I am continuously so impressed by Merge Records. Today I was perusing the site (because their website is awesome), and stumbled on the blog. First up was a mix made by Stuart McLamb of The Love Language (a favorite band of mine!) that is damn good. It's 45 minutes of all NC bands, most of whom I have never heard of, which for me is such a treasure. Hearing more and more new tunes through artists I know and love is something I often forget to be thankful for.
Speaking of being thankful, while I often groan about living in DC, I must admit that it has certainly allowed me to see so much good music. And for cheap! This year alone I have seen the following:
Frightened Rabbit
Brendan Benson
The Dead Weather
Arcade Fire
Spoon
El Ten Eleven
Telekinesis
The Love Language
The Walkmen
Bear Hands
Freelance Whales
Bowerbirds
Floating Action
Guided By Voices
Delta Spirit
The Pixies
Tokyo Police Club
Wye Oak
I'm likely forgetting something. Also, some of these folks I saw twice. 2010 was a good year for music!
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
For You Blue
Because.
Because he made us all feel like there was just the Two of Us.
Because I never had to say "Don't Let Me Down".
Because I truly believe he has nothing to hide when Everybody's Got Something to Hide Except Me and Monkey.
Because It's Only Love and he's no Mean Mr. Mustard.
Because even when I'm So Tired,
or when I'm Only Sleeping,
or had A Hard Day's Night,
Happiness is (still) a Warm Gun.
and you will always be Here, There and Everywhere.
Because Baby It's You.
Because he made us all feel like there was just the Two of Us.
Because I never had to say "Don't Let Me Down".
Because I truly believe he has nothing to hide when Everybody's Got Something to Hide Except Me and Monkey.
Because It's Only Love and he's no Mean Mr. Mustard.
Because even when I'm So Tired,
or when I'm Only Sleeping,
or had A Hard Day's Night,
Happiness is (still) a Warm Gun.
and you will always be Here, There and Everywhere.
Because Baby It's You.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Most Amazing Thing Ever
Otherwise known as hilarious. Especially if you've ever had a group on tour stay with you...
"How to Tour in a Band or Whatever." by Thor Harris.
"How to Tour in a Band or Whatever." by Thor Harris.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Dare to Compare
I hung up the phone after a nearly two-hour catch up with one of my besties, sipped my wine, and weighed the pros and cons of going to see Brendan Benson at the 930 Club. I've seen him before, at the same venue in fact, and it was a great show. I had no real reason not to go, I just didn't really feel like heading out again, so I said to myself, shut up already and ride up there.
The house was sparse, but not empty, unlike last time when it was over-crowded even on the top level. Maybe last year he was able draw a bigger crowd from riding the coattails of The Raconteurs fame. Not that it matters, but I knew of Brendan Benson long before he paired up with Jack White. Which is more of the reason why I finally showed up on Wednesday night. When he played the 930 Club in December 2009 with Cory Chisel and others, the show was fun, exciting, happy even (considering all Mr. Benson ever sings about is heart ache). Hell, they even closed with a cover of American Girl! This time, backed by The Posies, I dare say, they seemed sluggish, sad, heavy-ended even. What is usually a poptastic set, was genuinely somber. It even seemed like the band was bored. It came as quite a surprise to me when halfway through the show Benson announced that it was being recorded live.
Could have fooled me...
That's not to say I didn't have a good time, I did. And Brendan played most of my favorites like "Garbage Day" and "Tiny Spark". There was just something significantly not-rocking about the vibe of the whole night - personal state of mind aside. Perhaps it was the addition of The Posies as the opening band and back up. I never have been enough of a Posies listener to call myself a fan, but I know they are a talented bunch (that much shines through the assortment of black clothing). Core members John Auer and Ken Stringfellow seemed to be having more fun playing Benson's songs than the lead himself was. Auer is a heavier rocker, and his sound seemed to overshadow Benson's to the point of distraction. Stringfellow is a great bass player, and a decent keyboardist, but during "Feel Like Taking You Home Now" he looked like a little kid learning to play the keyboard for the first time. Fingers jammed the keys in hefty strokes and his face looked down at the keys like some bad secretary.
Which is ironic because as a whole, they are a bunch of goof balls. I watched this terrible interview of them (only terrible because the girl asking questions was an idiot) in which they just joked around and seemed really comfortable together. When the interviewer asked them if they had anything else to say, Auers suggested she try the hummus. I mean, The Posies have been around for like 35 years and Benson seems like the kind of guy you'd just really like, despite his rigid outer shell. This kind of brotherly banter streamed through the show, which likely made the crowd feel more like they should have fun then sit and stare blankly through the melancholy. At one point as the round of band introductions took place, Stringfellow pointed out the tech guy who had been mightily handling the stage all night and said,
"And the tattooed fellow running around is Trent. Say hello Trent! Trent is the guy who plugs things in. Yeah, he's the plug-in guy." I was about three rows back at this point, feeling pretty good, so I smirked and shouted out into the expanse of the crowd, "That's what she said!" Whether or not the band heard me is neither here nor there, as I thought it was funny, and I got a few chuckles from the folks around me, and a hearty laugh from the gentleman directly to my right.
All in all, not my favorite performance, but like I said, I had a good time. I'd say 3 out of 5 stars. Actually, make that a 3.5... they did close the show with a cover of "September Gurls". RIP Alex Chiton.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
Accidental Great Show
The day started off with a certain air to it that I could tell would be hard to shake. By 5pm I wasn't sure if it would spiral towards the hell it seemed to be clamoring for, or if it might actually make an upswing and help a sister out. By 8:30 I was on my way to have a cocktail (always helpful in a purgatory situation) and starting to feel pretty good, all things considered. Just as I mounted my bike to meet my drink date, I got an ominous text, "There's some good bands playing tonight at Black Cat, you should come". Usually a Monday night doesn't warrant such insalubrious behavior, but I knew that if I caught a quick buzz in Mount Pleasant before heading down to the Cat, I'd not only be in for an assuredly good show, but probably an orgasm to boot. So I decided I wouldn't check the web for who might be playing and just say, "I might see you there".
