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Live and Sweaty 2012

SteveJRogers Jan 06 2012 04:51 PM

Catching Grunge 20 tribute to 90s Grunge tonight at Gramercy Theatre in NYC. Or, considering the Internet drama I've been seeing recently, the perfect soundtrack for Internet drama!

metsguyinmichigan Jan 06 2012 04:59 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

I bought my son tickets to see Roger Waters do "The Wall" show here in Grand Rapids -- in June. Seems like a long time to be sitting on our money.

seawolf17 Jan 10 2012 08:55 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Getting my old HS/college band back together for a reunion "tour" of sorts. At least one, possibly two shows (one southern NJ, one Long Island) some time this spring/summer. Very excited.

G-Fafif Jan 15 2012 11:04 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012 Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jan 15 2012 12:39 PM

People as old as me and plenty older flocked to enjoy Don McLean and Burton Cummings at Westbury last night, each a blast in his own way. McLean was the opener but he was the reason I was there. Couldn't pass up my first and maybe (who knows?) last chance at a live reading of the song that ushered me into the joy of pop music as a permanent condition. He veered toward covers with a rockabilly flavor rather than his own catalogue, with a few surprises thrown in, including his own standards composition, "And I Love You So." Of marvelous characteristic voice forty years after bursting onto the scene, save for a high note here or there (though he nailed it with Roy Orbison's "Crying," Don's own last Top 10 hit). Strong supporting band -- resemblance to those guys who jam in the Viagra commercials notwithstanding -- whose individual introductions he prefaced by advising us to give our best applause, "just like you're at Shea Stadium." That alone would have been enough, at least until, with absolutely no fanfare, he segued from a singalong of "This Little Light of Mine" straight into a raved-up "American Pie," which was jarring, but how does one introduce one's endlessly analyzed opus except by just playing it? It felt like it went on forever in the best sense of the phrase, which it has for me since 1972. I didn't want to leave "American Pie," which I guess Don knew since his encore was a few more rounds of the chorus and then the first post-chorus verse, all with loads of audience participation. Hard to believe a song that ends with the promise that this will be the day that I die could come off as absolutely rousing. Burton Cummings entertained in a major, major way. If he had come along in the 1920s, he would have been a great vaudevillian. If he came along in the 1990s, he would have been awesome at hip hop (he already has been, sort of). Reminded us "that bullshit band" that tours "county fairs" and the like under the name the Guess Who is not the real thing. He is. Three seconds of "Laughing" or "These Eyes" or anything he did left no doubt. Live and sweaty, indeed. Tossed his perspiration-sopping towel into the crowd at the end. I think I would have left it for the cleaning staff. Interestingly he did not introduce his band individually, which perhaps was a subliminal message. "Who's up here with me? Guess who!"

Edgy MD Jan 15 2012 12:10 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Sounds great. Never would have guessed Cummings for the headliner.

G-Fafif Jan 15 2012 12:41 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Cummings is on tour (if not at county fairs). McLean, from what I can glean, joined him for this show and this show alone and is otherwise not on the circuit at the moment. Convenient enough for a Westchester boy to come down to the Island for the night, perhaps.

Ashie62 Jan 15 2012 03:09 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

I remember American Pie on the radio on the school bus. I think of Mclean as a 1 1/2 hit wonder, but oh, that one..

TransMonk Jan 23 2012 08:09 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

That Lemonheads show finally got here. Seems like I've been waiting for it forever. Great set. Evan Dando came out and played a couple of songs with an acoustic guitar, then he was joined by the band and they ripped through It's A Shame About Ray. Dando then played a couple of more acoustic songs including a cover of Neil Young's Lookin' For A Lover. Finally, his band members switched around and a different drummer joined them for a few more non-Ray Lemonheads songs. Dando seemed sober and he doesn't look like he's aged at all in the past 20 years even though I often hear he is always under the influence of some thing or another. It's A Shame About Ray is one of my favorite power-pop albums ever and I strongly recommend it to anyone who hasn't taken a listen. Glad I caught this gig. The next club show on my horizon is Ben Kweller in March.

Edgy MD Jan 23 2012 08:17 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

I've got Jimmy Webb in Annapolis on Friday night. The shorter your hair gets, the longer your piano gets.

Edgy MD Feb 02 2012 05:50 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Jimmy Webb was an elegant treat --- interpreting his catalog with an impressively deft touch and some surprising flourishes in the rearrangements. He essayed at length on his career in between songs, sometimes essaying at too much length. He's about at Social Security age, and I guess he was pacing himself, but it really cut into the amount of music from his 45 year career he was able to fit into the set. And the content, while charming and exciting and namedropping and all --- Glen Campbell, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Cahn, Linda Rondstadt, George Lucas, Vince Gill, blah, blah, blah --- were a little uncomfortably on the bitter side too. In his most successful younger period, apparently, he wasn't treated kindly by critics while contemporaries with more lyrical complexity and less melodic complexity (he specified Dylan and Leonard Cohen) had those same critics plotzing. Apparently the piles of money and trophy room of Grammys still haven't taken the edge off. He spoke of the singers and songwriters he's met along the way, many of whom still rage of how the ascendancy of the singer/songwriter from the mid-sixties did so much damage to artists who were one or the other. He kind of told the stories like "here's one old nut who really went over the edge," but he was sort of coming down on their side, even as he was one of the few mostly non-performing songwriters clever enough or young enough or simply lucky enough to still carve out a nice little niche for himself in the singer/songwriter era. (He's been the board chair for ASCAP, so I guess sympathy for these guys has gone from an emotion to a job.) Also bitter about politics, and particularly bitter about the sheriff that made a fool out his buddy Glen when he was picked up for DWI a few years back. He covered his three Western City/Glen Campbell songs, of course, but the cool things he did on the piano made them really different, trilling a phrase redundantly in "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" to imitate the ongoing ringing of the unanswered phone. "Wichita Lineman," similarly featured an extended outro of tiny, tinny tickle on the treble, rarely varying from a single note, that he kept playing with fierce concentration despite it's simplicity, listening desperately for the voice coming dimly through the line. Interestingly, he wrote all of them well before working with Glen Campbell, and I think all had been previously recorded by other artists by the time Campbell made them his own. He played "Up, Up, and Away" early and asked us to think about whether it's all that shallow. I thought, "Yeah, making something special out of this one is a hard sell" but my wife really liked the alternative rhythm he was making with his left hand. I was delighted to learn that when he wrote that song, he actually was a practicing balloonist. Jimmy's apparently had a parallel life driving or flying everything he can get his hands on, particularly if it's dangerous. It's in the songs if you're listening. I'm a big fan of his 1993 album, Suspending Disbelief and was a little surprised to learn that he pretty much did the whole thing trashed. He told a few tales of debauchery, ending with an announcement that he's been clean and sober for over a decade. That's great, but I wasn't sure if it was that, his Baptist background, or his consciousness that he was in a town full of US Navy officers that led him to a strange aversion to stage profanity. He'd be off on a Jack Nicholson-type countercultural rant, his volume rising, then when he'd get to the first consonant of a vulgarism he'd blurt out some nonsense syllable in its stead. His lone track from that album, "What Does a Woman See in a Man?" contained three profanities in the lyrics, and he squeezed in a PG- or G-rated synonym for each. Kind of strange, in that, not only were we all, you know, adults, but my wife and I may have been the youngest folks in the room. And we ain't young! Anyway, in between the autobiography (fun fact: Jimmy has written 10 Broadway-oriented musicals --- I had only known of one --- but none have been produced!), and the cabaret reinterpretations of inspired tunes from the Nixon era, I highly recommend it, if you can let go of your need for volume and embrace an evening with only a dozen or so songs. He went off book and did a request for his encore, "Piano" --- such a perfect and lovely capper to both the music and the autobiography that I was surprised he had to be egged into dusting it off and remembering it.

