Mixed Feelings.

Don't See This Band.

Went to Popscene for the first time last night...

Although i scored free tickets, free PBR, and a compliment from a guy in flannel, i wasn't too impressed. Okay okay, it was basically just because of the band. Iglu & Hartly is really not good. too bad, they have good stage presence and got the little kids going, but i was dancing with a thumbs-down for a lot of the songs.. They've been playing "This City" on Live 105 and it sounds good on the radio, they just need to clean things up a little bit, aka fire the rapper?

Quote of the Day

"If you can't dance, do the Robot!"

-the MC at Madrone last night

Free Show!

ANTICS is teaming up with ASCAP and FILTER Magazine to present a Noise Pop party! To celebrate the opening of Noisepop '09, they're gonna have Deerhunter and Lilofee playing live and Aaron Axelson and Omar (Popscene) DJing at Mezzanine on Tuesday February 24th. Entry is free, all you need to do is RSVP right here.

Bourbon and Cornflakes

i scream for ice cream. although my friends make fun of me for that one recent night where i kept announcing "i don't have a sweet tooth", i will always be down for humphry slocombe, a new place on Harrison in the outer Mission. Jake, the chef with an ice cream cone tattoo, let us try all the flavors, including my favorite "Secret Breakfast" (bourbon and cornflakes), Red Hot Banana (Yum!), and Guiness Gingerbread. They just opened this week and still are in the middle of introducing all the flavors, but check out their website for all the info.

Thanks, Lucia, for introducing me to a piece of heaven... also great for me when i get over my tiny sweet fix: tacquerias surrounding the neighborhood for some quality mexican food.

Death Cab NOT coming to SF?

Death Cab for Cutie just announced their tour! How exciting! they will also be joined by Ra Ra Riot, as well as Cold War Kids and Matt Costa for a few shows! Woot! Can't wait!

NOT.

They're not coming to SF.

But congrats to Ben Gibbard on the cutest engagement ever and posessing my heart anyway.

Department of Eagles

Last night i had the luck of scoring a ticket to the sold-out show (Thanks Trevor!) featuring Department of Eagles and opener The Cave Singers.. I'd never been to Cafe du Nord before-such a step back in time! located on Market street near Sanchez and 15th, the dark wood and red walls create a perfect, intimate atmosphere for well-known bands as well as local bands... oh, and did i mention how many good looking (but not polished) people there were there? not that i care anything about eye candy....where o where are you tall boy with the beard and the black leather jacket?

Seattle-based The Cave Singers' lead vocal Pete Quirk had this loveable tie dye shirt, flannel hat, and scruffy beard, that matched his scratchy voice... i enjoyed their out-of-the-woods kinda sound, and especially liked Quirk's use of the harmonica and melodica for certain sounds...Oh, and i didn't know that the guitarist Derek Fudesco was originally in Pretty Girls Make Graves, which disbanded in 2007. (I think this is a better band.)

God, San Francisco is really on fire for music right now! While in December i was moaning because none of the great shows had been announced yet, it seems like i could fill every night of the week with a show for the next four months..

So.. Department of Eagles... when i was waiting outside Cafe du Nord to get in, i ran into a friend of mine who had seen the earlier show (there were 6:30 and 10:00 shows) and he looked like he had had a psychedelic experience-- he gave me a word of advice: "close your eyes, and let the images that the music plays in your head just come." ok, so a few jameson and gingers wont result in any real psychedelic experience. but DoE was soothing, a great way to end a great weekend of wining and dining in Napa.

Milli Milli rock it

Lil Wayne's rock album Rebirth is due out on April 7 -

the first single "Prom Queen" is gonna be out next TUESDAY!

loveeeee

In the spirit of Joaquin Phoenix..whos your favorite Slashie?

i still can't get over his decision to be a rapper, especially since there have been so MANY great actors slash singers.. i mean, really:




Lindsay Lohan- what was NeYo on when he decided to let LiLo have the microphone in "Bossy?" its such a boring song with a boring beat, with lyrics like "i like it how i like it when i like it and that's how it is"... i wonder if sam has ever played it during a dj set.











