We can talk about meatball club. We can share recipes & secrets. A meatball sub is great, but a meatball club is epic. (With a small shout out to the meatball melt.) Stack or you’re whack.
🔴🔴🔴
You have to check out this design on TONS of STUFF at TeePublic & RedBubble. Get a T-shirt, a hat, a pink, a sticker, a magnet, an apron, a mug, a clock, socks… and you’re in the club. No questions asked. Maybe share some photos of your homemade meatball clubs.
Every once in a while, I just throw this into the æther just to see if it gets any response. One time, I got to pop up on stage and sing “I Turned Into a Martian” while Jerry Only played bass, sang, & Doyle Wolfgang Von Frankenstein played guitar, & Goat (a.k.a. Eric Acre, a.k.a. “Chupacabra”) played drums. I’d love to find a video of it if it’s out there.
We take for granted that everything is recorded these days, but back then it wasn’t. Misfits bootleg videos were a hot trade commodity at one point online. I’m pretty sure this show was recorded, because Crowbar had closed-circuit TV’s that were displaying the show as it happened. It may have been deleted or not recorded, it may have hit a personal private collection. Someone else may have been in-house recording. Not sure if Doug Evil was there?
Thanks to Misfits Central & Concert Archives, I now have a specific date: Sunday, November 5, 2000. It was at the now-defunct Crowbar in State College, PA.
An-Die & I road-tripped to State College several times with several different groups to see the Misfits in several iterations in addition to seeing them a bunch in Pittsburgh… so my memories may be conflated. I know Russ from TVCasualty.com was there!
I’m pretty sure Murphy’s Law & Impotent Sea Snakes also played. I only remember this because Goat was pulling double duty, and our friend Laurel was apparently hit in the face with an… adult toy… during the ISS set.
I remember An-Die telling me that I had stage presence, and obviously Jerry Only has a huge stage presence, and it did not jive. Ha ha. I’m sure I looked weird, but holy shit it was fun. (I always feel weird signing without a guitar in my hands anyway.)
Another fun fact, this was after I had broken my nose, and i was wearing a bandage covering most of my face. I know I have photos of that somewhere but I cannot find any.
The Misfits – 11/05/2000 lineup @ Crowbar in State College PA | Jerry Only, Doyle Wolfgang Von Frankenstein, Eric Goat/Chupacabra Acre, & some random a-hole.
Oh yeah, I broke my nose stage diving at American Music Café. Who’s set was it? I think it was Third Place, Tybalt, or maybe even Ten Pounds Lighter/Secrets Lie Within. I just remember someone fake kicking me that ended up not being a fake kick, a weird celery crunching noise, and my nose being mostly under one eye. I ought to try to chronicle old show stories some day.
I was the Fiend Club “Chapter Head” for a minute in the late 90’s early 00’s, so I got to see the band when they were in & around town. I think Jerry & Rocky sort-of kind-of knew who I was, but I always tried to not be a pain in the ass & ask for stuff or to get on the Turbo Die or anything. It was a fun time in life.
If you have the video, or have info that could help me track it down, I’d really appreciate it! Feel free to help by sharing this in fan forums & what-not online. We Are 138!
So, yesterday I made spaghetti with homemade meatballs. Today, I wanted a meatball sub. I was thinking I still had some good buns from New Year’s day. They were not good. I had already melted the butter. The store-brand white bread was calling to me. A sandwich? No, a club.., Something worthy of shenanigans.
Behold: The Meatball ClubLook at that toasty goodness.Open up & say “Mmm!”If you don’t cut it diagonally, you’re doing it wrong.
It seemed to be a hit on various social media platforms, so I thought I’d share the love. If you make one, please, post the photo, tag me (@AiXelsyD13 on just about everything), and let me know how it was!
The Meatballs:
I have shared my meatball ingredient secrets a quadruple of times:
I generally don’t measure, and make them different every time. This time I fried them on medium-high in a large pan on the stove & a tiny bit of EVOO.
The Sauce:
OK, gonna level with you. I am not Italian. This is going to make some people mad. I use jarred sauce. This was the cheap Aldi stuff. Usually we get that or the Prego Three Cheese. I add brown sugar & Parmesan/Romano shake cheese. Sometimes, I even add shopped garlic, onion powder, or “Italian Seasoning.” This time it was just brown sugar and cheese. I don’t measure. I toss a little in with abandon. I like the sweetness & it cuts the acid.
