In the early meetings I was definitely a Feist skeptic. I’m not sure why this is. I think its because she looked like Cat Power, and I gave the Cat an honest shot, and just didn’t get it. Further proof you can’t judge a book by its cover. I heard a suggestion that “You can’t judge a dude by his collar” but I’m not going to agree with that, because you totally can.
So, Feist played last night in BK, it was highly anticipated by many. It might have been the last show I will see at the McCarren pool in Greenpoint, since supposedly they are turning it back into a pool next summer, but it was a great way to end. The only previous show I had seen was Neko Case, probably about a year ago, and I was left unfulfilled. For this, the crowd was easily double in size, packed from the deep to shallow ends. At the end of the show, some guy gets on the PA and says “Alright, everybody out of the pool!” and I chuckled. OK, onto the show.
Right from the start, this girl is extremely impressive. The first thing that struck me was not her angelic voice, nor her cat-power-ish good looks, but her Badass Guitar Playing. She comes out and TEARS IT UP on an old Guild hollowbody, leading the band into some serious jams. Her tone was exactly what I would like to achieve. We were kind of far back, but I’m pretty sure she was using 2 Vox AC15’s, cranked way up, low wattage style. Just plain delicious tone. Beyond the tone, there were some serious chops happening. Call it sexist, but usually when a band is fronted by a female instrumentalist, they stick to some basic rhythm playing, focusing on the vocals. Not the case for the feist. She played most of the solos, with an amazing sensibility reminding me of a Smokey Hormel and dare I say…..JEFF TWEEDY. Yes, I said it. This only applies to guitar playing, keep your pants on there, chico.
Its also time to discuss the giant elephant in the room, her voice is frikkin beautiful. It just floats over the crowd (ironic being in a pool, but I would say that anyway). There were a few solo acoustic and light band arrangement tunes, which are very tough to pull off in front of 5,000 hipsters, but 90% of the crowd was dead silent. On top of that, she writes great songs. It was just Norah Jones-y enough to be accessable, but still with enough rough edges to be badass. Wonderful stuff.
I also saw the band Mates Of State walking around with their tiny daughter. This was hilarious, because the kid looks EXACTLY like the mom. Same hair, same clothes, everything. The mom was also pregnant, maybe they’re creating a family band for themselves. The dad, who is the drummer, was pushing the stroller while the kid ran behind him, causing havoc. You don’t often get to see rockers in this context. I once recorded a BBC thing with Pat Metheny, and got to talk to him for a bit. We talked about radio, his comment was ” you know, we had to get a…..minivan…for the kids and stuff..so we got satellite” He was a little ashamed of the soccer mom van, but still a complete and total badass. I feel the same way about the Mates Of State drummer.
But Feist, damn girrrrl. You could tell she was as excited as everyone else to be there. I guess I’m late to the party, because there were 5,000 other people there and this was my first show, but I’m ok with that. Still, if she starts playing Giants Stadium, I’m out.
The old man and woman who run my favorite local deli by work noticed that I got a haircut. If thats not love, really, what is? I have never been let down by any sandwich from them, and my day is always just a bit happier after leaving. The guy calls me “Jersey City”, and frequently tells everyone he has the biggest balls in town. (meatballs…) They just don’t make people like that any more.
