During last night's address to the nation, he attempted to lay out his agenda for the next four years, among other things. Not intended to be highly detailed, his words were more optimistic and idealistic.
One thing of note was his pointed words toward the final vestiges of the Bush neo-conservative movement. He spoke of closing Guantanemo, and he spoke against torture. He spoke against the greed that marked the no-bid Haliburton era politics of the last eight years. As a Progressive, I was excited to hear such talk. Although Obama is a moderate, not a liberal as he is so often painted, I am glad to see him expressing concerns about issues important to the progressive movement. Good job Mr. President!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
CNN Gives John Ziegler's Wingnut Movie Credibility
Just finished watching CNN give conservative wingnut John Ziegler credibility and a free promo for his movie that purports that the evil liberal media tanked Sarah Palin's 2008 campaign. I watched the interviews, I think that Sarah tanked her own campaign.
I hate how the CNN reporter lobbed softball questions at Ziegler, and gave him credibility as a "film maker". I thought he was just another jackass talking head conservative radio host. He was when he was here in Louisville on WHAS-AM, before leaving town amid shame and sexual harassment allegations.
Until reporters ask tough questions of EVERYONE they interview, I guess anyone can get free credibility just by showing up. The right wing of the Republican Party comes across as sore losers, at a time that our country faces great challenges, most of which were created by said conservatives.
I hate how the CNN reporter lobbed softball questions at Ziegler, and gave him credibility as a "film maker". I thought he was just another jackass talking head conservative radio host. He was when he was here in Louisville on WHAS-AM, before leaving town amid shame and sexual harassment allegations.
Until reporters ask tough questions of EVERYONE they interview, I guess anyone can get free credibility just by showing up. The right wing of the Republican Party comes across as sore losers, at a time that our country faces great challenges, most of which were created by said conservatives.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Agent Orange: Tour 2009 Info
If you are not familiar with these guys, Agent Orange goes back to the early days of SoCal punk. Their sound has stradled punk, surf, and the early days of what we called hardcore. Their power trio format was the schematic for many a punk band in the 80's, mine included (Angry Dissidents). With a guitar, bass and drum attack, the music takes on an urgency that you miss with a fuller sound. Take the Minutemen, Husker Du, and the Meat Puppets. These were diverse and sparse power trios of the same era. Nice to see the boys on tour. I may get out the old Blood Stained Hitz compilation, and trip up to Newport for a show.
February 24, 2009 New City Suburbs Edmonton, Alberta
February 25, 2009 Cheers North Red Deer, Alberta
February 26, 2009 The Underground Calgary, Alberta
February 27, 2009 Amigos Cantina Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
February 28, 2009 The Distrikt Regina, Saskatchewan
March 1, 2009 Royal Albert Arms Winnipeg, Manitoba
March 4, 2009 The Embassy London, Ontario
March 5, 2009 Touche Bar Hamilton, Ontario
March 6, 2009 The Alex Brantford, Ontario
March 7, 2009 Katacombes Montreal, Quebec
March 8, 2009 Mohawk Place Buffalo, New York
March 9, 2009 Southgate House Newport, Kentucky
March 10, 2009 Tiger O'stylies Berwyn (Chicago), Illinois
March 11, 2009 Knickerbockers Lincoln, Nebraska
March 12, 2009 Pt's Club Inferno Denver, Colorado
March 13, 2009 Club Vegas Salt Lake City, Utah
March 14, 2009 The Cheyenne Saloon Las Vegas, Nevada
March 15, 2009 Cocky Bull Victorville, California
February 24, 2009 New City Suburbs Edmonton, Alberta
February 25, 2009 Cheers North Red Deer, Alberta
February 26, 2009 The Underground Calgary, Alberta
February 27, 2009 Amigos Cantina Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
February 28, 2009 The Distrikt Regina, Saskatchewan
March 1, 2009 Royal Albert Arms Winnipeg, Manitoba
March 4, 2009 The Embassy London, Ontario
March 5, 2009 Touche Bar Hamilton, Ontario
March 6, 2009 The Alex Brantford, Ontario
March 7, 2009 Katacombes Montreal, Quebec
March 8, 2009 Mohawk Place Buffalo, New York
March 9, 2009 Southgate House Newport, Kentucky
March 10, 2009 Tiger O'stylies Berwyn (Chicago), Illinois
March 11, 2009 Knickerbockers Lincoln, Nebraska
March 12, 2009 Pt's Club Inferno Denver, Colorado
March 13, 2009 Club Vegas Salt Lake City, Utah
March 14, 2009 The Cheyenne Saloon Las Vegas, Nevada
March 15, 2009 Cocky Bull Victorville, California
Academy Awards Day
Actors I have never heard of winning awards for movies I will never see. Hooray for Hollywood.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead to release new CD This Week!
