Going on Vacation (In Chicago)

I am taking a week of vacation starting Saturday to stay in Chicago and go to shows. Yes, there is actually a show I am going to every night (and some days) for one whole week. I get to go to almost all my favorite Chicago venues, and some that I really hate (i'm not naming names). However, there is some sort of fun tax being imposed upon me by the city of Chicago; I have to report for jury duty in Rolling Meadows at 9:00 am Friday, and work afterwards. As you can see, I am still awake per my normal sleep cycle at 3:33 am. I have to "wake up" in 3 hours.

I'm going to do my best to post about every show, the schedule looks something like this:

Saturday May 31: Do Division with Mucca Pazza, Breeders @ Metro
Sunday June 1: Do Division with Tully Monster, Ted Leo & More!, Johnny & the Limelites, the Spits @ Beat Kitchen
Monday June 2: Islands @ Logan Square, Baby Alright @ Sonotheque (looking for someone to come with me this evening!)
Tuesday June 3: Nels Cline Singers @ Martyrs
Wednesday June 4: Jamie Lidell @ Abbey Pub
Thursday June 5: Old 97s at Metro
Friday June 6: MAYBE R.E.M., Modest Mouse, the National @ United Center
Saturday June 7: Detholz!, Baby Teeth, Danny Black @ Hideout, with DJ Bobby Conn dance party to follow!
Sunday June 8: the M's, Centro-matic @ Schubas

The New Weezer Single/Video

OMGWTF I kinda like this!!!

Beardo of the Week

Sesame Street's Bert as Beardo! Dude, I would totally go out with him. Isn't that a great look for him? So one day Ernie was painting Bert's portrait and somehow made him into a beardo (Ernie's longing for Bert to be a bear?). Bert of course gets pissed so Ernie somehow makes Bert look just like the portrait! It's on the Sesame Street Video site, Grover's introduction about it being in beta is adorable.

Emmett Otter Bound for the Stage and Muppets Etc.

I'm not sure how a live action otter puppet musical is really going to work, but Paul Williams is involved. I've yet to hear his Happy Days musical. That Muppet Central site is pretty cool, the news about the Sarah Marshall guy writing the next Muppet Movie is pretty interesting. For further Muppet information, get lost in the Muppet Wiki. Finally, we have The Muppet Show Season 3 in stock. The first two are great of course, but it gets really super awesome with this one. I've just started disc 2 but there's already a few standouts: Gilda Radner paired with a giant carrot doing songs from Pirates of Penzance, Alice Cooper's "School's Out" with giant monster choreography, and Loretta Lynn's appearance taking place in a train station instead of the usual theatre.

Planet Earth Is Back!

Melissa and I will be womaning a table at the new Planet Earth at Subterranean this Saturday! I'm very excited since it had been a while since I went to Neo for the Thursday nights, but how can you lose with a Saturday night of dancing close to home?

Check it out! Buy tix in advance for $5!

Bonus video: (Is Simon LeBon wearing knickers?)

Why no child is safe from the sinister cult of emo

Wow, I thought this sort of media idiocy was rampant only in the US. I actually went to a My Chemical Romance concert and didn't even want to kill myself. Hannah Montana is more likely to cause that.

Beardo of the Week

Devendra Banhart! Dude is dating Queen Amadala. Yeah, that last record was okay. I just want to go to a party with them.

BubeTube #3 - Salute to the Golden Age of Silver Screen Music Videos of Platinum Caliber!

1. El Debarge - "Who's Johnny?" - Short Circuit
I'm starting out strong with this one. Amazing interaction between the stars of the film and El Debarge. Even the robot Johnny 5 makes an appearance, as does a cardboard Steve Guttenberg. THUMBS UP!

2. Peter Cetera - "The Glory Of Love" - The Karate Kid Part 2
Does anyone remember the song from the first Karate Kid? I doubt it. Peter Cetera really gives his all in this slow dance favorite of the mid 80s. Nearly all of his solo hits after this sounded EXACTLY THE SAME but they don't remind of us cute lil' Ralph Macchio and a sexy tea ceremony. 4 and a half stars!!

3. Phil Collins - "Against All Odds" - Against All Odds
This one hits the ground running by morphing Phil's mouth with a movie prop. He had a whole lot of "great" movie hits but this one just has legs of its own. A++!! (bonus for weird neon set pieces)

4. Kenny Loggins - "Footloose" - Footloose
This was a tough choice, as most of Kenny's great hits are from movies: Top Gun, Caddyshack, Over The Top, uh, Caddyshack 2... none of those have Kevin Bacon cuttin' a rug though! 5 Degrees of Kevin Bacon!!! Kenny Loggins gets a lifetime achievement award!!

