For the Pseudo Ivy League Punters in the Audience

As Pete Townshend once said, "Sit down or stand up but shut up. It's a fucking rock and roll concert, not a tea party!"

So yes, my self important pretentious co-audience members who complained about everything before and during the Hold Steady's set tonight, shut up. Your sophisticated tweed jacket did nothing to cover up the personal failings of your shitty attitude.

But know this: I screamed a lot louder, jumped around a lot harder and sang way more often just to piss you off. And that, for me, made an already enjoyable evening that much sweeter. Because it's rock and roll, man, not book club.

more thoughts on where stories come from

Recently, I was forced to sit down and watch The Professional. Ultimately, while I found it to be an entirely enjoyable movie experience, I kept coming back to one thought: How is this going to effect this young woman's life ten years down the road?

I mean, can you imagine?

Trained to be an assassin and legally dead, what kind of night does that make for her college boyfriend when she has a few too many to drink and unloads her secret history on him? What happens if she's forced into a corner and has to resort to "old behavior?"

This is the big question I've turned over in my head in the months since I watched this movie. Tonight, I sat down to watch The Crow and felt the same familiar tug at the front of my brain. One of your best friends returns from the dead to avenge himself and his love. You're there to witness it all. It's got to have an effect decades down the road, right?

But seriously, screw that Crow: City of Angels crap. I slept through it once already when it came out.

things that i think about

Undoubtedly, I haven't had much time to work on music this year. I sincerely hope this changes soon as I've a few projects to finish, a few projects to start.

I was on a quick run yesterday listening to the new Tricky album (Mixed Race) when I could finally articulate what I want out of my next stage piece:

"I want it to sound like Aaron Copeland hanging out with Frank Lloyd Wright in some shitty underground dance club in downtown Chicago and they're doing death drugs."

I hope I never forget that.

So tired, blah...

So. In the last week, Jwest produced his first night of standup comedy, Vicki from the Old School produced a new human being (with help from her awesome hubby Robbo) and Bex finally made Seany an honest man (as honest as he's capable of being anyhow). Seriously, Congrats go out to all of them. They're all awesome.

This week we're gonna go see Ray Lamontagne and David Gray at the Santa Fe Opera House. Then we're gonna throw Tyler a bachelor party. Then a rehearsal dinner. And finally, on Saturday, he impacts Poor Cheryl's life like a meteor landing in dino-land.

So no book writing tonight. I gots speeches to write, yo!

what's on radio free pennington this week?

This week, I'm listening to random albums in their entirety. Which is my occasional way of returning to the album as an art form- beginning to end, a listenable wholesale piece of art.

I grew up listening to cassette tapes in my walkman. There was no real skip option unless you wanted to spend half your life holding buttons. Instead, you just listened to better music. That way, you didn't want to skip a thing.

Somedays, in this Apple media world, I really miss albums.

In the queue this week:

Annetenna by Annetenna- there were Ednaswap, they got sacked, some of them regrouped, made this kickass album and still got sacked by Columbia records. Goddammit.

Angles by Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip- beat hop as I refer to it. Dan Le Sac throws out various electro clash shapes for Pip to rhyme over. Worth it solely for "Thou Shalt Always Kill" and the Radiohead sampled "Letter to God."

Heaven is Whenever by the Hold Steady- more tuneful than previous records, the knee jerk reaction is to think of this as THS slipping soft rock into the set. Numerous listens unfold an album of simple truths, beauties and time providing, a new direction for the band's next few years.

LCD Soundsystem by LCD Soundsystem- the first record, as buoyed by "Daft Punk is Playing at My House." "Tribulations" gave me vertigo the first time I heard it. Literally. Now I find myself chasing the dragon.

No Line on the Horizon by U2- not my favorite record by any means, but I find myself returning to the songs I found so challenging a year ago. I like to listen to it at work a lot, too.

No One's First and You're Next by Modest Mouse- it meanders a bit but offers subtle joys left off other albums. "Satellite Skin" and "I've Got It All (Most)" do that scrappy underdog emo thing they do so well down to a tee.

No Said Date by Masta Killa- the debut from the admitted ninth member of the bunch. Old school Wu-Tang with cameo's from every one in the Clan, there's beauty in simplicity. Especially when RZA rides shotgun on "School" and "Old Man."

Room on Fire by the Strokes- like the first album except tighter and better written. True, nothing on the record punches with the immediacy of "Last Night," but I could listen to this nonstop for a year. Wait. Already did. My last year of college.

Powder Burns by the Twilight Singers- Greg Dulli seems to churn out one self loathing masterpiece a decade and this is the last one's. Unlike the Afghan Whigs' Black Love, this album turns inward as Dulli comes to jesus with himself. But never more hauntingly so than "Bonnie Brae" or "Candy Cane Crawl."

This is Happening by LCD Soundsystem- by far the most listened album in my head so far this year, I keep thinking back to James Murphy's comments about the band being a forum for his commentary on music. Moreso with each album, it seems to become more of a commentary on his feelings about his age and its relationship to music. I put "Home" on repeat and ran for three miles the other day. It was haunting.

