wild_whiskey

Hilarity

2005-07-19T09:58:00.000-07:00

• The New York Times' Kelefa Sanneh reviewed the Pitchfork-curated Intonation Music Festival, ultimately giving it a numerical value of 7.3 and making me laugh very hard over it. Sanneh lamented the power that the Fork has in bringing relatively unknown indie bands to relative success, and got smart with putting every performing band into context with their respective Pitchfork numerical value. Overall I enjoyed reading the review, but was disheartened to hear the Go! Team compared to the Black-Eyed Peas (wtf?). Pitchfork may be amateur-operated, but the influence they have comes from a reputation of being spot-on with recommending great pop records and bringing them to the forefront (although their pretentious bravado and obsession with mainstream hip-hop can be pretty retarded; this is mostly a case-by-case issue of different writers). Read the story. Nick Sylvester (cynic, Village Voice) offers a different spin.

• Speaking of Pitchfork's Festival, it was announced there that Broken Social Scene member Dave Newfeld is suing the NYPD for wrongful arrest and use of excessive force after the cops beat the shit out of him and threw him in jail on possession of some weed. Read the story.

• (via Village Voice) Pete Doherty (ex-frontman of the Libertines, current frontman of Babyshambles) is aiming to star in a documentary about his life. Story on Gigwise.

NYD + RR

2005-07-15T09:46:00.000-07:00

New York Dolls have signed to Roadrunner to begin recording new music which will be released in 2006. Of course, the name "New York Dolls," is kind of subjective in itself, considering that only 2/6 of the original band (including Billy Murcia) are still alive. Fair enough, let's see what Syl Sylvain and David Johansen have got in them - like always, I'm torn between skepticism and hopeful excitement. Full story here.

Dinosaur Jr. is currently on their reunion tour. They will be hitting San Diego on the 15th of August.. is it worth it to go to Soma, for one of the most legendary indie rock bands in existence? Such an answer has yet to be determined, but.. probably. Full date list here.

Emotional Electro

2005-07-12T09:27:00.000-07:00

Why can't you see / What you're doing to me / Why can't you feel / That our love is real

Not the kind of lyrics you'd expect in an electronic song, but here they are, all emo'd up and in the DFA-Produced Juan Maclean's "Love Is In The Air." Seconds after the lyrics have set in, the music bursts into an electro summer playground, and is one of the most fun 3 minutes you'll hear this year. The rest of the album, Less Than Human is incredibly good as well: precise, punchy and yet undeniably emotional. If you liked "Give Me Every Little Thing" from the DFA Compilation #2, which it would be completely understandable if you did, you'll be surprised to hear that many other tracks on the album eclipse that song. How is this possible, you say?! Better go listen to it.

The Birds!!!

2005-07-11T18:33:00.000-07:00

They're pissing me off to no end. Some parrots decided to move into the neighborhood and they WON'T SHUT UP. Someone needs to put me (read: the birds) out of our misery.

Goneski

2005-07-06T18:24:00.000-07:00

I know I haven't updated in a couple days anyway, but I definitely won't be updating till next monday. Visiting my parents and stuff. See ya!

John Wayne Gacy, Jr

2005-07-02T20:10:00.000-07:00

Tonight I listened much more intently to Illinois, the new Sufjan Stevens album.. When an epic, enormous song is pulled into the album at #3, it seems that every song after which is just to help you come down from the climax; an unfortunate tendency that I have managed to put aside tonight. So this relates, because after the gigantic "Come On! Feel The Illinoise" is over, I listened and was nearly brought to tears by the horrifically beautiful song that follows, "John Wayne Gacy, Jr." This has to be one of the best songs I've heard this year - it sounds corny to say that I only love music that makes me feel something, but this song (like some before it) seems to communicate something amazing to me that is inexplicable by words. It's without a doubt the climax of the album to me now, and I am still just awe-stricken at how wonderful Illinois is in whole. Sufjan managed to achieve the same grandiose songwriting present in "Vito's Ordination Song" for an entire 70-something minutes. Don't be turned off by the Christian shtick or you're going to miss a masterpiece.

On another note, I was over at the Asthmatic Kitty website and noticed that they are no longer selling Illinois; a legal problem needs to be resolved concerning the artwork before they continue selling it. Whoops.

When I Say I'm In Love

2005-07-01T09:23:00.000-07:00

You best believe I'm in love, L-U-V. Uhh yea... so highlights from last night:

1) Got a new lighting system in my room
2) Drank lots of beer
3) Sleeping People RULED
4) Finally said hi to this girl I've had a crush on forever but never had the guts to say hi to before.

