Buddy Love Today!

Pop Geek Heaven's Bruce Brodeen interviews... ME!

2012-02-21T14:30:00.003-08:00

Bruce: PGH is all about helping artists highlight their most recent projects, so let us all know what your new project is - and tell us about how it come into the world. What has the initial feedback on it been like?

Doug: Buddy Love's latest CD is called "Buddy Love", not to be confused with the yellow album we released in 1982! Feedback from it has been great. In fact as a result we have been signed to a global distribution deal with Innsbruck Records.

Bruce: The Recording Process - there are so many interesting ways that music projects coming into being these days compared with what artists encountered years ago. Take us on the creative arc of how this project came into being and any wisdom that you learned along the way. Also, what were some of the obstacles or struggles that you encountered when you were working on the project?

Doug: After the reformation of Buddy Love's "classic" 1980 lineup in 2006 and the release of our 1st "post reunion" CD in 2007 (which consisted mostly of 25 year old songs that we performed but never recorded the first time around) I felt the band needed an injection of more "mature" material. We spent a considerable amount of time choosing songs from my catalog and began the process of reinventing the band to reflect our current point of view. The process took a little less than two years. One of the great things to come out of it was the putting aside of decades long arguments and grudges. We are now all grown up!

Bruce: Are there any particular songs on this project that are special to you or communicate a message that you'd like to share here?

Doug: The song "Crying Town" has gotten a lot of attention. It felt different from the moment of conception but after it was recorded we all knew it was going to be something special. Another one that people seemed to really like is "Almost In Tears". Both songs reflect our more adult approach toward making pop music.

Bruce: As we all know, the music industry has been devastated for many reasons over the past 10 years, what are you thoughts on these changes and are you finding some of them helpful to you with getting more people to hear your music?

Doug: If I knew the answer to that I'd be a rich music industry bigwig instead of a struggling musician! LOL Seriously though, our record company is targeting film, TV and commercial uses for our recordings. You'd be surprised at how much can be made from one well placed song.

Here's an example; before Buddy Love I was in a punk group called MAN-KA-ZAM. Sometime in the mid 90's a MAN-KA-ZAM compilation CD was released, a small batch distributed and then forgotten, just like the band was in 1978. Somehow a producer at the TV show "House" heard it or already knew of it and chose one of the more forgettable songs to be used as background in a scene involving a punk singer with a brain disorder. I made more money with that one placement than with all my other music business income combined!

Bruce: Along the lines of this discussion, it would be really interesting to get your thoughts on what you think the future of 'music enjoyment' might look like? How do you personally enjoy and 'consume' music? Any trends you've noticed with your own habits?

Doug: First of all, I NEVER Listen to the radio. IT BLOWS! This is how I "consume" music; I hear about a group on one of the blogs I like to read or via a friend. I then download EVERYTHING by that group and put it in my iPod. With my iPod on shuffle in my car (where I do most of my listening) I skip the songs I don't like. If something comes on that I do like I never know who it was until the next time I sync up with iTunes. The ones that got skipped are (most likely) removed. The ones I like are noted. That's how I hear new music.

Bruce: So many artists are wrestling with different ways to approach the recording process now - I would love to hear what your plans on with your next project - Are you going to a full CD, an EP or just release songs as you finish them. Release them digital only or combine physical with the digital or what?

Doug: We have a great batch of new songs that are as different from each other and from what we have previously released as from what we released in 1980 vs. today. We are probably going to release them one at a time digitally and if people continue to buy them that way we'll assemble the tracks onto a CD or an EP. Probably...

Bruce: What are you finding that is working well for your music right now that others may find interesting to hear about?

Doug: We added a keyboard player (Dave Stoler) who adds a great dimension to our sound, especially live, where it was always hard being a power trio (plus a lead vocalist). His addition has created a new depth to our sound. Thanks Dave!

