Your Home No matter how clean you keep your yard, any open space is going to invite critters, and they’ll try to get to the warmth and food in your home. Cover any crack and hole in your house down to the smallest of gaps. Orchestral Favorites (1979) Joe's Garage (1979) Tinsel Town Rebellion (1981) Singles from Joe's Garage 'Joe's Garage' Released: October 29, 1979 'Stick It Out' Released: 1979. Was the Next Five your first band? Eric Olson in the early days of the Next Five when he still played guitar. EO: Music was always around me when I was growing up, my mother played the piano and when my parents had party’s they would all stand around the piano and sing, there was always a radio playing somewhere and music just sank into me as if it where a part of life. I always sang songs when I was a kid, changing lyrics intentionally or unintentionally, but saying to myself “well that fits too”. The first time I was with a band was in my garage with some kids from the neighborhood, by the time I was 1. I already knew I wanted to sing in band and hang out with the cool kids. I joined my first organized band when I turned 1. The Variations” they were playing social centers and park pavilions for $2. The first gig I did was in early 1. View Street School social center on the lower south side of Milwaukee, I made $5 to play 2 sets. By the spring of ’6. I had a vision of what kind of band I wanted to be in. I started putting a band together and remembered a guitar player from Brookfield, Wisc. After our meeting he said “Ok, I listened to what you would like to do, now come and hear my 4 piece band that I already have, and we’re looking for a singer”. I did, and that was the beginning of the “Next Five”. TT: Garage bands began popping up all over the country in the mid- 1. What motivated you to be a part of the Next Five? EO: My motivation to join the 4 piece band Steve already had was we were on the same page as to what we wanted to do, there was absolutely no question in my mind that this was the band I was looking for and they felt the same way about me joining them. Of coarse I had to wrestle our drummer (Tom “Ashbolt” Stewart) out in Steve’s back yard to prove my worthiness. We were an extremely tight group of guy’s back in the early day’s, not just musically but we were all close friends instantly. I spent the summer of ’6. Steve’s in Brookfield because I was from the south side of Milwaukee and that was a little distance away. I’ve always believed because we were so young we developed and grew together as one, and that was the magic of the “Next Five”. TT: Wisconsin is not the first state people looked to as a “hot- bed” for garage music, but it actually produced some noteworthy groups like the Blues Boys, the Delcords, and, of course, the Next Five. What was the music scene like and did any local bands influence the Next Five’s style?
EO: There were a lot of bands locally just on the south side of Milwaukee alone, before I was even in a band I saw the “Savoy’s”, “El Demerons”, “Road Runners” and the “Legends” who I never met or saw but they had an album out called “Run To The Movies” with songs like “Lariat” and “Say Mama”, they were the generation before me and pre- Beatles and had a big influence on me. The first live act I ever saw was not a rock band, it was Concertina Millie at Mitchell Park in the very early 6. I was probably 1. When I joined the “Next Five” the influences had changed due to the British invasion. TT: Speaking of the British Invasion, which band would you say was the Next Five’s main influence? EO: I don’t think there was any one British band that influenced us, everyone in the band had their own personal influences, we were always trying to stay current and looked for songs that fit the band and had lots of vocals. Everybody was influenced by the Stone’s and Beatles, but we would only do one song by any given artist at a time. In those day’s we only did two 4. There were some songs that were album cuts and we could hang on to those a little longer. The DJ’S at WOKY and WRIT would give us a heads up on what was coming out so we could get a jump on the new stuff. Next Five appearing with Herman’s Hermits and the Robbs, August 1, 1. TT: What type of venues did the band perform at? What were some of the songs that would usually be featured? EO: We played at high schools, proms, post proms, regular dances, colleges, teen centers, fairs and festivals, radio station events and a lot of CYO dances. Our manager Con Merten kept us booked solidly for three years straight. I remember going to children’s hospitals during Christmas to sing Christmas songs to kids. We did tv shows in Milwaukee, Chicago, Ohio. We did concerts with groups like the Rascals, Herman’s Hermits, shows with groups like Tommy James and the Shondells, the Royal Guardsmen, American Breed, Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels, Moby Grape and many shows with Chicago bands like the New Colony Six, Shadows of Night and the Cryin’ Shames. In 1. 