Categories
SXSW Uncategorized World Domination

We’re heading back to SXSW, kids! (Deets TBA.)

sxsw-music-logo-2016

It’s that time of year again, when thousands of innovators descend upon Austin, Texas to share ideas through film, music, panel discussions, hands-on demonstrations, technology, visual art… all in hopes of changing the world and making it a better, safer, smarter, more creative place for everyone. We played here for the past two years were asked back. Yee-haw! We’re famous!

We’re still waiting on the specifics re: when and where we’re playing, but keep your eyes peeled on this very post (we’ll be updating this entry), and as we learn more, we’ll keep you in the loop.

So that’s the news for now, which we realize isn’t really news other than “Wheee! We’re going, and we know it’s official because we’ve been given plane tickets.” So we promise to keep you posted… stay tuned! Until then, we really hope to see you at one of these other performances we have dotting our calendar.

Your pal in dork rock,

Ji11

Categories
Ass-kicking Gigs Awesome-sauce The Big Reveal Uncategorized collaboration

Our 2nd CD Release show: 12/5 near Dover/Smyrna, DE: Cooldog Concerts – with NOELLE PICARA!

Noelle Picara + Hot Breakfast! = HOT PICARA! or Noelle Breakfast? Either way... WAY SEXY.
Noelle Picara + Hot Breakfast! = HOT PICARA! or Noelle Breakfast? Either way… WAY SEXY.

If you weren’t able to attend our CD release show at the Blue Ball Barn this past weekend, or maybe you want to hear those songs again with those same people– we have our SECOND and FINAL album release show — and this one is happening on 12/5 in Clayton, DE. Clayton is kinda near Smyrna and Dover. It’s smack in the middle of our small state, and it’s the perfect place for us to have our second record release show for “The Big Reveal.”

This is in his HOUSE. Seriously. (And you thought you were cool because you had an XBOX 360.)
This is in his HOUSE. Seriously. (And you thought you were cool because you had an XBOX 360.)

If you’re from New Castle County, you might think, “Clayton? Why would I drive all the way to Clayton?” Well, because Clayton is home to a unique and exciting concert series that’s been going on for almost 15 years, called Cooldog House Concerts. What is it? I’m really oversimplifying here, but essentially: There’s a professional sound guy named Paul who basically turned his house into a performance venue. Really. We’re not kidding. It’s AMAZING. Like, it has a gorgeous stage (with a curtain!), 12=foot ceilings, venue seating, and a world-class sound system, fancy lighting, and everything! In his HOUSE. (I know! Amazing, right??)

Cooldog is like an underground phenomenon, and he attracts musicians and bands from all around the WORLD to play at his place– it is famous for being comfortable, intimate, and FUN, and the best way to experience live music. It’s also a great way to meet fellow music fans as well as mingle with the musicians themselves. There’s even a pre-show pot-luck if you wanna eat with us before the music begins.

We can’t give the exact address since it is some guy’s home, but when you buy your ticket, the precise address will be emailed to you along with your ticket. It adds to the mystery. It’s like a music speakeasy!

We are sharing the bill with no other than Noelle Picara and her outstanding band, and we’re going to make it an 80s-themed night! So in addition to our bands’ own original music, we’ll each be adding a ton of 80s covers in there. So put on your best parachute pants and we’ll do this together. (Will Jill dress as Annie Lennox or David Bowie? Hmmmmm…)

It is an HONOR to be asked to play at this venue, and we are thrilled to offer a second opportunity to everyone to dig our CD release show! Because there’s even a possibility Glim Dropper will make an appearance to bulk up our band again, too!

Will it be a carbon-copy, song-for-song, of our CD release show? Absolutely not, and that’s why if you went to the Blue Ball Barn show you should also come to this one. But if you missed that show, you will still get to hear us in a rare, bulked-up format. We’ll have three backing singers so we’ll be doing “Going Your Way,” and bring a hanky because we’ll also be doing “Ten More Years.”

Have we mentioned how cool it is to get to play here? This same stage that has been graced by some pretty huge names? WHEEEE! We’re excited! Come share the experience with us!

DEETS:
WHO: Hot Breakfast! and Noelle Picara (with her full band), plus added bonuses of Penny Carmack and Rachel Schain adding some rockin’ vocals to both our set and Noelle’s too!
WHAT: It’s an 80s-themed night! Noelle will play a blistering set with her full band, and so will Hot Breakfast! as they release their new CD “The Big Reveal” to our lower-Delaware pals. When either band does covers, they’ll be 80s covers, babyyyyy!
WHEN: Saturday, December 5th, 2015. Doors open at 6:30 with a pot-luck dinner. Bring a snack or dessert to share. Really. (If you have special dietary needs, bring what you know you can eat.) You should eat dinner before going to the show, though.
WHERE: At Paul The Sound Guy’s House, somewhere in Clayton, DE. (Clayton is near Dover/Smyrna.) His exact address will be e-mailed to you once you buy your ticket(s).
TICKETS: Tickets are $15 ($10 for ages 10-18 and also for active military) and MUST be pre-purchased. If you decide to bring a pal or two at the last minute, that’s cool… but at least one of you needed to RSVP in advance. (Otherwise how would you know where to drive to?) Get your tickets HERE.
PARKING: There’s plenty of parking at his house.
FOOD: Pot-luck dinner. Bring what you can eat, and eat what other people bring, too. More details about the food will be emailed to you.
FACEBOOK EVENT:Tadaa! http://www.facebook.com/events/559771770838647/
I HAVE MORE QUESTIONS BECAUSE THIS IS A SLIGHTLY UNUSUAL KIND OF SHOW: No problem! Here’s the Cooldog Concerts FAQ. They know best.
We really hope to see you there. This is a pretty big deal, and we’re so excited for the opportunity!

