News Archive
Set List Dedicated to Roman PolanskiSet List Dedicated to Roman Polanski
Think of the first half as "crime" and the second half as "punishment" (detailing what happens to convicts, not victims).
(1) "Johnny Hit and Run Pauline," X
(2) "Date Rape," Sublime
(3) "Prison Sex," Tool
(4) "Cake and Sodomy," Marilyn Manson
Other suggestions?
Don't Hate The (Beatles) HatersDon't Hate The (Beatles) Haters
The recent release of The Beatles: Rock Band video game. The boxed sets of remastered versions of all the Fab Four's U.K.-released CDs. The multitudes eager to buy it all. It sounds like the band has all the love it needs.
But there's also the hate. Hilarious hate. Hate that a music connoisseur--one who even loves the Beatles--can enjoy. BBC News ran this great story today on Beatles hate websites: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/8246313.stm . "I just think they are either childlike and simple or rather leaden and pompous - one or the other all the time," says London radio show host Robert Elm.
It's an old, old, old controversy among music connoisseurs. Back in the 1960s, the big debate was "Beatles or Stones?" (It's a question whose answer, waayy later circa 1997, I know influenced one person from deciding whether or not to date someone.) The argument has always been that the Stones played "real" rock, taking to a new level the gritty, blues-based, electric guitar-driven race music of early-to-mid-century--and that the Beatles were so lousy at playing rockabilly and blues that they ended up inventing their own sound. (The Beatles themselves admit this.) Well, George Harrison was decent.
I can understand the argument of pompousness that Mr. Elm made, but I think it's more applicable to certain Beatles fans, rather than the band. I remember about eight or nine years ago, sitting at a table in a bar with a friend and his friends, all of us in our 30s or 40s. One of them starts talking about how "drugs made the Beatles great." You know, the kind of discourse about creativity-by-rebellion that people have when they're 14 and just discovering music on a serious level. These people were old enough to know better, pretty pretentious while not being particularly knowledgeable about music, and merely rehashing what they heard someone cooler than them once say.
That being said, I do love me some Beatles, specifically Revolver onward, for what they could and did do. In a few short years the Liverpudlians went from "I wanna hold your hand" to "why don't we do it in the road"! My sophomore year in high school was highlighted by the five days it took a radio station to change owners, during which time they played nonstop Beatles songs with no on-air personality to ruin them. And no one can deny the raw, gritty, headbanging (!) goodness of "Helter Skelter," my fave-est Beatle.
Nor can one deny that the Beatles were adept at making lemons into lemonade--that is, taking their inability to play newfangled edgy blues-based music that the kids were calling rock and roll, and coming up with a completely new sound. You need to like the Beatles for what they tried to accomplish, for embracing their failures, and for ultimately putting out songs that sounded like no one else. Whether they were good or bad.
Crazy Christmas MixesCrazy Christmas Mixes
Remember last years awesome 5-a-day Christmas mixes? Well I'm reposting them over at my personal blog: gtmcknight.com
Grab 'em while the grabbin's good.
My Hotel Year Reunion Show In MayMy Hotel Year Reunion Show In May
There were only really two local bands I really got into during college. Kitchens Of Soul** (who broke up in 2004) and My Hotel Year (who broke up in 2004 and are barely considered local because they are actually from Orlando).
Fortunately one of them has made me very happy. My Hotel Year is playing a reunion show at Club Firestone in Orlando on May 26th (Sunday). I'm excited! I've probably seen them half a dozen times during college (2001-2005). They were a punk-rock band who had catchy riffs and a lead singer that could scream his head off. I stumbled on them by accident during The Fest and was hooked. I know, doesn't sound that unique but just listen okay?
My Hotel Year - If Only I Spoke Russian
My Hotel Year - Breathing Patterns
** I ended up finding a Kitchens Of Soul CD @ Goodwill for $3 and it wasn't as good as I remembered.
Tourfilter DJ Night @ BostonTourfilter DJ Night @ Boston
Tourfilter Chris is DJing tonight March 26 @ River Gods in Cambridge, Mass! It's a great idea that I've been wanting to do around Gainesville for some time, so I'm way jealous. If you love going to shows, tonight will be a great discovery and planning night for the weeks ahead.
Here's what Chris had to say:
I will be manning the decks this coming Monday night at River Gods in Cambridge for a special night dedicated to Tourfilter. It'll be kind of like a live version of the Tourfilter Mixtape! 100% songs by bands that have upcoming shows on tourfilter boston.
