23 december, 2006

In this time of Christmas cheer it is sad to see daily the manipulation of we American citizens by our government and CNN. How about that breakfast where Gates sat down w/ten US Troops in Iraq and asked them what they need? As if anyone would actually say " I would like to get the fuck out of here as soon as possible... sir!" They would end up walking point for the rest of their time in Vietnam/Iraq if they weren't thrown in the brig.

I bet we will start to see US Troops fragging their lieutenants eventually, especially if they continue to drag this war out another few years. I wouldn't blame the troops one bit. They never should've been sent there in the first place. They were gullible enough to believe that their country wouldn't lie to them, that their government wouldn't send them to die for nothing.

"All Governments Lie," said IF Stone, a great American Journalist, right up there with Thomas Paine. Someone wrote a book about Izzy called.... All Governments Lie. Looks like a good Christmas present.

17 december, 2006

March 2007 Tour to Holland/Germany is BOOKED. Sixteen shows. Three weeks. Bill Close on Bass Guitar! Very psyched to be going back again!!!! German by the name of Nils Bloch from Dortmund on drums.

In other news, went to The Noise XMAS Party at The Abbey Lounge last night. Saw The Rudds. They were just fuckin Great!!!

16 december, 2006

It's terribly warm for December. We played The Abbey w/some great bands on Thursday night. Many folks from The Fellowship were there. It was beautiful. Dave and Charlie played stellar though I still complained. I always do. War rages on in Iraq while back in the States people are buying shit for Christmas. And it's terribly warm for December.

8 december, 2006

Nils Bloch, 26, of Dortmund, Germany is playing drums on the next Peasant tour. Spoke to Billy Close last night. He's mulling it over but leaning toward doing it. In other news, we are enjoying a globally warm winter here in New England with temperatures in the 60s. We used to have temperatures in the 30s-40s with occasional snow at this time of year.

Just heard W Bush speaking on the radio. He sounds completely out of his mind, jumping around from one point to another, bellowing at a reporter who asked him a question. The leader of the free world is an insane fool. You can hear it right there on the radio. God help this planet.

4 december, 2006

Watched CNN yesterday as long as I could stand it. As a former journalist, I am fuckin amazed at what passes for News in this country now. First dusting of snow hit Boston last night. Our Irradiated Indian Summer finally come to an end? Working on the new hip and some other things. Playing a few shows around here. Anti War show this Saturday, Dec. 9th @ Spontaneous Celebrations in Jamaica Plain.

20 november, 2006

22,000 people gathered to protest the Death Squad School down in Fort Benning, Georgia today. Well I guess it's yesterday now. I was there. It was incredible. Incredible to stand in front of a military base that trains soldiers in Torture, Rape and Murder right here in the USA!!! This school trains 1,000 soldiers a year from Latin America. Graduates include Gen. Augusto Pinochet and Manuel Noriega. Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein would be on that list too if they spoke Spanish. Both Osama and Saddam were trained and/or armed by the USA but that's another email.

Thousands of people, some from South America but most North, gathered to sing, march, dance, chant and commit civil disobedience. Many Vietnam and Gulf War Veterans. Some Iraqi War veterans too!!! Lots of priests and nuns from Christian organizations who take the whole Jesus thing about Peace and Love very seriously. Many, many college students. Saw a busload of high school kids all the way from Detroit.

Most significant was stories by people from Latin America who were tortured and lived or who saw their whole family disappear one night never to be seen again. This school is paid for by US Taxpayers money. I think it's like ... I dunno....$20million a year or something. Don't really know. A dollar is too much for this horror show. I was honored to help Chris Chandler set up the sound systems for the music Fri and Sat night. Many great musicians. Got to play "I Never Said." They loved it ... again. Was great to be there. For more information on this, go to www.soaw.org.

10 november, 2006

Last night @ O'Brien's Pub stellar time w/Thrillride. Motorhead style! Great lead guitar player. V. cool band. Thanks Thrillride for use of your drums and bass refrigerator!! Nice to play inside a club in Boston again. Will be at The Abbey Lounge in Somerville Dec. 14th. Meanwhile it is fuckin beautiful outside. Sunny Side of Global Warming!!! How 'bout dem democrats!

8 november, 2006

American People finally woke up yesterday and voted the bastards out. Six years too late but better late than never. I guess even the dumbest, most misguided, gullible person couldn't take it anymore. It's like Winston Churchill said. "Americans, after exhausting all other possibilities, will always do the right thing." Well it went something like that anyway.

Rumsfeld resigned. Big deal. Thousands of American boys are dead because of these criminals. They invaded a country based on lies. It was an illegal invasion and it still is. We never should've sent our people to Iraq. Everyone knows by now that Iraq had nothing to do with anything. The only thing about Iraq that is significant is that it is sitting on one of the largest reserves of good oil left on the planet earth. That is why Bush, Cheney, Rummy and all the rest of those creeps invaded. It was a hostile takeover of another country's Natural Resources and it blew up in their faces. Fuckin Idiots!!!

We have a big mess to clean up now. Torture is a US Policy. War is waged every day on Immigrants, Poor people, Homosexuals, Women and pretty much everyone else who is not a Rich White Man. This country has alot of work to do. I hope the Democrats aren't afraid to do it. And I hope these creeps that have destroyed our economy and our standing in the world are put on trial and sent to jail. If Rummy can just resign and go back into Private Practice as a MultiNational CEO of Halliburton or whatever the fuck with no consequences for the millions of people's lives he has helped ruin, what's the point? I hope the Democrats put them all on trial for lying to the American people and sending our soldiers to die for that lie.

6 november, 2006

Tomorrow, Tuesday, Nov. 7th is election day. If you are happy with Tax cuts for the wealthy, invading Iraq and the current war on Immigrants, homosexuals and the poor, you will vote republican. If you are against corruption in the White House, destruction of Human Rights, The Bill of Rights and The Environment, you damn sure better get out and vote Democrat. They ain't much but they're all we have. If you don't vote, you better shut the fuck up for the rest of your life cuz you've forfeited your right to complain.

In other news, The Peasants just got back from a three day tour of Albany, Rock! chester and Cortland. Thanks to Tom Foolery and The Shennanigans for hooking us up w/the show in Rochester... and The Clockers from Buffalo who tore the place apart at the end of the night. Thanks to Lucky's in Cortland for having us. Also The Blue Frog. And thanks to John Brodeur and The Day Jobs in Albany. We hope to be back in January/February 2007.

Don't forget to vote!!!

29 october, 2006

Thanks to the fuckload of kind words from people in both the USA AND EUROPE. We love playing for you and we will be back soon. Working on March 2007 for Holland, Germany and France. No plans for Heartland USA just now but much love and respect to friends out there, esp. South Dakota Anarchists!!!

This week we are going Upstate NY for a few shows in Albany, Rochester and Cortland. Then back in Boston at O'Brien's Pub in Allston Rock City next Thursday, Nov. 9th. Lastly I go down to Georgia for the Annual Death Squad School Protest at Fort Benning, GA. Yes, there is a school down there that teaches soldiers how to torture, rape and murder people. Yes it's crazy and it's true but don't take my word for it. Read for yourself. www.soaw.org.

In other news, my car passed inspection again. 230,000 miles and going strong. I have another year to drive it. Yee Haa!! Am looking for shows all the time both here in New England and Europe. If anyone has an idea for a show, pls write petecassani@yahoo.com. Good to be back.

22 october, 2006

Back in Boston where the skies are blue and the air is getting cold already. Sleeping in my bed alot. Planning return tour March 2006 to Holland, Germany and France. Working with Arno of Sidekick Bob on Holland and a few people in Germany. Dunno about France yet. Really like to go back there.

Strange being back in the US. My heart is still in Europe. We were there so long. It is difficult to switch gears. Last night I was at JP Licks getting a giant Chocolate Shake and the line was crazy. People scrambling all over each other for an ice cream cone. That's the USA in a nutshell. Pretty cool.

Fall Tour 2006 officially over. 30 Shows. Four Countries. $6,000. in the hole BUT I got back from Europe and there was a check waiting from ASCAP which lightened the blow. All those TV shows using Peasant songs for background music finally came through. I firmly believe that if you go out and do what you are supposed to do, the universe will support you. So I lose $6K on a tour but I come back and get a check from somewhere else.

