What I've Learned . . .

Three things I have learned from watching movies:

-The good guys have great aim while the bad guys have terrible aim.
-When eating out, order a big meal, nibble on it and then leave.
-When life gets rough or dramatic, music starts playing out of thin air.

Three things I have learned from watching commercials:

-There is an orgazmic kind of joy when you eat certain food, like buffalo wings and seafood.
-A reality show is not a reality show unless "Oh my God!" is said.
-Smiles and bright lighting equal happiness.

Says she's gonna get some records by the Status Quo

Heads in my song:
"The Concept" by Teenage Fanclub
"Everything Flows" by Teenage Fanclub

Punknews.org pointed out this Billboard article on all sorts of Replacements/Paul Westerberg news. I'm not sure if I'll buy the first four Replacements albums again just because of bonus tracks. However, I'll definitely pick up the solo Westerberg anthology.

Jim DeRogatis interviews Dann Gallucci of Modest Mouse. Nice look into the band from another member of the band.

Compare your album covers: there is this and then there is this. They look similar to me, but I seriously doubt this was intentional (as with most things in life).

I plan on seeing Saboteur tomorrow night. I have yet to see them play and I look forward to the show. They're playing with [DARYL], so that's a good double bill.

Yesterday I watched a documentary on this guy and I feel compelled to borrow all of his records from the housemate. I received Dogtown and the Z Boys in the mail from Netflix. I may watch it today.

Kev has a great discussion about the middle schooler that was suspended for shooting a rubber band. I love his story about drummers being hit by erasers. Looks like I made the right decision by playing trumpet in concert/marching band and playing drums in a garage/bedroom band.

Advice for the young at heart

Songs in me heads:
"Advice for the Young at Heart" by Tears for Fears
"Serious" by [DARYL]
"Nightdrive" by Jimmy Eat World
Bill Cosby's impersonation of an Art Blakely drum solo

This is funny but very noble. More proof that nu-metal was the hair metal of yesteryear.

I received the new issue of Law of Inertia in the mail yesterday. Cedric and Omar from the Mars Volta are on the cover and their interview/story is well, very interesting. Certain things that I heard about At the Drive-In's final months are clarified, at least from their perspective.

Travis Barker of blink-182 sheds more light on the band's "indefinite hiatus."

Don't believe the hype, just enjoy the music.

This Afternoon Malady

Songs in my heads:
"This Afternoon Malady" by Jejune
Bill Cosby's impersonation of an Art Blakely drum solo

Last night, I got to interview the last band I'm profiling in my book. The whole experience bore some resemblance to William Miller's first encounter with Stillwater in Almost Famous, but it was all for the good. Yes, there was a stonewall bouncer but overall, things went very well. I did my interview and watched the set from the side of the stage. Many thanks to this guy for hookin' a brother up.

NME reports blink-182 is on "indefinite hiatus." Remember the last time we heard "indefinite hiatus" from a band?

I received the new Punk Planet issue in the mail yesterday. Slint is on the cover and there is an article on alt-country. Good stuff that I'll try and read later today. I'm curious as to what Slint has to say. I've heard about the band over the years (and seen the Spiderland cover many times) as a major influence, but I've never heard any of their material.

Got my latest roll of pictures developed the other day. Some pictures are from the Sparta show while a lot of pictures are from driving around the part of town that I live in. Seeing as how there is a lot of urban renewal going on, I figure some documentation would be good.

Several blogs (including Large Hearted Boy) report that the Jayhawks have called it quits. I know this sounds sacreligious, but I never really got their "masterpiece," Hollywood Town Hall. I have Tomorrow the Green Grass, Sound of Lies, Smile and Rainy Day Music and I think very highly of those records. Hollywood Town Hall just doesn't knock me out (sorry Steve!).

Morrissey and Marr gave me choice

Songs in me head:
"To Repel Ghosts" by Manic Street Preachers
"Glasnost" by Manic Street Preachers
"1985" by Manic Street Preachers
"A to B" by the Futureheads

Punknews.org reports that the Casket Lottery has broken up. I thought they broke up a while ago. They had some good stuff, especially their split EP collaboration with Small Brown Bike.

Since Kev and I discussed this group/movie in a previous post, I found this quote from this article on Judas Priest very timely: "We're serious musicians, but we can still be Spinal Tap."

The housemate and I watched the new New Order video, "Krafty," last night. I think the song is really good and the video is interesting in its own way.

Chrome Waves posted the good word about what I was hoping for: The Life Aquatic DVD will have the Criterion treatment. More info is here.

