sorry my soul, it was easy but i got there first

18th dye is back after disbanding in 1999. Yes, they are back and touring! Based in Berlin, the German/Danish the band formed in 1992 with Sebastian Büttrich (vocals/guitar), Heike Rädeker (vocals/bass), and Piet Bendtsen (drums). 18th dye has the soundings of Wire's post-punk & Sonic Youth's noise, but with their own style of math rock.

This tour comes on the tails of their first studio release in 13 years, Amorine Queen. With their 3rd stop in the States on Friday, we heard a fantastic show at the Empty Bottle. This record was added to the collection, but unfortunately it has not had much playing time (ECON final on Wednesday will not defeat me). However, I did recognize the opening song on Friday as "Song for Helen" which got the very small crowds attention and held it to the end of the set. Mike & I had to give them a lesson on American football and Da Bears in-between songs, and in turn we learned of Die Bayern, the Munich soccer club. "Whole Wide World" kicked in next and Rädeker, she plays an excellent bass, she plays the bass so good.

The majority of the set came off the new album, so I’m not too familiar yet the titles, but we were special enough to hear “Pool House Blue”. This falls into my top25 songs of all time:

Mark was not a big fan, but I think it was mainly because of the amps they rented. I agreed they could have been louder, but the show was very enjoyable.

I highly recommend downloading this album:

18th dye - Tribute to a Bus

When the blacktop and the buildings start to move...

We hit up the Hideout on Thursday night for the Centro-Matic/South San Gabriel show.

It was my first time seeing San Gabriel since the purchase of Duel Hawks and I have to say they didn't disappoint. The group consisted of the same lineup from Centro-Matic plus 2 guests. They focus more on Will Johnson’s quieter collection, but we really enjoyed the instrument selection. The drummer was fun to watch and threw in some maracas & brushes to give a nice percussion. The pedaled steel guitar was a nice touch too.

We took a break for some drinks and skipped the (1) Baptist General set, but from what I could hear through the doors they sounded a little sub-popish. Maybe next time…

Centro-Matic opened with Flashes & Cables and really set the stage for a tremendous set. This flowed right into The Rat Patrol DJ’s which is by far my favorite off the new album. I posted the video for your viewing pleasure. Danborn swapping among bass, keyboard, violin & synth, as well as singing backing vocals was amazing to watch. It was nice to hear some older tracks rather than a complete set of Duel Hawks songs. They ended the show with a outstanding cover of English Beat’s “Save it For Later”, which included a lot of dancing and singing along.

Centro-matic - Rat Patrol and DJs from Undertow on Vimeo.

I also found out some fantastic news about two good friends, but I'm not sure if I can share it yet...so until next time enjoy the link below:

Centro-Matic - Love You Just The Same

Oh yeah, Tim is trying to get tickets to the AC/DC show next Friday in Columbus. That ought to be an interesting night before The Game.

Like thousands before me, I came with a glance...

Tre Orsi, I think took a few songs to "get going" (or else I just didn't care for the first two songs) but I liked what I heard after that...this caused me to walk out with a a few records.

Bottomless Pit, they were great as usual - and especially great sounding (I think the soundguy or whoever really got it right, whereas it may have still been just a little off for Tre Orsi - very boomy in the roomy) - I am listening to Hammer Of The Gods while at jury duty right now and these songs are coming back to me how much I was enjoying them at the show...

Magnolia Electric Co. - wow - they kind of put a spell on me, to be honest... we were going to just stick around for maybe 2 songs, but ended up staying for 4 or 5 (and some of those were long) - I wasn't expecting what they were putting down, but I really liked it - will have to research further for sure.

And stolen from Mr. B's blog -
Africa Funk - The Original Sound of 70's Funky Africa

Vecchio is particularly amazing.

we flood empty lakes...

In my head there's this post rock cold war that started with Slint. The Brits or Scots or whoever (they're all the same, right?) weren't having it and they responded with Mogwai, and it was a really solid retort. But then the US responded hardly with Explosions in the Sky. They were blunt, very much the US's version of the Beach Boys, if Mogwai had been the Beatles. So, it stayed that way a while, and then England launch Yndi Halda. Oh sure, they pretty much sound like Explosions on tape. They come to the US and guess what? They've got a violin. Not just any violin, but a tight ass violin that raises the stakes. The Europeans have taken back the trophy. It's a really good violin.

Yndi Halda - Enjoy Eternal Bliss

That's what you say, it's far out, faroutski

UO at the Bottom Lounge 7-12...

