Extreme Polka

Let's all sue, it's the thing to do...

Eminem (Marshall Bruce Mathers III) sues Apple Computers, says song used in ad without permission. "Eminem has never nationally endorsed any commercial products and ... even if he were interested in endorsing a product, any endorsement deal would require a significant amount of money, possibly in excess of $10 million," according to the 15-page lawsuit filed Friday in U.S. District Court in Detroit. The suit claims the commercial aired on MTV beginning in July 2003 and ran numerous times for at least three months.

Hey Apple Computer! Hey Steve Jobs!! Are you listening? You can have my song for $1 million? Isn't that a deal? Or hey wait- how about you send me 1000 iPods and I'll send you one of my songs? How is that!?

$10 million? Damn- who does he think he is? Then again I guess he needs that much money to pay his lawyers after beating up his wife.

Push this--you honky!!

So the following may not be considered Extreme Polka, but without these bands- bands such as The Polkaholics® may not have evolved into the Extreme Polka band that we are now.

Be sure to check out the push style of polka: Push style polka (also know as the Honky style) is played at a slow tempo with heavy amplification, much syncopation, and clear solos. Hey sounds just like us doesn't it? We have the heavy amplification and hey- Dandy Don's solos sure are clear! A good example of a Push style artist is Lenny Gomulka Lenny was even written about in Billboard Magazine a few years ago describing push style polka music.

And perhaps the artist who is the most well known of the push- or Honky style of polka is Eddie Blazonczyk's Versatones. And he is a home town boy! Their album Another Polka Celebration won the 1986 Grammy in the Polka Category. He was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship in 1998. Not too shabby! Anyone who beats out that hack Jimmy Sturr is all right with me! If you can get your hands on it- listen to their second album from 1963: Here Come The Versatones, and though I've not heard it their Live and Kickin album from 2001 is supposed to be really great.

And how can I not mention the King of Polka Lil' Wally Jagiello. Without Lil' Wally, the world of Extreme Polka may never have come to fruition. He is the undisputed KING of polka and especially the (dare I say) inventor of Chicago Push style. Please please please search out his albums- he has some excellent recordings.

Taken from http://www.polamjournal.com: He is credited as being the main force behind promotion and national introduction of the "Chicago" style polka. His recording of "Zosia" (Sophie) polka was at first labeled "defective" by several disc jockies, but the popularity of the song gave the slower, more heartfelt tempo national exposure. Today, Chicago style polkas dominate the polka recording industry.

Hey sounds like us again! I think a lot of disc jockies and polka fans think our brand of extreme polka is defective!! I admit, the Polkaholics® may not be for everyone and that is ok, I mean I do not like all of the music that I hear either, but if you DO like polka be sure to check out these Push Style people- we would not be here without these guys.

James

Great Review- Great Album

Seeing as how made some new German friends- I thougth I would post this today for all of them, and yes the Polkaholics are on this album, in fact Dandy Don helped this album see the light of day- his dad is even pictured on the back cover dancing with polka pal Kali (of the infamous Polka Bus!!) and it was review by the Village Voice!

If you buy one polka album this year- hell if you only one polka album ever buy this one!!

Polka Fever. American Polka - Old Tunes & New Sounds.

Grandiose Sammlung abseits der Pop-Industrie

Christoph Wagner ist der Mann, der alles über Akkordeons und Akkordeon-Musik weiß, vielleicht sogar noch mehr als E. Annie Proulx. Deswegen ist es nur logisch, dass er bei Trikont eine grandiose Sammlung von Polkas herausgegeben hat, so wie man sie in den USA hören konnte und kann. Denn die Polka lebt vom Akkordeon und das Akkordeon macht die Polka noch irrwitziger als sie als musikalische Form eh schon ist. In der Regel. Und nicht mehr unbedingt. Denn wie obsessiv durchgeknallt sich Polkas anhören, die die gute, alte Quetschkommode durch E-Gitarren ersetzt haben, auch das bezeugt am Beispiel der "Polkaholics" aus Chicago die Sammlung "Polka Fever" sehr schön.
Dennoch, das Akkordeon ist schon das verbindende Instrument, das den Tanzgenerator im 2/4-Takt so richtig anheizt, sei es in der eher deutschen, der eher polnischen und den eher sowieso völlig durchgemischten mexikanischen und kolumbianischen Traditionen, die man ihrerseits alle auf Europas u-musikalischen Beitrag zur amerikanischen (Nord,- Süd- und Mittel-) populären (nicht: Pop-) Musik bezeichnen kann. Das Akkordeon war das Instrument der kleinen Leute, und die Polka ist deren Musik immer noch. Und wieder, eben weil sie so ein begnadeter Kommunikator ist - zwischen den Ethnien und zwischen den Menschen, die nicht auf Distinktionsgewinne innerhalb der sozialen Schichtungen aus sind. Klassiker finden wir auf dieser schönen CD, wie "Anselma" von meiner absoluten Lieblingsband "Los Lobos" aus East L.A., wir hören den großen Narciso Martínez, bedenklich verschrobenes wie die "Polnish Muslems" und weit ins Gaga Reichendes wie "You can`t teach the Japanese to Polka" von einer gefährlich klingenden Horde namens "The Happy Schnapps Combo". Und es gibt, neben den schon erwähnten "Polkaholics" noch eine Truppe, die deutlich Polka auf Speed herstellt: "Brave Combo" mit der ziemlich halluzinogen wirkenden "Jimi Hendrix Polka". Da gibt`s nur zwei Möglichkeiten für Hinterher: Entweder man hat gute Laune oder Kopfschmerzen.
Anyway, allein schon diese 25 Titel zum Thema auf einer CD versammelt zu haben, ist eine dankenswerte Leistung, weil sie abseits der Pop-Industrie Musik hörbar macht, die Menschen gerne hören.

