Proudly preserving Americana since 1998! - Neon Swing X-perience - NSX Blog Spot http://neonswing.net/news.html Neon Swing X-perience: NSX Blog Spot Jannis' PHPRss class - http://www.jannis.to/ Tue, 07 Sep 2010 01:16:05 -0700 Mike’s August 23, 2010 NSX Blog: Hot as Hell, Summer Lovin’, and Eddie Money vs. Jerry Lee Lewis http://neonswing.net/news.html#46 Greetings and salutations, friends, Romans, swing dancers, and rockabilly fiends,


As we are nearing the end of summer, we want to express that we hope that you had as great of a season as we did.  Thank you for making our summer so memorable!  It’s been a dang good summer – and it’s been so hot that we posted our version of Squirrel Nut Zippers’ “Hell” on our website to commemorate all of the sweat that’s been pouring off us while on stage.


This summer we embarked on the longest tour of our career with dates spread over four weeks.  We made a lot of new friends in cities that we’ve never played before such as Lexington and Keyport and had a blast seeing long-term pals again during our regular stops in places like Baltimore and Ocean City (ask Andy about this year’s annual karaoke night on the boardwalk).  Through our website, we’ve also released a couple of never-before-heard NSX chestnuts for your listening and dancing (if you’re keen to dance while holding your laptop) pleasure.  We’ve beefed up our setlist with a bunch of new songs and styles including doo wop, horn rock, and even (gasp) a polka!  And just this week, we ate a lot of ribs and were on the line-up with Eddie Money which was more than a bit random, albeit a whole lot of fun!  Two tickets to Paradise, indeed…as long as they aren’t to Cancun.


It’s funny because a year ago we told you that we’d be slowing down substantially…


And in some ways we have.  We used to release an average of ten songs every two years or so via CD rather than one or two tunes via our website.  That’s unfortunately not going to happen in 2010, however we are working on a new disc for 2011 and it has a really cool feel to it.  We’ve been playing a bunch of new originals from the disc live and are going to include a lot of your favorite covers too.  “Grandpa Tempo and the Chairman of Swing” (as it’s tentatively called) is shaping up to include somewhere around 20 tracks!


We’ve also been lacking in performing as many Pittsburgh shows as we used to.  The facts are that we can’t play live as much as we once did and that when we’ve been able to play out, we’ve been doing it increasingly more on the road.  We’ve been getting so many calls that we’ve had to turn a lot of shows down because of our increasingly tight personal schedules.  Granted, we love visiting new places and meeting new people, but there’s no place like home!  And we can’t wait to do a bunch of shows back in Pennsylvan-I-A in the fall.


Speaking of PA, this week we’re back at Cefalo’s in Carnegie.  Be there!  Next week, we’re at Stone Villa in Acme…uh…be there, too!  (In fact, this is our last scheduled show at Stone Villa and it’s over a holiday weekend, so you know it’s going to be ridiculous!)  And in mid-September, we’re doing a first for NSX – playing at a BOWLING ALLEY!  I’m way too excited about this concept.


So, don’t be a stranger, Pennsylvanians – we have a bunch of new shows listed on our schedule that we want to see you at.


Oh, and did we mention that we’re playing the US’s biggest rockabilly festival in Vegas over Easter weekend with Jerry Lee Lewis?  So many adjectives describe this…but we like to call it randaweslousillinesskick-ass.


Goodness gracious, great balls of fire,


Mike

]]> http://neonswing.net/news.html#46 Mon, 23 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0700 Proudly preserving Americana since 1998! - Neon Swing X-perience - NSX Blog Spot Mike's March 2010 Blog http://neonswing.net/news.html#45 Top of the morning to you, ace!


What’s the deal with fewer Neon Swing shows and a lack of blogs in MONTHS, you ask?  Feelin’ kind of bummed some of the winter shows were canceled due to the extreme blizzards?  Well, there’s been a lot going on behind the scenes with NSX regardless of the weather and the lack of information that we’ve posted recently.


First and foremost is that the shows we have been playing have been going very well – thanks everyone who came to our Cincinnati debut, lost a couple of bucks gambling to NSX tunes at the Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh, and supported St. Clair Hospital at the Hard Rock Café.  Later this week, we’re excited about making our Kentucky debut!  But, if you haven’t been able to shovel out of your house this winter to make it to a show, never fear!  Steve put most of our entire Cincinnati debut at the renowned Blue Wisp Jazz Club up on YouTube.  Check out the new videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/NeonSwingXperience1.  We absolutely can’t wait to play for you in Kentucky this month and to be back at Swing City at the end of the month – since our December show there was canceled due to weather, it’s been close to 4 months since we’ve been at Swing City and we miss it!  We’ve also been putting together some new dates for our east coast/Midwest summer tour – new dates are being added all of the time, so keep checking our schedule at www.neonswing.net.  But, in the meantime, our YouTube videos should tide you’re missing seeing NSX live.


