We, the Lampshades have been to the top of the mountain and the bottom of the dump. Yeah. We had a dream come true now and again. Like when we played the tent in front of Ceasar’s Palace in the entertainment capital of Nevada, Las Vegas. We’ve also played basement dives for shady characters while they set up snuff films for people who wished we were dead if we sang one more song. We’ve been on a bus for 40 days and 40 nights to South Bend, IN only to discover that the circus had left town without us. (if you know what I’m sayin’). There are two sides to every story, baby. If you’re like me, you don’t need to remember your childhood. What’s past is past. But I ‘m told that fans want to know more about the Lampshades than we normally reveal. Let me set the Lampshades record straight. Hori and I , myself, Kassie Chew, have worked together since nineteen eighty-none of your business. We both answered an add in the Chicago Reader: Wanted: Singer, one male, one female. No cross dressers. Must be willing to share spotlight. Well. I guess we were the two people destined for the low paying but highly rewarding job. You sing a song and you break the hearts of hundreds and tens of fans. We sing cuz you can’t. We actually do a number about our first gig. That first gig was off Polaski in Chicago and it involved a lot of Polish kids, a wurlitzer (played by Leon, the greatest keyboard operator in the biz who left us for his religion) and a whirling roller rink with a broken turntable. No jukebox, just us. So we had to know every song ever cared about. Not a bad way to cut your teeth. We got to sing songs that hadn’t been written yet; songs like “Nobody Cares” and “I Will Make Them Love Me! ” We struggled with bad management, Hori’s bad marriages, and my deadbeat boyfriends who’d interupt me mid song for some pocket change. Economic down turns, forcing us to work second and third jobs (Teaching Jazzersize to country club ladies and working the checkout stand in the local grocery while Hori “ran” a modest dog grooming salon) Ups and way downs –only to discover that by keeping our expectaions in check we could be mildly amused by life Yeah, 911 was a real bitch. Now we are lucky enough to have a booze cruise just often enough to not get sea sick thinking about it. And the occasional day lit outdoor street fair, like the recent ribbon cutting ceremony of the extention of the LA subway. (it’s about time, LA!) Things are above par. Though we are not a couple we continue to work together as a professional team earning the patronage of some very loyal fans. Both very single and very open to love of any shape and kind, hope springs eternal. I hope that clears up the past.