Mine's a Kickdrum

In the past year or two, I've gotten extremely lucky. Not like $$$ lucky or being rescued from a freezing river by a dog with a broken leg kind of lucky.. but oh-my-favorite-bands-from-years-gone-by-have-reunited lucky. Call me crazy, but sometimes I think I had better taste in music when I was 17 than I do now (let's ignore my ska & swing phase please.)

Anyway, first it was Harvey Danger deciding to start playing shows and putting out a new fantastic album and then coming to Boston and totally blowing my mind... And yeah yeah The Rentals are back together (haven't seen them yet, slightly bitter.) But now, NOW in time for Racetrack's last two shows (which I missed) my beloved Peter Parker decided to start playing again. I adored them through many-a-months through my youth (short attention span, yeah?) and I when I remember to throw it on at The Plan, I am transported back to a time when the Masonic Temple was a great place for a show and I listened to 107.7 The End religiously.

I'm guessing I won't get a chance to catch them when I'm in Seattle next month, but regardless, I've been inspired to dust off my copy of Migliore! (stolen from Eric Christianson circa 2000.)

Oh geek.


p.s. It hit 69 degrees in Boston. The last time it was that warm was 1881. A fun fact brought to you by Steve Theo

Nika's Friends Are Famous

I've technically only met Joe Somar once. It was after a Fxxxing Lion show where he rolled around on the ground with his shirt off. He was bleeding when I shook his hand. Anyway, he got taken to People's Court. And this clip has apparently made him an internet superstar..




And, in very tenative news.... you know how I raved about Shout Out Out Out Out a few weeks back? Well it looks like they'll be coming to Boston in March.. and it looks like Team Courage and Happy Endings might be involved. Ian and I are going a little nuts over it and trying not to scare off their booking agent with our excitement. They're pretty great, despite what Pitchfork says.


I am attempting to put together my Top 10 for 2006 to submit to CMJ. I didn't send in a list last year because having to choose between records makes me feel a little panicked.. there's a few clear winners this year though.. records I've listened to so much that I've annoyed everyone around me (*ahem* Dears).. So as soon as it's done, I'll get it up here.. maybe with explanations of why. That's be fun, yeah?

Speaking of The Dears, two weeks from now, I will be seeing them. In Montreal. Je suis très excité. I am also looking forward to butchering as much of the French language as possible. I still know how to order a ham sandwich. I think.

My semi-annual trip to the greater Seattle area will commence on December 18th. I plan on kissing babies (not my own) and making dinner for old friends (possibly) and spending time with my dear Mother. And you?

My Thanksgiving Plate

Given the chance, I will go to bed at 9pm and wish you well as you set out for the bars.

My Friends Are Totally Famous part 3 (i think)

My friend brother friend Luke and his filmaking collective Ivar Hill Productions are written up in the latest issue of Hollywood Connect Magazine. You can check it out here.

I've known Luke practically from birth and he and my brother spent most of my childhood burning holes in GI Joes with a magnifying glass on our driveway or burning down houses they'd made from matchsticks under the cabins at La Push. My mom got real mad about that one.

"Next year, girls, sex and rock & roll"

It's Tuesday which means I've had enough time to assess the weekend. Not there was a lot to think about it. No sir, just a typical boring weekend....

We busted out the swan boner (finally.)


Jack Black got wasted (as usual.)


Caitlin flashed her goods (duh.)


And my friend turned into magic dancing ghosts (???)



Actually all of that happened on Friday. Saturday was spent watching a Parental Control marathon and seeing Aberdeen City and Faces on Film. Oh and crashing the upstairs neighbors' party. Perfect excuse to scope out what the other apartments in our building look like. hmmm.

Things Are Gonna Change, I Can Feel It

I totally scored myself a copy of the new Gwen Stefani record via Stereogum. This comes a few hours after Rohan pretty much tore her apart on the phone. I mean, I'm pretty annoyed by her excessive use of songs from musicals (once was enough, but Sound of Music yodeling pushes it over the edge!!!) but for some reason I am looking forward to hearing what else she has up her sleeve.


Also.. the most amazing sweater ever:

well, alright.

All plans for PM Dawn were abandoned last night in favor of walking in the rain and drinks at the Silhouette. Needless to say, my memory bliss was not set adrift, but that's ok. Sometimes I get cranky and indecisive and I abort ship. Abort!!


Anyway, tonight I convinced a few people that there'll be nothing more satisfying than tossing back drinks (and our hair) at the Elks Lodge in Cambridge. I haven't been there in a few years but if I remember correctly there's an amazing mirrored wall that is perfect for dancing with yrself. Like J-Lo does when she rehearses perhaps.

Jazzercise!!!

One More Reason Why I Love You

Why am I lucky enough to know such wonderful people?!?!?!?!

Take That

i have a newfound appreciation for Third Eye Blind.

Two or Three Things I Know for Sure

My friends are on MTV!

Speaking of Greg and Darin, their project Dinner with the Band just got the green light for two months of production. I know they've been working on this for a long time now (Greg says 2 years!), so I'm extremely happy (and proud) for them. The episodes will appear on the website as they're finished.. Until then you can check out the pilot episode to see what the show's all about!

Also, you can preview the tracks off the new Brakes record here. This is not THE Brakes, but Brakes. They're on Rough Trade and they're awesome.

How I Feel At Least Once a Week

Mondays aren't so bad if you're coming off a great weekend. I know it's crazy but I think it's true! At least today! Maybe it's all the chocolate I consumed this morning. That helps with the spirits.

Fall has been going full-speed ahead and I'm bracing myself to slam headfirst into December in a few weeks. It's exciting.