We’ve also been working on some new recordings.  We have three songs that we recently recorded in the studio, have a couple of live tracks together, and are going back into the studio this summer to record three or four more new originals.  Our plan right now is to keep recording live shows and studio tracks incrementally over the next year or two in order to release a massive new album chronicling our progressions both as a band and individually over the past few months/years.  Right now, we’re using the working title suggested by Andy for the new project: “Grandpa Tempo and the Chairman of Swing”.  Don’t ask.  We’ve also been working with a European swing/punk (interesting but cool combo) record label to potentially include a track on a forthcoming compilation which will be released in a few months.  More details on that as they emerge.


Last, but certainly not least, is the big news.  As you’ll recall, Neon Swing X-perience has been somewhat nomadic since we lost our home (if you can call a former speakeasy “home”) at Sassy Marie’s in 2008.  Well, we are just about ready to announce a new monthly speakeasy-themed party event co-hosted by Neon Swing X-perience in Pittsburgh.  We can’t release too many details yet; only that we’re hoping for some amazing guests, an awesome location, and for folks to come ready for a good time.  We’re hoping to make the event a prohibition-era inspired, moon-shine drinkin’, ruckus of a gin-joint/supper club/dive bar party extravaganza.  There will be various themes from month-to-month and the event is expected to feature vintage cocktails/drink specials and some good old fashioned real American music.  Vintage dress is encouraged!


With all of this going on, we’re sure we’ll see you soon.  And we can’t wait until then!


Sincerely,


Mike


Neon Swing X-perience 

]]> http://neonswing.net/news.html#45 Sun, 07 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0800 Proudly preserving Americana since 1998! - Neon Swing X-perience - NSX Blog Spot NSX Alert: Tonight's Swing City Show Canceled http://neonswing.net/news.html#44 Hi, everyone...


 


We're not doing so well this week in terms of shows being canceled.


 


Unfortunately, Neon Swing X-perience will not be appearing at Swing City this evening due to the weather. 


 


However, Neon Swing X-perience and Bobby D will again join forces on New Years Eve at First Night Pittsburgh.  We hope you will join us there.


 


Our New Years Eve event takes place at the new Trust Arts Education Center at 805/807 Liberty Avenue (in the Pierce Studio - Lower Level).  Buttons to get into all First Night events can be found at all local Giant Eagles, Cultural District box offices, and www.firstnightpgh.com.


 


The schedule on New Years Eve is:


Dance lesson 6:30-7:00


NSX: 7:00-8:00


Dance lesson: 9:00-9:30


NSX: 9:30-11:00


 


 


In the meantime, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.


 


Mike, Wally, Joe, Steve, Andy, Tim & Tucker


Neon Swing X-Perience


www.neonswing.com or www.neonswing.net


www.facebook.com/pages/Neon-Swing-X-perience/57447255544


www.myspace.com/neonswingxperience


www.twitter.com/neonswing


www.youtube.com/neonswingxperience1


724-331-7335

]]> http://neonswing.net/news.html#44 Sat, 19 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0800 Proudly preserving Americana since 1998! - Neon Swing X-perience - NSX Blog Spot Important Announcement About Tonight's Show http://neonswing.net/news.html#43 Fans & Friends,


     We found out just this afternoon that tonight's show at Buckhead Saloon has been canceled by the venue.  Our apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.  We will see you Friday at Cefalo's in Carnegie. 


All the Best,


Neon Swing X-Perience

]]> http://neonswing.net/news.html#43 Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0800 Proudly preserving Americana since 1998! - Neon Swing X-perience - NSX Blog Spot Mike’s November 10 NSX Blog: Neon Swing’s Extended Family and Holidays in Pittsburgh http://neonswing.net/news.html#42 So much has been happening in the world of Neon Swing X-perience recently.


