The Music Circus

The Dresden Dolls Reunite for a Tenth Anniversery Show on Halloween!

PaulCrisostimo@gmail.com (Paul C) — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 18:05:00 +0000

I've been following Amanda Palmer and her exploits both in the Dresden Dolls and as an awesome solo performer for some time now on this website. I only once saw Amanda and Brian Viglione headline as the Dresden Dolls, and I was far from the stage so my experience wasn't ideal. Despite not going to a lot of Dresden Dolls shows, I've been a huge fan of Amanda and Brian and their various side and solo projects ever since hearing about them opening for Nine Inch Nails in 2005.

The Dresden Dolls going on hiatus in 2008 became a blessing in disguise because Brian had time to tour with the World Inferno/Friendship Society and work on various albums, and Amanda finished her first solo album and created Evelyn Evelyn with Jason Webley.

Today Amanda posted a video on Youtube announcing that the Dresden Dolls will reunite for a show at Irving Plaza in New York City on Halloween night.

Check out the video here:

It's hilarious that Amanda is having such a hard time keeping up that fake British accent.

Here's some Amanda and Brian related media:

Amanda and Jason talking to Jian Ghomeshi about Evelyn Evelyn:
http://bit.ly/Qevelyn

Check out Brian's new collaboration album with Ron Arra Jr. called "Face of the Sun"

http://faceofthesun.bandcamp.com/

Brian on a blip.tv show called "Cooling with Rockstars"

Ever Rapped About Selling Cold Drinks?

PaulCrisostimo@gmail.com (Paul C) — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 20:31:00 +0000

Imagine that you are going to your first day of a crappy summer job at Wendy's because your parents say that you are too old to mope around the house all day long. You walk to Wendy's in the rain and get your brand spankin' new uniform soaked when a public transit bus splahes you along the way. Oh damn, this uniform was designed by Sean John! You sit in the poorly-ventilated training room and watch a tape - yes, a grainly old tape no DVDs here - about the proper way to pour cold drinks at Wendy's. Just when you "face palm" because you can't believe a training session at Wendy's could insult your intelligence any more than it already has, this gem pops up on the TV screen:

You laugh and laugh and laugh and when you think you're done you laugh some more. You can't believe that a rap about filling cold drinks at Wendy's exists. You realize that this video has made your day, so you exit the training room with a smile on your face ready to fill cold drinks to your heart's content.

Here's a bonus video of the founder of Wendy's himself, Dave Thomas, talking about Wendy's "Grill Skills" from a 1989 training video:

Genius - I love the generic 80s rock title card music!

The Official Iggy Pop Shirtless Aging Time-line

PaulCrisostimo@gmail.com (Paul C) — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:02:00 +0000

It's no surprise that Iggy Pop has been performing shirtless since the 60s. However, you might be a little shocked to see how his body has deteriorated over six decades of playing live shows.

Here's a shot of Iggy with David Bowie from 1986:

Nothing wrong with this photo, both men look like healthy young chaps.

Now fast forward to 2010:

Wow! Words escape me ...

Check out more photos from the official Iggy Pop shirtless aging time-line here:

http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/the-official-iggy-pop-shirtless-aging-timeline

Warning: some of these photos are NSFW.

And now a video of Iggy completely out of his mind performing the Passenger:

Stone Temple Pilots

PaulCrisostimo@gmail.com (Paul C) — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 21:35:00 +0000

I've never been a huge fan of STP, but I do respect their body of work and position as one of the 1990's alternative music "it" bands. Despite the drug-fueled controversy that has surrounded front-man Scott Weiland for years, STP are a fine band with talented players. Check out the STP poster I picked up on their recent stop in Toronto:

This poster looks like something you might pick up at a Tool concert. It's pretty trippy and fun, not something you would expect from a typical alternative rock band. Look at the art for Tool's album 10,000 Days. I swear there are some similarities between this and the STP poster, maybe the same designer did both.

Last, check out this song from Scott Weiland solo album "Happy" in Galoshes:

This is the same "Be Not Afraid" I heard every Sunday at Catholic mass. I guess Scott is at that place in his career where he records songs for himself - either that or he has gone completely wonky!

Please Take Me Off the Guest List!

