Today I awoke from a dream....

Today I awoke from a dream.... http://gregeklund.com/blog.cfm Wed, 16 Mar 2011 17:10:00 GMT http://bandzoogle.com Storm Large in NYC... http://gregeklund.com/blog.cfm?feature=926705&postid=835581  March 15th 2011 NYC Tonight is our (Storm Large) first of two shows in NYC at Joe's Pub. Both Scotty and I have colds we've been nursing for a couple days now. Flying the red eye out from Portland doesn't seem to help any when you are sick, but we are ready to deliver the goods tonight and tomorrow. Apparently Steve Martin...yes that Steve Martin, is playing the show right before us at Joe's pub. Last night we had good food and good company at Storm's theatre producers house. Scotty and I were very pleasantly surprised to find out that she had some leftover whiskey from our Scotland trip last fall which we made the most of. Many stories were told and retold till we were crying with laughter. By the time Scotty and I were walking back to our NYC Hare Krishna lodging...yes that Hare Krishna, my throat hurt from laughing so hard! I believe its called a throat cramp? March 15th 2011 NYC

Tonight is our (Storm Large) first of two shows in NYC at Joe's Pub. Both Scotty and I have colds we've been nursing for a couple days now. Flying the red eye out from Portland doesn't seem to help any when you are sick, but we are ready to deliver the goods tonight and tomorrow. Apparently Steve Martin...yes that Steve Martin, is playing the show right before us at Joe's pub.

Last night we had good food and good company at Storm's theatre producers house. Scotty and I were very pleasantly surprised to find out that she had some leftover whiskey from our Scotland trip last fall which we made the most of. Many stories were told and retold till we were crying with laughter. By the time Scotty and I were walking back to our NYC Hare Krishna lodging...yes that Hare Krishna, my throat hurt from laughing so hard! I believe its called a throat cramp?
]]> Wed, 16 Mar 2011 17:10:00 GMT FC5ED62C177DEB54F40351CA72FEA5F0 Oohlas Are Back! http://gregeklund.com/blog.cfm?feature=926705&postid=738128  So after talking to Ollie and Mark, we have decided to record another Oohlas record.   We are gonna work quick.   We aren't going to be precious.   We are just gonna do. So after talking to Ollie and Mark, we have decided to record another Oohlas record.

We are gonna work quick.

We aren't going to be precious.

We are just gonna do.]]> Wed, 02 Feb 2011 11:50:00 GMT 2EDF643E1C47D057C4522473DBFE5318 Almost one month since I've been back...was it all just a dream?? http://gregeklund.com/blog.cfm?feature=926705&postid=464323  Sept. 25th 2010 Well I've been home for nearly a month now.  48 hours after I came back to LA, I was loading up my wife, <a target="_new" href="http://ellinakevorkian.com">Ellina Kevorkian and her <a target="_new" href="http://www.ellinakevorkian.com/Ellina_Kevorkian/Updates/Entries/2010/9/10_The_Black_Lace_Project.html">lace paintings and driving them out to Ephraim Utah for an exhibition.  Somewhere out there on the highway, I really had to think back and wonder if it was all just a dream.  10 days after my return from Scotland I flew up to Portland and was hanging out with Storm and the gang eating brunch at James's house talking and laughing all about our Scotland adventure or should I say misadventure? Thanks to everyone we met that made our trip so enjoyable and an experience I will never forget! please check out my "Sounds of Edinburgh Fringe Festival" podcast by clicking <a href="./3sept2010.cfm">here Sept. 25th 2010

Well I've been home for nearly a month now. 48 hours after I came back to LA, I was loading up my wife, Ellina Kevorkian and her lace paintings and driving them out to Ephraim Utah for an exhibition. Somewhere out there on the highway, I really had to think back and wonder if it was all just a dream. 10 days after my return from Scotland I flew up to Portland and was hanging out with Storm and the gang eating brunch at James's house talking and laughing all about our Scotland adventure or should I say misadventure?

Thanks to everyone we met that made our trip so enjoyable and an experience I will never forget!

please check out my "Sounds of Edinburgh Fringe Festival" podcast by clicking here

]]> Sun, 26 Sep 2010 21:15:00 GMT 1112812E552ECC7690191D91BC4BC112 only a week and a half to go before we go home...where did the time go? http://gregeklund.com/blog.cfm?feature=926705&postid=405235  August 20th, 2010 Scotty and I eating french fries or as they say here "chips" after yet another night at the Loft (performers only bar).  We both have realized that drinking everynight is the only way to make it through the Fringe.  We have become very good friends with Adel, the man at the chip shop who always greets us with a smile and knows us by name. Nothing better than chips at 3am as the above photo shows. This is <a target="_new" href="http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/hardeep-singh-kohli-chat-masala">Hardeep. He does a Fringe show where he interviews his guests (mostly fellow performers of the Fringe) live on stage while making curry in his mobile stage kitchen.  Here he is just prepping his ingredients backstage.  Storm and the boys sang a song on his show and he interviewed Storm as well.  The curry was great too!  Later that evening at the Loft he introduced me to his friends as "the best drummer in Edinburgh."  Ah Hadeep, you make me blush.  Or maybe its just your curry? As reviews come in they print them out and just stick them on the existing posters.  This is a pic of the same Storm poster I have been taking throughout this blog as its right outside our stage door. After taking in <a target="_new" href="http://www.nationalgalleries.org/whatson/exhibition/5:368/9312">The Impressionist's Garden exhibit of over 90 Impressionist master painters, I took Scotty to see the <a target="_new" href="http://fruitmarket.co.uk/exhibitions/current/">Martin Creed exhibit at a local gallery and he didn't seem to understand the modern language of modern art.  You can take the boy out of Montana, but you can't take the Montana out of the boy. August 20th, 2010