TMI? Probably, but come on! What's rock n' roll without all the gritty details? The invitation came from a friend who only shares two interests with me - good tunes and great sex. Seriously. That being known, I figured if I went I could at the very least count on some pretty decent music and if not that, then something decent to make up for it. I arrived at the Black Cat just as the third and final band, El Ten Eleven, started their set. I sat calmly at the bar, recovering from my ride down the hill, and waited to see if I should make my way inward to the Backstage. I sipped my draught Pabst and listened to both the bar fly next to me ramble on about his flooded basement and the increasingly interesting sound emerging from the back. Being as I knew none of the details of the show, I assumed the make up of band were at least a quad if not sextuplet. From what I could make out, my mental check list heard a keyboardist, a bass player, one or possibly two guitar players, a drummer and probably some kind of trickster sound engineer or DJ. I could have built this up in my head because maybe I've just seen too many bands like the Freelance Whales and can't be counted on for what to expect anymore. Curiosity killed the conversation at the bar and I quickly made my way to investigate. Getting in free was a breeze, it was by then the end of the night and the chick at the door recognizes my face. I entered the little dark room and saw a sparse but intimate crowd excitedly watching a large projector screen positioned just-so behind the stage.
Hmm, I thought and begin to weave closer to the stage to find my friend and see what the hell was going on. What I found was amazement. This was no grand scale group but merely a duo! The footage displayed on the aforementioned projector screen consisted of the foot path of guitarist Kristian Dunn, who appeared to be entrapped by effects pedal kicks and various mixing toys. I began to realize what I was witnessing, that what I thought was several musicians seamlessly meshing their talent was in fact one man looping the sounds coming from a 1977 DB630 Double Neck bass/guitar (much like the ones Jimmy Page and Slash have been known to rip) and drummer, Tim Fogarty, who sat outside the swell of pedals furiously beating the drums as if at any point they might decide to get up and walk off stage beneath his tight grasp.
Did that just blow your mind? Good, now you know how I felt.
At some point I quit expecting lyrics and excepted that my usual claims to dislike instrumental music were obviously too narrow in scope. El Ten Eleven, dubbed by some as "Post-rock", sound like a marriage between experimental, pure rock, electronica and unadulterated raw talent. The double neck guitar/bass is officially one of the most awesome inventions ever. The man plays other instruments too while composing this symphony of sound, most notably several varieties of Fretless bass guitars and Whammy pedals. Fogarty sticks to well known drum-basics, though dresses them up real nice with his own set of looping tools and kick pedals.
This California duo is really something you should see to fully understand the complex and invigorating intonation that pours off the stage. To come full circle with both the reason I found myself in this place, imagine, if you will, describing an orgasm. All at once intimate and intense, humbling and holy, somehow static and yet totally surreal. To experience that full scale set of emotions in two completely different settings in one evening makes me feel one lucky girl. I hope to see them again because knowing that kind of talent is available reminds me why I will almost always say yes to an invitation to a show (or an invitation from this friend).
Monday, August 23, 2010
Mixed Up
I used to adore making a mix tape. Hell, who am I kidding, I haven't made a "tape" since I was still recording Top 10's off the radio. Let me rephrase... I used to adore making a mix. Pulsing with theme, alive with sound, ahh, those were such proud days. I'd fill in the lines on the smooth, square matte paper with permanent marker to make sure the mix stayed tight and deliver with such a sense of satisfaction. Often the recipient was the reason the mix got made in the first place. An inspired introduction to my taste and style, all in just shy of an hour and 20 minutes. I even used to shrink the time between songs to make sure all 22 or so made it. Like some mad agent out to sell a greatest hits, I chopped off the last 3 seconds here, made the lag time 1 second there, stopped Pink Floyd mid-chant in "Fearless" just to squeak it all in.
Nowadays I start a mix, make another five more just like it in some iPod On-the-Go frenzy, and never quite make it to blow dry the Sharpie label illuminating the compact disk. Fucking repeat. This whole thought began with a repeat. I was in the bath, and decided to revisit this mix I made called "DC or Bust" for the U-Haul ride with my mom on the drive from Asheville to Washington. It's actually a pretty prefect bath mix. It's totally me, but with nothing on there my Mom would switch off suddenly in a nervous moment on the road like she used to do to the dial on 93.5FM back home when we found ourselves stuck in traffic and she needed a little quiet. Not unlike her required silence, I guess this mix is calming in a way, yet at the same time, completely sad, a little ridiculous and, in this case, all-out hopelessly romantic. If that doesn't also manage to fit the theme of a move, I don't know what does. Especially one in which you pack your feelings all up with your luggage too.
Truth? "DC or Bust" reeks of my ex. It's littered with lyrical asides and songs stolen right off some other mix we made together. I left Asheville in such a fucking hurry the bust part was bound to happen - musical support or not. A song comes on and I can't help but snicker again at what I found funny earlier (as I sat in the so-not-warm-anymore bath water). Beck is on every single one of these damn mixes from the Summer of 2007. Maybe even farther back. "Missing" no less. If I could've picked a theme song for our relationship, it would have been this one, so it fits just fine. I must have ignored the glaring symbolism back then when we were still mixed up making mixes. But it doesn't matter now. The mix made it and he did not.
I think the static choices I made back then where my way of trying to control the chaos of my heart. And maybe that's the whole point of a mix tape. Finding a place to stand still in the middle of your mood. Making that Cat Stevens song from Harold & Maude flow right into "Sweet Black Angel". Picking something because it mentions the part of your past you are leaving behind but still manages to make you hopeful for the future; where you might eventually be sitting in a dress - ironically covered in pink mix tapes - listening to that very song, wondering what happened to that girl but being so glad you're not her anymore.
Oh, don't worry, I'll still make a new mix. In fact, I have one right now that needs a little tweaking. It's too long, and something just doesn't sound right, and well, life's too short for a crappy mix tape.
Nowadays I start a mix, make another five more just like it in some iPod On-the-Go frenzy, and never quite make it to blow dry the Sharpie label illuminating the compact disk. Fucking repeat. This whole thought began with a repeat. I was in the bath, and decided to revisit this mix I made called "DC or Bust" for the U-Haul ride with my mom on the drive from Asheville to Washington. It's actually a pretty prefect bath mix. It's totally me, but with nothing on there my Mom would switch off suddenly in a nervous moment on the road like she used to do to the dial on 93.5FM back home when we found ourselves stuck in traffic and she needed a little quiet. Not unlike her required silence, I guess this mix is calming in a way, yet at the same time, completely sad, a little ridiculous and, in this case, all-out hopelessly romantic. If that doesn't also manage to fit the theme of a move, I don't know what does. Especially one in which you pack your feelings all up with your luggage too.
