Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Happy Pumpkin Day


Monster Mash punked up. Rotting Pumpkin. (youtube of course)

REM, Van Halen and Patti Smith plus 6 more make the ballot. Make sure to check out my friends site about the Future of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Very cool site called Future Rock Hall.

Why the Clash still rock.

NBC says no chicks. Decline ad for Dixie Chicks Doc. Shut Up and Sing.

More later
Bro

Friday, October 27, 2006

He wants 11 dollar bills but you only got 10


Borat the first 4 minutes of his movie.

Solo Eddie Vedder on A Brokedown Melody. The latest movie/soundtrack from Jack Johnson. If you want to see the trailer.

A VH reunion? Why not they don't have anything better to do. Plus it will make bank.

Lollapalooza set for Chicago until at least 2011.

Filter reports:
The soundtrack for new movie Stranger Than Fiction will be released on November 7th and features four Spoon songs, including a brand new track written for the film, "The Book I Write." The collection also features score pieces - co-composed by Britt Daniel & Brian Reitzell - and songs from Maximo Park, M83 and The Jam. The film itself stars Will Ferrell, Emma Thompson, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Dustin Hoffman, & Queen Latifah and opens nationwide Friday, November 10.

Hair gel that is self illuminating. Just thought you'd like to know. Man I love the Internets.

Easy Friday Fun. Enjoy the Line Rider.

More later
Bro


The title is from Dylan (Subterranean Homesick Blues) but I am enjoying The Walkmen's verison which can be found on Pussycat.

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

Next week 27

I don't have much time but tomorrow if there is time I will add comments about the tunes. Listen online at 1071thepeak.com. A big huge thank you to Snapple. They sponsor the show so show some love a support good music by purchasing a Snapple. No really.

The playlist for NEXT:
Kevin Devine – Trouble (Put Your Ghost to Rest)
KT Tunstall – Girl and the Ghost (Acoustic Extravaganza)
The Rosewood Thieves – Los Angeles (From the Decker House)
Fields – Isabel (7 From the Village)
Me First and the Gimmes Gimmes – I’m So Lonesome I could Cry (Love Their country)
Tenacious D – POD (Pick of Destiny OST)
Steve Miller Band – Fly Like An Eagle ’73 Demo (Fly Like An Eagle 30 Anniversary Special Limited Edition)
Dan Sartain – Replacement Man (Join Dan Sartain)
Various – Hater (The World is Gone)
Band of Horses – The Great Salt Lake (Everything All the Time)
Shawn Colvin – Wild country (These Four Walls)
Grandaddy – Summer...It’s Gone (Just Like The Fambly Cat)

Thanks for listening. Also remember that it is an iMix. Search for an iMix named "next week 27"

Bro

The King


Is no longer King...of the dead celebrities racking up the millions. New top dead guy is Cobain. Or go right to the source at Forbes. Strange timing as I am reading Killing Yourself to Live by Klosterman. Quite good but I knew I would like it as I have enjoyed most of his books.

What if you could build a machine that predict hit movies? From the New Yorker

Super furry solo lp again. Gruff Rhys lead singer of Super Furry Animals is going at it solo again. It will be called Candy Lion.

World's most addictive game. I can barely get double digits and nothing sucks more than getting hit at less then one second. I hate that.

More later
Bro

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

I feel the words unspoken inside


Thom Yorke's favorite Radiohead tune. What is yours?

Yes a real surprise here...the new Shins LP has been leaked. No I haven't heard it.

Unlocking the iPod. DVD jon turns an eye to the iPod.

The Best of BitTorrent

Rock and/or Roll: The dream and the reality.

