Tonight: Pale Divine At The Pageant

I've been looking forward to this reunion show. Here's their video for "My Addiction", from their Atlantic Records debut. And a live video from Kennedy's, when they were still known as the Eyes. And where I saw them approximately (using Old Skool mathematical equating and a quick consultation with Stephen Hawkings) 1,643 times:



You can read about what everyone has been up to at the RFT here.

Tonight: Neko Case At The Pageant

Should be a good show. I still remember seeing her at Off Broadway, and her voice was amazing. Here she is singing "Maybe Sparrow" to get you warmed up for the show:


And "This Tornado loves You" on Letterman:

Don't expect her to be wearing a black dress, though, She seems to be more comfortable in jeans and an old t-shirt.

Ghostland Observatory, Free Show At The Pageant Thanks To Southern Comfort

It's October 15, and it is indeed free. Go here for more information, and to get your tickets. You must be 21 and will be sent your code to get in 24 hours before the event via your mobile phone. Here's a video to let you know what you're getting yourself into:

Should be fun! I saw them in Chicago a few years ago at a sold-out show (was it the Metro?) and they were a lot of fun, and had LOTS of strobe lights. This is part of Southern Comfort's "Undercover Series", so it may be a little different as the band plays homage to some of their influences. The band will be in other cities, also, so check that web site for more info.

Son Volt Returns To The Pageant, St Louis

Can't believe I missed this. Surely it's been in the local blogs, but there it is: Son Volt returns to the Pageant on November 6. they're supporting the latest release, American Central Dust. Here they are performing Cocaine and Ashes at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco. Where, it should be noted, I saw Uncle Tupelo once back in the day:

Here's the rest of the dates:
SEPTEMBER 10th, 2009 EXIT/IN, NASHVILLE, TN

SEPTEMBER 11th, 2009 VARIETY PLAYHOUSE, ATLANTA, GA

SEPTEMBER 12th, 2009 VISULITE, CHARLOTTE, NC SON VOLT

SEPTEMBER 13th, 2009 CAT'S CRADLE, CARRBORO, NC

SEPTEMBER 15th, 2009 9:30 CLUB, WASHINGTON, DC

SEPTEMBER 16th, 2009 WORLD CAFE LIVE, PHILADELPHIA, PA

SEPTEMBER 17th, 2009 IRVING PLAZA, NEW YORK, NY

SEPTEMBER 18th, 2009 THE EGG, ALBANY, NY

SEPTEMBER 19th, 2009 PEARL STREET, NORTHAMPTON, MA

SEPTEMBER 21st, 2009 HIGHER GROUND, BURLINGTON, VT

SEPTEMBER 22nd, 2009 PARADISE ROCK CLUB , BOSTON, MA

SEPTEMBER 24th, 2009 THE MAJESTIC , DETROIT, MI

SEPTEMBER 25th, 2009 VIC THEATER , CHICAGO, IL

SEPTEMBER 26th, 2009 PABST THEATER , MILWAUKEE, WI

SEPTEMBER 27th, 2009 FIRST AVENUE, MINNEAPOLIS, MN

NOVEMBER 5th, 2009 BLUE NOTE, COLUMBIA, MO

NOVEMBER 6th, 2009 THE PAGEANT, ST. LOUIS, MO

NOVEMBER 7th, 2009 THE LYRIC, OXFORD, MS

NOVEMBER 8th, 2009 GRANT STREET DANCE HALL, LAFAYETTE, LA

NOVEMBER 11th, 2009 CONTINENTAL CLUB, HOUSTON, TX

NOVEMBER 12th, 2009 THE GRANADA, DALLAS, TX

NOVEMBER 13th, 2009 FLOORE'S COUNTRY STORE, HELOTES, TX

NOVEMBER 14th, 2009 ANTONE'S, AUSTIN, TX

NOVEMBER 17th, 2009 MINGLEWOOD, MEMPHIS, TN

NOVEMBER 18th, 2009 WORKPLAY, BIRMINGHAM, AL

NOVEMBER 19th, 2009 40 WATT, ATHENS, GA

NOVEMBER 20th, 2009 THE HANDLEBAR, GREENVILLE, SC

NOVEMBER 21st, 2009 RHYTHM & BREWS, CHATANOOGA, TN

Dinosaur Jr: Coming To STL In The Fall

These guys are alterna-titans, and paved the way for a lot of bands. It's nice to see them in this video having so much fun together, especially after the bitterness they expressed after breaking up in 1989. I laughed out loud when some of their tricks went wrong, and the reactions to that. Here's the tour schedule. The St Louis date is October 14 at the Pageant.
Wellfleet, MA Wellfleet Beachcomber (August 14)
New York, NY Central Park SummerStage (16)
Toronto, ON Phoenix Concert Theatre (September 30)
Montreal, QUE Pop Montreal Festival (October 1)
Cambridge, MA Middle East (2, 3)
Clifton Park, NY Northern Lights (4)
New Haven, CT Toad's Place (7)
Washington, DC 9:30 Club (8)
Philadelphia, PA Theatre of the Living Arts (9)
Columbus, OH Newport Music Hall (10)
Pontiac, MI The Crofoot (11)
Madison, WI The Majestic Theatre (13)
St. Louis, MO The Pageant (14)
Chicago, IL Vic Theatre (15)
Louisville, KY Headliner's Music Hall (16)
Atlanta, GA Variety Playhouse (17)
Kansas City, MO The Beaumont Club (26)
Omaha, NE Slowdown (27)
Boulder, CO Boulder Theater (30)
Fort Collins, CO Aggie Theatre (31)
Salt Lake City, UT Urban Lounge (November 3)
Tempe, AZ Marquee Theatre (4)
Solana Beach, CA Belly Up Tavern (6)
San Francisco, CA The Fillmore (7)
Portland, OR Wonder Ballroom (11)
Vancouver, BC Commodore Ballroom (10)
Victoria, BC Sugar Nightclub (11)
Edmonton, AB The Starlite Room (13)
Calgary, AB MacEwan Hall Ballroom (14)
Saskatoon, SK Odeon Events Centre (16)
Winnipeg, Man. @Pyramid Cabaret (17)
Minneapolis, MN @First Avenue (18)
Milwaukee, WI Turner Hall Ballroom (19)
Cleveland Heights, OH Grog Shop (20)

Decemberists: This Sunday At The Pageant

Sold out! Took long enough.

Here are some songs/videos to carry us into the weekend. And yes, I'm still jealous that Jeff saw them back in the day at Blueberry Hill. You have won this round, sir.






Here's one that was performed as a high school project. Isn't it cool when something moves people so much that they feel a need to create themselves? In some ways, it doesn't even matter if the quality is good (and I think this video is not bad at all). The ultimate compliment, in my opinion:


This one doesn't allow embedding. Even Pitchfork is afraid of the power of the Old Skool masses, and refuses to let us share this from the world headquarters. Fine, then. Leave me to behold another video from the Decemberists, this time "Oh Valencia". Love the Chris Funk character.

Here's "The Wanting Comes In Waves" on Leno. On a side note, is anyone really sad that Jay is leaving the Tonight Show? I for one am stoked to see Conan on at an earlier time, much closer to my Old Skool bedtime. I'll be able to drink my warm milk and doze off flipping between him and Dave.


Have a good weekend, folks. Hope to see you at the show on Sunday. Stop by and say hi.

This Sunday: Blind Pilot At The Pageant. Along With Some Other Band Called The Decemberists, Whoever They Are.

Yes, yes. I know who the Decemberists are. I am old, not deaf to their wonderful sound. I even saw them perform the new release in it's entirety at SXSW in March. Oh, I admit it: I struggled to stay awake toward the end, but that's what happens when you travel all day after working the day before. It was late. They were good. I was tired.

But what about the opening band? What do we know about them? Well, if you are me, you know the name, you've downloaded "Three Rounds And A Sound", and you've thought to yourself, these guys are pretty good. Harmonies, very agreeable, a comfortable shoe, if you would, from a new band. And they are a two-piece, at least from a recording standpoint. Live they are a multi-person indie extravaganza! And they toured behind their first EP via bicycles, entertaining whoever would have them. They told me here.

Here's an official video:


I'm interested. And they seem like a nice complement to the Decemberists. See you there.

Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears: Sugarfoot

Another SXSW highlight, with an obvious musical cue from James Brown. But, hell, is there anything wrong with that? Black Joe needs to practice his lip sync, but other than that, this is a good representation of the band. And Ian "big show" Varley is fun to watch live on the keys. I'd say go see these guys if they come to your town.

They'll be here in the Lou on Friday April 24 at the Pageant opening up for Robert Randolph and the Family Band:

Decemberists Come Back To St Louis!

Yes! Colin and the gang are coming back to the Pageant! On May 31st! And other places:

May 19 - Hollywood Palladium - Los Angeles, CA
May 20 - Fox Theatre - Oakland, CA
May 21 - McDonald Theater - Eugene, OR
May 24 - Wilma Theatre - Missoula, MT
May 26 - Fillmore Auditorium - Denver, CO
May 27 - Uptown Theater - Kansas City, MO
May 29 - Riverside Theater - Milwaukee, WI
May 31 - The Pageant - St. Louis, MO
June 1 - Lifestyle Communities Pavilion - Columbus, OH
June 3 - Tabernacle - Atlanta, GA
June 4 - Memorial Auditorium - Raleigh, NC
June 5 - The National - Richmond, VA
June 6 - Tower Theatre - Upper Darby, PA
June 9 - Bank of America Pavillion - Boston, MA
June 10 - Radio City Music Hall - New York, NY
June 11-14 - Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival - Manchester, TN

That is all, please return to your regularly scheduled activities. Oh, and perhaps there is an internet pre-sale going on...

Neko Case: New Album Follow-Up, Making-Of Video

I mentioned before that Neko has a new album coming out, and that she will be returning to the Pageant on September 24, 2009. Here's a making-of video for the new one, where she talks about recording in an old barn with abandoned pianos: "And you konw what's extra cool? The frogs!" The meaning of the title Middle Cyclone: "What if a tornado fell in love with you?" And her love of creating, and sound collages: "I really love to Eiffel Tower, but I have popsicle sticks. So I have to make mine out of popsicle sticks rather than steel."

It's an engaging look at the artist:

Neko Case: New Album, St. Louis Visit

Here's the new cover of Neko Case's album Middle Cyclone that comes out March 3. Here's what her label Anti has to say about it:

Middle Cyclone was produced by Case with Darryl Neudorf and recorded in Tucson, Brooklyn, Toronto, and Vermont. It features Case backed by her core band - guitarist Paul Rigby, bassist Tom V. Ray, backing vocalist Kelly Hogan, multi-instrumentalist Jon Rauhouse, and drummer Barry Mirochnick - along with numerous guests including M. Ward, Garth Hudson, Sarah Harmer, and members of The New Pornographers, Los Lobos, Calexico, The Sadies, Visqueen, The Lilys, and Giant Sand, among others. In addition to twelve new songs written by Case, Middle Cyclone includes covers of 'Never Turn Your Back on Mother Earth' by Sparks, and "Don't Forget Me" by Harry Nilsson.

Complete tour dates below. I'm excited to see that she is coming back to the Pageant for a St. Louis show on September 24, since I couldn't make it the last time.

Neko Case on tour:
Aug 25 - Tucson AZ - the Rialto (Benefit for GAL + Tuscon Dog Protection)
Aug 27 - Reno NV - Robert Hawkins Amphitheater
Aug 28 - Salt Lake City UT - Gallivan Center (Twilight Concert Series)
Aug 29 - Boise ID - Winery at Eagle Knoll
Aug 30 - Seattle WA - Bumbershoot Festival
Aug 31 - Vancouver BC - Stanley Park Singing Exhibition (Neko Case set)
Sept 1 - Vancouver BC - Stanley Park (New Pornographers set)
Sept 12 - Laytonville CA - Earthdance Festival @ Black Oak Ranch
Sept 14 - Morrison CO - Monolith Festival
Sept 15 - Omaha NE - Slow Bar
Sept 16 - Des Moines IA - Hoyt Sherman
Sept 18 - Minneapolis MN - First Avenue
Sept 19 - Madison WI - the Orpheum
Sept 20 - Chicago IL - Hideout Block Party
Sept 21 - Chicago IL - Hideout Block Party – with New Pornographers
Sept 23 - Cleveland OH - Beachland Ballroom
Sept 24 - St Louis MO - the Pageant
Sept 25 - Oxford MS - the Lyric
Sept 26 - Oklahoma City OK - Diamond Ballroom
Sept 27 - Dallas TX - Granada Theater
Sept 28 - Austin TX - Austin City Limits festival

Old Skool Proof Of The Eyes Concert Attendance

Why have I written so much about the Eyes/Pale Divine reunion? Maybe it's because I saw them back in the day almost EVERY WEEKEND. My friend John send me some shots from their web site that clearly shows evidence of an Old Skool siting, similar to seeing the mythical bigfoot in the wild. Often heard about, rarely documented. John is the fair-haired longer-haired blonde behind the stage, I'm the shorter darker haired guy in the front.

Wonder if ballerina girl will be there?

Old Skool Saturday Round-up

Welcome, welcome! How are you? You are looking great, very relaxed, so good to see it. Is it because you have heard the news that:

1. Guns-n-Roses have signed an exclusive deal with Best Buy to release Chinese Democracy by the end of the year? Well, don't hold your breath on that one. One of the sticking points is when the release date will be (snicker).

2. I am sure that you will be excited to hear that Led Zeppelin are rumored by the British tabloid the Sun to be ready to start rehearsals for a tour that would begin next summer.

Maybe you should go see Celebration Day, the very nice Led Zep cover/tribute band that will be at the Pageant November 14 + 15. From what I saw last time, these guys really do it right. You'll be all salivating and stuff, thinking about the real thing.

3. Remember how I told you about Yes replacing Jon Anderson, because of illness? I would have assumed they would have checked in with him, told him what they were doing. You know, make sure he was cool with it. Eh, not really. And he's pissed.

4. One thing I know: you look great, happy, all that jazz. You must not have known that Paul Newman died at 83, losing his battle with cancer. Hate to bring you down, but he was a great. And seemed like a great man. Damn. Here he is singing Plastic Jesus in Cool Hand Luke. God rest.

PLAY:STL Fest Starts Tonight

I've said it before: STL is a great music town. The PLAY:STL Fest is yet another example. 99 bands performing over 3 nights in the Delmar loop is a good thing. Go to the web site to check out who is playing, and support this event!

I personally am going to check out The Incurables tonight, with Jimmy Griffin on guitar (ex- Broken Toyz, Kingofthehill, and many more. He also is the guitar player for Celebration Day, the Led Zep tribute that is coming to the Pageant in November), Superfun Yeah Yeah Rocketship on Friday, and Vicky on Saturday (Hey, they're from Iceland! Gotta try to check that out).

Squeeze- Tempted

So I was looking around for some video to put up of Squeeze, in honor of their upcoming show tomorrow night at the Pageant. What should it be? "Pulling Mussels From The Shell"? "Cool for Cats"? OOOOH, there's "Black Coffee In Bed"! Excellent! I'll post... wait a minute... embedding disabled? who would do that? Ahhhh, the user who posted this video, along with others that have the embedding disabled, is none other than our friend, Universal Music Group! Well, that explains it!

Look, I understand that a label may not want me to post an MP3 of some popular Squeeze songs, thus taking away from the all-important revenue stream that pretty much goes directly to them with a pittance going to the actual artists themselves, but denying people the right to EMBED A VIDEO FROM !(*@ 1982??!!

Jeebers, these people have gone bonkers. Here's a video for "Tempted", not uploaded by Universal:


BTW, the lineup for this series of shows is Glenn Tillbrook, Chris Difford, and John Bentley (bass), all originals. They are joined by members of Tillbrook's touring band, the Fluffers: Stephen Large (keyboards) and Simon Hanson (drums).

Upcoming Squeeze Concert- Tuesday night- possible set list?

As previously blogged (look below this post. Go ahead, scroll down. It wasn't that long ago, just a few hours.), Squeeze and Aimee Mann will be playing the Pageant Tuesday night.

Big thanks to my friend Jeff, who uncovered the set list from last Monday night's show in Torrington Connecticut. Here it is, we'll see if they mix it up next week, or if they have a fairly consistent set list night to night:

Squeeze's set list
1. Strong in Reason
2. If I Didn't Love You
3. Revue
4. Up the Junction
5. Take Me, I'm Yours
6. I Think I'm Go Go
7. Separate Beds
8. Black Coffee In Bed
9. Piccadilly
10. Annie Get Your Gun
11. Goodbye Girl
12. Melody Motel
13. Tempted
14. Slaughtered, Gutted & Heartbroken
15. Is That Love
16. Cool for Cats
17. Another Nail for My Heart
18. Hour Glass
Encore
19. Some Fantastic Place
20. Slap and Tickle
21. Pulling Mussels (From the Shell)

And here's the link to the review of that Torrington show.

