Musical Moments #3: REM

It's been awhile since I did one of these, and I'm going old school. The third band in my "yay memories!" series is REM. They're one of those bands I grew up with, so I've been a semi-fan my entire life. The "official" tipping point, I think, was when I was eleven years old and "Losing My Religion" was everywhere on the radio and MTV. I loathed the song for a long time. Until I started to not loathe it. Until I started to sing along and it became one of my favorite songs. Here are three memories that stand out for me:

• Getting "Monster" as a present for my fifteenth birthday. It was the first REM record I'd ever owned. Purists may scoff, but it will always have a special place in my heart.
  
  
• The day in early 2003 that I found out that my current favorite band, Wilco, was touring with REM, who I'd wanted to see live as long as I could remember, and that they were playing show at Red Rocks, which was this legendary place I'd dreamed of visiting, and that the show was on a Saturday, oh my god ohmygod! Ties with the moment, many months later, when I realized I was sitting in the first row at that very show.
  
  
• The first time I heard "Nightswimming" live, Bumbershoot 2003, when Mike Mills played the opening notes on the piano.
  

Amusing picture: finally here!

At long last, my sister unearthed the funny picture I promised many moons ago. It's her kindergarten class picture, to be exact. Here's the complete photo (click for a larger version):



Here's my sister, from the bottom corner. Aww.



I like this class picture for many reasons. As is bound to be true in a not-so-huge city, many people appear who would crop up again later in life. There's Miss Savaglio, who was still teaching kindergarten through the end of my elementary school career eighteen years later. There's the older sister (Row 1, Column 3) of one of my best elementary school friends, Jodie. There's my sister's best friend from junior high and high school (Row 4, Column 6). There's one of my sister's current closest friends (Row 3, Column 4). There's the daughter of my niece's current elementary school teacher (Row 2, Column 6). And there's also this kid (Row 4, Column 3):



Who grew up to be this guy:



Heh heh. Mark Ruffalo, kindergartner. He was pretty cute.

Catholic girls know how to party

Somehow, last night during the New Pornographers' set, the subject of Catholic schoolgirls (and Catholic girls in general) came up. I believe it can be traced to Carl Newman's question, "What do people do here in Madison?" and the inevitable college crowd reply of "DRIIIINKIIIING!!!" Someone else yelled, "Capitol Brewery!" and Carl repeated, "Catholic school?" Sure, an easy mistake to make. The funny thing was, the front row was apparently chock full of Catholic schoolgirls. (I suppose I would have been another if CCD counted.) I don't think they were faking, because they all went absolutely apeshit when he said the magic words. This prompted crazy drummer Kurt Dahle to declare his intention to move to Madison.

Ah, but let me back up. What a great night of music at the Barrymore - a one-time-only bill of dios (malos), Matt Pond PA, and the New Pornographers. The New Pornos were finally making up their canceled Madison show from back in October, before which "John's appendix burst in anticipation." The Barrymore combined their show with the MPPA/dios (malos) bill to create a long, memorable evening under the twinkling ceiling stars.

Up first was dios (malos), a band I'd never experienced for myself, but always heard good things about from various music friends. I wasn't disappointed. The songs were energetic and catchy, and Anya and I found ourselves dancing along. They included some deliberately cheesy song transitions that probably translate better during a longer show, but still made me laugh. My enthusiasm was flagging slightly by the end of their set, but only slightly. I would not be averse to picking up an album.

Second on the bill was Matt Pond PA. Same deal - heard of them, but never heard them before. There were some hardcore MPPA fans standing next to me who knew all the words to every song, which was fun to watch. I had mixed feelings about the set. I really liked Matt's voice, but most of the songs were mid-tempo, and not knowing any of them beforehand made the majority of the set sound samey to me. I could definitely see the appeal though, and I'm willing to bet that if I knew the songs I would have appreciated them more. I liked the Canadian vibe - Matt mentioned that a couple years ago they toured with the New Pornos, and Carl Newman gave them shit for "all the Canada songs."