Edgy MD Feb 02 2012 06:39 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Oh, and Ian Hunter and Graham Parker double-billing it at The Bell House in Brooklyn on March 30th. General admission. $30. That's March 30, 2012, not 1979. What I want to know is: Are you down?

Ashie62 Feb 02 2012 07:25 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

I'm sure you have seen the both so you know how good it will be. Hunter has been using Jim Maestro and Barone from the Bongos and Health and happiness Show as part of his background band. Caught both during the summer, would not guess Hunter is 70 All for only $30.

Edgy MD Feb 02 2012 08:14 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

I actually haven't seen either. What I've heard of Ian Hunter the last ten years is one heckuva wrecked voice.

Ashie62 Feb 02 2012 08:38 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

You will like..

John Cougar Lunchbucket Feb 02 2012 08:42 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Edgy DC wrote: Oh, and Ian Hunter and Graham Parker double-billing it at The Bell House in Brooklyn on March 30th. General admission. $30. That's March 30, 2012, not 1979. What I want to know is: Are you down? Oooh, I'll go.

Edgy MD Feb 02 2012 08:53 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Lemme do some schedule re-arranging and see if I can be a part of this great event. Oh, by the way, new car in the Edgy back yard.

Ashie62 Feb 03 2012 07:50 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Is that Russell Brand in your avatar?

Edgy MD Feb 21 2012 10:09 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Reunited Beach Boys this summer, including Mike Love, Brian Wilson, Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston, and "Lost Beach Boy" David Marks, finally billed as a bandmemeber. Hmmm... HMMMM...

Gwreck Feb 21 2012 10:13 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

I had the same "hmmm" that you had, and then I saw them on the Grammies. Sorry fellas.

HahnSolo Feb 22 2012 06:56 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

You think on the tour that they'll actually turn Mike Love's mic on?

Frayed Knot Feb 22 2012 07:11 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

You think on the tour that they'll actually turn Mike Love's mic on? Y'see, that's the problem they face: either you can hear 70 year old guys sing pop tunes OR it can sound good. They had about a half-million people on stage for that Grammy performance precisely so, it seems, the younger/better voices would cover/drown-out the actual Beach Boys. It wasn't always clear who the extras were although I'm pretty sure the guy next to ML was his son and if the one next to Jardine wasn't his son I'd ask for a paternity test. Of course you wouldn't know any of that since, although the band was introduced as "reunited", no one was ever named leaving the audience (both TV & live) to search for familiar faces and realize that, yes, Brian & Mike & Bruce & Al were actually on the same stage at the same time for the first time in God Only Knows how long. And even that was difficult since poor Al got all of about 3 or 4 seconds of actual face time on camera. It was like the producers of the show said; OK, let's get through this legend stuff quickly, we've got a Nicki Minaj performance piece to get to

Edgy MD Feb 22 2012 07:20 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Jardine's son has toured with them before, so I'm guessing that was him, though I haven't seen their performance (because it was the Grammys!). What they could have done 20 years ago is incorporated a few of their sons and other auxiliary members into the roster of the act and so layed out a succession plan for the band going forward to outlive them. Now, I'd guess, they'd do well to incorporate their grandkids.

Frayed Knot Feb 22 2012 07:32 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Edgy DC wrote: What they could have done 20 years ago is incorporated a few of their sons and other auxiliary members into the roster of the act and so layed out a succession plan for the band going forward to outlive them. Probably would have been easier to do that had they actually been speaking to each other for much of that time instead of trying to sue or screw* each other but whatyagonnado. * sometimes almost literally. At one point Dennis decided that a good way to get back at Mike for some real or imagined slight was to doink his then 16 y/o or so daughter. Don't think that plan ever came to fruition but it wasn't for a lack of effort. Either that or Dennis just got drunk and forgot about it.

Edgy MD Feb 22 2012 07:41 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

No, Denny married her. She was not only estranged, but also illegitimate. Not so illegitimate that she didn't qualify as Dennis' second cousin, however. On the scale of bad decisions in Dennis' life, it fell somewhere below letting the Manson Family crash at his house indefinitely.

The Second Spitter Mar 13 2012 11:38 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Saw New Order last week, they still got it. Going to see Noiseworks at the end of month. Also have a ticket for Evanescence this month but planning on feigning illness. Top 3 Shows from 2011 1. Guns N Roses - everything else is gone but his haunting voice. 2. Motley Crue - Convinced they have a crash test dummy playing in place of Nikki Sixx. Saw Cavalleria Rusticana the following day which was an interesting juxtaposition. 3. The Foo Fighters - great show, pity I like so few of their songs Worst show: Def Leppard -- Seen more energetic people at the local morgue and I'm not talking about the people who work there.

Edgy MD Mar 14 2012 06:32 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

The Second Spitter wrote: Saw New Order last week, they still got it. Still on the outs with Peter Hook, though, right?

Farmer Ted Mar 14 2012 09:54 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Going completely off the reservation with a Mac Miller show next month. Just because.

