February Favorites

My End of February Favorites:

Fields - Heretic (.mp3)
website - myspace

What Made Milwaukee Famous - Mercy Me (.mp3)
website - myspace

LCD Soundsystem - North American Scum (.mp3)
website - myspace

Explosions in the Sky - Catastrophe and the Cure (Fourtet Remix.mp3)
website - myspace

Bloc Party - Emma Kate's Accident (.mp3)
website - myspace

The Softlightes - The Microwave Song (.mp3)
website - myspace

Sea Wolf - Black Dirt (.mp3)
Sea Wolf - You're a Wolf (.mp3)
website - myspace

Guster - Satellite (Astronauts Remix .mp3)
website - myspace

The Animation Show 3

Went to see the 3rd installment of Mike Judge and Don Hertzfeldt's The Animation Show last Thursday at The Rialto. These are my two favorites...

Versus


Rabbit

SNL's Samberg vs. Levi's Flat Eric

Watching SNL on Saturday and this Digital Short reminded me of one of my favorite commercials...I'm pretty sure its the music...although, Andy could play Flat Eric on the bigscreen.

SNL's Andy Samberg

Levi's Flat Eric

Previously on LOST...

Woohoo! LOST is back tonight at 10pm. Thank god! I was able to last the 2+ month long hiatus and boy oh boy am I excited. Started preparing by watching the last 6 episodes over the past week (thank you Tivo). Here's some of the scoop:

• "Not in Portland" will be a Juliet-centric episode...first episode about an Other, no?
• Juliet arrived on the island on or close to September 11, 2001 (3 years, 2 months and 23 days ago) making the current island date December 4, 2004.
• Ok that's enough...

Also, EW.com has an interview with the producers of the show, Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse. Lots of good info...but is any of it spoilerish? I guess so. So don't read if you don't like some spoilers.

• Michael and Walt will be back in the story, but "that's most likely a year 4 story."
• Juliet came off the island and was recruited by the Others...versus some Others being born on the island.
• The connection between the Others and Dharma gets revealed in episode 11.
• We'll be getting more of an understanding of the apparitions (Kate's horse, Jack's Dad, etc.) during the course of this season. (and Sayid's cat will be in season 11)
  
• There will be an anagram in tonight's episode that hints at a larger mythological mystery that will start to unfold later in the season.
• In the next six episodes, the show will answer the burning question/conspiracy theory: Is Claire Jack's half sister?
• "That's the one thing that when the show ends, you won't have a causal explanation for why did all these people interconnect."
• "Penelope's story continues in episode 8 [Feb. 14] in Desmond's flashbacks. We put that scene at the end of the season finale for a reason, and like the anagram, they're components to a larger revelation. You'll learn more about why we put that scene at the end of season 2 by the end of season 3."
• We will see the smoke monster again this season. Its origins, however... we'll have to wait.

JJ Abrams - LOST Opening "sound" (.mp3)

70's SlowJam Battle

So last weekend my mom had me look up some song she used to love back in the day that she hasn't been able to find...let alone come up with the title. After finally tracking it down for her (and oh was she happy), we had a debate over which was the better slow jam. I've always been partial to the KOST classic that is Always & Forever. She obviously favors Billy Preston & Syreeta's With You I'm Born Again (yeah, I had never heard of it either). I say, let the public decide.

Billy Preston w/ Syreeta - With You I'm Born Again (.mp3)

vs.

Heatwave - Always & Forever (.mp3)

I'd like to give Billy points for that afro...but the real ace up the sleeve goes to the video footage of Heatwave. Not only do they have AMAZING outfits, the white keyboardist. who they credit with writing the song, is...well...words can't describe...check it out:

**So the clip is no longer on youtube...bastards! I guess Boogie Nights will have to do...

PB&J @ Roxy / 2.1.07

Well I wasn't sure what to expect from Peter, Bjorn and John but needless to say, my expectations were blown away. Despite having to wait for-friggin'-ever (not that long, just got their way earlier than I needed to) and despite it being a thousand degrees and a packed house inside the Roxy (not an exaggeration), I found myself fully enjoy the band's first appearance in LA.

After listening to their latest CD for the past couple of weeks, I knew the swedes had the talent to write very catchy, fun songs. What worried me was whether they would have the entertaining stage presence that really makes a band. I only based this on the band's seemingly blah performance on Conan earlier this week. Thankfully I was relieved right from the start as they tore into Lets Call It Off and had the crowd moving. I later realized the blah-ness of the Conan performance was mostly due to the TV audience, who were unfamiliar with PB&J and a ways away from them. In the hot and friendly confines of The Roxy, Young Folks, with its whistle-track and all, absolutely killed. Anyways, you get the point...rest of the show rocked. Peter can REALLY play the guitar (didn't expect that from him). Bjorn...well, mostly felt bad for the guy during his quiet rendition of Amsterdam in which he forgot some lyrics. And John...well, John was Mr. Perfection on the percussion.

