It's New Years Eve, and the selection of spots in which to while away your drunken revelry is vast. Here's my favorite of the bunch:
Sworn Enemies / The Broken Letters / SDX @ Speakeasy
Admission: 12$ (Free Champagne Toast and Dollar Jello Shots)
Be There: 10PM
This one gets it 'cause the music is tight, the admission is cheap and the atmosphere is just gruzzed enough for getting dirty.
Honorable Mention:
Rolling Stones Tribute Extravaganza @ Bottletree
Fitzpatrick / Sunny So Brite @ Rojo
Selling Mary / Sorry Lee Harvey @ Gable Square Saloon
Pick of the Day (12/31/08): Sworn Enemies
Video of the Day (12/31/08): The M Man
The Brothers McLeod do it again:
The M Man - The Brothers McLeod
Concert Poster of the Day (12/31/08): Sworn Enemies
Here is the poster for tonight's pick:
Sworn Enemies (Speakeasy '08) * by ?Pick of the Day (12/30/08): North Mississippi Allstars
Bring the blues, bring the funk, bring the soul and all that junk.
North Mississippi All-Stars / Hill Country Revue @ Workplay
Admission: 20$
It Starts: 8PM
A bunch of boys from Mississippi break down the blues. It's a pricey ticket, but better pay more for a show worth seeing than to pay less for something your going to leave after the five minutes.
Video of the Day (12/30/08): North Mississippi Allstars
Great live stuff from The North Mississippi Allstars:
North Mississippi Allstars - Station Blues Live at Bonnaroo
Concert Poster of the Day (12/30/08): North Mississippi Allstars
An oldie, with some nice subtle splatters:
Pick of the Day (12/29/08): The Dexateens
Hey hey, what do ya know? Time ticks by, but oh so slow. I got the cure for our disease. Take my hand, hard as you please:
The Dexateens / Arkadelphia / Taylor Hollingsworth @ The Nick
Admission: 10$ (All Proceeds benefit Elijah Serret's Battle With Cancer)
Go Time: 10PM
Mathew Mayfield's new band is playing tonight at Workplay, but seeing as how they have no available tracks for me to peruse, and this show has already established kick-asssery, The Nick gets the pick. Also, it's for a good cause. You can't beat that with a bat.
Honorable Mention:
target="blank">Man On Wire @ target="blank">Bottletree
Video of the Day (12/29/08): The Dexateens
Here's a new video by The Dexateens for a song from their latest release:
Concert Poster of the Day 12/29/08): The Dexateens
Here's one with the Dexateens opening for The Drive By Truckers:
Pick of the Day 12/28/08: Player/Kommander
The Nick. Rock music. Sunday night. Yes indeedy!
Player/Kommander @ The Nick
Admission: 10$
Zero Hour: 10PM
Hot damn! Bit pricey. Still worth it. Flip side.
Video of the Day (12/27/08): The Bloodmobile
Here;s a fan made video to a They Might Be Giants song:
The Bloodmobile - They Might Be Giants
Pick of the Day 12/26/08: Through The Sparks
Bottletree fills the post-holiday malaise with Awesomeness!
Through The Sparks / 13 Ghosts / The Photonicas / Arkadelphia @ Bottletree
Admission: 8$
Go Down: 9PM
Some of the best local bands in town in the coolest bar in town, on a night when we can all get down. This is the place to be tonight y'all. I mean it.
Video of the Day (12/26/08): Anfang Anzufangen
I don't understand a word of this, but that only makes it cooler!
SDP - Anfang Anzufangen
Concert Poster of the Day 12/26/08): Wilco
I know, two Wilco's in a row, but this one really caught my eye bad. Ouch.
Pick of the Day 12/25/08: Taylor Family Band
So, last night my post was all about getting family together, and tonight's pick is all about it!
The Taylor Family Band (Taylor & Van Hollingsworth & Maria, Kate, and Macey Taylor) / The Grenadines / Red Harp @ The Nick
Admission: 6:00
Be There: 10PM
Folks, these various Taylors would individually be worth checking out, so combined this makes for a real knock your socks around type of evening. If you call now, we'll even throw in The Grenadines and Red Harp for FREE (while supplies last).
