BEHIND THE SCENES

Rita : Other impressive people are those who stand behind the scenes and help make the magic happen. Lolita : Let's find out who some of the more note-worthy ones are. I'll ask musicians to “Name your favorite behind-the-scene person in the Boston music scene?” JESSE VON KENMORE (The Pug Uglies): Joanie Lindstrom (WMBR). For 20 years Joanie has been brining the finest in punk, underground, garage, and metal to the wasteland of FM radio. She is a heroic true believer, wikkid nice gal with impeccable taste who is a huge part of what makes Boston such a great place to be a musician. Hail! *** KRIS THOMPSON (The Lothars/Concord Ballet Orchestra Players): I appreciate the creativity that Tony Confalone puts into the bookings that he's been doing at P.A.'s Lounge. *** LIZ BORDEN (Liz Borden Band/ Bang Chicks): One of my favorite behind the scene persons is “the road crew.” Why? Most work for free and get no glory. There are too many of them to name but my roadie Bob, picks up the equipment, sets it up, makes sure we are okay and puts up with my bullshit. Throughout the years I have worked with many great roadies and they really made my life much easier. For whatever reason they do it—drinks? Drugs? Groupies? Love of music? Who knows? Everyone should really give them a big shout out. *** JUSTIN BERTHIAUME (Chicken Slacks): My vote would go to Fitzy (Richard Fitzgerald), proprietor of the Cantab Lounge. He's kept live music running there seven nights a week since your grandmother was one of the “hot college chicks.” Of course I'm biased because the band (Chicken Slacks) plays there every week, but its unpretentious vibe, wide variety of music (blues, bluegrass, funk, soul, open mike, jam nights) and the incredible diversity of people that love the place make it my favorite off-night hang. And someday I know he's gonna fix up the bathrooms... Cheers Fitzy! *** TIM MUNGENAST (Tim Mungenast & His Preexisting Conditions): I'd say Joe Feloni. When he worked at the Sky Bar, he was good to us three ways: (1) Booking us on great bills; (2) Running the PA so that everybody sounded wonderful; and (3) Always being willing to talk about guitar... and this guy knows a thing or two about guitar! (He recently left the Sky Bar to concentrate on gigging, and the lovely Anderson Mar is now doing the booking.) *** MR. B (The Humanoids): Alvan Long from the Curve of The Earth label to New Alliance studios (now in it's second location). Alvan has been there and always will. He is an amazing individual and a great friend. *** JOHN POWHIDA (The Rudds): Lolita Flange always manages to jack my spirits up behind the scenes. Lolita : Guess what “jack my spirits” is code for?