MY TRIP TO NEW YORK TO THE JOEY RAMONE BIRTHDAY BASH IN MAY 2006: PAGE 2

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Copyright. 2006 -> Jari-Pekka Laitio-Ramone

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Adele Holzman asked from me and David Kelly if we would be interested to come with her to see The Independents in New Jersey. I said we doesn't get there in time but Adele knew that The Independents would go on stage around midnight. I and David decided to go even I had decided to meet with Maggie St. Thomas after midnight at CBGB's Gallery exhibition. Adele was printed with her directions how to get to venue where The Independents was playing, but... sadly there were some mistakes and we couldn't find a way and soon it was 1:30AM. We had bad luck. But we decided to visit Atlantic City, city which was pretty close and which is famous because of it's casinos. Donald J. Trump unveiled the Trump TAJ Mahal Casino Resort in 1990 and it was place which we chose, it was good to us also because there is in that building 14US$ million worth of German crystal chandeliers. I found out it's one of the largest casinos in the world and it was pretty amazing to see in front of you probably few thousands of slot machines. Of course it was easy to spend money there... And so did many other people as well. David commented that they were like zombies - playing games non-stop. We started our journey back at 4AM.

Hannu Jokinen of Woimasointu record company (released for example Dee Dee's, Marky's and CJ's releases) and Timo Pullinen (Ramones.fi) came first time to the New York. They arrived in late May 13. May 15 was exciting day for them, they got chance to meet then first time Tommy Ramone. Tommy's and Claudia Tienan's duo band Uncle Monk had that day show at Parkside Lounge in New York. I had been E-mailing with Tommy that we're coming to the show and I was again excited to meet him. He and Claudia were really friendly and we got chance to discuss also before the show. So musical style of Uncle Monk is an alt-country punk-bluegrass and debut CD came out in March, 2006. It was intimate and acoustic show. Tommy was on vocals and played mandolin and banjo and Claudia played guitar and also did some vocals. It was a bit confusing just sit and watch show of the Ramones member. Uncle Monk doesn't play music in which rhythm you can pogo etc. I and other people had to knock rhythm to the table and sing along silently. It was great to follow how strongly Tommy entered into feelings in some songs. Round The Bend was one of my favourites to hear. Tommy and Claudia played also some songs that they aren't recorded yet or they were covers that I didn't recognized. Uncle Monk doesn't play acoustic versions of any Ramones songs. After set ended, people weren't clapping really long time. After silence came I started to stimulate people that we get encore. Uncle Monk really deserved encore and we got it.

After Tommy and Claudia got chance to relax, we had time to chat again. I was also told that Hannu Jokinen wants to buy Uncle Monk CD's for his distro. I also bought copies of CD for my friends Kimmo Aaltonen, Toma Heikkonen and Antti Niemi. Antti was the long-time goalkeeper of the Finnish national soccer team. He still play in the premier professional league in England (Fulham team). I also asked Tommy to sign one more Uncle Monk CD cover, which Alfredo, Anna and Helena Cordeiro sent for me before my trip. They knew that I'll meet with Tommy.

Before the Joey Ramone Birthday Bash I and David got chance to attend also 2 other special shows. We got invited to the 2 Guns N'Roses shows. So we got guest tickets and our seats were great. Shows were at Hammerstein Ballroom (capacity of 3 600 people). Also Joey's 50th Birthday Bash was there in past... I've known Dizzy Reed's (keyboardist Dizzy has been the second most long time member in Guns N'Roses) wife Lisa since 1997 and she was also in NYC, but sadly we couldn't meet. She tried to call me, but I was given her by accident David's wrong phone number (1 number mistake). That my second book Rock In Peace: Dee Dee And Joey Ramone also contains Ramones story by Reed's family. Before the show were played for example Ace Of Spades by Motörhead, Last Caress by Misfits, London Calling by The Clash, God Save The Queen by The Sex Pistols, but not the Ramones... Both Guns N'Roses shows started with songs Welcome To The Jungle, It's So Easy and Mr. Brownstone (all are from 80's). Singer Axl Rose was in energetic shape and his voice was as good as in old days. They also played some songs from their upcoming album Chinese Democrasy. Sebastian Bach of Skid Row was special guest in both shows we saw.


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