Saturday, February 11, 2006
The Road to Fresno
Or Why I Hate Bruce Springsteen
The undeniable fact of my life is that I have to admit that my mother is cool. After all, how many other 29-year-olds can claim that they were reared on David Bowie and Queen or that their moms would dance around to virtually every song off the Valley Girl soundtrack? How many moms made outfits to dress their little girl like Cyndi Lauper because that was her hero or sat around watching U2 concerts on cable with them? I assume, not many.
Despite my mother's innate hipness, there are some artists that she loved during my youth that drove me to screaming, baby music geek tantrums-- namely Phil "But, Lizzie, he was in Genesis, like Peter Gabriel!" Collins and Bruce Springsteen. Out of those two, it was the latter that remained victim to my ire over the years.
When I was a kid, my family would drive up to Fresno no fewer than three times a year to visit my dad's brother and his clan. Fresno, the major city in the San Joaquin Valley, is basically the midpoint on a V-formation trek from Los Angeles to San Francisco. The drive is roughly four hours, depending on whether or not we can talk my dad into stopping in Bakersfield for breakfast, which was usually the logical decision since we almost always left the house at 5:00 a.m. It is perhaps the most miserable drive through the Golden State that one can fathom (excluding drives involving traffic, which can also include this route heading through Grapevine on a holiday weekend). Back then, Magic Mountain, twenty minutes north of my house, was the last sign of civilization. Now, there are enough new housing developments to extend life as we kind of know it for that first hour of the trip.
After Grapevine, you veer off on Highway 99 through fields of nothing save for the occasional cow herd and maybe a shack here or there. Then you hit Bakersfield, stop at a McDonald's and get back on the road for another three hours of nothing.
My mom always said that the only album suitable for such a drive was Born in the U.S.A., that this album, the American Idiot of 1984, truly encompassed what it was like to drive through the vast lands of America. On every single one of those excursions for a three or four year period following the release of the album, my parents would blare the Boss from the tape deck of the Stanza wagon.
I have been a mix tape junkie ever since I learned how to use a tape player. This is no exaggeration. My family can probably attest to my tendency to bring the ghetto blaster out into the living room and force silence upon them so that I could tape the themes from my favorite shows (Bosom Buddies, Square Pegs, Greatest American Hero), selected Kids Inc. numbers and tons of stuff off MTV, Video 1 and Nick Rocks. Soon I learned that taping off the TV made for poor sound quality. I was better off dubbing Rick Dees' Weekly Top 40 off KIIS F.M. I had piles of tapes filled with nothing but the hits. "The Reflex," "Shout," "True,"etc. All songs appeared with the first two to four bars missing and half a station ID at the end. After all, I was only in second or third grade at the time. During our trips to Fresno, I would whine to try and get my parents to play the tapes. Alas, it was always the Boss. No escaping it. Eventually, they bought me a Walkman, which sort of satisfied my need for badly dubbed copies of the Top 40. Even then, though, Bruce just had this way of interfering with my Tears for Fears listening sessions.
What I remember most about those rides was that bombastic keyboard line that opens the album's title track and how that would mesh with the scorching inland California sun penetrating through the window. The Boss would belt out the tune in a fashion only suitable for stadium events just as the smell of cow pies seeped in through the air conditioning vents. My sister and I hated it. Hell, even our little brother, who was born only one year before the release of the album, probably hated it. But, what could we do? At least it wasn't John Cougar Mellencamp. At least.
We go to Fresno rarely these days. In fact, I think today will be my first trip up there in four years. Still, there is that car ride mixed with the fact that I can't find my Discman and I don't have an iPod. Instead, I have picked a selection of cds that I think will be mutually agreeable. Depeche Mode. Scissor Sisters. Blur. Franz Ferdinand. I'm pretty sure that my mom never bought Born in the USA on cd and I think she got over the Boss years ago, so maybe there is a chance, just a small one, that the ride won't be as horrible as usual.
The undeniable fact of my life is that I have to admit that my mother is cool. After all, how many other 29-year-olds can claim that they were reared on David Bowie and Queen or that their moms would dance around to virtually every song off the Valley Girl soundtrack? How many moms made outfits to dress their little girl like Cyndi Lauper because that was her hero or sat around watching U2 concerts on cable with them? I assume, not many.
Despite my mother's innate hipness, there are some artists that she loved during my youth that drove me to screaming, baby music geek tantrums-- namely Phil "But, Lizzie, he was in Genesis, like Peter Gabriel!" Collins and Bruce Springsteen. Out of those two, it was the latter that remained victim to my ire over the years.