Streetcore by Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros- Joe's final hurrah, it was full of barn burning rockers like "Coma Girl," "All in a Day" and "Arms Aloft." But that shouldn't betray the beautiful simplicity of Strummer's take on "Redemption Song" or the post 9-11 lament of "Ramshackle Day Parade."

Strangers by Ed Harcourt- the sound of Harcourt firing on all cylinders, he balances rockers like "the Storm is Coming" and "Born in the 70's" perfectly with gorgous down played moments like "Only Happy When You're High." Nothing beats the morose sexiness of "Black Dress," though.

Tedious Bliss by Feels Like Sunday- admittedly, I've been playing this one a lot lately. Spurred on by how much I miss their presence in Albuquerque and the fact that Joni was always a gutsier singer than I could ever be, this is my favorite "you had to be there" sorta moment. "Photographs" still slays me all these years later.

Sound of Silver by LCD Soundsystem- because you never forget your first one.

thank you, A.L.H.

You owned a promo copy of the Grosse Pointe Blank soundtrack, vol. II. Maybe you just don't love it like I will. Maybe you needed some extra scratch. Maybe you needed some extra space. Maybe you were burnt out on being a dj or college music journalist or whatever.

I found your cd used online and now it is mine. Sadly, I've waited years for this. I am a simple but sick man. With an awesome music collection.

Poetry in Emotion

Was out tonight hashing out ideas over a possible new project and it's unbelievable the things you remember in the moment. How is it possible, I ask myself, to forget the good that comes of a night out on the patio with drinks and a friend and a million stories to tell. These nights out at the pub are tantamount to an oil change for the writer brain.

Which reminds me of Bud Brixey. Bud was my mentor in academic decathlon oh sooo many years ago. The one thing Bud taught me that no person could ever replace: the true meaning of poetry.

"Prose," he said, "Is words in the best order."

Simple, yeah?

"Poetry," he continued, "Is the best words in the best order."

And that was Bud's genius. Because poetry, by those standards, could jazz you about anything. A person blogging about the sublimeness of sushi could stir my soul just as much as Langston Hughes.

But only if it's the best words in the best order on the subject.

So maybe it's time to put a little more poetry out there into the world?

serving notice

Hello all. Today seems like just as good as any other day to remind you all to remind the world that you're brilliant.

Give 'em love, truth, beauty. Whatever. Give 'em hell if you want. Just give 'em something to talk about in hushed and excited tones.

first report from santa fe's 8 july 2010 Hold Steady show

In what was neither the first nor the last occurrance of this happening, I jacked a concert poster. I've done this so many times its not even funny. This one, however, I think I shall have framed.

The Whigs were great. The Hold Steady were prolific and incredible. On behalf of Santa Fe, New Mexico and Santa Fe Brewing Co., I just want to apologize.

More on that later. With video. Phenomenal incredible video.

Most People Are DJs: the Ronin Rock guide to the Hold Steady Pt. 2

Thursday, a small caravan of us are making our way 40 minutes north to catch the Hold Steady right outside of Santa Fe. The venue, Santa Fe Brewing Co., is new to me. Pressed to guess, however, I'm gonna say it will be small and intimate. A club to be sure, and therefore, the perfect place to catch the Hold Steady. I saw this band two times last year when TK and I were lucky enough to jailbreak for SXSW in Austin. There was copious amounts of singing along to be had. A gorgeous affair was had by all.

In that spirit, here is my bitchin' mixtape for the rest of the week as I prepare myself for the pending awesomeosity that this show promises to be.

Almost Killed Me

French Kiss records 2004


"Positive Jam"

While I'm not sure that I would normally put this song on a bitchin' mixtape, it works really well live. Vocalist Craig Finn gets to stretch out his literary pretense before the band delivers a holy hell of a ruckus. I saw it at the Mohawk in Austin and it was good, man.

"The Swish" & "Barfruit Blues"

I don't recall seeing these two numbers live, but after listening to last year's live album, Positive Rage, I really wish that I had. Between Tad Kubler's impending chords of doom on the former song and Finn's rambling conversational vocals on the latter, these two tracks sum up the best of the band at their rowdiest. "Most People Are DJs," with its misleading Afghan Whigs-like opening also rules my heart but this is a mixtape and space is essential, natch.

"Killer Parties"

The closing number. Always. Interestingly, this song catches the band at their most haunting and yearning. Additionally, the band plays with an ambiance here not often touched upon in other songs. It's the hard luck broken heart beating underneath the ragged exterior of the rest of their catalogue.

Separation Sunday

French Kiss records 2005

"Your Little Hoodrat Friend"

One of the Hold Steady's best known songs with one of Finn's best lyrics- "It burns being broke, hurts to be heartbroken and always being both must be a drag." With the requisite alt rock dynamics perfected by the Pixie's and cemented by Nirvana (hint: quiet loud quiet), Finn has all the space in the world to extol his most perfect teen angst melodrama.

