garagedream

2003-12-14T10:54:00.000-08:00

Dear You,

I don't use this anymore. Please go here until further notice. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Me

2003-11-27T22:44:00.000-08:00

Pitchfork's Top 100 albums of the '90s [redux]. I so knew OK Computer was going to be #1.

2003-11-26T17:18:00.000-08:00

Britney rules, Michael drools. This is Brit's fourth consecutive #1? What?

Also: Motley Crue... Ew...

2003-11-25T20:10:00.000-08:00

The Rapture on Letterman 11/28. House OF! Jealous and bickering family members around the Thanksgiving dinner TABLE!

2003-11-24T20:09:00.000-08:00

Let's all take a moment to file this under "What in the holy FUCK?" Why would I want to drink pastry? It just... isn't computing in my brain. But just take a look at these quotes and you'll understand why 85% of all international crack cocaine traffic is circulating out of the Snapple World Headquarters...

"Who says pie only comes in an aluminum tin?" said Maura Mottolese, Vice President, Snapple Marketing. "Our Snapple Pie juice drink allows you to have pie all day long... and the best part is you don't have to turn on the oven. All you have to do is pop the cap!"

And of course the classic: If you don't have time to bake a pie this holiday season, use this easy and delicious drink recipe for Snapple Pie a la Mode. Simply warm up a batch of Snapple Pie, top with a scoop of your favorite vanilla ice cream and whipped cream, drizzle with caramel, serve with a spoon and enjoy!

FUCKING SCARY. (link via Weebl, natch).

You know who's gonna go down to Whole Foods and buy some tomorrow though? Me, bitches!

2003-11-24T16:15:00.000-08:00

Cryptic message on Awek's Web site:

We're done. It's been fun. Thanks for all the support.

Do they mean done with the album or done period?

In other news, Michael Jackson's hopped on the blogwagon (link via Stereogum).

2003-11-21T15:37:00.000-08:00

WARNING: MASSIVE HIPSTER NYC SHOW UPDATE

So, Wednesday I amble over to Plaid (I know...) to repersent my peeps: said peeps being Mommy and Daddy and everyone's favorite Van Halen fans, The Boxes. Muchas thanks to Vivian for sneaking me into the show via the stage door. Anyway, I was surprised to notice that the room wasn't even half-full? OK, Plaid sucks, we know, but come on! I don't give a shit about the venue, if good bands are playing then I'll show!

So the first band up was The Rocks - well, at least 2/3 of them - Vivian had to fill in on bass and a mystery drummer named Kevin held his own... even though he hasn't even heard some of the songs yet! They reminded me of Pulp, The Strokes, Blur and just about every garage band formed post 9-11 (but in an utterly good way). The singer liked to walk around and sing/scream in people's faces, much to my amusement, much to the dismay of Jenny from Aeki Tuesday. But we had a blast, even despite recoiling in horror every five minutes.

The Boxes came on next: am I the only person who serisouly thinks they should be playing more? Like, every night? In my room? I thought not! Much like The Darkness, but without the catsuits and smack, the Boxes know how to write the perefct metal-riff without sounding cheesy. Some one sign them!

Vivian was already all sweaty and suff from playing with the Rocks, so I cuold only imagine the state that the upcoming M&D set would leave her in. Would she pass out? vomit? Have a stroke? Thruth of the matter is, she didn't even break a nail! A small but utterly devoted group of fans sang along and loved every minute of it. At the end the guitarsit from the Rocks jumped onstage to perform a number with them. Guitar. My world has spun around a total 180. Rock.

Last night, My Favorite, Saintface, Washington Social Club and The Hong Kong played the Knitting Factory. First off, I'd liek to take a public stand and say the THE KNITTING FACTORY FUCKING SUCKS. BALLS. There's really nothing more to it. Take a fucking picture, they kick you out (I saw it happen twice...), and I know one of the qualifications to become a bouncer is to have a fucking 6th grade education but goddamn, they're pushing fucking limits over there. But alas, it's the only all-ages venue in Manhattan that books half (and sometimes fully) decent bands, so whatchagonnado?

Anyway, we got there about one third into Sintface's set, and I gotta say... not doing it for me. Yes, you like the Smiths. I like the Smiths. Hell, we all love the Smiths. But there's a boundary to how much you can rip off a band, and by golly, Saintface, you've crossed it. "There is a Room"? Oh, that wouldn't be a song about knowing you have a perfect, undeniable love somewhere on Earth, is it? Because, if it is so, the song's called "THERE IS A MOTHERFUCKING LIGHT THAT NEVER GOES OUT"! I wish you'd played "The Headmaster's Ritual" when I requested it. Not that the songs were bad, it's just a question of merit, boys.

Moving on. The Hong Kong were on next. I'd never seen them live before, but have worn out their MP3s to death and bounce around my room to "Mazerati" constantly. They're like Blondie, only cooler, because I can actually go to see them perform! And I give MEGA props to Cathrine, the vocalist, for holding that note at the end of "Mazerati" exactly like in the recording. Fucking awesome.

Next, Washington Social Club came on... not that i'm against pop-punk or anything (ah... junior high...) but they kind of killed the '80s mood that was swingin'. had I seen them in a differnt context, I might have enjoyed them better, but... nah. The singer was pretty funny though.

Singer: Who's going to be here tomorrow for the Bright Eyes show? Say hi to Conor for me. Give him a big wet sloppy kiss.

Crowd: [Silence]

Singer: Well, yeah, what the fuck?

Jasper took pictures of the female bassist. Moving right along to...

My Favorite. Do I need to stop yakking about this band? Yes, but I also need a pony, and I ain't getting one soon. Every now and then it's really good to get into a really, really cult band. These guys fans are incredible. I remember seeing them back in the day, uh, last May at Northsix during the Kanine Records parties. I had only heard a few songs (notably the one on the Kanine Compilation, "My Life With the Living Dead"). They're preformance was sturdy, but not ground breaking, so I decided to wait out on the release of their new double album, The Happiest Days of Our Lives. I have now probably clocked 15 hours of listening time since last week. Consequently, their performance last night was the highlight of my MF incubation. Michael broke the mic stand, melodicas were twiddled with, Hello Kitty ballerina dolls were molested. I can't choose one particular moment. It was all around stellar.

Did I mention I have spent way too much on band merch in the past two days? Ayayaya, no more for me...

I'd also like to bring to everyone's attention that "Bow Down to Bling Kong" by Bling Kong is a blatant rip off of "Wig in a Box" off the Hedwig and the Angry INch soundtrack. Over and out.

2003-11-19T16:57:00.000-08:00

Yo, this is so messed up... Arrest warrant out on Michael Jackson. Well, he did let R. Kelly peoduce one of his new tracks...

2003-11-18T22:24:00.000-08:00

WHOA. How scary is Jack lookin' there. White Stripes = The Munsters?

2003-11-16T21:10:00.000-08:00

Pretty Girls make Graves's tour bus stolen! I say look towards a certain panda...

2003-11-15T16:46:00.000-08:00

True Life: I am a Brit Shopaholic.

A blog is born: Lazy Rasta. She's Brit. She's rock. She shops.

2003-11-12T17:57:00.000-08:00

If you monkeys want to go to a fucking GREAT show with Mommy & Daddy, The Boxes and a lot of other wonderful people, e-mail M&D at md_band@hotmail.com to get in free. Because, well, Plaid wants to charge you $20. DON'T PAY, FUCKERS! STICK IT TO THE MAN!! The good folks at Crashin' In also stated in their e-newsletter that they'd never hold another event there again... dude.

2003-11-11T19:36:00.000-08:00

So it's official, Plaid fucking sucks. And I haven't even been there yet (although, I'm attending the Mommy and Daddy/ Boxes show next week...) Apparently, Mike D. Wasn't the only one pissed off. According to Page Six:

November 11, 2003 -- CLUBLAND chaos erupted at Plaid the other night after an underling of owner David Marvisi decided that no one could get in for free to a concert by hot rock bands the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Bright Eyes, and a deejay set by Interpol's Carlos D.

Marvisi's unidentified door dominatrix, imported from his Exit club, demanded that the hundreds of hipsters lined up outside on East 13th Street pay $20 each to get in, even if they were on a complimentary guest list.

"We were screwed over by Plaid, a horrible place which I hope no one will ever patronize again," snarled Stacy Wakefield, publicist for Nick Zinner's book publisher, Evil Twin, and design director for ArtForum magazine.

Hm. Here's to hoping they don't question me as I'm escorted in by Vivian and Ed... sigh.

In other news, my favorite band that sound like The Smiths but not quite, uh, My Favorite, not only played an (apparently) stellar show opening for Belle & Sebastian last night, but also just released a double CD, The Happiest Days of Our Lives. I'm telling you, with the whole pop-goth '80s revival, Interpol don't have shit on these guys. Watch this space for a link of my interview with singer Michael Grace Jr. sometime relatively soon.

Yo, Kim Mathers is missing. Will it ever end?

2003-11-07T10:14:00.000-08:00

Another one bites the dust

Bobby Hatfield of The Righteous Brothers (seriously one of the best band names ever) dies at age 63.

Coldplay scrap 42 unreleased songs, keep Gwenyth.

Push th' little record sales: Ween DVD in the works.

This just in: I've finally gotten my grubby little paws on a promo copy of the new Liars LP, They Were Wrong So We Drowned. When it drops on a unsuspecting civilization February 24th 2004, I can only see one of three possible scenarios happening: 1) It's a phenomenal success, and propels the band to new heights, like when Radiohead did Kid A. 2) It gets critically bashed, but Liars fans and scenesters still buy it (and like it). 3) It does horribly, but in a few years people will begin to love and mimic its noisecore dance feel (a la Weezer"s Pinkerton - not the noisecore part, but the people getting into it late part). Check this space soon for a full review.

Also: Jesus Christ on a motorbike, WHY???? She's also aparently going to be in a movie version of I Dream Of Jeanie.

Today's trashy photo: X-tina at the MTV Europe Awards

2003-11-05T21:15:00.000-08:00

Get them, you fools!

Elliott Smith Memorial Concert featured the likes of Beck, Beth Orton, Rilo Kiley, Radar Bros., Beachwood Sparks and many more.

Obligatory Strokes mention: slightly musty but fun article in The Guardian. I think the Strokes are the first band since The Beatles where everyone has a "favorite." We should make a poll or something.

Presumably Boy George's Gaydar profile. I love the "Drugs: Rather not say" bit. [brought to you by Popbitch, duh] Also: One of my favorite pop stars, Sophie Ellis Bextor, flashes her stuff in Norway (so not safe for work). She does a really fucking gross PETA ad too.

Last but not least, like all things '80s, Skeletor is back:

2003-11-03T20:05:00.000-08:00

Hang Your Bunny

Dear rock snob, The Jam will not reunite. So stop talking about it. Love, Cameron.

