New Supergroup

Today I heard about a new supergroup. I heard about it twice, and still am in awe of its awesomeness.

It has this guy, who is one of the coolest guys around:



This legendary bass player:



And this Hottie McHotterson:


Yeah, let that sink in.

Dave Grohl, John Paul Jones, and Josh Homme.

They won't have any music out until October, when their CD is due in stores. Cool thing is that they're playing a Lolla aftershow that goes on sale tomorrow. I wish I was going to see Them Crooked Vultures, but I am not that lucky.

Childhood-Related Music 2

When I was a wee one, I used to love this song and video:



Upon adult viewing, it's semi-creepy.

I heard this song on the radio yesterday. I still love the song, and I doubt that even in old age it will change. However, my feelings on the video have definitely changed.

I have been trying to see what I liked about it as a child, and I think I see the appeal. The talking/singing/moving animals. Who doesn't like that as a kid? Most every child has a stuffed animal they treasure (and probably talk to). There's nothing wrong with that. There is, however, something wrong when I look at it now. That moose head is kind of frightening. There's money spitting out from that old Norm Abram-made desk and George doesn't even flinch. I'm pretty sure that Paul got most of the money from the Beatles' tunes, so I would like to think that Mr. Harrison would be thrilled at bills being thrown at him. Maybe Paul was the one throwing? Who knows. (I tried to look closely, but had no luck.)

Let's focus on Harrison himself for a minute. I mean, he strums that guitar and stares DIRECTLY into the camera for about half of the video. He's not smiling, but he's not NOT smiling... Then he does the Tom Cruise "I'm in LOVE!" jump from the chair and does some sort of interpretive dance.

I do, however still love a few things from this said video. That dance may be silly, but I still love it. The mullet is sweet. And that squirrel that plays a pipe for a saxophone is just impressive.

Wow

This song is awesome, and the video is cool too. And, since I've already been rocking out to it all day, you guys need to watch it now. Besides, who doesn't like Dave Grohl and Taylor Hawkins?

Foo Fighters - New Music - More Music Videos

Something to Smile (Especially for Roxanne!)

Today I think I just needed something to make me smile. Having this song suffle itself onto my iPod was great.

This video has so much I don't know where to start. Some things I love, some I hate. But SLJ is awesome no matter what. Enjoy!

Snakes on a Plane (Bring It)
Uploaded by RavenTV. - See more comedy videos.

Yes, Please!

This video has a lot of my favorite things all in one place. Take a look.

queens of the stone age on SNL

"It's Hotter In The City"

it's hot in my apartment, and I keep wanting to sing this:

Childhood-Related Music

Just the other day, I was thinking of the weird things I liked musically when I was a child. I'm sure this list is incomplete, but take it for what it's worth.

Huey Lewis and the News' "Hip To Be Square"
I owned Fore! on tape. I don't know why I liked this. Someone please inform me.

The video for Aerosmith's "Janie's Got a Gun"
Hey, I have always owned up to the fact that my family has always watched Cops. I think this video ties into that theory. Lots of bright, flashing lights. And scarves.

Billy Joel's "We Didn't Start the Fire"
What an awful song when I listen to it now. But when I was a child, I absolutely LOVED it. I had this single on tape for sure.

The video for George Harrison's "Got My Mind Set On You"
Confession: I still love this song. And video. It is just really... animated. A lot of fun to watch. I know at one point in time I actually taped it off MTV to have a copy of it. Lord only knows what happened to it.

Anything Roxette or Debbie Gibson.
I had everything Debbie Gibson: dolls, perfume, music. She had a lot of crap, as did I because she sold it. And Roxette was kinda creepy.

Wham!'s "Wake Me Up (Before You Go Go)"
It's still good. So shut up.

Tag Team's "Whoop (There It Is)"
I have a problem with this. I am in shock that my parents let us listen to it. In fact, there's a tape relating to this song that exists that would be great blackmail if only it could be found... But I'm pretty sure it was taped over long ago. This song is disgusting. Seriously.

The Spin Doctor's "Little Miss Can't Be Wrong"
How great were they? Answer: Very.

Rage's Evil Empire
Also, no one should have let me purchase this CD. But somewhere, someone did. Which is really sweet looking back.

Obviously, with this list, someone should have been keeping an eye on me. Keep in mind this is from birth to 6th grade... perhaps one day I'll think of what I liked in junior high.

What were the peculiar things you liked as a child?

Tears In My Ears

Deciding on the 5 worst country songs is a lot like trying to find the greenest blade of grass. They're all shades of green, and the whole yard just needs to be mowed.

Country "music" is so revolting that it shuts my brain down almost immediately. It is an excellent tactical weapon. Because I don't subject myself to such suffering willingly, I had to really delve into some awful recesses in my mind to determine which "songs" have hurt me the most. I'll be billing Janelle for my therapy.

#5: Ring Of Fire (and everything else by Johnny Cash)

Gimmicky "man in black" stuff just isn't enough to make this tolerable. This guy is like the Bruce Springsteen of country music. No discernable talent, but everyone says he's good, so it must be so. Yeah, I get it... dark, tragic life, rags to riches, blah blah blah. In fact, my great-grandpa's sister used to feed his family in Arkansas in the '30s. Bottom line is, the music sucks. All three chords of it. OK, so he's mostly on key. But to say he has an annoying twang doesn't quite sum it up. If you want to do a good Johnny Cash impression, do your very best to constantly say rrrrrrrr while singing. Think REO Speedwagon does country. "Still I don't remembrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr..."

If you don't believe he sucks, check out what has happened to Joaquin Phoenix since he played JC. He's gone mad.

#4: God Bless The USA

Before you call me anti-American, hear me out. Yes, I'm proud to be American. I wholeheartedly love my country. That is why this song makes my teeth slam together violently, causing skull vibrations to pulverize my brain until it leaks out of my ear leaving me (at least temporarily) a mindless zombie (token zombie reference). Yes, Lee Greenwood has every right to love this country, too, but ever since he transformed that emotion into a horrific country track, people seem to feel obligated to drill it into my eardrums at every conceivable opportunity. It's virtually inescapable, and could possibly be fatal.

#3: Boot Scootin' Boogie

I think the name says it all on this one. First of all, I abhor the segue of boogie into the country genre. It just doesn't fit. Second, this atrocity seems to inspire gaggles of plaid-clad lemmings to go racing together and begin gyrating across the floor in relative synchronicity without any concern for the welfare of my senses. Before this song, I had never seen so many denim snuff can circles wiggling around in one place. And the boots... oh, the boots...

#2: Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer

It's painful enough being aurally accosted by blaring steel guitar at a red light. But when someone thinks it's funny to make a tasteless, jingle-bell-laden country song depicting the unfortunate demise of a drunken matriarch and the subsequent apathy of her family, that's just too far. For some reason, the general public has decided that everyone must love this song, and it is maliciously stirred into nearly every Christmas music mix throughout the season. In fact, I was at a Christmas event this last year, and they played about 6 songs on loop for 2 days straight. This was one of them. My friend was homicidal by the time we left. I was curled up under a tree in the fetal position gnawing on my own knuckles and muttering something about wabbit season.

#1: Achy Breaky Heart

Oh, where do I start? First, there's Billy Ray Cyrus, the mulleted marvel. While I'm sure he's just a spiffy guy, he'll stand before his creator and face judgment for this one. Such a collection of vile, insipid, twangy references to body parts deserves some sort of reciprocity. Perhaps he should be strapped to a mechanical bull and forced to listen to the Macarena on loop for about 5 years. Or Tubthumping. Or MMMBop. Here's a hint, Billy: If half the nation's radio stations are playing your song 20 times a day, chances are it's really, really bad. And this particular batch of sludge seeped out of its country container... crossover. Feel free to torture the country fans with this repugnance, but what did the rest of us do to deserve such torment?

