May 21, 2007
Perfect Black
One of last year's top-ten honorees, Rocky Votolato is releasing a new album in a few weeks, titled The Brag & Cuss. You can sample "Postcard from Kentucky" on the Barsuk Records site, and courtesy of Can You See the Sunset From the Southside?, I've stumbled upon a really wonderful outtake from last year's equally great Makers.
This is, without a doubt, the punkest banjo playing I've ever seen:
You can hear an actual recorded songs by The Avett Brothers here.
Posted in A/V Dorkout | 21 May 2007 at 05:39 PM | Comments (0) | | Link
Digital
Still not sure how I feel about a film on Joy Division, but they did find someone who looks fairly convincingly like Ian (though better looking).
Trailer is here.
Reaction from Cannes is here.
[Via Food Fight.]
Posted in A/V Dorkout | 21 May 2007 at 11:22 AM | Comments (0) | | Link
February 17, 2007
Vegan Vacation
Ladies and gentlemen, get your aprons ready. Get those time-tested recipes out, because you could win a fun and exciting trip to Hawaii, courtesy of Vegan Vacation, from the fine folks at VeganYumYum.
Posted in A/V Dorkout | 17 February 2007 at 10:55 AM | Comments (0) | | Link
January 16, 2007
More of the Earth and Sea
I heard this poem on the radio tonight. "The very tint of inexperience" caught me; the last two stanzas blew me away.
A Color of the SkyWindy today and I feel less than brilliant,
driving over the hills from work.
There are the dark parts on the road
when you pass through clumps of wood
and the bright spots where you have a view of the ocean,
but that doesn’t make the road an allegory.I should call Marie and apologize
or being so boring at dinner last night,
but can I really promise not to be that way again?
And anyway, I’d rather watch the trees, tossing
in what certainly looks like sexual arousal.Otherwise it’s spring, and everything looks frail;
the sky is baby blue, and the just-unfurling leaves
are full of infant chlorophyll,
the very tint of inexperience.Last summer’s song is making a comeback on the radio,
and on the highway overpass,
the only metaphysical vandal in America has written
MEMORY LOVES TIME
in big black spraypaint letters,which makes us wonder if Time loves Memory back.
Last night I dreamed of X again.
She’s like a stain on my subconscious sheets.
Years ago she penetrated me
but though I scrubbed and scrubbed and scrubbed,
I never got her out,
but now I’m glad.What I thought was an end turned out to be a middle.
What I thought was a brick wall turned out to be a tunnel.
What I thought was an injustice
turned out to be a color of the sky.Outside the youth center, between the liquor store
and the police station,
a little dogwood tree is losing its mind;overflowing with blossomfoam,
like a sudsy mug of beer;
like a bride ripping off her clothes,dropping snow white petals to the ground in clouds,
so Nature’s wastefulness seems quietly obscene.
It’s been doing that all week:
making beauty,
and throwing it away,
and making more.— Tony Hoagland
Posted in A/V Dorkout | 16 January 2007 at 09:22 PM | Comments (0) | | Link
January 01, 2007
Cinematic, Razor Sharp
That time has come yet again—the time when I subject the world to my top ten albums of the year. So, without further ado, my top ten of 2006, in semi-particular order:
01. Neko Case – Fox Confessor Brings the Flood
02. Morrissey – Ringleader of the Tormentors
03. Camera Obscura – Let's Get Out of This Country
04. Snow Patrol – Eyes Open
05. Silversun Pickups – Carnavas
06. Damien Rice – 9
07. Phoenix – It's Never Been Like That
08. Belle & Sebastian – The Life Pursuit
09. Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan – Ballad of the Broken Seas
10. Rocky Votolato – Makers
My ten favorite singles of the year:
01. TV on the Radio – "Wolf Like Me"
02. Damien Rice – "9 Crimes"
03. Bon Savants – "Between the Moon and the Ocean"
04. Camera Obscura – "If Looks Could Kill"
05. Phoenix – "Long Distance Call"
06. Neko Case – "Star Witness"
07. Jose González – "Heartbeats"
08. The Shins – "Phantom Limb"
09. Asobi Seksu – "New Years"
10. Calexico – "Cruel"
Biggest disappointment of the year:
The Stills – Without Feathers
The comments are now open for all snarky responses and competing lists...if you dare.
Posted in A/V Dorkout | 1 January 2007 at 10:18 PM | Comments (1) | | Link
June 07, 2005
Packed Up and Left
The Onion interviews the not-too-funny-to-be-country Robbie Fulks.
Don't be cute. Wiser words were never spoken:
No literary movement before this one has ever made me angry. People's taste is none of my business. But this shit is being marketed to young girls, who are already getting weak enough ideas from other media about what being a girl means — why should the few who read be plowed under, too?
[Via largehearted boy]
Idlewild will release their new album, Warnings/Promises, on August 16. Rumor has it that three-part harmonies rule the record.
In other news, Rilo Kiley have officially kissed their indie cred goodbye—being, after all, one of the bands that made Barsuk Records—and signed to Warner Bros. Their last record, More Adventurous, was released via their own imprint on WB, but only managed to clear 200,000 copies since it was released last year.
The recent trend of the disappearing bass player has snuck up on Sparta, who have lost bassist Paul Hinijos to their former compatriots in The Mars Volta. The money is probably better, but the music is so much worse.
Posted in A/V Dorkout | 7 June 2005 at 07:46 PM | Comments (2) | | Link
June 06, 2005
Free + Legal
All you mixmasters out there, listen up. Salon is going to give away a nice, shiny new iPod for the best summer mix. The catch is that the downloads must be available free and legally online.
The rules are below:
All tracks must be both free and legal. To make this easy to police I'm going to insist that they are posted on the artist's Web site, on the label's Web site, or on a legitimate MP3 site like Better Propaganda, Insound or Epitonic.
Include the artist name, track title, album title, and download link for every track.
No streams! Only MP3 downloads.
You're welcome to dip into the Audiofile archives to find some of your material, but I'll be more excited about playlists that bring in new material.
You can't include your own music! And be sparing with music by friends. If you're close friends with an unheard of musician who you think is the greatest songwriter alive ... you're probably wrong!
Each playlist should be between 10 and 15 tracks.
Each playlist should have a title.
Submissions should be sent to audiofile@salon.com with the subject line "Playlist: Summer."
The deadline for submissions is 5 p.m. EDT, Monday, June 27.
Check the full article here.
Posted in A/V Dorkout | 6 June 2005 at 10:46 PM | Comments (0) | | Link
June 02, 2005
I May Go Down in Flames
Yeah, so I said I wasn't going to be updating this often and here I am, back twice in one week. On top of the laziness, I'm a big fat liar.
Things to mention:
01. If you don't own Dolorean's Violence in the Snowy Fields, you should be ashamed of yourself. Tramp on down to your local record shop and pick up a copy.
02. Has anyone heard the new Lucero album? The rumblings aren't good, but then again, their last album wasn't that great.
03. Despite a multi-year hiatus from anything remotely good, I actually like the new Ryan Adams album, Cold Roses. Check out "Let It Ride"—definitely one of the strongest songs of his career.
Linda Perry, singer/songwriter of 4 Non Blondes (whom I loathe) and lately hitmaker extraordinaire for Pink and Christina Aguilera, has inked a deal with Kill Rock Stars. Yes, that Kill Rock Stars.
A new album from Nada Surf will be forthcoming this September, titled The Weight is a Gift.
Posted in A/V Dorkout | 2 June 2005 at 10:55 PM | Comments (0) | | Link
May 31, 2005
Broken A/C Is No Good
Noteworthy, before I get started on my usual thing:
1. Finally saw the DVD of The Murder City Devils' final show. Aside from the insanity during "Idle Hands"—involving one hot Dann Gallucci making out with a guy at random, plus lots of stage diving—the overall experience was a letdown. Stick with RIP if you've a mind to live through the final night with MCD, and if you don't have any experience with them, you should check out Rock & Roll Won't Wait to get the full dose of rock hedonism.
2. I have faced facts and realize that my scant updates to hyperkinetic.org are a sign of changing times. I no longer have the time and inclination to hunt up the news on a daily basis, so I've returned to reading books rather than the web, and I have developed a new incarnation for my online infatuation. When you get a moment, check out SLOSHED!, the place I can be found more often than not. I'm not blacking out this site all together, however, so you'll have to check me out at both places.
