Bleeding AudioBlood

Yet another reason I love 30 Seconds to Mars...

2009-12-14T20:58:00.000-08:00

"[This] wasn’t a record where we just stumbled upon everything. Certainly when you make mistakes and you fail, that’s the best, and I love to fail. … I don’t avoid failing because you learn from that, in a way that you could never learn from anything else. Failure is one of the greatest teachers. And we failed a lot on this record,” 30STM frontman Jared Leto told MTV News. “It’s an ambitious album. It’s an album that invited the world to sing and to record and to experiment. To confess. And it is a spiritual record in a way. It is of the spirit world rather than cerebral or just purely guttural. It talks about faith and fighting for what you believe in and the idea of community. … It was an opportunity for us to embrace the community around 30 Seconds to Mars and really to create the record that we’ve always dreamed of."

**This Is War**

30 Seconds to Mars Premiere!!!

2009-10-06T14:48:00.000-07:00

After 4 years of waiting 30 Seconds to Mars has given the world some new music!

Head over to the 30 Seconds to Mars website and listen to the whole song. Pay attention to the "choir" sections. Those are actual fans of the band. The vocals were done at the California Summit and also the Digital Summit. It is one of the many ways the band keeps our little family happy. :)
The song was produced by Flood and Steve Lilywhite (they have worked with bands like U2, Nine Inch Nails, and The Rolling Stones). The song is very radio friendly and I imagine it will be very popular. The more I hear it the more I find it to be just average, but perhaps I've just heard it too many times today. I am excited to hear it within the context of the new album. Can it be December please.

Kings and Queens

War is coming...

2009-09-29T10:07:00.001-07:00

30 Seconds to Mars has started sending out "transmissions" to the fans, which include these videos. There is so much mystery and I love it.

I've been waiting 2+ years for this

2009-07-29T23:20:00.000-07:00

Gone but not forgotten

2009-07-28T09:21:00.000-07:00

Since this is a music blog I have to mention my sadness about the loss of Michael Jackson. He was, I think, an inspiration to my generation's musicians. It is sad that he is gone but we will never forget his impact on music and on many of our lives.

I'll be back soon with some album reviews and some Artists to watch.

Give me your opinion!

2009-06-15T08:15:00.000-07:00

Thank you Amanda...and thank you Karl Paulnack

2009-05-28T09:40:00.000-07:00

I got this speech from the wonderful and amazing Amanda Palmer and it is honestly one of the best things I've read in a long time. The truth within these words brought me to tears...and maybe it was the music I was listening to. In Amanda's blog she says, "i suggest throwing on your favorite/saddest/most meaningful song while you read it. it’ll help. if you don’t have any idea what to throw on, just throw on mahler’s adagio for strings from the 5th symphony"and I have to agree. It is great music to accompany your reading. I'm not quite sure how old this speech is, at least a year, but it is still powerful.

Read. Enjoy. Cry.

Why Music Matters
Karl Paulnack, Director, Music Division
The Boston Conservatory

Dr. Karl Paulnack’s Welcome Address to parents of incoming students, September 2004

“One of my parents’ deepest fears, I suspect, is that society would not properly value me as a musician… I had very good grades in high school, I was good in science and math, and they imagined that as a doctor or a research chemist or an engineer, I might be more appreciated… I still remember my mother’s remark when I announced my decision to apply to music school. She said, “You’re wasting your SAT scores!” On some level, I think, my parents were not sure themselves what the value of music was, what its purpose was. And they loved music: they listened to classical music all the time. They just weren’t really clear about its function. So let me talk about that a little bit, because we live in a society that puts music in the “arts and entertainment” section of the newspaper, and serious music, the kind your kids are about to engage in, has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with entertainment, in fact it’s the opposite… Let me talk a little bit about music, and how it works.

One of the first cultures to articulate how music really works were the ancient Greeks. And this is going to fascinate you: the Greeks said that music and astronomy were two sides of the same coin. Astronomy was seen as the study of relationships between observable, permanent, external objects, and music was seen as the study of relationships between invisible, internal, hidden objects. Music has a way of finding the big, invisible moving pieces inside our hearts and souls and helping us figure out the position of things inside us. Let me give you some examples of how this works.

One of the most profound musical compositions of all time is the Quartet for the End of Time written by French composer Olivier Messiaen in 1940. Messiaen was 31 years old when France entered the war against Nazi Germany. He was captured by the Germans in June of 1940 and imprisoned in a prisoner-of-war camp.

He was fortunate to find a sympathetic prison guard who gave him paper and a place to compose, and fortunate to have musician colleagues in the camp, a cellist, a violinist, and a clarinetist. Messiaen wrote his quartet with these specific players in mind. It was performed in January 1941 for four thousand prisoners and guards in the prison camp. Today it is one of the most famous masterworks in the repertoire.

Given what we have since learned about life in the Nazi camps, why would anyone in his right mind waste time and energy writing or playing music? There was barely enough energy on a good day to find food and water, to avoid a beating, to stay warm, to escape torture — why would anyone bother with music? And yet even from the concentration camps we have poetry, we have music, we have visual art; it wasn’t just this one fanatic Messiaen; many, many people created art. Why? Well, in a place where people are only focused on survival, on the bare necessities, the obvious conclusion is that art must be, somehow, essential for life. The camps were without money, without hope, without commerce, without recreation, without basic respect, but they were not without art. Art is part of survival; art is part of the human spirit, an unquenchable expression of who we are. Art is one of the ways in which we say, “I am alive, and my life has meaning.”

In September of 2001 I was a resident of Manhattan. On the morning of September 12, 2001 I reached a new understanding of my art and its relationship to the world. I sat down at the piano that morning at 10 AM to practice as was my daily routine; I did it by force of habit, without thinking about it. I lifted the cover on the keyboard, and opened my music, and put my hands on the keys and took my hands off the keys. And I sat there and thought, does this even matter? Isn’t this completely irrelevant? Playing the piano right now, given what happened in this city yesterday, seems silly, absurd, irreverent, pointless. Why am I here? What place has a musician in this moment in time? Who needs a piano player right now? I was completely lost.

And then I, along with the rest of New York, went through the journey of getting through that week. I did not play the piano that day, in fact I contemplated briefly whether I would ever want to play the piano again. And then I observed how we got through the day.

At least in my neighborhood, we didn’t shoot hoops or play Scrabble. We didn’t play cards to pass the time, we didn’t watch TV, we didn’t shop, we most certainly did not go to the mall. The first organized activity that I saw in New York, on the very evening of September 11th, was singing. People sang. People sang around fire houses, people sang “We Shall Overcome.” Lots of people sang “America the Beautiful.” The first organized public event that I remember was the Brahms Requiem, later that week, at Lincoln Center, with the New York Philharmonic. The first organized public expression of grief, our first communal response to that historic event, was a concert. That was the beginning of a sense that life might go on. The US Military secured the airspace, but recovery was led by the arts, and by music in particular, that very night.

From these two experiences, I have come to understand that music is not part of “arts and entertainment” as the newspaper section would have us believe. It’s not a luxury, a lavish thing that we fund from leftovers of our budgets, not a plaything or an amusement or a pastime. Music is a basic need of human survival. Music is one of the ways we make sense of our lives, one of the ways in which we express feelings when we have no words, a way for us to understand things with our hearts when we can’t with our minds.

Some of you may know Samuel Barber’s heart wrenchingly beautiful piece “Adagio for Strings.” If you don’t know it by that name, then some of you may know it as the background music which accompanied the Oliver Stone movie “Platoon,” a film about the Vietnam War. If you know that piece of music either way, you know it has the ability to crack your heart open like a walnut; it can make you cry over sadness you didn’t know you had. Music can slip beneath our conscious reality to get at what’s really going on inside us the way a good therapist does.

Very few of you have ever been to a wedding where there was absolutely no music. There might have been only a little music, there might have been some really bad music, but with few exceptions there is some music. And something very predictable happens at weddings-people get all pent up with all kinds of emotions, and then there’s some musical moment where the action of the wedding stops and someone sings or plays the flute or something. And even if the music is lame, even if the quality isn’t good, predictably 30 or 40 percent of the people who are going to cry at a wedding cry a couple of moments after the music starts. Why? The Greeks. Music allows us to move around those big invisible pieces of ourselves and rearrange our insides so that we can express what we feel even when we can’t talk about it. Can you imagine watching Indiana Jones or Superman or Star Wars with the dialogue but no music? What is it about the music swelling up at just the right moment in ET so that all the softies in the audience start crying at exactly the same moment? I guarantee you if you showed the movie with the music stripped out, it wouldn’t happen that way. The Greeks. Music is the understanding of the relationship between invisible internal objects.

I’ll give you one more example. The most important concert of my entire life took place in a nursing home in a small Mid-western town a few years ago.

I was playing with a very dear friend of mine who is a violinist. We began, as we often do, with Aaron Copland’s Sonata, which was written during World War II and dedicated to a young friend of Copland’s, a young pilot who was shot down during the war. Now we often talk to our audiences about the pieces we are going to play rather than providing them with written program notes. But in this case, because we began the concert with this piece, we decided to talk about the piece later in the program and to just come out and play the music without explanation.

Midway through the piece, an elderly man seated in a wheelchair near the front of the concert hall began to weep. This man, whom I later met, was clearly a soldier. Even in his 70’s it was clear from his buzz-cut hair, square jaw and general demeanor that he had spent a good deal of his life in the military. I thought it a little bit odd that someone would be moved to tears by that particular movement of that particular piece, but it wasn’t the first time I’ve heard crying in a concert and we went on with the concert and finished the piece.

When we came out to play the next piece on the program, we decided to talk about both the first and second pieces, and we described the circumstances in which the Copland was written and mentioned its dedication to a downed pilot. The man in the front of the audience became so disturbed that he had to leave the auditorium. I honestly figured that we would not see him again, but he did come backstage afterwards, tears and all, to explain himself.

What he told us was this: “During World War II I was a pilot, and I was in an aerial combat situation where one of my team’s planes was hit. I watched my friend bail out, and watched his parachute open, but the Japanese planes which had engaged us returned and machine gunned across the parachute cords so as to separate the parachute from the pilot, and I watched my friend drop away into the ocean, realizing that he was lost. I have not thought about this for many years, but during that first piece of music you played, this memory returned to me so vividly that it was as though I was reliving it. I didn’t understand why this was happening, why now, but then when you came out to explain that this piece of music was written to commemorate a lost pilot, it was a little more than I could handle. How does the music do that? How did it find those feelings and those memories in me?”

Remember the Greeks: music is the study of invisible relationships between internal objects. The concert in the nursing home was the most important work I have ever done. For me to play for this old soldier and help him connect, somehow, with Aaron Copland, and to connect their memories of their lost friends, to help him remember and mourn his friend, this is my work. This is why music matters.