Hilary Duff- in this picture she actually looks cute. if she had stuck with her lizzie mcguire, not too skinny, teen idol appearance, i might even like her. but no, she and lindsay just had to grow up too fast and have eating problems and date each other's boyfriends and sing gross music that is handed to them on silver platters.


Jared Leto-cry me a river and drown in it. this guy was cute once. it gives me great joy whenever the djs on Live 105 call him the douche bag of the year. he, for some reason, woke up one day and decided he was a badass musician, even though he landed his band "30 seconds to mars" a $30M lawsuit with Virgin Records for not delivering. question: would they have "delivered" even if they had made an album?





David Hasselhoff - ooga ooga ooga chaka...




Paris - okay, so she's not an actress but she did make a sex tape and has had a few cameos. but the song she came out with last year sounded so much like UB40 Barbie and no one even cared. "Stars are Blind" i think? agh.







choose your favorite! vote!

The Walkmen and Friends Liquor

Last night, after erin, cathleen and i cracked open a few tall boys, designed a blunt from a swisher sweet, and discussed upcoming shows (NOFX on february 11th anyone?) we walked to The Fillmore to see The Walkmen...

Beach House: I want to be in a beach house with these two playing. however, it took me a minute to convince Erin and Cathleen that the singer in front of us was a woman (her voice is low and sultry, her brunette mane half covering her face)..

The Walkmen:

ever since i heard their new album "You and Me" (i'm a new fan) i can't stop listening to it... "Donde esta la Playa" and "On the Water" are just mesmerizing. Frontman Hamilton Leithauser easily woos all the ladies (and men, i'm sure), but i gotta say that upright piano and the brass section melted me. although i wished more people had been swaying to the songs (most were immobile with their hands stuck in their pockets until the booming cheers at the end of each song), when a band plays music with such sweet emotion, all that matters is your little spot in the theater and YOUR experience.

to top it off, we got the usual cool posters (Thanks, Fillmore, for being so totally awesomeeeee) and i ran into my friends from high school, Harrison and Trevor. Oh yea, and we went to Friends Liquor, danced to the blaring techno music, and i bought stouffers mac and cheese.

Phoenix Blames Late Crew for Bad Show

I'm sure you heard about Joaquin Phoenix's recent debut as a rap star. Agh.

So, he and Casey Affleck are supposedly filming a documentary tracking Phoenix's new career in music, and he had his first show on Friday night at Lavo (Las Vegas). Check THIS out:

"Actor-turned-rapper Joaquin Phoenix has blamed a tardy film crew for his lackluster music debut after shocking Las Vegas partygoers with a bizarre hip-hop show.
...
The gig was reportedly recorded by Phoenix's brother-in-law, Casey Affleck, for an upcoming documentary tracking the star's new career in music.
But the star's show fell flat, ending with a red-faced Phoenix tripping and falling into the crowd.
A source tells the New York Post, "He was waiting for Casey Affleck and when the film crew arrived late, Joaquin flipped out."
According to the insider, Phoenix yelled at the crew: 'Thanks for being late and [bleep] everything up.'
The source adds, 'He came back five minutes later and did the sound check. Nobody can tell if he is for real or if this is all a big joke.'"

Gross. he reminds me a lot of this guy i used to see at Kips all the time.

i spent my money on concert tickets and coffee.

UPCOMING SHOWS:
1/21 - The Walkmen @The Fillmore
1/31 - Devotchka @The Fillmore
2/11 - NOFX @The Fillmore
2/19 - Andrew Bird @The Fillmore
2/20 - Room for a Ghost @Bottom of the Hill
2/21 - Dropkick Murphys @The Warfield
2/24 - Antony & the Johnsons @Nob Hill Masonic Auditorium
3/5 - M. Ward @Palace of Fine Arts
3/11 - Boys Noize @Vessel
3/12 - Cut Copy @The Fillmore
3/14 - Lady Gaga @The Mezzanine
3/15 - Simian Mobile Disco @The Mezzanine
4/16 - The Presets @The Mezzanine
4/17-19 - Coachella

see you there!

Montana, 1948

Ater a 2 hour drive down the peninsula and a quick-change in a Chevron bathroom, I found the tiny venue buried behind Los Gatos High School called, what else, The Venue. Speckled with skinny jeans, red lipstick, and underage smokers, i decided right away i liked this place. I could already hear my friend Ryan's sometimes raspy and always passionate voice (Brandon Boyd-esque) as i got my wristband and headed in..