Dizzee rascal singed to Matador: I might not be alone here when I scream, "What the fuck????"

Scary Punkcast Guy gets Village Voice coverage. [link via LME]

They just keep on coming! Fill out the 2003 Spin Reader's Poll and say that The Darkness rocks!

Slick Rick is released from jail. Turns out he won't be deported afterall. Which i s good, because it so happens that Slick is one of the only good rappers left out there... on a related note, the other day was the 1 year anniversary of Jam Master Jay's death. Peace.

Once again, Ryan Adams has lost his fucking mind. Who the fuck is he, Alice Cooper? Snap out of it! This is what happens when people date Parker Posey.

Commenting is now reactivated. So I expect to see some feedback here. Now.

2003-11-02T12:05:00.000-08:00

Paedos of the world unite

The new R. Kelly penned M. Jackson single sucks. Who's have thought, serisouly? It's now impossible to like Micheal Jackson. He's the only contemporary artist whose oddity had totally eclipsed his talent. No one gives a shit. Please go away.

Sting vs. Rod Stewart, part II.

I promised myself to never post anything on the wretched being that is Clay Aiken, but this is the best headline ever.

The 2003 Rolling Stone Reader's Poll.

I'd like to point out to my retarded mailman that I still haven't gotten the newest issue of Spin. What's the point in having a subscription if you get the fucking thing after it hits newstands? Not only that, but I can't even choose between the five different Strokes! What the fuck!

Speaking of the Strokes, I can't believe I missed their Theater at Madison Square Gardens gigs... OK, I opted to see the Liars instead, but that was before I heard Room on Fire!

The day New-Wave died: the XTC DVD that everyone (read: me) is waiting for has been postponed again! No one cares about Brit early-'80s pop-punkers anymore...

Now Listening: Pulp - Hits

2003-11-01T21:41:00.000-08:00

The times they are a-changin'

New layout here at Garage Dream, since my other one just disappeared on me for no particular reason (good ol' Blogger...) so expect the usual level of bullshit to be back in full swing as soon as I get my shit together. Carry on!

2003-10-24T21:16:00.000-07:00

So wrong it's gone past right and back to wrong again

[image via Pop Justice]

2003-10-22T09:32:00.000-07:00

Buzz-band-liking! Gasp!

So yesterday I go to the VICE store to see the Stills, yeah? Quite honestly, I tend to avoid "buzz" bands that I couldn't give two shits about, so as of yesterday I'd never heard a Stills song and I was damn proud of it! But compared to a night of boredom shifting through my DVDs, hanging with Mike D and trusty sidekick Anna seemed much more appealing. So, after stadning outside chatting for an hour, being photographed for VICE's "Do's and Don'ts" section (OK, she didn't actually say it, but it wa so obvious... if we're "don't"'s we're never, ever going beyond 145th street again), running into resident cool guy Aaron (who's leaving to L.A. this week, to eevryone's great dismay) and, um, having to pee, the entire hipster population of NYC stuffed themselves into the tiny store to see the Stills perform in a tiny window. Like mannequins! Yeah. It was a mostly acoustic set, and after figuring out how to use their drum machine, they tore through about 6 songs with surprising aplomb. And yes, I liked it. Especially the last bit, a song that drummer wrote about someone stealing his girlfriend while he was on tour called "Oh, Shoplifter" ("But it didn't actually happen!"). So yeah. We like buzz bands now. Elefant can still die though.

Now Listening: The Cure - Inbetween Days

2003-10-20T17:36:00.000-07:00

Can you party, can you party hard?

To do:
*Try to go to some CMJ shows, instead of filling out scholarship applications.
*Seperated at Birth contest: The Bitch Ass Hos (Mike/Me) against Les Ypers (Ryan and Emily) for after CMJ.
*Get my costume ready for Amy and Heather's Halloween party, at the Royal Oak in W-burg. $2 at the door, performances by DJ Foxzilla and The Mr. Move. Free candy, fuckers!

Also:
Some jackass bequeaths his estate to the Smiths. Hey, if it'll get them to do an reunion tour... or even just Morrissey! One NYC show! ONE!! PLEASE!!

Tom Green has a posse. Be afraid. [link via Cha Cha Cha]

Word on the street has it that Bright Eyes will be playing a secret Halloween show somewhere in NYC (actually, Kat told me where, but I forgot). Tickets are $20 and go on sale Saturday, so keep you ear to the ground (haw haw haw!! Jesus, I crack me up).

Now Listening: The Gossip - Ain't it the Truth

2003-10-16T19:26:00.000-07:00

Seperated at Birth continues...

We're getting that contest together. This one was just too good not to post.
Peter's out - Yo, Ypers, are ya in?

2003-10-12T08:23:00.000-07:00

Question: Is Miss Modernage like, dead or something?

If you haven't already, you can watch the new Strokes video for "12:51" on their site. It looks like Tron.

Now Listening: Adam Green - Jessica

2003-10-11T19:26:00.000-07:00

OFFICIAL "SEPARATED AT BIRTH" ALBUM COVER COMPETITION RULES
as presented to you by Mike D. and Cameron (because we are tyrants)

#1 YOU CANNOT CHOOSE TWO ENTRIES BY THE SAME ARTIST. However, entries by spin-off bands (i.e.: Rage Against the Machine/Audioslave) are permitted. Keep in mind though, that entries by a solo artist and his or her band is not (no Ramones/Joey Ramone? Morrissey/Smiths, etc.).

#2 NO SPOOFS OR TRIBUTES: No "Weird" Al albums, and no blatant tributes either (For example, as the Clash paid homage to Elvis on their London Calling LP, those two entries would be disqualified).

#3 NO TWO ENTRIES BY THE SAME ART DESIGNER: You know how that dude from SSION designed the cover of Yeah Yeah Yeahs' Fever to Tell? That would be considered cheating.

#4 COVER ART ON SINGLES, EPS AND COMPILATIONS/BEST OFS ARE PERMITTED; COVER ART ON BOX SETS AND SOUNDTRACKS ARE NOT.

#5 CONTESTANTS MAY ONLY POST ONE COMPETITION-RELATED POST PER DAY.

#6 JURY MEMBERS will give out points of either one (1), one half (1/2) or zero (0) on each entry. They may do this once a day, or make a cumulative vote at any point in the competition.

#7 ALL VOTES MUST BE GIVEN BEFORE THE CLOSING DATE AT 11:59P.M.

#8 Last but not least: NO COVER ART CAN BE USED TWICE, IN ANY ENTRY, AT ANY POINT IN TIME.

(more madness to follow... stay tuned)

2003-10-11T18:35:00.000-07:00

All that karma finally caught up
Question for the masses: has Boy George scared the shit out of you yet?

2003-10-11T08:33:00.000-07:00

Black people rule!

Power to the people! This week, for for the first time in history, every spot on the Billboard Top 10 was occupied by an African-American artist.

Apparently, Hell has frozen the fuck over, because Pitchfork actually gave The Darkness an 8.4. I believe in a thing called just online music editorship!

Not so lucky to bask in the glory of my esteem are the editors of Rolling Stone. Ok, RS. Women Who Rock. That's all good and well. I'm just hoping that by "rock", you're meaning "suck" (well, except for Missy). This sensation has been growing on me for a number of years now, but I'm seriously thinking that Rolling Stone has absolutely no idea what rock 'n' roll is. Fuck them in the ear.

They did have a little Cure article featuring quotes by Carlos Dengler (only too late do we appreciate the abbreviation). Apparently there was some concert in L.A. that Cure played, alongside Duran Duran and Bow Wow Wow reunions, as well as post punk newbies like Interpol? Why didn't I know of this...? Oh, and one last thing; since when are Hot Hot Heat "early '80s influenced"? If I remember well, last year they told Spin that "[they] must own one Cure record... We just don't see the connection." HHH do not sound like the Cure, and I defy anyone who disagrees to a stick-fight.

Oh, the Mike/ Cameron duel continues:

Booya!

Now Listening: The Cure - Pieces of You

2003-10-10T18:53:00.000-07:00

Into the Zone

OK. I'm sorry to go on about Britney, but this is just to classic not to share.

Apparently, Brit is gosh-darn angry at those good ole' boner-poppin' septuagenarians at Esquire, a magazine I haven't seen anyone read since the '60s.

"Britney thinks the pictures are too naked and is really angry at Esquire," a magazine insider said. [Page Six]

OK, what the fuck? We all knew Briteny definitely gave you more ditz for your dollar, but serioulsy. YOU ARE NAKED. YOUR ASS IS HANGING OUT OF A SWEATER. What the hell did you expect? For them to crop you rump out? For all those not following, this chick is Rain Man retarded.

Popbitch also comments: an inside on the set of that (in)famous Madonna duet-video, describes the scene as "tit city."

Can a mental spazz-out of Mariah-like proportions be very far away? I can't wait till she does a TRL appearance about, I dunno, a year from now. My VCR is already queued up.

In other news, you may (or may not) remember that I had started posting "Seperated at Birth" album cover segments a while back. Well, luck so has it that everyon'es favorite suburban carlos D., Mike, has caught on. Well, this of course means WAR!!! I had to scramble for this one, so it kind of sucks, but be sure to check in (should Mike accept this duel) for more... who will have the last laugh?

En garde!

UPDATE: It's on.

Now listening: British Sea Power - Remember Me

2003-10-09T20:49:00.000-07:00

A NIGHT OUT WITH THE BOXES
or: Why The Hell Isn't My Favorite New York Band Signed Yet? Fucking Record Labels!

People. Maybe you haven't noticed. Don't shoot the messenger, but (cue deep, booming voice in reverb) METAL IS BACK!!!! And we don't mean black-hoodie-cloaked 15-year-old boys either. Whether it be a sort of spoof ( The Darkness), a total spoof ( Pink Steel, Satanicide), high profile websites ( Metal Sludge) or not a spoof at all (we're getting to that), nowadays us kids just can't get enough of the hairspray, the fishnets, the tight things on men.

Last Tuesday night, I went to see The Boxes play a set at Sin-e, the last place I'd expect to witness such a blast from the mid-'80s-Sunset-Strip past. For it is true. The Boxes are not a rock band, as most will probably assume. They are a four-piece entirely feminine, 100% rawk band. Rawk, as in "Neeeeeeeeeeeeeew Yaaaaaaaaawwwwwwkkkkk!!!! Arrreeee yaaaaaaaa reaaaaaadddyyyyyyy toooooo RAAAAWWWWWWKKKK??!!??!!" band. Singer Kate was scissor-kicking, for cryin' out loud.

