December 9, 2005. Dear Gigalogue:

We don't understand the things that brought us here..like Maeflies.com. We may be the only band ever billed as a url. I guess you gotta start somewhere. The first thing we noticed at the Narrows North ( after you finally find a parking space…obviously a prime watering hole for Homo sapiens it's fridaynightsus) was the band bill. posted around the joint had us as MAEFLIES.COM, Fri Dec 9. Think that ever happened to Buffalo Springfield?  Maybe we should become a search engine for really cool rock bands. Just an idea. Offering by prospectus only. Thanks to Kim & Boxer ( the rock band folded), The Mayor and Bea (and cast of thousands, stage left), and our friends Pete, The Sisters, et al ( aka Birthday Boy) at the front table. We were all a long way from Water Street and happy to be together. Thanks for coming!. Rick ( "Call me Fader King..er, I mean Fayderrr Kayng"-with a drawl ya'll). Thanks for all the mojo Rick. You are the best. Nobody works harder to help us put on the best possible show.Paul N. ( no my Strat is NOT PINK-it's NATURAL)  brought what's left of Buzzcraft to the show. Always fun to keep it in the family.Thanks Paul. Sorry we can't make your party this time. Melissa and Rebecca showed up. When Biff sees his bride in the crowd it always makes him want to croon "…there's a woman…that you ought to know….".

We had a really big surprise: Anna- Daughter of Rock and Roll Guitar Champ Jon- N. stood by the door ( she ain't old enough to come in the bar after 10 pm. But lemme tell you, she looked plenty grown up to me) and took in some 'flies material with her Aunt Caroline. It's a small planet and it helps me behave myself in public…to the extent possible. Hope she took a little of us back to Tejas to her folks.

Chrissie V ( Jeff's sister) was there with some friends taking photos of her bro. Craig and Suzanne, Jeff's cousins were there rooting for the Killion in the band.  Doug and Scott finally came back since one of the Main Street gigs…"notable improvement".  Nick du LA ( …in a Hollywood bungalow…) was there seeing if our drummer had just been making this whole Maeflies trip up. Turns out he was. Har har.  Amigo Gus P. came all the way from St. Cloud and really knows how to dance. 

The Other Joe Robillard brought Kathy and they always listen and provide important levity on the breaks. I made it to Buck by the way. But only half alive.  Beth brought the kids to see daddy pound the skins. Official Maeflies Luthier Dave " I Usually Don't Park There" Rusan taking lots of notes to help The Cause. Thank you, Dave. More cowbell?

Thank you Flies Fans for a wonderful 2005. We dug it and we dug you. We're working up the Second Coming for 2006, so we'll see you when we see you.

November 30 , 2005. Dear Gigalogue:

Damn the snowpedos…full steam ahead. We rocked at the Narrows…just as the weather reminded us all we are in Minnesota..and made us start a little late.. But what a cool place to play on a snowy night….with those great big windows, everybody ( and that includes any troubadours) enjoys the view..how many rock and roll bars ( er…BLUES bars, I mean…) have a single window…let a lone a wall of 'em?? Just another reason the Narrows feels so right.  Dave and Heidi braved the weather…smiling as always…they sat with non other than Buzzcraft patriarch Paul ( yes, my strat is pink) Norton. Bea brought Val ( her boyfriend was busy), Chief Miller brought most everyone he knows and bought 'em dinner…Dan, Kirk and Gabby just kept paying attention. They even did a live broadcast from the front table. We waived any copyright issues, by the way. Erik with a White Pine Tattoo took a breather from the homestead and sucked on a brewski ( or two?), Le Cirque de Simso was yet again among us, this time they brought a pretty good bird book. Whatever. Another Maeflies first: we had the Holy Name Catholic Church "Jesus Drank Wine Didn't He?" Club dancing the night away. Mayflies better hope there is an afterlife. They live 24 hours tops, remember. At least according to my copy of " It's a Bug's Life". Drum kit broke again…a Narrows exclusive for us. Nick held sway at the mixer….THANKS NICK….Mae couldn't find her horn…ask her about that. The band found out why Biff always plays with short guitar straps. Kim, World's Foremost Maeflies' T Wearer made us feel loved as usual…thanks Kim.

