How Do I Know That Name?

For any artist, name recognition is a big deal.  If you've ever read a story about how your favorite band came up with it's name, you know lots of thought goes into it.  You want your name to say something about the themes in your music, or your vision as an artist.  Most of all, you want people to remember you.

I remember Tracy Bonham.

The memory wasn't specific at first, but when Tammy and I arrived at the Hotel Cafe and saw her name on the list of artists at the door, it was nagging at me.  "Tracy Bonham....where do I know that name?"  With a quick Google on my iPhone, it started coming back.

The year was 1996.  The album was The Burdens of Being Upright, which I always thought was a genius name.  And the monster single was "Mother, Mother."













I loved this song.  It kicked ass in a way that made me want to go out and conquer the world.


More than 20 years later, Tracy Bonham is still knocking around, making fantastic and interesting new music.  Key tracks from her latest record Masts of Manhatta performed at Hotel Cafe included "Big Red Heart" and "Devil's Got Your Boyfriend."  I bought them on iTunes as soon as I got home, along with "Mother, Mother."  Because she performed that one at Hotel Cafe as well, and it rocked my face off just as much as it did in 1996.  Good music becomes great music over time that way.


The other intriguing discovery of the evening was Kasier Cartel.  They're an unusual duo out of Brooklyn, NYC who made me think of a folked-out version of the White Stripes, but with distinctly non-Rock-and-Roll musical instruments included.  Remember those little multicolor xylophones you played with as a kid? Yeah, they do too.  They used one!  And they also used a slightly more grown-up version on the same instrument, but played with a Dremel tool so it sounded like a phone ringing....

What can I say..I'm intrigued.  This is the fun part about discovering new music.  You should try it.   Just make sure to remember the artists name, even if it just hangs out in the back of your mind for years before you need it again.

New Music: Empire of the Sun

I didn't know anything about the band Empire of the Sun when Tammy invited me to check out their show at the Music Box in Hollywood last night.   But given her current musical tastes are running in the vein of foreign and electronic, I knew it wasn't gonna be anything like John Mayer.

Going to a new venue in LA is always interesting, because there are a ton and a lot of them are great.  The Music Box was a great set-up for an act like this, although I will admit I was a little worried about what I was in for when I saw this.

Thank goodness I left my Sharpie and studded belt at home!  And the velvet rope Nazis made me spit out my gum when I came in, but somehow plenty of cameras made it.

Things started out weird with an opening DJ set that included a Lady Gaga-like set piece.  And by set piece, I mean her.

She never moved from the chair the entire 30 minute DJ set, although she did uncross her legs once while she was reading and eat one potato chip after 2 minutes of robotically slow movement.    And I think she fed a potato chip to the DJ when he came over to check on her.   Yeah, I don't dig performance art so much.

As for Empire of the Sun, the band's My Space page describes them as pop/electracoustic/alternative, which is pretty much what the recorded versions of their songs sound like.  Translated to live performance, the show was part Kabuki theatre, part NYC disco rave party.   The music was so loud the floor was vibrating,  and I'm pretty sure there were more dancers than band members.

I couldn't help but think the experience was a little like it would have been seeing Prince for the first time.  It's a little on the weird side, but the overall vibe is good.  Or maybe I just had Prince on the brain since the DJ included "Controversy" in his set.  Lots of synthesizers, some grooves better than others, but overall not the worst time I've had in my life.  And I hope they sell lots of records because guitars (sadly) were destroyed at the end....as in smashed on stage.  Yeah, Prince has smashed gear too.  I think the comparisons work.

Hopefully my ears stop ringing by Friday....

Dave Barnes @ The Roxy

The last time I saw Dave Barnes in LA was at The Hotel Cafe back in April of 2009, almost a year before the release of his current album "What We Want, What We Get." I always enjoy Dave's recordings, so I snapped up his latest release on pre-order several months ago and have been listening to it non-stop in the car since it arrived in the mail. But nothing beats a Dave Barnes live show, so I was happy to see him making an appearance at The Roxy on Sunset Boulevard.



The best part was running into Cissy and Suzanne, two new friends I made at the Hotel Cafe LAST YEAR! Catching up made standing in line a lot more fun!



