Phat Noiz

Usually when someone points out that our website and blog haven't been updated in a while, my first instinct is to apologize for being lazy. We are typically a very busy band and I don't always get around to letting you fine folks what's going on with your favorite musicians (us, silly).

But not this time. I won't apologize. Why not? Because I was just saving all my news for this very moment. It's all going according to plan.

Sure, we're in the process of recording our new CD, entitled Honeybowl. Unfortunately, just as we were hitting our prime studio vibe, producer Mark Burris came down with an ear infection from hell that sidelined us for two weeks, and we're now shuffling schedules around in order to get back to Music Creek and move forward. The good news? What we've done so far is gonna blow your mind. Seriously. It's really damn good. I should know.

We drove to Peoria a couple weeks ago for our monthly gig there, only to discover we were scheduled for the following week. After exchanging a few "what the hell?" glances with each other, we learned that the club had goofed. A few minutes later, our good friend Rockin' Jake and his band showed up for what was apparently their gig and gave us the exact same look.

Frank saves every single email exchange for this very reason and quickly produced his laptop to prove that it wasn't our goof. Our experience in these situations is that the club owner typically apologizes and sends us packing as we mumble and curse. This particular instance was handled incredibly well by the owner. Out of discretion I'll keep the details under wraps, but we were fairly compensated and fed a great meal on the house.

We love you Nathenia! Thanks for taking such great care of us, as always.

In other news, festival season is rapidly approaching and we will hit our first one of the season in Iowa next month. We love festivals. In fact, we love them so much that we are throwing our own festival this October.

That's right. We are still in the planning stages, but look for a full day festival in early October, featuring several local bands, great food, and camping. It will take place on a sweeping 400 acre tract of land outside Warrenton, MO. Details will surely follow, but think of this inaugural "PhatPhest" as a mini Bonnaroo in our own backyard.

For those of you concerned about Frank's recent injury, I only have this to report: he's fine. Stop babying him, already. Sheesh.

All for now,

W.

We've all seen the "Behind The Music" shows. We know that, sooner or later, someone in the band ends up in the hospital thanks to another bandmate. Car crashes, booze binges, overdoses, fist fights--it doesn't matter. Eventually at least one member makes the trip.

Of course, it's what happens after the drama that determines the fate of the band. Let's get that settled right now with an open letter:

Frank, let me use this public medium to apologize.

I know I should have warned you that my driveway was slick when it rains. I should have known that, in order to preserve your meticulously coiffed hair, you would need to get to your vehicle quickly in the rain. I realize it takes a lot of work to maintain that mane, and I should have considered that when you left my house today.

But alas, I was selfish. I said nothing. I simply said "goodbye" as you trotted to the Phatmobile, lost your footing on the slippery asphalt driveway, and took a nosedive into the gutter. I know that you ripped your jeans, tore open a giant flap on skin on the palm of your hand, and ended up in the E.R. to have your bloody knee examined. And for this, I am sorry. It's my fault.

I could have been a truly supportive bandmate and walked you to the truck under my Snoopy umbrella. At the very least, I could have offered the protection of an old bread bag in the fashion of my grandma. Instead, I could only offer you a Band-Aid from my medicine chest while you bled in my bathroom.

But look at the bright side, Frank. For one, you got a prescription for Vicodin. That's really awesome. Plus, since you can't walk worth a damn for a few days, you can have Matt fetch your beers instead of the other way around, for once. And at least you didn't tear up your sax-playing hand. We all know you only use the left one (you show-off).

So again, I apologze for being such a selfish ass. As my penance, I'll happily carry your saxophone for the next couple gigs, in addition to all my drum gear. It's a mighty burden, but I feel it's only fair.

In all seriousness, folks. Buy Frank a beer and a shot when you next see him.

You know, for the pain.

W.

PhatnoiZ has invaded Europe! Music Avenue has just released the compilation "How Long", comprised of material from our first two albums. It is available throughout Europe and in the US via Amazon.com.