The responsibility I will charge your sons and daughters with is this: “If we were a medical school, and you were here as a med student practicing appendectomies, you’d take your work very seriously because you would imagine that some night at 2 AM someone is going to waltz into your emergency room and you’re going to have to save their life. Well, my friends, someday at 8 PM someone is going to walk into your concert hall and bring you a mind that is confused, a heart that is overwhelmed, a soul that is weary. Whether they go out whole again will depend partly on how well you do your craft.

“You’re not here to become an entertainer, and you don’t have to sell yourself. The truth is you don’t have anything to sell; being a musician isn’t about dispensing a product, like selling used cars. I’m not an entertainer; I’m a lot closer to a paramedic, a firefighter, a rescue worker. You’re here to become a sort of therapist for the human soul, a spiritual version of a chiropractor, physical therapist, someone who works with our insides to see if they get things to line up, to see if we can come into harmony with ourselves and be healthy and happy and well.

“Frankly, ladies and gentlemen, I expect you not only to master music, I expect you to save the planet. If there is a future wave of wellness on this planet, of harmony, of peace, of an end to war, of mutual understanding, of equality, of fairness, I don’t expect it will come from a government, a military force or a corporation. I no longer even expect it to come from the religions of the world, which together seem to have brought us as much war as they have peace. If there is a future of peace for humankind, if there is to be an understanding of how these invisible, internal things should fit together, I expect it will come from the artists, because that’s what we do. As in the concentration camp and the evening of 9/11, the artists are the ones who might be able to help us with our internal, invisible lives.”

American Idol Top 12...err...13

2009-03-12T10:02:00.000-07:00

So, another season of American Idol is upon us and the real competition started on Tuesday with the top 13 singing Michael Jackson songs. As always there were some performances that wowed everyone and some that were just ho-hum. My opinion of who was great and who wasn't differed from that of the judges, but that is normal.
Danny and Anoop had the fun performances, the ones that got everyone up and dancing. Allison and Alexis were showing off their talents with big vocals although, I found Alexis's performance to be a bit frantic. Adam's rendition of "Black& White" was too over the top for my liking. He has great vocal range but just because you can hit some high notes doesn't mean you have to use them all the time. The judges loved it and I just wanted it to end. Jorge...poor Jorge. I like him, I really do. I think he's a great singer but we just didn't get the chance to hear him in his comfort zone. Everyone else has gotten to perform in their comfort zone but this week he had to choose a song that he didn't know, in a language that isn't his mother tongue. It had to be difficult. If he would have been able to sing in Spanish I think he would have been amazing. Jasmine and Megan gave decent performances but they were nothing spectacular. Jasmine had good vocals but a boring performance, Megan had a fun performance but "Rockin' Robin" isn't very challenging vocally.
Kris gave a performance that Simon and I agreed on...it was clumsy. Or, sounded that way at least. The arrangement was strange and the guitar sounded off, as in he was playing it out of sync with the band and it almost sounded flat. He also does weird things with his jaw when he sings and I find it very distracting...but that is just a little thing that annoys me about him, it has nothing to do with his singing ability. Scott, though not the best singer, he is a good singer and when he has his piano he is wonderful. I don't know if it is because he can hear the notes he needs to sing when he is in front of the piano, or he is just more comfortable, but when he plays and sings he is better than when he is just singing. I like him. Lil Rounds is a great singer but I just don't find her to be the amazing talent that the judges think she is. She reminds me of a combination of Anita Baker and Fantasia... which I haven't decided is good or bad. Matt gave my favorite performance of the night when he sang "Human Nature" on the piano. I would like to see him do some Maroon 5 in the future...if possible. Oh, and then there was Michael...the roughneck that sings kind of okay. I forgot about him. I guess that shows how much he stands out to me. I don't even remember what song he sang. I hope he goes next.
Speaking of who stays and who goes, Jasmine and Jorge didn't receive enough votes to continue on, which I understand but I think that Michael should have gone over Jorge.
Ever since season one I have been one that only votes for someone I really have faith in, and I usually don't vote until at least the top five. So, I have my opinions now and I know who I would like to see win but I will keep that for future entries.

The Grammys

2009-02-08T15:12:00.000-08:00

The Grammys

It has been a while since I last posted but I thought to myself...what better time to post than...THE GRAMMYS! Below I have listed the nominees for the different categories and have bolded my choices. The people I want to win rarely do but it is what it is. Some of the categories disappointed me because I think there are artists that deserve nomination but didn't get it, however, these are the ones that got nominated and I will support.

Have fun if you watch, I know I will. :)

ETA: 2/9/09 Updated with winners bolded in red. Some overlap happens! And I have a little bit of commentary in parentheses after some of the winners. Oh, and I just want to say that I'm SUPER excited that Blink- 182 are back together!!!! :) And Travis looks pretty good for all that he has been through.

Record of the Year

"Chasing Pavements" - Adele
"Viva La Vida" - Coldplay
"Bleeding Love" - Leona Lewis
"Paper Planes" - M.I.A.
"Please Read The Letter" - Robert Plant & Alison Krauss

Album of the Year

"Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends" - Coldplay
"Tha Carter III" - Lil Wayne
"Year Of The Gentleman" - Herbie Hancock
"Graduation" - Ne-Yo
"Raising Sand" - Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
"In Rainbows" - Radiohead

Song of the Year

"American Boy" - William Adams, Keith Harris, Josh Lopez, Caleb Speir, John Stephens, Estelle Swaray & Kanye West, songwriters (Estelle Featuring Kanye West)
"Chasing Pavements" - Adele Adkins & Eg White, songwriters (Adele)
"I'm Yours" - Jason Mraz, songwriter (Jason Mraz)
"Love Song" - Sara Bareilles, songwriter (Sara Bareilles)
"Viva La Vida" - Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion & Chris Martin, songwriters (Coldplay)

Best New Artist

Adele
Duffy
Jonas Brothers
Lady Antebellum
Jazmine Sullivan

Female Pop Vocal Performance

"Chasing Pavements" - Adele
"Love Song" - Sara Bareilles
"Mercy" - Duffy
"Bleeding Love" - Leona Lewis
"I Kissed A Girl" - Katy Perry
"So What" - Pink

Best Male Pop Vocal Performance

"All Summer Long" - Kid Rock
"Say" - John Mayer (on his twitter he said he wanted to share with Mraz!)
"That Was Me" - Paul McCartney
"I'm Yours" - Jason Mraz
"Closer" - Ne-Yo
"Wichita Lineman" - James Taylor

Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals

"Viva La Vida" -Coldplay
"Waiting In The Weeds" - Daughtry
"Going On" - Gnarls Barkley
"Won't Go Home Without You" - Maroon 5
"Apologize" - OneRepublic

Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals

"Lesson Learned" - Alicia Keys & John Mayer
"4 Minutes" - Madonna, Justin Timberlake & Timbaland
"Rich Woman" - Robert Plant & Alison Krauss (I just don't think this is pop)
"If I Never See Your Face Again" - Rihanna & Maroon 5
"No Air" - Jordin Sparks & Chris Brown

Pop Vocal Album

"Detours" - Sheryl Crow
"Rockferry" - Duffy
"Long Road Out Of Eden" - Eagles
"Spirit" - Leona Lewis
"Covers" - James Taylor

Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance

"Gravity" - John Mayer
"I Saw Her Standing There" - Paul McCartney
"Girls In Their Summer Clothes" - Bruce Springsteen
"Rise" - Eddie Vedder
"No Hidden Path" - Neil Young

Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals

"Rock N Roll Train" - AC/DC
"Violet Hill" - Coldplay
"Long Road Out Of Eden" - Eagles
"Sex On Fire" - Kings of Leon
"House Of Cards" - Radiohead

Best Hard Rock Performance

"Inside The Fire" - Disturbed
"Visions" - Judas Priest
"Wax Simulacra" - The Mars Volta
"Saints Of Los Angeles" - Motley Crue
"Lords Of Salem" - Rob Zombie

Best Rock Song

"Girls In Their Summer Clothes" - Bruce Springsteen, songwriter (Bruce Springsteen)
"House Of Cards" - Colin Greenwood, Jonny Greenwood, Ed O'Brien, Philip Selway & Thom Yorke, songwriters (Radiohead)
"I Will Possess Your Heart" - Benjamin Gibbard, Nicholas Harmer, Jason McGerr & Christopher Walla, songwriters (Death Cab For Cutie)
"Sex On Fire" - Caleb Followill, Jared Followill, Matthew Followill & Nathan Followill, songwriters (Kings Of Leon)
"Violet Hill" - Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion & Chris Martin, songwriters (Coldplay)

Best Rock Album

"Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends" - Coldplay
"Rock N Roll Jesus" - Kid Rock
"Only By The Night" - Kings Of Leon
"Death Magnetic" - Metallica
"Consolers Of The Lonely" - The Raconteurs

Best Female R&B Vocal Performance

"Me, Myself And I" - Beyonce
"Heaven Sent" - Keyshia Cole
"Spotlight" - Jennifer Hudson
"Superwoman" - Alicia Keys
"Need U Bad" - Jazmine Sullivan

Best Male R&B Vocal Performance

"You're The Only One" - Eric Benet
"Take You Down" - Chris Brown
"Miss Independent" - Ne-Yo
"Can't Help But Wait" - Trey Songz
"Here I Stand" - Usher

R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals

"Ribbon In The Sky" - Boyz II Men
"Words" - Anthony David Featuring India.Arie
"Stay With Me (By The Sea)" - Al Green Featuring John Legend
"I'm His Only Woman" - Jennifer Hudson Featuring Fantasia
"Never Give You Up" - Raphael Saadiq Featuring Stevie Wonder & CJ Hilton

Best Female Country Vocal Performance

"For These Times" - Martina McBride
"What I Cannot Change" - LeAnn Rimes
"Last Name" - Carrie Underwood
"Last Call" - Lee Ann Womack
"This Is Me You're Talking To" - Trisha Yearwood

Best Male Country Vocal Performance

"You're Gonna Miss This" - Trace Adkins
"In Color" - Jamey Johnson
"Just Got Started Lovin' You" - James Otto
"Letter To Me" - Brad Paisley
"Troubadour" - George Strait

Best Country Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals

"God Must Be Busy" - Brooks & Dunn
"Love Don't Live Here" - Lady Antebellum
"Every Day" - Rascal Flatts
"Blue Side Of The Mountain" - The SteelDrivers
"Stay" - Sugarland

Country Collaboration With Vocals

"Shiftwork" - Kenny Chesney & George Strait
"Killing The Blues" - Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
"House Of Cash" - George Strait & Patty Loveless
"Life In A Northern Town" - Sugarland, Jake Owen & Little Big Town
"Let The Wind Chase You" - Trisha Yearwood & Keith Urban

Best Country Song

"Dig Two Graves" - JAshley Gorley & Bob Regan, songwriters (Randy Travis)
"I Saw God Today" - Rodney Clawson, Monty Criswell & Wade Kirby, songwriters (George Strait)
"In Color" - Jamey Johnson, Lee Thomas Miller & James Otto, songwriters (Jamey Johnson)
"Stay" - Jennifer Nettles, songwriter (Sugarland)
"You're Gonna Miss This" - Ashley Gorley & Lee Thomas Miller, songwriters (Trace Adkins)

