Mia Tyler Releases Autobiography– Creating Myself

Mia Tyler, daughter of Aerosmith’s legendary frontman Steven Tyler, recently released her autobiography, Creating Myself, on August 26th, a tell-tale turn of events about growing up in a dysfunctional rock n’ roll family. In her memoir, Tyler dishes about childhood life on the road with Aerosmith, meeting her sister Liv for the first time, her marriage to Papa Roach’s former drummer, Dave Buckner (which occurred, naturally, on-stage at an Aerosmith concert), along with numerous other antics that make Tyler who she is today.

The book starts off on a positive note with amusing pre-teen tales about bouncing from school to school, hanging backstage with the members of Guns N’ Roses, Skid Row and Billy Idol, and the late-night strangers who would show up at her house unannounced, hoping to catch a glimpse of her celebrity rocker father. But then it takes a downward turn, when she touches on her parent’s divorce, rehab stints, self-mutilation and suicide attempts. Tyler makes it known that being the daughter of a rock star isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Read more

CMJ Music and Film Festival - 10/21/08 - 10/25/08

Thanks to a friend in the industry, I was given the opportunity to take part in the CMJ ‘08 Music Marathon and Film Festival which took place in NYC from October 21-October 25th.

The CMJ Network works to connect music fans and industry professionals with new bands. Through all forms of media, including live events and print information, CMJ strives to open participants to new resources, talent, and music. The CMJ Music Marathon is the largest and longest running industry event of its kind and it has only flourished in the last few years. The marathon includes films, panel discussions, seminars, and music performances of all shapes and sizes.

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Ra Ra Riot Rocks the Music Hall of Williamsburg - 10/17/08

Last Friday I saw Ra Ra Riot at The Music Hall of Williamsburg. It is a very cool venue, equipped with a large downstairs area, couches, and a big bar. Upstairs is the performance space, and it is about as intimate as they come. Besides the dance floor there is a second level a few more feet up, allowing a view that is close to the band but over the heads of those on the floor. Up a bit more is the third level which has tables and chairs. The doors opened at eight and the first band went on at nine. And The Moneynotes played to an enthusiastic but small crowd, entertaining us with their music as well as their quirky and upbeat stage presence. Read more

Sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs by Chuck Klosterman

Chuck Klosterman is not just a writer for Spin Magazine; he’s a writer unlike any other. He somehow manages to combine his extreme intelligence and sarcastic humor in order to over-analyze just about every aspect of the world we live in. Sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs is a book about… well, nothing really. It’s not directed towards any specific plot or subject. It’s basically a collaboration of Klosterman’s assorted thoughts as it relates to music, television, technology and society today.

When I first started reading the book, I wasn’t exactly sure how I felt about Klosterman’s obscure view of the world, until I came across the “When Harry Met Sally” discussion on page 9, where Klosterman states that, “Every relationship in fundamentally a power struggle, and the individual in power in whoever likes the other person less.” I have to admit, this quote is not hilarious because it’s funny; it’s hilarious because it’s true. From there on, I was intrigued. Read more

Beck with MGMT - United Palace Theater - 10/9/2008

I am a tremendous fan of Beck and I have been for quite a while. I saw him perform at Bonaroo in 2006, at which time he wowed the crowd with tunes off of his album The Information. He accompanied his playing with a group of puppets, each designed to look like a member of the band. Not only was his set clever and entertaining, but his voice sounded pretty damn amazing.

His newest album Modern Guilt was even better than I had expected it to be, and so it was no surprise that I jumped at the chance to see him perform again. This time the venue was indoors and way uptown at the United Palace Theater. Read more

Hop Chip at Terminal 5 - NYC 10/4/08

I saw Hot Chip for the first time this past summer at Coachella. They were one of the few performers that had managed to fill an entire tent to capacity; there was so much audience overflow that we wound up watching them from the grass near the bathrooms. I wasn’t familiar with the British electropop group and so I hadn’t known what to expect from the five nerdy-looking guys that took the stage. But we were blown away once they started singing, and the whole audience began jumping and dancing in a way that is usually only induced by DJs.

My friends and I decided that we would have to see them again when they came to New York. Luck was on our side, and this past Saturday we caught up with them at Terminal 5. Read more

Tegan and Sara at the Worcester Palladium - 10/4/08

WORCESTER, MA — OCTOBER 4, 2008 Although the Palladium was filled with a crowd that consisted of mostly underage teens (all of whom were anxiously awaiting the arrival of Tegan and Sara), I have to say, when opening acts, Girl in a Coma and City and Colour took the stage, the audience was surprisingly accepting and enthusiastic. A lot of times those young crowds tend to get a bit impatient with opening acts while waiting for the headliner to take the stage, but I was both pleased with the positive response. Read more

My Bloody Valentine Performs at Roseland, NYC - 9/22/08

Chapter One: Blown a Wish

I have resigned myself to my fate: I am a rock nerd born ten years too late. I had just started high school when Pavement broke up, I missed the best Built to Spill records by five years, the day of the fanzine had come and gone by the time I was old enough to care, blah blah blah. My greatest regret, though, is that I totally missed My Bloody Valentine. Loveless is one of my favorite albums of all time (which means I have a pulse) and their live show is one of the great legends of rock nerd-dom. [Author's note: I won't waste your time by trying to write about this record; instead, I'll refer you to Mike McGonigal's excellent 33 1/3 volume on the subject.] Read more

ENIGMA - Seven Lives Many Faces

As the driving force behind German band ENIGMA, Micheal Cretu has spent the majority of his 18 year long career as a recording artist creating some of the most culturally diverse music on the planet. But its not without avail. With more than 40 million albums sold worldwide, 50 number one chart positions, and 100 platinum sales around the world, ENIGMA is Germanys most successful export in the last 20 years. ENIGMA has always had a by the wayside reputation.

For music as spiritually diverse and unique, its almost a shame to see a flower growing up from proud and strong from the concrete, only to get ran over by a school of rush hour traffic. Read more

Weezer Performs at Madison Square Garden – NYC - 9/24/08

The crowd was buzzing last night as the last song fizzled out from the speakers of Angels and Airwaves and the vertical light stands made you feel you were in the Millennium Falcon, traveling through hyperspace. Afterwards, as the stagehands worked on adjusting the sound systems and tuning up the instruments, Weezer fans trickled in and out of the stands. Most of the fan regalia sported a red t-shirt that read “weezer” in white lettering, advertising their newest record. The fans were mostly in their early twenties, enjoying the cool fall air in NYC. Read more

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