January 9
...serving up your daily dish.
The verdict is in -- McMansions and rattlesnakes are a big hit in Vermont, according to American Booksellers Association's Booksense, which chose the Barista's first novel as one of its February picks...
RATTLED: A Novel, by Debra Galant (St. Martin's, $21.95, 0312349319) "I enjoyed Rattled from beginning to end -- from Heather, the suburban wife, who wants everything (including being class mom), to Harlan, the organic egg farmer, to Agnes, the protector of the endangered New Jersey rattlesnake. It's clever, suspenseful, funny, and, in the end, touching."
--Pat Carstenen, Bear Pond Books of Montpelier, Montpelier, VT
Book group anyone? Get your copy now...
Wow...Bear Pond, VT.....I have a very close friend who moved there( John Zuppa, we were roomates and friends for over 30 years..anyone remember the music group called 'the Jitterz' )he now runs their public library..I'll have to make sure your book hits their 'Must Read ' list.
Good Luck with your new novel.
Posted by: wayne robbins | Jan 9, 2006 3:42:23 PM
I remember the Jitterz. They used to play at the Dirt Club, and once in a while they'd end up on one of Vin Scelsa's Idiot's Delight playlists.
Posted by: theworld'sgonemad | Jan 9, 2006 4:01:41 PM
Is this "My good friend Wayne Robbins" from The Joe Franklin show?
Posted by: helltoupee | Jan 9, 2006 4:06:16 PM
Wow, way cool, Barista...congrats!
John Zuppa! How the hell is that dude? Haven't heard that name in awhile. Wayne: If you speak to him, say hi.
I am the proud owner of a Jitterz CD and a couple of their albums.
Posted by: Miss Martta (8T) | Jan 9, 2006 4:07:53 PM
I too remember the Jitterz (who for a time seemed to split all their time between the Dirt Club and Wallace's). I was surprised they teetered on the edge of "making it" for so long, never toppled over into more mainstream success like many other less talented bands.
How's about them playing at the next Baristanet party (forget my earlier suggestion of The Catholic Girls?) Along with a book signing by the Barista? Boy, if ever an event was made for the Great Notch Inn, this is it. As long as everyone attending has had up-to-date flu and cholera shots.
Posted by: cathar | Jan 9, 2006 4:17:01 PM
Yeah, we need Ms Barista to have a book signing party...I want mine to read : "to the Iceman, my favorite troll"
Posted by: The Iceman (8T) | Jan 9, 2006 4:20:29 PM
Wow, Dirt Club... sure do miss that place!
More importantly kudos Barista!!! Very very cool!!!
Posted by: DMP | Jan 9, 2006 4:21:56 PM
"I was surprised they teetered on the edge of 'making it' for so long, never toppled over into more mainstream success like many other less talented bands."
I agree, Cathar. John Zuppa was one of the best songwriters of that era, in both lyrics and melodies.
Posted by: Miss Martta (8T) | Jan 9, 2006 4:22:07 PM
That, Iceman, will be but one of at least two identical such inscriptions.
Posted by: cathar | Jan 9, 2006 4:22:43 PM
Miss M, cathar,
Never heard of the "Jitterz"...what kind of music...is any of the music still in print?
Poor Ana Marie Cox...the Wonkette had a book signing and only 20 people showed. We can do better than that for our beloved Barista.
(8T)
Posted by: The Iceman (8T) | Jan 9, 2006 4:26:32 PM
I would define the Jitterz as "power pop rock." Certainly not hard rock or metal, not really punk...what do you think, Cathar?
Did I tell you that I'm thinking of marketing a new cologne called Eau de Trollette?
Posted by: Miss Martta (8T) | Jan 9, 2006 4:29:01 PM
I saw the Jitterz play live for free at the cafeteria at Upsala in East Orange. They were post-punk power pop.
My pals and I would also go to The Jetty in Bloomfield. Saw Brian Brain, The Meat Puppets AND my partner R. Stevie Moore play there over the years.
