Nothing says Christmas spirit like a list of 50 of the greatest rock beefs. Everyone should  recognize a few familiar faces on here.

I have already slayed this track in person with Calthizor, but I think an official posting is appropriate for this little morsel of ear candy. About a month ago I purchased Explosions in the Sky’s new work, the soundtrack to the movie “Prince Avalanche”. In comparison to the stereotypical movie-soundtrack album, I’d have to say this one’s a bit above average, but it lacks the raw power I expect from Explosions. The real benefit of this purchase and subsequent listening was the door it opened to FAILURE!

So ya, Avalanche would end and I wouldn’t notice: so what? Does that make me a bad person? Failure’s Fantastic Planet would start up and before I knew it I was halfway through a musical space voyage. I’d black out or something.

The entire album is really pretty neat, but the highlight for me is most definitely The Nurse Who Loved Me.

I took this picture. This is how close I was to Doug. Notice how there is no one in front of me. I- Calthizor- was the closest person to Doug in the building (this includes bandmates). I inhaled every beard-ridden ounce of air that exited Doug’s lungs. This, however, also means that I was the closest person to Doug’s amp (except for him :P). I lost a significant amount of hearing for about two days, but I would have sacrificed other, more dangly body parts, to do it all again. I’M GONNA GIVE YOU A FUCKING LIST NOW!

1. The Venue- Epic. It was an old church that was gutted out save the stage and a bar in the back. Even standing at the back of the room yielded an excellent view. #small #beers #eeriechurchyvibethatworkedperfectly

2. Beers- Two-Hearted, that is all.

3. Shirts- I got a cool shirt.

4. Opening Bands- Slamdunk, and Genders. Never heard of either of them before but both did their thing well.

Finally, at about 11ish, a bunch of middle aged guys took the stage and rocked the shit out of everyone. They opened up with Velvet Waltz, a performance that sent shivers down the spines of the weak or slightly gassy. It was one of my top songs of the night on a list which included Carry the Zero, The Plan, Big Dipper (nice surprise), I Would Hurt a Fly, Goin’ Against Your Mind, and You Were Right. If I had to pick though, I would say The Plan was the best of the night. That song absolutely changes live. Goin’ Against Your Mind was also pretty memorable but for a different reason. It was the finale song of the night and about 30 seconds into it Doug’s guitar cut out. He got down on his knees and fiddled with his pedalboard (this is all happening right in my face), for about 5 minutes as the band kept the song going. Doug, being the ever-stoic man he is, is unfazed. He says “F’ it” and finally plugs his guitar straight into his amp and proceeds to shred.

Ben, if you’re reading this…. You missed out. (I’ll let you try on my t-shirt)

Overall, best concert I’ve been too. It would have been nice if they had some form of a light show going for effect, but they really didn’t need it. I’ve waited a very long time to see one of my favorite bands ever, and it was worth it. Next on the list is the purple-clad shred machine that is J. Mascis.

*I also got a picture of Doug’s pedalboard for any who are interested, you can’t see like 2 or 3 of them but most are visible.

I’ve waited ten years.

Dr. Dog – Nobody Knows Who You Are

This is what I listen to while I drink apple juice and scratch my beard.*

Dr. Dog is one of those bands I had a couple songs I liked and listened to, but overlooked the rest of the catalog. Starting to go through the albums I have and so far its been pretty good.

* –  A beard isn’t required to fully enjoy this, but it helps**

** – This goes for all things in life.

Speaking of Mark Kozelek, I thought Calth would enjoy the lyrics to this track off his recent collaboration with Desertshore — wait for the chorus at 2:21. Calth, before you get your undies in a worked up, sweaty little bundle, a recent interview reveals that it’s all in jest (about halfway down the page). Either way, the faux-Cline solos after each chorus are pretty hilarious. I had no idea that a guitar could sound so sarcastic.

There’s a new Sun Kill Moon record coming out in a few months, but the track “Richard Ramirez Died Today of Natural Causes” is out now and it is fantastic. The lyrics, the rushed delivery, the drums that come in toward the end (provided by Steve Shelley of Sonic Youth) are all perfect. Reminds me a bit of the work on his Modest Mouse cover album.

Curious to hear which song got you guys into musik4real. You most likely heard this song in the 90’s, it most likely blew your face off, and you most likely started a huge CD collection which you carried around with you in large black CD binders (the last step was not necessary in my case). For me it was Dystopian Dream Girl*, which was probably my first favorite song of a genre that did not include the Beastie Boys or RHCP. You may not listen to this song much anymore, but it pumped its musical juice deep inside of you and left a permanent stain.

*I know what you’re thinking “How was it a song after Car”?

Between moving downtown, starting school, and quitting smoking for the thousandth time, I’ve been busy, but I’m back with some new tunes.

Been listening to this band Cheatahs a bit recently. They remind me of Swervedriver or Ride, like if the band members of each, adopted a kid and then taught that kid their respective instruments but the entire time they listened to Dinosaur Jr., I’d imagine something like Cheatahs. If I didn’t know them and someone showed them to me, I’d assume they were actually a 90s band, not a band who’s just been getting started the past couple years.

I ordered their Extended Plays vinyl from Wichita Records and they were nice enough to send me a bunch of pins and a random poster (none of them for the band Cheatahs, but appreciated) and a note that read “Chicken Ranchero Dick-Nachos” maybe every 100th order comes with cool gear and a random message?

EDIT: Just because I realized I haven’t posted since I saw My Bloody Valentine or about the concert. I am now in the possession of one of Kevin Shields’ guitar picks and it hasn’t left my person since I got it.