Echo & The Bunnymen "The Killing Moon" Acoustic

Another great entry in the "A Take Away Show" series by La Blogotheque.  This clip, directed by Derrick Belcham, documents a moody and almost private moment with Ian McCulloch strumming and singing "The Killing Moon."  For a moment McCulloch seems lost in the song.  Does he forget the lyrics or is he overcome with emotion - it's a moment of vulnerability and raw emotion - it gets me everytime I watch it.

In starlit nights I saw you
So cruelly you kissed me
Your lips a magic world
Your sky all hung with jewels
The killing moon
Will come too soon


Fate
Up against your will
Through the thick and thin
He will wait until
You give yourself to him




Echo And The Bunnymen | Killing Moon | A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

Vampire Weekend "Holiday"

New video from Vampire Weekend features the band as a brutish group of French royalty somehow exiled to Southern California. It includes wild poolside parties, girls in bikinis, driving convertibles through the In and Out, covering walls in graffiti and fighting on the beach - it's a little out there...and certainly, quite a holiday!

Vampire Weekend - New Music - More Music Videos

The Sex Pistols "Anarchy In The UK" Television Debut on "So It Goes"

"So It Goes" was a British TV show hosted by Tony Wilson that aired between 1976 and 1977. The show was know for highlighting the careers and music of some great punk rockers including The Sex Pistols, Patti Smith, The Jam and The Clash.

So it goes...back in August of 1976 Johnny Rotten, Steve Jones, Paul Cook and Glen Matlock took to the stage and showed the television audience a slightly different attitude. Host, Tony Wilson, mentions at the end of the  clip that the band is still unsigned to a label.



Bonus Video: Enjoy this slightly awkward interview from "So It Goes" with Johnny Thunders and Walter Lure of Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers (From November 1977):


Thanks to chatham43 and thecatkeaton for the uploads to YouTube.

The Teddy Bears "To Know Him Is To Love Him"

It seems as though it may be difficult to keep a creepy, convicted murderer down. Word today from KTLA.com has it that super-producer, Phil Spector, is producing his wife's debut CD not from behind the Wall of Sound, but instead from behind prison walls. Spector is currently serving a 19 year to life sentence in California's Corcoran State Prison for the murder of Lana Clarkson.  Spector's wife, Rachelle, actually recorded her forth-coming album titled "Out of My Chelle" during downtime between Spector's trials. Rachelle was 23 when she met 67 year old Spector. She claimed not to know of his connection to Lana Clarkson's death when they met.  The couple married in 2006.

Now we go back to a more innocent time to revisit Spector's earliest number one hit. Phil was just 17 years old when he wrote, produced and performed "To Know Him Is To Love Him" with his first group, The Teddy Bears. The song was inspired by the epitaph on his father's tombstone.






Thanks to pheldon for the upload toYouTube.

Nine Inch Nails "Cars"

I have a feeling if you ever purchase a synthesizer you are pretty much required to learn how to play Gary Numan's "Cars." If it turns out your synthesizer playing talent rises to the level of Trent Reznor's, and his band Nine Inch Nails, you can actually get Gary Numan to join you on stage for a rousing version of the tune.




Bonus video: For you old timers:

          

Thanks to ninofficial for the upload to YouTube.

Movie Review: "It Might Get Loud"

I finally got the chance to watch "It Might Get Loud" a film documenting a get-together with Jimmy Page, The Edge and Jack White as well as the guitars they brought along with them. The film explores each artist's history with the guitar touching on the story of their first guitar, the discovery of their own talent, how a song is written, their inspirations and motivations.



So much of the film is about breaking down that creative"spark" within each performer, and because we are talking about music, "spark" may just be the best word - not a sound, but something that ignites fires.  Sometimes you can't actually put into words what these icons are "speaking" about or trying to convey...sometimes you just have to listen to the music they create, and let the sound of the guitar do the talking.

I loved the scene of where Jack White listens to an old Son House song, "Grinnin' In Your Face," and explains how that one song changed his life, how he has been forever chasing that sound and that attitude.



Another thrill of the film is watching the faces on The Edge and Jack White when they realize that they are not only sitting before and watching Jimmy Page play, but that they are also playing Led Zeppelin songs right along with him. Other highlights include listening to Jimmy Page recall his early days when he played in skiffle bands and worked as a studio musician, and The Edge describing what it was like to finally find his voice.

