A musical tale of good and evil and good evil and evil good, in three acts.
Who is this nut?
- kired
- "You need to believe in things that aren't true. How else can they become?" T. Pratchett
30.9.08
File Under: Blues and Laser website
The boys in Blues and Lasers have a shiny new website at http://bluesandlasers.com/
File Under: Further Proof of why GPN rules.
So I finally took some time to read the "About the Band" section at the official "Grace Potter and the Nocturnals," site. I received more than a few good chuckles. It is obvious that they wrote the bios themselves and had a good time doing it. I encourage you to give them a read and receive another little peak into their personalities.
Grace:"test-driving hybrid cars and pretending she can afford one, realizing she can't, leaving the car lot quickly, glancing at miffed salesman in rearview mirror."
Matt: "Nickname - Cado (inspired by my deep love for avocados)"
Bryan: "In my freshman year of college I picked up the bass guitar - loaned to me from my philosophy professor (how's that for fate?) (I don't believe in fate for the record) (I am all about scientology though) (not really, I hate Tom Cruise's acting).."
Scott: "Scott Tournet was born in the deepest, darkest part of northeastern Albania during the great floods of 1976. To stay safe, Scott's family had to live in trees during his infancy. To make the harsh conditions bearable, the family would sing songs while playing rudimentary instruments made from the trees during the breaks in the storm."
Grace:"test-driving hybrid cars and pretending she can afford one, realizing she can't, leaving the car lot quickly, glancing at miffed salesman in rearview mirror."
Matt: "Nickname - Cado (inspired by my deep love for avocados)"
Bryan: "In my freshman year of college I picked up the bass guitar - loaned to me from my philosophy professor (how's that for fate?) (I don't believe in fate for the record) (I am all about scientology though) (not really, I hate Tom Cruise's acting).."
Scott: "Scott Tournet was born in the deepest, darkest part of northeastern Albania during the great floods of 1976. To stay safe, Scott's family had to live in trees during his infancy. To make the harsh conditions bearable, the family would sing songs while playing rudimentary instruments made from the trees during the breaks in the storm."
29.9.08
File Under: Paul Newman - RIP
The thing about being sick all weekend, I wasn't paying attention to the media, so I just found out. The man was an amazing actor who found his way into some great roles. One of his best would be in Cool Hand Luke.
26.9.08
File Under: Zack and Miri Make a Porno
I love Kevin Smith films. They have some of the wittiest dick and fart jokes ever put to film. Anyhoo, his new film is, "Zack and Miri Make a Porno." I can't wait to see it. For a red band trailer (naughty word) just click here.
File Under: In the name of quality
Okay so I sucked it up and opened a new Vimeo account. I couldn't take shitty quality of YouTube.
Blues and Lasers-Rooster (Live) from The Real Kired on Vimeo.
Blues and Lasers-Rooster (Live) from The Real Kired on Vimeo.
25.9.08
File Under: Blues and Lasers-Rooster (Live)
Blues and Lasers-Rooster live at Waterfront, August 16, 2008.
24.9.08
File Under: We should be so lucky.
Modern Wall Steet sleeze-bags can't even jump out of buildings correctly, so this SINFEST is more of a wish thing.
File Under: Scott Tournet sits in with Shawn Mercer
Remember when I mentioned that Scott Tournet sat in with Shawn Mercer and the Boondock Blues Band at the GPN show at Unity College. Well Shawn has posted some of the set on his MySpace player. There are two tracks that include Scott's skills, please give them a listen.
File Under: More gushing for GPN
Another blogger gushing about Grace and the boys. Just in case you thought I was the only one who drinks the Kool-Aid.
"A thumping four-man solo, the drum jam got the small and hot crowd really into it for the first time that day. A little more of the whole “playing instruments” things happened before the band ditched them yet again to line up at the edge of the stage for some audience clap and stomp along. Though the song was certainly jam-length, the soul swagger kept the faux-medley together, separating of them from the legions of aimless Grateful Dead knock-offs whose association does the Nocturnals a disservice."
"A thumping four-man solo, the drum jam got the small and hot crowd really into it for the first time that day. A little more of the whole “playing instruments” things happened before the band ditched them yet again to line up at the edge of the stage for some audience clap and stomp along. Though the song was certainly jam-length, the soul swagger kept the faux-medley together, separating of them from the legions of aimless Grateful Dead knock-offs whose association does the Nocturnals a disservice."
File Under: Grace Potter Folk Wizard
Interesting little piece on Grace and the boys from The McGill Tribune-Grace Potter casts a spell with her folk wizardry.
"There is a sense of an imminent success that we have not had yet. We all have to carpool up to Burlington and can't pay for a dog sitter so the dogs come on the road, but there is a sense that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and the amount of energy and support that we get from our fans, and new fans, and people who don't even know us and are just interested and ready to make those connections, it really fuels us … it's very rewarding when it does pay off."
"There is a sense of an imminent success that we have not had yet. We all have to carpool up to Burlington and can't pay for a dog sitter so the dogs come on the road, but there is a sense that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and the amount of energy and support that we get from our fans, and new fans, and people who don't even know us and are just interested and ready to make those connections, it really fuels us … it's very rewarding when it does pay off."
File Under: GPN-Farm Aid
My friend, Goggle Alert, brought this entry from LiveDaily to my attention. It's a nice piece of Farm Aid and happens to have two full paragraphs dedicated to Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. Always nice to see them get the press they deserve. Still wondering how I am going to handle having to share them with the rest of the world, when they blow up.
"Grace Potter and the Nocturnals got a chance to play to an audience worthy of their collective talents. Coming from the same Vermont countryside as many of the farming activists who populated the "Barn Yard," a communal information encampment beside the stage area, Potter not only prettied-up the main stage, but added some home-grown intelligence to a farm-information panel later in the day.
"Grace Potter and the Nocturnals got a chance to play to an audience worthy of their collective talents. Coming from the same Vermont countryside as many of the farming activists who populated the "Barn Yard," a communal information encampment beside the stage area, Potter not only prettied-up the main stage, but added some home-grown intelligence to a farm-information panel later in the day.
The Nocturnals revved-up the house with "Nothing But The Water," a secret weapon of a tune they normally reserve for their encore that features a killer a cappella opening and ends with a full-band drum solo, gathering all four members around the kit flailing away."
22.9.08
File Under: Bartlet lays it out for Obama
This piece was sent to me by a reader: Aaron Sorkin Conjures a Meeting of Obama and Bartlet
I found it to be an interesting piece of fiction. It also makes me really miss the West Wing, great show.
I found it to be an interesting piece of fiction. It also makes me really miss the West Wing, great show.
20.9.08
File Under: Cake at Colby
I can't go, but some of you may be able to make the show.
Cake at Colby College, Friday October 3, 2008
7:00 Door, 8:30 Door
Supported by Winterpills
Buy Tickets Here
Cake-Short Skirt/Long Jacket (Not embeddable)
Cake-Going the Distance (Live)
Cake-I Will Survive (Live)
Cake at Colby College, Friday October 3, 2008
7:00 Door, 8:30 Door
Supported by Winterpills
Buy Tickets Here
Cake-Short Skirt/Long Jacket (Not embeddable)
Cake-Going the Distance (Live)
Cake-I Will Survive (Live)
18.9.08
15.9.08
File Under: Ragged Company
I forgot to mention how thrilled I was with the inclusion of some older songs on the Unity set list. I just love "Sweet Hands," it just kicks so much ass with it's driving beats and riffs. However, "Ragged Company," is thematically one of my favs. So many people go in search of the changes that will lead to happiness, not bothering to look at themselves first. That's why I love the line, "Cause every town's got a mirror and every mirror still shows me That I am my own ragged company."
Give a listen to the Show:
Give a listen to the Show:
14.9.08
File Under: GPN-Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival
After a good night's sleep, September 13 arrived and it was time to 
hit the road for another Grace Potter and the Nocturnals show. We packed up the kids and headed back home, where we would drop them off with a babysitter, grab Matt and Tom (2nd show). The trip to Fredericton was uneventful, though we did listen to Blues and Lasers, Jen Crowell and the Woods Vehicle and of course GPN.
A quick stop at the hotel to drop off the bags and then to downtown Fredericton for some din-din and music. We had dinner at "Mojo's Pub," which some of you may see as humorous. The food was very good, the house beer was tasty, and I recommend it to anyone going to Freddy.
It was time to head for the Bud Light Blues Tent for the "State of Grace" sets. Upon arrival we found, my mother and her friends already enjoying themselves. The first act was Shirley Jackson & Her Good Rockin Daddys. They were a 7 piece band, 2 tenor saxs, barri sax, trumpet, guitarist, upright bass and drums. Their concise playing was a thrill. Especially amazing, was that fact that Shirely was playing with a broken arm. A fact that none of us noticed until she mentioned it, she was that good. (Tom later chatted with her and found out how she broke her arm, she tripped on an instrument on stage, she finished that show).
The next act was Charlie A'Court (please ignore the back up singers). He was in a trio with a bassist and a drummer. This left Charlie playing his own rhythm and lead, and play it he did. Holy shit that guy is good. I highly recommend you take any chance to see him live.
What can I say about the Grace Potter set? Hmm, let me think. Oh yeah, it was fuckin awesome! They were in the rockin zone. Bryan was definitely feeling it, to the point where Ellyn was commenting on it (a later conversation with Scott would confirm Bryan's groove). Between snapping pics and noting the set list, I enjoyed a hell of a show. Oh yeah, the setlist:
Treat Me Right
Ain’t No Time
Mystery Train
Sweet Hands
Stop the Bus
Here’s to the Meantime
Ah Mary
Pain in My Heart
Joey
Sugar
Paint it Black
If I Was From Paris
Watchin You
Angel Band
Big White Gate
———
Down by the River
The place went ape shit when they did Paint it Black and Down by the River.
Some of my impressions of the event are as follows:
1. Canadian, drunk, frat boys are just as annoying as American, drunk, frat boys.
2.That many people in a tent, talking all at once, sounds like a brooding shed.
3. Women who carry overly large bags into a festival environment should be beaten with them.
Other than that, a good time was had by all.
For more pics, visit my flickr page.
hit the road for another Grace Potter and the Nocturnals show. We packed up the kids and headed back home, where we would drop them off with a babysitter, grab Matt and Tom (2nd show). The trip to Fredericton was uneventful, though we did listen to Blues and Lasers, Jen Crowell and the Woods Vehicle and of course GPN.
A quick stop at the hotel to drop off the bags and then to downtown Fredericton for some din-din and music. We had dinner at "Mojo's Pub," which some of you may see as humorous. The food was very good, the house beer was tasty, and I recommend it to anyone going to Freddy.
It was time to head for the Bud Light Blues Tent for the "State of Grace" sets. Upon arrival we found, my mother and her friends already enjoying themselves. The first act was Shirley Jackson & Her Good Rockin Daddys. They were a 7 piece band, 2 tenor saxs, barri sax, trumpet, guitarist, upright bass and drums. Their concise playing was a thrill. Especially amazing, was that fact that Shirely was playing with a broken arm. A fact that none of us noticed until she mentioned it, she was that good. (Tom later chatted with her and found out how she broke her arm, she tripped on an instrument on stage, she finished that show).
The next act was Charlie A'Court (please ignore the back up singers). He was in a trio with a bassist and a drummer. This left Charlie playing his own rhythm and lead, and play it he did. Holy shit that guy is good. I highly recommend you take any chance to see him live.
What can I say about the Grace Potter set? Hmm, let me think. Oh yeah, it was fuckin awesome! They were in the rockin zone. Bryan was definitely feeling it, to the point where Ellyn was commenting on it (a later conversation with Scott would confirm Bryan's groove). Between snapping pics and noting the set list, I enjoyed a hell of a show. Oh yeah, the setlist:
Treat Me Right
Ain’t No Time
Mystery Train
Sweet Hands
Stop the Bus
Here’s to the Meantime
Ah Mary
Pain in My Heart
Joey
Sugar
Paint it Black
If I Was From Paris
Watchin You
Angel Band
Big White Gate
———
Down by the River
The place went ape shit when they did Paint it Black and Down by the River.
Some of my impressions of the event are as follows:
1. Canadian, drunk, frat boys are just as annoying as American, drunk, frat boys.
2.That many people in a tent, talking all at once, sounds like a brooding shed.
3. Women who carry overly large bags into a festival environment should be beaten with them.
Other than that, a good time was had by all.
For more pics, visit my flickr page.
