ros
Sniffling Indie Kid
I would like to sing in a band
Posts: 175
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Post by ros on Nov 18, 2012 21:36:57 GMT -5
It seems wrong to feel sad since I never met him, but as so many more eloquent people before me have said, I felt his presence and loved his writing. We all have a bond and the people who get it, get it. He got it.
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Post by heidivandernice, nice on Nov 18, 2012 21:59:21 GMT -5
ros, it's not wrong.
i also just remembered when i was feeling really sad once, years ago about some stupid guy or something and mike called me out of nowhere, and i think he might have had a few, but he wouldn't let me get off the phone until i agreed with him that i was wonderful and awesome and deserved someone amazing. "you're a fuckin' catch, vanderlee." i barely even knew him and it meant so much to me that a near-stranger would try to prop me up like that.
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dabook
True Scene Leader
Posts: 520
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Post by dabook on Nov 18, 2012 22:32:44 GMT -5
I "met" him at a few shows. Bumped into him I guess you would say. The music was always loud and the drinks were flowing and beer was splashing. I never really met him, but I "knew" him from his presence here and I read some of the pieces he wrote, enough to know he was a good person. This year a few of my friends passed on. They were people I knew all my life. Strangely enough I feel just as bad hearing that Jersey Mike has passed away. Somewhere around the same time I first heard The Hold Steady, I lost that feeling of youth, of being indestructible. The music helped me through that. Right now I feel like a ghost in an empty music hall, and I wish I had said hello a little louder, because life sneaks away on you. Take your rest Mike. I can't stand it when the banging stops.
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cre618
True Scene Leader
Posts: 714
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Post by cre618 on Nov 18, 2012 22:35:16 GMT -5
Wait, what? RIP Jersey Mike. Never met you, but enjoyed you here.
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Post by laurenjean on Nov 19, 2012 0:03:22 GMT -5
So sad. I'll light a candle for his family.
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Post by Nightclub Dwight on Nov 19, 2012 1:14:57 GMT -5
I have known Mike for more than 5 years now, from before the days when he nervously booked his favorite act, The Hold Steady, on his adopted home town stage. Mike is also directly responsible for me getting together with my life partner, the lovely Whiskey Daisy, for which I am forever in his debt.
Every time I saw Mike we always shared a beer in the evening then breakfast the next morning at Roxies, his favorite breakfast spot. Mike loved breakfast. I remember one time he was going through a rough patch and was looking to get out of town so we invited him to spend the weekend in Pittsburgh. He immediately said, I love Pittsburgh, especially Pamela's. For those who don't know, Pamela's is Barack Obama's favorite local breakfast place. Did I mention Mike has good taste?
There are two types of people in this world; those who make their own world better and those who make everyone's life better. Mike is firmly in the latter camp. While this is a tragedy any way you look at it, I am especially disheartened to learn that Mike just recently took steps to run for Harrisburg City Council. With all the douche bag politicians out there its depressing to think about all the great achievements that Mike surely would have accomplished in public service.
Our world is less vibrant and more destitute without Mike. I mourn his passing and extend my heartfelt sympathies to his family, friends and associates. Perhaps we all can walk away with a lesson learned from such a great friend. As you go about your life, make the extra effort to do good and improve the world around you. Extend a hands and help those in need. Never walk away from social injustice without doing your best to defend the oppressed. And most importantly, take the time to thank the important people in your life and tell your loved ones how much they mean to you. In my case, even though I think he knew it on some level, I wish I didn't miss the opportunity to tell him how thankful I am for all he did to bring me happiness and love in my life.
Tomorrow morning the sun is going to rise and shine just as it has always done. But from where I stand the light will always be a little less bright. Rest easy my friend, your work here is done.
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Post by tonyrockyhorror on Nov 19, 2012 1:26:14 GMT -5
If she says we partied then I'm pretty sure we partied I really don't remember I remember we departed from our bodies And we woke up in Ybor City
See your spirit in Ybor and the back of the bar, Mike.
RIP Jersey Mike.
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Bowery
Clever Kid
"wired for sound and down for whatever"
Posts: 61
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Post by Bowery on Nov 19, 2012 2:26:18 GMT -5
wonderful people, wow. it's been a long long time since I logged on here. i miss you all. getting older makes it harder to remember, but this band and these boards kind of changed my life. you all kind of changed my life. you make me want bigger things for my life - something deeper and bigger and more connected and and more real for everything after. All my heart and love and sadness goes out to Jersey Mike's friends and loved ones. it was a privilege to have shared this scene with him, and to have known his joy and spirit and rock n roll. So much love to you all.
