thegthang simple

We ain't goin to the town, we're going to the Weenie Roast

I am finally prepared for the  KROQ Weenie Roast Y Fiesta this Saturday.  Shannon and I are lucky enough to have front row seats in a certain section, so we will have a nice unobstructed view all day long.  I was also able to receive some VIP passes which allow us access to the after party, the private bar, as well as the private bathrooms (almost a must for the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater).

At last check these are the set times for the show.  Looks like Linkin Park will be the headliner.  It amazes me how popular they still are, they are literally taking over print and radio media coverage here in LA.

Looks like the Bud Light Stage Dos is going to be a good time, and a good reason for LA'ers to get to the show on time.  I will be there on time, getting it started.

Back with a Vengence, or a pitch

So I'll be hitting up the Midlake show tomorrow night at the Troubadour.  I have 1 ticket available, and I've just listed it on Craigslist.  If anyone is interested I'm asking $20 for the ticket.  Not a bad deal if you ask me.  My Craiglist link is above, and here.  It's a sold out show at the Troubadour, so you know it'll be a good time.  If you choose not to buy the ticket, feel free to purchase me a beer.

Guess I'll go, and I'll lock the door behind me

On Thursday evening Shannon and I went to the Troubadour to see Amy Millan (of Stars)*.  The show was great and the Troubadour was tremendous yet again.  The only downside to the evening was on the 101, where we ran into some horrible LA traffic at midnight, but that is expected here.         

I have a busy weekend ahead.  Obviously the fact I am blogging at 2:05 in the morning is an indication I did not make it out tonight (because I hardly blog at all anyway).  I was hoping to make it out to the Orpheum tonight to see Damien Rice, as he playing a double dip there tonight and Saturday night.  What a shame, I was really looking forward to a Damien Rice show.  On Saturday I will be accompanying Shannon to her Christmas party.  I am looking forward to some Christmas cheer.  And her Christmas parties always take place at those trendy-expensive type places, so I gladly enjoy the great company and the free cocktails/food..

On Sunday I will be hitting up Universal City Walk and the Gibson Amphitheater for KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas, Night 2.  I missed out on last years Almost Acoustic Christmas show, having last attended in 2004.  It is a bit of a KROQ Acoustic Christmas reunion for me, as The Killers and Snow Patrol performed in 2004, and will again be performing on Sunday.   The lineup is pretty stacked and I am very much looking forward to this show.  A few of the performances I most anticipate are that of the Foo Fighters, as well as Beck, Snow Patrol and The Killers.  I am also looking forward to catching the Raconteurs live, as I dig their sound and I spent almost half a week last year going to White Stripes shows at the Greek Theatre.  I must say that I also am looking forward to hearing Angels and Airwaves live.  I base this on the fact that I am almost an honorary Southern Californian now, and I must pledge allegiance to the whole Blink 182 and their 800 side projects (and now new bands) stuff.  I was about to be on the Panic! At The Disco bandwagon as they played their (in my opinion) "Hello World" series of concerts at the Troubadour this time last year (2005). But I missed those shows.   Gnarls Barkley has promised LA a treat with their costumes, so I have that to look forward to.  And She Wants Revenge, well from the first single that I heard of them, I thought they were a rip off of Interpol.  I guess I still think that way.  Lets see if Sunday will change my mind. I will certainly post pics and or reviews of the weekend activities.  Wish you were there.  

It's so clear, that Snow Patrol is an absolutely amazing live band

So another work filled week was highlighted by a Tuesday night stop at The Wiltern to see Snow Patrol.  I was accompanied by the lovely and talented Shannon.  This was a series of shows that were canceled from June 19 and 20.  One of which was of course my birthday.  Martha Wainwright opened the show, followed by Augustana.  Augustana were impressive live, and have actually inspired me to check out some of their music.

