JOSE JAMES

It's been months since I've seen an actual music performance; although seeing one of my favorite punk bands from my high school years rock out back in September, it's been far too long since I got my ears thoroughly rang. And I love punk and rock in general still, lately I have developed an ear for far "smoother" sounds. Maybe I'm getting old (duh, haha) but I enjoy the focus being on a singer as opposed to the band as a whole.

Last month I was bored and looking around Conan's website; say what you will about his current show (I think it's just "ok") but he books some seriously awesome talent, much of which has been new to me. In fact, when I want new shit to check out, I go to his site first. Which is how I discovered Jose James...



Minutes after listening to Jose's voice for the very first time, I looked up his show dates, and sure enough, he was coming to Chicago soon; as in TOMORROW NIGHT. So I bought tickets, took the night off work (a rare occasion indeed) and despite my best efforts to invite others to join me (and Jose, hehe) I will be flying solo.

Although it would be nice to have the company, I enjoy concerts like this on my own. Small, dark, intimate space, great sound. My entire focus will be on the music presented, as opposed to it being a social event. And Lincoln Hall is hands down my favorite venue in the city. I am SO looking forward to it!!!

BONUS:

TO LAY ME DOWN...

...or rather lay this blog down. I have yet to make a decision, but after blogging all these years, I feel like this is a beginning to grow more than a little stale, hence me infrequent posting as of late. My life just isn't that interesting, although it is slightly, increasingly satisfying - but I doubt that makes for a compelling read.

The other day it occurred to me that it would be more interesting if I crash and burned, and went on some wild meth-fueled/coke binge/bath house orgy; but I had I a quiet weekend concerning myself with getting back to work, sleeping and not spending almost any money. And camping out at the boyfriend's place.

I feel less and less of a need to reflect upon my life within this space, because of 3 reasons:

#1: There seems to be some compulsion to share crazy shit going on in my life, but there isn't any with which to even embellish upon.

#2: Embellish or not, some people seem to re-interpret even the simplest of my posts, and quite frankly I have zero interest in correcting anyone.

#3: When I am being totally, nakedly honest, I get second guessed, mostly indirectly. Or worse, mis-interpreted. Perhaps that is a deficient in my writing skills...

All that being said, and OVER-ALL...I just kinda want to be left alone. The people near to me I trust are all I care for now, and I have a lot of work to do, which does not involve winning popularity contests, or catering to the whims of causal friends, nor catering to the shifting winds.

Parting gift:

PPS - Wish I was that cool.

BEST ALBUM EVER...

...is Decoration Day by the Drive By Truckers. I bought it at the Virgin music store, in Chandler, AZ on my continental solo drive out to LA. Best $15 I ever spent. Blaring that shit while rushing my old black Jetta through the Mojave desert. It was one of the best experiences of my life.

"Something's Gotta Give Pretty Soon"

To where you wanna be at the end of the day...

"Hell No I'ant Happy"

She's an overnight sensation after 25 years.

"Outfit"

Keep dropping the hammer and grinding the gears.

"Decoration Day"

I've a mind to roll a stone on his grave. Also, I know the caliber in daddie's chest. And, beat him real good but don't dare let him die. Fucking epic. I cried the first time I saw this song performed live. No joke.

I CAN DANCE, AS LONG AS I HOLD SOMETHING IN MY HAND

This morning I faced a very difficult decision - catch a bus to make it to my monthly appointment to see my case worker, or drop a monster deuce. I chose the latter, a choice that cost me $8 in cab fare, but it was worth it. Literally, that drop in the bucket cost me hard earned dollars.

Whatever.

I'm in a great mood today and rocking to Friendly Fires, currently my favorite band by FAR. Poppy, fun and British has been musically getting my "nipples" hard lately (same goes for the Foals). I find Ed Macfarlane soooo attractive. He can hit those high notes while dancing like a fool but still pull it off.

Here is audio from my current all time favorite song, "Running Away".

And the runner up is "Show Me Lights", performed live with a sick light show. Check out those moves! Replace that microphone with a can of beer or a smoke and that's approximately me dancing, albeit making it look way cooler.

