Being Boring

I have nothing, and I mean nothing to report. There are a handful of topics I could babble about, but I can't muster enough drive to dig up the facts. I am flippin' bored at this very moment. At any rate, here are a few new downloads/discs I recently acquired followed by a short review. Enjoy and come again.


The Cure - Join The Dots: B-Sides & Rarities 1978-2001 (The Fiction Years) CD
Brace yourself as this is a 4-disc set. However, this set contains some of the best Cure a Cure fan can acquire. It's chocked full of b-sides, rare covers, and a variety of mixes unavailable to fans via the regular catalog. I can live without a few of the covers, but some of the b-sides are outstanding. I strongly recommend picking this up if you appreciate the life & times of the Cure. Viva la Bob.

Astrocat - Open Systems
This is a brief, 4-track release. I believe it's relatively new, but there's not a whole lot of info. out there. From what I have read, Astrocat consists of one man, Jordan Trais, based in Chicago. He apparently creates a variety of electronic music including everything from techno to acid jazz and does so in his very own home studio. Overall, this 'mini' album isn't all the bad. Good for work outs and/or cleaning.

Belle & Sebastian - The Boy With the Arab Strap
This is my personal B&S favorite. There are certainly some classics on this album. If you're considering dipping your toes into the pool of B&S, this album is a good place to start. It's hard to go wrong with any B&S release, but then again I'm biased.

Bikini Kill - The Singles
I still need to give these guys another whirl or two to get an honest opinion. The album is tolerable, but the group itself actually has a few other decent songs not featured on this particular release. They have a crunchy, punk sound...or at least that's what I'm calling it.

Eagles of Death Metal - Peace Love Death Metal
These guys are gearing up for their 2nd release on April 11th. The new album is entitled Death By Sexy. They will also be appearing at this year's Coachella festival in late April. As far as this album, I say get it. If you like the sound of the White Stripes and say the Black Keys, then chances are you will like this album.

Electric Skychurch - KNOWONENESS
This is a relatively enjoyable electronic album especially if played whilst relaxing, sleeping, meditation, etc. It's generally low-key with a moderate tempo. No obnoxious thumpa thumpa. This is a good one to pick up if you're one of those who enjoys the 'background' ambient electronic music.

Eurovox - ...this is Eurovox
This was an excellent score. Good sound, and some great tracks. Download or die.

Lemon Jelly - Lost Horizons
Another electronic selection for my collection. Chocked full of abstract beats and a variety of other oddities. Good musak for relaxing, sleeping, cleaning, meditating....you get my point.

my robot friend. - Hot Action!
Strange group. I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend, but they do have the infamous PSB b-side entitled ' We're the Pet Shop Boys'.

Sound Tribe Sector 9 - Offered Schematics Suggesting
What can I say? I was on a electronica/ambient/chill kick. Another great album for relaxing...etc. I especially enjoy listening to this whilst drifting off to sleep. I recommend this for those of you who enjoy the various styles of electronic music... namely ambient/low-key breakbeats.

That's all for now. There are officially 19 days left until Coach 2006. Stay tuned as we close in on the kill.

Until next time, punks.

Next Stop - Coachella 2006

2

Well, Mardi Gras has passed.

St. Patrick's Day....check.

The next event on the radar is none other than Coachella. We have exactly 39 days (and 18 hours) until the actual show & 35 days until launch. No changes in the lineup since Madonna was added a month or so ago. I'm getting a bit edgy now that we're almost down to the last month. The journey is long and a trite bit exhausting, but once you get there it's oh so worthwhile. I don't recall if I mentioned this previously, but the Salton Sea Rec. Area kicked up their technology a notch and hooked up WiFi access for campers. I'm not too whooped up about hauling my laptop across the desert, but I assure you one of us will have the necessary hardware to I can blog as we go so to speak. I also intend to get my hands on a digi. camera so that you get all the visuals this year. It's really quite exciting....technology. At any rate, I will try to capture some of the beauty of the campsite and festival for the duration of our stay. So stay tuned that week for live, up to the minute, updates. Well...sorta.

