David Cook's New Tattoo - Close Up

"So when your eulogy is being read

With your life's actions to rehash

Would you be proud of the things they say

About how you spent your dash?"

David Cook Returns To The Stage

After a three week hiatus, David Cook and his band "The Anthemic" took to the stage for a sold out crowd in Temecula, CA at the Pechanga Casino and Resort. Tonight was the first of a two night run and the guys did not disappoint. The vocals were stellar and the band in top form.

The set-list was fantastic: Mr. Sensitive, Heroes, Kiss On The Neck, I Did It For You, Lie, Bar-Ba-Sol, Souvenir, Make Believe (new song), Straight Ahead (from Analog Heart), Shattered Dreams (cover), Come Back To Me, Light On (Encore #1), A Daily Anthem (Encore #2). Declaration was on the set list, but not performed.

Dave debuted a brand new red guitar and a new forearm tattoo, of which there is much speculation. Word on the street is that it's comprised of the following verse: "So when your eulogy is being read - With your life's actions to rehash - Would you be proud of the things they say - About how you spent your dash?"

The banter was great, as usual. He asked Andy Skib how he spent his Christmas break, to which Skib replied, "None of your business" (that Andy is always a funny guy). He mentioned how cute Andy's dog, Amos, is and called himself "Uncle Dave." Dave's brother, Mother, and Stepfather were in attendance, enjoying the show within the crowd of fans. Never missing an opportunity to taunt his younger brother, Dave pointed out the new facial hair Andrew is sporting, calling it the best mustache ever.

Always the humble performer, he thanked the fans for flying in from all over the country (some as far as Florida) to support him while he does what he loves. This is one of his endearing qualities and a pivotal reason why "cookies" are so loyal. Dave never forgets his fans or their place in getting him to where he is.

Before the show, he sat down with someone from the Pechanga Casino and Resort to answer a few questions. Jokingly calling this his "comeback tour," revealing his New Year's Resolutions, and giving us a hint of what the next record will encompass.



The Anthemic: David Cook, lead singer - Neal Tiemann, lead guitar, backup singer - Andy Skib, keyboard, guitar, backup singer - Monty Anderson, bass - Kyle Peek, drums, backup singer

David Cook - December In Review

December was a good month for David Cook and The Anthemic. After over 150 shows since February 14, 2008, the Declaration Tour unexpectedly wrapped up on December 1st. The last show, scheduled for December 2, was cancelled the night before, resulting in a flurry of Twitter activity, speculations and questions. We still don't know why the last concert never happened, but we know it was not Dave's idea - he never cancels.

In a word, the last show was epic. Never one to disappoint, Dave had some tricks up his sleeve. He ate pasta on stage during Green River Ordinance's (a.k.a GRO) performance; even trying to feed the lead singer, Josh. The crazy antics continued with David taping the word "poop" on GRO's base drum. Captain America, Green Man, Monkey, and Banana all made an appearance. My personal favorite was the "River Dance" dance-off between The Script and GRO. This is a group of guys who genuinely like each other and like to have fun! Fire Tornado (a band made up of the tour crew) even made an appearance at the end of the night while David and the rest of the guys threw tour mementos into the crowd (even Parm, the rubber chicken!). One of the most poignant moments of the night was Mr. Cook standing on the side of the stage, towel wrapped around his neck, tears in eyes, taking it all in.

The rest of December included: Dave writing and recording in NYC; Dave and Neal celebrating birthdays; Dave singing the National Anthem at the Kansas City Chiefs game; Andy Skib performing at the Flytrap Music Hall; Dave making a surprise appearance/performance at a concert in KC; Neal being stuck in airports for about a week; and a flawless performance of "Lie" on The Carrie Underwood Christmas Special.

After a short break, we have the New Year's Eve show in Pechanga to look forward to! Here's to an even better year in 2010.

Robert Pattinson Chats with Penny Smith from GMTV

While in London in November, promoting New Moon, Rob sat down with Penny Smith from GMTV for a chat. Her knowledge of the Twilight Saga and of Rob is limited; evidence by some of her ignorant questions (makeup, contacts, Volturi). Rob easily avoids answering certain uncomfortable questions, and delights us with his musing thoughts.

As for what he aspired to be as a child? He longed to find something that didn't require homework or someone telling him what to do. Really? So reading scripts, researching characters, and having a director, manager, and production company tell you what to do and when to do it doesn't count, Rob? :) We're happy with the career choice.

Would he want to be a vampire? What does his family think of his new fame? Oh, and he obviously reads the magazines. :)