Those Darn Accordions Wind It Up In SF

If you've been looking for a reason to fly to San Francisco, we've got one for you! Those Darn Accordions wind up the 2009 tour at the Cafe du Nord in SF on Nov 5.
TDA has spawned several other bands and a few of them will be joining us in a TDA Reunion Accordion Blowout. First up is original TDA'er Tom Torigglia's "Bella Ciao" followed by TDA founder Big Lou and her "Casserole". Then present day TDA takes the stage for a set, before we all join together for a re-creation of some old TDA favorites. We are also planning a special tribute to our dearly missed Clyde Forsman.
So c'mon, hit the skies or the road and head for SF. It's going to be a blast!

Big Lou Plays 'Chicken Dance' in Africa

Those Darn Accordions founder Big Lou, aka the Accordion Princess, plays the "Chicken Dance" with the Maru a Pula Marimba band (and Lou's husband David Golia on bass) at the Ladies Number One Opera House in Gaborone, Botswana. Weirdest instrumentation yet?

A little closer to home, Big Lou's Polka Casserole plays Schroeder's Cafe in downtown San Francisco this Friday from 6 to 9 p.m.

She'll also be joining TDA during our big reunion set at the 2009 Cotati Accordion Festival.

Meet the Dinks

I've been going through the vault and pulling out some PRETTY interesting stuff, not the least of which is my first forays into songwriting for a band. It was 1980 and I was living in Alameda, CA , just across the bay from San Francisco. I was rehearsing in a half burned down cottage behind the house I was staying in with two friends I knew from my college days in Delaware, OH, Jim Breece, Paul Morris.
The three of us crammed in that small space and we banged out a bundle of New Wave, Power Pop, Pre-Punk, Post-Wacko and just plain nutty tunes. Jim played bass and Paul played guitar. Later when we started to record, we added a local drummer, Jerry Myers. We managed to get most of these tunes down on tape in some kind of rough demo form and it's fun to hear the raw energy of those recordings.
We played the SF club scene for a couple years and a couple of name changes and had a great time doing it. So I invite you to take a trip back in time and Meet The Dinks!

S.F. Giants: Oh Say Can You Squeeze?

OG TDA squeezer Tom Torriglia's band Bella Ciao will play the national anthem Tuesday at the San Francisco Giants' Italian Heritage Night. Undoubtedly this will propel Barry Bonds to hit No. 756 -- should be a packed house. Knock 'em dead, you Italiano party crazies!

Some Tattoos Are Cool

This one's kind of, um, questionable.
P.S. The Hicks With Sticks-sponsored twang show -- conveniently located at my neighborhood watering hole The Knockout -- should be a good time.

Zombies Invade San Francisco!

See the zombies set upon a mall and a Disney store in search of brains (no luck)! Watch a zombie take a Scientologist stress test! Witness an actual zombie wedding! Lots of, um, tasty bits in this fun photo gallery that documents the zombies' descent upon foggy Frisco last Friday. (Hilarious captions, too.)

That's the kind of stuff that makes this city fun.

Smile! It's the Mad Maggies

The Mad Maggies play Smiley's Saloon in Bolinas, Calif., this Saturday night. See you if you can find it sans sign.

And speaking of smiling, the Maggies have some new press pix that are, well, slightly disturbing.

Barbecue, Beer and Music

That's a great trio. You can enjoy all three (plus the music of The Mad Maggies) next Sunday, April 29, at Speisekammer Restaurant in Alameda, Calif.

Carri'd Away With Handel

When she's not slumming with a squeezebox rock ensemble, Those Darn Accordions' own Carri Abrahms moonlights with a bunch of rockin' classical musicians. Today she'll be singing two Handel cantatas at Old First Church in San Francisco (Sacramento at Van Ness), making a special guest appearance with the Phantasy Ensemble. Show starts at 4 p.m.

I'm sure this will be great, but I'm guessing Carri will not be kicking either one of her lanky legs above her head with this group, and you can frankly forget about hearing any yodeling whatsoever. (She's saving that action for TDA's CD-release party no doubt.) Get more details about Sunday's show on the Old First site.

Do the North Beach Boogie

My other band the Electric Boogie Dawgz plays the Grant & Green Saloon in San Francisco's North Beach neighborhood tonight. No accordions, but no cover charge either, so I guess it's a wash.

The funny thing is, the club's website describes the band as "classic Southern rock & roll." I guess we'll take it, even though we're all Yankees (all hillbilly evidence to the contrary).

February Is Strong Beer Month in Frisco

Here's a reason to visit San Francisco in the rainy season: Strong Beer Month, a celebration of -- you guessed it -- strong beer. It's all brewed up by Magnolia Pub and Brewery in the Haight and the 21st Amendment brewpub in SOMA.

The names of the beers are enticing:

At Magnolia Pub and Brewery:

* Tweezer Tripel
* Old Thunderpussy Barleywine
* Smokestack Lightning Imperial Stout
* Promised Land Imperial IPA
* Weekapaug Monster
* Old Perplexity

At 21st Amendment:

* Golden Doom
* Double Tripel
* Blind Lust
* Diesel Imperial Smoked Porter
* Double Trouble IPA
* Lower de Boom Barleywine

Drink one of each concoction in the "Dirty Dozen" and you get a free commemorative glass. It's not Summerfest, but the whole things smacks of Wisconsin-style fun -- frankly, I can't believe I'm just hearing about it now, when the short month is almost half over.

Excuse me, I've got some glassware to earn!

P.S. Is it a coincidence that the Toronado Pub holds its Barley Wine Festival this month? I think not.