Dazed and Bemused

I want to be a part of it

2007-10-05T10:21:00.000-06:00

This would be a good time to still live in New York. The escaped mental patients that form The Giraffes will be spreading their alcohol-fueled message of shattered hope and depraved love for all mankind to B. B. King's on 10/8 for a free show. If your ears haven't been ruined by too many andogynous Emo bands, check 'em out.

It's no secret to even a casual reader of this blog that I think
Born in the Flood is not only one of the best bands ever to come out of Colorado, but a great band period (and it's not just me that thinks so this time). They'll be tearing it up in NYC from 10/17-10/20 for a series of CMJ related rockularity. There's a non-zero chance I can get you on the guest list for one, no promises though.

Pylon at Mercury Lounge on 11/7. This one sells itself.

In Colorado show news, this weekend it's a Nathaniel Rateliff twin spin, with Born in the Flood tonight, and his side project The Wheel tomorrow, both at the Hi-Dive.

Next Friday the 12th, Dr. Dog with The High Strung bring a double dose of pop and happy hardcore to the Larimer.

Very excited about this one. Ron Fountenberry used to record as The Incredible Moses Leroy. He's now got a full band, and they are called Softlightes. They're bringing their happy, sparkly, tinkly, soulful goodness to The Hi-dive on 10/23.

Rumor has it Monofog and Nathan & Stephen will be sharing the stage on Halloween at the Hi-Dive. If it's true, remember you heard it here first. Otherwise forget I said anything.

The New Pornographers get the first spot on my November calendar as of now, they'll be at the Gothic on 11/5.

Stars have gone from a band I'd vaguely heard of to one of my current favorites in the span of about 6 weeks. Their new album is great (and all their stuff is on EMusic), though it took me a few listens to really get into it, it was well worth the effort. They'll be at the Gothic on 11/6. Maybe I can just crash after the NPs show.

Alan can barely make it out

If you listen, with your ears, you will find out, something dirty

2007-08-17T10:11:00.000-06:00

I think I want to consume irresponsible amounts of alcohol tonight. If any of you lurkers want to blow your cover and join me, holla.

I had so much fun at the UMS last Saturday I want to do it again this weekend. Make that happen peeps.

Riverboat Gamblers are at the Bluebird on 9/8. It's a Saturday night, so no fucking excuses.

The Hives are playing Denver in October, which would normally be cause for celebration, except that they're opening for Maroon 5 at the Sports-arena-of-bad-sound-and-ridiculous-numbers-of-Chads. If I've mentioned this before, it's because I'm bitter, understandably so in my expert opinion.

Been listening to an advance of the new Stars record, In Our Bedroom After the War. Not as immediately accessible as the last one, but definitely worth a few more listens before I either embrace it or consign it to the meh pile.

In other Emusic news, they recently added the last Blonde Redhead record, 23. If you haven't already sucked the bullet and bought that elsewhere do it now without delay, I'll wait.

Alan would climb any mountain, sail across the stormy sea

Well I think it's fine, Watching Summer Rain

2007-07-11T11:05:00.000-06:00

Random mash notes

The new Spoon album dropped yesterday, Joe Bob says check it out twice.

Watch this here video thingamajig, and if you don't recognize the voice of the female vocalist, you're not paying enough attention to the local bands I obsess about.

Maximo Park and Tokyo Police Club both play the Larimer next week, don't say you didn't know later.

Alan will sing to you in French

You try to leave, but I'll be standing in your way

2007-02-13T12:13:00.000-07:00

Go buy the new Born in the Flood CD, or for your shopping pleasure, click the link and order online from the comfort of your own computer. Saw them on Friday at the CD release show and they were fantastic as always. Nathan and Stephen also have a kickin' new CD, though it's hard to capture the sheer joyfulness of their live performance.

So, I didn't watch the Grammy awards. However I am aware that a band from Colorado was nominated in the Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal category. I'm not a big fan of The Fray, they don't do a lot for me musically, and they do seem have gotten plugged into the Clear Channel Marketing buzzsaw a bit too much for my Indie sensibilities. Still I don't have anything against them. However, clearer evidence that I move in a completely different musical world than the big-market pop bands was an a snippet of an interview I heard on, naturally, one of the approximately 47 Clear Channel stations in Denver. They were asking the lead vocalist what he thought of the other nominees in his categories and he said he'd heard of all of them except The Raconteurs.

Upcoming (bigger) shows I'll likely be at. Feel free to run with me, stop by to say Hi, or take a nap on me.

TV on the Radio w/Subtle, 3/20 at the Ogden
Neko Case, 4/5 at the Gothic
Ted Leo, 4/22 at the Gothic

Alan has got the Poison

Six, Six, Six for my sorrow

2007-01-24T16:00:00.000-07:00

So apparently Paula doesn't have 6 real bloggers to tag, and has chosen your reluctant hero. This branch of the meme tree may wither and die with me though, since I'm struggling to think of six other bloggers that haven't already been tagged. I'll edit if I come up with some.

1) I always hang up my t-shirts while they are still damp from the laundry and hang them in the closest. Apparently some people dry them completely and fold them instead.

2) I don't like to use bar soap in the shower, and probably have less than 100 times in the last 25 years. I either use shampoo lather or body wash cream soaps.

3) "How old are you?" is a question I think I should be able to answer instantaneously, but I always have to think about it.

4) My eyebrows are starting to grow extremely oddly, and want to stick straight out rather than nestle neatly together close to my head. I feel weird about moussing them but I may be forced to.

5) In other eyebrow news, I can not remember a time when I could not arch my left eyebrow, and I do so easily and naturally. I spent some portion of my youth trying to learn the knack of doing the right one also, but was unsuccessful. Then out of the blue about 10 years ago I suddenly started being able to do it, though I have to think about it, and the muscles on that side aren't nearly as toned and ripped.

6) I am extremely anal about centering my car in parking places, to the point that I will get back in and adjust it if I feel it is too far off. I wax wroth with those that do not at least make a token effort to do the same.

Arguably using language like "wax wroth" also qualifies as a quirk.

Alan is about to kissoff into the air

I tried to phone, she wasn't home

2006-12-19T13:59:00.000-07:00

Funny how the mind works (mine, at least). I selected an album in WinAmp that I haven't heard in a long time, and before it started or the track list came up, I started mentally hearing the first song. The thing is, if you'd asked me what the first song was on that record I wouldn't have been able to tell you.

But still, the hook brings Alan back

Let me take you on a trip

2006-12-04T10:12:00.000-07:00

I'm really enjoying The Evens' new record, check it out here

Criminally late non-news, but The Riverboat Gamblers really do put on one of the greatest live shows you'll ever see. I saw Thunderbirds Are Now! a week after and they also were not lackadaisical in their stage demeanor.

I'm spending an awful lot of time playing this game. My friend Doug from Monofog now only answers to the name Warhammer, by the way.

I bought a new big boy bed over the weekend. It's the nicest one I've ever had, but also far and away the tallest (top of the bed is around 28-29 inches off the ground). While it's awesome not to have to bend my creaky knees much getting in and out of it, I think if I fell out of it the drop would kill me, or at least wake me up. It's all part of my master plan to start living like an adult instead of a college student. Now if I could just learn how to cut my own meat....

Alan is going to let his hands do the soothing

Do you believe in something beautiful?

2006-11-07T11:52:00.000-07:00

Vote, just do it.

Alan doesn't have anything clever to sign off with today

I'll Tear Your Mind Out, I'll Burn Your Soul

2006-08-07T11:17:00.000-06:00

Don't have time the long blog you all deserve, but wanted to get a few quick hits in.

I saw X and the Rollins Band Saturday Night at the Ogden, and it was just delightful. The guys Henry has backing him up were just fantastic, and he played blistering versions of a lot of my favorites, including playing Low Self Opinion early in the set, which meant I could relax and stop worrying he wouldn't play it.

X was superb, the original line-up, all at the top of their game, almost two hours with encores and they would have played longer I think if it weren't for the Midnight curfew on shows that aren't 21 and up. Almost all my favorites, with the exceptions of Burning House of Love and 4th of July, which my guess would either have been their third encore or which they chose not to play for other reasons (such as Billy Zoom didn't play on 4th of July).

I was also excited about the scheduled opening act, The Riverboat Gamblers, whose records I love and who I hear put on a fantastic live set, however, for the third straight time they cancelled out on Denver. Rumor has it they had transportation problems. I know stuff happens, but if they were a girl my friend Denver was dating I'd be telling Denver to DTMFA.

Sunday afternoon was a beer-soaked punk rock hoedown, featuring Frontside Five, Black Lamb, Tard!, a cool countrified acoustic set from Jett Black, Lyin' Bitch and the Restraining Orders, and me doing a couple of songs with One Time Only. Started off with Black Flag's "Rise Above" which unfortunately fell off the rails right after the break, but was well-received, and The Ramones' "Commando" which we nailed. Some other guys did some songs, too. Read their blogs for details ;P.

Drive by Alan's house late at night, you can see it from the highway above

Come here baby, I love your company

2006-07-15T11:16:00.000-06:00

Paula might disagree, but side 3 and 4 (Disc 2 for you youngsters) of this record is some mighty fine morning listening.

My new clever plan for increasing the fun in Super Happy Fun Time Karaoke is getting the local bands I know to make mp3 versions of some of their songs without vocal tracks for coolth and hipth.

Yesterday, on my way to the bar for the usual Friday night toxification, I stopped at the drive-through ATM at my bank (Cash make the drinks flow). After patiently waiting my turn in the hot, hot, Africa hotness, I pulled up to the terminal and the screen was asking if I wanted my card back or to go to the Main Menu. I correctly diagnosed this as the previous user leaving their card in the machine, and without a moment's hesitation I punched the button to retrieve the card and set off in pursuit of the car that was still in the parking lot of the bank just a few seconds ahead of me, tapping my horn and waving the gold ATM card out the window like Johnny making a pterodactyl. I finally succeeded in getting the driver's attention, got out of the car and handed it to a young lady who was too engrossed in her cell phone conversation to do more than mutter a grudging "thanks" without making any kind of eye contact or other acknowledgement of my humanity. I wasn't expecting an offer of sexual favors or anything, but a little more warmth for all of the two second contact we had wouldn't have left me with a sour taste in my mouth and the desire to go back in time and withdraw as much cash as I could have from her account. And I'm taking the woman by herself/Big intimidating man thing into account. This was at 4 PM in a busy parking lot on a major street with a security guard 10 feet away.

The Friday night ritual was successly completed however, and there were no dead hookers in my trunk this morning, which is always a relief. I had a tasty and delicious cup of French press coffee at SML this morning, and I'm ready and willing to procrastinate the day away.

Only Alan can bring the rain

Your pathetic little stabs at staying young

2006-06-30T09:51:00.000-06:00

I've been trying to write about the awesomeness that was The Giraffes show last Friday for a week, but it's just something that had to be experienced. You can get some slight idea of the insanity by looking at my friend Glory's photos. If you ever get a chance to see these lads live in a small club, spare no expense for a ticket and plan on cabbing it home. You can also stream some tracks on their Myspace page.

Alan can barely make it out.

You suck your thumb tenderly

2006-06-19T09:38:00.000-06:00

Lordy, lordy lordy. Busy weekend of rocking and rolling and drinking responsibly. Friday night if was the Frontside Five new CD release show. Was great fun, and they played a bunch of songs I hadn't heard before, which was cool. Only dark note was the dickhead who kept slamming me from behind, not in an accidental way, which I'm used to at punk shows, but in a "Fuck you for not participating" kind of way.

Saturday it was the Westword Music showcase. I called my friend Dekin around 2 to see if he wanted a ride, and he was over at another mutual friend's house, to which I was invited for a drink, which turned into several hours of World Cup viewing, margarita imbibing, and fajita consuming. Finally got both of us moving in the same direction long enough to make it to the car, and headed down to the showcase around 6. Saw The Laylights, who I thought were pretty good, Born in the Flood, who were incredible as always, and Yo Flaco, who were interesting, but I thought a little uneven. I guess I was exuding an air of knowledgeable authority that day, a couple of people who'd showed up at the main stage for the Yo Flaco set while Born in the Flood was playing asked me about them, and I was happy to shamelessly promote their record.

