Category Archives: Thunderbolt

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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A Birthday Toast to Thunderbolt Patterson!

Drummer without peer. Master thespian. Bon vivant. Man about town. Pourer of drinks. Destroyer of tambourines. Happy Birthday to the Renaissance Man!

— Salvi C.

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A Cavalcade of Stars!!

Thunderboss Don Hill's posterDon Hill’s was the place to be on this date in 2006, as Thunderboss lived up to both ends of their name as the headliners in a Poptown Records showcase night. The guys were playing their second and final show in support of the rocking “Thunderboss” instrumental CD, which is still available online at www.poptownrecords.com.

Don Hill’s was a much more upscale location for a gig than JP’s home court at BillyMark’s West, but we quickly realized that what was lost in ambiance (no snack bags, no ice cubes in the urinals), was more than made up for in overpriced drinks and menacing bouncers.

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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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YouTube Tuesday: We’re Here for the Drums

J.P. is once again backing up Television founder Richard Lloyd, this time for his first-ever solo show in the United Kingdom, Oct. 8 in London (more info here). For this installment of YouTube Tuesday, here’s a little taste of what you can expect, England, courtesy of video taken at a show a year ago in Madison, Wis.

— DFFD123

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Under the Thunderboss

Thunderboss

Poptown Records “THUNDERBOSS” Release Party
BillyMarks West, NYC
Sept. 12, 2006

Approximately sixty-seven minutes after booking my flight to Boston to hang out with Salvi, and to finally see the almighty Radio Birdman play at the Middle East on Sept. 9, I got the call; Thunderbolt Patterson, Ross the Boss, and Dean Rispler, aka THUNDERBOSS, were playing a set at Poptown’s release party for “THUNDERBOSS,” at J.P.’s favorite hangout, BillyMarks West in NYC. And J.P. hisself had cordially invited us to attend!

Salvi and I found our way to BillyMarks, strolling in the door as the band did a brief soundcheck. Mid-song, J.P. spotted Salvi, and yelled “SAL!” After finishing the check, J.P. came over to chat and thank us for traveling so far for his little bash. Not a problem, Mr. Bolt. As J.P. worked the room, we spoke quite a while with Dean, Ross and C.J. Sciøscia. J.P.’s daughter filled snack bags with crunchies, while his wife sold T-shirts and CDs, and searched for gaffer’s tape. Once behind his drumkit, J.P. explained that he and his missus were on the eve of their 17th wedding anniversary … awwww.

Karen (our wunnerful webhostess) and her hubby John arrived, followed shortly by a dapper gent, who turned out to be J.P.’s Dad. We were introduced to Mr. Patterson, and spent most of the non-musical portion of the evening yakkin’ with him. The man’s led a fascinating life being, among other things, a member of the US Diplomatic Corps, traveling the world with his family. Granddad was a professional wrassler, Dad’s a diplomat, J.P.’s a rock drummer/thespian. Now that’s a colorful family lineage! Adrianna, J.P’s sister, arrived from Maryland just as the first set began. Given the family history, I wondered what her chosen calling was. Geophysics? Gourmet chef? Rockette?

Ross had taken his legendary black Les Paul out of protective custody for this gig. Dean played a cool Epiphone bass, J.P. played his usual Pearl kit. With the Poptown/NFL Film Crew in place, THUNDERBOSS launched into their seven-song set, wrapping it up with a rip through Jeff Beck’s “Rice Pudding,” with a dash of Jimi tossed in by Ross. An excellent, smokin’ set, but much too short. But…

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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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