That's So Trixie

Being Heckled

Apparently, I'm being merciliously heckled on geekstinkbreath.com (a Green Day fan site) because I thanked not only Green Day in the acknowledgments of So Lyrical, but also--God forbid!--Good Charlotte and MxPx. Basically, the message boarders are saying I have crap taste in music if I could actually like the latter two bands.

But here's the thing: First of all, what I said in my book was I'd like to thank all of them for making fun music I could play along with...because at the time, I had just picked up the guitar and couldn't even begin to handle barring or complicated chord changes or crazy solo stuff. And so I relied on tunes by bands that use a lot of power chords--like GD, GC, and MxPx (who even my guitar teacher heckles, calling them Mix-Pix).

Second, if you asked me what my favorite band is, the answer would be Green Day, hands down (followed in a close second by Led Zep, how's that for a weird contrast?). I've been a fan since Dookie, so don't give me shit. The mad message board people were probably still in diapers when that came out.

Third, I'm just glad someone gave my book a shout out on a cool web site...even if the flames came along with it. My favorite went something like this: Yeah, Green Day totally deserves to be thanked, but I was like wtf, Good Charlotte? And seriously, I do understand your confusion. The Joel and Hilary thing is so not punk, right? Kind of takes what little cred GC had left and sends it further down the drain...

And finally, why do I care? Oh wait, I know. Because I think I'm still 16 and I have to defend my honor. So you decide: Does that make me young at heart or exceedingly immature?

Fatal Error

Went to a really cool street festival this weekend and saw two great bands. The opener, The Katie Todd Band, was fun for a variety of reasons, but mostly because I love seeing a woman front a band of male musicians. Their songs had a great poppy vibe, Katie's voice was sort of a cross between Edie Brickell's and Lisa Loeb's, and I loved the juxtaposition of the sweet vocals with the crunchy guitar sounds.

At one point, when the guitarist was playing something particularly intense, I got all depressed and turned to my husband  and said, "I'm gonna be in a wheelchair before I can solo like that." His smile told me everything I needed to know.

Later, when the inimitable and possibly crazy Cowboy Mouth took the stage, I was psyched to see their bass player was a girl. She was really cute, bopping around and having a great time. And that's when it hit me: Damn! I should've taken up the bass two years ago, not guitar. Everybody and their brother wants to play guitar, but bass players are always in demand. Especially girl bass players.

Plus, and this is not to knock bassists because they are clearly integral to a band, but you know, bass solos are kind of few and far between. And you only have four strings to deal with instead of six. I bet it's really hard to become a great bassist, but I also bet you can become semi-decent much faster on bass than guitar.

So I got all depressed again and turned to my husband  again. "I should've learned how to play bass, right?" And once again, his smile spoke volumes.

Anyone interested in giving me bass lessons?

Back on Tour

Yup, that was me last night at the Barnes & Noble in Paramus. Thanks much to Linda, the Community Relations Manager, who had signs up promoting my appearance and made several in-store announcements--and gave me the free Starbucks and in-store discount. How much fun was it to be treated like a rock star?

A big shout out to the kind and unexpected appearances of:

• Tim Collins--woo-hoo! You rock! And that was a nice comment about you still looking the same as you did in college--as in, no wrinkles, bags, sags
• John Carlson--My new web guru and all-around nice guy
• Diane Pursiano--Who taught me all about Tiger Beat in 2nd grade
• Meredith--Avid reader and aspiring writer
• The Scanlons--Awesome seeing you!
• Kathy Ferdinand & her Mom: How cool is it when your seventh grade teacher still remembers you, brags about you to her class, and invites you to appear on your junior high TV station?

A truckload of thanks also goes out to Suzanne's mom, The Muccio clan, Jim & Samira, mom, Kelsey--you guys are the best!

Next signing happens July 21st at Barnes & Noble in Peabody, MA. See you there!