It was an interesting show. What looked like a possible train wreck from the start, turned out to be a pretty darned good show...and definitely a great one for old school and/or hard corps fans. When I heard the opening riff of the first song, my jaw dropped. Faroutskie? Are you kidding me? With reviews coming in lately about them mostly playing Saturation and ETD, I was pleasantly surprised by the opening selection. However, it seemed bit sluggish and when Nash started to sing backup halfway through, he sounded awful. I'm not kidding, something was seriously wrong with his voice. To the point where I kept saying to myself, "shut your mouth, play Ed songs tonight." I don't know what it was, but it could have been just a cold. He was short on breath, a bit flat and over compensating to try and push through it. It was odd. Fortunately, as the night went on, he warmed up and show got a lot better. Ed was solid throughout. He was rocking hard.

Like I said, this was a great show for hard-corps and old school fans. In addition to "Faroutski," they reached back for "Vacation in Tokyo," "Crown of Laffs" and they played a portion of "Stull" in the middle of "The Break." In fact, as they're playing the Break, I'm fully expecting a wicked guitar solo to break out like that clip on YouTube and all of the sudden, they go into that part where the second solo is about to begin and I think, man that sounds like "Stull." Well, that's because it was. Anyway, hearing those old songs live, it's amazing how well they fit in with everything else. While you can hear growth and progression in UO's records, the early stuff just has a different sound to it. When they're live, that's stripped away and they blend really well.

In addition to older stuff, I was excited to hear "Heaven 90210" and "Need Some Air," which I hadn't heard post reunion to this point.

They played three new tunes: "Hollywood," "Gods Name" and "Niteliner." For me, each song was a little better than the one before. "Hollywood," you know from John's YouTube clip. Btw, Nash had to check with Ed before the song to make sure he had the right progression. "Gods Name" is a Nash track and has a Soul thing going on. It was very cool and definitely different than the other newer stuff that tends to rock harder. "Niteliner," which I thought Ed said was called "Night Rider," was awesome. It was totaly 70s classic rock, screamin' guitars with lyrics about a train (I think). It reminded me of that UO cover of Grand Funk's "Are you Ready." Overall, the three new tracks were very exciting and gave me hope a new record is on it's way....eventually.

Overall, I loved the show, even with Nash not being up to par. His voice warmed up and peaked about mid-way through the set. They sounded spectacular together on "Vacation in Tokyo." That was definitely a highlight Saturday night. Fortunately as the night went on, Nash's voice held up enough to get through the rest of the set. The show also seemed a bit short, but I was so happy with the song selections, it made up for it.

heres a live bootleg from the metro in June of '93...

Urge Overkill - Cabaret Metro 06-22-93

With last night ringing in your ears...

4-3 W (27-17) Wood sits two down looking for his 10th save!


Started today off with a nice 8-mile hike at Shabbona S.P., an awesome lunch with Josh & Sarah and then bike shopping.
Whoo-hoo, I have a new bike! The Specialized Rockhopper Pro Disc. Fever River Adventure Triathlon here I come! I know Josh is up for this, but who else can I get to train with us?






...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead - The Secret Of Elana's Tomb [EP]

I think I just broke my jaw off of my floor.

4-3 L (23-16)

That was an introduction to this short film:

MUTO a wall-painted animation by BLU from blu on Vimeo.



...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead - Madonna

Go find something that's delicate and rare

12-3 W (23-15) Best record in the majors!

I ate a beef, blue cheese, mushroom and onion baguette from a man who told me that in his fifty years as a butcher this was the best beef he had ever had. His wife also extolled the qualities of this beef and also the juices from it and how good the gravy that can be made from it tastes. I took my mighty sandwich back to a customers patio and sat overlooking the lake, As foretolled by a previous devourer of one of these mighty sandwiches (although one with inferior beef to the beef in this particular sandwich), upon the hit of succulent, beautiful, exquisite hot beef, melted blue cheese, mushroomy mushrooms and fried onions, a particularly rhapsodic excerpt from a lost Leone soundtrack Morricone will someday compose in heaven poured from the sky.


The Aluminum Group - Happyness

What would you name your hair? This is an important question!

6-4 W (22-15) Cubs complete a sweep of the 'Backs!

I was going through some boxes in the basement the other night and found some great coffee table books. I have no idea where this one came from; but seeing as it was published in 2003, is it possible I actually purchased it? We started a discussion on hair last night and what would you name yours. Some randoms: Dr. Kenneth Noisewater, Cul du' sac Jones, Missing, Clive the Haircut, "The Koizumi", The DIY, Post-Hair...


Coming Soon: What would you name your beard?



Airport 5 - Tower In The Fountain Of Sparks

I'm running after time and I miss the sunshine

5-3 L (18-14)

Off to the great state of Minnesota this morning and the South Dakota on Thursday, what fun.

AIR - 10,000 Hz Legend

Kelly Watch the Stars...

19-5 W (17-10)
Dempster starts 4-0! woo-hoo

Well, I was pretty excited to see UO play the first show at the new Bottom Lounge, but somebody forgot to renew their liquor license. Way to go Mike, you better reschedule for a weekend when I'm in town.


