That reminds me: For those who saw it (I didn't,) how'd you like last night's hour-long Bill O'Reilly "expose" "The Corruption of the American Child?" A nice gesture, if you could manage to forget that the show ran on FOX, home of such rich and wholesome cultural fare as "Ball-Deep Island," "Who Wants to Not Marry A Millionare In Order To Show Your Cans in Playboy" and "Washed-Up Celebrities Pound the Crap Out of Each Other In Order to Never Have to Work a Day Job." Oh, I see, it's MY fault that children's attention spans are shortening and teens are shooting people and contracting AIDS. I feel so guilty.
by at 10:37 AM
Once again, Sammy Hagar has discovered yet one more way to rock. Ever the 'in tune with the culture of the new millineum' sonofabitch, Sammy has gone and updated his classic Firebird-crashing anthem. I CAN'T DRIVE 65!!!!!!!!! Crank up the pussy in your face, dude!
by at 4:56 PM
Here's something for you conspiracy buffs: One of the most frightening links you're likely to see. The problem is that Bush tells so many half-truths, outright lies, and total fuck-ups that it would be hard to fact check any of this. That's the only thing that makes me feel any better. That's probably more frightening than that link.
by at 4:06 PM
The Supreme Court has just ruled that the government can use aggressive eviction tactics to remove drug users from public housing.
Psst! Tip for Hutchinson and Ashcroft: I know one past and present drug abuser who uses public housing.
His name is George W. Bush. He's the President of the USA.
He lives in the White House. (I can give you the address if you're unfamiliar with D.C.)
In fact, his whole family abuses drugs. They should all be evicted and arrested.
Psst! Tip for Hutchinson and Ashcroft: I know one past and present drug abuser who uses public housing.
His name is George W. Bush. He's the President of the USA.
He lives in the White House. (I can give you the address if you're unfamiliar with D.C.)
In fact, his whole family abuses drugs. They should all be evicted and arrested.
by at 4:17 PM
Being the avid Buddyhead reader that I am, I thought I'd comment on the recent run-in that The Icarus Line had during their trip to Austin's House of Blues. Basically, what happened was that their guitar player decided to go ape and smash a glass case containing a Stevie Ray Vaughn guitar, and pull the guitar out to play it. (Go to the Buddyhead link to read all about it.) Reactions have run the gamut from 'what a dick thing to do, don't mess with Texas dude' to 'dude, the Icarus line are so punk, that's what punk is all about.' Here's my take: I don't think breaking things just for the sake of breaking them makes you 'punk.' Like the motherfucker who broke my radio antanae off my van: That person is not punk. It just makes you an asshole. When Trail of Dead breaks things, that's all part of the show. Granted, it's fun to watch from a fan's perspective, but being expected to break your own gear or to trash a club every time you play has to be rough. Either way, I love watching those brilliant assholes, but I'm glad I'm not the tour manager who has to explain all of that to an angry clubowner, the guy who has to go through the hassle of fixing everything. Or the band that comes back from tour with barely any money because it was all spent on fixing the shit they trashed. (Of course, having stupidly trashed my fair share of gear, I'm probably not the best guy to give this lecture.)
I'm getting off topic. Basically, I think the Icarus Line's move was totally cool, but it has nothing to do with being 'punk' or anything like that. Whether that guy knew it or not, it was quite a symbolic move. It thought his actions pointed out the collector guitar market is a load of horse crap. You know, the collector guitar market that makes that nice old Les Paul become totally unaffordable for people who actually play live shows.
All disrespect for dead blues legends aside, why was that SRV guitar special? Because Stevie Ray signed it? So what? I'll bet he signed a lot of things. Because he touched it? So what? Who died and made him BLUES JESUS? Will touching his guitar heal our rock and roll afflictions?
