Chk! Chk! Chk! at Urban Outfitters - OHIO.FM

EDIT: I was nostalgically reading this blog. I haven't posted in 3-4 years. I noticed I had a draft from 2008. Here it is.

Welp, to be blunt, last night was the shit. How often does a sweet band come in and put on free show for you? If you answered often, I want to be your friend... Anyway, the show, and everything having to do with the show, blew my expectations.

I arrived around seven or so, only to see a line edging closer and closer to the Flying Pizza. Once I received my VIP pass (*pauses for laughter*), I headed in to the store. I had never been in the store, not really my cup of tea, but it was pretty cool inside, so trendy I felt dirty. Anyway, the show took place on the second floor with all the merch pushed to the side. Overall the sound quality was "ok", but then again, that's amazing when considering the building is a clothing store. Although, after ninja-ing a spot in front via clothing rack, it sounded loads better, with just the amps and monitors. The set was pretty rockin', although very brief. Some songs I remember are Heart of Hearts, All My Heroes are Wierdos, and Must be the Moon. I was really hoping they would play The Step, which happens to be my favorite from their catalog. Regardless, my face was rocked. Anyway, here are some pics of last night, and a little video clip to give you a taste of the atmosphere. (lol, lotta alt-bros)

Hey Check Out Toobla!

Fitz and Dizzyspells

Andrew Bird with Mucca Pazza - "Fitz & The Dizzyspells”


Sweet video, check it out. Andrew will be coming to Upper Darby, PA this summer on the 17th of June. I sorta wanna find a ride there. At first I thought the new album was kind of dull, but after some listens it finally set in and is truly beautiful.

Is This What Ya'll Been Waitin' For?

Saturday, VH1 Storytellers, Kanye West. This Saturday.

VH1 TV Shows | Music Videos | Celebrity Photos | News & Gossip

uh...Wow.

So apparently this guy remixed a STS9 song and came up with this. It is truly amazing.



Tony

Just Some Things.

Here are some late night performances I've watched/discovered over break, lemme know your favorites!



Of Montreal - An Eluardian Instance on Lettermen off of their newest LP Skeletal Lamping.



TV on the Radio : Golden Age off of their newest Dear Science.

In Other news:

Andrew Bird : Noble Beast - Jan 20th
Animal Collective : Merriweather Post Pavilion - Jan 6th


Keep it real

My Favorite Songs of 2008 - Merry Christmas All

Hey everybody, I finally assembled my best songs of 2008 and I would like to share it with ya!

1. Born Ruffians - I need a life
2. MGMT - Time to Pretend
3. TOBACCO (feat. Aesop Rock) - Dirt
4. TV on the Radio - Red Dress
5. Beach House - Gila
6. The Raconteurs - Five on the Five
7. The Mars Volta - Goliath
8. Deerhunter - Nothing Ever Happened
9. Islands - In the Rushes
10. Noah and the Whale - Five Years Time
11. The Rural Alberta Advantage - Don't Haunt This Place
12. Foals - Two Steps Twice
13. Ratatat - Mirando
14. Ra Ra Riot - Ghosts Under Rocks
15. The Black Keys - Remember When (side B)
16. Of Montreal - An Eluardian Instance
17. Beck - Volcano
18. The Walkmen - In the New Year
19. The Dodo's - Joe's Waltz
20. Butch Walker - Going Back/ Going Home

Here is a link to download the playlist, hope you like it!

Merry Christmas,
Tony

Best Of 2008 List

1. Born Ruffians - Red Yellow & Blue
2. Evangelicals - The Evening Descends
3. TV on the Radio - Dear Science
4. Ratatat - LP3
5. Vampire Weekend - s/t

6. Frightened Rabbit - The Midnight Organ Flight
7. MGMT - Oracular Spectacular
8. The Walkmen - You and Me
9. British Sea Power - Do You Like Rock Music?
10. The Roots - Rising Down

11. Beck - Modern Guilt
12. Eli "Paperboy" Reed and the True Loves - Roll With You
13. Foals - Antidotes
14. The Black Keys - Attack & Release
15. Nine Inch Nails - The Slip

16. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
17. The Mars Volta - The Bedlam In Goliath
18. Deerhunter - Microcastles
19. Cold War Kids - Loyalty to Loyalty
20. Of Montreal - Skeletal Lamping

Born Ruffians - Red, Yellow and Blue
I can't count how many times I came back to this album. Every single one of the songs are so catchy and fresh. Such a unique voice and very sharp hooks secured this album at the top of my list. One of my biggest regrets was not making out to their show at Skully's. Excited to hear where they go from this album. If you want to try something new, check it out.