One of the great things about Dave is his support of young, up and coming artists, and I'm always curious to see who comes along for the ride to open for him. At the last Hotel Cafe show, I discovered Andrew Ripp, who is currently working on a new album, produced by none other than DAVE BARNES, and opening for Dave on some Midwest dates.

The first act was Julian Moon, a San Diego based college student who sounds kind of like Jewel without the yodeling.



The thing stood out most about her was her awesome shoes. She's cute, but the music is pleasant yet unremarkable. Her band mates were more interesting than she was -- a one-armed drummer (one arm was in a sling) and a guitar player that could pass for Kings defenceman Matt Greene.



So much for that.

But the REAL new talent discovery of the night was Allen Stone.



Don't let the long blond hair, geeky black rimmed glasses, and acoustic guitar fool you -- this guy has a HUGE voice tailor made for R&B. Think James Morrison or Marc Broussard, two of my favorite singers, and you get the idea. The son of religious parents, he grew up singing gospel, and you can tell. All of his original music is passionate, thoughtful and melodic, and the cover he pulled off of the Marvin Gaye classic "What's Going On" had the whole room singing right along.

Stone's performance more than justified further exploration with a CD purchase, which is now on constant rotation in the car right next to Dave's record.



Key tracks to check out include "Better Off This Way," "Figure It Out," and "Poison."

Then it was time for the man himself...THE Dave Barnes.



If you look up the term "cutie-patootie" in the dictionary, you'll find Dave's picture next to it. Or as Suzanne said several times throughout the evening, "He's just so adorable!"



The set list kicked off with selections from the new album, then mixed in a nice variety of old favorites from previous albums with classic Dave story vignettes sprinkled throughout.

********************
Chameleon
What I Need
Butterflies
My Love, My Enemy
Grace's Amazing Hands
Someday, Sarah
What We Want, What We Get
The L.A. Song
I Have and Always Will
God Gave Me You
Little Lies
Until You
Greyhound (Encore)
********************

My only complaint about the show was the venue, or more specifically, the crowd. During the portions where I was standing in the back, it was hard to hear and a bunch of unappreciative people were talking through some really nice moments. After the epic campfire sing-along harmonizing at Hotel Cafe, this one was a little bit of a let-down.

To Dave's credit, he worked his butt off to keep his audience engaged right up until the end, even coming down into the crowd to get everyone snapping, clapping and singing along to "Greyhound."



Because whether the whole crowd knows it or not, Dave Barnes is a talent worth seeing under any circumstances. And the next time he's in LA, I'll be there.

John Mayer in San Jose - Show #24!

Seeing more than one show on a tour definitely has it's advantages. The first time around, you don't really know what's coming, so if you're an obsessive photo and video taker like me, you miss some of those "epic moments" at show number one.

The next show gives you a chance at a do-over to catch the epicness. The only rub with John (and most other interesting live artists) is while a batch of the songs are in the same place on the set list every time, there are always surprises. That means you've gotta stay on your toes, because you may have ADDITIONAL epic moments to capture.

Let's just say I've never managed to PERFECTLY document any John Mayer show I've attended, so I keep going in the hopes of actually pulling it off one day. In the worst case scenario, I get to carry around a ton of epic moments, even if they're only in my memory.

I took the day off after show #23 and flew to San Jose for #24, my second and last stop this tour. Because I am EXACTLY the kind of person that will fly into and out of a city in one 24 hour period just to see a show. Life is for living, peeps. And I scored much better seats for this show...in the 12th row, to be exact.


(Check out the view from MY seats!)

I also managed to arrive early enough to catch all of the opening set, and I was glad I did.

Michael Franti's set was full terrific energy, very little stage banter, and virtually no break between songs! He pulls people up on stage. He even got off the stage and danced out with the crowd. This guy is the energizer bunny of performers..and he does it all barefoot!




(NONE of these people are actually IN the band...)

The entire band just exuded energy! And his co-lead singer girl rocked the house.



If that jacket doesn't just squeal positive vibes, I don't know what does.

