The Perishers: Victorious

We've been trying to write a review for the latest Perishers' release for some time now. For some reason, we keep going in circles and we just can't get it right.

So, before another week passes by, here's the skinny:

The new Nettwerk Records' release is titled Victorious. The 13 track album logs in just under 44 minutes.

If you like the previous two Perishers' releases, you'll like this album.

If you only know The Perishers through their last release, you may be disappointed. Victorious is good, but not as good as Let There Be Morning.

If you've never heard The Perishers before, go out and buy the previously mentioned recordings plus their first release, From Nothing To One.

If we had to rate this album compared to the current Billboard 200, there is no question that this is a 5 star album. If we had to rate this album compared to their previous releases, it's a solid 3.5 stars.

www.theperishersmusic.com

"Smashing" Pumpkins—and concert goers

As reported by The Vancouver Sun and Pitchfork, a 20-year-old man from British Columbia died Monday, September 24 at the Smashing Pumpkins show in Vancouver.

What the crap?!

What's worse—this isn't the first time a fan has died at a Pumpkins show. In May of 1996, a 17-year-old girl from Shanagarry, County Cork was crushed to death at a Smashing Pumpkins concert at the Point Theatre in Dublin. It's reported that on recordings of this show you can hear lead singer, Billy Corgan, trying to calm the rampaging crowd.

Rampaging crowd? Oh, wait . . . it was 1996.

People, Seriously. Are you really that "into" Smashing Pumpkins in 2007 that you'd work yourselves into such a lather that you'd forget all reason and put your life in jeopardy? Much like another 90s star that won't take a hint, Billy Corgan isn't doing anyone any favors by continuing his quest for another multi-platinum recording.

In their day (which ended just before Pisces Iscariot) the Pumpkins were on top of the alternative music world. But with the release of Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness in 1995, they, and by they we mean Billy Corgan, started taking themselves way too seriously. Everything since has been an attempt at what they once were.

But, we digress.

While we are saddened that someone would lose their life while trying to have a good time at a musical event, it's almost as troubling that in 2007 a 20-year-old (do the math) would find a Smashing Pumpkins show interesting.

Now if he died during The Bravery's set—we totally get it.

They Might Be Giants . . . someday

Due to good fortune, we were able to secure tickets to a free, corporate sponsored show for They Might Be Giants. While the headlining act was good, the most impressive part of the night was the opening band: Oppenheimer.

The duo consisting of Rocky O'Reilly & Shaun Robinson, both hailing from Belfast, Northern Ireland, brought an honest energy to the night that, frankly, wasn't matched at any other point for the duration of the evening.

When they took the stage, there was a sense of something . . . amiss. We weren't sure if they were stage hands or groupies who had found their way onto the stage. One looked like a 15 yr old, video game playing, husky, Jack White; the other, a dead ringer for a young, shorn headed, Dana Carvey. We didn't know what to expect.

A quick introduction and they broke into the first song. Immediately the atmosphere changed. It was a welcomed surprise to here the clear and tight sound of some seasoned musicians. Just as things got hot—Rocky's guitar strap broke. He was able to kneel on the stage and finish up the song while playing it upright like a stand up bass. The great thing was, they were both all smiles.

While Rocky prepared his backup guitar, Shaun, the lead vocal/drummer, told the tale of their last minute arrival and of all the days events that lead to their moment on stage.

A failed transmission in the tour van, backed up traffic and getting lost on the way to the venue all lead up to a mad dash to show time.

With that kind of a day, most opening acts would just want to get the set over with and behind them. This night, however, proved to be a great show. They handled the situation like real pros.

The crowd was with them and pretty charged up. The deeper the band got into the set, the more the crowd responded. Although a little more mayhem ensued (see blog excerpt below), you could tell that everyone, band included, was having a great time.

From Rocky O'Reilly's blog:
"He thinks the transmission is destroyed we were going up hills at approx 11 mph.
we thought we weren't going to make it.
I think it was bad fuel, that made gerry's anger blossom somewhat.

Long, swear-filled, story short - we make it to the venue (after traffic is backed up due to an accident - and we get lost!) one minute after doors open.
The Giants people - who are all amazing and have been so nice every night are there to help load our gear in and get set up and plugged in.

I cant believe we made it.
My guitar fell to pieces in the first song - need to re screw the strap into it tomorrow.
I hit myself in the face with the 2nd guitar,
but apart from all those things, we had a great day!!! "
Oppenheimer has all the right things going for them: Solid showmanship, Irish accents, and a stylized mix between Mixel Pixel, The Postal Service & Zapp's Roger Troutman—minus the funk. The fact that Shaun made reference to "Twin Peaks" only puts them that much higher on our list.

You can never go wrong with a TMBG show. They've got a formula that has kept people's attention well into the last three decades. This time, however, get to the show early. Oppenheimer is opening each date through November 24th.
www.oppenheimermusic.co.uk/

www.myspace.com/oppenheimer

An Open Letter to Eddie Vedder

Dear Mr. Vedder,

We'd like to preface this by saying, we think you are an amazing artist. Undoubtedly, you have reached the heights of stardom so many struggling artists can only dream of attaining. Dare we say, you are a legend.

With that said . . . please stop releasing albums.

It's not you, it's us—you just don't do "it" for us anymore.

Take for instance your recent release, Into the Wild (Music for the Motion Picture): The coming of age story where a college grad pawns everything to go it alone in the Alaskan wilderness. It's earthy; you're earthy. Sean Penn directed it; you're liberal too. The main character, Christopher McCandless (Emile Hirsch) wears flannel—you see where we're goin' with this.

So sure, you liked the story. But, did you have to make the soundtrack? No. Do you know why you didn't have to make the soundtrack? Because you've made this same soundtrack/CD in double digits, dude?! You're voice and style is so stereotypical you, you could have stopped recording 10 years ago and we wouldn't have noticed.

And now, frankly, you're just starting to piss us off.

Again, you have your spot in musical history. There's no denying that. But you need to find that sweet spot between the actions of Kurt Cobain and the endless rehash that is the career of Mick Jagger.

Take a break. Disappear. Go have some fun with your life. You deserve it.

If you must record something in the next 15-20 years, then do some more stuff like the Neil Finn & Friends album. That was totally unexpected and actually peaked our interest in you. However, if Neil Young comes calling, don't even think about it, dude.

In 15-20 years this is what you do:
1. You get the band back together
2. You record no more than 2-3 new songs to "get the word out" that you're back (We know you'll have to use some restraint based on your current proliferation)
3. Release a standard and deluxe version of a greatest hits including the new songs
4. Book a world wide tour. Play nothing seating less than 20,000
5. When you have about 4 weeks left of the tour, cancel the last 4-6 dates citing "exhaustion"
6. After 2-3 months of constant speculative health news reports, announce that you'll be rescheduling the canceled shows AND will be adding an additional 12 months of dates

If you follow this formula, we promise that you will make more money in those 18-24 months then you would if you were to release an album every year leading up to this proposed scenario. And your legacy will go forward shining brightly.

In summary, you are a good guy. You've got talent. But you're starting to turn into a Wurlitzer full of the same 45.

You can keep putting out stuff that sounds like the stuff you've already put out, or you can wait until folks really start pining for the music of their youth and bring you back to the success you once had. We prefer the latter.

It's your choice.

Sincerely,
The BGL centre

Morrissey Starts Fall Tour

Felt it appropriate to start with some Smiths related news for the first official post.
Tonight in Tijuana, Mexico, Morrissey kicked off a pretty ambitious tour with a very impressive set.

Intro: Jerusalem
Billy Budd
London
You Have Killed Me
All You Need Is Me
Stop Me If You Think You Heard This One Before
In the Future When All Is Well
National Front Disco
Stretch Out and Wait
Why Don’t You Find Out For Yourself
I'm Putting My Arms Around Paris
Let Me Kiss You
NEW SONG!!! …. Goodbye, Farewell ?????
Death of a Disco Dancer
Disappointed
I Just Want to See the Boy Happy
A Boy With A Thorn In His Side
Everyday Is Like Sunday
Life Is a Pigsty
How Soon Is Now

Encore
First of the Gang
Irish Blood

It's exciting to hear that he's including more Smiths tracks to his set list. Just hope that his voice can make it through the Palladium dates.