The four most exciting men in rock and roll decided, for the third year in a row, to do a month-long "Artist In Residence" at a NYC bar. Since the site of their past two years’ glory, Nightingales, has closed down (thanks Rudy!) they had to find a new Center of the Rock and Roll Universe for this stint. What better place than Manitoba’s, the bar owned by one of their 70’s rock contemporaries (and bandmate of once and future Fleshtone Andy Shernoff), Handsome Dick Manitoba?

Manitoba’s is also known far and wide as the author’s fave watering hole. Great tunes, the best bartenders in NYC and a good honest pour. Now I get The Fleshtones every weekend for the month of November. Truly this would be a November to remember.

The line-up included some of the Fleshtones’ favorite bands opening for them, The Nines, The Mad Daddies, The Lawn Sausages and the Super Rock heir apparent, Jonny Chan and the New Dynasty Six. How much would you pay? Don’t answer yet, because they also had special guests join them during their set to play their own material, like Jesse Bates of Flying Guitars, Pat DiNizio of the Smithereens, Parker Dulaney of Certain General, and Steve Wynn of the Dream Syndicate, as well as the aforementioned Andy Shernoff. Now, how much would you pay? Does $10 a show sound like a good price? Well, they were only $5!

Week One: Let’s Take A Walk, Down Avenue B

What do you do when Keith Streng offers you the opening slot for a Fleshtones gig? Keep in mind you live in Boston and the gig is in New York City, it’s a small club, and you probably won’t get paid all that much. For Evan Shore of The Nines, those questions didn’t even enter his head. He grabbed his band, hopped in the van and drove to Manitoba’s, much to pleasure of the folks who showed up early.

To kick off the month, we were treated to two special guests for the price of one, Parker Dulaney of A Certain General and Jesse Bates of Flying Guitars (a band which features Keith and Ken on guitar and bass). For those not in the know, the song "I Hate You All" which the Fleshtones cover on occasion was written by Jesse Bates, who also wrote the tribute song "Do You Remember Zaremba?".

The Brooklyn Lager was flowing pretty freely that night and I neglected to grab the set list, so my memories are a bit vague. I do recall it being so hot in the club, and the air conditioning working so hard, that it was "raining" in the men’s room. I remember the lovely Anne Streng all but sitting on my shoulders to take photographs of her husband and the band. I remember seeing Mighty Joe Vincent and Florentino, the bartenders, working harder than I have ever seen them before keeping the Fleshtones fans’ glasses full.

After the show, I asked Ken Fox why it seemed like the band seemed more relaxed tonight than when I had seen them a month or so before at the Bowery Ballroom, opening for Southern Culture on the Skids.

"That’s cause the Bowery was a industry event. A real concert. This is more fun cause it’s a small club and we are playing for our friends."

Week Two: Fleshtones-a-go-go

The second week I was lucky enough to find a space at the bar, right in front of the taps, and only three people away from the action. But then it got even better. After three songs, Peter and Co. took to the bar and were performing right in front of me. A chair, plenty o’Brooklyn Lager and The Fleshtones right in my face. What could be better? Well, a porn star on my lap, but let’s not get greedy, ok?

The opening band was Jonny Chan & The New Dynasty Six. This band puts on the closest performance to a Fleshtones show that I have ever seen. Their drummer is former Devil Dog and current Manitoba’s bartender, Mighty Joe Vincent. Much like the headliners, after a kick-ass set, Jonny ended up singing on the bar. "It’s not about you, girl," crooned Jonny, "It’s all about me."

Again I am lacking the set list from this night, but I do remember Steve Wynn being really good and it being so packed that some of my hardcore Fleshtone buddies got squeezed out of the venue. I think this was the night where they did a lot of early material, like "Coming In Deadstick", "The Way I Feel", and "In Need of Love," among others.

After the set, DJ Verockina started spinning the wheels of steel and we ended up staying until closing. Spotted after the gig: a certain super-rock frontman giving pointers to the singer from the opening band on how to be a better performer.

Also in attendance was former Fleshtones road manager Jimmy Descant. He told me the three rules about touring with the Fleshtones:

"Number one, never eat at any place you’ve heard of before. No McDonalds, Denny’s, Friendly’s, or Arby’s. First you go to the club, unload the equipment and ask the bartenders, or manager the name of the best place to eat in town." Super Rock is not fueled by Big Mac’s. "Two, make sure I have a phone number if I have to find you. Third, DON’T MAKE ME COME LOOKING FOR YOU!"

Week Three: Super Rock Powers ­ ACTIVATE!

