The Gorilla

Oliver Stone rocks!!!

2008-09-27T19:04:00.000-07:00

W.
Another very cool trailer for W from Oliver Stone. This looks so very cool, I cannot wait to see this movie!

Wow, this sounds terrible!

2008-08-27T15:42:00.000-07:00

I'm reading this book now....

2008-08-20T19:08:00.000-07:00

This movie is based on a book by one of my favorite authors, Robert B. Parker. He usually writes mystery novels with some great characters, but this time he tried his hand at a western. From the looks of the trailer, he did a great job. I can't wait to finish this book and then see the movie.

Crowe as Hicks?

2008-08-19T17:15:00.000-07:00

Not every comedian from the south does jokes about NASCAR and monster trucks. Sorry if our more recent comic exports have given you that impression. Some southern comedians actually have something worth saying. Comedians like Bill Hicks. Bill Hicks was raised in my native Texas. He occasionally wore cowboy boots and a hat on stage. He did not tell jokes about rednecks. Instead he talked about heavier stuff, making fun of the flaws in life and looking for truth in the world around him. Fellow comedian Brett Butler once described him this way: "He wanted to be Christ at his angriest." And of course, as so often seems to be the case of anyone with anything substantive and interesting to say these days, he never achieved more than mediocre success before dying from cancer at the age of 32 in 1994. Meanwhile Dane Cook will almost certainly live to 140, and die in a mansion surrounded by Playboy playmates. It’s a cruel world. Apparently he achieved enough notoriety however, for Hollywood to latch onto him, Russell Crowe in particular. Crowe recently told the Syndney Morning Herald and told them he’s developing a movie based on Hicks’ life. There’s a script currently being written by Australian Mark Staffer and word is that Crowe himself may end up playing Bill. Oddly enough, there is some small physical resemblance between the two.

New Wilco Album in 2009?

2008-08-19T17:11:00.000-07:00

Wilco hopes to have its seventh studio album out by spring 2009, frontman Jeff Tweedy told Albany, N.Y., radio station WAMC recently.After opting for a highly performance-oriented recording approach on 2007's "Sky Blue Sky," Tweedy says he expects Wilco will "allow ourselves a little bit more leeway in terms of sculpting the sound in the studio and doing overdubs and using the studio as another instrument. Last time around, it was more of a document."At recent live shows, Wilco has played two new songs: "One Wing" recalls the melancholy, slowly building "Sky Blue Sky" closer "On and On and On," while "Sunny Feeling" has a sly main riff in keeping with loose jams from the last album such as "Walken."Tweedy told WAMC he's going through a phase where he "kinda hate[s]" all of Wilco's six prior albums, because "none of them are a statement that I would be comfortable making right now at this point in my life. They all served their purpose, and in that respect I'm proud of all of them."But as something that feels artistically in keeping with who I am today, I think that they are inevitably going to fall short of that as time goes on. I mean, they just don't continue to mean the same things to me, and a new record is kind of where it's at."

Prior to the release of "Sky Blue Sky," Tweedy told Billboard that a number of unfinished songs from those sessions would potentially form the basis for the next album, but it is unknown if they remain in consideration at this point.Wilco wraps a summer North American tour this weekend at San Francisco's inaugural Outside Lands Festival. After a one-off Aug. 30 Wilco festival gig in Ireland, Tweedy plays four solo shows in Spain through Sept. 6 in Murcia.

Who knew Lt. Dan could play the bass....

2008-08-17T19:12:00.000-07:00

I never knew he had a band. It looks pretty lame to me. A bunch of rich dudes playing music for "the cause". Good luck Gary. I'd rather be in Iraq then listen to this crap.

http://www.ltdanband.com/

2008-08-02T05:19:00.001-07:00

Wow....this looks very cool...."W"

2008-07-29T05:26:00.000-07:00

Lets all think positive thoughts for John D. Graham

2008-07-29T05:11:00.000-07:00

Jon Dee Graham Hospitalized after Car AccidentJul 27th, 2008

Celebrated Austin singer/songwriter Jon Dee Graham was returning home to Austin from a gig in Dallas early Saturday morning. Graham, former guitarist for Austin’s True Believers, fell asleep at the wheel about forty miles north of Austin, in Jarrell. Graham’s Volvo struck a concrete embankment along I-35. No other cars were involved.
UPDATE as of Monday night 28 July:Tonight Jon Dee had emergency surgery to remove his spleen, which had been ruptured in the accident. He’s out of surgery, and longtime colleague Jesse Sublett (Jon Dee’s band mate in The Skunks) reports the surgery went well, and there appears to be no more internal bleeding. The outlook is good, but Jon Dee’s back in intensive care for now. Jon Dee and family are very grateful for the outpouring of support in the past few days, but they are now asking for an extended bit of quiet –no visitors or calls, please — as JDG rega

Another Office Webisode....I love this show!!

2008-07-25T04:51:00.001-07:00

The Hold Steady on Letterman

2008-07-20T14:51:00.000-07:00

The Hold Steady are such a great band. They never disappoint. If you haven't seen them live, you really need too....you will not be sorry.

My favorite band playing drinking games....

2008-07-18T16:57:00.001-07:00

another cool Office minisode....

2008-07-17T18:47:00.000-07:00

too little too late...

2008-07-16T18:24:00.000-07:00

It looks like I missed something cool last night. It appears that Slobberbone had a reunion show in Dallas under the moniker "whiskey glass eye". I had an idea that this was to be a reunion show by one of my favorite bands, but was unable to attend. I've added a link to another blog that surmises the same thing as far as a reunion show goes due to a rare Dallas area sighting of the bone's old bass player. man I wish I could have made that show. scroll down the Dallas blog further to get a taste of the Lucero show there on Monday night as well. That sounded cool too.

http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/dc9/

I'm seeing this guy tonight...

2008-07-15T15:40:00.001-07:00

Check out those big red balls!!

2008-07-15T15:32:00.001-07:00

I love this show. Anything where it looks like a person could end up getting inured appeals to me on so many levels.

"Felon"....

2008-07-15T12:17:00.000-07:00

This movie looks pretty cool. I have never been a big Stephen Dorf fan, but I've always loved me some Val Kilmer. This could be very cool, or it could suck...I want to think it will be great. Check it out!

Nice....

2008-07-15T07:58:00.000-07:00

Buckner rules....

2008-07-15T07:56:00.001-07:00

One of my favorite episodes....

2008-07-15T07:52:00.000-07:00

Jose should stick to...well, whatever it is he does now.

2008-07-15T05:46:00.000-07:00

A girl's best friend

2008-07-14T15:33:00.001-07:00

I love playing catch with my little girl....

2008-07-14T15:32:00.000-07:00

Tweedy does Tupelo....

2008-07-12T15:58:00.001-07:00

Scientologists are fucking crazy...check this out

2008-07-12T15:53:00.000-07:00

This is a long video, but pretty damn interesting. If you want to lose an hour and a half, just go to youtube and search "scientology". They are fucking nuts!!

I love Hunter S. Thompson

2008-07-12T14:46:00.000-07:00

The Tropic Thunder Widget

2008-07-12T12:00:00.001-07:00

Step Brothers

2008-07-12T06:22:00.001-07:00

Pinapple Express Rules!!!!

2008-07-11T09:56:00.001-07:00

Since the release date is fast approaching, I thougth I'd re-post the trailer. Cool.

Need an Office fix?

2008-07-11T09:43:00.001-07:00

Here is the first of the Office webisodes to tide us over until the new season starts....so cool.

Hopper, Madson, and Carradine...cooooool!!!

2008-07-11T06:21:00.001-07:00

Thanks Tarantino, this looks very cool.

http://www.comingsoon.net/hellrideredband.php

Huey Lewis gets stoned...

2008-07-09T06:34:00.000-07:00

Ok, I am sure he does, as it must help him deal with the loss of his career. But wait....he's back! It looks as if Huey has found his new drug....get it...ha! Anyway, my most anticipated movie, Pinapple Express, has chosen Mr. Lewis to do a song for the soundtrack. I cannot wait for this movie, it looks great. I posted a trailer from it in an earlier post, so look for it. But, for now...it's time to listen to that new Huey Lewis tune.....click the link below if you dare....

http://www.myspace.com/lakeshorerecords

It's the end of the world as we know it......

2008-07-07T12:01:00.000-07:00

Ok, I must first confess that I watched this show, and now comes the part where I make fun of it...sort of. It's awful....it's a trainwreck....it's............ scripted?! What the fuck? I thought it was supposed to be a reality show. Of course I know that "reality shows" aren't really reality, but I wasn't aware of this new trend of "scripted" reality shows. Apparently these two idiots can't be interesting enough, so the network decided to add a "framework" for reality. And by the way, yes I have now used "quotation signs" three times already...fuck you. Anyway, I ended up watching this last night and it was almost entertaining. I can't say I learned much, but since I cannot get the hour plus I watched back, lets roll with it. This is actually the second season, and this year Corey Feldman and Corey Haim are no longer friends....boo hoo! They are now rebuilding their relationships just as they are rebuilding their careers. Well, I don't want to give away too much, so you'll have to watch. Here is just a taste of the brilliance that is "The Two Coreys"! On a side note, I never thought I'd find myself thinking that Feldman is the more normal of the two. Watch and see.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-2V6GBdElY

I don't think he'll be back in "two and two"

2008-07-06T11:18:00.001-07:00

'Love Connection' producer Eric Lieber dies at 71

LOS ANGELES — Eric Lieber, whose television production credits include the long-running dating show "Love Connection," has died. He was 71.
Lieber died Wednesday of leukemia at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, said his wife, Peggy.
Lieber created "Love Connection" in 1983 after decades producing other game shows, as well as the talk shows of Dick Cavett, Sammy Davis Jr. and Mike Douglas.
"Love Connection," hosted by Chuck Woolery, aired until 1995. Lieber also was executive producer of the 1998-1999 reprise of the series, hosted by Pat Bullard.
On the program, contestants watched videos of three prospective blind dates, chose one to go out with and returned to the show to talk about the experience.
Lieber attributed the show's success to the real-life drama audiences got to observe.
"The show succeeds because we believe in honest emotions," he told the Chicago Sun-Times in 1992. "And, admit it: We're all a little voyeuristic and enjoy peeking into someone else's life."
Lieber was born April 7, 1937, in Vienna and came to the United States as a baby. He grew up in New Jersey and launched his TV career in New York City in the 1950s.

Bummer man,

2008-07-05T15:14:00.000-07:00

Larry Harmon, longtime Bozo the Clown, dead at 83

http://www.austin360.com/movies/content/shared-gen/ap/TV/Obit_Harmon.html

Seriously?.....Really? Say it ain't so Willie!

2008-06-27T06:08:00.000-07:00

A movie based on Toby Keith's song "Beer For My Horses"...is the end of the world coming next? You be the judge. Man, I knew we should have kept Willie away from Toby Keith...damnit!! Check out the trailer and if you're still breathing afterwards, let me know what you think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3KCDiVUW3w

I wonder if Kobe really knows what Shaq's ass taste like...

2008-06-25T11:18:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLJ65x0mbv0

Really?! God hates Shaq

2008-06-25T11:13:00.000-07:00

I've always hated Shaq-Fu, but this is great. He does an off color rap about another uber douche, Kobe and it costs him his badge....his "honorary" badge that is. Only an asshole like Shaq could have an "honorary" anything taken away. Awesome! Check out the link below for the whole story...

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-shaq-kobe-rap&prov=ap&type=lgns

Austin's own..."Real Animal"

2008-06-24T08:10:00.000-07:00

Alejandro Escovedo is finally getting some props outside of Austin. I've been following AE for years, and he's put out some of the finest albums of any artist from Austin or anywhere else. His records "Gravity" and "Thirteen Years" are among my favorite albums of all time. He was recently in Houston for a gig and while at a Springsteen concert, The Boss asked him up on state go sing one of the songs off his newest record, "Real Animal". It was great and Bruce looked to be truly enjoying this moment with Alejandro. I've posted a link below. AE was also on Conan this week, as well as The Today show just this morning. I've not found clips of those performances yet, but I'll surely post them if they turn up....for now, enjoy a great moment in H-Town with two of the best artists around.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8s-chAgIPU

Thanks Crawford...

2008-05-29T06:14:00.001-07:00

Well, the NBA comes out and says that there was a missed foul call at the end of game 4 in the Lakers/Spurs matchup....great, so why don't they let us replay the end of the game and see what would have happened. That's the only way to make it right because as of know the Spurs were officially fucked out of the game. No matter that it shouldn't have gotten to that point, the fact is it did and they screwed up. Here's an article about it from Yahoo Sports.....thanks.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080529/ap_on_sp_bk_ne/bkn_nba_no_foul

Game 3....Yeeeessssss!!!!

2008-05-26T08:18:00.000-07:00

Slowly But Surely, Torch Passes From Duncan To Ginobili

By J.A. AdandeESPN.com(Archive)
SAN ANTONIO -- Tim Duncan is underrated and Tim Duncan is overrated.
We don't give his career the full respect it deserves, yet sometimes we make the mistake of believing that, in 2008, the San Antonio Spurs are still about him. As Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals demonstrated, Manu Ginobili matters more than Duncan now. Ginobili returned to form, hitting for five 3-pointers and 30 points, and the Spurs got back into the win column with a 103-84 victory.
PLAYOFF UPDATE
WEST FINALSL.A. Lakers 2, San Antonio 1Game 4: Tue., 9 ET, at SAS EAST FINALSBoston 2, Detroit 1Game 4: Mon., 8:30 ET, at DET
The full playoff schedule
Duncan had 22 points, 21 rebounds and five assists, showing he's still the steady drumbeat. But now he's more a background percussionist like Ringo Starr than a showcase drummer like Sheila E. It was telling that when Ginobili was clearly off his game in Los Angeles, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said he needed more from Tony Parker, not Duncan, even though Parker outscored Duncan 13-12 in Game 2.
Duncan's 30 points and 18 rebounds couldn't keep the Spurs from blowing a 20-point lead in Game 1. The Spurs didn't need any more than 16 points from him to beat the Hornets on the road in Game 7. They don't live and die with him anymore.
Other players still show deference to Duncan, as when Bruce Bowen said, "If we didn't have him out there, Tony and Manu and I wouldn't get what we get", but it was telling that the Spurs felt the need to mix up their offense and avoid predictably giving Duncan the ball every time downcourt in Game 3. Almost as telling as what Duncan himself said about Ginobili.
"He's the guy that we need to put the ball in the hole," Duncan said. "He needs to give us points that aren't easy. You can get up in situations where your offense stalls out or situations where you just can't put the ball in the hole. He is the kind of guy that we need to make plays for us."
Ginobili came through like a T1 connection Sunday, especially during a minute-long stretch in the second quarter when he scored nine points on a pair of 3-pointers and a layup-and-one.
Parker led the Spurs in scoring last season, the first time since 1998 Duncan wasn't atop that category. This year it was Ginobili, averaging 19.5 points per game.
"I had a great season this year scoring, so if you score so many points during the season then the team expects you to keep it up," Ginobili said.
He did it against the Hornets last series, leading the Spurs with a scoring average of 21.3 points, but he looked limited in the first two games against the Lakers, hobbling along with a bad ankle and trying to shoot with a torn fingernail that Kobe Bryant described as "nasty-looking" and "disgusting."
Ginobili said there weren't any physical changes this night, just the danger of being down 2-0 in the series, the loud hometown fans and the fact his first couple of shots went down.
The answer reveals why Ginobili doesn't rank higher in NBA lore. The greatest thrive in road playoff games. They can be judged just as easily by the still-high quality of their bad nights as much as their big nights. In these playoffs alone Ginobili has had shooting nights of 2 for 11, 5 for 15 and 5 for 13. In last year's playoffs he had pedestrian numbers of 16.7 points and 3.7 assists per game on 40 percent shooting during the Spurs' championship run.
Where does Duncan rank? How about second to Shaquille O'Neal among active playoff scorers --- and 31 points away from moving past Wilt Chamberlain into 12th place among the all-time playoff scorers. And he'll get there in about 10 fewer games than Big Wilt played.
People talk about the Spurs as four-time champions. Wrong. Tim Duncan is a four-time champion. Every other player from the 1999 team is gone. Only two other players are still in the league (Antonio Daniels and Malik Rose).
Even among the greatest of the greats, not many can say they won championships with an entirely different supporting cast. Ask Bill Russell which rings he prefers to wear from his extensive collection and he'll tell you the first and the 11th, because he's the only player who has both of them. Magic Johnson had Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Michael Cooper every step of the way. Michael Jordan always had Scottie Pippen.
Here's the list of players who have won multiple Finals MVPs since they gave out the first one in 1969: Abdul-Jabbar, Johnson, Larry Bird, Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, O'Neal and Duncan.
Only Duncan and Abdul-Jabbar won the award with completely different support casts.
Looking at all of the names on that list makes you realize we sell Duncan short when we refer to him as the best power forward of all time. He really should be in the conversation of best big man -- period -- part of the argument along with Russell, Wilt, Kareem, Hakeem and Shaq.
The one thing you can't call him, though, is The Man for the 2007 Spurs. That title belongs to Ginobili. In that case, make it El Hombre.
J.A. Adande is an ESPN.com senior writer and the author of "The Best Los Angeles Sports Arguments." Click here to e-mail J.A.

Mike Ness and the Boss....cool.

2008-05-26T08:14:00.000-07:00

Bruce joined Mike Ness onstage for some tunes at The Stone Pony last Saturday night. Check out the link below for the full story. If I run across some tunes, I'll update the post and add them for your listening pleasure...until then, cool story.

http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080519/ENT/80519009

John Swardson.....from Minneapolis

2008-05-23T07:56:00.000-07:00

Check this guy out. His music is pretty cool...I am sure with some more listens he will become a regular on my ipod. Hope you all like....Minnesota sure grows some great musicians. "Highway Songs" rocks...."1989" is cool...I guess being the year I graduated high school..kinda cool.

http://www.myspace.com/johnswardson

Guest Blogger on The Spurs game...

2008-05-22T18:52:00.000-07:00

My buddy Trevor grew up in San Antonio just like I did, but has been a huge Spurs fan way longer than me. He is always able to "talk me off of the ledge" when I get too bummed about a game or series. I've posted his email to me below....thanks T, you've helped me out again. GO SPURS!!

First, one extraneous comment: If they are going to show a "montage" of lakers-SPURS playoff past and include the (physically impossible) ".4" shot, they should be required to include those close-ups of Fisher and Kobe crying on the bench.

Overall I like the 89 number: 43 in the first half and 46 in the second - the "D" was everything you could hope for, but...

4 straight minutes in the 3rd and 6 straight minutes in the 4th SCORELESS (no FG, no FT) is unacceptable. LA didn't have to produce much offense to get over that.

Now I'm just disappointed we don't get the sweep. After watching the intensity level of the lakers and their crowd (who boos their own team?) compared to the NO games, this seemed like easy sledding. Hell, the SPURS didn't score a point for a whole 10+ minutes of game time and it still came down to the last play.

After reflection on some of the coaching moves from the second half I believe that this may be a "laker trap" being devised by CIA Pop to cause maximum heartbreak. Notice:

* The excessive Vaughn minutes, especially when it was obvious that Manu was off. Self sabotage!

* Taking Bowen out after his 3rd foul and putting Udoka on Kobe? Very unnecessary, and very sneaky, Pop!

All in all, the lakers are capital F'd if they think they're going anywhere.

The SPURS have asked me to read this: A WARNING for players, fans, women, children, and Marv: Manu's bringing it Friday night, so I hope you don't mind some cream in your jeans...

Spurs Vs. Lakers

2008-05-21T10:21:00.000-07:00

Wow, so it's come to this once again. I cannot wait to enjoy this rivalry from the West one more time. Go Spurs.

John Rambo

2008-05-21T10:20:00.000-07:00

Here is a cool mention about the movie Rambo or John Rambo as it was originally titled. I don't know about you, but I'm a sucker for this kind of destruction. Check out the extended clip of carnage at the end of the link.

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/36834

Simply the best...

2008-05-20T16:32:00.001-07:00

I recently had the pleasure of taking in a Wilco show at Stubbs BBQ here in wonderful Austin, Texas. Let me just say that my history with Wilco is spotty at best. What I mean by that is that for me Wilco has always been "that other band" that came from the demise of Uncle Tupelo. This is not to say that I've never liked Wilco, in fact I've loved them at times. But...I've also nearly hated them. You see, I'm a purist when it comes to "alt country" or whatever name you'd like to use. Of course it's been many years since Wilco could claim to be any part of that genre, but that's where they came from and in some ways will be linked to that music forever. I love the first record, "AM" and I mean LOVED IT...of course if you've read any quotes from Tweedy, that record will never be a favorite of his. To me it was the perfect transition from UT to Wilco. It was not as perfect an album as Son Volt's "Trace", and that I think is where the love/hate relationship began for me.

I wanted every Wilco record to sound like UT, or at least follow in the footsteps of "AM", and continue the "alt country" sound. I have never argued that my views on "good music" can be very myopic. If it doesn't have a pedal steel, or some type of twang, it's not on my radar. Exceptions have been made over the years, as I do love to get my rock on, but it always leads me back to country music....and not that CMT, Brooks and Dunn, Big and Rich bullshit that gets played at nauseam on way too many radio stations around the country.

At any rate, Wilco decided to buck tradition and over the past many years have gone in several different directions musically, and I've loved and hated a ton of it. It's amazing to me now how many times I declared a new Wilco album as shit, or used my knee jerk reaction claiming "this sucks" after only one listen. Wilco grows on you, and that is why, years later, I'll say without any doubt, reservation, or lack of conviction, that Wilco in 2008 is the very best live band I've ever seen in my life, and I can't imagine this not remaining true for the foreseeable future, or...hell....forever.

Yes, in this same blog, I've lauded bands like The Hold Steady, and Richmond Fontaine as putting on shows akin to a "religious experience", and I stand by those comments. Those shows were spectacular, but after seeing Wilco on this tour, and having heard many bootlegs of recent shows, not to mention their stellar Austin City Limits taping, they simply put...RULE. They are tight but spontaneous, perfect in their timing and execution and above all, some of the best musicians and songwriters currently playing music anywhere today.

The set list for the show I saw will be posted at the end of this rambling love letter to Tweedy and Co. The show started with Via Chicago...how can you go wrong with lyrics like "I dreamed of killing you again last night and it felt all right to me..." This song goes in to a crazy, all over the place, out of sync, but perfectly in sync rock and roll orgasm and then suddenly it's quiet and again with only Tweedy's voice and some base and guitar strumming...and then boom, it's back again. It's not even anything I can explain, so look it up. It's one of the best songs Tweedy has ever written. Anyway, it's really all a blur, but the remaining feeling I have days later is that it was not just a show, but an experience...I wish they were all like this. I've also added a link with some live video from the show as well. Cool.

http://video.aol.com/video-detail/wilco--stubbs-in-austin-tx-051208-impossible-german/2256455304

Wilco5/12/2008Stubb'sAustin, TX

One set
01 Via Chicago

02 Hummingbird

03 Ashes of American Flags

04 Airline to Heaven

05 You Are My Face

06 Box Full of Letters

07 A Shot in the Arm

08 Side With the Seeds

09 War on War

10 Handshake Drugs

11 Nothing'severgonnastandinmyway(again)

12 Jesus, Etc.

13 Impossible Germany

14 Shouldn't Be Ashamed

15 Passenger Side

16 Theologians

17 I'm The Man Who Loves You -encore-

18 Cars Can't Escape

19 Spiders (Kidsmoke)

-encore-20 California Stars

21 Hate It Here

22 Heavy Metal Drummer

23 Walken

24 Kingpin

25 Red Eyed and Blue

26 I Got You

27 Monday

This movie looks way cool!!!

