Review: Weezer at Hard Rock Live. Hollywood, FL

I'm going to do my best to be as unbiased as possible when writing this review. That's a lot to ask from a woman whose kid is named Jonas. But I digress...

While waiting for the set to begin, Lisa and I turn our attention to the corner of stage right. We see a glow in the dark soccer ball, and a man was dribbling it with ease and finesse. Lisa looks and me and whispers: "Is that Rivers?"
I answered that I thought it was,and we had our confirmation minutes later when the lights came off, he kicked the ball offstage, and stepped over to center stage to rip into the opening chords of "My Name is Jonas".

Each song that followed was stage lit in the color that corresponded to each album it is featured on: Blue album tracks were lit in blue, Green album in green, Pinkerton in gold/amber, Make Believe in black and white, etc...

Rivers greeted us as "Residents of Hollywood, Florida. USA. Planet Earth" and went on to tell us the four of them were "Representatives of the Planet Weezer". I half expected him to say they were from the planet Pinkerton, in a nod to the "space opera" that never was, and Pinkerton eventually became. But perhaps I am just a superfan that knows too much?

The band members were energetic and playful with each other, and Scott Shriner stole the show from his side of the stage: Shaking his butt, dancing in circles, and generally having a great time.

Rivers took to the microphone early on to ask the crowd: "Are you the kind of audience that likes to get sprayed with water?" This was met with cheers, of course. He made it a point to say: "Some audiences are not into that." It struck me as funny that he asked if it was ok if he doused everyone with water.

At times, a chord was fumbled or a lyric accidentally mangled, but the guys were having such a great time that the hiccups didn't seem to matter much.

The show was cranked up even higher when halfway through "Troublemaker", Rivers decided to hit the floor and play his guitar while singing and dancing on a chair about ten rows back. Naturally, the crowd went nuts. He ran over to our side of the stage in the 100s (Our seats were in 202) directly below us and jammed an awesome solo as people rushed to the stairs and crowded around him taking pictures, which he obliged.

"Say It Ain't So" and "Photograph" were highlights; but a huge grin spread across my face when they played "Don't Let Go", which is Jonas's favorite song. I recorded about 30 seconds of it on my cell phone, and you'd have thought I gave the boy the greatest gift in the universe.

What happened next in the set can only be described as magical. I absolutely love the song The Greatest Man That Ever Lived (Variations on a Shaker Hymn). It's unlike any of their other tracks. It comes from the highly underrated Weezer (red album), and the swagger and bombast of the song and its lyrics are hilariously outrageous.
The band broke into a four part harmony that was absolutely breathtaking. The fact that all of them have solid vocals is something I've long loved about this lineup.

They predictably closed with Undone (The Sweater Song), but the very end of the set was very cool. Brian Bell finished the final notes of the song, everyone placed their instruments on the floor, and jumped onto Pat's drum riser. Each member of the band took a drumstick or two and they had a fun little 1-2 minute drum solo that made everyone smile. They took their bows and exited the stage.

The set was only about 90 minutes long, which seemed rather quick to me until I considered the length of their tracks and albums. They played 20 tracks total, so they were hardly lacking in variety.

Here is the set list in its entirety:

My Name Is Jonas
Hash Pipe
El Scorcho
Surf Wax America
Keep Fishin'
We Are All on Drugs
Memories
Troublemaker
Dope Nose
Island in the Sun
Say It Ain't So
Perfect Situation
Photograph
(If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To
Buddy Holly
Don't Let Go
The Greatest Man That Ever Lived (Variations on a Shaker Hymn)
Beverly Hills
Encore:
Pork and Beans
Undone - The Sweater Song

Review: Juke's "Down Low Cool"

Miami-based Juke packs a wollop with their new EP, "Down Low Cool".
The brand new title track opens the disc, with singer Eric Garcia conceding to living with the blues while trying to find the positive: A girl with long blonde hair, not wasting time crying for lost loved ones, and drinking to laugh at foes. The track also features a killer mouth harp solo.

