Randy Newman

So I've been listening to a lot of older Randy Newman stuff lately. This really a powerful song, but very dark. Randy Newman can write some songs man. I'm definitely more of a fan of his older stuff like this.



Randy Newman was an anomaly among early-'70s singer/songwriters. Though he was slightly influenced by Bob Dylan, his music owed more to New Orleans R&B and traditional pop than folk. He was born into a musical family and was professionally composing songs by age 17. He went to UCLA, but dropped out after being offered a recording contract. Many major acts throughout the 70s recorded songs he wrote, gaining him noteriety. Most of his fame, however, has come from composing music for movies. He has garnered multiple Oscar nominations, including the 1996 single "You've Got a Friend," which was featured in the Disney computer-animated film, Toy Story. Other recent movies include Faust, Monsters, Inc., Meet The Fockers, Seabiscuit, Parenthood, Pleasantville and Toy Story 2.

Newman developed an idiosyncratic style that alternated between sweeping, cinematic pop and rolling R&B, which were tied together by his nasty sense of humor. Where his peers concentrated on confessional songwriting, Newman drew characters, creating a world filled with misfits, outcasts, charlatans, and con men. Though he occasionally showed sympathy for his characters, he became well known for his biting sense of satire.

Randy Newman - God's Song (That's Why I Love Mankind) (Savefile - follow link)

Added Bonus:
Canadians Are Funny As Shiz...

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Cursive

Cursive formed in Omaha in 1995 when Tim Kasher, Matt Maginn and Steve Pedersen, who had been playing together for years in other bands, asked Clint Schnase to join them on drums. Later they added an organ, and a cellist (Gretta Cohn.) The result was an album that tests and expands the boundaries of a band that 'has done it all before'. They have become a cornerstone of Saddle Creek Records, survived a break-up and reunion, and authored a number of critically lauded albums. Cursive is due out (Aug. 9th) with The Difference Between Houses and Homes (Lost Songs and Loose Ends 1995-2001), but let's journey back:

Released in 2003, The Ugly Organ was a singular work: an operetta of sexual and emotional confusion and conflict set to a musical backdrop that mirrors and expresses the entire range of emotions involved.

By turns wildly dissonant (“Some Red Handed Slight of Hand,” “A Gentleman Caller”) and beautifully restrained (“Driftwood: A Fairy Tale,” “The Recluse”), the organ and cello lines, thundering rhythms and disjointed guitars mesh in a symbiotic relationship with Kasher’s narrative—replete with recurring themes and a resolution that ultimately leaves the players and listeners both sated and spent...

...The Ugly Organ stands as the band's most commanding performance. Somewhere between a calmly calculated conceptual album and a tongue in cheek conceptual satire, the band delivers a fearsome and lavish diatribe. Wild dissonant organ playing, tearing and beautiful cello lines, thundering rhythms and disjointed guitar lines align together in a symbiotic relationship between the instruments. The result is some of the loudest yet smoothest, most melodic moments we have yet to hear from the band.


Cursive - The Recluse @ Saddle Creek Records (Bright Eye's label)
Cursive - Gentleman Caller @ Saddle Creek Records (Bright Eye's label)

If you like it, there are more here.

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LEVY

LEVY is a NYC underground indie band...they say they'd rather not become a commercial product. With bands like Fugazi and Pearl Jam setting an example on how to maintain artistic freedom, yet still establish a flourishing music career, LEVY says they plan to follow a similar path. They have only been around a little longer than a year and their first LP Rotten Love has been described as a mixture of Interpol, Snow Patrol and a dash of Coldplay with a little bit of a deep and darker edge. LEVY also claims to be influenced by the early sounds of Motown and Nirvana.

LEVY - In The Woods
LEVY - On The Dance Floor
LEVY - Rotten Love

Other Notes:
You can read Tankboy's Lolla recap at Donewaiting.com, he basically reiterated a lot of my thoughts on it.

Cool Tegan & Sara w/ Communique photos at Donewaiting.com too.

Matt is pretty much king of all audio blogs now. We all know why...and his covers posts this past week were BOMBASS YO!, as day say. He also posted on Royal City who is an MOKB fav...you can find a post on them somewhere in the archives, but I'm not sure where.

So, I have two blog-girlfriends now: Rachel and Val. Yeah, I'm big pimpin', and I usually go for blondes. Too bad they're both so far away...maybe I'll see Rach at ACL if Chris can find MJ and I a free place to stay. Anyone in Austin wanna put me and some of the cool kids up for a few days in late September?

This article from Largehearted Boy, about "new male infantilism" is interesting to me. I mean, I am much more of the 'Big Bruiser' mold, so the glorification of all these little guys is really interesting...I don't know, that's all I can say...just read it: (Excerpt:
Where a Scotch-sozzled Big Bruiser once ran onto the fire escape with a roar, rolling up his or her sleeves to challenge the whole U.S. of A. to step outside, now a smallish fellow in a knit cap and woolen sweater sits in the corner with a box of chocolate milk, giggling at his own inadvertent burps. Where Pops built skyscraper-sized mirrors to reflect a metastasizing society, Junior lives in a world we might call Mini-Micro-Narcissus. Son of Big Bruiser, I name you LittleBlue SmurfBoy™--after the fetish of your patron saint, Donnie Darko, the most sensitive and martyred of your kind. I take this moment to examine the markings of your race, as evinced by your most applauded manifestations: novelist Jonathan Safran Foer, filmmaker Wes Anderson, and musician Conor Oberst...

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Vicious Vicious, The Hopefuls & Kid Dakota

This is a fun post because these three bands all blend together almost seamlessly. I knew about two and just learned about one.

Vicious Vicious is actually a solo project by Olympic Hopefuls lead singer Erik Appelwick. My music spy up in the great white north, Dee, told me about his project, so I checked it out....Gooood shiz. He's got a brand new album out called Don't Look So Suprised, it's Vicious Vicious's second release. The tracks to check, which unfortunately I don't have, are Shake That Ass On The Dance Floor and It's A Serious Thing. However, you can stream them at his website above...and I suggest you do. Learn everything you'd want to know about Erik Appelwick here.

Vicious Vicious - Too Much Time On My Hands

The Hopefuls, formerly "The Olympic Hopefuls" and "Camaro," hail from Minneapolis, MN. Their eclectic power pop is a strange blend of powerful guitar, witty lyrics, and playful, upbeat melodies. The band is co-fronted by Appelwick and Darren Jackson, also of Kid Dakota. Apparently, USOC lawyers contacted them and said the Olympic name could not be used. So, they just this week announced that they have to go by "The Hopefuls" for now. Bio them here. For fans of: Weezer, The Cars, Beulah, Apples In Stereo and Matthew Sweet.

Olympic Hopefuls - Drain The Sea
Olympic Hopefuls - Imaginary
Olympic Hopefuls - Holiday
Olympic Hopefuls - Motobike

South Dakota is a large and lonely kinda state at times. Its receding horizons, its winds, its desolation, its beauty. Not many conjure it quite like native Darren Jackson, better known on the independent music scene as Kid Dakota. Moving to Minneapolis after college in 1994, Jackson met met local drummer Christopher McGuire and this spawned Kid Dakota. Since then, Kid Dakota has actually had a rotating cast of contributers, but this hasn't hurt them one bit: Regardless of the configuration, Kid Dakota songs always come across as simultaneously vulnerable and intellectual. They span the entire available spectrum of human emotions, from quiet contemplation to pure agony, and translate them through complex drum sequences, myriad guitar effects, and passionate vocals. For now, the solid trio of Jackson, Appelwick (bass) and drummer Ian Prince (Story of the Sea) holds strong as the official lineup.
Kid Dakota Bio.