Being somewhat of a music journalist, it's my job to chronicle up-and-coming (and let's face it - totally recycled) music scenes. I was never really into metal. A little Motley Crue, a little Twisted Sister, and that's about as far as my knowledge in the genre goes. But I must say, after seeing the Boxes onstage for the second time, all I can say is BRING IT ON! This cannot be the start of another jaded, hipster-fueled snob-fest. When they hit the stage, people were having fun. People were rocking out! When was the last time you saw that in a safe environment? The girls are still a well kept secret, but those who know them know they are onto something. Few bands have been able to pull of being sincere when the genre they play is all but extinct (many have failed miserably - Puddle of Mudd/grunge, that "glam"-era Marilyn Manson...).

Record labels are quick to catch up on these sort of musical trends (once again, The Darkness applies here) and it's only a matter of time before The Boxes are picked up. I wouldn't be surprised if more than one record exec has put out a restraining order on me for unsolicited band pimping, but let me say it again; they are at verybery least, one of the best bands in this city (yes, yes, better than stellastarr*, better than The Rapture, way better than those hussies in Elefant...).

So in case you haven't picked it up yet, the Boxes rule, you don't, you're not even worthy of worshipping them but you'll do it anyway. Twin bassist and drummer Heather and Amy (respectively) even have an affinity for tacos. Gotta give it to them.

2003-10-01T18:46:00.000-07:00

BACK

That's right fuckers. I hope Little Jimmy enjoyed his Twisted Sister "I Wanna Walk!" one-piece baby suit.

I stumbled, quite accidentally, across a great British gossip blog (can there ever be too many?) called Pop Justice. Nice alternative to PopBitch, who seem to have gone M.I.A. from their "quick break." Hm.

The Stereophonics are breaking up. There is a God.

Record Review Concentrate: Belle and Sebastian - Dear Catastrophe Waitress (ROUGH TRADE) **

Yes, everyone's favorite Scottish 1,544-member pop sensation is back. Ok, before someone tries to tell you the contrary, let me get it out there: this album is good. Yeah, it's maybe not as good as "Legal Man"-era B&S (ooh, I just noticed that...), but Dear Catastrophe Waitress has a lot more going for it than just the second best album title this year (the first one being Kid Koala's Some of My Best Friends Are DJs). The opus opens with a kicker, "Step Into My Office, Baby," which damn well made me want to start a torrid affair with a co-worker right then and there! The thing with starting a record off with he best track is that, well, logically, the rest can be a bit of a letdown. The title track is basically splendid also, even though I'm not quite sure what a catastrophe waitress is (Rachel from Friends circa. 1996?) but I'm now on a quest to find out. Because I'd like to play this song to her and see what happens. Maybe her eyes would burst into sparkling diamonds or something.
Verdict: If you posses a library in your home, and that home is somewhere in the U.K., and it is a balmy spring day, and the windows are open and you can hear birds chirping in the distance, and you're sitting in a red bathrobe reading Les Miserables, you need to play this album right now. If not... Listen to it anyway.

And now, a moment of silence for the late Matthew Jay.

2003-09-23T09:25:00.000-07:00

TAKING A BREAK
More lushness soon. For now, just go and buy your toddler metal gear.

2003-09-17T19:44:00.000-07:00

You know you want it... BRITNEY NEWS!

The new album, due for release November 17th (two months! Mark your calendars!) has colaborations with Madonna, P. Diddy, and my personally favorite velveteen-voiced child-molestor, R. " Osama bin Laden" Kelly! Get this; the album's called Get Into the Zone! Will a fuzzy-quality tape with R and Brit getting dirrty pop up in a few months time? Hmmm. I do wonder.

Aw, that class action suit against the sucktastic Creed got dropped by some dumb judge, who has obviously never been subjected to the horrors of "Higher."

Have you noticed that all songs named "Higher" suck to tremendous degrees? On a related note.

Colin Farrell now a daddy. How, um, cute, is the word I'm looking for?

Bennifer split! Bennifer split! Bennifer split!

Gravy Train!!!!'s site looks hella good, now that they've re-done bits of it. Catch them at the CMJ Kill Rock Stars showcase sometime during that marathon where bands play and stuff.

Noteworthy: The Strokes at the Theater at Madison Square Garden on October 29th & 30th, with special guests Kings of Leon and my very personal homegirl, Regina Specktor. Rocking out ensues.

Now Listening: Young and Sexy - Take What You Got

2003-09-16T11:23:00.000-07:00

For once in his life, R. Kelly is right.

The nominations are out for the American Music Awards.

2003-09-15T17:07:00.000-07:00

Light a candle, Zwan is no more. (link via Losing My Edge)

2003-09-14T14:38:00.000-07:00

I hope you all get the "square" joke in the new Kill Bill trailer.

Finally, the moment we've all been waiting for: we bring you the Bennifer split! Or at least a litte speculation.

This is a tad moldy, but Christian "I am a hottie" Bale is the new Batman. More noteworthy - Christopher Nolan is directing (he made Memento). So that should like, rock the world.

Madonna to spawn again. I'm sure she's creating a legion of artificially-conceived mini-divas (Rocco is so gay) to take her place as Dominatrice of the World come, like, 2020. You just watch.

Go Heather Matarazzo! We knew you'd grow up gay after Welcome to the Dollhouse!

Using Livejournal layouts as a weapon. It's nice to see someone striving against all those gosh-darn American stereotypes, no?

Now listening: Young and Sexy - "The City You Live in is Ugly"

2003-09-12T19:31:00.000-07:00

She's baaaaaaaack...

2003-09-10T09:13:00.000-07:00

Yeah, yeah, Pixies to reunite, blah blah blah. Though the Pixie's are one of my favourite bands of all time, and seeing them live (please, God?) would be fucking heaven, I'm kind of against the idea of them releasing another studio album. I mean, what's the point? Look at poor Jane's. Strays, to put it kindly, sucks. Why not have gone out with Ritual de lo Habitual? Why fuck up your legacy for "the fans"? Hello, your band doesn't have fans. It now has "appreciators". Fans are 12. We are adults. I'm all for reunion tours, I missed out on a lot of my favorite '80s bands (being only, like, 6 or whatever). So yes. I want to see the Pixies live, and the Smiths, and Op Ivy, and all of those bands that shaped my musical tastes. But don't take the dying cry of Trompe Le Monde away from me, Black Francis! Don't make a crap album! You're old! The beautiful, raw angst of "Debaser" went with the hair! Please don't do it!

Now listening: Basement Jaxx - "Good Luck"

2003-09-09T16:55:00.000-07:00

RS must be stopped!

2003-09-09T10:36:00.000-07:00

Tell me, is life just a playground
Download the entire new Basement Jaxx album, Kish Kash, like, right now. But buy it when it comes out. Oh yeah. It's that good.(link via Stereogum)

Enon review at P-fork.

Yesterday while working at Mute Records, I heard a plethora of different new and/or unreleased CDs. Here are breif one-listen reviews:

Peaches - Fatherfucker
It took me a while to recognize The Only Peach With a Hole in the Middle, but as soon as a gnarly female voice started screaming "I JUST DON'T GIVE A FUCK! I JUST DON'T GIVE A SHIT!" I knew I was in the presence of FF. Teaches of Peaches seems more like a novelty album compared to the new joint; Peaches seems to be actually writing songs (kind of) instead of just saying as many four letter words as possible against grimy electroclash-ian beats. She does repeatedly use the word clit though, so it's not like she's, you know, changed or anything.

Super Furry Animals - Phantom Power
I miss the easy-going, fun-filled, just so Welsh days of SFA. "Do or Die," "Show Me Magic"... those were the days. Not that this album is bad, it's just... not that furry, I guess.

The Cure - The Singles
Most DEFINITELY the highlight of the day. Every Cure song you know and love and wish for more is on there, digitally remastered and all that shiznit. The staff gave me strange looks when I started bouncing around to "Close to Me."

In other news, dude, Alanis cut her hair! I've lost all grasp on reality. i, ii.

Now listening: Goldfrapp - Black Cherry

2003-09-08T05:36:00.000-07:00

New Blog frontiers
New LOSING MY EDGE by the man that is Mike D.

Pat whores his Brit ass over at NO QUEEN BLUES.

I'll update... soon. I swear.

2003-09-03T20:02:00.000-07:00

2003-09-02T15:05:00.000-07:00

Gay Hell
Wheeeee! Rufus Wainwright's lost it:

Despite the obvious effect all those years of partying have had on his creative vision, Rufus'll be in NYC September 23rd at the Chelsea Barnes & Nobles to do an acoutic set and sign some CDs (seriously, who the hell buys CDs at B&N? Garagedream's going to try and smuggle in his copy through enemy lines...) For anyone who saw him do Summerstage back before the sun died, you know it'll be good stuff. I'm just wondering if it's a conceptual Dungeons & Dragons album.

2003-08-31T22:49:00.000-07:00

Psst. I feel drama in the air around Tricia Romano and Mike D., don't you?

I didn't want to write this beacuse, well, now that we know for a fact that Tricia reads us I didn't want to create pointless tension... But in a way, a little renegade criticism never hurt anyone, now did it?

In my opinion, a column (especially an entertainment one) should be informative and/or funny, and/or gossipy. Fly Life is neither. We do not care if Fancy from Fanny Pack is a "metrosexual" (nor do we care about cultural references that immerged fully formed from some bloated EIC's imagination less than two months ago). Like we really, really don't. Tricia has some taste in music. When she DJed at Siren, she played "Ca Plane Pour Moi". This is evidence that, when she puts her mind to it, she can be cool. Now, I don't know if it has something to do with the limited space she has to work with, but surely we can do better than the token phrase of the week and some lame Moby connection. I can get that fix by spending three seconds on Craigslist.

Also, about the clubs. It's OK to inform is about which clubs are closing, opening, refurbishing, etc: but not when you have less than a half page to provide us with some sort of brief, passable entertainment. Once again, we don't really care that much. Tricia's column is about as close as the Voice gets to a music gossip column. Most people who are really obsessive about music are teenagers or music journalists/geeks. The teens aren't of age to get into the clubs; the journalists/geeks know their opening/closing/refurbishing status already, as the column runs a week after the news has broken.

Fly Life could be a good column if only it tried a little bit harder. But until then, I'll just keep on sighing and flipping pages. Ho hum.

2003-08-30T11:09:00.000-07:00

As stated earlier in this very blog, Adam of Atom and His Package is breaking up the project. Today he plays his last show in Philly. BUT the news here is that he's rumoured to be forming a side prject with members of hardcore kids Paint it Black. So stay tuned.

Fuck! The Polyphonic Spree dropped from label. But they say that they have a new deal and that the second album is coming out in Februray...

Iggy Pop show review over at VH1.com. Speaking of which, I'd like to rant against the hipster-dom of web magazines and bloggers; pay hommage to the greats! Everyone's whining about how that eye-liner whore Diego Elefant is ripping off the glam era of rock, but did any one bother to cover Roxy Music's show at Radio City? Nooooooooo. Come on people! Get with it!

