Monthly Archives: October 2008

Putting the "Swing" in "Swing State"!

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So I guess it’s fitting with the presidential election next Tuesday that I choose a certain theme of music. Ohio, you best be paying attention! To start with, let’s just all rejoice the fact that we now can count down the days to when this utterly incompentent man is out of office. We start the swing theme with a song that was once played as a representation of FDR in office. It’s by a man named Bel Selvin, and the song is “Happy Days Are Here Again”. We’re not sure, but let’s hope that the song is right, and happy days are truly here again.

However, I want to say that there is a theme to this one, as all the songs are swing songs in some form. One group that I think a lot of people forgot about is the Squirrel Nut Zippers. They had a grand total of one commercially played hit. Can you name it? If you did, then I’m impressed. It was the following track, “Hell”, off of their album Hot. Great tune, and I want to also pass on that the band is back together and touring! You can check out the tour dates here, and if they’re near you? Then go see them!

The following track is also from the same album, and with it, I’ve included a re-working of sorts by the Greens Keepers’ James Curd. Back in 2001 and 2002, DJ’s like Derrick Carter were championing this fresh sort of take on house by essentially sampling old – or in this case, new – swing and jazz cuts. It fell by the wayside eventually, but it’s still fun to hear every so often, and I’ve kept practically every record of this fashion. So first up is the Squirrel Nut Zippers with “Put A Lid On it”.

Now take that tempo and speed it up by about double, and you have James Curd’s take on the track with “Keepers Quiet”. It was on Mike Dixon’s now defunct G-Swing label, and featured Dixon also taking a crack at it.

As always, please do take the time to buy this music if you like it! Also, please vote on Tuesday, November 4th! You may think your vote doesn’t count, but if you don’t vote? Well, you have no right to bitch about what you perceive as problems! Every vote does matter, as the more votes they tally, the more these people know that you all have the final say on whether or not they get to keep their job!

I love: Bikinis, ménage a trois, the French kiss, Audrey Tautou…

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Detox Retox was formed in 2007 by friends Mike Parker, Nate Frey, Kevin Glass, and Kabir Khanna. They played their first show at WMUC-FM (University of Maryland campus radio, in College Park, MD) in early 2008, performing on the station’s long-running Third Rail Radio program. 

In July 2008, Detox Retox went into the studio with friend and producer Joe Mitra to record their debut EP, Hard to Swallow, at Wired Wrists II in Brookville MD. The record was released at a show at The Red and the Black in DC last month, and it is currently available in digital format through eMusic, iTunes, and Amazon MP3, or in hard copy through Kunaki. The band plans to continue playing shows, writing songs, and acquiring new fans over the coming months. Further information can be found on their Myspace.


This is the leadoff track from their debut EP, entitled Hard to Swallow:

[Download Detox Retox – Groovebox]


We did a quick interview with the boys, and we are still busting up over some of their answers!


KG=Kevin Glass (bass), NF=Nate Frey (lead guitar), MP=Mike Parker (vocals/guitar), KK=Kabir Khanna (drums).

What is your opinion on the influence of music blogs on the music industry?

KG: The internet has allowed a democratic revolution in music, and blogs are obviously related to this. Previously there were only a few magazines and news outlets that the vast majority of people digested their music from. Now there are blogs that cater to every audience, every genre, on both a local and national level, that really has allowed everyone to take part in the process.
NF: Yeah, it’s been huge. I think blogs and digital distribution have a lot to do with the decentralization of the music industry in recent years and the resurgence of independent labels. Blogs are also a really effective promotional tool, as well, I think. At least they have been for us.

What inspires you to make music?

MP: Scott Stapp.
NF: Yeah, definitely Scott Stapp.

Tell us about your most memorable gig thus far!

KK: Probably our EP release show in DC. A lot of our friends came out to support us, and we had a blast playing.

NF: For me, it’s our show at Asylum in DC in August, because I think it was the first time I really felt like we had reached a point with our fans where they were going to come out to every show in big numbers and have a good time. Also because it was a terrible, terrible show from a performance perspective. But hey, people didn’t seem to care.
KG: Our second show that we ever played was at an actual legit music venue (as opposed to a dive bar, like our first show) and we did a terrible job with publicity and getting the word out. There was a great touring band opening for us, Girl in a Coma, and we were the locals who were expected to draw a crowd. We fucked up big time, and we deserved the tiny crowd we had. Nate and Kabir picked a memorable good show, but I think that poor showing on our part was a great learning experience that motivated us and propelled us forward as a band.