When I was a kid, my family would drive up to Fresno no fewer than three times a year to visit my dad's brother and his clan. Fresno, the major city in the San Joaquin Valley, is basically the midpoint on a V-formation trek from Los Angeles to San Francisco. The drive is roughly four hours, depending on whether or not we can talk my dad into stopping in Bakersfield for breakfast, which was usually the logical decision since we almost always left the house at 5:00 a.m. It is perhaps the most miserable drive through the Golden State that one can fathom (excluding drives involving traffic, which can also include this route heading through Grapevine on a holiday weekend). Back then, Magic Mountain, twenty minutes north of my house, was the last sign of civilization. Now, there are enough new housing developments to extend life as we kind of know it for that first hour of the trip.
After Grapevine, you veer off on Highway 99 through fields of nothing save for the occasional cow herd and maybe a shack here or there. Then you hit Bakersfield, stop at a McDonald's and get back on the road for another three hours of nothing.
My mom always said that the only album suitable for such a drive was Born in the U.S.A., that this album, the American Idiot of 1984, truly encompassed what it was like to drive through the vast lands of America. On every single one of those excursions for a three or four year period following the release of the album, my parents would blare the Boss from the tape deck of the Stanza wagon.
I have been a mix tape junkie ever since I learned how to use a tape player. This is no exaggeration. My family can probably attest to my tendency to bring the ghetto blaster out into the living room and force silence upon them so that I could tape the themes from my favorite shows (Bosom Buddies, Square Pegs, Greatest American Hero), selected Kids Inc. numbers and tons of stuff off MTV, Video 1 and Nick Rocks. Soon I learned that taping off the TV made for poor sound quality. I was better off dubbing Rick Dees' Weekly Top 40 off KIIS F.M. I had piles of tapes filled with nothing but the hits. "The Reflex," "Shout," "True,"etc. All songs appeared with the first two to four bars missing and half a station ID at the end. After all, I was only in second or third grade at the time. During our trips to Fresno, I would whine to try and get my parents to play the tapes. Alas, it was always the Boss. No escaping it. Eventually, they bought me a Walkman, which sort of satisfied my need for badly dubbed copies of the Top 40. Even then, though, Bruce just had this way of interfering with my Tears for Fears listening sessions.
What I remember most about those rides was that bombastic keyboard line that opens the album's title track and how that would mesh with the scorching inland California sun penetrating through the window. The Boss would belt out the tune in a fashion only suitable for stadium events just as the smell of cow pies seeped in through the air conditioning vents. My sister and I hated it. Hell, even our little brother, who was born only one year before the release of the album, probably hated it. But, what could we do? At least it wasn't John Cougar Mellencamp. At least.
We go to Fresno rarely these days. In fact, I think today will be my first trip up there in four years. Still, there is that car ride mixed with the fact that I can't find my Discman and I don't have an iPod. Instead, I have picked a selection of cds that I think will be mutually agreeable. Depeche Mode. Scissor Sisters. Blur. Franz Ferdinand. I'm pretty sure that my mom never bought Born in the USA on cd and I think she got over the Boss years ago, so maybe there is a chance, just a small one, that the ride won't be as horrible as usual.
Diskoteka Playlist 2/10/05
"Somebody just asked me if I was the guitarist for the band," Carlos said to me last night.
"Oh, yeah, I saw someone micing up the keyboards earlier and I thought it was you, but the military jacket was more flared than yours."
My boyfriend, Carlos, has a host of dopplegangers, which I suppose means that there is a word other than doppleganger that should be used. Regardless, he always says Steve Buscemi and Don Knotts. I always say John Cryer (in fact, it might have been my Pretty in Pink fascination that drew me to him years ago in the first place, even though he doesn't wear creepers or hats). Then there was this girl who used to hang out at Transmission. Now we can add guitarist from the Poppies to the list as well.
The Poppies are more on the British/1960s tip, sometimes more shoegaze, sometimes more like the Standells. I like them best when they are doing the shoegaze thing.
Despite the nature of the band, the crowd was more inclined to dance to 1980s music last night. The party got started when Anthony played the Flirts and this big crowd of girls who looked as though they were just old enough to sneak into Florentine Gardens and Fantasia in the late-1980s ran out to the floor, mouthing every word to "Danger." I think that set the mood for the night.
Here is the set:
Nu Shooz-- I Can't Wait
Royksopp-- Eple
INXS-- Mediate
Daft Punk-- Da Funk
Queen-- Another One Bites the Dust
Annie-- Me Plus One (Rapture/Hush Hush Mix)
Depeche Mode-- Precious (Michael Mayer Balaeric Mix)
The Fat Heads-- Calling All Clubs*
Sylvester-- You Make Me Feel
Bronski Beat and Marc Almond-- I Feel Love
The Rapture-- House of Jealous Lovers
Pet Shop Boys-- It's a Sin (Disco Mix)
Duran Duran-- Planet Earth
* This is the really odd 12" that Carlos found at JDC a few weeks ago that is like a cover/remix of "Blue Monday" with some Kraftwerk in at the beginning.
