Yes. Something about playing at the Pottery. It’s an extraordinary music room. Always a gathering of the vibes and tribes. Not to be missed. – Jammer

Well… actually… no stopping the rain…

Funny. The 2nd song we played at the Gazebo last evening was “Pouring Down.” Did we conjure the rain? Is WWSP playing with and tempting the fates & furies?

We got to play 2 1/2 songs last night in Welles Park and then the rains came. It was a “washout.” Thanks to all those who ventured out. Supposedly the sound was good for that brief flash of whitewolfsonicprincess. Oh well. Next show is inside at the wonderful, artistic oasis: Jarvis Square Pottery. Hope you will join us for this one. – Jammer

It’s July 4th, 2024. Independence Day. Should we be celebrating? The Supreme Court just manhandled  the Constitutional Order of this little Democratic Experiment in which we reside. Is that Irony?

There have been a few voices, I especially think of Teri Kanefield, Heather Cox Richardson, Timothy Snyder, professors, writers, historians who have been warning us that the Law will not save our Democracy, or our sorry, godforsaken asses. Reading these learned folks will make you smarter. Unlike the flailing media, the blathering, talking-heads, the political pundits, the TV legal eagles who are almost always wrong about everything, and who will most definitely make you dumber and more confused.

Only the informed practice of Democracy will save Democracy. Voters, an informed populace, voting for their own interests and those of their fellow citizens, folks voting for folks who respect the rule of law, the Constitution, and the Progressive agenda of Human Rights for all Humans. AND voters voting out the folks who betray that trust and those interests.

Contrary to the Supreme Court, despite their anti-constitutional cloaking of Presidents in a bubble of immunity, Presidents really are not Kings. They can be voted out, they can be impeached by Senators and Members of the House who are dedicated to good government, responsibility, the rule of law and accoutability. If Presidents, Senators, Representives betray the voters, those common ones, those Citizens of America can rise up and vote the rascals out. Those politicians can be discarded on the dust-heap of history. Of course, Supreme Justices, aren’t really supreme either. Major mis-nomer. They are just human beings too. Flawed, biased, partisan. Giving them life-time terms seems to be a major fucking fly in the ointment of our Democracy.

The law is written by humans, interpreted by humans, wielded by humans, defied by humans  Often the law has been used by the powerful to protect the powerful and to punish those less powerful. It can be a nasty tool of oppression. It is a tangled web. How to get better Judges who interpret the law with respect for equal treatment, justice and a progressive agenda? Elect enlightened leaders who then appoint enlightened judges. Not a quick fix, not easy, for sure.

And often the voters get it wrong. 

They vote against their own interests, or they vote for clearly flawed Human Beings who turn out to betray the solemn oaths they swear to. Sometimes, lately, sadly often, those elected Public Servants let that power go to their heads. Mayhem, bad action, bad blood, corruption, and dastardly bad policy can result. Turns out the present day Republican Party is headed up by a very good example of a deeply corrupt fuck. And he has an army of wanna be corrupt fucks too.

One can only hope that the better angels conspire to send that mofo and his movement packing. But, you know, in a Democracy, sometimes your side wins, and sometimes your side loses. That’s the way the thing works. No matter what, you have to keep your head, and stand up, and speak for the things in which you believe. And vote. Sure it’s seems a bit paltry, a drop in the ocean, but it’s the thing to do. And of course, keep Hope alive. Hope dies last. Lean to the light. Take care. Don’t give up the fight. That’s fucking America. – Jammer

Our next show is a real treat. WWSP in full-band mode in the Gazebo at Welles Park in Chicago, IL. Just 7 of us. A free concert. We will do two 45 minute sets in the beautiful, verdant, rolling fields of a classic Chicago Park. Tuesday evening July 16. Music starts at 6:30 p.m. Hope you can join us! – Jammer

We once had a one-winged bird named Pancho in our little flock. He was magnificent. He battled “the cancer,” not the good kind. He was welcomed into our home, and stole everyone’s heart. The picture above is not Pancho, it’s Juvie a burrowing owl, but it illustrates the idea.

