Misc. Music Archives

The Archers of Loaf performing "Form and File" and "Scenic Pastures" on Australian TV. Fuck The Police, this is the reunion I want.

I'm probably showing my age here, but does anyone else remember the Jon Stewart show on MTV? Wikipedia says it ran from 1992-1995. Anyways, they used to have great musical guests on this show. Here's one of my all time favorite groups, Buffalo Tom, performing "Summer":

No, I didn't go see the Chili Peppers at the Verizon Center last night, but with them in town, at least I have an excuse to run a photo or two from my pictures from the Virgin Fest.

Also - slightly related, but not really - I have a ton of promo CD's taking up valuable frolicking space for Mr. Pink in my apartment. So I'm going to give them to some of you all. All you have to do is email me here and give me your Superbowl pick. Horsies or Bears. That's it. I'll fill as many jiffy's as I can with a few CD's each and send them out sometime next week. Make sure you leave me your address.

I saw Bono walking down 16th street on my way into work today. He was scruffy looking and shorter than you'd think. Not that I'm one to talk. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera with me and I couldn't think of anything smart-alecky to say to him.

Other awesomeness:
Keane covering The Cult!

Buddyhead has Noel Gallagher's Melbourne Australia gig for your downloading pleasure. I have a big Oasis post that I've been working on for a week or two and I just can't seem to finish. Hopefully I'll have it for you guys next week.

Re: The reunion of the James gang. If someone put a gun to my head (please don't) and said to me "All right you effing Gemini, Mr. I-have-to-have-two-of-everything, no good, talentless blogger. I want you to tell me your favorite song of all time. Not two, just one," well, we'd probably be there for a while while I weighed my options. But this song might very well be the pick:

[MP3] James | Sometimes (Lester Piggot)

I also found some live goodies on my hard drive:
[MP3] James | Runaground (live)
[MP3] James | Laid (live)

Let me be the 48th person to welcome both the Gorilla and Peabs back to the interwebs. Both were sorely missed. Flazzum!

They nuked Valencia! I finally get to watch 24, Heroes and Veronica Mars tonight. So my embargo on these shows lasts one more day. Shhhhhhh.

Does anyone else read Lefsetz Letter as obsessively as me? Good stuff. To wit:

Oh, I liked Robbers On High Street. And the Modest Mouse track wasn’t bad… But listening to the Shins you’ll wonder what all the hype is about. Hell, CD sales aren’t only off because of iPods, this stuff just doesn’t grab you, not unless you’re hooked to begin with.

and...

CDs can no longer sell even 70,000 copies a week. Let me put that in perspective… In a country of 300 million, that’s less than .03%!! Even MTV, with its historically low ratings, would have to shut down if that few people were watching. Sure, somebody is interested, but not MANY!

Oh, and the Suns? They laid the smack down last night. Like woah. It was unreal, but a joy to behold. Steve Nash is The Maestro.

James are reforming! With Booth, Gott, Glennie, Davies, Hunter and Baynton-Power, the line-up that recorded Laid! They are one of my favorite bands ever. Unfortunately the only time I was able to see them was on their ill-fated Lollapalooza jaunt, where they were just before KoRn on the bill. Yep, they went over like gangbusters. Not only that, they played a craptastic set full of songs from their album Whiplash. I've never seen them play a full on set of hits. Which reminds me, I need to get a copy of Getting Away With It... Live.
PS - Come to the USA!

**UPDATE** - Here are some downloadable James songs for you.

Other reasons why I'm happy today:

- Suns v. Wizards at the Phone Booth tonight! Nash v. Agent Zero. Butler v. Marion.

- New Veronica Mars on tonight! Which, like 24 and Heroes last night, I will have to DVR and watch later. So breathe not a peep here!

- Lastly, new Travis! I have no idea why I like this band so much, but I do. So there. I really like this tune. Anyone got the MP3?
[via Stereogum]

Saw Camera Obscura last night. Not the most energetic live performers if you know what I mean. But they were great, if a bit mellow. They played "Lets Get Out Of The Country," "Lloyd, I'm Ready To Be Heartbroken," and "Looks Could Kill" in succession about 3/4 of the way throught he set, so that was the high point (and pretty great). They closed with a wonderful "Razzle Dazzle Rose" and Ms. Smith and I both thought it was a great show to start the year out with. I took some photos but didn't have the time to upload them. Tomorrow hopefully.

For the DC pre-sale, click here. The password is LILYMTV.

Pre-sales for other cities (same password):
NYC

San Fran

Chicago/Philadelphia/Los Angeles/Boston

Ian and the boys in Middle Distance Runner ran in to some troubles in New York yesterday when their gear was stolen out of their van. Somebody broke the window on their van and helped themselves to the following:

-Fender Jazzmaster 1962 re-issue (sunburst w/ tortoise pick guard)
-Fender American Telecaster (sunburst w/ white pick guard)
-Fender 5-string Jazz Bass, HM model (white w/ paint chipping off near pickups)
-Drum hardware ... cymbals, stands, tambourine, cowbell, shaker, etc...

If you happen to see any of this stuff in a local pawnshop, holler at the band.

Sucks for any recently signed bands to that label. Hope they got a big front end. I doubt it.

I guess this is where I say karma's a bitch.

Last night I read this and then I got so excited that I went here and bought this and have listened to it three times so far today. I figure I can get another three in before the day is out. It's. that. good. I only "saw" Spiritualized once, at The Supper Club in NYC when they were touring behind Ladies and Gentlemen, We Are Floating In Space. We got there late and I simply could not find a place where I could actually see the stage, and since I was still relatively unfamiliar with the band and their work, I spent the show at the bar with a few friends half paying attention and mostly drinking. I stupidly passed on seeing them twice opening for Radiohead when they played Radio City Music Hall on consecutive nights at the end of the OK Computer tour. But I digress... Lazer Guided Melodies is the shit. Go get a copy if you don't have it in your collection. Oh, and about that possible gig at the 9:30? Yes, please.

"I’m A Believer" is a MASTERPIECE! It might have been conceived as fodder, but it’s like building a Corvette, it might still be a GM car, but the sum of the parts is BEYOND anything else the company has ever constructed.

The Mighty Mozzer kicks Mikey and and Gary out of the band (**sniff**) and announces three shows in Pasadena in February. Tix on sale this weekend. *taps foot impatiently waiting for a U.S. tour.* I am dying to shoot Moz in concert.

Related: Take a bow Morrissey, saviour of Eurovision.

I'm skeptical, and I honestly wonder if anyone gives a shit about Madge anymore. But I think the Thin White Duke's remix of Starsailor's "Four On The Floor" is teh hottness. Track it down if you've never heard it.

OK, back to waiting for the iPhone details.

**Update** Like Woah. Although methinks it's a little too pricey for me right now. And I wouldn't exactly be thrilled to have to switch to Cingular.