* MCats Gig #35 – Brighton Beer Garden

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Last night, after finishing remodeling his kitchen, Paul and the gang loaded up the tour bus and headed to Boston (well, Brighton, actually) for their much anticipated gig at the Brighton Beer Garden (BBG).

The BBG is a theme-based joint, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. Some college or something.

In any event, the BBG was packed with lots of 40-somethings from Greater Acton, lots of 20-somethings from Greater Boston, and one 30-something (thanks for coming).

Note to self: two longer sets work better for these types of gigs rather than three longer sets. Second note to self: change band’s tagline to “From Brighton To Boylston.” Or something like that.

Set 1

  1. Good Lovin’ (C) – Grateful Dead
  2. It’s All Been Done (D) – Barenaked Ladies
  3. Centerfield (G) – John Fogerty
  4. Born To Be Wild (E) – Steppenwolf
  5. Just What I Needed (E) – The Cars
  6. Sultans of Swing (Dm) – Dire Straits
  7. Stray Cat Strut (Cm) – Stray Cats
  8. Peace, Love and Understanding (G) – Elvis Costello
  9. Should I Stay or Should I Go (D) – The Clash
  10. Stand (E) – R.E.M.
  11. Devil With A Blue Dress On & Good Golly Miss Molly (C to Eb, sax) – Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels
  12. Breakdown (Am) – Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
  13. Psycho Killer (Live) (Am) – Talking Heads

Set 2

  1. Sunshine of Your Love (D) – Cream
  2. My Best Friend’s Girl (F) – The Cars
  3. Learn to Fly (B) – Foo Fighters
  4. Can’t Get Enough (C) – Bad Company
  5. Smokin’ In The Boys’ Room (recorded in D, play in A) – The Brownsville Station
  6. Just Like Heaven (A) – The Cure
  7. Pump It Up (B) – Elvis Costello
  8. Back In The U.S.S.R. (A) – Paul McCartney
  9. Tush (G) – ZZ Top
  10. I Fought the Law (D) – The Clash
  11. Honky Tonk Women (G) – The Rolling Stones
  12. 867-5309 (Jenny) (F#m) – Tommy Tutone
  13. Turning Japanese (G) – Vapors

Set 3

  1. *It’s a Shame About Ray (A) – The Lemonheads
  2. Take Me To The River (Live) (E) – Talking Heads
  3. Cover Me (Bm) – Bruce Springsteen
  4. *Are You Gonna Be My Girl (A) – JET
  5. Takin’ Care of Business (C) – Bachman-Turner Overdrive
  6. Runnin Down A Dream (E) – Tom Petty

* = new

* MCats Gig #34 – Gores 8 Palmer Ln.

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I’m pretty sure that yesterday the MCats set a record for the total number of songs played in a gig: 42!

Of course, because 42 is the answer to everything!

The photos are a bit out of focus, but the party-goers all celebrated Valerie’s 39th birthday (39, right?) in style!

Thanks to the Gores for hosting a fine event on a great evening for a party in Acton!

I even manged to capture a before (sound check) and after (last call) video. So you can see why “set 1” songs differ from “set 3” songs. Party on!

Set 1

  1. Centerfield (G) – John Fogerty
  2. Breakdown (Am) – Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
  3. Stray Cat Strut (Cm) – Stray Cats
  4. Moondance (Am, sax) – Van Morrison
  5. Bad Moon Rising (D) – Creedence Clearwater Revival
  6. Sultans of Swing (Dm) – Dire Straits
  7. Should I Stay or Should I Go (D) – The Clash
  8. Stand (E) – R.E.M.
  9. The Last Time (E) – The Rolling Stones
  10. Psycho Killer (Am) – Talking Heads

