I'm So Sick of Models by the United States of Erica

This is a great video/song by the talented Erica Wexler, whose MySpace site The United States of Erica was a pleasant discovery through XTC fans on MySpace. Various websites weave the story of Andy Partridge's relationship with Erica - which is as his longtime girlfriend or wife. Some great XTC songs have been written about Erica, including "Another Satellite" during the Skylarking album... at the time, her relationship with Andy threatened his marriage to Marianne who he has 2 kids with and a bitter divorce after she left him for another man. "Your Dictionary" from the Apple Venus Vol. 1 album is about that divorce, and it's an angry song. "Seagulls Screaming Kiss Her, Kiss Her, Kiss Her" from The Big Express album was a song written about imaginary encounter with Erica and the song also inspired a Japanese band, which I've heard is pretty good. Sorry to go on and on about "celebrity gossip," but I find it very interesting. Erica seems like a real sweet heart from her messages, so I'm glad they ended up together. Andy produced the songs on Erica's MySpace site, which explains why they stick in your head like glue! The lyrics are witty and biting, which shows Erica has a way with words. Check out the video and the songs and let me know what you think!

another fun music quiz (from Kayley)

nothing else to do on a thursday night...

Put your music on random, read the question, press next, and answer the question with the song titile... (use the song even if it doesn't make sense)

1. What is missing from my life?
Snowball - Test Icicles

2. Will I find love?
Callbacks - We Are Scientists

3. Will I become rich?
Stop - Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

4. Does someone have a crush on me?
Golden Lights - The Smiths

5. What is my favorite sexual position?
Busby Berkeley Dreams - The Magnetic Fields

6. Am I good looking?
Believe (Feat Kele Okereke) - The Chemical Brothers

7. What makes me the most happy?
Dead Wrong - Frausdots

8. What is my biggest regret?
Cello - Slowdive

13. How will I die?
The Lights Went Out - The Cribs

14. Do I act my age?
Ant Music - Adam & the Ants

15. What type of tattoo should I get?
C'mere - Interpol

16. What is my spirit animal?
Country Gentleman - Ambulance Ltd.

17. Do I like pain?
Everyday - The Raveonettes

18. Is there anyone else like me out there?
Until the Morning Comes - The Tindersticks

19. Do I love to party?
The Tide That Left And Never Came Back - The Veils

20. Where should I move to?
I Found the F - Broadcast

21. Am I still in the closet?
For the Widows in Paradise, For the - Sufjan Stevens

22. Will I ever be president?
Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head - Manic Street Preachers

23. What is fun for me?
Red Right Hand - Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

24. Will I ever learn to fly?
Sympathy - Goo Goo Dolls

25. What is my super power?
Shuffle Your Feet - Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

26. What can I do to move on?
Somewhere In Texas - The Raveonettes

27. Is (s)he a good choice for me?
Firelight - Snow Patrol

28. Will I be happy in life?
Nowhere - Ride

29. What is the theme of my style?
Procession - New Order

30. What is the Meaning of life?
I Miss You - Bjork

B.R.M.C. @ The Fillmore 3/15/06

SETLIST:
Feel It Now
Fault Line
Restless Sinner
Shuffle Your Feet
Ain’t No Easy Way
Howl
White Palms
Stop
Six Barrel Shotgun
In Like the Rose
Weight of the World
Promise
Sympathetic Noose
Gospel Song
Shade Of Blue
Red Eyes and Tears
Spread Your Love
Punk Song

Devil’s Waitin’
Mercy
The Line
Heart + Soul
Open Invitation

The BRMC show at the Fillmore (3/15/06) was brilliant! It was the standard setlist with “Feel It Now” and “Mercy” mixed up with “Shade of Blue” – one of my favorite songs! It was great to see Jodi and Kimberly again, as well as Eric and Liam – our Berkeley friends. I first ran into Heidi at around 6 PM, we talked for like half an hour – I bought a Hershey’s bar with almonds for only 50 cents from some guy. Then, we went for some crepes from the Japantown Center – I had a tasty vanilla ice cream with Nutella! When we got back in line, Jodi, Kimberly, Eric, and Liam were all waiting together and introducing themselves.