January 16th marked Montana, 1948's first show.. Originally Vega, they filled the vocal spot with Ryan and created a brand new sound, a lot like Incubus (Morning View mixed with S.C.I.E.N.C.E. era), yet i'm searching for another resemblance too -- can't quite pin it down. They are finishing up recording their EP right now, and hope to have that available any day now. As they are still in the works with recording and writing songs, they played a short set of about 5 songs and sounded really solid. I especially liked the emotion of "Lie Through Your Teeth" and the energy of "The Other Side of Me." Plus, I was impressed with the drummer, Charlie, who never stopped smiling.. Oh yea, and Ryan created a new cure-all drink after he woke up not feeling 100%: jack and coke with a hint of coffee.

Montana, 1948 is: Ryan Lafferty (Vocals/rhythm guitar), Dan Prull (Lead Guitar), Raza Malik (Bass) and Charlie Maynard (drums).

These guys really have talent. Stay tuned for a few recordings this week or next.. It's nice to hear a band with such great talent across all levels. They seem like they've been playing together for a long time.

Oh! and if you want to hear them now and you live in the Santa Clara area (their stomping grounds), tune in to SCU's radio station 103.3 around 2:00pm on Wednesday for a listen..

Next show: February 20th at The Venue with Audrye Sessions and The Pilot's Wife

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

I am so proud to be an American today.

Lady Gaga at the Mezzanine

Lady Gaga is so hot right now. And she's coming to the Mezzanine on March 14th! The tickets go on sale today at 10AM so don't miss out!

Also, watch this cool video from Myspace: The Fit with Lady Gaga. She's been promoting her Myspace page www.myspace.com/ladygaga and as she says in the video, a lot of her rise to fame came from her videos and blogging on Myspace. I love this girl! I can't decide which item she buys that i like the most: probably the black and white vintage hat.

MySpace Presents: The Fit with Lady Gaga

Hottie of the Week

I've been listening to last.fm House Radio a lot lately (Thanks Morgan) and got inspiration. You know "Put Your Hands Up For Detroit"? yea, that guy. Dutch House DJ and Producer Fedde le Grand is HOT. a bit like beckham in the above shot, don't you think? "Put Your Hands Up For Detroit" topped the charts in 2006 and was named the #1 summer anthem in my dream place, Ibiza, and still continues to be my favorite dance beat.

Favorite Song of the Week

I can't stop listening to "I Will Possess Your Heart" by Death Cab For Cutie.

Seriously. Ben Gibbard just knows how to do it. When so many songs these days are upbeat and psychedelic and crazy cool, "I Will Possess Your Heart" catches your attention because it's exactly the opposite. The album version has a 4 1/2 minute intro before Gibbard starts singing, and then when he starts, it just sounds: important. a little different, but kinda reminded me of when kings of leon released "Knocked Up". Rock ballads really do rock. Even without the intro, the radio edit still captures your attention.



It was a perfectly set song while soaring down the 101 right before reaching the Golden Gate Bridge on Wednesday after a long day at work, listening to MGMT radio all day long. ahh.

Lil Wayne does it again...

Impressed: Lil Wayne is coming out with a rock album.

Not impressed: He's inspired by Kanye's new album.

According to Canadian hip-hop artist Drake, Lil Wayne's working hard on his new album, and it's completely rocknroll. He's taking over the music industry! After Spin named him Rock Star of the Year, Lil Wayne needs to live up to his street cred.

Eh, it looks like he needs some work. If you can ignore the shouting girls and hear him play, watch below. Listen for "You King, Wayne!" from one of the girls. I agree. he is a sexy beast.



Not sure when the album will be out...

