Garbage - Version 2.0

The second Garbage album – Version 2.0 - was released 10 years ago today.

This is one of my “desert island” discs and id say it would also be on many music fans top album lists. It went quadruple platinum and was nominated for 4 Grammy awards in the first two years of its release.

I have Jason Newsted to thank for my love of this band. When he and James Hetfield were here in Sydney to promote the Metallica album “Load” album back in May 1996 they programmed the music video show RAGE. For those that don’t know the show, its a Fri/Sat night TV music video show that goes for about 8 hours. Friday night is new release videos from that week and some artist specials, and Saturday night has a guest programmer playing their favourite videos for about 4 hours, followed by the entire music video history of the band. Anyway, Jason played Garbage’s Vow clip as part of his set that night. Even though id heard Garbage’s self titled debut album a few times at friends houses and the first few singles on the radio – I hadn’t paid a lot of attention to it. I was way more into the new Faith No More, Bon Jovi, Biohazard and Red Hot Chili Pepper albums at the time. But that night I really paid attention to the video and noticed these amazing drum sample sounds, looping guitars, and a bass line that just blew me away. And then there was the vocal track. Man that girl can sing. And she is mighty easy on the eye as well. I taped that nights RAGE and replayed it over and over in the next few days. I got me the album shortly after that and the band have been a constant player in the car, MiniDisc player, iPod, CD player, etc ever since.



That first album has some amazing tracks on it. For the uninitiated, id recommend Dog New Tricks, As Heaven Is Wide, Not My Idea and Only Happy When It Rains as the best mix to get a good feel for the album. Milk is good to hear a slower song with some trippy loops in the background. But if I had to pick one track to play at a mix party it would have to be Stupid Girl. That fucking amazing (and often sampled) Clash drum sample at the start of the song sets it off on a journey that to this day still takes me to happy places.

But im here to talk about Version 2.0.....

The first half of 1998 was a bit of a weird time musically for me. I’d done the infamous Metallica tour of New Zealand and Australia and I was a bit “over” heavy music for a while. U2’s POP album was a constant player at home and I was more into Public Enemy and that sort of turntable/sampled style of music. So Version 2.0 was released in the May and I got it immediately. I’d heard the lead single “Push It” a lot on the radio and on TV and I loved the production sound. With three producers in the band it would be hard to not have a good sounding record. One of them in particular – Butch Vig – is my favourite producer of all time. Well second favourite. Ok – maybe third. Fuck it – Butch, Brendan O’Brien, Rick Rubin, and Bob Rock are my favourite producers. Shit – I forgot Quincy Jones too.....






















Anyway......... I really got into this album. I played it non stop and every single song rocked my world. Musically, lyrically and of course the production – it just rocks. I love the drum beats, the samples, the looping guitars, the vocal effects, the pop sounds on some songs, the eerie vocal on some songs, the pumping bass lines – it’s all there. And lyrically it is the bands best work. From what I’ve read about the band, Shirley was a little introverted during the making of the first album, but totally came out of her shell during the 2 year world tour to promote the album and then the subsequent writing of Version 2.0.

It starts off with probably the weakest track off the album – Temptation Waits. It’s a bit over trip hop to me, but that’s just me. Other Garbage fans probably rate it higher than I would. Second single “I Think I’m Paranoid” really kicks the album off for me. The bass line is really simple at the start and then the guitars and real drums kick in before the start of the chorus. It’s the line at the end of the chorus that made me (and a few million other males) fall in love with Shirley

Bend me
Break me
Anyway you need me
All I want is you

Oh what i would have done to be the recipient of a bit of Shirley Manson circa 1998.....

“When I Grow” up was also released as a single. The song confuses me – it sounds a bit too “pop” and really fits better when played mixed in with tracks from their third album Beautiful Garbage. And Shirley doesn’t look as cite in the video – boo. “Medication” has an almost “Milk” feel to it – i really dig the way Shirley sings the chorus:

Somebody get me out of here
I'm tearing at myself
Nobody gives a damn about me or anybody else

And the way she sings the line after the chorus (at the 2min 15sec mark for those playing along at home) just totally owns me. The synth sounds create an eerie vibe to the end of the song

And still you call me co-dependent
Somehow you lay the blame on me

If this song was written chronologically, I think the guy on the receiving end of the awesome “Bend me, break me” line is in a bit of trouble.

“Special” is up next and had a very cool video promo clip. Great guitar sound and again a pounding bass line throughout the song. I really like the lyrics here “Do you have an opinion? A mind of your own? I thought you were special. I thought you should know” Shirley’s Scottish accent really comes out in the song. And the vocal harmonies right after the chorus (that sound double or triple tracked to me) just really make the song perfect. I can only imagine how much fun Steve, Duke and Butch would have in their studio producing a song like this. And I’m sure they would have some way cool Pro Tools rig. This is the sort of album I’d love to see made into a BBC Classic Albums documentary.

“Hammering In My Head” would get me raving my glowsticks if I was at a Rave party. I like the piano and effects towards the end of the song. Reminds me of some of the effects in Milk, and to me shows how great Shirley’s vocal range is. Her voice fits with dance, pop, rock and slower/easier tracks. I haven’t ever heard the music she made with Angelfish – her first band, but I’d be interested to see if her Garbage vocal style is the result of the work with three great producers or is natural.

I briefly mentioned the production quality of the next track “Push It” above, but I really do marvel at just how great this track. From the Brian Wilson “Don’t Worry Baby” vocal sample to the whispering effect on the line “push it” throughout the track. If you haven’t heard it I recommend listening to it using good can style headphones as I did on one of the first times i heard it from a CD. This track also has a really cool video.

One of the bands most chilled out tracks is next – “The Trick Is To Keep Breathing”. I’ve listened to this on repeat for over an hour once and still didn’t get bored of it. I like the cello sample in the background throughout the chorus, to the acoustic drum sound, to the bass line to the soothing keyboard to the occasional guitar chords. And again, Shirley’s voice just blows me away– it makes what would be a good song into a great song. Not their best promo video, but a good live version of the track is here.

