Category Archives: Articles

Check Out: “Nashville Rocks” Article In The Republic

PUJOL

A cool story about the Nashville music scene, which discusses some bands that we’ve covered and some other informative things about a burgeoning and supportive group of creative persons. Take a gander.

Link: http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/80bbbbc08e5a4ecba9604a3302dac39a/US–Music-Nashville-Rocks

Creative Loafing Atlanta (CLATL)/ Flashback Black Lips Circa ’03

Hey all, you know how I like to dig through old, archival shit to find hidden jewls on my favorite artists, right? Well, Creative Loafing Atlanta is an invaluable source for finding ancient articles on great Atlanta bands and KLYAM faves like the Black Lips and Deerhunter. Creative Loafing is a weekly magazine and is still up and runninng. Check out CLATL online: http://clatl.com/


Black Lips circa 2003- Creative Loafing

Here is a sweet article I found in CLATL’s vast amount of archives: http://clatl.com/atlanta/born-bad/Content?oid=1241550

This article entitled “Born Bad” is by Chad Radford and it is from May 7, 2003. Radford covers the Black Lips’ riotous behavior on and off stage, the early days of the Die Slaughterhaus, the then recent death of original guitarist Ben Eberbaugh, and the band’s inconceivable signing to Bomp! Records. It is great to see the band when they are really young and I find it fascinating that as early as 2003 Jared Swilley was using the line “We’re good-bad, not evil” years before the Vice release of the same name.

“A Decade of Debauchery: Die Slaughterhaus Hits the Double Digits”


Old King Cole YOUNGER!-  Photo by  Adam Bruneau. JHONI JACKSON’s archives: features, reviews and more

This is a year old, but I just found this to be far too informative and fun not to share it with you punk slimers out there. Here’s a great article by Jhoni Jackson about the Die Slaughterhaus’s tenth anniversery. The Die Slaughterhaus was a house venue turned label that began in 2001 in Atlanta, GA, showcasing the likes of some of the greatest rock and rollers of our generation in the form of the Black Lips, Deerhunter, the Carbonas, and more. This article/interview focuses mostly on the role of label head, Mark Naumann and how his particpation in this moment in time helped paved the way for similar artists/labels/venues in the Atlanta punk music scene(s) and beyond. Here’s the article: http://jhonijackson.blogspot.com/2011/07/feature-decade-of-debauchery-die.html

Peach Kelli Pop MTV Iggy Article!

Here’s a great article by Beverly Bryan entitled, “Sunshine, Rainbows, and Canada’s Peach Kelli Pop”: http://www.mtviggy.com/articles/sunshine-rainbows-and-canadas-peach-kelli-pop/

I love this desciption of the self-titled PKP debut: “The 2010 release is a true pop confection for people who believe in love and put chocolate syrup on foods that aren’t supposed to have chocolate syrup on them. The cherry on top is the way she makes lyrics about dreamy boys sound heartfelt no matter how tried and true the rhymes.”

 

Why American Idol is Evil

So, the following is an old rant of mine entilted, “Why American Idol is Evil” that I posted on my (and a few other KLAYMERS’) old blog, Wakefield Etudiant about three years ago. I wrote it in a notebook in a matter of 5-10 minutes whilst listening to The Replacements’ Stink EP. Then a few months later, I came across it and posted the basterd. Much to my amusement it received various comments, mostly hateful! lol After that it was posted on a forum or two and garnered even more (negative) comments. People seemed to take it way too seriously. I found it hilarious that readers actually thought I invested time and energy into making some sorta “journalistic endeavour,” when it really was just a written translation of my views on the show and the music industry with some exaggerations and strong language. Looking back at it now, I realize this rant is not my best piece of writing, but it sure is one of my favorites; after all it’s always a delight to piss people off. If I had written this piece today it would probably be different, but at the same time the general position is the same. Ok, so here’s the damn thang:

Music or art for that matter always meant to me, playing from your fucking heart, with no regard for who you offend. Some corporate bithces like to destroy this legacy and sell out for more money and more pussy. Fucke em’ I say. When I see Alice Cooper doing Staples commercials, I shake my head in disapproval, screaming to myself, “What happened to the ‘Parent’s Worst Nightmare,’ what happened to the snakes, the gory, torn apart chickens, ‘No More Mr. Nice Guy,’ and ‘School’s Out For Summer.” Well, I hate to break it you Mr. Cooper, you (and countless others) are “nice guys” and are the parents’ perfect image.
Seriously, it’s like the fucking 80’s again where your parents like the same music you do. Where’s the rebellion? Fuck, the entire nature of Rock and Roll is gone. I mean, don’t get me wrong it’s been dead for a while. Disco took a huge toll on us, MTV melted our brains with intellectually dilute, unimaginative, videos (still does, but videos are even dumber, less creative, and worst of all safer) and of course the 21st Century has brought us the greatest, most unholy, derelict, stain on the music world, none other than… American Idol.
I don’t know where to begin with this fucking show! It is evil, morally incorrect, and worst of all: sugar coated bullshit, fresh fo children of all ages! “Warning! if you like to use your brain or think for yourself and would rather listen to true fucking rebels, please turn your televison off right now. Thank you and may God bless your soul!” This caveat should appear in big fucking bold letters before they air AI (acutally most TV shows for that matter) on Fox and bring their filthy, government approved, pussy, garbage into millions of American Homes.
People always say to me, “come on now Chris, AI isn’t that bad, it gives countless, young , aspiring artists a chance to make it in the big time and millions of people can witness them do what they love on national television…” Fuck that! it assists countless young singers (who are doing the same fucking shit we’ve seen for the past few decades) become even bigger corporate, little bitches; slaves to a machine, that they are sadly oblivious to. When these faggots hop around and do their stupid fucking dances I just want to strangle each and every last one of them.
If Rock meant rebellion, rebelling to “the man,” then AI contestants are sucking the man’s cock and letting his pearly black cum posion millions across the nation, whenever they open their mouths. All artists, whether they are singers or whatever must do it themselves and do what they feel like doing, not what three, dickhead, judges want them to do. I mean can you picture an AI in 1967. Lou Reed sings “Heroin,” I bet Paula would say, “Lou that’s not exactly a safe song.” Or Hendrix out of his mind on acid setting his instrument ablaze. The fat, black guy (shit, what’s his name?), oh yeah, Randy, can you imagine him telling Jimi to put out the fire, cause it may turn off some of our viewers. Now, of course that would have never occurred because those artists had balls. It seriously makes my blodd curdle when I hear that young kids yearn to be big stars on AI. It’s the fucking kiss of death! There’s nothing dangerous or controversial about it and it is a major sign of how we have lost our momentum, ultimately becoming complacent zombies, eager to chow down on the next, fresch crap they have to serve us. Bullshit! Never do we have to accept crap, just because it is popular or because all of our friends adore it. Do a little searching, broaden your horizons and you will discover numerous classic and contemporary artists that always play from their fucking hearts. The music/art I get the biggest hard-ons for, offer me insight and best of all, allow me to think for myself. If you or a loved one enjoy watching AI or even worse want to be on AI (yikes!) please seek help! You are already a sell out, you sold out to yourself.

Top Ten Albums of All Time: Andrew

I figured with the new year it would be the perfect time to take a look back at the best (at least in my opinion) of the greatest albums of all time.

10. Oasis: (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? (October 1995)

The most recent album on my list and in my opinion the strongest album to come out in the last 20 years.  Once upon a time Oasis was the biggest band in the world thanks to this album which included hits like “Wonderwall” and “Don’t Look Back in Anger”.  Sadly while coming out with a solid body of work, they never quite lived up to the promise (and the pressure) of their second album.  Still it is an amazing album both timely and timeless, one that can be listened to 16 years later and still have impact.

9.  Led Zeppelin: Led Zeppelin IV (November 1971)

Not much to say about this choice, honestly I don’t think Zeppelin really pushed the boundaries with album continuity, but from beginning to end every song is for lack of a better term a masterpiece.  I can’t find a single flaw in any song from “Black Dog” to “When the Levee Breaks”.  Plus it’s Zeppelin doing what they do best, which is better than 99.9% of any other bands in rock history.

8. The Beatles: Let it Be (May 1970)

I might catch a little heat for this choice, after all even the Beatles weren’t happy with the first version, but the final Beatles album (although some will even debate me on that) spawned a solid motion picture and some great hits “Let it Be” and “The Long and Winding Road”.  As an added bonus the final version was created by musical genius and psychopath Phil Spector, so you have some of the greatest minds in music on this album and I think it shows.

7. The Cure: Disintegration (May 1989)

A return to the goth roots for the original goth band, Disintegration is a great album by a band that built a reputation on making great albums.  From  songs to “Lullaby” to “Love Song” this launched the Cure into the world-wide phenomenon that they are today.  It also influenced countless bands to follow, but no one did it better than the Cure.   

6.  Bob Dylan: Blonde on Blonde (May 1966)

Defiantly my favorite Dylan album and for me is Dylan at his finest hour.  It also has the distinction of being the first important double album.   “Visions of Johanna” is right up in my to 5 all time favorite songs, and was an important step in Dylan’s musical evolution.

5. David Bowie: The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (June 1972)

A concept album by the chameleon, David Bowie rose to new heights of fame with his Ziggy Stardust persona, which were both embodied and laid to rest in the Ziggy Stardust album.  Playing both showman and musician David Bowie would later abounded the “Ziggy sound” (a common theme in his career) but there is no denying that Ziggy Stardust was a product of on of the great true artist of our times.  

4. The Beatles: The White Album (November 1968)

Another classic Beatles album and also the Beatles at their most experimental (“Revolution 9” anyone), but as far-reaching as it is, it’s still pretty concise.  They know what they are doing and they execute it flawlessly.  Plus it gave us gems like “Blackbird” and “While my Guitar Gently Weeps”.

3. The Clash: London Calling (December 1979)

For me this is the one of the most important albums in the history of modern music hands downs.  Including a variety of musical elements such as ska, jazz, and soul, this is the definitive punk album and led the way for a musical revolution.  Nobody has incorporated as many musical elements into one album as successfully as the Clash did with London Calling.

2. The Rolling Stones: Exile on Main Street (May 1972)

In my opinion this is the Stones finest work, released as a double LP Exile on Main Street this was a creative high for the Stones.  A rock and blues album more than anything, the Stones goes into uncharted territory for them and it pays of big time for them and helps to establish them as one of the greatest and long-lasting acts in rock and roll. 

1. The Beatles: Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (June 1967)

What more can you say about this album that hasn’t already be said, the greatest rock band in history took a gamble and it paid off and they created the greatest album ever made.  Also “A Day in the Life” is perhaps the perfect ending for any album ever.

Looking back the list probably could have used some Soul, R&B, maybe even some PoP.  Perhaps Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Prince, maybe even Michael Jackson.  Then of course they are the rock greats I am missing, no Clapton, Lennon (solo), Springsteen.  So tell me what do you think?  Miss anything major?

Wolf Parade on ‘Indefinite Hiatus’

Wolf Parade

Bit of sad news (for me at least) Wolf Parade announced that they will be going on an ‘Indefinite Hiatus’ to work on their various other projects.  While they did say they will be a couple of shows in 2011, there is no time table to return to the studio for a follow up to their excellent third album “Expo 86”.  In the meantime we can expect another Handsome Furs album in the near future so it doesn’t appear to be a bad blood issue, just a creative decision.

You can read more at spinner.com:

http://www.spinner.com/2010/11/29/wolf-parade-indefinite-hiatus/

Limewire Shut Down in US Court

http://www.spinner.com/2010/10/28/limewire-effectively-shut-down/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-11635320

After four years of being tied up in courts file sharing group Limewire has been issued an injunction that reads “This is an official notice that LimeWire is under a court ordered injunction to stop distributing and supporting its file-sharing software.” It adds that “downloading or sharing copyrighted content without authorization is illegal”. Limewire has said it will come up with a new program to comply with the court order and put the user “back at the centre” of the music experience