Once again, I had too much fun the night before the party holiday and was not about to go play the next night. No more Surfer On Acid, Wiseman or Liquid Cocaine. Did I think it was my 17th birthday? Nope, just a good Wednesday. Why my purple leather heels were locked in my car and I was inside I will never know.  And where's my other earring?  What, I ask you, did I really miss by skipping Cinco de Mayo this year? More Corona, bad karaoke and Cuervo than is good for a body, I bet. Thank you JD for the escort and Jimo for just being Jimo.

Friday, May 6

I spent the evening at THE JIVE watching BRIAN KENNEY FRESNO, who is crazy, as BLUE-HAIRED DAVE OF JOHNNY BABALOUIE AND WHO CARES insists. When asked why he thinks BKF is nutzo, Dave used strange "facts" as his proof.  The topper being "I, Dave, am wearing a tie." You're going to have to ask Dave about that one at BIG PAUL'S 40TH BIRTHDAY BASH AT HELL'S KITCHEN THIS WEDNESDAY. (You know this is going to be madness. Get Thursday morning off now, and then you won't have to call in to work hung-over, I mean sick).  Anyway, The BKF after party was killer.  Although I swore I wouldn't guzzle PBR, ONCE IT HIT MY LIPS ... you know the rest. The best thing I saw that night was IDEFY's FORMER DRUMMER DANCING IN THE SHOWER FULLY CLOTHED, a Ben Affleck look-alike we instantly dubbed WHO FLECK talking motorbikes with a very trashed, but lovely chick he'd propped against the sink whom he obviously just wanted to have relations with and Dave (damn, it's Dave again) simultaneously draining the main vein in the house's only bathroom. All of this with the door wide open. Imagine the wonderfully ludicrous image this presents as you turn the corner to go tinkle. I could barely breath I was laughing so hard. Those Johnny Bobalouie guys are a freakin' riot. I love them! I showed LITTLE MISS BADASS that cleavage makes a handy beer holder to the delight of the males present. Being one to recognize a smart trend, she followed suit. MAN, THOSE BEER CANS ARE COLD, but it sure does free up your hands (Um, why did the tall guy keep saying our headlights were on? I know I turned them off when I parked the car).  My, oh my, must we always act like we're 19 driving our first convertible on the freeway? Yes, yes we must.

Saturday, May 7

NOMEANSNO is now in the TOP SHOWS OF MY LIFE. I'm serious. The fierce energy was tangible. I do believe that's THE HAPPIEST CROWD I'VE EVER SEEN AT HELL'S KITCHEN. Looking around, people were grinning all over the place. JONES, HAMMER and I have to give serious props to COCKTAIL GIRL LINDSEY, who managed to successfully deliver drinks into that completely packed and sold out room.  Post show, we made a fully unnecessary trip to MAGOO'S. I was so happy to see ROSE AND EB I was almost jumping up and down.

Access Tacoma

And now for something completely different, SUAVE COWBOY MICHAEL O'NEILL returns from a mini-tour of Southern states with feature shows in Nashville to play his chill music FRIDAY AT THE MANDOLIN CAFE (8-10 p.m., free, all ages). Oh, the Mandolin now has a great variety of wines, import beers, and cheese.  Also on Friday, members of the CHERRY POPPIN' DADDIES ARE DROPPING BY PANAMONICA'S at 9 p.m. to do an opening set for WILL WAKEFIELD. Their side project THE VISIBLE MEN has a totally Ben Folds Five sound to it, but without the sad, downer lyrics.  Think cool, banging piano and witty, upper lyrics instead.

Your task for the week is to go to the new MONSOON ROOM.  This fine rag's editor grabbed the DRINK OF THE WEEK away from Brad Allen this week and goes on and on about the new Hilltop lounge.  Check it.