Working the Dream

• TRT @comacentral: @ryanstar RT @comacentral: Notes from the Road: Ryan Star – Started the Fire http://t.co/Zl3dZLpz #
• Watch This: American Discontent Part 1 on @AudioAcrobat http://t.co/y9kAiexH #

Powered by Twitter Tools

David Square, Somerville, MA

Putting your art where your mouth is.

Check out more on RadioTyranny.com

Eat the Rich

Sink or swim, we are all in this global meltdown together.  Whether it’s the Arab Spring in the Middle East, social unrest & starvation in sub-Shara Africa or the economic implosions of the EU no nation is immune.  Here in the US never before have so many suffered such discontent with the status quo yet remain so divided against their own better interest. Check out our foray into finding out why with subText: American Discontent 2011. This new original programming aims to look beyond the surface  to examine  the real issues and grassroot solutions.  More information is available on RadioTyranny.com. And remember Stay Tuned & Stay Free.

• Rendering & encoding all day. Singing tonite #

Powered by Twitter Tools

Hampton Beach, NH 11.19.11.

One of the best things an opening act can do for a headlining band is to leave the crowd wanting more. And on the closing night of the Goo Goo Dolls latest tour, Ryan Starr did just that.  I had caught part of  Star’s set on a previous night so this time I made sure to arrive in time to see it in full;  and by the looks of the crowd I wasn’t the only one.

Ryan Star’s peppered his original works with skillful covers and had an immediate connection with his audience.  Start A Fire, Breathe along with Stay Awhile made me go and download his newest release 11:59 out on Atlantic Records.  I’m definitely looking forward to seeing more of this talented artist.

Hampton Beach, NH 11.19.11

Within the confines of  the decaying mediocrity which is the Record Industry, lies art.  Art is also a job. Professional musicians work the road because that is where they make a living.  When I caught the Goos at the beginning of their tour in April 2010 supporting their newest offering  that had yet to be completed, I was impressed by the new material.  Something For the Rest of Us was  finally released late August of 2010 and the band had been on the road until the tour ended at Hampton Beach Casino & Ballroom on November 19, 2011.

The Goo Goo Dolls have a amazingly loyal fan base that really does defy description. First of all there were a lot of really hot young guys at this show.  In fact, I think there are more men there then woman. Go figure that.  They sang all of the songs, word for word, transfixed. And from moment the band took the stage they were getting nothing but thunderous love.

It was great to hear the wide swath of the songs as the band earnestly rocked through the night. And kudos to Mike Malinin for effortless pushing the pulse with such subtle finesse. John’s vocals were spot on peaking with Notbroken, which I too was surprised by it’s lack of radio play – the same goes for One Night, my personal fave off the disc. Robby Takac with his enigmatic energy also delivered especially on Tucked Away. For a band that has rode the road for over 20 years they sure do wear it well. Plus Mr Rzeznik looked delicious.

The Goo Goo Dolls have their New Year Eve show at Caesars Atlantic City . And thanks guys for saving the best one for last.

• What are you doing this weekend? We're going to checkout the tour finale of @googoodolls But this time I'm bringing my camera #
• We're gonna start a fire…..Ryan Star & he kinda did #

Powered by Twitter Tools

• Who rocked the hell out of Richmond last night? The @googoodolls. And who forgot their camera? me. #

Powered by Twitter Tools

• News to me RT @jennerbw: I have about 5 reviews/interviews posting to http://t.co/Mqb7ERG7 this week…..hopefully #

Powered by Twitter Tools

Shonen Knife/Oska Ramones

When it comes to the Ramones, I’m a purist. From the moment I first heard the plaintive wail of Joey Ramone blast from my radio I was hooked.  Simple, basic and brimming with angst, if there was a soundtrack to my awkward teenage existence it would surely consist of a healthy dose of the boys.  And even though their music is anything but complex, most covers usually miss the mark by a long shot. Until Shonen Knife.

Osaka Ramones is a tribute work that does more then mimic the original music – it might possible surpass it.  It is obvious from listening to these tracks that Shonen Knife are fans of the music and live the punk spirit behind it.  Instead of stylizing the songs  to fit their own motif, they embraced it, owned it and added only their remarkable J-Rock charm.  The production is seamless and the song selection is excellent as I Wanna Be Sedated is no where to be found on this disc.  The only one draw back to this CD is that if you are not a fan of the Ramones you probably won’t like it. But hey, you can’t please everyone. And lucky for us the ladies are on tour! Catch a show in your area and Hey Ho, Lets Go!