THE VIDEOS DON'T WORK!

I'm aware of the fact that my Quicktime movies don't work with Windows/Internet Explorer. But there's light at the end of this tunnel! I think I've figured out the problem and should have it fixed in the next hour or two sometime soon...

If anyone reading happens to know a thing or two about using javascript in blog posts (or working with Quicktime in Blogger), I'd really appreciate a helping hand.

Live: The Unicorns "Hanz"

I miss this band. They really had something special. Something loveable that instantly clicked with me. And I know I'm not the only one who feels this way. There's a whole fanbase of people over at the Secret Unicorns Forum that are borderline obsessive. They remind me of when I was in high school, scouring Napster for every possible unreleased Weezer track or live bootleg. And what's amazing is The Unicorns were really only around for about two years and yet they have such a devoted following. I pray that if they get back together after 7 years, they don't record a "Green Album."

So, I have a couple shows of The Unicorns on tape. I made a music video with the footage awhile back. It turns out I also have footage of a "new" Unicorns song that was never recorded. The camera work is sloppy (I had been drinking...) and I annoyingly talk over the song a couple times (I had been drinking...) but the song, Alden's introduction and the preceding conversation with J'aime Tambour still shine despite my apparent attempts to sabotage it. I offer it now to the internet community. I suppose it's mostly of interest to the mega-fans, but I think all of us can enjoy reminiscing about the only creature that became extinct twice.


Alternative Video Link

MP3 - The Unicorns "Hanz" (Live - 3/24/04)

MP3 - The Unicorns "Hanz" (Live - 3/24/04)

Show Review: Snowden w. Bad Veins - 9/20/06

My first post about a local band! How exciting!! Bad Veins (which I just recently realized is rather close to Bad Brains...) were the openers. Not only are they the best NEW band in Cincinnati, they very well might also simply be the best. With only two members, they fill out their sound with a delightfully quirky reel-to-reel tape player.


The reel-to-reel is very much their third member. If it hasn't already been done, someone needs to give it a name and make some fan club t-shirts. This was only their third show and they've already left some good impressions. Snowden's lead singer called them the best band he's seen in 25 nights of playing shows. No word on who those other bands are.

So, as with Band of Horses two weeks ago, I was really only there to hear one song from the headliner. They played it second and even announced it, so I think they're aware of the fact that this is the song people want to hear. The crowd quickly thanked them.


It's that ridiculous intro that really gets me and it doesn't even show up again for the rest of the song! "Anti-Anti" is a catchy little tune, but I'm not sure if it's hit-single worthy. It reminds of The Cloud Room's "Hey Now Now." I enjoy it but I don't think it's going to "break" them.

After the intro was finished, I moved up to the front to get a closer look. I'm not sure if the stagelight was too bright, but the frontman seemed to be squinting a lot. This might just be his "thing" though.


I feel like this is what Deryck Whimby's older brother would look like...

Overall, Snowden was pretty solid but not very memorable. Even their "hit song" didn't get much response from the audience.


Actually, I think the audience cheered more at the beginning of the song than at the end. Basically, Snowden are another Stellastarr*/Editors/Cloud Room band that will find a spot on a couple mix CDs or iTunes playlists but will never be more than an mp3 to me.My first post about a local band! How exciting!! Bad Veins (which I just recently realized is rather close to Bad Brains...) were the openers. Not only are they the best NEW band in Cincinnati, they very well might also simply be the best. With only two members, they fill out their sound with a delightfully quirky reel-to-reel tape player.



The reel-to-reel is very much their third member. If it hasn't already been done, someone needs to give it a name and make some fan club t-shirts. This was only their third show and they've already left some good impressions. Snowden's lead singer called them the best band he's seen in 25 nights of playing shows. No word on who those other bands are.

So, as with Band of Horses two weeks ago, I was really only there to hear one song from the headliner. They played it second and even announced it, so I think they're aware of the fact that this is the song people want to hear. The crowd quickly thanked them.



It's that ridiculous intro that really gets me and it doesn't even show up again for the rest of the song! "Anti-Anti" is a catchy little tune, but I'm not sure if it's hit-single worthy. It reminds of The Cloud Room's "Hey Now Now." I enjoy it but I don't think it's going to "break" them.

After the intro was finished, I moved up to the front to get a closer look. I'm not sure if the stagelight was too bright, but the frontman seemed to be squinting a lot. This might just be his "thing" though.



I feel like this is what Deryck Whimby's older brother would look like...

Overall, Snowden was pretty solid but not very memorable. Even their "hit song" didn't get much response from the audience.



Actually, I think the audience cheered more at the beginning of the song than at the end. Basically, Snowden are another Stellastarr*/Editors/Cloud Room band that will find a spot on a couple mix CDs or iTunes playlists but will never be more than an mp3 to me.

