Dec. 31  - 2003  Map
Moondog's New Years Eve Bash!!!: 378 Freeport Rd, Blawnox, PA (412) 828-2040  
10:00 p.m. - 2 a.m. - Wed.
What a fantastic evening! "Boilermaker", "That's Enough About Me", "Yesterday's Gone", "Nothin To Lose"...the guys were just rollin! The short first set gave everybody a chance to get something to eat and get everyone geared up for the marathon over 2 hour second set! Norman counted in the New Year and sang "Auld Ange Syne" as the Rat Man entered the scene in baby booties and a diaper. Where'd he get that giant baby bottle?! And what was in it?! Like Norman says, you gotta do some laughin...Enter Mark Stutso, guitar hero Jimmy Thackery's longtime drummer, but tonight Stutso was here to sing and man did he sound great. "Work Together" got everybody into it. Then Stutso kicked the old Nardini rocker "Heartbreak Shake", followed by an incredible version of "Three Times Your Fool". Then it all went uphill from there when Norman handed his guitar to guitar legend Glenn Pavone. Then, Stutso and Pavone backed by Whitey Cooper and Harry Bottoms "T-bone shuffled" in a most impressive manner. What came next was even more impressive...a powerful slow blues...Glenn Pavone just soared and took Mark Stutso to an even higher level to everyone's delight. Wow! What a special night! Norman got back up on guitar as Stutso closed out his set with "Bring It On Home To Me". Soul music! You gotta love it! Moondog regular Chucky Koehler got up and sand Elvis's "Tedddy Bear" as Norman pointed out that Chuck is an idiot savant of the highest intelligence who can make fix or do just about anything. Now we know he can sing. Somebody wanted to hear Johnny Cash so Norm obliged with "Fulsom Prison Blues" featuring Glenn Pavone on drums. Whitey got up and sang his ass off while Mark Stutso got behind on drums. "Shamalam Ding Dong", "Chain Gang", "Sweet Soul Music" and "Mojo" all came pouring off the stage while everybody watched Whitey Cooper ring in a soulful New Year. Somewhere in the middle of the madness, with Glenn Pavone on drums, Whitey pulled out Norman's slide guitar and you should have seen the look on Glenn Pavone's face! It's obvious Glenn is Whitney's biggest fan. Club owner Ron "Moondog" Esser got up to sing "Tupelo Honey" and dedicated it to Bill and Diane. Later Norman acknowledged Moondog's wife Junedog for puttin up with his b.s. year after year after year. The whole club stood up to get a better look of the Rat Man on the floor doin the worm as Whitey poured beer into his face. What a great night and close out to 2003 and what a wonderful welcome to 2004! When Norman thanked the crowd for showin up, you could tell he really meant it.
Notables in attendance: Gil & Sue (thanks for the great pics!) and Mark the vet, Dave & Carol, Ron & Patty, Rat & Betty Lou, Little Mike and their Turtle Creek contingency, Ann and JP, Jan Man and Cow Pants, Glenn and Nancy, Bill the other bartender and Diane, Junedog, John the bartender, Grant and the lovely Tammy, Peanuts, Tommy Dormer and their lovely wives, Kathy, Craig the doorman (also thanks for the pics), Tony Pirrolo & dream date and a gang of good old fashion rock n roll soldiers.

Dec. 30 - 2003 Map
Parkway Tavern: 312 Center Rd, Monroeville, PA 15146 (412) 372-8199
8 p.m. - 11 p.m. - Tues. 
You could easily see how happy Norman was that the large percentage of the crowd was young (under 25?), but they all seemed to understand the miracle that is Pittsburgh rock n roll. The rhythm section Whitey Cooper and Harry Bottoms sounded extra tight tonight. Norman just soared the whole evening. The show was supposed to be over at 11 pm. but the guys played on till 12:30am. Good Good rockin! Mark Stutso of Jimmy Thackery's band got up and sang the second set and although he looked nervous, he sounded great. Tonight, Norman just played em all. "Love Dog", "Smoke Two Joints", "Burnin Up", "That Girl", "Nothin To Lose"...livin, lovin, laughin! That's what I'm talkin about!
Notables in attendance: The Carhops East gang, Devo, Sue & Don, Rat & Betty Lou, Pete & Andy Oddo and a gang of beautiful young folks

Dec. 27 - 2003 map | driving directions 
Chesapeake Steak & Seafood: with special guest 'The Offenders" - featuring "Shades"
1965 Streets Run Road, 
Pittsburgh, PA  15236 412-885-0650
9:30 - 1:30 am. - Sat.
Who knew Norman's sound man was a kick ass guitar player and singer!? The Offenders opened the show with old friend Shades on bass and vocals and did a few choice originals and covers. Norman kicked it off with "Boilermaker", "Rebel Rouser", "How You Like Me Now", then "Burnin Up" seemed to make the older folks in the audience happy. "That Girl" sounded better than it used to. Early in the second set Norman brought up the Offenders drummer Brian to play backup while Whitey Cooper sang "Shamalama Ding Dong". Then Shades and Ray from the Offenders got up with the guys and did "Who Wants It" and Lou Reed's "Sweet Jane". Then, Stitch ex-singer of the Disasters, came up from the audience and sang the old Norman classic, "I Wanna Make It With You" ...very cool! Great night....lot's of laughin and the night ended with everybody singin "Dead Flowers...You gotta love livin!
Notables in attendance: Gerry & Jenn, Larry Germack, president of Norman's old label "Circumstantial Records", Stitch & Kathy, plus beautiful daughter and friend Matt, Chris & Eric, The entire Pollen family.

Dec. 26 - 2003 Map   Driving Directions
Babcock Pub & Restaurant: 3367 Babcock Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15237 (412) 364-8511 
10 p.m. - 2 a.m. Fri.
What a beautiful room! Norman said a young girl asked to hear some Dave Mathews and he told her "I ain't doin no Dave Mathews, we're here to put the soul into rock n roll!" Then another young lady made a sour face at Norman as she walked out the door. Norman stopped the music and told her "lady, if you're tryin' to make me feel bad, it ain't gonna happen, cause I got skin like an alligator". "Now go ahead get outta here! You're stinkin' up the place!" It's kinda sad to think that some people aren't free thinkin enough to know when they're seein the real deal. Cause after all, it's all about real manful, original Pittsburgh rock n roll and that's what was goin down!. "That Ain;t Gonna Happen", "I Seen Too Much". "Someone I Can't Live Without", "Three Times Your Fool"...one after the other...three and a half hours worth. If it makes sense to you, there's no place you'd rather be. And if it don't, "get outta here! You're stinkin up the place!"
Notables in attendance: Brice, Ron & Patty, Cowpants and Jan Man, Bob & Pam, Debbie & Dale, Dave & Carol

Dec. 22 - 2003  Map
Carhops: (Norm as special guest) 2500 West Liberty Avenue Pittsburgh, PA  15226 412-561-5015
10 p.m. - 2. a.m. Mon.
A Norman gig with no Norman songs, no Harry Bottoms and no Whitey Clyde Cooper! One for fun! Yeah baby, the b.s. was flowin and yeah it was kind of beautiful. "Let's Start All Over Again" started things off with a slow burn. Johnny Cash's "Fulsom Prison Blues" rolled off like a train. Bob Dylan's "Like A Rollin Stone" gave everybody a chance to play. Danny G. on guitar sounded excellent. Then, the Tex Mex "Woolie Bully" saw bass player Paul Daul and keyboard man Joe Monroe chime in on background vocals. Good job guys! And the cheesy organ, man...pass the dust I think I'm Freddy Fender. Club owner and drummer, Bruce Slogan seemed to egg Norman on when he was b.s.'n and it's probably not a good idea. Isn't Norman crazy enough on his own?! Joe Monroe did a nice version of a Steely Dan song, while Norman struggled to find the chords, although he didn't have any trouble with the solo at the end. Jill (singer) & Joffo (drummer) Simmons got up together and did "Shaky Ground" and "Love Me Like A Man" with the guys. Then Randy Eugene came up and kicked "Start All Over Again" and "Let's Get It On". Then the young dudes, into real music (you gotta love it) got up and kicked ass.
Notables in attendance: Michelle, Toots, Maria, Dave & Carol, Phil and Lee from Carhops East, Joffo & Jill, Ronny Cairo, Getsy & Frank, Ted, Herman & Mike

Dec. 20 - 2003  Map 
Excuses (Night Before Thanksgiving!!!): 2526 E. Carson St. (South Side), Pittsburgh, PA (412) 431-4090 
10:30 p.m. 2:00 a.m.
Very early into the first set, Santa Claus came in and ordered a beer. Norman started jerkin him immediately. "Nothin Top Lose" crushed after "Last Night I Had A Dream" and "How You Like Me Now". Towards the end of the set an elf got up and danced to "Wipe Out". Whitey hates playin "Wipe Out" but Norm makes him do it sometimes. The first set ended with "Who Were You Thinking Of". This about how f---- up this is...he's on stage wearin a shirt that says NORMAN in giant letters while he's singin a stupid song named "Norman!" ...Overload!! Whitey sang "White Christmas" after a great version of "Shamalama Ding Dong". Then Norman did "Just ANother Christmas Song" after he aplogized for not knowing the song...know it? I thought he wrote it! Dork! Like Whitey Cooper said (Do Ya Like Good Music...Yeash, Yeah). Then outta the blue Norman asked Harry what he was thinkin and Harry walked up to his mic and sang "Born To Be Wild". For a special moment...all was right with the world. Then someone from the back of the room yelled Merry Christmas A-- hole!
Notables in attendance: Ted, Patty & Ron, Debbie, Rat & Betty, Bob & Pam, Nick the gentleman grease ball. the 3 unidentified South Side girls

Dec. 19 - 2003
Crow Bar: - Arnold, PA:
10 p.m. - 2a.m.
Norman had his regular amp back from the shop tonight. "Burnin Up"...powerful! "A Cold One And A Rollee One" is comin along fine. "yesterday's Gone:...Put the soul into the rock n roll! "That's Amore" showed up into the set for the first time. I think Norman's been listenin to too much Dean martin. "Heat Of The Night"...now THAT's Pittsburgh rock n roll! "Over Said And Done" sounded great tonigt as did the crushin version of "Smoke Two Joints". Then Norman read from the good book. "IT Ain;t About Beauty, It's All About The Booty!" plus "Old Cow Died With A Rag in it's ass". Sweet Thang got up and sang a  reluctant duet with Norman on Charlie Daniels "Long Haired Country Boy". It Was Stupit! But also kind of wonderful in a manly sort of way. Beers were consumed, shots were poured and Christmas love was in the air.
Notables in attendance: Ace, Gus & Frankie Tosto, Henny and his ole lady Terry, Sweet Thang last seen at the White Trash Awards.

Dec. 13 - 2003 Map   Driving Directions
Penn Monroe Grill: 3985 William Penn Hwy, Monroeville, PA 15146 412-373-1180
9:30 p.m. - 2 a.m. - Sat.
The guys kicked it off at 9:30 sharp and copped a groove immediately. "Lazy Bones" into "Good Rockin Man"...nice! "A Cold One And A Rolled One", seems to be the tune Norm's been diggin' on lately. Tonight's version started a 30 people conga line that danced out of the building and never came back! Penn Monroe seems to be a pretty cool place for Norman's music. "You Go Your Way" showed up in the first set and once again it seemed to be in too high a key for Norman to sing. Harry Bottoms sang Marty Robin's "Singin The Blues" and it sounded great. The song, "Send You Back" was a welcome surprise. Did you ever notice how Norman smiles when all the girls get up to dance to "That Girl"? Ah...the simple pleasure... The Stone's "Let It Bleed" closed the night and found the Rat Man shirtless and yeah kinda beautiful.
Notables in attendance: Wayne, Rat & Betty Lou, Ron & Lynn, Norman's sister Ann and CowPants

Dec. 12 - 2003 Map
The Little Village: 3437 University Ave. Star City, WV, 26505 304-599-1803
Fri. 10pm - 2am. (Cover charge around $5)
Wild Wonderful West by God Virginia! Almost heaven! "Lazy Bones" got it all rollin', "White Trash Tragedy", took things to another level. A new arrangement of an older Norman song "A Cold One And A Rolled One" felt great. Norman's lead guitar on "Burnin Up" was crushin. About half way through the first set, the guys did Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl" and the whole place started dancin. It's been a staple the last couple months "Johnny Cash's "Fulsom Prison Blues". It Must Have Been Rainin" closed the first set. Tonight's show was recorded for a possible "Live" authorized bootleg which might soon be available for sale at this very site. Cool! huh?! Of course, at 2:30 in the morning the night had to end with the customary "For The Good Times" sung by the Straface kids.
Notables in attendance: The spirit of Big Joe Straface, Joey, Ashley, Michael & Logan, Randall Dugan and lovely wife, Eddie Boyle, Misto, Brock, Stan and Denise, Sue and Sue, Melissa, Dave and last but not least...Bobby Moore.

Dec. 2 - 2003 Map
Parkway Tavern: 312 Center Rd, Monroeville, PA 15146 (412) 372-8199
8 p.m. - 11 p.m. - Tues. 
Casual, perfect for a Tuesday evening. Great mix of music and bullshit. Not too loud...just right. "Burnin Up" sounded great tonight. How about Whitey Cooper's high vocals on "Sick N Tired"?! Once again the new tunes where shining. "Who Dat Do Dat"...Strong! "Mr Right Now" (Stupit but cool). I just wish Rat hadn't pulled down George's pants. Gay bikers? Only at a Norman gig! Harry Bottom on "Pots N Pans To Bottles N Cans" great tune, great performance. How about Norman's new rap about three kings in Memphis?! Is he delusional or what? "Rock N Roll City" closed the night.. a command performance for Bud. Pizza for all my drunken friends.
Notables in attendance: Mike & Sharon, Bud & Heather, Wayne, George, Rat & Betty Lou, Puggy & Diane, Don (El Presidente), Marsha & Susan, Leanne the bartender.