LIFECYCLE OF AN AMERICAN ROCK AND ROLL BAND

hello.goodbye

2007-05-22T01:12:00.000Z

this blog has moved to

www.projectkb.com

please drop by!

HELP!!!

2007-05-14T01:14:00.000Z

Help! My Blogger is going crazy! Everytime I try to view my blog or when I try to view 100 Years of Trash I recieve an error message and it shuts down my browser. I've tried every indirect method I can think of to get around this problem. Anyone have any ideas?

Grilled Cheese: A Tribute to Bradley Nowell

2007-05-11T18:24:00.000Z

Over the past several days, I have been experimenting with recording, looping and sampling on my PC in my living room. From that project comes this new recording called Grilled Cheese which is my tribute to Bradley Nowell.

Grilled Cheese: A Tribute to Bradley Nowell

Phishing -> in a bad way

2007-04-28T21:43:00.000Z

I keep getting this email from "eBay"... I know it is someone that is trying to get me to give up passwords and stuff so I don't respond - but it is still really annoying.

"I don't understand why you are not answering back.I have made the payment and you said you will provide a tracking number after the payment is done.If you don't replay I am assuring you I will report you at eBay.I am sorry for that but you gave me no choice.Waiting for your answer asap. Thank you!

Mark Barett."

Hey Mark - go hang out with Natalie Merchant

Recycle Bin

2007-04-26T00:58:00.000Z

I found a book of pre-911 poetry that I wrote. The title of the book is Recycle Bin ... poetry in progress

7 a.m.

rain
mixed
with snow
and
the cars
keep
moving
as though
there were something
necessary
at the end
of the
road
that
twists around
to
where
it began

and
the fools
never realize
they are
driving
in circles

The Magic Number

2007-04-12T05:11:00.000Z

DC9

2007-04-11T01:00:00.000Z

Vegas, Baby!

2007-03-29T23:31:00.000Z

Saturday Morning - Lifecycle will be headed to Las Vegas. Once again.... please advise of any recommendations. Thanks in advance!

Back to the Hotel

2007-03-27T05:04:00.000Z

Finally... back in DC! Hello, DC. How have you been? Work manana. Soccer on Thursday. Friday is a half day... Saturday -> Vegas! It's all so awful and discouraging (psyche).

Virgin Festival

2007-03-23T15:38:00.000Z

Smashing Pumpkins, BEASTIE Boys and The Police are scheduled to rock the Virgin Festival, in Baltimore MD on August 4/5.

These United States

2007-03-23T04:51:00.000Z

We were walking along E. Pike Street in Capitol Hill, Seattle, looking for something to do when we noticed a sign in the Comet Tavern that read DC ROCK: These United States, Saturday March 24, $8.00.

Hey, These! See you Saturday.

Seattle

2007-03-22T10:49:00.000Z

So this is the beginning of my second full day in Seattle and I can barely keep up with the time change. I am not sure why. Anybody else have this problem? It's only three hours - yet I find myself awake at 3:50 in the morning and dying to go back to sleep by 2pm.

Secondly I posted several music links to the right. Any suggestions?

So Quiet at LARRB

2007-03-08T04:00:00.000Z

I know! I know! Trash told me up front... It's been so quiet over here at LARRB. I've been super busy putting together plans to travel to Seattle in March and Vegas in April... ALSO -> The Fed is playing at Galaxy Hut in March and DC9 in April... and I put up a new release at www.thefedmusic.com -> I must admit that I think it is cool that I finally figured out how to embed Flash into a ghetto html web design program. Not to mention... check out the originators review and yet with all of this I still am thinking about spending free time at a free for all jam!

The Originators

2007-03-04T22:31:00.000Z

After stuffing my face with veggie sushi rolls at a new restaurant on T street, I headed down to Velvet Lounge to check out a DC band called the Originators...

Location
Velvet Lounge
915 U Street NW
Washington DC 20001

Line Up

$$
Cover... $8.00
Corona... $5.00

Highlights

The Originators intrigued me with their sense of show
Jessica's operatic opening to the show
The Keytar is back!

Lowlights

The nearest ATM to Velvet Lounge is three to four blocks away!

Gomez

2007-02-28T23:45:00.000Z

Sonar

407 E Saratoga Street
Baltimore MD
Saturday March 10
$25.00

In Modern Times: Just Wood, Steel and Throats

2007-02-25T19:00:00.000Z

Last nights In Modern Times Acoustic Singer/Songwriter showcase hosted by Steven Capozolla at Politics and Prose was another phenomenal success. The fifth such showcase is scheduled for March 31 at 8p.m.

