Kra Hung

Icculus

Crazy Train

I still haven't seen this with sound. It looked like something that should immediatley go up.

Control for smilers can't be bought

Zappa Plays Zappa

Dweezil Zappa, son of Frank, and brother to Ahmet, Diva Thin Muffin Pigeon, Moon Unit, and Motorhead has put together an incredible ensemble which goes by the name Zappa Plays Zappa.

I tend to over exaggerate a lot; especially after I see great music. But, this was something of mind blowing proportions.

Anyone who is a fan of the life, work, humor, and talent of Frank Zappa should make it a point to see this show. A team of remarkably talented musicians (one of whom toured with FZ in the 1970's - eight people total) go through a two hour set of Zappa numbers with the same zeal and profound uniqueness as Frank would have. The musical arrangements are intricate symphonies boiling with scorching complicated instrumentation, and usually hilarious satirical lyrics. Son Dweezil, serving as frontman (or the role of Frank, if you like) does a perfect job; not only conducting and crowd pleasing, but more importantly massacring the ever living shit out of the electric guitar - much like his father. The rest of the crew is right there with him moving at light speed and sparing no physical expense to perform each piece with unbridled fervor. Ray White was the special guest for the evening. White was part of the FZ band in 1976 serving as rhythm guitarist and vocalist on Zappa in New York, Tinsel Town Rebellion, and You are What You Is. His distinct voice brought a great deal of authenticity to what ZPZ is out to accomplish.

The late Frank Zappa left behind a virtual library of music, most of which he astoundingly composed himself with a pen and grand staff paper. People don't refer to him as the Stravinski of modern rock for no reason. He was a mad scientist driven by a ceaseless addiction to writing music and pushing the envelope. When the hippies were being hippies, Frank was satirizing everything in site. His disdain for pop culture and vulgar sense of humor mixed with an uncanny talent for composing groundbreaking music made him an immediate icon in the world of music - a label which lasted until and certainly beyond his untimely death in 1993 from prostate cancer.

Interesting fun fact: Zappa never used illegal drugs, in fact he despised them.

To summarize the life and work of Frank Zappa here on this little blog would be an exercise in futility. There is simply too much to know, too much to hear. He put out over 80 albums (including compilations, etc.) I will recommend a few albums to check out if you're interested : Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention - Freak Out! , We're Only in it for the Money, Hot Rats, The Grand Wazoo, and the two most popular - Apostrophe and Over Night Sensation. For the live experience check out The Roxy and Elsewhere, Filmore East 1971. As I list these albums I'm just restating what I said earlier about their just being too too much. Good luck.

My whole point here is that Zappa Plays Zappa is a project worthy of much attention from anyone who is into the music of Frank Vincent Zappa 1940 - 1993.

High lites: Carolina Hardcore Ecstasy, Nanook Rubs It, St. Alfonzo's Pancake Breakfast, Cosmic Debris, Willie the Pimp, Joe's Garage.

Nescafe and Ice (didn't play that one)

The great REM performed to a very sweaty audience at Hardee's / Alltell/ Globo-Chem / Clear Channel / Live Nation Pavillion at Walnut Creek last evening with support from The National and Modest Mouse.

First things first: Johnny Marr from the Smiths is now part of Modest Mouse, so that was an added pleasure for me. Mouse was great. Those dudes have been putting out good music for quite some time achieving commercial success with the hit "Float On" which they didn't play, which was nice. I think that song attracted the 'tween scene to their shows in its heyday.

REM is a jewel in the crown of music from the south. A lot of us grew up listening to everything they did as it unfolded on the fledgling MTV. Some of us were old enough to be cool enough to be actively listening in the 80's. Not me. REM was just always playing somewhere, somehow. I distinctly remember watching the video for "The One I Love" alone in the living room while playing with the Orko toy from my He-Man action figure toy set (Castle Gray-Skull included). I also remember wanting to be the kid in the "End of the World as we Know it Video". It was later that REM started to really sink in. Green, Document, Out of Time, and Automatic for the People became crucial and memorized. Needless to say, REM became part of who I am somewhere along the line. Even while fumbling through high school jamming out to phish and yes, panic (and other things) - REM was a mainstay. I hung in there all the way through Monster and UP, after drummer Bill Berry left the band. I kinda quit paying attention after that.

That being said, the show last night was important to me. But enough about me.