 


Obviously, we’ve gone through some personal changes over the past couple of months in terms of members welcoming additions to their families and others relocating.  But, we’ve still managed to play several shows and look forward to playing a bunch more around the holidays.  But, before we get into the holiday shows…


 


…we want to congratulate saxophonist Steve and his wife Tiff on the birth of Nicholas, their first child.  Steve is the first member of NSX to be a dad while still performing with the band, and we look forward to having Nick around and watching him grow!  Also, we want to recognize drummer Joe Palacki’s marriage to his sweetheart Mary in September.  With the addition of Tucker on guitar at most of our shows, the NSX extended family seems to keep growing!


 


We hope that you’ll be part of our family this holiday season, too, as we prepare for several holiday shows around Pittsburgh.  We’ll be featuring some new tunes that we’ve been writing and arranging including possibly a few Christmas songs.


 


Our holiday shows kick off on November 28th (the Saturday after Thanksgiving) at Club Café in Pittsburgh’s historic South Side.  We’re hosting “Vintaga Fest” which we hope to make an annual get-together for folks interested in progressing vintage Americana music styles forward.  This year, we’ll be joined by WYEP featured artist Slim Forsythe and the always irreverent rockabilly/old skool R&B sensations the Jason Martinko Revue.


 


The show starts on November 28th at 8 and NSX will play from 9-10:30.  We hope that you will join us – this is one show that can’t be missed!  And it’s a very cheap ticket for three excellent retro bands!


 


Don’t forget to check out all of our other Holiday Shows by clicking on our “Tour Dates”.


 


Ho, ho, ho!


 


Mike


Neon Swing X-perience

]]> http://neonswing.net/news.html#42 Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800 Proudly preserving Americana since 1998! - Neon Swing X-perience - NSX Blog Spot Mikes August 21 NSX Blog: Origins of the Band's Name and an Update on the Future... http://neonswing.net/news.html#40
There’s been many many rumors surrounding the origins of the band’s “hokey” name (some of them spread by us). Personally, I’m not a huge fan of the band’s name (strange I know), but the name “Neon Swing X-perience” does make sense knowing our history. I told Andy the true story of the band’s name while we were on tour since he had never heard it before and he immediately said, “You gotta post the REAL story on the website.”

So, 11 years ago I was sitting around the living room at one of our co-founder’s parents’ place after a practice and all of the members (I think there were ten at the time) were trying to come up with a name. Our first show was going to be a talent show with an industrial/metal band called “Halogen”. Being the nerds we were, Tony (our then alto sax player) wanted to also name the band after another Noble Gas on the Periodic Table. I told you we were nerdy. He thought that “Neon” would be the best choice. Someone else thought that we should spell our name wrong — eventually we decided that spelling “Experience” like “X-perience” would be pretty cool. I told you we were nerdy. Then, as an off-the-wall comment, Dan (our then guitarist) said, “How about ”˜Captain Spam and the Potted Meat Men’?”. I told you we were nerdy.

Well, to make a long story short, the band took a vote and no clear winner that we all agreed on emerged. Me being the consummate compromiser (the current NSX members might disagree with this), I suggested that we combine all three ideas to become “Neon Spam X-perience” which is how we were billed for our first show. None of the members thought we’d play another, but when we decided to keep the band going we changed “Spam” to “Swing” to avoid copyright infringement and to keep our initials NSX which was already becoming known in some circles for better or worse.

No lie.

That’s a fun little anecdote from the past — now let’s talk about the present and future. If you’ve been following NSX, you’ll know that we just finished up our fourth east coast tour and it went awesome — we’re already figuring out next year’s tour since we’ve been getting calls non-stop and believe us: it’s gonna be bigger and even better! And we made the surprise announcement via Twitter last week that we’ve begun recording again (follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/neonswing). The goal for the recording is to track two or three songs every couple of months and in two or three years have a new album ready to go. So far it’s going great and the new tunes have a really cool vibe! We may also be doing some live recordings and also release some tracks on our website in the upcoming months — so keep your eyes and ears peeled! In the meantime, if you don’t already have your copy of our latest CD “Here To Stay”, make sure you pick one up at shows, Pittsburgh stores, CD Baby, or iTunes.

Regarding band member happenings: Tucker Flythe, a fantastic guitarist who sat in with us a few months ago on the South Side, will be joining us as a regular member beginning at our Swing City show on September 5. We can’t wait to welcome Tucker and hope y’all will be able to make it out to say hi. And, as it turns out, it seems as though bassist Tim might be sticking around Pittsburgh for a little while longer. Neither Tim nor the other members want anyone else playing bass, so we’re happy to have Tim still onboard!