“Dumb / Sleep Together / Wicked Ways” are all great tracks, but they sort of blend into one for me. Wicked Ways being the best of the three. My problem is when I listen to the album (and its an album that should be played in its entirety instead of a track here and there in my opinion), I listen to the brilliant “The Trick Is To Keep Breathing and then I know there’s three good but not as good as the previous track songs to come before I get to what has to be my favourite ever Garbage song – “You Look So Fine”


Back in 2002 when I was working on the original The Audio Project mix CD this was probably the easiest song for me to put on to the album. I love this song that much that it closes the album – above Foo, above Bruce, above Jovi, above Satch, above Metallica. It embodies everything I love about this band - lyrics, music, production. I won’t dribble on again about harmonies, drum effects, bass lines, synch sounds, etc. Just listen to the song and read the lyrics.

You look so fine

I want to break your heart
And give you mine
You're taking me over

It's so insane
You've got me tethered and chained
I hear your name
And I'm falling over

I'm not like all the other girls
I can't take it like the other girls
I won't share it like the other girls
That you used to know

You look so fine

Knocked down
Cried out
Been down just to find out
I'm through
Bleeding for you

I'm open wide
I want to take you home
We'll waste some time
You're the only one for me

You look so fine
I'm like the desert tonight
Leave her behind
If you want to show me

I'm not like all the other girls
I won't take it like the other girls
I won't fake it like the other girls
That you used to know

You're taking me over
Over and over
I'm falling over
Over and over

You're taking me over
Drown in me one more time
Hide inside me tonight
Do what you want to do
Just pretend happy end
Let me know let it show

Ending with letting go

Let's pretend, happy end

It is one of the bands and director Stephan Sedanoiu’s greatest video’s. Stephan has done some great Bjork and Red Hot Chili Peppers videos and I totally love his DVD in the Directors Label box set that I have. Here is a fucking awesome live version of the track. What I like about this version is that it clocks in at about 7 minutes – 3 minutes of extra Garbage goodness


Enjoy what has been one of my favourite albums of the past 10 years.

ab

Pearl jam - Immortality

I thought about typing something about this song and my day today and how this song just fucking owns me every damn time I hear it. But instead ill just let the 5 of you read the lyrics and watch a cool version of it being played live.


Artist - Pearl jam
Album - Vitalogy
Track - Immortality


Vacate is the word...vengeance has no place on me or her
Cannot find the comfort in this world
Artificial tear...vessel stabbed...next up, volunteers
Vulnerable, wisdom can't adhere...
A truant finds home...and a wish to hold on...
But there's a trapdoor in the sun...

Immortality...

As privileged as a whore...victims in demand for public show
Swept out through the cracks beneath the door
Holier than thou, how?
Surrendered...executed anyhow
Scrawl dissolved, cigar box on the floor...
A truant finds home...and a wish to hold on too...
He saw the trapdoor in the sun...

I cannot stop the thought...I'm running in the dark...
Coming up a which way sign...all good truants must decide...
Oh, stripped and sold, mom...auctioned forearm...
And whiskers in the sink...
Truants move on...cannot stay long
Some die just to live...
Ohh...

Record companie$ / The Cure

The below article is about The Cure’s new release schedule for the singles off their new album and its also about how the majority of record companies have forgotten how to market and sell music these days.

And I 100% agree with the comments of the journalist.

I once wanted to work in the music industry. I thought it would be perfect for me. I loved music. I wanted to make it my career. I cant play an instrument – well mostly I cant. The angry young teenager in me loved to play the drums as a kid, and I still rock it like a mofo when im stuck in traffic every day. And I purchased an Ibanez guitar and a Marshall 100watt amp about 5 years ago promising myself that id learn how to play. But alas nothing has happened yet and probably never will. But man that axe and amp look cool.

Anyway, I worked at Myer (Australia's largest retail department store chain) when I was younger. I spent a while working in the music department – and yes I at times acted a little like Jack Black’s character in High Fidelity. I once told a customer we didn’t stock any Spice Girls on a dare from a colleague. But I did tell them they could try Target or K-mart (they were our sister companies so at least I was supporting the corporation). So I got to know the account managers at some of the record companies. One guy from Sony was really cool. Since the internet hadn’t exploded back then in 1997, he was my source of information on new albums, pre-release promo CD’s, upcoming tours, etc. Great guy. I asked him once what it was like working in the music industry as a fan. And he told me flatly – “don’t do it. Its full of marketing people with spreadsheets. And a great album is one that sells well and makes lots of money” He said one more thing that has remained with me “they aren’t like you and I”

That was 1997. And I can only imagine what its like working there now.

I'm sure there is some great people at some of the major's. And from what ive seen there is some great independent record companies out there. I just wish that record companies were run and staffed by people who cared about the product over the money. They should be driven to promote good music and not push crap onto people based on the potential marketability of the artist.

LINK

The Cure Screw Radio and Records, This Is How It Should Be Done

by Paul Cashmere - May 3 2008
photo by Ros O'Gorman

The Cure have once again broken the 20th century mould that has frozen the radio and record industry. They will release a single a month, just like it should be.

The Cure will release four singles, complete with A side and B side, once a month on the 13th of every month, for the next four months leading up to the release of the next album.

The first single will be 'The Only One', backed by 'NY Trip' on May 13th.

On June 13th, prepare for 'Freakshow' with 'All Kinds of Stuff'.

On September 13th, The Cure will release their yet-to-be-titled 13th album (hence the 13th day of each release).

Innovative? Actually not. This is how it used to be done before radio research and record company marketing plans fucked themselves (and the industry) up.

The Beatles released 2 albums a year. The Stones did 2 albums a year before they got really big in the 70s and cut it back to one. We were all horrified when Pink Floyd went 3 years between albums once. Creedence Clearwater Revival did their three albums in 10 months.

But by the early 80s, radio no longer cared and record companies thought they still mattered. The result to this day is people with marketing degrees are creating music for people with no ears so that advertisers are happy.

