OK...that time of the year...again...

Well, it's the time of year where Slightly Used (my alt-rock cover band) scales back their live shows (except for the SLIGHTLY USED live at the PLUMSTED GRILL Mid-Summer Blast!!!) until the Fall season (it sucks being a non-shore area cover band in the summer months), Recovery Council (alt-rock/ grunge/ yatchcore original band) has a few summer gigs coming up (including our 1st DE gig), but mainly will be concentrating on recording some new stuff. I'm interested to see what happens w/ Clash Of Influence (acoustic-driven alt-rock) and their search for a new singer and if there's any live shows and/ or new music to come from them. I'd also like to see more performances drumming w/ Latin rock artists Drops(Music by io & Friends) and Manny Soundz...

On the upside...I may get time to paint some more landscapes (haven't done a new painting in more than a month) and spend more time w/ the family...gotta take the kids on one of our "food trips" this summer...


This past year has been an awesome one. I've traveled and played gigs in places I've never been to before (Boston, MA...Huntington, WV...both w/ Recovery Council), found a great regular venue for Slightly Used where the crowd ALWAYS loves us, and started drumming as a "hired gun" for Villarq Entertainment recording artists Drops (music by IO and friends) and Manny Soundz...playing two gigs w/ them so far in NYC. I've also been recording w/ Appalachia alt-country artists Gutt n' Bucket and the re-formation of the alt-rock band Vertigoround...


I can't wait to see what comes up in the next few months...

OK...so it's been a while...but...

I stumbled upon this blog that talks about my Dad's father...Thomas Trenholm, Sr. (yes...I'm sending you to another blog from my blog) Enjoy!!!

http://jersey-rants.blogspot.com/2010/10/paradise-lost.html

A New Venture...

Well, I've just started a new website/ organization...the New Jersey Drum Collective. http://www.njdrumcollective.com/ or http://www.njdrummers.com/ . The mission will be to allow drummers to share ideas, techniques, advice, experiences, etc through the organization and website. I also hope to organize local drum and percussion only jam sessions throughout the state at various venues to bring our collective message of rhythm to audiences. Cooperation is the key...

The site will also offer drum and percussion product reviews, drum/percussion music downloads recorded by organization members and more...


Stay tuned for more...

Amusement Park Trains Vol. 1- Highlights

GULF WILDLIFE BENEFIT CONCERT- Sat Aug 7th...

What an awesome night it was...both of my bands (Clash of Influence and Slightly Used) along with four other cool bands/ artists playing in front of a great crowd for a great cause...the National Wildlife Foundation. The event, which was organized by some of my fellow C.O.I. band mates, ended up being a BLAST!!!

The turnout was far more than we ever expected...especially considering the size of the venue...Buddie's Tavern in Sayreville/ Parlin, NJ...literally a "neighborhood bar" surrounded by houses. The staff was awesome and kept the drinks and food rolling smoothly all night. The bands playing a variety of music...keeping things interesting throughout the night. There were raffles w/ great prizes donated by people from all over the state.

In the end we raised $1000 for the NWF...not bad being this was only really in the planning stages since mid-July (the original idea being thrown out there by my friend Chrissy back in late June). Both of my bands picked up new fans...SU may have picked up a new venue as well.

The First Shot...

OK...here we go. WELCOME to my new blog (actually my first blog). Here I'll be sharing my experiences as a stay-at-home Dad by day, drummer by night, 24/7 husband (although my wife Sandy may argue the husband part on nights I'm out performing), and general observations, experiences, etc.

I've been a stay-at-home Dad for 9 years now...WOW, 9 YEARS. So much has happened in those 9 years...mainly just life...a good life. Busy and hectic at times, boring and complacent at others, but all-around awesome. The greatest times can loud, rowdy and exhausting or they can be quiet, tranquil and content. Having my daughter Jessica (now 9) and son Jason (almost 3) are the greatest gifts I've been given in my life. They bring such joy to my life as well as their Mom's.

My wife is awesome too...so supportive through some of the crap that's come up in the past 9 years...well, more like AT THE START of the past 9 years. Things like leaving my family business after Jess was born, the following "period of panic" before we decided I stay at home w/ her, selling our first house, moving, 9/11 happening right before our closing (and Sandy works in NYC...she was there for it all). She's more than I ever could have asked for...

As for drumming...I've been playing for almost all of my life...33 out of 40 years. I'm currently in two bands...an alt-rock cover band SLIGHTLY USED and an acoustic-driven rock band CLASH OF INFLUENCE. More on drumming in later blogs...

Well, thanks for reading and have a great weekend!!!