Megs does the answer thing

Real name: Megan

Where I live: During school I am in College Park, Maryland. When not in school, then I'm in Frostburg, Maryland.

Occupation: College Student - I'm studying English and Journalism

Favorite movie: That's a tough one. Here are just a few of my all time favorites list: Wings of Desire, 24 Hour Party People, Back to the Future, and Trainspotting. Two new favorites of mine are Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and The Departed.


Favorite book: I've got a few of those. I really adore this book called How Soon is Never. High Fidelity is another huge favorite of mine. Nick Hornby is a terrific contemporary writer. In terms of poetry, I love me some Leonard Cohen or Sherman Alexie.

Favorite album: I'll rattle off a few... Achtung Baby - U2, Songs of Faith and Devotion - Depeche Mode, To Bring You My Love - PJ Harvey, Your Arsenal - Morrissey, London Calling - The Clash, Heartbreaker - Ryan Adams, Purple Rain - Prince...the list goes on from there honestly. A new favorite of mine is Danzig's first and second albums. I also really love the new Amy Winehouse.

Three famous people I'd like to meet: 1. John Stewart 2.Bono 3. Madonna

One famous person I actually met: Joan Jett! I have a photo of me with her on her tour bus.

Best concert experience: This is like asking a junkie about his favorite high. I've seen so many bands that it's hard to say who was the best experience. This past week I saw Danzig in Baltimore and that was amazing. And this past Saturday (yesterday) I saw She Wants Revenge and that was fantastic too. This coming week I'm seeing Ryan Adams and Morrissey on different nights of course. So I'm sure next week, I'll be walking around high from those two shows.

Coolest pop-culture item I own: It's a tie between my MTV headbangers ball edition T-shirt (straight out of 1989) and my New Kids on the Block Fanny Pack (I was a kid in the late 80s/early 90s).

And what movie prop would like to own: Marion's Angel wings (chicken feathers) from Wings of Desire

I'm Not There

In my years of keeping track of my year end lists I never had a covers album come even close to being the best album of the year, this one might have a chance.
The soundtrack to the Bob Dylan Biopic "I'm Not Here" has some great renditions of Dylan tunes which include Jeff Tweedy, Eddie Vedder, Jim James & Calexico and The Black Keys.

The soundtrack album will be released on October 30, 2007.

The Million Dollar Bashers are a supergroup featuring Sonic Youth stars Lee Ranaldo and Steve Shelley, Wilco guitarist Nels Cline, Television guitarist Tom Verlaine, Dylan bassist Tony Garnier, guitarist Smokey Hormel and keyboardist John Medeski.[5]

Disc one
"All Along the Watchtower," - Eddie Vedder and the Million Dollar Bashers
"I'm Not There," Sonic Youth
"Goin' To Acapulco," Jim James and Calexico
"Tombstone Blues," Richie Havens
"Ballad of a Thin Man," Stephen Malkmus and the Million Dollar Bashers
"Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again," Cat Power
"Pressing On," John Doe
"Fourth Time Around," Yo La Tengo
"Dark Eyes," Iron & Wine and Calexico
"Highway 61 Revisited," Karen O and the Million Dollar Bashers
"One More Cup of Coffee," Roger McGuinn and Calexico
"The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll," Mason Jennings
"Billy," Los Lobos
"Simple Twist of Fate," Jeff Tweedy
"The Man in the Long Black Coat," Mark Lanegan
"Señor (Tales of Yankee Power)," Willie Nelson and Calexico

Disc two
"As I Went Out One Morning," Mira Billotte
"Can't Leave Her Behind," Stephen Malkmus and Lee Ranaldo
"Ring Them Bells," Sufjan Stevens
"Just Like a Woman," Charlotte Gainsbourg and Calexico
"Mama You've Been on My Mind" / "A Fraction of Last Thoughts on Woody Guthrie," Jack Johnson
"I Wanna Be Your Lover," Yo La Tengo
"You Ain't Goin' Nowhere," Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova
"Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window?," The Hold Steady
"Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues," Ramblin' Jack Elliot
"Wicked Messenger," The Black Keys
"Cold Irons Bound," Tom Verlaine and the Million Dollar Bashers
"The Times They Are a-Changin'," Mason Jennings
"Maggie's Farm," Stephen Malkmus and the Million Dollar Bashers
"When the Ship Comes In," Marcus Carl Franklin
"Moonshiner," Bob Forrest
"I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine," John Doe
"Knockin' on Heaven's Door," Antony & the Johnsons
"I'm Not There," Bob Dylan

Apparently there is a concert in NYC for this as well:

http://www.imnotthere.info/


Trailer:



http://www.myspace.com/imnottheresoundtrack

-HelperMonkey

Peter answers the NEXT survey

Real name: Peter



Where I live: Chicago, IL

Occupation: Tax Accountant

Favorite movie: The Usual Suspects or American History X


Favorite book: "Wild At Heart" by John Eldredge or "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" by Steven Covey

Favorite album: Right now - Arcade Fire "Neon Bible", all time - Wilco "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot".

