howard
Sniffling Indie Kid
Posts: 172
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Post by howard on Nov 20, 2012 13:12:04 GMT -5
Rich, I've sent you a pm
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Post by bloodystereos on Nov 20, 2012 13:20:24 GMT -5
I'll surely be attending the ABC memorial. The Abbey Bar won't be the same without Mike. Plenty of nights I spent there checking out whatever band may have been playing. Sometimes there would just be a handful of us in attendance, and Mike always offered up a warm greeting. I remember the night that The Ike Reilly Assassination played. I had nevcer heard of them, but checked them out just the night before on youtube after seeing that they were to play ABC. Before the show there was about ten of us in the bar, including the band, the bartenders, and myself. I sat at the bar and had a few drinks while talking to the band, then went out on the deck and hung out with Mike and the band's bus driver for a while. The show was so good, even though there was only a handful of us in the crowd. It always pissed me off when a good show like that would take place, but nobody would show up. Mike was much more positive in his outlook, he would say "there'll be more the next time" or something like that. So many times I would see him after a show at the Abbey and drunkenly shout about how great it was, he never so much as rolled his eyes at my overzealous behaviour.
Thanks for enriching the music in our hole-in-the-wall town, Mike. I hope we can continue the tradition. I can say that without a doubt the last few years of my life were that much better, due to your hard work. I, like all of us here in the Unified Scene, am a huge fan of live music, I owe ya for some great memories.
There was a small paragraph in the paper today, basically the same stuff you've already seen. It did mention that the autopsy revealed three blocked arteries, as well as heart damage.
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Post by heidivandernice, nice on Nov 20, 2012 13:37:13 GMT -5
It did mention that the autopsy revealed three blocked arteries, as well as heart damage. how is that possible? at 36? so upsetting.
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Post by bloodystereos on Nov 20, 2012 14:45:09 GMT -5
It did mention that the autopsy revealed three blocked arteries, as well as heart damage. how is that possible? at 36? so upsetting. That's what I thought. At first I figured maybe it was a typo. Apperently the info came from his brother. It actually said "inconclusive". I would argue that 3 blocked arteries is fairly conclusive. As a 45 year old smoker/drinker/cheeseburger eater, it kind of scares the shit out of me.
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Felix
Sniffling Indie Kid
Posts: 230
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Post by Felix on Nov 20, 2012 16:51:57 GMT -5
I only read just now this thread. What tragic and sad news.
Due to my pretty isolated Hold Steady / Unified Scene outpost in Germany, I only met, I think, four persons from the boards in person so far. But of course I had been thinking many times about meeting more of you people face to face in North America or in the UK at a THS show and having a few beers together - especially I was thinking like this when the band was touring and I read about wild shows and wild meetings of US groups.
About Jersey Mike I only can say this. He was one of maybe a dozen people I still remember from the old board days. From what I read from him I figured that he was a totally nice guy with a heart burning for music. And whenever I was thinking of going to a series of THS shows in the States and meeting some US shirts -- Jersey Mike was one of those people I especially would have liked to meet and to have a beer together.
