My Non-Judgemental Music Blog

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Best Headline Ever?

Def Leppard Tribute Band Seeks One-Armed Drummer

Don't really have much else to say. Read the article below.

HERE

Monday, January 10, 2011

Joshua Radin - I'd Rather Be With You

No better way to start out the week then with a super sweet animated video.

Your welcome.

Joshua Radin - 'I'd Rather be with you' Music Video HD from Thomas Hicks on Vimeo.

Friday, January 7, 2011

Top 10 Things We Learned at MSG

Just when I thought I was done for the week my friend Michelle just sent me a great article to help sum up what actually happened last weekend up at MSG. Via Hidden Track by Luke Sacks. This is great. A little long but worth the read.

1. The Band Still Has “It”

Some fans have felt this way for a while now. Some fans felt the band never recovered from their first hiatus. My feeling, and most fans probably felt this way, is that there have certainly been moments. And shows. And from time to time back-to-back shows. But there has not been a three-night run of this caliber (both song selection and playing) in a long long time. Like maybe Phish 1.0 long. The band confidently tore through 71 songs over the course of the stand and delivered, in my opinion, their three best start-to-finish shows of the year. If you aren’t impressed with what the band brought at MSG then you should just stop going to shows.

2. New Year’s Run Should be at MSG Every Year

I don’t give a fuck how nice the weather is in Miami. This band belongs at Madison Square Garden every year for New Year’s Eve. Something about the mix of that building, that band and New York City makes for magic. And next year the band should clean up and jam out Round Room as a proper nod. This year’s version, while very much appreciated, was one of the few tunes that showed its rust.

3. Tweezer Still Has Balls

Sometimes the timing of a song means nothing. But in the case of Tweezer, the times recently have been telling. The fantastic version on 12/30, which clocked in at 18:48, broke a string of nine consecutive Tweezers that failed to crack the 15-minute mark dating back to 6/26/10 at Merriweather. While the Atlantic City version infused with Zeppelin classics was fun, this MSG version goes deeper than anything we’ve seen lately. The band hits a peak at around 9:54 that probably would have been the highlight of any recent version. But they dive back in for a deeper segment that builds for several minutes into one of the most fluid jams of 3.0′s existence. The jam holds almost completely together till Trey starts the opening licks of Light. Longer doesn’t always mean better but in the case of this Tweezer, it says a lot.

4. Ghost is still the Big Jam Lead Dog

Many of Phish 3.0′s best “big jams” have morphed out of Ghost, including the 11/28/09 Albany monster and the Atlantic City Ghost > Spooky. The MSG Ghost was no exception as it brought multiple highs and some of Mike Gordon’s best work of the entire run. The peak at the end is maybe the best of 2010 and this version would definitely qualify as a “Butter Jam.” It’s a must listen.

5. The Band Still Gets a Kick out of the Meatstick

They basically themed their 1999 summer tour around this song and their word record attempt and it’s inclusion as part of the New Year’s gag secures its spot as a band favorite for the ages. As by now you have seen, it was basically hundreds of worldly performers singing and dancing to Meatstick in dozens of languages for 20 minutes while the band rode across the arena in a giant stick of meat – the famous hot dog. They always seem amused when they fool the crowd but the band members seemed especially proud of their antics this year.

6. A Show on New Year’s Day Works

After two scorching nights and for most people, parties that raged on into the early mornings, it was a bit of a tougher call to rev up the engines for a show on New Year’s Day. But from the opening notes of My Soul to the final thump of Frankenstein, the band treated the crowd to an epic show. The second set, which included a much tighter Crosseyed & Painless than we’ve seen and a hose-level Simple, was among the best of the run. The only slight disappointment was nothing special to mark the 1/1/11 date. Predictions ranging from U2′s One to Metallica’s One to the Grateful Dead’s The Eleven were all shoved aside for a fantastic but numerically absent setlist.

7. First Tube and MSG are a Perfect Match

This pairing came together for the first time on 12/4/09 when it closed the first set and the room just exploded. This year First Tube kicked complete ass as the encore to an already glorious New Year’s Eve show. Something about the song’s looping, sweeping feel and the way Kuroda works the lights in that building makes for a perfect match.

8. Walk Away was Secretly the Song of the Year

This is more of a year-long observation than specifically being about the 1/1/11 version. But the four versions of this song played in 2010 – 6/17 in Hartford, 8/10 in Telluride, 8/17 at Jones Beach and 10/30 in Atlantic City are all worth listening to and all show the band in their best “classic rock” form. Page belts out the vocals to this one with more passion than just about any other tune on his list and Trey just demolishes the now-slightly-extended middle jam section.

9. They are Counting Songs

Last year in Miami the band littered its sets on 12/30 and 12/31 with songs that had not yet been played that year such as Soul Shakedown Party, Tela, Jesus Just Left Chicago, Corinna, Gone, Lifeboy, Demand and Swept Away > Steep and NO2 in order to top their highest total for different songs played in a year with 247. This year it was Burn That Bridge, Weigh, Beauty of My Dreams, Round Room and Grind seeing their first love of the year during the final three shows to give the band a new record of 250 songs played in 2010. It’s good to know the band is paying attention to the “bustout factor” and trying to work some of their unplayed songs into the end of the year celebrations.

10. Fans Know the Words

It used to just be a few lines in a few tunes – The Wilson intro, “…and we love to take a bath” But these days, fans are singing along louder and prouder than I ever thought I’d see at a Phish show. I’m not necessarily complaining but I can’t say I really want the guy next to me screaming HAAAAAA-HAAAALLEY’S COMET directly into my ear. So tread easy show crooners. Remember none of us paid $60 to hear anyone sing poorly except Fishman.

Easy A

If you are looking for just a hilarious movie this weekend, can I suggest to you "Easy A".

Its fantastic. Funny. Witty. And the main character is a trip. This scene in the movie made me laugh harder then I have in a while.

Rent it! Do it! Go now!

Weekend

I made it. All week long I have been looking forward to tonight. Thats right its Friday... and what are my plans you ask? NOTHING. Absolutely nothing. I'm going to bed tonight and waking up tomorrow in time for the Jets game.

I never thought this moment would come. I feel like I haven't slept in two weeks. This is much needed.

So if you needed me for the next 48 hours you know where to find me. Face down. Like Snoopy. Sleeping.

Coldplay

Great Songs. Great Message. Great Band.

"God gave me style he gave me grace. God put a smile upon my face"

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Einstein on Imagination

So true.

The Greatest Movie Insults of All Time

Lets be honest here. I'm from Jersey. I've heard a fair share of pretty great insults/comebacks in my day. This is why I was extremely happy to stumble upon these two videos today. Its a countdown of the 100 greatest insults in movie history. Yes, someone somewhere had enough time on their hands to do this and I thank them!

So here we go... enjoy! Some of these are pretty hilarious.

Three New Posters

Its no surprise that I'm a music concert poster addict. I love them.

My dream is to one day have a music room in my house and fill them like my Dad does with his sports memorabilia. They will, like for him, remind me of certain events, times and band that make me smile. I will have stories about them, about the shows I went to, it will be great!

In the last week I've picked up three new ones for my collection and well all of them are nothing short of stellar.

First the holy grail of the year. The Phish New Years Eve print. Waited in line for over two hours to grab this one. Really happy I did. To the left is the poster and to the right is some of the details.

Next is the Grace Potter and the Nocturnals Fall Tour poster. This band is quickly turning into one of my favorites and well I just had to have this.

And the final one is from another one of my new favorites. Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. This one is just lovely....

Now all I have to do is get a second job so I can frame them all..... hmmmm

Oh My Heart- REM

The more and more cuts I hear off of R.E.M.'s new album (due out at the end of March) the more and more excited I am to pick it up. Their latest release called "Oh My Heart" is a tribute to New Orleans. Its soft, smooth and well close to perfect.

Here is what front man Michael Stipe had to say about it.