I need my fix:

2003-08-29T13:14:00.000-07:00

It was fun while it lasted... farewell Anti-Blog Blogger.

2003-08-28T14:58:00.000-07:00

New Larry Clark movie has a release date in France... but not in the USA. Damn. Here's the trailer anyway.

2003-08-27T11:50:00.000-07:00

Follow, follow, follow, follow...
Mommy and Daddy's very first album, Live How You Listen is released just about everywhere else than the US. Buy it!

X Factor
What is the Function?
Seek You
Outside
Together
Roundhouse Robot
The Meeting
I Mean, Could He Buy Me This
Beachy
Fill in the Lines
Diguise
Take It!

Get "mostly" sushi eaten off your body for $100 an hour.

I had no idea that Blaine Thurier of the New Pornographers was also a filmmaker and a cartoonist. I really should start researching my interviews better...

Eyes Wide Open went to Leeds... and survived! Check out all the gals schtick in action with great photos of Whirlwind Heat.

In Return of the King, Viggo Mortensen has a mullet. Or maybe just a hair-clip.

Peaches has that pesky pilosity dilemma again:

2003-08-25T13:57:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite NYC bands, Mazing Vids is playing the Artrocker Festival at Lit tomorrow. They go on at 11p.m. Check them out.

Bjork/Sigur Ros concert reviewed at NYTimes.

Thailand has banned 18 pop songs - including one called "Big Flabby Buttocks" - for encouraging infidelity. This is of course raises deep sociological issues in the East, such as: "Is censorship ethical?", "Is the banning of songs with harsh lyrics really the way to guide our children into a safe adulthood?" and "Who the hell wrote a song called "Big Flabby Buttocks" and why aren't they rotting away in prison?"

The little glam band that could: King Adora's new site looks so fresh so clean and finally gives some info on the band; YES, they are in the studio, putting the finishing touches on the 2nd album, YES the new single will be a doucbe A-side entitled "Born to Lose (formerly "Bulimic") / Kamikaze," Yes Maxi still looks like a girl! Rock!

image via vibateyou.net

2003-08-24T17:21:00.000-07:00

Say It Isn't So...
Word on the street has it that the new Strokes album will be entitled Love Experience. No. Fucking no.

I haven't been updating that much because life has been hell. Hopefully that'll change soon, though.

Oh, and I know I probably shoudln't do this, but shout out to The Anti-Blog Blogger for being funny. We'll figure out who you are, one day. Maybe not today, maybe not even tomorrow. But someday, when you least expect it...

2003-08-21T14:04:00.000-07:00

Media-whores of the world unite!

Words of wisdom from the great Diamond Dave:

"Unless you see somebody's eyebrows, it's difficult
to communicate. That's why dogs are more popular than
cats - because they have eyebrows."

Ripped off of Popbitch:

Hey, remember the Carter Family heyday, back in like, 1997? Well, there must be some sort of karmic reprecussions to exploiting the poor musical tastes of the 12-year-olds of this world, because holy crap. Aaron Carter seems to be doing OK, with that annoying-as-fuck Hilary Duff, Nick's solo career sucks (and we had such high hopes...), his dad gets arrested for beating up his mom over Aaron's baby photos, and sister Bobbie Jean is also arrested for drug possesion and biting a Halloween trick-or-treater until said kid bled... Carters = the new Jacksons? I can just picture the hip young film documentarian simply rushing to finish Capturing the Carters.

Vincert Gallo, professional media-whore, becomes first celebrity to have a sanctionned self-portrait over at Page Six.

Another media-whore, Ditta von Tesse, is writing a book. I hope it contains juicy tidbits about her sex life with Marilyn Manson... oh wait, no I don't.

Why didn't I know about this?: David Bowie previews his new album, Reality, in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

Here's the tracklisting to Wig in a Box: The Music of Hedwig and the Angry Inch via jinblog:

Rufus Wainwright - "Origin of Love"
Sleater-Kinney & Fred Schneider - "Angry Inch"
They Might Be Giants - "The Long Grift"
Frank Black - "Sugar Daddy"
Robyn Hitchcock - "City Of Women"
Imperial Teen - "Freaks"
The Breeders - "Wicked Little Town (Hedwig Version)"
Bob Mould - "Nailed (LoudBomb Mix)"
The Polyphonic Spree - "Wig in a Box"
John Cameron Mitchell & Stephen Trask - "Milford Lake"
Stephen Colbert - "Ladies & Gentlemen"
Spoon - "Tear Me Down"
Yoko Ono & Yo La Tengo - "Hedwig’s Lament/Exquisite Corpse"
Ben Kweller with Ben Folds & Ben Lee - "Wicked Little Town (Tommy Gnosis Version)"
Cyndi Lauper & The Minus 5 - "Midnight Radio"
Jonathan Richman - "Origin of Love (reprise)"

HELL. YEAH.

2003-08-20T16:35:00.000-07:00

More Strokes business: (mmm)Albert has apparently told NME that the first single off of the new ablum wil be entitled "12:51." The track is actually the one people have been calling "Supernova," but it's not "Supernova" anymore. It's "12:51." OK? OK. It's a bit cofusing.

File under "Oh my fucking God at last a reason to keep on living": Saddle Creek releases massive 7xLP Conor box-set.

"Have dinner with me or Snuggles gets it!"

American dreamers are in trouble. ( Page Six.)

This one goes out to the Jean Genie: Bea Arthur T-shirts. It's on my birthday list.

From Spin.com:

Aussie rockers The Vines have scrapped the majority of the songs intended for their new album to pursue what they're calling "party metal." Bass player Patrick Matthews recently discussed the direction of the band's new sound, citing influences such as Pavement and Van Halen. "It's much heavier with Hamish [Rosser, drums] and Ryan [Griffiths, guitar] playing....At the end of the day, I feel that finally we've made our party metal record."

Be afraid. Be very afraid.

Oh, and back in L.A., Prince is still crazy.

Andrew W.K. tour dates:

8/16 -- Birmingham, GA Furnace Fest
8/17 -- New Orleans, LA The Parish
8/18 -- Houston, TX Engine Room
8/19 -- Dallas, TX Trees
8/20 -- Austin, TX Mercury
8/21 -- El Paso Club 101
8/22 -- Las Vegas, NV Huntridge Theater
8/23 -- Los Angeles, CA Henry Fonda Theater
8/24 -- San Francisco, CA Slim's
8/27 -- Seattle, WA Graceland
8/29 -- Salt Lake City, UT DV8
8/30 -- Denver, CO Ogden
8/31 -- Kansas City, KS Bottleneck
9/2 -- Minneapolis, MN Fine Line
9/3 -- Chicago, IL Metro
9/4 -- St. Louis, MO Pop's
9/5 -- Cincinnati, OH Bogart's
9/6 -- Detroit, MI St. Andrew's
9/8 -- Cleveland, OH Peabody's
9/9 -- New York, NY Irving Plaza
9/10 -- Washington, DC 9:30 Club
9/11 -- Philadelphia, PA Theater of the Living Arts
9/12 -- Northampton, MA Pearl Street
9/13 -- Washington, DC University Yard
9/14 -- Atlanta, GA Masquerade
9/15 -- Tampa, FL Masquerade
9/16 -- Orlando, FL Social
9/17 -- Boynton Beach, FL Club Ovation

2003-08-19T17:17:00.000-07:00

Is that JT with a guitar? My eyes! (link via Modern Age)

I know I'm going to end up talking about The Strokes everyday now. Sigh. Here are some bootlegs from the Japanese Festival Whose Name I Can't Remeber. (unmercifully ripped off Vanessa)

2003-08-18T14:50:00.000-07:00

The last chapter in the Ben and the strippers saga... or is it?

Like sausages? I thought so. (link via Crap Juggler.)

Chris Martin says British music fest V 2003 is "an end of an era" for ka-triple-zillion seeling band Coldplay. But a more pressing issue is his facial hair. Handlebars only look cool on Achilles from The Fever. Duh!

Pitchfork rags on new Interpol EP. But, people, are we really surprised?

Hm. I feel somewhat uninspired. I made a huge Safe Mondays post, but my computer ate it. So, in short:
The Polyphonic Spree.
The Bangles.
'80s tees.

Next week will be better. Promise!

2003-08-17T17:05:00.000-07:00

Is this it?

Well, once again, the world has gone fucking bananas over The Strokes. Througout the years with the fab five I've tried to answer the age old questions; "Will the new album suck ass?"; "Will they ever, ever cut their hair?"; and of course "If I was trapped on a desert island with the band, which member would become my personal sex slave?" I take it that when the new album drops sometime in the near future, all my questions will be answered... Mwahaha.

I read somewhere that the Strokes might become the next Knacks, a really cool band that people loved until their second album totally destroyed their careers and that "Last Nite" could very well become like "My Sharona." Made me think.

I need that issue of MOJO though. Moving on...

Jesus really does love us all because a new Hives album is going to drop in Februray.

Pitchfork review Leather Wings by Japanther, revealing themselves as the bunch of trucker-hat-wearing hipsters they are (then again, the idiot who thought up letting Jap' open for Mogwai should be on death row).

On a related note (not really but I can't be bothered to find a witty segue all the time...) I feel so sorry for Chad Hugo of The Neptunes. Well, not really, because he's a millionaire who gets easy sex, but still... why be in the Neptunes if you're not Pharell? No one gives a damn about your ass. I want him to release a solo remix compilation and make it be so much better than Pharell's schtick.

The greatest music video directors of all time, Michel Gondry (see a whole bunch of Bjork videos, etc), Spike Jonze (see Fatboy Slim's "Weapon of Choise" video, Beastie Boy's "Sabotage" video, etc) and Chris Cunningham (see Bjork's "All is Full of Love" video, Aphex Twin videos, etc) are slated to issue DVD retrospectives of their work. Hella cool.

And finally: WHAT IN THE HOLY NAME OF FUCK IS UP WITH BOY GEORGE?????? Oh my GOD! Someone get this man some help!

2003-08-17T00:37:00.000-07:00

Note to self: If you're not in a symphonic pop band from Dallas, TX, then your life is not worth living.

Garagedream would like to say, on the record, that as of August 16th, 2003, the #1, all time, desert island, BEST show he has ever been to is The Polyphonic Spree SummerStage show.

The sheer beauty of this show was beyond anything I'd ever expected. I have had the album for a few months, and know all the songs and blah, blah, blah... but truth is, the album doesn't to PPS justice AT ALL. If any other band had recorded The Beginning Stages of..., it would be stellar. But, for PPS, the record is now just flat. There's no point.