Kayos reports:
On October 31, Eagle Rock Entertainment, through its wholly-owned Eagle Vision subsidiary, will release Ralph J. Gleason Presents "Dylan Speaks: The 1965 Press Conference in San Francisco." More than any other artist, Bob Dylan used the platform of being interviewed by the press as an opportunity for theater. Fabricating elaborate scenarios about his past, cutting through the rhetoric of what an "entertainment feature story" is supposed to be all about, adding his own surrealistic tinge, Dylan pulled the strings and journalists of the era were the unwitting puppets. His early interviews are legendary.
At the time of this press conference, presided over by the late Rolling Stone co-founder Ralph J. Gleason, whose authorial bearing brings one of the first legendary rock critics back to fascinating life, Dylan had already released Bringing It All Back Home and Highway #61 Revisited. He had shocked the purist folk fans at Newport by infamously "going electric" and getting booed off the stage. Against this backdrop of cultural upheaval, he entered the television studios of San Francisco's KQED for his only known televised press conference

OK movie buffs. Work Stationery Movie scenes.

More later
Bro


The title is from "Save Me" from Remy Zero. Good post grunge rock or maybe the haunting of Bono. They remind me of Mini-U2.

Monday, October 23, 2006

hey hey hey


They still don't know what to do with John Peel's Collection. Does anyone have 1.5 million laying around? If so it could be yours.

Whats new with Jeff Tweedy of Wilco, Bob Dylan and Kings of Leon

Radio is killing off its future. The Kids are listening elsewhere.

Peter Gabriel turns down Genesis reunion. He has solo tunes to play. I can't wait. For the PG not the Genesis reunion.

YouTube love. Me First and Gimme Gimmes. Punk verisons of interesting songs. Like Goodbye Earl by the Dixie Chicks. Now something completely different. This one by Various. Hater. Weird vid cool tune and a great kiss off.

The tail section. To get you ready for Wednesday's Lost.

More later
Bro

Friday, October 20, 2006

Friday Fun and more


Tenacious D. Loaded. Does it get any better? Even the intro to the website is worth hanging around for.



Street magic with David Blaine...very funny with many bad words but oh so worth it.

Hey HM its been awile since a toilet post...so it's time to test your knowledge. The Urinal Test. and of course cool installations...of urinals.

All of MP3 to continue doing what is does. Which is get you very cheap music.

TuneLab reports:
A sequel to last year's double-platinum Johnny Cash best-of collection, The 'Legend Of Johnny Cash', will be released on November 21. Simply titled 'The Legend Of Johnny Cash II', Billboard reports that the new collection will include "Don't Take Your Guns To Town," his duet with June Carter on the Dylan classic "It Ain't Me Babe," "Daddy Sang Bass" and covers of Tom Petty and Sting from the American series of albums.

Masturbation to end war...give peace a hand.

More later

Bro

need to go help out peace.

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Next week 26 and bonus "mini concert"

I hope Megs had a great show this morning. Tonight after NEXT I will presenting a mini concert with The Receiver. They are out on tour now and if they come around your town you should check them out. Chicago I'm looking at you(October 22 at Beat Kitchen). Make sure you say hi to them for me. Thanks. Remember NEXT is brought you by Snapple so do the music loving world a favor and buy a Snapple. Thanks

The playlist for Week 26 of NEXT which can be streamed at 107.1 the Peak.

The Essex Green – Don’t Know Why (You Stay) (Cannibal Sea)
third full-length release from The Essex Green, who, though based in Brooklyn, have roots in Vermont and Ohio. This will cd will make my end of the year list.

Bonnie Raitt w Ben Harper – Well, Well, Well (Bonnie Raitt and Friends Live)
She has seen trends come and go over the course of her career, but her blues-based songs have given her the staying power that landed her in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000.

The Twilight Singers – Live With Me (A Stitch in Time EP)
Yes I know it’s a cover but what a song. Mark Lanegan lends his vox on this Massive Attack tune. Also on this ep Joseph Arthur co writes and sings a tune too. You can only get this EP at iTunes and you must get it. Must.

Oh No! Oh My! – Skip the Foreplay (Oh No! Oh My!)
3 friends from Austin yes that’s a surprise a band from Austin TX but they call Nashville home now. They were originally called The Jolly Rogers but they noticed a few more bands around with that name…so they changed their moniker to a name that I am sure no other band wants. Great blend of acoustic guitars and keyboards.

The Joggers – Long Distance Runaround (Cover of Yes)
A portland Or band that formed in 2001. They have two cds out now and are currently working on their third cd. This cover can be found at their myspace page.