I was looking for a good vid clip from the show on YouTube and by far the best just happened to be from the brother of one of my good music buddies...unfortunately no embedding for it. So go check it out on YouTube yourself:

Peter, Bjorn and John - Let's Call it Off (live at Roxy YouTube)

* * * *

And check out the LA Times pre-show review of the band and their thoughts of being a one-hit wonder. I don't think they will be...plenty of other catchy, solid hits.

*Whistle, and it works - LA Times - calendarlive.com:

"'Maybe in 10 years we'll be one-hit wonders,' Morén said. 'But that's OK. It comes down to what sticks out. We aren't so cool, no one knows who we are.'"

SIDENOTE: The crowd, although tolerable, ultimately sucked at this show...I really hate when people go to shows and just talk loudly like they are at a bar...especially during quieter songs. Show some respect. Clearly those people weren't there for the band...probably just wanted to be at the HOT sold-out show. A welcome to our new Swedish friends. No wonder everyone hates LA.

Happy Puxatony Phil Day!

When Chekhov saw the long winter, he saw a winter bleak and dark and bereft of hope. Yet we know that winter is just another step in the cycle of life. But standing here among the people of Punxsutawney and basking in the warmth of their hearths and hearts, I couldn't imagine a better fate than a long and lustrous winter.

Rodrigo y Gabriela a El Troubadour 1/27/07

So friday night was the Rodrigo y Gabriela show at The Troubadour. They were even more entertaining than I had anticipated. They of course are amazing musicians...some of the best guitar handiwork I've seen and by far the best use of a guitar for percussion. And just as entertaining was their between song banter. The crowd loved Gabriela's somewhat shy, yet curse-filled stories about their early days in an unsuccessful Thrash Metal band in Mexico City or how they talked their Irish-based label into sending them to a Mexican beach for a month to record their album and how they came back without a single song. Besides their own flamenco style songs (but according to Gabriela, "not fucking flamenco"), they also covered Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and of course Metallica. Rodrigo even did a lil bit of Rage Against the Machine which would have been phenomenal if he had only continued. The crowd was very much into the entire performance, clapping along to most of the songs...especially when Rodrigo assigned different clapping rhythms to 4 different sections of the crowd. Made for a very cool effect. I have a video of it that I'll have to upload later. I have no doubt the KCRW benefit concert crowd is going to love them. Next up, Thursday at the Roxy with Peter, Bjorn and John (PB&J).

Oh and I found the cover of One (Metallica) and Take 5 (Dave Brubeck) that I mentioned previously...its on their Live in Manchester/Dublin CD.

Rodrigo y Gabriela - One/Take 5 (.mp3)

2 days until the Irish Mexicans

Looking forward to Friday's Rodrigo y Gabriela show at the Troubadour...should be a lot of fun. Glad I got tickets for myself and 5 of my friends a month or two back cuz the show is sold out. My morning shower while listening to KCRW today included RyG's cover of Metallica's One (my favorite Metallica song...probably only fav) which also includes their cover of Dave Brubeck's Take Five (my favorite jazz song). Used to be online somehwere but I can't find it. How about their cover of Stairway to Heaven instead?

Rodrigo y Gabriela - Stairway to Heaven (.mp3)
website - myspace

Hopefully I'll remember so I can capture some hot flamenco action myself...in the meantime, David Letterman caught some hot flamenco action:

Coachella '07 (April 27-29)

It's a far drive and a ton of traffic but it can be a good time...hmm...should I go or not?

Who I'm excited for:
FRI: Interpol, DJ Shadow, Sonic Youth, Faithless, Silversun Pickups
SAT: Arcade Fire, Decemberists, The Good the Bad & The Queen, Travis, Black Keys, Hot Chip, Ghostface Killah, Andrew Bird, and Fields
SUN: Rage, Air, Happy Mondays, Crowded House, Damien Rice, Explosions in the Sky, and Rodrigo y Gabriela

Wow... Looks like I need Sat/Sun tix. I really want to see Rage, Happy Mondays, Crowded House and Travis since they haven't been around in ages. Of course Damien Rice is one of my favorites but not sure how his mellow tunes will work across a field from some louder acts (kinda killed the vibe for Sigur Ros a few years back). Definitely would like to see Damon Albarn's new band.

**Check out a sample of the NEW Travis**
TRAVIS - Big Chair (.mp3)

24 Ringtone

Get your 24 Ringtones

Be a geek like me and think..."Hmm, I really wish my cellphone ringtone sounded like the cool CTU phones on 24" and then google it and find out that you aren't the only geek who has such dreams.

