Last we heard from McAfee Anti-Virus software founder John McAfee he landed in Miami after a bizarre Odyssey through Belize(where he allegedly abandoned his $20,000,000 fortune) and Guatemala(where they thought he was so crazy the forced him to come back to the U.S.) Check out the Hollywood ready story here.
Now Mr. McAfee has addressed complaints about his namesake product in this short instructional video on how to uninstall the software. WARNING: This video is NSFW and HILARIOUS!
She's absolutely right when she says, "I think we can relate this back to education". Well, not those exact words, but I get what she's saying...I think. What I mean to say is...LOOK AT THOSE TITS!!
In all fairness, we are not expecting Miss USA to cure Cancer. But if she could, I'd vote for her. Marissa Powell gave a better response to the same question on the Today Show the following day. Kind of..
Not that I have never made a mistake when speaking in front of people. I do it every weekday from 10am-3pm on Boston's Rock Station, WAAF. On the air, many years ago, during a stretch of rainy days I said, "It seems like the sun is a million miles away today." Then a listener called and said, "Hey Mike, the Sun is actually about 93 million miles away." Who am I, Carl Sagan? Basically, what I'm trying to say is, LOOK AT MY TITS!
First of all, those shots look a little light to be Jager. Usually, Jagermeister is black like the color you see after drinking half a bottle and nine beers. Maybe these are Jager Bombs? They like their fruity drinks in the British Isles so they must be cut with some kind of sweet mixer. I had my doubts..until the end. I watched all the way through until the explosive finale. It was amazing how heavy those shots became after 30. The poor guy could barely lift them.
This is NOT drinking responsibly. Jager should be consumed at a steady pace until you start swinging punches at the person who came up to you and simply said, "Hi". That's when you know you should stop and leave before you're thrown out by bouncers you may have called "pussies". Again, I am not a Doctor...or a very good drinker.
I am not a frequent Air Traveler. But it seems every time I do travel with the Airlines, 4 out of 5 times there is a delay. It's just part of the luxury of the Jet Set. During these delays, the lowly coach passengers must forage for food and shelter in the terminal or in jungle-like heat on a plane parked on the tarmac. Meanwhile the first class folks get to enjoy the time in Caligula like comfort, going full on Orgy mode while rubbing lobster and steak from the endless buffet all over the super model stewardess' bodies. One day, The Economy Class will revolt and rig up a make-shift Guillotine out of $5.00 headphones and First class cutlery and watch the heads of the Air Royalty roll down the aisles.
Recently some stranded flyers took it upon themselves to supply some in-flight(or maybe, on-ground) entertainment. In this first video, members of the Philadelphia Orchestra, broke out their instruments to jam some Dvorzak during a three hour delay in Beijing. I hope they didn't have to pay for their pretzels..or any drinks.
In this next video, a passenger with a rarely seen boombox, leads his fellow prisoners in song with R. Kelly's "I Believe I Can Fly". When you're sitting on a 100 degree Las Vegas tarmac in a steel tube for a few hours you have to laugh. Maybe the smell of steaming lavatories inspired this gentleman to play the R. Kelly.
Singing and laughing is definitely better than a violent uprising.
Unfortunately, right now, due to FAA Regulations, this can only happen in the UK. But isn't it brilliant?
Pizza can(and someday will) be delivered as the Crow(or drone) flies. Eliminating traffic hold ups and lost drivers. We also won't have to worry about tipping. I'm sure their could be some set backs. Someone might try to abduct the drone and use it for their own evil purposes like spying on their X-Wife. There's also the risk of the drone malfunctioning and falling from the sky, pizza and all, into heavy surface traffic. Causing a major accident and possibly second to third degree burns from the delicious hot cheese or meat.
Which brings me to my next point:
There has been a lot of discussion about the use of Drones by the U.S. government for the War On Terror. Whether it's collateral damage from a drone launched missile strike or the possibility of drones patrolling the skies over America spying on it's Citizenry. At what price our safety and freedom? At..what..price? This is my solution in two mouth watering parts:
1. Instead of firing missiles and taking out suspected Terrorists and possibly killing innocent bystanders in the process, why don't we drop a hellish rain of PIPING HOT PIZZA? That's right, harshly deliver one of America's favorite foods and main suspects for it's obesity epidemic? If we're lucky, a terrorist may suffer from horrific burns or maybe lose an eye from a slice of crispy pepperoni or stuffed crust. Imagine the horror of a Muslim terrorist if they were to discover that the pie or calzone that just burst all over them was a meat lovers pizza with extra bacon?
A more non-lethal method would be to set the drones down gently at their location with a couple of large pies, some bread sticks, wings, and a couple liters of soda. Once these guys get a woman to taste it first to make sure it's not poisoned they would go nuts! Of course the delivery would come with several buy one get one free coupons and the phone number. Because they'll be calling. After a few more deliveries we would then move on to phase two of Operation Fat Ass: Delivery of XBox Game Systems and Giant screen TV's. Once they hook that baby up and after a few dozen more food drops, they will never want to leave the cave. They'll be too fat to move and to obsessed with getting to the next level of Call Of Duty: Black Ops. Also, Pizza is way cheaper than missiles and pizza makers would be needed, thus creating jobs.
2. Regarding domestic drone surveillance, I say, give the power to the Pizza Guys. Why can't we spy on Americans while delivering delicious hot pizza? Domino's, Pizza Hut, and every other Pizza Joint that has a drone must also be responsible for community safety. While making a delivery, drones can keep an eye on the neighborhood and peer into the recipients home. We can have a NSPABSA(National Pizza And Bread stick Security Agency) If there is any illegal activity, perceived threat, or problem with your order, special Pizza Tactical Teams(PTT's) will be deployed to the location to take care of the situation.
Of course, there will be resistance. Evil Doers will try to take down the drones, creating a safety hazard and even worse..depriving Americans of their Pizza, or Sub, or wings. It won't be easy. But I believe it will work.
This first video is like a Mai Tai, after you watch it you're going to find yourself still laughing and your speech may be slurred. This is one of the greatest duets in the history of music. Thomas Dolby and the second man to walk on the MOON, Buzz Aldrin. Thankfully recorded performing at the Smithsonian's "The Future Is Here Conference. After walking on the Moon you can throw all f***s out the window and just have a great time.
This second video is like Prozac. Mr. Rogers has that effect on people of all ages. This video is the equivalent of taking your work blazer off and slipping on that comfy zip up sweater.
There..doesn't that fell better. Have a nice weekend..
The Nine Inch Nails monster seems fully awake now with this past week's flurry of activity from the Halo camp. Yesterday they announced the name of the new album will be, "Hesitation Marks"(out September 3) and also released a new song called "Came Back Haunted" which you can listen to below. They also announced a few more dates for their upcoming tour which includes a stop at the TD Garden in Boston on October 11. Needless to say...my pants are tight!
Trent Reznor recently said on the NIN website that he was inspired to get the band back together from working on other projects:
"I've been less than honest about what I've really been up to lately. For the last year I've been secretly working non-stop with Atticus Ross and Alan Moulder on a new, full-length Nine Inch Nails record, which I am happy to say is finished and frankly fucking great. This is the real impetus and motivation behind the decision to assemble a new band and tour again. My forays into film, HTDA and other projects really stimulated me creatively and I decided to focus that energy on taking Nine Inch Nails to a new place. Here we go!"
There are tons of Isolated Vocal tracks on Youtube. They can be hilarious like David Lee Roth's to super intense like Kurt Cobain. But this one I found on Open Culture is pretty amazing. Queen's "Under Pressure" was recorded in 1981, before the world went digital and way before Auto-Tune became the biggest scam in music. Check out Freddy Mercury killing it here.
And just for fun, here's Lemmy from Motorhead ripping through "Ace Of Spades". You can hear every cigarette, bottle of whiskey, and mile of bad road in that gravel pile of a voice. Auto-Tune would just ruin that.
Linkin Park has enjoyed Platinum success for more than a decade now. While selling 50 million albums world wide has given them access to some of the most effective and gigantic promotional machines available, they decided to try promoting their Headlining gig at this year's Sunset Strip Music Festival by returning to the old stand-by: The Flyer. Maybe they should have put the current band name on the flyer instead of the two former names. They might have been more successful.
When the chips are down, and the shit hits the fan, just love America. This kid is the embodiment of The Star Spangled Banner. Against great odds he persevered and was there to the end. Sure, this video is all over the internet and his less patriotic friends have probably already given him loads of crap, but what the hell was he supposed to do? Did George Washington let the Delaware River stop him from attaining victory at Trenton? Did Neil Armstrong let the fact that he could be stranded on the Moon prevent him from taking that first step? Did this Kid let a broken cymbal ruin this country's National Anthem? HELL NO! Rock On awkward cymbal guy! Screw the haters. Nobody else could've handled the situation any better. Your country thanks you.
Will someone from Zildjian or Paiste please hook this kid up?
The Crowd Funding Tool Kickstarter seems to be catching on with people who don't seem to need it so much like Zach Braff and the daughters of Big Time Director David Mamet. It is a great way to get finances when you may not have the connections or support from established sources.
Comedian, Artist, Musician, and Fairly Rich Guy, Jon Lajoie is hoping to use Kickstarter to fund his latest project: To be the Richest Man In The World. Before you get all bent out of shape, hear him out:
Seems pretty legit. Who doesn't have the same dreams? If you're not familiar with Lajoie's work, here's my favorite piece:
Just to let you know, I made a hypothetical pledg of $64.12 to Jon's dreams. You can do the same here.
No, seriously, a pony walked into a liquor store in Warren, RI on Memorial Day lead by it's owner, William Saviano. Apparently they had just been the special entertainment for a Kid's party and were thirsty for an alcoholic beverage. Really, what's more fun than a ride on a shaky alcoholic Donkey with a shaky alcoholic trainer? What is the preferred drink of a Pony anyway? Colt 45? Bud Ponies? Hahaha...I got nothin'. They ended up not getting anything. Most likely because the Pony was underage.
Unfortunately the Pony decided to drop a steaming pile in the packy. That's when the employees decided to herd the two entertainers out to pasture. The Cops were called in after the owner wouldn't clean up the poop. Eventually the Police convinced him to do so and the store didn't press charges. Cops have to deal with the craziest shit....get it? ...I got nothin'.
Take 60 seconds to watch this video. Especially if you're a parent.
From watching this video a few times I gather that some boys that are acquaintances of this young 14 year old lady posted some provocative language and pictures of their penises on her Facebook page. I've also surmised that she has been in trouble about this before. I also know that if this girl is in a pinch, she'll throw her friend under the bus. I feel bad for whoever this Mary is because you know this raging Mother called her Parents to let her know she's involved with all these "dicks and shit".
As the Parent of an 8 year old girl I can't wait until she starts getting involved with boys. I'm sure it's going to be lots of fun! I also like to have my teeth drilled while doing my taxes. At the risk of sounding old farty again, when I was 14 we didn't have Social Media or camera phones. You had to take a picture of your penis with your Instamatic Camera and then take the film down to CVS so they could send it out to be developed. After about a week you had to look up the lucky girl's address in the Phone Book and put the picture in an envelope to send it by U.S. Mail! It was complicated process..not that I would know, I'm only guessing. But now instead of 2 weeks it only takes 2 minutes to take the picture, apply a nice vintage looking filter with Oggl, maybe a cool frame, and bang! My daughter has a picture of some shithead's penis. Fuck you Zuckerberg.
I feel this woman is actually being easy on her daughter. My first instinct would be to hunt down and kill the owner of the penis and then turn my home into a Branch Dividian type strong hold too keep all the penises out and my precious flower in to be home schooled. That's healthy right? I don't know if I'd go so far as to post a video of me beating my kid on her Facebook page. I don't know the whole back story but I'm guessing the Mother in this video may not want her daughter to make the same mistakes she did at her age. Of course every parent wants that. But Teenage Hormones don't always aid in sound decision making. So is Mom being too harsh here? What would your reaction be? How would you try to stop your kid from exchanging pictures of genitalia on the internet? Where can I find a decent shotgun and a deal on barbed wire?
In the short time that I've been a parent I've realized kids are Karma. All the trouble and worry I caused my Parents is coming back to bite me in the ass. At least my Mother is still alive to get some entertainment out of it all.
Here you go! From the Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles 5/23/13. The set includes the performance of the entire new album ...Like Clockwork(out on June 4). Please enjoy irresponsibly and loudly.
Metallica have been working on this movie for quite awhile now. What started out being a concert film turned into a full feature film that incorporates concert footage. The story line involves a roadie(played by Dane Dehaan from The Amazing Spiderman 2) sent on a special mission by the band. From the looks of this trailer things seem to go very wrong.
Through The Never will hit IMAX screens in North America on September 27 and then regular theaters on October 4.
As far as Metallica recording a new album, James Hetfield told Billboard, "I want it done yesterday and [Orion] and this movie is keeping us pretty busy at this point and it's taking a lot of our time and effort. We've been touring some obscure places; I guess basically what we're trying to do is pay for this movie, so the touring is keeping us from getting in there and finishing the record. Right now the focus is on the movie."
