Holi-da-ay...cele-bra-yate...

I'm taking a break over the next few days but here's a quiz on all things Tankboy to keep you occupied.

TAKE THE TANKBOY QUIZ NOW!

This exercise in complete self-absorption comes via the influence of The Watergirl.

Fun!

Opus!

How did it get past me that Opus the Penguin was returning to the funny-pages?

In the '80s, Berkeley Breathed drew the strip trhat originally pushed me in the direction of being a cartoonist -- an occupation I let fall by the wayside only a few years ago in favor of rock and/or roll y writing -- and provided my first exposure to political commentary not voiced by stuffy old suits on Sunday morning talk shows.

Welcome back old friend. Can you give Steve Dallas a call for me?

They do all the work for you!

Want the most famous artists in the world to sing lyrics you compose?

Click here for massive fun!

Thanks to Zannah for this link.

Busy as a beaver building the Hoover Dam.

That's right, I'm swamped. The only thing getting me through this mountain of work this fine Friday is the latest offering from The Webb Brothers entitled, The Webb Brothers. Unfortunately this disc isn't available in the U.S.A. yet, and I haven't even been able to find an import version of it anywhere in Chicago, but one of the Webbs was nice enough to slip me a copy at The Darkness show Wednesday night.

First off, The Webb Brothers put in a phenomenal opening set that evening. This was no small feat considering the anticipation and giddy payoff of the show put on by The Darkness.

Secondly, their new disc is easily their best yet. I'm going to do a more in depth review over at Done Waiting in the next few days. However, with the addition of the third brother James to the core team of Justin and Christiaan the blood mingles and zings and zags and swims to the surface of a sweet blend of harmony and dissonance.

Huh? Read the review in a few days to find out what the heck that means in the larger context of things...

Fucking rock and/or roll!

I saw The Darkness last night and had my belief in rock and/or roll reconfirmed. My review can be found here along with some stunning photos courtesy of Photogal.

O.D.B. throws down the 411 on marketing.

The following are excerpts from an interview with Dirt McGirt a.k.a. Ol' Dirty Bastard that appeared in The Licensing Book. The interview was conducted by Heidi Minx. ODB throws down the basics of Marketing 101:

Guerilla marketing -- genius or overdone?

ODB: Genius. How else is anyone gonna know who you are?

Best quote you ever heard and chose to follow?

ODB: My mom always said God made Dirt and Dirt don't hurt.

What brand do you think is most on-target at: Specialty [stores]?

ODB: My teeth, those are special.

What campaign stood out most to you this year and why?

ODB: The free ODB campaign cause it got me back on the street!

If you could change one thing within your company, what would it be?

ODB: I would have liked to have thrown them out to the public quicker, my clothes that is, so I could please my fans.

What person do you most respect in this business and why?

ODB: Russell Simmons because he started the game of Hip-Hop and clothes with Phat Farm and Def Jam. I have always looked up to him for what he created -- I hope to create the same empire one day. Also, I have to say Damon Dash for giving me a second chance - he has built an empire as well.

___

Well, he is pretty spot-on about Simmons. That dude's a legend!

Are quickies as good for you as they are for me?

Well, as my department shrinks my workload grows all the heavier and more varied. Personally I like this because it means I'm never bored. On the downside that doesn't leave me with much time to gather any thoughts today.

That's fine. I should keep my mind as blank as possible in anticipation of seeing The Darkness at Double Door tonight. I am soooo stoked to see this over-the-top glam metal English powerhouse. It should be a blast. And a hoot. A hootin' blast!

I mean, just look at these frickin' photos! Now just try and tell me it won't be a boatload of good old fashioned dumb fun...

A minute for you, my sweet.

I am way too busy to regale you with tales of high intrigue and adventure today so if you want any of those drive to Chicago tonight, go to Ten56 and talk to me a Rudy while we DJ. Oh yeah, our friend Rick will be guesting on the laser guided wheels of steel as well so batten down the hatches and expect a boatload of Alkaline Trio to come your way.