Friday night Laura and I headed to The Paradise to see Mohair, a band I met and fell in love with at CMJ. I'd never heard their music, but somewhere between drinkin beers in the basement of the Bowery and Pete trying to poke their manager in the neck so he'd bob his head like a pigeon, I promised to see them play in Boston. Their show was charming and fun and poppy and Laura and I sort of marveled at the abnormally skinney legs and tight white pants of the lead singer.


After that we headed to River Gods for drinks and drawing of whales (don't ask.) Somewhere along the lines I promised a near-stranger a birthday present, talked about DJing there soon and managed to get back to Allston in time to buy Keving Hoskins a birthday show at The Model.

And Laura now has a page in my notebook dedicated to her famously funny drunk comments.


Saturday Laura, Heather, Michael and I headed to the MFA and checked out the Fashion Show exhibit. Some collections were better than others. Chanel came through of course, and there were a few others that were really incredible.. And then there was the group of skirts and dresses that seemed to be inspired by Wooly Mammoths..
Heather and I giggled quite a bit over the group of old women gathered by a show being projected on a blank wall "Ohh that's wearable."

We walked around the museum for a bit longer and I found some of the best expressions I've ever seen captured on canvas


I DJ'd The Plan that night, sneaking out early to head to Happy Endings for some quality time with my favorite couple ever Caitlin and Ian. I like them a lot individually too, but it's rare to see them at the same time now that Ian up and moved to NYC.

And of course, nothing says photo-op like Happy Endings! Hunter did an excellent job playing "lurker" in this one. Or maybe my head is just too big.. either way..



Yesterday was spent hiding from the rain, consuming greasy diner food and pretty much having the best Sunday ever. Nate decided to have a dinner party, so a bunch of people came over and we made individual calzones which sounds bad in theory but was actually a great idea! I'm glad I thought of it! We then proceeded to play some crazy rounds of Scattegories and Pictionary. I'm proud to say that Hunter and I were victorious with our astounding depictions of "smother," "surfboard" and more.

And now it's Monday, the start to one of the busiest weeks ever. Ohhhhh my.

Highlights of an Otherwise Frustrating Day

There is always one day during each music festival that it all catches up with me. The lack of sleep, the excessive caffeine, the open bars, the forgetting to eat etc. etc.... and lucky for me it happened yesterday. Sore throat. Fever. Everything. Ugh. I thought I would manage to make it through the entire day, but then, in the middle of cutting a peorgie with my fork somewhere on 9th St., I lost most of my will.

I did manage to see some great bands before calling it day.. Cadence Weapon, Oxford Collapse, The Decemberists and... the highlight, The Thermals. Two feet from my face. Aghh!!



This is it... the last day. If all goes as planned I will see Bon Savants, Via Audio, Human Television, The Divorce and more. I will eat lunch with Nika somewhere in Brooklyn. I will make it. I am determined.

short list

Ohhh my poor poor body. Beaten bruised and sore. My arms are marked with 10,000 re-entry stamps. And finally my Fader Lounge wristband. Finally.

Bands:
The Annuals
120 Days
Mason Proper
Sammies
Moros Eros

Other stuff.

Time for a nap!

Wooooooooo!

I didn't have the best view.

Hot Child in the City

Three days down... three to go.

Yesterday's rundown:

Rockstar energy drinks consumed: 2
Foosh mints consumer: 1
Bands seen: Mason Proper, Hot IQs, Matches, Novillero, Heavens, Hello Stranger, Dr. Dog, The Knife
Awesome parties thrown: 1
Number of times I seriously considered chopping off my legs: 13

After a semi-stressful start to the day (messy venue, no soundguy etc. etc.), we started putting together our party at Arlene's Grocery.

Nika was in charge of color-coding the sugar skulls.


Mason Proper went on around 3 to open up the party and played one of the best sets I've seen them do, complete with two GREAT new songs (!!!)


Ok ok, I had to include this one too cause Jon's doing a fancy-free leg kick. aha!



Next. Hot IQs put firecracker.. As a sidenote, Doug and I ran into drummer Elaine on the subway the other day and I've never seen anyone so tiny hold open big metal doors like that. I was incredibly impressed.


Matches came on next.. check out how stoked the blonde haired girl is...


Heavens closed out the night and I finally took a decent picture..


Ooooo and here are some people!!

like two of my favorites! Derek and Lindsey!


Too cool to go inside...


Crowd inside


Crowd outside



Okay okay okay.. Onto the rest of the night.. I managed to get into the Bowery for Dr. Dog and spent a good amount of time bonding with my new favorite people, Mohair. English people really are funnier.

Dr. Dog were as incredible as always and even brought on Cold War Kids and Elvis Perkins to jam along with them



I also saw The Knife at Webster Hall and took a shitty video of it, which I will try to upload.. hmmm..

And then there was Galapagos, where I got to spend some quality time with Nika and take some nerdy photobooth pics before calling it at night. I got home by 2:30am! Amazing!

You Need Some Lessons on How to Get Me Off

This has to be real short cause I need to go dive into the shower, but yesterday was a great time even despite all the ridiculous a-holes in halloween costumes crowding everything.

Bands watched:
Birdmonster (uhh twice)
The Format
Matt Nathanson
The Trucks
Crystal Castles
Shout Out Out Out Out

Even though my deepest love goes to Birdmonster, Shout Out Out Out Out still get the award for Best Show of the Day. Justin Spindler gets the award for drunkest person at the Best Show of the Day.. err.. or maybe that girl that kept trying to get up on me. Hmm....

Ice Age is still stuck in my head.



Cakeshop is one sweaty basement...



The ladies of The Trucks..



Orange blob that is Shout Out Out Out Out...




Our party starts in a few hours. It's gonna be a good day today. I can feel it.