Had the rare, rare pleasure of seeing the genius of Tom Waits, joined by Larry Taylor on upright bass, live last night. Waits, who gets my vote for greatest songwriter in the world, played four songs as part of the Music Cares benefit honoring Metallica' s James Hetfield and manager/promoter Bill Silva. And four songs from Waits, including "Invitation To The Blues," and "Lucky Day" from Black Rider, is as memorable and magical as a two-hour set from anybody else. Don't believe me, ask Hetfield, who started a speech by saying, "Who needs drugs and alcohol when you have Tom Waits?" No one.

Posted by Steve B at 10:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Been slammed on perpetual deadline this week, so not much to say, but digging the Paul Simon record, Surpise. The combination of Simon and Brian Eno, who's worked with David Bowie, was a member of Roxy Music, and of course created so many landmark albums of his own in the '70s, including Another Green World, leads to some interesting ambient and ethereal sounds that mesh surprisingly well with Simon's voice.
Also, can't get enough ot the forthcoming Silversun Pickups disc, Carnavas; melodic, guitar-heavy indie rock with occasional sonic explosions that rival Dream Syndicate.
Tomorrow night going to check out a special benefit show for Music Cares that features Tom Freaking Waits live! First time in years. The high point of a weekend that also includes the KROQ Weenie Roast.

Posted by Steve B at 12:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Went to see Drive-By Truckers, direct descendents of Molly Hatchet and the Southern rock scene, only with way better songs, last night at the House of Blues. For those not familiar with the Truckers, they play kick-ass rock 'n' roll; no indie guitar rock, no dance, techno, rap/rock. Just straight-ahead three-guitar I'm gonna stomp a mudhole in your ass rock songs like "The Day John Henry Died" and "Carl Perkins Cadillac." The result of their triple-threat attack -- the three axemen alternate as lead singers, giving each song a distinct personality and style -- is one of the best live shows going today. For anybody who misses rock 'n' roll, and being bludgeoned by swirling guitars, hope has arrived.

Posted by Steve B at 09:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I'm sitting backstage at Coachella Sunday night in-between Massive Attack and Tool's sets listening to this kid, probably anywhere from 13 to 15, talking about how he couldn't wait to see Tool. I personally am not the biggest fan, but whatever, I have no problem with that. However, then he goes on to say what a fan he is of Jane's Addiction, Nirvana, whoever, and that he was born in the wrong era. He should've been a teenager in the '90s. Now I have to call bullshit. I realize everything, thanks to technology, is being expeited, but it is too damn soon for '90s nostalgia. You don't think it's there? Candlebox and Alice In Chains reuniting, Goo Goo Dolls and Counting Crows touring together. How long do you really think it is before Third Eye Blind crawl out from whatever rock they were under and hit the road for a "comeback" tour? No! Unless we can get Bill Clinton back in the White House along with this yearning for all things '90s I say uh-uh. Not until at least 2010.

Posted by Steve B at 02:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Back from Coachella and just fried. A great, though, long weeked in the sun. Some highpoints -- TV On The Radio going gospel at the end of their set; Phoenix; Gnarls Barkley, my new favorite band, what a voice live; Madonna, say what you want, but she was a lot of fun up there and surprisingly boisterous, also more stage personality and talking than I would've expected. And what a mass of humanity, awesome, though a pain to get through. Cat Power playing with strings; Metric's delicious and charged indie pop; Kanye West, always delivers live; the little bit I heard of Matisyahu sounded good. My personal pick - Hybrid playing live with Perry Farrell and John "Quiver" Graham, just an insane set. And, sorry Tatiana, but Massive Attack with Liz Fraser, awesome.

Some other Coachella thoughts:
All access the only way to go; loved those taxi golf cart stands backstage.
Get your cash early as the ATMs are barren by the end of the night.
Those people doing shots early in the day are cracked. Too hot.
And the mos important rule of attending Coachella -- Don't try and meet up with people, it's too damn hard.

Posted by Steve B at 06:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

For those 50,000 or so heading out to Indio, California this weekend, here's a quick primer on some stuff to check out this weekend.
Saturday:
DJ Colette - The house music diva with the angelic, opera-trained voice making her first Coachella appearance is a favorite.
The Like - Catchy pop tunes from the L.A. trio
Lyrics Born - Positive underground rap
Audio Bullys - Could be one of the sleeper acts of the festival
Hybrid Featuring Perry Farrell - The British DJ duo teams with the former Jane's Addiction singer to merge dance and rock into one
Also check out Daft Punk, Common, Lady Sovereign, The Juan Maclean, Franz Ferdinand, She Wants Revenge, house music icon Carl Cox, hard rock buzz band Wolfmother, Cat Power

Sunday:
Jazzanova - The dance music collective that brings warmth to the genre
Gnarls Barkley - As catchy as "Crazy," the first single from the duo of Danger Mouse and Cee-Lo, is, the rest of the album is that damn good. One of the two or three can't miss acts
Massive Attack - First U.S. performance in eight years, right at dusk, if Tricky shows up, this elevates to a Coachella classic.
The Go Team - Energetic alternative sounds from the fun-loving band
Digable Plantes - Classic hip-hop
Also check out: Mylo, Phoenix, Stellastarr*, Gabriel & Dresden, Gilles Peterson

Oh, and for those griping about the presence of Madonna and now Kanye, get over it. Both belong there and both have added some much-needed buzz to this year's event. Yeah, Madonna in the dance tent is going to be a clusterfuck, like you won't be there or wish you were. And Kanye might be annoying at times, but who's going to argue last year's The Late Registration wasn't one of the best of the year. Personally I find the fact that James Blunt and that ubiquitously annoying "You're Beautiful" song are on the bill more horifying. But you know what, I'll just stay away from the stage when he's on.

Posted by Steve B at 10:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)