The top is down. The tank is full. The road ahead is open, and wide.

’09 was a beauty and it was a beast, and it’s fadin’ fast. The loss of our dear friend Tom Pfaeffle runs deep, and its echoes will remain with us. His inspiration, guidance and love will, too. We’re moving forward with Tom on board.

We wish all of you the best in the New Year and would like to thank you for your continued support.

There will be a new full length record this Spring which we are in the midst of recording at an undisclosed location (a stealth move to avoid the Black Helicopters and Paparazzi). We won’t sleep ‘til it’s done. And when it is, we’ll saddle up the road show for your enjoyment.

Until then, eyes straight ahead and hands on the wheel.

Don, Mark M, Rick, Mark B, and Ronnie

Friday, July 17, 2009, Sun Mountain Lodge, 8:22PM

Godspeed, Tom. Things are going to sound a lot better in Heaven.

TERRY’S SONG
© Bruce Springsteen

Well they built the Titanic to be one of a kind, but many ships have ruled the seas
They built the Eiffel Tower to stand alone, but they could build another if they please
Taj Mahal, the pyramids of Egypt, are unique I suppose
But when they built you, brother, they broke the mold

Now the world is filled with many wonders under the passing sun
And sometimes something comes along and you know it’s for sure the only one
The Mona Lisa, the David, the Sistine Chapel, Jesus, Mary, and Joe
And when they built you, brother, they broke the mold

When they built you, brother, they turned dust into gold
When they built you, brother, they broke the mold

They say you can’t take it with you, but I think that they’re wrong
‘Cause all I know is I woke up this morning, and something big was gone
Gone into that dark ether where you’re still young and hard and cold
Just like when they built you, brother, they broke the mold
Now your death is upon us and we’ll return your ashes to the earth
And I know you’ll take comfort in knowing you’ve been roundly blessed and cursed
But love is a power greater than death, just like the songs and stories told
And when she built you, brother, she broke the mold

That attitude’s a power stronger than death, alive and burning her stone cold
When they built you, brother

Love you, Brother.
Don, Rick, Mark M., Ronnie & Mark B.

The Triple Door, Friday, June 5th

Back in October of ’03, Bass-man Mark and I went to see Shelby Lynne at one of the first shows ever at The T-Door. We were blown away by everything about the place, and of course, Ms Lynne. I was starting to think about playing music again and, sitting at our table, mentioned to Mark that I had just strung up my old guitar for the first time in a dozen or so years. He said something like “I’ve been waiting a long time for this…let’s play!”.  As I began to rediscover my joy of singing, songwriting and playing guitar, one thing led to another, and a couple years later, Rick B, Mark and I were back at it, like we never left. And before we know it, we’re actually playing at The Triple Door. Funny how the wheels turn and time moves…

…So it was a fitting place to unveil the new lineup with not one, but two brothers Belaire. Ronnie B. made his debut in fine form with great slide guitar, mandolin and “cherry on top” harmony vocals. So good to have you aboard, Ronnie! Brother Mark kickin’ it on the keys again and soon to let loose his soulful harmonica in the mix. It was a packed house and the set went by all too quickly but from the first twang of Gone By The Wayside to the last crunch of Saved, the band was ON. It was so good that I started to get a little “lost in the moment” and when I tried to collect my thoughts, the only thing I could say over the mic was “This is so cool”. It wasn’t hard to tell that we all felt the same way, and I know we can’t wait to play there again!

We’re heading back to The Tank to record the new record, which just might include a live track from The Triple Door!

Stay tuned and we’ll see you all the next time.

Many Thanks,

Don

I was onstage inside the Showbox Market Friday evening, Febuary 6, but I’d bet money that the stars were all in one big line.

Sometimes it happens like that. A nice big stage, great monitors and the time to tweak ‘em, an exceptional sound engineer and an enthusiastic and appreciative crowd.

It had been a Long Way Back (pun intended) to the Showbox for a couple of us; Don and I had played there in the 80’s. We, and the room have come a long way since then!

We took to that stage as a five-piece band. It was the first time we’ve played that configuration since the Hellacious Heat of the Tom Petty gigs last summer at the Gorge. This particular time we unveiled our new keyboard player; the hard-working, positive-attitude-packing Mr. Mark Belaire. With only a few full-band rehearsals under his belt, Mark just plain nailed it…big ol’ Hammond organ sound, a whip-snappin’ whorehouse piano, and some damn fine backup singing; welcome aboard, Mark!

