jedynka, IE, pop art students

Listening to : Dido (Life for Rent), Ryan Adams (Gold)

Friday has arrived. Big night tomorrow. There are a few birthdays in our circle of friends. Doll Face and Gosia. So, as to adhere to Polish Mafia rules, we are going Euro this Saturday night! Yes! There’s this place on Diversy and Central that is an institution. JEDYNKA (translated – “Number One”). The cover is decent, drink prices are ok, there is a nice lounge, euro dance music, and of course beautiful European (mostly Polish) women dressed to impress. This place has been around for years and doesn’t show any sign of slowing down. I guess the daily flight in from Warsaw replenishes the customer base. Should be fun. Happy Birthday Nathalie and Gosia.

I picked up the new Illinois Entertainer today. Nothing in there about VAL yet. They are supposed to review UP THE LOVE, but who knows when they will get to it. I have my fingers crossed.

I had a nice little e-mail encounter with a fan. She contacted me asking permission to write a school paper on VAL. She takes a pop culture course at BGSU Firelands (where’s that?), and wants to use the band as a case study. So, I am sure we will get more acquainted in the coming weeks. I am flattered at the request and also kinda optimistic because there is actually a University class in pop culture! The current political climate sometimes makes me feel like there is no public support for the arts anymore. Especially pop-art. This reminds me that I am probably just jaded and pessimistic. UP THE ART.


pic of the day

yellow

cry me a river
make it yellow

good run, boys
but, this morning i feel like walkin'

funbags

are we havin' fun, yet?

Hale Entertainment Interview

Listening to: Jeff Buckley (Grace)

Pleasant interview last night with Hale and the 2 John’s from TexPert. Eric reminded me to clarify that we weren’t interviewed by Matt Hale the white supremacist, but Hale Entertainment Magazine which is run out of Indiana. The guys from Texpert sat in with Dan, Eric and I and we basically just rambled on and on about the Chicago music scene, music in general, politics and even Lemont, IL! I can’t wait to see how Jason puts the article together.

pic of the day

windy, sex, wxrt, pic of the day

Listening to : Ryan Adams (Rock n Roll), Cursive (The Ugly Organ), Pete Yorn (Day I Forgot).

Damn, is it windy.
Nice temps though. In the 70’s.
So, VAL will be interviewed by Hale Entertainment today. I will let you know how that goes tomorrow.

My bro and his girl, Kid Marek and Aggie, gave me some Sex in the City DVD’s yesterday. I have to find my DVD player and hook it up to my tiny tv. Everything is still in storage from the move, so I rummage through things daily. I have only seen one episode of “Sex” because I don’t have cable. Are DVD’s great or what? What an impact they have on media in general. You can rent or buy whole season’s of shows. Someday, I will be able to see the Sopranos!

Cousin Tom (BT Rentals) sent me an e-mail on the latest radio ratings. I love seeing WXRT ahead of both Q101 and The Zone. I think both of those stations have done a bit backwards. Especially 94.7The Zone. To me it’s more like 94.7The Twilight Zone.

Let’s everyone say a prayer for everyone over in Iraq. Things are getting tense.

Remember that tune : “No, don’t say a prayer for me now. Save it for the morning after.” by Duran²

Rick

pic of the day

valsick, temporary/permanent, pud

Listening to:
Twilight Singers – Blackberry Belle
Nick Cave – No More Shall We Part

Feeling pretty good today. Nothing much going on.
Looks like VAL will be getting together again tomorrow night. It has been a while. A few weeks actually. The Editor of the Indiana indie magazine (Hale Entertainment) that reviewed UP THE LOVE will be dropping by to do an interview. We have a lot of catching up to do. I saw Dan this past weekend, and Andy last week. However, I haven’t seen Bobby or Eric for a while. Last time I saw Eric we were finishing up a blurry night @ Metro with the Twilight Singers. I haven’t seen Bob for a month!

I am now living at a temporary address (with the folks) since my move from the South Loop. Things are all a bit weird and I am a little off-kilter. I hate moving. I am looking forward to finally moving into my final destination later this year. The house should be permanent. It will take some getting used to though. I have been in the city for so long now. But, I believe that I am ready for a little nature. Best thing is that I am still not far from the city. Just 30min Southwest.

