I Have Been To Heaven And Back

oooh! the abyss is so close to home

there's an angel standing here at the end of this song, his eyes are staring his mouth is open, his wings are spread, his face is turned toward the past. Sees what was learned. Where we perceive a chain of events he sees one single catastrophe which keeps piling wreckage up on wreckage hurling it in front of his feet. This angel here would like to stay and awaken up the dead and make whole what has been smashed apart. But a storm is blowing from paradise. The storm propels him in to the future to which his back is turned while the pile of debris before him grows skyward. The storm is what w call progress.

oooh! the abyss is close to home

In 1977, England was mired in massive unemployment, especially among the young, and America was wallowing in recession, still limping from Watergate and Vietnam, while the Cold war loomed over everyone. Against this backdrop Punk exploded, becoming another Threat To Society when the Sex Pistols said a bad word on the telly.

The Mekons formed in this melee, signing to Virgin Records in the first flush of punk capitalistic co-option. But they never had the nihilistic outlook of many punks: While songs like "32 Weeks" and "The Building" railed against authoritarian corporate control and "Corporal Chalkie" was a dark anti-war song, they were writing other songs like "Dan Dare" which celebrated a comic book (from which they got their name) and "Where Were You?" was about being stood up in a bar.



A bit later, a music critic told them that they were part of a folk tradition, where their inexperience at music became part of the songs, and a DJ said that they were really a weird Country band, because all their songs were about drinking and screwing up relationships.

In Fact, the band has always looked far more closely at the interpersonal than the political. Even though Reagan, Thatcher, Nixon and the CIA show up from time to time, the songs are more about how people were affected by the political. The Mekons eyes have always been looking at the human element.

With the most recent album, some kind of 30 year cycle has been turned and completed; Natural is heavy with English folk influences, and the band trades instruments on the album, keeping their encroaching professionalism from becoming too distracting.





Rushing about before the show, I zipped up to Hotcakes Gallery; the Mekons are also artists, and they had a group show reception and opening. Nice stuff, and I obtained a long-desired soundtrack to their previous traveling art exhibit, "Out Of Our Heads" None of the artists were there; the proprietor said they were "performing a sound check"

"A Sound Check?!?" I exclaimed, to the amusement of the only other person there yet "That's not Punk Rock! When did they develop this suspicious professionalism?"

But I had to leave, and not just because I was disrupting the studio; I had to meet up with folks and get some food before the show; Bar louie was having an anniversary party, free food and beer.

Getting to the Pabst in plenty of time, it was a bit sparse; no problem getting seats right in front and a couple of Pabst tall boys to start. Danbert Nobacon (pronounced in a way that would alarm Pinko Punko), formerly of Chumbawumba, opened with a tight set of angry, populist songs railing against capitalism, religion and the end of the world. Nice stuff, and Jon Langford joined in for a couple of songs on guitar.

At least by then the theater had filled a bit, maybe a hundred people. One guy I talked to said he hadn't seen the band in 20 years. (Also, a quick shout out to Chloe, Merch Girl: we descended on the table, peppering her with obscure questions about the swag and the band, questions for which she had no answers, she held up with grace and humor, though, and I procured some nice posters and Tom's new album)

The Mekons took the stage to hearty cheers. Eight Mekons this time; the standard group was joined by Lu Edmonds on saz and Jessica Billey on violin. They sat in a semicircle on stage; drummer Steve Goulding sat on what they referred to as 'the commode', a drum box. They opened with a jumping "Last Dance" and Tom singing; apparently his plane was late and he hit the theater shortly before taking the stage. It didn't hurt his performance.

The band worked through songs old and new; "Thee Olde Trip To Jerusalem" was hot and propulsive; "Big Zombie" was another high point. The new songs come through even better live - they played "Dark Dark Dark", "Dickie, Chalky and Nobby", "Perfect Mirror", "Give Me Wine or Money", "Cockermouth", and a sublime version of "The Hope and The Anchor" The audience was perfectly quiet until Sally finished the last, whispered vocal; everyone was hanging on her last, reluctant word.

