Michael Anthony – Drunk Bass Solo (1986)

Years back when I worked in a retail guitar store we used to have a bunch of concert DVD’s on playing on loop. One of which, was Van Halen “Live Without A Net” from August 27, 1986 during the 5150 Tour at New Haven's Veterans Memorial Coliseum. This of course was the first tour with tequila man Sammy Hager at the helm. Eddie Van Halen, as cheese as he(the band) were is still one of my favorite guitar players and an all around great musician. On the other side of the stage you have Michael Anthony who answers Eddie’s 10 minute solo with this circus act. As you will see, he is not only wearing a cape, but playing a Jack Daniel’s themed bass guitar, the very liquor he so splashes in his mouth like Listerine during the set. Hey, if Eddie and Alex get to solo...?

You may want to view through YouTube as I am having trouble embedding the full video:



Michael Anthony is now a member of “Chickenfoot” and the proud owner of “Mad Anthony Hot Sauce” which you can see here at “Mad Anthony’s Café.” As much as I rank on his bass playing skills it worked for the band and they wouldn’t have been Van Halen without his distinctive backing vocals which hid the imperfections of the David Lee Roth era.

References:

Plants And Animals - La La Land

I really can’t get enough of the new album from Montreal based Plants and Animals, La La Land. PBeat & J would like to set the record straight (no pun intended) because we have seen some misguided reviews on this new record (ala Pitchfork). They are correct in saying that this is not a duplicate of Parc Avenue, the band’s first full release. That being said, La La Land showcases a broader range of songwriting, incorporating thematic elements that vocally take pun at all things Los Angeles while pushing themselves musically. I highly recommend listening to the album straight through as it flows very well while offering something different on each track.

Track Listing (Notice some of the LA puns):

1. Tom Cruz
2. Swinging Bells
3. American Idol
4. Undone Melody
5. Kon Tiki
6. Game Shows
7. Mama Papa
8. Fake It
9. Celebration
10. Future From the 80's
11. Jeans, Jeans, Jeans

“American Idol” is one of my favorites on the new album. I love the sloppy sax thrown in there. Great rhythm, very Talking Heads.



The official video for the first single, “The Mama Papa”:


The Mama Papa by Plants and Animals from Secret City Records on Vimeo.


I have always enjoyed this video for “Feedback In The Field” off Parc Avenue:


Plants and Animals - "Feedback in the Field" from Secret City Records on Vimeo.


References:

Album Artwork:

La La Land

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Parc Avenue

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MySpace (full album streams)

Bango Dunk

I felt the need to share this impressive video I saw yesterday of NBA mascot for the Milwaukee Bucks, “Bango” successfully dunking from a 16' ladder placed in front of the hoop, doing a backflip in the process. Watch as the “man-deer” tempts fate with the playoff crowd cheering him on. Almost as great as the feat itself is the announcer yelling “give it up for Bango” over the inspirational music as he climbs up the ladder to his impending doom.

Bango celebrates with a little "Welcome To The Jungle".

Allergies, Round II

…literally. Thanks to our old friend, The Green Gorilla. We now have audio of Paul Simon’s “Allergies.” It really is a fun song so enjoy this find and while you’re at it, channel your inner Jane Goodall and add the GG as your friend on the “book-face.”

MGMT on SNL

In case you missed it, MGMT performed 2 songs off their new album “Congratulations” on SNL this past weekend. The first was single “Flash Delirium” and the second was my personal favorite off the new album, “Brian Eno.” I am still getting used to the flow of “Congratulations” but it’s starting to grow on me. I’m an “O.S.” purist but this is the direction they wanted to go so I will just roll with it. That aside, I was really impressed with this performance. I am still yet to see them live but having seen this I look forward to catching them this summer.



References:
 
Album Artwork:
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Who Is MGMT?

Allergies…

Having been hit hard with allergies this weekend I thought I would make light of the situation by pulling some tunes from the catalogue that pertain. I wanted to post the song “Allergies” by Paul Simon (off Hearts and Bones, 83’) but I couldn’t find any video to post (see lyrics below). That being said, a nice play on words works just as well so I will post one of my favorite songs from The Verve, “The Drugs Don’t Work.” This is the fourth song off their 3rd album, Urban Hymns, which gained mainstream appeal with the single “Bittersweet Symphony.” The popularity and video success of this song helped to make Urban Hymns one of the best selling albums of 1997. I personally feel that the rest of the album is overlooked due to the positive/negative feelings people have about the first single. It really is a great album and I highly recommend it to people who are into the early Oasis catalogue. The live video I found is from a “T in the Park” festival ( a major music festival that has been held annually in Scotland since 1994.)


