Josh and the Empty Pockets Newsletter #3

Josh and the Empty Pockets Newsletter #2

Josh and the Empty Pockets - Live at the Double Door
Josh and the Empty Pockets will once again be rocking one of Chicago's legendary music clubs, the Double Door.. [venue link] Join the Pockets as we blow both doors off this puppy on July 17. Doors open at 8:00, The Pockets rock the joint at 10:15, cover is $7. The night of musical beauty includes such diverse talent as Hot Heels Records, Band Called Catch, Star and Micey (our dudes from Memphis!) and Chicago funk-monsters Deuce. Come on out and enjoy the night filled with good tunes, good friends, and good times. Plan for a few surprises!


Northbrook Days - Back by Popular Demand
That's right, Pocketeers, those wacky Pockets come to rock the 'burbs at Northbrook Days. [ venue link ] Josh and the Empty Pockets had such an awesome time last year and are glad to be welcomed back to the Days of Northbrook. You should really join them in rocking this place into the ever-loving ground. Seriously, let's do this thing!



May we introduce the Pocket Rocketeer
As you Pocketeers know, we recently lost our beloved 77' Dodge touring van, dubbed "The Pocket Rocket" in North Bergen, NJ over the last tour. Due to irreconcilable differences involving the retention of fluids, we had to part ways. With a tear in our eyes, we selected our next method of transportation carefully, including such options as a train, a zeppelin, and a clock-work mechanical beast. We found our girl in this beautiful Ford Econoline-350 XLT. We call her "The Pocket Rocketeer". Well, at least that's what Danny calls her.





Let the music be your guide,
-Nate Bellon(bass)

The Status Update (or Running, Gunning, Gone)

Holy hell, Pocketeers, it's been a a little while since we've had a blog, but we've been up to so much exciting stuff, we've barely had time to breathe. We've got a new Pocket Rocket, we've got some exciting shows coming up, and we have some news about the next album, but all that will be coming in the following days. If I may, I'd like to say a few words about a topic that everyone is talking about these days: Michael Jackson.

First off, it's sad to have lost such a huge figure in Pop music. Michael will continue to shape the face of pop music for years to come as subsequent generations of musicians are brought up with his time-honored classics in their ears.

I grew up with Michael Jackson tunes being played on the radio, watching his tremendous videos on MTV, peering into the eyes of a giant. I even had a Michael Jackson "Bad" portable 45 record player. I didn't know any of the words, but I sang along loudly, as did my sister. And oh, the dancing. We would both play air-guitar to "Black or White" and be filled with glee whenever the local radio stations would play "Thriller" around Halloween time.

On the road, the Empty Pockets crank the Michael Jackson and boogie along to "Thriller", taking pleasure in each "Jacksonism" inside the music. We sing along and make observations about pop music of past and present. When we heard he died, at the gig in Naperville, we played "I Want You Back" in tribute to the man who was rightfully declared "The King of Pop".

Here's a link to my favorite Micheal Jackson song, "Remember the Time" from the album "Dangerous".
Remember the Time

Stay classy, San Diego
-Nate Bellon(bass)

Cleveland is Rock Central (or When a Band meets a Band a comin' through the Clev)

The Empty Pockets find themselves in Cleavland this weekend, having traveled in to play at the Avon Lake Relay for Life on Saturday. We had a great time rocking for the walkers, and were glad to be invited back for next years' Relay. Thanks to everyone in Avon Lake for being so very nice. Rock!

The next day, arising from bed at our Holiday Inn in Cleveland, we stumbled upon a sight we've become expert with finding: another band. We didn't know what this band was about, their style of music, or their personal dispositions, but we were pretty sure that we'd be crazy-musician-buddies instantly, so we left them a little present to jump-start the process.

Here's Josh, digging the sweet vibe


See? We left them a copy of Under the Bed!

Danny with the band-trailer and Gary Coleman (now with vomiting action!)

So, other band, if you're reading this, send us your info. Who are you? Where are you from? Where are you headed? Let's get together and talk band stuff and drink cold-ones and do band-y type things... like horse-shoes or something. I dunno. But let's do it.

Greetings for Cleveland! Awesome meeting today with Mike McVay and met the talented Ashley Nemeh. Getting ready to do some early T.V. with Fox 8 WJW TV, so we're getting some realy sleep. Continuation of the last tour blog to come.