Sally's voice was in particularly fine form; as a first encore, they performed a superb version of "Wild and Blue"

Depending on the song, from time to time a band member would step to the center mic to take vocals, like in an old fashioned folk or country revue. The collective character of the band was reinforced by the how uncomfortable they seemed to be doing this (all except Jon, of course; the big ham even accepted a dollar from an audience member for his 'pole dance')

we're all older, and this was joked about often by the band. But sitting throughout most of the performance was more salutary than I thought it would be. While the 'Quiet Night' was only moderately quiet, the performances were all lively and nothing ever got sleepy. The seated performance suited well, although at the end, Tom, Sally, Jon and Lu got restless and stood to do the kick routine on "I Have Been To Heaven And Back"

The songs, as has been noted, have a relatively dark relationship with nature in general. Where Danbert's songs were overtly political, the Mekons played songs on the edge of the darkness, but for humanity. Several times during the show, the songs and lyrics and the ferocious energy with which the band played brought tears of joy to my eyes. AG may tease and call me a crybabby, but if I feel a bit of pity if she's never been similarly moved by such a performance, a thing of rough, unhewn beauty.

30 years ago, the Mekons were angry young folks, snarling at the world they were born in and the life they were doomed to lead, demanding the freedom to enjoy simple, human pleasures. Now, as middle aged folks, more skilled and experienced, they are still snarling at the at the world and at doom, all the while still insisting that humor and music and art and love are still worthwhile, even necessary, in the face of the void. And that even after all these years, they'll go out singing.

Technorati Tags: noise

American Idiot

"Childrens"


If there is a God, he's abandoned us. Must be a race of sentient beetles on Arcturus that shows a better ability to evolve.


Fuck It. Mekons tonight. Post-apocalyptic Campfire Songs.

Helter Stupid

There is so much stuff I want to post about, so much to write, and I don't think I've got the time to do any of it justice. For what it's worth, all of you should be following the happenings in Jena, LA. Pandagon is a good source, Americablog has had some good stuff. If I had the time, I'd be tempted to drive down there.

But, like the constant reminder to put one your seatbelts, the nagging indicators that we are ruled by a selfish, greedy, maladjusted and dimwitted misanthrope keep coming, week after week.

This week: the knowledge that Mr. Wizard can't make a speech, using the proper names of countries and leaders, without the primer version, like he's some backwards student with phonetic versions of all his textbooks.

Liberia. Sarkozy. It's not cute, it's not a 'common man' touch (after all, every member of the working class I know has had to learn a difficult name of a co-worker, a product, or a process at some time, and usually has no problem). This egregious butthole is so uninterested in the world around him that he can't learn to pronounce the COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD, something most fifth graders learn to do. Holy robotic shit, I can pronounce those countries, and it's not even my frickin JOB.

Yes, this is the kind of thing that sets me off. Chimpy McStupidpants was elected by people who think he's a 'normal guy', someone 'you'd like to have a beer with'; but in reality he's an over-privileged twit who'd actually be a pain in the ass to have a drink with. I've seen guys like this drink; first of all, it's a competition, and he'll challenge you to keep up while he downs shots of tequila; then, it's impossible to have a conversation with him; then he starts groping and leering at any woman around, and finally, invariably, will threaten to punch your lights out.

Last night, I watched Bill Clinton on the Daily Show. Even though I often felt he was far too centrist and accommodating as a President, It still nearly brought me to tears; a man who has an impressive command of the facts surrounding just about everything, a passion for what he's doing, empathy for the people he's with, and real personal magnetism rather than a pastiche of faux populist accents and mannerisms.

How far we've fallen; how far still to fall.

The Hope And The Anchor

Blugrrl is all twisted about seeing the multi-huge-stravaganza down Cleveland way this week, but I've got something to do first:

The Mekons, at the Pabst, first time I've seen 'em in five years.

That video up there is possibly my favorite song by this, one of my favorite bands. Too bad the video is shit, all 80's cheapo video gimmicks and woo-woo camera work. The song is late-punk rage and catharsis, a blistering attack on the music industry, which responded in kind and spent the next twenty five years kicking the Mekons to the gutter. True punks, they LIKE it in the gutter, and have finally rolled to rest with Touch And Go Records, in Chicago, a City with legendary gutters.

They've got a new album out, Natural, which is a fine addition to the ouevre; a reinvention by a band that perpetuates itself by reinventing themselves.

