2009: The Live Album

RXP asked its listeners to report their top 9 concerts of 2009, and I thought I would share them here as well.

1) Snow Patrol @ Beacon Theatre- This was without a doubt my favorite live experience with a band this year. The funny thing about this is that it was the only one on this list that I didn't go with anyone else. Normally it is the whole experience of going to see your favorite band perform live with a friend singing by your side that makes a concert special, but that just goes to show how great a performance they gave. I hardly noticed I couldn't find anyone who loved them enough to say "money is no object" and trek out to see them on a Tuesday night. I also really loved the venue they were at. It was a really nice place with a good atmosphere. I would definitely go back there if the right band was playing. One of my favorite moments from that night was this:



2) Green Day @ MSG- This was another great experience for me. "21st Century Breakdown" was the soundtrack of my summer, and it came to a climax getting to see these guys live (finally) at Madison Square Garden. What made it extra special was getting to see it with one of my best friends. Words still can't describe the utter joy this night brought to my life, but this video shares my favorite moment of that night:



3) Mates of State @ Webster Hall - The word "experience" pretty much sums up every story I have to share here. I had a mild obsession with Mates of State, and was extremely agitated that I was unable to see them live. That was until my favorite concert partner surprised me by announcing that he had been guest listed for the show and had a +1 if I wanted to come with. Of course I said yes, and thus memories were born, including this one:



4) Switchfoot @ Irving Plaza - I have been meaning to see these guys perform for about two years now, but it was only recently that I was able to make this happen. I happened to mention the show offhand to one of my friends and he became so incredibly excited that I knew we had to go together. It was a great night, and they are fantastic live. It's hard to say what was my favorite song that night, but this definitely is on the list:



5) Amanda Palmer @ Highline Ballroom - It is ironic that one of my favorite moments came during one of the hardest times of my life (and the low point of my year). Despite that, I still had one of the best nights of my life. It was such an uplifting experience that it was hard to stay down for long. The night was an emotional rollercoaster. The most fun was had when the opening act got back on stage to help sing a cover of Yakity Yak:



6) Kevin Devine @ Music Hall Of Williamsburg - Kevin played for two hours in this epically good night. If there was a song he didn't play, I don't think anyone noticed. Not only is Kevin a great singer, he is overall a great performer. Even the banter during his shows becomes part of the performance, as seen here:



7) Amanda Palmer @ Music Hall of Williamsburg - I know, I already mentioned how great AFP is, but she is so epically AMAZING that she deserves a separate entry for both times I saw her this year. This one was a surprise birthday present from one of my best friends. That alone made it special. It was also great getting to experience Amanda on a night where I was in a much better place emotionally. Highlight of the night? Right here:



8) Handsome Furs @ Bowery Ballroom - Love this band, and it's always great to see them live. The first time was just me tagging along with a friend who needed someone to go with. Now I love them just as much as she does. Here's one reason why:



9) Jukebox the Ghost @ Bowery Ballroom (CMJ) - This was one of the only bands I actually saw during CMJ this year, but they were all I really needed. Every band that night was good, but I was really here to see these guys work their magic. The stage was decorated in a holiday motif, the fans were packed in and beaming with excitement. I met two really cool people at this show who I still talk to online and plan to (hopefully) see again at some point. Unfortunately the only video I can find is from CMJ last year, but it's still pretty good.



*all videos found on YouTube and were not taken by yours truly. have to give credit where credit is due*

This year in music - 2009

There is no denying it, 2009 has been a great year for music. A semi-complete list can be found on WIkipedia (linked above; if you love them as much as I do then please donate to them today. Knowledge is priceless). Here is a sample of their list plus a few of my own additions from bands most people don't know exist.

Green Day
AC/DC
Switchfoot
Sunset Rubdown
Bon Jovi
Dredg
The Killers
John Mayer
Alice in Chains
Phoenix
Snow Patrol – greatest hits
Dave Matthews
Pearl Jam
Reliant K
311
Fooling April
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Bell X1
The Fray
Muse
Pete Yorn
Franz Ferdinand
Bruce Springsteen
Lily Allen
Ben Folds
Thursday
U2
Handsome Furs
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Death Cab for Cutie
Manchester Orchestra
Depeche Mode
Taking Back Sunday
The Airborme Toxic Event
Black-Eyed Peas
Wilco
Nightmare of You
Modest Mouse
Third Eye Blind
Artic Monkeys
Smile Empty Soul
Paramore
Tegan & Sara

All had albums come out this year. Some I have heard and fallen in love with. Others are just artists I have liked in the past but unfortunately didn't get a chance to listen to their complete new albums yet. The really noteworthy ones for me have been reviewed on this blog at one point or another (most likely close to when the album first came out, since these would be the ones I anticipated the most). I especially want to highlight Green Day, Muse, and Switchfoot, which have been the top three albums on my playlist for most of this year. Also a special shout out to that band you probably only heard about here: Fooling April. Since this is the obscure album on my list I will put special focus on it and the band now. This band has been slowly gaining popularity over in their home area (Philadelphia) for a few years now. Their new album "Three" was released over the summer and became part of my soundtrack during that time (right alongside Green Day's "21st Century Breakdown"). They have been one of my favorite bands since I discovered their existence 2 years ago. Here is a small sample from their latest album plus an interview done before the album came out:

I highly recommend checking them out if you haven't already. They definitely have potential to be something special.

In music news there were a few surprises this year too. We saw a reemergence of Blink 182 and No Doubt, both of which had huge tours over the summer. We also saw Nine Inch Nails, Fall Out Boy, and Foo Fighters go on hiatus. We saw Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga take hold of the year, and bid a sad farewell to the King of Pop: Michael Jackson. It certainly was an eventful year in the music world. Here are some video highlights to leave with:

January:
Franz Ferdinand - Can't Stop Feeling (from Tonight:Franz Ferdinand)


February:
The Fray - You Found Me (from The Fray)


March:
U2 - I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight (from No Line On The Horizon)


Handsome Furs - I'm Confused (from Face Control)


April:
Silversun Pickups - Panic Switch (from Swoon)


Depeche Mode - Wrong (from Sounds of the Universe)


May:
Green Day - 21 Guns (from 21st Century Breakdown)


Phoenix - 1901 (from Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix)


June:
Dave Matthews Band - Funny the Way It Is (from Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King)


Black Eyed Peas - I Gotta Feeling (from The E.N.D.)