96. 8 the first Milwaukee Summerfest was born and was produced by our manager (Con Merten) and Dee Robb from Wisconsin’s most successful rock band The Robbs, who Con also managed, that was a very memorable event. We would always do our own songs of coarse, but throughout the years we did songs like “Conquistador” Procol Harum, “Kids Are Alright” Who, “Hey Grandma” Moby Grape, “Rock and Roll Woman” Buffalo Springfield, “Black is Black” Los Bravos, “Saint Stephen” Grateful Dead, “Dear Mr. Fantasy” Kooper- Bloomfield and all the current hits at the time by groups like The Rascals, Hollies, Bee Gees, and even more poppy stuff by The Turtles and Lovin Spoonful. TT: Talking with different artists, I find some tend to believe their greatest strength was found in their live performances. Would you say that was true about your band? EO: Recording was always fun, but on live gigs you had an audience that fed you with energy. Kids would be jammed up in front of the stage and would rock out with the band and there is nothing that could compare to that. Doing TV shows was a sterile and technical environment where people just made sure your hair was in place, but by the end of a live gig your hair would be soaking wet and the sweat would be dripping down your face and you would be hyped up with adrenaline. I would have to agree with the other artists that there is nothing like live performances. TT: I take it from the band’s discography, you were the main songwriter. What went into your composing process and was it a relatively easy task? Eric Olson’s first released original, on Destination Records. EO: Our first recording was “Little Black Egg”, a friend of the band and local DJ Paul Christy from WOKY Milw. It was first done by a Florida group called The Nightcrawlers in 1. Paul asked if we could write a B- side for it and we said sure, even though none of us had ever written a song before. I can’t remember if there were any other submissions by members of the band but we ended up doing a song I brought to rehearsal called “He Stole My Love”, I had the guitar line, chords, lyrics and melody and it was quite a dark song. I think I made up the story line from an old tv show or movie I saw. Being it was the first song I ever wrote I really just guessed at how to go about it. Paul said it was good enough for the B- side but suggested that the next time I write a song, I might want to think a little more commercial. Anthology of 6. 0 US Punk Garage Psych 1. Germany, Wisconsin Rocks Volume 7, and numerous bootleg albums that come and go on the internet. Next Five in WRIT’s survey for March 1. The next song we recorded was “Mama Said”, a Shirelles song from 1. Paul Christy wanted us to do “Romeo And Juliet” a song done by the Reflections in 1. We decided on “Mama Said” because it felt right for us. Once again we needed a B- side and it wasn’t until the night before the recording session did I attempt to come up with something. This time I used a piano and immediately came up with the line for “Talk To Me Girl”, I found the chord structure, melody, and most of the lyrics, I finished the lyrics the next day driving to the session. After recording “Mama Said” we had 4. Talk To Me Girl”, nobody in the band had any idea of how the song went, but that was the magic of that song. I played the piano and Mark played the Hammond organ and everyone just played the first thing that came to their minds, there was no time to sit back and evaluate what we were doing, that was the fastest song recorded of any song I’ve written to date, and the spontaneity of it is why the song turned out the way it did. If we had time to try to make it better, it probably wouldn’t have sounded like that. Before we signed with Jubilee Records we recorded in different studios, and “What’s That Melody” a song I wrote and we recorded in Appleton Wisc. There was never one method to the way we did the original recordings, but if we had to pick one I’m sure it would be the way we did “Talk To Me Girl”. TT: I noticed all of your songs were featured on the B- side. Was there a reason for this or was it a