I watched a bit of that RESTAURANT show last night. I think Rocco is a bit of a Pud. Haven’t used that one in a long time. Pud.

Later,
Rick

PS – if you have time, read these lyrics from the great Nick Cave

move, interview, south of mainstream

What have I been listening to today?
Jane’s Addiction – Strays
Random MP3’s on my computer

I had a big move over the weekend. Moving from the South Loop to the SW burbs. A big thanks to all you guys that helped out. A 17 foot UHAUL full of my stuff.

Things may start to pick up a little in VAL land. I have the new pictures up and I hope to have some new MP3’s available soon. Also, a possible interview for HALE Entertainment magazine this week.

UP THE LOVE is going to be reviewed soon on “South of Mainstream” They are an online music review site. Check it out here. You can see that VAL is set to be reviewed soon.

Short and sweet today.

Rick

daily listening, indie world series, NEW PICTURES!

What Rick is listening to today :

Thursday – War All The Time
Blink 182 – Take Off Your Pants and Jacket

I received a package in the mail yesterday containing free tickets to the Elbo Room on Thurs May 13th for the Independent Music World Series. It’s some contest that we entered and didn’t win. So, they sent me some promotional passes. That was nice of them. I guess. I will have to round up a posse. Maybe it will be a good show to meet other people in the biz. The bands on the bill are from the entire Midwest. They have them listed on their site as :
Rebel's Advocate
The Etiquette
The Its
Shipwreck Union
The Full Flava Kings
Nadir

FINALLY!
I am done editing all of the live pictures from the last 6 months!
There are on the photo page of our site. Check them out, and post comments to the message board.

Have a good weekend, all!

urge

emerge and see
(emergency)

i felt the flower blossoming
tearing off the petals

darkness, restless, nov 2003, urgency

Listening to THE DARKNESS this morning. A guilty pleasure. This is a great disc to play at a party. Kinda lifts the spirits.

I got a bunch of errands to run today as usual. I miss not getting together with VAL. We have had a few weeks off, and I am getting restless. I need the music. Not too much longer now. I hope to get everything back on track in May. We will be making a triumphant return to the stage on Friday June 4th. Keep checking back for details.

I am really working on those new pictures guys! I am down to 2 more shows worth of stuff to weed through. There are TONS of pics. Going all the way back to Nov of last year!

Sometimes I feel in total control of my life and other times I feel like a pawn in the big game. I guess the goal is to put yourself in the earlier state. And so every day becomes a reason to psyche yourself up. If you are successful, accomplishments come in droves. If not, its just another wasted day. I am getting to the point where there is an urgency.

Rick

BRMC, ? , Rain, Chicago Bloggers

Tuesday. Chillin with my new headphones gettin’ work done. Listening to Black Rebel Motorcyle Club – “Take Them On .. On Your Own” . Got it from my buddy Buda. Has a sweet sound to it. Reminds me of a muddier Jesus and Mary Chain. I like it. What do the rest of you think of it ?

Thought came to mind this afternoon. I would like to address questions from the fans here. If you have any question for me or the band, please post your question on the message board. You can ask anything. Maybe about our background or the genesis of a song, etc ?

Rain has finally fallen on Chicagoland. Dan is twinkling the opening to Save Me for the Rain and sobbing for love lost. It has been some time since our last rain. I actually saw a story about brush fires in the vicinity ? Can that be true ? Are brush fires endangering us here in the Midwest ?

This VAL blog has been added to http://www.chicagobloggers.com/. This is a collection of other bloggers in Chicago. We are at the Irving Park stop on the Blue Line. VAL headquarters is at the LOVE DEN near the famous 4 corners baby!

Later,
Rick

headphones, MR C, weekend,

Just got back from lunch. Another lovely day, but a little too windy for my taste. I had to stop at the local mart to pick up new headphones for the office. I think that the average life span of my headphones is a year at most. Ultimately, some wiring gets split and I grab my trusty knife and try to twist them back together. I always end up buying a new pair anyway. Good thing that the kind I get are cheap. $5 from KOSS. I can’t spend more, since they are almost disposable for a guy like me. Listening to hours of music a week while hacking away. Good thing that I have a job that actually requires me to listen to music (for sanity). Staring at code for hours can wear a good man down. I am listening to the JET CD now. Sounds good. I don’t think it’s spectacular, but it is a good listen. I recommend.

