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Just watched them, courtesy of the DVR. The Grammy Awards have lost much relevance. They were not too relevant to begin with. Getting a Grammy has meant a potential boost in sales, so for this reason music business insiders and major labels have always chased them. But Grammys have so often been given to hitmakers, much of the sales already in the bank, that the pat they receive on the back in the form of an award is often an afterthought. In the 21st Century, the Grammys have become all about big performances. This year’s partial checklist: Pink doing circus acrobatics while lip-singing, mixing up the genres with rappers and rockers, old school country chugging along with the young bloods, a pianist tickling the ivory while Metallica amps the guitars, and reuniting the old-old school, Paul and Ringo (while Yoko in the front row sways along!). Somewhere buried in the pre-awards and during commercial breaks, longtime music makers and groundbreaking producers unsung in radio land get a nod or two. The spotlight usually favors the flavors of the year. The buzz and the record sales are what matter. With increasingly gimmicky showcases every year, it'll get tougher to out-showcase the previous year's showcasers. Old school music scribes like me will continue to bitch about the Grammys, and still watch them. The contemporary advantages are the wonderful DVRs. Before one had to suffer through the whole show to catch a couple of intriguing performances. Now, just hit the forward button and get to the good parts. The awards themselves have essentially become glorified paper weights, or as Jay-Z told his young daughter while holding up his award, "Daddy's got a gold sippy cup for you." Indeed.
 Photo by Tom Sheehan Loop, one of the coolest neo-psych bands of the second half of the 1980's is touring North America, their first US tour in 24 years. It's a reason to rejoice. Their jarring releases unnerved the listener, a forced expansion of the mind, if you will. Not sure if any new recordings are in the works, but here are the tour dates.
Loop 2014 North American Tour Dates 4.16.14 – Kung Fu Necktie – Philadelphia, PA 4.17.14 – Le Poisson Rouge – New York, NY 4.18.14 – Metro Gallery – Baltimore, MD 4.19.14 – Middle East (Downstairs) – Cambridge, MA 4.21.14 – La Sala Rossa – Montreal, QC 4.22.14 – Wrongbar – Toronto, ON 4.23.14 – Magic Stick – Detroit, MI 4.24.14 – Cactus Club – Milwaukee, WI 4.25.14 – Gabe's Oasis – Iowa City, IA 4.26.14 – Turf Club – St. Paul, MN 4.27.14 – Bottom Lounge – Chicago, IL 4.28.14 – Record Bar – Kansas City, MO 4.29.14 – New Vintage – Louisville, KY 4.30.14 – Pilot Light – Knoxville, TN 5.01.14 – Georgia Theatre – Athens, GA 5.03.14 – Austin Psych Fest at Carson Creek Ranch – Austin, TX 5.04.14 – Austin Psych Fest at Carson Creek Ranch – Austin, TX 5.06.14 – Soda Bar – San Diego, CA 5.07.14 – Church on York – Los Angeles, CA 5.09.14 – Great American Music Hall – San Francisco, CA 5.10.14 – The Rio – Santa Cruz, CA 5.15.14 – Chop Suey – Seattle, WA 5.16.14 – Doug Fir Lounge – Portland, OR The NFL announced the musical guests at this year's Super Bowl half time show. Bruno Mars and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Once I got past the huh? pause, the idea of this pairing is rather intriguing. The scraggly funk rockers and the crooning popster mixing it up for the kiddies. A piano-tingled ballad gets rear ended by Flea's bass slapping. I've got my money on Anthony, Flea and the boys funkin' it up, and with luck, the usually uber-choreographed show will get a bopping dose of Freaky Styley. Socks optional.
A Charlotte indie music stalwart passed away today. Chris Peigler fronted bands - Intensive Care, Proletariat Madonna, My So-Called Band, and The Rogue Nations. He sang, wrote songs, played bass. He was an activist fighting wrongs he felt needed to be made right. I worked with Chris and released two My So-Called Band recordings on my record Label, Yesha, back in the 90's. Chris loved music and his enthusiasm for indie music and punk rock never wavered. He booked shows, talked up other bands, collaborated, and made the music scene better. Keep making music Chris, wherever your spirit is now.
In no particular order
Mark Lanegan – Imitations The Flaming Lips - The Terror Mazzy Star – Seasons of Your Day Monster Magnet – Last Patrol Red Baraat – Shruggy Ji Wayne Shorter – Without a Net My Bloody Valentine – mbv Black Sabbath – 13 Kacey Musgraves – Same Trailer Different Park John Fogerty – Wrote a Song for Everyone Elvis Costello and the Roots – Wise Up Ghost and Other Songs Jason Isbell – Southeastern Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds – Push the Sky Away Eminem – Marshall Mathers LP 2 Nine Inch Nails – Hesitation Marks Queens of the Stoneage – …Like Clockwork Pearl jam – Lightning Bolt Bill Callahan – Dream River The Lone Bellow – S/T Sigur Ros – Kveitur Vampire Weekend – Modern Vampires of the City Atoms for Peace – Amok Of Montreal – Lousy with Sylvianbriar Arcade Fire – Reflektor Arctic Monkeys – AM |
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