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Post by deadgoon on Nov 20, 2012 21:44:11 GMT -5
Mike was a huge presence on these boards and a primary force behind the development of the Unified Scene. In Harrisburg, he was usually the guy behind the events that offered the best prospects for a great time in the city on any given night. And he was many times responsible for what became some of the most massive nights we could ever have hoped to experience here. He enthusiastically brought (or helped bring) to Harrisburg The Hold Steady, Lucero, Jason Isbell, Henry Rollins, J Roddy Walson and the Business, Hamell on Trial, Eugene Mirman, Reggie Watts, Colin Quinn, Gene Ween, Max Weinberg, Cracker, Shemekia Copeland, Franz Nicolay, Dick Dale, Nils Lofgren, Toubab Krewe, Mike Doughty, Southern Culture on the Skids, Titus Andronicus, The Joy Formidable, Two Cow Garage, Austin Lucas, We Were Promised Jetpacks, Rusted Root, The Lumineers. He fostered local and regional bands he saw something in like Cabinet, the Hackensaw Boys, The Greatest Funeral Ever, Toy Soldiers, Perkasie, Herbie, Scythian. These shows are just off the top of my head, there were so many other amazing Roundtable and Greenbelt events that he organized. He believed in the bands he brought to the area. He held record swaps and tweetups and documentary screenings (including one of the initial showings of A Positive Rage at which I was so excited when he gave me a raffle prize of the cd/dvd). He curated and played a major part in local festivals like Millenium and Kipona. He organized benefits for charity and helped my girlfriend with her fundraising events when she was working for our local Big Brothers/Big Sisters organization. This was a man of action and accomplishments who did so much but who always maintained personal connections with the people who came to his shows. At the end of the night, he was always there with a smile and ready to have a cigarette and a beer with you on the deck of the Abbey Bar. I was lucky enough to meet up with him at his last Hold Steady show at the Ottobar in October. We sat in the balcony making bitchy buzzed comments about the opening bands before heading downstairs. Later we marveled over the stage invasion during Killer Parties ( I drunkenly ran up there, he hung back and savored the sight) that brought us back to their first show at ABC, before which he once told me he drove Craig Finn around Harrisburg showing him the sights. We stood at the bar after the show and decided to buy a couple of Ottobar t-shirts, talked about the upcoming shows there. Mike spotted Tad standing a little ways away and went up to talk to him. I went out for a cigarette and ended up meeting and giving a really nice friend of his a ride home to some neighborhood just outside of the city. It was par for the course with Mike - through him you'd often end up meeting a new friend with whom you could connect and expand your experiences. That was the last time I saw him except for a brief sighting at the Rollins show a week later when things were so chaotic I ended up heading out before getting the chance to thank him for yet another amazing night in Harrisburg that he had helped orchestrate. I could really ramble forever about how much this guy has enhanced the lives of myself and my friends in this city, but I think you get the idea. It's hard to fathom his loss and it hurts alot to think about how he's gone and how much more time we could have had with him. One thing we can all be thankful for this week is that we had him for as long as we did.
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Post by laurenjean on Nov 21, 2012 1:14:42 GMT -5
a totally nice guy with a heart burning for music. . This.
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Post by moemoephoto on Nov 21, 2012 9:44:10 GMT -5
He enthusiastically brought (or helped bring) to Harrisburg The Hold Steady, Lucero, Jason Isbell, Henry Rollins, J Roddy Walson and the Business, Hamell on Trial, Eugene Mirman, Reggie Watts, Colin Quinn, Gene Ween, Max Weinberg, Cracker, Shemekia Copeland, Franz Nicolay, Dick Dale, Nils Lofgren, Toubab Krewe, Mike Doughty, Southern Culture on the Skids, Titus Andronicus, The Joy Formidable, Two Cow Garage, Austin Lucas, We Were Promised Jetpacks, Rusted Root, The Lumineers. Let me add Devon Allman and Honeytribe, North Mississippi Allstars, Backyard Tire Fire, Trampled By Turtles, Steep Canyon Rangers, Hackensaw Boys, Keller Williams, Carolina Chocolate Drops, The Low Anthem, The Wood Brothers, Matthew Sweet, Benevento Russo Duo, Garaj Mahal, Infamous Stringdusters, Heavy Pets..... man, I could go on and on. Great music. I too was there when it was 10 people in the room tops for great bands as well..... It was unreal.