I am the winner!

Plugging

2005-06-29T12:38:00.000-07:00

So I'm reading this book, and it's like the best book ever. It's called Please Kill Me: The Uncensored Oral History of Punk, and the main man behind it is Legs McNeil, co-founder of Punk magazine, and the original person to call that music punk. Anyway, this book is awesome, here's an exerpt from it, I love it:

Damita [Groupie], on the night she meets Joey Ramone: ... Joey says to me, "Oh, are we going home now?"
This girl was following us right to his door and Joey goes, "Well, we're going to bed."
She goes, "Oh, that's it! And I took the train all the way in from the Bronx!"
So we said, "Okay, come on up."
We were sitting on his bed giggling and kissing and she was sitting on the corner of the bed crying.
Joey said to her, "Hey, do you want to watch TV? Just keep it low, so Arturo don't wake up."
The girl went off and we heard her fumbling around in the dark. She knocked a bunch of stuff over and Arturo jumped up screaming and threw her out. Me and Joey were just laughing our heads off, but trying to be quiet so Arturo didn't scream at us.
I ended up fucking Joey, but it was like really awkward the next morning. He was looking for his glasses. I couldn't find my bra.

Anyway, the whole book is like this. Amazing. Some of the shit about the Dead Boys, the drugs and the fights are just sick. Makes me realize how NOT punk rock I am, sitting here at my office job typing on a blog. Oh well!

Oh yea, apparently Eleanor Friedberger (The Fiery Furnaces) is now a model for Miu Miu (fashion label by Miuicci Prada), alongside some other famous names.

Full story here.

New Pornography

2005-06-23T10:46:00.000-07:00

It has recently been announced that August 23rd, 2005 will see the release of the new album by the New Pornographers, titled Twin Cinema. If any of you haven't heard the wonderfully oversaturated electric rainbow that is this band, I highly suggest that you start hitting that shit up. The absolutely most important part of this news that the band will be touring in support of the album and for the first time, singer/songwriter/contributer Dan Bejar (of Destroyer fame) will be hitting the stage with the band. Just to make it all more exciting, Destroyer will be playing an opening set. Bejar is a crazy dude, and I'm stoked to see him with the Pornos, but the closest show is in LA on the 29th of September. Neko Case won't be making the shows, but.. but.. Dan Bejar! Hell, I think I'll listen to Electric Version right now.

In other news, my hair looks very different today. I think I like it.

So according to the Billboard Album chart, Coldplay's mediocre new release X & Y is at #1 in the USA, ahead of both the Foo Fighters and the Backstreet Boys, proving that America likes nothing more than more of the same. We don't expect them to understand, anyway.

The New Pornographers Official Website
Full NP Story on Rolling Stone
Billboard Review of Electric Version

More Clapping Of Hands

2005-06-22T11:12:00.000-07:00

In other CYHSY news, it just doesn't stop! Not lately, anyway. Pitchfork reviewed their self-release, gave it a 9.0 and stuck it in the Best New Music section. Woot!

I saw Enon and Thunderbirds Are Now! last night - both bands rocked. Enon played every song that I wanted to hear minus Window Display. I'm spoiled. In This City... amazing.

Here's my top five albums so far this year:

1. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
2. Spoon - Gimme Fiction
3. The Fiery Furnaces - EP
4. Andrew Bird - Andrew Bird And The Mysterious Production Of Eggs
5. Out Hud - Let Us Never Speak Of It Again

Predictability?!

2005-06-21T10:23:00.000-07:00

So today I read that Billy Corgan, the man whom everyone's talking about, (the blog, the album, and now this!) has some news. Corgan has made it loud and clear that he wants to reform the Smashing Pumpkins. Corgan: "I want my band back, and my songs, and my dreams. In this desire I feel I have come home again.”

Check out the story here.

He's the man, and he's busy. Richard Hell is putting out an anthology of his carreer on Rhino Records on August 2nd. The 21 tracks of fully remastered/unreleased/remixed glory is called "Spurts," and you can check out the Rolling Stone story that I got this from here.

Lastly, Stylus reviewed Clap Your Hands Say Yeah (the album I was raving about just two days ago). Don't ask me how they give this beauty a B+ but put Kelly Osbourne at A- minus ranking and the coveted "Album of the Week" title. In any case it's a good review.

