Thursday, July 26, 2007

Travis live @ First Avenue 7/22/07


Travis live @ First Avenue - "Flowers in the Window"

Lots more (72) great Travis Photos: Flickr Photos | Flickr Slideshow

Travis. Holy f*cking #@$^. Wow. To get you "primed": Read Kyle's review of the DC gig over on Information Leafblower. After you're done, come back; don't worry, I'll wait...

OK, here's what happened at the First Ave gig:

> Yes, they entered from the back of the audience, walking through the whole crowd in boxer warm-up outfits with the theme from "Rocky." They then proceeded to the stage with James Brown's "Living in America." Their first (opening) tune was "Selfish Jean." Perhaps the greatest entrance of a band I've ever seen. Witness for yourself...

Travis - Rocky Theme / Living In America / Selfish Jean @ First Ave 7/22/07:



> "All I Want To Do Is Rock" really "rocked." ;) Guitarist Andy went into the crowd for this one...

Travis - "All I Want To Do Is Rock" live @ First Avenue, 7/22/07:



> Last song before the encores, "Turn." Magical. Watch Mr. Francis Healy jump off the drum set.

Travis - "Turn" live @ First Avenue, 7/22/07:



> First encore, b-side "20," I almost cried. Francis Healy solo, acoustic, without the PA system. Watch for yourself.

Travis - "20" live @ First Avenue 7/22/07 - w/o Mic:



> Second encore, "Flowers in the Window." Barbershop-quintet style...



> Third encore, "Sailing Away." According to Fran they had never played that one before... Check it out.



> They closed with the "pogo version" of "Why Does It Always Rain On Me". I don't have video of that one... Because I was jumping around pogo-style, sorry.

Luckily, Travis has a 2 minute summary (which includes the "pogo") of their whole DC show:




> After the show I got to hang with the boys for a bit.



> And look who I also hung out with.





Yeah, the Schwandt brothers from White Light Riot were in the house...

Setlist (A+):



This was the 7th time I've seen Travis. They put a smile on my face every time I see them. Fran is one the best and most entertaining lead-singers you'll ever see. Yes, he's Bono-like. Do check Travis out at a venue near you soon.

See you @ Fratellis Sunday. I hear they're playing The Fetus that afternoon as well...

Travis Website | MySpace

P.S. Klaus! Klaus! Klaus!...

P.P.S. For the record, I saw opening band/guy John Paul White as well. The guy was ok, not great. The ELO cover of "Cant' Get It Out Of My Head" was killer, though...





John Paul White Website | MySpace

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Release Party - Mall of America 7/20/07



My girlfriend J-Girl left me during The Alarmists CD Release Party... only for a little while, though. Yes, she's a Harry Potter fan. Here are her pics from the book-release party at Mall of America:

Outside Barnes & Noble at Mall of America ~ 10:30pm:


An all-ages-event ~ 12:00am:


The Happy Muggles ~ 12:45am:


Looks like a good time was had by all. You know how it ends? I'll tell you... ok, just kidding, I have no idea...

J.K. Rowling
Website

The Alarmists CD Release Party 7/20/07 @ First Avenue


(The Alarmists)

More CD Release Photos of The Alarmists | The Debut | White Light Riot | Jelloslave: Flickr Photos | Flickr Slideshow

Jelloslave was ok (not my style). White Light Riot shocked me by how great they were. The new album rocks and their set blew me away. These guys will be major rock stars soon. The Debut got the crowd moving and were vastly improved since the last time I've seen them at their CD release. As for The Alarmists... bloody brilliant as always. Love love love the new album "The Ghost and the Hired Gun." Go pick it up.

I'll leave it at that. Read Stacy's full review over on Kyle's blog. Check out her full Flickr photogallery -- wow, great stuff.

Here's some multi-media for you.

The Alarmists - Some Things Never Stop (live @ First Avenue 7/20/07):


White Light Riot - Charlatan (live @ First Avenue 7/20/07):


mp3: The Alarmists - Hired Gun
mp3: The Alarmists - Some Things Never Stop

Look for White Light Riot and The Alarmists to tour the US soon...

The Alarmists Website | MySpace
White Light Riot Website | MySpace
The Debut Website | MySpace
Jelloslave Website | MySpace

The Cribs live on Conan | White Rabbits live on Letterman | Both Play Turf Club 8/1/07

The Cribs - "Men's Needs" live on Conan O'Brien 7/18/07:


White Rabbits - "The Plot" live on Letterman 7/19/07:


Why am I posting these? Because:

a) I love The Cribs.
b) White Rabbits have been getting a LOT of hype.
c) Both will playing a gig here together next Wednesday @ Turf Club!

Wednesday 8/01/07
The Cribs | White Rabbits
Turf Club
8:00pm Doors | 18 + / 21 + ?| $10 Advance / $12 Door
Online Tickets $11.00

I'm pretty sure the bands will blow the roof off Turf Club. If nothing gets broken I'd be really surprised. I highly suggest you go.

mp3: The Cribs - Men's Needs (CSS Remix)
mp3: White Rabbits - The Plot

The Cribs Website | MySpace
White Rabbits Website | MySpace

P.S. Sorry, I can't figure out what the age-limit is on the show... On First Ave's website (the gig is sponsored by them) it says "21+". However, on the tickets I ordered it says "18+". I've never seen an 18+ show at Turf Club. Clarification anyone? Happy Birthday Brody (who's now 21)!

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Upcoming: The Alarmists "The Ghost and the Hired Gun" CD Release Party @ First Avenue 7/20/07



Get there early, 'cause this show will sell out:

Friday 7/20/07
The Alarmists
First Avenue Main Room
w/special guests:
The Debut | Jelloslave | White Light Riot
8:00pm Doors | 18 + | $10

Here's a taste of the new CD (world blog premiere, as far as I know):

mp3: The Alarmists - Hired Gun

Yes, it rocks. The new CD/EP "The Ghost and the Hired Gun" is out now exclusively via the Electric Fetus. Elsewhere it's out 7/24/07. Details to follow. Pick it up at the show 7/20/07, that's my advice...

Here's an "oldie":

mp3: The Alarmists - Some Things Never Stop

Elsewhere:

They stopped by The Current on 7/16/07 and talked with Mary Lucia for a while. Stream it here. They played:
  • Nobody Knows You
  • On the Way
  • Try to be Kind
See you Friday. Buy me a Vodka-Red Bull at the show;) Have a great week!

The Alarmists - Golden Slumbers / Carry That Weight / End (live @ Triple Rock 5/11/07:



- Steve

The Alarmists Website | MySpace
White Light Riot Website | MySpace
The Debut Website | MySpace
Jelloslave Website | MySpace

Upcoming: Travis @ First Avenue 7/22/07



Wow, did you catch Travis live on NPR from DC 7/16/07? Bloody brilliant...

You can stream the whole thing here.

The setlist:

Selfish Jean
Eyes Wide Open
Writing To Reach You
Love Will Come Through
As You Are
My Eyes
Big Chair
Pipe Dreams
Re-offender
Side
Driftwood
Good Feeling
Closer
Sing
Battleships
All I Want To Do Is Rock
Turn
20
Flowers In The Window
The Humpty Dumpty Song
Why Does It Always Rain On Me?
Back In Black

Here's the review from Information Leafblower.

Jesus! Unbelievable. Best thing, they're playing here on Sunday 7/22/07 live @ First Avenue. Don't miss it. I'll be watching them for the 7th (!) time...

Travis - Turn:



... And I absolutely love love love this one of the latest record. Karoake time.

Travis - Big Chair:



Travis Website | MySpace

Upcoming shows...

One of my 5 readers emailed me today, asking me what shows I'm going to, and what I'd recommend. Ok, here's the list at the moment:

I probably forgot something. Then again, I don't plan more than 3 days ahead. Check Kyle's blog and CityPages for more, as they get announced...

I'm pretty excited about seeing this band:

The Cribs - Moving Pictures:



Uncensored version of "Men's Needs" video (awesome) here (NSFW).

mp3: The Cribs - Baby Don't Sweat
mp3: The Cribs - Another Number

The Cribs Website | MySpace

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Robbers on High Street live @ Triple Rock 7/13/07







Robbers on High Street were bloody brilliant @ Triple Rock. At least for the 3 songs I saw, from what I remember. I still can't believe the opened for The Redwalls (who I read were great, and didn't see). I'll explain...

Is it a good idea to mix an after-work Happy Hour with a show where doors don't open until 10pm? The answer, in my case, is definitely "no", because:

a) You don't want to get kicked out of The Loon. Who gets kicked out of there? So wrong...
b) You don't want to lose your work-backpack with your 60 GB iPod in it.
c) You don't want to show up at a show totally wasted on Vodka-Red Bulls; then decide to take a nap on the floor of the venue during the band you got free tickets for...(I did look good on the dance floor, though ;))

Yes, this really happened. Yes, I'm crazy (once in a while). Yes, I'm being honest. Yes, it's "rock 'n' roll". And yes, who else will serve up a "review" like that? It's kinda' funny by now, actually! Anybody have pictures? Let me know, and I'll post 'em...

mp3: Robbers on High Street - Crown Victoria


That is all (I'm going to tell).

Robbers On High Street Website | MySpace
The Redwalls MySpace

Thursday, July 12, 2007

Prince live @ Target Center 07.07.07, Minneapolis, MN


(Enlarge this pic and you'll see Prince)

The big big news here last Saturday, 07.07.07: Prince played 3 shows in Minneapolis! I was lucky enough to make it to one of them. Here's how it went down:

Tickets for the First Avenue show went on sale @ 3pm, last Saturday. I had a scheduling conflict so I couldn't get there until 4:30pm. I went down there with J-Girl (I think that will be the new name for my girl friend on the blog) and stood in line for an hour and half in 95 degree heat... tickets sold out when I was about 200 tickets away. Do you think I was bummed?! Yeah, that was rough; then again it was a lame attempt, considering how long other people had waited...


(The line for First Avenue Prince tickets)

J-Girl and I had planned to go canoeing that day. However, once we got shut down for Prince First Avenue tix we were bummed and decided to go to the Hard Rock Cafe for dinner and drinks instead. Turned out they had a pre-Prince Target Center party there... we won all sorts of stuff. Everything except for tickets... Time rolled on and the Target Center gig was supposed to start @8:30pm. We still had no tickets to any show... We talked and partied and hung out with people from all over the US, who had traveled from far distances to watch the show. The doors of Target Center were locked @ 8:30pm as the show was delayed... First Avenue (the street, not the club) was complete chaos, people everywhere, crazy... Never seen anything like it. At this point I decided I'm going to see Prince that night... no matter what, how, or why....


(Prince fan-club president & secretary... seriously)

So finally doors opened at ~ 9:15pm to Target Center. I think 50% of all attendees were wasted at that point. That's when I decided to have fun with some scalpers... Tickets were going for loads of $$$ earlier... turns out 15 minutes prior to showtime (around 10pm) I scored 2 tickets for combined price $50.00. That's $200 in tickets for $50.00. J-Girl and I were extremely happy.
5 minutes after we got to our seats (with 4 beers costing almost as much as the tickets, $30), Prince opened the show with "Purple Rain". Did I mention I have never seen "The Purple One" before? The tune gave me goosebumps and almost made me cry. Yes, that great... Worth the price of admission alone (from my nose-bleed seeds). Other stuff that was amazing: "Take Me With U", "Little Red Corvette" (acoustic), "Raspberry Beret" (acoustic), "Sometimes It Snows In April" (acoustic), "I Wann Be Your Lover", "Kiss", "Let's Go Crazy", "Nothing Compares 2 U". The cover tunes were amazing too (see setlist).


(Scene around the Hard Rock when doors didn't open @ 8:30pm)


(First Avenue shut down as doors to Target Center didn't open)


(Prince - from my nose-bleed seat)


(Prince - Target Center)

Show ended after a couple of hours around 12:30pm and I was exhausted. One of the best arena shows I've ever seen. Prince is a fucking genius and amazing live. The guy is 49 @#$! years old, do you believe that? Do check him out if you have a chance...

After the gig I ran into a bunch of friends waiting in line for the (now legendary) First Avenue gig. Wow, from what I read it was pretty amazing... I still can't believe I didn't attend that one...

OK, some more photos from the night:


(This guy scared the hell out of me in the bathroom!)


(Hanging out with new friends from Boston before the show)


(Prince - Target Center)

A cool vid from the show "If I Was Your Girlfriend":



Most the other YouTube stuff has been removed, unfortunately...

Also, better photos.

More local coverage:

> Culture Bully: Breaking News: Minneapolis Loves Prince
> CityPages: Someday My Prince Will Come
> The Current Music Blog: A Sort of Homecoming..
> MNSpeak: Prince wrap up
> More Cowbell: We Win!
> More Cowbell: Prince at First Avenue - 7/8/07 + Photos
> Pop Life: Police pull plug on Prince @ First Ave; read what he didn’t play
> Pop Life: Prince setlists (Macy’s & Target Center)
> The Ross Who Knew Too Much: I wish there was no black and white, I wish there were no rules (all 3 setlists)
> The Ross Who Knew Too Much: Life, it ain't real funky -- unless it's got that pop

Last but not least... I was asked by Ross to contribute to his "favorite Prince song story" but never got around to it. Here's my fave:

mp3: Prince - Purple Rain (YSI)



Not too original, I know, but the truth, so a couple more:

mp3: Prince - Pussy Patrol (YSI)



mp3: Prince - Nothing Compares 2 U (YSI)



mp3: Prince - Pop Life (YSI)



OK, I just realized I could keep going here for hours and at least 20 tunes...

To summarize, Prince in Minneapolis 7.7.07 was simply magical. I have no other way to explain it. One of the greatest music moments I've ever been a part of. Most people that were at any of the 3 shows would agree... the vibe in the city was simply amazing. I still want to see Prince at First Ave so let's hope he keeps his promise and comes back.

Prince Website

P.S. I think I set a new record for saying "amazing" in one post... please replace every second amazing with "awesome" or "fucking brilliant" ;)

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

White Light Riot CD Release | Friends & Family | Arctic Monkeys | Alarmists @ Bascilica Bloc Party

Ahhhh, where to start. So long since I've updated, so let's try to summarize some news...

> Looking at my last post about the White Light Riot CD Release show at Fine Line Music Cafe. That one turned out kinda' ugly... By the time I got there with friends and family (around 10pm) things were completely chaotic at Fine Line. Super-huge line and the guest-list wasn't being honored any more. Way to treat friends of the band, Fine Line! OK, I'm already over it (still, I'm not linking to fucking Fine Line)... Sounds like it was a great show, Chris has the review for you.

White Light Riot Website | Myspace
The Alarmists Website | MySpace
The Villains of Verona Website | Myspace

Chaos in front of the club actually looks like fun in this picture:



> As mentioned above, I had friends and family in town for a couple of weeks.

a) My friend Jan from Germany (via Texas):



b) My sister Victoria (via LA, CA):



Needless to say we had a great time, especially with 4th of July holiday. We went to Canterbury, did some camping in Northern Iowa, visited Duluth, ate & drank a lot, etc, great times... My girlfriend J-Girl and I miss them!

> My boys Arctic Monkeys:

a) Played live @ Glastonbury. Setlist (A+++) and audio here.

b) Played "Diamonds Are Forever" live @ Glastonbury. Mp3 here. Video here.

c) New single "Fluorescent Adolescent" dropped July 9th. Track-listing and them live (in clown outfits) on Jonathan Ross here.

d) Tom Jones "I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor" at the Princess Di thing... pretty horrible.

> I watched Friday's Bascilica Block Party from a roof overlooking the city. Pretty bloody briliant... The Alarmists were amazing as always:





Biggest news, though, I watched a certain Minneapolis icon 07.07.07. See next post.