unhappy Vespa

My Vespa broke down yesterday on the way to the amusement park where all who arrived on scooters were to be given free admission. Unfortunately, there are a few major problems with it and it will probably be off the road for some time. I will update this when I figure out some of the problems.

The Lucksmiths - "The Sandringham Line" (live)

The Lucksmiths - "The Sandringham Line"

Live at The Courthouse Theatre
Ballarat, Victoria, Australia
May 1, 2003

I discovered The Lucksmiths while studying abroad in London during Autumn 2003. They had just released their album, Naturaliste, which is one of my top five favorite albums of all time.

I saw them play three shows in London. To celebrate three years of Lucksmiths listening (and I listen to them constantly), I have three of my current favorite Lucksmiths songs to share with you, one at a time.

I rode the train a lot to shows by myself. I listened to my CD player and this track - the second track on Naturaliste - really stuck out to me. While "Camera Shy" is a perfect upbeat opener, the Lucksmiths slow it down on this song. It's a very assertive way of arranging the album, and really shows that The Lucksmiths know what they are doing. They don't pile their "hits" on to the beginning of the album. They know what works, and they make the album a great listening experience because of it.

The Lucksmiths write a lot of songs about the weather. This is a great example of one. "It's grey and wet and warm" perfectly sets the scene. Also, "I sat backwards on the train and suddenly the city was further and further in front of me" is a great pun that is fun, smart, and pointed.

Here is a link to the best Lucksmiths fan site on the internet: link
It has an illustrated song reference guide that states The Sandringham Line is a "Melbourne train line running from the city centre to Sandringham, taking 27 minutes."

Here is a link to the Lucksmiths' official website: link

The best place to buy Lucksmiths records in the United States is Matinée Recordings.

I'm sorry this isn't an mp3. It's a RealAudio feed. I used to have it ripped to an mp3 on my old computer, but that computer died two years ago.

Here is the link to hear "The Sandringham Line" live - you have to click on "click here to listen" in the center of the page:
http://uob-community.ballarat.edu.au/live/lucksmiths03/

Please check back on this site in the next week or so for some more Lucksmiths greatness.

She’s given it some thought
And it’s giving her some grief
Could it be she’s bored beyond belief?
By the time she says goodbye
She’s looking somewhere else
Stifling a sigh and gritting teeth

At the open door she pauses
It’s grey and wet and warm
Before the pending storm
Every now and then she misses horses
We’re too young for regrets
This is the closest that she gets

So I sleep in with the cynics
While she pushes from her mind
The twenty-seven minutes of the Sandringham line
The suburbs sliding past
Stretching to the sea
Her fingers brush the glass unconsciously

At the open door she pauses
It’s grey and wet and warm
Before the pending storm
Every now and then she misses horses
We’re too young for regrets
Surely we’re too young for regrets

I sat backwards on the train
And suddenly the city was further and further in front of me

Tamiroff - "Feet From A Music Video"

Music this good makes me wish I lived in Rochester. I never had the pleasure of seeing Tamiroff play live. They kind of sound like an old Emo / DC style of punk. They have twinkly guitars and harsh vocals and sweet melodies and start-stop rhythms; all the stuff that I like. I have been meaning to write about them for a long time. Chris from this band went to Geneseo and was in a few of my classes and involved in WGSU.

"Feet From A Music Video" is another example of my favorite song from a band being the first song I ever heard from them. It's track one on their disc "Bittersweet and Strange."

There are a few more songs of theirs available on myspace:
http://www.myspace.com/tamiroff

Apparently, their website no longer works but here was the link:
http://tamiroff.cjb.net/

This is probably because the band broke up. Fortunately, some of the members of this band went on to a new band called Polar Bear Club.

Tamiroff "Feet From A Music Video"
Stop window shopping
placement product
top shelf secrets
should of stopped us
our story is an advertisement
for some remix of love
I turned around faced the cinema
It turned us all into
The hopeless romantic
Teeting our lips, moving our hips
It says a lot
to be so wet and in-between
We've made our point
We let everyone win
I noticed it
when your feet were wet and blind
Follow me into the place
of perfect pediatrist harmony

"Livin' the dream."