Two tracks from 2008's "Lungbutter-The Blues Basement Tapes" are revisited and given a much-needed swift kick of energy.
"Mile-High Freak" and "Tiem" sound fresh and revitalized. Guitarist Evan Lamb really lets it rip on "Mile High Freak", building up to a full-on band jam before finding his way through a solo that showcases his talent.

The album doesn't lose momentum with "Sande's Song": a beautiful, folk-tinged, plaintive ode to Garcia's late mother.

The EP closes with 10 Miles to Go, in which Brian Lange pounds the drums with ferocity. Instead of petering out at the end, "Down Low Cool" closes with a wild growl.

Now that's what I call dirty blues!
Check out: www.jukedirtyblues.com for videos, music, and upcoming live performances.

A Music Love Affair

I simply cannot date someone that is not as passionate about music as I am.
Several years ago, I was on a date with a guy when the all-important question came up.

I asked: "So, what are you favorite bands?"
He breezily replied: "Oh, I don't really have any, I guess. I kind of like music, but I don't have favorites".
I spent most of the rest of the date trying to figure out how the hell I was going to get out of there quickly.

My entire life was built on a musical foundation. I attended my first concert at age 5. I started seeing local bands when I was 14. I've been advocating for the scene since I was a teenager, let alone hours upon hours I've poured into listening to albums and going to concerts featuring my favorite national acts. I built a career around my love of music. I can't play an instrument, but I sing and perform with bands whenever possible.
It stands to reason if I eat, sleep, and breathe it: I'm looking for someone to share that with.


...And along came Luis.

We're both in the industry. We're both huge music lovers, and agree on most of the same bands. We have the same attitude towards music: You don't have to knock someone else's taste to be satisfied with your own opinions.

If we're going out on a date, it likely involves going to a concert.
If we're staying in, Luis cranks up the half stack and plays guitar in the living room. Or we throw on a concert dvd as background noise. Last night, we laid in bed in front of the computer watching interview clips from Mark Hoppus's show on Fuse TV, and Dave Navarro's web-based tv show.

Sometimes we just turn on Pandora and lay around singing along to tracks we like, and joking about how fast we can turn off the ones we don't. Whether I'm doing my best Brandon Flowers impression, Luis is showing me videos of Tyson Ritter making a very disgusting tuna melt, or we're debating the merits of underrated drummers...music is very much the core of our relationship.

Really, does it get much better than that?

Music Friends!

Almost all of my friends are borderline obsessive about music. There is an unofficial litmus test to determine whether I can socialize with you on a regular basis, and music is the backbone of the examination.

If you're not interested in coming to see a local show with me, we probably won't be spending much time together.
If your musical taste has the range of 10 bands from 20 years ago that are no longer relevant, we probably won't have much to talk about after the first day we meet.

I mention these things because my music lovin' friends have banded together and given me some great new tunes recently. The onslaught of new music started at the end of April.

Joel burns a mix cd for my birthday every year, and the diversity always runs the gamut from classic blues to Michael Jackson.

Heather and Kyle made it a point to take me to see Clutch, whom I've been threatening to get to know better for years. What a fantastic show. Subsequently, Heather gave me two Clutch albums and Josh Ritter's The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter. I was quite certain years ago that I'd filled my quota of singer- songwriters. I was wrong, and now I can't stop playing that damn album. It comes to a close and I let it roll right back to track 1. She also made me a mix cd with a great variety of artists.

Lisa made me a mix of songs as upbeat and happy as the two of us (a.k.a. Ersa) and I danced in my seat in the car on the drive home from her house.

Luis and Andrew both mentioned Thrice within 24 hours of each other, which lead to a YouTube blitz of all things Thrice, plus The Starting Line, Saosin, and Something Coporate among others.

A Facebook status about this latest group of bands led to suggestions from Tom, Gaston, and Emily for other bands that I can't even begin to list right now. More research to be done later!

