Saturday, December 31, 2005
NYE Stuff
Happy New Year!
I rambled on so much last year about NYE that I decided not to say much of anything this time. I'll get all sentimental about the past year tomorrow. For now, it's time to party like it's 1988.
Grateful Dead
12-31-88
Oakland Coliseum Arena - Oakland, CA
Let The Good Times Roll
Franklin's Tower
Wang Dang Doodle
West LA Fadeaway
When I Paint My Masterpiece
Cold Rain & Snow
Cassidy
Don't Ease Me In
Countdown
Sugar Magnolia
Touch Of Grey
Women Are Smarter
Terrapin
Drums
Space
The Wheel
Gimme Some Lovin'
All Along The Watchtower
Morning Dew
Sugar Mag (Reprise)
Sunshine Daydream
Wharf Rat
Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad
One More Saturday Night
Special guests include Clarence Clemons, Baba Olatunji, Sikiru Adepoju and Kitaro.
Tom Tom Club opened.
These are only going to be up for a few days. If you really want some live Dead, go buy something from the Dick's Picks series. A bargain at twice the price. OK - maybe not twice the price, but they're damn cheap.
(This was supposed to go up last night, but I was having problems uploading the music. You have tomorrow off. Just go out and party like it's 1988 again tonight instead.)
I rambled on so much last year about NYE that I decided not to say much of anything this time. I'll get all sentimental about the past year tomorrow. For now, it's time to party like it's 1988.
Grateful Dead
12-31-88
Oakland Coliseum Arena - Oakland, CA
Let The Good Times Roll
Franklin's Tower
Wang Dang Doodle
West LA Fadeaway
When I Paint My Masterpiece
Cold Rain & Snow
Cassidy
Don't Ease Me In
Countdown
Sugar Magnolia
Touch Of Grey
Women Are Smarter
Terrapin
Drums
Space
The Wheel
Gimme Some Lovin'
All Along The Watchtower
Morning Dew
Sugar Mag (Reprise)
Sunshine Daydream
Wharf Rat
Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad
One More Saturday Night
Special guests include Clarence Clemons, Baba Olatunji, Sikiru Adepoju and Kitaro.
Tom Tom Club opened.
These are only going to be up for a few days. If you really want some live Dead, go buy something from the Dick's Picks series. A bargain at twice the price. OK - maybe not twice the price, but they're damn cheap.
(This was supposed to go up last night, but I was having problems uploading the music. You have tomorrow off. Just go out and party like it's 1988 again tonight instead.)
Thursday, December 29, 2005
I can't believe we're going to Baltimore.
Wish us luck.
The Slickee Boys
12/29
The Mojo Room & Lounge
Baltimore, MD
Forbidden Alliance
Question of Temperature
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Random Christmas Stuff
This is probably going to go down as our most hectic Xmas season ever. From having company over for 2 weekends in December, a birthday celebration that lasted nearly a week, A Christmas party of our own, attending several other gatherings, a handful of shows, several Boys-nights-out, and - oh yeah - Christmas itself - it's been a helluva month. And we've still got a couple of shows, another party and NYE coming up. sheesh.
The Slickee Boys were nothing short of amazing. The Post seems to agree. Switchblade were terrific as well, but I'll admit I was ready for them to be done about 5 songs before they finished. Rockabilly just bores me after a while. The Slickees were the best I've seen them in years. Even the BF thought they were a blast. I can't wait for the Baltimore show on Thursday. I never go to Baltimore anymore, so you know this is a big deal for me. I don't go to Baltimore unless it's absolutely necessary. The Slickees definitely qualify.
Xmas Eve was actually a fairly quiet day. I somehow managed to get all of my presents wrapped beforehand, leaving the gym as the only thing on my to-do list. How that happened, I'm not quite sure. This guy managed to convince us to head downtown to celebrate an early Xmas with our mostly-blogger-buds and their significant others, and to hang out with the adorable Mr. Bartender, since he had to work that evening. The plan was to go hang out for a short while, wish everyone a Merry Xmas and head out. I think it was sometime around midnight when the Santa Claus' alter-ego Jäger Claus made an appearance and quickly altered our plans. Next thing we knew it was after 2:00am and we had to dash out to catch the Metro. Time flies when you're surrounded by such cool, fun people.
