random thoughts on hump day 22 July 2009

I really should have blogged about the Those Darlins show immediately after seeing them, but I didn’t. But, I can say that seeing Those Darlins at Schuba’s last Friday was revelatory. It’s fabulous to see such a great band. Me being me, I got there early enough to catch the opening acts. The Puking Pearls went on second and stuck out to me because they were so minimalist: just a singer, a chick on bass, and a dude banging a drum. But their music was fantastic. So punk.

I found myself right at the stage when Those Darlins took over. To my right was a bunch of hipster couples, and to my left was a large group of late twenties frat boy types who were super drunk but knew the words to every last song Those Darlins played. By night’s end they’d bumped into me countless times and spilled Icehouse on me during an impromptu mosh pit, but I forgave them. They were real fans.

I’ve decided that, after seeing Those Darlins live, they are like a mix of Johnny Cash, the B-52’s, and the Cramps all rolled into one trio of ladies. They’re all drop-dead Southern gorgeous, wail on their axes, and sang a “shake it” song that nearly made the whole front four rows pregnant. Watching them made me desperately want to play bass again. Don’t know when I’ll have the means to buy a bass, but I’ve wanted one for years. It’ll happen. I love seeing a band that is this refreshing in it’s retro-ness. A definite must-see if you’re on the fence.

I acquired the Escala CD this last week. They’re a pop string quartet that appeared on one of those British talent reality shows. All girls, too. They recorded the piece “Palladio” by Karl Jenkins, recognizable for it’s use in the DeBeers “A Diamond is Forever” commercials. It brought back a slew of memories for me hearing it. I have vivid memories of watching said commercials as a kid, wondering and imagining what my future married life would be like. In the early 90’s when DeBeers was starting that “shadows” campaign in their commercials, my imagined future consisted of moussed hair, beige furniture, and big shoulder pads in power suits. I guess my future husband resembled a member of the Brat Pack. Weird.

That train of thought led me to think of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, and how “Winter” makes me think of baking Pillsbury Christmas cookies in Ugly Christmas Sweaters. Not that I’ve done that. I can’t find the commercial I’m thinking of on YouTube, but it was on our VHS of “Mickey’s Christmas Carol” my mom taped off ABC, and we didn’t bother to fast forward through the commercials, so they eventually ended up being part of the experience. That VHS came into existence nearly 20 years ago, and has since bitten the dust. Alas.

the boy wonder wizard 18 July 2009

I forgot to mention this -

In honor of the new Harry Potter movie, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, my wizard rock group The Cheering Charms recorded a new song. It’s a parody entitled “I’m A Dementor.” Go to our MySpace and enjoy!

it reads like burning! 18 July 2009

The other day I found a book in the bargain bin at work entitled So Lyrical, by Trish Cook, with a picture of a girl on the cover listening to her headphones. The blurb said the book was about a girl whose mom is an ex-groupie, and suspects her absent dad is a famous rock star. Sounds kinda fun, right?

WRONG. So, so wrong.

First off, this author likes to describe in detail what outfit everyone is wearing. Down to the designer of the jeans. And even though I’ve had to stop halfway through the book (more on that in a minute), I have yet to recognize a single brand. This woman is clearly trying too hard to be cool.

Secondly, a book that focuses so much on music has to be dealt with delicately. Nick Hornby pulled it off wickedly. This woman cannot. The main character, Trace, has an ex-groupie mom who is apparently stuck in the 80’s. Her mom has a freakin’ bass drum signed by all the members of Dexy’s Midnight Runners – and Trace finds that both uncool and embarrassing. It seems none of her friends knows who Dexy’s is. (Or Duran Duran, or Billy Squier…) Um, they only recorded “Come On Eileen,” one of the greatest one hit wonders of all time!! A character so interested in music shouldn’t be embarrassed by her groupie mom who still likes to listen to Flock of Seagulls. Nor should they proclaim that their favorite band is Jimmy Eat World.

Thirdly, the characters are ridiculous. Stereotype after stereotype. Poor character construction after poor character construction. Of course this awkward-but-still-gorgeous girl meets the perfect-hunky-lead-singer-of-a-band-who-also-happens-to-be-rich boy. And of course he immediately falls in love with her. She completely overcomes her fear of men spawned from a past boyfriend because new boyfriend is super hot and fronts a band. Yay. This guy is like Edward Cullen all over again, except he doesn’t sparkle.

Now to why I had to stop reading. Trace goes to visit her Jersey grandparents, bringing along her best friend and perfect hunky boyfriend, and the sweet old things meet her at the airport spouting Snoop Dog phraseology and used a BeDazzler to write “You the Shizzy!” on a pillowcase for her. They didn’t want to seem “uncool” so they took a class at the senior center to get “with it.”

*Facepalm* and *headdesk* There are no words.