Living the Rock Star Dream

I am a totally weird dichotomy. I've always dreamed of playing in a band, but I hate being in the spotlight. I love to do "concerts"--being the undisputed queen of karaoke revolution at my house--yet haven't had the guts to sing publicly since ninth grade (and even then I think I was fortified by a little Southern Comfort). Basically you've got the, "Yeah, I wanna be a rock star" part of me fighting with the "No freaking way am I getting up there and looking like a fool" part.

Well, tonight I am proud to say I accepted an invitation to sit in with a band in town--thanks Bob for Internet-stalking me, you rock--and had a blast. OK, I have to admit I turned my volume waaaayyyyyy down, sometimes to the point where I might as well have been unplugged, due (mostly) to the fact that I was unfamiliar with the songs and was just trying to follow along...and still didn't have the balls to sing, though it was encouraged...but all in all, I'll give myself a B+ for effort.

Honestly, I'd give myself a B for just showing up, seeing as I had never met any of these people before and I was pretty worried I was being punked. I'm actually still not 100% positive whether Ashton Kutcher wasn't hiding in the closet and my performance might end up mortifying me for years to come on MTV, sort of like how Linda McCartney and Enrique Inglesias must have felt after Howard Stern relentlessly played tapes of them singing horribly off-key a few years back.

Anyway, I'm claiming the grade not because my playing was stellar (believe me)--the plus part is because I totally went for it, looking like an ass be damned. Who knows, maybe I'm finally growing up.

Or maybe not.

Anyhoo, a big thank you to the Dads Gone Bad for letting me be the token girl/token novice guitarist at rehearsal tonight. It was a huge thrill, you did me a big favor, and I thank you profusely.

And won't blame you one bit if you never invite me back.

Judy Blume-athon

Was talking to a bunch of people on Saturday night about their favorite teen books, and of course, the unanimous winner was Judy Blume.

I remember in third grade, I took out Are You There God, It's Me Margaret a million times, to the point where the librarian (a woman who smoked cigars and wore no underwear, or so we thought) announced loudly, "I'll just have to find some other books about periods for you, Trish." Can you say mortified?

Also talked a lot about Deenie, the one with the girl in a back brace. Think she was the one who also plucked her eyebrows all screwed up? Anyway, I had to admit that when I read it, I thought the guy was trying to feel her back, not her boobs, and felt pretty stupid when I was told otherwise.

Forever was well-remembered, but it was a toss-up whether people liked it or were still shocked by it a billion years later. I for one am still freaked out about the girl uh...finishing herself off because the guy didn't/couldn't/didn't know how. Some things are better left private.

Still, Judy Blume is my hero. As is Cameron Crowe and John Hughes. Rock on, all of you.

My favorite, favorite book of teen queendom: The Cheerleader by Ruth Doan MacDougall. Fifties kids doing naughty stuff...couldn't be better.

Not Eating Worms

You know how sometimes you feel like the world's biggest loser and you're convinced you have no friends? Like, everyone is out partying without you?

Well, I'm glad to say I feel like the luckiest girl on the planet right now. Like I have the best, most supportive, incredible friends anyone could ever ask for.

It all started Thursday night at my book signing at The Book Stall in Winnetka. I was worried it was would two long hours of hell, but instead, it was like a big party. Friends stopped by all night--lots of people I expected to see, but also lots of support from people I don't know as well--and I was overwhelmed, grateful, awed and shocked by everyone's enthusiasm and generosity. Thanks to The Book Stall for being so welcoming and amazingly supportive, and thanks to all my friends, both old and new, who came out and made me feel like a rock star. (And also to the brave souls who took me out for drinks afterward...it was the start of a weekend-long hangover.)

Then on Friday, my college roomies all made a huge effort to fly in to be here for the big shindig on Saturday night--just let me say how much I appreciate everything you all do for me. And put up with me and think I'm funny. I love you guys. Also a big shout-out to Stu for sending me the sweet email.