What three artists you would love to collaborate with?

KK: Michael Parker, Nate Frey, and Kevin Glass. Haha no seriously… if we’re talking actual artists, I’d love to collaborate with Mozart, Shakespeare, and Leonardo Da Vinci.

NF: David Byrne, Neil Young, Thurston Moore
KG: Nate and Kabir have to go all faux-pretentious. Who the hell is Thurston Moore? What has Mozart ever done lately? I’m going with Timbaland, R. Kelly, and Hugh Hefner.
MP: Vin Diesel, t.A.T.u., and Nicholas Cage

Have you ever laughed until something you were drinking came out your nose?

KK: Yeah, but I was drinking snot, so nobody really noticed.

Been pushed into a pool with all your clothes on?

KK: Haha almost, but I saw my friend coming and pushed her in first. Then I realized it wasn’t a swimming pool but a shark tank, and it wasn’t my friend, but a small child. That was the day I vowed never to drop acid at the aquarium again.

Eaten alligator meat?

MP: Yeah. It’s true what they say… tastes just like people.

Ever jump out of an airplane?

KG: This one time I did. I was on a routine flight from Russia back to the United States, and a bunch of terrorists plus Gary Oldman hijacked my flight. They took my family hostage and I faked jumping out in an escape pod, but actually stayed on board in the luggage compartment, overpowered the terrorists with my superior wit and a satellite phone that ran straight to Glenn Close, and finally was able to escape via a tripwire attached to a marine rescue plane.

Have you been to more than 10 countries?

KK: Pssh! I’ve been to more than 10 continents.

KG: Best five: Switzerland, England, Egypt, Israel, Texas. Worst five: France, France, France, France, France.
MP: You’re wrong. France has invented everything I love: Bikinis, ménage a trois, the French kiss, Audrey Tautou…

What did your last incoming text message say?

KG: “Lincoln freed the slaves.”

KK: “I know. I knew they were after me.”

What was the last thing you yelled out loud?

KK: “Shut up and pull!”

NF: Not sure, but probably “FUCK!”
KG: “Nate, if you don’t play a one-five-six-four power chord progression, I quit this fucking band!”
MP: “This is one of the best poops I’ve taken in my entire life!”

Ethereal Madness!

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So for this week, it’s a combination of sorts. First off – and this isn’t music related – do you all know about the new Jean-Claude Van Damme movie? No? Neither did I two weeks ago. It actually looks good. It’s a biopic, of sorts. And it looks kind of funny, also. So here’s a trailer for it, called JCVD.

With that out of the way, it’s on to music. About a month ago, I was set to go see Mogwai perform. Well, due to some medical complications with their drummer, the rest of the US tour was scrapped. I was a bit bummed, but it gave me a chance to go back and listen to more of their stuff. They have a new album out, also, called The Hawk is Howling, and one song in particular catches my ear. It – no lie – could be the best song I have heard this year. The song is “The Sun Smells Too Loud”. Just like with last year’s “Bros” by Animal Collective member Panda Bear, this one hits me and does so quite hard.

For those not familiar with Mogwai, they do an unreal amount of work that is simply instrumental. One of my personal favorites from their past (albeit not too long in the past) is “Auto Rock”, and for that one, I will share the video. Instrumental madness that just builds to a crescendo and just drops off a cliff. That’s the way I like it, however.

The other “band” this week I’m featuring goes by a couple different names. He used to go under the name Manitoba. Well, a lawsuit came about by an artist simply with the last name of Manitoba. Silly, eh? Well, he changed the name to Caribou, but it doesn’t take away from the dreamy and happy sounds these two songs evoke. They are both from the album Up In Flames. His previous album – Start Breaking My Heart – is an excellent album in its own right, but definitely for those who are more into straight electronic music. First off is “Hendrix With Ko”.

Next is a very cute fan-made video for the song “Crayon”.

As always, please help the artists and buy the music! It helps them to keep releasing wonderful stuff such as the above!

Sack the quarterback…

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They say “they never really miss you til you dead or you gone”
So on that note i’m leaving after the song


[Download DJ Danger Mouse/Jay-Z/Beatles – December 4th]

NEW YORK (AP) — DJ AM, who survived a plane crash last month in South Carolina, will appear on tour with Jay-Z.