Money is a tool. My father taught me that. I take this lesson to the bank every day. Money is just there to help you do your work, whether it's raising kids or playing music or fighting something that is wrong like poverty or oppression. Some people use money as a toy, for leisure, to pamper themselves in luxuries. I don't agree with this use of money but then I am a hard mother fucker.

Going down to Fort Benning, GA and protest the Death Squad School in November again. If you're an American and you don't know about it, you should. You're paying for it! Go to http://www.soaw.org/new/ and read up on how your tax dollars are spent murdering, torturing and raping Latin American people.

Good to be back in the Evil Empire. Bought a book at the airport. Highly recommend it. Confessions of an Economic Hitman. Am going to chill out now. Go swimming. Break in this titanium hip. Play some shows and see my friends. Good to be back but can't wait to go again.

17 october, 2006

Well it's now 6:30 pm and we are stuck in Newark Airport. Torrential rainstorms have caused many flights (including ours) to be cancelled. So here we sit, yet again, waiting for this tour to end. Looks like we'll get to Boston around 10 pm but I don't believe anything anymore. We'll see. Everyone looking forward to being home.

15 october, 2006

Just drove back to Holland from Germany. Last night was last show of this monster. Pulled up to a little bar out in the middle of nowhere near the Black Forest, Southern Germany. Seemed kind've redneck. Tons of Skynyrd and Country stuff on the walls. Last night was 80s Metal in Switzerland, tonight will be Redneck Rock!! Couldn't be more wrong.

Place was jammed when we showed up to play that night. A bunch of 16-17 year old Iron Maiden kids were the opening band. They were great!!! Very much into Early Maiden. Played The Trooper. Crowd was great.

We did two sets. Place erupted in applause many times for us. Didn't know what to expect as there was really no way these people had ever heard of the peasants out here in the Black Forest. Turns out they just really love rock and roll. So they really loved us. We got a bunch of encores, a fistful of euros and alot of new friends. This last gig was just what the doctor ordered. We really needed it after a rough, lengthy, expensive tour that had alot of days off.

Matt improved alot. I can't say the same for East Coast or myself as we are already perfect. Tomorrow we drive down into France and get rid of this giant van. Then we fly out of Brussels Tuesday AM. Thanks everyone in Europe who came to see us. We met a ton of great people and hope to be back again in March 2007.

14 october, 2006

Last show of this Six Week Behemoth tonight in Altheim, Germany. Am in Switzerland at club owner`s house. Beautiful house in mountains, built like a brick shithouse. He has 10,000 vinyl records. Metal Fanatic. Liked us though. Great club. Switzerland is High End. Everything is quality built. Lots of money here. All the bands were good last night too.

Night before, Thursday, we played on a giant barge on a river in the city of Basel. We opened for a Techno thing from London called Client. Three girls in leather dresses sort of singing and striking poses as the techno music plays. It was two firsts for us. Playing w/Techno Babes and on a boat. The bass player was pretty hot. And she played very little bass. Didn`t seem to matter.

Tonight we go to Altheim. We are tight as hell. Matt, our 21 year old drummer, has improved alot. He is starting to get the rock thing. Berklee does alot of damage. It takes a few years to get past all that bullshit they fill these kids up with. The last few shows have been pretty damn good. Tonight we do two sets for these folks and then alot of driving back up to Holland, down to France and over to Brussells to catch the plane.

13 october, 2006

Epple House, Tubingen, Germany. Very, very scant crowd and I'm feeling a bit end of tour psycho. Last show kinda sucked for me. Need something to believe in. We get pumped up to play second out of three. First band is a Stoner band breaking up in three days cuz they say Stoner is Over. I don't disagree. They play well. Then us. We're basically playing to the other bands, the people working the club and a few patrons that didn't stay home and watch whatever the fuck sporting event is on the idiot box tonight.

We play a blistering set of rock AND roll. Heads are bobbing all about this scantly populated venue. After show I sell more merch to these few people than at any show on this tour. I am thinking "The Peasants should play more in Germany." Those are my thoughts at 3 o'clock this morning. Goodnight.

12 october, 2006

We are down in Tubingen, Germany, in the south. Some call it Bavaria. The rain stayed in Holland. It's beautiful, sunny and warm. The town is old school brick and cobblestone, couple of ancient walls and castle like structures. Really nice. Club is an old squat converted to a government funded Music center for mostly punk rock and Ramones style bands. We play with two german bands from Stuttgart tonight. Hope to get the middle slot as we are not from around here and probably won't be drawing much of an audience on our own. Did not see any of the posters we made. Maybe they never got them. Maybe they did. Into the black hole of rock and roll. Maybe save the $400. next time.

Good people at the Epple Haus put us up last night as we had nowhere else to go. Slept on the floor upstairs. They've got band mattresses. Just giving you a taste. Club is small but cozy and well put together. We are looking forward to a good show.

10 october, 2006

Played Roosendaal on Saturday night. Was ok. Local openers had the right idea. Sunday we watched Sidekick Bob open for Peter Pan Speedrock in Den Haag. Was good to see Peter again. He hasn't changed. Real sweet guy. Great band. 10 years on the road. Between AC/DC and Motorhead, Peter Pan is the Dutch equivalent. Incredible band. Touring constantly around Europe. 150 shows a year.

We are leaving the safe haven of Sidekick Bob today and driving south back into Germany for our last four shows of this never ending tour. These last four are supposed to be good. Keep you posted.

7 october, 2006

Full beer in face. Dancing on drenched floors. Very loud music. Room lousy w/hot Dutch girls. Just another Friday night at The Trucker in Pijnacker. Everyone from The Hague/Pijnacker/Delft area. Second appearance on this tour. Lots of love in the room. Off to Roosendaal at The Witches Broom. Last show in Holland for this tour. Arno and Linda of Sidekick Bob saved us in so many ways so many times. Would've had to go home in defeat by now if not for them.

6 october, 2006

Return gig at The Bazart, The Hague, last night. Weird young bands. Kids took forever setting up and doing soundchecks. We finally got on at midnight. 25 hardcore rock and roll fans stuck it out w/us on a rainy thursday night god bless 'em. We did our standard blistering set, a few encores and sold some stuff. Matt's brother flew over from London for the show. Was cool to meet him. Works for Reuters. Needless to say we talked a little politics. He's buying.

Some videos were taken last night by Ed Webmaster. Perhaps there will be some new shit on Youtube or this site real soon.

Tonight we return to The Trucker of Pijnacker. We are very psyched to be going back there. The Trucker shows are always great. Pijnakcer is home of Sidekick Bob, Linda and Arno and some of the most psychotic, goodtime rock and roll fans we've met in Europe. See you there?

4 october, 2006

Great show last night in Amsterdam w/Bad Machine from Finland. Everyone in great health, good voice, sold some stuff and made some fans. Owners were incredibly cool too. The Malo Melo is a great club. Up till now I've had a real low opinion of the scumbag streets of Amsterdam but this club gives me hope.

1 october, 2006

We are staying at the house of the last club owner. It is out in the French countryside. We are in a beautiful area of France with huge fields and beautiful countryside everywhere. I know it is getting tedious to say it but the French countryside continues to be breathtakingly beautiful.

Last night we played in a tiny coffeeshop/bar type place in a very small town out in the middle of nowhere. We expected nothing and were pleasantly surprised when people showed up. We did a long set as quiet as is possible with Marshall Cabinets and everyone seemed to have a great time. People were incredibly nice as usual.

We've been on the road now for over a month. Everyone is tired. We are trying to catch our breath and get a second wind for the next two weeks. Tomorrow
we head back up to Holland for a week, then down to Germany and Switzerland. We are glad Portugal didn't work out as that would've been too fuckin long a drive for little to no money.

30 september, 2006

Great show last night @ El Bongo in Bourges. Place was jammed. Now heading to tiny village out in the country called Montreal. El Bongo is a great club. Real Rock and Roll Fans.

29 september, 2006

France continues to be fucking beautiful!!! We drove here to Bourges from wherever the fuck yesterday. Had a day off and nowhere to go. Club owner of El Bongo was very kind to invite us to stay here an extra day. Thank god cuz France is beautiful but expensive and when you are not playing, you are PAYING!!

Francois and I are plotting a return tour in March. It looks to be about three weeks limited to France, Germany and Holland.