Best Country Album

"That Lonesome Song" - Jamey Johnson
"Sleepless Nights" - Patty Loveless
"Troubadour" - George Strait
"Around The Bend" - Randy Travis
"Heaven, Heartache And The Power Of Love" - Trisha Yearwood

Best Compilation Soundtrack Album For Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media

"American Gangster"
"August Rush"
"Juno"
"Mamma Mia!"
"Sweeney Todd -- The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street"Best Short Form Music Video
- Erykah Badu, "Honey"
- Gnarls Barkley, "Who's Gonna Save My Soul"
- Alicia Keys & Jack White, "Another Way To Die"
- Radiohead, "House Of Cards"
- Weezer - "Pork & Beans"

Best Long Form Music Video

John Mayer -- "Where the Light Is - Live In Los Angeles"
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers -- "Runnin' Down A Dream"
Rihanna -- "Good Girl Gone Bad"
Various Artists -- "Respect Yourself - The Stax Records Story"
The Who -- "Amazing Journey: The Story of The Who"

BEST SONG FOR A MOTION PICTURE, TV SHOW, OR OTHER VISUAL MEDIA

"Down To Earth" (Wall-E)
"Ever Ever After" (Enchanted)
"Say" (The Bucket List)
"That's How You Know" (Enchanted)
"Walk Hard" (Walk Hard—The Dewey Cox Story)

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR, NON-CLASSICAL

Danger Mouse
Nigel Godrich
Johnny Karkazis
Rick Rubin
will.i.am

Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical

Consolers Of The Lonely --Joe Chiccarelli, Vance Powell & Jack White III, engineers (The Raconteurs)
Just A Little Lovin' -- Al Schmitt, engineer (Shelby Lynne)
Lay It Down -- Jimmy Douglass, Russell "The Dragon" Elevado & John Smeltz, engineers (Al Green)
Still Unforgettable -- Steve Genewick, Al Schmitt & Bill Schnee, engineers (Natalie Cole)
We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things. -- Dyre Gormsen & Tony Maserati, engineers (Jason Mraz)

Best Boxed Or Special Limited Edition Package

Ghosts I-IV -- Jeff Anderson, Trent Reznor & Rob Sheridan, art directors (Nine Inch Nails)
In Rainbows -- Stanley Donwood, Mel Maxwell & Christiaan Munro, art directors (Radiohead)
Poems & Songs -- Qing-Yang Xiao, art director (Wu Sheng)
Pretty. Odd. -- Alex Kirzhner & Panic At The Disco, art directors (Panic At The Disco)
@#%&*! Smilers -- Aimee Mann & Gail Marowitz, art directors (Aimee Mann)

Added extras that I found on the Grammy site:

Best Instrumental Composition

The Adventures of Mutt (From Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull) -- John Williams, Composer

Best Score Soundtrack Album For Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media

The Dark Knight -- James Newton Howard & Hans Zimmer, composers

Videos of the Year

2008-12-27T10:21:00.000-08:00

Well, the end of the year is upon us and all across the land of Blog you can find the opinions of friends and strangers on the best videos of the year. You will find the same type of thing here. Many people try to be hip and cool and post videos from bands you have never heard of or maybe they post videos that are seen a million times on Fuse or MTV. I have a little of both. I spent the past few weeks re-watching videos I enjoyed this year narrowing 100(ish) videos down to 50. My list is not in any particular order until the top 11. Also in the top eleven I will have the videos posted but for the other videos I will just have a link that will take you to the video. Please keep in mind that these are my thoughts on the best videos and I know that there are many more that I could have put in here but I have my opinions and here they are. Enjoy!

50. Stars - Bitches in Tokyo
49. Terry Lynn - The System (Contains Violent Images)
48. The Chemical Brothers - Midnight Madness
47. Fleet Foxes - White Winter Hymnal
46. Heidi Newfield - Johnny & June
45. Sara Bareilles - Love Song
44. Alphabeat - What Is Happening
43. Damien Jurado - Caskets
42. Peter Fox - Alles Neu
41. The Lovely Sparrows - Year of the Dog
40. Santogold - L.E.S. Artistes
39. Sia - Soon We'll Be Found
38. Cinematic Orchestra - "To Build a Home" & "Breathe" (Two parts)
37. Naive New Beaters - Live Good
36. Lykke Li - I'm Good, I'm Gone
35. My Morning Jacket - Touch Me I'm Going to Scream
34. Justice - Stress (Violence!)
33. Radiohead - Weird Fishes
32. Deichkind - Arbeit Nervt
31. Gnarles Barkley - Who's Gonna Save My Soul
30. Shad - The Old Prince Still Lives At Home
29. Kanye West - Love Lockdown
28. Jukebox the Ghost - Victoria
27. Omaha Bitch - Orgasmic Troopers
26. Noah & The Whale - The Shape of My Heart
25. Le Le - Breakfast
24.Utah Saints - Somethin Good '08 (I really want this to be the origin story of the running man)
23. Beyonce - Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)
22. She & Him - Why Do You Let Me Stay Here
21. Estelle - American Boy
20. MGMT - Time to Pretend
19. P!nk - So What
18. The Last Shadow Puppets - The Age of the Understatement
17. Carrie Underwood - Just A Dream
16. Jakob Dylan - Something Good This Way Comes
15. Kraak & Smaak - Squeeze Me
14. Ane Brun - The Treehouse Song
13. The BPA (Ft. David Byrne & Dizzie Rascal) - Toe Jam
12. Katy Perry - Hot N Cold
11. Radiohead - House of Cards
10. NKOTB Feat. Ne-Yo - Single (Best comeback of the year too!)

9.Weezer - Pork & Beans

8.Yeasayer - Wait for the Summer

7.Gnarles Barkley - Going On

6.Rhianna - Disturbia

5.Vampire Weekend - Oxford Comma

4.Janet Jackson - Rock With U

3.Radiohead - All I Need

2.Bjork - Wanderlust (or watch it in 3D here)

AND MY TOP VIDEO FOR THE YEAR...
1. Jason Mraz - I'm Yours (A cheesy song, beautiful locations, lots of fun...it just makes me feel good)

A Special Holiday Message

2008-12-23T14:44:00.001-08:00

"PLEASE DON'T BOMB NOBODY THIS HOLIDAY" - By The Dan Band - watch more funny videos

Pipe Wrench Fight

2008-12-14T19:56:00.001-08:00

I love the original version of this song (Take On Me for those of you that don't know) but this just makes me laugh a lot.

As many people know...

2008-11-11T14:47:00.000-08:00

I adore Jason Mraz. His music reaches a part of my soul that many other artists can't. Maybe it is that I relate to the words, or that I feel the music beat through my veins, or maybe it is because Jason understands that the music is not his, but ours. It belongs to the world and he is simply the vessel that the music moves through.

I read this quote from him today and was blown away.

I’m not the person you want to meet. The music is. And the music is alive in you as much as it is in me. We created it together. Therefore, you already know me. We’ve already hugged and kissed. We grew close for a moment and then said our goodbyes.

I adore him even more now.

Lenka

2008-10-17T16:13:00.000-07:00

She's like a combination of Katy Perry and Regina Spektor. I like her.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nTSU-mFWGs

AHHHHH! Tiny Hands!

2008-10-15T16:21:00.000-07:00

I almost peed my pants. I know it isn't EXACTLY what I usually post about but this is hilarious. Especially if you have ever seen Welk. :)

Music, Music, Music

2008-10-06T19:50:00.000-07:00

First of all I just want to say that I adore this man. John Barrowman is talented and doesn't get recognized for his talents enough. This song is from his upcoming CD called "Music Music Music." The CD comes out November 24th.

What About Us

Here are some "making of" antics

Myspace Music

2008-09-25T12:54:00.000-07:00

A new addition to the world of online music comes from, where else...Myspace.

Across he top of your homepage you can find tabs for: My Music, Music Videos, Featured Playlists, Shows, Classifieds, and Forums. With everything going on on this site it all looks great. It is a very streamlined site, which is nice to see on a site known for looking very jumbled.

Under "My Music" you can see the last 100 songs you have used as profile songs.You can make a playlist of 100 songs and a pop-out player keeps music playing in the background while you do other things. Also seen on the pop-out player are artist updates which is full of information about songs, concerts, etc. Myspace Music streams full songs and also directly connects you to Amazon.com's MP3 Library for a number of the songs.

Under "Music Videos" there is an excellent Featured Video section, which currently features artists like John Legend (Green Light feat. Andre 3000), Big Boi (Sumthin's Gotta Give), and Hey Monday (Homecoming). Before I move on I just have to say that I really enjoyed John Legend's new tune, Big boi is big boi and Hey Monday's video is full of Scene kids and a lead singer that wishes she was Haley Williams from Paramore.

"Featured Playlists" is full of just that. Artists playlists are featured for all their fans to see. Artists like Lil' Wayne, Fall Out Boy and The Jonas Brothers have playlists ready for you to peruse. You can also see what Tom is listening to in this section.

Potentially, the "Shows" section could be one of my favorites. You can look up concerts in your area and MySpace will be offering concert tickets through their site. Merchandise is also supposed to be sold on MySpace but I haven't seen any yet.

The "Classifieds" section is what you would expect from the classifieds but there is a special "Muscians XChange" which leads you to Music jobs, Band announcements, Concerts, and Instruments just to name a few of the sections of the XChange.

And then there are the forums. The sections are: Acoustic, Alternative, Electronic/Dance, Emo, General, Hardcore, Hip-Hop, Metal, Punk, and Rock. I'm sure other topics will be introduced as more people join in the use of this section of the site.

As with any newborn website there are some things that still need to be ironed out but for what it is I think MySpace has really started something interesting. I wonder what this will mean for the industry as a whole now.

And now I am off to add songs to my playlist. :)

Democratic National Convention-- CONCERT!!!

2008-08-27T21:10:00.001-07:00

Right now I don't have time to go into detail about the show but until tomorrow I'll leave this little tidbit.
Tent State University put on a concert here in Denver today in support of Iraq Veterans Against the War.
The concert featured State Radio, The Coup, Flobots, and was headlined by Rage Against the Machine. Between each band there were special speakers from IVAW, disabled veterans (Ron Kovic), and the former lead singer of The Dead Kennedys.

(c)Associated Press

Following the concert there was a peaceful, non-violent protest that marched from the Denver Coliseum to the Pepsi Center where the DNC was being held. There were no riots, no violence, no arrests, and a peaceful dispersing of the masses. Police are guessing that there were around 9,000 people in attendance at the concert and about 2,500 of those continued on to the march to the Pepsi Center. Police were cooperative and guided the march along and were prepared for the worst. Word has it that police were astounded that there were no incidents. There were chants and banners and a sense of unity throughout the group. We were all there to make our voices heard, not to fight. There were several members of IVAW that headed up the march and members of the bands from the concert marched as well.
(c) Los Angeles Times
It was truly an amazing experience. I, however, ran out of battery in my camera and didn't have a backup set so there are no pictures. I will do my best to find some on the internetz and will give credit where it is due.

Till tomorrow...

Flobots!

2008-08-20T20:56:00.000-07:00

This is the new video from the FLOBOTS.
Every location in the video is here in Denver and every person in the video is from here as well. Denver, REPRESENT!!!

RISE:

Neverender

2008-08-19T08:49:00.000-07:00

Neverender is an intense concert experience where the band Coheed & Cambria will be playing their 4 albums over 4 consecutive nights in each of the 4 cities around the US and UK that they visit. Coheed and Cambria have long been a band that won't be put in a box. They make music that is a fusion of different genres, and Coheed and Cambria's albums are concept albums, revealing the plot of a storyline called The Amory Wars. The Armory Wars is a comic book series written by lead singer Claudio Sanchez. To date, the band has released four studio albums who have a title that coincides with a comic, two live albums, and various special-edition releases, with their latest release being Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV, Volume Two: No World For Tomorrow in 2007. Claudio states the next album is probably a year away, and will visit the origins of the characters Coheed & Cambria. Claudio's venture into the realm of concept album to accompany a comic series was a pioneer move that many musicians have joined in on, only not in the same way. C&C is the only band that has spanned music and comics in the way that they have.

The first set of shows are:

Oct 22 2008

6:00P

Terminal 5 - Neverender - SOLD OUT

New York, New York

Oct 23 2008

6:00P

Terminal 5 - Neverender - SOLD OUT

New York, New York

Oct 24 2008

6:00P

Terminal 5 - Neverender - SOLD OUT

New York, New York

Oct 25 2008

6:00P

Terminal 5 - Neverender - SOLD OUT

New York, New York

The second set of shows are:

Oct 28 2008

7:00P

Riviera Theater - Neverender - The Second Stage Turbine Blade

Chicago, Illinois

Oct 29 2008

7:00P

Riviera Theater - Neverender - In Keeping Secrets

Chicago, Illinois

Oct 30 2008

7:00P

Riviera Theater - Neverender - Good Apollo vol 1

Chicago, Illinois

Oct 31 2008

7:00P

Riviera Theater - Neverender - No World For Tomorrow

Chicago, Illinois

The third set of shows are:

Nov 5 2008

7:00P

The Avalon - Neverender - SOLD OUT

Los Angeles, California

Nov 6 2008

7:00P

The Avalon - Neverender - SOLD OUT

Los Angeles, California

Nov 7 2008

7:00P

The Avalon - Neverender - SOLD OUT

Los Angeles, California

Nov 8 2008

7:00P

The Avalon - Neverender - SOLD OUT

Los Angeles, California

And the fourth set are yet to be announced. According to the band website, Kerrang! magazine will be announcing the concert dates for London on Wednesday Aug, 20th. So, if you want to see any of these concerts and you don't have tickets yet it looks like Chicago and London will be your best bets. :)
These concerts seem like they would be fantastic experiences and I wish I could go. I hope that there are people that attend the shows dressed as Coheed & Cambria (the comic characters).

Tickle Me Pink Update

2008-08-11T12:35:00.001-07:00

News from the Associated Press

HEROIN OD KILLED "TICKLE ME PINK" BASSIST
FORT COLLINS, Colo.—A coroner says a heroin overdose caused the July 1 death of Johnny Schou, the bassist for the alternative band Tickle Me Pink.

The 22-year-old Schou was found dead in his Fort Collins home about 60 miles north of Denver. He died the same day the band released its major-label debut album, "Madeline."

Larimer County Chief Deputy Coroner Diane Fairman said Monday that toxicology reports indicated heroin was the cause.

The weekend before Shou's death, Tickle Me Pink played in the Vans Warped Tour at Denver's Invesco Field. A Tickle Me Pink video premiered on MTV2 this month.

RIP Johnny Shou

Typical

2008-08-06T11:24:00.000-07:00

The first video for the band Tickle Me Pink debuted on MTV2 this week and it is a fantastic video starring a porn star playing a whore. Enjoy

Tori Amos's Comic Book Tattoo

2008-08-05T21:39:00.000-07:00

Tori Amos, always breaking new ground and crossing boundaries, has a new project: Comic Book Tattoo. Songs like The Waitress, and Pirates, and Honey, just to name a few, were given the opportunity to come to life in a new way. Tori has allowed comic book artists to create comic interpretations of her songs. Tori has about twenty years of songs to choose from and Comic Book Tattoo is an amazing new way to interpret the vivid images of her songbook.

Anyone else really excited? :)
Yes? No? Read on and maybe you will be...

So, basically Comic Book Tattoo is 50 stories by 80 contributors. Very impressive, no? A full list of contributors includes many names you might recognize (depending on how geeky you are) and also features an introduction by Neil Gaiman. The list is: David Mack, Josh Hechinger, Matthew Humphreys, Jonathan Tsuei, Eric Canete, Jason Horn, Dean Trippe, Sara Ryan, Jonathan Case, Rantz A. Hoseley, James Stokoe, Tristan Crane, Atticus Wolrab, Kako, Nikki Cook, Drew Bell, Kevin Mellon, Jeff Carroll, Mike May, Jeremy Haun, Amber Stone, Leif Jones, Elizabeth Genco, Carla Speed Mcneil, Kelly Sue Deconnick, Andy Macdonald, Nick Filardi, Cat Mihos, Andre Szymanowicz, Gabe Bautista, C.B. Cebulksi, Ethan Young, Joey Weltjens & Lee Duhig, Omaha Perez, Irma Page, Mark Buckingham, Rantz A. Hoseley, Ming Doyle, Mike Maihack, John Ney Reiber, Ryan Kelly, Alice Hunt, Trudy Cooper, Jonathan Hickman, Matthew S. Armstrong, Neil Kleid, Christopher Mitten, Kristyn Ferretti, Stephanie Leong, Sonia Leong, Peov, Kelly Sue Deconnick, Laurenn Mccubbin, John Bivens, Hope Larson, Emma Vieceli, Faye Yong, Chris Arrant, Star St.Germain, Mike Dringenberg, Paul Maybury, Jim Bricker, Craig Taillefer, Dame Darcy, G. Willow Wilson, Steve Sampson, Neal Shaffer, Daniel Krall, Adisakdi Tantimedh, Ken Meyer Jr., Mark Sable, Salgood Sam, Tom Williams, James Owen, Seth Peck, Daniel Heard, Ivan Brandon, Callum Alexander Watt, Leah Moore, John Reppion, Pia Guerra, Mark Sweeney, Kristyn Ferretti, Jessica Staley, Shane White, Ted Mckeever, Chris Chuckry, Jimmie Robinson, Lea Hernandez Derek Mcculloch, Colleen Doran and Jason Hanley.

If you would like to read more about this check out Comic Blog Tattoo.

Also, here is an interview with Tori about comics, music, etc.
Tori Amos talks about Comic Book Tattoo!

KILL HANNAH

2008-07-30T11:47:00.000-07:00

Hot Topic's Hope for the Hopeless tour featuring Kill Hannah came through Denver last night and performed at the Marquis Theatre downtown. The show began at around 7:30 with the first of three opening bands, The White Tie Affair. This band was full of fun energy and their catchy pop/electronica songs got the audience up and dancing. Their song "Mr. Right" seemed to be a fan favorite. They also made a big splash by doing a cover of Justin Timberlake's "LoveStoned" in all it's pop glory, including beatboxing. The lead singer and lead guitarist were very charismatic and their crowd interaction was fun to watch.
The second opening band, innerpartysystem, were very electronically infused but also have a nice rock feel to them. The use of synth got a little old after a bit but overall it was fun. The lead singer played around with the mic stand a lot and swallowed his mic too much which made it hard to understand what he was singing.
The final opening band, The Medic Droid, was a lot of fun to watch and listen to. It was evident that they were having a lot of fun and their set really got the crowd pumped for Kill Hannah. They also had a large number of fans in attendance so it was fun to hear a lot of people singing along to their songs.
I would suggest all of these bands to people who enjoy fun, synth infused music.
Finally, around ten Kill Hannah came on stage to Life in the Arctic and went straight into "Boys and Girls" (Please note that all videos posted here are not from the Denver show. They are just examples.) Each time I've seen KH they start the show the same way, not that I'm complaining. I enjoy it. The lasers on the guitars and the band just rocking out to start the show is fun. There was constant high energy from the band and it just electrified the audience. Crowd favorites were "Crazy Angel", "Kennedy", "Love You To Death" "Lips Like Morphine," "Black Poison Blood" and newer song "The Chase." They also performed "Believer" and my personal favorite "Songs That Saved My Life" as well as a new song called "Acid Rain" which sounded like songs from the "For Never and Ever" CD, in my opinion. Mat and crew really seemed to be having a blast on stage and at one point Mat claimed that it was the first time he had seen his bandmates smile in a week, which sent the audience into a frenzy.
The show ended with the songs "No One Dreams Anyway" and "Welcome to Chicago" which he dedicated to Denver, what he claims is the band's second home but sounds scripted to me. The show was overall fun, lively, and over too soon.

There was a guy filming the show and right before the final song Mat announced that the Denver show was going to appear on sleepnever.com in the next few days so keep a look out. You might see me. :) Also, I have photos up on my photoblog: http://echelondurango.blogspot.com/

Inspired

2008-07-25T14:26:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine wrote a blog about her top 25 albums of all time. I was inspired to do the same. My list covers a lot of ground, from classical to rock and several places in between. All of these albums, these works of art, have inspired me in one way or another. Some made me want to pursue a career in music. Some made me want to be an expert at my instrument. And others simply helped me get through rough times in my life. I have always turned to music for whatever is happening in my life. It is the one friend I can always count on, without it I would be lost. My parents constantly listened to music when I was growing up and many of the albums they would listen to are on this list. The impact of this music on my life is phenomenal. So, here are my albums in no particular order:

Alan Menken - The Little Mermaid Soundtrack
Billie Holiday - Lady day: The Storyville Concerts Vol. 1 & 2
Journey - Frontiers
Michael Jackson - Thriller
30 Seconds to Mars - Self Titled
Shania Twain - The Woman in Me
DC Talk - Jesus Freak
Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here
Fleetwood Mac - Penguins/ Rumors (it is a tie...I love them both)
Garth Brooks - In Pieces
Miles Davis - The Musings of Miles
John Coltrane - Soultrane
Alison Krauss - I Know Who Holds Tomorrow
Alice in Chains - Dirt
The Cranberries - Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?
Reba McEntire - It's Your Call
Benny Goodman - Roll Em' Volume 1&2
Nine Inch Nails - Downward Spiral
Etta James - At Last!
Blink-182 - Dude Ranch
Tool- Aenima
Jars of Clay - Self Titled
Sarah Mclachlan - Fumbling Toward Ecstasy
Marilyn Manson - Smells Like Children
Igor Stravinsky - The Rite of Spring

As I created this list I realized that very few of these albums are from within the past ten years. I don't know what that says about music these days, or what it says about me...but it is what it is.

