Digging the Virtual Crates: Faith No More

September 30th, 2008 by Michael

While we anticpate Pete’s no doubt exhaustive coverage of the Austin City Limits festival (and the trip home) I thought I’d dig back in the virtual crates to deliver some video-gasmic love for the brilliant Faith No More. I was digging through my collection last week and stumbled across my copy of This Is It: The Best of Faith No More (Amazon | iTunes) and was amazed at how kind time has been to these tunes and furthermore how well they’ve aged. From “We Care a Lot” through the flopping fish right up to “Ashes to Ashes” I actually ended up digging out my copies of the rest of their discography (I have to pick up Album of the Year) and spending some quality time getting reaquainted.

Faith No More – We Care a Lot (Video)

The quality of the video really sucks, but it’s such a classic I had to include it here.

Faith No More – Epic (Video)

The one that got everyone hooked.

Faith No More – Midlife Crisis (Video)

The entire Angel Dust record is a classic.

Faith No More – Easy (Video)

Personally, I might actually like this version better than the original.

Bonus!!

I’d be completely remiss if I did not include at least one Mr. Bungle performance.

Mr. Bungle – Girls of Porn (live 1991) (Video)

Enjoy!

Posted in Video | 1 Comment »

Nighttime Missives with Kings of Leon

September 22nd, 2008 by Michael

Rarely, if ever, does Saturday Night Live inform my music choices but this weeks episode did manage to serve as a reminder that a.) Kings of Leon just released a new record that I hadn’t picked up yet and b.) Kings of Leon kick about a metric ton of ass. Their latest release, Only by the Night, finds the band trying on arena size anthems and singer Caleb Followill finding his voice. The slow burn of opening track “Closer” sets the tone for the majority of record. The lead off single “Sex on Fire” brings the rock in the most grandiose way and is sure to have the crowds singing along.  “Use Somebody” is nothing short of brilliant.  While it has only been spinning on my iTunes for less than 24 hours, I’m calling this a contender for my record of the year.

You can listen to the entire record for free at Last.fm [here]

Kings of Leon - Use Somebody (Live on Later… with Jools Holland) (Video)

Buy Only by the Night: Amazon

Links: Official Site | on Last.fm | on MySpace

Posted in Rock, Video | 2 Comments »

Clapton Joins the Bluesbreakers, Mind-Blowing Solos Ensue

September 13th, 2008 by Pete

This is from John Mayall’s 70th birthday gig a few years ago. Buddy Whittington (from the Bluesbreakers) and Eric Clapton do things to their Fender Stratocasters that mere mortals like us can only dream of. Amazing. And a trombone solo to boot!

I just finished Pattie Boyd’s autobiography, and I’m just cracking open Clapton’s. I knew that drugs and drink played a role in Eric’s life, but holy schmoly batman, that is excess!

Posted in Blues, Video | 1 Comment »

I ain’t no glamour boy - I’m fierce!

September 12th, 2008 by Kelly

I’m working on a mix cd for a friend tonight and when I spotted “Glamour Boys” by Living Colour in my iTunes, I immediately ran over to YouTube to watch the video. Of course, they have embedding disabled on the original video, so you’ll just have to follow the link to go watch it. It’s in my top 10 favorite videos of the late ’80s. It’s making my Friday night a little more fun, and I hope it does the same for you.

Here’s a live version, which is fantastic, despite the lack of Ken dolls:

And, in case you want the song to play over and over on your iPod:

Living Colour - Glamour Boys

Posted in Funk, Rock, Video | 1 Comment »

How Keef Handles the Stage Crashers

September 9th, 2008 by Pete

Okay, granted that Noel Gallagher had no time to react to the idiot who bum rushed him [01:30 in] on stage a few nights ago in Toronto. But I must recommend to Noel and all performing musicians worldwide that they take preventive action, and watch this video.

Learn from the master. Here’s what happens when you try that business on Keef…

Posted in Video | 3 Comments »

Observations: Film Music

September 9th, 2008 by Michael

I found this post from the summer hiding in my GoogleDocs folder and it somehow never made it to the front page. Better late then never? - Michael

I’ve successfully avoided the urge to rant on about this, that and the other thing in this most public of forums. It all feels very Jerry Seinfeld. But bah, what the hell…

Has anyone else noticed how crappy music in movies has become? Let me frame this, the wife and I have watched a few movies in the last couple of weeks that made me think “would it even be possible to have this much music licensed in a single movie?” It all started with this..