Bourges is a beautiful little French town w/a gigantic Cathedral. Unbelieveable how huge it is. How the fuck did they build it? The club, El Bongo, only does a few shows a month and they love rock music. Really looking forward rock delivery tonight. Doing laundry today. Clothes have been standing up and walking around on their own for a few days now. Good thing people have been giving us t-shirts!!!

26 september, 2006

Played at a Farmhouse Collective to a great crowd on a Monday night. Great food, great people, great time just outside Nime, near the Mediterranean Sea.
Drove by and stepped in it today but too cold to swim.

Night before we were in Montpelier and the show was rained out so we ended up playing at a local bar as part of their two year anniversary. It was very cool
of them to let us play though the equipment was torturous. Always bring your own shit!! But we were glad to be doing something. Fifi from the TAF Foundation, his beautiful girlfriend and all the friends were great to us. This part of France is especially beautiful. We're constantly knocked out by the beauty of France and how they can live here for thousands of years yet not destroy the land, unlike the US where everywhere you look it's a big, ugly strip mall with no thought to how shitty it will look next to the rest of the planet. Whatever.

Tomorrow we drive to Bordeaux. We have three more shows in France. Then we head back up to Holland for four and then back down to Switzerland and Germany for the final four. It'll be over before we know it and we are gonna really miss touring but will be back again to Europe in March 2007 for another three week blast.

21 september, 2006

OK. Am in Montpelier, France waiting for gig tonight. Raining alot. Original gig got flooded out so we are in a club tonight somewhere here. Played a punk rock squat kind of club in Nice, a few blocks from the Mediterranean Sea on Friday. It was very beautiful. Wish we could have stayed. Played w/local punk band who brought wine and food that they made themselves and wanted to have w/us. It was really good food. Nice people down here in the Med area. Very cool. Very friendly and beautiful women. Stayed at booking agents fathers house on a hill overlooking Mediterranean. Fuckin beautiful.

Last night we were in Salon de Province, a little higher up from Med. Excuse me. This computer keyboard is all European. We were second of three bands in huge rock club called Portail de Coucou, Kookoo for short. Great people. Headliner band was very nice to us. Three brothers in same band that all look alike. Pair of Twins. Called Uncommon Men From Mars. Very New Punk Rock Like. First band was like Rancid. Lotta covers. We figured we were too old but the kids loved it. Lotta kids!!! Buying shit. Rock n roll shopping mall. Kids loved the guitar solos. Alot!!! Pretty funny.

So now we are in Montpelier, an incredible place w/ Roman Aqueducts. Will have to go now. Thanks for reading!!!

21 september, 2006

Drove into France from Germany today. Played down in the basement of this tiny place called The Deep Inside in Dijon, France... like the mustard.
Place was over a hundred degrees. We each lost a few pounds. Did our thing. The hot French girls were dancing. The audience was incredible.

All the shit you hear about the French is shit. They are the nicest, coolest, most easygoing people. You gotta leave the United States to find some reality.
We have noticed alot of McDonalds Restaurants in Germany, Holland and even France. McDonalds, Making a Fatter Europe Possible. We've also seen Burger King, KFC and a whole bunch of other familiar shit filled American restaurants. We have seen the future and it is Fatter.
Cheers!

18 september, 2006

So now we are in Bavaria, South Germany, whatever you call it in a city called Ulm. Had a great show in Stuttgart. Had to play a bunch of encores. Place was packed. Psychobilly band had a lot of heart. And cute girlfriends. We had a great time w/that crowd. Got paid well and fed. A friend put us up in her place for the night. Patrick, thanks for hooking us up!! Hope you are good w/the Fenway flat.

Played a last minute show in small village of Memmingen. Thomas Bauer of Fortune Records set it up. Also fed us at his amazing restaurant in Ulm called Einstein`s. Apparently Einstein came from Ulm so there is all kinds of shit named after Einstein here. The restaurant is all fresh, organic. When in Ulm, we highly recommend it!

Thomas also hooked us up with a farmhouse in the country to rest for a few days before we head over to France. We have a solid two weeks of shows there. Have not really been to France since 1985. At that time, hitchhiked all over France, trying to speak French and mixing it up w/the locals. Was great experience. Was very hard to go back to the United States and work on a landscaping truck after that. Psyched to see France again. Very beautiful place.

After that we go back up to Holland. Arno of Sidekick Bob hooked us up w/a bunch of last minute stuff after Portugal shit the bed. Keep you posted.

16 september, 2006

Wild At Heart, Berlin last night was cool. 4th time there I think. Many tattoos, many rockers just hanging out. Played to the uber drunk Berliners who wanted to ROCK. Man they really like to get FUCKED UP! Anywayz it was nice to see the place again and to see Berlin however briefly. We got stuck in the hugest traffic jam on Planet Earth yesterday. It was actually six different traffic jams spanning about 400 miles. I never saw anything like it. We were losing it. Took all day. Today we drove out of Berlin, passing another traffic jam that went on for MILES. Apparently someone drove off a bridge or something. Oops!

Am now in an internet place in the beautiful city of Stuttgart. We will be headlining a place here. There is a cool Hungarian psychobilly band opening. What else? Jeff Mezzro stopped by last night to say hello. Of the mighty Mezz. We played his song, Going Out The Window. Jeff moved to Germany 10 years ago, married a German girl and is now in love with his 11 month old baby girl. Life is good for those who take it by the horns.

Six Foot Hicks, an Aussie band we met a week back, trashed a disco. We heard it from a friend of theirs yesterday. Apparently the people at the disco did not appreciate the Rollins/Dead Kennedys thing they do so they smashed the whole place up. Can you see it? Pompous Disco Idiots hawking expensive drinks, turn their noses up at a rock band that is dangerously good and they just let them have it. God bless those Aussies.

Not much else. Had to cancel Portugal. The booking guy at Spear was jerking us off for THREE MONTHS. We finally had to look for other shows. Almost already booked that whole week. Going back to The Netherlands and friends in Germany hooking us up with some things. Thank god for friends.

12 september, 2006

Today we had another day off so we drove to Rotterdam and walked around that beautiful city. It's the most modern city in Holland because it was completely destroyed in WW2 by the Germans. It was a huge port, one of the biggest harbors in Europe. Saw my buddy Ed at Feedback, a huge music store. We did ALOT of walking. Billy and I have been doing some long ass walks on this tour when there's nothing going on. Been good for the leg and the head. Arno and Linda continue to take great care of us here in Pijnacker.

Looks like we're having a Downfall party tomorrow night before we launch the next leg of this Peasant invasion into Germany. The Downfall is a great fuckin movie about the last three days of Adolf Hitler. Rent it tonight!

11 september, 2006

It was exactly Five Years ago today. We were on tour in Holland. Had the day off. Were kicking around a record store one morning when we heard a plane hit the Twin Towers. All the rest of the day everyone in the city was watching the video of these planes repeatedly crashing into the towers.

At the time I thought it is about time, what goes around comes around and it was bound to happen. Turns out it's even worse. Last night we saw the documentary SPARE CHANGE. It's on regular television here in Holland. Go see it. That's all I can say. And while you're at it, go see An Inconvenient Truth. If those two movies don't wake you up, you're not sleeping. You're already dead!

Stopped by Suburban Records in Delft today. They gave us back 500 copies of Welcome To My Country so we have plenty to sell now. Also got a few Out On The Street. They were not able to sell them the last few years. We haven't toured here since 2002 so I can't blame them. I know we'll have no problem selling them. I am grateful to have them back. Thought they were thrown away.

Got a few more days to relax here at Arno and Linda's. Weather has been great. No rain. Very weird for Holland. We've been doing long walks and taking in the sights. It's been great. Going to Rotterdam tomorrow.

9 september, 2006 (part 2)

Back in The Hague after four years away. Great to see Guus, Ed, Daisy, Sandra, Marco, Lillian and a shitload of others too numerous to mention. We did an outdoor thing today. My voice is still fucked up but the Sidekick gang said I was better than last night. I can't tell anymore. Like I said before, I must be one helluva singer. Anyway we played a super fast, power surge, pure adrenalin, straight thru the jugular set. Matt is really coming along. Once we cut out all the bullshit the machine runs like a dream.

