Also, starting Friday, I’m back in the pit (or the back, unlit part of the stage, as it were) for Bobdirex in Silver Bells, Silver Screen. And, for those not so into the whole holiday thing, the Playboy Psychonauts return to the Melody Inn for Cocoanut Grove this very Sunday around 9pm or so.

Which, of course, is right in the middle of the Ravens/Steelers rematch. The sacrifices I make, I tell you.

Also, there’s only one thing I really find appealing about the picture to the left, and it fits in with the occurrences taking place over the next few weeks. Yes, the NFL preseason continues, and I choose to focus on the initial winning ways of the Steelers than the ongoing drama horror that is the career of Brett Favre. And by career, I mean season-ending interceptions.

So take a look at this bass, if you will. Black, black, black, black and gold, with the tastefully placed Steelers logo and the not-so-tastefully placed nickname. But it’s his bass, so I suppose the nickname belongs. Other than that, it looks ready to go. So, indeed, here we go, Steelers, here we go!

Big Car Gallery hosts a huge night of music (a Decadent Music Party, as it were) with Jon Autry, ROOMS and Fair Fjola tonight. This will be a good night. I encourage you to go to this.

The White Rabbit Cabaret and My Old Kentucky Blog presents Jeremy Messersmith w/Noah East this evening. Drink it in, and drink it deep.

The Twilight Nites Big Band takes the stage at the Fountain Square Theater for Swing Night. For smaller-scale jazz, head over to Maria’s Pizza. And, for lounge music, there’s the Brass Ring. Enjoy!

P.S. The Steelers kick off their preseason this Saturday night. It’s the most wonderful time of the year . . .

Also, there’s a Playboy Psychonauts gig at the Upper Room in Broad Ripple this very evening, starting around 10pm or so. It will be exceptionally cold, I understand. For that, we are providing new material and access to fine coffee drinks in exchange for currency. That last transaction will be handled by bartender extraordinaire Jeff Sample. We’ll handle the musical transactions. Enjoy and stay warm.

Also, we have to work on scheduling gigs around Steelers games. Feh.

The Vollrath Tavern has Maravich, Bulletwolf and Secrets Between Sailors tonight. Tomorrow, the tavern presents Ill Ease, Lines of Nazca and Lasercrust. While it is being presented as the 48th birthday party of Wick (drummer for LON), records show he is at least 7 years younger than the show indicates.

For the jazz fans, there’s Swing Night tonight at the Fountain Square Theater, and you can see a smaller combo Friday and Saturday nights at Maria’s Pizza. Toss in acoustic music at Deano’s Vino all weekend, and you’re pretty much set.

Thanks to all that visited the Upper Room last night for the Playboy Psychonauts show. It was quite entertaining to manage the Steelers game and the setlist at the same time, but I pulled through splendidly, if I do say so myself. Toss in an overtime win, and all is right with the world. Thank you, and good night.

The Playboy Psychonauts return to the Upper Room in Broad Ripple this evening, too. Two sets, kicking off around 10pm. The late start agrees with me this particular evening, as the Steelers kick off the NFL season earlier and I want to catch as much of the game as possible before the set begins. This means:

• Earlier than normal arrival
• Quick setup
• Perch by flatscreen immediately afterwards
• Try to stifle (non-music-related) ecstatic screams or anguished cries during playing

Should be an interesting exercise all around. Hope to see you there!

And it was great to see the rookies make their case in the Steelers’ first preseason game. Some of them will go on, some of them will not. That’s the magic of the preseason, really – so many players, so few chances. It’s unpredictable and a little bland, but you don’t just jump to the main course in a fine dinner. These are the appetizers of fall, if you will. And they’re probably the only games my dog will be able to sleep through. The real screaming doesn’t begin until after Labor Day.

Also, a quick tip: replacing the slow-blow fuse in a combo amp can make a huge difference in an amp’s function.  The challenge is trying to match the fuse without documentation or manuals.  My particular Trace Elliot combo is no longer in production, and the company isn’t even the same company.  Fun stuff.  I finally found one that worked, and my amp was back up to the normal “Don’t-turn-it-beyond-2-if-you-want-your-house-to-live” volume.

Finally, I started a full-time writing job today, so I’m looking forward to spending that much more time in front of the keyboard.

Otherwise, I’ve been buried by snow and some extraordinary flu-like symptoms.  I’d been hoping to record some tracks for a project this week, but I spent the snow day incapacitated and unable to do so.  It’s also definitely not the way to make the run up to the Steelers’ 7th appearance in the Super Bowl.  I can only hope to be in form for the game and associated chili-based activities.