Yeah… 2010 is OVER!

And what a year it was. As much as I’m looking forward to 2011, I have to say there were a lot of great moments in 2010 that I won’t forget for some time to come.

As we moved into spring – I was a celebrity guest at CHILLER CON, where I shared a room with Lita Ford, and got to spend some time with my teenage hero, Alice Cooper, as well as his original bandmates, Mike Bruce, Dennis Dunaway, and Neil Smith. For those guys – an Induction into the RnR Hall Of Fame surely made 2010 a banner year for the now reunited 4… Damn… ‘Hey, Alice… don’t forget what ya said about the two of us LOOKING like we should be in a band together, in case Steve Hunter doesn’t work out – or if Lou Reed decides on a RocknRoll Animal reunion…’

It was also where I met THE MOTHER CHICK – Jill Kethel… the future “BARBIE STEELE”; and where I was presented with a medal and plaque from the U.S. ARMY for my support to the troops in Iraq. Later this year, at a Christmas party - they presented me with a flag.

May, 2010, brought on the release of I WANT YOU DEAD… after a 29 year wait – we finally released our first ‘demo’ recordings, packaged as I originally conceived of it… and in 6 different colors vinyl, too.

And then… the ongoing frustration of scheduling conflicts that kept us from accepting so many good gig offers out of town – came to an end, as Billy Gotta (Drums) and Alex [just Alex] (Bass) “joined” THE UNDEAD – as in they’re not part of any other band, and are fully dedicated to this project. They’re both great guys, and it’s not easy getting used to having members who actually want to do more than walk on stage for the glory, but actually want to WORK at the behind the scenes, un-glorious bullshit, too. After 30 years of being stuck with nearly all the work – I’m still trying to figure out how to DELEGATE. Expect a lot now that they’re in – I do.

We’re preparing to go into the studio soon to record a song for Dave Street’s upcoming film project – ‘Ghost Train a-Go-Go’ is a split from our usual style, with more of a Bauhaus/Goth feel. From there, we’ll start cracking the whip on more new material…

I’ve made some good advances on the project involving restoration and completion of the Lost Tracks from 1981/82, but while some equipment is back at the shop – this is back on hold til after January 30th.

Of course, if you’ve been following closely – you’re also aware that I’ve made a few appearances over the summer… at the Times Square broadcasts of THE REAL RADIO SHOW with Host Frankie D; both as a solo performer, and with THE UNDEAD. The show is broadcast every Monday from 7 to 9 PM on WGBB on Long Island, and also on their webcast at http://www.therealradioshow.com has been great fun, and Frankie is always loaded with surprises – putting artists on the spot, to do an impromptu collaboration. This led to a performance of Neil Diamond’s ‘Sweet Caroline’ backed by Twisted Sister’s AJ Pero on drums – and The Sugarhill Gang on backing vocals; as well as having me guest on guitar for RAPPERS DELIGHT.

Then, we got around to October, Halloween… and CHILLER CON. And, this time I was invited to do THE TIME WARP with Patricia Quinn – the original Magenta from ROCKY HORROR. And it just seems to keep getting better.

Now, as we enter 2011 – we’ll be celebrating 30 Years of THE UNDEAD…or… our “30th UN-niversary” at THE STUDIO at WEBSTER HALL. http://www.websterhall.com/thestudio This will happen on Sunday January 30th… Exactly 30 years to the day from when we made our debut at the A7 CLUB. In an effort to mix the old with the new, we’ve brought in PURE HELL – heroes of the early 1970s punk scene, who also made appearances at A7, next is RAPID DEPLOYMENT FORCE – another early A7 band that’s reunited for this night (feat ex-Undead, Phil Cadaver [also of NEW ROSE, and THE BLAME]). To represent the latest of NYC Punk Rock – we have BAXX SiSi’s (with ex-Undead, Hiromu Nakagaya). Topping the event off is a Friday, January 28 appearance on East Village Radio http://www.eastvillageradio.com from 2 – 4 PM. I’ll be hosting and Deejaying this special show; with plenty of vintage East Village Hardcore and Punk, plus record/Cd giveaways. Come drop in at their storefront studio on First Ave, between 2nd & 3rd Sts, and maybe I’ll have something for ya.

from Along with EVR, there will also be a LIVE performance by THE UNDEAD on Columbia Univ’s WBAR FM at 10PM on Friday, January 21 (www.WBAR.org)… Interview on PunkRadioCast.com’s BLAQART RADIO on Tuesday, January 18 from 7-9 EST.

Also, since the following day... January 31… is the opening of the film LIVING THE AMERICAN NIGHTMARE, I’m working on arrangements with Director, Pawl Basile to show Trailers, and possibly some excerpts from the film between sets.