Posted by: Krys | Jan 9, 2006 4:46:12 PM
Iceman, the Jitterz (all charming fellows back then) were probably as Miss Martta describes them. They were definitely too affable and too scrubbed-looking to ever qualify as "punks." Suburbanites, maybe, but hardly suburban poseurs.
But they were on minor (self-distributed?) labels only back then, as far as I recall. Try calling Vintage Vinyl down there in Edison, Woodbridge, whatever town that is right off Rte. 1. If anybody has their recordings, it's that store.
I promise to spray your charmingly named cologne all over my below-the-bridge nook, Miss Martta. And, of course, on my feet.
Posted by: cathar | Jan 9, 2006 4:46:51 PM
And does anyone remember a band called The Products? They played the Dirt Club a lot, too, and were awesome.
Posted by: Miss Martta (8T) | Jan 9, 2006 4:50:06 PM
Now, Miss M, remember madam Barista admonished 'us' not to bait the those who choose to be on the left side of the political aisle. Play nice.
BTW, please where the scent Sat at STBX.
Posted by: The Iceman (8T) | Jan 9, 2006 4:50:10 PM
cathar,
congrats on the line of the day:
"I promise to spray your charmingly named cologne all over my below-the-bridge nook, Miss Martta. And, of course, on my feet."
But remember we shant not bait those of the liberal and suffering persuasion.
Posted by: The Iceman (8T) | Jan 9, 2006 4:55:33 PM
The Jitterz music is challenging to define. Ballads, blues, rock, and of course "The World's Gone Mad" sounds like a song from a church revival meeting.
I would like to see them again, in addition to great music, John, Billy, and Rich are just really nice people.
They had another guitarist, I think his name is Rob Lavery, who was no Al Mildon, but a good guitar player.
Posted by: theworld'sgonemad | Jan 9, 2006 4:56:41 PM
How could anyone remember the Joe Franklin show..yeah, that was me too.
For about 10 years, I produced fashion segments ( (shows, for buyers during market week ), and some co hosting. can't believe anyone out there remembers that..
Miss M, I'll John you say Hi...cool music, the best
Posted by: wayne robbins | Jan 9, 2006 6:58:24 PM
Rob Lavery, my GRHS classmate. He played at our high school graduation many moons ago. He's still in the area (I bumped into him at Tierneys about a year ago during one of my infrequent visits to Baristaville) and looks exactly as he did in 1993, 1983 and 1973. I'm sure he'd be tickled to learn that someone talked about him on Barista.net.
Maybe he'd play at the book signing...
Posted by: former ridger | Jan 9, 2006 10:02:36 PM
debbie, i pre-ordered two copies on amazon. i can not wait to read this book! let's plan the publicity campaign now. come for coffee and we'll talk! i have a friend with a pet snake, if that helps.
Posted by: i'm fran, dammit | Jan 10, 2006 9:40:07 AM
Hi Wayne! Remember me? Leigh. I lived across the street from you guys for a while. Sometimes I think about, and miss Montclair and the great people I hung out with there! Yes, I love The Jitterz! "I Could Look At You Forever" is still one of my favorite songs.I will always remember all the late nites on North Fullerton. After living in Hawaii for 7 years, I am now in So. California, north of San Diego in a town called Fallbrook, with my 10 year old daughter. I was just messing around on the internet and found these msgs. Cool. Do you still keep in touch with Bob Castronovo? would love to hear from Wayne,John and/or Bob!
All the best, leighfallbrook@yahoo.com
Posted by: Leigh Russell | Feb 7, 2006 11:29:55 PM
Leigh...is that really you?? Of course I remember you, and those great years on N. Fullerton...I still keep in touch with John, and speak with Bob all the time ( we're still very close )
It's cool that you were able to find me on this blog ( which is a great forum for many of us here in NJ )and It sounds like you're doing fine..I'll tell the boys you say hi, and pass along your email..kingcamelot2@aol.com
Love ya, and miss ya....Wayne Wayne
Posted by: wayne robbins | Feb 7, 2006 11:58:39 PM
