How To Properly Prepare For A Smashing Pumpkins Concert

So how does one prepare to see his favorite band in their hometown. Simple. You listen to their entire catalog of releases, which spans over twenty years. Okay. There was that period where they "broke up", so maybe it's not twenty years exactly. But still that means over forty releases. And it's only appropriate to listen to the catalog in the order that it was released. So for the next ten days my internet browser will constantly have a tab with http://www.spfc.org/songs-releases/discog.html

So I'm going to start today, October 4. Coincidentally it was four years ago that I first saw The Pumpkins. It was a good show in Bracken Auditorium at the University of Illinois. However I was in the last row. And it was the Zeitgeist tour. And Zeitgeist is my least favorite SP album.

In a little more than a week, I'll be in the city by the lake in front of the mighty SP with the three wonderful dudes that play music with me. It's going to be LEGEN...(wait for it)...DARY! I hate how wonderful moments pass us by and sometimes we aren't able to appreciate those moments to their fullest. So for me, I'm going to prepare like a true fanatic and then be able to appreciate the concert as much as possible. I'm putting myself on a strict music diet of Smashing Pumpkin pie.

To set some ground rules for myself, I'm only sticking to original releases by the band. No bootlegs. No fan-made live recordings. Just the releases that the band has put out. I'll allow myself to skip duplicate songs that are the same mix. Every released song has to be listened to in its entirety. Even Pistachio Medley.

Today. The first day. We're starting by going back to 1988 with Nothing Ever Changes, when The Smashing Pumpkins consisted of 21 year old Billy Corgan, James Iha (remember that guy?), and a drum machine/Ron Roesing (who played with Billy in The Marked and was technically the first SP Drummer). After that we have the Moon Demo and the self titled Smashing Pumpkins tape, which were released in 1989.

Highlights: Mark Ignoffo's organ solo on "Rhinoceros" on the Moon Demo. And of course "Spiteface"!

I'll try to post here everyday. Or at least tweet my endeavors on twitter http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif">

Cover Songs by David Bazan [Pedro the Lion/Headphones]

Here I sit at my desk. It's way too early in the morning. So what do I do. I make another list of music, cuz that's what I do. This morning we're exploring cover songs played by one of my favourite singer-songwriters, David Bazan.

In my freshmen year of college, I remember people talking about Pedro the Lion. Finally that February, I listened to the album Control and haven't been the same since. Bazan writes great songs and chooses amazing songs to cover. I had the privilege of sitting about 3 feet away from him at a house show, and he covered a song from my favorite Tom Petty album, "Climb That Hill" from Songs and Music from She's the One. I nearly soiled myself.

Here we go. My Top 5 Favorite Songs Covered by David Bazan.

1. "Metal Heart" [Cat Power]

This is a live cut from the 2004 Tour EP, before Bazan dissolved Pedro the Lion. It definitely rocks harder than either of Chan Marshall's recordings. Still, it conveys just as much emotion.

2. "Will You Still Love Me In December" [Julie Doiron]

This was another cover that he pulled out when I saw him play. Such a heavy song. I like his alteration of lyrics. Doiron sings "I could sleep days away". He changes it to "I could drink days away".

3. "Packt Like Sardines in a Crushed Tin Box" [Radiohead]

It's no secret that Bazan is a Radiohead fan. He also has a pretty sweet studio version of "Let Down" that he did for a Radiohead tribute album. I like this video because it sounds cool and he did something unique for the fans that came to his show despite the blackout.

4. "Flirted with You All My Life" [Vic Chesnutt]

I've never listened much to Vic Chesnutt, but I do enjoy this cover as well as The Smashing Pumpkins cover of his song "Sad Peter Pan". Chesnutt passed away about a year ago after years of dealing with illness. This song personifies Death in such a unique way.

5. "The Man in Me" [Bob Dylan]

Bazan singing The Dude's song.

Big Eyed Beefheart Blog from Bad Thadd

Captain Beefheart. Where do I begin? The music of Don Van Vliet aka Captain Beefheart pretty much grabbed me by the collar and shook me senseless until I was brought to a higher understanding of music and artistry. I would consider Captain Beefheart himself to be a musical genius. As a child he was a sculptor and later in life became a successful painter. He blurred the lines between music and art. To be frank, he had no clue about how music was supposed to be written. He flat out did it his own way and didn't give a shit.

Now, The Magic Band. This was the ever changing group of musicians that surrounded The Captain. Their job was to figure out what he wanted the music to sound like. Not an easy task. But they made it into Magic. Beefheart was a maniacal band leader and a huge control freak. During the making of the album Trout Mask Replica, the band members weren't allowed to leave the house, except one of them was allowed to pick up groceries once a week. But still, no matter how dysfunctional the group was, when they performed they played with so much conviction. No matter what incarnation of the band it is, you can see and hear how much they believe in the music.

Here are my top 5 most important Captain Beefheart videos.


1. "Electricity"/"Sure 'Nuff Yes I Do"

This is The Captain and The Magic Band perfroming at Cannes Beach in 1968. They perform two songs from the album Safe As Milk, which had recently been released. This was toward the end of the blues period for them, before they got really psychedelic and before they got really weird.





2. "I'm Gonna Booglarize You Baby"

This is them in 1972 on German television. When I first watched this, I thought, "Three guitars. Isn't that a bit much?" Then I realized just how perfect it is. Even compared to the sweet version on Spotlight Kid, this live version is even bette. I was reading the autobiography of guitar player Zoot Horn Rollo (Bill Harkleroad, in red on the right) he said when they recorded this, the people in the television studio made them play at a super quiet level. For me that would be annoying, but that didn't stop The Magic Band from killing it!





3. "Upon the My Oh My"

1974. The Old Grey Whistle Test. Enter The Tragic Band. After years of putting up with Beefheart's crap, The Magic Band left after recording the album Unconditionally Guaranteed. Beefheart was obviously changing his musical direction, attempting to make more accessible recordings. The new direction did not set well with The Magic Band and also alienated many fans. He hired a completely new group of musicians to be The Magic Band. Since many people harshly criticize this period of Beefheart's career, they refer to the band as The Tragic Band. However, I still enjoy the work Beefheart did with The Tragic Band, especially the album Bluejeans and Moonbeams. Even the worst Beefheart album is better than most albums.





4. "Big Eyed Beans from Venus"
This French TV concert from 1980 is amazing. You can see the Captain still kickin' it even towards the end of his performing career. The Magic Band from this performance consists of many guys that worked on the last 3 Beefheart albums. On "Big Eyed Beans from Venus", the long lunar note is not played by Mr. Zoot Horn Rollo, who recorded it on the fabulous album Clear Spot but by Mr. Midnight Hat-size Snyder and Mr. Jeff Morris Tepper. And the drums in this song are just as awesome as the guitars.





5. "Ice Cream for Crow"
When my friend first showed me this video, I thought "WTF!" Later, he played it for me a few more times. Then I love it. I still don't understand why I love this, because there's nothing I've ever heard that sounds like this. It's just Beefheart, and I guess that's why. "Ice Cream by day. Sun Cream by Night"





If you can handle it here's some more Beefheart goodies. Another insane performance by Zoot Horn Rollo and the rest of The Magic Band in this perfromance of "Click Clack" in Paris 1973.

Also, here's a documentary about the Captain that the BBC did in 1997. Most of the parts are up on youtube.

Yuck

So, there's this band call Yuck, and I love them. They're from London. They're young [at least younger than me]. They kick ass.

I listened to their album when it came out and was really impressed. I was also impressed that they recorded most of the album in their bedroom, except for drums. But the thing about Yuck that impresses me the most is that some of their best material isn't on that fantastic album. In my opinion, that is the trademark of a great band (cough Smashing Pumpkins cough); having B-sides that are stronger than your A-sides. On top of that their singer started a more subdued project called Yu(c)k, which later the name changed to Oupa. Most of the Yu(c)k/Oupa songs are keyboard based with harmonies from his younger sister. These minimalistic songs really show his talent as a songwriter, a rocker with heart. Probably the thing that enjoy the most about Yuck is the melodies. They're just so stinking catchy. And the guitars too, obviously. Of course I'm going to love a band that plays fuzz distorted Jazzmasters.

So here are my Top 5 Yuck song:


5. "Operation" - This was my first favorite track after listening to the album. I didn't know until I watched a live video that the other guitar player actually sings the song. Catchy and upbeat. A good song to bring you out of winter.

Live at SXSW
http://youtu.be/VSmlLV1A5ow?t=30m56s

Album track
http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif



4. "Automatic" - A selection from the Yu(c)k Weakend EP. Slow, sad, beautiful. What's not to love? "Don't assume I'm manual"

Yu(c)k - Automatic from Yuck on Vimeo.

3.* "Milkshake" - This one is number 3 with a bullet. What that means is that it's my new favourite Yuck song. They posted it a couple of weeks ago as the B-side to the Shook Down single. Up until that point, I couldn't imagine there being any more super good Yuck songs anytime soon. But once again, I was blown away.

Milkshake by Yuck



2. "Rubber" Nearly 8 minutes of slow-tempo, fuzzed out bliss. Only 2 chords are used for most of this song: B major and E Major. Except on the bridge, which briefly features the F# major chord. And it pretty much sounds like the best thing ever. And the music video for this song is wicked awesome.





1. "Cousin Corona" For their album's release on itunes, they featured this killer bonus track. It's way too good to be a just a bonus track. "I wanna go out on the weekend, I wanna hang out with my best friend". Such a great anthem, especially when it's paired with those super crunchy guitars.

I had trouble with this link, but copy and paste. It's well worth it.
http://blip.fm/listen/Yuck::Cousin+Corona+%28Bonus+Track%29

Okay, I'm feeling kind of basic today: Top 5 Side 1's Track 1's

It's the song that sets the tone for the album. It's the song that can change you as soon as you hit play. It's the song that the artist loves so much, they want you to hear it first. The first song on the record.

For me, this list is tough. Do I pick something personal that I like? Do I pick some of the all time greats? I did a version of this list a few days ago, and since then it has changed several times as I gave it more thought. And I fully anticipate it to change several more times in the future.

Here we go. Bad Thadd's Top 5 Side 1's Track 1's in reverse chronological order of release.

Number 1 - "Whatever Happened" The Strokes. Track 1 of Room on Fire.

I had just spent the entire summer of 2003 trying to memorize guitar lines from The Strokes debut album Is This It. And as the record companies would have had it, they rushed a sophomore release. After hearing their other single "12:51", I was compelled to buy the new record. I remember putting it in the CD player of my car, and flipping out about how good the first song sounded as I drove up Scatterfield Road.

Number 2 - "Options" Pedro the Lion. Track 1 of Control.

It was February of my freshman year of college, and I was at a concert in with my girlfriend. I heard this amazing song on the PA, and I asked who it was. My friend Nathan told me that it was Pedro the Lion and that he felt sorry that I had not heard Pedro the Lion. The next day my girlfriend dumps me, and I spend the following weeks laying on the floor of my dorm listening to the wonderfully depressing music of David Bazan.

Number 3 - "To Sheila" The Smashing Pumpkins. Track 1 of Adore.

Summer 2005. After years of growing to love The Smashing Pumpkins, I had listened to all of their major releases, except the album Adore. I had even listened to the Adore demos. I don't know how I went so long without listening to it. I wanted to listen to it, but I guess the opportunity to listen to it had never came for me. Then my friend took me down to Broad Ripple, and we went to Indy CD and Vinyl. At the back of the store, there it was. On Vinyl. Double disc. Special mono mix. Alternate album cover. I couldn't pass it up. I went home, put the needle down, and couldn't believe my ears. That experience alone makes me ashamed that music had to enter the digital era.

Number 4 - "Losing A Whole Year" Third Eye Blind. Track 1 of Third Eye Blind.

In junior high, I spent insane amounts of time listening to the radio. I could flip through radio stations like nobody's business. I could pick out hit singles before they got big. It was my thing before I took up the guitar. One time I was listening to the radio, and I heard a really good song. It knew was distinctly Third Eye Blind, but the DJ never gave the name of the song. That was the only time that I heard this great song on the radio. Years later in high school, I was looking through my friend's CD collection and I noticed a Third Eye Blind CD. I mentioned that I liked them, and she said that she never listened to them much. So she ended up giving me the CD. When I got in my car, I put in the disc, and heard the elusive song.

Number 5 - "Baba O'Riley" The Who. Track 1 of Who's Next.

This one needs no explanation. It is what it is, and it's awesome!

Blowin' Off the Dust

Today is the day that I finally have the time and motivation to blog. It's been over a year since I last posted here, and much has changed in my life since then. I'm listening to tons of music again, and I've got the band back together, again. Without getting too deep, I'll just say this: "Life is Great!"

This post is dedicated to Matt. Thanks for reminding me that I even had a blog.

Today, I'd like to focus on the work of Tom Petty. For me it's astonishing how I can hear a Petty song on the radio or television, and just within hearing a few notes of the song, my entire mental state is changed for the better. A couple of years ago, I listened through every Tom Petty album in chronological order. I was going through a rough time, but Tom's lyrics gave me the fight I needed to make it through.

Recently, I mentioned my admiration for Tom Petty to a friend of mine, and she asked me to elaborate upon it. So in the vein of High Fidelity, I've made a Top Five list for Tom Petty. Now, this list is based upon what I am feeling right now. This is in no way the list of top five greatest Tom Petty songs. That would take months for me to figure out. Not that I couldn't do it...

So here it goes. Top 5 Tom Petty songs, in no particular order:

Number 1. "American Girl"

This is the first Tom Petty song that I fell in love with. I can remember it clearly. It was right before I was about to graduate high school, and I was in my car on County Road 200 W. None of my preset radio stations were playing anything good so I was flipping through to find something. I stopped flipping stations when I heard this song, because I thought it sounded like The Strokes. I really liked how it was so straight forward rockin'. "She was an American Girl". Man, I knew an American Girl. Heck, I knew several. It was an immediate connection. Then when the song was over, the DJ said that it was Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers. I thought to myself, "Okay, so that's what Tom Petty sounds like." Ever since then, I've been cool with Tom.

Number 2. "I Won't Back Down"

One of my friends that's a Petty fan hates this song. He says it's way too cheesy and lame, but I vehemently disagree. I think it's a great melody, meaningful lyrics, and catchy to boot. This song usually finds it way to me when life seems to be overwhelming. When life gets tough, don't back down. Stand your ground. Tom's been there, done that, and wrote a song about it. It won't be easy, but you'll make it through.

Number 3. "Free Girl Now"

First off, it start with a lyrical reference to The Stooges and The Rolling Stones. It's an upbeat track off the album Echoes, which is pretty depressing for the most part since he wrote it after his divorce [maybe I should give it a re-listen - haha]. I got the album from the library in the spring of 2008, during a couple of super rainy weeks. So the somber tracks were too much for me to take in, but "Free Girl Now" really stood out to me. In this video, Tom screws up the lyrics to the second verse, but still pulls it off with another good rhyme. What a stud!

Number 4. "Woman in Love (It's Not Me)"

It's the gut-wrenching feeling every guy feels at some point. The girl you love is in love with someone else. The way Tom puts these feelings into lyrics is spot on. I don't think anyone could articulate it quite like he does. I also love how Mike Campbell's screaming guitar part on the chorus accents all that pain and hurt :) Hooray for pain and hurt!

Number 5. "You Don't Know How It Feels"

Official video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TlBTPITo1I

This is the absolute best song to drive around to in the summer. It feels so great putting imagery into action. It doesn't matter what's getting you down: work, school, girls, "The Man", etc... This song will make it all better. Nothing beats a good harmonica. I had to put up two videos for this song. The official is a great one take video, with all the crazy stuff going on in the back. The live one from The Filmore has a bit more punch to it than the studio recording, and the ending is fun too!

So there you go. Bad Thadd's Top 5 Tom Petty songs. Stay tuned for more Top 5's.

Since Wednesday evening, I've been listening to a good ammount of electronic music. I'm very impressed with duos like MSTRKFT, Daft Punk, and Justice.

I found a very interesting music video from Justice for their single "Stress". Some may say it's pointless, but from the feeling that it gives me, it evokes emotion and controversy, so i say it's good art.

justice stress (official video)
Uploaded by elnino. - Music videos, artist interviews, concerts and more.

Here's and interesting Time article about the video that I found helpful in understanding it a bit more.

http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1807724,00.html?xid=rss-arts

I also am getting an early Christmas present on December 12. My wife is getting us tickets to go see David Bazan play at a house in Indy. Bazan is a super great songwriter and singer. He's been doing some touring with his live band, and they've been doing some songs from his past catalog. Like a different arrangement of "I Never Wanted You" from Headphones, and "Magazine" from Control.





I'm looking to finish the old mixes for Drill Alaska this weekend, and maybe somehow post them here. Also there's a few song that need to be completely arranged so that they can be recorded.