Meanwhile on the local scene, Joel DaSilva and the Midnight Howl are working on their debut. Beauty to the Moon just announced that they're working on a follow-up album. I've discovered Bobby and the Renegades, Hymn for Her, and gotten more into the Shakers. Hit Play! has drastically changed their lineup. Checking out Sugar in the Gas Tank live is on my to-do list, thanks to Spano's new hosting gig on Buzz Junior.

I have the greatest music friends in the world.

Jimmy Pagano Memorial @ America's Backyard

I spent last evening with my local music family, celebrating the life of drummer and music promoter Jimmy Pagano.
Standing off to one side just after I arrived, I surveyed the motley crew of rockers assembled for a night of music and memories. It was a bit surreal to see bandanas, torn jeans, and myriad tattoos at a Top 40/dance club, but what a great time indeed.

The guests in attendance read like a who's who among South Florida musicians, photographers, and artists. There was absolutely zero ego in this room, however. Lots of laughter and rotating jams as everyone took turns hitting the stage and playing some really solid covers.

Judy Blem and several fantastic volunteers organized a fine event, along with the help of area businesses donating items for raffle and silent auction. A program has been set up in Jimmy's memory: The Jimmy Pagano Music Scholarship Fund. This has been arranged through the Dan Marino Foundation, and information can be found here:

I did not know Jimmy personally, aside from a few haphazard Facebook run-ins. But to hear what a beautiful soul he was, such a hard working and positive force in our community, made me proud to be part of this community, too.

This gathering allowed me the opportunity to catch up with some old friends, and meet a bunch of new ones as well. It was nice to spend the evening with good music, great company, and a few drinks.

Hep Cat Boo Daddies at Elwood's Dixie BBQ

It's no secret the Hep Cat Boo Daddies are good friends of mine, so when I learned they were going on an indefinite hiatus, I made it a point to attend their show this past Saturday at Elwood's Dixie BBQ in Delray Beach. I stepped in halfway through a song, taking a seat at an empty table up front. I settled in with a Magner's, propping my feet up on the chair in front of me, readying myself for three sets of HCBD.

I focused first on Joel, watching him play and sing like I have done so many times over the years I've lost count. He played carefully, with alternating focus and ease. In a conversation we had after the set, I told him I've enjoyed watching him grow as a musician. He has become even more proficient of a player, and his stage presence is more electric than I've ever seen it.

I turned my attention to Evil, the bass playing embodiment of cool. Standing off to one side sporting his trademark shades, he makes playing look so effortless that I'd be tempted to jump up there and jam myself. He's always a joy to watch.


George is a fine addition on the skins, having replaced Randy Blitz several months ago. He was all smiles and even sang a couple of covers, including "Folsom Prison Blues".

By the second set, the boys started breaking out some tracks from HotRodSexGod, which did not leave my cd player for approximately the entire length of the summer of 2007. I tapped my bottle to the table in time with George's drums, singing along with Joel.

The third set was a half hour, anything goes impromptu jam with a roundtable of musicians that happened to be at the gig. Joel invited me up to sing a song, but I was caught off guard and didn't know what we'd all be familiar with so I declined. I'd gladly take him up on the offer another night, as sharing a stage with him would be my pleasure, indeed.

Catch the last Hep Cat Boo Daddies performance before hiatus at Big Easy Bar and Grill in Hollywood: Saturday, June 18th.