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Post by ekennedy on Nov 21, 2012 9:48:51 GMT -5
i have delayed posting in here for some time. in fact, i posted something, then deleted it. (this loss is unlike any other i have ever experienced. i worry about respect and appropriateness more than grieving. that can be isolating) but, i have this internal pull where i need to share my memories too. i do not intend to offend or upset anyone and i sincerely apologize if this becomes too personal, but the lessons i learned from mike have nothing to do with living life fully or loving music. they have everything to do with forgiveness. When our romantic relationship ended, I was crushed. It was a long while before I would gain my grounding again, and some may say, that that heartache changed my outlook on what I wanted in a relationship. About 8 months after we ended, Mike called me. We hadn't talked since I left Harrisburg. He was so sorry - truly sorry. I could hear his remorse through the phone. I felt somewhat self-righteous. I thought, "I always knew you would eventually feel the pain of your actions." And he did. Initially, I forgave him because I felt morally superior. I thought, "He created this pain, he will have to live the rest of his life knowing how badly he hurt me". Throughout the next few years though, my forgiveness stopped being based on my moral high ground. Eventually, I just forgave him because I knew that at one point in my life I was head-over-heels, heart throbbingly in love with him. I remembered that he hurt me, but I couldn't recall the pain and it wasn't necessary to hold on to that any longer. What was necessary was to forgive him and remember all the things we laughed about: - kevlar style vests - interviews about chicken nuggets jerseymike.org/2009/04/one-on-one-with-tom-middleditch-the-im-into-nuggets-yall-dude/- swimming with dolphins in Virginia Beach. we slept in his car after the Norfolk show and the next morning he dropped his denim and jumped in the crashing waves with the rest of the kiddos and sea creatures. - hostel naps in DC - ice skating rinks - Thanksgiving dinner with a grandmother who called me by my last name - homemade Christmas ornaments made out of stickers, sharpies, and blank CDs (these actually make pretty cool tree ornaments) - dancing in empty streets during a February snowfall - The Hackensaw Boys - which actually started and ended our relationship - The Bank Show, The Hard Rock, NY, Philly, Virginia, DC, and, of course, Harrisburg - the first show, the night we met But my all time favorite memory of Mike was in July 2008 when, my now Ex, brother-in-law scored pit passes for us, and Mike's entire family, to the sold out Bruce concert at Giant's Stadium. Getting 7 people from the nosebleeds to the pit can be quite a process and Mike and I became separated from his family while trying to organize the ordeal. They entered the pit while we were still running past bathroom lines and concession stands. We arrive at the tunnel entrance right as Bruce starts playing No Surrender. Hands clasped, overhead, we look at each other and run in. No retreat, baby, no surrender. To some peoples surprise, Mike and I occasionally talked over the last two years. Sometimes we lingered a little too long on shared memories, but mostly it was this deep understanding that we had really shared some life together. We weren't inappropriate. He had his relationship and beautiful children and I have my own loving boyfriend. There was no thought of reconnecting like that, but I'll tell you, it was really refreshing to be able to still communicate with someone who had hurt me so badly. About 6 months ago, I sent Mike a text that said something to the effect, "I want you to know, to really know, that I hold no anger in my heart for you. I forgave you sometime ago and I need you to know that" Our last piece of communication came a few weeks ago when he earnestly asked me about my friends and family devastated by Hurricane Sandy. Not 10,000 yoga classes or years studying Buddhism could teach me how to forgive like this experience has. And I just wanted to take a moment and remind you all of how much you mean to me, how greatly I love you, and how precious our time together is. Mike, my MSteady, i will always love you like i did, on that first night. xoxo
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Post by Rich Tarbell on Nov 21, 2012 10:22:52 GMT -5
i will always love you like i did, on that first night. this sent me into tears. again.
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Post by heidivandernice, nice on Nov 21, 2012 10:23:51 GMT -5
kennedy: that's beautiful. you're beautiful.
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Post by Rich Tarbell on Nov 21, 2012 10:45:03 GMT -5
I got this last night from my buddy Dave who is the drummer in the legendary band Southern Culture on the Skids who have been touring the better part of 20 years now ::
"He really made an impression. The first time we worked with him at ABC, the merch seller wasn't there yet when doors were about to open. I was annoyed & figured he'd slacked on getting someone. Before I could raise a ruckus, he just said, "no worries, I'll sell it until she gets here". I thought he was just gonna stand there until I was outta sight, but when I went back later, he was still there. I though, "holy shit, he's actually gonna stand there". And then later, the seller apologized profusely for being late. I never forgot that - NO promoter would ever do that, they'd see it as beneath them. Hold Steady was right, he was one of the few good ones. So sad & our thoughts go out to you & Mike's family."
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meoskop
True Scene Leader
Posts: 709
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Post by meoskop on Nov 21, 2012 11:25:43 GMT -5
kennedy: that's beautiful. you're beautiful. What Heidi said. We are none of us saints and all of us sinners. To mourn someone doesn't mean ignoring the fullness of their life. We love best when we love clearly.