Bruce: Okay - time for some light humor: Spinal Tap Moment - dig deep. Locate. Relive. Share that special 'trauma' with all of us! :-D

Doug: This is especially embarrassing but here it is; way back in 1979-1980 we had a rehearsal space in The Music Building on 8th Ave in NYC. If you don't know what that is let me explain; a 16 story building with four or five rehearsal spaces per floor. Outside on the street the most incredible cacophony of sound could be heard a block in each direction from the site. Our manager at the time also managed a young girl who was leading a three piece punk band. When we were using the space she and her bandmates would be in the stairwell practicing their vocals or something. She was very driven and dedicated to her craft but the bottom line is they sucked, big time! (easy for me to say as we were just as nowhere as they were at the time). I remember saying to my associate, "There's no way in hell this girl is ever gonna make it."

We found out that she had been evicted from her corner of a loft on 36th Street where she was sleeping and so was living in our rehearsal space! FYI, no showers anywhere in the building. When we found out what she was doing we threw her out and changed the locks. Of course it was quite a dramatic scene. Six months later she had transformed herself into a disco diva and was beginning to climb the charts. Her name was Madonna. DOH!

Bruce: Is there a particular musician you'd love to collaborate with - and why?

Doug: My friend Tommy Byrnes who (among other things) has been Billy Joel's guitarist for the past 20 odd years. Besides the fact that he is AWESOME, the one time we ever collaborated we wrote "Crying Town". He also produced it and the recording is fantastic. I learned so much just standing over his shoulder during those sessions.

Our collaboration produced something magical and I don't think it was an accident. I'm sure if we ever had the chance to work together again we would again make something fantasic. The only problem is that he is so busy and now lives far away so between those two facts, the point is moot.

Bruce: Advance apologies: the 'classic' questions. What other artists and bands have influenced your music and any particular reason why? Also, push come to shove: "Your Top 5 Albums Of All Time"? (Pop Geeks really are interested in this, trust me!)

Doug: Obviously The Beatles, Joe Jackson, Elvis Costello, Jellyfish, George Gershwin (yes, Gershwin).

My top five albums are; Revolver, Skylarking, Bellybutton, Pet Sounds and Forever Changes.

Bruce: We're always trying to find new music discover here at PGH - what are some of your favorite music releases from 2011 or anything that strikes you hard already in 2012?

Doug: I don't know when these things came out but I love Freedom Wind by The Explorer's Club and 21st Century Junk by Dynamo Bliss. Otherwise I am woefully out of touch.

Bruce: Yes, it would be great if most indie musicians could work on music full-time but the reality rarely the case for most of them. I always am asked by music fans, what are the careers or full-time jobs that the musicians of the music they are listening to do...so 'what's yr main gig?!' ;-P

Doug: I'm a computer consultant, nerd extraordinaire!

Bruce: We're taking an informal PGH poll of all musicians: Do you own a IPad, Kindle or Nook - or don't give a rip? Any thoughts on what reading books looks like to you?

Doug: I love reading, mostly science fiction but recently I read the first two Bourne books in pdf format on my iPhone. I found it very easy to read from.

Bruce: Okay, last question: Where can we learn more about your music and any other releases you have?

Doug: Please go to our webstore, http://buddylove.us/Webstore/html/BuddyLove(2011).html

This Sunday at Otto's

2012-02-16T18:36:00.000-08:00

We'll be at Otto's Shrunken Head and Tiki Lounge this Sunday (Feb 19th).

Be there!

Buddy Love at CBGB's?!?

2012-02-15T11:58:00.001-08:00

Someone on FaceBook posted this ad (I'm assuming from the Village Voice) showing one of Buddy Love's early 80's appearances at CBGB's. Interestingly enough one of the other groups listed for that day is The Breakaways, which was led by my Radio Flyer bandmate and songwriting partner Gary Feldman.

aaahhh, memories....

Next Sunday night at The Local 269 in NYC

2012-01-27T20:42:00.000-08:00

After our Christmas hiatus the band is back to our old tricks, which means we're playing the dive bars downtown.... AGAIN!

Our newest hangout it The Local 269 located at 269 E. Houston St. Come check us out next Sunday February 4th.