"Oh, yeah, I saw someone micing up the keyboards earlier and I thought it was you, but the military jacket was more flared than yours."
My boyfriend, Carlos, has a host of dopplegangers, which I suppose means that there is a word other than doppleganger that should be used. Regardless, he always says Steve Buscemi and Don Knotts. I always say John Cryer (in fact, it might have been my Pretty in Pink fascination that drew me to him years ago in the first place, even though he doesn't wear creepers or hats). Then there was this girl who used to hang out at Transmission. Now we can add guitarist from the Poppies to the list as well.
The Poppies are more on the British/1960s tip, sometimes more shoegaze, sometimes more like the Standells. I like them best when they are doing the shoegaze thing.
Despite the nature of the band, the crowd was more inclined to dance to 1980s music last night. The party got started when Anthony played the Flirts and this big crowd of girls who looked as though they were just old enough to sneak into Florentine Gardens and Fantasia in the late-1980s ran out to the floor, mouthing every word to "Danger." I think that set the mood for the night.
Here is the set:
Nu Shooz-- I Can't Wait
Royksopp-- Eple
INXS-- Mediate
Daft Punk-- Da Funk
Queen-- Another One Bites the Dust
Annie-- Me Plus One (Rapture/Hush Hush Mix)
Depeche Mode-- Precious (Michael Mayer Balaeric Mix)
The Fat Heads-- Calling All Clubs*
Sylvester-- You Make Me Feel
Bronski Beat and Marc Almond-- I Feel Love
The Rapture-- House of Jealous Lovers
Pet Shop Boys-- It's a Sin (Disco Mix)
Duran Duran-- Planet Earth
* This is the really odd 12" that Carlos found at JDC a few weeks ago that is like a cover/remix of "Blue Monday" with some Kraftwerk in at the beginning.
Friday, February 10, 2006
I Can't Wait
Don't forget about tonight. See subject heading for hit at the contents of my set.
Diskoteka@
The Airliner
2419 N. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA
21+, Free
9:00 p.m.- 2:00 a.m.
www.airlinerla.com
Diskoteka@
The Airliner
2419 N. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA
21+, Free
9:00 p.m.- 2:00 a.m.
www.airlinerla.com
Thursday, February 09, 2006
8-Bit, Peanut Butter Wolf @ Cinespace, 2/7/06
Another Tuesday night, another late night outing at Cinespace on Hollywood & Ivar. This night's set featured Highland Park Nintendo hip-hop group 8-bit in the main room and Peanut Butter Wolf spinning records in the front lounge.
Those poor Cinespace hipsters never knew what hit them.
PB Wolf and Dim Mak Records founder/scene queen Steve Aoki. Note Keith, owner of Club Moskow, somewhat gothed out in the background.
PB Wolf and iheartcomix' Franki Chan. PB Wolfspun an impressive set that included songs from The Doors, Metallica and Kraftwerk mixed in with some old-school hip-hop.
Peanut Butter Wolf also runs Los Angeles-based Stones Throw Records.
The Latest and the Best
If you are a true music aficionado, you really should surround yourself with people like my friend Tim. When this guy gets into a band, he let's all of us know. Over the years, he has turned me on to Muse (this was back in 2000 or 2001), Idiot Pilot and loads of other great acts. Now, Tim is all about The Visions. I finally checked out "Morrissey's Tongue," the should-be-a-single that is only available as a stream on the website and My Space, and left said website mighty impressed.
As for my own current recommendation, I suggest The Playwrights. I shall not use mere words to describe this British band as you can click on the link and hear for yourself.
As for my own current recommendation, I suggest The Playwrights. I shall not use mere words to describe this British band as you can click on the link and hear for yourself.
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Were We Supposed to Mention the Grammys?
I hate watching the Grammys. Award shows bore me, but I turned my tv to CBS at five minutes to eight this evening for one reason only.
Gorillaz v. Madonna
I'm glad Madonna beat Mariah for opening act because I would have hated to sit through two hours of obligatory "thank yous" to personal assistants and such. Actually, PAs are probably the only people who don't get thanked. But, you get the point.
Gorillaz were clever as always and Madonna was on for her performance. There is very little need to describe it as you either saw it or will see a recap on television or online at some point.
I called Carlos right afterward.
"Stuart Price was onstage with Madonna!"
I have been a Madonna fan since I was old enough to tie a neon yellow lace bow in my hair but, let me tell you, I love her all the more since she added the boy with the Midas touch to her entourage. Their styles mesh perfectly.