Followers of this blog know that one of my favorite bands and band names out there is "...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead". Century of Self is the title, and as usual the Austin- based band pushes the sonic envelope. From the samples on their website and myspace, I am looking forward to the new offering. I hear shades of Husker Du, Smashing Pumpkins and a lot of other sonic mayhem in their sound. Hoping a tour will follow.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Republican Votes for Stimulus Package: 0, Republican Concern for the Common Worker in America: 0
The Republicans are back in their favorite roll... Obstructionists. They have proven over the last few years that they are incapable of providing anything meaningful to add to the discourse. They are just interested in lining their pockets and the pockets of their friends... They are showing their obstructionist solidarity, and the fact that they all march lock-step to the tune of Rush Limbaugh. Funny that NONE of them had a mind of his or her own. So much for bipartisanship in Washington. I hope we can rid ourselves of more of these losers in the 2010 election.
Voodoo Glow Skulls!
For those who say that ska is dead, The Voodoo Glow Skulls drive a stake right through their head. Since 1988, these SoCal skacore aficianados have been bringing it. I have been into these guys since the Band Geek Mafia days, and they continue to put out great music. Check out Epitaph Records website and Victory Records for free mp3's of these guys. I love the "in yer face" attitude of their music. My favorite tracks by these guys are "Left for Dead", "Steady as she Goes" and "Hit a Guy With Glasses". Check them out!
Primeval Punk Pics
Here are a couple of pics a friend sent me of a punk band I played in back in the late 70's and early 80's. Standing up there on a flatbed truck cranking out some Ramones no doubt... Check out the trucker hats, before the guy from Pennywise spoted one, and the old coffin shaped Phantom guitar. I am playing the ES 335 archtop guitar, proving that ANY guitar is a punk guitar. Very funny stuff!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Decemberists Ready to Take on the World in 2009
One of my favorite indie bands is getting busy in time for Spring 2009. The Decemberists are planning a tour in support of their new record Hazards of Love, which is due on March 24. Sorry to see there are no dates for Louisville (humble home of the Dissident Times) as of yet, but I am hoping they flesh out the schedule as the tour approaches.
Here is what the dates look like so far:
May 19, 2009 Hollywood Palladium Los Angeles, CA
May 20, 2009 Fox Theatre Oakland, CA
May 21, 2009 McDonald Theater Eugene, OR
May 24, 2009 Wilma Theatre Missoula, MT
May 26, 2009 Fillmore Auditorium Denver, CO
May 27, 2009 Uptown Theater Kansas City, MO
May 29, 2009 Riverside Theater Milwaukee, WI
May 31, 2009 The Pageant St. Louis, MO
June 1, 2009 Lifestyle Communities Pavilion Columbus, OH
June 3, 2009 Tabernacle Atlanta, GA
June 4, 2009 Memorial Auditorium Raleigh, NC
June 5, 2009 The National Richmond, VA
June 6, 2009 Tower Theatre Upper Darby, PA
June 9, 2009 Bank of America Pavillion Boston, MA
June 10, 2009 Radio City Music Hall New York, NY
June 11, 2009 Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival Manchester, TN
Here is what the dates look like so far:
May 19, 2009 Hollywood Palladium Los Angeles, CA
May 20, 2009 Fox Theatre Oakland, CA
May 21, 2009 McDonald Theater Eugene, OR
May 24, 2009 Wilma Theatre Missoula, MT
May 26, 2009 Fillmore Auditorium Denver, CO
May 27, 2009 Uptown Theater Kansas City, MO
May 29, 2009 Riverside Theater Milwaukee, WI
May 31, 2009 The Pageant St. Louis, MO
June 1, 2009 Lifestyle Communities Pavilion Columbus, OH
June 3, 2009 Tabernacle Atlanta, GA
June 4, 2009 Memorial Auditorium Raleigh, NC
June 5, 2009 The National Richmond, VA
June 6, 2009 Tower Theatre Upper Darby, PA
June 9, 2009 Bank of America Pavillion Boston, MA
June 10, 2009 Radio City Music Hall New York, NY
June 11, 2009 Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival Manchester, TN
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Blink 182 to reunite, prepare for summer tour
Blink fans are happy, as they have announced an upcoming summer tour. An "on-the-mend" Travis Barker will join the rest of the members for a summer tour. It also appears there will be an upcoming album in the works. Nice to see a group that has great chemistry get back together and continue where they left off.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Dead Confederate - psychedelic southern rock
Dead Confederate filters their southern rock through equal measures of psychedelic and indie pop. Hailing from Athens, Georgia, the 80's cradle of college rock acts such as Drivin and Cryin, REM, the B52s, these guys have a haunting sound.
