Saturday, June 30, 2007

"Alright....ok....alright....ok"

I took Luke's advice and came down with him to see the Video Hippos and Dan Deacon rock the High Dive on Thursday night, and boy was it a great show. Its a rare day when I rock out just as hard as Luke but that shit whent down.


Their was an odd feeling in the air as a few zealots who were quite familiar with Dan's work mixed with the regular booze and show crowd that the high dive seems to attract. But it was a Thursday night, so to be picky about the crowd would be a bit preposterous.

After a few preliminary acts, the Video Hippos took the stage and put on a different type of show then I had seen in person. In addition to their catchy riffs (think White Stripes meets your Sega Genesis) they had a sicker then shit video show that went along with their music. The effect was quit hypnotizing and it definitely got my toe tapping. I was so pleased by them I snagged a T-shirt in a neat light blue color (Go to their myspace for some free songs and such)

Once their set changed there was a quick shift and Dan's table of wounder was put into place.

The thing had 4 different light sources and about a million different looping pedals and such. It had definitely been used hard, but it was still one of the coolest rigs I had ever seen. Full of colored duck tape and switches, it was an A.D.D kids dream.

Amazingly Dan set up shop right in front of me and Luke, hence the sick pictures above. His set was full of his patented witty dialog and the stories he told would have left even the greatest poets of our time reaching for words. And then, from the minuet he hit the opening notes of "Okie Dokie" the audience broke into rapid hip and arm movement coming reluctantly to a halt only when Dan was forced to stop for water and air

There wasnt a face in the joint without a smile.

Something about Dan's inate showmanship and weirdly danceable music makes for some of the best times at a show I have ever had. There is no point pondering it any more.

All I want to do now is dance to it.

video of Dan at SxSw
Okie Dokie.mp3
more pictures of thethe show

Thursday, June 28, 2007

1408




I had high expectations for this film since spring break when I first caught sight of the trailer. I was excited about the prospect of a new Cusack movie and when I found out it would be based on a Stephen king short story my already high expectations went through the roof.


I was so excited in fact I went so far as to read the short story in preparation for the film.While the story was decent, it was only a short story (70 pages) and the intro from Stephen King lead me to believe he had not spent much time on it. However, there was a great story there and the movie does an excellent job filling out the plot and adding new dimensions to the frame work King had laid down.


I honestly believe 1408 will do for hotels what Jaws did for the ocean.The film is both an interesting character driven story as well as alternating between jump at you thrills and deeply psychological ploys. It is rare to find a decent horror movie these days and even stranger still to find one that is of the Pg-13 genre, but 1408 meets both criteria. Many times in the theater I found my self squirming with discomfort at the built up pressure through out the film.


On top of a great script and shot development, Cusack puts in a fantastic performance. Though he only has the hotel room as a co-star for most of the film in some ways that works to his advantage. The empty room is a great showcase to his brooding character and only adds to the tension when there is no one there for him to turn to for a reality check.


The rest of the cast is pretty much a throw away, and even Samuel L. Jackson’s character could probably have been better cast to fit the film. I, for some reason, like the roll of creepy hotel manager to have a more menacing look to them. But I guess I am just old school like that.


I am an avid horror fan, and if you are tired of the same old blood before story that seems to comprise our cinema experience these days I would definitely recommend 1408.

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Friday, June 22, 2007

10 shows that are better then Monolith and cost less!



Recently my friend Luke made a huge post about the upcoming Monolith festival that will go down at Red Rocks. He was excited and who could blame him, it's going to feature acts like the Kings of Leon, Decemberists, Flaming Lips, Rocky V, Ghost Land Observatory and about 30 more over the course of two days.

But I am poor, and have watched the best of those bands before. Plus I am not really willing to sit in the 100 degree sun and fight major crowds to whiteness what will invariably be a very long distance show.

Instead, I submit to you 10 shows that are going to be way cool, cost less and be much more comfortable then the heat stroke you are sure to suffer at Monolith.

