This trip to London has been to hang out with my good friend, actress Kate O’Toole. We’ve had loads of fun and spent all day Sunday in Brixton. For those of you who are unfamiliar (as I was) Brixton is a bit Brooklyn – with a little of Bronx thrown in. It was a bank holiday this weekend and Aurora Dawn who is the (AMAZING) female voice of Alabama 3, organized the event to bolster the neighborhood and it was held at Brixton Jamm, where they’ve played MANY times. They enlisted our gal Kate to introduce them, as she often has. We were told to come at noon and we got there just before 1, thinking we were late. Fast forward 6 hours later, and the band was just about ready to go on. Had we known that they played Glasgow the night before and just flown in, we might have lived our lives first and then come. But we were happy to be outside all afternoon and we chatted with architect Simona Nica (from Transylvania, believe it or not?) There was food, entertainment and concessions for the kids, ice cream, a full bar and a DJ. Our friend Woody came to join us mid-afternoon too. We met a sweetheart, Brandon (from Orange County) and his bf Miguel (from Portugal.) Actor and pal Tom Canton showed up later with his gf Lisa (but I have no photographic proof of this, as no photos were taken.) Well, the band was AMAZING. Watch the video below for a live version of their Sopranos theme, “Woke Up This Morning”. That's them! I’d really love to get them to play NYC & LA. I’m trying to think of venues – Banda-Bing!? Tweet me @treynyc if you have any ideas, kids.

Nick Reynolds of Alabama 3 with girlfriend Simona Nica of Transylvania (seriously)

With Woodstock Taylor in a "pano" by Brandon

Rob backstage at Brixton Jamm, with a mural painted by a Banksy associate

Elvis O’Toole ready to introduce the band

"Ladies and gentlemen, the Ala-mother*cking-bama 3!" as they are announced by Kate