“I don’t really know when it came over me…” he explained slowly, idly twisting a novelty witch hat in his hands, “…it probably started with the move to Salem…or maybe when I was last watching The Crucible with Winona Ryder (God, I love that ‘Nony…I don’t understand why she steals, I really don’t.).”

Dave paused for a moment, collecting his thoughts while tugging a black cape around his shoulders–as if warding off a chill. He then continued.

“Anyway guys, I suppose I should just cut to the chase. I need to leave The Birds of Play. I do… I must. And it’s not that I don’t love you all…or the time we spent together…or the inappropriate jokes we made…or the two attempted murders of James. It’s just… I don’t need more cowbell in my life. I just need…” his voice hushed while trailing off longingly, then adding in a whisper, “…more witchcraft (and accusations thereof).”

I guess you could say,” he chuckled softly, “that it’s cast a spell on me.”

Disappointed and shocked, but determined to be supportive, the remaining band members internalized this news with a solemn sense of acceptance.

After a few hours of silent reflection, a teary-eyed keyboard/drummer/guitarist who will remain unnamed (lest he be embarassed) asked in a quavering voice how Dave would spend his time if not in Melissa’s basement on Wednesdays and Sundays.

“Well, Jon <editor’s note: name changed to protect the embarrassed>,” Dave explained gently, “I’ve taken a volunteer job at the Salem Witch Museum as a docent. I’ll be working there several shifts a week, including Wednesdays and Sundays. I’m really excited about it…sometimes they’re going to let me yell out BEELZEBUB during that creepy light show the tour starts with.”

The band murmured the sounds that impressed people make while murmuring.

“Yeah,” said Dave, straightening up a little more proudly, “all indications so far point to me being a really decent docent.” With a flourish, he put the witch hat on his head at a rakish angle. James gasped audibly at Dave’s devilishly-fashionable new appearance.

Melissa swept a tear from her eye quickly, as if something was simply tickling the eye region of her face. In a tone that betrayed her casual eye swiping, she asked if Dave might still please attend some shows, and maybe even take a picture or two, for old time’s sake.

Dave smiled benevolently, and put one hand atop her head now bowed with grief. “Yes, yes my child. I shall still point the lightning box at you all, and capture your souls for all time eternal.

Melissa looked up with shining eyes and smiled at the blossoming warlock before her. “Thank you, Dave” she said, crying openly now. “Thank you.”

Then even Dave himself got a tad emotional. “Oh hang them…I mean, it…all!” he exclaimed, fleeing before his emotions got the best of him.

And with a whirl of his cape, he was gone into the moonlight. Off to correct the populace, one admission price at a time, to the true magic of witchcraft.

Dave expressing his joy on the day he was hired (at volunteer pay wage).

For continuity's sake, Melissa is lending Dave her dress from 2/18. Here one can see Dave mulling over the look at a recent "dress" rehearsal.

In but a week and two days, The Birds of Play will have their second show at the local hotspot known as Sally O’Brien’s. After the blazing success of (the event hereafter known as) The First Gig, the band has spent some time pondering how to match The First Gig’s buzz and excitement.

Since the set list has expanded only minimally… and since their pyrotechnic supplies are targeted for a June delivery at the earliest… the band has determined the ideal lure for audience attendance must be in the realm of wardrobe. Following the precedent of the gravity-defying garb  worn by the female Bird of Play last February, the wardrobe of choice for all band members on May 27th will be…the strapless dress.

This  decision was not made lightly, for there were many pros and cons to consider. Upon hearing the suggestion, one band member immediately drew a human figure on the band’s white board, petutantly demanding that someone diagram exactly what parts of his body would require shaving in preparation. Another band member expressed earnest concern that he would then lose the fans’ respect: objectified and admired only for his chest (hair) and not for his musical prowess. Also of heated debate was the requirement of  “going Scottish.”

In the end, however, the pros far outweighed the cons, especially in categories such as “Range of Motion: Here Come the Splits,” “Potential Crowd-Pleasing Side Effects: Wardrobe Malfunctions,” and “Finally, I Can Wear This Out in Public And Show Everyone Who I Really Am.”

May 27th. Be there or be Cher.

The Birds of Play began our final stretch of practices until our next gig (Thursday, May 27, at 9:3o p.m.) at Sally O’Briens. The first order of business was extensive work on Seed, the new James Christensen penned (typed?) song that will be part of our set list. I’ve included a rough version of it fior your listening pleasure.