Their Myspace page says:

The Mekons are more than a band and more than a bunch of cracking musicians who play in various other bands. Throughout their history they have worked collaboratively and collectively with everything credited to the band, never to individuals. Their mind boggling output consistently blurs the lines between high art and low and has included exhibitions in the UK and US, a deranged musical recorded and staged with Kathy Acker and several books including the unique “Mekons United” surely the best tome ever published by, or about, a band. And, without ever being a comedy act, they are also very very funny to boot.

“Here’s to a band who have it all: tunes, creativity, humour, politics, brains, reliability, sex appeal.... as their musicianship has deepened they have only made the old stuff sound better.” Village Voice.

So, in their history, they have been: shambolic punks, with no knowledge of their instruments; One year's Next Big Thing, the next year's has-beens; underground country punks; critics darlings; blistering alt-punks; guitar electronica doodlers; major label Hot Band; label-merging victims; authors; touring multimedia artists; anarcho-lesbian playwright collaborators; end-of-the-world troubadours; unintentional creators of "the best musical response to 9-11"; non-ironic punk plunderers of their own material; and now, post-apocalyptic campfire singers.

The evening is billed as "A Quiet Night With The Mekons" which I hope is not too quiet (check out that Pabst link; there's an excellent bio there). In the few European shows, they played sitting in a semicircle, mostly acoustic instruments. I'm Sure Sally Timms will bring her treasured shruti box. But they did an acoustic tour in 2000; I hope they don't go all somnolent on us. In any case, I'm going to be right up front going nuts.

I've seen this band one, two three, four... just four times? That seems light, but given the sporadic touring, I guess it's probably right. The primary members of the band are spread out all over the world, and it takes some planning to get them together at the right time to make some music. Maybe it seems like more because of how often Jon Langford is doing something. Even this tour is only happening a handful of times; fortunately for those of you unable to come out, they will be doing a World Cafe later in the tour.

It's the only band I've ever seen that seems not only to refuse, but actually UNABLE to succumb to habit or expectation. If anything ever becomes rote, they summarily eliminate it or change things around. It's not unusual to see them trade instruments on stage, or leave the drummer alone to do a song, or make up new lyrics, or just stop the show to discuss a band member's sexual proclivities. Even as they've become adept at their instruments, they retain a restless, iconoclastic punk aesthetic and appropriate material and sounds from any genre they take an interest in. While they appreciate the past, nothing is sacrosanct, and they'll unabashedly add violin and accordion to a blazing punk anthem, write a song about a comic book character, or do an a cappella chant. An song may have nothing but reading part of a story over some instrumentation. At the same time they are inquisitive and literate; album notes and songs are often sprinkled with quotes from literature, movies, other songs, or traditional lore; most of the band members are also artists, and I've got several woodcuts by obviously different artists, all signed "the Mekons"

In fact, they have never credited anything on their albums to anyone BUT the Mekons. The recording of an album consists of getting together, discussing various ideas and playing music until a theme emerges, then writing material that hews to that theme. And the theme is carried through, even to liner notes. For instance, on the new one, (Natural), the band lists their names as: Organic Lu-cose, Reduced Iron Jon, Sally Timmamine, Infused Ricoflavin, Modified Sarahydrates, Petite Durum, Steve-olina, Susie Honey Extract, Sun Dried Green Tom, Cultured Kennilite, and Added Meiling.

But the band is staunchly egalitarian, and very few songs are written by a single member. even for someone wholly conversant with the members, it is impossible to say that one is a Jon Langford song or this one is Tom's. All contributions are treated equally.

It may seem I go on and on about this band, but never really describe what they sound like. I've tried; and I can't. There are too many exceptions, and the band refuses to be pigeonholed. It probably helps that I think a band should be able to play around with any sound they want to. But The Mekons have traversed more musical ground than any band I've come across. Even Elvis Costello comes a distant second. The only way to make up your mind is to see them play and listen to the albums; but even one show and one album doesn't necessarily suffice, again because of the diversity. Sometimes, it can be hard to believe it's not different bands. That's probably a large part of what I love about them.

Interview magazine says:

The Mekons were born to punk parents from the belly of rock’n’roll 25 albums and 30 long and hard years ago. These twisted folk have laughed more laughs, cried more tears and writ more tunes than you can shake a stick at whilst building a reputation as one of the very best live bands on the planet. Now the sinnin' and prayin' mekons return to their UK roots for 3 very special 30th anniversary concerts. “the mekons have earned a reputation for the best live show around- an out of control party bursting with razor sharp wit and bouncy, rubber band rock. They're the best kept secret in rock’n’roll and you'll love 'em.

