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Welcome back, my friends, to the "Battle" that never ends.
We're so glad you could attend. Come inside! Come inside!
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This is 'BATTLE OF THE BANDS' ('BOTB') where you listen to different recordings and vote for the one you like best. A new Battle gets posted on the 1st of each month and on the 7th, I place my own vote, tally 'em all up and announce the winner.
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Friend? Foe? Stranger? No matter, ALL are welcome. So pull up a chair, pour yourself 24 oz. of DOG BITE High Gravity Lager (or the poison of your choice) and turn it up to Eleven!
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[NOTE: Links to the first year of 'BOTB' (#1 - #24) can be found at the very bottom of this page.]

Friday, April 15, 2016

'2016, APRIL 15: BATTLE OF THE BANDS' (Or, 'THERE'S A FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING')

Republican Vs. Democrat, Male Vs. Female, War Vs. Peace, Light Vs. Dark, Good Vs. Evil, Man Vs. Machine, Love Vs. Hate, Dog Vs. Cat, Sun Vs. Moon, Brain Vs. Brawn, Oscar Vs. Grammy, Angel Vs. Demon, Laurel Vs. Hardy, Beer Vs. Wine, TV Vs. Radio, Pitcher Vs. Batter, Paper Vs. Plastic, Reality Vs. Fantasy, Yeshua Vs. Beelzebub, Conservative Vs. Liberal, You Vs. Me, House Vs. Senate, Offense Vs. Defense, Kramer Vs. Kramer, Spy Vs. Spy, Fischer Vs. Spassky, W.C. Fields Vs. Sobriety, Harold Gimpy, Jr. Vs. Sheldon J. Pismire, Rock Vs. Paper Vs. Scissors, Islam Vs. Everything, Singer Vs. Singer, Band Vs. Band...

BATTLE OF THE BANDS! (‘BOTB’)


Shoop-Shooby –
Shooby-duh-Dooby-Doop-Dooby-Dooby-Doo-Wah –
Buh-Doo-Wah!

Yes, it’s time once again for ‘Battle Of The Bands’ (‘BOTB’)

Alright, let’s get on it...

EUGENE  MARTONE  VS.  JACK  BUTLER

Actually... No. Let's NOT get on it.

GOODNIKS  VS.  NO-GOODNIKS

Of all the BOTBers, there is only ONE who has participated in every single scheduled Battle, and that BOTBer is... ME!  
I have been here for ALL 65 BATTLES!
 
GODZILLA  VS.  KING  KONG

But, although it pains me to admit this - being a very "Real Man" macho kind of Alpha Male - even I have my limits. And I gotta admit it... I'm tired and I need a break from 'BOTB'. I'm a little burned out right now. Oh, it's not a matter of material: I've got a BOTB list 100-songs-deep to draw from but... I'm just not into it right now. So, there's a first time for everything, and for the first time, I'm gonna sit one out. 
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RIDDLER  VS.  BATMAN

Nevertheless, I PROMISE that I will visit ALL of the BOTB participants in this round and cast a vote in their contests. And as far as I know right now, I will return for 'Battle Of The Bands' on May 1st.

I thank all of you for your support and participation in BOTB, and I hope to see you all here again on May 1st, that infamous day (if-n you know yer history).
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A  PHOTO  OF  ME  IN  DOWNTOWN  LOS  ANGELES  WHEN  I  WAS  YOUNG  'N'  COOL

I suggest - actually I insist - you pop over to the blogs of the other 'BATTLE OF THE BANDS' participants to see which songs they have chosen and vote there also. (If their ‘BOTB’ blog bits aren’t posted yet, pour yourself two shots of ‘Grand Marnier’ over ice – do it twice – and then return to their blogs to vice your voice ...vote your vice ...voice your vote.)

Voice Your Vote @ ‘FAR AWAY SERIES’ by clicking HERE.
@ ‘TOSSING IT OUT’ by clicking HERE.
@ ‘YOUR DAILY DOSE’ by clicking HERE.
@ 'MIKE'S RAMBLINGS' by clicking HERE.
@ 'CURIOUS AS A CATHY' by clicking HERE.
@ 'THE SOUND OF ONE HAND TYPING' by clicking HERE.
@ 'DCRELIEF - BATTLE OF THE BANDS' by clicking HERE.
@ 'THE DOGLADY'S DEN' by clicking HERE.
@ 'CHERDO ON THE FLIPSIDE' by clicking HERE
@ 'ANGELS BARK' by clicking HERE.
@ 'JINGLE JANGLE JUNGLE' by clicking HERE.
@ 'JANIE JUNEBUG, RIGHTING & EDITINGby clicking HERE.
@ 'J.A. SCOTT' by clicking HERE.
@ 'QUIET LAUGHTER' by clicking HERE
@ 'REINVINTAGED' by clicking HERE.
@ 'HOLLI'S HOOTS & HOLLERS' by clicking HERE.
@ 'EVIL POP TART' by clicking HERE. 

