The Stroke of Midnight

In about 40 minutes, the lease between the Bowery Residence Committee and CBGB will expire. Renewal will be put on the table. CBGB's luckily has the backing of Mayor Bloomberg, so hopefully renewal will happen. It's a crapshoot though.

Earlier today, I made a cameo at the Washington Square Park rally to save the club. Being at work though, I was only able to catch the first hour or so. Stevie Van Zandt was the organizer and there was a guest cameo of Paulie from Sopranos. He presented the Gavin Rossdale's new band. It was a bittersweet event, however I suspect many people that showed up had no idea what was going on. You had your slew of hipsters, drug dealers, 9 to 5ers, students, mullets, no t-shirts, tatoos, and strollers.



Save CBGB

Beavis and Butthead

I'm not going to waste my time blogging about the VMA's, because the show was bad as usual. In fact, the only good part about the broadcast occurred in the first 20 minutes. The return of Beavis and Butthead on Sunday made my week. I turned the tv off after that, as I had already seen enough. Next to Family Guy and Scooby Doo, this ranks pretty high.

If their appearence teased you, there is still hope. A dvd box set is due in November.

Rolling Stone Accepts Kanye

While reading FAB this morning, I realized that she had the same reaction as me after opening the latest issue of Rolling Stone.*

This fabled rock magazine has never embraced rap music. When it has, it's always been in the ass-end of the magazine under some classified ad for a better sex life. In the most current issue, however, the reviewers give Kanye's album 5 stars. It just comes out of nowhere! I listened to it today and it wasn't all that. If anything, I give it 3 stars. For the benefit of doubt, I will listen some more.

*This thought couldn't happen immediately because I was too busy sifting through the thousand of ads that Rolling Stone must put in front of the Table of Contents page. Seriously, this paper has definitely gone downhill in the past 5 years. There's no content anymore, only bullshit ads.

Suge Knight Gets His

Good ole Suge got shot in the leg last night while partying in Miami ahead of the VMAs. Surprised? Yeah, I didn't think so. Death Row (now dubbed "Tha Row") is the label that pays him, so he should be okay.

Read on.

Daily Show Remix

Last night on the Daily Show, there was a veritable mash-up of quotables by our Commander and Chief spliced over a remixed beat. It was hilarious to say the least. However, I can't seem to find the MP3 anywhere and am dying to get it. So if anyone out there comes across it, make sure to drop a line.

You can watch the video clip at Comedy Central.

Freedom, Freedom, Freedom. Terror, Terror, Terror. 9/11, 9/11, 9/11. Osama, Osama, Osama.

Where's Waldo?

See if you can find what is wrong/out of place in this picture.

New Crue in '06?

The members of Motley Crue say they want to create a record similar in breadth to Sgt. Peppers.

"There is a new album in the works, but we're taking our time on it," Mars said. "For me, I would like to see like a Sgt. Pepper, an Electric Ladyland, something really outstanding and new."

My interpretation of this statement is that there will be heavy drug usage among the band again. Things will inevitably spiral out of control and more sex tapes and biographies book will be released. Assuming of course that no one OD's first.

I'm just kidding. But seriously I'm not.

(via MTV)

Synth Pioneer Dies

Synth innovator Robert Moog died at age 71. His contribution to keyboards in the genres of rock and electronica cannot be overstated.

Read a complete obit here.

Can You Say Crack Baby?

The world will welcome its most famous crack baby in about nine months' time. That's right. If reports are correct, it looks like Courtney Love is now prego.

Let's start the betting on which week she will miscarry from drug usage.

Neil Working with Rick

The real question to ask is, who hasn't Rick Rubin produced in the past few years? He has without a doubt left an indellible stamp on all genres of music. Now Mr. Rubin is working with Mr. Neil Diamond.

Once seen as a crooner with cheese music, he is now an icon of hipness thanks to the cult classic Saving Silverman. Expect some good results; I mean look what he did with Cash so late in his career.

(via Billboard)

Amsterjam

I was at Amsterjam yesterday. Overall a good show, however the mash-up didn't pan out too well. The only mash-up that really worked was Snoop with the Chili Peppers. I also saw two classic faux pas of concert going: wearing the t-shirt of the band playing & the dude in the Greatful Dead t-shirt. Enough of my blabbering. Here are some photos:


Indie rock band Something For Rockets. Surprisingly good.


Garbage.


Fishbone.


Chili's with Snoop, and Bootsy doubling on bass.

I Think I Found a New Shirt for Myself...

Would I get my ass kicked if I were seen in this shirt? 18 bones is well worth it for a cheap laugh and a trip to the hospital.

Shop for it here.

Who the Hell Does this Guy Think He Is?

It's okay to bop at a show. Not like this though. This dude goes overboard at South Street Seaport during Clap Your Hands Say Yeah (that's a band). He needs a swift kick in the balls.

(via Stereogum)

Brit & Kabbalah

The extremely prego Brit donates a chunk of change to a Kabbalah organization. She wants kids to become more spiritual.

Allow me to interject: "Hey bitch! Kabbalah isn't a Judaism you stupid ditz. It's more a cult than anything else. So stop fuckin' tarnishing our religion."

That is all.

Alice in Chains?

So the former members of grunge outfit Alice in Chains want to play more benefit shows without their backbone, Layne Staley. I don't have anything against them jamming together as a unit, without getting a replacement singer. Doing that is an embarassment to the legacy of any band. In the end, they become nothing more than glorified "cover bands."

Other "cover bands" currently include:

1. INXS - with that lame-ass reality show. There is nothing that tarnishes Michael Hutchense's legacy more.

2. The Doors of the 21st Century - Doors without Jim Morrison? Spare us.

3. Queen - by yanking Paul Rodgers from Bad Company. A singer lacking the range Freddie had.

4. The Allman Brothers - I don't think anyone from the original lineup remains.

Walken 2008

This might be too much to handle. One of the greatest, yet creepiest actors of our time is running for the 2008 elections.

"Fella's, I put my pants on like you, one leg at a time. Only once they're on, I make gold records."

Spoken like a true politician.

Freedom.

(via Redharing)

Clinton's Faves

The former Prez. is releasing a compilation of his favorite music. I wonder which was playing while he was having "sexual relations with that woman." It's due out next month and will initially be sold through his website.

"The Bill Clinton Collection: Selections From the Clinton Music Room," the first of several planned albums, tilts toward such jazz classics as John Coltrane's "My One and Only Love," Miles Davis' "My Funny Valentine" and Zoot Sims' "Summertime."

Jessica Embraces Fat Chicks

J. Simpson's hypocrisy continues with her embrace of fatness. More specifically, she is unrolling (pun intended) a new line of jeans for plus-size chicks. What an insult. Her dad, and manager, said:

"We have people 300 pounds or 90 pounds come up to Jessica and say, 'I'm just like you' ... It's not about the outside. It's what's inside."

Well if you want to wax intellectual, technically it is about the inside. See the inside is what's feeding the appetite. Therefore, if you are overweight, you are not the same as Simpson because on the inside, she is annorexic.

(via Superficial)

Huey's Challenged Friends

This is something that most people have always known, but never had the balls to say. Finally it has been said. Amazing, yet un-PC.

"Bobbi recognized some of her friends and waved. "Huuuuueyyyy!" they all
yelled back. It was just like people who yell "Bruuuce!" at a Springsteen
concert, only more retarded."

Score One For CB's

A glimmer of hope still exists for CBGB's.

In case you were ever wondering, the letters stand for:

Country Bluegrass Blues and Other Music For Uplifing Gormandizers (CBGB OMFUG)

Sopranos

Looks like the Sopranos are signing on for yet another season. That makes two more seasons until the conclusion. I love the show, but I think it's becoming a bit drawn out. Especially since there are close to 3 years in between each season. More blood must be shed among the principle characters.

Again...

The only tragic character in this saga is Frances Bean.

Tales From the Commute #2

So I'm walking up Broadway to catch the N/R and this fuckin toolshed is skipping down the sidewalk on a hobby horse. To top it off he was whistling some little tune to himself.

Unacceptable behavior for anyone above the age of infancy living in a metropolis.

Absurd

Why is this story a headline on CNN.com? Just worthless.

CBGB's Last Gasp

Legendary punk club is nearing the end of its run. Show your support at Washington Square Park on August, 31. Read more about the updated proposals between CB's and the BRC here.

