WTF?

People really do suck sometimes. We hear about this quite a bit here in the U.S. but in Italy? This is a press release from a band representative:

As you may have heard by now, A Place To Bury Strangers were midway through a three week long, 18 show tour across Europe, when on Friday, 12/3, their van stolen in Rome, Italy outside the Blackout club in the venue’s parking lot.

The band’s gear was safe in the venue, but 1000 Euros in merch money, all of their suitcases and clothes, a lot of merch (t shirts, etc.) Dion’s New Zealand Passport, the band’s Macbook Pro laptop and numerous personal items and various other gear were in the van at the time of the theft.

Saturday’s show in Pordenone, Italy and Monday’s show in Bilbao, Spain have been canceled.

We’ve rented a new van in Rome and the tour should resume normally in Nantes on Tuesday.  Sorry to the people of Pordenone and Bilbao for the cancelled shows.  We’d only had to cancel a show one before in three and a half years of round the clock touring, so hopefully this will never happen again.

We’ve set up a paypal link for donations.  The items stolen from the van were worth over 15K and that doesn’t include the excess van rental charges, plane fare, Passport fees, cancelled shows, etc.

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=AU3QZ2RECTE3E

People really do suck sometimes…

1 comment

Just as the excitement was starting to swell with me in regards to Fun Fun Fun Fest 2010, and mostly because of this band, Devo cancels their tour including their Fun Fun Fun Fest appearance. Due to an injury suffered by guitarist Bob Mothersbaugh, the band is forced to stop the show. Severing a tendon in your thumb is a pretty good reason for a guitar player to not be able to go on with the show. Speedy recovery Bob.

Aside from losing one of their big headliners, the fest also recently lost the Dum Dum Girls due to a family emergency. A member of Crocodiles is married to the frontwoman of the band Dee Dee who is the member having to deal with the emergency, so they have canceled the rest of their tour as well.

Sounds like ACL a few years ago…how will the funster festers bounce back?

Well, that’s a big WTF?? Sorry to hear, but not even a year into their relocation to our fine city, WOXY.com has suspended live broadcasts. What does that leave us with? A big hole in my soul.

This was posted on the WOXY.com site…

WOXY Listeners, Fans and Friends…

Due to current economic realities and the lack of ongoing funding for WOXY’s operations, we’ve been forced to suspend our live broadcasts as of March 23rd. We’re continuing to explore options to keep The Future of Rock and Roll alive. For business inquiries, please contact Bryan Jay (bryan@woxy.com) or John at Future Sounds (john@futuresounds.com).

Thanks for your years of dedicated support.

So, what the hell is going on with Radiohead? It seems as if the band is out to baffle and amaze fans once again with their unique way of getting their music out. If memory serves me correct, there was news that they were recording awhile back? Obviously they are doing something, because two new tracks have surfaced in the matter of a few days.

First the track “Harry Patch (In Memory Of)”, which is a tribute to the last surviving veteran of WWI who passed at the age of 111. You can listen here, and download for a small price here.

Next, shortly after the track surfaces, reports that Radiohead are not planning on releasing a full length anytime soon, if ever again. As a band that is, as several side projects are in the works. In an interview with Believer Magazine Thom Yorke states:

“None of us want to go into that creative hoo-ha of a long-play record again. Not straight off,” Yorke said. “I mean, it’s just become a real drag. It worked with In Rainbows because we had a real fixed idea about where we were going. But we’ve all said that we can’t possibly dive into that again. It’ll kill us.”

He clarified that Radiohead doesn’t inherently hate the concept of the full-length. He said, “I mean, obviously, there’s still something great about the album. It’s just, for us, right now, we need to get away from it a bit.” Later, he added, “In Rainbows was a particular aesthetic and I can’t bear the idea of doing that again. Not that it’s not good, I just can’t… bear… that.”

Much to the chagrin of many a Radiohead fan I’m sure.

