867-5309 - Complete Breakdown

You know you've done it. You've been hanging around with some friends listening to Tommy Tutone and decided that it would be a great idea to call the number from his famous song, 867-5309. Well apparently this guy took the time to go through every area code and dial the number to see what he comes up with. Some people use it as great advertisement, others just have weird voice-mails. Either way, it's pretty awesome that some one took the time to figure it all out.

Link

Guster and The Format Announce Campus Consciousness Tour!

To continue with the tour date extravaganza, two of my favorite bands, Guster and The Format, have announced a nationwide campus tour for this spring. Some of these tickets are already on sale, so you might want to get a jump on them. Unfortunately, the guys aren't coming to UNC, and, as luck would have it, the other local show at WFU is on the same night as the Ben Folds show and the Matt Wertz/Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers show. This just isn't cool people...

Here is a complete list of the dates:

3/28/07 - Winston-Salem, NC @ Wake Forest University Tickets on sale 3/1 at 10am
3/30/07 - Macon, GA @ Mercer University Tickets
3/31/07 - Crawfordsville, IN @ Wabash College Students Free / Public $20.00. Public tickets only available night of show, if there are any left
4/02/07 - Lawrence, KS @ Liberty Hall Tickets
4/03/07 - Norman, OK @ University of Oklahoma Tickets will be available on 3/3 at 10am
4/04/07 - Tulsa, OK @ University of Tulsa Tickets-TBA
4/06/07 - Austin, TX @ Stubb's Bar-B-Q Tickets
4/07/07 - Dallas, TX @ Granada Theater Tickets
4/09/07 - Macomb, IL @ Western Illinois University Tickets
4/10/07 - Decorah, IA @ Luther College Tickets-Students Free / Public $20.50. Public tickets on sale 3/12 at the Luther College Box Office: (563)-387-1357
4/14/07 - New York, NY @ Beacon Theater Tickets
4/21/07 - Boston, MA @ Opera House Tickets
4/26/07 - Williamstown, MA @ Williams College Tickets-TBA
4/27/07 - Middlebury, VT @ Middlebury College Tickets
4/28/07 - Loudonville, NY @ Siena College Tickets-TBA
4/29/07 - Baltimore, MD @ Loyola College Tickets-TBA
5/05/07 - Due West, SC @ Erskine College Students Free / Faculty,Alumni,Staff $8.00 / Public $12.00-Ticket link TBA

Guster - "Perfect" (m4a)
The Format - "Dog Problems" (m4a)

Citizen Cope Announces Spring Tour!

Clarence Greenwood, better known as Citizen Cope, has announced some Spring U.S. tour dates that make me pretty excited, mostly because of the seemingly mysterious "Special discounted two-day pass" for the Cat's Cradle in April. What's better than one night with the Citizen? Obviously two. Tickets are on sale today through his online fan ticketing site, but, at least for the Chapel Hill show, regular tickets don't go on sale until March 3rd.

Here's the complete list of dates:

April 5 - Stubbs Bar-B-Que - Austin, TX
April 6 - Palladium Ballroom - Dallas, TX
April 7 - Cypress Bayou - Rox Night Club - Charenton, LA
April 9 - House of Blues - New Orleans, LA
April 10 - WorkPlay Theatre - Birmingham, AL
April 11 - The Tabernacle - Atlanta, GA
April 12 - Georgia Theatre - Athen's, GA
April 13 - City Hall - Nashville, TN
April 14 - The Orange Peel - Asheville, NC
April 16 - Neighborhood Theatre - Charlotte, NC
April 17 - The Music Farm - Charleston, SC
April 18 - Cat's Cradle - Carrboro, NC - Special discounted two show pass
April 19 - Cat's Cradle - Carrboro, NC - Special discounted two show pass
April 24 - Higher Ground- Burlington, VT
April 25 - Higher Ground- Burlington, VT
April 26 - Avalon Ballroom - Boston, MA
April 27 - Toad's Place - New Haven, CT


Citizen Cope - "Bullet and a Target" (m4a)

Watch David Letterman!!!!!!!!!

The Late Show with David Letterman always has great music on it. They generally have a newer unheard of band or some big-time person. Ever since he has taken of The Late Show, the music has been a big push. Just watch it, you know you are up that late anyways.

Music Video of the Day: Pulp Fiction

I know this has nothing to do with music by any stretch of the imagination, but I saw this clip and the real movie this weekend, and I couldn't resist putting it up as the Music Video of the Day. If for some reason you're living under a rock and haven't seen this yet, you have to go rent it now.

Warning: this has very bad language and "adult content" (whatever the hell that means), but I figure most of the people that read this blog don't really care. Enjoy.

Monday Morning Playlist

Each week we post five songs, old or new, that we hope will help you get through the work-week (or in our case, the school-week). Put them in your iPod (or mp3 player of choice) and press repeat. We promise that the weekend will come faster.

Nightmare of You - "The Days Go By Oh So Slow" (mp3)
John Legend - "Save Room" (m4a)
The Hives - "Hate to Say I Told You So" (mp3)
Mike Willis - "Lighthouse" (m4a)
Cold War Kids - "Hang Me Up to Dry" (m4a)

Music Video of the Day: Beatboxing Flute

This absolutely blew my mind the first time I saw it. Greg Pattillo is a very talented flute player who has apparently been known to play his own brand of beatboxing flute around the Washington Square Park area in NYC. Not only does he do the sweet version of the Inspector Gadget theme above, he also nails the Super Mario Bros. theme, as well as Sesame Street and "Peter and the Wolf." This gives me a whole new outlook on flute players.

Happy Friday, everyone.