Then it was down to the Larimer for a set from Buzzard, who are friends of mine who are too lazy to even put up a Myspace page, but bring the hard rock goodness.

Then to the Hi-Dive for Stab! Heart! Kiss! Kill!, who were ok, but not treated kindly by the sound system, which is always dicey there. Then Monofog, who tore it up, despite the sound issues, and a tasty set from The Swayback. In a nice bit of circularity, I watched the Monofog set with the guitarist for Born in the Flood, who I know to speak to, and he was appropriately impressed. Those two bands are so wicked awesome, I want lots of good things to happen to them.

Alan gives it all by degrees

Epitaph This, Evolution That

2006-06-16T15:58:00.000-06:00

Check out a tasty new track from The Swayback and Shawn Astrom. Recorded entirely by children, that's right, children. Please, won't you give these kids a chance? Out of the Trance

Alan don't have time, dig?

This could be the big one

2006-06-14T22:01:00.000-06:00

So how are you planning on spending your Saturday? The cool kids will be here.

Alan's fate is in the hands of strangers

It feels good when you know you're down

2006-06-13T11:59:00.000-06:00

Trying to decide which MMORPG to devote your every waking hour to? Watch this short educational video that illustrates the differences between Guild Wars and World of Warcraft.

The Twilight Singers show was kickass last night, and I also really liked one of the opening acts, Afterhours. Check em out.

Now why would Alan ever stop doing this?

C'mon baby, Let me set you free

2006-06-12T09:26:00.000-06:00

I'm going to see The Twilight Singers tonight, y'all are welcome to join me. Rumor has it the Granite Kitchen Countertops will be opening, should be a rockin' good time.

Alan makes you feel you can't stand still

Who gives the orders here?

2006-06-11T20:49:00.000-06:00

Alan thinks it would be awesome if we could dance

They say I got a lot of water in my brain

2006-05-16T09:43:00.000-06:00

Real Craigslist personal ad headlines and my knee-jerk reaction to them.

Great girl looking for a great guy - 24 (Lakewood)

Must want great children and have great hair.

Easy as 1 2 3. - 29 (Denver/Golden)

Extra points for referencing a Seventies pop song, on the other hand anything that reminds me of Michael Jackson makes my eyes bleed.

Dorky Quirky Super-Geek - 26 (Parker)

Say it loud, say it proud, say whether you are one or are looking for one.

LOOKING FOR MY DESTINY...ARE YOU HIM???? - 52 (HIGHLANDS RANCH)

ZOMG!! I SOOO AM! LET'S GET MARRIED RIGHT AWAY AND I'LL TEACH YOU TO PLAY WORLD OF WARCRAFT AND YOU CAN JOIN MY GUILD AND I'LL TOTALLY HELP YOU LEVEL AND STUFF.

Alan ain't gonna face no defeat

But try to understand...try to understand

2006-05-12T09:04:00.000-06:00

I don't hate David Blaine, as much as I am bored by him, my usual reaction to news of his wacky shenanigans is ennui.

However, I recently read a story that some of his antics (and the preparation for them) are doing extreme damage to his health. This made me ponder a little bit on the price of fame and fortune. If you had to choose between living in lonely squalor for 50 more years in a fleabag Hotel room with only broadcast tv, and living for 5 in the lap of luxury with lots of money and egoboo, which would you pick?

Alan has got the Magic Hands

I'd Rather Die, Than Give You Control

2006-04-17T09:59:00.000-06:00

While I respect people's rights to have their own religious beliefs, I do feel the urge to mock those who seemingly try to exploit their religion for personal gain or gratification, even if it is schadenfreunde.

From Sploid via The Advice Goddess, comes the tale of Dominik Diamond, an ex-gameshow host who had planned to make a documentary about himself being crucified, only to back out at the last minute. If the documentary does go forward, I think the soundtrack needs to include the Nine Inch Nails' song, "Hands Got No Holes".

Alan has got money, he'd do anything for you

Gimme Toro, Gimme Some More

2006-04-07T13:18:00.000-06:00

Hey kids, time for my monthly post about nothing in particular.

I quit the Iron Maiden thing, was becoming severely unfun to be regularly and repeatedly told that I was not someone I am not. Nothing on the near horizon, but sometime this Summer I'll probably sing with One Time Only (punk cover band). In addition to Rise Above, I'm also planning on doing The Angry Samoans' "Lights Out".

I had some kind of hideous cold, that laid me out flat for almost a week, and took two more to (almost) totally leave my system. I blame Flasshe.

My car is running again, which in theory will make my social life interesting and worthy of sharing with both of you again, unfortunately I'm still suffering from cold-related low energy.

I went for three months doing the minimum essential laundry when I didn't have a car. Last Sunday I spent 3 hours and $16.00 in quarters washing practically every piece of cloth I own.

I have a digital meat thermometer that sounds an alarm when the meat hits the desired temperature. It hasn't supplanted the computer in my heart as my favorite appliance of all time, but it is damn good at what it does, and so far it hasn't pulled a Trapper-Keeper and started assimilating any of the other appliances.

Two of the phrases I coined today, "angst-ridden Hungarian Yakuza", and "low-key action hijinks", do not come up on a Google search (though "Hungarian Yakuza" by itself does). That will change once this page loads. Internet, consider this my gift to you, a small token of my appreciation for all the hours we have spent together.

Alan has the shrunken head you love to adore

Faster than the speed of gravity

2006-03-07T15:37:00.000-07:00

Why are you reading my stupid blog instead of listening to this.

That's how Alan catches you from falling

You ain't nothing but a hound dog

2006-03-06T11:37:00.000-07:00

This has no doubt circulated many times before, but it was new to me. Dead critters are a dog's best friend. Hat tip to Andrew Sullivan.

Alan is crying with laughter all the time

My mind is all confusion

2006-03-01T09:37:00.000-07:00

Hey there! Quiet times here at the Casa de Alan. I am enjoying the beautiful weather though (70s for the highs this week). Especially considering two weeks ago it got down to 10 below with 15 mph winds. Put a serious crimp in my party plans, since I was too much of a wimp to face the prospect of a 20 minute wait between buses to get home, and my car is currently non-operational.

I've been working hard on the Iron Maiden thing, but now I'm not sure it's going to work out. I got lectured yesterday because I wasn't memorizing lyrics fast enough, and am not doing the Bruce Dickinson stage moves. I'm not that guy, nor will I ever be, and I'm not in the kind of physical shape to try to carry that off, which should have been clear from the start. Considering the person lecturing me was the one who approached me about doing the project to start with, I'm a little resentful about what appears to be a dramatic shift in expectations. I made it abundantly clear I'll be glad to step aside without drama if they want to bring in someone else, so we'll see.

Some kickass shows coming up at the LL this month. March 18th it's Electric Six. Not only is that a Saturday night, but the next day is a rest day for the band, so I'm expecting all the stops to be ripped from their sockets. March 20th it's The Dirtbombs. A Monday night, unfortunately, but I'm predicting a personal day in my future.

For some reason, Haloscan is only intermittently sending me comment notifications. If I missed replying to your comment, it's probably cause I didn't realize it was there, and I'll try to remember to check manually.

Alan's got to find, some serious piece of mind

The parachute's in my bag, I'm throwing it over to you

2006-02-08T20:59:00.000-07:00

Play the Soundtrack to this post

Hey kids, want some ear candy? The soundtrack to this post is one of my all-time favorite songs, "Poppies" from the The Teardrop Explodes' album "Kilimanjaro". This song used to played a lot on KTCL before they started sucking, but I know the album mostly because the New Wave cover (we did a few originals too) band I used to be in did the song "Treason" from the same album. I'm not sure we ever performed that song in front of an audience, though considering we only performed about 3 times in front of others there were lots of songs we didn't "share".

In other Alan-centric news, I'd like to thank all those who drank with me, refrained from beating my ass, or poured me into cabs during my weeklong Bacchanalian adventure. Sadly, I'm back to the usual grind of smokin' weed and makin' money, but I'll be sure to give you plenty of advance notice for the next one so you can clear your calendars.

The future may hold the awesome spectacle of your's truly fronting an Iron Maiden tribute band for a limited number of engagements for a select audience. Run for the Hills, or go Where Eagles Dare.

Alan was born into a scene of angriness and greed

And the story was whatever was the song what it was

2006-01-24T19:57:00.000-07:00

Sequels no one really needs to see:

Star Trek XIII: The Mylanta Manuever

Jaws 6: Landshark

Caddyshack 3: Laundry Day

Groundhog Day: 234567891011121131415161718

Breakin' 3: I think I felt something tear in my scrotum

Alan play the movies all night long

Thinking of a master plan

2006-01-18T09:02:00.000-07:00

Greetings fellow babies! One of the things that always complicates the process of compiling a best/favorite list of the year for me is I keep hearing stuff I really like late. Such as Thunderbirds Are Now! and now (as the fine folks at Drink at Work refer to him) Tim "MOTHERFUCKIN" Fite!!!. Shame on me for not giving his stuff a chance earlier, but I think I'll cheat and include a song on my mix CD. Speaking of which, I'm debating either going to 2 discs or making an MP3 CD, since there are tons of songs I want to include (though the number of albums in consideration for me is a fair bit less than last year).

I tried to get a crew to play hooky today and do karaoke with me last night, and of the 10+ people I invited, well let's just say a table for two was more space than our group really needed. I had fun though. It surprises me I still get a little bit of stage fright sometimes, and there are times when it's more logical that I would that I'm cool and confident. Anyway, though they have a great selection at Bender's, they're a little light on the old school rap, which I wanted to do as a change of pace from my Elvis/Sinatra/Righteous Brothers/White Stripes comfort zone. Ah well.

Going to a take a week's vacation the end of January/beginning of February. Got a birthday coming and am contemplating some seriously Bacchanalian revels.

Alan is def with the record

It's so hot, that we might melt

2006-01-03T09:25:00.000-07:00

Stop what you're doing and stream the new Thunderbirds Are Now! album. Remember, I was right about the comet. Available at Emusic.

Alan's body adjusts to the temperature.

Be kind to our web-footed friends

2005-12-12T14:03:00.000-07:00

When I'm not scaling the outside of luxury high-rises by night, I work in a small office building. As I've shared before, this building has communal restroom facilities. Today as I was finishing my raccoon-like ablutions, a gentlemen came in and entered one of the stalls. Nothing unusual so far, but within a few seconds of the stall door closing, the thrilling (if somewhat tinny) sounds of John Phillip Souza's "The Washington Post" came from behind the door. I had never considered the possibility of a soundtrack to accompany the lowering of my trousers, but I'm sorely tempted now. More along the lines of "Danger! High Voltage", though.

Alan wants to know about those kids starting fires

Do people have a tendency to dump on you?

2005-12-10T09:08:00.000-07:00

Speaking of bad science fiction dialog.

"Run an immediate check on channels 100 to infinity!" (emphasis mine)

Nothing like making with the rocking and the rolling and the drinking, then getting up with a little bit of a buzz left and watching 60s tv shows.

Alan is going to hurry up and order one

Half of what I say is meaningless

2005-12-06T08:56:00.000-07:00

I'm tempted to call my new band Vance Vince and the Violents, but I don't think many people would get the joke, and of those that did, not many would be interested in any kind of music I'd be interested in doing.