  1. Sage Francis @ The Gothic June 30~ Me and a friend just when and saw him do an in store and it was fantastic. He will be back this time with a full band and probably more rhyming tricks then you can wrap your head around. And who can beat the venue? Close, interesting and room for all to get a good look cost $18 --Civil Disobedience.mp3

  2. Battles @ The Larimer Lounge July 8~ Who doesn't want to see this show? Seeing these guys make loops live is what has set them apart on the scene. That plus their unwavering ability to make dancy songs that make no sense. And its at the very intimate lounge! $10--Their video is one of the best this year
  3. The Rocket Summer @ Cervantes July 14 ~Hard working band that is friends of all they meet. I can guarantee you will have a great time at this show, and walk out being a fan for years to come. All pop punk fans should attend $13 --Listen to them here
  4. Bob Dylan @ Red Rocks July 19~ Do we really need a description here? Ill put it to you this way, he is going to play 3 hours and you can tell your friends for years that you saw him. $55 Yesterday.mp3(one of the best covers I have)
  5. Maximo Park @ The Larimer Lounge July 19 ~ Same night as Dylan, but this one is your chance to see some real up and comers. I will probably be at this one, as well as ever semi rockin hipster in the 303 $12 --The Coast Is Always Changing (live).mp3

  6. Silversun Pickups @ The Ogden July 30 ~ They are coming on strong and are touring with one of my new fav bands Sea Wolf. Should be the last time you can see them for under 20 because the tour before this they were hanging out with Snow Patrol, and are starting to get some air play. $15 --Lazy Eye (live on air).mp3

  7. Bishop Allen @ Hi-Dive August 7 ~ All the rage on the blogs these days, these guys cant stay a secret much longer and their new album is spectacular! And its at the delightful little Hi-Dive so you know you and the band will be treated right. $12 -- Check them out here.

  8. Fear Before the March of Flames @ The Marquis August 10 ~Come see some kick ass art-post punk music as the Aurora boys come home once again. They love to play in this state and gave up a spot on the warped tour to headline this, so I'm sure they will put a great show in place. $10 -- Whisky is alright, in its place...mp3

  9. Wilco @ The Filmore September 1 ~The legends will be in town supporting their new album and everyone knows they know how to put a great show on. Fact, you must see Wilco at least once if you are truly in the scene. The price tag is steep but its going to be worth it $35 --You Are My Face.mp3

  10. Any Local show anywhere~ Make sure you are supporting the Denver scene, many great bands like the Hot IQs and Lion Sized get left behind in the summer and its nice to go see them once and a while, after all...if the scene dies, your not going to get these sick acts year after year.

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Thursday, June 21, 2007

Say Anything interview from AP



Max from Say Anything stoped by AP to have a chat about the new album and what we can all expect to hear.

I thought it was pretty intresting if a bit repetative (I hate it when people over ask questions becuase they arnt framed right in the first place). If you want the full scoop go read it.

But in short, the new album will be a sort of part two fallow up to "...Is a real Boy" and may have around 26 tracks. Max also says his voice has gotten a lot better and the focus is still on making some really catchy music.

All of that is good news for me, but even better he mentions that he may be willing to play some material from "Baseball" in the future!

I actually sat down and played a couple of songs off Baseball acoustic by myself the other day and was surprised by the fact that I kind of liked it. Which means, yes, I will play them again at some point in some capacity. As for songs I wish I could retire, nothing that I’ve written since I was like 16 or 17 because you never know; a song can become exciting again once you take a break. This also means that you can get sick of playing pretty much any song no matter how fun or good it is if you have to play it every night.
Well that is great news! Stay tuned for a review when i get my hands on that little thing

Walk through Hell.mp3

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Monday, June 18, 2007

"Well she said, Well she said lets all play dead"



Ladies and swarthy types, may I present you with the first band I found and fallowed religiously.

We all have that band, the one that we know deep down will not survive in this Pop-Rock world, but still we fallow deliriously. The Fever were mine.

I found them when they put their album Red Bedroom and took notice again when I caught their video for Grey Ghost. Both items had a striking effect on my young mind.

Not only were they completely different from most of the things I was listening to, but their CD was...gasp...hard to find! I was astonished and fascinated by the elusive disk and when I finally got it, I played the hell out of it. My only regret is not seeing them when they came on tour with the Hives.

Looking back, they are not the greatest band I have ever heard. But i loved them because of the direction they took me in. The songs from this album still hold a certain something for me, and since they recently broke up I thought a post was in order.

Take the single and another, and tell me if you want more.

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Friday, June 15, 2007

Vick sits in the pocket?


