” Teaching himself the guitar at the age of twelve, Mike began playing earnestly, but being self-taught, it took him a lifetime to learn what theoried guitar players learn in weeks and months of formal study. Realizing that, though eventually finding his own style, he concentrated on what he is best known for now: song writing. The result produced what could be argued as a sound that is perhaps best summed up as pre-legendary. He adds “I see my music as a vehicle for promoting healing and building community consensus.”

Or, as my client describes him, a “hippie guitar kinda guy.” Still, it should be a fun way to keep a cold Michigan evening at bay. You can hear his music and more at his website, MedicineCrow.net.

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Post from: Fame or Famine

I knew I would too, just from watching them set up. The drummer was sitting there, smiling and twinkling-eyed, twirling his sticks and patiently waiting for his mates to finish their tuning and stuff so he could start banging on things, his bass drum bouncing with little McDonalds Playland balls. The guitarist, Cynthia, and bassist, Christian, were dressed in gray, looking coldly beautiful as they tuned and carefully placed matching step-stools to either side of the lead singer, Shane, setting up his keyboard (which he later would manipulate in a truly stunning display of juggling dexterity). Shane’s costume deserves some mention, as well: black tights, white jockstrap with a red glitter pon-pon as a merkin, red and black taffeta swirled around his neck and his eyes outlined with Mad-Max-meets-MAC ferocity. And bottoming it all off were his 6″ platform mary-janes, which would break the neck of most who dared but which he capered, cavorted, and some other dancelike word that begins with C throughout the set.

Yeah, I knew I’d like them. I didn’t know how much. The show was fantastic, dancerly, exciting, just-on-the-edge of too loud, funny, powerful, and even, at times, thought provoking. There was a song about Cowboys, a song about Setting the Table (during which, to my shame, I missed Cynthia’s stage dive. I’ll do better next time, promise!) and an unforgettable song about 8th grade that morphed into the best punk cover of “Hot Stuff” I’ve ever heard (the fact that it’s the only such cover I’ve heard has nothing to do with it). The only complaint (aside from the unrequited crush I’m now suffering through, thanks a LOT, Cynthia!) I had was that their set was too short. But maybe it’s just because I was so caught up in it that the “Last Song!” announcement took me by surprise.

But you should listen and see for yourself. Aside from a myspace page, they are also about to go on tour, and you can also find their music online and soon be able to purchase their CD outside of Madison, as well. It’s the best $5 I’ve spent in a long time, and I know I’ll be going back to check them out.

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Tags: stop motion, animation, foundry fields, shelby floyd, music video

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The beat moves on for KISS, the band of outrageous commercialism and merchandising.  They are taking advantage of their rising, nostalgic status and aging fan-base.  They have matured from school kid’s lunch boxes to fragrances. 

Yes, that is right.  You, your spouse, your best friend, male or female can discover your favorite KISS fragrance.  The line contains colognes, body splashes and the like, all to help increase your libido and make everyone in the KISS Army as attractive as their illustrious leaders.  Attractive as the members of KISS???  Hmmm….

The merchandising does not end there.  On June 27th, they will open the first KISS Coffeehouse in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.  Yes, a coffeehouse.  So, go in your attic, wipe out your KISS lunchbox and load up the coffee.  Go here for the full story.

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Go look.

I totally want to look like that guy, dude.

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Check out his tune Marijuanalog. Most excellent!

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The blog of the week this week is, Greg Hester Jazz. The blog is frequently updated and offers a great resource for the casual jazz fan looking for music opinions, links and photos.

Big swing bands have come and gone – some good, some even great – but since the early forties, the one quality for which all big bands have striven (strived?) – though only few attained – was the big, rich, fat sound of the great Count Basie bands; bands that were always – always – anchored by a strong, outstanding drummer, and bands without which, who knows to what level of mediocrity they might have slipped. The Basie band that gave us this album is no exception.

Damn straight, Greg.

What do you think, Fabulous Reader?

!++37++!

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Ralph works with real musical instruments and his songs often have a grownup undertone to them. I’d tell you which ones, but it’s more fun trying to guess. Ralph is an accomplished musician and if you’ve ever heard of The Bad Examples, he also heads that band.

While it’s true that my husband is on three of the albums, it’s also true that if I’d heard them independently, I’d still be playing them for Charlie. Whenever we get a chance to go and see Ralph live, we do. From his extensive narrative that is primarily for mom and dad, to the booty-shakingly good time for the kids, we have an absolute blast.

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