Stef DiFranco and Bad Manners On Tour - Latest Blog Entries

Kansas City Weasels head to the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame!

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:21:00 -0500

Well we did it, Off to the Rock 'n" Roll Hall of Fame with eight other bands in October. We called pretty drunk from the Key Club in Hollywood shortly after hearing our name read by the judges. Lee Kavenaugh of the Kansas City Star has been a champion of our cause and wrote a couple of articles on our going and winning a spot.

Here is Sundays page....

Kansas City Weasels make it to the finals of the Battle of the Corporate Bands

The Kansas City Weasels rocked into the finals Saturday night on their quest for the title of America’s best corporate rock ’n’ roll band.

The band secured one of eight spots to play at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland in October for the final competition of Fortune magazine’s Battle of the Corporate Bands.

The band lived up to its old name of The Screaming Weasels when its members phoned from Los Angeles with news of their success late Saturday night. They were hard to understand amid screams and laughter except for three words repeated over and over: “We did

Lee Hill Kavanaugh, lkavanaugh@kcstar.com

Posted on Sun, Jun. 21, 2009 10:15 PM

Stephen DiFranco | Create Your Badge

The Final Show - The Filmore

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 20:59:00 -0600

The last day of the tour was my favourite, I got to hang with Grace first at Meg's apartment.

I headed from Brooklyn to 86th in Manhattan, Meg has a beautiful apartment right by the Guggenheim.

I dumped my stuff, took a shower and Grace and I headed to the museum, it was just fun to hang out and talk about the past three weeks.

I was so tired, we got coffee and I had two soft boiled eggs, then headed back to the flat. Got all my gear together and rode the train down to 14th street to the Filmore.

The Filmore is a historic venue, you can just feel it when you walk in. I met up there with Ryan and we set up camp in the dressing room. I could sense tonight was going to be great.

Slowly but surely the rest of the band showed up, and we set up for a sound check, we were playing with Big D and the Kids table, they were great, lending us all their gear. Souncheck was great, the sound system in there is excellent, run by a team who know what to do.

Literally after soundcheck they opened the doors and within 30 minutes the evening had begun with Big D. The place was filling up so quickly, it was totally sold out.

Grace was across the road having dinner with friends, I waited impatiently for them to arrive, I paced around as per usual, this is where i ran into an old friend sitting on a box of t-shirts. Heidi Minx, a long time old friend was just sitting there. I had often wondered what had happened to her, and there she was. She just looked at me and then freaked out. We hugged and laughed, and she asked "what the hell I was doing there", "playing" I said. She laughed again. Heidi used to follow the band even to England and take photos.

I headed behind stage just as Grace was getting in the door, along with Brent Bliven, Lynn Hutchinson, Meg Rhodus and Lynn's friend Michelle. Brent is a long time friend from Kansas City, he moved to Boston a few years back. Lynn we met along with her husband Art in Maui two years ago. We kept in touch and last year Grace and I attended their wedding in Boston, and that is how we met Michelle.

The Show flew by, I blinked and it was over, but I will never forget the feeling of walking on and all those great songs

The picture kind of says it all for me, I know from this picture where I was in the set, I am at the ending The Can Can, the final song of the show.

After the show, i headed backstage to dry off, grabbed a beer and headed out the door. There in front of me was Grace, Brent, Meg, Lynn, Michelle and Scott all kissing me and hugging me. It was a very emotional experience, and to have several friends there is something I will never forget.

Photos

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 17:00:00 -0600

Here are several places to find tour shots by pros and fans.

SKAPUNKPHOTOS.COM

Multiple pages of band and Fan pics

Bad Manners

New Jersey - Forsaken Guns MC and The Crazy Donkey

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 16:32:00 -0600

I have been trying to write this entry for a while, things got crazy and I have not been able to upload and talk about the final day and hours of the tour.

I mentioned we went to New Jersey, we played at The Crazy Donkey, what a place, not really a Bad Manners and English Beat venue, they were not really prepared for us. Bad Manners has 8 members on stage, three horns, drums, bass, guitar, organ and eight vocals, that’s many mics. Then you get into the English Beats situation and you run out of room on the desk, so basically we are a sound guy’s nightmare.