Speaking of Carl Newman, after MPPA it was finally his turn to play. (And taunt us about our healthcare system.) One of the things I noticed right away was how spare the New Pornographers setup was on the stage - few monitors and amps, few pedals. Just the six-piece band, come to rock. No Dan Bejar or Neko Case last night, but it didn't stop them from doing songs like "Jackie Dressed in Cobras," and "Bones of an Idol." Thank goodness. Kathryn Calder did an admirable and unassuming job filling in the female vocals, although Neko is such a strong personality and stage presence that I'd bet a show with her is a bit of a different animal. Nevertheless, I think the New Pornos are really Carl's band, and Carl was awesome. I'm a relatively novice New Pornographers fan, but Twin Cinema was one of my favorite albums of 2005. Between Anya (who only knows Electric Version) and me, we had nearly all the songs covered! Even the songs I didn't know were great, but I adored "Twin Cinema" and "Sing Me Spanish Techno" ... and if there was a particular transcendental song, I think it was "The Bleeding Heart Show." The last part of that song gave me one of those coveted concert moments when you just feel the magic all around. The triggers are different for everyone, but I think all lovers of live music know what I'm talking about. This was my first time seeing a New Pornographers show, but I don't think it will be my last.

The Poetry of Gregg Typing, 1958: Pt. 3

Weekend reviews coming soon. But for now...

"For more than a year now, it has been my pleasure each morning to study the window of a fine jewelry store that is located at the corner where I catch the bus. I get there a few minutes before eight and have to wait six or seven minutes before the bus is due to reach there. While I wait, I study the big display of clocks in that store; it is really quite something to see, with clocks of all sizes and kinds. There are several timepieces that I like to watch. You see no moving parts whatsoever--just the oval faces and pointed hands, somehow suspended in the front corner of the window.

A big sign says that one of the clocks is wound by the changes in the weather. That one dumbfounds me, and I admit to having great doubt about it. Deep inside, I cherish the quiet little prayer that the experts who built that job for us lazy folks have put in a winding key--only as insurance."

F as in fusion

You know how sometimes you're not sure how you actually perform certain everyday tasks until you're in the midst of them? Like, which pants leg do you step into first? I was just on the phone and had to read off a string of letters and numbers, and the woman on the other end misheard my V as a Z. "Z as in zebra?" she asked. "No," I replied. "V as in vector." Vector? That was seriously the one and only V-word my brain could come up with on short notice. Mmkay.

Lindsey is arriving tonight for a weekend visit (for a med school interview and more.) The snow assault on Madison has relented a bit in recent hours, so I hope she's not in for too rough a drive. Awfully handy that she's coming tonight, since one of the lightbulbs in my bedroom ceiling fixture burned out this morning. Now I won't have to drag in a chair from the living room to change it!

She ate a strawberry beret ...

We had joked earlier that if we had a really great night on Monday, I wouldn't get to sleep before I had to leave for the airport. As it turned out ... yep.

Monday was chock full of goodness. We did all head to the farmer's market, and gorged ourselves on Brazilian food, ice cream, palm trees, and sunshine. After a quick nip over to the Grove to pick up Shakey for Judy's Neil Young quest (and a visit to a small art gallery) we headed off to find the address where Neil recorded Tonight's the Night. It is now a used car lot. We did see a Shakey's Pizza nearby, though, and really wanted to lie to people and say that was located on the historic site.

Griffith Park was next, for some walking and gazing out over the city. The famous observatory was closed, as it has been for awhile, but we ... observed it. We ate dinner next door to the Henry Fonda Theater, and managed to once again get into the show late. Just couldn't win at that place. It didn't end up mattering, though, since we found a large flock of friends and I wound up with a fine vantage point of everyone. Nels' opening set was really interesting. I especially enjoyed his eerie, moving interpretation of the Byrds song "I Come and Stand at Every Door." Thanks to Nat for identifying that one last week, so I knew what I was hearing right away.

No "All the Same to Me" (someday!) but the Monday setlist was by far my favorite - the whole show was incredible. "Dash 7" with Nels on dobro ... sigh. And I got a healthy amount of teasing from my friends after Jeff borrowed a phrase I'd dashed off in reference to the Sunday night show - and then identified his source.

It wouldn't be a true Hollywood trip tale without me mentioning that in and/or around the Henry Fonda on Sunday and Monday nights I saw Catherine Keener, James Spader, and Elijah Wood. After the show we descended upon a 24-hour diner in Silverlake with Evonne to further celebrate Heidi's birthday. A few waffle sundaes, strawberry berets, and bearded frenchies later, we returned to the hotel and lounged in the lobby with laptops and free wireless for awhile. I finally headed upstairs around 3:15. I don't think I'd laughed as hard or as often as I did early that morning in a long time.

