Oasis. I love 'em. Unabashedly. Till I'm in the grave. Seen them 9 times, even once in the UK. But as I mentioned earlier this year, I thought they were done here, relegated to the occasional few nights at Roseland or the Beacon (as they did in 2002). I couldn't believe (yet loved) the audacity they had to book a gig at Madison Square Garden. Whoever thought of this is a fucking genius. Honestly, I wasn't worried about them playing as much as them actually making it. I half-expected Liam to bail (which he did earlier this month in Italy) or for Noel to get in another car accident (which happened in 2002). So after a solid meal at the excellent A Salt And Battery on 2nd Ave (best fish and chips in NY), we made our way to the Garden.
I can't even believe how amazing they were last night. You won't believe it even from reading this. I won't be able to convince you with these simple words, it was something you had to absolutely see with your own eyes and hear with your own ears. Earlier this year I was pondering on this very blog where Oasis fits in today's landscape. Last night it was all revealed to me. Gone are the loutish big mouths we fell in love with a decade ago and in their place is an amazing band who have honed their craft to perfection. This, my friends, is simple, hard, ROCK N ROLL that was delivered without frills, without a fancy stage show and yet was able to make a real inpact on the audience. Though they ignored BE HERE NOW (later discussed at length post gig), the new songs really worked live (MEANING OF SOUL in particular), the classics went to a whole new level and a few surprises (BRING IT ON DOWN, LITTLE BY LITTLE) made it an almost-perfect set list. If i had any complaints, it was that they didn't play Andy Bell's now classic KEEP THE DREAM ALIVE from the new album. G complained, yet again, that the band did not play FADE IN/OUT, which became a longer conversation when the legendary Manny (not the guy from the Roses) made the same complaint! What a can of worms that became!
As for the band, the addition of Zak Starkey (son of Ringo and of Who and Johnny Marr fame) on drums really brings a fresh new dynamic to the band. He's a cleaner drummer than Alan White, and a more powerful drummer. He is sharp and precise and his more simplistic approach to the songs allowed the rest of the music to breathe and come alive. He is a very welcome addition to the band and I hope they keep him onboard as long as they can. And while I love Noel, and he delivered by playing my favourite new song MUCKY FINGERS, I was really surprised by Liam. His voice was excellent, and he seems to have matured (at least on this night), into a sharp looking, charismatic frontman. He still doesn't do much onstage, but he now does it in a way that connects with the audience in a positive way. And I can never say enough about Gem and Andy Bell, who continue to keep things moving at a brisk pace and look cool doing it.
When I tell you we were close to the stage on the floor, I am not kidding you cause we were close enough to completely miss the 14,000 other people in back of us cheering the generations best band. Speaking of generations, we were shocked at how many kids were at this gig. They are so smart to tour every 3 or so years cause each time, there's a new generation of kids waiting to see the legend that is Oasis. Now after last night, there's a generation that will start off seeing them properly presented as an epic now-classic generation defining band.
In the case, believe the truth, cause Oasis are, in fact, the reason. The next Gig Of the Year Candidate.
F
22.6.05
To Be The Man You Have to Meet The Man...
And today I met 16 time World Champion Ric Flair. He is an extremely charismatic presence in person, very magnetic. He was extremely nice and told me he was impressed and appreciative of my knowledge of what we call The Great Sport. This totally made my day and I haven't even arrived at the Garden for Oasis yet. WHOOO!!!
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21.6.05
MOVIE OF THE YEAR: REVEALED
Ladies and Gentlemen, I have seen (as of this moment) the 2005 Movie Of the Year and it is called WEDDING CRASHERS. Full review to come next month (as to not spoil it for you), but I sincerely doubt anything this year will make me cry laughing as uncontrollably as I did during this. It's a bit too long, there are some logic lapses, and it receives a foul for underuse of Walken, but it took total advantage of it's leads strengths (VV is in total Kidd in Montreal mode) and brought me a lot of laughs and a new crush in the form of Rachel McAdams.
Kids, the third most anticipated film of this summer delivers...
F
Kids, the third most anticipated film of this summer delivers...
F
19.6.05
Swingers Of the Aggression
Fifteen years after that fateful Sisters Of Mercy gig at The Ritz where an idea for a band that became MOG/the aggression was born, we find the founding fathers of MOG continuing to "push the envelope" as Mr. Factor (by the way, now the only member of the original aggression lineup to not be a parent) and Dr. Fury present their new concept of "taking a meeting". Luckily for you, no reunion is on the cards. However, we might have our new studio for the next HF album (but don't tell Fury and Family that yet...
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17.6.05
Notes from The Lucas AFI Tribute
As you can see, these beloved Star Wars actors have very different reactions to the fact that George Lucas will never make Episodes 7, 8, 9 which he suddenly stopped talking about a few years ago and proceeded to act like he never said anything about such a thing as a sequel trilogy.
Because we don't have video, here's what they said
Luke Skywalker: "God I still have to hang out with Kevin Smith"
Princess Leia: "I got this plastic surgery for NOTHING, George"
Han Solo: "I'm Indiana Jones, bitch!"
F
Because we don't have video, here's what they said
Luke Skywalker: "God I still have to hang out with Kevin Smith"
Princess Leia: "I got this plastic surgery for NOTHING, George"
Han Solo: "I'm Indiana Jones, bitch!"
F
15.6.05
N-ME
Ok, I've been lying low post-LA, however, thanks to certain well-connected and handsome black man, Dan Hamill and I were able to relive our Gold Street days of watching late night ECW on cable and sit in Row G (funny how that keeps coming up) on the floor for the ECW One Night Stand Pay Per View. I love pro wrestling. I make no secret of it. I have been to Wrestlemanias, I have been to PPV's, House Shows, you name it, but nothing could top this evening just for the sheer energy of this fucking insane crowd. It was singlehandedly the best night of professional wrestling I have ever been to. Dan Hamill saw Dan Marie and I got to see Paul Heymen prove his insane genius for all to see. Suddenly, Raw and Smackdown mean much less. In other wrestling news, I look foward to watching the new 3 DVD Wrestling Superstars of the 80's with G and Ash and Matt.
Anyhow, the following is reason number 562 as to why I am upset the Hypefactor record isn't done: While walking home last night, I witnessed The Fro from The Strokes (see previous entry regarding the Gallo/Lennon gig), the latest NME in hand, about to sit down to an outdoor dinner with the fucking Editor-In-Chief of the NME, Connor McNichol. My God, I wish at that moment I had a CD to just give this guy. The fact that I knew what the fucking guy looked like is scary enough (I read the NME way too religiously weekly), but this guy is the reason why the NME has actually been good after years of (stupidly) looking to America for their music. Now, possibly you're thinking even if I had a CD would the guy even listen to it. I would think that if I was the NME and was recognized on the street somewhere in NYC (I doubt I would even acknowledge the Fro), I would give the guy who recognized me the benefit of the doubt. Anyhow, it's a possible opportunity blown. I lose sleep over very little in this world, but music is one of those things.
Always enjoyable to speak with my dear friend Peter Saintface the other day for a good hour plus. We are both in similar places at the moment and it's always good to compare notes. I trusted comrade, indeed. Like Ash, he's a guy who lives it, and I respect that immensely.
Meanwhile, crazy cool French douche COLDER has a new album coming out called HEAT. Thanks to TODD RYAN (his name always typed in caps), I have been able to hear it. I dig the first album, AGAIN, a lot, and the live show was ok. this new album more of the same, but combines what worked about the live show and the first album to much better effect. It's a bit more upfront and feels more organic than the previous, more seductive album, but it's cool in that french douche kinda way and I'm feeling it quite a bit. Playing live did him well. It won't change my world, but it will put me in a helluva good mood.
Anyway, go check out the Bat today and keep me employed. Thanks ;-)
F
Anyhow, the following is reason number 562 as to why I am upset the Hypefactor record isn't done: While walking home last night, I witnessed The Fro from The Strokes (see previous entry regarding the Gallo/Lennon gig), the latest NME in hand, about to sit down to an outdoor dinner with the fucking Editor-In-Chief of the NME, Connor McNichol. My God, I wish at that moment I had a CD to just give this guy. The fact that I knew what the fucking guy looked like is scary enough (I read the NME way too religiously weekly), but this guy is the reason why the NME has actually been good after years of (stupidly) looking to America for their music. Now, possibly you're thinking even if I had a CD would the guy even listen to it. I would think that if I was the NME and was recognized on the street somewhere in NYC (I doubt I would even acknowledge the Fro), I would give the guy who recognized me the benefit of the doubt. Anyhow, it's a possible opportunity blown. I lose sleep over very little in this world, but music is one of those things.
Always enjoyable to speak with my dear friend Peter Saintface the other day for a good hour plus. We are both in similar places at the moment and it's always good to compare notes. I trusted comrade, indeed. Like Ash, he's a guy who lives it, and I respect that immensely.
Meanwhile, crazy cool French douche COLDER has a new album coming out called HEAT. Thanks to TODD RYAN (his name always typed in caps), I have been able to hear it. I dig the first album, AGAIN, a lot, and the live show was ok. this new album more of the same, but combines what worked about the live show and the first album to much better effect. It's a bit more upfront and feels more organic than the previous, more seductive album, but it's cool in that french douche kinda way and I'm feeling it quite a bit. Playing live did him well. It won't change my world, but it will put me in a helluva good mood.
Anyway, go check out the Bat today and keep me employed. Thanks ;-)
F
9.6.05
Lgay Recap
Well Satan has laid the fat touch on the East Coast cause it is hot as fuck here. However, it's quite good to be home. I'm done with LA. I've just had enough. I love my dear friends there and of course my nephew (but even he, at age 7, is smart enough to be planning to move to Montreal), but I'm over it. Despite the photo, I'm done with driving unless its a good road trip (see previous entry re: Trip To Canada). New York is just simply the best. While thats not a new realization, walking to buy comic books today only reaffirmed it.
What more can I say about BATMAN BEGINS? I've seen it twice and it's by far my favourite comic book movie ever. Bar none. It's that good. My problems with the film are so few and insignificant that I dare not waste your time writing any more about this modern masterpiece. The bar has been raised and somewhere, Bryan Singer and Brett Ratner are shaking in their panties cause Chris Nolan has brought it to a whole new level. You know I love the SITH, but BATMAN BEGINS is simply superior filmmaking. While I am looking forward to WAR OF THE WORLDS and MR AND MRS SMITH, there is nothing possibly better than WEDDING CRASHERS, my dad's most anticipated film of the last 25 years it feels like. Did anyone see the Vince Vaugn/Owen Wilson skit on the MTV awards? Again, the awesome Justin Long kicks ass and carries the skit to the heights.
While I missed Greg Dulli's Uptown Lights, seeing Kasabian in LA was a treat. I never worry about the band being fucking awesome and seeing them with the newly converted lawyer/advisor/guru made it that much more special. The Henry Fonda Theatre is a sweet venue with good sound that made it possible for me to hear what Chris Karloff is actually doing on his guitar. Cheers to that. A slightly augmented set list (wtih the inclusion of album closer U-BOAT, which I had never seen performed) added to the occasion. However, LA hipster crowds blow. They watch gigs like they watch TV and the normally affable Tom Kasabian didn't seem all that pleased about that. And it doesnt help that we ran into members of the fucking Bravery who are quite crap. Regardless, the good music and venue were able to override the shit crowd
I'm happy to come home to some new Chemlab remixes (we now have dozens of them, literally) from some interesting people (I'm still under gag order at Jared's request) as well is the first rough mix of Hypefactor's 1956 by Leo. Again, the appeal of having a record mixed in LA is very romantic and happily the first mix is a good start. Brandt came by this evening to give it a listen and we're both on the same page. Progress is always good. We're getting there. Mattagement has been brought in to advise which he is doing as a type.
Eric Powell will be happy to know I showed up late to meet a semi well known actress to sneak to Tower on Sunset Blvd to buy his Best of 16 Volt 2 CD set. Yes, I'm a sucker for the classics.The Best of package is fucking super. The mastering job gives new life to the older material and it's great to track the progression of the band from start to present. The live album is top notch and I couldn't believe how good the quality of the recording is. It's a great record of how good and tight the live band was. I love the concept that the fans voted for the tracks on the record, though I miss Skin being on the first disc. However, it's on the live CD and that more than makes up for it. That's the kind of thing that makes this package so special. Everything from the mastering to the song selection to the artwork is fantastic. Totally worth the money. Kudos to Eric for giving his fans a great Best of and man am I looking forward to the new material. (I later posted the above paragraph on his website.
I don't know how I feel about the new Coldplay record. I think I like it. Do you? Really?
F
P.S. Public apology to my significant other for my supposed "Dirty Old Mark Out" moments when we ran into both Michelle Tracthenberg and Amber Tamblyn at the BATMAN gig. I don't really mean it though.
What more can I say about BATMAN BEGINS? I've seen it twice and it's by far my favourite comic book movie ever. Bar none. It's that good. My problems with the film are so few and insignificant that I dare not waste your time writing any more about this modern masterpiece. The bar has been raised and somewhere, Bryan Singer and Brett Ratner are shaking in their panties cause Chris Nolan has brought it to a whole new level. You know I love the SITH, but BATMAN BEGINS is simply superior filmmaking. While I am looking forward to WAR OF THE WORLDS and MR AND MRS SMITH, there is nothing possibly better than WEDDING CRASHERS, my dad's most anticipated film of the last 25 years it feels like. Did anyone see the Vince Vaugn/Owen Wilson skit on the MTV awards? Again, the awesome Justin Long kicks ass and carries the skit to the heights.