Just in time for Valentine's Day, new photos are up on the MEDIA page. Come ogle your favorite Phat noiZ member!

Yeah, it's been awhile since you last had something tantalizing to read about your favorite band. No, not Fall Out Boy, you twits.

The last several weeks have been hectic for PhatnoiZ. Our typically high number of gigs combined with all of the activities of the holiday season have kept us quite busy. But now that 2007 is behind us, we're focused on making 2008 a landmark year for PhatnoiZ. How? Read on.

Going Original

As a bit of an experiment, PhatnoiZ has been performing only our original music so far this year, and with extraordinary results. While we realize that some of our fans really dig some of the unique things we do with classic songs, we feel that it is vital for the band to showcase our true musical identity. This doesn't mean that you'll never hear Alvin tear the roof off with "Black Magic Woman" again, but we are focused on letting the world know how great PhatnoiZ music truly is.

One of the benefits of this approach is that fans are now hearing songs they haven't heard us play live in some time (and in some cases, EVER). We're doing some really interesting things with older tunes like "Wet My Beak" and "China Doll", for example. In addition, we are playing over a dozen new songs written for the next album. Overall, it's a very exciting time for the band, as people continue to embrace our original sound. As always, we sincerely thank you-our beloved friends and fans-for making it happen.

Speaking of the New Album...

It has a fabulous name: Honeybowl. It has fabulous songs. It will soon have fabulous artwork. We currently have about 20 songs that we'll be taking into the studio this spring. We are painstakingly looking at producers, engineers, and studios at the moment with the hopes that this album will really blow people away. If you want a sneak peak at some of the new tunes you need to high-tail it to one of our shows. There's a great variety of material, and it's all going over extremely well as it continues to evolve onstage before our very eyes.

Festival Alert!

We have already been honored with several blues festival bookings this year. The first is Fort Madison, Iowa's "Simply the Blues" Festival on Saturday May 10th. We haven't played Iowa for some time, and are looking forward to this show.

Washington, Missouri hosts the Main Street BBQ & Blues Fest on Saturday, June 28th. Festivals are always a blast to play, but when there is BBQ involved....oooooooooooooooweeeeeeeeeee!

The city is more famous for chili than BBQ, but Cincinnati, Ohio has tapped PhatnoiZ to headline their annual Cincy Blues Fest on Friday, August 1st. Bringing our music to new parts of the country is always a milestone for us and this, our first time headlining a large festival, will be a big one. Get ready to party!

How do you say "PhatnoiZ" in Dutch?

Look out Europe! Music Avenue is about to drop our first international release, entitled "How Long". The album includes songs from our first two full-length albums with brand new artwork and packaging. Slated for release in February, this disc will initially be available throughout Europe and other lands, with a US release coming later. We are thrilled to be working with the esteemed Music Avenue label and look forward to our first European tour!

The Evolution Continues

As you can see, PhatnoiZ is poised to make a lot of...uh...noiZ in 2008. Thanks again for reading and continuing to support this band. We'll see you on the road!

...and...we're back. Phat noiZ has just returned from a two week tour of the southern states! While we're glad to be back home in St. Louis, we had an absolute blast on the road (as usual) and met some terrific folks at all of our shows. So, thanks if you were there, shame if you were not.

In other news, Phat noiZ will be recording a live CD at The Old Rock House in Soulard this Tuesday night, and we'd love to hear you on it!

We'll be joined by our friends Bootigrabbers Delight, the Bottoms Up Blues Gang, and Big Bamou. Each band will perform a set with the possibility of an all-star finale at the end of the night. Performances are scheduled to start around 8pm.

The Old Rock House is St. Louis' newest music venue with a state-of-the-art sound system and great sight lines, plus they serve fantastic food and beverages. So don't miss this opportunity to get yourself on record with four of St. Louis' greatest live acts, all in one night!

Tuesday, November 20th
8pm

The Old Rock House
1200 South 7th
St. Louis, MO

Work continues on our new album, tentatively titled Honey Bowl. We've begun talking with potential producers and several of the new songs have been integrated into our live sets. As if you needed any more reason to get to one of our shows!