-bowery.
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john k
Midnight Hauler
Posts: 2,035
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Post by john k on Nov 19, 2012 4:49:22 GMT -5
Great to see so many "oldies" on here. Pity its such sad circumstances. So long Jersey Mike. Wish i had gotten to meet you.
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Post by hoodrat on Nov 19, 2012 5:27:16 GMT -5
my earliest recollection of jerseymike is on the old hot pink messageboard, where he was picking an argument with koob over licensing or some such nonsense. he was funny and passionate and irreverent, all without offending anybody - the kind of guy that made me want to be a part of all this.
we met at bunches of hold steady shows over the years, splashed a few beers, got drenched in booze and covered in confetti. i knew him as the guy who put on shows, who even in this crowd advocated more passionately than anybody else for the bands he loved - making his passions a real source of support for those bands. he was most in his element putting on THS in harrisburg last time - making those appalling steadhead brochures, keeping all the pieces in motion all night, lining up the confetti cannons, advising us where to go, where to drink, where to stay, taking us around and introducing us to who we needed to know - our own mayor of harrisburg. As bummed as he was that the cannons misfired, the only time I've seen him happier than that night was anytime when he talked about his kids.
last time i saw him was at that hold steady show in baltimore last month. after the show, we both confessed to tearing up at the killer parties stage invasion. i know he'd been hoping to have the guys in harrisburg again this winter, but he came to see them in baltimore and we shared some not-so-shameful nostalgia over THS kicking it circa 2007 again at the ottobar. we had both decided to let the kids have their moment rather than rushing the stage ourselves to enjoy the memory of the last time. he watched from the back, savoring that same transcendent moment in a different way.
i couldn't hang around after the show, but we kicked it for a few minutes. recollected old shows, compared this one favorably to our most iconic THS memories, and just so we could kvetch about something, complained about franz leaving the band - old ground, i know. i asked after his kids, half-hoping, half-dreading the parenting advice that parents share so freely with parents-to-be. he lit up as he chatted briefly about them, then just kinda grinned and, suddenly inarticulate, looked at his feet. "you don't even know yet. having kids, hard as it is - it's the greatest thing." and i left pretty quickly after, kinda figured i'd have plenty more chances to catch up with jersey mike.
i can't claim to know mike well, but he built these boards, this scene, making my world a better place. i hope like crazy he's in a place where the music never stops this way. as great a loss as this is to the scene, our loss is dwarfed by that of his family and his greater community. my heart goes out to his loved ones. i'll try to put my head together with rich, see if we can't come up with something to do for the family.
wish we could all have a unified hug sometime soon. i listened to a lot of hold steady last night. didn't help.
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bigontheinside
Midnight Hauler
If you don't know the words, don't sing along
Posts: 1,478
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Post by bigontheinside on Nov 19, 2012 6:37:08 GMT -5
I never even met the guy and this is heartbreaking... Rest in peace, Jersey Mike.
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dabook
True Scene Leader
Posts: 520
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Post by dabook on Nov 19, 2012 7:51:43 GMT -5
well, it can sure be said that Mike could bring out the big names. Look at the visitors to this board in the last 24 hours. Looks like 2007.
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toastie
Sniffling Indie Kid
Posts: 159
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Post by toastie on Nov 19, 2012 7:55:07 GMT -5
i listened to a lot of hold steady last night. didn't help. yup.
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howard
Sniffling Indie Kid
Posts: 172
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Post by howard on Nov 19, 2012 7:56:10 GMT -5
I'm with those, who have said, "I never met Jersey Mike but he changed my life with the stuff he did" on these boards.
To me, he was a legend. He was so kind and generous as reflected by some of the PMs I had with him - especially when I had no idea how to do a batch of US t-shirts.
I can remember reading his debate with Tad on the pink boards and admiring both of them for the passion, tenacity and knowledge with which they argued their positions.
I was really looking forward to meeting him at the late December gigs. It is just so sad - and tragic that he had a young family.
I'd be really grateful for any kind of Pm which can direct me as appropriate towards contributing.
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dabook
True Scene Leader
Posts: 520
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Post by dabook on Nov 19, 2012 8:14:19 GMT -5
I was reading these posts over and over and listening to THS hoping to gain a little clarity and Ascension Blues came on and there was that line about us all being friends in heaven. Its a nice thought.
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Post by moemoephoto on Nov 19, 2012 8:59:21 GMT -5
Sometimes you don't even know where to begin.
I have known Mike for quite a while. I remember when he was still planning "Round Table Presents" with a few others which was the precursor to Greenbelt Events and everything that was great down the road.
