22nd "Cask Head" Cask Ale Festival at The Brazen Head: November 5 - 7, 2010

Our friends at The Brazen Head and The Gotham Imbiber are hosting their twenty second cask ale festival this weekend...

Friday, November 5 - Sunday, November 7
Brazen Head's Tri-Annual Cask Festival

Expect 25 to 30 casks to be poured over the weekend, 12 at a time, including rare offerings not normally seen in cask in NYC. Beer will come in half pint and 16 oz measures, there's no entry fee and you pay by the glass.
Opening hours: Noon to 2am all three days.
No cover - No minimum
12 noon to 2am all weekend while supplies last.

Beer range is courtesy of NYC's premier cask ale expert, Alex Hall of Gotham Imbiber, in conjunction with The Brazen Head's own Lou Sones. For more information about cask ales in New York City, check out Alex's website, Gotham-imbiber.com.

The Brazen Head also sells beer growlers, so you can take some home with you. Bring in your own growler or buy one of theirs and they will fill it for you. You get 4 pints for the price of 3.


at:
The Brazen Head
228 Atlantic Ave.
(between Court St. & Boerum Pl.)
Boerum Hill, Brooklyn, NY
(718) 488-0430
BrazenHeadBrooklyn.com

Spotlight Artist: Jay Banerjee & The Heartthrobs

Our next Spotlight Artist is Jay Banerjee & The Heartthrobs. I met Jay though our mutual friend, David Shapiro. Jay has recorded his first album and will be celebrating with an album release party this Saturday, November 6, 2010 at Crash Mansion. Jay answers our questions below...

photo by Mike Wilkes

Jay Banerjee & The Heartthrobs
On the album--("Ban-er-jee." Just Like It's Spelled)--it's Jay Banerjee and all his friends, i.e. nobody else. I play six- and twelve-string guitars, bass, drums, tambourine, handclaps, and vocal cords. I'm not a virtuoso or anything, except maybe on the handclaps. I'm just a songwriter who happens to record his own songs (mostly because he's a therapy-worthy O.C.D. control freak).

Fortunately for the concert-going public, I recruited some kids with actual talent to fill out the live line-up, namely:
Vinny Giangola (drums)
John "J." McNamara (bass)
Lauren Stockner (lead guitar)
Hence "Jay Banerjee & The Heartthrobs". The band name had to go in there because I didn't want anyone thinking I'm sitting on a bar stool strumming an acoustic somewhere in Greenwich Village, and also because I wanted to give people a few words they could actually pronounce.

How long have you been performing?
As Jay Banerjee & The Heartthrobs, just over a year.

Past lives (i.e., previous bands, your early years, etc.):
My early years: I was born; I played Nintendo; I went to college.

Not long after graduating, I took the drum chair for a (now defunct) '60s-inspired garage act called The Anything People. My band mates were all a bit older than I am, but I loved the music, so I didn't care.

One of the members, Michael Lynch, recorded his own solo compositions by performing all the instruments himself. (He still does, too). I'd been writing my guitar-pop songs for several years at that point, so I decided to ask Michael for his help in recording them. After all, he certainly had experience with one-man bands. He agreed...and the rest is history. Or at least maybe it'll be history someday.

Musical influences:
The Beatles, assorted mortals.

What are some of your favorite venues to play:
My favorite venue is always the next one we're playing. In this case, it's Crash Mansion, which will be hosting the album release party on Saturday, November 6. So what if I've never actually played there before? It's got perhaps the most powerful sound system in Manhattan and a cool name. That's more than good enough for me.

As far as Brooklyn goes, I curate a residency called Hipster Demolition Night on the second Thursday of every month at Public Assembly. Jay Banerjee & The Heartthrobs play each edition, and the affairs are filled out by talented local and national acts of similar musical leanings. Check out this article about it in, of all places, The New York Post.

Public Assembly is a proper music venue (not a glorified bar) that boasts a rocking sound system, ideal size (not too small, not too large, juuuuuust right), and a convenient location steps from the Bedford L. I know this sounds as if I'm selling real estate, but it's all true. See for yourself at the next Hipster Demolition Night on Thursday, November 11th, 2010.

I also love playing at The Mercury Lounge in Manhattan. As much as I hate to admit that I'm a human being who's susceptible to this sort of thing, part of the reason is its cachet. Whenever we have a gig there, I say we're playing at "THE MERCURY FREAKING LOUNGE". The stage, the lighting, and (above all) the sound add to its appeal...and indeed, probably gave it that cachet in the first place. Either way, you won't find a better Manhattan music venue. Aside from Crash Mansion, I mean.