While Disturbed is on indefinite hiatus guitarist Dan Donnegan and drummer Mike Wengren have formed Fight Or Flight, Bassist John Moyer has joined Adrenaline Mob, and singer David Draiman has his project called Device. Of course Disturbed fans are wondering what that means for the future of the band. This morning Draiman addressed those concerns with this statement:
MY DEAR DISTURBED ONES;
WHILE DISTURBED'S HIATUS IS IN EFFECT (AND NONE OF US TRULY KNOW HOW LONG THAT WILL LAST), MYSELF, DAN, MIKE, AND JOHN, WILL CONTINUE TO UPDATE YOU ON THE GOINGS ON/PROJECTS FROM THE DISTURBED FAMILY. THERE'S NO ONE WE'D RATHER SHARE IT WITH, AS YOU, OUR LIFEBLOOD, HAVE GIVEN US EVERYTHING AND WE WOULD BE NOTHING/ARE NOTHING WITHOUT YOUR SUPPORT. THIS HIATUS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE PROJECTS EACH MEMBER OF DISTURBED IS CURRENTLY INVOLVED WITH. IT HAS TO DO WITH STOPPING THE ASSEMBLY LINE TYPE OF MACHINE THE DISTURBED LEVIATHAN HAD BECOME, GIVING OURSELVES AND THE FANS TIME AWAY FROM IT SO THAT WE CAN EVENTUALLY REUNITE, WITH NEW INSPIRATION AND APPRECIATION FROM BOTH THE BAND SIDE, AND THE FAN SIDE. WHEN WE EVENTUALLY REUNITE, AND WE WILL, IT WILL BE AN EVENT, AND ONE THAT WILL HAVE GREATER MEANING FOR ALL OF US. BITTERNESS AT OUR INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS IS REALLY QUITE MISPLACED. SO PLEASE SUPPORT DEVICE, FIGHT OR FLIGHT, AND ADRENALINE MOB AS THEY ARE FRUIT BORN OF THIS HIATUS; WERE COUNTING ON ALL OF YOU. WE WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP YOU ALL AS INVOLVED AS POSSIBLE AND UPDATE YOU AS THINGS PROGRESS. ALL MY LOVE AND RESPECT,
-DAVID
P.S. LOL...AS IVE SAID BEFORE THE CAPS ARE A STYLE PREFERENCE, BEEN DOING IT FOR YEARS/THERE'S A REAL WORLD OUTSIDE YOUR COMPUTER WHERE BIG LETTERS ARE JUST BIG LETTERS, THEY DO NOT ACTUALLY EMIT SOUND; ITS NOT CHANGING, SO IN THE WORDS OF DAN DONEGAN "BUILD A BRIDGE AND GET OVER IT".
Remember that time the Cops showed up to that party we were playing at and confiscated all our beers? Don't let that happen again with the new Marshall Fridge! Hide those beers, bottles of Vodka, leftover pizza, or body parts(if you're into the whole Scandanavian Black Metal thing) in this rocking new fridge! Or tack the racks out and crank a keg up to 11! Not enough room? Just make yourself a Marshall Fridge Stack! After you have a few, just make sure you plug into the right head.
Founding member of the Doors, Ray Manzarek died yesterday after a battle with Bile Duct Cancer. He was 74. You can get more details on his death here. If you are a fan of Rock Music, hopefully you are aware of the influence of The Doors. Ray Manzarek had a signature sound that made the band recognizable in the first few seconds of the song. It was a mix between Saloon Piano player and Psychedelic Church Organ. Manzarek also took on low end duty by playing Bass parts on a Fender Rhodes Piano. Which made The Doors incredible groove all the more amazing to me. To have that kind of swing without an actual bass player is pretty awesome.
Doors drummer John Densmore gave this statement yesterday:
"There was no keyboard player on the planet more appropriate to support Jim Morrison's words. Ray, I felt totally in sync with you musically. It was like we were of one mind, holding down the foundation for Robby and Jim to float on top of. I will miss my musical brother."
To back up Mr. Densmore's statement, check out this performance for Dutch Television from 1968:
Queens Of The Stone Age keep the animated creepiness rolling with the latest video for new song, "My God Is The Sun". The track is from the upcoming album ...Like Clockwork which comes out on June 4. I'm getting the feeling that when this album is released it will open the gates of hell and be the soundtrack to the Apocalypse. Maybe that's just me?
*UPDATE*
They just released the whole weird package strung together. My suggestion? Take a couple of healthy rips from the bong, turn all the lights off, and enjoy.
In the past few centuries Transylvania has gotten a pretty bad rap for being the land of blood sucking freak vampires. The whole Dracula thing really didn't help(Thanks Bram Stoker!) and of course we root our blame for Twilight upon that. But Transylvanian Artist Sandu Ciorba has been providing his style of Romanian folk and weirdness for many years. As you can tell by this video it's not all Bats in the Belfry Transylvania:
F**ck Yeah that Rocks! I'm guessing you didn't make it through the whole video. I'm also guessing you're disappointed that the hot Romanian chick didn't get naked. But you'll come back... Sandu beckons you...
Heavy Metal fans are some of the most passionate and fanatical on the planet. The most beaten down genre of music is always the underdog, always fighting for respect. Well that moment of coveted validity may be here thanks to the British Institution of learning known as New College Nottingham. They are currently offering a two year degree in Heavy Metal Music Performance.
The classes will cover the history, cultural significance, and relationship Heavy Metal has to religion. It will also cover some of the business of Metal. Get a full course description here. Does the offering of a degree make Metal more legitimate? Ask Lemmy from Motorhead or Phil Anselmo if they think a College Degree in Metal would've been beneficial to their careers? I'm sure their responses would be quite informative and colorful. Maybe a class on Entertainment Contracts and Music Publishing would be more useful. I'm sure King Diamond didn't have a teacher tell him to paint his face like a demon. But I would safely guess he may have had a few teachers tell him to get out of their class once or twice.
The class should come with a warning: Loving Heavy Metal may cause a debilitating addiction. That is exactly what happened to 42 year old Roger Tullgren of Hasselholm, Sweden. According to three Psychologists(who, I'm guessing don't want to lose their sweet government grants) Mr. Tullgren's Heavy Metal Lifestyle disables him from having normal employment because of discrimination. Apparently he lost a few jobs because he attends around 300 Metal shows a year and can't get his fucking priorities straight. So now the Swedish Government pays part of his salary and his new job as a dishwasher allows him to listen to his music while working as well as giving him time off to go to shows.
Tullgren said he had been trying for ten years to get this scam approved. He says his debilitation began at age two when his brother played Black Sabbath for him.(Ozzy is still getting blamed for shit, unbelievable.) In an interview for the Swedish publication,The Local, he said,"Some might say that I should grow up and learn to listen to other types of music but I can't. Heavy metal is my lifestyle." Don't get me wrong, but I love me some Metal too. But somehow the words, "Shut The Fuck Up" come to mind.
During Astronaut Chris Hadfield's stint as Commander of the International Space Station he has used twitter to help us understand why exactly we are sending humans into space. Now he is using the Music Video medium on his last day in orbit to convey the beauty of looking down from on his home planet.
This is the first music video created in space and maybe the first recorded music. Hadfield recorded his vocals and guitar on the ISS while he had a band do the rest on Earth. Despite his Porno-stache he deliver's a heartfelt version of David Bowie's "Space Oddity"; a song, I always thought, was about heroin addiction. But with some minor lyrical changes for accuracy he does a pretty good job at a more literal translation. Talk about getting cred! This guy was able to get more high than any Rock Star in history. Plus he's had to poop in a bag for 5 month's AND he did it sober!
Safe landing Commander Hadfield.
Commander Hadfield, I have a request for when you come back to Earth. PLEASE do NOT do a cover of Peter Schilling's "Major Tom". That song drives me nuts! Thanks and congratulations.
Shinedown are becoming Kings of the Rock Power Ballad. The kind of song where you find your arm reaching for a lighter once it starts. The kind of song that could be great for a slow dance but kicks in just enough to make it seem a little awkward. Must be their Duval County, Florida roots. Lynyrd Skynyrd are from the same area. One thing is for sure, Brent Smith's voice is for real. No auto-tune there.
This performance was recorded live at Henson Studios, Hollywood CA:
Just using a bottle opener isn't good or fun enough for those crazy beer loving Germans. Quite honestly if it takes even a few more seconds to open my beer I get very impatient and cranky. Maybe that's just because I'm an American(or I'm an alcoholic).
The full on case opener is quite useful in a group drinking situation but the backhoe? Actually it would be pretty funny to have that dude drive around some festival or parking lot offering to open your beer. Although eventually, somebody is going to lose an eye.
This is a preview clip for the song "I Appear Missing" from the new Queens Of The Stone Age album ..Like Clockwork, out on June 4. It starts with a heavily bandaged and bleeding man waking(or rising) in the middle of one of Josh Homme's favorite subjects, The Desert. He seemingly wills himself to float past several hazards like hungry vermin and prickly cacti to an urban area where he ends up..well, you'll see. It's good to see QOTSA remain as creepy as ever. it's all about the Weirdness.
Metallica were honored by their Hometown team with a "Metallica Night" at AT&T Park in San Francisco. They didn't have Metallica Bobble heads but they did give out sweet Giants/Metallica caps and had Drummer Lars Ulrich throw out the first pitch. The most Rock part of the night was James Hetfield and Kirk Hammet injecting the Metal into the "Star Spangled Banner". I've always been a sucker for the epic twin guitar lead and when applied to our National Anthem, it was double Epic.
By the way, those sweet Caps are already $96.00 on Ebay.
Volbeat's greasy haired leader Michael Poulsen described their sound the best when he asked the crowd at The House Of Blues last night, "Do you want Metal? Do you want Rock-N-Roll? Do you want Country? Do you want Punk?" They delivered all of that with a steely-eyed confidence for 90 minutes. I have indentations in my skull to prove it.
They Hammered the crowd with songs from the new album, Outlaw Gentlemen And Shady Ladies like "Perl Hart", "Doc Holiday", and the Maiden-esque "The Hangman's Body Count". But the highlights of the night were older tunes like a pummeling version of "A Warrior's Call" from Beyond Hell/Above Heaven, witch was basically a challenge to every sweaty guy in the place to hurl themselves into the pit. And the Johnny Cash tribute "Sad Man's Tongue" witch started with an acoustic strum before being blasted full on with the railroad beat of Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues" ,but on nuclear steroids.
By the end of the last song "Pool Of Booze Booze Booza" The House Of Blues was a steaming sweaty mess of drunken piles of flesh. Not once through the whole show did Poulsen not smile. Grinning while he and his band delivered a steady stream of beatings to the rabid dog crowd. With his black vest and Sheriff's badge he looked like the Doc Holiday from the song, prowling the OK Corral for a kill. He has a lot to be happy about with his band on a rocket trip and an album doing the same on the charts. You were lucky if you were in attendance. This might be the last time Volbeat plays a room this small in Boston.
It's called "How Not To Orgasm". All of these would be rather deflating and embarrassing. Although the reference to Rammstein wouldn't be too bad. It would confuse the wife though.
What would be worse is thinking of Rammstein at the point of orgasm. Or, having them in the room with you.
Yngwie Malmsteen could have been the greatest Trumpet player of all time. Or greatest Drummer of all time. But it was Jimi Hendrix setting his guitar ablaze that inspired the very young Swede to pick up the instrument he is most known for. Since then he has been called the "Greatest Guitar Player In The World" (among many other things) and has released 19 albums worth of mind boggling guitar Gymnastics that has influenced and confounded many.
On his latest album, "Spellbound", you get the purest form of his talent as he plays all the instruments with most of the riffage coming from first take ideas. He's also entering the world of words with a memoir called "Relentless" and is entering the digital realm with his instructional website RelentlessShred.com.
You can see him shred it up tonight at The Wilbur Theater in Boston.
In my opinion, Rush didn't need to be in The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. They never really needed to belong to any group or club. Much like their fans they did their own thing. They created their own businesses model to survive the cut throat Music Industry. They toured relentlessly to get their music heard. They followed their own formula of song writing regardless of what was "in" at the time.(Well, there was that horrendous rap in the middle of "Roll The Bones".) Their own Musical Ecosystem supported by one of the most loyal legion of geeks and outcasts that have passed on their appreciation to their children to be passed down to their children for over three decades.
It was this army of fanatics that pressured the RRHOF year after year until Jan Wenner finally caved and allowed the outsiders into the Pantheon of Rock Legend. But it was not the Hall that welcomed these Gods of the Great White North..It was the Holy Trio that allowed the Hall to be part of their world. In the end(also a great tune from Fly By Night), Rush accepted the accolades from the Hall and once again let the Geeks know that they have the power.
It can be summed up in the words of Guitar Wizard Alex Lifeson, "Blah blah blah, blah blah blah. Blah, blahh blah blah blah blah blah. Blah Blah Blah." The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony will be aired on HBO on May 18. Check out the rough footage below
Dave Grohl and Taylor Hawkins from Foo Fighters inducting the band:
Holy Cow! Neil is talking!:
Foo Fighters having the most fun you could possibly have ever:
Early Saturday Morning(April 13) Deftones Bassist Chi Cheng passed away after a battle to recover from a car accident back in 2008. Chi had been in a coma for most of that time but had shown signs of recovery which kept his family, fellow band members, and fans hopeful for a recovery. His struggles were documented by his family at the One Love For Chi site. The news of his death was posted by his mother there:
"Our dearest Family,
This is the hardest thing to write to you. Your love and heart and devotion to Chi was unconditional and amazing. I know that you will always remember him as a giant of a man on stage with a heart for every one of you. He was taken to the emergency [sic] room and at 3 am today his heart just suddenly stopped. He left this world with me singing songs he liked in his ear.
He fought the good fight. You stood by him sending love daily. He knew that he was very loved and never alone. I will write more later. I will be going through the oneloveforchi and any other information may not be reliable. If you have any stories or messages to share please send them to the onelove site. Please hold Mae and Ming and the siblings and especially Chi’s son, Gabriel in your prayers. It is so hard to let go.
With great love and “Much Respect!” Mom J (and Chi)"
The last time I talked to Chi was at the 2006 Family Values Tour at the Comcast Center in Mansfield. At the time Deftones had struggled through recording Saturday Night Wrist with tensions in the band at an all time high. I had interviewed Singer Chino Moreno that day as well as a few other bands on the tour and had run into Chi taking a smoke break in the backstage courtyard. He seemed way more mellow and tired than when I had spoke to him last on the White Pony tour. He said he was a "Ghost" on this tour, trying to keep a low profile and not get into too much trouble. We also talked about his growing interest in Country and Western music. He was digging deep into the real "shit kicking stuff" as he called it like Hank Jr., Waylon Jennings, and other Outlaw artists. I had suggested a few bands I liked to him and we had a great conversation about Roots and Americana music. It was a real conversation with a person who kept it real.