The Treble Clef Ninja Jam Session is going to continue every Tuesday from 7:30 pm to 11:30 pm
through December 2007. Thanks to all of you who consistently come out to perform for helping to make it a success.

Alvin Jett & the Phat noiZ will perform at the grand opening of Catch 22 in Springfield, Illinois
on Wednesday, October 3 at 6:30 pm.

On Friday, October 6, the band takes to the outdoor stage of St. Louis' Beale On Broadway at 10 pm.

Saturday’s double header has Alvin Jett & the Phat noiZ performing at Mount Pleasant Winery in
Augusta, MO from 1 pm to 4 pm and the Ritz-Carlton Lobby Lounge from 9 pm to 12:30 pm.

Milk And Cookies has continued to make the top twenty on the Roots Music Report Chart of Missouri and September 2007 was no exception. Check it out at
http://www.rootsmusicreport.com/statechart/missourichart.php

Check out www.PhatnoiZ.com for all the latest Phat newZ and www.myspace.com/PhatnoiZ for the latest blog about life in the Phatmobile.

"Angels Sing the Blues" was featured in the "New Groove" segment on Springfield, Illinois radio station WDBR last night. Check out the station at www.wdbr.com and be sure to keep requesting it!

The band's photo shoot went well today. Keep your eyes peeled for new publicity shots and posters soon.

Lots to report! Obviously, the new website is up and continues to evolve. Several new photos are up in the media section, including some from our recent appearances at the Big Muddy Blues Fest (St. Louis, MO) and the Prairie Dog Blues Fest (Prairie Du Chien, WI)..

PhatnoiZ will be appearing at the South Florida International Blues Festival on Friday November 9th in Davie, Florida. The festival is in the middle of our fall tour of the Southeast which will include stops in Tennesee, Alabama, and Florida. See the shows section for details.

You can now keep up with the PhatnoiZ on the road via Woody's blog on MySpace. If you have not yet added PhatnoiZ as your MySpace friend, what are you waiting for?

Writing continues for the next album, and we've already begun performing some terrific new stuff live. So if you want a sneak peek at the latest PhatNoiz material, get your ass to a show!

As you can see, PhatnoiZ.com has recently been redesigned. Drop us a line and let us know what you think of the new look. Email us or contact us on MySpace. We are also compiling a new mailing list, so please sign up if you haven't already.

The Phat noiZ reached the number 12 slot in Missouri on the Roots Music Report for the month of June 2007.

XM Satellite Radio has been featuring the award-winning song "Angels Sing The Blues" on their Bluesville 74 station. Call 866.267.0454 or email programming director Bill Wax to request the song.

The St. Louis Post Dispatch today announced the scheduled lineup for the 2007 Big Muddy Blues Festival, taking place over Labor Day Weekend. The festival features three stages and the Phat noiZ are honored to be featured on the main stage the night of Saturday, September 1st. View the entire article here.

"Big George Brock & the Houserockers kicks off the Budweiser Main Stage at 3 p.m. Sept. 1, followed by Joanna Connor, Alvin Jett & Phat Noiz Blues Band, and Big Sam's Funky Nation. Acts on the Pinnacle Entertainment Stage that day are Leroy Pierson, Dogtown Allstars, Ground Floor Band, Marsha Evans Coalition with Stacy Johnson, and Cryin' Shame Band. Brian Curran, Bottoms Up Blues Gang, David Dee & Hot Tracks Band, Marquise Knox & Rough Grooves Band, and Marcel Strong & the Apostles are on the Regional Arts Commission Stage."

05/04/07

Every Tuesday bring your axe to the Highway 61 Roadhouse and Kitchen and jam with Alvin and Matt from 7:30 – 11:30 pm.

