Fillmore Jive | Duluth Music, Politics and Ramblings

Myself and my co-worker are both presently surfing the internet while at work. I think that we both have serious problems. I did, however, just whoop someone's ass 401-312 in Scrabble. Boy do I feel good.

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James | 6/30/2004 04:46:00 PM

Light the Burnt Match and Stick A Flag On It

I've just procured a wireless notebook card that will allow me to do computer work from my newly stained deck. Wey hey.

The room in my house where I rest my head is in the attic where the summertime temps prevent me from enjoying myself too much.

I think that for the 4th of July (since I've got the day off and all) I'm going to have a BBQ. I think that it'll start around 4 or 5pm, so anyone who's in the mood to party feel free to stop by:

305 W. Maryland St.

It's right off of Carver by UMD.

Email me if you'd like specific directions.

Oh, and by the way, I'll be providing the booze.

Time to mow the lawn.

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James | 6/30/2004 11:32:00 AM

Tuesday, June 29, 2004

I Got Low Last Night

Pizza Luce was a good time as always. I need to hook up more of those Happy Hour gigs for the summer. Even though the turnout was less than I expected, a couple of good friends showed up and we turned that mutha out.

Afterwards, I was privy to an advance screening of the Low doumentary by Marc Gartner that accompanies the boxset that will be available next week [ed: Did I say week? I meant month... sorry]. I think that the documentary did a really good job of capturing the spirit of the band (babycore) on the road and just hanging out in Duluth. One Mr. Starfire got tons of face time (probably due to his nanny role) as did the Duluth airport, parts of the Hillside and many of other places along the way.

Regrettably the hour and my level of drunkeness prevented me from watching the Making of Trust, but we did check out some of Low's amazingly awful videos. I mean, really, the ones I saw were pretty bad--just cheesy really. Even the one for "Canada" shot right in front of the DECC that ends at the NorShor made me cringe.

One the other hand, the packaging is really simple, yet striking; a white box--large enough to fit four cds and a booklet--with two baby blue vertical stripes running along both sides and the word Low (boxset might be in there too or ten years or something) in the middle. I believe the concept was executed by the marvelous folks at Aesthetic Apparatus who've also designed a brand spanking new 'zine that I'm going to try to write for titled Ladies and Gentlemen.

That's all for now. The basketball court beckons.

Playlist:
The Plastic Constellations-Mazatlan (cd)
Morrissey-You Are The Quarry (cd)
The Streets-A Grand Don't Come For Free (2xlp)
Black Eyes-Cough (lp)

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James | 6/29/2004 10:06:00 AM

Monday, June 28, 2004

Pizza Luce--Tonight!

It's a little late, but I'll be DJ'ing at Pizza Luce again this evening. I think that this will be my last DJ stint for a while (unless I'm on the schedule in July) so come on out. It's a beautiful day so I've decided that I'm not showing up until about 5 since that seems to be when people actually start to file in. Come, drink, listen, engage in meaningful discussions with like-minded folks!

DJ Disturbance
Pizza Luce
Tonight!
5-9

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James | 6/28/2004 10:16:00 AM

Friday, June 25, 2004

Caucasian

I'm now done with work, drinking a caucasian and wondering to myself how the Bloodstool show is going at The MAC. I also happen to be listening to the--quite good I must say--new Morrissey album. "The World Is Full of Crashing Bores" is my favorite right now for its incredibly witty, caustic lyrics (for more check out The Streets new one--fucking incredible!) and of course that voice.

I spent a good four hours or so sorting through shit and cleaning out my room this afternoon before work. When I was done I felt like it was time completely wasted. I wish I could exist as one of those pack rats who doesn't give a shit and just lets junk accumulate where it may, but alas, I cannot. So, every once in a while I do some serious cleaning; funny thing is that I didn't even touch the other half of my room. Oh well.

I've really got to start posting musings of more substance. Hang in there kids.

Playlist:
Morrissey-You Are the Quarry (CD)
The Streets-A Grand Don't Come For Free (lp)
Preston School of Industy-Monsoon

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James | 6/25/2004 09:35:00 PM

Thursday, June 24, 2004

Perfect Sound Radio

My own little internet radio station is only days from completion. I've had this idea floating around in my head for some time now and it feels good to know that soon it'll be going. I've set up a temporary website you can take a look at: www.perfectsoundradio.com

Please feel free to give me any suggestions that you have. Shortly we'll be posting a schedule of when we will be broadcasting and (hopefully from time to time) from where. I think that this will be a very cool thing. Anyone who would like to help out in any way, shape or form (that means playing tunes, web design, whatever!) is more than free to email me.

Time to put a second coat of stain on my deck. Damn it looks nice!

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James | 6/24/2004 11:13:00 AM

Tuesday, June 22, 2004

It's Been A While

The last couple of days have been so beautiful that I've sucessfully resisted spending long stretches of time at my computer. However, the last couple of days have also been so eventful that I cannot help but recount them to you loyal blog readers. So, now that it's relatively shitty out, here's a recap:

Saturday evening was a very strange, yet beautiful evening. I was guilted into going down to the tents on Canal Park after work at the liquor store to find a couple of friends who'd run in the marathon. I figured that since I'd stayed away for a couple of years that my experience would somehow be that much better-it was not.

We had to wait in line while the wind blew us around for near to fifteen minutes, were forced to pay $7 just to get in, then $3.50 for each Miller Beer product we chose to consume thereafter. This I could deal with, the people who surrounded me on all sides, however, I could not. They were either rude, drunk or in most cases both. I lost the people that I'd ventured down to the tents with five minutes into the experience. After haphazzardly wandering into the music tent (where I cringed as GB Leighton covered "Purple Rain"), I was consumed by a very large traffic jam of people. I spent the next ten minutes trying to escape from this purgatory of hair care products and cologne to mostly no avail. In the process I was kneed in the thigh by some woman who though I was getting too close to her. Apparantly she couldn't comprehend that I was no longer in control of where I was going due to the mob of people pushing me (and everyone else) from the front, rear and both sides.

Eventually I escaped the music tent relatively unscathed and met up with two of the friends that I'd gone down there to meet in the first place. We decided to get the fuck out of there as quickly as humanly possible and head to RT Quinlan's.

RT's was a very good time, very much the opposite of everything going on in Canal Park. I guess I shouldn't say opposite--because there were quite a few very intoxicated people (myself included) at RT's-- but the attitude was just so much more inviting and less hostile that I mentioned it to just about anyone that would listen.

I suppose it would also be relevant to note that I began drinking a 1/2 pint bottle of Hennesey Cognac sometime after work. I mentioned to my companions shortly before entering RT's that whenever I do this I get out of hand and usually act like a complete fool, but that tonight I really didn't care. Well, I think that I suceeded in acting like a total ass, but I had a really good time:

hulahooping, getting my face painted, falling down on the dancefloor, taking pictures, talking about cockrings with a friend who was having her bachelorette party that night, offering people pulls off of my bottle of Hennesey and then telling them that congnac is the best liquor in the world (it is!), dancing with the devil and eating his cornbread and on and on.

I've seen quite a few Black-eyed Snakes shows and even though my senses were impaired beyond normal functioning, they just didn't have it Saturday. I think the reason is that Smokin' Brad was missing. I'm not sure what the deal was, but Hans Johnson was filling in. Hans can bang the skins, don't get me wrong, but I think anyone who's seen the
'Snakes quite often would agree that Brad really drives the band with his primal beats and thunderous rolls. It also seemed that Chicken Bone George wasn't really into it for whatever reason. Actually, I thought the guy seemed a little pissed off to be honest, but whatever.

Sunday was such a beautiful day that I spent it inside watching the US Open. Pretty bad I know, but I needed to cheer Mickelson on and unfortunetely he broke my heart with a double bogey on 17. Still, I suppose a second in the Open isn't horrible, but Lefty blew it pure and simple.

I'd also planned on repotting all of my plants, but then I took a nap and was awakened by my friend Ben. Ben lives in Athens, GA and drove all the way up here with his wife for Father's Day. We made some plans to go out later that evening and catch up on what we been up to in our lives since last we spoke.

Long story short, we ended up shooting some pool at the Reef. I guess the South is a pretty fucked up place. Ben owns a chicken wing place right near the U of Georgia with his brother that just finally got running a couple of months ago. They started building it a while ago, but I guess it took twice as long as the constuction people told them because that's the way things work down South.

"If they say it'll be done in two months," Ben told me "you better plan on four months. I could be a millionaire if I just started a company down there and did what I said I was going to."

I've heard this about the South, that people just aren't in a rush to get anything done. Or, as Ben puts it, they're lazy as hell. Ben also told me a bunch of stories of just people that he's worked with who are just crazy. One girl told him that in school she learned that the South had won the war and that it took her about six months to figure out that they didn't. I want to know what in the fuck that entailed. Like, how do you teach someone that the South won the Civil War, but twist the fact that there is no CSA? I want to get my hands on that textbook.

The Reef closed at 1am so Ben and I decided to head on over to Luce for last call. I'm not really sure why we went there, as I ran into a bunch of people I didn't really want to see, but everything worked out well. Ben kind of hit me with the "Steph's pregnant" bombshell after we'd downed two shots of Tuaca. I congratulated him and understood now why the whole "I don't think I could raise a kid in the South" conversation had popped up earlier.

Before we left I ended up defending my Homegrown recap in the Reader to a friend in the Dirty 30 who I hadn't really seen since. I'll still say: I enjoyed the music (a little Bearish, but with some redeeming Pixieish qualities), but could not stand their singer. When a band has a singer, that singer had better add something demonstrable to the group (good examples: Bob Pollard, Zack de la Rocha, Morrissey, MJ Keenan, Liam Gallagher) in terms of singing ability, charisma and stage presence or else he/she is merely a distraction. In the the Dirty 30's case, the guys was a distraction in the worst way because of the posturing and inability to sing really. Granted, Homegrown was their first show, so I'm going to give them another chance at the TPB this Saturday (and I think you should too!).

Ben and I ended up at my house BS'ing over another beer before calling it quits at about 3:30am. I'm happy that we had some time catch up and decided that I'm definetly going to have to make it down to Athens for a visit.

Monday-9:30am
I'm awakened by the telephone and, stumbling one way in search of it, nearly fall on back after realizing that the ringing is coming in the opposite direction. My conclusion: I'm still drunk. My second conclusion: I've forgotten I'm playing golf with my dad for a belated Father's Day.

I manage to sober myself up by 10:30 and we hit the links at Lester Park for 18 holes of Father/Son bonding time. The day begins quite well, but over the course of 18 holes it goes from sunny and warm to 30 miles per hour of wind and a little rain to sunny and warm to really windy to sunny and no wind to a little more rain to beautiful. Strange. I shoot a decent 90 to my dad's 82. I'm proud of the old man because it's his best round of the season. Being that it's only my third round, I'm pretty satisfied with the 90, but know that I could have done much better.

After golfing I treated the old man to lunch at Blackwoods. Turkey Rueben for me and a Buffalo Chicken sandwich for him. They hit the spot for us both.

Later that night I roamed over to my buddy Jason's house for a couple of beers, some Cheap Trick on the hi-fi, and reminisicing on the Prince show. Around 7:30 we both headed down to the MAC to check out Davy from Found Magazine:

thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou!

I laughed so hard and had such a good time that I can hardly believe it now. Events like this give me hope that I've chosen correctly in calling Duluth my home. Davy's stories, and those of the locals, were so humorous and filled with life that you couldn't help but feel inspired. I wasn't expecting so many explicit stories (and I wonder how Al Sparhawk, that woman in the purple dress and their children felt about that come to think of it) but goddamn were they funny. I picked up a Found #1 and a 7" afterwards to support Davy in his cross-country endeavors. I wish him the best of luck and want to thank Starfire, he of exquisite moral (not to mention cultural) clarity, for making this happen.

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James | 6/22/2004 10:39:00 AM

Saturday, June 19, 2004

Grandmammy's

The only time that I can remember getting really excited about Grandma's Marathon was the year I turned 21. You see, many of us Duluth kids who grew up drinking had heard many a debauched tale that started somewhere in the vicinity of Grandma's fabled tents and ended either on the beach, a hotel room, or a downtown alley.

With those visions dancing around my head, I jumped full force into the tent experience my 21st and 22nd years only to find them mind numbingly dull. First, there are just waaay more people--most of them fall down drunk--than I care to see on any given night. Usuall you end up running into at least two or three people that either vaguely know you and want to "catch up" or people who are so drunk they think they know you and want to talk your ear off. No thanks. Second, the music always sucks (GB Leighton has played something like 8 years in a row) and I get really sick of people telling me how this band or that band "Just ROCKS!" Snobby or elitist you say? Nope, it's just the truth.

I came to realize that the tents are really just a larger scale version of the keggers I used to go to in high school--only its the Palucci's making all the money this time--and I'm a long way from high school.

Last night's show at the NorShor was great. I only caught Swiss Army and Words to a Film Score, but both bands played well despite some mic problems. I had a good time hanging out with--at various times--most of the people I care to talk to in town as well. There was a decent turn-out which was encouraging because I've got a sneaking suspicion that the NorShor isn't doing so hot. One theory that I've got is the shitty in-house concert posters they put up. I talked to PaulIII about this one and he agreed that those things are just absolute crap. I'm no graphic designer, but am convinved that a couple of hours in front of Adobe Illustrator and I could come up with something better.

However, that's not the real problem that the "new" NorShor has. The problem is that they've managed to alienate all the people that used to frequent the place on a regular basis to get a drink and shoot the shit with like minded folk by sterilizing the place. The problem that the old NorShor had wasn't its constituents, but rather it's shoddy management. Unfortunetely, while some of those loyal constituents seemed only too eager to exploit those shortcomings, the blame has to lie directly with those running the show. I don't see why you couldn't keep the same feel, but just run a tighter ship?

Regardless, I still enjoy going to the 'Shor for the odd show every now and again. Especially after last nights semi-drunken spelunking expedition through the vast nether regions of the NorShor's upper catacombs that myself, PaulIII, Brian, Steve, and Sean undertook.

I've heard stories of this place, but until you've been there with a buzz and only one flashlight...well, it's something interesting boy. You can tell that people frequent the place because of teh empty beer bottles and cig butts everywhere. I really wish that I had a camera because there's a window about twenty feet above the casino facing towards the Lift Bridge that would make an incredible picture. I've made a deal with myself to go back there in the near future and get that picture.

I've got to go to cheer my friend on in her marathoning...

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James | 6/19/2004 08:47:00 AM

Friday, June 18, 2004

Go To This Show!

Swiss Army, Plastic Constellations, Fair-weather Friend, Words to a Film Score
(not necessarily in that order!)

Tonight!!!!

9pm

NorShor Theater

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James | 6/18/2004 01:37:00 PM

My Name Is Prince

What an entertainer. I was going to post my concert experience last night, but I was a little too buzzed to write anything of substance. Plus I didn't want to leave anything out.

The Xcel Center was packed Wednesday night for Prince's first really big show in his hometown in a while. The anticipation ran thick throughout the joint as the light dimmed and a video compilation ran on the four huge screens attached to the sound rig in the middle of the arena. My only complaint was that Alicia Keys sickeningly contrived speech from Prince's Rock and Roll HOF induction was the centerpiece of the montage. I can see why Keys' fawning soliloquy would so enchant the Purple One, but I could barely go through the experience of Keys' smug little smiles again. Whatever.

To the delight of the packed house Prince began the show with "Musicology" from his new album and segued that into the "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today..." from "Let's Go Crazy." After tearing his Tele apart on the closing solo, Prince finally addressed the crowd:

(applause)
"Y'all act like you know me or something?"
(applause)
"Y'all been waiting on this one haven't you?"
(applause)
"Y'all don't know, but I've been too."
(rapturous applause)

From there Prince ran through a funk-filled set like a man on a mission, changing clothes twice (the second change giving saxophonist Maceo Parker a chance to work the crowd masterfully) and reappearing the third time for an unaccompanied solo set.

Beginning with an amazing "Little Red Corvette," a crowd participation fraught "Cream," and "Raspberry Beret," Prince managed to show his lighter side by asking the crowd between songs: "You remember this one from high school?" No one did, to which Prince responded: "You'll remember this one then." Yep, "Smoke on the Water."

As "Seven" closed out his acoustic set (with the full band joining him by the end), Prince ran through "Controversy" and "Sign O' the Times" before indulging his classic rock jones once again with a ten-minute cover of Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love." It was a puzzling choice that left you feeling as if Prince was declaring to the audience, "Robert Plant? Shit. Jimmy Page? Got him too." In all actuality it was probably more about the love than showing off--though Prince's unique tone and genius guitar chops were certainly indulged upon (to no one's complaint) heavily.

Elsewhere, Prince's horn section interspersed some strange and pleasant surprises throughout the 2 1/2 hour show: there was the horn hook from last summer's monster Beyonce hit "Crazy in Love," Outkast's "I Like the Way You Move," as well as bits of The Flinstone's and Sanford and Son television theme songs.

By the time Prince left the stage, everyone in the house knew he'd be back for an encore, though opinion was divided over whether he'd play "Nothing Compares 2 U" alongside "Purple Rain" or just the latter alone. After milking the crowd through chants of "Prince, Prince, Prince" and "We Want Prince! We Want Prince!" (that sounded oddly like "USA! USA!") the band finally reappeared and reminded anyone who'd forgotten why "Purple Rain" remains one of the all-time best songs ever written: it's an achingly tender song whose searing guitar solo and melancholy, pitch perfect sing-a-long end opens your chest and strikes directly at your still beating heart. With the entire audience singing the "Ooooh, Oooooh, ooooh, ooooh" outro over and over again, Prince asked if we'd keep it going a little bit longer. We did.

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James | 6/18/2004 12:54:00 PM

Tuesday, June 15, 2004

Perfect Duluth (Yester)Day

Yesterday was as close to a perfect day as I've had in a while. I wrote most of the morning and early afternoon, played some tunes down at Luce until 9, then watched a documentary on Jimmy Carter over at the girlfriend's house and fell asleep.

The Swiss Army story will be out on Thursday and hopefully I did them justice. Unfortunetely, I forgot my tape recorder so I wasn't able to use too many quotes, but all in all I think that the story came out well. We shall see (Steve?).

Anyway, go to their show on Friday at the NorShor.

Thanks to everyone who came to Luce last night; whether it was to hear the records or just drink I had a great time. I definitely want to do the Luce Happy Hour gig as much as possible. I ended up staying until 9 when Scott, the Luce owner, decided to switch gears into Dead Night. That was cool since I was a bit drunk and tired anyway. This time I'll spare you with a setlist because I don't feel like typing one out, suffice to say that I got a little 80's mini-set in there alongside more Oblivions, some Jesus Lizard, the Dirtbombs, the Stooges, GBV, Grandaddy, the Polyphonic Spree, the Swiss Army and Seed Math just for good measure.

My next outing will be at:
Pizza Luce
Monday, June 28
4-Whenever

I hope to see you there.

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James | 6/15/2004 10:55:00 AM

Monday, June 14, 2004

Photos

Where do most of you blogeratti host your photos? Will blogger do it for you for free? Is there a service that will do this. Please let me know because this one that I use only lets you have a certain amount of "views" per month for free and then you have to pay.

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James | 6/14/2004 11:07:00 AM

Yeah, Yeah, Yeah

So I'm listening to the Swiss Army's new CD and writing a story on them right now. However, surfing the net this morning I came upon this review, which certainly bodes well for the Plastic Constellations.

Coincidentally this story was supposed to be a Swiss Army/Plastic Constellations feature but things didn't work out. Both bands will join Fair-weather Friend and Words to a Film Score at the NorShor on Friday for a wonderfully indie-rocking night. If you're not there I you'd better have a really good excuse because this show is going to be amazing.

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James | 6/14/2004 09:23:00 AM

Sunday, June 13, 2004

Elo Kiddies

I'd posted a big recap of my exciting Friday night and for some reason it was erased. That's a real bummer because it recounted in great detail the drunken hippie guy with a big scar on his face harassing/head banging to Arson in Arcadia-a band of seventeen year-old kids from Virginia. Maybe if I get some motivation I'll put something up on how he: gave the guitarist (seventeen mind you) a shot; threw the suck my dick gesture to the band's moms; got a reach under from his chubby, overall clad girlfriend; headbutted one of the band's singers; and purportedly (according to PMCIII and Sam) received a blowjob from his girlfriend in the NorShor's alley. Oh wait...I just did.

Anyway, Saturday was a blast. We rolled into town just in time to catch a bite to eat and head to First Ave. The opening band, Manelectric were ok-you could tell that they were only called on a days notice-but I really wanted to hear Cobra Verde. I guess for some reason they just stopped showing up for the tour dates (according to Lori Barbero anyway).

Then the MC5 cam on and blew my mind. Another reason to call Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Guitarists of All-Time Poll a total piece of rubbish? Wayne Kramer was not on the list.

The band, tight as ever, pulled out the hits ("Kick Out the Jams", "Human Being Lawnmower", "Highschool") with Mark Arm (in incredible form) and Evan Dando (either fucked up or acting fucked up) on vox. Arm was intense; the consumate frontman belting out the songs and even leaping from the mainstage (pretty fucking dangerous in you ask me) and getting into it with us in the crowd. Dando? First off he looked like Liam Gallagher and pretty well acted like him on stage. You could kind of tell that Dando's the type of guy who can't stand to not have the spotlight on him. It still all made for a really kick ass rock show that I'm glad as hell I got dragged to.

Afterwards: beer and an interview with The Swiss Army over at Steve's house. You can all read more about it in the Reader on Thursday.

I'm going to fuck around Treehouse Records right now and try not to spend a ton of cash. Then I'm coming back to Duluth for:

Me Filling in on Drew Squared
9-11pm
KUMD

and

Pizza Luce
Monday, June 13
4-whenever they kick me out

Come and make me feel special.

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James | 6/13/2004 08:48:00 AM

Saturday, June 12, 2004

Scarface

Unfortunetely I just missed out on Portrait of a Drown Man last night at the 'Shor. Fortunetely however I did get to witness one of the more entertaining spectacles in recent memory.

Last night, after rushing to get out of work and picking my girlfriend up, we drove around the block looking for a parking space for the NorShor. At one point we drove through the alley where a couple would not move out of my Jeep's way. They looked pretty drunk and eventually moved, but that was only the beginning.

After paying the $3 cover and realizing that we've just missed Portrait of a Drown Man, Mindy and I seriously consider just heading down to Luce for The Muldoons. Mindy gets a beer though, so we stay for a while.

Arson in Arcadia, a band of 17 year-old kids from Virginia, MN begin to play thrash/screamo metal that actually not too bad. There is an obviously drunken, heavy set man with long blonde hair head banging along to them in the front row who at one point or another: headbutts one of the vocalists; tries to instigate a mosh pit with anyone in a ten-foot radius; buys the 17 year-old guitarist a shot (plus one for himself) that he initially refuses but eventually downs much to the chagrin of the drummer's mom; gives a suck my dick hand gesture to the three bandmembers mom's; nearly falls over numerous times and is eventually given a reach around by his equally drunk, overall clad girlfriend.

I find out later from PMCIII's girlfriend Sam that when they were loading equipment in they saw the couple performing oral sex on each other in the NorShor alley. I realize then that this is the same couple that I almost ran over with my Jeep and wonder if that was post or pre oral sex.

I'm taking off shortly to catch the MC5 and hopefully hook up with Steve and the other Swiss Army guys at his place. I realize that I have a friend who lives about three blocks from Steve so that really helps matters. Unfortunetely I will not be able to stay for Mclusky at the 7th St. on Sunday because I promised Drew from the Drew Squared show that I'd fill in for him this Sunday.

So...

Me
KUMD
Sunday, June 13
9-11pm

and

Monday, June 14
Pizza Luce
Happy Hour
4-whenever they kick me out

Hope to see you all there.

Oh shit...I almost forgot to get Sonic Youth/Le Tigre tickets. They go on sale today ya know! I just want to know why the fuck they're playing at The Quest? Maybe they've had some bad First Ave. experiences. Who knows?

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James | 6/12/2004 09:42:00 AM

Friday, June 11, 2004

Strange Night

I had a really great night playing poker at the Brewhouse, getting a bit buzzed, and having some good conversation. I ended up breaking even after losing the first three games to my buddy who pretty well ran the table the entire night. Thankfully someone brought his head down to earth. I always get extraordiairily competitive when I'm playing Texas Hold 'em, so losing those first few games really steamed me. Especially when my buddy wouldn't shut up about how he never loses money when he's playing Hold 'em.

After the Brewhouse closed down we went (I still do not know why) to the Tap Room for meat market night. It still amazes me that I used to go there almost every Thursday night about 4 years ago. I don't know what the hell I was thinking, but suppose that I was just really lonely...and looking to score. After milling about there last night, I know now why I never scored on any girls at the Tap Room: you either have to wear a gold chain around your neck and/or take steroids. Not really, but that's what I like to think anyway.

Regardless, I had a very strange encounter with a girl that I wen to college with. She approached me with the "I know you from somewhere line." I didn't have a clue. Then she proceeded to tell me where I went to high school, who I had for government class, that we were in Social Psychology (a class with 250 people in it), and my name. I got a little weirded out. I suppose I could understand if she knew me from a smaller class, but I had absolutely no clue how she knew my name, where I went to high school and who my government teacher was.

Bizzare.

Anyone looking for something to do tonight should head on down to the NorShor for this show:

Friday June 11th
Norshor Theatre - 211 e. Superior St. Duluth,MN 55802
9 pm | 18+ | $3
Monocle
Portrait of a Drowned Man
Arson in Arcadia

I'm am going to try my damdest to make it, but I've got to save my energy for the MC5 on Saturday and hopefully Mclusky on Sunday.

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James | 6/11/2004 11:06:00 AM

Wednesday, June 09, 2004

The Keep Aways-Triple Rock-May 22

Sonic Youth was on Leno tonight...strange but good.

I meant to post these pics quite a while ago but just forgot. Can you tell that they're from a video camera?

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James | 6/09/2004 10:38:00 PM

An Email I Received Today...

went a little something like this:

Wear Red on Fridays:
My name is Nadia Jensen and I have an idea for a quiet revolution.
Please take 5 minutes to read my email and then help if you can.

Here's some history behind this idea:
When Norway was occupied by Germany in 1940, Norwegian women began to
knit RED caps for children as a way of letting everyone know that they
did not like what was happening in their country, that they didn't like having their freedom taken away by the Nazis.

My great aunt, Karin Knudson Myrstad, was one of the women who knit red caps for her children and others. Similarly, in Denmark, women knit red-white-and blue caps (colors of the Allies) for the very same
reason.

The result was that whenever Norwegians and Danes left their homes to go to the store, to work, etc, they could see that THE MAJORITY opposed what was going on in their country. As you know, both countries organized effective Resistance efforts and changed history-everything that happened began simply by wearing red (or the colors
of the Allies, in Denmark!!!!

I believe, as many of us do, that at the very heart of our democracy isour right to oppose certain policies of our government. Increasingly,our Government is redefining "freedom" in ways that make too manyAmericans perceive that it is risky to oppose his policies -- and, in particular, current inroads about individual freedoms and policies in the U.S. and abroad.

However, many of us DO oppose what our government is doing to
individualrights--and I have an idea that will allow all of us to recognize each other very easily so we can see that WE ARE THE MAJORITY.

So... I have been thinking that it's time to take action in a way that
is effective and easy for all of us to do: Just wear red every Friday
between now and election day.

Wear a little or a lot--just be sure that when you leave your house to
go about your day (to work, to school, to the store, to the gas
station, wherever you go in your daily routine) that everyone who
sees you will see that you are wearing red because you believe in freedom andyou don't agree with our current administration's policies at home and abroad.

I'm really certain that we'll see that lots of us wearing red for
freedom -- because WE ARE THE MAJORITY. We just need a way to show eachother who we are!!! Between now and election day, ask everyone you know to wear red for "Freedom Fridays".

I have already spread the word to friends and have had a very
enthusiastic response. This email has been forwarded around the country by many who receive it - feel free to send in on to your friends and co-workers.
Nadia Jensen

Red? Wasn't that the color of the commies (irony alert: not to mention Ron and Nancy's favorite)? Anyhoo, I'll gladly wear red. You won't see me protesting on the corner of Lake and Superior and you can damn sure bet that I'll not talk to you if you're one of these people:

Them: "Bush Sucks!"
Me: "Why's that?"
Them: "He's just so dumb!"
Me: "Prove it."
Tehm: "Whatever."

But, I'm all for getting Bush out of office. Not only do I believe that he's an ineffectual leader, but he's also isolated us in the world community and made the world a more dangerous place to announce "I'm an American!". I sincerely hope that things work out in Iraq, but the fact of the matter was that we the American People were misled when reasons for this war were presented to us.

Playlist:
The New Year-The End Is Near(lp)
My Bloody Valentine-Ecstasy and Wine
Grandaddy/The Polyphonic Spree split 7"
Mission of Burma-ONoffON(cd)

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James | 6/09/2004 12:52:00 PM

Monday, June 07, 2004

Low

I've always numbered myself among the throng of local Low worshippers ever since I moved back to this town and saw them at Sacred Heart Church--a moment of musical ecstasy with few rivals in my book. So, it's kind of weird then to realize that I own only ONE of their albums--the vinyl only Murderer release. I know it sounds strange, but I feel like (and know really) that I've heard almost everything that they've done through one person or another. Now that I think about it though, I do have a burned copy of the oWl remix album, so that makes like, one and one half albums. Anyway, what prompted this rant was an article about Low's upcoming boxset over at Pitchfork that I just saw. It also reminded me of a post by PMCIII (it's the June 5th one) a couple of days ago where Al Sparhawk dropped off a poster to promote the boxset at the Fetus. Needless to say, I'm really excited due to the glut of visual material included in the collection.

Playlist:
WFMU Internet Stream

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James | 6/07/2004 08:59:00 AM

Friday, June 04, 2004

MC5

A friend of mine told me last night that he'd gone and got me a ticket to see the MC5 at First Ave. next Saturday. I've only really heard Kick Out the Jams, but I'm pretty excited nonetheless. Mark Arm from Mudhoney is going to be filling in on vox for the deceased Rob Tyner(I guess Mark Lanegan couldn't make it), but I'm not sure who's filling in for "Sonic" Smith yet.

Just for the record, that's the MC5 on Saturday and Prince the follwing Wednesday. I'd say that's a pretty kick ass week.

In case anyone was wondering, I'll be doing the Luce Happy Hour gig on the 14th and 28th of June (both Mondays) from 4 until whenever. In case anyone's wondering what you can expect, here's the playlist from Thursday in no particular order:

Neutral Milk Hotel-Two Headed Boy Pt. 2
Minutemen-Corona
Stevie Wonder-Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing
Black Sabbath-Into the Void
AC/DC-Let Me Put My Love Into You
KISS-Strutter
Iron Maiden-The Number of the Beast
Thin Lizzy-The Boys Are Back In Town
Motorhead-Jailbait
Van Halen-Hot For Teacher
The Smiths-Panic
Black Eyes-Cough, Cough/Eternal Life
Husker Du-Celebrated Summer
Turbonegro-Good Head
Joy Division-Ice Age
The Cure-M
Radiohead-Myxomatosis
Mission of Burma-That's When I Reach For My Revolver
The New Year-Newness Ends
The Shins-Caring is Creepy
The Beatles-Ticket To Ride
The Beach Boys-Wouldn't It Be Nice
David Bowie-Diamond Dogs
Pavement-Debris Slide
Prince-Delirious
Nirvana-Negative Creep
Dead Boys-All This and More
Cheap Trick-Elo Kiddies
Fugazi-Break
Wu Tang Clan-C.R.E.A.M.
NWA-Straight Outta Compton
Madvillian-All Caps
Rolling Stones-Rocks Off
The Warlocks-Cocaine Blues
The Replacements-I Will Dare
The Kinks-Nothin' In The World Can Stop Me Worryin' 'Bout That Girl
My Bloody Valentine-Don't Ask Why
Dr. Dre-Let Me Ride
Crew Jones-untitled (from split 3"cd w/I Am The Slow Dancing Umbrella)
The Rapture-House of Jealous Lovers
Oasis-Columbia
Oblivions-You Fucked Me Up, You Put Me Down
Sonic Youth-Death Valley '69
Deerhoof-Milk Man
Modest Mouse-Black Cadillacs
Preston School of Industry-Walk of a Girl
Badly Drawn Boy-A Minor Incident
Olivia Tremor Control-Hideaway
Pixies-Gouge Away (Live at Coachella Festival)
Mogwai-Rage:Man
Elliott Smith-Pictures of Me
The Wrens-Everyone Choose Sides
Public Enemy-Night of the Living Baseheads

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James | 6/04/2004 09:31:00 PM

The Good Times...

...ruled yesterday.

Pizza Luce was a ghost town until about 6 (probably due to the nice weather) when a bunch of people started showing up. I was only scheduled to spin until 7, but by the time I finally packed it in it was almost 9 and the bar was packed. I probably would have kept spinning until they told me to stop if it wasn't for the game of Scrabble awaiting me at Predicate Nominative's place. Thanks to the three or four people who came to see me and thanks to Pizza Luce for letting me do this. I've got two other dates scheduled this month on Mondays.

The rest of the night was spent listening to a bunch of music, playing games and talking intensely about a wide range of topics at the aforementioned blogger's place. Brian and Marisa are the consumate hosts. I couldn't imagine having a better time.

I left with borrowed copies of Sonic Youth's Experimental Jet Set, Beat Happening's You Turn Me On, and a gift: the Simple Minds' "Don't You (Forget About Me)" 45 from The Breakfast Club. I left a copy of the Pixies Coachella bootleg and my prized vinyl copy of GBV's Propeller.

Today I had great plans to do a lot of work, but accomplished very little of it. I will now go deliver liquor to the Hillside crazies. Goodbye.

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James | 6/04/2004 01:34:00 PM

Thursday, June 03, 2004

DJ Disturbance

Even though it's a really nice day out, if anyone's in the mood for a cocktail from, say...4-7 tonight I'd head down to Pizza Luce. DJ Disturbance will be spinning the best in metal, indie rock, noise and rap (yes, that's rap--not hip-hop). I know I'll be there.

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James | 6/03/2004 12:02:00 PM

Wednesday, June 02, 2004

Finally!

I had my doubts about this project ever getting completed, but thankfully it has happened. Now all that I've got left is to clean up. I'm a bit dismayed that I've got to work in an hour and spent the first nice day in a while indside painting, but whattayagonna do eh?

You want some pictures? You got it!

Painter Dad

A Messy Living Room

An Uninsulated Sun Room

Dad's Handyman

The Bathroom

40's and 50's Ads Plastered to the Bathroom Wall

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James | 6/02/2004 01:51:00 PM

Tuesday, June 01, 2004

Vandalism! 5.30.04

Here are the photos from the incident that occured at my house on Sunday. Pretty funny all in all since not all that much cleanup was involved.

A Terminal Case of Pink Balls (Twinky Phallus and Cooked Ground Beef)

Oh, Fields of Plastic Cutlery!

An Extreme Closeup

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James | 6/01/2004 09:56:00 PM

Seriously

Painting this house is consuming my fucking life. My dad was supposed to be here this morning with more paint and he's not here yet and I am getting really pissed. Mostly because I have to work at 4 and I'd really like to get this fucker done. I've got a ton of work that's backing up right now just so I can get this goddamn house painted.

Oh, and my pipes are still clogged so I haven't been able to shower here for over a week.

Oh, and the bastards at Kirby have had my vaccum cleaner for over a week now.

Oh, and my house got vandalized Sunday night. That's right, the Sunday night where it was rainy and shitty out. I'll post some pictures from the vandalism later this evening when I've got the time. Actually, it was more funny that anything else. I thought that shit got old once you got out of high school?

Playlist:
SM + Jicks-Pig Lib(cd)
Modest Mouse-Good News For People Who Like Bad News(cd)

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James | 6/01/2004 10:27:00 AM