New Music: Foo Fighters

I can’t stop thinking about Dave Grohl and his sexy ass doing all the rounds promoting the Foo Fighters’ new record Wasting Light.  Watching the promo blast unfold on SaturdayNight Live, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and The Late Show with David Letterman, I’m reminded of why I love the Foo Fighters so much.  They just fucking rock.  It’s hard to believe that Dave Grohl was at one point saddled behind the drum kit and not always the superstar front man that he is today.  And, I know this is blasphemy, but I had a moment while watching them on The Daily Show where I had a thought that Nirvana would have never had the longevity in career that Foo Fighters have had, even if Kurt had survived.  Dave has done a great job of keeping the Foo Fighters music fresh, unique and tight.  I honestly can’t think of another band that has had the time under their belt like the Foos have had, that I can still listen to on a regular basis.  Red Hot Chili Peppers?  Nah.  Green Day?  On the radio maybe, but it gets played out.  I know Foo Fighters are a “younger” band then them, but I stopped being interested years ago.  I don’t see that happening anytime soon with the Foos.

Wasted Light is pretty damn amazing. Overall, the band is at the top of their game.  The record starts out with full aural assault, “Bridge Burning,” and you pretty much know from there that this is going to knock your socks off.  That leads right into “Rope,” which is a perfect blend of sexy and rock.  My other favorite tracks were “White Limo,” “These Days,” “Back & Forth” and “Walk,” which makes me feel all gooey inside.  I’m pretty obsessed with this record and haven’t stopped listening to it all day.  I can’t help but kick my own ass for not trying harder to get into one of the “secret shows” they played a month or so ago and am salivating to see them when they come back.  I guess I'll just have to watch the full concert they did for Letterman, proving even more that they are one of the best live bands out there, if not THE best.

To hear Wasted Light in its entirety, you can stream the record at Spinner.

Buy it here on Amazon:

New Single: Art Brut "Lost Weekend"

If The Pixies, Iggy Pop and the rhythm section for LosCampesinos! had a baby, it would be the new single “Lost Weekend” by ArtBrut.  No surprise though, it was produced by Black Francis.  This is the first single from their new record - out May 23 on Cooking Vinyl.  It’s catchy, delightful and full of fantastic fuzzy pop with the most killer guitar solo I’ve heard in a while.  And, you can download the single at Pitchfork!

  Art Brut - Lost Weekend by One Thirty BPM

New Music: The Belle Brigade

 The Belle Brigade

The Belle Brigade

Reprise Records

I first heard of The Belle Brigade when they were doing a Monday night residency at Spaceland in Los Angeles and was blown away the first time I saw them.  For me, it’s pretty rare to see a band for the first time, not know their music, and love it so much that I bob around like I’ve been a fan and friend of the band forever.  That’s the way that The Belle Brigade makes you feel - like you’re part of the group and always in on the fun.   The Belle Brigade consists of siblings Ethan Gruska and Barbara Gruska, who grew up in LA to a music-centric family.  Their dad was a songwriter for people like Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson and Dusty Springfield and their Grandfather was a film composer for movies such as Star Wars, Jaws, E.T. and Raiders of the Lost Ark.  Sounds like destiny.

The first song that really stuck with me was “Losers.”  It’s a melancholic song that almost perfectly describes that feeling of what it’s like when you realize that you’re finally growing up.  The song is sung in perfect harmony by Ethan and Barbara, and really kind of gives you a gut punch.  The album as a whole is this really great rootsy homage to 70’s rock like Fleetwood Mac and Paul Simon.  It’s got the Americana vibe, while also being poppy, fun and sing-songy in a way that is different than a lot of stuff out there right now.  Tracks like “Sweet Louise,” “Where Not to Look For Freedom” and “Lucky Guy” have an infectious positive energy that immediately brings a smile to your face.  With all that energy, there are also songs like “Punch Line” and “My Goodness” that show the depth and range of their songwriting abilities to break your heart with just one chorus.

Since I got this record, I haven’t been able to stop listening to it.  And, when I’m not listening to it, I’m singing it to myself.  I suggest their version for you…stay away from mine.  You can catch The Belle Brigade on the road with G. Love & Special Sauce through the end of April and then opening for k.d. lang through July.  Definitely not a show to be missed!