You can also check out Joel's new band: Joel DaSilva and the Midnight Howl

Listening With Fresh Ears

Last year, my friend suggested I check out "Warning", his favorite Green Day album. It was the only one I'd never heard, so I gave it a listen. I've heard it a handful of times over the last several months, but only yesterday did I pick up on the jingle bells in Deadbeat Holiday. As Billie Joe Armstrong begins the lyric: "Christmas lights in the middle of August", the bells chime in subtley. My ears perked up, and I admonished myself for not having noticed it sooner.
One of my favorite things about being a passionate music lover is discovering the nuances a band chooses to include in its music. Sometimes the choice is in the instrumentation, like the Green Day song I mentioned above. Other times, the choice is in the mixdown, when the music floats from the left channel of your headphones to the right. If you're a radio personality, the mixdown could send you into a state of panic. We often wear our headphones over just one ear. If the song starts in the left channel, as Korn's "Coming Undone" does, you'll flip out thinking you have dead air. Your heart skips a beat until the drums kick in, and you laugh at yourself for the mini freak out.
When I was younger, I used to spend an entire afternoon with my mom and dad's record player, headphones engulfing my tiny head as I pulled out the sleeve and followed the lyrics intensely. As an adult, the closest I can come to that is a car ride to work. I miss the days of devoted listening.
What are some of your favorite subtle music discoveries?

Bobby and the Renegades

I've had the pleasure of seeing Bobby and the Renegades a couple of times recently, and have yet to be disappointed.
Regardless of the size of the room or the number of people in the crowd, the boys play with the same level of intensity.
Comprised of members of hard rock band Beauty to the Moon and blues rockers The Helldorados, Bobby and the Renegades was formed just under a year ago.

Vocalist Greg Magnanti may be new to the group, but is clearly a good fit with the rest of the band. The ease and chemistry with fellow members is evident in his performance.

Guitarists "Mean" Dean Haddox and Steve Laudicina are fun to watch: alternately grinning and trading licks or getting swept away in a passionate solo that fills the room.

Drummer Harry Brooklyn and Bassist Mason Randall provide a solid foundation, keeping a steady beat for covers and originals alike. Their experience shines through in their playing, both members show a combination of precision and relaxed confidence.

It's a blast when everyone gets in on the fun, and the band's cover of Muddy Waters' Got My Mojo Workin' gets a crowd on their feet with ease.
On the other end of the spectrum, the guys wrapped up a recent set with Bill Withers' "Aint No Sunshine", a great match for Magnanti's vocals.

Join them on Facebook for upcoming shows: Bobby and the Renegades

SW 3rd Ave Music Festival Recap

When you love as many local bands as I do, you're often faced with difficult decisions. How do I divide my time when attending local shows? Do I support my friend's band, or see someone new? Do I travel across county lines, taking a chance on a show that might be less-than-stellar? What's a music lover to do?
SW 3rd Ave fest was the perfect cure to my woes. I was able to see a bunch of great bands in Downtown Fort Lauderdale, close to home and in venues I love.

After chowing down on tacos at T-Mex, my friends and I made our first stop at the PoorHouse for Juke Singer Eric Garcia greeted me from the stage as we walked in, and it was like being welcomed home at the end of a long day. The band blew through a few blues tunes in what seemed like a split second, reminding me of my least favorite thing about festivals: short set times. It was a tease, leaving me mentally arranging my schedule to catch them later in the week, at The Stage in Miami.


After a quick load out, Joel DaSilva and the Midnight Howl took the PoorHouse stage. This lineup may be new together, but the members are hardly new to the scene. Frontman/Guitarist DaSilva is a member of The Hep Cat Boo Daddies, and drummer Stefano Rotati sat behind the kit for Juke. Bassist Kevin Simonelic rounds out the trio, along with Scott Rowell appearing on keyboards. The 'Howl is currently working on their debut album, set for release late summer/early fall. The boys sounded great, and the band was in good spirits coming off last week's big show at SunFest, alongside several national acts. A mix of originals and covers made for a fun set.


When J.D. and the Howl wrapped up, I grabbed a friend and walked over to the Green Room to see what was going on at the New Times Stage. I'd never seen a performance at Green Room, so I tried to find my bearings as John Ralston's band did their setup. I took in the decor (lots of white furniture!) and the crowd (music geek chic!) and determined I may not be cool enough for this place. John Ralston came highly recommended, and I was excited to see him perform. His band sounded incredibly tight, and I enjoyed his vocals and stage presence. I bopped around to the music for a couple of songs, but I was anxious to get back to PoorHouse for The Shakers.