The third week was a tough call, even for me. That self-same Saturday night saw the Real Kids perform at Maxwells in Hoboken. I knew that most of my pals would opt to see John Felice and co., especially because The Embrooks were on the bill. I’d heard they wowed the crowd at Cavestomp! just a few weeks back. I’d missed their gig, AND I’ve seen the Fleshtones lots of times, AND I get to see Andy Shernoff (this weekend’s guest) play with Keith & Bill in the Master Plan all the time, so I figured I could miss ONE show. BUT, I had promised my grueling Hall of Fame taskmaster that I would deliver an article about seeing the Fleshtones every weekend in November. What is a boy to do? Luckily, the Fleshtones were playing that Friday night at the Court Tavern in New Brunswick.

New Brunswick is not exactly close to New York City (Teen Scene editor Blair Buscareno might dispute this statement), so I had a bit of quandary in front of me. I usually tap good old "Mopar" Larry Higgs for a ride, but he works just down the street from the Court. Highly unlikely that I could convince him to come back to the NYC area and drive me to the Court. Hmmm...who could I call who was going to the Court on Friday night? Why, the Fleshtones would be going! I called up Ken Fox and he directed me to "The Wheelman" Keith Streng. He said it would be no problem to catch a ride with them, I’d just have to meet them at an art gallery in Brooklyn where they were picking up Peter Zaremba.

At the appointed hour, I was at the gallery and the sculpture I was admiring started to shake and tremble. Some of the patrons tore themselves away from the paintings to point out the window and gawk. I could tell by the familiar rumble that the Fleshmobile had pulled up.

When I stepped outside I could see Keith, Bill Milhizer, Ken and his wife Jean Fox waiting by the vehicle. But where was Peter? Could tonight’s performance become an impromptu Full Time Men show? Not to worry, seconds later, the Z-man came swinging down from the rooftop, courtesy of his Fleshslingers. Within a few minutes we were winging our way to The Court Tavern, in Super Road mode.

The Saturday night Manitoba’s show was going to cover some of the "Powerstance" era material, so on the ride down, Peter was practicing for the big show. Fascinating little insight here: Peter practices by listening to his own records. On the way down we listened to "Three Fevers" and "House of Rock" so Peter could familiarize himself with the lyrics. So, here I am, in the backseat of the Fleshtones van, with the Fleshtones, LISTENING to a tape of the Fleshtones. Too weird.

For the nights line-up, the Fleshtones would be opening and the Swinging Neckbreakers were the headliners. It’s only fair, cause it is the Neckbreakers’ home turf. Needless to say, the ‘tones did what they do best, knocking crowds on their asses. But then, Then, THEN for the encore they were joined onstage by Tom & John Jorgenson and Jeff Jefferson of the Swinging Neckbreakers. The two bands combined their Super Rock Powers to form: The Swinging Hexbreakers! They ripped through... "On The Road Again" (Sonics), "I’m Not Talking" (Yardbirds) and "Hot Rocks" (Rolling Stones).

The Fleshtones returned the favor during the Neckbreakers set to do "Cara-Lin". Too cool. The two bands would be performing on "The New & Untouchable Glen Jones Radio Programme" a few weeks hence. Those folks didn’t know what they were in for.

At the end of the night Peter, knowing I was passing on their gig to go to Maxwells, gave me a special message to give the Embrooks. Whip out your Secret Fleshtones Decoder Rings, kids! See if you can figure it out:

*Elltay The Rooksembay They Ankay Ucksay Imay Ickday*

Week Four: Pull Over To The Right Lane, Here Comes Handsome Dick

The grand finale of the Fleshtones stint at Manitoba’s. Early intelligence suggested tonight’s special guest was Pat DiNizio of the Smithereens, and the audience expected the band would do "whatever it takes" to make tonight an especially big show. A pair of international men of mystery, known simply as "The Horn Section", were spotted in the audience with suspicious looking "carrying cases". What we did not realize was that Agents 00-Fleshtones were packing rock-n-roll’s secret weapon.

The set started out with Keith pulling vocal duty with his new song, "$10 More", perhaps the most powerful song on the new album, "Solid Gold Sound". From my position at stage right I could see our host Handsome Dick Manitoba and his stunning sweetheart Zoe enjoying the show from the VIP section (i.e. behind the bar). Five or so songs into the set, Pat DiNizio took the mic to sing Smithereens hits like "Behind the Wall of Sleep", "Only a Memory", and "Time & Time Again". I know this for certain because from my vantage point I could see the set list and I knew that the set would end with "Mod Teepee" and "Fingertips" (with the aforementioned horn section) and that after Pat DiNizio’s stint as frontman, the songs would be "Two Tub Man" and "California Sun".

This struck me as a little odd. I knew that "Two Tub Man" was the first song Andy Shernoff ever wrote, and "California Sun" was a song that his band, The Dictators, covered, and by golly, the ‘tators front man was standing in the wings. Coincidence? Not a chance.