 ~ Stephen T. McCarthy

41 comments:

  1. Well deserved break Stephen! We'll miss you on this one but will look forward to your return on May 1st.
    And you definitely do look young and cool in that photo. Hot! You look like a typical bad boy that I'd go after... :) -- of course, you're anything but typical, as we well know!
    Get some rest... See you next time.

    Michele at Angels Bark

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HA!-HA! Thanks, MICHELE! You and Girl Wonder (with her Waylon BOTB) have improved my morning. (Been feeling sick since about 4:30 AM.)

      For the record, I want to first mention that I was being entirely facetious in referring to myself as a "Real Man, macho Alpha Male".

      While I would like to think I'm a "real man", I've never been the "macho Alpha" type. In fact, I just recently learned the definitions of (Link...>>) ALL THESE TERMS, and without a doubt I fall into the "OMEGA" category, not the "Alpha". (Just wanted to clarify that before someone takes a comment poke at me:o)

      Never really been the "bad boy" either. I was merely... "ACTING!"

      That photograph of me was taken by my ol' buddy Pooh, and I was definitely "laying it on thick"; doing "my best James Dean" for the camera. In reality, I NEVER went around with the collar of my jacket turned up. Ha!

      But, again, thanks for the laugh and the compliment. Wish I knew what I know now but looked like I looked then.

      See ya on da foist o' May.

      ~ D-FensDogG
      'Loyal American Underground'

      Delete
    2. Well, you did a good "James Dean", that's for sure. That link was very informative! The Omega is a good way to be Stephen. And what little I know of you, I can totally see you being an Omega.
      Hope you're feeling better by now...

      Oh, and how often I wish the same: if we knew then what we know now...and so I dream on... :)

      Delete
  2. It's okay, I understand. I almost sat out this round too. So much going on, I'm really rushed for time. But had to stop in and say hi. Enjoy the rest. See you May 1st. :) Possibly.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for stopping by and commenting, JEFFY!

      I will DEFINITELY see you on 5/1.

      ~ D-FensDogG

      Delete
  3. All you Battle sitter outers are making it easier on the A to Z-er's I guess, but still I'm missing the Battles. Well mine's up and I think it might be more to your liking than what I've been doing.

    Enjoy the time off from Battling your own bands.

    Arlee Bird
    A to Z Challenge Co-host
    Tossing It Out

    ReplyDelete
  4. Have a good and restful break, Stephen!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, EVIL POP TART.
      And, BTW, what FLAVOR are you? I mean, besides "evil"?

      Is it too much to hope that you're "brown sugar"? ("Chocolate / Marshmallow" and "Blueberry" are good too, though.)

      ~ D-FensDogG

      Delete
  5. Enjoy your "vacation." And we'll see you back here on May 1st (unless you decide to post something else sooner).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. GIRL WONDER ~
      You'll be pleased to learn that I'm hoping to post a couple of 'THE SOUNDTRACK OF MY LIFE' installments during my "Spring Break".

      ~ D-FensDogG

      Delete
  6. Everybody needs a break now and then. Enjoy yours, Stephen.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hooray, Hooray the 1st of May!

    Oh, wait... not THAT part of history?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. May 1st, 1776... Adam Weishaupt initiates 'The Order Of The Illuminati' (or that's the story, anyway) and the communists still celebrate the day without really knowing why.

      ~ D-FensDogG

      Delete
  8. Replies
    1. LC-BB ~
      Yeah, a little bit. But I'm sure I'll come back re-energized.

      I can't stop until I run outta songs (aka, I can't stop until the day I die).

      ~ D-FensDogG

      Delete
  9. WTF?!? Where is everyone? What, they finda Jimmy Hoffa? ('Barney Miller' reference).

    I come back from Mars and this is what I get?

    All revved up with no place to go.

    What did you think of Meatloaf back in 1978? I guess I sort of appreciated the humor in that "opera".

    Quality over quantity.

    SigTuTu



    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. >>... WTF?

      Wote Twump, Fools?

      Where They Fled?

      What The Fu-uuuuuuu-dge?

      SIGGY, SIGGY ~
      Yeah, this was a lousy "Welcome Home" party, wasn't it? I actually thought of you last night while scheduling this for posting. I received your E and knew you'd get here and find... NUTTIN'.

