Wednesday night, while my wonderful wife was unfortunately stuck at Open House night at her school, I went on a little adventure. I hit one of my old haunts, Alex’s Bar in Long Beach, for an evening with Reverend Strychnine Twitch and friends (more commonly known as the Foxboro Hot Tubs - also known as “the guys from Green Day plus their touring bandmates in a not-so-super-secret side project”). I’m convinced that this was the best rock show I have ever attended.
The night started out with Girls With Guns, a super punky chick band that embraced the punk ethos of old. They were loud, fast, brash and rude, and just went on stage to have a good drunken time. I have read some complaints about them, but they are very good at what they do - rocking balls off and not giving a fuck. They rocked the place, and had a great time doing it.
The second opening act was the Mystic Knights of the Cobra, another band that rocked the house and had a great time doing it. I immediately loved the Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo reference, and the band was pretty darn good. With killingly catchy songs like “El Camino” (featuring the lyrics “The front is like a car, the back is like a truck, the front is where we kiss, the back is where we…”) and others (not to mention the two attractive female lead singers), MKOTC are a sight to behold. They obviously enjoyed their opening spot for Foxboro, and had a blast warming up the crowd.
After MKOTC, I was hanging out at the bar with my new friend Dave, when all of a sudden we both catch something from the corner of our eyes. Turns out that five feet away from us right behind the bar, Tr&eacure; Cool is mixing himself a drink. We both admitted to being pathetically star struck. Yes, it’s embarrassing, but sometimes 32 year olds have to succumb to their inner little girl.
Once the band went on stage, things got straight loco. Billy J… ahemThe Reverend Strychnine Twich, rather… entered the venue over the crowd on top of a surf board carried by some burly security guys. It was pretty amazing. Actually the really amazing part is that The Rev managed not to knock his head on the low ceiling. But it was a killer entrance.
The Hot Tubs rocked the crowd for almost an hour and a half. I think it’s safe to say that everyone there - the band, the crowd, and even the bartenders and security guards - had the time of their lives. At least three times (and I think more) throughout the night, the Reverend invited the crowd up on stage to dance and party with the band. Amazingly, even with thirty people on that tiny stage with them, they still kept the music going and sounded great.
I don’t think the band even knows what their future plans are, but if you ever get the opportunity to see the Foxboro Hot Tubs, I would highly recommend it.
I personally can’t think of a rock show that I have been to that could top this one. It was an opportunity that comes along once in a lifetime, and I feel very lucky to have been a part of it. Thanks for a great show, FBHT!
In case you haven’t heard, last week’s new free Nine Inch Nails song Discipline has turned into a new FREE album called “The Slip.” Ten tracks of new NIN material, all available for free at TheSlip.NIN.com. I’m only about a third through, but it’s damned amazing so far.
Just in case you haven’t seen it, here the new Nine Inch Nails video for the new song “Discipline.” And in case you haven’t downloaded it yet, just hit discipline.nin.com for the free download.
Is it possible that Diebold is just really really bad at programming their voting machines? Or is there really some sinister motive behind their constant flubbing of the vote?
Whether it was a malicious attempt to steal votes or just a simple programming error, why in the hell are we still using Diebold’s products? They have consistently proven their products to be sub-standard, especially for the purposes of accrately counting votes. Turns out they’re great at undermining the democratic process though, so maybe that’s why they still have a job.
I have been a Mac lover ever since my dad bought me my Mac Plus back in the mid-80’s. I have watched the company wax and wane, and really admire what you personally have accomplished in returning to Apple. I love my iPhone, my MacBook Pro, and have successfully convinced a number of my friends, family, and faculty members at the university where I work to switch to Mac. Needless to say, they are all ecstatic, and every single switch went very well.
I’m writing, though, to call you out on shutting down Think Secret (www.thinksecret.com). As I’m sure you know, Think Secret is a Mac rumors site that spilled some official Apple announcement (I can’t even remember what it was specifically) before it was time, and Apple filed a lawsuit. According to Think Secret, a settlement has been reached, and Think Secret will be shut down.