My Latest Obsession

2012-01-15T22:45:00.000-08:00

In my youth I would hear about a new record, hear a song or two on the radio and then get the album and submerge myself in it. As I got older and had less time to devote to discovering things I changed my method. Now I "acquire" large chunks of music based on a friend's advice or many times on a whim and put them on my iPod without ever hearing it until it comes up on a shuffle.

It's sort of like my own personal radio station except that if I hear something I don't like I can quickly skip to the next song. I then fine tune my library by examining my iTunes and removing those songs that have been skipped.

Every once in a while I come across a gem that so intrigues me that I have to hear it over and over again. Good thing the iPod can skip back as well as forward. Heres my latest obsession; "NYC" by Jason Faulkner.

Now don't be surprised that I didn't already know every song by this guy. You would think he'd be a staple in my collection, being a member of Jellyfish and also because of another song from another group he was in that I've previously been obsessed with, "Alex Again" (but that's another blog post).

"NYC" simply put, ROCKS THE FUCK OUT! And at the same time displays a musicality that makes me smile ear to ear.

Click Jason's photo above and hear the two songs for yourself.

The Mason Williams Phonograph Record

2011-11-30T13:40:00.001-08:00

Known for his 1968 hit "Classical Gas" (included here) Mason Williams actually was part of the Smothers Brother Comedy Hour writing team as well as for the Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour and Saturday Night Live.

This slice of 60's pie was ripped from a pristine copy found in my collection, NEVER PLAYED! I used my USB turntable to convert it to high quality (320) mp3's.

Initially it was my intention to go through my records and to listen to them in my car before putting them on my iPod. This album leaped out at me, so much so I had to share it.

If you're a fan of 60's Hollywood pop, I urge you to check it out. Click the pic to download it...

Another Year, Another IPO NY

2011-11-05T11:21:00.000-07:00

This year marks the fourth in a row that we appeared at the International Pop Overthrow Festival as it swung through New York City. Our appearance last night (Friday November 4th) was preceded by a photo shoot at Tony's studio.

We then proceeded to The Local 269 downtown and rocked the shit out the place.

Marc Anthony and Cleopatra

2011-10-31T22:06:00.000-07:00

Scott and his lovely bride Tracy really did Holloween right this year, appearing as Marc Anthony and Cleopatra. Their constumes were "to the nines!"

IPO in Two Weeks!

2011-10-15T11:27:00.000-07:00

For the fourth year in a row, we are happy to be attending (and performing) at IPO NY which this year will take place at Local 269.

which is located at 269 East Houston Street in Manhattan.

Buddy Love is scheduled for Friday evening November 4th at 11PM. We've been working on new material and I hope that some of it is ready to be debuted at that time but even if it's not (to quote a Beatle) "A Splendid Time Is Guaranteed For All!"

Ever Present Past from Memory Almost Full

2011-09-19T18:40:00.000-07:00

Rich and I were on our way home from rehearsal the other night and we got on a discussion of little known Paul McCartney albums and I mentioned how awesome the song "Ever Present Past" from the CD "Memory Almost Full" was.

Way back in 2008 (almost to the day) I posted the video for it, so I thought I'd repost it now.

This Sunday it's Back To School... with Buddy Love!

2011-09-13T19:25:00.001-07:00

The band took most of the summer off. Now that fall is around the corner we are gearing up for our "Back To School" appearances in the New York Metropolitan area. To kick it off we are playing this Sunday at one of our favorite (and easy!) places, Otto's Shrunken Head and Tiki Bar.

I hope our fan(s!?) can make it!

On another note, we recieved the IPO NY Schedule and am happy to announce that we are set to play Friday evening November 4th at 11:15. Again, for those who don't read the old posts (what? you don't?) IPO NY this year will be at

Local 269
269 East Houston Street
New York 212 228-9874 http://thelocal269.com

Here's the full schedule:

Tuesday, November 1: $10
7:30 Waldo Cros
8:15 Freddy Monday
9:00 Dixon
9:45 BlackBunny
10:30 Action Toolbelt
11:15 The Baghdaddios

Wednesday, November 2: $10
7:30 The Father and The Son
8:15 Michael Lynch
9:00 Lannie Flowers
9:45 meyerman
10:30 The Anderson Council
11:15 The Above