Christmas Day was awesome, despite having a slight twinge of a headache. The BF and I exchanged presents, drove north to pick up his Mom (more present swapping), then south to visit my family for yet more presents and an insane amount of food. We're so lucky that our parents love each other and live nearby. It makes life so much easier on holidays. The highlight of the day was watching my 2.5 year old niece run around opening presents. Being the incredibly cool uncles, we got her the favorite present of the day. Similar to Rob and TJ's niece, my niece is being raised to refer to the BF as "Uncle Don". That means the world to me.
Still, a day with the combined families has it's share of stress, so after taking his mom home and dumping off our Xmas booty, it was time to head out for a little fun and return the favor to Sean, who was working Xmas night. Off to the Ultra-Chic Lounge where most of those listed above were in attendance, along with a few other folks. A much more sedate evening, where we all just kind of hung out and shared the tales of our day. A nice, relaxing end to a fairly hectic weekend.
I can't remember when I've been so busy having so much fun. This whole month has been a whirlwind of friends, family and general craziness. And it's not over yet. How friggin' cool is that?
The Slickee Boys were nothing short of amazing. The Post seems to agree. Switchblade were terrific as well, but I'll admit I was ready for them to be done about 5 songs before they finished. Rockabilly just bores me after a while. The Slickees were the best I've seen them in years. Even the BF thought they were a blast. I can't wait for the Baltimore show on Thursday. I never go to Baltimore anymore, so you know this is a big deal for me. I don't go to Baltimore unless it's absolutely necessary. The Slickees definitely qualify.
Xmas Eve was actually a fairly quiet day. I somehow managed to get all of my presents wrapped beforehand, leaving the gym as the only thing on my to-do list. How that happened, I'm not quite sure. This guy managed to convince us to head downtown to celebrate an early Xmas with our mostly-blogger-buds and their significant others, and to hang out with the adorable Mr. Bartender, since he had to work that evening. The plan was to go hang out for a short while, wish everyone a Merry Xmas and head out. I think it was sometime around midnight when the Santa Claus' alter-ego Jäger Claus made an appearance and quickly altered our plans. Next thing we knew it was after 2:00am and we had to dash out to catch the Metro. Time flies when you're surrounded by such cool, fun people.
Christmas Day was awesome, despite having a slight twinge of a headache. The BF and I exchanged presents, drove north to pick up his Mom (more present swapping), then south to visit my family for yet more presents and an insane amount of food. We're so lucky that our parents love each other and live nearby. It makes life so much easier on holidays. The highlight of the day was watching my 2.5 year old niece run around opening presents. Being the incredibly cool uncles, we got her the favorite present of the day. Similar to Rob and TJ's niece, my niece is being raised to refer to the BF as "Uncle Don". That means the world to me.
Still, a day with the combined families has it's share of stress, so after taking his mom home and dumping off our Xmas booty, it was time to head out for a little fun and return the favor to Sean, who was working Xmas night. Off to the Ultra-Chic Lounge where most of those listed above were in attendance, along with a few other folks. A much more sedate evening, where we all just kind of hung out and shared the tales of our day. A nice, relaxing end to a fairly hectic weekend.
I can't remember when I've been so busy having so much fun. This whole month has been a whirlwind of friends, family and general craziness. And it's not over yet. How friggin' cool is that?
Friday, December 23, 2005
God Bless The Slickee Boys
It just wouldn't be Xmas without the return of The Slickee Boys. DC's legendary punk-garage-pop-surf-psycho-rock band returns for their annual reunion show tonight at Iota. These guys never disappoint. They're everything a great rock band should be. A perfect mix of rock, fun, cover songs, dancing, and a guy wearing a fez who's been known spend the whole show drinking straight from a bottle of whiskey. Easily my favorite DC band of all-time. If you don't have fun at a Slickee Boys show, you just don't get it.
Invisible People
Death Lane
This Party Sucks
Thursday, December 22, 2005
Congrats, Reg!
