ROCKET FROM THE CRYPT-4/4/13-Le Trabendo, Paris France

Oh my, this is juicy. My wife and I decided to go to Paris to celebrate her birthday. Much to my excitement (and maybe hers), it just so happened that the first part of Rocket From The Crypt's reunion tour was scheduled to roll thru Paris at the same time. Hands down, RFTC are one of my favorite bands of all time. Their live shows are legendary with a blaring horn section and in your face rock 'n roll led by their always charismatic lead singer John Reis AKA 'Speedo'. RFTC called it quits to their storied career in 2005, ending with a sold out show on Halloween night in their hometown of San Diego so the six members could concentrate on the many other projects they were involved in. Rumors started to swirl of a potential reunion in late 2011 after the band got together to record a song and appear on Yo Gabba Gabba, a show in which Speedo has a recurring role as 'Swami', which is also happens to be the name of his record label. Much to everybody's excitement the news of their reunion was confirmed in late 2012 and a short european tour was announced for the spring of this year.

Which brings us to Paris, Thursday, April 4th when RFTC brought their matching fancy outfits to Le Trebendo in northeast Paris. This was my first show outside of the USA so I was anxious of what to expect. We arrived to a mix of languages being spoken and after a few conversations we discovered that people, many sporting 'rocket tattoo's', had traveled from Germany, Belgium and England for this much anticipated show. Our Parisian friend that joined us, told me that the only way you would be from Paris and be at this show is if you spoke english well enough to understand the band. He had the feeling that not many people at the show were from Paris. Regardless, the 700 capacity venue was full of excitement by the time the band his the stage.

Its was no surprise what we would hear tonight. With 7 studio albums and handful worth of EP's to choose from, any real Rocket fan could easily pick 20 songs that would make up the bulk of the set list. The real anticipation would be how they would sound after 8 years off? In one word, awesome. The band hit the stage with Speedo immediately let us know he was in the mood telling us that he was "horny" before tearing into an almost 25 song career spanning set that included Born in 69, Young Livers, On A Rope, Don't Darlene, Made For You, Dick On A Dog, I'm Not Invisible, Middle, Bring Us Bullets and more. As always Speedo led the charge constantly chatting up the crowd, discussing coyote's, the power of rock n roll, having fun with hecklers, reminiscing about their first gig in Paris in front of less than 25 people and even dumping a beer out on a large man in the front row. The band has not lost a step in their years apart. The horn section (Apollo 9 & JC 2000) blared their horns constantly encouraging the crowd with background vocals while guitar & bass players (ND & Petey X) led the charge behind Speedo. Ruby Mars, one of rock's best kept secrets, pounded the drums in his always energetic and entertaining fashion

 In the end, the return of Rocket From the Crypt has begun and it seems as if they have left off where they ended eight years ago. Kicking ass! Here is some video i found on Youtube:

Some photos I took:

Tame Impala

Want to take a step back in time? Maybe lose yourself in some psychedelic rock? Check out Tame Impala. It's hard not to compare Tame Impala's music to that of the psychedelic era of the 60's and 70's and even more so to the Beatles and John Lennon. One listen to this Australian band and it is easy to get lost in the dreamy melodies and Lennon like voice of band leader and mastermind Kevin Parker. They are currently touring their second album 'Lonerism' which has garnered top reviews from Rolling Stone, NME and Filter Magazine.

Check out a few videos below from this great CD

   

FOALS-My Number

I watched the video for the song 'My Number' from FOALS latest release 'Holy Fire' and damn if it hasn't been stuck in my head ever since. On top of being an addicting song, it's a cool video. Watch below and be prepared to be hooked.

Enjoy!!

Johnny Cash To Get Stamped

The US Postal Service announced this week that they will release a Johnny Cash forever stamp later this year as part of their "Music Icons" series. The Man In Black, one of this country's most important music legends died in 2003 at the age of 71. Johnny's musical influence spanned across genre's including country, blues, folk, rock & roll, rockabilly and gospel which led to his inductions into the Country Music Hall Of Fame, Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame and Gospel Hall Of Fame.

Johnny's career started in 1954 as part of the Tennessee Three along with Luther Perkins and Marshall Grant and extended all the way to his death 2003 with a badass cover of Nine Inch Nails 'Hurt'. While he may be best known for the free concerts he played for prisoners in Folsom and San Quentin and songs like 'Ring of Fire' and 'Folsom Prison Blues', his career shouldn't be summed up behind bars. Spend some time with the early Tennessee Three releases, his gospel music or the extensive American Recordings and you can get lost for days.

When this stamp comes out, go old school and write someone special a letter and grace it with this Johnny Cash stamp.

Photo Courtesy of US Postal Service

Johnny and his wife June Carter Cash singing Jackson




Johnny covering Nine Inch Nails 'Hurt'



Johnny performing the song 'San Quentin' in San Quentin prison.

My Morning Jacket-Capitol Theater

My Morning Jacket
12/27-Capitol Theater, Port Chester New York

My Morning Jacket played their first of three shows on 12/27 at the marvelous re-opened Capitol Theater in Port Chester, NY. The Capitol Theater opened in 1926 and peaked in the 70's with bands such as the Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Janis Joplin and the Grateful Dead performing at the 1,800 capacity venue. Recently renovated to a tune of $2 million, the Capital Theater is a fantastic new venue with an old feel just a 30 min. drive or simple train ride from New York City.

MMJ kept things fresh as they closed out 2012 with a different opening band and the promise of no songs repeated during the three night run. Tonight's set was a little on the mellow side dipping deep into their catalog with classics Bermuda Highway, Butch Cassidy, Evelyn Is Not Real, Nashville to Kentucky, opener Heartbreaking Man along with a cover of Erykah Badu's Tyrone and their holiday song X-Mas Curtain. With such an extensive catalog, it's inevitable you will be bummed out that they didn't play particular songs but I was super happy that Off The Record, Magheetah and Gideon made tonight's 24 song, 2 1/2 hour set list, along with Steam Engine and Smoking From Shootin'.

Seeing My Morning Jacket live is always an amazing experience. Seeing them in the outstanding Capitol Theater made tonight's experience even more special.

Deer Tick opened up played a short and rather mellow set. Love them!

Here are some photos I took...

Palma Violets-"Best of Friends"

Palma Violets are a new band from London. Their debut album isn't due to come out until February yet their first single, 'Best of Friends', was voted NME's 2012 song of the year. Not a bad start to their career ehh? Watch and listen below and judge for yourself.


 

Dr. John

Ever get the feeling you were going to miss out on something cool and still not go? I felt that way when I saw Dr. John was coming, with friends, to the Brooklyn Academy of Music for 3 nights last spring. I had heard a bunch of tunes from his kick ass new cd 'Locked Down' yet for some reason I never thought to buy tickets. I recently came across the video below 'Ice Age' on youtube and now I just kick myself for not going. Watch and listen below and see what I am talking about. He has a huge cast of characters backing him up including Dan Auerbach, from Black Keys, who produced the album. Seriously, when does Dan Auerbach ever sleep?


Ice Age 'Live from BAM'
Revolution 'From BAM'