Then this new song surfaces yesterday 8/12 seemingly out of nowhere? What’s going on here? No confirmation that this is really Radiohead, but a convincing imitation if that’s what it is. The titled “These Are My Twisted Word” was pulled from the MP3 file along with this cryptic message:

iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
iiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiii
iiiiiii radiohead – these are my twisted words iiiiiii
iiiiiii iiiiiii
iiii artist…….radiohead iiii
iiii title……..these are my twisted words iiii
iiii label……..?????????? iiii
iiii cat.nr…….????????? iiii
iiii style……..’dificult’ iiii
iiii nr of tracks.1 iiii
iiii total length..5.32 iiii
iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
iiii audio source.CD Advance iiii
iiii encoder……LAME 3.93 iiii
iiii quality……320kbps/44.1kHz/Joint Stereo iiii
iiii size………12,70 MB iiii
iiii ripper…….sca[GG]er iiii
iiii rls.date…..2009-08-17 iiii
iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
iiii i just wanted to reassure readers iiii
iiii that following representations iiii
iiii seeking confirmation iiii
iiii that before your very eyes iiii
iiii behind the wall of ice iiii
iiii that the box is not under threat iiii
iiii however they are set to remove iiii
iiii other boxes iiii
iiii in fact i have the list in front of me iiii
iiii i went to a briefing on their plans iiii
iiii and challenged them to tell me iiii
iiiii exactly what the cost would be iiiiiii
iiiiii iiiiiiii
iiiiiii they spoke in broad terms iiiiiiiiii
iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
iiiiiiiiiii we’re looking for: talented puppeteers iiiiiiiiiii
iiiiiiiiii worms, disgruntled executives, sacked flies iiiiiiiiii
iiiiiiii genres: doomcore, folktronica, ukf iiiiiiii
iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

Listen for yourself

MP3> Radiohead ? ‘These Are My Twisted Words’

Update: Billboard.com article on 8/14 titled “Radiohead EP Release May Be Imminent” Doesn’t really provide any concrete proof though. Pure speculation.

1 comment

I’m sure that it was a good show, even a great show, but unfortunately I didn’t get to find out. I would’ve love to have checked out the show that I previewed a few days ago, a show that undoubtedly was the hot ticket of the summer, possibly even the year. But, it wasn’t to be. Sure, I would’ve bought tickets, and had done so if I wasn’t with the understanding that I was being granted access to the show per a certain PR company months before the actual event. Turns out the day before the show, I am informed by the PR company that I had been cut from the list. Fingers are pointed of course, and I’m not exactly sure who I am to hold responsible for this move, but something took course that changed my plans for the evening. Something that I would like to hear a more concrete answer about, because I’m slightly pissed.

I should probably take this time to explain a few things.

First off, I understand that I’m very fortunate to be granted access to many an event such as this. I’m grateful. It was never expected, and I’m always appreciative of the fact that bands/managers/PR companies are so willing to extend the graces that they do. Of course it doesn’t come completely free. In return, I preview shows, write about tours, cover shows with commentary and photography. Crappy job huh? Actually, it’s a pretty good gig. The endless emails can be tiring at times, especially when the folks emailing me, haven’t spent the time to get to know what I really do, who I might be interested in, or actually respond when I do email back, but there are the few that actually do what they do, well.

Secondly, my life doesn’t revolve around the blog. The blog doesn’t pay my bills. I love writing about music, and if I could make a living at it, I would be tickled pink. But, the reality is, that most of us in the blog scene here in Austin, do it because we love music. We have jobs that pay the bills. Jobs that maybe we have to work around the shows that we would love to attend, promote, cover, etc. Some of us are teachers, some of us are freelance writers, some of are 9 to 5′ers, some of us work in different areas of the service industry, etc, etc. I’m sure that I’m not alone in saying that, if at all possible, many of us would jump at the opportunity to write about and support music as a living, but we are all very aware of the condition of the industry these days. Blogging is a side job, a passion, something that has to be secondary to making a living. Not always the case, but for most I know in this town, it is.

You might wonder where I’m going with this? Really nowhere. I could rant and rave, call out people, complain about the situation even more, while trying to make myself feel better, but why? I write mostly because of how I feel about something. Usually music. And that has provided me with many a luxury that I previously wasn’t privy to, and I’m thankful for that. But then again, this is a blog, my blog, and If I feel like venting about something that pisses me off, then I’ll do so, as it usually makes me feel better. If I upset someone, or create a dialog, then all the better. I don’t claim to always be right, but I do have the right to my opinion, like it or not. And my opinion is… somebody f***** me on this deal! I could’ve been at the beach. See..I already feel better. Much better actually. Maybe it just wasn’t meant to be…

Hope you enjoyed the show.

