Question::
Merry Christmas, Deaner. What’s the best gift you’ve ever been given
and why?

A- Xmas of 1985 most definitely, I had just turned 15 years old. I had a couple of junker guitars and I really wanted a Fender guitar. My dad did some investigating and had one of the mechanics (who was a guitarist) from Keat’s Ford in Trenton pick out a Stratocaster for me. I scoured the house all through December that year and found it hidden under their bed in it’s brand new case. I could only sneak in and play it when no one was home, which I did every minute I had a chance. X-mas day couldn’t come soon enough. I had already written like 5 songs on it by the time X-mas morning rolled around. The first Fishbone e.p. had just been released and I had just seen them at City Gardens in Trenton (hence the cool vintage t-shirt). Nothing will ever beat that gift. I traded it away later the next year for an old Fender Mustang as I became a guitar snob, but I wish like hell I still had it. Why have my best guitars always been red?

Also, here is a funny video from the New Hope High School talent show (which we won this year). I’m playing my Jazzmaster, Aaron is playing Bass, and Chrissy Serino is on drums. That’s my good friend Scott Lowe on vocals performing “Boys” by the Beatles.