Mates of State

Mates of State dropped by Atlanta on their Re-Arranger Tour at venue that had a pretty chill, lounge-like atmosphere with long windows overlooking the city appropriately named The Loft.

I arrived to the concert a little late to catch the entire set of the opening act because I was helping my brother with lighting for his photo shoot which took more time than originally called for because of forgotten and faulty equipment.  But we wont get into that!  As for the opening act, which I believe was called Dirty South....admittedly, I don't even know who they were, but I wasn't particularly a fan of and I'm assuming that nepotism had something to do with their selection as opening act for MoS because from my experience, the opening acts often sound something like the headlining act, but I could be wrong.  All I know is the lead white rapper dude came off as a less talented Fred Durst.  (And I can't believe I just said "talented" and Fred Durst in a sentence...or can I?)

As for Mates of State - they have a great sound live.  I was impressed as to how well their voices compliment each other, though I was a bit thrown off that Jason sang a good bit of the higher octaves.

Kori and Jason have an adorable on stage chemistry.  I guess that should be expected considering their band's moniker is apparently derived by the fact that they are 'mates' sharing the same 'state' of mind.  However, Kori made some quip about the fact that it's not fair that everyone is always playing the air-drums and never the air keyboard...and that there ought to be an air-keyboard revival if there ever was one. 

I must have caught the tail-end of their Re-Arranger Tour because I only see two dates left, one for tonight in Carborro, NC, and another tomorrow in Baltimore, MD.  Go check them out if you're into that kind of stuff. (i.e., twee pop, danceable indie music.)


I placed a few of MoS' songs here on Favetape if you want to give it a spin.

Karaoke Can Change The World

3 AM karaoke sessions on work nights always seem like a good idea at the time.


I'm paying for it dearly right now. I guess it could be worse, considering I'm in A/C all day and I'm blogging - but you know.

I wish I could remember all the songs I heard. The ones that I remember are:

• "Higher" - Creed
  
• "Total Eclipse of the Heart" (Required.)
• "Uninvited" - Alanis Morrisette
• "I Will Come To You" - Hanson
• An Elton John song I didn't recognize
• Several country songs
• "Summer Lovin'" Grease Soundtrack.
• "Any Way You Want It" - Journey
• "It's All Coming Back To Me Now" - Celine Dion
• Some duet from Rent. t was endearing. I have to say, that song piqued my interest in the film. I love a good musical. What's so wrong about that?
• I think about eight Spice Girls songs

As for my choices, I sang "Fly Me to the Moon" by Sinatra and "Two Princes" by Spin Doctors. I know, I know. However, you'd have been surprised by the response of my "Two Princes" rendition. I had my own "Born To Run" Courtney Cox moment, if any of you know what I mean.

I think it's great how when you get a bunch of people in a room to sing karaoke, you hear a lot of songs that most would not admit to having in their collection, or let alone ever admit to singing under any other circumstances. Yet, when they go up there, most don't even need the 'teleprompter.' They fucking love the shit out of that song and find that singing karaoke is a 'safe' outlet to let the world know while being shielded against all judgment. When you think about it - there is no song that you can sing which will ever make people think that you are, well...pretty gay. For instance, I sang 'It's Raining Men' once as a case study (right), and the response from the men was overwhelming. It was seriously raining men.

The 'permissiveness' of song selection and performance granted to one's self during Karaoke night is analogous to the permissiveness others may be more inclined to grant you when you say something pretty stupid while you're drunk. (This analogy is only truer when you combine karaoke with drinking.) It's a well known phenomenon that people tend to say things they normally wouldn't say when they've been sipping on Dr. Feelgood, because if shit does turn awry, there's always the safeguard of being given the 'benefit of the doubt' against their 'word vomit'. Sure, they may have said something really shitty - but wouldn't you find that you're more readily able to give them another chance when you take that into consideration?

Likewise, during a karaoke sesh, people generally pick songs they wouldn't normally play in public, or ever want any association with. Why does karaoke make it okay then and why do people cheer on the songs as if it's opposite day? Because that's the spirit of karaoke. You just don't give a fuck because no one gives a fuck, and there's something amazing about that.

You are singing that really cheesy song because that's what people do in karaoke, right? It's the spirit of the whole thing. The club I go to never would never play the above mentioned tracks, and even if them would - not many would want to request them for fear of being banned from the establishment for life. "Hey, dude, you got any "NKOTB?" [blink, blink] "SECURITY!" However, even if the DJ did end up playing "Hangin' Tough", people would undoubtedly be looking around for Ashton, but meanwhile, I'm sure there would be some happily humming the tune to themselves as their 'guilty pleasure' takes the wheel, including the person who on any other given night would have sang this very song.