CTU Phone

The Submarines / Fujiya & Miyagi / Peter, Bjorn & John / Bloc Par

January is starting out a good music year it seems. I've either seen or bought tickets to see 4 of my current favorite bands. I highly recommend you making the purchase or download and check them out live (although the 2 I have yet to see could totally suck live so who knows).

THE SUBMARINES - Vote has been just about my favorite song for the past few months but I kept missing opportunities to see them live so I was happy to finally catch them at the first night of their month long residency at The Echo. Its just Blake and John up on stage and Blake (who is FEMALE) is super cute. Not usually my type but she was very nice and I dig chicks who play instruments. She reminded me of Maggie Gyllenhaal who I really liked in Stranger Than Fiction. Weird, I used to really not like her. But I digress...anyways, its just the two of them with their instruments and an iBook handling the bass and drums. Works for me! Wonder if they'll evolve into a full band someday (like Mellowdrone). Always interesting to see.

Highlights from their bio...Blake is from Vermont. John was raised in Dubai. Met in Boston and played music near and far. Moved out west and broke up. Then...

They wrote songs, each in their own place, about their dismay and unhappiness without the other. Their songs said things they hadn't said in person, and when they heard them--together--it all made sense. In fact, life made more sense together. After a while, and having realized this, they became The Submarines.

Mondays in January - go on around 10:00 PM
The Submarines
at The Echo, Silverlake, California
$FREE

* * *

FUJIYA & MIYAGI - All I know is that they aren't Japanese...they are british. In fact, their names are really Steve Lewis and David Best and yes, they move my feet. Me likey the beats. Playing at Spaceland and I got 2 tickets.


Wednesday, March 14 at 9:00 PM
Indie 103 presents CLUB NME featuring Fujiya & Miyagi
at Spaceland, Silverlake, California
U.S.$12.00

* * *

PETER, BJORN & JOHN - All I know is that they aren't Japanese either...they are, as expected thanks to Bjorn, from Sweden. That and they too move my feet. They formed in 1999, got blogger buzz in 2006 and then had a song play on Grey's Anatomy = game over. Playing at The Roxy ...who's in?

Thursday, Feb 1 at 9:00 PM
Peter, Bjorn and John
at The Roxy, - Hollywood, California
U.S.$15.00

* * *

BLOC PARTY - Everyone knows Bloc Party right? Everyone loves Bloc Party, right? Well if you don't, go buy a soul and start. They kick ass live and write really good songs. They are playing two nights at The Wiltern



March 19 & 20 at 9:00 PM
Bloc Party
at The Wiltern, - Hollywood, California
U.S.$30.00

* * * *

The Submarines - Vote (.mp3)
website - myspace
Peter, Bjorn & John - Young Folks (remix - .mp3)
website - myspace
Fujiya & Miyagi - Collarbone (.mp3)
website - myspace
Bloc Party - Song for Clay (.mp3) *taken down by request
website - myspace

Veinte Quatro

Well my 2007 TV viewing is pretty much in full swing with The Office, Scrubs, 30 Rock, Grey's Anatomy and um... another show (ok fine, for some reason I like What About Brian? Don't ask). Thankfully all these wonderful shows are helping me get over the mid-'season' cancellation of Day Break. Damn you ABC. Next week is of course the start of Heroes. And I still have to wait until Feb. 7 for the return of LOST. But for now, at least I've got the start of 24 this past weekend. Had to clear out the old Tivo to make sure I keep the good stuff. Jack Bauer is back and crazier than ever thanks to that no good Chinese Government. Most memorable moments of the first 4 hours (WARNING: possible spoilers!):

1. Jack kills a terrorist while handcufffed by biting his neck. I think Jack has reached the new low of canabalism. Well, eat or be eaten.
2. Kumar is on this season. Not sure if I can take him too seriously as a terrorist considering I just watched Van Wilder this weekend. Oops...he's dead now. No worries.
3. My favorite character (next to Jack), Curtis Manning, has some issues. Kinda fell off the Curtis wagon there. But we learn why. Unfortunately, Jack shoots Curts. Dead? We'll find out next week...but I'm guessing not. This just means alot more tension.
4. After seasons with the threat, 24 finally sets off a nuclear bomb in LA. Not much left for the writers to do now...they knocked out cannabalism and a nuc within the first 4 hours.

Only 20 hours left to go!

Extras

Watch Ricky Gervais' EXTRAS season premiere on iTunes for free
(with Orlando Bloom)

iPhone - Looks pretty sweet

Check out the flash demos

My 2006

Highlights include a PhD defense, Habitat for Humanity in Watts, my friends and lots of babies, St. Patrick's Day March Madness, Mammoth and Big Bear, UCLA's Final Four, Q's, Central Cali Boating Weekend/Wedding, Al's Bachelor Party and Wedding, Mud Run, Graduation, 3 Cali Radiohead shows, Yosemite, Mom's 60th, a ton of shows at The Greek, Steve's 30th, UCLA at Notre Dame, Thanksgiving at the Roost, a Ton of Troubadour shows, UCLA BEATS USC, Damien Rice @ The Orpheum, Xmas parties, Vegas, Guitar Hero, Griffith J. Griffith's observatory and my HAPPY new year!