Scotty and I eating french fries or as they say here "chips" after yet another night at the Loft (performers only bar). We both have realized that drinking everynight is the only way to make it through the Fringe. We have become very good friends with Adel, the man at the chip shop who always greets us with a smile and knows us by name. Nothing better than chips at 3am as the above photo shows.

This is Hardeep. He does a Fringe show where he interviews his guests (mostly fellow performers of the Fringe) live on stage while making curry in his mobile stage kitchen. Here he is just prepping his ingredients backstage. Storm and the boys sang a song on his show and he interviewed Storm as well. The curry was great too! Later that evening at the Loft he introduced me to his friends as "the best drummer in Edinburgh." Ah Hadeep, you make me blush. Or maybe its just your curry?

As reviews come in they print them out and just stick them on the existing posters. This is a pic of the same Storm poster I have been taking throughout this blog as its right outside our stage door.

After taking in The Impressionist's Garden exhibit of over 90 Impressionist master painters, I took Scotty to see the Martin Creed exhibit at a local gallery and he didn't seem to understand the modern language of modern art. You can take the boy out of Montana, but you can't take the Montana out of the boy.

]]> Fri, 20 Aug 2010 15:45:00 GMT 4C2864A4F780F51B269E9A44E31136BA Half way point.... http://gregeklund.com/blog.cfm?feature=926705&postid=401715  August 18th, 2010 Edinburgh First off...I need to tell everyone about a religious experience I had on my day off.  Earlier in the day went to a little record shop called <a target="_new" href="http://www.avalancherecords.co.uk/">Avalanche in Edinburgh and bought an album off their "Top Ten" list.  They are a Scottish band called <a target="_new" href="http://www.myspace.com/meursaulta701">Meursault and the album is called "All Creatures Will Make Merry."  I uploaded it to my ipod just as it started to rain.  So I stepped off into a dark evening downpour and walked the ancient streets of Edinburgh listening.  Incredible!  A truly religious experience.  Better than anything I've experienced in any church! Storm holding court, in "the Loft," (the performer's only bar) with the brilliantly educated young lads who's play <a target="_new" href="http://edinburghfestival.list.co.uk/event/10005833-robbie-wakes/">"Robbie Wakes" brought me to tears.  It is a play where the main character is a 7 year old child played by a puppet controled by two puppeteers.  It follows Robbie's slow recovery towards walking after he is badly injured, and his "mummy" killed in the London subway terrorist bombings of 2005.   Scotty waiting for his chips,"french fries" and falafal at <a target="_new" href="http://www.elfalafel.com">Elfalafel which we stop by EVERY night after drinking at "The Loft."  Every night Adel serves us up right!  Thanks Adel! A truly "vintage" drum!  Around 1750.  I'd give it a whack! Looking down onto <a target="_new" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cowgate">Cowgate Street which is the street our venue <a target="_new" href="http://www.underbelly.co.uk/webpages/edinburgh/index.php">The Underbelly is on. The Underbelly is just a little further down the road just out of sight of this photo. Stunning reminder of USA foreign policy and how we are perceived by the rest of the world. Scandinavian chess pieces found in Scotland and now on display at the <a target="_new" href="http://www.nms.ac.uk/our_museums/national_museum.aspx">Scottish National Museum.  Having just taught my eight year old son to play chess it was a very interesting exhibit. Stunning Arts and Crafts pieces in the Scottish Museum. August 18th, 2010 Edinburgh

First off...I need to tell everyone about a religious experience I had on my day off. Earlier in the day went to a little record shop called Avalanche in Edinburgh and bought an album off their "Top Ten" list. They are a Scottish band called Meursault and the album is called "All Creatures Will Make Merry." I uploaded it to my ipod just as it started to rain. So I stepped off into a dark evening downpour and walked the ancient streets of Edinburgh listening. Incredible! A truly religious experience. Better than anything I've experienced in any church!

Storm holding court, in "the Loft," (the performer's only bar) with the brilliantly educated young lads who's play "Robbie Wakes" brought me to tears. It is a play where the main character is a 7 year old child played by a puppet controled by two puppeteers. It follows Robbie's slow recovery towards walking after he is badly injured, and his "mummy" killed in the London subway terrorist bombings of 2005.

Scotty waiting for his chips,"french fries" and falafal at Elfalafel which we stop by EVERY night after drinking at "The Loft." Every night Adel serves us up right! Thanks Adel!

A truly "vintage" drum! Around 1750. I'd give it a whack!

Looking down onto Cowgate Street which is the street our venue The Underbelly is on. The Underbelly is just a little further down the road just out of sight of this photo.

Stunning reminder of USA foreign policy and how we are perceived by the rest of the world.