We’ve been doing a bunch of private shows, but our next two public shows are big Big BIG! On September 5th we rock Swing City with new member Tucker Flythe”¦

”¦then on September 12th make sure you join us for our final Stone Villa Wine Cellars show of the season. Especially because it will be my last show as a Pennsylvania resident. Selfishly, I hope you can be there because I hope to see all of you before I move to Cincinnati. Remember, though, that the plan is for me to still come back from Cincy to play with NSX.

See you then!

Mike
Neon Swing X-perience]]> http://neonswing.net/news.html#40 Fri, 21 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Proudly preserving Americana since 1998! - Neon Swing X-perience - NSX Blog Spot Mike's June 21 NSX Blog: The Summer has begun! http://neonswing.net/news.html#39
Before we go into details on that, though, I want to mention two things. The first is to offer a congratulations to long-time NSX guitarist Private Ryan Kuntz (now serving in the US Army) on his and his wife's first baby, Cameron Ryan Kuntz. Ryan says that the new addition is happy and healthy!

The second is to clear up a nasty rumor that's been spreading about the band: NEON SWING X-PERIENCE IS NOT BREAKING UP AFTER THIS SUMMER! Yes, we will have some changes personally and to our line-up which will occur in the next couple of months. While it will force us to play a few less shows here and there, it is our intention to keep NSX together for as long as people will come to listen to us! Starting in September, we will only be able to play 1-3 times a month live, but will be releasing new music via our website on occasion and will continue to play for you as much as possible. Even though we won't be playing live as much, we look forward to seeing your smiling faces and dancing feet at all of our shows!

Phew - now that's over with, summer is heating up, isn't it?!?! Our show with Reverend Horton Heat at the Rex Theater last week was ridiculous. Our set really got the adrenaline going to say the least. Then we helped out a good cause on Saturday and returned to Stone Villa on Sunday to a crowd of over 400 (!) people. I sang and played so hard that I lost my voice and was completely unable to talk after we were done.

Don't worry, though. We didn't play this weekend so I've had a chance to rest my voice a bit. NSX will be full-speed ahead on Saturday at Swing City in Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh. While we were on break, though, some of the members of the band had the opportunity to check out a few other shows. Slim Forsythe's CD release party on Thursday was great - and his CD's awesome. We've been playing with Slim for years and I'll tell you...I was blown away by his original songs on his new disc. Then on Friday we went and checked out rockabilly night at the Coyote (which is always a good time) to see a "power swing" band we'll be playing with on their next tour through the 'Burgh. It was awesome hanging out at the Coyote again. Steve and I both said how it brought back a lot of memories and how much we miss playing there.

So, other than our annual tour this summer, what else does NSX have on the fire? How about opening up for a member of Asylum Street Spankers at the Thunderbird next month? You heard it hear first - more details to come soon.

In the meantime, see you on your feet Saturday at Swing City.

Mike]]> http://neonswing.net/news.html#39 Sun, 21 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Proudly preserving Americana since 1998! - Neon Swing X-perience - NSX Blog Spot NSX SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT http://neonswing.net/news.html#37
Neon Swing X-perience]]> http://neonswing.net/news.html#37 Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Proudly preserving Americana since 1998! - Neon Swing X-perience - NSX Blog Spot Mike's May 25 NSX Blog: Glenn Miller, Recent Swing Dances, and Line-up Changes http://neonswing.net/news.html#36
First of all, on behalf of the rest of the band, thanks for supporting us at our last couple of shows. We're so happy to finally be back as a seemingly regular fixture at Bobby D's Swing City in Squirrel Hill and thank you for coming and dancing to us there. Thanks also to everyone that came to Cefalo's this week to help make it one of our biggest turn-outs at Carnegie's only ultra-swanky ex-Church.

On another note, we're SO excited for this Friday when we'll be playing a reception prior to the Glenn Miller Orchestra at New Castle's Scottish Rite Cathedral. This is a very special show because this venue (which is home to the Pittsburgh Symphony during the off-season) is being named an Historic Landmark and we're happy to help celebrate. It's also special for us because Glenn Miller has been such an inspiration for our music. When I first started the band 11 years ago, we listened to Glenn Miller a lot in order to figure out what we should sound like. Obviously since we never had enough members (at the same time) to form a 16-piece big band, we never achieved a sound close to Glenn Miller, but still to this day perform a lot of GM's tunes. NSX's goal was always to have people humming our tunes after our shows were over and by Mr. Miller's emphasis on melody and phrasing over jazz improvisation we feel that he had the same goal. We're honored to be a part of this show. Our reception in the Cathedral's basement, which has a "Speakeasy theme" is from 6-8 and the GMO starts at 8. We JUST found out that our reception is open to the public and the cost is $25 which includes food. However, if you email us at SrgntSwing@aol.com by Thursday we can hook you up with tickets for only $12! Note that this does not include tickets for the Glenn Miller Orchestra.