Yet when those lights go down low and it's time to partake in the ancient Japanese art of Karaoke, it's as if it's suddenly understood that there are different rules. In a voluntary blip of self-consciousness-amnesia, people collectively liberate their Disney show tune obsessed inner-child and parade their guilty pleasures (in a loudspeaker, nonetheless). Suddenly, as if by some astrogalactatical invisible force, for those three minutes and twenty-two seconds, that person inexplicably becomes the purveyor of all things Rawk, and all is right with the world.

I really think karaoke can teach us a thing or two about human nature. One; people are a lot more amazing when they drink, and two --the social constructs cooperatively and unwittingly created in a karaoke atmosphere should be the model for everyday living. I think if we get together with our enemies abroad and have a global karaoke session, we just might learn that we have more in common than we thought.

Songs In 36 Double-D Major

I've got a 'muxtape' for the ladies over @ http://erock.muxtape.com/. The songs stream directly from the page.

Probably nothing new but it might be new to you...and it's 100% smut free--this time. Check it





Myspace links to artists:


Lykke Li:
www.myspace.com/lykkeli


Ema & The Ghosts: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID;=21435751


St. Vincent:
www.myspace.com/stvincent


Ladyhawke:
www.myspace.com/ladyhawkerock


Imogen Heap:
www.myspace.com/imogenheap Official site here.


The Postmarks:
www.myspace.com/thepostmarks (Official site here.)


Santogold:
www.myspace.com/santogold


Unicorn Dream Attack:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid;=34812008
Official site here.


Yelle:
www.myspace.com/iloveyelle


Butterfly Boucher:
www.myspace.com/butterflyboucher

Who else had an amazing time at the Bonde Do Role concert...

...@ TSI on May 7th? That was some hot mess right there. And what was up with this Pimp-My-Ride madness outside the club?

I think everyone should be able to play Rockband in the trunk of their car. This is 'Merka.

I coincidentally went out of town to visit the mom for Mother's Day in Atlanta - and BDR were playing at The Drunken Unicorn the exact night I arrived. Of course we had to go. I have to admit that I am not an avid listener of theirs, but they are amazing performers. They have two girls that sing which replaced another that the other two members of the group (the DJ's) had a falling out with.

Apparently they had a contest in Brazil to replace her, which led to Laura Taylor and Ana B. becoming the replacements. I have to admit though, when I heard that Marina was leaving, I didn't think they'd last. Judging from the shows @ TSI and The Drunken Unicorn, I can attest that they'll they'll be just fine.

So how did everyone else fare for Mother's Day? My friend, Tam, texted me and told me to have a happy mother's day. I'm a father but she said she wasn't kidding because she said that I play dual roles in his life. That was pretty cool of her to say that. I still try to keep my identity and remain responsible though. And in the spirit of that, here are some related mother's day resources for you.


http://thingsididlastnight.com/

http://www.dickipedia.org/dick.php?title=Your_mom


Hey, no one said to come here for enlightenment.

Monday Interweb-Buzz Link Schmorgasborg(y)

So I'm going to try something new. Every Monday I'm going to try to put up as much buzz I can find making it's way around the net. Of course I have a tendency to be streaky with boredom when it comes to routine, but I'll try to do this as long as possible.

Here's what you get today:

• Storytelling via Google Maps

• Ultimate fighting for kids? (video)

• Emo bashing is getting outta control in Mexico. Send in the boys at Saddle Creek and Morrissey's entourage. (Oh, Morrissey is HUGE in Mexico, btw.) There are videos of emo bashing floating around on Youtube, but I thought it much to link to them here since yes, I'm extremo and it saddens me so.

• I've never been a Sex in the City fan, but that doesn't mean I can't be a Kristen Davis fan, who apparently is one the show? I dunno. Either way, it's her vajay's time to shine with her very own sex pic leak. I would use the word 'scandal' to add a dramatic flair to it, but it's unnecessary this time.

• Create a mixtape online with Muxtape before they get shut down.

• hotchickwithdouchebags.com It happens.
  

• R.E.M.'s latest album, Accelerate, is out. Guardian gives it 4 out of 5 stars, RollingStone gives 4 of 5, Pitchfork gives it a 6.7 out of 10, which, for the sake of consisitency here, is a 3.35 out of 5. I couldn't find a review from NME or Paste just yet. However, it's been lauded as one of their best in a while. We'll see.
  

• According to a new study: Good sexual intercourse lasts minutes, not hours. (3-13 minutes, to be exact?)