Gwreck Mar 14 2012 09:09 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

I went to the "Tribute to the Music of the Rolling Stones" show at Carnegie Hall. This is an annual event: 20 different artists each performing a different song from the honored artist (prior years: Neil Young, The Who, REM, Springsteen, Dylan, etc.). Benefits youth music projects in NYC. As always, the show is a mixed bag with some really fun things (David Johansen - "Get off My Cloud" or Ian Hunter - "19th Nervous Breakdown") and some things that are not good (Art Garfunkel - "Ruby Tuesday"). The totally reinterpreted things are often the most interesting: Roseanne Cash doing a deconstructed "Gimme Shelter" with John Sebastian (yes, the Lovin' Spooful guy) on harmonica. Or Rickie Lee Jones doing an acoustic "Sympathy for the Devil." Not the best year but I blame part of that on deciding to just do the songs from the "Hot Rocks 1964-1971" collection rather than the entire Stones catalog. Fingers crossed that they try Bowie next year. Or maybe Petty.

The Second Spitter Mar 15 2012 12:31 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Edgy DC wrote: The Second Spitter wrote: Saw New Order last week, they still got it. Still on the outs with Peter Hook, though, right? No Hook. But the rest of the band couldn't resist the temptation to take pot-shots at him throughout the night. Can't really say they miss him as they sound more like Joy Division than ever before, probably to the detriment of their more iconic songs. "Blue Monday" just didn't sit well with me with some very foreign riffs. Incidentally, Hook is touring here next month.

The Second Spitter Mar 18 2012 11:44 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

The Noiseworks/Choirboys gig I have tickets for is cancelled because .......the venue which is a vineyard in Bowral is flooded. The weekend was suppose to coincide with a mate's bucks party (also cancelled because it involved all-day golf) and a visit to the International Cricket Hall of Fame (also flooded). Sounds like there's not much left in Bowral which isn't flooded. Got tix for Roger Sanchez next month.

SteveJRogers Apr 03 2012 03:07 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Bruce Springsteen, Wed. 4/4 at the Brendan Byrne/Continental Airlines/Meadowlands/Izod Arena/Center. The building he helped open up back in July of 1981.

Gwreck Apr 03 2012 10:20 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Hope you get a great show. Curious what you will think of the new songs.

SteveJRogers Apr 04 2012 11:35 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Gwreck wrote: Hope you get a great show. Curious what you will think of the new songs. Listened to the album last night. Good stuff even with the more over the top than usual political stuff. Wrecking Ball got me thinking more of Shea than Original Giants Stadium.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 27 2012 07:49 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Wifey & I made a date to see the English Beat & Squeeze on Saturday at Roseland ballroom (Thanks Hahn Solo for the tip!) I saw the same 2 bands play together in 1981!!!

Edgy MD Apr 27 2012 08:04 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

You're tempted by the fruit of 1981.

HahnSolo Apr 27 2012 10:07 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Enjoy the show. Still trying to figure out a way for me to get there, but it's a family wedding weekend. Wedding is on Sunday, but various other crap to attend to. [Yes, I'd rather be at Squeeze] Incidentally I saw Squeeze at Fordham's Rose Hill gym, May 2, 1987. First time the future Mrs. Solo and I were part of the same social circle.

Mets – Willets Point Apr 27 2012 10:17 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Wifey & I made a date to see the English Beat & Squeeze on Saturday at Roseland ballroom (Thanks Hahn Solo for the tip!) I saw the same 2 bands play together in 1981!!! Which lineup of the English Beat? I saw the Dave Wakeling version last fall and it was pretty good show albeit obviously they've become a nostalgia act. Apparently Ranking Roger has his own lineup, but I think they tour as The Beat only in the UK.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 27 2012 11:30 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Almost certain we'll see the Dave Wakeling act. They are one of those bands that to be honest hasn't aged well to my ears, but probably more me than them. I suppose they have a chance to impress me. Squeeze probably has more albums I don't know than I do at this point, but I think their peak (79-83ish) still stands up today as a proud continuation of the English pop tradition of the Beatles & Kinks if you will. Plus they really remind me of my sister.

Edgy MD Apr 27 2012 12:16 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Squeeze is in Bal'mer tonight, but it's sold out and the secondary marketplace seems seriously prohibitive. Hey, look! No Jools Holland, but golden-era bassist John Bentley is back in the lineup.

The Second Spitter Apr 28 2012 04:27 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Here is my Roger Sanchez review: I once went to a Mumford & Sons concert in LA which had the best collection of the hottest chicks I had ever seen. This was exactly the same, except it was homosexual men....nttawtt. Best RS song: [youtube:3dolmwsx]ecWZpYX-aKg[/youtube:3dolmwsx]

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 30 2012 08:16 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Squeeze was pretty good! They played all the hits you'd expect and snuck in a few latter-day tunes I did not recognize at the beginning of the set. What impressed me that I might not have expected was Tillbrook on the guitar, he tore into his parts with a little more gusto than in recordings, making it easy to see whatever soul or blues influences informed the tune. I'm telling you he sounded like Mark Knopfler once. He used to be a chubby blonde guy, how he sports a gray Dillon Gee thing on his face. Difford was froggy as ever. The keyboard player was a younger guy who to me looked like he was trying to act like he must have imagined New Wave people acted like in the 80s (shooting askance glances all around). Odd. On our way over I checked Facebook on my phone and saw a friend from college had checked in, we had a drink and hooked up, so that was cool. English Beat were aight. Guy playing the sax parts was great but I was disappointed to see he was white. Not sure I totally bought Replacement Ranking Roger although my friend said he was an ex-General Public guy, I'm not clear on that group's lineage anymore. They were ranking full stop and all. Found this from the show, love this song: [youtube:1bxye3c7]efv_xI0XXOY[/youtube:1bxye3c7]

Edgy MD Apr 30 2012 08:47 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

I'm not going to play that at work but you can see the keyboard player doing that thing in the still shot. "ANiMH" has Difford harmonies at their froggiest.

SteveJRogers May 18 2012 06:55 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Heading down to the Jersey shore for this: [url]http://2012.thebamboozle.com/

TransMonk Jun 01 2012 01:15 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

I got last minute tix to see Feist on Sunday. I'm surprising wifey with one of her faves, so don't tell her. I'm more intested in opener The Low Anthem. I've heard a little of them and want to hear more. This show has been moved from a 1700 seat venue to a 1100 seat venue in the past week indicating poor ticket sales. In addition to surprising wifey, I feel like I'm helping out Feist, too.

themetfairy Jun 01 2012 01:32 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

When I think of Feist I think of A Colbert Christmas.