What will I be spinning? Oh, stuff like:

Ryan Adams - Rock N Roll
Ellen Allien - Berlinette
The Bon Mots - Le Main Drag
The Desert Sessions - 9 & 10
The Dirtbombs - Dangerous Magical Noise
The Flaming Lips - Ego Tripping At The Gates Of Hell
Krokus - Headhunter
Mark Lanegan - Here Comes That Weird Chill...
Kylie Minogue - Body Language
Scissor Sisters - Filthy And Gorgeous
The Snow Fairies - Feel You Up
Sour Deluxe - White Noise
Twilight Singers - Black Is The Color Of My True Love's Hair
Rachael Yamagata – EP

…and remember, we are still truly and deeply cool…

Note to self...

Don't forget to write about the indie movie you saw over this weekend.

These cool cats took Krokus' Headhunter and synched it to a live action movie they scripted and shot.

Mike wrote the film and Chris stars as the homicidal Ace.

News release about the film snagged from The Bon Mots site:

"Mike Coy and John `Zehnder's epic film, "Headhunter, the Motion Picture," recently swept the Audience Choice Awards at the Brighton International Film Festival. Headhunter the Motion Picture, starring Chris Frantisak as "Ace," is a trash-can cannibalistic travelogue masterpiece set to eighties' metal band Krokus' record "Headhunter." (Yes, it's the whole album)."

I a) never realized how good an album Headhunter was and b) this movie kicks ass. Don't forget to work up a review of it...ask Chris for an extra DVD to further digest the film...

...end note to self.

Mixin' it up.

I've added some new links to the side-bar and re-arranged the categories a touch.

The Milwaukees show yesterday was...weird...but cool. Against all odds they still put on the best show they could. Rock.

Words of wisdom.

If you live in the Chicago area you really should check out these two fabulous out-of-town bands at The Pontiac tomorrow (that would be Satruday November 15 at 10pm kiddo.)

The Milwaukees are a rock and roll machine that really knows the meaning of "dynamic tension" and Greg Wood is in to play the sold-out Jeff Buckley Tribute Show next week so I'm glad we are able to give other Mid-Westerners a chance to see him perform.

Other words of wisdom?

"The most remarkable thing about my mother is that for thirty years she served the family nothing but leftovers. The original meal has never been found."
----------Calvin Trillin (1935 - )

also,

"The first half of our lives is ruined by our parents, and the second half by our children."
----------Clarence Darrow (1857 - 1938)

and finally...

"If your parents never had children, chances are you won't, either."
----------Dick Cavett (1936 - )

Thanks to my little bro for sending the above quotes my way!

Bush for President? NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

I'm sure you've seen the e-mail titled "Bush's Resume" that's making the rounds. It details all the slimy things he's done throughout the years and is pretty horrendous when you take it all in at once.

Personally, I think it's pretty disturbing. I remember reading a bunch of articles before the 2000 election and all I could think was, "How did this guy even get this far? He's failed at everything he's ever done. And he's the perfect example of a spoiled rich kid who never had to face any consequences and always got his way!"

That kind of puts his current actions into perspective. Man I hope he's not re-elected...

The dangers of thinking you are a rock star.

I was the talent buyer for a pretty good sized club here in Chicago for a few years and while it was a really, really stressful job it was also one I enjoyed immensely. It was probably the most rewarding job I've had yet. I basically threw a party seven nights a week, usually with bands I personally enjoyed, and tried to be as fair as humanly possible. I got out of the talent buying game and moved on to part-time independent promoting and found this even more gratifying. Now I only throw a party whenever I feel like it and only deal with bands I enjoy. Not a bad deal, eh?

Now I've never really had a problem with any other talent buyers -- probably because I already have relationships with most of them and understand pretty fully where they're coming from in a business sense -- but it became apparent to me during some casual conversation that most bands view talent buyers as a necessary evil they have to wage battle against in order to get a show. What's more, I discovered how terribly some talent buyers can treat bands as they think nothing of paying a band that drew a large local crowed seven bucks because they promised the headliner -- who drew next to no one -- three hundred bucks or make them jump through hoops just to get a lousy show on a Wednesday night in the middle of the winter.