So, Zelmo, SilentMike, whoever: Here's the dealio: I want to meet up at Mo's Irish Pub, corner of Water and Plankinton, for some eats and some booze by shortly after 5; I'm hoping to connect with a couple other Mekonistas there, then I want to get to the Theater by quarter after seven so I don't have to hurt anybody for front row seats. I know as a black belt I'm only supposed to use it defensively, but this is a special occasion.

World Cafe. Huh. I hope they don't become a Starbuck's band. But what will be; I wouldn't begrudge these folks any level of success. Even though they wouldn't be the same band if they were huge, they deserve it far more than most bands out there.

Technorati Tags: cobaggery, noise

E-Bow the Letter

Open Letter to Senator Herb Kohl:

Dear Senator Kohl:


Please welcome this as a letter from one of your constituents.

One who is an unabashed Democrat and Liberal, and has proudly supported your candidacy and tenure as my Senator.

With great dismay, I’ve learned of the voting in the past week undertaken in that Senate; particularly your vote on the bill to condemn an ad.

As Democratic Senators, you and your associates have given a free pass the the Republicans on matters of habeas corpus and providing adequate downtime for our ailing military by not requiring them to actually filibuster these bills, allowing the mere threat of a filibuster to keep the Majority from bringing them to the floor.

Matters of some urgency, if I might make a qualitative statement. Restoration of a critical piece of our battered Constitution, and provision of recuperative time for our soldiers, who are already stretched woefully thin and ailing from being sentenced....yes SENTENCED... to overly extended periods of duty in the line of fire.

But you join with the ranks of these Rubberstampers to decry a political ad.

Why, sir?

General Petraeus lost any exemption he might have had when he allowed President Bush to insert him into the political realm as cover for the failed Bush War policies. In contravention of a sacrosanct division between the military and political in America, the general was transformed into a mere political operative - one who, during the same political PR tour, hinted at his own political ambitions.

I’d like to point out, sir, that the American Public was not fooled by this political ploy, and I find it dismaying that one of my Senators was. Much as this Administration may wish it was not (and regardless of the efforts they are taking to make it so) political speech is still PROTECTED speech in this country. MoveOn made valid points in a political ad, aimed at a political target. The ad itself contained no disrespect for the military as such, merely one of its members. I am aware that Mr. Bush regards it as critical of the military as a whole, but let’s face it; Mr. Bush has never demonstrated a high level of reading comprehension.

I encourage you to view Keith Olbermann’s Special Comment of September 20, 2007, taking Mr. Bush to task for the response to the ad. It is available online in several locations, as well as a transcript available at http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/

The Republicans have no compunction about maligning military personnel when it suits them, as they showed with John Kerry in 2004, Max Cleland, General Abizaid, and even one of their own, John McCain in the 2000 election. Joining them in this condemnation is contrary to the ideals of free speech, not to mention providing undeserved approbation to the Republicans’ blatantly political and self-serving motivations.

I would like point out that the Republicans and the Bush Administration are viewed with historic levels of unfavorability by most of the country right now; primarily for the poor execution of the War, but also for their poor handling of every aspect of government. They are due little deference at this point.

Need I also remind you of how you were treated as a minority when they held the Senate? You were not allowed the freedom of even threatening a filibuster; in fact, they promised that if Democrats had the temerity to even try one, they would enact the ‘nuclear option’ (even if it was likely to bprove an unconstitutional move and would require changing the rules of the Senate) removing the ability to use it at all.

This current incarnation of Republican have no interest in bipartisanship at any level, unless it serves their own interests only. It’s a one way street, and you, along with twenty some other Democrats, have backed right into it.

Finally, and regrettably, I feel I need to inform you that I have begun to feel buyer’s remorse, as well as some bit of shame, for my previous votes on your behalf. I am an optimist, however, and still hope you eventually do yourself, the Senate, and our Party and Country, honor in these critical issues.


Ruefully, I remain,

[billy pilgrim]

Write your Senators.

LOLSNAGS

We're going to try something a little bit different here today. Mainly because I like to yank Zelmo's chain, but also because O HAI MI SANITEE BIN EATED BY WIRM FRUM BYOND SPASE!!!!

So it's randomy music time, but I'm gonna list the first bit of lyrics from each song rather than the song name.


