Amen.

"I feel like I’m really good at being honest with myself and looking at reality as it is and not as I want it to be or not as I’m trying to pretend it is. I’m not perfect with that, and I don’t do it immediately, but I have this feedback loop in my head where I’m always comparing actual to expected or desired. I’m always comparing. So the more wrong I am, the closer I get to being right, and sometimes it takes me a long time but the feedback loop is always going. I’m always, always, always, always comparing actual to expected or desired. And I’m never, ever willing to fool myself about my expected or desired being actual. I’m always willing to look at the two together, they are separate, and compare them objectively. And because of that, I’m always willing to work on the things I’m not good at, or I’m always willing to improve the things I am good at that need to be improved or I’m always willing to kind of take a step back and listen to new ideas or change things or change my opinion."

-Tucker Max
http://mixergy.com/tucker-max-interview/

Best Shows of 2010

It's the day after Snowpocalypse and I'm housebound. Though it's not technically the end of the year and there are a few more days until 2011, leaving opportunity for a last minute gig to pop up in my schedule, I thought I'd make up my own Best Of 2010 list. If for no other reason than to feel I'm doing something productive on an otherwise unproductive day. Unless you count watching back to back episodes of Anthony Bourdain's "No Reservations" for hours productive (sans the one hour I devoted to General Hospital).

CONCERTS:

1. THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM AT THE STONE PONY, ASBURY PARK, NJ
It was a beautiful August summer's night on the Jersey Shore- the REAL shore, not the one tarted up for MTV. The boardwalk, the beach, the sunset, the weather and the fantastic music all added up to maybe the most perfect night of my year: I got there early to see what the fuss about Frank Turner was and decided it was well deserved; it was a hometown show for TGA and they were in top form; for the first time I got to see "Boomboxes and Dictionaries" performed live; I got to watch the show from the barricade, which as always was icing on the cake. As I strolled the boardwalk after the show to take in the sights and savor the moment as long as possible, I knew that though the year was only about 3/4 done at that point, this night was going to be my favorite evening and show of 2010.

VIDEO: "Boomboxes & Dictionaries" by The Gaslight Anthem, and "I Still Believe" by Frank Turner, Stone Pony


2. PAPA ROACH AT ROXY'S/RISE AGAINST AT SUNFEST, WEST PALM BEACH, FL
When I found out that two of my three favorite bands (for #3 see #1) were playing back to back in a tropical location on my birthday weekend, was there any doubt in my mind that I should go to there? Nope. It was one of those trips that started out as hellish but ended magnificent. The day I left, I got overheated at the office to the point I got sick and almost canceled my flight. But since I was motivated by the promise of fun in the sun concerts, with the help of over-the-counter medicine I made it down South as planned. Saying I was glad I fought through it would be an understatement. I didn't want to leave! Seeing Roach rock out into the Palm Beach night and watching Rise Against sing "Settle where palm trees grow" in the midst of actual palm trees was paradise.

VIDEO: "Swing Life Away" by Rise Against at Sunfest


3. IGGY POP & THE STOOGES, ATP NY, MONTICELLO, NY
I almost didn't go to this show because it was so expensive. I am just a casual Iggy fan and couldn't justify paying the $100something just to see him. After friends announced they were attending, and looking for something to do Labor Day Weekend, I headed to Ebay to try my luck and see if anyone was selling a ticket at a price I could live with. Thankfully I got lucky enough to snag a super cheap ticket. What an amazing experience that night turned out to be! It was Day 1 of the All Tomorrow's Parties NY Festival and was held at Kutsher's Resort, which was said to be the inspiration for the classic 80's film "Dirty Dancing." Yes it is a bit worn and looks as if it hasn't been touched since its heyday in the 50's/60's, but that's why it's so great. Unlike chain hotels, it has personality. Plus, the whole place was booked up with concert attendees and bands who were playing over the weekend. It was like a sleepaway camp for rock kids of all ages. The lack of VIP meant performers mingled with guests in the various lounges and hallways of the hotel and the lack of division created a setting unlike any other show I've ever been to. On top of it all, Iggy's show was fantastic. Raw Power in its entirety? Yes please.

VIDEO: "Raw Power" by Iggy & The Stooges, from ATP

We Came to Dance

Been writing about The Gaslight Anthem a lot lately. Why? Well besides the fact I have had a severe concert drought this summer due to tour cancellations and a self-inflicted budget (thanks economy!), making them pretty much the only shows I went to see this summer as of this blog post, I have fallen in love with this band.

They first piqued my interest in 2008 when I heard "The '59 Sound." When that came on, I'd turn the radio up in my car, sing as loud as possible and try not to chair-dance my way into an accident. They were my reason for showing up early to the Rise Against tour that featured them in the opening slot (kudos to Rise Against for having great taste). I remember being impressed with their set and going to check out the CD.