The dB's Documentaries

While hanging out in front of the stage at the dB's show at the Cat's Cradle earlier this year, I kept getting shoved around by this big guy with a video camera. And now I know why. According to the News & Observer, two separate filmmakers are working on documentaries of the classic local superstars:

Boyle isn't the only filmmaker working on a documentary of 1980s North Carolina music. There's also "The North Carolina Rock Project," which has been in the works since 2004. Mike Allen, managing creative director of RBW advertising in Raleigh, is heading up the project.

Allen and his crew have shot about 100 hours of interviews and performances by Don Dixon, the Connells, the Woods, Dexter Romweber, Dillon Fence, Spongetones and other acts. They also filmed the dB's show at Cat's Cradle earlier this month (as did Boyle).

...

Yet another documentary film in the making involves the band the dB's, by filmmaker Jake Gorst -- who first hooked up with the dB's seven years ago, when he designed their Web site. A huge amount of photos and footage turned up through that project, so Gorst began working on a documentary.

The film is proceeding along with the reunited dB's long-in-the-works new album, the original lineup's first since 1982.

It's good to know that after all these years the dB's are still getting the respect they deserve. I can't wait to see the documentaries when they come out, especially the one about North Carolina rock in general. Sometimes I wish I was born in the 60s...

Even if you have not heard of them before, go see them if you get the chance. It's a show you won't forget.

The dB's - "World to Cry" (mp3)

Did Ace Frehley Kill HImself?? UPDATE: No

I've seen the rumors but I haven't been able to track anything concrete down. According to NY based blog The Music Slut, who got the info from Myspace blogger Hal Sparks, Ace killed himself around 2 a.m. this morning. Like I said, there's no definite information so it may only be a rumor. I'll be sure to keep you updated throughout the day when I find out more.

UPDATE: Apparently the story is false. Sorry for letting you down or getting your hopes up, whatever your preference is.

Local Music Showcase: Pico vs. Island Trees

These local boys are the next big thing. I have no doubt about it. Hailing from Raleigh, the strangely named Pico vs. Island Trees have a happy-go-lucky sound full of sweet harmonies and gorgeous instrumental arrangements. They released their debut full-length album in 2004, titled Just Wait, and, according to their Myspace page, are set to release the follow-up sometime this year.

I have not gotten a chance to see them live, but that will change sooner rather than later. Their next local show is April 7 at the Cat's Cradle. I highly recommend that you take the time to go see them. You will not be disappointed.

Since I just recently discovered them, I have not gotten a chance to pick up the CD, and thus have no mp3s for you (a trip to Schoolkids is long overdue), so just check out their Myspace page for some great tunes.

Music Video of the Day: "Everytime We Touch" - PK Thunda

My good buddy PK Thunda, or Parker for those who actually know him, created this amazing video to the "hit" song "Everytime We Touch." Fellow crazy-person, Brandon, co-stars in the well produced and wonderfully choreographed dance video.

The two also dabble in the rap world (scary, yes). It's surprisingly good and absolutely hilarious. Check out the mp3 below.

BP - "Hard Life (On the Streets)" (mp3)

Nightmare Of You

Nightmare Of You is a band from Long Island that mixes indie and pop to new levels. Their album "Nightmare of You" is a few years old, but it is worth going back into time to get. Once this album goes on, you won't be able to stop it. The lyrics are meaningful and comical. The music is awesomely arrange. Just give this band a chance, they will really grow on you.

other songs:
The Days Go By Oh So Slow
I Want To Be Buried In Your Backyard

ReverbNation

Tired of using Myspace or PureVolume to listen to and keep up with your favorite indie or unsigned bands? Check out ReverbNation, the ultimate music networking website. You can add the artists as friends, listen to and download (if the artist allows it) their music, create a playlist on the ReverbNation player that will stream your favorite songs from your favorite bands, and even check out who has upcoming shows in your area.

It's the perfect site for people, like me, who struggle to keep up with their favorite bands that no one else knows about. So ditch your Myspace and PureVolume accounts and join the ReverbNation.

Muse Singalong

Now that my week has finally slowed down a little bit I'll be able to get back to my normal updating schedule and actually put some good news up on this page. Sorry for my temporary absence.

I wish more bands would set something like this up, it's such a cool idea. Muse's fan site in cooperation with TrafalgarMuseFans.com are setting up a Mass singing of Muse songs in Trafalgar square before Muse's headlining gig. The charitable event will take place for several hours on June 15th. They're even going so far as talking to audio specialists about the logistics and making the fans sign up to attend the event.

Maybe we can start a Ben Folds singalong in the quad before his UNC show...

Sec MZ L Ctr, Row FF, Seat 115

After waiting for 14 hours, sleeping outside with a sleeping bag and no tent, using my book-bag as a pillow, skipping one class and missing a shit-load of work, I now hold in my hands two of the most prized pieces of paper in Chapel Hill right now: tickets to see Ben Folds.

It is unbelievable the response that man gets when he comes to this area. People were camping out around Memorial Hall as early as 11 a.m. the day before 900 student tickets went on sale. I arrived at about 9:30 the night before, and earned upper level tickets. Behind me were about 20 people that spent the night, and another line of around 400 people who walked up this morning. There will be many unhappy Folds fans this afternoon.

They have one more chance to get tickets when the go on sale to the general public March 1.

Was missing all that class and work, freezing my ass off outside and skipping meals worth it? No doubt. I would have started camping earlier if I could. I wanted to do a cumulative entry about the whole night and everything that happened, but my battery died to quickly (which also explains why I missed so much work).

The countdown begins: 35 days.

Toxic Stanford Cafeteria

Possible the most creepiest homemade (or school-made)video EVER made. This guy needs a job with much less down time, and friends who won't be in music videos.

Shit You Should Know...'Cause They're Coming to Chapel Hill

Can't get tickets to the Ben Folds show March 28th? All is not lost. Check out these guys that will be playing at the Cat's Cradle the same night.

Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers

I believe these guys have the best live show of any band in the country. Not only is their live sound is supremely polished, but their on-stage antics send the show over the top. They've been known to recite movie quotes mid-song, sing parts of other popular songs mid-song, and even do an a cappella rendition of Queen's "Fat Bottom Girls."(Sorry for the bad quality of some of these videos, this is all YouTube had to offer.) If you have not seen them live, March 28th is your chance to see the best live show on the east coast. I would be there if it wasn't for Ben. Sacrifices we must make...

Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers - "Thirteen" (m4a)
Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers - "Start the Day Early" (m4a)

Matt Wertz

I first heard of this talented singer/songwriter when SK and the Sixers announced that they would be touring with him this spring (and if SK will play with them, they're good in my book). Wertz soulful voice soars over an acoustic-country groove to mold a sound that reminds you of a lazy Sunday in spring. I really hate that I'm going to miss him when he comes to Chapel Hill in March, but I'll be sure to catch him the next opportunity I get.

(I couldn't find a good YouTube video...sorry)

Matt Wertz - "Marianne" (m4a)
Matt Wertz - "Everything's Right" (m4a)

Music Video of the Day: "Tea Partay"

This "prepsta" rap song by Prep-Unit is so good and funny that it's easy to forget (or not notice in the first place) that it's a promotional video for Smirnoff Raw Tea. I kind of wish this was a real group. The song has a great groove and, hell, I'd buy the album. Until that happens though, check out the sweet video.

Ben Folds Chapel Hill Ticket Date Finalized!!!

Tickets for UNC students will go on sale this Wednesday (February 21) at 10 a.m. at the Memorial Hall box office. For general public, the tickets go on sale March 1. Student tickets are $22 and general admission is $35. These tickets will go very, very fast, so if you want to see Folds you had better get a jump on buying tickets.

I'll be out there as long as it takes to get them, and I'll be sure to have photos and a review from the show (which happens March 28). Wish me luck!

Monday Morning Playlist

Each week we post five songs, old or new, that we hope will help you get through the work-week (or in our case, the school-week). Put them in your iPod (or mp3 player of choice) and press repeat. We promise that the weekend will come faster.

Sorry for the lack of posts Friday, we are students and sometimes our other work comes first. Usually not, though.

The High Speed Scene - "the IROC-Z song" (m4a)
Hotel Lights - "Miles Behind Me" (mp3)
Kings of Leon - "McFearless" (mp3) (single off their upcoming album)
Mike Doughty - "Looking at the World from the Bottom of a Well" (m4a)
Peter, Bjorn & John - "Young Folks" (mp3)

Cowboy Mouth

A louisiana based band Cowboy Mouth is one of the coolest bands to watch. Their live shows are so dripping with energy. With the drummer being the lead singer and placed right in front of the stage, he pulls everyone in. "Jenny Says" is a fun song to listen and very original.

Music Video of the Day: "You Tube (A Love Song)"

This is just too funny. Guitarist and singer David Choi has written this wonderful little ditty about his favorite website, YouTube. As much as I enjoy roaming around the site and finding random videos, like this one, I don't think it's healthy to be as obsessed as these lyrics claim: "When I wake up in the morning, YouTube/When I dream at night, YouTube/In the middle of the day, YouTube/You consume my life, YouTube." And my favorite line: "I like the founders/Some Asian and some white dude." In all seriousness though, David is actually fairly talented. You can check out some of his other music at his Myspace.

I'd like to dedicate this song to fellow blogger, Andy, the resident YouTube whore.

Al Gore Tries to Save the World with 28 Bands

That's right, Mr. Inconvenient Truth himself has pulled together some bands to put on the first ever "Live Earth" concert series to raise awareness and money for, surprise, global warming. The concert will feature 28 bands and span all seven continents in 24 hours (yes, seven...don't ask me how they're going to pull that off). Unfortunately, the bill leaves a lot to be desired, especially when you figure this show is meant to draw the environmental/hippie crowd.


"Live Earth" Line-up:

Pharrell
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Foo Fighters
Snoop Dogg
Lenny Kravitz
Bon Jovi
Paolo Nutini
Sheryl Crow
AFI
Melissa Etheridge
John Mayer
Damien Rice
Corrine Bailey Rae
Duran Duran
Snow Patrol
John Legend
Black Eyed Peas
Akon
Enrique Iglesias
Fall Out Boy
Mana
Keane
Kelly Clarkson
Korn
Faith Hill and Tim McGraw
Ray LaMontagne
Robin Thicke
Kenna


I told you it wasn't exciting.

Local Music Showcase: Tennis and the Mennonites

This Chapel Hill group is building a buzz around the local scene with the release of it's debut full-length album in October of last year (I know I'm a little late getting to this one...). The band is composed chiefly of guitarist, vocalist and founder Jerstin Crosby, drummer Stuart Cullinan, and latest addition Kyle Long on bass. For their debut album, Quilt Noise, Tennis and the Menonites compiled (via their website) "an 18-track album of songs from 3 different studios, 3 different producers, 7 band members, and a ridiculous amount of instruments and ideas."

The Mennonites are a rotating cast of musicians (including members of The Honored Guests and Pleasant) that have helped Jerstin record both the EP and LP, as well as perform live. While their newest album shows quite a bit of promise, it is very disjoint and too experimental. A little over half of the 18 tracks are album worthy, the others just fill space on the album. The opening track, "Cousin D" sounds like it was recorded at home on a terrible tape player and then shoved onto a computer (I know this because I've done it...it sounds bad), and even has a dog barking in the background. In contrast, songs like "Murder Your Computer," "Wicked Man," and "Magnets" showoff Crosby's folksy songwriting mixed with intricate instrumental arrangements reminiscent of The Arcade Fire.

