Friday, January 29, 2010

Happy Birthday, Tommy Ramone

In honor of your birthday, and a full moon Friday, here's "I Wanna Be Sedated":


And here are the Ramones in 1977 at CBGBs:

Blue Oyster Cult: tonight, At The Casino Queen

Well, I waited too long. Couldn't get any interested parties to join me, and when I finally talked the lovely Mrs. Old Skool into going, this show was sold out. The Casino Queen's Club Sevens room is a fairly small, intimate room, so if you are going, this should be a treat.

I've seen the band a number of times, although admittedly not in the last decade or so. They still have key members/songwriters Eric Bloom and Buck Dharma, though, so methinks the band shall still sound great. I always thought they were one of those bands that were misunderstood as a metal band. They really play melodic classic rock.

They'll be back in STL for RibFest on May 31, with Foghat (How that is even a band anymore is beyond me. Lonesome Dave and Rod Price passed in the last few years. Beware.)

Here's some videos to start the weekend. Great facial hair:


Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Happy Birthday, Mike Patton

I got you a present: Footage from your 1997 show at one of my first true loves, Mississippi Nights. I hope you like it.

Thanks for scaring the old people when I saw you open up for Robert Plant at the Fabulous Fox, too. I owe ya one.
And here they are all reunited and stuff last year. Hey Scotty, someone stole your megaphone. Slightly bigger crowd at this one, too.

Dave Matthews Announces Summer Tour

I know what you're thinking, Professor: Who the flip cares? (or something like that, but with more colorful, sailorly language)

Well, are you still with me? Now I'm going to show the schedule, and the opening acts. Stay with me just a little longer, please:

DATE CITY VENUE SUPPORT
05/28 HARTFORD, CT Comcast Theatre Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings
05/29 HARTFORD, CT Comcast Theatre Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings
06/01 TORONTO, ONTARIO Molson Amphitheatre The Felice Brothers
06/02 DARIEN CENTER, NY Darien Lake Performing Arts Center The Felice Brothers
06/04 SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY Saratoga Performing Arts Center The Felice Brothers
06/05 SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY Saratoga Performing Arts Center The Felice Brothers
06/07 MANSFIELD, MA Comcast Center Yonder Mountain String Band
06/08 MANSFIELD, MA Comcast Center Yonder Mountain String Band
06/15 CINCINNATI, OH Riverbend Music Center Robert Earl Keen
06/16 MARYLAND HEIGHTS, MO Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Robert Earl Keen
06/18 NOBLESVILLE, IN Verizon Wireless Music Center Robert Earl Keen
06/19 NOBLESVILLE, IN Verizon Wireless Music Center Robert Earl Keen
06/22 COLUMBUS, OH Huntington Park Robert Earl Keen
06/23 CLARKSTON, MI DTE Energy Music Theatre Martin Sexton
06/25 CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH Blossom Music Center Martin Sexton
06/30 CAMDEN, NJ Susquehanna Bank Center Martin Sexton
07/01 CAMDEN, NJ Susquehanna Bank Center Martin Sexton
07/03 EAST TROY, WI Alpine Valley Music Theatre Zac Brown Band
07/04 EAST TROY, WI Alpine Valley Music Theatre Zac Brown Band
07/09 HERSHEY, PA Hersheypark Stadium Zac Brown Band
07/10 PITTSBURGH, PA PNC Park *VIP Packages Available Zac Brown Band
07/13 BETHEL, NY Bethel Woods Center for the Arts Amos Lee
07/14 SCRANTON, PA Toyota Pavilion at Montage Mountain Amos Lee
07/16 NEW YORK, NY Citi Field *VIP Packages Available Zac Brown Band
07/17 NEW YORK, NY Citi Field *VIP Packages Available Zac Brown Band
07/20 VIRGINIA BEACH, VA Virginia Beach Amphitheater Amos Lee
07/21 CHARLOTTE, NC Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Charlotte Amos Lee
07/23 WASHINGTON, D.C. Nationals Park *VIP Packages Available Zac Brown Band
07/25 LOUISVILLE, KY HullabaLOU Festival Tickets On Sale Now
07/27 ATLANTA, GA Aaron's Amphitheatre at Lakewood Gov't Mule
07/28 TAMPA, FL Ford Amphitheatre Gov't Mule
07/30 WEST PALM BEACH, FL Cruzan Amphitheatre Gov't Mule
07/31 WEST PALM BEACH, FL Cruzan Amphitheatre Gov't Mule
08/14 WICHITA, KS InTrust Bank Arena Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears
08/17 WEST VALLEY CITY, UT USANA Amphitheatre Brett Dennen
08/20 CHULA VISTA, CA Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre Brett Dennen
08/21 IRVINE, CA Verizon Wireless Amphitheater Brett Dennen
08/23 LOS ANGELES, CA Hollywood Bowl Raphael Saadiq
08/25 CONCORD, CA Sleep Train Pavilion at Concord Raphael Saadiq
08/27 MARYSVILLE, CA Sleep Train Amphitheatre Raphael Saadiq
08/28 MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA Shoreline Amphitheatre Raphael Saadiq
08/31 BOISE, ID Taco Bell Arena SUPPORT TBA
09/03 GEORGE, WA Gorge Amphitheatre Ben Harper & Relentless7
09/04 GEORGE, WA Gorge Amphitheatre Ben Harper & Relentless7
09/05 GEORGE, WA Gorge Amphitheatre Ben Harper & Relentless7
09/10 WOODLANDS, TX Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears
09/11 DALLAS, TX Superpages.com Center Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears
09/14 OMAHA, NE Qwest Center Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears
09/15 St. PAUL, MN Xcel Energy Center Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears

OK, they're coming to STL on 6/16. But I don't care. What I care about is the fact that Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears are opening for them on the last four dates, and one wild-card date in-between.

That means you better see them on March 6 at Off Broadway, Dr. J.

Because after those damn DMB folks see BJL & THB, they won't be playing there anymore. And to think I saw them at that very intimate venue opening up for our very own Gentleman Auction House. They're making the climb. Good for them.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Happy Birthday, Mr. Excitable Boy

Well, today's Warren Zevon's birthday, and to honor his memory I thought I'd play a couple of my favorites.
The first two are the ones he's known for, Werewolves of London, and Excitable Boy:



And, finally, here's Warren performing the song My Shit's Fucked Up, which he wrote when he found out that he had cancer and was dying. It's brutally honest and to the point. And it's one of my favorite WZ songs, listening to Warren run right at the brick wall, handling it the only way he has left, through a song.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Avett Brothers On Austin City Limits Tonight



At least if you get WSIU, channel 21 on Charter in the Metro East. Otherwise, you can see them next week on KETC. Here's the schedule, St. Louis-area fans:
WSIU Saturday, January 23 10 PM
KETC Sunday, January 31, 11 PM
The Heartless Bastards will also be playing.

And the setlist, recorded on November 16, 2009:
I And Love And You
January Wedding
Murder in the City
When I Drink
Slight Figure of Speech
Die Die Die
Talk on Indolence

The Heartless Bastards setlist, recorded June 3, 2009:
Hold Your Head High
Out at Sea
The Mountain
So Quiet
Sway

More info to find the PBS schedule in your area, click here.

Friday, January 22, 2010

The Japanese Horror Fantasy Movie 'House' Coming to Webster Film Series


It's not until June 11-13, but this may be worth the wait. Strange, strange stuff from Japan in the 70's. You can read more about it in this Paste Magazine review. Probably not date night material, but who knows what floats your boat? I've marked my calendar.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Old Skool Jamz: Fastway 'Say What You Will'

Ah, Fastway. Formed in the early 80's by "Fast" Eddie Clark of Motorhead on guitar, Pete Way on bass from UFO, and Jerry Shirley from Humble Pie on drums. Here's the Old Skool jam:

And Then Freedy Leads To Joan Jett

If I had to pick between them, I have to admit that Joan Jett's song 'Bad Reputation' has a little more oomph behind it, vs. Freedy Johnston's song. Both good songs, but a mile's between them as far as differences. So here you go.

Freedy Johnston Coming To Off Broadway

Freedy also has a new album that I have in my 'saved for later' files on Emusic. I saw him quite a few years ago on a double bill with Alejandro Escovedo at Blueberry Hill-- good show, if a bit sedate since it was a solo acoustic evening. Go see him on February 11 at Off Broadway. Or, if you're really lucky, you'll be seeing him the night after at Rick Wood's house. Now wouldn't that be something. Here's Freedy performing solo on of his new songs, along with a few tracks from the new one, Rain On The City.