But he wasn’t the only one. “Melvado” Mandville, our multitasking pedal steel/mandolin/guitar player, was in fine form as well, covering myriad parts on all them strings and workin’ his new look like America’s Next Top Model. It’s not just his name, folks; it’s a lifestyle. Special thanks to Mel’s lovely girlfriend Trisha for the “Mansformation”!

Now, I love playing as a three-piece; with Don and Mark it’s lean and mean and we can easily turn on a dime if we want to. But when we get all five going, it’s just a different beast…you can’t beat it when we’re all synched up, ripping along at full flight…not to mention that fullness that two additional players bring to the mix. The crowd joined in the joy and together we blew through the 45 minute set in the blink of an eye.

I think we opened some eyes that night. Seriously positive feedback from the crowd, the bands that shared the bill with us, hell…even the promoter! We’ve already booked another date with him at the Showbox Sodo for March 27, and you can bet yer arse, all five of us will be there.

We hope you are, too!

Cheers,
Rick

Jan. 18th / The Skylark / West Seattle

Fun spot, great food and TATER TOTS! Someone (who shall remain nameless) said they were just Mexi-Fries. Blasphemy, I say!

We enjoyed sharing the evening with Sourmash Stevedores (J.D.’s entire fan-tee-clad family lent their enthusiasm) and Joel Tipke, who thanked all of his neighbors for coming out, then announced the rule that their presence required them to like his performance.

Thanks to all who came from near and far; especially the bunch from Everett, who had seen the band at the Gorge last summer. We had a great set (it’s always over too soon) and look forward to our next opportunity to light it up at The Skylark. Meanwhile, light your rocket for these upcoming Random Meanderings:

Feb. 2nd: Youngstown PAC, W. Seattle - 7:00 (Live rehearsal/Free!/All ages!/Free parking!)

Feb. 6th: Showbox Market, Seattle - 8:00 (Come early!)

Feb. 14th: Finaghty’s Irish Pub in Snoqualmie with the joyous lads in Funk Mason – 9:00 (where better to spend Valentine’s Day than an Irish pub?)

Guess not! Jimmy Boyle, an acquaintance from the musical days of auld, has partnered with John Comstock and Joel Coval in their enthusiastic endeavor with a new incarnation of the historic Oddfellows building in Redmond. It’s a welcome addition to the live music scene.

New Year’s Eve brought out a spirited crowd, in more ways than one, and there was a featured guest performance by Mr. Old Year, belting out a well-lubricated version of Auld Lang Syne at the stroke of ‘09.

That fine old building seems to have lots of good ghosts from its many decades of celebrations, and the Boys were pleased to add a festive New Year’s Eve party, RM-style, to the historic mix.

Here’s to a great 2009 – and remember to keep it Random!

That’s what the thermometer in the car read as we drove to the Yakima Sport Center last Friday. At the club, our welcome was anything but chilly. A warm and enthusiastic reception was our reward for braving the insane arctic conditions, and the Sport Center folks were treated to an hour-plus of Random Manor-ness. Our newest tune, “On A Dream Again” was rolled out for its second live performance and a blistering version of “Saved” (including an extended tail section!) closed out the set.

As temperatures and snowflakes fell outside, we loaded up and gingerly headed back to SweetWater; our log home base-station an hour away in Cle Elum. We previously bivouacked there during the hottest weekend of the summer, when we played before both Tom Petty shows at The Gorge. This stay brought eighteen inches of snow, a herd of bull elk in the yard, a roaring fire in the fireplace, and a nice glass of post-gig bourbon for the boys in the band…a toast to a fine evening. “Cheers” to everyone, and here’s to a Rockin’ Random New Year!

Photos from the High Dive show are up in the Gallery.
Yessiree, I’m an XML-codin’ summanabeech.

A return to Finaghty’s Saturday night brought yet another unveiling with the premier performance of “On A Dream Again”. Blizzard conditions could not keep the band nor patrons away, and ‘twas a spirited night for all. Between the 120 degree temps at The Gorge last August and the combo-platter of frozen tundra conditions at Finaghty’s last weekend and Yakima this next weekend we hope to complete our all-weather certification.

Happy holidays to all and safe travels down your Random Road.

Let There Be Bass. And There Was Bass. And It Was Good.

Great, in fact. Our bass man suffers from GAS. Not the smelly kind, My Friends. This is the good kind of GAS; Gear Acquisition Syndrome. And he hit it outta the park this time with a gorgeous Gretsch Broadkaster bass purchased at Joe’s Island Music in Langley (the coolest Gretsch dealer in the NW). Can you hear the angels singing? I can.