I bought a 1971 Volkswagen Riviera camper van. I have wanted a Volkswagen Bus for longer than I can remember. It is very strange to actually have one. I drove it all around Portland today and listened to this mix tape. I drove it to the record store and bought the self-titled Boy's Life album and "Bang Bang Rock & Roll" by Art Brut.

Chin Up Chin Up - "Fuck You, Elton John"

Chin Up Chin Up's song "Fuck You, Elton John" is a classic WGSU hit known better as "EFF YOU Elton John." WGSU was always playing the first records of bands, so this one is from their first record. The band is touring soon with Cursive and The Thermals, so maybe I'll go see them when they play here. The original bassist for the band was killed by a drunk gang member in a hit and run accident on Valentines' day after pushing his girlfriend out of the way of the oncoming vehicle. This song is a WGSU hit that we still mention, but I hadn't heard in over a year until I downloaded it today.

Chin Up Chin Up - "Fuck You, Elton John" (mp3)

More info on Chin Up Chin Up

Racing Yugos

Our friend Bill keeps Yugo racing alive and well in Geneseo, New York.

link

Bob Nanna - "Accidents Willl Happen" (Elvis Costello cover)

Back in 2001, Bob Nanna, the singer from Braid and Hey Mercedes had a list of his 365 favorite songs of all time. I have this list somewhere ("Chesterfield King" by Jawbreaker and "Car" by Built to Spill were near the top). He recorded covers of many of the songs. These covers became some of my favorite recorded music of all time. They included songs by Kind of Like Spitting, The Dismemberment Plan, Pedro The Lion, Jawbox, Alkaline Trio, Fugazi, Elliott Smith, and Small Factory. I don't understand why these covers are not readily available and discussed all over the internet. Granted, they are all pretty lo-fi and I think he recorded them all on his laptop, but they are all fantastic. This one isn't even my favorite of the bunch, but it's perfect. This one is the song "Accidents Will Happen" by Elvis Costello, which originally appeared on his 1979 album Armed Forces.

Bob Nanna - "Accidents Will Happen" (Elvis Costello Cover)

Accidents Will Happen

Oh I just don't know where to begin
Though he says he'll wait forever, it's now or never
But she keeps him hanging on
The silly champion
She says she can't go home without a chaperone

Accidents will happen
We only hit and run
He used to be your victim
Now you're not the only one
Accidents will happen
We only hit and run
I don't want to hear it
'Cause I know what I've done

There's so many fish in the sea that only rise up in the sweat and smoke like mercury
But they keep you hanging on
They say you're so young
Your mind is made up but your mouth is undone

And it's the damage that we do and never know
It's the words that we don't say that scare me so

There's so many people to see
So many people you can check up on and add to your collection
But they keep you hanging on
Until you're well hung
Your mouth is made up but your mind is undone

I know, I know.

The Field Mice - "Emma's House"

The Field Mice - "Emma's House"
Sarah Records 12 / December 1988

intro Bb Eb Bb
intro Bb F Eb Bb
intro Bb F Eb Bb

Early morning by the harbour Bb F Eb Bb
The clouds above form one sheet that's grey Bb F Eb Bb
Early morning by the harbour Bb F Eb

Where you are Bb F Gm
Where you now are Bb F Gm
You have nothing to live up to Bb F Gm
You have nothing to live down Bb F Cm
Emma's house is empty Bb F Gm
so why do I call it Emma's house? Bb F Cm

Five to six, that's what the time is Bb F Eb Bb
The cold cuts through my shirt of cotton made Bb F Eb Bb
Five to six, that's what the time is Bb F Eb

Where you are Bb F Gm
Where you now are Bb F Gm
You have nothing to live up to Bb F Gm
You have nothing to live down Bb F Cm
Emma's house is empty Bb F Gm
so why do I call it Emma's house? Bb F Cm

instrumental Bb Eb Bb
instrumental Bb F Eb Bb
instrumental Bb F Eb Bb

Where you are Bb F Gm
Where you now are Bb F Gm
You have nothing to live up to Bb F Gm
You have nothing to live down Bb F Cm
Emma's house is empty Bb F Gm
so why do I call it Emma's house? Bb F Cm Eb Bb

==
Sarah Records Field Mice tab Emma's House tab, Emmas house tab, Field mice chords, guitar tab, guitar chords, songs to know, love and play.