"It’s a very quiet and very meditative song dedicated to New Orleans — about New Orleans. Jacknife [Lee] is great as a producer, because he saw that we were struggling with what is a very quiet song. We were standing really far away from each other in the room, and it was hard not only to actually physically hear each other, but it felt dispersed. He brought us into the middle, and instantly, of course, the song worked."

No Longer Waiting

The Who: Phish

The Place: Madison Square Garden

The Date: January 1st, 2011

The Time: Right after 10pm

The Event: Crosseyed & Painless

Don't really have much words for the following video. I will say this, that when the opening chords struck the sound that came out of my friends Christians mouth had signaled the moment we had been all waiting for. We got our song! Many of us have waited over 10+ years to see it. It was finally here!

yay. Now play my Lizards damnit!

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

This Is The New Year

Its officially 2011. Time to start a new. While I usually do not make new years resolutions because well I think they are stupid. If you want to change something about your life just do it...why wait until January 1st. This year I'm going to try something different. I am going to make two promises to myself. Not resolutions, just promises.

First I promise to wake up every morning look in the mirror and be happy for just being here.

Second I will look in that mirror and be THANKFUL for absolutely everything that is happening in that moment. The good the bad the ugly. Its all part of this game we call life and I want to be thankful for it all.

I came to this decision today while listening to the following song. Its words hit me like a bag of bricks. And then I decided that this year I am going to just be happy. I've done a lot of things over the last two years to change my situation and my life and well I think that 2011 will be time to reap the benefits. So bring it on.

Here are some of the lyrics to "This Is The New Year" by Ian Axel

Another year you made a promise

another chance to turn it all around

and do not save this for tomorrow

embrace the past and you can live for now

and I will give the world to you

Speak louder that the words before you

and give them meaning no one else has found

The role we play is so important

we are the voices of the underground

and I would give the world to you

Say everything you've always wanted,

be not afraid of who you really are

cause in the end we have each other

and thats at least one thing worth living for,

and I would give the world to you

All That Matters

Sometimes you see a video and it reminds you of all the things that really matter in life.

This is one of those videos. Super sweet.

Josh Groban Sings Kanye West's Tweets

Who knew that oscar and grammy nominated artist Josh Groban had a great sense of humor?

Watch this video for some good laughs.

Way to go Josh.

Lego my Legos.

Ever wonder where all your missing Lego's have gone to? Well they finally made a film about it and it makes a lot of sense!

Riddle Me This

Took this picture from my camera during the 1.1.11 show. And your going to tell me Phish's sound doesn't come from the high heavens? :)

Bryan Adams

So this morning on my way to work I was driving minding my own business when my ipod cut out. Boo. Forced to turn on the radio, I flipped it on scan and it started throwing random channels at me. I kept on pushing pass, pass, pass, pass until this next song came on. I had to stop. No choice on the matter.

What happened next was just hilarious. Cut to two minutes later, I'm crossing Broad Street screaming the lyrics to this song. Classic Katie classic.

Its been over two hours since this happened yet I can not seem to kick it from my head. So what am I to do? Easy... share it with you so you can share in my misery. (Even though the video for this song is so fantastic...)

I'm never listening to the radio again.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

RIP Gerry Rafferty

Okay this is just getting sad. We have lost way too many really great musicians lately.

I'm really sad to report that Gerry Rafferty the musician behind some of the most fantastic songs including "Stuck in the Middle with You" and "Baker Street" has died at the age of 63 after a long illness.

"Baker Street" was made famous due to the popularity of the rift. I mean its probably one of the more recognizable rifts in the recent history of rock n roll.

So sad.

Favorite Picture - NYE NYC

I know that I did not go to Times Square for NYE but I was in NYC.... and as soon as I saw this picture I thought immediately how well it captured the madness that must have been going on just a few blocks up from Madison Square Garden.

Holy confetti.

Good Music Alert!

New Music Alert! New Music Alert!!

Yet another band I just heard of and instantly fell in love. Within the last 10 minutes I've listened to this song three times. At the end of the first I got up to close my office door so I can dance.

