CXCW 2013: Bands, solo singer songwriters and performance artists. It’s not too late to think of an idea and perform a tune to participate in the online music festival for us poor grubs who are NOT going to SXSW this year. Three years running there is a much cooler home that you can say is yours and drink and eat whatever you want for Couch by Couch West. Kids as young as 9-10 even have bands that are performing live and getting internet famous. People are blowing up couches and playing on trains. This is a fun happening and here’s just a few of many.
Here is Uncle Leon doing a song called “beer train” on a new york city subway for CXCW 2013. There is one lady on here that does not take her nose out of a book, actually like most folks numb to something fun and different. Typical new yorkers disappoint me. This festival is not for her but perhaps you think you might be able to change the world one song at time.
Next up is a local to us from New Brunswick, New Jersey resident and one man band Keith Kenny doing a really great song called “Filling Holes”. We never heard of him before and thank goodness for CXCW to fill us in on great music happening in our own damn backyard.
The Foresters are the youngest band ages 13-10 with a tune called “Way Up high”.
Every hour from morning until night the crew at CXCW are posting photos and videos. So no matter when you check-in they have plenty for you to check-out.
New song by Nirvana? WTF? The dude from Germs Pat Smear playing with a Beatle. Not sure even the stones could be as cool to do something as awesomely 90’s sounding as this. Even in the 1990’s. Here’s a couple songs by Nirvana about chicks as an ode to the hurricane we know as Sandy. You should check out these two local NJ Hurricane Sandy music compilations while you are at it.
DOWNLOAD: About A Girl MP3 by Nirvana (LIVE) Amsterdam 11.25.91 Molly’s Lips MP3 from the Hormoaning EP
DOCUMENTARY: I remember a much healthier looking Grant Hart and it seems this film by Gorman Blanchard “Everything Everything” going to show the darkside judging from very ominous looking Kickstarter trailer. It was the year 2000 or so when I met Grant in Athens GA at the 40 Watt on tour with my old band Aviso’Hara. He was doing a one man show and his guitar tour in a cadillac. Working to make back tax money I think he owed from all his huskers money that he never claimed. Being a wild man throwing beer cans into the audience. Yelling at them for requesting Hüsker Dü songs that he did not write or people not getting into it. I don’t know, when methadone is your sober friend I’m not sure you ever wake up from the cloud of “you fucked up” with that stark trip.
Ralph Singer/ Guitarist from Aviso'Hara & Grant Hart
Bob Mould gave the man lots of props in his Autobiography for truly writing some steller songs. His voice is that of an angel lets not forget his gifts. But lets be clear he’s a much prettier singer than Mr. Mould. But what do you really know when you think you’re on dope. Anyway here’s wishing him a blues masters recovery and comeback one day.
If there’s one thing that I can’t explain
Is why the world has to have so much pain
With all the ways of communicating
We can’t get in touch with who we’re hating
DOWNLOAD: Now That You Know Me MP3 By Grant Hart from Intollerance 2541 MP3 by Lorrie Matheson & the Brass Tacks (Grant Hart Cover) Turn On The News MP3 by Hüsker Dü from Zen Arcade Think It Over Now MP3 by Grant Hart from Good News For Modern Man
For fun here’s a new tune by that other Minneapolis rocker. My Road Now MP3 by Paul Westerberg -2012
Glen Hansard is a traveler and I’m not sure he’s ever supposed to settle down. A troubadour since I first met him playing a solo across the country promoting his band the frames in Asbury Park. I was reminded of what real musicians could be. He’s more than just a singer guitar player guy. I honestly hate the genre because all I can think about is JT and the time I fell asleep at a concert. Anyway, Glen has been in living in NY the for the past year and half working on the Broadway version of his movie Once. Yup. good enough for U2 good enough for him. Here’s a song from the Hunger Games soundtrack. His first ever solo record is coming June 19th Anti and it’s called Rhythm and Repose. He’s a personable guy. Here’s a video of him just playing without a mic at SXSW. Which is typical Glen. If you like these few ditties pick up For the Birds. You’ll be mad at yourself you waited this long. We can’t wait for this one. Sometimes performers send chills down your back and you wake-up and say to yourself. “Now, if I could only be 1/10 as good as him”. Try as you might Glen’s one of those inspiring characters. Yet, he’s humble and just puts himself out there with every performance. Part Irish charm but mostly a troubadour of life.
