alive with the idea that there was someone there to see THEM at a show so far from home.



They played a great set - the vocals sounded spot-on and the playing was tight as well. The crowd had shrink in population by the time they got on stage but the folks that were there were definitely impressed, as was Mark and Natacha.



I had told them that I'd hang out as long as I could but I might have to leave before they were finished. I also told them I'd say "Bye" before I left. Towards the end of the show Chris asked on mike, "Is Alan still here?" I responded with a "Yes" and he dedicated two songs to me, which was nice of him. Natacha gave me a hard time about that. "Oh, two songs, eh?"



I thanked them all after they had finished and drove home as fast as I could. I got home at about 2 AM Friday morning, but I was glad I went and super-glad I stayed for the whole set. I hope they are able to break out to some level of recognition and success; I'd like to hear more of their music in the future.



Here are the autographed inserts:



Peepshow

I Can See Your House From Here

Midnight Oil at "4th and B" in San Diego



I saw Midnight Oil at a small hall/large club called "4th and B" last night. The last time I'd seen them was 14 years ago, during their "Diesel and Dust" tour. They've not toured North America in 10 years. It was fun to see them. They've grayed a bit, of course and the energy level was not quite as high as it was waaay back then, but it was enjoyable in a different way.



Last time Peter Garrett, the singer, was very vocal and up front about his opinions of the state of the US at the time. It was a month before the 1988 election, so I guess it was on his mind. This time, with maturity and mellowing (and probably a little cash, too) he was actually funny, not annoynig with his declarations. He mentioned the current President Bush, but made some sarcastically funny comments.



After back-announcing a song as "Good to ride a clean wave on, eh?" he said, "Now, I hear that President Bush is not strong on the environment. How can that be, with his background and contacts!"



We got a chuckle out of it.



They played all the famous songs and a bunch of stuff fromthe new album. The bass player, Bones Hillman, was working as hard as Peter, as was Rob Hirst, the drummer. In a concession to their graying audience, the volume was not too bad and they started at 9:00 PM and were finished with the encores at 11:00 PM. I was back home by midnight.



Not a bad show for $24 + $10 parking plus $8 for a beer and a Diet Coke.

Neil Finn at the Coachhouse in San Juan Capistrano



I received a phone call from Joe yesterday morning. He had a ticket for Neil Finn available. I immediately said "Yes!"



It was a great show; the band was the best he's ever had, I'd say. Wendy Melvoin was one of his guitarists.



And even though the Coachhouse sucks as far as a venue and service, it was well worth it to see neil and revel in his art.

I *am* somebody!!



Finally, oh, finally I receive the coveted "Nigerian Funds Transfer Scam" email! Oh joy! Oh la oh lay! I also got a SirCam virus email today. Is SirCam STILL around? (I guess so)





****

STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL



SIR,



WE ARE SENDING THIS LETTER TO YOU BASED ON THE INFORMATION WE GATHERED FROM THE FOREIGN TRADE OFFICE OF THE NIGERIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY. WE BELIEVE THAT YOU WOULD BE IN A GOOD POSITION TO HELP US IN OUR BID TO TRANSFER THE SUM OF THIRTY MILLION, EIGHT HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS (US$30.8) INTO A FOREIGN ACCOUNT. WE ARE MEMBERS OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE FOR BUDGET AND PLANNING OF THE FEDERAL MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL RESOURCES, THIS COMMITTEE IS PRINCIPALLY CONCERNED WITH CONTRACT APPRAISALS AND APPROVAL IN ORDER OF PRIORITIES AS REGARDS CAPITAL PROJECT OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA.



WITH OUR POSITIONS, WE HAVE SUCCESSFULLY SECURED FOR OURSELVES THE SUM OF THIRTY MILLION,EIGHT HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS (US$30.8M). THIS AMOUNT WAS ACCUMULATED THROUGH UNDECLARED WINDFALL FROM SALES OF CRUDE OIL DURING THE GULF WAR. WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU IS TO PROVIDE A SAFE ACCOUNT INTO WHICH THE FUNDS WILL BE TRANSFERRED SINCE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ARE NOT ALLOWED BY OUR LAWS TO OPERATE FOREIGN ACCOUNT. IT HAS BEEN AGREED THAT THE OWNER OF THE ACCOUNT WILL BE COMPENSATED WITH 20% OF THE REMITTED FUNDS,WE SHALL KEEP 70% WHILE 10% WILL BE SET ASIDE TO OFFSET ANY EXPENSES INCLUDING TAXES THAT MAY BE INCURRED BY BOTH PARTIES IN THE COURSE OF THE TRANSACTION.



IT MAY INTEREST YOU TO KNOW THAT TWO YEARS AGO A SIMILAR TRANSACTION WAS CARRIED OUT WITH ONE MR. PATRICE MILLER, THE PRESIDENT OF CRAINE INTERNATIONAL TRADING CORPORATION AT NUMBER 135, EAST 57TH STREET, 28TH FLOOR, NEWYORK. 10022 WITH TELEPHONE (212) 308-7788 AND TELEX NUMBER 6731689, AFTER THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN BOTH PARTNERS IN WHICH HE WAS TO TAKE 5% THE MONEY WAS DULY TRANSFERRED INTO HIS ACCOUNT ONLY FOR US TO BE DISAPPOINTED ON OUR ARRIVAL IN NEW YORK AS WE WERE RELIABLY INFORMED THAT MR. PATRICE MILLER WAS NO LONGER ON THAT ADDRESS WHILE HIS TELEPHONE AND TELEX NUMBERS HAVE BEEN REALLOCATED TO SOMEBODY ELSE. THIS WAS HOW WE LOST US$27.5M TO MR. PATRICE MILLER.



THIS TIME AROUND WE NEED A MORE RELIABLE AND TRUSTWORTHY PERSON OR A REPUTABLE COMPANY TO DO BUSINESS WITH, HENCE THIS LETTER TO YOU. SO IF YOU CAN PROVE YOURSELF TO BE TRUSTWORTHY AND INTERESTED IN THIS DEAL THEN WE ARE PREPARED TO DO BUSINESS WITH YOU. WHAT WE WANT FROM YOU IS THE ASSURANCE THAT YOU WILL LET US HAVE OUR SHARE WHEN THIS FUND IS TRANSFERRED INTO YOUR ACCOUNT. IF THIS PROPOSAL SATISFIES YOU, PLEASE E-MAIL YOUR RESPONSE SO THAT WE CAN ADVICE YOU ON THE MODALITIES OF THIS TRANSACTION. ALL MODALITIES OF THE TRANSFER HAVE BEEN WORKED OUT AND ONCE STARTED WILL NOT TAKE MORE THAN 14 WORKING DAYS WITH THE ABSOLUTE COOPERATION OF ALL CONCERNED.



THIS TRANSACTION IS 100% SAFE. PLEASE TREAT AS URGENT AND VERY CONFIDENTIAL. GOD BE WITH YOU AS I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR REPLY.



YOURS FAITHFULLY,



MR. MOHAB AHMED.



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