We've also been working with a promising young drummer named Nat Carsten. Nat first played with us when he was just 15 years old. Now 17, he's still pushing for perfection, and has the potential to become a great musician. We always have a great time with Nat. He also plays regularly with friends his own age, and they jam and write music. They mess around with a little punk, Seattle-style grunge, and even space-out music. Sometimes he plays with his friend, Grant Baker. Lately, he's been working with another friend, Patrick Ray. Nat often calls himself Nat-Bob, but I can't get the pronunciation right.
One aspect of the professional music business that is not as well known as it should be is the AFM, or American Federation of Musicians. The AFM is commonly known as the musicians union. Through the union we meet musicians whose goals are aligned with our own.
Perhaps the most important message from the union is that musicians are worth paying for. Club owners usually pay dismal wages to bands that end up working for less and less, hoping that it will help gain them exposure. When you really think about it, a 4-hour gig can end up being 8 hours of work or more.
Aynsley Dunbar
For those that don't remember, we are working with world-renowned drummer, Aynsley Dunbar, famous for his work with Journey, Whitesnake, Starship, and Zappa. Unfortunately, Aynsley has recently suffered a great loss. His 5 year-old son, Dash Dunbar, was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer last year. While still touring with Eric Burdon and the New Animals and doing studio work, Aynsley traveled to Mendocino, CA, at every opportunity to be with his son. So desperately did he want to be with his son that he would often drive all night long after a gig to be in Mendocino the next day. On May 9, 2000, five year-old Dash Dunbar died of cancer. Take a moment and pray for him and his family.
Recording Update
We're doing finishing touches on about ten tracks from the new album, Ziggurat. We would like to add a couple more tracks to the album but Aynsley's been very busy with multiple tasks. Joel's doing all the artwork and it's coming along quite well. We expect the album to be out by fall. Rather than the traditional packaging in a plastic jewel box, a limited edition from the first pressing will be inside the sleeve of an all-original comic book. We'll keep you posted on when and how to obtain your very own copy.
Eric Burdon and the New Animals kick ass in concert! Tour dates in California:
July 8........Corn Festival..................Brentwood, CA (near Stockton)
Aug 14.......House of Blues/Democ. Nat'l Conv.......Los Angeles, CA
Aug 25.......Humphrey's..............................................San Diego, CA
Aug 27......Newhall Park........................................Santa Clarita, CA
Speaking of great shows, we recently saw Joe Walsh at The Catalyst nightclub in Santa Cruz. He put on an amazing show with a band of young guys that sounded incredible. He played almost all of his old hits, both solo and with the James Gang. And he didn't play a single Eagles tune. He's quite a clown on stage. He introduced one tune by name and said that wasn't the real name, it was just the only name the record company would allow him to put on the album. He then proceeded to sing "I like big tits. They come in two's, it's hard to choose…" - you can imagine the smiles in the audience.
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