5. Ray Parker, Jr - "Ghostbusters" - Ghostbusters
Aw hell yeah! This one is classic for so many reasons: Neon set pieces, acting of the lyrics, movie scenes popping up in weird shapes and (drum roll please) random celebrity lip synching of the word "Ghostbusters!" John Candy! George Wendt! Al Franken! Then the finale... Ray and the Ghostbusters dancing through Times Square! Green Slime Covered Two Thumbs Up!!

6. Billy Ocean - "When the Going Gets Tough the Tough Get Going" - Jewel of the Nile
Okay, this one is not that great until they work the stars of the film into Billy's already large band (THREE SAX PLAYERS?!). Who would have thunk Michael Douglas, Danny Devito and Kathleen Turner could learn such complex choreography?! B-.

7. Soul Asylum - "Can't Even Tell" - Clerks
This is probably the last of the golden era of movie music videos. Nice job getting it in under the wire Kevin Smith. Certainly the only one with a 90s alt-rock star huffing Easy Cheez. This should have been a hit! 37 STARS!!!! In a row?!

8. Cyndi Lauper - "Goonies 'R' Good Enough" - Goonies
Oh WTF. Somehow Cyndi brings the WWF and the Goonies together for a long form music video. Too bad the song is lackluster and forgettable. Thumbs DOWN. Please don't try and watch the whole thing. I mean it.

9. Philip Oakley and Giorgio Moroder - "Together in Electric Dreams" - Electric Dreams
I'll admit I have never seen this movie, but you can pretty much pick up on the plot from the video. I love the song though, because how can you lose with the dude from Human League and electrowhiz Moroder (who is apparently the boss of the radio station in the video). 4 Bytes!!

10. Limahl - "The NeverEnding Story" - The NeverEnding Story
Wow, Limah's vocals are pretty terrible. Who's the chick singing with him? Is he completely stoned? Is this movie as terrible looking as this low rez you tube video has me believe it is? I saw it on cable once as a kid. I think I hated it. F--.

11. Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark - "If You Leave" - Pretty In Pink
The quintessential 80s movie song? You do know original ending has her getting together with Duckie and dancing to David Bowie's Heroes, right? Oh well, this is a winner despite. 5 Popcorn Boxes!!

12. Simple Minds - "Don't You Forget About Me" - The Breakfast Club
Okay, the second of a one-two punch from John Hughes, not quite as great as the OMD though. 2 Popcorn Boxes.

13. Paul Westerberg - "Dyslexic Heart" - Singles
This is a great song, and the tying in of the movie bits to the song is handled in an inimitable 90s manner. Everything about the 90s looked like this video. B-.

14. David Bowie - "Underground" - Labyrinth
I don't know why, but I place this song in the upper echelon of Bowie songs. The video is very well made. GOLDEN GLOBE WINNER!!!!

15. Starship - "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" - Mannequin
Weird Neon Set Pieces? Check. Band performance incorporates movie theme? Check. All the best scenes from a terrible film? You got it!! Song you can't help but sing along to? Hell Yeah!! KEYTAR!?!? How did this song NOT get an Oscar!? It was nominated!! Oh. That Dirty Dancing Song won instead. BOOOOOOOOOO! Techincal Achievement Award.

16. Bryan Adams - "Everything I Do" - Robin Hood Prince of Thieves
A rare 90's entry to my chart. Not so hot, I mean, how did they get power out in the forest for all those electrical instruments? Also, showing scenes of people conversing does NOT a good montage make. If Robin Hood stole this from the rich he should give it back. IT STINKS!

17. Madonna - "Get Into The Groove" - Desperately Seeking Susan
Yeah!! Madonna at her cutest, playing pretty much herself in a really dumb movie involving amnesia and mistaken identity. Points for inspiring so many custom video makers on YouTube by trying to get as much lyric narration from actual movie scenes. C+ though for completely lacking original footage.

18. Irene Cara - "What A Feeling" - Flashdance
MORE-oder here. Yuk yuk. This pretty much mirrors the last entry with no use of original footage, but this is such an undeniable song that I couldn't deny it. Plus once in high school I got really wasted and put this song on repeat and sang and danced in the yard of someone's house one nite. 2 and a half cut off sweatshirts!

19. Bangles - "Hazy Shade Of Winter" - Less Than Zero
Surprisingly competent cover performed on a stage full of monitors showing footage. The late 80s were lazy. I give it a thumbs sideways.