Blatant self-promotion:
What would you like to plug?
I think I've done quite enough blatant self-promotion for one interview, so it's time I turned my blatant promotional skills to the other acts blatantly playing the release party on November 6th: The Neutron Drivers, The Naturals, and The Hotcakes. I've had the pleasure of sharing the stage with all three before, though never at the same time. Top-notch tunes and great hair all around.

Let me also give an overdue nod to my friend David Shapiro of DavidShapiro.net, the co-sponsor for this event. David is the nightlife king of New York, as I'm sure all your readers know very well. He helped put the non-musical parts of the affair together, like the 2-for-1 drinks from 9 to 11pm. Good thing, too...that way, people will be too drunk to see my face by the time we hit the stage at midnight.
Saturday, November 6
Jay Banerjee's Album Release Party
co-presented by David Shapiro
Live music by 4 bands:
The Neutron Drivers - 9pm
The Naturals - 10pm
The Hotcakes 11pm
Jay Banerjee & The Heartthrobs - midnight

2-for-1 drinks from 9pm - 11pm
$10 cover.
Doors open 8pm
at:
Crash Mansion
199 Bowery
New York, NY
Crashmansion.com


Linkage:
Website: jaybanerjee.net
Facebook: greatmusic
Myspace: jaybanerjee
Twitter: Kill yourself

photo by Jeff Cuyubamba

Where can we buy your music?
Why wasn't this question higher up? Search for me on Itunes (sorry, Apple is not changing the way I capitalize proper nouns); just be sure you spell the name correctly (on Itunes and everywhere else, thanks). You can also stop by a show and I'll have vinyl and CD copies of the album ready for you to enjoy if you have money for me to enjoy. Please be aware that there's no "cute girl discount". Actually, they pay extra, 'cause they get enough for free as it is.

Also, in the next few weeks, the record label (Sweetheart Beats Music) will be launching a website from which you can (and will) purchase physical copies of the album.

photo by Nancy Gardner

How long did it take to record the album?
An eternity. It consists of six tracks from the Michael Lynch sessions, which began in Summer 2008, and four tracks I recorded this year at a beautiful Park Slope studio called Seaside Lounge. The various production values may throw people off, but all those British Invasion bands I worship did the same thing when putting together albums. In other words, if The Beatles did something, I have no problem also doing that same something.

At the risk of sounding pretentious, the album's cohesion isn't derived from the production, but from the songs themselves: catchy, jangly, hyperdriven rock'n'roll with an obsessive lyrical edge. Those songs are what motivate me into doing everything else, like playing live gigs, putting bills together, and shamelessly promoting myself at every turn.

For better or worse, I'm not modest. I'm just honest. I'm not a brilliant singer or a brilliant guitar player, and I certainly do not have much going for me in the image department, but the songs--the music and the lyrics--stand with anything that anyone else is doing. I'm not going to pretend I don't think they're good, and I just hope your readers will like them, too. If they do, they should feel more than welcome to come up to me at Crash Mansion on Saturday and tell me so. If they don't, well...that's rock and roll.

Tell us a story or anecdote about performing live.
About eight months ago, we played a show at a bar in Yonkers. In case anyone isn't aware, "bar in Yonkers" means "classic rock covers and Budweiser specials". We did the usual originals set, and the patrons did not prove particularly receptive to spiky, jangly, energetic pop numbers they'd never heard before.

This would make for a better story if they had started throwing Budweiser bottles at us. Unfortunately, they just stared and heckled. I heckled them back, we rocked out, we got paid, and we went home to New York City, where rock'n'roll ain't just what you hear on Q104.3.

So hopefully, we'll be going back again soon.

Any advice to someone just starting out?
This is the biggie: Network with other local bands who do similar things musically and be proactive about organizing bills. I know the word "network" has corporate connotations, but whatever...just do it, OK? If you play with like-minded bands and promote unified bills, fans have a much stronger incentive to attend. ("Hey, this other act sounds really cool, too! I'd better not miss this gig.") This will drive up the draw, which will in turn win you some new fans and make the venue very happy, especially if some of the attendees are alcoholics.
Oh yeah, and don't suck.

Can you recommend any other act(s) we should feature on MurphGuide?
Well, I already recommended:
The Neutron Drivers - TheNeutronDrivers.com
The Naturals - myspace.com/thenaturalsnyc
and The Hotcakes - myspace.com/thehotcakesmusic
but they're so good that they can all stand a second recommendation. I strongly encourage all MurphGuide readers to become deranged groupies of all three, as long as they're already deranged groupies of J.B. & The Heartthrobs.