We left Brooklyn around 11:00am; it was freezing on Thursday last week. We were told that the traffic would be terrible, so best to just get there. We had no heat on the bus and were also joined by Doug’s drunken friends. One of them, a girl was going to play violin that night with us, she was very nice, not sure of here name. The drive was only about one hour, so we got there around noon. We then hung out waiting for the English Beat to turn up and sound check. We were also told that there would be three bands on in front of us. This is a pain in the arse as there is not enough room in the dressing rooms for all of us.

We ordered in Chinese food and I did my usual pacing of the venue, it was 50 Stef steps long and 40 wide, I kept this up for about 1 hour until I was bored and decided to pace somewhere else.

Finally the bar staff arrived and we could get a beer, I got the worst pint of Guinness I have ever had, still it was wet.

Outside was so cold, and they informed us there was a dressing room outside in another RV. The thought of going onto a different RV was sickening, still we did it, we discovered how the place should really look and that the toilets do actually flush. It was still freezing in there though and I decided to take my chances inside with the masses. I staked a claim in the dressing room and stared down anyone who came near it.

Soon it was time for the first band to go on, they were great, noisy Ska-Punk band, full of energy, then the second and third. While this was going on the dressing room was being frequented by a monster of a man. He wore a green MA1 any Army green pants. He was about 6’5” tall and about 275lb. He just walked in, filled up his pockets with the third bands beer and walked out to the tune of about 6 beers. We all looked at each other, it was funny everyone’s expression was like, why did you not say something. We all laughed until he came back 20 minutes later and did the same thing.

I headed out to the stage right and got my gear in place, we had about 15 minutes until show time. I saw the club MD and mentioned the mountain in the dressing room. I did not want the third band to think we were all just drinking their beer. He then led me over to this bouncer, he was about 5’ 11” and really broad. He spoke with a thick New York accent and asked me to show him the guy so he could elect him from the venue. Well, I could not find him, and he proceeded to make fun of the fact that how could a mountain disappear.

This guys name was Bruno Bruni, turns out he is a New York Cop, he was brilliant, we hung out until I headed for the gig. We had a great gig, despite only being able to line check everything. The show was all ages and there were so many kids in there who I chatted with before and after. After the show I walked off stage and saw my mate Bruno, he then told me he had found the guy and thrown him out. The situation was made funnier by the fact the guy just went quietly and said sorry. Bruno and I struck up a friendship, he asked me how he could get a Hooligan shirt, and being as I own them I got him a shirt cap and stickers.

He belongs to The Forsaken Guns MC of New York Motorcycle club and is sending me their shirt. Also gave me his card and told me “bro, if you ever need me, just call”. He, Bruno Bruni was just one of the many fantastic people I will never forget on this trip.

To top it all, I was standing there and bumped into several old friends from The Scofflaws, I had not seen them since we toured back min 1991. We stood there and swapped stories from the past, mostly drunken youth stories. They are older as am I and there is this wonderful respect between us all, like we went to war together. It is really hard to say goodbye to old friends, these are some of the people that changed my life.

The Filmore NY

Sat, 07 Feb 2009 18:39:00 -0600

Last night was brilliant, we played so well to a sold out Phimore. The day was so crazy, I woke up at 7:00 am in Johnny's place, with about six other guys all snoring. My motivation to get moving was that Grace was staying with Meg in Manhattan. I headed down to the Tube, and went and met my wife. It was great we had a great day hanging out, we went to breakfast, and to a museum.

Around three I headed down to the venue, more later, got to go to dinnner.

Heading to Long Island

Thu, 05 Feb 2009 10:30:00 -0600

We are just about ready, we are heading to a club on Long Island, I think it's called Crazy Donkey, sounds interesting. Had a good night's sleep at Matt's place, in a bed. It is so cold here today and we have several extra people riding on the bus, if the bus is still there.

It was parked under the Brooklyn bridge and left. Yosi and Justin are heading to pick up the RV and we are going to board the ice box.

Hanging out at Johnny's

Wed, 04 Feb 2009 15:45:00 -0600

We have spent the day at Johnny's house in Brooklyn. Been and had breakfast, it was not good, my eating habits are terrible at the moment. Mike and Yosi are heading back to Philadelphia to watch a punk band called Hate and War, they are catching a bus from China Town in about 20 minutes. We are all sitting at a table, I cannot believe they have not left yet, as the drummer is here. They are all three getting drunk, this is hilarious.