On a good night, the Deftones could move mountains. Chi's bass playing created an elastic bottom that, when coupled with Abe Cunningham's drumming, could alter your heartbeat to conform to their rhythm.
All of us here at WAAF are saddened by Chi's death and send our condolences to his Family and his band mates in Deftones.
Here we are on the third and final day of what the Hill-Man calls the "Great Trilogy Of Drinking Days In Boston" along with St. Patrick's Day and The Home Opener. Not only is it Marathon Monday but it's also Patriot's Day and Tax Day! So put on you're best running shoes and triangle hat and get those taxes filed!
Mistress Carrie will be broadcasting live down the street from the Finish line of the Marathon today at Lir on Boylston St. This year we thought we'd make her job a little harder by sending her on the a Boston Marathon Scavenger Hunt. You can help her by posting your sightings and pictures to the WAAF Facebook Page and our Twitter feed. Some things are familiar sights around the Marathon route and some may be a little harder to find. Join us for what may be the start of a great new tradition in the Commonwealth. I have attached a drink value to each item because you're all a bunch of alcoholics.
1. Guy dressed like he's getting ready to run the Marathon but is obviously not in shape to. You know who I'm talking about. Top of the line track suit, squeaky clean running shoes, resting his cup on his beer gut. (Drink 10)
2. Dog wearing marathon related clothing. Along with posting a picture you should also call the MSPCA because dogs shouldn't be forced to wear clothes.(Drink 6)
3. Jesus pamphlet.(Drink 5. If you post a picture of the creepy Religious freak handing it to you then drink 12.)
4. Vomit.(Drink 2)
5. Someone with a vuvuzela.(Drink 2. If you can post a picture while the idiot is blowing it drink 5)
6. A Blimp.(Drink 8. If it's a plane with a banner drink 1 for every time it passes over you.)
7. Guy in a cow suit. Or any runner in a costume really.(Drink 5. Warning: there could be multiple cows.)
8. Someone protesting something with a sign. (Drink 3)
9. Person on a Segway.(Drink 7. If it's a Cop drink 11)
10. Any spectator holding a sign for a runner.(Drink 2)
11. A Bandit Runner.(That's a runner without a number. Drink 1 for every one you see.)
12. Any Douche in a Yankees hat.(Drink 1. Vomit on their shoes if possible.)
BONUS: If you see LB drinking DO NOT APPROACH! Post your sighting, run away and drink 9.
Good luck and enjoy this beautiful Historic Day. Go Kenya!
"My God Is The Sun" is the first taste of Like Clockwork which will be out on June 4. The Queens first album since 2007's Era Vulgaris. Once again the gigantic drumming of Dave Grohl graces the line up.(Including this song) Other guests include original bassist Nick Oliveri, and Elton John.(Yes, THAT Elton John)
I wish I could be at The House Of Blues tonight for the Black Crowes latest "We're Talking Again" tour. But unfortunately the Red Sox latest collapse has me spiraling into a reclusive malaise. Not to mention I couldn't scam free tickets. Hopefully this PBS special from 2011 will tide you over until they return to the Bank Of America Pavilion in Boston on July 30. Those tickets go on sale tomorrow(4/12) Get the details here.
The new Rob Zombie video for "Dead City Radio And The New Gods Of Supertown" has all the essential ingredients for a good time. Hot chicks, break dancing, an astronaut, a dwarf, a Yeti wearing sunglasses, and a giant chicken. I'm speculating that's graffiti artist Banksy in the hoodie standing next to what looks like one of his creations on a brick wall. Also, look for Buckcherry singer Josh Todd at the end. Yep, just another day at the Zombie House.
Pearl Jam hope to have a new album out later this year. Guitarist Mike McCready has said that he would like to finish the sessions they started two years ago and get on the road. Until then, here's their full performance from this past weekend at Lollapalooza Brazil. Kick back for a couple hours and tell the boss you're doing some "research". Great version of "Baba O'riley".
Why would Bill Gates want to award $100,000 to someone who can find a better way to put on a condom? Sounds like someone likes to go bareback but had a little scare. Actually that's purely disgusting speculation on my part. You can find out why here.
I'm guessing the last thing a guy would want is to have a condom applied by a wooden slingshot. Unless you're into that kind of thing? I'm not judging. But Slingshot Genius Joerg Sprave crafted just that. Watch as he describes how the Spanish Inquisition-type device is supposed to be used while laughing like Ernst Blofeld. I'm guessing he hasn't tested the device on himself. He seems smarter than that. If he had some kind of automatic repeating device for this and came with a tube of lube, he would sell thousands.
You are completely familiar with Andy Johns work. He was present at some of the greatest moments in Rock recording history as a Producer and Engineer. Here's a short list of some of his work:
Producer:
Stand Up - Jethro Tull (1969)
Town and Country - Humble Pie (1969)
Highway - Free (1970)
Marquee Moon - Television (1977)
Night Songs - Cinderella (1986)
Long Cold Winter - Cinderella (1988)
Dirty Weapons - Killer Dwarfs (1990)
For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge - Van Halen (1991)
The Extremist - Joe Satriani (1992)
Chickenfoot - Chickenfoot (2009) [8]
Engineer:
Ssssh -Ten Years After (1969)
Blind Faith - Blind Faith (1969)
Led Zeppelin II - Led Zeppelin (1969)
Led Zeppelin III - Led Zeppelin (1970)
Led Zeppelin IV - Led Zeppelin (1971)
Sticky Fingers - Rolling Stones (1971)
Exile on Main St. - Rolling Stones (1972)
Goats Head Soup - Rolling Stones (1973)
Houses of the Holy - Led Zeppelin (1973)
It's Only Rock 'n' Roll - The Rolling Stones (1974)
Physical Graffiti - Led Zeppelin (1975)
Coda - Led Zeppelin (1982)
IV - Godsmack (2006)
Eric Clapton - Eric Clapton
Just a couple of classics, nothing major right? It was Andy Johns who was the glue keeping it all together through The Stones' "Exile On Mains St." sessions, at the Nellcote Villa in the South Of France. Keith Richards rented the place out to escape paying taxes in England and immediately set up shop recording and shooting tons of heroin with his entourage and whoever wandered through the place. It was a recording engineer's nightmare. Humid, damp rooms, with cables running through hallways to kitchens and closets. The Stones would often record with people just hanging out in the same room partying, shooting up, eating. Andy Johns had to also be on call 24/7 ready to record when Richards was lucid enough to get it done, and when Mick Jagger decided to show up. No easy accomplishment. No Pro-Tools, no auto-tune. All of these ingredients make "Exile" one of the greatest and dirtiest Rock albums of all time.
He also achieved the same Organic griminess with Led Zeppelin IV, recorded at The Headly Grange Mansion in East Hampshire, England.
Andy Johns recording philosophy can be summed up from a interview he did with Recording Tech Blogger Bobby Owsinksi: "fidelity is obviously of prime importance. My idea is to make it sound as if you are in the best rehearsal that the band ever did, and you are about 12 feet back from the stage, in a nice rehearsal place...You're supposed to be there and feel them playing."
Maybe you're one of those very few humans who has not viewed one of the six Star Wars movies? Maybe you are an Uber-Nerd and wear your Sandtrooper costume to work every day.(Don't tell me it's a uniform, it's a f****n costume) Either way, your head will explode watching this brilliant piece of work by Brit Youtuber Michael McNulty. What would posses a man to create this? I lasted about 9 minutes until I blacked out and woke up out in the street just wearing my Darth Vader mask.
This would be a great interrogation device for the C.I.A. Imagine running this on a continuous loop while force feeding the subject a steady stream of Snow Caps? Is this what goes on inside George Lucas' head all the time? Or is it just giant gold dollar signs wearing the hot Princess Leia slave girl outfit from The Empire Strikes Back?
Good Luck and....may the Force be with you:
I'm hoping someone does this with all the Police Academy movies...hint hint Michael McNulty.
Every now and then when you're watching the Red Sox play in Toronto on TV you catch a shining ray of intense greatness coming from behind home plate at The Rogers Center. That is the great beaked noggin of Rush Bassist/Vocalist Geddy Lee taking in his favorite activity outside of making Godly sonic miracles. The temptation must be great for him to use his super human brain power to alter every pitch to go his hometown team's way. If he did, Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig would be forced to dissolve the Blue Jays organization and replace them with a team from The Netherlands.
Despite holding back his ability to propel the team to the World Series with a snap of his mighty fingers, the Jays honored Mr. Lee by letting him throw out the First Pitch to start the season. Watch as Geddy again, holds back his mighty power so as not to obliterate the Jay's Brandon Morrow.
Now watch as Geddy, along with the remainder of the Pantheon traverse many planes of time and space:
I love it when bands jam together like this. P.O.D., who are currently on tour with Three Days Grace and Shinedown, have been bringing back their cover of U2's "Bullet The Blue Sky" during their set. In the video below Zach Myers from Shinedown joins them for a slamming version. The pure joy in Zach and Marcos Curiel's playing is delightful to watch.
My friend Mark Hartless sent this to me and asked me what I made of it. Upon first viewing this is what I surmised:
During the Rebel Alliance action on the Forrest moon of Endor that eventually helped destroy the Second Death Star, a rebel assault force discovered a tribe of beings called Ewoks. These furry and diminutive creatures assisted the Alliance and later partied with the Rebel Fighters in their massive Tree House. That is where Ewok Music was first heard. You can listen to a sample here. During the lively celebrations(which may have included some type of mind altering beverages) Rebel Fighters must have had intimate relations with the Ewoks. Later creating the Human/Ewok hybrid. Over hundreds of years this hybrid species developed the technology to explore space all the while keeping their love of music alive.
During exploration of our Solar System an Ewok Space ship crashed on Earth somewhere in Estonia and the Ewoks were captured by the then suppressive Warsaw Pact Regime. Despite being tortured, used for experiments and as sex slaves, the Ewok/Humans were able to keep their love of music alive. Although by this time it had evolved into a fast paced, more angry form of song.
Once the Estonian Government deemed them useless to their cause they sent them to a work camp in the Latvia. The Ewok/Humans were able to escape and were given shelter by a scout for popular circus show, Cirque du Soleil. They were eventually incorporated into the act and were able to express themselves musically, but not as much as they liked.
After the fall of Communism they returned to the only place they knew as home, Estonia. While there, they were able to develop their unique sounds which had become influenced by artists such as Anthrax and The Muppets. After being suppressed for so long they were able to let loose and show the world the full extent of their art. This culminated on an Estonian "American Idol" type television show.
Well, according to the "FACTS" I was way off. This is actually Winny Puhh(which translates into Winny Pooh..go figure) an Estonian punk band that has been around for some time but hasn't really broken through to the West. Obviously due to some kind of Ewok discrimination. The name of the song they are playing is "Meiecundimees üks Korsakov läks eile Lätti" which, according to Google Translate, means "Meiecundimees one Korsakov just went to Latvia". So, that explains a lot. All I know is, this is the greatest thing since Black Sabbath and I'm going to start a tribute band.
At TWO years old this kid knows how to pick a lock with finger nail clippers. By 22 he'll be lifting paintings from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and laughing at the world. Where did he learn how to do this?
When the venerable Lemmy Kilmister from Motorhead turned 50 back in 1995 they had a little party for him at L.A.'s fabled Nightclub Whisky A Go Go. The night featured what is possibly the only performance by "The Lemmy's" who performed a short set of Motorhead classics to please the Rock God on his half Century survival. Can you guess who these guys really are? It's not too hard.
Some might think, the music genre Rap-Rock has been buried and forgotten and the red baseball caps have been replaced by 80's loving, vintage Chess King wearing, ironic fanny pack lovers. But not so fast Mr. Simple Minds T-shirt, Rap-Rock is slowly digging itself out of that shallow grave and returning with one of the vanguards of the scene.
Limp Bizkit has been trying to revive it's career for a few years but now have enlisted the help of Sizzurp lovin' Lil' Wayne on this latest collaboration, "Ready To Go". Behold the jam:
This is not the only evidence of the Rap-Rock Revival. Mr. Edward Van Halen has been working with the man who takes direction from his Mother when it comes to leaving people comatose, LL Cool J:
I think it's fantastic that the Library Of Congress has recognized the Ramones first album as a musical work that is "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant". Since the 2000 National Preservation Act, the LOC has been preserving some pretty good stuff in the National Recording Registry. Works by The Beatles, The Stones, The Allman Brothers, Bob Dylan, Grandmaster Flash And The Furious Five, and Bruce Springsteen are among many who have been deemed to be important musical achievements. Does that mean they recognize sniffing glue as "culturally significant" because of the huffers anthem, "Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue"? Believe me, I'm not complaining at all. This is one of my favorite albums of all time. I think it's great that "53rd And 3rd", a song about a Vietnam Vet with a bad habit who hangs out at an intersection known for male prostitutes and kills to prove he's a man, is now preserved form the life of the Union in it's records.
Sure, there are other drug addicts and deviants preserved in the Nations most prestigious hall of records like The Beach Boys, James Brown, Michael Jackson, and fellow 2012 inductees Pink Floyd(for Dark Side Of The Moon, HUZZAH!) But aside from fellow New Yorkers Sonic Youth, Ramones are the first true Punk band and the first to have a song like "Beat On The Brat" in the LOC.