Below is a video of Jay Banerjee's song "Long Way Home":

Trivia Night at Turtle Bay

Trivia Night
Every Tuesday at Turtle Bay
Different theme each week in November:
Nov. 2 - 90210
Nov. 9 - The Hangover
Nov. 16 - Dawson's Creek
Nov. 23 - Friends
Nov. 30 - The Office
hosted by Trivia A.D.
Registration starts at 7:30pm
Questions start at 8pm
Email Erin@turtlebaynyc.com to reserve your team spot
at:
Turtle Bay Grill & Lounge
987 Second Ave.
(between 52nd & 53rd St.)
New York, NY
(212) 223-4224
TurtleBayNYC.com


There are trivia quizzes held in NYC pubs each week night. Check out the MurphGuide Directory of NYC Pub Quizzes:
MurphGuide.com/pubquiz.htm

90 Ways to Celebrate Halloween in NYC

In our continuous efforts to "connect the fun to the fun people", MurphGuide.com presents...
90 Halloween Party Options in NYC. It is shaping up to be a wild weekend in NYC. We have stayed up all night listing the best Halloween parties in NYC, from the hottest clubs to local neighborhood pubs and everything in between.

Check out our special Halloween Page with lots of fun options:
HalloweenPartyNYC.com

But wait, there's more...

Halloween Parties presented by Joonbug:
HalloweenGuideNYC.com

3-Days of Halloween Pub Crawl Oct. 29, 30 & 31:
http://tickets.murphguide.com/

If you are on facebook...
"like" the MurphGuide page on facebook: facebook.com/murphguide
and tell us where you will be celebrating here:
facebook.com/event.php?eid=103954326336868

Halloween Parade - Sunday, October 31
Halloween-NYC.com

Joonbug's 9th Annual Halloween Party at Capitale
Sunday, October 31
HalloweenGuideNYC.com

Feel free to share this with fun people.

The World Series

The World Series became less relevant to many on the east coast as the Yankees and Phillies went down to the underdogs from the west. But Texans, Californians and true baseball fans should enjoy The World Series which matches up The Texas Rangers, in their first ever WS appearance against the San Francisco Giants, who last made it the the World Series in 2002 (lost to the Angels) and last won the WS in 1954.

The World Series

Game 1 Texas at San Francisco Wed., Oct. 27 7:30pm
Game 2 Texas at San Francisco Thu., Oct. 28 7:30pm
Game 3 San Francisco at Texas Sat., Oct. 30 6:30pm
Game 4 San Francisco at Texas Sun., Oct. 31 8pm

Game 5* San Francisco at Texas Mon., Nov. 1 7:30pm
Game 6* Texas at San Francisco Wed., Nov. 3 7:30pm
Game 7* Texas at San Francisco Thu., Nov. 4 7:30pm

*if necessary

All times are Eastern Time.

For suggestions on where to watch the games,
visit the MurphGuide Directory of NYC Sports Bars:

NYC Beer Pong Meetup Group

The NYC Beer Pong Meetup Group is for people that enjoy playing beer pong in New York City. Founded in 2008 by our friend Timmy Malone, it hosts small gatherings of people that enjoy playing beer pong in New York City. Their meetups are casual events scheduled around existing beer pong nights. That way, you will be sure to have somebody to play against.

You can join their group by signing up for free at meetup.com/nybeerpong.
If you are not familiar with Meetup.com, here is a link with some information:
meetup.com/about/

Their next gathering is tonight at Mercury Bar...

Wednesday, October 20
Beer Pong Tournament
Free to join, you just have to sign up at the bar
or email info@mercurybareast.com
There will be t-shirt, gift certificates, and other giveaways,
plus the first pitcher of beer is free for each team.
registration starts 6pm
at:
Mercury Bar East
493 3rd Ave.
(Between 33rd & 34th St.)
New York, NY
(212) 683-2645
MercuryBarEast.com



For more bars that have beer pong, check out the MurphGuide Beer Pong page:
Murphguide.com/beerpong.htm
Just a reminder to please drink responsibly. But you already know that, right?

Baseball Playoffs: ALCS & NLCS

The Major League Baseball playoffs are down to the AL & NL championship series. Winners go to the World Series. Home town Yankees start Friday night vs. The Texas Rangers, while Philadelphia vs. San Francisco starts on Saturday.