We learned that a one-winged bird really can capture and entrance the world. Overcoming his limitation made him one of a kind.

Yesterday’s show at Picnic Wine & Provisions was basically a one-winged version of whitewolfsonicprincess. It was a show of obstacles. Just three of us: Chuck playing an “old grandad” resonator guitar (vintage: 1934), I bashed away on my old Hohner acoustic, and the Lovely Carla sang and played various percussion instruments.

Carla was just getting over a nasty bug, she was masked, so you could barely hear her. The set was mostly songs we sing together. A short selection of old and new. We did not have microphones, we sat in chairs and played and sang our songs. It was a unique set of circumstances for sure.

We did a short set, opening for the always fabulous Flying Chaucers.

I thought we were a bit raw, (especially me) naked, unfinished, doing our thing in a beautiful setting. A clean, well-lighted room, a glamouroulsy big chandelier looming overhead, a grand and stately fireplace. We did our thing as best we could. You know, we always, always do try to bring it.

The audience seemed into it. It all made me flash back to our one-winged wonder. Despite the limitations, approaching the world with maximum heart & love. You have one wing, you can’t quite fly, you fall, roll around on the floor, but you get up and do your thing. You know, Pancho’s Way… – Jammer

Our band, 8 members strong, played a late afternoon show yesterday at Cary’s Lounge. A big band in a tiny room; a cozy, comfy Chicago bar, “a friendly neighborhood tap.” It was totally packed with friends and strangers. We were spread out across the barroom floor and up in the tiny stage in the window. It was unique configuration for sure, a strange L-shaped spread.  Surprisingly, it worked out quite well. We were a roaring tornado of sound. We were a bit under-rehearsed and raw, and that made us all a bit more edgy & focused. The music had a bit of fire to it. It was definitely a high-energy outing. We played two sets, 22 original songs. My favorite post-show comment came from the friendly, prodigiously-tattooed lady-bartender: “I don’t know what that was, but I loved it.” You know, over the years, no doubt, she has heard and seen just about everything. Her comment was just about the sweetest music to my ears. – Jammer

06.15.24 – Cary’s Lounge – 2251 W Devon Ave, Chicago, IL – Your friendly neighborhood tap. We are going to stuff our full band into that sweet spot for some seriously fun WWSP music. Late afternoon/early evening slot. Music starts at 4:00 p.m. This show will answer the question: How many WWSP-ers can fit in a Volkswagen? – Jammer

whitewolfsonicprincess recorded an album in the “house that Steve Albini built.” It is a magnificent recording studio smack dab in the heart of Chicago, IL. Steve’s unique, recording philosophy and approach are built into the walls of that studio: the custom-built drum room, the expansive, beautifully resonant “Centerfield” the perfectly laid-out control room. Entering Electrical Audio is inspiring and entralling. It is a totally welcoming place for music-makers of all kinds. One thinks: this is where it happens…

We met Steve one sultry summer day, just off the Belmont bus. Steve gave Carla Hayden and I a little, impromptu tour, and he gave us a few recommendations for records to check out. He made us feel like we belonged. We used one of those records, Nina Nastasia’s “The Blackened Air” as a bit of a sonic template. It was peak experience to record music at Electrical Audio. Inspiring & humbling.

We are totally shocked and devastated by Steve’s sudden passing. We are calling our LP “Love Without Fear.” It is the only way forward… – Jammer

The Lovely Carla Hayden and Jammer often engage in spirited, enlightened conversation about everything under the sun. You know “let no existential crisis go unexplored.” Yesterday, in the middle of a very rollicking, rambunctious dialogue, Carla whipped out a pen and drew up a little diagram to expalin everything. Let’s call this one:

Everything Else and the Evil Forces…