Tom Waits – Bottom Of The World (Orphans: Brawlers)
November 21st release date for the new 3 disk rarities collection . The set collects 54 songs, including 30 new recordings, totalling over three hours of never-before heard music from the artist. 94 page booklet too. Now you know what to get me for Thanksgiving.

The Black Crowes – P 25 Longodn (The Lost Crowes)
The “Tall” recordings from 1994 can be seen as a warm-up for their third album, “Amorica.” Recorded in California, its 16 songs clock in at nearly 73 minutes, and even with the occasional clunker, the Crowes take flight, grinding out brawny, uncompromising rock with occasional psychedelic influences. Three years later the band convened in Atlanta and recorded "Band" in three days, ripping through a menu of hardy, Stonesy roots-rock with country flourishes that ranks with the group's best work.

Brightblack Morning Light – Black Feather Wishes Rise (Brightblack Morning Light)
Get your patchouli oil and incense out. Freak folkers of the highest order. From Birmingham now a Bay Area Band. Perfect soundtrack for Sex or getting stoned. So I’ve heard.

Ani DiFranco – Half A$$ed (Reprieve)
Sixteen years, 18 studio albums and all she has to show for it is — a completely indestructible career. 'Reprieve,' the new one on her Righteous Babe label. She is what record labels used to be. audience-building over the long haul, a steady stream of albums aimed squarely at that audience but always welcoming to new listeners.

Phoenix – consolation Prizes (It’s Never Been Like That)
Phoenix are a French electronic rock band who perform songs in the English language. This is their third cd and they have also released a live album too.

Legion of Doom - Crazy, As She Goes (Raconteurs vs Gnarls Barkley- A mashup)
Thought I’d throw something new at you to see if it would stick. What’d ya think?

And a bonus 27 minute live concert by The Receiver. That's 90 minutes this week of NEXT music.

Since you made it this far...Colbert on "Risky Business"

More later
Bro

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

Urlacher for President


Destiny? Maybe but Grossman did everything he could to help AZ pull off the upset. Bear Down indeed. Love this D. You should have seen me in the first half...hell the first 3 quarters well except the last 3 seconds of the the 3rd. To say the very least I was not that happy. 3 tds and not one of them offensive. That is a thing of beauty to pull out a win like that. I do feel a bit bad for the Cardinals but not Leinart. If he loses all his games I wouldn't mind that at all. I just don't like a guy that throws his friend under the bus while being punk'd. That is just not cool.

The Ventures of Zimmerman. Bob Dylan in cartoon form.

The OCs next mixtape (part 6) will be covers of OC tunes.

Naked Soccer. YouTube. Don't worry you can't see anything but the ending is classic.

More later

Bro

Monday, October 16, 2006

Did you worship last night?


It is only appropriate that CBGB's closes on a Sunday. For most it was a holy place of worship. Goodbye .


McCartney to trademark his name...Including pantyhose. Now I love me some beatles and even some solo Paul but I will not wear any Beatle Pantyhose. No I wouldn't.

Ryan Adams in 36 flavors. He has posted 36 new "songs" on his website. Check them here. They would fit in at CBGBs.

Check out the list of contributors on Music of the Band. A collection of The Band covers will be called Endless Highway. Very nice.

Happy Monday. Smile. It's the Battle of the Album Covers. You don't want to miss this.

More later

Bro

Saturday, October 14, 2006

Everyone loves a good mockery

This is just a short one for a Saturday Night. I just found this clip and couldn't resist sharing. I hope you all are having a good weekend might I add.

So, Justin Timberlake may be bringing "sexy" back, but these dudes- they're bringing Paxil back. Enjoy!



cheers,
Megan

Friday, October 13, 2006

Everybody works toward this


Jeff Tweedy has a new DVD coming out soon. Sunken Treasures is the name. The Thanks I Get is from that soon to be released DVD. More Wilco info.

Bono and the Big O unveil The Red iPod.

Howie Klien on How Body Count went Gold, Joe Lieberman and Rock N Roll. A few not so good words but quite funny and interesting in how the world works.

Tiny people in a tiny/big world. Very cool photo set.