Below are a few pics from the Coach 2005. For more pics from all the past festivals, visit Coachella.

Will Pink Floyd ever put aside their differences and tour again? Roger Waters & David Gilmour fight & bicker like a couple of old women. A little birdy just informed me that both parties are kicking off simultaneous Pink Floyd tours. Roger has P.F's drummer, and I assume Davey G. grabbed the bassist. Roger Waters has stated that he will play Dark Side of the Moon in its entirety. I guess that leaves the Wall for David Gilmour? What a sad state of affairs.

Will you two kiss & make up? We want another Pink Floyd tour, damn it!

Until next time...

Just A Friendly Reminder

St. Paddy's Day is just around the corner. Get to the store. Get your corned beef, cabbage, and decorations on now before the storm of green hits. If you're heading down to Dogtown for the day, get there early. My grill fires up 8am sharp. My first pint....well, that depends on how early I rise on Friday. No matter what hour it is, I will keep my party hat on. No, literally...I bought a big, goofy hat just for the occasion. So if you're in the neighborhood, stop on by. We will be serving Guinness and Irish Car Bombs all day long. Last one standing wins.

That is all, my good people.

Music For the Soul

So I threw together this massive 9-disc compilation (primarily for the upcoming Coach drive)before I tripped and fell further into the downward spiral. However, the damn thing turned out so well that I felt the urge to share. Since my taste in music is fairly unstable and cracked out, I affectionately entitled the set The Manic Mixes. There are some great tracks listed below so check them out. If you're really nice, I might even burn a copy from my own stash. Anyways, here are the first four volumes. Enjoy.

Manic Mix - Vol. I
Novocaine for the Soul - The Eels
People Who Died - The Jim Carroll Band
Rebel Rebel - David Bowie
Picky Bugger - Elbow
Misfit - Elefant
Gansta Trippin' - Fatboy Slim
My Poor Brain - Foo Fighters
Take Me Out - Franz Ferdinand
Virtual Insanity - Jamiroquai
Plastic Jesus - Jello Biafra
Change Your Mind - The Killers
Pioneers - Bloc Party
New Rose - The Damned
International Dateline - Ladytron
Bugman - Blur
Use It - The New Pornographers
I Predict A Riot - Kaiser Chiefs
Are Friends Electric? - Tubeway Army
Everyone Who Pretended To Like Me Is Gone - The Walkmen

Manic Mix - Vol. II
That's the Way Love Goes - Janet Jackson
Price of Gas - Bloc Party
Hammerhead - !!!
Smile Like You Mean It - The Killers
Ice Age - Joy Division
Are You Drinking With Me Jesus? - Mojo Nixon
The 15th Day - Fischerspooner
High Rise - Ladytron
Bank Holiday - Blur
Don't Get Lost in Heaven - Gorillaz
My Name Is Jonas - Weezer
Sing Me Spanish Techno - The New Pornographers
Pleasant Valley Sunday - The Monkees
Bokkie - Elefant
Never Recover - The Cardigans
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea - Neutral Milk Hotel
Rue the Day - The Walkmen
No Regrets - Von Bondies
Goodbye Stranger - Supertramp
Round - Sunny Day Real Estate

Manic Mix - Vol. III
Jenny Was A Friend of Mine - The Killers
This Modern Love - Bloc Party
Warsaw - Joy Division
To the End - Blur
Nice To Know You - Incubus
Twin Cinema - The New Pornographers
Jesus Built My Hotrod - Ministry
Tiny Dancer - Elton John
Sweetness - Fischerspooner
Wait For the Blackout - The Damned
Make Up - Elefant
40' - Franz Ferdinand
In Like the Rose - Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Changes - David Bowie
Build Me Up Buttercup - The Foundations
Lovefool - The Cardigans
Tell Me What You See - Von Bondies
All Night Thing - Temple of the Dog
Alright - Supergrass