Feature: Final Fantasy, part 2

So, here's part 2. Don't worry, it's not the kind of sequel where you needed to watch part 1 to understand what is going on. It's simply a continuation of the same conversation. This one is a bit longer, which means more time for music and more time for talking. Here, we move away from the technical aspects of Final Fantasy, and delve deeper into the conceptual.

Feature: Final Fantasy, part 1

My favorite interview so far, Owen had so many interesting things to say, I couldn't fit it all into one feature. So, here's part 1, which will be followed by part 2 tomorrow. Owen and I talked about the Arcade Fire, arranging strings for indie-rock, performing all alone, playing with loops, and finding your voice, and that's only the first half! Final Fantasy is absolutely amazing live, and it turns out, he's pretty pleasant to talk to as well.
(Edit: And apparently he just won the 2006 Polaris Music Prize! Which is Canada's Mercury Prize...which is England's...do we have a cool thing like this?)

Upcoming Show: Snowden w. Bad Veins @ Alchemize

Wednesday, September 20th at Alchemize!


Youtube link
Snowden - website|myspace
Bad Veins - website|myspace

Youtube link
Snowden - website|myspace
Bad Veins - website|myspace

Track Review: Princeton "The Indifference Curve"

Youtube Link
MP3 - Princeton "The Indifference Curve"
Princeton - website|myspace

Youtube Link
MP3 - Princeton "The Indifference Curve"
Princeton - website|myspace

Show Review: Band of Horses w. Chad VanGaalen - 9/6/06

It was Alchemize's grand RE-opening and I was late! When I finally arrived some two hours after doors, the first opener was gone and Chad VanGaalen was already about to start. It seemed that the first band had run off in a hurry because they left all their equipment on stage! Guitars, keyboards, drums! They had left it all!...or so I thought...

As in turns out, it was all Chad VanGaalen's stuff. He's this one-man band performer that uses every appendage he's got (get that mind of the gutter!) to make music. He's Canadian, so you know it's going to be some great pop music. Sadly, I didn't have my camera out for the best songs, but come to think of it, there really wasn't a bad one either.


Earlier songs had less twang and more electronic bleeps and bloops, but like I said, it was all enjoyable. I'm told the first act was Simon Dawes but I never found out if that was a band or just a guy. The headliner, of course, is clearly labeled. I missed Band of Horses the first time they played Alchemize, so I was glad they came back. Before they started, Nick Spencer jumped up on-stage to welcome everyone to the new space. It was nice.


With that out of the way, it was on with the show. I have to admit, I was really only there to hear one song. After sneaking a peak at their setlist, it was clear I'd have to wait awhile. They were playing it last! But when they finally did, it was glorious.


What a GREAT song! And then my favorite part, when it sort of re-climaxes with the instrumental breakdown at the end!
(Edit: Pay close attention! He hits the light overhead when he pumps his fist in the air!)


I mean, really...that one song did it for me. Band of Horses may not have made the album of the year, but "The Funeral" is definitely in contention for best track.It was Alchemize's grand RE-opening and I was late! When I finally arrived some two hours after doors, the first opener was gone and Chad VanGaalen was already about to start. It seemed that the first band had run off in a hurry because they left all their equipment on stage! Guitars, keyboards, drums! They had left it all!...or so I thought...

As in turns out, it was all Chad VanGaalen's stuff. He's this one-man band performer that uses every appendage he's got (get that mind of the gutter!) to make music. He's Canadian, so you know it's going to be some great pop music. Sadly, I didn't have my camera out for the best songs, but come to think of it, there really wasn't a bad one either.

Earlier songs had less twang and more electronic bleeps and bloops, but like I said, it was all enjoyable. I'm told the first act was Simon Dawes but I never found out if that was a band or just a guy. The headliner, of course, is clearly labeled. I missed Band of Horses the first time they played Alchemize, so I was glad they came back. Before they started, Nick Spencer jumped up on-stage to welcome everyone to the new space. It was nice.

With that out of the way, it was on with the show. I have to admit, I was really only there to hear one song. After sneaking a peak at their setlist, it was clear I'd have to wait awhile. They were playing it last! But when they finally did, it was glorious.

What a GREAT song! And then my favorite part, when it sort of re-climaxes with the instrumental breakdown at the end!
(Edit: Pay close attention! He hits the light overhead when he pumps his fist in the air!)

I mean, really...that one song did it for me. Band of Horses may not have made the album of the year, but "The Funeral" is definitely in contention for best track.

Live: The Little Ones "Cecilia"

This song could not fit this band's sound any better. I'm a BIG fan of "Lovers Who Uncover" and "Cha Cha Cha" and The Little Ones performed both to an uproarious crowd on the final night of their month long Monday-night residency at Spaceland (I was in Los Angeles last week) but this set-closer really put a smile on my face. Partly because it was so unexpected (I didn't press record until the first chorus!) but mostly because it was so fitting and so joyful.


Youtube Link
Here's the MP3!! - Cecilia (Simon & Garfunkel Cover)

Youtube Link
Here's the MP3!! - Cecilia (Simon & Garfunkel Cover)