More later
Bro

Thursday, October 12, 2006

This company of strangers is better than drinking alone


Townshend and Vedder to jam...hopefully.

Tom Waits new tunes and free.

Bowie to met Spongebob Square Pants. As if the man wasn't cool enough already. So now some YouTube Bowie Man-love. Bowie's Teeth. and a tune. Let me Sleep Beside You.

Defending the Killers. new cd Sam's Town.

Independent Joe. Looking for cool funky and un-Starbuck coffee. Try Delocator.net.

More later
Bro



title is from the latest Joe Purdy cd Only Four Seasons. The tune which the line comes from is "Why Do I?". He is just your classic singer songwriter. So if you haven't met your monthly quota on them yet don't be afraid to purchase this one.

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

NEXT WEEK 25


You have already had your glorious morning music with Megs (nice photo on the your post) so how about your late night listening? NEXT is a new music show that you can stream at 1071thepeak.com. Listen tonight at 11 and it repeats on Sunday night at 8. The show is sponsored by Snapple and please do the show a favor and buy a Snapple. Also remember that NEXT is an iMix. Go to iTunes and search for an iMix named You will find all the songs but the cover and the REM tune.

The Playlist for
NEXT WEEK 25

The Rewinds – Everytime (The Rewinds)
4 guys from Birmingham Alabama. Self titled debut. The have a very Superdrag or Sloan power pop thing going on. Which in my world is a very good thing.

Trey Anastasio – Dragonfly (Bar 17)
Second solo release since the breakup of Phish. Bar 17" was three years in the making, and the variety of songs and musical styles -- orchestral, full-out rock, acoustic – Over 40 musicians play on this cd.

Sparklehorse – Shade and Honey (Dreamt for Light Years In The Belly of a Mountain)
Imagine for a moment that you have a free afternoon and you indulge in a few too many adult beverages but not enough to pass out. You know just enough to get the buzz to get you through the rest of the night. What music would go well with this state of mind…Sparklehorses 4th cd would. It is a lush and hazy cd that was recorded in their North Carolina studio.

Ella Rouge – Eldorado High (Ella Rouge)
6 swedes. Debut cd. Reocorded in 2 weeks during the winter of 2005 on an island in the Baltic Sea.

Greg Laswell – Girls Just Wanna Have Fun (cover Cindi Lauper)
If you want this cover search the net but you can get this new cd out now called “Through Toledo”

Jim Noir – I Me You I’m Your (Tower of Love)
Somewhere in this man’s mind it’s 1966. You will fall in love with this CD. Now it isn’t often that I say thank god for karaoke but thank god for karaoke. In 1994 Jim Noir entered and won a contest and realized that you could make music and get rewards—This could be a career.. From this contest he won a Batman Water pistol. How bloody cool is that.

Pinback – Messenger (Full Band Version) (Nautical Antiques)
From San Diego and this is a release of Rarities to hold you over for their soon to be released studio effort.

Los Lobos – Hold On (The Town and the City)
it's hard to think of many bands who, after three decades together, are as willing to challenge both themselves and their audience as Los Lobos do on this album. Cherish this band. Truly one of Americas great rock bands.

The Dears – Ticket to Immortality (Gang of Losers)
I still don’t get it. They are critical and fan favorites in Canada yet have only tasted moderate success in the States. This song is about the birth of his daughter and Gang of Losers is cd number 3.

Gomez – Notice (How We Operate)
They just performed this song at a Peak Performance. 3 Voices plus 3 guitars equal stunning beauty. If you don’t have anything by this band get everything. They also have a new complitation coming out while a good start you will honestly want everything this band has ever put out.

Ratatat – Loud Pipes (Classics)
Not a greatest hits collection but rather cd number two from NY based guitar and synthesizer duo Ratatat. It is filled with funk-filled and warm electronic instrumentals

REM w Gregg Allman – Midnight Rider (2006 Georgia Music Awards)
I finally found this and had to play it for you.

Some YouTube Video love because you made it this far. The Kinks Live Part 1 of 7.
More later
Bro

Just a reminder...


as you all know, it's wednesday, which means 2 great radio shows in one day!

