Funny cover songs (Day 4) - Jessica Simpson "Take Me Breath Away"

Sad......Top Gun 2.0?  Here we go...

Funny cover songs (Day 3) - Celine Dion "You shook me all night long"

God help us......

Congrats to the Brandi's - My Girl

Two of our close friends (Mark & Kylie) had a baby girl!  Elaine Rae Brandi.

This song is for Mark.

Funny cover songs (Day 2) - Miley Cyrus "Smells like teen spirit"

One word......why?  Two words.....this sucks.  Three words......fire her manager.  Four words......does she know nirvana?

Funny cover songs (Day 1) - Dave Grohl doing Creed's "Arm's Wide Open"

Every generation deserves a band that they can call Great.....and Creed was not that band. In fact, Creed might be one of the shittiest bands to ever hit the radio waves. C-R-E-E-D answers the question "When did Rock-n-Roll become so douchey?"  I've kept this blog pretty positive so far, but it's time to get into the "Pathetic."

Dave Grohl (Nirvana) does a cover of Creed's "Arm's Wide Open" and nails it with the purest, sarcastic tone. Nice work, Mr. Grohl.

Do they still have it (Day 7) - Robert Plant

Today is the final day of this weeks theme, "Do they still have it?"  Today's entry is Robert Plant....not Robert Plant in Zeppelin, but Robert Plant outside of Zeppelin. Plant has put out numerous solo records since Zeppelin and not all of them are good...actually I could probably only list a handful of good songs. Plant created a great record with Alison Krauss a few years ago and this year he released a record with The Band of Joy. Plant (and John Bonham) were both members of The Band of Joy prior to forming Led Zeppelin (1965). Maggie and I saw them a few months ago and it was mind blowing good....Robert Plant still has it!

Ship of Fools (1988)

Angel Dance - 2011

Do they still have it (Day 6) - Jane's Addiction

Anyone who knows me knows that I consider Jane's Addiction one of the best bands of all time. In my opinion, the original lineup of Perry Farrell, Eric Avery, Stephen Perkins and Dave Navarro could match up against any other band (except for Zeppelin). Jane's Addiction has been known to implode many times and can't seem to keep bass players. Avery, Flea, Martin LeNoble, Chris Chaney, Duff, and Dave Sitek have all played bass, but Farrell, Perkins, and Navarro have all been constants. I could post tons of material about why Jane's were once rock Gods, but I'll leave that up to another time when I dedicate a week to them. The albums Live XXX, Nothing's Shocking, and Ritual de lo Habitual were all gems, then they released the crap album "Strays" in 2003. Avery rejoined the group in 2009 and I was able to see 3 great shows that year. As expected, Avery quit again (there's alot of hatred between him and Farrell) and Dave Sitek (TV on the Radio) filled in for the upcoming album "The Great Escape Artist." I'm not convince that they still "have it," but I give them credit for trying out an updated sound.

Oceansize (1990)

End To the Lies (2011)

Do they still have it (Day 5) - The Beastie Boys

I started listening to the Beastie Boys in 5th grade while trying to BMX (and skateboard). The Beastie's are a frat boys dream group as every room in my house in college had them playing 24/7.  When I hear those songs, it takes me way back. Last year, MCA (Adam Yauch) was diagnosed with cancer, but thankfully pulled through. I don't think the Beasties put out unique music anymore, but they still have the ingredients for Beastie music....they still have it.

Hold it now, Hit it (1986)

Make some noise (2011)...great cameo's in the video.

Do they still have it (Day 4) - The Meat Puppets

A "Vile" day as my flight got cancelled and I'm stuck in NY.

My theory...95% of the people who know the Meat Puppets know them from Nirvana Unplugged.  Nirvana covered many of their songs and the Kirkwood brothers played during that performance.

The Meat Puppets have been around since the start of the 80's and started as a "punk" band with SST records. I'm not going to lie and say I'm a huge fan, but I do like some of their music. Based on their new songs, I'd say that they still produce a nice sound.....so, they still have it.

Lake of Fire (1984)

Vile (2011)

Do they Still Have it (Day 3) - R.E.M.