PaulCrisostimo@gmail.com (Paul C) — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 23:33:00 +0000

Sorry to disappoint, but this post isn't about my exploits as a club rat whose name is emblazoned on only the most exclusive guest lists. This post is about a newly-published book by three people who are tired of being on guest lists and getting special treatment (I think). I think author Nick Zinner, Yeah Yeah Yeahs guitarist extraordinaire, came up with the title "Please Take Me Off the Guest List" because he seems apathetic towards the whole "privileged rock star" lifestyle. Nick enjoys playing shows and writing music and couldn't care less about guest lists, exclusive parties, and the abomination known as "bottle service".

This is what the small but elegantly-designed book's cover looks like:

Here we have what looks to be the decorations of a really cheesy party one of the authors most likely attended on the guest list. The cover photo and all interior photos were taken by Zinner, while the essays/short stories are provided by Zachary Lipez and Stacy Wakefield. The essays are written with a sense of "New York hipsterism" that I am not a huge fan of, but the book's overall design and photos make up for the lackluster writing. And as an added bonus for pre-ordering "Please Take Me Off the Guest List", the book's author page was signed by all three authors! Check it out:

This special pre-order edition was also numbered 194/250 and written on the inside flap like this:

To top it all off, the pre-order also came with this:

What is this you ask? A random audience shot? Well flipping the photo around exposed the shocking bit of information you see here:

It reads: "Vancouver 02 1/1 N.Z."

Yes ladies and gentlemen, this is an original photo taken by Nick Zinner on stage at a Yeah Yeah Yeahs show at Vancouver in 2002. This photo has become one of my most cherished music collectibles. It's 1/1 for god sakes, that's so cool!

All Yeah Yeah Yeahs fans should check out their concert film "Live From London". Here's the trailer:

Cage the Elephant!

PaulCrisostimo@gmail.com (Paul C) — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:15:00 +0000

No, this post isn't about the plight of elephants in captivity, it's about the rock band from Kentucky formed in 2005 originally known as "Perfect Confusion".
Cage the Elephant's (CtE) singles have been playing in heavy rotation on Toronto rock radio stations since early 2009. Their sound is fun, semi-indie and loud; a great combination for casual music fans and hardcore fans of indie/alternative rock. It's not everyday that you see a relatively new band from Bowling Green, Kentucky have their song used in a popular online video game.

Check out CtE's song "Ain't No Rest for the Wicked" in the opening cinematic video for Borderlands:

If CtE didn't think getting signed after a 2007 South-by-Southwest showcase meant they "made it", then having their hit-single in a video game surely does. This summer CtE is supporting Stone Temple Pilots on their North American Tour, yet another milestone for the little band from Kentucky that could.

Check out this CtE poster I bought at the STP show last night:

It looks like the poster designer was looking for a "DIY aesthetic" with this one. I like this poster because it doesn't try to be super artistic or reflect some pretentious theme. The poster seems to reflect a young band that is still defining their sound with all the potential in the world.

U2 Builds and Demolishes Stadium for 360 Tour Concert in Montreal

PaulCrisostimo@gmail.com (Paul C) — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 19:40:00 +0000

Who knew that an Irish band with such a bland name as "U2" would become the "world's biggest band" various times in their long career. To any naysayers who don't believe U2 are the world's biggest band, check out this story from the Montreal Gazette:

"U2 will perform on the polo field at the Montreal Hippodrome, kicking in $3 million for the construction of a temporary open-air stadium to fit 60,000 to 80,000 people.

After the concert, the stadium will be demolished and (the site) will become a real estate project.
The fact that the band is building a new venue to play here is a testament to its love of Montreal, Aubé said.

But it’s also a testament to the grand scale on which a monolithic rock band such as U2 can afford to operate. Tossing in $3 million to build a stadium for a night (or maybe two – don’t discount the possibility that a second show could be added once the first one sells out, as happened in Toronto in September) is the privilege of the mighty, and wealthy. But you can bet the band is also getting bang for its buck."

Have you ever heard of a band building and stadium for one (or two) performances and demolishing it when they are done? So crazy!

Check out this poster I picked up on U2's 369 tour concert in Toronto last summer.