Goin' Through Changes

2005-06-20T13:11:00.001-07:00

All over. And it's starting with the format around here. I like the new colors. I'm a little disheartened today, and probably will be all week. Everyone's disconnected from me at the moment. Not enough time with work schedule to hang with Murrieta friends, and the amount of people to see around San Diego this summer is at an all-time low. This was supposed to be the Summer of Brian! Kidding. It will be. Just you wait.

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

2005-06-17T22:04:00.000-07:00

That's actually the name of the band. If you haven't heard anything about them yet - now you have. And I'm not posting that photo of them tangled up in the lights here. They're from Brooklyn, and they haven't released a real debut, but have a self-release that's been circulating for a few months. They're sittin on something huge - I highly suggest you check them out. I fucking love it. Do they sound like the Talking Heads to you? Everyone on the planet it comparing singer Alec Ounsworth to David Byrne. Not that I don't agree, but I know I'm going to get sick of hearing about it, just like I'm sick of hearing how Interpol sounds just like Joy Division. I'm over them anyway.

Here are a couple links for you:

Official Website

Pitchfork Track Review with mp3

Gothamist Interview

My life is now complete

2005-05-10T19:49:00.001-07:00

+

.

The Blog Least Likely To...

2005-05-02T12:56:00.000-07:00

...offer any sort of real critical and helpful interpretation of one of my favorite albums of the year now? Perhaps. I've been promoting some of the better shit that's come out this year, and here are a couple of the better CDs I've been rocking out to:

Polysics - Polysics Or Die!!!
Spoon - Gimme Fiction
M. Ward - Transistor Radio
Caribou - The Milk Of Human Kindness
M.I.A. - Arular
Black Mountain - Black Mountain
British Sea Power - Open Season

And now I must add The Best Party Ever by The Boy Least Likely To. Beautiful, catchy, full of flowers and banjos and bells, and underneath it all is a somber melancholy that seems to be conquered every time with quaint harmonized pop melodies. Thanks to Pitchfork for the heads up on this one. It's not out in the USA yet and I wouldn't have heard about it if it weren't for them.

I have a bad side too, concerning the 2005 releases.

Okay guys, I'm sorry to anyone who might listen to 94.9 and thinks differently, but just to let you know: Tegan and Sara's So Jealous is balls. Absolute balls. Please stop playing this shit on the radio because it causes my ears and my brain injury to listen to this whiney, seemingly 900-tracked voice over *horribly* mixed and poorly laid out instruments. This shit has been so overproduced, it's not just pre-chewed, it's fucking pre-digested. Howard Redekopp, what's up dude? I loved your style on the New Pornographers records but now you're breaking my heart. I don't need every inch of the song spelled out for me. This record is so obvious that it actually confuses me because I end up thinking that there's got to be something relevant or meaningful about this piece of shit.

I didn't think I'd end up on such a rant when my mood is pretty good today. Cheers!

Shit.

2005-04-08T11:20:00.000-07:00

I know, I haven't updated in awhile. Just didn't feel like it.

So this morning I went to go take some photos of a class at the gym for a flyer. Standard operating procedure. Walk in, all the girls look at you for awhile, act uneasy about being photographed (sorry ladies. when you sign up for the gym, you give us permission to use photos of you at all times - I know, it's sleazy), you hear a song or two playing in the studio - generally a crappy techno remix of an 80s power ballad or 90s alternative hit - take 25 pictures, and you're done. Today, standard operating procedure, except as I walk in I hear the unmistakable line, "We get high in backseat circles," backed up by that unmistakable swing piano line. Shit. I wasn't ready for this - now I was surrounded by 25 girls in tight clothes, and one of them had the taste to throw in Spoon. Sounds like the start of a good day.

I don't talk when I'm taking pictures, but I decided, in the case of some excellent music actually being played in the studio to throw out a couple words to the instructor of the class. I was half expecting to have met the woman of my dreams - active, attractive girl who listens to Spoon, and has the audacity to force the entire gym class to do the same. I shouldn't have said anything - I should have just left, thinking that this was a possibly life-altering moment, and I passed it up. Well, I didn't. I gave a smirk, pointed my finger up and said "Good song," to the class instructor.

"Oh, I know!" she said. "It's the OC mix."

Shit.