Your pal,

Jill

Categories
Awesome-sauce Uncategorized

A billion, trillion thank yous.

We got home a little after midnight last night, and I couldn't fall asleep and stared at the ceiling until after 6am…

Posted by Jill Knapp on Sunday, November 15, 2015

Thank you. Really. Thank you.
Thank you. Really. Thank you.
Categories
Ass-kicking Gigs Awesome-sauce Awesoming Rocking The Big Reveal Uncategorized World Premiere collaboration news

CD RELEASE SHOW for our new album: THE BIG REVEAL! Saturday Nov 14, 8PM (doors at 7)

LADIES AND GERMS, THE TIME HAS COME. You’ve been oh so patient… and now we can REVEAL… this album that was in the works for 18 months, and that we are absolutely head-over-heels in love with: The Big Reveal. It’s time to CELEBRATE as we unleash this new album with a blowout show at The Blue Ball Barn at Alapocas Run State Park in Wilmington, DE.

Artwork by Nathan Hardoin and Joe del Tufo. You're seeing it here first, kids.
Artwork by Nathan Hardoin and Joe del Tufo. You’re seeing the album artwork here first, kids!

We will be joined by Glim Dropper in this special concert event. After the awesome Glim Dropper opens the show, they’ll back us on several tunes, including brand-new songs from our new full-length album The Big Reveal! Other guests include Joe Trainor and Kevin Niemi (from The Joe Trainor Trio), Joe Testa Noelle Picara (from Noelle Picara’s band), the fabulous Penny Carmack, Rachel Schain, Rodney Anonymous (!!!), Todd Chappelle, and more. (Don’t worry – we’ll be playing lots as an acoustic duo as well. It’s what we do.)

The doors open at 7pm so you can grab a beverage and some great post-dinner finger food from Bachetti Bros., and then the music starts at 8pm sharp! You’ll also be first in line to purchase The Big Reveal, the new album produced by Ritchie Rubini. The Big Reveal is loaded with original and highly eclectic rock n’ roll, a mix of styles from 70s “Mellow Gold,” analog synths of the 80s, blistering punk rock, and even rockabilly– all infused with that unmistakable Hot Breakfast! dorkiness you know and love. Guests on the album include Jake and the Stiffs, Angela Sheik, Cooke Harvey from The Splashing Pearls, and many more.

Don’t miss this unique and incredibly fun night of music at one of Wilmington’s true treasures – The Blue Ball Barn, a historic museum at the new Alapocas Run State Park in Wilmington, Delaware. It’s a really cool space; you’ll dig it.

DEETS:

    • WHAT: Our long-awaited CD release party for our new album The Big Reveal

 

    • WHEN: Saturday November 14th. Doors open at 7pm, music starts promptly at 8pm

 

    • WHO: Hot Breakfast! Glim Dropper, and pals!

 

    • WHERE: The Blue Ball Barn at Alapocas State Park: 1914 W Park Dr, Wilmington, Delaware 19803. (You’ve seen this place from Concord Pike about 1000 times and always wondered what it was. Now you’ll know!)

 

CLICK THIS! It will help you find the place.
CLICK THIS! It will help you find the place.
    • PARKING: Free parking in their lot.

 

    • FOOD/DRINKS: Please eat dinner BEFORE you show up. We won’t have dinner for you, merely snacks, because what’s a party without snacks? These are catered finger-food simple snacks (cheese & crackers, fancy fruit, little delicious desserty things) but this is a gig in a museum, not a wedding in a restaurant. 🙂 There will NOT be any substantial food for sale. Snackages are included in the price of your ticket and will be mostly available pre-show — from 7-8pm or until we run out. 🙂  Simple, non-boozy beverages (Water, iced tea, lemonade) are also included in the cost of your ticket. Beer and wine (only), soda, and bottles of foo-foo water will be available for (cash-only) donation.

 

    • KID FRIENDLY?  This event is not geared for kids, and we won’t be watching our language… but with that said, we don’t really drop many F-bombs anyway. Maybe 4th grade and up? You know your kid best, not us. As long as they won’t be distracting, go for it. 🙂

 

    • TICKETS: http://hotbreakfast.brownpapertickets.com  They are $20 each online, and will be $25 at the door if it’s not sold out. If you’re buying at the door, we will have the ability to take plastic. (The bar will be cash only, however.)

 

    • CDs: All of our recordings will be available at this show. 39 Summers and The Big Reveal are $10 each; our 2012 “HOT BREAKFAST!” EP (which includes “An Idiot for Christmas” will be available for $5. We can take plastic.

 

That’s all the news!

We are SO EXCITED to share this music with you. We worked on it for 18 months, and we think it’s worth the wait. We hope you’ll agree. 🙂

See you soon!

Your pals,

Jill & Matt

Categories
Ass-kicking Gigs Awesome-sauce Joe Uncategorized collaboration

GIG: Saturday Nov. 7th: HOT BREAKFAST! and the Joe Trainor Trio at the Smyrna Opera House

It was over five years ago when the Joe Trainor Trio had a show at the Tin Angel in Philadelphia and they needed an opener. Matt and I had just settled on the name “HOT BREAKFAST!” even though we’d been collaborating for years, that night in July of 2010 was our first official show as Hot Breakfast!, and we packed the place.

So we have a pretty long history of playing with JT3 as HB!, but we’ve collaborated with Joe (individually and as a duo) even as far back as 2003.