Kim and Boxer weren't there (!!)... must have  been off starting their own rock band…we knew it was inevitable. Next week: Go NORTH. See you there.

November 18, 2005. Dear Gigalogue:

Well, we got through it with a, uh, Bunker's mentality. We're used to warming up in the parking lot, so a dressing room was just way too much for us. But we managed. How? Flies Fans, that's how. What a turn out....we couldn't believe all the regulars who went to the Ware house District for little ol' us. Mark P and Sasha brought Brian B of BSC ( that's alliteration for you non songwriters)..do you know the way to San Jose? What do you get when you cross Minnesota's secret best rock band and the Golden Gophers? You get a night out for Ken E. All the way from the shores of Lake Minnetonka...Jeff and Heidi P showed. Big date night! Amy-sis-of-Eric and Penn ( sounds like an intersection) were front and center with the As Long As Your Name Starts With An M Club. Harringtons came with the 'flies, but left with Kurt's band. Ouch. Mark and Robyn almost suffered the same fate, but they listened to their hearts. Mark in the Maeflies T: gawd bless ya brother. Massa Jim, Master of the Photon: great seeing you again...in fact it was Marvy! The Mayor and Bea, with offspring Eve ( con amiga) & Ann, and Natalie and HER man........it was great having you there eating what may be the world's saltiest popcorn. Damn the hypertension...munch on! Andrew and Sue and even Tommy V d W showed...bullish I'm sure. Hey, and how about my favorite mushroomers, Team Noaker? I couldn't tell who was winning at pool, but the barrister was smiling a lot. Then there were the Maeflies' defense men, all lined up on the blue line, keeping the emotional puck in our end: Kim and Boxer ( and Ray...as in Gamma Ray or sting ray or, whatever): when you guys start your rock band, we'll come to every show. Kurt Jorgensen and the Gang were as generous and rockin' as ever: THANKS KJB. We had a gas, The Maehawks.

 

November 10, 2005. Dear Gigalogue:

Go nuts. What a nice evening at 318. Friends, vino, cold beer, low light... Oh yeah, the Maeflies. Jeff K waited and waited and waited but not for Godot. For Herm.

Don't stand up.  Darril and Pam ( yeah our producer and conver watts founder & his bride) were listening…and clapping. Mary and Jane were seeing if Spike really does play in a rock band. Becky, Deena ( sp?) and Kate evidently spent all day AND all night at 318. The Post Office has these little cards you fill out to change your mailing address, ya know. You could just live at 318. Lou and Trevor drove all the way from St Paul ( never been there but I hear it's nice) to hear the 'flies. Thanks, fellas. Beats stocks & bonds, huh? Mae's-High-School- chum-now-from-Duluth-whose-brother-lived-with-Biff's-friend-Lou (inhale) was there blowing kisses as she left ( they do that in Duluth…must be the proximity of Canada). DJ of Slygo fame dropped in and paid attention. How many beer bottles were on that table? It was a Wednesday, for crying out loud. Good seeing you Dave.Hey…we're at Bunkers next week to open for Kurt and the Gang. PLEASE COME AND SEE YOUR MAEFLIES. We'll have some goodies for you!

October 26 , 2005. Dear Gigalogue:

She met Lyle in a busy little bar, on a night like this one. Thanks Rick for helping us record the show. You're a pro and we know it. Chief & Rennie, Boxer & Kim,  Otra Kim, Marathon Man and Woman, Nuestro Amigo Nuevo Josh-Farm Accident Fan, Katie the Waitron, jeez so many fans and so little space.  How about the Forest Hills Mafia? Ma & Pa Stich always draw a crowd. Doc Simso was there in case our surgeon needed some surgery, I guess. Beth took a break from all that family jazz and brought her friends.The White Sox won...I think we were doing Bowie's Rebel Rebel as they poured from the dugout....but I could be wrong. Blue Moon was not wrong..it was very very .....orange. Brought on a wee bit of vertigo. Oh no.