The PoorHouse was packed for The Shakers, and they were already onstage when I re-entered.
The energy in the room was more intense than I've ever seen it at this venue. I couldn't help springing up and down like a pogo stick, letting the music move me for roughly two and a half minutes at a time. This was not my first time seeing the Shakers, and definitely won't be my last. These guys had everyone's attention, as the crowd bounced and raised their camera phones. An illuminated hula-hooper at the front of the stage lit the room with glowing swirls.


When the set ended, I stepped onto the street for some air, plotting my next move. It seems one group of my friends had convened at Fat Cat's, so I made the trek down the street for shots and good times. Justin Enco Band was playing a set strictly comprised of covers, and it made for a nice change of pace. We perched on stools on the sidewalk, starting a Sublime sing-a-long and talking about the night's events. The perfect way to wrap up a night of excellent music!

The Cure For What Ails

I've never been one for change. If things could stay exactly as they are, in my happy little routine, with no shake-ups or upheaval, I'd be completely content. But life is at times tempestuous, and I'm clinging to my ideals in a world that demands constant reevaluation. What's a slow-moving Taurus girl to do?

FOCUS ON THE MUSIC

The music is my consant. Even when it changes, it stays by my side; lifting my mood and supporting me in times of need.
Every morning I wake up with a song in my head. Sometimes, the song is a carry over from the previous day. Other times, it crashes my thoughts like a drunken partygoer, and I never fight it. I come to work and look it up on YouTube, then post the performance on Facebook to share with my fellow music lovers.

I focus on lyrics, finding the ones that suit my feelings best.
I focus on the bass line or the kick drum, wishing I had that kind of rhythm.
I focus on supporting my friends in their desire to play music to larger audiences, channeling their talents and passion into making their dreams a reality.

When you don't think anyone else can relate to what you're going through, share a song with them. You might be surprised.


Photo Credit: Kristina DaSilva

A Return to Form, Plus Random Musical Observations

I've been absent from this blog for some time. When the rock station I was a jock for flipped formats, I took myself out of the loop for awhile. There is still no mainstream contemporary rock station here in South Florida. I focused my writing efforts on other pursuits, using all of my free time to food blog for New Times Broward-Palm Beach. Looking over my last few entries here, I realized how much I missed talking about music, and sharing my love for it with all of you. (All 5 of you that read this, anyway!)
Soooo, I'm back.
In four months, this is where I'm at:

I can't tell you a damn thing that's going on with mainstream rock right now, save for a new Foo Fighters album and A Perfect Circle going on tour. And I like it that way. Not having to do repetitive research for bands I barely care about is refreshing.

In my cd player and/or my iTunes for the last month? Elvis Costello, The Drowning Men, The xx, The Black Keys, Dropkick Murphys, Jimmy Eat World, Weezer, Dave Matthews Band, A Perfect Circle, Beach House, The High Strung, and Timo Raisanen. The only one of those we ever played on 93 Rock was Weezer...and just one song: Hash Pipe.

It's liberating to not give a shit. I don't have to pretend to like Creed, I don't have to find nice things to say about Nickelback. I can just enjoy the music I like, and not have to make excuses or apologize.

On another musical note (wow, unintetional pun) my kid loves Weezer. I put the Green album in with him in the backseat one day, because I was looking for something happy and upbeat to stop him from being cranky and fussy. Before I knew it, we were listening to the Green album every day. He sings the "woah oh oh" backup vocals for "Don't Let Go". He does the handclap fills for "Photograph". He bobs his head to "Island in the Sun". Admittedly, I'm getting tired of hearing this damn album every day. But every time I stop at a red light and see his smiling face clapping away, I laugh with him and am less annoyed at hearing the same Weezer album for the sixth time this week. I figure, at least it's not the Barney song that was popular in the generation following mine.