  Latest tracks by The Belle Brigade 

Port Chuck, Sometimes Pronounced Pork Chop

Although many people I know make fun of me for it, I am a HUGE fan of daytime tv.  I’m not talking Oprah, Ellen or the Nate Berkus Show.  I’m talking SOAPS.  I record my stories every day and watch them religiously, though I don’t consider myself to be one of the “typical” daytime uber-fans that pay large amounts of money to have access to getting autographs and taking pictures with the stars.  I'm not judging, I do follow a few of the stars on Twitter and I’ve seen a few around town, bringing pleasure to me, and to others in that they get to laugh at me somewhat geek out.

So, I was super excited to find out that a band comprised of actors from General Hospital, called Port Chuck (get it? GH is based in Port Charles), was playing locally at The Grove for a taping for the tv show Extra.  This would be the perfect opportunity to get to be a looky lou, while pretending that I just “accidentally” had shown up, and to get to see what this was all about.  I wasn’t sure if I could fly solo, so I recruited one of my bff’s who used to watch, and was somewhat familiar with the characters.  She would appreciate it enough to not think that I was a total stalker or crazypants.  And, I think she was just as curious as me.

We arrived at The Grove just like any other day.  I was expecting the place to be packed and somewhat akin to an aged Jonas Brothers concert, with throngs of ladies holding up Soap Opera Digests and screaming their brains out.  Yeah, it wasn’t like that.  And, only two people held up their prized mementos.  One had a hardcover book about General Hospital and another had a book based on one of the characters on the show, the Secret Life of Damian Spinelli, written by one of the actresses from the show.  Homegrown fan fiction, as Carlyn pointed out.

The band consisted of:

Steve Burton (Jason Morgan, the sensitive mob enforcer)

Brandon Barash (Johnny Zacchara, the up and coming mobster with a penchant for older women)

Bradford Anderson (Damian Spinelli, the uber-nerdy computer geek who can hack any law enforcement computer system)

Scott Reeves (Steve Webber, the Chief of Staff at General Hospital)

After waiting for what seemed like forever, Port Chuck finally took the stage.  I might be jaded, indie-rock chick, but I think that it’s pretty common knowledge that a band is usually comprised of people who play instruments and a lead singer plus backup.  Port Chuck is actually a band fronted by four lead singers.  The only one who actually played an instrument was Scott Reeves.  My expectations were pretty low, yet now even lower.

Have you ever been to an event or witnessed something that is so embarrassing, but you’re the only one who recognizes it?  Well, this was kind of like that.  They opened with a rawk n roll reimagineering of “Devil Went Down to Georgia.”  It wasn’t too bad, but you really got the feeling that you were at karaoke with a live band.  Who decided this was a good idea?  Apparently, Steve Burton did.  He said that he dreamt about it, and was like, “Hey, let’s start a band” (but not play any instruments).  This is the same guy who literally made millions off his fans by getting into the Monavie pyramid scheme, so it doesn’t surprise me that this is just another way to bilk even more money.  The rest of the set was “Here We Go Again,” “Livin’ on a Prayer,” “Knocking on Heaven’s Door,” “No One Like You,” and what seems to be an obvious choice, “Jessie’s Girl.”  Too bad Rick Springfield wasn’t there to save the show.

I wish that I had true visual documentation of the crazy faces that Scott Reeves makes when he is playing the guitar.  It was somewhere between wincing and feigned excitement.  I know these guys are actors and not true musicians, so I understand that they aren’t going to have the same swagger as Robert Plant when they’re on stage but they could at least use their acting chops to pretend.

 

Needless to say, I will not be attending another Port Chuck gig.  I wanted to like it, I really did.  Low expectations and all, I thought maybe it would be as good as any random cover band I've seen play at any street fair.  I have to think that there is potential here for the band to get better (yes, I know they play covers), but once they are on stage together more they should start to gel as a “band.” Maybe their game was off because it was cold and awkward to be playing at a mall and not in a club.  Naah…I think it’s more that these guys have big egos and no one has told them that this is not an act you take out on the road.  The true test is to gauge whether seeing behind the curtain will ruin my love for General Hospital.  Let’s hope not..I’m dying to know if Sam and Jason are finally going to have a baby!

 Laura Wright (Carly) was there.  She's my fave.