October 8 , 2005. Dear Gigalogue:

Oh the world never ends. But if you're lucky you turn 40, Toby!  Happy Birthday from the Maeflies. Great party....thanks for having us.

September 29, 2005. Dear Gigalogue:

Ergo Slygo. Our musical neighbors Slygo (Dave, Matt and Jamin to us) opened our "acoustic" show Thursday and did a nice job....we could hear the approval "backstage" while we were warming up. Thanks, fellas. It's always fun to have a crowd already warmed up.They clap more readily! It was SRO at by 8 pm and we left the electrics at home-it was flat top or nuttin'. Gave us a chance to try some new modes on old songs and some new modes on new songs.Made some new friends-Steve-thanks for the umpteenth listen at 318. We love seeing you there. (Come to The Narrow's some night to hear our Other Side). Dr. Pernula & Co, PurpleCuda, Kim and Rita...man, lots of faces we recognized... Chief, Kim, Kim and Boxer (have you ever missed a Maeflies show?), Ann S and the Ladies Club & The Almost Entire Cast of That Simso Show- were seen sipping and tapping toes.Lee was mostly sipping from what we could see. Erik I Lost The Bet and Jenn brought new fans.  Sharon U escaped from Wisconsin (yet again!) with her three other Targeteers:  Robin, Heidi and Jennifer.
The All in the Family Award goes to the O'Reilly's for providing another great American, this time Matty's sister Kate. Kate was a great help for the evening. It makes you wonder why Ireland doesn't rule the world....maybe they do. Mengelkoch's brought the whole team...whoa...ocho...but next time, please tone down the laughter.  Oh yeah, the General sent a few reinforcements: Thanks Randy and Darcy.
Meg, Avery and Rosanne guarded the bass case all night, Val and Bea and Whammy Winters ( no relation to Johnny? I don't believe you) con Ricardo de Kenwood stayed till the bitter end. Lightest load out ever. We rock at the Wayzata Yacht Club next Saturday night. Crash at your own risk (we'll watch for you).

 

September 24, 2005. Dear Gigalogue:

Let it rain, rain, rain. Thank you Sharon & Dave and the Care Bears for giving the "Flies" a chance to make the world a little better with the Minneapolis Children's' Hospital fundraiser... After the quart of Tanqueray on stage (uh, thanks!) the world seemed much better, at least temporarily. We just want to thank the dude who invented the tent, 6,000 years ago; without it the bar might have been washed away....  A total loss. We can always buy more gear. Dave "The Fretwire" R. was there rooting for the Maeflies…THANKS, DAVE. More kick. I get it. Steve and Patty B made sure the bass player was fed (always watered), while Dr B (a.k.a. The Plumber") learned about carbon fiber guitars. Inexhaustible intellectual curiosity, with a smile. Ann, super sis, was there, damn near killing herself in the driveway. No, no, it wasn't the ethanol, I know. Michelle and Chuck were there…whoa…Chuck hasn't seen us since the Big Bang in Chi-town two years ago. We made some new friends…and guess what?? Some listener new to us thought one of our 'riginals might have been a Roger McGuinn tune. How cool is that? I knew I shoulda worn my pointy boots. Was it Ain't It a Shame? I forgot to ask her, what a shame. Griffin was manning the lights right till the end, thanks little man. We even left with some gift baskets…to be relished at Maeflies World HQ. Thanks everybody. Support Minneapolis Children's' Hospital, hear?