Then, if you give me a random drug in a white powder format (6 months clean!) I might start busting moves like this. Sweat stains included. Goddamn I love this fucking song! "Hurting". An ideal soundtrack considering all the fucked in the head guys I seem to be dating.

"Don't leave, don't leave, DON"T LEAVE!"

GHOST

KiD CuDi - Ghost - Official Music Video - 2011 found on Hip-Hop

Gotta get it through my big head,

I was so close to being dead,

Yeah, life live it, and nobody self-trips,

man i'm just walking without being led,

see the world is so crazy and filled with such risk,

and i just know i gotta pass them,

the beginnings are followed by an end,

in the in-between time I'm not running or hiding,

See things do come around,

and make sense eventually,

Things do come around,

but some things trouble me

The people I've met and the places I've been,

are all what make me the man I so proudly am,

But I want to know one thing, when did I become a ghost?

I'm most confused about the world I live in,

To think that I'm lonely well I probably am,

One thing that still gets me,

When did I become a ghost? Yeah

Tried to fight it,

But soon I gave in,

down the road with no lights on,

When you can't describe it,

and you don't move like them,

you become their worst nightmare,

you remember the things that you're parents have said and

rather find out the hard way

You should tell a friend to tell a friend to tell a friend,

I keep with my stroll I'm not running or hiding,

See things do come around,

and make sense eventually,

Things do come around,

but some things trouble me

The people I've met and the places I've been,

are all what make me the man I so proudly am,

But I want to know one thing, when did I become a ghost?

I'm most confused about the world I live in,

To think that I'm lonely well I probably am,

One thing that still gets me,

When did I become a ghost? Yeah

I hope they understand that I really understand that...they don't understand

I hope they understand that I really understand that...they don't understand

I really understand I think...

I really think I...

I hope they understand that I really understand that...they don't understand

Listen to me

Ooowoah

Listen to me

Ooowoah

THE SOUTHERN THING

Yet another of my favorite songs EVER. I've seen these guys perform this song live several times, and I have the hearing loss to prove it. The video below barely does it justice. Best part: "To the fucking rich man all poor people look the same. WORD on that.

Ain't about my pistol

Ain't about my boots

Ain't about no northern drives

Ain't about my southern roots

Ain't about my guitars, ain't about my big old amps

"It ain't rained in weeks, but the weather sure feels damp"

Ain't about excuses or alibis

Ain't about no cotton fields or cotton picking lies

Ain't about the races, the crying shame

To the fucking rich man all poor people look the same

Don't get me wrong It just ain't right

May not look strong, but I ain't afraid to fight

If you want to live another day

Stay out the way of the southern thing

Ain't about no hatred better raise a glass

It's a little about some rebels but it ain't about the past

Ain't about no foolish pride, Ain't about no flag

Hate's the only thing that my truck would want to drag

You think I'm dumb, maybe not too bright

You wonder how I sleep at night

Proud of the glory, stare down the shame

Duality of the southern thing

My Great Great Granddad had a hole in his side

He used to tell the story to the family Christmas night

Got shot at Shiloh, thought he'd die alone

From a Yankee bullet, less than thirty miles from home

Ain't no plantations in my family tree

Did NOT believe in slavery, thought that all men should be free

"But, who are these soldiers marching through my land?"

His bride could hear the cannons and she worried about her man

I heard the story as it was passed down

About guts and glory and Rebel stands

Four generations, a whole lot has changed

Robert E. Lee

Martin Luther King

We've come a long way rising from the flame

Stay out the way of the southern thing

PERSONAL BEST

I think I drank enough

I think I smoked enough

I think I had enough

Yeah I wanna go home

I think I seen enough

I think I said enough

I think I fucked enough

Yeah I wanna go home

I can't handle it happening everyday

I think it's time for me to get away

When the smoke clears, I'll be just like

The rest it's what I do I'll

Give it my personal best!

Trix are for kids and not for

Fucking rabbits, you are in

Control of what you do?

Almost forgot how much I love Apocalypse Hoboken, my favorite PUNK band circa high school (mid-90's), I want to post a video of it, but it doesn't exist. Still got that shit in my veins...