I recommend picking up this CD with the warning that for every couple of great songs on the album, there is one that you'll probably skip. I'm looking forward to seeing these guys live and picking up their next release that will hopefully show the maturity that will make them great.

I don't have any mp3s for you, but you can check out their music at Myspace.

The Refreshments

This Arizona band is most notably known for the theme song to King of the Hill. The Refreshment were big in the late nineties and end in the early 2000's. This is a great song that has elements of Star Trek in it, the guitars are awesome in it too.

Music Video of the Day: "Good Vibrations" - Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch

These are the kinds of videos that I wish we could forget. Just think, at one point this was popular. The video is of the 1991 smash hit "Good Vibrations" by Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch (great name, I know). You may know Marky Mark by his real name: Mark Wahlberg. That's right, the actor famous for such movies as The Departed, I Heart Huckabees and Planet of the Apes was a one-hit-wonder white rapper and leader of the Funky Bunch.

Trust me, you'll never look at "Marky" Mark Wahlberg the same again.

Bonnaroo Preliminary Line-up Announced

The line-up to arguably the best modern-rock music and camping festivals, Bonnaroo, has finally been announced on its website. The line-up includes some great top acts, the main being the newly reunited The Police (who is joined by Tool...who would have thought they would ever share a stage?). Our local boys, Annuals, have also been invited as well as some of the best rock groups from around the world. Tickets go on sale February 23rd, if you're willing to shell out the couple hundred bucks it takes to get in. In my opinion, it is worth it.

Full list:

2007 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival Confirmed Artists:

The Police
Tool
Widespread Panic
The White Stripes
Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals
Wilco
The Flaming Lips
Manu Chao
The String Cheese Incident
Franz Ferdinand
Bob Weir & Ratdog
Damien Rice
Ween
Gov’t Mule
Ziggy Marley & the Melody Makers
The Decemberists
Kings of Leon
Michael Franti & Spearhead
Wolfmother
Regina Spektor
Galactic
The Black Keys
DJ Shadow
Gillian Welch & David Rawlings
Spoon
Keller Williams (WMD’s)
Sasha & John Digweed
STS9
Old Crow Medicine Show
The Hold Steady
North Mississippi Allstars
Fountains Of Wayne
Hot Tuna
Feist
Hot Chip
Lily Allen
John Butler Trio
Ralph Stanley & the Clinch Mountain Boys
Aesop Rock
The Richard Thompson Band
Dierks Bentley
Xavier Rudd
Gogol Bordelo
Junior Brown
Tortoise
T-Bone Burnett
Mavis Staples
Clutch
Cold War Kids
Dr. Dog
Paolo Nutini
Brazilian Girls
RX Bandits
The Nightwatchman
The Slip
Girl Talk
Railroad Earth
Martha Wainwright
Rodrigo y Gabriela
Annuals
Tea Leaf Green
Sam Roberts Band
Elvis Perkins in Dearland
Charlie Louvin
Sonya Kitchell
Mute Math
Apollo Sunshine
Uncle Earl
James Blood Ulmer
The National
The Little Ones
Ryan Shaw

Comedians:

Lewis Black & Friends
Dave Attell

Shit You Should Know...'Cause it's Good

Each week, we will pick two bands, groups or singer/songwriters that we think you should listen to simply because we are temporarily obsessed with them. You may like them, you may not. You may have no idea who they are or you may be tired of hearing about them. Either way, we like them, and it is our blog so we get to decide what goes on it.

The Format

I know Andy did a feature on these guys earlier, but I wanted to feature them in this weekly segment because I've been listening to them a lot recently. I recommend picking up their newest album, Dog Problems. It is full of great pop songs that will have you singing and dancing along in no time. I've seen this Arizona based group once (opening for Motion City Soundtrack) and have been hooked ever since. Also take the time to check out their website, it's tons of interactive fun.

The Format - "I'm Actual" (m4a)
The Format - "Oceans" (m4a)

Citizen Cope

Citizen Cope (aka Clarence Greenwood) is a talented singer/songwriter, guitarist, keyboardist and record producer that lives up in Brooklyn, NY. His songs couple highly political and social lyrics with great beats and infectious grooves. The song above, "Bullet and a Target" is on his earlier album, The Clarence Greenwood Recordings. His newest release, Every Waking Moment, is just as extraordinary, featuring the single "Back Together." Pick up both and check out his website.

Citizen Cope - "Bullet and a Target" (m4a)
Citizen Cope - "Back Together" (m4a)

Betcha didn't know this was a cover: Blinded By the Light

A young song writer named Bruce Springsteen sat on the his bed with a rhyming dictionary and wrote a song. This song was later to appear on his Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. This album was originally not well taken by the public. As folk lore recall, the lead singer to Manfred Mann (Chris Thompson) dreamed that he was Bruce Springsteen and had recorded Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. After having this dream he decided to pick a song off this album and record it. "Blinded by the Light" was the song that he choose. To this day "Blinded By the Light" is Bruce Springsteen's only #1 hit. This is mostly due to highly mis-heard lyric in the chorus. The chorus in Bruce's version goes "...like a deuce another runner in the night", compared to Manfred Mann's version which is commonly heard as "...like a douche another runner in the night". Now this common mis-heard lyric is believed to have rocketed this song to number one.

It's True!! Ben is Coming!!!!

An article in today's Daily Tar Heel confirms the rumors and suspicion that much loved piano-man Ben Folds is coming back home (sort of) to play a show at UNC-Chapel Hill's Memorial Auditorium.

The ticket prices for students will be $22 (steeper than normal, but I'll easily pay it) and general admission is $35. Unfortunately, the article only said that tickets would be going on sale at the end of this month, and did not give an exact date. I'll be sure to post it when I find out the date.

Get ready to camp, and get ready for Ben!!!