There's something that really bugged me when I first saw Alien vs. Predator, and continues to bug me as I watch snippets on cable for background while I work on the computer. At one point the archaeologist fellow says that the ancient whatevers used a 10-based clock, so the pyramid should shift every ten minutes. Only problem is, a minute is a fairly arbitrary unit of measure. Even assuming the ancient whatevers used the same standard for seconds (also fairly arbitrary), 600 of them makes no sense as a common unit in a 10-based system. Now I don't mean to go off on a rant here, but one of the things that makes the difference between good science fiction and bad is getting the little details right. How hard would it have been to have the character just say "I'm checking my watch, so I can figure out if there's a common interval between the shifts". Doesn't add to the image of the character as ultra-smart, which I think is what they were going for, but doesn't make him look like a dumbass, which is what the original line really does.

Alan is saying it just to please you

Keeping an eye on the world going by my window

2005-11-19T15:36:00.000-07:00

Nope, not dead. My side job of shaking down middle school students for their lunch money has been slow of late, so I haven't had the funds for the high level of riotous living you, my loyal readers, have come to expect and experience vicariously through me.

I did schmooze my way into a free ticket to a great show last week, The Reigning Sound opening for The Detroit Cobras. Greg Cartwright of The Reigning Sound produced the last Cobras record, and was playing lead guitar on tour for them as well. Great show. One thing that I found squinky/ironically amusing was the frequent use of an asthma inhaler by Rachel Nagy, the Cobra's lead singer. Yes, the air here is thin, and perhaps you were justified in mentioning it frequently, but chain-smoking on stage might also have a bit to do with any breathing difficulties you might be experiencing.

Booze is magically delicious, as are Keebler cookies. Coincidence?

I love me the last Go-Betweens record, Oceans Apart, lots and lots, check it out if you haven't already.

Alan is only sleeping

I got some hazardous chemicals, so drive around to the window

2005-10-28T08:50:00.000-06:00

The Hold Steady show Tuesday night was awesome. I got a nifty thing I'll try to post pictures of. Had a nice chat with with couple of guys in the band earlier in the evening, but not in an obsessed fan kind of way, no no.

Inspired by a comment Flasshe left on a another blog.

What song would you least like to hear your medical practicioner playing while you wait or they're examining you?

Some examples:

Burning Inside - Ministry
What the use of getting sober(When you're gonna get drunk again)? - Joe Jackson
I Kill Children - The Dead Kennedys

I recently downloaded pretty much the entire Rainier Maria catalog from EMusic. Great stuff, and unlike my other recent great love, The Anniversary, they're still around.

Alan thinks it's strange how the ears ring

Love'll get you like a case of Anthrax

2005-10-16T09:58:00.000-06:00

Have you ever looked forward to a show for months, and then the day comes, and you're tired or cranky. You're thinking you should just blow it off, that the performers can't possibly meet your incredibly high expectations. Then you go anyway, and it was better than you had hoped?

The Gang of Four show last night was off the fucking chain. See this tour. Lots has been written by people better with words than I am, so I won't try to deconstruct it. I will say the highlight song for me was At Home He's a Tourist, but there was a whole lot to choose from.

Shoutout to my friends in The Swayback, who played a kickass opening set. Even with all the great GoF songs to choose from, my internal soundtrack was playing their song Distinguished Guest when I woke up this morning. Check these kids out. Otherwise more kittens will die needlessly.

The support band, Men, Women and Children, didn't really do it for me. First off I was biased a little by the fact they took 35 minutes to get their gear set, even though most of it was on the stage already and they'd had a lengthy soundcheck. They were very energetic, playing in a disco-revial style, and obviously put a lot of time into their lights and choreography. Unfortunately I thought their lyrics were uninteresting, and their singer's voice was totally unexceptional. Once you got past the flash in the arrangements, there wasn't any there there.

In other news, the stalwart quintet of Monofog is now a quartet, but I actually think I might like this version better. There's a little more room for everyone in the arrangements, and you can follow some of the really neat rhythm stuff they do a lot better.

Saw The Symptoms Friday night as well. I've slowly developed a mad love for this band, unfortunately it was their second to last show :( Rumor has it one of them is going to be going to Law School out of state.

Closed out the night Friday with a tasty and bootilicious set from The Sleepers. They stopped just short of a full instrument-smashing frenzy, but it was a near thing. Kat was rocking her keyboard back and forth so hard she knocked over her bass, and only quick action by the audience kept the keyboard from going all the way over and landing on top of it.

More rockin' tonight maybe, Frontside Five, Love Me Destroyer, and Zeke at the LL. I'm planning on going, but the flesh is a little weak at the moment.

Alan fills his head with culture

Down Under Where the Lights are Low

2005-10-14T12:11:00.000-06:00

Stolen from this clever and interesting person, who got it from this one.

Some of these are true:

1) At one time, my favorite Devo song was "Going Under".
2) If I'm massaging the feet of someone who I know cracks their knuckles, I will crack their toes.
3) The first car I owned at the age of 16 is still the coolest one I've ever had.
4) I saw Black Flag pre-Henry.
5) Every time I've played pool with the members of a band I've never seen before, they've gone on to sign a national recording contract.
6) Brussel sprouts and tongue are two of my favorite foods.
7) I can sing both the Bobby Hatfield and Bill Medley parts on Righteous Brothers songs.
8) I am one of the most polite people I know.
9) I own a CD of dance mixes of Paula Abdul songs.
10) I very rarely swear, or display visible signs of anger or irritation.
11) ...Except when I'm driving.
12) I read the newspaper daily for the comics.
13) I'll sometimes listen to the same CD over and over again, even if I have lots of things I haven't heard yet.
14) The surest way to tell if I'm really focused on a project is if the music isn't going.
15) I spend more money on CDs and DVDs than liquor.
16) ...And I spend more money on liquor than on food.
17) I own more sets of color-coordinated sheets and towels than any straight man should admit to.
18) ...Likewise with the pots, pans, and cooking utensils.
19) I've cooked food for more than 200 people at a time.
20) If I didn't have a shop vac, I would never dust.

Alan is going to the place where all the mutants go

I always thought you'd be my shining star

2005-10-14T09:36:00.000-06:00

Abra Moore asked me to be her Myspace friend. It's not the first time a musician or band has asked me first, but she's the first national act to do so. I and the several hundred others she's asked feel all warm and tingly.

I saw the Frames and Josh Ritter last Friday, and it was most excellent. Ritter does the singer/songwriter thing very well, and had a full band backing him up. They'd apparently actually spent time doing full band arrangements and practicing, which isn't always the case with backing bands, and it showed. Very, very nice, and I'm digging his records as well. The Frames were awesome. They have a largish catalog (6-7 albums), and I'm not familiar with all of it, but some of the new to me stuff was fantastic, as good or better than the album that got me into them, Burn the Maps. It struck me at the time that one way to describe their music would be Cat Stevens fronting the Pixies. There's a certain vocal similarity, and some of their slower songs wouldn't be out of place on a Stevens album, but they do the soft/loud thing incredibly well, and without being the whole point of the song. They also have a very skilled violinist, and rather than just adding ornamentation to the rhythm parts like some bands, he played more vocal/melody type lines, and it seemed to me like the arrangements were constructed around the vocal and violin parts.

Tonight I'm going to see a set from Monofog, then to another bar for The Sleepers, tomorrow night is Gang of Four, and if I have any energy left after that there's about 8 other bands I want to see play. It's a good problem to have, but there's so much good music playing in Denver I often have to choose between 3 or 4 shows, especially on the weekends.

The Hold Steady are playing the LL again on the 25th, and I'm eagerly anticipating that show. Earlier in the day they're playing at Littleton High School, details here. It's not open to the public, but I think I can pass for 17.

Mark your calendars for November 11, as well. Reigning Sound, The Detroit Cobras, and Call Sign Cobra. More fuzzy blues rock than you can shake a telecaster at.

People keep calling Alan Right Said Fred

It was fine at the time

2005-10-04T12:51:00.000-06:00

Saw The New Pornographers show last night with Flasshe, and it was most excellent. Our opinions were split on the opening act, The Immaculate Machines. I thought they needed a little more bite to their music and arrangements, Flasshe liked them because they made happy music. Neither of us was that impressed with Destroyer's set. I thought it was kind of the epitome of the tortured artist stereotype, and Dan Bejar fits the visual part of that cliche extremely well, unfortunately. The songs he did with the band were much better. Though he appeared to be somewhat the worse for drink at that point, his vocals were spot on. The NPs set was fantastic, if too short by half at about 70 minutes. No real surprises, other than the dress Neko was wearing, a sheath with a gauzy caftan-like over part. When I saw her carrying in t-shirts earlier she was wearing jeans, like she did when I saw her play solo, but maybe she was going to a Homecoming dance after.

Alan's slow, slow descent into alcoholism, it went

Don't try to swallow, I think it's sour

2005-09-27T22:55:00.000-06:00

Just saw me some Born in the Flood, and the only thing that could have improved the show was about two more sets and having the fellers wear Soviet Space Monkey pants.

I'm almost finished with a long, overdue, intensely complicated project at work. In fact I would be done if they would stop changing the requirements. Hopefully I'll have more time for carousing and hence opinionatizing.

I'm working through mental lists of band names, and so far a couple I like for different reasons are Korben Dallas, and Graveyard of Dreams.

Alan turns it on by degree

You've really got some nerve showing up around here

2005-09-23T07:42:00.000-06:00

I was chatting over lunch with a friend of mine, and she mentioned that she uses Quark in her job. I'm actually only one KBD (Kevin Bacon Degrees of separation) from the developers of that product, which is kind of weird and circular, if not exactly interesting to anyone else.

Way back before the Earth's crust cooled, I was in a band with Flasshe and DJ Smallberries, and then later the three of us all worked briefly at the same company. DJ S is one of those programming studs that used to get a lot of short term contracts, and he did a lot of work on Quark when it was in the early versions, I want to say circa 1987-1990.

This has been another exciting chapter of Pathetic Tech Geek stories.

Alan used to be dead, but now he's out looking for beer

I woke up this mornin' with the sundown shinin' in

2005-09-17T16:24:00.000-06:00

Last night was a blast, thanks to everyone who came down. No word on future performances, but I'll let you know.

I'm assuming most of my core readership is familiar with The Big Lebowski. I happened to turn on the tv to Comedy Central while it was on, and in the scene where Earl smashes the car, they replaced the original dialogue with "This is what happens when you fight a stranger in the Alps!". That doesn't even make sense. Not going to wade through the rest to see what other inane substitutions they make, but my money would be "Everything's a flightless travesty with you!".

Alan tore his mind on a jagged sky

Saccharine, I'll not follow you

2005-09-12T13:39:00.000-06:00

Hey kids, what's shaking? Long time, no update. Between a too short vacation and anger and depression over the hurricane, I haven't felt much like posting. And today's is going to be short.

I've seen some really good bands lately, especially The Forecast. Though their label is trying to shop them to fans of Bright Eyes and Rilo Kiley, they remind me far more of The Anniversary, and help console me over the demise of that band. Check out one of their best songs, Late Night Conversations, at PureVolume.

Also well deserving of your listening time is SLC's own I am Electric. They're Rock 'n' Roll Best Friends Forever with one of my current band crushes Monofog, who played the same show, and I was most impressed. Somehow or other though, their CD did not transfer over to my iPod correctly, and though I can find individual songs, I can't find the whole disc by band name or album title, so I haven't listened to it all the way through yet. I'll check the tags when I get home.

On September 2nd, I sang lead on a song with this bunch of fellers, and it was a hoot and a half. I'll be doing a repeat performance of two or three songs this Friday, the 16th around 10-10:45 PM at the LL. The cover is $6, but they may be doing comps, and I'll try to get them for folks if I can.

Alan is screaming in a silver gilded cage

Try to stop what we do

2005-08-25T12:07:00.000-06:00

I realize the chances are microscopic, but if anyone was planning on coming to the Larimer to hear me sing tonight, I just found out my song has been cut from the set :( I promise next time I'll wait until afterwards so I'm sure it happens, then travel back in time to let you know in advance.

Alan will never try to distort what you say

Far from this opera for evermore

2005-08-24T08:23:00.000-06:00

Hey, I've had an RSS feed for a while, Flasshe's mentioning it reminded me. The url is http://bigtopal.blogspot.com/atom.xml.

