Wall of Tom is at it again

 Wall of Tom is at it again with more and more shows being added daily. We are back in the swing of things and will be playing our original music as well as a few covers for good measure, watch our Reverb Nation for up to date show info.

 We will of course be playing most of our shows in the Northern and So. Cal areas, but watch for some out of state shows coming in the fall as well.

 With a few shows just recently under our belts in Santa Barbara, Wall of Tom also had the pleasure of rocking the entire city on the Fig Mountain float for the Independence Day parade. Good lord was that a great time!

As always, we are sending you love, light and music and we hope you are enjoying this hot, hot summer!

peace and hair grease,
Wall of Tom- Tommie, Tony, Kerim, Ryan and Louisa

A New Year

As I stand on the cliff of 2016, ready to jump into the new year... I must look back and remember. We lost some incredible artists this year, so many that were so dear to my creative heart. Bowie, Prince- both fearless in their art, both totally original and one of a kind. The great Leonard Cohen, Glenn Frey, Paul Canter, Merle Haggard, and now George Michael, Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds. It's just such a shock to ones creative system. 

 I realized that even in this moment, lost within the joy of parenthood, my inner artist was angry. She was being used less and less, and so like a child that is ignored, there were outbursts of frustration, depression and anxiety. 

It didn't seem all that bad, just the normal happening of becoming a mom, two times over, and not focusing on my own needs, because when I look at my kids I felt that love that is incomparable. 

But when you start to see your own mortality, you see the way the world is changing, the politics that you cannot stop, the idols of yesterday passing... I felt my inner artist stirring. I realized if I wanted to teach my children about how powerful a woman could be, that I would have to be that powerful woman I once was. 

The band coming together was perfect timing for the resurrection of my artistic soul. My pipes may be a bit rusty, I may have eaten a few too many Christmas cookies with my kids this holiday, but make no mistake, I'm back and I'm doing this. 

It's time to live your dreams, it's time to be the change and it's time to stand tall together- one song at a time. 

New shows will be added shortly so stay tuned... Happy New Year from myself and all of us from Wall of Tom.

Tommie, Tony, Kerim, Ryan and Louisa

*All photos by Jesse Natale of JNorth Productions 

It's all happening...

It's been a long time since I Rock n' Rolled

Here is your first official Save the Date! 

Right after Santa comes to town, Wall of Tom will play its first full band show- December 29th, 2016 at the SB Funk Zone favorite, Figureoa Mountain Brewing Company, WoT will take the stage at 7:30-9pm. We cannot wait for you to hear the new band playing all your favorite originals written by Tommie and Tony- 4 albums of music, spanning back from Dreamland to The Lovers. 

Until then, we are wishing you the happiest of Holidays, filled with light, love and music.❤️🎄🎅🏻🎤🤘🏻

Houston, we have a BAND!

It happened. Somehow in between the happenstance of recording our last album and double parenthood, we had become lost (happily) inside the baby tunnel, and our music took up a smaller and smaller chunk of our lives. At first we didn't notice it, with all the sleepless nights and sweet smiling babies, until maybe a year ago when our daughter turned two and our son four. There was something missing in our lives. Sure we sang songs together, around the house, to our children, in the car, in the shower... but it wasn't filling that gap.

So Tony and I began to play acoustic shows together, just little gigs to get our feet wet, and boy did it feel good. We started to get that old feeling again after every show, that feeling of wholeness, that feeling of being complete. We knew we were onto something, and the memories came back. The feeling of playing in a band, to hear all the aspects of music that were on our albums. So when we were asked to open the show for MommyTonk this last weekend, it was like a calling- or maybe time to make a few calls.

We started with Wall of Tom's original drummer, Kerim Imes. We love this guy, he is part of our musical family and when he said he would love to come up from LA to Santa Barbara and play again, it was like our heartbeat was back.

The next call was to a cool gal I had met at a skateboard class last year that both our boys were taking. She had been playing a Uke and we struck up a conversation. We clicked immediately when she told me she was actually a Cellist, but had been so stuck in motherhood (she has four boys!) that her musical life had fallen to the side. Louisa Wood is my new best friend with a foul mouth and a heart of gold, she adds that moody, magical quality of sound that Wall of Tom is known for and we are so happy to have her aboard.

 

When it came to rounding out our rhythm section we had to divert from our original bassist who was booked for that weekend. We were referred to Brent Harding, who is totally kick ass upright bassist and a super swell fella to boot. Band complete,  we were ready to practice and play the show! 

And that we did! It felt divine and sounded amazing, to put it into one word (as one friendly fan did) 'Wizzard'! We weren't sure what the heck she meant, but we think it was a good thing! And that was how it all begins, Houston, We have a BAND!! More shows to come, as soon as these wonderful musicians learn our catalog of music. Wall of Tom is back in action!!!

Booze, Cursing and Motherhood

I have to say, being a mommy is one of the nuttiest full time, never catch a fucking break, tough job. It's an up all night, not because you are throwing a great party but because your kid can't stop pukeing kind of job. A get up earlier than rock n' roll possible, to make interesting lunches that you know your kids are not going to eat but some parent at your homegrown co-op may be looking, so you are trying real hard to fool someone. Because you have lived an entirely different type of life for so long that you think you may keel over at 3pm as you are shuttling the kids from school to karate to ballet and the vision of your former self doesn't quite live up to the haggard vision in the rear view mirror who is of course flipping you off but somehow, still smiling right back at you.

This is me, times twenty.

I don't talk much about the struggles of motherhood because, well, so many others do it so much better. I really fly by the seat of my pants on a daily basis and to most straight edge parents, I am doing many, many, many things the wrong way- so I mostly keep to myself when it comes to parenting advice.

