Thursday, December 31, 2009

Wilco (The Beer)


Ever since I tried my first
Lagunitas IPA, I was hooked on their delectable beers. It appears that they will name their spring seasonal brown ale "Wilco Tango Foxtrot Ale". How cool is that!

You can check the tweet out at
@LagunitasSaid

Setlist: Phish @ American Airlines Arena 12/30/09

Phish
Wednesday, December 30, 2009

American Airlines Arena

Miami, FL


Set I: Soul Shakedown Party, Runaway Jim, Jesus Just Left Chicago, Dixie Cannonball, Stealing Time From the Faulty Plan, Corrina, What's the Use?, Tela, Gone, Rocky Top, Chalk Dust Torture, David Bowie


Set II: Sand, The Curtain With, Lifeboy, Back on the Train > Wading in the Velvet Sea, Hold Your Head Up > Love You > Hold Your Head Up, Free, Boogie On Reggae Woman, Run Like an Antelope


Encore: Frankenstein


Notes: Gone was a debut, and Dixie Cannonball was a Phish debut. Back on the Train featured an extended jam including hints of Limb by Limb. During Love You, Fishman mentioned Trey's announcement on December 28, 2009 that it was Fishman's last vacuum solo "of the aughts," so he announced that he needed "someone dressed like me" to do it, brought audience member Rich onstage to do the solo, then gave him the vac! Antelope included numerous Boogie On teases. Frankenstein featured Page on keytar. Corrina was played for the first time since February 24, 2003 (100 shows) and Tela was played for the first time since November 24, 1998 (235 shows).
This gig featured ten songs not previously performed in 2009 inclusive of two debuts; 2009 features more unique songs (242) than any other year in Phish's history, beating out 1998 by 2... so far!

[Setlist via Phish.net]

Reviews:

Download the show:

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Setlist: Phish @ American Airlines Arena 12/29/09

Phish
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
American Airlines Arena
Miami, FL

Set 1:
Golgi Apparatus, Maze, Driver, The Connection, Wolfman's Brother, Ocelot, Reba, Access Me, The Divided Sky, Cavern

Set 2:
Kill Devil Falls, Tweezer > Prince Caspian, Gotta Jibboo > Wilson > Gotta Jibboo > Heavy Things > Also Sprach Zarathustra, Slave to the Traffic Light

Encore:
Sleeping Monkey, Tweezer Reprise

Notes:
Tweezer featured a Manteca jam.

Reviews:
Download the show:

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Just Say No To The Proposed Ticketmaster / Live Nation Merger

The proposed merger between Ticketmaster & Live Nation is a really bad idea. I hope that our wonderful and often ass-backwards government will realize this and prevent this atrocity from happening.

Living in Chicago has it's advantages when it comes to the arts. You are able to see just about any genre of music on any given night. It is simply getting too expensive to go to as many shows as I would like. I recently bought a ticket for the Experience Hendrix Tribute Tour, which descends upon Chicago on March 18. I bought a $38 face value ticket. After a $10.45 "convenience charge" and a $0.63 charge in "additional taxes", my ticket wound up being about $50!


This morning, I got an email from Jam Productions regarding the proposed merger. The entire email is below. Please read it and let your voice be heard. As fans of live music we have to do everything in our power to keep this from happening!

Fellow Concertgoers,

There's a train wreck about to happen and consumer groups say YOU will be the victim - if the two most powerful corporate interests in the live concert business get their way. But you can help stop the merger of Ticketmaster and Live Nation. The government needs to hear from music fans now. Tell the Department of Justice that you're against these monopolies amassing illegal power over consumers, before it's too late. antitrust.complaints@usdoj.gov

As a concertgoer you have already felt the pain, and if Ticketmaster and Live Nation get their way, it'll get worse. In the last 12 years, since Live Nation and its predecessor started its widespread take over of the concert industry, concert tickets have shot up 82% while the consumer price index has gone up just 17%*. We are concerned that if the two concert industry behemoths, Live Nation and Ticketmaster, were permitted to merge, the variety and quality of artists coming to local venues would be affected, and your prices could rise further and faster.

Five of the nation's most prominent public interest groups called on the Department of Justice to block the proposed merger of Ticketmaster and Live Nation.

In the consumer groups' and lawmakers' words:

"Consumers deserve a fair deal in the entertainment marketplace, not the fewer choices and higher prices that would result from this merger," said Susan Grant, Director of Consumer Protection at Consumer Federation of America.

"This merger is an insult to both musicians and consumers," said James Love, Director of Knowledge Ecology International

"We cannot envision a remedy that would ease this chilling impediment to competition… In the absence of other effective, expeditious remedies, the proposed transaction should be prohibited." American Antitrust Institute White Paper

As described by Senator Herb Kohl (WI) in the Senate Antitrust hearing, "This merger will not only expand Ticketmaster's control of the ticketing market by eliminating a competitor, but it is also creating an entity that will control the entire chain of the concert business – from artist management to concert promotion and production to ticketing and ticket resale."

"This merger would be a disaster for consumers. Nothing short of blocking this takeover of the ticket market by two industry behemoths will be acceptable," said National Consumers League Executive Director Sally Greenberg.

"As president, I will direct my administration to reinvigorate antitrust enforcement. I will step up review of merger activity and take effective action to stop or restructure those mergers that are likely to harm consumer welfare…," said Senator Barak Obama when he was campaigning for the presidency.



If you agree with the consumer groups and lawmakers, make a difference and LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD NOW.

If you are tired of paying exorbitant ticket prices and service charges and paying for parking on a per head basis and dealing with the gouging, unregulated secondary ticket market in an effort to get good seating. If you are disgusted with paying more and more every year for the live concert experience THEN ACT NOW, CLICK ON THE LINK IMMEDIATELY BELOW AND SEND A MESSAGE TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE URGING THEM TO STOP THIS MERGER!
antitrust.complaints@usdoj.gov

To learn more, check out:

ticketdisaster.org

Public Interest Groups Call on Justice Department to Block Ticketmaster/LiveNation/Comcast Merger

American Antitrust Institute's White Paper TICKETMASTER - LIVE NATION

Philadelphia Weekly's cover story "Monopoly Rules"

Signed,


Jam Productions, The 9:30 Club, Merriweather Post Pavilion,
Metropolitan Talent, Another Planet, Frank Productions, Stone City Attractions, Rams Head Live, The Black Cat …… and independent concert promoters and venue operators nationwide.

*Study by Princeton University economist Alan Krueger

Monday, December 28, 2009

Setlist: Phish @ American Airlines Arena 12/28/09

Phish
Monday, December 28, 2009

American Airlines Arena

Miami, FL


Set I: Sample in a Jar, NICU > My Soul, Roggae, Undermind, Bouncing Around the Room, Poor Heart, Stash, I Didn't Know, Beauty of a Broken Heart, Possum


Set II:
Mike's Song > Light > I Am Hydrogen > Weekapaug Groove, Alaska, Backwards Down the Number Line, Makisupa Policeman > Harry Hood > Contact > Character Zero


Encore:
First Tube

Notes:
My Soul was played for the first time since October 7, 2000 (110 shows).

[Setlist via Phish.net]

Reviews:
Download the show:

Monday Morning Coffee Break

Unfortunately, I am not in Miami this year for Phish's NYE run, but there will be plenty of coverage to keep fans who didn't make it in the know. Make sure to check out yours truly, Hidden Track, Live Music Blog, Mr. Miner & YEM Blog among others for updates and reviews. The Miami Herald recently ran a story about the upcoming Phish shows. You can read the story here. Don't forget to check out Hoodstream.com for a live feed from all four Phish shows.

Friday, December 25, 2009

R.I.P. Vic Chesnutt 1964 - 2009


Very sad to see that Vic Chesnutt has passed away. I had the opportunity to not only see him perform, but to meet him as well. He will be missed by many. Please keep his family and friends in your thoughts and prayers.

Video: Stone Temple Pilots - Unglued

Happy Holidays to everyone!

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Vic Chesnutt In A Coma

News has just surfaced that Vic Chesnutt is in a coma. My thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family.

[via
No Depression]

Some News For Your Day

I feel like I have been lacking on my posts, but I thought I would squeeze this bit of news in before Christmas.
Six years ago, I was in Miami for my first Phish NYE blowout. It was nice to escape the cold of Chicago for the warm sunny beaches of Miami. For those four nights, Phish took me on a musical journey that I still get goose bumps thinking about. As a re-focused Phish descends upon Miami, the magic will once again be in the air in South Florida. Mr. Miner has taken time to look back at the magical NYE run of 2003 in a two part series. You can check out his first part here and his second part here.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Video: Rage Against The Machine - Killing in the Name

In honor of Rage Against The Machine topping the UK Christmas Pop Charts with "Killing in the Name", I thought I would post the official music video for the song. Eat your heart out Simon Cowell!

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Monday Morning Coffee Break

Friday, December 18, 2009

Video: The White Stripes Canadian Tour Documentary Trailer



[via
Pitchfork]

Tour de Friday

It's hard to believe it's almost Christmas! Have any NYE plans yet? Head over to Live Music Blog and check out their NYE preview.
This week saw the announcement of the NOLA Jazz & Heritage Festival, moe.'s annual Summer Camp Festival & the second annual Big Ears Festival initial lineups. Last year, Langerado was forced to put their festival on hold and this year it appears that the 10,000 Lakes Festival is the latest victim. JamBase has the scoop.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

My Trip To Kuma's Corner

Lately, I have been on a bit of a Mastodon kick. Blood Mountain & Leviathan have been in rotation in my car for the last week. With that being said, my friend Emily & I decided to take a trip to Kuma's Corner last night for a gargantuan hamburger. We arrived a little after 7 PM and the wait for a table was 90 minutes. The bar is very small and the tables are even smaller. We decided to wait it out and it was definitely worth the wait. After about 45 minutes, a spot at the bar opened up so we decided to take it.

The list of burgers on the menu is rather impressive with all of them being named after metal bands. On my first trip to Kuma's, I ordered the Mastodon burger, which is topped with bacon, cheddar cheese, bbq sauce and frizzled onions. This time I went for their famous Kuma's Burger, which has cheddar cheese, bacon and a fried egg! You may think a fried egg on a burger sounds gross, but it was divine!
Emily ordered the Lair of the Minotaur, which was topped with caramelized onions, pancetta, brie cheese and bourbon soaked pears. Both burgers were good, but the Kuma's Burger took the prize. You can check out the rest of the menu here.

What would a good burger be without a good beer. Kuma's boasts a solid beer selection. Last night we tried the JuJu Ginger Ale & Warrior IPA from the Left Hand Brewing Company. We also tried the Indica IPA from The Lost Coast Brewery & Crooked Tree IPA from Dark Horse Brewing Company.

Ok..... back to my Mastodon kick. Guitar Center's Drum-Off will conclude with the finals being held at L.A.'s The Wiltern on January 8. The night will feature a tribute to the great John Bonham by his son Jason. If that wasn't kick-ass enough, the evening will feature a collaborative performance by Tool's Danny Carey and Mastodon's Brann Dailor. Let's hope that the footage will pop up on YouTube. Paste has the low down here.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Video: Phish w/ Neil Young - Down by the River


Hump Day Happenings

Courtney Love has reportedly lost custody of her 17-year-old daughter Frances Bean Cobain. Kurt Cobain's mother, Wendy O'Connor and Kurt's sister, Kimberly Dawn Cobain are now the legal guardians for Frances Bean. This is actually very sad when you think about it, but let's hope Courtney hasn't fallen off the wagon for her own sake.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Jazz Fest Announces 2010 Lineup

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival have unveiled their artist lineup for the 2010 edition of the annual festival. This year bolsters a very strong lineup with an artist tba headlining the first weekend and Pearl Jam closing out the second weekend. This might be the year that I finally get down to NOLA to check out this amazing festival.

Some of the first weekend highlights include:
Lionel Richie, Allman Brothers Band, My Morning Jacket, Anita Baker, Dr. John, Darius Rucker, The Black Crowes, Steel Pulse, Johnny Lang, Band of Horses, The Levon Helm Band, Drake, Keely Smith, Baaba Maal, George Clinton and Parliament/Funkadelic, Imagination Movers, Ledisi, King Sunny Ade & His African Beats, Better Than Ezra, Blind Boys of Alabama, Elvin Bishop, funky Meters, Sax for Stax featuring Gerald Albright, Kirk Whalum, and Jeff Lorber, Marcia Ball, Shawn Colvin, Pastor Smokie Norful, Terence Blanchard, Cowboy Mouth, The Campbell Brothers

Second weekend highlights include:
Pearl Jam, Aretha Franklin, Van Morrison, Widespread Panic, The Neville Brothers, B.B. King, Jeff Beck, Irma Thomas, Gipsy Kings, The Dead Weather, Elvis Costello & the Sugarcanes, Teena Marie, Allen Toussaint, Gov’t Mule, Average White Band, Jose Feliciano, Steve Martin with the Steep Canyon Rangers, Maze feat. Frankie Beverly, Kirk Franklin, Wayne Shorter Quartet, Gil Scott Heron, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Clarence Carter, Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi Band, Tye Tribbett, Juvenile & DJ Mannie Fresh, Take Six, Sugarfoot’s Ohio Players, Galactic, Stanley Clarke Band feat. Hiromi, Old Crow Medicine Show, Richie Havens, Marcus Miller, Sierra Leone Refugee All Stars, Pete Fountain, The Radiators, Blues Traveler, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Anders Osborne, Kermit Ruffins & the Barbecue Swingers, Rebirth Brass Band, Sonny Landreth, Elvis Perkins in Dearland, Martin Sexton

Tickets are on sale now and are available at the festivals official website. Click here to purchase tickets.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Monday Morning Coffee Break

I had a pretty good weekend. I saw Dumpstaphunk phunk it up at Martyr's on Friday. I caught the tail end of the Ragbirds set and their fiddle player, Erin Ziddle can really play. Bears suck, Bulls suck, but the Blackhawks look to be the only hope for Chicago sports at this time. Here is some news to keep your Monday going.
It's almost that time for summer festivals to start announcing their initial lineups. The Coachella Valley Music & Arts will return to the Empire Polo Club in Indio, CA the weekend of April 16-18. Pavement is rumored to headline while Muse has already been confirmed.

Friday, December 11, 2009

Video: Wayne Coyne Announcing Flaming Lips NYE Freakout


Tour de Friday

Eric Clapton has announced shows in both Europe and the US, but these aren't your run of the mill shows . Clapton will join forces with Jeff Beck in New York and in Canada in late February. Shortly after that, Clapton will hop on the road with Roger Daltrey for some arena shows in the US. Come spring time, Clapton will find himself in Europe touring with Steve Winwood. I am hoping that Clapton will announce a Chicago show in the near future. Check out the dates here.

Grounded: Flight of the Conchords Won't Return For Third Season


Flight of the Conchords, Americas favorite duo from Australia, I mean New Zealand won't be returning for a third season. Brett and Jemaine made the official announcement on their website.

Season one of Flight of the Conchords is absolutely brilliant
! I saw a few episodes of season two and I wasn't too impressed, but will definitely give it another shot.

[via Pitchfork]

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Video: DEA Recruits Lil Wayne


DEA Recruits Lil Wayne To Use Up All Drugs In Mexico

Hump Day Happenings

Winter is finally upon us here in Chicago. The weather the last two days has been miserable. With that being said, here is some news to help your Wednesday along.
Phish finished off their first fall tour in nearly a decade this past Saturday at John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, VA. The band dusted off quite a few tunes and I was particularly happy with all the bluegrass numbers that re-appeared. The folks over at Hidden Track broke down Fall 2009 tour one-timers, songs by album and covers.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

BlakRoc Performing On The Late Show With David Letterman Tonight!

The Black Keys will be joined by Jim Jones and Mos Def to perform a song off of BlakRoc's debut album.

The Late Show with David Letterman airs at 11:35 p.m. ET/PT

Monday, December 7, 2009

Video: Weezer Name Drop Phish & DMB In Interview

Monday Morning Coffee Break

It was quite the weekend! I woke up this morning to the first snowfall in Chicago this winter. Even though the Bears beat the hopeless Rams, they still suck. The Bulls have been bad all season. At least the Blackhawks are winning. To top it all off, a naked guy ran on stage during Phish's final show of their fall tour in Charlottesville, VA on Saturday during "Yamar". Here a few stories to get your Monday going.
In other Weezer news, the band was forced to cancel the rest of their tour in support of Raditude after the tour bus carrying frontman Rivers Cuomo was involved in a one vehicle accident. There is a post on Weezer's official website documenting the accident. From what it sounds like, the bus driver did all he could to prevent the accident from being anymore worse than it was. We hope Rivers has a speedy recovery.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Setlist: Phish @ John Paul Jones Arena 12-5-09

Phish
Saturday, December 5, 2009

John Paul Jones Arena

Charlottesville, VA

Set 1: AC/DC Bag, Chalk Dust Torture, Stealing Time From the Faulty Plan, The Divided Sky, Ya Mar[1], Sneakin' Sally through the Alley[2], The Old Home Place, Cavern, Funky Bitch, David Bowie, The Wedge, Bold As Love

Set II:
Tweezer > Light > Piper > Free, Sweet Virginia, Harry Hood > Suzy Greenberg, Golgi Apparatus, Run Like an Antelope[3]

Encore:
Loving Cup, Tweezer Reprise

[1] With alternate lyrics referencing a "naked pa."

[2] Vocal jam.

[3] Alternate lyrics referencing a naked stage crasher.


Notes:
During Ya Mar, a naked guy jumped onstage and ran around for a bit before being rounded up by security, prompting Trey to change the lyrics to "he was a naked pa." Sneakin' Sally contained a vocal jam. The sound for Mike's bass dropped out during Golgi causing him to sing the bass line. Antelope contained several lyric changes referencing the naked stage crasher.


[Setlist via
Phish.net]

Reviews:

Download the show:

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Setlist: Phish @ Madison Square Garden 12-4-09

Phish
Friday, December 4, 2009

Madison Square Garden

New York, NY

Set I: Heavy Things, Possum, Wilson, Kill Devil Falls, Glide, 46 Days, Bouncing Around the Room, Reba, Dinner and a Movie, Guyute, Maze, First Tube

Set II:
Scents and Subtle Sounds > Rock and Roll > Seven Below > Twist > Mike's Song > I Am Hydrogen > Weekapaug Groove, The Horse > Silent in the Morning, You Enjoy Myself

Encore:
Shine a Light

[via Phish.net]

Reviews:

Download the show:

Friday, December 4, 2009

Great Lake Swimmers Unveil Legion Sessions Website


Today, Great Lake Swimmers unveiled a website to accompany the Legion Sessions. Once on the website you will have to search for links to nine Legion Session videos. After finding all nine videos, you will receive a free download of an unreleased Great Lake Swimmers song titled "Don't be Cruel".

You can check out the website here.

[via
North by East West]

Tour de Friday

I am not a fan of The Black Eyed Peas, but the group has announced the first dates of a global tour. The two month trek begins on February 4th in Atlanta. Will.I.Am is promising that the tour will be a one of a kind experience. The band is also going green for the tour. The band will place recycling bins throughout the venue to collect all the plastic bottles. The band will turn the plastic into fabric for BEP swag after the tour concludes.

Setlist: Phish @ Madison Square Garden 12-3-09

Phish
Thursday, December 3, 2009

Madison Square Garden

New York, NY

Set I: Punch You In the Eye, Backwards Down the Number Line, Axilla > Taste, Boogie On Reggae Woman, Stash, Lawn Boy, Time Turns Elastic, Back on the Train > Julius

Set II:
Down with Disease > Piper > Fluffhead, Cities > Free, Halley's Comet > Also Sprach Zarathustra > David Bowie

Encore:
Character Zero

Reviews:
Download the show:

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Video: Phish - Suzy Greenberg @ MSG 12-2-09


Blakroc The Album & Car

"Black Friday" is know as the busiest shopping day of the year. People line up at ridiculous times to get the the hottest toys and gadgets of the holiday season. Every year you hear about stampedes and even a little violence as parents fight and scrap over toys for their kids. Pretty crazy if you ask me.

This year, "Blak Friday" took on a whole new meaning. The Black Keys, the Akron, OH-based blues duo teamed up with some of the biggest names in hip-hop for an exciting collaboration. Dubbed BlakRoc, the result is a hybrid of rock and hip-hop with a grass-roots feel. Mos Def, Damon Dash, Ludacris & RZA are just a few of the artists to appear on the album.

The album has received favorable press and went to #1 of the iTunes Hip-Hop Chart. It also debuted at #10 on the iTunes Top Albums Chart. The album is not available in the big box stores as the group elected to release the album through independent record stores, iTunes and via it's website.


If you are looking for new car, how about a 2010 BlakRoc Chevy Camaro? Carl Black Chevrolet is the exclusive dealer for this one of a kind Chevy Camaro. For more information on the car click here.

Check out some of the press surrounding BlakRoc:

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Setlist: Phish @ Madison Square Garden 12-2-09

Phish
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Madison Square Garden
New York, NY

Set I:
AC/DC Bag > Chalk Dust Torture, Wolfman's Brother > NICU > Ocelot, Brian and Robert, Poor Heart, Sample in a Jar, Peaches en Regalia > The Divided Sky, Cavern

Set II: Golgi Apparatus > Light > Slave to the Traffic Light > Tweezer > Joy, Sparkle, Harry Hood, Wading in the Velvet Sea, Suzy Greenberg, Run Like an Antelope

Encore:
A Day in the Life > Tweezer Reprise

Notes:
Peaches was played for the first time since September 24, 1999 (186 shows).

Reviews:
Download the show:

Hump Day Happenings

Happy Birthday to Phish! Today marks the 26th anniversary of the bands first ever gig. Tonight the band will play the first of three sold out shows at Madison Square Garden in NYC. A group of fans on Phantasy Tour and Phish.net are organizing a sing along before the first set when the lights go out. Scotty B over at Hidden Track breaks down all the venues the band has played in NYC. It's amazing to point out that the band first played NYC in 1988, and it only took them 6 years before they were playing MSG.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Pavement Announce European Tour

Pavement has just announced a major European tour, which will begin in Dublin, Ireland in early May. These shows are in addition to the previous dates that have been announced. I would imagine that the band will tour the US this summer and headline several of the major summer music festivals. Below are the current Pavement tour dates.

03-01 Auckland, New Zealand - Town Hall

03-04 Sydney, Australia -
Enmore Theatre
03-06 Meredith, Australia - Supernatural Amphitheatre (Golden Plains Festival)

03-07 Adelaide, Australia -
Thebarton Theatre
03-08 Perth, Australia - Metro City

03-10 Brisbane, Australia -
Tivoli
03-12 Melbourne, Australia - Palace Theatre

05-04 Dublin, Ireland - Tripod

05-05 Glasgow, Scotland -
Barrowland
05-07 Paris, France - Le
Zénith
05-08 Amsterdam, Netherlands -
Paradiso
05-10 London, England -
Brixton Academy
05-11 London, England -
Brixton Academy
05-12 London, England -
Brixton Academy
05-13 London, England -
Brixton Academy
05-15
Minehead, England - All Tomorrow’s Parties
05-18 Brussels, Belgium -
Ancienne Belgique
05-19 Berlin, Germany - Astra

05-20 Prague, Czech Republic -
Palac Akropolis
05-21 Vienna, Austria - Arena

05-22 Munich, Germany -
Muffathalle
05-24 Rome, Italy -
Atlantico Live
05-25 Bologna, Italy -
Estragon
05-27 Barcelona, Spain -
Primavera Festival
05-29-31 Quincy, Washington - Sasquatch! Festival

09-21 New York, NY - Central Park
Summerstage
09-22 New York, NY - Central Park
Summerstage
09-23 New York, NY - Central Park
Summerstage
09-24 New York, NY - Central Park
Summerstage


[via
Pitchfork]

A Tuesday Morning Coffee Break

I finally got home yesterday from my post Thanksgiving Phish weekend in Albany. I had an awesome time at the shows and I really wish that I could make it to the upcoming MSG shows this week. Since I didn't get my normal Monday morning post in, I thought I would start off Tuesday with some news. It's nice to be back in the saddle.
Now that Trent Reznor has officially retired NIN, he is auctioning off studio and touring gear via eBay. Guitars, keyboards, amplifiers, drums, staging, anvil cases, cables, rack/outboard gear, guitar effects, and pedal boards will be available. The eBay page will be updated frequently with new listings, so check back often. If you tweet, you can follow @nineinchnails on Twitter for updates.
This is a really cool idea, but unfortunately the gear will be a little out of my price range.

Setlist: Phish @ Cumberland County Civic Center

Phish
Sunday, November 29, 2009

Cumberland County Civic Center

Portland, ME


Set I:
Possum, Down with Disease, Nellie Kane, Weigh, When the Circus Comes, Kill Devil Falls, Water in the Sky, Stash, Meat, Undermind, Mike's Song > I Am Hydrogen > Weekapaug Groove

Set II:
The Moma Dance, Rock and Roll > Light > Crimes of the Mind > Pebbles and Marbles > Also Sprach Zarathustra > Golgi Apparatus > Cavern > Run Like an Antelope

Encore:
Free Bird, Carini > Waste

Notes:
Nellie Kane was played for the first time since July 1, 2000 (137 shows). Free Bird was played for the first time since June 22, 2000 (144 shows) and was performed a cappella for the first time since December 29, 1998 (223 shows).

Reviews:

Download the show:

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Setlist: Phish @ Times Union Center

My 25th Phish show was definitely one that I will never forget. The Seven Below > Ghost, Cool it Down was just downright nasty. You need to download the show and check it out!

Phish
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Times Union Center
Albany, NY

Set I: Party Time, Stealing Time From the Faulty Plan, Uncle Pen, Sanity, Foam, Walk Away, NICU, Alaska, Split Open and Melt, Joy, Vultures, Backwards Down the Number Line

Set II: Seven Below > Ghost, Cool It Down > Gotta Jibboo, Let Me Lie, Wolfman's Brother, Julius

Encore: You Enjoy Myself

Notes: This show featured the first Uncle Pen since July 11, 2000 (129 shows).

Reviews:
Download the show:

Friday, November 27, 2009

Setlist: Phish @ Times Union Center

I just got back to my hotel room and tonight was a tale of two sets. I enjoyed parts of the first set, but the second set is where it was at! "Golden Age" was definitely a surprise, but the jam was very cool. Not sure if that will stick around in the rotation, but I wouldn't mind hearing it again. I am exhausted and need some sleep. I will have a review of both shows when I get back to Chicago early next week.

Phish
Friday, November 27, 2009
Times Union Center
Albany, NY

Set I:
AC/DC Bag, Maze, Driver, My Mind's Got a Mind of its Own, Gumbo, Bouncing Around the Room > It's Ice, Two Versions of Me, Timber (Jerry) > Limb By Limb, Cavern, Light

Set II:
My Friend, My Friend, Golden Age^, On Your Way Down, Fluffhead > Piper > Tomorrow's Song*, Prince Caspian, Harry Hood, Suzy Greenberg, The Squirming Coil, I Been Around

Encore: Fire

Notes:
^ - TV on the Radio cover, first time played
* - First time played

Reviews:
Download the show:

Phish In Albany Tonight & Tomorrow

I will be hopping on a flight later this morning for Albany to catch both Phish shows this weekend. I will be tweeting live from the show. Don't forget to sign up to follow my tweets.

@subtle_sounds

Video: Tony Dekker - Still

GREAT LAKE SWIMMERS: TAKE A PHOTO, IT WILL LAST LONGER from BABYSWEET SESSIONS on Vimeo.

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Setlist: Phish @ Wachovia Center

Phish
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Wachovia Center
Philadelphia, PA

Set I:
Kill Devil Falls, 46 Days, Sugar Shack, Halley's Comet, The Divided Sky, Sleep Again, Ocelot, Train Song, Wilson, Run Like an Antelope

Set II:
Birds of a Feather, Farmhouse, Tweezer, You Enjoy Myself, Esther, Time Turns Elastic, Tweezer Reprise

Encore:
Oh! Sweet Nuthin'

Reviews:
Download the show:

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Tour Dates: Alice in Chains


The newly reformed Alice in Chains will launch a winter tour in support of Black Gives Way To Blue in Vancouver, BC on February 2. It is the bands first album with new singer William DuVall and their first studio album since Alice in Chains. I can't say that I am a fan of the new music, but growing up I really dug their sound. R.I.P. Layne Staley. Check out the dates below.

2/2 - Vancouver - Orpheum Theatre
2/4 - Seattle - Paramount Theatre
2/6 - Salem - Salem Armory
2/11 - Oakland - Fox Theatre
2/17 - Phoenix - Dodge Theatre
2/19 - Denver - Fillmore
2/21 - Kansas City - Midland Theatre
2/22 - St. Louis - Pageant
2/23 - Louisville - Louisville Palace
2/25 - Atlanta - Tabernacle
2/27 - Myrtle Beach - House Of Blues
3/1 - Nashville - Municipal Auditorium
3/2 - Charlotte - Fillmore
3/3 - Washington DC - DAR Constitution Hall
3/5 - Richmond - The National
3/6 - Mashantucket, CT - Foxwoods
3/8 - New York, NY - Terminal 5
3/12 - Atlantic City - Borgata
3/13 - Philadelphia - Tower Theatre
3/14 - Boston - Orpheum Theatre
3/16 - Montreal - Metropolis
3/17 - Toronto - Sound Academy
3/19 - Detroit - Fillmore
3/20 - Chicago - Aragon Ballroom
3/21 - Minneapolis - Roy Wilkens Auditorium

Listen To The New Blakroc Record


Blakroc, the hip-hop project headed up by The Black Keys are streaming their self-titled debut album on their website. The exclusive listening party will be available from 11a.m. to 1 p.m. and again at 11 p.m. All times are EST. The album will be available at independent record stores and on iTunes on Friday, November 27, which is being dubbed "Blak Friday".

Hump Day Happenings

On Friday morning, I will hop on a plane to Albany, NY and catch both Phish shows this weekend. I caught their second show in Cincinnati this past weekend and had an absolute blast. With five shows already in the book, Phish is on fire and continues to blow minds on a nightly basis. This Saturday will mark my 25th Phish show. I will have a review of both shows posted early next week.

Setlist: Phish @ Wachovia Center

Phish
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Wachovia Center
Philadelphia, PA

Set I: Chalk Dust Torture, Bathtub Gin, Cities > Camel Walk, The Curtain With, The Wedge, The Moma Dance, Reba, Golgi Apparatus, Stealing Time From the Faulty Plan


Set II: Possum > Down with Disease > Twenty Years Later > Harry Hood, The Mango Song > Mike's Song > Simple > Slave to the Traffic Light > Weekapaug Groove


Encore: A Day in the Life

Reviews:

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Monday, November 23, 2009

Monday Morning Coffee Break



Last but not least, Further have announced a month worth of shows beginning in early February at Bayfront Park Amphitheatre in Miami, FL and ending at the Portland Memorial Coliseum in Portland, OR. The band has a few multiple night stands including two shows at Radio City Music Hall in NYC and another pair at The Auditorium Theatre in Chicago. Check out the rest of the dates here.

Setlist: Phish @ Oncenter

Phish
Sunday, November 22, 2009

War Memorial at Oncenter,

Syracuse, NY


Set I: David Bowie, Julius, Sparkle, Kill Devil Falls, Lawn Boy, Heavy Things, Funky Bitch, Sample in a Jar, Boogie On Reggae Woman, Let Me Lie, Beauty of a Broken Heart, Stash


Set II: Drowned > Twist > Piper > Big Black Furry Creature from Mars, Tube, Theme From the Bottom, Maze, The Horse > Silent in the Morning, Character Zero, First Tube


Encore: Good Times, Bad Times

Reviews:
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