I've been listening to the mixtape non-stop and will bring you the best of what's there - rock, electronic, weird, jazz, whatev.
I'll be supplying a calendar handout in the bar so you can check off the shows you want to check out this spring. Come, listen, decide what to go see!
And bring friends - I'm hoping that if I get a big enough crowd the nice people at River Gods will ask me back!
When: Monday March 26, 9PM - 1AM
Where: River Gods (125 River St, Central Square, Cambridge, Mass)
Overheard at Mashup Camp 3Overheard at Mashup Camp 3
VC: "You know what you are doing could be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars if you used it to track what people are saying about things...like Kraft Macaroni & Cheese"
Hypemachine Anthony: "Yeah, but that's boring though"
Reason #539 To Love Hypemachine: Anthony actually does this because he loves music.
Filter Holiday PartyFilter Holiday Party
New York City - Filter Magazine is having a holiday party with a live performance by Ra Ra Riot and guest DJ Josh Madden. Here's the deets:
When: Thursday December 14th
Where: Ben Sherman Soho (96 Spring St)
What: Free party, band, and Bass Pale Ale
How: RSVP with name, affiliation and who invited you (say Filter Mag) to rsvpnyc@filtermmm.com by Monday December 11th
Go listen to Ra Ra Riot in their Woxy Lounge Act
The Bridge School Collection on iTunesThe Bridge School Collection on iTunes
The Bridge School Collection was recently released on iTunes sporting a whopping 80 tracks (and a digital cd booklet) for $60. The Bridge School is a "non-profit organization whose mission is to ensure that individuals with severe speech and physical impairments achieve full participation in their communities." Neil Young and his wife have regularly put on concerts where some amazing (and big-time) artists perform as a benefit to raise money. A portion of the sale of this collection on iTunes will be donated, though I'm interested in actually how much.
The best of these performances have been gathered for what I would guess to be the first of many collections. Look for performances by Thom Yorke, Wilco, Willie Nelson, Smashing Pumpkins, REM, Metallica, James Taylor, CSNY, Ben Harper, Bright Eyes, Dave Matthews, Tenacious D and a dozen more. There's literally something on here for everyone and you can buy everything as a single except the artwork and two Neil Young songs that are album purchase only.
iTunes Store Link: The Bridge School Collection
Pixies Documentary Screening Tonight (NYC)Pixies Documentary Screening Tonight (NYC)
What: loudQUIETloud: The Pixies 2004 Reunion Tour (Official Flyer)
When: Thursday November 9th @ 9pm
Where: The Glass Lands Gallery (289 Kent Ave, Brooklyn)
How Much: Only $2
The behind the scenes documentary of The Pixies 2004 reunion tour. Apparently it has gotten some bad reviews from the Pixies themselves because it portrays them in a negative light, but maybe that means it'll be brutally honest?
Trailer:
Maybe I'll see you there!
Music-Free MySpace?Music-Free MySpace?
Music lovers may soon have to emigrate en masse from MySpace. That's because the site has agreed to start blocking copyrighted music from users' pages.
Everyone--well, at least everyone except the farts in charge of labels who probably think MySpace is at the end of one of those Internet "tubes"--knows how silly this is. After all, by posting music they like, users are promoting a song or an act. For free. It's called viral marketing.
But here's something I haven't seen addressed: The individual musician's rights.
A lot of musicians have pages on MySpace for several reasons: staying connected to friends, promoting their acts, staying on top of favorite music. But if they post songs they've written or helped to write, and those songs are out on a label-distributed CD, then these individuals could get targeted by the automatic, indiscriminant filter being used by MySpace. Thus, they could get blocked from using their own music. Someone could even get booted off MySpace due to the automaton that'll be doing the filtering. So could a longtime fan of a band.
And seeing as MySpace is so popular because of the online marketing benefit (and not just because it's a teen fad, frightened parents), then MySpace risks losing these musician users. Fewer users will make the property much less valuable. MySpace then will the first victim of the Second Bubble. "Tom" will have no friends.
Sexy Woxy Back On AirSexy Woxy Back On Air
Woxy's back on air! The Internet is a good place again.