Then I proceeded to pack, get dressed for Tuesday, and lie down on my bed for 37 minutes before meeting the airport shuttle downstairs. Rock on, LA.

"Next outro!"

Having a wonderful time in California; wish you were here.

Really. It's been great. Can't beat the company (Heidi, Judy, Paul, Uyen, and sometimes Evonne and/or various McCormicks) especially when Uyen has been chauffeuring us around L.A. hotspots in our soccer mom minivan. Hell yeah. I don't have time to do a full rundown at the moment, since we're soon to head off for the farmer's market, but Friday night's Jon Brion show was awesome. You really haven't heard "Ring of Fire" until you've heard it done in the style of Les Paul. (I might also add that I'm not sure if it's just the bands I tend to go see, or if the song is THAT popular, but Jon marks the fourth or fifth time I've seen someone - who is not Johnny Cash - play that song live.) He also did a fantastic set of song outros.

Saturday was a day of fine eateries (including Randy's Donuts), Manhattan Beach, and San Diego. And a lovely-sounding concert at the Spreckles Theatre which actually included a really silent audience, contrary to some people's beliefs. At least from our area's perspective. In fact, almost too silent - virtually no singalongs. Sunday we were back in Hollywood, and ate at the original Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles. I officially can't come to LA without eating at one now. I got a tote bag from Amoeba, too. The concert last night was more fun than San Diego, I think, and I will never get tired of the singer/drummer banter onstage. Nonstop entertainment. Then on to the Standard from there. Awesome chairs in the lobby.

Then there will be today, and then home again tomorrow. Horribly early tomorrow.

I Heart LA

I am currently on Fairfax outside Largo, and I'm not wearing a coat. YAY!

--

Mobile Email from a Cingular Wireless Customer http://www.cingular.com

Friends and stuff

What have I been up to so far this week? Well, work. Big deadline coming up tomorrow morning, which meant increased hours for the past few weeks, culminating tonight. I finished about an hour ago, preferring to work from home for the evening. Anya is still holed up at the office. (We have both worked at home simultaneously in the past, but we've figured out we're approximately 98% less productive when that happens.) I am eagerly awaiting her return, however, since she has Snickers bars in her office and has promised to bring me one. I am hangry. That's a wonderful word I learned today, meaning "feeling so hungry that you're angry." My choices here are basically Lean Cuisine pizza (good, but no) and pretzel sticks. What I want is some damn dessert, but I'll settle for candy. I refuse to go to the store at midnight to buy junk (this isn't college!) ... but I'm clearly not above importing it from the office.

What else? I started The Best American Travel Writing 2001, but I haven't gotten far. Likely because most of my spare time has been spent playing Mario 64 on my Nintendo DS. I knew this would happen! Damn you, Sam, Sooz, and Paul! At least it's portable. I've also made some more sweet origami creations - I'm proudest of the heart-shaped picture holder. Today's lesson was the water bomb, but I've known how to make those since elementary school. Suckas!

Finally, I'm counting down the hours until I leave for a long weekend in California. (For free on Southwest!) Friday's weather had better not mess with my plans, because I am so ready to go. I checked out the forecast for San Diego and L.A. yesterday, and may have wept a little with joy. I know that's me being a huge wuss, since we technically had the warmest January in forever, but it's cold here. And it's sunny and in the 70's there. Cannot. Wait. Lots of musical goodness coming up, too - Jon Brion on Friday, then a trio of Tweedy, Kotche, and Cline shows. Tweedy actually played "All the Same to Me" for real at the end of January, so unless that was just to taunt me, I have some hope of hearing it this weekend.

And, of course, I'll be traveling with friends. Looking forward to that got me thinking about some of my older friends, and I realized something interesting. I've kept in touch with a decent number of people from high school - I'd say seven or so - and many are among my closest friends today. The odd thing is, with only two exceptions I can think of, we also all went to junior high together. Three of us (Allison, Heidi, and I) go all the way back to the beginning of elementary school. I think that's pretty awesome. To honor those who have stood the test of time, I scanned a few photos from our ninth grade yearbook. In retrospect, it would have been much funnier to scan the earliest photos I had available for everyone, but the ninth grade yearbook is what was handy. So, enjoy - if you know me outside the blog, or have been reading this for awhile, you'll probably recognize some of the names. Some may even be reading this!



Michelle (currently living in Manhattan), Lindsey (currently in living in Minneapolis; to be currently visiting me next weekend), Heidi (currently holding down the fort in K-Town)



Allison (currently living in Toronto), and of course it wouldn't be fair to do this to everyone else without including ninth grade me (currently typing this).

Ta-da! Maybe I'll try to track down the earliest photos I have some other time, because I would enjoy seeing them all together. (By the way, in the time it took me to type this, my hanger has passed. My stomach has given up in sad defeat, convinced that no dessert will be forthcoming. A dull ache - perhaps rooted in my stomach's frustration and confusion - is all that remains. On the bright side, I guess I know what I'm having for breakfast.)

The poetry of Gregg Typing, 1958, Pt. 2

"We stood around the small fire and wished that we could be dry, even for just a few seconds. While the group of us stood watching the flames quietly leap into the air, Rex pushed a wet twig into the fire. Tongues of smoke began to rise as the twig sizzled and squeaked. All of us yelled at him as we jumped back from the smoke. Rex just smiled a bit, and then we all laughed and felt better. We found some dry branches in the back of the cave--not too many, but enough to stir up a warm blaze."

Musical epiphany involving Marky Mark

On Saturday night I finished the book All Souls, by Michael Patrick MacDonald. It was really good. It was also one of those books that renews my desire to go up to people who wax poetic about the American Dream, and how everyone, no matter what their circumstances, has an equal chance at pulling themselves out of whatever situation they're in and growing up to be rich and successful, and smack them in the head. The irony there, of course, is that Michael MacDonald did it. (Well, I'm not so sure about the "rich" part of that.)

What I really wanted to talk about, though, was an epiphany I had while reading the last portion of the book. In explaining why the Boston police were so eager to charge his little brother with murder, Michael referenced a case that had made big news a few years before. A middle class white man, Charles Stuart, called the police to report that a black man had carjacked him, killed his pregnant wife, and shot him as well. Eventually the police charged a black man who had been in and out of jail for various crimes in the past. And then it came out that Charles had faked the whole thing, killed his own wife, and shot himself to make it more plausible. The police had been merrily rearranging evidence and falsifying reports in order to charge the suspect. Charles ended up jumping off a bridge.

So I was reading this when suddenly - MARKY MARK AND THE FUNKY BUNCH! In 1991, Marky Mark (who grew up in Dorchester) and the Funky Bunch put out a song called "Wild Side" which borrowed liberally from the Lou Reed original. It featured four verses about corruption and violence, and the odds are good (ahem) that I owned the cassingle. I still remember most of the words. And the third verse was about this case! I'd never dreamed anything in the song was based in fact, but now I don't know what to believe! Were Annie and Ron and Tiffany real people too? Maybe the other verses are true!

Here's the verse in question:

Charles had everything going for him
A top paying job, a good life, a good wife
A baby boy on the way any day
A gentleman attitude is all he displayed
Carol was the wife he loved and adored
Her family and friends treated him like an ambassador
One night on the other side of town
A police dispatcher picked up a weird sound
Charles on the car phone asking for help
Claiming a burglar shot his wife and himself
His pregnant wife lay slumped over
Dreams corrupted and a young life over
Extensive searches throughout the projects
Put a lot of people through misery and wreck
Everyone a suspect til someone was found
Interrogated cause their skin was brown
Then there was Bennett, guilty until proven so
But soon as the case started moving slow
What do you know, sure as as sea gull is webbed toed
Charles was the culprit
The whole plot was an insurance scam
Charles and his brother came up with a plan
Kill Carol, collect a big check
Blame it on a black man, what the heck?
And just before the story was known
Charles had a feeling that his cover was blown
So he jumped offa bridge
Committed suicide
This is how it is - on the Wildside

Yeeeeeeah! Preach it, Marky Mark!



Truth!

A short digital work of art

I found a cool site called digitalfilms.com and made a short (really short) digital film. It is so good. Check it out!

My movie

Warning - it comes with music, so if you don't want a crappy 5-second music loop playing when you click, mute your speakers.

Please, make a movie yourself, and link it here.