Manic Mix - Vol. IV
Was It You? - Spoon
Luno - Bloc Party
Komakino - Joy Division
She's So High - Blur
Another Way To Kill Me - The Vestals
N.W.O. - Ministry
Streets of Fire - The New Pornographers
Shining Star - Earth, Wind, & Fire
Honky Cat - Elton John
Flagpole Sitta - Harvey Danger
Let's Talk Turkey - Ima Robot
Megalomaniac - Incubus
Alright - Jamiroquai
Setting Sun - The Chemical Brothers
Sultans of Swing - Dire Straits
Heart & Soul - Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Ready Or Not - The Lightning Seeds
Friends Of Mine - The Zombies
Love & Death - The Stills

Hack This Site

AKA Exodus International
No, really. Hack it senseless. Force the sad, pathetic owners of this URL to pull the plug.

This is in regards to the anti-homosexuality billboards popping up throughout the city. The billboards (that I've seen) state something along the line of how homosexuals can be changed. All they need is a little brainwashing help from their "friends" at Exodus International. I truly wish I had a picture of the counterstrike. The billboard above eastbound I-44 was attacked by pink & black spray paint or paintballs?? - not sure, but it's paint. The billboard above westbound I-64/40 has a sign across a portion of the billboard that kindly states 'Kiss My Ass'. I salute the good people who took the time to climb way the up to the catwalk in front of the actual billboard. Now, I'm not advocating vandalism or criminal behavior in any way. However, these so-called good Christians had this one coming.

Here's a suggestion that doesn't involve breaking any laws. These billboards run say $2-3K. Hypothetically speaking. Buy or lease a billboard on the opposite side whether it be single individual, organization, community group. Post a positive message to counteract the ignorant message across the street. No hardcore porn or profanity. Put out a strong, positive statement that promotes less ignorance & bigotry and perhaps more respect and love for all humankind. Hell, rally up your friends and throw a donation party to raise funds for your billboard. Everyone needs a good reason to party right? Anyways, I thought I'd share my sixpence.

In the meantime, check out the good folks below that continue to fight the good fight.

Everyday Is Like Sunday...or Wednesday for that matter.

If Mardi Gras wasn't enough to put you into rehab, then St. Patrick's Day will. Yes, you have exactly 15 days to pick yourself back up, break out the St. Paddy beads, and do it all over again. The annual Dogtown parade kicks off at 12:30pm. The main route runs from the zoo over to Tamm and continues south on Tamm thru Dogtown. There will be a variety of activities - entertainment and food/drink primarily along Tamm. Best advise is to get down there early. Parking after 9am will be trying. As far as I know, it's a free-for-all as far as open containers/alcohol/etc. Most folks have a cooler in one hand and a kid in the other so B.Y.O.B. I will be up bright & early to kick off the morning with a frothy pint of Guinness whilst firing up the grill. It's another day of paced drinking & debauchery so take the day off, call in sick or dead, and get your scrawny asses down to Dogtown - March 17th. Wave to your hero (me) as you walk up Wade heading towards the parade. I will be out in full force and decor. The actual city parade will be held downtown on Saturday, March 11th. For more details, go here.



After great debate and long hours of angst and logistics, we have made the necessary arrangements to attend one of the most phenomenal music festivals of today. That's right, folks. We're going back. Hide your sons, daughters, and pets because it is 100% official. The road trip kicks off on April 25th. After a brain numbing 27 hours of driving, we will arrive in beautiful Indio, CA. Now get this...just added this morning. Madonna will be performing in the Sahara tent on Sunday, April 29th. If you haven't gotten your tickets, I highly advise doing so because you know that bitch will certainly spike ticket sales. At any rate, we are teeming with excitement and have a touch of anxiety. The good kind...that is. For more info. on Coach, go hither.

It's a beautiful day in the St. Louis area. Temps. are expected to reach the low to mid-70s so go out & enjoy the weather.

Until next time...