A Boy Named Seo Jun 01 2012 01:37 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

I adore her. Missed her solo gig out here, but she crushed it at Coachella this year. Fav song from Low Anthem's excellent 'Charlie Darwin' album: [youtube:1enhhbly]xeA-jYDrZYQ[/youtube:1enhhbly]

themetfairy Jun 01 2012 01:43 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

[youtube:io4xiq7v]H_ZCxgp1eBQ[/youtube:io4xiq7v]

TransMonk Jun 04 2012 10:00 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

The Low Anthem was OK. They were surrounded by both their collection of multiple instruments as well as those belonging to the Feist band, so it looked pretty cool with all that gear on stage and the band trapped by it all. They did a good job of mixing arrangements on various instruments. I can't decide if the singer reminds me more of Michael Stipe or Dylan, but his voice is enjoyable all the same. They did very little talking and I was suprised to see them humping their own gear off othe stage rather than having roadies do it once they were done. Feist blew me away. I knew she had a great voice, but she is also once of the best finger picking guitarists I have seen in a while. No offense to Chrissie Hynde, Joen Jett or the Dixie Chicks, but it is refreshing to see a female guitar player that can handle all of the six-string duties for her rock band. She has a knack for putting together great melodies and I found I knew more songs than I thought I would. Wifey had a great time, too.

A Boy Named Seo Jun 04 2012 06:22 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

You gotta check out Annie Clark (St. Vincent). Great songs, absolutely shreds on guitar (and effin gorgeous, too).

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 04 2012 06:54 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Going to see The Clean tomorrow nite (aka the Velvet Underground of New Zealand, aka a musical forefather of Yo La Tengo, aka pioneers of the Dunedin Sound, aka 80s psych-influenced guitar pop). I found them going backwards from a recent record I dug from their guitarist David Kilgour.

metsguyinmichigan Jun 04 2012 08:33 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

I'm taking my son to go see Roger Waters do The Wall on Wednesday. Supposedly it's a spectacle.

TransMonk Jun 05 2012 06:28 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Should be a great time. Have fun!

Vic Sage Jun 05 2012 12:52 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

i'm going to that concert in July with the missus, at MFYankme stadium. Ugh.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 06 2012 12:59 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Hey, so The Clean were quite good. They've got a nice breezy raggedness to them, they can really play but don't bore you with long jams or anything too showy. They are a trio including the brothers Kilgour (Hamish on drums, David on guitar) and looked like they'd played together forever. The opener was arty farty band out of Ohio called Times New Viking, also a trio. I streamed a little of their stuff before I went -- pop songs so purposefully fuzzy and noisily recorded it was irritating, and wondered if I'd see them live they'd reveal whether they had the balls to play it straight but they intentionally fucked up the sound live too, the chick keyboard player with the split ends ran feedback intentionally through every song. The drummer/singer/front-man in the meantime was a complete tool. At one point he says, "Only seven more songs until The Clean!" Hey, eff off, Mr. Indy Cred Trying Too Hard.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 20 2012 03:15 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Joe Jackson in September.

sharpie Jun 20 2012 03:20 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Recently saw: Jimmy Cliff, Balkan Beat Box Coming weeks: Trombone Shorty Norah Jones Wilco Sigur Ros M. Ward Lyle Lovett All but Norah Jones at Celebrate Brooklyn. Norah at Central Park. Outside music for me.

Edgy MD Jun 20 2012 03:25 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Doesn't sharpie make you feel lame?

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 20 2012 03:27 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Really lame. Specially since I had to rob a bank to afford those Jackson tixx.

TransMonk Jun 20 2012 03:29 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Yes, yes he does. I've got a stacked September schedule with Built to Spill, Matthew Sweet and Gang of Four on the docket...and maybe, just maybe Springsteen. Until then, I have very little. OE: by Gang of Four, I mean Mission of Burma. I'm a conflating fool today.

sharpie Jun 20 2012 03:33 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

My role here generally is to make people feel really lame. Thing is, it looks like I'll just be packing all of this into about a 6 or 7 week span and then the rest of the year I'll probably have nothin'.

Kong76 Jun 26 2012 06:20 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Iron Maiden/Alice Cooper tomorrow night at Jones Beach.

seawolf17 Jun 26 2012 06:27 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

WHY IS EVERYONE GOING TO SEE IRON MAIDEN EXCEPT ME? I'm exaggerating, of course, but my cousin and his wife are going, and I didn't even think they were into real music. (Not a huge Maiden fan, but love the Coop.)

Kong76 Jun 26 2012 07:09 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Would love to see an Alice show with 20-25 songs, I'm sure we will get an Alice-Lite tomorrow. Maiden won't suck, but curious to see how many empty seats there are for this one truthfully.

TransMonk Jul 02 2012 08:56 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012 Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jul 02 2012 10:10 AM

Every two or three years, I travel to Milwaukee to take in the Summerfest music festival with my old man. It usually involves sitting through an act that I would not normally go see on my own. In 2009, it was Bon Jovi. Yesterday, we arrived at about 4:00 pm and walked around the grounds trying to take in as many acts as we could. We saw Hessler, a full-regalia heavy metal band from Chicago. People (mostly chicks) were going crazy for Mayer Hawthorne, who I had never heard of, but apparently, he's a big thing (although, I was unimpressed...him and his band seemed to me like a six-piece identity crisis). Another Chicago band with a decent following was Dot Dot Dot. They had a young, poppy, alternative sound and were able to get the crowd energized. Only a few minutes were spent listening to the Tune Yards, who had a large crowd, but were very experimental and I could feel my 65-year-old father cringing even as the crowd got bigger and bigger. The band we were there to see, and who I was apprehensive about sitting through this year, was Chicago. I was among the youngest attendees in the audience and the number of drunk soccer moms along with men with polo shirts tucked into their boating shorts was certainly overwheming to me. But, I have to say...I was pleasantly surprised by the band. They was energetic for 2+ hours and had enough hits to not miss a beat the entire time. It was very interesting to hear the Chicago horn sound live and it certainly is a distinct and original sound. I prefer the Chicago of the 1970s over the Chicago of the 1980s (I think even they would admit that beginning in 1895 all of their songs began sounding the same) but they did a great job of pulling songs from several albums from their nearly 45 year history. Peter Cetera hasn't been a member since 1985...and his voice is distinct and not replaceable, so for me he was still missed, but overall I had a much better time than I anticipated. The best part was being able to spend time with my dad who loves music. We don't always agree on our musical tastes, but hanging out with him all day was a great time.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jul 02 2012 09:10 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Mayer Hawthorne is one of those young white guys who thinks he's a black 60s soul singer (like Fitz & the Tantrums, etc etc). I tried his stuff a couple times but I haven't fallen for it yet. I can take TuNEyaRdS (get the spelling right, yo) for about as long as your dad.

