Hi, missed ya! I'll explain my extended absence another time ;) So, I think I'm gonna' go old-school with my blog and just post whatever I want. Old, new, hyped, non-hyped, pop, indie, rock, hip-hop, world beat, country, etc.... Whatever, who cares?! K? K. I love this band from Scotland, Glasvegas. Check 'em out, I think you will too.
P.S. Hope you had a nice April Fool's Day. MFR's post is hilarious. This Gmail "Custom Time" joke was my favorite, though, and I almost fell for it.
"I just got two tickets to Radiohead by being the 'first' to respond to a co-worker's 'first-come, first-serve' email. Someone else had already won them, but I told everyone to check their inboxes again. Everyone sort of knows I used Custom Time on this one, but I'm denying it."
So yeah, it's been too long since I've updated. I've been pretty busy with work and other extra-curricular activities the past few months so we'll have to see what the future holds for this here blog. Don't worry, I still read your blog, listen to new music, and check out bands around town.
Anyway, here are some shows I checked out recently but never got around to posting on the site:
>> Stars of Track and Field live @ 7th Street Entry 10/19/07
Caught the last 45 minutes of their set in the Mainroom after crossing over from the Entry. I'm not really into Southern Rock, but I was thoroughly entertained by these Georgia rockers. Wow, they really jammed out in true "Skynyrd" style. I haven't seen a Jack Daniels bottle being passed around on stage in quite a while. Poplife has more on the gig.
The Raveonettes have blown me away every time I've seen them. This night was no exception. I still can't believe I got to see them in the Entry. Wow, the new stuff from the forthcoming album "Lust, Lust, Lust" (out 2/19/08) sounded brilliant. More on BRIAT. Rave on.
Nicole and her band opened for The Raveonettes. I was pleasantly surprised by her performance, as I really didn't know too much about her. What did she sound like? I think the description on her MySpace sums it up: "Roy Orbison as a chick fronting a band of elves."
Another very fine performance supporting label-mate Matthew Dear. The new album "Heaven" is great, and live the songs sounded even better. I still can't believe these guys aren't huge yet...
Hmmmm, I don't know, I wasn't that impressed. I liked the DJ-ing and electronica aspect, but really didn't dig the singing and band. I guess the show was ok. To be perfectly honest I missed 1/2 of it as I was talking with the guys in Mobius Band...
What a pleasant surprise this dual CD-release (Stook!, Dan Israel) gig turned out to be. I had a great time and really enjoyed all 3 artists (and all the guest musicians who appeared). HWTS has more. And yeah, being on stage with a bunch of friends and singing backing vocals to final tune of the evening "Rockin' in the Free World" was pretty sweet...
They opened for M.I.A. and their shit was dope. They sounded like a mix between The Beastie Boys and Run DMC... which got the crowd nicely warmed up for the main act.
Saved the best for last... M.I. mutherfuckin' A. simply destroyed sold-out First Avenue. One of my favorite shows of the year. Some highlights:
The audience was totally into it. Kids were dancing their asses off.
M.I.A. was all over the stage and really gave it her all. Singing, dancing, crowd-surfing, climbing into the balcony. That girl really has some energy.
For "Bird Flu" (see photo above and video below) some of the crowd got to join M.I.A. on stage.
The light, stage, and video screen show were really amazing. A complete multi-media experience.
The after-party at Foundation Nightclub was pretty cool as well. What a night...
Here are a couple of live videos from the show.
M.I.A. - "Bamboo Banga" live @ First Avenue 11/20/07: (Opening tune - 4:57)
M.I.A. - "Bucky Done Gun" | "Bird Flu" live @ First Avenue 11/20/07: (Features lots of people on stage during "Bird Flu" - 11:03)
OK, so that about sums it up for now. I think I'm finally caught up. I'll probably try to put up a few more posts before year-end. Maybe I'll do a list of sorts. Actually, probably not. I'm really sick of year-end lists already and it's not even December. Plus you know my top song of the year already (and my top album in a sec)...
I'll conclude with the latest video from my top album of the year (no surprise). Peace, take care.
Nomad World Pub did a fabulous job putting on this event. A couple of thoughts on the musical acts I witnessed: Dance Band was a blast to watch. They really want you to, ummmm, dance! Hip-hop duo Big Quarters were quite good. Unfortunately, they struck out finding somebody from the audience to beat-box for them on-stage for one of their tunes. Yeah, not one of my talents... Iowa's Poison Control Center definitely performed the high energy ADD set of the evening (see photos). Insane. North was my favorite music act. Think Radiohead meets Coldplay. The 757s closed out the night. Very nice guys and a great way to finish the festival.
Poison Control Center's brand new album "A Collage of Impressions" drops 9/25/07 via Minneapolis' Afternoon Records. Here's the first single:
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.
Mp3s and multimedia content are for sampling only. If you like it, support the artist. Buy the CD/DVD or download it from legal sources. Go to the show. If you are the owner of a sound file, and would like it removed, let me know. Make love, not war.