Scandinavian chess pieces found in Scotland and now on display at the Scottish National Museum. Having just taught my eight year old son to play chess it was a very interesting exhibit.

Stunning Arts and Crafts pieces in the Scottish Museum.

]]> Wed, 18 Aug 2010 23:55:00 GMT BDBCEB75B4620572BF293EE34388004A Day Off! http://gregeklund.com/blog.cfm?feature=926705&postid=398053  August 15th, 2010  Edinburgh Scotland Yes George Wendt, "Norm!" from Cheers came to see Storm's show twice!  After the second night we ended up drinking with him at a hotel bar and he is such a nice charming man.  The play he is in called Celebrity Autobiography was quite fun too.  The play is just actors reading directly from the pages of celebrity's autobiographies. George read from David Hassellhoff's. There are amazing costume shops in Edinburgh.  This one is just off the Grass Market area. Here comes another afternoon downpour on its way! When the sun comes out so do the people!!!! I just can't help it.  Everywhere you go you can just look up and see the castle and its incredible! Here is the front of our venue early evening just as the crowds are starting to show up for the evening performances. August 15th, 2010 Edinburgh Scotland

Yes George Wendt, "Norm!" from Cheers came to see Storm's show twice! After the second night we ended up drinking with him at a hotel bar and he is such a nice charming man. The play he is in called Celebrity Autobiography was quite fun too. The play is just actors reading directly from the pages of celebrity's autobiographies. George read from David Hassellhoff's.

There are amazing costume shops in Edinburgh. This one is just off the Grass Market area.

Here comes another afternoon downpour on its way!

When the sun comes out so do the people!!!!

I just can't help it. Everywhere you go you can just look up and see the castle and its incredible!

Here is the front of our venue early evening just as the crowds are starting to show up for the evening performances.

]]> Mon, 16 Aug 2010 23:30:00 GMT DDEC239474695D3215146282B61CE1A3 Scottish meat pies are just processed meat and fat pies..."they're quite nice!" http://gregeklund.com/blog.cfm?feature=926705&postid=390102  August 10th, 2010 So we have been here for just over a week and settling in getting into the weird suspended daily reality of being a part of  Edinburgh's <a target="_new" href="http://www.edfringe.com/">Fringe Festiva<a target="_new" href="http://www.edfringe.com/">l.  We have taken in all the tourist sites, but the <a target="_new" href="http://www.edinburghcastle.gov.uk/">castle, which has just too many tourists waiting in line each morning to bother with.  We (the boys in the band) after every show so far have been out drinking post shows with our new good friend Matthew who has been really most gracious with his hospitality, and having been getting back to our apartment late into the "wee" hours.  Then its up at noonish and then out into the day until 9pm when we head the two blocks to the <a target="_new" href="http://www.underbelly.co.uk/webpages/edinburgh/index.php/">Underbelly venue.  You lose track of what day it is and the date very easily especially after taking an overnight red eye flight from NYC to get here. Here is our apartment just off of Southbridge road.  Our apartment is the windows on the third floor counting the Cash Generator store at the bottom as the first. The inside of our room at the <a target="_new" href="http://www.underbelly.co.uk/webpages/edinburgh/index.php/">Underbelly venue which is deep deep within the dungeon bowels of a building under a bridge deep within Edinburgh. The entry way into our venue early in the day before all the crowds! The first person you see when entering the Gents toilets at the venue! Hotty Scotty Weddle..."ace"guitarist and my post show drinking partner. Director of Storm's show, Sam Gold, and her producer Elan McAllister backstage. The boy...the myth...the Edgend...<a target="_new" href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1793740849&ref=ts">Ed! Storm, Scott, and James doing a tv show highlighting the Fringe called <a target="_new" href="http://www.edinburghtonight.net/">Edinburgh tonight. I took this in the pouring Scottish rain walking back from the <a target="_new" href="http://www.nationalgalleries.org/collection/in_focus/4:18430/18413">Museum of Modern Art. Storm and Matthew (a truly tremendous bloke!) backstage. Me sitting on a park bench at <a target="_new" href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/place?client=safari&rls=en&oe=UTF-8&redir_esc=&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=the+meadows+edinburgh&fb=1&gl=uk&hq=the+meadows&hnear=Edinburgh&cid=13440954494517839569&pcsi=13440954494517839569,1">"The Meadows" deep in the heart of Edinburgh. August 10th, 2010

So we have been here for just over a week and settling in getting into the weird suspended daily reality of being a part of Edinburgh's Fringe Festival. We have taken in all the tourist sites, but the castle, which has just too many tourists waiting in line each morning to bother with. We (the boys in the band) after every show so far have been out drinking post shows with our new good friend Matthew who has been really most gracious with his hospitality, and having been getting back to our apartment late into the "wee" hours. Then its up at noonish and then out into the day until 9pm when we head the two blocks to the Underbelly venue. You lose track of what day it is and the date very easily especially after taking an overnight red eye flight from NYC to get here.

Here is our apartment just off of Southbridge road. Our apartment is the windows on the third floor counting the Cash Generator store at the bottom as the first.

The inside of our room at the Underbelly venue which is deep deep within the dungeon bowels of a building under a bridge deep within Edinburgh.