Evangelicals - The Evening Descends
Another artist that was completely new to me this year. This album is perfect for so many different moods. I found myself listening to it while falling asleep, and at other times blaring it out of my speakers. The band seems to be heavily influenced by b-movie horror flicks. I get kind of a new age punk/psychedelia vibe. Amazing album, every track is amazing. Btw, their live show is amazing.

TV on the Radio - Dear Science
Excellent follow-up to Return to Cookie Mountain. This is a pretty funky album, very energetic at certain parts. Sort of a different direction than their last effort but executed just as successfully.

Ratatat - LP3
I listened to this album a lot while I was studying, which is probably part of the reason I dig it so much. Not only is the music danceable and incredibly exciting, but it is the perfect background music when you are trying to focus. Alongside this album, I really got into the rest of their catalog as well, grade A stuff.

Vampire Weekend - s/t
The band that everyone loves to hate. Wow did they receive a lot of backlash once they got some mainstream success. Well good for them, I don't know why people have a problem with talented acts getting the success they deserve. Well on any note, I loved it, simple, catchy pop, what more can you ask for?

Frightened Rabbit - Midnight Organ Flight
This took a listen or two, but was one of the most rewarding returns as I listened to this album a lot over the past few months. There is definitely some heartbreak on this album, but that is what fills it with so much emotion. If you don't mind the accent, then this is the perfect folk rock album for ya.

MGMT - Oracular Spectacular
These guys really blew up fast. Very similar to my thoughts on Vampire Weekend, I think it was well deserved. Very catchy modern psychedelia with enough pop influence so people won't stray away. Really looking forward to that project with Kevin Barnes ;)

The Walkmen - You and Me
An excellent release to an excellent catalog. Really pissed I didn't get to hear the new stuff live when they came to town. I'm not sure if I like it better than Bows + Arrows, but it's a good one.

British Sea Power - Do You Like Rock Music?
It seems like I've been listening to this for so long that it should be on 07's list or something. But, regardless, I think the title holds. If you answer yes, or even maybe, you should give it a spin. I've said this before and I'll say it again: See them Live. They rocked my face off. Like, my face is off and that's a problem...British Sea Power has my face.

The Roots - Rising Down
C'mon, it's the roots. One day I hope mainstream hip hop will be like the roots. Oh hey, I heard they are going to be Jimmy Fallon's band when he takes over Conan's spot on late night, how awesome is that? Jimmy better not mess that up.

Beck - Modern Guilt
I wasn't that big of a fan of The Information, but, being Beck I had faith he wouldn't do the same thing twice. So, I had pretty high hopes for this one. Well, needless to say, I really enjoyed it. To top it all off, it was produced by Danger Mouse.

Eli "Paperboy" Reed and the True Loves - Roll With Me
Although it's all been done before, it is one of the most fun albums I heard all year. The horns, the soul, absolutely classic. One of those albums you can put on and everyone will like it no matter what age or style.

Foals - Antidotes
I would describe these guys as brit pop meets math rock.. Although I have no idea what the guy is saying most of the time, their songs get me so pumped. Do yourself a favor and listen to "Two Steps Twice", and you'll understand.

The Black Keys - Attack and Release
Yet another Danger Mouse produced album makes my year end list. Although this doesn't hold a torch to Rubber Factory, it still is pretty damn rockin. Also, it was a pretty cool change of style for the band, as I'm sure innovation gets pretty rough when you are a guitar/drum duo.

Nine Inch Nails - The Slip
Okay, so this is probably on my list because I finally got a chance to see them live and I kinda went crazy listening to their discography. Also, Trent giving it away was pretty rad. But, I really liked this album much better than Year Zero and With Teeth.

Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
If you are into folk at all you need to listen to this album. If you look at some other lists you might see it up a bit higher, but, I guess I kind of forgot about it towards the end of the year. At any rate, it truly is a beautiful album.

The Mars Volta - Bedlam In Goliath
Okay, I am a bit bias because I am such a big fan. But, to be honest, I didn't really even like it the first time through. Needless to say, that quickly changed and I now rank it below Deloused and just below Frances. It's a bit heavier, but it still brings the funk aspects that initially drew me in.

Deerhunter - Microcastles
So this just came out not too long ago so it really hasn't had all that much time to settle, but on first listen I thought it was pretty rad. If you listen to one song off the album, take a gander at "nothing ever happened". Also, the accompanying "weird era" is pretty righteous too.

Cold War Kids - Loyalty to Loyalty
I was a huge fan of robbers and cowards, and although this album isn't instantly as lovable, it won me over after a few listens. Such a unique voice and so soulful.

Of Montreal - Skeletal Lamping
Speaking of unique, this one takes the cake. Kevin Barnes takes on his glam rock alter ego Georgie Fruit, who apparently "is a black man who has undergone multiple sex changes". If you can't get past that, then turn around and you miss out. If you do, you are in for a heck of an album. Albeit strange, definitely great. The only thing is there is no "the past is a grotesque animal", however "St. Exquisites Confessions" comes close.

OHIO.FM - FREE CAR?!?! ACT FAST!

HOLY SHIT!

Our friends over at OHIO.FM are giving away a car in less than 48 hours!

Here's the thing, I'm really lucky... So, if you go over there in the next couple days, you might just win yo-self a Yaris plus some duckets to fatten yo pockets.

Here is the link:
yojiveassmightwindiscar, son

Oh yeah, we want to give it away to one of our own, COLUMBUS PRIDE Ya'll!

We Have A Pepper Bar!

Who Taught this Panda how to play the flute?

Who Taught this Panda how to play the flute?

Christmas On Mars

In theaters across the US in January, should be good.
check out the trailer...

Yawny At the Apocalypse...

Although I am currently on hiatus, I couldn't resist...

Andrew Bird is putting out his newest LP Noble Beast on January 27th. Here is a track called 'Oh No'...



Oh yeah, and here is one of my favorite performances of all time.
Dosh + Bird


<3

Walkmen/Golem

Knowing nothing about the opening band, and a little apprehensive of The Walkmen after their last show at the Basement, I went into this experience with less then stellar expectations. Then the show started an hour late.

"Oh dear," thought I.

"Fuck you," replied the concert.

Golem is a unique sort of band, one that I wouldn't hesitate to say sounds like a Bar Mitzvah on speed. The (female) lead singer sang in Yiddish whilst wielding an accordion, the (male) singer belonged in theater with the emotion he put into singing, and the other instruments consisted of a trombone, a violin, a string bass, and drums.

And it was great.

The crowd jumped and clapped to the old-world meets new-world folk punk, and the band was as funny as it was talented.



The Walkmen then proceeded to blow my mind. They played songs off their new album and a few old hits, striking a perfect balance between the two. Hamilton Leithauser's (haha) voice was spot on as he hit his trademark high notes with ease while the rest of the band stood back and just played...awesomely. What I could say about the live music would pretty much just echo my thoughts on their latest album, You and Me: It's great stuff! Full of emotion, off the beaten path stylistically, and exciting as hell. Drummer Matt Barrick should be especially commended with how fun it is two watch him do his stuff.

Good times.



RD

What I've Been Diggin'

Well, with one measly week left until I head back down to Columbus, I have been blessed with plenty of time to listen to some new artists...

The first of which is a bluesy rock act called The Parlor Mob. I came across them through the Lollapalooza music sampler. Which is both awesome because of the free mp3, but depressing because it made me realize I missed their stage during my short trip to Chicago. Nonetheless, the band rocks pretty hard. I hear similarities to Cold War Kids, The White Stripes and The Black Keys. However, they totally have a style and sound of their own. The only thing that trumps the quality of their debut album And You Were A Crow is the reception of their live act. Definitely be on the lookout for this band, I know I will.

