She Must Have An Invisible Touch...

....too much Invisible Touch.

One for Blue Girl, just because she's wound up so tight over this.

Scavenged this interesting graphic offa tha Intertubes. A pie graph showing th relative times of music played from each album on the Genesis tour. I'll give you a minute to dissect it.




You know, we're not trying to turn this into a frickin Genesis blog. In a couple of weeks, as a a matter of fact, this blog goes darkish while I concentrate on Reports From The Front at Summerfest.

But for now....

Look at that, it seems I was wrong. Nothing from Foxtrot and Nursery Cryme, unless they're concealed in the Old Medley. WAYYYYYY Too much Invisible Touch. Am I reading that there's no Abacab? That can't be right. That's enough to seriously maim the band.

Much confusion and speculation out amongst the tubes. But I have seen a 'set list' that looks seriously faked, but conforms to the above info. Not to get Glue Birl all excited on her thrown, but the list does seem to include that song from ATOTT that begins with an R. AND it indicates TIOA is not the opener, rather part of a Duke Medley opener.

If it is true, here's where I missed the mark: no ABACAB. Hold On My Heart (boo!). No Driving the Last Spike. No Foxtrot, No Nursery Cryme. Slight emphasis on shorter songs. Mama (How'd I miss mama?). They apparently can't play as long as I'd like.

Zelmo, however, was wrong all the way down the line. No Driving. Ko Keep It Dark. No Eleventh Earl. No That's All. No freakin Brazilian. I don't know what paradgm you used to come up with those, Z, but dude, abandon it.

I'm not gonna buy it though, it REALLY looks fake.

UPDATE: There's a setlist, supposedly from engineer Nick Davis, on Wikipedia

Here's the photoshop fakery, which is very similar to the Wiki entry:



The big surprisey there is Undertow. Which I will luuurrrve.


BG, I've got Invisible Touch on my Genesis playlist. It's much more tolerable when it's mixed in with a bunch of other stuff.

Pourin' It All Out

I kinda feel like hitting an element of the previous post a little harder. My Blog, my wallpaper, so you get to live with it or decorate your own damn house.

Graham Parker's recent blog post says a bit more about here. Here's the money shot:

Every time I start looking at the hassles and expense I find myself saying, Enough, this is the last time. What keeps me at it is the buzz of the music and, most importantly, the crowd. "Crowd" is the operative word here.

Yes, yes, I know: gas prices are going through the roof again and your great candy asses would rather remain on their couches, but look at it this way: suppose I do come to the conclusion that I've finally had it with this band touring nonsense and decide that this really is the last one and I'm only going to play solo from now on. Then you will be pissed off that you missed me and the Latest Clowns. And that won't do. After all, they are the Latest Clowns, not just any clowns.

...

So, how are you going to feel, sitting there freezing your asses off in your own homes with nowhere to go and no way to get there, guns cocked waiting for the fuel-starved zombies to come crashing through your windows after your vitamin and ammo stash, realizing that you could have caught the last band tour I ever did if you hadn't been such a bunch of lazy rotters? Hey, if I can get out there and still do it, so can you. And I'm the silly bastard that has to sing.

Atrios recently reported that the band Viva Voce is hanging it up after releasing one or two pretty well received discs, apparently because of the toll that being in a touring band exacts. Blue Oyster Cult even pays heed to this in their swag, much of which reads "BOC, on tour...Forever"

By any accounts, living as a touring musician is not for the faint of heart nor weak of will. Record companies throw musicians out there, desperate to repay the usury they call 'advances' and playing shithole joints night after night or opening to indifferent, bored, and hostile crowds who view them as just an obstacle before they get to their preferred band, the headliner. I've seen an opening act play for one person.

You ever watch MTV (back when they had videos?) or listen to a song on the radio? Got a favorite song? A song the reminds you of 'your' first date or first dance? Those musicians are probably out there, somewhere, tonight playing somewhere. And if they are not playing in a beer-soaked dive in East Krotchky, Nevada, it's because they had a record company willing to support them while they slogged it out in a shitty broken down van, mile after mile, per diem after per diem.

