Kind of Like Spitting - "Valentine's Day is over"

Only a short time ago I was lucky enough to see Billy Bragg play. Tickets were kind of pricey, and thus I could not find anyone to go with me. Most of my friends had never heard of Billy Bragg, and I could only give so much explanation about how he was a big influence on tons of our favorite bands (The Weakerthans and Ted Leo are the ones that quickly come to mind). I definitely knew Billy Bragg would be great, and so I went it alone. I got to sit in the front row! I hardly ever go to shows with seats and rarely if they have seats, will I sit in the front.

Billy Bragg was fantastic. His between song banter was really great and despite me only having one of his albums, I knew a lot of the songs he played.

I figured I might run into someone I know there, and I figured that person might be Ben Barnett. I've met Mr. Barnett on a few occasions, and I saw him walking up the street with a cup of coffee in his hand a few months ago when I was driving to work. Unfortunately, I didn't meet anyone I knew there, but I did have lovely chats with the other people there by themselves (an older woman who was so happy to meet Billy a few years ago at a show in the midwest, a kid who looked exactly like me). Also, I recently heard Ben Barnett is not going to be recording under the Kind of Like Spitting name any longer. At one point a year or two ago he was supposedly going to record with my friends Kalpana as his band and be called Worker Bee. (He was even billed as Worker Bee formerly known as Kind of Like Spitting at a NY show.) In any event, had he been there I would have thanked him for introducing me to Billy Bragg through this cover.

This song is "Valentine's Day is over," which was originally off of Mr. Bragg's "Workers' Playtime" record.

Kind of Like Spitting - "Valentine's Day is over."

Buy Kind of Like Spitting releases at Redder Records

Someday boy you'll reap what you sown
You'll catch a cold and you'll be on your own
And you will see that what's wrong with me
is wrong with everyone that you want to play your little games on

Poetry and flowers, pretty words and threats
You've gone to the dogs again and I'm not placing bets on you
coming home tonight
Anything but blind
if you take me for granted than you must expect to find
surprise, surprise!

Valentine's day is over, it's over
Valentine's day is over

If you want to talk about it, well you know where the phone is
Don't come 'round reminding me again how brittle bone is
God didn't make you an angel
the devil made you a man
That brutality and the economy are related now I understand
When will you realize that as above
so below there is no love

Valentine's day is over, it's over
Valentine's day is over

For the girl with the hour-glass figure, time runs out very fast
We used to want the same things, but that's all in the past
And lately it seems that as it all gets tougher
Your idea of justice just becomes rougher and rougher

Valentine's day is over, it's over
Valentine's day is over

Thank you for the things you bought me
Thank you for the card
Thank you for the things you taught me when you hit me hard
That love between two people must be based on understanding
Until that's true you'll find your things all stacked out on the landing
Surprise, surprise!

Valentine's day is over, it's over
Valentine's day is over, it's over
It's over

Old Project

I am putting some new parts on my old white Vespa. They are performance parts, and they are both hand-me-down parts from these scooters:

Portland's own THUNDERTURD

NYC's UrbanBarn Scooter

It seems like these parts are going to a fitting recipient.

New Project

I got the first bit for a new project in the mail today. It came in a huge box and I forgot that I was getting it so I was surprised. Here it is. Can you guess what the project is?

Vitreous Humor - "Why Are You So Mean To Me?"

This band is named after the liquid in eyeballs, and actually live up to such a name. They are a midwestern emo band who did a split record with one of my favorite bands ever, Boys Life, and this song was on it.

It's also on their record "Posthumous," which was the first record I bought after moving here. I found it for $2.50 at CD Exchange on Hawthorne. The whole record is really good, but this song and the first song "My Midget" are incredible. This song was recorded in 1994 and sounds better than anything else I have that was recorded that year. Apparently this band was courted by the major labels, but never signed. Thus, "Why Are You So Mean To Me?" is a secret superhit.

You might know this song because a "popular" band, Nada Surf, picked it up and covered it a few years ago. That's where I first heard it. Their cover is really good, but this original version is screamin' great. The guitars sound like the ocean on rocks and the drums are anxious and may not even be on time but still sound spot on. I hope you like this song.

CLICK THIS LINK, SISSY! then click "FREE" (bottom right)!

Vitreous Humor at Crank! Records : link
Vitrous Humor at MySpace : link

The Promise Ring - "Electric Pink"

Continuing on with the "Music My Sister Wants to Hear" series, we have the song "Electric Pink" by one of my favorite bands ever, The Promise Ring. I think of The Promise Ring as a very summery band, except for their early stuff like on The Horse Latitudes, which I consider to be a little bit autumnal and nocturnal.

This is one of the songs my sister would hear in the car with me driving. It's off of their EP of the same name, which came out after "Very Emergency" but before "Wood/Water" (both of which I associate with the summertime). Please listen to this in honor of an Indian Summer.

CLICK ON THIS, SISSY!

