Dear Brandon,
I’ve been a little mad at you. I was not so impressed with the new album although you arrogantly hyped it during the fall. Both K and I discussed on a recent road trip how we probably would never go see your band again. Been there, done that was our reasoning. I bought the ticket to Pointfest to see Wolfmother but thought well, I’ll stick around and see how the new stuff works out for you. The weeks leading up to the show, a slow transformation was occurring. I was getting excited about seeing your set. In fact, K said to me recently that she would like to see you again in concert too. Are you working some voodoo on us? After Wolfmother left the stage with all of their playful aggression and testosterone, I was a little worried for you. Well, what can I say, I was probably the embarrassing one at this show, all alone and singing with every song. The set was beautifully decorated with satin curtains, flashy Vegas sign and flowers strewn everywhere. You came out dressed like a blackjack dealer, with glittery confetti flying throughout the entire first song and it all worked. You played my faves from both records and goddamnit it sounded just like the record! While I don’t mind some jamming every once in awhile sometimes you want to go to a show and have it sound just like what you came for. Your nervousness seems to be gone. You seemed to actually be having a good time. The mix of the cool night air and the music made everything better. Come back Brandon, I promise to buy a ticket. --J
Showing posts with label Wolfmother. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wolfmother. Show all posts
Monday, May 14, 2007
More Cowbell - Wolfmother at Pointfest
By the time 8:30 had rolled around and I had been subjected to a bunch of bands I didn’t enjoy plus having to watch the winner of the Guitar Hero contest play in front of the entire crowd, I was ready for something real. Andrew let the crowd know that they had been sitting in their bus for about fourteen hours and were ready to release their primal urges on the crowd during their last U.S. show this tour. Wolfmother played a blistering hour-long set which included crowd pleasers like Dimension, Joker and the Thief, Woman, and Colossal. They also mixed in some two new songs that had the crowd on their feet. Chris and Andrew were all over the place jumping off the bass drum and amplifiers. The sun had set and yet the clothes in the crowd kept coming off. While nothing could match getting a personal concert as we did back in November, it was a great set. While The Killers’ set was like a sensual kiss, Wolfmother was the strip down and get to business band. --J
Mother's Day Eve
I couldn’t pass up the one day festival called Pointfest here in STL. The festivities began at 10:30 am Saturday but I didn’t arrive until around 5. I thought about going early to support the local bands performing and to hear some different music, but the chores of a responsible adult won out. Also, K is out of town so I was going it alone. As I was pulling into the parking lot of the amphitheatre, I saw a kid being held up by a security guard as the kid mega puked all over the place. Walking to the front gate I saw a guy goofing around with his buddy who was in a wheelchair, pushing him quickly, cutting quick turns to the left and right until both tires fell off of the wheels of the chair. To help his buddy get the tires back on, the guy in the chair got out of it and stood up. I began to wonder, is the show out here? I came to see Wolfmother mainly and The Killers secondly and I will talk about those in separate posts. What else did I see? Well, lots of half-naked people who shouldn’t be half-naked, lots of beer, and some bands I did not enjoy. I saw one of the guys from I think Bullet for My Valentine eagerly signing breasts and stomachs and some other poor sap from a band reluctantly sign some big sweaty guy’s back. Also, the guy sitting in front of me was wearing what I believe to be the ugliest shirt I have ever seen. Maybe it was partly my mood this week or just being alone at the festivities, but I desperately wanted to be entertained and Papa Roach just wouldn’t do. I also saw a local band called Lye that won a battle of the bands to be the opener on the main stage of the festival. All I can say is if they won, the other bands must have totally sucked. It was that brooding metal with no hooks, just dramatic stage attire. The lead singer had on a priests cassock and the bass player was wearing what I call Hot Topic pants. The lead singer kept the bottom half of his body stationary as he moved the top half of his body almost into a back bend. But even the onstage antics didn’t keep me interested. Having no one to talk to and a real chatterbox sitting behind me, I had to listen to her take on the world including the conspiracy that some call Kurt Cobain’s suicide. Red Jumpsuit Apparatus also played the main stage and all I can say is that they are so unnecessary. That has got to be one of the worst band names ever. Can you tell I’m not a big fan of the outdoor festival? –J
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
In My Humble Opinion
As you can see we finally got some snow in the Lou.