Not bad, but for a band that makes around 5 million per show I expected something a little more exquisite.

Check out this awesome clip of my favourite U2 song, "Sunday Bloody Sunday".

80s Bono loves mullets!

BEST FINAL COUNTDOWN COVER EVER!

PaulCrisostimo@gmail.com (Paul C) — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 13:19:00 +0000

Check out the kids running away when the first note drops:

Is this a Filipino cover band?
I hope this "performance" is being filmed by a still camera on a tripod, because not even the most hardcore classic rock fan could enjoy this cover.

Europe would be proud!

Rush Reward Chicago Fans With Free Hats!

PaulCrisostimo@gmail.com (Paul C) — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 19:30:00 +0000

When Canadian prog legends Rush called off their July 7 show in Chicago because of heavy rain, some fans got angry. One fan tried to sue Rush for his transportation, accommodation and beer fees.

Rush made up the rain date, and offered every member of the audience a baseball cap that has stitching on the back that reads "The Rain Date, Chicago 2010".

Rush are a real class act and amazing performers. It's cool to see that they made up the date and gave the fans a little bonus token of their gratitude. Knowing how crazy some hardcore Rush fans can be, I bet some of those hats will be going up for hundreds of dollars on Ebay.

Check out this clip for the recent and awesome Rush documentary, "Beyond The Lighted Stage":

So many cool interviews!

Dir En Grey!

PaulCrisostimo@gmail.com (Paul C) — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 00:53:00 +0000

My introduction to Japanese metal came with the psychos known as "Dir En Grey". A Chinese friend of my and I went to Family Values 2006 excited to see Dir En Grey's first ever set in Canada.
The set did not disappoint, check this clip (WARNING BAD SOUND QUALITY):

Vocalist Kyo apparently suffered a concussion when he fell off that red grate/box thing. Kyo is also known for self-mutilation, which I saw when he cut himself at a show in 2007 at Toronto's Guvernment. It didn't look like Kyo was creating a new wound, but instead opening up an old one.

Check out Dir En Grey's epic poster:

That looks like an entire army is attacking with huge dust clouds raging behind!

Here's a video clip of another rad Japanese band I saw in concert last week called "Boris":

Pick NASA's Wake Up Song!

PaulCrisostimo@gmail.com (Paul C) — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 15:41:00 +0000

Ever wanted to choose the song astronauts will hear on the space shuttle Discovery? Well even if you haven't NASA has announced a new "Wake-up Song Contest" to allow the public to do just this. Voting is limited to 40 songs that have already been played, so don't get your hopes up for Space Oddity.

Mark Kelly, commander of the final Endeavor mission said, "Space shuttle crews really enjoy the morning wake-up music. While we don't have the best-quality speaker in the space shuttle, it will be interesting to hear what the public comes up with."

Check out the voting here:
https://songcontest.nasa.gov/top40.aspx

This song would have been my choice:

Up The Irons!

Sublime with Rome light it up at the Kool Haus

PaulCrisostimo@gmail.com (Paul C) — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 19:27:00 +0000

(Doesn't Rome look like he could be Eric's son?)

A few nights ago Sublime (with Rome) [SwR] rocked two sold out shows at Toronto's Kool Haus. Even thought SwR didn't "light up" any weed at the shows (as far as I could tell), they did "light up" the venue with good vibes and a fantastic performance.

New 22-year-old singer/guitarist Rome Ramirez seemed very comfortable in front of Kool Haus' sold out audience. As a proud member of the audience I can attest that Rome is a great front man with a unque style and awesome voice. Although Rome didn't seem as animated or energetic as late singer/guitarist Brad Nowell, he is a great musician in his own right and a great addition to the legend of Sublime. SwR played pretty much all of the Sublime classics to great acclaim from fans who I heard repeadly saying, "I can't believe this is happening".

Even though the show was open to all-ages, I didn't see a single person in the audience who looked like they were under nineteen. Everyone was revelling in 90s nostalgia and looking forward to what SwR would come out with in the future. In my years of watching great concerts at the Kool Haus, I had never heard such an ovation when leaving the venue as I did after the SwR show. The fans couldn't contain their excitement after the show and continued cheering as they were greeted by hot dog stands outside the Kool Haus.

Not too shabby for a band that I was dismissing a few months ago as "has-beens" and merely a "cover band".

Check out this clip I took of "Santeria":

Worst Wedding DJ Ever?

PaulCrisostimo@gmail.com (Paul C) — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 02:19:00 +0000

Decide for yourself.

That boob slap is almost as good as the dick slang!

Worst Rap Battle Ever?

PaulCrisostimo@gmail.com (Paul C) — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 17:12:00 +0000

You gotta love public-access TV:

I'm givin' it up to my boy Eli for real!

This marks 100 Music Posts.
Here's to 100 more!

Steven Tyler Falls Off Stage in Toronto!

PaulCrisostimo@gmail.com (Paul C) — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 02:23:00 +0000

It happened again!
Steven Tyler fell off a after being pushed from Joe Perry at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto.

More on this tomorrow.

For now check out this link:

http://www.tmz.com/2010/08/18/aerosmith-joe-perry-steven-tyler-video-footage-concert-fall-shove-push-attack-assault/

And the infamous video:

http://www.tmz.com/2010/08/18/aerosmith-joe-perry-steven-tyler-video-footage-concert-fall-shove-push-attack-assault/

Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience!

PaulCrisostimo@gmail.com (Paul C) — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 14:10:00 +0000

As much as we want it to happen, it looks like Led Zeppelin is never going to reunite for one final tour.
Them's the breaks son.
But here's the next best thing (thinking optimistically of course).

Jason Bonham (son of Led Zep's legendary drummer) is touring "a multi-media event celebrating the music of Led Zeppelin". So I guess this event isn't going to me a straight concert, it will probably feature "never before seen" video clips of the band and insightful historical facts about the band. The shows are taking place in "orchestra-style venues", so expect to sit and enjoy the marvel that was Zeppelin.

For more information check out the official site here:

http://www.jblze.com/

Check out this promotional stop Jason made for the tour.

Jason's management couldn't get him on a show with a more douchey host or panel could they?

Two Albums that Prove 80s Music Didn't Suck!

PaulCrisostimo@gmail.com (Paul C) — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 14:15:00 +0000

Music critics sometimes forget 80s music because of the pop music explosion, many bands using synthesizers and bad hair.

But who could forget this classic?

Like a Prayer has certainly stood the test of time ...

But more to the point Madonna will always be remembered as one of the most popular 80s stars, but is she remembered as the best?

Here are two albums I think should be included in any list of the 80s best:

This album was not only hugely influential, but it was also selected by the Library of congress to be preserved in the National Recording Registry. Angsty 80s teens unite!

Next we have the iconic:

This album was a departure for the Clash because it featured elements of ska, pop, soul, reggae, rockalbilly and reggae more prominently than ever before. For me, this album showed that "punk" could didn't have to be a sloppy three-chord mess. I agree with the old adage that says, "The Ramones created punk, the Sex Pistols popularized punk and The Clash perfected punk."

KNIVES ... Have Emily Haines' Back!

PaulCrisostimo@gmail.com (Paul C) — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 01:26:00 +0000

Anyone into sexy-sounding indie/soft rock needs to hear Emily Haines' solo album Knives Don't Have Your Back. The album is a departure from Metric's electro-pop sound to something much more soft and atmospheric. The album has great art. Check out this poster:

I was lucky enough to see a very low key solo performance by Emily and got the set list - as you can see at the left above - too! Emily also came out and signed the poster. One girl was so happy to see Emily that she started crying. Jimmy Shaw from Metric also signed the poster and seemed really happy (drunk) to see the fans. Jimmy, Emily and some of the backing band were talking about going to a bar after the show. It was cool to see Emily laid back and chilling with the fans.

This is some really good stuff, check out this video:

More on Emily soon.

Preaching Metallica!

PaulCrisostimo@gmail.com (Paul C) — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 15:05:00 +0000

It seems that metal shows elicit profound impacts on headbangers and preachers alike. A pastor in Calgary has started using Metallica lyrics to relate Biblical scriptures and Christian morals to his congregation. In the following clip of one of his sermons, he even describes the "absolutely overwhelming" experience of walking into the venue with young people yelling and pushing all around him.