2008-05-18T06:52:00.000-07:00

Take a look at the trailer for Tropic Thunder. It looks funny as hell. Check out the makeup jog on Robert Downey Jr. He plays an austrailian actor who undergoes surgery to look black so he can play the part of a black soldier in the "movie within the movie". Very funny stuff.

http://www.tropicthunder.com/restrictedgate/site.php

Game Seven!!!!!

2008-05-17T17:55:00.000-07:00

Well, I guess we will finally find out if God truly does love the Spurs. A buddy of mine listens to sports talk radio in the River City, and he tells me about this guy who always proclaims that "God loves the spurs". I sure hope so...

Willie and Snoop...a match made in Amsterdam

2008-05-17T17:53:00.000-07:00

Ok, at first kind of odd, and then cool, and then odd once again. Not sure if the studio version will sound any better, but the lyrics rock....the first part of the video is blank, but keep with it and then you'll see both tokers in the flesh.....odd.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyLReBNDlnk

We all know he's a prick but....

2008-05-13T08:22:00.000-07:00

Here is an old clip of Bill O'Reily being himself...an insufferable prick. Who knew he was always a prick, even before Fox News....fair and balanced my ass!! Check out the link below for Youtube goodness.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVDuNfdsPXE

Give me a break!!!

2008-05-09T18:01:00.001-07:00

Ok, now this is just damn crazy. A woman is pregnant with her 18th child! I usually don't comment on crap like this, but seriously....18 kids!!! I feel at this point, we as individuals have a responsibility to this planet and to ourselves and our kids to stop already.....don't stop having kids, but at least don't have 18!!! We are running out of resources as it is...gas is way out of control, don't even get me started on social security and healthcare....with everything in such short supply it is absolutely selfish and just plain crazy to have that many kids. If you have that much "love" to give, then how about adopting a kid.....anyway, I'm off my soapbox, but this is just f-ing stupid. Here's a link below for those that would like to read about these idiots.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080509/ap_on_re_us/18_kids

Two Cow Garage

2008-05-07T12:00:00.001-07:00

Here's a link to their myspace page. They have put a new song up called "Friends". Sounds pretty good. What do you think?

www.myspace.com/twocowgarage

I'm sure you've all seen this already but.....

2008-05-07T11:18:00.000-07:00

Here's a link to the very funny video from Jimmie Kimmel....something about fucking Matt Damon?! I love this. It was sent to me by my painter friend...Donald. Thanks!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGa29kPBbp4&NR=1

God Loves The Spurs.....

2008-05-07T11:17:00.001-07:00

At least I hope that still holds true. I'll be rooting for them to make a comeback and win one at home tonight. If not......

Lucero....10 Years and counting...

2008-05-07T11:11:00.000-07:00

Here is a link to a live recording of Lucero from Ardent Studios. It was meant to commemorate their ten years together. Cool sounding show. You can stream it here....

http://www.breakthruradio.com/index.php?show=3784

If you have total recorder or something like it, you should be able to record it and burn it to disc or whatever. Here is another link where you can watch them plan an old song..."Wasted" live in studio. Cool.

http://www.breakthruradio.com/index.php?show=3780

I love these guys. It's rumored that they are putting together an acoustic E.P., so look out for that later this year. I also ran into Ben at a Hold Steady show in Austin and overheard him telling some young honeys that because they were born in 1988, that they were too old for him....nice one Ben.

It's about time....

2008-05-01T06:07:00.001-07:00

Finally Mark Cuban does something smart.....and fires Avery Johnson. Now if he could only fire himself....Go Spurs!!!

http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080501/ap_on_sp_bk_ne/bkn_mavericks_johnson_fired

So far so good...

2008-04-30T17:54:00.000-07:00

Well, my San Antonio Spurs have knocked off the Suns once again and are looking ahead to the Hornets. That should be a good series, but of course the one we all look forward to is a repeat of Lakers V Spurs, and I am confident the Champs can pull it off once again. Lets keep rolling and see what happens. As my good friend Mike Bendele once told me....God Loves The Spurs!! Hell, I could care less who loves them, lets just get a win!!

Wow, if this is boring basketball......

2008-04-26T06:47:00.000-07:00

The Spurs dominate the Suns to take a 3-0 series lead. It seems almost every article I read mentions how boring Spurs basketball is. Well if last night's game was boring, I'll take it every time. Here's an article from the Express News in S.A.

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA042608.01C.BKNspurs.suns.gamer.42539ce.html

Spurs Win in Double OT!!!!!

2008-04-21T05:00:00.000-07:00

Well, my San Antonio Spurs pulled out a great win in game one over the Suns with help from all the regular suspects. Finley dropped a three pointer to send the game into it's first OT and them Tim Duncan pulled out some heroics with a timely three pointer that took them to the second overtime. Wow...when was the last time you saw Timmy drain a three?! Then Manu took it right to the hoop for a tasty layup with less than two seconds left that gave the Champs the lead and eventually the win. I was pacing back and forth for most of the second half. That's what I call a game! If this is what we are to expect in this series, than this may be better than the finals! Go Spurs!!

Remember my post about Lonestar Vs. PBR?

2008-04-13T21:47:00.000-07:00

I think I've decided I like me some Pabst at the moment. I think my little angel likes it too!

Magnolia Electric Co....

2008-04-13T21:44:00.000-07:00

I think I like this band....not sure if I'm in love yet...check out the mp3 below for a pretty cool song. Whattaya think?

http://www.scjag.com/mp3/sc/lonesomevalley.mp3

Damnit....part deaux!

2008-04-13T21:43:00.001-07:00

Fucking Spurs have done it to me again. Big game against the Lakers and they lose another one. In their defense, they were down some key players but.....come on Champs...lets finish a fucking game.....Please!!

Damnit!!!!!

2008-04-10T17:35:00.000-07:00

Well, the Spurs crapped their pants last night against the Suns. Shaq played well and Nash was...well Nash. The Champs looked pretty good in the first half with Tony Longoria and Timmy both lighting up the boards. I had high hopes, even as the first half was ending in a tie. No such luck...the second half found the Spurs floundering and the Suns shining as they took over and won by a pretty large margin. Oh well...my boys better get their shit together and finish a few games down the stretch. Of course we know they will, but Damnit!!!

And the winner is....

2008-04-08T07:52:00.000-07:00

Wow, what a game. I really thought Memphis was going to win this one. They played so well and had a pretty good lead with two minutes to go, but the Jayhawks just kept coming. Of course Memphis didn't help their own cause by missing 4 free throws, and that "three pointer" being reviewed and changed to a deuce just made it too much to overcome. The game went into OT, and that's where the better team just made the plays that counted when they needed to. Still, what a great game. I'm not even a huge college hoops fan, but it made a believer out of me. Next year I may even get involved with all you "bracketologists". I'm still more of an NBA fan than anything else though....so.....GO SPURS!!

Check out the video below for more Kansas and Memphis highlights.

http://sports.yahoo.com/sportsminute

That's gonna leave a mark.....

2008-04-08T07:50:00.000-07:00

Check out this hard crash from Sunday's Nascar race in Ft. Worth. I can't believe he just walks away from this....check it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4oSZIm3YAw

Hanging Tough? Really......Really?

2008-04-04T15:27:00.000-07:00

I guess the world is about to come to an end, or wait, is that a pig flying by...hell freezing over? Ok, you get the idea. The fucking New Kids On The Block have reunited. I am sure this is good news to someone, I just can't imagine who. Maybe some bored housewife reared on NKOTB and Wham, or maybe Duran Duran....who knows, but this is somehow very disturbing to me. I'll be really disturbed if these shows sell at all....or maybe not. Look what crap gets played on the radio these days when other, way more talented bands still have to keep their shitty day jobs. Anyway, don't get me started. Follow the link for more info............actually.....please, please don't.

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20174022,00.html

Oh....My....God Magnum!!!