Stay funky, stay free,
-Nate Bellon(bass)

Empty Pockets Tour Day 3: Welcome to Rochester ( or Thank Heaven for BBQ)

Ahh, day three started so very early in Rochester, NY, as Erika awoke at 5 a.m. to begin prepping for our appearance on ABC's Rochester affiliate, Channel 13 - WHAM. [ link ] As she turned off the shower, the handle broke off in her hand, and we were left with a shower running at 5 a.m. and three more Pockets to clean. Thankfully, the night manager at the La Quinta in was very kind about it and let us into an adjacent room so we could cleanse ourselves for the morning news.

The bathtub where it all began.
This was after the maintenance guy took it apart.

Everyone at WHAM was very nice, and we'd like to thank you very much for having us in the studio. It was a blast! We'll be sure to stop on by when next we find ourselves in Rochester, thanks so much.

After doing our thang at WHAM, we headed back to the hotel for some much needed sleep. About an hour into our rest, we received a call from the hotel owner, telling us we needed to pay for the broken shower and vacate his hotel immediately. After some well placed yelling from Josh, it all escalated until the police were called, and came to escort us out of our room. As soon as we told the office the story, he laughed and said "Welcome to Rochester."

Our friendly Gates Police officer

A new fan? Sweet!

The hotel of our discontent

All the excitement over little old us made everybody hungry, so we headed on over to the Dinosaur Bar-B-Que for some old-fashioned New York BBQ. It was incredibly delicious, and we had a great time eating slow-cooked meats, drinking delicious beers, and enjoying the company of the fine people of Rochester, NY.

Ah, Rochester.

Deliciousness, served hot.

I'll have what he's having!

I really dig the bow-tie and tattoo look.
Pretty hip.

We decided to swing by the local Guitar Center to pick up a few things and blow some time at the shopping center. Always a lot of fun, fo show!

Ahh, look at all the pretties!

Danny took a few phone calls...

... and Josh bought Nate a doll.

After all the fun, we headed over to Johnny's Irish Pub to rock the night away [ link ]. Johnny's is has the authentic Irish pub feel to it from the moment you walk in the door. Try the food, it's delicious and hand-made, with love. We even got to meet Johnny! We had a great time talking about Rochester, the Pub, the music scene, and all of life's little intricacies. Oh, and yea, we did rocketh the halls of Rochester that day.

After our show, we moved our butts down the road into NJ so we could be close to our radio meeting the next day with WMJC Nassau/Suffolk. We drove and drove and drove, and we drove a little bit more. We found a Best Western that fit the bill, and lay our weary heads down to rest, with the days events still swirling through our heads. Woof. Whatta day.

Empty Pockets Tour Day 2: Buffalo by Day (or In Space, No One Can Hear You Shuffle)

Wednesday morning found us busting butt out of our hotel room in Cleavland and shuffling off to Buffalo, New York, a favorite city of ours. We had so much too do, but we managed to find a little leisure time to relax and enjoy.

After arriving in fair Buffalo, we visited the fine folks over at WTSS Star 102.5 for a bit, bringing them rock and roll and Bocce Club pizza [ link ]. Who doesn't like those two things? Nobody, that's who. A local cafe was grilling hamburgers and hotdogs outside, so we brought our pizza and radio meeting to the people, and entertained the whole lot. It's what we do, after all.

Whatcha got there, Dan?

Josh and Erika rock the Star

A small crowd of WTSS employees gathered around

Brian of WTSS Star 102.5, and the Empty Pockets kick it, old school.

We even got a chance to stop by WJYE in Buffalo, and visit our buddy, Chuck Stevens. We got to sit and chat for a bit, and it's always good to see Chuck when we roll through town. Of course, we just had to get a picture.

Chuck and the Empty Pockets

After our awesome radio meetings, we decided to head on over and check out the Niagara Falls, from the American side of course. The Empty Pockets had a lot of fun, storming the falls and enjoying the thundering majesty of millions of gallons of water rushing out of Danny's ears (or the falls, I'm not sure which.)

On our way to the Falls

Check it out! Water!

The Maid of the Mist sure does get close to those Falls!

Erika lectures the boys on rail safety

Don't cross the streams!

Now that's BRISK, baby!

After a lovely foray to the Falls, the Empty Pockets headed to our favorite Buffalo venue, the Sportsmen's Club [ link ], where we rocked the night away with some awesome people, as always. Thanks to Dwayne and Kenny for having us in, we always have such a great time, and we always leave with a sad smile upon our faces, waiting for the day we can return and rock Buffalo once more.

