I've been raving about tonight's concert at Cafe Nine for weeks. I have. Really. Just ask anyone. They'll say, "Oh, yeah, that Pat. He's been talking about this show forever. I want to shut him by trying to stick a dirty sock from a person with athlete's foot in his mouth." Yep, that's what would happen.
Anyway, so thanks to Manic Productions, it's going down tonight. Yep, The Broken West, Wye Oak and Aeroplane, 1929 will take the stage one by one, beginning at 9:45 p.m. Make sure to be there. To entice you a little bit more, here's a performance from each:
Aeroplane, 1929 with "Original Sin"
Wye Oak with "Warning"
The Broken West with "Down in the Valley"
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
One Week In ...
Yep, fine people of the New Haven area and around the world via the thing we call the Internet, we here in the Elm City are one week through our three weeks of absolutely killer concerts. And what a week it's been.
It all started last Sunday when M.T. Bearington officially released "Cloak of Nouns and Loss." The show at BAR was pretty much great. I truly recommend picking up the record. It's a good one. I also caught the group again Saturday night at Cafe Nine.
And speaking of Saturday night at Cafe Nine, Austin's The Low Lows were much better than expected. I thought the band would sound good, but it came across as an exciting hybrid of The Decemberists and Elf Power, only better — at least live — than both those bands. Check them out.
So what else did I catch last week? Well, Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers kicked some big-time butt at Toad's Place last Tuesday. I'm still not sure why it opened for Cowboy Mouth when the bulk of the audience was clearly there for RCPM, but, whatever, it was a killer show.
And Toad's was a big attraction all week. Built to Spill and The Meat Puppets ripped up the stage Wednesday and actually put on one of my favorite concerts of the year so far. Seriously, BTS' performance of "Perfect From Now On" in its entirety was simply breathtaking, cello and all. Really. I went to the show mainly to catch the Puppets and left cursing the fact that Toad's has a dance party Wednesday nights and forced BTS off the stage before it wanted to leave.
Dinosaur Jr. changed some things up Friday at Toad's, actually performing some songs from records that Lou Barlow did not appear on. It was the last in a trio of great shows at the York Street venue last week. Seriously, it was easily the best week of gigs at the place I've seen in my almost five years of being here. Whew.
In other news, I'm going to start putting up a photo of the Weekend cover (like the one above) every Friday with a link to some of the main stories of the week. I think this will make it easier for you fine people in cyberspace to find content.
In that spirit, you can read Harris McCabe's review of "Lakeview Terrace," stroll over and read about my softball team's championship, check out some album reviews, read Dan Iead of The Broken West's Making a Mix, see movie reviews of "Ghost Town" and "Igor," or see what's out on DVD and see about some new video games.
And that's about all I got for now. Remember that tomorrow's show at Cafe Nine will be amazing with The Broken West, Wye Oak and Aeroplane, 1929. Check out my long feature story on The Broken West that ran in yesterday's Arts section.
So let's say goodbye for now. We'll talk again soon, maybe even later today.
It all started last Sunday when M.T. Bearington officially released "Cloak of Nouns and Loss." The show at BAR was pretty much great. I truly recommend picking up the record. It's a good one. I also caught the group again Saturday night at Cafe Nine.
And speaking of Saturday night at Cafe Nine, Austin's The Low Lows were much better than expected. I thought the band would sound good, but it came across as an exciting hybrid of The Decemberists and Elf Power, only better — at least live — than both those bands. Check them out.
So what else did I catch last week? Well, Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers kicked some big-time butt at Toad's Place last Tuesday. I'm still not sure why it opened for Cowboy Mouth when the bulk of the audience was clearly there for RCPM, but, whatever, it was a killer show.
And Toad's was a big attraction all week. Built to Spill and The Meat Puppets ripped up the stage Wednesday and actually put on one of my favorite concerts of the year so far. Seriously, BTS' performance of "Perfect From Now On" in its entirety was simply breathtaking, cello and all. Really. I went to the show mainly to catch the Puppets and left cursing the fact that Toad's has a dance party Wednesday nights and forced BTS off the stage before it wanted to leave.