Dredg - Information (from The Pariah, the Parrot, the Delusion)


July:
Our Lady of Peace- All You Did Was Save My Life (from Burn Burn)

Our Lady Peace - New Music - More Music Videos

August:
Artic Monkeys - Crying Lightning (from Humbug)


Artic Monkeys - Cornerstone (also from Humbug)

(I loved both these videos so much I just couldn't choose between the two)

September:
Muse - Uprising (from The Resistance)


Pearl Jam - The Fixer (from Backspacer)

Pearl Jam the fixer official video hd
Uploaded by giorgiolucchese. - Music videos, artist interviews, concerts and more.

October:
Reliant K - Forget and Not Slow Down (from Forget and Not Slow Down)

(Sorry, best I could find)

November:
Snow Patrol - Just Say Yes (from Up To Now)


Bon Jovi - We Weren't Born To Follow (from The Circle)


Switchfoot - Mess of Me (from Hello Hurricane)


December:
30 Seconds to Mars - Kings and Queens (from This Is War)


Keeping rocking on well into the new year. And have a happy one.

Sherlock Holmes is Elementary Entertaining

"Magically good"

That is what I would call the Sherlock Holmes film that has just been delivered to the big screen this Christmas. The story is full of the twists and turns you would expect from a Holmes mystery, but it never leaves the viewer feeling lost. It was intriguing watching Holmes and Watson work their magic. It was equally amusing getting to see the characters I had known for some time already, come to life in a whole new way. Growing up with Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce in my living room, there was always a certain picture that came to mind when I thought of these characters. I knew this movie would be different, but it was done in a way that gave the characters a new charge of energy without overdoing it. Overall I was impressed with the finished product and left the theater quite pleased with the whole experience. (Then again, I knew going in that it would be good). When asked how I deduced this, our blogger simply answered, "Why, elementary my dear Watson. Did you see the trailer?"

RIP Rev

As many may have heard already, Jimmy "the Rev" Sullivan passed away yesterday. He was 28-years-old. Sullivan was drummer and back-up vocalist for the band Avenged Sevenfold. This was the message the band posted on their MySpace to all their fans:

It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we tell you of the passing today of Jimmy “The Rev” Sullivan. Jimmy was not only one of the world's best drummers, but more importantly he was our best friend and brother. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Jimmy's family and we hope that you will respect their privacy during this difficult time.

Jimmy you are forever in our hearts.
We love you.

M Shadows, Synyster Gates, Zacky Vengeance and Johnny Christ


I listened to them a lot when I was a freshman in college, and my favorite album was City of Evil. As a memorial I thought I would post the video for the single of that album, "Bat Country".

Movie Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone! I thought I would celebrate with a list of my favorite Christmas movies and maybe share a memory or two attached to each one. Here it goes:

1) White Christmas - Ironically enough, I used to hate this movie as a kid. Now it is one of my favorites. I remember sitting in my grandparents house and being bored out of my mind as everyone payed more attention to me than the movie. Now I love everything about it and understand why they loved it so much. The music is great as is the story. A holiday classic that everyone should see at least once (and I defy you to only want to watch it once).

2) Next for me would probably be A Christmas Carol, specifically the 1951 version with Alastair Sim. To me this man was Scrooge. There was anther version with Patrick Stewart that I recently saw which is also good, but nothing beats my first experience with the character.

3) I'm going to lump all my favorite childhood ones together, simply because I always watched these as a group when I was younger. This includes A Charlie Brown Christmas, Rudolph, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and Frosty the Snowman. I remember watching these with my Mom while eating Christmas cookies and drinking cocoa. I'm actually watching Rudolph now (minus the cookies and milk).

4) It's A Wonderful Life is another one of those movies I hated as a kid but absolutely love as I make may way towards adulthood. Some of my favorite lines come from this movie, including the classic "Isn't it wonderful, I'm going to jail." This is one of those movies that can make you laugh one minute then cry the next. It really tests your emotions and pushes them to the limit. A classic that everyone should experience at least once (and once may be all you can handle until next year).

Some may think that Miracle on 34th Street should come next but, since I have only ever seen it once many moons ago, I can't actually add it to my list. I have been meaning to visit this classic again (since I know it really is a classic) but have yet to get the chance. Maybe next year...

Hope you have a wonderful holiday season and are ready to welcome the new year in style. And as Tiny Tim would say, "God bless us, everyone."

Christmas Releases

For those who celebrate, Merry Christmas Eve. For those who don't, Happy Holidays. And for those who don't celebrate anything remotely connected to religion, you'll get a Happy New Year from me in a week. I think that about covers it. Now on to the good stuff.

Movie releases. There are a couple good ones coming out tomorrow, including one I've been waiting for since I found out about it this summer. That would be Sherlock Holmes. I know this isn't going to be your typically Holmes tale, but I still look forward to what it potentially has to offer me.

Another movie I am excited about is The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus. This was the movie Heath Ledger was working on before he died. The entire cast for this one looks great and the story seems intriguing so I look forward to seeing the finished product here. So far it is only supposed to have a limited release (festivals and LA/NYC), but if it does well to start and enough people show interest then we might be able to get it in more cities across the country.

The only other releases tomorrow are "It's Complicated", which hasn't reached the hole I have been living in quite yet and "Nine". The cast for "Complicated" looks good but I couldn't tell you whether or not it is worth checking out just yet. "Nine" also has potential but I am on the fence as to whether or not I actually am going to see it. Might just wait for the DVD and Netflix that one.

Overall, Christmas looks like it's going to be good to the movie industry this year. Holmes should do fairly well, seeing as how the character already has a decent fanbase. Hopefully Parnassus gets a Christmas miracle and sees great success as well.