September 17, 2005. Dear Gigalogue:

How about a little whiskey courage? Well, we thank you intrepid Fans of the 'Flies who braved the colorful world of Cedar Av on a Saturday night. Who would have thought the Maeflies could get it done on Whiskey Junction's Big Stage on the West Bank? Kurt Jorgensen gets the Twin City Rock and Roll Gentleman of the Year 2005 award from his new pals ( and fans), the Maeflies. Thanks, Kurt. It was a complete gas and we hope we loosened 'em up for you. Your  crew was gracious and effective, and our bud Tech Ted-"Fader Master"-clearly gave it all he had. Warming up in the parking lot, we saw some friends: thanks Susan and Amy, especially for your encouragement on the originals. Doctor Keith brought the whole fam damnily-even Rock & Roll Arlyce was swiggin' a long neck. Dave: Atlantic City was for you, dude. We insist. Beth took sartorial 1st Prize ( nothing new) with the CBGB T…trumped the Ball U T seen onstage…worn for none other than our favorite male Hoosier ( we can't forget Michelle) Pat N. No worries about the 'shroom shirt..really. Mike and Gitte: just get it over with and buy a house Mike can build banjos in…and then come watch us play your banjos. Rebecca S gave up a date night, Boxer and Kim were there, sitting with Mark, our first real roadie. Tireless fandom. Thanks for the schlep. Hey, and how about dissin' Loggins & Messina? Thanks Paul & Laura for coming to the REAL rock & roll show Saturday night.Happy Birthday, Rhonda...you looked like you were having fun.!!! We were, too….

August 30, 2005. Dear Gigalogue:

A as in Excellent. The Narrows finally experienced an A+ execution by the Maeflies and speaking strictly for the band, we dug it. Let's give it up for New Sound Dude Rick. Best monitor mix in the history of our little ol' band. If it sounded half as good out front, as rumors had it anyway, everybody got their money's worth and then some. Jeff and Doreen had the best seats in the house (other than our drummer, but separate topic). Heidi and Huster were waving frantically from back by the bar…reluctant to draw any attention to themselves as usual. We had the Gabberts, Stichs, and Rukavinas all partying on a school night and we were pleased to have them. I wonder if their parents knew where they were. We had Vodka Man clappin' at the bar all night, Cindy-Proprietor and Careful Listener-was paying attention (I mean, she's paying for it, so why not?), Beam Me Up Scottie and Yes I Mean Jim Beam tended the bar with rare aplomb, and best of all, Dustin brought several bass players along and stayed till it was all over…thanks Todd, John, Dustin & Willin Fan-we know who our friends are! Some new faces were listening hard, too, and we really love that about The Narrows: it's a place where the music matters.

August 20 , 2005. Private party at the Boyd's. Dear Gigalogue:

Fire in the hole. By the time the fire pit was fired up at Chez Boyd, well, the 'flies were a wee bit lit, too. I mean, a perfect August Saturday night, deep in Minnesota Nice. Christina and Dustin: you rock. Thank you for a great evening. Let's hear it for the Best Damn Yard Party of 2005. Happy to be part of it..and I thought the cops were downright polite....

August 13 , 2005. Dear Gigalogue:

Better to have rocked and had some feedback than to have never rocked at all. Murphy's Law was present along with lots of our friends at 318 Saturday night, but you can't keep a good band  down...the show must go on! It was another completely worthwhile evening at our Own Private Rock & Roll Idaho, 318. Matty and Sarah were slinging brew and vino-and most tables were sporting reserved signs by show time...so Flies Fans, take note: calling ahead to the 318 is a great idea for Maeflies' shows. Bill O, living ancestor of the proprietor was there tappin' his feet. I mean after all, he taught the band The Weight. Not The Band, of course...the band. Whatever. Professor A. Fourforty ( you know him as our producer, Darril Otto, of conver watts fame) was driving the starship from the bar...mixing what he could. I personally saw him smush several PA gremlins with his bare hand (singular- the other was on a merlot, as I recall). Kim wasn't far away, Ned & Leslie ( without her easel, pity) were there con familia. Mayor Val and his Queen Bea always park close and play attention. Amazing.Was it a bike racer convention or what?Beth was there for her Deep in La. The Boxer ( and company) still remains. Pam C, Rock & Roll Wife of the Year 2005,was there listening hard. We have the coolest fans....thanks and we hope you get to hear yourself on a release form the recording that night!!!!!!!!!!!