We also have many more shows coming up this summer that we hope you can make. In the fall, we will have a few member line-up changes including a to-be-determined bass player to take over for Tim and adding a new guitarist (and believe me when I say that our new guitarist is amazing!).

Looking forward to seeing you soon!

Mike
Neon Swing X-perience]]> http://neonswing.net/news.html#36 Mon, 25 May 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Proudly preserving Americana since 1998! - Neon Swing X-perience - NSX Blog Spot Mike's April 2 NSX Blog - The Times They Are A Changin'... http://neonswing.net/news.html#35
First and foremost, NSX band members have much to celebrate. In September, drummer Joe will marry his sweetheart Mary who you can often see knitting/selling CDs at our merchandise table during our shows. The two met at a show we were playing two years back and Joe popped the question at the very same venue exactly a year later. Please join us in wishing this happy couple sincere congratulations!

We also have something else to be happy about (and to offer congratulations to). Soon Neon Swing X-perience will have our first mini-Neon Swinger. Sax player Steve and his lovely wife Tiff (who you also often see smiling and selling CDs at our gigs) are expecting their first child this coming October. Steve will be the first band member to have a child while still performing as a regular member of NSX.

The news of Joe, Mary, Steve, and Tiff is indeed great news! Unfortunately, we do have some bad news (for the band — but great for Tim!). Bassist Tim will be leaving NSX (for the second time since 1998) at the beginning of September to move to the west coast with his girlfriend. Of course we wish Tim the best of luck, but we will greatly miss him. He is an excellent bass player, great friend, worthy beer expert, and all around cool dude. While Tim can hardly be replaced, we will reluctantly start auditioning bass players soon. If you know of anybody that might be interested, please give us a call or email.

Lastly, I will be moving to Cincinnati (about five hours away from NSX’s base in Pittsburgh) in the middle of September.

So, if you do the math”¦NSX is currently a six member band, and four of our members are about to undergo major life changes. Two are moving out of the western Pennsylvania area, and two are taking steps towards beginning families all around the September-October 2009 timeframe.

What does this mean for the future of the band?

Of course, no one can ever really predict the future and to try is just plain silly. But what I can tell you is what we intend to do. While I will be living a bit farther away, I commit to traveling every once in a while back to the Pittsburgh area to play in the band on a few odd weekends here and there. Likewise, the band agrees to visit me and perform out in Ohio once in a blue moon where we can further broaden our audience. We plan on hiring a new bass player within the upcoming months.

This sounds like some huge adjustments for the band, and it probably will be! But, we all talked it over and want to continue Neon Swing X-perience for as long as we can”¦as such, we still want to perform for you as often as we can.

However, with all of the changes going on this fall, we can probably only commit to playing live once or twice a month (if that) for at least a couple of months until our personal lives settle down. During this time, we commit to updating this website more regularly including adding blogs about our whereabouts, info about members, new and vintage pictures of our performances, discussions about music in general, and a few surprises. We’re also planning on going back into the studio starting this summer and recording a few songs every couple of months. We don’t plan on releasing a new album anytime soon — but we DO want to share new NSX music with you via our website periodically since we won’t be able to share it with you live as often as we’d like.

What a far cry from just a year ago when we were used to playing twelve shows within a one month time span!

There is a catch to this, though. Since we will not be playing anywhere near the number of times that we’ve been playing after this summer, we are relying on your support now more than ever. This summer will be a “last hurrah” of sorts for the band for a variety of reasons and, as such, we hope that you will join us at our shows as often as you are physically able to be there!

But, not only that, starting this September and beyond — when we are able to only perform once or twice a month — please Please PLEASE come to each of our shows to say hi. We will undoubtedly miss seeing all of your smiling faces (and dancing feet) as regularly as we have come to expect, so we ask you to please support us when we are able to perform live for you.

Because you just never know how long it will be until our next show”¦

Your humble trumpeter,
Mike]]> http://neonswing.net/news.html#35 Thu, 02 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Proudly preserving Americana since 1998! - Neon Swing X-perience - NSX Blog Spot