Until now, only doctoral candidates in medieval English could really appreciate Beowulf, this new translation is much more accessible for the modern reader (make sure to scroll down to the translated parts, I promise it's worth it).

I was looking forward to a little karaoke at Bender's and then a (relatively) early night last night, since I was under the impression there wasn't a show, but the second part was not to be. After my blistering and enthusiasticly received version of this song, this cute girl came up and said if I liked Ted Leo (I was wearing my cool new TL shirt), I should catch their set, too. She was playing in a band called The Dollyrots, and it was a really fun set and totally worth only getting 5 hours sleep to see. I've downloaded their album from Emusic, and it's very enjoyable. I swear there's a curse on that place though, since once more there were lots more people doing karaoke then seeing the live touring band next door.

Tomorrow (Thursday, 8/26) night is my performance of "Rise Above" with One Time Only at the LL. Pig roast, Camel giveaways, punk rock, and alcohol, what more could you ask for? There's also at least a fair chance I'll be doing some songs with Black Lamb over the next few months while their regular singer is indisposed. Not really my preferred musical genre, but they're friends and good at what they do.

Alan is talking to himself at night

Curse Sir Walter Raleigh

2005-08-22T08:10:00.000-06:00

This is awesome. Hat tip here, scroll to the bottm for Greg's own hilarious take on the subject.

Alan is so tired

I'll shine up my old brown shoes

2005-08-21T10:30:00.000-06:00

It's been a fun week, if a bit sleepless. Thursday I was at Bender's, to see Fallout Orphan, and they had Karaoke going on in the main room. I did The Buzzcocks "Ever Fallen In Love", and pretty well if I do say. Then it was time for the show. It was supposed to have been just a two band bill, but apparently this band had driven in from Portland, only to find that their show was cancelled, so they got added in the first slot. They were called The Loveblisters, and I thought they were awesome. Kind of a jangle-pop thing with some Beach Boys style harmonies. They'll be touring again this Fall, they said, hopefully their next show will be better promoted (and attended). Then Fallout Orphan played, and were great as usual. I don't know why they don't have a huge following, they're so good, and every time I talk to someone new at their shows, they always say how much they dig it, but sometimes it seems like I'm the only one who goes to their shows to see them. The headliner was a band called The Young Republic, a nine piece band out of Boston. Singer and guitarist, Guitarist/Pedal Steel, Violinist/Vocalist, Violinist/Trumpet, Violinist/Percussion (Yes, 3 violinists), Flautist, Keyboards, Bass, and Drums. They had a nice alt-country/country swing kind of thing going, and I liked it, but I thought their songs suffered from overly complicated arrangements at times. They were also horribly mismatched with the other bands on the bill. One other sour note was the side of the crowd, I don't think it ever got over 25, counting members of other bands. That happens sometimes, especially during the week, and I imagine if you're in a touring band on your tour, you have to deal with it. But it must be like rubbing salt in the wound when next door in the main room there were close to 100 people rocking along to karaoke.

Friday night it was the usual happy hour debauchery at the LL, followed by more karaoke at Mori with a bunch of LL folks. Some great singers in that crew, and I even got one of the stagefright-stricken ones to sing along with me on some Cheap Trick.

Last night it was a three band bill at that other club. Started off with The Denver Gentlemen, which is mostly Jeffrey-Paul (of 16 Horsepower) and assorted friends. They were interestng mostly for their instrumentation, singer/guitarist, violinist, drummer, and xylophonist. Definitely not something you see every day. Then it was Born in the Flood, who were awesome as always, and played a couple of new songs. They said they're going to be working on a new full-length this Fall, which should be rocktacular. The headliner was Bright Channel. They're very good at what they do, and they're very popular, unfortunately their style of music does almost nothing for me. Kind of a psychadelic, swirling guitar thing. Without deconstructing it completely, I guess I just like more melody and lyrics.

Alan will get home early from work

Volume is pleasant

2005-08-13T13:25:00.000-06:00

Great night of live music last night, starting with a band I hadn't heard before, The Funeral, at the Larimer. Their sound is kind of a cross between Interpol and Gang of Four, an observation I made just before they closed their set with GoF's "Damaged Goods". Synchronicity is everywhere, at the dance club I went to later that night they played The Funeral's version of that song, and regular readers will remember that's a song I was considering covering with One Time Only. Plus the reunited Gang of Four will be playing Denver 10/15.

Then it was off to The Walnut Room for Nightingale, and Monofog. Both sets were blistering, but I have a serious band crush on Monofog right now, so have to give that one the nod. Monofog is playing again tonight at the club which must not be named, and I'm planning to check it out. The first time I saw Monofog, they reminded me strongly of Pylon, for some liquor-addled reason. Probably the somewhat dissonant vocal lines that don't always follow the same rhythmic structure as the rest of the song. I was chatting to their singer about the resemblance and she'd never heard of them (big surprise). I told her I'd send her a couple songs, which you, my faithful readers, can also get if you like.

Stop It
Read A Book

Alan is doing a good job of making you not trust him

Making movies, on location

2005-08-09T13:16:00.000-06:00

Variety (link via Defamer) is reporting that Anand Tucker has been picked to direct The Golden Compass. While I'm not familiar with Mr. Tucker's work, at least it's not Brett Ratner.

I highly, highly recommend the original Philip Pullman trilogy, which should be immediately purchased from the independent bookseller of your choice. If you have them already, buy another set and give them to your next blind date.

Alan don't know what it means

There are no words left to speak

2005-08-08T06:47:00.000-06:00

New masthead picture, remember, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. What I like about this shot is that it's not obvious which eye it is, at least to me. I obviously need a real camera, though.

I've heard the Clap Your Hands Say Yeah album, and I don't get what what all the fuss is about. It's pretty good, but I was expecting the second coming of Peter Frampton or something. Maybe people just want to like a band with that kind of goofy name, which is certainly understandable.

On the way to work I was behind the Tractor part of a Tractor-Trailer rig (aka the front part of an 18-wheeler). Across the top of the back of the white cab was written JESUS in Red letters, and the mudflaps had red crosses on a silver background. I tried to get around to see the sides and front, but traffic wasn't cooperating. I think it would have been really cool in a creepy way if REPENT! or JUDGEMENT! were written in reverse letters on the front grill.

Alan can't keep his eye off of you

6 6 6 For My Sorrow

2005-07-31T22:39:00.000-06:00

So 5 bands weren't enough for me today, even though it was a fantastic bill. After Dressy Bessy played I went down to the Bluebird and saw Born in the Flood (Yes, again), and The Hot IQs. There were a couple more bands on the bill, but my feet and back were feeling the effects of 7ish hours of standing and toe-tapping, so I went home.

Alan is going to kiss off into the air

Don't bother asking for explanations

2005-07-30T09:38:00.000-06:00

So there seems to be some confusion out there. I'm not the Al Stewart that performed "Year of the Cat". The truth is I'm actually Steve Miller.

Heard some great surf rock from a band called The Unearthly last night at the LL. I'm headed down there tomorrow for an afternoon show with two of the best bands in town, Born in the Flood, and Dressy Bessy, plus 3 more bands, The Moths, Voices Underwater, and Thank God For Astronauts. Show starts around 2, I think, but get there early, going to be packed for sure.

Also did a little karaoke last night at Mori. Only a handful of people there, which was strange for a Friday, but it meant I got to do lots of songs, including this one.

I've come up with my punk rock star search selection. I'll be doing Black Flag's "Rise Above" on 8/25 at the Larimer. One Night Only (the punk tribute band) goes on around 10, so even though it's a Thursday you could still make it home at a decent hour if you came by.

Alan keeps on slipping, slipping, slipping, into the future

Sometimes I'm thinking that I love you

2005-07-18T19:48:00.000-06:00

Had one of those legendary good times at the wedding on Saturday. Too much to write down tonight, but let me just say it involved great people, free liquor, fantastic live music, methed up assholes, and the police.

I've got a chance in the next couple of months to do the vocals on a classic punk song of my choice with a fun classic punk tribute band some friends of mine do as a side project. They already do two Ramones songs, so that's out though it's my obvious choice. At this point I'm considering Gang of Four's "Damaged Goods", Dead Kennedys' "I Kill Children", X's "We're Desperate", The Sex Pistols' "Pretty Vacant", and The Buzzcocks' "Ever Fallen In Love". If you have suggestions, I'd love to hear them, though.

But Alan knows it's only lust

I don't have the time to watch the stars falling down

2005-07-16T08:49:00.000-06:00

What can I say about about Born In The Flood that isn't being said by 500 other people today. These guys are scary good. Well-crafted songs, great sound, impassioned live performance. If they don't hit big it will be a crime. They played two shows last night for a CD release party at the club which must not be named, and I saw both. It was about 110 inside the club and packed solid for both shows. They'll be playing a Sunday afternoon show at the LL on the 31st, and they're going to have to tear the walls out to get everyone inside.

Opening for the first show was a band called Voxtrot out of Austin, who really tore it up as well. Their live performance was outstanding, and they have a great brit-pop kind of sound. Going to beg Scott at the LL to book them up there, I'll keep you posted

Alan felt run down a bit and fell asleep to quiet all his woes

Hey Little Sister Look What You've Done

2005-07-14T08:29:00.000-06:00

Enbärsdricka. Say it loud and there's music playing, say it soft, and it's almost like praying. Maybe Sue will bring me some.

I heard Alice Cooper's "I'm Eighteen" last night for the first time in a long time, and noted that the Like it, Love it, Like it, Love it part at the end was paid tribute to in Turbonegro's "Get It On". I'm sure you all are as excited as I am to make this connection.

The other night I was doing laundry at a coin-op near my apartment. It was about 9:30, and on the tv came one of those Cinemax soft-core porn movies. I have nothing against porn, but it was definitely a little squinky having it come up in a brightly lit room with several strangers in their doing laundry clothes. There weren't any kids around at the time, though a 5 year old had been in there a few minutes before. I'm probably just being a prude.

Going to a wedding this Saturday up in Grand Lake, about a hundred miles away. Been looking forward to it for months, I know most of the guests, and they are a rockin' crew. Part of the evening's activities will include performances by The Omens, and Black Lamb. Everything is within 1/4 mile of my motel room, which is good, since it's at altitude and liquor is going to be extra effective.

Alan has been away for so long

A rare serious post

2005-07-07T11:22:00.000-06:00

My heartfelt condolences go out to the victims of the bombing attacks in London and their families. To those responsible, I think and hope that I am right, that attacking innocent British civilians was the single stupidest thing you could possibly have done, and whatever you meant to do, what you will accomplish is to get the full support of the British people behind the current operations abroad. Guardian

Alan

Invisible man who can sing in a visible voice

2005-07-07T09:43:00.000-06:00

Check out the new Matson Jones and Teenage Fanclub albums, both well worth your listening time. However, the big prize in my current crop of Emusic downloads is this.

Alan didn't know he could feel this way

I don't care about History

2005-07-06T16:31:00.000-06:00

High School Curriculum for a new Millenium

English
That shit's wack, fo-shizzle

Mathematics
Changing the battery in your pocket calculator

Science
Proper disposal of Meth lab waste

History
Boy bands from New Edition to N'Sync

Civics
Huerta Bail Bonds is the one to call,
If your Meth lab gets raided and you're taking a fall

Foreign Language
Colors and handsigns any commuter needs to know

Physical Education
Stretching for the remote without getting off the couch

This is not where Alan wants to be

Our Whole Relationship Is A CD Skipping Away

2005-06-29T01:12:00.000-06:00

I just got back from the Visqueen show, and it was totally rocktacular. Their last CD is absolutely fantastic, it'll be in my 2004 top list if I ever finalize it, and it's available on Emusic. Tiny crowd, peaked at around 60 for the opening act, and there were only about 40 for Visqueen's set, but it was great. The nice thing about a small crowd is I got to chat with both Rachel Flotard (guitarist/singer/song-writer), and Ronnie Barnett of The Muffs, who's playing bass for them as well. Both super nice folks. Buy all their records. It's going to be tough getting up tomorrow, but so, so worth it.