So, this is for you..the fans:

Stream the live performances from the Parish (decent quality)

MP3> Grizzly Bear @ The Parish 6.16

MP3> Here We Go Magic @ The Parish 6.16

Pretty much bores the shit out of me. Have fun at the show. Should be pretty.

By now, I’m sure that most of you have seen the reports of the shooting that took place early this morning outside of the downtown club Spiro’s, injuring 6 people. Spiro’s happens to be next to one of our frequented haunts Emo’s. As we happened to leave the area just a few hours before, two bands that we had just watched perform @ Emo’s, got caught up in the scene. Austin’s Boxing Lesson and the LA band Gliss were loading gear into their vehicles when the shooting took place, luckily escaping any physical harm. A few accounts of the situation from the bands:

The Boxing Lesson’s Paul Waclawsky posted on Facebook:

“So happy to be alive. Loading out of Emo’s and a fight erupts in front of Spiro’s and people start getting shot. Ryan and I jumped in the back of the truck to safety. The Boxing Lesson truck filled with gear is part of the crime scene in the middle of Red River and they aren’t letting us leave. WTF”

“there is blood on the grill of our truck. so, do i have to clean it up or do the cops???”

And this was posted on the Gliss iLike site

Well…maybe not Gish or Siamese Dream although I’m seriously considering doing so. This is painful to watch. The fall of what was a relatively talented guy.

Haven’t had a What the F*** entry in awhile. Congrats Mr Corgan!

This might come as a surprise to many, and considering that I don’t regularly agree with or much respect his opinions these days in regards to music, Michael Corcoran made a point that I find interesting. But, I believe that it goes much deeper than what he expressed in this short quip  on Austin360.com. The gist of his point was that the situation with Freddie’s Place having to discontinue the live music on their outside stage because they couldn’t abide by the new regulation set for outside amplified sound tied into a restaurant establishment by code, was just. Well, maybe not completely just. but it got me thinking. I know, I’m just as surprised as you might be.

Now, before you get all worked up over this, let me explain my thought process.

I, for those who know me well, am one of  the biggest proponents of live music in this city. That is why I moved to this wonderful city, and that will probably be the solidifying component to keep me here the rest of my years. I understand the importance of the city’s claim of “The Live Music Capitol” and support it 100%, but with that statement, I believe that we have entitled ourselves to bestow an unnecessary burden upon ourselves.

This isn’t going to be easy, but let’s start with this: Music is art. I think we all agree on that, although comparing art genres will show that creating music is a bit different. The reality is, that music is possibly the most recognized form of art on every scale. It translates in every language and is probably the most heavily produced form of art in our modern world. Austin, supports the art of music wholeheartedly, and it’s a great environment to exist in as a fan. But, does the city and our mindset, enable the existence of an environment that works against the artist?

I see my fair share of live music, and can say that if I’m going out to eat, I don’t want to watch a band. For one, if a band is playing while I’m eating, they aren’t getting my full attention. Two, if you are a band playing for a dinner crowd and are expecting to gain fans, you might want to rethink your agenda. Maybe you just want to get fed? And that’s understandable, we all need to eat. My opinion mind you.

I appreciate the fact that some bands are cool with just getting up and playing with some friends for a few drinks or maybe a free meal, but they don’t necessarily represent the majority. We have a community of individuals who believe that this town holds the key to their success, their future, their survival in the near years, and we struggle to provide any hope for many. Sure, we have successful bands, but the success rate comparatively is surely not as favorable as to other cities. Although we have discussions going on within the government that provides the infrastructure, I’m not seeing any solid solutions that make much sense at this point.  I’m not saying that it won’t happen, but I think that we might be avoiding the reality of the monster that we have allowed to be created.

If we, as a city, convey the idea that we can support any “Joe” with providing a venue for that “Joe” to perform, and not take into consideration that “Joe” can’t live on what this city has to offer, we have done a disservice to the artist.  Having live music on every patio, outside stage, or deck available doesn’t make us the “Live Music Capitol” of the world. It just feeds our ego. Providing the appropriate venues, and support for the music scene and venues that honestly support the future of the scene, proves more significant.

I support any artist pursuing their passion, but there is a responsibility that we owe to the artist as consumers. They deserve an honest chance, and an honest response. Are we providing that to them as a city? That’s the question that I’m asking.

