I'm seeing The Kills this Wednesday. Am I excited?

FUCK YEAH I'M EXCITED!!!!!!

BTW, are you checking out my new music blog?

See ya at the show.

It's been a long time since I've blogged here. One reason is that I haven't seen a live show in a while. The other reason, which you might guess if you've read prior posts, is that I don't like the MySpace blog interface/experience.

Therefore, I'll be documenting my upcoming trip to SXSW with a new music blog. Check it out, tell me what you think.

Also, if any of you out there are going to the SXSW music conference, drop me a line. I'm going solo so I'm looking make music buddies. If you're a band, tell me where you're playing and I'll check ya out.

Let it be known that I'm not a lazy blogger. For proof, witness my film blog. No, it's just that I devoted this blog to my live music experiences and I don't go to that many shows.

Therefore, I'm considering making this blog about my musical discoveries (live and otherwise). That means I'd blog about songs I heard on the radio, downloaded or received from friends. I'm guessing I'd write a post every week or two.

But I leave that to my audience. Any of you readers vehemently opposed to this? Anyone think this is a great idea?

Need a sample post? Check out my music video post at my other blog.

Oh, one last thing - I'm going to SXSW this year!

Proof that being a rock star doesn't make you too cool for school, Brian May, guitarist for Queen, just received his PhD in astrophysics after handing in his thesis 30 years late.

:)

BTW, that's the title of his dissertation.

Okay, I'm sure they sent it to everyone but this is a first for me. Usually I get an email from a deleted user I've never heard of saying "you liked (band X) so I'm sure you'll love me." I never follow those links. Well, usually I don't. The key is politeness. I'm serious. A polite, well written note with proper grammar can get me to check out a new band; that's why I added Sara Overall and Katie Davis.

But let me put down my Strunk & White and present to you a music video by BrakesBrakesBrakes.



Add to My Profile | More Videos

Thanks guys. Oh, BTW, I'm a filmmaker too. Have you checked out my films? So when you gonna ask me to do a video for ya?

:)

No, I haven't seen Daft Punk in concert this year... but I'm seriously considering going to Vegoose. Anyone want to make a road trip out of it?

Regardless, a buddy just sent me this link. It's Daft Punk @ Coachella 2006. Check it out!

DAY ONE

Peter, Bjorn & John - A nice bunch of boys but their brand of rock can't compete with with the heat and humidity of Baltimore, Maryland.

Ben Harper - I've tried many times to get into his music. I promise to try again.

Beastie Boys - This is my first time seeing the boys (can they still be "boys" if Mike D has gray hair?) and damn they rocked! BTW, they kept calling it "Ball-town"! Makes me chuckle.

The Police - Yes, this is why I traveled to the opposite side of the United States. I know there have been complaints, bad reviews, but I have none. They played all the hits, a few surprises and did two encores. Sure, Sting had the boys bring a few of the oldies down a few keys, Andy still can't solo that well and Stuart... Stuart is still an ass kicking drummer. I loved them. I can't wait to see them again.

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DAY TWO

Regina Spektor - I caught a bit of her set at Coachella. I wasn't that into her but damn she's a cutie and damn she wears that shirt well (yeah, I know, I'm a dog).

Dieselboy and Andy C - Hot drum and bass. Super hot.

Spoon - These guys sounded great. I bet they'd be rockin' in a smaller venue.

Explosions in the Sky - Beautiful.

Panic at the Disco - I wanted to hate this guy. Mostly I did until they played a pretty tight cover of The Band's "The Weight." Damn you!

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Here I will invoke the Rule of Thumper.

Wu Tang Clan - I didn't know they could be so much fun live. Jesus! Method, The Rza, they all sounded great. Check them out if you can. Oh, and remember to spill some for ODB.

Velvet Revolver - These guys were the best live act of the night. How can you deny? Tons of crowd surfing, lots of girls flashing their racks, a cover of G N' R's "It's So Easy" (awesome rock lyrics like "Ya get nothin' for nothin'/If that's what ya do/Turn around bitch I got a use for you/Besides you ain't got nothin' better to do/And I'm bored)... why are these guys the only ones courageous enough to want to be rock stars? Go see them live. Long live rock!

The Smashing Pumpkins - I can appreciate what they've done, they're great musicians and I'm glad I've seen them but I'm still not a fan. But on the bright side their bassist seems to be taking fashion tips from Amy Winehouse (a step in the right direction).

All in all, a fun festival. Would I come back? Maybe but the next order of business is SXSW in 2008.

Yeah, that's right, I saw Rush in concert. You got something to say about that? From opening with "Limelight" to closing with "YYZ," they delivered the nerd-tastic evening all were hoping for. To be completely honest, I had no idea they were promoting a new album. I thought ROLL THE BONES was their last; they've put out 5 since then.

I can see you throwing me those dirty looks but I know you play your car's dashboard like a drum kit every time "Tom Sawyer" blasts from the car stereo. And I've seen you practicing your air bass guitar to "Spirit of the Radio."

Pay the dudes their dues. All hail Rush.

Some clips from Coachella. First, lights!




A tiny (and I mean tiny) clip of Explosions in the Sky




And finally a fun clip of Rodrigo Y Gabriella

DAY ONE

The Noisettes - These guys (and lady) were full of energy and aiming to make sure you wouldn't forget about them by the time the festival was over. No chance of that. BTW, their guitarist was smokin' good on the frets.

Nickle Creek - Very pretty on all fronts.

Gillian Welch - I have a new crush. She was warm, engaging, brilliant, awesome and pitch perfect. Hey, Gillian, I'm one of those guys that finds ladies that strap on banjos and harmonicas sexy. Hot damn! Seriously, if she's playing in a small venue anywhere near you, do yourself a favor and go.

Silversun Pickups - Jesus, what a huge guitar sound. These guys put their all into owning the main stage. Not bad. And when are these guys going to record with Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois before they open for U2. I can't be the only person to see that.

Amy Winehouse - This might be my first disappointment of the festival and I'm not sure I can put my finger on why. She sounded great, looked great and seemed perfect on every front. Still, there was something cold and distant. And, for R&B, that almost seems criminal. Maybe it was the venue. Personally, I'd like to see her in a smoky club while I'm sippin' scotch.

Arctic Monkeys - I saw these guys at SXSW last year and I worried that the main stage might be too big for them. Nope, not true at all. I'm convinced these rockers can tear down any house they play in.

Julieta Venegas - If girls that strap on banjos are hot, then girls that strap on accordions are smokin'. Fun, poppy, passionate rock en espanol, what more could you want? Judging by the love the audience was sending back to her, nothing.

Jesus & Mary Chain - I was supremely exhausted at this point so, although they were sounding great, I wasn't feeling it.

Jarvis Cocker - Dude, are you f**king kidding me? Stop telling us how cool you are and sing a damn song.

Interpol - my ex told me these guys are awesome live but I never believed her. Susie, you were right. They were great live.

Sonic Youth - Glad I can check that off my list.

Bjork - Ditto.

DJ Shadow - Good... but I was expecting... ah, maybe I was just too sunburnt to feel the love that evening.
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DAY TWO

Hot Chip - Holy! These guys rocked live. I must see them again. Oh, big props for folding in covers by New Order and Peter Gabriel into your set.

The New Pornographers - Another band I saw at SXSW and once again their pop rock melodies put a huge smile on my face.

Andrew Bird - Um, I'm just gonna invoke "the rule of Thumper" here.

!!! - Dance, you damn dirty hippies. As for me, I'm gonna see what's going on waaaaay over here.

Arcade Fire - Was it just two years ago that these guys play the smaller outdoor stage and just ruled? Yeah? Well, they were back to kick more butt and have us all singing along and waving our hands.

Ozomatli - Talk about a band kicking butt. If you haven't seen them live, go, even if you're not a fan of their music. Their shows are infectious fun.

LCD Soundsystem - Fun set but why end it on such a downer?

The Rapture - Good but I was expecting more (or maybe I was expecting a repeat of my Daft Punk experience from last year).
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DAY THREE

Explosions in the Sky - I think I just heard God call my name (and I wasn't doing any drugs). Amazing live performers. Seriously, go see them.

Rodrigo Y Gabriella - Okay, was there some conspiracy for instrumental groups to kick serious ass at Coachella this year? I mean, lordy, they were doing Metallica covers. Repeat what I said above: do not miss these guys.

Kaiser Chiefs - Thank you for trying so hard to rock. It's hard when it's hot enough to fry an egg on your head but these guys would not relent.

Willie Nelson - Another one that I'm glad to check off my list. I'd say half the set was great. The other half... Willie, I know they're your kids but...

Placebo - Rock!

Crowded House - Yeah, these guys are showing their age but kudos to Neil for taking the flying water bottle with grace and humor. BTW, when they played "Better Be Home Soon" every Rage fan of a certain age was feeling it.

Lily Allen - So your voice was shot and you decided a few splifs were the answer? Well, it don't matter because it didn't affect her desire to give us a kick ass show. And her cover of Blondie's "Heart of Glass" was so sweet I'm hoping it's a b-side somewhere.

Happy Mondays - Dude, I ain't happy.

Rage Against The Machine - Yeah, they were okay... no, they were here to rip your face off and they succeeded.

In sum, this was a pretty damn good Coachella. Few bands disappointed and many blew me away.

And I promise to make it to more shows and blog about them.

Ciao.