AND THE OSCAR GOES TO:

20. Huey Lewis and the News - "The Power of Love" - Back to the Future
This is without a doubt the finest example of the Golden Age of Movie Music Videos. There's no actual movie footage, but they didn't need it. What living person didn't see that movie the week it came out? You do get a weird crossing of the forth wall and appearance by two of the films stars which is way cooler.

What The Hell this new Portishead is the tops!

My memories of Portishead were pretty much as the Barry White of indie rock. When someone wanted to "borrow your Portishead" CD in the past you knew what was going down. I don't think many people will be getting it on to this one. Last night I could not stop listening to it over and over again. It is weird and uncomfortable, maybe a little itchy, but then you just don't want it to leave. Seriously, I recommend this to anyone. Soccer Moms! Too cool people! My bus driver! That tiny Boston Terrier Puppy that chewed on Melissa's chin last week! You will all LOVE THIS.

Tim and Eric: Beyond Awesome!!

Wow. Just wow. The DVD of Tim and Eric Awesome Show Great Job! Season One was released this week. I don't know why their random, creepy, inappropriate "comedy" resonates so highly with me, but it does. Many are repulsed by this show, I eat it up with a spoon. The DVD is great, and the commentary (particularly David Liebe Hart's discussion of his alien abduction) is a must for any fan.

Tonite I had the honor of seeing them live for the second time, the first being the oddly spiritual show at South Union Arts a few years ago. Thankfully my pals are geeks and we got to the Empty Bottle early and got a spot right in front of the stage which got us prime territory for Papa John's pizza to be tossed at us, hot dogs hurled by Casey and his brother, and Casey puking! The entire show was incredible, but the medley by Casey and his brother was really the best thing EVER! I never thought I'd hear "Cops and Robbers" live, seeing as Casey died in that explosion, but there they were! The live stuff was fantastic, and the video bits of season three (Dr. Steve Brule in an informercial!) were, well, awesome!

Okay wait. It did get better. Somehow I got called on stage for a dance contest! They invited up people in Rats Off To Ya shirts, but I was wearing the Hats Off To Ya shirt ("That's a rarity!")and got to dance to James Quall's Beach Blast. By popular vote, I won SECOND PLACE~!!! I got a copy of their CD (which I had bought upon getting in there, but hey, great gift!) and recognition from many nice people afterwards. Oh, and DJ Dougg Pound's way too brief opening set was super great as well! (Didn't I used to see that guy at Heaven Gallery or somewhere?)

GREAT JOB!!

PS - Way dorky pictures abound here.

Happy Record Store Day!

This whole Record Store Day thing kinda came out of nowhere, but if you want to give us snacks and drinks then by all means go for it! I will now remember some of my favorite record stores for you:

1.Yesterday and Today, Jacksonville, FL

This guy was strictly used, but I went through all my phases with him, LPs, cassettes, CDs. He'd also just get in super cool random posters, magazines, etc. He was conveniently located next to a grocery store so I could get there with my mom pretty easily. I was very sad the day he closed.

That One Place I Can't Remember the Name Of, that was once in 5 Points and then moved to near UNF, Jacksonville, FL

I loved it so much I cannot remember the name of it. I saw a Reel Big Fish instore there that I remember being super awesome (this was like 11 years ago, come on now!) and I bought that April March sings Serge Gainsborg upon hearing it played in the store. Got my first Stereolab there.

Theory Shop, Five Points and Jacksonville Beach

It was totally the best when you could go dancing at Einstein-A-Go-Go and buy 7"s! The 5 Points location was cool too, I bought Sloan Between the Bridges there.

Manifest, Columbia, SC

Another sad sad RIP. It was big and beautiful.

Radio KAOS, Stevens Point, WI
The $1 vinyl at the sidewalk sale was the place to be! Morrissey! Wilco! Other things nowhere near as cool but it was only $1!

Mad City Music Exchange, Madison, WI
The one off the beaten path and near an Indonesian restaurant was my fave in a city of pretty good record stores.

Laurie's Planet of Sound, Chicago, IL
Hey! That's where I work! Back in the day I was a customer too! If I didn't work there I would surely be in there way too much and drive the super great people who work there crazy. Happy Record Store day, everyone! Thanks for coming to see me at POS and being cool enough to buy records, etc.

Tonight's Muxtape

Black Sabbath - Behind The Wall Of Sleep
The Monkees - Circle Sky
Jay Reatard - My Shadow
Kate Bush - Wuthering Heights
Kristin Hersh - Your Ghost
Gary Higgins - I Can't Sleep At Night
Guided By Voices - As We Go Up, We Go Down
Hall and Oates - You Make My Dreams
Hot Butter - Popcorn
Songs:Ohia - The Moon Undoes It All
Pavement - The Killing Moon
R.E.M. - Feeling Gravity's Pull
don't just sit there, click the damn tape!