The entry way into our venue early in the day before all the crowds!

The first person you see when entering the Gents toilets at the venue!

Hotty Scotty Weddle..."ace"guitarist and my post show drinking partner.

Director of Storm's show, Sam Gold, and her producer Elan McAllister backstage.

The boy...the myth...the Edgend...Ed!

Storm, Scott, and James doing a tv show highlighting the Fringe called Edinburgh tonight.

I took this in the pouring Scottish rain walking back from the Museum of Modern Art.

Storm and Matthew (a truly tremendous bloke!) backstage.

Me sitting on a park bench at "The Meadows" deep in the heart of Edinburgh.
]]> Tue, 10 Aug 2010 17:50:00 GMT 4B1BE0DA75234A32B1679924E8BDC650 We Made It! http://gregeklund.com/blog.cfm?feature=926705&postid=378497  August 2, 2010 Edinburgh Scotland So we are in here in Edinburgh via NYC and Dublin.  We arrived at 7am yesterday morning and were met by Ali and her son Ed.  They are our liaisons for all things Edinburgh and the <a target="_new" href="http://www.edfringe.com/">Fringe Festival.  14 year old Ed rode with us boys in a cab while Storm rode with Ali.  Ed is a cool kid and was not only giving us a tour but keeping us amused with stories of his mates and his drunken Irish relatives. So we get to our apartment and home for the next month and are stoked that a mere 40 paces from our front door is the voted "Best Indian Food in Edinburgh."  We put that to the test later in the afternoon while trying to stave off collapsing from jet lag, and it was banging!  To keep us awake we walked around the <a target="_new" href="http://www.edinburgh-royalmile.com/">"Royal Mile" road that connects Edinburgh castle to <a target="_new" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holyrood_Palace">Holyrood Palace (where the queen resides when in Edinburgh) checking out all the tourist sites. After everyone took a quick nap, we set off into the night and ended up at <a target="_new" href="http://www.greyfriarsbobby.co.uk/story.html">Greyfriar's Bobby's pub a few blocks from our apt.  In the churchyard behind the pub is buried a man whose dog after he died would come and sit on his grave everyday for 14 years until the dog's death in 1872.  Try to get a cat to do that! We had fun drinking and talking about everything that has happened and everything that is to come on this trip.  A short wet walk home and everyone crashed into bed with the sounds of late night Edinburgh imposing on our very thin single pane bedroom windows. August 2, 2010 Edinburgh Scotland

So we are in here in Edinburgh via NYC and Dublin. We arrived at 7am yesterday morning and were met by Ali and her son Ed. They are our liaisons for all things Edinburgh and the Fringe Festival. 14 year old Ed rode with us boys in a cab while Storm rode with Ali. Ed is a cool kid and was not only giving us a tour but keeping us amused with stories of his mates and his drunken Irish relatives.

So we get to our apartment and home for the next month and are stoked that a mere 40 paces from our front door is the voted "Best Indian Food in Edinburgh." We put that to the test later in the afternoon while trying to stave off collapsing from jet lag, and it was banging! To keep us awake we walked around the "Royal Mile" road that connects Edinburgh castle to Holyrood Palace (where the queen resides when in Edinburgh) checking out all the tourist sites.

After everyone took a quick nap, we set off into the night and ended up at Greyfriar's Bobby's pub a few blocks from our apt. In the churchyard behind the pub is buried a man whose dog after he died would come and sit on his grave everyday for 14 years until the dog's death in 1872. Try to get a cat to do that!

We had fun drinking and talking about everything that has happened and everything that is to come on this trip. A short wet walk home and everyone crashed into bed with the sounds of late night Edinburgh imposing on our very thin single pane bedroom windows.

]]> Mon, 02 Aug 2010 16:50:00 GMT C7A65A09B1B6F4D27C0FA9C76E27C2F2 Small Feet... http://gregeklund.com/blog.cfm?feature=926705&postid=375319  July 29th, 2010 NYC So we got into NYC at 6:30 yesterday morning after a red eye from Portland in which the plane was 100 degrees inside.  We made it through a little "harassment" drama that happened directly in the seats behind me which required security when we got to JFK.  New York is hot and humid!!!! Went and saw <a target="_new" href="http://americanidiotonbroadway.com/">American Idiot on Broadway last night with James Beaton.  Thanks Elan!!! <a target="_new" href="http://www.sting.com/">Sting sat a few seats away from us.  Afterwards when we got backstage he was meeting the cast and taking pics with them.  It was then that I noticed he has the smallest feet. I mean TINY! Afterwards James and I rode a bike rickshaw down Broadway (I'M SO THANKFUL I'M STILL ALIVE!) to meet up with Storm and friends at a raw food resturant named <a target="_new" href="http://www.oneluckyduck.com/purefoodandwine/">Pure.  It might have been the single best meal I've eaten in my life.  I had the sweet corn tamales and whatever appetisers were ordered. The mint ice cream brownie was AMAZING! Today we had a acoustic rehearsal in an apartment to tighten up some things for tomorrow's show.  I have a massive headache and am staying in tonight to be ready to rock <a target="_new" href="http://www.joespub.com/">Joe's Pub and then its on to <a target="_new" href="http://www.edfringe.com/">Edinburgh and the Fringe Festival.  See you at the show tomorrow! July 29th, 2010 NYC

So we got into NYC at 6:30 yesterday morning after a red eye from Portland in which the plane was 100 degrees inside. We made it through a little "harassment" drama that happened directly in the seats behind me which required security when we got to JFK. New York is hot and humid!!!!