DJ AM, whose real name is Adam Goldstein, will join the rap mogul Wednesday at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, said Jenni Weinman, the celebrity disc jockey’s publicist.

It will be his first performance since suffering severe burns in the Sept. 19 crash at the main airport in Columbia that killed four passengers.

“He’s the greatest rapper in the world,” the 35-year-old disc jockey told People.com. “This is the biggest thing that’s happened in my career.”

Fucking dude survives a plane crash! Now this! I need HIS lucky underpants. DJ AM, with the help of Eli Escobar, just did a remix of my favorite Weezer song off the Red album. Troublemaker.


[Download Weezer – Troublemaker (Escobar and DJ AM Remix)]

Mr. Goldstein is a lucky man. I wonder if his shoe collection somehow saved his life?

BTW. The First track up top is a never released track off a never to be released album by Danger Mouse. When Jay-Z released the black album he also released the a cappellas. Well an unknown Danger Mouse decided to use the a cappellas overtop some music he created completely from the the Beatles White Album. Hence the album was called the Grey Album. It’s an amazing piece of work!

Maverick!

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SARAH PALIN LOOK A LIKE PAGEANT TO TAKE PLACE IN SIN CITY

LAS VEGAS – October 14, 2008 – With only a month of national exposure as the GOP’s vice presidential candidate, Sarah Palin has become one of the most impersonated figures in America. With such abundant coverage of Palin’s beauty pageant history, Club Paradise Men’s Club in Las Vegas has announced the Official Sarah Palin Look a Like Pageant will take place in “Sin City”.

On Thursday, October 23rd 2008, Club Paradise Men’s Club will host a variety of Palin impersonators as they compete in a shootout for the “Best Sarah Palin Look a Like”. General Manager, Bill Denniston says “We have invited girls who resemble Sarah Palin from clubs all over the country to join us for the pageant.” The guests will cast their votes based on the contestants debating skills in addition to how well they match up to Sarah Palin in a swimsuit. The winner of the contest will be awarded over $10,000 in cash and prizes, including a trip for two to Washington D.C. for the Presidential inauguration in January, 2009.

The debate will start at 8pm on Thursday, October 23rd. To reserve a table for this event, call 702.734.7990. Anyone interested in joining the debate can email info@clubparadise.net for more information. Club Paradise is located directly across from the Hard Rock Hotel at 4416 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, NV 89169.

###

For media information and photos, please contact:
Mark Wiley
Mobile: 702.499.1915
Email: mwiley@wsquaredmedia.com

-=-=-=-=-=-=-
And here is a political edged remix to listen to while you book tickets to Vegas!

[Download Radiohead / George W Bush – The Gloaming]

Dare to be STUPID! (Part 3)

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So…I assigned homework to the staff. Find a song that sums up the last eight years with George W. Bush, and come up with 2 or 3 sentences/paragraphs to explain the choice in song. I joined in the fun too. Problem is, we couldn’t keep it short…so it’s going to be a three part series. HERE IS PART THREE!

MISTERZINK:

Right away, I knew which song defined the torture we’ve dealt with from the moron-in-chief of the last eight years. “Weird Al” Yankovic was asked to contribute a song the original Transformers movie back in 1986. What was submitted is a vastly underrated song of his. Essentially a parody of all the bad ’80’s music – Devo most notably – the song now takes new meaning with our Commander-in-Vacations doing a stupendous job of being superior in stupidity to even Millard Fillmore.

The song I’m talking about? “Dare To Be Stupid”. I’ve added both the music video as well as the part of the flick in Transformers it was from. Because that movie kicked mucho asso.

Seriously, does it hurt this guy’s brain to think about things that go beyond playing a game of horseshoes? I digress. As you were.


[Download Weird Al Yankovic – Stupid]

Link to the actual video, since Al doesn’t like embedding, I guess.


Think you can do better? pick a song and write up a few words to explain why, and maybe you will get published on our blog! send your drafts to: inallcapsATgmailDOTcom (replace “AT” with “@” and “DOT” with “.”)