What I love about this is that the radio industry and the major record labels are no loner set-up to handle this kind of activity with a fan base. Radio doesn't have the set-up time it so ridiculously thinks it needs to "research new music" and the major labels don't have the set-up time to "market to the passive music buyer".

In one swoop, The Cure has said fuck you to both sides and will do it themselves the right way.

The industry has lost its soul. The old school of 20th century radio and record people deserve their slow death.

There is a new breed that still care about the music and The Cure are ready to take sides with the 21st century thinkers and piss on the old school.

Good one Robert Smith and co. This is making music that matters.

It is great to see a band that knows how to reach and keep the interest of the core fan base. Congratulations to The Cure.

Queens Of The Stone Age - Make It Wit Chu

One of the things I love about seeing band live is the music they play in between the support acts and the headliner. Some times it sucks. Some times it rocks. Sean and I were talking the other day about how cool it was when Helmet played the entire Sound Of Music soundtrack before their 1997 show at Selinas.

The last two nights I went to see Foo Fighters at The Acer Arena. Great shows that im going to write about shortly. But what rocked was the tunes the audio crew played before and after their set. There was some Clash, some Pantera (fucking A - its always great to hear Domination live in an arena, even if its off a CD) and some Queens Of The Stone Age. You may recall Dave Grohl played drums on their Songs For The Deaf album back in 2002. Great great album, probably their best work if you ask me.

So after the show on both nights the audio crew played one of the coolest Queens Of The Stone Age tracks since the Songs For The Deaf album - Make It Wit Chu. I know the title makes it sound like a stupid Pussycat Dolls song. But its not. Its a damn cool song full of hooks and some really laid back piano loop playing underneath the bass line. Me likey like lots.






"Make It Wit Chu"

You wanna know if I know why?
I can't say that I do,
I don't understand the evil eye,
Or how one becomes two.
And I just can't recall what started it all,
Or how to begin in the end,
I ain't here to break it,
Just see how far it will bend,
Again and again,

I wanna make it,
I wanna make it wit chu,
Anytime, anywhere,
I wanna make it,
I wanna make it wit chu,

Sometimes the same is different,
but mostly it's the same
these mysteries of life, that just ain't my thing
if I told you that I knew about the sun and the moon,
I'd be untrue,
The only thing I know for sure
Is what I wanna do,
anytime, anywhere and I say

I wanna make it, (again and again)
I wanna make it wit chu,
Anytime, anywhere,
I wanna make it, (again and again)
I wanna make it wit chu,
I wanna make it, (anytime, anywhere)
I wanna make it wit chu,
I wanna make it,
I wanna make it wit chu.

I wanna make it, (again and again)
I wanna make it wit chu,
I wanna make it, (anytime, anywhere)
I wanna make it wit chu,
I wanna make it, (again and again)
I wanna make it wit chu,
I wanna make it, (again and again and again and again and again..)

Prince - Coachella setlist

I really hope a decent recording surfaces of this show.

One of the greatest concert experiences of my life was seeing Prince at The Basement here in Sydney back in 2003. It was the afterparty for his show that night at the Entertainment Centre. Prince and the band got on stage about 330am and played the 200 person capacity club for about 2 hours. It was just amazing. He didn't perform Purple Rain (my favourite track of his) at the main show earlier in the evening, but did a phenomenal 10 minute version of it at the club. Bill has a recording of the show - I believe its the only recording of the night. I must get it off him one of these days. Ill forever be in debt to Bill for getting me in to that gig.

Coachella has to be one of the worlds best music festivals in the US. Check the line up.

Heather was at the festival for all three days. Hope she rehydrates from the heat quickly and posts one of her great reviews.

Anyhoo, check out the Prince setlist.

The Bird (with Morris Day)
Jungle Love (with Morris Day)
The Glamorous Life (with Sheila E)
1999 (from 1999, 1983)
I Feel For You (from Prince, 1979)
Controversy (from Controversy, 1981)
Little Red Corvette (from 1999, 1983)
Musicology (from Musicology, 2004)
Cream (from Diamonds and Pearls, 1991)
U Got The Look (from Sign O' The Times, 1987)
Shhh (the Gold Experience, 1995)
Anotherloverholenyohead (from Parade, 1986)
Creep (Radiohead cover)
Angel (Sarah McLachlan cover)
7 (from Symbol Album, 1992)
Come Together (The Beatles cover)
Purple Rain (from Purple Rain, 1994)
Let's Go Crazy (from Purple Rain, 1994)

Heres a video of him doing Radiohead's Creep from Coachella.




He played Glamorous Life!!!!, but I don't think Sheila E performed it with him at the festival. Man, I so loved this song back in 84/85. This, Ray Parker Jr's Ghostbusters and the entire Thriller album. I went through a Billy Ocean phase too. But id like to forget that. I was saved in early 87 when I discovered Bon Jovi. Then Guns.





And ill leave you with a video of one of my favourite ever Prince performances - The 2004 Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame awards all star jam (Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty, Prince, George's son Dhani, etc) inducting George Harrison. Its total killer from the 3min 30sec mark. I love it how he just calmly walks on stage, rocks out and then calmly walks off stage. This - ladies and gentlemen - is gold.

Why Mtv sucks

I used to be obsessed with this TV station.

Back in the late 80's and early 90's it wasn't a TV station here in Australia. It was a Friday / Saturday night TV show shown on the 9 network. Richard Wilkins was the host, with Allison Drower as his co-host. They played a wide mix of music videos both current and older material. They played live gigs from all over the world - I remember seeing Guns playing at the Ritz in New York. They interviewed local and overseas bands. And these interviews weren't puff pieces. They asked questions we the fans wanted to know about.

I remember seeing Aerosmith's Love In An Elevator (the R rated version) for the first time. It was played right after the R rated version of Alice Cooper's Poison. I had to stay up until almost 230am to see these clips - even for a Saturday night it was way past my then 12 year old bed time. I also remember going to school the following Monday and all my mates were like "man, did you see it?? how cool was that video - and those tits!!!!" Good times....