I guess when I was in the talent buyer position I never fell into the usual traps. I knew when local bands offered to buy me drinks they thought it was because they had to and I always turned them down. I never assumed I was a rock star because I booked a club or hung out with people that were in fact rock stars. I always tried to pay people fairly and employed the theory that as long as the club made money off the booze sales then the bands deserved the vast majority, if not all, of the door money. Most importantly I booked a club because I loved music and let bands know the reason they were playing there was because I respected what they were doing and thought it was something special.

I mean, that only seems right...right?

Hot off the presses.

The Darkness show next week at Double Door has sold out.

Photogal and I have tickets. You do not.

Now go get your blanky and cry over there in the corner at this tremendous missed opportunity.

Fooey on yooey.

I'm a tad sluggish today since Rudy and Skid actually got me to go out for a bit after DJing last night, so don't expect much from me.

I did however review the new Sour Deluxe EP since it totally kicked my ass this morning. Read about it here.

Duh.

Also, very important, me and Ru-day are at Ten56 spinning the matters that platter.

Also, we are very cool.

A "timely" read.

It's been a while since a book completely hit me from left field but The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger has completely sucked me in. The story's structure is completely non-linear yet the whole thing makes sense and the characters are so well developed it's astonishing. It's been a long time since I read a piece of contemporary fiction that felt so human while occupying an outlandish situation.

Don't be afraid of the title as this is no work of science fiction. It is first and foremost a love story -- can you imagine me actually recommending a love story (?!) -- and is also that rare example of a completely accessible novel that also challenges without being noticeably difficult. In other words this is one sublime journey everyone would be happy to undertake. Run, no walking please, to you nearest bookstore or library and pick this up.

I tend to be a bit of a literary snob but I really feel this is something everyone can enjoy. Even if it does come also recommended by The Today Show.

DISCLAIMER: I haven't actually finished the book yet but feel so strongly about it that even if the ending ends up being lame the journey of reading the primary story is well worth the time.

They call me mellow yellow.

Yeah, it was a pretty chill weekend. I guess the show at Double Door with Loretta et al. sucked me pretty dry energy-wise. The show itself fucking rocked and lotsa people showed up even though The Rapture was playing at The Metro so I was pretty psyched about that. Plus, I feel like I finally got Loretta some of the exposure they need to snag the love of Chicago's rather cynical music folks.

Friday a only worked half a day so me and Photogal saw The Matrix: Revolutions -- which was okay but now we know the Wachowskis are never going to deliver on the promise made by the first film - and kind of just had a "date night" complete with hot cocoa and snuggles. I know I know, it's enough to make you sick. But we enjoyed it.

Saturday Photogal, her sister and I headed up to bumblefuck Wisconsin and bummed around most of the day. We decided to hit one of the local bars around nine but had to leave a few hours later since Photogal kept winning at pool. Guys in Wisconsin, especially dude living out in the boonies, do not like to be defeated by a girl.

Yesterday I celebrated my dad's birthday with my family and caught The Twilight Singers at The Double Door. I wrote about it over here already so make with the click-click and see what I have to say about Greg Dulli and his gang. Also, I write about the new Pink disc right here. Weird, huh?

And here we are, today, and I am pretty busy. Pleasantly so. Too busy to say much more so I'm-a gonna go.

Tonight
at
The Double Door

Tankboy Presents

Loretta
Cordy
Tom Daily and the Volunteers
BITCHBECOOL
Doors 8:00pm
Show 9:00pm
$7 cover/$5 with discount tix

Loretta's coming high off being one of the most added bands to radio in CMJ magazine. Cordy's wash of guitar and ethereal vocals are well grounded in an earthen stomp. Tom Daily kicks out the buzz-saw pop that'll slice your ears. BITHCBECOOL combines the grating and the soothing with undeniable results.