Update: An interesting post on Austin Sound “Did City Council Surreptitiously Screw Live Music In Austin?”

This might come across a bit offensive, maybe even harsh, but to be quite honest, I’m pretty offended by what I received in my email today. By no means am I trying to discredit a band for what they do, but there are ways to get across your message, your music, your art, and some of the avenues that are used in this process are guided by people who are only doing so because you gave them a check. You paid them money and by doing so, you might believe that they are operating for you and your best interest. Not true. PR companies are a necessity, yes, and PR companies are effective at times, but they won’t generate more fans for your band or make you a better band. That’s your job. In the interest of keeping this post from spiralling into a lengthy discussion of the role that PR companies should and can play in today’s music enviroment I direct you to a couple of good articles: The Golden Rule of Blog PR: 12 Music Bloggers Set It Straight & The Ugly Man Behind The Curtain in Music Publicity

Curious as to where I’m going with this and what set me off this morning?

“The blissfully slacked-out La Snacks would have found good company in the mid-’90s sandwiched on a Pavement/Archers of Loaf bill, but even Pavement rarely wrote songs as simultaneously snarky and reverent…” – The Onion

This is the quote that was included in the title and the body of the email that I received today. The Pavement reference caught my attention because I believe that they were one of the most relevant and influential bands of their time. I’m a fan, and I’ve been a fan for years. They are one of those bands that were manufacturing music so special during their time, that I held them at the highest level of respect for years. They were doing something that almost no other band in the 90′s were doing, and they did it well. They were quirky, musically and lyrically, and they put together a sound that encompassed that vibe within simple elements of rock. Sure the live show was a complete disaster at times, but when they were on, they were untouchable. Pavement were one of the greatest indie-rock bands of the 90′s. Period.

Now the other problem I have with this is the fact that the writer from the Onion is brave enough to compare La Snacks to Pavement or even make reference to them sharing company. For one, I’m pretty sure that the guys in La Snacks weren’t but wee ones when Pavement were at their prime, and I would venture to bet that the writer responsible for this quote probably was still staring puberty in it’s ugly eye as well. I could be wrong, and will stand to be corrected if anyone cares to do so. Maybe it’s me, but I find it offensive that a “journalist” would even dare to make such a comparison. Not just with the Pavement/Archers of Loaf reference, but with any previously successful band. I understand the pains of trying to obtain a sense of understanding the content of what you might be engaging and translating it, but this is pure laziness and carelessness. And the fact that the PR company decided to use it as a selling point, tells me that the PR company has little or no interest in the band at all. They are getting paid and that’s all that matters.

When the people that are selling the music to us in whatever form, press, publicity, and what not, don’t care about the artist and their vision, that’s when we fail the artist. I say WE, because I’m a part of this process. I write to sell a product, I book to sell a product, I email to sell a product, I talk to sell a product, and I believe in that product 100% and understand how much that product deserves a little attention. You may not completely agree with what I’m trying to sell you, but it’s an honest sell, and if you are smart enough, you’ll understand it’s value.

Now you be the judge:

MP3> Pavement ‘Zurich Is Stained’ Slanted and Enchanted

MP3> Pavement ‘Elevate Me Later’ Crooked Crooked Rain

MP3> Pavement ‘Rattled By The Rush’ Wowee Zowee

MP3> Pavement ‘Black Out’ Wowee Zowee

And now…

MP3> La Snacks ‘Kristin Was A Meteorologist’

MP3> La Snacks ‘The Circle Argument’

La Snacks Newfangled is out now on Foolish Boy Records. Irony.

Toronto’s Fucked Up, brought their unique style of punk rock to Emo’s on Friday night, and photographer Valerie Fremin caught these images of frontman fingering.

Nice. It’s as if we are watching an intimate moment between fan and Pink Eye. Quite voyeristic.

Check back soon for more pics and thoughts on the band’s show @ Emo’s on Saturday night.

Okay, I’m not ashamed to admit how much I really love Death Cab for Cutie. I really love their music and own all of their albums.

However, this did not stop me from giggling when I read via the DCFC blog that vocalist Ben Gibbard got stung by a scorpion not once, but twice.

As the story goes, Gibbard had changed into his outfit before their show in San Diego yesterday and felt what he said like a wasp sting in his thigh. Much to the band’s surprise, a small scorpion came scurrying out when he pulled off his pants. Awful? Yes. Kind of really funny? Yes.