Richard Wilkins was a great host. Artists respected him. He was the yin to Molly Meldrum's yang. I did some work with Richard back in 2002. Nice guy. I had to go to his house to train him up on some stuff. He took me to his study so we could use his PC. It was lined with CD's. He saw my jaw drop and casually mentioned that this was just the ones in rotation - the rest were in storage. Bastard! We spoke briefly about the Mtv days. I didn't want to come across all fanboy on him. I asked about the 1989 Bon Jovi Australian tour as id recently seen an old video tape f mine with an interview he did with the band. Told him I was a big fan of the band - hoping that he might cough up some juicy stories. But alas all he said was "those were some crazy days" Bastard!

Anyway - Mtv currently blows. Has for years.

They play few videos. They play more "reality" tv shows and play more commercials for premium phone services than they do videos. And when they play videos its all crap. Theres little there that interests me anymore. I do occasionally watch Mtv Cribs. Kinda cool to see how the other half live.

My favourite Mtv show when I have a shit about the station was the annual Mtv awards. Great bands playing great tunes in front of actual fans (not the rent a crowd Mtv use these days). The 1991 awards was a masterpiece. Poison, Metallica, Guns and Nirvana all performed. Guns played a live version of Live And Let Die from London via satellite. It has to be the best live version of the song ive ever heard.







But it was their performance in 1992 (i think it was the Mtv video vanguard award??) of November Rain that blew me away. Elton John performed with the band and the song closed the awards ceremony.



Since then the awards have had some elements of cool. I recall seeing U2 play at the 1997 awards - or it might have been the European Mtv awards. And occasionally Mtv add some decent programing - like when Foo Fighters took over the New York Mtv studios for a 24 hour block and played old videos, live sets, accoustic sets, interviews with the band, etc. There was the odd lame Jackass style stunt, but all in all it was a good 24 hours for the station.



So yesterday I received an email about Saturday nights Australian Mtv awards. I didnt bother to watch them. I knew they would suck. I saw the nominees - sucked. I saw the awards they were nominated for - sucked. I saw the list of artists appearing - sucked.

Mtv - you used to rock. You now suck. Suck suck suck suck suck.

LINK

The MTV Awards, It Was A Joke, Right?

by Paul Cashmere - April 27 2008
photo by Ros O'Gorman

Seriously, what the hell was the MTV Australia Awards? Is this no more than an excuse for a piss-up and a stroll down a red carpet?

The MTV Australia Awards were handed out in Sydney on Saturday night but told you absolutely nothing about the Australian Music Industry.

Of the 11 awards, 6 had nothing at all to do with music. A Good Karma Award? A Bad Karma Award? A Television Moment of the Year Award? A Remake Award? A Movie Star Award? It's a joke right? The real award show is on tonight, right?

Unfortunately, no. MTV was serious. If MTV thinks that PexclamationmarkNK is the greatest live performer this country has seen in the last 12 months, if MTV thinks that Delta Goodrem's 'Believe Again' really is the video of the year, if MTV really thinks that the Australian Artist Music Award should really go to The Veronicas, then MTV really needs to be sent to its room and not come out until it is ready to apologize.

The MTV Australia Awards looks like it was decided during recess at kindergarten. This farce looked like the Nickelodeon Awards, but then, at the least the Nickelodeon Awards targets its core audience … kids.

So, was the MTV Awards just a poor excuse for a piss-up? I certainly hope not. Whoever put this circus act together surely won't even reach the legal age of drinking for another 6 years.

The Clash: New York 1981

No - I wasnt there.

The great people over at Retro Vinyl Cupboard have recently uploaded a great recording of The Clash in New York City in June 1981.

As ive mentioned to the 5 of you before, I love hearing live recordings of bands performing live. Some of the best recording I have are from before I was in to that band (Springsteen, Zeppelin, etc) and in many cases these shows were performed before I was born.

One of the great things i like about getting a classic show like this recording by The Clash is the story that goes along with it. A review from a fan about the show. A review from a newspaper/magazine of the show. Or notes on how the recording came to our ears (especially if its an old show and has recently surfaced).

The show that Retro Vinyl Cupboard have uploaded has a great write up on this recording. They talk about the venue, that era of the bands history, notes about the show, etc.

This is a blistering performance from one of the best bands to ever come out of the UK. Most of my favourite tracks of theirs were played at this show - Janie Jones, Clampdown (love it love it love it), Train In Vain, Guns Of Brixton, etc.

LINK

CD1:
1. London Calling
2. Safe European Home
3. The Leader
4. Train In Vain
5. (White Man) In Hammersmith Palais
6. This Is Radio Clash
7. Corner Soul
8. The Guns Of Brixton
9. The Call Up
10. Bankrobber
11. Complete Control
12. Lightning Strikes (Not Once But Twice)
13. Ivan Meets G.I. Joe

CD2:
1. Charlie Don’t Surf
2. The Magnificent Seven
3. Broadway
4. Somebody Got Murdered
5. Police & Thieves
6. Clampdown
7. One More Time
8. Brand New Cadillac
9. The Street Parade
10. Janie Jones
11. Washington Bullets / Outro - Armageddon Time

Beatle Bob: The World's Most Obsessive Fan

Man, I thought I had a problem. I mean, my problem isnt like Bill's problem.....

This is a good read. A bit sad sometimes. But I know that feeling the guy gets when you see a great show. You just want to recreate it over and over and over. And in his case over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over.....

LINK for full tect over at Blender.com

Beatle Bob: The World's Most Obsessive Fan

Rock stars invite him onstage, but he can't sing. He's been to more than 5,000 live shows in 11 years, but he may have nowhere to live.

David Peisner

Blender March 17 2008

On a cold, clear Friday night in November, a 55-year-old man in a blue pinstripe blazer, a red paisley shirt and black pants ducks into the cramped lobby of a nightclub called Off Broadway.

“This is one of my favorite spots in St. Louis,” he says, greeting the doorman and bounding into the club’s brick-walled main room. He strides across the dance floor until he’s standing on the far left side of the stage, at the feet of the evening’s performer, ex-major-label folk-rocker Garrison Starr.

