Rock ‘n’ Roll High School 33: Tommy Keene Flipped Out on Music

First things first, Tommy Keene’s new album “Behind the Parade” hits stores and the interwebs on August 30th.  I’ve even heard mention of limited edition vinyl, so keep that in mind when you’re squirreling away your allowance.  In the meantime, Tommy agreed to tackle the RNRHS questionnaire. He’s the first of my many respondents to mention having seen Roxy Music live and I must say that I am more than a little jealous, perhaps even green with envy.  (And how about this groovy RM photo I unearthed? Bryan, you are rocking the white suit as only you can do.)

Tommy  Keene

Walter Johnson High, Bethesda  MD, Class of ’76, Currently: I have a new record coming out Aug. 30 called  Behind The Parade, on Second Motion Records and we’re doing eight shows in  Sept. The 6th in Los Angeles, Silverlake Lounge, 9 Arlington  VA- Iota Club and Cafe, 10 Brooklyn NY-The Rock Shop, 11- Boston  MA-Church, 13 Cleveland OH-The Grog Shop, 14 Milwaukee WI-Shank Hall, 15  Chicago IL-Schuba’s and St. Paul MN-The Turf Club

Band  and/or song that reminds you the most of high school: Kind of too  numerous to mention, some stand outs would be David Bowie-Ziggy Stardust, Roxy  Music-Siren, Be Bop Deluxe-Sunburst Finish and many  others!!!

Favorite piece of music memorabilia (poster, t-shirt,  etc.) in high school: I bought a poster of The Who at the  Quadrophenia show at The Capitol Center in 1973 that had all their faces on the mirrors of a mod scooter that I had on my bedroom wall for a long  time.

Band that you hated that everyone else at school  seemed to love: That is a tie between The Grateful Dead and The Allman  Brothers. I saw the Allman’s early on with Duane in the band. I was so bored I  wandered around the concourse for an hour and a half. Two drummers and endless, long noodly jams that went nowhere, plus they looked like dirty  hippies.

Best show or concert you saw in high school: Hands  down, Roxy Music at Lisner Auditorium Dec. 75 during the Siren tour.

Optional bonus question:  Best high school make-out  song: I really don’t have one but I remember in Jr. High- seventh grade at my  first make out party, they turned the lights down low and everybody started  getting to it. I put the album “Tommy” by The Who on the stereo and was having a  Keith Moon air drum moment when the girl I was supposed to be making out with  turned to her friend and said, “He’s just so flipped out on music”.

Tommy Keene’s latest is Behind the Parade. You can learn more about Tommy at tommykeene.com.