I've never posted info for my show yet so here we go:

The Alternative Breakfast Party From Hell is on every wednesday morning from 10 am - 12 pm eastern standard time. The best way to listen is online at www.wmucradio.com (you can listen online or if you miss the show, you can check it out in the archive)

requests line: 301-314-8800

my show has a slight blog... http://alternativebreakfastpartyfromhell.blogspot.com

cheers,
Megan

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

Gomez Peak Performance


In one word...amazing. Great guys too. That always helps. So The Peak has Peak Performances at Acme Recording. Gomez was in town for 3 shows so they were a bit New Yorked out. I guess they were out until 5 in the morning. Strange that in Manhattan they could find something to do until that early in the morning.

They weren't feeling all too well at 2pm until someone made a run to Dunkin Donuts for coffee and well donuts.

It wasn't the full band. Just Ben, Tom, and Ian and three acoustic guitars. Man do their voices blend nicely together.

They started the "show" with How We Operate. Followed by Cry on Demand, Girlshapedlovedrug, See the World(a fav) and they closed with Notice.

If you get a chance you must see them live. They are great guys, great musicians and they deserve your hard earned pennies. Do yourself a favor and buy anything...actually everything by this wonderful band.

More later
Bro

I'll be back later but


I needed to share this. YouTube Monkey and remember this one? New Order The Perfect Kiss.

Gomez was incredible details to follow.

More Later
Bro

Friday, October 06, 2006

Just remember maybe means no


Lord of the Rings if done by Lucas. I might as well stay at YouTube so check out this video by The Racounteurs. Broken Boy Soldier. Strange and good.

Check out the new Sloan. Hopefully this is not your first introduction to this wonderful Canadian band. "Who taught you to live like that" is classic Sloan. Mmm Sloan.

I am off now to check out Gomez. They are recording a Peak Performance for us...I need bring an extra pair of boxers...cuz I am going to need them. A Peak Performance is a small gathering of music loving Peak Listeners at a studio in Mamaroneck. We gather and watch and listen to people play wonderful tunes.

More later
Bro

Thursday, October 05, 2006

It's a Thursday


Here's a quiz to amuse yourself with:

how indie are you?

I got a score of 9 out of 10, which translates to being "too cool for school" It's nothing to take for serious granted that, but it's humorous quiz that CNN is running.

Enjoy!

ps- The twilight singers are releasing an EP next week! and get this, it's featuring their cover of massive attack's live with me, which I think is actually better than the original recording. www.myspace.com/twilightsingers

I could look in your face for a thousand years...it's like a civil war of pain and of cheer


Talking Head Talks business. Well former TH David Byrne.

File this under HUH? or WTF? Beck denied UK chart.

Sold tickets for concerts - down. Profit - up.

Vinyl has a home. The LP will not fade away.

WBR reports:
One of rock's most influential and innovative bands of all time, DEPECHE MODE, follow 25 years of acclaimed hits and massive success with THE BEST OF VOLUME 1, their first-ever best of collection released on November 14 on Sire/Reprise featuring the brand new song "Martyr". THE BEST OF VOLUME 1 will be available as a deluxe CD/DVD package, including a 30-minute Best Of EPK and 23 DEPECHE MODE music videos

Little Superstar. Stay until the end. Brilliant. Now a Wow and even stranger/better video. I think this is the same guy that played "the Dad" in Little Superstar. This could be the greatest rip off of all time. Thiller India style--Chiru.

More later
Bro



The title is from Sparklehorse's latest. The tune is called Shade and Honey. Fine release for a nice autumn day.

Wednesday, October 04, 2006

NEXT WEEK 24

You can listen to NEXT at 1071thepeak.com. Remember the show is sponsored by Snapple. Buy a Snapple and make them happy. Thank you. Also NEXT is an iMix. Go to iTunes and search for an iMix named "next week 24". Also NEXT has started a concert series. Next Tuesday The Receiver will be playing at Amce Recording at 5pm. If you'd like to be put on the list just let me know.

The Playlist.