San Diego Shows Update

2005-03-13T11:37:00.000-08:00

Shows I'll be making an appearance at:

3/20: Tristeza, Mono, Sleeping People, Tarantel at the Casbah
3/21: The Kills, The Sights, The Get Hustle at the Casbah
3/26: M. Ward, Scout Niblett at the Casbah
4/02: Ariel Pink, The Peppermints at the Casbah
4/14: Crooked Fingers, Dolorean at the Casbah
4/28: Magnolia Electric Co., Court and Spark, Milton Mapes at the Casbah
5/03: British Sea Power at the Casbah
5/22: Caribou, Junior Boys, Russian Futurists (!)

See You In A Few

2005-03-10T14:18:00.000-08:00

No updates until I get back from San Francisco.

Tractor Rope Chain

2005-03-09T14:24:00.000-08:00

Was browsing Stylus as I do every day, and came across the current article in their "On First Listen" column, where they have a writer listen to a band for the first time that they aren't familiar with. The writer basically said that he thought that after listening to Human Amusement At Hourly Rates, Robert Pollard is an excellent songwriter, but that Guided By Voices' overall progression over the years they were together lacks endearing differences between the eras. Completely understandable, and I would agree. This is the that quote really stole my heart:

It's just that it's hard to have much confidence in someone who makes you feel like their whole, prolific creative output can be so easily captured.

Very well put. I'm going to get working on my Flaming Lips chronological compilation that I've been meaning to put together, while I wait impatiently for the Soft Bulletin 5.1 DVD that they are reportedly working on.

In other Stylus news, they gave the overhyped Kaiser Chiefs a C+. I can't say I agree or disagree. I can't say I've listened to the Kaiser Chiefs. I can't really say that I ever will, I just know that I've heard the name "Kaiser Chiefs" way too often.

The Two Faces Of Monsier Valentine

2005-03-08T13:17:00.000-08:00

I know, everyones talking about it. I know, I'm late to report on it. But if anyone isn't aware quite yet, the legendary NYC venue CBGB is in a few battles with their landlord and is at the risk of eviction. No way is it going to happen, though. From what I've heard, they're around $90k in debt as of now, which with all the major punk rock bands of the past and present that owe their careers to CBGB isn't too far out of reach (Strokes benefit show, anyone?). An excerpt from a NYT article:

"We're an institution," said Hilly Kristal, the grandfatherly 73-year-old who started CBGB - with plans to stage "country, bluegrass and blues," not punk - in late 1973. "I think we're an important part of this community. The city uses us in their Olympics ad, along with the Statue of Liberty."

The release date for MIA's "Arular" has been confirmed to be March 22, and will be on New York-based XL Recordings, not Interscope. Full article from Billboard here.

Original Sex Pistols bassist Glen Matlock is sick and fucking tired of all the cussing on British television. Read the short, stupid story here.

Fabrizio Moretti, drummer of that one band no one's ever heard of called the Strokes, has started a foundation to support education on juvenile diabetes.

San Diego bands Bunky and the Castanets will be playing the 2005 SXSW festival. You can download a 750-song SXSW showcase playlist for your iPod via the SXSW website.

Bono Strikes Back

2005-03-07T12:25:00.000-08:00

For a band that's more than 20 years old, U2 are getting way too much damn attention. Everyone's favorite Irish boy with those god awful sunglasses will be doing a duet with BB King for his 80th birthday celebration, which also includes performances by the likes of Sting, Elton John and Van Morrison. Check out the full story at NME. Then, in retrospect, read how Maddox feels about U2.

50 Cent has is his own custom Nintendo DS. Why, Pitchfork, why?

Gawker is being sued by Fred Durst after they aired his secret scandalous sex tape for two fucking hours last week. CNN is on the scene. The word is that the hacker who found Durst's dick (or lack thereof) may be tied to the one who found the wet kitten's phonebook.

Funny bit of stupidness to look at: MSN Encarta's definition of kraut rock.

Some Newish Ideas

2005-03-06T21:03:00.000-08:00

Today was a highly productive day (surprisingly). Got lots of homework-esque things done, although I still have a little more to do before I retire my eyes for the day. Anyway, on to the important stuff:

I am really enjoying the new Spoon, particularly this song called "Sister Jack" that is erupting from my speakers right now. The album in general is much more influenced by the Velvet Underground and the Beach Boys than any of their older stuff. Very reminiscent of late 60s music, and essentially much more melodic than their other works.

Tonight was my first radio show, and despite a lot of shit that I fucked up, I still had a good time, and you should listen to it. It's on sundays from 6-8pm, and you can listen to it from www.kcrlive.com.