Make sure to take time and check out the some of the most talented musicians from Washington DC that played last night...

DC9 Fotos

2007-02-24T17:15:00.000Z

Thanks to all my friends, fans and family for making the show at DC9 such a big success!

Antonella Barba

2007-02-22T23:04:00.000Z

So I was watching Fox News tonight when I was mesmerized by the latest American Idol scandal - naked fotos! Ack! So, innocently enough, as I was waiting for time to go to the fed show tonight - I ran across the fotos online. I must say, Fox News should be ashamed of themselves for scandalizing this girl over what seems to be fairly innocuous college fotos. I wonder why they didn't show the picture of her listening to her iPod and constructing a little house out of Popsicle sticks. Hmmm... I heard Fox gets their news from soullessbeauracrat.blogspot.com!

2007-02-21T21:22:00.000Z

The Fed

2007-02-19T21:06:00.000Z

The Fed: From left to right Cory Chimka, David Pauk, Kevin Brown
Look who made the front page of DCGuide.com! Read more here.

Spring Arts Preview

2007-02-18T05:15:00.000Z

I never in my life imagined I would be in any way associated with Rusted Root - but here it is...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/
02/09/AR2007020900494.html

"22 -- Slack Key Guitar, Vol. 2 at Barns at Wolf Trap. Chin Up Chin Up at Black Cat. Mary Wilson at Blues Alley. Box , Demivolt and the Fed at DC9. The Making, Full Minute of Mercury and A Papier Mache Monster at Iota. Rock -and-Roll Songwriters Circle at Jammin' Java. John Cusick's Jazz City Quintet at Kennedy Center Millennium Stage. Rusted Root at 9:30 club. Will Hoge at Rams Head. Butros Butros at Red and the Black."

MMW

2007-02-16T03:51:00.000Z

We waited almost all day in the pit, in the dirt, in a true Bonnaroo haze so that we could be as close as possible to the stage for Medeski, Martin and Wood. The first song hadn't ended before the ladies split. Jack and Justin and I stood three rows deep through the entire first set - but to tell the truth I felt as if I were being tortured. I felt like I was truly in hell (Or at the very least on the circumference of hell). The air was hot and thick. Pawns for the devil swayed in a demonic trance all about as far as I could see. I was lost - and I knew I needed to get out. To get air. To find God. The set ended and I turned to split, when I realized there were some 10,000 souls packed together behind me. A goblin attempted to persuade me into staying, "Where are you going? There's no way out." I kicked and scratched and clawed my way out to discover that I was more lost than I had ever in my Life realized. The ladies long gone. The guys had my backpack with my money and essentials. I walked through a field staring up at oversized heads on sticks. I saw the angels sitting in a tent of light. They didn't speak much. Mostly, they just sat and waited and meditated in the buzz of electric white lights. I could see deep inside strangers chests where skeletons and bears danced and laughed together and generally ignored this chaotic farm somewhere deep in rural Tennessee. In the distance I heard Pink Floyd (in actuality it was The Flaming Lips covering Dark Side of the Moon). I sat in a puddle of mud to listen as one by one, my friends walked out of the darkness smiling...

Tickets for the Medeski, Martin and Wood acoustic set at the Birchmere (April 29) go on sale Friday, February 16th.

A Brief History Lesson

2007-02-13T03:35:00.000Z

I first met the "Band of Busy Beavers" in the summer of '06 at a random gig in DC. I remember thinking how refreshing it was to share a stage with a live band that didn't send people running out the door. Secretly, I hoped to be able to share a stage with them again. As it turns out, we did have an opportunity to do so in October '06 at the Wonderland Ballroom in Columbia Heights - North West DC, and again in November (December?) at the Red and the Black in the Atlas District - North East DC.

Well... the fed is back with Box -> and this time we're headed to DC9!

DC9
Thursday, February 22nd
1940 9th Street NW
Washington DC
Doors open at 8pm

Red Hot Chili Peppers

2007-02-12T04:55:00.000Z

49th Annual Grammy Awards

2007-02-12T02:29:00.000Z

To vote for Is it sad that the Grammy's have to lower their standards to reality tv? text 2 to 6355.

Galactic

2007-02-10T00:34:00.000Z

"We wanted to let everyone know that Rich is now out of the hospital. He came down with a sever[e] throat infection in New York which caused him to have to be hospitalized for 5 days. We are sorry that we had to cancel the dates but we just didn't feel right playing without knowing the health status of one of our band members. The tour schedule will proceed as planned beginning in Birmingham on February 15th...