Old habits die hard, after all.
And now, on to the cool stuff:
The Flaming Lips are going on vacation. With you.
Yes, the amazing Wayne Coyne and Co will be headlining on a cruise ship with Medeski, Martin and Wood this fall, so you can enjoy some "Fight Test" with your Mai Tai in the aft lounge.
The delectable Neko Case is going on tour and completely avoiding California. Great.
Darkness bass player Frankie Poullain is no longer in the band. Frankly, he always kind of creeped me out—but it does leave one of my most-awaited albums of the year in jeopardy of being pushed back again.
Robert Smith has gone Mussolini again, firing two long-time members of the ever-revolving Cure lineup and effectively reducing the band to a power trio.
Lungfish are releasing a new album. I don't know what else to say about that.
My boys in Minus the Bear are coming back this summer with a new album, Menos el Oso, their first self-produced effort. It hits the shelves August 23. Listen to a song (or three) here.
Cursive, one of the two bands that made Omaha cool, will be releasing some odds and unreleased ends this year on The Difference Between Houses and Homes, also on August 23.
Speaking of the label that made Omaha, Saddle Creek has inked a deal to build a venue/bar/pizza shop/theater in the city's up-for-urban-renewal downtown. The venue will be titled Slowdown (after Slowdown Viriginia, an early Tim Kasher band on Saddle Creek) and will be an attempt at DIY living and cultural revitalization. It is expected to open in June of next year.
Secretly Canadian has announced that its DVD division, Blank Stare, is becoming a full-service imprint. The label's first release will be the documentary Why Should the Devil Have All the Good Music? about the Christian rock underbelly of the stank pit the rest of us know as rock 'n' roll.
Posted in A/V Dorkout | 31 May 2005 at 07:23 PM | Comments (0) | | Link
May 11, 2005
Universal Remonster
Longwave have recruited a new bassist and drummer to record a new album, There's a Fire, which will be released on June 28.
Double news on the Flaming Lips today: the kings of pop will be covering Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" on an upcoming comp, and (sadly), At War with the Mystics has been pushed back, so it won't see the light of day until 2006.
If you've spent the last 25 years mourning the death of Ian Curtis, you can join legions of other fans can remember him together on May 18th.
Rule! Perennial favorite Battles are back on tour.
If you're fortunate enough to live in the UK, catch Sons and Daughters during one of their in-stores promoting their new single, Dance Me In.
Additional perennial favorite Stephin Merritt will be releasing Two Chinese Operas this summer.
The Stereophonics will be releasing a cover of Iggy & the Stooges classic "I Wanna Be Your Dog" as a B-side to Superman this summer.
More news on the new album from The Darkness: the pool of 39 songs has been whittled down to fifteen, and producer Mutt Lange has been scrapped for Roy Thomas Baker.
The upcoming Dredg album, Catch Without Arms, will be released on June 21st.
Dangermouse and MF Doom have a new collaboration, named Dangerdoom, centered on two masked cartoon mice who live in the same neighborhood as an assortment of "Adult Swim" characters. Meatwad, anyone?
Posted in A/V Dorkout | 11 May 2005 at 08:10 PM | Comments (0) | | Link
May 04, 2005
Good Hair Day
Why do all the songs on "American Idol" sound like really insipid cruise-ship-lounge arrangements? Ugh.
The courts have sided with reason, and ruled that universities do not have to assist the RIAA in the pursuit of names for lawsuits. Speaking of which, here's a little op-ed piece on the RIAA.
Modern tape-trading is under assault yet again.
Apple is developing a new version of iTunes that will include more functionality for all us geeks.
Traditional radio will begin airing DIY podcasts (submitted by users at large) this month.
Rock 'n' roll royalty Cream will soon be onstage together for the first time in 37 years.
More news on the new Robbie Fulks album, Georgia Hard.
Tommy Ramone has gone country.
Well, sex in spandex, Batman! Justin Hawkins is working on a solo album.
David Pajo—indie rock guitar player extraordinaire—will also be releasing a solo album.
Super pop stars The New Pornographers are working on a new album, Twin Cinema. You can hear the title song here.
Posted in A/V Dorkout | 4 May 2005 at 08:40 PM | Comments (0) | | Link
April 25, 2005
Shake It
Every once in a while, Germans have the right idea about music. Currently too hot to hold there and in the UK, MIA is the hipest thing going on right now. If you like glitch/dance hall/hip hop of any sort, you should check her out.
What Amazon is to book buying, Indy will be to buying independent music.
Mark Lanegan has rejoined QOTSA, but God only knows how long it'll last this time.
The ever-lovable Ted Leo is back on tour, but naturally he isn't coming to LA.
Oh, and Congress passed the Camcorder-Piracy Bill last week, making it a felony to videotape a film in a movie theater, as well as toughening restrictions on online file traders.
Speaking of the law, Tom Waits is suing a Scandanavian subsidiary of GM for illegally using one of his songs in a commercial—because, as Waits said, "Commercials are an unnatural use of my work. It's like having a cow's udder sewn to the side of my face. Painful and humiliating."
Posted in A/V Dorkout | 25 April 2005 at 08:17 AM | Comments (0) | | Link
April 15, 2005
Meltdown
So. As y'all know, I've been a bit lax in the update department. I'm not even going to apologize, since a month-long blackout is equal to a long vacation. Therefore, I'll just pretend that I was chillin' in Hawaii, rather than moving, working, sleeping, upgrading MT and redesigning.
So, yeah. Going to see Crooked Fingers and Dolorean tonight. (If you haven't heard them yet, Dolorean released my favorite album from 2004 that I didn't hear until 2005.) Hip stuff going on below.
There are some hottt pieces for show (and sale!) over at Tiny Showcase. Peep it.
The lovable band of rogues known as The Dandy Warhols have a new album coming soon—titled Odditorium or Warlords of Mars—which you can read about here and here.
Everyone's favorite Husker (Bob Mould) is prepping a new solo album, tentatively titled Body of Song, for a July 26th release on Yep Roc.
Speaking of Yep Roc, Robbie Fulks will be releasing his new album, Georgia Hard, on May 17th.
May 17th will also see the release of Besterberg, a Rhino best-of collection of Paul Westerberg's solo work, from Singles on up.
Bill Callahan is back and Drag City will be releasing Smog's 12th full-length, A River Ain't Too Much To Love, on May 31st.
It seems this will be the summer of Son Volt, with the release of a retrospective, a DVD and a new album (featuring ex-members of the Meat Puppets and The Backsliders rounding out Jay Farrar's backing band).
Mark Lanegan has once again dropped out of the touring incarnation of Queens of the Stone Age.
Albini is back on tour, verbally abusing a willing public while playing with Shellac.
Everyone's favorite avant-garde composer—John Zorn—is the new artistic director at The Stone, an all ages avant-garde music space in the East Village.
New Joy Division photos have recently come to light for the first time in 25 years. The photos, taken March 14, 1979, are of Joy Division's seminal show at the Bowden Vale Youth Club; dedicated fans interested in a little piece of history can buy prints at the site.
Real audiophiles rejoice! You can now get an iTube for your iPod.
Posted in A/V Dorkout | 15 April 2005 at 03:20 PM | Comments (1) | | Link
March 31, 2005
RIP, Billy
From Pitchfork:
Guitar Wolf bassist Hideaki Sekiguchi, known to fans as Billy, died Wednesday of heart failure at age 38. Sekiguchi's heart had stopped in his sleep at home the previous night, and he later died in a Tokyo hospital, said publicist Billy Nord of Narnack Records. Sekiguchi had no prior history of heart problems. He leaves behind his wife Naoko and two children; his funeral is scheduled for April 6 in Tokyo.
The band had just returned Sunday from a monthlong North American tour, and were slated to play an April 9 show in Tokyo before touring Australia. All future dates have been cancelled, and the band's continued existence is uncertain. In an odd coincidence, Narnack was already preparing an expanded U.S. release of I Love Guitar Wolf Very Much, a tribute album featuring the Coachwhips, the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Lightning Bolt, J. Mascis and the Fog, and Puffy AmiYumi, among others. The album came out last year in Japan and will be issued in the U.S. soon, Nord said.