Isn't that exciting? It's gonna be fun!! You kids in the back, stop hitting each other and shut up before I turn this car around!!!

So here we go....

1. There's asphalt in between us
That ain't gonna slow me down
My steel train can cut through the rain
Ain't nuthin' gonna stop me now

2. Midnight
I know where i am
That's right
I know where i'm going
Shut down
Vacant city ghost town

3. I spy your humble home
I see the tea towels fly
In a blinding flash
I see the years go by
memories twisted around
somebodies finger
behind me now
oh but I still remember

4. Why you always want to get the best of me
I'm like a seeing-eye dog and I can't even see
They're naked and they're following my master who is blind
And my mind's gone to pieces, I could use some piece of mind

5. Don't don't don't let's start
This is the worst part
Could believe for all the world
That you're my precious little girl

6. Sometime during the night
The black sky turned to dawn
And we covered our eyes
Dizzy from being up all night

7. Out the window
Look what's happening
In my prism
watching day by (day by day)

8. Rowboat
Row me to the shore
She don't
Wanna be my friend no more

9. See the flowers round the altar
See the peaches in tins neath the headmasters chair
Harvest festival

10. When the outside temperature rises
And the meaning is oh so clear
One thousand and one yellow daffodils
Begin to dance in front of you - oh dear



There you go. Herb Kohl is a putz.

Seas Too Far To Reach

And, now, without further ado,

One for Pinko and the rest of the 3Bulls miscreants (EDIT: Also for BluGrrrl):


LOLTHULHU.
Chthulhu ftagn cheezburger.

Because they haven't wasted enough time on the frackin Intertubes yet.


I HAS A COLOR.
IT FROM BYOND SPASE.


That's frickin funny right there.

A Hand To Hold The Scene

OK. First of all, a big thank you to the auburn haired cutie who gave me a free ticket at the show last night. Saved ten bucks, and wouldn't even let me buy her a beer. Her friend got sick, and was totally out of luck cuz it was a good show, well worth 10 bucks on a Monday night.

First, though, we had to go help out our Dem party pay the rent on their new digs. I glad-handed the Mayor; Zelmo, you've got a surprise coming in your tax bill! But they are getting all fired up for the next election, where George W. Bush's epic unpopularity, combined with the Republicans' neurotic authoritarianism seems to be poised to allow the Democrats opportunities for historic gains.

Whereupon they will be instantly blamed for all the problems that Republican legislation has caused, and be expected to clean ti all up. Which they will, of course, through the use of non-glamorous hard work and non-sound bite friendly policy solutions, whereupon the Republicans will start up the old Slime Wurlitzer again, focusing on haircuts and blowjobs, until they reclaim power, where they will commence looting, pillaging, and generally running the country as if it was a rented mule.

It's the American Political Cycle, in all its glory.

So then I grabbed a bit of food; then off to the Pabst for the Okkervil River show. The radio guy announced the show, and the upcoming shows; apparently I was the only one there planning to go to the Mekons.

Damien Jurado from Seattle opened with a kind of interesting, but muted, set of alt-americana. They found the quietness of the theater discombobulating.

The crowd filled up for Okkervil River. I knew them from this video posted at 3Bulls, which I still find one of their most compelling; but the latest release also has some fine stuff, including "Plus Ones", "A Girl In Port", and "Love To A Monster". As Pinko notes, the lyrics are literate and compelling. I am sure that Zelmo will hate them in a couple of weeks because his radio will play one of their songs.

There are a lot of touchstones for their sound, but not a lot of direct influences. I can hear some American Music Club, maybe most of all. It's like if Modest Mouse tried to write the Femmes second album without the Jesus references and using Rhett Miller as vocalist. Or maybe its more like Slobberbone playing Counting Crows covers, with new words.

I found myself thinking of Counting Crows more than once in their adept use of multi-instrumentation. Pedal Steel, trumpet, mandolin, double keyboards and sometimes triple guitars all joined the mix at times; and like CC, the band was able to follow the singer nimbly in his dynamics, jumping in and out with crisp timing.

They played all the stuff off the new album; I was especially pleased with"Plus Ones" because I love the lyrics; they reference numbers from other songs, but isn't trite or gimmicky:

No one wants to hear about your 97th tear, so dry your eyes or let it go uncried, my dear. I am all out of love to mouth into your ear, and not above letting a love song disappear before it's written. And no one wants a tune about the 100th luftballoon that was seen shooting from the window of your room, to be a spot against the sky's colossal gloom and land, deflated, in some neighbor state that's strewn with 99 others.