Okay, I half-watched the Grammys as I worked Sunday night. I just went to their website to look over the list of winners. I must make a few comments.
The Dixie Chicks won too many awards and Gnarls Barkley didn’t win enough. Don't take that as Chick-bashing, the album was okay.
I am surprised that Dani California won an award.
I love that Wolfmother won in the Hard Rock category.
I was moved by Mary J. Blige’s performance. It was truly her night.
Both Christina Aguilera and Beyonce’s performances were unnecessary.
Glad to see The Police on stage all smiles, ready to announce the world tour. --J
Okay, I half-watched the Grammys as I worked Sunday night. I just went to their website to look over the list of winners. I must make a few comments.
The Dixie Chicks won too many awards and Gnarls Barkley didn’t win enough. Don't take that as Chick-bashing, the album was okay.
I am surprised that Dani California won an award.
I love that Wolfmother won in the Hard Rock category.
I was moved by Mary J. Blige’s performance. It was truly her night.
Both Christina Aguilera and Beyonce’s performances were unnecessary.
Glad to see The Police on stage all smiles, ready to announce the world tour. --J
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Mississippi Nights 1979-2007
I must have been living in a cave because I just found out that Mississippi Nights is closing its doors. According to what I've read, the building will be demolished and replaced by a parking lot for Pinnacle Casino, the same company that operated the venue's lease. The owners hope to reopen the venue in a midtown location.
Since 1979, Mississippi Nights had featured a variety of acts that included Willie Nelson, Red Hot Chili Peppers, X, B.B. King, The Killers, and recently Wolfmother. It was the first place I ever saw a concert in St. Louis. Despite constantly looking over my shoulder as I walked out onto the cobblestone streets of LaClede's Landing, the venue was an attraction because it had some of the best acoustics a small place could offer. And, no matter where you stood you could see the stage (very important!). It will certainly be missed.
The venue's final concert was last night and was billed as a jam session for the best St. Louis bands of the last 30 years. -K
Monday, November 27, 2006
Wolfmother at Mississippi Nights - J's Take
"Without music to decorate it, time is just a bunch of boring production deadlines or dates by which bills must be paid". -Frank Zappa
I am sure Frank was discussing the creation of music, but it’s the same for those of us crave it live. I so get the "bills must be paid" part of this quote. That's how I was feeling this morning when I had to get up and get myself to work, but the weariness of a late night out was all worth it last night.
I bought tickets to the Wolfmother show months ago. After having to sit through the Panic! at the Disco show with daughter A. Saturday night, Wolfmother was the perfect remedy. K and I also had the great fortune of winning a radio contest which meant attending a press conference where we got to ask the band a question and attending a pre-show set by the band.
Four of us were picked for the contest and we got to each invite one friend. K brought her friend C and I brought my nephew D. The band came out, played Joker & the Thief, White Unicorn, and Woman just for the eight of us and the radio staff. It was an amazing experience. We were thinking that the set before the show might be an acoustic thing, so when they plugged in, we were so excited. The band was so friendly which made this experience all the better. Thanks to them for being so gracious.
Mississippi Nights is a great place to see a show. It's basically a bar so it's intimate with pretty good sound. We were lucky enough to stay in the venue after the press conference so we got our pick of seats for the crowd came in. D went straight to the front and we spotted a good location further back. D ran into some interesting folks at the front of the stage. The middle-aged man next to him was offering football tickets if D would bring down some “dirty” girls from Chicago. There was also a woman flashing the band right next to him. Whatever.
The opening band, Dead Meadow, oh my. It went on and on and on and on with no distinguishing characteristics. It was painful. I think that's my idea of what hell would be like. You're at a highly-anticipated show and all you see is a lingering opening band.
Wolfmother came out and made it all better. Shame on any band with more than three members that can't be that powerful. You say you need a Keyboard Player AND Bassist? No, you better be able to play both goddamnit, during one song! It was incredible and the crowd loved them. Everyone around us was singing along with every song. I usually want to stay far from the serious crowd at the front of the stage. I’m a mom so someone is depending on me at home. I can’t get a concussion at a concert. However, when the opening chords of Dimension began, I was tempted to bolt from my safe perch by the bar to get right up front. I fought the urge and that’s probably why I’m at work without a neck brace today.
The high points for me were Love Train, Dimension, and the encore which included Communication Breakdown. --J
I am sure Frank was discussing the creation of music, but it’s the same for those of us crave it live. I so get the "bills must be paid" part of this quote. That's how I was feeling this morning when I had to get up and get myself to work, but the weariness of a late night out was all worth it last night.
I bought tickets to the Wolfmother show months ago. After having to sit through the Panic! at the Disco show with daughter A. Saturday night, Wolfmother was the perfect remedy. K and I also had the great fortune of winning a radio contest which meant attending a press conference where we got to ask the band a question and attending a pre-show set by the band.
Four of us were picked for the contest and we got to each invite one friend. K brought her friend C and I brought my nephew D. The band came out, played Joker & the Thief, White Unicorn, and Woman just for the eight of us and the radio staff. It was an amazing experience. We were thinking that the set before the show might be an acoustic thing, so when they plugged in, we were so excited. The band was so friendly which made this experience all the better. Thanks to them for being so gracious.
Mississippi Nights is a great place to see a show. It's basically a bar so it's intimate with pretty good sound. We were lucky enough to stay in the venue after the press conference so we got our pick of seats for the crowd came in. D went straight to the front and we spotted a good location further back. D ran into some interesting folks at the front of the stage. The middle-aged man next to him was offering football tickets if D would bring down some “dirty” girls from Chicago. There was also a woman flashing the band right next to him. Whatever.
The opening band, Dead Meadow, oh my. It went on and on and on and on with no distinguishing characteristics. It was painful. I think that's my idea of what hell would be like. You're at a highly-anticipated show and all you see is a lingering opening band.
Wolfmother came out and made it all better. Shame on any band with more than three members that can't be that powerful. You say you need a Keyboard Player AND Bassist? No, you better be able to play both goddamnit, during one song! It was incredible and the crowd loved them. Everyone around us was singing along with every song. I usually want to stay far from the serious crowd at the front of the stage. I’m a mom so someone is depending on me at home. I can’t get a concussion at a concert. However, when the opening chords of Dimension began, I was tempted to bolt from my safe perch by the bar to get right up front. I fought the urge and that’s probably why I’m at work without a neck brace today.
The high points for me were Love Train, Dimension, and the encore which included Communication Breakdown. --J
Wolfmother = Unbelievable
Wolfmother played Mississippi Nights tonight in STL. It was easily the best show I've attended this year. More tomorrow after the work day is through. --J
Friday, June 30, 2006
Music To Write Reports To
In a hotel room in southern California last week, I sat in front of my laptop and wrote reports for work while listening to this pretty varied playlist. Be warned. This playlist is all over the damn place (like me). -K
Love Train – Wolfmother
Wolfmother is a breakout band hailing from Australia. This song makes me feel crazy sexy. It’s a marriage of Sabbath riffs, Zeppelin-esque vocals (that I mistook for Jack White when I first heard this song on the radio) and funk. It’s my favorite song that I’ve downloaded this summer.
Bliss – Muse
I read in a 2005 Alternative Press magazine that Muse is the band that all your favorite bands are into. I saw Muse here in St. Louis. It was the first time I went to a concert on my own. Razorlight opened. At this show, I met two guys who were Muse superfans. One of them had traveled from Newfoundland to see them in St. Louis. I love meeting superfans and I loved this show.
Free - Donavon Frankenreiter
In 2004, this song was in heavy rotation on the radio in Melbourne, Australia. One Saturday, my British friend Moo and I took a hike up into the hills surrounding the city. We heard this song a million times on this day, but it didn't matter. This song is so full of good feeling that you can't get sick of it.
Pass It On - The Coral
These guys hail from Merseyside, England. Pass It On's plucky guitar, easy rhythm, and message of acceptance and moving on was a light during dark times for me back in the winter of 2003/2004. The claustrophobia I experienced at work and in Huntsville as a result of an awkward breakup with a coworker was cause for me to climb the walls. To escape the gossip at work I would sit in my cubicle and listen to streaming Virgin Radio. It was on this station that I first heard Pass It On. It is extremely easy on the ears the morning after if you are in the habit of finishing a bottle of red wine every night just to get to sleep. Dark days are gone, but this song remains a remedy.
I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do - ABBA
I love ABBA. When I hear this song, I have vague, but happy memories of red geraniums, German family members, and a sunny garden. Lovely.
Photograph – Def Leppard
I always think of the early days of MTV when I hear this song. It’s so full of hooks! Gotta love it.
Dancing With Myself – Billy Idol
Billy Idol music is ageless to me. This song makes me feel alive just like it did when it was in heavy rotation on MTV in the 80s. Every time I hear it, I want to dance like Molly Ringwald in The Breakfast Club. Oi, sexy!
Thunder Road – Bruce Springsteen
I love this man’s work so much. This may be my favorite song of Bruce’s besides “Racing in the Streets”. On a cold late November night, this song came on while I was driving down the NJ Turnpike heading to Woodbridge, NJ, and I sang every word. Loudly. Bruce has a way of telling stories through song that is unmatched in my opinion. Pianos, saxophones and melancholic story-telling make up all that I love about this artist.
Rocket Queen – Guns N’ Roses
I have always thought that the change in the middle of the song was amazing. When I read Chuck Klosterman’s opinion of this song in Fargo Rock City, I wondered how I could meet this man. I’m here in St. Louis, Chuck. I’m here.
If You Want My Love – Cheap Trick
Cheap Trick is one of those bands that I have fallen in and out of throughout my life. The light in this song has, for me, never gone out.
Snow (Hey Oh) – RHCP
What’s a trip to California without some RHCP? I’m currently celebrating their new release. On a related topic, RHCP’s cd BloodSugarSexMagik was the very first cd I ever owned.
Under Pressure – The Used/MCR
I’m a lifelong Queen and David Bowie fan. I was a little nervous when MCR covered this song as it is a little ambitious. I am really impressed with this cover. For a time all proceeds went to the Tsunami Relief fund when purchased on iTunes. This cover nails it.
Original of the Species - U2
I do my love of U2 no justice with this tiny blurb. I have been a supporter of U2 since the early 80s (I, unlike many hardcore fans, feel that POP was not a disappointment, but a successful and admirable departure). Someday I’ll write about what this music means to me in a proper post, but for now just know that this song is U2 doing it to me again…
Time to Burn – The Rasmus
This band hails from Finland. I wouldn’t have known about them had I not been scouring YouTube for vintage HIM videos months ago. The vocals are a bit strained at times and the poppy production is not always my cup of tea. Their album may at times even sound like a more sinister Backstreet Boys production, but I’m not ready to write them off yet. Their music has a powerful and melancholic sound that makes me think they are almost there…
Don’t You Ever Leave Me Baby – Hanoi Rocks
Before there was Nightwish, HIM, or The Rasmus there was Hanoi Rocks. I hear an influence of the New York Dolls in this song. I first heard of Hanoi Rocks back in 1984 when drummer Razzle’s death in “the” car accident with Vince Neil was reported on the news. This song is not epic or cathartic, but it represents what I like to hear when I just want to get out of my head a little bit and sing along.
MakeDamnSure - Taking Back Sunday
This is an emo band and an emo song (see Emo Memo below), but I love this song.
There Is a Light That Never Goes Out – The Smiths
I have always enjoyed the Englishness of The Smiths. I really think that one could write a paper on their lyrical irony and how this music somehow reflects English society and one’s reaction to living in it. Yeah, no.
Love Train – Wolfmother
Wolfmother is a breakout band hailing from Australia. This song makes me feel crazy sexy. It’s a marriage of Sabbath riffs, Zeppelin-esque vocals (that I mistook for Jack White when I first heard this song on the radio) and funk. It’s my favorite song that I’ve downloaded this summer.
Bliss – Muse
I read in a 2005 Alternative Press magazine that Muse is the band that all your favorite bands are into. I saw Muse here in St. Louis. It was the first time I went to a concert on my own. Razorlight opened. At this show, I met two guys who were Muse superfans. One of them had traveled from Newfoundland to see them in St. Louis. I love meeting superfans and I loved this show.
Free - Donavon Frankenreiter
In 2004, this song was in heavy rotation on the radio in Melbourne, Australia. One Saturday, my British friend Moo and I took a hike up into the hills surrounding the city. We heard this song a million times on this day, but it didn't matter. This song is so full of good feeling that you can't get sick of it.
Pass It On - The Coral
These guys hail from Merseyside, England. Pass It On's plucky guitar, easy rhythm, and message of acceptance and moving on was a light during dark times for me back in the winter of 2003/2004. The claustrophobia I experienced at work and in Huntsville as a result of an awkward breakup with a coworker was cause for me to climb the walls. To escape the gossip at work I would sit in my cubicle and listen to streaming Virgin Radio. It was on this station that I first heard Pass It On. It is extremely easy on the ears the morning after if you are in the habit of finishing a bottle of red wine every night just to get to sleep. Dark days are gone, but this song remains a remedy.
I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do - ABBA
I love ABBA. When I hear this song, I have vague, but happy memories of red geraniums, German family members, and a sunny garden. Lovely.
Photograph – Def Leppard
I always think of the early days of MTV when I hear this song. It’s so full of hooks! Gotta love it.
Dancing With Myself – Billy Idol
Billy Idol music is ageless to me. This song makes me feel alive just like it did when it was in heavy rotation on MTV in the 80s. Every time I hear it, I want to dance like Molly Ringwald in The Breakfast Club. Oi, sexy!
Thunder Road – Bruce Springsteen
I love this man’s work so much. This may be my favorite song of Bruce’s besides “Racing in the Streets”. On a cold late November night, this song came on while I was driving down the NJ Turnpike heading to Woodbridge, NJ, and I sang every word. Loudly. Bruce has a way of telling stories through song that is unmatched in my opinion. Pianos, saxophones and melancholic story-telling make up all that I love about this artist.
Rocket Queen – Guns N’ Roses
I have always thought that the change in the middle of the song was amazing. When I read Chuck Klosterman’s opinion of this song in Fargo Rock City, I wondered how I could meet this man. I’m here in St. Louis, Chuck. I’m here.
If You Want My Love – Cheap Trick
Cheap Trick is one of those bands that I have fallen in and out of throughout my life. The light in this song has, for me, never gone out.
Snow (Hey Oh) – RHCP
What’s a trip to California without some RHCP? I’m currently celebrating their new release. On a related topic, RHCP’s cd BloodSugarSexMagik was the very first cd I ever owned.
Under Pressure – The Used/MCR
I’m a lifelong Queen and David Bowie fan. I was a little nervous when MCR covered this song as it is a little ambitious. I am really impressed with this cover. For a time all proceeds went to the Tsunami Relief fund when purchased on iTunes. This cover nails it.
Original of the Species - U2
I do my love of U2 no justice with this tiny blurb. I have been a supporter of U2 since the early 80s (I, unlike many hardcore fans, feel that POP was not a disappointment, but a successful and admirable departure). Someday I’ll write about what this music means to me in a proper post, but for now just know that this song is U2 doing it to me again…
Time to Burn – The Rasmus
This band hails from Finland. I wouldn’t have known about them had I not been scouring YouTube for vintage HIM videos months ago. The vocals are a bit strained at times and the poppy production is not always my cup of tea. Their album may at times even sound like a more sinister Backstreet Boys production, but I’m not ready to write them off yet. Their music has a powerful and melancholic sound that makes me think they are almost there…
Don’t You Ever Leave Me Baby – Hanoi Rocks
Before there was Nightwish, HIM, or The Rasmus there was Hanoi Rocks. I hear an influence of the New York Dolls in this song. I first heard of Hanoi Rocks back in 1984 when drummer Razzle’s death in “the” car accident with Vince Neil was reported on the news. This song is not epic or cathartic, but it represents what I like to hear when I just want to get out of my head a little bit and sing along.
MakeDamnSure - Taking Back Sunday
This is an emo band and an emo song (see Emo Memo below), but I love this song.
There Is a Light That Never Goes Out – The Smiths
I have always enjoyed the Englishness of The Smiths. I really think that one could write a paper on their lyrical irony and how this music somehow reflects English society and one’s reaction to living in it. Yeah, no.
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