Montgomery or Mental...

What could the M possibly stand for? It doesn't truly matter...and there aren't enough hours in the day to track this information down. But there are enough hours in the day to enjoy M Ward's first network televison debut (The Late Show with David Letterman on 8/24). M. Ward is set to go out on tour and would be worth catching if he performed near your home. There you have it.

Columbus Lip Gloss...

Last night, the stormy skies were closing in on Columbus, Ohio to dampen the spirits of those who came out to see the "production" that is The Flaming Lips show. But, by the grace of the rock gods, the band's master plan was not spoiled. Maybe with a little onstage help from Captain America and Superman, they were clearly using their powers for goodness and turned the clouds away.

If you have never seen The Flaming Lips, most will tell you there is not another show like it. You can count on the music to be full of energy and strong tempo...but the celebration that takes place is truly a spectacle...an experience that makes you feel alive! There is never a shortage of balloons, smoke, lights, confetti and even a rubber nun hand puppet....they are just one kitchen sink shy of having it all on stage. Lead singer in a giant plastic bubble?...got it! Dancing Santas?...got 'em! Dancing female aliens?...got 'em! Videos screens flashing clips of japanese game show contestants?...oh yeah, got those too! A classic example of "you have to see it to believe it". At a time when there seems to be so much trouble in the world, it was nice to see a band that spreads hope, joy and optimism with it's performance. To some, it may all seem over the top...I like to think of it as creativity without limits. Whatever the Lips are doing, they now how to hype up a crowd and transport them to another time & place. Amazing show.

Like Sheep to the Slaughter...

No, not a post about endangered species...but, anyone who thinks that new heavy rock may be extinct...feel the fangs of Wolfmother. They are on the prowl throughout the U.S and have been steadily gaining fans with their high power, Zeppelin-esqe brand of rock. Their sound doesn't necessarily have the soaring vocals of Robert Plant, but you will still appreciate this power trio...definitely not a wolf in sheep's clothing (sorry, bad pun). They will be in the area at the Majestic Theater in Detroit on November 24th. This should be a great show!

Twee-Dee-Vee-Dee...

Here is a little blurb I spotted on
Wilco's website:
Nonesuch Records will release Sunken Treasure: Live in the Pacific Northwest, a performance DVD by Wilco's Jeff Tweedy, on October 24. The disc includes performances and conversations gathered over five nights on Tweedy’s February 2006 solo acoustic tour, with footage from concerts at Seattle’s Moore Theater, Portland’s Crystal Ballroom, Eugene’s McDonald Theater, Arcata’s Humboldt State University, and The Fillmore in San Francisco. The film was directed by Christoph Green and Fugazi’s Brendan Canty, the creators of the documentary series Burn to Shine.

The audio tracks of all the songs featured on the DVD also will be available for anyone who purchases Sunken Treasure to download for free. This continues Wilco’s own tradition of regularly giving music to its fans via the Internet. (Can't wait for that!)

Oh, here's one more Wilco media morsel: Don't ever let it be said that I don't have it in me to recommend a book (once in a while). If you are a big fan of Wilco, check out a book called Learning How To Die, by Greg Kot...it skillfully covers the history of Uncle Tupelo and Wilco and gives some interesting insight into Jeff Tweedy's mind and the path that brought him here today. Even those of you plagued with poor reading comprehension skills, like me, should still find this book to be a quick, fascinating story. There is even a website for the book...how's that for ironic?

Everybody Plays The Foo...

Bob Dylan has announced some new fall tour dates, but the choices for his opening act deserve equal attention...The Foo Fighters and The Raconteurs. If you weren't able to see The Foo Fighters on their short acoustic tour...fear not. Yeah, that's right, The Foo with Bob Dylan. Nice work, Bob...that's one way to keep it fresh. Who would've guessed...even Bob wants to hear "Everlong" unplugged.