He took me in as the house photographer for his shows and so I was near him just about 2~3 times a week for a few years, but in hind-sight, not nearly long enough. I never would have had the opportunities that I have had if it were not for him. He meant a lot to me.
When I heard the news yesterday morning, I was stunned. No senses worked for a second, everything froze for a moment.
I can't imagine going to a local show and not seeing his face there, giving me a high five or giving me a hug. I can't really wrap this one around my head yet. He is already greatly missed.
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parock
Midnight Hauler
Posts: 1,000
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Post by parock on Nov 19, 2012 10:09:10 GMT -5
I haven't 'logged in' in awhile. I still lurk and check out setlists and other news. I keep up on news, see if Brendan is still traveling like crazy to 50+ shows, I see that Amy is having a baby, check out what john k is listening to. I've been here for years and it's changed a bunch and people have come and go but there is awesome familiarity of having this place exist. One of the constants was Mike.
It's pretty surreal. I hugged my 20 month old this morning when I thought about Mike and Lennon. I try my best to appreciate every moment I have and like to believe that Mike did too. Sorry, I'm rambling.
Great dude, great father. The only consolation I can take is that his children can be proud of the legacy and memories their father created.
Rest easy dude.
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Post by 212margarita on Nov 19, 2012 10:37:37 GMT -5
havent been here in a long time, but just saw this news on facebook. RIP Jersey Mike, never met you but you definately touched a lot of people on this board.
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Post by maestro on Nov 19, 2012 10:47:18 GMT -5
Seeing this on twitter just now was a punch in the gut. Think I only really spoke to him once but as others have mentioned he left an impression on here... and clearly far and wide.
What a damn shame to lose one of the good ones. Raise a toast.
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mattjs
True Scene Leader
Posts: 573
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Post by mattjs on Nov 19, 2012 10:51:22 GMT -5
RIP Jersey Mike
These boards have played a big part in the last however many years of my life and for that I would like to say thank you and I wish that I had said it sooner.
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toastie
Sniffling Indie Kid
Posts: 159
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Post by toastie on Nov 19, 2012 11:29:18 GMT -5
I'm sure I've said this before one way or another but its worth repeating even if it is slightly OT. The Unified Scene has been a massive positive influence on my life for about 4 years. When I joined I was a shy, constantly-on-edge 17 year old kid who was leaving home for college (which went down the pan quickly) but very early on I made some good friends both online and at shows who are still some of my fave people in my life. Sure, I may have abused the forum slightly as a for of therapy but it did make me a better person. In general, knowing and being around you has done that. From meeting DotInfo who offered drive me to Manchester from Edinburgh to all the adventures me and MagicChris have got upto to the long chats me and Miss Al had on the blue board. Various US members I have and haven't met but are still great folk appear in my various social feeds and were amongst the first friends I saw post actually intellectual stuff. So I don't know where this is going but Thanksgiving is only a few days a way and whilst it isn't observed over here (fucking boo I know) and there are those who won't see this post because they left the scene/ boarb. But, I'm grateful for all of you. Every. Single. Day.
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Post by nosferatu on Nov 19, 2012 11:36:38 GMT -5
It seems wrong to feel sad since I never met him, but as so many more eloquent people before me have said, I felt his presence and loved his writing. We all have a bond and the people who get it, get it. He got it. I don't think I can put it better than that. I also remember the discussion with Tad on the "hot pink" board. Mike and people with the same verve and enthusiasm as he are the reason bands like THS and fans like us endure. I found out via Franz's twitter feed earlier, who paid a kind tribute. Kind of brought it all back... so much joy.
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Post by Rich Tarbell on Nov 19, 2012 11:42:21 GMT -5
If you know the backstory, the Mayor of Harrisburg isn't going to lower any flags to halfmast in JerseyMike's honor so I feel like we, the Unified Scene, should honor him with the only flag we ever had in the community, the Unified Scene shirts. May I suggest you download the photo from the link below and upload as your "profile picture" on Facebook, Twitter or whatever else you kids use today. Let's leave'em up until he his laid to rest. :: download link the picture of the US shirt here ::or cut & paste this link then right-click and save :: farm9.staticflickr.com/8065/8199359303_f728aca0b8_z.jpg
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Post by heidivandernice, nice on Nov 19, 2012 12:00:52 GMT -5
done.
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Post by hard corey on Nov 19, 2012 12:20:02 GMT -5
The last time I saw Mike in May, he told me he loved me and tried to read my aura. I told him he was a hippy asshole and then I bought him a beer. Last month, when I told him about my new band he said that his door was always open. A good egg, that one.
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