Never Underestimate a Tuesday Night

A friend and I headed over to Roxy's on a Tuesday night for a drink. More often than not, Tuesday nights in West Palm Beach are dead, everyone has work the next day and its too early in the week for that desperation drink. Needless to say, very few people were out. As we sat relaxing outside the pub we were approached by an older woman asking to bum a cigarette. Apparently her boyfriend was not entertaining her enough and she felt the need to shoot the shit with a few handsom young lads outside. My partner in crime kindly oblidged the woman's request of a smoke and chatted breifly. Always bum if you have...good things happen, I promise.

Upon finishing my drink in progress, the plan was to leave, but we were informed by our new friend of a jam band playing upstairs called The Heavy Pets. I hadn't heard of them, but always willing to give a new band a shot, we scaled the two flights of stairs to the saloon. Impressively, the saloon was quite crowded with the usual Phish-head looking crowd. The band had the audience moving, almost everyone in the room was dancing. The Heavy Pets just released their second studio album in May and are out on the road strutting their stuff. Exuding multiple grooves, The Heavy Pets showed lots of talent in improvised melodies and syncopated beats. The keyboardist especially has some moves on the keys. Infusing some reggae breakdowns with elongated jam sesssions and vocally driven pieces, the band is promising. Much to my suprise the night turned out to be quite the time and we stayed way later than expected. The moral of the story is to always have a good attitude when hitting the town, you never know what the night will throw your way!

Feel free to check out this band's page, they were a great live show, playing some feel good, bonaroo-esq music you cannot help but move your feet to. I would expect to see them hitting all the big jam out festivals in the future. Best of luck to you all.

Oh Yea!

Radiohead =?

While at work, I arrived upon a startling realization about one of my favorite bands as they relate to similar artists in their genre space.  While listening to Radiohead, one of my favorites for many reasons, I discovered their space in relation to two other well respected bands.  See Formula, of course this formula is all in terms of Radiohead therefore making them the pinnacle of my music liking. 

Coldplay = Radiohead Lite

Muse = Radiohead Heavy

Radiohead is the middle ground between these two bands.  Just as Budweiser Select is a happy medium between Bud lite and Budweiser.  Bands and Beer, quite the analogy don’t you think?

A Not So Savage Journey To the American Dream

234 years ago, the comitee of five, Sherman, Franklin, Adams, Livingston and Jefferson drafted a document to declare the sovereignty of the American Colonies. Today we celebrate the signing of this piece of paper as a turning point in our culture, a symbol that we as a people will not be stomped upon by an undeserving authority.

Whether our non tax-paying, slave owning, forefathers meant the United States to morph into its current state remains under constant scrutiny. Our foreign and domestic policies have come under a recent firestorm, and like any other nation we have our problems (possibly more than usual). The War in Afghanistan is worse than ever, BP has sucessfully created one of the world's worst man made disasters on our shores, and U.S. Politics continues to writhe in turmoil concerning financial reform, healthcare and immigration.

Maybe it is time to take a step back and remember the fundamentals of this country. Jefferson writes, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights,[71] that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from theconsent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."

 

America was the orignial bastard child of Britain and Jefferson's writing illustrated the collective middle finger of our nation, an attitude that is instilled into almost every one of us, the “Dont tread on me” mentality. Residing currently in the south I feel the American spirit more than ever as the mixed smell of Barbeque and Fireworks permeates the air and reaches my nostrils. Just try not to forget what it is that you are celebrating as you crack that beer, launch that bottle rocket and wolf down that hamburger, remember that you could be having tea and crumpets instead.

Enjoy the holiday everyone! For one day let's all enjoy some age old American fun. So go blow some stuff up, over-eat, watch star wars, and relax with your families.

Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty - Big Boi

The other half of Outkast has released his debut, full fledged, solo album which is worth the listen.  His last album was a solo album, but was co-sold along with partner in crime Andre 300 (Speakerboxxx)  Sir Lucious Left Foot is set to release on the 6th of June, but of course I have it already.  Scott Storch and lil John both have productions on the album and Big Boi himself has had a co-producer role for every track.

The diverse influence of Big Boi is very evident throughout the release, with overriding tones from A-town (Atlanta for all you whiteies).  Each song brings a new flavor to the table, an enjoyable separation from the usual repetitive styles of most rappers.

Definitely a grab worthy music release; Key Songs: Follow Us, Shutterbug, Fo Yo Sorrows, Its official Atlanta is back with B.O.B. and Big Boi.