So now you're all caught up with my musical life.
Please suggest new topics for me to write about, visit the comment section below.
As always, thanks for giving a damn :)


Timo Raisanen-My Sweet Marie

Moneybrother-Born Under a Bad Sign

The High Strung-The Luck You Got

Willie Nelson Busted for Possession...Again.

Everyone knows drug use among musicians is as commonplace as ramen in a college dorm room.
The sex, drugs, and rock n' roll mentality prevails long after other cliches of the 70s have lost their steam.
It's no surprise, then, that Willie Nelson was arrested for pot possession on Friday morning. The 77-year-old musician is just as well known for his love of chronic as any song in his lengthy catalog.
Most bloggers and journos would take the next several sentences to chastise law enforcement to leave ol' Willie alone and let grandpa smoke his pot.
Here is where I differ from most: Whether we take a liberal or conservative stance on the use of marijuana, it is still an illegal substance. Law enforcement will continue to, y'know, enforce the law.
My question is, why hasn't Willie learned how to keep the law off his back? As a lifetime pot smoker, one would think he'd know how to be more stealthy.
If rock star addicts like Nikki Sixx and Anthony Kiedis can be routine heroin users and manage to avoid being arrested for possession, how does Willie find himself in this situation multiple times?
Perhaps Sixx and Kiedis, both reformed, could teach Willie a thing or two when it comes to steering clear of run ins with the law.

Review: Hialeah Fest at Churchill's Pub

A spontaneous trip to Churchill's for last night's Hialeah Fest exposed us to some great bands, both old and new. For a $7 cover, we walked into the sounds of infamous Miami-based band Humbert. I've heard much about these guys over the years, but every time I was at a festival they were playing, I was in another area doing some sort of promotional hustle.

I observed the end of set from across the bar, peering through a sea of bad hairdos as I nursed my Jack and Coke. The band lived up to their hype: Catchy, dance-worthy indie rock. They're the kind of band you find yourself declaring you're totally in love with, halfway through the first song of theirs you've ever heard.  I'm glad I finally had the chance to see them live.

The stage was divided in two by a crudely hung white sheet, and as Humbert tore down, Low Visibility began their set on the opposite end of the stage. I honestly don't have much to say about these guys. The fifteen minute set rotations meant for me that they were sandwiched between Humbert, whom I had been excited to see; and Hit Play.

Hit Play is my friend and former 93 Rock co-worker Gaston de la Vega's band. They were the motivation for me to take my ass to Miami in the first place. The band kicked off their set with "...Progress, I Think?" from their debut EP "In Case of Emergency". Singer Alex Calente lead the band through a killer set that also included "The Lie Detector Determined That Was a Lie" and others. Equal parts power pop and punk, these guys deliver with catchy tunes that make you want to bounce and sing along, even if you don't know the lyrics. Of the four bands we saw, Hit, Play sounded tightest of all. They opened and finished strong, chugging through the fifteen minute set with as much energy as you would expect from an hour or more.

The last band we caught was Change Is Great. Giz Forte leads this Hialeah-based three piece with soulful reggae tinged vocals. The slow groove was a complete 180 from Hit Play; but a welcome change indeed. I'll definitely have to catch this trio again in a longer format.

Hialeah Fest was a great way to sample some local music, without having to wait impatiently though lengthy sets when a band you're not into hits the stage.

Rock n' Roll Samsons

From a purely aesthetic standpoint, I'm rarely attracted to guys with long hair. There are few who can pull it off, but there are exceptions to the rule. When it's done wrong, it looks messy. It prevents me from seeing your gorgeous face. You get my point.
Regardless of my feelings about the look, one thing remains clear: The amount of which you rock, as a frontman, is directly proportionate to when you decided you shear your locks.