R.E.M....the forefathers of independent music labels from Athens, GA. They wanted to do it they're way from day 1 and created their own record label to give them 100% creative freedom. R.E.M. has always been a respected band, and even with their less-than-spectacular music this past decade, I do feel that they still have IT.

Mine Smell Like Honey (2011)

Age of You (1987)

Do they still have it (Day 2) - Duran Duran

Duran Duran defined 80's music (and music videos) better than anyone in their time. I was so obsessed with the band that I dressed like guitar player, Andy Taylor in the 5th grade. Thank God, no pictures exist. The band peaked in the 80's but have put together ok music since. I'm not too excited with their new single. Do they still have it?  Gotta go with no on this one.

All you need is now (2011)

Planet Earth (1981)

Do they still have it (Day 1) - The Cars

Day 1 of weekly theme: Do they still have it?  I grew up loving The Cars and I still smile when I hear their songs. Ric Ocasek (quite possibly the ugliest rock star to marry a supermodel) reunited the band (minus Benjamin Orr) in 2010 and they put out a new record this year. This is the song that gave me the idea of "Do they still have it?"  The answer for The Cars....yes!

Their new single "Sad Song" takes me right back to the my childhood, but I think it works. Take a listen to the different songs and judge for yourself.

Sad Song (2011)

Just what I needed (1978)...a wicked video

The Blues (Day 7) - B.B. King "Rock me Baby"

The final day of this weeks theme - The Blues.  Any blues related list must include B.B. King....period.

RIP Clarence Clemons

A sad day for music fans as Clarence Clemons, sax player passed away after a stroke last week. I'm very bummed because I've never been to a Springsteen show and have always wanted to. Now they won't be the same.

RIP Clarence Clemons.

The Blues (Day 6) - Melvin Taylor "The Sky is Crying"

Day 6 of the weeks theme - The Blues.  Today's post is a man who puts Jimi Hendrix to shame.....only kidding.  Melvin Taylor is Chicago's very own and calls the Blues Bar, Rosa's his home.  My friend Al introduced me to him years ago and many bands, including the Stones and The Who will pop in to see Melvin play when they're in town. Check him out if you get a chance...his guitar playing is sick!

The Blues (Day 5) - RL Burnside "Goin' down South"

Day 5 of the weeks theme - The Blues.  North Mississippi blues singer/guitarist RL Burnside. I never knew who RL was until the late 90's when Jon Spencer partnered with him on some recordings. I was fortunate to see him play live at the Highdive in Champaign, IL.  

The Blues (Day 4) - Jack White - Fly Farm Blues

Day 4 of the weeks theme - The Blues. From the movie "It Might Get Loud".....once again, Mr. Jack White w/Fly Farm Blues.



Glenn Miller - String of Pearls (in honor of Tom Lagomarcino)

I'm doing a 2nd post in honor of an old friend who passed away a few days ago. Tom Lagomarcino, owner of Lagomarcino's in Moline was an incredible person to know. This world will miss him and my heart goes out to his family.

http://qctimes.com/news/opinion/editorial/columnists/bill-wundram/article_1c24a04c-94a2-11e0-afec-001cc4c002e0.html

The Blues (Day 3) Jon Spencer Blues Explosion - Burn It Off

Day 3 of the weeks theme - The Blues.  Up today....The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion.....'nuff said.

The Blues (Day 2) The Black Keys - Busted

Day 2 of the this weeks theme - The Blues! I could write an entire book explaining why the Black Keys are one of the best bands in the world....but I'll keep it short. Two dudes from Akron, OH who thrash, shake, stomp and jam. They've got the "Blues" thing down. Last years record "Brothers" was my favorite album of the year. This song is off their album "The Big Come Up."  Go get it.

Buddy Guy - Done Got Old

In honor of Chicago Blues Fest, I'm doing 7 days of the BLUES. In no ranking order, I'm going to post 1 song per day of musicians I like and hope that you'll check em out.  There will be many, many greats missing from this list, but I'm sure you'll see them on this blog in the future.

Up first is Chicago's very own....Mr. Buddy Guy.

Sonic Youth - Kool Thing (Kim Gordon)

Day 7 and final day of this weeks theme of female singers.  The almighty Kim Gordon.  Kim's the bass player of Sonic Youth, and has one of the most unique voices of all rock musicians.  Not a conventional voice, but definitely a rock voice.