Set 2

  1. Margaritaville (D) – Jimmy Buffett
  2. My Best Friend’s Girl (F) – The Cars
  3. Brown Eyed Girl (G) – Van Morrison
  4. Learn to Fly (B) – Foo Fighters
  5. Peace, Love and Understanding (G) – Elvis Costello
  6. Can’t Get Enough (C) – Bad Company
  7. Louie Louie (A) – The Kingsmen
  8. Smokin’ In The Boys’ Room (recorded in D, play in A) – The Brownsville Station
  9. Just Like Heaven (A) – The Cure
  10. What I Like About You (E) – The Romantics
  11. 867-5309 (Jenny) (F#m) – Tommy Tutone
  12. Turning Japanese (G) – Vapors
  13. Mustang Sally (C, sax) – Wilson Pickett

Set 3

  1. Birthday (A) – The Beatles
  2. Oye Como Va (Am, sax) – Santana
  3. Tequila (E, sax) – The Champs
  4. Take Me To The River (E) – Talking Heads
  5. Refugee (F#m) – Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
  6. Born To Be Wild (E) – Steppenwolf
  7. Takin’ Care of Business (C) – Bachman-Turner Overdrive
  8. Pink Cadillac (E, sax) – Bruce Springsteen
  9. Honky Tonk Women (G) – The Rolling Stones
  10. *Cover Me (Bm) – Bruce Springsteen
  11. *Glory Days (A) – Bruce Springsteen
  12. Summertime Blues (Remixed Live) (D) – The Who

Encore

  1. Devil With A Blue Dress On & Good Golly Miss Molly (C to Eb, sax) – Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels
  2. Smoking Gun (E) – Robert Cray
  3. Brown Sugar (C, sax) – The Rolling Stones
  4. Love Shack (C) – The B-52’s
  5. Runnin Down A Dream (E) – Tom Petty
  6. Sweet Caroline (recorded in B, play in A) – Neil Diamond
  7. Dirty Water (E) – The Standells

* = new (for the Jersey girl)

* MCats Gig #33 – Thorpes 438 Main

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The MCats rocked Main Street in Acton and only drew one police car!

But seriously, a perfect venue, perfect weather, awesome hosts, and a fun night!

Thanks to the Thorpes for what we hope will be an annual tradition!

The party was way more fun than my one photo indicates!

Set 1

  1. Good Lovin’ (C) – Grateful Dead
  2. Sunshine of Your Love (D) – Cream
  3. Stray Cat Strut (Cm) – Stray Cats
  4. Breakdown (Am) – Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
  5. Peace, Love and Understanding (G) – Elvis Costello
  6. Just Like Heaven (A) – The Cure
  7. Just What I Needed (E) – The Cars
  8. Stand (E) – R.E.M.
  9. I Fought the Law (D) – The Clash
  10. Psycho Killer (Live) (Am) – Talking Heads
  11. Sultans of Swing (Dm) – Dire Straits

Set 2

  1. My Best Friend’s Girl (F) – The Cars
  2. Pump It Up (B) – Elvis Costello
  3. Back In the U.S.S.R. (A) – Paul McCartney
  4. Honky Tonk Women (G) – The Rolling Stones
  5. Centerfield (G) – John Fogerty
  6. Smokin’ In The Boys’ Room (recorded in D, play in A) – The Brownsville Station
  7. Should I Stay or Should I Go (D) – The Clash
  8. Can’t Get Enough (C) – Bad Company
  9. 867-5309 (Jenny) (F#m) – Tommy Tutone
  10. Turning Japanese (G) – Vapors

Set 3

  1. No Matter What (A) – Badfinger
  2. Rock And Roll, Hoochie Koo (A) – Rick Derringer
  3. Takin’ Care of Business (C) – Bachman-Turner Overdrive
  4. Refugee (F#m) – Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
  5. Smoking Gun (E) – Robert Cray
  6. Tequila (E, sax) – The Champs
  7. Brown Sugar (C, sax) – The Rolling Stones
  8. Oye Como Va (Am, sax) – Santana
  9. Summertime Blues (D) – The Who
  10. What I Like About You (E) – The Romantics

Encore

  1. Love Shack (C) – The B-52’s
  2. Mustang Sally (C, sax) – Wilson Pickett
  3. Louie Louie (A) – The Kingsmen
  4. Lean On Me (C) – Bill Withers

* MCats Planning – 12 Songs From The Last 20 Years

The MCats are playing at least three more gigs in 2011. We are always looking for new material. Here are 12 songs from the last 20 years that would make a nice addition to our setlist, IMHO.

1. 1992 – It’s a Shame About Ray – The Lemonheads

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFYFj5q8_Qk&w=480

2. 1992 – Plush – Stone Temple Pilots

3. 1996 – That Thing You Do! – Various Artists

4. 1997 – Blue On Black – Kenny Wayne Shepherd

5. 2004 – How Come – Ray LaMontagne

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itXgiKNhlGw&w=480

6. 2006 – Three More Days – Ray LaMontagne

7. 2007 – Your Party – Ween

8. 2008 – 27 Jennifers (2007) – Mike Doughty

9. 2008 – Jenny Don’t Be Hasty – Paolo Nutini

10. 2008 – New Shoes – Paolo Nutini

11. 2009 – Sugarfoot – Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears

12. 2010 – For The Summer – Ray LaMontagne & The Pariah Dogs

Other ideas? Let us know in the comments!

* MCats Gig #32 – ABig Night Out

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At Clock Tower Place in Maynard. ABig Night Out was the second annual ABRPTSO fundraiser supporting Project Wellness and Project Graduation.

Set 1

  1. My Best Friend’s Girl (F) – The Cars
  2. Back In the U.S.S.R. (A) – Paul McCartney
  3. Just Like Heaven (A) – The Cure
  4. Pick Up The Pieces (Fm, sax) – Average White Band
  5. Stray Cat Strut (Cm) – Stray Cats
  6. Smokin’ In The Boys’ Room (recorded in D, play in A) – The Brownsville Station
  7. Devil With A Blue Dress On & Good Golly Miss Molly (C to Eb, sax) – Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels
  8. Brown Sugar (C, sax) – The Rolling Stones
  9. Mustang Sally (C, sax) – Wilson Pickett
  10. I Fought the Law (D) – The Clash
  11. Centerfield (G) – John Fogerty
  12. *Turning Japanese (G) – Vapors

Set 2

  1. Refugee (F#m) – Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
  2. Oye Como Va (Am, sax) – Santana
  3. La Bamba (C, sax) – Ritchie Valens
  4. Moondance (Am, sax) – Van Morrison
  5. Can’t Get Enough (C) – Bad Company
  6. What I Like About You (E) – The Romantics
  7. Louie Louie (A) – The Kingsmen
  8. Honky Tonk Women (G) – The Rolling Stones
  9. Rock And Roll, Hoochie Koo (A) – Rick Derringer
  10. Tequila (E, sax) – The Champs
  11. Should I Stay or Should I Go (D) – The Clash
  12. 867-5309 (Jenny) (F#m) – Tommy Tutone
  13. Runnin Down A Dream (E) – Tom Petty

Encore

  1. Takin’ Care of Business (C) – Bachman-Turner Overdrive
  2. Love Shack (C) – The B-52’s

* = new

* MCats Playing At ABig Night Out 2011

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Come frolic with friends!

The second annual ABRPTSO fundraiser supporting Project Wellness and Project Graduation.

Food, Dance, and Silent Auction

Saturday, January 29, 2011
7pm to midnight
The Clockworks Cafe
Clock Tower Place, Maynard

This distinctive evening will feature catered appetizers, desserts, and cash bar, live music from two bands featuring RJ Grey‘s own Craig Hardimon with Specific Gravity and The MCats Band.

Silent Auction
with find crafts and art from community artists

The ticket donation is $35 per person.
Tickets may be available at the door for $40 per person.

flyer: http://abrptso.ab.mec.edu/pdf/ABNO2011flyer.pdf
tickets: http://abrptso.ab.mec.edu/pdf/ABNO2011_ticket_order_form.pdf
questions: abignightout@gmail.com

* MCats Gig #31 – Halloween

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At the Maynard Rod & Gun Club.

Set 1

  1. Good Lovin’ (C) – Grateful Dead
  2. Should I Stay or Should I Go (D) – The Clash
  3. *Breakdown (Am) – Tom Petty
  4. Spooky (Em) – Atlanta Rhythm Section
  5. Feelin’ Alright (C) – Joe Cocker
  6. Centerfield (G) – John Fogerty
  7. Take Me To The River (E) – Talking Heads
  8. I Fought the Law (D) – The Clash
  9. Bad Moon Rising (D) – Creedence Clearwater Revival
  10. Back In the U.S.S.R. (A) – Paul McCartney

Set 2

  1. Monster Mash (G) – Bobby “Boris” Pickett
  2. My Best Friend’s Girl (F) – The Cars
  3. Werewolves Of London (G) – Warren Zevon
  4. Just Like Heaven (A) – The Cure
  5. Just What I Needed (E) – The Cars
  6. Honky Tonk Women (G) – The Rolling Stones
  7. *Smokin’ In The Boys’ Room (recorded in D, play in A) – The Brownsville Station
  8. Psycho Killer (Am) – Talking Heads
  9. Brown Sugar (C) – The Rolling Stones
  10. Takin’ Care of Business (C) – Bachman-Turner Overdrive

Set 3

  1. Devil With A Blue Dress On & Good Golly Miss Molly (C to Eb) – Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels
  2. Refugee (F#m) – Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
  3. Louie Louie (A) – The Kingsmen
  4. Can’t Get Enough (C) – Bad Company
  5. La Bamba (C) – Ritchie Valens
  6. What I Like About You (E) – The Romantics
  7. Rock And Roll, Hoochie Koo (A) – Rick Derringer
  8. 867-5309 (Jenny) (F#m) – Tommy Tutone
  9. Love Shack (C) – The B-52’s
  10. *Time Warp (A) – The Rocky Horror Picture Show
  11. Runnin Down A Dream (E) – Tom Petty

* = new

* MCats Gig #30 – Grant Sweeney Party

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The Grant and Sweeney families hosted the MCats by the railroad tracks in South Acton yesterday. It’s true: we were louder than the MBTA! Pink Voyd’s Tony Caliendo joined us on again drums.

SET 1

Good Lovin’ (C) – Grateful Dead
Should I Stay or Should I Go (D) – The Clash
Stray Cat Strut (Cm) – Stray Cats
Smoking Gun (E) – Robert Cray
Centerfield (G) – John Fogerty
Cocaine (E) – Eric Clapton
Margaritaville (D) – Jimmy Buffett
Take Me To The River (Live) (E) – Talking Heads
I Fought the Law (D) – The Clash
Back In the U.S.S.R. (A) – Paul McCartney

SET 2

Sultans of Swing (Dm) – Dire Straits
* My Best Friend’s Girl (F) – The Cars
Peace, Love and Understanding (G) – Elvis Costello
Just Like Heaven (A) – The Cure
Just What I Needed (E) – The Cars
Honky Tonk Women (G) – The Rolling Stones
Learn to Fly (B) – Foo Fighters
Psycho Killer (Live) (Am) – Talking Heads
Brown Sugar (C) – The Rolling Stones
Takin’ Care of Business (C) – Bachman-Turner Overdrive

SET 3

Oye Como Va (Am) – Santana
* Refugee (F#m) – Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Summertime Blues (Remixed Live) (D) – The Who
* Can’t Get Enough (C) – Bad Company
La Bamba (C) – Ritchie Valens
What I Like About You (E) – The Romantics
* Rock And Roll, Hoochie Koo (A) – Rick Derringer
867-5309 (Jenny) (F#m) – Tommy Tutone
Love Shack (C) – The B-52’s
Runnin Down A Dream (E) – Tom Petty