Elton John Ties the Knot With Partner
I was really hoping he would wear the duck suit.
If I lived in Virginia, I'd probably be going to this tonight at The Galaxy Hut:
MISTLETONES: FREE SHOW..Members of Trans Am and Weird War playing holiday music surf-style!!!
But I don't live in Virginia, so I'll probably spend the night drinking free beer here.
The Slickee Boys at Iota tomorrow. WOOHOO! So excited.
The Elton photo came from Tim's Elton John page.
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
One If By Land...
Two If By Sea at The Black Cat this Wednesday.
80's-style mopey dance-rock all the way from Baltimore. Kind of a dancier version of Bauhaus. It's only $5. Who's with me?
100 Days
Aspida
Contract
Bullet Parade is opening. Peppy indie-rock. Warning: There may be a trombone involved.
Dodge Peon
Shoes and Socks, Baby, Socks and Shoes
Oh, Hold Steady, how you mock me so. First you completely skip over DC on your last tour. Now you decide to grace us with your presence, only to come to town the same day as the almighty Rolling Stones. Had I not practically mortgaged the house to buy tickets for that show already, I would be at your show, front and center.
But, alas, it's not meant to be. *sniff*
The Swish
But, alas, it's not meant to be. *sniff*
The Swish
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Biggie Duets
Slain rapper Biggie resurrected for 'Duets'
Diddy is putting out a new record full of newly recorded duets featuring Notorious B.I.G.
The Bad Boy Entertainment/Atlantic Records album pairs the voice of Biggie with some of today's most popular artists and producers, among them Eminem, Jay-Z, R. Kelly and Mary J. Blige.
Blech.
Biggie also is joined on several duets by other such departed legends as reggae artist Bob Marley, rapper Big Pun and his most notable rival, Tupac Shakur...
Wow. Talk about bad taste. Putting dead people together to sing duets that never really happened. Didn't B & T hate each other?
"Different people wanted to utilize his vocals and do duets with him on mix tapes," he said. "It showed us that (a), there was still a huge demand for people to hear Biggie's vocals, and (b), that other artists still had love for Biggie even though he had such a short career."
You left out (c), the Biggie money-train is too good to pass up.
But maybe I'm wrong. Maybe it'll be a touching, sensitive tribute done it a totally classy and respectful way.
"We're partnering with the Loews movie theaters, so you're going to hear his music there," Wiley said. "You're also going to see posters and standees (in the theaters) like there's a movie coming."
Bad Boy also has joined with Wal-Mart and BET to sell a CD/DVD combo that offers consumers a chance to win a limited-edition double-face Notorious B.I.G. watch.
In addition, a never-before-seen Pepsi commercial that the rapper shot shortly before his death will be resurrected.
Oh, good Lord. What would his mother think about something like this?
Bad Boy has teamed with Biggie's mother, Violetta Wallace, for a promotional tour that will push the album and her memoir, "Biggie."
hmmm.... You know...I'm all for posthumous releases...b-sides, demos, unreleased tracks, etc. Get the songs out there for the world to enjoy and let the estate make a little money. But this just reeks of greed. Maybe if the artists donated all of their proceeds from this to charity (or to Biggie's mom), I'd be more tempted to believe they were doing it for sentimental reasons. I don't doubt most of the artists are doing this out of their love for the man. Especially Biggie's mom. But I also think they see big dollar signs in front of them.
This whole thing is just kinda creepy.
Diddy is putting out a new record full of newly recorded duets featuring Notorious B.I.G.
The Bad Boy Entertainment/Atlantic Records album pairs the voice of Biggie with some of today's most popular artists and producers, among them Eminem, Jay-Z, R. Kelly and Mary J. Blige.
Blech.
Biggie also is joined on several duets by other such departed legends as reggae artist Bob Marley, rapper Big Pun and his most notable rival, Tupac Shakur...
Wow. Talk about bad taste. Putting dead people together to sing duets that never really happened. Didn't B & T hate each other?
"Different people wanted to utilize his vocals and do duets with him on mix tapes," he said. "It showed us that (a), there was still a huge demand for people to hear Biggie's vocals, and (b), that other artists still had love for Biggie even though he had such a short career."
