pnêyu

OK, so we have to get through Outside Lands and that Treasure Island festival thingy first, but among the names already confirmed for the annual party in the park:

Gogol Bordello

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss featuring T Bone Burnett

Heavy Trash

Mark Olson & Gary Louris

Pegi Young

Loudon Wainwright III

Bonnie Prince Billy

Not sure if this has been posted, but it hit my inbox from Yep Roc:

The Baseball Project performing on the Late Show with David Letterman TONIGHT

Catch the The Baseball Project's debut television performance on the Late Show with David Letterman TONIGHT (June 20).

The Baseball Project is the brainchild of rock n' roll vets Scott McCaughey (The Minus 5, R.E.M., Young Fresh Fellows) and Steve Wynn (The Dream Syndicate, Gutterball, Danny & Dusty, Miracle 3), whose unhealthy love for music is undermined only by an even more unhealthy love of baseball. They'll be joined on stage by drummer Linda Pitmon (Miracle 3, Golden Smog) and R.E.M.'s Peter Buck.

Yay to all the Brutal Youth love! And chalk me up as a fan of this one too--probably my favorite Elvis album in a while.

Oh, has anyone used the Momofuku stencil that came with the LP?!

I have an iTunes mix of this ready to go, should I be hit by MUNI and the iPod miraculously survives.

Only two songs are absolute requirements: Prince's "Let's Go Crazy" ("Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to get through this thing called life") and "Live Forever" by Oasis--all the better if the coffin is serenaded by my loved ones playing the latter on Rock Band.

Anything by Jon Brion (that man understands bitterness!) but especially:

 

Knock Yourself Out, Here We Go, and Ruin My Day

"Trouble" is the one that gets me every single time. Also, the things he does with "Amateur" (co-written with Aimee Mann, of course--about their relationship, at that).

I still need to get to the Donut Hole out in La Puente one of these days:

Pick up an LA Weekly, and you'll be presented with no shortage of great clubs (my beloved Largo, McCabe's Guitar Shop, Hotel Cafe, and many, many more).

Check him out when he comes to your area.

Better yet, make the trip to New York. He's worth it!

Rock it, Dave!

Aimee's albums tend to be growers. I thought I didn't like either Lost in Space or Forgotten Arm very much, but months later, I went back to them because I suddenly remembered a melody or a lyric, and I can't stop listening.

Also, I'm looking forward to suggesting "Freeway" for Car Talk's interstitial music.

I just love that you can eat sushi and take in world-class jazz under one roof.

Looks like Nels is also hitting some spots with ROVA/Nels Cline Celestial Septet as well. I guess I now have plans for this Wednesday!

May 28

Yoshi's

San Francisco, CA

May 29

Kuumbwa Jazz Center

Santa Cruz, CA

May 30

Palm's Playhouse

Winters, CA

John Anson Ford Amphitheatre in Los Angeles:

My friend tells a story about seeing Elvis Costello there, and a deer coming out of the woods during the show. All eyes, for that window of time, were not on Elvis.

It's not just sound--it's ambiance, which the San Francisco is sorely lacking. Oh well.

Have the kids put their heads down on the desk for the rest of the day. Happy birthday, Tamala!

Several of those venues leave much to be desired.

they're worse than the average Wilco fan these days?

What are you talking about? I love everyone on this board!

Except anyone from the Twin Cities and the Chicago 'burbs.

Can I admit that I fucking hate Spoon fans these days? Or, more likely, my appreciation for the band can't overcome my tolerance for the people who come to their shows?

That being said, the Britt solo gig this weekend looks pretty good...

Trish, if you're up for it, we can play a birthday round of Rock Band in your honor. I'm pretty sure that Weezer wrote "Say It Ain't So" for you, right?

Happy birthday!

I'm so sad to read of your loss, Dunja. Find strength in your family and friends, and celebrate your brother's memory. My heart goes out to you.

I hope there's a Starbucks across the street. How many pair of socks are you going to wear?

Great -- as if it's not already hard enough getting reservations to Momofuku.

I've only met a few other people who got into magnapop. that is cool that you know who they are. I guess they got a little popular in the mid 90's while touring with REM.

Cool to see Magnapop mentioned.

I mostly remember them because (1) that was a great song, and (2) Bob Mould produced that album (I think?). Because my brain spent most of the '90s in England (whose one-hit wonders could generate a thread of their own) and the Internet has muddled the collective memory, I can't remember what was and wasn't popular back in the day. Regardless, here are some more:

Michael Penn, "No Myth"

Velocity Girl, "Can't Keep from Smiling"

Folk Implosion, "The Natural One"

Deee-Lite, "Groove Is in the Heart"

Magnapop, "Slowly Slowly"

Ride, "Vapour Trail"

Adorable, "Homeboy"

Kitchens of Distinction, "Drive That Fast"

And though I know it's no great shakes to hear songs in advertisements these days, I gotta say I did a double take recently when I heard $*%&!@ Kula Shaker pop up in two commercials.

I picked up the Malkmus 10-inch record along with a couple of CDs. It was a bit early for festivities at Amoeba, but if it's like any other Saturday, plenty more visitors should be on their way to the store.

"Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate! Ack!"

 

I'm still laughing about that a week later.

I can't stop saying "DeBorah."