Favorite musical encounters of 2009
1. Helm’s Alee – Night Terror. I’m really sad to say I’ve only seen this local band one time (Carousel Fest) but it was a fond memory –
very loud, amazing energy, screaming and bad ass drumming that made my clothes vibrate. I didn’t know if it would be able
to translate to cd very well, but I was pleasantly surprised. Pick it up.
2. What The. http://pugnusferreus.spawncamp.net/ Found these while scouring the internet for random mp3’s using some google hacks. These are real beauts, I recommend ‘Death Again’ and ‘Esmerelda’.
3. Jan Terri – Apparently she’s an oldy but a goody. I can’t get enough of it. Here’s a fan myspace with her music videos from the 90’s http://www.myspace.com/janterritunes & here is a great article describing her history: http://web.archive.org/web/20070817235215/http://www.jammedonline.com/janterri.html I actually do find the songs quite infectious and catchy.
4. The Thrown Ups – Old Seattle grunge band w/ members of mudhoney & leighton beezer from the great documentary Hype! (he’s the one who plays two guitar riffs to indicate the subtle differences between ‘punk’ & ‘grunge’). “The idea behind the Thrown Ups was to have a band where no one ever practiced and no one ever wrote songs.” Yes, it’s wonderful.
5. Alaskas – Saw him for the first time @ Cairo Gallery @ Expo 87. Amazing performance, totally in control as a one man band with drums, guitar, vocal looping.
6. Turtle Rock – Recordings coming soon. But basically, playing guitar & drums w/ the two kids that Amber nannies. Watching them roll around on the floor wailing like Iggy pop and banging on cymbals.
7. Yo! Animals Raps compilation Joseph (WHPRWHIL records) & Amber put together for me secretly featuring all my friends singing animal rap songs including a very special song written & performed by Jad Fair. Still can’t believe that actually happened.
8. Correspondents playing to trapeze dancers on Halloween when I had the swine flu.
9. Taking my funeral director sister to Harshfest to hang out with a bunch of metal heads. Counting the number of times people
raised invisible goblets in the air (23).
10. I think this is the band Realicide, although a really old incarnation. That might not be true. Anyway, it’s the ‘Best. Mountain Dew Commericial. Ever.” & really worth the watch: http://www.boontdusties.com/journal/2009/11/15/best-mountain-dew-commercial-ever/