It's been a rough week for rock 'n' roll, with this following on the heels of Paul Hester's death.
Posted in A/V Dorkout | 31 March 2005 at 03:34 PM | Comments (0) | | Link
March 22, 2005
Horror Business
From an interview with horror comic illustrator Stephen Bissette:
Each generation finds the language that it prefers or that it's most comfortable with. Once you become comfortable with certain artifacts associated with horror, they cease to function as horror, because you're comfortable with them; the whole premise of true horror is discomfort. You're not supposed to be comfortable with it.
It's fascinating to me to see all these remakes right now. My son and I went and saw "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre," the remake. It was interesting on the one hand in that it was as mean-spirited as it was. It did pack a punch, it was a very suspenseful ride. I was certainly grabbed from beginning to end. But it's also interesting to look at all this work and there's no real teeth to it. These are rich men's fantasies. I'll focus on 'Texas Chainsaw' for a minute. The original film that Tobe Hooper and Kim Henkel put together with a bunch of their Texan friends back in 1973 (it was released in 1974), that was a genuinely angry, insane, frightened and frightening movie. It was fueled by the very real hunger and desperation of the film makers. The same was the case with 'Night of the Living Dead.' The same was the case with 'Last House On The Left.' The same was the case with Michael Reeves "The Witchfinder General" which was released here as "The Conqueror Worm." All those key films that thrust the gothic horror movie tradition into what I consider "the modern horror film," which all came out between '68 and '75, they were harsh reflections of their time. They were made by young, hungry, angry, frightened people -- and all that was poured into their films.
What we tend to be permitted to see in the cinema these days are films created by rich, comfortable people. So, the trappings or horror components are there. Certainly 'Texas Chainsaw" the remake still functions as a survival story, but there's no cannibalism element to it. It's no longer about these desperate, crazed, jobless clans that have reverted to cannibalism to continue to feel like they're working and to feed themselves. It's now a story about Leatherface, who we see unmasked at one point; he has a degenerative skin condition, so it's suddenly a movie about cosmetic surgery! (laughs) He's no longer killing travelers and hanging them on meat hooks to feed on them. In fact, when we see the family's house, it's crawling with pigs and chickens; there's plenty of food around.
All these current remakes are made by rich people and their fears are not particularly primal. All the trappings are there referencing the horror films of the seventies, but none of the bone and gristle and spine is there. They're not films that are being made by angry, frightened, desperate people -- now, those folks create the best horror films!
Posted in A/V Dorkout | 22 March 2005 at 12:55 PM | Comments (0) | | Link
February 25, 2005
Born to Lose
Holy Historical Travesties, Batman! The legendary Muscle Shoals Sound Studios has closed, and it is being purchased by a movie production studio.
Finally! The fat, bloated, self-aggrandizing jackass known as Danzig will tour no more. Could this be the result of the time he got his ass knocked out for talking shit? Methinks so...
In strange news, the guitarist for Korn has found God (and apparently some sense) and is quitting the band.
As previously rumored, Son Volt are back together and recording an album, as well as prepping at 2-CD set of the bands classic cuts for Rhino Records.
In the continuing stream of unlikely bedfellows, Mike Patton is releasing a new album recorded with Bay Area turntablists the X-ecutioners.
The Arcade Fire have a video for the song "Wake Up" here.
The stills certainly reveal a certain creepiness, but the Interpol's video for "Evil" sounds vaguely like "Prison Sex" to me.
Fearless Freaks, the Flaming Lips documentary, has been pushed back to an early May release.
Mark Bolan lives again—at least on DVD. Born to Boogie, the 1972 film directed by Ringo Starr, is soon to be released, and will include live footage of T. Rex in all their glam-rock glory (including the help of piano player Elton John).
Queens of the Stone Age have cancelled the remainder of the European tour because singer Josh Homme has been coughing up blood. Yikes.
Occasionally, all you really need is a reminder of a hackneyed '80s sitcom to make you laugh, but the outstanding stupidity of fellow humans helps.
Posted in A/V Dorkout | 25 February 2005 at 03:06 PM | Comments (0) | | Link
February 18, 2005
Get It All Out of the Way
Please, please say it isn't so, Ted. Please?
"My wife and I are both going to be 35 this year. If we're going to have a family, the window is closing. Things are amazing right now, and I can justify keeping things going. But there's just so many bands out there. And since I've decided not to go the route of a bigger label and radio hits and all that, (quitting) is something I'm going to have to face."
{Via largehearted boy}
A purportedly new Dredg song has appeared on Myspace, and yegads is it good.
The Cocteau Twins, whom some of you might remember as the band that had no lyrics, are reuniting to perform at this year's Cochella Festival in the hellish bowels of Indio, California.
The Stills have posted their video for "Love & Death" online, but I can give you the short rundown:
• Nerdy but adorably indie guy with Amish hair works in soulless corporate office environment.
• Nerdy guy with Amish hair has a crush on the foxy but bored receptionist with Ally-Sheedy-circa-The-Breakfast-Club hair who randomly attacks office equipment.
• Three bosses yell at Amish hair indie guy, two of whom explode into firey balls of singed hair.
• Artfully tousled band members play in stylish but subdued office environment. Drummer stabs symbols with drumsticks.
Two interesting pieces in the LA Weekly this week:
• An interview with Jared Diamond, author of Guns, Germs and Steel, about his new book, Collapse, about (what else?) the signs of imminent societal doom.
• An interview with Paul Westerberg, genius and former frontman of The 'Mats.
This should explain itself: "Practical Applications of the Philosopher's Stone. For drunks."
Posted in A/V Dorkout | 18 February 2005 at 03:46 PM | Comments (0) | | Link
February 16, 2005
Psssssh.
To the detractors, from the defenders (regarding Salon's woefully awful piece on Lovecraft):
Laura Miller completely misses the point when it comes to Lovecraft. His critics revert to the same old Freudian bromides and armchair moralizing when addressing his work, but completely overlook what his fiction is about. Writing in a century where a world of perceived order and comforting old ways had given way to social chaos and mass destruction, and armed with the amateur astronomer's assurance that human life is essentially insignificant, Lovecraft created a much more honest art than many of the more celebrated writers of his time. Lovecraft wrote about monstrous, impersonal forces that were tearing apart the world he once took for granted. Watching his family fall apart because of disease and mental illness and seeing the genteel environment he knew was being bulldozed by modern, predatory capitalism, Lovecraft responded with what was for a man of his background primal screams. Don't forget that in socioeconomic terms, Lovecraft was nearly a Marxist. The fish-human hybrids in "Shadow Over Innsmouth" and the Chthulu cultists became monsters out of greed. Lovecraft did subscribe to some odious Eugenic ideas, but don't forget that he married a Jew, and was quite comfortable in the decidedly non-Anglo-Saxon pulp millieu of his time.
Better than any other writer of our own sorry-ass times, he also put the numinous, elemental power of nightmare on paper. To read his best stories is to enter his dreaming mind. Of course his stories are often disjointed and inconclusive -- so are dreams.
-- Chris Knowles
Posted in A/V Dorkout | 16 February 2005 at 05:59 PM | Comments (0) | | Link
February 14, 2005
Octaves Too High
Brendan Canty (of Fugazi fame) is hard at work on a new project, making video documentaries of soon-to-be-demolished houses interspersed with performances by bands like Ted Leo & Rx, Tortoise, Wilco, Bob Mould, Shellac and Q and not U.
Lyrics Born is going on tour with (who else?) Lateef and Gift of Gab.
Sometimes things are so asinine they aren't funny anymore. You know, like using real instruments because they sound more like a real band. {Via largehearted boy}
South San Gabriel, side project of the members of Centro-matic, are releasing a concept album—about a cat. Will Johnson's pet cat, to be exact.
Thanks to The Catbirdseat, I streamed all of the new Crooked Fingers album yesterday. It wasn't life-changing, but there are some really excellent songs on there, including this one.
This might be the point at which I reveal my true dork stripes, but I have to have a minor bitching moment about Ska for the Skeptical. The Specials? Awesome. Desmond Dekker? Great. Laurel Aitken, Madness, Delroy Wilson? Right on!