Alvin Jett & the Phat noiZ Blues Band will be performing at the following festivals this summer:

Hannibal Spring Wine & Blues Blast – Sunday, June 3 – Hannibal, Missouri
Cruise With The Blues Festival – Saturday, June 16 – Washington, Missouri
Kalamazoo Blues Festival – Friday, July 13 – Kalamazoo, Michigan
Buck’s County R&B Picnic – Saturday, July 21 – Levittown, Pennsylvania
Prairie Dog Blues Festival – Friday, July 27 – Prairie Du Chien, Wisconsin
Summer Blues In Central Park – Thursday, August 16 – Decatur, Illinois
Big Muddy Blues Festival – Labor Day Weekend – St. Louis, Missouri

The latest Alvin Jett & the Phat noiZ Blues Band CD, Milk And Cookies, has been reviewed in the April 2007 issue on Living Blues Magazine. “With It’s A Cinch…..Jett offers a hook filled three and a half minutes of music that’s sharper than anything you’d expect from…..a party-hearty blues band” – Evan Haga. Pick up a copy and check out the full review.

All the songs from both Wet My Beak and Milk And Cookies are now available for download at www.myspace.com/phatnoiz.

04/13/07

The Treble Clef Ninjas (Alvin Jett & Matt Davis) will be hosting the jam session at Highway 61 Roadhouse & Kitchen every Tuesday night from 7:30 pm to 11:30 pm starting Tuesday, April 17.

Alvin Jett & the Phat noiZ Blues Band will be performing on April 20 as part of the following collaboration between Exuberant Television Productions and BB’s Jazz, Blues & Soups.

Exuberant Television productions will be filming live music performances in St. Louis at BB's Jazz, Blues & Soups from April 14-21. Each night will feature a mini showcase of different music styles with multiple acts performing each evening. The goal of this project is to capture a representative view of the St. Louis music scene and its history for broadcast as a series via PBS, cable networks, webcast, and podcast.

This venture opens a window to the music world providing much deserved exposure and opportunity for many St. Louis artists. Negotiations are underway for further broadcasts from BB's to further highlight St. Louis' music scene as well as its unique contributions to American music history. BB's has recently expanded their stage and will soon open their 2nd floor featuring an interior balcony overlooking the sound stage as well as a New Orleans style balcony above the outdoor patio.

April 14	April 15	April 16	April 17
Tom Hall Michael Burks Band	Bugs Henderson & The Shuffle Kings Jimmie Lee Kennett Billy Barnett	Jim Byrnes Vince Martin Keith Robinson Terry Coleman Ladelle Fitzpatrick John King Amos Brewer	Sandy Weltman Dave Black Willem Von Hombracht Thayne Bradford & The Orbits Tom Hall Charlie Pfeiffer John Higgins Mike Prokopf Blake Travis
April 18	April 19	April 20	April 21
Boo Boo Davis Arthur Williams Big George Brock Marquise Knox Eric McSpadden	Margaret Bianchetta Erika Johnson Marsha Evans Renee Smith Kim Massie	Alvin Jett Rich McDonough Brian Curran Leroy Pierson Ron Edwards	Marty Abdulla Beau Shelby Marcell Strong Stacy Johnson Skeet Rogers Larry Thurston Soulard Blues Band

03/23/07

Pete “Blewzzman” Lauro of Mary4Music.com caught our show at the Riverwalk Blues Festival in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Here’s what he wrote about us:

“….Next on my Blues itinerary was a band from St. Louis that is rapidly working on becoming a household name in the Blues community, Alvin Jet & The Phat noiZ Blues Band. Having recently placed high in the International Blues Challenge, the band is aggressively touring the country promoting the newest CD Milk & Cookies. Joining Alvin Jett on lead vocals and guitar are Frank Bauer on sax, Matt Davis on bass, and Jeremy West on drums. The band put on a strong performance of a real nice mix of Blues, Jazz, and Funk, with Jett and Bauer constantly switching leads. They literally blew away the crowd with a song that I felt should have been last year's Blues Song of the Year - "Angels Sing The Blues." This is a band you should all keep your eyes and ears out for…..” The entire article can be viewed at www.blueswax.com.