Ben Folds - "Intro/One Angry Dwarf and 200 Solemn Faces" (m4a)
(Can you tell I'm excited?)

Music Video of the Day: "While My Guitar (Ukulele) Gently Weeps"

The extremely talented and very accomplished Jake Shimabukuro performs an amazing version of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" by The Beatles on ukulele. It's amazing how fast his fingers move and how talented this man is. Usually you see ukulele players just strumming along, but this guy is way beyond that.

This is even more impressive for me since I just got a ukulele and am trying to learn how to play it. At least now I have someone to idolize.

Arcade Fire US Tour Dates!

My new favorite group (yes, I am slightly behind the times), Arcade Fire have finally announced their US tour dates. Unfortunately, just like Say Anything, Arcade Fire is passing up the music mecca that is Chapel Hill. The closest they come is Asheville! Looks like there may be two road trips coming up this spring. I'm willing to make the sacrifice.

Here are the dates:
04/26 San Diego, CA - Spreckels Theatre
04/28 Indio, CA - Empire Polo Field (Coachella)
05/01 Atlanta, GA - Civic Center
05/02 Asheville, NC - Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
05/04 Washington, DC - DAR Constitution Hall
05/05 Philadelphia, PA - Tower Theatre
05/07 New York, NY - TBA
05/08 New York, NY - TBA
05/09 New York, NY - TBA
05/10 Boston, MA - Orpheum Theatre
05/12 Montreal, Quebec - Arena Maurice Richard
05/13 Montreal, Quebec - Arena Maurice Richard
05/15 Toronto, Ontario - Massey Hall
05/16 Toronto, Ontario - Massey Hall
05/18 Chicago, IL - Chicago Theatre
05/19 Chicago, IL - Chicago Theatre
05/20 Chicago, IL - Chicago Theatre
05/27 Portland, OR - Schnitzer Concert Hall
06/01 Berkeley, CA - Greek Theatre
06/02 Berkeley, CA - Greek Theatre

Check out this week's Monday Morning Playlist for a rocking track from Arcade Fire.

(photo from www.arcadefire.net)

Music Video of the Day: "Time After Time" - Stacy Ferguson

Does that name sound familiar? Take a look again at the video, then at the last name. Got it yet? That's right, before she became a Black Eyed Pea, created new adjectives for the world to use, and taught prepubescent girls everywhere how to misspell "tasty," F-to-the-E-R-G-the-I-the-E was a cute little girl singing Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time" for Kids Incorporated, a company that specializes in having young kids butcher classic songs.

I especially love the flashbacks and thought bubbles with the little boy (who looks like that asshole I hated in elementary school). Ah...young love.

YouTube: Let the Fans do the Work

Recently a lot of bands have been putting up contests on YouTube for their fans to make music videos for them. Honestly, this is lazy. Anyone can take a webcam and sing along to their favorite song (normally with teribble sound quality). Now this does help small up-and-coming bands get their name out and have some free publicity. I have seen some established bands try and do this, and no offense, but leave this to the younger crowd to do. Now one thing that Ima Robot did right was to have criteria from the video makers to follow. I think if you the fans a chance to make a video but make it a bit more challenging, Ima Robot required certain elements in their video. Not only does having these contests allow the fans to really get into the music, but it also gives a good deal of free publicity. All I ask is that artist use this responsibly.

That New iPod Commercial

I've been watching that new iPod commercial over the past week (you know, the one with the crazy kids dancing like they have epileptic seizures) and have been trying to figure out what band does the song. It sounds like Arctic Monkeys with a better dance groove.

After weeks of headaches and yelling "Who the hell are you?!?!?" at the TV, I finally found out that the song is "Flathead" by UK rockers The Fratellis. The song has been rocking my iPod ever since I found it, and I feel compelled to dance around like a crazy person as I walk around campus listening to it. Their full length album Costello Music will be released March 13.

Until then...
The Fratellis - "Flathead" (mp3)

The Grammys are Over...Let Us All Rejoice

*
The 49th annual Grammy Awards are officially in the books, and what have we learned from it? The Recording Academy has no idea what is going on in the music world. Case in point: The Dixie Chicks win Album of the Year. Not to say that the competition (Gnarls Barkley, John Mayer, RCHP, and JT) were any more deserving, but I barely even heard anything about the Chicks this year. They're album wasn't nearly as popular as Gnarls Barkley's, or even JT's for that matter. Maybe the Academy got scared of the Chicks and were finally "ready to make nice."

There were some fun parts to the Grammys. I really enjoyed Corrine Baily Rae, John Legend and John Mayer playing together; the Police reunion was decent (even though "Roxanne" lacked some energy and Sting seems to have lost his falsetto); and there was an Eagles tribute by Carrie Underwood and Rascal Flatts...wait...that was horrible. Other than that, we had James Blunt put us to sleep (probably the last time you'll hear his name), watched Christina Aguilera scream like a dying cow during one of her songs, saw JT doing his own version of Blair Witch Project, learned that it was God's supreme plan for Mary J. Blige to win some Grammys (finally!), and found out that Tony Bennett doesn't wait for blind people.

The only decent awards were the ones given out before the show even started. OK Go won for Best Short Form Music Video (proving that Andy's theory is correct), and Wolfmother won Best Hard Rock Performance for "Woman." Maybe the Academy hasn't completely lost it...oh wait...the Dixie Chicks were the big winners last night.

I had more fun watching and commenting on the Live-blog last night then actually watching the show (and I even got a shout-out from the guys at Stereogum**...moving up in the world).

Hope you all had fun, whether you watched the show, or did something much better with your 3.5 hours.

*Photo from NME.com
**You have to scroll about halfway down the comments to see what I said and how the guys at Stereogum responded, but it's well worth it!