"Charlamagne in Sweatpants," "Stevie Nix" and "Chicago Seemed Tired Last Night"

Admittedly, one of my largest problems with Separation Sunday as a whole is the way that all the songs eventually blended into one another and became one song. Granted, its a great song, but it forces me to choose between listening to this album as a whole or choosing my favorite versions of the song. "Charlamagne" has a great slow burn with the opening organ working its mojo. "Stevie Nix" on the other hand, goes straight for the rock jugular with its muscular Clash-like chords before settling into a rambling bridge. "Chicago Seemed Tired Last Night" is just plain demented. We'll be lucky if we get to see any of these songs on Thursday and I think we will.


Boys and Girls in America

Vagrant records 2006

"Stuck Between Stations"

Easily, hands down, one of their best songs ever. From Kubler's opening riffs to Franz Nikolay's arpeggiated piano underneath it all, this is everything one could ever hope for from the Hold Steady. Also, Finn paints a picture of literary America from beatnik ramblings to John Berryman's tragic flight at the end of his life. Finally, this song features one of the greatest bridges ever. EVER!

"Party Pit"

Another epic in which Finn sings the about the tragic aftermath of a youth spent too fast. The central character, a burnout who promises to "walk around and drink some more," is a great reflection of innocence lost and beauty destroyed by self destructive decadence. The end is always a rousing sing along in which the audience echoes the earlier promise.

"Massive Nights"

This exuberant blast of youthful indiscretion is the flip side. In a world where "everyone was funny & everyone was pretty," this song serves as a paean to simpler times where the biggest concerns revolved around beer runs and dodging chaperones. Coupled with that loping bassline, it's almost impossible not to shout along even if you don't know how.

"Citrus"

"Hey, citrus," Finn sings, "Hey liquor, I love it when you touch each other." Amidst the downplayed sadnesss of pubs across this world, Finn writes a solitary anthem for the casual barroom observer. The Hold Steady rarely sound this hushed or transcendent.

"Southtown Girls"

Closing out Boys and Girls in America, this anthem trades ambition for love and hits every Springsteenish pose it can on its way out. The only part of it more brilliant than the guitar solo was the high five shared between Kubler and Finn when I saw them play it at the Mohawk. Also, Franz Nikolay steps away from the keyboard for a moment to deliver the final piece of Americana in a nimble little harmonica solo.


Stay Positive

Vagrant records 2008

"Constructive Summer"

A turbo charged ode to summer, beer and friends, this has been my summertime anthem... basically, since its been released. In it, Finn celebrates double whiskey and St. Joe Strummer as he decides to build something "this summer." Despite frustration and disappointment with all institutions, he begs for a reminder that "we can all be something bigger" and "we are our only saviors." When he calls for a toast to St. Joe Strummer, my fist will definitely be in the air.

"Sequestered in Memphis"

A story of when to keep your mouth shut, Finn stills spins a story of braggadocio in which no one should be bragging. All the characters are tired, desparate and just a little more than destitute. In essence, it's a perfect Hold Steady song. "Subpoena'd in Texas, Sequestered in Memphis," the chorus sings as Finn apologizes, "I went there on business."

"Stay Positive"

The further into this album you get, the more you get called back to the ghosts of previous albums. No more so than this song. Finn looks back on both the failed hopes and desparate realizations of album's past with more than a little introspection. "It's one thing to start with a positive jam," he implores, "And it's another thing to see it through. We gotta stay positive."

"Joke About Jamaica"

A joke about Led Zeppelin's joke about Jamaica leads off this song as the band revisits another familiar face. Except in this song, your little hoodrat friend is a few years older and a little worse for the wear as everyone's teenage dreams butt up hard against mature reality. The classic rock aspirations come full circle with Kubler's great talkbox guitar solo. No one will be asking if it's fuckin' Frampton.

"Slapped Actress"

Closing out an album that almost serves as a retrospective of their career so far, this song takes us back to the Ybor City of Almost Killed Me's "Killer Parties." Sung like a conspiracy in the making, Finn informs us that "some nights it's just entertainment and some other nights its work." Luckily, one never gets that feeling watching this band.


*EXTRAS*EXTRAS*EXTRAS*

As per usual, I always say take out the one or two or even three tracks you don't like and replace them b-sides and rarities to be cooler than your friends.

"Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window"

This little gem comes from the I'm Not There soundtrack. The Hold Steady doing Bob Dylan? Nothing but net.

"Girls Like Status"

I first heard this on the band's live album, A Positive Rage. I hear rumors of a studio version on the Aqua Teen Hunger Force movie soundtrack but it's unsubstantiated at this point due to the fact that it's an album only download. Boo.

"You Gotta Dance With Who You Came to the Dance With"

This came off of Indie Rock Prom but I just downloaded it off of amazon. Totally worth finding and totally delicious.

Additionally, I'm holding judgement on the new songs til I hear them live. So far, I'm enjoying the new album but there is no doubt that Stay Positive was the last act in their original story. Heaven is Whenever has more space to breathe and the band has certainly had to adjust with the departure of keyboardist Franz Nikolay. Nonetheless, I've very much enjoyed the urgency of "The Weekenders" and the old school raga of "Barely Breathing."

But really, more on that later, to be sure.