MY NEW ARCH-NEMESIS

My enemies are few yet various; Cinnamon is the chief culprit-it's implausible but that spice reduces me to a quivering mess. The lead singer from those terrible FreeCreditReport.com commercials is another, as is the entire city of Phoenix. I can go on, but I'll focus on my most recent arch-nemesis: MUZACK (see below).

That little green light glowing ominously at the top of that stack of A/V equipment is slowly draining my life force. Allow me to explain. One of the perks of my job (indeed-at times a requirement) is to set that bitch on fire with music via my iPhone. It's empowering to be able to make drunk people dance at the touch of a button. Really. Try it!

So it fucking sucked when the owner/Boss Man decided he wanted to provide our patrons with a more "consistent" experience, and installed a...GASP...Muzack machine. UGH X 100! One guy compared it to "trying to relax in the lobby of a Ramada Inn" and I can't agree more.

As a result, we turn that shit off and put on our own shit when the owner/managers are away. Tonight I got busted for doing this...I put on the Pandora channel for Arcade Fire... and was admonished. Are you fucking kidding me? Oh no! The National might come on next! Or maybe Interpol! Or Kings of Leon! The horror.

As a result certain co-workers and I will sneak on the contemporary Christian Rock channel, or 90's hits or...gulp, KidTunes, just to prove a point how awful an idea this is. And when the coast is clear, I pop on my iPhone, and FUCKING BLAST Kid Cudi, Screeching Weasel and/or My Morning Jacket.

And guess what? People love it. Attention bosses: it's called character. Being on the front line, communicating directly with the customer(s) and reacting according has always proved sucessful in my various occupations; whenever I'm over managed...things head south. And I'm only directly referencing music.

PS - I've invented various "accidents" to destroy that evil green glowing box, like spilling a pot of coffee on it, dropping a case of beer on it or disconnecting it and throwing at a bus. I'm open to suggestions, and will consider any and all that might be construed as an "accident". I'm only half kidding.

I LOVE BEING THE "DJ"

In addition to my usual Barback/Busser/Bartender/Server duties at work, I am also expected to be the DJ. This isn't a "task" per se, more like a perk, and also...REVENGE. I'll explain.

The club I used to work at, when I was a Doorman, contained a sound system much, much too powerful for it's space. Those fucking speakers raped my ears for a year straight, often times with amazing, world class DJ's, and other times with utter, complete shit that wouldn't be welcome at an underground Rave in Dayton, Ohio.

So - when the owners of that club closed that place down, and opened up the bar I work at now, they simply brought over the same sound system. The new space is easily 3 times the size if not more, and the speakers/sub fill the room with no problem. And since the floors are concrete, the walls exposed brick and the ceiling 2 stories tall, the reverb is best described as LIKE WHAT.

This is where I come in. The employees on duty are expected to fill the air with out own music - we can play whatever we want. Really. I simply plug in my iPhone and either play shit off my stored music, or off Last FM or Pandora.

Great example of how fun this can be; last night a bunch of dudes were compelled to order a boot of Bitburger. Being the cheesy (though harmless) frat boys they were, the Bartender shouted over to me, and said:

Bartender: "Hey J! But on some Boot drinking music!"

Me: [stocking beer] "Like what?"

Bartender: "I dunno, something German!"

Me: [confused] "What, like Kraftwerk? David Hasselhoff? Polka?"

Bartender: [throws a coaster at me] "Come on!"

Me: [thinking...] "Oh, I totally fucking got it!"

And I put on Guns N Roses "Welcome to the Jungle" at about a MILLION DECIBELS, just to be sarcastic, and yet...it worked perfectly. Dudes went nuts! I love playing shit like that. Sometimes on lazy Sunday afternoons I'll rock stupid shit like Hall and Oats, just see if anyone notices (and I kinda sorta maybe like it a little bit...sometimes).

But by far, my favorite shit to play is dirty, Dirty, DIRTY hip-hop (after Midnight) and give those fucking speakers a fucking work-OUT. It's only fair; those sonic boxes of doom bullied me long enough, so now it's my turn to return the "favor". Patrons of said bar be damned! Or rather, be forewarned!

HIP-HOP, HOW I LOVE YOU SO.