“Hey, everyone!” Starr announces to the crowd, midsong. “It’s Beatle Bob!” Bob offers a quick wave to the audience, points a long finger toward Starr and begins dancing. He’s a tall, angular figure, and with his mop-topped head hunched forward, his arms bent sharply at the elbows and his hands bobbing and swimming awkwardly in front of his waist, he looks like a man rifling through a filing cabinet while waiting desperately to use the toilet. There is nothing smooth, rhythmic or graceful about his dancing. It seems to exist in its own world, completely divorced from the music inspiring it.

Winnie Cooper

Watched a very cool The Wonder Years "where are they now" type documentary last night. Yes, thats how bored I get these days. I watch too many lame shows on the Biography channel.

I really liked The Wonder Years. It came on in late 1988 / early 1989 if I recall correctly. The music was cool and the story lines were great. I was about 11 when i first started watching, so some of the themes of the show were similar to what kids my age were going through as we were the same ages as Kevin Arnold.

And certain parts of my 11 year old self fell in love with Winnie Cooper (aka Danica McKeller). She had that girl next door thing going on (cause she WAS the girl next door). I hadn't seen her on TV wince The Wonder Years finished back in 93/94. So I went to Wikipedia (where would blogs be without Wikipedia??) and read up on what she has been doing. I glanced down the page and saw a heading titled "Adult Roles" and well you can guess what types of Adult Roles I was hoping to read about.... But alas it was all about her work on stuff after the show finished. She did West Wing, NCIS, Love Boat. The TV career is going well...

But this girl is smart. She is a mathematics genius according to Wiki. She wrote a few papers on the subject and even tutors students over at her official web site. I might have to get into mathematics some more.

I found the documentary over on YouTube. Man, where would blogs be without YouTube???

Record Store Day

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kiwibirch

The day didn’t go as planned. Bill was busy. Gary was out of town. Sean had stuff on and a gig tonight (DJ Shadow no less – one of the best shows I saw back in 2006). Paul had the spousal green light so off we went to the city this morning. The inaugural Record Store Day was underway!

I had a few other things to do so we rolled it all into one trip. Starting at Myer we made for the Bridal registry – so totally rock and roll. Chris & Kylie’s wedding invite turned up on Thursday and they are having the gift registry at Myer. I dint want to miss out on getting them something cool, so checked the list and made a purchase that is beyond cool. Then we made for the kidswear department – again so totally rock and roll. I’m seeing my therapist in three days twenty three hours and forty five minutes, so needed to get a cool gift for her. She’s almost a size one. And I wanted something in pink with an animal on it. I think i did well. So after that support of corporate Australia, we headed off to begin supporting the little end of town, the business’ who need our support, they who value every customer who walks in the door.

But we went to McDonalds instead.

Paul needed sugar. I needed a drink. I got a frozen Coke and sat back in ice cream headache / brain freeze ecstasy.

So we then FINALLY started Record Store Day.

We skipped the main RedEye. Time was of the essence. Money was short as well. The upcoming trip for Paul and I to the US in July/August has already started to erode the little savings I have that the motherfuckers at the mortgage place aren’t taking. And Paul is getting spousal credit card statement assessment on a daily basis already. We hit the Dirt Cheap CD’s store on Pitt St. Perused the huge range of cheap CD’s and books. These guys have a large range of imported Indonesian made CDs as well. Nothing stood out that isn’t there already every other time I go there. So I bailed out of the store with zip. Nada. Zilch. Nothing. I’m also not too sure how “independent” these guys are. I’m sure if I did an ABN search id find that they are owned by a larger retail organisation. There’s no way that an independent store has that much buying power to buy Cd’s that cheap. They can’t be on great terms with the majors. Their rebate structure would be minimal at best.

While walking south down Pitt St Paul and I discussed the good old days of second hand music stores in the area. Back in the early 90’s this area had about 10 great stores. Now there’s but a few. It’s sad as these stores had the best staff. The best range. The best prices. The best imports. The best shopping experience. And it’s that shopping experience that I miss. I crave it. I need it. I don’t get it at JB Hi Fi. Sure the range is great and the prices are awesome, but I’d rather talk to someone who is knowledgeable on music not just of today but pre 2005 as well. I’d prefer to discuss a certain artist or album, get their expert opinion (or give mine). Then we’d decide on what i was going to buy. Maybe they’d play me a sample of a song. Or put a video on to show me some rare footage from Brazil of the band playing a gig 5 years ago. Then sometimes I’d have to order a CD or record in. And I’d have to pay a small deposit. But some stores knew me well and they knew I was good for it. I’d wait about a month and then there would be a phone call. “hey its XXXXX from XXXXXX records. Your XXXXXXXXX CD/Book/Record has arrived. What’s that? You can’t make it in for a few weeks?? No worries – it’ll be here when you come in next” God how I miss those days.

Funny story. I was in Brisbane back in 2004. On a work trip and I was in search of the 2003 re-issue of The Clash’s London Calling 25^th anniversary CD/DVD set after id read a review in Uncut or Mojo or something. So I walked into a JB Hi Fi and headed for the CD department. Some cute girl came up to me to ask if I needed any help. She seemed in her late teens or early 20’s. Had about 10 lanyards around her neck I recall. Anyway, I asked her where The Clash were situated in the music genres of the store. So she said “follow me”. And I did. We ended up at a computer terminal near the back of the store. I thought it was a bit weird. But then she asked me how to spell The Clash. I spelled C-L-A-S-H and she typed it in. She said she’d never heard of them. The colour drained from my face. It was a moment ill never forget. How the fuck could she not know who The Clash are??? Everyone knows who The Clash are. Celine fucking Dion would know who The Clash are. Bob Hope would know who The Clash were. Anyway, she then told me something that again ill never forget.

“The Clash are in the Emo department – under C”

I then proceeded to tell her the error of her employers ways. And I admit it I was maybe a little harsh at first. Poor girl. There’s probably a MySpace post somewhere about the day a guy asked where The Clash were and he made me cry.

