Octopus Overlords

Saw Bob Mould perform Copper Blue on Tuesday.
What. A. Show.

Wow......really....just.....wow.
After 20 years that music stands up with the best of them.
And Mr Mould showed no signs of growing old. He played with passion and fury the likes of which are extremely rare at any age.
Got to meet him and he is as kind and gracious as one could be.

He also played of couple of new songs that sounded great.
And to top it all off, the encore consisted of 6 Husker Du songs that ended the night in a blaze of glory.

Fierce, loud and joyful..... the perfect combo.

So, Daniel Lanois was amazing. Blew the crowd away. I tried to buy one of his albums at the merch table, but they weren't selling any of his. Um what? He's the freaking headliner. How do you not sell any of a headliner? You'd think a concert venue would be the perfect place to, you know, buy one, especially to a packed crowd. But nope. No albums. Same thing happened to me last year at the same venue where they weren't selling any albums of the headliner. Seems counter-productive.

And then BAM! In closing the festival, the house was blown down by Mr Steven Page, formerly of the Barenaked Ladies and now a fully-clothed gent gone solo. It was just him and Craig Northley (he wrote the song used as the Corner Gas theme) on stage. Made for quite an intimate night. Those vocal chords of his? Holy poodleschnitzel! The guy can't possibly be human. I don't know how he does it, belting it out concert after concert with such a strong voice. It made the whole weekend worth it. I mean, I'd heard of his legendary voice, but to experience it? Beyond unbelievable, and must be heard if possible. Yeah, Ok, I've never seen the Barenaked Ladies, I admit it. I guess should return my Canadian citizenship, because I'm a bad Canadian. Shame on me, hehe. Still, I think will end up being one of the most epic performances in the 40 years of the festival.


Btw. Jenn Grant. That's a name to watch out for. She was one of the performers I saw this weekend and she was totally great. Reminds me a lot of Blondie when she was at her prime, and in fact one of her videos is almost exactly like that:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BT2IkL0d_K0" target="_blank

Due to unforseen circumstance, I will be unable to attend two concerts I have tickets for in the detroit area. The shows are both in September and they would for Rush and Peter Gabriel. Im offering them here under face value before I try to sell them on stubhub. Hopefully someone can get some enjoyment out of them as my job just made sure I cant.

Rush is on Sept 18th at 7:30pm at the Palace. The seats are lower bowl, section 120, row P, seats 11-12. They cost $172. Ill give em up for $140
edited to add: Rush tickets are gone.

Peter Gabriel is on Sept 26th also at the Palace. Lower bowl as well section 117, row H, seats 3-4 Ill let these go for $125

The tickets for both shows were electronic delivery so I have PDF s of them and can send you the tickets asap.

If youre interested PM me. Thanks

Peter doesn't apparently care for Texas. I has a sad.

Suddenly I have a ton of shows to see this fall:

Dead Can Dance - Seattle - Friday August 10
Kristin Hersh - Mississippi Studios Thursday, August 23
Silversun PIckups - Pioneer Square - Sunday , September 9
Bob Mould - Wonder Ballroom - Wednesday, September 19
Morrissey - Schnitzer - November 11



Garbage is also coming to town in September but I may have to pass - I don't think I can pawn off Elise on the grandparents three straight weeks.

Exodor wrote:Suddenly I have a ton of shows to see this fall:

Dead Can Dance - Seattle - Friday August 10

i will be at that show! tho it'll be at a park in Redmond, not Seattle proper.

Exodor wrote:Silversun PIckups - Pioneer Square - Sunday , September 9

this confused me as there's a neighborhood in Seattle called Pioneer Square. it doesn't have any real concert venues...

Peter Murphy is coming to SLC on August 14...just got my tickets.

One more to cross off my "need to see before I die" list.

Apparently since Rush is not making it my way this tour, THE WHO have decided to kick off their US Quadrophenia Tour 10minutes from my house. Quadrophenia is probably my favorite album of all time. Now I have to decide if I want to take my boys (9 & 12) who will most definitely not enjoy it as much as I will.

Edit: The official The Who Twitter:

#thewhotour‬ Roger and Pete have just confirmed that they're performing at the close of the Olympics. Without Keith Moon.

Damn, sucks they aren't including Moon, they're probably leaving Entwistle out as well, the pricks!

Skinypupy wrote:Peter Murphy is coming to SLC on August 14...just got my tickets.

One more to cross off my "need to see before I die" list.

hope that he's in a good mood that night, or he'll spend every other break inbetween songs bitching about the sound guy's ineptitude or whatever.

hitbyambulance wrote:

Skinypupy wrote:Peter Murphy is coming to SLC on August 14...just got my tickets.

One more to cross off my "need to see before I die" list.

hope that he's in a good mood that night, or he'll spend every other break in between songs bitching about the sound guy's ineptitude or whatever.

He did that in Detroit last year too (and way back when he toured for Holy Smoke) but he was still fantastic, way better than he was in the intervening years between Holy Smoke and when Bauhaus opened for Nine Inch Nails a few years ago. Whatever happened for that particular seemed to have straightened his shit out.

Not only was his music really good but his playlist was really solid as well. The only negative thing I can say about it is that he almost completely ignored Love Hysteria which is my favorite album by him. To make up for it though, he does like a half dozen Bauhaus songs.

LordMortis wrote:

hitbyambulance wrote:

Skinypupy wrote:Peter Murphy is coming to SLC on August 14...just got my tickets.

One more to cross off my "need to see before I die" list.

hope that he's in a good mood that night, or he'll spend every other break in between songs bitching about the sound guy's ineptitude or whatever.

He did that in Detroit last year too (and way back when he toured for Holy Smoke) but he was still fantastic, way better than he was in the intervening years between Holy Smoke and when Bauhaus opened for Nine Inch Nails a few years ago. Whatever happened for that particular seemed to have straightened his shit out.

Not only was his music really good but his playlist was really solid as well. The only negative thing I can say about it is that he almost completely ignored Love Hysteria which is my favorite album by him. To make up for it though, he does like a half dozen Bauhaus songs.

I saw Bauhaus when they opened for NIN, and he was pretty amazing. I was sitting clear in the back though, and couldn't pass up the opportunity to see him in a much more intimate setting. I came across a playlist for his show last month in Chile, and it's awfully damn close to what I would hand-pick for my own personal setlist:

• Hurt (Nine Inch Nails cover)
  Velocity Bird
  In the Flat Field (Bauhaus)
  Peace to Each
  Silent Hedges (Bauhaus)
  Memory Go
  A Strange Kind of Love (with Bela Lugosi's Dead snipped)
  She's in Parties (Bauhaus)
  Subway
  Cuts You Up
  Gaslit
  The Prince & Old Lady Shade
  Stigmata Martyr (Bauhaus)
  I'll Fall With Your Knife
  Uneven & Brittle
  
  Encore:
  Hollow Hills (Bauhaus)
  I Spit Roses
  Dark Entries (Bauhaus)
  Ziggy Stardust (David Bowie cover)
  
  Encore 2:
  Deep Ocean Vast Sea
  Indigo Eyes
  All Night Long

If he plays something even close to this I'll be absolutely thrilled.

I skipped out on Flatfoot 56 on Tuesday. It was too hot and they were going on too early. I just couldn't muster up the oomph to go.

But more importantly, has anyone seen Fang Island? I'm debating taking next Friday off to see them Thursday night.

Went to Mötley Crüe/KISS last night. Only the third show of the tour so both bands were still fresh and in good voice.

It started raining right before Mötley Crüe came on and then when they started playing we could see lightning flashing and hear thunder, which was pretty cool. Then the rain let up and there was a perfect rainbow over the stage. Whole lawn was cheering, it was pretty funny.

This was my first KISS show and I was not disappointed. I got to see all the classic gimmicks I wanted to see (Gene breathing fire and spitting blood, etc.)

All in all it was a hell of an old school rock show with all the scantily clad girls, pyrotechnics, flashing lights, lasers, and smoke machines that entails. I'm not really a huge fan of either band, but it was worth going for the spectacle.

Saw a punk show in coffee house turned bar this weekend based on Facebook recommendation. I haven't been to a hardcore show in twenty years. I have no idea who I saw but the show was great even if I was twice the age or older than every one else there and just watching the energy made me tired.

The police eventually came and raided the coffee house and started towing cars, so I bailed. I don't know if they were trying to keep going after that. A show wasn't worth the chance of getting my car towed or being arrested for no reason other the fear of the neighboring business that these punk kids were wreak havoc on the area. But wow the music was great. I was transported back to the mid to late 80s, except with a lot more "punk rock girls." The audience (and energy coming from it) was 50% chicks. It sure wasn't like that in makeshift clubs in the 80s.

I'm still debating Fang Island this Thursday.

YellowKing wrote:Went to Mötley Crüe/KISS last night. Only the third show of the tour so both bands were still fresh and in good voice.

It was a great show. I'm glad I took the day off today! For three hours last night, I was eighteen again. This morning I'm reminded that I'm 47. Both my wife and I lost our voices last night, and it has made for a very peaceful morning.

Got my Who tix on the Amex presale this morning and convinced my 2 buds from NY to fly down for the kick off show. Woo Who!

Iron Maiden with Coheed and Cambria on the 30th. I have 4th row center for my daughter and me. This is my 6th Maiden show since 86.

Just got back from Michael Franti & Spearhead. Incredible, incredible show - one of the best I've been to in a long time.

It was down by the lake at our little outdoor amphitheater. Place only holds about 3000 so it's a really intimate venue. Show was sold out, but we got there early and had seats right up front.

He knew how to get a crowd pumped and pretty much every song he had the audience engaged. He had crowd members up there playing guitar, dancing, etc. The neatest moment of the night was "Say Hey (I Love You)" when he got all the little kids in the audience up on stage and danced and sang with them. The audience went absolutely nuts. Really cool guy - he came out into the audience several times, and after the show even hung out at the front of the stage taking pictures with people and giving hugs as they left.

Peter Murphy was absolutely brilliant last night. It's a treat to see someone who has truly perfected their craft over decades walk in and simply own an audience from start to finish. His stories were engaging, funny, and quite touching, and watching a nearly 60-year-old man bust out in full glampire mode was an awesome sight. They had a few technical issues, including a broken mic stand that damn near impaled the guitar player. One glitch required them to perform Indigo Eyes with only Peter and the guitarist, which turned out to be brilliant. Closed the show with Ziggy...damn near brought the house down. Fantastic show all around.

That said, weekday shows are puppies. Got home at 2am...I can barely keep my gorram eyes open at my desk this morning.

Skinypupy wrote:Peter Murphy was absolutely brilliant last night. It's a treat to see someone who has truly perfected their craft over decades walk in and simply own an audience from start to finish. His stories were engaging, funny, and quite touching, and watching a nearly 60-year-old man bust out in full glampire mode was an awesome sight. They had a few technical issues, including a broken mic stand that damn near impaled the guitar player. One glitch required them to perform Indigo Eyes with only Peter and the guitarist, which turned out to be brilliant. Closed the show with Ziggy...damn near brought the house down. Fantastic show all around.

That said, weekday shows are puppies. Got home at 2am...I can barely keep my gorram eyes open at my desk this morning.

He's a real Diva, which is strange to me because he was putting on some horrible shows that really seemed like nothing but bad money grabs in mid 90s to late 90s. Had Bauhaus not actually sounded pretty good when they opened for NIN several years ago, I'd have never given him another chance. He was absolutely horrible live for the stuff around Cascade and the "Rest In Peace" tour for Bauhaus was just as bad.

He had no stories when I saw him a few months ago but he he was really bitchy to the crew via his microphone, so that may have had something to do with it. His performance, however, was fantastic and like he had gone all the way back to the days of his performances with The Hundred Men and all of the in between stuff never happened.

/is debating seeing Jello Biafra on Saturday and is wondering if Jello is big enough to sell out Small's, making there no point in driving all the way out to Hamtramck to find out.

Jello was actually really good.

Has any one seen Metric? I had intended on seeing them when they were a smaller band and didn't, as is often the case. Now I'm on the fence as to whether I want to pay Fillmore/Live Nation extortion money to see them. Are they worth $45 to start the evening (plus inflated beer and parking charges)?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttqMGYHhFFA" target="_blank

I've seen Metric several times, and they do put on a good show, not notably worse since they've gotten bigger than back when they were opening for Hot Hot Heat.

Probably not worth that much for me, but I've already seen them, so that's your call.

silverjon wrote:Probably not worth that much for me, but I've already seen them, so that's your call.

That's the thing. I'm all about taking a chance on an evening out for $10 show with 75-400 other people with $3 beers where I can leave any time and not get annoyed. Seeing a $45 show with with 2000 or more other people and $15 parking (often having to fight Tigers fans for the privilege to walk a mile to the venue) and $9 (large) beers (which is double problematic because I usually drive and have to make the call to stop drinking rather than simply having a beer between each act) becomes a planned event where I now come in with the expectation to enjoy myself. I always kick myself for missing the small shows. And right now I got nothing new to me coming until October, unless I go see Foxy Shazam (also at the Fillmore/Live Nation with all of the same strings attached) or I decide to see Lightning Bolt and see if trauma to my eardrums is my thing or not.

I'll be paying around that much for Bloc Party, whom I've never seen before.

And I'm going to Vancouver to see Patrick Wolf, because it means that much to me.

silverjon wrote:I'll be paying around that much for Bloc party, whom I've never seen before.

I almost saw them for $20 maybe four years ago because Holy Fuck were opening for them. I didn't care for Bloc Parties sound (via youtube) then, so I didn't go, figuring a 30 minute set from Holy Fuck wasn't worth the effort or cost of the evening. Bloc Party's recent stuff sounds way more appealing... But still not enough for "live nation" level of an evening out.

On the other hand, Holy Fuck came back by themselves about six months later for a $10 show. I've been waiting for them to come back to Detroit ever since. They were a great performance. The music was fantastic... And that reminds me why it was I debating seeing moe in October. Crappy that they are the same night Theatre Bizarre.

I forgot to post about the Dead Can Dance show last month.

It was awseome.

Our seats were pretty close...



They played their entire new album which wasn't due to be released until the following Tuesday. Fortunately it's really, really good and I already had a copy.

Totally worth the ridiculous ticket price and 3+ hour drive.



This weekend is Silversun Pickups. They're playing an outdoor show at Pioneer Courthouse Square. I saw a free Tears for Fears show there years ago and it's a surprisingly good place to see a concert.

They're also doing a "secret show" sometime during the day on Sunday. I'm hoping I can make it to that as well as I'm sure it will be a much smaller venue.

Exodor wrote: Our seats were pretty close...

i was about 20 rows behind that!

SWANS tonight at Neumo's - it will be good. i still think Michael Gira has never been hugged

LordMortis wrote:...or I decide to see Lightning Bolt and see if trauma to my eardrums is my thing or not.

Lightning Bolt/Beast In The Field sounds absolutely like my kind of show. Too bad it's a Sunday...


I'd also catch that Aesop Rock show on Oct. 2nd for sure if I was in town. Not sure if it's your type of thing but that man is a very gifted MC. GIFTED.


I keep needing to edit this...

Blues Explosion on Oct. 19th! They haven't toured in years! I've seen Boss Hog but never The Blues Explosion!

October should be a pretty good month.

Growlers - Oct 1st (probably not. They don't sound like they are even in the same ballpark as my thing but they come highly recommended)
Soft Pack - Oct 10th (I don't know why I have them listed. I don't even know the name. But I tagged them for some reason. I have to figure out why.)
Adam Ant - Oct 11th
Wilson - Oct 12th (one of those local bands like Howling Diablos or Detroit Cobras whom I've been trying to see for ages but keep missing)
Theatre Bizarre - Oct 20th (which means I'm missing Moe Oct 20th. Which means Moe will come back as a more expensive show next time, and I'll be asking everyone if Moe is worth $45.)
Afgan Whigs or Primus - Oct 24th

I figure out how I'm going to pare this down. I just don't have time, energy, or money to do but maybe three things a month any more. How very sad. Current thoughts are toward pushing it and doing Soft Pack, Adam And, Theatre Bizarre and Afgan Whigs.

I had thought about the Blues Explosion because of the spotify game thread. I'd think about it but there's no way I'm going out the night before Theatre Bizarre. I can't hang two nights in a row any more, and TB will probably keep me out until five in morn. I don't know anything about Aesop Rock. I'll have to see what's up with that.

The stuff I've seen recorded for Lightning Bolt has me intrigued but the show looks like it is literally painfully loud.

(Swans were here a few years ago and I missed them I heard they were fantastic. )

I'm all set to see Ben Folds Five next week (9/13 in Holyoke, MA), then Coheed & Cambria a couple weeks later (9/23 in Hartford, CT)

That was prolly the loudest show per sq ft I have ever heard. Earplugs almost weren't enough...

Just returned from seeing Silversun Pickups. Damn they put on a fine show.

The plans have been altered. CATL are this Thursday at PJs. WooT!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOLDb1su7f4" target="_blank

Sadly, they will get no turn out as I don't imagine any one in the US knows who they are but they're still going to be fantastic.

Announced:

http://titusandronicustheband.blogspot. ... -tour.html" target="_blank

11/26. A Monday. Again I will be one of 10 people in the audience. But if TA are OK with playing to 10 people then I'm OK with it. CATL played to like six people and they were OK with it and they rocked.

We also went to a hard core show two weeks ago Friday. No idea who we saw, but the main band were supposed to be a punk band doing lucha libre stuff at the same time and they were playing at a bar I've never been to, so I was in. I knew I was old as I was in back, enjoying pretty solid hard core punk (and the corktown has amazing acoustics), while basically falling asleep on my feet. I had to go home and pass out tired from the work week and miss the last two bands. Suckin.

I have Softpack on my to see list next week but I have no idea why. I hate it when that happens. I'll probably pass because I'm getting old and I plan on seeing Adam Ant next week. A local band, Wilson, has also been getting raves so if I am awake and alive and motivated next Friday, I'll be there as well.

LordMortis wrote:Announced:

http://titusandronicustheband.blogspot. ... -tour.html" target="_blank

11/26. A Monday. Again I will be one of 10 people in the audience. But if TA are OK with playing to 10 people then I'm OK with it. CATL played to like six people and they were OK with it and they rocked.

I picked up a TA album because I really liked the song they have in Rocksmith. It's good stuff. Unfortunately, their show in Texas appears to be a festival, and I've decided that I'm too old for festivals.

Fretmute wrote:

LordMortis wrote:Announced:

http://titusandronicustheband.blogspot. ... -tour.html" target="_blank

11/26. A Monday. Again I will be one of 10 people in the audience. But if TA are OK with playing to 10 people then I'm OK with it. CATL played to like six people and they were OK with it and they rocked.

I picked up a TA album because I really liked the song they have in Rocksmith. It's good stuff. Unfortunately, their show in Texas appears to be a festival, and I've decided that I'm too old for festivals.

Their live show isn't full of personality but it is full of energy and sounds great. Sadly, Amy Andronicus, aka Amy Klein, left to pursue her own career last year and she was just so full of joy that watching her play was the best pleasure of an already strong performance.

I'm a bit trepidatious as I look forward to the new album. The song sample I heard was a horrible cover an already POS song called "Video Games" but then the last cover I heard by them was an atrocious version of "Bird House in Your Soul" and they were still a great band after that. They just haven't found their way enough to do other people's material, IMO. That or their just too punk rock for me.

I'm still annoyed the Okkerville River keep skipping Detroit, as the two toured together last year and that would have been a killer night.

(I don't think I wasn't ever too old for Festivals. Going all the way back to the 2nd Lollapallooza and they've only gotten worse IMO while I've concurrently gotten older. Very sad. I like the idea of festivals but I've never actually enjoyed 12 hours of going from here to there in the sun and then into the night. I get tired and annoyed to easily.

If it's of any consequence the TA day looks good. You could talk me into seeing any of the bands italicized and there a bunch more I never heard of who may be fantastic (Doesn't Austin already too many festivals?). S

http://funfunfunfest.com/artists" target="_blank

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
Public Image Ltd.
Explosions In The Sky
Santigold
The Head and the Heart
Superchunk
Real Estate
The Black Angels
Bob Mould (Performing Copper Blue)
Minus The Bear
The Promise Ring
Deerhoof
Braid
Surfer Blood
Paul Banks (of Interpol)
Lucero
WHY?
Atlas Sound
Sharon Van Etten
Black Moth Super Rainbow
Omar Rodriguez Lopez
Cursive
...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead
GIVERS
The Helio Sequence
Twin Sister
Diamond Rugs
Dum Dum Girls
Titus Andronicus
Brendan Benson
Disappears
Giant Giant Sand
Yellow Ostrich
The Jezabels
A Place To Bury Strangers
Fang Island
Girl In A Coma
Deathfix (Brendan of Fugazi)
Devin
Balmorhea
Ume
The Golden Boys
Not In The Face
Hundred Visions


... Never mind that's by stage, not by day. So it's a pretty good stage, they're playing but that's either three long days or 43 short sets