I would highly recommend this movie to anyone who is a fan of the performer, his band or to anyone who is fascinated by music and how it affects and changes us.

Bonus Video:  Listen to The White Stripes perform Son House's "Death Letter Blues" and "Grinnin' In Your Face" in Detroit, 2005.


Bonus Video:  Jimmy Page rocks out on a Theremin - "It hasn't got six strings, but it's a lot of fun.":



The film is available to stream from Netflix or DVD/Blu-ray from Amazon:

     















Thanks to SonyPicturesClassics, nunataak, blackmath333, JohnMacaroyLive for the uploads to YouTube.

Vampire Weekend "The Kids Don't Stand A Chance"

Photo by Vincent Moon

A Take Away Show #80 Vampire Weekend.  Produced by Blogotheque.net and Filmed by Vincent Moon, November 2007.

Enjoy this wonderful video of Vampire Weekend performing in an apartment complex courtyard in Paris. Stay tuned after the credits so you can watch the band march through the streets as they play "Oxford Comma."

Jour et Nuit...





Thanks to nasratfatty for the upload to YouTube.

Micah P. Hinson "The Day Texas Sank to the Bottom of the Sea"

Photo By Julien Borgeois

This might just be the most beautiful song ever written...

The Day Texas Sank to the Bottom of the Sea
By Micah P. Hinson

Here's all that I have to give
I'll admit it's not a lot,
But it's all that I've got
To hang myself with
In hopes that you'll take notice of me
I've been waiting
So long up in these trees
Trying to hang myself with
Thoughts of you
Thoughts of me
I've been wishing so long
Why can't you see?

Micah P. Hinson: Website and MySpace

Thanks to terr0rkitten for the upload to YouTube.

Free Punk Album From Amazon

Download "So Indie it Hurts: ROIR Rocks Volume Two" for free from Amazon. This nice little punk collection features:  Suicide, New York Dolls, James Chance & the Contortions, Bush Tetras, Johnny Thunders, The Mekons and more.  I have no clue how long it will remain on the site, but there's nothing more fun that legit and legal free music so get it while you can. The music player widget below will give you thirty second samples.  If you want the album just click the Buy link and it will bring you to the Amazon download page.

Let me know which tracks you like down in the comments section - also let me know if they shut it down and I'll update this blog page.

Cancer Bats "Sabotage"

The Cancer Bats may have trouble hunting down the Beastie Boys, but they don't seem to have any problems with grinding out their song "Sabotage" with a brutal fury. You may, in fact, call it "sabotage" whereas I simply call it "homage."

Thanks to HassleRecords for the upload to YouTube.

Sleigh Bells "Infinity Guitars"

Big thanks to Pitchfork for turning me on to my new favorite band! Don't miss the opportunity to watch Sleigh Bells, an amazing duo hailing from Brooklyn, NYC tearing it up smack in the middle of their fans.  If you can't get into this your heart may have stopped beating!

You may have to sit through a short advertisement with the player below, but trust me, it's worth it.



Bonus Video: ABC News Amplified segment on the Sleigh Bells:


Sleigh Bells Website, Click Here.
Sleigh Bells on MySpace, Click Here.
Pre-order album "Treats," Click Here.

RIP Ronnie James Dio

Sadly Ronnie James Dio has died at the age of 67 from stomach cancer. Think of him whenever you see a rainbow in the dark or otherwise.

Rainbow in the Dark
I cry for magic - I feel it dancing in the light
But it was cold - I lost my hold
To the shadows of the night
There's no sign of morning coming
You've been left on your own
Like a Rainbow in the Dark
-Ronnie James Dio





Thanks to music3874 for the upload to YouTube.

How To Destroy Angels "The Space In Between"

The latest sounds from Trent Reznor's new group How To Destroy Angels - watch this frightening video for the song "The Space In Between" directed by Rupert Sanders. All is not well in this dark musical world and that may just be a sign of good things to come. Heed my advice and stay out of cheap motels!

Rush "Beyond the Lighted Stage" Trailer

I've never been a huge Rush fan (OK - you can't really count my undying love and fanaticism for the song "The Trees"), but I've heard really great things about this movie, "Rush Beyond the Lighted Stage."