Ride a Vespa and Win!

I never win anything, but today I won the www.TheScooterScoop.com guess what scooter Steve bought contest. I guessed Vespa P125, because that's what I have, and he got a P125 T5 model. I won a Sachs Madass hat and a few patches. Awesome!

The Instant Nostalgia will burn you.

WWW.LITTLEHITS.COM is the best mp3 blog out there. Here are two things they missed, only because they're nostalgic in a winter 2004/2005 type of way, and not because they don't fit the canon of perfect pop, because they do.

The Capstan Shafts [Vermont, USA]- "The Day You Called Me Pretty" mp3
from the 2004 album Chick Cigarettes on Asaurus Records

The Pink Cammies [Geneseo, NY, USA - disbanded]- "Blood: The Song" unreleased, 2005 mp3

You can fuck around on LittleHits and find your favorite songs. I'm kind of scared to point out which ones I like the most, because I just like to keep them secret. But here are two to start.

Small Factory [Providence, RI, USA - 1991] - "Suggestions" link
Also this is the first track on their singles compilation The Industrial Evolution, which is fantastic.

Bluboy [England] - "Stephanie" from the Some Gorgeous Accident ep on Sarah Records, 1993 link
Take note: this is what the Kings of Convenience ripped off. Sorry, but at least you heard it from a friend.

Bonus track
Holiday Flyer [California - 2001] - "Clover Valley Road" link
I love this song because it reminds me of riding my Vespa in Pittsford, New York in autumn 2004.

why I cry

link

@-%--

I didn't go to my friend Mike's wedding, but I hope it was as sweet, charming, and fun as this video.

Every girl that I've seen since looks just like you when I squint.

I just hit song number 6666 on my computer's iTunes. The song is "Emily Kane" by Art Brut. I downloaded it after hearing it on Sirius radio in a rented Chrysler Town and Country, which is actually a much nicer vehicle than I thought it would be.

link

Rollfast Bicycles

I recently bought my fourth bicycle ever. Yes, I've owned more scooters than bicycles. Here is my bike riding history:

First: Ross convertible cruiser. 20 inch wheels. Blue. Toptank model. I still own this bike and it hangs in my old "fort" at my parents' house, but is too small for me.
Second: Huffy "Dirt Water" orange. 24 or 26 inch wheels. 18 speed thumb shifters. Horrible bike. Long gone.
Third: Gary Fisher Mamba. 1997 model (I think). Flat grey. Gorgeous bike. 21 speed grip shifters. Double butted chromoly steel. Owned since new. Wheels were stolen a few months ago but I bought wheels off of some dude for $5 and just need new tubes to get back going.

Fourth: Rollfast Cruiser. I bought it about a month ago on a whim.
I love it for numerous reasons.
The paint looks rusty, but it's not. It's orange and faded and original. The decals are there and faded too. A lot of people have seen this bike and said it looks crappy, but I believe it to be a piece of art. That's why I like it. It looks fast standing still and is simple and beautiful.

Rollfast Bicycles was a partnership between the D. P. Harris company of New York City and the H. P. Snyder company of Little Falls, New York, which is where I'm from. I can't afford an Ira Ryan or a Mountain Cycle, the local bikes of now that I lust for, so I got a Rollfast.

I love the dual top tubes on the top top tube (does that make sense?). Most have the dual tube on the lower of the two top tubes. It's gorgeous. I am considering a fixed gear rear wheel for this. Would that make sense? The tires are not original, but are Cheng Shin (for Trac-Shin!) like every other crappy scooter I've owned.

I can't find a picture of a Rollfast like mine anywhere on the internet, so this is the first. I will write and post more pictures of the Rollfast as I ride it and fix it up. It is nice to have a coaster braking bike again.

Here is one of the few articles I could find on Rollfast Bicycles:
http://www.firstflightbikes.com/rollfast.htm

Popped Collars Are Lame!

This is overdue:
www.poppedcollarsarelame.com