8 Chinese brothers; well, there's a reason why the last is smiling wide and sitting higher than the others, swinging his arms.

You would probably die before you shot up 9 miles high, your eyes dilated as light plays upon the sight of TVC16 as it sings you goodnight. Relaxed as hell and locked up in cell 45, I hope you're feeling better. The 51st way to leave your lover, admittedly, doesn't seem to be as gentle or as clean as all the others, leaving its scars.

All in the after hours of some Greenpoint bar, I told you that I can't listen, baby, about the 4th time you were a lady, and how your forthrightness betrayed a secret shyness, stripped away by days of being hailed as "Your Highness." And what's new, pussycat, is that you were once a lioness; they cut your claws out. Kitten, not everyone's keen on lighting candle 17. The party's done. The cake's all gone. The plates are clean. The chauffeur's leering from the cheerless mezzanine. And, in just 1 year, the straight world can pay to see what they've been missing.

You were caught kissing 8 Chinese brothers, but there's a reason why the last is smiling wide and sitting higher than the others, stinking with charm. And he says, "Let's get lost. Let them send out alarms." He says, "Let's get crossed out and come to harm. Let's make the world's stupidest stand and truly mean it. Let's hit the limit of laws over lovers' arms - no, let's exceed it."

And just like I said over at 3B, the band was dressed in jackets and ties, like nice boys. I also managed to score the double disc version of their last release, "Black Sheep Boy", for 12 bucks.

The only downer was the skunky Point Amber I had. bleagh. Put me off my beer for a while.

Afterwards, I moseyed up to Linnemann's to catch the inestimable Sigmund Snopek goof around with keyboards and buy beers for SilentMike. Siggy was solo, no Mike Woods, and the crowd was absent, as usual. So siggy screwed around with his new keyboard and played a couple of oddball jams we hadn't heard before. The new keyboard makes it sound like he's been hanging around in dance clubs- drum n bass heavy- but it resurrected the old UXB stuff he did for a short time in the 80s.

Unfortunately, I hit the wall at that point, so I rolled home. All in all, it was a good night to warm up for the Mekes show coming up.

Zelmo, You probably won't like the Mekons in the end. Upon consideration, there's not enough Journey in 'em. Your only hope is probably to get reeeaaaaaaally drunk.

heh.

Band On The Run

It's like an Atrios Open Thread, only a lot less people!

That bit of wierdness up there? That's STUMP, a woefully short-lived band. I saw most of "Soylent Green" on Saturday, so Charlton Heston has been on my mind. The Soylent Red was made with spiders.

It's another live music night, starting with Okkervil River at the Pabst, based on a tip from Baco Punko over at the 3Bullsies; then off to Linnemann's for a free Snopek show, always sparsely attended....

My music buds are all bagging tonight-it's like a whine tasting:

"Oh, it's a Monday. I can't go out on a Monday! I've got work/school/a medical procedure tomorrow!"

"I've got an appointment"

"My wife/girlfriend/boyfriend/waterfowl won't let me go out this week!"

"I'm washing my hair."

"My feet are sore"

"I've never heard of these bands"

"I don't have enough money"

"my shorts are filled with eels"

Bunch of namby-pamby wastrels, all of 'em. Turn 'em into Soylent chips, for all I care.


But first, I go to a Dem fundraiser, to see if we can find somebody with a yarble or two to defeat that suburban bastard Scott Walker....

I'm With The Band

No apologies for the awful pun, I've been hanging around the dark alleys and scruffy neighborhoods of the Internet. where Moose lurk, Scientists blather and geek, and AG waits for unsuspecting Jewish doctors.

This one goes out to that poor schlub that was on TV last night, on the telethon for the socially retarded and English as a Second Language victims.... you know the guy, who can only communicate in trite meaningless hackneyed phrases that have no inherent discernible meaning, accompanied by vague hand gestures and inappropriate facial grimaces and smirks.

What? No telethon? But i saw.... The President? Of what country, Freedonia?

Ewww. I thought that was last night's nightmare. Reality can be awful.