Thursday, November 3: $10
7:30 John Laprade
8:15 Changing Modes
9:00 Wendy Ip
9:45 McGinty & White
10:30 The Hillary Step
11:15 The Middle Eight

Friday, November 4: $10
7:30 The Roebucks
8:15 Vegas With Randolph
9:00 The Peaces
9:45 The Modulators
10:30 The Turnback
11:15 Buddy Love
12:00 The Beat Rats

Saturday, November 5: $10
7:30 Lily Sparks
8:15 The Shirts
9:00 Kurt Reil/Kristin Pinell from The Grip Weeds- Special Acoustic Show
9:45 Sonny Lee & The Layovers
10:30 Dave Rave
11:15 London Egg
12:00 The Reign

Sunday afternoon, November 6: $10
1:00 Joel Streeter
1:45 Zombies Of The Stratosphere
2:30 The Electric Mess
3:15 The Movers
4:00 Lieder
4:45 Sexy Heroes

Sunday evening, November 6: $8
7:30 The Hide and Seek Effect
8:15 Jana Peri
9:00 Twenty Cent Crush
9:45 Bastards of Melody
10:30 The Fallen Troubadours

IPO New York, again!

2011-08-30T13:56:00.000-07:00

I am happy to report that David Bash has once again invited us to appear at IPO New York.

The dates for this DO NOT MISS Power Pop Event are November 1 through 6 with all shows to be held at Local 269 which is at 269 East Houston Street.

I'll update you (all three of you) when I know exactly what night we are scheduled for...

Meeting with the management

2011-08-07T15:16:00.000-07:00

I met with Maria (our manager) and her associate Roman to discuss the band's next step, now that our distribution arrangement is signed. It was my intention to play them about ten songs (live with acoustic guitar) to decide which ones to concentrate on for new material. I wound up playing more like twenty! ranging from two months to eight years old.

Some of their choices were (to me anyway) obvious but a few were a complete surprise to me. But that was the purpose of the meeting in the first place! To get dispassionate opinions and then to make more informed decisions about which songs for the band to learn.

Among other things discussed were the possibility of outside funding to prepare new recordings for a follow up to our new CD (Buddy Love 2011).

It feels good to have an honest to goodness music business machine working in the background for the band. In fact, this is the first time in our history that we've had such a mechanism in place! I'm glad to have Maria and Roman in our camp.

International POP Overthrow Vol. 14

2011-08-02T19:16:00.001-07:00

I almost don't even have to say anything except to mention that our song "Almost In Tears" from our new CD Buddy Love (2011) is included on this fantastic compilation of Modern Melodic Rock.

"Almost In Tears" from "Buddy Love (2011)"

Buddy Love Signs Distribution Deal!

2011-07-23T11:10:00.000-07:00

The band is proud to announce that Buddy Love has
signed a global distribution and licensing Agreement with Innsbruck Records

to promote their new self-titled album.

For those who have stumbled upon this blog by accident and have no idea what's going on here, Buddy Love is a power pop band noted for their 1980 single, “Sheila” and their early 80's activities in the New York Post Punk Underground.

What makes us different than a lot of the relatively unknown bands from the 80's is that we reformed in 2006 with ALL of our original members; Joey, Doug, Scottie and Rich and have recently augmented the band with our newest member David.

Buddy Love is featured in a rock documentary being filmed by veteran Film Executive Producer, Tony Harding, of THEM.tv, NYC. Check out the teaser at www.them.tv – click on “The Work” – then “Film / TV” and watch “Who is Buddy Love?” or... save yourself alot of clicking and just watch it here!

Buddy Love have appeared on the 2008, 2009, 2010 and now on the newly released 2011 International Pop Overthrow compilation CD's and has been featured at the IPO NY Festivals since 2007.