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Post by bloodystereos on Nov 21, 2012 12:21:15 GMT -5
Ahh dammit. Now you got me choked up.
deadgoon - I must know you, or at least have spilled beer on you before. I went to many of those ABC shows, I was onstage for the Ottobar invasion. We'll have to meet sometime. I'm Kyle.
kennedy - met you at a show last year, or early this year. crap. I forget. 9:30 club ? electric factory ?
anyhow, you're awesome !
everyone - I love being part of this scene. It amazes me how genuine everyone is. I love putting on my U.S. shirt and hopping in a car to enjoy a show with you guys, even if I don't know everyone, or even see you at the shows. so, when my friends tease me about being a 45 year old fanboy... I just laugh along and tell them they don't know what they're missing.
Bethlehem and Philly - shots for Jersey !
tentacles bloodystereos Kyle #999
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Post by moemoephoto on Nov 21, 2012 12:23:26 GMT -5
Kennedy, I remember meeting you several of times at ABC when you came into town. I hope you are doing the best you can with the news.
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howard
Sniffling Indie Kid
Posts: 172
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Post by howard on Nov 21, 2012 15:16:08 GMT -5
Kennedy - what everyone else said. Incredibly poignant and wholly typical of the astonishing people from the boards.
Its a long time since i wore a US shirt to a THS gig ( not least cos I keep giving them away when tired and emotional), but I'll certainly wear one with pride to philly, bethlehem and NYE.
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caz
True Scene Leader
Posts: 719
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Post by caz on Nov 21, 2012 16:43:07 GMT -5
Ah fuck, I've just picked up the news about Mike. Not really sure what to say - I never met Mike in person, but I don't think any of us need to be reminded of the effect the Unified Scene has had on so many of our lives over the years.... losing a member of this group is a fucking horrible blow.
And for those of you that did know him personally, guys I'm so sorry. I hope you're ok. I've lost some close friends before so I know a lot of what you're feeling.
Lots of love to everyone. Even though I'm not really active on these boards anymore, the scene never stops being extremely important to me and the times I've had with friends from this group have been some of the best ever. Ahhhhhhhh... there's nothing much you can say is there? Everyone just has to look after each other (like we always do).
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Post by heidivandernice, nice on Nov 22, 2012 3:07:45 GMT -5
went to the wake tonight. bruce was playing on the memorial home's speakers. pictures of mike with family and friends, his hold steady license plate, his concert tickets... i still think he would have much rather seen us all in a bar, but the mood was lighter than i expect. so much love in the room. i'm still really angry and sad, but he'd want us to party about him, not cry about him. so i'm working on that. gonna celebrate his life every chance i get.
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Camie
Midnight Hauler
Posts: 1,093
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Post by Camie on Nov 22, 2012 16:10:55 GMT -5
I'll have my scene shirt on in Philly.
Kennedy, your post made me cry.
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Post by Rich Tarbell on Nov 26, 2012 10:37:26 GMT -5
Here are three clear ways to honor the memory of JerseyMike and donate the Kaiya and Lennon's caring fund :: 1) Direct - Send a check made out to "K & L Guardian Foundation" and send it to :: K&L Guardian Foundation c/o Jayson Bowser 1518 Green Street Harrisburg, PA 17102 2) Unified - If you want to be part of a community Unified Scene donation (we will be including a letter to the kids on behalf of this community in honor and tribute to JerseyMike), again, make your check out to "K & L Guardian Foundation" but send it to :: Rich Tarbell 45 Georgetown Green Charlottesville VA 22901 3) Electronic - If you are overseas, out-of-country or simply don't have a checkbook, PayPal is an option. Since the foundation did not set that up, again, send via me and I will include those electronic donations with my check. With my donation I will also try to cover the 4% commission PayPal will charge on each of these. Send to :: RichTarbell@gmail.com I will give it a week or two for everything to come in. Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions. I am giving this a post-Thanksgiving weekend bump. I am received many very generous donations with some checks still in the mail. You kids rawk and we will, as a community, be making a very significant statement with this donation. One thing I should point out, no donation amount is too small. I know a lot of us live on very tight budgets these days, hell, I am one of them. But a bunch of $5 donations goes a long way too. So, maybe pass on that last nightcap at the tavern or that dessert at the restaurant and throw a Lincoln into the collection pot. Thank you all ... I remain so impressed by this community that JerseyMike worked so hard to help build.
