Live Marah

Pete over at IckMusic has got a YouTube video of an acoustic Marah performance of "So What If We're Out of Tune (with the Rest of the World)," live at Schuba's Tavern in Chicago. Check it.

Like Axl For Bach

This past Saturday night, a supposedly ill Axl Rose left the Wembley Arena stage in the middle of a Guns n' Roses show - and was replaced by Skid Row singer Sebastian Bach for the songs "Night Train" and "Paradise City." I just can't resist Axl news.

The Grind

"Their showing included a crowd-pleasing scene in which Rose McGowan's amputated leg is pimped out with a full-size machine gun...a machine gun she then uses to kill zombies."

A priceless quote from this week's Entertainment Weekly regarding Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez's display of footage from their upcoming B-movie combo, Grindhouse, at Comic-Con.

On The Move

I'm moving this weekend, so all of my CDs are in boxes...except for my country CDs! So here's a little Alan Jackson, since I'm sure I'll be hearing a lot more country in my new digs:)

MP3: Gone Country - Alan Jackson

A Case of the Fridays

This week’s column has two local selections, and we start things off with “My Own Addiction,” by 23 Rainy Days. The music bursts out of the speakers on this very well-produced alternative-rock track. The guitar tone on the lead work is excellent, and I’m digging the combination of drums and electronic beats. If you like what you hear, 23 Rainy Days will be at Jaxx on August 5th.

MP3: My Own Addiction – 23 Rainy Days

We close out today’s column with Jessi Canning’s “Cider Night.” It’s a catchy slice of jangly pop, with warm female vocals and some edgy rhythm guitar work. Take a listen, and if you like what you hear, she’ll be playing at IOTA this Sunday, July 30th.

MP3: Cider Night – Jessi Canning

Are You A Wussy?

Go check out the list of The 111 Wussiest Songs of All-Time and find out just how much of a wussy you are!

thanks to PopCandy for the tip

For Dan

Sadly, I just learned that a guitarist friend I used to jam with in New Jersey passed away a couple of nights ago. He was an amazing player, and he first got me into Phish. I hope he’s finally at peace.

MP3: Free - Phish
MP3: Character Zero - Phish

The New Fletch?

Zach Braff is slated to star in a prequel to "Fletch," and Bill Lawrence, the creator of "Scrubs," has signed on to direct. It's pretty damn hard to picture anyone else other than Chevy Chase as Fletch. I just hope this doesn't end badly.

A Few Words With: Tad Dreis

I first met Tad Dreis a few years ago when he was performing at Staccato Lounge in Adams Morgan. He was touring to support his Solitaire for Two album, and his catchy pop tunes easily caught my ear. Dreis has since recorded another album, Play to Remember, and toured around the country, spreading his hooky goodness. So I decided to catch up with him and ask him a few questions for Last Second Thoughts...


To me, you’ve got a very Brit-pop kind of sound, but you’re from North Carolina. Do you have any explanation for that?

I think I’m more of a product of the suburbs than of a particular region. I grew up in Texas, and I’ve lived in North Carolina for 10 years. I’m just attracted to the smart-pop sound, and it seems to be British Invasion-derived.

Do you pull a lot of your songwriting material and lyrics from your own life and true happenings, or do you generally go the fictional route?

Usually I use my own life as a starting point…and then end up somewhere else after I’m done.

What’s your personal favorite song you’ve written?

My favorite recording is “Good For You.” It’s so directed – it really moves. [It’s] short and it’s over. And I like the lyrics.

And what’s your favorite song to play live?

I really like playing “Bureau de Change.”

Do you like the insulated atmosphere of the studio more than a live environment?

When I record a song, I’m usually playing all the parts, and it makes a song bigger than it was - bigger than just me. And not just in the literal sense, but what the song is. With the recording, it makes it much more dramatic. The thing I like best about recording is really figuring out how the song goes – it’s about the arrangement, polishing the arrangement, and getting a sense of form for it. Once I have that sense of structure down, which I usually establish in the studio, then when I play live, I’ve got that in my head, and it really affects how I play it live.

Are you working on a new album?

I usually write and record onto little mixtapes and stack them up, and then later I’ll sift through them to find things I like. A couple months ago I started going through my tapes from the past year and a half, finishing up songs and polishing things into a shape I’m happy with before I start recording.

You do both band and solo performances – Which do you prefer?

I still prefer playing solo, because I’m most comfortable with it. It’s musically more effective, and I know exactly what everything sounds like. It’s better for me right now, but I’m playing more and more with a band. It’s just a matter of rehearsal. Also, since I’ve played solo for so long, it’s actually distracting to me to play with other people. I’m listening to what everybody else is playing, and I’m enjoying it, and I lose track of lyrics - so I’m actually not a great band performer yet (laughing)!