coincidence? Canadian issue of “Talk to Me Girl” on Wand. EO: Every time I’ve written a song I’ve tried to write an A- side, that wasn’t easy back then when you consider the competition of the day. I do remember when Paul Christy got the first DJ copies of “Mama Said” and “Talk To Me Girl”, he invited us over to his house to hear them. He first played “Mama Said” and it was pretty much how we remembered it because we had rehearsed it before we recorded it, and we played it live on the gigs after that. Nobody knew how “Talk To Me Girl” was going to sound because we had forgotten how it even went, we never did it after we recorded it. After he played it he said “this is pretty close to an A- side” and one night while doing a late show he called me and said he was going to play it on the radio even though he wasn’t suppose to because of the stations policy of just playing the top 4. He played it at about 1: 0. That was probably the closest I got to an A- side in those day’s. TT: How would you describe the Next Five’s sound? How would you say the group’s sound matured over time? EO: Like most teenage bands back then we did cover material in the beginning, and we did that better than most bands because that’s what got us off the ground and got our manager (Con Merten) and our producer (Paul Christy) interested in us. Bob’s Garage - 2. Photos & 2. 6 Reviews - American (New) - 1. Freeport Rd, Pittsburgh, PA - Restaurant Reviews - Phone Number. Freeport Rd. Pittsburgh, PA1. Ok kids, come on.. El Bistro de' anything, nor will you find it under any Zagat listings. It isn't located on the Riviera, or anywhere near Shadyside or any other trendy nose- in- the- air (which is STILL laughable in Pittsburgh) acceptable neighborhood. It's in Blawnox, and it's called Bob's GARAGE.. And as a neighborhood bar goes.. Go hang at a Big Burrito joint, or dial up Kevin Sousa. Bob's is a funky and cool little joint to hang out in with a group of pretty decent people, all ages, who are out for an evening of a few drinks (I saw no drunks) being served by a bartender who was very friendly and helpful, in a location that does kind of look like Pool City exploded during Christmas time and landed in the middle of Party City during high season. It's comfortable, laid back, and the karaoke guy on Thursdays, John, was very kind and friendly, and did his karaoke like a pro. He also had a very nice singing voice himself. He didn't rip apart his karaoke singers like another 'Oke' leader in the burgh, who mostly caters to the gay bars. People clap, and allow you to have a good time. The drinks aren't terribly overpriced, and no one is looking down on your for what you're wearing, or how badly you sound on a microphone. The more, the merrier. I know that everyone is staring into their palms on their smart phones these days, but really.. EVERYONE. And we had a very hard time scanning a songbook online when the signals were weak and the batteries were draining on the cell phones. And I didn't walk out with the usual smoking bar sensation of having a nicotine trail follow me home. The difference was that we tried the food. I had a Reuben and my friends had a fish sandwich and the other a steak. Reasonable prices, not uppity gourmet, and not horrible. Just plain ol' decent bar food. My cousin and I were looking for a karaoke bar on a Saturday night and Bob's Garage came up under my Yelp search. This is in no way appropriate. I feel disgusted and violated. I recommend women not go here. This is a magical wonderland of lights, alcohol, cheer and karaoke connoisseurs. The building most likely shines from space with the amount of lights on the outside. Inside, no less lights, but just add popcorn strings, wrapped beams, bows, bells, ornaments, santa paintings and people dressed as santa. We sat at the cramped bar in awe with giddy smiles on our faces for most of the night. Just try to avoid Nick at Night - he'll try to take you to Vegas and marry you the same night, or pawn you off to his undertaker friend. Aside from some creepy lovebirds, it's cheap, everyone is extra friendly and there were even a bunch of Christmas tunes thrown in to the karaoke. I was so happy! A group of us came here for some Christmas Eve cocktails! It was a nice vibe with all the Christmas decorations and lights! I'll be back for the next holiday! I've driven by this place so many times that I decided to try it for lunch one day. It's not exactly inviting from the exterior or, for that matter, at the front/side door. But if you're hungry or thirsty, you'll overcome any