Outsider Lands

Hey, did ya go to the big 3-day Outside Lands festival? Yeah, us either. Last years turned us off of this years. But I have to confess, I wish I'd been able to helicopter in for a few of the spots on the bill.

But for the most part, felt like a bit of an outsider this time around. It's not Christmas, but I was a little bah-humbug on the whole thing. I'd like to say I spent my time away from GG Park wisely - but I didn't. Although I do have a friend who said he heard Pearl Jam playing as he surfed the line-up at Kelly's Cove (as dolphins swam around him - I shit you not). Sounds like the best way to enjoy the music to me.

On a side note, for those following along at home...we've been pretty absent from these parts for a while now. Going to try and change that as we start writing some new songs and get things in shape for our grand "coming-back-out" party. Yeah, something like that. Enjoy the SF Summer y'all!

April Fools

Wish I had a joke to go with that headline. I also wish I had great news about an upcoming show, a new release, or even a new guitar.

Nope. None of that I'm afraid. We're on a bit of an unplanned hiatus at the moment. Nothing we discussed, it just kinda happened. The economy's got us all quivering in fear and loathing. And well, not much music making happens with fear and loathing. Look at Hunter S. Thompson. Okay, bad example. He's just dead.

Rest assured. We're not dead. Just taking a little (or perhaps longer) break is all. We hope you're keeping your head above water, and look forward to seeing you in healthier economic times.

Christmas at Tower

When I was a teenage kid, there was no greater thing to do on Christmas day than gather all your friends and go to....Tower Records. Yep, Tower Records. It was a tradition. A bizarre, consumer-ish, music-freak's tradition. But it was mine.

Just as a side-note, how bizarre is it that Tower Records made their employees work on Christmas? But that's beside the point.

We'd all have gift certificates to spend(see our parents were in on the tradition). And we'd all get that one album we were hoping for, but knew our parents would never know to buy. To this day, all I realy want for Christmas is music, or music making devices. Serious.

Now, our kids will probably never experience this tradition. Not just because it's a bizarre tradition, but because most record stores will be gone.

This occured to me yesterday when I saw a sign up at my local record shop, Streetlight Records, proclaiming the end of it's 32-year run on the street. Luckily, we still have some great record stores in this City, Amoeba and Aquarius being just two. But how long can they hold on?

Sure, Tower went out of business a few years ago (yes, I shed a nostalgic tear), but the local shops seemed to be doing okay for the time being. I know because I would ask, and cared (and not just because our record was selling in many of them).

It's sad to admit, but I know I'm one of the last crusty old fools who still buys music that you have to physically unwrap and place into some sort of music making device. Why do I still do it when I could search the web and find it for free? Because it feels good to have to work a little before listening. Because it feels good to hold something in your hand with the name of the band on the cover, and maybe some cool art or liner notes to keep my attention on the band a little longer. Because pushing a button on my iPhone just doesn't feel as satisfying (or sound 1/100th as good).

And because some traditions, no matter how goofy, are worth holding on to.

Now let's get to work.

It's no secret

Unless you're Brooks and Dunn, or some other hillbilly outfit, most likely you're not supporting McCain. And though we like the way Palin plays the flute (and that's as far as we're going with that thought), our vote's for Obama.

And because his cool quotient is exponentially higher. Case in point...

They hate us for our rock

It's September 11 again today, an innocent date hi-jacked by the lunatic fringe. While not looking past the tragic deaths on this date 7 years ago, we're paying tribute in our own special way tonight. We're playing some rock n' roll. And if there is a better, more cathartic way to stand up to some crazy groups' ideal of the way the world should be, well tell us now. Because that's what we've got planned. Any ideas are welcome. Hey, we're not just puttin' lipstick on a pig here friends.

And it's not too early to urge you to vote in a couple of months. I'm not telling you WHO to vote for, but this guy is.

September - music month

Anyone notice that September is always the month really cool music seems to be released? You'd think it would be Rocktober, but no. Of course, this is based purely on personal musical tastes. I remember when the Led Zeppelin box set came out - on my birthday no less. Yes, September.

The intention of this little blog is certainly not to plug other bands, but...there are no rules friends. And we turn you onto cool stuff, you turn us onto cool stuff. So this month, we'll see some new music from the Cold War Kids, Brian Wilson (c'mon, you gotta root for him), Kings of Leon, Calexico, the Pretenders (you never know), remastered Replacements, TV on the Radio, Mogwai, Brightblack Morning Light, Blitzen Trapper, James (they're back!) and Oasis (but that's just for George). Oh and the New Kids on the Block. But you knew that.

So there. You know what to get me for my birthday this year.

On a side note, check out this FREE Conet Project 4-disc set, some of the creepiest spy-era recordings you'll ever hear. You can read about them here.

Enjoy. And hope to see you September 11 at the Red Devil Lounge.