Alan's feet were born to follow your's

Couldn't Get To Sleep Til Five In The Morning

2005-06-27T19:08:00.001-06:00

Had a busy weekend of tasty, tasty live music. For a grand total of $5 in tickets I saw 9 local bands, all of whom were more than worth the price. Follow the links for samples, at least streaming, but lots of downloads, too.

Friday night it was Devotchka, who are gaining some momentum nationally and probably technically don't qualify as a local band.

Saturday was the Westword Music Showcase. 9 different venues and around 50 different acts. I saw

Hobbs NM

Hot IQs

Born in the Flood (Absolutely incredible set, the highlight of the showcase for most of the people who caught it, including me)

The Swayback

Love Me Destroyer

and
Black Lamb (The energy this band throws off on stage could light up a small country)

As if that wasn't enough, Sunday there was a 10 band bill at the Larimer. I was too tired for more a few sets, but I caught:

Monofog (Actually from Ft. Collins, about 60 miles from Denver, they're so good I'd help them move)

Pacific Pride (Can't find a site for them, unfortunately. I'll edit later if I do)

And the Hot IQs again (Much better set, and the sound was so much better at the Larimer there's really no comparison)

Alan is suffering the fate of the underachiever

Who Would've Thought

2005-06-22T18:32:00.000-06:00

So I'm driving home today, light traffic, everything's moving smoothly, and a few cars ahead I see a huge pickup turn from a side street and cut someone off ahead of me. Lots of screaming brakes, but no impacts. 20 seconds later they cut someone off in the left lane, more brakes and a few horns. They get stopped trying to make a left turn at the next major street, and as I pass I notice it's a company vehicle for a place that manufactures and installs Traffic Safety equipment.

Alan is like ten thousand spoons when all you need is a knife

Now! Rock and Roll Now!

2005-06-21T13:11:00.000-06:00

The bugs, heat, humidity and rednecks would be totally worth it, if I lived in Georgia right now.

Alan's feet are shaking cause the earth is shaking

I sit here staring and there's nothing else to do

2005-06-20T14:41:00.000-06:00

When working in an office building with communal restrooms, and you're in a stall when someone else enters, etiquette requires that you avoid making any sounds that could be interpreted as you giving yourself a "morale booster"*. Thank you for your consideration.

* (Unless you're really, really close)

Alan tried it just for once found it all right for kicks

the morning sun can look so mean

2005-06-20T09:55:00.000-06:00

I actually like my job, but hate having to go to work.

On Friday I usually make grandiose plans for how much I'm going to accomplish the coming weekend, and by noon on Sunday I'm checking the socks and underwear supply to see if I can put off the laundry for another day.

I reached for the bottle of Ibuprofen I keep on my desk and the top was off and lying next to it. There are several possible explanations, listed in ascending order of probabilty:

I'd already taken some this morning and forgot to put the top back on
One of the cleaning crew had a headache this weekend and "borrowed" some (Please bring back those CDs you "borrowed", too)
My boss is adding work-performance enhancing drugs to all of our pill bottles
The cleaning crew is adding drugs to try to make me forget about those CDs they "borrowed"

I ordered "a large coffee" at the coffee place this morning and the counter person asked me if I wanted light or dark roast. Listen, didn't they cover this in training? The time to ask me to make a decision is
after I've had my coffee. I already used up all the spare processing power left over from driving and autonomic nervous system functions deciding to stop here in the first place. At least she didn't ask if I wanted a biscotti, or my lymphatic system would probably have shut down.

Alan traces his eyes, wakes and retrieves

I spent a lot of money and I spent a lot of time

2005-06-19T13:38:00.000-06:00

I put together a 2004 retrospective CD. It's by no means comprehensive, but a lot of the stuff I left off is the obvious stuff a lot of mixes I've seen have (Hmmm, will this one start with Take Me Out, or close with it?). These are just things I like I think other people should have a chance to listen to.

Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)-The Arcade Fire
Love and War (11/11/46)-Rilo Kiley
Miracle Drug-A.C. Newman
Bleeding Powers-Ted Leo/Pharmacists
Birth-The Faint
Circus-The Features
C'mere-Interpol
Antidote-The Hives
Arbeit Macht Frei-The Libertines
Barfruit Blues-The Hold Steady
(You Got Me) Hummin'-Reigning Sound
Are You Gonna Be My Girl-Jet
Infrared-Shalini
Who the Fuck?-PJ Harvey
Crush On Radio-Visqueen
The Rat-The Walkmen
Staring at the Sun-TV On the Radio
Port Authority Band-Slim Cessna's Auto Club
Courtship-Smart Brown Handbag
Surfing on a Rocket-Air
Butterfly Thing-Tanya Donelly
Big Sky-Abra Moore
Equus-Blonde Redhead

Alan grabs a piece of somethin' that he thinks is gonna last

Out of my gun into your burning heart

2005-06-18T09:09:00.000-06:00

The Hold Steady show last night was totally worth the wait. Everyone there had a great time, I think. It wasn't that crowded, but there were a few people who came by because the band got written up in our local alternative weekly on Wednesday. Hopefully they're now fans. The guys in the band that I talked to were genuinely nice, and according to the sound guy, totally professional and easy to work with. Only bad thing was they'd sold a lot of their merchandise before they got to Denver, and I'd been hoping to get the Lifter Puller CDs from them.

The GEDs and The Swayback, who opened the show, also put on really good sets. I don't know what it's going to take, but Denver has so many great bands who just need maybe one break, or a producer with some vision, and this could be like Athens was back in the day.

Which brings to my next point. My sig and title are taken from this song, from local favorites THe Hot IQs. The sound guy last night was playing local CDs, including this one, and though I have the CD and have heard the song many times, for some reason it just clicked with me last night, to the point of near obsession. Joe Bob says check it out.

UPDATE:
Another obsession du jour is The Anniversary, who I played the hell out of yesterday and so far today. Here's a link to an mp3 of one of their best songs, All Things Ordinary. Other songs available here, all well worth a listen, even if they are streaming only. Both of their albums are available on Emusic, I wouldn't look for a new one though, they broke up last year.

Alan crosses his arms to front philosophy

Is she really going to take him home tonight?

2005-06-17T08:13:00.000-06:00

Presented as a helpful guide, I can't guarantee that none of these would work.

Lines to avoid when you're drunk and trying to pickup a local musician.

"I like your tattoo of two dogs fucking in a dark room"

"The best part of your set was that cover you did. You should do a lot more songs by that band"

"Your (other band member) is really hot"

"I like your hair, my Mom won't let me dye mine that color"

"I've got a home studio, I bet I could make your vocals sound halfway decent"

"I'm a musician too, my friends and I are in a Manilow tribute band called The Man-Dees. Get it?"

"I'm an A&R guy for (Mom's basement size local record label). Want to come back to my place and give me a "showcase"?"

"Did you play already?"

"I've got irritable bowel syndrome and the bathrooms here are gross, can I use the one at your place?"

"I don't have any money or drugs, but I know a guy if you want to buy some for the both of us"

"Would you like to hear my testimony?"

"I'm a freelance rock journalist"

"Hi, my name's Poindexter"

"That amp sure looks heavy, make sure you lift with your legs"

"If you're nice to me I'll blog about your show"

Alan thinks there's something going on around here

You look as if you're going somewhere

2005-06-16T11:06:00.000-06:00

Why yes, I am. And it's out of the room while Dancing with the Stars is on.

Why yes, I'm going to see The Hold Steady tomorrow night.

First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin.

Your birthday is coming up, and I'm going coffin shopping.

Just going out for ~~a restraining order~~ some cigarettes.

Straight to the moon, Alice!

Going downtown, gonna see my girl, put her left leg over my shoulder.

To where they have bees and flowers and chirping birds. And I'll be happy to see those nice young men in their clean white coats.

To the Larimer for $1 PBRs after work. Who's with me?

Alan just can't convince himself

I saw them stars go off at night

2005-06-15T08:55:00.000-06:00

Saw Spoon last night, absolutely fantastic show. The played about 90 minutes, counting both encores, and might have played longer if it weren't an all-ages show which means everyone had to be out at midnight. They seemed to be having a lot of fun on stage, which always makes things better for everyone concerned. They ended up playing all but three songs from the new album, and lots of stuff from the others. Highlights for me were I turn My Camera On, and The Two Sides of Mister Valentine from the new album, and Lines In the Suit from Girls Can Tell.

It was at the Gothic, a venue which I am ashamed to say I have been avoiding for a long time, since the last time I was there it was still 70 year old movie theatre seats that were in lousy shape. It's been completely remodeled and is really pretty special. Capacity is probably 600-700, but it's well laid out for giving as many people a good sight line as possible, especially from the balcony, where I sat on a comfy padded stool directly behind the sound board and about 6 feet higher than it. My only complaint with the layout is that it was about 2 flights of stairs from there up to the bar and restrooms, where the projection booth used to be.

The Clientele, who opened the show, played a good and mostly pretty quiet set, though when they did rock out, they did it very, very well. I wasn't familiar with their work, but do plan to check out some of their recordings.

RANT: To the various and sundry folks shouting near and around me during various portions of Spoon's set. If you have to yell to be heard over the band, perhaps it's a sign that you're in an inappropriate venue for conversation. I would probably never pitch someone off the balcony, since that would almost certainly mean an end to the show, but that was one of the few things holding me back. Well, that and fear of the legal system.

In other news, I'm planning on creating a series of short films to sell to the History Channel for obscene amounts of money. Each will be a re-creation of a famous Civil War battle, with kittens cast as the Confederate and puppies as the Union soldiers. If those do as well as I expect, I'll do the War of the Roses with monkeys and penguins. Interested venture capitalists may contact me here.

Alan is going to keep on showin em out

P.S. I hate the fact that the link for cuts appears on the bottom of every post, but I don't think there's a way to fix it and still do cuts. Perhaps at some point I'll make it decorative and do something like Click Me -> when appropriate.

I tried to hold you back but you were stronger

2005-06-14T09:18:00.000-06:00

Today's meme is stolen from Eric. Mostly I wanted to see if this cut thing is working (Instructions for other Blogger users here).

