Willo O'Brien

I haven’t been keeping that left column “music I’m into” list updated as fast as I get new music… and also want to only keep it stuff that I’m sure I dig. Here’s a more general list of things I just got, am getting, want to get, am buzzing about, etc.

• The Sleepy Jackson (that’s a good review of their latest album, cuz their site is down right now)
• Dandy Warhols – I’m totally late on this boat but LOVE their new CD
• Interpol – same thing… I’m late on the pick up here, but dig their sound. Everyone says the lead reminds them of Joy Division, but I never heard them either – some of the songs remind me of David Byrne actually.
• The Shins, Chutes Too Narrow – love it!
• Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – I got the older one, cuz apparently it’s better than the newer one
• Helio Sequence. They opened for The Shins/Modest Mouse show. Jury is still out on this one IMO… I didn’t see enough of them live… so we’ll see how the CD’s grow on me
• Sondre Lerche – I got his Don’t Be Shallow EP, but apparently his one before that is *really* good… so I’m looking forward to checking that out.
• Mars Volta– I hope I get to go see them Monday night!!!
• The Gossip – love it.
• Ted Leo – I finally got the full CD (not just MP3’s) and he’s just so damn talented!!
• Mando Diao – I’ve already mentioned them before, and I’m just loving the CD… soo I had to mention them again. I’m very excited to see them on 11/25!!
• The Rapture– we’re probably gonna hit this show next week
• The Stills– saw them at Popscene and missed them lastnight opening for the Bunnymen… in contrast we should have been at that show instead!
• Detroit Cobras – this is such a fun CD. It’s all covers & they almost have a throwback 50’s vibe… one review says “These Motor City garage rockers combine gospel, soul, R&B, and ’50s rock & roll to create a unique mix of retro innocence and tight, danceable music overflowing with rhythm and grit.” One thing I like is that on some the lead singer sounds soo much like Neko Case! (apologies for how many times I accidently call them the Detroit Cougars on accident) Anyone have Mink Rat or Rabbit?
• The Kills. I’m LOVING this CD.

Ok that’s all for now – and no time to link em. BYE!

update 11/8: Ok, I’ve linked to everything above – and I have a few more below… Most of these are bands I’m looking into right now – some I’ve seen live or plan to really soon… I don’t have any CD’s of the stuff below yet (if you have it, wanna send it to me? :) let’s talk.

• Radio 4
• TV on the Radio
• On the Speakers – saw them live and want to get their cd & see them again
• Longwave
• Beulah
• John Vanderslice
• Stellastarr – saw them live, they’re good
• British Sea Power
• Oranger
• Pretty Girls Make Graves
• The Twilight Singers

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Archiving this old list here:

Spoon (went 7/15/03)

Stephen Malkmus (buy this CD!)

Grandaddy (went 9/18/03)

Super Furry Animals (went 9/18/03)

Fountains of Wayne (went 5/28/03)

The New Pornographers (went 6/10/03)

Hot Hot Heat (went 9/25/03)

French Kicks (went 9/25/03)

Birdsaw

The Shins (went 2/8, seeing 11/2/03)

Cat Power (went 4/26/03)

Rainer Maria (went 9/19/03)

Rosie Thomas (went 2/8/03)

White Stripes

The Strokes (went 10/21/03)

Wilco (went 9/7/02)

The Donnas

Flaming Lips (went 5/28/03)

Matt Nathanson (went 5/30, going 10/23)

Pete Krebs

The Thrills hardly get a review from me. First of all even though I had a great dinner w/ Jem & Tania, by the time we got to the show & made it through the piercingly horrid opening band, I wasn’t feeling so hot. But I was steadfast to make it through the show and sipped my water from our side stage view hoping the show was going to lift me out of my funk.

Unfortunately it didn’t…

The Thrills were ‘ok’. I guess I thought it was going to be more like the experience I had at Phantom Planet the other week, where they really were excellent and had us all sweating and dancing and singing and smiling….

Instead the crowd was pretty lame, just bobbin’ heads – to music that I thought was a little bit more rockin than that – but then again, I was only bobbin my head too – so maybe it was just the music? darn. I was hoping they’d be better. The lead singer’s voice drifted to a little bit of a Grandaddy sound – and as much as they’re that garage band/euro thing, they’ve picked up a lot of California sound (apparently from their short stint living here?). My favorite song was “‘Til The Tide Creeps In” and one other but I forget the name. And I only know the name of that first one cuz we had such a direct view of the set list.

The most entertaining part of the show, however, was the NUTCASE in the front row who during one of their last songs literally was GRABBING for him, trying to get his full attention. At first I thought she had something important to tell him, but then realized she was totally frickin crazy and when she had the opportunity she actually tried to yank his microphone cord down towards her. However – the best part – was that when all her desperate attempts failed (because, uh HELLO if you haven’t noticed he’s trying to sing a song here!!) she actually started CRYING!!!!! Oh myyy lady. Take your medication!!!

Overall I think they’re getting super hyped from their label – and they almost had a little too much “we’re rockstars, uh huh” goin’ on to be cool enough for the hizz… Their CD is good I think… but live they were a bit too showy for me… and it’d be a different story if they actually moved the crowd, but it just all seemed so staged.