You could actually look at The Ramones as a microcosm of the U.S.A. You have the extreme right winger Johnny at odds with the extremely liberal Joey and in between Dee Dee and Tommy(drummer for this album) being pushed and pulled back and forth just trying to keep the beat steady. I've also thought "Today Your Love, Tomorrow The World" would make a great National Anthem.
This is too good not to share with my Local 420 Brothers and Sisters. WARNING: The Republic does not recommend lighting your blunts with a Light Saber. That is not their intended use and it may cause injury or unintended disembodiment.
That creepy guy we know that used to hang out at all of our High School parties has returned. In the video for Butch Walker's latest song "Synthesizer", Matthew McConaughey reprises his role as Wooderson from the Richard Linklater classic Dazed And Confused. If you haven't seen it it's one of the greatest Stoner Movies ever and a great look at growing up in the 70's. Even though I was 8 in 1976 I learned plenty from my cousins and friends older siblings. In the words of the man himself, "Alright, alright, alright." Wooderson is my favorite character from the film because we all know that guy that hung out with High School kids despite being 23. He was great to have around when you needed beer. But sometimes it got creepy.
Who is Butch Walker? Here's a list of artists he's produced:
Sevendust
Default
Avril Lavigne
Pink
Katy Perry
Weezer
Lit
Taylor Swift
Fall Out Boy
and many many others.
He was in an Atlanta band in the 90's called The Marvelous 3 who had a minor hit WAAF used to play called "Freak Of The Week".
"Synthesizer" is from his album "The Spade" which has a 70's Cheap Trick, Power Pop feel. This song is my anthem right now. It's lyrics are filled with truth and Wooderson hammers the point home. He is who he is and does what he does and despite what you may think about him, you always know you'll get the real deal..even though it might be a little..creepy. Also, speaking of creepy, if you pay attention, you'll see Porn Legend Ron Jeremy partying with a couple of hotties.
Biting Elbows is a Punk band from Moscow and you can check out their music here. It's pretty good. But this isn't about the music, it's about the crazy-ass, first person killer, Tarantino-like videos they made for their two songs "The Stampede" and "Bad Motherf***er". Director Sergey Valyaev has created the ultimate cubicle escape fantasy. WARNING: These videos contain ultra-violence, sexual content, and everything else that makes these kind of things more fun and entertaining.
Nine Inch Nails have posted a documentary of their 1994-96 "Self Destruct Tour", possibly the most debauched period for Trent Reznor and crew. This was previously released on the "Closure" VHS in 1997. The 75 minute video is edited to give you motion sickness and contains scenes featuring tour mates David Bowie(who duets with Reznor on a powerful version of "Hurt") and a hung over Marilyn Manson. There is also much destruction of equipment and sanity. Back then, Nine Inch Nails shows were half Rock Show, half Gladiator Fight. This was the tour where Trent Reznor scared himself and ended up making the quiet and fearful The Fragile before disappearing for a few years.
Reznor has stated that he is bringing Nine Inch Nails back to the world in a reconstructed form and will be touring this year. Although in the video below, you see a man who has no concern for the future. Strap in(or on) and watch:
I haven't seen anyone rock a Keytar like this since... Since... Hmmm.... You'll have to give me a minute on that one. Maybe you can help me out? Remind me who rocked the Keytar the best in the comments section below. But these guys kick ass. They're almost as good as My Dick!
Michelle Obama would definitely endorse this kind of music making. Brooklyn artist j.viewz hits his local market's produce section, then takes his bounty to his Mad Scientist Lab where he hooks them up to a Novation Keyboard and turntable. To get into the technical specs check out the Mashable article.
It's a pretty interesting way to incorporate more ruffage into your music. Of course, this is the Vegan version. I wonder if you could use a big fat raw London Broil or Filet? Maybe a rack of ribs for a Xylophone effect?
Also, does anyone else think j.view ripped some massive bong hits before getting into this? This is totally something stoners would think up while passing and puffing.
There is no doubt this dude ROCKS! You may think he's a clown but give him credit, he's passionate about his music. Good thing this wasn't rush hour or there would be several serious injuries and hair all over people. BayRidgeDan caught this headbanger doing his thing on the train in Brooklyn. The Dude just doesn't give a fuck. That's what makes him great. He probably just got off work and has the next two days off. Or he just got the best BJ of his life.
"Cape Of Our Hero" is from Volbeat's upcoming album Outlaw Gentlemen And Shady Ladies which will be released in the U.S. on April 9. It's a rather melodic, sentimental song from a band that usually likes to mix their Motorhead with Johnny Cash and Metallica. In some recent interviews, Singer/Guitarist Michael Poulson said a lot of the new songs were written while touring the U.S. with some inspiration from his favorite Spaghetti Westerns he used to watch with his Father.
Don't forget, WAAF Presents Volbeat at The House Of Blues in Boston on May 1. You can get your tickets here.
Record Store Day is happening this year on April 20th(yes, 4/20) and the RSD Ambassador for 2013 is Vinyl Record Champion and Protector Jack White(White Stripes, The Dead Weather, The Racontuers). White has taken the vinyl release to new levels with his Third Man Records label so he is a natural fit to spread the RSD word. In the video below, White takes us on a tour of a Record Plant and explains that there is more involved with supporting Mom and Pop Record Stores.
Here's Jack White's Official Statement for Music Lovers:
Years ago someone told me that 1,200 high school kids were given a survey. A question was posed to them: Have you ever been to a stand-alone record shop? The number of kids that answered "yes" was... zero.
Zero? How could that be possible? Then I got realistic and thought to myself, "Can you blame them?" How can record shops (or any shop for that matter) compete with Netflix, TiVo, video games that take months to complete, cable, texting, the Internet, etc. etc? Getting out of your chair at home to experience something in the real world has started to become a rare occurrence, and to a lot of people, an unnecessary one. Why go to a bookstore and get a real book? You can just download it. Why talk to other human beings, discuss different authors, writing styles and influences? Just click your mouse. Well here's what they'll someday learn if they have a soul; there's no romance in a mouse click. There's no beauty in sitting for hours playing video games (anyone proud of that stop reading now and post your opinion in the nearest forum). The screen of an iPhone is convenient, but it’s no comparison to a 70mm showing of a film in a gorgeous theater. The Internet is two-dimensional…helpful and entertaining, but no replacement for face-to-face interaction with a human being. But we all know all of that, right? Well, do we? Maybe we know all that, but so what?
Let's wake each other up.
The world hasn't stopped moving. Out there, people are still talking to each other face-to-face, exchanging ideas and turning each other on. Art houses are showing films, people are drinking coffee and telling tall tales, women and men are confusing each other and record stores are selling discs full of soul that you haven’t felt yet. So why do we choose to hide in our caves and settle for replication? We know better. We should at least. We need to re-educate ourselves about human interaction and the difference between downloading a track on a computer and talking to other people in person and getting turned onto music that you can hold in your hands and share with others. The size, shape, smell, texture and sound of a vinyl record; how do you explain to that teenager who doesn't know that it's a more beautiful musical experience than a mouse click? You get up off your ass, you grab them by the arm and you take them there. You put the record in their hands. You make them drop the needle on the platter. Then they'll know.
Let's wake each other up.
As Record Store Day Ambassador of 2013 I’m proud to help in any way I can to invigorate whoever will listen with the idea that there is beauty and romance in the act of visiting a record shop and getting turned on to something new that could change the way they look at the world, other people, art, and ultimately, themselves.
Let's wake each other up.
That's pretty moving shit. I just ripped off my shirt and started screaming at my CD collection.(In about 5 years we'll probably be having a CD Store Day) RSD is actually one of the few things I'll get up early and wait in line for. When the doors open it becomes a Geek Battle Royal. A lot of bearded guys with glasses elbowing for position to get that limited release.
As a music enthusiast I still love throwing a record on the turntable. It's more of a listening "Experience" than listening to your iPod. With vinyl you make a bit of a commitment to sitting down(or laying on the floor with headphones) and checking out the packaging and artwork while taking in the music. Plus you only have about 20 until you have to turn the record over. It keeps you engaged. Unless you have one of those old school multi-album holders for your turntable.
Please don't be this guy. I love records, but...
For a list of participating Record stores and releases check here.
Well Not really. None of the people mentioned in the title of this blog wanted to deliver the mail. But they are in this great promo video for the 10th Anniversary Re-issue of The Postal Service's album Give Up. If you're not familiar with The Postal Service you can check out their fluttery electronic vibe here.
Yeah..it's pretty ..electronic. But I guess they strike a chord with a lot of people because their Coachella appearance and upcoming tour are driving the beard growing, ironic t-shirt and vest wearing, hipsters crazy. Not quite my cup of whiskey though.
The video is hilarious! Featuring "try outs" by Duff McKagan(GnR), Nate Mendel(Foo Fighters), Tom DeLonge(Blink 182), Boston's own Aimee Mann, Page Hamilton(Helmet), and Comedian Marc Maron. The best effort award goes to Moby(whom I usually despise), and the incomparable Weird Al Yankovic.
Last night, Dave Grohl and his Sound City Players closed down Hollywood Boulevard thanks to Jimmy Kimmel and ripped through the Creedence classic "Fortunate Son" with John Fogerty himself sharing the vocals with Grohl.
Get more details on the Sound City Documentary here.
No, not one of those Lullaby Albums that spin your favorite Rock into sweetness so you can at least enjoy it a little while you're rocking(the motion) you critter back to sleep(hopefully) at 3am. It's also not actual babies playing Metal. But it's close.
Baby Metal is a Trio of very young Japanese Girls fronting a sick metal band dressed in skeleton body suits. They forge a mix of what sounds like European style Power Metal and Thrash with J-Pop Vocals into an alloy dubbed "Kawaii Metal". Yes, it's a gimmick, but it also weird's me out. That's a quality I look for in music. I see this spreading to the Western Nations and being marketed as "Cute-Core". Demonic Hello Kitty-esque. Satanic My Little Pony. If Jessie from the Disney Channel did a project with Dimmu Borgir. Let the video impale you with sweetness.
Guinness has stepped up this year as the first large company to approach the Leary Firefighter's Foundation to show their support. Guinness has pledged $100,000 to the LFF and you can help them reach their goal by texting "Guinness" to 878787. With each text Guinness will give $1 as part of the Guinness Gives Back program. You can get more info here.
Recently I had the pleasure of speaking to Noreen Lucey, cousin of LFF founder and Boston Comic Denis Leary. Noreen's involvement in the LFF is very personal due to the loss of her Brother Jerry Lucey in the 1999 Worcester Cold Storage Warehouse Fire. You can hear our conversation here:
WAAF will also be helping Guinness raise money for the LFF by "Painting The Town Black" with Guinness nights at local bars where we will be taking donations while enjoying many Pints Of The Black Stuff. Here's a list of dates for the upcoming Guinness nights:
3/7 – Banner Bar in Worcester 9p-11p
3/8 – Green Briar in Boston 10p-midnight
3/15 – BBC in Framingham 9p-11p
3/17 – The Burren in Somerville 10a-2p
Please try to join us for these events and show your support for the Leary Firefighter's Foundation.
The picture below depicts about how much Guinness I will consume in the month of March alone. Join me!
See this at the Kappy's at Wellington Circle, Medford.
I used to love Hot Dogs..not so much anymore. Yes, it's strange that this video of a guy inhaling them in a trailer park would turn me off to them as opposed to say..how they are made? Maybe it's the act of regurgitation? Either way, this guy has a talent. It's also why the internet was invented.
As this video was posted two years ago I decided to search for further information about Hershey Wood and find out where this amazing talent has taken him. My guess was Gay Porn. But I couldn't find much. I'm guessing he may have choked on a Weiner. Most likely at a sporting event or family cookout.
Zach Curd is a musician and video producer..at least that's what I get from his website. What his website Doesn't explain is why he asked his wife Erin to wake him up by slapping him for 15 days straight? Despite what the real reason is, this is pretty hilarious. Especially getting into the the 7th and 8th day where she really starts messing with him. I guess my Schadenfreude levels are pretty high.
Maybe this is Zach's expression of the pain of waking when your dreams are far far better than your reality and the feeling of haplessness is so great that you need to video tape it and show it to the world. Or he's just trying to get some traffic for his website. Good job Zach, it worked.
It's a question that has been asked for as long as the cookie has existed. Do you like the cookie or the filling in an Oreo Cookie? Much time and delicious cookie parts have been wasted finding the answer. But now the debate has inspired the creation of a violent cream hating device invented by a maniacal chocolate cookie fanatic. The video below features footage of David Neevel and his Oreo Separator Machine. Neevel claims to be a "Physicist and Copywriter" but is most likely just a Chocolate addict with a warped mind.(or most likely an actor hired by the makers of Oreos)
What's next? A device to suck the fig filling out of Fig Newtons?
Tool have announced a new release! Well..not a "new" music release. They will be releasing a 21st Anniversary Edition of their 1992 EP Opiate on March 26. Here's the official word from the band:
“The anniversary edition is limited to 5,000 copies and features art direction by Adam Jones, illustrations by legendary artist Adi Granov and design packaging by Mackie Osborne, who has collaborated with TOOL on many albums including 10,000 Days, Lateralus and Salival as well as posters and merchandise.
The 5,000 copies will be broken down as 5 x 1,000 runs with each set featuring a variation of the exterior graphics and included bonus items which include a new stereoscopic image for fans to use with their glasses from the 10,000 Days packaging.
The packages will only be available via TOOL‘s website (www.toolband.com) on Mar. 26 and there will be no pre-orders. A limit of three packages from each of the 5 x 1,000 versions will be in place. More details to be announced soon.”
Much like anything Tool does, it's surrounded in mystery. Will it be vinyl, CD, surround sound DVD, or maybe Tool will revive the 8 track? At least we can use those Stereoscopic glasses that came with 10,000 Days. That was brilliant packaging. I hope there are more extras included as far as music and video are concerned. I would like to see or hear more live performance. I would also like to see a "Song Remains The Same" type of montage interpreting each band members personality. That could either be hilarious or disturbing.
