Yeah, so I was gonna make a more detailed post concerning the Dandys show, but somehow it ended up being very truncated. Now, I shall provide you with some of the details.
Some band, presumably Shit Cereal was opening, but we didn't pay them that much attention. We arrived when they had just a couple of songs left, anyway.
For those of you who haven't been to the Cradle in a while, the best thing happened to it. No... Not air conditioning. They made it non-smoking. Going back about four years or so, bands started to request it for one reason or another. Mainly due to band members being pregnant. The first time I ever saw it "non-smoking by request of the artist" was Cibo Matto. Soon, other bands started to follow suit by requesting it. I have no idea when the change to full time non-smoking happened, but it's been great. Granted, I don't get to shows nearly as often as I used to when I was in my twenties, but I used to hate coming home and having to wash my clothes immediately because of the smoke. And since there isn't smoking, you see pregnant ladies in the crowd. I saw at least three last night. I thought that was pretty cool.
One thing that has not changed is the crowds. By that, I don't mean that anyone is ill-behaved or anything like that. It's just that when you go to rock shows at the Cradle, it's always the same thing. It could be Elliot Smith or it could be Superchunk, and it's always a crowd of the most unemotional people in the world. Nobody moves, nobody smiles. Everyone assumes the "Chapel Hill Crowd" stance: arms folded across chest, staring straight ahead. People bob their heads slightly, or if they're feeling especially crazy, they might lip-synch along with the song, but that's about as much reaction they're gonna give. But everyone in the audience has that ONE SONG that they'll respond to. They'll jump a little bit, smile a little bit and scream like crazy when the first chords of the song ring out. Believe it or not, that song in the case of the Dandys wasn't "Not if You Were the Last Junky on Earth". It wasn't even "The Last High" (which is what I secretly suspected it would be). It was that "Bohemian Like You" song. People went slightly nuts for that, and then they resumed the Chapel Hill crowd thing.
I'm not exaggerating this, and I'm not making it up. And yes, it is a thing that happens just in Chapel Hill. I've heard lots of bands bitch about it. For years it's been that way.
When they have hip-hop shows there, forget all that. I think those crowds tend to be a little more into it.
Although I liked the show, I was disappointed at the brevity of it. It seemed like they played for just barely an hour and fifteen minutes. Something like that anyway. No encores. I think Courtney "I think I am god" Taylor Taylor (I have no idea where the second Taylor came from) was in a real hurry to smoke reefer with college kids.
Also, in a bit of a role reversals, all the members of the Dandys EXCEPT Zia took their shirt off. I was really hoping to see boobs, but I guess I can go to the Southern Culture on the Skids show. There'll be all kinds of boobs at that show. And chicken.
I didn't mean to suggest that Chapel Hill crowds suck. I only meant to suggest that they are and always have been very unenthusiastic.
Monday, November 28, 2005
don't listen to your grandmother's advice about us
The first order of business today is to pass along something that I should have caught on my own, but it was brought to my attention by Great White Bear, who suspended his "Hockey Friday" post and also took time out from his political rantings to report the death of George Best. Best was, as most of you loyal readers know, one of the best footballers the world ever saw. He passed away on our Thanksgiving day following complications from a liver transplant. Aside from being a fantastic soccer player, he was also as much of a pop icon, with his good looks and his hard living. In honor of him, you should play The Wedding Present's fantastic album George Best (which is currently out of print.)
I had a rock and roll good time over the weekend. Friday night was a Canes game, which we won. Afterwards, I went out with my seat-neighbors, who are the best ever. We went to a few Raleigh bars including a shitty one owned by former Hurricane Bates Battaglia. The other places we went were cool, so it made up for it. I had to work Saturday morning, and then back to the triangle area to see the Dandy Warhols on Saturday night. Beforehand, we went out to Peppers, and to my delight, the "Party of four, let's rock and roll" guy is working there. He was gone for a while, but he's back! Only now it isn't "party of four, let's rock and roll". He likes to do the fist pound with everyone.
The Dandys show was pretty good. The sound was good in my opinion, but I wasn't crazy about the lights. Anyway, they played a good mix of new stuff, old stuff, and some stuff I wasn't familiar with. They were putting on a good show, but sadly it was a Chapel Hill crowd. Chapel Hill crowds have always been Chapel Hill crowds, and they always will. It's gotta suck for the bands.
I might be a little more active around here in the coming weeks, as the Hurricanes are embarking on a two week road trip. I'll try to be more active, anyway.
Now playing:
The Wedding Present George Best
I had a rock and roll good time over the weekend. Friday night was a Canes game, which we won. Afterwards, I went out with my seat-neighbors, who are the best ever. We went to a few Raleigh bars including a shitty one owned by former Hurricane Bates Battaglia. The other places we went were cool, so it made up for it. I had to work Saturday morning, and then back to the triangle area to see the Dandy Warhols on Saturday night. Beforehand, we went out to Peppers, and to my delight, the "Party of four, let's rock and roll" guy is working there. He was gone for a while, but he's back! Only now it isn't "party of four, let's rock and roll". He likes to do the fist pound with everyone.
The Dandys show was pretty good. The sound was good in my opinion, but I wasn't crazy about the lights. Anyway, they played a good mix of new stuff, old stuff, and some stuff I wasn't familiar with. They were putting on a good show, but sadly it was a Chapel Hill crowd. Chapel Hill crowds have always been Chapel Hill crowds, and they always will. It's gotta suck for the bands.
I might be a little more active around here in the coming weeks, as the Hurricanes are embarking on a two week road trip. I'll try to be more active, anyway.
Now playing:
The Wedding Present George Best
Thursday, November 24, 2005
it could have been a brilliant career
I know, I know. I haven't been around much. I don't know what to say. Not much has gone on that's been post-worthy.
Today, though is the first birthday of this blog. So,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BLOG!!!
I got my XBOX 360 in the mail the other day, and I've gotta say that the folks at Mountain Dew did it right. They gave away the full-tilt version of the game console. Complete with a the hard drive, wireless controller, ethernet cables, xbox live headset, remote control for the device (which can store photos, music, movies, whatever), and some crazy fantasy game. I also, apparently have a game of my choosing on the way, but I don't recall picking anything. I imagine I would have selected Madden, but I'll have to wait and see. The graphics are indeed pretty amazing.
I've heard some negative reviews of 2K Sports' NHL 2K6, so I'll hold off on spending the $60 on that. More video game updates as they (slowly) develop.
The college basketball season has begun, and I got a chance to watch the second half of the UNC game on Tuesday night, in which they decimated Cleveland State 112-55. Even taking into consideration that Cleveland state is awful, the Heels looked good. I think they'll be a little better than most folks think.
I also watched the ultra-exciting conclusion of the Gonzaga-Michigan State game, which went to three overtimes. Those Zags have a good squad. This Adam Morrison guy is really good, and he also bears a striking resemblance to actor (and narrator for Mastercard ads) Billy Crudup.
While I was watching that game, the name of UNC legend Mike O'Koren came up, and a friend who I had just run into relayed a great story about O'Koren. Now I shall relay it to you.
In 1976, O'Koren was a heavily recruited high school ball player. I think he was New Jersey player of the year that year. UNLV coach Jerry Tarkanian was one of many who were going after him. Tark thought he had a brilliant plan. He was friends with Frank Sinatra, and Sinatra was a big fan of UNLV basketball. Tark asked Ole Blue Eyes (also a Jersey native) to help out in recruiting O'Koren. So Sinatra went to Jersey City and showed up on the O'Koren's doorstep. He sang for them and hung out with them for an entire evening and pitched UNLV in the process. I have no idea what Dean Smith did to top that, but O'Koren chose UNC only two days after Sinatra sang for him.
Anyway, that's it for now.
now playing:
Death Cab for Cutie Plans
Today, though is the first birthday of this blog. So,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BLOG!!!
I got my XBOX 360 in the mail the other day, and I've gotta say that the folks at Mountain Dew did it right. They gave away the full-tilt version of the game console. Complete with a the hard drive, wireless controller, ethernet cables, xbox live headset, remote control for the device (which can store photos, music, movies, whatever), and some crazy fantasy game. I also, apparently have a game of my choosing on the way, but I don't recall picking anything. I imagine I would have selected Madden, but I'll have to wait and see. The graphics are indeed pretty amazing.
I've heard some negative reviews of 2K Sports' NHL 2K6, so I'll hold off on spending the $60 on that. More video game updates as they (slowly) develop.
The college basketball season has begun, and I got a chance to watch the second half of the UNC game on Tuesday night, in which they decimated Cleveland State 112-55. Even taking into consideration that Cleveland state is awful, the Heels looked good. I think they'll be a little better than most folks think.
I also watched the ultra-exciting conclusion of the Gonzaga-Michigan State game, which went to three overtimes. Those Zags have a good squad. This Adam Morrison guy is really good, and he also bears a striking resemblance to actor (and narrator for Mastercard ads) Billy Crudup.
While I was watching that game, the name of UNC legend Mike O'Koren came up, and a friend who I had just run into relayed a great story about O'Koren. Now I shall relay it to you.
In 1976, O'Koren was a heavily recruited high school ball player. I think he was New Jersey player of the year that year. UNLV coach Jerry Tarkanian was one of many who were going after him. Tark thought he had a brilliant plan. He was friends with Frank Sinatra, and Sinatra was a big fan of UNLV basketball. Tark asked Ole Blue Eyes (also a Jersey native) to help out in recruiting O'Koren. So Sinatra went to Jersey City and showed up on the O'Koren's doorstep. He sang for them and hung out with them for an entire evening and pitched UNLV in the process. I have no idea what Dean Smith did to top that, but O'Koren chose UNC only two days after Sinatra sang for him.
Anyway, that's it for now.
now playing:
Death Cab for Cutie Plans
Thursday, November 10, 2005
being a rebel's fine, but you go all the way to being brutal
Hey, remember when I was lamenting about not being cool?
I just became extraordinarily cool without even knowing it. Actually, the defining moment must have been a few weeks or even months ago, but I just caught wind of it 20 minutes ago. And to be truthful, I'll only be cool to dudes between the ages of 9 and 40, and on a materialistic basis. To explain:
Yesterday, the UPS guy left a slip on my door. I didn't order anything, and I'm not expecting anything, so I was really curious. According to the UPS tracking thing, the package weighs five pounds and originated somewhere in Minnesota. That automatically precluded any cool gift from the Hurricanes, which was actually my first thought. I don't have any strange charges on any of my credit cards, so it was a big mystery, but I had them hold it at the holding tank so I could pick it up.
I opened this box in the parking lot, and I saw a bag of Mountain Dew ballcaps. Okay, whatever. Maybe five of them. And a bag of t-shirts. Whatever. Then there's all these postcards in the bottom of the box, and I think "holy shit". In the very bottom of the box, a note indicating that I am a winner. They even called me that.
Jeez. I've won a really fancy video game system.
You remember that contest they had? I had forgotten all about it. I had forgotten that I even entered.
The thing is, I'm not that much of a "gamer". I like to play the sports video games, but that's it. However, it would be a shame to let this thing go to waste. They're not for sale yet, but they'll be going for $400. One of my co-workers is really stoked about the release of these things. It's all he's talked about for the past few days. I could offer to sell it to him for $250 or something, but he's kind of a douchebag, and I'd feel dirty doing him that favor. I could sure use the dough, but I have principles.
So.... Who wants to come over and play video games? I rekkon I'll get this thing sometime next week.
By the way, these hats are really nice. Black, with the Mountain Dew logo on the front and XBOX360 on the back. The best thing is, they're made with that stretch-fit stuff, so it looks like a fitted cap, and more importantly, it fits my enormous melon.
Since I won this Xbox by entering the contest once, I should capitalize on my luck by purchasing powerball tickets.
now playing:
The Dandy Warhols Odditorium, or Warlords Of Mars
I just became extraordinarily cool without even knowing it. Actually, the defining moment must have been a few weeks or even months ago, but I just caught wind of it 20 minutes ago. And to be truthful, I'll only be cool to dudes between the ages of 9 and 40, and on a materialistic basis. To explain:
Yesterday, the UPS guy left a slip on my door. I didn't order anything, and I'm not expecting anything, so I was really curious. According to the UPS tracking thing, the package weighs five pounds and originated somewhere in Minnesota. That automatically precluded any cool gift from the Hurricanes, which was actually my first thought. I don't have any strange charges on any of my credit cards, so it was a big mystery, but I had them hold it at the holding tank so I could pick it up.
I opened this box in the parking lot, and I saw a bag of Mountain Dew ballcaps. Okay, whatever. Maybe five of them. And a bag of t-shirts. Whatever. Then there's all these postcards in the bottom of the box, and I think "holy shit". In the very bottom of the box, a note indicating that I am a winner. They even called me that.
Dear Every 10 Minutes Winner:
Congratulations! Enclosed is your Mountain Dew Every 10 Minutes 'Party in a Box' prize. For updated information on when you will receive your Xbox 360 game system please check your account history over the next few days ......
Blah blah blah
Very truly yours,
Pepsi-Cola Consumer Care
Jeez. I've won a really fancy video game system.
You remember that contest they had? I had forgotten all about it. I had forgotten that I even entered.
The thing is, I'm not that much of a "gamer". I like to play the sports video games, but that's it. However, it would be a shame to let this thing go to waste. They're not for sale yet, but they'll be going for $400. One of my co-workers is really stoked about the release of these things. It's all he's talked about for the past few days. I could offer to sell it to him for $250 or something, but he's kind of a douchebag, and I'd feel dirty doing him that favor. I could sure use the dough, but I have principles.
So.... Who wants to come over and play video games? I rekkon I'll get this thing sometime next week.
By the way, these hats are really nice. Black, with the Mountain Dew logo on the front and XBOX360 on the back. The best thing is, they're made with that stretch-fit stuff, so it looks like a fitted cap, and more importantly, it fits my enormous melon.
Since I won this Xbox by entering the contest once, I should capitalize on my luck by purchasing powerball tickets.
now playing:
The Dandy Warhols Odditorium, or Warlords Of Mars
Monday, November 07, 2005
I was moved to kick the crutches from my crippled friend.
This may be a shock to some of you, but for most of you this will not be news:
I am not cool.
I haven't the foggiest idea about the newest hippest indie rock that the kids are talking about.
I don't play the guitar.
I don't have a new car.
I don't have a fancy I.T. job.
I know there's still hope of being cool even without those things, but here's the real telling factor -- the inbox of my text messages.
Some of you have posted the contents of your inbox, which indicate that you and your friends are doing really cool stuff. Brace yourself to be utterly bored by the contents of my inbox
See! Nothing ever happens on Mars.
now playing:
My Bloody Valentine Loveless
I am not cool.
I haven't the foggiest idea about the newest hippest indie rock that the kids are talking about.
I don't play the guitar.
I don't have a new car.
I don't have a fancy I.T. job.
I know there's still hope of being cool even without those things, but here's the real telling factor -- the inbox of my text messages.
Some of you have posted the contents of your inbox, which indicate that you and your friends are doing really cool stuff. Brace yourself to be utterly bored by the contents of my inbox
- Roy did it!
- Dude? What's up?
- Call if u r up
- What's up?
- Be there in a few
- U @ work?
- Schwag
- U @ work? Call me
- If you kickin it later on, holla! I owe u some beer
- When I get back from vacation, let's start a Sunday wiffle ball league
- Halftime 0-0
- 1-0! US!!!
- 2-0! Beasley drills it! 60 min
- Usa! Usa! Its final. We qualify!
- Dude! I gotta close!
- Fuck off u rump ranger
- I'll call you when I wake up around three. Want to plan on getting here at 430 or 5ish?
- I'm sorry bout sat night. there was a change in plans and i didn't have your no. in my phone. I'm wicked sorry
- Omega Mu
- Game time
- Dear god. fucking bauhaus is playing in my town on tuesday.
- gd, you ain't lying.
See! Nothing ever happens on Mars.
now playing:
My Bloody Valentine Loveless
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