July 19, 2005. Dear Gigalogue:

You makes your bets and you takes your Chances. Speaking of Chances, we had Chicago songwriter Summer Chance (summerchance.com) in the audience Tuesday night at the Narrows, and for those Flies Fans present, you know what a treat THAT was when she finally got up the gumption to sing us a few. The guy with her said he was her dad. Go figure. What a night…the only antidote for the muggy temp was ice cold beer. Jeff,   aka "Captain Suds",  kept them coming all night. He pours, he listens, he rocks.  At least one Maefly can't recall the 2nd set…and it wasn't Mae…Our favorite woman-of-Cherokee-extraction was rooting for the band up front…our drummer really likes that..thanks Beth! Her mama was a Cherokee he met somewhere near Tulsa….So you went to Hopkin? Or was it Mendota Height? Katherine & Barry were there and they are considerably more entertaining than, say, Simmer. Saatzers were on campus: thanks Ronnie & Co, Suzanne & Co and Danny.  Lovely Kim was parking close and talking highlights with The Band- and her folks-she even earned a coveted Free Maeflies T Shirt..Ralph Bailey, Neil Young psychenaut was sharing his love for Shakey with us…too cool for words. What I really rethpect ith your profethunalithm. Is that a cool haircut or WHAT? Bergy was Out of Africa and cross dressing-sort of- in the company of chum Mr. U. How 'bout dat sound tech Nick? Even Biff liked the monitor mix. SR understands NY (and that is not a city in the northeast, kids). We know the feeling, Steve. Pam & elli were there like the Rock & Roll Sisters they are. Oh, to have been 18 and at a kegger with those 2.Thanks, Ladies. Doc and Ma Simmer were rocking. How come Heather is so demure and the guys in that family are,well, not? Mayor V and his Princess B were tapping feet and holding hands. Hey, maybe there's a Maeflies song in there somewhere……see you all next week at 318..git ready Matty. PS: I checked with the umpire and I am happy to report 100% of all funbags tested were indeed regulation pressure. Whoa.

June 18, 2005. Dear Gigalogue:

Home Field Advantage. Saturday night was the Hey We Made It One Whole Year as a Rock Band party at 318, where it all began in galaxy far, far away. Kids, that's about as unplugged as the 'flies get. Simmer didn't even bring an electric guitfiddle. He rocked until deaf, regardless. The steel guitar was plugged in, however, and it turned heads and warmed hearts as it poured forth on a couple of tunes, three if you count repeats. Spike in the cockpit. We just couldn't say "So long!" to So Long, Lisa. Anything for you, Dean.  Your cowbell was in Mae's truck…rats. We even put on the brakes for an otherwise doomed One of Us for your JL, Crop Top Girl Extraordinaire. Did I get that right, Jod? Team Gilboa was represented , hardly recognizable in summer garb( Paul and Anne-Hey!). Michelle, First Fan, was in from Hoosierland. Even Molly dragged DS in for the show. Dick and Maren, parents of Cooper the Pooper were spotted paying very close attention and taking a break from, yup, Cooper.. We finally had V & B back in the fold with us. We  were considering disbanding until the red convertible pulled up. We had the songwriter's literati present; the Lucinda Williams tune was just too easy for you. Deeper tracks next time so please bone up, Flies Fans. Matty got his much deserved framed thank you for the support. Cool venue. Audience and performers alike owe you many, many thanks. Many thanks!! 318 was our first kiss, and it will always loom like a first love. See everybody at the Narrows in July and bring all funbags inflated to regulation pressure……………...

