Tuesday, June 26, 2012

My Trip to the Dodge Assembly Factory in Belvidere IL - May 2012

My trip to Belvidere Illinois to see Dodge make the new 2013 Dodge Dart.  Me and my friend Matt from Philadelphia took my 1967 Dodge Dart to IL and also to Milwaukee WI.  On the first night, we saw some bands from Long Island.  The next day we went to GEMS - Georges Expert Motor Service.  The first thing they did was give me my 'T" that was missing from the drivers side Dart logo.  That was really great!  Then George and his sons proceeded to give me a new control arm and grease my bearings and adjust my carburator.   They really made my dart run like a dream.  They were Mopar guys and there were some other cars at their Garage.  Here is their Grandmothers Plymouth.  1968 i think.

 another plymouth
 El Darto on the Road
 Matt takes over for some Driving Duties
 Thats me!
 We had such a great time in Cleveland.  We went to Mahalls Bowling alley and they gave us a tour of the bowling pin machine in the back.  I've never seen the mechanics behinds the scenes work.  Twas great.  Then we drank some beers at their bar, talked to the owners, then passed out in the back in the Dart.

 The next day we went to the Rock and Roll Factory at 9am sharp!  We went in, saw some things then we decided to go eat.  Luckily, there was a Rib Contest underway a few blocks away.  I just HAD to go.
 Thats me with 2 Tickets to see a Beatles Cover band in Cleveland.  I won them at a local radio station booth.
 Yep.  I had some of that.

 After Cleveland, we drove to Belvidere IL, where we passed out in the parking lot of the Dart Factory.  We were gonna get some shuteye and wake up and go tour the factory.  Sooo exciting!  This Beast of a car was parked next to us.  someone actually drove that to work everyday.  amazing!
 Pretty cooool huh?
 Aaand thats the last shot we got of the Dart.  The security guard would not let us in.  He said they used to give tours but that they dont do it anymore.  I pleaded my case that i just drove 1200 miles to see the new dart and if i could just take a few photos or just look around, but it was to no avail.  He wouldn't let us in. So we hung around the factory - it was Huuuuuge!  Then we decided to leave but we worked on the car a bit in the lot.  The Security guard came up to us and said that some of the Dart drivers (they were testing them) were saying that we were following them and harassing them.  We were not.  This was the only photo i took of the new car.   and you know what, Fuck Dart.  Thats right, i was nice to Dodge and I always stood up for the efficient and economic new vehicles, but fuck that.  The new Dodge Dart stinks.  it looks like a stretched out Dodge Neon.  Small compact and undiscernable from any other small compact car.  Fuck Dodge.  fuck the new Dart!  Long live Dottie!  



 After the huge letdown that was the Dart factory, we drove up to Milwaukee Wisconsin where we toured the Miller Factory.  I highly recommend seeing it if you ever happen to drive up that way.  A tour of the historic building and factory which culminates in some free beer tasting.
 Some of the barrels where beer is made
 another vat
 Drivin back to NY

Long Live the Dart!  

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Electric Shadows @ Lit, Hangin out, The Nebulas at Asbury Lanes, Bowling, and Dita Von Teese - March 2006

March 2006 - Electric Shadows 
 Murat - Guitar and Vox, Eric Dolan - Drums and Back Vox, Brady Willis - Bass and Back Vox

 Josh and his friend.
 Lefty!
 The incredible H2.  The Band Van.  1998 Ford Aerostar - LX!  That van went everywhere with the band.  i still miss driving that beast.  And i loved driving 18 people at a time in it.  you wanna talk about Gang Mentality?  Try going to ANY party with 18 heads.  18 Kick Ass Long Haired rocker heads!  sigh....
 N.  Maynard
 Lefty and Dolan
 Jake Mueser.
 Looks like Melissa Sceduto (spelling?) some girl that looks like my friend Gina and Kevin Wizzard
 Toni Toni Toni!!
 The Nebulas were Great that night!  what a fuckin great surf band!  I really wanted to be in a surf band ever since.
 Kim and Chris
 Kim Bowling
 More Nebulas!
 Chris
 It was Rons turn
 Melissa at the Dita show
 Kim and Chris were there.
 This guy knows where the party is at.
damn!
 This was the Dita Von Teese show in some night club in midtown.  I forget how I found out about it, but Man and i glad i went.  She was terrific.  Great little performance.  Huuuuuge builup.  It was like seeing some great band you've been waiting to see For-Ever!  Anyway, Dita was great.  Champagne glass and all!
 Doing her striptease
 Dita with Feathers or whatever you call those things.
 Chris preshow
Kims ready to go

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Stalkers Hanging out and Recording with Mitch - March 2006

Stalkers know how to have a good time!  March 2006
 Josh Styles Hula Hooping.  I think this was at Betsys house and im pretty sure Charles Gaskins was living here at the time.
 Yanki and his Gat
 WHAT?!?
 1965 Rockola Starlet!  Oh how i wish you would work again!
 Recording with Mitch Rackin at Tone Float Studios down in Chinatown.  Not there anymore.
 Styles Stylin'
 Writin Lyrics and discussin Rock and roll over some Malt Liquor and beer

 Tonto and Mitch listen back to the recordings
 ryan waggin his tongue while i read the paper.
The greatest city in the world!! NEW YORK CITY!!