Hot Breakfast! and longtime pals The Joe Trainor Trio bring a high-energy show to the Smyrna Opera House. Both will be playing their own original songs, with Hot Breakfast’s signature “acoustic dork-rock” sound which highlights Matt Casarino’s award-winning, clever and amusing songs and Jill Knapp’s award-winning vocals. Hot Breakfast! also won “Best Live Act” of 2014, and you’ll see why at this show.

Joe Trainor Trio, another group of award-winning musicians, bring their signature sound of piano-based rock that also features their prog influences as well.

This show will be a treat for both music nerds and people just looking to hear some high-energy (and occasionally funny!) songs from two fantastic bands.

At the end of the night, there may be a special treat where they join forces to form a supergroup: Joe Trainor Breakfast? Hot Trainor? We’ll let you all decide.

See you there!

Info and tix: https://www.facebook.com/events/490307241147613/

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Categories
Awesome-sauce Rocking The Dead Milkmen Uncategorized World Domination collaboration

GIG: Friday Oct. 30th, The Trocadero, with The Dead Milkmen (yes, I really typed that.)

The Dead Milkmen are very kind to us. Earlier this year we recorded a song with them called The Prisoners Cinema and a Shaking Through documentary was made of the two-day recording session. We played with them at Slim’s in San Francisco in April, and then opened for them at Crash Bang Boom in Philadelphia (which was the most crowded and most fun show we’ve ever played EVER). And on October 30th, The Dead Milkmen are playing a show at The Trocadero, and we’ll be playing with them. It’s true, our name isn’t on the marquee, but it’s because we’re kinda part of the Milkmen in a way. I believe Dean called us “The Dead Milkmen Ladies Auxiliary.” We’re OK with that.

DEETS:
WHO: The Dead Milkmen joined onstage by HOT BREAKFAST! for a song or two
WHEN: Friday October 30, 2015. Doors open at 7, music starts at 8pm. Two opening bands: Fight Fuck or Dance, and Ego Likeness
WHERE: The Trocadero, 1003 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA.
TICKETS: $22 – $25, available here: https://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/948091?utm_medium=bks

Come dance with us until it’s time for us to play, and then cheer us on as we play with our punk heroes!

Your pal,

Jill

Recording
Recording “The Prisoners Cinema” with The Dead Milkmen at Miner Street Studios in Philadelphia; January 2015, for Weathervane Music’s “Shaking Through” documentary series.
Categories
Ass-kicking Gigs Awesome-sauce Benefit Billy Joel Joe Rocking Uncategorized collaboration

GIGS: More Billy Joel tribute shows pour vous, with Joe Trainor and friends! 7/25 in Smyrna, 10/24/15 in Wilmington, 1/23/16 in Middletown DE

Hot Breakfast! loves Billy Joel. There, we said it.

"What? You do? Aw, thanks guys. I love you too." SHUT UP HE COULD TOTALLY BE THINKING THAT.
“What? You do? Aw, thanks guys. I love you too.” SHUT UP HE COULD TOTALLY BE THINKING THAT.

So when our buddy Joe Trainor said he wanted to get the gang back together – the one who performed a tribute to Billy Joel a few years ago – we jumped at the opportunity to play this music again. Then we panicked, because we haven’t really been practicing our saxophones for, oh, a couple of years.

But no matter. We are back in shape and completely psyched to perform The Music of Billy Joel at the Smyrna Opera House in Smyrna, Delaware on Saturday, July 25th at 8:00. And that’s just the beginning of it. See, when we create these tribute shows, it seems silly to only play them once because we work so hard to make the show great. So this time around we were sure to book the show in a few places spread out over several months, which lets us bring this great show to many people in many places; and best of all, we get to play these songs that bring us so much joy.

This isn’t a Hot Breakfast! gig, nor is it a Joe Trainor Trio show. It’s sort of a merging of the two bands, bringing Matt, Jill, Joe, and JT3 drummer Jeff Dement together with guitarist Chuck Kuzminski, bassist Allen Trainor, singer & percussionist Kerry Kristine McElrone, and special guest guitarist/harmonica player Stephen Manocchio. Matt & Jill will be singing and playing saxophone, guitar, percussion, melodica, and whatever else they can find.

We love this music. It’s our youth. Billy Joel’s songs inspired both of us to make music. Jill considers Billy Joel to be her first vocal teacher, and I consider him a master of songwriting, someone I still turn to for inspiration (and help) while writing my own music. But in addition to it being our youth, his music is also very much our now; and we’re so thrilled to be a part of this show.

DATES:

  • Saturday July 25, 2015 at the Smyrna Opera House, Smyrna, DE. (Tix available here!)
  • Saturday October 24, 2015 at the Delaware Center for Contemporary Arts (a special fund raiser for City Theatre Company!). (Tix available here.)
  • Saturday January 23, 2016 Saturday, April 23 at the Everett Theater in Middletown DE. (Ticket info available soon!)

Look, we know the odds are slim that Billy’s gonna show up to any of these shows and join us for “The Thing About Boats” and “It Only Takes Two to Rock.” But don’t you think you should be there, y’know, just in case? We sure do. (He’s not coming. But it’s gonna be an awesome show, and we’re gonna rock it just for you.)

An Innocent Dork (or two),
The Suburban Legend (Matt) and Ji11 (Barbara)

Categories
Ass-kicking Gigs Rocking Uncategorized

GIG: Friday, July 17, 9:30, American Bar & Grill, Lancaster, PA

Legendary Lancaster punks Sherwin play their final show with Marshall, their equally legendary drummer, on Friday, July 17th. And Hot Breakfast! is gonna play as well.