You left out (c), the Biggie money-train is too good to pass up.
But maybe I'm wrong. Maybe it'll be a touching, sensitive tribute done it a totally classy and respectful way.
"We're partnering with the Loews movie theaters, so you're going to hear his music there," Wiley said. "You're also going to see posters and standees (in the theaters) like there's a movie coming."
Bad Boy also has joined with Wal-Mart and BET to sell a CD/DVD combo that offers consumers a chance to win a limited-edition double-face Notorious B.I.G. watch.
In addition, a never-before-seen Pepsi commercial that the rapper shot shortly before his death will be resurrected.
Oh, good Lord. What would his mother think about something like this?
Bad Boy has teamed with Biggie's mother, Violetta Wallace, for a promotional tour that will push the album and her memoir, "Biggie."
hmmm.... You know...I'm all for posthumous releases...b-sides, demos, unreleased tracks, etc. Get the songs out there for the world to enjoy and let the estate make a little money. But this just reeks of greed. Maybe if the artists donated all of their proceeds from this to charity (or to Biggie's mom), I'd be more tempted to believe they were doing it for sentimental reasons. I don't doubt most of the artists are doing this out of their love for the man. Especially Biggie's mom. But I also think they see big dollar signs in front of them.
This whole thing is just kinda creepy.
Sunday, December 11, 2005
Thanks to everyone who came out to our little holiday gathering yesterday. I don't know about you, but we had a blast.
Thursday, December 08, 2005
Ugh. Sick today. Blech.
Birthday weekend in a nutshell:
Thursday - The official start of birthday weekend. Typical Lantern/Eagle Thursday. Ran into a few of our regular buds and a few folks we haven't seen in ages. Drank a little more than usual and stayed out later than I should. Let the fun commence.
Friday - The BF took me out to dinner, followed by a little hot tub time. We decided to stay in, knowing the rest of the weekend would be a bit busy.
Saturday - Our friend Bob came down from Philly to catch Dark Star Orchestra at 9:30. Stop cringing. Yeah, they're a Grateful Dead cover band, but they're an amazing Grateful Dead cover band. The sold-out club was packed, but there was just enough room to dance. Great show, highlighted by the guest appearance of none other than Donna Jean Godchaux Mackay - former singer with the Dead from around '72-'79. Hearing her singing "There's a band out on the highway..." during "The Music Never Stopped" was just fantastic. The crowd ate it up. The second set was just spent dancing non-stop. I need that every now and then. Dead music kind of centers me. The music just forces you to dance like you don't have a choice in the matter. It's just such a huge emotional and physical release, it's like going to a religious revival. I really miss that sometimes. I don't usually realize just how much I miss it until I get to experience it again.
Sunday - The BF arranged for us to meet up with a few of our friends over at Halo, then a few more later over at Taint. My first time at Halo. Probably not the last. Quite swanky in that I-wanna-be-NYC kind of way. Taint was a blast - surrounded by lots of great folks, great music, more dancing and a rather bizarre gay rap group. Not bad for a Sunday.
Monday - My actual birthday. X at 9:30. Make no mistake - they can still bring it. John Doe hits that perfect combo of playing his ass off while still looking like he's having a great time. Billy Zoom is still a bit disturbing, but he looks like he's actually having fun these days, rather than having that I'm-smiling-but-I'm-about-to-go-postal stare. His playing appears so effortless, rarely looking down to the point that it seems like he doesn't even realize he's playing guitar. Exene is, well, Exene. Not everyone can pull off a housedress like that and still kick your ass. So many great songs: "Los Angeles", "Soul Kitchen", "White Girl", "Johnny Hit And Run Paulene", "Hungry Wolf", "Breathless", "We're Desperate", "Devil Doll" and so many more. What a great f-cking band.
Day off Tuesday, figuring I would just lay around and let my body detox for a while. Bought the Xmas tree, but we haven't done anything with it yet.
Thanks a lot to everyone involved in making my birthday a complete blast. Being surrounded by lots of friends means the world to me. I'm not going to name names or link anyone, because I'm sure I'll forget someone and feel like a heel. You know who you are. Thanks a lot!