2008-04-03T18:44:00.001-07:00

These words were spoken quite a few times by Higgens in what was once my favorite TV show of the 80's......the great Magnum P.I. Well, I've been following this story for several years, and it seems that the much talked about big screen version of that 80's hit is finally getting off the ground. After reading numerous reports concerning who would play the mustache man in the Hawaiian shirt, it seems the part was offered to none other than Matthew McConafuck. The first folks talked about were Clooney and Affleck, then Nick Cage, and there was even a chance that good old Tom Selleck might reprise his famous role, but no more. It was officially offered to the no shirt wearing, naked bongo playing, midnight toker himself. I guess it could be worse, and who knows, he might just nail it. My only hope is that is isn't given the Starskey and Hutch treatment. That was just pathetic. Of course the script was written by the man who wrote Dodge Ball......so I guess I'm screwed. Who cares you say? Well I do and so do all the other folks my age who watched this show with excitement each week. Hell, I even bought a Hawaiian shirt or two....if only I could have grown a mustache like that at 12. Who am I kidding, I can't grow one like that at 37! Now there is only the question of who will play Rick, TC, and Higgy Baby. I can't wait to find out.....or maybe, I can. Shit!

I guess I spoke too soon....

2008-04-03T18:41:00.000-07:00

Ok, so Dallas tricked all of us Spurs fans...well at least they tricked me. I had just finished reading an article on Yahoo Sports, or ESPN, or some othere damn thing and it stated that Dirk was not playing in last night's game. Not even close....he played and though a bit tentative at times, he scored 18 points. Damn you dirty dogs! Still, the road to the championship goes through San Antonio, and I can't think of anyone that can win a seven game series against the Champs....at least I don't think so. As with any sport, anything can happen. Go Spurs!!

YESSSSS!!!!!!

2008-04-02T16:13:00.000-07:00

Too bad for the boys in "Big D".

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080402/ap_on_sp_bk_ne/bkn_mavericks_nowitzki

Justin Townes Earle Live Show.....

2008-04-02T15:20:00.000-07:00

Here is a link to a bit torrent download of a show from March. Justin Townes Earle is the son of Steve Earle, and his album The Good Life just dropped from Bloodshot Records. Part old school country.....like really old school, and part folk, part soul....he's all over the map, but very good. I'll let y'all decide. If you can't download this, you need to get a bit torrent client, like Azureus, and a Flac converter. Both are user friendly and it's great to be able to download cool bootlegs like this one. If not, just drop me a comment and I'll burn one for you.

http://www.dimeadozen.org/torrents-details.php?id=190886&hit=1

Blast from the past....

2008-04-01T13:01:00.000-07:00

Here is a link to an early Son Volt show from 1996. I have yet to give it a listen as it is downloading right now, it looks good. Man I love me some early Son Volt....I like the "new band" as well, but nothing like the old stuff.

http://bt.etree.org/download.php/512380/sonvolt1996-06-28.matrix.torrent

Matthew Ryan and The Silver State

2008-04-01T10:51:00.000-07:00

Here is a cool clip from Youtube featuring singer songwriter Matthew Ryan. This guy's been around for quite awhile, and has garnered some critical praise, but no big success. Lets hope his new record changes all that. This song is a solo acoustic number, and it just kills. Check out the great lyrics. His new album features a full band on many of the songs, something different for Ryan. I've also included a clip with the band backing him up. His most recent outings have been mostly solo acoustic affairs. As much as I love the first clip, I can't wait to hear the whole record with the band backing him up. I'll have a review once I purchase the disc and give it a few listens. Using his back catalogue as a reference point, I'd recommend just picking up the disc without sampling it. Take it home, give it a spin, and let the music take you for a ride.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFm3irtY2qk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tkpi1cKn2m8&feature=related

The Stones w/Jack White

2008-04-01T10:45:00.002-07:00

Here's a cool clip from "Shine A Light" the new movie from Marty Scorsese. It features Mick and Jack singing "Lovin Cup". Pretty cool. The link is below.

http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1809785174/video/7192066

How a Killer Party turned into a Massive Night.....

2008-03-28T18:56:00.000-07:00

So, the night started at Casino El Camino with me and the guys stopping in for a few pre show pops. Once sufficiently lubricated, we made our way across the street to Emos "outdoor" stage. It reminded all of us "old schoolers" of a smaller Liberty Lunch. So we hit the port-o-johns, the bar, and found our way to a pretty cool spot to check out the show. It started on all cylinders and never let up. Craig Finn was as spastic and just fucking out there as I've ever seen any front man before. He posed, danced, shimmied, posed some more and just tore the roof off the joint. Anyone else that would have had his moves would have come off cheesy at best, but he just sold it to all of us. It was as if he was playing these songs for the first time and was so excited to share them with us that he simply couldn't contain himself. The set list is below. Highlights included great versions of Stuck Between Stations, Your Little Hood Rat Friend, The Swish, Massive Nights, and an appropriately religious experience during How A Resurection Really Feels. No wasted songs, no wasted jams, just pure Rock Perfection. They were the tightest band I've seen in years too. The lead guitar player was also just.....well, perfect. The whole band.....ok, I'm rambling, it was just that good. So......as a bonus for all you motherfuckers that like to rock....check below the set list for a link to a bit torrent download of the entire show. That's right bitches, less than 24 hours later we have the show. Thanks to the taper who took the time to get this one on tape. If you don't know how to convert Flac Files, don't bother, just shoot me an email or respond to this post and I'll try to get you a copy.

THE HOLD STEADY LIVE

EMOS OUTDOOR STAGE

AUSTIN, TEXAS

3-27-08

01 Constructive Summer

02 Hot Soft Light

03 You Gotta Dance (with who you came to the dance with)

04 Stuck Between Stations

05 Some Kooks

06 Stay Positive

07 Barfruit Blues

08 Your Little Hoodrat Friend

09 You Can Make Him Like You

10 The Swish

11 Massive Nights

12 Party Pit

13 Chips Ahoy!

14 How a Resurrection Really Feels

15 -encore break-

16 Positive Jam

17 Chicago Seemed Tired Last Night

18 Southtown Girls

19 Killer Parties

http://bt.etree.org/download.php/514233/TheHoldSteady2008-03-27.torrent

Hold Steady...it's coming.

2008-03-28T18:41:00.000-07:00

So, last night I saw what can only be described as the absolute best rock show I've ever seen....yes, that's a bold statement, but it was nothing less than a religious experience. I'll have an official review once my head is screwed back on tight. Fuck it was awesome. I also saw that it was being taped from the audience, so as soon as I find that show, I'll post it here.

Yes, you were fucking kidding me....damnit!

2008-03-28T18:33:00.000-07:00

So I received an email from my painter friend Donald concerning the line up for this years ACL Festival and to say that I was excited....well....take a look at the poster. WOW! All my favorite acts and many others that I was super stoked to check out.

Well, as it turns out it was a FAKE!!! My buddy Trevor clued me in. Check out the link below for more info.

http://www.austin360.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/music/entries/2008/03/24/exclusive_acl_fest_poster_its.html

The Good Life

2008-03-25T15:07:00.000-07:00

Justin Townes Earle's "The Good Life" was released today. If you visit Waterloo Records, you can purchase the new album and get his EP "Yuma" for free. I'd take advantage of that deal. Great artist, and after tiring of his daddy's stuff lately, this is a breath of fresh air.

Uncle Tupelo Finally Reunites!!!!!!!

2008-03-25T08:30:00.000-07:00

Wow, I thought this would never happen. I am so going to buy their new record! Check out the link below for more info.....hurry!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukOEXaGIQLw&NR=1

Spurs have won three in a row...

2008-03-23T18:33:00.001-07:00

The Champs played Dallas today and overcame a 12 point deficit in the third quarter to beat the Mavs. I love seeing Mark "I'm a huge fuck-tard" Cuban look pitiful. He was certainly sweating when the big German and huge fan of "The Hoff", Dirk Nowitzki went down with an injury after colliding with Tim in what was a very physical game. Manu had 26 points and was perfect at the line. The Spurs need to keep up the momentum going into the playoffs....it should be another great run to the Championship. Go Spurs.