Dinosaur Jr. changed some things up Friday at Toad's, actually performing some songs from records that Lou Barlow did not appear on. It was the last in a trio of great shows at the York Street venue last week. Seriously, it was easily the best week of gigs at the place I've seen in my almost five years of being here. Whew.
In other news, I'm going to start putting up a photo of the Weekend cover (like the one above) every Friday with a link to some of the main stories of the week. I think this will make it easier for you fine people in cyberspace to find content.
In that spirit, you can read Harris McCabe's review of "Lakeview Terrace," stroll over and read about my softball team's championship, check out some album reviews, read Dan Iead of The Broken West's Making a Mix, see movie reviews of "Ghost Town" and "Igor," or see what's out on DVD and see about some new video games.
And that's about all I got for now. Remember that tomorrow's show at Cafe Nine will be amazing with The Broken West, Wye Oak and Aeroplane, 1929. Check out my long feature story on The Broken West that ran in yesterday's Arts section.
So let's say goodbye for now. We'll talk again soon, maybe even later today.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
So It Seems ...
... That Billboard has named Chubby Checker's "The Twist" as the top single in the Billboard era. Now, honestly, this isn't very surprising. The tune came out in a time when singles dominated the marketplace and folks immediately ran to stores when they heard catchy little ditties on the ol' radio, played by some DJ named the Wolfman or Johnny Knuckles or Leroy Campground.
So why is this even news to me, since I probably would have guessed "The Twist" if this was a question at Anna Liffey's trivia or something? Well, if you keep reading the story, you'll find out what the No. 2 song seems to be.
When I read it, I cried. Then I said a long and detailed prayer to each of the many folks people believe to be a god. You know, Jesus and Zeus and such. Anyway, No. 2? Well that'd be Santana's "Smooth," which, of course, features everyone's favorite metrosexual Rob Thomas.
Yep, I just vomited in my mouth a bit.
"Smooth"? Really? Something has got to be wrong with the world. Now, Billboard figured this all out using statistics, so no real subjectivity is involved. This means I can't call everyone at the company idiots or something. It means I have to call all the people in America who bought this record or played the song on the radio idiots. Everyone's an idiot.
I hate, hate, hate "Smooth." It used to get played on the old jukebox at Jack's Bar and Grill 15 times a night and, each time, I'd sob a little into my Budweiser.
Anyway, that's all I got on this, but I'm sad.
In other news, if each and every one of you doesn't come to Toad's Place tonight, you'd be making a huge mistake, quite possibly the biggest mistake you'll ever make in your life, the mistake you'll look back on when you're 80 and sitting on a rocking chair going over all the important decisions in your life.
That's right, folks, the best live band ever, Roger Clyne and the Peacemaker (that's them above), will take the stage at around 9 tonight. At about the same time, my heart rate will increase, a big smile will form on my face and I'll take a sweet sip of beer and relax. Good times. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Do not miss these guys; they are so good live.
And that's all I got today. Oh, yeah, my softball team won the championship last night. I'm a happy little boy. You can read all about it come Friday in that section of the paper we call Weekend.
So why is this even news to me, since I probably would have guessed "The Twist" if this was a question at Anna Liffey's trivia or something? Well, if you keep reading the story, you'll find out what the No. 2 song seems to be.
When I read it, I cried. Then I said a long and detailed prayer to each of the many folks people believe to be a god. You know, Jesus and Zeus and such. Anyway, No. 2? Well that'd be Santana's "Smooth," which, of course, features everyone's favorite metrosexual Rob Thomas.
Yep, I just vomited in my mouth a bit.
"Smooth"? Really? Something has got to be wrong with the world. Now, Billboard figured this all out using statistics, so no real subjectivity is involved. This means I can't call everyone at the company idiots or something. It means I have to call all the people in America who bought this record or played the song on the radio idiots. Everyone's an idiot.
I hate, hate, hate "Smooth." It used to get played on the old jukebox at Jack's Bar and Grill 15 times a night and, each time, I'd sob a little into my Budweiser.
Anyway, that's all I got on this, but I'm sad.
In other news, if each and every one of you doesn't come to Toad's Place tonight, you'd be making a huge mistake, quite possibly the biggest mistake you'll ever make in your life, the mistake you'll look back on when you're 80 and sitting on a rocking chair going over all the important decisions in your life.