I'll bet Stevie touched a lot of things. Instead of putting a guitar in that case, why didn't they put in some old SRV underpants? At least that had direct contact with the SRVD. Crap like this only has value because we humans are silly enough to place value on it. Did you ever see Stevie Ray's REAL guitar? The one he played when he was a total dirt-poor Texas drunk who guzzled his measly pay every night? It's beat to holy hell! There's barely any paint on it. He probably hawked his guitar case for a dime bag of blow! And I'll bet, if there is an afterlife, old SRV is up there watching these guys try to carve their own fame, saying "do you need a guitar, dude? Just take it, it's right there and it's a crap knock-off I wouldn't play in a million years!" Was it a publicity stunt? You bet your ass. But it beats selling your songs to BMW just to get music out there. So, to sum up, he was an ass, not a punk. But although it was an asshole thing to do, God bless 'em. Sometimes, you just have to be an asshole in order to get things done.
What do YOU PEOPLE think? Would you feel differently if it were Johnny Ramone's guitar? How about if it was Duane Allman's guitar? Or Greg Allman's coke mirror?
I'm getting off topic. Basically, I think the Icarus Line's move was totally cool, but it has nothing to do with being 'punk' or anything like that. Whether that guy knew it or not, it was quite a symbolic move. It thought his actions pointed out the collector guitar market is a load of horse crap. You know, the collector guitar market that makes that nice old Les Paul become totally unaffordable for people who actually play live shows.
All disrespect for dead blues legends aside, why was that SRV guitar special? Because Stevie Ray signed it? So what? I'll bet he signed a lot of things. Because he touched it? So what? Who died and made him BLUES JESUS? Will touching his guitar heal our rock and roll afflictions?
I'll bet Stevie touched a lot of things. Instead of putting a guitar in that case, why didn't they put in some old SRV underpants? At least that had direct contact with the SRVD. Crap like this only has value because we humans are silly enough to place value on it. Did you ever see Stevie Ray's REAL guitar? The one he played when he was a total dirt-poor Texas drunk who guzzled his measly pay every night? It's beat to holy hell! There's barely any paint on it. He probably hawked his guitar case for a dime bag of blow! And I'll bet, if there is an afterlife, old SRV is up there watching these guys try to carve their own fame, saying "do you need a guitar, dude? Just take it, it's right there and it's a crap knock-off I wouldn't play in a million years!" Was it a publicity stunt? You bet your ass. But it beats selling your songs to BMW just to get music out there. So, to sum up, he was an ass, not a punk. But although it was an asshole thing to do, God bless 'em. Sometimes, you just have to be an asshole in order to get things done.
What do YOU PEOPLE think? Would you feel differently if it were Johnny Ramone's guitar? How about if it was Duane Allman's guitar? Or Greg Allman's coke mirror?
by at 10:38 AM
Highlight for this morning: Run on over to Danny's Booze Cabinet (ignoring Eddie Vedder's stupid mowhawk that appears on the front page; pray that Scott Stapp doesn't copy that, too) and read about his hysterical encounter w/airport security, forcing him to drink Jack Daniels in the name of security. I don't know about you, but Jack's the most potent poison around. I'm glad for everyone's sake that he didn't go all Pete Buck while in the air. That Danny'll punch your lights out, you know.
by at 10:36 AM
In the news:
Ever too late the hero, Joey Ramone--and all Ramones alumni past and present--receved posthumous tribute at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in NYC. They may be part of BigRock® Inc. now, but by snubbing the cliché all-star jam session™ at the show's conclusion they prove they never sold out--ever.
"We need change and we need it fast/before rock's just part of the past"--it sounds as relevant today as it did 22 years ago. The Ramones accomplished much in their time--but their mission is far from over.
These days most people are content to watch TV instead of think for themselves, and consequently there's an awful lot of fecal matter out there masquerading as independent thought and creativity. As long as America keeps gazing at its own airbrushed, collagen-and-silicone-injected reflection, pop music will continue to suffer.
That's why I believe REAL rock 'n roll is something unto itself. Warts and all, it delights, it liberates, it infuriates. It keeps septuagenarian Chuck Berry going years after most "rockers" have cashed in, as sorry-ass Mark Farner and GFR have done.
It doesn't need the help of the advertising industry to sell itself; nor does the morally and creatively bankrupt ad bizz need the aegis of rock to move its clients' mass-produced, soulless pap.