Who is on your top 25?

Festivals

2008-07-18T12:41:00.000-07:00

As a "musical omnivore" I find that festivals are the place to be if i want to discover some cool new music. Granted, the bigger names will get me there but it is all the smaller, unknown, indie bands that I hold close to my heart.

If you're up for finding some new music while enjoying music from acts that you love you might want to look into catching a festival. Tours like Warped, Ozzfest, Projekt Revolution (their show in Germany had 30,000+ attendees!), the Hard Summer Fest, Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, and All Points West. Now, these are not the only festivals around, just some of the more well known ones that you could attend.

To experience A LOT of indie bands at a festival check out the MidPoint Music Festival, the Pitchfork Music Festival (today and Tomorrow actually) or maybe the Pygmalion Music Festival.

The possibilities are endless, seriously. Tomorrow and Sunday the Mile High Music Festival will be taking place in Commerce City, CO with relatively unknown bands (Flobots, State Radio, etc.) performing in the morning and more well known bands (Dave Matthews band, Jason Mraz, etc.) performing in the afternoon/evenings.

I wish I could make it to all of these festivals but sadly, I can't. There is sure to be some amazing unknown talent at all of these shows so if you can, get out there and discover new music!

Saving Lives

2008-07-11T09:33:00.000-07:00

I've been noticing lately that there are several music videos where people are saving lives. I never noticed before and I just wonder if it is something brought on by events like 911 and Katrina and there is a need to emphasize the idea of being a good Samaritan. There are also a lot of songs about saving a life or wanting to be saved and I can't help but wonder if there is more to it than the multiple cries for help that seem to come from these songs. Perhaps I think too much. Ha.

Here are a few examples:
#1: Rascal Flatts - Everyday, a video about several different situations where someone comes along to save someone's life or help them in some way. There is an EMT, a couple adopting a child, a woman saving another woman from an abusive relationship, etc.

#2: 3 Doors Down - It's Not My Time, In this video you see a car accident involving a mother and child Vs. a delivery truck and then a rewind of the event where a random guy runs across buildings all over the city, superhero style with flips and death defying stunts, and jumps in front of the car to prevent the accident.

#3: Unwritten Law - Save Me
Too much fun leads to accidental suicide in this animated music video. If the girlfriend would have just gone into the apartment maybe things would have turned out differently.

#4: Xandria- Save My Life
This one is simply a song about saving a life, not necessarily a video about it.

#5: The All American Rejects - It Ends Tonight

Here is another song that seems to be a cry for help but the video doesn't quite reflect that. It seems like it will but then there are fireworks and everyone is happy.

#6: Shinedown - .45
In this video things are a bit ambiguous as to what is going to happen but after a big fight with a girlfriend the lyrics lead you to believe that something bad is going to take place. Sad.

#7: Tokio Hotel - Don't Jump
The title of the song conveys the meaning of both the song and the video. This band also has a song called Rescue Me and I'm not sure what he is asking to be rescued from...maybe his poor hair style choices? I don't know. Anyway, here is the video.

Eh, I thought about doing a list of ten videos but I realize that it is slightly depressing to think of all these but it is something that I have, for some reason, taken notice of lately. Anyone else noticing any videos like these they want to add to the list?

Tragic News

2008-07-01T13:02:00.000-07:00

TICKLE ME PINK BASSIST JOHNNY SCHOU FOUND DEAD

press release from Wind Up Records

Fort Collins, CO --- Tickle Me Pink bassist Johnny Schou was found dead this morning at home in Colorado. The quartet from Fort Collins was to celebrate the release of their debut album with an in-store appearance in Denver today. Further information regarding the band's plans, and dates that have been previously announced, will be forthcoming in due time. Johnny Schou was 22 years-old.

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

I'm digging through my brain trying to find words to describe what's happened this morning. I'm choking on the tragedy, and the bitter irony with everything I can think of to say. On the day that the world was to be exposed to the brilliance of four young men from Ft. Collins one of those young men is no longer with us. Johnny Schou of Tickle Me Pink was found by his band-mate Sean this morning dead in the band's home. This day that should have been a milestone at the beginning of the band's career is instead the end of the short life of one of their own.

I speak for the entire staff of Channel 93.3 when I extend my deepest condolences to Johnny's Family, Friends, and Fans.

Please let the band know how you feel by giving them some encouraging words on their myspace page, or bringing candles and flowers to Independent Records next to the Ogden this afternoon.

Nerf
Program Director, Afternoon Personality
Channel 93.3

This is awful news. What a shocking and sad way to celebrate the date of their album release. I just saw Johnny a few days ago.

Here is the band performing "Typical" to a sold out crowd a few months ago with an introduction by Nerf. :(

For more news read this article .

RIP JOHNNY

3OH!3 and FLOBOTS

2008-06-19T09:50:00.000-07:00

3Oh!3 is a band from Boulder, CO that earned a spot on the Warped Tour this year. Congrats guys! They are a really fun group that is a kind of hip-hop/electronica. There are two guys that make up the band and although they have been together for about four years they are just now getting the attention they deserve. Their song "Don't Trust Me" is a favorite of mine and can be found when 3OH!3's new album "Want" goes on sale July 8, 2008. Enjoy this video of "Hollar Til You Pass Out."

Catch 3Oh!3 on the Warped Tour starting tomorrow June 20th.

The Flobots are a Denver band that is starting to make it big in the world of music. Their recent hit "Handlebars" made it to #3 on the US Modern Rock charts and #49 on Pop charts. According to Rolling Stone the Flobots sound like, "Linkin Park with Rage Against the Machine's Zach de la Rocha and his political leanings at the microphone and a violinist building the tension. Jonny 5 raps about topics like human rights, globalization and drug legalization on the band's major label debut Fight with Tools."
The Flobots are also another band to add to the list of those that have branched out into the world of comics. This can be seen in their new video for "Handlebars" but can also be seen on their website. On this site you can read Tales of the Flobots: Architects of Change. The comic is a reflection of the band's and fan's ideas. The comic isn't complete but is updated often. Also on the comic site you can find a link to a third website for the band. This third site is about activating change. They are not just a band that sings about making a change in the world but are active in bringing it about. Bravo guys and gal
2006 Version:

2008 Version:

If you would like to learn more about this band check out their websites. if you feel like joining them in making a change you can join their Street Team and do just that.

It's been a while

2008-06-18T15:03:00.001-07:00

I have been absent from this blog for a while, while I moved and got settled in Denver. Now I'm back and there are a few musical items I wanted to say something about. :) Weird huh?

First: Weezer = brilliant. Their video for "Pork and Beans" is absolute genius. The idea of doing a tribute to viral videos for a music video is something fun and interesting for them to do. Rivers has dropped the glasses (sad face) but he dons a new porn stache which is funny to see. I think that this was a good video for the guys to make because a lot of new fans are going to find the video THROUGH sites like youtube, so incorporating faces of people they are used to seeing is a clever thing. The song seems silly with talk of "eating candy with the pork and beans" and using Timbaland to get to the top of the charts, but the song has a really good message too. It discusses how people are expected to be one way in order to be cool but the guys of Weezer say they'll do their own thing and live life the way they want because they like who they are. Good for you guys!

Second: I want Katy Perry to be my new best friend. Her debut cd dropped yesterday and everyone should go buy "One of the Boys" right after you read this. :) Her current single "I Kissed A Girl" is excellent. It is a catchy, sing along type song about well, kissing a girl and liking it. For any girl that has ever done so simply out of curiosity this could be a kind of anthem. Well, maybe not, but it is still fun and explores the emotions of the first time a girl kisses a girl. It is not a song about being a lesbian, but about being curious. It is fun and flirty and the video reflects that idea really well. There are hot girls, pillow fights, lingerie...just watch.

Third: Sister Hazel is back with a live acoustic cd. Click on the link to get to their site and hear some of the new versions of old greats by this band. They really know how to jam and it is a blast to listen to them doing what they do best. They have new arrangements and they are refreshing and keep you listening because they don't sound the way you necessarily remember them. The versions of "All of Me" and "Your Mistake" blow my mind. If you are a fan of Sister Hazel you need to own this CD. If you're not a fan of Sister Hazel I hope that this CD will make you one. :) I don't have a video from the CD but here is a video from Ken Block discussing the set list. Watch, or don't, but buy or at least listen to the CD.

Grand Theft Auto + Music = Big Money?

2008-04-26T08:01:00.000-07:00

The release of Grand Theft Auto IV on Tuesday is going to mean big things for the music industry. Music has always played a big part in video games and the GTA series is no exception. If anything it is more important to the series than it is to other video games. The music that is captured within the game sets the mood the way that music plays a part in movies. Without it the game would have less life to it. The "Grand Theft Auto" crime series has used music to establish the tone for each installment's storyline, setting and era. "Vice City" just wouldn't be the same game without the 80s music found within the game, "San Andreas" wouldn't be the same without the 90s hip-hop, and now the game will take place in NYC with various genres players can choose to listen to.

According to a Reuters article today big things are happening with the relationship between GTA IV and the music industry. "First, it will have the largest soundtrack of any videogame. Second, it will be the first game that lets players tag songs in the soundtrack for subsequent purchase online." "Taken together, these feats make 'Grand Theft Auto IV' the most important videogame release for the music industry since "Rock Band" and "Guitar Hero III" on promotional and financial levels. 'Grand Theft Auto IV' is a more traditional game, but still one in which music plays an important role."

In the NYC based game players will be able to tune in to various radio stations within the game. Each station will be like a soundtrack of its own. Several NY DJs have lent their voices and talents to the game and play host for the stations in the game. "Fans of dance/electronica have Electro-choc, hosted by Francois "K" Kevorkian. Punk fans have Liberty City Hardcore hosted by Murphy's Law vocalist Jimmy Gestapo. Nigerian artist Femi Kuti spins international funk on IF99, while Ukrainian superstar Ruslana hosts the Vladivostok FM channel of Eastern European pop music."

So, how many songs will be in the game? The article says that, "'Grand Theft Auto IV' features a record 16 music-based stations that generally hold 10-15 songs each. So expect more than 200 songs in the new title." With that many songs in the game the money going to the music industry is also incredible. It is said that, "Rockstar is paying as much as $5,000 per composition and another $5,000 per master recording per track. If that deal applied to all songs, Rockstar's soundtrack budget may exceed $2 million." That is a lot of money that goes to the music industry. And that is just for the use in the game. There are around 200 songs in the game (supposedly) but word is that only about 15% of those songs will be songs that are easily recognized. A lot of unknown or little known acts will be present in the game.