This disc was really great because it's artwork is almost all just a solid pink block on the cover, but with the song titles in small type at the top. One of the members of The Promise Ring is a graphic designer, so all their albums had fantastic artwork that made you excited to be buying their albums. This EP also included a re-recorded version of the song "American Girl" which was off of their "Boys & Girls" EP, which is an interesting statement in itself. It's kind of self-indulgent, but kind of neat and relaxed. It really lets the band get out their material in a great way. I wish more bands took having fun as seriously as The Promise Ring did.

I live on a small street, with very small shoes but in a big house, with a big wardrobe. I've got the whole world in my hands; it's a small world after all. And there's not much to say on five bucks a day, and there's no other way, so we're just hanging around. For the weekend to come we're all hungry and dumb for Friday. Please don't press that we dress, high heels and loud shoes are a mess step out with quiet feet. I'm pleased to meet; meeting is so hard to do when you're dead. Between a wink and an earthquake there are conversations and complications go on, on, and on I pretend that I understand my hands and the rest are only a test. To be paid to be pressed when we end we will be softly kissed.

Yeah, I feel electric
Pink in the cheeks
We look like animals
Seven days a week
I'm too polite
You're too brief

{There's more of The Promise Ring, including buying their stuff, at www.jadetree.com
I love The Promise Ring so much, I'll probably post more of their stuff soon.}

Dressy Bessy - "I Saw Cinnamon"

My sister lost all the songs on her iPod. She wants me to send her some songs that she likes that I introduced to her. I told her to just download a bunch of new music that she'll probably like, such as Lily Allen. She never had this song, "I Saw Cinnamon" by Dressy Bessy on her iPod, but she's had it in her head for years. I saw Dressy Bessy play in 2002 at CBGB's and it was great. They are named after an old Playskool doll. This song is a superhit, by all means. So, here it is.

CLICK ON THIS, SISSY!!!

Buy Dressy Bessy's stuff at www.dressybessy.com

The Lucksmiths - "Smokers In Love"

The Lucksmiths - "Smokers In Love"

In the last installment of the three part commemorative Lucksmiths coverage we hear a great track off one of The Lucksmiths' lesser known releases - the "Staring at the Sky" ep. This is one release I don't even have (and I've got most of their stuff). I am holding out until I buy a new turntable and then get this one on 10" vinyl!

This song is autumn-specific and super catchy. Thank you for listening to Lucksmiths week. I have topped myself and I don't know where I'll go next.

artwork:Wilhelm Sasnal "Girl Smoking (Anka)" 2001, Oil on Canvas -45 x 50cm [link]

Download "Smokers in Love" by following this link:
http://www.bookclubrecords.com/mp3.htm

Purchase Lucksmiths releases at Matinée Records: [link]

In the early morning, when you wake each other up
Coughing like you might not make the afternoon
You keep the curtains closed and you carry off a conversation
But you both know that it’s still far too soon to say you’ll be OK

La la la la la

You keep the curtains closed and you hide behind the newspaper
You got yourself some nicotine in the nick of time
And even though the weekend doesn’t really make much difference
You spent Thursday on your backside whistling “Friday On My Mind”
Super-supine

La la la la la
Smokers in love

Happy and hungover on the first day of October
Struggling to remember the last night of September

In the early evening, then you crack each other up
Laughing ’til you’re practically bent double on the floor
Amidst a sea of empty bottles, crockery and coffee cups
Using anything for ashtrays, drinking drinks you can’t afford
And you’re still bored

La la la la la
Smokers in love

The Lucksmiths - "Deep Sea Diving Suit"

The Lucksmiths - "Deep Sea Diving Suit"

In most of The Lucksmiths' songs the singer seems absolutely happy. Sure, there are a few downtempo numbers such as "I Prefer The Twentieth Century" or the last track we heard a few days ago. But, The Lucksmiths are generally accurately considered a "happy" band. However, this track strikes me as very sad.

It is a cover of "Deep Sea Diving Suit" by The Magnetic Fields. Perhaps Tali (the singer/drummer) has some connection to this song other than just to record it for the B-side to "T-Shirt Weather." Maybe the song just sounds like that. I love it because it's such an absurd analogy, but it works so well. I also love the line "There's no point pointing pistols at me now" because when I hear it I hear "pointing pistils" instead, which would be so fitting. What a great song. Enjoy!

http://www.geocities.com/cassrevival/deepsea.zip

You [D]didn't have to say that [G]I'm no good 'cause I know

There's no point pointing pistols at me now I'll just go

I never should have asked you to be kind but I'm slow

I'm sor[Bm]ry, but how can I get t[G]o you
[A]stuck in my fifty-p[G]ound lead boots, stuck in my[A] deep sea diving suit? [G] [D]

I n[D]ever thought you'd turn [G]on me 'cause you're my best friend

you say I never offered you a thing in the end

and now you wouldn't trust me with a grain of sand

I'm sor[Bm]ry, but how can I get t[G]o you
[A]stuck in my fifty-p[G]ound lead boots, stuck in my[A] deep sea diving suit? [G]

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.