What the Ramones achieved was by force of their music alone--with no MTV, no TV, no radio, almost NOTHING for promotion--and their legacy means so much more than how many units they moved, or how many Rolls-Royces Joey had parked in his driveway (of which he had neither, by the way). They made rock dangerous, fun, and funny again.
(P.S. Who the hell keeps inviting Ed Vedder to speak at these events? He's less coherent than Jim Anchower after a ritualistic wake 'n bake! Kick him to de curb!)
At least somebody has fired the first warning shot, though: Britney Spears gets the ol' piss bucket treatment from the Brits! Now that's RAW! Who says the English are stuffy, priggish bluenoses? They sure know what to do with shite music when they hear it.
Reminds me of the castle siege scene in Monty Python's Holy Grail:
"NOW GO AWAY, OR I WILL TAUNT YOU A SECOND TIME!"
Ever too late the hero, Joey Ramone--and all Ramones alumni past and present--receved posthumous tribute at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in NYC. They may be part of BigRock® Inc. now, but by snubbing the cliché all-star jam session™ at the show's conclusion they prove they never sold out--ever.
"We need change and we need it fast/before rock's just part of the past"--it sounds as relevant today as it did 22 years ago. The Ramones accomplished much in their time--but their mission is far from over.
These days most people are content to watch TV instead of think for themselves, and consequently there's an awful lot of fecal matter out there masquerading as independent thought and creativity. As long as America keeps gazing at its own airbrushed, collagen-and-silicone-injected reflection, pop music will continue to suffer.
That's why I believe REAL rock 'n roll is something unto itself. Warts and all, it delights, it liberates, it infuriates. It keeps septuagenarian Chuck Berry going years after most "rockers" have cashed in, as sorry-ass Mark Farner and GFR have done.
It doesn't need the help of the advertising industry to sell itself; nor does the morally and creatively bankrupt ad bizz need the aegis of rock to move its clients' mass-produced, soulless pap.
What the Ramones achieved was by force of their music alone--with no MTV, no TV, no radio, almost NOTHING for promotion--and their legacy means so much more than how many units they moved, or how many Rolls-Royces Joey had parked in his driveway (of which he had neither, by the way). They made rock dangerous, fun, and funny again.
(P.S. Who the hell keeps inviting Ed Vedder to speak at these events? He's less coherent than Jim Anchower after a ritualistic wake 'n bake! Kick him to de curb!)
At least somebody has fired the first warning shot, though: Britney Spears gets the ol' piss bucket treatment from the Brits! Now that's RAW! Who says the English are stuffy, priggish bluenoses? They sure know what to do with shite music when they hear it.
Reminds me of the castle siege scene in Monty Python's Holy Grail:
"NOW GO AWAY, OR I WILL TAUNT YOU A SECOND TIME!"
by at 4:48 PM
Ah, the pesky dilemma: what to repair first. I've got two things, our Ampeg blew out something in the power section, and the van needs some type of exhaust work (I hope) because in the last two days, it has gotten really f'n loud. Both will probably be expensive. (I also creamed a new Volkswagon with my bumper. That won't need a repair but now it sticks out ready to rip anyone who comes too close to shreds.) Hopefully I will have time on Friday to give the van a tune-up, and maybe that's the source of some of my woes. Pray for us.
by at 4:26 PM
Yeah, I'm happy for the Ramones, and to a much lesser degree Tom Petty, but the "Rock and Roll" Hall of Fame can kiss my peach-fuzzy ass. It's a glorified popularity contest, no more different than yer average High School Prom King & Queen race. It's a dog and pony show for the grizzled AOR set, completely dependent upon annual album sales and/or who's nearest to meeting God. Indeed, The Ramones helped get me through high school, but so did Dead Kennedys. Issac Hayes got me through a morose phase of "wish I was born black," but so did Screaming Jay Hawkins. See a trend here? Inductees are ear-friendly: they generate cashola for the assaholas in the corner offices. Now, they've made some good choices (Neil Young, Led Zeppelin, Chuck Berry, Howlin Wolf), but how in the world does Queen get martyred before Black Sabbath? Aerosmith before Deep Purple? CSN before Mountain?