We are working to try to reschedule the cancelled dates. Please stay tuned to the website for updated touring announcements."

Keller Williams: Part I

2007-02-06T21:54:00.000Z

Signing up for email lists has its perks... in this case, we realized Keller was coming to town with some group called The Keels. We bought our tickets and began planning. Before long we were standing on the floor about two rows deep, my sister wondered if the balcony might be better. She and her friend took off to scope it out. As we signaled back in forth in an effort to make a decision, the lights went down and my sister was gone for the first set...

First Set
We hear the guitar before we see the man, but this time instead of being alone he is followed out by an older man with a grey beard and a lady with blond hair. Aha! These are The Keels. All three smiled as they bounced and played both familiar as well as unfamiliar songs and performed choreographed dance moves. I noticed wedding rings all around and deduced that The Keels are a married couple (although I must admit I pondered for a moment other strange relationships they may have with each other).

Keller Williams and The Keels, 02.04.07, Rams Head Live! Baltimore MD

The music was pleasant and folksy. Very folksy. "Bluegrassy". I had time to notice Keller's new crows feet and I felt warm as I realized this Keller had grown up. And so had his music. This tour was designed, it seemed to introduce the new sound of Keller Williams that has evolved.

None of this, is to say the music was bad, or that the performance let me down - but that I was experiencing something new. Something I had not fully expected (though in retrospect I should have). Off to my right, some kid was dancing with glow sticks and I wondered if he had ever heard real Bluegrass. It's not the kind of music I imagine use dance to with glow sticks!

Jump to Keller Williams: Part II Second Set >>

Jump to Keller Williams: Part III Logistics>>

Keller Williams: Part II

2007-02-06T03:01:00.000Z

Second Set
During intermission, we began a text message conversation with my sister and her friend, who eventually convinced us to move upstairs to the balcony. The second floor was disappointing in that I couldn't see the stage from the angle without leaning over the railing and had to wade through a sea of smokers to get to the restroom. On the flipside, however, getting a beer was immensly easier and noone was pushing on me from behind. Pick your poison...

This was the Keller that I came to see! This was the Keller that started out slow... perhaps a simple prgression on a simple guitar. A touch to the board on his right with a big toe -- a recorded progression , the guitar put away, a dance over to a bass. Again... progression > touch > record > put away > dance to... [X] when X = beat boxing on the mic. when X = whistling. when X = one of the eight guitars behind him onstage. when X = drum machines, keyboard, the crazy wave your hand machine and cool noises come out... all the while recording and looping and building and progressing with nothing but the most progressive lyrics I have heard this year. Over and over he drove us into a frenzy with this prescription for vibe and at the stroke of midnight the lights went down and he walked off stage.

Encore
No. There was no time for the typical artist name chant that accompanies live shows, where the crowd must prove in chorus that they are devoted to the band by screaming for an eternity to please come back and play that song we heard on the radio last year (Sorry Dave, but that's why I quit going to see you in 2003 - and Les --- you rock for pointing out this bullshit manner of concert decorum). 12:01. It was his birthday. And we all sang as he IMMEDIATELY walked back out on stage with guitar in hand and a smile on his face.

Keller Williams: A one man jam band like you've never imagined.

"Thank you. How about some more Keels?" He suggested. And with that they played at least another 20 minutes to half hour of incredible folksy Keller songs that made the crowd dance and smile.

Jump to Keller Williams: Part I First Set>>
Jump to Keller Williams: Part III Logistics>>

Keller Williams: Part III

2007-02-05T04:01:00.000Z

The Logistics
Concert Tickets
We received an email notification about three weeks in advance from Rams Head Live! that Keller Williams was coming to town (Baltimore). Several years ago I would have suggested we buy tickets at the door, but I have learned my lesson with one too many nights with my finger up hoping, wishing, freezing, looking, pleading... Who's got my miracle?

Hotel
At the last minute I remembered that we almost missed the train back to DC last year, so I decided to look online for a hotel in the inner harbour. $180... $200... $300! I began to prepare myself for dropping two bills on a hotel when my sister suggested I check out hotwire.com. The deal with hotwire is that you get to pick the general location and the star rating, but they don't show you the actual hotel until you've already paid for it. I decided to gamble.

Through hotwire.com I was able to secure a room at the InterContinental Harbor Court in downtown Baltimore for $99.00!