There is a local telephone provider that has a radio commercial featuring a guy singing a popular guitar riff to his friend. The way he sings it and the way I hear it, the riff sounds like "Drink Deep" by Rites of Spring, but alas, he reveals he is singing "Layla" by Derek and the Dominoes.

Here Comes Everyone

Song in my heads:
"Summer Away" by Aloha

We're in the middle of warm spell (yes, in February) so, this is perfect weather for kickball. Most of the park was full yesterday so trying to find enough space for a kickball diamond was hard. We made our own diamond and enjoyed a rather strong wind from the west. Had an "aww, how cute" moment during the second game: Rhett batted and rounded the bases with Jason and Andrea's son, Asher, on his shoulders.

Ain't it Cool News has a new, readable look.

I watched Airplane! over the weekend. This movie still holds up as a great spoof. I think the reason why it holds up is because there are more visual jokes and play-on-words (ala Groucho Marx) than late-'70s inside jokes. I think I may listen to the commentary track tonight . . .

Punkbands.com has a very good review of the forthcoming Mars Volta record, Frances the Mute. I think I may need to pace myself with listening to this record much like how I pace myself listening to any record by this band.

Ever go to a used record store that gives you a "buy ten, get one free" stamp card? Ever get to eight CDs but try really hard to find two more CDs that you want? Well, after roaming around CD World for about an hour Friday, I decided to get Jejune's This Afternoon Malady, the self-titled Boy's Life record and the Teenage Fanclub 'greatest hits'-styled sampler on Jetset. Very good stuff. I had forgotten about how amazing Jejune was . . .

When did you decide that sleep could save your life?

Songs in my head:
"I Live to Fall Asleep" by Manic Street Preachers
"Shake Me, Wake Me (When It's Over)" by the Four Tops
"Mad World" (Tears for Fears cover) by Gary Jules

I had another weird dream this morning. Here is what I remember:

I find myself on a stage with a bass in my hand and I hear that I am trying out for Clint Black's backing band. To the side of me, there are two guitar players and another bass player, along with a drumkit manned by a dwarf. The next thing that happens: I'm directing my parents to a club in Addison that has valet parking. Next thing I know, I'm on stage, playing bass with Clint Black and his backing band (with the same two guitarists and the other bass player I tried out with - yes, the band's lineup was ala GvsB with two bassists). I have no idea what I'm playing but somehow, all my notes are in key. We're playing this country-rock song on a rather high stage and the crowd looks like an open-door radio crowd (as in, a radio station gave the tickets away for free at their remote appearances and set the show in an open field). I still have no idea what I'm playing when one of the songs just stops. The drummer in the band, Johnny Ramone (yes, from the Ramones), had broken heads on his bass drum and rack tom. Clint apologizes to the crowd and the next thing I know, the crowd is gone and everybody in the band goes home. I go out into the field to see people arriving for another show. I spot an old college professor of mine (who was a big fan of college rock in '80s) wearing a t-shirt for a local soft rock station. I keep walking and end up in a house nearby. Something else happened and then I woke up.

OK, what in world was I doing playing for Clint Black's band? I'm not a big fan of country music and what was a dwarf (and later Johnny Ramone) doing playing the drums? Where did my old professor fit into all of this? I have theories but this was just a dream.

Comments? Suggestions? Name of good insane asylum? Feel free and comment below. . .

I used to let rumors do my work

Songs in my head:
"Want" by Jawbreaker
"Split" by Jawbreaker
"Equalized" by Jawbreaker
"Caroline" by Jawbreaker
"Lovers Need Lawyers" by the Good Life

Just read this headline and insert your own joke.

The Ataris, now a seven-piece with a different sound? I sense impending backlash . . .

I'm keeping to my word about not reading spoilers on Revenge of the Sith, but this is rather amusing.

I'm still sticking to my word about the Donnie Darko: the Director's Cut commentary track after watching forty more minutes. Lots of great topics are brought up and they're very funny and right on.

NME has a lot of info on the Tears. No, the Tears are not another early '80s post-punk-inspired band, but the band consists of Bernard Butler and Bret Anderson of Suede fame.

So don't forget . . .

Songs in my head:
"From Now to Never" by Sparta
"Syncope" by Sparta

Although I only reached the 23-minute mark, I think I'm safe to proclaim Richard Kelly's and Kevin's Smith's commentary track on the Donnie Darko: The Director's Cut DVD is one of the best commentary tracks I've ever heard. I didn't watch the whole movie because of my rather early bedtime, but I plan to watch the rest in the next few days. Anyway, what I heard was very funny and engaging. Kevin offers up some great insight while Richard keeps things on track with the talking about the changes from the theatrical cut.