Music industry, is "in the toilet"

Yes this is a shamless plug for a music critic's new book, and another for a lame ass show on FOX- but I think he makes some valid points. I read this today on CNN.com you can read the full story there.

NEW YORK (Billboard) -- Randy Jackson is...is not afraid to rock the boat by criticizing the music industry, even though he could easily coast on his success.

The industry, Jackson tells Billboard, is "in the toilet" and does not seem to know how to pull itself out of it.

"I think record companies are so out of touch with the public, and that's why the music business is hurting," he says.

"The content is bad: The typical album has only two or three songs that matter. Record companies have got to figure out a way to get back in touch with what the public wants.

"What 'Idol' has proved to me is that the public wants the most talented person, no matter what size or color. Most of the people who've gotten far on 'Idol' are people who would never get a deal from record companies."

As for the third season of "American Idol," ... " 'American Idol' is no fluke. The music industry has got to pay attention."

In a business that can easily make people cynical and bitter, Jackson says what keeps him motivated and passionate is that he remembers "what it was like to be the guy trying to make it in the music business. My love for music has never waned, despite the state of commerce in the music industry."

It's Mardi Gras

Today is Fat Tuesday- so pig out! As of yesterday the death toll from "mardi Gras related activities" was 4- Im sure that number will rise as all of the stupid amateur party people get wasted while looking at breasts, good thing I have a VCR and my copy of Mardi Gras Massacre to keep me entertained.

Polka Love Story

First Patrycja (yes she really is Polish!!) and Erik meet at a Polkaholics show- fall in love- and get married.
Then on Valentine's Day of 2003 I met my girlfriend, and a year later we are still going strong.
Today I received this e-mail about another polka match so I had to post it.

Wow- Polka seems to brings the couples together!

James

From : 
Sent :  Sunday, February 22, 2004 3:21 PM
To :  polkaboy30@hotmail.com
CC :  XXXXX@msn.com
Subject :  POLKA LOVE
| | | Inbox

You should post this on your site (please!):

On February 7th, James' band, the Polkaholics, played at the Fox Valley DANK's
German Mardi Gras in Batavia, IL. On that night, two stars ended up crossing
paths.

Thanks to the Polkaholics for once again coincidentally playing match maker. At
that festival, I (Lisa Jarrett) met a wonderful man named Paul Walenga.

The story is as follows:

I was taking pictures of the festival and the band. Of course, I was drinking,
and ever so often I would have to put my beer down to go to the washroom or to
take some pics. Between sets, I put my beer down on a table when I noticed that
there was this guy sitting all by himself. I felt bad for him... he looked
lonely and like he wasn't having a good time.

Being the nice person that I am, I sat next to him, and we started to talk.
Instantaneously, we clicked. Throughout the night we talked, and before I left,
I gave him my phone number and email address, not really thinking anything of
it.

About a week later, I received an email from him (Paul). He was just saying hi
and inviting me to call him if I please. I was nervous to call because I was way
sure that the whole conversation would be awkward, but I took a chance. Luckily,
we were very convertible with each other almost from the start and in the next
three days, we talked for a little over 5 hours.

With this success, we decided to hang out Saturday night. Once again, I was
nervous, but when he came to pick me up, all the tension disappeared. That
night, we did various activities. We clicked instantaneously and had a totally
wonderful time, to say the least.