Get yer discount tickets HERE

It'll be a blast. And you can help me get over yesterday's oh-so-depressing post topic by proving me wrong...please!

The end of innocence.

I was watching 24 Hour Party People last night and got a bit down. I was watching these crowds of twenty or thirty people just losing their shit and dancing to the rock and/or roll music coming from the stage while wearing the beatific smiles of people experiencing something genuine and new. These people were on the cusp of new movements and musical adventures and they were a small crowd who really had to fight against the flow to ferret out the nuggets of gold in the pop music basin.

Flash forward twenty or so years and we come to a time where everyone is in on the next big thing. As a matter of fact, because of the nearly instantaneous flow information we operate in on a daily basis, it is nearly impossible not to notice the great music that is out there. What this ends up breeding is show attendees that are more interested in seeing bands prove the hype pushing them to the club in the first place rather than giving into the music that's at the genesis of this whole biz we call show (subsection Pop, dig?)

I know I'm over-romanticizing a touch here and that some folks still do go ape-shit at shows but I feel the majority of that behavior is fueled by the yearning for a simpler age when music was more often discovered because of the feeling in engendered in the listener. I realize to a certain extent that still happens -- go to any Dave Matthews or KISS concert and you'll see the fans going ga-ga -- but most of these instances are driven by bands happier to scratch a surface emotion and elicit a planned reaction rather than digging deeper to unlock an honest reflexive reaction.

Of course my even bringing in the above point marks this rumination as beginning to slide, as is so often in these sorts of discussions, into a good music vs. bad music argument but I would contend that this actually bolsters my initial dismay at the lack of honest reaction akin to "losing one's shit" to a song. The constant flow of info, the constant ironic posturing, the almost scientific melding of influences and all the attendant hype we are forced to wade through before even listening to a song...all these things enforce an atmosphere where songs tend to be dissected, compared and contrasted with the pop cultural world they inhabit rather than just simply enjoying them as songs.

The end result, whether I'm being overly-cerebral or not, is that I just do not personally see people losing their shit to music like they did in the past. And that makes me sad. Most of all it makes me sad for me since I wish I could just let all filters surrounding me go and just dive head first into a simple pop song and drown in the experience.

A photo of...Photogal!

I didn't even know this was on the web. For the record, while that is my helmet in the photo I've never owned a motorcycle. Photogal currently own two BMW bikes.

Photogal kicks so much ass, don't you think?

A footnote to a relationship. Number 243 of 1320...

I love David Foster Wallace. Sometimes I love DFW's writing too much and betray my roots as an over-educated, overly-ironic, middle-class white-guy. But I don't love him so much that I didn't enjoy the laugh out loud funny that this "article" is in regards to a supposed break-up letter composed by DFW.

Thanks to Joe for the link to the above Onion article.

And, of course.

Tonight Rudy and I are at Ten56 tearing shit up. Join us, won't you?

I just remembered.

The only major bummer of the weekend was missing The Sights at Double Door. I got the set-times mixed up and walked in as the last note of feedback was ending from -- what I was told -- was an awesome and explosive set. Their albums are terrific and I'm dying to see that mixture of '60s garage and Motown Mod translated to the stage.

I'll get to see them live someday, I sweartagawd!

Seriously. What a fun weekend.

And seriously, I'll write all about it later but right now a deadline beckons me as it draws over the horizon and begins its approach towards me at an alarming pace.

Things I need to remember to tell you about?

- The cool Halloween House that looked like it could literally "eat you up."
- The amazing jobs accomplished by the bands at Double Door Friday night as they tackled The Scorpions, David Bowie in the Ziggy Stardust era, a scarily dead-on Leonard Skynyrd and an over the top Local H as Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band.
- Rudy's birthday.
- Scary Movie 3
- My parent's new dog and the resulting chase around my apartment when Betty the Beagle picked up the new scent on my pant leg.
- Various other bits of wildness.