Liven up a bit for 2009

1/17 - Tsunami Bomb playing a charity show in Petaluma at the Phoenix Theatre
1/28 - Go kiss a girl at the Fillmore with Katy Perry.
2/13 - Room For a Ghost at Caffeine! love them
2/15 - Arguably one of the better albums of the year, Lykke Li, also at the Fillmore
2/18 - Boyz2Men at the mezzanine. more like men2reallyoldguys.
2/19&20 - yay! andrew bird at the Fillmore! a boy i know introduced me to the song Imitosis one time and god i could listen to that man's voice for hours now.
2/21 - Dropkick Murphys at the Warfield, guaranteed a good knockaround beerdrinking time.

more to come..

iDeals for 2009

I'm a little late on posting this.. but if you were too busy playing Where's Steve at yesterday's MacWorld then you might have missed a few new rules that affect all music lovers starting April 1.



1. no more days of authorizing and deauthorizing computers... remember the agonizing time when you receive a burned mix-cd of music from that boy with the bose headphones and the incubus koi tattoo you thought was super cute, but couldn't tell him what you thought about track 5 because you weren't authorized to play his music? how come he forgot? well, no worries.. all music bought from itunes will be officially DRM (digital rights management) free, meaning anyone and anything is authorized to play it once you've BOUGHT it from iTunes... (please buy your music, thanks!)



2. can't decide which song to get? choose by price! itunes will be offering three different price points: $.69, $.99, and $1.29... most albums will still be the same price, but this will affect those who like the not-so-in-demand music, i'm guessing.. its a good way to find new favorites!



3. although this doesn't affect me, i'll tell all my iPhone touchscreen loving friends: you can download music directly onto your iPhone from iTunes. but hey, once it's on you can put it on your computer, right? neat!



get well soon, mr. jobs! we love you!

Gangstaz 4 Lyfe.

Hm...

what are the kids listening to these days?

Love this. and i don't even have the music turned on.

Hmm.. i wonder what would work better.. learning all the dance moves in M.I.A.'s Galang or doing my new Slim in Six workouts?

thom + jay = Jaydiohead

Check it: DJ Minty Fresh Beats has been hiding something from us... a mashup between Radiohead and Jay Z, songs collaborated from all over the artists' discographies, has been available on his myspace page since Dec 30. NOW it's available for free at jaydiohead.com. If you liked The Grey Album, you'll like this.

I'm friends with a GOMP and jealous.

Treated my ears to an indie metal show the other saturday...










So, Erin's boyfriend Joe likes to yell and scream and push people and it sounds pretty great..






and then there's jake on guitar and vocals.. or should i say Lazerwolf..










alvan on the bass..











keith on guitar.. he did not once stop banging his head. not once.








murder practice could not be complete without a drummer named viper, who happily told us he went to his first strip club ever the other day. (girls, watch out for this one)






They played at this art space in the Mission called Sub-Mission, with an installation of clothes artistically placed on the walls and ceiling... They were touring a bit last year but now get to grace the bay area with their presence... next show is in Martinez on Saturday and i might just be there, only if i get to play with Erin's cats afterwards.

p.s. these pictures are not from the show. but this is! groupies at our finest.

This aint no sweet little lie....

Please bring Fleetwood Mac to California. Please. Oh Please.

For the first 16 dates of their Greatest Hits tour, see here.
Sounds like they're gonna continue the tour throughout Spring and Summer, so stay tuned. AND they're rereleasing Rumours..

There is a god.

I want my own Jamal...

Saw Slumdog Millionaire yesterday and now i want to star in my own Bollywood film... although, this one is really Bollywood meets Hollywood...

I won't spoil anything, but i can say the loud (in a literal and figurative sense) music and color did wonders for the film. I love a good film with actors i'm not familiar with, too.. The progression of child to young adult in the slums of India is exciting and inspiring, and can i say wait till the credits? of course there's a dance number at the end!

The film is directed by Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, 28 Days Later, The Beach).. The soundtrack features M.I.A. on a few tracks as well as A.R. Rahman, a well known Indian film composer.. you can get it on ITunes!

Hey Friends..

.. Cut Copy is coming to the Fillmore on March 12th. Join Me! Don't miss this!

I saw this Australian trio play with The Presets at The Mezzanine a few months ago- killer show. One of the best shows to dance to, they blend upbeat jumpers with some smoother psychedelic tunes..

$25 per ticket, Show starts at 8 (doors open at 7)
p.s. i'll investigate but the rumor goes they do DJ sets at local bars sometimes after their shows..