Went and saw American Idiot on Broadway last night with James Beaton. Thanks Elan!!!

Sting sat a few seats away from us. Afterwards when we got backstage he was meeting the cast and taking pics with them. It was then that I noticed he has the smallest feet. I mean TINY!

Afterwards James and I rode a bike rickshaw down Broadway (I'M SO THANKFUL I'M STILL ALIVE!) to meet up with Storm and friends at a raw food resturant named Pure. It might have been the single best meal I've eaten in my life. I had the sweet corn tamales and whatever appetisers were ordered. The mint ice cream brownie was AMAZING!

Today we had a acoustic rehearsal in an apartment to tighten up some things for tomorrow's show. I have a massive headache and am staying in tonight to be ready to rock Joe's Pub and then its on to Edinburgh and the Fringe Festival. See you at the show tomorrow!

]]> Fri, 30 Jul 2010 06:00:00 GMT 60880BDD560700E56E493642F71C0107 "Set 'em up and Ill knock em down!" http://gregeklund.com/blog.cfm?feature=926705&postid=370428   I flew up to the great Pacific Northwest recently to perform a 3 show run with Storm Large. I flew in a day early for a rehearsal to a rare NW blistering heat of 97 degrees and it was to stay that way until the moment I left. After I had a solo breakfast at the <a target="_new" href="http://cupandsaucercafe.com/">Cup and Saucer, the gang all drove up to Seattle and played the <a target="_new" href="http://www.thetripledoor.net/">Triple Door .  What a great venue!!! I have heard people talking about really liking the venue ie. the sound, view, bar and food, but it really was a great place to play a show as well. Storm was on fire with her stories and banter and her voice as always was incredible!  Click <a target="_new" href="http://stormlarge.com/ballzboard/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=4732">here for review.  I really have the best seat in the house even with only seeing her and Scotty Weddle's butts in my face, because I get to hear her voice out of my drum monitor every night and its an incredible voice. My parents, Aunt and Uncle made it to the show from various parts of Washington State. A fun show was had by all on stage. I got to the hotel sooo tired but so excited to have cable tv in my room, I stayed up till 4am watching tv!   After a complimentary breakfast of bread, bread and more bread in the lobby we were off to Portland for our show at the <a target="_new" href="http://wonderballroom.com/">Wonder Ballroom. This is only my second time playing or even being in the Wonder Ballroom. The first time was with my band <a target="_new" href="http://theoohlas.com">The Oohlas a few years ago where Storm and Davey both made it out even with Davey's son's broken foot in a fresh cast. I really like the venue. It reminds me of the old <a target="_new" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Luna_(Portland,_Oregon)">LaLuna for all you Portland old timers out there and "seats" about the same number as well. Seeing a lot of old faces from back in the day is always a treat. So even though they had the air conditioning on when its sold out at 800+ people and its 90+degrees outside it gets real hot real fast on stage and in the crowd.  Click <a target="_new" href="http://stormlarge.com/ballzboard/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=4733">here for review. The next day’s Cancer Society benefit show was at private Lake Oswego residence where over $15,000 was raised and we played outside on the Willamette River into the warm summer night.  Click <a target="_new" href="http://www.oregonlive.com/portland-bands/index.ssf/2010/07/storm_shines_cancer_benefit_profits.html">here for review.  An early flight home to Los Angeles and another trip in the beautiful Northwest playing music with friends is done with smiles all around.  Set ‘em up and I’ll knock em down!!! I flew up to the great Pacific Northwest recently to perform a 3 show run with Storm Large. I flew in a day early for a rehearsal to a rare NW blistering heat of 97 degrees and it was to stay that way until the moment I left.

After I had a solo breakfast at the Cup and Saucer, the gang all drove up to Seattle and played the Triple Door .

What a great venue!!! I have heard people talking about really liking the venue ie. the sound, view, bar and food, but it really was a great place to play a show as well.

Storm was on fire with her stories and banter and her voice as always was incredible! Click here for review. I really have the best seat in the house even with only seeing her and Scotty Weddle's butts in my face, because I get to hear her voice out of my drum monitor every night and its an incredible voice. My parents, Aunt and Uncle made it to the show from various parts of Washington State. A fun show was had by all on stage. I got to the hotel sooo tired but so excited to have cable tv in my room, I stayed up till 4am watching tv! After a complimentary breakfast of bread, bread and more bread in the lobby we were off to Portland for our show at the Wonder Ballroom.

This is only my second time playing or even being in the Wonder Ballroom. The first time was with my band The Oohlas a few years ago where Storm and Davey both made it out even with Davey's son's broken foot in a fresh cast. I really like the venue. It reminds me of the old LaLuna for all you Portland old timers out there and "seats" about the same number as well. Seeing a lot of old faces from back in the day is always a treat. So even though they had the air conditioning on when its sold out at 800+ people and its 90+degrees outside it gets real hot real fast on stage and in the crowd. Click here for review.

