by Suzanne City » Tue Mar 16, 2004 5:22 pm
Kathy and all the guys from the band,
I knew the Milkmen back in the 80s. Thoughts of Baccanal, Dobbs, Doc
Watson's... rubbing elbows at Revival... all the good times. The guys, in
part, inspired me to move on and get down to business with music. The
Philly scene is a temperamental place, up and down every five, or so it
seems. During the 90s, I was in two bands; the scene seemed to revive
itself on some level. Since I've been out on my own, it's been very hard to
hold onto the possibility of joining up again, playing and writing lyrics
again. But the thing is this: ya have to stick together. Not necessarily as
within a past band, but the musical community as a whole. I only wish I
knew Dave felt the way he did. Myself and I am sure dozens of other
musicians are out here, wanting to jam, up for trying it all. There's been
too much silence on the Philly rock scene and I feel a change in the wind.
But if we all don't get out there together, how are we going to teach these
new upstarts, these bands modelling themselves after Blink 182 instead of
The Clash? Ah, I'll digress. But Dave, the Milkmen, so many wondrous
bands of the era mean a ton to me, still and always. He was always so
interesting to watch, Dave was. I will miss him in my way, as will everyone
who knew him, knew of him.
I went through much the same, 10 years ago this Spring. My guitarist lost
his sister, then took his own life only a few months later. He was also my
partner. It is dark and swirling, but cling, grasp, hold onto for dear life, to
your friends, family, acquiantances, doctors, anyone you want. It's how life
saves you from yourself, from your torture. I carry him every day, but
somehow I make it through and, maybe because I carry him, I get
stronger. I am so very endlessly sorry Kathy, that you have to go through
it, that Dean, Joe, and Rodney have to endure it as well. But get through it
together.
Take care and bless,
Suzanne
"And I'm gonna do something won't hold my tongue
...Oh my brain I got to complain
You can refrain but I'm gonna do something
How long how long will we make do
Maybe it's time to break on through"
-Patti Smith