tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-101113932024-03-07T19:15:43.670-08:00BeLogRandom rogue reviews, rant-losophies, and regalia'd reminders of ripe ridiculousness.Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09313309457479006659noreply@blogger.comBlogger171125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10111393.post-63241665173225758852011-05-17T07:05:00.000-07:002011-05-17T07:29:24.306-07:00Ghost of a Sabre Tooth Tiger is wonderfulSo I went to the Flaming Lips show this past Friday in Detroit last minute. Opening band was bringing it. Lush interesting psychedelic chords. Groovy beats and moves. Drums, keys, hot chick on bass who could play, and singer on lead guitar.<br /><br />As set went on, and songs got even more intriguing and intense, they started trading solos, and they were real solos; fully capable chops but using them to play notes to elevate the music intensity. No posturing, just in their zone leaving it on the field for the song.<br /><br />They looked cool, and were ridiculously relaxed and confident in their stage manner. Playing their songs earnestly, going for it for themselves while presenting it professionally and with nimble skill. Seasoned.<br /><br />Something keeps my spidey-sense tingling as I try to figure out who this band is, who this singer is who keeps revealing more and more every song how f*cking ridiculously adept his playing and soloing is. I start wondering if the Slash-esque top hot, blown out hair coming out the sides framing the face and glasses means this guy is a little older, been around the block. They sure play like pro's. There's something familiar about him. The British naval trench coat and fat Gibson mask whether he's a little chubby or just too fashionably layered.<br /><br />I squint more to study the face. Something about the nose. Something about the way he grooves to the music while watching his band mates do their thing. It seems like he's not moving much unless you really watch that he's just bobbing a little bit. Why does this seem so comfortable and familiar?<br /><br />Then another soaring song and he's ripping another fantastic lead. It's like a Floyd jam, everything rising, more musical noise, while the foundation is still set. Then it hits me. Or I think it hits me, but I'm shocked at the revelation. It can't be. But goshdammit I'm 99% sure it is, but how did i not hear or know this? Could this fantastically good guitar player be him? I'm gonna ask and someone's gonna laugh me out of the room. Well, f*ck it, I'm askin' so I did.<br /><br />It was.<br />It was <i>f*cking Sean Lennon.</i><br /><br />I was at the merch table immediately after they left the stage asking which CD was THAT! that I just heard, which was to roaring applause. And the energy of the place to me, seemed most people didn't know it was John Lennon's kid. (Not that it matters, but I'd rather people didn't have that pre-disposition going in and just liked what they heard first.) I was already a devout Julian Lennon fan from day 1 and watching Sean for awhile, checking stuff out with his various projects. But this was miles ahead to my ears.<br /><br /> I was so happy for him and his band - like this might finally get people seeing that the stupid adage all these years that "Julian got the talent, Sean got the money" is such bullshit and mean-spirited. It's never been true, and I look forward to Sean getting his due for being so talented.<br /><br />Anyway, the closest sound to this live show was this album:<br />http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/la-carotte-bleue/id406999578<br />Basically they did this stuff, but in a Smashing Pumpkins/Floyd at Pompeii kinda way. More electric rock, kinda like The Church when they're plugged in.<br /><br />This group is called Ghost of a Sabre Tooth Tiger (or GOASTT as they abbreviate in print media). It's him and his french girlfriend model Charlotte Kemp. They're usually acoustic, this album is more mellowly rounded with full instrumentation, kinda like the new Iron and Wine album. I'm still trying to find recordings of the electric assault they do now for the Lips tour.<br /><br />Bob Edwards from NPR did an interview with GOASTT here:<br />http://www.chimeramusic.com/bobedwards2011.html#top<br /><br />Jump in to the music. You'll be glad you did.David Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00932038405810954075noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10111393.post-56164900596185778122011-03-03T08:23:00.001-08:002011-03-03T09:00:37.186-08:00<span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.sillof.com/C-CUSTOMS-Main.htm">SILLOF'S WORKSHOP -- STARS WARS AND COMIC BOOK HEROES RE-IMAGINED IN DIFFERENT GENRES</a></span><br />This site is one of the coolest things I've ever seen. This person creates custom action figures that transplants established comic or fantasy characters into different genres. It's incredibly well-done.<br /><br />Wild West Star Wars, 1942 Star Wars, Samurai Star Wars, Steampunk Star Wars, The Victorian Avengers, you name it. CHECK. IT. OUT.David Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00932038405810954075noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10111393.post-69368624173582005412011-03-01T08:08:00.000-08:002011-03-01T08:09:21.410-08:00<span style="font-weight: bold;">ARE YOU WINNING LIKE CHARLIE SHEEN?</span><br /><a href="http://www.livethesheendream.com/">You are now:</a>David Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00932038405810954075noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10111393.post-69246114332963944212011-02-18T06:59:00.000-08:002011-02-18T07:25:38.582-08:00<span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/8332535/New-photo-of-English-Nessie-hailed-as-best-yet.html"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">LOCH NESS MONSTER 2011</span></a></span><br />I don't understand how in this age, that people who are kayaking for a team building course also do not have video feature on their phone. I would think people hip enough to kayak with a team would be gadget nerds with video capability on their phones.