Three famous people I'd like to meet: Abraham Lincoln, Richard Branson, and St. Peter


One famous person I actually met: Jeff Tweedy

Best concert experience: Cold Play, UIC Pavilion, Chicago,IL, June 11, 2003

Coolest pop-culture item I own: My road bike and my mountain bike.

And what movie prop would like to own: Any really comfortable bed from any movie with an obnoxious bedroom set budget.

Grace is Gone

So last night we got to see the latest John Cusack movie "Grace is Gone". Mister Cusack himself was there and spoke briefly before the film and was going to be at a restaurant after the film. So, of course, in the back of my head I was thinking "maybe just maybe I could shake his hand and say hi and not make an ass out myself in front of an actor I admire." See I grew up with John Cusack and his movie roles walked in step with my movie needs. "The Sure Thing" and "Better off Dead" were the perfect intro's for me and paved the way for Lloyd Dobler. Ever since then he has "grown" in the roles he has chosen -- just as I have wanted more in the films I was watching. It was and has continued to be a good match.


Grace is Gone is sly film. It sneaks up on you. It has quiet power. It has a beautiful small feel and by small I mean it's not a "popcorn" or "Great Date Film". An Indie Film. It is a slow moving film but never boring. The movie hangs its hopes on John Cusack and he takes what could have been a "one note" performance and adds a few wonderful touches.

I think maybe deep down this movie does take a side but it does a great job of showing that the nightly news is just more than background noise for so many families. It shows the human side of a war. The loss. Now John Cusack doesn't play a charter he normally does but at moments you can "hear" Lloyd Dobler. This is a story of a man that has lost and lost a lot. His wife, his government but not his hope or a future thanks to his two daugthers. I read that John Cusack was looking for a vehicle to show what is happening ever since the Bush White House decided to hide the caskets coming home. Those families deserve more and I guess this movie is his gift to them.

So if you are expecting typical Cusack keep looking but if you want a smart and well acted fim that is quite sad go see this. I would say B+ to A- and Cusack could get a nod for the lttle golden naked dude holding the sword.

Oh and I did meet him and shook his hand and chatted a minute or so. Of course, just we were saying goodbye I had to slip in one more quick question about music...I asked him if there was someone he was really into at the moment and he said Regina Spektor. I would have loved to have had the chance to sit and drink a beer with him...maybe another day. I also can't forget to tell you that we sat next to Bob Balaban who was wonderful. He was with his wife. They were both great and entertaining. We talked about a wide range of topics from Serving on a Jury to Good Morning America to HBO. Bob is one of those guys that when you see him you say "he's that guy that is in everything" but you can't think of anything until you google or imdb him. Very nice dinner with him. Great movie. Great night.

Alison's Answers

Real name: Alison

Where I live: Bardonia

Occupation: Psychiatric Social Worker

Favorite movie: The Outsiders

Favorite book: The Sevenwaters Trilogy by Juliet Marillier

Favorite Album: (currently) Little Earthquakes - Tori Amos

Three famous people I'd like to meet: Dave Grohl, Bill Murray, Matt Dillon

One famous person I actually met: No one

Best concert experience: Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals @ Red Rocks, Colorado

Coolest pop-culture item I own: ticket stub to Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

What movie prop would I like to own: Miss Scarlet's dress from Clue

Some CDs for this week

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss - Raising Sand

The Once and Future King of Zeppelin and the Bluegrass Songtress on paper seem an unlikely pairing but they have put together a timeless CD.


Neil Young - Chrome Dreams II

Only Neil could release a sequel to an album that was never officially released. This is Neil at his ragged best or at least his ragged best in years.


Babyshambles - Shotter's Nation

A little Kinks. A little Clash. Not much else and do you really need more?


Ween - La Cucaracha

Welcome back you off-kilter and odd rockers. Not for the faint of heart but another strong and widely varied CD.

Everyone needs some humor in the middle of the week

I need to start watching Saturday Night Live again. Not because of the skits, but because of the digital shorts. I will admit Andy Samberg can sometimes be annoying, but he's a genius when it comes to these short films/music videos. A good sense of proof is that last month, he won a Creative Emmy Award with Justin Timberlake for their collaborative work "Dick in a Box." Let's not forget the awesomeness of "Lazy Sunday" (though it did get old after awhile) and then there was the rap video with Natalie Portman that was totally bad ass. Just recently, I found two SNL shorts that I missed seeing.