Mets – Willets Point Jul 02 2012 09:54 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012 Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jul 02 2012 10:08 AM

I can't make up my mind on TuNE-yaRdS. I like the experimental rhythms and the fact that it's just different than anything else out there but there's something pretentious about TuNE-yaRdS, like a junk band that plays at a county fair and is convinced it will save the world through music.

Edgy MD Jul 02 2012 10:05 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

For fuck's sake, people, there's a hyphen between "TuNE" and "yaRdS."

Mets – Willets Point Jul 02 2012 10:08 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Edgy DC wrote: For fuck's sake, people, there's a hyphen between "TuNE" and "yaRdS." Fine! I fixed it.

Edgy MD Jul 02 2012 10:13 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

We've got to honor the pretensions.

A Boy Named Seo Jul 02 2012 01:13 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

I love [crossout:2lv6y2xi]Tuneyards[/crossout:2lv6y2xi] tUnE-yArDs. Saw her at Coachella this year and went to see her (w/ St. Vincent as opener) a couple weeks later. Her stuff's cool as shit, I think, and she's a master with the loop pedal. It's very percussive music and the beats are sort of tribal with lots of tom and kick. Watching her start with just a kooky vocal yelp or a rhythmic drum beat, and then build the songs live with the pedal (and then add in a full band + horns) is amazing.

Kong76 Jul 08 2012 09:07 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Soft White Underbelly last night at a local theater. Buck and friends still kicking ass! (Yes, I'm stuck in a time-warp ... but I like it here)

Gwreck Jul 14 2012 05:14 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

So I go see Bruce Springsteen in London and guess what happens?

Swan Swan H Jul 14 2012 05:19 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

He brings out Leo Sayer on sax?

TransMonk Jul 14 2012 05:47 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Gwreck wrote: So I go see Bruce Springsteen in London and guess what happens? Pretty sweet. Is that pic from your seats!?!

Gwreck Jul 14 2012 06:08 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Well, the place I was standing technically. It was a general admission show was in Hyde Park. I did indeed take the photo (caught the top of the security guard's head there).

Edgy MD Jul 14 2012 07:21 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

What did they do together? Did Paul get a guitar solo?

Gwreck Jul 15 2012 03:31 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

I Saw Her Standing There and Twist and Shout. Yes, guitar solo for Paul on the former.

sharpie Jul 24 2012 01:15 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Wilco in the rain last night. Saw them in the rain in Central Park last year. This year's setlist: 01 - Dawned On Me 02 - War On War 03 - I Might 04 - I Am Trying to Break Your Heart 05 - Muzzle Of Bees 06 - Born Alone 07 - You Are My Face 08 - Impossible Germany 09 - Sunken Treasure 10 - I'm Always In Love 11 - Jesus, Etc. 12 - Handshake Drugs 13 - Whole Love 14 - Box Full of Letters 15 - Hate It Here 16 - Heavy Metal Drummer 17 - I'm the Man Who Loves You 18 - Shot in the Arm Encore: 19 - Poor Places 20 - Art of Almost 21 - Standing O 22 - California Stars Encore: 23 - The Late Greats 24 - Red-Eyed and Blue 25 - I Got You (At the End of the Century) 26 - Outta Mind (Outta Sight) 27 - I'm A Wheel Lee Fields opened. Didn't really care for him. Wilco was swell and I could walk home.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jul 24 2012 02:28 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Boy Named Seo was at that show too, I believe.

TransMonk Jul 24 2012 07:07 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

I went to see the Baseball Project again tonight. They played during the Home Run Derby of the Northwood League's All-Star Game tonight in my town. It was a little awkward to watch them play while college All-Stars were struggling to hit home runs, but there is a lot of talent on that stage, and the still rocked.

Edgy MD Jul 24 2012 07:26 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

What's strange is that Peter Buck and Mike Mills are starting to look alike.

A Boy Named Seo Aug 03 2012 10:48 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

sharpie wrote: Wilco in the rain last night. Saw them in the rain in Central Park last year. This year's setlist: 01 - Dawned On Me 02 - War On War 03 - I Might 04 - I Am Trying to Break Your Heart 05 - Muzzle Of Bees 06 - Born Alone 07 - You Are My Face 08 - Impossible Germany 09 - Sunken Treasure 10 - I'm Always In Love 11 - Jesus, Etc. 12 - Handshake Drugs 13 - Whole Love 14 - Box Full of Letters 15 - Hate It Here 16 - Heavy Metal Drummer 17 - I'm the Man Who Loves You 18 - Shot in the Arm Encore: 19 - Poor Places 20 - Art of Almost 21 - Standing O 22 - California Stars Encore: 23 - The Late Greats 24 - Red-Eyed and Blue 25 - I Got You (At the End of the Century) 26 - Outta Mind (Outta Sight) 27 - I'm A Wheel Lee Fields opened. Didn't really care for him. Wilco was swell and I could walk home. Boy Named Seo was at that show too, I believe. Yeah, we were at that show. Missed Lee Fields entirely. Was drinking at the hotel bar at like 7:30 when I noticed the tix said 'Doors at 6PM'. I exclaimed something more or less like "FUUUUUUCK!", and then we rushed in a panic to the park and got in just minutes before they started the first song. A couple years back I surprised her with Jeff Tweedy solo tix and we showed up to the venue around 9 when the tickets said 8PM (no worries, opener), and just as we walked in, Tweedy said, "Thank you, good night!" and we saw only the encore (no opener). She cried the whole encore (not tears of joy, mind you), and I was so dreading a repeat of that night on the quick, torturous cab ride over. Thank you, Celebrate Brooklyn, for starting at 8. Forever grateful. (Side-story, we almost missed the Met game the day before cause I didn't notice it was a day game... also, I am stupid.) I've seen Wilco 8 or so times and Sheila'd seen them (I think) 4, and that was both our favorite Wilco show yet. Not missing the show made it great in itself. And being on vacation in a cool place, the outdoor venue, the rain - steady, but gentle - made for a great vibe, too. But the set was phenomenal and Tweedy, less talky than normal maybe, was in great spirits and the band was scorching. Beautiful park, really solid fans, and a short walk back to the hotel after... we were beaming like kids. Was incredible. How good's Sigur Ros gonna be there? I have tix for them at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Should be similar feel (except the cemetery part). Can't wait ...

sharpie Aug 03 2012 12:53 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Sigur Ros was really good at Celebrate Brooklyn. Huge crowd for a band that speaks no English on-stage, only Icelandic and jibberish Icelandic. They had a 6-piece horn and string section with them. Jonsi bowed his guitar on every song save one. Beautiful night, only trouble was that mrs. sharpie wasn't feeling that great and being in a crowd that huge made her feel worse. So, we moved back to the lawn area where she could lie down. Lying down and looking at the stars while hearing Sigur Ros is a good thing. Memorable show.