      Looks like BOTB is on its last legs.

      Nah, not really. I'll be back on May Day!, May Day! But even if I never did return, I think BOTB has taken on a life of its own now, and it would continue even without FAE and me.

      I've REALLY missed you here, though. I hope you're back for good. (Hell, I'd even accept back for bad, or back in black, or backwards in the saddle again.)

      Gosh! I don't remember that reference, although I always liked 'Barney Miller'.

      And that reminds me - although I don't feel well today - I'm planning to find that MASH episode you mentioned and watch it. I do remember an episode where Charles wouldn't share his newspapers, but that's literally ALL I remember about it. I'll watch for my "slip and slide" and get back to you about that.

      But I'm sure you're right: it was something I concocted for myself without any suggestion from anyone else.

      I was always surprised at the lack of direction, frankly. For instance, I did a voice-over bit in one. I can't remember the line but it had something to do with breaking up with a woman. And I was thinking there were at least 4 or 5 ways to deliver the line - different emotional states behind it. But no one suggested anything to me in that respect.

      So, I said the line once. I didn't flub it, but they asked me to say it again. I'm thinking: Well, I guess that wasn't the emotional foundation for it that they were looking for.

      So, I tried it a second way and the director (Alda, I think) said that was a "take". So, I guessed right the second time. I still had another 2 or 3 ways I could have done it. WTF?! is right!

      I never cared for Meathea-- er... I mean, Meatloaf. Dude was too fat to fit on my record shelf!

      But by "opera"... you're not referring to 'ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW', right?

      Maybe 'PARADISE BY THE DASHBOARD LIGHT'? I didn't really care for the song generally, BUT I thought that Phil Rizzuto play-by-play bit in the middle of it was pretty damned funny and extremely clever!

      ~ D-FensDogG, Too!

      Delete
    2. Your MASH reminiscences are like gold.

      I was pretty "out of it" last week too so hope you feel better soon. Your work isn't done "here". What's a little Ebola amongst friends, anyway?

      Alot of that 70's stuff just reminds me of private school skirts so I'm sure my memory is a little "skewed"... musically.

      ZigS

      Delete
    3. SIGSTER-TOO ~
      I think my upset stomach is related to some guacamole I ate last night. I'm feeling a bit better now. (But then maybe that's just the beer talking.)

      Well, A LOT of people LOVED that Meatloaf 'BAT OUT OF HELL' album, so it's probably just a matter of personal taste. I don't really have anything negative to say against it. It just didn't appeal to me for whatever reason.

      OK, so since you liked that last MASH story, I'll give you an even BETTER ONE that pertains to the same topic...

      That episode where I died on camera, while the clock in the corner was running and they hoped I'd die in time to take a piece of my aorta for a graft? (I think it was called "Life Time" or "Timeline", something like that.)

      Well, they told me I was going to do a little "death rattle" when I died. Sure! Fine! No problem. Death rattles? That's all I ever do!!

      I would have to check the date on it to be sure, but I'll guess I was about 21 years old at the time. WTF?! What made them think I knew what a "REAL" death rattle sounded like? At that young point in my life, I'd never had anyone die in my presence.

      I knew what a death rattle was, but I'd never heard one outside of TV and movies.

      So, I just thought to myself: Well, I'll simply breath a little harder, make a couple soft gurgling sounds in my throat and then just hold my breath until the director says, "Cut." And if they want it done louder, or differently, I'm sure they'll let me know.

      Well, "I did it my way", and no one ever suggested I do it some other way. Hard to remember, but I think we got that shot in just one take. "Cut. Print. New set-up."

      I was done and dead.

      No advice, no suggestions, no instructions from the set's medical advisor. Nuttin'.

      I guess it was what they wanted, because that's what they used, and they never asked us to change it in any way.

      Again, a surprising example of how little "direction" we often got on the set.

      So, there's really no doubt that my "slip and slide" was of my own devising. Because if they didn't even explain to me how they wanted me to do a "death rattle" in that dramatic scene where I die in the presence of my best Army buddy, there ain't no way anyone suggested I do a "slip and slide" in some minor scene.

      After I watch it, I'll let ya know if I remember us shooting that segment. When I see it, it may jog my memory.

      ~ D-FensDogG
      'Loyal American Underground'

      Delete
  10. Well I will look forward to your Battle on May 1st!