DCFC Announce Dates

Death Cab For Cutie announce tour dates in support of their upcoming major-label debut, Plans. Tour dates below (via Billboard):

Oct. 3-4: Vancouver (Commodore Ballroom)
Oct. 5: Walla Walla, Wash. (Whitman College)
Oct. 7: Salt Lake City (In the Venue)
Oct. 8: Denver (Fillmore)
Oct. 10-11: Minneapolis (First Avenue)
Oct. 12: Chicago (Riviera Theatre)
Oct. 14: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Michigan Theatre)**
Oct. 15: Toronto (Kool Haus)
Oct. 16: Montreal (Le Spectrum)
Oct. 17: Boston (Orpheum Theatre)
Oct. 19: New York (Hammerstein Ballroom)
Oct. 21: Carlisle, Pa. (Dickinson College)
Oct. 22: Providence, R.I. (Lupo's at the Strand)
Oct. 23: Washington, D.C. (9:30 Club)
Oct. 25: Philadelphia (Electric Factory)
Oct. 28: Nashville (War Memorial)
Oct. 29: Atlanta (Tabernacle)
Oct. 30: Orlando, Fla. (Hard Rock Live)
Nov. 4: Dallas (Ridglea Theatre)
Nov. 5: Austin, Texas (Stubb's BBQ)
Nov. 8: Phoenix (Marquee Theatre)
Nov. 9: San Diego (Soma)
Nov. 11: Los Angeles (Wiltern Theatre)
Nov. 13: San Francisco (Warfield Theatre)
Nov. 16: Portland, Ore. (Crystal Ballroom)
Nov. 18: Seattle (Paramount Theatre)

**I'm glad they are playing in Ann Arbor for my fellow Wolverines. Go Blue.

A Dirrty Habit?

So picking your nose is a social taboo. But you do it, so don't be all high on your horse. Is picking and eating good for you?

Quote of the Century

Liam Gallagher on Babyshambles' no-show opening for Oasis:

“It’s not a question of professionalism. It’s much more simple than that. This is the greatest group in the world and what we’re not going to do is let anyone, Pete Doherty, Liam Gallagher or Elvis, fuck it all up.”

Gotta love 'em.

(via NME)

Return of Dre & Big Boi

Dirty South duo Outkast are releasing the followup to the smashing Speakerboxxx/Love Below in the fall. If the last album is any indication of their direction, I am pumped to hear what they have to say. Look for more jazzy acid beats from Andre 3000.

The strange thing is that neither of them are ever in the studio recording together:

"Since the [1998 album] 'Aquemini,' we haven't been in the studio together. But Dre will call me up and be like, 'Here's my idea. Send me the Pro Tools session so I can go in there and lace it.'"

Crazy talk.

Metallica Officially Classic Rock

It seems Metallica is having a run on the classic rock circuit. The seminal 80's metal heads are opening for the Stones on a select few shows. It makes sense; classic rock radio is now playing shit from the "Black Album."

I think they should woo Newsted back into the band, because the current direction of their music is suspect.

Jimi

The Smoking Gun has detailed documents regarding Jimi's brief stint in the army (and his discharge) during the early sixties.

"Hendrix, Captain Gilbert Batchman reported, slept on the job, had little regard for regulations, and was once "apprehended masturbating" in the latrine."

Okay, so he was a hornball who had a little problem with authority. We still love you Jimi. My question is, where is Captain Gilbert's legacy?

Pulp Fiction Spoof

Redharing found this and I think it's hilarious. If you like Pulp Fiction, you'll love this shit.

More on New Pixies LP

Frank Black reveals more about the possible upcoming LP.

"In a recent interview with the NME, frontman Frank Black revealed, "We don't want to overstay our welcome in terms of performing under the banner of a reunion. With the exception of Australia we've kind of played everywhere that we can play, so we're thinking, gee, we enjoy being in a band together again. So even if we just get together once in a blue moon to play the old songs, how are we gonna do that without coming off as tacky? So I suppose one way to accomplish that is to work on some new material."

At least they can see the full picture when it comes to reunions. I am anxious to hear some new stuff.

Read more here.

Rubber Soul

It is the album that would redefine The Beatles' career. It is the album that stretched the envelope of pop music. It is the album that inspired Brian Wilson to create Pet Sounds. It is the penultimate classic. The now legendary record is pimping itself out as an all covers project.

"This album is a track-by-track run through of the Beatles' 1965 masterpiece (aren't they all?) Rubber Soul. It's titled, appropriately, This Bird Has Flown - A 40th Anniversary Tribute to the Beatles' Rubber Soul, and will be released by Razor & Tie on October 25."

(via Pitchfork via Stereogum)

That Deaf Dumb and Blind Boy...

Okay, he's not deaf and dumb, but he is blind. And he's a wiz at video games. Go figure. The real life Tommy.