Dare to be STUPID! (Part 2)

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So…I assigned homework to the staff. Find a song that sums up the last eight years with George W. Bush, and come up with 2 or 3 sentences/paragraphs to explain the choice in song. I joined in the fun too. Problem is, we couldn’t keep it short…so it’s going to be a three part series. HERE IS PART TWO!

MOOKIE:
I made the mistake of watching the September 11th, 2001 show of Howard Stern’s program recently. It totally bummed me out.

I used to always listen to the show on the way in to work when it was on FREE FM. When I tuned in that day, I remember being in shock as to what I am hearing.

I put my foot down to get to work. I needed to get to the office. There were TVs there. There were people there.

I am sure we all remember that day.

On the Stern show, they were talking on the radio like normal people. Like you and I. Not a news organization that is afraid to get things wrong so all the information is guarded. They were watching the TVs like we were. Trying to speculate what is happening.

When the second tower falls into dust, Howard Stern says, “They’re gone.” I can barely stop my chest from heaving.

Howard Stern maybe was the first person to ever say the name Osama Bin Laden. I had never even heard the name before. I, like most people, wanted to see this mother fuckers head on a stick paraded thru Manhattan.

And then we go to Afghanistan. But this mother fucker slips out of our hands. Instead of doubling our efforts, we end up in Iraq. Why? It was an excuse. We all know that. I’ve always thought that the government allowed this to happen so that the Bush regime could take Military action against Iraq.

Anyways.

The point of this post is that the whole time I am watching this, I keep thinking… these MFers won! Bin Laden won! They hit our financial nerve center. Bin Laden wanted to hit is where it really hurts. Our pockets.

Speed forward 5 years. Gas is crippling high. We have the lawmakers passing an 800 billion bail out bill for the financial markets. The Market is below 10,000 for the first time in FOUR years.

UPDATE: The Dow Jones index in New York closes well below 9,000 points — the lowest close since 2003. (10-9-2008)

Maybe if we had someone competent at the helm, we could have had maybe gotten through this with just some minor scrapes and bruises. Instead, it seems like the end of the road for this country. Might be the end of the world as we know it…

[Download Great Big Sea – End Of The World]


Think you can do better? pick a song and write up a few words to explain why, and maybe you will get published on our blog! send your drafts to: inallcapsATgmailDOTcom (replace “AT” with “@” and “DOT” with “.”)

Dare to be STUPID! (Part 1)

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So…I assigned homework to the staff. Find a song that sums up the last eight years with George W. Bush, and come up with 2 or 3 sentences/paragraphs to explain the choice in song. I joined in the fun too. Problem is, we couldn’t keep it short…so it’s going to be a three part series. HERE IS PART ONE!

THE LITTLE ONE:
“We got him.”

Wow, we were impressed! That was comparatively swift and skillful! I guess military action in response to 9/11 was the right move. Go, U-S—what? We got who?

George Bush’s tenure in the oval office cemented for all of us that the Hollywood story of Wag the Dog was entirely possible and probable. We all began wondering which of the discredited conspiracy theories over the years should be revisited.

Ordinary citizens who believed in equality and justice, who believed that the intentions of their great country were inherently good, were thrust into the reality that political egos had hit a record high and were in desperate need of being reigned in.

When will the world listen to reason? I have a feeling it will be a long time.
When will the truth come into season? I have a feeling it will be a long time.

This was not the first time in history that Americans had been lied to by their President, or felt as if they had been. But I would argue that this was the first time that the majority of Americans became convinced that an entire administration was diabolical in their intent to mislead the citizens and the other branches of government.

Egos will feed, while citizens bleed. That’s always the way it goes.

It’s not difficult to begin to wonder whether there were domestic motives behind the vicious attacks on September 11. And that is the most disgusting legacy that George W. Bush leaves behind. When the proud face of a son who has completed his father’s mission is broadcast to a confused nation, we are forced to wonder who and what this was all for?

Americans need to have their faith and pride restored. Americans need to understand that nationalism and patriotism are not four-letter-words. In 2008 I truly believe that it is the Democratic Party that has put forth the face and the name that has the only chance of getting us there. Without that hope that a regime change will bring, I truly fear for our future.


Think you can do better? pick a song and write up a few words to explain why, and maybe you will get published on our blog! send your drafts to: inallcapsATgmailDOTcom (replace “AT” with “@” and “DOT” with “.”)

‘Cause I’m a rat, there’s no mistake.