For a painfully white, homosexual Canadian, I listen to a fuck load of hip-hop, the dirtier the better. Is this odd? Perhaps it falls in line with my "everything is urban is awesome" ethos, but I just cannot hang with poppy music. Unless it's British Pop (I love you Foals!).

My very first hip-hop recored was KRS-ONE "I got Next" and it was all over. I was hooked. Just last night I busted that awesome noise out at the bar when I was shutting it down; I can gauge the reaction from the crowd and if people are nodding their heads along with me, it's fucking sweet.

The single best concert experience I ever experienced was De La Soul @ Pitchfork, circa 2007. If I ever see/hear anything that awesome again, I'll die a very happy asshole. In the meantime, I'll enjoy Curren$y, Freddie Gibbs and Evidence.

BAD MUSIC AND SEX

Someone asked me last night, if when engaging in "adult relations" would I pump the brakes if bad music was on. And without thinking I immediately responded "FUCK YES". It's happened before; I'm not so romantic that I try to set the mood with music, but I'll back that train up for a second if R.E.M. is on the stereo. I can't get down with that shit.

The person that asked me disagreed, but really, isn't life too short to listen to shitty music while getting your fuck on? I think so. Deep thoughts, I know (Jack Handy would be proud). Besides, I like the ambient "music" that a man makes when I do certain things to him. They ain't playing that shit on the radio.

On that note, I was once asked what is the nest music to get down to, and I have a perfect suggestion. The collaboration between Dan The Automator and Mike Patton, known as Lovage. Such tracks as "Book of the Month" ("you are the griddle I am the meat", "turn you on like the electric company", "use you like Listerine", etc), or "Stroker Ace" ("stroke that, it's the antidote, stroking it's what it's all about...").

That's the shit right there. And I plan on using it tomorrow night. Son.

A FIRE SALE OF FUN

Right before I sat down to write this, the above title magically popped into my head. Which is notable because, it's a more than apt definition of the 2 Night Party to Wrap My 20's, and also because I'm surprised I can even string a sentence together after all the brain cells I carelessly expended through a combination of various controlled substances, copious amounts of booze and beer. Oh, and my ears have returned to normal, so there's always that!

First, let's begin with the venue. The entire structure is temporary; the stage, seating, concessions and the even the bathrooms look like they can all be removed in a matter of hours. Or if tornado came through, it would probably deposit the whole fucking place right into Lake Michigan. But the view! Holy Shit it was AWESOME! Here's a crappy cell phone picture taken from the very last row:

Although my buddy that bought the tickets paid more for floor seats (good ones too, near the stage) we/I opted to spend the majority of both nights way the hell in the back (I think he may have been a little pissed about that) but the view was so much better. See the crappy cell phone picture below for proof.

It also sounded better in the back, not too mention there actually more than 5" of space in which to boogie. AND - we had a big group of us all together. Friends old and new, we owned a decent piece of real estate and no one fucked with us (you could also smoke with abandon up there), which was a good thing because...

...both nights I tripped my nuts off. Oh mushrooms, how I love thee. Yes, they taste like shit, because, you know, THEY ARE GROWN IN SHIT. However, dear, sweet Gloria somehow got her hands on Mushroom Chocolates, which masked the shit taste rather well. Thankfully, she stopped me right as I was going to put a way-too-big-piece in my mouth, and she suggested I break it in half. Had I eaten the whole thing, I would probably be in a psych ward.

I guess now is as good as time as any to thank Gloria, not just for the 'Shrooms, but also for the enormous hickey she implemented on my neck. She gave me a mild one on Tuesday, which was sore the next day, but didn't leave a mark.

When I informed her of this on Wednesday night, she was determined to correct that oversight. I should kept my mouth shut. See, she's bigger than me, probably stronger too, and when she wrapped her arms around me and bite into my neck, I couldn't let go. Maybe it's because I struggled a bit, or maybe she's part vampire, but this second hickey BROKE THE SKIN prompting me to bleed on the collar of my mostly white shirt. Thanks babe!

