swimming through tires

NHL Playoff Preview

2009-04-13T09:29:00.000-07:00

Matchups are set!

Eastern Conference:

#1 Boston vs. #8 Montreal
#2 Washington vs. #7 NY Rangers
#3 New Jersey vs. #6 Carolina
#4 Pittsburgh vs. #5 Philadelphia

Western Conference

#1 San Jose vs. #8 Anaheim
#2 Detroit vs. #7 Columbus
#3 Vancouver vs. #6 St. Louis
#4 Chicago vs. #5 Calgary

my picks in bold.

I don't think montreal can beat boston right now. maybe last year, but not this year.

washington is too big up front for the rangers' d, but after green, there isn't much on the blueline.

NJD, playing like crap. who knows, they may turn it around. many times teams streak to get in the playoffs and then collapse. this is like the pennsylvania series. one team hot, the other playing like crap. pittsburgh will get the benefit of calls as well. best player in the league? he's russian and he doesn't play for an eastern conf. team.

maybe if this was anaheim of years past I'd pick them over the san jose chokes, but you got to figure sj can win for once. go roenick!

if detroit didn't have the two best players in the league playing for them, I'd root against them like they were the white sox. However, they do it right: they draft smart players. every 4 years or so, detroit chokes in the first round. maybe this year against the rookie goalie, but most likely not.

vancouver vs. st. louis. zzzz

perennially is there any team more scary in the first round than calgary? even if you make it out of the series, you'll be banged up. chicago, has too much talent though. and coming off a couple of sweet wins against the d-town boys. Go Hawks!

Here is some hard to find Codeine for every one:

Codeine - Demos/Peel Sessions

have you ever stopped to wonder why they forced your voice to turn from silence to a caterwaul?

2009-03-09T18:53:00.000-07:00

What's better than one drummer on stage? Two drummers...

For years I have been billing Texas rock band …And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead, as “the best band that nobody but me listens to. Luckily, there were hundreds of supporters as avid as I who convened on Logan Square Auditorium in Chicago Friday night for a stop on the bands tour to support their new album “The Century of Self,” creating another remarkably memorable concert experience from 2009.

During their 80-minute set, the band played tracks spanning their entire discography, from their self-titled 1998 debut to the recently released “Century of Self.” Some of the more rousing numbers included “Will You Smile Again?” and my all time favorite …Trail of Dead ditty, “A Perfect Teenhood.”

While the music was undeniably awesome, what I enjoyed most about this show was just being around people who appreciate …And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead as much as I do. Outside of a few friends, I really never encounter anyone that likes or has so much as heard them. Even some of their live shows in the past have been peppered with people who didn’t even seem to care. Maybe that’s the benefit of seeing them in a big city as opposed to a small market like Urbana, Illinois.

I think it says a lot for a band that has been trucking along for over a decade being insanely under appreciated that they can still work up a show of this magnitude. …Trail of Dead has been through a great deal in recent years, from losing a major label deal to being forced to open for Dethklok, a band created by the Cartoon Network, yet on stage they still power through like a band hungry to explode. The time for them to achieve the success they deserve has likely passed and perhaps that is a driving factor for them to continue pressing on. I don’t know if that is true and honestly I don’t care. As long as they are touring and recording and pouring insane amounts of energy into their work, I will willingly come along for the ride.

Bad Dress Sense, I bought this because i liked the cover, it turned out to be OK rock music.

A crumpled yellow piece of paper, with seven nines and tens.

2009-03-08T14:39:00.000-07:00

This has been sitting in the draft box for awhile....

Jeff's review of the HUM reunion show sums it up better then I ever could:

"The band played its erstwhile final show in 2000 on New Year’s Eve at the Metro, sharing a bill with the Flaming Lips. Three years following a hometown reunion at Champaign, Illinois’ Rockfest, Hum’s amplifiers remain set to eleven on a ten scale. If last year’s Cadillac commercial featuring the massive, slashing riff from “Stars” didn’t provide sufficient royalty income, the earplug industry should probably pitch in.

Guitarist Tim Lash strummed the opening chords to “The Pod” on his battered Stratocaster before erupting alongside frontman Matt Talbott with a wall of post-grunge cacophony owing a debt to Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” The track remains a standout from 1995’s “You’d Prefer an Astronaut,” although it feeds criticism which unfairly tarred Hum as Smashing Pumpkins clones.

