Chris Cornell: Reading, PA 7.28.07

Last night I saw one of the greatest voices of rock of all time: Chris Cornell. It was a really great show, as I expected, with a whopping 24-song setlist of Audioslave, Soundgarden, Temple of the Dog, and some solo stuff. Not only was his performance great, the venue was nice too. It was at the Sovereign Performing Arts Center in Reading, PA, with very nice velvety seats. The seats are important. Quite different from the bar-like setting of the Electric Factory.


Almost as exciting as Chris's (we're on a first name basis, you know) performance was that of Earl Greyhound, the opening band. Wow. They're definitely better than the band originally scheduled, Juliette and the Hot Licks. Just the name makes you cringe, right? Well, Earl Greyhound rocked loudly, sassily (is this a word?), and in retro-amazing fashion. Think Wolfmother, Zeppelin, and some female vocals thrown into a blender. From left to right (see picture), they are Ricc Sheridan (drums), Kamara Thomas (bass, vocals), and Matt Whyte (guitar, vocals). I bought their album, Soft Targets, and I am thoroughly pleased with it. "S.O.S." starts it off right with soul-infused, ass-kicking rock... listen to it, right now.


P.S. 20th post!

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So. I finished the book.

And... wow. That's all I can say, as I don't want to ruin it for others, but that was the most incredible book I have ever read. Brilliant. Definitely a tearjerker, but absolutely brilliant. No movie could ever, EVER do Harry Potter justice. Though I still have yet to see the most recent film, which I've heard mixed reviews about, but still. Nothing could compare to the amazingness of J.K. Rowling. I just really really hope she writes more books. I mean, I know she's set for life, but she is too much of a genius to just sit around enjoying her wealth. Please! More!

But since there are no more Harry Potter books (sob!) I've been enjoying some wizard rock. Harry and the Potters, Draco and the Malfoys... "Save Ginny Weasley" by HATP is highly recommended. Check it out.

The Fall of an Empire

Would it really be so horrible if the music industry as we know it today would become insignificant and obsolete? Would it be a tragedy if the RIAA disappeared overnight? I think not. Many articles regarding this very subject have been featured in Rolling Stone in the last few months, and all seem to show the huge fall in record sales as apocalyptic. And while I understand that musicians (especially Metallica) aren't remarkably happy about losing money from record sales, there could be some benefits to this whole thing. Now before I get into my idea, I AM NOT PROMOTING THE ILLEGAL OBTAINMENT OF MUSIC. Okay, so here goes:
The year is 2015. Virtually no one buys the physical form of a compact disc anymore, because it is much, much easier to do so online in some form or another. There are still people who buy vinyl, though, because that stuff is just too cool. But anyway, since the musical artist knows this, they don't put effort into promoting the physical form of the album, they just spread the word online via MySpace, mp3 blogs, etc. The key now is promotion through word of mouth, sort of, so the money is made from live shows, merch, and promotions. I mean, that's where a band is going to make the most money anyway. And suddenly, being a successful and highly profitable musician is even harder. Thus, we have a natural selection process within the music industry, making bands even better, and probably decreasing the number of rap artists (yay!). Like we need more redundant hip-hop choruses, e.g. "This Is Why I'm Hot", "Party Like A Rockstar", "Chicken Noodle Soup". But don't get rid of TI. I like TI.

I realize this theory is flawed. Nine Inch Nails tried to promote Year Zero through mysterious internet promotion and free music for fans at shows, and I highly doubt that it was one of Trent Reznor's more successful attempts at breaking ground. Seriously, after "Closer" it was all downhill. But take indie music: doesn't sell too many CD's, mainstream society has never heard of them, but they are critically acclaimed and have rabid fans who pay money for tickets and t-shirts. Broken Social Scene, Sufjan Stevens, The Decemberists, Modest Mouse, Bloc Party, The Shins, Wilco, Arcade Fire, Bright Eyes, Sigur Ros, The National, Blonde Redhead, Spoon.

RIAA: Recording Industries Are Archaic.

66 Hotdogs. Oh. My. God.

Happy Independence Day! Which means barbecues and the Nathan's hotdog eating contest. This contest, as many know, is usually won by that Takeru Kobayashi guy (Japenese) who is ridiculously skinny. Well, Mr. Kobayashi, no luck this time. Joey Chestnut beat him with 66 hotdogs in 12 minutes, compared to Kobayashi's 63. Ha. Take that, industrialized Asian nation. America has trumped you once again.

I mean, sure, it is an eating contest. But that's what us Yanks do best: eat large amounts of fattening food very quickly. Krispy Kreme doughnuts, jalepeño peppers, mayonnaise, butter, spaghetti, salad - which isn't fattening, but still - the list goes on. Despite being a sport that rewards gluttony, one of the seven deadly sins, I do have a great amount of respect for eating contest participants, also known as "gurgitators", according to Wikipedia. Because, well, what goes in must come out.

Ew.