The Verve- The Drugs Don't Work (live at T in the park) from poeticjin on Vimeo.


While on The Verve, here is the official video for “Lucky Man”, my favorite song of theirs. For all you Entourage fans, this song was featured at the end of the first episode of season 6 when Vince finds himself sitting along as his crew is slowly moving out.


Lucky Man - THE VERVE from LeperMessiah__ on Vimeo.


References:

Album Artwork:

Official Website

MySpace

Lyrics – “The Drugs Don’t Work” 

Lyrics - "Allergies"

  

Earth Day

I assumed I would just go “grassroots” on Earth Day but in searching my catalogue for “earth” themed tunes I came across this oldie from Jamiroquai, “Emergency On Planet Earth” the title track of his 1993 debut album. The album was critically acclaimed for its mixture R&B, funk, and acid-jazz. This particular track has a great groove and bass line.



Also to note:

• The band name is a portmanteau of Jam session and "iroquai", based on the Iroquois, a Native American tribe.
• “Emergency On Planet Earth” was featured on the list of “1001 Albums You Should Hear Before You Die.”
• The debut album was the first to feature “Buffalo Man”, silhouette character featured on most of the covers of Jamiroquai's releases. Buffalo Man was created sometime prior to the release of their 1992 single When You Gonna Learn, allegedly it was originally sketched by the band's primary songwriter and front-man Jason Kay as Buffalo Man is seemingly a self portrait silhouette of Jason wearing a buffalo hat. The mark has been used on almost every commercial (and sometimes non-commercial) release of the band's output in some form or another; usually the unique symbol is pictured unaltered, but there have been times where it is shown in a stylised manner to suit the artwork or song. (See album artwork below)

References:

Album Artwork:



















Official Website

Song Lyrics

An article on the history of the Buffalo Man logo at Funkin.com

“Dead All Along” – Ceri Frost

I thought I would share this great video from UK based producer/composer Ceri Frost. The track is called “Dead All Along” and is somewhat reminiscent of what could be a Modest Mouse tune. Watching the video in HD, you can really enjoy the Tim Burton “esk” 3D paper animation graphic. Synopsis: “Enchanted by a pixie, a child called Yorick enters a magical kingdom, but when Yorick returns he finds his world ravaged by time.”

Enjoy!


Dead All Along || Ceri Frost from Giles Timms on Vimeo.

Did he steal those pants from the Beatlejuice wardrobe?

References:

Official Website

Who's Got The Herb?

I couldn’t think of a better song to post for “4/20” than 311’s “Who's Got The Herb?”. The song first appeared on the band’s 1998 “Live” album and has since become a fan-favorite live-track. “Live” is the only live album by 311, recorded during the Transistor tour at the UNO Lakefront Arena in New Orleans, Louisiana.



References:

Song Lyrics

Official Site

MySpace

Album Artwork:

Il Pan Del Diavolo - Pertanto

I stumbled upon this video yesterday and felt it was worth sharing. The track is called “Pertano” by Italian Indie band Il Pan Del Diavolo; translation: “The Pan of The Devil”. I couldn’t find any reviews or band biographies written in English but from my small knowledge of Italian I can tell you that the band formed in 2006 in Palermo, Italy. The song, which translates to “Therefore” is not that bad but the real story here is the video. The cinematography is great as its shot in reverse. I have no idea how the horse costumes pertain but if someone who fully understands Italian can clue me in that would be most helpful.


Il Pan Del Diavolo - Pertanto from Cosimo Bruzzese on Vimeo.

After watching the video, couldn’t help but think of this photo I saw on the Band of Horses Myspace page.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
References:
 
Band Website
MySpace
YouTube Channel

Free Energy – Stuck On Nothing

Who said Indie music can’t be catchy?

Free Energy is a five-piece Philadelphia based power pop-rock band led by brothers Scott and Evan Wells. The band's first release, “Stuck On Nothing,” will drop on May 4th via DFA Records. Having had a few brief conversations about the album, I can only describe it as "Blue Record Weezer meets Thin Lizzy meets The Cars”, which makes absolutely no sense until you have a listen. This album is consistent from end-to-end as it brings a more up-beat vibe to the table both lyrically and rhythmically. I tried to dig up as much live footage as possible but it was a little sparse. In watching these videos, it looks like there’s a bit of Mick Jagger stage presence going on.