Saw Polysics this week, and they brought the fucking rock. At one point, Hayashi chugged a beer than continued to nail a guitar solo with the empty beer glass. Soon as I get a camera, pictures of amazing feats like this are coming up on this site. Hopefully I'll have one by the next M. Ward show at the Casbah.

Dear Friends

2005-02-27T21:38:00.000-08:00

Listen to / buy this. Rarely ever do I listen to a record that instantly affects me in the first song, yet remains as endearing and careful all the way to the last. Portland's Matt Ward appreciates the radio show phenomenon (the liner notes are written very particularly to reflect this) and does things in such a classic, organic fashion that he achieves sonically his greatest height yet. I don't know what else to say besides that this is a wonderful piece of art, and if you haven't heard "Radio Campaign," or "I'll Be Yr Bird," you should get on it, quick.

wild whiskeys

2005-02-24T14:58:00.000-08:00

unfortunate news: according to insound, XL has pushed back the release date for MIA's Arular. i didn't get any word on the actual release date (was supposed to be on the 22nd); just that it was postponed. speaking on terms of what i've downloaded (shh), it's incredible. Stylus agrees. they are speculating a mid-march release date.

after listening to Mu's new record,i keep going back to afro finger & gel. the new one is good, but it can't touch af&g. aside from being insane, it deserves credit for renewing my adoration of afro finger.

i told myself i'm not going to write anything about hunter s. thompson. only read fear and loathing and nothing else, so i'm not going to dedicate an entire day to saying rip. too late, i guess, i just wrote something. rip.

friends have been asking me where i got the name for the blog... i'm no alcoholic. i got the name from an unassailably rad Comets on Fire song. i do love a good whiskey though. wild turkey 101 is a favorite, as is the always affordable johnnie walker black label. i won't claim to be a single malt connoiseur (not yet), but for those, the macallan 10 year fine oak is a good deal.

shows etc. etc.

2005-02-11T11:23:00.000-08:00

new releases are droppin like mad from bands that i love. is it that there is more good music every year, or that i am cumulatively listening to more music?

the new books record lost and safe is turning out to be awesome. more political and more ethnic. of course, with all the bedlam surrounding beck's new album's non-final version being leaked, it is entirely possible that the minimalistic lost and safe i've been listening to is not the completed record. in either case, it's still a great record.

speaking of beck, see the new video on nme tonight starting at 8pm.

on similar terms, caribou (dan snaith, previously manitoba) has completed his new album the milk of human kindness and it will be released in April. it's good. it's very good.

the new kills album, no wow is coming out in march. it's hot.

the new coachella set list is available online, and the number of bands that i want to see was shamefully reduced from last year's 40 to this year's 8.

lastly, here are some shows to look forward to in san diego:

2/12: The Futureheads at the epicentre
2/15: Rob Crow, Bunky, Bedroom Walls at the casbah
2/18: Aqueduct at the che
2/19: Ted Leo/Pharmacists, The Joggers, U.S.E. at the casbah
2/27: Les Georges Leningrad, Kill Me Tomorrow, Business Lady at the che
3/01: Polysics, The Glossines at the casbah
3/05: Xiu Xiu at the che
3/12: Hella, Numbers at the che
3/26: M Ward, Scout Niblett at the casbah
4/07: Deerhoof at the che
6/04: Of Montreal at the che

things for the new year

2005-01-31T22:48:00.000-08:00

so you should be checking out some of the crazy shit coming around town in '05. last year saw a band of murderers, flaming video games and a program of the government with ben gibbard at the top of the charts (practically, anyway).

this year, expect there to be some bloc party action. all year long. these fuckers have already taken over the planet (starting with the nme news page) and their album hasn't even hit the shelves yet. the killers of '05? who knows. unlike the killers, however, their debut album (EPs don't count) "silent alarm" is decent. try not to get too attached though, "bloc party" is going to be the new cuss word at your local commie co-op shows.

speaking of cuss words... the fiery furnaces. the band everyone loves to hate because the critics dug it and you don't get it. their EP - although at 40 minutes and 10 songs should hardly be considered an EP - is amazing. my favorite record of the year, alongside black mountain.

so last night i went to the radio 4 / gogogo airheart show at the casbah. the sound was a bit different for gggah (more abrasion) and the show was intense. i should be able to get some pictures and maybe a live track or two up here.

it's early, the perfect time to fail at going to sleep.