Air - Moon Safari

I may never leave this place.

3-5 L (15-8)

Nice climate you have here. High oxygen content.

louis barron & bebe barron - forbidden planet soundtrack

Screw work this weekend. I just got to the lake, opened all the windows and get to listen to the rain & thunder. I don't think there is anywhere else I'd rather be right now.

Let me in I'm cold

2-4 L (15-7)

super self-indulgent, yet not crap, i've purchased and repurchased this album several times just for post-break-up anger management.

outside of that i rarely listen to 'em.


The Afghan Whigs - Gentlemen

You can't keep them all for yourself

7-6 W (15-6)



Here's another find from record store day! This probably would have gone back in the stack if it wasn't for the couple staring at me waiting to put it down. After reading Fr. Pat's bio on the back jacket, I have to admit, I was pretty intrigued. This is long out of print, so I don't feel too guilty posting the entire album.



Fr. Pat's Bio..

"Father Pat Berkery is presently in charge of St. Anthony's Parish, in Ansonia, Connecticut. Born in Brooklyn, New York, he contracted polio at a very young age and was treated in and received his grade school education at St. Charles Hospital, in Port Jefferson, New York. The nuns who cared for him did such a wonderful job that he was able to enter the seminary later in life and pursue college and graduate studies in a Connecticut catholic seminary. After ordination, Father Pat was sent to Rome to obtain his Doctorate in Philosophy. While there, he majored in Scholastic Philosophy, and upon completion of his doctoral studies, returned to teach in the Connecticut seminary where he prepared for the priesthood. Father Pat has taught philosophy in various seminaries throughout the country and has written extensively on the spiritual life. He has also preached retreats in many parts of the United States. A published author, Father Pat has written many articles that were published in various religious journals in addition to his books. A gifted speaker and homilist, Father Pat has found that stories have a power to make most messages meaningful and absorbable beyond man's wildest dreams."

It's a trip.



Fr. Pat Berkery ~ Prayers for a Noonday Church

Set the dials to thrill me

8-1 W (14-6)

Alright, I guess it's time I start to go in some sort of order..

The Afghan Whigs - Black Love

If I found you in this city, I'd call it paradise

7-1 W (13-6)


If you didn't know, record store day was this past Saturday. Went to Record Breakers on S. State and found a gem. A lot of vinyl was brought in off the street, no cataloging whatsoever. Oh yes, most likely the best find on record store day ever! Busted at OZ on vinyl! That's right; Naked Raygun, Strike Under, DA, The Effigies, Silver Abuse & The Subverts.

On March 9-11, 1981, a live record of the most popular local punk bands at the time played at Oz. This record, later named Busted at Oz, because the definitive compilation of the Chicago scene. mayor Richard J. Daley shut down the 3rd OZ for the final time in April 0f '81. This album the first recording of Naked Raygun and The Effigies.

A review of the show can be found here
Issue 13, page 10

Various - Busted at OZ

It's like my mind was on backwards

13-6 W (12-6) sliding into 1st...

Here's a buddy from O-H I-O, who recently moved to Chicago. Anyone interested, he'll be playing at the darkroom this Thursday, plus $2 PBR bottles, can't go wrong with that...

juffage. - .summer of glory

I like to hear the sound of your voice, I really find it irritating

9-2 L (9-6)

Went to the AV-aerie tonight and lasted all of about 15 minutes. Horrible, stomach turning noise. Too many good things to say about this album, but I'm too tired and my head hurts..

1.(I Hope U)Don't Survive
2.The Third
3.The Old You
4.Is She A Sign
5.The Brain
6.Bourbon Beard
7.LR72
8.White Lightning
9.Dirty Air
10.Young
11.Moving
12.Ram, The
13.A Cockfight Of Feelings


Silkworm - Italian Platinum

what are you listening to right this second?

12-3 W (9-5)

I saw this band back in November. We walked in expecting more of the punk scene, seeing two members used to play in The Hold, a punk/noise band from Halifax. However, Dog Day sounds more like Superchunk than Black Flag. Either way, we still enjoyed the show. Ended up at the Hungry Brain drinking beers with KC (drums) & Crystal (keys), Canadians are great.

Dog Day - Night Group

any writers among us?

A friend has convinced me to start a blog to relieve the stress of school & work. Since I'm not much of a writer, and music seems to be the only thing that puts me at ease, I guess that's what I'll write about. As a bonus for reading my poor grammar, I will be uploading my entire record collection.

The uploads will be done using sendspace and will be in .RAR format.RAR format.

I guess if only makes sense to start with the first album I heard that really turned me onto another genre of music. If the last track here doesn't make you stop what you are doing and feel a shiver, then you are possibly not human.

(smog) - Dongs of Sevotion