"I can't wait to hear them live!"

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"Are you taking pictures of empty chairs?" Yes. "Is this an internet thing?"
No, I just like the eclectic nature of the chairs "…it's an internet thing."
The great thing about being an adult is, you get to do all the things your younger self was denied; as a wild and rebellious teenager I was constantly asking to go to shows at Garfield Artworks to see bands such as The Hormones perform.  Garfield's reputation being what it is, my parents always ignored my pleas.  Flash-forward eight years later and there I was shivering outside a very locked building at seven in the evening.  A tall, slender man in a cowboy hat came out of the shadows and pointed towards a flyer in the window: "Doug Mains & the City Folk, with Western Pennsylvania and The Marbits…8 pm." Ugh.  In the light it was obvious the slender cowboy was Jeff Betten of Western Pennsylvania, what luck!  We headed over to Spak Brothers Pizza to warm our toes and meet his partner in musical crime, Joseph Ripple.

note: Joseph wrote a book, "Then Stirs the Feeling Infinite" haven't read it yet, but I plan on hunting it down.  Expect to hear about it once I do.


 Once inside Garfield Artworks, it was clear this place fit my sixteen year old sensibilities perfectly.  It's one of those venues you always hear about, the kind that is so grimy and grungy that you just know this is where the real musicians perform.  Nothing is more honest than going to a show where the musicians have to help set up the chairs.


First up was Western Pennsylvania.  For the un-enlightened among you, Western Pennsylvania is the band that inspired Sleepy Time Hour on PF/PCA Radio, never mind that sleepy time hour runs from 11 pm - 6 am.  It's just two guys, a guitar, and a banjo and yet… it's eternal.  Oh, and of course, who could forget the endless stream of crickets.  It's the kind of music one would play had they walked the desert for a lifetime.  It's also the kind of music that deserves to be the soundtrack for Private Property.  

The set ended, a promotion for CDs, not for sale, but free for the taking, a quick soundcheck and we were off!

Pictured: Accordion
Doug Mains & the City Folk brought me out of my sleepy-time coma.  They were definitely a form of folk music, but with a certain power behind it.  Also, they had an accordion/cello player, what non-gypsy band has an accordion!?!  I loved it.

2/3rd's of The Marbits
One more band to go, buy a CD from the green suitcase in the back and put your money in the mason jar.  Another quick sound check and that cute girl in the dress who must've been freezing this entire time is up on stage singing her heart out.  Something about insomnia and too many sexual partners.  This must be The Marbits.  I don't know what exactly a marbit is, but whatever it is, it must be absolutely adorable.  They had such a unique stage presence, I couldn't discern if they were seasoned professionals or frightened newbies. It hardly mattered, the music was good.  A flash of an innocent smile and the announcement that a song had indeed just ended endeared me to them immediately.



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Jess's Classic Grilled Cheese
It's a classic because we say it's a classic…

Ingredients:
Bread
Butter
Marinated Artichokes
White American (for a fancier sandwich try Land O' Lakes 4 Cheese Italian Blend)
Feta Cheese


1. Spread a very thin layer of butter onto one side of a slice of bread.
2. On the non-buttered side place two slices of deli cheese (American or Italian), marinated artichokes, and sprinkle feta cheese on top.
3. Butter a second slice of bread on one side, and place butter-side-up on top of sandwich.
4. Place sandwich in toaster oven and select "toast" option
        or
   Grill until lightly browned on each side and cheese is melted.

Pro-tip: I recommend adding little butter and toasting your sandwich to achieve a restaurant quality crispness.

 Parmesan Baked Fries
Recipe completely swiped from Fav Family Recipies I regret nothing.
Preheat oven 400°

Ingredients:
small potatoes
1/4 c butter
grated parmesan cheese (the fake stuff)
garlic powder
parsley
salt & pepper


This recipe yields amazing results, but is incredibly simple.

1. Slice potatoes into medium sized chips.

2. Melt butter, pour into a baking pan until the bottom is evenly coated.

3. Coat the baking pan with parmesan cheese and lightly sprinkle other seasonings (garlic powder, s&p, and parsley) over the butter.

4. Place potato slices on the butter and seasonings and roll them around a bit to cover both sides with butter and seasoning.

5.  Place in oven and bake for 30 minutes.





It is imperative to the recipe that you use
the biggest knife in your kitchen.


protip:
Special Dipping Sauce
Mix roasted garlic mustard and mayonnaise to taste.  I start with a lot of mayo and mix in the mustard in small quanties.  This is another one of those simple things that can really add pizazz to your meal.





The end result...


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