Their name: Fitz and the Tantrums. Song "L.O.V"

Enjoy.

Master Class: Jay-Z

"I think Hip Hop has done more for race relations then most cultural icons..... I truly believe that racism is taught in the home...and its hard to teach racism when your kid looks up to Snoop Dogg"

Last night while still in recovery from the weekend I sat down to watch some of the things I had saved on my DVR. The first thing I clicked on was a premiere on Oprah Winfrey's new tv station called "Master Class". This show is a simple concept. A in depth look into people who have mastered their field. Their first installment was with my favorite hip hop artist of all time, Jay-Z. Yes I just said that. The man is amazing. He has done so much, been around for so long, and he is still relevant.

I highly suggest catching this interview with him. He talks about how it was to grow up in the projects, growing up into a drug dealer, and graduating to be not only one of the most successful rappers of all time but a full blown entrepreneur.

This is one of the final clips from the show last night.

King Is Dead - January 19th

Its countdown time! Countdown to what easily is going to be one of the top albums of this new year. (And yes I am completely aware I'm saying this on day four of 2011)

The Decemberists is a band that I have loved for a very long time. This Oregon-based five some has marched to the beat of their own drummer for the last five albums yet it seems that with this latest they are ready for some mainstream success. Not that you need to be mainstream for success but this album does sound a lot more commercial then their past ones.

But Katie the album doesn't come out until the 19th how do you know how it sounds?

Easy. NPR has a free preview of the entire album on their website today.

If you don't have it playing already I highly suggest you close all your browsers and check it out. It was recorded in a barn outside Portland and well its got that great country/folk sound that I have come to fall in love with. Enjoy.

Listen to The King Is Dead

The Music They Made

Big shout out to the New York Times this morning for a piece they did last week on the musicians we lost in 2010. And man we lost some good ones....

God Only Knows

Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo (Left) has been taking a lot of shit lately. First there was an online petition for him to literally stop making music due to him completely selling out and landing on back up vocals for many top of the charts pop artists. You know that song on the radio right now "I Got The Magic" yeah thats him on back up. While I don't completely agree with his latest decisions... man can do what he wants.

That being said... I was glad to see him go back to the simple things that made him a hit to begin with. Check out the video he just posted to youtube of him by himself playing the Beach Boys classic "God Only Knows". Its pretty understated and nice.

I can't help but flashback to one of my first concert experiences when I hear this song. Thats right, I saw the beach boys. Back when I was... I don't even know 10? All I know is my Dad surprised me for my birthday and the two of us went and saw an amazing show at PNC Arts Center in NJ. Good times.

Monday, January 3, 2011

The Music Business in 2011

"In other words if you are a one hit wonder, someone in all the magazines but with no real fans... you're fucked"

This really isn't a post about Phish... well not really. Its more about the music business and where it is heading. These last three nights of concerts at MSG Phish did something that they had never done before. They did a live video broadcast feed to their fans at home unable to make the show. They charged either 39.99 for all three nights or about 19.99 for each night individually. Many true phans were happy to shell out the cash to see their favorite band play for three nights... and the fans in turn got a treat from the band and got to feel as if they were almost right inside themselves.

You see its now 2011. The game has changed. There is youtube. Camera phones. HD handheld cameras. You must keep up with technology or else the game will blow right by you.

I saw the following article posted and thought that it needed to be on here. It talks about how a band like Phish will make it in 2011 easily due to who they are. They are a live band with a whole army of songs. They are able to give away certain things (like downloads to the show) in exchange their fans will gladly support when they do something like MSG. It works. Easy.

"And unlike Justin Timberlake, Phish didn’t have to sell its soul to Mickey D’s, whore itself out to a corporation to be lovin’ it. They just followed the yellow brick road of music all the way to Madison Square Garden, three nights in a row, with no hit singles, no ubiquitous television coverage, none of the things the rule makers tell you you need in order to make it."