What music are you listening to now?

I’ve got a lot of world music. I’ve been listening to a lot of Desmond Dekker lately…everything by Rufus Wainwright, some Elliott Smith. There’s also a band called Soundteam that just put a record out that’s really good.

It’s tough keeping up a busy tour schedule – what are some of the little things that keep you going when you’re in unfamiliar cities?

I miss cooking. One of the toughest things to learn when traveling is how not to eat fast food. You can go to a gas station or Wal Mart, get an ice chest and tortillas, bag of ready-made salad, and cold cuts. You can make your own wraps, and it’s better for you. Not that I’m endorsing Wal-Mart, but they even have an organic section, too.

Is there anything else you’d like to pass on?

I just learned how to make tamales!


MP3: Good For You – Tad Dreis
MP3: Bureau de Change – Tad Dreis
MP3: I Said I – Tad Dreis
Tad Dreis’ Official Site and MySpace

Australia To Take Severe Measures?

I saw the following quote from an AP story and I shuddered a bit:

"Residents of a drought-stricken Australian town will vote this week on whether they're prepared to drink water recycled from sewage -- the first such scheme in the country and one of only a handful in the world."

I of course wondered where else in the world this has been tried before. And wouldn't you know it, it's been going on in Virginia! They've been topping off the Occoquan Reservoir with "recycled" water since 1978!

The Rock

As I had predicted, Butch Walker just rawked the 9:30 Club. It's late, and I'm rapidly losing it, but he and his band, the Let's-Go-Out-Tonites put on a hell of a show. BW is one charismatic performer, jumping off risers and the bass drum, and making forays into the audience. And the openers, As Fast As and Boys Like Girls, weren't too bad, either. I especially liked the groovy rock with a glam edge of As Fast As. Their live show grabbed my attention and never let go of it. All of the band members had character, rocking and strutting around like mad on stage. And frankly, I've never seen a bass handled like that before - I'll just leave it at that.

MP3: Bethamphetamine (Pretty, Pretty) - Butch Walker

These Guys Would Eat Butterstick

The National Zoo has opened online voting to name the three Sumatran tiger cubs that were born there back on May 24th. The potential name selections are set, so choices are a bit limited. Voting ends August 21st, so go and name your tiger!

Tape Into Art

Artist Mark Jenkins creates some very cool sculptures around Washington, D.C. using a common item - clear packing tape. Check out some of his work on his website here...

One Is A Genius, The Other Insane

Pinky & the Brain, Volume 1 will be available on DVD July 25th. If you haven't seen the show, it's kind of tough to explain it. And the description "a pair of lab mice trying to take over the world" doesn't quite seem to give it justice. So what are you going to do tonight?

Rosie's Coming To Nip/Tuck?

Yep. As stated in this week's Entertainment Weekly, Rosie O'Donnell will be featured in an episode of Nip/Tuck as a patient. Says creator Ryan Murphy, "Rosie is this white-trash gal who wins the Powerball lottery and brings her entire family in for plastic surgery." Oh my.

Weekend Pic

Even though my hands are killing me from playing some congas in the studio yesterday, I still managed to take a few pics this weekend...

the back of a local restaurant

All-American

The other night CC and I were watching an episode of Soundstage that featured a live performance by the All-American Rejects. It reminded me of just how good their power-pop/rock/emo is. It's just so damn catchy. And it rocks.

MP3: Dirty Little Secret - All-American Rejects
MP3: Top of the World - All-American Rejects

An Interview With Butch Walker

Butch Walker knows a good hook when he hears one. He’s recently become a highly-sought-after rock and pop producer and collaborator, toughening and tightening up the sound of artists such as Pink, Avril Lavigne and Hot Hot Heat. Walker also rocks pretty hard on his own, and he’s got a new album out, The Rise and Fall of Butch Walker and the Let’s-Go-Out-Tonites! Walker will be at the 9:30 Club with his band on Monday, July 24th, and I recently got a chance to speak to him as he waited to catch a flight out of Atlanta…

So you’ve got a new album out, and it’s got a concept feel to it – can you give me a little summary of the idea behind it?

It was just time to make a record that was something that you’d want to put on before going on stage to pump you up or to go out at night driving down the road. That was the kind of record I wanted…I just had a great year, and I think the lyrics and everything else reflect that.

Any particular favorite tracks off the new record?

I’m really proud of the way “When Canyons Ruled the City” and “Dominoes” came out. I love playing “Ladies and Gentlemen…The Let’s-Go-Out-Tonites.” That’s a really fun song for us to play live…everything’s got a really cool swagger to it.