The performance was riddled with tiny moments of pure joy: the clouds parting and letting the pale sun shine as soon as PPS started the chorus to "It's the Sun"; Singer Tim Delaughter standing on a montior as soon as a huge gust of wind blows on stage and paking him look like Heston in The Ten Commandments; Tim hugging the portly trombone player from behind like he was a comforting teddy bear; John Cameron Mitchell (a.k.a. Hedwig) coming onstage to sing "Wig in a Box" from Hedwig and the Angry Inch; the filled-to-the-brim field all snapping their fingers with Tim in absolute silence; the guy whowas running around and twiddling knobs on a little electronic board was Paul McCartney's doppelgänger; and I could go on for pages.

It was... beautiful.

Verdict: The Polyphonic Spree are the best live band in the history of the universe. Damn straight.

PS: Breath-taking photos down by the Jinster. Download some video clips, too!

2003-08-14T10:48:00.000-07:00

I'd like to publically take a stand against Rolling Stone Magazine right here, right now. We can take JT and Xtina. We can handle Clay and Ruben. But Mary Kate and Ashley is just taking it a step too far. Die. Die now.

2003-08-13T10:35:00.000-07:00

Aw... poor Fred. I think I might dedicated this entire blog to the Britney/Justin/Fred love triangle.

Basement Jaxx talk about the new album album they have in the works. I can't be the only one who thought Rooty was the most underrated album of 2001. Come on!

McLusky single gets reviewed at Pitchfork (and pssssst! They don't say it sucks!!)

NYT reviews Liz Phair's Bowery Ballroom show.

She has also adopted a sexier image, and on Sunday she performed in a bikini covered by a garment that matched her recent career: a transparent shift. .

Ouch!

Hey, wanna date a gay rock star? Rob Halford's gay personals ad is right here. Not suitable for work, dears. This must be the most utterly tempting-yet-sleazy as fuck thing I've ever come across. (link via Popbitch... who else).

2003-08-12T14:44:00.000-07:00

Mark your calendars:

'SUP #12 RELEASE PARTY, SATURDAY, SEPT.13 @ PIANOS W/ APOLLO HEIGHTS & TV ON THE RADIO (a third band TBA...)

2003-08-11T12:59:00.000-07:00

Safe Mondays, take 2:

Band of the Week: There hasn't been anough Warped talk to this blog, right? That's what I thought too! So, this week's band should most definitely be Coheed and Cambria, for blowing me the fuck away. Amen.

Song of the Week: Thanks to Mike D., everyone this side of Coolsville has the new Kelis track (featuring the Neptunes behind the boards), "Milkshake." It fucking rules. The buzzy beats and swirly vocals (plus extra sexy lyrics) makes this song the end-of-summer anthem. As much as I hate the Neptunes, I love the Neptunes.

Website of the Week: Weebl and Bob. Thanks again to Pat for being the Brit pop culture knowledge source that he is.

Question of the Week: Do you still use file-sharing software such as Kazaa, despite the recent RIAA "crackdown"? Just curious.

2003-08-10T15:24:00.000-07:00

I no longer have the stamina of a 13-year-old. This fact was made painfully clear to me as I ambled around Randall's Island yesterday, amist the lively punk youth of America, all in search of that perfect 20 minute punk set. Rain, sweat, dehydration and mud were all part fo the festivities, but who dare call themselves a punk and not brave the elements to catch your favorite band onstage? Actually, one of the first things that came to my mind was: has punk become screamo? Except for Rancid and Pennywise, the band atracting the most minions were of the emo-ish sort: Taking Back Sunday, Glassjaw, and a surprisingly stunning set by Warped virgins Coheed and Cambia (and you thought The Mars Volta had big hair...). I always rat on today's "punks" for having nothing to really be angry about and for having now fashionnable mohawks, but all the faces yesterday were, it would seem, happy to be tatooed and muddy (and extra happy and muddy when Used frontman/mental headcase Bert McCracken stagedives onto you from a 15-foot metal beam). Here are the highlights as Garagedream deems them worthy:

1) Tie: Coheed and Cambria and Taking Back Sunday. Coheed for the guitars, the reggea jam, the hair, and the best onstage reparté of the event:

Claudio Sanchez (vox, guitar): "So apparetly, my dick was hanging out of my pants during all yesterday's show. And I don't have much of a dick."
Michael Todd (bass): "Don't listen to him... it's magical."

Taking Back Sunday for playing all the emotionally-totured-little-boy anthems off their fucking brilliant debut LP, Tell All Your Friends, the mic tricks, and the EASY TARGET T-shirt.

2) The Used for just plain fucking rocking. Oh yeah, and for breaking into a brief cover of Khia's "My Neck, My Back." We love Satan a whole bunch!

3) Rancid for still having it after all the years.

4) Tsunami Bomb and especially Agent M for being the only girl to play Warped this year.

5) Less than Jake for the confetti.

Even though security and press access SUCKED MY DICK ("press" passes only allowed you to get into the backstage area where actually seeing a band peform was impossible - so eager journalist braved the pit to see bands they really wanted to...) Kat managed to capture the essence (whoa! Art critique!) of the entire ordeal. So check it out (you better - you try transfering an enormous zip file through MSN messenger at 1:30a.m...).

The Used: i, ii, iii, iv.

Tsunami Bomb: i, ii, iii.

Taking Back Sunday: i, ii.

Rancid: i, ii.

Pennywise: i.

Glassjaw: i, ii, iii, iv.

Ataris: i.

Less Than Jake: i, ii.

Thrice: i, ii, iii.

All-American Rejects: i, ii, iii.

2003-08-09T22:01:00.000-07:00

A lot of Warped 2003 coverage as soon as I find my brain and am able to reassemble it.
(ps: fuck hipsters.)

2003-08-08T16:40:00.000-07:00

Justin gets booed. Britney to play Daisy Duke from Dukes of Hazzard. I'm not even going to comment on this.

Not that this has anything to do with today but, OK, Morrissey got signed, he's working on a new album, that's all fine and dandy but... WHEN IS IT ALL HAPPENING! We're a Moz-deprived nation, here!

File under Rough Trade crossover cover mp3's:
Adam Green - What a Waster
The Libertines - Who's Got the Crack (Answer: Pete, of course!)

2003-08-07T23:38:00.000-07:00

Standing in the pouring rin to see a band takes devotion. But standing in the pouring rain with the slow, sinking realization that you are on a body of water near large eletrical equipment and are risking electrocution at every moment takes insanity. And Lord knows we have that to spare. Tonight (or last night? My brain is fried), I met up with Bidi at the 14th street subway station and headed on down to Pier 54 to see The Oragnes Band, Adam Green and The Walkmen. Despite the light pitter-patter of drizzle on our beaming faces, we were in for a fucking beautiful evening.

First of all, it was a blogger event if i ever saw one: Jin, Mike D (and faithful sidekick Anna), the Divestars, New York Doll, and everyone else with Internet access and a dream were present.

First band up to bat: Oranges Band. Cute. Broken guitar strings... their songs were pretty catchy, although not to the point where I'd actually remember any of them. Next!

Four words for all you people out there in WWW land. ADAM FUCKING GREEN RULES. No contest. My heart is torn between in two between him and Kimya; it's a tough call. I think that, with all thier similarities, they put on a very different live show. Kimya is timid, intimate, strums her guitar as if she's afraid to hurt it. Adam had a string section and (to my surprise) didn't play an instruiment at all - he just rocked the mic. He also did a brief reendition of C+C Music Factory's "Everybody Dance Now." Brilliant. I think I'm going to go out and purchase Adam's two albums right now (and just to be fair tell everybody who'll listen to get their hands on Kimya's I'm Sorry That Sometimes I'm Mean, because it's fantastic).

Next up, The Walkmen. Ok, first of all, the only song I've ever heard of them is "You've Got a Nerve," which I must say I positively adore. I was also in the pouring rain, with Bidi, and my pint-sized Kat all under a tiny red umbrella. And I was cold. So it wasn't the best conditions under which judge a band. So I won't. They did rock though, their more experimental songs were very soothing, and their faster ones just plain made me want to dance.

All in all, quite a cool soirée.

Verdict: If you do nothing else with your life, go see Adam Green live.

Oh, did I mention that Mike and I bloggerazzied a man who I suspected for a brief minute was Diego Elefant but turned out to be a glammed-out Jared Leto?

That's right:

2003-08-06T12:09:00.000-07:00

The American people have spoken, and they want Bill O'Reilly dead.

Oh yeah.

2003-08-05T09:27:00.000-07:00

Krist Novoselic quits the music biz, turns towards politics (what? A world without Speed 75 or Eyes Adrift? How cruel...). Anyway, how rad would it be to have an ex-Nirvana member run for office? Maybe he'll lower the drinking age...

"I will make slippers out of you"? What the fuck?

You know what? Page Six is just the epitome of stupid American gossip journalism.

August 5, 2003 -- LISA Marie Presley literally oozes sex appeal in this pouty, pin-up shot heating up September's issue of Jane magazine. Lisa Marie bemoans that she's currently "nowhere" with her love life and reflects on her ill-fated marriages to Michael Jackson and Nicolas Cage.

How can someone literally ooze sex appeal? Didn't any of you go to journalism school? Christ! But we love you anyway.

It's turkey time! Not to state the obvious or anything, but here's a really bad (and really funny) review of Gigli (my favorite movie I'm going to sit through and laugh at the milli-second it comes on cable) from NYTimes.

Oh! Wait! From imdb.com:
American tabloid The National Enquirer has demanded Hollywood superstar Ben Affleck take a lie detector test - after he denied enjoying a wild night at a lap dancing club. The Gigli star - who is engaged to superstar Jennifer Lopez (really? -Ed.)- was furious when he read the magazine's expose of his alleged trip to a Vancouver, Canada, strip club. And Affleck, who has furiously denied the allegation he cheated on his stunning fiancee in the nightspot, is considering taking the Enquirer to court - a move welcomed by the publication's editors. They claim to have put their sources through lie detector tests carried out by an independent polygrapher, and insist that the only way Affleck can prove his innocence is to take the test himself.

People. WHY DO YOU CARE? Leave the man and the strippers alone!

Oh yes:

2003-08-04T14:15:00.000-07:00

Pitchfork has a new layout.

2003-08-04T12:41:00.000-07:00

I've decided to start a mini column called Safe Monday, where every week I'd give a band of the week, song of the week, website of the week, etc. Just for kicks.

So, for the very first installment of Safe Monday I hereby declare...

Band of the Week: Pink Grease. Pat burnt me a copy of their debut LP, All Over You. They're sleazy, they're slutty, they have a saxophone player. They rip of Grease. Best band... ever?

Website of the Week: LJ Drama. You thought Friendster was stupid and time-consuming? You'll never believe what some idiots will do with their free time. Read about people arguing over whether God has pubic hair or not (seriously).