Troubadours have never been the most lavishly compensated of our artists, a notably impoverished bunch to begin with. Except for the few who become the King's favorites, at least for a few weeks. Maybe it's because they have the uncomfortable habit of telling us things we don't want to hear. Maybe it's because they develop into rascals and romantic rogues, always willing to drink your beer and steal your girl.

These days, record companies are even less likely to support a band that doesn't have This Week's Hit. So it becomes even more important to generate a couple of extra paying customers at the door, to sell that extra t-shirt.

You got a job that has a regular check? Got health care? How are your teeth, seen a dentist lately? Looking at new cars, or maybe a flat-screen TV? The guys and girls who play your local rock club don't. And they still keep showing up, playing their music, writing their songs, releasing music in the face of massive indifference and ugly circumstances.

If not for the will of these folks to keep on, you wouldn't have any of that music on your iPod, those XM radio stations would be mostly filled with corporate anthems, ads, and talk. Summerfest would be another regional farm Fair. Woodstock would have not existed, and we would all be indescribably and tragically poorer for all of it.

You know what your part of the deal is? What they want from you? They don't want your paycheck, your house, your car, or even your girlfriend (although they'll take her if you're an asshole). They want a few people to come and watch them work. For a couple of hours. You even get to drink beer while you do it. And maybe talk to them a bit after they finish, let them interact with some normal fuckin people for a change, rather than the sniveling array of weasels, vandals and thieves that make up the majority of the music "industry"

What? You say you can't afford it? Usually it costs less than a friggin CD. You buy those, don't you? If you buy them at a show, the money goes directly into the pocket of the artist. You say you have to get up for work tomorrow? Oh my achin back. After they are done playing, the artist has to pack up his equipment, load out, try to get the club owner to pay up, find something decent to eat, and hit the road for two or three hours. Quit your frickin whining and sack up.

Craig Minowa of Cloud Cult, during their recent show at Shank Hall, pleaded with the crowd to come up to the front of the stage. He said they needed to be able to feed off the energy of the crowd. The crowd responded, and so did the band, plowing into a fiery set, and. coming back for three encore sets.

Jon Dee Graham, who has a way with word in his songs, also does pretty well in spoken word. At his show a couple of months ago (during which he laid his soul out for all of us to see), he said "Here's what has to happen for this insane torture to even start to make sense. I'm selling CDs over there for fifteen bucks. If five of you buy it, I get to eat breakfast tomorrow morning. If five more buy it, I can buy cigarettes. If I sell just five more, I can eat lunch. And if I hit that magic mark of twenty CDs sold, I can refill my meds; and while that won't completely still the voices, the voices WILL start saying more encouraging things so I'll be able to play tomorrow night."

Get out there. Support live and Local music. Music needs you.

Did Everybody Just Get Old?

Heyhey. look at this. Another post, albeit music-related.

Off the top, Glue Birl whines in the comments:

Secondly, I promise I won't whine and cry continually for the next few months, but you know what? I was watching some awards show on VH1 the other night and they honored Genesis. Genesis actually came out and played a couple of tunes.

Guess what they started with?

You were right.

"Turn It On Again."

Then? Then?

"No Son of Mine"

Or whatever it's called.

PLUS! BP, Phil just kind of stood there. He wasn't his theatrical self.

I'm really gonna try not to complain and worry. But, you know what?

I'm afraid I'm going to ruin one of my best childhood/early adulthood memories by going to this concert in Sept.

I'm scared!

I saw that too.

It's of small consolation that they started with "Turn It On Again", obvious though it is.

I STILL like No Son Of Mine, BG.

Phil not being theatrical? Fine by me. If he was an actor, he'd be a total scenery-chewer. I did notice, however, that he relaxed more when he went behind the drums- he still thinks of himself as a drummer.