Best Commercial (and jingle) of 2007

Wow...can't wait for this song/dance to hit the clubs. Way to go Pepto!
(I give the blogging community about 1 week until there is a remix of this)

Great Taco Hunt: Best of...

Best of 2006 (@ The Great Taco Hunt)

Top 4 Sports Moments of 2006

#4: Texas vs. USC (Rose Bowl)


#3: Dodgers vs. Padres (4 HR's)


#2: UCLA vs. USC


#1: UCLA vs. Gonzaga

Reign Over Me

Reign Over Me (Mar. 9. 2007)
New Adam Sandler/Don Cheadle movie...looks good. Serious.
(plus it has a Pearl Jam cover of The Who's 'Love Reign O'er Me')

SciAm: Most Important Science Stories of 2006

Gotta get back to my roots with this article:

Most Important Science Stories of 2006 (Scientific American)

Highlights include:

• Astronomers Relegate Pluto to Dwarf Status

• The Passing of Steve Irwin

• Overfishing Could Take Seafood off the Menu by 2048

• Tiny Chip Converts Paraplegic's Thought into Action

• Eric gets Ph.D.

And related: The Art of Science - 2006 Gallery

James Brown: Last Funky Xmas...RIP

James Brown (1933-12/25/2006)

Soulful Xmas (.mp3)
Christmas In Heaven (.mp3)

Merry Xmas from Thom and Radiohead

Day Break...Alive on the Internet

ABC said that new episodes will become available online at the same time they would normally have aired -- at 9:00 p.m. on Wednesdays.

Oh well. Better than not having any resolution at all. Its a pretty entertaining show. I'd just rather have it on my Tivo than on my computer. I seriously think I'm the only one who watches this show, so from me to you ABC, thanks for thinking of me! Oh, I guess there is one other viewer out there. Looking for the news on Day Break I found a message from one lady who says she could eat Taye Diggs like a soft serve ice cream cone. Yeah...I'm actually more into it for the plot (and I guess his hot gf...some native american girl - my people!)

Thom Yorke From The Basement

The first episode of Nigel Godrich's From The Basement is up for sale. Check out the audio of the two Thom Yorke tracks. I'm not one to criticize Radiohead in ANY WAY but I have to admit I prefer the full band version of Down is The New Up. But Videotape is one of my favorites...without or without the band.

Thom Yorke - Down is The New Up (mp3)
Thom Yorke - Videotape (mp3)

Cool U2 Video

The Office: Ho No Mo

I love The Office...hilarious 1hr Xmas episode last night. Shades of the scene from The 40 yr Old Virgin ('She was a ho...fo' sho'). Next time I'm at Benihana's I'm ordering Andy's Nagasaki (Egg Nog and Sake)...apparently they won't always make it..."probably cuz the Egg Nog is seasonal". Dinken Flicka!

Metric covers Elliott Smith (dhh)

Dance Hall Hips has one of my favorite Elliott Smith songs , 'Between the Bars', as covered by Metric. Yet another great version. Just one more to add to my Between the Bars mega-mix...

Grant Buell - Between the Bars (piano; mp3)
Elliott Smith- Between the Bars (mp3)

buy elliott smith

LOST Moment #5

Am I the only one watching DayBreak?? I love that show...

God Saved The Magic Mountain

Woohoo...no more 'Goodbye MagicMountain'! Wally World lives on!

Curbed LA: Magic Mountain Saved

My 400th Post...dang!

Damien Rice @ The Orpheum/12.08.06

Saw yet another amazing concert from Damien Rice on Friday at a very cool venue in Downtown LA. The Orpheum, which opened with its very ornate architecture in 1926 to showcase vaudeville acts, was the perfect place to see someone like Damien. I have to say this might be one of my favorite concerts that I've attended...really good music, sung with the intensity that only Damien can bring (seriously, I can't think of one other singer that comes close in terms of sincere passion for his music). The stage was perfectly lit and the acoustics were fantastic.

Highlights:
-Played 'Woman Like a Man' second...one of my favorites. Very rockin' (check my loud YouTube clip)
-Played a very good guitar-based version of '9 Crimes' (usually on piano)
-It was the day after his birthday (33rd...which means I have 2 years to get as talented) and the opening band (a very good Swell Season - more Irish folkies) gave him a lucha libre mexican wrestler mask which he wore throughout the entire performance of 'Me, My Yoke and I'.
-Damien walked off stage for a bit due to some jetlag (fell asleep standing up while performing apparently). This was fine because it allowed Vyvienne (his cellist) to play a song. She played one of her own this time (usually plays covers), The Motorway Song. I can never tell what she looks like from my seats but she has the cutest voice/demeanor.
-Got to hear some new bits that I have never heard before like 'Is That It, My Friend' and 'Green Eyes' (?) by Lisa.

Setlist:
1 Delicate
2 Woman Like a Man
3 Nine Crimes - on guitar
4 Me, My Yoke, and I (with Lucha Libre mask on)
5 Slow
6 Rootless Tree
7 Cannonball
8 The Animals Were Gone
9 Is that it My Friend
10 Elephant (partial)
11 The Motorway Song (by Vyvienne)
12 Elephant
13 Volcano
14 Grey Room
15 I Remember
16 Green Eyes? (by Lisa)
17 Accidental Babies
18 The Blower's Daughter

Clip of new Radiohead on From The Basement

(Trailer from From The Basement)

From The Basement is a music series that features the most intimate live performances from the finest musicians on the planet.

From The Basement sets a new standard for music TV production. The show is beautifully filmed in high-definition at Maida Vale studios in London with the live sound by producer Nigel Godrich. From The Basement has no host and no studio audience, instead the artist and their performance take centre stage.

The first episode is very special. From The Basement launches with Thom Yorke on the piano exclusively performing songs from the new Radiohead album, alongside incredible performances from The White Stripes and an improvised collaboration between Four Tet’s Kieran Hebden and genius drummer Steve Reid.

Each episode’s performances will be available via download only to allow repeated viewings. Downloads are available right here and from iTunes.

From The Basement launches on the 18th December.

I'm very excited about the launch of this Nigel Godrich project not only because I wish I was Nigel Godrich but because the first episode will include 2 new songs from Radiohead which were 2 of my favorites on the last tour ('Down Is The New Up' and 'Videotape'). That and I'm also a fan of FourTet (Kieran Hebden).

Radiohead - Videotape (.mp3)
Radiohead - Down Is The New Up (.mp3)

New Damien Rice Video - 9 Crimes

Whoa...I'd usually put this video here cuz I'm a big fan of Damien Rice but I'm also putting it here because its absolutely... well...creepy-hilarious? Definitely stick around to see the ending. Simply...well, you'll see.

And if you are a fan, check out his new website

Demetri Martin: Clearification

Clearification

New stuff from my favorite comedian, an animated Demetri Martin. And as Stereogum notes, "It's 10+ minutes, so if you're interrupted, you can choose between digressions using the "Thoughts" menu." Check out the Episodes...really good stuff.

Hot Fuzz

From the makers of Shaun of the Dead

oh HELL yeah!

That's what I'm talking about!!! Great day.
(I'm so tired...and my voice is gone)

Build Me Up (some new furniture) Buttercup - Go Bruins!

HD Buttercup, a furniture store in Culver City, will give you free furniture if the UCLA Bruins beat the USC Trojans. There is a $2000 minimum purchase, but there is no maximum on the amount of furniture that you can buy. You must purchase the furniture before the football game which is on 12/2.

Have all the free press you want Mr. Buttercup (typical trojan last name). I can't wait to see the free press you get come Saturday night as you put up the GOING OUT OF BUSINESS signs in your front window.

**I've now been informed that Senor Buttercup is in fact a BRUIN. It makes perfect sense...he's just hedging his bet. Bruins lose, he makes money. Bruins win, he's out of business but his Bruins beat those bastard Trojans. Well played Buttercup...well played.

LOST Moment #3

eaterLA

From the creators of my favorite LA blog, CurbedLA, comes EaterLA..."a clearing house and temple for all things related to eating and drinking in Tinseltown. The aim here is to obsess about the Los Angeles restaurant and nightlife scene until we're all so over it that we're excited about it again." Definitely a good site for my phat foodie friends (phat...not FAT).

Nightmare of You @ Troubadour 11/27/06

Great show...but me too tired to review now. Have some music:

Nightmare of You - I Want to be Buried in Your Backyard (.mp3)
Nightmare of You - The Days Go By So Slowly (.mp3)
Nightmare of You - My Name Is Trouble (.mp3)

Nightmare of You: Official Website - MySpace

LOST: Sneak Peak II

(Catch these during Day Break...which is now one of my new favorite shows)

Oceanic Luggage Tags

Definitely using these tags next time I fly...

Zodiac (by David Fincher)

Zodiac: Trailer for the new movie by my favorite director, David Fincher (Se7en, The Game, Fight Club, Video Hits: Paula Abdul), about Zodiac, a serial killer who terrorized San Francisco with a string of seemingly random murders during the 1960s and 1970s. Stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo and Robert Downey, Jr.