Video of the Day (12/25/08): Charlie Brown Christmas
So here's my favorite Christmas animation:
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Concert Poster of the Day 12/25/08): Wilco
Hooray Wilco and their commitment to good posters:
Wilco (Patten Gymnasium '07) * by Voltage Design LabPick of the Day 12/24/08: Family Traditions
It's Christmas Eve, and tonight is the time to gather your family about you, in whatever definition of that word pleases you. Whether it be blood relations, close friends, those hostages you took and then became attached to, your collection of vintage dolls or a mixture of all of the above, get in the same meatspace and swap stories and play games for an evening, will you?
Tomorrow will be consumed in an orgy of greed and feigned surprise, but tonight, as you sit in anticipatory exultation watching the clock tick the seconds between you and your things slowly away, remember to look at the people around you and love them. Remember to make them laugh, and to feed them obscenely delicious things. This is the stuff that life is made of, these moments - fleeting, precious and stuffed between the mundane, and these people are the true core of those moments. Family is stronger than the loose ties of companionship or the forced ties of blood. It is love embodied. Count up the number of your beloved and there is your family.
I know Christmas Day is the date we're counting down to, but tonight is the night I truly look forward to. As soon as the presents have been opened, you've lost your chance. They will already be looking forward to the new year and the rest of their lives. Tonight you hold them in a mystical pocket of time, where everyone is free to embrace those they love and to be comforted by their presence. Make sure you hold on as tight as you can.
Merry Christmas Eve! I'm off to play Hearts and tell the story of the time when my Uncle Joe shot the moon twice in a row.
Video of the Day (12/24/08): Don't Die Ding
These is one of the weirdest holiday videos I've seen:
Don't Die Ding - Curiosity Group
Pick of the Day 12/23/08: Sleighbells Ringing?
Or is that just the ringing in my ears I hear anytime there's a dead silence. Oh well. Stay glued for another Christmas Video!
Video of the Day (12/23/08): Claymation Christmas
Tonight, since there is no music to speak of, I am proud to present to you Will Vinton's Claymation Christmas in it's entirety!
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Concert Poster of the Day 12/23/08): Antler
I'm in the mood for amusement, and this one hit the tickle spot:
Pick of the Day 12/22/08: Drew Holcomb
Hey folks, I'm back up on the posting horse. Most of my Christmas crafting is complete, and I am surrounded by piles of cute little monkeys! Looks like during my absence I missed one of the great weeks of music here and got back in time for there to be not much going on. Still, though Christmas has covered everything in it's path with glitter and sales ads, good music shines through:
Drew Holcomb / Red Mountain Music @ Workplay
Admission: 10$
It Starts: 8PM
Drew Holcomb's been a pick on this blog before, and he's bringing his clean tones back around to sing familiar and traditional Christmas tunes. This is likely one of the better sounding musical tributes to the season available, being in such an accoustically inviting space and all, so if you're in the mood for some cheer, get dressed and moving.
Video of the Day (12/22/08): Santa's Interpretive Dance
I'm doing Christmas videos this week. Get up in 'em.
Santa's Interpretive Dance
Concert Poster of the Day 12/22/08): Drew Holcomb
Here's a poster from Drew's Christmas shindig last year:
Holiday Crunch Time
OK, so this is a lame excuse, but I am unable to post at the moment (other than this quick little blurb) because I am mired in home-made Christmas gift construction. Please bear with me, and I promise I will get back on the horse as soon as possible. In the meantime, check out fellow music aficionado Whitney Sides local music blog bham.fm for some interesting tidbits. Ta.
The Week In Preview
Wow, Time is a nagging, finicky beast who runs out on you just when the going gets good. Due to unforeseen idiocy, this week will have to be an abridged one of sorts. Here we go:
Monday (12/8/08):
The Times of Harvey Milk @ Bottletree
Admission: 10$ General / 7$ Student (towards SHOUT fundraiser)
Go Time: 7PM
Tuesday (12/9/08):
D. Charles Speer & The Helix / Them Natives / Duquette Johnston @ The Nick
Admission: 6$
Be There: 10PM
Wednesday (12/10/08):
Darker My Love / The Strange Boys / The Coathangers @ Bottletree
Admission: 8$
It Starts: 8PM
Thursday (12/11/08):
Bright Henry / The Secret Dangers / John Little and the Lion Hearts @ The Nick
Admission: 5$
Zero Hour: 10PM
Friday (12/12/08):
Nothing to see here. Move along.
Saturday (12/13/08):
Richie Havens / Winters Park @ Workplay
Admission: 30$
Begins: 8PM
Sunday (12/14/08):
Musicians Christmas Party @ Bottletree
Admission: Free
Get It On: 5PM
Well, that's all folks. Have a good week, and be nice to each other.
Pick of the Day 12/7/08: Winston Audio
We haven't had a good Sunday show in a while. Here's one for ya:
Winston Audio / A Crimson Dynamo @ The Nick
Admission: 5$
Starting: 10PM
Winston Audio are one of the better straight up rock bands I've heard in a while. Good dynamic range, lots of shifts, and with great energy throughout. Just dirty enough to be good, but not too grimy.
Video of the Day (12/7/08): Winston Audio
These guys kick teeth live, better believe it!
Winston Audio - Hey Ann
Concert Poster of the Day 12/7/08): Winston Audio
A poster from only a few days ago:
Winston Audio (The Drunken Unicorn '08) * by ?Pick of the Day 12/6/08: Deerhunter
Video of the Day (12/6/08): Deerhunter
This video is probably bad for epileptics, but here you go:
Deerhunter - Strange Lights
Concert Poster of the Day 12/6/08): Deerhunter
This is the poster for tonight's pick:
Deerhunter (Bottletree '08) * by ?Pick of the Day 12/5/08: My Brightest Diamond
Today we get hit with some great music. Here's the crowning glory of the evening:
My Brightest Diamond / Clare & the Reasons @ Bottletree
Admission: 12$
Be There: 8PM
I'm telling you right now folks, this is gonna be one of the best shows of the month. Both of these bands play shockingly beautiful tunes, full of melody and grace with tight instrumentation and delivery. You'd be sorry to miss it.
Video of the Day (12/5/08): My Brightest Diamond
How perfect is this! I found a cool animated video for the band that's playing tonight. All of my needs in one place.
My Brightest Diamond - Inside A Boy
Concert Poster of the Day 12/5/08): My Brightest Diamond
Here's a My Brightest Diamond poster from a previous evening:
Concert Poster of the Day 12/4/08): Polvo
This is the kick-ass poster for tonight's pick:
Polvo (Bottletree '08) * by Vic DonatiPick of the Day 12/4/08: Polvo
Finally! Music sweet music is upon us again.
Polvo / Highland Space / Mt. St. Mtn. @ Bottletree
Admission: 14$
It Starts: 8PM
Polvo is an often obtuse and occasionally brilliant band who range sonically from lilting melody to brutal assault often in one song and in quick succession. Very interesting stuff. The other two could be absolute genius, but I have no way of knowing. Highland Space was unfindable, and Mt. St. Mtn. have no music on their myspace, in accordance with their All Vinyl Policy.
Pick of the Day 12/3/08: Water, Water Everywhere...
...and not a drop to drink! There are shows at The Nick and Workplay, but just like yesterday they are both on the verge of groan-inducing, though little glimmers of worth keep peeking through just when I least expect it. Too little too late.
Video of the Day (12/3/08): Tall Tales & Other Big Lies
Heh. A funny (slightly dirty) story told with vigor.
Tall Tales & Other Big Lies - Told by Ray Wylie Hubbard
Pick of the Day 12/2/08: The Lesser of Two Evils
Sometimes, I'm tempted to pick a show even though all available alternatives are underwhelming. In the end though, it would be doing y'all a disservice. Tonight you could go see a meandering indie mess at The Nick, or you could check out the slick pre-packaged nonsense at Workplay. In the end, the lesser of two evils is still evil. Go bowling.
Video of the Day (12/2/08): Carlos (My Name Is Not)
Cease your mewling and feast on this!
Carlos (My Name Is Not) - Maxime Robin
Concert Poster of the Day 12/2/08): The Tryst
The guy who made this poster designs exclusively for this band, and all in this style. Neat.
Pick of the Day 12/1/08: Wilderness
Tonight's show features a bit of haphazard indie wandering mixed in with some electronica, but it's the best thing going, and a little aimless rock never hurt anyone.
Wilderness / San Serac / Imaginary Planes @ Bottletree
Admission: 10$
Go Time: 8PM
This really is an odd pairing of bands, but who says shows have to be homogeneous? Variety is the spice of life, they say. Whoever "they" are.
Concert Poster of the Day 12/1/08): Wilderness
I'm actually not that crazy about this poster, but in the interest of complete documentation, here is the rag for tonight's show:
Wilderness (Bottletree '08) * by ?
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