LUNAR ENSEMBLE - 2008:
John Lunar Richey (words)
Doug Slugger Vizthum (guitar/mandolin)
Tom DiEllo (stand-up/electric basses)
Greg D (guitar/Q harp)
Chris McKenna (drums/piano)
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LUNAR ENSEMBLE - OffBeat CD - 2007
John Lunar Richey (words)
Slugger (guitar)
Tom DiEllo (bass)
Jack Petruzzelli (guitar)
Andre Cholmondeley (guitar/loops/effects - recording)
Lance Carter (drums)
Special Guest: Don Preston (moog/effects - recording)
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LUNAR BEAR ENSEMBLE: Dark Pastures CD
John Lunar Richey (words)
Richard Bear Graham (percussion)
Slugger (guitar)
Eddie Freeze (guitar/keys)
Martin Atkins (drums)
Tom DiEllo (bass)
Lunar Bear began in the 80's with John "Lunar" Richey reciting verse along side multi-percussionist Richard "Bear" Graham. Lunar Bear performed often at Rutgers and in NYC (Nuyorican Poetry Cafe, Life Cafe) and a wonderful on-air show with Rix on WFMU.
Lunar teamed up with the Young Turks, while continuing to do duets with Bear during the 80's. When Billy left for England, terminating the Turks, Bear and Lunar began the Lunar Bear Ensemble. About this time, Robert Musso asked Lunar to join Machine Gun - a NYC Jazz/Avant unit - as the tape manipulating sound and word collagist. Machine Gun released three CD's which recieved rave press reviews (Rolling Stone/ Spin) and frequently toured of the East Coast. Machine Gun's final performance was at Holland's Jazz Marathon in 1995.
When Bear left for Memphis the Ensemble continued as the Lunar Ensemble.
In the 90's Lunar also performed with one or more musicians at many NYC readings in NYC (Nuyorican Poet's Cafe, The New Museum, The New Music Gallery, Context & Mother. Many of the times the musician had been Jack Petruzzelli (Patti Smith, Rufus Wainwright) who works so well in creating "soundscape" collaborations- ie: Dreaming of Tamara," available as a free download here at MySpace.
The musicians playing on "Offbeat" are:
- Lance Carter - (RIP) Drums (Sonny Sharrock, Cassandra Wilson)
- Jack Petruzzelli - Guitar/keys (Patti Smith, Ian Hunter, Rufus Wainwright)
- Slugger - guitar/keys Pleased Youth/Bad Karma)
- Tom DiEllo - bass (Bad Karma)
- Andre Cholmodeley - Guitar/effects (Project Object/JFK's,LSD,UFO)
- Lunar - rant (Machine Gun)
Special Guest - Don Preston - moog/effects (The Mothers of Invention)
Offbeat was recorded, engineered and produced by two-time grammy winner Tom Ruff at Asbury Media. All tracks were recorded live at the Court Tavern in New Brunswick.
"Meteors 1 and 2" (tracks 3 and 4) include Andre and Don and is minus Jack.
All other compositions were written by Lance, Jack, Slugger, Tom and Lunar with the exception of "Bleeding Liberal," which was written by Martin Atkins, ( P.I.L., Killing Joke), Tom DiEllo, Eddie Freeze (Crossfire Choir) Richard Bear Graham, Tom DiEllo and Slugger
"Offbeat"(tracks 5 -8) is a sad but often told story of a musician , providing for his wife and child by juggling a job and music career. Resulting in final acquiescence that his musical aspirations are limited by family obligation.
As of recent - Lunar has been living and working in Manasquan while concentrating on the band and two manuscripts - One of poetry and one of short stories.
- Here's a little bit more which might be helpful -
Publications: THE JOURNAL OF EROTICA (Volume One and Two) - Midsummer Books, London
THE BEST OF THE JOURNAL OF EROTICA - Eros Plus, London
THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF NEW EROTICA - Carroll & Graf, UK/USA
Also, Lunar has been published in many magazines and small presses including Long Shot, Big Hammer, Genesis and Screw.
Discography: THE YOUNG TURKS - Skoolastic Amush/Cultured Mannequins (45 RPM)
And Available Now as MP3 Downloads at www.mussomusic.com
MACHINE GUN -
MACHINE GUN "Open Fire"
MACHINE GUN "Pass The Ammo"
LUNAR BEAR ENSEMBLE "Dark Pastures"
LUNAR ENSEMBLE "OffBeat" 2007 release.
OffBeat is now available for $6 on MP3 at this location:
http://www.cdfreedom.com/artists/mussomusic/catalog/lunarensembleoffbeat/
i put the st. patty's day song on my page now if you want check it out. ya know, the one kevin was telling you about last year. lol. it's that time again. hope all is well. i will call you soon about a date for alex's and bella's birthday party.
I was utterly humbled sharing the stage with you guys. In all honesty, at first listen your music isn't my cuppa tea, but I was definitely enlightened by what I experienced and observed last night.
The mandolin with that freaking crazy wiccan elftronica Greg D was playing shattered the scattered remnants of my feeble mind..
J.R., you're right about those Bad Dolls. One of them made off with my recipe clippings collection, and the way their doll hands are molded, they can't even hold a mixing spoon! She just did it out of spite. I am going to dress them in funny clothes and set them in the yard, to teach them a lesson.
Lunar! It's been too long. We really need to get together and do some music again. Your influence is all over me. Check out my feeble attempts at prose on "True" and "Resigned To Allow". I'm a J.R. wannabe!