The next day’s Cancer Society benefit show was at private Lake Oswego residence where over $15,000 was raised and we played outside on the Willamette River into the warm summer night. Click here for review. An early flight home to Los Angeles and another trip in the beautiful Northwest playing music with friends is done with smiles all around.

Set ‘em up and I’ll knock em down!!!
]]> Tue, 27 Jul 2010 04:00:00 GMT BEC641F5792B53F6EF7CF616C7E821A5 Hitting Hard and Having Fun!!!! http://gregeklund.com/blog.cfm?feature=926705&postid=253706  April 22nd 2010 So earlier this week I was in Portland Oregon to play a show with <a target="_new" href="http://stormlarge.com">Storm Large.  Again I stayed with my great buddy Davey Loprinzi who as always took such great care of me and was so gracious in his hospitality.  He also lent me his bike so for the first time in a long time I had "wheels" with which to get around.   First thing I did was to ride 5 miles up to <a target="_new" href="http://revivaldrumshop.com/">Revival Drum Shop and met up with <a target="_new" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_McPherson">Scott Mcpherson just as he was opening up the shop.  We hung out and talked and ate street delivered tamales that were incredible!  Word must have gotten out about the tamales in the store because soon enough the store was filled with drummers talking old times, beats, and lead singers.  Even though I rode home in the pouring rain, I still had a great time seeing and meeting everyone.  Revival Drums is not only a great store but also a great hang!!!! From there to rehearsal sans Storm who was in NYC.  Afterwards James and I met up with Stephanie Smith to celebrate her birthday which should've been taking place on her European tour with <a target="_new" href="http://www.klevelandmusic.com/">Kleveland but with all flights in and out of Europe canceled due to that Icelandic volcano she settled for middle eastern food followed by coffee and pastries. Show day started with brunch with Alex Steinger from <a href="http://inmusicwetrust.com">In Music We Trust.  Soundcheck, trip to <a target="_new" href="http://powellsbooks.com">Powells Books to get a <a target="_new" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Adventures_of_Tintin">Tin Tin book for my son, and then a surprise birthday cake for me backstage for me, followed by a great show with special guest <a target="_new" href="http://www.ericmcfadden.com/">Eric McFadden.  A great trip. I love Portland... April 22nd 2010

So earlier this week I was in Portland Oregon to play a show with Storm Large. Again I stayed with my great buddy Davey Loprinzi who as always took such great care of me and was so gracious in his hospitality. He also lent me his bike so for the first time in a long time I had "wheels" with which to get around.

First thing I did was to ride 5 miles up to Revival Drum Shop and met up with Scott Mcpherson just as he was opening up the shop. We hung out and talked and ate street delivered tamales that were incredible! Word must have gotten out about the tamales in the store because soon enough the store was filled with drummers talking old times, beats, and lead singers. Even though I rode home in the pouring rain, I still had a great time seeing and meeting everyone. Revival Drums is not only a great store but also a great hang!!!!

From there to rehearsal sans Storm who was in NYC. Afterwards James and I met up with Stephanie Smith to celebrate her birthday which should've been taking place on her European tour with Kleveland but with all flights in and out of Europe canceled due to that Icelandic volcano she settled for middle eastern food followed by coffee and pastries.

Show day started with brunch with Alex Steinger from In Music We Trust. Soundcheck, trip to Powells Books to get a Tin Tin book for my son, and then a surprise birthday cake for me backstage for me, followed by a great show with special guest Eric McFadden. A great trip.

I love Portland...

]]> Sat, 24 Apr 2010 06:00:00 GMT 1AD4386FECDAC511BC9F70E5DC1524C0 Feb. 15th 2010 WHAT A NIGHT! http://gregeklund.com/blog.cfm?feature=926705&postid=184297   Storm was stunning!  An incredible performance to a sold out house!  I feel so incredibly lucky to have been a part of it.  I must give thanks to <a href="http://stormlarge.com">Storm Large and James Beaton for allowing me tojoin them in their magical evening.  Again, a fun couple of days with friends making music in Portland Oregon.  There is nothing better.   To read some fan reviews of the show <a href="http://stormlarge.com/ballzboard/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=4671">click here...

Storm was stunning! An incredible performance to a sold out house! I feel so incredibly lucky to have been a part of it. I must give thanks to Storm Large and James Beaton for allowing me tojoin them in their magical evening. Again, a fun couple of days with friends making music in Portland Oregon. There is nothing better.

To read some fan reviews of the show click here...