And the rest of the dates:
Saturday, January 16 – Vintage Vinyl in-store – Fords, Nj.
Tuesday, January 19 – City Winery – New York, Ny.
Thursday, January 21 – Bryant-Lake Bowl Theater – Minneapolis, MN.
Friday, January 22 – Schuba’s – Chicago, Il.
Saturday, January 23 – Ribco – Rock Island, Il.
Friday, February 12 – Wood House Concert

And here's Freedy with one of his better-known songs, Bad Reputation:


What, you want more? Well, being greedy today, don't you think? OK, here's a way to get a free new song. I hope you're satisfied now:








Tuesday, January 19, 2010

2010 Grammy Nominees: Is It A Badge Of Honor, Or Am I Pitiful If I Haven't Heard Half Of These Songs?


Have you heard all of them? Oh, I've heard OF all the bands, and have a handful of the songs. But where are all the bands that I was hearing about in all the year-end round-ups? And did anyone really like the last Green Day?

BLARGH.

The Fantastic Mr. Anderson

One of the best films of 2009 was Wes Anderson's The Fantastic Mr. Fox. Period.

Here's Wes accepting the Special Filmmaking Achievement Award from the National Board of Review. As a stop-motion character. Brilliant:

Air Come To U.S. For Rare Tour Of North America. Passive-Agressively Tell STL To Take A Flying Leap By Not Coming Here.

Air, what have we ever done to make us angry? You would sound and look wonderful at the Fabulous Fox. Here's the tour dates, including Chicago:
03.13.09 - Miami, FL - Fillmore
03.14.09 - Orlando, FL - Hard Rock Live
03.15.09 - Atlanta, GA - Centerstage
03.17.09 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
03.18.09 - Philadelphia, PA - Electric Factory
03.19.09 - New York, NY - Terminal 5
03.20.09 - Boston, MA - Berklee Performance Center
03.22.09 - Montreal, QC - Metropolis
03.23.09 - Toronto, ON - Phoenix Concert Theatre
03.24.09 - Chicago, IL - Riviera Theatre
03.26.09 - Oakland, CA - Fox Theatre
03.27.09 - San Diego, CA - 4th & B
03.28.09 - Los Angeles, CA - Walt Disney Concert Hall

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Death Metal Rooster!

I think my old band Dementia 13 played with these guys and the Snapping Turks back in the 90's at some pizza place in Carbondale.

Monday, January 11, 2010

Sing Me Your Song: New Video By Mark Gormley


OK, so I was joking in my last MG post about Cheetos and product placement. But what do you know, Cheetos are in many of the shots here, and the intro is a giant Cheetos promo. I was feeling betrayed and disappointed, until I realized this may mean even MORE Gormley videos, and a WORLD TOUR sponsored by Cheetos. I'll see you there!

Friday, January 8, 2010

Heavy Metal Baby

Kind of reminds me of the time that I picked up my oldest when he was about 6 months old and my brother had him propped up with some pillows listening to the Jesus Lizard. He had the biggest smile on his face (and he's now 17. Oy.)

The Return Of Soundgarden


After 12 years, Soundgarden is re-forming. You can click here to sign up for updates. Faith No More, now these guys, plus a bunch of other smaller bands--The 90's are back!

Monday, January 4, 2010

It Was Just Like That, Only In A Much Slower Speed

Sorry, friends, to wax on about the Flaming Lips new years eve freakout, but my friend Jason send this awesome timelapse of the set-up, performance, and aftermath of the concert. BEHOLD:

Did you see me? No? Maybe you need to look harder.

New Years Eve With The Flaming Lips





What a great time. And quite a balloon drop, I'd say. Check out the photos.

If I have one quibble, it's the second set that featured 'Dark Side Of The Moon'- after the considerable downtime to re-configure the stage, the set started out promisingly enough, with Wayne out by the soundboard using his giant fake hands to shoot laserbeams into the mirror ball up above him while Steven accompanied him on keys. Then... more downtime as Wayne made his way back to the main stage. Was it because the hour was getting late, or the fact that there was a long break between each song? Hard to say, but half-way through the family packed up and departed into the new year's night air.