All throughout October and November, Andy Shernoff (bassist & songwriter of the Dictators) teamed up with some friends for a weekly free acoustic show at the Lakeside Lounge on Wednesday evenings. Backed by the beautiful voice of the equally beautiful Tricia Scotti and Daddy Long Legs’s very own Brian Hurd on harmonica, Andy Shernoff performed songs from every era of his career, including smashing acoustic versions of Dictators' classics such as Baby Lets Twist, Stay with Me and Master Race Rock, and writing a classic is not given to just anybody, but on top of that Mr. Shernoff managed the tour de force of making something even better out of his r’n’r masterpieces. As a cornerstone of the original NY scene, Andy also threw in covers of songs he co-wrote with Joey and Dee Dee Ramone, paying moving tributes to the friends he lost, and telling stories about how it was and used to be. Numerous guests joined on stage, including former band mate Scott Kempner (also Del Lords), Albert Bouchard (BOC), Carla Rhodes, Tom Clark and more. Andy and friends also surprised their audience with brand new songs tried on stage for the very first time making each and every Wednesday night a memorable experience in the friendliest and most laid back, no-ego, atmosphere possible.

On Thanksgiving eve, Andy played his weekly show before heading to Bowery Electric to be a special guest with Blue Coupe, a new band by Joe and Albert Bouchard (Blue Oyster Cult) and bassist Dennis Dunaway (Alice Cooper Group). The band performed a fantastic set featuring classic Blue Oyster Cult and Alice Cooper Group songs as well as brand new tracks from their latest album. They were joined on stage by many guests, including Andy and Ross the Boss (also Dictators). As a final encore, Joe Bouchard mentioned CBGB’s and dedicated the last song of the night to the Ramones who left us: “I Wanna Be Sedated”, with guests Andy and Ross. BOC playing the Ramones with the Dictators, now that was something not to miss!

Andy’s two months residency at the Lakeside Lounge was the highlight of the week for each and every single one of us who made it to these intimate shows; it was like Friday night mid-week, only better, ask anybody who stopped by.

Shernoff is now taking a well-deserved break to record new songs, and you can surf to his website to pick up your copy of his latest 7inch “Are you Ready to Rapture?” (with a B Side “Make me Tremble” recorded with Joey Ramone). The animation video for his Rapture song is also on the website and definitely a must see. As Andy put it, he did lots of research in order to write that song. Check it out and see for yourself!

I picked up the 7inch at his last Lakeside Lounge performance, and got it signed by him and Tricia. His dedication reads “Thomas, see you in Hell!”. Alright Andy, I’ll bring the beers you bring the lounge chairs, but in the meantime you can bet I’ll make it to the next live appearance of this Punk Rock pioneer who is proving show after show that he neither lost his edge, nor his sense of humor: the two main ingredients that makes great r’n’r what it is, and a common fact that many people seem to have forgotten these days. Go see Andy, and learn your lesson.

Andy Shernoff’s solo band The Master Plan (also featuring members of the Fleshtones) has recently released a 2nd album “Maximum Respect) available on CD, and LP. A limited edition vinyl LP is avaible on Tornado Ride Records for you collectors out there. www.tornadoriderecords.com. Tricia Scotti is in studio recording her own material. Brian Hurd can be seen with his own band Daddy Long Legs.