The Reilly Family Quarentined

A day in the life of a rock n' roll family 

So what's it like to live with a rock n' roll dad? I had the opportunity to take a peek into the real life of Ike Reilly as he performed Facebook live shows with his three sons and son-in-law during this pandemic summer. From my view? Fun family shenanigans.

Reilly, who's been writing, singing, and performing for more than 30 years, took the COVID lock-down opportunity by the horns and persuaded his sons to sing with him live on Facebook.  They have appeared with him at First Avenue in Minneapolis, but this was a treat that only a mother (and father) could love. The stage is the stage - nerves aside - but Facebook live lends itself to the real making of music. Mistakes can happen and starting a song over is often necessary, which seemingly gave us an intimate, private show, month after month.

Antics, dance moves, eye rolling, ass-hattery, goofiness, lots of hair and really good singing was offered up by Shane, Kevin, and Micky.  The ever humble and forever proud "pops" has a unique relationship with each of his kids. Inside jokes aside, when the song starts they are (mostly) all serious about singing the right notes, in the right key, at the right time. Reilly has no clue what is happening behind him (cue in the bad dance moves) but there is always a smile - this is where he wants to be, standing in front of these up and coming musicians commenting that its "surreal to see all you guys singing and playing along."

As the collective public has craved live music and entertainment since lock down began, Reilly seemed to dial it in and fine tune his show with each performance. All three sons held their own with dad - writing lyrics, singing solo, duets, and backup. The shows have "forced us to test the waters of really playing and creating together," stated Reilly. And test the waters they did.  It is said that the Everly Brothers were the essence of harmony.  The Reilly Brothers all have different pitches that blend seamlessly into the most perfect sound when harmonizing with dad.  

Sometimes our rock hero's seem untouchable. Reilly has debunked that myth with his rich gift of storytelling; gritty nuggets from his life experiences. Listen closely and you will hear lyrical love stories to his family.

Summer has somewhat ended with the onset of college starting for Reilly's two youngest sons. As they have forayed back into the real world, Ike once again will take his show to the digital airwaves and give us what we want - more Facebook "live" music.  And if you can, don't forget to tip!

The Joys of Playing Women's Hockey

Last night was the last game of my over 40 league.  Yes, I'm over 40 and yes, there are a lot of women who play hockey in an over 40 league.  This league starts two days after the WHAM State Tournament.  Why?  Because we can't get enough time on the ice.

Last night when my teammate walked into the locker room, she told us a cute story.  As she was carrying her gear into the Brooklyn Park Community Center Arena, a nice lady with an accent asked if that big bag she was carrying was hers. And if she was the one who was going to play hockey?  All this, and a bit more, was asked with curiosity and some disbelief. She said she would watch us because she was going to be walking the track above the rink.

As I got on the ice, I looked around to see who was walking the track - and there she was - taking pictures of us warming up - if you can call it that.  A few laps around the sheet of ice, a few shots at the goalie, and a few stretches so to not pull a muscle!

The over 40 league is competitive, but low key.  No one is trying to win the Stanley Cup and there is no tournament to prove yourself at the end of the season.  We play hard and want to win, but also laugh just as hard at each other about our mistakes on the ice.  We pick each other up when we get knocked down and even stop to ask if all is okay.  A friendly game!

Players lined up at center ice, the ref blew the whistle and dropped the puck - game started!  And this wonderful woman and her husband sat in the stands and watched our first period.  They were two of six "fans" watching our game.  Occasionally I would look to see if she was still watching - and there she was - with the biggest smile on her face - snapping an occasional picture.

As the first period ended, she got up to leave.  My teammate gathered both teams in the middle of the ice so she could get a group shot of us.  She smiled and laughed and was on her way.  This same Canadian-born teammate said to me, "she'll go back to her country with a great feeling about America and hockey."  I told her that she is probably hoping to stay in America and not be sent back to her home country. Isn't America great again? (said with sarcasm because of Deferred Enforced Departure or DED trying to be passed.)

This beautiful, black woman, with the biggest smile ever, had the most pure radiant joy emanating from her face.  She proved to me that women have no boundaries. We will support each other whenever and wherever.

Lesson learned?  Her smile made me smile.  Her big, beautiful, white toothy grin solidified my love for hockey, for a team sport where I get to be with incredibly supportive and loving women on a weekly basis.  Her smile took away my stresses of the day because at that moment, her smile was pure joy and all she was doing was watching us play.  Imagine her smile if she was on the ice playing hockey with us.

The Ike Reilly Experience

Although the review by Vito Ingerto on TwinCitiesMedia.net was pretty spot on, I'm pretty sure he hasn't actually witnessed an entire Ike Reilly show on Thanksgiving Eve at First Avenue to really capture what it means. For the better part of 15 years I have partaken in the revelry, bad-assery, and bawdiness of Ike who Ingerto describes as "cooler than pirates and ninjas combined."  I've had the pleasure to witness Ike Reilly at First Avenue, 7th Street Entry, Turf Club, Fine Line, Ice House, Varsity Theater, Bryant Lake Bowl, as well as traveling to Chicago to enjoy several appearances there.  I'm qualified to write a review.

When friends ask who?  I say, "You know, Ike Reilly. He's a combination of Dylan and Springsteen. It's like nothing you've ever seen."  When asked why I've seen him so many times?  I say, "Ike never disappoints."  And once again, Thanksgiving Eve 2017 at First Avenue, did not disappoint.

Over the years each show has had a vibe of it's own, from show stopping barroom brawls to sexual experiences in the mosh pit. Reilly's music does something to your senses - like you've sold your soul to stay on the right side of heaven. Taking the stage with verve and passion, his songs were solid and the music was strong. But this show had a different feel.  It took on an air of mastery. With two "new" members of the Assassination, Reilly acted the proud papa to 21 year old Max Niemann and as the student to the master when Mars Williams played his first note. Williams' blues-infused sax took Reilly's songs to another level - they soon took on a life of their own. It was as though Ike himself was hearing his songs for the first time - the crowd was mesmerized.  And then there was Max - with a hockey players flow and rock n' roll stance, Max nailed guitar licks like a seasoned pro as he bantered back and forth note for note with Williams. Reilly, watching this magical moment unfold on stage - smiled.  And that is what makes him even more dangerous than a pirate or a ninja. I'd say more like the devil who had just brokered a deal.