My advice - don't judge Franti by his one mega-hit "Say Hey (I Love You)" and get out to a live show and find this guy if you need a hit of happiness.

Now on to John. The hardest part of writing this blog was picking which photos to use, so I also decided to include a link to my Facebook album if you want to see them all. I think I shot something in the neighborhood of 188 (yes, the view from row 12 was that great), although I didn't post them all. And this link works even if you're not on Facebook.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=160091&id=787837661&l=4bdde1c056



The set list was about 75% the same as the Staples show, although a few songs were in slightly different position. The stuff that was new is in BOLD.

Full Band
Heartbreak Warfare
No Such Thing
Bigger Than My Body
I Don't Trust Myself With Loving You
Perfectly Lonely
Assassin

Acoustic
Blues Run The Game
Stop This Train
Ain't No Sunshine
Wanna Take You Higher
Waiting On The World To Change
Vultures
Half of My Heart/Dreams
Gravity

Encore
Who says
Why Georgia

My big video successes of the night included capturing all 8 1/2 minutes of "Assassin," another off-the-hook Steve Jordan drum solo, and John's white boy dance leading into "Wanna Take You Higher."

And then there were the great photo captures...



David Ryan Harris and the back-up ladies got did a beautiful vocal intro on "I Don't Trust Myself..." David just owns that song, and it suits his voice so well.



At one point on "Stop This Train," John stopped playing guitar completely and just sang the bridge a capella. I thought my heart was going to stop. It's absolutely the best I've ever heard him sing.



John brought Michael Franti on stage for a glorious little bit of beat boxing, leading into "Waiting On The World To Change."



And a little private moment between John and the left side of the audience is always nice.





Sadly, this is my last show for a bit. But somehow, I have a feeling John is gonna turn up "In My Atmosphere" before too long. I can't wait to see what epicness Show #25 will bring!

My 23rd John Mayer Show!

As most of my friends know, I've been a borderline obsessive John Mayer fan for 7 years. Before hockey became such a huge part of my life, my regular indulgence was finding out where John Mayer was touring and getting a ticket to at least one show on every tour. I've managed to see him at least once a year, every year since 2003. Things got a little out of hand in 2006, when Continuum was released, and I saw 6 shows around the West Coast in about 10 days.

Lately, things have cooled off a little between John and I, mostly because of hockey. But I still love his music and can't bring myself to completely miss a tour. So what better way to get my "John Fix" in than by seeing him at my favorite hockey venue - Staples Center! And just for good measure, I also brought along one of my favorite hockey fan friends, the lovely Miss Chelsea Alexander!



In recounting our mutual John Mayer admiration over dinner, we discovered we both experienced our first John Mayer show in 2003, when he did a double bill with the Counting Crows and Maroon 5. Funny how the universe seems to bring people together for a reason!

Anyway, all the restaurants were packed at LA Live, so we were a little late getting in because we were both starving. Than meant we missed the biggest part of the opening set by Michael Franti and Spearhead, but what we saw was solid. I especially liked the set they used. It just feels like summer in the middle of a concert!



Then it was time for the man we came to see. After 22 shows, there isn't much John can do to surprise me...or at least I thought there wasn't. Musically, he's a terrific as ever, though the big surprise was in the visual interest department. Here's a run through the set list:

"Heartbreak Warfare" kicked it off with a bang, mostly due to a very cool projected video sequence that opened the show. I shot video of it, and if you're on Facebook you can see it there.

"No Such Thing" was next, and it still gets the crowd singing along.

"Vultures " was the first serious rock-out moment, and included a very cool dueling guitars moment with David Ryan Harris.

Then John started talking, and I got a little worried, given his recent press disasters (see "The Playboy Interview Debacle"). But he shared his love for LA, a city that, in his eyes, has filled up his heart, broken heart, still keeps him coming back for more. Let's give him a collective "Awwwwww...."



That little bit of stage banter segued into "Perfectly Lonely" (because per John, LA is the perfect city to be lonely in), which he delivered pretty much straight as recorded on his latest album.

David Ryan Harris kicked off the next tune with an improvised vocal. It may be from a song I should know, or it could be something of David's, but it meshed beautifully into my all time favorite Mayer song---"Slow Dancing in a Burning Room."