Bands Just Wanna Have Fun

I follow a very select few bands on Twitter, but when I do it usually is because they have that extra special something that makes them worth following. I like to call it The Fun Factor. This brings us to the reason we are here tonight. We're here to have fun. It's why we follow you all over the state (or country) and it's why we buy more of your merch than anyone elses and it's why we give you more of ourselves than other bands. All of this because you are a band that knows how to have fun.

One band that I fell in love with from the first song because of this "Fun Factor" is Jukebox the Ghost. They recently released a cover of the song 'Temptation" and this video I found of them performing it live reminded me of how fun their music is and how much fun it is watching them perform.

Lilith Fair Returns

Spin Magazine reports that Lilith Fair tour will return in 2010. This is the biggest girl fest the music industry has to offer us, and already there is quite a group of talented ladies lined up for the tour, which is set for summer 2010. Sarah McLachlan, Sheryl Crow and Tegan & Sara are just some of the lovely ladies to get excited about thus far. I know one lady by the name of Alyson Greenfield (who I have mentioned on this blog before) is excited about this announcement and would love the opportunity to play with these talented female artists. She is so excited about this that she even wrote Lilith fair a song to share her enthusiasm. As I listen to my Lilly Allen station on Pandora (which is the ultimate in girl power playlists) I get excited too.

Hello Hurricane is a Perfect Storm

Hello Hurricane is Switchfoot's seventh studio album and their most recent to date. The album is louder and more energized than previous albums by the band, but still remains true to their Christian Rock roots. There is simply more emphasis on the "rock" aspect here. The title track is a perfect example of this. The music is upbeat and perfect to dance to, but the words provide the typical positive and hopeful message that the band is known for. The words "Hello hurricane, you're not enough. Hello hurricane, you can't silence my love," share the message that the speaker is not going to let the storms of life get them down or silence their belief. Switchfoot is one of the few bands I can think of that always seem to have positive and uplifting music that doesn't fall into the trap of being dull. With the new album they have been able to amplify this ability to captivate their audience to the next degree. The band has been around for 13 years now with no signs of slowing down any time soon. It gives me hope for the music world to see this band flourish. In a time when everything else seems to be about negativity and what can go wrong, Switchfoot gives the listener something to feel good about.

Switchfoot Hello Hurricane Tour

I just got back from seeing Switchfoot play Irving Plaza in NYC, and boy do I have some positive feedback to share. The show was part of their Hello Hurricane tour, which coincides with the release of their new album by the same name. I have to admit I have not listened to the album in its entirety before tonight (although this will change ASAP). Having said that, it was still an enjoyable performance to say the least. They played the new album in order from first song to last as the first half of their set. The second half consisted of fan favorites from the past three albums. The set list for the second half was as follows:

Meant To Live

Stars

Shadow Proves The Sunshine

Oh Gravity

Lucky Man (Verve cover)

24

Dare you To Move

Encore:

This Is Your Life

Awakening

Pictures should go up before New Years. I apologize to those who think I am a liar when I said I would post Amanda Palmer photos, but life happened that day and continued happening for the next few weeks. Once this poor college student wraps up the semester things should go back to their regularly scheduled happenings.

Muse Tours America

Muse has announced 6 shows of what will be their 2010 tour. For those who have been reading this blog since it's conception, you may recall I have mentioned this band before. When they released their latest album (The Resistance), toured with U2, and had a special performance at the VMAs, I predicted they would slowly gain more exposure from this that would hopefully create enough buzz to bring them to the U.S. and it would seem I was right. The date for New York City is March 5th at Madison Square Garden. I hoped they would get big enough to play this venue, but I never imagined it would happen this quickly. Silversun Pickups is set to open for them. The show is brought to us by RXP and Bowery Presents. Thank you both for making the dreams of American Muse fans come true.

2010 World Cup

For anyone who is interested, here is a quick post announcing the draw for the 2010 World Cup. My predictions/hopefuls are as follows:

Group A: South Africa
Group B: Argentina (Second choice, Greece)
Group C: If not the U.S. then England
Group D: Germany
Group E: Denmark (or maybe the Netherlands, not sure about this one)
Group F: Italy
Group G: Brazil
Group H: Spain (although Switzerland would make me happy if they proved me wrong here)

Who do you think is going to come out on top? Or maybe the better question is who you WANT to end up the winner.

Party Crashers

Many of the posts on this blog are inspired by either a link or news story I find that intrigues me enough that I want to comment on it. Today's link is one of the many pieces in response to the party crashers at President Obama's State Dinner. It is a letter to the president from Tom Foreman, a correspondent with CNN who can be seen occasionally on Anderson Copper 360. In his letter he points out that we are lucky these people were only trying to climb the social ladder and weren't actually dangerous. While this is true I have to ask: Why are we giving them so much press time then? It seems to me that we could report how serious this is without giving them the recognition they were obviously looking for. This just gives them validation. Where's the punishment? If these people have gotten everything they wanted out of this experience, then what tells them it was wrong and they shouldn't do it again or else? Obviously this story is still ongoing so punishment of some kind could still be in the works. If not, I may have to put America on notice, Colbert style.

My Black Friday Experience

Traditionally Black Friday marks the start of the Christmas season and is the day most stores finally start to see a profit after a year of being "in the red". Yesterday I ventured out into the scary world of shopping to purchase a new computer (MacBook Pro, for those who are curious). It was early afternoon, but already many people had gone back into their secure bubbles of non-spending. After hearing stories of people camping overnight for the best early bird specials, it seems most of these did their shopping early in the morning while I was still fast asleep and were now safely back home. Don't get me wrong, the Apple store was still crowded, but then again it usually is. It wasn't the scary level of crowded I had expected though. It would seem many are still scared to open their wallets for anything that is not a necessity just yet. We will have to wait and see if this continues through the Christmas season. Will we see a rise on homemade gifts this year? Only time will tell...

President Obama in a Thanksgiving Tradition

Thanksgiving Survival Guide

Thanksgiving, a time spent sitting around the table sharing what we are thankful for in between helpings of turkey and stuffing... and trying not to kill any of our relations in the process. That's why the link for today shares a few tips on how to survive Thanksgiving with the family. So grab a drumstick and a glass of wine and try to remember what is really important about today... the pumpkin pie.

just kidding ^_^

Glee Gone Until April

According to my sources (see above) Glee will be going on hiatus until April. When it comes back it will be moved to Tuesday night at 9pm... the same time as Lost. If Fox was trying to make their biggest hit come crashing down then congratulations, you have done your job. With Lost wrapping up its last season I highly doubt many viewers will be choosing to DVR it for their Glee-full guilty pleasure. Hopefully this doesn't hurt the rating too much and it is able to continue after it loses Lost as competition.

Hooked On Technology

I recently had a conversation with someone about how prominent technology is today and thought it would make for an interesting discussion. I argued that technology (specifically computers and cell phones) was both a blessing and a curse. It is a blessing because it helps makes our daily lives much easier, but it is also a curse because we are never sure what to do when it stops working. We are too dependent on it at this point to be able to function without it. He countered by saying that it is not that we are too dependent on technology; it is that everyone else uses it, so therefor we must do so as well. If we do not follow the rest of the world, we will have trouble keeping up. It was an interesting argument, but I wonder if this doesn't still translate to the same end result. We may not need technology to get by in our own lives, but without it we will not be able to keep in contact to the same degree the rest of the world is able to.

Discussion on this matter is welcome, whether you follow the blog regularly or are just passing by. I look forward to seeing what others have to say on the matter.

Amanda Palmer Slays Music Hall of Williamsburg

Last night Amanda Palmer played to a sold out (and energized) Music Hall of Williamsburg. The crowd loved her from the moment she marched on stage. Nervous Cabaret (the opening act) played the beginning and end of the set with her, including marching with her from the back of the venue to the stage. Other guests for the evening included Sxip Shirey and Franz Nicolay, both of whom joined Amanda during the encore. The set consisted of the usual combination of Dresden Dolls songs, selections from the solo album, and a few covers. There was also the Ask Amanda segment, which is usually both amusing and informative. Something that was added for this tour, however, was an artist is selected for each show to complete a drawing which will be auctioned at the end of the night. This show there were actually two artists, so two pieces were auctioned towards the end of the set. The entire night played out almost like a theater production (solidified by the addition of Franz to the final songs). Amanda has always been a pleasure for me to see live, and this time was no exception. Words can't fully describe the experience, so pictures will be added to this post by the end of the day.

Alyson Greenfield Nov 13th (tonight!) @ Santos Party House

Spend your Friday the 13th at Santos Party House (96 Lafayette Street) for a night of music and creepy good times. Show starts at 7pm, Alyson goes on at 9pm. Other performers include:

Sydney Wayser
Emilyn Brodsky
Lachi
Zambri

It promises to be a very good night.

Alyson Greenfield - When You Were Young

Playing multiple instruments at once... can you say talent? Plus you gotta love the toy piano...

Switchfoot - Mess of Me

The new video for "Mess of Me" by Switchfoot is up on their YouTube page. Also, tickets are on sale for their upcoming tour. The New York date is 12/8 at The Filmore Irving Plaza. Personally I have never had the chance to see them live, although I have be trying for about two years now. Anyone have an opinion on their live show? Comments on this are welcome.

Snow Patrol - Just Say Yes

Snow Patrol's new video for "Just Say Yes" was posted on YouTube a couple of weeks ago. I've linked to it above for those who haven 't seen it yet. The song appears on their new album, "Up to Now" which will be available November 9th. The album is mostly a compilation of songs spanning their entire career, but there are also three new tracks that will be included. "Just Say Yes" is the first of these to be released.

Sherlock Holmes

In case you weren't excited enough, the new Sherlock Holmes trailer is out for your viewing pleasure. (link above).

And if you haven't seen it yet you should watch the original trailer as well.

Some may be skeptical because this version looks like more action than they are used to with their prize detective, but I am actually quite thrilled. The original story was always grimier than the Basil Rathbone movies made him out to be. Looks to me like they are trying to show that here. Just as long as they don't take it too far I think it will be thoroughly enjoyable.

Jukebox the Ghost Sheet Music

Ever wondered how to play "Hold It In" or "Good Day" for yourself. Well now you can learn. Jukebox the Ghost has put the sheet music for some of their songs up for sale. Each song is about $4 or you can buy the set for $12.95. Place to do so has been linked to. Happy playing!

101.9 RXP Presents Matt Pinfield’s Holiday Extravaganza

Looks like z100 isn't the only radio station planning a huge holiday concert this season. It may not feature nearly as many artists, but 101.9 RXP has announced their holdiay concert, which is scheduled for December 2nd. Details can be found on their website (or I've linked to it above). The line-up currently includes Phoenix, Passion Pit, Jack's Mannequin, and Manchester Orchestra. Sounds like a decent night of music, if you ask me.

Foo Fighters vs. Tom Petty

I got an email from someone who thought that the new Foo Fighters single, "Wheels" sounds a lot like Tom Petty's "Learning to Fly". Said person was concerned this would lead to a lawsuit. While I do hear some similarities, I do not feel it is close enough to warrant concern. You can judge for yourself though.

Happy Halloween

To celebrate Halloween (and becasue I am mildly obsessed with him) I thought I would post this article and video with a short reading from Stephen King's new book, "Under the Dome".

So what is everyone doing this year for Halloween? You certainly have plenty of options, that's for sure.

The main event tonight will be World Inferno playing Grand Ballroom in their annual Hallowmas extravaganza. Doors are at 8pm. O'Death to open. This show has sold out so if you haven't bought your ticket yet then have fun sneaking in.

Tegan and Sara are playing Town Hall for the second night. Katie Stelmanis is opening. Doors are at 7:30, show starts at 8pm.

Deer Tick plays the songs of the Sex Pistols at Brooklyn Bowl. Doors are at 6pm and show starts at 9pm. You can get in for free if you wear a costume, so get creative.

Kevin Devine opens for the Get Up Kids at The Filmore at Irving Plaza. 9pm show.

I'm sure there are plenty of other shows and parties happening throughout the night if you don't like any of the ones I have listed. Plus there's always the Halloween Parade that is held every year in Greenwich Village. Whatever you do, I hope you have a Spooktacular good time

Lost Curtain Call

The series finale of Lost is fast approaching. The trailer doesn't reveal much of anything but I figured I would post it anyway.