Monahans

2008-03-19T19:02:00.001-07:00

One of my favorite local bands, Milton Mapes, has gone on to do a side project under the name Monahans. Although I prefer their Milton Mapes incarnation more thus far, this song is pretty good. I need to really give this band a liston as their first record, "Low Pining" got some pretty good press. They have recorded their follow up and it should be out some time this year. Take a listen and let me know what you think.

http://www.austinsound.net/dl/intotheexpanse.mp3

Drams MP3 Live from SXSW

2008-03-19T18:54:00.000-07:00

Here is an MP3 for you to download from the Drams set at Mother Egans during SXSW. It was a great set during a day of great music.

http://fs06n2.sendspace.com/dl/9bf58b75f7b83ce4c2b5d8ad977f589d/47e1c3b62b36a151/wp12hl/01%20Footnote.mp3

WILCO Headed to Stubb's in May..

2008-03-19T08:39:00.000-07:00

Wilco will play two nights at Stubb's BBQ in Austin in May. The shows will be on Sunday May 11, and Monday May 12th. Tickets go on sale Thursday March 20th. Their last album grew on me and now is one of my favorite's. It also helped to see them play an absolute perfect set on Austin City Limits, and then recently kicking ass on a couple tunes for Saturday Night Live. I've posted a video from that show below. I wanted the one with him in the cool "Nudie Suit", but I couldn't find one.

http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2008/03/wilco_hate_it_h.html

A drunken superhero....cool.

2008-03-19T08:26:00.000-07:00

There is a movie coming out this summer starring Will Smith, Jason Bateman, and Charlize (you're so f-ing hot) Theron. The Fresh Prince plays "Hancock", a down on his luck, alcohalic superhero. Jason Bateman plays a publicist that takes him on as a client to rehabilitate his image. Charlize plays the wife of Bateman's character who ends up having an affair with Smith's superhero dude. What?!@#? I usually hate shit like this, like X-Men, Spiderman.....I was never a comic book geek. Having said that, check out the link to the trailer. It looks really funny. If handled correctly, this movie could be very cool and funny as hell.

http://www.apple.com/trailers/sony_pictures/hancock/

"What do you want to do with your life?"

2008-03-18T18:24:00.000-07:00

So went the opening line from the 80's Video hit by Twisted Sister..."I Wanna Rock!!!!" Now I was never a big TS fan by any stretch of the imagination, but that song was a huge hit back in the day, and I do remember liking the video. God, it's hard to imagine when Mtv actually played video's. Anyway, as it turns out, the original guitarist for Dee Snider's brainchild of the 80's has re-recorded the song with a different band and a new singer. He hopes to have it played at Barak Obama rallies across the country. So now instead of "I Wanna Rock", it goes...."I Want Barak"...no shit, this is the truth. Follow the link below for the entire story. But I don't blame anyone who doesn't click on the link because there really isn't any more to tell. This guy's a huge fuck-tard. I've got nothing against Obama, but "I Want Barak"....really.....seriously, that's what you came up with. WOW.

http://www.austin360.com/music/content/shared-gen/ap/Recordings/People_French_Obama_Song.html

2008 SXSW Wrap Up

2008-03-15T05:48:00.000-07:00

Ok, here is my attempt at a review of this year's SXSW festivities as they applied to the Gorilla and Company. Forgive me for not having set lists for the few shows I was able to see as way too much imbibing seems to have gotten in the way.

As most of you know, a lot of us that attend these shows now have wives and kids, so the days of taking the entire week off and going non stop have long since fallen by the wayside. That said, we seem to be able to "weed out" the bullshit badge shows and attend only the best free day parties, at least those that we can find the time to attend.

Having said that, we did pay to see one show, but it proved to be a pretty decent if sloppy show by some of our favorite bands at Beerland. Two Cow Garage, Grand Champeen, The Drams, and Glossary each played two short sets while rotating members of each band in and out to form "super groups". While this could have been really cool, it mainly proved sloppy and uneventful. I will say The Drams stood out above the rest and seemed to be on a totally different level in terms of sound and performance. As much as I did enjoy their set, it was a bit disappointing that there were no new songs played at all. I will say that the versions of two Slobberbone classics, "That is All" and "Your Love is Waining" were real winners, with the latter being played with some beautiful pedal steel fills that made the song probably one of my highlights of the my entire SXSW experience.

Wednesday brought the free show at Mother Egans that has become somewhat of a tradition for our "crew". Although the line up was pretty much the same as last year, the music did not disappoint. Highlights would have to be the Silos and Chip Robinson of the late Backsliders. Great rocking sets. It was at this show that I decided to see just how much beer I could drink without actually passing out in public. That combined with my two buddies....lets just refer to them as Cheech and Chong, and the constant trips to the "smoking section" made for quite the party. At one point we found ourselves hanging out with some pretty cool 50 + year old dudes that seemed to have several joints burning all at once. Needless to say I am sure this contributed to the haze at which the rest of the event seemed engulfed in.

We ended the day at Baby A's drinking purple rita's and eating mexican food that really seemed like a better idea than it actually turned out to be.

The next morning I found myself wrapped around the toilet to start my day. Having not had that happen in what must be 10 years, lets just say it was not fun. After two showers and multiple helpings of Colgate, I headed back downtown for the New West Records free day party. It was there that I was able to meet up with some of the San Antonio Crew. As always it was great to see them. What a cool bunch of guys. I did get my hand slapped for not updating this blog lately. Be careful what you wish for as this post seems to be never ending....ha!

Free Lone star Beer and fajitas made a good impression, as did a few of the bands that I managed to pay attention to at this year's party. Again, similar lineup to last year, with the exception being The Old 97's. They played a great set of mostly new material from they new record "Blame it on Gravity" to be released May 13th on New West. To say I am looking forward to this record is an understatement as they totally redeemed themselves from the last time I saw them at Stubs. Tim Easton backed up the the Whipsaws from Alaska were great too. The Drams closed it out, but I left a bit before the end of their set as it was identical to the one from the day before.

All in all, it was a success with my only regrets being that I was unable to see Justin Townes Earle, who seemed to be playing all over the place this year, but with wife, kid, and day job, I just couldn't make it work. Maybe next year.

I really wish this was a joke....

2008-03-14T06:51:00.000-07:00

Is the end of the world coming? I thought it might be once I heard the news that the Osmonds are back together and torturing folks with their dull brand of "music". I just saw them perform on Good Morning America, and I just had to wonder, how did they get all those people in the audience to show up, much less act like they were enjoying themselves. What was the "door prize" offered, as I cannot and will not believe that they were there willingly. Wow, I really wish this was a joke. For those of you that would like the opportunity to gouge your own eyes out with a fork or other household utensil, go to their blog....it's time that you will never be able to get back, but hey.....it's the Osmonds man!!

http://strengtheningfamilies.blogspot.com/

South By Southwhat the fuck?!

2008-03-13T15:32:00.000-07:00

I got this from a yahoo blog. Now I don't care what this writer says, Daryl Hall is not cool. Neither is Neil Diamond, Barry Manilow, or Journey's Steve Perry.....all of these guys are uber douche bags of the highest order. They should play private parties for super rich, middle aged, bearded and balding assholes that sing along to every word way too loud. That way there would be no chance of any innocent bystander harmed by the outpouring of bullshit coming from the stage. Having said that, the show may have been ok, but you would never and should never admit to being there at all....period. Thank God I wasn't cool enough to have known about this show ahead of time, or you might be reading a totally different post.....no...... probably not.