That's right, folks, the best live band ever, Roger Clyne and the Peacemaker (that's them above), will take the stage at around 9 tonight. At about the same time, my heart rate will increase, a big smile will form on my face and I'll take a sweet sip of beer and relax. Good times. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Do not miss these guys; they are so good live.
And that's all I got today. Oh, yeah, my softball team won the championship last night. I'm a happy little boy. You can read all about it come Friday in that section of the paper we call Weekend.
Monday, September 15, 2008
RIP Rick Wright
I've never been a super Pink Floyd fan, but I sure do love some of the band's music. And no matter how you feel about the legendary English band's music, the world lost a very a talented musician earlier today when keyboardist Rick Wright died.
If You Want To Support Us ...
Yep, the summer softball league comes to a close tonight over at East Shore Park on Woodward Avenue in Morris Cove. My team, Jack's Bar and Grill, plays a semifinal match at 6 p.m., and if we win, we'll play the winners of a 7 p.m. game at around 8 tonight. So, yes, I'm a very excited boy who can barely get anything done at work today.
If you want to come watch the festivities and yell obscenities at me, feel free to come on down and bring some alcohol or fruit juice. It should be a good time. And if we lose, you'll see me cry like a baby. I'll probably ball up into the fetal position on third base and roll around sobbing and yelling, "Why me, why me?" Good times. Come say "hi" and drink.
If you want to come watch the festivities and yell obscenities at me, feel free to come on down and bring some alcohol or fruit juice. It should be a good time. And if we lose, you'll see me cry like a baby. I'll probably ball up into the fetal position on third base and roll around sobbing and yelling, "Why me, why me?" Good times. Come say "hi" and drink.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Another FYI ...
OK, guys, so we're 45 minutes away from the MT Bearington album-release at BAR. It's now time to get in your car, on your bike or on your electric spacecraft and get to Crown Street. See you there.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Friday Video
We here at the Register are back to using the New Haven Video Network on the Web site; you know, the thing we used until the middle of June. Anyway, here's my video.
Finally ...
OK, so I'm well aware that I've been bad with posting, you know, actual posts on this here blog. I want to blame last week's day off, because, as you know, short weeks make my life hell. And I could blame that and it'd be somewhat true, but it wouldn't be entirely true. Yes, friends, I've been a bit lazy and without things to say. What can you do?
But here we go. A real, live post. I have a lot to say.
Let's start with the New Haven's Taubl Family, which was on "America's Got Talent" last night. I'm sorry, I think of this as child abuse. I appreciate that they're all very talented kids, but I've been getting press releases from the family for years, and I just can't help but wonder if these kids want to have normal lives, not be toted around making music that they can't actually listen to. I feel like their parents might be a tad too controlling. It's like those "Sound of Music" kids. Man, in that case, I'd like to hit their parents.
So, yeah, the Taubl Family kids are all talented, but take a look at this video and tell me if you'd, you know, actually listen to this:
You know, I've been asked way too much recently about Tom Brady's injury. As a Patriots fan, maybe I'm in the minority, but this is going to make the season more interesting. Oh sure, teams only have a finite window to win championships and the Pats might not get one this year because King Tom went down, but, hey, at least I don't have to watch 12 or so blowouts. At least this weekend's game against the Jets is going to be fun, not a colossal killing. Who's with me?
What else? Well, make sure to pick up tomorrow's newspaper because the Weekend section is, literally, chock-full of good stuff. I wrote a lot, and we have a ton of movie reviews. It's a good section, if I do say so myself.
So it looks like Nicole Kidman is the most overpaid actor in Hollywood. Does that surprise anyone? When's the last good movie she made? When is the last time you saw a movie with her in it?
The Register's Jon Cooper must be giddy with excitement: A unicorn — sort of — has been spotted.
Wow, Yes is touring without John Anderson. This doesn't sound right. His voice is so unique, and the way he plays the tambourine live is, literally, mind-blowing. I jest because I love.
Steven Soderbergh's "Che" has picked up a distributor and will be released in time for award season. You know what the problem with this is? Well, I'll tell you. It means more fake hippies and people who think they're cool are going to be walking around with those stupid shirts even though they have no idea who the real Che Guevara is. Dumb. Actually, has Soderbergh made a good movie lately? I mean, my friend Harris McCabe likes "Solaris," but, um, I don't agree.