Now let's move onto the GIRL THAT WANTED MY NUTS. Cate is a friend of Gloria. When I arrived on Wednesday, Cate practically jumped into my arms and landed a big wet one, right on the kisser. Mind you, we have never met before this evening. As the night wore on, she kept it up, and at one point said "you're so pretty!" Now, I've been called a lot of things, but never that, so I'm going to chalk it up to the drugs in her system. Don't get me wrong, she was totally adorable and sweet; generous too.

At one point, ate shoves her empty hand in my face and says "take this". Take what? I look closer and she that the first knuckle of her index finger is caked in white powder. "It's good Molly [MDMA]!" So I did as instructed and...yeah...sucked on her finger, thus delivering another substance into my bloodstream. Whew-boy!

Oh, and I have a standing invitation to visit her and her friends in Alabama for more Widespread Panic concerts next month. A weekend in a beach house on the Gulf coast seems super dope and all, but I won't be going. Either she didn't understand me telling her I'm into dudes, or she didn't care. Either way...Cate rawks! As do the other 10 or so people I met and partied with. Gotta love those hippie's!

The music was most excellent as well. The Allman Brothers, while consummate musicians, didn't really light a fire under my ass, at least not like Widespread Panic still can. At some during Panic's set on Tuesday night, I was peaking from the 'Shrooms and it felt like the band was INSIDE my fucking head. I was also told at one point to "let JB (their lead singer) handle the vocal duties". Good. Damn. RAWK.

So - now that I have mostly recovered, and shed the official age of 29 - it's time to ring in YEAR 3-0 with my buddies tonight! Hope you all have a fun, rawkin' and safe Labor Day weekend! Cheers.

FINK - "MAKE IT GOOD"

I know it's lame to post shit like this; sad love songs posted on blogs made worse with accompanying lyrics are a recipe for sadness. Throwing none too much "caution" to the wind I'm charging ahead, as this particular song somehow explains my current mood better than I can. Deal with it or don't...

Make It Good (Radio Edit) - Fink

If it's on it's on for good
Coz when it's gone it's gone for good, let me tell you
And if you stayed over, you know we would, if we could
Put it back together piece by piece
Put it back together 
Make it good
If I
Breathe in the future, breathe out the past
Savour this moment as long as it lasts, let me tell you
Put it back together piece by piece
Put it back together 
Make it good
If you stayed over I'd make it so sweet
I'd make you remember, baby, from your head to your feet
If you go now babe we'll never know
If you go now babe we'll never know
If you go now babe we'll never know
How It Ends
So
Make it good

And it's not so much a reaction to a current situation; I have no current romantic situations to utilize for blog posts. Rather, once I heard this song it reminded me of past relationships that turned sour. Which I suppose would negate any reason for posting this, but I'll do so anyways, just 'cuz I would have done so previously at the time. Regardless, I really like this song. 

JOHNNY LANG AND I ARE DATING (IN MY MIND)

In addition to my not-secret love of Grady Sizemore, I've been harboring another crush, one I've kept more "secret"...on JOHNNY LANG! Not only does he possess a voice capable of bringing me to my knees (haha), he's just mind-blowingly hot. 

He was on Leno tonight, and holy fucking shit, he looked so good, and sounded even better. He's looks like he should be in a lame-ass boy band, but sounds like an 80 year old, world-weary man (a quality I seek out in men, to be honest). 

He is a genetic mistake, in that such a talented musician should not be allowed to be so talented and this fuckin' hot. I'm usually distrustful of physically attractive musicians, and yet, somehow he escapes this paradox. People this lucky usually piss me the hell off...but I'll continue to let him slide; now he just needs to confirm his love/lust for me and the world will regain it's balance.   

PHISHING-OUT

This morning I awoke to a pleasant susprise: a link to last night's Phish show! A little history, in high school and college I spent un-godly amounts of money following this band all over the place and I'd estimate I've seen them about 40 or so times. Anyways, I swore off Phish in 2002 after a string of shitty shows and haven't even listened to them in years. So I was pleasantly sursprised that after a five year hiatus they seem to be back in top form. That or I'm just really bored since I listened to the entire 4 HOUR CONCERT they plated last night. Man, that must have been fun (see below).

Although the main reason to see a Phish show was for the music (ok let's be honest here kids, the drugs were fun too) I also went for the amzing light show. Case in point, the video below is atply titled "13 Seconds of Insanity":

 

Oh memories...er, acid flash backs. If you're interested in listening to last night's show, go here.

MY NEW FAVORITE BAND...THE WALKMEN

GAWD...he's dreamy...

This entire concert tends to blow my mind, but if you're short on time, check out "Red Moon" (he's so fucking cute) and/or "On the Water". 

N.A.S.A. "MONEY"

It's been awhile since I've anticipated a record dropping, but N.A.S.A.'s upcoming The Spirit of the Apollo has my nipples full attention. Take a gander at the guest list (just be sure you're sitting down first):

David Byrne, Chali 2na (Jurassic 5), Gift of Gab (Blackalicious), Chuck D, Method Man, E-40, DJ Swamp, RZA, John Frusciante, KRS-One, Fatlip, Karen O, Ol’ Dirty Bastard (from beyond the grave), Kanye West, Santogold, George Clinton, Spank Rock, M.I.A., Nick Zinner (Yeah Yeah Yeahs), Del tha Funkee Homosapien, DJ Qbert (Dr. frickin’ Octagon), Cool Kids, Ghostface Killah, Scarface, Tom Waits and Kool Keith, among others.

Hopefully I won't regret predicting that this will be the first truly tits-tacular record of 2009. If the rest of the songs are as as good as the single "Money", I'll be gloating and saying "I told ya bitchez!"

N.A.S.A. "Money" feat. David Byrne, Chuck D, Ras Congo, Seu Jorge, & Z-Trip from Paul Griswold on Vimeo.

THE MOST DISGUSTING THING I HAVE EVER PUT IN MY MOUTH

Last night I saw a concert at the Vic with a few buddies. It's one of my favorite venues, with the exception of the beer selection. You have 2 choices, pay $5 for a Miller product, or $6 for a Corona. And these are not drafts, these are cans. Ugh. Anyways, since I am a beer whore I made due with Miller High Life, the "Champagne of Beers". Midway through the set my friend passed me a beer to drink. After taking a giant gulp, my face twisted into a knot and I struggled not to expel the offensive liquid from my mouth. Had there not been people on all sides of me, I probably would have.

The offender? Miller Genuine Draft Light 64, which according to Miller: "no other beer on the market has lower calories". At 64 calories, they are probably right. And it's the most disgusting thing I have EVER put in my mouth. It tastes like what I imagine it would taste like if R. Kelly decided to piss in my mouth, mixed with a teaspoon of cinnamon. It has a finish similar to battery acid..and the smell. OMG! The fucking smell! You know what tuna salad from Subway smells like? Yeah, kinda like that.

On the plus side, the concert was the SHIT! I had never before heard of Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, but a few hours before the show my buddy (thanks man!) offered me a free ticket. Gawd-Damn am I happy that I accepted, as this was the coolest show I have seen in some time. It's not often that one gets to hear & see a 9-piece band fronted by a woman with such an astonishing voice, and I consider myself one lucky guy for having been able to see this show.

THE WALKMEN "ON THE WATER"

Since I find sleep elusive this evening [morning?], I had intended to post the long, dreary blow-by-blow of the last 2 weeks or so. But then I decided that I couldn't possibly expose my sadness in this forum. Plus, you'd all think I was fucking mad. So instead, here's a song I hold near and dear to my heart, as it were.

All the windows are glowing
The branches bending low
The skyline is swinging
Rocking back and forth
Walking down this dirt road
Watching at the sky
It’s all I can do
It’s all I can do

All the years keep rolling
The decades flying by
But…
The days are long
So here’s one to the pigeons
And the tugboats on the river
Here’s one to you
For walking in my shoes

Oh you know I’d never leave you
No matter how hard I try
You know I’d never leave you
And that’s just how it is

But Molly
She’s like you
Oh the static
That is in everyone but you
Oh it’s funny
To think it through
Everybody
That is deep
Everyone but you

EVIDENCE "CHASE THE DARK CLOUDS AWAY"

My life makes me happy...

My music makes me happy...

My people make me happy...



And it's mine... and I ain't happy-go-lucky
It's just today the world don't feel ugly