initial reservation you might have just developed. Once inside your visual senses are overwhelmed by what appears to have been an explosion of confetti and Christmas decorations that magically seem to be suspended from the ceiling like psychedelic stalactites. Once you accept that you're in an alternate universe, you can mosey up to the bar or find a seat at one of the small tables. I chose the former and noted the abundance of ash trays scattered all over the bar. Since I'm not a fan of eating where there is a heavy layer of cigarette smoke, I nearly got up and walked out. Luckily, no one at that particular moment was firing one up so I stayed. So I figured it was gonna be one of those days from start to finish and just ordered water. While it was ok, it wasn't great. Maybe I was so distracted by all the crap hanging over my head and worried for my personal safety that I couldn't properly focus on my meal. Service was good and friendly but the atmosphere and I don't match. And, for that matter, equivalent bar food can be found at your neighborhood tavern and you won't have to have your senses assaulted. I won't be back. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, yay Fourth of July, and Maholo. Friendly and reasonably priced, Bob's offers karaoke on Friday and Saturday nights from 9 to 1: 3. The appetizers look delicious! The place is always arrayed in dazzling lights, inside and out, and is thematically seasonal. A great place to meet friends and sing till the cows come home. This was my second trip to Bob's Garage just multiple years apart! Karaoke with regulars who aren't good but they come back every week. Awesome! I just love this place. In wintertime, Bob's Garage becomes a local destination because the two- room building gets completely overloaded with holiday decorations. The effort apparently takes two full Sundays and about 2. It doesn't get pulled down until the first Sunday after Valentine's Day, which is about how long it takes for the holiday hangover to pass. It's too tacky, and we don't have any more room. As if the lights aren't enough to dull the senses, we experienced an overpacked bar and bad karaoke (redundant, I know) that evening. Lots of shouting about raffle tickets and door prizes. A talking Santa train overhead. Not exactly a place to sit and have a normal conversation, but that can be foregone in favor of the joyful cacophonous maelstrom of holiday revelry. A must see in Pittsburgh. No, I lied, they're not gourmet, they're the frozen kind and they're awful, why would they charge so much for them? Lots of Christmas decorations everywhere, and I mean everywhere! They also have karaoke at 8: 3. They get packed so expect to stand around, the place is small but no one cares and they will hang out for a while, it's hard to get a table at this smoky . If you don't smoke, you can hang out at the add on but it's not as fun as the bar area. This is the place to have a good time! Hard drinking local crowd. Friendly and relaxed local bar with a holiday by holiday light show extravaganza. After an hour there hair and clothes, reek of cigarettes. Ive been there before and it never seemed this bad. I thought all restaurants were supposed to be smoke free? Food is bar food nothing great. But it is a good time. Karaoke was fun if you know your songs from the 7. Fun crowd that just wants to sing and drink no drama. As a non- smoker, it takes me a while to get used to the stink. As a karaoke lover, oh yea, it's the best place in the city! I would just come for great karaoke (my husband DJs every Thursday!) and a nice atmosphere. This place is a riot. The explosion of Christmas decorations I encountered was hysterical, but I loved it. I went here with a meetup group for karaoke. We had the room in the back reserved so I sat down right away. I didn't realize you could smoke inside as I had never been there before. I reeked of smoke and didn't appreciate that part since I'm a non smoker. People crowded in and we had a very nice waitress who was left alone to basically tend to the whole bar. She was kind despite being stressed out. I didn't have any expectations but I really enjoyed the karaoke. I ordered a beer, a bologna sandwich with onion rings, which were good. So then I reeked of smoke AND onions. I went with the flow and would go there again with a group. The bathroom was small and very clean and I had to make my way through a tight squeeze of men and women to get to the bathroom. Some of the crowd was questionable..
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