The Format

The Format is a band from Arizona that is incredibly catchy and awesomely good. Their 2006 release Dog Problems is a pop-indie album to end all. I have heard about this band for a while and everyone who has told me about them, said that I would love them. And boy were they right. She Doesn't Get It, Dog Problem, The Compromise, and Time Bomb are four good examples why to buy this album.

Monday Morning Playlist

Each week we post five songs, old or new, that we hope will help you get through the work-week (or in our case, the school-week). Put them in your iPod (or mp3 player of choice) and press repeat. We promise that the weekend will come faster.

**The music posted on the MMP are a mixture of mp3 and m4a files (the one used by Apple and iTunes). If you don't have quicktime and iTunes, the m4a files may not play (sorry!). I'll be sure to list the file type by the song.**

This week's playlist's theme is...well it doesn't have one. These songs just put me in a good mood. That's reason enough, right?

Ben Folds - "Army (live)" (m4a)
Arcade Fire - "Rebellion (Lies)" (mp3)
Lily Allen - "Smile" (mp3)
Mae - "Someone Else's Arms" (mp3)
Jack Johnson - "Banana Pancakes" (m4a)

Music Video of the Day: "Stairway to Heaven"...on Sousaphone?

This may be unbelievably sacrilegious, but as a sousaphone player (yeah, I'm not afraid to admit I'm a band dork) and a Led Zeppelin fan I had to post this video. The sound quality is really bad and his tone isn't the best, but that's mostly because he is using multi-phonics (sounding two notes at the same time), which is incredibly hard to do. You'll notice the multi-phonics when he plays the two guitar parts. There are also videos of him doing other songs, like "Don't Bring Me Down,"
in which he uses the multi-phonics to play the main melody and the vocals at the same time.

You have to give the guy credit, he has some talent.

Ben Folds Back in Chapel Hill?!?

Too good to be true?? We sure hope not. According to his official website, the Winston-Salem native will be rocking out at UNC-Chapel Hill's Memorial Auditorium March, 28. We at the Bazaar are absolutely ecstatic about the possibility of a semi-homecoming show for Ben.

So far, the Memorial box office has no information on the show and the Carolina Performing Arts website also says nothing about the show. The box office worker told me that they should put an announcement in the Daily Tar Heel about the show and when tickets will go on sale.

You can bet that you'll see me camping out in front of the box office for those tickets. I don't think you realize how obsessed with him we are.

SXSW Announces Preliminary Lineup

SXSW has finally released a preliminary list of the acts that will grace the stages at this year's festival, which has prompted me to make three lists: bands that I am happy about, local groups getting national attention, and the weirdest band names (because we all know that little indie groups have the best band names in the world).

Happy About:
Annuals - Raleigh, NC
Bloc Party - London, UK
Cold War Kids - Fullerton, CA
Taylor Hicks - Birmingham, AL (haha...just kidding...I should make a WTF?!? category just for him)
Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers - Northampton, MA (one of the best bands that gets no love...)
Lily Allen - Hammersmith, UK
Jon McLaughlin - Anderson, IN
Mika - London, UK
Patty Hurst Shifter - Raleigh, NC

Local Groups (local meaning NC):
Alternative Champs - Charlotte, NC
Annuals - Raleigh, NC (we told you they were good)
Cities - Chapel Hill, NC
David Karston Daniels - Chapel Hill, NC
Elevator Action - Charlotte, NC
The Houstons - Charlotte, NC
Benji Hughes - Charlotte, NC
The Moaners - Chapel Hill, NC
The Mountain Goats - Chapel Hill, NC
Patty Hurst Shifter - Raleigh, NC
Reigning Sound - Asheville, NC
Dex Romweber Duo - Chapel Hill, NC
The Rosebuds - Raleigh, NC
The Sammies - Charlotte, NC
Alina Simone - Carrboro, NC
Toubab Krewe - Asheville, NC
Valient Thorr - Chapel Hill, NC
Weedeater - Wilmington, NC

Weirdest Band Names:
The Beasts of Bourbon - Melbourne, Australia (points for creativity)
Fatal Flying Guilloteens - Houston, TX (wow...scary mental image)
Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly - Southend, UK (kids, don't try this at home)
Holy Fuck - Toronto, ON (quickly followed by...)
Holy Shit! - Milwaukee, WI (extra points for the exclamation point)
I Can Lick Any Sonofabitch in the House - Portland, OR (please don't)
Lesbians on Ecstasy - Montreal, QC (sounds like a party!)
Les Breastfeeders - Montreal, QC (man those Canadians are weird...)
Menwhopause - New Delhi, India (those crazy Indians)
Mistress Stephanie and Her Melodic Cat - Austin, TX (she must not get out much...)
my!gay!husband! - Vancouver, BC (were all three really necessary?)
River City Rapists - Austin, TX (great way to get ladies at the show)
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - Springfield, MO (good to know)
Steaming Wolf Penis - Seattle, WA (wow...just wow)
Who's Your Favorite Son, God? - Sacramento, CA (is that rhetorical?)

Whew...that took a long time. If I missed something, sorry. There are hundreds of bands and my eyes got tired. Anyway, who wants to give us at the Bazaar a few hundred bucks to go see SXSW?? We'll write a really good review!!

OK Go

OK Go has become pretty popular in the past few months with their low-budget videos. A few years they put out an album and a video which weren't as well received by the public. I personally like "Get Over It" compared to the other songs that they have released. What these current videos show us is that high production cost isn't what sells CDs it's a good original idea.

Music Video of the Day: JT - "Dick in a Box"

Before you jump to conclusions (every time I say that I think of Office Space...) and say "We've seen this video so many times!!! It's so yesterday!!" please hear me out. There's a very good reason to make this today's Music Video of the Day.

In Justin Timberlake's Madison Square Garden concert last night, JT brought on a very special guest to close out his show.