Are you ready?

Stephen King: Under the Dome

Stephen King's latest novel "Under the Dome" is set to go on sale November 10th. This is a book that has been 30 years in the making. "Every time I went back and picked it up again, science had changed," he told Entertainment Weekly. Follow the link for the full article, as well as the trailer for the release of the book.

CMJ in Video

The blog is sad with lack of posting, so here are a couple videos from CMJ. I didn't take any of them but the first one is from the Bowery show I went to on the 20th and the second is from the show I almost went to on Saturday the 24th. Enjoy!

Switchfoot to Tour Again

Tickets go on sale today for Switchfoot's latest tour. This is in anticipation of their new album "Hello Hurricane" which comes out this November. The tour itself starts October 30th in Florida and hits the NY/NJ area December 8th when they come to Irving Plaza. Tickets for that show are $25. This blogger has missed every chance to see Switchfoot live and may just have to go see this show. Will you be there?

Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day

Bon Jovi Announces World Tour

Bon Jovi has announced a world tour to go along with the upcoming new album they are currently working on. The New Jersey stop will consist of two dates at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East rutherford, NJ. The last tour Bon Jovi did was also the opening of Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. Seeing as how the band is the pride of NJ it only seems fitting that they play such an important role in the expansion of the music scene here.

BRM CMJParties

Beyond Race Magazine will be hosting two free parties today and tomorrow at Crash Mansion. The one tonight is from 5-8pm and features Apollo Heights, Bodega Girls, Jeff the Brotherhood, and Love Language. The one tomorrow is from 4-7pm and features Army/Navy, Pete and the Pirates, Kiss Kiss, and Helado Negro. So go check out some free performances and have a few drinks.

While you're there tonight, why not stay for the show to follow. TM Promotions is bringing you Nick Howard, Alyson Greenfield + more. Show starts at 10:30pm. Nick and Alyson are both great performers (although I am a little biased when it comes to Alyson) so it is definitely worth sticking around for.

Windows 7 release

Anyone out there with a complaint about Wondows Vista raise your hand?

That's what I thought. Well have no worry because hope is here. Windows 7 has been officially released to the public. There is even a deal for college students to get a discount on an upgrade. You better act fast though because it is only available until January 2010. Perfect timing for people making their Christmas lists...

CMJ 2009 Day 1 - Jukebox the Ghost + more

While others bounced from one venue to the next (see title link for example) I spent opening night of CMJ at Bowery Ballroom. Due to time issues I missed the first band, Care Bears On Fire, but the rest of the night was full of great music with lots of energy. We had a surprise visit from Lights Resolve, who were added to the bill last minute.





Next was Zach Williams accompanied by his band. I have seen him solo acoustic before, so I was not ready for the huge amount of energy that they brought to the table. It was quite a pleasant surprise.





Following Zach were co-headliner Stand, an Irish band with another enjoyable set.





Finally was the moment I had been waiting for, Jukebox the Ghost. They played mostly new songs, but there were also the fan favorites "Hold It In" and "Good Day". I met a couple other enthusiastic fans who enjoyed the set just as much as I did (if not more).







*all photos by Christine Wagenheim

CMJ Starts Today

Just a quick post to remind everyone that CMJ starts today. The only thing I will be going to is Jukebox the Ghost/Stand at Bowery Ballroom. Opening for them are Zach Williams and Care Bears on Fire. The rest of the week for me has yet to be decided. You can follow CMJ through their website or on Twitter. Hope everyone has a great week.

Joss Whedon to direct episode of Glee

Joss Whedon, the guy who gave us Buffy: the Musical (one of the most popular episodes of the series) and Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, is going to dip his toes in the musical pool again. This time he will be directing an episode of the musical comedy, Glee. The show has always given me the same musical campy feeling that Whedon's work has for me, so this seems like a good move in my book. In fact, I hope he directs more future episodes as well. This isn't to say that the show isn't good as is, far from it actually. I just think that once in awhile Whedon could add a little something to the mix that would be quite welcome by viewers. This will also attract new viewers who may not be paying attention to the show yet, but would be hooked after following this one directed by their god of television (yes, I do believe there are people who worship him enough to watch just for this alone). It will be interesting to watch the ratings before and after this episode airs (whenever that might be). Presumably he won't start working on this until he has a break from Dollhouse, which is his latest attempt at making fantasy television viewers squee with delight. The fact that it is currently in its second season means it is already doing better than Firefly, which has a cult following but never did well enough in the ratings to stay alive very long. Personally, I am behind in my Dollhouse viewing (just about to finish DVD of first season), but what I have seen so far I have thoroughly enjoyed. I hope it has staying power equal to his previous hits of Buffy or Angel. As with most things, only time will tell.

Big Picture Media CMJ Showcase

CMJ SHOWCASE SCHEDULE
8pm - 8:20pm: Chevonne

8:30pm - 8:50pm: A Clear Blurr

9:10pm - 9:40pm: The New Collisions

10:00pm - 10:30pm: Nightmare of You

10:50 - 11:20pm: Lights Resolve

11:40pm - 12:05pm: Grudgeholder

12:25am - 12:55am: Super 400

1:15am - 1:45am: Love Grenades

Upcoming Dates

TM Promotions has apparently been busy, as they have announced three news shows for the month of October. Here's all the info (or follow the link to their Facebook page):

Sunday October 18th @ 7:10pm
folk/punk show @ Lake Johnson
258 Johnson Ave, Brooklyn, NY

Tuesday October 20th @ 6:30pm (w/Whitesmith Entertainment
8 bands @ Crash Mansion, including:
Invade Rome
Fearsom Sparrow
Demander
Sydney Wayser
Family Of The Year
Denice Barbarita and The Morning Papers
YYula Beeri and The Extended family
Horray For Earth

Thursday October 22nd @ 10pm
acoustic showcase @ Crash Mansion
includes Nick Howard, Alyson Greenfield + more

All three look to be good shows. I will be attending at least one (possibly two) of them. Hope to see you there.