The Decemberists – The Perfect Crime #2 (The Crane’s Wife)
Like Death Cab for Cutie you need to worry about the Major label release because Colin Meloy is still writing songs like a time traveler from a couple centuries ago. I mean come on The Crane’s Wife that sounds more like a novel from the 18th century then a possible career high point in the year 2006

The Killers – For Reasons Unknown (Sam’s Town)
They could have done anything for their second cd instead they did everything…You can hear some Joshua Tree some Boss and of course some Echo and the Bunnyman. You will not be able to escape this cd for the rest of the year but that is not a bad thing.

Brett Dennen – There Is So Much More (So Much More)
Home schooled and self taught guitar player…at age 12. On tour now with Sheryl Crow and John Mayer.

Joseph Arthur – You Are Free (Nuclear Daydream)
A modern day Nick Drake. Letterman on Tuesday, October 10th Late Night with David Letterman Joseph is also scheduled to appear on the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson on Wednesday, November 8th! Discovered by Peter Gabriel in the mid 90s.

The Strokes with Eddie Vedder – Mercy Mercy Me (B side to You Only Live Once)
Cover of Marvin Gaye

Carey Ott – Am I Just One (Lucid Dream)
part-time Chicago bank teller Carey Ott on a short list that includes Ron Sexsmith, Neil Finn and Josh Rouse, sensitive, crafty souls. Please do the world a favor and get this man off his part time job and into music full time.

Beck – Strange Apparition (The Information)
'The Information' was produced by Nigel Godrich, who helmed 1998`s 'Mutations' and 2002`s 'Sea Change.' He has created another feast for the ears. Here he plays everything from guitar and sitar to glockenspiel and Gameboy

John Popper featuring DJ Logic – Morning Light (John Popper Project)
Many musicians never attempt to vary their successful formula, Mr Popper is no one trick pony. harmonica is present but plays more of a supporting role

Badly Drawn Boy – Nothing’s Gonna Change Your Mind (Born in the UK )
a love song with bite - think of it as bitter bubblegum. This is his fifth studio LP and this 13 song cd started out as 60 demos or so.

Jet – Bring It On Back (Shine On)
Vastly superior second cd or at least according to the band.

Lloyd Cole – Woman In A Bar (Antidepressant)
I still remember hearing Rattlesnakes from 1984 so there is a special place in my heart for Lloyd Cole. Catchy upbeat pop music with literate lyrics and a downbeat delivery—on this album he plays drums, keyboards, and, of course, guitar. At 40 something it seems Lloyd Cole has hit a mid life crisis of sorts--On this cd he sounds almost optimistic.

Sean Lennon – Wait For Me (Friendly Fire)
8 years have past between his first cd and this his second cd. Remember that Being the son of a rock'n'roll legend and an avant-garde matriarch doesn't make your romantic life any easier. This cd is full of gentle, sun-kissed pop guaranteed to be easy on the ears

Truth in Advertising. Video. 12 minutes but 12 great minutes. A few bad words and many laughs.

More later
Bro

Sunday, October 01, 2006

Things like this aren't suppose to happen


I would have posted this earlier, but I had to go out of town Friday and well, this happened Thursday Night. It makes sense to why it hasn't been posted...

I first discovered Massive Attack while listening to WFWM (local college radio station that i'd listen to religiously as a kid). It was late spring/early summer of 1998, when I first got my taste of this unique band. By fall of 1998, I was rather obsessed about their music. I remember seeing that they were playing the 930 club in October of that year. Unfortunately, tickets were already gone and little did I know, it would take them eight years to come back! I remember listening to them in high school (Chris informed me about Blue Lines back in 2000), thinking about what it would be like to see them live if they ever did tour.

This past summer, it was announced that they were coming to the 9:30 Club once again! This time around, they were doing 2 nights. Supposedly a DVD would be recorded at the shows. I saw the ticket price and it made me slightly queezy (40 bucks), but I soon realized just only a few weeks ago, it was a now or never type deal. I'm thankful I got my ticket, seriously.