So yeah, Paul and I walked down past the old Phantom Records. These guys were the shit back in the day. They had a cool little store with this huge wall of vinyl as you walked in to the store. Autographed posters on the other side of the wall. They had an auction catalogue a few times a year where they would get rid of huge amounts of rare stuff that they just couldn’t fit into the store. I picked up an autographed Anthrax 12” record for $25 one year. Back in the day I had limited cash as I was still in school. I used to dream about having a spare $200 and what I could buy from the store or the auction catalogue. And what shits me now is that as I got older and my disposable income levels grew, Phantom Records and similar music stores started to fold or move to more popular music of that time. The range shrunk or they put the prices up to stupid prices. And the staff changed. Some days id go to the city to spend the day perusing the great old record stores only to find the best ones were gone. Damn it. Buying online is ok, but its something id prefer to not do. As mentioned before – I crave the interaction with the staff (the ones I don’t make cry). I miss debating the best song of an artist’s back catalogue. Or hearing stories about some great gig they saw back in the day.

Phantom Records disappeared back in 1998. There was another music store in its place for a few years. Just crap second hand CD’s and games. I think it was called Revolution. The place where the mighty Phantom Records once stood is now a nail salon.

Heading further down Pitt St it occurred to me that today’s Record Store Day event has netted me so far a total of one wedding gift, one baby clothing item, one frozen coke and lots of memories. But my hands were empty. The blood was flowing to my fingers. Back in the day id have cut the circulation to my fingers from the overweight bags holding the gems id just purchased. And that was just the first of many stores I was heading in to that day. This wasn’t good. So we headed in to the smaller RedEye records.

This store opened in the late 90’s. It houses a smaller range of new stuff and a larger range of second hand stuff than the parent store over on King St does. I asked the guy behind the counter if I could take a photo of the store. I told him it was Record Store Day. He looked at me with a puzzled face. Oh god – is he related to the JB Hi Fi girl????? Nah, he just hadn’t heard about it. I showed him the website and he was surprised that his management weren’t in to it. Hopefully next year.

I went to the vinyl section straight away. The metal section in particular. I’ve been looking for a copy of Metallica’s S&M on vinyl for a few years. I’ve seen it around for about $50. Most recently I found it at HMV in Pitt St (before it was torn down). It was about $60 and was ruined. It had been opened. The sleeve had creases in it. The vinyl had fingerprints on it. The booklet was trashed. But the one I found today at RedEye was mint. Sealed. Three LP / 180gram’s of pure vinyl goodness. For $28. It’s a bargain at twice the price. Finally I have something to buy on Record Store Day – FROM A RECORD STORE!!

Then I went to the Australian section. As mentioned in an earlier post, I’ve been listening to a bit of Cold Chisel lately. I wanted to get a copy of the album Flame Trees is off – Twentieth Century. And there it was on vinyl for $4.98. Not quite mint, but I’m sure it’s been well loved. Again – a bargain at twice the price.

Next was the punk section. I’ve been into the Ramones a bit over last 2/3 years. I picked up a great DVD documentary of theirs when i was last in New York – Ramones: RAW. Since then I’ve listened to them often when I need a 2 minute punk fix and Green Day just don’t cut it (ill post about them soon enough). So I picked up a 180gram vinyl re-issue of their 1976 debut album. For $19.98. Again – another bargain.

Gary called, and he wanted to partake in the festivities of Record Store Day. But he was having the time of his life (NOT!) in Brisbane. He wanted the new Sheryl Crow. But they are sold out. So I got him the 1996 Sheryl Crow CD – but this is the Australian Tour edition with the live tracks from the UK. It was $20 second hand, but worth it.

On my way to the counter to pay for my stuff Paul showed me his goodies. He got the recent re-issue of Midnight Oil’s Diesel & Dust on CD – with the bonus Blackfella/Whitefella documentary DVD. Nice – ill have to buy this one day as well. Classic album. Paul also picked up a Shakin Stevens CD with bonus DVD. He was all embarrassed until I said to him “dude, I own a Bros record – on picture disc” That shut him up and also ruined any credibility I had with the guy behind the counter.

I also bought two 7” singles. They had a long box on the counter with a heap of these gems. I love this format. It was what first got me in to buying records. I used to get $5 a week pocket money. 7” records were between $3 and $5 back then so I could get one every other week and still have cash for whatever other disposable crap I needed. So I grabbed Dee Lite’s Groove Is In The Heart and Young MC’s Bust A Move. Two great songs from 1990. Two funky tunes. Two of Yvee’s favourite songs. It felt good to buy my girl a present. Haven’t done that in too long a time. I miss doing that more than I miss shopping at Independent Record Stores....

We left and went down to Lawson’s around for a while. This place is now mostly a dumping ground for record company staffers who offload their promo freebies for spare cash. Half the stock has a PROMO ONLY: NOT FOR SALE on it. They can’t be assed removing the sticker! This store sections everything under the artists first name – not last name. So Bon Jovi is under B – fair enough. But Bruce Springsteen is also under B. Don’t know why I’m telling you this. I just find it funny. Ha. I didn’t buy anything here. Nothing jumped out at me and said: Buy Me. So i didn’t

Most of the record stores on Pitt St have been turned into Korean grocery stores or hardware stores or porno shops. Sad. I guess if you are Korean and into porn featuring tools this is your version of what it was to a 16 year old kid back in the early 90’s.

We then went to Martin’s Records on the corner of Pitt and Goulburn streets. This place has been her for as far back as I can remember. The range is limited and the prices are ok. Not really a great shopping experience in my opinion, but some gems can be found if you can be assed scrambling through the old Seekers and Sherbert vinyl. In the front window they had a brand spanking new copy of Nikki Sixx’s The Heroin Diaries for $20. Total bargain. Ive been wanting to read this book for a while now. Its normally about $50.

