The Night I discovered SKA
12/31/09 03:42 PM Filed in: Music
As Seton and I have written in previous posts music plays a big part in The Running Waves. Every song or band that is mentioned in the book has a back story for us, and that is what is so fun about having a blog. We can actually go into to some of those back stories. The other night my good friend Vals sent me a text message from The Mighty Mighty Bosstones show at the House of Blues in Boston. I was already jealous of Vals that she was at the show considering I love the Bosstones, but she wrote - You'll never guess who's opening for them.
I didn't have to guess but I wrote back - Bim Skala Bim?
Her text back was one word - Yup.
I was tempted to hop into my car and fly to Boston, but I knew it would be a futile trip. Bim Skala Bim was the band that got me into loving Ska and also loving the Bosstones. I'll never forget the first time I heard them. I was 16 years old, killing time with friends on the wall in Wood's Hole when someone came up to us and said, "Hey, there's a bunch of people dancing at the MBL club. We should go."
We were too cool for dancing and laughed the kid off.
"No," he protested, "It looks like fun. There's a Ska band playing. We should check it out."
I didn't want to admit that I had no idea what Ska was so I followed the crowd of kids down the street. I will always remember seeing the silhouettes of people dancing and the sound that came from the MBL club instantly brought a smile to my face. I had discovered Ska! I sprinted ahead of the group, paid my 3 bucks, and danced the night away. I would go on to introduce Bim Skala Bim to my friends, coworkers, and siblings (Seton and my sister Sarah became big fans) via my mixed tapes. Eventually Bim's music would then lead me to discovering the Bosstones. I have seen both bands numerous times, and I always wonder what joy I would've missed out on in life if I hadn't walked into the MBL that night!
Below are two of the songs mentioned in The Running Waves (coming out May 30,2010).
The first one is the fast version of "Wise Up" by Bim Skala Bim. In the book, the main character Dermot actually listens to the slow version of this song (my personal favorite version which I couldn't find on YOUTUBE), but you'll get the point.
The second song is "Where'd You Go" by The Mighty Mighty Bosstones. BTW, if anyone has a connection to Dicky Barrett, the Bosstones, or Bim Skala Bim please pass on this post. Seton and I would love to get them to give us a blurb for the book! Thanks everyone who is passing our blog on!
-Ted
I didn't have to guess but I wrote back - Bim Skala Bim?
Her text back was one word - Yup.
I was tempted to hop into my car and fly to Boston, but I knew it would be a futile trip. Bim Skala Bim was the band that got me into loving Ska and also loving the Bosstones. I'll never forget the first time I heard them. I was 16 years old, killing time with friends on the wall in Wood's Hole when someone came up to us and said, "Hey, there's a bunch of people dancing at the MBL club. We should go."
We were too cool for dancing and laughed the kid off.
"No," he protested, "It looks like fun. There's a Ska band playing. We should check it out."
I didn't want to admit that I had no idea what Ska was so I followed the crowd of kids down the street. I will always remember seeing the silhouettes of people dancing and the sound that came from the MBL club instantly brought a smile to my face. I had discovered Ska! I sprinted ahead of the group, paid my 3 bucks, and danced the night away. I would go on to introduce Bim Skala Bim to my friends, coworkers, and siblings (Seton and my sister Sarah became big fans) via my mixed tapes. Eventually Bim's music would then lead me to discovering the Bosstones. I have seen both bands numerous times, and I always wonder what joy I would've missed out on in life if I hadn't walked into the MBL that night!
Below are two of the songs mentioned in The Running Waves (coming out May 30,2010).
The first one is the fast version of "Wise Up" by Bim Skala Bim. In the book, the main character Dermot actually listens to the slow version of this song (my personal favorite version which I couldn't find on YOUTUBE), but you'll get the point.
The second song is "Where'd You Go" by The Mighty Mighty Bosstones. BTW, if anyone has a connection to Dicky Barrett, the Bosstones, or Bim Skala Bim please pass on this post. Seton and I would love to get them to give us a blurb for the book! Thanks everyone who is passing our blog on!