This past Thursday night, I saw Massive Attack at the 9:30 Club. It was an incredible show. The setlist was satisfying. Not to mention, Liz Fraiser from Cocteau Twins was actually there as a guest vocalist. Also, Horace Andy did some terrific songs. I wasn't expecting either of them to be at the concert. (I also wasn't expecting to see 3D being so energetic on stage. For a white guy, he can dance) To say the least, I was in for a real treat. I have to laugh about the first time Liz came out on stage. I was all the way up front, right near the barcades. When she was introduced, I could hear atleast 30 people say "holy shit!" Everyone was surprised to see her on stage! I was surprised, too. I was expecting their usual fillin (Dot Allison).

Here is the setlist: (they played for a solid 90 minutes)

*False Flags
*Risingson
*Black Milk
*Man Next Door
*Butterfly Caught
*Hymn of the Big Wheel
*Mezzanine
*Teardrop
*Angel
*Future Proof
*Safe From Harm
(encore)
*Inertia Creeps
*Unfinished Sympathy
*Group Four

The lighting in the show was intense and very beautiful. They had this cool set which featured a markee displaying all these weird facts about DC and the Iraq war. Deborah Miller is the soul singer they have on tour with them. She was amazing. She belted it out like nobody else. I'll put it this way, her voice gave me chills during "Unfinished Sympathy." Most rocking moment of the concert was "Angel." The guitars were fierce, the song still had that eerie atmosphere live. Mr. Andy sang the song with much energy and passion. I have to laugh when he left the stage, he gave the crowd two thumbs up, because everyone went nuts over how awesome the song was live. The coolest moment of the show was during "Safe from Harm" which by the way is my favorite song by them. I totally just let go of myself during the song. I danced, I sang and I even rapped along. I had my arms in the air. During the part where 3D raps "I was looking back to see if you were looking back at me to see me looking back at you," I was reciting along with him. He must have heard me or something, but we made eye contact. (little back ground info, when I was 13 years old, I had this pretty bad crush on the guy haha) I felt like I could have just melted in a puddle right then and there. Perhaps, I did. It was almost like he was giving me props. That moment right there, totally made my night. The two cool kids I met before the show started were like "did you see that! he looked at you!"

As some may know, I am rather used to going to concerts and doing some amount of work. This time around, I was going on my own interests and on my own money. To say the very least the 40 bucks for my ticket was well worth it! I didn't have any special connections that night. I was just happy to be there. Meeting them wasn't on the agenda to say the least. In fact, I thought I would have a popsicle's chance in hell of meeting Robert Del Naja (aka 3D). As you can tell from the picture in this entry, my mind set was very far from the truth.

During the show, I noticed this black dude up front and center. He was rapping and singing along as well. I had already had plans to atleast talk to him after the show was over, because I love meeting enthusiastic fans. I had the impression that aside from the two kids I was standing with, I was one of the youngest at the show. At the end of the show, I saw Robert give the guy these hand signals that I interpreted as "drinks after the show." As soon as the show was over, I walked over and started talking to the guy. Well turns out, I was older than this person. He was like only 18. I was impressed for being such a new fan that he knew all the songs. I also realized he was a bit of a flake. (here comes the jealous fan girl bit) this kid started saying "I bet I'm going to his hotel room tonight" (yeah he was a queen to say the least. my gay friends would agree on that too) I started chatting about other stuff and he was like "you're cool. you'll have to come along with us to meet the band" BINGO!

We headed up to the left side of the balcony. At the end of the Balcony is this hospitality room that the headlining band usually hangs out in. Massive Attack were making their way in I guess. We were waiting for a bit, then I realized "shit I want a tshirt" so I asked the kids to wait for me and I ran downstairs. I was gone for only 4 minutes. Stupid merch booth was closed, so I ran back upstairs. The two kids had already gone in. I thought "Shit! how am I going to get in?" About 30 seconds after this thought, this security guy said "you can come on in." I proceeded to walk into the room. I talked to the keyboardist as I slowly made my way into the party. I told him about my crush on 3D (aka Robert Del Naja) and he said "Don't be afraid to admit it" which was kinda comforting. I wasn't intending on staying long since I was suppose to take the Metro back to school.