"Ugh, now Kelly Clarkeson is onstage crying."
Way to kill a buzz.
"Hey, just remember, Milli Vanilli once won Best New Artist."
Then Coldplay came on and did their U2 Jr. thing.
"Is he still wearing those things on his fingers?" Carlos asked.
"Yeah."
"And when someone asks he starts going on about ending Third World debt."
"Yeah, I'd just tell him that I think he's late for tea with Tony Blair. I kind of like some of their songs, but, overall, they're a pretty overrated band."
"Speaking of which, did you see the new Rolling Stone."
"Uh-huh." I answered.
"Man, I'm not even religious and I think it's offensive."
"It takes a pretty big ego to pull that off."
We continued chatting and eventually hung up, at which point, Kanye Christ took to the stage to accept one of his awards. Then Melissa called and I told her all about Madonna and we started talking about how fit she looks.
"Why can't I look like that?" I asked before answering my own question. "Oh, yeah, I lack discipline."
We talked more about Kanye.
"Mel Gibson should direct his next video," Mel said.
I laughed and then groaned when I saw a familiar pair of bug-eye sunglasses peer from the tv screen.
"I don't understand why they are still around."
"Yeah," Melissa agreed. "And it's not that they got worse when they got popular because everyone had Joshua Tree."
"That was their last good album. I think Bono just got full of himself."
"They sound like they should be playing in a Budweiser commercial."
"Yeah, total Budweiser rock."
Eventually, Melissa and I parted and I changed the channel because I couldn't take anymore Grammy madness and The Tender Box was set to play on LATV at 9.
Well, that's what the My Space message said. I spent an hour watching reggaeton videos. "Gasolina" is a thoroughly irritating song. I think I have a headache.
I think the headache got worse when I turned on the local news and the major headline was what went through Kelly Clarkeson's head when she won and how Mariah managed to lose everything. Yeah, that's my town in a nutshell.
Gorillaz v. Madonna
I'm glad Madonna beat Mariah for opening act because I would have hated to sit through two hours of obligatory "thank yous" to personal assistants and such. Actually, PAs are probably the only people who don't get thanked. But, you get the point.
Gorillaz were clever as always and Madonna was on for her performance. There is very little need to describe it as you either saw it or will see a recap on television or online at some point.
I called Carlos right afterward.
"Stuart Price was onstage with Madonna!"
I have been a Madonna fan since I was old enough to tie a neon yellow lace bow in my hair but, let me tell you, I love her all the more since she added the boy with the Midas touch to her entourage. Their styles mesh perfectly.
"Ugh, now Kelly Clarkeson is onstage crying."
Way to kill a buzz.
"Hey, just remember, Milli Vanilli once won Best New Artist."
Then Coldplay came on and did their U2 Jr. thing.
"Is he still wearing those things on his fingers?" Carlos asked.
"Yeah."
"And when someone asks he starts going on about ending Third World debt."
"Yeah, I'd just tell him that I think he's late for tea with Tony Blair. I kind of like some of their songs, but, overall, they're a pretty overrated band."
"Speaking of which, did you see the new Rolling Stone."
"Uh-huh." I answered.
"Man, I'm not even religious and I think it's offensive."
"It takes a pretty big ego to pull that off."
We continued chatting and eventually hung up, at which point, Kanye Christ took to the stage to accept one of his awards. Then Melissa called and I told her all about Madonna and we started talking about how fit she looks.
"Why can't I look like that?" I asked before answering my own question. "Oh, yeah, I lack discipline."
We talked more about Kanye.
"Mel Gibson should direct his next video," Mel said.
I laughed and then groaned when I saw a familiar pair of bug-eye sunglasses peer from the tv screen.
"I don't understand why they are still around."
"Yeah," Melissa agreed. "And it's not that they got worse when they got popular because everyone had Joshua Tree."
"That was their last good album. I think Bono just got full of himself."
"They sound like they should be playing in a Budweiser commercial."
"Yeah, total Budweiser rock."
Eventually, Melissa and I parted and I changed the channel because I couldn't take anymore Grammy madness and The Tender Box was set to play on LATV at 9.
Well, that's what the My Space message said. I spent an hour watching reggaeton videos. "Gasolina" is a thoroughly irritating song. I think I have a headache.
I think the headache got worse when I turned on the local news and the major headline was what went through Kelly Clarkeson's head when she won and how Mariah managed to lose everything. Yeah, that's my town in a nutshell.
Adventures in the I.E.
The Inland Empire is trying to build it's nightlife and Incahoots in Riverside is now offering an '80s club night on Saturdays. Gaby and I assembled a posse to check out the new night.
