This video is for all you old school gamers out there…if you have not seen it already
Check out Patrick Jean’s latest creation where he has 80’s video game characters take over NYC. Simply amazing to watch. I loved seeing Arkanoid incorporated in the video – one of my fav NES games of all time.
Like it? Head over to One More Production to see some more insane videos.
Many fans of indie rock know who The Weakerthans are and what exactly they do. For years now the Canadian four (and sometimes up to six) some have been creating amazing albums that are heavy on the indie but also incorporate folk and twang into their material. They are a band that I label as an “accident band”. What I mean by that is I became a fan of them by accident.
Back in the days of slinging coffees at the café at the Borders Books & Music I worked at I came across a Weakerthans’ album at a listening station one day while on break. This was at a time and age when the internet was still ruled by AOL and MySpace was just an idea waiting to be hatched out. I remember clearly putting the headphones on at the listening station and checking out a couple tracks from Left and Leaving. Liking what I heard, I recall reading a bio about the band while listening to more tracks and taking a double look at the card when it mentioned one time Propagandhi member John Samson. Seriously, my mouth dropped open.
I was maybe 23 at the time and was slowly opening my musical tastes more. Being a punk rocker at heart I was in awe that the bassist of one of my favorite punk rock bands was fronting such a melodic and low-key band. I heard enough, grabbed the CD, and took it to the register for purchase. Needless to say my musical appreciation was given a boost thanks to the Weakerthans and to this day I am still an avid fan though I have yet to see them live.
Having missed them the couple times they did roll though Cleveland one could say I was excited to see that they had released a live DVD/CD titled Live At The Burton Cummings Theatre on Epitaph Records/ANTI- Records. Performed in their hometown of Winnipeg, Canada in April of 2009, the band recorded the performance at the Burton Cumming’s Theatre (yes, the sweet mustached Burton Cummings of The Guess Who). Just to clarify I believe the theatre was named after the classic rock musician and that he has nothing to do with it.
The DVD/CD captures the perfect evening of a show with the talented indie rockers as well as their dedicated fans who filled the venue up the night it was recorded. With no fancy light shows or theatrics the band hit the stage and played a very fun and great sounding show. Their sound, I should add, almost sounds studio and one could be fooled until the fans started hooting and hollering after every song.
Playing songs old and new the band just sounded amazing and looked ever so comfortable on the stage. Hearing them open with “Everything Must Go” really reminded me why I have been a fan for so long but seeing how happy they were performing the song brought a whole new appreciation from me for them. With the crowd cheering and the band just having fun it was apparent that this show was going to be a good one. Speeding things up they broke into “Tournament Of Hearts” immediately after. With five members on stage it appeared as if Samson’s wife Christine Fellows was hiding in the shadows offering vocals as well.
The band’s (and the crowd’s) friend Julie played on some songs as well including “Night Windows” where she offered some violin. Keeping the show rolling the band broke into “Reconstruction Site” a twangy delight of a song to listen to as well. The band completely rocked out during “Aside” all while Samson smiled big while singing. “Bigfoot” was another track I really got a kick out of with all the instrument playing.
Hearing perhaps my favorite Weakerthans song of all time, “Plea From A Cat Named Virtue”, put the biggest smile on my face even if I was watching a recording of the show. The song revolving around a wise feline carried on perfectly, even the trumpet playing at the close of the song. Samson also offered a simple impromptu guitar solo that was cut short on the CD but the DVD shows the humorous moment.
During “Wellington’s Wednesdays” Samson pulled up a fan on stage named Ernesto who had the pleasure of filling in a guitar solo in the key of E. I must say after a nervous start Ernesto started jamming hard with the rest of the band as Samson took the honorary member’s place in the crowd for a short moment. The band then followed up “The Reasons” as well as “Sun In An Empty Room”. I swear if it were not for the fans cheering at times my mind tried to argue with me that I was not listening to a live album.
Overall the show was a fun time full of a great set by an outstanding band. The DVD featured shots of the band throughout the 75 plus minute performance with good angles as well as occasionally would focus in on a true fan singing along. Capturing The Weakerthans in their hometown was one hell of an idea and even if I have not seen them live in the flesh, I am glad I had the opportunity to have this performance in my possession.
