With each passing day I'm getting shorter and shorter with the talent that is part of Music with Meaning 7. Questions that need to be answered like set times, prices, load-in times, etc. don't bother me. They make sense. Questions and/or concerns about bands getting paid don't irritate me. I can understand that. Gas is expensive, it's a hassle to lug equipment around, blah blah blah. I'm in a band, I get it. What I don't get is when bands with little to no real fan base expect to be treated like they sold out an arena.
In every interview I've given about Music with Meaning (I know it's not a lot, but humor me) I've wanted to talk shit about all the bands that said no for what I consider bullshit reasons. Bullshit reasons are: wanting money (bands didn't get paid for Music with Meaning 1-6) and not playing "smaller shows". My response to the former complaint is that you don't deserve any money. You'd be playing 30-minutes for 100 people on a lineup with 10 other bands. If we split the money evenly among bands you'd be taking home about $15. That's nothing. Selling a shirt and CD would make you more and make the show worthwhile to play. To bands that want more money to play, break up. I only asked you to play because someone else likes you and charity is charity.
I never really had any performer tell me they were 'too big' until this year. It's funny to me because bands that they open for, bands that are 'bigger' are playing the festival. The band that said no has played showcases for every major and indie label they wanted to be on and all of them said no. The band hasn't had a decent show in 6-months. The band has lost key members. In other words, if they band ever 'makes it' it won't be with their current line-up and it won't be with the songs they're playing.
I won't write the name of the band. Anyone who is a friend of mine already know what band I'm referring to. The best part about the entire thing is I only asked the band out of pity. I like their frontman outside of a musical context and I felt bad for the guy because his band isn't really going anywhere.
Sunday, April 30, 2006
Friday, April 28, 2006
The first hipster
James Dean, Alan Ginsberg or Bob Dylan was not the first hipster. They may have helped define cool or weird or counter-culture but Hunter S. Thompson holds the title of the world's first hipster.
The Gonzo writer loved himself. No respectable human being would take copious amounts of drugs and write about the experience like he was the first person to ever "lose their mind". Have respect for your elders, realize that you're not the first person to do anything and don't treat people like shit just because you can. How did Mr. Thompson treat people like shit? He trashed hotel rooms, destroyed cars and, worst of all, killed himself with a gun. Blue collar workers had to clean up all of his messes. His white collar Rolling Stone editors laughed and marveled at his whirlwind experiences. This is the self-involved giving a hand job to the ultimate hipster.
Anyone can write like Hunter S. Thompson. It's a simple process that requires no drug use, money or writing ability.
Step 1: Stay up all night.
Step 2: Record any/everything that comes in your mind (on paper or on tape).
Step 3: Think up enemies (real or fictional).
Step 4: Define your generation with someone/thing corrupt (war, politician, natural disaster, etc.).
Step 5: Refer to pop culture icons on a first name basis.
Step 6: Mourn the loss of the "good old days".
Step 7: Edit nothing.
There you go, the process of Gonzo journalism. This easily translates into hipster living.
Step 1: Look like you've stayed up all night.
Step 2: Talk about recordings and writings that no one has ever heard of.
Step 3: Think up enemies and mention to everyone how you did a shitload of lines with them.
Step 4: Define yourself with someone/thing corrupt.
Step 5: Refer to tabloid fodder on a first name basis.
Step 6: Mourn the loss of your childhood.
Step 7: Think of no one but yourself and/or celebrities.
You can do it, anyone can do it, no one should do it.
The Gonzo writer loved himself. No respectable human being would take copious amounts of drugs and write about the experience like he was the first person to ever "lose their mind". Have respect for your elders, realize that you're not the first person to do anything and don't treat people like shit just because you can. How did Mr. Thompson treat people like shit? He trashed hotel rooms, destroyed cars and, worst of all, killed himself with a gun. Blue collar workers had to clean up all of his messes. His white collar Rolling Stone editors laughed and marveled at his whirlwind experiences. This is the self-involved giving a hand job to the ultimate hipster.
Anyone can write like Hunter S. Thompson. It's a simple process that requires no drug use, money or writing ability.
Step 1: Stay up all night.
Step 2: Record any/everything that comes in your mind (on paper or on tape).
Step 3: Think up enemies (real or fictional).
Step 4: Define your generation with someone/thing corrupt (war, politician, natural disaster, etc.).
Step 5: Refer to pop culture icons on a first name basis.
Step 6: Mourn the loss of the "good old days".
Step 7: Edit nothing.
There you go, the process of Gonzo journalism. This easily translates into hipster living.
Step 1: Look like you've stayed up all night.
Step 2: Talk about recordings and writings that no one has ever heard of.
Step 3: Think up enemies and mention to everyone how you did a shitload of lines with them.
Step 4: Define yourself with someone/thing corrupt.
Step 5: Refer to tabloid fodder on a first name basis.
Step 6: Mourn the loss of your childhood.
Step 7: Think of no one but yourself and/or celebrities.
You can do it, anyone can do it, no one should do it.
Music, I've been working in music
My friends ask me what I'm listening to. I ask my friends what they're listening to. Fuck that. I don't want to talk to my friends. I HAVE A BLOG! Here are my...
TOP 68 ALBUMS OF 2006 AS OF TODAY, HOORAY, FUCK THE KKK!!!
1. Gnarls Barkley "St. Elsewhere"
"Crazy" is the best single of the year and "Just a Thought" is the best song of the year with the best lyric of the year, "It's not just good/it's great depression".
2. Mark Pickerel "Snake in the Radio"
Mr. Pickerel played drums in the Screaming Trees. Now he's fronting an alt-country band. It's great. Bloodshot's best release since Neko Case's "Blacklisted".
3. Sally "The Picardy Third EP"
Grrrtars. (Comment based on the work of the Charlie)
4. Neko Cash "Fox Confessor Brings the Flood"
No pro-tools, no Bloodshot and no remixes from The Neptunes.
5. MC Lars "The Graduate"
Critics hated this album. I liked every song on it. I know it's juvenile but I listen to every song without skipping, so it's good.
6. NOFX "Never Trust a Hippy"
"You're wrong for not hating Ann Coulter/cause she's a cunted cunt"
7. The Submarines "Declare A New State"
This album doesn't come out til June so don't try to steal it yet. I've never heard of the band and I'm pretty sure this is their debut. It's the album Mates of States would've made if they broke up.
8. Eagles of Death Metal "Death By Sexy"
This music should produce many children out of wedlock.
9. The Deadstring Brothers "Starving Winter Report"
I want to see them perform.
10. Magneto "Sounds Like Space"
Veruca Salt if they never dated Dave Grohl.
11. Quasi "When the Going Gets Dark"
If I was really hip I'd make this my number one pick.
12. The Strokes "First Impressions of Earth"
I hated the first Strokes album. I didn't like the second Strokes album. I like the Strokes third album.
13. Drive-By Truckers "A Blessing and a Curse"
I wish the Drive-By Truckers were the house band at the Horseshoe.
14. Sondre Lerche With the Faces Down Quartet "Duper Sessions"
15. Beth Orton "Comfort of Strangers"
16. The Sword "Age of Winters"
Metal. Metal.
17. NOFX "Wolves in Wolves Clothing"
18. Bonnie "Prince" Billy/Tortoise "The Brave and the Bold"
I listened to their version of Elton John's "Daniel" on repeat while wandering around Manhattan in March.
19. The Flaming Lips "At War with the Mystics"
20. charliedeets "The Lost Larrikin Long Play"
No grrtars.
21. Electric Six "Senor Smoke"
22. The Streets "The Hardest Way to Make an Easy Living"
The hip-hop version of Arctic Monkeys.
23. Arctic Monkeys "Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I Am Not"
The rock version of The Streets.
24. Brian Eno/David Byrne "My Life in the Bush of Ghosts"
Reissue. So what. New packaging and extra tracks.
25. Eels "With Strings: Live at Town Hall"
E might have released an album that is actually too depressing.
26. The Fever "In the City of Sleep"
27. Built to Spill "You In Reverse"
28. Ben Harper "Both Sides of the Gun"
Anyone can enjoy this double album, even if you don't get high every other hour.
29. The Concretes "In Colour"
30. Cat Power "The Greatest"
31. Mudhoney "Under a Billion Suns"
32. I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness "Fear Is On Our Side"
33. Sean Watkins "Blidners On"
Some dude from Nickel Creek's third solo album is actually good.
34. Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins "Rabbit Fur Coat"
The soft singing is a turn off but there's something about this album that I initialy dismissed. Probably the twins. COORS LIGHT RULES!!!
35. The Vines "Vision Valley"
A few of the later tracks on the album are obviously influenced by late 60s psychadelic rock. These songs are good.
36. Goldfrapp "Supernature"
37. Secret Machines "Ten Silver Drops"
38. The Coup "Pick a Bigger Weapon"
39. Rainer Maria "Catastrophe Keeps Us Together"
40. The M's "Future Woman"
41. The Lawrence Arms "Oh! Calcutta!"
42. Massive Attack "Collected"
I've only listened to one of the two discs and haven't watched the 16 videos that comes in the package. Once I do this will probably rise in the list.
43. Loose Fur "Born Again in the USA"
I did not enjoy this one as much as the debut. I blame the lack of painkillers.
44. Mates of State "Bring It Back"
45. Two Gallants "What the Toll Tells"
46. Islands "Return to the Sea"
47. Elefant "The Black Magic Show"
48. The Minus 5 "The Minus Five"
49. Morningwood "Morningwood"
50. Bruce Springsteen "We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions"
Though I've never been a fan of Springsteen his voice really fits with these songs. The laid back atmosphere of random studio musicians doesn't hurt either.
51. Placebo "Meds"
Just as good as their last two albums. Just as decent. Yep.
52. The Metal Hearts "Socialize"
53. Hank Williams III "Straight to Hell"
54. Fiery Furnaces "Bitter Tea"
55. Audio Bullys "Generation"
56. MONO "You Are There"
57. Margot and the Nuclear So and Sos "The Dust of Retreat"
These guys have only been around since late 2004. Good for them?
58. Pretty Girls Make Graves "Élan Vital"
I'm fucking hip.
59. Young People "All At Once"
60. The Dresden Dolls "Yes, Virginia"
Maybe I'll understand all of it by the end of the year. I bet there's nothing to understand, it's on Roadrunner.
61. Morrissey "Ringleader of the Tormentors"
62. Revolting Cocks "Cocked and Loaded"
I'll always consider Al a Chicagoan because he did most of the hardcore drug use here.
63. Belle and Sebastian "The Life Pursuit"
64. Arab Strap "The Last Romance"
65. The Sounds "Dying to Say This To You"
TITTIES ON THE COVER!
66. Controller.Controller "X-Amounts"
67. Yeah Yeah Yeah's "Show Your Bones"
"Gold Lion" is a good song. The rest is shit. SHIT! GO BACK TO THE BLOW YOU OLD FUCKS!!!
68. Calexico "Garden Ruin"
Albums that will probably be on this list as soon as I hear them
Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan "Ballad of the Broken Seas"
Pearl Jam "Pearl Jam"
Tool "10,000 Days"
Jesus and the Devil
Bold = Chicago based
Since I'm working for a summer music festival, college radio station and Music with Meaning 7, I listen to a lot of new music. I've probably reviewed 500 albums since January. I'm lucky to be able to hear so much music for free. I know that none of this matters. Music reviews are subjective so all they really need to say is "Good" or "Bad". I know this but continue to write about albums. Whatever. My album is the best album ever created.
TOP 68 ALBUMS OF 2006 AS OF TODAY, HOORAY, FUCK THE KKK!!!
1. Gnarls Barkley "St. Elsewhere"
"Crazy" is the best single of the year and "Just a Thought" is the best song of the year with the best lyric of the year, "It's not just good/it's great depression".
2. Mark Pickerel "Snake in the Radio"
Mr. Pickerel played drums in the Screaming Trees. Now he's fronting an alt-country band. It's great. Bloodshot's best release since Neko Case's "Blacklisted".
3. Sally "The Picardy Third EP"
Grrrtars. (Comment based on the work of the Charlie)
4. Neko Cash "Fox Confessor Brings the Flood"
No pro-tools, no Bloodshot and no remixes from The Neptunes.
5. MC Lars "The Graduate"
Critics hated this album. I liked every song on it. I know it's juvenile but I listen to every song without skipping, so it's good.
6. NOFX "Never Trust a Hippy"
"You're wrong for not hating Ann Coulter/cause she's a cunted cunt"
7. The Submarines "Declare A New State"
This album doesn't come out til June so don't try to steal it yet. I've never heard of the band and I'm pretty sure this is their debut. It's the album Mates of States would've made if they broke up.
8. Eagles of Death Metal "Death By Sexy"
This music should produce many children out of wedlock.
9. The Deadstring Brothers "Starving Winter Report"
I want to see them perform.
10. Magneto "Sounds Like Space"
Veruca Salt if they never dated Dave Grohl.
11. Quasi "When the Going Gets Dark"
If I was really hip I'd make this my number one pick.
12. The Strokes "First Impressions of Earth"
I hated the first Strokes album. I didn't like the second Strokes album. I like the Strokes third album.
13. Drive-By Truckers "A Blessing and a Curse"
I wish the Drive-By Truckers were the house band at the Horseshoe.
14. Sondre Lerche With the Faces Down Quartet "Duper Sessions"
15. Beth Orton "Comfort of Strangers"
16. The Sword "Age of Winters"
Metal. Metal.
17. NOFX "Wolves in Wolves Clothing"
18. Bonnie "Prince" Billy/Tortoise "The Brave and the Bold"
I listened to their version of Elton John's "Daniel" on repeat while wandering around Manhattan in March.
19. The Flaming Lips "At War with the Mystics"
20. charliedeets "The Lost Larrikin Long Play"
No grrtars.
21. Electric Six "Senor Smoke"
22. The Streets "The Hardest Way to Make an Easy Living"
The hip-hop version of Arctic Monkeys.
23. Arctic Monkeys "Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I Am Not"
The rock version of The Streets.
24. Brian Eno/David Byrne "My Life in the Bush of Ghosts"
Reissue. So what. New packaging and extra tracks.
25. Eels "With Strings: Live at Town Hall"
E might have released an album that is actually too depressing.
26. The Fever "In the City of Sleep"
27. Built to Spill "You In Reverse"
28. Ben Harper "Both Sides of the Gun"
Anyone can enjoy this double album, even if you don't get high every other hour.
29. The Concretes "In Colour"
30. Cat Power "The Greatest"
31. Mudhoney "Under a Billion Suns"
32. I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness "Fear Is On Our Side"
33. Sean Watkins "Blidners On"
Some dude from Nickel Creek's third solo album is actually good.
34. Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins "Rabbit Fur Coat"
The soft singing is a turn off but there's something about this album that I initialy dismissed. Probably the twins. COORS LIGHT RULES!!!
35. The Vines "Vision Valley"
A few of the later tracks on the album are obviously influenced by late 60s psychadelic rock. These songs are good.
36. Goldfrapp "Supernature"
37. Secret Machines "Ten Silver Drops"
38. The Coup "Pick a Bigger Weapon"
39. Rainer Maria "Catastrophe Keeps Us Together"
40. The M's "Future Woman"
41. The Lawrence Arms "Oh! Calcutta!"
42. Massive Attack "Collected"
I've only listened to one of the two discs and haven't watched the 16 videos that comes in the package. Once I do this will probably rise in the list.
43. Loose Fur "Born Again in the USA"
I did not enjoy this one as much as the debut. I blame the lack of painkillers.
44. Mates of State "Bring It Back"
45. Two Gallants "What the Toll Tells"
46. Islands "Return to the Sea"
47. Elefant "The Black Magic Show"
48. The Minus 5 "The Minus Five"
49. Morningwood "Morningwood"
50. Bruce Springsteen "We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions"
Though I've never been a fan of Springsteen his voice really fits with these songs. The laid back atmosphere of random studio musicians doesn't hurt either.
51. Placebo "Meds"
Just as good as their last two albums. Just as decent. Yep.
52. The Metal Hearts "Socialize"
53. Hank Williams III "Straight to Hell"
54. Fiery Furnaces "Bitter Tea"
55. Audio Bullys "Generation"
56. MONO "You Are There"
57. Margot and the Nuclear So and Sos "The Dust of Retreat"
These guys have only been around since late 2004. Good for them?
58. Pretty Girls Make Graves "Élan Vital"
I'm fucking hip.
59. Young People "All At Once"
60. The Dresden Dolls "Yes, Virginia"
Maybe I'll understand all of it by the end of the year. I bet there's nothing to understand, it's on Roadrunner.
61. Morrissey "Ringleader of the Tormentors"
62. Revolting Cocks "Cocked and Loaded"
I'll always consider Al a Chicagoan because he did most of the hardcore drug use here.
63. Belle and Sebastian "The Life Pursuit"
64. Arab Strap "The Last Romance"
65. The Sounds "Dying to Say This To You"
TITTIES ON THE COVER!
66. Controller.Controller "X-Amounts"
67. Yeah Yeah Yeah's "Show Your Bones"
"Gold Lion" is a good song. The rest is shit. SHIT! GO BACK TO THE BLOW YOU OLD FUCKS!!!
68. Calexico "Garden Ruin"
Albums that will probably be on this list as soon as I hear them
Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan "Ballad of the Broken Seas"
Pearl Jam "Pearl Jam"
Tool "10,000 Days"
Jesus and the Devil
Bold = Chicago based
Since I'm working for a summer music festival, college radio station and Music with Meaning 7, I listen to a lot of new music. I've probably reviewed 500 albums since January. I'm lucky to be able to hear so much music for free. I know that none of this matters. Music reviews are subjective so all they really need to say is "Good" or "Bad". I know this but continue to write about albums. Whatever. My album is the best album ever created.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Sunday, April 16, 2006
Defending Pearl Jam for no specific reason
Every band that’s forming should study Pearl Jam. After more than fifteen years of existence the band is as good as they’ve ever been. Rather than rest on their laurels and continue to pursue a sound that made them famous, they’ve grown musically and lyrically. Mr. Vedder picked up guitar, they’ve released one video since “Ten” (the Todd McFarlane animated “Do The Evolution”), Matt Cameron from Soundgarden is the current drummer and back-up vocalist (and a fine one at that), toured consistently since their fight against TicketMaster, released quality sounding live recordings and every member has a hand in the songwriting process. Put simply, Pearl Jam is the current generation’s Neil Young. To hell with the backlash that comes with liking every/any mainstream band. Pearl Jam is the best (consistently good, not necessarily the most influential) American rock band of the last 20-years, if not the history of rock and roll.
For those of you who instantly dismiss any mention of Pearl Jam, please keep in mind that Mr. Vedder played on Cat Power’s “You Are Free”, Mike Watt’s “Ballhog or Tugboat?”, Bad Religion’s “Recipe for Hate” and with the Supersuckers. In other words, he’s probably recorded with someone you don’t consider corporate or a sell-out or some other phrase that’s used too much to dismiss artists.
---
17. Mike Royko “Sez Who? Sez Me”
16. Saul Bellow “The Actual”
I want Mike Royko’s old job.
I hope to one day have the ability to write like Saul Bellow.
Chicago is the greatest city of all-time because it spawned Mike Royko and Saul Bellow. Eddie Vedder grew up in Evanston and that city (?) has an el line so it counts too.
For those of you who instantly dismiss any mention of Pearl Jam, please keep in mind that Mr. Vedder played on Cat Power’s “You Are Free”, Mike Watt’s “Ballhog or Tugboat?”, Bad Religion’s “Recipe for Hate” and with the Supersuckers. In other words, he’s probably recorded with someone you don’t consider corporate or a sell-out or some other phrase that’s used too much to dismiss artists.
---
17. Mike Royko “Sez Who? Sez Me”
16. Saul Bellow “The Actual”
I want Mike Royko’s old job.
I hope to one day have the ability to write like Saul Bellow.
Chicago is the greatest city of all-time because it spawned Mike Royko and Saul Bellow. Eddie Vedder grew up in Evanston and that city (?) has an el line so it counts too.
Sunday, April 09, 2006
Forgot words
I read another book after 15 but I can't remember what it was. I am now angry with myself.
15. J.T. Leroy (Editor) "Da Capo Best Music Writing 2005: The Year's Finest Writing on Rock, Hip-hop, Jazz, Pop, Country & More"
14. Jeffery Brown "AEIOU: Any Easy Intimacy"
I'm counting 14 even though it's a graphic novel because I want to reach 50. I'll take out graphic novels and novellas if I can still reach 50.
It's a fucking blog, what did you expect?
15. J.T. Leroy (Editor) "Da Capo Best Music Writing 2005: The Year's Finest Writing on Rock, Hip-hop, Jazz, Pop, Country & More"
14. Jeffery Brown "AEIOU: Any Easy Intimacy"
I'm counting 14 even though it's a graphic novel because I want to reach 50. I'll take out graphic novels and novellas if I can still reach 50.
It's a fucking blog, what did you expect?
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
Neko Case
The best part about podcasts are being able to hear stories I would have otherwise missed. One is about Neko Case's new album.
NPR was smart enough to interview the musician about her new album "Fox Confessor Brings the Flood". In the piece she explains the recording and the song writing process about the song "John the Baptist". I now respect her more than I did before.
Ms. Case performed at the Vic Theater last Friday night. She was very, very good.
I am not a musician. Neko Case is a musician. That is fine. I am 1/4 of the official band of the revolution.
Try to figure that shit out.
NPR was smart enough to interview the musician about her new album "Fox Confessor Brings the Flood". In the piece she explains the recording and the song writing process about the song "John the Baptist". I now respect her more than I did before.
Ms. Case performed at the Vic Theater last Friday night. She was very, very good.
I am not a musician. Neko Case is a musician. That is fine. I am 1/4 of the official band of the revolution.
Try to figure that shit out.
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