Let us not forget the new addition to the game...the ability to tag songs for purchase. "In an industry first, "Grand Theft Auto IV" includes a feature that allows players to tag any song in the soundtrack for later purchase on Amazon. Each tagged song is added to a custom playlist that gamers registered with the Rockstar Social Club social networking service will then find waiting for them on the Amazon site. The deal with Amazon, allows for single-song sales and is the first time that the industry will be able to track the direct cause-and-effect relationship between including a song on the soundtrack and its subsequent sale."

These are exciting things for the music industry and for the video game industry. Perhaps this will be the beginning of a new trend in video games and music.

The NorVa has become a winner

2008-04-21T17:01:00.000-07:00

The May 1st edition of Rolling Stone has declared The NorVa, in Norfolk, VA "one of the nation's five best rock clubs." Rick Mersel, a partner in NorVa Productions LLC, says that musicians regularly tell him that the 1,500-capacity venue is their favorite place to play. And why wouldn't it be? There is a hot tub, as well as a basketball court, sauna, a fully equipped game room. What act wouldn't want that?

Mersel said that, "Before The NorVa was built, a lot of the northern tours ended in Washington, D.C. and Southern ones would end in Raleigh or Charlotte," and that "Oftentimes we were skipped over. We had to make it better than anywhere else, so artists would demand to come here ... They want to come back and they spread the word."

The NorVa opened 8 years ago. It didn't take very long for them to become one of the best. I have only been there once but it is a great establishment. The same company has recently opened a downtown concert space in Richmond, VA. The National sports a Jacuzzi, a sauna and a steam room backstage as well as a well-stocked theater room. Even though both of these clubs have amazing amenities for the performers the audience has not been forgotten. The National has the same high-fidelity V-Dosc sound system at that impresses music fans at The NorVa. Both venues provide a great location for both performers and audience members.

Comback Crüe

2008-04-16T04:54:00.001-07:00

It must be the year of the comeback for 80s bands because yet another band has announced a summer CD release and tour. Mötley Crüe announced yesterday that they are heading "Crüe Fest". According to Yahoo News, "the heavy metal band announced the launch of the first-ever Crüe Fest. The summer rock festival will feature the four original members of Mötley Crüe — singer Vince Neil, bassist Nikki Sixx, guitarist Mick Mars and drummer Tommy Lee — as well as Buckcherry, Papa Roach, Sixx:A.M. and Trapt."

The tour kicks off on July 1st, just a few weeks after their CD "Saints of Los Angeles" is released on June 17th. This will be the ninth studio album for Mötley Crüe , the first since 2000. In 2006 the Crüe released the CD Carnival of Sins, a live album.

Mötley Crüe's latest single "Saints of Los Angeles" was released on April 11th, and can be found on the video game Rock Band as of yesterday.

For more information and tour dates visit http://www.motley.com or http://www.myspace.com/motleycrue

Bumbershoot 2008

2008-04-12T11:02:00.000-07:00

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Beck, Stone Temple Pilots, Lucinda Williams and Neko Case are among the first acts confirmed for the 2008 Bumbershoot Music & Arts Festival. The event will be held Aug. 30-Sept. 1 at Seattle's City Center.

Also set to perform during the 38th annual event are Ingrid Michaelson, Jakob Dylan, Del Tha Funky Homosapien, !!!, Lee "Scratch" Perry, Saul Williams, M. Ward, the Walkmen, Blitzen Trapper, John Vanderslice, Dan Deacon, Tim Finn, Bedouin Soundclash and Final Fantasy.

There will also be nonmusical offerings at Bumbershoot. Some of those that have been announced are: "Wonderboy," a collaboration between San Francisco-based choreographer Joe Goode and New York-based puppeteer Basil Twist, plus appearances by authors William Gibson, Dan Clowes and Adrian Tomine. Performers for the comedy program have not been announced.

Bumbershoot three-day passes are on sale now via Bumbershoot.org. Single-day tickets go on sale July 15.

Last year's Bumbershoot marked the first partnership between organizers One Reel and AEG Live to bolster talent buying and sponsorship resources.

Bob Dylan -- a Pulitzer Prize winner

2008-04-08T07:32:00.000-07:00

CNN says, "Thanks to Bob Dylan, rock 'n' roll has finally broken through the Pulitzer wall. Dylan, the most acclaimed and influential songwriter of the past half century, who more than anyone brought rock from the streets to the lecture hall, received an honorary Pulitzer Prize on Monday, cited for his "profound impact on popular music and American culture, marked by lyrical compositions of extraordinary poetic power."

It was the first time Pulitzer judges, who have long favored classical music, and, more recently, jazz, awarded an art form once dismissed as barbaric, even subversive."

I never knew that a Pulitzer could be awarded for such a thing. Way to go Bob!

Virgin Fest

2008-04-08T07:06:00.000-07:00

Some of the initial players at the 2008 Virgin Mobile Festival in Baltimore, MD have been announced. The list will be much longer but the bill, according to Pitchfork Media, is thus far made up of: "Kanye West, Nine Inch Nails, Foo Fighters, Jack Johnson, and, for your nostalgic bemusement, Stone Temple Pilots". Virgin claims that within the next few weeks they will announce the rest of the lineup for the Festival.

"Virgin Festival is also making a note of its efforts to go green, with the goal of minimizing carbon emissions. Says Virgin Group Founder and Chairman Richard Branson, 'Virgin Mobile USA will again host a wonderfully eco-friendly event that's light on carbon impact but heavy on the rock and roll.'"

The festival will take place at Baltimore's Pimlico Race Course the weekend of August 9-10.

Drumming = Heartbeat

2008-04-05T13:30:00.000-07:00

Bobby Alt of Street Drum Corps posted this in his blog. I found it beautiful and wanted to share.

Heart Beats
"Drumming that rhythm renews us; it is no secret. Drumming is the oldest form of music on the planet. Virtually every culture that exists or has existed on earth has practiced some form of drumming. In Africa, the beating of a drum continues to be an important part of significant ceremonies and holiday celebrations. Native American cultures use drumming as a means to reconnect an individual’s mental and physical selves. Throughout history, drumming has been a part of performing rituals, marking significant transitions, and celebrating life’s cycles. Our lives are infused with rhythm beginning at the very moment we first sense our mother’s heartbeat in her womb.

All manner of drumming has the ability to put us in touch with our own natural rhythms, the rhythms of the earth, and the rhythms of the people we choose to drum with. The drum can represent the heart, and drumming awakens the mind while stirring the soul. Drumming can take you to a place deep inside you where you are keenly aware of your mind and your body, as well as the vital bond between the two. Much like human beings, each drum has its own vibration and voice. Drumming alone can help you release tension, dispel stress and aggressive feelings, and restore your energy. It can also give you an opportunity to reestablish your connection to Mother Earth, as the beat of a drum can represent a crack of lightning, pounding ocean waves, or the tumult of an earthquake.

Drumming with others brings with it many benefits. Taking part in a drumming circle attunes us to the invisible energy that exists between us while uniting us in a common purpose. Drumming can be relaxing as well as energizing. It quiets mental chatter and can create a peaceful meditative state. In Navajo lore, the drum is the Great Spirit’s favorite instrument. It is said that this is why all human beings were given a heartbeat. The rhythmic beating of a drum can move us into new realms of consciousness. There is no right or wrong way to drum, and everyone has the innate ability to create rhythm. When you drum with intention, you’ll discover the rhythms that move you."

Watch Bobby do what he does best (with Shannon Leto).

NKOTB Reunite!

2008-04-04T11:53:00.001-07:00

As a young girl I had dozens of friends that went crazy over New Kids on the Block...the precursor to N*Sync and Backstreet Boys. NKOTB were cool, they could sing and dance, and the songs were so much fun. I would spend hours dancing around my house to "Step by Step". We danced to their songs in dance class and listened to them on the playground at school. Well, according to CNN NKOTB are making a comeback.

In the article it says, "They may be pushing 40, but the New Kids are returning to the block. The boy band New Kids on the Block, which sold 70 million albums in the 1980s and early '90s, has reunited and plans to release a new album and go on tour. The reunion comes 20 years after the release of the group's multiplatinum album, 'Hangin' Tough.'"

The article also reports that, "Wahlberg said he was persuaded to get back together with his former bandmates -- Joey McIntyre, brothers Jordan and Jonathan Knight and Danny Wood -- when they decided to record new music. Wahlberg said he wrote 80 percent of the new material with McIntyre and Jordan Knight."I had no interest going out on a nostalgia tour and singing the same material," said Wahlberg, 38. But he added: "We absolutely will do the old songs for sure."

New songs, a tour, a new website. How fun. In a blog from yesterday posted by Joey McIntyre (Joey Mac) he says, "We happen to have a great time doing what we do. “Its like a constant cyclical interchange of emotions”…One fueling the other - The love for each other and the love for the game. 5 players never forgetting where they came from but knowing they could go all the way to the top. Nothings changed; every thing’s changed. Long live The Block!" I don't know about anyone else but I'm excited.

Totally.

MySpace and Facebook take on Music

2008-04-03T14:20:00.000-07:00

According to Rolling Stone "MySpace announced today that it has deals in place with Sony BMG, Universal and Warner to create MySpace Music, a digital music service that will sell downloads, stream ad-supported music and videos and serve as a storefront to physical goods and concert tickets."

This is a HUGE move on the part of MySpace. I don't know how well it will go over but I think that it is a smart move. Facebook is also getting in on this music business. Rolling stone also reports that "Facebook, in its tireless campaign to dethrone MySpace as the social-networking king, is rumored to soon be launching either an iTunes-backed artist platform or its own digital music service that will challenge both Rupert Murdoch’s and Steve Jobs’ musical domains."

A major difference between the two sites is that MySpace Music will be it's own entity whereas Facebook’s hookup with iTunes is through the "iLike feature". Through this attachment users can purchase and stream music, post play lists and update concert information.

Will having these features on social networking sites increase music sales? Will venues such as iTunes and Amazon feel a decline in sales due to MySpace Music? It will be interesting to see what happens within the industry with these additions.

Earliest Audio Recording

2008-03-30T08:47:00.000-07:00

For years now people have thought that the first audio recording came with Thomas Edison's patent of the phonograph. This has been proved wrong. There is a recording of the song Au Clair de la Lune that is said to be from 1860. That is 17 years before Edison's patented phonograph.

The recording is etched into paper and the LA Times says, "Using technology originally designed to play records without touching them, a team at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory was able to convert a series of squiggly lines etched onto smoked paper into an ethereal voice singing 'Au Clair de la Lune, Pierrot répondit,' a refrain from a French folk song." Researchers say that there are "other phonautograms that date even earlier, but Scott had not yet perfected his device at that point, they said, and the recordings produce only squawks."
Go to this site to hear the recording. (Keep in mind that it is noisy...what do you expect from the first audio recording? It sounds like someone outside on a very windy day.)

To read the full article from the LA Times go here.

Anti- Emo?