• This American Life! is coming live to a theater in your area on May 1st. Tickets go on say April 4th. To listen to streaming episodes online, go here.

• Fitna, an anti Quran film leaked onto the web via Liveleak.com and was later taken down because of threats to their staff. They have since put the film back up and is streaming online for free. No guarantees that a fatwa will not be declared for your head if you watch it. That's on you, bud.
  

• And finally --in a related note, (kind of) we came upon five years of war with Iraq on March 20th. The least we can do is know all we can about the Middle-East. So here you go: What Every American Should Know About the Middle East.
  

"Smell Yo Dick"

Hold on. Let me explain. Damn.

I don't particularly listen to rap these days but I don't really discrimi-hate either. There's a lure from the novelty of learning new slang and the fascination I have with the no-bars-held bluntness of the female counterparts which I pretty much find fascinating. This particular song really captures the true essence of what relation-shits can be like when it all goes to hell. I used to think Khia's "My Neck, My Back" was out-of-control, but as of today, I've officially heard it all as far as rap is concerned, and I'm not sure how much further it can go.

This is like poetry, really. Basically it's about this chick who believes that her baby daddy is creepin' behind her back; trying to get his pipe all wet on the side but she ain't having none of that shit so she resorts to investigating this a bit further by means of literally sniffing out any evidence that may still (for some reason) be lingering on his---yeah; hence, the song title. Aw, hell naw. That ain't even right.

Riskay ft. Aviance & Real - Smell Yo Dick

Don't front like you never wanted to try this on your man.

(Street credibility: +15 points.) Chyeah.


p.s., don't go using your Freudian reasoning on me concerning my last two posts--although, I would totally get that.

Thanksgiving in ATL

I've totally neglected my blog. It's okay because at least there's a good reason. I was out of town visiting my family in Hotlanta this weekend and I was lucky to have several different friends come by and accompany me for most of the time. I was surrounded by friends and family. Sadly -- I don't have pictures! I was too busy being involved in the action that it totally slipped my mind. Duh, me.

A few interesting highlights of my week long trip were:

1) Seeing Black Kids twice (once in Atlanta, another time in Athens) and consequently being able to spend time w/ Dawn and Ali before they leave the states for the U.K.

2.) I watched romantic movies exclusively (I'm surrounded by women when I'm with my family, damn it.) I watched "The Holiday", "Dangerous Beauty", "Dan in Real Life" which was surprisingly very good and was more of a dramedy/romance -- but more on the comedy side. I think my sister, for some reason, wants me gay.

3.) Okay, so I watched one 'manly' movie. I watched "300" on Thanksgiving night inside my brother-in-law's bar, which was technically closed on Thanksgiving but of course he can do whatever the f*ck he wants if the bar is his and that's exactly what we did. So we went in there and we played Wii on one screen, watched a movie on the other, drank free liquor all night and smoked the finest cigars...all free of charge. I felt spoiled.

4.) When we arrived home around 3:30 am that night, we realized that the other half of my family went straight to bed and 'forgot' to put away all of the food. (We all stay at my sister's ginormous house for Thanksgiving.) We were drunk as FUCK so I have no idea how we did it, but we pulled out teamwork together and helped my sister put all of the food away. I'm not sure what I drank but I was wired. Twitches and all.

5.) Immediately after that, me and my sister stayed up with me for a couple more hours and we talked about a lot of things going on in our lives. SOMEHOW, we ended up looking at videos on Youtube, and somehow we ended up trying to learn how to do the Souljah Boy. Yeah. I have no idea either.


6.) Come 4 AM, my mother came down and began scrubbing the kitchen clean, etc. I thought this was hilarious because my mother is just so random. I think she felt bad that she forgot to help put the food away. Either way, me and my mother played dominoes until 6 AM.

7.) I quit smoking. Okay, so it's been about a day since I've had my last smoke, but at least I'm on the right track. I've been smoking for only four years but I know it can easily turn into ten, then fifteen if I don't do something about it now.

8.) I have to report that I sat on my ass a WHOLE lot at my sisters house, but I do have an explanation. I had some sort of stomach virus a few days into my vacation which lasted about 3 days. I left a permanent impression of my ass on my sister's couch. I guess this is when my sister thought was the best time to have a mushy movie marathon -- when I was helplessly unable to move. Also, my family still had to work even while I was on vacation so it left me with time to get over being sick, and vacation by not having to do a single damn thing for once. That was refreshing, actually.

9.) I played poker with my family and realized that my dad will push his chips "all-in" simply for the sake of the rush. He likes going all-in. Well, just as every time we play -- he was the first one out. I mean, it's always expected that he busts early--but this was record time!

10.) We played this game called Imaginiff. It's pretty simple but entertaining. Basically, you write names on this board and then you roll the die, and move the marker to one of several names you've written on the game board. Then the person who rolled the die reads the card and it asks you to 'imagine if' [person whose name the marker landed on] was a bad habit. Which one would he/she be? Then it lists several options and each player lays down a number (face down) on the table and then they flip it over at the same time. Depending on if one of the option has more votes than the other, those people move up a space. Okay, so the great thing about this game is that you get to see what people think about you, but behind the safety net of it being a game. It's great because it gets interesting when couples play against each other. I like watching a good 'nothing fight.'

11.) I had some friends come over Saturday night and we 'pre-gamed' before heading out to Drunken Unicorn/MJQ. My friend, Jen, brought several of her friends over and, one of her friend's Emily apparently thought I was gay! She didn't say this to me, but after speaking with her throughout the night, she constantly mentioned to me "That guy is dancing near you. You should talk to him." I guess I didn't help matters by responding with, "Maybe he'll get lucky if he plays his cards right." Well, she mentioned something again about a guy and I said, "You know I'm straight, right?" I don't know if it was a look of embarrassment, surprise or what, but I was equally as perplexed. Apparently she said that because of my fashion sense (that night I suppose) she thought I might have been gay. Uhhhhhhhhhhh. I wasn't even amazingly dressed, in my opinion, but it was apparently good enough to send off a vibe that I didn't like the va-jay-jay. Eh. Whatever.

Anyway, I hope you guys had a great Thanksgiving. I know I did. It was ten days of unnecessary relaxation. Now it's back to the daily grind.

Why do you hate me?

Sitting in a cubicle five days a week, you're bound to be exposed to a certain level of repetition. Your days come eerily close to becoming an amalgamation of the movie Ground-hog Day and Office Space. You know people are so used to their routine when you greet them with something aside from the conventional "Hey, how are you?", you decide to throw them a curveball with, "Hey, what's up?" and without fail, they answer with, "Fine, how are you?" They stop themselves near the end of their hasty reply once they realize that you asked them something other than what they had already presupposed you to say. Yes, people here already have their responses ready before you even ask! I can't blame them though. Cheery compositions can become fake around here after a while. I think they need to forgo their façade and just hold up signs in place of actual conversation. I think the next time somebody asks me, "How are you doing?", I'm just going to lay it on them and tell ALL. That'll learn 'em to feign interest in my affairs!

Aside from that, you're bound to be exposed to all kinds of horrible music from your neighboring cubemates. Sometimes the shame is that it wasn't even horrible music to begin with, but something's totally amiss when you suddenly feel you'd want to call the IRS simply to be placed on hold for the music. So I've compiled a short list of songs that I swear to Buddha if I hear one more time, somebody is going to have to fill out an incident report, to say it mildly. I will undoubtedly come back to revise this list, because as absolutely thrilled as I am that I can't recall them them all right now, this surely will be short-lived, as I am rarely inclined to having such fortuity in my favor.

• Styx - "Come Sail Away"
• Bon Jovi - "Livin' On A Prayer" (and perhaps anything Bon Jovi. Especially that "Have A Nice Day" song. WTF. Not to mention he's sexier than any girls that go to his shows.)
• Def Leppard - "Pour Some Sugar On Me"
• Sublime - "What I Got"
• Free Cell - "Tainted Love"
• Lynard Skynard - "Free Bird", "Sweet Home Alabama"
• Eagles - "Life In The Fast Lane"
• Toto - "Hold The Line"
• B-52's - "Love Shack"
  
• Stevie Nicks - "Edge of 17"

I'll be sure to come back and update it as often as Debbie (cubicle neighbor) refreshes my memory and resumes her hatred in the form of angry soundwaves.

Brent Green

Recently, I was fortunate enough to stumble upon an ad for a show by a man I've not heard of until that point. The man's name is Brent Green. He has a style of animation which is only superseded by the complexity and raw creativity that his work emanatates, which is to say that he outdoes himself, somehow. His stop-motion animated shorts have been screened in the Warhol Museum and Sundance, among other places.

Brent lent his shaky, narrative voice as the band, Sin Ropas, played the only soundtrack to the entire series of short films. The combination of the jangly guitars with the out of tune drumheads and the ethereal animation colluded for a phantasmagoric experience that will not let-up on meddling with your psyche for long after you have left.

I see his last tour date was Oct. 15th, but it appears he'll be at the UVA Film Festival in Charlottesville, VA at the Gravity Lounge on Nov. 2nd.

If you happen to be near VA on that date, do not miss this.