Long 2011 coming to an end, 2012 on the way!

2011 has been an eventful year all over this great nation. Tornados, droughts, personal losses for band members and friends... and yet, the music remains! Through everything, the music remains the thing that still fills our sails with wind and makes the sailing worth the trip. Each of you are a part or portion of that trip, and the Intercoastal Pirates want you to know that we enjoy having you along on the journey!

May I say now that fewer ports seem to exist these days and the ship stays at sea more than we'd like at times. We want to pass along our encouragement to strongly support the establishments at which we play... live music is audible culture and we owe support to those who grant a place for it to live on! Get out there and enjoy yourself (responsibly, of course!!).

We've got quite a few private affairs on the agenda, but want to invite you and yours to come spend a special night with us welcoming in 2012!! We'll be at the Lake Jackson Civic Center, and you can either just join us for the fun and dancing, or even make a night of it with a full meal to make the night complete. Contact the LJ Civic Center office for tickets! There will also be a DJ, and several special guest performances on the stage through the night. We know you'll enjoy it. We are really looking forward to it!

Merry, Merry Christmas to each of you from all of us. May all of the best things in life find you in 2012!

No really, I am not dead or in prison...

Ok, I grant that it's been a long time, but...

There are times when pirating isn't the most time-consistent lifestyle! After months out on the high seas, having braved some pretty rough waters while making a few ports here and there, the blog-master has returned to the keyboard and is ready to update ye olde blog, hopefully to remain so into the future. That's as close as we shall sail to anything resembling an apology!

The band has been busy, with the ship's sails billowing from port to port. Some of the recent stops have been with old friends at Moody Gardens for the annual "Bands on the Sand" event, spending the Forth of July weekend rocking Castaway's at Surfside Beach, sharing in several blissful weddings, a few company parties, and the odd reunion or two. Many events coming up, so make sure to stay tuned for dates and times.

One regular stop for the last three years has been the Great Texas Mosquito Festival in Clute. Each year has been great, playing with such fun folks as Brandon Rhyder, Kevin Fowler, Mickey and the Motorcars, and many more. This year should be a show stopper with headliner Pat Green! A night not to be missed, for certain!

Newest pirate Bryan Armstrong is now firmly settled into his place amidships, and we have been adding new songs nearly every date. A few new songs introduced this past weekend at Dido's were greeted with loud approval by the crowd, always a good sign.

We're always glad to have you along for any portion of the voyage, so hop onboard at the next port and spend a little time with the boys. You won't regret it!

New mug shots for the "Wanted" posters...

Just a quick note from the decks of the Musical Pirate Ship o' The South to let you know we have had our smiling, smirking, and otherwise expression-filled faces immortalized in the fine camera lens of Photography by Joni, for all the world to see. A few samples are at the top of the page, and in this post. Pretty handsome, don't you agree (or would ye prefer a bit of cutlass in the ribs)?

Joni was a lot of fun, and methinks she found the crew to be a good-natured bunch of lens targets. Assisted by band buddy and Captain's Wench Leta (Chris's better looking half), the band moved around, rearranged, posed and pouted for the camera until Joni felt we had what was needed. After Miss J applied the magic touch in the processing room, here we are! The band is quite happy with the results, and sends a huge Thank You to Joni for all her hard work, expertise, and especially for her creative mind and eye. If you find yourself in need of some photographic immortalization for your crew, look up Photography by Joni on Facebook or locally. You'll be glad we told you about her!

In a musical vein, the band is gearing up for a busy spring and summer. Most weekends are already booked up, with June being the only month where it looks like we'll be scrubbing the decks and repairing battle damage... but that's bound to change! It's the kind of busy we don't mind. Pirates need to be Pirating! Hope to pillage YOUR village soon!

For those musical types following the blog, we invite you to come aboard and check out the new techno-gear we've integrated into the show. MyMix individual stage monitor controls fed by a network hub, wireless in-ear monitoring for those running about the stage, guitar amplification courtesy of the fine folks at Fractal Audio for the Lieutenant. Yes, it's true... Rick onstage WITHOUT tubes and speaker cabinets! And happy with it, to boot. Unheard of... And the rumor mill has it that part time Pirate Les Roberts has also taken the plunge, via Avid/Digidesign's Eleven Rack. You can see him at the Shooters show. We've gone high-tech on these decks, so watch out! We're having fun with it, so come take a peek and let us know what you think of it all!

We're baaaaacccckkkkk

I must apologize for the lengthy time between posts, but pirating is prone to those sorts of times out of port. Now that we are back on the high seas of music with a full crew and the ship's sails full to bursting, things are beginning to ramp up to a spring and summer full of fun!

The band had a great time at the beach Saturday with the fine folks at Castaways Bar and Grill. Adding friends from as far away as Chicago on this visit, the band was in fine form and had a great time. Recently joining the crew to split sound duties with Jimmy, Jason Rooks (Of R&R Studios in Brazoria) added his golden touch to the PA, much to the crowd's delight and appreciation.

Future weeks have us going to Brazoria for a long-overdue return to Cooter Brown's Country Club. It's a fun place with great people, and a nice dance floor to keep you stepping. The band would love to see you there! Many private parties, class reunions, concerts in LJ, Clute, and Galveston, and much more is on tap for 2011. It should be a memorable "Year of the Rabbit!"

Welcome 2011

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

The Intercoastal Pirates welcomed in a new friend, 2011, with family and many old friends at the Lake Jackson Civic Center New Year's Party hosted by Danny Lara and family. Sharing the night with DJ Jammin Jay Trevino, music went on non-stop following a great dinner catered by La Casona. The dance floor remained full, and there was plenty of time to catch up with old friends during the night. The Intercoastal Pirates thank Danny for inviting us out... hope to do it again!

The band is looking forward to many new ports to pillage, and all the good times to come. We're looking forward to seeing all of you during the year and making some new memories for the new year aboard the musical Pirate Ship O' The South!