I'm excited about this but: 1. I already have Opiate. 2. How about that new music they were talking about a few weeks ago?
Here's your first video taste of Device, the new project featuring Dave Draiman from Disturbed. The self-titled album will be out on April 9. The band also features former Filter member Geno Lenardo. Get more details at Mistress Carrie's Music Director's Blog.
This is Lisa Dutton and Kevin Stansfield, Saskatoon's #1 Morning News Team. They are friendly, informative, and educational. Check out this clip of Lisa Dutton giving a tip to new Moms. Boy, she sure knows her stuff. Obviously she has done this many times before. Scott has that look of wonder one gets when they learn something new and exciting! Check out the video.
Something tells me she was either sending a signal to someone or just trying to freak out her co-host. Either way, it's pretty hot. Especially with that Canadian accent dontcha know.
Black Sabbath have released some footage of the band working on their upcoming new album 13, which is due in June. Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, and Geezer Butler are shown working with Rage Against The Machine Drummer Brad Wilk. Last month in an interview Butler said Wilk would not be joining them on tour because of his commitments to Rage. This, of course led to speculation that there would be a new Rage Against The Machine album or tour as well. Still really can't consider this a reunion without Bill Ward behind the drums but still Looking forward to it.
Anthrax will be releasing an EP of covers on March 19 called Anthems, a tribute to some of the classic rock tunes beloved by the band. It includes a cover of "Anthem" by the Greatest Band In North America, RUSH, which you can hear below. Guitarist Scott Ian said in Billboard Magazine it was fun because, " a lot of those [songs] aren't, I guess, normal for us or like so much of our repertoire — although they are because they're songs we all knew."
I think they did a great job. It takes huge balls to cover Rush, but we all know Anthrax has those. Can't wait to hear their version of Thin Lizzy's "Jailbreak"! What do you think?
Ian said the song choice is from songs the band has jammed on for fun for years, "Because you really don't wanna have to work too hard on these things, although the RUSH song is a bit of a bitch; I can't say that's an easy one. But it's a song we all know and we're all familiar with, so then, of course, you take on the challenge of just really trying to nail it and do it justice."
In other Anthrax news local guy Jon Donais from Shadows Fall will play guitar for Anthrax on their upcoming tour filling in for departed guitarist Rob Caggiano who has joined Volbeat.
Now you have the chance to write music and instantly pop it on your turntable. Well..if you like Electronic Music. This is the Dyskograf:
Unfortunately, the Dyskograf is not for sale..yet. It is a project from the art collective AVOKA. The markings on the disc are read by a camera and translated into sound. You can create an electronic musical odyssey with just a magic marker. I am in no way a tech expert so you'll have to read their explanation here. AVOKA says this form of creating music gives "room for accidents in numeric creation, accidents that offer creativity." I think it's amazing and after a few Bong Hits can be hours of fun.
Is it bad that the first thing I thought of was what would the sound of a drawn penis sound like?
Device is the new project by Disturbed singer David Draiman. Mistress Carrie covered the details in her Music Director's Blog here. Their self-titled album will be out on April 9th. Check out the teaser trailer below:
The Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival in Des Moines, Iowa is a pigs nightmare and a highway to Heaven for anyone with a weak heart. They know how to do meat right in the Mid-West. CBO(Chief Bacon Officer) of the festival, Marshall Porter compares the festival's building greatness to "Electricity or Penicillin". Bacon may not be able to provide power or fight bacteria, but it sure makes you feel good when you eat it.
WARNING: The following video contains provocative Bacon Porn including a Lady GaGa-esque dress made of the magical meat for "The Bacon Queen". I hope they didn't waste all that beautiful Bacon by making it inedible. I would so chow down on that dress and then lay on my side and sweat as I pass out next to her nude greasy body. Sorry, I'm a hopeless Romantic.
The Man Of A Million Projects, Dave Grohl has been guest hosting Chelsea Lately this week and Sir Elton John made an appearance this week. After the initial love fest Sir Elton talked about working on the new Queens Of The Stone Age and Alice In Chains albums. He joins an impressive lists of guests on the Queens Of The Stone Age project like Trent Reznor, Mark Lanegan(who is a floating member), Brode Dalle, as well as Grohl. But that's been the Queen's MO since Rated R. Josh Homme brings in who he needs for the song or just for the hell of it to see what happens. Can't wait to hear it!
Clip on your boots and get in the pit! It's ok if your arm breaks off because you can just clip it back on. Sure you're "Hardcore". But are you LEGOCORE?!
The music was done by Jason Maas of Defeater with Bridge Nine Records' Chris Wrenn on vocals. The tune was co-written by Toby Dutkiewicz(brother of Killswitch Engage madman Adam Dutkiewicz). Toby is also a designer at Lego so this is an official Lego project. Maybe they'll get a Power Metal set going next. Or even better, Black Metal Legos with a Burning Church set?
The Defendant's name is Penelope Soto, busted for possession of Xanax and being really ditzy. Presiding over this case is the Honorable Judge Jorge Rodriguez-Chomat. He has a bit of a jovial Santa Clause- like vibe about him but don't be fresh in his court room. Miss Soto learned that the hard way and is now in the can for 30 days for showing the Judge her little well manicured finger. Never, NEVER, mess with a Judge, even if it's Traffic Court. They'll show you the entire long arm of the law. Maybe if Miss Soto would've said, "Adios, Your Honor" it may he may have ruled differently. Judge Rodriguez-Chomat seemed amused..but apparently was not that amused.
Here's another release from the Red Hot Chili Peppers' "I'm With You Sessions". It's an 8 minute space jam called "In Love Dying". I believe the Red Hot Chili Peppers are slowly floating into the stratosphere one molecule at a time with the help of their long time Alien benefactors. Just Sayin'. Load the bong for this one.
This is a news report from KMPH, Fresno, CA on a bizarre incident involving a big crazy guy who thinks he's Jesus, a homeless Surfer Dude with a hatchet, an African American Utility Worker, and two kindly recycling enthusiasts. The first video is the raw footage of Kai the Homeless Surfer. Listen to his account and try to figure out what happened. The second video is the actual news report. Thankfully it's a little more lucid.
Way to go Dude! Someone get that guy a Surfboard and some tasty waves STAT! Remember, in Kai's words, "You're worthwhile and no one can take that away from you."
I was at a friends Super Bowl party this past Sunday and ate a couple of Peirogis, some Kielbasa, a small pulled pork sandwich, four Buffalo Wings, a bowl of Buffalo Chicken Chili, and a bowl of regular Beef Chili, a wallet size section of a cold cut calzone, some amazing guacamole, a slice of cheese cake, a Rice Krispie Treat, two Jell-O Shots(Vodka), and four beers. Yes, I'm a pig. But it was all so delicious and next to Thanksgiving, Super Bowl Sunday is the next biggest day Americans throw all gastro-intestinal caution to the wind and indulge in huge amounts of deadly eats. Still doesn't make it right. But this is America and that's how most of us participate in Sports; as voraciously consuming spectators. Keep in mind I did it all in approximately 4 hours. Still, not right.
But could I take down a Pizza in 1 minute? No way. Maybe three slices at most. Professional eater Takeru Kobayashi(check his stats here) did just that at what looks like a real sausage fest of a Super Bowl party. Apparently you can hire the eating machine for events starting at $1500. I guess chowing down like a ravenous Hyena can be a lucrative career. I'd love to hire him to walk into an executive luncheon buffet and tell him to go crazy. That would be money well spent.
In this video he takes down a medium pizza in exactly 60 seconds. Without even getting any on his sweater. That's a pro! I have to work on my game.
Then there's always the inevitable question, "How'd it come out?" Fiber is this man's friend.
Last year Will Ferrell made a very Ferrell-esque Super Bowl Commercial for Old Milwaukee. It only ran in a couple of small markets. Why did Farrell do it? For the money of course. But there probably wasn't a lot, which gave Ferrell the freedom to...well be Will Farrell(and a lifetime supply of Old Milwaukee! Hell yeah!)
This year, once again, Ferrell represented the inexpensive choice of suds pounders with an even more bizarre ad that you probably caught if you lived in Sherman, TX, Ardmore, OK, and the greater Glendive, MT area.
WARNING: This commercial...um...just...warning.
For reference, here's last year's:
Old Milwaukee knows exactly who they're marketing to: People that are already shitfaced.
This will haunt my thoughts for years to come. I wish I could unsee this. No amount of booze or weed could burn this out of my memory. Here are the horrifying points:
1. American Idol. It's what they show detainees at Guantanamo Bay.
2. Steven Tyler in drag slightly resembles a woman I knew named Fran who swiped the meal cards at the Hoosac Hall Cafeteria at North Adams State College while I was there.(86-91) She had a tougher face than Charles Bronson, hard as nails, and chain smoked Pall Malls. One time I flipped someone the bird in the caf and she came up behind me and whispered in my ear, "If I see that finger again I'll break it off and shove it up your ass." But she was always very stylish in a French saloon kind of way. She probably could have(or maybe had) rode Tyler like a wheel barrow.
3. Seeing Ryan Seacrest briefly in a blonde wig stirred horrifying and confused feelings.
If you look closely Mariah Carey seems confused at first but then looks longingly as Tyler scoots his skirted ass off stage. I think she was into it.
Joy Division were one of those bands that didn't have huge success while they were around but influenced many to start bands and take the path of making music with emotional intensity and dark atmospheres. U2, Radiohead, The Cure and many others readily give credit to Joy Division for inspiration.
After lead singer Ian Curtis took his own life in 1980 the band and their music were elevated to a mythic level. Their last album Closer, recorded shortly before Curtis' death, is basically a suicide note. The remaining members continued on under the name New Order with great success through the 80's and 90's. But Joy Division's dark and tragic past was always hovering over them.
Despite the brooding anthems and the dire conclusion of the band, bassist Peter Hook has written an account that somehow injects a little humor to the legend and brings the mythos down to earth. In Unknown Pleasures: Inside Joy Division, Hook presents a first hand account of young Punks banging it out in crappy empty clubs and freezing vans like any other struggling band. Stories of boyish pranks and chaotic live performances show that these Gothic Lords were more than just a pantheon to doom and gloom. The book also touches on the mazing story of the Factory record label and their mission to keep it very real.
I spoke to bassist Peter Hook by phone and despite his reputation and self confessed pleasure for making interviews awkward and difficult he was very pleasant. Check out the interview below:
Here's Joy Division's first full length album Unknown Pleasures:
This is a 1979 Television performance:
I also reccomend the movies 24 Hour Party People which is very entertaining(even if you're not a Joy Division fan) and the beautifully filmed Control.
For the "By Crooked Steps" video Soundgarden went with Director/Rock Star Dave Grohl from Foo Fighters who has made pretty great videos with his own band. Soundgarden make dark, brooding, heavy music and Grohl manages to inject a little humor into the mix with the use of one of the most ridiculed vehicles of all time: The Segway. Despite Soundgarden riding these Bad Motor Geek Machines..they still remain nerdy. Great video guys!
German DJ FLULA has recruited his parents for a cover of Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes. With his father on accordion and his mom taking the wheel of the family vehicle, FLULA pumps it out while on a tour of the neighborhood.
Whether you're traversing time and space to confront a potentially species obliterating crisis or you're just trying to make a deadline by COB, life can get overwhelming. Sometimes you need more than a Sonic Screwdriver(cocktail or otherwise) to relieve stress. Take a few minutes and relax to the soothing tones of a friendly Dalek. You'll be glad you did.
Dave Grohl's Sound City documentary is packed with Rock Star guests: Paul McCartney, Rick Nielsen(Cheap Trick), Rick Springfield, Trent Reznor(Nine Inch Nails), Stevie Nicks... As is the soundtrack, Sound City Real To Reel.
Here's a recently released track called "From Can To Can't" featuring Corey Taylor(Stone Sour, Slipknot), Rick Nielsen, Bassist Scott Reeder(Kyuss, The Obsessed), and Grohl.
Here's the Tracklist for Sound City Real To Reel which comes out March 12:
01. Robert Levon Been, Dave Grohl, Peter Hayes – "Heaven And All"
02. Chris Goss, Tim Commerford, Dave Grohl, Brad Wilk – "Time Slowing Down"
03. Stevie Nicks, Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, Rami Jaffee – "You Can't Fix This"
04. Rick Springfield, Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, Nate Mendel, Pat Smear – "The Man That Never Was"
04. Lee Ving, Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, Alain Johannes, Pat Smear – "Your Wife Is Calling"
06. Corey Taylor, Dave Grohl, Rick Nielsen, Scott Reeder – "From Can To Can't"
07. Joshua Homme, Chris Goss, Dave Grohl, Alain Johannes – "Centipede"
08. Alain Johannes, Dave Grohl, Joshua Homme – "A Trick With No Sleeve"
09. Paul McCartney, Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic, Pat Smear – "Cut Me Some Slack"
10. Dave Grohl, Jessy Greene, Rami Jaffee, Jim Keltner – "If I Were Me"
11. Dave Grohl, Joshua Homme, Trent Reznor – "Mantra"
My Dick is a Boston duo comprised of members Cool Hand and Hand Solo. While some may label them as a cover band, they have way more girth than the average function band. My Dick "Dick-ifys" legendary Pop hits. They pound the song raw making it full of My Dick's unmistakable character. Check out My Dick's "Double Full Length Release" below. Just lay back and enjoy it.
Clutch has been laying down the heavy groove for over 20 years now. At times bubbling up over the underground but mostly doing the old fashioned way by taking it to the people. Like thay say in the song below, "If you're going to do it, do it live on stage or don't do it at all.." Their tenth album "Earth Rocker" will be out on March 19 through their own Weathermaker label. Their last few albums have been explorations in Galactic Blues but the just released title track seems to get back to the ROCK. Check it out here:
Alice In Chains have taken their creepiness to space with this new video for "Hollow". If you've seen the movie "Moon" you might recognize some of the scenes.(see the trailer for "Moon" below)
The AIC album will be out in the spring. There's no exact date or title yet. But we will keep you posted.