Robert was standing in this small hallway greeting everyone coming in. I was the last person in and we ended up talking a lot the rest of the night. We first chatted about politics and music. Since I didn't have a camera with me, I had him sign my ticket stub. I needed some sort of proof! (at the moment, I thought I was only going to stick around for like 10 minutes, because of needing to get back on the metro. So my plan was to say a few things and get an autograph) I told him how I discovered Massive Attack and what I thought of the show. He invited me to stick around longer and had me follow him over to the bar, because he was getting something to drink. He offered me champaign. I'm not much for drinking, but I couldn't let this pass. So of course, I grabbed a wine glass and had him pour me some. As he was pouring the champaign I looked around and noticed that there were about 20 people at the party and then I thought "fuck going home."

As I was sipping my champaign, the flakey boy and his friend (who is a girl) walked past me and were like "isn't this the coolest!?" they're underage and drinking. I thought "lame!" This is like 10 minutes into the party, the kid walks up to me and says that him and his friend have to leave and they told Robert that they'd be back tomorrow night for the other show. well the stupid kid came back and said to me he forgot the show was sold out and couldn't get a ticket, so I guess he tried getting on the guest list. (on his way out, he told me not to try to get on the guest list!) A part of me wonders if he did or didn't. I guess I'm a little weird, because I left the club when the band left. I stuck around for as long as possible. My feeling is that if you're such a hardcore fan, then stick around! (not to mention I got lucky and found these two very cool people who were willing to give me a ride home. they were like "it's not like every day you get to hang out with one of your favorite bands." after finding them, I decided to stick around for a bit longer)

The backstage party went on for about 90 minutes. I think I talked to Robert for about 50 of those minutes or something. granted this was in chunks.

While at the party, I did meet Horace Andy and Liz Fraiser. Horace seemed rather out there. Either he was tired, drunk, stoned, I couldn't tell. Nice guy though. As for Liz, she was really cool. I told her about how I loved her voice and her work in Cocteau Twins. She told me that she hasn't listened to any twins stuff since the mid 90s, but was rather appreciative to find out that kids my age were digging the music.

As I was getting a soda, Robert was getting chocolate and he offered me some. Nice british guy if you ask me! I didn't see him offer any of the other girls there stuff like that. While munching on chocolate, we discussed art and how awesome milk chocolate is. I asked him about his paintings. He told me that he hasn't had much time to do any painting.

A little later, I met Deborah Miller (the soul singer). She was very awesome. I told her that she brought the house down during "Unfinished Sympathy". We chatted a little. I asked her if Robert has a girlfriend and she said "I don't think he does. You'll have to ask him." and Then I carefully explained why I was curious to know. She told me to go ahead and tell him about my school girl crush. She was like "you'll make his night" haha. I figured why the hell not, it's not like i'm on assignment or something.

I got the courage and walked over to where he was talking to some people. I waited until the people left and I said to him, "I have to tell you. When I was 13, I had a pretty huge crush on you." and He put his arm around my sholder and said "oh really? do you still have an inkling of it?" I laughed (keep in mind this whole moment is comedic for me) and said "I'm not sure whether to say yes or no to the question." He then implied that he's single. It was quite the moment. I then talked to him about poetry. "Teardrops" inspired a few poems I wrote in high school that were published in my school's lit magazine or newspaper. He was rather impressed that I do poetry and journalism. I ended up giving him my cell number and email address. He said that he'd love to read some of my work.

As the party was winding down, Robert asked me If i was going to be at the show on Friday night. I told him it was sold out and he was like "that wasn't an issue." I then told him about my trip on Friday to Ocean City that was for an organization I'm vice president for at school. He was totally cool about it. He said that if it weren't for doing a concert, he too would go to the beach.

I left the club with Edrisse and Julia (the two cool kids who gave me a ride home and took the picture of me with Robert) around 1 am. The last thing I said to Robert as we all were leaving the club was "taste the rest" (a line out of karmacoma) and he said "Cheers, Babe. Good Night"

Like the title says things like this aren't suppose to happen. Right now, it does look like I live a rock and roll lifestyle. I'm thinking maybe it was just sheer luck. Either way, I'm still quite surprised.

ps- I think this post is going to make a lot of people "jealous" haha.