But dude, what's up with including The Skatalites, Let's Go Bowling, Bad Manners? The Slackers? Hepcat!?! I'm sorry, but any band that plays in Los Feliz on a regular basis hardly qualifies as a ska band that will change anyone's perceptions of the music. {Via largehearted boy}
iTunes has become the default media player of choice in Motorola phones and PDAs. Cool. {Via largehearted boy}
Hmmm. IFC has purchased a documentary about the early punk movement, entitled Punk: Attitude, which prominently features the opinions of such outspoken American "punks" as Henry Rollins, Thurston Moore and Jim Jarmusch—despite the fact that the documentary is being shown during a series called "British Invasion."
I know people attribute a lot of influence to the Sex Pistols, but this is just too much. Sure, it's being directed by Don Letts (video director for The Clash), but American punk, by and large, kicks the ass of British punk, which is an assertion I will gladly defend until the day I die.
Oh, man! I know I have a fairly gruesome bent to my personality, but I must say that these illustrations—by classic MAD artist Basil Wolverton—of the Apocalypse are awesome! {Via Eye of the Goof}
Posted in A/V Dorkout | 14 February 2005 at 05:23 PM | Comments (0) | | Link
Trouble Doll
25 years later, and Echo & the Bunnymen are in the studio recording a new album. Who wants tickets to the dinosaur show?
(An Echo & the B-men song just came on the iPod. Spooky.)
Mastodon will be on tour this spring...with the Burning Brides?
Hah! Apparently, the Microsoft campus is overflowing with employees who have grown little white headphones—little white headphones attached to Apple's iPod, that is!
Jesus H. Christ. HP Lovecraft has done more for modern horror in the American imagination than probably any other author, and the best anyone can do is pick on his abundant hyperbole? Please. I'd like to see any horror writer currently working come up with a story that has inspired as much interest as "The Call of Cthulhu" and then we can talk about Lovecraft's weaknesses.
Posted in A/V Dorkout | 14 February 2005 at 05:16 PM | Comments (0) | | Link
February 02, 2005
Very Idiot
From the Prefix piece on the significance of The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society (remastered, of course):
Uncertainty is our uniting force, and a big fuck you to “the ‘60s” is the only way to give our generation any hope of contributing to the same tradition we must reject.
Mates of State are heading out on tour. They're almost nauseatingly cute, but a good live experience nonetheless.
Not to nitpick (much), but these 'rock band' fonts are not actually known by the bands that use them, which is a misleading way to label them. {Via largehearted boy}
More Cowbell! That's all my letter to Christopher Walken would say. {Via slatch.com}
I'd like to take a moment, in reflecting on what would be Ayn Rand's 100th birthday, to point out that objectivism is untenable and ridiculous—assuming, that is, you take the recorded history of philosophy to heart. {Via largehearted boy}
Posted in A/V Dorkout | 2 February 2005 at 05:34 PM | Comments (0) | | Link
January 31, 2005
Ship of Fools
The Arcade Fire will be performing on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" tomorrow night, February 1st!
Merge is apparently planning to take over the world, releasing a new Buzzcocks album in the process.
In continuing Eels coverage, you can preview a song from the immense double album, as well as the album art.
I hate Peter Frampton. I am, however, curious about how his stupid vocal tricks are going to come alive on the new Pearl Jam acoustic album.
I suppose stranger things have happened, but witnessing Bob Mould DJ a club night in DC would probably be pretty high on my list. {Via largehearted boy}
The world is truly a dangerous place when going to a Charlatans show can get you—and 499 other lucky fans—Winter Vomiting Disease.
Chuck D will be among the presenters discussing the historical significance of It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back at NYU next month.
I want to know what qualifies as a "special" relationship with an iPod, and who the hell would treat one like a pet.
Posted in A/V Dorkout | 31 January 2005 at 12:44 PM | Comments (0) | | Link
January 25, 2005
This is My Boomstick
Whoop! New ...Trail of Dead is out today. I'll take this moment to point you to the archived video of their performance on Letterman last week, which is interesting for no other reason than the two drummers bashing away at their kits.
The new M83 is also out today. While I wasn't much on the previous album, the songs I've heard from this album are much more engaging.
Also out now is the new Old 97s live DVD, which I can say sight unseen, is probably fantastic—since I've been lucky enough to see them live myself.
Listened to the new Hot Hot Heat single today, courtesy of The Catbirdseat. I was pretty fine with it until the chorus, and which point—yegads—it gets ugly. I say bring back the organ and the yelping.
The Charlatans UK have left Universal Island and signed to Sanctuary, which is apparently becoming the Factory Records of the 21st century.
I'm definitely in favor of March coming ASAP if it means those resolution jackasses will quit crowding my gym.
Posted in A/V Dorkout | 25 January 2005 at 12:23 PM | Comments (0) | | Link
January 24, 2005
To Be Young
The weekend was quite nice, as I spent part of it shopping for records—my pathological desire for music is quite out of control—and another part cheering on Sweden in the Saturday night Sweden-South Korea soccer match in Carson. It was an amazing game (despite the tie); the teams were evenly matched, and both goals were beautiful, perhaps even masterful, shots.
I screamed myself hoarse (in Swedish, no less), but it was a good time.
Perennial hyperkinetic favorite Petra Haden has joined forces with The Decemberists for their upcoming album, Picturesque.
The almighty Ted Leo is going back on tour in February!
Elvis Costello has signed on to write a Danish opera based on the life of fairy-tale writer Hans Christian Andersen, exploring his unrequited love for Swedish singer Jenny Lind. The unrequited love theme always reminds me of Alexander Pope, and the end of "Eloisa to Abelard":
And sure, if fate some future bard shall join
In sad similitude of griefs to mine,
Condemn'd whole years in absence to deplore,
And image charms he must behold no more;
Such if there be, who loves so long, so well;
Let him our sad, our tender story tell;
The well-sung woes will soothe my pensive ghost;
He best can paint 'em, who shall feel 'em most.
He may have been a small, sad, angry man, but he was a damn good poet. Where's his opera?
I think I've mentioned this before, but Interpol will be contributing a Joy Division cover for the soundtrack of Touching From a Distance.
As previously reported, The Eels have signed to Vagrant and will be releasing a 33-track double album. The track list can be found here.
Kiki & Herb, the New York drag/cabaret duo (I was lucky enough to catch a performance while I was in NYC) cover The Decemberists' "I Was Meant for the Stage" on their new album.
Though the album currently has only a UK release date, Waiting for the Sirens Call, the album album from New Order (sans founding keyboard player Gillian Gilbert), does have a tracklist available for Stateside fans.
Posted in A/V Dorkout | 24 January 2005 at 12:31 PM | Comments (0) | | Link
January 21, 2005
Small Stuff
We have preliminary Hot Hot Heat tour dates for this winter.
Miscellaneous news on the new Sleater-Kinney release on SubPop (including a tracklist), as well as some rumored tour dates.
Yesterday was a dark day in the continued saga of intellectual property rights, as the first file-sharing convictions were handed down.
Posted in A/V Dorkout | 21 January 2005 at 05:41 PM | Comments (0) | | Link
January 19, 2005
Like a Flying Saucer Landing
The Truckers are just the media darlings of the planet:
...the forthcoming Ray McKinnon film Chrystal, starring the equally irresistibly Southern Billy Bob Thornton, will feature three Truckers tunes - including "Uncle Frank," a choice track from the reissued Pizza Deliverance. "Sink Hole" from Decoration Day (also included in Chrystal), was inspired by McKinnon's Oscar-winning short The Accountant...
Athens, GA seems like such a musically friendly town. So friendly, in fact, that Jack Logan recorded a new CD with the help of a group called the "Monday Night Recorders," a bunch of local musicians—including one Patterson Hood—who got together every Monday night to record three new songs. {Via The Catbirdseat}
Oooooh! Sloan are recording new songs, which will appear on their forthcoming greatest hits album.
Looks like there is a new Portishead album on the horizon.
For those who still remember "Novocaine for the Soul," Vagrant has signed The Eels, who will be releasing a 33-track double album in April.
Gang of Four will soon be re-embarking on tour, and have announced that The Departure will be opening for them on the road.