The DVD/CD ranks high with my all time favorite live albums and I have listened to it multiple times now and I am not just saying that. Great music by a bunch guys made even more entertaining by the simple fact that they were having a blast while doing their job. If you are a fan of indie rock or just want to spend the evening with some great music do yourself a favor and grab a copy of Live At The Burton Cummings Theatre.
Track Listing (DVD/CD):
01. Everything Must Go
02. Tournament of Hearts
03. Our Retired Explorer (Dines with Michel Foucault in Paris in 1969)
04. Night Windows
05. Reconstruction Site
06. Aside
07. Civil Twilight
08. Bigfoot
09. Plea From A Cat Named Virtute
10. The Reasons
11. Sun In An Empty Room
12. Left and Leaving
13. Wellington’s Wednesdays
14. Benediction
15. Manifest
16. One Great City!
17. This Is A Fire Door Never Leave Open
18. Virtute the Cat Explains Her Departure
There are a ton of movies coming out in 2010 that I know I want to see. Many of them will be blockbusters and will be the cause of my wallet feeling a little thin but it is always worth it. I love being visually entertained almost as much as I love listening to music.
I recently was given a heads up about a movie, rather a documentary, about a guy who goes by the name of Socalled.
Socalled? Yes. I even have a picture of him…
So who is Socalled? Well looking at him he looks just like a normal Joe (ok, maybe not completely) but if you read the below synopsis you will find out he is far from just a regular guy.
Meet Socalled. He’s unstoppable. A pianist, singer, arranger, rapper, producer and composer (and also a magician, filmmaker, and visual artist), he’s blasting through the boundaries that separate music from different cultures, eras, and generations.
Socalled is a musical alchemist, always looking for the next old thing to make new again. The “socalled” Movie shows him introducing funk trombone legend Fred Wesley (of James Brown fame) to klezmer music, while wowing Wesley with his knowledge of funk. When Dolgin comes across LP’s from the 1950’s by lounge pianist Irving Fields, he looks up 94-year-old Fields and inspires him to pen a new hit song.
Shot in Socalled’s Montreal neighbourhood where Hasidic Jews and hipsters crowd the sidewalks, and in New York, France and the Ukraine, The “Socalled” Movie is a cinematic multi-faceted depiction of inspiration, collaboration and transformation.
Socalled defies category and refuses limitations. The “Socalled” Movie examines his energy from all angles and transmits the urgent creative spark to everyone watching: now’s your chance – go out there and make something!
Here is a trailer for the video that will be available for rent (??? rent ???) on YouTube thanks to the National Film Board of Canada:
Some of the guest musicians this guy has gotten to play with him is just insane! I can not wait to see the whole documentary.
For more info check out:
http://www.nfb.ca/socalled
http://www.youtube.com/socalledmovie
http://www.myspace.com/socalled
I’ve been kind of busy as of last thanks to a couple of shows I recently reviewed but I finally have found a moment to start playing catch-up. While doing so I came across some music videos that made me a happy camper.
First off is She & Him‘s newest video for “In The Sun”, the first single off their upcoming Volume Two that should be out on March 23rd. If anyone knows me well they know my love obsession (hell who am I kidding) with Zooey Deschanel. I think she is dreamy…yes…dreamy. So yeah before I start to sound like too much of a creep here is the video that recently debuted on Pitchfork TV:
(does anyone else out there think M. Ward looks a little Robert Downey Jr. in this video???)
Next up is a video from one of my favorite artists out there, Frank Turner. The video is for the song “Isabel” that appears on Poetry Of The Deed, his most recent album. For such a sorrowful song about the loss of youth while looking for answers it is visually appealing with Frank Turner walking the Leo Carillo beach in Malibu, CA.