Edgy MD Aug 03 2012 01:12 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Personally, I have trouble distinguishing between Icelandic and Jibberish Icelandic.

seawolf17 Aug 03 2012 01:46 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Ace Frehley and Warrant coming to the Brookhaven Amphitheater Labor Day weekend. HELLS yeah.

Gwreck Sep 02 2012 04:30 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012 Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Sep 05 2012 08:39 PM

Greetings from centerfield at Citizens Bank Park. Anyone have a "creative" idea about what to do to the field beneath me?

Edgy MD Sep 02 2012 06:23 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

High five Phillies fans for their team beating Atlanta and delivering shreds of hope to the rest of underclassers.

Edgy MD Sep 02 2012 07:09 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

And... the Phils blow a 7-1 lead going down 8-7 after the Braves put up a five-run ninth. All the runs scored with two out.

seawolf17 Sep 03 2012 06:48 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Woefully underpublicized show last night here in Farmingville at the Bald Hill amphitheater: Long Island Rock Fest, featuring Ace Frehley, Zebra, and Warrant, plus a handful of local bands. Not a big KISS fan, and don't care much for Zebra, but wanted to pay the $14 for a lawn seat for Warrant, so I suggested that I bring MiniWolf to his first grown-up rock concert. Show started at 3:00, but had no interest in the local bands, so I figured Warrant would hit the stage around 7:00. We got there at 6:45, just as they were setting up; I was thrilled that I guessed correctly on the timing. They played ten songs or so, including all the hits ("Heaven," "Down Boys," "Sometimes She Cries," "Uncle Tom's Cabin") and a couple of new ones ("Sex Ain't Love," "Home") and a deep cut or two, then closed with "Cherry Pie." Had a fantastic time, and MiniWolf was pretty thrilled that he got to go to a grown-up rock show. Plenty of good seats were available, by the way. We started in the middle section, then after two songs, he wanted to go run up the big hill for a minute, so we sat all the way out there; then he wanted to try his new earplugs and move down to the floor, so we went all the way down to about the twelfth row. He was thrilled with all the cool light effects, and even recognized "Heaven" when I played it in the car this morning, so I think I've got a winner.

themetfairy Sep 03 2012 07:30 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Pennysaver Amplitheater. I've never been to the venue, but I remember the Pennysaver. Glad that you guys had such a great time!

seawolf17 Sep 04 2012 07:38 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

[youtube:10urdy4o]4ZjD6-3ALA8[/youtube:10urdy4o] "Mr. Rainmaker" and "Sometimes She Cries" from Sunday night.

Edgy MD Sep 04 2012 08:23 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Woah, can we rewind to Asharoken! Hicksville and Lindenhurst and North Haven! Where Smithtown boys go! (Go!) Where Smithtown boys go! (Go!) Where the Smithtown go!! I wanna go where Smithtown boys go!

The Second Spitter Sep 05 2012 01:30 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Went to WWE Raw last Friday night. Going to Aida next Sat night to make-up for any cultural deficit incurred. Didn't go to Pitbull/Taio Cruz as planned cos I went to watch the Dogs instead. (The concert was played at the same time at the venue next door, so got to hear most of it while I was watching the footy. Win-win.)

themetfairy Sep 06 2012 11:18 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

I have two tickets to see Ben Folds Five in Central Park next Friday (bleacher seats), September 14th at 6:00 pm, and I have a conflict on my calendar. Send me a message if you're interested in taking them off my hands.

HahnSolo Sep 06 2012 11:47 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

My give-a-shit meter is pretty low on The Killers these days, however I did note with interest their upcoming NYC date and their venue of choice: The Paradise Theater on the Bronx's Grand Concourse. The place is a historic movie house. I had no idea they did any shows there, nevermind (semi) high-profile rockers. Concert is September 18.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 06 2012 11:48 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Is that the one Styx did a shitty concept album about?

HahnSolo Sep 06 2012 12:07 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

No, per Wikipedia, who is always right: Paradise Theatre is the tenth album by the rock band Styx, released in January 1981 (see 1981 in music). A concept album, the album is a fictional account of Chicago's Paradise Theatre from its opening to closing (and eventual abandonment), used as a metaphor for America's changing times from the late 1970s into the 1980s. (Dennis DeYoung confirmed this in an episode of In the Studio with Redbeard which devoted an entire episode to the making of the album.)

seawolf17 Sep 06 2012 12:13 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

HahnSolo wrote: (Dennis DeYoung confirmed this in an episode of In the Studio with Redbeard which devoted an entire episode to the making of the album.) LOVED his work on "Scooby Doo, Where Are You?"

Swan Swan H Sep 17 2012 10:05 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

We went to see The Honeycutters at The Living Room last night. It was an unusual show for the venue, as there was a $10 cover - most shows there are pass-the-firebucket. When the show started (8 PM) the audience consisted of the lead singer's parents (her dad joined them on harmonica for a song), a couple who seemed to be friends of the band, my wife and me. The guitarist asked that anyone out in the bar be invited in, just to add a few bodies, so the crowd swelled to around 10 people. Anyway, the band sounded great, and Amanda Platt's voice just kills me. [youtube:27pafttl]JzV18VS08mI[/youtube:27pafttl]

SteveJRogers Sep 19 2012 07:05 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Seeing Bruce tonight at MetLife. Goning to be a bit strange hearing this song performed in the stadium that replaced the song's inspiration: [youtube:1q7dhhq9]http://youtu.be/NWpG_ULYpr8[/youtube:1q7dhhq9]

Mets – Willets Point Sep 19 2012 02:46 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Edgy DC wrote: For fuck's sake, people, there's a hyphen between "TuNE" and "yaRdS." WhAt Should! we name )) R bANd?!