I read good literature, and I think I’ll never be able to write anything worth getting published. I read commode like this and think WHY AM I NOT A WORLD FAMOUS WRITER ALREADY?! So I guess it’s a good thing I spent a couple of dollars picking this up. At least I know I can write better than that. And I’ve also found a publisher that would probably love to publish me. At this point it’s just a matter of taking a weekend of punch out a first draft. Wouldn’t even have to edit, I’d just send it along and reap the benefits. Reading this was a good kick in the pants. In more ways than one.

Oh, and the whole search for her real birth father who may be a famous rock star thing? More irritating than intriguing. Trace’s mom won’t reveal who he is for reasons I still can’t grasp. I skipped to the end and the dude’s name is Sheamus. End of story.

Liz Phair gave a blurb for the book: “I turned off the TV for this book. It rocked.” Ahem. Well, now I know not to trust the literary criticism of Liz Phair.

don’t own no shoes, i got a tin roof tan 9 July 2009

I’ve noticed the last while that I like raw music. I like music that is bluesy, folksy, sensual, with a rough edge. And as I was listening to my latest acquisitions I was noticing that was the dominant theme… at least in my opinion.

Those Darlins Those Darlins – WHAT A FUN RECORD!! I heard about this trio of country ladies from a friend who was recommending them to another friend on Facebook. I was completely smitten with their single “Wild One” and was disappointed they didn’t quite have a full-length out yet. I literally jumped and did a jig when this was released! Back in my younger days, I told people that I liked every kind of music “but country and rap.” Such a tired and ridiculous answer. Those Darlins are putting out the kind of country music I’ve come to love – it’s like they’re an all-female Johnny Cash tribute band not playing Johnny Cash songs. They’ve got some twang, but the genuine, endearing kind that has had men from all over falling in love with Southern ladies for generations. “Snaggletooth Mama” and “Mama’s Heart” are frequently getting stuck in my head, just like “Wild One” did when I first heard it. For any Cary Ann Hearst fans out there, this is a perfect companion album. And I just bought my ticket to see these ladies at Schuba’s next week!!

The Films Oh Scorpio – Speaking of Miss Cary Ann, her hubby Michael Trent’s band finally has a new release! Two things immediately struck me as why this album is made of awesome: Butch Walker produced it, and they finally released “Pour It Out,” one of my favorite Films songs for years. The song has changed since I remember hearing it and swooning at the Village Tavern in Mt. Pleasant, but it’s still identifiable. Butch Walker and bassist Jake Sinclair have done wonders to the overall sound of The Films. I have a few Tinkers Punishment tracks floating around my iPod (the bands former name/incarnation), and they have developed leaps and bounds over that. It’s a crisp, tight album, but Michael and the rest of the band have picked up enough Southern spirit that it doesn’t sound prefabricated. It’s still pretty genuine. The term “L.A. rock” keeps popping in my head to describe them, but since they aren’t from L.A. (NYC by way of Charleston and Denver) I haven’t the faintest idea why. They are continuing the fabulous trend of garage rock that the Strokes helped to bring back. I hope to see these boys again real soon.

The Dead Weather Horehound – SQUEEEEEE!!!!! I am in LOVE with and LUST after anything Jack White touches!! If I had to pick a modern, living idol, he would be it. I love his attitude, his wit, and his weirdness. And his music is top notch. Hearing that he had a new band and would be reviving his drummer career got me all hot and bothered. And then I saw a clip of the Dead Weather performing on Conan… and Jack White momentarily took the back burner as I got a blast of Allison Mosshart, the lead singer of the band, as well as of The Kills. Umm… I kinda want to BE her. I can’t fathom how the stage doesn’t just erupt in flames with the power she alone generates, not to mention with Jack White. The album has the same blues-based awesomeness Jack White is famous for, just funneled through a different medium. I’ve heard people say Allison Mosshart is like a female Jack White, and to a degree I must agree. She gets it. And she delivers accordingly. Though “I Cut Like a Buffalo”, a 60’s-style punk song as sung by the boys in the band, melds just right with the rest of the album. This is a very exciting album to be around for, and I’m so pleased that my dear Mr. Jack White can start up a bunch of bands and have them stand on their own. Despite my obvious adoration! (And I’m seeing these guys at the end of the month. I hope I survive the blitz.)

In addition to the above, I’ve been listening some to the 2nd South Carolina String Band, a group that revives Civil War-era songs and tunes. Love. It. Since becoming a history major and living in the South I’ve become very fascinated with Civil War period and the culture of the Old South/Confederacy. I’ve been going through a somewhat intense phase with it right now, so having some “authentic” music around is fantastic. But randomly humming/whistling “Dixie” without thinking probably isn’t a good thing. I’ve decided that once I get back home to the South I’m going to look into reenacting. SOOOO geeky, but I think I would have a good deal of fun with it!