Outer Limits

Last night was Filter's Music Appreciation night in Boston. This meant that they put on a free show and everyone got to come and get free stuff and see good bands (well, one good band in my opinion) and hang out. While it was a good idea in theory, whoever planned the damn thing should have had the foresight to pick a smaller venue. After waiting for like 20 minutes for a Forrest Hills train, Eli and I got to Boston Center for the Arts (which is in Back Bay, where I never go, even though I should because everything is brick and clean and quiet and quaint and way too expensive.) In order to get into the show, we had to get our picture taken in some new car outside (not sure why.) They also gave us a button to turn in for a free Da Kine backpack (sweet!) inside and a drink ticket (sweet!) We get inside, get our free backpack and free beer and settle into this cavernous room that at the peak of the night probably only had 150 people inside, which wouldn't be so bad if the room wasn't made to hold upwards of like 2000. DJ Carb and Dave Virr were playing songs before the bands started. It was loud. Real loud.

So Unbusted played. And they were good. We've been listening to them quite a bit in the office, so I've grown to like the band even more.. They had a few free copies of their Ep which I grabbed. Fenway Recordings is putting them out, which is pretty great. Anyway, they played their songs and played them well and their friends were there to see them and then Ben's bass broke and it was pretty much over. The Walkmen headlined, but we didn't stick around cause it was late-ish and we were tired and I'm still mad at the Walkmen for calling people in Bellingham a bunch of depressed alcoholics and punching that kid in the face at the 3B (which I didn't see cause I was too drunk and depressed that night.)

Monday night me, Laura, Aimee, Eli and Dave Godowsky saw John Vanderslice and I sorta melted into a puddle when he grabbed me and Eli in a big hug and said "I feel like I had a little something to do with this!" Eli used to talk to JV about me back in Seattle and about the whole distance thing and if I remembered correctly, he encouraged Eli to stick with this whole thing and all that (correct me if I'm wrong Eli... I can't remember the exact story.) The next day Eli told me he had a surprise for me, which was the JV pillowcase that we both had been drooling over.. so now I can say I sleep with John Vanderslice every night. Creeeepy.

First Regret of the Day

We have a lot of Easter candy left over at my house. I'm not just talking about a few Cadbury Creme Eggs or a couple jelly beans... I'm talking about A LOT of candy. It's covers our whole dining room table... Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs, 2-3 kinds of jelly beans, a bowlful of Peeps, brownies, Robin Eggs, Easter-colored almond M&Ms.... it's sickening, but yet I cannot stop consuming it! Every morning when I go to take a shower, it's there. As I pack my lunch for the day, it taunts me. When I get home at the end of the day, it's still sitting there. This morning I resisted the urge to throw some in my bag though. I'm wishing I did now. The faster I eat it, the sooner I won't have to look at it right? Stupid stupid Bethany.

Last night I made one of the best purchases of my life. While waiting for the Cadence Weapon/Why?/Islands show to start, Eli and I strolled to the used bookstore down the street from the Middle East. Not only were they playing Neko Case in the store, but I found (and purchased) the most delightful book I've seen in all my 24 years. It's called The Hospital Zoo- And You Think You've Got Troubles!!?! Basically it's 30 black and white pictures of various zoo animals with talk bubbles saying ridiculous things... Like a Llama saying "Keep your hands to yourself Mr. Harrison!" and a ferocious tiger exclaiming "Quiet!! This is a hospital!!" On the last page of the book, the orignal gift giver wrote "You'll be up and about in no time. Love, Marcia and Michael xoxo." I really would like to know who was in the hospital and whether or not they loved the book as much as I do.

The show last night was great. I'd seen Cadence Weapon in Toronto last year, but he was much more entertaining this time around, even without his baby-faced DJ (who couldn't get over the border.) This was my first time seeing Why?.. They're one of those bands that everyone has told me to listen to but I hadn't thus far because I put it off and never bought a record. Luckily I had cash with me last night.. I am now the proud owner of Elephant Eyelash! I'm going to put it on now (which means I have to take off Asleep in the Sea, who are really good if you haven't listened to them before.) Islands went on to an already adoring crowd, even though they've only played here once and their record just came out in the US yesterday. Eli pointed out how many people were singing along. Behold the power of the interweb! This was my third time seeing them (although their sxsw show is a little fuzzy).. I applaud any sound guy willing to take on the challenge of properly mic-ing and balancing a bass clarinet and two voilins with everything else. I'm guessing it's tough to make it not sound like muddled shit.

Drama-Free Since 2004

So I suppose I've hit the point where a big city suddenly feels like a small town and my head starts to feel a bit claustrophobic. Over the last two years I've managed to shy away from local "scene" politics, mostly because I had the ability to. But now, just because of my simple desire to book a few shows, mostly so I wouldn't have to bug Carl to do it anymore, ("Hey Carl! So and So from BlahBlahBlah is coming, you should book them at Great Scott!) and now I'm catapulted into something that really, has little to nothing to do with me. Honestly, all I wanted to do was put on a nice, fun little show.