-Ted
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The Running Waves Book Launch Party
12/29/09 12:22 PM Filed in: News
We are happy to announce that the date for The Running Waves Book Launch party has been set! It will be Sunday, May 30, 2010 at The Beach House Restaurant. We'll begin signing books at 5 P.M. and we hope to be signing for several hours while everyone else parties the night away! We want to thank the owner Pat Bonzagni for giving us that prime time Memorial Day Weekend slot so we can celebrate this book with all of our family and friends. Everyone is invited so bring some cash and buy a book or two. Please pass the word to everyone you know. Thanks!
-The Murphy Brothers
-The Murphy Brothers
Homecoming
12/25/09 09:12 PM Filed in: Inspiration
Deflated and exhausted from tossing and turning the night before, nobody uttered a sound. And, then, like thunder, my father's voice broke the silence, "Wait a minute...wait one minute." Stopping quickly, we turned around and hurried back to the stairwell, clenching one another in desperate hope. "I see something. Wait...Yes! Yes! Santa has come!" he would shout. And then, resembling a scene from Black Friday, we dashed down the stairs, skipping a step or two on our way. Turning the corner, we saw the tree that hovered over piles of boxes and packages dressed with beautiful wrapping paper and dazzling colored bows. The sight was pure Heaven. Christmas always brought us a smile.
Five months ago my father, Jim, had triple bypass surgery. I remember the first time I saw him with Ted after the operation. It was a rainy and windy day, which seemed appropriate considering our frame of mind. As we walked in, I saw my Dad, my mentor, unconscious, bloated and discolored. His body was inserted with dozens of tubes connected to various machines that beeped and clacked. I broke down; even after the nurse assured us that he was doing "great." My brother stayed strong, as an older brother should. Dad looked nothing like the man who threw the football in the front yard or shot baskets with me at the Heights when I was a kid. I was afraid I was going to lose him and I wasn't prepared for such a loss.
A week later he awoke and soon began a difficult and remarkable road to recovery. He went from bed ridden, to a wheelchair, to a walker, and now to a cane. He's risen, and thanks to all the incredible doctors and nurses at Cape Cod Hospital, RHCI in Sandwich and JML in Falmouth, my father will be there when Ted and I sign our first copies of The Running Waves. This Christmas the Murphy kids know that Santa has come. We love you, Dad. Merry Christmas.
-Seton
R.I.P to the Voice of Top Cat
12/23/09 09:51 PM Filed in: Inspiration
Just a shout out to TC. Growing up, Sunday mornings were filled with sly adventures of Top Cat and his crew. He was an OG. Ain’t nobody rolled like him. He paved the way for all the hustlers out there. R.I.P. Top Cat. We’re pouring .40’s out in your honor this holiday season, dog. Oops, my bad, I meant cat.
Seriously though folks, one of the great character actors and the voice of Top Cat himself has passed. Arnold Stang, you will be missed. Read more about his career in this piece from the New York Times.
More on Top Cat
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_Cat
More on Arnold Stang
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arnold_Stang
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0822205/
-Seton
A Shout to some Local Friends
12/23/09 11:56 AM Filed in: Friends
If you’re on the Cape running around trying to figure out what gifts to buy and nothing comes to mind. Have no fear. Just go to www.go2536.com and check out the cool attire that is available. Great stuff for all your loved ones and trust me you’ll have a good laugh while you shop. But if you’re out just chillin in the 02536 and you’re “Marvin” like my friend Erika would say, then hit up The Burrito Place and see Damien, Rich and the rest of the gang for some damn good chow at 420 East Falmouth Highway. And if you don’t know, now you know…
If you’re not on the Cape and in or around Plymouth, go see the boys at Quahog Republic. Great clothes and cool knick knacks for stocking stuffers. You can always check them out online too at www.quahogrepublic.com. Don’t be cheap during the holiday season. It’s only once a year. Make it work. No room for cowards.
C-Dog & Bundy
If you’re not on the Cape and in or around Plymouth, go see the boys at Quahog Republic. Great clothes and cool knick knacks for stocking stuffers. You can always check them out online too at www.quahogrepublic.com. Don’t be cheap during the holiday season. It’s only once a year. Make it work. No room for cowards.
C-Dog & Bundy
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