The Sportsmen's, a rockin' good joint.

Driving our way to Rochester that evening was a trip, but we hit it and hit it well. That evening found us wiped in our beds once more, but feeling good after a wonderful day in Buffalo.

Rock the world,
-Nate Bellon(bass)

Empty Pockets Tour Day 1: Detroit Rock City Reference ( or That Title's Been Done!)

Howdy Pocketeers,

It's time for the Pockets to hit the road and take the rocking to the East Coast, via Detroit, Buffalo, Rochester, Brooklyn, Binky and Anthony's wedding in Manhattan, and a final trip into Cleavland. Like any good trip, it all started in our 1977 Millenium-Falcon-in-atmo, the Pocket Rocket.

Dan and Erika rousing number from "Mary Poppins"

We played a show on Tuesday night at The Modern Exchange [venue link]in Southgate, MI. Our performance was in-between the Dylan-esque acoustic stylings of Kenny and the tight and heavy local group, Universelings. The club itself is an awesome mix of live-music venue, small cafe and vintage clothing store, with all sorts of goodies to put the tingle in your kringle, son.

Hanging out backstage at The Modern Exchange

Our man Kenny rocks it with the Pockets

Adam Spero drove from Cleavland to kick it

After the gig, we hung out for a bit and chatted it up, but we eventually had to blow our way out to Cleavland. We had to be in Buffalo the next day at noon for a meeting with the fine folks over at WTSS Star 102.5, so we decided to cut the morning driving in half by driving to Cleavland before sleeping, and then making for Buffalo the next morning. A fine plan it was, and it ended at the Radisson hotel in Cleavland, Ohio at some ungodly hour in the morning.

Danny and Nate try to get the lowest sleep number possible. We've achieved 25!

Everyone had a great time playing with their sleep number bedsPretty soon, the sandman came for all the Pockets, and knocked us all on over to dreamland for awhile, where we dreamt of crazy rock shows, madcap adventures, and spending all our per-weekum on sweet leather suits.

Tour Updates to come as we finally get a chance to transfer photos and blog about the whole, nutso deal.

Keep that funk alive,
-Nate Bellon(bass)

No Sleep Till Brooklyn ( or Backroom Interview: Pockets Style)

Our buddy Kori from WNBC in New York just sent us a link to the video feature that her and Liman shot on our last trip out to NYC. It takes place in the backroom of Freddy's, a favorite Brooklyn stop of the Empty Pockets, and we absolutely love it.
Take a peek!

Nice job, everybody! Thanks to WNBC for doing the piece, which is now running in taxi-cabs and subways throughout the city, and thanks so much to Kori and Liman for being awesome folks and making the piece super sweet. You both rock, and we need to take some time to hang and grab some pizza again.

Rock, rock on,
-Nate Bellon(bass)

J&tEP Newsletter #2!

Josh and the Empty Pockets Newsletter #2

Josh and the Empty Pockets - Live at Reggie's!
Josh and the Empty Pockets rock the hometown at one of Chicago's premiere rock clubs, Reggie's Music Joint. [venue link] Join the Pockets as we rock the Chi on May 15 before hitting the road again. We won't be in Chicago for very long, so you should really stop on out and enjoy! Doors open at 8:30, The Pockets rock the joint at 10:45, cover is $8. The night also includes Oso Close and Band Called Catch. Come for the great music and enjoy Reggie's delicious food. I recommend the wings and the hummus. Let's rock, Chicago!



Double Door Tickets on sale now!
Tickets are already on sale for Friday, July 17, as Josh and the Empty Pockets come screaming into Chicago's very own Double Door. [ venue link ] Come party with the Pockets as they rock the Double Door into submission. Tickets are available at the Double Door, or online at Ticketmaster. [ Ticketmaster ] Hey, Rock Pass holders: You can save $2 on tickets with your Rock Pass. Who doesn't love discounted rocking?



Pockets on the Road
The Pockets hit the road on May 19th for the East Coast. We're making stops at The Modern Exchange in Detroit, MI [ venue link ]; the Sportsman's Tavern in Buffalo, NY (Yeah, Dwayne!) [ venue link ]; Johnny's Irish Pub in Rochester, NY [ venue link ]; Freddy's Bar and Backroom in Brooklyn, NY [ venue link ]; amongst others. Keep your eyes on the blog, Myspace, Facebook and website for more information about upcoming dates and tours in your neck of the woods.