Synopsis:  Directors Sam Dunn and Scot McFadyen embark on a comprehensive exploration of this extraordinary power trio, from their early days in Toronto, through each of their landmark albums, to the present day. Featuring never-before-seen footage and interviews with notables such as Jack Black (Tenacious D), Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins), Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails), Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters), Kirk Hammett (Metallica) and Gene Simmons (Kiss), this film explores the forty-year career and phenomenon behind what could be the world's biggest cult band. Winner of the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival Audience Award.

The post is really just an excuse for me to share my favorite drummer joke:
Q:  How many drummers does it take to screw in a lightbulb?
A:  Four - one to screw it in and three to stand around saying how Neil Peart could have done it better.



Bonus video: Red carpet interviews with Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, the directors and a bunch of Rush fans including Sebastian Bach.


DVD Available June 29.














Thanks to RareRushReview and ApREDentertainment for the uploads to YouTube.

Séamus Ennis - Uilleann Piper

Follow the sounds of the uilleann pipes back home...

Ireland, it's the one place on earth
That heaven has kissed
With melody, mirth,
And meadow and mist.
-Unknown Author








Thanks to peabodyharris for the upload to YouTube.

Greyson "Paparazzi"

I can only assume that his name is Greyson based on his YouTube moniker...whatever the real name, and I'm sure we'll all know it soon enough, watch this kid belt out a little Lady Gaga from where it counts - the heart.



Based on the million plus view it looks like this song has the potential to be a hit over and over again.

You can watch the amazing original Lady Gaga here.

Thanks to greyson97 for the  upload to YouTube - and I wish you a bright, shiny future sitting before plenty of more crowds of young ladies.

The Minutemen Acoustic Performance 1985

Kick off the week with this beautiful acoustic set by The Minutemen from a cable access show called "Acoustic Blow-Out" from 1985. This was probably a pretty unique way to see a band back in the mid-1980's because MTV's "Unplugged" didn't really take off until the early 1990's.  I'm quite certain that MTV never would have invited a band like The Minutemen to perform. Lucky for us, out in Los Angeles, someone had already started recording bands acoustically.

Playlist:
Corona
Themselves
Badges
I Felt Like a Gringo
Time (Richard Hell Cover)
Lost (Meat Puppets Cover)
Ack Ack Ack (The Urinals Cover)
History Lesson Part II
Tour Spiel
Little Man With A Gun in His Hand

Build your own custom video playlist at embedr.com

Bonus Video: The Minutemen perform a cover of Van Halen's "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love." I have always felt that
this was one of those rare instances where the cover version of the song is far superior to the original.






Thanks to stogref and ButterKnifeLtd for the uploads to YouTube.

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day! Choose your way to celebrate...

Jeffrey Lewis "The Complete History of Punk Rock Pre-1975"

Photo by Eric Lippe

You only wish you had teachers like this! In this incredible video Jeffrey Lewis performs his musical lesson "The Complete History of Punk Rock and It's Development On the Lower East Side 1950 - 1975." Try to keep up - note taking is not mandatory, however, there will be a test!  Buckle up musical history buffs...it's going to be a bumpy ride!



If you should need to review:
"When That Great Ship Went Down" - William and Versey Smith - video
"Euphoria" - The Holy Modal Rounders - documentary trailer
"I'm Waiting For the Man" - Lou Reed and John Cale - video
"New Amphetamine Shriek" - The Fugs  - not the song, but a twisted clip from the film Chappaqua
"Nothing" - The Fugs - video (I think this song may have been inspiration for the show "Seinfeld")
"White Cat Heat" - The Godz - Listen to the song on their MySpace page
"I'm Waiting For the Man" - The Velvet Underground - video
"Mother Where Is My Father" - David Peel - clip of John Lennon recalling meeting David Peel
"1969" - The Stooges - a clip with funny commentary over some amazing Iggy footage from 1970
"Lower East Side" - David Peel - wikipedia
"I Want to Kill You" - David Peel
"Psychotic Reaction" - Count Five - video
"Gloria" - Patti Smith - video
"Personality Crisis" - New York Dolls - video
"Blank Generation" - Richard Hell & the Voidoids - clip from odd film trailer






Many thanks to my friend J.G. for pointing me to this video.

Also, thanks to neillondon for the upload to YouTube.