It's great to be on the road again w/Billy Close too. He is one of those guys that makes you laugh with just a look. We are having many, many laughs. We are also staying w/Arno and Linda of Sidekick Bob. This is my home away from home in Holland. The Sidekick always rolls out the red carpet for The Peasants and we are lapping it up. Gonna chill here a few days and head over to Germany. Tomorrow we have a big sit down dinner w/The Hague crew. When not fighting off drunks in Amsterdam, we're feeling the love in the Hague.

9 september, 2006

Last two shows were packed and though I've been sick as a dog and can barely talk nobody seems to give a shit. I must be a really great singer.
We are getting tighter, faster, meaner. I'm digging it. Now if only this fuckin cold would go away.

7 september, 2006

Another amazing little club in Holland tonight. Great sound. Great crowd. Place was packed. They videotaped us and the soundman was incredible.
Though I am now sick and had no voice we were able to rock the thing pretty good. Matt keeps getting better on the drums. Billy is a cut up and what can we say.
We are rocking the Netherlands.
Going up to Den Helder tomorrow on the North Sea to play for the fishermen. Have been up there before. Great folks.
Holland really likes rock and roll so we do well wherever we go here.

Good to be back!

5 september, 2006

Four shows into our Sixth European Tour. Played Amsterdam last night. What a shithole. People smoking crack right out in the street, dirt everywhere and everything's a ripoff. We had to practically fight our way out of the club. Punk rock shithole called De Diepte. We called it The Dip Shit. Billy and I were talking about it. Too old to be playing those punk rock shitholes anymore. We've done a million of them and it's so tiring fighting off drunk assholes. Almost took the bat to someone last night which would've been unfortunate considering this is supposed to be the Love Your Enemy Tour. We could've more accurately named it the Love Your Meathead Tour. New album title. Give The Meatheads What They Want.

So Billy and I are feeling like a million bucks and having ALOT of laughs. Francois (booking) and Matt (The Kid) are both sick as dogs, sneezing and coughing all over the place. It sucks to be sick on tour. I've done it. I prefer to skip that part. We are at a squat now for two days so they get a chance to rest up. It's a huge place w/a big stage, places to sleep, bars, restaurant, all run by a bunch of Dutch people who squatted here 27 years ago cuz it was a building that was not being used. Any building in Holland that is not being used for a year is automatically up for grabs. Anyone can move in and make it a squat, pay rent to the gov't and take it over. Pretty cool, huh?

Thus far we've played the smallest bar in Holland, The Trucker in Pijnacker and a great little bar in Deventer where it was packed, everyone was listening, they paid us, fed us and put us up in a beautiful house. I Love Europe. They treat you real nice. The Trucker was good too. Pretty packed w/Peasant fans. We're HUGE in Pijnacker!

Webmaster: check out pics of the Euro tour here and video here!

2 september, 2006

Played first show tonight at tiny club called Swaf in a beautiful Dutch town on the North Sea. Walking around this town I had a strange feeling I'd been here before. Sure enough I was. About 4-5 years ago we played here. Whatever. It's a beautiful fuckin place. We played the tiniest bar in Holland. It was great. Did two sets. Warmed up after the first. Matt and Billy rocked the mother fucker!! Thank god we are finally playing. Francois is pretty amazing. Great booker. Even better tour manager. It's been pretty easy except for the airport losing my guitar head. I guess it took a different plane. Good thing it flew in today and we retrieved it just in time for this show. Not much else. Oh yea, Happy Twenty Fifth to The Noise of Boston!

27 august, 2006

Practicing four nights in a row w/Billy and Matt. Starting to sound like a band. Rather chew glass than break in new players, especially another drummer, but Matt is doing great. Another night and we'll be ready. We leave Wed AM from New Hampshire, heading to Brussels, Belgium. We have about 30 shows booked and are looking for a few more. Francois just got another one in Switzerland. Sorry we didn't get to play the street this weekend but the weather sucked and we really needed to work shit out. Maybe go out a few times when we get back. Or not.

25 august, 2006

Well we lost our Paris show. Apparently I'm too old. The booking person at The Batofar Club in Paris called our man Francois yesterday, asking how old I was. A show he booked over a month ago and he was just now getting around to actually checking out The Peasants. Though we play tons of all ages audiences and have a huge appeal with younger kids, this pretentious Parisienne shitbrain decided we are too old for his precious audience of French children. I wonder if they would find The Sex Pistols, The Ramones, Bad Religion or Nirvana to be too old.

Though I do love the French, I have no great love for Paris. I've spent some time there and though beautiful, it's expensive and not worth it. Now where the hell did I put them Freedom Fries?!!? Touche, etc!

In other news, East Coast Billy Close flew in Wednesday and we had our first practice w/everybody. Close is shedding the basslines he wrote over the years right now. Matt is holding up pretty good too. My leg feels better every day. Very psyched!

21 august, 2006

Matt, Dave and I rocked The Square Friday night. Wearing Safari Cowboy Hat caused me to channel a Redneck Vibe that many found quite entertaining. I was just tired. We got one more weekend before we head off across the pond to Ol' Europe. East Coast Close is flying in on Wednesday to start practicing w/us. He is the original bass player on all the records, lives in LA now and has agreed to do this tour w/us. Matt Graff continues to improve on the skins. Friday and Saturday will be our last hurrahz! Come out if you can!

13 august, 2006

Played both Friday and Saturday in Harvard Square due to great weather. Sunny, crisp, clear. Audiences both nights very attentive, quiet, almost acoustic coffeehouse vibe except for the street drunks of course. One exceptionally offensive boozer got hauled away Friday. Lynn Ervin from The Bristols came to visit from San Francisco. Lynn played drums for The Bristols, an all girl Indie band in the 80s. From the Boston Music Heydaze!!!

6 august, 2006

Another great Friday night in The Pit. When it doesn't rain, it's incredible. Thousands of people, many very beautiful girls and of course the never ending show of street people. It's like we're in the movie Barfly, playing "for my friends." Good to see many of these lost souls, who've made it through another winter and appeared victorious, filthy and shitfaced, to dance another summer night away as The Peasants play the soundtrack.

Mick Stagger showed up again. If Mick Jagger was shitfaced and homeless, he would be this guy. He dances just like Mick (when he can stand). It's pretty great. Eddie was out again too. Eddie is a blue collar, hunchback, joe six pack kind've guy who's not afraid to tell you what he thinks. He was out on a date with a very attractive lady. They were dancing up a storm.

Lastly, some friends of mine from the Rock Community stopped by. I saw Bret Rosenberg for a split second. Debbie C, a local music writer also stopped by w/Vivian to shine some light our way. Though Saturday is the more populous, the band has only been free on Fridays due to other commitments. If you haven't been to the square yet this summer, you owe it to yourself. It's a great cheap date and the best entertainment in town. We'll be out next Friday, weather permitting.

30 july, 2006

Record breaking crowds in Harvard Square last night. Great responses to Less and Less and I Never Said. Scott Cormeille on bass and Phil Slopak on drums. Both did a great job. Scott's first time out this year and Phil's first time out... side... with us!

27 july, 2006

Just got two calls re. Peasants on TV tonight. Hollywood School of Rock, USA Network is playing Girlfriend and MTV isusing part of Goin Out The Window for some show about old rockbands. Something about Welcome To My Country resonates very deeply with the American TV Producer. I am honored to be doing my part to help Television suck less. Of course, we can only do so much. For maximum effectiveness I suggest turning the moron box knob to the off position.

Now in the heart of the dog days of summer. Will be out onthe street both Friday and Saturday night if we can stand it. Literally. Fuckin hot out there. Bought the airline tix for European Tour 2006. $2,600!!! For three guys. It was less than half that amount in 2002. Things sure are getting expensive.
It's gettin' so's a peasant can hardly travel anywheres. New drummer for the tour is working out good. We picked the right guy.
Lefty like Harbo. Young kid. Hungry for experienceand we're gonna get it for him. Up to about 20 shows now. Hope to have close to 30 when we board the plane. Francois continues to kick ass all over Europe with the booking.

22 july, 2006

Despite the torrential rain and horrific humidity The Peasants set up in Harvard Square and did three sets. People were out and hanging with us. Charlie did some sick shit on the drums and Dave's vocals were ethereal. His bass playing was pretty good too!

Am getting back into the swing though the rain is killing us. Plants gotta eat too i guess. Plan to be out next Friday night. Maybe Saturday too!!! Summer is flying by and we only have so many weekends to do this. Street monitor was way cool last night too. I applaud Cambridge Arts Council for hiring someone with a clue this year.

Ten Berklee drummers, all excellent players, auditioned for our Fall 2006 tour. Was hard to call everyone back and give the bad news. Matt Graff, 21, proved most adept at playing our stuff so he's going to europe for six weeks to play rock and roll!!!
Billy Close, from the records, is flying out from Lost Angeles to play bass. It's gonna be a SICK good time. Thus far we have 20 shows booked across Holland, Germany, Switzerland, France, Austria and Portugal. Looking for another 10 or so. Francois kicking ass w/booking.

Highlight from last night. A guy came up and bought all three Peasant CDs, saying "You guys are the best thing I've seen here in 15 years." Even gave us an extra $5. Putting your money where your mouth. Always a pleasant surprise. Thanks to that guy whoever he was!!!! And thanks to everyone who hung out in the rain and the heat last night. See you next week!!!

15 july, 2006

Last night we finally played Harvard Square for the first time this summer. Rain and scheduling w/other bands and work have prevented us to hit it till now. In the middle of a four day heat wave, it was a hot one last night. The Square was jammed w/people. We got the pit a little late, at 9:30 pm. Someone else got there first. We did one long set, met the new monitor people, got reprimanded for being too loud (in the friendliest of ways) and sold quite a few cds. Can't stand too long yet but should get better as summer progresses. Titanium leg still growing in. Thanks to everyone last night. It was great to see you!!!!!!!

3 july, 2006

July 4, 2006: The United States Military is three years into the Invasion of Iraq and now wrapped up in guerilla war with the Iraqi people. Against the better judgement of millions of people around the world, Bush invaded Iraq. Atrocities are starting to get airplay in Major Media though they've been going on since day one. Marines finally reported raping and killing Iraqi woman. US Soldiers have been raping Female US Soldiers since early in the invasion. Halliburton has robbed millions of dollars with the help of the incredibly inept Bush/Cheney Administration. The United States is Trillions of Dollars in debt to the rest of the world, mostly China and India, and prisoners are starving themselves to death in protest of their illegal detention at Guantanamo Bay Prison.

If you are an American in 2006, you have absolutely nothing to be proud of. Your country stands for Rape, Murder, Aggression, Arrogance and the most stupefying Ignorance the world has known since Hitler claimed the superiority of the Aryan Race. We as a nation are increasingly run by Religious Extremists who spur Americans like sheep to slaughter with attacks on homosexuals, pregnant teenagers and immigrants among other things. Preying on the weakest, most defenseless members of our society while getting away with murder, the Bush/Cheney Regime declares war on third world countries that have nothing to do with 9/11 and gives tax breaks to millionaires and Oil Corporations while sending our poorest citizens to die in a depleted uranium soaked desert of our own creation.

We will be paying for the Bush/Cheney War in Iraq for the rest of our lives. Our soldiers will pay the ultimate price. If they don't die in Iraq, they will come back to the US with deformed minds to make deformed children. They already are. Birth Defects among US Soldiers returning from Iraq are through the roof. They and their children will slowly die of the radiation poisoning while the US Gov't denies and disinforms. AGent Orange and Gulf War Syndrome all over again. You can read all about it now. Don't wait for the New York Times to decide it's ok for you to know. Of course, it's already too late. Happy 4th!

24 june, 2006

"We are not afraid to entrust the American people with unpleasant facts, foreign ideas, alien philosophies,and competitive values. For a nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people."

John F. KennedyThat was then. Probably around 1960. The United States was a very conservative place. We were scared to death of the Communists. The Republicans would accuse the Democrats of being weak on Communism. The Democrats would become more like the Republicans, support military intervention, send troops, bomb neighbors so as not to appear weak. We got the Bay of Pigs in Cuba, the missile crises with Russia, the Berlin Wall and Vietnam.
Sound familiar? When you read the past you see the future. Weird.

17 june, 2006

Blue Frog, Cortland, NY: First post operative gig. Ouch! The beautiful Colleen Cattau played a set w/her smokin bass player, inviting me up to play a few solos. Ripped out some rockabilly. Then I did a set of acoustic numbers. Audience was really warm. Very friendly. Was having trouble not stomping my titanium leg. A bit rusty but really felt great to be playing again. Thanks Cortland!!! What a sweet town. Lotta great people in that town. Highly recommend the Blue Frog to anyone touring the heartland. Will definately go back.

3 june, 2006

Wanted to give props to some bands who are friends of mine. New York and Boston bands. Lindsey from The Kowalskis, a NYC Chick Frontal Punk Pop Explosion has just come out with a great new record called Chinese Democracy!! Go have a listen and buy the new record here

http://www.myspace.com/thekowalskis

The Rudds won Second Place in Boston's Rumble this year. Congrats to them for going thru all that bullshit and actually doing great. They are on the myspace thing too and have some real kick ass pop songs. Dave Lieb, bassist of The Peasants, plays keyboards for them. Check 'em out at

http://www.myspace.com/therudds

My buddy Billy O'Malley is in town with his band Thirsty. Stephen Hart, #1 Peasant drummer, plays drums for Thirsty. Me, Billy and Steve did the mightiest Peasant Tour Of All Time back in '98. 34 shows in 36 days. All over the South, Midwest, NY and Boston. I think we must've drove 3-4,000 miles. God was I stupid. Anyway, Thirsty don't fuck around with subtle, driving down the highway with some hotties panties in mouth. They'll be at The Abbey Lounge on Saturday, July 1st. Have a listen and go see 'em. And buy the record!

http://www.myspace.com/thirsty

One more plug for one kick ass Boston singer/songwriter babe who rocks pretty hard and is very easy on the eyes. I speak of Emily Grogan. She's got great songs and a record out with another record on the way. She's at The Abbeyin Somerville Friday, June 13th. The Abbey, where all the good local rock bands play. Check her out here.

http://www.myspace.com/emilygrogan

Am starting to feel like old self. That means restless, insomniacal and a few other things I'd rather not get into. But am almost able to walk w/out the cane. Still gimping around like Grampa but prolly not for long. Hope to be on the street maybe June twenty something?? I dunno. Soon. Peace.

25 may , 2006

Two days away from 44 years old. Broken rib still broken. Hip still getting used to being my hip. Trying to work but it's slow going. Playing guitar again. Thank GOD!

Finished incredible Beatles appreciation week, watching TEN DVD Beatle Anthology and reading The Beatles Bio by Bob Spitz. I highly recommend both. Closing conclusions. John Lennon was a hysterically funny, emotionally fucked up person. Brilliant yet petty, spiritual yet a bigot and a promoter of peace yet capable of great violence. Human, I guess. Some of the footage of him in the early days making fun of the fans is incredibly funny. And some of the things he says are just rude as hell. He had balls of steel.

Though I didn't want to jump on the Yoko sucks bandwagon, she deserves alot of the ill will directed her way. If anything, she helped The Beatles implode with all her might. By 1968, everyone was tired of it. Paul McCartney seems to be the only one who hoped to carry on as The Beatles. Everyone else recognized it was over and wanted out. Highly recommend The Beatles!

Francois at Kill City working hard on Fall Tour. Must find drummer available for Sept 1-Oct 21 who wants to see Europe and play rock and roll. Cheers!

16 may , 2006

New Peasant Video came in 1ST PLACE in the HKIS Spring Film Festival. Congratulations Indy Shome! In upcoming weeks John Bradley of Armslength Productions will be sending it around to other video sites that do indie stuff. John is responsible for the other Take 'Em Out video w/all the horrific war footage. Keep an eye out and anyone reading this we would greatly appreciate your comments. Go to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-pFLy6xnk4&search=the%20peasants
and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbGlcP31Snc&search=thepeasants

Watch the videos and write something! Good or bad, doesn't matter. Just write!
The Showbiz Show on Comedy Central is using Goin Out The Window!!! Fall 2006 Love Your Enemy Europe Tour continues to shape up.
Spain and Portugal have been added. Much work getting done between moi and Francois due to me being laid up. Working w/it. Am still reading this huge bio of The Beatles by Bob Spitz. Great stuff!!! Highly recommend!!! Hope to be walking soon and on the street early June.