Truth? "DC or Bust" reeks of my ex. It's littered with lyrical asides and songs stolen right off some other mix we made together. I left Asheville in such a fucking hurry the bust part was bound to happen - musical support or not. A song comes on and I can't help but snicker again at what I found funny earlier (as I sat in the so-not-warm-anymore bath water). Beck is on every single one of these damn mixes from the Summer of 2007. Maybe even farther back. "Missing" no less. If I could've picked a theme song for our relationship, it would have been this one, so it fits just fine. I must have ignored the glaring symbolism back then when we were still mixed up making mixes. But it doesn't matter now. The mix made it and he did not.
I think the static choices I made back then where my way of trying to control the chaos of my heart. And maybe that's the whole point of a mix tape. Finding a place to stand still in the middle of your mood. Making that Cat Stevens song from Harold & Maude flow right into "Sweet Black Angel". Picking something because it mentions the part of your past you are leaving behind but still manages to make you hopeful for the future; where you might eventually be sitting in a dress - ironically covered in pink mix tapes - listening to that very song, wondering what happened to that girl but being so glad you're not her anymore.
Oh, don't worry, I'll still make a new mix. In fact, I have one right now that needs a little tweaking. It's too long, and something just doesn't sound right, and well, life's too short for a crappy mix tape.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Don't Try Too Hard Now
It's funny the things you notice whilst attending a show solo...It occurred to me, as I sat sipping my fucking oh-so-cool Jim Beam on the rocks, that it sure takes a lot of effort to look like you don't give a shit how you look. That is, unless you get a closer, more careful look. The devil's in the details after all, and these details, are not to be ignored. For example, the pack of youngsters in front of me on Tuesday night assembled to see the Freelance Whales and Tokyo Police Club, some of which I think were members of either of those bands. I mean, it was The Black Cat, so this kind of crowd is generally expected, but still, sometimes it just makes me laugh. This blonde kid in front of me, had on what I like to call a "not outfit". The classics represented - tight, dirty jeans, black ratty backpack, some kind of whatever white t-shirt, a green trucker hat and - wait for it- matching bright green top-siders (see previous post for how those have come into fashion in Hipster USA). Oh so perfect. That's the kind of detail I like to include in my outfit. By the way, I took the time to stop him and say, "You know, you're really cute," and, though I'm sure it made him smile inside that I said that to him, he sloshed by me, dropping a nonchalant, but ever confident, "thanks", that sounds more like, "well, duh".
There is no shortage of cute boys in this world, and in my experience, if someone wants to tell me they think I'm cute, stranger or not, I will take that compliment. For real.
The show was great. Local favs the Freelance Whales played a great opening set, showing off just how in the hell they pack in all that sound onto one little disk. They are, of course, appropriately adorned to cover all the Hipster basics... dude with the ridiculously large beard? Check. dude with the over-sized big rimmed glasses? Check. Solo chick in the band who is unbelievably pretty? Check. Guy in the Forest Gump running outfit? Umm, check? Yeah that was weird to me too, but what do I know, I planned my outfit too - my carefully determined look - appropriately fucking cute, but not too cute, these are Hipsters we're talking about, and nothing is sadder than a chick who tries too hard to not try hard at all.
It was a great kick off to the night, and though I knew I was going to spend a few awkward moments between seeing my ex, and my fuck buddy, (if nothing I am consistent in my taste!), I had a good time. The headliner, Tokyo Police Club, are a band I have seen before, actually many times, because they always have the best opening bands! Maybe it has to do with their own taste, or their record label or something, it doesn't really matter because they are a consistently good band, so that's always nice to see.
There is no shortage of cute boys in this world, and in my experience, if someone wants to tell me they think I'm cute, stranger or not, I will take that compliment. For real.
The show was great. Local favs the Freelance Whales played a great opening set, showing off just how in the hell they pack in all that sound onto one little disk. They are, of course, appropriately adorned to cover all the Hipster basics... dude with the ridiculously large beard? Check. dude with the over-sized big rimmed glasses? Check. Solo chick in the band who is unbelievably pretty? Check. Guy in the Forest Gump running outfit? Umm, check? Yeah that was weird to me too, but what do I know, I planned my outfit too - my carefully determined look - appropriately fucking cute, but not too cute, these are Hipsters we're talking about, and nothing is sadder than a chick who tries too hard to not try hard at all.
It was a great kick off to the night, and though I knew I was going to spend a few awkward moments between seeing my ex, and my fuck buddy, (if nothing I am consistent in my taste!), I had a good time. The headliner, Tokyo Police Club, are a band I have seen before, actually many times, because they always have the best opening bands! Maybe it has to do with their own taste, or their record label or something, it doesn't really matter because they are a consistently good band, so that's always nice to see.
Friday, July 16, 2010
The Love Language
It's like riding high through the Blue Ridge Mountains in the passenger seat with your window down - hand waving gently in the breeze, volume turned all the way up, stoned as a bat, in the passenger seat so you can close your eyes. Or maybe its like the first step onto the sand before you take off running into the ocean - can never tell if the sea will be warm or cold, welcoming or be damned, get out!
That may in fact be more accurate as The Love Language's latest album Libraries was written entirely in Wilmington, NC - a beach town like no other. Though, in its defense, (I guess that's right?), mixed and recorded in Raleigh, NC during the great blizzard of 2010. Phew, what a conundrum!
Think back to 2009 when the romance of warm sunny days and long walks on the beach were both long gone and yet to be discovered by the time Stuart McLamb recorded the debut self-titled album The Love Language, an album based on heartbroken letters to his ex. Don't be fooled by this claim alone though, as what some would call the actual debut, or maybe just the intentional debut through Merge Records, Libraries doesn't stray from the same tender tenor. The Love Language manages to be one of the few bands to truly hold their name up to the fame of their sound. And I don't mean that as a sappy insult to the somehow both despairing and delectable anguish expressed in McLamb's lyrics. The band is fucking phenomenal. Between BJ's ability to rope it all in while managing to play second lead guitar, and Stuart's own brother Jordan providing drum sound and solidly on-time back-up vocals, the band can't go wrong. I think I originally called it "high drums, long guitar riffs, complex backing between brothers and best friends". Well, then you add Justin on bass and the one and only Missy Thangs on keys - shooo - color me lovestruck.