A few weeks ago, Samberg collaborated with Adam Levine from Maroon 5. They did a very clever and political video about the president from Iran. Not to mention, it's a pretty damn catchy song. Perhaps, Samberg should release an album that features the music from his videos. (Who wouldn't want to play "Dick in a Box" at their next holiday office party!?)Anyway, I can't help but wonder if the president from Iran saw this when he was in New York...



This past weekend's video just makes me think to watch out the next time I am about to eat something. The cameos in this are pretty fantastic! As for the music, it could've been better, but it works well with the dancing.



Alright, discuss! What do you think of the videos? and Are there still any half decent qualities left to SNL aside from this short films?

Well, I must get back to my homework and I have my writing workshop class in a half hour. It's in my dorm which is extremely convenient, because by this time of the day, I'm too tired to go elsewhere.

Take care,
Megan

ps- I think my English 1600-1800 Brit Lit class midterm just about damn near kick my ass today. Thus the reason why I'm posting about something a little mindless.

pps- I'm going to see The Wallflowers tomorrow night at the 9:30 Club. It's been 10 years since I last saw Jakob and the boys live, I'm sure you can imagine how exciting tomorrow night is going to be!

Brighid's Answers

Real name: Brighid

Where I live: Haverstraw

Occupation: Photographer

Favorite movie: Boondock Saints

Favorite book: salem's Lot by Stephen King

Favorite album: Definitly Maybe ~ Oasis


Three famous people I'd like to meet: Eric Clapton, Marc Knophler, Hugh Laurie

One famous person I actually met: Dan Akroyd

Best concert experience: Desol plesantville music festival


Coolest pop-culture item I own: Original Atari with frogger and pong


And what movie prop would like to own: one-eyed-willy eyepatch from the goonies

Gold Star CDs for today

This is a good week to save your money. Not much out there. The only thing I highly recommend is the live REM. I would have had this out earlier but last night I watch The Transformers movie. I should never go in hoping for more from Bay but I had heard good things. Typical Bay but that "love interest"...man I'll stop right there before I get in trouble.

REM - Live

It's been a long time since REM has blown me away in the studio but on stage they still bring it. I always think after each time I see them, "Damn the still sound great up there why can't they do that in the studio". Honestly guys if this next CD doesn't almost kill I will not buy another REM cd again. It pains me to write that (that's why the "almost kills" is in there as I know that I will never get another true classic from them ) and I know it might kill him but please come back Bill - please. He obviously helps them out a lot in the studio. So back to this CD. Sure they are padded out their contract and but if you've ever seen them or have ever wanted to or have ever thought "man I miss the REM I fell in love with" then go get this double disc.

It's not new although the REM isn't either you should look into Aretha Franklin
Rare & Unreleased Recordings from the Golden Reign of the Queen of Soul

More later

Chris Bro

Dana's Answers

Real name: Dana

Where I live: Stamford, CT

Occupation: Transportation Manager

Favorite movie: "Dr. Strangelove (or 'How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love The Bomb')" - and almost anything else by Stanley Kubrick

Favorite book: "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" by Robert Pirsig

Favorite album: "Dark Side of The Moon" - Pink Floyd

Three famous people I'd like to meet: Roger Waters, Jon Stewart, Paul McCartney

One famous person I actually met: Michael Moriarty

Best concert experience: Pink Floyd - 1994 "Division Bell" Tour - Meadowlands

Coolest pop-culture item I own: Original record store promotional cut-outs and posters for "The Wall"

And what movie prop would like to own: Burt Lancaster's Locomotive Engineer goggles from "The Train" - 1964.

Some CDs for 10.09.07

Still handing out the Gold Star CDs. This is just a reminder of CDs that might slip past you since you are very busy human beings.

Band of Horses - Cease to Begin
One of favorite new comers last year and they do nothing to make me regret that love. If you are a fan of My Morning Jacket or early Neil Young do yourself a favor and check out these lads.

Fiery Furnaces - Widow City
Not an easy band to listen to. You don't put a cd of this band on to let's say clean the house. They beg you to pay attention. On this cd they turn the keyboards down a bit and crank up a bit more guitar. I will say that this is not a cd for everybody but if you're feeling adventrous and want some challenge you will do much worse than this cd. This might be their most mainstream cd but don't think of this CD as mainstream at all.

Will Hoge - Draw the Curtains
Soaked in the beer, whiskey and smoke of thousand or so bars that this man has toured. He has been making music for a decade now and it's about time more people clue in on this man. Also listen to "Blackbird on a Lonely Wire" too.