<br /><br />The more technology changes, the more the Nessie sightings stay the same: one grainy pic of a blob breaking the surface.<br /><br />But I hope it's real. :)<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">A********************+<br /><br /></div><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.vhnd.com/2011/02/13/chickenfoot-checks-in-with-some-video-photos/">CHICKENFOOT BACK IN THE STUDIO</a></span><br />One of my fav records and new fave bands. Well, damn, that was a given before I heard Note #1 with the pedigree of the band. Anyway, they're in the studio right now making it happen. And all reports are that it's kicking ass. Can't wait. One of the best shows I saw in last 2 years. And not just because I'm a fanboy.<br /><br />Thank God Chad is playing on the album.<br />Pics and videos at the link.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">A********************+<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.allmusic.com/album/sammy-davis-jr-sings-and-laurindo-almeida-plays-r739848">SAMMY DAVIS, JR. AND LAURINDO ALMEDIA PLAYS</a></span><br />Sammy singing beautifully against chill jazz/spanish guitar. It's a panty soaker. Get it.<br /><br />Link above has samples. <a href="http://www.allmusic.com/album/sammy-davis-jr-sings-and-laurindo-almeida-plays-main-entry-r882011">This link</a> goes to the edition with the review. (for some reason the samples aren't across each entry.)<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></div></div>David Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00932038405810954075noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10111393.post-30124659654945167882011-01-04T14:19:00.000-08:002011-01-04T14:21:25.998-08:00This is terrific writing.<a href="http://www.theonion.com/articles/online-university-cracks-down-on-rowdy-online-frat,1214/"> Online University cracks down on online frat</a>David Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00932038405810954075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10111393.post-84278586876568749692010-12-14T07:37:00.000-08:002010-12-14T07:39:37.567-08:00Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah and Happy Holidays, and Ultimate Festivus.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1338374/YouTube-watched-videos-2010-topped-angry-student-Antoine-Dobson.html">2010 Youtube Awards</a>David Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00932038405810954075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10111393.post-77017469876989565992010-09-02T09:44:00.000-07:002010-09-02T09:45:19.289-07:00The NugeNow don't write this off automatically.<br /><br />This chat with Drew and Mike WRIF in Detroit, from this a.m. - when he talks music like this, this is why I can never fully write off Ted.<br />He knows, man. Move the playback slider and start at 14:40 mark, and you can avoid his political stuff (or not)<br /><br />He's got a nice cherry story for you Detroit Who fans you if you hear it out<br /><br /><a href="http://www.wrif.com/drewmikenew/story.aspx?ID=1273360" target="_blank">http://www.wrif.com/<wbr>drewmikenew/story.aspx?ID=<wbr>1273360</a>David Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00932038405810954075noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10111393.post-84592540809983765682010-03-31T08:37:00.000-07:002010-03-31T08:43:50.323-07:00Back<a href="http://www.vhnd.com/2010/03/29/stealing-t-shirts/">This story about stealing a Van Halen t-shirt is tits.</a><br />The 5150 tour it happened during was also my first concert ever, and this was the same shirt I had too.<br /><br /><br />This great site <a href="http://theselvedgeyard.wordpress.com/">"The Selvedge Yard"</a> that my friend at <a href="http://www.datawhat.blogspot.com/">Datawhat.com</a> brought to our attention is great. They find sweet pics of cool stuff from old magazines, scan and share and remind people of how cool what it is was. <a href="http://theselvedgeyard.wordpress.com/2009/01/25/band-of-outsiders/">Here's a great post on the movie The Outsiders.</a><br /><br />My 6th grade teacher read us that book a little each day in class. We eventually bought it and then saw it when it came out in theaters. It was my first experience of realizing how movies leave stuff out.David Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00932038405810954075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10111393.post-78764391137379463902010-02-03T12:03:00.000-08:002010-02-03T12:28:26.550-08:00This is great. Wynton Marsalis and Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra: "Portrait in Seven Shades."<br /><br /><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/portrait-in-seven-shades/id349322596">One of their members wrote jazz compositions based on the artwork of famous painters,and the LCJO worked them up.</a><br /><br />Just came out this week. It's killer. It's arty, yet swings. You can focus on it, or just listen as background jazz. The Picasso tune is, well, Picasso-sounding.<br /><br />LCOJ always delivers.<br /><br /><br />========<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlD_oj_U4mU&feature=related">Check out this guy playing the Who's "Baba O Reilly" on acoustic, doing all the parts.</a>David Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00932038405810954075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10111393.post-44535010893398476012009-12-11T07:35:00.000-08:002009-12-11T07:37:02.998-08:00Christmas has started for me<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jEnTSQStGE">Heard it.</a><br />Last night - 6:38 pm. In the car. I needed it too.David Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00932038405810954075noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10111393.post-22565395125851870872009-09-28T07:40:00.000-07:002009-09-28T09:19:52.747-07:00New KISS tune'Modern Day Delilah'<br /><a href="http://songza.fm/%7Edov1bd" target="_blank">http://songza.fm/~dov1bd</a><br /><br />From their new coming album 'Sonic Boom'<br /><br />I like it, it's got all the Kiss song requirements - easy riff, nice guitar solo, references to guns, mistakes, a damaged woman sleazing out and betraying the protagonist, and someone in the song being brought to their knees for whatever reason.