I don't know how this stayed under my radar until the very last second before tickets went on sale. David Gilmour's website announced, in a very last-minute fashion, that he will be doing a 5-city, 10-show North American tour this spring. As a matter of fact, the site listed the shows 30 minutes before the tickets went on sale. The Pink Floyd and David Gilmour message boards were all a titter with nervous posts asking "what's the presale password!?" "How can I get the password?!!?" Then, at 10:00am, the tickets went on sale and didn't even require a password. A country-wide sigh of relief was heard. Anyhow, the NYC transit strike had me 'telecommuting' today and thought, shit, ticket buying will be a breeze. Then I remembered that I only have $60 in the bank. So by the time I pooled my resources and what not, I managed to get 1 ticket in section 4, row RR. Decent. Would you like a ticket? Or perhaps 4? There are tons left at ticketmaster!
UPDATE! FERRARI HAT GETS RAPED BY CHRISTMAS!! NO SHOWS!!!!
OK, lookit. The time of year that atheists such as myself despise is upon us. The time of year where I have to spend on other people the little money I've managed to save, lest I look like the worlds biggest asshole. I hate the holidays, I hate the forced holiday bullshit cheer that is shoved into every open hole in my body... I hate everything you probably hate about it. The holiday is nothing but a business and I find it truly sad that it all boils down to what people are buying other people.
Anyhow, to avoid looking like the biggest sociopath on the planet I have to bow to the pressures of the holiday and buy shit for my loved ones. Buying shit for my loved ones means no shows for a while. No Explosions in the Sky at Bowery. No Lemonheads either. No Fab Faux at Webster Hall. No Children of Bodom at Irving Plaza. No Roadrunner Records shin-dig at the Nokia. No living Color at Irving. I like to follow the latest buzz and check out bands I've never heard of. Alas, they'll not be heard even longer. It's not that I don't love my loved ones, but I hate Christmas so much that buying shit for the sake of adhering to X-Mas policy pisses me off because it keeps me from doing the shit I really like to do.
So unless by some Christmas miracle I start getting free tickets from people who sympathize with my disdain and selfishness, the world will have to live without my signature concert reviews and signature concert pics. By signature, I mean shite. Peace
REVIEW! INVITE THEM UP - CD RELEASE PARTY - BOWERY BALLROOM - 12/6/05
How the hell can me, my blog, and my shitty photographs possibly do the Invite Them Up CD release party justice? They can't! So get ready for a shitty blow-by -motherfucking-blow!!
Bobby Tisdale! Eugene Mirman! OTHERS! From start to finish, this show had me roaring. The show kicked off with a couple of nice country/folk songs played by a band who included the Daily Show's own Ed Helms. I can't remember their name, but they were actually really good. Not jokey at all. As a matter of fact, that is the only part of the show I didn't laugh during. Following the musical intro, Bobby Tisdale came out and gave a more-hyper-than-usual opening that developed into one of the funniest pieces of theater ever. Seriously. Bobby Tisdale + Huge Flute + Craig Baldo + Huge Saxophone + Kenny G = Me Shitting My Pants.
Then, out came a guy with a bee beard who looked like 50% of the comic duo Slovin & Allen. Which 50% is none of your business. I'm allergic to bees so during his set I went and grabbed a beer. Following that act was the infamous Michael Showalter. Even though he obviously didn't have much to prepare for (he was simply reading from a literary magazine he was the editor of in High School) he fucking killed. There is nothing funnier than hearing melodramatic High School "I live in the suburbs but wish I had something to complain about" poetry read by Michael Showalter, especially when he's the author. And do you know who came out next!? You're right! Chelsea Peretti. She approached her task as comedienne of the evening by roasting Bobby and Eugene. I think roasts are pretty dumb, but like most people who don't hold too tightly to their convictions I found hers to be really fucking funny. Bobby wasn't laughing but Eugene was.
After Chelsea did her thing, Jon Glaser was supposed to come out. But he didn't. Instead, Bobby and Eugene brought out a 6 foot long sandwich that was sent to Bowery care of Jon Glaser. Also included was a letter penned by Mr. Glaser which Eugene read aloud while holding a picture of Jon Glaser in front of his face. The sandwich was unwrapped and the crowd was given a 10 minute intermission in which those hungry enough could make their way to the stage and grab a piece of that mammoth. The sandwich, not Eugene you jerk.
After intermission it was Eugene's time to shine. And shine he did. Not only did he show a fucking hilarious movie and do some great stand-up, but he even did a skit that involved a two real props! Legitimate theater dudes! At this point everyone's stomach hurt from all the food and laughing, so Bobby and Eugene smartly decided it was time for a musical act. I have to say, they assembled a goddamned dream band - MATTER OF TRUST. I cannot stop thinking about this shit. Here was the line-up. Jon Benjamin - Vocals, Jon Glaser - Bass, James McNew (Yo La Tengo) - Guitar, Todd Barry - Drums, AD Miles - Background Vocals, and Tom Shilue - Background Vocals. They basically covered the Billy Joel song "Matter of Trust" twice which may sound annoying to my loyal readers, but if you were there you would have keeled over. Jon Benjamin started the song with the signature "One, Two, One, Two, Three, Four." Goddamnit, I hate writing these shitty reviews because I never really portray how fucking great something was.
The show wrapped up with Demitri Martin and his signature acousti-comedy. I like Demitri, but he always does the same schtick so I wasn't too impressed. All the other comedians broke out of their usual ways of doing things, but Demitri was all samey and whatnot. He was still funny though! Don't get me wrong!
And that's about it friends. Oh, at one point they lowered a pinata that had cash in it of which I got 1 dollar. These dudes love their fans, and I love them. Oh, I almost forgot; they played an ITU tribute compilation video that included God's Pottery which was a real treat. One regret though. I bought Tisdale a 'congratulations' gift and forgot it at home. I am an asshole. Here is a shit load of pics!! It was easier for me to post them all, good and bad, than to just post the good ones, so be prepared to hate me.
REVIEW! TED LEO & THE PHARMACISTS - WEBSTER HALL - 12/3/05
Saturday night's Ted Leo show was certainly a family affair. Not only did my brother come down to NYC to visit me and check out the show, but the entire band's family was in attendance as well. And I'm not one to throw the word 'vibe' into my everyday language, but I just have to say that there was such a positive and energetic vibe radiating throughout Webster Hall during this show. Maybe it was seeing all those smiling old people in the balcony, obviously proud that their sons/grandsons have achieved a level of rock stardom that they never imagined possible. Maybe it was Ted Leo's unbelievable virtuosity as a singer/guitar player. Seriously, I've never seen anyone sing and play the guitar simultansously that well in my life. It was phenominal. The show made the other shows I've seen lately seem more like some cruel musical punishment.
Even the opening bands were decent. The Black Hollies, who try WAY WAY WAY too hard too pull off that whole 60s Mod thing, to the point that I wanted to burn their clothing and equipment, actually sounded fantastic. They were more of a throwback, charicature band than anything else, but it was a decent forgery and I can't deny that they sounded good. But don't let anyone tell you they're original. Pick up a Nuggets compilation. The second band, The Exit were awesome as well. Their activist lyrics were laughably childish and naive, but these guys can play. Their energy is unbelievably contagious and they have one of the best drummers I have seen in a long time. See these guys, if only to witness the drummer.
So, YEAH, the show was a blast from start to finish. Good tunes, good family, good vibes. I forgot my camera, so you'll have to live without my shitty photographs. Sorry!