SXSW '08: Daryl Hall Or Nothing
Posted Thu. Mar 13, 5:10 AM ET by Lyndsey Parker in Best Of The Fests
Some people may think that going to see SXSW 2008 keynote speaker Daryl Hall perform at South By Southwest is some sort of indie-ironic inside joke. Like, "Ha ha, won't it be funny to see that old has-been who sang 'Private Eyes'?"
But I'm dead serious when I tell you Daryl Hall is cooler than pretty much any skinny-jeaned, hoodie-shrouded band du jour playing SXSW this year.
There's a reason why the Gym Class Heroes named their most recent trek the "Daryl Hall For President '07 Tour" and are working on a Hall & Oates mashup album. Or why Hall & Oates' "I Can't Go For That" has been sampled in about 4,987 hip-hop songs. Or why Daryl gets people like KT Tunstall and (of course) Gym Class Heroes MC Travis McCoy to guest on his online music/talk show, Live From Daryl's House.
It's because Hall & Oates--and by association, the duo's chief songwriter, Daryl--are just plain friggin' cool. No joke.
Never was this more clear than when Daryl performed a free, 40-minute concert at the Austin Convention Center on SXSW's kickoff night, Wednesday. Sure, the audience had its more-than-fair share of mom-jeaned frumps and graying dads in golf caps and Hawaiian shirts...but the crowd actually largely consisted of copiously tattooed hard-rockers and scrawny scenesters with Danny Noriega hairdos. And everyone was singing along, almost kumbaya-style, to "You Make My Dreams Come True," "Kiss On My List, "Sara Smile," and "Maneater."
(FYI, Daryl scored extra cool points for altering the lyrics of the "Maneater" chorus to: "Whoa-oh, here she comes/Watch out boy, she'll steal your song/Whoa-oh, here she comes/Her name is Nelly Furtado." Classic!)
Anyway, let's just see if 99.9 percent of the bands playing SXSW this year are similarly uniting the rock 'n' roll masses with their music at, say, SXSW 2028. And we'll see who's laughing then...

Make that 8 in a row....

2008-03-02T07:12:00.000-08:00

Spurs 96, Bucks 94

Manu and company strike again!

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=280301015

Spurs Win!!!!

2008-02-29T19:26:00.001-08:00

That's seven strait wins for the Spurs. It was a great game that had a definate "playoff feel". Tim Duncan was instrumental in the win, especially with two late free throws with just seconds left to go. Go Spurs!!

Those were the days.....

2008-02-29T19:22:00.000-08:00

On the Wrong Side of Ryan Adams' Whiskeytown

By Jesse Hughey Published: February 28, 2008
Subject(s): Trees, Whiskeytown, Ryan Adams

Before Ryan Adams recorded every half-baked song idea he ever had, before he scored the model-actress girlfriends, before A.A., he was a mean, drunken son of a bitch.
He was also a hell of a lot more interesting.
March 4 will herald the release of a two-disc deluxe version of his former band Whiskeytown's sophomore album, Strangers Almanac. It will include the original album plus live songs, B-sides, covers and demos. Whiskeytown's performance at Trees on January 23, 1998, was a perfect example of just how powerful the band sounded during that era. It also showed what a self-destructive and vicious asshole Adams was.
His band had played Dallas before, and I hadn't been interested—until I read an interview where Adams talked about smoking pot and wanting the band to sound like Sonic Youth with a fiddle and lap-steel guitar. I bought Strangers Almanac, and it rarely left my stereo for months.
But that night at Trees, it was obvious from the band's sloppy, loud take on "Excuse Me While I Break My Own Heart Tonight" that Adams was shit-faced. The crowd was an uneasy mix of indie-rock kids, SMU Greeks and middle-aged country fans. My wife and I loved the energetic, Stones-like takes, but the other angry, confused faces in the audience suggested that our enthusiasm wasn't shared.
Between songs, Adams needled frat guys with remarks about renting friends. Then he put on a pair of black-framed glasses, forced a buck-toothed smile and picked up his acoustic guitar. "Look, we're the Old 97's," he said. "What a nerd!"
"Fuck you, David!" screamed a young woman standing next to me on the balcony, referring to Adams' dropped first name. "Fuck you!"
She stormed downstairs and returned a moment later with a cup full of pennies. During the next song, she hurled them by the handful at Adams. Others pelted him with ice. Whiskeytown played on. After a solo acoustic number, Adams smashed his guitar and threw the pieces into the crowd.
Soon the penny-chucker found more change and, after taking a penny to the face, Adams scanned the balcony for the source of the unwanted tips. I was grinning madly, loving the delicious tension. Adams pointed accusingly my way. I shook my head and pointed a thumb toward his antagonist. Unfortunately, he misinterpreted the gesture.
"Yeah, that's right," he shouted. "We'll go outside, motherfucker! I'll kick your ass!" Then he hurled a bottle at me.
The glass shattered against the railing. Two more bottles popped overhead as I covered my wife's head with my arms, laughing.
The assault soon ended, and the band started up an excruciating, feedback-laden cover of Sonic Youth's "Expressway To Yr Skull." The cover gave way to improvised nonsense as people in the unprepared crowd left in droves.
After the show, I stopped drummer Skillet Gilmore to ask what happened. He apologized, explaining that Adams hadn't been right since he had to replace his usual acoustic guitar. Drinking a fifth of Wild Turkey before the show hadn't helped.
"Well, I thought it was awesome!" I gushed.
And it was awesome. It was everything rock 'n' roll was supposed to be.

Damon Bramblett plays again....

2008-02-28T15:02:00.000-08:00

Damon Bramblett, the pride of Bangs, Texas decided he'd grace us with a couple of shows coming up. I love this guys music, so much so that he played my wedding, and then my 30th birthday. He used to play all the time, and if there was one complaint about his shows, it was that he played the same songs all the time. I saw him again last year after many years away and yes, the set list was familiar, but the show was still a great one. Let's hope 2008 brings some new music from this talented singer songwriter. He's had one album released and I would encourage all of you that like good, Texas music to pick it up. He's definately more thant "that guy that sounds a lot like Johnny Cash". His "tour" dates are below.

Mar 7 2008
8:00P
Dry Creek Cafe
Austin, Texas
Mar 21 2008
8:00P
Dry Creek Cafe
Austin, Texas

More good news from Dando and company...

2008-02-28T14:55:00.000-08:00

I remember when this record came out. A buddy of mine from high school turned me on to this group. I was stuck on Husker, The Replacements, and Soul Asylum from my short stint in Minneapolis. He made me listen to the cassette tape he had and of course, I loved it. I don't think I took that tape out of my deck for months. I also remember the show they put on at Liberty Lunch. I'm not sure of the date although I am sure I could find it....all I remember was that I crowd surfed from the stage that night and it was a blast. I also remember Mr. Dando was under the influence of some acid that night. He actually announced it to the crowd...I quote.."I'm on acid....BLAH!...there, I said it". And then they proceeded to rock my world. I'm really looking forward to this show....BLAH...there I said it!

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

THE LEMONHEADS PLAY "RAY" AT SXSW
THE LEMONHEADS PLAY "RAY" AT SXSW
Band Will Play It's A Shame About Ray Album In It's Entirety To Commemorate
Collector's Edition CD/DVD Version Set For Release March 25 From Rhino
For the first time in their career, The Lemonheads will be playing the SXSW Music Conference in Austin, Texas. Their official showcase will take place at Emo's Annex on Wednesday, March 12. The band, fronted by Evan Dando along with Vess Ruhtenburg (bass) and Devon Ashley (drums), will be performing their seminal album It's A Shame About Ray in its entirety to commemorate the upcoming Collector's Edition CD/DVD release of the set.
This deluxe package features a remastered version of the complete album with previously unreleased demos along with the DVD debut of the 1993 video Two Weeks In Australia. The Collector's Edition of It's A Shame About Ray will be available March 25 at all physical retail outlets and www.rhino.com for a suggested list price $24.98. A digital version that includes all the CD content will also be available the same day for $10.99 from all digital retailers.

It's not a shame about the Lemonheads....

2008-02-28T14:52:00.000-08:00

From The Lemonheads Myspace page...