<br /><br />And at least one good Paul line to mimic: "shame shame shame on <i>you</i>, girl!"<br />:)<br /><br /><br />I was driving a load of stuff to the new apartment (been moving) and came in on it, and just when i realized "this has to be the new Kiss tune", the guitar solo kicked in and I was flat out amazed that:<br />a - it was 'in your face' mix wise. "Yes, a-hole, THIS IS A GUITAR SOLO IN 2009"<br />b- it was twice as long as any guitar solo you hear nowadays.<br />c - it was a flat out old school guitar solo. Soulful and dick-waggy, meant to transmit to chicks "meet me at the bus after, I know some awesome tricks. This is just a tease."<br /><br />If I was 16 and dish-washing at Rams Horn on a Saturday night hating my "working Saturday night" teenage life and this tune came on the grease-caked dish station radio, the song and especially the solo would rejuvenate me for at least another 2 hours.<br /><br />Which is what good Rokk is supposed to be.David Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00932038405810954075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10111393.post-67763516335595820252009-05-03T09:23:00.000-07:002009-05-03T10:14:42.277-07:00The only person I know who's truly got the blogging thing right is www.datawhat.com<br /><br />So, see you there.Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09313309457479006659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10111393.post-20862417675811338002008-12-22T12:35:00.000-08:002008-12-22T12:41:44.947-08:00I heard it.<br />4:05 pm yesterday.<br />WNIC<br />I was right <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=belleville+rd,+mi+quirk+and+tyler&sll=42.236334,-83.491716&sspn=0.014139,0.031714&ie=UTF8&ll=42.234118,-83.496276&spn=0.003535,0.007929&t=h&z=17&iwloc=addr">here</a><br /><br />I should correct myself -- it doesn't start with a 'BONG' so much as a deep 'CLANG'.<br /><br />It's official Christmas to me now.Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09313309457479006659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10111393.post-90295215088032463542008-12-16T14:40:00.000-08:002008-12-16T14:47:06.990-08:00But I don't know it's Christmas yet...I'm still awaiting my first "real" hearing of this song.<br />I've heard it off my iPod but it's not the same.<br />I have to be in the car, and have that familiar Church bell "BONG!" that opens the song for me to really feel like it's Christmas.<br />I learned this year it's not the same hearing it on demand.<br /><br />I like knowing others are hearing it too, that communal effect, like a vibrant audience in a packed theater, or an enthusiastic group on your roller coaster tram. Or laughing your ass off at a Seinfeld classic moment at 11:18pm knowing thousands in your metro area also watching just laughed too.<br /><br />So I'm re-posting this from last year to tempt the fates to bring it to me.<br /><br />=========<br /><br />"Yes I DO know"<br /><br />Holiday season officially started for me this morning --<br /><br />"Do They Know It's Christmas?" came on the radio without me wondering about it or waiting for it. Just got on the highway, one song in, heater finally kicking on, really starting to wake up, and bang! My Jam.<br /><br />Every year I look forward to having that surprise me in the car. Some people need to see "It's A Wonderful Life" to really kickstart it. DTKIC is my trigger.<br /><br />And admittedly, being an 80s kid, this song just hits it. It's a such a perfect snapshot of what 1985 was musically in pop music. Yeah yeah, all the top pop artists of that time were singing, but I'm talking more than the all-star cast. It's more an all-star musical cast too;<br /><br />The stark wide landscape intro, setting a nice dramatic open feel. (very Dream Academy)<br />The slow burn build of the vocal melody<br />The insta-enjoyable chorus hook<br />The galloping bass guitar line ( I dare say started by my pals Level 42)<br />Phil Collins propulsive drumming/drum sound (*and don't forget his ever classic PC over-the-bar line drum fill during the organ solo after the bridge)<br /><br />And next time you listen, think about how perfectly chosen the voices were, and that for each voice, the *way* they sang they're part was a perfect historical snapshot of what that singer's trademark was. From the actual lyric line they sang to how they sang it. You could teach your grandkids about these people;<br /><br />"See Timmy, this "guy" Boy George, the way he sings this line... all his songs, he was just that smooth. He was the male Sade. And when he adds that soulful "OOOOOO, HOO..." to tag the pre-chorus hook, he was really good at that.<br />"And Bono, who sings probably the most famous line of it all, well, at that time he was the ultimate passionate political singer. He was known for delivering cynical comments about humanity's ignorance or denial of human suffering in his own music. The words themselves sound cruel, but when Bono sang, you could hear his own distaste thru his sarcasm. He literally was raising a flag about everything in U2 concerts. Here...watch this video from Red Rocks. Ohp, there it is, see the big flag he's marching around with?"<br /><br />"And this Sting guy, though he doesn't have his own solo line, at that time everyone was using him to add a vocal harmony over top of other people's singing which gave it an otherworldly effect, at once soulful but angelic too. It was very distinctive. and at that time in the 80s, you heard more of Sting hovering over things than singing them at you."<br /><br />I obviously could go on and on.<br /><br />But anyway, if you were there in the 80s, think about this song as a musical history lesson. Simon le Bon's voice is spot-on.