"Neil's In Rehab" by The Magnificent Pagan Gods (featuring Kenn Rowell of The Baghdaddios)

While still in school, Kenn Rowell, of The Baghdaddios wrote "Neil's In Rehab" as a member of The Magnificent Pagan Gods, his band before he helped found The Baghdaddios in the 1990s. After recording the song at an NYC recording studio at a Greenwich Village apartment on 1st Street (around the corner from C.B.G.B.) the band filmed a crude but fun music video on Super 8 film which was edited on computer by his cousin, Rye Babcock. The video was shot in Rowell's home town of Nyack, NY and at the band's rehearsal place (their bassist's basement in Pomona, NY). Local Nyack artist and "scenester", Lisa Horn (now Lisa Hold) helped in the filming, and the video aired on Hudson Valley cable to promote the band's inclusion in the "Listen!" Benefit Concert; which helped raise public awareness, as well as more than $3,500.00 for A.I.D.S.-related charities on March 27, 1992. The band consisted of Jim Ianucci on lead guitar and vocals, Nick Galetta on bass and vocals, (John) Andy Oros on drums and Rowell on rhythm guitar and vocals.

Rowell went on to help found The Baghdaddios, later that year. The Magnificent Pagan Gods reunited for a one-time appearance at Rowell's annual benefit for the homeless, Blank-Fest, in the early 2000s. "Neil's In Rehab" was one of several MPG songs penned by Rowell that would eventually find it's way into The Baghdaddios' repertoire and was re-recorded for the group's debut CD, "Willie Horton Hears A Who", which was released in the tail end of 1996.

Special thanks to NYC-based filmmaker Art Leal who put a lot of effort into cleaning up the original VHS master and making this music video digital-worthy and ready for our friends on YouTube!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Rehab
• protest
• social awareness
• Nyack
• NYC
• Greenwich Village
• Baghdaddios
• Rowell
• homeless
• A.I.D.S.
• Blank-Fest
• super 8
• D.I.Y.
• indie
• CBGB
• C.B.G.B.
• experimental
• Hudson River
• Hudson Valley
• punk rock
• Lower East Side
• Art Leal
• pop

[satyran]

awesome stuff, I was doing music alot around the same time, in Ohio, wish I could've played a show with you guys. Awesome sound, fun song, makes me realize how shit everything is now. Thanks for the memories and thanks for sharing a great song

[Baghdaddio]

@satyran You know, man, it's comments like yours which is the biggest reason we still love doing music. Thank you for making our night! This is still played, at almost every show, by the band M.P.G. eventually evolved into: The Baghdaddios. And, after all these years, it still gets the crowd up. Hey, if you ever have a reunion show or are in a band, let us know - we'd play with you in a heartbeat, sight unseen - and we have been known to playing Ohio! Thanks again, man!

[joeyalkes]

kenn - you are clearly a maniac. love it! if you guys are not careful u might yet turn out to be actually a household name someday.

joey alkes

[ZanzipharTwoTut]

Great Super 8!!!! That's a fantastic old-timey feeling video. BTW, was that Lisa on the bench in that one shot?

[satyran]

@Baghdaddio Thanks man! I checked out the Baghdaddios and I'm def a fan. So now you've got me thinking about finding the rifraf I used to play with.....and doing some kinda reunion thing....wow, haven't thought about some of those guys for years. I'll let you know how it goes! On the flipside, I've got some friends up in Brooklyn, so hopefully when I visit NYC I'll get to check you guys out live. Take care and thanks for the reply, Neil's in Rehab's been stuck in my head all week! and thats good

[Baghdaddio]

@Baghdaddio I care to keep my strength reserved for hoistin' beerz!

[Baghdaddio]

@rubixspoly I can play it. But I prefer to play guitar (can't swing a piano over your head!).

[Baghdaddio]

@rubixspoly as well you should!

[Baghdaddio]

@rubixspoly OH, one of my fave places. PA rocks!

[Baghdaddio]

@rubixspoly Yeah, man.  Where are YOU at? (and do we know each other?)

[Baghdaddio]

@rubixspoly yeah: beers. blondes. Grammy Award nominations. (Hey, it's a dream)

[Baghdaddio]

@rubixspoly Not sure how to go about it. In the meantime I watch lame videos gettin' mad hits. THIS STUFF? Genius! But, nah, it'll never chart. Pity!