Over the Edge (1979) (Video)

First off, if you have not seen this movie you owe it to yourself to see it. One of the first things that you’ll notice is the fact that there is a bevy of bloody awesome tunes. And not just a 30 second snippet, but a full intro, verse, chorus, solo… you get the point. Cheap Trick, The Ramones, The Clash, Van Halen, Hendrix and The Cars were all well represented in multiple appearances each. And at the end of the movie I say to my wife, “you know, the damned music industry has ruined soundtracks!”

Big (1988) (Video)

We watched this with my son Miles this evening as Huey Lewis & The News played into Billy Idol’s “Hot in the City” into Patrice Rushen’s “Forget Me Nots”. A truly awesome selection of 80’s classics served over the sickly sweet film. And don’t you know that when I got to the end of it I was running to the iTunes to listen to some cheesy 80’s music, dancing around like a fool.

But seriously folks, isn’t it time we get better music in movies?

Posted in Video | No Comments »

Jerry Reed 1937-2008

September 2nd, 2008 by Michael

While I fully realize that my attachment to Jerry Reed was primarily due to his participation in Smokey & The Bandit and Scooby-Doo, I found out later in life that he was a hell of a songwriter and a amazing guitarist. Jerry passed away today at the age of 71, our hearts go out to family, friends and fans.

10-4 Good Buddy, over and out…

Jerry Reed - East Bound and Down (Video)

Jerry Reed - Pretty Mary Sunlight (Video)

Posted in Country, Video | No Comments »

Keef 999

September 1st, 2008 by Pete

Just because.

Posted in Rock, Video | No Comments »

Be Here to Love Me - A Film about Townes Van Zandt

August 29th, 2008 by Pete

It’s through my old friend Mark that I discovered the music of Townes Van Zandt a dozen years ago, and through Steve Earle that I’ve learned more about Townes the man. I don’t think I’ve seen a Steve show where he doesn’t take 5 minutes to tell you about his close friend and mentor.

‘Be Here to Love Me’ is a 100 minute film about the life of Townes Van Zandt. Thanks to Snag Films, you can watch the entire film online for free. Thanks to Heather at Fuel/Friends for making me aware…

Posted in Folk, Video | No Comments »

Review: Huey Lewis & The News Live at Seaside Summer Concert Series

August 25th, 2008 by Michael

The Heart of Rock & Roll is still beating in Coney Island.

“New York, New York, is everything they say and no place that I’d rather be”, with these words Huey Lewis & The News kicked off the final show of the 30^th Seaside Summer Concert Series at Asser Levy/Seaside Park in Coney Island. The band wasted little time in bringing their West Coast flavor of blue-eyed soul to Brighton Beach.

The first highlight for me came early in the set when I finally got to see the band perform “If This Is It”. I’ve seen Huey and the boys no less than 4 times in the last 4 years and this tune has eluded me each time. Stef Burns (Y&T, Alice Cooper, Shelia E.) absolutely ruled the evening on the musical front letting loose solo after solo.  Next up was “The Power of Love” followed by the new tune “Pineapple Express” from the movie of the same name (check out Popdose for Jason Hare’s take on Soundtrack “Title” Songs). Personally I dig the tune, even if it is just “Hip to be Square” with different lyrics.

For the A Cappella portion of the show the band followed the concert staple “It’s Alright” with “Under the Boardwalk” which had the entire crowd on its feet and singing along.  The next highlight for me was the rarity “Walking On a Thin Line” which I last saw performed with Chris Berman (yes, that Chris Berman) on guest vocals.

For the encore the band rolled out it’s ‘other’ soundtrack hit “Back in Time” followed by a slower mellower version of “Do You Believe in Love”. The night ended with “Workin’ for a Livin’” and a dedication to “Brooklyn’s Finest”.

I also have to mention the opener Paul Thorn whom I will write about at great length in a coming post, but for now echo Huey’s sentiment that “there ain’t nothing not to like about Paul Thorn.”

Huey Lewis & The News
Asser Levy Park, Coney Island, NY
August 21, 2008

Set List:

The Heart of Rock & Roll
My Other Woman
I Want a New Drug >
Small World
If This Is It
The Power of Love
Pineapple Express
Jacobs Ladder
It’s Alright
Under the Boardwalk
Walking On a Thin Line
Heart and Soul
But It’s Alright
We’re Not Here for a Long Time

Back in Time
Do You Believe in Love
Workin’ for a Livin’

Bonus Video!

Huey Lewis & The News - If This Is It (Video)

Links: Official Site | on Last.fm | on MySpace

Posted in Rock, Video | 1 Comment »