Out in the Street

Matt Taibbi has been a consistent force to be reckoned with.

(The image above was drawn by the amazing Molly Crabapple)

Coming Close to Donna

My favorite short from Barry Hannah's classic collection Airships:

If this piques your interest, you can find the full three page story here.

Sweet Lou

I'm still dying to hear what LULU (his collaboration with Metallica) sounds like.  In the meantime, there's this:

I love how cool Letterman is when he greets the band following their performance.

The Osiris of this Sh*t

I'm unnaturally excited about this . . . (Reblogged from Pitchfork)

Ol' Dirty Bastard's Return to the 36 Chambers to Be Reissued as Box Set

Deluxe edition filled with bells and whistles

By Carrie Battan, September 16, 2011 12:39 p.m. CT

"We Can Hulk This Place Up"

I can absolutely picture the Hulk smashing through a set at 315 Bowery; but Howard the Duck replacing Gene Simmons, that's just far-fetched.

Record Biz Braces for Legal Battles Over Copyright Law

 

Sounds like a hell of a battle brewing:

Starting in two years, the rights to classic albums by some of rock's biggest acts, including Bruce Springsteen's Darkness on the Edge of Town, Billy Joel's 52nd Streetand the Eagles' The Long Run, could revert back to those artists. The change threatens to upend the music business – putting more cash in musicians' pockets and less in those of the labels.

*** 

Artists and labels are both bracing themselves for a long period of litigation. "We're just at the beginning of this," says Copyright Office administrator George Thuronyi. Adds Henley, "Having dealt with record companies for over 40 years, I know nothing's easy with them. But it would mean a great deal to us and our heirs. The future ain't what it used to be, as someone once said."

- From RollingStone 

Update: Help Make The Impossible Possible

Last month, I wrote a brief entry about Kim Boekbinder (A.K.A. The Impossible Girl) and her potentially paradigm shifting take on the future of live performances.  Well, after a successful pilot event in NYC, The Impossible Girl has embraced her new live music model and launched a multi-date, fan driven tour.

I'm really hoping Kim's pre-sold tour is successful, as it could help revolutionize touring/live music; putting power back in the hands of fan bases and money back in the hands of artists (and away from scalpers/promoters).

Below is Kim's press release and links to the Kickstarter pages for each prospective Impossible Tour date.  If you live in one of these areas, buy a ticket (at the bargain price of $10) and enjoy a memorable event (I couldn't attend the NYC show, but I purchased the live feed/high-quality digital download - and loved it).  If you can't make a show, help her out by spreading the word.  Live music fans everywhere stand to benefit from the precedent she's attempting to set.

If you want to hear some of her music before committing, try either her website or this link, which has a nice collection of her hits. 

TicketMasters: How the Public Got Scalped

I just finished this thorough explanation of the volatile and often-times illegal business practices the TicketMaster/Live Nation conglomerate and its progeny use to rake in dollars at the expense of live music fans.  Budnick and Baron's analysis of "secondary ticketing" (otherwise know as coordinated scalping) is equal parts eye-opening and sickening.  


The large portion of the book explaining how ticket brokers like StubHub, ViaGoGo, and the like are able to skirt anti-scalping efforts and earn hundreds of millions of dollars from buying up good seats early and selling them at premium prices is only slightly less aggravating than its revelation that TicketMaster (and certain artists) have historically partnered with scalpers to turn a larger prophet. 

Hit the jump to read the book's press release:

Tightrope

I know I'm late to the party, but I wanted to share my obsession with OutKast prodigy Janelle Monae.  Check out this video and tell me you don't feel woefully uncool in comparison:

Just Kids

Patti smith is writing a screenplay based on her nationally lauded autobiography.  I love Smith, but I'm not at all biased when I say her recounting of a lifetime spent with ground-breaking photographer Robert Mapplethorpe is one of the most heartbreakingly honest non-fiction tales I've ever come across.  I don't often toss around book recommendations, but if you have any interest in the gritty, 60's/70's New York art scene (Warhol, Ginsberg, Dylan, Shepard, CBGB's, Hotel Chelsea, etc.), then this is a must read. 