So, Friday Random Ten, "Songs for when your preznit is a crazy dipshit"


1. She's Abrasive from the album "Off The Charts" by The Briefs Power-punk you never heard. Fast and buzzsaw, much like the Buzzcocks.

2. Soul Child from the album "Souls Core [Bonus Track]" by Shawn Mullins Ooooh, that's a bit of a slowdown.

3. Northern Star from the album "Celebrity Skin" by Hole

4. Why Drunky? from the album "Down To Promised Land: 5 Years Of Bloodshot Records [Disc 1]" by The Blacks

5. Blowin' In The Wind from the album "Weld 1" by Neil Young hippy dippy guitar wankery. I saw this tour, it was loud tho.

6. Cook With Fire from the album "Dog & Butterfly" by Heart Zelmo is gonna give me grief for this one. Because even tho he's a total cheese rock ffanatic, with love for Journey, he is a total hater of the classic hard rock. You should hear what he says about Rush. Eat me Z, either of these women could and will kick your ass.

7. Doris Day from the album "Light Music For Dying People" by Sordid Humor One of the BEST unheard albums of the 90's. One album from these guys, and they all moved on. Find it if you can; Zelmo, I'm buying beers ALL YEAR if you can find a satrad station playing it. Some backing vox from Adam Duritz, FWIW; but it shouldn't be judged on that. This song features my favorite lyrical couplet from ALL TIME: "my life is filled with squirrels/ and ten thousand beautiful girls"

8. Misery from the album "Warning" by Green Day Fuck you, I like 'em. 3rd gen punks maybe, but they're honest and talented and work hard and wear their influences openly. Plus, I saw them perform with Elvis Costello, including a duet with EC and Billie Joe doing "Time Of Your Life" This song preceded that mega-hit, but presaged it, with some accordion and a european waltz rhythm and acoustic guitars.

9. Bullet Proof from the album "Dizzy Up The Girl" by Goo Goo Dolls More post punk. After seeing them open for Counting Crows last year, I said that if this is the music made by punks who are maturing, I can live with it. Not as good as the latest album though.

10. Guacamole from the album "The Little David Years" by George Carlin Explosive Moose Guacomole!!

11. Vital Signs from the album "Grace Under Pressure Tour 1984" by Rush That one's just for Zelmo.

Generals and Majors

"...Generals and majors
always seem so unhappy 'less they got a war."

Colin Moulding penned those lyrics at the height of the Cold War and at the beginning of Reagan's first try at bankrupting America in service of corporate baronhood, in 1981.

Petraeus is demonstrating that, if anything, they are more true today.

Based on his disputed testimony, the Admin plan is that things are looking better - but not TOO much better - and indisputably better because of Mr. Surge - so we can't get out of the war - because there's some progress - except when there isn't - and a troop can come home at some undefined point in the future - maybe.

Just as long as we keep them troops in the sand, and keep on pumping the American blood and money into the same dark pit, until something that hasn't been defined is achieved at a future date. Maybe.

Just trust in the better judgment of our rulers, and ignore the further signs of tightening police state, and you'll still get to watch American Idol and Paris Hilton.

More lyrics from nearly thirty years ago:

When they kick at your front door
How you gonna come?
With your hands on your head
Or on the trigger of your gun

Urban Beaches

iTunes put up some old obscure favorites of mine- Cactus World News and the Woodentops. Bands I had on cassette, or taped or something ("Home Taping is killing music!!") and haven't been able to track down since.

Woodentops are a fast paced, strummed guitars band kind of like James crossed with the Alarm, and CWN did U2 better than U2. I saw Cactus World News here in Milwaukee somewhere....

Anywhere, here's a batch of music at ya, no friggin radios OF ANY KIND involved. So there's no channel surfing, just straight from the random generator and with some new stuff added.

Oh, radios may be fine for those who don't have a collection of any extent. It's all about the size.


Just shy of 30,000 songs, and 115 gigs of music. Sizable. Later today, maybe I'll zip out to the Apple store and get my $100 refund, then pop for the 160 gig 'Pod. No more selecting what goes on, just the whole mess can be carried around.



1. It Is Not Enough from the album "100 Flowers Bloom (Disc 2)" by Gang Of Four Contemporaries and buddies of the Mekons from back in school days. Also much more humorless. But it's some funky punking. Some good drum sounds too.