Keep on funkin', ya'll
-Nate Bellon(bass)

Before the contest even began, she spotted the Pocket Rocekt!

While on I-90, coming into the lovely city that is Chicago, the Pocket Rocket stopped. Don't ask me why. I have no idea. The motor just stopped running.
I was on the phone with my father to get Mr. Kim's, our trusty family mechanic, number, when Rachel called. I had no idea why she'd call and she hardly ever does but I wasn't about to put my father on hold as the Pocket Rocket was in need of help to chat with my pal, Rachel.

When I got the information and passed it along to Josh I called Rachel back.
"What's wrong with the van?" Rachel said.
"How'd you know..." I paused and said, "Did you pass us?"
"Yeah."

I was so surprised that she was five cars in front of us, but who wouldn't be? I grabbed my camera and told her to stick her arm out the window.
"That's going on the blog," I said and she laughed.



Eventually we were next to her and I took so more. Pretty good smile for driving in the city. Also, Rachel, you should be wearing a headset. That's illegal.


So I guess she is the first Spot the Rocket winner before the contest even begins! I hope she'll take a signed photo or a sock... or something. I don't have much to give her. Perhaps an Empty Pocket poem.

Don't just sit around, hop in the car and look for a large rust red broken down van. Maybe you can win spot the rocket too.

Cheers,
Danny R

Mothers Listen Over Time

We were at Cracker Barrel, in IN on our way back from NY, when my mother called.
"Ahoy hoy," I said.
"Danny?" my mother asked since I had been answering my phone either ahoy hoy or cello for four years now and thought it might be someone else.
"Yes Mom?" I yammered.
"I have a question for you. Who wrote Leaving Jackson?"
"That was Josh and myself," I am very proud of that song.
"Oh, I thought it was Johnny Cash."
"Ha, nope. It was me."
"Well, I wanted to know because now it's my favorite song and I've been playing it repeatedly."
It made me happy that my mother has been enjoying the song. Even though when I first showed it to her she didn't seem to care one way or another. It just goes to show you mothers listen but sometimes it takes longer for them to process. Now I am going to remind her about the Batman toy I always wanted.

By Danny R

Graphs by Danny R

I had some time on hand so I made some graphs. We actually created them when we were filming the music video. The first on is "The Amount of Light on Us it takes to make Us Ugly" and the other one is "The Amount of People That Can Fit in a Van by Their Age." I'd like to point out some things...

In the first graph, everyone loses after a lot of light.

Then in the second graph, you can actually fit a lot more babies in a van but I didn't have anymore push pins.

Your graph maker,
Danny

Check out the Music Video

Hello wonderful people,

Just wanted to let you know that as of today (Tuesday) the "Fall Right Now" music video is available for your viewing pleasure. So take a digital scroll on down to this link:

Click me... I dare you!

Have a great time. If you enjoy your viewing experience then please by all means share us with your friends, your family, your co-workers, strangers on the street or anyone else you see or hear throughout the course of your day.

Be well!

Josh

Subway vs Danny

I have a secret.

Now that we are all friends, I will be honest and let you know that I hate Subway. No, not the CTA (although, Chicago could definitely make that better too) but the food place, Subway. All in all, I really don’t mind the food. I mind how it is put together. Subway is a child. They know they sell sandwiches but they don’t know how to put them together. I don’t understand why I have to tell them what I want on it, I appreciate the option but I not a sandwich artiest. I am a sandwich eater. Listen Subway, you make the sandwiches and I will eat them. Why do I have to be the chef and the customer? Thanks for nothing.

Even your colors are horrible. Green and Yellow. Name one good green and yellow thing! Even the Green Lantern looks silly.

Also, if you don’t know what to get always order the number 1. The number one is the best that is why it is number one, if it wasn’t good it would be number 10. McDonalds number 1 is the Big Mac meal while Burger King is the Whooper.
Take good care and eat well.

Cheers,
Danny R.