Instrumentation

•Doug Khazzam – lead guitar, vocals and songs
•Joey Kelly – lead vocals
•Scott Nevin “Killer” Schiller – lead electric bass, vocals and attitude
•Rich "Starr" Stirrat – drum major and vocals
•Dave Stoler – Keyboards

For additional information, press kits, music sync licensing, covering a song or collaborating, please contact: Maria Infantine
maria@innsbruckrecords.com

Dynamo Bliss - 21st Century Junk

2011-07-15T13:39:00.000-07:00

Aaron's website powerpopaholic.com always has some good tips but recently he turned me on to the Swedish band Dynamo Bliss, whose new CD "21st Century Junk" is a masterpiece of Brian Wilson-ish POP filtered through Dark Side of The Moon PROG. Genius? Understatement!

Click the pic above and see for yourself.

PS. Also includes non CD bonus Track...

Birth of the Electric Sitar

2011-07-09T15:18:00.003-07:00

Isn't YouTube Great?

2011-05-25T05:14:00.000-07:00

So the month of May was busy for us, performing an unprecedented seven shows. Apparently we have garnered some fans along the way and one of them filmed us at the Suzie Creamcheese benefit at The Delancey.

Here's the video...

Beatle-esque?

2011-05-05T19:36:00.000-07:00

Angelo over at Power Pop Criminals has been creating compilations for every occasion on his blog/site for five years!

His newest is an homage to bands that, while not sounding exactly like our lovable Mop Tops, have Beatle-esque qualities.

Oh yea, he included the song "Tearing You Down" from our new CD. I know, we're Beatle-esque!

Go to his blog and download his compilation (NOW!).

A Month Of Sundays

2011-04-23T08:20:00.000-07:00

Lots of activity this coming month! We're scheduled for a run at Otto's Shrunken Head and Tiki Bar every Sunday in May (Except the 29th!). In case you've never been there, this place is really cool; done up in polynesian decor and with one of the best DJ's in Manhattan I can safely say you will have a good time.

Coming up Saturday May 14th is the Nursery Reunion Show at Bar None on 3rd Ave. (between 12th and 13th St), where The Nursery used to be!

For those who don't know, The Nursery was an after hours club in the late 70's/early 80's where Joey used to work. On any given evening many NYC Rock and Roll lumineries (along with riff raff like myself) used to hang out. Ahh, memories, what's left of them!

Thursday May 19th at The Delancey (Delancey Street at the foot of the Williamsburg Bridge)a benefit for Susan Piscatello from the band Cheap Perfume who is suffering from brain cancer.

Powerpopaholic Review!

2011-04-11T20:11:00.000-07:00

Aaron over at Powerpopaholic.com has reviewed our new CD. If your interested (and you wouldn't be HERE if you weren't) you should go to his website and see what he has to say about other our disk and other new releases including the new Smithereens CD. I think you'll find that he knows what he's talking about!

Live with Dave the Boogieman

2011-04-05T07:37:00.000-07:00

Last week we were guests on The Dave The Boogieman show on Radio International NY.

Of course we had a blast (as you can hear for yourself). Dave and Barry are alot of fun and good friends. And speaking of friends, our buddy Michael Zucko was also in attendance.

Lucky Cheng's

2011-04-01T17:11:00.000-07:00

Here are some pics from our show last week at Lucky Cheng's

This Friday and This Sunday

2011-03-21T20:03:00.001-07:00

This Friday evening (March 25th) we are opening for Sopranos and Good Fellas star Michael Imperioli's band "La Dolce Vita" at a interesting club called "Lucky Chengs" on 1st Ave in New York City.

What makes the place so interesting is that the waitresses are actually MEN IN DRAG! Should be... interesting!

Later that weekend we are appearing on Dave The Boogieman's internet radio show, which will air Sunday evening (the 27th) at 7:30 PM (EST). Dave's show lighlights the best of PowerPOP and melodic rock from all eras. Don't miss it! Click Dave's pic to link to the live stream and to download previous shows.

New Buddy Love CD (finally) Ready/Website Revamp

2011-03-12T05:57:00.000-08:00

Curty Ray over at Power Pop Overdose has kindly offered to give the Buddy Love website a makover and for the past few weeks he and I have been fine tuning it. The timing couldn't be better because our new CD is DONE!

Visit the Buddy Love Store and order yours today!