*Stuck Outside of Phoenix* Going Pink?

The mention of pink at the end of my blog last week reminded me of Billy Squier.



Billy Squier was my first "favorite band," the first dude who I thought was the coolest of the cool. Most famous for "The Stroke," which I loved as a kid but now find unlistenable, Billy wrote Zeppelin-esque power pop any 80s-era midwestern kid could love. Here's an example of Billy at his best:



What's a thirteen year old supposed to do but run out and buy this record? And for the future bass player in me, listen to Kenny Aaronson laying down the law!

So, back in 1984, we were excited about Billy's new album, Signs of Life, which was due soon, and his new single and video, "Rock me Tonight," which would premier on MTV. We grouped around the tube the day it came out, waiting for Billy to rock us tonight.

And then we saw it:





We were a little shocked, and a little confused.

Funny, but this need for pink actually dates back to Squier's previous album, the mega-hit Emotions in Motion.



In retrospect, it's amazing we didn't notice it before. Maybe that's why he nailed the point home so thoroughly with "Rock me Tonight."

We can speculate all we want about what happened, why this sudden need for Squier to repaint himself in shades of pink, but I just want you to know that with the new Stuck Outside of Phoenix, which comes out a week from today, Monday, August 4, at my Web site, I'm not going pink on you.



The actual cover is more copper, as you'll see if you order one next Monday, or if you come see me at the 2nd Annual Laying Down the Law Show on August 9th.



But the digital image comes through as ever-so-slightly pink.

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Thanks,

Art

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LDL 2.0 Time Slots and SOOP 2.0 Sneak Peak!!!

The time slots for the Second Annual Laying Down the Law Show have been set! Here's the way the evening's going to go:

8:30-Art Edwards and his Defunct Band
9:30-Buck Daddy
10:30-South Slope Cutthroats
11:30-Refreshments Tribute

My band was given the option to play later in the night, but I opted for the first slot because:

a) we're a trio, and something about fewer guys onstage makes going first seem appropriate

b) my guess is we're a just little quieter than the other bands that will play that night

c) it's our debut gig...earn your slot, rookie!

What does this mean to you? It means that, if you want to catch the debut performance of Da 'Funct, you can't lollygag your way to J.J. Kelley's that night. Get cleaned up, get some grub down your gullet, and get to the show!

And have you seen Randy's poster?



On a more bummer note, I'm sad to announce that Dead Hot Workshop will not be playing at my triumphant return to the Yucca Tap Room in Tempe on September 6th. We're working on filling the slot, but you can rest assured plenty of law will be laid down that night regardless. Phoenicians, have you marked your calendars? September 6th!

Finally, I've received the final proof of the revised Stuck Outside of Phoenix--which comes out at my Web site on Monday August 4 and will be for sale at all of my shows starting with LDL 2.0--and I'm freaking over the results. Curious? Here's a slightly pinkish version of the cover art:



That's it for this week, folks. Time for Defunct to rehearse!

Thanks,

Art

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My Defunct Band

We have a big show coming up.

The Second Annual Laying Down the Law Show in Lansing, IL on August 9 at J.J. Kelley's.

Buck Daddy will lay down the law.

The South Slope Cutthroats (with Brian Blush) will lay down the law.

The fellas in the Refreshments tribute band will lay down the law.

And my Defunct Band will lay down the law.

Who the hell is my Defunct Band?

The line-up of Art Edwards and his Defunct Band is set! We're a trio, and we're Art Edwards (that's me) on bass and lead vocals, the ever-steady Derek Feiza of the Mike Heaton Band on drums and vocals, and the cool and talented Howard Shaw on guitars and vocals. (We think of ourselves as the Police, only not so lame.)

At LDL 2.0 we'll play a set of Art Edwards originals, plus a couple of surprises. If you own Songs from Memory, you will be primed and ready. (What? You don't own Songs from Memory? Well, chop my head off. Buy it now!)

The boys and I are very geared up for our christening in front of a gaggle of Refreshments fans. We're out to win you over. Get ready for the 'Funct!

We love the 'Funct. Gotta have some 'Funct.

It's exciting for me to be back in a band. We spent Tuesday night playing music, joking around, reveling in our guy-ness. Rock music, for me, is about getting out and relating to the world. Being in a band is an important way for me to socialize, whether with others in the band, other musicians, people in the business, or people who come out to see the band play.

It's kind of like a bowling league for those who bothered to learn an instrument.



I don't know why these roles are important, but when we're not in one we tend not to know where to start. I mean, imagine walking up to a complete stranger and introducing yourself. The world would be a better place if meeting people was this simple, but it doesn't work like that.

So, come on out to LDL Part Deux, and say hello to the 'Funct, and meet some other Functy folks, too!

Art

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Phoenix, Phoenix, and Stuck Outside of Phoenix!!!

New this week:

1) My good friend, the ever-lovable Jim Gerke will start the festivities off at the Yucca on September 6th. Jim's always been one of my favorite singer/songwriters on the planet...and I get to crash as his place!

2) New Phoenix Event!

Never happy with just one event per Phoenix trip, I'm thrilled to say I'll be performing Thursday September 4 at the brand new Stinkweeds on Camelback Road in central Phoenix. This will be me solo acoustic, reading from Ghost Notes and playing cuts from Songs from Memory. These solo acoustic events are my opportunities to really ham it up, so come one come all to this really cool new location for Stinkweeds, a Phoenix indie rock institution.

3) Stuck Outside of Phoenix back in print!!!

That's right, folks. A brand new version of the Phoenix rock lit classic will be out on my Defunct Press imprint in August! Stuck has been re-edited and comes in a new trim size and with a new cover design to match the style of Ghost Notes. I tried to wait until next year to drop this one on you, but I simply couldn't wait to see the two of them on the shelf together. The official release date, for Amazon and such, is August 18, but it goes on sale Monday August 4 at my Web site. (That's exactly six months after the release of Ghost Notes.) Stuck will also be for sale at all of my shows next month starting with the Second Annual Laying Down the Law Show in Lansing, IL on August 9. If you've never ventured into the world of Hote, this is the perfect excuse to do so. And you can start at the beginning!

And in case you're wondering, Novel 3, the next in the series, is coming along just fine.

I hope I can do this forever.

Thanks,

Art

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