Saw that and thought it was funny.

Anyways

I have been listening to a band called Get cape. Wear cape. Fly for the last couple days and he has blown my mind.

I know I am behind the curve on all of this, but someone should have told me there was a British Dashboard Confessional guy who also sang about the injustices of sweat shops and other unfair trade practices! That shit is right up my ally.

Get Cape AKA Sam sings with unbridled passion and is definitely one of the most sincere song writers I have heard in a while. The comparisons to punk legends are apt in most ways, but i don't know if I would go that direction completly. After all he is a bit young and a few to many of his songs are about girls for that moniker to be applied. For now I would just label him under good.

Anyways, his new album is due out soon and he recently played SxSw, so i guess I'm a OK in posting about him.

Go to his snazzy new web site and look around. And keep an eye out for him later this year.

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Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Mr. West


New track got away from Mr. West from his upcoming album "Graduation."

Take a look if you haven't gotten it from another site. I think its pretty dam good, and despite all the shit he apparently talks he always comes up with a pretty good track.

If anyone wants me to take it down say the word rhot9839@gmail.com.

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Saturday, June 09, 2007

Hostel 2



The first Hostel is one of the only films to actually make me feel ill while I was watching it.

That's a big statement for number 2 to meet but i had decent hopes going in. And as it happens i wasn't disappointed.

Sure it wasn't the greatest film of all time, but honestly. If you go looking for a re-hash of "Gone With The Wind" you only have your self to blame.
This film keeps the guts but also covers some plot points that Roth missed in his first attempt. Things like the business aspect and the human side of the gore come into play in this one, and I think the movie on the whole is much better for it.

The acting was passable and the story was interesting if a bit of a retake of the old one. But I think it had to be done this way to keep the plot lines coherent. After all, why would the bad guys change their patters with every set of captures right?

Basically if you were interested enough to see the first one, you should go see the second to get the plot a little more filed out. Think of it as an investment.

With this newest film I become more excited for Roth's next work. He shows great progress both thematically and story wise, rather then in the past where he was only concerned with schock value. If he continues on this path horror may have a new leader.

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Wednesday, June 06, 2007

so...lame but cool


The Stripes and Cold War Kids will be hitting the road this summer, sadly they will not come any closer then Rapid city to me, but I'm sure the rest of you will enjoy the shows .

Also, its the end of the world for my man Mayer.

And it's a bit late but I found this pretty interesting, despite my support of Edwards. Take a peek

Ill get a nice mix tape up to all of you tonight, plus my review of Hostel 2 on Saturday.


I'm finding it Harder to be a Gentleman Every day.mp3

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Sunday, June 03, 2007

Holding on to your grudge...



Oh...it hurts to always have to be honest with the one that you love...

Surfing the web today I found out that Jesse Lacey of Brand New will be doing a solo tour with Kevin Devine through a few lucky cites mainly in the North East. Their Myspace says they will do 11 shows before Brand New hooks up again to do the world famous Reading Festival this summer.

It just so happens I got a solo set from Jesse recently. The banter is great, and the versions are terrific. He does a couple neat covers including Jawbreaker and Neutral Milk Hotel, and stays pretty modest about his talent level. There is the usual sing along of Brand New shows, but mostly its not noticeable. Overall he comes off as a modest guy who's band is getting kind of popular much to his surprise.

I have said it before and ill say it again...of all the artists I have seen no one matches Jessey for pure emotion live. When he sings you can tell he really means it. It is rare to find that in a band these days.

The Boy Who Blocked His Own Shot.mp3
The Quiet Things That No One Ever Knows.mp3


Jesse Lacey Live At The Downtown.rar

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Saturday, June 02, 2007

That girl i know


This is simply a mix tape of songs about girls, broken hearts, things left unsaid, awkward goodbyes and hellos, stories you tell your friends, lengthy introductions and passing moments.

In short...love lost in very uncertain terms

2. Needle in the Hay (live)-Elliott Smith
3. 405-Ben Gibbard
4. The Casualty-Cursive
5. I Still Love you Julie-Against Me!
6. Standard Bitter Love song #4-The Mountain goats
8. Face or Kneecaps?-The Movielife
9. Between Us & Them-The Moving Units
10. Your Favorite One-Arms of Orion
11. Emily Kean-Art Brut
Nother mix tape in a day