In sum, fuck 'em.
Here's a dandy list of things I consider Raw for the week--
1) Fu Manchu "Module Overload"-- Monster riff. Brant Bjork is Alex VanHalen sans gong.
2) Perry Mason-- No, not the Ozzy song, the original TV series. 9AM on the U. I never dug it before, but it's great fun.
3) Cambodia Rocks-- a raw compilation of Cambodian garage bands recorded in the years before the fall of Phnom Penh to the Khmer Rouge; 90 percent of the musicans, all of whom are unknown, were killed in the Killing Fields; all recorded info on the groups were destroyed by the Khmer Rouge; a lot of covers but the backbeats are massive
4) Hawkwind "Motorhead"-- The original version and still strangely the best. Lemmy burns!
5) Bible of the Devil "Whiplash"-- I already have whiplash just thinking about it!
In sum, fuck 'em.
Here's a dandy list of things I consider Raw for the week--
1) Fu Manchu "Module Overload"-- Monster riff. Brant Bjork is Alex VanHalen sans gong.
2) Perry Mason-- No, not the Ozzy song, the original TV series. 9AM on the U. I never dug it before, but it's great fun.
3) Cambodia Rocks-- a raw compilation of Cambodian garage bands recorded in the years before the fall of Phnom Penh to the Khmer Rouge; 90 percent of the musicans, all of whom are unknown, were killed in the Killing Fields; all recorded info on the groups were destroyed by the Khmer Rouge; a lot of covers but the backbeats are massive
4) Hawkwind "Motorhead"-- The original version and still strangely the best. Lemmy burns!
5) Bible of the Devil "Whiplash"-- I already have whiplash just thinking about it!
by at 2:36 PM
My posts all got eaten yesterday, so I just wanted to say: HUGE show on Thursday! I've never been a part of a bill that's been so solid and enjoyable. Boulder was butt-savaging, and I too had a hard time believing that they had indeed "scaled back" their amplifiers. I think the jar of earplugs is going to start being an important part of our shows, because without them, I think I would have lost what little hearing I still have left. Two 8x10 cabinets? It was like Deep Purple in a club setting.
It sucked to hear about BoD's van woes. The van really is the last member of any band: If it goes down, it's tough to bring the rock to the masses. I've thrown some tie-rods in my day: In fact, the last time I ruptured suspention on one of my vans, it drove itself through both the tire and the engine compartment. Consider yourselves lucky and always look on the bright side of life.
Also, it's all over the news in other states that our old buddy George W. is in town today in Chicago for the St. Paddy's day parade. It's not being broadcast here, probably because they're worried about KoS and BoD showing up on a flatbed truck, DNC 68 style. I guess I only have an hour to find a suitable generator. Wish me luck.
It sucked to hear about BoD's van woes. The van really is the last member of any band: If it goes down, it's tough to bring the rock to the masses. I've thrown some tie-rods in my day: In fact, the last time I ruptured suspention on one of my vans, it drove itself through both the tire and the engine compartment. Consider yourselves lucky and always look on the bright side of life.
Also, it's all over the news in other states that our old buddy George W. is in town today in Chicago for the St. Paddy's day parade. It's not being broadcast here, probably because they're worried about KoS and BoD showing up on a flatbed truck, DNC 68 style. I guess I only have an hour to find a suitable generator. Wish me luck.
by at 11:36 AM
Holy shit, it's good to be back! At last the site has returned to it's former glory. Praise be! Come to the show tonight if you see this, you won't be sorry.
I don't even know where to start on world events during the week or so we've been down. We've got this scary as shit account by Greg Palast, this little nugget of joy indicating that there's no need to keep the peace when we've got the biggest fucking arsenal in the got dam world, and Bush backpeddling further as he flat our refuses to cooperate with the Enron investigation. That alone is enough to bring a wicked case of heartburn into my gut. Depressing.
