God's Othello Set

Flying over Kansas and Nebraska,  the patchwork of farmland below looks odd. Lots of squares and the occasional circle.  Reminds me of the old board game Othello with the black and white tiles laid out.

8,000 miles and counting

This has been a busy year for me as far as travel. Even though it's only March, I've already logged around eight thousand miles in the air. I'm using a website called openflights.org. It's pretty neat because it tracks your distance, airtime and flight segments. It's great for plane spotters or just regular people with OCD like myself. Next week will probably put me over 10,000 miles for 2016 since I'm going to Rapid City, South Dakota. It makes me tired just to think about it. I've already spent over one entire 24 hour day in the air and who knows how many hours sitting at airport gates waiting to board. Ironically, I still enjoy travel.

No Mud Wrestling in this Debate

A Republican debate is like a WWE event or a Monster Truck rally. It brings out the ugly in all of us.  Tonight was a disappointment  though. The RNC must have slipped a tranquilizer in their water glasses. They looked like Middle School  boys trying not to be Middle School  boys. Where were the dick jokes? The booger eating?  Mark my words,  the ratings will drop.

Trump Products?

Could a person really buy Trump steaks? Or maybe his magazine?  Looks like the infomercial from the other night was a farce. Websites as diverse as NPR and the Blaze agree on this. How anyone can consider voting for this man is unfathomable.  I guess the George Carlin theory was correct,. Think how stupid the average person is. Now, half the people are DUMBER THAN THAT.  Depression.

Rancid on tour withTranspants

For those lucky enough to be in the path of this hurricane, get out and see this great band. Limited dates in the US and UK. What Rancid album is your favorite? I toggle between" Life Won't Wait" and Rancid (2000). Check out the website for dates.

Just gave a listen to the new outing from Jeremy Porter and the Tucos, Partners in Crime. They will be coming to the Rudyard Kipling here in Louisville on June 7th. Here are the details:
Jeremy Porter & The Tucos 
w/3 on the Floor and 3GC
The Rudyard Kipling - LouisvilleFriday June 7th - 10PM - $5. 

What I hear is a nice mash-up of power pop and alternative country. I can hear a little Guadalcanal Diary from the "Jamboree" era. What did I ever do with that cd? I have lost so many greats. Jeremy's voice has a honesty and earnest quality reminiscent of John Doe or Paul Westerberg, not following the temptation to drown in a fake southern accent as some are wont to do... There is a great jangle of pop guitar emanating from the Gretsch hollowbody, piled up atop the bedrock of Fender bass and tight drums. They have more punch than your typical alt country band, more reminiscent of Gin Blossoms and Bob Mould post Husker era. "Little Miss Awesome" could be Bob except the vocals are better.
So you owe yourself a listen to this cd. I do a lot of driving in my day job, and will put this cd in heavy rotation on the Bluetooth. There is a nice balance of material here and it is all moving forward. Great production value, lovingly crafted pop-tinged jangle that defies easy classification. Mature songwriting and well crafted tunesmanship. "Wedding Day" has a beautiful bell-like guitar rhythm backing and nicely layered vocals. Solos are tastefully done, simply playing the notes that fit the song well. "Pizza Girl" has a Byrds "Mr. Spaceman" feel to it. "Barely All the Time" has the lonely feel of Steve Earl playing "My Old Friend the Blues" before kicking in the afterburners. This is the kind of stuff they would be playing on pop radio if there were any justice in the world... 
Check them out in the intimate setting of the Rudyard Kipling. The venue is like the band, a mix of the folksy and the urban, artistic but not pretentious. 
www.jeremyportermusic.com

Great new walking path in Louisville

The Waterfront Development Corporation has opened the path over the Ohio River via the abandoned Big Four RR bridge. This bridge was built in the 1890s and has been a silent ghost of the days of the robber baron era for many years. The bridge is a wide and comfortable path and can accommodate walkers and cyclists with ease. If you are a cycling enthusiast or just enjoy the historic you will love this path.

A punk fan looks at 50.

So many people my age are content to listen to the same crap they heard in high school. I guess I do to but mostly punk from my college days.
I am looking for the new and interesting bands as well... If my musical tastes stopped in 1981, I would have missed out on so much great tuneage. Yes I love the Clash. Black Flag. Fear. But new stuff comes around all the time. So in the second half century of my life I vow to keep up the search for the most interesting and vital sounds around. Maybe I can start a great punk band when I retire from my day gig. You have to stay young.