1.) Copy this list into your blog.
2.) Bold what is true.
3.) Leave plain what is false.
4.) Add something at the end.
5.) Be nice and put it behind a cut

001. I miss somebody right now.
002. I watch more tv than I used to.
003. I love olives.
004. I love sleeping.
005. I own a home.
006. I wear glasses or contact lenses.
007. I love to play video games.
008. I've done something illegal.
009. I've watched porn movies.
010. I have been in a threesome.
011. I have been the psycho-ex in a past relationship
012. I like my handwriting.
013. I have acne-free skin. usually
014. I like and respect Al Sharpton.
015. I curse frequently.
016. I have changed a lot mentally over the last year.
017. I have a hobby.
018. I've been to another country.
019. I carry my knife/razor everywhere with me.
020. I'm really, really smart.
021. I've never broken anyone else's bones.
022. I have a secret that I am ashamed to reveal.
023. I love rain.
024. I'm paranoid at times.
025. I would get plastic surgery if it were 100% safe, free of cost, and scar-free.
026. I need money right now.
027. I love sushi.
028. I talk really, really fast sometimes.
029. I have fresh breath in the morning.
030. I have semi-long hair.
031. I have lost money in Las Vegas.
032. I have at least one brother and/or sister.
033. I was born in a country outside of the U.S.
034. I shave my legs.
035. I have a twin.
036. I couldn't survive without Caller I.D.
037. I like the way that I look.
038. I have lied to a good friend in the past 6 months.
039. I know how to do cornrows.
040. I am usually pessimistic.
041. I have mood swings.
042. I think prostitution should be legalized.
043. I think Britney Spears is pretty.
044. I have cheated on a significant other.
045. I have a hidden talent.
046. I'm always hyper no matter how much sugar I have.
047. I've been sexually intimate with fewer than ten people.
048. I am currently single.
049. I have kissed someone of the same sex.
050. I enjoy talking on the phone.
051. I practically live in sweatpants or PJ pants.
052. I love to shop.
053. I would rather shop than eat.
054. I would classify myself as ghetto.
055. I'm bourgeoisie and have worn a sweater tied around my shoulders.
056. I'm obsessed with my LJ
057. I don't hate anyone.
058. I'm a pretty good dancer.
059. I don't think Mike Tyson raped Desiree Washington.
060. I'm completely embarrassed to be seen with my mother.
061. I have a cell phone.
062. I watch MTV on a daily basis.
063. I have passed out drunk in the past 6 months.
064. I have never been in a real relationship before.
065. I've rejected someone before.
066. I currently have a crush on someone.
067. I have no idea what I want to do for the rest of my life.
068. I want to have children in the future.
069. I have changed a diaper before.
070. I've had the cops called on me before.
071. I bite my nails.
072. I am a member of the Tom Green fan club.
073. I'm not deadly allergic to anything.
074. I have a lot to learn.
075. I have dated someone at least 10 years older or younger.
076. I plan on seeing Ice Cube's newest "Friday" movie.
077. I am very shy around the opposite sex. I'm very shy in general. Believe it or not.
078. I'm online 24/7, even as an away message.
079. I have at least 5 away messages saved.
080. I have been rejected by someone.
081. I have made a move on a friend's significant other in the past.
082. I own the "SOUTH PARK" movie.
083. I have avoided work to play on LJ.
084. When I was a kid I played "the birds and the bees" with a neighbor or chum.
085. I enjoy country music.
086. I love my best friends.
087. I think that Pizza Hut has the best pizza.
088. I watch soap operas whenever I can.
089.I'm obsessive, anal retentive, and often a perfectionist. about some things, and not others
090. I have used my sexuality to advance my career.
091. I love Michael Jackson, scandals and all.
092. I know all the words to Slick Rick's "Children's Story".
093. Halloween is awesome because you get free candy. And give people free candy!
094. I watch Spongebob Squarepants and I like it.
095. I have dated a close friend's ex.
096. I'm happy as of this moment.
097. I have gone scuba diving.
098. I've had a crush on somebody I have never met.
099. I've kissed someone I knew I shouldn't.
100. I play a musical instrument.
101. I strongly dislike math.
102. I'm procrastinating on something right now.
103. I own and use a library card.
104. I fall in "lust" more than in "love."
105. Cheese enchiladas rock my socks.
106. I think The Lord of the Rings is one of the greatest things ever.
107. I'm obsessed with the tv show "The O.C."
108. I am resentful that I have to grow up.
109. I am an entirely different person around different people.
110. I think the world would be a better place if people just smiled more often.
111. I think Ramen is one of the best foods in the whole world.
112. I am suffering of a broken heart!
113. I am a nerd.
114. No matter where I am or who I'm with, I always seem to be lonely.
115. I am left handed and proud of it.
116. I try not to change who I am for someone.
117. My heart resides below my feet.
118. I have had sex with someone I was not in a relationship with.
119. I enjoy smoothies.
120. I have had major surgery.
121. I have adopted a pet from the SPCA.
122. I am listening to Radiohead right now.
123. Some people call me by a nickname.
124. I once stole a music stand.
125. I like pumpkin pie.
126. I like NASCAR.
127. I own over 200 CDs.
128. I work 7 days a week.
129. I have mono.
130. I don't have the ability to make decisions without changing my mind.
131. People tell me I have a horrible sense of humor.
132. I'm still in my PJs.
133. I'm looking for love in all the wrong places.
134. I have a tendency to fall for the wrong guys, or have them fall for me, so I can't help but reciprocate.
135. I'll try anything three times.
136. I've done drugs other than alcohol or cigarettes.
137. I'm having trouble sleeping.
138. I am a cuddler.
139.I like John Waters films.
140. I have made a pornographic videotape.
141. Sloth is my favorite deadly sin.
142. One of my boobs is bigger than the other though not noticed by others.
143. I know all the words to the "Firefly" theme song.
144. I am abnormally obsessed with all things Buffy/Angel.
145. I love comfort food.
146. I'm a right-winged conservative Christian, and proud of it.
147. I'm Catholic.
148. I can walk a mile without feeling like I'm going to die.
149. I am a college student.
150. I like to cook.
151. I hate vacuuming with a passion.
152. I'm addicted to photography and picture frames.
153. I have performed in the Rocky Horror Picture show.
154. I generally get along with my parents.
155. I like Shakespeare.
156. I like to sing.
157. I'll take the Pepsi Challenge any day, and STILL pick Coke!
158. I have things that I want to say to people, but I won't/can't because I don't want to hurt/be hurt by them.
159. I'm not "mainstream" when it comes to religion
160. I've counted down the days until the summer.
161. I've fulfilled someone's dare at a party or gathering.
162. I challenge people to duels, and when I do, I mean it.
163. I was pigeon-toed at one point in my life. i think i still am
164. I love Digimon and wear goggles to school.
165. I have been to an anime convention.
166. I constantly have my head in the clouds daydreaming.
167. I am addicted to roleplaying.
168. I was in labor for 30 hours with no pain medication.
169. I own more than three items of vinyl clothing.
170. I read hardcore Christian Bible Tracts because I think they're funny.
171. I hate to drive.
172. I'm unemployed but would rather sit on my butt and play video games than look for a job.
173. I come from a southern, highly religious family and have chosen to keep a major part of my life secret from my family for now.
174. I have a serious taste for older men.
175. I had a happy childhood.
176. I have an unhealthy obsession with certain child actors.
177. I am an only child.
178. I have more than five different lotions on my desk right now.
179. I have a more active online social life than IRL.
180. Sometimes, I actually like my job.
181. I love animals, and have had at least one pet.
182. I love writing letters.
183. I haven't had sex with a lot of people, but I've had a really wide range of sexual experiences with those few.
184. I don't bleed, I percolate.
185. I sleep the entire day but am awake all night long.
186. My two children were born in the same month.
187. I like the taste of blood.
188. I do not know how to swim.
189. I know how to shoot a gun!
190. I am currently pregnant with my first baby!
191. I flew to another state when I was underage without asking/telling my parents.
192. I've experienced natural childbirth.
193. I am a HUGE "Sex and the City" fan.
194. I am currently experiencing physical pain
195. I've lost time at work this week because my car was encased in an ice flow.
196. I'm looking for a new job that I actually like.
197. I am OCD about at least one thing.
198. I have a child named after a fictional or mythological character.
199. I have made something homemade for someone else.
200. I have gone white water rafting.
210. I now live over a thousand miles from where I grew up.
211. I watched Queer as Folk this week.
212. I believe there truly is someone out there for everyone.
213. I was in a band that never played out.
214. I have been in at least one seriously life-threatening situation.
215. I have never owned a car.
216. I've watched 10 episodes of The Gilmore Girls in the past 24 hours.
217. I want to live in a movie. A really great movie.
218. I have written a book.
219. I'm on the "Thank you" or "Acknowlegements" page of more than one published book
220. I don't take my contacts out. ever.
221. If sexuality never came into play, I would totally walk around naked all the time.
222. I have over 300 DVDs.
223. I have purchased an ABBA single on 45.

In other news I'm going to see Spoon tonight, and am really looking forward to it. And three and a half days to go till The Hold Steady at the Larimer.

Alan feels like he wins when he loses

Love Is Such A Beep Beep Feeling

2005-06-13T09:21:00.000-06:00

An idea for a meme came to me in the car on my way to work today. As far as I know it's original, but feel free to take credit if you think you came up with it first and my subconscious is playing tricks on me.

Name three goals you have to which you are either currently or at least occasionally working towards:

1) Being paid to perform music

2) Being able to dance for more than half an hour at a stretch

3) Drinking all the liquor in the greater Denver Metro area

I'm liking the new White Stripes CD a lot. It's not quite as rocktacular as White Blood Cells and Elephant, which start with kickass rock songs (Dead Leaves And The Dirty Ground, and Seven Nation Army, respectively) but I think the songs on this album might be better and more subtle.

One addendum to my weekend report. On Friday when I was down at Lounge, there were probably 7-8 of us milling around a home base table with 5 stools. A visibly pregnant woman came in dressed like a deadhead, and her friends who were all standing and playing pool asked us for one of our stools for her, which we gladly gave them. We were there for probably another 45 minutes during which time the woman smoked at least 3 cigarettes and downed 2 shots, which we found troubling on a certain level.

Alan is celebrating Christmas in the Summertime

Don't move too fast, people, just take it slow.

2005-06-12T10:25:00.000-06:00

I have a new theme song for my life. Went down to a dance club called the Church last night. It's really a cool layout, the main dance floor is what used to be the chapel of a turn of the century Episcopal church, and there are two other dance floors with their own DJs in the basement. My friends wanted to do the retro room, which was really pretty horrible. Mostly bad 90's club mixes of 80's songs, instead of actual 80's dance songs, which would have been much better. I hadn't thought about the possible difficulty of finding a DJ who looks good at a trendy club (which seemed to be the only reason this guy had a gig) who actually has a decent collection of 80's vinyl, but it could certainly explain the meagre selection of what I would consider a decent retro dance number. At one point though, after being chased out of the room once again by chaotic weirdness, we wound up in the hip-hop room, and that DJ had it going on. Including playing "Let's Get Retarded", by the Black Eyed Peas. You may be more familiar with the video version which has the PC lyric change to "Let's Get It Started", but the original is now my aforementioned new theme song.

That was Saturday, Friday I caught a hot set from one of my favorite local bands, Fallout Orphan, at The Walnut Room. Having them dedicate the debut of their kickass cover of "That's When I Reach For My Revolver" to me will not effect my ability to provide an honest and unbiased opinion of their extraordinary talent. Then it was off to Lounge for $1 Old Styles with friends, and a third bar I will not name because after multiple visits I have yet to enjoy myself there, despite the apparent mind control rays that have convinced most of my social circle that it's a cool place.

Alan is moving step by step, like he's into new kid

Where you been for so long

2005-06-10T13:06:00.000-06:00

Greetings and Salutatarians! I haven't been feeling all talky-talk lately, but as always have some opinions to share.

New (to me) albums with how much I want to immediately listen to them again on a scale of 1 to 10 (1 = Can I get my money back for this?, 10 = Let me listen to that just once more before I try something else), and some comments if the spirit moves me.

Hot Hot Heat-Elevator (6)
Slickly produced and fairly boring, especially after the poppy delight of Makeup the Breakdown

Bloc Party-Silent Alarm (3)
Ugh, thankfully I previewed it before I spent any money on it

The Kaiser Chiefs-Employment (8)

Queens of the Stone Age-Lullabies to Paralyze (7)
I'm warming up to this, but it still doesn't have anywhere close to the impact on me Songs for the Deaf (still) does

Starflyer 59-Talking Voice vs. Singing Voice (6)
They've slowed things back down, after engaging my interest with last year's I am the Portugese Blues.

The Go-Betweens-Oceans Apart (8)
Just one listen so far, but I really liked what I heard

Spoon-Gimme Fiction (10)
I'm being good and listening to all the stuff (including this) I got from EMusic last night once through, but as soon as my playlist is over I'm going to listen to this for the rest of the day. My new favorite album of the year.

Shows:
Not too many in this category. did see some great sets from local bands on Memorial day, notably the GEDs (who'll be opening for The Hold Steady a week from today), and The Empties, who are way too good to be 19 year old kids. Last Friday and Saturday nights I saw the amazing Neko Case, who is not only incredibly talented but has truly funny stage patter. I wish I could have afforded to follow her tour, but I console myself with the fact that I would have had to put with the horrific stylings of her opening act, Low Skies. This band has truly nothing going for it. Boring arrangements, stupid lyrics, a lead guitarist whose idea of a solo is deliberate feedback from his monitor, and annoying stage mannerisms.