I understand the importance of Apple’s announcements being delivered on schedule when planned and only when planned. I remember an ordeal with ATI a few years back where they spilled a secret the night before your MacWorld keynote (I believe). I know it is essential for the company to operate this way.
But Think Secret is an independent media company run by Nick dePlume, a college student. I’m sure you would agree that a big corporation shutting down a small time independent media company is at least a little bit wrong.
Not that it makes a difference now, but I wanted to let you know that I am disappointed in Apple’s behavior on this one.
Kevin Dubrow, lead singer of Quiet Riot and heavy metal icon, was found dead at his home in Las Vegas yesterday afternoon. Along with Quiet Riot, Kevin blazed new trails in American music, and helped create a huge movement. There isn’t yet an official cause of death, but whatever the cause, it is certainly tragic. My condolences go out to Kevin’s friends and family.
For some reason, I have been on an on-demand documentary rampage this week. First When the Levees Broke, now American Hardcore. American Hardcore is a story of the hardcore punk scene during its heyday from 1980 to 1986. The documentary goes into the political and social climate during this era, and is told through interviews with some of the major (and many not-so-major) players in the scene.
I have always been a fan of 1970’s punk, and bands like the Sex Pistols (obviously), the Ramones (also obviously), X-Ray Specs, the Buzzcock, the Damned, and all those folks. But when it comes to bands like Bad Brains, Minor Threat, Gang Green, and Flipper, I am pretty clueless. Which is exactly what made this documentary great for me, as it was an excellent primer on these early 80’s American punk bands, many of whose members went on to bands that are still popular today.
Even if you aren’t a fan of loud, fast, three chord punk rock, this documentary is great for any rock fan. The attitudes that went along with this era in music have never ever existed, and even though American hardcore punk was a fairly small scene in the grand scheme of things, it certainly made its mark.
Although The White Stripes new album Icky Thump isn’t even out yet, you have probably heard their noisy, bluesy, screechy, and unforgivably catchy new single “Icky Thump.” You know, the one with the staccato, almost sing-songy or childish guitar breaks that almost sould like it bagpipes emanating between super catchy White Stripes trademark blues grooves. Yeah, you know the song (if not, it’s available on iTun es right now, and is well worth the $.99).
If you are a White Stripes fan, or like good music of any kind, Icky Thump doesn’t disappoint. I always feel like the best albums, and the ones I end up liking forever, are the ones that take a few listens to really appreciate. Icky Thump is no exception. The first time through I was not all that excited about the album, but on the third listen, the magic present in Icky Thump made itself abundantly clear.
The track that really stands out for me is “Rag & Bone,” which is all about Jack and Meg either going to yard sales or just trying to get free stuff from people. Jack and Meg’s conversations in the middle of the song are what really do it for me, and actually make me laugh every time. Plus the combination of Jack’s groovy blues riffing and Meg’s incessantly catchy pounding really makes this song. It has the feel of classic blues rock, created for no reason except to groove your balls off. And it works beautifully.
That’s not to say that the other tracks aren’t equally strong. There isn’t a single song that I have started skipping, which says alot since I have probably been through this album close to ten times so far.
My recommendation is pick it up as soon as you can. You won’t be sorry.
For those of you who don’t know, I absolutely love Nine Inch Nails. Trent puts out some great music, and puts on a hell of a show. Sometimes, apparently not often enough however, I check out their website. There’s a section there simply called TR, which is sort of Trent’s sounding board. This is what Trent posted on 12/13/2006:
“Is it possible I am actually finished writing and recording a new nine inch nails record? Apparently so. We begin mixing in January! Juggling fifteen all-new tracks around. Testing sequences. No leftovers from “with teeth”. Highly conceptual. Quite noisy. Fucking cool.”
Wow. That is fucking great news. With Teeth was well worth the long wait, but the prospect of not wwaiting five years for new NIN is awesome. Good work Trent, I look forward to the new album!