May 18th, 2005. Dear Gigalogue:

Oh to live on Gander Mountain. Every seat had a fanny in it Tuesday night at the Narrows.  Al D. and Amy (and her man Greg)...thanks for supporting the Home Team....and things were on Target with the Marshall Plan.  Sharon & Kenny Escaped From Wisconsin just to party with the 'flies!!  Karlyn, Krista, Kelly (and her man), & Krissy were all there (is it a "anybody whose name starts with a K" club or what?)...bikers of the lycra clad species were very well represented: Greg V. the Marathon Man (Biff and Greg occasionally discuss Life in the head), Greg K. & Heart Throb con los amigas Delia y Sue and Jack. Bikers of the leather clad species...parking in back....John "I Drive Across the Prairie and I Don't Look Back" Stich and his pretty lil' thing watched Big Bro tickle various stringed devices all night.  And he even has a day job. Mom was swilling a scotch (big surprise there, Mom), Meg was ordering more for her...in uniform but didn't take her free beer. You get two next time, Margaret. Heidi the waitress...what a pro...never breaks a sweat but the occasional ankle, yes...Terrible Ted, Sound Tech Extraordinaire..thanks dude. The guys who know sound said you sounded great.  DJ hopped up for some Brown Eyed Girl...the drum kit broke and we're still all waiting for the Fourth Killion!  See you at 318!!!!

May 7th, 2005. Dear Gigalogue:

Saturday, night's all right for rockin'. Thanks Deephaven for a night of rock and roll among friends. How bout dem mid riff shirts girls? Captain Dave was the designated driver and host. Sharon...no one can match you. Didn't realize Cap'n Dave is NOT a Warren Zevon fan, now we know...Led Zep forever. Dr D. and bride must have failed the breathalyzer. But you walked home. Scotty E got stiffed again, dude, sorry. Think we how must treat our enemies. Tommy rocked with the rhythm section. The cops showed up. What a relief...I wasn't just imagining we were over doing it. Needs more cowbell, Dean-o.

5 April 2005. Dear Gigalogue:

There's no business like show business. Unplugged is really fun, huh? Plugged is pretty fun, too, and the Maeflies' bar tab looked more like plugged to us when it was all said and done. Whew. Speaking of plugged....how about the diehard table of Kim et al in Official Maeflies Wardrobe? The Maeflies have concluded your Party Hardy But Listen to the Band credo is not an aberration...it's a way of life. THANKS. We have the greatest fans and we know it.... Spring Break 2005 could not keep the show from it's rightful destiny:SRO at showtime. What a blast. We did the usual pole vault to the stage..those of you who allowed us to walk on your tables to get to the guitars...grazzi. I mean big isn't always better, and that can go for cool smoke-free venues like 318. Hey and how about R & K D with them Subterranean Homesick Blues...Dylan never had it so good. So you wanna be a rock & roll star..R...?

Thanks Matty and Tommo....keep the vibe vibin'.

16 March 2005. Dear Gigalogue:

Whoa!...we made it to the Narrows..and who cares if was a Tuesday? There's no barflies like the Maeflies' barflies and the understaffed and surprised waitstaff almost called 911 a couple of times. Wait'll they see the crowd  on a weekend. Dean got his birthday cake...and man, didn't know you could dance like THAT. Liquor just brings the best out in some people I guess. Glugbug: thanks for making the trek. DO: how do we thank you for the endless support? conver watts rules. Your better half rescued the pyrotechnical part of the night...she can do it all...and frequently does. Meant to dedicate Deep in La. to you, but you know we ALWAYS play it for you ( to Beth). NAW, we don't cover CCR but they don't cover the maeflies, either, when you think about it.How many venues have a red fox in the parking lot? really. Jim A...where were you dude? We almost didn't go on...but then we had the Mother of All Reserved Tables with Rebecca's usual troop of introverts (uh, right). THANKS, RH.The Mayor brought his bride and sat close, the Nurses rocked and everybody watched. See you at 318 on Friday next!!