We met Marshall earlier this month, when we performed a free, acoustic show with our friends and heroes The Dead Milkmen. (We know – we can’t quite believe it either. But that really happened.) Marshall was at the show, and in addition to snapping some great photos of our gig, he asked us to be a part of this fantastic farewell show before he leaves for Japan.

Dean Clean - drummer for the Dead Milkmen - took our picture. That will never stop being awesome.
Dean Clean – drummer for the Dead Milkmen – took our picture. That will never stop being awesome.

Oh – did we forget to mention Marhsall was leaving for Japan? That’s what he’s doing. We consider Newark, Delaware too far away for breakfast (14 miles), but he’s just, y’know, going to Japan.

Anyway, we’re gonna celebrate by rockin’ out in style at American Bar and Grill, the legendary Lancaster punk club, in support of Sherwin. We cannot wait for this free show – it’s gonna be a blast! And if you’re 21 or older, we’d love to see you there too.

The show kicks off at 9:30 or so with the Dead Scouts. We’ll go on second, and the mighty Sherwin will finish things up.

Did we mention it’s free? And we’ll be performing? Seriously, what else do you need to know?

One does not simply go to Japan. One rocks out first.
One does not simply go to Japan. One rocks out first.

DEETS:

WHO: Hot Breakfast!, Sherwin, and Dead Scouts
WHEN: Friday, July 17, 2015. The music starts around 9:30 pm.
WHERE: American Bar & Grill. 1081 N. Plum Street, Lancaster, PA 17601. (717) 394-8021.
TICKETS: FREE, you Vermicious Knids! FREE! No reservations needed – or taken, for that matter. It ain’t that kind of joint.
PARKING: It’s got a parking lot!
FOOD: Yep! Looks delicious, too. Everything from 50-cent wings to Oysters Rockefeller to thin-crust pesto pizza. Come hungry. Just remember to leave the kids at home.

Hope to see you there – this is gonna be one rockin’ (and dorky) farewell!

Turning Japanese,

The Suburban Legend (Matt)

Categories
Awesome-sauce Uncategorized

Quickie Gig: May 20, 7pm; Wilmo Wednesday at World Cafe Live at the Queen

45-atmd
The last few weeks have been nuttycrazy with us traveling to Virginia, Northern NJ, Salt Lake City, and Austin for private engagements (that sounds dirty). However, our trip to Austin this week got cut short and we’re headed home now, just in time to jump on the bill for this week’s Wilmo Wednesday at World Cafe Live at the Queen!

Admission is free, and you’ll get to hear a bunch of performers do different kinds of stuff: music, stand up comedy, storytelling, poetry, anything goes!

This isn’t an open mic; the acts have been hand-picked by the lovelies at Gable Music Ventures. We’re excited to hear our pals Melissa Bernard and Brian Turner, as well everyone else on the bill.

Here’s the info! Again, admission is free, but you might wanna reserve a table and buy a snack. Support the local business, yo.

Maybe we’ll see you there?

Rock on,

Road-weary Ji11

DEETS AS WE KNOW THEM, WHICH AIN’T MUCH:
WHO: A bunch of performers, of which we are one
WHEN: Wednesday, May 20, 7pm
WHERE: World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington DE
TICKETS: Not necessary! It’s free!
FACEBOOK EVENT: https://www.facebook.com/events/297002063756732/

Categories
Awesome-sauce Uncategorized

GIG: Sat May 9, 8PM: Mother’s Day Eve at Kennett Flash with Todd Chappelle and Em McKeever!

I searched  for "musical mothers day" and this was the first image. I'm goin' with it!
I searched for “musical mothers day” and this was the first image. I’m goin’ with it!

It’s time for our annual funny songs show with Todd Chappelle and a rotating magical third person at The Kennett Flash! But who will it be in the rotating spot? Read on. (Or look in the subject line of this post. Whatever.)

Is there a better way to celebrate Mothers’ Day Eve than being entertained by a collection of funny, dorky, and super-talented musicians? (Probably.) I mean, let’s face it: Your mother does not want to go to some overpriced, undercooked, rushed, crowded Mother’s Day brunch. Instead, show her that she raised you to be a creative, outside-the-box thinker! Take yer sainted mother (and the rest of the family!) to The Kennett Flash on the night before Mother’s Day for one great show! You already know us, and you surely know Todd Chappelle, but have you met Em McKeever, an amazing singer/songwriter with mad guitar skills? We’re thrilled to share a stage with these folks for what promises to be a diverse and slappy-hilarious night of music and comedy.

Come! Come!  The show will be not entirely squeaky clean… but I’m pretty sure you can handle it. You’ve watched TV after 9pm. Plus, we’ve got some new material for you, too! Yeee-haw!

PLEASE NOTE: This show is not going to be particularly mother-centric; we’re simply suggesting it as a wonderful Mother’s Day Eve activity. But not to worry — while we love our moms as much as you love yours, no one’s gonna sing about, like, uteruses* and stuff.

As per the usual, the venue doors open at 7:00 and the show starts at 8 PM. Tickets are cheaper online, so swing over to kennettflash.org and get them while they’re hot!

Don’t forget to BYOB!! We’re definitely funnier when you’re tipsy. (So are you… not gonna lie.)

DEETS:

WHO: Todd Chappelle, Em McKeever, and Hot Breakfast! trade sets for a night of comedy music pour vous
WHEN: Saturday, May 9, 2015. The doors open up at 7pm, and the show begins promptly at 8pm!
WHERE: The Kennett Flash– 102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, PA 19348 484-732-8295.
TICKETS: Tickets can be purchased online for $16, or for $20 at the door. Cheaper than a crummy Mother’s Day Brunch, and a lot funnier, too. You sit at tables, so ifyou have a large party and want a good view, get there early to stake out a spot.
PARKING: There’s plenty of parking, and there’s a garage close by too. So easy!
FOOD: The Kennett Flash serves light fare– sammiches, snacks, drinks. It’s also a BYOB establishment, so they charge a corkage and a glass fee. There are about a zillion wonderful places to get dinner in Kennett Square, so if you’re looking for a bigger meal, get into town early.
FACEBOOK EVENT: Click here!