Via People:

Though Timberlake kicked off a raucous set at 9 p.m. that had audience members including Donald and Melania Trump on their feet, the real fun started at 11:20, when an announcer appeared to introduce "a new band" that had "the most watched video on YouTube." He ended with, "Can [this concert] get any better than this? Hell yes it can!"

Then Samberg and Timberlake took the stage – in their Color Me Badd-style costumes and facial hair from the SNL sketch and, of course, presents attached below the belt. To wild cheering they sang "D--- in a Box," changing the holiday lyrics from "Christmas ... Hannukkah ... Kwanzaa" to "Valentine's Day ... Flag Day ... Kwanzaa."

I've got to wonder how the parents of the thousands of young, teenage girls felt about this display by the former 'NSync heartthrob. Either way, this is one of the very few things that JT has done in his career that I can stand to watch (the other being his part in Alpha Dog; he plays the pansy-ass gangster part really well).

Arctic Monkeys In-Store Preview

This is why I want to live in England. Apparently Alex Turner of the Arctic Monkeys was doing some clothes shopping at a store in Sheffield when one of the workers asked how the new album was going.

Quoted from NME News Vulture:

He said: "It's done... we've just recorded the B side for the next single. Do you want to hear it?" The guy is like "Yeah, is it ok if we stick it on the shop's system?" Alex says ok, and puts this track on.

The song, which the assistant-manager believes is called "Satisfaction," is:

mellower than a lot of the stuff on the first album, similar in style to stuff from 'Who the Fuck...’" - particularly the funky bits of the title track - but it's obviously them from the first time you hear Alex's voice come in."

I wish stuff like that happened over here. Oh well, I guess we'll just have to wait a few months to get the new album. Until then, I guess I'll pull out my copy of Whatever People Say I am... and put on my dancing shoes.

Pans for Punk

Punk has always covered classic songs from the past, but a North Carolina native Tracy Thornton has taken classic Ramones song and has rearranged them for Steel Drums and percussion. He has a CD out with 14 Ramones covers. His website offers several songs that can be streamed on it. Check out http://www.panforpunks.com/ for more info.

Myspace is Yourspace: Chuck Folds

Every once in a while, we at the Noise Bazaar will take the time to sift through the crap on Myspace and find something that is actually worth hearing.

A few months ago when my dad told me he saw Ben Folds' little brother playing in a band in Wilson, NC, I couldn't help but laugh and ask "Are you sure?" My dad owns thousands of CDs and LPs, and is at least a minor Ben Folds fan (he even has Naked Baby Photos...though I'm not sure if he listens to it), so it's not that I doubted his ability to recognize Folds' brother, I just found it hard to believe that the little brother of Ben Folds, one of the most talented musicians I've ever heard, would be playing in Wilson.

Sure enough, today I found out about a little band called Chuck Folds Five. Chuck Folds Five is a three-piece band whose name is, as stated on their Myspace page, Chuck Folds "making a bit of a stab at himself for being the lesser talented younger brother of a critically acclaimed, platinum selling, world touring singer/songwriter/musician." The music is actually very good, but that shouldn't be surprising with such a talented brother.

Chuck Folds is also in a group called Rubberband that plays events and parties all over NC.

Here is the link to Chuck Folds Five's Myspace page.

Please Enjoy.

Music Video of the Day: Lily Allen's "Alfie"

I have a confession: I am obsessed with Lily Allen. Her cute British accent infectious and her music is so damn catchy catchy that I can't help but play this video over and over. She is also a babe (schwing!).
Her new single, "Smile," is already on MTV (if you happen to catch the channel when it remembers what "MTV" means). This is a video for her song "Alfie," which has a bad ass groove and a puppet that plays the part of her pot-smoking, porn-reading little brother, Alfie.

If you like this, check out her video for "LDN."

Prince's Guitar A Phallic Symbol?

According to NME.com, some bloggers and critics are complaining that Prince used his guitar as a phallic symbol during his Super Bowl half-time performance.

Quoted from NME:

Now, several people are alleging that the shadow cast by Prince and his guitar, which was projected onto a beige sheet during his performance of 'Purple Rain', had distinct phallic connotations.

It was "a rude-looking shadow show" that was "embarrassingly rude, crude and unfortunately placed," said Daily News television critic David Bianculli.

Ever since Janet Jackson's infamous "wardrobe malfunction," the FCC and tons of critics scrutinize every little thing about the Super Bowl half-time performance. This is taking it way too far. The guitar is inherently a phallic symbol. It has a long neck...you move you're hand up and down the neck...the guitar usually rests on the hip or pelvic region. Has it gotten to the point that we're not going to be able to have guitar solos during the half-time show?

Deadsy

What would happen if Cher and Greg Allman had a love child? They would create one of the most interesting goth metal bands ever. Elijah Blue Allman, son of both Cher and Greg Allman, is the lead singer and creative force behind the band Deadsy. Deadsy has been around for about ten years and have two albums. The synth and drop-d driven sound is similar to Orgy. "The Key to Gramercy Park" and "She Likes Big Words" are worthy of a play. At least check out their cover songs "Tom Sawyer" (by Rush) and "Paint it Black" (by The Rolling Stones).

Music Video of the Day: "Love Shack" - The Family Version

While browsing around YouTube yesterday, I suddenly felt the need to hear B52s "Love Shack" (don't ask). So I popped into the search box and finally found the video. While dancing like a maniac, I looked at the "Related" videos section and found this little gem.

I can't help but to feel bad for these kids. If they only knew that Dad (or Mom...but probably Dad) was going to post this on YouTube for the whole world to see. I know that they'll be proud of this in about 5 years. Thanks, Dad.

If you need a B52s fix like I did, here's the link to the original "Love Shack" video.

Vote for Spin's Artist of the Year

Spin.com is holding a tournament to decide "Artist of the Year" based on fan voting. It's in the first round now and there are only 48 hours left to vote. There are 4 divisions or categories with 4 match-ups each that divide the bands: Underground, International, Indie, All Ages.

I don't want to sway your vote entirely (that's a lie), but if you simply don't care, put down a vote for The Hush Sound in the "All Ages" category and Silversun Pickups in the "Indie" division.

This is one of your last chances to vote in the first round, so even if you don't agree with me, cast your vote for Artist of the Year here.

If you need convincing about my picks, check out the Silversun Pickups post below, and check out this sweet video by The Hush Sound.

The Hold Steady

The Hold Steady is balls-to-the-wall five piece band from Brooklyn. They show obvious influence from Elvis Costello and Warren Zevon to The Dropkick Murphies. Craig Finn's unique style of rambling and singing couped with the bands great musicality creates a fun and refreshing style of rock that is almost unheard of today. With three albums to their name already, there is a serious amount of music to keep you interested. "Stuck Between Stations" is worth a serious listen and if you are more interested check out "Chips Ahoy".

Say Anything Spring Tour

Say Anything announced on their official website that they will be doing a nationwide tour this spring co-headlining with Saves the Day. The Almost, John Ralston, The Dear Hunter, and Manchester Orchestra will also make appearances on the tour. Unfortunately for me, the closest they come to good ole' Chapel Hill is Charlotte. Road trip, anyone?

Tour Dates:

Apr. 10: San Diego, CA @ SOMA
Apr. 11: Tempe, AZ @ Marquee Theatre
Apr. 12: Hollywood, CA @ House of Blues
Apr. 13: Hollywood, CA @ House of Blues
Apr. 16: Portland, OR @ Roseland Theatre
Apr. 17: Seattle, WA @ Neumos
Apr. 19: Salt Lake City, UT @ In The Venue
Apr. 20: Englewood, CO @ Gothic Theatre
Apr. 21: Kansas City, MO @ Beaumont Club
Apr. 23: Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue
Apr. 25: Chicago, IL @ House of Blues
Apr. 26: Chicago, IL @ Metro
Apr. 27: Pontiac, MI @ Clutch Cargo
Apr. 28: Covington, KY @ Madison Theatre
Apr. 29: Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues
May 1: Hartford, CT @ Webster Theatre
May 2: Philadelphia, PA @ Electric Factory
May 3: Boston, MA @ Avalon Ballroom
May 4: Norfolk, VA @ The Norva
May 6: Baltimore, MD @ Rams Head Live
May 8: Charlotte, NC @ Tremont Music Hall
May 9: Myrtle Beach, SC @ House of Blues
May 10: Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade
May 11: Orlando, FL @ House of Blues
May 13: St. Petersburg, FL @ Jannus Landing
May 15: Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live
May 17: Austin, TX @ Stubbs

Music Video of the Day: R.E.M. on Sesame Street

I couldn't resist posting this wonderful video as the "Music Video of the Day." This is an exciting adaption of "Shiny Happy People" entitled "Furry Happy Monsters." I bet Michael Stipe regrets doing this even more than writing the original song (and that's saying a lot). I really like the puppet singing Kate Pierson's (of the B-52s) vocal part. I wonder why she didn't jump at the opportunity to perform the song on the show.

My favorite line of the recording: "Come on monsters, you don't have to cry. We can be happy!!!"

Please enjoy.

The Beatles + Apple Inc...Friends at Last!

According to NME, Apple computers and the Beatles Apple Corps have reached an agreement over the dispute about the name and logo that has lasted for 25 years.

Quoted from NME:

Apple Inc will now take control of the brand name, but will licence specific individual trademarks back to Apple Corps.

Terms of the agreement are currently confidential, but it is possible that the deal may mean The Beatles' music can finally be made available on Apple's iTunes Music Store.

Does this mean that we'll finally be able to get Sgt. Pepper on iTunes?? We can hardly wait... (Sarcasm doesn't translate well in print.)

Arctic Monkeys New Release!!

The awesomely young British rock group Arctic Monkeys has announced the release date for its second full length album. The album, titled Favourite Worst Nightmare, will be in stores Monday, April 23 according to their official website. We can only hope to hear more bad-ass tales of late-night partying, picking up girls and screwing with the cops. Ah...to be young and British.

The track listing is as follows: "Brainstorm"/"Teddy Picker"/"D is for Dangerous"/"Balaclava"/"Fluorescent Adolescent"/"Only Ones Who Know"/"Do Me a Favour"/"This House is a Circus"/"If You Were There, Beware"/"The Bad Thing"/"Old Yellow Bricks"/"505"

The first single, "Brainstorm," will begin circulating Monday, April 16.

Shit You Should Know...'Cause We Like It

Since this is the first installment of "Shit You Should Know..." we at The Noise Bazaar will take the time to explain it. Each week (or something like that), we will pick two bands, groups or singer/songwriters that we think you should listen to simply because we are temporarily obsessed with them. You may like them, you may not. You may have no idea who they are or you may be tired of hearing about them. Either way, we like them, and it is our blog so we get to decide what goes on it.

On to the music.

Silversun Pickups


Silversun Pickups is a quartet out of L.A. whose debut full-length album, Carnavas, is quickly taking over the indie rock scene and making noise nationally. They play simple passionate songs that grab the listener and force them to pay attention. If you haven't heard of them already, I'm sure you will be soon. Actually, I guess if you're reading this, you already have. Link


Annuals



Annuals is a great little indie rock band from the Raleigh, NC area. Their unique sound ranges from sweet acoustic melodies to experimental electronic compositions. Despite stylistic differences, the songs are polished and gripping. This little group might be the next big thing. They're currently touring across the U.S. and will soon be making a trip across the pond. Link