Read the Article HERE

NYE Around the World

So just in case you were not in NYC at Phish.... here are some other celebrations from around the world!

Can not believe its 2011!

My NYE Mini Movie

So ever since I purchased my MacBook Pro last year I have had a dream that I am going to become a film maker. While this dream will not come true anytime soon, the programs let me do some fun things with the videos I shoot. Be prepared for ridiculous videos ahead.

For now I clipped together some of the footage I took from New Years inside Madison Square Garden. Here is a look:

RIP Captain Beefheart (Don Van Vliet)

Okay Ok I know I'm a little late on this one but the last few weeks have been a little hectic. I promise to make up for it.

So Saturday night as Phish ended their show about 1 a.m. some familiar music started to play around MSG and it reminded me of the man who sadly lost his life a few weeks back at the age of 69. The song "Tropical Hot Dog Night" the artist.... Captain Beefheart.

His story goes like this.

He was born Don Vlient and died Captain Beefheart, one of modern music's true innovators. He was a man with a four-and a half octave vocal range, he had crazy rythms in his compositions, absurd lyrics, a mix of jazz, blues, classical music and rock and roll rolled up into one artist. Not to mention he mastered every instrument on that stage. Truly magical. He recorded 12 studio albums between 1965-1982 (many on Frank Zappa's record label) with his group of musicians he called the "The Magic Band". While he never really came remotely close to mainstream success, his impact on the music business is unmeasured.

Known for his enigmatic personality and relationship with the public, Van Vliet made few public appearances after his retirement from music (and from his Beefheart persona) in 1982 to pursue a career in art, an interest that originated in his childhood talent for sculpture. His expressionist paintings and drawings command high prices, and have been exhibited in art galleries and museums across the world.

Yet it was one quote that I read about this man last week that really summed up the word artist for me. This may be wordy...but the words are worth it.

Bob Lezsetz on the recent death of the Captain:

"Trout Mask Replica" was not made for Top 40 radio. Hell, it wasn't made for any radio. It was an album made to be played from start to finish in your bedroom, as you tried to decipher its dense lyrics and music. And the hype was just as good. In "Rolling Stone" Beefheart said it only took 8 hours to record the record. When asked why it took so long, the Captain replied that he had to teach the band their instruments.

Not that we believed that. But how great to have someone who could reply tongue-in-cheek, who wasn't giving the bland answers tv seems to require in its endless quest to appeal to everybody, ultimately appealing to nobody. Eventually the Captain became more comprehensible. There was that album "Clear Spot" that came in a plastic bag, which contained the positively mainstream "My Head Is My Only House Unless It Rains". Which the Tubes ultimately covered. But they've been forgotten too. The real Tubes, the "White Punks On Dope" Tubes not the MTV 80s Tubes singing about beauties and...

And then the Captain faded away. He didn't play the oldies circuit, he went back to being Don Van Vliet and resumed painting, his first love. Until his death last week....

And if you really care about history, if you're the type who's up for a challenge, who takes the road not traveled and doesn't turn back, check out Beefheart's work. Start with "Shiny Beast (Bat Chain Puller)", its the most accessible. But there won't be TV tributes and there won't be a funeral at the Staples Center and you still won't hear his music on the radio.

But those who remember will never forget. An era when being a musician was the highest calling and financial reward was not the Holy Grail. He and his merry band of musicians/pranksters didn't compromise a whit. They just kept on doing what they believed in. Sometimes the audience caught on, sometimes they didn't."

RIP Captain Beefheart.

Official Pictures

So in case you haven't heard me talk about what I was doing this weekend. (And if you haven't well you obviously haven't had a conversation with me in a few months....)

I packed up my bags and headed back on the road to bring in 2011 with some of my favorite people and my favorite band. The three nights of music at MSG were absolutely unbelievable. Every night they topped themselves from the night before... leaving me completely speechless on the train ride back to Virginia.

This band is back people. Back!

As I collect my thoughts at work this morning and start processing my pictures here are some pictures from Phish's official photographer. Amazing.

Night One: 12-30-2010