They've also got a nice line-up of Lounge Acts coming up:
- 10/18 Minus The Bear
- 10/20: De Novo Dahl
- 10/24: Pela
- 10/25: The Teenage Prayers
- 10/25: Hotel Cafe Tour
- 11/3: Charlotte Martin
- 11/7: Chin Up Chin Up
Don't know which ones to listen to? They're all good, but I suggest Pela and The Teenage Prayers. Welcome back, Woxy!
Big Screen Concerts: Download Festival UKBig Screen Concerts: Download Festival UK
Big Screen Concerts is a partnership with Cinemedia and movie theatres around the country to bring you concert footage to your local theatre for one night only. In January I saw "The Best Of Coachella" through this program.
On Thursday, October 19th at 8pm local time, movie theatres will have a one night only screening of Download Festival UK: Metal On The Big Screen. This will feature performances from the mid-June festival in Donington Park, England by Guns N' Roses, The Deftones, Avenged Sevenfold, Trivium, Coheed and Cambria and "many more!" (according to their website.
Some of the other bands that aren't mentioned on the promotional material but assumably would be included: Metallica, Korn, Tool, Alice In Chains, Fear Factory, All-American Rejects, The Prodigy, Atreyu, Billy Talent, and Machine Head (check out the entire 2006 line up on wikipedia.)
If metal and rock hit the spot, and it's even near as good as the Coachella one was, I highly recommend it. It's a fun chance to see your favorite bands in a larger than life setting then you usually get to see them on tv (if they are even mainstream enough to be on tv).
They only seem to do a "Big Screen Concert" once every few months but they are also doing Kiss on October 26th. Check out bigscreenconcerts.com for theatre and ticket information.
Free Yeah Yeah Yeahs ShowFree Yeah Yeah Yeahs Show
Finally a Myspace Secret Show in my neck of the woods. Of course it's the same day I'm going to see Electric President.
This Wednesday, October 11th the Yeah Yeah Yeahs will be playing a free, all ages show in Florida. Here are all the deets:
Venue: The State Theatre / 687 Central Ave. St Petersburg, FL
Phone: 727-895-3045
Time: Doors Open at 7:00pm *but* you should probably call and find out how early you can show up to get a wristband that will buy you a spot in line at 5pm.
Has anyone been to a Myspace Secret Show before? Is it even worth saving $15 to deal with all the hassle?
Say Hi To Your Mom: New TourdatesSay Hi To Your Mom: New Tourdates
SHTYM's is taking one last cross-country tour before they take a break through March 2007. In case you missed it, check out the interview we did last time they passed through Gainesville.
Tour Dates
10-07-06 @ PA's Lounge -- Somerville, MA (18+) *****
10-09-06 @ Andyman's Treehouse -- Columbus, OH (18+) *****
10-10-06 @ The Intersection -- Grand Rapids, MI (18+) *****
10-11-06 @ Howard's -- Bowling Green, OH (21+) *****
10-12-06 @ The Hospital -- Bloomington, IN (all ages) *****
10-13-06 @ Schubas -- Chicago, IL (18+) *****
10-14-06 @ Euclid Records -- St. Louis, MO (free acoustic show / all ages)
10-14-06 @ The Billiken Club -- St. Louis, MO (all ages) ****
10-15-06 @ The Opolis -- Norman, OK (all ages) ***
10-16-06 @ The Cavern -- Dallas, TX (all ages) ***
10-17-06 @ End Of An Ear -- Austin, TX (free acoustic show / all ages)
10-17-06 @ Emo's -- Austin, TX (all ages) ***
10-19-06 @ Hi-Dive -- Denver, CO (all ages) ***
10-20-06 @ Kilby Court -- Salt Lake City, UT (all ages) ***
10-21-06 @ Beauty Bar -- Las Vegas, NV (21+) ***
10-24-06 @ Spaceland -- Los Angeles, CA (21+) ***
10-25-06 @ Bottom Of The Hill -- San Francsco, CA (all ages) ***
10-27-06 @ Towne Lounge -- Portland, OR (21+) ***
10-28-06 @ Sunset Tavern -- Seattle, WA (all ages) ***
11-01-06 @ 7th Street Entry -- Minneapolis, MN ***
11-02-06 @ Illini Union Courtyard -- Urbana, IL (all ages) ***
11-04-06 @ Bug Jar -- Rochester, NY (21+) ***
11-05-06 @ Soundlab -- Buffalo, NY (all ages) ***
11-07-06 @ The Sound Garden -- Baltimore, MD (free acoustic show / all ages)
11-07-06 @ Talking Head -- Baltimore, MD (21+) **
11-08-06 @ Rock & Roll Hotel -- Washington, DC ***
11-09-06 @ Johnny Brenda's -- Philadelphia, PA (all ages) *
11-10-06 @ NYC -- Venue TBA
***** with Evangelicals
**** with Evangelicals and Metal Hearts
*** with Metal Hearts
** with Metal Hearts and Panda & Bear
* with Illumina
American Hardcore Coming Today (Or Soon)American Hardcore Coming Today (Or Soon)
American Hardcore is a movie on the history of punk rock in America during the early '80s. The trailer looks awesome with all kinds of retro footage as well as retrospectives from the punk-rock adults.
Synopsis: "Filmmaker Paul Rachman recalls the 1980s American punk-rock movement. The retrospective features interviews and performance footage with such bands as Black Flag, Circle Jerks, Bad Brains, Jerry's Kids, Gang Green, Poison Idea, Flipper and SS Decontrol. Inspired by Steven Blush's book."
I was a wee tot when this scene took place and haven't even listen to most of these bands. But it looks like a really great flick. Supposedly it comes out today (9/22) but I can't find it anywhere near me, so it might take a few weeks to trickle out if you don't live in NY or LA.
Emily Haines: Two Special ShowsEmily Haines: Two Special Shows
September 19, NYC: This show is special because I will be at it! I leave this Saturday for a few days of fun (thanks to my $20 plane ticket through the long expired Wendys promotion) in the best city ever. Joe's Pub is supposed to be an amazing, intimate venue as well and I already made sure to book my dinner reservations up front :)
October 1, Toronto: This show is special because it's free! Just go sign up on the See Vous Play website for your free tickets to this show featuring Emily & others. Lucky Canucks.
Thirty Three And A Third Book SeriesThirty Three And A Third Book Series
The 33⅓ series of books is a really fantastic concept; take one ground-breaking album and dive in head first. Each book has a different author that explores how the album came to be, what was going on in the artists lives during that time, and what the songs mean according to those closest to the production.
I've read the book on Neutral Milk Hotel's In The Aeroplane Over The Sea, and I was completely impressed. I learned some history into the Elephant Six collective, just how intrigued Jeff was with Anne Frank, and how they wouldn't allow TV in their house (it drains creativity while making music). Much of it has to do with the album being so close to my heart in the first place, but that really is the best part. You get to dig even deeper into an album you already cherish.
Continuum Publishing has released 33 books so far with another six planned by years end and at least another 20 over the next two years. Next up for examination in the 33⅓ book series is My Bloody Valentine's Loveless due out September 15. You can pre-order your copy or check out the entire line-up on Amazon. They are all $10, which makes it damn sweet.
Other album-books I'm really looking forward to are The Magnetic Field's 69 Love Songs and Nick Drake's Pink Moon. They even got Colin Meloy of the Decemberists' to write the one on The Replacement's Let It Be.
The editor of the series, David Barker, keeps a blog of news & reviews at 33third.blogspot.com/. There you can also learn about other projects like the book on the history and cultural implications of music videos.
Mountain Goats Announce New TourMountain Goats Announce New Tour
The Mountain Goats just announced their second fall tour on their website. If you've seen them before, you know you'll be there. If you have yet to discover their magic, read about my experience seeing them at Athens Popfest in August. Definitely in my top 10 live shows ever.
October
20 - Durham, NC, Troika Music Festival
23 - St. Louis, MO, Washington University
24 - Springfield, MO, Randy Bacon Gallery
26 - Norman, OK, the Opolis
27 - Lubbock, TX, Jake's Back Room
28 - Denton, TX, Rubber Gloves
29 - Austin, TX, the Parish
31 - Baton Rouge, LA, Spanish Moon
November
1 - Birmingham, AL, the Bottle Tree
3 - Atlanta, GA, the Earl
4 - St Augustine, FL, Cafe Eleven
6 - Tallahassee, FL, Club Downunder
Woxy Radio FoldsWoxy Radio Folds
Really sad news to report. Woxy.com (my favorite online radio station) is going under. According to the note on their website they just couldn't make enough money through advertising and subscriptions. This isn't the first time they had a near-death experience. Two years ago they almost went under but some angel investors stepped in and contributed the cash to keep them running.