Anyway, as of right now, Team Courage (which consists of me) has two shows booked:

June 12th at Great Scott
Birdmonster
The Talk
TBA

July 13th
Mad Man Films
Mon Frere
Paper Thin Stages
TBA

I should be celebrating, but I am only half-way. I miss the No-Show Congregation and Jamie Garza. Ahaha.

Posted On Myspace by Mad Man Films at 5am

Would he shed his blood for you? (Bill's Bar)

Sometimes a person just can't take it anymore, the same goes for bands. Every once in a while we all get to the point where silence is no longer an option. When we play with bands we are very respectful. We are usually early, we rush like mad to get our stuff on and off the stage, we jump when people need something, we have never refused someone who needed to borrow our stuff or acted bitchy about it, we are respectful when we meet and greet other bands, we have never bitched about money even when we have been blatently ripped off by people we know because money is just a medium of exchange by which we show how much we value and respect something; we are concerned with what is happening in the crowd: have they been standing for 3 hours already, will they be able to catch the train after we finish, are they getting ripped off for door and drink prices, can they hear everything ok, etc etc. These are all aspects of the bands that we respect and enjoy playing with, and in turn we pay them the same respect.Every once in a while the constant bitchy premaddonas, the assholes who take 45 minutes to set up on stage and act like they are the only ones playing, the people who short change you with a big smile, the musicians who treat everyone like shit and then suck when they play, the promoters who let these people play, the assholes who demand beer on stage and then don't say thank you, the people who yell at the crowd for not liking their music...this could go on forever; every once in a while a person has enough and has to say something. We can take it when people disrespect us as a band, but when other bands constantly disrespect the people who pay to come see our shows by doing all of the shit I just mentioned, it eventually breaks our nerve.When one of us opens our mouth on stage and calls a band out for disrespecting everyone, we do it for the people who pay to come and enjoy music, not endure assholes who think that they are God's gift. We do it because we care about music a whole damn lot and these people with no respect for anything are the ones who ruin the scene. If music was like it was in the old days when a promoter would shut you down if the crowd did not like you, then these things would not happen. The way it is now, even if almost the entire crowd (weary on their feet from waiting for the last band who they came to see) completely ignore the band, heckle them, or even go outside for their entire set, they are not accounted for. The band is still allowed to play a long set and nobody gives a shit about the crowd except for a few of us. We give a shit! And we will continue to make our meager attempts at stopping these bands from disrespecting you and the art of music even if it means that we get beat up. Love Always-zakps-thank you so much to all of the bands that give a shit and respect one another and thank you all for your help and inspiration even those of you who are assholes because you help us to see the worst in ourselves. no shit.

Umm.. but I didn't laugh indoors. Bummer

So usually Hershey's Kisses aren't that appealing.. mostly because the chocolate isn't that great and it just doesn't have that extra oomph that something like say.. peanut M&Ms have.. until now. Shaw's had samples of Kissables today, so of course, I sampled. They're basically small kisses in a candy coating, which is pretty simple, but I think I'm hooked already. In fact. I sorta feel the need to vomit. I wonder if my puke would be rainbow colored. Anyway, if you're a fan of Smarties from Canada.. test Kissables out. THEY'RE THE AMERICAN ALTERNATIVE TO SMARTIES.

Last night half of the Barsuk messageboard (Eli, Aimee, Alina, Nickers and I) grabbed hot dogs at Spikes before heading over the Agga-whatever area for the Cribs/Death Cab/Franz show. Alina's been following DCFC for I'm not sure how many shows now.. She came in from Seattle and is seeing them something like 7 times in the next few days. Nickers was in from Brooklyn (I neglected to ask her how she got out of teaching class).. We were a lovely bunch, and after parting ways, Eli and I made our way to our seats.

First off, I HATE arena shows. There's nothing worse than climbing up and down dizzyingly steep cement steps to get to a nosebleed section plastic seat only to find yourself surrounded by pot-smoking yahoo teenagers. When the usher informed us we had "fun seats," I had visions of being stuck in those awkward seats practically behind the stage. Luckily for us, "fun seats" meant we got to sit in the third row. We were so close that I could have easily chucked my shoe at Gibbard's head. Fantastic. Thank you Grant from Barsuk, we love you.

Anyway, the show got started and, although I was a little iffy before the show, it was great to see Death Cab again. I felt a little misty eyed thinking about the fact that the last time I saw them was when they played KUGS' 30th anniversary show in 2004 in front of something like 800 people. And now here they were, playing in front of god knows how many people, and fancy enough to have large white houses with light shows behind them on stage. Alina hit it right when she said they "play in suburbia." They mostly pulled from Photo Album (their best record in my opinion,) only hitting a couple of the new songs. During Soul Meets Body, I looked back to see Laura in the VIP section doing the Vagina Cup dance. Ah what a moment. All in all, a great set. Well done boys.