    ReplyDelete
  11. You must not be feeling well to miss out so I hope you get lots of rest. I wanted to mention that for my L post I spoke about Laura and left a pic just for you:) feel better soon you bad boy you( at least in your younger days:))

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BIRGIT ~
      Thanks! I feel about 99.99% better compared to yesterday. (I mean, I'm STILL hungover, but that's just "normal":o)

      On my way to check out your "L"aura post.

      ~ D-FensDogG

      Delete
  12. Just when I go to vote without being reminded you go and take a break. Well deserved.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you.
      And I'll have a taxi with that "well deserved". Tell the driver to wait until I crawl out the back door backwards.

      ~ D-FensDogG

      Delete
    2. You ain't Groucho.....but you might be.

      Delete
    3. Thinkin' maybe I ain't?

      ~ D-FensDogG

      Delete
  13. Color me flabbergasted (not flatulent), ya have a life. I have a post already ready and scheduled for May 15. SURPRISE!?!

    I'm planning to be in Reno area on Friday (May) the 13th. Invited FAE to join us. Find something for us to do that weekend and I'll book a room for us two girls. Text me when you get more than 30 seconds to talk :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OH DONNA! ~
      Do you mean to say you're rejoining BOTB on May 15th?

      You wanna meet me on Friday the 13th? You like to tempt fate, eh?

      ~ D-FensDogG
      'Loyal American Underground'

      Delete
  14. Everyone needs a break once in awhile. I was a bit worried when I decided to sit out April in favor for AtoZ, because I knew that challenge was going to be a bit crazy for me. What I didnt expect was for my mother to pass away in the early morning of the 14th. So now, I'm thankful that I decided to sit this month out. Made the 15 hour drive (one way) with my cousin that lives about an hour from me. It was a really quick trip, and I got home late last evening. During the trip, I managed to do a face plant on the pavement, so on top of the stiffness from the long ride, I have extra aches and pains. Oh yeah... and I did manage to mix up my medications as well. That was fun. I am prioritizing my 'catching up' and visiting BOTB participants was first on my list. I'll be back with my own battle on May 2.

    Mary
    #AtoZChallenge O is for O'Connor

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MARY ~
      I was very sorry to learn about your Mom passing away. I don't think I'm quite over my own Ma's death, and she's been gone since 2005.

      Wow, are you ever in a bad rinse cycle, or something. Good that you took April off. I don't know how people keep up with the 'A To Z' by itself, let alone doing that and BOTB at the same time.

      OK, back to semi-controlled chaos on 5/1 & 5/2. See ya then!

      I hope you're holding up under the circumstances.

      ~ D-FensDogG
      'Loyal American Underground'

      Delete
  15. Stephen, Hope you feel better. You are well missed!

    Julie

    ReplyDelete
  16. Stephen, I forgot to mention that this is a great photo of you!

    Julie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That old thing?
      Why, I only display it when I don't care HOW I look.

      [:o)}

      [One million points if you can name the movie I stole / paraphrased that from.]

      ~ D-FensDogG

      Delete
    2. Al Bondigas here. Can anybody take a crack at that million points offer?

      Delete
    3. Ha!-Ha!
      Go for it. (I know you've got this one in the bag.)

      ~ D-FensDogG

      Delete
    4. I.A.W.L. Well, how did I do George Bailey?

      Delete
    5. Not too good, but...
      "WE'LL WAIT FOR YA, BABY!"

      ~ D-FensDogG

      Delete
  17. Okay, so this was a tough battle and it was a really hard choice for either of us. The original is a true classic, but the cover took the original and did something really unique with it.

    So in the end, we both have to vote for Young N' Cool over James Dean. But just by a hair. I mean, it's not like he's quite James Dean (who could be?) but something about that picture really saves him...

    Oh, and thanks for posting that link about the alpha/beta/gamma/omega/sigma thing. I've always wondered about that kind of thing. I think I too am an omega, because I'm not a pushy alpha that wants to lead everyone, and I'm not a shy little follower of a beta. I just march to the beat of my own drum. I'd rather do everything myself. If someone wants to come along for the ride, great, but don't follow me around like a lost puppy or start barking orders at me. In other words, just don't get in my way and impede what I'm doing and we're golden.

    ~6B

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dang! Had I thought of it, maybe I would have posted a photo of James Dean and done a BOTBB (Battle Of The Bad Boys). Ha!

      I'd rightfully lose to J.D., but my ego could certainly handle that. (Just so long as I didn't get shut out.)

      Yeah, I would peg you as an Omega also.

      I think Bobby Darin expressed it best and most succinctly for me:

      http://stephentmccarthysstuffs.blogspot.com/2009/09/1-rule-of-selfhood.html

      ~ D-FensDogG
      'Loyal American Underground'

      Delete

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