Last time you came to DC you had a pretty rocking band. Are the Let’s-Go-Out-Tonites a new band, or just a new name for the same faces?

It’s the same band, with a couple extra people thrown into the mix [two back-up singers] and a certified band name…they helped me record the album. It was very much a band effort and a collaborative process. It doesn’t sound like a solo artist’s record, and it obviously wasn’t.

Moving on to songwriting - You’ve been collaborating a lot recently with artists like Pink – How do these opportunities pop up? Is it a case of people getting writer’s block and then calling Butch Walker in to save the day?

A lot of it’s based on writer’s block, or just wanting to stretch out and try something different. Right now I’m working on Avril Lavigne’s record, and we’re a good little pop writing team together.

Do you find it odd hearing other people sing your songs?

No. It’s usually songs I wouldn’t sing myself. I write stuff all the time and think, “Oh, this definitely is not for me.” And once you learn to let go of it and not…market it, promote it, [and] manage it, and let somebody else do all that, it’s kind of nice to sit back and watch somebody else make it happen and then still get that big fat check in the mail.

So is that the direction you want to go in the future – doing more behind-the-scenes work, like writing and producing, and not having to tour?

Not at all. I’ve been an artist my entire life, and that’s always my main thing. It just hasn’t been as commercially successful as my producing. It’s interesting, funny, and ironic that I started producing records about fifteen years ago – I’d been doing it for a long time, but I just started getting known for it…But that’s just my day job.

Your production skills are pretty in-demand right now. In your words, how would you describe the Butch Walker “sound?”

I just think that melodies are everything, so I base a lot on melody and lyrics. With pop stuff, it has to be a little bit more direct, so Joe Nebraska out there can really digest it, instead of having it be a heady, deep lyrical mess, which I tend to like for myself. So I think having the balance of the two [lyrics and melody] is good.

And you’re producing the new record for Rock Star: Supernova, too, right?

Yeah, I helped Tommy [Lee] out with that a little bit. He’s a friend of mine and a nice guy, and we pounded out some songs together.

Any predictions?

Hell no, man! I went on for the first episode, and the TV people edited me so bad I said I would never come back and do it again. I spoke my mind, and they just cut it all out. That was my one chance to let people know how I feel, and I guess they didn’t like it.

I had read that you write most of your stuff on the piano. Do you still do that?

Not on this new record. I actually came in with some lyrics written down and some melodies, and we [the band] sat there and went nuts. And the band actually came up with the music.

You’ve got a lot of edgy material. Do you prefer to base your songs on things going on around you, or do you like to live vicariously through your writing?

It’s usually very much autobiographical. That being said, I always try to keep it interesting. I’ve really enjoyed…the last few years because I’ve gotten to live and learn and do so much, and it’s come with a lot of interesting things to write about. And I always want to be sincere, so I want [my songs] at least to be about something that a lot of other people can relate to.

Any particular bands you’re liking right now?

Yeah, my iPod is full right now. I love the new [Flaming] Lips record, it’s awesome. The Keane record’s great. I’m getting into the new Raconteurs, too.

When you’re out on tour, what keeps you going?

My iPod, my wireless Internet card, my Mac laptop, my Blackberry – that’s pretty much my life. And my motorcycle.


-Take a listen to “Bethamphetamine (Pretty, Pretty),”the first single from the The Rise and Fall of Butch Walker and the Let’s-Go-Out-Tonites! below…
*MP3: Bethamphetamine (Pretty, Pretty) – Butch Walker
*Or watch the video for “Bethamphetamine (Pretty, Pretty)” with Avril Lavigne here

Why Use Cops When You've Got Manilow?

"Barry Manilow is furious his music is being used by Australian officials to deter gangs of youths from congregating in a residential area late at night. Around 100 teenagers have been gathering in Rockdale, near Sydney, and residents are fed up with being disturbed by racing cars and loud music. So local leaders have hit back - by blasting out Manilow's music between 9pm until midnight every Friday, Saturday and Sunday."

This is just...wrong.

Army of Me

I've recently been digging Washington D.C.'s own Army of Me. Their soaring vocals and guitar lines have a faint British tinge to them, and their single, "Pefect," is aptly titled. It's a shimmering gem of a song. Army of Me is currently touring with The Damwells.

MP3: Perfect - Army of Me
MP3: Saved Your Life - Army of Me

Granian is now Kill the Alarm

For those Granian fans out there, Garen Gueyikian (he pretty much is Granian) has announced that Granian is changing it's name to Kill the Alarm. I'm not sure exactly what this will entail, but I thought I'd let y'all know. I've always been a fan of Granian's poppy goodness.