Kid Dakota - 10, 000 Lakes
Kid Dakota - So Pretty
Kid Dakota - The Overcoat
Kid Dakota - Get Her Out Of My Heart
Kid Dakota - Negative Kid

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Little Hits : Pianosaurus

One of my favorite blogs to hit every day is Little Hits. These cool kids specialize rarities and unknowns. One such was Pianosaurus. I really like this song...it's so feel good and cute.



From Little Hits:
From the LP Groovy Neighborhood, Rounder Records, 1987

To paraphrase Byron Coley, they very idea of adults playing songs on toy instruments is nausea-inducing. Why then, was this Peter Holsapple-produced LP one of the most charming of the 80s? Songs, m'boy, songs. Really good songs. Songs that are so good that you sort of forget that they're being played on toy drumkits and pianos and ukeleles. As Great Plain/Gibson Brother Don Howland says in his excellent liner notes, "It's a music filled with weird little plips and plunks, like music heard through a wall from a parallel universe. A parallel universe where everybody is nice." The end result is far less cloying than the average Of Montreal album.

Unfortunately, the creator of these wonderful tunes, Alex Garvin, seems to have gone 'round the bend after the band made a second LP, which consequently was never released. Anyone ever get to hear it?

Pianosaurus - Sun Will Follow

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Maino

I never like being one dimensional, so we'll switch it up today and go with a little hip hop. Living up to the title of "Brooklyn's Future" is a task that brings with it much speculation and doubt, making it inevitable that newcomer Maino will receive both after billing himself to be the heir to the throne graced by Notorious B.I.G. and Jay-Z. Confidence is something that Maino possesses in bulk. He will tell you he recognizes what is real and what isn't. He says he's bringing Hip-Hop back to New York with his new mixtape with DJ Envy, "Real Recognize Real." The new single "Rumors," has been turning heads, and the comments Maino makes about some notorious Brooklyn rappers have mouths dropping. Maino spent ten years in prison and then signed a deal with Universal.

Maino - Rumours

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The High Dials

The High Dials, by request from my girl Annie...are another band out of Montreal, Canada. Sometime in 2001, the current line-up evolved out of a modish, three-piece incarnation known as the Datsons. They make jangly, retro-sixties psychedelic influenced pop songs. According to Hobby Box, on their first album, The High Dials were accused of ripping off everyone from The Jam to the Beatles to Small Faces. I didn't know about that, but I can definitely hear The Beatles influence - but who haven't The Beatles influenced for chreezy sakes. Alan at Sixeyes gives them high marks and that's enough for me.

From their new release, War of the Wakening Phantoms:
The High Dials - Holy Ground
The High Dials - Soul In Lust
The High Dials - Strandhill Sands

More mp3s here...

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Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

"The whole fucking point of art is to question what's going on. That's art's purpose and artists have every right in the world to do that."...What makes a band great and lasting isn't the way they look or act, it's what they have to say."
- Lead, Peter Hayes

BRMC have recently released their third album, called Howl it is said to continue to reiterate their anti-establishment ethos and their belief in rock'n'roll as protest music, but the band has switched gears and gotten in touch with their bluesy gospel roots. I believe with their rough vocals and loud distorted guitars, BRMC is a lot like what rock "used to be and what it should be again". I think they kick ass, but I'm interested to hear this "new sound" throughout the new album - obvs I haven't heard Howl yet.

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Shuffle Your Feet
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Ain't No Easy Way courtesy of Filter.

From Filter:
"If you bring forth what is within you, what you will bring forth will save you. If you do not bring forth what is within you, what you do not bring forth will destroy you."

For Peter Hayes, Robert Levon Been, and Nick Jago – the three individuals collectively known as Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – those words could easily have served as a bitter epitaph. But instead, they became a kind of rallying cry for the new record. For Howl is the sound of a band reaching deep within its soul in order to save itself; the sound of a band giving up its rock ‘n’ roll meal ticket and finding salvation and sustenance in a rich banquet of folk, country, blues, gospel and pop; the sound of a band finally owning up to itself and its vast limitless potential.

In content and form the 13 songs are as far removed from BRMC’s previous albums--partly by design, partly because of the process--as they could be. Strain and grope for adjectives all you want, but the best and most accurate way to describe Howl – its title inspired by group’s own vulturine spirit as much as the work of the beat poets --- is simply to say that it’s a line of demarcation in the band’s catalog.

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More Lollapolooza thoughts and things I forgot...

A few other things I saw at Lolla that were funny/cool/interesting:

Brian Jonestown Massacre lead singer, Anton Newcombe cussing out Dashboard Confessional. Lead singer of BJM yells out, "As soon as Bon Jovi over there shuts the f*ck up, we'll get going!" He goes on to rip DC saying the best form of birth control is to put a poster of DC over your bed.

Dandy Warhols & BJM lead singer, Anton Newcomb, singing a few songs together. I bought 'Dig!' the other day, but haven't watched it yet.

I saw a little bit of Saul Williams, but he was a seriously angry man on Saturday and I just wasn't into it.

Zeke's hair, from VHS or Beta, was ridiculously bad. Zeke Buck is the pretty guitarist in VHS or Beta. It's really tight curly and dark and was dyed blonde about half way down, just in the back. It kinda made him look like he had a bi-color mullet...not good.

The Killers were solid, but every pre-teenage boy and girl in the park crowded the front 200 yards and I got the hell out.

Didn't see Dino Jr. and don't really care if that loses me indie cred, but to regain it, I didn't watch Louis XIV either who played opposite.

I guess there are complaints that the stages weren't far enough apart, but I didn't feel that way. I thought it was all just perfectly set up.

My biggest regret was not getting to see much of Spoon, a band I have been dying to see live, but after the Arcade Fire set I was just spent and needed food and water and some shade. I hung out to the far side of the stage where I couldn't really see the band but could hear really well, drank a pina colada smoothie and chilled the funk out. That's right, Pina Colada.

What I loved the most were the names during the B-Boy Breakdown Dance Competition. Here are a few of the famous judges and mc's: 'Popmaster Fabel', 'Icey Ice', 'B-Boy Fever One', 'Trac 2' and 'Starchild LaRock'. Believe me, I am NOT knocking these guys, the dancing was some of the most incredible I've seen live...I totally respect it. It's just kinda funny to see aging grown men/former dancers still going by these names I guess.

I never mentioned the hotel, which was a big topic of discussion pre-Polooza. We stayed at The Congress and it really wasn't bad at all. The rooms are kinda old and dated, but other than the rust/blood on Chris's rollaway bed and the elevators getting stuck every time someone got in them and being out of order all the time, it was perfect for what we needed. You could fall out of it and be in Lollapolooza and that worked out great when one of our group got really overheated. Plus sharing a hotel room with 4 girls is sweet too...lots of chicks in their underware. Rawk! haha.

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Lollapalooza 2005 : Day Two Photo Recap

Let me just say, if you don't all ready know, Day Two was hot as anything I can remember in my 28 years of life. It was scorching. I was putting on sunblock like it was my job, I was drinking water up like a sponge. I came out of all it great and went out to party that night. If you were smart, it was a great day. Let me also say that Chris, I guess being from Dallas and all, never broke a sweat! Well, not really, but I sweated through both my shirts before 2pm. It's no real suprise, I'm a big guy, 6'2" 220lbs, so extreme heat and my body are obviously at odds, but that kid was like some sort of desert animal, I mean, unfazed!

OK, so Chicago's own, The Ponys, kicked off Day Two for us, Chris, Dee and I headed over while the other girls geared up for the heat. It was a good set, but overall very disappointing because I was itching to hear 'Get Black' and they never played it. I mean, they're not a big-time band yet and they have this great hit that is getting some airplay and you figure maybe the kids have heard and you don't play it? huh?

The Ponys kicked off Day 2:




MJ and the rest of the ladies joined us for Tegan and Sara. MJ had been geeked up all week to see them. They came out strong, but maybe their Canadian heritage just didn't prepare them for the heat because about 5 songs in, Sara walked off mid-song and then BAAARRRFFFFED!! due to heatstroke. Next thing you know, the cool kids from Communique, who are touring with T&S run onto the stage to help Tegan finish the song. That was pretty cool actually. Poor Sara tried to even come back, but after another song, it was just too much for her. I can't even believe she tried to comeback! Heatstroke is no joke! Anyway, they ended the set after that, but they were great while it lasted. MJ scolded me for taking pictures of Sara getting carted away to the medical tents calling me a lame-o papparazzi! I was just documenting the story for you guys! Geez.

Tegan & Sara:

Sara was all smiles pre-show

Just chillin' before the show

Tegan Close-up

Tegan Close-up

The songs they did play were great though

After Sara went down, Tegan tried to carry on

Sara came back once, but had to stop after one more song

Sara had to be taken away for medical attention

Kasabian was a band I was excited to see. I have their latest album, but was pretty unimpressed after the first few songs. I had heard they were great live and that turned out to be totally true. They rocked my socks off and gave a hardcore performance ending with Club Foot. They had great stage presence and were very interactive with the crowd. They were very gracious. Dee said, "They look all dirty and gross, but at the same time really hot!" That was Kasabian in a nutshell.

Kasabian

These guys rocked it out

Kasabian getting hot and rockin' out




I was also really looking forward to Ben Kweller because both times I've seen him, he's been solo, and this time he had a full backing band. It really added something to his performance and sound. He's hilarious on stage, he just sort of rambles on inbetween songs and asks how everyone is doing throughout. It's almost as if he's just a tad nervous. He played all his hits and was just super throughout.

Ben Kweller

First time seeing him with a full backing band was sweet

The kid is so talented

Didn't get to see much of Blonde Redhead, but Chris and I did see lead singer, Kazu, walking her dog after their set.

Blonde Redhead

Lead singer, Kazu walking her pooch

There were lots of other neat things at Lolla other than the bands, this group of performance artists had a big ol' crazy set up of wacky instruments and put on a neat little show.

Some cool performance artists at 'Polooza:




It was cool to see Perry, he introduced Arcade Fire, who drew by far the biggest crowd of both days.

Perry Ferrell

Perry introduced Arcade Fire

Perry is so freaking cool

As I said, Arcade Fire drew an enormous crowd, I mean at least 75% of the crowd came over to their stage. Poor G-Love had to run opposite of them and I doubt had much of a crowd. I'd like to know if anyone out there saw G-Love and what the crowd was like. I had no idea, because Chris got over to AF waaaay early and we were only like 8 people back from the stage!! I mean, were were right on top of them! They went nuts right from the start, opening with 'Wake Up' and following it right up with Neighborhood #2 (Laika). I was so going nuts, as nuts as you can go when you are packed together like sardines. We were with some kids that were actually friends with some of the members of AF and had backstage artist's friends passes. We talked to them for a while and they were all up on AF's personal lives, it was pretty cool. After the show we saw them again, chilling with a couple AF members, (or Will Butler only, I'm not sure) so we went up and told him what an awesome set it was and just worshipped him a little. He was gracious and cool. Lead singer, Win Butler went way out into the crowd, while singing once too, that was pretty awesome. Younger brother Will, went apeshite and crashed into everything quite a few times on stage, it was amazing. Regine was amazing, they all were. It was the show of the weekend by far.

Arcade Fire

Getting ready before the set








Starts it up with Wake Up

Beatle Bob was one of the best highlights of the weekend. He was dancing on stage at like every show we caught. MJ even talked with him a while. Who's Beatle Bob, you ask? Find out here.
Find out more here.


Beatle Bob's dancing was a highlight all weekend


Beatle Bob was the nicest guy, MJ loved him

Death Cab finished out the night, we were really close to them too, which was great. Chris even ran into them at the airport the next day! He also ran into Butterfly from Digable Planets and called me on the phone while they were hanging out together.

Death Cab For Cutie

Ben Gibbard of DCFC

Ben Gibbard, Longer Exposure

The conversation was pretty funny. Chris was like, "Butterfly wants to talk to you."

Butterfly: "Wuz up man?
Me: Holy shite! You were awesome the other night!"
Butterfly: "Thanks man, I wasn't sure how we'd do being up against Weezer and all"
Me: "Are you kidding me!" You guys kick their ass!"
Butterfly: (laughter) "Thanks man, well I'm 'bout to get up on this plane. Thanks for giving us the love!"
Me: "No problem, have a safe trip"
Butterfly: "Word."

I mean, I'm an idiot. What a silly fan-boy. Still cool though. Well, that about wraps up Lolla. We went out in the Wicker Park area after the show that night and had a great time...we closed it down around 4am and sacked out. Chicago is a great city with so much to do.

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Lollapalooza 2005 : Day One Photo Recap

Wow! Where do I even begin? This weekend, as my bro Chris points out, was farking amazing. So, I'll start at the beginning...It started out badly. MJ couldn't get out of work early, so we didn't leave until 5:30ish p.m. Indianapolis/Chicago time. So, getting out of Indy sucked because, obvs, it was rush hour. We get out and are on our way. One thing I may never have told you is that I am terrible in big-time traffic, I kinda panic and yell at everyone. It was one of those days. MJ basically broke it down on me that I was either going to shut the fark up or she was driving because I was bitching about every stupid, ridiculous thing. Looking back, she was right...I was an angry beeyatch. Anyway, we take some alternative route through Merriville to avoid the tolls and Lake Shore traffic and end up getting stuck in terrible traffic and going the wrong way and having all sorts of other driving debacles, I'm cussing, she's ready to divorce my ass, I pull it over, she drives and everything went 1000% smoother after that. She really is an angel.

Sooo...we get to my boy Double D's sweet-ass apartment in downtown Chicago...his place is like way high up and you used to be able to see the whole city from the balcony, but now they built up all these other high-rise apartments around him and now all you see is other building...the apartment itself was still really nice. Anyway, I've just about driven MJ over the edge, so she needs a drink. J-bobo, Annie and Dirk had been partying for a while and Chris rolled in right at the same time as us. The Friday night gang is all here. We had some drinks, told some stories, listened to tons of great music. Just relaxed and discussed our excitement about the two days to come. Chris transitioned right in, he just couldn't be a better guy.


The boys having a couple drinks at Double D's

Dodge & Chris

chillin' with Double D

We watched The Best of Christopher Walken SNL really late that night too, that guys is so funny and Day One of 'Polooza actually had tons of COWBELL!! It really did, like 4 bands broke one out. Hilarious...but really only if you watched 'More Cowbell w/ Bruce Dickenson' the night before.

So! We pass out and wake up ready to go! We walk over to the festival at 9am (I woke up at 7:30am ready to go) to trade in our tickets for the two-day bracelets...first band is not until 11:45am It's only a 5 minute walk, at best, from Dirk's apartment to the festival, but it was hot! Everyone talked about the 100+ degree weather on Day 2, but Day One cooled down really nice after the early morning and the weather, while still hot, was just fine. Anyway, we get over there and this weasel says they are not giving out bracelets until 11am, no exceptions. Chris had got his the night before, when he got into town, so we were kinda like "huh, wha, why?" The guys just said, "I work here, so I think I know what I'm talking about." What a weasle. Anyway, we turn around and walk back to Dirk's, get some breakfast and wait. OK, at noon we walk back over...Let me just say, Lollapalooza did an awesome job, organizationally. The longest line was for free water on Sunday, everything else was in and out. We got right in, got our two-day bracelet quickly and were watching bands 5 minutes later. Everything, in my opinion, was fast and easy.

So after we were in, we met up with Dee, Tara and Melinda and were ready to rock...

The ladies were ready to rock.

First band, The Redwalls. Pretty solid...good way to ease into the show.

The Redwalls lead singer, Logan Baren

Next we hit up M83. MJ wasn't impressed, but I liked him. I don't know how well his music translated to a large festival venue. There was a lot of noise and I think it would have been much better to see him in a small venue with more ambiance.

M83

The suprise band for me on Day One were The Dead 60s. These guys were awesome. They were on the small stage across the street and I skipped out on most of Ambulance LTD and And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead to see them. It was a great move. These guys are heavily ingfluenced by The Clash, but add some cool reggae and ska elements to the music. They had mucho personality and the lead singer was fantastic both vocally and with his stage presence. I was right up on the stage, so that was great too. Day One suprise superstars.


The Dead 60s


The Dead 60s


The Dead 60s

The Warlocks were also pretty tight...

The Warlocks


The Warlocks' bassist

I did catch some of Trail Of The Dead, and they trashed everything! The whole stage, I mean they were throwing instruments everywhere! These guys were maniacs, it was pretty awesome. I wasn't blown away musically, but they were shite-tons of fun watch when they started going ballistic.

And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead

Next, was the band I was all geeked out for, The Kaiser Chiefs. I was a little dissappointed because by the time I got over there, it was packed and I was pretty far back...not too bad, just farther than I wanted to be. These guys have so much energy and really wanted to feel it. Well, despite how far back I was, these guys rocked my socks. If you have the chance, run to see them. Outstanding.


Kaiser Chiefs were running around so much, it was hard to get a good pic!

OK, I was whooped after that and caught a little bit of Brian Jonestown Massacre, but spent most of the time catching something to eat and drink and checking out some other cool activities around the park. Including Louisville band, VHS or Beta. Represent!! I even ran into their lead singer Craig Pfunder and said hi.


Man, I am a sweaty mess in this picture

After a re-charge, I headed over to check out The Bravery and a little Cake. The Bravery blow. I used to be all about this band, I mean, I still like their music, but live, they were such a turn-off. Lead singer, Sam Endicott is such a cocky tool. I just can't explain it, you have to see it. I know it's his thing, but this level of arrogance is just not my bag. Chris was like, "Is this guy for real?" J-bobo just looked at me and shook his head with a smile that said it all. "This guys is a toolbox." I agreed. We stayed and saw 'Honest Mistake' & 'Unconditional' and split on The Bravery.


Sam Endicott of The Bravery


Sam Endicott of The Bravery

Cake was fun and pretty cool, but I couldn't get really close, so after a few songs headed back over to the smaller Planet Stage to catch 'The B-Boy Breakdown Royale'. It was a dance battle between 4 different dance crews and it did not disappoint. The crew that won was disappointing, but they had little kids and as Chris warned me beforehand, crews with little kids always win. He was right again.


A 'B-Girl' warming up


A 'B-Boy' warming up

The Black Keys were next and I got over there early to be close to the stage. They were awesome, blew my mind again, rocked my socks...go see them, run!


The Black Keys

More Black Keys:
1, 2, 3, 4

The Pixies were next, I couldn't get close here either, so that was dissappointing. That was the problem, if you stayed for an entire set of a band, you usually got screwed on getting close for the next band. I hate pushing forward and people that do it, so I don't. Just not my thing. Anyway, The Pixies were cool, even if I was quite a ways away.

Chris and I left The Pixies early to get over to Digable Planets while the rest of the park fought for position at Weezer. I saw Weezer back in '95 for $1.50. That's right, a dollar fitty. They rocked then, Sweater Song album/tour, but I haven't really liked much of their's for a while, so I was ready for Digable Planets. I was so happy with that decision, actually it was Chris's, and like most of his idea this week, it was a great one. We got over to the stage early and set up right on the rail in front of the stage. Butterfly, Doodlebug and Ladybug all came out way early and talked with fans, posed for pictures, signed autographs. They were just so great and gracious. When they started up, it was nonstop hotness until the very end. It was like in their 10 years apart they had never missed a beat. They looked great and sounded even better. Chris knew all the words to every song and was so geeked up, I just couldn't help feed off that energy and we just jammed out. It was so much fun.


Butterfly gives me some love pre-show

More Butterfly:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5>, 6


Doodlebug


Doodlebug again


Ladybug sings to me


and signs shirts


and then sings to me some more


The Digable Planets

We were so gassed after the show, we all hardly did anything that night. We tried the hotel bar for a while, but ended up back in the room pretty quick and every one was knocked out in minutes.

Coming up in Day 2:
Beetle Bob
Tegan & Sara - Sara barfs and almost passes out from heatstroke
Ben Kweller
Kasabian
Blonde Redhead
Death Cab
Perry Farrell
Arcade Fire
Talking on the phone with Butterfly of Digable Planets while he's stuck in the airport.

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Lollapalooza 2005 : July 23-24 : Chicago : Grant Park

This man is pure genius...I love him. So, the kids and I are all meeting in Chicago tonight for tomorrow's big day (or the next two day actually): Lollapalooza 2005 : July 23-24 : Chicago's Grant Park. Here's the park layout for the festival.

It's gonna be 89 degrees on Saturday and 100 degrees on Sunday!!! Yikes! Man, I can't wait, but lots of sunblock! Here's the tentative Dodge schedule:

SATURDAY:
I could take or leave The Bravery, Cake & Weezer (The Other Way)...I'll be watching Digable Planets for most of the Weezer set. No VHS or Beta for me either, I feel bad since they are Louisville boys, but I gotta see Kaiser Chiefs (The Kaiser Chiefs - Na na na na naa) and some Liz Phair if I can. I wouldn't mind checking out DJ Z-Trip. Here he has provided a lot of his old mixes for your downloading pleasure.

I'm really excited to see some bands like The Redwalls, M83, The Dead 60s, Blonde Redhead (although Billy Idol is opposite this show and I gotta see me some Billy Idol), Ambulance LTD. and some more Black Keys. Also, I'll check out a little Dashboard Confessional - 'Hands Down' is a song I really want to hear...it's sappy, but i like it. I'll cut out there though to catch a little bit of Brian Jonestown Massacre.

Will definitely be at all of this set:
The Pixies

SUNDAY:
I'm torn between The Changes and OK Go, I like The Changes more I think, but they've got a better chance of coming to Indy, since they have before, than OK Go. Can't wait for The Ponys and looking forward to seeing Kasabian live as most people say they rock the hizzee live. I wish Tegan & Sara (I Know I Know I Know) weren't on at the same time as Satellite Party (Perry Farrell's band) - I'll just have to split that one. I had so much fun at the last Killer's show I went to, I'm going to have to pass on The Dandy Warhols

Will definitely be at all of these sets:
Ben Kweller - Wasted & Ready
Arcade Fire
Spoon - The Two Sides Of Monsieur Valentine
The Killers - 'All These Things That I've Done' was done to such absolute perfection the last time I saw it, I'm not sure I want to ever see it again as it will be a let down. jk, of course I want to see it again! - Why Don't You Find Out (Morrissey Cover)
Finally, Death Cab For Cutie - Soul Meets Body.

OK, I'm out! If you see me, say hi and let's rock it out!

EDIT: Before I forget, here are the photos from The Wrens show last week at The Patio. They are terrible really as I had to use my friend's camera and not mine : 1, 2, 3, 4

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Crix Crax Crux

Frigital Recording artists Crix Crax Crux have the ability to make minimalist lo-fi/dreamy bedroom pop as well as minimalist lo-fi garage rock. Ben Crix records in a tiny room above his garage in Jacksonville, FL. The fans blow in vain, sweat pours, friends gather w/ toy-store guitars & crude recording equipment and his brother plays drums - this is how it is done.

Review of Crix Crax Crux's 'Camel & Needle' from Indie Workshop. Seriously, e