What I noticed: Daryl Stuermer, rockin the bass way over on the left. And Chester, of course. But I also noticed some of the light setups, wondering if that was what we're gonna see.

You see, BG, you're gonna have to take it up with Zelmo - he saw the last tour, and has always reported on it favorably, specifically the stage presentation. It would, of course, have been heavy on the "We Can't Dance" numbers, which are mainly of the sort you decry.

I think you may be forgetting, though, that the Genesis show is a whole presentation, and it builds, along with the theatrics, over the course of the show. I don't think the VH1 crapola was particularly their venue. I'm sure they were limited in what they could play, and how long. I can't imagine that they had time to get their own feeling into the music, and they were constrained by an unfamiliar staging (see, normally, I'd criticize a band that can't just get over it and get the job done, but Genesis have always been more reserved and studious)

But finally, if you're really afeared, you just send those tix on to me and I'll let you know it was worse than your fevered imaginings.


BUT- There's other stuff out there. I saw my first Summerfest book today, and now I'm all jazzed. Zelmo, give me a call, and we'll go down to wait at the gates. Snopek plays the first day. The last day is free admission from noon to four. In between is eleven days of food, beer, music and beer. and music. I was even inspired to start teh updating of the SummerfestBlog, getting it ready for the new season.

Also: A late announcement, but Graham Parker with a full band is at Shank Hall on Sunday. A must see, I love the old pub rocker. Unfortunately, he won't be with the Figgs, the backing band does feature their guitarist, Mike Gent.

Coming right the hell up, is the WA-HA careen, Free Hot Lunch, at Shank. Two appearances this year only, and we're going to them BOTH! Everybody should see them, but few will! Just the perfect introduction to the Summerfest Season, and Zorg-mo is Out Of Action! What a Hoot! Much merriment and tequila shall be had, and music! I'll bet they even remember most of the lyrics this time!

Another new booking, one I'm jazzed for , is Stan Ridgway at teh Shank in late August. Former leader of Wall Of Voodoo, he's been consistently releasing offbeat albums of music for some years now, including the concept album/band concept Drywall.

Summerfest time is the only time I feel sorry for all you schmoes who can't be in Wisconsin.

For Absent Friends

Dang. A whole week already?

Sorry about that. Would you believe Snag ate my keyboard?

How bout I'm busier than Blue Girl on her Thrown? Had my Yarbles repossessed by AG?

No? No.


eccch. no excuses. Either keep the damn bloggo going, or put it down like the mangy beast it is and just retire, occasionally rambling incoherently in Pinko's commentariat.

Well hey, it's Friday Random Musical spew and that means I can at least generate the attention span of a meth addled squirrel in order to listen to some songs and write them down. At least it's not just a placeholder post like you see at 3Bulls all the time, just making random noises to keep it current.

So off we go, new music included: 28,056 noises, 108.5 gigs.


1. To Kill the Child from the album "To Kill the Child / Leaving Beirut - Single" by Roger Waters Did I mention that we've got great tickets to Roger Waters at Summerfest? Did you know Zelmo is bagging on it? Do you think I'm trying to rub it in?
2. It's Saturday Night from the album "Sunshine On Leith" by The Proclaimers Remember when the Proclaimers were everywhere? Remember when everyone got sick of them? Remember when you could never hear them anywhere after that? Tired of me asking questions yet? Anyway, they're actually quite good, when they're not being played every five minutes. This is an entertaining drinking song.
3. Dominance And Submission from the album "Extraterrestrial Live" by Blue Öyster Cult
4. Poor Boy from the album "Crisis? What Crisis" by Supertramp You gotta beleive I don't take any mulligans when I post stuff like this.
5. Satellite from the album "Nothing For All - Disc 2" by The Replacements
6. Love Shadow from the album "Just Can't Get Enough: New Wave Hits Of The '80s, Vol. 7" by Fashion
7. Even It Up from the album "Bebe Le Strange" by Heart
8. Bonus Track 1 from the album "Who Killed Puck?" by Cloud Cult Not a great song name, is it? Pretty good song, though, by a great new band.
9. Blame, Etc. from the album "Black Love" by The Afghan Whigs
10. Cadillac from the album "I, Swinger" by Combustible Edison Cocktail music. Better yet, have a Snagtail. On me.