Thursday, October 15 Shows

Tonight there are three great shows you could be going to.

1) Titus Andronicus and So So Glows at Knitting Factory in Brooklyn. If it weren't for the weather wearing me down I would be going to this.

2) Gaslight Anthem at Terminal 5. Also playing are Murder By Death, Jesse Malin, and Broadway Calls. Anyone who had a ticket to see Gaslight play All Points West can use it to get a free drink tonight.

3) Airborne Toxic Event at Webster Hall. This show is sold out so if you don't already have tickets you're out of luck.

Hope the bad weather doesn't ruin your day and you are able to go out and enjoy one of these shows. They all look like they should be memorable events.

Glee Gives Something For Everyone

Some may have been skeptical when Glee presented itself as a "musical comedy" that it would be able to survive in network television. Even science fiction shows usually have higher hopes than the whimsical fare shows like Glee give viewers. I consider myself one of the many that are Gleeful over how well the show has done in the ratings so far though. Not only that but there have been some hits on iTunes as well. There is even talk of the first of hopefully many Glee soundtracks, which would give the public an opportunity to own all the snappy numbers that have been featured on the show so far (which range from country to hip hop and everything in between). With something to attract a whole host of people, Glee should have no trouble snagging enough viewers for a continuation of the show. Musicians everywhere, rejoice, for music has been brought amongst the masses... and it was good.

Fun Theory

Through the powers of social media I have stumbled upon this intriguing idea brought to us by Volkswagen. The idea basically says that people are more likely to do things that are better for them (and the environment) when they are presented in a more enjoyable way. For example, the first video shows that more people took the stairs vs. the escalator when the stairs were transformed into a giant piano, thus making them more entertaining and preferable to the ease of the escalator. A slightly more detailed article on the experiment can be found here . A second video shows more people refraining from littering and actually using trash bins when it is shown to be more fun, while a third video reports that coming soon will be an experiment on making recycling more enjoyable. Can't wait to see how that one turns out.

Nobel Prize Goes to Pres Obama

President Obama was chosen as the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize this year. Some question whether or not he has done anything deserving enough of this high honor quite yet. True he shows promise, but the award shouldn't be anticipatory of the future success he hopes to have while in office. What are your thoughts on this matter? I'd love to get differing opinions.

Google Doodles: The Barcode

Anyone who has visited Google today may have noticed a giant barcode on the top of their screen. No, Google is not selling itself to the highest bidder. It is recognizing the invention of the barcode, which is celebrating its 57th anniversary. The story (which I have linked to) is actually somewhat interesting if you like reading about random things such as this that no one seems to care about. Something to think about when you purchase that stick of gum or diet soda today.

Memphis (and the music) Lives in Me

Memphis is in New York now, on Broadway to be exact. This is the next great musical to hit the stage this season. It stars an outstanding cast of both old pros and rising stars. These talented performers sing and dance in a magical way, and take you to a time and place where life wasn't easy but the music sure was smooth. It is fascinating to see how one person uses the power of music to break down barriers in a way no one thought possible. All he wants to do is make the music he loves accessible to everyone, but it becomes much more than that. It's something you should see for yourself. The show is currently in previews with opening night scheduled for Monday, October 19th. So grab a friend and take them down to Memphis for a night of music and thrills they won't soon forget.

Coming Soon To A Theater Near You: CMJ

CMJ is almost upon us and everyone is buzzing about what's to come. Schedules have finally been posted. Follow the title link of the day (in case you haven't noticed I try to link you to something with each post) and start thinking about what you want to go see the most. I haven't looked at the whole schedule yet but I am already excited about Jukebox the Ghost playing Bowery Ballroom on October 20th. What is everyone else looking forward to the most?

And the Gold Medal Goes To...

Rio has been chosen to host the 2016 Olympics. Other contestants included Madrid, Chicago, and Tokyo. While it would have been good for America if Chicago won, this will be the first time a South American country has hosted the Olympic games. Can't complain about that, now can we? Personally I am excited about London hosting the Olympics in 2012. I can't think of a better excuse to finally knock London off my list of places to visit (besides the fact that I have friends there). Now I just need an Olympics in Germany and Australia and I'll be all set.

Pay It Forward

Ever hear that helping others makes you feel better and doubted it? If so, here is an example for you. There was an autism bake sale at my school today. Normally I would walk passed these things without notice, but I was feeling fairly good already and it is a cause I care slightly more about so I stopped to give a donation. I wasn't thinking about buying sweets so much as helping the cause. The woman thanked me greatly and said to take five items from the table. Now there was no way I was going to be able to eat all of those sweets, so when I got to the cafe we have on campus and found two of my friends I immediately went to their table and offered to share my goodies. One girl thanked me and said it would be great for her dessert. My mood improved even more. I continued my day with uplifted spirits and even found class less boring than usual. All because of a table of baked goods and five dollars. Who says you don't get anything out of giving?

Things To Do Tonight in New York

Hey everyone!

You have two great options tonight in terms of shows you can go to.

Option 1 is Alyson Greenfield at Banjo Jim's on the corner of 9th Street and Avenue C, which is free. Alyson is awesome and everyone should experience her at least once. (Trust me, after you meet her once won't be enough). Her set is at 7, which would make you only slightly late for...

Option 2, which is Stephanie Carlin, Kari Spieler , Nick Howard and Emily Hope Price at 303 Grand in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. This show is brought to you be TM Promotions so I will be working doors and taking pictures for the evening. Stop by and say hi. Only $5 cover plus free PBR. What more could you ask for?

Whatever you end up doing tonight remember to have fun and stay safe. have a good weekend everyone!

your friendly neighborhood blogger : )

Happy Arthur Guinness Day

For those of you who may not know, today is the 250th birthday of Arthur Guinness, the Irish brewer who delivered Guinness beer unto us. In celebration of this historic day grab some friends and buy yourselves a round of Guinness. And while you're at it go ahead and chat about the history of Guinness, which has been linked to above. Maybe even go on the website and download a Guinness screen saver. Anything to show the world your love for Guinness beer.