TransMonk Sep 20 2012 07:37 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

I went to see Built to Spill on Tuesday night. It was my third time seeing them and they were amazing. They sounded great and were tighter than ever. Played as a five piece with two and three guitars which gave them a great layered sound. The last times I saw them there were less players involved, but this time it was a lights out show. They sold out the 400 person club on Tuesday, which is pretty great. Lots of youngsters at this show (21-25yo), which I could only guess was due to Pandora-type interent streaming sites where if you type in Death Cab for Cutie, a Built to Spill tune will be one of the next few songs to pop up. I then caught Matthew Sweet last night. He played the Girlfriend album (I'm really starting to dig these full album shows, though I know some may disagree). I think Girlfriend is one of the best pop albums of the '90s. I've seen Sweet a few times as well. He's not looking any better. He had a back up band full of what looked like hired guns with trendy haircuts. They did not do a great job with the backing vocals that are key to a Sweet performance. Still, I can't argue with the awesome songs and Matthew's voice still sounds wonderful.

Edgy MD Sep 20 2012 07:51 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Big problem, I guess, with a Girlfriend show is that the album is so frontloaded that it must lead to an anticlimactic set, I guess, but he probably covered that by pulling out highlights from other albums after the hollow misery of "Holy War" and "Nothing Lasts" faded.

TransMonk Sep 20 2012 07:59 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

You got it right. The first 6 or so songs really rock and have a nice progression from one to the next. The last half of the album can drag a little. But he played the "hidden" tracks at the end and then played some songs off of other albums. We left after "Sick of Myself", which was presumably before any encore.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 23 2012 09:35 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Joe Jackson and his Bigger Band at Town Hall. He had a 7-piece band of versatile pros (2 drummers, standup bass, violin, guitar, woman who can sing on keys, Joe seated at a piano) do his entire new album, which is modern rearrangements of Duke Ellington classix, plus selections from the JJ backcatalog heavy on Night & Day. His longtime bass collaborator Graham Maby was not there, although longtime bongo/xylaphone/triangle, marimba etc Sue Hadjoupolus was. She was great, but the real star was the other drummer, who I learned today is a young jazz player named Nate Smith. He really blew everyone away with exciting funky beats. Critics have been split on the new album, with enthusiastic cheers and jeers ("It don't swing, and it don't mean a thing," one said). I've heard it enough to have allowed it to grow on me some, and knew seeing him live he'd have guys who could pull it off, and they did. The "greatest hits" were nice, they seamlessly segued "Target" into "Steppin Out" just like on the album, and did "Is She Really Going Out With Him" with unique instrumentation (tuba, banjo, etc). I'd have liked one surprise from the early records (Pretty Boys?) but the best we got was "Sunday Papers." Despite being a fan forever I'd never seen JJ till last night and knew he had a rep as a real prick on stage but he came off as well beyond all that, in good spirits and appreciative, kind of funny. It was also nice being at a show for once where people were seated comfortably and with a minimum of bullshit. Nobody got elbowed or sold a t-shirt, they didn't force-feed us an opener, the show started on time, etc. etc. Here's a washed-out snippet from the balcony: [youtube:91qag6fd]glYQYB0UxZc[/youtube:91qag6fd]

Edgy MD Sep 26 2012 07:34 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Sunday night to see Sixpence None the Richer. What does anyone know about Bell X3? Naming an Irish band after an American Cold War plane? What kind of dumb idea is that?

Edgy MD Oct 01 2012 08:11 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Sixpence None the Richer is, of course, the pixie-voiced-female-fronted rock band from the nineties that isn't the Sundays, Letters to Cleo, Grace Pool, or Belly. They are also the band that recorded "There She Goes" that wasn't The La's or The Boo Radleys. Based on the handful of songs I know, I was expecting a more janglepop evening, but they dropped the hammer early and brought a more of full-on grind of a set --- most comparable to "Bullet the Blue sky"-era U2 if they were fronted by a golden-haired Jane Weidlin. She'd occasionally flex her muscles with an insistent lyric and recall Patti Smith. The show had its highlights, certainly with her spiritual yearning set to complex but insistent bass figures and atmospheric but stinging guitar phrasings. The guitarist though was searching through way too big a box of effects pedals, and every now and then he'd settle on a voicing that was just nasty, and a perfectly melodic guitar solo would be served up like garbage on a trashcan top of a platter. And that was the feeling of the night. They're a good band, and opening up for Foo Fighters or somebody in an arena, or tearing up a college auditorium on a Springfest Friday night, they might be a real treat, but a Sunday night in a coffee house venue, they were asking too much of their audience. They've been away a while, and they need to meet their audience halfway. Opening with Leonard Cohen's "Famous Blue Raincoat," they let you know the sweet and frivolous would be limited to fleeting moments in the set, but with the band unable to build to a catharsis with their sonic assaults, the occasional sweet and frivolous moments were also the highlights of the set. Opening act Ellen Owen --- young, cute, three-part harmonyish Americana --- also worked verse one of "Hallelujah" into their set, making it a very Coheny evening.

seawolf17 Oct 02 2012 07:26 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

We saw The Girl From Sixpence None The Richer (Leigh Nash) on a bill with The Guy From Live (Ed Kowalczyk) and The Guy From Tonic (Emerson Hart) last year. Really solid show.

seawolf17 Oct 17 2012 08:03 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Participating in the UUFSB 50th Anniversary "rock through the decades" show Friday night. Free show, 7 pm. I'm doing two songs -- "The Times They Are a-Changin'" and "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding" -- and the whole set is about twenty songs long. Should be a good time.

TransMonk Nov 01 2012 04:52 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

It's prolly cheating without the E Street Band, but I'm crossing Bruce off my list on Monday. He's coming to town with the Prez. No big deal. :^O

TransMonk Nov 05 2012 03:46 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

I stood in exactly one spot in 30 degree temps for 4 hours straight this morning. I don't know that I've ever done that. I saw speeches by Mark Pocan, Tammy Baldwin, Herb Kohl and President O. But Bruce talked as much as he sang this morning. While the politicians were using scripts and teleprompters, Springsteen was rattling beautiful poetry off the top of his head about what tomorrow means to him and to the country. Obama was great, but obviously, Bruce stole the show. I'm glad I went.

Kong76 Nov 14 2012 07:34 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Robert Randolph and The Family Band on Friday locally. Small place and got good seats late.

Edgy MD Nov 15 2012 07:06 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

I can't hear that guy's name without thinking of "Aren't you William Randolph, the actor who does the commercials for the Robert Merrill School?"

Kong76 Nov 17 2012 03:36 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

He's a fun act, off-the-charts talented ... highly recommended.

themetfairy Dec 09 2012 01:17 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Took our budding trombonist to Terminal Five to see Trombone Shorty in action. GREAT set!

sharpie Dec 09 2012 10:39 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Saw Trombone Shorty last summer. He is a great performer.

themetfairy Dec 09 2012 12:10 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Yes - amazingly energetic and accomplished!