2008-03-28T15:58:00.000-07:00

There have apparently been Anti-Emo attacks taking place in Mexico. Riot police have taken to the streets of several cities in Mexico to ... defend emo kids? In a Rolling Stone article they discuss anti-emo violence that has started to pop up in Mexico and further south in countries such as Chile. They say, "The first reported instance occurred on March 7th, when 800 young people came to the city of Queretaro with the sole purpose of finding emo kids to beat up" and then say, "A week after the Queretaro incident, a group comprised of punks and rockabillies faced off against the emo crowd". In response "the emo population staged a silent march asking for peace and tolerance through Queretaro’s main center on March 15th. The march was organized by a Mexico City gay-rights organization that feels the anti-emo attacks are fueled by homophobia." Emo and homophobia? I just don't quite understand this world sometimes.

So what is "emo"? When I type in emo to a google search many definitions and pictures pop up. Here are some examples.
Is this emo:

This:

Or this:

I was always under the impression that emo was a musical style and not a fashion statement. I believe that the fashion that is often associated with being "emo" is called "scene". Someone correct me if I'm wrong. If people are being targeted because of their fashion sense, or lack thereof, there is something seriously wrong with people. Not that I have the greatest faith in humanity but it just seems a bit ridiculous to target people for their clothing or musical tastes. No one should be targeted for anything race, gender, fashion, music, whatever...it shouldn't happen...but fashion seems like one of the dumbest things I've ever heard. Apparently the people that are anti-emo don't distinguish between music and fashion, much like everyone else.
On Urbandictionary.com, though not the most credible source it does give some good insight, someone posted a definition (number 6 to be exact) saying, "'Emo' is not short for 'Emotional.' 'Emo' does not mean Taking Back Sunday and Dashboard Confessional, despite what MTV has lead you to believe in the last few years. 'Emo' is not sidebangs, tight pants, and male vocalists who sing like little girls about their failed relationships." Now, as humorous as this sounds there is some validity to it. "Emo" music has become something it was never intended to be.
This poster says, "In the early 90s there was a movement in the hardcore genre that came to be known as "Emotive Hardcore," spearheaded by Rites Of Spring. Harder-core-than-thou kids, who swore by Dischord Records a la Minor Threat, actually coined the term "Emo" as something of a put-down for the kids who really liked Rites Of Spring, Indian Summer and this new wave of "Emotive" Hardcore bands. That's right, "Emo" was once not something kids called themselves." They really hit the nail on the head with that one. Emo was not something that was trendy or anything like that. What it has become is something distorted and is used to reference bands that are, as some have said, shitty pop-rock bands.

So, what is emo and why does it merit violence?

ETA: links to more info http://idolator.com/372899/anti+emo-brutality-in-mexico-it-may-get-worse
http://www.thedailyswarm.com/swarm/update-government-intervenes-mexicos-emo-war-calls-unity/

Nine Inch Nails Tour 2008!!

2008-03-27T19:28:00.000-07:00

Tour season is definitely getting underway, or at least the announcement of upcoming tours is underway. Trent Reznor of NINE INCH NAILS posted on the band's website today saying:
We are coming!
Lots going on in the world of nine inch nails...
Confirming a very poorly kept secret, the band has been reformed (details coming!) and we are about to embark on an extensive tour. The first wave of dates I can mention at this time appear below. Many more to come!
See you soon.

July 25 Pemberton BC Pemberton Festival
July 26 Seattle WA Key Arena at Seattle Center
July 28 Edmonton ALB Rexall Place
July 29 Calgary ALB Pengrowth Saddledome
July 31 Winnipeg MAN MTS Centre
August 2 Minneapolis MN Target Center
August 5 Toronto ONT Air Canada Centre
August 7 Uncasville CT Mohegan Sun Arena
August 8 Worcester MA DCU Center
August 12 Knoxville TN Knoxville Civic Coliseum
August 13 Duluth GA Gwinnett Arena
August 15 Oklahoma City OK Ford Center
August 16 Houston TX Toyota Center
August 18 Dallas TX American Airlines Center
August 20 Saint Louis MO Scottrade Center
August 22 Cleveland OH Quicken Loans Arena
August 23 Auburn Hills MI Palace of Auburn Hills
August 27 East Rutherford NJ Izod Center
August 29 Philadelphia PA Wachovia Center
August 31 Lexington KY Rupp Arena
September 2 Morrison CO Red Rocks Amphitheater
September 3 Salt Lake City UT The E Center Of West Valley
September 5 Oakland CA Oracle Arena (formerly Oakland Arena)
September 6 Inglewood CA The Forum

I am REALLY hoping to be in CO when they come through so that I can see them at Red Rocks. That would be AMAZING.

For more information concerning concert dates, etc. visit http://www.nin.com/

George F*cking Michael!

2008-03-24T18:34:00.000-07:00

George Michael to Tour North America
NEW YORK (AP) — Ladies and gentlemen, George Michael is giving North America one more try. The pop star is gearing up for his first tour of the United States and Canada in 17 years, opening a multi-city "25 Live" tour in San Diego on June 17, Michael announced Monday. The tour is scheduled to wrap in Sunrise, Fla., on Aug. 3,

Other stops include Atlanta, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Seattle, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, New York, Boston, Toronto and Montreal.

Michael, 44, sang in the '80s pop group Wham! before embarking on a successful solo career. His hits include "Faith," "Father Figure" and "One More Try."

He'll release his greatest-hits album "Twenty Five" in the U.S. on April 1.

In the Spirit of Easter

2008-03-22T10:55:00.000-07:00

I came across this article and found it very interesting. Give it a read and express your own thoughts. Who do you think should be on this list?

Rock 'n' revival: resurrecting musical artists to save their genres
By Cole Haddon
Published: March 20, 2008

Every Easter, millions of Americans celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, a rebirth that, if you follow the tenets of Christianity, saves the believer's soul. We music lovers here at New Times, however, can't help but wonder what musical artists could be resurrected this holiday to save their genres instead? Might seem sacrilegious, but so is a lot of what's called "music" these days.

Robert Johnson (1911-1938) You know that song about the guy who traded his soul to the devil in order to become the greatest guitarist that ever lived? Well, that was Johnson. The story's true. Every rock song ever made owes a debt to his "King of the Delta Blues Singers" duality.

Ian Curtis (1956-1980) Joy Division was arguably the most important band of the post-punk movement, while Curtis was its most influential and enduring frontman. Dead by his own hand at 23, his dark, painful, and enigmatic lyrics are a tragic document of a life transformed into art.

Freddie Mercury (1946-1991) There has been no greater rock 'n' roll frontman before or since Mercury. Period. Many have tried to emulate him, and even more are trying to emulate his work with Queen these days, but none has managed to capture a fraction of his glamtastic, larger-than-life persona, on- or offstage.

Hank Williams (1923-1953) Robert Johnson is often called the "grandfather of rock 'n' roll," but he'd probably wind up with a hung jury if country-music pioneer Williams took him to court over the title.

Nina Simone (1933-2003) It's only now, after her death, that we know Simone suffered from bipolar disorder. How much of her intensely emotional performance style and trademark see-saw stage persona grew out of her condition? Modern R&B owes her a debt of gratitude that it's yet to pay.

The Notorious B.I.G. (1972-1997) Gangsta rap was a West Coast thang until Biggie Smalls released Ready to Die in 1994. The ensuing East Coast-West Coast feud devolved into a largely nebulous event open to historical parody, while the rank-and-file the genre now recruits has largely forgotten why Biggie's street-inspired work was so powerful.

Patsy Cline (1932-1963) Probably the most important female country vocalist ever, Cline's name is often invoked by lesser talents whose reverence for her — considering how Wal-Mart-bad their music is — seems more like ignorant mockery.

John Lennon (1940-1980) If we have to explain this one to you, then you're probably too damn stupid to even be reading these words.

Miles Davis (1926-1991) As much as jazz is about improvised experimentation, Davis' jazz was about experimental growth. In other words, the genre knew no limits during his almost 50-year reign as its undisputed leader.

Michael Jackson (1958-1992) It might look like Michael Jackson is still kicking around, but the guy Thriller and Bad made the "king of pop" vanished from this plane of existence during the year that followed the release of Dangerous. Think about it: everything after '92 is what you make fun of, while everything before is what you mourn the loss of.

Beatles on iTunes?

2008-03-22T10:12:00.000-07:00

I've read several articles recently about Beatles songs being released on iTunes. However, as of right now I'm unsure whether it is true or not. I can't find anything definite.In fact this article claims that Apple denies there being a deal with the Beatles. What I have found, that seems very interesting is this article which discusses the idea that Activision, not Apple, will get ahold of Beatles tunes. The article claims that, "According to reports printed in the UK and US press, a possible Guitar Hero tie-in could be on its way". Umm...I don't know about anyone else but I don't really see the Beatles as "guitar hero" material. Maybe a few songs...Helter Skelter maybe?

Maybe it is because I'm not a big Beatles fan but I just don't get it...makes for interesting theories and stories though. What are your thoughts? have you heard anything about this topic?

Pearl Jam on Tour!

2008-03-21T11:32:00.000-07:00

Along with playing Bonnaroo Pearl Jam will be hitting the road. This pleases my little rock & roll heart. The article about the announcement can be found here

These are some of the tour dates:

June 11: West Palm Beach, Fla. (Cruzan Amphitheatre)

June 12: Tampa, Fla. (St. Pete Times Forum)

June 13-15: Manchester, Tenn. (Bonnaroo Festival)

June 16: Columbia, S.C. (Colonial Center)

June 17: Virginia Beach, Va. (Verizon Wireless Center)

June 19: Camden, N.J. (Susquehanna Bank Center)

June 22: Washington, D.C. (Verizon Center)

June 24-25: New York (Madison Square Garden)

June 27: Hartford, Conn. (Dodge Music Center)

June 30: Mansfield, Mass. (Tweeter Center)

Tupac and Diddy

2008-03-19T10:55:00.000-07:00

The mystery of Tupac's death has never been forgotten and the LA Times has reported that new information concerning the shooting of the rapper in 1994 has come out. Sean "Diddy" Combs, of course, is being called out on the topic. Read on for more info. What are your thoughts? Is Diddy to blame?

Sean Diddy' Combs denies link to Tupac Shakur shooting

By Glenn Gamboa | Newsday
5:11 PM EDT, March 17, 2008

NEW YORK - Sean "Diddy" Combs and manager Jimmy "Henchman" Rosemond issued quick and angry denials about a Los Angeles Times report released Monday morning claiming they were behind the 1994 shooting of Tupac Shakur at Quad Recording Studios in Times Square.

"This story is beyond ridiculous and is completely false," Diddy said in a statement Monday. "Neither Biggie (Smalls, the rapper at the center of Combs' Bad Boy Productions company) nor I had any knowledge of any attack before, during, or after it happened. It is a complete lie to suggest that there was any involvement by Biggie or myself. I am shocked that the Los Angeles Times would be so irresponsible as to publish such a baseless and completely untrue story."

Rosemond, now CEO of Czar Entertainment, said in a statement, "in the past 14 years, I have not even been questioned by law enforcement with regard to the assault of Tupac Shakur, let alone brought up on charges."