Black Friday

Thanksgiving...my favorite holiday...my favorite meal...and the best time of year to wake up crazy early and stand in line with really, really cheap people. I participated in the fun 2 years back and got myself a nice 19" flat screen monitor, a new chair for my mom and a DVD-burner from Staples all for a song, a dance and a couple of mail-in rebates. Last year I was wise enough to realize that some stores started having the same sales online starting on Thanksgiving night. More cheap tech goods and more sleeping in. I think even more are doing the same this year so check out these links for more info:

• Gizmodo's Black Friday Posts
• Black Friday Ads and Search Engine

And for your early morning, waiting inline listening pleasure:

• Pearl Jam - Black (.mp3)
• Doves - Friday's Dust (.mp3)
• The Shins - Black Wave (.mp3)
  

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Trailer

Movie: July 13 - Book 7: Mid to late 2007

LOST: Sneak Peak

In case you weren't watching Day Break last night (not bad - especially if you like Groundhog's Day), here is the first of a few sneak peaks of the second half of Lost (Season 3)...which won't start until February...ugh!

And some mid-season theorizing at EW.com:
Gone (for now), but Not Forgotten

My United States of Institutionalized Penis

So Becky and I were discussing whether at age 30-something, if it's too late to seize the dream of being a rockstar. We say no since there are plenty of people that get their start late. All I gots to do is get a wee bit better on the guitar right? Well, that and I need to learn how to sing. Becky reminded me that there are plenty of 'successful' artists who don't actually sing. Here are the top 3 we could think of...

Liam Lynch - United States of Whatever


Suicidal Tendencies - Institutionalized

King Missle - Detachable Penis

Damien Rice @ El Rey/11.13.06

Already did my mini review below, so here's the setlist and a pic (thank you flckr)

Setlist:
Cannonball - Delicate - I Remember - Rootless Tree - Childish - The Animals Were Gone - Volcano - Then Go - Coconut Skins - The Professor/La Fille Danse - 9 Crimes - Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Part 2 (by Vyvienne on piano) - Eskimo - Elephant - Toffee Pop - The Blower's Daughter

Encore:
Accidental Babies - Medley (Amie->Rat Within the Grain->Lonelily->Grey Room->Cross-eyed Bear->Bottom Shelf) - Cold Water

My new Favorite from the new album (thanks to hearing it live):
Damien Rice - Coconut Skins (.mp3)
and another great one live:
Damien Rice - Childish (.mp3)

KCRW Sessions - Damien Rice

And in case you missed his live sets and interview from last week on Morning Becomes Eclectic, The Late Greats has the audio

Damien Rice - Coconut Skins

Went to see Damien Rice at the El Rey tonight...as expected, a really good show. His voice is phenomenal live and he definitely sings with a lot of passion. Yes his songs are a bit depressing at times but who doesn't enjoy a good depressing song?? Even he thought we were all crazy for standing there, rejoicing in his depression-drenched songs. I don't know, maybe it takes a pessimistic person to enjoy such melancholy (I consider myself an optimistic pessimist so I get to enjoy it all).

The whole set definitely reiterated my appreciated for the new album, 9, which comes out today, Nov. 14th. As always, Damien was accompanied by the amazing Lisa Hannigan and Vivian Long (on cello) who sang a really nice piano based cover of The Flaming Lips 'Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots' in the middle of the set so Damien could drink some wine. The encore consisted of a medley of songs at the request of the audience and included my favorite B-side 'Rat within the Grain' but did not include 'Woman Like a Man' to the dismay of Becky and many others.

Once video or photos get put up, I'll put some here. For now, enjoy this video of Coconut Skins from his instore appearance this past weekend at Fingerprints in Long Beach.

Go Buy Damien Rice's 9

Super Diamond

San Diego...Drink it in. Always goes down smooth. Heading to SD today to see SD at HOB. That's, Super Diamond, the infamous Neil Diamond cover band, in San Diego at the House of Blues. And what better way to honor a cover band who covers Neil Diamond than to post a video of CapeCod Bob singing my favorite, "Sweet Caroline". Who is Cape Cod Bob? I have no clue...but just wait for the chorus and the crowd participation.

Also, try this version:
Mark Holder: Sweet Caroline (.mp3)
From Where There's a Will, There's a Way (Deriva, 1973)

Chris Cornell "Beat It"

Stereogum has a great cover of Billie Jean by Soundgarden/Audioslave frontman Chris Cornell

Chris Cornell - "Billie Jean" (.mp3)

Ski Dazzle

Woohoo...it's almost snow season and snow season is always kicked off in my world with Ski Dazzle. The annual snowboard/ski expo is coming up (Nov. 16th-19th) at the LA Convention Center and always offers the "free*" lift ticket to Big Bear with your paid admission. I think I've gone just about every year for the last 8 years...yup, I'm cheap...err, poor..err, thrifty. I never seem to buy anything...never spend more than 15-20 min in the hall...just happy to get my "Free*" lift ticket.

Word on the street (aka, the resort websites), Big Bear won't open until "mid to late November" and while Mammoth is set to open Nov. 9 (holy crap, tomorrow), they only have a bit of man made snow at the main lodge. Snow showers are forecasted for Saturday though...sure hope its the start of a white winter (El Camino Nino is on right?). I also just read that Mountain High has put nearly $2 million worth of renovations into its resorts. Should be interesting to see what $2 million can do...

In honor of snow (which is basically just cold water) and in honor of seeing Damien Rice at the El Rey on Monday...one of my favorites from O :

Damien Rice - Cold Water (.mp3 - on Conan O'Brien)

*Your "Free" Ticket comes with 4 options:

OPTION ONE: Any Day. A coupon that is redeemable at Bear Mountain or Snow Summit for a FREE adult all-day interchangeable lift ticket ANY DAY until December 15, 2006.
OPTION TWO: Mid-Week. A coupon good beginning January 8, 2007 through the end of the 2007 season for a mid-week (Monday - Friday) , non-holiday 2 for 1 adult all-day lift ticket.
OPTION THREE: Night Sliding. A coupon for a FREE adult non-holiday night session at Snow Summit during the 2006-2007 season (weather permitting).
OPTION FOUR: Season Pass Discount. Attendees can get $30.00 Off any $100 or more 2006-2007 winter season pass right at the show.

Holiday Dates: January 13 - 15, 2007; February 17-19 2007.

Hard N Phirm Halloween

So I got to celebrate my first Halloween in about 3 years by going to the Upright Citizens Brigade for their comedy spooktacular. About 50% of the audience were in costumes and by far the best one was a guy who was a dead ringer for David Cross's Tobias Funke character from Arrested Development. Besides just looking like him (balding, mustache, glasses), the guy was wearing nothing but cut-off jean shorts and Birkenstocks ala Tobias' "Never Nude" movement (must wear denim cut-off shorts all the time, even in the shower and under his pants). Hilarious! And of course a close runner up was Pam dressed as the lil' girl from Little Miss Sunshine.

The UCB went all out and had the typical, knott's scary farm-like haunted house maze as you enter the theater...except this one ended with a keg and a box of cupcakes. If only they had funnel cake too. The show was pretty good especially since it was hosted by the comedey duo Hard N Phirm (formally Chris Hardwick -of MTV's Singled Out and Rock of Ages fame - and Mike Phriman -my former co-worker at The Wherehouse). I've been fans of theirs since they hosted UCLA's Spring Sing many years back. Then I became even bigger fans of theirs after they did the bluegrass Radiohead medley, Rodeohead. And it was my lucky night cuz they even performed it live. Other comedians included Paul F. Tompkins and Doug Benson (who did his whole routine as Harry Potter).

Hard N Phirm - Rodeohead.mp3 Buy it!
Hard N Phirm Website

NBA Action...It's FANtastic!

And of course the best part of the NBA...fantasy sports. Here's my team:

White Shadow

Rd Pick Player Position
1. (5) G. Arenas PG
2. (20) Y. Ming C
3. (29) L. Odom SF,PF
4. (44) P. Stojakovic SF
5. (53) S. Marbury PG
6. (68) R. Hamilton SG
7. (77) D. Gooden PF
8. (92) S. Livingston PG
9. (101) T. Chandler C
10. (116) J. Przybilla C
11. (125) K. Martin SG
12. (140) R. Rondo PG,SG

the Autumns

Ah Autumn...my favorite time of the year (or atleast it used to be...now its kinda tied with winter, spring and summer). Autumn ranks in my top four seasons because I'm a fan of that special autumn feeling that somehow develops out of crisp weather, football and basketball seasons, thanksgiving (my favorite holiday), November (my favorite month), my birthday (Nov. 4) and the beginning of snowboarding season. (Note: As a Californian, "autumn leaves" don't mean much to me)

Apparently Autumn also inspires more than just some lonely blogger. as evidenced by the band The Autumns. I randomly first saw The Autumns open for another band (no recollection as to that band's name) at The Whiskey back in 1998 or 99. My roommates gf was old schoolmates with band #2's lead singer who coincidentally was dating the lead singer of The Autumns, Matthew Kelly (a Ryan Phillippe lookalike). In any case, I was blown away by the "shoegazing" melodies, the guitarists' range from subtle to powerful, and above all the lead singer's vocals. I've since bought their 3 LP's and 2 of their 5 EP's and seen them perform live a number of times. (Pissed I didn't go to the Troub show last week)

Apparently they are finishing up their latest album...their first since 2004. Looking forward to it...