Here are the schedules:
AL Championship Series:
New York Yankees vs. Texas Rangers

Game 1 - Yankees at Rangers Friday, Oct. 15 - 8pm
Game 2 - Yankees at Rangers Saturday, Oct. 16 - 4pm
Game 3 - Rangers at Yankees Monday, Oct. 18 - 8pm
Game 4 - Rangers at Yankees Tuesday, Oct. 19 - 8pm

Game 5* - Rangers at Yankees Wednesday, Oct. 20 - 4pm
Game 6* - Yankees at Rangers Friday, Oct. 22 - 8pm
Game 7* - Yankees at Rangers Saturday, Oct. 23 - 8pm
* if necessary


NL Championship Series:
Philadelphia Phillies vs. San Francisco Giants
Game 1 - Giants at Phillies Saturday, Oct. 16 - 7:30pm
Game 2 - Giants at Phillies Sunday, Oct. 17 - 8pm
Game 3 - Phillies at Giants Tuesday, Oct. 19 - 4pm
Game 4 - Phillies at Giants Wednesday, Oct. 20 - 7:30pm

Game 5* - Phillies at Giants Thursday, Oct. 21 - 7:30pm
Game 6* - Giants at Phillies Saturday, Oct. 23 - 3:30pm
Game 7* - Giants at Phillies Sunday, Oct. 24 - 7:30pm
*if necessary

All times are Eastern Time.

For suggestions on where to watch the games,
visit the MurphGuide Directory of NYC Sports Bars:
World Series begins on Wednesday, Oct. 27, and could go until November 4, if necessary.

Red, White & True Comedy Benefit

Wednesday, October 13
Red, White & True Comedy Benefit
Proceeds benefit Operation Proud Hearts
For military & vet families

Starring:
Eddie Brill
Ted Alexandro
Corey Kahaney
hosted by Karen Bergreen
$25 General Admission
Purchase tickets online
doors 7:30pm
showtime 8:30pm
at:
Gotham Comedy Club
34 W. 22nd St.
(between 5th & 6th Ave.)
New York, NY
(212) 367-9000
Gothamcomedyclub.com


Operation Proud Hearts supports local active servicemen, women, veterans & their families through a variety of programs that include care packages, gift cards, & Daddy Dolls to military children missing their mom or dad deployed. ProudHearts.org


Below is a clip from Eddie Brill on Letterman. He is also the warm up act for the Lat Show's studio tapings.

The Long Run by Matt Long

Today is the release date for Matt Long's new book, The Long Run...
The Long Run: A New York City Firefighter's Triumphant Comeback from Crash Victim to Elite Athlete
by Matt Long with Charles Butler.

Matt Long is an inspirational hero to many New Yorkers, including myself. Five years ago, he was seriously injured when he was struck and run over by a bus while riding his bicycle to work at the FDNY. Since then, he has battled back through painful trials & tribulations to compete in the NYC Marathon and the iron man triathlon.
But over-coming his personal obstacles was not enough. Now he wants to help others tackle their own personal challenges.
Matt is the founder of the I Will Foundation, which helps men, women, boys, and girls to pursue goals they previously thought were beyond their reach.

His new book, "The Long Run", is available at major bookstores, and on-line at Amazon.com

FTC disclosure: if you purchase "The Long Run" via this link, MurphGuide gets a small commission.

Links:
The Long Run (Amazon.com)
"A Second Life" by Charles Butler (Runner's World, March '09)
"The First Mile" by Matt Long w/Charles Butler (Runner's World, Oct. '10)
Re-cap of Book Launch Party, by Curtis Lanton (Diary of Third & Long)
Book review: The Long Run: (Lehigh Valley Running Scene)
Matt's charity foundation: IWillFoundation.com
Matt and his brothers are co-owners of the popular Murray Hill neighborhood bar, Third & Long:

Third & Long
523 Third Ave. (35th St.)
New York, NY
(212) 447-5711
ThirdandLongNYC.com





Below is an excerpt from "Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel", featuring Matt Long. (Aired Nov. 24, 2009)

Pat Joyce Memorial Fund Benefit

It was just over a year ago that our friend Patrick Joyce tragically died while fighting a fire.
Today, his friends and family remember him in the first Patrick Joyce Memorial Fund Benefit.

Sunday, October 10
Pat Joyce Memorial Fund Benefit
Celebrate Pat's life the way in which he loved to celebrate: Drinking good wine with good food in good company. All proceeds will go to the Patrick Joyce Memorial Fund, which supports the Ronald McDonald House of NY and the Tree House program at the Bereavement Center of Westchester.