They will be going offline Friday, September 15th. They aren't accepting new subscribers or donations (I guess they are that much in the hole). Their only hope is summed up below:
With this in mind, we’ve been looking for either a significant partner – someone with a larger plan into which woxy.com could be plugged – or an outright buyer. That search hasn’t been fruitful. We’re still willing to entertain offers and explore possibilities (email bryan@woxy.com), but our time is short. We thought it was time to share our situation with you ... to give you a heads-up.
Woxy, you will always be in my heart. Thank you for introducing me to so many great bands (especially Silversun Pickups!).
Subpop's Pitchfork ShirtSubpop's Pitchfork Shirt
Subpop just released some limited-edition seafoam green Tees with some awesome art by Ghostshrimp's Dan James comemorating this year's Pitchfork Music Festival. I didn't make it this year, but if you did it might be a good catch.
Go grab one for $15 bucks.
Burn To Shine Portland ReleasedBurn To Shine Portland Released
The third installment of the Burn To Shine series takes place in Portland. If you haven't heard of it before, they feature, over the course of a day, one song each from bands from that DVD's city. The catch is, it all takes place in a house that is headed for demolition at the end. As the DVD progresses, you learn the history of the house and why it's being knocked down. All the while, you get a snapshot of the city's music scene, as bands pass in and out, setting up their equipment in rickety living rooms.
I've only seen the 2nd one (Chicago) and loved it so much, I just ordered Burn To Shine 03: Portland, OR from Amazon.
Performances In Portland
1. Welcome To The Planet - The Thermals
2. Peace And Love - Quasi
3. Look Of A Woman - The Planet The
4. Light The Match - Mirah
5. Modern Girl - Sleater Kinney
6. For All You Know - The Ready
7. The Warning - The Lifesavas
8. Saint Simon - The Shins
9. The Mariner's Revenge Song - The Decemberists
10. Take My Advice - Wet Confetti
11. Listen Up! - The Gossip
Free Subscription To Spin MagazineFree Subscription To Spin Magazine
Grab your free one-year subscription to Spin Magazine from FreeBizMag while supplies last.
I have used FreeBizMag to get free subscriptions to Maxim, FHM and Stuff in the past. I can tell you from experience it is legit. If you still have doubts, do check out "The Truth About FreeBizMags" in the Slickdeals Forums.
First we got you free concert tickets and now this. Stick around kids, you're in good hands.
Holopaw Band Member BeatenHolopaw Band Member Beaten
Ryan Gensemer from Holopaw was randomly beaten badly in Chicago. The band is asking for help with the resulting medical bills. They've set up a Paypal account for helpbeachwolf@gmail.com. Here's their message:
Our dear friend and bandmate Ryan "Beachwolf" Gensemer was savagely beaten in Chicago on Sunday night. Random violence at its worst. He had his jaw broken in three places, got a concussion, and sustained some kidney damage.
Unfortunately, as is the case with many musicians, he has no health care. None of us have the financial resources to help him out to any real extent, either.
So, in light of this terrible event, we are soliciting donations to help him pay off what would appear to be an astronomical medical bill. Anything would be greatly welcomed.
We are not in the business of begging, but this circumstance calls for any effort we can think of.
If you would like to help, send him wishes, or learn more about the situation, please send an email to helpbeachwolf@gmail.com
Thank you and best of best to all...
Free Killers Show Tonight in VegasFree Killers Show Tonight in Vegas
MySpace has this ongoing promotion called Myspace Secret Shows. You simply add them as your friend and when they put on a secret (and free!) show they post a bulletin and you go. It's pretty awesome, but I would guess there are ridiculous lines at these places.
Tonight, August 23rd, there is a free The Killers show in Las Vegas. Here are the details:
When: Wednesday August 23rd. Doors at 8:30 p.m.
Where: Celebrity / 201 N 3rd St / Las Vegas, NV 89101 / (702) 384-2582
Ages: 18+
A select number of guaranteed admission wristbands will be available at Tower Records until they run out. You can pick them up Wednesday (8/23) - when the store opens at 10 a.m. You will need to print out a copy of your profile with Secret Shows in the Top 8, and bring it in to redeem for a wristband.
One wristband per person.
Tower Records / 4580 W. Sahara Ave / Las Vegas, NV 89102 / (702) 364-2500
After Tower runs out of wristbands, a select number of people will still be let in at the door. So if you miss the wristbands, there is still a chance. This is Vegas, so maybe you will get lucky!
Entry is limited so get there early to ensure success.