Aimee Mann "Freeway"

Aimee Mann is coming to the Pageant on Tuesday, opening for Squeeze. Should be a good double bill. I'm not sure what to expect from Aimee live, so I started poking around to see what I could find on her. Her new disc is called "@#%&*! Smilers" and is a solid offering. If you don't like her, or her voice, I don't think it's going to change your opinion of her, but it's all good with me.

Seems she had a contest for her fans to make their own video for the first single, "Freeway". The song is by far my favorite from the new one so far, and the submissions were interesting. Lots of girls with their acoustic guitars, and some that were too far out for me. Here is my favorite:


and the winner, not my personal fave:


Here's the original Aimee version, I'm looking forward to hearing it live on Tuesday:


And Aimee played the song live at Sonic Boom Records in Toronto. One thing's for certain, she doesn't hide behind studio wizardry when she records. Hearing this live is pretty damn close to the disc. Bodes well for the show:


More on Aimee and Squeeze in the coming posts this weekend. Have a good holiday, everyone.

Alice Is Consistently Good

Going to an Alice Cooper show is a welcome treat. If you have seen him before you know what you are going to get, but it is still a treat. he is a true pro, and I don't think you will ever see a bad show. last night at the Pageant was no exception. If I have one quibble, it's that the show has basically been the same for the last three tours. Same musicians (excellent), same songs (they're all good, but mix it up a little, please!) and same drum solo (ugh). On an extremely positive not, even though he has a new album out, he only played one new song from it. Praise Allah.

As Alice ages, he really seems to grow into his roll. Most rockers would be trying to hide the wrinkles, but with the make-up Alice is looking in some ways scarier and more skeletal. I like. Hell, even if he loses his hair, which he isn't, it would work.

Alas, the opening band continues a long string of bad openers. Sorry Tat, we'll never hear from you again.

Those are critiques from a long-time fan; don't let that from discouraging you from seeing him, EVER, because overall the show was an awesome experience, as always. Especially since I was right on the floor, 10 feet away from him. Nice.

Alice Cooper This Thursday

Here's some Alice on the Muppet Show singing "School's Out" to get you ready for Thursday's show at the Pageant:


And here's Mr. Cooper for president. Monkeys that smoke are always funny:


And one more, shilling for Staples:

The Eyes, AKA Pale Divine reunion news

No, I'm not talking about the Pale Divine that hails from Pennsylvania and practices the sacred art of Death Metal.

The Eyes played almost every weekend in the mid-to-late eighties in STL and surrounding college towns and were the best live band around. This was a time when bands were almost always cover bands, rarely playing their own music, and the Eyes played a mix of covers and originals, throwing in Jane's Addiction, the Cult, the Furs, and a host of other popular alternative songs. Their originals were just as popular with the crowds, and there always was one. I admit that on some weekends my friends and I went to see them on both Friday AND Saturday, including a three-night stand at Carbondale's Hangar 9.

They released a CD called "Freedom in a Cage" in 1989, playing a CD release show at the old 1227 nightclub, and then released "Straight To Goodbye on Atlantic records in 1991, and then imploded, playing their last gigs over the July 4th holiday in 1993 at one of their mainstay clubs, Kennedy's. Michael, the singer, emerged later and still plays around town in a  more stripped-down acoustic setting. Dan the bass player pretty much got out of the biz, not sure about Greg the drummer. And then there is Richard, who was always an amazing guitarist. He went on to play with Richard Butler in LoveSpitLove and the Furs, and is now a member of Guns-N-Roses.

Sources say that the original band is getting together for a year-end holiday reunion in STL, and I can not wait! Dan Angenend, you better start warming up those bass playing skills!

Here's a fan Myspace page. You can listen to some of the songs there, and also check out a dodgy video.

EDIT: The show is confirmed for the Pageant on December 29. I'll see you there.