Thursday, July 20

Roundabout - The Motoring Public

When I used to write radio commercials, we'd often have to air notices from the PEI Dept. of Public Works, about road closures, detours, etc.  They'd always come to us pretty much written, and the only changes we could make to them was to edit them down so they were 30 seconds. They always started the same way: "The motoring public is advised..."
A few years ago, it struck me that "The Motoring Public" would be a cool name for a rock band.  Seeing that I am most likely beyond the age where I would start a rock band, I put the name in a folder in my brain.
Sometimes I write songs.  Sometimes, I write songs using Garageband on my iPad.  It's a pretty powerful app, and more than adequate for the quality of stuff I do.  One such piece of stuff was written a couple years ago.  It was an instrumental rocker (is that what the kids would call it these days?) that kind of had a bit of a Psychedelic Furs sound to it (you know Psychedelic Furs, right kids?).
Anyway, it sat there, in my Garageband, as an instrumental.  Every so often, I'd open it up and try to come up with some sort of melody and/or lyrics to try to fit to it.  Nothing seemed to fit.
This week, I opened Garageband after not using it in quite a while and saw it sitting there. Not having a lot to do these days, I took it upon myself to absolutley, without question, come up with a melody and lyrics.  Not because I was feeling inspired or anything, but because I was tired of seeing it incomplete.  I vowed I would finish this song.
So, I started farting around with it.  Wondering what the song could be about.
When I was younger, I used to have a bit of a road rage problem.  I would get very angry at other drivers over the simplest of reasons.  At some point, I realised that it was dangerous and foolish and never solved anything.  So I made a concerted effort to stop allowing road rage to consume me.  And, for the most part, I've succeeded. I very rarely ever get mad at other drivers.
The only times I do show frustration, I notice, is when I come up to the various roundabouts, and the vehicle in front of me slows down dramatically, or even stops, when it is obvious there is nothing coming that should impede their path.  That really bugs me.

And so, it turns out, that is what I wrote this song about.

I am calling this the first ever song from the band "The Motoring Public".  It is called "Roundabout".

Of course, because of the limitations of garageband, and the limitations of my talents, it is quite imperfect.  Consider it a demo.

The Motoring Public - Roundabout

Friday, April 28

Boomer & Annekenstein

Back in the Annekenstein years (1991-1997) - I think it was our 2nd last year, so perhaps 1996, at Myron's - we did a recurring sketch called "Anne Auditions", where "famous" Islanders would audition for parts in Anne of Green Gables the Musical.  (I played Premiere Catherine Callbeck auditioning for the role of Marilla).
One of the instances featured Kevin 'Boomer" Gallant (played wonderfully by Ed Rashed) auditioning.
Since Boomer's retiring from the airwaves this week, I thought I'd post the script here.

Anne Auditions

Enter Kevin ‘Boomer’ Gallant to an empty stage with a single light

Voice (off-stage)
State your name.

Boomer
Hi, there! I’m Kevin ‘Boomer’ Gallant, coming to you tonight from the Mainstage of the Confederation Centre where they’re getting ready for their upcoming season of theatrical productions. Well, it was a beautiful day across the Island today, and we can expect more of the same for the next two or three days. How was the weather where you lived?

Voice
Good. What theatrical experience do you have?

Boomer
Well, I did some community plays when I used to live up north in Yellowknife. I also performed in Tampa in that play about Sidney Poitier and the degrees of separation. What was the name of that Sidney Poitier play I was in, down in Tampa?… Oh, yeah, down in Tampa, a cool six degrees…. Of separation.

Voice
What role are you auditioning for this evening?

Boomer
The role I’d like is one I’ve created for myself. His name’s Boomer. He’s the track announcer for the three legged race at the Sunday school picnic.

Voice
We’re not interested in new characters.

Boomer
Just listen to this: ‘It’s Post Time! Heeeeeeere they come! They’re off! And Anne Shirley and Diana Barry set the pace, leading by a braid, followed in second by Gilbert and Josie Pye, third is Moody Spurgeon MacPherson and Gertie Pye, with Mr. Philips and Prissy Andrews quickly falling off the pace and trailing. They’re at the three quarters in seventeen and three, with Anne and Diana in the lead, here comes Gilbert and Josie with Moody and Gertie tripping up. Phillips and Prissy are way back in the bushes, out of contention. Coming down the final straight, it’s Anne and Diana, with Gilbert and Josie Pye catching up. Here comes Gilbert and Josie Pye, coming strong, they’re neck to neck on the final stretch, Gilbert and Josie Pye have taken the lead. It’s Gilbert and Josie Pye coming down to the wire, with Anne and Diana a close second. Oh, my God! Gilbert and Josie Pye pull up lame and fall, Anne and Diana cross the line in twenty six and four tenths!… It’s Anne and Diana winning!….Unofficial results of the three legged race have Anne and Diana first, with no one else finishing. Please hold tickets until results become official. Hold all tickets…The egg and spoon race is next with triacta wagering, post time is set at 7:52.

Voice
We’re not interested in new characters, thank you. If you’d like to come back and try for an established character, please feel free.

Boomer

Alright, then. I’ll be back at five to seven for a final attempt with all those triple threat auditioning details.

Boomer exits and the light quickly fades