10 may , 2006

Graduated to a cane today. Reading a Jimi Hendrix bio. Incredible. Am trying like hell to sit still.
Working on European tour alot too. Not much else. Here's some quotes:

All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.
- Arthur Schopenhauer
People everywhere confuse what they read in newspapers with news.
- AJ Liebling
It is only possible to live happily ever after on a day-to-day basis.
- Margaret Bonnano

8 may , 2006

Been working hard on the Fall Tour 2006 to Sweden, Germany, Holland, etc. Francois Boit, our supercharged French Booking agent, has been kicking in the doors as well. Just did an interview with a Swedish Fanzine. You can read it if you like by going to http://www.mutiny.co.nr

Broken rib is still killing me. Can't move at all. Trying to do nothing is the hardest thing I've ever had to..... do. The sunshine is really making it hard to sit in the house. At least it's beautiful again. Springtime here in New England is way too short but so incredible!!!

Reading about Robert Kennedy. He was one tough mother fucker but his heart was in the right place. He worked very hard to get Civil Rights for American Blacks. I didn't realize it. He was very much all business and had no patience for bullshit. I wish he wasn't killed. He would've been a great President.

4 may , 2006

Last Summer we were playing on the street quite a bit. Almost every Saturday night you could find The Peasants in the Pit at Harvard Square. We made friends with a bunch of High School kids who were going to summer school at Harvard. They became big fans. Every Saturday they were out jumping around w/us.

Then one night Indy Shone approached and said he wanted to do a video of us before he went back to Hong Kong. So we did. We picked the first song, Take 'Em Out, on the new CD Love Your Enemy. I can't believe how good it came out. I think it cost me $60. and a T-shirt. Thanks Indy and Friends. Enjoy!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-pFLy6xnk4

27 April, 2006

Just got an article about Neil Young's new album. It's a 100% anti Bush/anti war record. A fact in the article I didn't know was that Neil Young supported Ronald Reagan. I did know about the patriotic jump on the bandwagon w/Let's Roll that came out soon after 911. Didn't realize Neil was so politically naive. He must be pissed. It's the naive people who finally wake up that are the most enraged.

I guess Neil's drug addled mind started to unravel around the time of the Reagan Revolution. He couldn't separate the facts from the bullshit. Then after 9/11 Neil failed to notice that millions of people all over the world were protesting Bush's Bullshit War before it was launched in 2003. Though barely reported then quickly dismissed millions of people came out one day to protest the shock and awe war all over the world. It was the biggest protest in the history of the planet earth. Long before all this crap about fixing the facts to back the policy people everywhere knew it was bullshit and Bush just wanted the Oil. A child could see that.

So I say: Neil, asleep at the wheel, failed to see a sea of humanity pleading for sanity. Too little, too late and the winner is.... Hate.

For those of you keeping track at home, I was against this war in 2001. I'm against it now. And me and billions of people will be against the continued occupation of Iraq for the next 10-20 years or so. I suspect the United States may not be leaving Iraq until all the Oil is gone. If you're looking for an anti war album, pick up Love Your Enemy. It came out in 2005. Peace.

22 April, 2006

Went out on the crutches last night. First time out since operation. Went to see Jamie and the resurrected Fighting Cocks in a BBQ joint in Waltham. Great set. Great band. End of the night, however, white bouncer and 5 friends ganged up on a lone black man just outside the bar. He was thrown out, bullied, chased and arrested. The only crime he committed seemed to be that he was black and he had balls. Saw him bent over a patrol car as we were leaving. Maybe the Waltham Police were helping him find his keys. Maybe they were going to drive him home. Most likely, however, they were taking him to a nice, quiet place where he could be reeducated about Waltham and the fact that he really doesn't belong there. Waltham equals White People.

Reading a book about Ben Franklin in France during the American Revolution. Clash of cultures. Birth of a Nation. French were concerned that by helping America defeat England they were creating a future world power that would eventually threaten them. Some French, however, believed that exposure to the decadent French culture would retard America's development. Here's a great quote from Prime Minister Clemenceau (WW1).

"America is the only nation in history which has managed to pas directly from barbarism to degeneration without the customary interval of civilization."

Read in the Rolling Stone that most Americans, both on Left and Right, now know that President Bush really is as dumb as he appears by his words and actions.

Also, if you are wondering how George Bush was elected twice, forget it. He wasn't. Get this book. It's a compilation of facts around the 2005 Election in Ohio. People who can still read facts will be depressed by this book but at least they won't think the American Public is as stupid as they seem, reelecting a moron to four more years of corruption, illegal war, torture and destruction of the environment and economy. It's called "How the GOP Stole America's 2004 Election & Is Rigging 2008," by Bob Fitrakis & Harvey Wasserman/www.freepress.org

16 April, 2006

Attention European Peasant Fans!!! We need your help!
We are booking a tour to Europe Fall 2006. We hope to include: Holland, Belgium, France, Germany, Austria and Scandinavia.
We will be over from September 1st - October 20,2006. We are looking for other bands to play shows in these countries.
We are also looking for good clubs to play.
We are working very closely with Francois Boit of Kill CityManagement out of Lille, France.
He is a huge Rock and Roll fan and a very hardcore booking/tour manager type.
If you have a show you'd like to do with The Peasants, pls contact Francois at Kill City Mgmt.
His website and contact info are http://www.myspace.com/killcitymanagement.

The new record, Love Your Enemy, is selling well here in the evil empire. If you want to hear some songs for free, just go to the music section of this website.
You can order from here too! If you want to reach Pete Cassani of The Peasants directly, write to him at petecassani@yahoo.com.

Lastly, if you are into the whole myspace thing you can now find us here: http://www.myspace.com/thepeasants.

Hope to hear from you!!! Peace!!!

13 April, 2006

Starting to feel alive again. Hung out w/Dave Hull last night watching videos and stuff. His wife made a Sheppards Pie that was great. Thanks Sally!! You rule!!! Francois Boit of Kill City Mgmt continues to work hard on Fall 2006 Peasant tour to Europe. Looks to be pretty hardcore. France, Holland, Germany, Belgium and some Scandinavian countries. Mr Boit is one serious mother fucker and I'm glad we found each other. Thanks to RAM of Ramanagement for hooking us up w/some booking agents in the Benelux area.

Have about FOUR WEEKS to go on these crutches. Haven't picked the guitar up since the operation. Am getting pretty antsy. Trying to chill. It really is just like Tom Petty said in that song he wrote when he broke his leg. The Waiting is The Hardest Part. Thanks good people of Holland and Germany who've written for a return of The Peasants to Europe. It's been too long. Time really flies, doesn't it? Doesn't seem like almost 4 years since we last toured there but it is. Keep them cards and letters comin!

11 April, 2006

Day 14 Post Operation. Not much to report. Got the staples out of my ass yesterday. Am now allowed to take a shower. Whew! Am walking around Brighton w/crutches. You may see me. A tall, skinny rock looking mother fucker wearing a black AC/DC T-shirt..... on crutches. What else....

Saw video of entire Jimi Hendrix set at Woodstock in 1969. All I can say is you must see it. Divebombs during The Star Spangled Banner. Explosions. Machine guns. More Dive Bombs. Missiles. He actually creates the sound of missiles. You've probably heard it. But have you ever actually seen it? Even if you have, watching the entire set, from beginning to end, is just incredible. You can feel the excitement in the new songs and the indifference to the old standards like Red House, Hey Joe and some of the others. Even when not thrilled with something, he's unfuckinbelievable. Go see it. You won't be sorry although you might be ashamed to call yourself a guitar player afterwards.

6 April, 2006

If you watch VH1, you will eventually hear The Peasants. We've been all over that thing. Girls Gone Wild, Behind The Music for Gun's N Roses and recently Charles, our new drummer heard Going Out The Window from Welcome To My Country (2002) as background on a segment called "I Love The 80's." Pretty cool.
I'm lying flat on my back most of the day, recuperating from having my hip replaced. Am feeling better every day but it's gonna take 6-8 weeks before I can walk. Pls write. I have all the time in the world. petecassani@yahoo.com. Rock!