The music wasn't cliche '80s tunes (because if I hear "99 Luftballoons" or "(Don't You) Forget About Me" one more time, bitches are getting cut), but the only downer was the '80s cover band that boasted the original drummer from Warrant. If I wanted to listen to a cover band, I'll check out Bjorn Again or Senor Coconut. What perplexed Gaby and me was the amount of people on the dance floor supporting the mediocre band.
As the night progressed, the posse met a lovely girl originally from Scotland who happens to DJ some times at the Standard and saw a Fergie lookalike without the pee stain. Neverheless, the new effort was greatly appreciated as most of the '80s nights are predictable. Cover is $5. Incahoots is located at 3742 Park Sierra Dr. Riverside 92503.
The music wasn't cliche '80s tunes (because if I hear "99 Luftballoons" or "(Don't You) Forget About Me" one more time, bitches are getting cut), but the only downer was the '80s cover band that boasted the original drummer from Warrant. If I wanted to listen to a cover band, I'll check out Bjorn Again or Senor Coconut. What perplexed Gaby and me was the amount of people on the dance floor supporting the mediocre band.
As the night progressed, the posse met a lovely girl originally from Scotland who happens to DJ some times at the Standard and saw a Fergie lookalike without the pee stain. Neverheless, the new effort was greatly appreciated as most of the '80s nights are predictable. Cover is $5. Incahoots is located at 3742 Park Sierra Dr. Riverside 92503.
Love Like Heaven Needs a Drummer
This is a repost of their My Space message:
Love Like Heaven needs a drummer. Hard hitter, straight forward, no ego, good at it, all that stuff.Influences-Shoegaze, the Beatles, The Kinks, Stone Roses, Suede, Psycedelic sounds of the 60's, Warlocks, BJM, Byrds, etc.
go to-myspace.com/LoveLikeHeavento contact us orMyspace.com/PocketsDeluxe
If you like the song, contact us
Love Like Heaven needs a drummer. Hard hitter, straight forward, no ego, good at it, all that stuff.Influences-Shoegaze, the Beatles, The Kinks, Stone Roses, Suede, Psycedelic sounds of the 60's, Warlocks, BJM, Byrds, etc.
go to-myspace.com/LoveLikeHeavento contact us orMyspace.com/PocketsDeluxe
If you like the song, contact us
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Diskoteka This Friday
For those of you going to Diskoteka this Friday, please stop by early. I'm not sure exactly what early entails, but I won't be playing that late in the evening on account of the fact that I have to make the traditional Armenian pilgrimage to Fresno on Saturday morning to visit my extended family.
Speaking of Fresno, if anyone reading this lives in the San Joaquin Valley and knows of a good radio station, let me know. I checked the listings and it doesn't look like they have the alternative station that was around back in the early-1990s or the hard rock station that got me through the last trip (It was an all-Tool weekend, which I only remember because the DJs kept going on like it was the concert of the decade). I know Fresno State has a station, but it looks like they only play music at night on the weekends and I'm sure that I will have time to kill while in the hotel room trying to avoid the inevitable twenty questions game that comes along with family functions.
Speaking of Fresno, if anyone reading this lives in the San Joaquin Valley and knows of a good radio station, let me know. I checked the listings and it doesn't look like they have the alternative station that was around back in the early-1990s or the hard rock station that got me through the last trip (It was an all-Tool weekend, which I only remember because the DJs kept going on like it was the concert of the decade). I know Fresno State has a station, but it looks like they only play music at night on the weekends and I'm sure that I will have time to kill while in the hotel room trying to avoid the inevitable twenty questions game that comes along with family functions.
Monday, February 06, 2006
Black Wire
I heard about Black Wire through a fit of insomnia that led me to tune into KROQ for Rodney's show last night. I fell for them and when Rodney announced that the band was playing a free show at the Troubadour Monday night, I figured that I had to go. Then reality set in and I saw the stack of writing assignments and homework that would inevitably prevent me from going. New York Friends, try to check out the show next weekend. I think it's at one of those clubs named after Pulp songs. Every city has a song named after a Pulp song. Well, that and Joy Division songs (yup, I'm guilty of that one).
Smoking Popes are Back
Let's get excited! Well, not too excited as the band isn't heading to LA yet. The following is the press release from Victory Records.
With the release of their new live CD/DVD, Smoking Popes At Metro on February 28th, the Smoking Popes announce a North American headlining tour, with support from Bayside, whose Acoustic CD/DVD is in stores the same day. The tour runs from February 22 to March 12, 2006 kicking off in St. Louis and closing out with two nights at the venerable Metro in Chicago. Vocalist Josh Caterer is thrilled for Smoking Popes to be releasing live material. "We're so excited to be working with Victory. Since they're based in Chicago, we'll really be able to work closely with them. I think it's a great situation for the band." The pairing of these two bands made perfect sense, as Bayside's Anthony Raneri cites Smoking Popes as a strong inspiration and Caterer contributed to the Bayside "Acoustic" album. Video clips of the Smoking Popes are now available and Bayside's new song, "Winter" has been posted on Purevolume.com.