I heard the new Rilo Kiley album. I’m confused, let me tell you why. The Ri-Ki (thats what they like to be called, I know these things) have been on an interesting path since I became more than a casual listener. I had been acquainted with them for several years, but never beyond hearing them in my friend Monica’s car. Then they came out with that Portions For Foxes song, produced by the Eric Tarn Approved Mark Trombino, and I was in. Now, that is not indicative of the rest of their catalog, or even that album, but a good jam nonetheless. That “More Adventurous” album was filled with gems. There are only about 2 songs I do not love. That was my soundtrack to my time in LA, and it occupied the #1 spot in my old car’s CD player for over 2 years, I kid you not. It was never removed until I got rid of the car. So then, they take some time off, and Jenny Lewis makes a wonderful little gospel record. All signs point to a kick ass, eclectic, rock fest of bliss. (maybe indie-fest? no one should ever say that)
But….not so much. While I have only heard it once, first impressions are important. Now don’t get me wrong, Jenny Lewis is still the only Jewish girl I would ever marry, and god willing, it’s gonna happen. But Jenny, darling, you’re already a great songwriter- even Elvis Costello approves. You’re a goddess to everyone even remotely connected to indie music. Do you really need to make some polished, radio ready, single driven album? I hate to be the “well on the last album…..” But, on the last one, you immediately got some feeling out of the songs. Even that one where Blake sounds like he’s slowly dying while singing. That did not hit me right away with this one. Maybe its Mike Elizando behind the glass instead of the genius Mike Mogus, or even the Trombin-er himself. But you know what, I’ll wait until the Webster Hall show in September, and then if you just play those little Pop Diva Jams, I’m gonna have to call off the engagement.
My mind is completely blown. I don’t think it will ever recover. I have no idea who these people are, or what they feed them in that magical land of IKEA (i’m guessing meatballs) but this shit is just…..wow. Wilco even linked it on their site. Its just…..wow. no words left.
I have a serious cold. You’re not supposed to get things like this in August, right? Well, someone didn’t tell me that, and now its too late. look what has happened.
I rested last night, calling off my 2nd job of the day, and stayed home to recover. I rarely do such things. In this case, I broke out the Brazilian guitar book, and learned some exercises. One great thing about brazilian guitar is, If you can do one basic cool thing, you look really intense. Like this 4 chord thing i had going, was like, whoa. I fully imagine that when i start lessons next week, I will be once again shot down and will have to work my way from the ground up. I fully look forward to this. But for now, I will bask in the glory of my 4 chord south american vacation.
Books are something I’ve been neglecting as of late, but I’ve picked it up once again. I need to finish this Chuck Klosterman book, and re-read Quitting Science. I read the opening, and it brought me back. I love when things do that. Dan Bern wrote it under a pen name, and its just wonderful. He talks about “science” as a profession, touring around the country, creating experiments, never once mentioning music. Its just a beautiful piece of literature.
I have 2 roommates, Paul Wagner, and Eric Tarn. They are both true originals. Lets examine a few differences, while discussing the phenomenon that is the Wagner. This morning I felt a little out of it. I encountered the Wagner, and I was drinking some grapefruit juice, mentioned in a previous post. This was the dialog
Paul: Good morning, how are you?
Steve: Yo Paul. I’m feeling a bit rough, but I’m hoping this grapefruit juice has magical powers
Paul(in a completely serious tone): Most likely it does. Ok, see ya later
And that was that. It improved the day by a good 33%. Now, here’s a typical Eric Tarn morning conversation
Steve: Yo
Tarn: Uuuuurrrrrgggggghhhhhhh
Steve: Ok, see ya later
And there you have it. We once heard an amazing story about a guy who got in a fight with his dad on a pool table, which ended with both of them being arrested, having chipped teeth, and getting sent to the hospital. Paul’s reply to this was “One time I bruised my dad’s rib from hugging him too hard”.
First off, my comments section is filled with spam. Too much for me to go through. 7,000 comments. That is the actual number. So if there were a real comment on there, I would not be able to find it in the mass of Online Gambling and Viagra ads. One time the 10 Huron crew sent out an Evite to a gathering, and an acquaintance spammed the evite with her own party’s evite, while rejecting ours. We wanted to respond with Free Online Gambling! Prescription meds!!
This leads to an interesting happening. I got this facebook invite to a gathering honoring a Gas and Oil Baron. Now, lets be honest, do you think I’m going to honor Baron Von Rapetheplanet? I’m gonna pass. So, I post on the little wall thing “Sorry, I’m attending a World Existance Is Awesome Party that night, in my Honda, which gets 33mpg” Some lighthearted banter ensued, a good time was had by all. Then I got a message from someone I do not know saying “What is the World Existance Is Awesome Party? I’m very interested in solar energy, and would love to know about it”. Now I feel silly, and wish I had made the joke a little more clear for everyone.