The music is still as emotional as ever, so I was REALLY disappointed when John got all literal and had flames projected on the screen behind the stage. Really dude? The people in the row behind me laughed, which kind of summed up my feelings as well. Way too hokey...just didn't need to go there.



"Assassin" was next, and it was everything I expected and more. When John's latest album came out, this was the one song I was most excited to see live, because the theatricality of it just lends itself to a monster live performance. It started with a really cool digitized video projection, which I shot in black and white.



Musically, it turned into a monster jam session that integrated a riff from The Police's "Wrapped Around Your Finger" AND included John using one of Steve Jordan's drum sticks in place of his right strumming hand on the guitar.

After all that excitement, we all had to peel ourselves off the ceiling and slow it down just a little. So the next selection was probably the most beautiful thing John has ever written but never released - a little fan favorite track called "In Your Atmosphere." The tail end got blended with a beautiful bit of "Free Fallin.'"



Then things got epically crazy again, with a funky slow-blues cover of "Ain't No Sunshine" chock full of solo guitar. But the biggest solo of the night was all about drums. Steve Jordan got a little intro from John with a piece of Sly and the Family Stone's "Wanna Take You Higher," then he ran with it. I wish I had recorded it. If Eddie Van Halen's "Eruption" solo ever had a drumming equivalent, it was Steve Jordan's performance last night. I've never seen anything like it.

The set continued with two tracks from Continuum, "Waiting On The World to Change" and "Belief," which was probably the biggest disappointment of the night for me. "Belief" has grooved so much harder before, I wish John done it more like the 2006 tour.

Next up was "Half of My Heart" with an improvised intro, followed by what John called the "other half" of that song, which turned out to be none other than Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams." And in John world, when you add those two halves together you apparently get Journey's "Don't Stop Believing!" You just have to love how this guy's mind works....

"Why Georgia" finished the main part of the set.

For the encore, John performed an acoustic version of "Who Says" behind the stage scrim with his image projected on the outside, which I had to admit was a pretty cool effect (and therefore photo worthy).



And the show closer was a souped up version of "Gravity," featuring some especially inspiring vocals from the two back-up singers John has on tour. I just wish he had left off the self-indulgent Hendrix imitation on the final solo. Laying the guitar on stage and playing it...Jimi could pull that off, but no one will ever be that cool again. Including you, John.



The one song I was hoping to hear and didn't get was "Edge of Desire," off John's newest release. Maybe I'll get that one tomorrow night in San Jose. That's right...one more stop this tour. Because hockey aside, I am still a little Mayer obsessed.

Bob Schneider at The Troubadour

It takes a rare performer to transcend labels and categories and create music that mixes elements of rock, country, acoustic, blues, ska, and even rap into something completely original. That performer is Austin's own Bob Schneider, and the common thread weaving through everything he creates musically is a GROOVE. The kind that gets into your soul, makes you want to shake what your momma gave you, and never lets go.



This was my second Bob Schneider show. The first was in Austin is 2007, when Tammy and I were in town for the annual Austin City Limits Festival. On a recommendation from Tammy's friend, we caught Bob with one of his many bands, The Scabs, playing at Austin's legendary blues club Antone's. Antone's has hosted the likes of B.B. King, Buddy Guy and Stevie Ray Vaughn over the years, so we knew Bob was no slouch. After that night, I knew he would be worth seeing again if I ever had the opportunity.

So it was perfect timing when Tammy and I spotted the poster for Bob's show last night on the wall of the Troubadour when we checked out Daniel Merriweather back in January. He is currently on tour promoting his latest release, Lovely Creatures.



I'm not an expert on Bob's catalog, but from flipping through some of the song selections on his website, last nights set was a combination of Bob classics and newer material, with the common theme being that it all rocked. And Bob even pulled a few surprises, like pulling out the trumpet and showing off some serious multi-instrumentalist skills.



Of course, he's no stranger to the guitar, and he makes it look good.



REALLY good.....



(Photo courtesy of Bob Schneider Facebook Fan Page)

The set ended after midnight, so it was a long night but the best time I've had musically in quite a while. So if you see him coming through your town, check Bob out. And bring some friends, because I guarantee it will be a PARTY!