The Lightning Strike

Lightning struck Beacon Theater last night when Snow Patrol electrified the stage with their energetic performance. They gave quite a show, using every element imaginable as part of their act. For starters, there was a projector that wrote out a list of cities on the tour, ending with New York and a huge red heart, showing their love for this city.





Another impressive part of their setup, their equipment included two drum kits and four keyboards. On several songs a band member would switch between two different instruments (drum and keys, keys and guitar). Their use of lighting was also exquisite, adding an extra element to their show instead of just being noise that had no real purpose. It really seemed to match the music as it progressed.



The best part of their show was their stage presence though, especially the lead singer. He really engaged the crowd and even had them participate during "Shut You Eyes". There was laughter and excitement throughout the night which was due in large part to him.



The band played approximately 1.5 hours with a 3-song encore. Set list was as follows:

If There's A Rocket tie Me To It
Chocolate
Hands Open
How To Be Dead
The Golden Floor
The Finish Line
Somewhere A Clock Is Ticking
Make This Go On Forever
Run
Shut Your Eyes
Chasing Cars
Crack The Shutters
Take Back The City
Open Your Eyes

Encore:
The Lightning Strike (What If This Storm Ends?)
Run
You're All I Have

Happy Birthday H.G. Wells

Anyone notice the space invasion that has been taking over Google? For those of you wondering what that was about, they are celebrating H.G. Wells' birthday which is today. He would have been 143 years old. Wells may be one of the most influential science fiction authors of all time. His greatest work, War of the Worlds, brought UFOs to earth (Which Orson Welles really did with his radio broadcast based on the story) and grabbed the attention of the world. Other notable works include The Invisible Man and The Time Machine among others. This is definitely an author who deserves some recognition. Kudos to Google for making it happen.

Picking the Right Single: The Fray

While the rest of the album is good, The Fray definitely made the right choice with "You Found Me as the single for their latest album. It's one of those songs that makes you stop and notice every time it comes on the radio. Stylistically all of the songs are classic "The Fray" style, but this is the most memorable track the record has to offer. Plus it is highly marketable with the relationship theme everyone can relate to and energetic music to go with it that really grabs the listener's attention. Definitely go pick up this album (if you haven't already).

Muse Is Our Resistance

The word for today is "energy" and Muse's new album The Resistance certainly delivers. With the epic opening of the first track "Uprising" the listener knows they are in for quite a ride. The Resistance has many of the same elements of previous albums (especially Absolution) and yet something different has been infused into the mix. There is more energy here than ever before. Everything seems more upbeat, but it is done in a way that doesn't make it feel Poppy. Even the classic slower song midway through the album (United States of Eurasia) is more energetic than before.Of course they save the best for last with the three-part masterpiece "Exogenesis: Symphony", which essentially has all of the elements that make Muse great but amplified. It is the punctuation to a fantastic album. In conclusion, The Resistance brings us the same great Muse but with a twist. This will keep old fans happy (this fan was certainly more than satisfied) while possibly attracting a new crowd to the fold. Hopefully this will mean more popularity for them in the U.S. I hope so because this is one band that definitely is underrated as of yet.

Snow Patrol Announce New Album

Snow Patrol have announced they will release an album of fan favorites November 9th. The album includes not only their most loved songs but also three new tracks for fans to enjoy. They also have started their U.S. Tour and will be in New York Sept 22 & 23 at Beacon Theater. This blogger was lucky enough to get tickets for the Sept 22 date. Look for a review of their performance next week.

Avenue Q

The hit Broadway muppet-fest Avenue Q may have left Main St, but you can still catch it off Broadway. This is the first time a show has ever moved from the main stage to an off Broadway theater. We always knew Avenue Q was one of a kind, but this just makes it even more original. If you haven't seen it then go, and if you have then see it again. This is one show you will definitely get your money's worth.

Save the Music

RXP posted a letter on their site in regards to a tax that would force them to make cutbacks in their music selection and staff. I know times are tough, but this is not the solution to any of our problems. This station has been giving me a reason to listen to the radio for the past year now. Please follow the title link and help keep the music alive.

VMA: Vote Muse, America

While everyone else may be talking about Kanye's comments or Beyonce's performance at the MTV Video Music Awards, I want to take a moment to put the spotlight on Muse. Their performance during the show was the highlight of the night for me. The awards itself didn't interest me much (except the much deserved win by Green Day for their 21 Guns video). The only time I really got excited was when I heard Matthew Bellamy's enchanting voice sing its first notes on American television. Yes, this was Muse's first appearance on American TV. This band from the UK has always been more popular overseas than here. They are currently on tour as support for U2 and have sold out two dates at Giants Stadium later this month, but that was more because of who they are touring with than their own popularity here. My hope is that they are finally starting to breakout in the US and that we will consequently get to see more of them here.

Clijsters climbs to top, wins US Open Championship

Kim Clijsters must have been happy she came out of retirement, because she has had quite a run since her return. This comment she posted on Twitter says it all:

The fairy tale goes on - some how, I'm in the US Open final on Sunday beating both Venus and Serena along the way... am i dreaming???

No, Kim, you’re not dreaming, but it must feel that way after the splendid run you have had throughout this tournament. You had a tough draw, including both Serena and Venus Williams, but you managed to make it to the finals. And oh what a night it was.

It was a night of first. For the first time in the history of the sport, an unseeded player won a major final. Also a first was the two women involved ever facing each other. Kim Clijsters and Caroline Wozniacki gave everyone in Arthur Ashe stadium a show Sunday night when Clijsters battled her way to a 7-5, 6-3 win. The first set was tight, with both players struggling to hold serve. Each game was another epic battle, many going to deuce. Eventually Clijsters was able to take the set 7-5.

The second set was not nearly as eventfully, at least until Clijsters broke for a 4-2 lead. The players stayed on serve and Clijsters eventually served it out to take the second set at 6-3 with a spectacular display in her final game. After making her climb to the top of the charts complete she proceeded to climb to the top of the stands for a congratulatory kiss from her husband, as well as hugs from the rest of her box. With trophy in one hand and daughter Jada in the other, this is one dream Clijsters won’t want to wake up from.