At first it wasn't a CD that I played on a regular basis. It took awhile to grow on me. I don't think I was quite ready for them yet. Their style is a lot different than what I listen to day to day, barring two of their influences Bruce Springsteen and the Clash, so other than the single, it wasn't in regular rotation on my iPod. It actually wasn't til a year after the first time I saw them, when they played the Brooklyn Bowl, that I just flat out committed myself to this band.

By that time, I was more familiar with their music from "The '59 Sound" but not with their older stuff. At the Bowl show, I was paying even closer attention than I had when they opened for Rise Against. When I saw the crowd going nuts for the older songs I didn't know, I remember having this feeling of "What have I been missing out on?! I need to get ON this train!" After the Brooklyn date, I immediately obtained all the music by them I could and got to work schooling myself on their music. What I learned from my education was that there was a ton of stuff I could relate to. In a few cases, most notably "Boomboxes and Dictionaries", the lyrics helped (and still help) get me through some confusing times.

By the time the December show at the Wellmont came around, I was all in. I had the luck of being able to shoot them again for the first three songs. After I was done and we had to leave the pit, I took a chance and lingered in the area between the barricade and the stage, off to the side. Thankfully my good behavior helped me stay on the good side of the security guards, so they let me stay where I was, without a body in the way. With nothing and no one between me and the stage, it was like they were playing for me! Well, me and a house full of rabid Anthem fans who provided me with the great memory of an entire building singing along to "It's alright man...I'm only bleeding man...Stay hungry, stay free and do the best you can!"

Since then I've been to every show in the area, and have yet to be disappointed. They just come across incredibly sincere through the lyrics and Brian sings every word like he really means it. I even love his nervous stage banter. It's genuine and in the moment, not choreographed at all. I was actually mad when people were talking over him at his solo Bowery Ballroom show because I wanted to hear everything he had to say in between songs. Some people might not care to hear the backstory on all the music he puts out or what's on his iPod (Kelly Clarkson FTW), but I love to hear those kinds of details about my favorite artists. I couldn't understand why those people wouldn't shut up. Then I remembered they're probably drunk. Silly alchies.

Anyway, it's an extra special experience to really be a sincere fan of a band that's from your home territory too. Technically I wasn't raised in NJ/NY, but I visited this area enough growing up that I feel enough attachment to consider myself a product of an interstate upbringing. Thus I can relate to the Gaslight Anthem's music and get what they're about. Plus their personalities are so familiar you feel like they're just some guys from the next town over that know a friend of a friend, and when you go see them, you feel like you're watching a local band. Well in the Tri-State area's case, I guess we are.

Judging from their fast rise to fame, from playing a bowling alley last year to Radio City Music Hall this year, a lot of people besides myself and the state of New Jersey are hopping on the bandwagon as well. A lot of smart people who know a great band when they see and hear one.

I'da Called You Woody, Joe by Gaslight Anthem

...and obsessed with this song as well.

I was crawling around in my head in the haze of a trance.
Rico said, "I'ma turn you onto a sound, cool out your head. This is the sound from Camden town..."

And then I heard it like a shot through my skull to my brain,
I felt my fingertips tingle, and it started to rain,
When the walls of my bedroom were tremblin' around me,
This ramshackle voice over attack of a bluesbeat,
Tellin' me, he's only looking for fun.
And this was the sound, of the very last gang in town.

As heard by my wild young heart,
Like directions on a cold, dark night,
Sayin', "Let it out, let it out, let it out, you're doing all right."
And I heard it in his chain gang soul.
It wasn't just the same sad song.
Sayin', "Let it out, let it out, let it out, you're doing all right."
And I'm doing all right,
Are you doing all right?

And I carried these songs as a comfort wherever I'd go.
They was there when my summers was high,
There when she left me alone.
Saying, "The soul is hard to find."

And I never got to tell him, so I just wrote it down.
I wrapped a couple chords around it and I let it come out,
When the walls of my bedroom were tremblin' around me,
This ramshackle voice over attack of a bluesbeat,
And a girl, on the excitement gang.
And this was the sound, of the very last gang in town.

As heard by my wild young heart,
Like directions on a cold, dark night,
Sayin', "Let it out, let it out, let it out, you're doing all right."
And I heard it in his chain gang soul.
It wasn't just the same sad song.
Sayin', "Let it out, let it out, let it out, you're doing all right."
And are you doing all right?
Are you doing all right?

As heard by my wild young heart,
Like directions on a cold, dark night,
Sayin', "Let it out, let it out, let it out, you're doing all right."
And I heard it in his chain gang soul.
It wasn't just the same sad song.
Sayin', "Let it out, let it out, let it out, you're doing all right."
And are you doing all right?

And that was the sound,
I hear the sound,
Do you hear the sound?
I hear the sound,
Of the very last gang in town.

Boxer by Gaslight Anthem

Obsessed with these lyrics right now:
Boxer Lyrics by Gaslight Anthem

*Got your pride and your prose
Tucked just like a Tommy gun
Somewhere in the smoke
Just in case you need it*

I know you got your pride and your prose
Tucked just like a Tommy gun
Somewhere in the smoke
Just in case you needed
Some of her to spin around
Rougher than the last one
What'd you used to say
The harder they come
But he just swears he's praying for a good time
And he he said he just doesn't miss her
I have heard you never really lose it
Do you do you

He took it all gracefully on the chin
Knowing that the beatings had to someday end
He found the bandages inside the pen
And the stitches on the radio
There was something heavy holding you down
And there were whispers that were driving you crazy
And now you hunt the heart of this town
Remember when I knew a boxer baby

And you tied two knuckles up
How they grind down
Try to be a man
Tough just like your father
Try to settle down
Boy I could calm down
Remember them songs
And the reasons we were singing for
But he said he just doesn't miss her
He he said it's somewhere in his framework
And I have heard you never really lose it
Do you do you

He took it all gracefully on the chin
Knowing that the beatings had to someday end
He found the bandages inside the pen
And the stitches on the radio
There was something heavy holding you down
And there were reasons that were driving you crazy
Until you hunt the heart of this town
Remember when I knew a boxer baby

And you can wait all night long
Until it all goes wrong
And you waste away your soul
And you can wait wait wait wait

You took it all gracefully on the chin
Knowing that the beatings had to someday end
You found the bandages inside the pen
And the stitches on the radio
There was something heavey holding you down
And there were whispers that were driving you crazy
Until you hunt the heart of this town
Remember when I knew a boxer baby
Remember when I knew a boxer baby

Concert Report: Rise Against returns to West Palm Beach after controversy

Hey all,
Just trying something out. I'm reposting my article from Examiner here just as an experiment:

Though the title "Collapse (Post-Amerika)" suggests an angry tirade is about to come your way, Rise Against vocalist Tim McIlrath happily smiled as he sang their opening song to a sea of fans boiling in the afternoon heat during downtown West Palm Beach's Sunfest 2010.

This past Saturday marked the Chicago punk rock band's first visit back to West Palm Beach, Florida since the cancellation of their scheduled performance at radio station WPBZ's "Buzz Bake Sale" concert in December. Going by the crowd's enthusiastic response, they were glad to finally have the band in town. And judging from McIlrath's words of gratitude, the guys were excited to play for the Floridians.

Just before launching into "Long Forgotten Sons", McIlrath said: "Last year somebody at a radio station here tried to boycott Rise Against for standing up for what we believe. But they underestimated the Rise Against fans that are here in West Palm Beach. West Palm, you have forever linked yourself to Rise Against and we have forever linked ourselves to this city right here. So this story is a happy story. It's a story not of us, but of you—the audience, the music fans—who stood up and said 'Give me a f***ing break! We wanna hear Rise Against!"

Though the band made an official statement on their site upon the announcement of the Buzz Bake Sale cancellation, many people still mistook their actions as a sign of disrespect towards the troops. For those who who didn't understand the back-out, perhaps listening to McIlrath explain their controversial single "Hero Of War" might shed some light on where the band is coming from when they make such decisions: "It's not a story of all soldiers, but it is a story of some soldiers. This song came out of some honest conversations that some people wanted to have about the war, and I suggest if you want to have an honest conversation about the war, ask somebody who's been there. Don't trust the Super Bowl commercial, don't trust the military recruiters, don't trust the institutions that have sent our families to fight. Ask the soldiers themselves because they have a whole different story to tell."

Over the course of an hour, the band played a nice dose anthemic punk rock for the Rise loyalists including "Ready to Fall", "Re-Education (Through Labor)", and "The Good Left Undone" as well as hits "Savior" and "The Dirt Whispered." As they launched into "Intro/Chamber the Cartridge", McIlrath made note of the West Palm Beach Police protests outside of the Sunfest entrance gate on Clematis Street: "'Some people ask me, does protest work? Does activism work? I bet those police out there have been to more about protests than anyone in the world, and they know it works!"

The foursome (which is rounded out by guitarist Zach Blair, bassist Joe Principe and drummer Brandon Barnes) also played the acoustic favorite "Swing Life Away", before which McIlrath remarked "It's rare that I get an opportunity to sing a song that involves palm trees in the lyrics and play it in a perfect field of palm trees. It's beautiful- the air, the water, the people...!", referring to the gorgeous landscape of the park where the Bank of America stage was situated, and the Sunfest crowds strolling waterside. Towards the end of the set, they dedicated one of their first singles "Give It All" to the fans, pointing out that one individual down in the front row was so hardcore he drove from New Jersey to be at Sunfest, one of the few US dates Rise Against will be playing for awhile. Next up on their US schedule will be Rock on the Range in Columbus, OH, then the mega-festival Bonnaroo in Manchester, TN.

Photos:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/starstruck76/sets/72157623979944932/