While I missed Greg Dulli's Uptown Lights, seeing Kasabian in LA was a treat. I never worry about the band being fucking awesome and seeing them with the newly converted lawyer/advisor/guru made it that much more special. The Henry Fonda Theatre is a sweet venue with good sound that made it possible for me to hear what Chris Karloff is actually doing on his guitar. Cheers to that. A slightly augmented set list (wtih the inclusion of album closer U-BOAT, which I had never seen performed) added to the occasion. However, LA hipster crowds blow. They watch gigs like they watch TV and the normally affable Tom Kasabian didn't seem all that pleased about that. And it doesnt help that we ran into members of the fucking Bravery who are quite crap. Regardless, the good music and venue were able to override the shit crowd
I'm happy to come home to some new Chemlab remixes (we now have dozens of them, literally) from some interesting people (I'm still under gag order at Jared's request) as well is the first rough mix of Hypefactor's 1956 by Leo. Again, the appeal of having a record mixed in LA is very romantic and happily the first mix is a good start. Brandt came by this evening to give it a listen and we're both on the same page. Progress is always good. We're getting there. Mattagement has been brought in to advise which he is doing as a type.
Eric Powell will be happy to know I showed up late to meet a semi well known actress to sneak to Tower on Sunset Blvd to buy his Best of 16 Volt 2 CD set. Yes, I'm a sucker for the classics.The Best of package is fucking super. The mastering job gives new life to the older material and it's great to track the progression of the band from start to present. The live album is top notch and I couldn't believe how good the quality of the recording is. It's a great record of how good and tight the live band was. I love the concept that the fans voted for the tracks on the record, though I miss Skin being on the first disc. However, it's on the live CD and that more than makes up for it. That's the kind of thing that makes this package so special. Everything from the mastering to the song selection to the artwork is fantastic. Totally worth the money. Kudos to Eric for giving his fans a great Best of and man am I looking forward to the new material. (I later posted the above paragraph on his website.
I don't know how I feel about the new Coldplay record. I think I like it. Do you? Really?
F
P.S. Public apology to my significant other for my supposed "Dirty Old Mark Out" moments when we ran into both Michelle Tracthenberg and Amber Tamblyn at the BATMAN gig. I don't really mean it though.
7.6.05
The Bat Carpet...
Greetings from sunny LA. A quick entry. BATMAN premiere was a lot of fun. The movie is much better the second time. Successfully avoided what you see to your right, as we were already inside.
At the party, which was huge, my significant other encouraged me to meet the guy who played Qui Gon in Episode 1 and he was not a dick so that was cool. That was the highlight for sure!
As luck would have it the Kasabians are in town tonight. I'll report more when I'm back in NYC tomorrow.
F
At the party, which was huge, my significant other encouraged me to meet the guy who played Qui Gon in Episode 1 and he was not a dick so that was cool. That was the highlight for sure!
As luck would have it the Kasabians are in town tonight. I'll report more when I'm back in NYC tomorrow.
F
1.6.05
ROBIN'S BIG DATE
As any of you who know me are well aware of, Robin, is my all time favourite comic book character. There have been a lot of "fan made" short films based on the character (John Fiorella's enjoyable GRAYSON being one of them), but none of them, I promise you, are like ROBIN'S BIG DATE, which recently popped up on the Internet.
Unlike other short films (illegally) based on comic book characters, this one features real movie stars like Sam Rockwell (aka my future brother-in-law and the one movie star I know who has the same shoe size as me) as Batman and the hilarious Justin Long, he of DODGEBALL and of TV's Ed and an excellent young comedian in his own right as Robin.
The premise is simple and hilarious. Robin has a date and Batman brings on the bat cock block. I'm still crying from watching this. Obviously, I love Batman and Robin, but I love these actors and they have a field day with this. Some of Sammy's lines are beyond classic. This is a must see for any comic fan who loves a good spoof and if you're already a fan of these actors, like I am, you know how good this is! If they have want to remake the 60's Batman show, these are the guys to hire. In the meantime, I don't think Christian Bale has anything to worry about (cause hes just the best Batman EVER).
Anyway, check it out:
http://www.doubleviking.com/?p=6489
Enjoy!
F
Unlike other short films (illegally) based on comic book characters, this one features real movie stars like Sam Rockwell (aka my future brother-in-law and the one movie star I know who has the same shoe size as me) as Batman and the hilarious Justin Long, he of DODGEBALL and of TV's Ed and an excellent young comedian in his own right as Robin.
The premise is simple and hilarious. Robin has a date and Batman brings on the bat cock block. I'm still crying from watching this. Obviously, I love Batman and Robin, but I love these actors and they have a field day with this. Some of Sammy's lines are beyond classic. This is a must see for any comic fan who loves a good spoof and if you're already a fan of these actors, like I am, you know how good this is! If they have want to remake the 60's Batman show, these are the guys to hire. In the meantime, I don't think Christian Bale has anything to worry about (cause hes just the best Batman EVER).
Anyway, check it out:
http://www.doubleviking.com/?p=6489
Enjoy!
F