Saturday, after spa treats at the amazingly awesome Honey Child (kudos to Santha for the VERRRRRRY creative Brazilian, Steve-o loved it), we headed down to TreVia for the par-tay. I must say, it was everything I wanted and more. Much love to my incredible friends for the thoughtful gifts and kind words. And to everyone who made the effort to be there for me. A special thanks to Kay for taking care of absolutely everything, to Heathie for making the drive solo, and to Chris for giving me props a thousand and one times. How much do I love a band that's dedicating song to me left and right? Another rock star moment, probably the pinnacle (at least of this year.)

Do I get to throw myself another party next year when the sequel comes out? I sure hope so...

Concert Queen

So, I've gone to a bunch of concerts in the past few weeks. First up, Lenny Kravitz at this cool old theater in a completely random part of Chicago. My girlfriends and I staked out places right up front during the warm-up act, maybe three people from the stage, so when Lenny appeared, we'd have full access to his hotness.

So, the show was rockin'...though a little schizo. Lenny was at turns a preacher (hence, the Electric Church tour, duh), Vegas-era Elvis, Stevie Wonder (my one friend was convinced that Lenny can't see without his sunglasses) and sometimes James Brown with all the fancy footwork. Kind of split-personality confusing!

Every so often he'd head over to our side of the stage and give the crowd what another friend called the total f*** face (she meant it in a very good way, like he was totally sexy). Anyhoo, his singing was great, I absolutely love that there is a lead singer left on earth that plays his own guitar solos, and the music was cool. Best part: When he finally stripped down to his tank top and showed some skin. My ears stopped ringing three days later (we were right in front of the stacks...) and all was cool in the world.

A few days later, I headed out to the U2 show with a friend. Here's where things get sticky: As much as I like U2, and have for longer than I'd care to remember, this one had a lot of elements I don't love about concerts. The whole thing felt Vegas-y and overblown and cheesy. Costumes, goosestepping, Hitler images, political pandering, yuck. I just want to hear you play, dude. Just sing, OK? Here's how it goes: All is quiet, on New Year's Day... I totally respect that you use your fame for the good of starving children in Africa--that part I didn't mind you talking about--but it is supposed to be about rock 'n roll, isn't it? Dancing around an egg-shaped stage with the cheesy light show in a huge venue while flashing pictures of Clinton and Bush just doesn't do it for me.

And don't even get me started on the girl who got up on stage and pretended to play guitar. SHE FREAKING WASN'T EVEN SWITCHING CHORDS OR STRUMMING ON CUE. It was just like before I took up guitar, I thought Lindsay Lohan was really playing in Freaky Friday and it pissed me off she had learned to rock in like, 6 months. Then, I saw the movie again after I started playing and realized she was faking it. Dupe city.

Bottom line on U2: They're great, but it all felt soulless to me. I think I just prefer to get up close and personal with up-and-coming bands in much smaller venues.

BTW, opener Kings of Leon were totally rock 'n roll. A little grungy, a little loud, a little raspy. Loved them! Gotta go get the CD. Or download it from iTunes.

Final show of the week...don't laugh...Billy Idol. This one was SO much fun, what a great surprise. I had gotten the tix as a b-day present to my hubby, so I expecting him to have a lot more fun than me, but no. We both had a blast. First let me say--whatever you've been doing to that bod Billy, keep at it. He had six-pack abs and biceps to die for. Somebody told me (that you had a boyfriend that looked like a girlfriend...no wait, that's a different band) that he was on VH1's "Remaking" show but I've yet to confirm that one.

Anyway, Billy looked good, sounded good, knew how to make the fans up front happy (this time we were sitting in the balcony of that same little theater I saw Lenny at) and wasn't afraid to make fun of himself. I mean, don't you hate when those older bands refuse to play their hits (the reason you came to the damn show)? That's crap, and Billy didn't do that one bit. Sweaty, stupid fun, all of it.

Can't WAIT to see Green Day in August. I LOVE Green Day. Completely obsessed, I am. I'm sure I'll see a lot more shows before then, though. What's everybody out there listening to?