“All I Know” / Track 4 off “S.O.N.”:



Live @ Public Assembly in Brooklyn:


Free Energy LIVE at Public Assembly Brooklyn from 'SUP Magazine on Vimeo.


Live @ 2010 SXSW:


Free Energy from CakeIn15 on Vimeo.


Old live footage, great recording:


Free Energy from Ray Concepcion on Vimeo.


References:

Band Website

Myspace (free album stream)
Album Artwork (aweosme):

Jammin' on “The Street”

Since it first aired in 1969, plenty of musicians have appeared on the long-running PBS children’s television show Sesame Street. Some of the musical performances on Sesame Street are classics that rival that of any other show as artists are able to showcase a more laid back persona. Here are a few good ones I was able to dig up (in no chronological order):

“1234” by Feist

I love this song but it’s just too perfect for this application.



“I Got A Song” by Ray Charles



“Don’t Know Y” by Norah Jones

Get it…Don’t know...Why...”Y”? In all seriousness, Norah sounds great here.



“Just The Way You Are” by Billy Joel

I love how Billy Joel is singing a love song to Oscar, who is such a bastard.



“Nasty Dan” by Johnny Cash

Johnny "TRASH"?



“Superstition” by Stevie Wonder

This is my favorite of the Sesamee Street performances and one of the best live recordings of “Supersition” out there.



Consistent with our furry friends above, be sure to check out my man The Green Gorilla ‘s cretaceous, but intriguing look at “Hevisaurus.”

Iconic NY

I read a great article by Billy Heller (New York Post) this week which pays homage to some of the most iconic, NY-themed album covers. Although there are a few I can think off hand that were left out, it’s an interesting little read: NYC's greatest hits - NYPOST.com Here are a few mentioned in the article:

Steely Dan's "Pretzel Logic" (1974) was taken at Fifth Avenue outside Central Park. This album’s opening track is one of my favorite Steely songs, "Rikki Don't Lose That Number.”

Simon & Garfunkel's "Wednesday Morning, 3AM" (1964) was taken at the Fifth Avenue subway at 53rd Street.

Blondie's "Autoamerican" (1980) was taken on a roof at Broadway and 8th Street.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Bob Dylan's "Freewheelin' Dylan" (1963) was taken on Jones Street between 4th and Bleecker streets. As you may remember, the scene in Vanilla Sky with Tom Cruise and Penélope Cruz in the street with a Volkswagen van in the back is a perfect copy (cars, jacket of Tom Cruise, attitude of the women...) of this very same album cover. (See below)
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


The Beastie Boys' "Paul's Boutique" (1989) was taken on the corner of Rivington and Ludlow streets.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Paul's Boutique, today:
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
The cover art for Led Zeppelin's "Physical Graffiti" (1975) was taken at 96-98 St. Mark's Pl. in the East Village.

The building, today:

Röyksopp

Röyksopp are a Grammy nominated electronic music duo from Tromsø, Norway composed of schoolmates Torbjørn Brundtland and Svein Berge. The group formed officially in 1998 and released their debut album Melody A.M. on Wall of Sound in 2001. "Remind Me", found on Melody A.M., can be heard in the background of a Geico car insurance commercial. The commercial is the fourth of the "It's so easy a caveman could do it" ads, and features said caveman riding a moving sidewalk in an airport terminal when he comes across a poster displaying the inflammatory ad campaign. The “elevator music” feel along with selected lyrics “and everywhere I go…there's always something to remind me…” capture the true awkwardness of the caveman.



The single version of "Remind Me" heard in the commercial is substantially different from the album version. The group received various awards for its computer animated video for the original recording, directed by the French motion graphics studio H5. It features a day in the life of a woman working in London's Square Mile solely through infographics; this includes labelled close-ups of everyday objects, product lifecycles, schematic diagrams, charts, and is generally illustrated in a simple isometric visual style.


Remind Me from Röyksopp on Vimeo.

It was noted in an interview that the duo recently celebrated 10 years of making music together. And like good friends (or an old married couple) do when they hit an anniversary, Berge and Brundtland exchanged gifts. “I gave Torbjørn an iced-out saxophone and a crate of fireworks because it reflects his personality,” Berge says. “And he gave me a flame-thrower and a can of wax for the same reasons.”

 

 

References:

 

"Remind Me" Lyrics

Official Website

Caveman Press Release

Album Artwork: