Monday, March 29, 2010

BADu

Erykah Badu is stirring up controversy with her latest video entitled "Window Seat" in which she pulls up in Dealy Plaza - the site of the JFK assassination - and strips naked. A shot rings out and she falls to the ground while blue ink seeps from her head.

According to The Dallas Morning News, city of Dallas spokesman Frank Librio says that Badu should have gotten a permit before filming it. "All commercial film/video or photo shoot projects must be permitted through the City of Dallas Office of Special Events/Film Coordinators," Librio said in a written statement. "The production company that produced this video never contacted the city to seek the proper permits. This is known as 'guerrilla filming' where production companies circumvent the proper permitting procedures and usually shoot these scenes in one take, knowing that if they are discovered they would face arrest and/or penalties."

The Dallas Morning News also reported that Lindalyn Adams, a longtime civic volunteer, is horrified. "I don’t understand how someone who lives here, who is a resident of this city, could do such a thing,” she said of Badu.

a)If Badu's "guerrilla filming" has the city of Dallas upset, I'm guessing they haven't looked at youtube lately.

b)Bad taste??? There's an "x" that marks the spot in the middle of the street where this guy's brains splattered. People take pictures on this "x" while nearly getting hit by oncoming traffic.

c)The city of Dallas is still sensitive to this? Why?? It was damn near half a century ago. Did the whole city of Dallas get together in 1963 and decide that they needed to knock that uppity yank President from his perch? Let it go. Plus, this guy banged Marilyn Monroe while shooting up amphetamines in the White House as he hung out with his pal Frank Sinatra. Don't feel bad for JKF. This guy had a good run. The party's got to end some time.

d)This song is the jam!!

Saturday, March 27, 2010

The Runaways

When it comes down to bands or artists being portrayed on film, there are very few movies that do a commendable job. Documentaries, in my opinion, seem to fill that niche better. The Runaways based on the actual teenage, all-girl rock band out of L.A., however, is that rare exception.

Formed in late 1975, by rhythm guitarist Joan Jett and drummer Sandy West, the Runaways would eventually include lead guitarist Lita Ford, bassist Ann Boleyn, and lead singer Cherie Curie. And as far as their influence goes, I would have to say that it speaks for itself - I mean, how many girl-fronted rock groups can you name prior to The Runaways?

I highly recommend this film. The acting all around was stellar, but none better than Michael Shannon's portrayal of the sleazy, teen-exploiting manager of the Runaways - Kim Fowley. The Runaways finally get their due.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

SXSW Day 4

After missing Marina and the Diamonds on Thursday night, I finally got the chance to see her at some tent downtown. She was great and I still think this talented young lady is going to be a star. The death of Alex Chilton left a void in my schedule last night as I had planned to see Big Star at Antone's. I read that many artists wound up doing a tribute show in honor of Chilton at Antone's instead. I wound up going to see Jeff the Brotherhood - yes, again - at Mohawks and the show was outrageously good. That band is something else. Another great South by Southwest! I'm exhausted. Can't wait for next year.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

SXSW Day 3

I'm hungover from the night before and I just can't get moving to go see any day shows. I basically loaf around my apartment until night time and then head downtown to the Dirty Dog Bar to see Hole. I get there at 9pm and Hole doesn't go on until 1am. Leaving is not an option because the place is starting to get full. The bands I had to sift through before Hole were absolutely atrocious, except for Foxy Shazam who went on right before Hole. Wow. I doubt you will find a more entertaining frontman than this guy among the bazillion bands that are here in Austin right now. Bantering between songs tends to get on my nerves, but with Foxy Shazam, you wanted more. The buildup for Hole was wild. Sound guys couldn't seem to get anything right all night. The security at the Dirty Dog were on pins and needles. You would have thought Obama was about to arrive. The young lady next to me asks if I'm here for the spectacle of it all. Yes, I am. I need this. I can't take another overhyped, uninteresting band or artist from Brooklyn. Brooklyn this. Brooklyn that. Courtney Love is interesting whether you like her or not and she's written some damn good songs even if she couldn't remember how to play some of them last night. Her set was still great and, when it was over, she crowd surfed all the way to the back bar and ordered a drink.

Friday, March 19, 2010

SXSW Day 2

I start the day at Club Deville hoping to catch Vivian Girls and Liars before I make my way to see Roky Erickson at Threadgills. It looks like its going to be a scheduling conflict. I stick around and see Surfer Blood which really wasn't my cup of tea. Realizing that Vivian Girls and Liars aren't going to work out with my schedule, I head over to Emo's Annex thinking that Jeff the Brotherhood are playing there, which they were, but they had already played. I stuck around for a few songs by Besnard Lakes and realized I had to start making my way to Threadgills. A friend calls and says Jeff the Brotherhood are playing miles away, so I hoof it hoping if I walk fast enough I can make it...not a chance. I stop a guy in a purple Impala and ask him if he can run me up there which he does and I get to see Jeff the Brotherhood at Pie Guy's Pizza. They are either hungover or uninspired. There's no energy whatsoever in the band or the crowd. Friends drop me off at Threadgills and I get to see the great J Mascis' new band, Sweet Apple. They were awesome as was their frontman, John Petkovick. Following Sweet Apple was the true star of the show, Roky Erickson, who was backed by fellow Austinites Okkervil River. It was an excellent show, of course. I then head over to Lambert's to see Marina and the Diamonds. I'm there way too early and I have to sit through bands I'm really not interested in. Same friends who dropped me off at Threadgills show and say they are going to see Stone Temple Pilots around the corner at the Austin Music Hall. Marina and the Diamonds doesn't go on for another couple of hours so why not. Why not? It's the Austin Music Hall - my least favorite venue in Austin. The show was packed and STP were entertaining, none the less. I head back over to Lamberts only to find that they are only letting people with badges into the show. Fuck. The only thing left to see with the night winding down to a close is Roky Erickson once again at La Zona Rosa which is also around the corner. I enter La Zona Rosa wondering why so many people are here to listen to a Kinks cover band. Probably because the singer is Kinks' lead singer, Ray Davies. Pretty awesome. Okkervil River takes a long time with sound check. However, the show is still great and thus ends Day 2 of South by Southwest.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Alex Chilton R.I.P.

One of my biggest thrills for this South by Southwest season was the chance of seeing Big Star at Antone's this upcoming Saturday night and, yet, I get on the internet tonight only to find out that lead singer, Alex Chilton, died today at the age of 59. A huge loss for the music world. Very, very sad.


SXSW Day 1

Are you sick of tight pants/hipster/pseudo-intellectual/neon-colored/pitchfork-approved music? Look no further than the best new band of this decade who is the straw that should break the back of indie crap music - yes, the one and only Jeff the Brotherhood who is, without a doubt, the best new band of this young decade. And let me also say that (the) Tony Castles are another band that should be way bigger than they are. SXSW Day 1...huuuuuge success!!

Sunday, March 14, 2010

SXSW 2010: The PCJ Guide

My favorite time of the year is upon us once again and I've painstakingly sorted through bands and showcases and what have you to come up with what I believe will be pretty decent shows for this 2010 edition of South by Southwest here in Austin, Texas.

I believe the two best new bands coming to Austin next week are JEFF the Brotherhood(www.myspace.com/jakeandjamin) and (the) Tony Castles(www.myspace.com/thetonycastles). Fortunately, they are both playing together at the same place on Wednesday night.

RSVP: info@imposemagazine.com
The Austin Imposition
The Longbranch Inn(1133 E. 11th St.
Wednesday, March 17
Curated by Famous Class

Turbo Fruits - 1 am
JEFF The Brotherhood - 12:15 am
Darlings - 11:30 pm
Tony Castles - 10:45 pm
Sisters - 10 pm
Grooms - 9:15 pm
The Beets - 8:30 pm
Graffiti Monsters - 8 pm
----------------------------------------
Insound SXSW 2010 Party
Thursday, March 18th (Noon-6pm) 21+
Club Deville (900 Red River Rd.) | FREE

Lineup:
Liars
Vivian Girls
Small Black
Surfer Blood
Delorean
----------------------------------------
Wed., 3/17
-Wanda Jackson@Beauty Bar/Palm Door(401 Sabine St.) - 8:30pm
-Lions of Tsavo@Mohawk(912 Red River) - 7:20pm
-Flying Lotus@The Phoenix(409 Colorado St) - 1:00am
-Madlib@Speakeasy Cabaret(412 Congress Ave) -12:00am
-The Yellow Dogs@Wave(408 E 6th St) - 8:00pm
-----------------------------------------
Thurs., 3/18
-This Moment In Black History@Apparition Skateboards(119 E. North Loop) - 4pm
-Young Prisms, Ty Segall@Beauty Bar(617 E 7th St) - 1:40pm, 2:30pm
-Marina & the Diamonds@Lamberts(401 W 2nd St) - 12:00am
-Nicole Atkins feat. Future Clouds and Radar@La Zona Rosa(612 W 4th St) - 7:30pm
-Roky Erickson w/Okkervil River@La Zona Rosa(612 W 4th St) - 12:30am
-Invincible@Victory Grill(1104 E 11th St) - 12:00am
-----------------------------------------
Fri., 3/19
-This Moment In Black History@Plush(617 Red River St) - 3pm
-Quasi, Shearwater, Liars@Antones(213 W 5th St) - 11pm,12am, 1am
-The Coathangers, Tyvek@Beauty Bar(617 E 7th St) - 11:20pm, 1:00am
-Shelby Lynne@Buffalo Billiards(201 E 6th St) - 1:00am
-JEFF the brotherhood@Club 1808(1808 E 12th St) - 12:30am
-Jakob Dylan and Three Legs(feat. Neko Case and Kelly Hogan)@Day Stage Cafe Austin Convention Center(500 E Cesar Chavez St) - 5:10pm
-Hole@Dirty Dog Bar(505 E 6th St) - 1am
-Les Savy Fav@Galaxy Room Backyard(508 E 6th St) - 1:00am
-Pearl Harbor, Memory Tapes, Washed Out@Klub Krucial(614 E 6th St) - 9:00 pm, 12:00am, 1:00am
-Demolished Thoughts(feat. Thurston Moore and J. Mascis)@Red 7(611 E 7th St) - 1:15am
-Justin Townes Earle@Red Eye Fly(715 Red River St) - 10:00pm
-Minus The Bear@Rusty Spurs(405 E 7th St) - 1:00am
------------------------------------------
Sat., 3/20
-Vivian Girls, Tyvek, Woven Bones@Cheer Up Charlies(1104 E 6th St) - 1pm
-Big Star@Antones(213 W 5th St) - 12:30am
-Circa Survive@Stubbs(801 Red River St) - 11:00pm

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Jeff The Brotherhood

While rummaging through cyberspace tonight, I came across a band I'd never heard of before whose debut album Heavy Days came out last year and, I must say, it's pretty solid. Jeff The Brotherhood consists of brothers Jake and Jamin Orral and they create a mighty racket for a two-piece. They are playing a ton of shows for south by southwest and I'm pretty sure they will leave an indelible impression on Austin once they leave.

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Mark Linkous R.I.P.

In February of 2007, I drove to Dallas to see Mark Linkous(aka Sparklehorse) live at the Gypsy Tea Room. He didn't tour much and his battles with depression were well documented, so it was in the back of my mind that this may be his last full tour and my last chance to see him live. And it was. Mark Linkous committed suicide yesterday at the age of 47, according to his family.

During that concert, I noticed a teenage girl in gothic attire at the bar, drawing furiously on cocktail napkins with a marker. She would walk up to complete strangers and hand them her art and then walk off without saying a word. She may not have been Van Gogh, but the spontaneity and desire to hand you her work made it every bit as engaging. I was struck by the contrast between this girl who had to show you her art and the man on stage who had no other choice but to show you his.

While many people may see defeat in Linkous' suicide, even he admitted that he would have lost his mind a long time ago had it not been for music, and that, in the end, is Mark Linkous' triumph.