Barrel Full of Monkies

I did some promotion here a few days ago for a show Friday, September 11 with Lili Roquelin, Alyson Greenfield, and Yula Beeri at Monkey Town. The show was a combination of music and visual presentation, which made it more interesting than a typical performance (although Alyson and Yula can be interesting all on their own). Yula especially put on quite a show last night. There were dancers and props included on top of the song and video presentation. As the photographer for the evening, here are some shots to show you what you missed out on.

LiLi Roquelin


Alyson Greenfield


Yula Beeri


Just a small sample to entice you. The first one, I have been told, will be featured on LiLi's MySpace page. The rest will be on the TM Promotions MySpace, probably later today.

Never Forget

Does everyone remember where they were when the events of 8 years ago took place? September 11, 2001, picture this: Students are sitting in English class preparing for an exam. Across the hall our history teacher (whose class we just left a few minutes ago) is running up and down the halls asking who has seen and for us to turn on our TVs. We do, and take our quiz while silent images of destruction fly across the screen. One of those students was me. I was in the 8th grade at the time. I will never forget who I sat next to or what we said as events unfolded. I doubt any of us will.

Another story. Imagine you were supposed to work in that building but had called out earlier because your wife was going into labor and about to have her baby. How lucky would you feel? Not only starting your family, but you have been saved from the horror that others had to go through. This is what happened to a friend of my father's. This was one of those moments where even a doubter has to believe in a greater Power than oneself.

I hope everyone takes the time to remember today and those who were not as fortunate. Most importantly don't forget to live, not just today but every day. Make every moment count, because you never know when it may all have to come to an end.

Alyson Greenfield @ Monkey Town

Tomorrow night (9/11) Yula Beeri, Alyson Greenfield, and LiLi Roquelin will be making an appearance at Monkey Town in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Doors are at 6:30 and show starts at 7. It is recommended you reserve your spots in advance. Price is $7, which you would pay at the door regardless of whether or not reservations were made. This promises to be a great show so come on out. Hope to see you all there -- I'll be the one with the camera in one hand and clipboard containing Ms Greenfield's mailing list in the other.

President Challenges Students To Succeed

President Obama, in a speech made yesterday, challenged students to stay in school and explore their potential. He predicted that some of the students he addressed could go on to do many great things in a number of different fields but would never know that unless they had the experiences given to them at school and completed their education. It was a very positive speech that talked directly to the youth of the nation without talking down at them. He mentioned that some may not have ideal living experiences now but that didn't always have to be the case.

Where you are right now doesn’t have to determine where you’ll end up. No one’s written your destiny for you. Here in America, you write your own destiny. You make your own future.

President Obama wasn't exclusively optimistic either. Yes the message was hopeful, but it was also realistic. He told the youth they may not necessarily all become instant celebrities, but with some hard work they could do whatever they put their minds to. They may not be good at every subject, but our failures can define us as much as our successes, citing JK Rowling and her Harry Potter series as an example. He concluded by saying that there is no shame in needing to ask for help and admitting you are not perfect. Life is about not giving up despite any challenges you may face. Finally he asked the youth what contributions they would add to our great nation.

There were many who had somewhat negative expectations of this speech, but I found it to be very well written and delivered. I hope that schools had their students actually listen to what the President had to say. I think it will be beneficial to them to hear his words of inspiration.

The Rising Star of Women's Tennis

I have always said that men's tennis was infinitely more interesting than watching the ladies play. Maybe there was a day when they were equally enjoyable, but now that the final match is usually a question of "Serena or Venus?" the sport has lost its hold on me. That was until this year, however. In a strange twist of fate the men's section has become the predictable one with Roger Federer's dominance of play, while the ladies draw has me waiting with anticipation to see who will make the finals. Kim Clijsters continues to make her bid at reclaiming the title with her family supporting her every step of the way. Meanwhile, a new star has come across my path: Melanie Oudin. Her fourth round victory over Nadia Petrova put her in the Quarterfinals, and she's only seventeen. To get to her match with Petrova she also had to beat Maria Sharapova and Elena Dementieva, all matches that were with tough opponents and went to three sets. This is one girl you don't want to mess with. If both Clijsters and Oudin can keep this up they may just see each other in the finals. That will be a match I won't want to miss, and neither should you.

Famous Last Words

This is a prelimanry review. Pictures and commentary, as well as links to videos, will be posted within the week.

Last night was Star Child's last show at 89.5 WSOU, Seton Hall's radio station. It was evident from the first moments that she put a lot of thought into each and every detail. There were specialty blocks including New York/New Jersey bands and even a tiny trip down memory lane with some 90s tunes. There were also plenty of stories from friends who dropped by the studio and hung around to be a part of Star's final moments on air. These were after her last interviews with some local artists, each with varying levels of popularity. Included in this list were ShiraGirl, Exit She Calls, Joe Wilson, and Kevin Devine. There was a very chill vibe in the studio, as if even the artists were friends just dropping by to say "hi". (Of course, many of them were friends as well so that did help matters a bit). It was a great environment to have a show, and I was glad I was able to be a part of it all.

Shining Star

Tune in tonight to WSOU for Star Child's last show, as she graduated Seton Hall this past May. She's a good friend of mine so I want to give her a proper send-off. From what I know there is some good stuff planned, so you won't want to miss out.

Encore

The tennis world has been lacking in female greats not named "Williams" for a few years now, but one shining star is ready to make a comeback.

Throughout her career, Clijsters was known for her outstanding athleticism and defense and moved around the court arguably better than anyone in the world, with her speed and ability to slide on almost any surface. Her slides usually ended in a famous Clijsters split, showcasing her flexibility. (Quote from title linked article)

That's right folks, Kim Clijsters is looking to come out of retirement and become a full time tennis professional again. So far her encore has been going well. She made it to the third round with her victory over Marion Bartoli 5-7, 6-1, 6-2 in the second round and a first round victory over Viktoriya Kutuzova 6-1, 6-1 before that. It will be interesting to see how far she can make it, especially since her last tournament was her winning the title here at the U.S. Open in 2005. Stayed tuned for continuing coverage of Clijsters and the remains of the tournament.