Season of the Schwag

Yes, kids, it's that time again. It's Schwagstock season. The season kicks off this weekend at beautiful Camp Zoe (see below - Echo Bluff). Click on the frog above for the complete schedule compliments of The Schwag. The site contains all the info. a virgin Schwagster needs as far as basic survival. NO DOGS ALLOWED this year, which is a good thing. If every owner was a responsible adult and respected everyone at the event, then there wouldn't be an issue. However, there were at least two biting incidents last summer not to mention the lumps of poo left all over the campground. The infamous Pink Floyd tribute band, Think Floyd, will be performing Saturday night at 9pm on the main stage, which is kinda cool. Now I'm not a big tribute band person because it's rather unoriginal for one. However, it's nice musak whilst camping in the sticks of Missourah. FYI - The Schwag are a Grateful Dead tribute band, and they've been doing this for quite a while now. They generally play two lengthy sets both nights but will perform a 3rd this weekend since it's a holiday weekend.

My posse and I have been attending various Schwagstock events since roughly the summer of 2002. However, Schwagstock has been in existence since the late 90s so we are by no means veterans. We have witnessed the event grow from say 2,000-3,000 people per weekend to 4,000 and beyond over the past few years. It is a complete distortion of reality and everyday society. But I recommend it for the learning experience.

Here's what you need to know if you're curious about Schwag(stock) and perhaps debating whether to go for it...

• Leave all your ego and prejudices at the gate. You will see sh*t you have probably never seen and may never see again. Just go with the flow...unless someone's dying or something drastic is going down. That I have yet to see. Don't gawk at the abnormal behaviors and lifestyles. Excess gawking at the wrong time may get your ass kicked.
• Come prepared....i.e. tent/blankets/water/food/sunblock/etc. This particular weekend is going to be hot. Don't be a hero and think you can drink beer in the hot sun all day and still have a great time. This is a grand illusion. Use common sense for f*ck's sake.
• You will be tent to tent with the other campers....unless you get there early and defend your territory all weekend. People will wander around and through your campsite off & on throughout the event. Get used to it. This is part of what makes Schwagstock...well, Schwagstock.
• Get there early. The earlier the arrival....the more campsite options to choose from.
• Be respectful to EVERYONE in attendance. It's supposed to be a mirror image of the 60s love-in/jamfests fueled by peace, love, and whatever toots your taters. No one appreciates a public jackass.
• Meet people. Check out the drum circle. This one of the more social activities of the event. The older hippies have some phenomenal stories. You never know who or what you're going to see until you see it for yourself.
• Have fun. Be safe....all that crap they print on festival and rave flyers. Just use your head.
  
  We will be in full force Friday morning. I believe the gates open Thursday, but the crowd surge will hit Friday night thru Sat. morning. Everyone have a safe trip (2-3hrs. from the city) and drive safely. We will see you there.

Echo Bluff - Camp Zoe

I Get Excited (You Get Excited Too!)

I am excited. Perhaps a little behind on my news, but it's still exciting news to me. My beloved Pet Shop Boys have a new album coming out next week. Do you want to know what's even more exciting? What could possibly be more exciting than a new PSB album? How about a new PSB album produced by Trevor Horn? That really spiked the excitement didn't it?


So the brand new 12-track album entitled Fundamental is due out next Monday or Tuesday (via Parlophone) depending on where you shop. Their US label, Rhino, has set a release date of May 27th, but who the hell wants to wait another week? Obsessed fans & collectors...never fear for a 2-disc limited-edition (Fundamental/Fundamentalism) will also be released featuring various remixes. Rumor has it that this is one of their best studio albums ever. Some critics are even comparing it to Actually and/or Behaviour. However, knocking Behaviour off my top spot will be a damn near impossible feat.

The first single, 'I'm With Stupid', was released back on 5/8. The song as well as a handful of other tracks on the album have some political undertones involving a few unpopular folks currently in high government/political positions. The single disc set, which includes b-sides & a throng of remixes, is available online now for purchase or illegal/legal download. Amazon currently has the ltd. edition available for reserve and priced just under $27 with free shipping. If you're really anxious and want a taste of the new album, there are a few tracks that snuck their way online prior to next week's release.

The 2nd single, 'Minimal', is currently slated for a late July release and will features remixes from Tiga. Go Tiga.
Here's the tracklisting for the limited edition:
1. Psychological
2. The Sodom and Gomorrah show
3. I made my excuses and left
4. Minimal
5. Numb
6. God willing
7. Luna Park
8. I'm with Stupid
9. Casanova in hell
10. Twentieth century
11. Indefinite leave to remain
12. Integral

13. Fugitive (Richard X Extended Mix)
14. Sodom (Trentmoller Mix)
15. Psychological (Alter Ego Remix)
16. Flamboyant (Michael Mayer Kompakt Mix)
17. I'm With Stupid (Melnyk Heavy Petting Mix)
18. In Private (Stuart Crichton Club Mix)
19. Minimal (Lobe Mix)
20. Gomorrah (Dettinger Remix)

They will be doing some touring throughout the summer. However, most of the dates consist of festivals based in either Europe or the UK. See below for the specific dates.

June 17 - Zulu Rocks, Denmark
June 24 - Santander Festival, Spain
June 28 - Tower Of London, UK
July 2 - Liverpool Pops, UK
July 8 - Volt Festival, Hungary
July 9 - Exit Festival, Serbia
July 11 - Sokpje City Square, Macedonia
July 14 - Melt Festival, Germany
July 17 - Museumsmeile, Bonn, Germany
July 21 - Thetford Forest, UK
August 12 - Creamfields, Andalucia, Spain
August 14 - Marktrock Festival, Belgium
Sep 2 - Ludwigslust Festival, Germany
Sep 3 - Electric Picnic, Eire
Sep 9 - Bestival, Isle Of Wight, UK

Then & Now


"Pet Shop Boys! I f#&*ing love them."
- Madonna



Yeah....me too.

The Coachella 2006 Reflection: Part I (The Words)

Alright brothers & sisters....here it is. The unofficial Coach '06 review from a different point of view. The journey takes us some 1700+ miles from one moderately average St. Louis, MO to beautiful Indio, CA. Total driving time: 24hrs. & 11 minutes....according to MSN.

Let's break it down into simple sections so this bad boy doesn't drag out all day. We do eventually want to get to the pictorial review now don't we?

After my virginal experience at the Coachella Music & Arts Festival, I was slightly disappointed that I was unable to catch more performances than I did. This year, I faired rather well and was fortunate enough to watch the majority of each performance.

I Was There For:
Infusion
Joey Beltram
Carl Cox
Daft Punk
Kristina Sky
Gabriel & Dresden
Hybrid featuring Perry f----n' Farrell (25 bonus pts.)
Louie Vega
Ladytron
Minus the Bear
The Go! Team
Digable Planets
Bloc Party
Depeche Mode
Scissor Sisters (dirty rumor spreaders)
Matisyahu
Franz Ferdinand
Madonna (-15 pts.)
Derrick Carter

Unfortunately, there were a few performances sacrificed in order to catch what I considered a more poignant performance. Priorities have to be made when there are 90+ acts on the bill.

Missed:
Massive Attack
Yeah Yeah Yeahs (I did catch a song or two)
The Walkmen
Sigor Ros
Imogen Heap
Eagles of Death Metal (big bummer)
Mylo (DJ set)
Ted Leo & the Pharmacists
Jazzanova
Tosca
Damian 'Jr. Gong' Marley
Wolfmother (alot of buzz about regarding this band)
Sleater-Kinney (another big bummer)

The Pros:

• Beautiful setting. Polo fields are surrounded by palm trees illuminated with multi-colored spotlights after sunset. Mountains surround the Coachella Valley along the west making the festival grounds even more scenic.
• The weather was stunning with exception to the temps (see below). Clear, blue skies throughout the majority of the expedition & festival.
• Superphat performances across both days.
• Three words.... DAFT F______ PUNK! Best peformance of the festival.
• Great to see Dave, Martin, & Fletcher again under the starry CA sky
• Joey Beltram & Carl Cox with 2+ hour sets on the same day?!? Are you flippin' kidding?
• The most excellent & cordial camping neighbor ever. Wine, cheese, dates, & stellar conversation on top of a 'home/campsite' cooked breakfast. Outstanding.
• The Sahara Tent...plenty of room, shade, and live DJs/electronic acts all day long.
• Madonna helped deter some of the crowd which made other simultaneous acts slightly less tedious to watch.
• $6 chicken quesadillas that nearly lapped over the edge of the plate.
• Being there...it's as simple as that. It's Coachella and a part of music history.

The Cons....unfortunately, there were a few.

• What the hell is with all the trash? There are receptacles located ALL over the festival grounds yet the trash on the ground is outrageous. This is a negative on the people who attend vs. those who provide. Show some respect for f*ck's sake.
• Stupid people that feel inclined to get piss drunk first thing in the morning & stand out in the sun all day only to end up puking their guts up in a porta-potty. I don't need to hear that sh!t. Alcohol in the CA heat = BAD.
• The Madonna hype....and the horde of people pushing their way around to get closer. Go sit on a popsicle & sing.
• Paul Oakenfold. Need I say more?
• Tool. I get bashed for despising Tool, but I shall stand by my words. I LOATHE TOOL.
• Paris Hilton & Nicole Ritchie cruising around the festival. Boo.
• Several great acts scheduled for the same time or damn close, but hey...that's just part of it. Prioritize & sacrifice (see above).
• Kayne West covering a-ha's 'Take On Me'. What the frock, dude?

Oddities & Endsies

• Danny Devito was chilling in the Sahara Tent digging Daft Punk. How did he see over all those people? Wonder if Rita was in tow.
• Andy Dick digs Madonna.
• DJ Irene was standing behind us in the Sahara tent waiting out the crowd for Madonna. I was informed of this after I ditched the Madonna crowd to catch Bloc Party.
• Madonna fans were actually scaling the porta-potties to watch her performance. I read later that some of the roofs started to bend and give but no poo drownings were reported.
• Watching the surge of fans push their way to the Sahara tent just before she was SCHEDULED to come on. It was a little frightening.
• The freaky robots & their strange yet lovable creators.
• The infamous Tesla Coil - it fascinates me...what can I say?
• 120,000+ in attendance across both days.....a Coachella record.
• Depeche Mode has announced that they will soon release a live album featuring their Coachella performance.
• Only 15 arrests made in total....not bad considering the amount of people & kind things I smelled throughout the day.
• The 1st actual music I heard at the festival was none other than former Catherine Wheel frontman, Rob Dickinson, performing an acoustic version of Catherine Wheel's 'Crank'.

Could This Be An Annual Thing?

• It really comes down to the lineup, but I will warn you. It is a highly addictive event.

Who Would I Like to See at Future Coachella Events?

Blur - The Cure - Jamiroquai - Dieselboy - Pet Shop Boys (yeah, right) - Manic Street Preachers - Pretty Girls Make Graves - David Bowie - ...And You Will Know Us By the Trail of the Dead (I actually gave up my TOTD tix last year in order to attend Coachella) - Crowded House - Elefant - Eurovox - Garbage - Interpol - The Killers - Morcheeba - Radiohead - Smashing Pumpkins (hey, reunions do happen. Look at the Pixies.) - The Smiths (OK...discard my previous reunion theory) - Morrissey - The Stills - Felix da Housecat - The Kaiser Chiefs - and a handful of others...

Stay tuned for the review in pictures...

Coach Intermission

Hello, cruel world.

Well, I'm sure glad technology panned out as far as the whole Coachella live update attempt via WiFi. There was little or no internet action once we reached camp. So unfortunately you are forced to read past events. Big, fat bummer eh?

I have a throng of photos to sort thru and reviews to conjure up, but I assure you I will have a full Coachella '06 post very soon. It was quite the experience, and I was fortunate enough to catch quite a few performances. There were several great performances throughout the 2-day affair.

At any rate, I have less than 12hrs. of twentysomething left before I plunge headlong into thirtysomething. Perhaps this time around I'll turn over the leaf without tearing through, burning or even smoking it. Peace.
Special thanks to K8 the Sexbot for the bitchin' b-day pic.