The Club:
Get your stuff…
¼ stick butter
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Parsley or (Italian Seasoning)
6 or so leftover meatballs.
Shredded cheese (I had Gruyere & Swiss, but I would probably go for Mozzarella or Provolone, but the stuff I had was fantastic.)
“Shake Cheese” I had the cheap Giant Eagle brand Parmesan/Romano blend.
Three pieces of white bread.
Do it…
Pre-heat the oven to 390° on the air fryer setting.
Melt the butter w/ garlic powder, onion powder, & parsley to taste in a microwave save bowl in 30 second intervals, stirring in between until it’s a liquid.
Put the bread on a baking dish, brush on the melted butter after a good stir. (I just did the top sides.)
Air fry for 2 minutes, & it gets almost crispy on top, the bottom was nice and toasted.
While you’re doing that nuke the meatballs & sauce on a microwave safe plate for 2 min. (or longer if needed.)
Pull the toast out. (I cut the meatballs in half with a spoon then scooped them and the sauce on to two of the slices of bread.)
Top the meatballs with the shredded cheese.
Put the “shake cheese” on the 3rd slice of bread.
Put it back in on air fry for for 4 or 5 minutes.
Pull it out, assemble it like a tower of gluttony, then slice it diagonally with a giant serrated bread knife for dramatic effect.
Take a photo to share & make people hungry.
That’s it. It took a little bit of time & prep, but it was worth it.
Notes:
If you cook & have your own meatball or sauce recipe, of course do that.
Use whatever kind of cheese you want, shredded, or sliced, or whatever.
I would guess you can use the oven on 375°-ish on a regular setting for a bit longer times, or a counter top air fryer.
You could also probably do all of it in the air fryer from cooking the meatballs to melting the butter if you have the appropriate vessels.
If you slice it in rectangles and not triangles, you are a psychopath.
Discussion:
If you’re out of sausage or sub buns, or hot dog buns, what are you using? Pita? Tortilla? Soft Pretzel? Dinner Rolls? Bisquick? Crescent roll dough?
Please, tell me in the comments how wrong it is to use jarred sauce or add brown sugar.
Share with me your meatball secrets.
Do you like the powdery shake cheese or the fancy stuff?
It started with some warning post cards & emails. Dollar Shave Club was phasing out the three bladed razors in favor of the 4… and switching my plan without asking. Well, mine, and all the other subscribers out there. Why?
Assuming a lot of their membership is male. Stereotypically, men are resistant to change. Why fix what’s not broken?
In the grand scheme of life, this is most certainly just a small annoyance… but an annoyance nonetheless. My typical email writing shenanigans has not provided any “real” answers other than some 🐂💩 about having done research that indicates people like the new blades.
The 4-blade razors feel like tiny demons ripping the hair out of your face one-by-one. I don’t know how a razor company messes up razors, but here we are. I can’t be the only one.
I feel like they had to stop making them for some reason. Costs? Manufacturing facility change? Why change a good thing? I thought they called them The Executive but now they’re calling them “Heritage.”
I sent them this maze via email, Twitter,Facebook, & Instagram, and that have not acknowledged it at all. 🤣
It’s not easy keeping up with these perpetually-out-of-style sideburns & my regal salt & pepper goatee.
The responses have been pretty banal. This was my original email:
Hello Friends,
I think you messed up… but it’s OK. I’m here for you in your time of need. I can help clear your mind so you can make better decisions.
I cannot find any fathomable reason that you needed to switch from the heritage series razors to the club series. The old 3-bladed razors were awesome. These new 4-blade razors are, to put it bluntly (pun intended), absolute shit. After one use with the new 4-bladed razors, it feels like someone is ripping the hairs out of my face.
Honestly, I never paid much attention to what the old ones were called. Was it The Executive? I don’t know. I don’t care. It shaved my face, well, and I did not like any of the other options.
Did you test it on people with alopecia or animals that could not provide feedback? Were you not alive during the New Coke debacle? People don’t like change. Men stereotypically do not like change. I get anxiety when my wife rearranges the furniture.
You can imagine my displeasure with being forced to use a new razor, and my irritation (pun, again, woefully intended) at the use of it. I have seen many other unsatisfied people on Twitter. They all can’t be wrong.
My gift to you is this maze. You can use it as you contemplate the best way to bring back the old blade. Labyrinths have traditionally helped people meditate. Surely it can help you come to a good decision and a concise quick plan to get out of this shenanigans.
I may be forced to try Harry’s, but I like your Shave Butter and I don’t think they have anything comparable. How can I control my goofy lambchop-exsque sideburns and more-salt-than-pepper van dyke/goatee thing without a razor I can trust? It is hard to maintain my perpetually out of style facial hair. (Do you see an anti-change theme here?)
Thank you for your time. I look forward to your thoughts on the whole thing… or at least an explanation of the thinking behind the change.
My face feels like Anakin when Obi Wan got the high ground.
Pleading for sanity,
-Eric.seitilibasid gninrael fo nuf ekam ot ynnuf ton yllaer s’tI
This was their blah reply…
Hey Eric,
Thanks for bringing this to our attention. Apologies for the late response. This certainly isn’t the experience we would have hoped for and the quality of our products is a top priority for us, so we appreciate you bringing this to our attention. We apologize for the trouble. I’ll be sure to forward your feedback to the right department for a review. Your experience is extremely valuable to us. We also understand that change can be difficult but we decided to make and sell our own Club Series razor.
Of course, if you’d prefer to cancel your account immediately, we understand as well. Just let us know what you decide and we can get that taken care of right away.
Thanks,
Jane
Then, this…
Thanks Jane,
Did you or any of your team at least try the maze while you thought it over?
This is an insane level of shenanigans. I thought it would help you reach the right decision to keep making the old style blades until the sun explodes & swallows the earth… or at least until I die.
I would cancel, but your shave butter is super awesome. I am stuck between a proverbial rock and a hard place, but the rock is traditional shaving cream or gel, and the hard place is your 4-blade razors that feel like they are tugging the follicles out of my face.
Dejected,
Bushy in Bridgeville
This was it. Again. Is “Jane” AI?
Hey Eric,
Thanks for getting back to us. We are currently working on this issue. Can you please confirm if you want me to cancel your account immediately? As checked, you have an item with your recurring box that will be billed this coming April 21st.
Looking forward to your response so we can have this taken care of.
Thanks,
Jane
I guess this is where it ends, my friends.
Hello Jane,
I guess I would like you to cancel my subscription. I feel like you’re “sus” (as my kids would say) AI, and you’re not giving real reasons why the blades were changed, or even acknowledging my hilarious maze.
I think I may go with Amazon. Harry’s doesn’t appear to have that shave butter goodness… and Amazon has a plethora of options. I get TV, music, and everything else from Amazon anyway. I, for one, welcome our capitalist digital overlords. Maybe they have a sense of humor? I can draw them a maze and see if they appreciate it.
It’s never too late to re-think your bad decisions. Please share the maze with your friends & co-workers.
-Eric.
seitilibasid gninrael fo nuf ekam ot ynnuf ton yllaer s’tI
I would move to Harry’s, but they seem to not have anything comparable to DSC’s Shave Butter. I am a convert. No more cream or gel for me. I need to try this dastardly 6-bladed razor. Perhaps an Amazon subscription service will do me well?
They didn’t respond via Facebook messenger, a DM on Twitter seemed very AI, and Instagram’s DM was not entertaining in the least.
I’m not the only one who thought so either. Twitter is LIT UP about it.
Still can't figure out why @DollarShaveClub wpuld discontinue a blade that I (& most likely countless others) have been using & enjoying for many years.
The new default replacement is terrible, required several passes, & still didn't get a close shave.
@DollarShaveClub so got my package about a week ago and it wasn't correct u gave me this shit ravors and and wasn't what my normal order is. These blades and this razor is trash compared to the elite. Can't seem to contact through ur site. pic.twitter.com/BSKzbTBXng
@DollarShaveClub I’ve received nothing as a request from you. Please we are going to break up taylor swift style (I’m going to write a song) if you don’t send me a ton of your old razors. The 37 other people I have hooked you up with over the years, also super unhappy. #dobetter
After over 10 years of Member feedback about what makes a great shave, we decided to make and sell our Club Series razor everywhere and anywhere Dollar Shave Club razors are sold. So no matter where you shop, you will find this razor in stores and online.
So, @DollarShaveClub… did anyone try these new blades? I had to make 3 passes. My last ones were perfect. Why the change? Do I need to switch to @harrys or go back to buying in store? This is 🐎💩.
That's unfortunate, after 3 weeks of issues with the Club series I've had to cancel my subscription. If it was a cost decision I would have gladly paid more for the quality and experience of the Heritage Series instead of losing the line entirely.
That's unfortunate, after 3 weeks of issues with the Club series I've had to cancel my subscription. If it was a cost decision I would have gladly paid more for the quality and experience of the Heritage Series instead of losing the line entirely.
@DollarShaveClub your new razors are worse than the ones I shaved my legs with in 1989 they were .25 and my moms the old razors you had were amazing I’m seriously bleeding from the new ones. #trash#cancelingmembership
I got my 6 month @DollarShaveClub order of creams, gels & blades. They changed the blades to some thin POS. Absolutely disappointing. After 4 years I’m going to find a new brand. I shave my head & face daily and this new blade takes 2x longer now… ThX @Unilever for acquiring DSC
@DollarShaveClub Ugh. My Heritage series handle broke and I still have some blades left. I ordered what I thought were the right handles and see now that you've made changes. How can I get a Heritage series handle? #frustrating
— UniverseOfSciFi 🌊💙 I Dissent (@UOFSciFi) March 27, 2023
@DollarShaveClub I scrolled through Twitter to see what everyone else has said..I'm adding to the mix in hopes you'll go back to the older razors. The new razors suck. When you bring back a membership for the older razors, I'll return as a customer, until then, see ya.
@DollarShaveClub why did I start getting new blades and handle that I did not order? I thought it was a trial but then I got more. I tried the new product and the handle broke after 2 weeks. Refund my money for this junk you automatically sent me and continue my other razors
@DollarShaveClub the new blades are HORRIBLE and when I attempt to log in and cancel, you’ve purposefully made it impossible to do to. Terrible terrible customer service.
OK bearded & mustachioed folks, I need a razor rec. The new razors from @DollarShaveClub are not as precise as the previous model, and the new trimming blade is subpar.
Not sure why but @DollarShaveClub cancelled the best razor ever and are now shipping cheap junk in 4 and 6 blade versions that don’t cut evenly and fall apart- plus they feel too lightweight and plasticky. pic.twitter.com/VgrCzv8zZ5
Inspired by a post called Gig Preparation, I thought I’d make some checklists. I think we’ll need one (and a half) for our stuff, one for setting up the gig, and one for doing stuff at the gig. The lists would change depending on who’s working the gig or who set it up, but you should be able to help with the flow of things even if you’re not the organizer. This is also from the point of view of a guitar player, because that’s all I’ve ever been. I’m guessing it would be the same for a bass player & quite similar for a drummer.
Gig Checklists…
-·♠·-
Before the gig:
☐ Get all the details in order:
☐ The bands
☐ The place
☐ The time
☐ The price
☐ All ages or 21+
☐ Is it a benefit?
☐ Any specials if it’s a bar?
☐ Selling tickets?
☐ …using social media – Link the crap out of details/event pages.
☐ Flyers– Hang ’em up, pass ’em out.
☐ Word of mouth
.
☐ Communicate with the other bands…
☐ Sharing equipment? – Cut down on changeovers between bands.
☐ Playing order?
.
☐ Do you need your own door person?
[̲̅$̲̅(̲̅1̲̅)̲̅$̲̅]
Stuff to take:
☐ Guitar – In a case or gig bag, I actually saw a guy use a bath-towel once.
☐ Backup guitar(s) – Don’t kill the show when you break a string.
☐ Amp head & cab(or combo)
☐ The merch box(es)
☐ Your gig backpack or briefcase. (“What’s that.” you ask? Keep reading!)
☐ Nail clippers
☐ acetaminophen / ibuprofen / aspirin
☐ Band-aids
☐ Cloth or towel
.
\m/_(-_-)_\m/
At the gig:
☐ Set stuff on the stage for the 1st band & any bands sharing
☐ Backline the “main” act if there is one & set up in front of them.
☐ Tune (Silently! – No one likes the tuning song! – Tune your backup guitar too.)
☐ Let the Sound Technician do their job.
☐ Set up a Merch Table/Corner/Counter/Box.
☐ Put your door person at the door.
☐ Using a setlist? Reach into that backpack & get one made!
☐ Have a drink? Water, Beer, or something harder.
☐ Tune Again (Silently! – No one likes the tuning song!)
☐ Unless you’re awesome & have a tech, get a string-wingman.
.
웃웃웃웃웃웃웃웃웃
I’m sure there’s stuff I’m forgetting, but I think this is a pretty decent start. What do you think I’m missing from the list? Do you have an emergency gig kit? What’s in it?
World (and Lunar) Domination 