bonus (some number)

11. Ballroom Blitz [Live] from the album "Can't Stand the Rezillos: The (Almost) Complete Rezillos" by Rezillos
12. That Gum You Like Is Back In Style from the album "New Roman Times" by Camper Van Beethoven
13. Denial from the album "The Singles Collection (Volume 1 1996-1997)" by Dropkick Murphys
14. Year Of The Parrot from the album "Tales From The Punchbowl" by Primus
15. Slow Down from the album "Voodoo Shoppe" by Cowboy Mouth


one last one: Stadium Arcadium from the album "Stadium Arcadium" by Red Hot Chili Peppers


take that. All of it. See you sooner than next Friday, I promise, grasshoppers.

enough of that fat gasbag. It's a nice day out, and Bummerfest approaches apace. It's about time to order tix and start to flesh out a schedule.

The Rock Stage has a new sponsor. Zippo. I like that- Zippo Rock Stage. It sounds good. As I think, the rock stage fans are probably the predominant customers for the lighters. They'll be having the Gufs there on the final night, and Collective Soul on another.

The Old 97's and Son Volt will be playing at the Potowatomi stage on the 7th- that should be good.



1. The Final Word from the album "Only Life" by The Feelies Never got the recognition they should. VU-inflected power pop. Saw them open for... I forget, now.
2. Feeding The Fire from the album "Archive 1976 - 1992 (Disc 1)" by Genesis
3. Like A Virgin from the album "Just Can't Get Enough: New Wave Hits Of The '80s, Vol. 15" by Lords Of The New Church
4. Big Zombie from the album "Edge Of The World" by Mekons A big ol' hoppin MEKES song from the early days. Hellyeah.
5. All The Time from the album "Nimrod" by Green Day I like Green Day. Bite me.
6. Please Don't Ask from the album "Duke" by Genesis Overloading on the Genesisi today.
7. Short and Sweet from the album "David Gilmour" by David Gilmour
8. Hurt from the album "American IV: The Man Comes Around" by Johnny Cash Stupendous version of the NIN song, and the video is superb.
9. This Town Ain't Big Enough for Both of Us from the album "Plagiarism" by Sparks
10. Flying Arms For Driving from the album "A Tall Tale Storyline" by Mazarin


One bonus and THAT"S IT because I've got to listen to the new Wilco and teh new TMBG and get tickets for the Frames so no whining:

11. Tell Me Why from the album "Birth, School, Work, Death" by The Godfathers

Death Where Is Thy Sting.

I know Nick will chide me for hating, but if I'm a bad person for this, I'll find a way to live with it.

Satan finally cashed in his contract on Falwell. DingDong the witch is dead!

I refuse to think of this heartless bigot as a man of God.

As Dr. Squid puts it over at the Sadly Place: "I would just like to say that Larry Flynt outlived Jerry Falwell.

That’s justice."

Falwell Was happy to constantly claim that people like me were going to his conception of hell; Since I don't believe there's an afterlife, I only wish there was a second or two, drawn out for eternity, when he was able to come to the realization that he will not be going to heaven after all. Even better, both of us are wrong about the afterlife; the moment of realization when this sanctimonius fucktard realized that he was going the other direction would have been priceless.

The Carpetbagger Report has collected many of his repugnant soundbites in one handy, easy-to-retch location. Here's one standout piece of swill:

“If Chief Justice Warren and his associates had known God’s word and had desired to do the Lord’s will, I am quite confident that the 1954 decision would never have been made…. The facilities should be separate. When God has drawn a line of distinction, we should not attempt to cross that line.”