File Under: GPN at Unity College
The trip started off late, as usual, so our caravan was hauling down the interstate. As we neared the exit for my sis-in-laws (our bed for the night), "Ah Mary" came on Sirius, from the back we here a little girls voice, "Can you turn that up?" I turn it up, "a little more?" Up it goes, "A little more!" What a great start to my Grace Potter and the Nocturnals Weekend.After a quick drop off of the kids, Ellyn (3rd show), Matt (2nd), Curtis (virgin), and I (5th); made our way to Unity as quickly as possible. Once inside the venue, we see Potterville Posse member Todd doing he email gathering thing. The usual greetings are exchanged, excitement was palpable. I introduce myself to Nicole, the new Merch person. I must say, she is a sweetheart comparable to our Jen. It turns out she got the job by answering a Craig's List ad. She didn't even know which band it was for. While chatting with her, I finally laid my hands on the Blues and Lasers CD. Woot!
When we enter the venue, we can't find seats together. Turns out the 200 seat venue had sold around 300 tickets. Mom heads down to sit with Van, Matt and Curtis end up in the back and Ellyn finds us seat next to Shawn Mercer's family. Shawn Mercer would be the opening act for the night.
Shawn's set was damn good. He definitely has some interesting songs, including topics such as Sweetbread, climbing trees, and taking out compost. The gentleman who was playing lead for Shawn that night (he has a rotating crew) was damn good. During one of his solos, he performed a pitch perfect scat to match his playing. Super cool.
The thing that made the set so sweet, Mr. Scott Tournet came out and sat in. He would later confess that he didn't know the songs at all. I'll tell you, with out noticing the concentration on his face, you would never know. It is my humble opinion, that Scott is just getting better and better; and this author can't wait to see just how good he gets.
During the break, I made my way up to the front to talk to Todd, Van and Mom. I just happened to be standing in front of Graces monitors (when on guitar), when the band walks on stage. SERENDIPITY! I stayed there too, for one damn rocking, floor bouncing, ass kicking show. I could do that every f'n night of my life. I was hearing the guitars off of their amps, Grace's voice from her monitors, and the drum nice and clear. It was so damn good I tell ya!
The drum jam, or "orgy" as I call it, was interesting as the stage was so small. I'll tell you it may have been a pain for them to get around the kit, but they rocked it anyway.
Unfortunately, I was "stuck" up there without my camera, so I tried to get the best shots I could out of my phone. So the pics are a little dodgy. The set list that appears here, does not tell the correct story. Paris was moved to the encore, I assume due to a broken E1 string (see pic of Scott, it's the weird line) on the flying V and the encore ended up being "Ah Mary" followed by "Pain in My Heart" and "If I was from Paris"As the boys left the stage, Grace pushed the merchandise and assured us that anyone who bought a Frisbee would receive some play time.After the show, we chatted while the crowd filed out. Eventually we ended up in the lobby, where we got to chat with Scott, Bryan and Grace. I got to talk about my new Jazz Bass with Bryan, which was neat. I even understood what he was saying, most of the time. The best part, Matty finally got to meet Grace, they had a nice conversation about his name, car dealerships, and Matt Burr's not being anything but Matt. After assurances about seeing them the next night, we departed for the evening. A Good time was had by all.
Listen to the show over at This is Somewhere.
12.9.08
File Under: Off to see GPN
I am off to see my 5th and 6th, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, shows this year. I think it's safe to say, I'm addicted.
11.9.08
5.9.08
File Under: ZP blasts EO
Some of you may remember, back in the dead of winter, that I tried Eve Online. It never really clicked for me. Yahtzee seemingly had similar issues.
File Under: Dante's Inferno
One of the few benefits of being ill is you get to catch up on your hard drive full of shows. This morning I watched a very interesting version of Dante's Inferno which was on Ovation a few months ago. I highly recommend it. http://www.dantefilm.com/
File Under: Cutting through the bullshit.
This is not the Republican party I used to back, a long time ago before Newt and company screwed it up. For the record, I am an "unenrolled" which is the states way of saying, I don't have a party. I use to be an independent until they took that title away in the 90's. Anyway, these are links to the last couple of Daily Show's which riff on the bullshit laid down by the GOP during their convention.
http://www.thedailyshow.com/full-episodes/index.jhtml?episodeId=184082
http://www.thedailyshow.com/full-episodes/index.jhtml?episodeId=184093
http://www.thedailyshow.com/full-episodes/index.jhtml?episodeId=184082
http://www.thedailyshow.com/full-episodes/index.jhtml?episodeId=184093
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