So that was it for us on the inaugural Record Stay Day. I’m looking forward to next year’s event already. Not sure what country I’ll be in. But you can be sure that wherever I may be roaming, I’ll be in a cool record store on Record Store Day, hoping to get that connection with the store, staff and product that I used to get back in the day.

Thanks to the creators of Record Store Day for the inspiration.

ab

Springsteen / Morello - Tom Joad live video (proshot)

Someone captured it from bs.net and uploaded on YouTube.

Nice

Tom's good and all, but i so kick his ass at Guitar Hero...

April 7, 2008
Anaheim, California
Honda Center

Sheryl Crow tour*

*US only - sorry Shannon.

This is cool. July and August are going to RAWK!

July 12 we land in LA
July 13 we fly to NYC
July 14 - Bon Jovi @ Madison Square Garden in NYC
July 15 - Bon Jovi @ Madison Square Garden in NYC
July 16 - Billy Joel @ Shea Stadium in NYC
July 17 - not sure
July 18 - Billy Joel @ Shea Stadium (hopefully - we need tickets)
July 19 - July 22 not sure. Most likely driving to Chicago via Cleveland (Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame)
July 22 - John Mellencamp @ Charter One Pavillion in Chicago
July 23 - July 26 probably driving to DC and then up to Connecticut
July 26 - Sheryl Crow @ Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, CT
July 27 - Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band @ Giants Stadium in New Jersey (hopefully - we need tickets)
July 28 - Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band @ Giants Stadium in New Jersey
July 29 - Foo Fighters @ Izod Arena (nee The Meadowlands!!!!) in New Jersey
July 30 - Not sure
July 31 - Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band @ Giants Stadium in New Jersey
August 1 - Get to Boston somehow for the final show of the tour (for us)
August 2 - Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band @ Gilette Stadium in Foxborough
August 3 - back to New York, then back to LA to fly home on August 5th

Then ill sleep for a week.

Its reminiscent of my tour of hotels, airports, record stores and arenas in New York back in October 2005;

October 2th - fly to NYC
October 3th - hang in NYC with Rene
October 4th - Bruce Springsteen @ The Paramount Theatre in Asbury Park, New Jersey
October 5th - hang in NYC (went to the One Man Star Wars show off Broadway)
October 6th - Bruce Springsteen @ Blue Cross Arena in Rochester, New York
October 7th - Bruce Springsteen @ Civic Center in Hartford, Connecticut
October 8th - U2 @ Madison Square Garden in NYC
October 9th - Bruce Springsteen @ Nassau Coliseum in Long Island, New York
October 10th - U2 @ Madison Square Garden in NYC
October 11th - U2 @ Madison Square Garden in NYC (and hanging with Hef, Holly, Bridget & Kendra)
October 12th - October 13th Shopping in NYC
October 14th - fly home to my girl

Ive always loved her music. The Globe Sessions being her best album if you ask me. Its so raw and has this groove to it that has me continuing to go back month after month to listen to it. My Favourite Mistake, If It Makes You Happy, Anything But Down and There Goes The Neighborhood are the best tracks, Yvee loved Riverwide - the live version off the Rockin The Globe DVD. She put that track on her The Audio Project CD compilation back in 2002.




Sheryl Crow
Riverwide
Rockin' The Globe (DVD)


Yeah so anyway - heres the Sheryl Crow tour details - not too sure if im interested in seeing James Blunt though.

LINK

Sheryl Crow is about to hit the road with James Blunt.

Crow has also announced that along with James Blunt, she will be taking reggae legends Toots & The Maytals along for the ride on some of the shows.

Crow will be touring her new album 'Detours'.

The tour kicks off on July 24 in Nashville.

Dates are:

July 24 - Nashville, TN - Sommet Center **
July 26 - Uncasville, CT - Mohegan Sun Casino
July 28 - Wantagh, NY - Jones Beach Amphitheatre
July 29 - Holmdel, NJ - PNC Bank Center
July 30 - Mansfield, MA - Tweeter Center
July 31 - Sarasota Springs, NY - SPAC
Aug 2 - Philadelphia, PA - Mann Center for the Performing Arts
Aug 3 - Canandiagua, NY - Constellation Performing Arts Center **
Aug 5 - Detroit, MI - DTE Energy Music Theatre
Aug 6 - Green Bay, WI - Resch Center
Aug 8 - Milwaukee, WI - Bradley Center
Aug 9 - Minneapolis, MN - Northrop Auditorium
Aug 10 - Highland Park, IL - Ravinia Pavilion **
Aug 14 - Houston, TX - The Woodlands
Aug 15 - Dallas, TX - Superpages.com Amphitheatre
Aug 16 - Oklahoma City, OK - Zoo Amphitheatre
Aug 18 - Albuquerque, NM - Sandia Casino Amphitheater **
Aug 19 - Tucson, AZ - Anselmo Valencia Amphitheater
Aug 21 - San Diego, CA - Concerts on the Green - Qualcomm
Aug 22 - Las Vegas, NV - Theatre for the Performing Arts (Planet
Hollywood)
Aug 23 - Lake Tahoe, NV - Harvey's Outdoor Amphitheater
Aug 25 - Salt Lake City, UT - USANA Amphitheater
Aug 27 - Concord, CA - Sleep Train Pavilion
Aug 29 - Portland, OR - Edgefield Amphitheater **
Aug 30 - Seattle, WA - White River Amphitheater

The Angels reunite!

This is great news.

These guys were one of the best live bands in Australia in the 80's. Totally rockin tunes, an eccentric frontman, driving rhythm section, screeching guitars. Its a formula that works and still sounds good today.

I wasnt around for those days of Eighties pub rock, but I certainly knew their music and reputation. I recall seeing some of their video clips on Mtv in 1987 - especially some of the bands older stuff.

And every kid I knew sang the unwritten line of THAT song;

Am I ever gonna see your face again
(No way, get fucked, fuck off!)







The above clip is a promo one from 1976?? Cant find a live one with the infamous audience participation line mentioned above, but heres a live video featuring a version of The Angels performing it live.