Sounds like a bunch of bitter, overrated nonsense, huh? Well, trust me, it's not. All that stuff I said about plunging head first into the ocean and driving around with the windows down... I meant it. The Love Language is all about wearing white instead of black, throwing sparks at night, paying for your mistakes and moving the fuck on. Not to mention, they are wholly attractive to watch perform. So much so that wishing for true love for someone other than yourself, but not necessarily with yourself, is a completely unselfish act, and one that most fans of love ballad bands cannot conceivably accomplish. Who could ever break that heart, one would ask! But, even with my slight obsession with musicians, I could imagine the serial strumming and tattered van-touring might wear on any love interest... though, as long as there are Summer album releases and hopeful forlorn listeners abound, The Love Language will have no trouble finding an audience.
I, for one, am both hopeful and forlorn, so count me in.
That may in fact be more accurate as The Love Language's latest album Libraries was written entirely in Wilmington, NC - a beach town like no other. Though, in its defense, (I guess that's right?), mixed and recorded in Raleigh, NC during the great blizzard of 2010. Phew, what a conundrum!
Think back to 2009 when the romance of warm sunny days and long walks on the beach were both long gone and yet to be discovered by the time Stuart McLamb recorded the debut self-titled album The Love Language, an album based on heartbroken letters to his ex. Don't be fooled by this claim alone though, as what some would call the actual debut, or maybe just the intentional debut through Merge Records, Libraries doesn't stray from the same tender tenor. The Love Language manages to be one of the few bands to truly hold their name up to the fame of their sound. And I don't mean that as a sappy insult to the somehow both despairing and delectable anguish expressed in McLamb's lyrics. The band is fucking phenomenal. Between BJ's ability to rope it all in while managing to play second lead guitar, and Stuart's own brother Jordan providing drum sound and solidly on-time back-up vocals, the band can't go wrong. I think I originally called it "high drums, long guitar riffs, complex backing between brothers and best friends". Well, then you add Justin on bass and the one and only Missy Thangs on keys - shooo - color me lovestruck.
Sounds like a bunch of bitter, overrated nonsense, huh? Well, trust me, it's not. All that stuff I said about plunging head first into the ocean and driving around with the windows down... I meant it. The Love Language is all about wearing white instead of black, throwing sparks at night, paying for your mistakes and moving the fuck on. Not to mention, they are wholly attractive to watch perform. So much so that wishing for true love for someone other than yourself, but not necessarily with yourself, is a completely unselfish act, and one that most fans of love ballad bands cannot conceivably accomplish. Who could ever break that heart, one would ask! But, even with my slight obsession with musicians, I could imagine the serial strumming and tattered van-touring might wear on any love interest... though, as long as there are Summer album releases and hopeful forlorn listeners abound, The Love Language will have no trouble finding an audience.
I, for one, am both hopeful and forlorn, so count me in.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Skinny Jeans and Bear Hands
Ok, so I get it, Skinny Jeans are in. They are so in that it's hard not to see a pair a day somewhere. It's like a uniform. For instance, Wednesday night, the girls and I had a date night - beer, pizza and a movie - saw Eclipse. Oh the Twilight madness it did overcome... yeah... Even in that frakin' flick "Bella" wears Skinny Jeans. Of course, on her, she looks prepubescent, but whatever.
After the movie I went to see some local bands play, Vita Ruins (who I missed), True Womanhood (not bad, she dressed in SJs, though they were so tight I was pretty sure they were tights), and the Brooklyn-based headliner Bear Hands. Now, to be forewarned, I hadn't heard of the last two bands before, and according to the venue's (U Street Music Hall) website, this band is "a post-punk/experimental/indie rock act". One can only assume they will wear an assortment of clothing to fit that bill.
They did not disappoint - musically or costume-wise. Each boy (a few who could pass for cute) wore the aforementioned SJ Uniform, though apparently what is also "in" along with the tightness is a cropped style. No one told me that boat shoes are also big. I guess Vampire Weekend assured that trend, though my ex boyfriend wore them too, and he's from New Jersey, so maybe it's a Yankee thing? Well, I don't know, some North Carolina Coast folk wear them too... either way I think they're ugly, but that's just me.
Anyway, back to the band. The bass player was probably the best musician in the band, and maybe the cutest to boot - though I do have a thing for drummers, and he was dreamy. Tall dark and handsome (boat shoes be damned) and covered in tattoos. Makes me quiver just thinking about the ripples of ink climbing up his arms. I forgot how good a bass player can really be when it comes to making a solid band. He and the lead singer are clearly tight, because they were never off beat. He also played an extra set of standing drums - perhaps part of the "experimental" sound - a bit tribal in nature and alarmingly awakening. The lead guitar player was also very talented, though I'm pretty sure his long hair was just a mask for a thinning mop on top. The lead singer, skinny little thing!, had a great voice and a great guitar sound, and a nice stage presence - though he has quite possibly THE worst fashion sense I have ever seen.
Picture this:
Skinny Jeans, light blue boat shoes, black T-shirt cut just so to look like a tank top you might see on a wrestler trying to show off his body, and a giant handkerchief around his neck. He apparently has recently lost some dreads by shaving his head, but it looks as if they might be violently trying to grow back. Despite that mad look in his eye, he's probably a really nice person. the drummer kept his head locked to the kit, and kept the beat right in time throughout the show. good for them, there were maybe 25 people there by the end of the night. It always breaks my heart a little to see bands come to town on a Wednesday night and not even make enough to cover the cost of the trip. I hope someone let them sleep on the floor at their place... I would have if I'd known they need a place to stay, I don't mind musicians around...
See, aren't they cute in that kind of grimy way?
Stands to reason that Hippies and Hipsters aren't all that different, man. Not to mention Punks. The only reason they're not Hippies is because they have too much rage. Hippies are supposed to be about peace and love, while Punks are more into fucking shit up. That's sadly more my style. I won't deny that I do love. Deeply. Hmmm. What does that make me? Meh, screw the labels, let's just say I'm a fan of music, and I'm enjoying this new found band.