Does anyone have any theories on what that weird maggot like thing is?
Here's the trailer for the brilliant "Moon" directed by Duncan Jones:
This is quite possibly the Heaviest Metal Band ever on this planet. Not because they are made of steel. Not because they can rip it up to "Ace Of Spades". But because the band collectively weighs 6 tons. That's more than Bachman Turner Overdrive, The Fat Boys , and Leslie West combined! Meet Compressorhead:
This might cause some concern to the paranoid like myself that Technology and Robots are taking over too much of our lives. But know this: Lemmy Kilmister from Motorhead will outlive these machines. Like Ozzy Osbourne and Keith Richards, Lemmy is a miracle of nature. After these machines break down and Justin Bieber collects his first Social Security Check, Lemmy will still be guzzling Jack and Cokes and eating groupies alive.
Just for reference, here's Motorhead showing everyone how it's done. Suck it you bloated bucket of bolts!
David Bowie turns 66 today. I think it's safe to say the man is a legend. You may not have enjoyed everything he's done(and there is a lot) but you can't deny he is a fearless artist. So for his birthday he gives his fans a gift of new music. You can check out "Where Are We Now" from the upcoming album The Next Day, produced by his long time collaborator(and arguably producer of his greatest work) Tony Visconti below.
The album comes out on March 12 much to my surprise. I say that because I had written Bowie off as "retired". The man has seemingly done it all musically. Experimenting with Folk, Glam, Ambient, Disco, Hard Rock, and other works that are beyond description. He has appeared in movies and plays. He did a Christmas song with Bing Crosby for crying out loud! Recently he has "dropped out", keeping a lower than low profile in New York City.(The only place any legend can do that.) So why not "retire"? A statement on his website explains:
""In recent years radio silence has been broken only by endless speculation, rumour and wishful thinking ....a new record...who would have ever thought it, who'd have ever dreamed it! After all David is the kind of artist who writes and performs what he wants when he wants...when he has something to say as opposed to something to sell. Today he definitely has something to say."
The song is mellow and reflective as he reminisces about his time living in Germany where he escaped in the 70's to kick a tremendous Cocaine addiction and make the "Berlin Trilogy" of albums(Low, Heroes, Lodger). In the video we see a workshop strewn with old and unfinished projects and the artist who let's the camera have a good look him. Still so much to do, with little time left. This isn't Ziggy Stardust or The Thin White Duke. It's Bowie now. Looking back while still moving forward.
Is this real? I've watched it over and over and it looks real. This guy must have master control of his throat muscles. He could make a million dollars doing Gay porn. The town of Concord would probably ban him just for the amount of plastic bottle waste he produces. If beer came in plastic bottles this guy would be a hero...and dead.
The new Dropkick Murphys album "Signed And Sealed In Blood" comes out today and DKM Hockey Fan posted this sweet video to their new song "The Boys Are Back". Game On! GO Bruins!
Zakk Wylde and members of Sevendust and Candlebox have recorded a song called "The Pride," to benefit the The Carl V. Bini Memorial Fund, a Staten Island-based, non-profit organization which helps with Hurricane Sandy rebuilding efforts.
The recording features Zakk Wylde, Morgan Rose (Sevendust, Call Me No One), Kevin Martin (Candlebox, The Gracious Few), John "JD" Deservio (Black Label Society, Cycle of Pain) and The Infinite Staircase.
The song was recorded at Architeckt Music in New Jersey and both the studio and the recording engineer, Mike Ferretti, graciously donated their services to the project.
Since Zakk is a New Jersey native I'm sure he feels strongly about the project and the recovery efforts. The song will be available on iTunes later this month.
At the CES(Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas, companies from around the world get to show off the latest gadgets that will make your life much easier..or dumber. The video below features three new products that will make us even more dependent on our favorite technology.
The first is an Eye Tracking Sensor that enables your computer to know where you are looking on the monitor. You'll be able to eliminate that exhausting practice of moving your mouse by hand to the point you want. Praise Jeebus! Now all they need is a feature that will click for you when you wink. That way I can utilize both hands when I'm viewing porn.
The second is a smart phone case that allows you to use the touch screen from the back of the phone. I'm not sure what you would need this unless your fingers are so fat that when your playing a game they cover the whole screen.
That's ok because the next featured gadget will help you thin out those sausage like fingers and remind you to chew your food. The HapiFork is a "Smart Fork" that monitors the speed of your shoveling and reminds you to slow down with a soft vibration. It also keeps data on how long your feeding session is. All this info can be shared to Social Media too! Oh good, I want the world to know how fast I can plough through a lasagna. This is great because humans don't have the ability to remind themselves about this stuff. Food doesn't make fat people, forks make fat people. What this should do is send a taser like shock to let you know you have to stop with all the spaghetti. Maybe a voice reminder that says, "Don't you think you've had enough?" or "Holy Crap where are you putting it all fat ass?"
The Red Hot Chili Peppers have been releasing a series of vinyl singles consisting of tracks that didn't make it on the I'm With You album. The latest offering, in my opinion, is their best. A couple of spacey songs with strings, one appropriately titled "Pink As Floyd".
For those who want the Chilis to get back to the days when they ripped it up a la Blood Sugar Sex Magic, don't hold your breath. That was a completely different band on a different planet altogether. I've loved the Chili Peppers ever since i saw them play on the back of a flatbed truck in a muddy field at UMASS Amherst back in 1987. They were out of control, exploding and imploding at the same time. The ride for them up to this point has been like dodging falling concrete panels in the Sumner Tunnel. But they have persevered, stayed true to themselves, and continue to make amazing and surprising music.
Independent TV station KDOC in Orange County, CA had a star studded Cluster F**K of a New Years Eve broadcast that included a myriad of f-bombs, a fight, a really high Macy Gray, and some of the worst television directing I've seen since my Intro To Television class at North Adams State College. Even with the "Star Power" of Shannon Elizabeth, Jamie Kennedy, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, and the dismantled Macy Gray, they still imploded like The 2011 Red Sox September. Maybe Josh Beckett was directing? At one point they seem to lose track of what time it is. Which is no big deal I guess for a New Years Eve countdown show.
I've watched it a few times and can't figure out if this is real or some kind of Kauffman-esque Television Comedy Experiment. I've seen a few Blogs compare it to Tim and Eric, but this is more like somebody scored some killer weed right before air-time. Maybe a bunch of people quit right before the start and they had to grab people from the crowd to run the show? The only thing that makes me think it's a joke is the presence of Jamie Kennedy as host and Executive Producer. Either way it's a train wreck you can't turn away from.
What do you think? Shenanigans or Cluster-F?
The person who put this video together says they will put up the whole show soon. I might have to re-do my whole New Years Eve thing and watch it.
In a recent interview with Metal Hammer, Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal gave some advice to up and coming musicians and it went like this:
"1. Be on time. By “on time” I mean “be early.” Make sure you’re there for when you need to be — wait in your car, communicate, let them know 10 minutes early that you’ll be there in 5 minutes, and walk in 5 minutes later. 2. Be prepared. By “prepared” I mean “overly prepared.” Know more than you need to. If you’re gonna lay guitar parts, know the drum grooves and where all the accents and up-beats and fills and breaks are, know the bass lines… When the bassist doesn’t show and they freak out and you say, “I know the bass part. I can lay it down,” you’ll be the MVP 3. Be cool. And by that I mean, be a calm, relaxed, easy-going, soothing presence in the room. When everyone is contagiously breaking into panic and stress mode, you’ll be their voice of reason without even trying. Players can be replaced — people are chosen by who others want to spend their time with.”
Excellent advice! All three points could be applied to any Job. Especially if a lot of people are depending on you. Not just staff but customers or clients. Also, I'd like to add, WHAT THE F**K?! Are you serious? You are still with Guns N Roses right? With all due respect, maybe you should mention these points to your exceptionally skilled Tardy Master, Walkin' off the stage, deciding to not go on 10 minutes before the show boss?
I don't know, maybe he's venting through the press. But that would be breaking rule 3. Maybe "Bumblefoot's" watch is fast. Seriously, when you guys were 3 hours late at The DCU Center a few years ago you could've applied point #1 and call and let us know.
Maybe he's joking? That's got to be it. Then this is hilarious! Damn, I'm such a stick in the mud. My New Year Resolution is to have more of a sense of humor.
On the other hand, no one knows more about being late than the Guns N Roses Crew. So I guess this is expert advice. For Free!
The folks at ADHD have brought an American tradition up to date in this heartwarming video. Let's just say it's not for the kids. Also, some long time speculations about certain Peanuts characters are validated. But I never would have figured Schroeder for a Leather guy..
This happened in Russia, which is like the Florida of Europe these days. It's scary at first, but once you see the cows stand up like they meant to that then there is a little relief. Is it bad that's the first thing I thought of and not the driver?
When I lived in Richmond, VA in the mid-90's there was a similar accident on Interstate 95. A truck full of Cows had rolled over after striking another truck which then burst into flames. At the time I was working at a local radio station and reports were coming in from drivers and police that flaming cows were running wild on the highway. So, naturally I went on the air and said, "We need to get a tanker truck of A1 Sauce to the scene immediately." My boss was not amused. I think he was a Vegetarian. Luckily, these cows were not set ablaze. Just tenderized.
It's St. Nick Vs. Moses(played by special guest Snoop "81 Joints A Day" Lion). While I am partial to the D-O- Double G I'm kinda routing for Santa here.
There was much hype surrounding Sir Paul McCartney's performance at the 121212 Concert for victims of Hurricane Sandy last night at Madison Square Garden. Once it was leaked the day before that the surviving members of Nirvana were going to back the former Beatle, the internet exploded with Music Geek fervor. Was this going to be an actual Nirvana reunion? What Nirvana songs would Sir Paul attempt. The word "replace" was used in some stories. Really? Do you really think Paul McCartney could replace Kurt Cobain? Maybe Dave Grohl could replace George Harrison in the Beatles Reunion? I was expecting mostly Beatles and maybe one Nirvana song. I was hoping for a McCartney crooned "About A Girl" or "In Bloom". Seriously, I can hear that.
But what actually happened could be considered to be under whelming to the hypers and the doubters. After a sweet mix of Beatles, Wings, and solo material with his ace backing band, Sir Paul invited Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic, and Pat Smear to join him for a new original called "Cut Me Some Slack" written by him and Grohl that might be on the soundtrack to Grohl's upcoming documentary "Sound City". It was a heavy slab of groove rock reminiscent of the Beatles rocker "Why Don't We Do It In The Road" and Led Zeppelin. Check out the video here:
And that was it. No Beatles, No Nirvana. I actually liked it. I wanted to hear more. No, seriously. I hope they make more music like this! Some were very disappointed. Some on the intetrnets felt duped and some said that both McCartney and the Nirvana guys compromised their reputations by being on the same stage together. To those I say..Relax. They didn't butcher the sacred songs from either of their respective former bands. There was no bludgeoning of "A Day In The Life". Paul didn't cute up "Territorial Pissings". Relax. It was a group of guys having fun for a good cause. Anyone that has followed the careers of any of those involved know they long ago moved on from the Legendary Music that made them famous and have continued to evolve as musicians. McCartney's catalog speaks for itself and Grohl and Novoselic have respectfully preserved Nirvana's musical legacy.(Granted they had legal problems preventing them from trying. But they've been a little more classy about it than Courtney Love.)
Plus, it was great hearing Sir Paul McCartney say "Pat Smear!" Do you think Smear ever thought, back when he was in the Germs dodging snot and bottles in shit hole clubs, that he would ever share a stage at Madison Square Garden with a Beatle? No wonder he had that disbelieving look on his face the whole time. I wonder what the Germs, "Lexicon Devil" would sound like with Sir Paul on vocals?
At a press conference today at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, Red Hot Chili Peppers’ bassist and 2012 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Flea announced the list of performer inductees and Ahmet Ertegun Award recipients for induction. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees for 2013 are:
Performer Category:
· Heart
· Albert King
· Randy Newman
· Public Enemy
· Rush
· Donna Summer
Ahmet Ertegun (non performer) Award:
· Lou Adler
· Quincy Jones
Scheduled for Thursday, April 18, 2013, the 28th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held at the Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles. This marks the first time since 1993 that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held on the West Coast. The ceremony will again be open to the public, as it was in 2009 and 2012 in Cleveland.
Joel Peresman, President and CEO of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, said, “We are thrilled to announce this year’s class of inductees, which again represents the broad, compelling and significant definition of rock and roll.”
The induction ceremony will broadcast on HBO on Saturday, May 18 at 9pm ET/PT. Said Michael Lombardo, President of HBO Programming, "We are excited to team up once again with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for what is sure to be an incredible evening of one-of-a-kind performances.”
Ticket Purchase Information
Tickets to the 2013 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony go on sale to the public on Friday, January 25th. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum Members will have the opportunity to purchase advance sale tickets to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2013 Inductions. Memberships must be active as of January 1st, 2013. Some restrictions apply. Click here or reference the Rock Hall Membership e-newsletter for details.
The 2013 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame performer inductees were chosen by more than 500 voters of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. To be eligible for nomination, an individual artist or band must have released its first single or album at least 25 years prior to the year of nomination. The 2013 Nominees had to release their first recording no later than 1987.
For the first time in its history, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame offered fans the opportunity to officially participate in the induction selection process. The public was able to visit rockhall.com, hbo.com, CNN.com and rollingstone.com to cast votes for who they believe to be most deserving of induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The top five artists, as selected by the public, comprised a “fans’ ballot” that was tallied along with the other ballots to choose the 2013 inductees.