The band broke up in the early 90's. Singer Doc Neeson had a car accident if I recall correctly. He then got into a bit of drink and the band pretty much disintegrated. In the late Nineties / early Noughties two version of the band emerged from the remains of the original band. The Angels Band and also Doc Neeson's Angels. There was a few lawsuits over the name, but that crap seems to have ended now that the band have reunited.

Im really looking forward to seeing the show at Souths Juniors in july. Itll kick off a great month of gigs for me - in the US im seeing Bon Jovi, Billy Joel, Poison (maybe), Sebastian Bach (maybe), John Mellencamp, Sheryl Crow, Bruce Springsteen and Foo Fighters all in the space of three weeks.

Woofuckinghoo!

LINK

Hell Freezes Over Again, The Angels Reunite

by Paul Cashmere - April 17 2008

After more than a decade, one of the bitterest separations in Australian rock ever has been resolved. Doc Neeson will return to The Angels.

The classic line-up of Neeson on lead vocals with John Brewster (Rhythm Guitar, b/v), Rick Brewster (Lead guitar), Chris Bailey (Bass,) and Graham 'Buzz' Bidstrup (Drums) will headline the 30th Anniversary Golden Stave Foundation Charity Luncheon at the Hordern in Sydney on June 27th.

The Angels will then head out around the country for the Face to Face Anniversary tour.

To coincide with the reunion and tour, Albert Productions will re-issue a remastered edition of the classic 'Face To Face' album, which is also having a 30th Anniversary this year.

'Face To Face' featured The Angels classics 'Take A Long Line', 'Shadow Boxer', 'Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again', 'Coming Down', 'After The Rain' and 'Marseilles'.

In recent years, the band has been in a constant state of legal battles with lead singer Neeson who was suing them over the use of the name.

FACE TO FACE ANNIVERSARY TOUR

JUNE
27th - Golden Stave Charity Luncheon, Hordern Pavilion

JULY
3rd- Souths Junior Leagues Club- Syd NSW
4th- Blacktown RSL- Syd NSW
5th- Revesby Workers Club- Syd NSW
9th- Hallam Hotel- Hallam VIC
10th- Ferntree Gully Hotel- Melb VIC
11th- Doncaster Shopping Town Hotel- Melb VIC
13th- Chelsea Hotel- Melb VIC
18th- Governor Hindmarsh- Ade SA
19th- Governor Hindmarsh- Ade SA
24th- Caloundra RSL- Sunshine Coast QLD
25th- Southport RSL- Gold Coast QLD
26th- North Leagues and Services Club- Bris QLD
31st- Wyong Leagues Club- Central Coast NSW

AUGUST
1st- Waves- Wollongong NSW
2nd- Panthers- Newcastle NSW

Bon Jovi - Madison Square Garden (got the tickets!)

(Madison Square Garden - view of the stage from Section 101)


Got Sec 101 for both nights. Not the best tickets in the house. But the best that the machine threw up at me in the Amex presale. Row D for night 1. Row C for night 2. USD$300 for two tickets.

We went for the $130 tickets. Ive lined Jon Bon's pockets since 1987, so he can shove the $300 or the $1200 "fan experience" tickets. Man of the people my ass. Bruce had most tickets to the Garden at $100 last October. And Jon should have done the same. Its not like they need the money. 100,000,000 of us bought the albums. So Jon's got enough cash.

Dont get me wrong - im stoked to get the tickets. Its Bon Fucking Jovi. Its New York Fucking City. Its Madison Square Fucking Garden. My favourite band. My favourite city. My favourite venue.

Ill do a dream setlist over the next month or so. Itll never get played. But its nice to dream

"Ive got something to believe in"

Cold Chisel - Flame Trees

Monday December 3rd 2007 was one of the hardest days of my life. Things happened on the 1st Dec. that have fucked me up forever. But on the 3rd - reality started to kick in. And since then it has slowly but surely started to take over. Reality bites.

So on the afternoon of December 3rd I had to drive - on my own - 85kms to Wollongong. Normal enough trip. Ive done it hundreds of times in my life. But this was the first without my girl next to me. We would go there for BBQ's. We would go there for dinners. We would go there to hang at Johann's palatial mansion. We would go there for Schnitzel at the club. We would go there to see some version of Sean's performing self. We would go there for weddings. We would go there for shopping. We would go there for nothing. We would go there to hang with Danny.

We would go there to hang at Headquarters in Cabbage Tree Lane. It was there that I fell for my girl back in November 1999. Big couches. Big tables. Small dogs. The magic month.

And now I was going back there to arrange her funeral.

I stupidly ignored Sean and Fiona's advice to not drive there on my own. Stupid. After the hassles of traffic through Blacktown I eventually got on the road past the nuclear reactor. I waved to Mr. Burns as I always do. The road clears of traffic along that stretch and at that time of the day it was clear driving. Not many cars around. I can remember Springsteen's Sad Eyes playing and I started crying. Probably the hardest I had since Saturday. And for the next 45 minutes I didn't stop. I couldnt see the road for most of the trip. I probably dehydrated myself. Every fucking song on that mix CD made me cry. Even Hole's Malibu. Why??? I just don't know. I don't know anything anymore.

What I do know is that it felt good to get it out of me. Whatever it was. I cant name it.





















So im driving down the mountain. That same gorgeous view ive seen for the last 30 years of my life. And even the view made me cry.

And then this song came on the mix CD. And it hit me hard. Ive had "that" feeling from a song before. Some of you crazies might know "that" feeling. It occurs when the music take over you. You feel the music. You become the music. It owns you. It hits you. An example might be the opening minute of Stevie Ray playing Voodoo Chile or seeing I Will Follow for the first time live or seeing the Girls On Film video as a 11 year old (or a 31 year old) or the solo in Time (3min 30sec).

"To some, music is a distraction in their life. To others, music is the soundtrack to life's distraction's" - Adam Baker

"Without music, life is but which a few dates that bills must be paid" - Frank Zappa

Ive always liked Cold Chisel. Great Australian band. No bad songs. All good songs. Brilliant musicians. And ive always liked this song - its a standout