Song of the Week: Yo La Tengo's cover of "Slow Death". I know I've talked about it before, but hot damn, I just can't get enough.

Question of the Week: Jack and Renée or Conor and Winona? Discuss.

There you go. An era has been born right before your very eyes. Have a safe Monday!

2003-08-03T18:00:00.000-07:00

Watch yo' back, homies, cuz Blue Teddy is in da 'hood. (link via Popbitch)

The Strokes preview three (3) new songs in Osaka, Japan.

This is why Garagedream loves Page Six:

Scoop: Kiss guitarist scarier without make-up on (solo career not included).

2003-08-02T20:41:00.000-07:00

That bitch ass Mike D. went to the YYY show at Maxwell's last night and didn't even invite me (and then pick up the tab)! Some men, quel rats! But I totally forgive him because he has a bangin' photo gallery up, paying due hommage to Karen O. and the boys. In related YYY news, I feel a Brian Chase obsession coming on, don't you? Must be in the air.

ps: I just noticed that Karen was wearing a YYY shirt. Doesn't she know that promoting your own band through clothing worn onstage is just wrong? Even if said shirt is stained with your own saliva.

2003-08-02T09:37:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the lack of updating recently, but my ISP is a dildo and I had to go over and straighten them out, Tony Soprano-style.

From the Popbitch:

This is what Robbie Williams is telling
his friends about having sex with Kylie:

"It's like having a brand new Ferrari; there
are perfect seats, the steering wheel is in
the perfect place. And then you put your key
in the ignition... and nothing happens"

(FYI: To the media, Robbie has always denied having
sex with the Aussie Botox queen)

Mogwai tour dates (go see them, they're the fucking greatest):

Tue-Sep-02 Toronto,ON Phoenix
Wed-Sep-03 Montreal, QUE Le Spectrum
Fri-Sep-05 Northampton, MA Pearl Street
Sat-Sep-06 New York, NY Irving Plaza
Sun-Sep-07 Brooklyn, NY Warsaw
Mon-Sep-08 Philadelphia Theatre of living arts
Tue-Sep-09 Washington, DC 930 Club
Wed-Sep-10 Carrboro, NC Cats Cradle
Thu-Sep-11 Atlanta, GA Variety Playhouse
Fri-Sep-12 Orlando, FL The Social
Sat-Sep-13 Tallahassee, FL Beta Bar
Mon-Sep-15 Austin, TX Emo's (w/ Trail of Dead)
Tue-Sep-16 Austin, TX Emo's (w/ Trail of Dead)
Thu-Sep-18 Tucson, AZ Rialto Theatre
Fri-Sep-19 San Diego, CA The Scene
Sat-Sep-20 Los Angeles, CA Knitting Factory
Sun-Sep-21 Los Angeles, CA Knitting Factory
Mon-Sep-22 San Francisco, CA The Fillmore
Wed-Sep-24 Eugene, OR WOW Hall
Thu-Sep-25 Seattle, WA Showbox
Fri-Sep-26 Vancouver, BC Commodore
Sat-Sep-27 Portland, OR Alladin Theatre
Tue-Sep-30 Minneapolis, MN First Avenue
Wed-Oct-01 Milwaukee, WI Modjeska Theatre
Thu-Oct-02 Chicago, IL Metro
Fri-Oct-03 Newport, KY Southgate House
Sat-Oct-04 Cleveland, OH Beachland Ballroom

Jin gets it on with Kings of Leon.

Information gathered and compiled by reading the September issue of Spin:

1) What is up with Omar Rodriguez-Lopez of the Mars Volta's pants, man? The anatomical dynamics of this dude's body just boggles my mind. How can you wear pants so low with such a big belt? Where is his bellybutton?

2) Perry Farell's wife is somewhat reminescent of a Mexican transvestite. Not a dead ringer. Just... reminescent.

3) Interpol are a good band. Both Paul and Carlos made it on the "Cool List" (even though we all know the coolest member of the band is Daniel, because no one every talks about him). There's also a really rad Interpol Tour Diary (and a funny picture of Carlos on E).

4) Bubba Sparxxx is actually kind of cool.

5) Really, in the end, it's all about Jack 'n' Meg.

2003-07-29T08:07:00.000-07:00

Garagedream on porn: " You see? It is art!"

That Libertines guitarist is at it again. Just give him a copy of London Calling and he'll be fine.

Guided by Voices tour dates:
08-14 Newport, KY - Southgate House (w/ The Sights)
08-15 Chicago, IL - Goose Island Festival
08-16 Indianapolis, IN - Birdy's (w/ The Go)
08-20 San Francisco, CA - Bimbo's (w/ Tommy Keene)
08-21 San Francisco, CA - Amoeba Records
08-22 Los Angeles, CA - Spaceland (w/ Tommy Keene)
08-23 Los Angeles, CA - Sunset Junction Festival (free show)
09-03 Boston, MA - Paradise (w/ Oranges Band)
09-04 New York, NY - Irving Plaza (w/ Oranges Band)
09-05 Philadelphia, PA - Trocadero (Magnet10th Anniversary)
09-20 Brussels, Belgium - Les Nuits Botanique (w/ Spiritualized and The Sights)
09-21 Amsterdam, Holland - Paradiso
09-30 London, England - University of London Union

If your copy fo Summer Sun I starting to wear thin (like mine), get some live Yo La Tengo mp3's here. Enjoy a cover of my favorite Flamin' Groovies song, "Slow Death" (link via Jean Genie).

If you're in L.A. on August 23rd and 24th, you might want to check out the Sunset Junction Festival. It's free (they ask for a $7 donation) and there will be performances, by Rilo Kiley, Guided by Voices, Circle Jerks, Dandy Warhols, Phantom Planet, the Icarus Line, Earlimart and many more... sounds better than Siren.

2003-07-28T09:05:00.000-07:00

Mommy and Daddy's very special first album will be released domestically in Europe and Austrailia Tuesday, August 26th! Don't worry, American people, you can get the import (or just wait it out, i guess). You know you want it, so get it when it hits, good goddamn!

In other news, the New Pornographers have just added new dates to their US tour:

THU 8/21 LAWRENCE, KS Bottleneck

SAT 8/23 LOUISVILLE, KY Headliners

SUN 8/24 PITTSBURGH, PA Rosebud

MON 8/25 NEW YORK, NY Bowery Ballroom

WED 8/27 CHAPEL HILL, NC Cat's Cradle

THU 8/28 ATLANTA, GA Echo Lounge

SAT 8/30 HOUSTON, TX Fat Cat's

SUN 8/31 AUSTIN, TX Emo's

MON 9/1 SEATTLE, WA Bumbershoot

2003-07-27T17:58:00.000-07:00

Mike D. and I have taken up the delicate sport of Bloggerazzing, meaning taking candid pictures of music types with gingerly hidden digicams. Behold:

My stunning portrayal of Hotel Kills at Siren 2003.

Members of the French Kicks at last week's Spoon concert (Mike took this one).

If you have any candid, totally-without-their-knowing pictures of people in bands, email them to me! I'm going to try to make a Bloggerazzi gallery (one day...).

2003-07-27T11:43:00.000-07:00

I find it amusing that not even Interpol could get us to watch Jimmy Kimmel Live. If anyone knows where I can find the performance, you know how to reach me.

On a related Interpol note, vote for the boys at MTV: make them win a VMA!

Stevie? Cruel? This is the same Stevie Wonder, right? The "Cherie d'Amour" Stevie, right?

David Bowie and Mos Def best buds... think of it as a highbrow Ashton and Puffy.

I'd like to start a Web site of celebs looking really, really evil:

Ok, I'm done linking Page Six now.

2003-07-26T18:22:00.000-07:00

I know this page looks like a huge pile of steaming shit right now, but hey, tweaking isn't my strong point, and I have a whole lot more to think about right now.

If anyone wants to get up in this biatch and help out, that would be most appreciated.

And mega-props to Melody Nelson for linking moi.

2003-07-26T09:16:00.000-07:00

I knew Pacino hadn't lost his edge!
Reality TV must be stopped. (links via Page Six)

Not that they have any credibility, but neither does J.Lo: Fox news predicts that Gigli (the Bennifer movie) will be this year's Glitter. Side note: when your movie poster doesn't even need a slogan, you know you're in trouble.

Bright Eyes tour dates:
07-29 Minneapolis, MN - 400 Bar*
07-30 Chicago, IL - Abbey Pub*
07-31 Bloomington, IN - Bluebird Nightclub*
08-01 Columbus, OH - Newport Music Hall*
08-02 Pittsburgh, PA - Club Laga*
08-05 Glasgow, Scotland - GUU
08-06 Manchester, England - Hop & Grape
08-07 London, England - Shepherds Bush Empire
08-08 Amsterdam, Netherlands - Paradiso
08-09 Haldern, Germany - Haldern Open Air Festival
08-11 Biel/Bienne, Switzerland - Lavabo
08-12 Basel, Switzerland - NT-Areal
08-13 Wurzburg, Germany - AKW
08-14 Stuttgart, Germany - Rosenau
08-15 Salzburg, Austria - Salzburg Festival
08-16 Berlin, Germany - Introducing Festival
08-17 Copenhagen, Denmark - Loppen
09-20 Austin, TX - Austin City Limits Festival

*= w/ Tilley and the Wall

No New York. Beuh.

MP3 of the week: Guided by Voices - "My Kind of Soldier", off of the upcoming Matador release Earthquake Glue.

Yeah, according to Popbitch, Victoria Beckham (like, Posh Spice) is recording something on Rocafella with Damon Dash... so, yeah, whatever.

2003-07-25T19:23:00.000-07:00

The more the merrier: after a grueling 20-hour labor session, Vanessa is the proud new mother of a bouncing baby blog. I deny all fatherhood. Besides, I have a low sperm count. Thanks for linking me (but I ain't payin' no allamony)!

2003-07-25T08:45:00.000-07:00

More Siren pictures as soon as I get this webhosting problem all sorted out.

Oh, Mike D., Bidi and I have a theory that Trica Romano of The Village Voice is tapping into the underground and ripping off our blogs. Just read this article on Siren Fest.

Looking good in the tightest pants I've ever seen, the four boys in the New Zealand band the Datsuns took the stage around six, just when the sun seemed strongest. They turned in my favorite set of the day, and gave me a new crush to dote on (me and the Bag Lady made eyes at the singer, Dolf—but he was too busy rocking the crowd to notice).

DOLF DATSUN CRUSH? I feel violated. Watch her bust out fanny packs and YYY hip flasks next (watch out Mike! She's a vampire!) Then again, she did say !!! was one of the best acts... I guess if you like watching over-hyped white hip hop boys prance around in 100° heat, they were good. If not, then they sucked ass. Simpler as that.

I'll get some news in here soon. Promise.

2003-07-25T08:32:00.000-07:00

Sahara Hotnights

!!!

Hot Hot Heat

The Datsuns

2003-07-22T10:18:00.000-07:00

Chris Martin arrested?

Hey, Mike, I noticed Carlos D. in the Siren photopit... Juts call me "starfucker".

2003-07-21T05:56:00.000-07:00

This is too sad for words: Three of the four members of Portland's The Exploding Hearts died in a van crash last night. It's sad enough when any member of a band passes away. But three... only the guitarist survived. There was talk they were going to sign to Lookout! later this year. For what it's worth, my heart goes out to families, friends, etc.

2003-07-20T10:38:00.000-07:00

It came, it saw, it gave us heatstroke: the 3rd annual Village Voice Siren Music Festival at Coney Island yesterday was a rock 'n' roll extravaganza that, quite frankly, I'm having a hard time recooperating from.

Now, before I say a damn syllable, MAD props to Mike to tha D. for securing my camera crisis and not gertting pissed at me for hijacking his digicam for the entire day.

It took me forever to get down to Coney Island from my chic uptown estate, but the two hour train ride in company of cranky tourists was utterly worth it. I got there just in time to see Oakland, California's own The Pattern shake it to the blazing sun. Lead singer Chris Applegren was wearing a pair of dirty old white tight pants that were literaly falling apart; he promised to give them to one over-zealous fan when the set was over. He also kept sucking his thumb and doing weird-yet-not-entierly-unsexy pelvic thrusts. He has won over my total devotion as a rock 'n' roll whore.

After that, I somehow managed to shift through the what seemed to be the entire East Coast population and hooked up with members what is becoming known as Blogger Crew: Bidi, Mike D., Jin (always on the run) and later on, Peter Panda. But for now, it was just me, Bidi, Mike and their friend Bill checking out The Witnesses' set at the Stillwell Stage. I was so busy taking pictures that I didn't really pay attention to the band, but I must say I did enjoy Bonnie Witnesses' gold lamé dress. It was shiny.

So, after that, we drank complimentary bottles of Vitamin Water while Bidi provided the Juicy Juice (featuring a very bootleg Arthur). We caught the end of The Kills' set. Hotel and VV are two of the sexiest people onstage. I love how their mics we placed face to face, so they were always singing to each other and not really to the crowd.

Since we all love Bidi, we indulged her growing !!! festish, and stood out in the opressing heat to check out their set. I wasn't actually that disappointed, since I knew they were going to suck ass anyway. I took some pictures. The guy spit on me. They had kind of neat percussions. Next.

I didn't go to the Stillwell stage at all, because at the time, it just seemed to far to bother. Even Northern State didn't get me there.

So we stayed at the Main Stage for Sahara Hotnights. I think that if I was 20 years older, I'd have been like: "Yeah, this is good, but I remember when the Runaways did it way better back in '78..." but since I'm only a wee little lad, I was over the moon. They were the ultimate girly-punk band, proving that they can bring the garage noise just as good (or better) as the boys (lead singer Maria Andersson is still somewhat upsatged by her significant other, Hives-man Pelle Almqvist). They blew me away with a song wich is, in my opinion, one of the best off of their sophomore album, Jenie Bomb, and one of the best song titles in garage rock history: "Alright, Alright (Here's My Fist, Where's the Fight?)"

Then, one of the only bands on this year's line-up that I really wanted to see, Hot Hot Heat, ambled onto the Main Stage and proceeded to set it aflame with dance rock moves and blaring keyboards. Of course, "Bandages" was the highlight, and, self-concious fuck that I am, I busted moves like never before. It's official: dancing is the new standing around looking like an idiot! My favorite moment was when Achilles from the Fever tried to jump on the HHH bassist and a security guard pushed him away I a very I'm-not-getting-the-fact-that-they-know-each-other way. I think I was the only one who got the joke.

I thought that maybe I would chill for the Datsuns, since I had already seen HHH send one girl into a heat induced blackout (no lie) but I underestimated the power of ROCK (an my steadily growing obsession with Dolf Datsun). Although they failed to play my favorite Datsun song, "Hoochie Mama," they did do my close second, "Harmonic Generator."

Dear Dolf,

My name is Cameron. I saw you play with your band, the Datsuns, yesterday at the Siren Music Festival. You probably remember me, because I'm the one who planted himself at your feet and didn't move for 45 solid minutes. You blew my mind with your manly rock star poses and that scrunchy-lip thing you do when you stomp your feet.

You are mine.

Signed with love,

Cameron Cook.

PS: You could have thrown your bass pick at me, you bastard from Down Under.
PPS: You are singing about me on "Hoochie Mama," right?

Sheer moments after the Datsuns became my new favorite band, they were savagely dethroned by a band that was already one of my favorites, Idlewild. I have never, ever, EVER had more fun at a concert in my life. I knew all the songs. I sang along. I jumped along. I screamed along. They performed all the old favorites, from "Actually It's Darkess" to "Film for the Future" to "When I Argue I See Shapes" to "Little Discourage" to "Roseability" to "These Wooden Ideas." It was perfect. Lead singer Roddy Woomble staggered around drunkely like he is known for, and enthralled the hyped crowd from the moment he opened his trap. It was a great way to end a great festival. Oh, Siren. How we cannot wait until you rear your three heads in 2004.

Pictures up as soon as I recover from the festivities. Stay tuned.

2003-07-18T16:55:00.000-07:00

Cat Power on Friendster?

2003-07-18T14:49:00.000-07:00

Cat Power's onstage antics read somewhat like an urban legend. She's been known for freaking out at photographers, screaming as loud as she can for no apparent reason, and leaving the stage in a state of frenzy mid set. So, being the gawker that I am, I was excited to be able to see her in a free, outdoor setting yesterday at Battery Park. But before reporting what I have become to consider One of the Greatest Concerts I've Ever Been To, I'd like to give un-props to the whole Muisc at Castle Clinton organization thing for making everyone wait for hours and hours on the off-chance we might get reject tickets (which we did). People, you're not called an ORGANIZATION for nothing. But I digress. When we ("we" being me, Mike D. and his friend Anna) finally got into the small, intimate site of Castle Clinton, I was shivering with delight. Cat Power (a.k.a. Chan Marshall) is one of my favorite recording artists, and seeing her on a warm, balmy summer day was making my year.

So, Chan comes on with her band, and her little goddaughter Taylor, who lends back up vocals as they launch into one of the best tracks on Cat Power's latest albums, "Good Woman." I don't know who's idea it was to have a little kid sing backups on that song, but they are a genius. "Good Woman" took on a whole other meaning, with a notion of youth, innocence, and childish glee. So, smiling to ourselves, we all though: "Cute. Nice. Not freaky or iffy in any way." We stopped thinking that when a shady looking character, dressed in a powder blue outfit and a white bandana tied across his forehead, walked up to the stage and stood inchges from where Chan was sitting, staring directly into her face. As soon as the song finished (I think it was "Fool"), a good 10 policemen showed up out of nowhere and the wild fan took off. Turns out he was her NYC stalker, that "he does that at every NYC show I do, he tries to suck the soul out of my brain," and "he's always takling about all the great times we've never had together." But she handled it nicely. "No hard feelings," she said, "I'm just sick of his shit."

Thens he tried to feed a squirrel mid-song, with a hot dog bun someone gave her. It ran away, so she threw the bun on the roof over the stage. It stayed there.

She did a beautiful new version of "I Don't Blame You," witha full band, and half the crowd singing the words. Note to hipster crowd: if you know the words and are feeling the song, sing it. And put down that skateboard.

She did quite a few covers also, which was fun: a cover of "Knocking on Heaven's Door" which seemed to last an hour, a great reendition of "Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground" by the White Stripes. But, I must say, the highlight of the evening was her 10-minute version of Odis Redding's "These Arms of Mine," that bled into a (self-censured) "Fuck the Pain Away." That's right, folks. Chan channelled Peaches. It was a perfect way to end the set.

Only you, Chan. We live only for you.

Verdict: Go see Cat Power as soon as you can. Over and out.

2003-07-17T19:17:00.000-07:00

Punk pop sensation and all around great guy Atom from Atom and his Package has just announced that he will be playing a final show in his hometown of Philly. here's what went out earlier today in his newsletter:

Hi there,
I'm writing to let you know that I'll be playing one final show as Atom and His
Package in Philadelphia on Friday, August 29th, 2003 at the First Unitarian
Church, which is on the corner of 22nd and Chestnut Sts. I've been playing
consistently for the last 6 years or so and I'm sure that I'll remain active in
writing and playing music throughout my life. In fact, I'm playing in a 'real'
band with some friends as of recently, and I'm sure that I'll also continue to
write and record songs by myself with sequencers and guitars, but the live part
of playing music as Atom and His Package will be over soon.

I've had a wonderful time playing, meeting people through playing music, and
seeing amazing parts of the world that I otherwise would not have been able to
travel to. I wouldn't have been able to have these experiences or make these
relationships, without a tremendous amount of help from a whole lot of people.
So, thank you VERY much if you ever put on a show for me, let me sleep on your
floor, couch, or attended a show, or were friendly in any way, whether in person
or via the postal service or in email-town. These past six years have been
wonderful. I've traveled very intensely for a long time, and I've played my
songs in more places and more times than I would have ever thought possible, so
thanks again very much if you've been part of this.

So, if you're interested, you can/will be able to get tickets for this show
really soon on-line at http://www.r5productions.com
or in person at Spaceboy Records (409 South Street, in Philadelphia). I'm not
sure what other bands will be playing yet, but it should be a mushy, dancy, and
fun time, so if you're up for it, I'll see you there.

Take care,
Atom

Check out the interview I did with the man way back when (like, last February).

2003-07-17T12:19:00.000-07:00

Garagedream is in a somber, depressed mood. Luckily, Cat Power free gig at Battery Park is looming on the horizon. Here's some news:

The best show ever, Six Feet Under, holds the most Emmy nominations this year.

Supporting dramatic actress nominations went to Lena Olin of "Alias,'' Tyne Daly of "Judging Amy,'' and Lauren Ambrose and Rachel Griffiths of "Six Feet Under'' and Stockard Channing of "The West Wing.''

So who's it going to be, folks? Claire or Brenda?

2003-07-16T10:14:00.000-07:00

Jack White speaks (unmercifully ripped of Miss Modernage):

07/15/03

Hello candy cane children,

I broke my finger, three breaks, car wreck, horrible left turn in front of me, no chance of escape, air bag, the air near my fingers, devil in my left hand, doctors say no way, lot's of pain, typing with one finger, made it through year of rock n' roll death, got off with just a warning.

Apologies to those wishing to see my hand live, soon enough I'm sure, now me and meg can share war stories, I love when we share, like once there was a monkey, and we shared the experience as children do.