Yesterday, Bobby C. borrowed a power washer device from my Pops. MR C is a big outdoors guy. He created a pond in is back yard with a fountain and fish. He also does tons of landscaping work. I think C needs the washer for some fencing or something. I bet he has a tan the next time I see him!

How was the weekend ?
Mine was swell. Saturday, DollFace, Kid L and I strolled along the lakefront. Later in the day, Matty the Hat (big VAL supporter) invited a few of us out to his place in Lake in the Hills. Nice place, beautiful wife and baby girl. It was good times with our favorite guest – Little Johnny Walker. Sunday I was at a Christening. At this restaurant “Szalas”. On Archer Ave. near Midway. It is an authentic Polish eatery. Food was great. Ambiance was rustic, and our little friend Johnny W crashed again.

Later, all.

Rick

friday, pics, new york, poker

Friday again. Weekends rule.
Still workin hard on many things this week. Packing for my move, busy with the day job, tying up some loose ends for my future renters, AND working on getting a bunch of new pics posted. I am very close to getting the pictures out there. If you notice, the picture page on www.vulturesarelovebirds.com is totally messed up. It is a work in progress, but I didn’t intentionally screw up the on-line version. It’s just a workaround that I thought would work but ended up failing. Anyway, I really really promise that new pictures will be up soon!

Looks like the VAL “ Cheatin’ ” tour might not happen at all. We were planning on traveling out to a small college in New York State this fall for a “Rock the Vote” type event. Recently, some details have changed that put the kibosh on the whole thing. Who knows? Maybe it will still happen, but at this point, we aren’t optimistic.

Oh, I am trying to fit in a stop on my busy driving schedule tonight. In between my trips to the South Loop and Palos Hills, I hope to drop by the bachelor pad of one lovely BUDA. He’s hosting a little poker night with the VAL Street Team in attendance as well as VAL’ own Puckitty-Puck-Puck. If I don’t see you boys, I wish you all a winning night.

Let the weekend begin…………..

Rick

hiatus, review, smile

Wed. Usually my VAL fix day. Well, today we aren’t practicing. We are taking a little hiatus for the next couple of weeks, only to regroup strong in May gearing up for our June 4th show at 602 North.

Check out our first review of UP THE LOVE. It is from HALE ENTERTAINMENT, an independent art magazine out of Indiana. Let me know what you think about it on our message board. (ps – you need adobe acrobat to read the file)

It’s a beautiful day here in Chicago. High in the 60’s and plenty of sun. Makes me all happy inside. Take the time to make someone smile today.

Later,
Rick

Just gettin to my daily scribblings now.
Long weekend, long day.
Kid L is pretty happy about all the toys he got over the weekend. It was his 2nd birthday. He is stoked.
Our place is a mess.

In VAL land, I STILL have to get a bunch of new pictures posted, new mp3's of our radio acoustic numbers from last week, and our last show at 602 North, preliminary designs for our first T-shirt, and a posting of our first review of UP THE LOVE from Hale Entertainment Magazine (from Indiana). Things are gettin busy.

Add all of this to the fact that I am moving in about 2 weeks, I have to finish doing my in-laws taxes, and I have to tie a bunch of loose ends in the coming weeks, and you have one tired Ricky.

Pop-Quiz :

"Why worry? There should be laughter after pain.
There should be sunshine after rain.
So, why worry now." - (what band and album from the 80's)

Later,
Rick

easter, twilight, angels, review

Just want to wish everyone a wonderful Easter weekend. Even though this is not a universal holiday, I am a practicing Catholic, and so I am observing it.

Yesterday, I was very tired due to our shenanigans at the Twilight Singers show on Wed night at Metro. It was a great show of course, but not as intimate and dynamic as the last time Dulli and crew came through town for a 2 night stint at Double Door. Double Door is a smaller place, and that might be the difference. Anyway, it was good to see the Metro nicely packed for the boys. The response from the crowd was great.

At the time, Andy was in the hospital with Desi, greeting their 2 angels into the world. Tanya and Aleksander. Congrats guys!

VAL recently got it’s first review of UP THE LOVE from a small monthly art magazine in Indiana (Hale Entertainment). I will be posting the review shortly. “Daylight Doesn’t Exist” also makes an appearance on the sampler CD that accompanies the issue. Thanks to Jason from Hale for his continued support.

Rick

tired

too tired to type type.
more tomorrow.

twilight tonight. pics dick. easter. tax. fine fine women

Lovely day here in Chicago land. Busy day as well. I got the daily grind and then off to the Metro tonight with Kid Marek, Puck, BT Rentals, Eric, and Buda. Should be a great Twilight Singers show, and I am looking forward to it. To see the great Dulli on that stage. While we are fading into the twilight, our thoughts will also be with Andy as he and Desi are in the midst of their own life changing experience. Good luck guys.

Procrastinator Dick.
Yeah, I promised there would be new pictures posted last week. Well, I am working on it. The problem is that we have so many cool pics, that I have to choose which ones make the website. Server space doesn’t grow on trees. I am hoping to get the re-vamped picture page up soon. I am also editing the live recordings that we have from our last 602 show and the WXAV set from this past Friday.

Easter is only a few days away, and as a practicing Catholic, all I can say is : “LET’S PARTY!” Christ is risen! To tell you the truth, I didn’t really miss eating meat that much on Fridays. No biggie at this point. I love Tuna, Salmon, Shrimp, and of course BEANS! I love the beans man. Don’t know why. Most people are repelled for obvious reasons. I just love em. Bass Face Bobby actually gave up our drug of choice over the last 40 days. No booze. I think he is due for a bender next week. Maybe I’ll send him a fresh batch of spiritus. For those that don’t know, Spiritus is the Polish word for grain alcohol. But, we don’t actually drink it straight. We dilute it with a water/carmelized sugar mixture that is divine. He needs at least 8 shots to feel himself again.

And what about tax season? Did everyone get their taxes done? If not, get on your horse. The best part of tax day is that cheepo cheeseburger deal at McDonalds. I think they are like 39 cents or something like that. This is a great country. Just don’t drink the milk. WHY? It’s like over $3 a gallon! F! Looks like little kids everywhere will be brittle for a while. And is that powdered milk really milk? I always wondered.

Have you seen Alicia Keys lately? She actually looks like a woman. I think I saw her on the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame. She was wearing a low cut dress! She is fine. Another fine person is that Mischa girl from that OC show. However, I think she may be jail bait.

Well, signing off for now. I hope to give out some VAL sampler CD’s at Metro tonight.
As Dulli sings – “Esta Noche. All the lights will breath the same air. As I behold the view.

Rick

radio fallout

Hey Yah!
Hey Yahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh………

It’s Monday peeps. And a weird Monday at that. Daylight Savings Time-Warp and all.

Things are looking up. Kid L is better, VAL was just on web-wide radio (WXAV), and the TWILIGHT SINGERS show is only 2 days away!!! NOOOOOOICE.

So any of you people catch the radio show on Friday? If so, what were your thoughts ? Were we dorky? Were the songs off key? We are only human, AND we were totally sober. I hope to continue our relationship with WXAV cause I think they are going in the right direction. 24Hr operation with world wide web streaming, AND they play local music at all times on all their shows. Next stop – WXRT. I sent a CD to Richard Milne over there, but he gets tons of submissions.

Later,
Rick

Miss.Erry

would you like some company?

foolin'

ya had me at hello, hello.........
(dem' record companies got ink ta' spill____on dotted lines.......all ya need is ta' connect them dots)

as for ol boy and his bag o' tricks
there are razorblades in the candies i been passin' out today
so bite down hard!

gonna treat myself ta' a lil' game of cat and mouse
don't say i didn't warn ya'
cuz the cheese stands alone

happy april fools day ta' all ya fools (in and out of love)
and happy birthday to tha' heart and soul of our lil' family......mommy dearest........in all sincerity

sto lat to maly rysio!
don't think we forgot about cha', kid
put back a short round or two
deep in the throws of celebration
gonna help myself to a yellow in yo' honor


till then.....
twilight is for lovers
like morning is for liars
dreamers beware!

VAL SIGNED!!!!

You won't believe this.
I got a call late last night, subsequentialy drove down to a near north bar and negotiated a record contract worth 1.5 million dollars! All our hard work has finally paid off and the world will hear the VAL boys in all their glory. Preliminary plans are to be in the studio in the summer with an early 2005 release and opening tour.
I can't divulge all of the details yet, but click here for a clue of the record co.

Rick