They have been drinking since around 10:00am and just got a call they are on at 8:00pm. It's like Tweadle Dee and Tweedle Dumb and their twice removed cousin. They are freaking out, it's going to be a disaster.

I have just been walking around Brooklyn, it is so cold out today. Been in the thrift store with Buster, they all slept in the bus last night under the Brooklyn Bridge. They bought beer and woke up to frozen solid cans in the bus.

T-Mobile Rocks

Wed, 04 Feb 2009 11:21:00 -0600

Although I could not get a phone straight away, Desiree at T-Mobile really helped me sort this out. It's gonna cost me, but she pulled it all together for me so easily. Cheers Desiree.

The World Cafe Live

Wed, 04 Feb 2009 10:10:00 -0600

Ever listen to the NPR show The World Cafe? This is a the venue and radio station where it happens. After sleeping in the RV in Alexandria we drove into very bad weather. The drivers were really good, taking it easy, as they are from California. We drove into Philadelphia and headed straight to Gino's for a cheese steak. After standing in the cold eating we headed for the venue. It is a great stage, and the crew there were by far the best all tour. Playing shows every day are really fun, and we all get on so well. There has not been any real incident on the bus, the occasional argument, but nothing too bad. We played a great show and the GM came to the dressing room after and told us we have an open ticket there. Basically he loved the show and would have us play when ever we wanted too.

After the show I headed out front to watch The English Beat. Stood at the bar and bought a drink, they had given us Nut Ale in the dressing room, it was horrible. I never really get that noticed out front, as my head is down and I am surrounded bu cymbals.

Well I was approached by a couple and they struck up a conversation with me. They are Danielle and KC Kulp, they were so nice. They run a bar 40 minutes outside Philadelphia called The Whip Tavern

They bought me a drink and we talked through the whole show, they were so kind, offering to let me stay at the bar. The horn section came and joined me and they were also treated like royalty by this very nice couple. It makes a huge difference on the road when you get to meet normal nice people, including the legendary Mrs Jones.

I am sitting in Johnny's kitchen right now, we drove through the night and I am now in Brooklyn, tired and have to get a new phone as I dropped mine and the screen broke. My Gracie flies in tonight, not sure if I will see her, as she gets in so late. The Philmore show is about sold out, i think I am going to be part of a legendary night in New York, I am up to speed and kickin' arse on the drums.

Alexandria

Wed, 04 Feb 2009 10:06:00 -0600

We had another great show here in Alexandria, got to really hang out with The Pietasters and return them their trombone. We are heading to Philidelphia for a show.

Tour Photos

Mon, 02 Feb 2009 09:50:00 -0600

We have all been combining photos. If you hit the link, there are a bunch.

Scroll to the bottom, there are about four pages.

Click Here

Just a few more shows

Mon, 02 Feb 2009 09:12:00 -0600

I am really looking forward to seeing my wife this week. The tour has been so grueling. I am not as young as I used to be. Also we have been exposed to many really trying situations. For the most part everyone has been great, being cooped up in a bus. All the members of the English Beat have been nice as well; I look forward to one day hanging out with them in KC.

You do a lot of soul searching sitting on a bus, with time to think about all your friends and family, and all the people you come in to your life. I have led a charmed life, and I really can honestly say I won't do this again. I have loved every minute of the tour, lived it to the fullest, but realise I love something so much more. Grace, David and Poppy I really miss you guys.

I am sitting in a hotel. I have a room all to myself in Alexandria, Virginia. I have a sore throat, I ache all over, splits on my hands, and am worn out. I have a show tonight.

Unless you have done it, touring is one of the most un-glamorous things. I know there is a part to the day where you get to have people cheer you, but they all go home, and you find yourself on a bus. I am 43 now, I hung out with Justin and Ryan last night, the band went to a Motel 6. I paid for two rooms at the Hyatt, they share a room and I got some space to myself. They are both really young, mid twenties. We sat in the bar and drank and just talked openly all night.

Justin needs a job! He does not have one when he gets back to Kansas City. He is such a nice kid. He, like me, took this opportunity to live and learn something about himself. He is a bar tender and needs a job asap when he gets home next week. If anyone out there needs help, please get in touch with him. I can't stand the thought of him coming home to nothing.

It's so quiet in here.

Real Bed and Breakfast........

Sat, 31 Jan 2009 10:40:00 -0600

We had a great show last night in Baltimore, lots of great faces. The Pietasters were brilliant as usual and it was great to catch up with Steve Jackson and the guys. We will have more time on Sunday/Monday as we are 1 mile from his home.

The Rams Head Live were by far the most hospitable crew we have encountered. Nothing seemed to be to much trouble; so if you are touring and want a great night at a venue, I recommend it.

We were joined at the venue by Matt's parents, Tina and Bud, which is where I am at right now. I got to sleep in a bed, and have breakfast made for me. They live in Gaithersburg, Maryland. I have not seen any of it yet, as it's stupidly cold outside. They have made us all so welcome and warm, we all thank them for that.

We head to Richmond today, it's about a three hour drive, which means 5 for us. With no heat in the bus, I cannot wait for it to be over. I am now going to have another cup of coffee and chat with the family.........later.

McDonalds North Baltimore

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 15:42:00 -0600

We got to Baltimore around 2:00a...it was around 7 degrees below. We had no heat and it was freezing. We had parked in a McDonald's car park and stayed there due to no hotel. I woke up due to the cold at around 7am and headed for the McDonald's for coffee. I sat there until I went back, woke everyone up, and said lets get going on the generator. We found a Auto Parts store and they sent us in the right direction.

In there I met a guy called Ed. He was 6'5" tall African American. He looked at me and asked "what the hell I was doing in North Baltimore". He then informed me that we were in the worst part of town. He then set about helping us with our problem, allowing us to follow him to a repair shop. He was so nice and it was a pleasure meeting him.

We got to the next place and he referred us to Allied Carburetor on the other side of town. They were brilliant. They could not fix the problem, but came up with a redneck solution. We now have to run a hose out of the generator into a bucket of fuel, as there is a block in the main line. So we cannot have electric on the bus when moving but I can rig it so if we stop we can have heat and charge our phones. Just another problem halfway solved.

We are at the venue, it's beautiful, HEAT, food, coffee and my friends The Pietasters.

Cold Cold Bloody Cold

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 15:16:00 -0600

That was by far one of the worst drives and days I have ever had on a bus. I have not been able to write for several days due to having no power. We left Fort Lauderdale after a great show, met tons of Brits, and had a great time chatting to people.

We started to drive to Baltimore around 2:00 am in shorts and a t-shirt. I fell asleep as per usual sitting in the chair next to Matt. I woke up due to the fact the temperature had dropped around 30 degrees. We have had no heat on the bus, and have not needed it, but the reality of heading North was setting in.

On the way we stopped at a boat and RV location in South Carolina.We stayed and they fixed our batteries so that we at least had light on the bus, but without the generator, there still would be no power. We needed according to them a new carburetor. We had lunch and boarded back on to the bus.

As the evening drew we stopped at a roadside diner for take out. We were greeted by a scene from deliverance. We were made to feel very un-welcome;they definitely assumed that we were the Cavalry.

Tired and Hungry

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 17:18:00 -0600

We just arrived at the Culture Room in Fort Lauderdale, very nice venue. We are due on at 9pm, I hope to eat very soon. The bus has lost it's electric again, this is not good as we are driving tonight all the way to Baltimore. The drive for normal people is around 15 hours, we will at least take 22.

I am looking forward to seeing Steve Jackson from the Pietasters. Also we are all able to stay at Matt's Mums house. We probably should apologise in advance.

Yosi and Mike are setting up the merchandise next to me right now. Mike the dawg has the first leg of the drive. It is hard to sleep. We are all going to be very sweaty after the show and no shower available for 2 days.

I am really pleased to say the English Beat gave us the dressing room tonight;they stayed on their lovely bus. It makes such a difference to the evening.

I am going round the pub, there is a place near by where I can eat....still charging my phone.