The Second Spitter Dec 24 2012 07:58 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Some shows I saw while I should have been studying with Sagesque grades. Good Charlotte – [C] – Appeared half time at the NRL Championship Game. Will always associate them with depressive thoughts. Antonis Remos - [B] – my fave modern Greek singer – very closed setting mostly populated by folks my mum’s age. Mumford & Sons - [A] – previously saw them in LA. Not sure what it is about Mumfies that draws cute thempties*. The LA show was better …..also because the fans were more into it. (*Aussie slang for "chicks".) Simple Minds/Devo/The Church -[A-] - Good/Average-ish/Great. I think I’ve become gay for the Church. Gotye [C-] - an artist that I used to know.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 24 2012 08:43 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

I got Wifey drunk last night and convinced her to go with me to see Ian Hunter in February. I am on a serious Ian Hunter kick!

The Second Spitter Dec 24 2012 08:50 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

^Let's hope it's not a case of once bitten, twice shy. Got tix for the Boss in March, which sadly will be sans Gwreck.

metirish Dec 24 2012 09:05 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Just got tix for Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds at the Beacon in March.......it's a Xmas gift for my wife....she is going to be thrilled....

John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 24 2012 09:09 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Was listening to Simple Minds the other day. They are getting up there in terms of bands still carrying on after their heyday. I get the impression they're one of those acts with big fanbases in places like South America making it lucrative enough to continue touring. Irish -- nice that you don't need to drug her first. Wifey now refuses to rock at shows where it's too loud, crowded or standing, and tixx need to be cheep enuf to afford a babysitter etc.

Edgy MD Dec 24 2012 08:41 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Ian Hunter and Jim Kerr --- two guys who've wasted their pipes, based on what I've heard of late. But yeah, I'd see either if I could. Wifey told me last night she hates the 9:30 Club. I WUV the 9:30 Club!

The Second Spitter Dec 28 2012 11:59 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

THFCLDb's Status Quo March 27 - playing 450 metres from my apartment.

Gwreck Dec 30 2012 06:50 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Some favorites from 2012: Gaslight Anthem Saw them a few times, including a pre-tour warmup at the Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn. Possibly the last chance I'll have to see them in a venue that small. Went to two of their Terminal 5 shows this past November which were great, the garbage dump of a venue notwithstanding. Great performers with a sort of enthusiasm and authenticity that can't be faked. Peter Gabriel, "Back to Front" Tour, Uncasville, CT Featuring a performance of the entire So album, with the same band that originally toured behind it (ie. including Manu Katche on drums and David Sancious on keyboards). Had to make a special trip to Mohegan Sun to see it as work interfered with the local (Jones Beach) date and it was worth it. Quite enjoyable. Bonus points for having a official recording of the show that I could purchase afterwards. David Byrne and St. Vincent, "Williamsburg Park," Brooklyn One of those shows I went to solely on a whim, having read good reviews. Byrne and St. Vincent were accompanied by bass, drums and a twelve (?) piece horn section, which made for some interesting arrangements. New material stood up well to the old songs they did, including a couple of my TH favorites, "This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody)" and "Road to Nowhere." Alejandro Escovedo I actually wound up seeing this show twice, at the Bowery Ballroom and then again at the Borderline in London. I dig the new album "Big Station" quite a bit and his more recent material (songs from "Real Animal" and "Street Songs of Love") made up much of the rest of the set to good effect. There are not many other people who can pull off a convincing cover of "Rock the Casbah." Neil Young/Crazy Horse, Patti Smith, Everest, Barclays Center My first show at the new Barclays Center. Initial impression is that I like the one in Newark more. As for the show: the Rust Never Sleeps stage set was really cool, and Neil was playing at a high level this night. Crazy Horse isn't always my favorite incarnation of Neil's music but this was a good performance. Patti was a great bonus on the bill and it was quite enjoyable to see her do her thing in front of the big audience. Bruce Springsteen, Palais Omnisports de Paris Bercy Probably a top-5 concert of all time for me. Three and a half hours, no air conditioning, a great selection of songs and an diverse, enthusiastic crowd. One of those nights were everything comes together.

The Second Spitter Dec 30 2012 07:06 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2012

Some favorites from 2012: Gaslight Anthem Saw them a few times, including a pre-tour warmup at the Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn. Possibly the last chance I'll have to see them in a venue that small. Went to two of their Terminal 5 shows this past November which were great, the garbage dump of a venue notwithstanding. Great performers with a sort of enthusiasm and authenticity that can't be faked. Peter Gabriel, "Back to Front" Tour, Uncasville, CT Featuring a performance of the entire So album, with the same band that originally toured behind it (ie. including Manu Katche on drums and David Sancious on keyboards). Had to make a special trip to Mohegan Sun to see it as work interfered with the local (Jones Beach) date and it was worth it. Quite enjoyable. Bonus points for having a official recording of the show that I could purchase afterwards. David Byrne and St. Vincent, "Williamsburg Park," Brooklyn One of those shows I went to solely on a whim, having read good reviews. Byrne and St. Vincent were accompanied by bass, drums and a twelve (?) piece horn section, which made for some interesting arrangements. New material stood up well to the old songs they did, including a couple of my TH favorites, "This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody)" and "Road to Nowhere." Alejandro Escovedo I actually wound up seeing this show twice, at the Bowery Ballroom and then again at the Borderline in London. I dig the new album "Big Station" quite a bit and his more recent material (songs from "Real Animal" and "Street Songs of Love") made up much of the rest of the set to good effect. There are not many other people who can pull off a convincing cover of "Rock the Casbah." Neil Young/Crazy Horse, Patti Smith, Everest, Barclays Center My first show at the new Barclays Center. Initial impression is that I like the one in Newark more. As for the show: the Rust Never Sleeps stage set was really cool, and Neil was playing at a high level this night. Crazy Horse isn't always my favorite incarnation of Neil's music but this was a good performance. Patti was a great bonus on the bill and it was quite enjoyable to see her do her thing in front of the big audience. Bruce Springsteen, Palais Omnisports de Paris Bercy Probably a top-5 concert of all time for me. Three and a half hours, no air conditioning, a great selection of songs and an diverse, enthusiastic crowd. One of those nights were everything comes together. Palais Omnisports de Paris is a fantastic venue for a show. Saw Van Halen (Hagar version 1) there. Also the scene of one of my all-time happiest sporting moments. We still refer to it (something closely translated to): The House That 'Nique Built.