Brad Matthew

After much contemplation, I have decided to attend all 3 days of Lollapalooza this year. Here are my 5 Must See Acts.

1. Radiohead (Day 1 - 8PM - AT&T State)
Need I explain why this is the top act to see? No.

2. The Raconteurs (Day 1 - 6:15PM - Bud Light Stage)
Although I may miss their set to ensure myself a nice view of the Radiohead set, these guys kill. I caught their Lolla set a few years back and they blew everyone out of the water. Jack White is golden.

3. The Whigs (Day 3 - 1:15PM - MySpace Stage)
I have probably seen this band more than any other band over the last few years and for good reason. Their set is nothing short of ferocious and will surely leave you with a big fat lip. “Power trio” is an understatement of the potency of these 3 fellows.

4. The National (Day 3 - 7:15PM - PlayStation 3 Stage)
Boxer was one of my favorite albums of 2007. I have yet see these guys live and have heard through the grape vine that their live show is pretty stellar.

The National - “Fake Empire”

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5. Ha Ha Tonka (Day 3 - 11:15AM - BMI Stage)
Rise and shine Sunday morning with some bloody marys and a side of Ha Ha Tonka! A good dose of HHT is a great way to get the blood moving in the AM. Bring your stomping feet and a smile.

Also, go see..
Dr. Dog, The Black Keys, Toadies, Wilco, MGMT, Broken Social Scene, Mark Ronson, Chromeo

The Sapiens will be bringing their Motown dance punk to the lengendary Metro this Friday, July 25 at 9PM. Admission is FREE before 9:30PM and $5 after, so get there early! This show will mark the release of their mini EP Rind. You can check out the the title track below. Enjoy!

The Sapiens - “Rind”

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Thanks to everyone that came out to Double Door last night!  Special thanks to DJ Screeble Dee for having me and laying down the master beats.  Below is my set list from the evening. It is basically comprised of tunes that have frequented my audible pallet recently.

John Mayer Trio - Who Did You Think I Was
Ha Ha Tonka - St. Nick On the Fourth and a Fervor
Band of Horses - The General Specific
The Whigs - Right Hand On My Heart
The Beach Boys - Wouldn’t It Be Nice
Spoon - You Got Your Cherry Bomb
WIlco - I’m a Wheel
Dr. Dog - Worst Trip
Eric Clapton - After Midnight
Hot Hot Heat - Bandages
The Sapiens - Rind
Kings of Leon - California Waiting (EP version)
Led Zeppelin - Immigrant Song
Lykke Li - Little Bit
Pixies - Wave of Mutilation
David Bowie - Let’s Dance
The Raconteurs - Consoler of the Lonely
Radiohead - Bodysnatchers
Salem Al Fakir - Tell Me
The Postal Service - Such Great Heights
Death Cab for Cutie - Cath…
MGMT - Time To Pretend
Coconut Records - Nighttiming
Calvin Harris - The Girls
Nada Surf - Blankest Year

The you have it.  For those of you who haven’t heard of some these songs/band, please do check them out! I personally recommend all of them.

If you are looking to be amazed, please check out Radiohead’s new video for “House of Cards”.  None of the “video” was captured by cameras.  The is no light involved either.  It’s ”3D plotting technologies collected information about the shapes and relative distances of objects” and the “video was created entirely with visualizations of that data.” Whoa!?  Leave it to Radiohead to take it to the next level.

This Sunday, July 13, I will be making my DJ Jenkem debut at the Double Door Dirtroom (downstairs) with friend DJ Screeble Dee! This is a free show starting at 9PM. I will be busting out a hours worth of grooves starting at 9PM, followed by a dirty set by the great DJ Screeble Dee. There will be some drink specials, so put on your party pants and head out to Double Door Sunday!

Double Door
Sunday, July 13
FREE - 9PM
DJ Jenkem (me) w/ DJ Screeble Dee

Tom Petty is a deity, a god of Rock N’ Roll and he knows it.  Very few rockers can play two and half hours of hits and still have a few hours of hits left over.

Last night I scored a pair of 30th row tickets to see Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers.  The seats were mid-court at the UC.  We walked in about half way through Steve Winwood’s opening set, just in time to catch his classic Traffic tune “Dear Mr. Fantasy”. He too played the hits, rounding off his set with the timeless “Higher Love”.

TP hit the stage to a roar, greeting the crowd with his wings spread wide (like the pic above).  His ego shines on stage and at times can be nearly blinding, but knowing who Tom Petty is, you know he has every reason in the world to radiate such light.  Hit after hit after hit, he and The Heartbreakers blazed through an amazing set, with the crowd singing along to every word. For over 30 years, TP and The HB have been turning out rock classics.  His music is timeless and his place in Rock N’ Roll history is difinitive.  If you ever get chance to see him, please do, you won’t be disappointed.

I am in possession of a new (used on ebay) guitar! It is a American Vintage ‘52 Fender Telecaster with a Butterscoch Blonde Maple finish, made famous by The Boss. I say god damn that is a beauty! I have always been a faithful to Gibson’s. Faithful no more. After a week, I am already sold on the Tele as my main ax.

In other custy new, I have purchased a camera and started a flickr profile. You can check out a few thumbnails to the right. Click on any of the pics to view the whole set (Izzy Party 06/08). Sick!

I am moving in a week and my new place has a righteous basement. We are gonna set up a bit of a demo studio there, so please be on the lookout for some half baked portions of new music. Speaking of new music, check out The Sapiens newest track, Rind, on their myspace profile. “What’s your problem, batteries low?” About as hooky as a snelled baitholder, offset, down eye, two slices, medium wire Eagle Claw 139! Go to their show Wednesday at Schubas. OK, see you there.