Apparently being an idiot and working with your fellow inspid idiots to write a sub-par webzine pays really, really well. {Via The Catbirdseat}
I had no idea, but apparently Jason Lee is into skateboarding and has directed a music video for the band Midlake. {Via The Catbirdseat}
Ian Curtis' widow has confirmed that Control, the roughly biographical film based on her book, will be made after all. Photographer Anton Corbijn has been selected to direct, as he had "a long working relationship with the band, photographing their early press shots and directing the video for the track ‘Atmosphere’."
It's about fucking time! The Karate Kid is finally available on DVD, in a four-disc collector's edition.
Better yet, the wonderfully funny Michael Showalter, David Wain and Michael Ian Black are taking their show, Stella, will hit Comedy Central this summer. A douche bag is a hygenic product; I take that as a compliment.
Posted in A/V Dorkout | 19 January 2005 at 04:15 PM | Comments (0) | | Link
January 07, 2005
Best Kept Secret
Interpol will be returning stateside and touring the West Coast (and other parts of the country) in support of Antics.
The band responsible for one of my favorite songs of 2003—"Bandages"—has video available for "Island of the Honest Man." The song is off their upcoming album, Elevator, due out April 5.
Speaking of videos, check out the WMV file of the video for Elefant's "Misfit."
There are rare occasions when I wish I lived in NYC. The Drive-By Truckers' New Year's Eve show at the Bowery is one of those occasions, but I live vicariously through the photos posted on Stereogum.
Better yet, check out the advance footage available from the forthcoming DBT DVD.
Check out the Arcade Fire on NPR, courtesy of the Catbirdseat. And "Rebellion (Lies)" is my favorite song on the album.
Dude, I need either a) a job that lets me travel at my leisure or b) to become independently wealthy, because I missed Tres Tangled Truckers and I'm pissed.
Oh, well. I guess I'll just relax and enjoy the bittorrent. {Via largehearted boy}
Posted in A/V Dorkout | 7 January 2005 at 03:31 PM | Comments (0) | | Link
January 05, 2005
All Bad News
Word on the street (or the Weather Channel, depending on who you trust) is that sunny SoCal is in for another drenching tonight, so I thought I'd leave y'all with some entertainment.
I've been wandering the web of late in search of promising new music, so I've included an impromptu playlist below. Please forgive the sub-par sequencing.
01. The Swayback — "Forewarned"
02. Clann Zu — "Bethlehem to Jenin"
03. Andy Monley f. John Grant — "Blue Light"
04. Ida — "Late Blues"
05. Magnolia Electric Co — "The Dark Don't Hide It"
06. The Six Parts Seven — "This One or That One?"
07. The Whole Fantastic World — "Your Old Address" (I really liked Burning Airlines the first time, too!)
Posted in A/V Dorkout | 5 January 2005 at 03:23 PM | Comments (0) | | Link
January 03, 2005
Alright for Fighting
The Arcade Fire will soon be kicking off a tour in support of their growing popularity, starting in San Francisco next week.
After years of bringing joy and laughter into the lives of children everywhere, Mr Bungle are calling it quits.
Following the immense popularity of their indie pop catalog, Merge will be re-releasing three early Dinosaur Jr recordings: Dinosaur, You're Living All Over Me and Bug. Because, you know, they're poppy.
Ida will be releasing a new EP in February.
Iron & Wine will also be releasing a new album—on the same day—but you can listen to the title song here for now.
Sounds like Renfield Records will be releasing a tribute to Failure, featuring Cave In and The Minus Story, in March.
The new ...Trail of Dead album also brings us a mini-site featuring songs from Worlds Apart.
In one of Maxim's rare moments of readability, the magazine features an interview with Greg Dulli on the art of the cover song.
Tom Waits will be appearing in Domino, a new film by Tony Scott—yes, that Tony Scott—because the filmmakers won him in a poker game.
Shortly after the 100 million-song hulabaloo, iTunes has crossed the 200 million-song threshold.
Maybe this facilitated the explosion: iTunes now accepts PayPal.
Posted in A/V Dorkout | 3 January 2005 at 03:03 PM | Comments (0) | | Link
December 31, 2004
Merry, Merry
I've been a bad girl.
I know it. I haven't been updating like I should, and as a result no one is even reading this right now. This is a busy time of year at work, and my job is sucking up all of my time. I could make up lots of excuses for my lack of attention, but I won't. I've been bad, and I take the responsibility.
But! To make up for it, I've compiled not one, not two, not three, but four lists for whatever brave souls are still frequenting my increasingly lame establishment.
Top Ten Albums of 2004
(In no particular order, except perhaps some unconscious favoritism.)
01. Ted Leo & Rx — Shake the Sheets
Okay, so this is number one for a reason. If you've heard it, you know why. If you haven't heard it, this is the album I wouldn't want you to miss.
02. AC Newman — The Slow Wonder
Damned if he doesn't write great pop songs. Vaguely reminiscent of the '70s (in a good way), the whole album is enjoyable, and I found it to be an excellent companion on my drive to work.
03. The Weight — Ten Mile Grace
If you don't like Mike Ness' voice, you probably won't like this one. But if you like beautifully arranged country music—hooray for steel guitar—this is a lovely little album that I found myself reaching for over and over this year.
04. Maritime — Glass Floor
I completely recognize the fact that many people—perhaps even most people—won't like this album. It is almost irritatingly cheerful, replacing whatever jagged edges were prominent in The Promise Ring and Dismemberment Plan with shiny, sunny pop hooks and vocal melodies. Personally, I love it but I won't blame anyone who doesn't.
05. The Drive-By Truckers — The Dirty South
Decoration Day was one of my favorite albums of last year, and while I'm not going to say that this is better or worse than it's predecessor, I will say that Cooley stepped up his songwriting quite a bit, and that this is the album that proves Jason Isbell is going to be a strong, dynamic talent. His songs only get better with each album, and they improve upon repeated listens. Sirens of the Ditch is certainly going to be an album to watch for next year.
06. Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers — Americano!
While the comparisons to Jimmy Buffett are probably fairly apt, Roger Clyne can do very little wrong, and there is very little wrong with this album. Both fun and touching, it's a nice album to listen to while drinking on the porch during the summer.
07. Arcade Fire — Funeral
I haven't had much time with this album, as it was a Christmas gift, but from the moment I hit play it sucked me in. Catchy, rocking, moody and interesting, it's unique and ultimately just a really awesome album, much the same way that Beulah's When Your Heartstrings Break is a great album. The string arrangements don't hurt, either.
08. Battles — EP C
Though they are still overwhelmingly good on record, nothing touches the Battles live experience. This is the album I chose because "Hi/Lo" is the song that stuck in my head for days after I saw them live, and it's the song that still makes me think "Holy shit!" whenever I hear it.
09. Loretta Lynn — Van Lear Rose
You can't fade Loretta Lynn, and this album is great from beginning to end. Jack White did an excellent job producing her, and overall it just proves that real country isn't dead, after all.
10. Jay Farrar — Stone, Steel & Bright Lights
First off, this is probably the most well-produced live album I've ever heard. The quality is flawless, and the songs are beautiful and just a little bit haunting. It's as though Jay knew Wilco was taking a nosedive and decided to prove that he was the one with all the talent, after all.
Honorable Mention:
• Morrissey — You Are the Quarry
A little more rock 'n' roll than the Moz I'm used to, this is a highly enjoyable album.
• Interpol — Antics
It's growing on me.
• Brian Wilson — Smile
It's no Pet Sounds, but still a great album.
• Sloan — Action Pact
They just write such good pop songs, you can't help but like them. Backstabbin', yeah, backstabbin'!
Top Five Songs of 2004
(Okay, so there are actually six songs, but I just couldn't go any lower than that.)
01. The Killers — "Mr Brightside"
Every time I hear this, I want to boogie.
02. Franz Ferdinand — "Take Me Out"
Love that time change. Duh-duh-duh.
03. Elefant — "Misfit"
Every time I hear this, I do boogie.
04. Moz — "Irish Blood, English Heart"
Strangely motivational, this is one of my favorite songs to listen to while working out.
05. AC Newman — "Miracle Drug"
I listened to this one song so much, my boyfriend won't listen to it anymore. Great pop song from beginning to end.