Great Night

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 09:36:00 -0600

I am at the Sea Air Motel, in Cocoa Beach. We had a brilliant day and night. We got to Coaca around 10:00am yesterday and parked behind the venue. Cocoa is a lovely little town. Grace, David, Poppy and I come here every year with Tino and Bonnie. I am sad that they are all not here at the moment.

Chili Peppers is the club we played, owned by Robbie who was so kind and helpful. From the moment I got there he gave me the key to his house, drove me there so I could shower. Then he took me to get my washing done.

I walked into the Laundromat???, and was greeted by this little old lady. I have not been in one for about 20 years, so I looked around for instructions, pointers. She looked at me and asked if I needed help. Well she actually did all my washing for me, folded it and put it back in my bag; she was lovely.

Next we checked into the motel. I thought (stupidly) that the band had gotten me a room. I discovered they had not, when all the rooms were taken. This is where we met Jackie. Jackie works and basically runs the place. She is from Victoria in London and completely mad. She decided to cook the band dinner at her house. We all turned up there and ate shepherds pie. She and her family Dave, Darren and his wife were all so hospitable.

The show was great. The Beat were brilliant as usual; we also all got a little bit closer.

After the show I hooked up with a great bunch of people from Orlando. One of them owns the Orlando Brewing Company and had a spare bed in his room, so I got a bed at the hotel after all. We had a blast and look forward to seeing them all again. We all went to breakfast this morning at "the Cuban". I went there before with Grace and family. We had a huge fight with the waiter. He basically told us in Russian to go forth and multiply....it was ugly.

I am now going for a walk on the beach. The rest of the band are still in bed. we leave soon for somewhere else.

I really miss my Gracie and kids..................

This stage aint big enough for the both of us!!!!!!

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 09:02:00 -0600

Just arrived at the venue for tonight's show minus two cymbal stands and a drum stool. We think we know what happened to them, but can't be sure. The stage is tiny and so far "Riddum" the English Beat's drummer, has refused to move his gear. Tonight I might have to let him use my kit, of course it's gonna cost him.

Said goodbye to my brilliant mate Big Dave Wiens last night, very emotional. Dave as I stated was on several tours with me and also in my wedding........99.

Dave and Dion drove from San Francisco to be in my wedding. Any man that does that is a true friend, including Erik Noyes...we are all brothers. We have been by each others side all over the world, picked each other up off the floor...I am the one normally getting picked up. These guys are the best men you will ever meet.

The venue tonight is tiny, the strangest booking I think I have ever done. It's gonna be interesting. I need to do laundry and take a shower so bad, also need to clean my teeth...they have that carpet feeling.

Day off with the Big Trombone

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 12:33:00 -0600

We had a great show last night, it had everything. St. Petersburg is really a beautiful town, but also full of soap dodgers. I had a bunch of them follow me around; they may be trying to convert me. Maybe they saw an in with me due to how we currently look. They were really nice and had guitars and drums. It was sort of like having a life sountrack follow you about.

Met up with one of the best people you will ever meet, Big Dave Wiens. Dave played in Bad Manners on several tours. He was the Trombone player for Let's Go Bowling. Also joined by James Dooms another long lost friend. We had a blast.

The show was great up until the point they pulled the plug on us for playing too long. You should of heard the BOOOOOOOOOOO's... it was great.

Afterwards we all retired the the Pelican Pub owned by Jack, who totally took care of us. Of course a fight broke out between skins, but it amounted to nothing.

I am in the hotel room with Dave right now, the band have decided to go to the beach! Honestly Bad Manners and the beach do not go together. I can only think of one reason they are going there. I am heading out right now with Dave to breakfast........oh, did I mention to everyone in Kansas it's 80 degrees outside?

Cheers....

Florida

Sun, 25 Jan 2009 13:50:00 -0600

Just arrived in St. Petersburg in Florida, and was greeted by my old mate Dave Wiens.
Dave and I toured back in 1991 and 1995. In '91 he played trombone in Bad Manners after he was convinced to leave his job and come on the road. Dave is from Fresno, California and a member of the legendary band Let"s Go Bowling.

In '95 he played bass guitar with the band. We are playing an outdoor show tonight... it's around 80 degrees right now. Tomorrow we have the day off and I am staying with Dave at his hotel, just like the old days.

Let's Go Bowling!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!