I picked up the previously mentioned Telecaster type guitar yesterday. A big thanks to Brandon through the CL, its going to a good home. I plugged it into the POD last night, tuned it up just a bit, and the chaos began. It sounds exactly as I imagined it. This is no A sus 9 guitar, this is the, solo from Tom Waits “Jockey Full Of Burbon” guitar. On the Small Tweed setting, it screams ugliness, in the most beautiful way possible. I am bringing it to the rehearsal space tomorrow night to crank it through the Twins. I was playing things I didn’t know I had in me. Weird solo things, not being a slave to the pentatonic, chords that made no sense but somehow worked anyway, it was all there. I might replace the tuners, I have some old ones from the Strat that will hopefully fit. Other than that, it is ready to tear it up.
So the studio crew, which consists of myself and my boss Ed, went out to lunch today. He had to stop by the insurance agency to drop something off. We walk in, and the secretary says something to the agent, I think her name was Paula. She goes “Mr Vandeliegh called, he had to do some work on his house and change the poilcy, so he’s sending over some paperwork”. Paula responds, “Why didn’t you patch him through to me? I was with a client but I still needed to take the call! Next time, just patch it through!” and this was said with a very nasty tone. The secretary starts crying and yells “I will not accept this kind of treatment!” and storms out. I am making up none of this. Ed and I looked at each other, and had to hold back bursting out laughing.
Later in the studio, he tosses a cookie onto my desk and says “Dont ever accuse me of being like Paula”
I’ve been working a lot. I just realized this. Like I’ll get home at 11:00 a few nights a week, and realize I worked an 11 hr day, I don’t know what thats about. When you only work 3.5 hrs at the 2nd gig, its not so bad.
Instruments can get expensive. There is a point in every guitar playing person’s life (notice the lack of gender discrimination) where they want that big expensive Gibson, Fender, ESP Screaming Skull, whathaveyou. I’ve been there, and so have you. But recently, I’ve taken it in the complete opposite direction. The guitar player in the State Prison Surprise bought a cheap Japanese Teisco guitar. It sounded ugly as hell. And thats just what it needed to do. Jack White only plays guitars that sound ugly as hell. Tom Waits recordings are covered in these sounds. So I thought to myself, “what am I doing?” So today, I’m buying a $150 Teisco telecaster ripoff. Take That, $2200 Les Paul Standard. I once heard Robin Ford at a workshop say that the amp is way more important that the guitar. He’s probably right. He was also playing some ridiculously expensive 1959 Les Paul at the time, but whatever. Playing with Miles Davis allows you to say that.
I had this wonderful plan last night. I bought 6 grapefruits a few days ago, and I was all prepared to juice them. But, I decided that turning on a loud appliance at 11:30 at night would be inconsiderate to my sleeping roommates, who do a wonderful job of not being loud while others are vikings in dreamland. So I set my alarm for 7:30, and planned to juice the morning away. This did not happen, as you can imagine how wonderful the prospect of 30 minutes of sleep is at 7:30 am. I feel the day would have been infinitely better had it involved said juice. Rest assured though, my dear sweet produce, juicing is in your future.
The week we bought the juicer, we went all out. I think we spent $60 on produce at whole foods, just to see what would happen. I remember I was on the last gig of a terrible terrible project, in The Bronx, arguing with a producer over giant bodyguards threatening to throw us out of the building, and me basically saying “thats it homes, I’m out”. The best professional move? Possibly not. But we live and learn. All I wanted that whole day, was some OJ. The point of this? Your guess is as good as mine.
Van Halen announced their tour today. As silly as it is, I want to go. I know the show is going to suck, the only person who can emerge from rehab successfully and grow infinitely as a musician is Jeff Tweedy. A bunch of 55 year old men are not going to be able to recreate the lightning fast shred solos, double bass fills, and lets face it, Spandex Clad Acrobatics, of a bunch of 25 year olds. Its just not in the cards, baby. Also, putting your son on bass is a risky move, homeys. Tom Waits had his kid on drums for the last tour, and while he was extremely proficient, he didn’t have the weathered soul of an old touring musician to drive the band. People are expecting a lot, well, maybe not that much, I think if even 1 show happens, it is above and beyond most expectations.