I submit to you the following:

James Hetfield- The cowardly lion of metal, Hetfield was known for thrashing those locks around as he kicked ass to "Seek and Destroy" and "For Whom the Bell Tolls".
He cut his hair right before the release of Load in 1996, which brought us gems like "Ain't My Bitch" and "King Nothing".

Current length: Still close cropped. The suck has somewhat abated since the release of Death Magnetic, but imagine a return to power if Hetfield grew his hair once again.



Eddie Vedder- Despite tireless research, I had trouble pinpointing exactly when Eddie Vedder cut his hair short. My best guess is he started cutting it sometime during the No-Code era, one of the last Pearl Jam albums I liked. The shorter he cut it, the worse the music got. Yield had a few good tracks, Binaural even fewer. By the time Riot Act was released in 2002, I had stopped purchasing their albums. Eddie's hair cut in 2002? A mohawk. Do the math, friends.



Current length: Just above the shoulders. Not enough hair length to recover from the free fall that started with the mohawk. Sorry, Ed.



Chris Cornell-Cut his hair halfway through Superunknown, which is widely considered to be Soundgarden's breakthrough album. Superunknown is also regarded by hardcore fans as the turning point in their career from a heavy band to a more mainstream band. I enjoyed Superunknown, but less hair definitely equaled less heavy. Cornell continued to wear his hair short through the end of Soundgarden, just one album later.


Current length: Just past his shoulders, with no signs of stopping. Soundgarden has recently reunited, and re-recorded the track "Black Rain", which is originally from the Badmotorfinger recording sessions. It rocks...HARD. Hair is back, heavy Soundgarden is back. Cornell becomes a success story the others should model themselves after.


In conclusion, I find these men far more attractive with short hair. But for the sake of all things rock n' roll, the only way they can salvage the music is to grow back the hair!

Who else in the music industry have you witnessed this phenomenon with?

The Ear For A Single

Call it a blessing and a curse. When I hear an album for the first time, there is always one song that stands out to me above the rest. Whether it is an EP or a full length record, at least one song "speaks" to me. This often ends up being the one that receives radio airplay.

I've gotten a lot of hell for this ability over the years. My music snob friends like to tease me for recognizing the most popular and radio-ready hits. Everyone with decent taste in music knows the single is often the most loathed song on any album, as it gets overplayed ad nauseum by radio stations across the country. It finds its way into commercials, music videos, grocery stores, and bores a hole into your very soul. Sometimes it is mediocre when compared with the rest of the album. Other times it is so infectiously catchy, you can't help but love it.

As much as you love to hate most singles, these are the songs that are chosen to grab a listener and drive them to further explore the band's album. If the single is really good, it may even encourage a listener to delve into a band's entire discography.

I'm proud of my ability to hear an album and choose a song that I am confident will make a new band successful, or breathe new life into a band that is on the verge of a comeback.

Having this gift means I'm doing my job well.

What are some of your favorite singles? Least favorite? Is there a single you hated, but eventually ended up listening to and becoming a fan of the band?

Playing the Right Size Room

I was cruising home from work in my car today listening to music. I started thinking about some of the concerts I've been to over the years, and how the size of the room these bands are playing in directly correlates with what kind of performance they have.

Bands like Foo Fighters and Green Day are solid in an arena setting. I've seen Foo Fighters tackle the Bank Atlantic Center twice, and KILLED both times.
I've seen Green Day own both the BAC and The Triple A (American Airlines Arena).
Dave Matthews Band, Poison, and Disturbed are all fantastic bands to see on a sweaty summer night at the Cruzan Amphitheatre in West Palm Beach. The open-air structure sets the tone perfectly for a great night of acoustic balladry or balls-out rock.

The difference in playing certain venues becomes even more evident when it comes to local bands. I've recently seen Juke play a Beer Fest, Hollywood Bandshell, and The Poorhouse. Each performance had a different vibe. Beer Fest was high energy, Bandshell was laid back with a medium pace, and The Poorhouse was full of foot stompers, attitude, and an anything goes vibe.