New Music: Ben Ottewell and Gomez

I was lucky enough to get invited to see Ben Ottewell from Gomez perform on Saturday night at the Bootleg Theater.  I had never been to the Bootleg before, and had not heard Ben's solo work.  The theater was quite intimate.  It's a converted warehouse with outdoor tables and chairs, theater seats and a door leading to the back smoking patio.  I have to say that it kinda kicked Hotel Cafe's ass for me, as far as space and comfort.  It was almost as if you were in Ben's backyard, watching him sip beer and talk to his friends in the audience.  It was a beautiful acoustic set with some haunting tracks that are on his new solo record, Shapes & Shadows.  I loved the single "Blackbird." It's a song that should be sung on a southern porch on a hot day, in a Neil Young-Harvest Moon kind of way.  All of the songs conjured up this same time of feeling.  You can almost feel the breeze in your hair, while you're riding in a convertible on a cross country road trip, and feel the wisps of wheat as you pass down a country road in the midwest.  I'm looking forward to getting to spend some time with this record and also recommend "No Obstacles" and "Lightbulbs" for your road trip companion mix.  You can download "Blackbird" here:

 

While you're at it, Gomez has a new record coming out this summer called Whatever's On Your Mind.  You can download the new single "Options" from that record here:

 

Be the Mayor!

When I signed on to Foursquare, my goal was just to be the mayor of my office.  I worked there for 13 years, you would think that I'd have the tenure to automatically be mayor.  But, the much younger, has more gusto, recent grad had been on 4sq longer than me and took and hoarded the crown.  I'm no longer working there, but was able to capture the mayorship of our new fridge as a parting gift before I left.

After leaving the job, I knew that I had the opportunity to step up my game.  I could be the mayor of everywhere!  I wasn't just going to be going from work to home.  I'd be out and about.  I could dream big.  I could be the mayor of the gym.

For most people, simply going to the gym every day might accomplish that task.  But, for me, I had an extra obstacle to overcome.  I go to a gym in West Hollywood.  Could I really out-gym the gays?  About every other day I would check Be The Mayor to see how much further I had to go.  Kevin the Mayor had about 41 check ins on me.  There was no way.  How did he get so far ahead?  Does he live in the basement?  Does he work there?  Is he one of those "gym guys" who are always camped out at the boxing ring, grunting and slowly making passes at the skinny broads who pass by?  I didn't care who he was, I just knew I had to figure out a way to take him down.

I could do this.  I would just go to the gym every day.  As anyone who has ever made a fitness plan before knows, this is tough.  I came up with clever ways to make myself get out of bed and onto the treadmill.  I started by making gym dates with my gay boyfriends.  Even though I'm the most unflexible/unlimber person on the planet, I started doing Pilates.  I tortured myself twice a week by being berated by the Pilates instructor who just doesn't understand why my body doesn't naturally bend at the waist.  I deserved this mayorship dammit!

I pictured what it would be like as mayor.  Would balloons fall from the ceiling every time I walked in?  Would the front desk staff know me by name and high five me as they validated my parking?  Would the ever-so-foxy guy I stalk on the treadmill suddenly recognize me not as the girl who gives him googly eyes as he walks by, but as the ever-so-foxy chick he wants to ask out on a date?  I mean c'mon, who doesn't want to make sweet love to the mayor?

Well, here we are...five months later.  And, guess who's the mayor?  MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!  This past Tuesday, I checked in and received my honor.  I walked in and told the front desk guy immediately that I was the mayor and he said, "Well, you must get something.  A smoothie at least."  He went to check with the manager.  Wah wah, no smoothie.  I get free water.  And, she didn't even walk over to congratulate me.  Oh well, do you want a towel?  Pffft...everyone gets a towel.  I donned my imaginary crown and head back to the treadmills.  The hottie was there.  I took my spot in the row somewhere behind him.  Could he tell I was glowing from my victory?  Nothing.  Not even a glance over the shoulder.  Hmmm....this wasn't happening the way I thought it would.

I have to imagine that this must have been what it was like for the councilmen of Bell.  Anti-climatic, yuck.  To finally be in a place of power after such a long election cycle and to not even be showered with gifts, cash, tail or celebrity; it's tough.  I feel their pain.  They went out and made it happen for themselves.  And, now they're in jail.  I'm not saying that I'm going to steal a treadmill as reward for being the mayor.  But, I have to find a silver lining somewhere.  Is it that at least I'm getting to the gym regularly?  Are my hips a little smaller?  Do I have a six pack for abs?  Uhhhh...maybe we shouldn't go there.  I guess I can take solace in that I can eat a half a pound of pretzel m&m's and not feel guilty.  Oh, and I'm still the mayor of the fridge!

Betty White is Off Her Rocker

According to The Wrap, Betty White has just signed on to host a new reality show on NBC where she will be pranking America's unsuspecting seniors.  While some think this is nothing more than an April Fool's prank, I say BRING IT ON.  Given the age of the participants, it might develop into a cross between ER and Punk'd. 

I love old people, I love Betty White, I love reality shows and I love watching people do stupid things.  The only thing that might make this more appealing is it it was on Bravo.  Betty, love you girl.