Hope to see you there– it’s going to be a really fun (and funny!) night!

We’ll see you soon!

Ji11

* uteri?

Categories
Ass-kicking Gigs Awesome-sauce Rocking Uncategorized

GIG: Friday, April 3rd, 9 PM: Doc Watson’s (Exton, PA) with Glim Dropper & WaveRadio

There are few words that bring more joy to us than “Glim Dropper” and “WaveRadio,” and yes, we’re aware one of those isn’t really a word.
 

But "jentacular" is, oddly enough. Look it up. It's pertinent.
But “jentacular” is, oddly enough. Look it up. It’s pertinent.

 

That’s because Glim Dropper and WaveRadio are two of Hot Breakfast’s favorite bands in the entire universe. And we are delighted to share the stage with both of ’em at Doc Watson’s in Exton, PA on Friday, April 3rd. It’s gonna rock and rock hard, my friends, because despite the incredibly diverse musical offerings you’ll receive, we are all cut from the same cloth – the cloth of SOLID ENTERTAINMENT. (Okay, so I’m not great with metaphors.)

Glim Dropper is a duo like no other. With a deft combination of technology, incredible songwriting, and even more incredible musical acumen, they make a mighty rock and roll sound, a blend of modern alternative and good ol’ classic rock n’ roll. When they were a trio, they recorded Heartsick Phenomenon, one of the finest albums released in 2014; now that they’re a duo, bassist/guitarist/keyboardist/singer Dan Kauffman and drummer/keyboardist/guitarist Rob Schnell are putting on stunningly inventive and incredibly fun live shows.

And then there’s WaveRadio, an amazing experimental trio who can, and do, play every style of music this side of Ziggy Stardust. You want blistering hard rock? They got it. You want sparse, introspective reggae-pop? It’s yours. You want amazing vocals and some of the best guitar-keyboard interplay you’ve ever heard? Done, son. All this and the occasional Doors and Radiohead cover.

And then, of course, there’s us. We’ll kick this night off at 9:00 PM — but get there much, much earlier; you’ll want a table and some of Doc Watson’s magical wings and short-rib poutine, not to mention a Hot Sherlock Holmes (which sounds very, very dirty, doesn’t it?). This is our first gig back on the east coast after several shows at South by Southwest, so we are rarin’ to go, as they say down in Texas*. Plus, we’ve played with each of these bands, but this’ll be our first time as a threesome. And if that sounds naughty to you, well, imagine how it sounds to us. We cannot wait.
 

Pictured, L to R: Awesomeness, Magnificence, Rock God, Superhero, We're Not Worthy.
Pictured, L to R: Awesomeness, Magnificence, Rock God, Superhero, We’re Not Worthy.

 
Love’n’stuff,
Matt (The Suburban Legend)

DEETS:

WHO: HOT BREAKFAST!, Glim Dropper, and WaveRadio at Doc Watson’s
WHAT: We will ROCK YOUR FACES OFF, POLITELY REAPPLY THEM, THEN ROCK THEM OFF AGAIN.
WHERE: Doc Watson’s Public House and Restaurant, 150 North Pottstown Pike, Exton, PA 19341
WHEN: Friday, April 3rd. We kick it off at 9:00 or so.
AGES: All ages.
FOOD: HOLY CRAP, check out the menu. It looks magical. And be prepared to drink. They have those.
COVER: $8.
TICKET LINK: There ain’t none, fancypants. Just pay at the door like a normal person.
FACEBOOK EVENT: COMING SOON.
 

* Nobody actually says this in Texas, which I learned after a lot of uncomfortable stares.

Categories
Ass-kicking Gigs Awesome-sauce Rocking SXSW Uncategorized World Domination

GIGS: SXSW 2015 – March 18, 29, 21 & 22, Austin TX!

image

It’s that time of year again, when thousands of innovators descend upon Austin, Texas to share ideas through film, music, panel discussions, hands-on demonstrations, technology, visual art… all in hopes of changing the world and making it a better, safer, smarter, more creative place for everyone. We played here last year and were asked back by the venue, and our fearless promoter used those kudos as a springboard and booked us a bunch more shows for the week. Yee-haw!

We’re playing three shows with the possibility of adding a fourth, so keep your eyes on our Google Calendar for the most up to date info on our shows.

Each show we’re playing features a gazillion bands, but in the interest of saving space, we’re gonna use this blog entry to tell you when/where we’re playing, and if you wanna know who else is on the bill, click that gig’s ‘Details’ link on our Google Calendar and you’ll see it all there.

I’m gonna cut to the chase since it’s after 5am. So here are the…

DEETS:

Show #1: Wednesday, 3/18, 8pm, Love Goat


WHEN: Wednesday, March 18, 8pm sharp.
WHAT: We play a 40-minute set in the downstairs bar!
WHERE: Love Goat (2716 Guadalupe St in Austin), which is a fantastic two-story/two-stage bar near the UT Austin campus and away from (but still convenient to) the #SXSW hustle and bustle.
COST: No cover charge
SXSW WRISTBAND NEEDED? Nope!
FOOD/DRINKS?: It’s a bar, so yeah… plus they’re ridiculously cheap drinks. Food is pizza and/or Asian food that they’ll order/bring in from neighboring businesses for you. (They’ve basically outsourced their kitchen.)
PARKING: Street parking. Do NOT park in any parking lot or you WILL get towed.