Anyway – I came home to bed and woke up actually feeling better & even made my workout. Waaaa-hooo.

Right after I posted that I got a call from Jane that she was stranded on 24th & Mission with a dead battery. Long story short we got her up & running again…

Now I’m off to meet some friends for some yummy sghetti at Emmy’s Spaghetti Shack and then we hit The Thrills! I’m excited for the show… although sore throats promise that there’ll be no drinking, yelling or smooching. darn.

p.s. I’m probably not going anywhere overseas for Thanksgiving after all. I think we missed the 3 week out ticket prices, cuz today they were double! Oh well. 2004 will be the year I hop the puddle for sure!!!!

I cancelled my trip to the gym this morning due to feeling a sore throat coming on. (maybe screaming at shirtless rocker chic from nashville pussy till 1am tuesday night had something to do with that? hmm… ) Either way, sore throats are always my body’s way of alerting me “you better get some sleep or I’m gonna give you a cold!!” So with the threat of the flem-monster on it’s way to my house, I decided to do just that: SLEEP!

The problem with sleeping in *this morning* however, is that there’s construction on our street again (grr) and so I was supposed to get up & move my car. But the thing is with this company is that they’re really lax about actually showing up when they say – so most of us leave our cars out there past their warned 7am time and then just go out when we wake up to see if they actually need us to move our cars. (err.. atleast I do anyway)

So I woke up at 8am (even though my alarm clock was set for later… my body’s on this new kick where it’s waking up naturally on it’s own – what’s the big idea!? I’m trying to sleep in!!) Initially I fought waking up then, but realized I was actually quite awake and knowing I needed to move my car weighed heavily on my mind, so I decided to get up quick and walk outside to see if they had their gear out there waiting for everyone to move. Groggily, I put on clothes and walked out front – only to see everyone else was still parked on the street and there wasn’t a construction person in site.

So I came back in and me (and my sore throat) slipped back into bed knowing just one more hour might help me ward off any cold. However, it was still in my subconcious that the construction people could show up any minute… and as I thought of that drifted into a deep, deep sleep.

I awoke to what I thought was a light tapping at my door. I thought, “Oh, they must know where I live, so they’re being kind enough to knock on my door to ask me to move my car instead of towing it”. Except this thought was in the middle of a deeeeep, deeeeep sleep… the kind where you just feel deleriously drunk and your eyes feel so heavy you can’t even move, no matter how hard your mind is yelling “Someone’s at the door, you have to get up!”

The light tap came again, and the person at the door said something this time… in spanish. I pictured a small Mexican construction worker at my door giving it one more chance before they gave up and went to the next house. My mind fought through the thick sleep, and I tried to yell, “I’ll be right there”, but as soon as I muttered it the weight of sleep held me down even harder and seconds later I realized that I *still* hadn’t moved.

Finally I realized I needed to get up – this was my last chance and I didn’t want to get my car towed – so I tore through the heavy slumber and sat straight up, fumbling for my glasses (but giving up when I couldn’t find them) and staggered to the door.

Nobody was there. It was then that it hit me there never had been someone at the door and it was all in my deep sleep and subconcious stressing that I dreamed it all up.

Finally awake I went out & still no construction. The signs had been re-markered to say “11/7” as the start date… *sigh* that’s how my day began.

life flies by – good times… good music… good friends.

so lets see – tuesday night: Nashville Pussy – CRAZY!!!!!!!! OFF THE HOOK!!!!!! The bass player (who made them infamous and wanted across the land) is apparently not with them anymore, but it didn’t matter to us – as the lead singers wife (and hard core metal rocker guitar chic) was a show enough. Both her & the *new* bass player were just soaking with trailer park sexual energy… with hearts that want to rock, party and f*k. I mean, let’s face it – the name of the band is Nashville Pussy and they practically preach the gospel about keepin your sex life going hard and fast.

(Oy. I know my Mom’s gonna read this)

Anyway – it was quite the show – it was her birthday, so the lead singer (her husband) sang Happy Birthday, and the guitarist for Fabulous Disaster delivered her a titty cake where she of course took a bite of after blowing out her candles. Overall it was a total metal-head crowd for the most part. Hell’s Angels & all. Oh – and a fight broke out!!! Oh ya! Now THAT’s a fuckin ROCK show!

By the end “she” had her top off, sporting only the teeny black bra… and by the last song her leather pants were off too. oh my! The audience ate it up.

The opener (after Fabulous Disaster) was Peter Pan Speedrock… !! And that they were. Very fun fast metal. Oh yaaaa, Rick got the tshirt! And I got some buttons too :)

We had a couple other friends there which was fun and I ran into a guy I haven’t seen in years and turns out he lives down the street from me. They’re expecting their first in a couple months… so the gun shots in our neighborhood bother them a little more than me. (I say “just pretend they’re fireworks!”)

It was a good show… I have to admit, the whole scene reminded me of my Colorado days somehow. yeehaw + metal heads. Maybe that describes the late 80’s? Then again – check out The Darkness.

Today was suuper busy w/ client meetings and then as soon as I got home I had about 30 minutes to answer a few emails and head out to BAM.

Oh…. and I’m thinking about going on a trip over Thanksgiving. Some place overseas :) More details to come…

go do your good deed for the day & click some buttons

It was SOO terrific to see the Shins live – I was thrilled. Modest Mouse was great too – they really rock the live show!! I’ve only been listenin to them for a couple months – so it was cool to see them in person & get their gist a bit more. I thought they were spot on. Helio Sequence opened the show – and I wasn’t too into them. I did however love the drummer just goin nuts on the drums… but other than that I was desiring a little more vocals. They do a lot of jammin out… but I felt it was missing something.

I was supposed to go to this show on Sunday night, but (very) unfortunately I wasn’t feeling well. However, going lastnight was great as it turned out – cuz Jem & Tania were there too! yay! I love those girls. Apparently they’ll be unleashing a blog of their own soon… but shh… it’s not ready yet! :)

I can’t wait to get the new Shins CD after seeing them lastnight. They sang some of their new stuff that I already love so much! Unfortunately they weren’t necessarly “better” live – in lastnight’s case anyway. Jem & I agreed that they’re just so melodic and beautiful on their CD… it was a hard vibe to match live. Maybe it would help if they were at a smaller venue where the didn’t feel like they had to punch it up a notch to please the antsy crowd… but either way I thought it was great – and I thought the guitarist who sang along w/ James Mercer was really good (and cute too) :) Oh & the keyboardist/3rd guitar guy was funny… he was the front man doing all the talking. Goofy and entertaining – seems like he’d be a kick to hang out with.

Tonite is Nashville Pussy!! Here’s my friend, Marguerite’s recommendation about going to see them:

It is really fast rock, but that isn’t why we go really. they are just crazy shit. the tall girl dumps beer on herself, blows fire, and usually makes out with whoever she fells like in the crowd, all of this while playing. it is a good stage show. if you have the night open, i would go, just for the conversation piece. plus you can pick up a great shirt. how often do you get to wear the word pussy on your chest. just expect people to ask you where you are from.

Aww yaa… should be a crazy show. Plus Peter Pan Speedrock is opening. How could you miss a band with a name like that?

If you can’t think of a name for your new product… and well, it’s this new thing – and it’s pretty handy…

I know!! We’ll just call it HandyThing!!

Wow – you think that team had some big expensive degrees behind that brainiac decision? oy!

Friday night’s craaaaazy Halloween plans involved going out for (super yummy) chinese food & a movie. Wild huH!? :) This year I sorta boycotted Halloween. I party enough as it is – I don’t need no designated holiday!! Although, I silently vowed to get crazy next year and not be so damn lazy about it. I was gonna dress up as Shakira :) That’da been hot, huh?

The movie rocked, literally: School of Rock! You’ve got to see it – it’s sooooo cute!! And so damn funny. I love Jack Black!! I laughed so hard the whole way though… it was awesome!

On a seperate note, check out Chris Georgenes’ animation & illustration work!! He’s *amazing* and I’m terribly green with envy. :)

Oh – and I’ve inspired yet another new blogger. Yay for me. Especially since he’s got terribly cute kitties on his blog (even one of Kazoobie!!). I support that!! :)

I am off to the Shins/Modest Mouse show!! YAY!

I got tired of this being on my homepage – so I’m putting it here for now.

FYI this is probably outdated. Off the top of my head I’ve seen these movies at the time of my archiving this:

Punch Drunk Love

Finding Nemo

MOVIESRecently watched

(1-5 rating, 5 is best):

State and Main – 4

Laurel Canyon – 4

Akira Kurowenta’s Dreams – 4

Talk to Her – 5

Frida – 4

Spellbound – 5

Finding Nemo – 5

I am Sam – 5

XX/XY – 5

My Big Fat Greek Wedding – 5

Six Ft Under season1, disc4 – 5

Six Ft Under season1, disc3 – 5

Six Ft Under season1, disc2 – 5

Sprited Away – 5

Mighty Wind – 5

Six Ft Under season1, disc1 – 5

How High – 2.5

Signs – 5

Bridget Jones’ Diary – 4

Fantastic Planet – 4

Cat’s Meow – 3

Kissing Jessica Stein – 3

Adaptation – 5

Italian for Beginners – 4

Chicago – 4

(hmm, need to start

archiving these somehow)

Want to see: (can you believe I haven’t seen these yet!?!?)

Pirates of the Carribean

28 Days Later (maybe?)

S.W.A.T.

Charlie’s Angels

Bruce Almighty

Swimming Pool

Raising Victor Vargas

Bend It Like Beckham

The Italian Job

All the Real Girls

Punch Drunk Love

Charlotte Sometimes

Gangs of NY

About Schmidt

Old School

TIVO ROCKS!

Scrubs

E.R.

Will & Grace

The Simpsons

Insomniac w/ Dave Attell

Dexter’s Laboratory

and the occasional random MTV

(but I haven’t been watching TV much lately – I’m too busy!)