As previously mentioned I got to see Frank Turner live at the House Of Blues in Cleveland. I was in the photo pit for most of his set trying to capture as many memories as possible. When looking at some of the photos the next day I noticed that the one guitar player was crouched down. Apparently I missed seeing him eat the stage after slipping on something but someone in the crowd didn’t and had their phone on video mode at the right moment:
If you looking closely you can see me stealing the band’s soul with my camera…
Finally I end this post that is going nowhere with a live performance of a band I know I am looking forward to hearing, Foxy Shazam. I can’t say everyone will dig them but I know I do. Check out “Rocketeer” from the upcoming album Unstoppable:
Punk rock threesome Alkaline Trio (AK3) recently released their seventh studio album entitled This Addiction on their newly established independent record label properly called Heart & Skull. The label actually is a joint-venture with help from legendary punk record label Epitaph Records. AK3 stated that they took a step back into their punk roots this time while recording This Addiction and have also taken a lot of their personal ventures and incorporated them into this more DIY sounding solid release.
Starting off the album is the title track “This Addiction”, a pop-punk heavy track talking about love being more like an easily addictive drug such as heroin. The track is super catchy and keeps with the AK3 style that they have held over the years. Following was “Dine, Dine My Darling” a track clearly titled in favor of The Misfits.
Moving along with clearly somber theme was “Lead Poisoning” that featured an almost NOFX horn style solo that made the song stick out over others. “Dead On The Floor” was a dreary track speaking of high hoped love falling apart. Having been in the situation before of a blinded happiness I really took this song in and at the end was actually a little bummed out. Continuing the darker mood was “The American Scream”, a story about sadness and suicide with likable music throughout the track but just chilling to absorb.
Changing things up a tad was “Eating Me Alive” a more upbeat track with interesting synthesizer playing. “Fine” may have been a slower jam on the album but with lyrics like “it’s ironic that I drink to make my insides stop hurting” it was clear how personable the song about shrugging off the pain was. “Those Lungs” was a little heavier at the beginning but mellowed out into a tender track guaranteed to make a special someone swoon.
At just over forty minutes the album is enjoyable throughout but one would always appreciate more AK3 right? Luckily for fans who want more such as myself, the band also released a deluxe edition featuring acoustic tracks of “This Addiction”, “Dine, Dine My Darling”, “Dead On The Floor”, and an awesome version of “Fine” which to me sounds better than the original. A DVD is also included in the deluxe version showcasing a live performance of AK3 at the House of Blues in Las Vegas.
If you are a fan of AK3 and were not feeling with their last release Agony & Irony you might be surprised what the guys have to offer this time around. This Addiction is a worthy AK3 release and can easily be played over and over. With that said I might as well add that the album debuted at #11 on the Billboard Top 200 so obviously I am not the only one who has been digging This Addiction.
AK3 just embarked on a US tour with indie rockers Cursive as well as The Dear & Departed. Be sure to check them out when they hit a town near you. I’ll be there tonight in Cleveland and you can say that I am a little excited about being there!
Alkaline Trio Tour Dates:
03/03/10 – Columbus, OH – Newport Music Hall
03/04/10 – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues
03/05/10 – Pittsburgh, PA – Club Zoo
03/06/10 – Toronto, CAN – The Phoenix Concert Theater
03/08/10 – Clifton Park, NY – Northern Lights
03/09/10 – Hartford, CT – The Webster Theater
03/11/10 – Philadelphia, PA – Trocadero SOLD OUT
03/12/10 – New York, NY – Nokia Theatre Times Square SOLD OUT
03/13/10 – Sayreville, NJ – Starland Ballroom
03/14/10 – Providence, RI – Lupos Heartbreak Hotel
03/16/10 – Towson, MD – Rocher Theatre
03/17/10 – Charlotte, NC – Amos’ Southend
03/18/10 – Charleston, SC – Music Farm
03/19/10 – Atlanta, GA – Masquerade
03/20/10 – Jacksonville Beach, FL – Freebird Live
03/22/10 – Orlando, FL – House of Blues
03/23/10 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – Revolution
03/25/20 – New Orleans, LA – House of Blues
03/26/10 – Houston, TX – Warehouse Live
03/27/10 – Dallas, TX – The Palladium Ballroom
03/28/10 – Austin, TX – Emo’s
03/30/10 – Tempe, AZ – The Marquee Theater
04/01/10 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues
04/02/10 – West Hollywood, CA – House of Blues
04/03/10 – Las Vegas, NV – House of Blues
Clothing giants Hurley just released some special edition AK3 apparel. Check it out by clicking HERE.
Here are some of my favorite AK3 music videos: