​A Dangerous Fred Flintstone, "Armpitish" weather and Sleeping Seniors. (Kiwanis Park - 8/15/2025)

Having just completed a show 2 days before at the wonderful Dominican University in River Forest, BPB had a second show at Kiwanis Park in Brookfield on 8/15/2025.  So, setting up, breaking down, unloading, re-loading and setting up again feels like a daunting task for some of us who are approaching 60.  The joy of playing and playing in front of some really nice size crowds takes away the soreness from all the equipment movement.  We were treated to some really nice crowds at both shows.  This was the second time we played Kiwanis park.  Our first show was in July of 2022. In our 19 song set this time, we only repeated 2 song we played the first time (“Heartbreaker” – which rarely leaves the set – and someday I am going to play it correctly, and “Uninvited” which is amazing to hear Lisa and Ellen harmonize only equaled by the cool stuff the Keith and Mike do making killer sounds with their guitars).

Nick Madsen did an amazing job on sound and has become our go to sound guy when we have to provide it.  He had the mix seemingly perfect which is really difficult considering we are a six piece with at any one time, 4 people singing.  BiPolar Bear founder Jim Cavanaugh, attending his first show as a guy in the crowd (he had played with us at the Pub and the Toga party and was not available to see our other shows) commented that as he was walking to his car before the last two songs were finished, he could hear the mix perfectly from down the street.  I do not have the experience of Mike or Lisa who have played in bands for years, but sound is the hardest thing to do.  Without a good mix, It does not matter how good the performance is on stage.  Nick has become invaluable asset for us.
The idiot bassist wore a Fred Flintstone shirt, orange, with the tie and Sabre tooth spots.  He found himself wandering in the crowd and dancing with some kids who were hovering around the BPB mic which records the performances.  Professor Mike sternly warned him to watch his dancing or he would end up on some kind of list, not allowing Rob back in parks!  During “Counting Blue Cars”, Rob clumsily crashed into Dr. Keith’s headstock, getting the axe murder disapproving face from the guitarist who demanded the bass player return back to the other side of the stage.  Professor Mike who is also a part of the grammar police, challenged Rob’s use of the word “armpitish” to describe the wonderful but still humid environment. It was armpitish. 

You take 6 people from different educational backgrounds, dissimilar musical tastes, diverse spiritual and political views and you mix them together and you get Bipolar Bear.  It is amazing with all those differences how the band is growing together, enjoying playing music as a unit (I said Unit!!!) and I believe the 5 of them are fond of each other (and they tolerate the bassist).  Dr. Keith Taddei, our youngest band member is a shredder, loves Satriani, Vai and Zappa. His musical interplay with Professor Mike Morsovillo (loves Jerry Garcia, Santana and Clapton) has been an amazing amalgamation that has clicked live and in rehearsal.  Listening to Mike’s soulful solos on “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” and “Feelin’ Alright” gives me chills just like when I hear Keith shred on “You Really Got Me” or “Rock You Like a Hurricane.”  Each has taken up responsibilities very quickly to help the band.  Keith is the Director of Quality Improvement.  He listens intently to rehearsal and show recordings and lets us know what he thinks is working and what needs improvement.  He is direct, no thin skin allowed. His observations and notes are spot on and helpful.  He also has taken up the task of drafting set lists.  Professor Mike has assumed the role of Band Director, making decisions in shows on what may need to be cut and ensuring the arrangements are working.  Everyone contributes, and Keith is on that too, but Mike has that ear and can point out something when it hits wrong almost immediately (don’t play a wrong bass note when he is singing, it does not end well for the bassist!!!).  Kevin Vesel has been an amazing addition.  He has assumed the difficult task of setting the pace at shows and is the Practice Master – ensuring we get thru the material live.  I cannot believe that harnessing the energy and insane mind of the idiot bassist is easy in either milieu, but he does it extremely well.  He keeps the band on track.  The 3.0 guys (Mike, Keith and Kevin) have been amazing.  We could not be luckier to have them, Lisa, Ellen and I are astonished and grateful that they joined us and we could not be happier.  Band Story Part 3  tells how they found their way to BPB.

Park shows are really fun because the community comes out to support the shows.  Hmmmm, how do I say this?  Lots of those folks might in fact be senior citizens which is cool, but I did notice as Keith was shredding on “Rock You Like a Hurricane”  two elderly gentlemen were asleep.  That is not a commentary on Keith’s playing more like the warmth of the evening and the idea of napping in the park felt good for those guys.  

Lisa was in great form.  I though Ellen had a nice showing.  The two guitarists keep getting more comfortable with each other and they sound super cool together.  To me, Kevin was the rock that night, sharp on drums and kept the show moving.  

I cannot tell you how much fun this is, not in words, but if you come out to a show, you can see it in the way we play and interact with each other.  WHAT A JOY!!!

Rob, Bob, Boober, Bobby, whatever...