Actually, the funniest thing is, I like my kids, a lot- maybe too much because I think they are the raddest little humans I have ever met and enjoy their company better than most adults. We like the same music, laugh at the same jokes, and we love each other unconditionally, even when one of us is being an asshole. After living a life so solopsized on myself, drinking, breathing and bleeding for my Art for 15 years in LA's music business fast lane, I have been able to enjoy this semi-slower (who am I kidding, it's faster and we all know it) mommyland world so much more. Sure, I'm unconventional, my kids stay up late and we have family jam nights on a regular basis, I curse like a proud sailor and both my kids know I'm not stopping anytime soon. I've yelled at them when I am at the end of my patience rope that I 'used to be cool' and they have collapsed into giggles because they still think I'm neat but I'm sure that will change once they become teenagers and realize I need to grow up a bit too.

So speaking of cursing and parenthood, there are a couple cool Mommas coming into town on September 25th, who really know how to say- or sing exactly what all us mothers are thinking on a daily basis. MOMMY TONK is comprised of two amazing ladies who have proven to all of us that you CAN have a family and a thriving stage career, all the while laughing your ass off.

MOMMY TONK is a musical comedy duo based in Los Angeles. Shannon Noel & Stacie Burrows blend their ability to harmonize and curse perfectly in a honky-tonk style. Often called the "Tenacious D for moms," these two ladies rock the house with their irreverent stand up comedy, heart felt storytelling and the prettiest, filthiest music you ever did hear. The ladies are often backed by The Assless Chaps - a fiddle-based variety trio performing American roots music in a country and bluegrass style. MOMMY TONK has performed in LA, Austin, Chicago, Louisville, and Nashville including: The Boston Comedy Festival, The Comedy Store, The Unicorn NYC, Stagecoach Country Music Festival, The House of Blues, and Zanies. MOMMY TONK is not safe for work, children, or basically anyone who has any standards.

I am happy to report that these lovely ladies are playing right here in Santa Barbara at the Center Stage Theatre and myself and my band Wall of Tom is opening the show for them. It's one night only and it's not to be missed- tickets will go fast so buy them early because I plan on yelling this news from the top of the SB courthouse for all to hear. 

Get your babysitter lined up, grab your girlfriends or make it date night because Dad's need a break and are gonna love it too. I hope to see you all there- remember parenting is hard, laughing is totally necessary, especially since people kinda freak out when they see us crying all the time. www.mommytonk.com

Waking up in the Past

My name is Helen. I lived sometime in the mid 1800’s, born into a somewhat wealthy family; given my surroundings of Victorian grandiose furniture along with heavily adorned and embroidered clothing. I have a young brother Peter, who I completely adore and spoil- and we seem to have a very spirited father, who likes to make jokes around our large, long, wooden dining table. As I turn my gaze to my mother, my heart freezes in fear as she catches my eyes meeting hers, and they narrow to cast a look of total disgust as she straitens her spine, making me feel very small.

My journey skips forward, to my five-year-old self, spinning in a field of lavender, laughing to the sky at the freedom of dance- the pure joy of youth. Again, I move forward to my teenage self, painting a picture in a grand drawing room. I feel the endorphins speed through my body as my mother enters the room- “You are no good.” She says wickedly as she stops to stare at my artwork. My heart spills out around me as I paint harder through my tears. Again I seem to float into the future, it is a dark time, not as clear as the rest, but I see visions of a dead man who must be my father. And there, my mother is making it clear that there is no more time to waste, I must marry to save the family fortune. I am dying inside as I skip to an even darker future- my own death, to where I wished, and wished and wished some more that I could have followed my dreams. I had a hatred and anger inside my soul that was palpable, seeping into my veins as everything slowly went dark.

Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?

Now, I am truly awake and laying within the ancient Himalayan Salt Cave on a sunny Sunday morning in Santa Barbara. My name is not Helen, not now at least, but my heart is still racing at the meditative journey my mind and body have just been on. I have just awoken from my very first group past life regression and for someone who walked into this dark magical cave a doubtful skeptic, I will walk out a believer… but just give me a minute, while I process this incredible experience.

There has been much written about regression into a past life, and the way Salt advertised this special class was: Under a light hypnosis, you will be guided to another time and place. A past life realm that will shed light and awareness on your existence, and allow the freedom to design your life from desire, rather than from unconscious habits or fears. Sounds about right? But there is so much more about opening up your unconscious and discovering things that may be blocking your happiness and future in this life. 

Our facilitator into this incredible regression is Lisa Veit, an internationally known Intuitive Life Coach, Speaker, Regression Therapist, Owner of “Be You Come Alive”, Mother, and Creator of The Art of Embodiment Meditation CD. She says her life experiences triggered an epic spiritual inquiry within, and an insatiable study of the human potential. Lisa has explored in great depth the many facets of life, energy, and consciousness. She exudes warmth and is committed to empowering people to discover their unique capacities, and to assist all of those that choose it, to come alive at their greatest capacity. Lisa lectures nationally and currently lives with her family in Santa Barbara, California.

Open your Mind, Open your Eyes

The fact that Lisa was able to hypnotize a large group of people, three of whom were first timers like me, is hard to believe but alas, I am living proof. Is it true that I am a wonderful storyteller and that my mind is filled with characters that I bring to life in my novels? Of course. But is it also true that I have given everything up for my music, for my art- to chase my seemingly impossible dreams throughout my life, no matter the pain or obstacles? Absolutely. In this lifetime, I have chosen to be the joyful artist I always wanted to be and will continue to be… no matter what my name is.

Unlock your past two Sunday’s a month at the Salt Caves on State in Santa Barbara. (740 State Street) 805-963-7255 or for a private class contact Lisa directly at: www.LisaVeit.com

*As seen in the Santa Barbara Sentinel Page 15