Lemonheads - It's a Shame About Ray Deluxe Edition

This is probably my most High School album. There's a great story with it too. I made Evan Dando sit through it once, so now you will.

I went to high school in Jakarta, Indonesia. The American/European CDs the one chain of CD stores would stock were pretty erratic; you never knew what you would walk in and find. Imagine my delight when I found It's A Shame About Ray nestled in the racks during a Sunday of leisurely shopping at Pondok Indah mall! I listened to it all day long! I told everyone I knew about it Monday, including this boy I sort of had a crush on, Daniel Eiland (boy, I hope he doesn't Google himself EVER). He then proceeded to get mad at me because he claimed to have "hidden" it in the store so he could go back and buy it, and tomorrow was his birthday!

I felt kind of bad, but didn't really feel that the CD was "hidden". When I got home (this part gets complicated, I lived with a friend and her family, and her mom did commercial baking in the house) "Mom" was excited to show off this giant sheet cake and cupcake display she had made for the Boy Scouts. The cake was pretty big, and she encouraged us to touch it. We did, tentatively, and discovered it was hard as a rock! She had made the icing into a gluey substance that looked just like the real thing and "iced" a box. I immediately had a brilliant idea.

The next day at school I presented Daniel with a beautiful white sheet cake with green icing border and, written in my own unmistakeable handwriting, "Happy Birthday Daniel!" with all sorts of little doodles. He was shocked, to say the least. I also let him have the CD. I ran off before the secret of the phony cake was exposed, but eyewitness reports were pretty detailed. He was impressed by both moves, he later told me, and I found a copy myself at another less popular mall's CD store.

Oh yeah, the deluxe reissue! The music sounds great, the bonus tracks really should have included the actual b-sides, but the demos are interesting. The DVD is where the action is though. That Evan Dando was quite the hottie back in the day, and I swear there are multiple videos here of him sitting on a beach/cliff with the wind blowing his hair around and he just looks all high.

I will now present a video not from Lemonheads, but of Superchunk. I love the slumber party scene which prominently features a picture of Evan looking sexy in his PJs from Spin Magazine which I totally had hanging up.

The New Jay Reatard Single!!

"There's really nothing nothing to it, and that is all that I know." How does this guy write the catchiest pop songs in this galaxy? This is pure jump around your rumpus room arms flailing having a blast. Seriously, Melissa and I just kept flipping it over. and over. and over. I was planning on skipping Pitchfork until they announced Jay (and the two of a fucking amazing one two punch with King Kahn and his Shrines) on Saturday. You can take your Lollapalooza and chug it with your Miller Lite. I will be on a slightly ramshackle foldy lawn chair with my lukewarm Goose Island being creeped out and crapped in. 7 inch of the year!! Oh wait, he has more. Jerk.

BubeTube #2

Everybody's doing it.

Muxtape
Note! This one is no longer available.

Fascination - The Human League
Chains Of Love - Erasure
The Way That I Found You - Ladytron
Hold Me Now - The Thompson Twins
Elegia - New Order
Are 'friends' Electric? - Gary Numan & Tubeway Army
Walking Away - Information Society
Nothing Better - The Postal Service
Homosapien - Pete Shelley
One More Chance - Pet Shop Boys
I Don't Believe You - The Magnetic Fields
Kiss Me - Stephen Duffy

I find this a little disturbing.

Which Battlestar Galactica Character Are You?

More on Battlestar Galactica. Created by BuddyTV

Chinese Democracy When?

What could be better than listening to the LONG AWAITED Guns N'Roses album Chinese Democracy this year? Enjoying an ice cold Dr. Pepper with it, that's what!

Beardo of the Week

Congratulations William T. Riker of the USS Enterprise. You are probably the first beardo that has his own collectible plate. Although, now that I'm thinking about it, maybe I will do a series of Beardo Collector plates. Hirsute men on china. There's no way this isn't going to make a million dollars!

Please enjoy this musical tribute to Riker. Warning: It uses the music of Right Said Fred. I did not want to be held repsonsible for that one. Okay:

Malkmus at the Vic

(Not an actual scene from the show, but where quality time was spent before and after the show, over at the L & L. Classy restrooms!) This is the only mid-sized theatre show I have EVER been to where the ladies line was no waiting, yet the men's went on and on. Why don't ladies like Malkmus? He is certainly handsome, but his music is very dudical, despite the presence of Janet Weiss and Joanna Bolme. The show was very heavy rock, and they covered pretty much the whole new album. While it sounded great, I feel like the show may have benefitted from a Pink Floyd Layzer show or something.