MP3: Far From Saved - Granian

Snoogums!

"I drank blackberry brandy before every scene. We had to reschedule one scene because I was so drunk I was slurring my words. "

-Jason Mewes in this week's issue of Entertainment Weekly regarding his portrayal of Jay in Clerks.

Local Bands Invade 9:30 Club

This Saturday’s lineup at the 9:30 Club includes headliner Emmet Swimming, along with Juniper Lane and Honor By August – all bands from the area performing at one of the top music venues in D.C. It’s definitely a good showcase for the local music scene.

Veterans Emmet Swimming, which features crunchy guitars and the distinctive vocals of frontman Todd Watts, are quite familiar with the 9:30 Club. Says Watts, “We recorded most of our 1999 live album, Earplugs 50 Cents, at the 9:30 Club. We named the album after the sign that hung in the lobby of the 9:30 Club. They've since raised the price of the earplugs to $1, but they reduce the price back down to 50 cents whenever we play. It's like cranking up the late 90s wayback machine.”

Vivion Smith’s lead vocals power Juniper Lane’s full-sounding, edgy modern rock, and the band is looking forward to the show. “We are excited to be back at the 9:30 Club. It’s one of D.C.'s premier music venues, and we are honored to be performing there."

Finally, Honor By August rounds out the line-up this Saturday night with their melodic pop/rock and rich harmonies. And bassist Joe Wenger couldn’t be more pleased. “Sharing the stage with them [Emmet Swimming & Juniper Lane] at D.C.’s best rock club seems like a perfect way to spend a summer night in the city. We hope that a bill like this is testament to how great our local music scene really is.”

MP3: Arlington – Emmet Swimming
MP3: Static – Juniper Lane
MP3: Only In Photographs – Honor By August

Live Nathanson

I didn't get to see the Matt Nathanson show in DC the other night at the 9:30 Club, but Sweet Oblivion has got two (one solo, one full band) live mp3s of one of Matty's new songs, "Car Crash," posted. Check it out.

Heat Wave!

It's frickin' hot, Mr. Bigglesworth! And it's all over the US!

Blueberry Fields Forever

CC and I picked over 5 pounds of blueberries at Butler's Orchard today w/ Lady Brett. That's a lot of blueberries. It was rather hot and humid, so I'm hoping there's some cobbler coming my way!

blueberries in a pan

endless blueberries

Jump In His Car?

Now, if David Hasselhoff wants to cheese himself out, that's his own business - but there's no need to get KITT involved in his shameful acts! Check out the Hoff's new video to "Jump In My Car" here. Poor KITT.

A Case of the Fridays

First up we've got Rooney's "Here Today, Gone Tomorrow." It's mellow, yet catchy rock, and it's got a pretty cool chorus with backing vocals a bit reminiscent of "Don't Fear the Reaper." Give it a whirl.

MP3: Here Today, Gone Tomorrow - Rooney

And we close out the day with a song I'm really digging - “Paper Candy,” by Mike Dunn & the Kings of New England. It’s got a classic Tom Petty rocker feel to it, irresistibly catchy and perfectly arranged. Take a listen.

MP3: Paper Candy – Mike Dunn & the Kings of New England

This Water Tastes...Beefy

Did you ever wonder if it was possible to make meat-flavored water? Or if it was necessary? Well, looks like your questions have been answered, because Aqua Dog now produces flavored water for dogs, in beef, chicken and bacon flavors. So if you want to pamper your pet, get him a nice bottle of bacon water. And if you're curious, why not get a bottle for yourself!

Jeremy

Pearl Jam's video for "Jeremy" was one of the most powerful that I've ever seen, and it remains so to this day. What I didn't know is that "Jeremy" was actually inspired by real events and a real person. Read the post about it over at Vintage Rock here.

MP3: Jeremy (live in Atlanta, 4/3/94) - Pearl Jam

thanks to Ondioline for the tip

Everybody's Doing It

And you thought I wouldn't make a post today! MySpace.com has overtaken Yahoo Inc.'s e-mail gateway as the single most-visited U.S. Web site. And I think I'll just leave it at that.

Jeter's MySpace

Like Snakes on a Plane

I admit it. I just can't wait for Snakes on a Plane to come out. And I just can't resist the opportunity to post this picture of one BMF. And while we wait for SOAP, at least we can now listen to the theme song, right?