1 April, 2006

Sitting at home enjoying my new tits and ass from the sex change operation. April Fools! Am home from hospital though. That much is true. Ceramic Hip was placed inside me Tuesday afternoon. Tuesday eve awoke to unimaginable pain. Lotta morphine later and then to the room. Spent next three days in the care of Beth Israel Hospital. Nurses on floor 12 are incredible. Beautiful, smart and no bullshit. Took real good care of me. Much pain though. Had to try and walk it off whenever I could. Will be on crutches next six weeks. This is non negotiable. Doctor's orders.

Spking of the Doctor, when he came to see me yesterday Dr. Yett said he almost cancelled the operation. I was out cold on the table. He was about to cut when he noticed a huge bruise on my ankle and my hip, right where he had to cut. It was almost bad enough that he couldn't do the operation. You see I fell down a flight of stairs about a week ago on the job and forgot all about it. I'm glad he carried on. He showed up the day after the surgery dressed in a very sharp suit and a huge smile. Iron grip handshake too. What a character. I'm honored to have had him as my MD.

I gotta go back to bed now. Leg is starting to pound. That's the way it's gonna be. Good to be back. Glad to be alive. Will be better in a few weeks when this hip stops pounding.

26 March, 2006

Dave Tree let the cat out of the bag tonight at O'Brien's. Told everyone about my upcoming operation. My SEX CHANGE Operation. He was announcing that The Peasants won the first round of this contest. We've never won anything. Tonight we won this first round to the MASSCAN Festival, a festival where bands play and people gather every September to Decriminalize Marijuana. To stop sending people to jail for smoking pot. I'm honored we were asked to play. That we won is even more cool. Thanks Dave Tree and MASSCAN. Just for that I'm gonna join up. And I don't even smoke pot anymore.

22 March, 2006

Anyone out there watch Cable Television?? Ever heard of a show called Hulk Hogan's Reality Show? Well Charlie said he just heard my guitar solo during Goddamn Job on that show!!! Crazy!! Check it out. It's on VH1.

19 March, 2006

Just went down to Chinatown for the Post US Out of Iraq March held today from Roxbury to Boston. Was a two hour march and a party at the end with all the activists. I got to play a few songs.

I'm a bit down. My cat, Sid, has gone missing. Yes, Sid! My longest relationship. My best friend. My Boy!!! Missing?!!? Didn't come home Tuesday morning. Been gone four days now.

This cat has been prowling the streets of Brighton for SIXTEEN YEARS. He knows more people in this neighborhood than I will ever know. He has battled skunks, racoons, possums, squirrels, crows and dogs successfully, had all his shots and is still in excellent shape. So where the FUCK is he?! Ladies at the Senior Citizens Home 'round the corner said he probably met a little girl cat and he'd come home soon.

Yesterday, Roommate Jimmy and I put posters up all over the neighborhood. A woman called. Said she knows Sid well. Said he comes by to visit the stray cats she feeds up behind my house. They hang out in a burned out garage. She says Sid comes by to hang out with the other cats but never eats their food. He would never take food away from a stray cat. He's fearless but also very considerate. I've tried to learn from him. Sometimes not very successfully. I just hope he comes back. The woman who called said one of her cats came home after being away for NINE WEEKS!!! Cats are amazing!!! If you see Sid, pls ask him to come home. I miss him.

13 March, 2006

Bored w/no rocking! Waiting for the new hip. Fifteen days to go. Dr is very old. That was the point of last news entry. Very old. Unsophisticated in the ways of today's high paced, insurance-company driven healthcare. Kind've slow and methodical. I like him.

I grew up in Levittown, NY on Long Island. It's about 20 miles from NYC but it might as well be 100. We rarely went into the City but when we did it was always incredible. Big, scary, exciting place. I wish I'd gone in more often now. Anyway, a kid I used to hang around with and smoke pot with and drink with just contacted me out of the blue. I haven't talked to this guy since the late 1970s. We used to smoke pot before Boy Scout meetings. Stoned Boy Scouts!!! From Levittown, NY. I miss the 70s. His nickname was Miggy. His real name was Mike. We had ALOT of laughs. Can't wait to see him again. Hope he likes the CDs he bought. CDBaby rocks!!!

10 March, 2006

Eighteen Days to go!!! I'll either be dead or have a new hip. Whichever way it goes, it's got to beat limping around with excrutiating pain every day. I have newfound respect for elderly folks walking with canes.

Met a nurse on the job yesterday who works at Beth Israel. "He still does surgery" she says when I reveal my Doctor. Wow! What a confidence builder! But I have faith in the man. He's been doing this all his life. Trust he knows what he is doing by now.

Spring is spranging in Boston. It's sunny and warm today. Kids will be coming back from Spring Break next week. Working at the RE office has been a bit slow. Francois has been kicking much ass over in Europe with the Fall Tour. He's now on the links page if anyone is looking to book us in Europe. Go there!

3 March, 2006

Frozen New England Daze! Spend alot of time lying down. Hips all fucked up. Did the Fundraiser Gig for MOBE last Friday night and was junk rest of weekend. Can't stand up more than a few hours. Weird considering how many days I've spent standing in Faneuil Hall, Boston Commons, Government Center and Harvard Square, playing sometimes from 12 noon till 11 pm to make the rent.

On a more ROCK note, looks like European Tour 2006 is moving along. Spk to Dutch booking agency today. They book Holland, Germany and Belgium. Would love to go back to all those places again. See my friends. Rock!

Sitting here in the Real Estate Office, looking for deals. Got alot of NO FEE apartments with heat and hot water included if anyone listening out there needs a place in Boston. Call me! (617)571-3111. Call me even if you're not looking! Just call!

25 February, 2006

Everyone delivered the goods last night at the Boston Mobilization Benefit Show. Dead Like Death, Cobretti from New York, The Peasants and Superpower. Raised some money to fight Fascism in the United States. Was great to hear Dave Tree screaming I Voted For Dukakis. Couldn't stop laughing during his set.

A friend from New Orleans is staying w/us this weekend. Was telling us about it. What you hear on the corporate news and what really happens in the world are two incredibly different things. It's staggering how deceitful and coldblooded the Bush Administration has been about New Orleans. Bush and Cheney took millions that were set aside to fix the levees and sent it to Iraq for the corrupt coffers of Haliburton, a corporation that has robbed the US Taxpayer of millions.

Now that same corporation is in New Orleans. They are taking the land of the poor black people wh o've been wiped out and building office parks and casinos. God Bless Racist America. Former residents have to clean up their destroyed houses or lose their land BUT they are not allowed to clean up their houses because it is still too dangerous and toxic. A cop was filmed walking out of a store with a television set in his police uniform during the worst of the flood. White cop. We didn't see that on our corporate news, did we?

Good to get out and play again in Boston. Will be doing more shows at 45 Mt Auburn St., Harvard Sq., Cambridge. Good to see alot of kids that are NOT braindead and buying everything they see on tv.

23 February, 2006

The Tale of Two Wolves

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a
battle that goes on inside people.

He said, "My son, the battle is between two
wolves inside us all.

"One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret,
greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment,
inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

"The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and
then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?"

The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

17 February, 2006

Took 4 1/2 months off from my day job to tour around these United States of Psychosis, spreading the message and the music of Love Your Enemy. Finally bit the bullet and went back to work on Wednesday. Luckily I work for a guy who's happy when I show up and pretty much accepts I work when I can and hit the road when I feel the urge. It's a great arrangement. So now I'm back at Commonwealth Realty Group, Inc. as a rental agent, hooking college students and everyone else with apartments. If you or anyone you know needs a place to live in Boston, tell 'em to call me!!! (617)571-3111.

Other news: I'm getting a new hip. I think I've already said that but it's on my mind all the time so I'll say it again. I'm getting a new hip. I go under the knife on Tuesday, March 28th. 12:30 pm. Supposed to be fairly routine these days but I just read how some Basketball player died during a hip operation a few weeks ago. Not too encouraging. Still, if I mu st risk death to be able to stand up and rock again, I MUST!!! Last summer on the streets of Harvard Square was the realization that something was seriously fucked up.

I've been playing the streets of Boston since 1988. Sometimes I'd play from 12 noon till 11 pm three, four days in a row. Last summer I was having trouble doing the standard 4 hours on Saturday night. Could barely stand up by the end of the night and the next day I was junk. Dr. says I have severe arthritis, probably from all the jumping around and running 5 miles a day on concrete for 20 years. C'est la vie.... and speaking in french brings us to...