(WireImage.com show)

Snow Patrol entered the stage to a rousing 4 minute light show and enormous ovation.  Their set was dominated by songs from both major albums, "Eyes Open" (2006) and "Final Straw" (2004).  It was a nice mix of tunes.  The last time I caught Snow Patrol it was an industry show at the Troubadour.  That was back in March during a heavy two week period of concert going, so I guess I did not review it.  The Troubadour show was awesome, one of the best live shows I have ever seen.  So the gig at the Wiltern had high expectations.  The band lived up to the hype.  Although the show wasn't as good as its standard, the mix of songs helped make it great.  At the Trouadour their set was heavy with songs off of "Eyes Open," but was also a much shorter set. 

I guess I'll be making a pilgrimage each time Snow Patrol comes to town.  I really dig their music, and their live stuff is tremendous.  Here's hoping the boys from the United Isles make it back to the far off west coast as soon as possible.

That Ain't the Hardest Part, The Hardest Part is keeping up with Ryan Adams

Tonight I'm heading to Downtown Disney to catch Ryan Adams at the House of Blues.  Nothing like a sold out Ryan Adams show at an under 1000 capacity venue.  Here is to the rocking, and to the drinking. 

The man that should be Bond

If it went my way, Jason Statham would have been the next James Bond.  Although that didn't work out, we get Jason at his near best in Crank, out everywhere September 1st.  The trailer is very well cut, as the film isn't as "all action" as inferred, but action fans will not be disappointed.  Take a look at the trailer and see for yourself.  ">

Shedding my Summer Skin near Griffith Park, in the Greek Theatre Pit

Las Vegas was an absolute blast.  The flight back to LA was freaking awesome.  The Death Cab for Cutie show on Sunday night at the Greek Theatre was boss awesome.  I probably still have not recovered.  My last post regarding Death Cab can be found here, with a much more fitting title.

The lovely Shannon accompanied me to the show, and as you can see from my feeble cell phone pic, we were right there with Ben Gibbard and the band.  The openers for the show were Spoon and Mates of State.  How freaking great are Mates of State?  And I missed their set on Sunday night.  Oh well.  Death Cab played a lot of stuff from Plans, and they sounded very good at the Greek.

Got a lot of this and that going on as summer begins to wind down.  Hopefully I actually take advantage of this blog some more. 

travel time

On my way to Vegas in literally 2 minutes.  About fucking time for this trip.  Be back Sunday night for second row seats at the Greek Theater to see Death Cab For Cutie.  I am the shit.

Hit the Troubadour on Thursday to  see  SOUND Team, as well as Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin.  The opening act was Division Day.  What a great night of shows.  Division Day was great, Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin were awesome, and SOUND Team sealed the deal with a great, albeit short, set.

Hit up Newport Beach on Saturday night with Shannon, Kevin, Jon and the twins for a Fathers Day/Birthday bash for her father.  A night at the beach with a tasty meal, some micro brewed beers and the crashing waves with multiple bonfire scents was just what the doctor ordered. 

Now I begin the festivities for my birthday celebration.  I'll be going to San Diego with Shannon for a few days, and we'll be staying downtown in Dirty Diego.  That's my style though.  Mere minutes from Coronado, or any given beach, any given bar.  Many talk trash about modern day down-towns, but if done right, the experiences are far beyond the concern.'  I supposedly have been hooked up with a suite on the 24th or 25th floor of our hotel, with amenity.  Shannon will like that a lot. 

I'll be back to LA on Tuesday, just in time to age another year.  There is no doubt I'll be at Lucky Baldwin's in Old Town Pasadena on Tuesday night.  There is absolutely no doubt about this.  Stop by and buy me a birthday drink.

Go Gator around the point

I am adding a quick blog bite much like my friend Derek has done recently, as seen here.  I have to mention that I am now "obsessed" with The Nationals album Alligator.  After seeing Alligator in the heavy rotation section of my friend Tim's music blog Fuzz Lion, I was not yet sold on The National.

As previously posted on my blog, I saw The National back in October of '05 at the Troubadour.  I did not really like them live that night, so I wasn't all too interested in their new album.  After a heavy rotation nod from Tim (which is a tough nod to get) and a blurb from Derek, I fell victim.  And I am glad I did.  Go pick up this album, you can use this link to Amazon, it will not disappoint.  Just don't be mad if that is all you listen to for a while.