After the movie I went to see some local bands play, Vita Ruins (who I missed), True Womanhood (not bad, she dressed in SJs, though they were so tight I was pretty sure they were tights), and the Brooklyn-based headliner Bear Hands. Now, to be forewarned, I hadn't heard of the last two bands before, and according to the venue's (U Street Music Hall) website, this band is "a post-punk/experimental/indie rock act". One can only assume they will wear an assortment of clothing to fit that bill.
They did not disappoint - musically or costume-wise. Each boy (a few who could pass for cute) wore the aforementioned SJ Uniform, though apparently what is also "in" along with the tightness is a cropped style. No one told me that boat shoes are also big. I guess Vampire Weekend assured that trend, though my ex boyfriend wore them too, and he's from New Jersey, so maybe it's a Yankee thing? Well, I don't know, some North Carolina Coast folk wear them too... either way I think they're ugly, but that's just me.
Anyway, back to the band. The bass player was probably the best musician in the band, and maybe the cutest to boot - though I do have a thing for drummers, and he was dreamy. Tall dark and handsome (boat shoes be damned) and covered in tattoos. Makes me quiver just thinking about the ripples of ink climbing up his arms. I forgot how good a bass player can really be when it comes to making a solid band. He and the lead singer are clearly tight, because they were never off beat. He also played an extra set of standing drums - perhaps part of the "experimental" sound - a bit tribal in nature and alarmingly awakening. The lead guitar player was also very talented, though I'm pretty sure his long hair was just a mask for a thinning mop on top. The lead singer, skinny little thing!, had a great voice and a great guitar sound, and a nice stage presence - though he has quite possibly THE worst fashion sense I have ever seen.
Picture this:
Skinny Jeans, light blue boat shoes, black T-shirt cut just so to look like a tank top you might see on a wrestler trying to show off his body, and a giant handkerchief around his neck. He apparently has recently lost some dreads by shaving his head, but it looks as if they might be violently trying to grow back. Despite that mad look in his eye, he's probably a really nice person. the drummer kept his head locked to the kit, and kept the beat right in time throughout the show. good for them, there were maybe 25 people there by the end of the night. It always breaks my heart a little to see bands come to town on a Wednesday night and not even make enough to cover the cost of the trip. I hope someone let them sleep on the floor at their place... I would have if I'd known they need a place to stay, I don't mind musicians around...
See, aren't they cute in that kind of grimy way?
Monday, July 5, 2010
All Time Favorites
As an introduction to this new blog post, I have decided the best way to know what your getting into is to write out a list of my all times favorite albums. Just to forewarn, they are not at all alike. And before you ask, maybe some of these I don't listen to every day, maybe haven't even listened to this year, or since I left the state of North Carolina, but they still make the list because they shaped me and my taste in all things in a significant way. And by all things I mean anything, from dudes to other tunes, from snacks to heart attacks, from wine to John Prine. All of them. If you don't believe me, read the blurbs.
I won't to go in any particular order, necessarily, as that's not really fair or possible. My favorites vary by mood. If you like what you see, well maybe I'll make you a mix. It may or may not include any of these musicians. If you don't like it, well then good day.
Fleetwood Mac, Tusk
One of my all time favorite albums, and its completely underrated. Like most things both beautiful and heart-breaking, you can't hep but love it unconditionally. I admit, this affair began not long after a break up, so in essence, I replaced being in love with him with being in love with a personification of deep sadness coupled with profound hope. Lindsey Buckingham writes with such hatred, expelling bitterness in harsh, hard chords that still somehow make you want to hang out with him. I never skip one of his songs. And Stevie... shit... she sounds as if she's been standing on a deck looking out at the ocean with a cup of coffee trying to remember any of the days before this one. How this band survived everything they went through and still managed to write this album is beyond me. "That's All For Everyone", "Save Me a Place", "Sara", "Walk A Thin Line", and "That's Enough For Me" are un.real. I promise not to cry.
Check this out: Not That Funny
Archers of Loaf, Vs. The Greatest of All Time
This Etty Bitty EP - just five songs! - is hands down one of the best examples of ebb and flow ever recorded. Eric Bachmann (who I have a tremendous life-long crush on) spits out piss and vinegar as if its peanut butter and honey on a rice cake. The sheer amount of catchy guitar riffs and attitude adjustments happening mid-song is ridiculous. I once made a mix called Shelby Vs. The Greatest of All Time just to pay homage. It was pretty good, but no match for the Archers. This was a tough choice of favorite Archers albums. Vee Vee followed right in as a close second. I've never really played fake guitar along with music as I listen, but I often considered it when listening to these boys belt.
The Beatles, Abbey Road
There are almost too many words to describe the love I have for this album. It conjures so many good memories for me of the days of my youth. Nights spent with Jessica in the woods, weekends at Granddaddy Bill's pool (tasting my first margarita), dancing in the kitchen... learning why I loved The Beatles so much with every turn. Especially John, though Abbey Road has always felt like more of a Paul album to me. You know? Also, this album opened my eyes to George. He is such an amazing musician. "Something" has to be one the most beautiful songs ever written. My friend Neve sang it once for a high school talent show for her then boyfriend and now husband, Kevin, and I nearly fell over and died. Though I will always say that "Because" is my favorite song ever.
Beck, Guero
Breaks my heart. I have friends who can't do Sea Change because of the emotions tied to it, but for me, it's Guero. Maybe it's a form of masochism to listen to songs that manage to turn me on, make me bitter, and pull tears from my eyes in nothing shy of an hour. It's amazing that that's what you can do to someone you claim to love, but never really do. Or maybe he did, I don't care anymore because Guero's the one that found a more permanent place in my heart. "Earthquake Weather", " Missing", "Go It Alone" and "Farewell Ride" are my favs.
Pearl Jam, Ten
One of the first whole albums I ever loved. Not that I skipped around a lot back when I was that young, I usually listened to an album the whole way through while talking on the phone for an unbelievable amount of hours, but this album sold me from the beginning. Hold on to the thread/the currents will shift/guide me towards you/know some thing's left/and we're all allowed to dream of the next/time we touch... I know, it's just so intense... ha. For a really long time, I thought that intensity was ever so important... of course, I was a teenager. I even saw them in 1998, lord it was so fun. In retrospect, I should have gone to see The Beastie Boys the next night and the Archers a few months later on their farewell tour. What a jackass I was.
The Pixies, Surfer Rosa
Kim Deal is such a pistol on this record. Don't get me wrong, I love me some Doolitle too, but this album just makes me happy. It reminds me of riding around Asheville with the JoKeR back when it didn't matter so much if all you had was love. "River Euphrates" was the first Pixies song I ever heard. Dick Davis put it on a mix for me a million years ago and I was like, WHOA. What the hell is this!? I never looked back. "Bone Machine" and "Gigantic" were always favorites too, but then, then there's "Cactus"... oh, yes. My feelings about "Cactus" are a little personal and kinda dirty.
Traveling Wilburys, Volume 1
This album contained my first introduction to a cuss word. I would giggle while singing the lyrics aloud, making sure to sing just a louder when the time came - life sure is funny when your 8. "Hell" was the culprit. I think I officially retired to a love affair with a bad mouth not long after that. In Sixth Grade, while out on the playground, I taught a girl named Merri how to cuss by getting her to say "shit". She'd never heard that word before, so it was kind of thrilling for her, and I guess me too. When I think back on poor Merri, I'm not surprised. She used to come to school on "Out of Uniform Day" wearing one outfit, then change into a more late 80's, early 90's style get-up for the day. I guess her family was super Catholic and didn't approve of her wearing certain clothes. Weird. What's even weirder? I didn't realize for a long time what "Tweeter and the Monkey Man" were really up to... who gives a damn that the walls came down all the way to hell?
Tori Amos, Little Earthquakes
This album helped me through some really annoying times in high school, and later college. A mutual love of Tori Amos, smoking cigarettes and watching The Simpsons contributed to sealing a bond between myself and Metta, a girl I lived with for three years in college. She even had a cat name Pele. Still does, in fact, along with two kids. I bet she still loves Tori, though I haven't asked her about it in a really long time.
David Bowie, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars
Gives me goosebumps. What a brilliant piece of music. That's really all you need to know. The rest is pretty self explanatory, this is Bowie we're talking about. You should totally watch this video... it will give the jump from Ziggy to Jareth a lot more depth and hilarity. And just in case you didn't know, "It Ain't Easy".
The Rolling Stones, Exile On Main Street
Drrrrrrrty. Though my favorite song the whole thing is "Sweet Black Angel" and its not all that dirty. It always reminds me of "Factory Girl" from Beggars. This band is another one that makes it really hard to pick a favorite album. Let It Bleed takes me back to high school when I first realized that I might be a little more than Boy Crazy. I was infected with that sound and how it made me feel, how they made me feel when we sat around and talked about it. Maybe all those Christians who were worried that Rock n' Roll would poison the mind were right... I ain't been the same since... Tumble this dice.
Liz Phair, Exile In Guyville
I think I've owned more than one copy of this album I love it so much. Liz came through DC two years ago on an Exile tour that consisted of performing the entire album from start to finish. I got so wasted that I fell into a bush and bled all over my friend Christina, but damn if that show wasn't worth it. Thanks Liz. We used to chuckle our way through "Flower" because I don't really think we knew exactly what she was talking about at the time. Once I got older and realized how damn sexual this album was, all I could do was love it some more, learn the lyrics and sing along. Liz paved the way for my future love affairs with Mates of State, She Keeps Bees, Sleater Kinney, The Kills and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Sigh.
Smashing Pumpkins, Siamese Dream
Two words, Katie Smith. I used to stay at Katie's house all the time when I was 15. I remember one particular morning when we had all been getting into trouble and this dude she was dating at the time, (I think they were dating), woke us all up trying to learn the opening riff to "Today". He must have played that opening riff 100 times. Somehow, instead of forever turning me off Siamese Dream, I just couldn't help but love it anyway. It makes me smile and roll my eyes every time it comes on.
Soundtracks - Singles, The Royal Tenenbaums, Amelie
I love soundtracks. Maybe because I love mixes and I love themes. The three above are some of my favorites that I can always listen to. I've owned Singles on tape, on CD - twice, video and DVD. I fucking love that movie, and no one, and I mean no one can ever damper that opinion.
Neutral Milk Hotel, In The Aeroplane Over the Sea
This concept album is in my all time top five. It is so stunning, surreal, aching and beautiful. I wish I had been old enough - or cool enough - to really appreciate what the hell Jeff Magnum was up to back in those days. This album sincerely haunts me, though I imagine a lot of people just can't get past the sound of his voice coupled with the rough guitar ripping through the background. "Ghost" and "Holland, 1945" are among some of the more shattering. Horns in the back only add that extra feeling of complete musical defeat. There's no need to fight against a sound like that. "Two-Headed Boy" feels like a love song, but really it's just a stirring epitaph. This album is the reason bands like Arcade Fire exist. This record is also inextricably tied to my friend Tim.
Bob Dylan, Highway 61 Revisited
Another impossible-to-pick-a-favorite, but goddamnit, I can always listen to this one, so I guess it's the one. "Ballad of a Thin Man" helps. But fuck! Blood on the Tracks, A Freewheelin' Bob Dylan, Blonde on Blonde, Nashville Skyline... Phew. What's your favorite?
Radiohead, In Rainbows
I love Radiohead, have loved most everything they have produced, but this album completely blew my mind. I think with this selection I have officially realized a pattern has formed. I love duality. As a Virgo, an only child, part-Cherokee-part-European mutt, my blood fights to decide how it feels about clashing. I want it all, I want nothing at all. I feel like In Rainbows is exactly that combination of bewildered openness and a pulled back sense of security. The sound is at once familiar and yet completely new to the ear. It's comforting, like sleeping with some one you've known forever, but it's also terribly exciting like you might never go to sleep afterward. If you haven't seen the USC Marching Band play "15 Steps" with Radiohead, you must.
Weezer, Weezer
It truly never gets old. And no matter when I hear a song from this album, I always smile and think of friends like Amanda and Carrie. Not to mention, I still get damn emails from the House of Blues in Myrtle Beach from going to see them in like 2005. Amazing. This album, though nothing completely earth shattering, certainly paved the way for bands like The Drums, which will probably never make it to my top 20 favorites, are certainly worth a wink and a smile here.
Spoon, Kill The Moonlight
This album sold me on Spoon, and trust me, I love some Spoon. Hell, I love to be spooned. How can one not enjoy this simple, sweet loving gesture? Or this sweet and loving band? Don't be fooled, they have a dark side too that was well earned by years of mistreatment. It didn't make them bitter, and for that, I will always appreciate what they do. I get to see them play again in August with Arcade Fire, and I'm pretty sure it will be nothing shy of brilliant. Here's one of my favs from one of there other albums, just to shake things up.
Guns n' Roses, Appetite For Destruction
Yep, you read that right, even on the double take. I wrote a play in college because of this album. I fucking love it. In all its 53 minutes and 52 seconds glory. Appetite made it possible to take a closer look at everything damning we were taught to forget and embrace it instead. Who the hell knew such ugly, doped up ego-maniacal assholes could shake a culture to its core with one little album. "Rocket Queen", "My Michelle", "Mr. Brownstone" - god, what fucking hits! If you really consider yourself a true fan, you should read Slash: It Seems Excessive, That Doesn't Mean It Didn't Happen by Slash, it's amazing.
It feels funny to leave on that note, ignoring such other favorites as Bruce Springsteen, Arcade Fire, U2, Bob fucking Dylan... arg! and a score of new favorites I've stumbled into over the years, but I don't want to get to greedy here. There will never be a shortage of talent that speaks to me, and I'm not shy, I'll always share a new title to the list.
I won't to go in any particular order, necessarily, as that's not really fair or possible. My favorites vary by mood. If you like what you see, well maybe I'll make you a mix. It may or may not include any of these musicians. If you don't like it, well then good day.
Fleetwood Mac, Tusk
One of my all time favorite albums, and its completely underrated. Like most things both beautiful and heart-breaking, you can't hep but love it unconditionally. I admit, this affair began not long after a break up, so in essence, I replaced being in love with him with being in love with a personification of deep sadness coupled with profound hope. Lindsey Buckingham writes with such hatred, expelling bitterness in harsh, hard chords that still somehow make you want to hang out with him. I never skip one of his songs. And Stevie... shit... she sounds as if she's been standing on a deck looking out at the ocean with a cup of coffee trying to remember any of the days before this one. How this band survived everything they went through and still managed to write this album is beyond me. "That's All For Everyone", "Save Me a Place", "Sara", "Walk A Thin Line", and "That's Enough For Me" are un.real. I promise not to cry.
Check this out: Not That Funny
Archers of Loaf, Vs. The Greatest of All Time
This Etty Bitty EP - just five songs! - is hands down one of the best examples of ebb and flow ever recorded. Eric Bachmann (who I have a tremendous life-long crush on) spits out piss and vinegar as if its peanut butter and honey on a rice cake. The sheer amount of catchy guitar riffs and attitude adjustments happening mid-song is ridiculous. I once made a mix called Shelby Vs. The Greatest of All Time just to pay homage. It was pretty good, but no match for the Archers. This was a tough choice of favorite Archers albums. Vee Vee followed right in as a close second. I've never really played fake guitar along with music as I listen, but I often considered it when listening to these boys belt.
Led Zeppelin, Houses of the Holy
I've dated some hippies in my day, and I wish I could blame my love of this album on them, but truly, you can't blame it on anyone but the band. Hipsters, hippies, douche bags, sweet hearts, it doesn't really matter, because something about "Over The Hills And Far Away" makes everyone wish they had a scream like that. I mean, really. "Oh darlin', darlin', darlin' walk a while with me..." I guess who I should really be blaming for my love of bands like Led Zeppelin is my Dad. He, like me, can't stand to have things too quiet - it kills the mood if you've got nothing to say and nothing to fill the silence.
The Beatles, Abbey Road
There are almost too many words to describe the love I have for this album. It conjures so many good memories for me of the days of my youth. Nights spent with Jessica in the woods, weekends at Granddaddy Bill's pool (tasting my first margarita), dancing in the kitchen... learning why I loved The Beatles so much with every turn. Especially John, though Abbey Road has always felt like more of a Paul album to me. You know? Also, this album opened my eyes to George. He is such an amazing musician. "Something" has to be one the most beautiful songs ever written. My friend Neve sang it once for a high school talent show for her then boyfriend and now husband, Kevin, and I nearly fell over and died. Though I will always say that "Because" is my favorite song ever.
Beck, Guero
Breaks my heart. I have friends who can't do Sea Change because of the emotions tied to it, but for me, it's Guero. Maybe it's a form of masochism to listen to songs that manage to turn me on, make me bitter, and pull tears from my eyes in nothing shy of an hour. It's amazing that that's what you can do to someone you claim to love, but never really do. Or maybe he did, I don't care anymore because Guero's the one that found a more permanent place in my heart. "Earthquake Weather", " Missing", "Go It Alone" and "Farewell Ride" are my favs.
Pearl Jam, Ten
One of the first whole albums I ever loved. Not that I skipped around a lot back when I was that young, I usually listened to an album the whole way through while talking on the phone for an unbelievable amount of hours, but this album sold me from the beginning. Hold on to the thread/the currents will shift/guide me towards you/know some thing's left/and we're all allowed to dream of the next/time we touch... I know, it's just so intense... ha. For a really long time, I thought that intensity was ever so important... of course, I was a teenager. I even saw them in 1998, lord it was so fun. In retrospect, I should have gone to see The Beastie Boys the next night and the Archers a few months later on their farewell tour. What a jackass I was.
The Pixies, Surfer Rosa
Kim Deal is such a pistol on this record. Don't get me wrong, I love me some Doolitle too, but this album just makes me happy. It reminds me of riding around Asheville with the JoKeR back when it didn't matter so much if all you had was love. "River Euphrates" was the first Pixies song I ever heard. Dick Davis put it on a mix for me a million years ago and I was like, WHOA. What the hell is this!? I never looked back. "Bone Machine" and "Gigantic" were always favorites too, but then, then there's "Cactus"... oh, yes. My feelings about "Cactus" are a little personal and kinda dirty.
Traveling Wilburys, Volume 1
This album contained my first introduction to a cuss word. I would giggle while singing the lyrics aloud, making sure to sing just a louder when the time came - life sure is funny when your 8. "Hell" was the culprit. I think I officially retired to a love affair with a bad mouth not long after that. In Sixth Grade, while out on the playground, I taught a girl named Merri how to cuss by getting her to say "shit". She'd never heard that word before, so it was kind of thrilling for her, and I guess me too. When I think back on poor Merri, I'm not surprised. She used to come to school on "Out of Uniform Day" wearing one outfit, then change into a more late 80's, early 90's style get-up for the day. I guess her family was super Catholic and didn't approve of her wearing certain clothes. Weird. What's even weirder? I didn't realize for a long time what "Tweeter and the Monkey Man" were really up to... who gives a damn that the walls came down all the way to hell?
Tori Amos, Little Earthquakes
This album helped me through some really annoying times in high school, and later college. A mutual love of Tori Amos, smoking cigarettes and watching The Simpsons contributed to sealing a bond between myself and Metta, a girl I lived with for three years in college. She even had a cat name Pele. Still does, in fact, along with two kids. I bet she still loves Tori, though I haven't asked her about it in a really long time.
David Bowie, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars
Gives me goosebumps. What a brilliant piece of music. That's really all you need to know. The rest is pretty self explanatory, this is Bowie we're talking about. You should totally watch this video... it will give the jump from Ziggy to Jareth a lot more depth and hilarity. And just in case you didn't know, "It Ain't Easy".
The Rolling Stones, Exile On Main Street
Drrrrrrrty. Though my favorite song the whole thing is "Sweet Black Angel" and its not all that dirty. It always reminds me of "Factory Girl" from Beggars. This band is another one that makes it really hard to pick a favorite album. Let It Bleed takes me back to high school when I first realized that I might be a little more than Boy Crazy. I was infected with that sound and how it made me feel, how they made me feel when we sat around and talked about it. Maybe all those Christians who were worried that Rock n' Roll would poison the mind were right... I ain't been the same since... Tumble this dice.
Liz Phair, Exile In Guyville
I think I've owned more than one copy of this album I love it so much. Liz came through DC two years ago on an Exile tour that consisted of performing the entire album from start to finish. I got so wasted that I fell into a bush and bled all over my friend Christina, but damn if that show wasn't worth it. Thanks Liz. We used to chuckle our way through "Flower" because I don't really think we knew exactly what she was talking about at the time. Once I got older and realized how damn sexual this album was, all I could do was love it some more, learn the lyrics and sing along. Liz paved the way for my future love affairs with Mates of State, She Keeps Bees, Sleater Kinney, The Kills and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Sigh.
Smashing Pumpkins, Siamese Dream
Two words, Katie Smith. I used to stay at Katie's house all the time when I was 15. I remember one particular morning when we had all been getting into trouble and this dude she was dating at the time, (I think they were dating), woke us all up trying to learn the opening riff to "Today". He must have played that opening riff 100 times. Somehow, instead of forever turning me off Siamese Dream, I just couldn't help but love it anyway. It makes me smile and roll my eyes every time it comes on.
Soundtracks - Singles, The Royal Tenenbaums, Amelie
I love soundtracks. Maybe because I love mixes and I love themes. The three above are some of my favorites that I can always listen to. I've owned Singles on tape, on CD - twice, video and DVD. I fucking love that movie, and no one, and I mean no one can ever damper that opinion.
Neutral Milk Hotel, In The Aeroplane Over the Sea
This concept album is in my all time top five. It is so stunning, surreal, aching and beautiful. I wish I had been old enough - or cool enough - to really appreciate what the hell Jeff Magnum was up to back in those days. This album sincerely haunts me, though I imagine a lot of people just can't get past the sound of his voice coupled with the rough guitar ripping through the background. "Ghost" and "Holland, 1945" are among some of the more shattering. Horns in the back only add that extra feeling of complete musical defeat. There's no need to fight against a sound like that. "Two-Headed Boy" feels like a love song, but really it's just a stirring epitaph. This album is the reason bands like Arcade Fire exist. This record is also inextricably tied to my friend Tim.
Bob Dylan, Highway 61 Revisited
Another impossible-to-pick-a-favorite, but goddamnit, I can always listen to this one, so I guess it's the one. "Ballad of a Thin Man" helps. But fuck! Blood on the Tracks, A Freewheelin' Bob Dylan, Blonde on Blonde, Nashville Skyline... Phew. What's your favorite?
Radiohead, In Rainbows
I love Radiohead, have loved most everything they have produced, but this album completely blew my mind. I think with this selection I have officially realized a pattern has formed. I love duality. As a Virgo, an only child, part-Cherokee-part-European mutt, my blood fights to decide how it feels about clashing. I want it all, I want nothing at all. I feel like In Rainbows is exactly that combination of bewildered openness and a pulled back sense of security. The sound is at once familiar and yet completely new to the ear. It's comforting, like sleeping with some one you've known forever, but it's also terribly exciting like you might never go to sleep afterward. If you haven't seen the USC Marching Band play "15 Steps" with Radiohead, you must.
Weezer, Weezer
It truly never gets old. And no matter when I hear a song from this album, I always smile and think of friends like Amanda and Carrie. Not to mention, I still get damn emails from the House of Blues in Myrtle Beach from going to see them in like 2005. Amazing. This album, though nothing completely earth shattering, certainly paved the way for bands like The Drums, which will probably never make it to my top 20 favorites, are certainly worth a wink and a smile here.
Spoon, Kill The Moonlight
This album sold me on Spoon, and trust me, I love some Spoon. Hell, I love to be spooned. How can one not enjoy this simple, sweet loving gesture? Or this sweet and loving band? Don't be fooled, they have a dark side too that was well earned by years of mistreatment. It didn't make them bitter, and for that, I will always appreciate what they do. I get to see them play again in August with Arcade Fire, and I'm pretty sure it will be nothing shy of brilliant. Here's one of my favs from one of there other albums, just to shake things up.
Guns n' Roses, Appetite For Destruction
Yep, you read that right, even on the double take. I wrote a play in college because of this album. I fucking love it. In all its 53 minutes and 52 seconds glory. Appetite made it possible to take a closer look at everything damning we were taught to forget and embrace it instead. Who the hell knew such ugly, doped up ego-maniacal assholes could shake a culture to its core with one little album. "Rocket Queen", "My Michelle", "Mr. Brownstone" - god, what fucking hits! If you really consider yourself a true fan, you should read Slash: It Seems Excessive, That Doesn't Mean It Didn't Happen by Slash, it's amazing.
It feels funny to leave on that note, ignoring such other favorites as Bruce Springsteen, Arcade Fire, U2, Bob fucking Dylan... arg! and a score of new favorites I've stumbled into over the years, but I don't want to get to greedy here. There will never be a shortage of talent that speaks to me, and I'm not shy, I'll always share a new title to the list.
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