The band, NBC and Brooklyn this Wednesday

The band and I just found out that NBC New York is going to be doing a segment on us during our trip to the big apple/New Jersey this upcoming week. We're playing at Freddy's Backroom on Wednesday, April 22 at 9pm and we would LOVE any friends, family or hobos you could send our way. Freddy's is an awesome little bar (known to some as the BEST bar in Brooklyn... check out their website for credentials on that matter) and the NBC camera crew will be there for the entirety of our performance. So get to Brooklyn or call a friend to hang out in your stead. We know, we know! Brooklyn is not Manhattan. However, it is just a short little train ride (right?) and bam! You're in Brooklyn. The drinks at Freddy's aren't expensive AND the last segment this NBC crew did was this one on the Ting Tings backstage at Jimmy Fallon. Radical even though Jimmy Fallon is kind of sucking.
Ok, so get to the borough of Brooklyn, Kings County (that's true, I checked) this Wednesday at... let's say 8:30pm or call a friend and let's all sing Kumbaia together at Freddy's.

Later you saucy minxes you,

Josh

J&tEP Newsletter #1!

Josh and the Empty Pockets Newsletter #1

Music Video Madness!
We just finished filming our first music video for the song "Fall Right Now", and we're really excited. An editor's cut of the video should be available for viewing in late April, so make sure to keep checking in on the Blog, Myspace and Facebook for more information, as well as exclusive behind-the-scenes photos and videos from the filming. Of course, if you just can't wait to see it, you can check out WTTW at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15 to see Josh and Erika spin a sneak preview on Chicago Tonight!
- Read More

Josh and Erika on Chicago Tonight
That's right, folks, Josh and Erika will be appearing on the daily Chicago news program Chicago Tonight. They'll be playing a few songs, answering a few questions, and providing a sneak preview of the brand-spankin'-new music-video for "Fall Right Now". Tune in to WTTW at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15 to catch all the Empty Pocket madness! You can also check out the show from the Comcast WTTW On-Demand folder, so you can watch Josh and Erika when YOU please.
- Read More

Exclusive Content is Coming!
Are you on the mailing list? No? Well, you'd better sign up quick, because Josh and the Empty Pockets will soon be offering exclusive content to our loyal mailing list subscribers. All you have to do is give us your e-mail address, and we'll give you the key to our bountiful content vault, where all your Empty Pocket dreams can come true. Already on the mailing list? Don't worry, you'll be getting your link as soon as the content is online, you early adopter, you. What kind of content are we talking about here?
How about exclusive:

• Live Recordings
  
• Interviews
• Contests
• Video
• Seriously Awesome Stuff

Sounds great, doesn't it? Of course it does, so make sure to sign-up for the the Empty Pockets Newsletter and secure yourself in the ranks of the awesome.

We have a lot of stellar stuff up our respective sleeves, so keep your eyes to the Internet and your ears to the radio, and always remember: Empty Pockets make for full friendships.

Peace!
-Nate Bellon(bass)

The Long and Winding Film ( or Lights, Camera, Rock! )

Day 2 of the Empty Pockets music video can best be described as follows: AWESOME!

Sunday morning found us incredibly tired. We played the night before at Norton's, and we all were feeling the drag as we went through our morning work before the shoot.

Danny's likes his coffee.

More make-up. More hair-dressing. More costuming. More fun.

We put out a call for people to come be in the music video, and the response we got was incredible. We didn't expect to see so many people come out, nor did we expect so many of you to stick around so late. What an incredible experience that was for all of us. Everyone that came made the difference in the video, and it's going to be great because of your energy and dedication.

People are starting to arrive!

The crowd's getting larger. You folks rock!

We proceeded to do take after take after take, switching camera angles and doing close-up hand-held shots that Jewel, the DoP, did masterfully. A hazer pumped some misty-stuff into the room. I'm not quite sure how it works, but it's a sweet effect.

Filming a scene with the awesome crowd

The Pritzker Cheerleaders were in for a second day of filming! These ladies were great. They really showed a professionalism that is often hard to find, and really rose to every challenge with a smile. Thank you so much, girls!

The Pritzker team after a long two-days of shooting. Rock-sauce!

And on we shot. We shot and shot and shot.

Then, I think we did some more shooting.

Josh gets a quick adjustment between shoots. Luda was grand!

Skateboarders! Yeah, dudes. You guys were awesome!

Jewel (the DoP) skated around the set, too. It was great.

Finally, we had shot enough. The director called it a wrap, and we all had a good cheer.

The awesome crew of the music video. A few aren't pictured here.

The shoot was such a great time, and I'd like to take this space to once again thank the awesome crew, the wonderful director, the Pritzker cheerleaders, and all the folks who showed up to be in the video. The Empty Pockets felt the love that day, and it was excellent.

Look here for information on the release of the music video, as well as where you'll be able to catch it on-line.

Rock rock on,
-Nate Bellon(bass)