A rather massive book update is coming very soon. Watch this space on March 1st.

On the Table

Songs in my head:
"On the Table" by Carl Newman
"Hotel California" (acoustic) by the Eagles
"The Concept" by Teenage Fanclub
"Black Star" by Radiohead
"Black and White Town" by Doves

Just because I'm curious about how many visitors this site has and because Kev has one, I now have a Site Meter.

While I'm still hobbling around, I took Juliet for a walk last night. The weather was so good that I just couldn't pass the opportunity up.

Lil' Jon tells MTV that his fans will never get tired of crunk. Sure, I think I could hear his songs (along with a lot of other rap/hip hop songs) played on an "oldies" radio station in the future. Since a lot of these kinds of songs are created with timeless melodies, understandable lyrics and universal messages, people will want hear these songs over and over again for many, many years. (I hope you sense the sarcasm)

Isn't there a relatively smaller venue inside Madison Square Garden? If there is, that could explain this.

Us Americans can be happy that this DVD is out today after being available across the pond for a number of months.

I had never heard this record until I needed some more songs for the Anti-Valentine's mix CDs. I heard that the album was all about break-ups, so after going through a few tracks, I was really struck by "Fooled With the Wrong Guy." The whole album is really good even though the overall tone is very somber.

I have heard some of the new Doves record, Some Cities. I really dig what I heard, especially "Black and White Town" and "Snowdon."

Swung from a chandelier . . .

Songs in my head:
"Silver" by Echo & the Bunnymen
"Nocturnal" by Echo & the Bunnymen
"Crystal Days" by Echo & the Bunnymen
"The Killing Moon" by Echo & the Bunnymen

This weekend was incredible. Even a splat on the pavement was great. Saturday morning, while walking Juliet, she high-tailed it when she saw a squirrel. I let her run as fast as possible, but then she crossed into my path. It was too late for me to stop and I fell forward onto the the sidewalk. I skinned my right knee and left elbow, so the rest of the walk was very slow. I'm still hobbling but I still had a really good weekend with my parents and relatives. Lots of birthday activities were held as this was a dual birthday celebration (my father's birthday is at the end of the month). I probably ate more than I would in a week, but I'm not worried.

Our Anti-Valentine's Day party went very well. Lots of familiar faces were around as we "celebrated" the anti-love theme. I received some positive feedback about the mix CDs, so that was nice. The party ended as the sun was starting to rise on Sunday morning but I had gone to bed long before that. Sunday itself was a warm and sunny day. I did some shopping and finished a roll of film that I had been working on for eight months (man, I'm slow). Despite the sore right leg, I went ahead and played kickball. I helped kick some runs in, so I wasn't a handicap. In short, a very good birthday.

I can't believe I'm really 26. I feel more like 23 but with a few more responsibilities.

I watched this documentary on Friday. The best part, in addition to the songs (especially "White Girl," "I Must Not Think Bad Thoughts" and "Come Back to Me") was the cross-cutting interviews between the president of MCA Records and the head of Slash Records. Very funny and very timeless.

Thanks to Large Hearted Boy and Torr for pointing out this NY Times article. As maligned as the '80s (or life in general) are seen, it's all in what you focus on. For me, I focus on the things that I like. Quick, where is my copy of Our Band Could Be Your Life, any Billboard or Rhino CD compilation from the decade, and when can VH1 Classic be a part of basic cable?

Daily Mutilation

Songs in my head:
"Daily Mutilation" by the Posies
"Is She Really Going Out With Him?" by Joe Jackson

The soundtrack to the Anti-Valentine's Day party is complete. Five discs of songs with lyrics about breaking up, discontent, unhappiness, regret and so on. Here are some of the other songs:

"I'm Not Calling You" by Lifetime
"The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get" by Morrissey
"Via Chicago" by Wilco
"Daily Mutilation" by the Posies
"Explode and Make Up" by Sugar
"Make It Easy on Yourself" by the Walker Brothers
"Operator" by Jim Croce
"The Brides Have Hit Glass" by Guided By Voices
"All By Myself" by Eric Carmen
"Never Gonna Fall in Love Again" by Eric Carmen
"Another Saturday Night" by Sam Cooke
"Alone Again (Naturally)" by Gilbert O'Sullivan
"Without You" by Nilsson
"Sent You Up" by Knife in the Water
"The KKK Took My Baby Away" by the Ramones
"Broken Heart" by Spiritualized
"The End of July" by Sarge
"Why Bother?" by Weezer
"Pictures of You" by the Cure
"Simple Twist of Fate" by Bob Dylan
"Never Tear Us Apart" by INXS

Very cool to see this show get this kind of coverage. It's because of the pre-Good Show show, The Tom and Steve Show, that I got/stole/ripped-off the idea for the Anti-Valentine's Day Party.