Food
During 2006 Keller weekend the weather was warm and we took the water taxi across the harbor to Fells Point. This year, it was much colder, and we were closer to Federal Hill, so we walked over to see an old friend of mine and ate dinner at Mothers. I am sad to say the restaurant was smoky and the veggie options were poor - at best.

Inside the venue, we stuck with Miller Light in the plastic bottle. Last year we tried the local brew which was awful!

Merchandise
After the show, I came very close to spending $40.00 on the green Freek hoody (You know, you have to support the music!) But my inner circle talked me out of it and instead I bought two t-shirts for the same price. Keller's new album Dream is available for pre-order on the website, but I didn't see it at the merch booth.

Travel
We were lucky enough to catch a ride to Baltimore with my sister and her friend. The trip up I-95 took only 35 to 40 minutes. Cab rides around town averaged between $5.00 and $6.00 including the fare from Federal Hill to the Penn Station. On the way back we caught the train. One way Amtrak tickets (from Penn Station to Union Station) were advertised online for $14.00 per person. Here's a nifty fact... day of tickets go up to $21.00!

Nonetheless, we made it back into DC safe and happy. In all, the 2007 Keller Williams show was another success story full of good times, great jams, learning opportunities, and memories to last a lifetime.

Happy Birthday, Keller. Hope you have a great year and we'll see you next time!

Jump to Keller Williams: Part I First Set >>
Jump to Keller Williams: Part II Second Set >>

Prince

2007-02-05T01:27:00.000Z

I've always felt like Prince is an artist that you either love or adore. Tonight, I invite you to weigh in. Do you love him or hate him? What did you think about his Superbowl performance?

I can't wait to read your review.
~Lifecycle of an American Rock and Roll Band

Dreams... Reality... Goals...

2007-02-02T22:41:00.000Z

I found this piece of paper as I rummaged through my personal items looking for something that is, apparently, far less important. I know this because I have already forgotten what I was looking for. The sketches above were the focal point of a year long conversation - around 2003-04, that ultimately served as a catalyst to several character-shaping events in my life... including, but not limited to - quitting my job™, going back to school and joining a rock and roll band...

~I still don't know the answer. I'm not even sure of the question.

See you tonight at the Modern Times "mic less open mic" [8-10pm] - tomorrow night at Keller [Baltimore], or somewhere in the piece of paper [above].

Snakehead Run

2007-01-31T23:17:00.000Z

I first ran across Papa Denny and Bro Mark in the late summer of 2005, when Trash and I entered the Staccato Open Mic scene. I remember I never wanted to play my Fender anywhere near them in the line-up because I felt embarrassed of my puny guitar skills in the wake of these masters of Blues...

Snakehead Run

"They play an infectious, driving variety of old-time acoustic blues that often has audiences on their feet whooping and dancing."

2007-01-30T21:13:00.000Z

Cowboyschool Records

2007-01-28T22:49:00.000Z

This weekend saw the launch of Washington DC's newest and possibly most progressive independent label, Cowboyschool Records, with a limited edition release titled "the fed presents... 100 YEARS of TRASH". The EP debuts the fed frontman and guitarist Cory Chimka solo project. The limited 30 copies of the five song EP were made available to the public on Friday evening.

the fed is scheduled to perform at DC9 on Thursday, February 22nd with Demivolt and Box. Tickets are available at the door for $8.00

the fed presents... 100 YEARS of TRASH: Mourning Papers

Bonnaroo

2007-01-26T21:35:00.000Z

Sources close to the Manchester Times have recieved confirmation that The Police, Bob Dylan, and Pearl Jam have been confirmed to headline the 2007 Bonnaroo Music Festival. The lineup also includes Tom Waits, Willie Nelson, Umphrey's McGee, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, The Black Crowes, Ryan Adams, My Morning Jacket, Arcade Fire, Keller Williams Band, Hot Chip America, TV on the Radio, Fountains of Wayne, Modest Mouse, Les Claypool, The Shins, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Toots and the Maytals, The Roots, The Decemberists, Of Montreal, Cat Power, Ozomatli,Perpetual Groove, Band of Horses, John Butler Trio, Nickel Creek, Medeski Martin and Wood, Lily Allen, Neko Case, Keiren Hedben (Four Tet) & Steve Reid, The Hold Steady, Earl Scuggs, Charlie Louvin, Man Man, Grizzly Bear,Konono #1, The Slip, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Uncle Earl, Annuals, Beirut Ward, Cold War Kids, and Girl Talk. Superfly Productions plans to officially announce the lineup on January 31st. Thanks, Trash!