Neko Case - Hold on, Hold on

Day 5 of this weeks theme - Female singers. Neko Case has some great solo albums, but is also a part timer with the New Pornographers.  She's has a very dreamy, echoed voice that can give you chills.

Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs - Maps (Karen O)

Day 4 of this weeks theme - Female singers. Karen O of the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs.  The first time I saw them live, she stole the show at Lollapalooza.  Their latest album is a little "pop," but still worth checking out.

Dean & Britta - Nightnurse

Day 3 of this weeks theme - Female Singers.  Britta Phillips of "Dean & Britta"...former bassist for Dean's great, former band, Luna. Britta was best known as the voice of "Jem"....the popular 80's, girl/rock cartoon. Dean is one of the early pioneers of "dream pop" and Britta's voice blends in perfectly.  We saw them a few years ago at the MCA in Chicago called "13 most beautiful...songs for Andy Warhol's screen tests." It was great.


Check out Dean's early band Galaxy 500 and buy EVERY Luna record...one of my favorite bands since my friend George introduced me to them in college.

Loretta Lynn - Portland, Oregon

Day 3 of this weeks theme - Female Singers.  Loretta Lynn, aka "The Coal Miners Daughter" makes my list because she's one of the best country singers of all time. In 2004, Mrs. Lynn partnered with Jack White of the White Stripes and put together an incredible record, "Van Lear Rose."  White produced it and re-introduced her to stardom.

The Pixies - Gigantic

Day 2 of this weeks theme - Female Singers. I've already blogged about Frank Black of the Pixies and today's post is about his sidekick/rival/nemesis, Kim Deal. The Pixies were a great 90's band that imploded, mostly because Frank was the leader and Kim was starting to take some of the spotlight. She's a great bass player, but it's her angelic, "pixie-ish" voice that really sets her apart from other singers. After the Pixies, Kim formed The Breeders with her sister, but the Pixies have reunited a few times in past years.

The Kills - Future Starts Slow

I've decided to dedicate this week to female singers that I love.  Up first is Alison Mosshart, lead singer of The Kills. In my mind, she's one of the most talented singers around and she could kick GaGa's ass. Alison is also known for playing with Jack White's other, other band, the Dead Weather....another great band that I'll blog about some time. I recently saw The Kills with my Irish brother, Patrick, and we both walked away very happy with their live performance.  Check out all of their albums.

Lady GaGa - Born this way (Pathetic)

We watched the last episode of SNL last night and Lady GaGa's performance made my "Pathetic" list. The only thing I give her is that she actually plays her own music and can sing. Her popularity is based on shock value, funky costumes, and GREAT marketing....there is nothing original or interesting. This performance was so bad that I thought it might actually be a skit...or should be a skit or movie done by Christopher Guest. I won't even try to understand the pregnancy part. Lady GaGa is a Madonna wanna-be (see blonde extensions and Vogue-type dancers, and crotch grab).

The National - Terrible Love (Alternative version)

The National is a band from Cincinnati, OH (although they now claim NY as their home base).  Maggie, myself and Mark and Kylie recently saw them in Chicago with the Arcade Fire and they are an incredible live band.  I  was a little behind in getting into them, but I'm now obsessed.

The National - Terrible Love (Alternate version) from the Terrible Love lp single.

Thurston Moore - Benediction

Sonic Youth is one of my favorite bands of all time and lead singer, Thurston Moore has released yet another great solo record.  Beck produced this record and Benediction is the first song.

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Shuffle Your Feet

Being in NY today, I've decided to make today's post a guest choice from my gracious hosts Jake and Corinne.  My little brother Jon had some input also since he's a New Yorker also.

One of the best bands in the last decade.....The Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.....

Unknown artist - Jeremy's Theme Song

I dedicate today's post to my brother Jeremy.  It's his birthday today and he's going to be a Father in a few months.  I found the song on youtube while searching for song's with "Jeremy" in the title.  It's a strange tune/video, but appropriate as he'll be joining me in the world of weird children's songs soon.

Have a great one, Jeremy!