]]> Mon, 15 Feb 2010 22:00:00 GMT 203702580ED2479D4CC02F2B0161C667 Back in Portland Oregon... http://gregeklund.com/blog.cfm?feature=926705&postid=182508  Feb. 12th 2010 So its 5:30 am and what am I doing up writing a podcast?  Well my body naturally wakes up at this time. This is when my 10 1/2 month old baby wakes up at home and either my wife or I get up and give him some milk and then I get up and go ride my bike or run.  My good friend Davey Loprinzi has put me up while I'm in the NW and here I lie wide awake so I thought to fill you all in on what's been happening... So Yesterday flew in to Portland Oregon and was driven straight to <a href="http://stormlarge.com">Storm Large's musical director's James Beaton's house to pick up what I am now referring to as "Big Blue" his 1960's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slingerland_Drum_Company">Slingerland blue sparkle drum kit and load it in down at the <a href="http://www.orsymphony.org/schnitz/">Arlene Schitnitzer concert hall for a little sound check.  "Big Blue" sounds awesome on stage and I can't wait to rehearse with the symphony orchestra which will be happening in just 3 hours from now.  Rehearsal today, rehearsal tomorrow and then the big show tomorrow night...stay tuned for more details! Feb. 12th 2010

So its 5:30 am and what am I doing up writing a podcast? Well my body naturally wakes up at this time. This is when my 10 1/2 month old baby wakes up at home and either my wife or I get up and give him some milk and then I get up and go ride my bike or run. My good friend Davey Loprinzi has put me up while I'm in the NW and here I lie wide awake so I thought to fill you all in on what's been happening...

So Yesterday flew in to Portland Oregon and was driven straight to Storm Large's musical director's James Beaton's house to pick up what I am now referring to as "Big Blue" his 1960's Slingerland blue sparkle drum kit and load it in down at the Arlene Schitnitzer concert hall for a little sound check. "Big Blue" sounds awesome on stage and I can't wait to rehearse with the symphony orchestra which will be happening in just 3 hours from now. Rehearsal today, rehearsal tomorrow and then the big show tomorrow night...stay tuned for more details!

]]> Fri, 12 Feb 2010 17:30:00 GMT 428E60DBA6CFF1CF90A31EF240CD8C7E Prepping For The Symphony! http://gregeklund.com/blog.cfm?feature=926705&postid=175023  Spent today in my drum studio rehearsing the songs that I will be playing with <a target="_new" href="http://stormlarge.com/oregon-symphony-presents-storm-large-crazy-love/">Storm Large when she performs with the Oregon Symphony on Feb. 13th.  I'm not giving away any secrets but its some old and new material so i wanted to make sure it is sinking into my head.  Fun to get behind the drums again and bash away.  I'm a little bit nervous about playing with such studied musicians but I can't do what they do and they can't do what I do so "its all good!"  My high school percussion teacher <a target="_new" href="http://www.meredithmusic.com/bios4.html#26">Mr. Garwood Whaley would be so impressed!  He was grooming me for Julliard but instead I end up a rock n roll bum who is going to be hitting hard and melting faces in front of the tuxedo crowd.   Hear it...Live it!!!!! Spent today in my drum studio rehearsing the songs that I will be playing with Storm Large when she performs with the Oregon Symphony on Feb. 13th. I'm not giving away any secrets but its some old and new material so i wanted to make sure it is sinking into my head. Fun to get behind the drums again and bash away. I'm a little bit nervous about playing with such studied musicians but I can't do what they do and they can't do what I do so "its all good!" My high school percussion teacher Mr. Garwood Whaley would be so impressed! He was grooming me for Julliard but instead I end up a rock n roll bum who is going to be hitting hard and melting faces in front of the tuxedo crowd.

Hear it...Live it!!!!!

]]> Tue, 02 Feb 2010 06:50:00 GMT DD146AF67296DFD6C374E7EFFC6DCBD1 Words to Live By... http://gregeklund.com/blog.cfm?feature=926705&postid=162775  Yesterday was my wife's <a target="_new" href="http://ellinakevorkian.com">Ellina Kevorkian birthday.  I bought her a vinyl and cassette USB converter to upload into her computer all her old punk rock vinyl and tapes from her <a target="_new" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/924_Gilman_Street">Gillman Street days.  I gently suggested to our 7year to sign it with something along the lines of "to my punk rock mom" to which he said "I got it" and wrote... Hear it...Live it!!!!!! Words to live by I say. I also want to mention a new "band?"  I heard at the <a target="_new" href="http://www.farmernet.com/events/one-cfm?venue_id=587">Los Angeles Farmer's Market last Sunday.  As we walked back to our car we stopped to hear some New Orleans ragtime parade march music.  From that they downshifted into gypsy music that was incredible!  We bought their homemade cd which I believe doesn't showcase the "updated?" ensemble we heard in the street but well worth checking out.  The band is <a target="_new" href="http://blastingcompany.com">Petrovic Blasting Company and I will be playing some of their music in my upcoming podcast which I hope to have in a week or so. Also I will be playing drums with <a target="_new" href="http://stormlarge.com">Storm Large and the <a target="_new" href="http://www.oregonsymphony.org/">Oregon Symphony for a lovers Valentine show called "Crazy Love."  <a href="./shows.cfm">Click here for info.  I'm so excited to be going back to Portland to see friends and play music...Hear it...Live it!!! Yesterday was my wife's Ellina Kevorkian birthday. I bought her a vinyl and cassette USB converter to upload into her computer all her old punk rock vinyl and tapes from her Gillman Street days. I gently suggested to our 7year to sign it with something along the lines of "to my punk rock mom" to which he said "I got it" and wrote...

Hear it...Live it!!!!!!

Words to live by I say.

I also want to mention a new "band?" I heard at the Los Angeles Farmer's Market last Sunday. As we walked back to our car we stopped to hear some New Orleans ragtime parade march music. From that they downshifted into gypsy music that was incredible! We bought their homemade cd which I believe doesn't showcase the "updated?" ensemble we heard in the street but well worth checking out. The band is Petrovic Blasting Company and I will be playing some of their music in my upcoming podcast which I hope to have in a week or so.