The Autumns - Sunblush (.mp3)

The Autumns - Boy with the Aluminum Stilts (.mp3)

The Autumns - Cattleya (.mp3)
The Autumns - The End (.mp3)
The Autumns - Slumberdoll (.mp3)

Muse//Easily

Found this new Muse song on the Hype Machine recently. I guess its a B-side for Starlight...pretty good for a B-side in my opinion.

MUSE - Easily (.mp3 B-side) - go buy
MUSE - Muscle Museum (Soulwax Remix) - courtesy of Palms Out Sounds

Damn You Jeff Samardzija

Well, my weekend trip to Chicago and South Bend started on Thursday night and ended on Sunday afternoon. This means that I can safely say that out of a possible 63 hours of fun, I had an amazing trip for exactly 62 hours, 59 minutes and 30 seconds. Who stole those 30 seconds of joy from me?

Jeff 'friggin' Samardzija that's who. Or was it? Actually, I'm gonna pardon that punk for now and point the finger at Offensive Coordinator Jim Svoboda. So all in all, I'm blaming anyone with an F'd up last name. Feel free to let Jim know how you feel about his decision to run straight up the middle on the last possession at jsvoboda@athletics.ucla.edu.

But I'm jumping ahead of myself.

Highlights from the weekend include:

• A Bruin-filled Southwest flight from LAX
  
• Matt forcing the flight attendant from her spot in the back by destroying the bathroom even before we took off
• Playing hold 'em poker using Southwest peanuts as chips
  
• Staying at the trendy W hotel on the lake (for only $150...thanks Priceline.com)
• Going out until 4am (I heart Chicago)
• Packing into Dave's Tundra and driving 2 hours to South Bend and MISHAWAKA!
  
• Checking out Casa Nguyen/Francisco - homeownership rules!
• Rockin' Friday night in the Bend: TGI Friday's, Walmart and Trivial Pursuit until 1AM

Then...Gameday!

We had an amazing tailgate (within 200 yds of the famed stadium) and an all in all amazing game (our seats were SO close). I don't feel like talking about what happened in the actual game anymore so go read about it somewhere else.

The post trip highlight...of course, getting on the airport shuttle from Budget Rental with the one, the only... Gallagher (and his mallet of course). Coincidentally we were all chewing watermelon flavored bubble gum...no joke.

UCLA @ Notre Dame

Great seats...but my heart...is...broken...
-more details to follow-

UCLA +14...take 'em!

No. 10 Notre Dame awaits stumbling UCLA

"The Bruins and Fighting Irish (5-1) are meeting for the first time in 42 years, with Notre Dame having won both previous games -- 27-12 in 1963 and 24-0 the following season."

Been waiting for this one since it was added to the schedule about 2 years ago (I think). The weekend has finally arrived. I fly Thursday from LAX to Chicago and will be driving to the mighty South Bend (yes, that's in glorious Indiana) on Friday to prepare for what looks to be a somewhat chilly tailgate come Saturday morning. We've got 7 Bruin fans in our immediate group and 4 tickets - anyone got extras? Looks like we'll be ponying up $200 each for the last few. Why oh why would anyone pay that much money to watch UCLA play #10 Notre Dame? I don't know either but I just may be one of those people. Something about the tradition and history of Notre Dame. I mean, they have Touchdown Jesus for Christ's sake (pun intended). Should be a good time no matter the outcome. I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that the Bruins take the Irish on a last second QB keeper TD (as he's pushed into the endzone by Chris Markey).

Speaking of the UCLA QB...check this out:

Complicating things for the Bruins this week is a freak injury to backup quarterback Patrick Cowan, who will make his second career start Saturday. Coach Karl Dorrell said Monday that Cowan got punched in the throat while being sacked, causing him to lose his voice on the final series. Dorrell relied on receivers to shuttle plays to the huddle and communicate them.

On the trip back to Los Angeles, Cowan's throat swelled up and he coughed up blood, Dorrell said. Cowan was under a doctor's orders not to speak Monday.

So what if Cowan has little or no voice come Saturday in noisy Notre Dame Stadium?

"We're going to have to find a means of communication," Dorrell said.

That can't be good for the team...

New Shins Disc (Jan 23)

SPIN.com: New Info Emerges on Shins Disc:

The tracklist for Wincing the Night Away:

1. 'Sleeping Lessons'
2. 'Australia'
3. 'Pam Berry'
4. 'Phantom Limb'
5. 'Sea Legs'
6. 'Red Rabbits'
7. 'Turn on Me'
8. 'Black Wave'
9. 'Spilt Needles'
10. 'Girl Sailor'
11. 'A Comet Appears'"

The Shins - Saint Simon (.mp3) - go buy more Shins
(my all-time favorite trackfrom The Shins)

[http://www.theshins.com/]
[http://www.myspace.com/theshins]