Atmospheric waves of guitar are layered on more traditional pop underpinnings.
Bandmates Hardy Morris (vocals, guitar), Brantley Senn (bass), Walker Howle (guitar), John Watkins (keyboards), and Jason Scarboro (drums) bonded over a shared affinity for Pink Floyd and Black Sabbath. I hear a little of both in their sound.
Making a splash at the SXSW fest, the group has relied on its touring efforts, and released both an EP and full length in the last few months. Dead Confederate appears on The Artists Organization (label) and issued their debut EP in early 2008. A full-length album, Wrecking Ball, followed in September. Definitely worth checking out.
Atmospheric waves of guitar are layered on more traditional pop underpinnings.
Bandmates Hardy Morris (vocals, guitar), Brantley Senn (bass), Walker Howle (guitar), John Watkins (keyboards), and Jason Scarboro (drums) bonded over a shared affinity for Pink Floyd and Black Sabbath. I hear a little of both in their sound.
Making a splash at the SXSW fest, the group has relied on its touring efforts, and released both an EP and full length in the last few months. Dead Confederate appears on The Artists Organization (label) and issued their debut EP in early 2008. A full-length album, Wrecking Ball, followed in September. Definitely worth checking out.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Live Blogging the Superbowl
So far here are my impressions. The Cardinals came out looking overwhelmed. They seem to have found their footing. The fat guy from Pittsburgh had a great interception and 100 yard runback. He sure did enjoy his oxygen afterward. He is a hero to me. I like fat guy runbacks. The 3D commercials were kind of lame. I had the glasses, and was 7 feet from a 52" plasma, and it didn't look that great to me. Then Bruce showed up to save the day. Doing a nice set from his 30 year career, he is a little older, heavier and slower, but still rocks the house. I would have liked to just finish the evening with Bruce and the E Street Band, and then watch the rest of the game at a later date. Bruce still rocks!
FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY- THE DAY THE MUSIC DIED
February 2nd, 1959- the day the music died. It has been fifty years since the plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and the Big Bopper. En route to a concert, their plane crashed in a field in Iowa. People do not realize the lost potential of the artists. Holly was only 22, Valens was 17.
Rock and roll was in its infancy, and these were artists at the top of their game. Holly was an accomplished songwriter, and Valens was a star on the rise. In the early days of touring, they were doing a Winter Dance Tour by bus. The tour buses at that time were no more than converted school buses with no heat and poor amenities. Holly and the other artists chartered a plane to get ahead of the game, get to town early and get some rest, clean shirt, etc. They never made it.
So many great songs. Such a great talent. Go rent The Buddy Holly Story, and La Bamba this week to get a new appreciation for these two stars who died too young.
Rock and roll was in its infancy, and these were artists at the top of their game. Holly was an accomplished songwriter, and Valens was a star on the rise. In the early days of touring, they were doing a Winter Dance Tour by bus. The tour buses at that time were no more than converted school buses with no heat and poor amenities. Holly and the other artists chartered a plane to get ahead of the game, get to town early and get some rest, clean shirt, etc. They never made it.
So many great songs. Such a great talent. Go rent The Buddy Holly Story, and La Bamba this week to get a new appreciation for these two stars who died too young.
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