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MARCH 31 , 2007 October 22 , 2005 September 4th, 2004 July 23, 2004 On Friday July 23rd, after a three hour train ride to New York's Penn station, a thirty dollar cab to the club (yea don’t ask!), and a last minute dash into Irving Plaza at 2:20, I was in New York, ready for my MTV interview and late! They were set up and ready. A pro outfit all the way. We signed our release forms, got miked and were on our way - “QUIET ON THE SET!” someone yelled. I’d waited 20 years to finally get to this point. At last some national television exposure for a long lost local D.C.band that got back together to give it another shot. So there we were, shades on and as hip as could be expected after running around for the past two hours. The questions were good, the answers... well, we’ll have to wait for August 7th at 9pm on MTV2 to find out! After the interview we all headed up to the main stage and tuned up the guitars and the sort while Rocket From the Crypt did their sound check. Then it was our turn. After a couple of logistical drum problems with the rental kit the stage manager and I were able to get everything up and running with the drums and then do a sound check. The room was great, the sound bizarre - an echo - every drummers nightmare!. Can’t really tell where you are in the song if you’re hearing two versions, laid on top of each other. That said, we forged ahead, called it a line check and proceeded to watch Little Steven Van Zandt do his thing with MTV and the production people. That was really neat. Yes he’s everything you expect in person. A persona - all grata. At this point it was 7:00 and we were scheduled to be on stage at 8:15 on the nose. Time to race back to the hotel and change into my stage clothes. I walked in the club at about 8:05. Never cut it so close to a gig in my life - and never had so much riding on it either. The winner of this National Battle of the Garage Bands was destined to play August 14th with the likes of Iggy Pop, The New York Dolls, Bo Diddley, The Romantics, Nancy Sinatra - just to name a few! For anyone who knows Rock, this is a dream come true. Asbury Park back stage and up in front with all those wonderful people. Who could ask for more? The doors opened and the crowd began closing in upstairs. A set of sexy, scantily clad go go dancers did their thing with a projected liquid light show on screen. What a wild night this was going to be. My sister Erika (best friend and roadie forever) and I waited back stage with the band for our cue. The announcer, famed producer, Kim Fowley were ahead of us in the wing. Then it happened, Little Steven came out on cue, the film screen rose, Kim stepped out on stage, and I walked the walk across the stage and up to the drum riser, sat down and began kicking out a steady kick drum beat until I heard him say our name. Then I rose my arms straight up and clicked of the first song and we were on! We began with Daze of Apple Wine, then Music Revolution and finally our signature tune, UmBaliWali Sleep. Just the, mid-song I happened to do a double take on the crowd. There was my husband right up front smiling! He came all the way up to New York to surprise me. I rocked with a smile like never before. I ended the last song with both arms above me, sticks toward the ceiling and head down. Time to let loose and wait. Only 13 more bands to go! Tick tock, you don’t stop... and they kept on coming. Every once in a while I’d think, now those guys could give us a run for our money and hope to God they wouldn’t. As the evening wore on MTV came by again and interviewed us. They wanted to see how we were holding up in the heat of the “Battle.” It was great, we were great, the evening was great and damn it, it was all worth getting there despite the mishaps. Near mid-night Rocket From the Crypt came out and played a great set while the judges deliberated. At the end of their encore Little Steven came out and all the bands huddled up to the stage. I shook hands with everyone I could while saying “GOOD LUCK!!!!” Yes I actually meant it. We all had a few minutes of good ole fashioned nervous willies and drunken laughing ... then everyone went silent. And the winners are, The Blackouts and The Muck and the Mires. It was done.
Exactly 20 years ago the band and I came up to play Irving Plaza with the Mad Violets. We got a suite at the Gramercy Hotel and had one of those all night rock and roll parties you never forget. Some of the band members from the Fleshtones arrived and we all got wildly drunk like one did back in the 80’s. Here we were, two decades later, giving it another shot. We were older, wiser and a bit more mature - well there is always hope. Is it worth giving it another go around? Yeah. Our music is great! Its completely unique to our own style and so much fun to play. About a year ago I bought a new drum set and the band officially got back together, after a 10 year hiatus. This year I dyed my hair pink. Not bad for a years work. You really are never to old to Rock and Roll. Besides, the band still has a good 20 more years to get its act together. After all, life is short and so are these Rock and Roll weekends! Were looking forward to many, many more! As for me, its time to unpack my mother’s suit case and get back to that day job and masters degree; two other great loves of mine. : - ) Britt Conley - drummer of the Beatnik Flies. 2004
"It was a crazy wild night at the Plaza of Irving as 11 great bands faced off in the final play-off of the Battle of the Bands which has taken place in nine cities throughout the United States. After over an hour of deliberation, the judges (Little Steven, Kim Fowley, Handsome Dick Manitoba, Kurt Loder, and Dino Danelli) finally decided that they couldn't decide and declared it a tie. We want to congratulate every one of the bands who made it to the bitter end. They were all fantastic. Representing Washington D.C. Representing Cleveland Representing Philadelphia Representing Miami Representing Boston Representing Long Island Representing Asbury Park The Wild Card Winner The headliners (The Charms and Rocket From The Crypt) rocked the house at the Battle's conclusion while the judges deliberated. Thanks to everyone involved - all the bands who played the Finals - all the bands who played in the nine cities - and special thanks to the show's sponsor Dunkin' Donuts.
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