Relying on information from unidentified FBI informants and other interviews, the L.A. Times report claims that Rosemond orchestrated the attack on Shakur on Nov. 30, 1994, as a response to perceived disrespect from the rapper. According to the Times, the attack was supposed to be a beating of Shakur disguised as a robbery, but escalated once Shakur pulled out a gun, resulting in him being shot five times.

Regardless of who started it, the incident touched off an East Coast-West Coast rivalry in hip-hop that resulted in a string of deaths. Tensions grew so high in March 1996, at the annual Soul Train Awards, that a scuffle broke out between the two camps, halting the show. Six months later, Shakur was shot and killed in Las Vegas. Six months after that, Biggie Smalls (also known as Notorious B.I.G.) was shot and killed after a Soul Train Awards party in Los Angeles. Both murders remain unsolved; however, L.A. Times reporter Chuck Phillips, who authored Monday's report, claimed in another controversial story that Smalls was involved in Shakur's death.

"Chuck Phillips, the writer who in the past has falsely claimed that the Notorious Biggie Smalls was in Las Vegas when Tupac was murdered and that Biggie supplied the gun that killed Tupac - only to be proven wrong as Biggie was in New Jersey recuperating from a car accident, has reached a new low by employing fourth-hand information from desperate jailhouse informants along with ancient FBI reports to create this fabrication," Rosemond said in a statement.

"I simply ask for all rap fans and fans of Tupac to analyze this fiction for what it is along with Phillips' motives behind it. I am baffled as to why the LA Times would print this on its Web site when a simple and fair investigation would reveal that the allegations are false. I am currently consulting with my attorneys about my legal rights regarding this libelous piece of garbage."

Reaction to the story has been mixed, with some hip-hop fans claiming it simply confirmed what Shakur had been saying in interviews and in his music since the 1994 shooting. Others said Phillips had lost credibility in the hip-hop community.

"There were stories written by Chuck Phillips in the past that I really enjoyed," wrote Hot 97's Miss Info on her blog. "But after that 'Biggie provided gangbangers with the gun that killed Pac' story...I just couldn't take the guy seriously." Phillips has stood by the earlier story about Shakur's murder.

Shakur was beaten and shot five times on the night of Nov. 30, 1994, at Quad Recording Studios on Seventh Avenue. He survived the incident, which some say launched a hip-hop war that eventually claimed him and Christopher Wallace - the real name of Biggie Smalls. No one was ever charged in the 1994 attack on Shakur.

Now, The Times reports that informants allege it was orchestrated by Rosemond and promoter James Sabatino to, among other things, "curry favor" with Combs. Part of the motive, the story said, was that Rosemond and Sabatino wanted Shakur to leave Interscope Records to sign with Bad Boy, the then-fledgling company of Combs.

But Shakur had refused.

Sabatino, who is now in prison for unrelated crimes, "set up the rapper Tupac Shakur to get shot at Quad Studios" - mostly after becoming "infuriated" at what they saw as Shakur's "insolent behavior." The Times reports that three assailants, reputedly friends of Rosemond, had orders to beat Shakur, but "not kill him."

Sabatino, then 19, had ties to the Mafia, according to the story, which said federal authorities had identified his father was a captain in the Colombo crime family. Sabatino is currently serving an 11 1/2-year prison sentence for racketeering and wire fraud.

Rosemond denied any role in the shooting of Shakur in a 2005 interview with Vibe magazine, though he described how Shakur accused him of being in on the ambush, quoting Shakur as saying: "Why you let them know I'm coming here?" Shakur was later fatally shot in a drive-by in Las Vegas on Sept. 7, 1996. The Notorious B.I.G. was shot in a drive-by in Los Angeles six months later.

Meanwhile, Combs has transcended the hip-hop scene to become an international celebrity. He has recorded Grammy-winning rap albums and acted in off-Broadway plays. He has a weekly show on MTV.

He also owns a restaurant in Atlanta and presides over the Sean John clothing line and the fragrance line Unforgiveable. Forbes estimated his income last year at $23 million.

Newsday staff writer John Valenti contributed to this story.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/entertainment/music/sfl-0317tupac-denials,0,1877905.story

I wanna Barack

2008-03-19T10:41:00.000-07:00

So Jay Jay French has taken it upon himself to re-record the song I Wanna Rock to show his support for Barack Obama. I haven't heard the new version yet but I wanted to share the story.

'I Wanna Barack': Twisted Sister song retooled for Obama

By Wayne Parry, Associated Press
ATLANTIC CITY — Jay Jay French wants to rock. He also wants Barack.

So the Twisted Sister guitarist has re-recorded the heavy metal band's anthem, I Wanna Rock, which has become I Want Barack.

French, a lifelong liberal Democrat whose mother campaigned for John F. Kennedy, said Barack Obama, who is seeking the Democratic presidential nomination, has energized a new generation of voters who previously felt left out of politics.

"He has excited so many people," said French, who founded Twisted Sister in 1973, in a telephone interview Tuesday. "He has given sincere hope to people who have been out of the arena for years."

French plays guitar on the track, which features Paulie Z., singer for the band Z02, on vocals and lead guitar. They call the band Jay Jay French and Friends and stress this isn't a Twisted Sister project because that band's members are split on the presidential candidates.

The Obama camp had no immediate comment on the song.

It's not the first ode to Obama from the rock world. Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am has recorded and released two music videos, Yes, We Can, which has garnered more than 5 million hits on YouTube.com, and the more recent We Are the Ones.

French said an accompanying video will soon be released on YouTube, and hopes the song will someday be played at rallies for Obama, where Stevie Wonder's Signed, Sealed and Delivered now reigns.
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2008-03-18-obama-song_N.htm?csp=34

I'm Yours

2008-03-14T06:21:00.000-07:00

The new video from Jason Mraz made its debut on MSN video yesterday. Jason's videos are always fun and happy, and usually on the goofy side (including a video with bright colors and choreography for his song You and I Both). This new video keeps the fun and happy vibe but it is a more mature video. Much of the video feels like a home movie.The song I'm Yours has been a fan favorite for a while now and Jason went into the studio and recorded a new version for his upcoming album We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things. which comes out on May 20th in full CD form. Starting March 18th however, The first of three EPs will be available for purchase through the Jason Mraz website. The EPs will feature songs that will not be on the full CD. To pre-order the EPs or just to get more Jason info you can go to jasonmraz.com
Now watch the video and enjoy the happy and peaceful sounds of Mr. Mraz.

Rock & Roll

2008-03-09T13:13:00.000-07:00

I was just reading this article and it made me think about some things.

What exactly is Rock & Roll?
Is Madonna rock & roll? According to the hall of fame she is. What about Grandmaster Flash? What makes R&B/Rap/Pop artists eligible for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame? Should it even be called the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame? I suppose it is a matter of semantics, as they say in the article, but it brings up good questions.

So back to my first question. What is rock & roll? According to an online dictionary the definition is:
rock·-and-roll (räk′'n rōl′)

noun

a form of popular music that evolved in the 1950s from rhythm and blues, characterized by the use of electric guitars, a strong rhythm with an accent on the offbeat, and youth-oriented lyrics

So, according to this definition there need to be electric guitars, strong rhythm, and youth oriented lyrics. How many genres does that span in music today? Should any artist that fits this description be allowed access into the hall of fame?

What are your thoughts? What do you think makes Rock & Roll?

Framing Hanley and Foo Fighters

2008-03-08T13:04:00.000-08:00

On Friday January 25th I drove to Nashville to see Framing Hanley and was it ever a good show. They are full of so much energy and emotion. Each one of them look like they are having the time of their lives up on that stage.

Thanks for the set list Nixon! :)
Built For Sin
The Fold
GhosTown
Home
23 Days
Wave Goodbye
All In Your Hands
Count Me In
Not What The Said
Alone In This Bed
Hear Me Now
Thats What She Said

The first new song was called "GhosTown" and I really enjoyed it. It was different from their other songs but it was fun to hear the different creative efforts that made up this song. I took video of it (please try to ignore the crackling sound...and also the muted portion toward the end.)

The second new song was called "That's What She Said" and it was also really good. Tim's guitar playing was amazing. He is incredible and plays difficult riffs while making them look so simple. Brandon was great as well but since he only came to our side of the stage a few times I didn't really get to observe him much. Chris really goes to town on his drums and was a joy to watch. Nixon is an excellent front man and really works the audience. He has great stage presence and his voice sounded great. He sounded a little uneasy at times during the new songs but that can be expected when you are performing songs for the first time. Overall the guys did a great job. I was very impressed with them.
After the show was over we hung out inside the venue for a little while and I got a poster signed by the band (nixon's face also got drawn on by Brandon and Nixon himself. I'll try to post a picture of it). I met some of the family members of the band and a fantastic guy named Chad who is friends with the guys in the band. He was crazy and fun. Finally everyone started getting kicked out of the venue so we went outside and sort of hung out with the band while we waited for Adrian. Brandon and Tim seem very nice, as does Nixon, but we didn't get to hang around long enough to really get to chat. Chris was busy packing away all the instruments so we didn't see much of him at that time.

On Saturday my friends and I got in touch with Chad and decided to meet up with him and Chris (drummer from Framing Hanley) before going to the Foo Fighter's concert. After Chad waited alone at TGIFriday's we made it and had a few drinks and some appetizers. Chad is a lot of fun and even though Chris wasn't feeling well he was still fun. It was nice to be around him outside of a concert setting. Eventually we made our way to the Nashville Municipal Auditorium with enough time to buy shirts before finding our seats. The guys went down to the floor and we went to our seats which ended up being not too awful bad, for balcony seats.
The Foo Fighters put on an AMAZING show. Nearly 2 hours of music. New songs, old songs, acoustic, jam sessions, drum solos, a triangle solo, Acoustic stage dropping from the ceiling...it was incredible.

Setlist:
- Let It Die
- The Pretender
- Times Like These
- Breakout
- Learn to Fly
- Cheer Up, Boys
- This Is a Call
- Stacked Actors > Drum Solo > Stacked Actors
- Skin and Bones (starts on main stage, ends on acoustic stage)
- Marigold
- My Hero
- Dave introduces the Band (complete w/ TRIANGLE SOLO!)
- Cold Day in the Sun (Dave on guitar, Taylor on drums and vocals)
- But, Honestly
- Everlong(starts on Acoustic stage, ends on Main stage)
- Monkeywrench
Encore:
- Keep the Car Running (Arcade Fire cover)
- All My Life
(Thanks to the Foo Fighters message board for the set list)

On a funny note...
Chad had brought a cover of some porn magazine where the girl was wearing a Foo Fighters shirt and he held it up to show the band. This was the result of that...

We laughed so much up in the balcony at that one. We cheered for Chad.

After the show we hung out in the parking garage for a while while the line of cars exited. Chad was crazy and fun and Chris was acting very fatherly toward him. It was nice getting to hang out with Chris more.