06. Ted Leo & Rx — "Me & Mia"
I would be hard-pressed to find another working songwriter who is so consistently awesome. His songs are always thoughtful, charming, witty and sharp—not to mention catchy as hell.
Five Best Shows of 2004
(Recommended viewing, for future reference.)
01. Robbie Fulks — McCabe's Guitar Shop, Santa Monica
02. Old 97s — Amoeba Music in-store, Hollywood
03. The Drive-By Truckers — The Troubadour, West Hollywood
04. Ted Leo & Rx with Lucero, The El Rey Theatre, Los Angeles
05. Battles — Spaceland, Echo Park
And finally...
The Biggest Musical Disappointments of 2004
(Not as long as the other lists, but certainly as important.)
01. Old 97s — Drag It Up
First off, I love the Old 97s. I can't speak too highly of them, with the exception of this album. I know they're getting on, having babies and families and other responsibilities, but this album was a sad, milquetoast version of what used to be a kick-ass country band. They were absolutely one of the best live performances I've ever seen, though, and even the bad songs on this album sounded great when they performed them live. Unfortunately, they didn't use those live recordings on the album.
02. Communique — Poison Arrows
So. I loved American Steel. I was sad when they broke up, but really pleased when I heard that they were forming a new band. I was also pleased with the first EP they released. I even went to see them live, and they put on a great show. The new songs they played were great—noisy, catchy, sexy—channeling Roxy Music with a little bit more swagger. I didn't even mind the tight pants and expensive hair. But this? This is dreadful. It hurt me to listen to it because I wanted to like it. I really wanted to like it. But all the fun had been sucked out, and it reminded me of the sort of bland, boring, James Chance rip-offs the Yeah Yeah Yeahs play. Hopefully the next one will be better.
03. Centro-matic live, opening for the Drive-By Truckers at the Troubadour
One of the least interesting, uninspiring, sad performances I've seen. Will Johnson didn't even look at the crowd or smile until the last song, as though he was only pleased because he'd be off the stage soon. The songs sounded good, but they lacked the same punch they have on record because the band's mopey, self-important posing took away from the loveliness of the music. This is an experience I won't be repeating.
04. The new version of "Do They Know It's Christmas?"
Justin Hawkins is, as always, awesome, but what the fuck were they thinking? The original wasn't exactly the best song ever written, but each successive remake has become more and more ridiculous, to the point where I actually laughed at this one. Please, if anyone is listening, don't ever do this again.
05. U2 — How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb
Old, bloated and sad. Guys, please quit while you're ahead. Pull a Rolling Stones and just tour for the rest of your natural born lives. But please, please don't release another album if it's going to be like this one. And, for the record, "Uno, dos, tres, catorce" means "One, two, three, fourteen." Next time, hire a translator, or at least buy a reliable dictionary.
Posted in A/V Dorkout | 31 December 2004 at 10:58 AM | Comments (0) | | Link
December 09, 2004
Tearing Up Your Streets
News to shock and dismay: Darryl "Dimebag" Abbott, former guitar player for Pantera, was shot and killed last night in Columbus, Ohio while playing a gig at the Alrosa Villa night club.
Addendum: December 8th is also the anniversary of John Lennon's assassination.
Posted in A/V Dorkout | 9 December 2004 at 11:06 AM | Comments (0) | | Link
November 29, 2004
Fire in Cairo
Sadly, and suddenly, writer Larry Brown passed away over the weekend at age 53.
Rhino is reissuing Three Imaginary Boys, the first album by The Cure. This will mark the first time the album is available domestically as anything but an import, as well as being a reminder that Robert Smith did not always look like a post-'85 Elizabeth Taylor.
I was so pissed that Ice-T didn't call my house at 6:30 AM on the day after Thanksgiving. If anyone talks to him, tell him I better be first on the list next year.
Posted in A/V Dorkout | 29 November 2004 at 06:33 PM | Comments (0) | | Link
November 21, 2004
Fairytale of New York
Whoa. Ted "Theodore" Logan (aka Keanu Reeves) will be starring in Spike Lee's newest film. This news carries the heady stench of crap to come. {Via largehearted boy}
The Flaming Lips + The Dandy Warhols + videogame about zombies? Genius!
Nooooooo! Shellac to appear with the Minutemen Duet! Only in England! Take me with yooooou!
Blues/jazz/rock power trio Cream are getting back together, posing the question: what happens when you get three virtuosos back together sober?
The Slits—whom, if you couldn't guess, were an all-female punk band—debut album, Cut, is being re-released early next year.
It's coming up on that time of year again, so check out falalalala.com. I promise, there's nothing there you're going to hear at your local Borders. {Via largehearted boy}
Posted in A/V Dorkout | 21 November 2004 at 01:44 PM | Comments (0) | | Link
November 17, 2004
Whiteout
If you haven't yet heard, the ever-entertaining Ol' Dirty Bastard has passed away.
Speaking of entertaining, Fat Lip is re-joining The Pharcyde.
After 10 years together, Brit-poppers Gene are calling it quits.
In an effort to keep things real and show support for the indie community that made them the juggernaut they are, Death Cab for Cutie have signed to Atlantic Records.
Surprise, surprise: the Team Sleep album has been pushed back. Again.
The innovative Brookynites known as TV on the Radio won this year's Shortlist Prize.
Go catch yourself a nice case of Bungle Fever. {Via largehearted boy}
Wired Magazine has embraced the innovations of Creative Commons Licensing with the release of this year's Christmas CD.
If I were ever in a life-threatening situation, David Lee Roth would be the last member of Pasadena's EMT squad that I'd want showing up at my door. {Via largehearted boy}
Posted in A/V Dorkout | 17 November 2004 at 10:51 AM | Comments (0) | | Link
November 12, 2004
Back Alley Trash
DUDE! Gang of Four is getting back together!
One of my favorite pop bands, Versus, will be reuniting for a show at Black Cat on February 25th to benefit Teenbeat Records.
Scottish rockers Idlewild will be releasing their forthcoming fifth album to the world next March.
The awesome Ted Leo has announced that he will be extending his current tour in the company of Matt Pond PA and Mary Timony.
Ex-Jam frontman Paul Weller has been hospitalized due to acute tonsilitis, which prevents him from even speaking, let alone singing.
Greg Graffin, certified genius and frontman for Bad Religion, is writing his PhD dissertation on bad religion.
In weirdness, check out David Byrne covering Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Dance with Somebody."
And if anyone has a copy of The Arcade Fire covering "This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)"—my favorite Talking Heads song—please let me know.
I'd be tempted to wear one of these out of the house, if I had one.
For the other print/paper people reading this, I'm really into the idea of embossed tin books. Heavy, but durable!
My Christmas list is short this year, and it offers further proof that I am a big dork: iPod Car Vent Mount and (when it is released) the iPod Traveler Case. As always, CDs, DVDs and cash are also accepted.
Posted in A/V Dorkout | 12 November 2004 at 02:13 PM | Comments (0) | | Link
November 10, 2004
I'll Make a Liar Out of You
SubPop continues its quest for world domination with the release of a career-spanning Saint Etienne comp.
Sure, Diego is fey and coiffured, but "Misfit" is a damn good song, which you will be able to purchase when Sunlight Makes Me Paranoid is re-released.
If you can't see DBT live, bring the Truckers to you. {Via largehearted boy}
I love The Smiths. Really, who doesn't? But a musical? That might be taking the Moz lovin' a little bit too far.
Speaking of which, VH1 attempted to reunite The Smiths. It might sound good on paper, but I have a suspicion that will never happen. Then again, who thought Suede would get back together? {Via [information leafblower]}
The geek in me is totally prepared to spend $160 on a pair of Bang & Olufsen headphones. Fortunately, my bank account does not agree with my geek.
Check out the cool, quirky, crafty stuff The Sampler sends out. {Via largehearted boy}
How to do all the cool stuff that your iPod should already be capable of. {Via largehearted boy}
Posted in A/V Dorkout | 10 November 2004 at 10:55 AM | Comments (0) | | Link
November 09, 2004
It Was Only a Kiss
I heard the new Flaming Lips song on "Morning Becomes Eclectic" this morning, and I can only say that it made me smile. A lot.