As the final strains of the last Smithereens song of the set rang out from the PA, the mic was passed to Handsome Dick Manitoba who preceded to show everyone that it was his house, even if his name wasn’t in neon in the window.

As mentioned before, after whipping the crowd into a frenzy, the full Fleshtones, with the horn section, took to the bar top with songs like "Whatever Makes You Happy", "Mod Teepee" and "Fingertips", made it down the other side of the bar, and into the basement lounge. We had to make a short night, because the next morning we were re-convening at the Loop Lounge for yet another performance.

Week Four and a half: Sunday Sunday Sunday

The worst goddamn day of the week. But this Sunday was different. WFMU DJ Glen Jones was doing another of his live remotes from the "Loop Lounge" in Passaic NJ. The Loop is a place that I used to hang out in college and was the first place I ever saw the Untamed Youth and the Lyres. And now, yet another place where I saw an amazing show by the Fleshtones.

"Mopar" Larry, Tony "The Squid" Borelli and I pulled up to The Loop just as the broadcast kicked off. Soon after we got there, the Telstar Bus showed up with Todd-a-Phonic Todd, Sisso-Phonic Cheryl, Joe Belock and a couple of the regular Maxwells crew in tow. Within a few minutes we were all slinging down beers, anticipating the arrival of the Roman Gods. And it was only 12:30 PM.

For those unfamiliar with "The New & Untouchable Glen Jones Radio Programme", it’s not unlike listening to two drinking buddies ramble on about smoking, drinking, taylor ham, and wrestling while playing records from Disney movies, Kid Rock, Frank Sinatra and Led Zeppelin. Where do our Super Rock heroes fit into this mix?

Well, for those of you who have not had a chance to see them lately, Keith has been pulling vocal duty on a cover of Led Zep’s "Communication Breakdown". Plus, Peter was able to more than hold his own, ranting and raving with Jonesy and X-Ray about old time wrestlers. But don’t take my word for it, simply point your browser over to:

http://www.wfmu.org/jones/archives.html and listen to Nov. 26th edition for yourself.

Peter and Keith joined the Swinging Neckbreakers at the end of their set to do "On The Road," like they had at the Court Tavern.

The abbreviated Fleshtones set included "I’m Not A Sissy", "More of You", "My Love Machine", "Communication Breakdown", and finished with the Neckbreakers joining them once again for "Cara-Lin" and finally, "Hitsburg USA" with Fleshtones on the bar, under the bar, and around the bar.

New Year's Eve: Soundcheck 2001

Between the last November Fleshtones show and New Year’s Eve, I had to have orthoscopic surgery on my left knee. Because of this, I had to use a cane, not drink and be careful not to stand too long. Can you imagine a worse set of handicaps when seeing the four most exciting men in rock and roll??? Well, I wasn’t going to let a little thing like a game leg stop this train!

Once again I dropped a dime (ok, an email) to Ken Fox. Since the show was at the Mercury Lounge, Ken said he could reserve a table near the stage so I could have a chair to sit on during the performance. Have I mentioned lately what a nice guy Ken Fox is?

Well, the effort was all-worthwhile. The boys were in top form. Keith brought the "Streng-O-Meter" to clock the passing of the true millenium.

Soon after midnight, Peter made a speech to the audience. He asked the management to close the doors. His reason? Because the best people in the world had already passed through it.

"Our fans. The people who made it out tonight and have supported us these past 25 years."

That’s right gang, this year marks a quarter century that Peter Zaremba, Keith Streng and Bill Milhizer have been tearing it up, knocking it down and building it back up again as The Fleshtones, making a living as the World’s Premier Super Rock Band.

After thanking the audience, and all the audiences, the band cut in "We’ll Never Forget":

The band plays the beat of the drum
The rhythm calls our rock has begun
The look in your eyes, the sound and the sweat
These are the things we'll never forget

Y’see, for me that’s the thing about the Fleshtones that really keeps me coming back. It’s not that they are great musicians, it’s not the catchy songs, it’s not that they put 100% into every performance: It’s that feeling you get that they are enjoying performing even more than you are enjoying watching it, and that they honestly appreciate each and every person in the house.

I can remember one of the first shows that I saw. It was a Wednesday night and good number of folks came out to see them. It was a good show. I was glad I came. As we left the club, the band was lined up outside the door shaking hands with each and every person who had been in attendance. Peter was thanking everyone for making it out on a weeknight. Now that’s class.

And it was that sincere sentiment that Peter Zaremba expressed on New Year’s Eve 2000 in his toast to the audience. And it was the sentiment that Ken, Keith and Bill expressed as well, when they played "$10 More", "I’m Not A Sissy Anymore", and "Take A Walk", and all the other songs of that night’s set.