I just discovered a C Sus 9 chord, and its blowing my mind as we speak (well, not really speak, but as you read this I will still be playing it). Chords are wonderful and crazy things. One minute you’re sad and pensive , the next you’re in a mystical land, steering some type of viking ship into a harbor filled with Centaurs and shit. Thats what the C sus 9 sounds like.
One thing i neglected to point out about The Hold Steady the other night, is how phenomenal their lyrics are. I barely listened to lyrics for about the first 20 years of my life. Tom Waits’ Mule Variations changed that. But this Hold Steady thing brings a new edge. Much of it comes from the perspective of the underdog band dude, drinking a lot and dealing with crazy women. And really, who hasn’t been there at one time or another? His delivery makes it completely convincing. For instance, one line is
She Said- “Its good to see you back in a bar band, baby”
I said- “Its good to see you’re still in the bars”
Now if thats not a “the ocean called, they’re running out of shrimp” line, what is?
I saw Stanton Moore Friday night. He was in good form, but I’ve seen him put a little more into it in the past. Web Master T Bone is out with an ankle injury this week (one too many DLR Kicks), so he wasn’t able to attend. This is a shame, because the trio busted out “Good Times, Bad Times” by Led Zeppelin. TB Once asked me “Steve, whats that Led Zeppelin son that goes ‘goood times baaaad times’ ?” Thats what we call, Pulling An Eric Tarn. Our (questionable) friend Sara Q Robinson was also supposed to attend, but decided to completely ditch the crew. I was deeply hurt by this, and will not forgive any time soon. You Got That Mrs Robinson? Ouch dude, Ouch.
Holy Shit, I just switched it up to an A sus 9, and Oh man, its like the centaurs all went home, the sun is going down, and the natives are slowly marching to the shore to roast a pig or perhaps grill a Coelacanth (look it up, you’ll see what I mean). Thats exactly what it sounds like.
That fax came in, it was not good. I nearly had a lesson with Stanton Moore, one of my few drumming heroes, before his trio gig tonight. But….it fell through, they’re getting into town too late, and I am deeply upset. In truth, I wasn’t prepared for it anyway. I need to practice way more, we do not need a repeat of my other drum lesson. So next time Galactic cruises its way through the northeast, WATCHOUT. I’m bringing the Heat. Or at lest the Luke Warmth.
I saw The Hold Steady last night in Prospect Park. I had heard good things and mediocre things about them live, so I was not sure what to expect. The album, while it sounds like a really good demo tape, grows on you. It sneaks up like a small piece of mold on bread, then before you know it PENICILLIN. So, maybe the live performance would stand up. It sort of was the exact opposite. They started Penicillin, and ended up Mold on Bread. Still, it was awesome bread, and awesome mold, let me explain. They came out of the gate Swinging. They opened with their hit “Stuck Between Stations” the crowd went nuts. Craig, the singer (not the list) tore up the stage like a jumpy 7 year old, bouncing around and screaming the lyrics off mic, again after he sang them. Just plain wonderful. But as the set continued, they got a little more drunk, a little less tight. As a front man, he owned the entire stage and crowd, non stop energy. But, he was late on all sorts of lines, the drummer sped up a bunch, the other dudes were off on their background vocs, the whole sha-bang.
But what came across the whole time was their genuine surprise and joy that they had gotten this far as a band. They’re a bunch of 30+ dudes, not the sexiest bunch, just kickin it. Near the end of the show, he gets on the mic, over a low part in a song, a la, Springsteen or something and says something like
“You know, we started this band 5 years ago just so we’d have a standing occasion to drink beer with each other, and next week, we’re flying to Dublin to open for The Stones. ” He didn’t sound like an arrogant dick or anything, you felt great for these guys. He was even a little choked up when he said it. People were climbing on the stage and getting taken down by security, and the guitar player was having the time of his life watching this. One girl got dragged off, but was yelling to her friends, so he helped the friends to the stage, so they could get dragged off together. If thats not friendship, what is?