The Man with the Electro-Pop Debut

From Pitchfork.  I hope Lynch's long-time pal Trent Reznor had some input on the album.  Also Glad Karen O is recording again.  We're about due for another Yeah Yeah Yeahs record.

Photo by Mark Berry

We've been hearing about it for a long time, and now it's finally here: David Lynch's solo album of electronic pop. Here's the first thing you need to know about this album: It's calledCrazy Clown Time. And here's the second thing: It features guest vocals from Yeah Yeah Yeahs leader Karen O on a song called "Pinky's Dream". Those are two very good reasons to get excited.

Crazy Clown Time arrives November 8 from Sunday Best Recordings. (In the U.S., it will be co-released by PIAS America.) Lynch wrote, produced, and performed the entire thing with help from engineer Dean Hurley, who also plays guitar and drums on several songs.

Below, listen to the early single "Good Day Today" and check out the album's tracklist. Read our interview with Lynch about his music here.

Crazy Clown Time:

David Lynch: "Good Day Today":

Posted by Tom Breihan on August 15, 2011 at 7 a.m.

Give em' Enough Rope

Some awesome sketches from artist Phil Noto:

Strummer and his boys

The Fab Four

Fugazi

"Fuckery"

Here's a macabre' portrait of Amy Winehouse made entirely out of pills.

See others at:  http://www.jasonmecier.com/misc.html

See Ya' Got Ya' Rubbers

Here's to swimmin' with bowlegged women.

                                                                      - Quint (?-1975)

Shaolin Style

This is a late front runner for tweet of the year:

@pitchforkmediaPitchfork 

Cee-Lo Green to Play Raekwon's Father in a Biopic Film Raekwon Is Making About His Own Life  p4k.in/rn0Vbw

Jamber's Island

My amazing friend Amber, who's currently in Sierra Leone helping rid Africa of Polio and Cholera,

Check out her blog, Jamboree in Africa

recently sent an e-mail posing the question: "Name the ten albums you would want to have with you on a desert island?"  Not one to pass up an opportunity to rattle off my favorite music, I responded as follows:  

I'm a big believer in the integrity of complete albums, conceptualized or otherwise.  So, rather than try to list my favorites, I decided to pick a mix with enough variety to pass the time from my arrival on the deserted island to my inevitable death from starvation/exposure. 

Here's an annotated draft of the sound I'd bring with:

Back to Black

A nice Quote from Tony Bennett on Amy Winehouse's passing:  

“Amy Winehouse was an artist of immense proportions and I am deeply saddened to learn of her tragic passing,” said Bennett. “She was an extraordinary musician with a rare intuition as a vocalist and I am truly devastated that her exceptional talent has come to such an early end. She was a lovely and intelligent person and when we recorded together she gave a soulful and extraordinary performance. I was honored to have the opportunity to sing with her. It had been my sincere hope that she would be able to overcome the issues she was battling and I send my deepest sympathy to her father Mitchell, her entire family and all of those who loved her.”

Bennett recently recorded a duet with Winehouse for his upcoming album Duets II.  This whole thing saddens me.  You'd be hard pressed to find someone who didn't think Winehouse was headed for self destruction (especially after the awful way her comeback tour was cut short); still, those close to her either refused to or were unable to help.  Sad, Sad, Sad.  Such a loss.

Idiocracy

The world is ending.  Some fight it, others embrace it.  Earlier today, I received the following message from a Jacksonville friend: 

Sorry, I had to meet with a client. Have I told you recently that I hate this job?

Let's move on to a topic of mutual hatred: Wal-Mart. Last night I almost lost my life because I seriously considered suicide-bombing the Wal-Mart on Atlantic blvd. As I finished serving papers last night I stopped into wal-mart to pick up a few things. As I walk through the front door my senses were assaulted by a wave of BO followed by the carrier, a 300 lb woman carrying a barrel of cheetos and a screaming infant. So already I'm annoyed/depressed/angry. I get in, get my groceries and get out. As I'm walking out the door, a man who is sitting slumped against the wall two feet from the door shouts at me "In the name of Jesus Christ, can you please help a guy out, god bless you". Now... as you know, he's already started off on the wrong foot if he wants my help. But factor in the fact that I just finished up my two-job 14 hour day of work AND that he is begging for money outside the one place on earth that will hire just about anyone that can walk, limp or drag themself through the door, I would have blown myself up right then and there if I had the ability.

Wal-Mart is the bane of all that is good and the world would instantly be a better place if they were all destroyed during their peak operating hours. 

Sorry, Pal (who asked to remain anonymous).  On the bright side, if you go through with it, there'll be seven union card-carrying, small business owners waiting  with hammers and sickles to welcome you into Keynesian Heaven.

Goddamn You, Tallahassee

I'm over this hole.

Say It Ain't So, Lou?

ECHO CHAMBER:  LOU REED & METALLICA

"It's maybe the best thing done by anyone, ever. It could create another   planetary system. I'm not joking, and I'm not being egotistical."    - Lou Reed

This is like a "do your worst" photoshop contest come to life.

****UPDATE****

Whoa, I take the first bit back.  This ain't no Rock n' Roll Animal, but it rocks pretty hard . . . 

LIFE

I can't get enough of these things.  Also, everyone I know that has read Keith Richards' autobiography Life has told me how excellent it is.  

10th Ave. Freeze Out

Clarence Anicholas Clemons 
January 11, 1942 - June 18, 2011

I had the pleasure of watching "The Big Man" perform when the Boss & his E Street Band played a three-night run to open the then new Lincoln Financial Field in Philly.  That show remains one of my all-time favorites.  Sad to say, no Springsteen concert will ever be the same.

Rolling Stone's compilation of Clemons' "Greatest Monemts":
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/photos/videos-clarence-clemons-greatest-moments-20110620/the-national-anthem-2011-0343169

The Impossible Girl Takes A Stand

Kim Boekbinder, A.K.A. The Impossible Girl, recently went public with her innovative and potentially paradigm shifting take on the future of live performances.  I, for one, think this is a fantastic idea.  And a concept I have a few thoughts of my own on, as well.   See below for her revolutionary pre-sold tour concept:

A few weeks ago I played a concert in Portland, Oregon which was attended by exactly 18 people. After everyone else got paid, I made exactly $12.50 USD. I know that independent musicians all over the world play to empty rooms all the time. I’ve played to quite a few myself. But the thing about me is that: I’m actually famous.

I’m not hugely famous, most people have never heard of me. But I have fans, amazingly supportive fans, all over the world. I raised $20,000 to record my album, then I raised $17,000 to make an animated music video with my collaborators Molly Crabapple and Jim Batt. So I know there are lots of people out there who like what I do. Which is why playing to an empty room on a Saturday in a town that knows who I am is just really sad. So I took my $12.50 USD and bought myself a few shots of whiskey. Luckily the price of whiskey in Portland is pretty low and I managed to get terrifically, yet lucidly, inebriated. In that state I had an epiphany, one that redefines the concept of touring. . . 

Derek Jeter's Taco Hole

I like to think Derek Jeter's chances of retiring a career .300 hitter are resting in peace with Freddy Fender and the rest of the fallen Tornados.

Rebellion

Fuck Yeah!

Tears in Heaven

 Amazing.

Band of Brothers

Happy Memorial Day

He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
    Will stand a tip-toe when this day is nam'd,
    And rouse him at the name of Crispian.
    He that shall live this day, and see old age,
    Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
    And say 'To-morrow is Saint Crispian.'
    Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars,
    And say 'These wounds I had on Crispian's day.'
    Old men forget; yet all shall be forgot,
    But he'll remember, with advantages,
    What feats he did that day. Then shall our names,
    Familiar in his mouth as household words-
    Harry the King, Bedford and Exeter,
    Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester-
    Be in their flowing cups freshly rememb'red.
    This story shall the good man teach his son;
    And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,
    From this day to the ending of the world,
    But we in it shall be remembered-
    We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
    For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
    Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
    This day shall gentle his condition;
    And gentlemen in England now-a-bed
    Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here,
    And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
    That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.

St. Crispen's Day Speech

  Shakespeare's HENRY V

C. 1599

Busy Being Born

Happy 70th, Bob.

Here's a video of Dylan's first national television appearance, 

for posterity's sake.  

For all the Dylan birthday banter you can handle, visit www.expectingrain.com.

Madness

Randall Mario Poffo 

11.15.52 - 5.20.11

Be you in Heaven with Miss Elizabeth

or Hell with Sensational Sherri,

farewell Macho King.

Purify The Colors, Purify My Mind

God, I love having this song stuck in my head

Hold On A Minute

And I'm all right, yeah, I think I'm fine
My savior lives in telephones
And I just dream of you and step outside
Dial up and hope that you're home

Publish Post

Criminal

On the Road Again

Heading to Hazleton in a few hours.  This felt appropriate:

weezer from Black Cab Sessions on Vimeo.

Yer Blues

"A Beatles Tune as performed by a rather obscure supergroup featuring John Lennon, Mitch Mitchell, Keith Richards and Eric Clapton. Ah, what might have been."



Dirty Mac - Yer Blues by Gaspard_Elliott

Freakangels

Me too, I think.

Grievous Angel

Gram Parsons was really excellent.  This doesn't mean I like Country Music, does it?

Is this Heaven?

In honor of Opening Day, 2011

"You always get a special kick on opening day, no matter how many you go through. You look forward to it like a birthday party when you're a kid. You think something wonderful is going to happen."

                                                        - The Yankee Clipper

"Baseball was, is, and always will be to me the best game in the world."

                                              - The King of Crash

Sally Can't Dance . . .

But Rock N' Roll Animal era Lou Reed sure can.

Speak, Strike, Redress!

"Beware the Ides of March."

- Ruth Kudlick, 1998 

Thus must I piece it out:
"Shall Rome stand under one man's awe?” What, Rome?
My ancestors did from the streets of Rome
The Tarquin drive when he was called a king.
“Speak, strike, redress!” Am I entreated
To speak and strike? O Rome, I make thee promise,
If the redress will follow, thou receivest
Thy full petition at the hand of Brutus!

                                             - Some Bard, 1599

Amen, Nick. Amen.

"My five dream jobs: #3. Any kind of musician (apart from classical or rap). Speaks for itself.  But I'd have settled just for being one of the Memphis Horns - I'm not asking to be Hendrix or Jagger or Otis Redding."

High Fidelity - Nick Hornby

        "I will now sell five copies of 'Pain in My Heart' by Otis Redding"

Fear and Loathing

 

"There was madness in any direction, at any hour. You could strike sparks anywhere. There was a fantastic universal sense that whatever we were doing was right, that we were winning." - Raoul Duke

(Pictured: Johnny Depp, John Cusack, Hunter S. Thompson, 

               three cigarettes, a convertible, and an inflatable doll.)

Stones In Exile

See it, if your haven't.

"In the spring of 1971 the Rolling Stones departed the UK to take up residence in France as tax exiles. Keith Richards settled at a villa called Nellcôte in Villefranche-sur-Mer and this became the venue for the recording of much of the band s masterpiece Exile On Main Street . Stones In Exile tells the story in the band's own words and through extensive archive footage of their time away from England and the creation of this extraordinary double album, which many regard as the Rolling Stones finest achievement."

Nightfall of Diamonds

This blog has been unforgivably barren of late.  Thankfully, my pal Mezlo decided to pick up the slack.  Hit the jump to read him review a DSO show we recently attended and weigh in on the value of tribute bands in general.  

Goodbye's Too Good a Word Babe . . .

Suze Rotolo: 1943-2011

by Josh Marshall | March 2, 2011, 10:38AM  

 

Unless you're a really hardcore Bob Dylan fan you likely don't know her name. But you've probably seen her face. Suze Rotolo (pronounced "Susie") is the one walking with Bob Dylan on the album cover of The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan, Dylan's break-out second studio album. (His first barely sold any copies at all.)

But it wasn't just a picture. And she wasn't just some random person. Dylan and Rotolo were a couple from 1961 (about four months after he arrived in New York City) to 1964. In other words, for almost all of Dylan's formative folk period. As such, she's believed to be the inspiration of many of these key songs.

Dylan himself writes about the relationship in his 2004 memoirs Chronicles, Volume One, here describing meeting her for the first time ...