Plus one that's just ballsout goofy shit: "Falwell describes global warming as a conspiracy orchestrated by Satan, liberals, and The Weather Channel." I don't mind being associated with Satan, but The Weather Channel? - ewww!.


See ya Jer. Wouldn't want to BE ya, Jer. Now, let's all ignore him and his pseudo supremacist acolytes for ever.

Jamming

26 years ago already, Bob Marley died. This spliff's for you Bobby.

BUT 38 years ago, Monty Python was formed. Without Python, we'd never have had SNL, or it seems, any humor beyond the Shecky Green 'Take my wife please' ilk. So slap someone with a fish today.

I haven't mentioned the latest Summerfest announcepants because of the meh involved. The Briggs stage was released. Nothing must see on my part, but there is still some decent stuff that I would certainly check out: Lindsey Buckingham (I love his old album "Go Insane") The Wailers (see above!) Sum 41 for the kids. Bob Weir for the hippies.

musical messery random junk:


1. Eyes Like Sparks from the album "Mono(Grandpa Boy)" by Paul Westerberg
2. Sixteen Tons from the album "Anatomy" by Stan Ridgway creepy interpretation.
3. Desperado from the album "Live And Acoustic" by Ray Wilson a cappella. Great Singer. Not my favorite song. Not even in the top 10,000.
4. She's Not The Best (Home Demo) from the album "In The Long Grass" by The Boomtown Rats
5. Scars, Four Eyes from the album "III" by Sebadoh
6. King For A Day from the album "Goldfinger" by Goldfinger
7. Train Oasis from the album "Jurassic Shift" by Ozric Tentacles
8. Snow In Summer from the album "Join The Dots: B-Sides & Rarities 1978-2001 (Disc 2)" by The Cure
9. Time And Motion from the album "Test For Echo" by Rush
10. Think About Me from the album "Tusk (Disc 1)" by Camper Van Beethoven CVB deconstructs the Mac from back in the day. Interesting artifact, and more than a bit disturbing if you liked this album.


bonuspants:

11. Tibetan Side of Town from the album "Live" by Bruce Cockburn Sadly unknown down here south of the border. Another Canuck treasure.
12. Me-Jane from the album "Rid Of Me" by PJ Harvey
13. Tatters from the album "Ecstasy" by Lou Reed Nothing sounds like Lou. Lou and Polly Jean go together really well, actually.
14. American Wake from the album "On Fire [Live]" by Black 47
15. Here Comes Your Man from the album "Doolittle" by Pixies

Ugly Band

One of my favorite songs from one of my favorite bands, since no one gave a shit about the old farts doing the Who song, here's some old Punks doing a Shit song.





And if that doesn't send you screaming from the room, here they are doing a somewhat more sedate song that features Sally. Back when they harbored illusions about being on a major label.

The Who Sell-Out

The Who, on the eve of another reunion tour, have re-cut "My Generation and released a brand New Video for it:




Daltrey needs some new teeth.

I think that's Entwhistle at the end. isn't it? Oh that's right, it must be Townshend.

Ask The Magic 8-Ball

More Fest announcepants:

Harley stage headliners came out today. Nothing especially notable.

Big & Rich will be a good day to avoid the stage. Big hats and goofy boots.

Less Than Jake and Reel Big fish on the 4th for a double dose of skapunk. Morris Day and the Time are apparently still milking Jungle Love. Whaddaya know- TBA playing here too!

Technorati Tags: noise

Dare To Be Stupid

More Summerfest News.

How can I concentrate on the malicious negligence and savage greed being exposed daily by teh Bushies when the folks down by the Lakefront keep on - tantalizing me with bits and pieces of the news?

Besdies, you want the Hardcore 2-4? Check out firedoglake, Talking Points Memo. They do it BEST. I just regurgitate the revolting things I see, cover them with my own bile and put a bit of spin on, and thwok em onto this computer screen. It's not a pretty process for any, but then I guess politics ain't very pretty.