Move it a long my dear protestors this is a real insurgency. Every month we smash or trash some songs and then let you grab the spoils. There would be busted and bruised ego’s if you heard us in the board room throwing darts at some of the music that does not make the cut. For the record all bribes are accepted as there is no real formal process other than sending us a downloadable link for your latest and greatest track. We think these are number one hits in their own rights but do feel free to follow the unedited Review Stalkernoise on the twitters. Enjoy!
Love Teeth MP3 by Drew Smith. We’ll start you out on a slow burn jam which comes with a nicely illustrated collage video. This would also be a great song for a endtro-intro to a film or HBO series like Big Love because the string orchestration draws you in while still remaining at it’s core a decent hip alternative thing going on versus some of that Dave Mathews junk. Drew has a vibe which is reminiscent of Matt Pond PA so if you are fans check him out.
Backroom Darlings MP3 by Femme Fatality from That’s It, Thar’a It.This one is big fuzzy electro disco assault where any thing can happen in the backroom of the green room of the club. Girls sleeping with dogs and guys crossing over to the other side. It’s a trashy sordid affair. We really can’t tell who is into what these days but this music should make any hipster make crazy whoopie sounds. Think The Faint using the tools Kraftwork taught them to use for backroom concert fan situations via www.stickfigurerecordings.com
Diving Bell MP3 by Brown Shoe from The Gift Horse. This is some pretty boy rock music with some of the singing done in a falsetto voice that whisks then it rocks out a bit. The marching band snare drum shuffle moves this along like a rolling wave of underwater seaweed being run over by a lawnmower. Whatever that means we give you this band’s song because it’s good. Get the rest of The Gift Horse manscape on Brown Shoe’s band camp page.
All Tomorrow's Parties - Fist of Tarver of Chavez Asbury Park, Nj
Here’s a couple photos from last night. I wish I had a proper camera but sometimes if you just work with what you got it really is all about your timing so the rest of you can suck it. All Tomorrow’s Parties was a blast last night. Always awesome to see the 1 millionth Chavez reunion. One day maybe one day we’ll hear something new out of these men. The word is that ATP is now contracted to have the event in Asbury’s convention hall for next couple years after this weekend’s show. This works for me although I’ve always wanted to have a reason to go to Monticello, NY because the damn weather people are telling me what the temperature is there for some reason. I tried to sit through Bonnie Prince Billy but was not in mood after laughing my ass off to Reggie Watts and be run over by Shellac and Chavez. We waiting in line to watch Thinking Fellers Union. They were as quirky as I remembered them.
For the rest of the weekend I’ll need to live vicariously through everybody else who is staying down there for the weekend into Sunday when Public Enemy plays and maybe Radiohead? Holy Hell I wish I could see that double bill.
One of the more pleasant experiences to break-up all the noise was seeing Reggie Watts. The guy introducing him in this google performance is a tool but you get a good idea of his schtick. He reminds me of old school SNL so maybe one day he’ll get to do that show.
I remember in 8th grade this skater name Rusty gave me Murmur because he just didn’t get it. It was probably one of the weirdest random gifts of music I ever got. The first time I heard “Radio Free Europe” was a high-school band covering the song then within literally a couple months I had the original version of the song where this whole world opened up I did not know existed. It was one of the signs I should quit my cover band and look for other kids making original music. That first original band a couple years later would be called the Unemployed, then The Leisure Set and my senior year Psychic Fair then a whole shit-tone saga of bands, records and recordings since.
From Murmur to New Day Rising I was hooked on this alternative music thing. I think Hüsker Dü put the nail in the cofin but it was definitely a moment when I thought. Hell I can make punk music if they can. This sounds easy instead of these Rush covers like “XYZ” and “Spirit of the radio”. Mike Stipe made it ok to not be so secure and to just let it out with a nice subtle twist with his almost undiscernible lyrics. Mills made it ok to be a melodic bass player and play some chords. Peter Buck was just cool. Hell he played on Let it Be by The Replacements. I think a super geek thing when on tour one time was when my band old indie band Aviso’Hara of 10 years played the 40 Watt, I met Buck’s ex wife which i think she wanted the club in their divorce settlement and then as we were driving out of town we made sure to drive by the restaurant Automatic for the People where REM named said record after. Anyway, heard on the internet we all have a reunion show to look forward to. They are as iconic as The Rolling Stones in my book. Thanks for all the great music boys.
“Something about that sound man” I Will Dare MP3 by The Replacements from Let It Be. Solo in the middle is Peter Buck playing the mandolin. New Day Rising MP3 by Hüsker Dü s/t
Drive is a sonically sound road trip rock documentary with David Gedge and his band The Wedding Present touring North America way back in 2005 which was Directed & Edited by Steve Stone and his company Third Hand Films whom I’ve known the better part of 20 years! Can’t believe it. Anyway, the story goes that Steve sent Gedger an email when he heard they were planning on coming to America and he asked him if he’d be interested in taping some of the shows. After a bunch of red tape, venues collecting taping fees, many emails and miles of editing here’s the end result; a road show which uses video shot at multiple venues in the states and some by the band themselves.
Some of the interviews takes places at The Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh, PA but unfortunately the concert footage there could not show any of the cool shit there. Other venues include Maxwells to the Roxy in LA. Steve took a few minutes out of his Sunday and came over to play Wii with my daughter and I to drop off a copy of the film. Here’s a few questions I shot over to him after the home screening. [BUY IT ON MVD]
The Wedding Present - Photo by Terri Nelles
RS: You’ve done a lot of videos over the years since I’ve known you for Pegboy and Buffalo Tom. How’d you come to pick David Gedge as documentary subject matter?
SS: I saw that The Wedding Present were about to tour the U.S. after an 8-year hiatus, so I thought that would be an interesting project. I sent my pitch to David Gedge and he said yes. RS: What’s your best memory shooting this road show and being on the road with the Wedding Present?
SS: my best memory was probably having dinner at Maxwell’s in Hoboken before that gig with Peter Mark Craig (a TWP fan from London who I had met 2 nights before in Boston) and my second camera guy, Matt McNamara. It was a real bonding moment. RS: David Gedge is pretty English and from what you told me he wore the same outfit every night. That must had helped with consistency a little?
SS: actually I think (and hope) that he had a few of the same shirts, but it did help with the mix and match editing from the different shows RS: When was the first time you saw twp? Where? Memories?
SS: I first saw TWP at CBGB’s in 1994. my only memory was that everyone was yelling for them to play “kennedy” and they wouldn’t do it. RS: For the uniniciated can you describe their sound?
SS: their sound is very fast, jangly guitars with what i can only describe as very british vocals.
Photo by Terri Nelles
RS: Was it much different than shooting porn stars? I know one of the projects Women in Porn you’ve had on the back burner is still in process. Has that ever going to come-out? Or is there just a flood of that stuff?
SS: Obviously the content was different, but the biggest difference is that when you’re shooting a live concert, you can’t stop if there’s a problem, so you have to be better prepared technically. I hope to eventually finish the porn project, just have been busy with life.
RS: Was it easy to shoot this on next to nothing of a Dixie cup budget? Ever think of having a kickstarter account to fund something?
SS: Budget-wise, all I needed was tape stock and a couple of tanks of gas. The biggest expense was airfare to Los Angeles and a couple of nights in hotel rooms in Boston, D.C. and LA.
RS: What has the WP fan base response been like so far?
SS: One thing I learned from this project is that TWP fans are quite loyal and the overall response from them has been really positive. The film was premiered in London in June of ’10 and the feedback I got from that was really great. But I think the best compliment I’ve gotten from more than a few people was that they felt compelled to clap after each song in the film. That they felt like they were watching a live show.
RS: Seems like everybody and their mother is making documentaries. For instance the One about City Gardens and Randy Now. Would you do something like this again? What would you do differently?
SS: There are definitely a lot of docs coming out about everything under the sun, but that’s just because it’s so easy to do cost-wise and technology-wise these days. I love music and would welcome the opportunity to work on another band film, but as far as doing it differently, the only change I’d make would be shooting in HD.
RS: Any concert or other documentaries of recent you admire?
SS: I really enjoyed the Curt Flood doc on HBO.
RS: What’s in store for Third Hand Films? I know part of the big plan is to move out to LA. Sounds terrorizing to me but how can people reach you?
SS: I don’t know what is in store for Thirdhand Films. If things go according to plan, yes, a move to the west coast in possible. As for reaching me, only if someone has money to throw at me, steve@thirdhandfilms.com
RS: What are your top 10 songs as of recent? Any new bands? I know you’ve also DJ’d any other career you’d choose?
SS: This is the toughest question. I’m so out of the loop with new bands. I really love the alternate version of “Loving Cup” on the Exile on Main Street outtakes. Cant’ say there’s too much that rattling my brain right now. As for another career, I wanna be a dog whisperer. RS: You once dj’d on prb and where else I can’t remember exactly? What are some of the songs you would put in a playlist with twp? Does not have to be current tunes.
SS: i did shows at wrsu, wtsr and wprb, all at different times between ’92 and ’98. songs that I would play with TWP? not so much particular songs but some bands would be new order, my dad is dead, the cure. RS: Anything else you’d like to add? Words of wisdom for people in film school,etc.
SS: Nothing else to add and my only advise to film school students is have a back-up plan because everyone and his brother is making “films” now.
Roadshow play list: Kennedy MP3 By The Wedding Present from Bizarro (1989) Ceremony MP3 by New Order from Substance French Film Blurred MP3 by Wire from Chairs Missing Seven years MP3 by My Dad Is Dead from The Taller You Are The Shorter You Get (1989) A Night Like This MP3 by The Cure from Head on the Door (1985)
SINGLE REVIEW: Record store geeks are aware Tame the Sun kills amps and vinyl stock from Male Bonding’sEndless Now. This is a virtual high-five over to magician/producer John Agnello, or at least until I see him at the Mercury Lounge show this coming August, 29 2011. This track first leaked via Spin and it’s pretty awesome. Sub Pop’s Male Bonding have all the right ingredients and hooks in this tune. Starts-off with a dirty-gritty ampeg bass and just takes off to outer space from there. The vocals have a my bloody valentine mix and execution approach but just up enough and double tracked with swirly oohs and ahhs further adding fuel to this brash pop with a very fine balance of guitar monster riffage. Where’s the previous release Nothing Hurts hid all the details right under the hiss of the cassette at times making us shove our ears to the speakers to imbibe what was going on. From the first melody this one sails you through the tune as the guitars swing and thrash to the end as not to compete to their no frills indie rock and is exactly what I’d hoped for as follow-up. Check it out!
They are fans. We are fans. So you’ll dig it if you like: Come in Alone MP3 by My Bloody Valentine from Loveless (1991) Dare MP3 by The Wedding Present from Seamonsters (1991 The Second Foundation MP3 by The Ergs from Upstairs/Downstairs (2007) Lost in the Woods MP3 by Pete & The Pirates from little death (2008)
Soon enough review stalker Dave returns from his extended holiday in the sun. Before he gets his blogging groove back on I have one more guest posting of summer playlist tones for y’all. Here’s 4 more that reflect upon the time of year.
Something old:
Appears the unusual heat dome has broken and the temps are now near 90 degrees in most parts of the country. That’s a bit of relief after the sweltering 100 degree dog days of last week. Some of that was broken up with a scattering of precipitation. Every time it rained it poured and each time I kept humming this oldie but goodie. Next time it rains this summer hum this chestnut and try and get it out of your head.
Summer Rain video by Johnny Rivers from the album Realization (1968)
Something New:
The Fiery Furnaces have been making some nervous art rock for over 10 years. The Brooklyn based duo have had moments of greatness on some of their albums. But it appears Eleanor had to leave her brother behind to record her sweet NYC tribute album. Included on her debut album, ‘Last Summer’ are songs about city ‘hoods Bensonhurst, Roosevelt Island, Coney Island and Owl’s Head Park. The lead track ‘My Mistakes’ could be the summer song of 2011. Check out the video and you’re sure to be sold with its inspiring imagery and catchy melody. It’s a hook laden beauty of a tune.
My Mistakes video by Eleanor Friedberger from the album Last Summer (2011)
Something Borrowed:
When it comes to songs about this time of year fellow Brooklyn-ite George Gershwin nailed it. In 1935 he wrote the music for the American folk opera ‘Porgy & Bess’. The hit song from the show has been covered countless times by so many including Janis Joplin, Sonny & Cher, Billy Stewart, Peter Gabriel, Sam Cooke, Brian Wilson, Sinatra and numerous others. But when Terry Hall took a stab at the classic in ’82 he ho-hummed his way through it while his “Fun Boys” from The Specials chanted away. An inspired and inventive take on the standard that sums up the season quite nicely whatever year it is. Hush little baby don’t you cry.
When Jack White married British super model Karen Elson he may have subconsciously had plans to record her. Once the 6 year marriage ended her debut album was released. She had been singing occasionally over the years with Robert Plant, Cat Power and with the NYC “cabaret” group, the Citizens Band. The album is a haunting countrified treat that includes a song about the season that Bananarama (The Fun Boy 3’s girls) also complained about back in the’80s. This is not that happy new wave ditty but one that is extremely sad and blue. It’s a tearjerker that may require a tissue. Can’t help but wonder, did she write this for Jack?
Cruel Summer video by Karen Elson from the album The Ghost Who Walks Out (2011)
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