My friends the Hep Cat Boo Daddies always play their best shows at The Hollywood Playhouse. There is something about that theatre that brings out the best in them as a band. All of the songs sound that much more soulful and real.

Conversely, choosing a room that your band is not suited for can provide disastrous results. I've seen multiple bands play Hard Rock Live in Hollywood with mixed success. Sometimes the sound is drowned or muffled, or the music gets lost drifting over the sea of people.

I enjoyed seeing Weezer at Sunfest earlier this year, but they're better suited to play in an arena, or even a medium-sized venue. Rivers Cuomo has been experimenting with becoming a more outgoing and impressive frontman, but I'd prefer to see him play a smaller room and stick to his traditionally awkward ways.

What are some recent shows you've been to where the band worked really well or really poorly in a particular venue?

Record Store Day!

In just 10 hours, I'll be on the doorstep of Radio-Active Records to celebrate Record Store Day 2010.
Kris and I already pre-ordered all of the stuff we want to buy, as it is limited edition. What's this day all about, you ask? It's the celebration of independently owned record stores across the country, and worldwide. Many bands release records that you can only purchase on this day. It also includes live performances, and lots of other great stuff. So, wherever you live, make it a point to support your local record store. Go dig through the vinyl and fall in love with a new band, or maybe just one that's new to you :)

Happy RSD!

Want more info? Go here: Radio-Active Records blog or here: Record Store Day

Palladia

I do so enjoy this channel. Better than just a string of music videos every day, they also show live concerts and other assorted performances.

I set my DVR for Kings of Leon, parts of the 2009 Glastonbury Festival, a Green Day performance from Munich, and various others I can't recall.
Tonight, I watched a performance that included several artists, but it was also a documentary of sorts. There were sit-down interviews with each of the performers, most of which I fast-forwarded through to get to Dave Matthews Band.

The featured song for their portion of the documentary was "Take Me to the River", and DMB was joined by Al Green. Imagine my surprise when the camera panned to stage left, and there stood Leroi Moore. I didn't even think about what year this performance could be from, turns out it was 2006, before he passed away. To see and hear him play after only seeing recent stuff was beautiful. He had a sound that was all his own.

Thanks, Paladia, for playing the awesome stuff.

Pop Culture Fluff

Scanning the headlines on Rollingstone.com, a few names pop up that I've been seeing everywhere: Justin Bieber, Ke$sha, etc.
It's always interesting to see how pop culture evolves every decade, only to come
full circle and make the same cycle of trends popular all over again. There is no originality. Right now, the Grunge look is back in style, and 90s bands are reuniting like crazy.
In ten years, none of these artists will be making headlines in Rolling Stone. But in twenty years, they'll all be reuniting to play to the nostalgia of adults that were kids when they were around the first time.
I'm always pleased to report I am blissfully unaware of what these one hit wonders sound like.
Anyone remember Tweet, Big Tymers, Nine Days or Eamon? Bet you didn't until I rattled them off :)
Enjoy having those songs stuck in your head!

Yo Gabba Gabba!

Fort the last several months, I'd heard lots of great stuff about the Nickelodeon kid's show "Yo Gabba Gabba!". Until recently, I didn't have a child that was old enough to pay attention to a television, so I never had reason to check it out. Then, all of my friends in their 20s and 30s started raving about this show...even the childless ones. So I did some research and discovered that the show is created by Christian Jacobs, a member of the Aquabats.

Jacobs and co-creator Scott Schultz have scored some well-loved names in contemporary music to be a part of their show. Regular contributers include Mark Mothersbaugh of Devo, and Biz Markee in a segment called "Biz's Beats". Recent musical guests include: Of Montreal, Mos Def, Weezer, Weird Al, The Killers, The Flaming Lips. It's every music lover's dream come true, in rainbow colors! If you've never checked it out because you thought it was just for kids, I highly recommend adding it to your DVR list.

"Singing and dancing to music is AWESOME!"