Jack White
III

In other news, Garagedream is a little embarrassed because I can't stop listening to Taking Back Sunday. Can't wait till I check my indie cred at the Warped Tour gates August 9th (hey, I got press passes).

Now for the gossipy parts: Ryan Adams ditched Leona Naess for Parker Posey. My question for Ryan goes a little like this: Dude, are you fucking mad? Rapidly ageing Gen X B-actress over soulful folk-pop si

2003-07-15T12:52:00.000-07:00

OK, so Courtney Love just signed a three-record deal with Virgin Records. Her upcoming album, America's Sweetheart, is going to be relased later this year. The first single was co-written by ex-4 Non Blondes/Pink pimp Linda Perry. Now, I am a really big Courtney fan. I know. But it's true... I think Live Through This is a fucking gem, and admit it, she's the funniest celeb to read/write about. Remember MTV2's 24 Hours of Love? Tell me that wasn't the best day's worth of television EVER (my body gave out towards 3a.m., my brain around 5). So I say, give it up. The 90's are back (so soon?)!

More on that Pixies reunion that has everyone going apeshit (Garagedream included).

Deerhoof dates, muthafukaz (I've officially dedicated the song "Panda Road" to everyone's favorite bamboo-munchin' bastard, Peter Panda):

08-04 Los Angeles, CA - The Derby
08-05 Phoenix, AZ - Modified Arts
08-06 Santa Fe, NM - TBA
08-07 Oklahoma City, OK - Green Door
08-08 Austin, TX - Emo's
08-09 Denton, TX - Rubber Gloves
08-10 Nashville, TN - Springwater
08-11 Knoxville, TN - Pilot Light
08-12 Atlanta, GA - MJQ
08-13 Carrboro, NC - Room 4/Go Rehearsal
08-14 Baltimore, MD - Ottobar
08-15 Washington, DC - TBA
08-16 New York, NY - Knitting Factory
08-17 Brooklyn, NY - TBA
08-18 Providence, RI - Met Café
08-20 Boston, MA - Middle East
08-21 Montreal, QC - TBA
08-22 Toronto, ON - TBA
08-23 Detroit, MI - Lager House
08-24 Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle
08-25 Minneapolis, MN - Walker Arts Center
08-26 Moorhead, MN - Ralph's Corner Bar
08-28 Missoula, MT - Jay's Upstairs
08-29 Seattle, WA - Chop Suey
08-30 Portland, OR - The Blackbird

I think Bring Back Sincerity interviewed himself, although I'm not sure.

2003-07-14T13:42:00.000-07:00

Ok, ideas are getting sparse here... If you have any suggestions, email me!

2003-07-14T13:25:00.000-07:00

Remember those Big Brother and Kid Sister dolls back in the 80's? Like, the commercial had the kids running around going: "My brother, my brother... wherver I go, heeee goes..." and then if you were a girl you got "Kid Sister"? Well, if Garagedream was Big Brother, then his pink-hued doppelgänger Kid Sister would most certainly be The Jean Genie, a new blog brought to you by Bidita. So, say hi. You break her heart, I'll break your legs.

2003-07-13T13:19:00.000-07:00

I'm having fun with this whole cover art rip-off game:

2003-07-13T13:02:00.000-07:00

My brother just made a very dead-on remark: Why aren't there any copyright issues between Gravy Train!!!! and Devo? Don't get me wrong, I love dem rap bitches and all, but "Hella Nervous" sounds a hella lot like "Go Monkey Go," and dat ain't no lie. Hm.

Die. Die now.

Funny. (link via The Morning News).

Um... yeah. (link via Stereogum).

2003-07-12T14:04:00.000-07:00

Oh, inverted cover art:

2003-07-12T13:29:00.000-07:00

Back by popular demand, Garagedream's Shake It For Free summer concert schedule. Collect them all! (or something)

Cat Power plays Battery Park "Music at Castle Clinton" concet series this Thursday. If you are not the first in line to get your free tickets at 5pm at the concert site, you suck. Big time. Show at 7.

Saturday, the entire East Coast is going to book it over to Coney Island to be a part of what we like to call The 3rd Annual Village Voice Siren Festival. Here is the schedule (don't pick !!! (shit shit shit) over the Dirtbombs. Please?)

Spoon do the Battery Park thing Thursday July 24th. Same thing as with Cat Power, free tickets at the site, show at 7pm. You know you're going to have to step over Jean Genie's convusling body to get up front!

Junior Senior play Summerstage August 3rd with Sparks. If you're not up front bustin' moves, don't ever speak to me again.

August 7th you better be at Pier 54 because The Walkmen are playing. Jin, you better be there so you can educate me! I'm such a Walkmen/French Kicks/Jonathan Fire Eater retard.

The Polyphonic Spree get all Summerstage-y August 16. We're bringing our homemade robes so we can try and sneak up onstage and jump around (it's not like anyone would notice).

2003-07-11T12:03:00.000-07:00

I want to have Pretty Girls' babies. As you could expect, the show last night was no less than awesome. The Natural History were on first, and I nodded my head and tapped my feet as Jeff Daniels breezed by (I am such a gossip columnist). I thought they were kind of Stroke-ish, but that's cool. Broken Social Scene gave me chills. The first half of their set was just purebred indie rock, and my theory of more members = cooler band has totally been vindicated. The second half was lush and beautiful, with the female singer bringing the tone waaaaay down with my favorite BSS song, "Anthems for a 17-year-old Girl." And of course, PGMG blew my mind to somwhere near Pluto. A perfetc mix of indie, hardcore, punk... their new album just went way up on my "Best of 2003" list. Way up.
Pictures A.S.A.P. We are in the process of trying to figure out Kat's camera.

And now, le news:

Franck Black wants to re-unite Pixies. Says the band still "gets together to jam" every once and a while (is it just me, or do Kim and Franck hate each other?)

Poor Jack White. First the swimsuit photo, now this.

The new Tindersticks album rules.

Garagedream loves The Hong Kong. For your listening pleasure:
Maserati.mp3
Disappear.mp3

And, um, this:

(courtesy of Billboard via Stereogum).

2003-07-10T10:44:00.000-07:00

Yes people! Here are the PGMG pictures from my interview with Jay and Nick...

i, ii, iii, iv, v, vi, vii, viii, ix, x, xi.

Converse sell out to Nike! Fuck. (link via The Modern Age.)

A blog is born: I'm Losing My Egde.

Oh, and by the way:

This:

And... this one here:

2003-07-09T15:06:00.000-07:00

Um, my life is experiencing technical difficulties, so no PGMG photos for the moment.

Upcoming Spiritualized EP to be first in a series of EPs (oh God, thank you for not being made up).

Radiohead tour dates:

Mansfield Tweeter Center (August 13)
Montreal Parc Jean Drapeau (15)
Toronto Molson Amphitheatre (16)
Camden, N.J. Tweeter Center (18)
Columbia Merriweather Post Pavilion (20)
Cuyahoga Falls Blossom Music Center (21)
East Troy Alpine Valley (23)
Bonner Springs UMB Bank Pavilion (24)
Morrison Red Rocks (26)
Salt Lake City USANA Amphitheatre (28)
Vancouver Thunderbird Stadium (30)
Auburn White River Amphitheatre (31)
Mountain View Shoreline Amphitheatre (September 23)
Los Angeles Hollywood Bowl (25-26)
San Diego Coors Amphitheatre (28)
Woodlands Mitchell Pavilion (October 1)
New Orleans UNO Lakefront Arena (2)
West Palm Beach Sound Advice Amphitheatre (4)
Atlanta Hi-Fi Buys Amphitheatre (6)
New York Madison Square Garden (9 - 10)

You go, virtuoso Brit-Pop guitarist! New Graham Coxon EP.

What a drag! The web-only Liz Phair EP, Comeandgetit, is suppoed to be pretty good (has been raved in the indie circle as "all the good songs left off the album"), but you have to buy the supposedly horrendous Liz Phair to get it. Damn.

Oh, do you think that Jack White is only dating Renée Zellweger because she's going to be in that Janis Joplin biopic? No? I didn't think so.

2003-07-08T16:54:00.000-07:00

I just got back from interviewing Nick and Jay (my doppelgänger!) from Pretty Grils Make Graves. I took some awesome pictures (if I do say so myself). I finally found out how Jasper form Jenyk dot com makes his rockstars look so cool. If you're using a Sony digicam, use the "nightshot" feature in a fully lit room. It gives everything this eerie, greenish glow and everything looks statuesque and posed. 'Tis brilliant.
The interview was OK, even though they Girls were an eensy weensy bit hungover. So incoherent babble was definitely present, but isn't that part of the fun?
Go to their Hudson River Park show at Pier 54 on Thursday. I'll be the hyped dude in the VIP lounge (everyone else will be all blasé). Natural History and Broken Social Scene are opening. Oh yeah.

(pics will be up in a jiffy, hopefully tomorrow.)

2003-07-08T10:37:00.000-07:00

If you are one of those lucky Brit bastards, you might be able to see Black Rebel Motorcycle Club on their "intimate" tour.

Sims mafia: where 14-year-old computer geeks are wiseguys.

It's offcial, Bravo has reached the point of no return. All I have to say to that channel is one big FUCK YOU. You can re-run that Johnny Depp episode of Inside the Actor's Studio all you want. You suck.

The sea regurgitates more fucked up shit.

Britney's not a virgin (hello!), and says that Justin has been her "one and only" (really, is it reasonable to trust Fred Durst?).

2003-07-07T13:32:00.000-07:00

photo: sovietpanda.com

Soviet Panda <3's The Gossip

New Hawksley Workman album coming in time for my birthday (September, that is).

This Indian dude eats only sunshine. This may very well be the future for us. But Soylent Green is really people (ahem)! (link via The Morning News)

One of my favorite "sad" bands, The Decemberists, are interviewed for Pitchfork.

I'm in a shitty, pissed off mood. I just listened to Elephant in it's entirety, and I am still pissed. Why am I pissed? God fucking knows. I just want to go to a show, but nothing is coming up for the next few days... and I haven't even started preparing the PGMG interview I have tomorrow at Matador. I think I'll just dance around to "House of Jealous Lovers" until I drop dead of heatstroke.

Thank you.

2003-07-06T22:35:00.000-07:00

Due to beach-induced fatigue, I'm not feeling very creative. Here's some news:

The Yeah Yeah Yeahs' site has a whole new look to it. I say that they are today's most photogenic band, yo.

Because I'm so nice, here's an MP3 of the new The Strokes song, "The New Way". Still the same three notes, still the same bliss. Check out the alt-country solo! Rad! (link via The Jean Genie, but she doesn't know where it came from, so what the fuck?)

Say it with me kids: "Beyoncé rules, Ashanti drools!"