PopTodd

I went to see a double bill: Stereolab/Tortoise at Lounge Ax. There were 2 shows that evening, as the bands took turns opening for each other for each one. I was going with a friend of mine who also loved Stereolab, but neither one of us had heard any Tortoise at that point. We were eating dinner across the street from the club and talking about how excited we were to see Stereolab for the first time. But, as we might wind up seeing them twice that evening, I really hoped that Tortoise just wouldn't suck, and I said so to my friend. He agreed with me and we talked about this topic for a couple

Possibly. I'm 46 years old. Was only there for a few shows when I was at Mizzou and SIUC. I was there in the Late 80s/Early 90s. You must remember The Unconscious, eh?

Oh, I almost forgot: I was 19 years old and working with the Teamsters, loading trailers at a Pat Metheney Band show at Ravinia Festival, outside of Chicago. It was hot as hell and we were busting our asses. Sweating up a storm. I was a big Metheney fan at the time so, as long as I had a pass for working, I thought that I would slip in to the dressing room, if I could, to meet Pat. I did. Lyle Mays, too. They were both very appreciative of the work that I was doing on that hot night and so they gave me a Corona out of their own personal stash to thank me. Now, as a fan, that was a big deal to

At one of my old band's shows, I met Larry Damore (Pegboy/Bophal Stiffs) and John Haggerty (Pegboy/Naked Raygun), because they were there to see Taggerty's roommate's band, who was sharing the bill with me. I was interviewing a band, Dillon Fence, for the music rag that I wrote for in college. We were backstage at Mississippi Nights in St. Louis, when Exene Cervenka popped her head in, and gave us all a huge smile and hello. Like she was so, so happy to see us. Really one of the sweetest things that I've ever seen. (Dillon Fence were opening for X.) The guys in the band told me that she was

You can't listen to it as a Big Star album, because it's really not a Big Star album. It's so bleak. And, while I am not trying to convince you to give it another try—you like it or you don't—I'm trying to let you know that it's okay. There is nothing power pop about it. It is, very simply, the sound of a band, and a man, falling apart. And, IMO, it's as beautiful as it is bleak. Painfully personal. Maybe that is part of why you can't get into it. Or maybe not. But yeah, it is a difficult record. I just happened to be in a really bad place when it first heard it and it spoke to me.

I just won tickets to see Cate Le Bon & Tim Presley tomorrow night at Lincoln Hall!!!

Oh, and I bought the new one from The Bats. It's pretty great. Might get something else, too.

Thanks!!! Everything (minus PayPal's fees) is going to the ACLU! Really appreciate it, And I hope you dig the tunes.

Reminder folks: This is today. And I will give away all the money I make from my music on Bandcamp today: http://hoponpop.bandcamp.com If you want to make your purchase go even further.

Nice!

Naked Raygun Rat Patrol Managua Soldier's Requiem Hips Swingin' Roller Queen

https://daily.bandcamp.com/2017/01/31/bandcamp-human-rights/ I, for one, will be purchasing a couple of things that I've been meaning to on that day. And... I'm also gonna donate 100% of the proceeds from the sale of my own music to the ACLU that day, as well. So, if you have been thinking about grabbing any of my stuff, please do so Friday. http://hoponpop.bandcamp.com Doubt it'll be much, but hopefully it'll be something

Heard the Paul Weller version of "Black Sheep Boy" long before I heard the Tim Hardin original. And, I still think that it's one of the finest songs ever written.

This is happening in my house, too.

I'm picking that up next week. As soon as I get paid! Also, looking forward to releasing my own full album -- hopefully completing this and releasing it as a full 10-song release: https://hoponpop.bandcamp.com/album/one-by-one Also, really and truly, I am looking forward to hearing new albums from new bands that I don't even know about yet. Bands whose names I haven't even heard yet. Those, for me, are always the most-exciting.

"Hazy Shade of Winter" I heard The Bangles' version before I heard the original S&G. And I still think that the cover is the superior take. This song was meant to rock -- what with that riff and all.