2. Solace Of You from the album "Time's Up" by Living Colour I love Living Colour (preceded the TV show). Seen them several times, and they are a smokin' live band. They always look like a carnival. Last year's show at Summerfest was woefully underattended. This is a pretty mellow song, with a funky rhythm guitar track.

3. I Thank You from the album "Chrome, Smoke & B·B·Q Box (Disc 2)" by ZZ Top One of the lesser songs from Deguello. Although a pretty hot live piece; I saw them on this tour in Madison, and they had a great, stripped down, and LOUD show.

4. More Human Than Human from the album "Ska The Third Wave Volume 3" by Skandalous All-Stars Fun little cover. Rob Zombie would be mortified.

5. Simple from the album "Winter Pays for Summer" by Glen Phillips Singer from Toad the Wet Sprocket. Great band, one of the worst names Evah. The members are probably really tired of industry scumbags telling them they could have been HUGE if they had picked a better name.

6. Play In The Sunshine from the album "Sign O' The Times" by Prince

7. 3.2 Flu from the album "In The Mud" by Split Lip Rayfield One of my favorite bands, tragically broken up after one of the member died from esophageal cancer. They play a kinetic, punk-inflected version of bluegrass, with the bass player using a truck's gas tank, and wrapping his fingers in duct tape when they start to bleed. The live shows are (were) furious events.

8. Vancouver from the album "1976-1982 Bonus Disc" by Genesis A mopey also-ran from when Phil's marriage was breaking up.

9. Can't Stop the Sun from the album "The Last DJ" by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers

10a. Krakatoa from the album "The Complete Wooden Nickel Recordings" by Styx heh. early 70's prog-pomp and bombast. Setting the stage for Roboto, I'm sure.

10b. James from the album "Consent to Treatment" by Blue October I don't care what Zelmo says, I like these guys. They're like if the Cure got all hyped up on coffee and borrowed some guitar sounds from Trent Reznor.


That's all you get this week. Cuz you've been bad children and must be punished.

Unsatisfied

Apple had a big Media Event today, focusing on music.

They rolled out a new iPod line, just in time for the Holidays. Go figure.

The iPods are all pretty nice; the shuffle just gets some new colors, the nano gets a new shape, a vid screen, and colors. I like the new shape, it's compelling. The iPod Wide Boy.

The normal old iPod just gets some mem bumps. Up to 160 gigs, and before I've even filled mine up! finally, they are ahead of my schedule. and they are in full metal jacket now, in silver and black, which is very attractive.

And, without too much surprise, a touch screen iPod, looking like an iPhone. But only 8 and 16 gigs.

Overall, a beautiful set of products that Microsoft would sell Bill's gonads for; but I gotta say; not compelling. Not for me.

Oh, I WANT them all, certainly. And they will sell huge bunches of them this year, as always (they are close to one mill iPhones already). And I'm tempted to upgrade my shuffle just to get some snappy coloring. And the 160 gig would allow me to put nearly all my songs directly on the thing.

The IPhone will be getting the wi-fi iTunes store, which was one of the obvious lacks on the first release. Also, iTunes will allow you to convert many songs to custom ringtones for a buck. Nice upgrades, certainly.

But at 16 gig, the touch iPod is just too little just to get the funky screen. If you watch a video, sure. And if you want the safari connectivity, OK.

So I'd say it's a low, solid double to the sweet spot, with a number of reasons to upgrade for lots of people, including me. Not to mention a solid price reduction in the iPhone. Los Bastardos.

Is Freedom Flying?

Chris Floyd argues that America is no longer a democracy.

I find it hard to argue with him. Where is he wrong?

This in particular:

As in Rome, all the old forms will still be there: legislatures, elections, campaigns – plenty of bread and circuses for the folks. But the "consent of the governed" will no longer apply; actual control of the state will have passed to a small group of nobles who rule largely for the benefit of their wealthy peers and corporate patrons.

I'm now very depressed.

It won't come with jackboots and book burnings, with mass rallies and fevered harangues. It won't come with "black helicopters" or tanks on the street. It won't come like a storm – but like a break in the weather, that sudden change of season you might feel when the wind shifts on an October evening: everything is the same, but everything has changed.

There is only one thing that will make me believe America has not been subverted beyond ANY of the ideals she once represented: If Bush and Cheney are impeached and serve prison time for the crimes they have openly committed.

Nothing Is Good Enough

MESSAGE FOR ZELMARONI:

Only six discs?

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