My New Ride

2007-01-25T03:16:00.000Z

Zildjian's newest SheetBronze alloy. 88% copper, 12% tin for increased musicality. All-purpose Ride with an exceptionally clean stick response and defined bell.

Aww, yeah.

Dreamgirls

2007-01-21T13:00:00.000Z

The choice was to either go see Freedom Writers or Dreamgirls. I knew for a fact that I didn't want to see some bullshit Hollywood overproduction that glamorizes urban teaching. I already live that glamorous life so why pay money to go see it at the movie? (Besides, I already saw Dangerous Minds) So, I chose Dreamgirls. What I didn't know is that I picked a musical...

Dreamgirls
$10.00 tickets at the afternoon matinee

Length 125 minutes

Highlights

Some of the strongest female vocalists I have heard since I was a child
I literally got chills during a few of the songs
The Dreamgirls were easy on the eyes
Feel good message

Lowlights

The characters often sang the dialogue
We came late and had to sit in the second row
Turns out DTS-CSS means it has subtitles

Dreamgirls Stars

Eddie Murphy
Jamie Foxx
Jennifer Hudson
Beyonce Knowles

All in all this was a cute movie that glamorizes someone else's life, with a nice message. There were, as you might imagine, some cheesy parts - but the quality of singing made up for the faults of this Broadway Musical turned Hollywood.

The only question I am left with... Whatever happened to scripts like The Goonies?

Mid-Winter Shows

2007-01-17T18:39:00.000Z

January
1.18.07 Badfish - A Tribute to Sublime @ 9:30 Club... $15.00... Washington DC
1.19.07 Hello Tokyo @ Rock and Roll Hotel... $10/12.00... Washington DC
1.19.07 Death by Sexy - Hall Monitors - Root Deco @ Jammin' Java... $10.00... Vienna VA

February
*2.3.07 Keller Williams @ Rams Head Live... $21.00... Baltimore MD
*2.9.07 Galactic @ 9:30 Club... $25.00... Washington DC
2.9.07 Yo La Tengo @ Sonar... $17.00... Baltimore MD
2.9.07 Vandaveer @ Rock and Roll Hotel... $15/18.00... Washington DC
2.10.07 Galactic @ 9:30 Club... $25.00... Washington DC
*2.22.07 Box - Demivolt - The Fed @ DC9... $8.00... Washington DC

March
*3.10.07 Gomez... Sonar... $25.00... Baltimore

*Lifecycle will be in attendance

Thanks Al Gore! [Part II]

2007-01-17T04:00:00.000Z

From time to time, I check my statistical counter to see where my readers are coming from. It really hasn't ceased to amaze me the reaches of this thing we call the Internet. To date, Lifecycle of an American Rock and Roll Band has been read in:

California, USA
China
Cyprus
Florida, USA
France
Germany
Israel
Kentucky, USA
Maryland, USA
Massachusetts, USA
New Jersey, USA
New York, USA
New Zealand
Pennsylvania, USA
Texas, USA
Virginia, USA
Washington DC, USA

...to name a few (Sorry New England, it's tough to read the map).

Thanks for stopping by.
~Lifecycle of an American Rock and Roll Band

Stomp

2007-01-13T17:46:00.000Z

The lights come up. A man walks onto stage pushing a broom. He looks up. Looks around. Smacks the broom against the floor. He pushes some more... Another joins him, slowly a third, fourth, fifth - and on it goes until there are eight sweeping in sync, pushing and popping and smacking and scratching out quarter notes and eighth notes and it is all so very organic. And as they had come, so had they gone until there was only one man on stage pushing a broom. He looks up. Looks around. Smacks the broom on the floor. He pushes the broom some more. The lights go down.

Stomp
$$
$47.00
A styrofoam cup of soda and a bottle of water... $5.50

Average Set Length
One Hour and a half set with no intermission

Highlights

Drummers swinging from the rafters in unison beating the oddest assortment of street trash to create heart pounding unforgettable rhythms
Three seemingly voiceless artists who demonstrate their true skill by using paper and plastic bags to create a similar sensation
The beats... the movement... the choreography of the entire production woke me up this morning still wondering, How did they do that?