<br /><br />And for bonus points, quiz yourself with "who was the only American artist(s)/band that was invited to be part of this song project. If you don't know, you'll be surprised. I'd give you a clue, but it's not cause for celebration yet. Because if it was, you'd have seen the clue already in this post.<br /><br />Merry Holidays.<br />(Yes, I'm starting my own saying, Frank Costanza-style)Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09313309457479006659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10111393.post-24006614514389024082008-09-12T06:34:00.000-07:002008-09-12T06:36:16.119-07:00Cheech & Chong 2000I love how this email below starts.<br /><br />I seriously may print and and frame this, considering how cool it is to me if I think about it per my history with C&C -- to think in 1979, when I was 8 years old and listening to the "Dave? sketch off Star Wars Mike's Dad's C&C albums, that in 30 years, there would be a global interconnecting computer communications network sending digital messages to my PERSONAL COMPUTER, and one of those communications would be Cheech & Chong, as old men, sending ME...also named Dave...an email starting with "Dave?"... to me.<br /><br />Remember kids...your cell phone is what Kirk and Co. had.<br /><br /><br />---------- Forwarded message ----------<br />From: <cheechandchongdotcom@cheechandchong.com><br />Date: Thu, Sep 11, 2008 at 11:58 PM<br />Subject: More dates for Cheech & Chong: Light Up America and Canada<br />To: cheechandchongdotcom@cheechandchong.com<br /><br /><br />Dave?<br /><br />They announced more dates for the Cheech & Chong reunion tour. They are also selling VIP Upgrades which gets you a meet and greet with Cheech & Chong, as well as a goodie bag.<br />For ticket details and photos and reviews from the shows...<br />http:/www.cheechandchong.com/news<br />Click on the pre-sale link.<br /><br />October 2<br />Hampton Beach Casino<br />Hampton, NH<br />This second show goes onsale tomorrow/Friday.<br /><br />February 21<br />Palace Theatre<br />Columbus, OH<br />Pre-sale is September 16 at 10am local time.Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09313309457479006659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10111393.post-38745865700388100012008-08-18T19:22:00.001-07:002008-08-18T19:33:28.393-07:00Geez halfway thru August... I see the last post from end of April and can't believe it was that long ago.<br />Busy summer with lots of concerts. Lots.<br />Montreal (to see George Michael)<br />Chicago (to see King Crimson, and back there in a few months for Cheech and Chong)<br />Frampton again (Bekkala's first show)<br />Rothbury over July 4 weekend. Awesome.<br />Umphreys McGree (for Bekkala's bachelor party.)<br />Rush<br />Stevie Wonder<br />Return to Forever<br />Eddie Izzard<br />Drive By Truckers<br />Don Rickles<br />The Dalai Lama<br />Duran Duran<br />Adrian Belew<br />The Police, again.<br />I know there's more but those are the ones pinned on the corkboard above this monitor.<br /><br />And what's coming that I got tickets for--<br />Zappa Plays Zappa (they tore it up at Rothbury)<br />Yo Yo Ma<br />Kodo drummers of Japan<br />Wynton Marsalis<br />Chick Corea/John Mclaughlin/vinnie Colaiuta (that's gonna melt brains)<br />Adrian Legg<br />Jonatha Brooke<br />The Who<br />Plus all the DSO shows we'll see.<br /><br />Seeing it in writing is quite something. I see concerts. It seems to be what I really like to do.Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09313309457479006659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10111393.post-84861926818682979242008-04-25T08:04:00.000-07:002008-04-25T08:06:16.734-07:00Thy Will Be OpenLast weekend was quite a religious themed one. Maybe it's a sign to blog more.<br /><br />Friday I go to funeral for an Aunt in Toledo. Lutheran service, at this old school church the Belows have been going to since the 50s. I was baptized there. The pastor is relatively new there, but older. Definitely a hippie pastor who's all about church not needing to be depressing and sullen. This guys must have been quite a hippie in the 60s. Because...he actually kareoke'd to a contemporary Christian soft pop song. Didn't sing along, but did calls and answers to the choruses and tried to "lift it" even more. It was so surreal, Christopher Guest could not have staged or improv'd a more incredulous WTF? moment. So many people were squeezing down their smiles and lowering their heads to not laugh in order to get through it. It was quite the introduction to Christian/Lutheran church for Masha who's never been to a funeral, or really hung out in a Christian church service.<br /><br />Get up Saturday, and go sit in a basketball arena and watch the Dalai Lama teach the basics of Buddhism.<br /><br />Saturday evening go to Hill auditorium to see Chick Corea, Bobby McFerrin, Jack DeJohnette--<br />Chick is a scientologist as high in rank as Tom Cruise. It's true.<br />Bobby Mcferrin is a Buddhist who was on a panel in A2 Friday night with Richard Gere and Steve Segal. Yes, Segal, who is actually a certified Buddhist incarnate. As in, the powers that be said he indeed is the reincarnation of some past lama from the zen Buddhist sect.)<br />Jack is Christian with some Buddhism mixed in I think.<br /><br />Sunday I have Passover dinner with Masha's college friends, a couple who live in Ferndale who invited us since 3 of the 4 of us are Jewish. The funny thing is, masha and every friend of hers, Jewish or not, thought I was Jewish when they first met me. I might be from my biological mother's side (which is how you confirm it), but haven't been able to confirm yet.<br /><br /><br />Now excuse me while I slip into a running suit, sneakers, bunk bed and cut my nuts off. The Heaven's Gate comet is swinging by tonight and I need to be ready to hitch a ride.Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09313309457479006659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10111393.post-73954875154815139092007-12-06T06:08:00.000-08:002007-12-06T06:27:07.451-08:00Yes I do knowHoliday season officially started for me this morning --<br /><br />"Do They Know It's Christmas?" came on the radio without me wondering about it or waiting for it. Just got on the highway, one song in, heater finally kicking on, really starting to wake up, and bang! My Jam.<br /><br />Every year I look forward to having that surprise me in the car. Some people need to see "It's A Wonderful Life" to really kickstart it. DTKIC is my trigger.<br /><br />And admittedly, being an 80s kid, this song just hits it. It's a such a perfect snapshot of what 1985 was musically in pop music. Yeah yeah, all the top pop artists of that time were singing, but I'm talking more than the all-star cast. It's more an all-star musical cast too;<br /><br />The stark wide landscape intro, setting a nice dramatic open feel. (very Dream Academy)<br />The slow burn build of the vocal melody<br />The insta-enjoyable chorus hook<br />The galloping bass guitar line ( I dare say started by my pals Level 42)<br />Phil Collins propulsive drumming/drum sound (*and don't forget his ever classic PC over-the-bar line drum fill during the organ solo after the bridge)<br /><br />And next time you listen, think about how perfectly chosen the voices were, and that for each voice, the *way* they sang they're part was a perfect historical snapshot of what that singer's trademark was. From the actual lyric line they sang to how they sang it. You could teach your grandkids about these people;<br /><br />"See Timmy, this "guy" Boy George, the way he sings this line... all his songs, he was just that smooth. He was the male Sade. And when he adds that soulful "OOOOOO, HOO..." to tag the pre-chorus hook, he was really good at that.<br />"And Bono, who sings probably the most famous line of it all, well, at that time he was the ultimate passionate political singer. He was known for delivering cynical comments about humanity's ignorance or denial of human suffering in his own music. The words themselves sound cruel, but when Bono sang, you could hear his own distaste thru his sarcasm. He literally was raising a flag about everything in U2 concerts. Here...watch this video from Red Rocks. Ohp, there it is, see the big flag he's marching around with?"<br /><br />"And this Sting guy, though he doesn't have his own solo line, at that time everyone was using him to add a vocal harmony over top of other people's singing which gave it an otherworldly effect, at once soulful but angelic too. It was very distinctive. and at that time in the 80s, you heard more of Sting hovering over things than singing them at you."<br /><br />I obviously could go on and on.<br /><br />But anyway, if you were there in the 80s, think about this song as a musical history lesson. Simon le Bon's voice is spot-on.<br /><br />And for bonus points, quiz yourself with "who was the only American artist(s)/band that was invited to be part of this song project. If you don't know, you'll be surprised. I'd give you a clue, but it's not cause for celebration yet. Because if it was, you'd have seen the clue already in this post.<br /><br />Merry Holidays.<br />(Yes, I'm starting my own saying, Frank Costanza-style)Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09313309457479006659noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10111393.post-25360695499176591562007-10-16T20:23:00.000-07:002007-10-16T20:56:17.594-07:00Well, hoiIt's been awhile. A whole summer and half a Fall in fact, but it's felt like a full sweaty tumble down some stairs if you ask me (and get my clever joke)<br /><br />[sipping my wine. "Conundrum", 2004. No, really. It's a nice white that starts sweet like a Riesling but finishes with a black TV static-ey fuzz to the taste buds. It's label talks about how it's a conundrum to figure out because it's flavor/taste can kinda go with anything. Oh wait, I forgot to mention I'm in my comfy purple Lazyboy with my iPod playing Romantic Addagios II as I blog using my company-issued PC laptop, which I found on the shelf (the addagios) at All Media Guide before I left there for my current job. <br /><br />This blogging is the most time i have spent in this chair since I moved in mid summer. Since I started the new job. Befoe the dark times... before the Empire.<br /><br />I'd love to go on and on about how I have been more stressed and tweaked in the past 3 months than I ever have with a job, ever. But I can ironically get the immensity of it across by saying that it's so true that you can ask anyone who knows me, even those who haven't seen me at all. Because everyone has noticed that Dave the "Hemingway of email" up and essentially digitally disappeared since mid June. Retina's everywhere have been rejoicing in re-moistured glory for almost 4 months now. My job at this startup has delivered on every web article's promise of how stressed and crazy a startup is. And more. When Pointdexter the red haired nerd in thick glasses from Revenge of the Nerds got high for the first time at the Tri Lamb/Omego Mu party, he asked aloud of the nerdgirl trying to get in his pants "No, really... would you rather live in the ascendency of a civilization or it's decline?" Nerdgirl blew off the question with her reply: "Pointdexter...do you wanna f*ck, OR NOT??". He nodded, she grabbed his crotch very aggressively and let out his weird Bill The Cat-esque "uwrACK!!" scream he does a few times in the movie, and the scene cut to some other impending nerd sex situations.<br /><br />The point is, people... I think about that scene every day now.<br /><br />I'm also going to see Don Rickles do standup this Friday and then Van Halen (Roth, Eddie, Al, and Wolfie) the next on Saturday. My life deserves such a weekend, and so does yours, you hockey puck.<br /><br />Don is literally the last of the generation of Rat Packers, is still sharp, and when will I get a chance to see any legit comic of that era today? Much could be said similiarly of the Van Halen. But what do i know? For all you care, I could be sitting in Palm Springs in the sun, the chicken fat on the body, getting a nice burn, not botherin' anybody. And really, why should you care? Like you have something better to do than stay in Valencia all day and watch the oranges go bad? Nice way to support the family there, dummy. <br /><br />Goshdamn it, I'm tired.Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09313309457479006659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10111393.post-74177226056346198472007-05-22T23:05:00.000-07:002011-02-23T07:18:57.762-08:00I had a good feeling about the new Wilco album from a recent Pitchfork interview with Tweedy. I hardly, if ever, visit or especially consult Pitchfork but something made me go there one day on a break from work stuff. I got a different vibe from Tweedy this time around for some reason. I've read interviews to help me find my way into "getting" Wilco, and they hadn't helped yet. Something still can't push me over the cliff totally, I don't know why. It's like Italian foods I guess - technically you like all the fundamentals like the sauce, pasta and cheese. But some combos of those don't grab ya the way others do. Took me forever to finally love Lasagna, so maybe Wilco will be my new lasagna? <br /><br />Tonight I think I figured out part of it, pro and con-- I wish he'd enunciate better. I can never tell what he's saying much of the time. And with the verse phrasings so spread out, it's hard to string together the full stanza's by deduction. The ratio of instrumental melody/phrases to actual vocal phrasings over the measures is pretty polar to my ears. I get impatient waiting for the next lyric to come and join the last one. I get a little bored waiting for Tweedy to muster the effort and air (per his delivery) to get out whatever next sentence he has which is supposed to blow my mind, because, well, he's Tweedy, right? He usually sounds really tired to me. But to quote Fripp (as usual): "What we hear is the way we hear." I just have to get used to Tweedy's ebb and flow which I do like a lot of the time. But the music sure is perdy. And damn if this album doesn't just feel niiiiice.<br /><br />On dark back-country farm Michigan roads at 1am with no one around for miles, the only connecting thread is a charcoal gray plane (headlight'd black asphalt) and a glowing yellow median line. Murky silhouettes of giant ancient trees lining the road that appear like giant Rorschach blotches just slightly denser and darker against the black sky... a safe, lukewarm, post-game remnant beer buzz is my cozy, loose fitting flight suit -- and the new Wilco is wonderful. Like hearing a healthy campfire one lot over, the heat more heard than felt. I like that I can't tell what brand or model of instrument is being played by the band members. It's color, plucks, ticks, taks, and some booms. It could be '07, '47, '27. (Well, maybe a Martian '27.)<br /><br />I can't fully express enough how much I am not an authority on Wilco... but I felt that that SBS is like their Beck's 'Sea Change'. It gave me the same feelings. Or a Harvest Moon for 2007.<br /><br />There's gonna be lots of herbalizing to this one, just you watch.Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09313309457479006659noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10111393.post-77793626625134710072007-04-26T20:17:00.000-07:002007-04-26T20:35:42.561-07:00Da' Jack Wabbit go from HERE...ta' DERE'.It's been a long while, but man did I make up for it.<br />I can't introduce this with only one clever line, I need a few.<br /><br />1. An SNL or MAD TV sketch triumphing public access can't and won't ever top actual Public Access.<br /><br />2. Keep in mind this woman is talking to her mother this whole time, on air.<br /><br />3. You thought Nicole's admissions to Tom in that Eyes Wide Shut bedroom pot smoking scene was an intense example of "what women really think"...<br /><br />4. You can't get any more "Wait for it..." than these clips. Just when you think this woman has boldly covered it all and spoken her mind, she hasn't. She's got more to say, uh-huh. So wait for it if you knows what's good fo' ya's...<br /><br /><A HREF=" http://www.devilducky.com/media/60668/"target=blank>Vagina Power vs. Penis Power</A><br /><br />Then watch <A HREF=" http://www.devilducky.com/media/60757/"target=blank>Vagina Power: Halloween Show</A><br /><br />It's public access, so it's safe. On headphones.Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09313309457479006659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10111393.post-51108687715023866942007-03-28T13:07:00.000-07:002007-03-28T13:14:08.651-07:00Workin' for The Blog<div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span class="559014119-28032007">It must be tough to be a rock n roll Dad --</span></span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span class="559014119-28032007"></span></span> </div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span class="559014119-28032007">Imagine being the now middle-aged lead singer of Loverboy, trying to tackle a parenting issue with your wife involving your teenage daughter -- regarding dating and high school reputation/gossip stuff... yet knowing that your own daughter knows that you once wrote and sang these lyrics.<br /><br />You're trying to keep her from dating some guy you can tell only wants in her pants and nothing more. Yet you essentially rooted for this same guy, via song, when you were in your 20s and 30s.<br /><br /></span></span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span class="559014119-28032007"></span></span> </div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span class="559014119-28032007">'HOT GIRLS IN LOVE'<br /></span></span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span class="559014119-28032007"></span></span> </div> <div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#666655;"><span class="559014119-28032007">She's so young at heart<br />She likes the pleasure of his company<br />She cuts the inside groove<br />With her silver spoon<br />She likes her tapes on 10<br />And it's the same as her anatomy<br />She's on a rainbow cruise<br />All the way to my room<br /><br />She's turnin' on the heat<br />She's got the magic touch<br />She's turnin' on the heat<br />And it's a little too much<br />She's turnin' on the heat<br />And it's a hundred above, yeah<br />Hot girls in love<br />I'm in love<br /><br />Too many men to please<br />She counts them all on her rosary<br />You know you might get burned<br />So be careful where you touch<br />She gets it when she can<br />Don't need no anniversary<br />And she deserves the best, yeah<br />A cut above the rest<br /><br />She's turnin' on the heat<br />She's got the magic touch<br />She's turnin' on the heat<br />Ooooh, it's a little too much<br />She's turnin' on the heat<br />And it's a hundred above<br />Hot girls in love<br />And baby, I'm in love<br /><br />Some say she do<br />Some say she don't<br />Some say she will (she will)<br />And some say she won't (she won't)<br />Some say she can't<br />Well, I know she can<br />I say I got to be<br />Her lovin' man, yea-ah<br /><br />She's turnin' on the heat<br />She's got the magic touch<br />She's turnin' on the heat<br />Ooooh, and it's a little too much<br />She's turnin' on the heat<br />It's a hundred above<br />Hot girls in love<br />Hot girls in love<br />It's a hundred above<br />The hot girls in love, yeah<br />Be careful where you touch<br />'Cause it's a little too much<br />She's got everything she'll need, yeah<br />But she doesn't want me<br />She's turning on the heat<br />She's turning on the heat<br />She's got that look in her eye<br />I think I've got to know why<br />Oooooh, hot girls in love, in love<br />Aaaahhh<br />In love<br />In love</span></span></div>Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09313309457479006659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10111393.post-55462774399939859852007-03-08T06:51:00.000-08:002007-03-08T07:28:33.597-08:00We Need A Plan...<div><span class="764064714-08032007"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >I love being a guy. Because unlike women I believe, I can appreciate the utter brilliance and beauty of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRUK-3p__rk" target="blank">this whole vignette</a></span></span><span class="764064714-08032007"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ></span></span></div> <div><span class="764064714-08032007"></span> <span class="764064714-08032007"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><br />I think it's a factor of boldness. The balls as an actor to not so much act, or emulate, or attempt to be funny, but to channel the absolute true nature of the male mind and reveal it to the world. Whether it's Evel strapping into the rocket cycle and saying "No really, I <i>really</i> can pull this off" and you can see in his eye that he believes (because in every man's mind, they thought "yeah, technically, it's possible. I'd give it a try to if I was him." --- or Carrey and Daniels unleashing their inner 9 year olds for Dumb and Dumber, it comes down to the power to be vulnerable. To reveal truth, to open up and show what we guys are capable of thinking, imagining, and planning. In the face of all reason.<br /><br />Guys get Dumb and Dumber because we were once those guys. To see adult males nail that perfect blend of the sharpest emotional imagination coupled with a blunted inexperienced social awarness (i.e. 9 year old boys), is a work of art. We all KNEW we shouldn't be smuggling small explosives into the treefort to upgrade our army guy wars, but c'mon. Somewhere deep down we knew we had "being kids" in our head as a legit excuse if sh*t went down. Or up (in flames) I should say. That diplomatic accord between ignorance and can-do imagination is what fuels the genius adults who find a way to keep riding that mindspace as they "mature"; "How can I push the envelope of making something as cool as possible without letting social practicality persaude me to cool my ideas?"<br /><br />Well, I'm tangenting again. Point is, in times of drama, when no one's watching, we'll likely revert to the light, flexible, mobile, imaginative mind of our former 10 year old self.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzMdg_oer8M" target="blank"></a></span></span><span class="764064714-08032007"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzMdg_oer8M" target="blank">Ladies, remember this when you're sons get to 8-10.</a></span></span><span class="764064714-08032007"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzMdg_oer8M" target="blank"> </a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></span></div>Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09313309457479006659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10111393.post-1171825818753724492007-02-18T10:48:00.000-08:002007-02-20T11:00:36.896-08:00VH. What else?It's been awhile. And Rolling Stone provided us a shot of the Van Halen 2007 lineup. I wrote this to a friend regarding the pic and how Wolfgang Van Halen looks older than we imagined he might. And of course, my thoughts on all the debate about Wolfie being the bass player, when it should be original bassist Michael Anhtony, who's been in the band all along, and now out because of bullshit with Eddie and Al. Whatever it is.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77118315@N00/394310440/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/159/394310440_19e40a2d6b.jpg" alt="NewVanHalen" height="432" width="432" /></a><br /><br />I'm thinking that Wolfie being 15 and the son of a rock star in 2007, he more than anyone is handy with a computer and internet, he grew up with one. He likely knows more than anyone how much hatred is probably being aimed his way. Rich rock star kid or not, if you were 15 and knew 30 years worth of diehard fans (who he grew up seeing hate Sammy and expecially Gary), and now HE's the orange among the apples? He spent his dinner table conversations growing up listening to Mom and Eddie deal with all that new singer backlash.<br /><br />Then again, to play Devil's Advocate, how mad would we be if it wasn't Wolfie? If it's not going to be MA for whatever reasons, think about how pissed we'd be if it was someone like GnR's bassist, one of the Velvet Revolver pukes, or some L. A. session f*ck? Track record or not, in my opinion, if it's gonna be someone not MA, Wolfie is the next best potential candidate from a "keeping it in the family" perspective. (I know, I know... the pun, har har.)<br /><br />I don't get a sense that Eddie and Al would strategically use him like this just for that PR reason. God damn'em if they are, just to keep the upper hand from a PR spin standpoint.<br /><br />Then again - many of my friends and I have been in bands and understand that bands and rock and roll are petty activities at best - it's just a rock band. And if Wolfie can play bass and is a prodigy as much as Eddie proclaims, it totally makes sense. How much crap have we musicians dealt with in finding replacement players? Wolfie has no baggage, what 15 year old doesn't want to go on tour and rock out?, there's no worries on whether he'll make it to practice or not, no wife and family to deal with... the real world stuff that can get in the way of a band's progress.<br /><br />For all the ridiculousness the VH family has brought to us VH fans, my spidey-sense tingles that Wolfie is going to impress us, whether we want to be or not. There's something in Eddie's voice, the words he chooses (and can't choose) when he talks about it. I've been listening to Eddie talk for years, I've heard him make banter, I've heard him make excuses out of nervousness, I've heard him cut right to it. And whether stupid reasonings or not, later on when everything shook out, in hindsight his comments were consistent with what went down. I think he's a an emotional savant, like the Trey Anastasio's of the world. 110% in touch with their emotions which comes thru in the awesome music, maybe not the best critical thinkers (and that emotionalism gets them into trouble to keep that circuit hot. Usually it's drugs.)<br /><br />Anyway, point is - I believe Eddie when he talks about how good Wolfie is. Not because I want to believe it, or because he should because he's his Dad, but because Eddie talks about it in this way where he's still kinda weirded out about it. I've heard Eddie talk of other players, the way he grants compliments or praises their styles and chops. Gushing Dad's aren't at a loss for words, it just pours out from my experience. They might stammer because they don't want to seem gushing. When Eddie talks about Wolfie, it's like he's still getting his head around it. That he actually has a son, and his son can actually play.<br /><br />It should be MA on the tour. Period.<br />It's gonna be Wolfie.<br />Might as well get used to it.<br /><br />And who knows - it might be Wolfie who acts as the innocent bridge who brokers a peace between his Dad/Uncle and MA. Maybe Wolfie won't handle the tour rigors or freaks out. Maybe it's him saying "Dad I can't handle the backlash, I'm just a f*cking kid. Get over your sh*t and get Uncle Mike out here. For me."<br /><br />"After School Special"-ish I know... but Roth and Sammy toured together. We've seen weirder. At the end of the day, Wolfie is the last final straw in Eddie and Al's life. It ain't Valerie anymore, or one of Al's ex-wives. Wolfie is the barometer. And if he bails, Eddie's emotionalism won't handle it, they'll either get MA or call it off. If they didn't they'd be absolute bastards.<br /><br />I'm going to give Wolfie a chance. He's the only person I would if it ain't going to be Michael Anthony.<br /><br />Ah, Van Halen.<br />Oy f*cking vei... again.<br /><br />I think the best part is that I think Wolfie and Roth will bond like nobody will believe. Remember how much you and Dave bonded when YOU were 15?<br />;)Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09313309457479006659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10111393.post-1169580342701530752007-01-23T11:19:00.000-08:002007-01-23T11:25:42.716-08:00Friends, Romans, Countrymen...<br /><br /><A HREF="http://radio.classicrockcentral.com/player2.cfm?pfile=11.asx"target=blank> The Van Halen Memorial Day '84 radio special</A> --<br /><br />The peak and best of times for VH, a sweet 4 hours of full VH tunes spliced with them partying in the radio studio, cracking each other up, wasted, and Roth being Roth telling great stories to sequeway the songs. The Top of the World period for them. And you can hear it.<br /><br />It just got posted at the <A HREF="http://www.vhnd.net/articles/070120-03.shtml"target=blank> Van Halen News Desk</A> and talk about a time capsule. It's a beautiful, beautiful thing. <br /><br />My best pal in high school Dan taped this off the air and we'd pound beers in the summer and replay this out the car speakers at the drinking spots. This special covers everything we all loved about the VH. I've looked for this for years online. This recording should go in the R&R Hall of Fame archives.<br /><br />If you don't have the time to hear thru all the songs, you can move slider to end of songs and hear Roth doing his jive. I just got full body goose bumps re-hearing (for first time in over 20 years) the one Roth quote my buddy and I used to drunkenly recant all the time:<br /><br />At 19:18 in:<br />"...we're havin' the biiiig first weekend of the summer celebration babies, we're talkin' Mu-mu-mu-mu-mu-...Memorial Day! So remem-ber-er-er-er-er...stick with me, cuz I'm with Michael, Alex, Ed's gonna be joinin' me in a minute...<I>Flame On!</I><br />[announcer]: Our party with Van Halen is just getting started, so don't go away."<br /><br />I haven't hit a Memorial Day since and not said that to myself. Every year.<br /><br />Don't put this in your notes, put it in your life.Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09313309457479006659noreply@blogger.com2