All inductees are ultimately represented in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, Ohio. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is a nonprofit organization that exists to educate visitors, fans and scholars from around the world about the history and continuing significance of rock and roll music. It carries out this mission both through its operation of a world-class museum that collects, preserves, exhibits and interprets this art form; and through its library and archives, as well as its educational activities.
I thought this was a joke. I was expecting the punch line at the end of the ad but...this actually exists. The Swedish Company Pause has developed a way for music lovers to enjoy their beloved playlists beyond this Mortal Coil. The thought of my favorite music being pumped into my coffin and at my rotting corpse is actually not a comforting thought at all. If a track has a thumping beat it might attract more worms to feast on my carcass. I think it's also pretty funny that this costs 23,500 Euro.(that's about $30,500) and it's listed in the "Bargains" section of the Pause website. I guess that's short dough for an eternity of your favorite tunes.
I'm now going to have to think about what my "After-Life Playlist" would be. I have to. I'm a music geek and that's what we do, right? While you can order the number of gigs for your Coffin Sound System, to make it a little easier, what would be your top 10 songs for Eternity? Let me know in the comment section below. If you want to list more than 10 that's fine. It's your Death.
My Top Ten For Eternity(This will change weekly if not daily):
1. Pink Floyd- "The Great Gig In The Sky"(The live version from 1974 Wembley Empire Pool Show)
2. Rush- In The End
3. Slayer- "Seasons In The Abyss"
4. Lita Ford and Ozzy Osbourne- "Close My Eyes Forever"
5. Type O Negative- "Love You To Death"
6. Joy Division- "Atmosphere"
7. Alice In Chains- "Down In A Hole"
8. Ramones- "Pet Cemetary"
9. Pearl Jam- "Deep"
10. Led Zeppelin- "In My Time Of Dying"(from the 1975 Earls Court Show)
Alright, what have you got?
For those who prefer to be cremated, this is also an option. One which I might actually do. That way I can be kept with my precious vinyl records.
Jack White brought his all female band, The Peacocks, for his appearance on Conan last night. He toured with this band and an all male band. You can see both in action here. By the way, drummer Carla Azar kicks serious ass. No offense Meg. I also think it's great he's doing a song about being floored by a hot chick surrounded by women. #Rockstarproblems
This is the first track from the upcoming EP "Dogs Eating Dogs'(out on 12/18/12) Tom Delonge has described the new music they're making as very different and progressive. He also used the word "Organic". Blink 182 are now on their own and doing it themselves without the help of a record label. You can pre-order "Dogs Eating Dogs" in various forms here.
I found myself sweating at the end of this video. I know, I know, I sweat a lot already. Do they make it or do they become duck sauce? Watch and find out...
The video is for the track "Mein Herz Brennt"(Piano Version). It will be included on an EP of the same name to be released next Tuesday(12/10). I needed to power wash my body after watching it. If anyone has a knowledge of German do me a favor and don't let me know what this is about. I feel if I did know, I wouldn't be able to sleep for the rest of my life. I hear Till Lindeman is also available for Kids parties and Babysitting.
Metallica have released another clip from the upcoming Double DVD "Quebec Magnetic".(out on December 10th) The clip of "The Four Horsemen" comes from a two night stand the band did in October of 2009. The DVD was directed by Wayne Isham who also directed their videos for "Enter Sandman", "Sad But True", "Fuel" among many others. Check out the clip and the full track list from "Quebec Magnetic" below:
Track List for "Quebec Magnetic":
01. That Was Just Your Life
02. The End Of The Line
03. The Four Horsemen
04. The Shortest Straw
05. One
06. Broken, Beat & Scarred
07. My Apocalypse
08. Sad But True
09. Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
10. The Judas Kiss
11. The Day That Never Comes
12. Master Of Puppets
13. Battery
14. Nothing Else Matters
15. Enter Sandman
16. Killing Time
17. Whiplash
18. Seek & Destroy
Bonus songs:
19. For Whom The Bell Tolls
20. Holier Than Thou
21. Cyanide
22. Turn The Page
23. All Nightmare Long
24. Damage, Inc.
25. Breadfan
26. Phantom Lord
The surviving members of Led Zeppelin appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman last night after receiving the Kennedy Center Honor from President Obama on Sunday.(Awarded for the substantial contribution to culture and the arts in the United States. They must have also included hearing loss and sexually transmitted diseases with that) I think they've already established the fact that they will never play reunite for an tour or record new material together so what could we learn from a Letterman appearance?
1. David Letterman seemed uncharacteristically intimidated by them.
The Gaslight Anthem have released a video for "National Anthem" which comes from their excellent album Handwritten. The video is a montage of images from the devastation caused by Hurricane Sand in their home state of New Jersey. They are also selling two specially designed t-shirts via PunkCares.org to benefit organizations helping to aid in the recovery. The band's upcoming concert at Terminal 5 in New York City will air on AXS TV and the channel will make a donation to the recovery effort that matches the amount of money raised by sales of the t-shirts, according to Rolling Stone.
What if I create the divot in my mashed potatoes and cover everything with gravy? What does it mean if I drink the gravy directly from the boat? What does all this mean at the kids table?
If you are addicted to porn or not, have a Happy Thanksgiving.
So I see a Huffington Post tweet that says "World's Fastest Piano Juggler". How can I not click on that link. I'm think some kind of David Blaine Optical Illusion freak out. Nope, instead I got this. Now It will not leave my head. I feel my day will turn into some kind of Twilight Zone episode where I'll be seeing this..clown..wherever I go.
It's not so much the creepy mask and the maniacle music....it's the dummy in the chair... The God Damned Dummy in the chair.
Actually Twinkies have an official shelf life of only 25 days. Although, that fact has been put to the test with varied results. After hearing about Hostess Cakes putting themselves out of their own misery by shutting down and laying off over 18 thousand workers, I searched for facts on their most famous product. What I found were hundreds of links to experiments performed on the iconic cake. Some reminded me of various forms of torture I've seen in movies and on the news. I realized that one of America's favorite junk foods was also the most abused. They have been electrocuted, thrown from buildings, drowned, hung, radiated and set ablaze. Actually you can't set a Twinkie on fire unless you dowse it in an accelerant. Which leads me to believe Hostess may have been involved with NASA when it came to developing a heat shield for their spacecraft.
There was also a rumor that Twinkies contained some of the same chemicals as Jet Fuel, but I couldn't find any firm evidence. Another urban myth said if you left a Twinkie in a bathtub full of water over night it would expand and fill the tub without dissolving. Also, in my personal experience, it takes a Twinkie about 45 seconds to collapse in on itself and start burning in a microwave oven. If you're lucky, you'll get one with an air bubble inside and it will make a spectacular explosion. The clean up sucks though.(Yes, again stoned.) Unfortunately this is not true, believe me, I actually tried it. Yes I was stoned. You can check out the most famousTwinkie experiments here.
Now that will all change. Hostess will offer up it's assets for sale and most likely China will buy them. This is purely speculation on my part but that whole flammable thing will change and the quality will plummet. I'm guessing they will try to take advantage of American's love for the sweet treat that they will incorporate some poisons into them like they did with toothpaste and dog food.
I haven't eaten a Twinkie in a few years but I'm sad to see a staple of Health Experts ire disappear. As well as the Ding Dongs, Fruit Pies, the Yellow Cup Cakes, and the ever pliable Wonder Bread. Hopefully Little Debbie and the rake people will step up to keep us happy and fat. Or maybe try something from your local baker...if they're still around.
This is the new release from Trent Reznor's post Nine Inch Nails band How To Destroy Angels. The band also includes Reznor's wife, Mariqueen Mandig, on vocals, and long time collaborators Atticus Ross and Rob Sheridan. While there are many similarities to the quiet side of NIN, The Omen ep has more of an ambient and at times tribal groove. It still has some of that maddening tension building that Reznor is adept at but overall the edges are smoother. Headphone(not earbud) listening is highly recommended.
The boys in Blink-182 is expected to release a new EP in time for Christmas, according to tweets and instagrams from the members of the band. Mark Hoppus wrote last week, "We're releasing some new blink-182 songs in a few weeks. Watch this space." Tom DeLonge added, "New Blink EP for x mas..." Not sure if it will be a Christmas themed EP. Of course I'd love to hear them change "Deck The Halls" to "Deck The Balls".
In some related Breaking Blink 182 news. Mark Hoppus accomplishes major life milestone:
When I drag out my bike I like to hit the Blackstone Valley Bikeway in Worcester and Milbury for a leisurely ride on smooth paved paths that are mostly nice, level, and non-life threatening. But at the Taxco Urban Downhill Race in Mexico, Non-Life Threatening is not an option. The last 90 seconds of this video made me pee a little.
Soundgarden made an appearance on the BBC's "Later With Jules Holland" doing "Been Away Too Long" from the upcoming new album King Animal(out November 13) and the classic "Rusty Cage" from Badmotorfinger. Chris Cornell can still wail like a banshee despite wearing his Grandma's sweater.
NBC's Lester Holt laughed as he delivered that line during last night's broadcast with Brian Williams busting his balls by satellite. Maybe Lester and Brian were laughing because they thought they would never see this in their lifetime? Or maybe they think it's silly this was even an issue. Or maybe they were getting all stewie-be-gooeyed during the commercial break. I know if I had to cover this shitty election I would need to be medicated so I wouldn't purposely stab myself in the jugular with a pen.
While the victory for Medical Marijuana here in Massachusetts and the others for Legalization in Colorado and Washington were great for Cannabis Enthusiasts it's far from being New New Amsterdam. Remember, the Federal Government doesn't recognize these new laws and the newly re-elected President Obama hasn't exactly made it a priority. The Feds could still roll in their Storm troopers and ruin the buzz at any time. So please, to all of my Local 420 Brothers and Sisters. Let's not fuck this up. Let's show the Feds and the rest of the beer guzzling hypocrites that Marijuana can exist in society like that other legal vice, Alcohol.
But at least we're headed in the right direction. I've already scheduled a Doctor's appointment for early January. My back has been killing me. Thousands of others could come down with the same thing near the end of the year. It might be an epidemic.
This thorny turd of a campaign is finally being pinched off and flushed away with this election. The relentless attack ads, mud slinging, two timing, double-teaming, and rank partisan vomiting will take a break until the campaigning revs up again in about 2 weeks. That's how it is now. It's all campaigning all the time. With billions of dollars being thrown into this vortex of crap by contributors who want a piece of the action. It's enough to make you want to say "Fuck this! I'm not voting for either of these assholes." or the classic, "My vote doesn't count anyway." If you want to be a lazy prick that wants to give the Government more control then by all means, blow it off. Just don't start bitching when something you don't agree with gets passed.
There are other candidates on the ballot besides what the Elephant and Pony show have been shoving down your throat. But America loves a winner and wants to be able to say "I won" the day after election day. I always hear, "You're throwing away your vote." No, not voting is throwing away your vote. I had an Elizabeth Warren operative knock on my door and try to sell me why I should vote for the Lady from Oklahoma. Despite being a rather liberal guy I told her that I haven't voted for a Democrat or a Republican since 2000. That maybe, if enough people voted for someone else it would send a message to the ruling parties. She said that was a "fantasy". I told her to get the fuck off my porch.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but The Sons Of Liberty had a fantasy which they eventually turned into a reality. So today, consider voting for someone besides the two parties who jointly have made things harder for regular people in this country. You're not throwing your vote away. You're using it to protest. Which is the most Patriotic thing you can do.
Here's info on the two alternative Presidential Candidates on the Massachusetts Ballot:
Also, don't forget about the Ballot Questions. You don't have to vote for any candidate but you should at least vote on the 3 questions on the ballot this year in Massachusetts. Get the info here. Vote YES on 3! Free The Weed!
When it comes to carving pumpkins for Halloween I like to go primitive. Give me a big-ass Michael Meyers butcher knife and a large orange gourd and you'll have a freaky Tiki-style Jack-O-Lantern in minutes. Mostly, I just like the way the knife feels in my hand when I plunge it into pumpkin flesh. Is that wrong? I'm not a big fan of the fine etching that has become a trend with pumpkin carving kits. Too many tools and too little time.
But this is really amazing. Fully functional Tetris Jack-O-Lantern. Because that's all I need to be doing on Halloween. Staring into a pumpkin for hours while kids steal all my candy from the "Honor Bowl" on my porch. I'm going to put in an order for a Lite-Brite one next year:
We citizens of The Commonwealth have it relatively easy when it comes to campaign ads. The people in "Battleground States" like Ohio are getting it at both ends. Young Abigael definitely has her hand on the pulse of the nation this election year.
Got this from the @PearlJamOnLine. Thanks guys! "Non-State Actor" is another track from the new album King Animal which comes out November 13. You can go here formore info.
Jimmy Page's manager Peter Mensch has told the U.K.'s Sunday Times that the guitarist is holed up in a west London studio "remastering every Led Zeppelin LP." It is believed that the new remasters, which are due next year, will include alternate takes and unreleased material as well.
Page recently told Mojo magazine that there are plans to release each Zeppelin studio album as a box set with additional material from each LP. In addition, it was revealed in an article in The Australian that artist Shepard Fairley has been tapped to re-design the artwork for the upcoming reissues.
Really?
From the moment my friend made me listen to "The Song Remains The Same" on headphones when I was in 6th grade to this day I have loved Led Zeppelin. But c'mon Jimmy. How many more remastering jobs can you pull off? I have the vinyls, cd's, the first box set of remasters. Then there was the "Early Days" and "Later Days" compilations, The "Definitive" Collection, The "Mothership".... Now a box set for each re-issue Ala Pink Floyd.