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According to the Chinese Zodiac, the Year of 2008 is a Year of the Rat, which begins on February 7, 2008 and ends on January 25, 2009.

They sound like someone…

I don’t remember how I stumbled across them, but I knew right away that I liked them. Figures they are from Georgia. Seems like all the bands I am falling for these days are from the South. They remind me a lot of the sound Colour Revolt had on their EP.

Dead Confederates are a dark rock band that on September 16th released their debut full-length album WRECKING BALL. They recorded this album in a small concrete box studio in Austin, Texas where the sound effects for The Texas Chainsaw Massacre were recorded.

And they sound like a band I love. Maybe they sound like a few of them? I swear it sounds like Kurt Cobain on Shadow The Walls.


[Download Dead Confederates – Shadow The Walls]

I am reminded of Pearl Jam a lot when I listen to The Rat. The Rat would definitely be THE single off the album. It’s a strong and dark anthem that is often misunderstood.

“A lot of people think it’s about a relationship,” explains bassist Brantley Senn. “It’s kind of a protest song about the religious right.”

It’s funny, I immediately thought of Manchester Orchestra while listening to this album. I even had a thought to send an email to MO and ask them if they have heard of Dead Confederates. Then I discover they are touring together through the winter! Wow!

Even with all the touring they find time to visit with Conan O’Brien on Oct 10th.

P.S. Speaking of Manchester Orchestra, their EP is dropping soon. Check out this song off that EP. It’s powerful.


[Download Manchester Orchestra – I Was A Lid]

Concert Series #3

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So for this concert series piece, I will be discussing Stereolab. Don’t know them? Well, you should! These guys have been around for close to two decades, and they’ve even had their worst emotions tested when one of Stereolab’s members, Mary Hansen, was tragically killed a few years ago. They have a new album out now, and are touring in support of it, so being a decade-plus-long fan? I had to go. I’ll be showcasing a few songs of theirs, but also I will be talking a little about their opening band, Le Loup.

Stereolab is the sort of group your parents would probably dig. Think indie-rock meets bachelor-pad easy listening music. It sounds odd, but they’ve established themselves as the kings in such a small niche. Many times, a band suffers from such marginalization, but these guys have mastered it. The unfortunate death of Hansen took a bit away from the band, as they relied on two singers for many of their songs, but they’ve worked to solve that, by adding another singer (a male falsetto) to the repertoire. It works surprisingly well, and hopefully it continues.

The album that first got me interested was one that many people also say first turned them on to the ‘Lab. Emperor Tomato Ketchup is a funny title, but it’s one hell of an album. I’d go so far to say one of the top ten of the ’90’s. It’s certainly debatable but that’s the beauty of the subjectivity of music – there really is no such thing as a right answer. They worked more towards the moog synthesizer sound the later into the ’90’s they went, and it produced some of the best – and underrated – music of the later half of the decade. Here, I’ll be focusing on three tracks in particular.

First up is “French Disko”. This tune was originally just a single, but was later included on Stereolab’s second compilation of Switched On, titled Refried Ectoplasm. This sounded just as good Monday night as it did when I first heard it over a decade ago.

Follow the links below for treats off of ETK that I mentioned earlier. “Les-Yper Sound” is just one helluva cool rollin’ track. Mellow, yet it rocks. “Les Yper-Yper Sound” is essentially a live remix on BBC Radio that was included on the box set Oscillons From The Anti-Sun. Sick sick track.

[Download Stereolab-Les-Yper Sound]

[Download Stereolab-Les-Yper-Yper Sound]

I’ve just got to share another vital Stereloab track. “Diagonals” from Dots and Loops is chill… Loungey… Whatever you want to call it, it’s a great cut for playing at a house party that’s made up of people older than 25. This track essentially defines the sound they took on starting with this album.

[Download Stereolab-Diagonals]

As I mentioned, the band Le Loup opened for Stereolab. They could easily be signed onto the DFA label with what I saw Monday, and they’re a good reason people should check out the opening bands. They had a very unique sound to them, which contrasted with Stereolab’s, but complemented it at the same time. Good choice by the ‘Lab having these guys open up for them!

Here is a sample of what you will hear from Le Loup. And below that? Links to buy all of these fine products! Because buying this stuff helps keep it alive!

Le Loup – We Are Gods! We Are Wolves!