Books:
Been reading a lot more lately, including some really good stuff. Only halfway through Michael Chabon's The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, but am loving every minute of it. Just read Blink, by Malcolm Gladwell, which was interesting and thought-provoking, if not quite so much as The Tipping Point. I read The Easy Hour by Leslie Stella on the recommendation of my hero, Mimi Smartypants, and it's delightful, even if it is capable of being characterized as chick-lit. Military SF is one of my guilty pleasures, and I've just read Trading in Danger and Marque and Reprisal, both by Elizabeth Moon, and March Upcountry and March to the Sea by David Weber and John Ringo. The latter two are both available from the Baen free library. When I say I like Military SF, I mean I like some of it. I can't stand a lot of the stuff that's slavishly devoted to the technical details at the expense of plot and characterization, but Moon and Weber are two of my favorites and have yet to disappoint.

Alan went to places unknown

First rule is

2005-05-27T08:46:00.000-06:00

Dragging hard today, which is entirely my fault. Went down to the Larimer last night for a punk show, and didn't get home till after 1, and was too pumped to sleep till nearly three. Highlight of the evening was the last act, assorted personnel from a couple of the better skatepunk bands doing classic punk covers. Pit never really got going, but it was close, and everyone had a blast. Remind not to try to mosh while people are literally climbing on me, though, my knees are too old for that.

This is some of the funniest stuff I've read on a blog in a long time, the comments are where it really takes off.

That's all for now, lots of work to do. Fortunately I have this to keep me awake.

Alan is not, not, not, not, not, not, not, not your academy

You're telling me I should forget you

2005-05-17T09:56:00.000-06:00

I've mentioned The Frames' new album, Get the Maps, before in this space. It's continued to grow on me steadily, to the point where I listen to it almost daily. I'm terrible at describing particular styles of music, and there's more than one at work here, but I will say there are songs that wouldn't be out of place on a Pixies album, which is high praise from me. Though the entire album is available on EMusic, they haven't quite embraced the idea of putting lots of MP3s up, even streaming ones (There is one, but not one of the best songs). However, there is one of those cheesy live performance videos of one of the best songs available here. Please don't hold the video part against it. My other current favorite song is Underglass, if you wanted to get a smaller taste before using up so many precious EMusic song downloads.

In other news, The Hold Steady is coming to the LL on 6/17, which will June a very good month for me indeed. New album is good, if not quite as good as Almost Killed Me.

The new Electric Six album is a bit of a letdown. There are some good songs, but no real standouts. Probably wouldn't have made an impression on me if I wasn't a fan of the band already. Could explain why there's no US release date for it, if the label is comtemplating re-recording/remastering.

Alan is talking like I should expect to

Stick me in your skull and bones purse

2005-04-27T09:23:00.000-06:00

Saw a couple good local bands last night, Cat-a-tac and Hobbs, NM Intervention at Hobbs, NM Intervention at Bender's. I really like the performance room at Bender's. There's a decent-sized stage, a big dance floor, and a nicely elevated tier around three sides of the floor with seating. Was a good show, but I skipped the headliner, Jesse Sykes and the Sweet Hereafter, since they would have hit the stage at midnight and it was a Tuesday.

Although, half my office, including all the people I report to are out of town at a trade show until Monday. So if there were a time to show up after 5 hours sleep and nap at my desk this would be it. Instead I'm blogging and blasting the Cramps. I'll save the napping for Friday morning, since I'm going to see Fallout Orphan Thursday night, and it's a long bill that probably won't end till nearly 2.

Alan is getting on the bus

I've been trying to get people to call Sunny D

2005-04-20T09:48:00.000-06:00

There's a new album by The Hold Steady coming out on May 3, mark your calendars. In the meantime there are a couple of songs available at Emusic from a Crisp songs sampler. These songs will apparently not be on the new album.

Rilo Kiley will be playing in Denver on 6/13 at the Gothic. I'm thinking of going, although I'm not a big fan of the venue, despite having pleasant memories of seeing The Pixies play there a few times. It's also on a Monday, which is another factor.

Toying with the idea of road-tripping to Dallas to catch Ted Leo on 6/6. I'd love to see the show, and a road-trip might be fun, but on the other hands, it's Texas! In the Summer!

Alan has got the good stuff kids go for

Do what you want to do

2005-04-19T13:00:00.000-06:00

Meet the new Pope, not at all like the old Pope. One thing he does have in common with his predecessor is his desire to see the Church embrace the values of the Fifties, though in his case it's the 1450s.

Read a great quote last night, which I record here for my own recollection. "Nothing limits intelligence more than ignorance; nothing fosters ignorance more than one's own opinions; nothing strengthens opinions more than refusing to look at reality".

Alan is not very Popeful

Do ya do ya want my love?

2005-04-15T09:43:00.000-06:00

Big ups to Sue for pointing out this work of staggering genius. The fourth one down is going to be on a T-shirt if I have to give up a kidney to get it.

Alan is a silly rabbit

Somebody better notify the Chief of police

2005-04-12T21:15:00.000-06:00

Still recovering from the Electric Six show on Sunday night. Braved 15 inches of snow and it was still coming down, but the Larimer was packed. Lots of hot, sweaty, improper dancing. Awesome show, made me want to throw some clothes in the car and follow the tour. They'll be in San Francisco on the 20th. Their last CD is on Emusic, check out Danger! High Voltage, Gay Bar, or Dance Commander if you're interested. They have a new CD, but it's only available in the UK currently. Didn't stop me from ordering it from Amazon UK though.

Last week they announced two nights with Neko Case at the Bluebird on 6/3 and 6/4. I bought tickets to both shows today. That's the next big show on the radar for me, though Radio 4 at the Larimer in May should also be a good show. Good chance the Larimer will have The Hold Steady this Summer too, which I'd love to see.

Alan is doing it in the middle of the street

It would be awesome, if we could dance

2005-04-07T14:03:00.002-06:00

Greetings from the Neitherworld. I know it's been a long time between posts, but I've been suffering from a wicked case of Countchoculitis. Not too much to report, slowly settling into the new place, desperately looking forward to a real vacation, and pondering a second job to supplement my ~~alcohol~~ entertainment budget.

I did get out last Friday to see Split Lip Rayfield at the Larimer. They’re a rockin’ four-piece (Bluegrass/Thrashgrass/Slamgrass) outfit. Acoustic guitar, banjo, electric mandolin, bass made out of a car gas tank. All four switched on Lead vocals, and did some nice 3-4 part harmony stuff at times. Lots of energy, tight playing, very dynamic on stage, and they played over 90 minutes with encore. I’ve heard them on CD and it doesn’t come close to the live performance, which I’d highly recommend if the genre isn’t a deal-breaker for you.

This Sunday night it’s Electric Six at the Larimer. I’ve been looking forward to this show since I first heard about it, and have scheduled Monday off since it’s likely to be a late night. They’ve got a new album out in the UK, hopefully they’ll have copies at the show. Please budget bail money just in case.

Alan is getting over you, one six-pack at a time

Fire in the Disco, Fire in the Taco Bell

2005-03-18T10:12:00.000-07:00

I've successfully passed another St. Patrick's Day without ingesting Green beer. It's one of those holidays that sounds good in theory, but for me has always represented hardcore, chaotic drunkenness, rather than my much preferred low-key, friendly drunkenness.

There's a UGO feature on Ted Leo, including a video of him doing an acoustic version of Kelly Clarkson's "Since You've Been Gone". Check it out twice.

Be on the lookout for The Decemberist's trailer, which was stolen with all their gear in it. At this point their tour is going to go mostly as planned, including a stop in Boulder about 35 miles away next week, but for me, it's A) On a Tuesday, 2) about 35 miles away, and iii) at a venue I don't much care for.

Some shows I'm excited about in the next few weeks at the Larimer, though. Two nights with Split Lip Rayfield on 4/1 and 4/2, and Electric Six on the 10th.

I've alluded to it in the past, but I'm a big fan of Mimi Smartypants. The other day I was looking in the mirror and one eyebrow hair on each side was sticking straight up. I was sorely tempted to glue sesame seeds to the ends and pretend they were antennae. The difference between me and Mimi though, is that she would have actually done it.

Alan wants to take you to a Gay Bar

I get a contact buzz

2005-03-10T14:25:00.000-07:00

So, I'm pretty much all moved. Everything is out of the old place, but I still need to get a few boxes of kitchen stuff out of storage (I was using my roommate's stuff before, not eating out of a Burger King bag over the kitchen sink, if that's what you were thinking). New place is working out well, it's great having a 25 minute commute at the peak of rush hour, vs. 45-60 from the old place. I have the sneaking suspicion it's going to pretty unbearably hot come Summer though, since we had a nice warm weekend and it was hitting 75 with the windows closed. Perhaps I can get a second job so I can afford to run the air conditioner. There's always sex work.

So far three different people have suggested I grow things on the balcony. I'm not sure the coca, poppies and marijuana idea will work in this climate, but if anyone knows any Peruvian peasants I'd like an expert opinion before I completely nix it. If that doesn't work out, I do like the idea of getting one of those lattice-work pergolas and training peas and tomatoes up the sides.

If I hadn't just simultaneously moved and donated all my money to worthwhile causes like the U-Haul corporation, I'd be more than just tempted to hop in the car after work Friday and drive down to Austin for The Features/Kings of Leon show Saturday night. Perhaps I would develop mechanical trouble that would force me to stay there all next week, and I'd be forced to console myself by drinking heavily and watching as many other live shows as humanly possible during SXSW.

Alan is intended for external use only

For a long time I felt without style or grace

2005-03-03T08:38:00.000-07:00

I get the excitement and privilege of moving to a new place this weekend, the second time I'll have moved in the last six months, after living in the same place for 15 years. Much as I hate moving, the new place is huge, closer to work, and I'll be living alone again, all of which are good things. On the down side, it's in a neighborhood that is nothing but asphalt and appartment buildings, there's no landscaping to speak of for blocks in most directions, and it's now going to be a lot less convenient to stop at the Larimer for a beer or ten after work.

Speaking of the Larimer, I caught a really good local band there Monday night. They're called Fallout Orphan (three members used to be in another local band called The Penelope Project). Very, very good stuff, and one of them plays a sax, which is always good for points in my book. No Morphine covers, though I toyed with the idea of suggessting it. Based on the crowd reaction, including the Larimer employees I was drinking with, they should be a band to watch.

I like you, but you don't like me

2005-02-22T13:37:00.000-07:00

A few days late, but learn to deal. Thursday night I went to see Wanker play, and it was most excellent. This is a band I used to see regularly back in the late 80s, early 90s, and I'm delighted they're back to a somewhat regular performance schedule, since I always heard about their annual "reunion" shows after the fact. They still play the same clever and catchy masturbation and sex themed songs, and their live performance is still a ironically hip cross between The New York Dolls and Poison. I enjoyed the performance greatly, and was able to pickup "The Total Wanker" CD, which contains the whole contents of their previously only on cassette 2 EPs and 1 full-length, plus a few extras. In an odd twist of fate, my friend Flasshe's brother-in-law is now playing bass for them. He's someone I know only slightly, but we're at least nodding acquaintances, and he did do the sound at the only outside the rehearsal space performance of the band I used to be in with Flasshe, at my 25th birthday party.

I'm enjoying The Frames new album very much. It's my first 2005 purchase, and I'm feeling mildly guilty over not posting my favorites of last year, but I think maybe a best of 2004 list will seem fresh and exciting again in a few more weeks.

Alan is Fact, Alan is Fiction, Alan is a Fuckin' Addiction
(Alan is also blatantly ripping off Mimi Smartypants with that sig)

You give love a bad name

2005-02-14T08:14:00.000-07:00

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone. This year I've decided to celebrate in the traditional way, by eliminating several of my gangland rivals in a garage. Anyone who wants to be a witness, then head to Florida on a train with an all-female orchestra should let me know by noon.