I'd never seen Franz before, but Eli and I decided to stick around since our seats were so great. They were entertaining and charming and as much as I hate Take Me Out at this point, it was great to look around and see the majority of the audience going nuts. I'm glad that I saw them and I'm glad I didn't have to see them from the back of the room cause I probably would have hated them.

We took off after that so Eli could catch Gris Gris down the street and as we were walking we got into a conversation about bands and labels and signing bands and running labels. It's a conversation we constantly have- why do labels sign certain bands and not others? why don't people hire us for A&R? why is everyone so stupid?!- but it never seems to get old. At some point he asked me who I would sign first if I had my own label. In the back of my mind I had an idea, but didn't spit it out. After we said goodbye I continue my walk home and clicked on my ipod.. I know I'm a sucker for pop music, but as I made my way to Coolidge Corner, I thought about how great it would be to put out a new Murder Beach record. On my imaginary record label. That I will own some day. Seriously, why don't more people love this band?!?!

100th Day

I've decided that since I've collected a fair amount of embarrassing stories throughout my life, I'd write them down here so that they could be laughed at properly. I admit that some of them aren't "funny" so much as they are "holy shit, why is Bethany so weird," but I think they're still worthwhile.

I remembered today's tidbit while talking to an old friend yesterday about attending a Christian school in Bremerton while we were growing up. I went to Sylvan Way from preschool until 2nd grade(after which I, terrified of the secular world, was put into public school.) Each year, Sylvan Way would throw our 100th Day party, to celebrate none other than... our 100th day of school. I remember it being a fairly big deal, with the countdown to the special day on the wall of my classroom. I'm not sure why we chose to celebrate it. Maybe they wouldn't let us celebrate Halloween and this was their way of making it up to us?

When 100th Day finally arrived, we had a big celebration, releasing balloons in the play field with little notes inside (once again, not sure why we did this).. Another part of the day was a display of different groups of 100 things in the foyer of the church. Everyone could bring 100 of whatever they wanted.. 100 popcorn kernels, 100 buttons, 100 pieces of meat.. whateeever you wanted. Since I was such a huge Barbie fan, I decided to bring 100 Barbie items. I'm guessing that most people with the same idea might just bring in a box of Barbies and accessories, but NO! NOT ME! For several tedious hours, my mom and I, sprawled in front of the tv, attached 100 Barbie clothes and accessories to my mom's tattered white crew neck sweatshirt. Although I can't remember properly, I'm guessing I wore that damn thing proudly.

And this is the point of my story when I realize that my story has no point and I stop it abruptly. Typical.

MACROCK 2006!!

Tonight I'm heading to NYC so that I can be there for our 9am drive departure to VA for this year's Macrock. In our family van will be Me, Doug, Brooke, Jess, Justin, Pat and Ron Brown. We'll be staying in one motel room, drinking Sparks and creating chaos all weekend.

In preparation for this event, I thought I'd post some of my favorite pix from last year's trip.. and what a trip is was. Six of us stuffed in a five person car, the quarter bulldozer game which I won a gold watch from, clearing out Food Lion of Sparks, the fetish party at the "gay bar," Bring Nipples Back to VA and more.. Can we top it? Only time will tell!

Jonathan Richman! Top of the Pops!

I'm starting to think I'm narcoleptic.. Maybe not in the literal sense, but in the "I can fall asleep anywhere sense." A couple weeks ago it was during Taxpayer... Last night it was The Ponys. There's just something about a dark humid room and the way my earplugs dull out the sound that lulls me to sleep.

Anyway, the reason I was at The Ponys was cause they were opening for Art Brut. Roger Sisters went on first and I was really looking for them to convince me to buy one of their awesome bunny t-shirts, but they didn't. Bummer.

The Pony's were good from what I heard through my nap. I'd only heard some of their old record when I was working at KUGS, so I wasnt' entirely familiar with them, but I will give them a "not bad" stamp of approval.

Art Brut finally came on after a bunch of Jonathan Richman songs were blasted over the speakers (one time Canada and I spent several hours listening to Jonathan Richman/Modern Lovers... things haven't been the same since.) The funny thing about seeing a band for the first time after listening to them for quite a while is seeing how off your ideas of what they'll look like are.. I had never bothered to look at pictures of the band, so I was pretty delighted when the band looked pretty well put together, with a sloppy, moustached Eddie conducting the show.

Their show was exactly what a good live show should be... charming and unpredicatable. There's nothing worse than seeing a band that sounds exactly like the record when you see them live. A band should improvise, interact and entertain, which is exactly what Art Brut did. From jumping into the crowd, jumping onto the bar, doing an aside during Emily Kane and having the crowd chant "Art Brut! Top of the Pops!" I have no doubt that every person in the audience went home loving the band more than when they got there. So yeah. Go see them, assholes.

The past few days have tired me out.. I've been running on five +/- hours of sleep after too many shows + friends + etc. Jenny and I ran around Boston, dropping money on things we don't need ($40 headband anyone?), drinking beers and eating at some of the best restaurants. It was fun as hell. Everyone! Come to Boston!

Neko Case tomorrow and then NYC/VA into the weekend. I need a giant nap.