Show #2: Thursday 3/19, 3pm, Love Goat (again)


WHEN: Thursday, March 19, 3pm sharp.
WHAT: We play a 30-minute set, but this time we’re on the roofdeck!
WHERE: Love Goat (2716 Guadalupe St in Austin), which is a fantastic two-story/two-stage bar near the UT Austin campus and away from (but still convenient to) the #SXSW hustle and bustle.
COST: No cover charge
SXSW WRISTBAND NEEDED? Nope!
FOOD/DRINKS?: It’s a bar, so yeah… plus they’re ridiculously cheap drinks. Food is pizza and/or Asian food that they’ll order/bring in from neighboring businesses for you. (They’ve basically outsourced their kitchen.)
PARKING: Street parking. Do NOT park in any parking lot or you WILL get towed.

Show #3: Saturday 3/21, 6pm, 219 West


WHEN: Saturday, March 21, 6pm sharp!
WHAT: We play as part of a 4-act songwriters circle on the downstairs/indoor stage, just like last year. It runs from 6pm – 8pm; each act gets 4-5 songs each in a round-robin style. We dig this format!
WHERE: 219 West (612 W. 6th Street in Austin), which is a more upscale, beautiful two-story/two-stage bar near right in the heart of SXSW.
COST: TBD; please buy food and drinks!
SXSW WRISTBAND NEEDED? Nope!
FOOD/DRINKS?: It’s a bar and grill with really wonderful, creative drinks and gastropub/foodie food.
PARKING: Street parking. Do NOT park in any parking lot or you WILL get towed.

POSSIBLE UNCONFIRMED Show #4: 3/22, Time TBD, Love Goat


WHEN: Sunday, March 22, TIME TBD, IF IT’S EVEN HAPPENING AT ALL.
WHAT: We play a ??-minute set.
WHERE: Love Goat (2716 Guadalupe St in Austin), which is a fantastic two-story/two-stage bar near the UT Austin campus and away from (but still convenient to) the #SXSW hustle and bustle.
COST: No cover charge
SXSW WRISTBAND NEEDED? Nope!
FOOD/DRINKS?: It’s a bar, so yeah… plus they’re ridiculously cheap drinks. Food is pizza and/or Asian food that they’ll order/bring in from neighboring businesses for you. (They’ve basically outsourced their kitchen.)
PARKING: Street parking. Do NOT park in any parking lot or you WILL get towed.


And that’s the news! We’ll keep you posted about show #4. Until then, we really hope to see you at one of these other performances. We are amped. 🙂

Your pal in dork rock,

Ji11

Categories
Awards Awesome-sauce Uncategorized World Domination radio

VOTE for HOT BREAKFAST! in the HOMEY AWARDS!

It’s that time again…that magical time of year you love and dread at the same time!

No, not McRib Week. Geez. Are McRibs still even a thing? (Yes, apparently.)

We’re talking about the WSTW Hometown Heroes HOMEY AWARDS! The first round of nominations have been announced – and we need your vote!

Okay, look, we know asking you to help us get an award is a little…awkward. But we’ve had a busy, productive, and intense year bringing dork-rock to the masses, and we just think it would be super-cool to find ourselves among the Top Five nominees for any of the categories. Getting on the ballot is by popular vote, so that’s where you come in… you vote, and if enough people vote for us, we get on the ballot. Once we’re on the ballot, then the Homey Awards Committee chooses the winners. (The Awards Committee is made up of DJs from Philadelphia, Delaware, NJ, and MD; music industry people, members of The Recording Academy (the GRAMMY people), venue owners, promoters, past winners; people whose opinions we trust.) The Homey Awards are neat because they’re really not just a popularity contest.
 

Also awkward: adorable baby giraffes.

 
Things work a little differently this year: instead of sending in an email to cast your vote, you fill out an online survey. It’s so easy, you guys. Simply:

  1. Click here.
  2. Read about the voting process, and click the big yellow Click Here to Vote Now! button.
  3. Make your selections! (Only one ballot per person.)
  4. All fields are required fields.  “But guys! What if I don’t know who to pick?” Well, you can either Google the candidates in each category, or you could choose the band that sounds like they’d be nicest people, or, you can just copy Jill’s answers. (NOTE: These are just Jill’s choices, not an official HB! endorsement.)

This year, your favorite acoustic dork-rock power duo (that’s us) is eligible in the following categories, and we’d be thrilled if you chose us for these. The ones in red are the ones we care about the most, quite honestly:

  • Category 3: Song of the Year: “Too Many Choices:”
  • Category 4: Best Band, Group or Duo
  • Category 8: Best Lead Singer of a Band: Jill Knapp
  • Category 14: Best Songwriter: Matt Casarino
  • Category 15: Best Producer: Ritchie Rubini (he produces all our stuff!)
  • Category 16: Best Pop Song: “Going Your Way”
  • Category 18: Best Alternative Song: “Too Many Choices:
  • Category 24: Best Live Act
  • Category 25: Best Concert: Angela Sheik w/Hot Breakfast! & Jasimne Tate at Melodies Cafe -or- Joe Trainor Trio’s 7th Anniversary Show

We’re not gonna lie – there are some amazing artists on the lists of nominees this year– many are our friends. We’re only nominated in a third of the categories, and it’s gonna be a longshot to make it to the Top Five in any one of ’em, seeing as how we’re up against some of our very favorite performers and songwriters.
 

But are those guys showing you sleeping baby otters? NO THEY ARE NOT.
But are those artists showing you sleeping baby otters? NO THEY ARE NOT.

 
So give it some thought. Really – take your time (not too much time – you only have until February 4). And if you want to listen to our songs again, just to make sure you’re’ doing the right thing, no problem: here they are!

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/185183591″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
 
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/182491977″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
 
Again, you have until February 4th, so we definitely recommend you look at the lists and listen to the artists, so you can make some informed decisions. After all, you aren’t voting for something trivial, like the U.S. Presidency or whatever – this is important. Of course, we’d love you to vote for us, but we really want you to choose honestly.
 

In fact, we're offering these baby platypuses in exchange for your "honest" vote.
Which is why we’re offering this baby platypus photo in exchange for your “honest” vote.

 
As always, we thank our fans, friends, and family for an incredible 2014. Whether or not we secure any nominations, we’ve had amazing experiences, played wonderful spaces, met incredible and super-friendly musicians, and got to perform for all you Cool Little Brothers and Sisters. Collecting awards really isn’t our reason for doing this.

But that doesn’t mean we don’t like winning. So tell you what – you make with the voting, we’ll make with the dork-rocking, and with our combined synergy we shall reign together over this universe with the heat of a thousand suns.

Or, we’ll just wear you down with adorable animal photos. Whichever.
 

Seriously, we can do this all night.
Seriously, we can do this all night.

 
Ah, America.

Love,
The Suburban Legend (Matt) and Ji11

Categories
Ass-kicking Gigs Awesome-sauce Rocking Uncategorized World Domination

GIG: Friday January 30, 8PM: Melodies Cafe in Ardmore with Danielle & Jennifer and Wave Radio!

Three decades of musicians are playing this night. You're guaranteed to catch at least one reference!
Three decades of musicians are playing this night. You’re guaranteed to catch at least one reference!

We love, love, LOVE getting to play at Melodies Cafe (formerly Milkboy Coffee) in Ardmore. It’s such a treat. Everyone who works there is so dang good at what they do, from the booking and the sound, all the way over to the food and the coffee. We get pretty spoiled as a performer there.

The layout of the room is great too– every seat is good, and it really helps us connect with the audience. We can play anything there and it’ll work… big bombastic songs, funny stuff, quiet little things too… it all just works in that space! What a joy!

It also doesn’t hurt that the food is really good, and they don’t make fun of me for drinking decaf.

Anyway, enough about that… let’s talk about the music!

Kicking the night off will be the sister duo, Danielle and Jennifer. We have been hearing a huge buzz about these two ladies for a few years now. They have a huge and loyal following, plus they have a strong theatrical background which we certainly relate to. 🙂 They released a video for their song Radical Love last year, which is so much fun and freakin’ catchy, but it might have been the fact that they covered an Alice Cooper tune that made us know we had to share a stage with them. We are going to resist the urge of calling them cute, because that’s gotta make them crazy. Yes, sure, they’re adorable, but SCREW THAT… what’s most important is that they’re good musicians, wonderful performers, and solid songwriters. What they look like is totally irrelevant. (But if they were goofy lookin’, we never wouldn’t have booked them.) Anyway, when Melodies Cafe asked us who we wanted on our bill, we said “Danielle and Jennifer, please!” and Melodies said, “Hell yes! Let’s make it happen!” And that’s exactly what we did.

We’ll be playing second, giving you a nice blend of new material, goofy stuff, sincere stuff, thunderous songs, tiny songs, and everything in between. We’ve also got a surprise up our sleeve…

In the third and final slot of the evening (read: the loud slot), Melodies asked if we were cool with sharing a stage with Wave Radio since their lead singer/guitarist Colin McGetrick played there recently and tore the place up. We said “Yes please!” and added those dreamy guys to the bill. We love them so much; their atmospheric pop is absolutely FLAWLESSLY executed. I am consistently blown away with these guys every time I hear them. Colin’s voice is just killer; Chris Cotter’s drumming is so tasteful, and perfectly complements the song without ever overplaying, even when he’s playing the hell out of his kit. James McLaughlin plays keys, and makes what he does look so easy… but it’s nearly impossible. He’s basically playing two instruments at once, simultaneously being half the rhythm section as he holds down the bass, while playing a combo lead and rhythm/filler instrument with his other hand. I honestly don’t know how he does it. They’re a trio that sounds like a quintet. We just love them. Doesn’t hurt that they’re also pretty hunky.

It’s gonna be a pretty good lookin’ night, gotta say.

We’ll see you then!

Your pal,

Ji11

DEETS:

WHO/WHAT: Danielle & Jennifer, HOT BREAKFAST!, and WaveRadio join forces to ROCK YOUR CAFFEINATED FACES OFF
WHERE: Melodies Cafe, 2 East Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, PA, 19003
WHEN: Friday, January 30th. Music starts at 8pm sharp. Each band gets a 45/50-ish minute set.
AGES: All ages!
FOOD: Great food and coffee. You may also BYOB!
PARKING: Plenty of it in the lot next door or across the street; also lots of street parking. It’s also SEPTA-friendly!
COVER: $10 in advance, $12 at the door.
TICKET LINK: http://www.melodiescafe.com/event/760937-wave-radio-hot-breakfast-ardmore/
FACEBOOK EVENT: Blecch. Facebook. 🙂

Categories
Ass-kicking Gigs Awesome-sauce Comedy gig Todd Chappelle Uncategorized collaboration

GIG: Comedy-Music Night, Milton Theatre, Saturday, January 24, 8 PM

Considering we are internationally known as Delaware’s Premier Acoustic Dork-Rock Power Duo, we don’t get to the lower half of our home state very often.

Sure, we’ve done some rocking in Clayton and some face-melting in Lewes, and we’d do it again in a heartbeat. But we admit we tend to gravitate toward the north end of our small-but-we-make-up-for-it-with-good-technique state, especially since it butts (huh huh) right up against Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

But we still love our brethren and sistren to the south. So when our brotha-from-anotha-(or possibly the same)-motha Todd Chappelle asked if we would join him for a comedy-music show at the Milton Theatre in lovely Milton, Delaware, we jumped for joy. Then we took some Advil and went straight to bed, because really, we should not be jumping at this age.

This is what we get for expressing joy.
This is what we get for expressing joy.

But I’m burying the lede. The point is this: Hot Breakfast! is joining forces with Todd Chappelle and Nancy Huebner as the Premier Centre for the Arts presents one fantastic night of comedy and music at the Milton Theatre on Saturday, January 24.

You know this already, but Todd’s a comedy songwriter in the vein of Tom Lehrer, Weird Al Yankovic, and Mark Russell. That’s a mighty fine vein, but his style is all his own. We just love this guy – not only is he one of our favorite performers, he’s one of our favorite people. He gets around, too; he’s performed at the New York Funny Songs Festival, the Philadelphia Funny Songs Festival, and the Chicago Comedy Rock Festival. You might know his Homey Award-winning parody tune “I’m From Delaware,” but did you know he won another Homey Award last year for collaborating with a couple of dorks?

This is what happens when we get together. WE WIN SHIT.
This is what happens when we get together. WE WIN SHIT.

Piano-playing singer-songwriter Nancy Huebner draws her inspiration from folk, vaudeville, pop, and showtunes, but like Chappelle, she puts her influences in a blender until they create something unique and original. We love how she combines clever lyrics with eclectic melodies and styles, creating music that’s always thoughtful, whether the song is hilarious, heartbreaking, or somewhere in the middle. We cannot wait to join forces with the lovely Ms. Huebner in our quest to entertain you.

So come laugh with (and at) us at the Milton Theatre. We’ve may have had our differences1 with you in the past, Kent and Sussex Counties, but we cannot stay away for long. Maybe it’s your beaches, your world-famous breweries and ironic hotels, your temporary housing of R. Crumb, or your sadly defunct pan-fried muskrat, but we could never quit you.2

DEETS:

What: Premier Centre of the Arts Presents: A Night of Comedy Music at Milton Theatre
Who: Hot Breakfast!, Todd Chappelle, and Nancy Huebner.
When: Saturday, January 24. 8 pm.
Where: The Milton Theatre, 110 Union Street, Milton, DE 19968 (link goes to Google Maps)
Tickets: $15. You can get ’em online by clicking here. (Clicking. What can’t it do?)
Food & Drink: There might be snacky-food, but you’ll wanna eat dinner before you arrive.
Parking: Plenty.
Facebook Event: You kids and your Facebook. Oy.

Again – come join us, and together we shall end the bitter North-South Delaware feud that has claimed dozens of side-eyes and middle fingers.

Yours and yours alone,
The Suburban Legend (Matt)

– – – – –

1 Confession time. A dozen years ago, my BFF and I nabbed a sweet gig at the Grand Opera House in Wilmington, Delaware several years ago. We were part of a jazz ensemble put together by Joe Trainor for a Bob Newhart concert. We played a couple standards, then we played Newhart on with the theme to The Bob Newhart Show. Later, we played him off to the theme to his 80s show, Newhart. Anyway, an hour before the show, we were backstage, heading out for some fresh air, when Bob’s manager stopped us.
“Hey guys, I have a question for you.”
“Sure thing, sir.”
“Who do you make fun of around here?”
We were puzzled. “Huh? You mean, like…Steve?”
“No, I mean, is there a city or state that Delaware likes to pick on? Like, say, New Jersey?”
“No, if anything, they pick on us,” my friend offered. “But you know who we really like to make fun of?”
“Who?”
We said it together: “
Lower Delaware.”
“Lower Delaware?” the manager repeated.
Suddenly, a small, energetic man appeared behind the door.
Lower Delaware?” the incredulous man asked. “There’s a lower Delaware?”
“There sure is, Mr. Newhart.”
“And you’re sure they make fun of lower Delaware in Wilmington?”
“We’ve never been more sure of anything.”
“Well, all right then. Southern Delaware it is.”
“No no – ‘lower.’ It’s gotta be ‘lower.'” So we’re clear: at this moment, my friend and I were explaining to Bob Newhart
how to deliver his joke.
“Ah. Well, thank you, gentlemen. If the joke bombs, I’ll know who to blame. What are your names?”
“Joe Trainor.”

Nah, I’m just kidding about that last line. We gave him our real names. We had no fear – we knew. And sure enough, he slayed ’em with the “lower Delaware” jokes he told. Bob didn’t turn around and give us a wink or anything (at that point, we were sitting behind him on the bandstand), but that’s okay. As I said – we knew.

Anyway…I’m really sorry about that, Lower Delaware. You deserve better than “Recipient of Cheap Shot” at a Bob Newhart concert. He didn’t really mean it, either. But man, can that guy tell a joke. When those pilots from Lower Delaware had a really difficult time landing their plane, because they found the runway really short, but also quite wide? Damn near busted a gut on that one…

2 I’m sad the Wagon Wheel is defunct because it was an institution, and because my grandmother’s wonderful boyfriend Harry enjoys the occasional pan-fried muskrat. But I just made the mistake of viewing a few photos of said muskrats as they’re being prepared for the pan. They make the dog-head-spider creature from John Carpenter’s The Thing look like Chick-fil-A. I’m pretty sure I’m vegan now.