Smoking Popes have been a staple in the punk and indie rock scenes since the 1990's, playing a unique blend of up - tempo rock with punk guitars and Brit - pop influenced vocals. "Did you ever hear 'Born To Quit?' It's by the Smoking Popes. I thought that album was extraordinary, the most lovable thing I'd heard in years,' raved musical icon Morrissey. Smoking Popes helped shape an entire generation of music fans and wrote the book for Chicago's indie rock scene. "After Naked Raygun, Chicago was the Smoking Popes," says Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy. "They were Alkaline Trio before Alkaline Trio, they were Fall Out Boy before Fall Out Boy. This band is one of the reasons that Fall Out Boy even exists." Smoking Popes formed in 1991 and released several albums on independent labels before signing to Capitol Records in 1995. Tours with Green Day, Jimmy Eat World and Jawbreaker soon followed, making Smoking Popes a household name in the mid to late 1990's indie rock and punk circuits. "The Smoking Popes were a good band that only wrote good songs. They have always been a big influence on Alkaline Trio and are a huge reason a lot of us started bands in the first place," says Alkaline Trio's Matt Skiba.
Smoking Popes disbanded on December 19, 1998, but their die-hard fan base and extreme, underground popularity never faltered. A once-in-a-lifetime sold out reunion show at Chicago's Metro on November 11, 2005 sparked a resurgence of Smoking Popes fans, leaving the crowd yearning for new material. Bayside vocalist Anthony Raneri looks forward to hitting the road with his heroes this winter. "Smoking Popes are one of the most important bands in my life, and probably the most influential in my song writing. To know that they like our band enough to take us on tour is, for me, our greatest accomplishment."
Bayside formed in Long Island, NY during the winter of 2000, developing their own style based on soaring vocals, powerful guitar work and brooding lyrics from influences as diverse as The Smiths, the Smoking Popes, and Nirvana, to the Cure, Stevie Wonder and Nick Drake. In the fall of 2003 the band began recording their debut album, Sirens and Condolences, with producer J. Robbins of Jawbox. The release of the album drew praise from magazines like Teen People, Alternative Press and Guitar World, who called Bayside "Angular but melodic emo, with two well-arranged guitars and off-kilter vocal melodies." The release of their self-titled album in August of 2005 was met with rave reviews from magazines like Guitar World, Alternative Press, Outburn, Metal Edge and AMP to name a few. Bayside appeared on Fuse TV's Steven's Untitled Rock Show last month, and "Devotion and Desire" is featured on EA Sports Video Game MVP 2006 NCAA Basketball, to be released January 2006.
Bayside have always performed as an electric four-piece in the past, but the tragic death of their drummer, John Holohan, in October of 2005 resulted in front man Anthony Raneri and guitarist Jack O'Shea finishing the tour as an acoustic two-piece. The response to their set was incredible, with fans watching each song in reverent silence, only to erupt at the close of each. The set was praised in NY Newsday and the New York Times, but it was the intensity of their fans' reactions that made releasing their songs in this format inevitable.
The CD will contain a new song, "Winter," acoustic studio versions of "Blame It On Bad Luck," "They Looked Like Strong Hands," "Masterpiece," "Montauk," and "Devotion and Desire." Additional tracks include a cover of the Smoking Popes' "Megan" featuring Josh Caterer of the Popes, a cover of Elliot Smith's "Baby Britain," a live version of "Don’t Call Me Peanut" and an unreleased track from their self-titled album, "Paternal Reversal." The DVD will feature the live acoustic set from the sold out Chicago date of "The Never Sleep Again Tour." It was the final show of an incredible, emotional few months for the dear friends on the tour, and this performance is a tour de force.
ON TOUR
2/22/2006 - Saint Louis, MO @ CREEPY CRAWL
2/23/2006 - Oklahoma City, OK @ THE CONSERVATORY
2/24/2006 - DALLAS, TX @ GYPSY TEA ROOM
2/25/2006 - Austin, TX @ EMO'S
2/26/2006 - Houston, TX @ WALTER'S ON WASHINGTON
2/28/2006 - Atlanta, GA @ MASQUERADE
3/1/2006 - Greensboro, NC @ GREENE STREET CLUB
3/2/2006 - Washington DC, DC @ THE NATION
3/3/2006 - Hoboken, NJ @ MAXWELL'S
3/4/2006 - Brooklyn, NY @ NORTH SIX
3/5/2006 - Philadelphia, PA @ FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH
3/6/2006 - Cambridge, MA @ MIDDLE EAST
3/8/2006 - Detroit, MI @ MAGIC STICK
3/9/2006 - Milwaukee, WI @ MIRAMAR THEATER
3/10/2006 - Minneapolis, MN @ TRIPLE ROCK
3/11/2006 - Chicago, IL @ METRO
3/12/2006 - Chicago, IL @ METRO
With the release of their new live CD/DVD, Smoking Popes At Metro on February 28th, the Smoking Popes announce a North American headlining tour, with support from Bayside, whose Acoustic CD/DVD is in stores the same day. The tour runs from February 22 to March 12, 2006 kicking off in St. Louis and closing out with two nights at the venerable Metro in Chicago. Vocalist Josh Caterer is thrilled for Smoking Popes to be releasing live material. "We're so excited to be working with Victory. Since they're based in Chicago, we'll really be able to work closely with them. I think it's a great situation for the band." The pairing of these two bands made perfect sense, as Bayside's Anthony Raneri cites Smoking Popes as a strong inspiration and Caterer contributed to the Bayside "Acoustic" album. Video clips of the Smoking Popes are now available and Bayside's new song, "Winter" has been posted on Purevolume.com.
Smoking Popes have been a staple in the punk and indie rock scenes since the 1990's, playing a unique blend of up - tempo rock with punk guitars and Brit - pop influenced vocals. "Did you ever hear 'Born To Quit?' It's by the Smoking Popes. I thought that album was extraordinary, the most lovable thing I'd heard in years,' raved musical icon Morrissey. Smoking Popes helped shape an entire generation of music fans and wrote the book for Chicago's indie rock scene. "After Naked Raygun, Chicago was the Smoking Popes," says Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy. "They were Alkaline Trio before Alkaline Trio, they were Fall Out Boy before Fall Out Boy. This band is one of the reasons that Fall Out Boy even exists." Smoking Popes formed in 1991 and released several albums on independent labels before signing to Capitol Records in 1995. Tours with Green Day, Jimmy Eat World and Jawbreaker soon followed, making Smoking Popes a household name in the mid to late 1990's indie rock and punk circuits. "The Smoking Popes were a good band that only wrote good songs. They have always been a big influence on Alkaline Trio and are a huge reason a lot of us started bands in the first place," says Alkaline Trio's Matt Skiba.
Smoking Popes disbanded on December 19, 1998, but their die-hard fan base and extreme, underground popularity never faltered. A once-in-a-lifetime sold out reunion show at Chicago's Metro on November 11, 2005 sparked a resurgence of Smoking Popes fans, leaving the crowd yearning for new material. Bayside vocalist Anthony Raneri looks forward to hitting the road with his heroes this winter. "Smoking Popes are one of the most important bands in my life, and probably the most influential in my song writing. To know that they like our band enough to take us on tour is, for me, our greatest accomplishment."
Bayside formed in Long Island, NY during the winter of 2000, developing their own style based on soaring vocals, powerful guitar work and brooding lyrics from influences as diverse as The Smiths, the Smoking Popes, and Nirvana, to the Cure, Stevie Wonder and Nick Drake. In the fall of 2003 the band began recording their debut album, Sirens and Condolences, with producer J. Robbins of Jawbox. The release of the album drew praise from magazines like Teen People, Alternative Press and Guitar World, who called Bayside "Angular but melodic emo, with two well-arranged guitars and off-kilter vocal melodies." The release of their self-titled album in August of 2005 was met with rave reviews from magazines like Guitar World, Alternative Press, Outburn, Metal Edge and AMP to name a few. Bayside appeared on Fuse TV's Steven's Untitled Rock Show last month, and "Devotion and Desire" is featured on EA Sports Video Game MVP 2006 NCAA Basketball, to be released January 2006.
Bayside have always performed as an electric four-piece in the past, but the tragic death of their drummer, John Holohan, in October of 2005 resulted in front man Anthony Raneri and guitarist Jack O'Shea finishing the tour as an acoustic two-piece. The response to their set was incredible, with fans watching each song in reverent silence, only to erupt at the close of each. The set was praised in NY Newsday and the New York Times, but it was the intensity of their fans' reactions that made releasing their songs in this format inevitable.
The CD will contain a new song, "Winter," acoustic studio versions of "Blame It On Bad Luck," "They Looked Like Strong Hands," "Masterpiece," "Montauk," and "Devotion and Desire." Additional tracks include a cover of the Smoking Popes' "Megan" featuring Josh Caterer of the Popes, a cover of Elliot Smith's "Baby Britain," a live version of "Don’t Call Me Peanut" and an unreleased track from their self-titled album, "Paternal Reversal." The DVD will feature the live acoustic set from the sold out Chicago date of "The Never Sleep Again Tour." It was the final show of an incredible, emotional few months for the dear friends on the tour, and this performance is a tour de force.