Except for Mitt. He's a Pretty Boy.


Listen:

The Classick Rox Tage was announced, at least the late nighters. Some good stuff here, even for the classick: We already knew about the Umlaut boys from NY, BOC.

TBA. They're excellent, they play everywhere.

INXS. Might be interesting to see what they do with the new singer. But then again, Hutchence was the lead guy for a reason, most bands can't deal with loss of a magnetic front man. (cough) Queen?

"All Four Original Members of Asia" Now that's a cumbersome name. Show up for the last song, otherwise it's a snoozer.

The New Cars. I like Todd-o, but this is such a maybe I can't MEH enough.

George Thorogood. Respeck knuckles to anyone who's been doing it that long. But I doubt I'll stop at this one.

Weird Al Yankovic!! Yes! The Polka Parodist returns! Last time he played S-Fest, a thunderstorm came through and they closed every stage down but the one Al was at, cuz it was under a freeway and thus protected. Al and 5,000 who were to stupid to go in out of the rain. Everyone had a wonderful time and no one shut off the beer.

Zelmo, it looks like this year might even be better than last year.

Poor Mouth

lots to talk about no time. summerfest comes closer and i need to step up collections from my dead beat emu clients to have any money to spend otehrwise i'll have to look into being subsidized for the fest. suckage. the friday morning musical spew (random) comes at ya. live with it pink boys. just short of 28,000 items, including a batch of remasteredGenesis albums and the remastered Zevon Stand In The Fire.


1. Raining in Baltimore from the album "August and Everything After" by Counting Crows I know that these guys are not hip, but i really liked em at summerfest last year, so you can all eat it.
2. Summertime Blues from the album "Feedback" by Rush Hope I die before i get old. oops, that's wrong isn't it?
3. Maggot Brain from the album "Ball-Hog or Tugboat?" by Mike Watt watt plays the boom stick
4. It's Over from the album "Gutterflower" by Goo Goo Dolls
5. Maps And Legends from the album "Fables Of The Reconstruction" by R.E.M.
6. Send You from the album "Kings of Emotion [Disc 2]" by Big Country
7. White Homes from the album "Angus" by Tilt
8. Flathead from the album "Costello Music (Bonus Track Version)" by The Fratellis it's that song from the ipod commercial
9. Red Lights Flashing from the album "Tales Of Great Neck Glory" by Sammy
10. Johnny Sunshine from the album "Exile in Guyville" by Liz Phair
11. Never Mind from the album "The Big Shot Chronicles" by Game Theory an old classic from back in the day.


zelmo lets me know two things: 1, Social D and Built to Spill will be at summerfest 2, he will not attend opening day. loafmaster.


also: from Jesse sitting in for Steve G: words of truth and wisdom: "I don't know whom I'm voting for yet, but I tell you what. Obama's got serious stones. Go baby go. Make those mother-fuckers eat their hatred. Make them eat it raw." word.


Also newly announced for that festival: Spoon. much cool.

Cities On Flame With Rock n Roll

The S-Fest news starts to trickle out.

The newly revamped Miller Stage has listed their headliners.

Among the notables:

Violent Femmes (an annual event)
Goo Goo Dolls ( a maybe- we saw them open for Counting Crows last year)
Black Crowes (nnot for me bucko)
Heart
Augustana (just saw them open for Counting Crows, too- they're already headlining?)
Live
Buddy Guy


Also, Tool will be at the Amphitheater. Might be worth checking out.


Oh, and I haven't had the chance to yank Zelmo's chain on this one: Def Leppard, Syx AND Foreigner sharing the bill at the amphitheater. I'm sure that's where Z will be.

Technorati Tags: noise

The Old Gods Return

2nd year in a row:

Blue Oyster Cult at Summerfest.

They totally brought the cowbell last year.