The pastor is promoting a new book where he relates pop culture products like the 2004 movie Crash, the Calgary Flames and Metallica to biblical scriptures. It's a relief that profits from this book are going towards activities at his church, or else we might be dealing with another "Leper Messiah".

You can order the pastor's book "The Day Metallica Came to Church" at this location:
http://www.faithaliveresources.org/Metallica

More on the story here:
http://www.calgarysun.com/news/alberta/2010/08/11/14993521.html

Boys Night Out!

PaulCrisostimo@gmail.com (Paul C) — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 17:27:00 +0000

There's a lot to say and many different angles to dissect this poster from:

As you can guess, there is some tongue-and-cheek X-rated stuff going on here. Good thing photobucket can't detect subtle sexuality, or else this poster would have "surely violated" their terms of use for sure. Boys Night Out were (no one really know if they "are" a band right now) known for their macabre lyrics and explosive live shows. They were hugely popular in Toronto and opened for Fall Out Boy, but never really "broke" in the US. Here's a clip I took from the band's reunion show in 2009 at the Opera House.

There is some pretty explosive shiat going on there. Here's to all Toronto's dead but awesomely-remembered bands!

Bed Intruder!

PaulCrisostimo@gmail.com (Paul C) — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 14:55:00 +0000

It's amazing what a little auto-tune and some beats can do for an already funny local news story.
Check out this youtube clip:

Antoine Dodson seems so animated and ridiculous in this clip that he could spend some time as an internet meme. But now with this auto-tune remix, Dodson might go down as one of the greatest internet memes of all time:

A little creativity can go a long way - "Bed Intruder" is currently #1 on iTunes and has millions of views on youtube.

Pink Floyd ... The Wall!

PaulCrisostimo@gmail.com (Paul C) — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 14:54:00 +0000

I brought up Pink Floyd last time but forgot to show my Wall poster:

This is the original poster from the 1982 film Pink Floyd The Wall. The art for The Wall was done by Gerald Scarfe - if you're into cracked out cartoons, then check out his stuff.

This year Roger Waters is touring The Wall and man, is that show expensive! Check out the tour official site and the gallery of "fallen loved ones" that will be included in the live show as an act of remembrance.

http://www.roger-waters.com/gallery?params=showPage/page/3/filter/0/sort/created_at|desc

Iron Maiden "The Final Frontier" Online Game

PaulCrisostimo@gmail.com (Paul C) — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 19:08:00 +0000

It's funny how reading one piece of online music new can link you to something unrelated and totally awesome.

Case in point, today I was just reading up on how the drumming magazine Rhythm recently named Joey Jordison "best drummer of the past 25 years" (be quiet Neil Peart fanboys) and got linked to a new Iron Maiden game.

Check it out here:
http://www.thefinalfrontiergame.com/

I haven't tried the game yet but hopefully it is better than Ed Hunter, Maiden's first foray into video games.
Come to think of it, anyone who likes free online games should also check out Gorillaz's website for a whole whack of good stuff.

Gorillaz.com

I can't wait for the upcoming Gorillaz escape to Plastic Beach world tour - Yeah! Who is with me?

Trance and Indie unite!

PaulCrisostimo@gmail.com (Paul C) — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 17:07:00 +0000

First trance superstar Tiesto remixed Tegan and Sara's Back in Your Head. Check out the track here:

Now this unlikely trance/indie collaboration has gone one step further. Tiesto has created an original track featuring Tegan and Sara. There is even an official music video for the track. Check it out here:

I really like this video because it is outside of what Tegan and Sara videos usually look like. Their videos are commonly created around a concept. Some of these concept videos have been better than others, but none have really impressed me. This video impresses me because it feels new and fresh! I found myself focusing less on the voices and giving myself totally to the beats - something else that is common for good trace songs.

One sucky thing about the video is it reminds me of Black Eyed Peas' THE END album. What a crappy record ...

Rock's Most Notorious TV Moment?

PaulCrisostimo@gmail.com (Paul C) — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 15:19:00 +0000

Many people have heard about The Who blowing up their drum kit on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, but few have actually seen it. Check out this explosive performance:

Hello tinnitus symptoms!