MP3: Snakes on a Plane - Cobra Starship

Shine On, Syd

The founding member of Pink Floyd "died peacefully a couple of days ago." Pink Floyd’s initial primary songwriter and guitarist, Syd Barrett characterized the early Pink Floyd sound in the late sixties with their seminal album, “Piper at the Gates of Dawn.” Famed for his erratic, acid-fueled behavior and subsequent meltdown, Syd Barrett left the Floyd in 1968. And even in absentia, Barrett continued to have a strong lyrical and thematic influence on the band’s primary songwriter, Roger Waters. Rest in peace, Syd.

MP3: Matilda Mother - Pink Floyd

How Butch Are You?

Butch Walker's new glam-rock-tinged CD, The Rise and Fall of Butch Walker and the Let's Go Out Tonites! comes out tomorrow. Check out some streaming clips at his new website here. Looks like I'll be purchasing two items at Best Buy tomorrow...

*Go check out the video for "Bethamphetamine" here

More Fuss

It seems like these days, all The Killers have been doing is picking fights with other bands. But it turns out they've actually been doing a little work in the studio. Let's just hope they can back up their talk with an album that fulfills the promise they showed on their 2004 debut, Hot Fuss.

Anyway, their sophomore effort is set for an October 2nd release, with the first single, "When You Were Young" slated to hit the airwaves September 18th. Check out a 40-second mp3 snippet of it over at Stereogum.

MP3: Glamorous Indie Rock & Roll - The Killers

At Last!

The long-awaited DVD version of Pink Floyd: Pulse will be available on Tuesday, July 11th! Best Buy will have it on sale for $14.99, and they're offering a special edition Pink Floyd lithograph free with purchase that Tuesday. Did I mention just how excited I am?

*thanks to CC for pointing this out

Yeah, Italia!

Congratulations 2006 FIFA World Cup Champions!

Weekend Pics

Disco Turtle?

Harley-Time!

Jeter & Catfish Honeymoon

It was a good time last night at the Austin Grill in Silver Spring opening up for Catfish Honeymoon. I think we (Jeter) rocked a pretty tight set, and I couldn't get enough of the oh-so-salty chips and salsa. Then Catfish Honeymoon came on and played their harmony-filled blend of bluesy alt-country. I love kicking back and listening to 'em. And their CD, Keeper, is finally available! Here's a couple pics of CFHM - it was pretty dark, with red lighting, so...

CFHM: Greg, Katrina, Mark

CFHM: Katrina

Jeter @ Austin Grill on Saturday

Surprise! My band, Jeter, is going to be playing a 40-minute opening set for one of my favorite local bands, Catfish Honeymoon. When, you ask? This Saturday, July 7th, at 9:30. And where, you ask? At the Austin Grill in Silver Spring. So come see Pete, Andy, and Bret get all Tex Mex, and then have some CFHM alt-country with your swirly margarita.

Veruca Salt

Well, my apartment is without power, but I still want to provide some rock for y'all. So here's a little Veruca Salt to kick off the weekend. I must say that I love this song...

MP3: Volcano Girls - Veruca Salt

Deford

Generally my work is of the non-exciting variety (what else could you expect from acccounting?). But today I actually got to speak to Frank Deford, the sports journalist and NPR commentator, on the phone. It was just in regards to faxing over some documents, but it was cool nonetheless. It's the little things, right?

Get Your DJ Shoes On

The bluestate DJ Collective will host the founding father of music blogs, Matthew Perpetua, as a guest DJ at their July 8 th dance party. Perpetua is the author of the popular Fluxblog mp3 site. Fluxblog, along with Seeking Irony, WeirdCurves and DCSOB, will spin tunes popular with the hipster set and anyone else who likes to dance. Saturday, July 8, 2006 at Black Cat backstage— 1811 14th Street NW. No cover. All ages. CD giveaways. Doors at 10:00 p.m. And I really like this poster!

Sorry Folks, New Jersey's Closed!

Yep, after New Jersey's state legislature failed to adopt a new budget by the constitutional deadline last Friday, all "non-essential" government offices have been shut down. And since the Casino Control Commission is non-essential, even the casinos are closed!

Mixed for the Fourth

Yep, it’s quite odd having the Fourth of July on a Tuesday. But enjoy it, nevertheless. Anyway, here’s a Fourth of July-related mix for your ears. Martina McBride's is my favorite of the bunch.

MP3: Independence Day - Martina McBride
MP3: Fourth of July - Robert Earl Keen
MP3: Independence Day - Elliott Smith
MP3: Firecracker - Ryan Adams
MP3: Independence Day - Bruce Springsteen

Jam Facts

For those of you who didn't watch VH1 Storytellers: Pearl Jam, here's 20 Things You Should Know About Pearl Jam.

Weekend Pics

we recorded a bit o' guitars this weekend

through a car window

give pete a chance