Tonight I'm going to head to Bender's for some good local music, so that should give you a good headstart on your getaway.

This is how it's always been

2005-02-10T09:09:00.000-07:00

If you likes you the Country music, or the Alt-Country music, you should definitely check out Tift Merritt. She put on a great set at the LL last night, and how can you not enjoy a band that tours with a Hammond B-3? Musically, she reminds me of Lucinda Williams, with a little bit more of a Soul influence, but what do I know.

Keeps spiders in her pockets

2005-01-30T02:22:00.000-07:00

So happy 42nd birthday to me. Just got back from the Wrens show at the the Larimer Lounge, and I can't think of a better band to play live at my birthday. Not only was it the best live performance I've seen so far this year, it's in the running for the best live show I've seen period. Throw in a couple of Ukrainian Folk Dancers, and there'd be no contest.

Fat cat in a top hat

2005-01-28T09:04:00.000-07:00

I feel strangely compelled to see this movie. Hopefully it will be coming to a secret screening room in the sewers under Denver soon. You'll need to be a Post subscriber, or spend a brief moment at BugMeNot.

There's a million ways to sing the blues

2005-01-24T11:10:00.000-07:00

Hola amigos. Long time, no post. Life continues on it's usual boring course in general, but I did get a chance to see a great band Saturday night, and wanted to spread the word. They're called The Features, and they hail from Tennessee, a state well-known for it's contribution to the Indie rock canon. They write great catchy songs, and tear it up on stage, which is all I really ask for in a band. I'm not a music critic, so I'm afraid I'll limit my description to saying I really, really like their stuff, and think a lot of other people would, given a chance. I was right about Arcade Fire, wasn't I? Anyway, the first link will take you to where you can get a six song EP from EMusic, and you can stream lots of different tracks at their website. They'll be in San Francisco on Friday, with Kings of Leon, which will be a much better bill than the one I saw.

They were the middle band of three, the first was a local group called Le Boom, who were adequate, but not as explosive as their name suggests. Their second song reminded me so strongly of Elizabeth Daily singing Better Off Dead during the prom scene from the movie, that I kept thinking it was that song.

The headliner was a band called Razorlight, the latest over-hyped wonder from the UK. I left after about 5 songs, and observed to several of my friends that they desperately wanted to be The Libertines, but lacked any talent, and their Moms told them to be home by 9:00. I like this quote from bettawreckonize. "The lights dimmed and this is what I saw: a fresh-faced, under bathed, criminally over-rated pop band who is sure to take the British music press by storm. Where have we seen this before?"

The spirit fights to find its way

2005-01-06T09:42:00.000-07:00

Sorry, can't stay and talk, someone has a gun to my head. Perhaps they're a member of some Thrill Kill Kult.

UPDATE: I've managed to elude my captors long enough to learn that Natalie Portman is apparently set to star in the movie adaptation of "V For Vendetta". Probably not news to anyone else but me, but learn to deal, it's my blog, and I can be boring and repetitive if I want to.

But you, you speaka my language

2005-01-05T15:28:00.000-07:00

I was browsing through the Emusic new releases, and they've recently added the first three Morphine albums, so you no longer have an excuse for not hearing and falling in love with their music. (Well no excuses other than you already have all their albums or it gives you epileptic seizures)

I feel fine and I feel good

2005-01-04T09:33:00.000-07:00

I awoke really grumpy and miserable today. I've been working 6 and 7 days a week since the beginning of December, working on my company's biggest update of the year, and as usual, having to do the lion's share of the work and take the majority of the responsibility. Was seriously considering calling in today and resting, but decided to show the flag instead. Drive in was very nasty, as it's snowing fairly heavily, and it wasn't doing anything to improve my attitude. I was about 5 minutes from the office when suddenly New Order's "Bizarre Love Triangle" came on the radio, and it was like someone turned a dial in my head from sad to happy.

What you wouldn't want to hear then anyway

2004-12-30T16:34:00.000-07:00

Hola amigos. Been a while since my last update, been tired, or working, or compulsively playing World of Warcraft. I did slip out of work yesterday in time to catch "The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou", a film I enjoyed very much. I didn't find it laugh out loud funny except for a few exceptions (Jeff Goldblum has a few good scene-steals), but it was very humorous, and I enjoyed it very much. Some really nice performances, including Willem Dafoe demonstrating that he can do a character part extremely well without chewing the scenery, in fact his performance is so restrained I doubted it was actually him until the closing credits. The soundtrack is absolutely fabulous, featuring not only my favorite Devo song, "Gut Feeling", but some wonderful acoustic versions of classic Bowie songs sung in Portugese by Seu Jorge, who also plays a character in the film who happens to sing and play guitar a lot. The soundtrack omits his version of "Queen Bitch", though Bowie's (also in the film) is on it.

I'm still trying to get my top whatever list to jell, and I'm trying to be firm with myself about not buying albums from other, more organized people's lists. I did buy one more new CD this week, though, "Sunset on Dateland", by Visqueen, since a friend recommended it and there's a rumor they're coming to the Larimer soon. Well worth more than the one listen I've had time for so far.

Female vocalist of 2004 category day here on the iPod. Been listening to Abra Moore, A Girl Called Eddy, Tanya Donelly, and Neko Case, though now that I think of it, the Visqueen album could be in that category, too, so maybe I'll play that next.

If it's true, a wire runs through, each thing we do

2004-12-23T08:26:00.000-07:00

Joyful Festivus everyone. You can send cards here. Feel free to air whatever grievances you have, even if not directed at me.

There is a rare beauty in the North

2004-12-18T13:40:00.000-07:00

Just got back from House of Flying Daggers (Shi mian mai fu), and it is absolutely wonderful. The same director (Zhang Yimou) and writers (Zhang Yimou, Li Feng, and Wang Bin) as Hero (Ying xiong). Better story, and better acting, including one of the most beautiful women in the world in my book, Zhang Ziyi. And either Zhang Yimou is coming up with different fantastic cinematographers, or he's calling the shots there as well, cause this is another gorgeous visual treat.

Baby, I'm bad news

2004-12-14T13:31:00.000-07:00

Lots of new music to listen to this week. Going to try really, really hard to stick to listening to new stuff so I can complete my best of 2004 list before May. However, some quality reviewers have published their's already, and I've picked up some stuff I missed and am really liking so far.

In that Category:
Reigning Sound-Too Much Guitar (Harder edged than I usually go for, but I'm digging it)
Rilo Kiley-More Adventurous (Jenny Lewis' voice makes me happy)
French Kicks-The Trial of the Century (basic "Indie Rock", but a good example of the genre)
The Hold Steady-Almost Killed Me (catchy lyrics performed in a monotone, almost spoken word style, but it works thanks to some great instrumentation)

Stuff Flasshe mentioned recently (though not on a best of):
The Features-Beginning, and Exhibit A (Beginning is ok on first listen, Exhibit A is a snoozer) UPDATE: Listened to Exhibit A again, and I like it much better the second time through.
Starflyer 59-I Am the Portugese Blues (liking this a lot so far)
Dogs Die In Hot Cars-Please Describe Yourself (I Love You Cause I Have To is catchy enough, but I don't feel like I have to listen to the rest again anytime soon)

Going to try this weekend to make a list of all the 2004 albums I have and start trying to rank them. So far, I know Ted Leo is number 1, The Arcade Fire is in the top 5, and The Libertines and TV On The Radio are in there somewhere.

You got me Howlin', baby

2004-12-12T17:28:00.000-07:00

Everyone go download Too Much Guitar from Reigning Sound, or at least (You Got Me) Hummin'. This is kick your face in, balls nasty Rock.

Someone sang me throo-ooo-ooo-ough it

2004-12-12T11:02:00.000-07:00

The PLUG award nominations are out, and Ted Leo's "Shake the Sheets" is up for both Album of the Year and Indie Rock Album of the Year, and his "Dirty Old Town" DVD is up for DVD of the year. I actually had 6 out of 7 of the Indie Rock nominees before I read the list, and was able to download the 7th, French Kicks' "The Trial Of The Century", from Emusic. The French Kicks album is not startlingly good on just one listen so far, but we'll see. I'm also not as wild as some about the latest Interpol album, but the other nominees are good choices.

It's been a fun weekend, in between going into the office both days (I'm there now, in fact). Friday night I was going to go bowling with some folks from the Larimer, but when we met up at the alley we decided not to wait an hour and a half for a lane. Instead we went to a Yuppieish bar in the Highlands called the Coral Room, where much liquor was enjoyed by all and sundry. About 11, a live DJ came in, and was spinning some good tracks, and we all danced, which I had really been missing. I must admit it makes it a lot easier for me to get out on the floor when there are some bad male dancers already out there, since even though I'm huge, I really can dance.

Last Night I went to Benders for a Skatepunk/Indie Rock fashion show, which was really a blast. Not really my usual kind of thing, but I knew some of the models and the organizer, and they'd all been asking everyone to show up and support the event. Must have worked, since the place was packed, and it's a big room. They had a really fun act going when I came, couple of guys in Argyle sweater vests and fake German accents doing some pretty good Krautrock. Unfortunately I missed getting their name, though they may be a spin-off of Mr. Pacman. Then it was over to the Larimer for sets from Black Lamb and Skulls, a couple of good local Hard Rock bands. Black Lamb was notable for their lead singer, who moved like a cross between Mick Jagger and Iggy Pop, but seem to be completely unself-conscious about it. Skulls wore the obligatory Skull makeup and black skeleton costumes, but were very tight, and a big crowd favorite, since at least half the songs featured audience members on the choruses.

I Have Lost Something

2004-12-10T13:54:00.000-07:00

Been giving this album a lot of play lately. I've had it for months, gave it a couple cursory listens, then pretty much ignored it until a few days ago. Gave it another chance after loading it to my iPod, and am enjoying it more with each listen.

Had the office Christmas party yesterday, which was quite the adventure. Left the office at 1:00 for a limo ride (my first) to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular featuring the Rockettes. The Rockettes were great, and were on stage enough that I resisted the temptation to gouge out my eyes during the other portions, which were the kind of sickenly saccharine skits and songs I've always associated with the stereotypical 50s suburban nuclear family. After a few minutes to get our stomaches to stop heaving, it was back in the limo to a fancy steak place, Elway's, for one of the best steaks I've ever had. Not sure I'd sit through the performance again for a repeat of the meal, but it'd be a close decision. I told everyone next year I was picking the entertainment and we were all going clubbing.

There's a party in my mind...And I hope it never stops

2004-12-08T13:19:00.000-07:00

Just a short one today. Super busy at work, and my nights are filled with the sound of the CD drive spinning at max as it rips my CD collection to iPod. Taking a trip in the Wayback machine today, with the fruits of last night's labor. X, The Pixies, Pylon. I have distinct memories of really listening to all those bands for the first time.

I'll Put It To You Plain And Bluntly

2004-12-05T02:39:00.000-07:00

As I listen to Ted Leo's "Shake the Sheets" on my brand new iPod, I realize that if I choose to define the best album of 2004 as the one I'd most miss never hearing again, this is it.

Which is not to take anything away from the Arcade Fire, I saw their show last night and it was most awesome. I was especially tickled by the lead singer's attire, which reminded me most of The Plimsouls, circa "Valley Girl" scenes. Funeral is a great CD, and it may move up yet, but as I write this, Ted rules all.

One of the things I love about the iPod so far is the ability to say, "Listen to this". Much more powerful than relying on my unsupported word. I still need to buy some accessories, especially a skin. I'm also leaning toward an FM transmitter, since that would not only allow me to play it easily through my existing car stereo, but simplify integrating it to not only my home stereo, but the stereos of anyone else I happen to visit or get a ride from. I'm enough of a music snob to want to push my tastes on others, even in their own homes, and I'm not likely to lose that desire. With the years, though, I've learned to accept when others really don't want their horizons broadened, no matter how cool I may personally think something is.