Of late, I've spent a lot of time clearing out my CD collection, separating the wheat from the chaff. I've discovered that my taste in music is a result of a nearly Puritanical adherance to my idea of what good music is. I've also discovered that, over the years, my tolerance for marginal or generic music is lessening. I also have no patience for 'it' bands, so my curiosity only rarely gets the better of me, resulting in an ever-decreasing number of CDs I don't listen to. Some may call that narrow-minded. I prefer to think of myself as discerning.
However, if anyone's interested in buying some crap, let me know!
Though I don't especially care for Bright Eyes, I loved the Desaparecidos and I'm happy for Conner Oberst—he is the first artist since Puffy to nab two spots on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart at the same time.
Posted in A/V Dorkout | 9 November 2004 at 05:51 PM | Comments (0) | | Link
November 08, 2004
Suckerpunch
In a completely unsurprising show review, I'd like to report that Ted Leo was, as always, amazing. Even performing as a three-piece, he and his band put on an awesome rock show.
Lucero were quite good, though unpolished. The mix of bands seemed a bit strange, but it was nice to finally see Lucero, as I've been listening to them since Tennessee.
But before I conclude, I must describe The Lashes. For those who are curious, The Lashes are now tied for first place as the worst band I have ever seen, the other two being whitestarr and Atom and His Package. Comprised of a bunch of indie poster boys, sporting dyed black, fashionably dishevled hair and tight pants, they posed and pranced around the stage like they were on a catwalk rather than performing trite, idiotic, uninteresting songs about girls and being best friends.
Aside from being terrible they were also overstaffed, with two guitar players, one bass player, a drummer, a keyboard player and a lead singer. One guitar player looked suspiciously like Chris Kattan playing Mango, while the other looked like he was just in this band because Tortoise wouldn't have him. Adorably, they have all adopted "Lashes" as their last name in an attempt to suck some credibility out of the Ramones' legacy—not that anyone would ever confuse one for the other, as The Lashes are a black, airless vacuum of talent.
The real winner, though, was the keyboard player. I could have cheerfully shoved a pen through either—or both—of his eyes. Not only was he dancing and stomping around the stage as though the songs weren't morbidly awful, he was wearing a cap slightly too large for his head that kept sliding over his eyes, forcing him to squint coyly at the audience while he banged on the keys and squawked tonelessly along with the "singer." All in all, not the harbinger of a great evening, but Ted and Lucero pulled the evening out of the hole The Lashes dug.
Amuse your eyes: check out f2design.
Just when you thought it was over, Andy Bell is back! Erasure is returning with Nightbird, the band's first album in seven years. Not to mention the upcoming live DVD, The Tank, The Swan and The Balloon Live!.
Sleater-Kinney have hopscotched around the Northwest, moving from their former home on Killrockstars to join the roster at the "indie" powerhouse known as SubPop.
Witness the majesty of The Flaming Lips' "SpongeBob and Patrick Confront the Psychic Wall of Energy" in all its bizarre glory.
The new "Morning Becomes Eclectic" live comp will be coming out this January, featuring in-studio performances by Iron & Wine, Steve Earle and The Flaming Lips.
News on the new Queens of the Stone Age album, Lullabies to Paralyze, via Silent Uproar and ultimate-guitar.com. Two things concern me about this: the exclusion of Nick Oliveri and the inclusion of Brody Dalle.
Embracing their new roles as aging, chubby corporate puppets recycling their back catalog for profit, U2 will be premiering songs from their new album, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb, on the terrible-yet-popular TV show "CSI."
When you resort to using Jerry Bruckheimer to promote an album, your career is officially over.
Odd, but true. Listen in on Rhett Miller interviewing author Tom Wolfe.
Rumors started circulating last week on gigposters.com, but it's official: legendary Minneapolis club First Avenue has closed its doors after the owner filed for bankruptcy, following in the footsteps of Chicago's Fireside Bowl, which closed a few months ago.
Not only is BitTorrent responsible for 35% of all traffic on the internet, it has now marked itself as the next target for the RIAA.
Posted in A/V Dorkout | 8 November 2004 at 02:01 PM | Comments (0) | | Link
November 05, 2004
The One Who Got Us Here
I don't care how hard you try, you just can't hate The Flaming Lips. Especially now, because in their new video for their song on the Spongebob Squarepants Movie soundtrack, they are dressed as food items performing inside a giant, salivating mouth.
Prog rockers take note: Robert Fripp has an online diary. {Via largehearted boy}
I'd like to know just what a musical collaboration between the author of Lemony Snicket and Stephen Merritt would sound like, especially since it's supposed to be a film score. {Via largehearted boy}
Matthew Sweet has gone off the record (label), opting instead to record, produce and market his own albums.
If you're thinking of starting your own record label, be sure to do your homework. {Via largehearted boy}
Darkness frontman Justin Hawkins injured his guitar-playing hand, but NME is reporting that he will be okay.
Boomboxes, one of the two major signs of hipness during my formative years (the other being wearing a backpack with just one strap), are making a comeback. Bust out your Melly Mel shirts, kids! The ghetto blaster is back!
Posted in A/V Dorkout | 5 November 2004 at 12:38 PM | Comments (0) | | Link
November 04, 2004
Boys Better
In a mere eighteen hours, I will once again be in the fortunate position of witnessing the rock spectacle known as Ted Leo. Rule!
Further, in an effort to distract myself from the quagmire that is the recent election, I decided to post something completely frivolous that will (hopefully) amuse everyone a bit. With that, here's my list of the five musicians I would jump in a heartbeat—significant others, geographic locations and the age difference not withstanding.
01. Ted Leo – Needs no explanation. Rowr!
02. John Doe – Also needs no explanation.
03. David Bowie – Please. Who wouldn't?
04. Josh Homme – Yes, he is an asshole, but that's part of the charm.
05. Courtney Taylor – Sure, he has expensive hair. And scarves. But it works.
Addendum:
06. Rhett Miller – I don't know how I forgot him, but I think it has something to do with the fact that he needs a haircut. Badly.
07. Kevin Griffin – I have a suspicion it's the cowboy shirts.
08. Prince – One of the two men (David Bowie being the other) on this Earth who can wear leather pants and look hot.
09. Andre 3000 – Dear Lord, just look at him.
10. Chris Isaak – I don't think there are any questions about this one.
11. Rory Henderson – He probably spends as much time on his hair as I do, but I just can't find the energy to mind.
Please feel free to post your own lists as you see fit.
Posted in A/V Dorkout | 4 November 2004 at 12:39 PM | Comments (0) | | Link
October 28, 2004
If I Should Fall
Shane MacGowan—unconsciously brilliant. You can intelligently debate any topic from theology, history, literature and philosophy...though only while you're out of your skull on booze.
Which fucked-up genius composer are you?
Posted in A/V Dorkout | 28 October 2004 at 09:17 PM | Comments (0) | | Link
October 27, 2004
Like the Dev-il
No matter how hard I try, I just can't cross that coveted half-way mark for evil.
Don't blame me, I voted for Yog-Sothoth.
Right, but what happened to kumquat?
If you're looking to drum up some traffic, check out BlogExplosion, a new blog referral service.
Through the use of the site, I've discovered why so many blogs go unread: they are mind-numbingly boring. That's a sobering thought for someone who is scraping the bottom of the barrel for traffic as it is. I just hope I'm not as boring as some of the bloggers out there. I'd have to kill myself.
Posted in A/V Dorkout | 27 October 2004 at 03:39 PM | Comments (0) | | Link
October 26, 2004
Teenage Kicks
The legendary and hugely influential DJ John Peel has passed away. I'm not going to go crazy with the eulogizing, but Peel was a major force in the world of pop music.
If you are not familiar with him, now would be a good time to revisit some Peel Sessions, or just cue up The Undertones' "Teenage Kicks"—Peel's favorite song.
"I'm a great believer in getting your priorities wrong, setting your sights low so that you don't go through your whole life frustrated that you never became prime minister. Really, it's playing and listening to records that I like."
John Peel
[David at largehearted boy has posted an MP3 from Smog's 2001 Peel Session, for those who would like to listen.]
The new Leonard Cohen album came out today. I haven't heard much, but I'm guessing it's very Cohen-esque.
I'd like to take this opportunity to point out that Clipse is a terrible, terrible MC. On a brighter note, however, the soundtrack to Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas takes me all the way back to sixth grade with songs like "Motown Philly" and "Killing in the Name Of."
I played the game over the weekend—do not ask how I did it, but I did—and it is just as awesome as you would expect.
It never fails. You cave and buy an Apple product and they go ahead and release a nicer new one: meet the iPod Photo, available in 40 or 60 gig models for $499 and $599.
Fortunately, I have no use for a full color screen—and I have better things to do with six hundred dollars—nor will I have enough CDs to fill up 60 gigs until Apple comes out with a bigger, badder, smaller, lighter and cooler iPod—assuming the cooler bit were possible.
Posted in A/V Dorkout | 26 October 2004 at 12:21 PM | Comments (0) | | Link
October 25, 2004
Say Hello, Wave Goodbye
T-minus six days until Halloween!
I've discovered that having an iPod means I spend a lot of time at work listening to random songs (Soft Cell and Rick Astley, anyone?). My co-workers probably think I'm crazy, as I have a tendency to play air drums, dance in place and sing along.
Ah, well. 'Tis almost the season for tolerance, anyway.
Though I'm not a big Stereophonics fan, I thought I'd post this for the Kelly Jones constituency: the new S-phonics album will be titled Language, Sex, Violence, Other. This is only funny because they are such an innocuous pop band.
Things are getting weirder on the other side of the pond—Jarvis Cocker and Co., also known as Pulp, are on board to score the next Harry Potter film. If I did drugs, this would be a not-to-miss movie event.
Cool fact for Husker Du fans: Bob Mould and Grant Hart played together for the first time in 17 years! They got back together last week to perform at a benefit for Soul Asylum bassist Karl Mueller, and they even played two Husker songs—"Never Talking to You Again" and "Too Far Down."
Posted in A/V Dorkout | 25 October 2004 at 05:49 PM | Comments (0) | | Link
October 22, 2004
Ever Gave Away
I must admit that I am occasionally baffled by things I read. For example, how can someone who goes by the moniker "mr emo" write seriously about anything and expect people not to think he's just another juvenile pretty boy with expensive hair, masking his apparent sexual dysfunction and latent misogyny behind a stack of Further Seems Forever albums?
Despite these failings however, he does point out that sales of the iPod are up 500% (thanks in part to my little 40G binge last night), as well as making the astute observation that "U2's 'Vertigo' is still one of the worst songs to come out this year. And despite U2's former progressiveness, they are now offically co-opted and reduced to musical puppets." A simplistic and immature analysis, but funny nonetheless.
More news on the Suede reunion: they are back together, recording material co-written by Brett Anderson and Bernard Butler, but the band will no longer be known as Suede. They are now The Tears, taken from the last line of the Philip Larkin poem "Femmes Damnees" (which was in turn ripped from the Baudelaire poem "Les Fleurs du Mal").
Despite the fact that the band says the process is as exciting as writing the first Suede album, Bernard says that "there's no social ambitions -we don't go bowling together." Apparently the rift over the *ahem* lyrical content of Suede's songs has not fully mended.
The first single from the re-released Smile has been chosen, and "Good Vibrations" (the most well-known song from the long-lost album) will be it.
Check out the videos from the current Zombies tour. {Via largehearted boy}
For those who are interested in mad geniuses, check out this chat with Arthur Lee. {Via Coolfer}
If you're of the literary persuasion, I stumbled upon an online reproduction of the first printed version of Charlotte Perkins Gilman's supernatural short fiction "The Yellow Wallpaper."
Posted in A/V Dorkout | 22 October 2004 at 02:21 PM | Comments (0) | | Link
October 21, 2004
Sleeping Pills to Feel Forgiven
To recap last night's show, you should all catch Boston's Runner & The Thermodynamics if they come to your town. I've never seen a three-man band rock so hard to an empty house. There was literally no one there to see them and they played like they thought they were Zepplin—plus, they have an awesome drummer (think Keith Moon pre-explosion).
Centro-matic was much less interesting live than I had been led to expect. Sure, they're awesome on record, but the in-person version leaves much to be desired. Will Johnson is way creepier live than in anything I've read about him.
And then there was the Truckers. I didn't get to hear all the songs I wanted—but I did get to hear most of them, including "The Living Bubba"—and Jason Isbell popped up into the balcony and stood next to us for the latter part of Centro-matic's set, which was pretty damn cool. All in all, it was a great rock show. And props to the guy who yelled "Fucking bring it!" at Patterson Hood. You're a brave man, sir.
In non-personal music news, Matthew Sweet will be going on tour in support of his new album, Living Things, which is comprised of material he cut right after The Thorns' album.
Posted in A/V Dorkout | 21 October 2004 at 03:28 PM | Comments (0) | | Link
October 20, 2004
How to Lose Money Fast
UPDATE! My shopping list for the week:
01. 40G iPod
02. iTrip
03. Ted Leo & Rx – Shake the Sheets
04. A very large external hard drive (the better to backup my CDs with).
05. Other assorted pieces of optical media that will cause a large, weeping sore in my bank account.
Viva la debit card!
I'm braving the rain to see the Drive By Truckers tonight with Centro-matic. If this show is as good as their last one, it might cause a three-way tie with Robbie Fulks and the Old 97s for best show of the year.
It is guaranteed to be the best DBT show ever if they play "The Day John Henry Died," "Sinkhole," "Decoration Day," "Steve McQueen," "Nine Bullets," "The Living Bubba," "Hell No, I Ain't Happy" and "Carl Perkins' Cadillac" in any order—and so long as Centro-matic busts out "Flashes and Cables."
Posted in A/V Dorkout | 20 October 2004 at 11:17 AM | Comments (0) | | Link
October 18, 2004
Just Can't Get Enough
At least I never have to wonder about how to spend any extra disposable income—Bose takes those decisions right out of my hands.
In the ongoing saga of the file trading wars, UCLA has embarked on it's Quarantine project, a system which automatically notifies file sharers when they have violated copyright law.
"When a person is flagged for a copyright infringement violation by a copyright holder, like a music label or movie studio, their IP address is automatically cut off from all network access except university resources, ending the student's ability to swap files.
Students are able to get themselves out of quarantine quickly by visiting a web page, agreeing to the school's acceptable-use policy and removing the copyright material. After a student takes these steps, their computer is automatically taken out of quarantine, and full network services are restored within a day. The school stores data about the students, who are identified by IP address, in case of a future offense."
Legendary indie outfit Slint are reforming to play their first show in 13 years at All Tomorrow's Parties UK 2005.
Posted in A/V Dorkout | 18 October 2004 at 01:05 PM | Comments (0) | | Link
October 12, 2004
We're Coming Back
It's a British Re-invasion: Brett and Bernard have patched things up and Suede is getting back together! (As is the ska powerhouse known as Madness.) {Via largehearted boy}
Much like the Merge comp earlier this year, Matador has turned fifteen and is celebrating with a 3-disc comp which includes music from Interpol, AC Newman, The New Pornographers, Mission of Burma, Yo La Tengo and Guided By Voices.
Though the first disc of the set is touted as the "greatest hits" portion of the collection, one has to wonder that the songs included on the comp only span the past five years—not the fifteen year tenure that Matador is celebrating. Where are Pavement, Pizzicato Five, Silkworm, Chavez, Liz Phair, Teenage Fanclub, The Frogs or Superchunk? Where are the bands and songs that made Matador over the past fifteen years?
I have news for you Matador: I didn't buy that Pretty Girls Make Graves album the first time you released it. I'm sure as hell not going to pay for it in the guise of this purported "best of" compilation.
Legendary tenor saxophonist Albert Ayler is being recogized posthumously with a 9-disc box set of recordings from 1962–70, titled Holy Ghost. Ayler was a contemporary of such jazz greats as Ornette Coleman, Peter Brotzmann and Cecil Taylor, and the box set includes an essay on Ayler by Amiri Baraka.
Woohoo! Queen on Fire: Live at the Bowl has been released for your viewing (and listening) pleasure.
Solarized, the new album from Stone Roses frontman Ian Brown, will be released stateside this February, complete with his collaboration with *sigh* Noel Gallagher.
Pursuant to an agreement signed in 1966, Loretta Ly