I seem to have caught a cold sometime during my carousing over the weekend and it's finally catching up to me. Ugh. I'm supposed to meet up for a bit of a birthday celebration for someone else tonight, but I don't think I'm gonna be able to make it. Someone please buy this guy some whisky for me.
GD - Music Never Stopped
X - Johnny Hit And Run Paulene (live)
X - We're Desperate (live)
mp3s are for sampling purposes only. If you like what you hear, go buy something. You can get Dead music here and X music here. It'll be money well spent - trust me.
Birthday weekend in a nutshell:
Thursday - The official start of birthday weekend. Typical Lantern/Eagle Thursday. Ran into a few of our regular buds and a few folks we haven't seen in ages. Drank a little more than usual and stayed out later than I should. Let the fun commence.
Friday - The BF took me out to dinner, followed by a little hot tub time. We decided to stay in, knowing the rest of the weekend would be a bit busy.
Saturday - Our friend Bob came down from Philly to catch Dark Star Orchestra at 9:30. Stop cringing. Yeah, they're a Grateful Dead cover band, but they're an amazing Grateful Dead cover band. The sold-out club was packed, but there was just enough room to dance. Great show, highlighted by the guest appearance of none other than Donna Jean Godchaux Mackay - former singer with the Dead from around '72-'79. Hearing her singing "There's a band out on the highway..." during "The Music Never Stopped" was just fantastic. The crowd ate it up. The second set was just spent dancing non-stop. I need that every now and then. Dead music kind of centers me. The music just forces you to dance like you don't have a choice in the matter. It's just such a huge emotional and physical release, it's like going to a religious revival. I really miss that sometimes. I don't usually realize just how much I miss it until I get to experience it again.
Sunday - The BF arranged for us to meet up with a few of our friends over at Halo, then a few more later over at Taint. My first time at Halo. Probably not the last. Quite swanky in that I-wanna-be-NYC kind of way. Taint was a blast - surrounded by lots of great folks, great music, more dancing and a rather bizarre gay rap group. Not bad for a Sunday.
Monday - My actual birthday. X at 9:30. Make no mistake - they can still bring it. John Doe hits that perfect combo of playing his ass off while still looking like he's having a great time. Billy Zoom is still a bit disturbing, but he looks like he's actually having fun these days, rather than having that I'm-smiling-but-I'm-about-to-go-postal stare. His playing appears so effortless, rarely looking down to the point that it seems like he doesn't even realize he's playing guitar. Exene is, well, Exene. Not everyone can pull off a housedress like that and still kick your ass. So many great songs: "Los Angeles", "Soul Kitchen", "White Girl", "Johnny Hit And Run Paulene", "Hungry Wolf", "Breathless", "We're Desperate", "Devil Doll" and so many more. What a great f-cking band.
Day off Tuesday, figuring I would just lay around and let my body detox for a while. Bought the Xmas tree, but we haven't done anything with it yet.
Thanks a lot to everyone involved in making my birthday a complete blast. Being surrounded by lots of friends means the world to me. I'm not going to name names or link anyone, because I'm sure I'll forget someone and feel like a heel. You know who you are. Thanks a lot!
I seem to have caught a cold sometime during my carousing over the weekend and it's finally catching up to me. Ugh. I'm supposed to meet up for a bit of a birthday celebration for someone else tonight, but I don't think I'm gonna be able to make it. Someone please buy this guy some whisky for me.
GD - Music Never Stopped
X - Johnny Hit And Run Paulene (live)
X - We're Desperate (live)
mp3s are for sampling purposes only. If you like what you hear, go buy something. You can get Dead music here and X music here. It'll be money well spent - trust me.
Monday, December 05, 2005
Happy Birthday To Me!
Thanks to everyone for helping make my birthday weekend totally f-cking rock!
And it's not over yet. Tonight (my actual birthday) it's dinner with friends, then X at 9:30.
More details on the weekend festivities later. Right now I'm kind of busy:
And it's not over yet. Tonight (my actual birthday) it's dinner with friends, then X at 9:30.
More details on the weekend festivities later. Right now I'm kind of busy:
