Ramones on the Regis and Kathy Lee Show 1988

Here's something you probably didn't know happened. The Ramones appeared on Regis & Kathy Lee Show in 1988 and there is video evidence. I never watched mainstream television in the late 80s and I certainly didn't know who Regis or Kathy Lee were until the late 90s, when I finally got around to watching some cable TV. Check out the audience that witnessed this episode.

Not your typical Ramones Fans.

The audience appears to be made up of house wives and terminally unhip girls. Regis also picks on Dee Dee for most of the interview with silly questions and Dee Dee is more than likely high on something but cheerful and charming. When asked about how their wives and girlfriends handle groupies on the road, Dee Dee replies, "My wife will punch them in the nose."

Marky and Joey hanging out with Regis & Kathy Lee.

Here's the video I found thanks to Maximum Rocknroll @maxrnr on Twitter:

- Mike C.

Craig Finn of the Hold Steady Crafts His Own Beer

Craig Finn has named his new craft beer "Clear Heart" after his latest solo album, "Clear Heart Full Eyes". This really is not that far fetched. I'm surprised that he didn't brew his own beer a long time ago. Bottoms Up!

"Buy my beer! Buy my album!"

Here is the whole story:
http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2012/03/craig-finn-of-the-hold-steady-launches-beer-after.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

- Mike C.

The Horrors Release "Changing The Rain" Video

The Horrors release a video for their song "Changing The Rain" from their 2011 album 'Skying'. The video showcases the band as psychedelic floating cartoon heads and reminds me of the Beatles epic and equally psychedelic "Yellow Submarine" animated film without the blue meanies and apple bonkers. 

Here is the video, which was released today:

- Mike C.

Album Review: Kaiser Chiefs - Start The Revolution Without Me

The latest Kaiser Chiefs album, "Start The Revolution Without Me" is the Leeds based band's fifth album release and contains a majority of songs from last year's "The Future Is Medieval" experimental approach of allowing fans to pick and choose ten tracks of their own favorite songs from a catalog of 20 or so new recordings. While the official UK track listing release of "The Future Is Medieval" was released in June of 2011, It wouldn't be until March 6th of this year to see a North American release of the album with a new title, revamped song order, and an exclusive single, "On The Run". 

"Start The Revolution Without Me" is a wonderful celebration of refreshing indie pop anthems that combine funky drumming and catchy synth jabs with rock guitar embellishments. Every song is a well crafted gem of powerful song writing and instrumentation that includes soaring vocal choruses and melodies that remind me of guitar and piano riffs from the 60s, such as the Beatles-esque "When All Is Quiet", but then turning a corner into a disco from the 80s with the synth based "Heard It Break". 

"Kinda Girl You Are" and "Problem Solved" are driving power pop songs that wouldn't have been out of place coming from the late 70s/early 80s mod revival scenes. "Child Of The Jago" explores a darker, haunting side of Kaiser Chiefs that remind me of Duran Duran and Bauhaus at their quieter moments. Just when you think you might have the Chiefs figured out, they sucker punch you with a galloping twangy beat that's more skiffle than country on "Cousin From The Bronx", while "Things Change" show off their ability to tribute Low-era David Bowie. 

If you haven't noticed by these pics, the Kaiser Chiefs seem to know how to dress themselves very well. In my opinion, rock bands are allowed to wear skinny jeans and if you wear skinny jeans and you don't play music, then you better start learning how to rock out and form bands. It's important to dress like your intended audience and a fitted look is a classic look. I don't rate albums but I would file "Start The Revolution Without Me" in the indie power pop section of UK albums to check out in 2012.


Listen to "When All Is Quiet":

- Mike C.

Album Review: Grimes - Visions

I have already seen all the music blogs talk about the latest one-woman band, Grimes, and prop her up to be the next big thing and they could all be speaking the truth. Claire Boucher, as she's known to her family, friends, and bloggers, is the only sole band member of Grimes. I do not know how this 23 year old musician came up with the name Grimes but it just sounds cool. One look at her album cover 'Visions' and it could easily be an old school skateboard graphic. I immediately want to own a shirt with the album cover design. Upon closer inspection, the record label putting out 'Visions' happens to be 4AD, which also put out classic albums by the Cocteau Twins, Lush, Pixies, and countless others and now puts out albums by newer bands Deerhunter, Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti, The Big Pink, and Twin Shadow to name a few.

So far, the album cover and record label have won me over. So what does the music sound like? It's ethereal with modern beats mixed with synths and pixie-like vocals that flirt with r&b and J-Pop/K-Pop stylings. There are several tunes on this album that will have you bopping your head to what Grimes herself has labeled "Post-Internet". I do not know what that means but I dig her brand of "Loop Core". Here are the list of song titles from the album: "Infinite Love Without Fulfilment", "Genesis", "Oblivion", "Eight", "Circumambient", "Vowels = Space And Time", "Visiting Statue", "Be A Body", "Symphonia IX (My Wait Is U)", "Skin", "Know The Way", "Colour of Moonlight (Antiochus)", and "Nightmusic". The "Symphonia IX" track is my favorite on the album with it's Joy Division-esque minimalist drum beats and Grimes' melodic pixie vocals floating over the top of the mix like dark clouds holding back from a thunderous rain. 

I still can't decide if this album is better to listen while awake or have playing when I fall asleep. I imagine I am in a half-sleep, half-awake state throughout most of the album. I don't even understand any of the layered, looped vocals but that doesn't really matter when all the sounds could provide the best soundtrack to female robots becoming sentient and discovering their gender through various circuitry and sleek components. No, this movie only exists in my head and these particular female robots discover the sensations of kissing and intimacy in an age where humans take these basic human emotions for granted. I usually don't rate albums, but this particular one should be filed under "Make Out Music". 

Here is Grimes in action with a live video performance of "Nightmusic":

- Mike C.

Album Review: Sleigh Bells - Reign Of Terror

I can't make a hipster claim to Sleigh Bells and say "I saw them before they became famous" or "their first album was the best" or "I remember when Alexis Krauss was in RubyBlue" or even "I have the first three albums by Poison the Well when Derek Miller was still in the band". All I can say is that I gave "Reign of Terror" a chance listen and became an instant fan of their rocking guitars mixed with explosive beats and Alexis Krauss's brand of riot grrl vocal delivery. 

After many repeat listens of the album, I imagine that I'm in an alternate universe where sporting events such as Girl's Roller Derby and Skateboarding are the most popular activities to rally behind in high schools across America. All the cheerleaders have tattoos and piercings and skulls emblazoned on their hoodies and baby doll tees. All the guys wear jean jacket vests fitted over motorcycle jackets with buttons and patches of punk and hardcore bands covering every open space. In a way, the music of Alexis Krauss and Derek Miller could very well crossover a lot of metal heads and pop fans seeking the next female diva to follow and obsess over. 

The guitar crunches of Miller's Jackson guitar echo the best of teen angst while Krauss's vocals inspire raised fists and punk rock couple slow dancing respectively. The first track "True Shred Guitar", opens up to a roaring audience that can easily fool the listener that they've mistakenly bought a live album. "Born To Lose" and "Crush" continue the arena anthem rock vibe, while "End Of The Line" could inspire many audiences to pull their lighters out for a power ballad moment.

"Leader Of The Pack" is not a Shangri-La's cover and sounds like it was influenced by Nirvana's catchier songs. "Comeback Kid" is an infectious, catchy, rocking anthem and is a clear cut single that should be blasting on radio stations everywhere if they had any balls. "Demons" comes off as Black Sabbath meets Bikini Kill, while "Road To Hell" and "You Lost Me" harken back to early 60s girl group melodies mixed with muted power chord guitar crunches. 

The closing songs "Never Say Die" and "D.O.A." chug along with a sense of unresolved anxiety and urgency that inevitably cause the listener to hit repeat on the album to remind them that the same album was rocking their eardrums 36 minutes before. I look forward to experiencing the tour that accompanies this album release. Sleigh Bells Rock!

- Mike C.

Album Review: Lana Del Rey - Born To Die

When I first heard the song "Video Games" by newcomer, Lana Del Rey, I didn't like it at all. It was sluggish and didn't seem to have any drums anywhere in the song. Little did I know that this song slowly seeped into my subconscious like an invisible Trojan horse waiting to unlock my brain to a near irrational fanaticism. When "Born To Die" was finally released, I found myself listening to the entire album over and over and my Last.fm account captures this shamelessly. 

On this debut album, we get the songs that every one's heard on various satellite radio stations and music blogs, such as "Born to Die", "Blue Jeans", and the ubiquitous "Video Games". Each of these songs sound more vibrant and defined on the album than by themselves on the radio, whether it's merely a psychological observation or not. Stand out tracks that no one gets to hear yet include "Off To The Races", where we hear LDR almost rapping. "Diet Mountain Dew", despite it's hilarious title, has a sultry vocal with a hip hop beat. "National Anthem", which starts off with a string section similar to "Bitter Sweet Symphony" by the Verve, has a couple of lyrical cringe moments, but delivers an epic punch. "Dark Paradise" channels the balladry of Madonna. "Radio" could possibly be my favorite song on the album with it's slow building structure and melody warping into an epic bridge/chorus that leaves me with goose bumps. LDR also uses the word "Fuck" on this song, so I would recommend buying the uncensored version of this album from an independent record store like Indy CD & Vinyl and not from Target or Walmart. "Carmen", "Million Dollar Man", and "Summertime Sadness" all showcase LDR's sultry vocal ability, while the album closer, "This is What Makes Us Girls" gives us an r&b flavor style of her singing. 

This album has already topped the charts in 11 countries and it deserves all the success it gains. I no longer hate "Video Games" and have even sang it at my local karaoke (very horribly). If you dislike LDR, I would recommend giving this album an open minded listen. If you are already an LDR fan, then this album will get many repeated plays on your player of choice. 

- Mike C.