I'm still trying to figure out why I even come in to this stupid job any more when all I want to do is book shows with Greg. I've had the kind of day that makes you quit your job by running around nude. All I know is this: The kind of day I've had today, it's pretty much unavoidable that I'm going to have more than 4 PBRs after the show. And anything over 4 or 5 PBRs usually means a headache and rot-gut the next day at work. So I'm contemplating trying that hangover cure shit I've seen advertised on TV. I wonder if it works. Has anyone tried it? Comment if you have, I'd like to know. If I can find it, I'm going to try it tonight and report back.
I don't even know where to start on world events during the week or so we've been down. We've got this scary as shit account by Greg Palast, this little nugget of joy indicating that there's no need to keep the peace when we've got the biggest fucking arsenal in the got dam world, and Bush backpeddling further as he flat our refuses to cooperate with the Enron investigation. That alone is enough to bring a wicked case of heartburn into my gut. Depressing.
I'm still trying to figure out why I even come in to this stupid job any more when all I want to do is book shows with Greg. I've had the kind of day that makes you quit your job by running around nude. All I know is this: The kind of day I've had today, it's pretty much unavoidable that I'm going to have more than 4 PBRs after the show. And anything over 4 or 5 PBRs usually means a headache and rot-gut the next day at work. So I'm contemplating trying that hangover cure shit I've seen advertised on TV. I wonder if it works. Has anyone tried it? Comment if you have, I'd like to know. If I can find it, I'm going to try it tonight and report back.
by at 4:47 PM
All of a sudden, BushCo cares a whole lot about democratic elections.
"Zimbabwe. We do not recognize the outcome of the election because we think it's flawed. And we are dealing with -- and we are dealing with our friends to figure out how to deal with this flawed election." -- Dubya Bush press conference, 3/13/02
Secretary of State Colin Powell said Wednesday the presidential election in Zimbabwe was marked by "numerous, profound irregularities that thwarted the will of the people."
Wow, that's a case of the pot calling the kettle black if ever I heard one.
What about the NUMEROUS AND PROFOUND IRREGULARITIES in sElection 2000 that THWARTED THE WILL OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE?
Why all this concern for Zimbabwe when democracy was MUGGED--RIGHT HERE IN THE GOD DAMN U. S. OF A???!!!
Do you think Zimbabweans care what this goofy Texan thinks about the fairness of their elections? If anything, they're just playing "follow the leader."
"Zimbabwe. We do not recognize the outcome of the election because we think it's flawed. And we are dealing with -- and we are dealing with our friends to figure out how to deal with this flawed election." -- Dubya Bush press conference, 3/13/02
Secretary of State Colin Powell said Wednesday the presidential election in Zimbabwe was marked by "numerous, profound irregularities that thwarted the will of the people."
Wow, that's a case of the pot calling the kettle black if ever I heard one.
What about the NUMEROUS AND PROFOUND IRREGULARITIES in sElection 2000 that THWARTED THE WILL OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE?
Why all this concern for Zimbabwe when democracy was MUGGED--RIGHT HERE IN THE GOD DAMN U. S. OF A???!!!
Do you think Zimbabweans care what this goofy Texan thinks about the fairness of their elections? If anything, they're just playing "follow the leader."
by at 9:07 AM
In his latest attempt to drive professional comedians out of business, Idiot-in-Chief Duhbya pinned responsibility for the 9/11 attacks squarely on the Jerry Springer show!
Nope, it wasn't a systemic intelligence failure, or lax airport security, or even Murphy Brown reruns--it was the Jerry Springer Show.
I wonder what he meant by the "wrong Springer show." Was there ever a "right" episode to watch? "Anal Jihad Caught On Tape?" Maybe the terrorists should have waited a few hours after Springer before tuning in to the Fox network; then they could have listened to Pat Robertson denounce jews, catholics, homosexuals, Hollywood, the Federal Government, liberals, and anybody/anything else wrong with America. That would have made those terrorists happy, sure enough. Maybe the WTC/Pentagon disaster would never have happened.
