The Polyphonic Nightmare

Over the last two nights I have had dreams that revolve around two bands: one of which I love and one of which I loathe.

The first began in suburban Rhode Island, where I met the leader of the Polyphonic Spree. I should state here that that "band" has always freaked me out to no end. I don't get it, and I don't want to get it. I'm okay with keeping the hell out of cults. In my dream though, they were less a "band" and more an environmental group, so I hesitantly joined.

After some time, I began to realize that they were in fact, trying for a New World Order-type worldwide cult in which everyone wore white and danced in the fields. I tried getting out but they wouldn't let me, so I ran away. Fearing for our lives, Shelly and I moved to upstate New York to get away.

I have these terrifying images in my head of a group of eight or so people in white robes chasing after me through fields and forests, trying to gas me.

I hate the Polyphonic Spree.

Last night I dreamt that Botch reunited at the Tweeter Center. For some reason my parents came and when we sat down the venue suddenly changed in a Transformers-way into a trailer home. Botch played in the trailer home and my parents freaked. People were going off left and right and my mom hid in the back corner. My dad tried fighting everyone there, and after the first song Rick ta Life walked in. People immediately tried killing him with knives and boots and a pretty serious melee broke out.

I don't know what goes on in my brain but whatever it is, I hope it keeps up.

LOLMETAL

http://warehouse.carlh.com/article_141/

Just go here. It's amazing.

Sake

Sake on Monday night with fellow gentleman Drew already made my week. I had always wanted to try it. Drew heard that it "tastes like fire." It smelled like white wine and tasted like a shot with half vodka, half whiskey. Quarts of Bud from Midtown and the History channel finish off nights well.
I hope that luck comes my way and I get a job at http://www.empowerment-group.org/
Loving this rainy weather. I hope it holds up.

Playlist:
Modern Life is War
Black Sabbath
Pissed Jeans
Suicide File
The Clash
Salinger - Nine Stories re-read

Pissed Jeans - Hope for Men

A lot of bands sound so alike, you don't remember the first time you heard them. A year ago I booked Paint it Black at La Salle University and I left it up to Andy to decide who opened up for them. As a fan of Count Me Out, I was really excited about Cloak/Dagger being on the bill, and I didn't give much thought to this band called "Pissed Jeans." He did mention though, that they had recently signed to Sub Pop, so I went to their Web site and downloaded "Closet Marine" - four of the brashest minutes my ears have endured.
When they showed up to unload I was taken aback by how "normal" they looked. Especially the singer, they all looked like they had just gotten off their 9-5's. The other bands wore Minor Threat t-shirts and special edition Nikes. Pissed Jeans wore sweaters and boat shoes. Then they played...
Words like "primal" and "frustrated" come to mind when explaining their noise. They were wonderful. I bought their record and since it has been a staple in my rotation.
Last week they released Hope for Men, their debut lp for Sub Pop. I never realized how much they take from the Black Flag book until this record. The lyrics, like the "concept" of the record, deal with the mundane loneliness and frustration that accompanies modern life.
A million reviews have already been written about this band and record, which (rightfully) use the same adjectives and descriptions. I can't overstate however, how terrific this band is.

You'll feel a lot better with this record.

Sweet Leaf

Saturday night was the final Boy Sets Fire show. We got there early so that we could get a spot on the balcony and we were successful. Tim Barry from Avail opened and was a blast. A lot of people started playing the Johnny Cash style a few years ago but Barry is one of the best at it. Like Avail shows when he constantly thanks "y'all", his country/bluegrass music is Southern and honest. BSF opened with "Release the Dogs" and closed with "Rookie"/"After the Eulogy." I wanted to hear more from the Day the Sun Went Out, but overall it was a great show. They played for at least 90 minutes. I had a problem with that show going on in my backyard and not being there.

That night I met two Aussies. We talked a lot about Silverchair.

Erich's art show was Friday.
http://www.myspace.com/erichroehre

I (finally) saw Mean Streets. It's amazing.

That's all

If You Like Music...

The new Pissed Jeans is unbearably good. You should get it if you like music.

There's a "new" band called Pygmy Lush. If you liked pg. 99, City of Caterpillar or Malady, it has all of those guys in it. They have a record coming out soon on Robotic Empire.

Torche is really great too.
So is Clockcleaner.

www.myspace.com/pygmylush
www.myspace.com/torche
www.myspace.com/clockcleaner

For Those About to Thrash...

New Waste and Coliseum songs up on their myspaces. New Coliseum comes out in August and new Waste in a couple of weeks! Summer!!!

http://www.myspace.com/municipalwaste

http://www.myspace.com/coliseum