The original drummer for the Counting Crows performed over at The Space last night. Play's Jeff Petrin was there with a big sign with a heart on it. I swear I'm not lying.
From the "Why is this news?" department, here's a story about Rob Thomas spending more time than his wife getting ready. Really? You're pooping me? Are you saying that man spends a lot of time in front of the mirror? No way? The guy who wrote the seminal hit "Smooth"? Come on? Really?
I'll give Matt Damon a forum here, because, you know, he makes sense.
This is too funny too. Who cares? I gotta say, Kirsten Dunst is one of those people I don't get. I mean, lots of people think she's attractive. She's certainly OK looking for a regular person, but movie-star looks? Really? I don't see it.
And with that, I've got to go and make a video. Later.
But here we go. A real, live post. I have a lot to say.
Let's start with the New Haven's Taubl Family, which was on "America's Got Talent" last night. I'm sorry, I think of this as child abuse. I appreciate that they're all very talented kids, but I've been getting press releases from the family for years, and I just can't help but wonder if these kids want to have normal lives, not be toted around making music that they can't actually listen to. I feel like their parents might be a tad too controlling. It's like those "Sound of Music" kids. Man, in that case, I'd like to hit their parents.
So, yeah, the Taubl Family kids are all talented, but take a look at this video and tell me if you'd, you know, actually listen to this:
You know, I've been asked way too much recently about Tom Brady's injury. As a Patriots fan, maybe I'm in the minority, but this is going to make the season more interesting. Oh sure, teams only have a finite window to win championships and the Pats might not get one this year because King Tom went down, but, hey, at least I don't have to watch 12 or so blowouts. At least this weekend's game against the Jets is going to be fun, not a colossal killing. Who's with me?
What else? Well, make sure to pick up tomorrow's newspaper because the Weekend section is, literally, chock-full of good stuff. I wrote a lot, and we have a ton of movie reviews. It's a good section, if I do say so myself.
So it looks like Nicole Kidman is the most overpaid actor in Hollywood. Does that surprise anyone? When's the last good movie she made? When is the last time you saw a movie with her in it?
The Register's Jon Cooper must be giddy with excitement: A unicorn — sort of — has been spotted.
Wow, Yes is touring without John Anderson. This doesn't sound right. His voice is so unique, and the way he plays the tambourine live is, literally, mind-blowing. I jest because I love.
Steven Soderbergh's "Che" has picked up a distributor and will be released in time for award season. You know what the problem with this is? Well, I'll tell you. It means more fake hippies and people who think they're cool are going to be walking around with those stupid shirts even though they have no idea who the real Che Guevara is. Dumb. Actually, has Soderbergh made a good movie lately? I mean, my friend Harris McCabe likes "Solaris," but, um, I don't agree.
The original drummer for the Counting Crows performed over at The Space last night. Play's Jeff Petrin was there with a big sign with a heart on it. I swear I'm not lying.
From the "Why is this news?" department, here's a story about Rob Thomas spending more time than his wife getting ready. Really? You're pooping me? Are you saying that man spends a lot of time in front of the mirror? No way? The guy who wrote the seminal hit "Smooth"? Come on? Really?
I'll give Matt Damon a forum here, because, you know, he makes sense.
This is too funny too. Who cares? I gotta say, Kirsten Dunst is one of those people I don't get. I mean, lots of people think she's attractive. She's certainly OK looking for a regular person, but movie-star looks? Really? I don't see it.
And with that, I've got to go and make a video. Later.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Last One
Okkervil River finishes up with ""Bruce Wayne Campbell Interviewed on the Roof of the Chelsea Hotel, 1979" from Crooked Fingers (FYIL Dirty word alert):
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Friday Video!
Here it is, in all its ridiculous glory. Thanks to Play editor (and softball teammate) Jeff Petrin for helping out.
One Of Two More ...
Okkervil River's "Stand Ins" series ambles nicely toward its conclusion with Ola Podrida's take on "Calling and Not Calling My Ex." Here it is:
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Very Clever
This Okkervil River "Stand Ins" series gets clever with "On Tour With Zykos" performed by none other than Zykos.
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