Bob Dylan w/ The Foo Fighters
10-29 St. Paul, MN - Xcel Energy Center
10-31 Madison, WI - Kohl Center
11-02 Detroit, MI - Palace of Auburn Hills
11-03 London, Ontario - John Labatt Centre
11-05 Ottawa, Ontario - Scotiabank Place
11-07 Toronto, Ontario - Air Canada Centre
11-08 Montreal, Quebec - Bell Centre

Dylan w/ The Raconteurs
11-09 Portland, ME - Cumberland County Civic Center
11-11 Boston, MA - Agganis Arena
11-12 Boston, MA - Agganis Arena
11-13 Uniondale, NY - Nassau Coliseum
11-15 Amherst, MA - Mullins Center at University of Massachusetts
11-16 East Rutherford, NJ - Continental Airlines
11-17 Fairfax, VA - Patroit Center
11-18 Philadelphia, PA - Wachovia Spectrum

More Than Music...

Excuse this entry that strays off topic:
I recently stumbled across this video...a nice recap of an inspirational story about hoops and hope that took place a few months ago. Enjoy.

Killers On The Loose...

For those who care, The Killers have announced dates for a North American tour:

10-06 Los Angeles, CA - The Wiltern
10-07 Los Angeles, CA - The Wiltern
10-08 San Francisco, CA - Warfield Theatre
10-10 Portland, OR - Roseland Theater
10-11 Vancouver, British Columbia - Orpheum Theatre
10-12 Seattle, WA - Paramount Theatre
10-14 Magna, UT - The Great Salt Air
10-15 Denver, CO - Fillmore Auditorium
10-17 Chicago, IL - Congress Theatre
10-18 Detroit, MI - State Theatre
10-20 Toronto, Ontario - Koolhaus
10-21 Atlantic City, NJ - Borgata Event Center
10-23 Philadelphia, PA - Electric Factory
10-24 New York, NY - Theatre at Madison Square Garden
10-25 New York, NY - Theatre at Madison Square Garden
10-26 Boston, MA - Orpheum Theatre
10-28 Las Vegas, NV - Sam Boyd Stadium (Vegoose Festival)

Living Like A Refugee...

Something to keep an eye out for...

The Refugee All Stars are a group of musicians who lived for years as refugees in the West African nation of Guinea. While living in a tent camp, they acquired a couple beat up guitars and a rusted out sound system and began playing. American documentary filmmakers made the band the focus of their movie. The film's success allowed the band to record a full-length and to tour internationally. Born in the midst of a violent, decade-long civil war, the group and its music celebrate our ability to sustain hope, inspiration, and creativity - the best in us - even in a climate of rage, loss, and madness. The movie has played many film festivals and the band is starting to book more performances all over the U.S. They are scheduled to perform at Calvin College on November 3rd. I love that music can grow anywhere despite conditions...for some, it is a weapon of survival.

Kinda Like Paper or Plastic...

This is a quick note about an event called Revenge of the Bookeaters, which is going to be on a short tour beginning in late August. Not all details are final, but it looks interesting...check it out. Words or Music- which is better?....hmmm.

Photopalooza..

A few shots I took at Lollapalooza that I thought I would share for a little flavor.
Enjoy.

Into the city...














Wayne from Flaming Lips














Tweedy on the Jumbotron














Lolla Night Light














Mute Math Drummer equipped w/ chin strap














Sleater-Kinney

It's All About The Shows...

I got your shows...go and do:

8/11 Tom Waits @ Detroit Opera House
8/13 Wu Tang Clan @ Chene Park (Detroit)
8/13 Tim O'Reagan (ex-Jayhawks) @ Blind Pig
8/14 Bob Schneider @ The Ark
8/17 The Ditty Bops @ The Ark
8/17 Beirut @ Little Brothers
8/20 Mary J. Blige @ DTE
8/22 Reggae Sunsplash (UB40/Toots/etc.) @ DTE
8/24 Gary Jules @ Magic Bag
8/25 Foo Fighters (acoustic)w/ Frank Black @ Auditorium Theatre (Chicago)
8/26 Jurassic 5 @ St. Andrews
8/28 The Flaming Lips @ Lifestyles Pavilion (Columbus)
8/28 Gran Bel Fisher @ Borders In-Store (Ann Arbor)
8/31 Charlie Hunter @ Magic Bag
9/1 Ben Harper & Damian Marley @ Meadow Brook
9/3 Jamie Lidell @ The Metro (Chicago)
9/4 Balkan Beat Box & Ohmega Watts @ Grog Shop (Cleveland)
9/8 Brothers Past @ St. Andrews
9/8 Keane @ State Theater (Detroit)
9/8-9/10 Black Swamp Arts Fest in Bowling Green
9/9 Ratatat @ Blind Pig
9/9 M. Ward @ Little Brothers
9/11 Magnolia Electric Co. @ Blind Pig
9/12 Massive Attack @ State Theater (Detroit)
9/14 Snow Patrol @ Clutch Cargos
9/15 Birdmonster & Catfish Haven (somewhere in Detroit/TBD)
9/16 Tribe Called Quest @ Congress Theater (Chicago)
9/18 Cibelle @ The Ark
9/19 DJ Krush @ Shelter (Detroit)
9/20 Be Your Own Pet & Art Brut @ Magic Stick
9/20 Golden Smog @ The Vic (Chicago)
9/22 Rakim @ Fine Arts Theater (Detroit)
9/23 Eric Clapton @ The Palace
9/25 Calexico @ Beachland Ballroom
9/25 Ari Hest @ Blind Pig
9/28 Built To Spill @ St. Andrews
9/30 The Roots @ Case Western Reserve (Cleveland)
10/1 Clap Your Hands Say yeah @ House of Blues (Cleveland)
10/2 Joseph Arthur @ Magic Bag
10/2 HEM @ The Ark
10/3 KT Tunstall @ Newport (Columbus)
10/4 Mark Kozelek @ Blind Pig
10/5 Okkervil River @ Blind Pig
10/5 Long Winters @ Magic Stick
10/6 Dan Bern @ The Ark
10/6 Jenny Lewis (of Rilo Kiley) @ The Ark
10/7 RJD2 in Kalamazoo
10/7 Wilco @ Tall Stacks (Cinci)
10/11 Ben Kweller & Sam Roberts @ St. Andrews
10/11 DJ Shadow @ House of Blues (Cleveland)
10/13 Spinto Band @ Magic Stick
10/16 Madeleine Peyroux @ Michigan Theater
10/21 Cowboy Junkies @ The Ark
11/3 Citizen Cope @ Magic Stick
11/3 Red Hot Chili Peppers @ The Palace
11/4 The Blue van @ St. Andrews
11/4 Do Make Say Think @ Magic Stick
11/7 Hot Chip @ Grog Shop
11/13 jamie Lidell @ Grog Shop
11/16 Sia @ Magic Stick

So, there you have it...that is all I know.

Lolla-Reviewza...

My feet are beat, but they carried me through the festival. I plan to keep the recap short and sweet. Lollapalooza was well-organized and an amazing weekend of music. Three days of heat, sweat and diverse music. I enjoyed the chance to catch some bands and their abbreviated sets...the plan was to learn about some smaller bands that are new to my ears. So, here is a list of bands that I will definitely be checking out again (some I have seen) when they tour the midwest. Just one man's opinion...for what it's worth.
Sound Team
Anathallo
Cold War Kids
Ohmega Watts
Mute Math
Iron & Wine
Wolfmother
The Frames
Andrew Bird (amazing whistler)
Other great highlights included a great set by My Morning Jacket, a crowd pleasing performance by The Flaming Lips, a blast from the past with The Violent Femmes and a hometown heartfelt performance by Wilco. Check out some video I took of "Jesus, Etc."


...and here is "Heavy Metal Drummer"

Tweedy was perfect...seemed to be in a great mood. Probably still feeling the excitement of watching his son, Spencer, playing drums with his band, The Blisters, on Day 1 of the fest. Tweedy was actually 15 feet away from me for that show at the Kid's Stage and he had a giant smile on his face the whole time.