The same album’s “I’d Like Your Hair Long” better displayed the band’s strengths, with an adventurous, two-ton groove anchored by drummer Bryan St. Pere and bassist Jeff Dimpsey. Talbott’s compelling melody, coolly detached delivery and oblique lyrical imagery completed Hum’s signature style. “I’d like your face gone and in its place the sun,” he sang, inscrutably. “Green to Me” seemed appropriate to mark the conclusion of a disastrous year for the economy, complete with a suggestion to move on. “We’ve all got wounds to clean,” sang Talbott. “Here’s a rag; here’s some gasoline. It's all green to me.”

The set favored Hum’s two albums for RCA, though the howling “Shovel” from 1993’s “Electra 2000” ignited the crowd. “Inklings,” one of the band’s final, unrecorded compositions sent diehards into rapture. It also incited a roiling mosh pit, which seemed inappropriate for a crowd with an average age approaching forty.

Hum’s music did the talking throughout its ninety minute set, though Talbott addressed the crowd beyond a self-conscious “thank you” or “happy new year” before the final encore. “You guys are so kind,” said Talbott unassumingly. “We don’t really understand it, to be honest.” While plowing through a gloriously noisy “Isle of the Cheetah,” Hum seemed to modify Theodore Roosevelt’s famous motto: Speak softly, and carry a really, really loud guitar.

Chicago-based post-rock trio Dianogah opened the bill, helmed by noted graphic artist Jay Ryan and distinguished by its double bass guitar lineup. Kansas City, Missouri’s The Life and Times followed, led by former Shiner guitarist Allen Epley. During “Ave Maria,” Epley’s math-rock riffs updated the clarion guitar sound of U2’s “Boy” album, while bassist Eric Abert played stuttering bass reminiscent of Pink Floyd’s “One of These Days.” Before saying goodbye, Epley appealed to single-minded Hum fans that his own wares might be worthwhile. “We’re loud, too,” he offered with a smile."
- Jeff Elbel

Angus MacLise - Astral Collapse, the last of the three releases of Angus MacLise's material pieced together and mastered by Tim Barnes on his Quakebasket label. The other two being The Invasion of the Thunderbolt Pagoda OST and Brain Damage in Oklahoma City. This was a bitch to find... Enjoy!

Nothing better than standing in a basement, in 15 degree weather, listening to great rock

2009-01-18T14:54:00.000-08:00

I saw something Friday night. It was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. Thinking back upon this delight fills me with feelings I cannot begin to describe. On my deathbed I will conjure up this vision as an end point to a life well-lived. I've seen things. Friends, I have seen wonderful things! But this! This thing! My stars. Phenomenal.

Salut, My Canadian Girlfriend!

Salut, The Columbines!

Salut, .22!

Salut, Midgett's beard!

I could not have had a better time.

Unrelated: If you like Negativland and old school hip-hop, you will love this. What a fantastic party mix.

Steinski - What Does It All Mean? 1983-2006 Retrospective - Disc 1
http://www.sendspace.com/file/zcqd7d

Steinski - What Does It All Mean? 1983-2006 Retrospective - Disc 2
http://www.sendspace.com/file/5ocdq1

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

2008-12-09T14:10:00.000-08:00

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...

2008-11-16T19:00:00.000-08:00

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...

2008-11-05T10:03:00.001-08:00

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...

2008-08-06T00:00:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-27T18:25:00.000-07:00

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...

2008-05-18T18:11:00.000-07:00

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.

2008-05-14T02:00:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-12T20:28:00.000-07:00

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!

2008-05-11T18:18:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-06T02:28:00.000-07:00

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...

2008-04-30T19:29:00.000-07:00

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.

2008-04-25T20:14:00.000-07:00

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

2008-04-24T18:14:00.000-07:00

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

2008-04-23T21:34:00.000-07:00

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

2008-04-22T18:39:00.000-07:00

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

2008-04-21T20:29:00.000-07:00

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

2008-04-20T15:27:00.000-07:00

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

2008-04-17T20:04:00.000-07:00

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?

2008-04-16T19:57:00.000-07:00

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?

2008-04-15T15:17:00.000-07:00

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