Category Archives: Random

Bad Times, Bragging Rights, Good Times, Music, Random

Record Store (To)Day

18 April, 2009 Brian Mc Leave a comment

Today was like Jesus Day (Christmas) for many music lovers out there. I am sure many people had a hard time falling asleep last night as there were countless album titles floating through their heads, distracting them from falling asleep. Cookies were left out at the front doors of music stores worldwide in hopes that it could be an edible bribe to let shoppers in the door early… (That last part may not be entirely true)

Why?

Today is RECORD STORE DAY!!!

I know my friend Matt was one of those people who may have been a bit excited this morning when it was time to pack up and hit the independent record stores all over Cleveland. Just check out what he posted today. It’s a post of a post and more importantly a great read about how music rotated around his life growing up.

Before I even continue with my post I need to give Matt a thank you.

Thank you Matt.

He is my hero for today as he took the time to fight people for a couple of Record Store Day release vinyls that I really wanted. If that is not a friend, then I do not know what is.

I look forward to the limited edition vinyls (all singles) he scored for me:

Cursive + Ladyfinger
Flaming Lips/Black Keys
Jenny Lewis
MC5
Radiohead – Karma Police

I really hope next year that I remember to take the day off so I can actually enjoy such a wonderful idea of a day. It sure beats sitting at a desk looking outside at a beautiful day just wishing I could be at one of those fine indie record stores maybe seeing a live performance…

Did you partake in Record Store Day? I want to hear about it!

Good Times, Music, Random

My Complaints About The Rock Hall Induction Ceremony On FUSE

11 April, 2009 Brian Mc 2 Comments

Thanks to my DVR I finally have found some time to sit down and see what the people at home got to view last week on FUSE during the Rock Hall Induction Ceremony. In case you forgot or had no idea I was one of the lucky in attendance last week and wrote a little blog about it. You can read that HERE if you feel so inclined to do so.

I realize the FUSE broadcasting was supposed to be live but the ceremony started 1 hour prior to the showing so obviously there would be some editing to make it appropriate for TV. Still I had a couple complaints…mostly over overlapping.

Little Anthony and the Imperials should have had both songs they performed live shown on FUSE and not edited with their acceptance speeches intertwined. Honestly their performance was one of the best of that evening…

Same thing with Bobby Womack… I guess this is how they do the ceremonies. I admit this is the first time I ever sat through a Rock Hall Induction Ceremony on TV so I am not sure how previous ones were.

I am glad they showed Eminem’s entire speech.

Jeff Beck’s middle finger of course was blurred.

I got a better look at Tal Wikenfeld owning the bass during the Jeff Beck / Jimmy Page performance. She is without a doubt…amazing.

I did get a kick out of the backstage footage of Jeff Beck and Tal Wikenfeld playing her bass at the same time. I guess that was a bonus of seeing this ceremony from the comfort of your home…

Wow, the DJ Fontana / Bill Black sideman induction got butchered.

Wanda Jackson’s induction was nicely mixed with Rosanne Cash’s speech and video footage. Did I just give a compliment? Yes, I did. I also was not aware how short Wanda Jackson was when I saw her last week… Tiny woman. Tiny woman also did not have her performance shown on national TV… There’s my complaint.

Metallica. It was clear that FUSE was/is pro-Metallica seeing how they broadcast as much Metallica during the week leading up the the induction so it was no surprise more of their footage shown from the induction than other inductees. Flea’s speech was great to hear again, even if it was edited… By the way, Jason Newsted’s wife/girlfriend is HOT…haha.

Dumb move having Metallica’s acceptance speeches overlapping their live performance of “Master Of Puppets” though I am glad the some parts of each member’s speeches were included. They did NOT show Cliff Burton’s father speak and that to me should have been shown.

I’ll say it again too… How cool would it be for Jason Newsted to join Metallica again???

One of the all-star finales (performance of “Jail House Rock”) was not even shown! What gives? They really should have shown that. Wanda Jackson, Little Anthony and the Imperials, Rosanne Cash, DJ Fontana, Bobby Womack, and others really put on a fun little number.

I was nice to see a re-cap of sorts thanks to the FUSE broadcast of the Rock Hall Induction Ceremony. I do feel that the people at home were really robbed of some memorable moments during the evening granted they did not have to pay anything more than a cable bill to see it, but still…

Again it was awesome to be a part and still can not believe I was a part of it.

By the way, have you seen what Matt at Addicted To Vinyl had to say about the event? It is an exceptional read and I will be eternally jealous of him…

Funny, Random

Good Friday?

10 April, 2009 Brian Mc Leave a comment

Yea I guess it is a good day. Minus my dog Zeus and his terrible gas today has been just one of those days where I sit back and think of what to do… I have been having a rough week with personal stuff going on so I have been not doing much lately and think today should be a productive day.

I could get a tattoo.
In fact it’s been over a month since I last got some work done so this may be a winner. Persistence Tattoo is where I go. Ronnie and crew rule. I really want to finish up my sleeve. I also want a Dick Goddard tattoo…and I am dead serious. The guy is a Cleveland icon. Not sure if it will be portrait or not.

I could go to Half Price Books.
It’s only been 5 years if not more since I last stepped foot in one of those stores. I know, I suck but there is not one very close to me.

I could go to a park with the dogs and take a hike.
It’s been raining non-stop today and is a wee chilly so I am pretty sure I am going to skip that idea.

I could listen to music all day.
Well so far I have been listening to a ton of music today. I checked out the new Doves album which is amazing, listened to some rarities from Strung Out‘s latest release, rocked out to Iron Maiden, and now for whatever reason have decided to listen to Metallica‘s Live S#it Binge & Purge. Scratch that, I got sick of it and hit the random button…

I could hit up the local mall.
The local mall scares me. In fact this city I live in right now scares me. The water must be contaminated. I have lived here for over 5 years now and only am friendly with my neighbors on both sides of my house. I do want a new hat though… I am torn. Every year for the last few years I get a Cleveland Indians hat even though I am not a huge fan like I used to be in the mid-nineties. I found one I kind of like for unknown reasons…it’s bright orange and Chief Wahoo is lime green. Yeah, I know, no team colors there.

I could make lunch.
Food is always good.

I could play video games.
I can not even tell you the last time I picked up a controller and played some games. Maybe today is a good day for that. My brother did challenge me to Guitar Hero: Metallica on Easter Sunday, I mean Zombie Jesus Day. As I still have yet to play that game I still have older ones and can work on my awesome finger tapping skills.

I could organize my vinyl.
I could do that but I would rather not today. That requires a thought process and I am staying away from that right now.

I could…stop blogging about what I could do and get off the internet and do something…
Yeah that is a good idea. I’ll be back later folks with some stuff to keep you entertained on this good Friday.

UPDATE: (For all of you who were biting your nails wondering what I was going to do…)

So after listening to some more music I opted to make a nice lunch for the lady and I. After watching an episode of Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations I decided to call my tattoo guy at Persistence Tattoo and set up an appointment for later in the evening.

Since the weather never cleared up we ventured to Half Price Books to see if we could find anything cool. I searched through the records and found an English Beat Wha’ppen LP and also grabbed a copy of Swingers as a certain someone in my household had never seen it. I love that movie.

Before we headed for some tattoo fun, we stopped at Roly Poly in Mayfield Heights. If you like your sandwiches fresh and healthy check this place out. Annie had mentioned it to me in the past and said they make wraps and sandwiches. We split a Nut & Honey wrap that was amazing. It was a wrap with cream cheese, raisins, sunflower seeds, cashews, lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, carrots, avocados, sprouts, and honey mustard dressing. Needless to say it was delicious.

Running late we arrived to Persistence Tattoo in Eastlake where I got a beheaded St. Valentine on my right arm. I’ll take a picture once it heals up if any of you are interested. I think it looks sick and had a great time while getting it. When I say great time I am not referring to the actual tattoo as I hate getting tattooed. The fun was had in the conversations between all of us in the shop. Crude, rude, and hilarious.

Headed home we decided we needed a dessert before watching Swingers so we made a pit stop at Handels Ice Cream and grabbed some deliciousness.

So it was a good Friday after all. It really was the day I needed to end the week in a positive way.

00's, 90's, Download This!, Live Shows, Music, New Release, Punk, Random

Rancid – “Last One To Die” MP3 Released!

9 April, 2009 Brian Mc Leave a comment

I just downloaded “Last One To Die”, Rancid‘s latest release from their upcoming Let The Dominoes Fall. You should too:

Normally I would just include a link to download the MP3 but that has not been made available to me yet so just enter your email address and they will send you a link for a download of the song. That is all you have to do, I promise.

I am pretty sure you will dig the song as much as I have too if you are a Rancid fan. The song is catchy and maintains the Rancid standard, meaning it will not shock you and it keeps with the sound you expect to come from Tim Armstrong and crew.

It’s been over 5 years since Rancid pushed out an album. Good things come with time and I am honestly glad they were not putting together a mess of a release just so they could offer something for their fans. I have high expectations from this CD. I also have a feeling that this is NOT going to be their last effort. Some people are thinking it might be time for these punk rockers to hang up their guitars and take a seat but I really have the feeling that these guys are going to be cranking out material for years to come.