My Favorite Rock Drummers

Animal

Listening to Levon Helm, this morning, I found myself slipping away from the words and melody (although they’re grand) and focusing on the sound of his snare drum. Levon has such a perfectly blended snare sound; a cross between splash and snap, coupled with an impeccable sense of swing. It got me thinking about my favorite rock drummers of all-time.

5. Alan Hertz – Garaj Mahal, KVHW
4. Jonathan Fishman – Phish
3. Billy Kreutzmann – The Grateful Dead
2. Levon Helm – The Band
1. Stephen Perkins – Banyan, Jane’s Addiction

Read on and I’ll try to explain myself.

Continue reading →

The Magic Numbers

In keeping with my long running tradition of getting into a band way after the initial wave has crashed, I’m totally digging on The Magic Numbers‘ 2007 release, Those The Brokes. The fluid dynamics of the album, with songs ranging from pulsing rockers to thoughtful meditations, captures my attentions and keeps me in place from beginning to end.

Checkout the first cut, This Is A Song:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5SgDyiFkoM[/youtube]

 I love how the bass drives the track while the harmonies wash over the whole thing. Some have compared their vocals to The Beach Boys and they’ll admit to the influence. Me; I hear also Fleetwood Mac. In a good way. (I like Fleetwood Mac. Don’t front. You know you do too. Aside from Tusk. No one likes Tusk. Stupid song, that.)

So this record came out in the UK back in 2006 and then hit the US in 2007. I first heard them on (yet another) KEXP Live Performance Podcast last year and was way impressed. I immediately sought out the LP, listened to it, loved it, and misplaced it in the shuffle of my music-heavy lifestyle. Until this weekend. Listening to a track from this in the car yesterday drove me to re-download the podcast for this morning’s commute. After that re-awakening, I dialed up the album and have not let it rest…

 Check it out.

amazon, iTunes, acousticsounds (vinyl!)

The Spoiler

It’s Monday morning; a time fueled by regrets, responsibility and coffee. Lots of coffee.

The Spoiler: I needs one

Let me tell you, friends, about my favorite cups of coffee. For years, I was a two-creams, two-sugars, coffee drinker until I realized that I had no desire for those extra calories and switched over to black. I love black coffee and I can now drink any coffee served anywhere (including that recycled motor-oil stuff they have sitting for days at a time in Jiffy-Lube waiting areas.) Of course, I prefer a good cup of coffee with a nice even flavor and smoothness rather than bitterness but there comes a time, say, Monday morning, when you have to shock the system. Readiness being essential, you can’t pussyfoot around the caffeine fix.

To that end, I have discovered and enjoyed the Red-Eye (drip coffee with a shot of espresso) and the Black-Eye (drip coffee with two shots of espresso.) Those potent cups are enough to make a strong man twitch but they’re too wild for an ordinary morning and, if the coffee or espresso isn’t perfect, they can be unpleasantly bitter. Not to mention the fact that paying someone five dollars to slap you in the face can really add up in these tight times. So, I’ve devised a new powerhouse. A cup of coffee with strength, a sharp but not-so-bitter bite and, best of all, a touch of spite:

The Spoiler

If, like myself, you work in an office with large 12+ cup coffee systems, you may be able to craft The Spoiler. All you have to do is make a pot of coffee and, immediately take the first cup as it brews. (seen below in a poor illustration.)

The Spolier Pour

The name is derived from the fact that the remaining cups in the pot will be weaker than average; leaving your coworkers groggy and more ineffective than usual. Meanwhile, you and The Spoiler are bolder and prepared for the day. The hefty body of The Spoiler is also ideal for iced coffee on a hot morning as it is more tolerant of the inevitable ice-melt/water-down factor.

The Spoiler Sip

Today, with forecast highs reaching 100 fun-loving degrees, I’m starting my day with an iced, skim, spoiler.

The Spoiler Cheers

Ahh… Exhilarating!

Still Not News

I said it here and I still mean it.

A Phish Reunion is not yet imminent.

Do not gas up the bus.

I repeat; do not gas up the bus.

You might want to make sure it still runs, though.

Now, Phish lyricist and longtime friend of Trey Anastasio, Tom Marshall, is getting into the fray and has told PopMatters that he and Trey are writing songs and that “Trey wants Phish to come back.” Continue reading →

NPR = Music

Today I’m going to give you the rundown on a great place to hear great music; NPR.

Yep.

And this isn’t your mom’s NPR; loaded with concertos or opera from “The Met”. (Okay, I meant my mom.) This is some great, alternative and even mainstream rock, folk, funk and whatever else is on the circuit these days.

So, where do we start?

How about some full concert performances streamed live and available online after-the-fact? All Songs Considered has that for you. Check out this week’s Raconteurs show from Washington DC’s 9:30 Club here. Other sets that I’ve personally enjoyed include: Dead Confederate, Wilco, Black Mountain, Doc Watson, & a terrific set from Arcade Fire.

WXPN streams a weekly concert each Friday. Check out the archived shows here. They also have their show, World Cafe.

So get on and check it out. And don’t forget, NPR is made possible by listeners like you.