ENCORE/OTHER

You Really Got Me (live) (G) – The Kinks
Feelin’ Alright (C) – Joe Cocker
White Room (D) – Cream
Sunshine of Your Love (D) – Cream
Pump It Up (B) – Elvis Costello
Tush (G) – ZZ Top
Born To Be Wild (E) – Steppenwolf
Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 2 (Dm) – Pink Floyd
Brown Eyed Girl (G) – Van Morrison
Moondance (Am) – Van Morrison
Gimme Some Lovin’ (recorded in G, play in A) – The Spencer Davis Group
Twisting By the Pool (A) – Dire Straits

* = new

* MCats Gig #29 – Seuss MCT Staff Party

Yesterday featured another party at the Seuess resident – and more rain! That’s three rainy spring gigs in a row. Hmm. We did manage to squeeze most of our songs in between raindrops. And the sun finally came out as we were finishing up. Pink Voyd’s Tony Caliendo joined us on drums and helped rock the joint!

SET 1

Good Lovin’ (C) – Grateful Dead
Brown Eyed Girl (G) – Van Morrison
It’s All Been Done (D) – Barenaked Ladies
Gimme Some Lovin’ (recorded in G, play in A) – The Spencer Davis Group
Feelin’ Alright (C) – Joe Cocker
Moondance (Am) – Van Morrison
Take Me To The River (Live) (E) – Talking Heads
Sailing (recorded in B, play in A) – Rod Stewart
All Star (recorded in F#, play in G) – Smash Mouth
Hard to Handle (B) – The Black Crowes
Cocaine (E) – Eric Clapton
Pump It Up (B) – Elvis Costello

SET 2

Just What I Needed (E) – The Cars
Honky Tonk Women (G) – The Rolling Stones
Love Stinks (C) – The J. Geils Band
Should I Stay or Should I Go (D) – The Clash
Peace, Love and Understanding (G) – Elvis Costello
Learn to Fly (B) – Foo Fighters
Margaritaville (D) – Jimmy Buffett
Spooky (Em) – Atlanta Rhythm Section
Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 2 (Dm) – Pink Floyd
Pink Cadillac (E) – Bruce Springsteen
Born To Be Wild (E) – Steppenwolf
Tush (G) – ZZ Top

SET 3

Tequila (E) – The Champs
What I Like About You (E) – The Romantics
Brown Sugar (C) – The Rolling Stones
Twisting By the Pool (A) – Dire Straits
Back In the U.S.S.R. (A) – Paul McCartney
Just Like Heaven (A) – The Cure
Mustang Sally (C) – Wilson Pickett
Centerfield (G) – John Fogerty
Stray Cat Strut (Cm) – Stray Cats
867-5309 (Jenny) (F#m) – Tommy Tutone
La Bamba (C) – Ritchie Valens
I Wanna Be Sedated (E to F#) – The Ramones

SET 4

Werewolves Of London (G) – Warren Zevon
In the Midnight Hour (recorded in E, play in D) – Wilson Pickett
Sunshine of Your Love (D) – Cream
I Fought the Law (D) – The Clash
Sultans of Swing (Dm) – Dire Straits
Smoking Gun (E) – Robert Cray
Sweet Caroline (recorded in B, play in A) – Neil Diamond
The Last Time (E) – The Rolling Stones
Psycho Killer (Live) (Am) – Talking Heads
Oye Como Va (Am) – Santana
Dirty Water (E) – The Standells
Love Shack (C) – The B-52’s

ENCORE

Summertime Blues (Remixed Live) (D) – The Who
You Really Got Me (live) (G) – The Kinks
Runnin Down A Dream (E) – Tom Petty

OTHERS

White Room (D) – Cream
Soul Man (recorded in G, play in A) – Sam & Dave
There She Goes (G) – The La’s
Birthday (A) – The Beatles
Achy Breaky Heart (A) – Billy Ray Cyrus