Lowlight

The seats weren't very comfortable

Open Mic: Zazu

2007-01-11T03:29:00.000Z

In town on vacation, I ran into the wife of an old pal of mine, Alan Eby. She told me he was hosting an open mic and that we should check it out. After following DC metro trends in music, I was very interested in seeing what Owensboro KY had to offer. Of course, I should have known, given the location, that this would not be the typical open mic with X songs and get the hell of the stage. Instead, artists were invited to come up on stage either one by one or hell, if you liked what the dude on stage is doing, hop up there and grab a mic, or pull your harp out, our plug in your guitar. The strange thing is, with this open atmosphere, one might imagine a catastrophe in the works, but instead what evolves is a magical open mic jam session. Kudos, Alan Eby!

OPEN MIC: ZAZU
Location
Owensboro KY

Time
9:30 - 12:00

$$
No Cover
22 ounce Newcastle Draught... $3.50

Average Set Length
Straight up jamming... four songs-ish

Highlights

Host Alan Eby is amazingly talented vocalist, guitarist and keyboardist
Definitely the deal on Newcastle is phenomenal
The local talent seem to come from a long tradition of pickers that really know their instrument and how a traditional impromptu jam is supposed to work... never overstepping time or boundaries

Lowlights

You have to call a cab because people still drink and drive in the 'boro
There are no restaurants open within walking distance after dinner hours

photo of Alan Eby kicking off an open mic session with your favorite Sublime covers

Nine Pound Hammer

2007-01-09T18:28:00.000Z

As a young man developing my musical tastes in a small town in western Kentucky called Owensboro (f-you Natalie Merchant!), I went to see a punk rock show with a good friend from church named Michael... who later died in a car accident - God rest his soul.

Nine Pound Hammer

Sample the sound here
Read the history here
Purchase the summer 7" vinyl here

Thank you Nine Pound Hammer for putting on hella all ages shows in the late eighties and early nineties!

In Modern Times: Cowboy Boots Are All the Rage

2007-01-07T16:58:00.000Z

Once a month, Steven Capozolla hosts a Singer/Songwriter Showcase in the coffee shop at Politics and Prose that brings together Washington DC's finest musical talent under one bookstore to share fifteen minutes of uninterrupted original music apiece. Last nights showcase opened with the talented keyboardist and vocalist, Ian Walters (who publicly announced his... departure from the fed) strumming a six string...

Alan Holmes - A one man band of sorts that performed an impersonation of a train on the harmonica which was truly amazing. No sarcasm here... you really have to hear it.
Michael Jantz - with a mature, evolved sound that could be likened to a young Jack Johnson. Keep an eye out for a new album in March.
Jesse Elliott (These United States) - who's soft natured voice and thoughtful lyrics sent smiles throughout the crowd.
Alec (rhymes with Phallic) Gross and the Districts bassist Jim Donahue turned up the heat with strong vocal chords and polished licks.
And, of course, Steven himself puts on a show worthy of the $10 cab ride from Columbia Heights.

Capozolla's next showcase will be Saturday, February 24th at 8pm. Admission and the right to enjoy yourself are both free.

Honky Tonk

2007-01-04T00:39:00.000Z

"A honky tonk is a type of bar with musical entertainment common in the Southwestern and Southern United States, also called honkatonks, honkey-tonks, tonks or tunks. The term has also been attached to various styles of 20th-century American music. As of 2006, honky tonk seems to be the most recognized and mainstream subgenre of country music." ~Wikipedia.com

But as I stumbled into a bar bathroom somewhere in the middle of Nashville TN, a cowboy (I knew he was a cowboy because he donned a 10 gallon hat and authentic cowboy boots) looked at me and asked, "You been out honky tonkin'?"

"Uh... what's that?"

"Drinkin'... lookin' for women, I guess. C'mon, man! Honky Tonkin'!"

I lit a cigarette (you can still smoke in bars there) and said, "I'm going to guess no... but to be honest I'm not sure I understand what you're talking about." In the back of my mind I made a mental note and thought, I'm gon'na google that shit later.

The Lemonheads

2007-01-03T21:40:00.000Z

100 Years of Trash and I sat at the upstairs bar of the Black Cat waiting for The Lemonheads to hit the stage when these two girls came up and asked if we would look at their Zune's. "Sure." I said without much thought. They began flashing photos. Hmmm....

As we sat and drank, Michael Williams (Vietnam) announced that they would play a Gin Blossoms cover. What? Gin Blossoms? Then it hit me as I looked around in confusion. This was the 90's grunge scene relived. It was amazing. It was beautiful. Everything I missed as an adolescent because I was stuck in a town with no real music.

I had to get that off my chest. It's been a long time coming. For a more accurate description of the event please see Trash's December post.