Also I will be playing drums with Storm Large and the Oregon Symphony for a lovers Valentine show called "Crazy Love." Click here for info. I'm so excited to be going back to Portland to see friends and play music...Hear it...Live it!!!

]]> Sat, 16 Jan 2010 23:45:00 GMT FF46C32340B1D016FF2201C0B648A0EE True Dat!!! http://gregeklund.com/blog.cfm?feature=926705&postid=149459 found this in a music store on my last trip up to Portland... found this  tp Portland found this in a music store on my last trip up to Portland...

found this tp Portland]]> Wed, 30 Dec 2009 13:50:44 GMT 3F1050658E61D9547376518B7A57B118 Sexy! http://gregeklund.com/blog.cfm?feature=926705&postid=148481 Is there anything sexier than Deborah Harry in 1977? and I have never found blondes very attractive... Is there anything sexier than Deborah Harry in 1977?
and I have never found blondes very attractive...

]]> Tue, 29 Dec 2009 06:55:00 GMT 9B7CDF6CCFB1FE48C7DDBEFAFA0E67A1 Buzzed by Beverly Hills Santa!!!! http://gregeklund.com/blog.cfm?feature=926705&postid=140951 So there I was sitting at a red light on Wilshire Blvd in Beverly Hills when I looked up and got buzzed by SANTA!!!!!!   So there I was sitting at a red light on Wilshire Blvd in Beverly Hills when I looked up and got buzzed by SANTA!!!!!!

]]> Thu, 17 Dec 2009 09:40:00 GMT 1D85E0273969F55DC4724DAFDD4795DA NYC. End of November. Sunny. 54 degrees. Playing music with Storm Large. Fun!!!! http://gregeklund.com/blog.cfm?feature=926705&postid=130419 The day after <a target="_new" href="http://stormlarge.com">Storm Large's "Holiday Ordeal" show in Portland I was on a very hot crowded plane with Storm, James Beaton, and Scott Weddle flying to NYC for a show at <a target="_new" href="http://www.joespub.com/">Joe's Pub in NYC.  I was having too much fun at the "Ordeal" show and forgot to take pictures which leaves me kicking myself because I could've had my pic taken with Portland's legendary drag queen <a target="_new" href="http://www.darcellexv.com/">Darcelle.   To close the show "she" read "The Night Before Christmas" and what a spectacle!  The night flew by so fast,  but much love and respect goes out to all the artists and musicians on the show who were all fantastic! I also want to throw out a huge thanks to my good buddy's vintage drum store <a target="_new" href="http://revivaldrumshop.com/">Revival on 15th and Prescott in Portland for renting and ultimately selling us the blue sparkle Slingerland kit I used for the show.  For any of your vintage drum needs please contact  either Jose or Scott at the store and they will dial you in! So what do I say about NYC?  I get to hang out in the city all day, play music for a few hours at night, and then go and eat lovely meals with Storm, James and Scott.  Last night James led us down to a unmarked basement door and into a japanese resturant from the gritty sixties with something like 75 different kinds of sakes.  I didn't know what I was eating but it ALL was incredible!  Many laughs and jokes later and with our nose hair singed from their wasabi dumplings we stumbled out in to the night to find a "dirty" martini for Storm and ended up finding one and attached to it was an incredible chocolate mousse cake that was to die for! Good times with good friends...                                                  The day after Storm Large's "Holiday Ordeal" show in Portland I was on a very hot crowded plane with Storm, James Beaton, and Scott Weddle flying to NYC for a show at Joe's Pub in NYC. I was having too much fun at the "Ordeal" show and forgot to take pictures which leaves me kicking myself because I could've had my pic taken with Portland's legendary drag queen Darcelle. To close the show "she" read "The Night Before Christmas" and what a spectacle! The night flew by so fast, but much love and respect goes out to all the artists and musicians on the show who were all fantastic!

I also want to throw out a huge thanks to my good buddy's vintage drum store Revival on 15th and Prescott in Portland for renting and ultimately selling us the blue sparkle Slingerland kit I used for the show. For any of your vintage drum needs please contact either Jose or Scott at the store and they will dial you in!

So what do I say about NYC? I get to hang out in the city all day, play music for a few hours at night, and then go and eat lovely meals with Storm, James and Scott. Last night James led us down to a unmarked basement door and into a japanese resturant from the gritty sixties with something like 75 different kinds of sakes. I didn't know what I was eating but it ALL was incredible! Many laughs and jokes later and with our nose hair singed from their wasabi dumplings we stumbled out in to the night to find a "dirty" martini for Storm and ended up finding one and attached to it was an incredible chocolate mousse cake that was to die for!

Good times with good friends...

]]> Tue, 01 Dec 2009 01:10:00 GMT E167A8CACC60A197483B0CFB9B8C5828 Happy Turkey Day!!! http://gregeklund.com/blog.cfm?feature=926705&postid=128731   

]]> Fri, 27 Nov 2009 23:30:00 GMT 6058B17A307BF3C29DA3B24C9F1107F0