Live music by:
Screaming Broccoli, The Benjamins, Jameson's Revenge, Eileen Fogarty Band & 27 West
Tickets: $50 (purchase online)
2pm - 12am
at:
Social at Dunwoodie Golf Course
Wasylenko Lane
Yonkers, NY
(914) 375-3177
SocialDunwoodie.com

Bands that will be entertaining throughout the day:

Jameson's Revenge
Screaming Broccoli

The Benjamins

27 West
Eileen Fogarty Band

The Patrick Joyce Memorial Fund:
The Patrick Joyce Memorial Fund was created by his family to serve as a foundation to honor a life that should be emulated by all. Pat was a generous soul who selflessly gave of himself. The primary mission of the fund is to provide financial support to the worthy causes that Pat so greatly valued. Pat spent his life using all his time, energy and resources to make the world around him a better place than the way he found it.

You can help Pat's selfless spirit live by supporting this foundation, which aims to support The Ronald McDonald House of NY and the Treehouse at the Bereavement Center of Westchester. The Ronald McDonald House of New York, Inc. provides a temporary “home-away-from-home” for pediatric cancer patients and their families. The Treehouse offers grief support specifically designed for children whose parent or sibling has died, as well as a separate group for their surviving parent or guardian.

Links:
Pat Joyce Memorial Fund: PatJoyce.org
Facebook group: In Memory of Patrick Joyce
Pat Joyce Memorial Fund on twitter: @PJmemorialfund

6th Anniversary Celebration at Katwalk

Congratulations to our friends Mike and Charlie on the 6th anniversary at Katwalk...
Friday, October 8
Katwalk 6-Year Anniversary Celebration

$250 cash prize awarded to the sexy kitten of the night, as voted on by you.
On top of the free open bar, and bottle specials all night,
Katwalk will be awarding a $250 cash prize to the sexy kitten of the night, and when you pick her, she will get the prize on the spot.
Ladies, be sure to look your best because this time it really could pay off.
Table reservations are encouraged, call 212-594-9343 or RSVP here.
Open Bar 10-11pm
No cover charge
at:

Katwalk
2 W. 35th St.
(between 5th & 6th Ave.)
New York, NY
(212) 594-9343
KatWalkNYC.com

MLB Playoffs: ALDS & NLDS

The Major League Baseball playoffs begins today with the American and National League Division Series (ALDS & NLDS). The ALDS starts it all off at 1:30pm, followed by and NLDS game at 5:30 and capped with The Yankees first ALDS game vs. the Minnesota Twins.

Here are the schedules:

ALDS: New York Yankees vs. Minnesota Twins

Game 1 Yankees @ Twins Wed Oct. 6 8:30pm
Game 2 Yankees @ Twins Thu Oct. 7 6pm



Game 3 Twins @ Yankees Sat Oct. 9 8:30pm
Game 4* Twins @ Yankees Sun Oct. 10 8pm
Game 5* Yankees@ Twins Tue Oct. 12 8:30pm



ALDS: Texas Rangers vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Game 1 Rangers @ Rays Wed Oct. 6 1:30pm
Game 2 Rangers @ Rays Thu Oct. 7 2:30pm




Game 3 Rays @ Rangers Sat Oct. 9 5pm
Game 4* Rays @ Rangers Sun Oct. 10 1pm
Game 5* Rangers@ Rays Tue Oct. 12 5pm


NLDS: Philadelphia Phillies vs. Cincinnati Reds

Game 1 Reds @ Phillies Wed Oct. 6 5pm
Game 2 Reds @ Phillies Fri Oct. 8 6pm



Game 3 Phillies @ Reds Sun Oct. 10 7pm
Game 4* Phillies @ Reds Mon Oct. 11 5pm
Game 5* Reds @ Phillies Wed Oct. 13 6pm


NLDS: Atlanta Braves vs. San Francisco Giants

Game 1 ATL @ SF Thu Oct. 7 9:30pm
Game 2 ATL @ SF Fri Oct. 8 9:30pm



Game 3 SF @ ATL Sun Oct. 10 4:30pm
Game 4* SF @ ATL Mon Oct. 11 8:30pm
Game 5* ATL @ SF Wed Oct. 13 9:30pm



*if necessary
All times are Eastern Time.

For suggestions on where to watch the games,
visit the MurphGuide Directory of NYC Sports Bars:

AL Championship Series runs Oct. 15 - 23
NL Championship Series runs Oct. 16 - 24
World Series begins on Wednesday, Oct. 27, and could go until November 4, if necessary.