So in short, thanks to the Polkaholics we me each other. Neither one of us
thought that anything like this would ever happened, but we are totally grateful
that it did. We also look forward to going to the show at the Zakopane Lounge in
March TOGETHER!!!!

THANK YOU GUYS!!!!

LISA (XXXXXXX@comcast.net)
Paul (XXXXXXX@msn.com)

PS- If you didn't know, another couple met at a Polkaholics show (Paul's
friends) and ended up getting married 6 months later. You guys have some sort of
luck or something like that!!!!!!

Upcoming shows

March 20 - Zakopane Lounge-1734 West Division St, Chicago
April 3rd - Quenchers Saloon-Corner of Fullerton and Western, Chicago
April 9th - Miller Park in Milwaukee, Ws.
April 12th - Dyngus Day at Polonia Banquets- 4604 S. Archer Ave Chicago, IL
May 1 - Polish Day Parade and Quenchers- GET THERE EARLY!!!
June 5th - Three Arts Club for Book Expo party- I believe this is a private event
June 17th - Giddings Plaza (Lincoln Square) Chicago
June 26 - Frankfort IL- more info to come as event gets closer
August 7th - Decatur , IL Celebration- more info to come as event gets closer.

Name That Tune

Ms. Lis started this.
Ok kids- it's time to play Name That Tune!

listen to others save money, spend money be good, be evil be wise, be foolish be safe, be dangerous be satisfied, be envious be honest, be deceitful be faithful, be perfidious be sane, be mad be strong, be weak be enigmatic, be plain be aggressive, be peaceful be brave, be timid be humane, be cruel be critical...

Think you know it? No cheating either!

Enjoy and good luck.

Polka the pounds away

I was sad and upset yesterday- but today I feel much better and it's all thanks to POLKA!!!

I could not think of a better title. So what does it mean? Well I've started a workout routine of cardio activities 4 times a week, and while I am exercising I listen to music to keep me going. I've tried several different bands and types of music and so far only two bands have done it for me. Now before I get to the meat of this post today let me just say that I have a broad range of musical tastes. I like jazz, death metal, classic rock, classical, ambient, drum and bass, you get my point. Well the only music that kept me going during my workout and did not bore me after an hour was- drum roll please POLKA! Im telling all of you- put on some polka and dance those pounds away! I've already lost 4 pounds in just a week and a half of working out and I think the infectious polka grooves have been helping. I got my heart rate to 167 while on the elliptical machine whiles listing to Polka Can't Die.
Now you may be saying to yourself, "James this is just a slick way to promote your band..." Well actually no it isn't- it's my way of promoting polka music. I am telling you- put on a polka record or CD and at the very least- dance!! It's one of the best forms of exercise that there is and it's fun!!!
Hey I want to be around for a long time (Lil Wally is in his 70's and he still goes strong!!) and be able to polka and play music for all of you so....well....get out there and play some polka and dance/run/jump/skip/screw/frolic/ yer ass off!!

Oh and what were the two bands you ask? Well the first one is obvious- The Polkaholics, and the second one was Polkacide!!

Condolences go out to

the friends and family of Chris Saathoff who was killed on Valentines Day when SUV drunk driver William Giraldo struck Christopher - dragged his body for 700 feet and then left the scene of the crime.

The accident occurred at the corner of Western and Division streets- an intersection that all of us know very well. It just breaks my heart and pissed me off beyond belief that there are people out there who throw all caution to the wind when it comes to drinking and driving. WAKE THE HELL UP PEOPLE!! Jesus Christ I play 3 sets a night and consume more alcohol than most people I know and I have gotten so drunk I can't even say POLKA- and you know what I do? I call a fucking cab, I get a ride from a friend, I wait and sober up!

This blog was meant for happy occasions but this just pisses me off beyond belief! The truly scary thing is that William Giraldo was involved in another accident that same night. What a waste.

Christopher worked at Playboy as a web designer and was also a fellow bass player in Chin up Chin Up and played drums in Miss Alex White & Chris Playboy, he was 26 years old.

I have been told that just before he was struck and killed he told his girlfriend that he loved her- for the first time. My god what a tragedy to have happen. I hope that all of you remember this the next time you are out having a few beers- please do not get behind the wheel. I love to drink as much as anybody but have some common sense and not be like this SUV driving worthless piece of shit who killed Christopher.

In lieu of flowers, you can make a donation to the Chris Saathoff foundation.
More information will be available in the near future, but for now, please send all donations to:
The Chris Saathoff Foundation
8000 Fox Hill Drive
Longmont, CO 80501

BENEFIT SHOWS
March 19 - Empty Bottle
March 20 - Fireside Bowl