Brad Matthew

Windy City lion’s, Wilco, will be on “The Colbert Report” this evening to chat it up with Steven and play a tune.  Perhaps a new tune?  Yes please!  This past weekend, they debuted two new songs at Bridge School Benefit in Mountain View, California and have been reportedly shacking it up in the Loft, writing a new album that is supposed to be released sometime in the first half of 2009.  Wilco will be hitting the road with Neil Young in December and for you Madison, Wisconsinites, Wilco will be playing a special Concer For Change show this Saturday, November 1.  Vote Obama and see ya’ll at Grant Park Tuesday evening! VOTE NOW!

Aside from writing some gnarly music, Beck has always had some pretty rad music videos. His most recent video, “Gamma Ray”, is from his eighth studio album, Modern Guilt. To keep in the taste of the 60’s psych rock flavor of this album, this video is pretty psyched out itself. I just want to do the twist!

Photo: JamsBio1

Going to see David Byrne is not going to see a band play a bunch of Talking Heads tunes, nor is it going to a “concert”, rather it is a production, a grand performance on all levels, aural, visual and emotional.  Mr. Byrne is an artist in every sense of the word and Sunday night at Chicago’s Civic Opera House he painted his artistry. The Songs of David Byrne and Brian Eno Tour is covering all David Byrne songs produced by legendary producer, Brian Eno, including the songs of Eno-produced Talking Heads albums and their latest collaboration, Everything That Happens Will Happen Today.

Byrne’s entourage consisted of 3 vocalist, 3 dancers, 2 percussionist, a keyboardist, bassist and the man himself on guitar, all in white and all of which were appropriate for an evening of groove heavy music. The choreography was perfect with dancers weaving in and around the musicians on stage, creating a circus-like atmosphere at times.  At 56 years old, the white haired David Byrne can still bust a move, covering most of the stage with his little Chuck Berry sashay.

I have to admit I am not fluent with all of Byrne’s solo material, but have heard most of it at one time or another and recognized most of the songs, but couldn’t tell you the names of them.  I can tell you I am very fluent with his Talking Heads material and was anxious to hear those tunes live.  Sure enough, he busted out all of the hits; “Crosseyed and Painless”, “Life During Wartime”, “Take Me to the River”, “Burning Down the House”, and “Once in a Lifetime.”

David Byrne is having more fun that ever and why shouldn’t he?  At his age, his voice sounds better than ever, his guitar playing is topnotch and he is surrounded by musicians/dancers handpicked by Eno and himself.  It is great to see his career and music flourish with age.

As mentioned before, Ryan Adams’ new album Cardinology comes out October 28, but if you can’t wait it is currently streaming in it’s entirety on HERE. After a few listens, my first impression is “Wow”.  The production is very organic and The Cardinals sound better than ever.  Seems like everyone is very comfortable with their role in the band and have really found a groove with the songwriting.  Head on over The Cardinals website to preorder the album or just wait a week and buy it at your local record store.

I headed out to San Francisco over the weekend to visit some friends and Kings of Leon just so happened to be playing two sold out shows at The Warfield. What a pleasant coincidence! Having just released their forth LP, Only By The Night, I have been pretty antsy to hear the new songs live.

The Kings wasted no time getting into the new material opening the show with bass cruncher “Crawl”, which proved to be a perfect opener to the night.  The crowd ate it up the new tunes, at times screaming them louder than the band, especially during “Sex On Fire”.  “Be Somebody” is another one of the stronger tunes off the new album and was just as powerful live.  Lead singer, Caleb Followill, was a bit under the weather, but with a little help from grandpa’s old cough medicine (whiskey), his vocals soared through the set.  Before “Cold Desert” he told the crowd he was advised by his doctor not to sing this song, but threw down a shot and killed it.  ROCK!  The infamous roady/cousin Nacho took up some synth for the chilly “Closer”, another new song that has been

Most of the nights set consisted of songs from the last three albums, with “Molly’s Chamber” being the only tune from their debut LP.  The Because Of The Times epic “Knocked Up” opened their encore.  “Whoooaaa Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh”, cried the crowd, which carried over to some post show chants as well.  “Manhattan” is one of the weaker songs off the new album and was a bit of a downer for the encore, but the Kings would not end this night on a soft note, closing with the southern shit kicking anthem “Four Kicks”.

Kings of Leon is the Led Zeppelin of our time.  I know, a bold statement, but one with merit.  Aside from some speculation on who writes these amazing tunes and the fact they might not be as pioneered technically, these guys have the rock n’ roll attitude and swagger to carry them to extreme heights of rockdom.  The Kings are on top the UK charts and had their strongest US debut at number 4 on the Billboard charts, not to mention most of their US dates and all of their UK dates are sold out. Tickets for their Halloween show at Aragon in Chicago are sold out, but there are still some left for their Milwaukee show at The Eagles Ballroom November 5.  Be sure to check these guys out!

Friday’s Setlist:
Crawl
My Party
Taper Jean Girl
King Of The Rodeo
Sex On Fire
Fans
Revelry
Milk
Razz
Molly’s Chambers
The Bucket
Be Somebody
On Call
Closer
Cold Desert
Charmer
Slow Night, So Long

Encore:
Knocked Up
Manhattan
Four Kicks

You want to have a good time this Saturday evening?  Do you want to go to one of the craziest concerts you have ever been to?  Go to the Bottom Lounge to see Man Man.  They are playing two shows, an all ages show at 5PM and a 18+ show at 9PM. If you are in the Champaign/Urbana area you can catch them at the Canopy Club tomorrow night. I was fortunate enough to catch their last Chicago show at Logan Square Auditorium and it was one of the wildest displays of musicianship and raw energy I have ever witnessed.  Below is a video (thanks pitchfork) of footage from their recent tour. DIg it!

Fall Tour:
10/15 -  Pontiac MI @ The Crofoot
10/16 - Urbana IL @ Canopy Club
10/17 - Milwaukee WI @ Turner Hall Ballroom
10/19 - Iowa City IA @ The Picador
10/20 - St. Louis MO @ The Bluebird
10/22 - Nashville TN @ Mercy Lounge
10/23 - Hattiesburg MS @ Thirsty Hippo
10/24 - New Orleans LA @ Voodoo Music Experience
10/25 - Florida State, Tallahassee FL @ Club Downunder
10/26 - Orlando FL @ The Social
10/27 - Jacksonville FL @ Jack Rabbits
10/28 - Columbia SC @ Headliners
10/29 - Charlotte NC @ Visulite Theatre
10/30 - Richmond VA @ The National
10/31 - Philadelphia, PA @ Starlight Ballroom