Monday, November 26, 2007

The Monads ++ Hot Stove Banter ++ B.B.Jr.


I hope everyone had a nice holiday. Mine was the same as it always is: too much binge drinking/eating. While nothing particularly crazy went off, I did happen catch a pretty cool St. Louis band I'd never heard of, The Monads. They play sweaty bluegrass punk music. You can smell the whiskey seeping from their pores as they abuse their banjo, violin, guitar, harmonicas and upright bass. Head on over to their site and see for yourself.

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Also, the baseball season may be over but this is one of my favorite times of the year. The hot stove chitter chatter always interests me [and distracts me when I should be hard at work]. For those interested in every ounce of trade gossip ever whispered, head on over to MLBTraderumors. Odds are the Cardinals won't even make a big move, but it's still fun to hear who's movin' and shakin'. Plus, the winter meetings are right around the corner so there's surely gonna be some juicy gossip.

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And I almost forgot, Bloodshot recently sent me the newest Bobby Bare Jr. It's sweet. Snatch the opening track off this rockin' honky-tonk banger below. It rips.

Bobby Bare Jr. - the heart bionic

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

"You Can't Kill the Rooster"


[++UPDATE++ Appropriate tune'age has been added below.]
So I picked up Captain Casey from the airport on Saturday morning. We had a pretty low key day. Lunch, relaxing, playing catch-up -- nothing crazy. We were going to save "party mode" until later when we planned on checking out Asbury Park, this Springsteen tribute band. I should mention that he came bearing gifts. Being the nice [and insane] guy he is, he brought me some sort of military-issued *switchblade. Pretty bitch, if ya ask me. I was messing with it all day, only to have Captain Casey bark in my ear every 10 minutes, "dude, be fucking careful with that thing - it's really sharp."

Anyway, we're gearing up for the night; about ready to walk out the door. I throw the Captain this memory card I just bought for my camera and tell him to pry the sucker open. The stooges at Target forgot to pop the lock on the plastic case when they sent me home with it. Thank god I have a new switchblade, right? BAD MOVE. Captain Casey puts the blade through the case... and through his friggin' hand. SERVED! I guess I got served too cos the fountain of blood coming from his paw was now all over my walls and bathroom.

Of course Casey's playing it off like it happens all the time [which may very well be the case considering his past]. "It's cool man, give me a rag. We're fuckin' going to see this Springsteen band." Dan RN was there and confirmed the probably obvious: "That definitely needs stitches man."

We gather our supplies before we head out to the ER. Casey makes a cranberry and vodka, I grab a twelver of The King and we're on our way. He checks in, they process him, do a preliminary wrap on his hand, then he walks right back out. Why wait all night in an ER when you can tailgate in the parking lot?

All said and done, the Captain got 10 stitches, got to catch about an hour of Asbury Park's set, was prescribed pain pills [which made him happy], and a BOSS time was had by all... (except for me when he urinated on my leg in a parking lot at 3 a.m.)

HAVE SOME BLOODY TUNES...
Alkaline Trio - BLOODIED UP
Dillinger Four - NOBLE STABBINGS
Minus the Bear - MONKEY!!!KNIFE!!!FIGHT!!!
Rolling Stones - LET IT BLEED

* Not exact model, but pretty close

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Jason Isbell -- Modest Mouse

Last weekend in Chicago was blast. Unfortunately, there's been hell to pay all week as I've been playing catch up on neglected work. At any rate, Jason Isbell and his band, the 400 Unit, friggin' killed it last Saturday at the Cubby Bear. I've been rockin' the hell out of his debut solo effort, Sirens of the Ditch, so I was well prepared to hear them focus on that material. Fortunately, not only did they play the majority of the album, but they broke out some of Isbell's classic Drive-By Trucker tunes. Highlight of the set: hands down, "Decoration Day." Below you can snag that tune and one of my favorites off Sirens of the Ditch.

Jason Isbell - chicago promenade
Drive-By Truckers - decoration day

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The rock didn't stop there. I also managed to check out Modest Mouse the other night. It was a long time coming considering I've been a fan of the band for the past 7 years and still hadn't seen them live. They were as awesome as I'd always hoped they'd be. Much more comprehensive of a set than I'd imagined too. Also, that Johnny Marr really held it down on lead guitar. For some [rather stupid] reason, I was under the impression he would just be standing on the side of the stage going through the motions. Not the case. Not at all. Highlight of their set: tough call, but I'm going with the closer, "Spitting Venom."

Modest Mouse - spitting venom

Tuesday, November 06, 2007

We Throw Parties, You Throw Knives


Los Campesinos!: Their name is Spanish (for the Peasants). The band is English. The tunes are PURE FUN.

Back in July they released their Sticking Fingers Into Light Sockets EP and I think they're about to release their first full length here in the states soon. While the first track posted below may be the single off the release, my favorite track is their interpretation of the killer Pavement tune, "Frontwards."

Enjoy these sugar-coated, spazz-pop punk gems:

Los Campesinos! - we throw parties, you throw knives
Los Campesinos! - frontwards
--BONUS--
Pavement - frontwards

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I may not be able to check in for a couple days; heading up to Chicago. Checking out former Drive-By Trucker, Jason Isbell at a club I've never been to, the Cubby Bear. There are a bunch of other rockin' shows but I'm not sure if we'll have time for 'em. We got a new camera today, so maybe I'll have some pics to share when I get back.

Thursday, November 01, 2007

Friggin' Friday


Here's one of those albums that I wigged out over for about a month when it came out and then kinda forgot about. Further proof that these days we [or maybe just I] gobble up music and spit it out sometimes; too disposable. At any rate, The Sunset Tree is a conceptual folk pop masterpiece with a punky spirit.
the Mountain Goats - this year
the Mountain Goats - dance music
the Mountain Goats - song for dennis brown

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Here's to friggin' Friday and a friggin' righteous weekend, right. Ha Ha Tonka is playin' a gig here with Meat Puppets on Saturday. Just may have to check it out. Haven't seen H.H.T. since their "Amsterband" days back in Springfield, MO. Cheers folks.