(Photo courtesy of Tammy Good)

Any Given Sunday

7:00 AM - Leave house

7:15 AM - Pray for daily inspiration at the Temple of Starbucks

7:45 AM - Arrive Nadine's house for weekly tennis match

9:20 AM - Sun out in full force, sweat dripping - tennis stops

9:30 AM - Walk to IHOP for breakfast. Crave Bacon mega-omelet, but cringe when looking at provided nutrition info. Compromise by having Garden Scramble, but adding side of bacon. That should be better, right?

10:20 AM - Back to Nadine's house to give weekly hello to Bailey, Ziggy and Sasha before leaving. Receive arm weekly arm scratches from ever-excited "Sasha the Destroyer."

11:00 AM - Back home, hop on computer to see what is happening in the world of Facebook. Debate on showering first, but Facebook infinitely more important. Have all day to shower.

11:38 AM - Receive the following e-mail



Tickets at box office only! Box office is 30 minutes away....

11:39 AM - Remove workout clothes, throw on "hang around the house" dress and run out door, no make-up, no hair done, thank God for flip-flops....

12:10 PM - Looking for parking near Troubadour entrance. Only spot found is one block away, permit only street parking. Quickly calculate risk of ticket vs. risk of missing John Mayer. Grab spot and hope for the best.

12:15 PM - In line waiting....at least I have nice people to talk to. Post status update on Facebook. Begin receiving snarky responses from friends indicating A) I am a stalker B) This is probably a big joke and John will not show up.

12:45 PM - Line begins moving. Beefy security guys chastise anyone who even THINKS about bringing a camera to show tonight that they will meet the curb if they do. Damn... Oh well, at least that means little club purse is all I need tonight.

1:10 PM - Secure magic red wristband for entrance to show. Perform end zone celebration dance on sidewalk.



1:20 PM - Return to parking spot. Car still there AND no ticket! Breathe sigh of relief...

1:45 PM - Back home, update Facebook status again confirming I am officially cool and am going to the show.

2:35 PM - Receive follow-up e-mail confirming what I knew would happen..



2:45 PM - Nap time...gotta prep for a long night ahead. Venue is general admission, standing room only. Time to save the legs.

4:00 PM - Up from nap, head to shower. Recall beefy security guy mentioning magic wristband does not respond well to water. Crap! Run bath water while figuring out how to enter tub without using right arm. Complete sponge bath, omitting right forearm and hand to preserve magic powers of wristband.

6:30 PM - Off to Hollywood!



7:15 PM - Not happy to be back in line, but thrilled to be seeing John.





7:45 PM - Line is moving...WOW!!! This is being taped!



8:00 PM - In the door, and the Gods are on my side. Found a SEAT at the bar with a good view of the stage! SCORE! No standing for 3 hours! Now where's my cocktail?



10:00 PM - John and company kick off a FUNKY night!!



Setlist:

• Vultures (with an extra side of funky!)
• Wait Until Tomorrow (at warp speed!)
• Come When You Call
• Crossroads
• Ain't No Sunshine
• Turn the Lights Down Low (inspired by a Steve Jordan studio request. The lyrics reminded me of the hokey pokey, but we won't tell John...)
• Perfectly Lonely (finally a new tune! And it sounds like a killer single. Lyrics may not be done...per John's Twitter post, he was finishing them 30 minutes before the show)
• Gravity
• Whatcha Gonna Do About It (featuring Steve Jordan AND Jim Keltner! Holy crap!!! That deserves a photo...)
  

Encore......

• Who Says I Can't (...Get Stoned)
• California Dreamin'
• Who Did You Think I Was (with fully funkadelic closing jam)

11:30 PM - Headed back to the car. Amazing show, but a little disappointed JM didn't do more new music. Highlight was the return of the JM Trio lineup. Nothing against John's full touring band, but he just gets a different thing going with Steve & Pino...and it grooves like nothing else.





12:15 AM - Finally home, with my parting gift from the show. Gotta love FREE posters!



1:10 PM - Blog done, bed calling....