Again With The Assholery

That is NIN.

So, Trent's been doing a lot of shart lately. Two weeks ago he said he'd stream it live - the 'grand' event of his signing the LE copies of Ghosts I-IV. Umm. Okay. Whatever. Lame but whatever.

Today I get my pre-sale code for a NIN ticket. Hooray! They'll make it all glossy for me and put my name on it, and I can collect so no scalpers can get involved. Brilliant! But not brilliant - NJ. Once again, another effin' concert in NJ. What's with the NY boycott, you assholes? Grrrrr.

Finally, the release of a new album that was, "on me" said Trent. A free download, of songs that are probably rejects from previous albums, maybe? Maybe. I don't know yet because I've not yet listened but I get to the download page and was greeted by elitist behaviour.



Don't you be pointing out my inadequacies, Reznor! Don't you be telling me I'm stoopid, I should download what version then describing my stupidity for me in jargon I don't want to get involved with!

Just so you know, I know what it all means!

...

Currently listening to: "Mis-takes" by The Charlatans. Here's another album that is tossed in the category "Yeah, this really needed to be free", the same as The Slip might be headed for. I won't know until tomorrow.

Sometimes it's a mistake to download things handed to me for free.

Wheeee!

Ah, it's good times when you get 2 packages - one you're expecting and one that you're not. Thought it'd be even more fun times if you didn't buy it yourself. Bitches. Buy me presents.

New MSI cd! It's even more exciting when you think it's out in May but really it's the end of April and you get it days before the release date.

Saweeeeeetttt.

Edit: No Wheeee! or saweeeeeeetttt. I take it back right now. It takes me a little time for albums to sink in so this is my initial impression of this album and that is, that it is not up to MSI standards.

At all.

I blame their association with Linkin Park, My Chemical Romance and that "wife"! Ugh.

I should have known something was up when I saw the track length above 3 minutes for a bulk of these songs.

Alright, hopefully in a few days my opinion will change and that I may attribute this lack of ear bliss on sleepiness and incoherence on my part.

Editing the Edit: Okay, so it's sunk in a bit more. It's not terrible but I still say it's not overly fantastic either. It's growing on me, which in itself is a sign of no good since MSI just hits you like a fucking tornado on the first go. But, I'm sure by the end of next week I'll be all over this. You still can't beat MSI on arrangment sometimes, that's for sure.

Currently listening to: "Lights Out" by Mindless Self Indulgence, which as of now, is the only track worth talking about on this album that's "new".

Effin' Eff Moments of Today

Frock.

Who uses that word anymore? H1 has declared that word shart. Sons, pay attention.

Trent Reznor.

Trent has managed to piss me off twice in a span of less than 5 months.

Today he announced the release of the new album in four available editions.

You can preview 9 of the 36 tracks for free online. Secondly, you can download a copy for $5.00. For $10.00 you can buy a cd set. For $75 dollars, you can buy a deluxe edition that has a hardcover art book dealie and finally, for $300 you get what you'd get for $75.00 plus the album on Vinyl. And a signature by the man himself, in addition to a number of this limited edition product of 2500 copies produced.

So.

If you're keeping track like I am, essentially I'd be paying about $100+ for a signature.

Trent, what the eff?! Why don't I just buy a $75.00 copy then hunt you down and have you sign it for me, making my copy 2501?

Ass.

I'm so pissed, I may even just go ahead and get that $10.00 edition. I'm going to preview the 9 to decide.

I feel like I got tons from Radiohead and for them, I paid 80 dollars.

Back in the day, just as Bughie J. pointed out, Trent could have gotten blood out of me.

Now my blood is reserved for Matt, which thinking about it now... puts him at $1845.78 from me last year alone.

...

I have an effin' problem.

Help.

Currently listening to: "I Hate Jimmy Page" by Mindless Self Indulgence. And I do too. No tour from Zeppelin and Robert Plant's to blame. Oh, I guess that'd make me hate Robert Plant, and "The Only Time" by Nine Inch Nails. I really curse this effin' Itunes Random Playlist sometimes.

Funny, Funny

I keep forgetting to mention it, but there's this advert. for the new "Kid Bopz" CD which features that ass song "Girlfriend" by Avril the stupid poser bitch Lavigne. I wasn't actually watching the tv when I heard it so immediately I cringed, "ugh, there's that stupid song." I looked up only to discover kids were singing it.

That's right. I couldn't tell the difference between the real song and the kids' cover.

Ah, I slay myself.

In other news, Smashing Pumpkins does not slay me. Is it wrong of me to not consider them as the Smashing Pumpkins anymore? If there's no D'arcy or James Iha, then in my opinion, there's no Smashing Pumpkins.

Then I came across the really disturbing article on www.NME.com that said that the new album has pictures of The Diseased Whore Monger in it because Billy stupid-ass Corgan is friends with that DWM.

Friends?

That is laughable and not in the har har kind of way.

Follow Up

Yeah I was right about something.

Editors' new album is up on their myspace, so I got to hear the entire thing and I think I'd like them much more if they didn't sound so much like Interpol.

But... I guess not really because lyrically, Interpol's much more complex. This is also true of their sound.

There's no mistaking Paul Banks' voice really.

It'll be like that Thom Yorke/Matthew Bellamy controversy I hate getting involved in (but will of course, take a moment to defend my boys) Radiohead and MUSE are two of my favourite bands and no, I do not think MUSE ripped off Radiohead. Their voices are different. They're two very different bands. End of that story.

Back to Interpol though.

I felt a little bit disillusioned yesterday when I did research on Interpol and found out that two of the members are Ukkers! They grew up in NY but were born in England.

And here I was hailing them as one of NY's best bands!

Meh, they're still New Yorkers. And hell, it was then I realized that that's probably why I heart them hardcore.

You know how I fancy some Ukkers.

Currently listening to: "Pioneer to the Falls" and "Obstacle 1" by Interpol. I feel lost. Stop haunting me, Paul Banks! Your voice is like a Siren's song and I'm sucked in! ::shudder::

Oh no!

...today my heart swings?

MSN's Turn To Get Blazed

I saw this article on MSN about a band to watch at Live Earth this weekend (you know the bs concerts around the world about doing our part to save the planet).

The band's The Parlotones, who MSN and some others have been hailing as the next big thing. So, I took a listen because I like to preview new music once in a while, ever since I almost missed out on Arctic Monkeys (again, for the millionth time, thank goodness for Virgin-Atlantic) and they remind me of Thom Yorke gone bad.

It's not so much that the lead singer sounds like Thom or that the music sounds like Radiohead but the style reminds me of Radiohead to an extent. That just might be due to the fact that they did a slight theft of the repetitive "...it's happening". Idioteque, anyone?

That being said, I can kind of get into these people. Possibly. At least that's what I thought until I heard "Dragonflies and Astronauts" and I realize they're just another alternative band with nothing incredibly special.

Also, the next time someone comes out with a song called "Beautiful", I'd like it to be the most hateful thing I've ever heard. I know that may be very contrary but I'm tired of hearing people go on about "…you deserve to be adored" and whatever it is James Blunt was saying.

MSN, you suck.

Thanks for nothing.

Thanks.

Next up: someone needs to get me Editors. I think I might be missing out on some good times involving them. Though it could just be that I could continue listening to Interpol to have a similar experience and possibly, a classier, better experience.

Speaking of Interpol - how are things on the west coast? Ha, no. That's not what I wanted to say. I think their new album is going to kick ass. Big time.

Finally, Cillian Murphy recommends a band called Field Music. Let's see if he's as crazy as the roles he plays. I love that CM. And with good reason. He recommends decent music to us. I mean, it does sound like gddh stuff but that's to be expected from an indie band.

How Are You Doing, Wembley? It Looks Like You're Having Fun, We Are!" - Dom

Y & M & M @ WS:

We came to London with a purpose and that was to be a part of history.

My boys, after a very long career of ups and down, four studio albums and acquiring the title of being one of the best live acts around, have made it.

They finally made it to a venue that could actually house and do justice to their sound and energy.

Wembley Stadium


photo source: www.NME.com

+



photo source: www.NME.com

MUSE

=

Fucking Beautiful.



photo source: www.muse.mu

From their stage entrance (and everything in between including huge, searching-the-night-and-the-crowd satellites; thousands of lights; brilliant stage set up; giant crowd-surfing balloons filled with confetti we've come to know and love; and acrobats) to their farewell, everything MUSE did was phenomenal. Sure it seemed a little cheesey sometimes and always over the top but MUSE are incapable of doing anything on a small scale.

All other concerts of theirs before this (that I've been to) have paled in comparison simply because like I said, nothing could contain their greatness and it'd finally take a newly built Wembley Stadium to even begin doing it proper. And even then, Wembley needed two nights to pack it all in. I'm fairly certain those boys could sell out many more nights @ 75,000 + people per show had they added them.

As Matt said, they were finally ready for this.

The eerie anticipation was dispelled by confetti raining down on WS as MUSE came up from the center of it, masked by a confusion of white for just a moment until those red, green and grey clothes became visible to us.

The cat walk was a little lengthy but at the end of it, the boys took their instruments and began belting out KofC.

They kept the excitement going strong with the real greatness for us starting up with the "R&B" track Dom liked to call it.

"R&B?", H1 questioned.

"It's Supermassive!", I screamed and sure enough, they did not disappoint. The dancing robots filled the screens and my favourite stripper song started blasting from Dom's kit, Chris' bass and Matt's guitar.

Yeah, I know. R&B. Forgive Dom. He's a joker.

The song that sold them for H1 (you know, she dislikes MUSE for the most part but I think she's now been converted some, to the point she's considering going to see them at MSG in August) was their performance of "Map of the Problematique".

It was indeed well worth standing there for the 5 hours before MUSE took the stage. That already killer track (possibly one of MUSE's greatest) took on a whole new life. TD5, it was at this point that I started cursing you under my breath every 2 seconds as opposed to the 50 minutes intervals I was doing before.

Matt, being a lover of the Rage Against the Machine, metted out some good ol' Tom Morello riffs. They were so well done and they were songs that aren't as well-known RATM pieces that H1 has now taken to calling my boy an elitist. It's true. I really hope that what Matt has said is true and that a Rage/Muse show will go down. It better be in NY though but something tells me it's going to be Cali. and I'm going to be really pissed off.

I could rant about all the other tracks during the first part but here are the highlights and lowlamps -

H1 got "City of Delusion" and I got "Butterflies and Hurricanes". Stop laughing H1. Stop laughing. I like B&H.

The megaphone got tossed again! Ahaha. That slays me everytime.

Sunburn! Do you hear me?! Sunburn! "From our very first album, our very first song." Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwww. The boys do love me...

...but not so much when they dedicated "Starlight" to the fans as they hoped that they could see them in the back. Okay, I'll admit it. I was clapping and singing right along. It's kind of hard not to.

Once again, they tried to get me to tear and have a meltdown. "Citizen Erased" was played but then those bitches went straight into Hoodoo. Two of my personal tear jerker songs in a row?! They were trying to kill me!

And oo, we got that new MUSE track that came out while I was in England. It's one of the funkiest things I've heard in a while... You know, in the 3 weeks I stopped listening to Arctic Monkeys. It was well played in concert though. Well. Played.

Encore 1 began as an acoustic set with the thousands of fans willingly holding up their lit mobiles in unity at Dom's request.

I finally got to hear "Blackout" and it was then the floating acrobats drifted among the thousands of people in the pit. Again, Matt was trying to make me cry but succeeded in not doing so because H1 and I were confused by the acrobats.

It was a good thing that happened too because "Unintended" had me really cheesed out.

The lowlamp - "Plug In Baby". The opening riff is always great but um, yeah. I still dislike that song for the most part. I know. I'm a MUSE fan that slightly dislikes "Plug In Baby". Stop judging me, you assholes.

They like to tease me, my boys. Well, not really. I knew they'd be back but oh my god I didn't expect what came next...

...Encore 2 began with one of my favourite damned songs ever. It's probably the song I really fell in love with Matthew for and while most ::cough:: H1 ::cough:: may find his falsetto sometimes grating, "Micro Cuts" just wins it for me. There's something about destroying the puppet strings to my soul that does it for me. I love my Banshee.

Before we knew it, the night was almost done. Well, that's not entirely true. I actually couldn't believe after that extra long performance of "Stockholm Syndrome" that they were actually doing to do another song but once "Take A Bow" came on, we knew for sure that was it.

I saw my man bow and 3 minutes later it was over. Just like that, we were filing out of the stadium with his words ringing harsh in my heart "see you tomorrow!". No Matt. I wasn't going to but you had to rub it in, yeah?

::sigh::

It's alright. I'll be all over you, Dom and Chris on August 6th for probably the last time at a concert until you grace us with your next new collection of songs.

The Brilliant 06/16/2007 MUSE, the first artists to sell out (the new) WEMBLEY "FUCKING" STADIUM Set List:

1. Knights of Cydonia
2. Hysteria
3. Supermassive Blackhole
4. Map of the Problematique ~ Maggie's Farm riff (RATM)
5. City of Delusion
6. Butterflies and Hurricanes
7. Citizen Erased
8. Hoodoo
9. Feeling Good
10. piano interlude + Sunburn
11. Invincible
12. Starlight
13. Time is Running Out
14. Man of Mystery
15. New Born + Microphone Fiend riff (RATM) + Ashamed outro

Encore 1:

16. Soldier's Poem (acoustic guitar)
17. Unintended
18. Blackout
19. Plug In Baby

Encore 2:

20. Micro Cuts
21. riff + Stockholm Syndrome + riff
22. Take A Bow

Finally, (and whoever actually had the patience to read through this which I'm sure is not a lot of you, indulge me one last swoon) I must say that one of the most memorable moments of the night for me was seeing the smiles on their faces. Those little smiles beamed of relief, pure excitement and the feelings of being on top of the world.

And seeing those smiles made me genuinely, and happily content and had me beaming back in adoration.

This is what I consider my most expensive concert considering transportation costs but oh was it worth it.

I've no regrets.

*This is the blog in photos, since I'm sure none of you got through any of this though I didn't expect you to. But you know, who am I kidding? I'm posting these pics for myself! Har Har!:

Confetti filled fun-time entrance!



photo source: www.NME.com

Walking the Catwalk. They're too cute and it's just hilarious to me:



photo source: www.NME.com

"Look! Look! He's strutting!" - H1
"Yeah. Because he can." - Or 2



photo source: www.NME.com

One of my own pics. My lot's not very good because even though I think we had fairly decent seats, it was still far back as all heck but notice... A little obscene there, yeah Matt baby?



The traditional HOchie blog post would include the following -

The WTF Moments of the Night

1. Alright. Again, no fookin' "Muscle Museum". But AT LEAST, I finally got some justice and would consider our set list better than Sunday's. Thank goodness. I mean, I would have liked to hear "Apocalypse Please" but it's okay that those bastards at Sunday's show got it.

2. I finally get to hear "Blackout" and right when the most beautifully sung portion of the song comes on, Matt's fookin' mic. gives out for the 6 seconds I need it most! WTF!!!!!

3. I've seen Matt wear better outfits. By the way Frass, he did a costume change. But anyway, back to the better outfits. It is thus far, their biggest gig and he comes out in this red suit? Granted I still found it very hot especially the silk lining and the red shoes but come now, the 'cape' at the arena was better lookin'. And then out came the white pants... ah, who am I kidding. I loved it but only on Matt! This is not an invitation for the rest of you to start going about in my line of vision all white pant-ed!

Currently listening to: "Space Dementia" by MUSE. A song I'm still waiting to hear in concert. Here's hoping for it at Y&M&M@MSG!!!!

Two Nights In A Row

Sid! Sid, where are you?!
I have to post about stupid bands and/or betches, AGAIN tonight.

Tonight, it's all about that betch Amy Lee.

Look! Another stupid Amy in the music world! And shut up, Mitch Connors, I DO NOT remind you of her. Just like I am in no way, reminiscent of Rosie. Ever. ::mutter mutter:: Stupid Frass ::mutter mutter::

Evanescence cans guitarist, drummer
POSTED: 9:22 a.m. EDT, May 8, 2007

NEW YORK (Billboard) -- The guitarist and drummer with Evanescence have left the top-selling rock act for undisclosed reasons.

Guitarist John LeCompt claimed on his MySpace.com blog that he was fired during a cell phone conversation with singer Amy Lee, while drummer Rocky Gray said he was asked by band management not to discuss the situation.

However, Lee said in a statement that Evanescence remains "alive and well" and will soon return to the road with new musicians.

"John and Rocky were in Evanescence for four years and we shared some great times together playing live, but they were ready to move on and so we have parted ways," she said. "Evanescence is something I have loved and nurtured since I was 14, and I will continue to protect and fight for it as I always have.

LeCompt did not paint the situation so rosily on his blog. "Without any warning or negotiations for my future, I was fired for no good reason," he said. "We have not always seen eye to eye on everything, but who does? Our common goal was always the same. To make Evanescence the best rock band it could ever be. I have always given blood, sweat and tears to make that happen but apparently that is not enough. I have now become just another of the people fallen by the wayside on the revolving door of her life."

LeCompt was referring to the messy 2003 departure of founding guitarist Ben Moody, who was replaced by former Cold principal Terry Balsamo, and the 2006 exit of bassist Will Boyd, who was replaced by former Revolution Smile guitarist Tim McCord.

Lee said no shows would be canceled due to the lineup shift, but the group won't have long to draft replacements for LeCompt and Gray. It is due to return to the stage May 19 at the first Rock on the Range festival in Columbus, Ohio, and has European dates on tap through late June.

Copyright 2007 Reuters. All rights reserved.

Three things -

1. H1's right to ask, "If you have but one of your original members, are you still the same band?"

2. I did so enjoy reading LeCompt's assessment of the situation and of Amy Lee's character.

3. Amy The Stupid Lee, what the f.? Did you think just because Korn asked you to cover "Freak On a Leash" you're hot shit? I'm sorry to say it to Korn but you guys went downhill ever since Head found Jeebus. And though I may hate David, his ass was smart to leave or go on 'hiatus' as it were. Korn! Your time is done and working with Amy Lee made you lose whatever creds you had left. ALL.

On a side note, I've come to a realization in the past few days.

You know how I always rant that if it's female and sings then chances are TD5 loves it?
I now know that, in addition to this, if it's female and sings then chances are I hate it.

And on another random note, but still music related, did anyone see the video for The Red Hot Chili Peppers' new song? Let us just say...RHCP going street made me incredibly scared yet I couldn't... look... away.

Maybe it was AK's big, gold grill? Or the fact that I never thought I'd hear the words "Hump de Bump" come out of his mouth? Well, one thing's for sure, I knew the day would come that if that ever happened, it'd sound stupid. And sure enough...



- Or 2, weeding out the assholes since 1992.

Currently listening to: "Teddy Picker" by Arctic Monkeys. Now THERE's a band. Yeah. At this time one week from now, I'll be too tired to blog but really wanting to. I love you, Alex! He is a clever little man, isn't he?

Random Music Post

Okay, so it's a rant. Of course, it is.

We're sorry, Beetchie, but we heard that new The White Stripes song "Icky Thump" today and hated it. We felt it lacked direction, as H1 says "Where is this song going?". The cacophony really made us crazy. It was god awful.

On a side note, and a rant from H1, "Beck's "Nausea" is vomit-inducing stuff, that."

Preach, H1. Preach.

I've A Secret To Tell You, TD5!

Apparently, I have a guilty-pleasure album. I don't think I've any business liking Klaxons but I kind of do. I admit it! And it's shameful. That's my early review.

As for The Fratellis...they're fun but I can't really focus on them too much. I'll have to give them a better spin a few more times. So far, my impression is that they can get annoying. Fun but annoying. You know how I feel about too many 'la la la -s' and other type noises in a song and they're that kind of band. It brings back memories of those stupid Kaiser Chiefs...

Okay.

I'm well aware that it's no secret once it goes on the blog but you other baka shouldn't judge me.

Our Ears Were Bleeding

I think we need to put a stop to the Canadians or at least Avril Lavigne before their/her evil powers of ear destruction gets stronger.

Honestly, WDA was that monstrosity of a "song" 'Girlfriend'?

The Police Are Out of Control

Explain to me why The Police are trying to get me to join their fan club? Why?! So they can break up in a year and break my heart again like they did back in 1986?!

::tear::

SAF, you're on your own but can I just tell you that you need to stop living in the 80's. You too, X.

Discovered Today By Or 2 (A Music Post)

I discovered today:

a song by Rhinna and Sean Paul that sounds an awful lot like an MSI song gone horridly wrong. I bet Jimmy loves it.
(Sorry Beetchie, the music and the vocals just didn't go together. It was an odd combination)

a song by the band Cartel (yep, this the first time we're all hearing of them) called "Honesty". It was the most god awful 'thing' I've heard in a very long time. Tune? Honestly, there was none. Lyrics? Honestly, I could hear nothing because of the cacophony. Honestly, "Honest" is horrific! This write up is almost as horrific. Almost.

a song by Fergie called "Glamorous". Did I hurl? Yes. Was it glamorous? As glamourous as Fergie, yes. Does that make it foul? Yes. As expected.

a video by Justin T. featuring Scarlett J. Seeing SJ D.T.E. at the end of said video, makes for some wonderful viewing.

a video by Evanescence that made the "Guilty Pleasures Countdown" on Fuse. I would think the term guilty pleasure refers to music that you like that you know you shouldn't. It gives me great joy to see that Evanescence is on that countdown because people, we need to all admit that they are rubbish. Why anyone would be listening to them though, is beyond me.

Disclaimer: Or 2 is not being an elitist, regardless of the label I've given it.

Song Quizzie Thingie

Alright, so again, the HOchies have pilfered something off another blog site. heh. heh. Anyway, it looked like fun...sooooo, here it is!

The object of this game is to guess the song names and artists using just the first few lines of the song which I'll give to you. I randomed my playlist and the first 21 songs that came up (with lyrics, obviously, duh) are listed here (21's a lot, yeah. I went a little bit out of control).

Oh and there are no duplicate artists, nor did I put any Japanese or tracks from anime or games (sorry Bughie J.).

My predictions - TD5, you will get most of these unless Battler beats you to it. Gen, you may be the only one to get number 3.

Alright then! All, please post your answers in the comments section!

*And bitches, no googling of lyrics or using any other search engines! Honestly, I thought these were pretty hard but you guys are awesome. I've faith.


1. We don't need no education says a young man,
Sitting in class (sitting in class)
School is out 3 o'clock on the dot
He had beef with some kids and he got shot

2. We were at a party, His ear lobe fell in the deep

3. I'm wearing thin, wearing out becoming weak

4. I am, I am, I am, I said I want to get next to you

5. When I find myself in times of trouble, mother Mary comes to me

6. I'm an alligator, I'm a mama-papa coming for you

7. A picture in grey, Dorian Gray, just me by the sea

8. Yesterday I went outside, with my momma's mason jar

9. Another long quiet night...Another long quiet, lonely night spent at your side.

10. You need coolin', baby, I'm not foolin', I'm gonna send you back to schoolin'

11. Anchor the night, open the sky, Hide in the hours before sunrise

12. You're gonna break another heart, you're gonna tell another lie

13. A self-fulfilling prophecy of endless possibility

14. Take away the sensation inside, Bitter sweet migraine in my head

15. Sometimes, I feel the fear of uncertainty stinging clear

16. Hey boy, take a look at me, Let me dirty up your mind

17. Give me a ride on a zephyr, And rocket away from here

18. City's breakin' down on a camel's back, They just have to go coz they don't know when

19. A new day another morning after, leaning back on my chair in a greasy spoon cafeteria

20. Visiting is pretty, visiting is good, seems that all they ever wanted was a brother

21. The mongrel cat came home, holding half a head

Yeah, I can see this could be quite annoying... good luck, guys!

Currently listening to: "Forced In" by Muse. Here's a hint - Muse didn't come up on the playlist so you can rule them out.

I Can't Believe I Need Sid TWO Nights In a Row

I guess I can believe it though because the world abounds in bad music.

Tonight's rant:




I had my reservations about the cover songs but held judgment until I heard them myself.

Well, I just heard snippets and needless to say, my moment of silence is now over.

WDA.

Honestly, WDA & WTF. Remember one blog ago when I was bitchin' that Z100 plays music that's "popular" i.e. for some god awful reason, people out there think emo is worth listening to?

In all fairness, I understand that if a song's catchy, then it's catchy. Sometimes whatever situation you're in whether it be a club or whatever else, there's a type of music that matches that mode and it works for you. Great. Goodness knows I listen to my fair share of crap as well but sometimes it's all about what you attach it to, the memories generated from it or how it affects your mood and vice versa.

Seriously, I know my logic is at a mere B-, but the solution I worked out in this equation seems true to me:

"In" bands + Disney = Shit.

I've always hated associating or acknowledging Disney's involvement with The Nightmare Before Christmas. Disney (which by the way is not the happiest place on earth because eBay is) was just the parent company/money machine that could help fund Touchstone Pictures and Tim Burton's amazing project.

But you know when some of these 'bands' were asked to cover Nightmare tracks, it was done by some asshat of an executive at Disney based on the sole fact that the bands are currently the "edgy" big money makers in music's popular culture. And if that's not the case, then they were asked in the hopes that they would actually pull something good based on their building their careers as 'creepy, dark' artists.

Panic! At the Disco, Fall Out Boy, She Wants Revenge and Fiona Apple have all created soulless versions of some of my favourite songs of all time.

It's a sad day when even Marilyn Manson's cover is pathetic.

::sigh::

Currently listening to: "All Alone" by Gorillaz.

Another Rant From a "Music Elitist" & A Message To Sid The Voodoo Doll

When I first heard Hinder's song "Lips of an Angel" or whatever the fudge it's called, I thought to myself, 'oh wonderful, another song that Nickelback has put out that sounds exactly like all their other songs.' I found out soon after that it was indeed a 'different' band.

That was complaint number 1 and strike 1 against Hinder.

Then I saw their video on VH1. "Oh, it's those people who sound like Nickelback and oh my word, what is that...flail of the hand the lead singer is doing? Listen dude, there's only one person who can pull that move and it's Mick Jagger. Mick Jagger you are not. Put that hand down!" Here's an example of the hand (it's the ass in front but really, you people don't need me to point him out):



That was complaint number 2 and strike 2 against Hinder.

Complaint Number 3 went something like this: "Ugh, what's this shit? Hinder on Z100? Oh god, it's all over." Let me explain something about Z100, but first, let me say in my defense that my ears only happened upon Z100 because I was in the car with Papa HOchie who does not have Sirius and listens to the Morning Zoo on his commute.
Anyway, my point about Z100 is that once a 'rock band' has made it to Z100's daily regular rotation of music, I no longer consider the band 'rock' or a 'band' for that matter. As far as I'm concerned, once a song hits Z100, it becomes pop even if the band didn't intend it to be that way. While it may be economically sound for a band to reach that status (because it's the equivalent to being 'big' since teenie boppers and the like will probably go out and spend money on whatever album the track originated), credibility as 'rock' music becomes an issue. Z100 caters to an audience that is generally not rock based. And while it's rare that the occasional U2 is tossed on there, the disclaimer for them is that as the biggest rock band in the world, they're on all stations, even dance onces that mask their songs in a club remix.

Yes yes, today, again I was designated a "music elitist" by my friends. The amount of time I spent writing this makes me so, and an annoying one at that but anyway, Hinder got Strike 3.

From a Rolling Stone magazine interview with the band Hinder:

You seem to really have your biggest following in the middle of the country. Is that something you'd agree with?
Austin Winkler: I would definitely agree as far as NY and LA with some of that artsy bullshit like OK GO, bands like that. I think they're a bunch of fairies. I mean, they got on MTV , the VMA awards and they got on there and danced like a broadway show. That's not fucking rock 'n roll, that's not rock 'n roll at all.

We get what you mean about OK Go and some of the bands that really are popular on the coasts, but what do you think it is about you guys that appeals to people?
AW: We have good songs, I would say. Their songs suck, I mean what the fuck? They sold 4,000 albums a week and then that treadmill fairy shit comes on the fucking TV and they only sold 4,000 more records a week because the song sucks.

Do you guys know them? You seem to have a real specific fixation with them, have you met them or anything?
Cody Hanson: No, it's just seeing their fucking stupid-ass faces on the T.V. all the time, it pisses me the fuck off.

But I paid no mind until I discovered the above article and the fact that this crap 'band' had beef with OK Go.

Let's talk about OK Go:



Many will say that their video for "Here It Goes Again" makes them a novelty act and a gimmick. Well, I'll be damned but their gimmick worked because after their MTV Video Music Awards performance this year, I actually went out and did a little research on them. I listened to enough tracks to decide "hell, I'm going to take a chance on these guys and buy their album." I did, and much to my pleasure, I really loved it. They're fun and their music is representative of that as well. The VMA performance...I believe that's called "marketing".

The way I see it, the video is just that. A video. They've been accused of having a dance video. And yes, I saw that too. "A Million Ways" is a dance video and hilarious at that but that's what they do. They make hilarious videos. A video can make or break you in my eyes. They're creative in their own right.
How different are they from say, Tool, who uses animation (and brilliant animation at that) in their videos? That's what Tool does but no one questions their credibility as a rock band and no one goes to their concerts expecting an entire sequence made out of claymation.
And Radiohead's got some of the most bizarre videos out there but they're known for that and their stellar performances in concert that don't involve anything more than a great band performing music (not that I would know because frickin' Radiohead sells out in seconds before I ever get a chance to buy tickets but mark my words, the HOchies WILL be at one of their concerts in the future).

Record sales not that great? Hey, sometimes internet success doesn't cross over well. It happens. And maybe millions think the song sucks but whatever, my entire point is actually to say, any band that sounds so much like another (and not one that's truly great in my opinion) really isn't justified to talk shit about anyone else.

(A side note on Hinder - I checked out their website and they keep a blog. It's the most incoherent garbage I've read in a while, other than my last 3 paragraphs, but all it involved was how many shots some guy did. THAT is rock n' roll. Yep. Drugs and alcohol. But for crap sake, if you're going to do drugs and heavy drinking, do it right! At least make good music. Yeesh.)

I could be wrong though...I mean, thousands of people made Paris Hilton's album debut at number 2 or was it 1? I don't recall but I mean, it must make Paris Hilton a really talented musician. Millions of people can't be wrong, right?

But then again, millions thought the earth was flat too.

Please Sid, continue doing your job...:



Currently listening to: "Oh Lately It's So Quiet" by OK Go.

WTF?!

I just saw a horrible "music" "video". Can someone explain to me why Paris the stupid ass fugly whore bitch Hilton is a. trying to be Gwen Stefani and b. is borderline molesting little boys in her videos?! That kid can't be more than 14!

Can someone report her for child molestation??!!

Disgusting.

Random Thoughts Again - Songs

Recent Song Observations -

The Fray's "Over My Head (Cable Car)" sounds like Howard Jones' "No One Is To Blame".

Panic! At The Disco's song "I Write Sins, Not Tragedies" sounds like Peter Schilling's "Major Tom" mixed with Homer Simpson's version of Barry Manilow's "Mandy" (his version was "Mindy").


Currently watching: My Name Is Earl

"Well I Refuse To Let You Go"

It's been 3 years since I've had what many call an unhealthy obsession with MUSE.

There was the time I was assed out of seeing them at Webster Hall. I was incredibly pissed. I cursed.

Then there was the time I seriously considered going to London for 3 days, the week of Christmas in 2004 to catch them at Earls Court. I never made it and cursed some more.

And then, I passed up getting tickets to Audioslave due to potential conflict with MUSE's concerts dates. They ended up sucking it up by doing a campus invasion tour and the only NY campus they performed at was Albany. And hell, I'd certainly go to London for 3 days but there's no way in hell I'd go to Albany for a day. No one in their right mind would do that crap.
I cursed MTV and stupid Americans for not supporting them enough to give them a chance to play bigger venues than crappy campuses. They're big everywhere else but here.

Result: Completely missed the Absolution Tour. And as expected, a lot of !@?*$?!@!-ing went down on my part.

18 months later, the first U.K. single was released from the new album Black Holes and Revelations and I was mortified.

"What the hell is this?! Noooo, that's not Matt's vocals! Well, they kind of are...Oh god, this is so embarrassing... But hey, it's...Kind of good, actually. Unlike them but I can deal with this. It's totally a stripper song but I do love me some strippers (don't forget this was BEFORE the Pussycat Lounge)."
Being a MUSE elitist, I fell in love with "Supermassive Blackhole" but please, don't go watch the video. They're Brits. You have to excuse their 'art'.

A week later came the U.S. single release. I was not fond then and I'm not overly fond now. The video also doesn't help. Please don't go watch the video. They're Brits. You have to excuse their 'art' and sometimes, their sense of humour. Though, fighting off robots in a western setting by the awesome power of B H & R's reflective properties is somewhat funny. It's reminiscent of Mentos, the fresh maker. Or Footos. Either one.

Anyway, B H & R came out. I listened. I loved. Not as much as say, Origin of Symmetry but after last night, I've an appreciation for every goddamned song off that goddamned album. Even that "Knights of Cydonia" but like I said, I'm still not overly fond now. I will only listen to it in a concert setting because only then is it amazing to me.

That's right. I was actually trying to make a point here.

The 3rd day of August has finally ushered some sense of awesome into this HOchie's life after a long 7 month spell of bad luck, more downs than ups and a series of mishaps.



Thank you, MUSE.

Those who came with me:

1. Beetchie, who I had to drag kicking and screaming. Haha, just kidding. Don't kill me. And no, I don't hate you long time. I heart you, "Hardcore", as you would say.
2. No. 8, who I know was secretly trying to ruin things for me somehow.
3. Franz, the skeptic but who actually wanted to come and no I don't owe him anything in return. You hear me, Franz?! NOTHING!!!!

We waited in line forever amidst a wonderful frickin' heat wave NY had to go through for 3 days with temperatures reaching near 100. Finally we were ushered into the Hammerstein ballroom and I had to deal with two boys trying to oust me from my spot on the floor, some crazy fan girls who I made 'friends' with for the night to my benefit and theirs and an anorexic girl with her anorexic boyfriend who managed to push me aside even though I had the elbows out. I now know that being annorexic works to your advantage at a concert as it's so easy to slip between a crack.
What didn't work out was the B.O. she was spewing. I don't know what is up with people smelling before a concert but as discussed in the MSI blog, it's just plain wrong. And oh! oh! I think I saw that MSI B.O. kid at MUSE but he wasn't ranking this time. Good for you, kid. Good for you.
What also didn't work out for me, didn't work out for her. She must have been very conscious of herself and perhaps my evil glances and words to Beetchie didn't help the situation because she and her bf left much to my delight and I grabbed my chance to get in there, much to the dismay, bitchin' and complain' of the two guys who I had to fight before.

Result: I lost Franz, Beetchie and No. 8 who had been standing behind me. It was okay though because I could still look over and see Franz during the show.
Beetchie informs me there was a semi-pit which she tried to tear up but no one was really moshing so she had to jump in one place but she had fun.
And I've no clue where No. 8 got to during the whole thing but she was okay as well.

After an interesting set by the opening act The Cloud Room, which was not well received by anyone in that crowd but honestly, I didn't find them that horrible (but let's keep that dirty little secret to ourselves, shall we?). Wait, you know what? I'm going to give a tiny blurb to this band because they sounded good minus the indistinguishable vocals on lead and I rather enjoyed the drum work even though it almost killed my heart. They were from Crooklyn and I think they tried to diss Queens which always gives one creds. So yeah, for those of you who care, which I suspect is no one, here's their little setlist minus the 2 songs because I just don't know what they were:

Sunlight Song (possibly the Reprise)
Waterfall
Blackout!
Hey Now Now
The Hunger
*new song
????

Alright, I'm done with them. Ok, not quite. The guitarist was cool. And they sadly had to clean up their own mess after their set. Ah, the life of an unknown opening act... Ok, now I'm done.

And after a long 40 minute set up by the roadies, with much oohs and aahs by all who saw the veil come off the gigantic drumkit Dom was supposed to rock on, my band finally took the stage.

The lights darkened and the techno started - Dom fiddling with equipment revealed the first track. Then in came Chris with that bass... Followed by Matt's vocals:

"Corrupt
You corrupt
Bring corruption to all that you touch
Hold
You behold
And beholden for all that you've done
And spell
Cast a spell
Cast a spell on the country you run
And risk
You will risk
You will risk all their lives and their souls

And burn
You will burn
You will burn in hell, yeah you'll burn in hell
You'll burn in hell
Yeah you'll burn in hell
For your sins

And our freedom's consuming itself
What we've become
It's contrary to what we want

Take a bow"

And when Matt took a bow, it was then it hit me - I'm finally here and this is going to be amazing...

Depending on who you love and if you're given that opportunity, you need to position yourself accordingly:

Left for Matt.
Center for Dominic.
Right for Chris.

I'm a lefty myself because as we all know, I'm all about my future husband. Luckily for me, and after much screaming at Franz to get in the goddamned line and to stop screwing with me by telling me he'll wait for me on the side since I was running a few minutes late, I made it in with Matt directly in front of me save the one body in my way. But she didn't count as she was short and I could easily look over her shoulder.

WARNING - unnecessary gushing ahead (and DISCLAIMER - I'm only kidding about Brits and their bad teeth, the assback and sense of humour because I have to cover my ass if say, Matt Bellamy for whatever reason were to read this one day or some Brit or European were to read this):

I could see his face, every sweet little smile, his very blue eyes, that scary crease he gets on his brow when he sings, his bad Brit teeth that I've come to terms with and that mole he's got on his cheek. And I was trying to figure out if he has an assback...I couldn't quite make it out but he may have had a little ass going there in those red jeans. The assback has yet to be confirmed.

The stage set up itself was for a big arena which I think would be stellar for their more epic songs like "Ruled by Secrecy" and "Apocalypse Please" and others which they performed that night but being right in front in that small venue was still hella awesome. They worked with what they had and did it nicely.

They played all the songs I thought they would save one which I will bitch about later but everything was incredibly performed and phenomenal. Matt played that piano with such class. I was wowed by the guitar changes that went on after every song and of course, just how skilled he is with that instrument. That guitar with distortion pad will be mine someday... And his voice...is so beautiful and holds up so well. I had to zone everything else out when he hit that falsetto. Dom rocked that kit like nobody's buisness and I couldn't really see Chris (mostly due to the fact that my eyes were glued to Matt) but I could hear his brilliance. The only bad thing was that I couldn't see Chris' skills on "Hysteria". Curses!

It was really cute how Matt and Dom were so proud of themselves in managing to work the crowd into a frenzy during "New Born". They were all smiles at how great the response from the crowd was for that.

There were a couple of nice surprises - they did one instrumental piece I never expected, and one that is new and will now desperately try to find. Also a surprise, "Soldier's Poem" which I welcomed with an "awwwww".

And even the songs I am not very in love with, namely "Invincible" and that blasted "Knights of Cydonia" sounded so much more fantastic live because they were done with such unrivaled energy with massive guitar solos coupled with grandiose stances involving Matt in the center of the stage with head held high and the 'we're number 1' finger in the air (not pictured here because damn that Bells, he's too frickin' quick for me - I got him when he took his hand down), that I would love to see them performed again.

The 1 hour and 20 minute long setlist:

Take A Bow
Hysteria
Supermassive Black Hole
Butterflies and Hurricanes
Starlight
Forced In
Bliss
Soldier's Poem
Invincible
Feeling Good
*instrumental piece unknown
Plug In Baby
New Born
Stockholm Syndrome

Encore:

Map of the Problematique
Time Is Running Out
Knights of Cydonia

The time flew by so fast due to song after song of fast paced greatness, save the cooling down "let's give my vocals and our crazy playing a rest for two seconds by playing "Forced In" and "Soldier's Poem" moment. Even their rest between the encore was fast and I thought to myself, "Wow, they even pee fast". I was hoping for a longer show but was generally happy with this setlist. Of course, I was screaming when they played "Map of the Problematique" because it has to be, other than "Hoodoo", my favourite song from this album and one of their best songs ever.

So 3 years later, I am now partially blinded by an impressive laser light show NOT put on by The Cheat, partially deafened by speakers so huge had one fallen on me I'd be dead along with 20 people in my immediate space and one supermassive headache brought on by 3 1/2 hours of sleep due to too much excitement and pain all wrapped up in one - I finally saw the greatest band in the world. Yes, HOchie 1. I know, that title should be reserved for U2 but indulge me this moment.

Highlights of the show (ie the already awesome songs made even more awesome during a live show):

New Born
Stockholm Syndrome
Feeling Good - because when Matt laid that megaphone down on the piano, we all knew what was song was coming up. The megaphone is legendary! And so is how he got rid of it. Behind the back and off to the side ::TOSS::!!!!!!

WTF moments of the evening:

6. "Who the hell are these bitches on stage trying to introduce MUSE? MTV College Radio who what now?...huh?! WTF!!! Get the fuck off stage!!!!!!"

5. Why did Chris do the rocker's growl on "Supermassive Black Hole"? Matt? WTF?!!!!

4. WTF was that little gremlin doing next to Dom's drumkit? It looked like he was doing back up keyboard work but I'm not quite sure...

3. WTF was up with Matt's hair? It's called fans, people.

2. Matt to Dom - "Stop. Stop. STOP! Oh.. ::sheepish confused look:::" at the beginning of a song when he was having technical difficulties with his guitar but it started working soon after Dom started the song. The WTF moment came from Dom when he was looking at Matt with the WTF face. Hahahaha.

1. And the biggest WTF moment of the night - No "Muscle Museum"??!! I waited 3 years to see them perform one of their most popular, if not most popular song that they always play, ALWAYS - every time I've seen footage of them and the best live song as far as I'm concerned and they didn't do it!!!!!! WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, I am fully aware of what the ticket has printed in caps there but fuck it! I took pictures of them anyway!! "NO CAMERAS" my ass!!! Muwahahahahahaha!!! And now all of you get to gaze upon him too...Double the muwahahahaha! Don't you all feel lucky?

No, not a prison uniform.

Poor Megaphone...

Dominic!!!!!!!!! I can't see your hilarious self behind that drumkit. I love you anyway.


I anxiously await the time when I see them again. But next time I expect a longer set with my "Muscle Museum" tossed in, "Citizens Erased" and "Space Dementia".

And that comes, if all goes well, November 21st at Wembley Arena in London - Who's in???!!!!

Currently listening to: "The Queen and I" by Gym Class Heroes. Don't ask. I saw the video and it's kind of catchy. Don't judge me!!!!!

Random

Did anyone else notice that Kelly Clarkson's "Walk Away" sounds suspiciously like Tony! Toni! Tone!'s "If I Had No Loot"?

Also, that new song by Fort Minor "Where'd You Go" is horrendous.
I really don't have much against Shinoda for the most part...but that song irritates me. And it doesn't help when HOchie 1 calls me up just so I can hear it playing in the background.
I hate it when I might have to support Mike Shinoda ONLY because he did a collaboration with Kenna. I suppose though that I'd really be supporting Kenna... yes. That's it.

Finally, I would like to thank Ticketmaster for allowing me to be arsed out of seeing Radiohead.
But I won't be a little crybaby about this one. And that's only due to the fact that I can just hear Thom in my head taunting me.
And I am not Scott Tennorman.

Currently listening to: "Vicarious" by Tool.
Now there's a band. A band that is thoroughly disturbing me right now but they're hella' awesome. I am most impressed by Maynard's vocal work and musically, they're amazing.