So happy listening
More later
Bro

My Kid Could Paint That

So last night I went to a preview of Amir Bar-Lev's My Kid Could Paint That a great documentary that is a must see for parents. It offers a very interesting and ambiguous story. You get facts and opinions but the best thing about it is the fact that you, the viewer, get to decide who's telling the truth - and if it really matters. After the viewing there was a brief Q and A with a child psychologist and everyone came away with something different. I love how people projected their lives and the lives of their children into this movie. I mean we all love our kids and think that all they do is magically. That makes for a great movie. It actually reminded me of the way people were talking about Memento – well at least a little bit.

The General story is about the rise and fall (and rise?) of a very cute 4 year old girl who may or may not be a hugely talented painter. Now the focus is on this fascinating "human interest" story but the film also finds a way to ask about how legit Modern Art is. Which is a great question - I mean if this little girl is getting $20,000 for a painting (Yes at 6 years old she was getting that much) what does that say about the supposed “grown-ups” who make millions from canvases covered with three splashes of primary colors or one huge “painting” of black? Just black?!? The media doesn’t come across as very good and/or healthy either.

At the end of the movie you find two camps. The little girl’s parents are manipulators or that this little girl is an amazing talent. I think it may be a bit of both and that my kids are not allowed to be famous.

Matt White interview

So I was to interview Antigone Rising about a week ago at the Boat Basin at Riverside but they canceled and I didn't find out until I got to the shoot. Too bad because it was going to be the greatest...interview...ever. Instead at the last minute Matt White filled in -- a big thanks to Matt.

We had the film crew(nice job guys) so it made sense to interview someone. We moved the interview to Times Square on the island in front of the ABC studios. Remember this is my second interview on a camera. I had never even heard of Matt White. Sorry but I hadn't.

I was prepped for Antigone Rising and then you throw me in front of the throngs at Times Square. Nervous? Yes but I think it went quite well. Again hopefully Aude can make me look pretty. Good times people. Good times. Link will be posted like before once I get it and here it is. Enjoy and let me know what you think.

CDs for 10.02.07

Bruce Springsteen - Magic
BRUUUUUUUUCE.












Chuck Prophet - Soap and Water
This is soundtrack of forever. As in you'll listen to this cd for the rest of your life. It's swampy blues/R&B/rock with blips and beeps. Understated beauty.









John Ralston - Sorry Vampire
Indie rock in it's finest form or maybe closer to sedated power pop. A nice discovery that just might pass up his glorious first cd.









PJ Harvey - White Chalk
Bye Bye guitar (Mostly)
Hello piano
Bye Bye pissed off growl of a vox
Hello "Church Voice"

Brian's Answers

Real name: Brian


Where I live: White Plains

Occupation: Stock Broker/Promoter for PachaNYC

Favorite movie: Fight Club


Favorite book: Junkie by William S. Burroughs

Favorite album: that's like trying to pick your favorite child.....cannot do it.

Three famous people I'd like to meet: not really into meeting famous people...Tori Amos would be cool.

One famous person I actually met: Perry Farrell on 3 or 4 occasions

Best concert experience: Tie between Nirvana w/ The Breeders, Depeche Mode w/ Nitzer Ebb and the Jesus and Mary Chain, or Ramones w/ Social Distortion

Coolest pop-culture item I own: Post Bill signed by Green Day from a show when they and The Flaming Lips opened for Adam Sandler(yes, that Adam Sandler)


And what movie prop would like to own: Andrew McCarthy's car from Less Than Zero

FREE RADIOHEAD...

or pay whatever you want.

Radiohead is brilliant. On so many levels but now you can a new level of cool. They will be offering their new cd as pay what you want. I love it. Thank you boys. And more... REACTION

Another high-profile manager said he was still trying to process the boldness of the Radiohead venture. “My head is spinning, honestly,” said Kelly Curtis, who represents Seattle-based Pearl Jam. “It’s very cool and very inspiring, really.”.....

.....Curtis, the Pearl Jam manager, said that years on a major label roster established the Radiohead brand and made it possible for it to buck the system.

"It's the newer bands I really feel sorry for," Curtis said.

Pearl Jam and other groups with intense followings, such as the Dave Matthews Band, R.E.M., Metallica and Nine Inch Nails, will probably learn the most from Radiohead's experience, Curtis said. "Everyone will keep an eye on this because this is the most exciting thing we've seen to this point."

and a pretty cool discussion going on at Bob Mould's blog.

September's CD of the Month

So this is where I look back at all the "Gold Star" cds that I have mentioned and if you just wanted to buy one...I guess I would have to pick Iron and Wine's "The Shepard's Dog"

Iron and Wine's myspace.

Boy with a Coin