ON TOUR
2/22/2006 - Saint Louis, MO @ CREEPY CRAWL
2/23/2006 - Oklahoma City, OK @ THE CONSERVATORY
2/24/2006 - DALLAS, TX @ GYPSY TEA ROOM
2/25/2006 - Austin, TX @ EMO'S
2/26/2006 - Houston, TX @ WALTER'S ON WASHINGTON
2/28/2006 - Atlanta, GA @ MASQUERADE
3/1/2006 - Greensboro, NC @ GREENE STREET CLUB
3/2/2006 - Washington DC, DC @ THE NATION
3/3/2006 - Hoboken, NJ @ MAXWELL'S
3/4/2006 - Brooklyn, NY @ NORTH SIX
3/5/2006 - Philadelphia, PA @ FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH
3/6/2006 - Cambridge, MA @ MIDDLE EAST
3/8/2006 - Detroit, MI @ MAGIC STICK
3/9/2006 - Milwaukee, WI @ MIRAMAR THEATER
3/10/2006 - Minneapolis, MN @ TRIPLE ROCK
3/11/2006 - Chicago, IL @ METRO
3/12/2006 - Chicago, IL @ METRO
Cell Phone Pics Just Aren't Good Enough
Check out the pictures from Diskoteka on the club's My Space blog. My legs appear in the corner of one of the Pop Noir pics. No, I am not wearing white tights under the fishnets. Yes, I am that pasty.
Sunday, February 05, 2006
bored in brooklyn 06: crumbs in the bed
Hello westsiders! I've been trying to make a bunch of mental notes for the PDP over the past few months, but I never seem to keep a pen in my brain. A few quick items of interest, however, as I revel in my final weeks of thesis procrastination.
There's always lots of talk about the bands on stage and the DJs at the decks, but let's take a moment to appreciate the people who make the night happen in the first place. Here in New York a dynamic gang called Crackers United have been throwing some consistently kickass shows and parties at a variety of venues all over the city - next up is Friction at Rothko this Wednesday NO! TONIGHT! TUESDAY! HURRY, YOU CAN STILL MAKE IT. Emma la Reina is playing and KEXP is sponsoring but even if that doesn't impress you, please click that Friction link and dig the freaky flyer. I can't stop staring at it. That little groundhog. So wrong.
A few weeks ago Stereoactive and the Deli Magazine put on a mad bash (with Unsacred Hearts, Plastic East, and DJ Tedward of East Village Radio, plus half a dozen more) at Asterisk in Bushwick. Asterisk is one of the most interesting venues I've seen in NYC; it's some dudes' loft, as in where they live, but they use it for monthly parties, shows, and art events. The kitchen counter gets converted to a bar. The dog and the cats wander around through the crowds and don't seem to mind the music. There's some really good art on the walls and since promoters get to set up their own equipment, the speakers are exactly where you'd want them. I'm looking forward to going back there. Kudos to the Asteriskers, even though 8 times out of 10 the L isn't running and you have to take a cab.
Completely unrelatedly, have you people heard Rhianna's new single? Omg it is so hot, and I'm not even being sarcastic.
Three hours ahead, shakin' it.
There's always lots of talk about the bands on stage and the DJs at the decks, but let's take a moment to appreciate the people who make the night happen in the first place. Here in New York a dynamic gang called Crackers United have been throwing some consistently kickass shows and parties at a variety of venues all over the city - next up is Friction at Rothko this Wednesday NO! TONIGHT! TUESDAY! HURRY, YOU CAN STILL MAKE IT. Emma la Reina is playing and KEXP is sponsoring but even if that doesn't impress you, please click that Friction link and dig the freaky flyer. I can't stop staring at it. That little groundhog. So wrong.
A few weeks ago Stereoactive and the Deli Magazine put on a mad bash (with Unsacred Hearts, Plastic East, and DJ Tedward of East Village Radio, plus half a dozen more) at Asterisk in Bushwick. Asterisk is one of the most interesting venues I've seen in NYC; it's some dudes' loft, as in where they live, but they use it for monthly parties, shows, and art events. The kitchen counter gets converted to a bar. The dog and the cats wander around through the crowds and don't seem to mind the music. There's some really good art on the walls and since promoters get to set up their own equipment, the speakers are exactly where you'd want them. I'm looking forward to going back there. Kudos to the Asteriskers, even though 8 times out of 10 the L isn't running and you have to take a cab.
Completely unrelatedly, have you people heard Rhianna's new single? Omg it is so hot, and I'm not even being sarcastic.
Three hours ahead, shakin' it.
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