Stipe, Mills, Buck, and the rest of the touring band blew it up. Not a dull moment the entire time. The stage setup and lights were nothing short of phenomenal. As far as energy goes, they might as well have been on stage at the 40 Watt, playing for rent money. Stipe gave a sincere thanks to the area for embracing them back in the day. (If memory serves, a weekly called The Spectator may have given them some good press in the beginning). They even brought out old producers Mitch Easter and Don Dixon (Arrogance) for a moving rendition of "sitting still".

I knew Stipe was going to get his lefty agenda out there, and he did. It's fine. I just don't like mixing good music with politics. That's why I can't stand Wayne Coyne. More power to ya, Mr. Stipe - you've earned it. I'll go pee while you talk about how shitty the current administration is and all that stuff I like to forget about when I go see one my favorite bands.

Highlights for me : "What's the Frequency, Kenneth?", "Seven Chinese Brothers", "Find the River", "Fall on Me", "Sitting Still" , "Man on the Moon".

Oh, and "Orange Crush" was Un-fucking-beleivable.

set: Harborcoat / Living Well Is The Best Revenge / Bad Day / What's The Frequency, Kenneth? / 1,000,000 / Man-Sized Wreath / Welcome To The Occupation / Accelerate / Seven Chinese Brothers / Hollow Man / Imitation Of Life / Houston / Electrolite / Walk Unafraid / The One I Love / Final Straw / Find The River / Let Me In / Horse To Water / Auctioneer (Another Engine) / Orange Crush / I'm Gonna DJ
encore: Supernatural Superserious / Losing My Religion / Pretty Persuasion / Fall On Me / Sitting Still / Man On The Moon
notes: Johnny Marr guests on Fall On Me. Mitch Easter and Don Dixon guests on Sitting Still

Tie a Yellow Ribbon 'Round the Old ...

All The Saints

Atlanta based heavy rock sickos All The Saints played the 506 in Carboro last night. To put it mildy, they rock really fucking hard. So hard it could lead to a headache. I am a little bias due to my relationship with drumming phenom Jim Crook. (we used to make out in the Nam days); so I must say that he is the main attraction. Think Keith Moon or Bonzo. This kid is an occtopus and it is al naturale. The music is heavy, dark, and droning - but it's good. Keep your eyes akimbo for All dem Saints.

Handguns and Dancing Shoes

Handguns and Dancing Shoes, the latest album from Triangle favorites The Proclivities, is yet another slice of musical talent and ceaseless effervescence that characterizes this amazing band.

Matt Douglas returns to the studio with a glowing spirit and a whole new inventory of trials and tribulations touching on adoration, love and doubt. The craftmaan-like lyrics are beautifully written, complemented by solidarity from the machine of talent brimming from the work of the band.

Chris Boerner’s signature guitar style remains the tour de force behind the quintet, always conjuring the crispiest chords and most tempestuous solos. Still he always maintains his position as a master of moderation keeping everything short and sweet.

Anyone familiar with Boerner’s work is aware he has the ability to shred any piece of music any time any where – but the Proclivities’ fatherly secret weapon lies within the able and delicate hands of Matt Douglas, also quite adept at guitar and saxophone, among other things

Opening track “Handguns and Dancing Shoes” is the muffled starter pistol to a moving and emotional race through Douglas’s mind and experiences. His timbre ebbs and flows right alongside Nick Slaton’s slippery bass lines. Matt McCaughan’s buoyant drumming through the joyous “Red Faced Girl” goes directly through the up tempo, cautionary trip of “Charlatan”. “Move Around the Floor” is a truly moving song, slightly somber and clearly the product of amorous inspirations.

The crowning achievement of the album comes last in the nostalgic breeze of ” Trickle Down”. Douglas professes his love singing “baby, you’re so cool”. in a way only matched in believability by Alabama Whirly in the film True Romance.

While sharing a commonality with “Predispositions – the group’s first album - “Handguns” contains a refreshing texture and depth layered within the construct of each track. Clearly a great deal of thought went into every second of the recording process. Every song is well written, well produced, and certainly worthy of major attention from a quality record label. The Proclivities will be performing at Tir Na Nog June 12, The Southern Rail in Carboro June 14, and Pianos in New York City June 26. Find out more at www.theproclivities.com .

Players:
Matt Douglas – vocals, guitar, keyboards, woodwinds
Chris Boerner – guitar, vocals
Nic Slaton – bass, voclals
Matt McCaughan – drums, percussion, vocals
Guest include Jean Jolly, “Charlatan” and “Move Around the Floor”. Ryan Cavanaugh, banjo “The Devil’s Best”.