When we got inside, we staked out our spots in the front and talked some more. Soon after, we found Jackie and Vietta – who is also Heidi’s friend. The left handed singer/guitarist of the Morning After Girls lit up some incense before their set. His pants were super tight over his thin but well-built frame. He really reminds me of Jason Pierce of Spiritualized because of his face and hair. The songs of MAG were excellent throughout – grooving and rocking at the same time. They never fail to please, especially that night. After they finished, that same Jason Pierce look a like gave Jodi a set list and the two still burning sticks of incense.

Elefant’s set was especially exciting because Diego chose Kimberly to focus on most of the time. First, he took her water bottle and drank a sip. Later, he took off his coat and gave it to her to hold. He took it back for the last song “Misfit.” Unfortunately, tonight there was no staring contest song despite Diego’s staring. The songs were actually pretty good: Sunlight, Bokkie, Uh Oh Hello, Black Magic Show, Lolita, Tonight Let’s Dance, Love, and Misfit.

That’s what I remember from the setlist Jodi got. Jodi and Kimberly were loudly making fun of Jeff from Elefant’s orange shirt and black vest combo before they played. Diego threw his water bottle and towel into the audience and often pointed at his band members when they played a solo. At the end of the night Kimberly really wanted to meet Diego and get their CD signed. Even though she didn’t, she still came out with Peter’s harmonica (in the key of A) and a gave him a hug!

Now for BRMC’s set, started with “Feel It Now” and “Restless Sinner” and went into cracking versions of “Shuffle Your Feet” and “Ain’t No Easy Way” – great songs to get people moving! The audience was much better than the GAMH show’s because no one heckled and it seemed less hipster-ish or maybe I didn’t notice them from the front of the stage. Some memorable moments include Peter during “White Palms” putting his foot out over Jodi. During “Heart and Soul,” Robert fell down on his knees right before he began singing the part about getting on his knees!

After “Heart and Soul,” Robert made up a totally new song which sounded like an old song or a cover of another song. He also added some lyrics to the end of “White Palms.” Robert came to the edge of the stage quite often and I saw noticeable smiles from Peter during some of Robert’s songs. After the show was even more exciting! We looked at the merch table for a long time – Ryan/Goldie the merch guy wasn’t at his usual post that night since the Fillmore had their own people.

Outside the venue, we waited and talked for quite awhile to see if any band members would show up. All we saw was Nick disappearing onto the bus, so Liam and Eric left. Jodi, Kimberly, and I decided to drop our BRMC posters from the venue in Jodi’s car, which was parked near Elefant’s bus. Kimberly knocked on the door to see if Diego was there, but there was no answer. So we went back to BRMC’s bus, and saw Peter on his cell phone. Alexander had called me as we were going back to the bus, so I was also on my phone.

When Peter got off his phone, Jodi and Kimberly went up to talk to him and get autographs. I noticed I had missed a call from Natasha’s brother Ivan so I called him back. When he gave the phone to Tash, Robert had also just walked out and was speaking with Jodi and Kimberly. I told Tash I was a little distracted because Robert and Peter were standing in front of me, so Robert took my phone and started asking Tash questions about who she was and said who he was. I’m not sure what they were talking about, but Robert said to say hi to Michele for him.

When Robert gave me back my phone, he said he’d return her to “the little one” – meaning me! Tash was slightly giddy from talking to Robert as I was from having him use my phone. We chatted some more and got some autographs and photos. I had Robert sign the Beggars DJ singles covers I brought and he drew all over his picture with the dreadlocks and wrote “things have changed.” He signed that one Robert Locke and the other Robert Been. He also signed my limited edition of HOWL and said it was the best thing they ever released.

Peter was looking for Robert after he left for the bus and as he was coming back to chat with us some more, he gave his harmonica to Kimberly which she gave him a hug for. He said that it’s in the key of A so she would need to play guitar in the key of E. As he was leaving, I got him to quickly sign my limited edition of HOWL next to his poem.

See more progress on: go see black rebel motorcycle club live

Just a quick drive by...

But I think that counts still, I saw the architecture of the building. I’m not too interested in seeing the interior. I can imagine that no one I’m interested performs there.

See more progress on: Walt Disney Concert Hall

It's pretty cool to podcast!

I haven’t made my own podcast, but downloading and listening to them is easy… there’s always good stuff out there to listen to from radio stations all over the world. So far, I’ve checked out Indie 103.1, KEXP, KCRW, and 94.9 FM in San Diego.

See more progress on: podcast