We also ran through some of the songs on the set list like Kevin Crowley, Not Just Any Heart Will Do and Halfway There I Guess This Is Hello before calling it an afternoon. Next practice is scheduled for Wednesday.

See you at the gig!

From one bird to another: we have not had any practices since your flight to the West Coast only proving that you are the straw that stirs the drink known as The Birds of Play. It hasn’t rained much so your basement is safe and since we haven’t played, it’s also clean. Well, as clean as you left it.

I have attended two night’s of trivia with James as quizmaster. It’s fun but I don’t know jack about The Simpsons so when he went on a spree this Tuesday, I was clueless. I haven’t heard a peep from John. But that’s not a surprise. Music-wise, I have picked up my Rickenbacker a few times and played along to the new Shout Out Louds CD. Victoria likes to dance when I pluck away so that is an added bonus. I am also thinking about e-mailing a couple of booking agents for Salem area clubs with the hope of scoring a gig at a club  not called Sally O’Briens. That’s about it!

Hope you are doing well, we miss you.

1. There’s another band around the Somerville/Medford/Salem with an avian theme called Caged Birds. It’s lead by Christian McNeill and features sultry Sarah Semanski on lead vocals and a dude who plays a mean Wurlitzer. They’re going to be at Toad in Cambridge for a Tuesday residency, according to McNeill.

2. I came up with a bass idea 4-18-10 this morning and sent it along to James Christensen to do with what he wants.  It sounds like a chorus to me but I’ll let our main songwriter decide, if he wants to.

3. Melissa is getting dirtier by the minute attending the Coachella music festival in California. Word has it she joined an impossibly long line for a shower this morning and was promptly admonished by friends for trying to get clean at an outdoor festival. The thinking being that getting grungy, smelly and dirty is part of the experience. Sorry, but that sounds like no fun to me. Melissa is right and her so called friends are plain wrong!

4. James will be hosting trivia again on Tuesday at The Precinct.  Having participated last week, I can safely say that it’s worth your while. It was a lot of fun and James does a great job as your host. He even bought a team an appetizer for winning a round. I did pretty well, by the way. I was tied for third place after three rounds before bowing out so I could catch David Johnston over at Bull McCabes. James told me I did really well considering I was playing with myself where everyone else was playing with a partner or a team.

 5. Will have some more audio files for your listening pleasure in the days to come including one that features Johnnycakes behind the microphone.

The Birds of Play’s James Christensen just uploaded his newest solo tune as part of his 52 Song Project for 2010. It’s called: Tell_Me_to_Shut_Up. Give it a listen and then write 350 words on it. You will be graded. Enjoy!

This version of Kevin Crowley was recorded on Wednesday, April 14, during practice. It’s noteworthy thanks to some real grungy guitar from John and James. Plus, you can hear Melissa comment on the guitars right as the song begins chugging along. Enjoy!

In the interim,  James has secured us another gig at Sally O’Briens for Thursday, July 22. That comes about two months after our next gig, Thursday, May 27 at Sally O’Briens.

One thing we’ve talked about in the past is playing a month-long residency at Sally’s or a place like that (Bull McCabes, Precinct, etc.) Hopefully, the more gigs we play, the more songs we have to fill said residency.

Finally, our friend Jeremy sent along two new songs as part of the Verse Versus Chorus catalogue. VVC is The Birds of Play minus John and adding Jeremy. We had to give Jereremy the boot because he refused to grow a beard and he insisted on licking James and me on the elbow when we weren’t looking. Next time, ask. OK? Speaking of asking, I’ll try to gain permission to upload at least one of the songs so you folks can hear it.  

While two members of The Birds of Play were tidying up our practice space (aka. Melissa’s basement) after last weekend’s flood, another member of tBoP was tidying up his iPod while on toddler duty this afternoon. From this birds to the other two birds, thanks a lot for all your hard work today!

It took about an hour to import the album artwork for these 35 albums to my new iPod since for some reason itunes doesn’t recognized them. Strange that it hasn’t heard of Led Zeppelin IV, Electric Ladyland, Band on the Run, Exile on Main Street, A Love Supreme and Dark Side of The Moon. I guess they aren’t that important. My bad.