Farewell

2006-12-26T18:35:00.000Z

I've been on the road for days and have seen a lot of good stuff that I will write about later, but for now I needed to come out of hiding to bid farewell to the Godfather of Soul and 2006. To the rest of my friends... See you next year.
~Lifecycle of an American Rock and Roll Band

ear X-tacy

2006-12-16T01:16:00.000Z

The best independent record store Kentucky!

Thanks Al Gore!

2006-12-13T22:33:00.000Z

Although not a major news story... Lifecycle of an American Rock and Roll Band landed on the web pages of the washingtonpost.com!

Just for the Record...

2006-12-12T22:11:00.000Z

Texas based Bowling For Soup is scheduled to play the Lincoln Theatre [Raleigh, NC] tonight with opening acts Melee, Meg and Dia, and The Feds [no site available] not to be confused with Washington DC based The Fed, who will be performing their final 2006 acoustic set at Ellington's on Eighth [Washington DC] with Tiffany Der Wednesday, December 12, at 9pm.

On a similar note, Tim Cahill will not be performing at the DC showcase. In a statement blogged on myspace.com Tim wrote: "I thank everybody for there support and I'm sorry if anyone is disappointed I've decided to make a statement, I'm not playing anymore, in fact I'm donating most of my gear and selling the rest, I put my music in front the person that I loved, and she has moved on, and my statement is I'm sorry, and it's a mistake I will never make again, sorry to anybody, that actually liked my jams." There is currently no official word on who will take the open time slot.

Lifecycle of American™ Music

2006-12-11T21:12:00.000Z

Vinyl enthusiasts may soon be vindicated... sort of. Today's Washington Post announced the fall of Tower Records, a major icon of American™ mega-music distribution. Tower records, the article claims, is set to close its doors on all locations this December as a result of the decrease in sales and distribution of compact discs. The culprit? You guessed it!.......... mp3's. This article rides on the heels of 2006, Brought to You by You, published in yesterday's New York Times, which discusses how board rooms are manipuating data from "user generated content" [read "us"] to filter through the onslaught of content (much of it crap) to deliver product. Now, much of this is old news for us, but I believe articles such as these merit our attention for they mark a movement, potentially a fleeting moment in time, when the corporate giants are sitting up, taking notice, paying literally billions of dollars to hear our collective cry. The power to influence the next cycle in American music is in our hands...

Garage Rock

2006-12-09T20:13:00.000Z

Pretty Please?

2006-12-09T01:48:00.000Z

I was so busy tirade-ing about Natalie Merchant I almost forgot pay homage. Thanks metacritical and trash!

The Federal Reserve

2006-12-08T15:26:00.000Z

So, finally think I get it. I was sitting on the table next to the jukebox sipping a Siearra Winter when Rose walks in with Mikal Evans. (I met Rose several years ago when her band opened for Keller Williams and Galactic in front of the Capitol. I met Mikal at a singer/songwriter showcase at the old Revolution Records.) We all chat for a minute, and the ladies ask me to help carry an amp upstairs where people are smiling and hugs and kisses are going around. Immediately, Rose begins to introduce me to Mark Heidinger, but we already knew each other through my old roommate Louie in Lexington, Ky... and for a moment, I felt connections, new and old, fusing together memories of music and friends, acquaintances, community. The Federal Reserve... a collection of souls who have united under one banner: Sing for your country.

Location
The Wonderland Ballroom
1101 Kenyon St. NW
Washington DC 20010
Thursday, December 7, 2006

Line Up

$$
No Cover
Guiness Draught... $6.00
Free Let's French CD

Highlights

Rose's acoustic set with special guest Mikal Evans
The Run In really surprised me
Lot's of great music and conversations about music
Friendly bar staff

Lowlights

Walking home in the cold

The Federal Reserve Artists

Owensboro

2006-12-07T22:22:00.000Z

If you hate your job... Quit.
If your friends suck... Stop calling them.
If you think then town you live in is holding you down... Move.
Did your God fail you? Find a new religion.
Tired of the dating mess... Go on hiatus (or get married).
Feel like you don't have enough education to succeed? Go back to school.
Broke? Get a second/third job.
Do you feel like your government has it all wrong? Vote.

If something is bothering you, do something about it. But writing a song that deliberately chastises and degrades a community that struggles to survive just as hard as anywhere else in this world is unfair... and for profit? To promote a rag tag label? Merchant indeed! You make me sick.

Introscope

2006-12-07T00:26:00.000Z

The classification of New Age conjures images of hairy hippies in linen cloth meditating in the woods and pondering the meaning of Life. While this stereotypical description may not be entirely false, Flint Blade demonstrates that music is not labels or classifications. Music is Beautiful. Music is Inspired. Music is Independent. Music is Life.

