Random MySpace Music Reviews

Alrighty, I figured I was gonna do some random reviews of all the music you can find on MySpace. This first week, I decided to randomly pick artists based on influences. I set my search criteria for keywords, and then typed in Tones On Tail. One of my all time favorite bands, so I figured this was a good start. The second part of my search was going to be by friends, but then I remembered that anyone on MySpace could have thousands of friends, with out any of them really giving a shit. So, with this in mind, I decided to go by plays. At least this way I could think that someone was actually listening. Anyway, here we go.

The first band at the top of the list is Look What I Did. Haling from Nashville, Tennessee and listed under the genres of punk /experimental/ progressive. Unfortunately for me, since I’m basing this on their MySpace page, I didn’t get a lot of info on the band. Just names: Barry (vocals), Skeet (guitar), Ty (bass), Chris (guitar) and Jake (drums). That their musical influences are very diverse. They also play a hell of a lot. That saying, I checked out the blog to see what it said. Mostly videos, ways for fans to hear more from the band and a listing of some tours they’ve played. None I’ve heard of, but hey, touring is touring.

Their latest album is titled, “Minuteman for the Moment.” I have no idea when it came out, but it’s in stores now on Combat/Koch records and produced by Brian Virtue (Jane’s Addiction/Deftones). I was going to listen to the songs on the player, but they had the title track video on the page, so I decided to watch that first. Although I wasn’t really impressed with the video, the song was pretty good. Loud and up beat, with a shifting vocal style, and more punk then any of their other listed genre styles. To me, it brought back a mental image of Faith No More. I went back to the player and chose the song with least amount of plays. The title track had the most plays and I figured this would give me an initial balance between what the fans like.

“Shadowboxing To Stay Fit” had less the 2000 plays compared to Minuteman’s 120000. What was the reason for this? Well, it’s gotta be that it’s the newest song available. Cause it’s just as good as the other. My favorite was probably “the Soiree,” it reminded me of a local band from when I was a kid. Albeit, way harder. Way harder. Anyway, in the end, and trying to pick what kind of scale I’m going to grade these random reviews with, let’s give Look What I Did a… 74 out of a 100.

The next band on the list was The Start. Coming from my hometown of Los Angeles and listed under the genres of glam/indie/electronica. Now the Start MySpace page gave me a lot of info right from the start (no pun intended). Like when the band began, in1998 by Aimee Echo (vocals) and Jamie Miller (guitar/synths), where they’re coming from and where they’re going. Of course this band was much more my style and I was also left to wonder why I hadn’t heard of them before. The other thing I found out was that their 3rd album, “Ciao, Baby,” on Metropolis records, was engineered by and recorded at the home studio of one Brian Virtue. This guy seems to be getting around. I also found this to be incredibly ironic that two random bands I picked from MySpace had this connection. But I’m getting away from myself.

The first song I listened too was, “Blood On My Hands.” A very catchy and dance worthy track. I was singing along with it by the end and bouncing in my seat. I liked the way the music came together in this song right away. All the instrumentation is perfectly placed and played with a genuine, shall I say, grace. Aimee’s vocals are sweet and friendly. Not to mention the fact that she is absolutely gorgeous. All this makes for a truly easy listening experience. And this was just the first song. Next was “Ciao, Baby.” This song was a little bit slower, but again, the music called to me.

I also checked out one of the videos posted on the page. A montage of live footage that really makes you want to see this band play. The song, “All or Nothing,” was much more of a raw rock song. Making you see just what this band is capable of. Overall, I actually ended up making a friend request of the Start. This is a band I want to see live. This is a band I’m going to listen to more off. And finally, on the scale I’ve decided to use, I’m giving the Start a 93 out of 100. Why? Becaus I can.

I think I'm going to enjoy this.

End of the Week Friday Blues

It’s been too long, or too short, depending on your point of view, to decide what you’re gonna end up doing tonight. It’s the debate of the century and a little bit fickle. Top it off with a dash of skepticism, or delight, and you might just get the final answer. Is this a night to let loose with an over exuberant zeal? Or, is this a prime candidate for the stay at home and rest your way into the weekend? Sure, there are many reasons to choose one or the other.

So, let’s go over a few.
Ok. Over exuberant. This is usually the young, early 20’s, single crowd. Not to say there aren’t the older professional drinkers and barfly’s out there. I, myself, was rooted to many a barstool well into my 30’s. I’ve thrown back more then my fare share. I’ve walked into a bar and felt like I owned the place. I’ve been able to skip the line inside and run a tab that required no payment. We’ve all been there. We’ve all had those, “top of the world” moments. If you’re still there, this is a slam-dunk, don’t have to ask twice, what time are you going to pick me up, choice that’s already been made. Yeah, baby, good times. Good times.
On the other hand, there’s the let’s stay at home tonight, crowd. This group is usually, but not always, reserved for the couples and the “starting to feel a little bit older then you” type of person. This isn’t a bad bunch of people. They’re just usually the, been there, done that, ain’t nothing new to me, people. They’ve found someone to layback on the couch and watch a movie on the boob tube with. They’ve found out that there’s this great little Italian place that will deliver, rather quickly, just down the road. They’re also the same ones that have put said place on speed dial. They’ve become the Netflix and Tivo crowd. They are the ones, that 30 minutes after getting through the rush hour traffic and into their homes are dressed in the most casual of clothing, their pajamas.
Who ever they may be. These are not bad people. And they are not to be held to these rules. For, like riding a bike, just because it’s been a while, doesn’t mean they don’t know how. When the time arises, they can conjure up that part of them that will show a youngster how it’s done. Times change. People move on. The beer bar you hit at 21 just isn’t the same at 31. Throwin’ back a 12 pack with friends has been replaced with cocktails and conversation. Serious conversation.
So, what are you doing tonight?
Is your mind already made up?
Are you hitting the shower to be ready on time for your ride?
Are your PJ’s still warm, even though you took them off about 9 hours ago?
Maybe you’ve already checked the mailbox for that red Netflix envelope. Hit your speed dial.
Who knows, who am I to say? I haven’t even decided what I’m doing tonight.

Greetings family, friends and followers, this is the Last Pub and Monkey Cage. Coming to you live from the last base beyond the rings of Saturn. Io would have been a much better choice for this time of year, but I have grown accustom to the way Saturn looks while silhouetted by the Sun.

Speaking of which, I’d like to give my best wishes and regards to all. I’ve missed so many of you. I’ve missed so much. Life beckons us on a twisting and winding road. Not that straight and narrow one so many of us confuse as the path of life. Just that simple every day road that has come to keep me away from some of the people I love most. It would seem as if I’m gone and sometimes I even feel forgotten. I am not. I am here in the same place I’ve always been, just waiting for everyone to find me again.

I continue to come up short and I continue to come up last. While others flourish, in a mixture of celebratory, self-congratulating, false sense of accomplishment, brought on by feeling superior to both you and me. I keep thinking of the The The song, “This is the Day,” where in the chorus you can hear, “this is the day, your life will surely change. This is the day, when things fall into place.” All this does is make me think otherwise, maybe I am the one coming in first while the rest of the world tries to catch up. Falling behind and getting that last look at my back as I move on and pull away. Alas, this cannot always be true, no matter how much I wish or pray. Such is the reason for my belief that the true road of life is so filled with twists, turns, bumps and dips.

The last rule of the Dying Breed begins, “Finally, we have gathered to learn that the longer you live, the more you forget.” This could have been a monumental case of true learning, if only they were not known as the Dying Breed. This truth-seeking sect tried to build a list of rules for life. They tried to bring us all closer in a Utopian way to live longer, fuller, richer lives. Of course, they weren’t always known as the Dying Breed. That title fell on them as they slowly died off. Each one trying to add on to a list of rules no one was ever going to live by. I’m sure the last one looked back on the life of their people, contemplated this list of rules that was supposed to bring us all together and realized he couldn't remember most of the list. This probably brought on his own epiphany as he wrote down the last rule. Generations to come will have to make the choice of whether or not these rules shall be filed into history as a true way to live. Or, to end up as, just another foot note.

My final thoughts of this message are to be sent out the friends and loved ones I wish were with me now. Everyday and every moment I think of you all. In my heart and in my mind, I hope you do the same for me. Time seems to move quicker and quicker when you feel alone. So much time has passed I’m beginning to feel as if I’m a part of the Dying Breed. When I close my eyes, I can see your faces and smiles, hear your voices as they laugh and sometimes cry. Scream with me one more time. Scream to the heavens above.

From the farthest reaches of space and live from the Last Pub and Monkey Cage, I give you my services and more.

the Boxing Lesson.

I first had a chance to hear the Boxing Lesson when they were still an LA band. I was given the first EP and an early copy of Radiation and was instantly blown away. I listened to each track, amazed at the way a group of guys could come together and create such wonderful music. I couldn’t believe how they could all share vocals and not overpower one another. Then I found out there was just one singer, Paul Waclawsky. Talented in the ways I wish I was, Paul was a showman and damn good guitar player. The boxing Lesson shows were always fun, crowded and left you wanting more. Needless to say, when I heard things started to unravel with band, I felt a little broken hearted.

Paul left LA for Austin with his songs and the Boxing Lesson name. I just waited to hear the good music I knew would come. I wasn’t left waiting for long. I soon found a demo tape in my mailbox of some the songs that would end up becoming Songs in the Key of C. These songs came at me the same way all the Boxing Lesson’s songs did, from every angle. I was even lucky enough to know the secrets behind some of those songs. The addition of Jaylinn Davidson on synths and vocals and Jake Mitchell on drums and samples, blew up Paul’s songs in ways I couldn’t have imagined. By stripping down the players and expanding the sounds they were creating, the Boxing Lesson moved on to a new plane of existence. Texas has never been so lucky as to receive a band with this much potential.

Now, they’ve got Wild Streaks & Windy Days, another step forward for a band with no where else to go. I can’t wait for this band to make another trip out west. I’m green with envy for every show Texas gets. And there are a lot of shows. So, next time you’re in the Austin area, try to catch the Boxing Lesson. I’m saying you’ll end up having a damn good time.

From the farthest reaches of space,

The Last Pub and Monkey Cage