sadly i have only witnessed built to spill live, once. every time they came around i was either too busy, lazy, drunk, broke, or any random combination to attend. i dont remember much of the performance, but they did kick my ass something fierce. it was like doug martsch firmly grabbed, but not too hard, my nuts for an hour and half and had his way with them. by the end of the evening my soul and my bones were shaking in a way that only my bloody valentine and the truckers have ever accomplished. so the only way i have to even slightly relive that glorious evening is through the random live recordings i have accumulated over the years.
here are the men of buit to spill playing live in detroit on 9.28.06
one of my main character flaws is that i tend to obsess over shit. typically, its over stuff that is so ridiculous its almost embarrasing - you’ll see here in a second what i mean. over the past couple of days it has come to light that i have a deep rooted hatred for star jones. she’s like a gruesome traffic accident that i cant keep my eyes off. she has absolutely no relevance in my life, and most likely anyone with any damn sense or self respect, but i’ll be damned if i cant get her image outta my head. she has to be the ugliest and most despicable human being alive. she just has to be! does anyone else get this way about people or stuff?
one song that i have been obsessing over lately is “incident at conklin creek” by richmond fontaine. if you have never listened to their ‘05 release the fitzgerald i cant recommend it enough. if you dig calexico minus all the horns, the somber whiskeytown stuff or richard buckner, these guys will definitely be up your alley.
btw, if you happen to have comcast cable with on demand, there is a very cool ted leo documentary of his performance at coney island from 03 on concert tv. thanks to matt for pointing this out.
god damn it was cold here in atlanta this morning. suprisingly though, i actually kind of enjoyed it. it reminded me of bitter cold chicago mornings of yore without actually having to be in chicago. the one great thing about down here is that it may start off at 20/30 degrees in the morning but will get to like 65 in the afternoon.? a sure fire way of getting sick, but i will take that risk. if i never see snow again or wait for a bus when its -5, my heart will not be broken.
last year the hold steady’s seperation sunday was almost a shoe-in for my favorite of the year. that was until lucero’s nobody’s darlings came in outta nowhere to claim the top spot. looking back i think i made the right decision. aimee mann’s very underappreciated, the forgotten arm, was a very, very close third.
anyway, as good as boys and girls in america is it will not crack my top 3 for the 06. there were a few suprise albums that pushed it down to 4 or 5 -both very respectable spots mind you. look for a complete rundown and shit early next week. in the meantime hereare brooklyn’s finest performing at the beta bar in tallahassee on 12.1.06. thanks to the original taper, alex, for a wonderful job.
that is still probably my favorite album cover. i just love the look the girl is giving the little boy. something very innocent yet very adult about the situation. i suppose it fits the mood of gentlemen very appropriately.
here are the afghan whigs playing at the variety playhouse in atlanta on 2.26.99.
if you got nothing to do this evening and you happen to live in the atlanta area matt and kim are playing at the unicorn. from what i hear they put on one helluva show.
looks as if uncle bob has had enough of touring.? i am sure we will see him out on the road again - i hope.
i am back after a week of rest and relaxation down in sunny florida. although the first couple o’ days were less than enjoyable, at least weather wise, the whole trip was pretty great. lots of fishing was done, unfortunately not so many fish but i caught enough to keep it exciting. i could probably sit out there for 8 hours and as long as i had some bites here and there, i would be happy.
i think it goes without saying that public enemy is one the most indluential musical acts of at least my/our time - that is to include everything pre greatest misses.? when i speak of public enemy i typically reference nation of millions and fear of a black planet.? this is a bit unfair, me thinks, because as i go through their catalogue i often find myself listening to yo! and apocalpyse more than the other two.? could be that i have listened to them just too damn much, but thats not the point.? both of the latter records are damn fine pieces of work, even if yo! does sound a bit dated.? even so, the makings of things to come is pretty evident and of course lyrically chuck is on point.
below is a pe show in norwich, uk at the university of east anglia on 11.25.87.
thats right people the mcrib is back in glorious fashion! ?everything you loved about the old mcrib is present in its current incarnation. ?hey why mess with perfection? ?kudos to? mcdonalds for achieving something that i didnt think was possible. ?they have carefully crafted the mcrib to taste absolutely no meat product that i am aware of. ?even with the mcrib tasting nothing like meat, its still a meal that should be worshipped in all its no identifiable food group glory.
in honor of the return of the mcrib here is pavement at the reading festival on august 26, 1994.
there is no singer today that can put you in another place and time better than william elliott whitmore. listening to william is to put yourself in a smokey off a dark alley club somewhere in the heart of mississippi during the depression. he is blessed with a voice that is part modern day tom waits and as alluded to above part depression era bluesman. in my opinion, he is one of the most important up and coming american artists.
here is a recent show, 9.1.06, from the picador in iowa city, ia. thanks to the original taper!