The second band I wanted to mention briefly go by the name of the Postelles. I came across their EP, gave it a listen, and had to grab it. Unfortunately, I missed them at Lollapalooza too. But, I suppose that is the double bladed sword aspect of a music festival, can't see 'em all. But anyway, back to the band. They have a very infectious poppy sound, you'll be humming along like you've known the songs for years. While they have that modern indie-pop/garage feel similar to a vampire weekend-strokes combo, they give me a oldie vibe, like the beatles or other 'British Invasion' bands. Ha, regardless of my vague description, you should check em out if you like anything Albert Hammond Jr./The Stokes have done.

Check these out:

Small Update

After a depressingly bad football evening with the Buckeyes (which surprisingly enough turned into a good drinking evening for me ha. ha. ha.), I think The Walkmen concert at The Basement in Columbus tomorrow is just the pick-me-up I need. I'll take some pics and throw them up perhaps.

On a side note, here's a band I've been listening the shit out of: The Gaslight Anthem. While the name at first evoked for me a vision of post-punk mediocrity, these New Jersey natives know how to spin a rocking good yarn in the style of one of N.J.'s greats, Bruce Springsteen (who they say happens to be one of their biggest influences). Here's a track from their first album, Sink or Swim, which is the edgier of the two they've released, called "1930":

Live Review: The Mars Volta - The LC - 9/12/08

So, it turned out that the Mars Volta actually played this time. And I gotta say, last night, the two cancellations and the eight months wait seemed to be a reasonable price to pay for such an excellent show. I had seen the Mars Volta before, but it wasn't anything close to this. From where I was standing the mix sounded amazing. It's hard to believe that it could sound so great with so much instrumentation going on at once, but it sure did. And unlike when I saw them touring with S.O.A.D, the crowd was actually there to support them. As a result, the amount of energy they brought was tremendous.


They opened the show with a lengthy jam that led into Bedlam's goliath of a track...'Goliath' (excuse the lame ass pun), and they never looked back. They seemed to effortlessly achieve a perfect balance of improv and structured tracks. I was so captivated that I couldn't help but get my groove on and sing out loud. I think the show pretty much topped my charts as far as adrenaline goes.


One of the standout songs during the show was the ever-so-funky 'Ilyena'. I was hoping they would play that song, but I wasn't sure how it would translate live, but just like most everything else that night, they nailed it. Despite the awesome set, I still wish they would have included my personal favorite of their discography "Roulette Dares", but they more than made up for it. Aside from that, the only thing that brought the show down a bit was standing on the fringe of the 'mosh pit'. However,towards the end of the show Cedric asked them to stop, and I really appreciated that. I kind of expected him to say something earlier given his opinion about the topic, but better late than never I suppose.


Another highlight of the show was when Cedric addressed the two previous cancellations with a brief chat with the crowd that went something along the lines of this:

"You probably thought I was in the tour bus just smokin' weed...
But I was actually in the tour bus sick AND smokin' weed.
...Big difference
So, for that, we'll play an old one"
(*again, that's roughly what he said)

photo of me with 100% of the dinosaur population attending the show.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy the photos, I thought they turned out pretty well. You can see my whole album here. In conclusion, from my experience, I'll leave you with this advice; see these guys when they are headlining, you will not regret it.

tony

Everyone Likes It

I'm not exactly sure what this is supposed to be advertising, but I'm positive it's doing a great job, ha. Hats off to "Cleatus's Farm Equipment n' Such's" marketing division...

(location: Ashland, OH Route 60)

Goliath, Are You Receiving?

Sept 12 finally peaked it's head around the corner. Tomorrow is the scheduled re-re-reschedule for the Mars Volta Newport show. As you may know, it is no longer being held at the Newport, but the LC. I'm still optimistic, I think they will make up for it with an amazing show. Hopefully they will do something cool for the Newport ticket holders.

Anyway, I'll be back Saturday night with at least some pictures. Hopefully, they are of a concert this time instead of police escorting people away from the venue.

/Crosses Fingers,
tony

Hydrogen Vs. Boost: Translated

Ha, found this video on digg a second ago, made my night. Check it out.

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.