Peasants in France Fall 2006!!! Been talking to a French Rock and Roll booking guy last month or so. He very much likes Love Your Enemy and thinks there's a good chance of bringing us over w/some label support. If you haven't bought it yet, go to CDBaby.com right fuckin now and get it already. It's the best kept secret in this godforsaken, bloodthirsty, torture-obsessed, fascist horror show of a country. Pick it up today and get right with your soul. So hopefully we'll be heading over to Europe again where we have many friends to see, babies to kiss and rooms to rock.

Lastly, Dave Tree (formerly of Tree), now w/SUPERPOWER, and myself will be appearing together on WAAF Bay State Rock w/Carmelita this Sunday, Feb. 19th at 11:30 pm. It's at 107.3 FM Boston, MA. You can get it online too (I think). Should be alot of fun. Dave and I are total lefties and will be laying down some serious shit so tune in if you can. Peace!!!

9 February, 2006

Iota, Arlington, VA: Good crowd. Did the feature at this place. Open mike was pretty jammed up. Lotta talented songwriters. Great place to stop and play if from out of town. Mostly locals here. Three bands showed up to play. I did a half hour and sold a bunch of cds. Very cool crowd. Mike, the host, was great. Will try to go back in summer.

East End Cafe, Newark, DE: w/Five Shot was alotta fun. They did a full set and I jammed w/them electric on some classic rock songs turned psycho. This during the Stupor Bowl. Place was empty. Had it all to ourselves. Filled up afterward w/hippie hip hop. White people trying to play hip hop. Interestingly bad.

Benefit Show for Boston Mobilization shaping up for Friday, February 24th. It'll be ALL AGES in Harvard Square at the MOBE HQ. Go to Touring for details. Dave Tree's band Superpower, The Peasants and a few others are playin g.

5 February, 2006

Am in Newark, DE at home of April and Pat of Five Shot Limit. Drove all night from Corning, NY in pouring rain to get here. Beautiful town Corning. Nice coffeehouse called Soulfull Cup. Good folks. Did two hours acoustic. Night before played again in Cortland, NY. Go back in Summer to all these places after The Operation.

Am going to Open Mike @ The East End Cafe tonight in Newark, DE. Five Shot doing a set too!!! Re. The Operation, I got a bum hip and am having it replaced on Tuesday, March 28th @ Beth Israel Hospital. Been killin me since last Feb. '05. Advanced arthritis from running on pavement the last 25 years. Finally caught up w/me. Won't be doing a whole lotta leaping around for a little while.

My surgeon swears he's done this before and has a 95% success rate. Wish me luck!

2 February, 2006

Went down to Rhode Island last night. Played at very populous open mike hosted by Becky Chase http://www.beckychace.com/ a musician I met on the road a few weeks ago. This place was jammed, showed movies on a big screen free, had booze, coffee, tons of musicians and is right downtown Providence. Called Tazza. Highly recommend.

Am doing Squawk Coffeehouse Feature tonight. Dave Lieb joining on Bass. Lee Kidd coming up to do 4-5 tunes as well. Lee Kidd is a Harvard Square Poet/Street Performer from way back. Real deal. Comes from West Virginia. We play some fine feelin' blues whenever we get together.

Finally broke down and set up a myspace page. Rupert Murdock is still a bad apple but just cause he owns everything doesn't mean I can't still get my message thru. Fuck that guy! Here's the page. http://www.myspace.com/thepeasants. Still working on getting the music to work. This website is so much better than myspace will ever be anyway. You can download 12 full songs from this site. Myspace gives only 4. It's too easy NOT to use for now. Check it out!!!

27 January, 2006

Back in freezing cold Boston, MA. Feels like I never left. Did my laundry and am now ready to go out again. Got this NA Dance tomorrow and will head off to Upstate New York next Friday. Amherst show w/Chandler was cool. Lots of activist types digging the solo acoustic peasant thang. Sold a few records. Made some friends. Been trying to reach these guys.

Chris Chandler and Dave Roe did a flawless set. It's obvious they've been on the road together a long time. Best I've ever seen Chandler. Dave Roe plays a mean piano, filling in ALL THE GAPS while Chris spins the brilliant yarns. Was great to open for them. You can find Chris Chandler here at http://chrischandler.org.

23 January, 2006

Great open mike in Albany Wed. Think I already wrote about it. Thursday was in Wooster, OH at Seattle's. Good coffee shop. First set better than second. Once people start drinking, it doesn't really matter what you play... unless it's Sweet Home Alabama. Try not to do those gigs anymore. Nice folks though. Bought a bunch of cds and were real sweet to me. Always take care of me at Seattle's.

Drove to Columbus, OH where Bobby continues to live w/his lovely wife Melissa. Bobby is the other founding member of The Peasants formed back in 1988 under the name Velcro Peasants. We did two gigs together and I've been crashing at his place. First was at Victorian's Midnight Cafe, a cool coffeeshop, bar and restaurant w/peace signs and anti war stuff all over the place. Great time. Nice folks. Next night played in a bar with a giant tree growing up right thru the middle of it. Called Andyman's Treehouse. Good ti me. Borrowed rhythm section from Bob's Columbus Musician Collective and rocked an electric if sometimes spastic Peasant set.

Tomorrow head for Cleveland and The Barking Spider, another friendly tavern that favors acoustic music and political activism. Lastly, I will stop in the beautiful hills of Liberal Amherst College and play 20 minutes acoustic before my old friend and fellow rabble rouser Chris Chandler does his spoken word thing w/musical accompaniment. Am very honored to be included on this bill.

Saturday, January 28th, 2006, I get to play the Annual Narcotics Anonymous Dance. It happens every year in Watertown, MA on Mt. Auburn St. If you are a recovering drug addict or alcoholic, or just wish you were, c'mon down. We'll be playing all kinds of classic rock and roll, trying to keep the people dancin.

16 January, 2006

Hit the motherlode Open Mike tonight in Concord, MA, birthplace of the American Revolution. Down in the basement of a school building on a Monday night. A Trio for the feature and 20+ songwriters each doing one song. Alot of great songs. Good open mike. Eileen Schmidt runs it 1st and 3rd Monday of each month. Check www.openmikes.org.

12 January, 2006

Drove 600 plus miles yesterday. Trying to get back to Boston for a Beefy DC gig tonight. Played a few acoustic shows around Delaware, Philly and further south. Great open mike in Delaware at place called East End Cafe. Cool all ages punk show in Philly at place called Rotunda. Community space. Put on a good show. Highly recommend to anyone looking for shows in Philly. Would love to bring The Peasants down there sometime. Played solo acoustic for the punks. They seemed to dig it though I'm sure they were like "who's that old dude wailing on the acoustic?"

Met and stayed w/members of 5 Shot Limit, punks out of Newark, DE. Very sweet people. Put me up. Took me around. Did the open mike. Really took me under their wing. Thanks Jason of Suspect Device for hooking me up w/them. Am putting them on my list of places to go when I go places.

4 January, 2006

2006 starting off pretty cool. Went to the Open Mike at the famous Passim's Coffeehouse/Restaurant thing in Cambridge last night and was recognized by the feature performer. He saw The Velcro Peasants at The Rat in 1990. Did wonders for my overinflated Ego. But seriously, it's always nice to be recognized.

Paid the $5. cover and did one song. Sold two CDs for $20. You gotta pay to play at the nicer open mikes. They're usually in Non profit Coffeehouses with alot of expenses. The upside is the open mikes are usually very well run with tons of talented people and everyone is very attentive. Played I Never Said. That's the one I play if I only get one.

Heading down to Philly and Delaware on Friday to do a few shows w/some punk rockers. Will also go to Jammin Javas in VA. Supposed to be one of the best Open mikes in the country. We'll see about that.

2 January, 2006

Rang in the New Year @ The Abbey Lounge playing w/Beefy DC. Third time we've done that. Always a great time. FIVE bands on the bill. Everyone was smokin'. Found a beautiful room tonight. The Center For Arts in Natick, 14 Summer St. Lots o' talented folks. Grand Piano, excellent PA, well run and friendly. Every Monday night. Signup 7:30 pm. Starts 8 pm. Find open mikes at www.openmikes.org.

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