I found this site this afternoon. As a fan of the band, I'm glad to see such an extensive site devoted to them.

Empty Souls

Songs in my head:
"1985" by Manic Street Preachers
"Empty Souls" by Manic Street Preachers
"I Live to Fall Asleep" by Manic Street Preachers
"Is She Really Going Out With Him?" by Joe Jackson

We're having a theme party/birthday party this Saturday night. I turn 26 on Sunday and at least thirteen of our friends are celebrating birthdays in February. So, that's the birthday angle. The theme is anti-Valentine's: no red clothing can be worn and black clothing is encouraged. Last night, I put together three mix CDs as a "soundtrack" for the party. Here are some of the songs I'm using:

"Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now" by the Smiths
"Song for the Dumped" by Ben Folds Five
"Memory Lame" by Jim O'Rourke
"Is She Really Going Out With Him?" by Joe Jackson
"Everything Reminds Me of Her" by Elliott Smith
"Only Lie Worth Telling" by Paul Westerberg
"The First Cut is the Deepest" by the Koobas
"Come Pick Me Up" by Ryan Adams
"Trees" by Pulp
"What Do I Get?" by the Buzzcocks
"What It Takes" by Aerosmith
"Boys Don't Cry" by the Cure
"You Stole the Sun from My Heart" by Manic Street Preachers
"Bad Cover Version" by Pulp
"To Be Young" by Ryan Adams
"Do You Still Hate Me?" by Jawbreaker
"Love Will Tear Us Apart" by Joy Division
"Make It Easy On Yourself" by the Walker Brothers
"Anne Arbour" by the Get Up Kids
"Don't Want to Know if You're Lonely" by Husker Du
"Walk On By" by the Dionne Warwick and the Stranglers
"Walk Away Renee" by the Four Tops
"The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine" by the Walker Brothers

. . . and that's just what I remember from the top of my head. I think I have enough songs for at least one more mix CD. Shall be working on that today . . .

Ever hear a song and just love it (and keep loving it after repeat plays)? Well, that's what happened when I listened to "Landed" by Ben Folds last night. Great track and a very strong single.

Jim DeRogatis has this article on his thoughts on the Super Bowl halftime show. He has a lot of good points but ultimately, I thought it was great that timeless songs were played this year, not mechanical/cold songs with no lasting appeal. I know that sounds really arrogant to say, but I feel there is lack of strong, harmonic melody in pop music these days.

Better Than the Super Bowl

Songs in my head:
"Life on Mars?" by David Bowie
"Whatever" by Oasis
"Either Coast" by the Reputation
"She's a Star" by James
"We've Been Had" by the Walkmen
"Better Than the Super Bowl" by Errortype:11

Friday night, we saw Fu Manchu - The Melodrama at Pocket Sandwich Theater. The play was intentionally over-the-top (acting-wise) and really funny. In other words, I really enjoyed it. The interesting thing is, popcorn is passed out to the audience and the audience members are encouraged to throw kernals at the actors. Odd way of showing that your appreciation, but interesting no less.

The two Super Bowl commercials that stuck out for me: the Ameriquest one in the convenience store and the FBNA one with rugby players and Gladys Knight.


I received Lifeblood by the Manics on Friday. My first impression: the production reminds me of New Order's Get Ready. Lots of piano lines with delay and more synthetic drumbeats (along with live drums). This is almost the complete opposite from Know Your Enemy (whose production is harsh and rough). Regardless of the sound of the record, it's another collection of good songs with memorable melodic hooks from the Manics. Thumbs up.

Does this constitute the first Nuggets-styled compilation of music from the '90s?

Pitchfork reviews a record that I didn't know even existed. Being a Pernice Brothers fan, I feel silly that I didn't know about it. Hmmm . . . I must be slowly slipping in this second week of the second month of the year.

Where in the World is Carmen San Diego?

Blogging has been at a minimum due to rather restricted internet use. Hopefully I'll be back at it next week.

Stay tuned.

Are you reelin' in the years?

