Ever since the election, it's been nothing but my druggiest/drunkiest neighbors acting as if they played a part in Democratic victory. "We took back the Houuuuuse," I heard on one occasion. Like the guy was at a party dancing to Green Velvet records and eating Oxys. Let's be done talking politics. And hit religion. I nearly had to when invited to interview Sylvester Stallone by phone in regards to Rocky Balboa. One problem: Interviews were solely for "leaders in the faith and family community" and "faith-based publications" because of Rocky's spiritual message. After not being able to think fast enough to come up with a religious affiliation beyond "Church of the Poisoned Mind" — too '80s for my taste — and losing the chance to chat, I had to wonder if Christ would want to be known through any affiliation with Stallone. And if Jesus had seen the film, would he just rather punch Sly in the face Himself?
So what if Billy and Michael Weiss — owners of Pure, Palmer, Transit — moved to San Diego. Their once-monthly trips home to Philly yielded the biggest event in the Gayborhood since I spun torch songs at Bump. The brothers just bought Woody's — Philly's most established gay club and neighbor to the Weiss' Bump and Pure. "The owner said he was tired and asked if we'd be interested," says Billy, who'll sink lots of cash into "refreshing" without drastically altering the club's look and sound for their Jan. 3 takeover. "We paid too much to change what it is: a classic." So, no Making Time parties at Woody's, despite Dave P salivating for one after his Rapture glow-stick fest at Pure? "Nope," laughs Billy. With that Billy and Michael issue an edict: If you're gay, be nice to the Weiss.
Since there's many Espers, the possibility of writing about the holy-psych freak folkies weekly is endless. So after last week's Fern Knight comes this week's delicious solo CD from cellist/harpist/singer Helena Espvall — Nimis & Arx. Produced by collaborator George Korein (Ninth St. Records), Nimis is a more darkly manipulated electronic affair — till ethereally surreal — than anything from Camp Espers. Stay tuned.
Six degrees of Teca: Everyone who knows Gay Street in West Chester knows Teca, Roberto Guadagnini's eatery. Teca features wines from the vineyard Roberto and dad Alberto (from Trattoria Alberto down the street) own in Sienna — Casali di Bibbiano. Now, Guadagnini bought Teca's neighboring firehouse for what friends call a "NouvoTeca" — a grand Euro-disco nightclub and vin-drinkers paradise featuring a truly international wine list, Côte D'Azur decor and tons of Murano glass. It opens at November's end. Also at November's end: the exciting mod-Italiano James Restaurant from mister-and-missus Jim Burke and Kristina Benene in the ex-Michael's Ristorante spot at 824 S. Eighth. The Burke/Benene connection to Teca? The duo worked in the hotel at the Guadagninis' Sienna vineyard. At'sa nize.
When Union Dead and Whiskey Livin' play with NYC's Bullys Nov. 18 at Front Street's El Bar, one cranky Phillypunk totem'll appear revamped: Blessed Muthas featuring 17-year-old guitar phenom "Sean of the Dead." Even crankier, punkier and readier to re-vamp: Undergirl, singer/bassist/hairdresser Amy Dicamillo's trio, whose longtime drummer Frank Domanico left amicably after finishing its new CD, The Stuff I Got'll Bust Your Brains Out. Bad timing on Frank's part. Genya Ravan, host of Sirius' Chicks & Broads, asked Undergirl to remix "Boys Club" for her Dec. 1 show. Call 215-592-0630 if you got sticks.
RadioRadio: She might've got cut from doing traffic reports (who cares?) but Tiffany Bacon will hold on to her Inner City Sunday show on WUSL (98.9 FM). Then there's the heinous smooth-jazz format, WJJZ, which will unfortunately reappear this week after once wisely being dropped in August. That means dreaded Michael Tozzi comes with it. No. I'm not giving you call numbers. That'll only encourage you. Then there's the WIP 610 exchange between boxer Bernard Hopkins and Howard Eskin, who, after a discussion about who loves Terrell Owens more (ugh), offered to ass-suck each other if (or if not) T.O. finishes his Dallas Cowboys contract and earns its entire $25 mill. Those two made me feel so grimy, I need a shower. Or — Penthouse Pet Sunny Leone who'll be by Club Risque's Philly, Bristol and Burlington venues Nov. 16 to 18. Porn stars — they're clarifiers. And while I'll have mo' info on Fresca chef-turned-pornographer Scott "LaRock" McLeod's post-Satanic Rave stuff — a tattooed-hardcore punk/bukkake fuck site holeandaheartbeat.com featuring Scareho, Necktie and Dead Meat, their buds in World Famous Crawlspace Bros have something more civilized planned at Bar Noir Nov. 20. Bros' Rich Hillen Jr. , Joe Randazzo III and Gina Randazzo go acoustic with Bitchslicers (and WFCSB exes) King Gary, Shifty Shane Jenkins and John Falco doing likewise. "Let's call the night 'acoustic rape,'" says Hillen. That's civil.
Maybe you, like me, are going to that Dylan show Nov. 18 at the WachSpectrum (right after that Hova show at the Airport, yo). But apparently, last Thursday's all-Dylan-covers show at Avery Fisher Hall, NYC, with Patti Smith, Allen Toussaint and Ryan Adams was the Dylan-event-to-do as Philly's The Roots — or rather a tuba/guitar/drum trio version thereof — did "Masters of War" sounding like a mix of Prince, Francis Scott Key and a N'Orleans' funeral march.