Of course, this is all meaningless. While we giggle at the stuttering man-child in front of the microphone, immigration visas are mailed to Mohammad Atta and his 9/11 cohorts, fuel efficiency standards for automobiles are defeated in the Senate, and American troops are sent to Georgia to defend an oil pipeline (FREEDOM!).
Hope you're all having a great day.
SEE OUR SHOW THURSDAY @ PRODIGAL SON, 2626 N. HALSTED 9PM!!!!!!!
Nope, it wasn't a systemic intelligence failure, or lax airport security, or even Murphy Brown reruns--it was the Jerry Springer Show.
I wonder what he meant by the "wrong Springer show." Was there ever a "right" episode to watch? "Anal Jihad Caught On Tape?" Maybe the terrorists should have waited a few hours after Springer before tuning in to the Fox network; then they could have listened to Pat Robertson denounce jews, catholics, homosexuals, Hollywood, the Federal Government, liberals, and anybody/anything else wrong with America. That would have made those terrorists happy, sure enough. Maybe the WTC/Pentagon disaster would never have happened.
Of course, this is all meaningless. While we giggle at the stuttering man-child in front of the microphone, immigration visas are mailed to Mohammad Atta and his 9/11 cohorts, fuel efficiency standards for automobiles are defeated in the Senate, and American troops are sent to Georgia to defend an oil pipeline (FREEDOM!).
Hope you're all having a great day.
SEE OUR SHOW THURSDAY @ PRODIGAL SON, 2626 N. HALSTED 9PM!!!!!!!
by at 2:31 PM
All this talk about a "Shadow Government" is really worrisome.
The fact that Tom Daschle--the leader of the Senate, and an ELECTED official, I might add--was neither informed nor consulted about the existence of this furtive-sounding government should make everyone take notice.
I'm sure it comes as a surprise to all elected representatives in Washington, R or D or I.
Even the Judicial Branch was left out of the loop on this one. The truth of the matter is, only the Executive Branch is represented in this provisional government. Were DC to suffer a severe terrorist attack, the Shadow Government alone--appointed by Messrs. "a dictatorship would be a heck of a lot easier as long as I'm dictator" Bush and "the government's business is none of your business" Cheney--would be guaranteed survival.
Executive branch employees are accountable only to the guy who appointed them. In the absence of Congress, this cabal would assume autocratic powers. That's right--overnight, conceivably, we could go from a democracy to a full-on dictatorship. Legislative, Executive, Judicial, and Military powers at the touch of a button, without worrying about all that democratic bullshit that slows down the system. No muss, no fuss.
Bush clearly believes that democracy is not a priority in any contingency government. This is a clear violation of the separation of powers in the Constitution--but after Iran-Contra and a stolen election we know how highly House Bush regards constitutional matters.
Ever wonder what Cheney was doing at those "undisclosed locations?" Probably getting fitted for a nice new brown shirt.
The fact that Tom Daschle--the leader of the Senate, and an ELECTED official, I might add--was neither informed nor consulted about the existence of this furtive-sounding government should make everyone take notice.
I'm sure it comes as a surprise to all elected representatives in Washington, R or D or I.
Even the Judicial Branch was left out of the loop on this one. The truth of the matter is, only the Executive Branch is represented in this provisional government. Were DC to suffer a severe terrorist attack, the Shadow Government alone--appointed by Messrs. "a dictatorship would be a heck of a lot easier as long as I'm dictator" Bush and "the government's business is none of your business" Cheney--would be guaranteed survival.
Executive branch employees are accountable only to the guy who appointed them. In the absence of Congress, this cabal would assume autocratic powers. That's right--overnight, conceivably, we could go from a democracy to a full-on dictatorship. Legislative, Executive, Judicial, and Military powers at the touch of a button, without worrying about all that democratic bullshit that slows down the system. No muss, no fuss.
Bush clearly believes that democracy is not a priority in any contingency government. This is a clear violation of the separation of powers in the Constitution--but after Iran-Contra and a stolen election we know how highly House Bush regards constitutional matters.
Ever wonder what Cheney was doing at those "undisclosed locations?" Probably getting fitted for a nice new brown shirt.
by at 12:22 PM