Author Archives: Thunderbolt Patterson

Thunderbolt @ NAMM: The Wrap-Up

NYC, 1/18/2011

Well, perhaps we should wrap up, since things got away from me after the post of 1/14…which ended with Grappa ? No wonder. Went to the Grove that night for Megadeth/Hell Yeah. At this point we can thank the “Coffin Case” girls for the backstage photo shoot and the free vodka tent for the free vodka.

Saturday dawned (haha) beautifully. It was lovely, low 80-degree weather the entire 4 days in Anaheim. An “Original” from Carl’s Jr. was the perfect noon breakfast. Best burger ever ? Well, I went back the next day. Made my Saturday rounds of sponsors (Pearl, Sabian, Vic Firth, LP, Evans) and checked in with some old friends. Gave a copy of my latest solo record “The LP is Dead” to legendary hard rock writer Lonn Friend. Had a few beers and a burrito. Went to bed before midnight, because…

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Thunderbolt @ NAMM: Grappa!

1/14/11

Just finished my Evans autograph session with one of my boyhood idols, Carmine Appice, and the great Steve Gorman of the Black Crowes. Grappa!

Fun Bonham tribute last night. My favorites? Xavier from Buckcherry and the always awesome Jojo Mayer.

Thunderbolt

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Thunderbolt @ NAMM: Anaheim

1/13/2011

Smooth sailing on the flights out. Yes, we did de-ice two times in Minny, but it’s routine for them. 72 and sunny in Cali. Went to the Bonham show with Marco, Jojo and the gang in the stretch Hummer, then met up with dozens of famous drummers.

Signing tomorrow @ 3: Evans booth w/ Carmine Appice and Steve from the Black Crowes !

Thunderbolt

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Thunderbolt @ NAMM … Almost

NYC, 1/12/2011

Well, we seemed to have dodged the snow bullet here in New York (EWR); now I’m keeping an eye on tomorrow’s snow showers in the Mid-West. Should be over at the Convention Center to pick up my pass around 4 ? Bonham tribute show tomorrow and Sabian party Friday. Saturday night ? Only the shadow knows…

T-Bolt

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Thunderbolt Patterson Blogs About NAMM!

NYC, 1/11/2011

Gettin’ ready for my annual trip to the NAMM convention, if the snow comes and goes quick enough for me to fly out Thursday AM. Connection through Minny/St. Paul might not have been the best choice. I BETTER get to Anaheim in time for the Bonham show that night. Two pairs of black jeans should be enough, right ? Well, two pairs of black jeans are probably enough for several weeks, so we should be good. The BIG question; how many pairs of Pro-Keds ?
Gonna see old and new friends, visit the companies I represent, and the rumour is I’m signing autographs at the Evans booth on Saturday with jazz legends Alphonse Mouson and Peter Erskine. Niiiiice. Might have one beverage…come say hello.

J.P “Thunderbolt” Patterson

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The Thunderbolt’s London Road Trip

The BorderlineLONDON, 10/6/2010
We hit the lovely Cumberland Hotel on Marble Arch and waited for our rooms, which could be expected since we got there at 10:00 AM. Got in just after noon and slept the rest of the afternoon, at which point my rhythm section partner (bassist Danny Tamberelli) and I were pointed to our “local” THE THREE TUNS. Wonderful pub; great drink and grub. At this point I will give a shout out to our hosts Josh and H., as well as all the gals of “The Tuns.”
Danny has a friend living in South London, so we jumped on the tube and pub crawled between the bridges Tower and London, and made it back on the tube in time to get back to the hotel.

CUMBERLAND HOTEL LONDON, 10/7/2010
No rain, no fog, just sunshine and warmth…time to do some sightseeing with my young ward, Daniel. Walked up Hyde Park and over to Buckingham Palace, then on to Big Ben/Parliament/Westminster Abbey…then a pint. Continued walking to Piccadilly Circus and then a stop at The Three Tuns on the way back to the Cumberland…which is a fantastic hotel, right next to the Marble Arch. Ice Cube would say “it was a good day”…I would too.

BORDERLINE CLUB, LONDON, 10/8/2010
Gig day. Got a call at 9:50 AM from my boss (the legendary Richard Lloyd) that we had to go to the venue at 10:00 AM to check the gear and sound check. Who soundchecks at 10 AM, and why did I not have this information yesterday?

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Thunderbolt Patterson: Viva Las Vegas Shakedown!

Thunderbolt Patterson

Newark Airport, 8/13/2010, 8:00 am EST:
Well, the air train at EWR works like a champ, and I would recommend it to anyone who has to fly. Of course, flying sucks these days, so WALK. Seriously. Lovely Bloody Mary at “Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Bar and Grill,” gate 37. Nice footage of the O’Jays.

Dallas Airport, 8/13/2010, noon, CST:
No Shiner Bock? Wait, I always make connections through Dallas FOR the Shiner Bock … and no, I don’t want a Bud Light. I NEVER want a Bud Light. Is this because I’m in the American Airlines terminal? I definitely had a Shiner Bock at the very same airport on the way to SXSW in February. OK, Miller Lite will be fine.

American Airlines: Suck, but not any worse than the other flying buses. I prefer train travel, but Vegas might have been a bit of a haul.

Las Vegas Airport, 8/13/2010, 2:00 pm PCT:
Nothing says “welcome” like a bank of slot machines right inside your arrival gate. Even better, a scant 10 minute drive to my hotel, the lovely…

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Thunderbolt @ SXSW: That’s What I Said

SXSW 2010Day 7 is just about in our rearview mirror, and I’m the new drummer in ZZ TOP…hahahaha.
Dave Bone and I have been doing the Replacements’ “Alex Chilton” the past few nights; Friday tears, Saturday the whole audience joining in on the chorus. YouTube on the way.
GREAT farewell lunch with the 11 new members of the Thunderbolt Texas family. Thanks to both Matt the founder and Matt the waiter on the lunch service. SPECIAL THANKS at this point goes to Dave Bone and the Troublemakers and the (mighty) Sons of Hercules, their wives, girlfriends, friends and fans. You took great care of me.
SXSW is Dead (for the moment), that’s what I said.
From Austin…The Thunderbolt

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