Need something to do on February 6th? Are you a fan of indie rock? Folk music?
I think I can help you out.
Wisconsin’s The Daredevil Christoper Wright are making a stop at the Beachland Tavern on Feb. 6th. If you like your indie rock poppy and especially folky you should join them. If you can’t make it at least check out their MySpace page.
The Daredevil Christopher Wright CD Release Show Pt. 4 from Sleepy Sheep Productions on Vimeo.
Ok, so are you scratching your head? I was too when I first saw this.
Apparently people out there, very bored people I would imagine, came up with the idea that Andrew WK is involved in a brainwashing scheme of sorts. Basically some people out there find it hard to believe that someone can make it big with passion alone. These people have come to the conclusion that Andrew WK is part of a conspiracy or a victim of a huge spider’s web of corporate entertainment plots.
So wait, Andrew WK is a super spy? Now I got myself all confused.
Maybe it would be best to have Andrew WK himself talk about what nonsense is going on. The following came direct from his website:
Since 2001, I have been accused of being part of a conspiracy in which I knowingly entered into a contract with creative directors called Steev Mike, who proceeded to invent a new identity for me to perform under. I’m here to say this is simply not true and a gross exaggeration of easily explainable and common-place music industry practices. Of course I work with people who choose not to include their whole names or real names in the credits, or who aren’t on stage with me during my shows – but taking advice and guidance from other people doesn’t mean I’m a victim of mind-control. That’s like science fiction! Andrew W.K. is about partying and doing what you want! We want fun, and that really is what I am about.
These lies have unfortunately been with me since my career started – critics were saying I had to be a fake puppet for the record industry because I appeared over night. These simple untrue allegations have grown over the years to the point now where I have to defend myself. I have done many interviews and talks where I have explained the nature of how I got into music, and I admitted that I did work with people. But people have still taken what I said and tried to call me a liar and a fake. What alarms me most about these accusations is that they remind me of witch trials: The kind of people who accuse me of being a talking head for some secret conspiracy to corrupt people’s morals are the same people who claim MTV and Cartoon Network are owned by secret rulers of the world out to poison kid’s brains, or that pop stars like Beyonce or Lady Gaga are part of some occult society, or that companies like McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, or Hollywood are secretly promoting hidden plans. Or that the President of the USA is just a figure head and reading a script given to him by a secret world power. Come on!
We’re working in a business where there are different ends and different means. No one controlled Frank Sinatra or told him how to sing. No secret group of managers has been telling someone like Jay-Z what to do or how to look. And no one tells me what to do, except me and the people who believe in me. I am a real person who thinks for himself and am not the victim of anyone or group of people trying to influence my career or life. I take responsibility for everything in my life, including who I work for and what happens to me because of it. Just because a person has mentors or advisers doesn’t mean they don’t have their own brain and soul. And just because I work with other people who advise me doesn’t mean that I am a puppet for an evil cult or a have some sort of master plan. I make party music – plain and simple. In fact, it is me who is the innocent victim of a conspiracy of critics and haters who don’t believe in the power of music and pure true fun. It is us artists who are the victims. It’s crazy that still today, brand new artists like Lady Gaga have already been dealing with the same sort of paranoid allegations that I’ve has been dealing with since 2001. It just doesn’t stop! We are not puppets, we are human beings.
Musicians are not acting, we are real people. We are not part of a conspiracy! It’s really intense when people are telling you who you are, so I’m going to tell them who THEY are! On behalf of all musicians, the entertainment industry, and everyone else who’s ever been falsely accused, YOU ARE NOT HURTING US AND YOU ARE NOT STOPPING THIS. The party will continue! We will endure! It has become too common for musical artists and performers to be labeled as part of some global scam to control the world, or that we’re puppets for a larger agenda designed to hurt people. That’s why I’m speaking out and loudly declaring: I am not evil and neither are any of my other fellow members of showbusiness. We are here to bring fun and light into the world, not doubt and darkness. I have been accused of having people design my image, tell me what to say in interviews, design my clothes, the way I look and talk, and of course my music. It’s true I do work with people, but not to accomplish anything bad, just the basics that any person does in this business and with this opportunity to live out my dreams.
I have always admitted that I worked with people and I have confessed that time and time again, even if the critics twisted what I said. I did this hoping it would quiet people up and put an end to all the speculation and exaggeration. I was never an actor and the partnerships I made with friends, family, and the companies I’ve worked with have all been to promote entertainment, excitement, and fun – to give people something fun to focus on and to occupy our thoughts, instead of a bunch of fear or negativity.
I will always keep my focus where it matters most:
1) On being grateful for the incredible people who believe in the feeling I work to create
2) And on that magical feeling itself: BEING ALIVE!
Long live music and long live life. PARTY HARD!”
– Andrew W.K.
With all these questions and allegations going on Andrew WK has decided to set the record straight and hold a town hall meeting style conference at the Santos Party House in Manhattan, NY where he will answer all questions shot at him in regards to his career.
Is this a publicity stunt? That remains to be seen but I can tell you that Andrew WK is an artist and not a puppet as some of these bored folk out there think. For that I put this blog in “The Dumb” category.
Still though I wonder about this actual “Night Of Questions” seeing on how 02/23/2010 is the release date for Andrew WK’s lost third album Close Calls With Brick Walls as well as the rare and unreleased collection titled Mother Of Mankind.
This is hilarious…
London’s Scanners really can carry a gloomy mood in some of their tracks but without going overboard. The indie rock band has been around for a couple of years now and even if you have never heard of them are a pretty big deal – maybe not so much in the US but I have the feeling that will be changing in the upcoming months. If you were a fan of alt rock in the 90’s as well as have love for new wave this band might be up your alley.
Don’t be held off by this though if you were not a fan of either genre as the band also carries a great melodic talent heard throughout.
DOWNLOAD THIS! – Scanners – “Salvation”
Recently the video for “Salvation” was posted on YouTube it was produced by Steven Hague.
Philadelphia electronic jam band The Disco Biscuits (TDB) have always stood out to me as an original act since the day I was introduced to them. I have to admit I was not really into jam bands at the time they were brought to my attention, but thanks to a couple of jam band loving friends I was just intrigued with what I heard. They were indeed a jam band but their addition of electronics into the songs they played (also known as “trance-fusion” captured my attention fully and I was not the only one.
Over the years the band attracted a huge fan base and not only played all over he world from clubs to festivals but has also hosted their own festival known as Camp Bisco.
After my initial taste of TDB I remember immediately going out to pick up a couple of of their albums and even caught them live, twice at the Odeon (RIP) and once at Bonnaroo in 2006. For reasons unknown though I stopped listening to future releases by the band, that is, until now. Recently TDB released Planet Anthem an album that once again will be turning heads of many. This time around the band collaborated for the first time with other producers, songwriters, and musicians to push out a jam album full of indie rock, hip-hop, and electronical awesomeness. I can honestly say this as well – The Disco Biscuits have never sounded better.
Opening up the CD is “Loose Change” a song that was not speaking of extra quarters in your pockets. This song prepared me for the rest of the album with electronic heavy guitar playing and almost old school Daft Punk beats. “On Time” without a doubt will be making it’s way to the dance floors in 2010. This futuristic disco-ish song had me nodding my head in approval throughout. Comparable to something Dirty Vegas might have done this song had all of the elements to make the dance floor move and is best listened to at high volumes.
I felt as if I was listening to Radiohead when “Widgets” started playing especially when the shifting samples started. All I could think of was how similar it was to something that might be found on Kid A or Amnesiac yet the song held it’s own. I really enjoying the repetitious gentle singing that was implanted in my head throughout.
“You and I” was one of my favorite cuts on the album over the rest. Comparable to something The Faint might push out but with TDB flair, the song just overpowered the rest. Hearing this track confirmed that TDB tried something completely different and I must say, I approved.
The experimental jam of sorts “Konkrete” had a Middle Eastern feel techno feel to it. I just could not help but think of the Butthole Surfers during this track. Perhaps it was the monotone singing layered over the thumping bass and electronic noise. “Fish Out Of Water” shifted back to the older TDB I recalled with barely any electronics. WIth a catchy chorus and slick guitar playing the song was a fun jam to sit back and listen to.
The unsuspecting “Sweatbox” was like a Gorillaz meets Gnarls Barkley song on speed. This track was insanity at it’s finest with a mix of hip hop and rock and even some soul added in. I could not get enough of this track nor could I hardly believe TDB had something to do with it as it was completely out of their norm.
Following was “The City”, a more classic TDB singing style song mixed with indie rock. Think Kings Of Leon mixed with Phish…yes it is entirely possible. “Big Wrecking Ball” continued the indie rock feel sans the jam and made for a enjoyable song.
Being one of the first albums I have heard in 2010 I must say I was beyond impressed with what The Disco Biscuits dropped. They made a change in their sound on this album that took almost three years to complete and I personally think it is for the better. By doing so they have created a CD that will be attracting a lot of attention from new fans and old thanks to the array of genres mixed up in Planet Anthem.
DOWNLOAD THIS! – “On Time”
I just learned that Avenged Sevenfold‘s drummer James Owen Sullivan, aka The Rev, was found dead. He was only 28 years old.
He was a talented drummer. I was lucky enough to see him play live a handful of times and his drumming always impressed me. Shame to hear about this…
Direct from the band’s website:
It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we tell you of the passing today of Jimmy “The Rev” Sullivan. Jimmy was not only one of the world’s best drummers, but more importantly he was our best friend and brother. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Jimmy’s family and we hope that you will respect their privacy during this difficult time.
Jimmy you are forever in our hearts.
We love you.M Shadows, Synyster Gates, Zacky Vengeance and Johnny Christ
For more info visit FoxNews.com or Drummer World.