Blade's 2006 album Introscope offers thoughtfully constructed arrangements which create music as unique as it's instruments.

Word to the wise... Make a date, grab a *copy, some good wine, a scented candle or two and turn off the tube to Discover the Love.

Sample: "Discovery of Love" ©2006

*$10.00 plus $2.00 shipping and handling

Open Mic: Austin Grill

2006-12-06T00:21:00.000Z

The need to cash some checks, and grab a bite to eat, flushed me out of my hotel room apartment into the cold dark night... but not without checking to see if there might be some music to be heard. I entered the Austin Grill in Silver Spring, Maryland at around 9pm on Monday night and took a seat at a bar table. As I was taking note of the largely Caucasian, twenty-something crowd, I overheard someone suggest that the Grill was "pretty empty"...

Time
9:30 -12:00pm

$$
No cover
Veggie Burrito and two Dos Equis Draught... $20.00

Average Set Length
4 songs

Highlights

Over sized sound board with plenty of plugs that feed the restaurant, the sidewalk and even the restrooms!
Several talented musicians including Denny and Mark
Ample stage room
Built in crowd of musicians, music fans, corporate cocktails, suburban daters, and Joe Blow off the street looking for grub
Crowd stayed near 40 for as long as I was there
Metro accessible
Plenty of original music

Lowlights

Because of the size of the restaurant, the crowd seems to be isolated in pockets and the place feels emptier than a dive might
It's a corporate restaurant with corporate prices and corporate food and well... that rant would be for another blog somewhere else

...All being said, the Austin Grill Open Mic is a place where you can feel free to show up on a Monday night with an instrument of choice and cry about whatever is on your mind... and it's a real American™ restaurant!

December Picks

2006-12-04T21:30:00.000Z

I'm heading out of town on the 15th of December and won't be back in DC until January '07. Nonetheless, here are a few DC Metro shows I might consider...

Washington DC
Saturday 12.16 Keller Williams... 9:30 Club... $25.00
Thursday 12.29 Chuck Brown... 9:30 Club... $25.00
Saturday 12.30 Lake Trout... Rock and Roll Hotel... $10-12.00

Baltimore
Sunday 12.17 Dark Star Orchestra... Recher Theater... $25.00
Thursday 12.29 Disco Biscuits... Sonar... $30.00

WTF?
Wednesday 12.27 Trey Anastasio... 9:30 Club... Soldout
Sunday 12.31 George Clinton... Constitution Hall... $76.oo!!!

Dark Star Orchestra

2006-12-04T21:04:00.000Z

I was surprised to see that the line was not wrapped around the block as we pulled up in front of the 930 Club at 8pm. I bought the last two tickets, walked down U street and bought a veggie burger - and by 9pm was standing ten feet away from stage with a 6 dollar plastic red cup of newcastle in hand...

With no opening act, the band played two sets totaling close to 3 and a half hours of Grateful Dead covers.

Set List
Stranger, Half Step, Me & My Uncle> Big River, TLEO, Cassidy, Mr. Charlie, Waiting for a Miracle, Lazy Lightening>Supplication, Touch of Grey Blow Away, Shakedown, Sailor > Saint, Crazy Fingers> Playin> Drums >Space> Attics> Throwing Stones> NFA Encore: King Solomon Marbles> Revolution

Highlight
>The creepy familiarity of John and Rob's voices!
>Touch of Grey, Shakedown, Revolution, Tie Dye Back drop

Lowlight
>Being patted down outside the door.
>The freakout session in the middle of the second set titled Space. It all started with an amazing drum rant - but quickly turned into a disturbing and at times boring freakout by Rob Koritz. The old heads quickly began to turn and head for the bar. The session reminded me of Medeski, Martin and Wood's first set at Bonaroo in 2004. Blech!
>The 9:30 club just isn't suited for a four hour show. The Dead could pull it off in arenas and ampitheaters but DSO... you're no Dead. Sorry.

$$
27.50

The Band
Dark Star Orchestra (aka DSO) consists of:

John Kadlecik ~ Guitar, vocals
Rob Eaton ~ Guitar, vocals
Kevin Rosen ~Bass
*Rob Borraco ~ Keys
Lisa Mackey ~ Vocals, Spinning, Dancing
Dino English ~ Drums
Rob Koritz ~ Drums, Percussion, Specializing in wigging people out

*special guest