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Post by heidivandernice, nice on Nov 26, 2012 10:45:07 GMT -5
Here are three clear ways to honor the memory of JerseyMike and donate the Kaiya and Lennon's caring fund :: 1) Direct - Send a check made out to "K & L Guardian Foundation" and send it to :: K&L Guardian Foundation c/o Jayson Bowser 1518 Green Street Harrisburg, PA 17102 2) Unified - If you want to be part of a community Unified Scene donation (we will be including a letter to the kids on behalf of this community in honor and tribute to JerseyMike), again, make your check out to "K & L Guardian Foundation" but send it to :: Rich Tarbell 45 Georgetown Green Charlottesville VA 22901 3) Electronic - If you are overseas, out-of-country or simply don't have a checkbook, PayPal is an option. Since the foundation did not set that up, again, send via me and I will include those electronic donations with my check. With my donation I will also try to cover the 4% commission PayPal will charge on each of these. Send to :: RichTarbell@gmail.com I will give it a week or two for everything to come in. Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions. I am giving this a post-Thanksgiving weekend bump. I am received many very generous donations with some checks still in the mail. You kids rawk and we will, as a community, be making a very significant statement with this donation. One thing I should point out, no donation amount is too small. I know a lot of us live on very tight budgets these days, hell, I am one of them. But a bunch of $5 donations goes a long way too. So, maybe pass on that last nightcap at the tavern or that dessert at the restaurant and throw a Lincoln into the collection pot. Thank you all ... I remain so impressed by this community that JerseyMike worked so hard to help build. soon as i get paid, you'll be getting something (if small) from me. you rock for working on this. <3
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Post by heidivandernice, nice on Nov 26, 2012 11:07:26 GMT -5
just got this email from j roddy and the business. i responded and let them know about the foundation.
"But in the midst of all the plans and the celebrating now and to come, our hearts are heavy at the passing of "Jersey" Mike Van Jura, a beautiful dude who left this world entirely too soon. Mike was a promoter by trade, treating Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to a steady parade of acts that likely never would have visited if not for his endless drive and force of personality, and willingness to treat even the smallest bands with kindness and generosity. Watching him almost single-handedly will Harrisburg's music scene into existence was thrilling. Outside the club, Mike became the epicenter of a community of local bloggers and activists, bringing together people who - like him - simply wanted more for their city (and weren't shy about calling a spade a spade in gorgeously withering terms). Three days before he died, he applied to fill a vacant seat on the Harrisburg City Council, where we can only speculate about how amazing his candidacy would have been. He was vital in a city struggling for vitality because Mike gave a shit and people saw it, felt it, and were drawn to it. His passing leaves a void that Harrisburg will struggle to fill for a very long time.
But more than anything, Mike was a doting father to two children he leaves much too young. There will be a scholarship fund taken up in the coming weeks, so - for those that knew him - please keep your eyes peeled."
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Post by Rich Tarbell on Nov 27, 2012 12:46:34 GMT -5
I am giving this a post-Thanksgiving weekend bump. I am received many very generous donations with some checks still in the mail. You kids rawk and we will, as a community, be making a very significant statement with this donation. One thing I should point out, no donation amount is too small. I know a lot of us live on very tight budgets these days, hell, I am one of them. But a bunch of $5 donations goes a long way too. So, maybe pass on that last nightcap at the tavern or that dessert at the restaurant and throw a Lincoln into the collection pot. Thank you all ... I remain so impressed by this community that JerseyMike worked so hard to help build. Black Friday. Done. Cyber Monday. Done. Today is Giving Tuesday. Do it.
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cre618
True Scene Leader
Posts: 714
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Post by cre618 on Nov 27, 2012 14:44:17 GMT -5
Whew, good thing I checked this thread. Had no idea. Done.
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bex
True Scene Leader
It's a Big City; there's a lot of love
Posts: 673
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Post by bex on Nov 28, 2012 1:51:05 GMT -5
I will only be able to give something small via Paypal, just as soon as I'm paid.
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