If they are as well done as the Floyd sets with tons of unreleased stuff and live shows(which were my favorite parts) then I will probably pay up. But I have a proposal for Mr. Page. How about letting us fans who have bought these albums three times already trade in our various copies for the new latest remasters. I know, you're bringing the music to millions of new young fans, and that's great! Keep it alive for future generations and hopefully they'll put down the One Direction and pick up the Zeppelin. So how about for us old guys, put the unreleased stuff in one package and we'll just give our kids our old albums.
The Rolling Stones played a surprise club gig last night at La Trabendo in Paris to about 600 lucky people. The Stones have always warmed up with an intimate club show before they go out on tour. Usually close to their current rehearsal space. You might(or might not) remember their infamous show at Sir Morgan's Cove on Green St. in Worcester? Although I wouldn't call the four gigs they have planned a "Tour", but Keith Richards says they, "Ain't doing all this for four gigs."
Here's the setlist from the show:
"Route 66"
"It's Only Rock & Roll (But I Like It)"
"Shattered"
"When the Whip Comes Down"
"Champagne and Reefer"
"Doom and Gloom"
"Miss You"
"Start Me Up"
"Midnight Rambler"
"Tumbling Dice"
"Jumpin' Jack Flash"
"Brown Sugar"
Rush has been making great music for the last 44 years but last night they focused mostly on their last 30. Most likely because Bass player Geddy Lee can’t quite hit those notes from the epic 70’s material. These guys are getting to retirement age and have no problem making fun of themselves. Before the meet and greet with Geddy and guitarist Alex Lifeson even their security guys giving the briefing made sure we didn't’t “knock Geddy’s cane out from under him” and “ we have to go back to wake them up because it’s their nap time”. But their playing was still sharp and concise as it was when I first saw them on the “Signals” tour back in 1982 at the Worcester Centrum(now DCU Center).
In fact it was kind of a flashback as they opened with “Subdivisions” from that album complete with clips from the video of high school kids from the early 80’s. And that’s where they stayed for the first set: The 80’s. Occasionally plucking a few songs from the early 90’s like “Dreamline” and the instrumental “Where’s My Thing” from 1991’s “Roll The Bones”. The 1985 “Power Windows” album had the majority of the first set with the powerful “Big Money”, as well as “Middletown Dreams”, “Grand Designs”, and the epic “Territories”. “Power Windows” is an album full 80’s fears like nuclear war, out of control banks, and corporate greed. Stuff we’re still dealing with in the 21st century. They also pulled out the “Signals” nugget “Analog Kid” with Uber-Baseball fan Geddy Lee throwing in a Red Sox reference. I thought my head was going to explode. The only diversion from the 80’s/early nineties was the set closer “Far Cry” from the 2007’s “Snakes And Arrows”. But that was it for their post Y2K/pre- “Clockwork Angels” stuff.
After a short break and a long ass bathroom line (The Men’s Room at Rush Shows are always miles long while the very few ladies breeze in and out of their respective rest room. They should just open up the Ladies room to the guys since the ratio is probably 8-1) they concentrated on the excellent new effort, “Clockwork Angels” with the first guest musicians they have ever brought on tour. The Clockwork Angels String Ensemble’s six violins and two cellos added a sweet underlying melody to the new material that never overpowered the songs. It also added to the cinematic tone of the new material. The two high points for me in the second set were “The Wreckers” which was accompanied by one of the best stage productions I’ve ever seen. The backdrop was cut out animation of a ship pressing on through raging seas and storms, at one point, the relentless rain on the screen was mimicked by tiny white lights on stage giving the effect of rain in that entire end of the arena. It was amazing. Also, “The Garden” was definitely the centerpiece of the second set with the band clearly enjoying playing the fresh material.
The guys came back after a quick break to play the classics with “Tom Sawyer” into the “2112 Overture/Temples Of Syrinx” and then a surprise addition of the “2112 Finale”. Geddy’s voice struggled a bit but the intensity was still there as well as the smiles. Even after four decades they still look like they’re having a blast on stage. You can get the full setlist here.
The drum solos were served up in much smaller chunks this time as opposed to the one long epic stretch. There were three mini-solos that lasted only a few minutes each. Drummer Neil Peart as always dazzled behind the kit while looking very Zen. Geddy’s bass work was astounding as usual especially during “YYZ” and Alex’s shining moments were mostly during the new songs which give him a lot of space to stretch out and make those faces like he just ripped off a toe nail. Great musicians always make it look so easy. Overall another Nerdariffic performance that I’m sure set the chat rooms ablaze.
Were you at the show? What did you think? Leave a comment in the section below.
By the way, Geddy told me he was rooting for the Tigers.
Imagine a hoard of Orcs who just got their asses handed to them by a bunch of Elves, Humans, and creepy glowing green skeletons. They're tired, bleeding, and most of all HUNGRY! Unfortunately they're in the middle of nowhere, Middle Earth, and the only thing in the area is a giant serpent in an old cave and some talking trees and they may have been stoned. Wait..what's that on the Horizon? Holy Sauron! It's a Denny's!
Beginning November 6 you'll be able to dine on "Frodo's Pot Roast Skillet" and "The Gandalf Gobble" at your local Denny's as part of their tie-in to the upcoming movie "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey". And why not? Hobbits eat like seven times a day. They have a second breakfast for crying out loud! There is nothing more nourishing than eating a "Hobbit Hole Breakfast" to keep you fortified for your journey to rid the Middle Earth of evil..or for your ride to work. You can even "Build Your Own Hobbit Slam". It's all starting to sound a little Hobbitsexual. The "Shire Sausage" will surely put hair on your feet.
Seriously, this commercial is probably not far from what you'll see rolling into a Denny's for "11pm After Ale Grease Gorge". It will be Ring Nerd Central with fat guys wearing cloaks and home made armor they built in their parents basement. Denny's will be handing out collectible cards and other items so you know it's true. I swear by the Fork of Theoden, it be the truth..
Elvis did it. So did Elton John and Celine Dion. The Las Vegas residency is a plum gig for any entertainer and Guns N’ Roses have finally made it. They’ll be right up there with Frank and Dean-O and Siegfried and Roy. From Halloween through Thanksgiving you’ll be able to see the spectacle at The Joint at The Hard Rock Hotel while sipping a few specially made cocktails mixed up for the occasion.
- Patience Punch – This tasty treat consists of Ketel One, Triple Sec, pineapple juice, orange juice and grenadine. Knock one back for $10.
- November Rain – The tart concoction consists of Belvedere Lemon Tea and fresh lemonade. It costs $10.
- Liquid Dream Shot – This fruity libation features a mix of Absolut Raspberry, Absolut Vanilla, Blue Curacao, pineapple juice and grenadine. Drink one down for $9.
- Paradise City Limits – Consists of Cruzan Rum, Watermelon Pucker, pineapple juice and grenadine. It costs $8.
- Welcome to the Jungle – Just like the song, this one packs a punch. The drink includes Jim Beam, Triple Sec, Midori, Blue Curacao, pineapple juice and sweet and sour. It costs $8.
- The Axl Rose – Bound to be a favorite, this drink comes with Champagne, cranberry juice and belvedere vodka. It costs $10. It also comes to your table three hours late so if you’re a hardcore fan you’ll wait. It will also walk off your table if the sound isn’t right. Yeah, I made up that last part.
After looking the ingredients for these they should call the show “Welcome To Diabetes”! This is an impressive list of Girl Drinks for sure. According to his book, While GnR were in Chicago writing for the “Use Your Illusion” albums, he and Duff McKagen would pack a red roadie cup full of crushed ice and fill it with vodka to keep by their beds so they could have a cold one when they woke up. I don’t see that on the list. Then again, Slash isn’t with the band anymore, so any Jack Daniels drinks are probably forbidden.
I’ve thought up a couple more:
-The Rocket Queen – Jagermeister, ginger brandy, and rubbing alcohol poured down your throat through a funnel by a skanky groupie. Comes with a flaming shot of Bacardi 151 on the side so you can light your vomit on fire.
- The Estranged- Red Wine, Peppermint Schnapps, and Orange Soda with a splash of Cocaine. Garnished with a supermodel girlfriend you can viciously beat and lock in a closet for 12 hours.
-The Nightrain – Bottle of Nightrain in a paper bag.
-The Mr. Brownstone- 2 parts shitty vodka and 1 part heroin with a splash of human blood. After two of these you’ll lock yourself in a van right before show time while the rest of your band tries to coax you out. Then you will fire the drummer for being a junky.
If you have any ideas for Guns N Roses cocktails leave them in the comment section below and I’ll forward them to the Hard Rock Casino.
CBS has announced that they plan on developing a sitcom titled Smells Like Teen Spirit...yes, based on the Nirvana anthem of the same name. Big Bang Theory writer David Goetsch is one of the creators of the show which focuses on a gifted teen who skips Harvard to launch an internet company from his garage with his sister and best friend. His parents characters are described as "1990 Indie Rock Parents". I'm sure once Courtney Love finds out about this the law suits will start flying. I also wonder how former Nirvana drummer and current Foo Dave Grohl will handle this? Considering the title of the song came from a Deodorant from the 90's it seems like things have come full circle.
Our well armed friend Hickok45 uses a "common household tool" to get his pumpkin ready for Halloween. While this is cool, there's nothing quite like the feeling of plunging that knife into that bastard gourd like I was Michael Meyers in "Halloween"? Is that abnormal? But I also wouldn't mind trying this out with a AR-15 and then using a bayonet to carve some of the finer details...oh wait, I can't do that because the President says we don't have any.
The Keys and RZA from Wu-Tang have made what I think is a very offensive video for the song "Baddest Man Alive". No, it's not the violence, or the hot waitress getting her shirt ripped off. It's the abuse of perfectly good food that really get's my cholesterol boiling. It's shocking and tragic the way RZA knocks over an entire table of delicious lo-Mein or how Dan Auerbach deems it necessary to wipe out a whole shelf of what looks like roast pork and broccoli. And I don't even want to talk about what they do to that poor fish. You know guys, kicking around plates of greasy Chinese food doesn't make you more of a man.
Despite all that, this song will be on the soundtrack from the upcoming RZA directed film, "The Man With The Iron Fists", which comes out today(10/23). Hopefully in the film, they'll spend more time beating and killing other people and not the food.
Here's the trailer for "The Man With The Iron Fists" which comes out November 2. It looks pretty bad ass. You can't go wrong with Lucy Liu kicking ass with a razor blade fan:
Guns N' Roses were kind enough to help out The Bridge School this past Saturday by playing an acoustic set at the yearly benefit show put on by Neil Young. Below are three of the the seven they performed. There has been a lot of criticism about Axl's voice for this show. He definitely lacks the visceral bite and hateful attitude that made his voice so distinctive back in the day, but the guy is 50 and no longer sleeping on the floor of a practice space, so those days are gone. "You're Crazy" still seems to have some of that old piss and vinegar. Let me know what you think in the comment section below.
The latest news from the Green Day camp is Billy Joe Armstrong might not leave rehab until after Christmas according to Warner Brothers CEO Rob Cavallo. Drummer Tre Cool says, "I know that my friend's life is in danger and that's all I care about, We're brothers-in-arms waiting for Billie to return healthy, but we're not going to force anything. Tré and I will be standing here for Billie."
Plans to release the remaining albums in their trilogy "Uno", "Dos", and "Tre" will continue as scheduled. Meanwhile they released some live footage for fans to chew on. the video is of their 6 encore songs from their September 17 show at Irving Plaza in NYC. Check it out below. They have always been able to kill it live. Hopefully that will continue in the future.
I spent my 5 years in the 413 attending North Adams State College(Mass College Of Liberal Arts now) and making an ass out of myself from Williamstown to Westfield State. I got my first Radio job at WUPE in Pittsfield playing a lot of Michael Bolton and Patti Labell on the weekends. Many of the locales featured in this video remind me of how lucky I am to turn "making an ass out of myself" into a career. VERY lucky.
This is a follow up to the original "413" video from the always uproarious Dr. Westchesterson. A mysterious Horticulturist with Ninja-like Hip Hop skills. Please enjoy this calling card from a much maligned yet sublimely beautiful part of the Commonwealth.
Also, Big Ups to my Culinary Master Chefs at Jack's Hot Dog Stand in North Adams, MA "Fit For A King"!
The folks at Dogfish Head have always been Daredevils when it comes to thinking up new brews. They've traveled the earth to find obscure and questionable ingredients to use for their fine Ales. Now they are exploring the Cosmic Arena of legendary mind expanders, The Grateful Dead, with a new beer lovingly named after one of there finest albums, "American Beauty".
The new brew is described by the brewers as a Pale Ale with All American ingredients. Dogfish Head are getting ready to start the brewing process but need help from you. They are asking Dead Heads for a final ingredient that will make this ale sweeter than that version of "Dark Star" from Columbus, 1971. Hmmmm...what would one of the Disciples Of Jerry want mixed in with their beer? I'm may be going out on a limb here, but I think the number one suggestion would be some sweet, sticky, sparkling, blueberry cornbread toastie smelling Kind Bud. Or maybe some kind of fungus that induces visions of Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzman playing huge fluffy kegs of ale. I hope they release the list of suggestions because it will most likely be hilarious. They hope to have it ready to go by October, 2013.
There have been quite a few attempts at hemp beers and the few I've tried were less that flavorful or produced the desired effect. Reliable sources have told me many brewers have experimented with using high grade marijuana with mixed results. I'm sure the folks at Dogfish Head have one ready to go once they finally legalize the Weed. Aside from all that, what would be your choice for the magic ingredient? Post it in the comment section below or submit it here.
So you think the Presidential Debates are just a Dog And Pony show? Just a big puppet performance piece with Corporate donors pulling the strings? You may be right. But when the debate is sent through a Motown-like Hit Machine, you can't help but feel good enough to do the Mashed Potato all over your ballot. This sweet sweet R & B remix was done by the geniuses over at Edbassmaster.
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