Gibbard was checked out and was fine. He played the show that night, like a trooper. He even went on to claim that he now had scorpion powers in his veins. Bassist Nick Harmer, who wrote the blog post, also added:

“I’m still not convinced that he is 100% fine because nobody eliminated the possibility that it was a radioactive scorpion and that Ben will now develop super powers, so I’m keeping a close eye on him just in case.”

Clearly, the only way to recover from a random scorpion attack is to gain some kind of superpower in the process. Sadly, I think Ben Gibbard would make a sub-par superhero. Stick to the songwriting.

I’ve classified this as a WTF moment because, well, how do you not notice a scorpion in your pants? Honestly. You don’t see this happening to Neil Young, do you?

Bless your heart, Ben Gibbard. You’re lucky I love your music so much.

MP3> Death Cab for Cutie ‘You Can Do Better Than Me’

For those in attendance at The Mohawk last night, you still might be reeling from what when on in the venue last night. It was slight mayhem, to say the least.

On the bill last night was local band The Laughing,  Norman, Oklahoma’s El Paso Hot Button, and Tel Aviv’s Monotonix.  An interesting mix for sure.

El Paso Hot Button

I’m not generally one for minimalist bands, consisting of 2 members or less, but the one man band called El Paso Hot Button had left enough of an impression on me the first time I caught his act months ago, that it warranted a second experience. Second time around was a pleaser as well, and I know consider myself a fan of El Paso Hot Button. Lone member Mickey Reece manages the electric guitar and a foot controlled drum kit along with a fog machine, strobe light, and a few other additional lights that make for one hell of a production from one little guy. Missed the El Paso Hot Button? You can find Mickey bringing his one man rock show to this year’s Fun Fun Fun Fest.

El Paso Hot Button Myspace

MP3> El Paso Hot Button ‘James Ames Dame’

MP3> El Paso Hot Button ‘Zombi’

Monotonix took the stage next, and eventually took the stage everywhere. The 3 piece rock/art-rock band from Tel Aviv, Isreal, puts on an event, a show, an experience. Starting with the first note, the band exploded into a fury of activity that included fire, crowd surfing, trash can dumping, beer flinging, and a mulititude of activities that worked the crowd into a beer soaked frenzy. Not much more in words can describe the experience, and those who were there will not forget what took place last night, for years to come. The music? It was rock, a little bit loud, some screaming, nothing to go home and put on the player. How can you be too serious about the music when the band moves around the venue relocating 4 or 5 times, with the drummer without his kick drum because the crowd is carrying it around or singer Ami Shalev is trying to ride it on top of the crowd? The band eventually spilled out into the street as things became slightly unraveled, and then as crazy as it had begun it was done. Wild!

Check out pics from the Monotonix set @ The Austinist.

Some shotty video, but you get the idea.

I’m going to try to curb my feelings on this subject as much as I can, but seriously…what the F***? If you are that interested in the debate or football game, then stay the f*** home! It’s not that I don’t care about either, but I’m at a music festival for the music, the music that takes me away from and separates me from the population that invests too much time and energy into politics and sports. I could spend an unnecessary amount of time and keystrokes on this subject, but choose not to do so. It pains me nonetheless.

I’m not going to reveal the details.

So, I was pretty surprised (and okay, amused) when I read about an attack that happened at an Oasis show this past Sunday in Toronto.

Mostly because it was the ever-obnoxious Gallagher brothers that were being attacked. Shocking, I know.

Noel Gallagher was suddenly pushed from behind by a man now identified as 47 year-old Daniel Sullivan during their performance of “Morning Glory”, which actually resulted in some serious injuries due to a collision with his speakers.

A statement posted on Oasis’ official Web site says that Noel suffered bruising to his ribs and hip and has been advised to rest. Due to this, the band has also cancelled their show for tonight (Sept. 9^th) and have rescheduled for sometime in December.

Sullivan has been charged with assault and has already been released from custody.

Honestly, I can’t help but wonder just exactly how much liquid courage (re: booze) it takes to get the nerve to try and take out the Gallagher brothers. Regardless, in what is a case of both hilarious irony and karma, this definitely counts as a WTF moment.

-Daniela Garcia