Songs in my head:
"Reelin' in the Years" by Steely Dan
"Midnight Cruiser" by Steely Dan
"Dirty Work" by Steely Dan

I finished reading Fargo Rock City last night. Before I forget, I must stress many thanks to this guy for recommending it to me. Previously, I had seen the book in stores and picked it up and put it back a few times. It's a really great discussion on a style of music that is remembered mostly as a silly thing (hair metal). However, Chuck Klosterman does such a great job of writing about how we perceive, enjoy and live by the music we love. As I said yesterday, I find this book empowering because it tackles a subject matter that so many people write off as a silly.

I found this article to be rather interesting. Who would have thought there would be a backlash for a band playing for the troops in Iraq?

Maybe I'm just too jaded but I don't know how much of this is really true.

This is probably the most amount of press this guy has ever received for himself (aside from maybe a guitar magazine article). I found this quote very funny: "A spokesperson for Matchbox Twenty described the split in more concrete terms, explaining that the band 'has decided not to renew the services of Adam Gaynor.'"

If you remember the very short-lived Comedy Central talk show, The Chris Wylde Show, you might enjoy this. Post-Comedy Central, I've seen Mr. Wylde on a home redocorating show and as a pizza delivery man in a DiGiorno pizza commercial. Knowing what he looks like, I don't know if I would have recognized him last night on American Idol. Maybe it would help if I actually watched the show, but alas, I was watching Citizen Kane (with Roger Ebert's commentary track on) at the time.

I saw this headline on the Star-Telegram's frontpage and I had to laugh: "Textbooks to emphasize abstinence." Understand this, I don't think doing it when you're underage is a wise decision, but I just laugh at the sexually repressed society we live in. Those that talk like it doesn't or shouldn't happen are probably the ones that do it more than others. I'm just really tired of seeing blushing faces instead of talking about it openly.

I hear that Ben Folds' new single, "Landed," is on iTunes. Shall check it out later this morning . . .

Blizzard of '77

Songs in my head:
"The Chemistry Between Us" by Suede
"The Drowners" by Suede
"Hungry Heart" by Bruce Springsteen
"Blizzard of '77" by Nada Surf

We attempted to finish the basic tracks for "Four Corners" last night. Due to various "technical difficulties," it didn't really work out. Jason did lay down a vocal track in (what I believed was) one take. Granted, we weren't in the same room that he cut it, but he came out about seven minutes after going in. Impressive.

Ash is touring North America in March! Read all about it here.

Here is some info about Edgar Wright's (of Shaun of the Dead fame) next project.

MTV.com has a lengthy article on Peter Jackson's forthcoming King Kong remake.

Thankfully, snow did not fall yesterday. There was a lot of rain, but it did not turn into a wintery mix. We're safe for now, maybe the whole rest of winter.

To Whom Should I Write

Songs in my head:
"Shake Me, Wake Me (When It's Over)" by the Four Tops
"MacArthur Park Part II" by the Four Tops
"Worlds Apart" by . . . and you will know us by the trail of dead
"Afraid Not Scared" by Ryan Adams
"To Whom Should I Write" by Mojave 3

Woke up a little earlier than normal this morning. The dog was barking like mad at nothing, which is very unusual for her. Whatever. I couldn't fall back to sleep after I got Steely Dan's "Dirty Work" stuck in my head. So I did some laundry and read more of Fargo Rock City. I just finished the chapter in which Chuck talks about his favorite metal records. This book is empowering.

This has been around for a long time and I've read it many times. However, I still find it hilarious.

Snow is expected on this first day of February. I'm all for snow but I'm not for freeway closures and icy sidewalks. The forecast says the snow will unlikely stick to the ground. I know, that's what they said about the last time it snowed/sleeted, but it was not bad.

Just to explain my side of things: having a steady cold temperature in this part of the world is strange. I've seen snow a handful of times in my life. I've seen ice less. It snowed on my birthday last year. I have no idea what the weather will be like for this year's birthday, but I do know the Grammy's will be on.

At the Aloha show, my friend Jeremy told me about this site devoted to Dallas-area music and venues. Looks very cool, especially with the message board.

MTV.com presents, The Projects That Time Forgot. Gotta love it when somebody talks about a project that never surfaces. I know, I should watch what I say about my book (that's why details are a little mum on this site). I don't want to jinx it. In regards to this article, I feel other additions should be Dr. Dre and Ice Cube's joint project, Helter Skelter, Dr. Dre's anti-Osama Bin Laden song, Guns N' Roses' Chinese Democracy, a 4-disc Ryan Adams box set of unreleased material, a third Blair Witch-related movie . . . .

MTV.com also has a very cool article on what constitutes an "independent" movie these days. Tying it in with the music industry is a nice move.