I'll close on this note:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmQwrNXb3m4

Music Debate Number 3

DING! Round number three.

This time, the debate features my cousin Christy. Sadly, she lives in Florida and we rarely get to see each other, but she's super awesome. We communicate daily via the Web, and we learn we are more alike everyday, which is somewhat scary. Christy has a few of her own blogs: one I would consider a regular blog (http://superteetee.blogspot.com/); a really cool blog for her business that you should all check out (http://pointtakeninc.blogspot.com/); and my favorite, a blog compiling all of the funny things her two little girls say (http://dontlickthebook.blogspot.com/).

Because we both really dislike country music, our blog is each of us counting down our top five most hated country songs. Without further ado...

Janelle's Top Five:

5. "Beer Run" by Garth Brooks and George Jones

Look, if I was ever made to listen to country music, Garth Brooks wouldn't be the worst, honestly. Problem is, he wrote so many songs, he ran out of topics. Hence, "Beer Run" was born. No one said abort, and it was sent out to radio stations. Plus, Todd Snider did a song called "Beer Run" that was much better. Why? Because he's a comedian. They're supposed to write songs about stupid things.

4. "Achy Breaky Heart" by Billy Ray Cyrus

I don't really need to say anything. It's old. I'm over it. Billy Ray is a walking joke, and we all know it. If the mullet, this song, and Miley Cyrus weren't enough, he was on Doc.

3. "Trashy Women" by Confederate Railroad

This is just an abomination of all things. Ever. The resemble a five-piece shit storm. They're old, mulleted, and dirty. Then they wrote a song about how they "like their women just a little on the trashy side". Hint: You didn't have to make it big to pick up trash-tastic women. You could have parked the Camaro outside of the trailer park, charged a six-pack of Natty for admission. The trash would have been overflowing, and no garbage man in their right mind would have come by to pick it up.

2. "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy" by Kenny Chesney

No, I don't. REALLY, I don't! Even when Jeff Barnes used to sing it, I didn't think so. WHO WRITES THIS CRAP?! An even better question: who gets turned on by a tractor?? If this is something that excites you, I really don't want to talk to you. Go get help, now.

1. "T-R-O-U-B-L-E" by Travis Tritt

Travis Tritt is just.... the most disgusting human to walk the planet. Have you seen him?! Ridiculousness.

I did try to use a picture I believe we put on love notes sent to random people senior year of high school. Just one more reason senior year was amazing.

Besides Travis being disgusting, he makes terrible music. It makes me want to vomit when I think of the time I actually put this song on a mixed CD. (And, Rachel, you would have to refresh my memory for sure, but wasn't it placed at the end of one of the Cock Rock CDs??) T-R-O-U-B-L-E is just.... yuck.

Thanks to Christy for this great idea for a blog. I'm actually pretty proud of this one.

Also, I promise not to wait so long until the next one. If anyone wants to blog with me, feel free to email/call/text me.

Stuff I'm Diggin'

This one comes with a story, as well.

On the day I tuned 20, Fuel played a show at Pop's. That was back in the day when I used to like Pop's. (BEFORE they kicked me out.) I was stoked to see any good concert on my birthday, let alone a band like Fuel. (Hey, let's face it: Brett Scallion was pretty cute, and they almost had Chris Daughtry as a singer as well...)

Fuel was great that night. But, BONUS! One of the opening bands was great as well. They were a band called Revis. I don't know much about them, except for the fact that the CD they were selling that night, called Places for Breathing is one great album. Their live show was really impressive and I still love to listen to this song; here's the video for you guys.

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/sy-13406531/revis_caught_in_the_rain_official_music_video/

Number 1

1. Pearl Jam


Not even a surprise. Plus number one by a pretty big margin. They're just a band that I can always pop in and listen to and not be bored or want to skip to the next song... In my opinion they are pretty much the only great grunge band still standing and making great music still. I want to go into further detail as to what songs/albums are my favorite, but there's going to be a debate on that soon...

Added bonus is that Eddie Vedder is easy to look at. Especially in a plaid suit jacket in Walk Hard.

Number 2

2. Coheed and Cambria


I'm a sucker, what can I say?


I won't say that there's nothing wrong with this band. In fact, I'll say that "Apolo I" is still one of my most hated songs ever, by any artist. Yuck. "Always & Never" also kind of makes me gag a little. (Or a lot.) I also did not like "Wake Up" for a long while.


End things that are wrong with Coheed.


To be honest, the first time I heard the band, I hated Claudio Sanchez's voice. It was entirely too high for my liking. But once I heard "A Favor House Atlantic", I was hooked and could care less about his voice. (Plus the video was pretty funny.)

The albums are written in a series, which tie along with some comic books that progress the story line. Yes, this is completely nerdy and entirely cool all at the same time.

If you're looking into listening to the band, I suggest starting with In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3 and ending with Second Stage Turbine Blade which is their first album.

Number 3

3. The Mars Volta/At The Drive-In


For those unaware, these two bands basically are one. Well... they share members anyway. Cedric Bixler-Zavala and Oman Rodriguez-Lopez were in both bands. Paul Hinojos also played in Sparta, which was another spinoff of At The Drive-In. (There are more bands here, like De Facto, but I don't know very much about that.)

So, At The Drive-In was fun. If you don't remember them, they were the band that performed "One Armed Scissor".

The Mars Volta is more fun. Not only do they rock, but they have a certain Latin sound that really, REALLY makes you move your feet. They're Prog-Rock (which by default is my favorite genre of music) and some songs are in Spanish! (Fun, right?)

Anyway, do your research and enjoy.

Number 4

4. Led Zeppelin


You all know I like the classic rock. Probably didn't know that as far as classic rock goes, Zep hits the top. (AKA- the final three bands on my list are not classic rock bands... at least, not by normal standards.)


I dare you to find something wrong with LZ. Because there's nothing wrong.

The. End.

Number 5

5. Radiohead

I do not care what anyone says: Radiohead is awesome. Having them in my top ten surprises even me, because they're a little more laid back than what I normally listen to. But seriously, I do love them. I especially love "Paranoid Android" from OK Computer. Plus, the video was a cartoon!!

I also don't feel well today, so elaborate on Radiohead in your mind. I'm going to wallow in sickness now.

Number 6

6. Nine Inch Nails and Queens of the Stone Age

Hey, I saw them together in concert. Therefore, I am going to let them sit at the same number.

I always say I love NIN beginning to end. This statement is true by default. Pretty Hate Machine and The Downward Spiral are amazing. Of course, after that they released like 4,000 albums. I will not say that all of those were great. I WILL say that during that time, they released "The Perfect Drug" on The Lost Highway soundtrack. This negates every bad album they have/will ever produce, because "The Perfect Drug" is just perfection. In the last few years, they have really put out a few good albums. With Teeth is probably my favorite NIN album. It is really heavy, but I always find myself dancing to "The Hand That Feeds" and "Only". Year Zero is also pretty danceworthy. Plus the bass on that thing sounds great in the Mustang.

Where do I start with QotSA?! I could listen to any of their albums front to back and not want to skip a song. Technically classified as "stoner rock". Not partaking in said acts, I still really enjoy the music. That probably says a lot. Half of the time I listen to them, I can't decide if I would rather dance or start a one-woman most pit. If I were forced to pick a favorite album, it would have to be Era Vulgaris. And if I had to pick a favorite song, I'd say "Sick, Sick, Sick" from that same album. Queens really rock in concert. One thing that helps get them into my top ten is that Josh Homme is pretty drool-worthy. Also, if you like them because you ARE a stoner, I say check out The Desert Sessions. Do your research on this. It's mind boggling.

Number 7

7. Red Hot Chili Peppers

Ten years ago, I would not have put them in my top ten. In fact, I'm unsure if I would have put them in my top twenty. That's why this list is fun- becuase even I am surprised they're in at number seven.

I previously thought RHCP was pretty radio-standard. That's not something I normally like. Then they released Stadium Arcadium. This album changed the face of the Peppers for me. Not only do I really enjoy that album, but I started to re-explore old ones as well. I started out buying the Greatest Hits disc, and it flew from there.

As a sidenote, I should say that when I house sat for a co-worker of my mom, all Dan had in the house was RCHP (or at least, that was the majority). So I really started listening to them at this point in time.

As a sidenote for Roxanne, Dan was the guy that bought me the shot that got me kicked out of Sauget's finest nightclub. Go Dan!

Back to the Peppers.

My official favorite album is One Hot Minute. (And, yeah, maybe the name has something to do with it...) Plus, if you don't know my top five favorite RHCP songs, you should check out the second music debate. It was killer. (Because I won.)

That's all for number seven. And for number six, I may have a tie...

Number 8

I've already changed my number 8 from the list I made two days ago. Told you I'd change my mind.

8. The Who
I'm unsure you can say enough good things about The Who. I mean, every CSI show uses a Who song for the theme. That's pretty freaking cool. I love all Who songs, so finding a place to start is not easy. In fact, there are songs that I didn't even know the Who sang when I really started listening to them. I guess I could say that some of the songs are silly. (Like "Pinball Wizzard". Really?! I mean, it's an okay song. But a bad concept lyrically.)

My favorite Who song?? This is not easy, but I'd go with "Love, Reign O'er Me". It's insanely dramatic and intense. (I like that in my music, not in my life.)

Also, that VH1 Who tribute was just... wow. I mean, EV did make an appearance..........

More tomorrow.

Number 9

9. Reel Big Fish

I love ska. Having to include a ska band in my top ten was easy. Deciding on my favorite was NOT an easy task. For real- I've got the likes of Less Than Jake, Goldfinger, and The Bosstones on the brain, and that's just the beginning. And while LTJ was a very close second choice, I think I like RBF a little more.

Think of the great albums: Turn the Radio Off, Why Do They Rock So Hard?, and Cheer Up!, just to touch the surface. Everyone knows "Sell Out", and it extends so much deeper than that. (Is that what she said?) They've done covers, from Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl" to the ever-popular "Take on Me" (from the Basketball soundtrack).

We can dissect this by album. TTRO has hits like "Beer" and "Everything Sucks". And I think "Where Have You Been?" was a radio hit from Cheer Up! (This album also has a lot of really funny and sweet tracks.) But I do have to say that Why Do They Rock So Hard? is by far my favorite. "She's Famous Now" is so dance worthy, it's not funny. Especially with that first line "I've got the measles, she's got the mumps". Other favorites: "Somebody Hates Me", "I Want Your Girlfriend to be My Girlfriend", and "The Kids Don't Like It".

Missing something?

Yes. It's called the best RBF song ever: "The Set Up (You Need This)". Rocks from beginning to end without a doubt. And the lyrics are killer. And if you don't know every line, shame on you.

End transmission 9.

Top Ten

I think I've decided on my top ten favorite bands right now. But I've decided to take my time and count it down, from ten to one, day by day. (Just in case I change my mind? Perhaps.)

10: Boston
Yeah, they made the list. And probably a lot lower than what most of you expected. I love Boston, but to be realistic, they only released one GREAT album. I'm not knocking that album, it's absolutely amazing. However, my other top nine have released way more than just one GREAT album. Hence, Boston comes in at ten.

Back to this album: It's too fun! All eight tracks are fun to sing, play air guitar to, dance to.... you get the picture. Also, I hate to admit this, but I didn't dig Boston until I got to experience the band via Rock Band.

Unfortunately, I have never, nor will I ever, get to see this band live as they were. (Brad Delp, the lead singer, passed a few years back.) However, I do have the next best thing: My dad saw them. I was so excited to hear this. When I asked him how it was, his response was, "I really can't remember, but it was the loudest concert I've ever been to". That's a pretty sweet answer. Funny if you know my dad.

So, there's number ten. Look forward to the rest of the list. I promise it gets much better from here on out.