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

The Lemonheads Revisit "Ray"
It's A Shame About Ray Is Remastered and Expanded for a Special CD/DVD Collector's Edition That Includes Evan Dando's Unreleased Home Demos, Plus the DVD Debut of Two Weeks In Australia, Featuring Videos and Live Performances
Available March 25 from Rhino
The Lemonheads' second album for Atlantic Records was an unforgettable gem. Powered by infectious melodic hooks and a mix of sweet and subversive lyrics, IT'S A SHAME ABOUT RAY helped put the band on the map in 1992. Rhino honors the album with the label's special Collector's Edition treatment, remastering and expanding the original for a CD/DVD set that includes unreleased demos along with the DVD debut of the 1993 video Two Weeks In Australia. IT'S A SHAME ABOUT RAY will be available March 25 at all physical retail outlets and http://blog.myspace.com/www.rhino.com for a suggested list price $24.98. A digital version that includes all the CD content will also be available the same day for $10.99 from all digital retailers.
The album features the trio -- Evan Dando (guitar, vocals), David Ryan (drums) and Juliana Hatfield (bass, backing vocals) -- breezing through 13 songs in just under 30 minutes, including the title track, "My Drug Buddy," "The Turnpike Down" and a romping cover of the Simon and Garfunkel classic "Mrs. Robinson."
The 10 bonus tracks feature "Shaky Ground," which was originally released as the B-side to "My Drug Buddy." The remaining nine songs are unreleased demos that Dando recorded in 1991, including early renditions of album tracks "Confetti," "Rockin Stroll" and "Hannah & Gabi," plus "Bit Part," which includes vocals from Hatfield.
The DVD contains 45 minutes of videos and live performances that were previously released only on VHS as Two Weeks In Australia. The disc features videos for several songs from IT'S A SHAME ABOUT RAY, including the title track, the breakout single "Mrs. Robinson," "My Drug Buddy" and more. Also included is a video for "Being Around," a song that would appear a year later on the follow-up to RAY and "Half The Time" from the Lemonheads' Atlantic debut, Lovey. A trio of live performances include "Alison's Starting To Happen," "Ride With Me" from Lovey and "It's About Time" from 1993's Come On Feel The Lemonheads. The DVD also features candid commentary by Dando recalling the band's wild Australian antics.
IT'S A SHAME ABOUT RAY (COLLECTOR'S EDITION)
CD Track Listing
1. "Rockin Stroll"
2. "Confetti"
3. "It's A Shame About Ray"
4. "Rudderless"
5. "My Drug Buddy"
6. "The Turnpike Down"
7. "Bit Part"
8. "Alison's Starting To Happen"
9. "Hannah & Gabi"
10. "Kitchen"
11. "Ceiling Fan In My Spoon"
12. "Frank Mills"
13. "Mrs. Robinson"
Bonus Material
14. "Shaky Ground"
15. "It's A Shame About Ray" Demo *
16. "Rockin Stroll" Demo *
17. "My Drug Buddy" Demo *
18. "Hannah & Gabi" Demo *
19. "Kitchen" Demo *
20. "Bit Part" Demo *
21. "Rudderless" Demo *
22. "Ceiling Fan In My Spoon" Demo *
23. "Confetti" Demo *
* previously unissued
DVD Track Listing
Two Weeks In Australia
1. "It's A Shame About Ray" Music Video
2. "Ride With Me" Live
3. "Mrs. Robinson" Music Video
4. "Being Around" Music Video
5. "Alison's Starting To Happen" Live
6. "Hannah & Gabi" Music Video
7. "Half The Time" Music Video
8. "Rockin Stroll" Music Video
9. "Confetti" Music Video
10. "It's About Time" Live
11. "My Drug Buddy" Music Video

Manu....still the man

2008-02-28T14:41:00.000-08:00

My good friend and huge Spurs fan Trevor sent me this from ESPN.COM

Lets hope his stellar play continues tonight against the Mavs.

LINK: Manu as The Man in San Antonio

The defending champion Spurs are up to their usual tricks, lying in the weeds for half a season only to make a late run. Once again they're on top of the Southwest division, and nobody will be surprised to see them make another deep playoff run. However, one thing has changed: the team's offensive focal point. For years, the Spurs' primary weapon has been Tim Duncan and, to a lesser extent, Tony Parker.

Not anymore. This season, it's the Manu Ginobili show. The sneaky southpaw leads the team in scoring at 20.6 points per game, but even that understates things. Ginobili's usage rate this season has climbed all the way to 28.0, the sixth-highest figure in the league.
This has escaped people's attention because Ginobili only plays 31.5 minutes per game. But to see how much he's getting the rock, and how productive he's been when he's had it, let's compare Ginobili's per-40-minute stats to those of another prominent player: Kobe Bryant.

You think he can't hang? Guess again. Kobe averages 29.3 points, 6.4 rebounds and 5.7 assists per 40 minutes; Manu gets 26.2, 6.4 and 5.9.

Wait, it gets better. Kobe plays on one of the league's faster-paced teams; Manu is on the second-slowest. Plug Bryant's numbers into the Spurs' sluggish pace and you get 26.9 points, 5.9 boards and 5.2 assists, making the comparison a dead heat.

Additionally, Ginobili has done it with a spectacular 61.7 true shooting mark that ranks fourth among all shooting guards, and trumps Kobe's 57.7.

All this helps explain why Ginobili ranks fourth in the league in PER. Not that it's anything new -- he was ninth in this category a season ago. It also explains why the Spurs can continue to win despite off years from most of their role players and declining numbers from Duncan and Parker. If every time Ginobili comes off the bench you think to yourself "Kobe Bryant is checking in for the Spurs," their success becomes a lot easier to understand.
Yet because of Ginobili's low minutes and his team's low Q rating, he's failed to get his due as one of the game's biggest stars. He's been amazingly slow to get a superstar's acclaim, with his puzzling All-Star snub being the latest example.

One common misconception is that he benefits from playing mostly against opponents' second-unit players because he comes off the bench. First off, this defies common sense -- nobody else is playing their subs 30 minutes; if Ginobili gets 30 and the opponents' sub at his spot plays 15, it's at most a 50-50 split (and that's only if the minutes align perfectly).
More importantly, the data doesn't support this hypothesis. Check out Ginobili 's splits, folks. Ginobili has been far better as a starter this season, shooting 49.5 percent against 44.5 percent while averaging six points and two assists more per game. This isn't unusual -- the vast majority of players perform better as starters, because apparently the disadvantage of coming into a game cold is greater than the advantage of getting a few extra minutes against the other teams' scrubs.

In short, Ginobili's ability to dominate isn't because he's coming off the bench; it's because he's a flat-out superstar and has been for two years now. The prospect of he and Kobe going shot-for-shot in the conference finals is one of many reasons to be excited about the upcoming playoffs.

Manu...wins another one for the Champs

2008-02-21T20:22:00.000-08:00

Spurs 100 Timberwolves 99

Read about the game here.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=280221016

Not quite sure....

2008-02-20T18:44:00.000-08:00

Spurs send Barry, Elson and pick to Sonics for Thomas. This is one of the stories on espn.com right now and I'm a bit torn. Yes, I'd love another big guy up front to help with rebounding and overall defense and offense, but I sure do like Barry. He's not always a game changer, but I've seen him light up teams with three pointers just when the Spurs needed it. In fact, I've seen it on many occasions, in both regular play and in the playoffs, so the jury is still out for me. I must say this though, Coach Pop is not wrong very often, so I'll have to trust his intuition on things like this....I've never claimed to be an NBA expert, just a devoted Spurs fan.

I don't care what Oprah says, I love this guy...

2008-02-20T17:04:00.001-08:00

Old news, but remember the guy who wrote the "true" story of his struggle to get sober? I read his book A Million Little Pieces and loved it, no matter how many things were embelished, it was powerful. I also read the sequel My Friend Leonard and thought it was a great read as well. I am looking forward to his new book....appropriately enough, it's a work of FICTION...fuck you Oprah. Follow the link below for more on his new book.

http://bigjimindustries.com/wordpress/?p=18

Oh my god...

2008-02-20T16:59:00.000-08:00

Man, this is cool. You have to take a look at this poor guy.

http://www.transworldnews.com/NewsStory.aspx?id=34825&cat=2

Gee, I hope this helps....ok, not really.

2008-02-20T16:51:00.000-08:00

Two trades that have recently happened are interesting to say the least. Without getting into all of the odd details about each of these trades....Kidd going to Dallas, then not, then going....Shaq's tired old ass going to the Suns, one of the quickest offenses around?! I doubt he'll be able to keep up, but this should make for some great TV, whether they do well or suck, it should be fun to watch.