one last thing before I quit

About a month ago, I went to a camera sale that a bunch of businesses put on. I managed to pick up a Canon FT QL for $20. It even came with two lenses. A steal. After picking up some rolls of film and a new battery, my current interest in photography continues to grow. Oh, and I even picked up a SX-70 Polaroid camera for $10.

Anyways. That should give you a good idea of what's been on my mind lately, and sets up this post quite well.

I've watched Saturday Night Live for quite a few years now and one of my most favorite things, other then the Digital Shorts, are the bumpers that they have of the hosts and musical guests. It took me quite some time, but I finally figured out who was behind all of them. Her name is Mary Ellen Matthews.

She doesn't have a website. Or even a Fan Facebook page. But I'm most certainly a supporter of hers and am very intrigued in her art. It's not like her photos are revolutionary, they're basically all just portraits. But they are quite fun and they have purpose.

Pearl Jam
"Different lighting -- you know, I’m such a fan of music across the board, but of them, for sure. I just thought this would be an interesting take, especially with Eddie Vedder. His bone structure being that it is, this would really work for them."

Tenacious D
"I saw the Simon & Garfunkel cover -- 'Bookends' -- where they’re both in the turtlenecks and they’re kinda leaning on each other, so we kind of riffed off that. [Simon & Garfunkel are] one great duo in our musical history. They're just another one [laughs]. With Jack Black, you always kind of get a show. Kyle Gass as well. They’re loose, let’s say, but amazing musicians."

Foo Fighters
"I think it just says a lot about who they are, for sure. I think it really captured them. Dave Grohl is so free-spirited, free-living, has a great time with what he’s doing. And they’re such a group, I think they really enjoy what they’re doing. And they were happy to be there that day."

Alec Baldwin

Ellen Page

Hugh Laurie

Jack Black

Jack Black, again

Justin Timberlake

Michael Phelps

Natalie Portman

Paul Giamatti

Paul Giamatti, duece

Scarlett Johansson

Tom Hanks

Tom Hanks, numero deux

Will Ferrell

Growing up and listening to many of the bigger Seattle bands, like Alice In Chains, Soundgarden, Mother Love Bone, Green River and Pearl Jam. has always made me appreciate how small a world it can be for bands. Within this small community, many of the musicians have come and gone, formed new groups, collaborated, etc.

This past Tuesday, Pearl Jam was playing in L.A. and had a few special guests join them on stage. Singer-songwriter Ben Harper was there, which isn't a large surprise. Jerry Cantrell, Alice In Chains singer-guitarist, also joined them on stage. Above average surprise. But BAM! The Chris Cornell showed up! Now, I'm not a massive Cornell fan, but I was certainly on the Soundgarden train, and also the Audioslave boat. But, as I'm sure most of the world feels the same way, his solo work just doesn't reach the bar. Oh well. Doesn't matter. Temple of the Dog was officially back!

At the same time that Pearl Jam was beginning to form, Temple of the Dog was working on their first and only album. The band was made up of Eddie Vedder, Jeff Ament, Stone Gossard and Mike McCready all from Pearl Jam, Cornell from Soundgarden, and Matt Cameron who started with Soundgarden and then has since joined Pearl Jam.

Anyways, Cornell went up and they sang their most well known song, Hunger Strike. It was the first time they've played together since 2003. That would've been something to see live.



And just for kicks, here's Cantrell helping out with Alive:

T-shirts. Programs. Records. Hats. Books. All typical things I've seen at a concerts. But I've never seen this before. And I bet you haven't either. I don't know much about her but then Louise Ferguson actually goes to concerts and, rather then taking pictures of the band as majority of us do, she paint pictures. It's ridiculously neat.


Check out Louise's blog or her site for more. I wonder if this will catch on a bit more someday. I know I wish I could paint...

Sunday. September 20th. 2009. Finally.

Pearl Jam's new album Backspacer is out today. I love it. I managed to find a leaked copy maybe 10 days ago and I can't stop listening to it. It's got everything. The first four songs (Gonna See My Friend; Got Some; The Fixer; Johnny Guitar) just hits you in the face with the classic Pearl Jam rock that you'd expect. I wasn't even a huge fan of The Fixer the first few times I heard it on the radio, but I feel it's place in the album and I can't get enough now.

There's also a song called Unthought Known that is basically a tidal wave of awesome. Some critics have been describing it as almost a new Alive. Though I feel like it's a great song that continues to grow on me, I don't think it's going to be that inspirational to a generation.

There's some more tuned-down songs, much that you'd think were simply left off of the Into The Wild soundtrack but still important to Eddie. One of the best feelings I get is just driving to the whole record. It just takes a weight off of my shoulders and I just feel relaxed.

Now, I may be biased, well, I am biased, but I really love this album. I think it's a definite purchase for anyone who has or continues to enjoy Pearl Jam's music. This album isn't political, like their '06 album was. It's just the 5 guys getting back to doing what they know.

Also, if you pick up the album, you're given 2 out of 9 random live concert videos. Ya, that's cool. You should probably just buy it.

Here's a few of my current favorites:

Track 7: Unthought Known


Track 2: Got Some


Track 8: Supersonic

There are many varieties of sad stories that can be told. Some deal with life and death, dreams and aspirations, hope and miracles.

Paul Mawhinney has one that touched me. It actually also made me upset. No, it's not another 'Britain's Got Talent' contestant, but just a man and his record collection. Just watch. It's very self-explanatory.



I just don't get it. How could any music museum not want to own this. Or even just a record label. I think it'd be heartbreaking for this collection to just go to some guy who'll hang on to a few albums, then tuck the others away in the attic. Ugh. Does anyone have $3 million I can borrow?!

Music-potent post. Watch out. Here we go.

Pearl Jam played in Toronto the past Friday night. Ted Leo & The Pharmacists were scheduled to open. But their singer, Ted, was stuck at the border. So what to do?! Well, Pearl Jam decided to open for themselves. Eddie came out and played Neil Young's 'Sugar Mountain' and 'The Needle and the Damage Done'. Acoustically. Alone. Gah. Unbelievable. McCready and Stone each played a couple of their own songs, then The Pharmacists played a couple tunes as Eddie stepped in to sing.



While in Toronto, Eddie sat down with Alan Cross for an interview. Any Pearl Jam fan should take time to listen.

Their new album comes out on September 20th. But here's a new song that's made it's way out. It's called 'Supersonic'.



Next. Weezer was in T.O. as well, but on Sunday and opening for Blink-182. Their new album comes out on October 27th. It's called Raditude. Rainn Wilson, yes, Dwight from the Office, actually came up with it. Anyways. The ever amazing Alan Cross managed to also sit down with them for an interview.

Them Crooked Vultures have now played 4 gigs. Reminder: They are Dave Grohl, Josh Homme and John Paul Jones. Video is now being released from these shows, and it's got potential. I'm very much looking forward to their album coming out. Here's a song called 'New Fang':



And lastly. Guitar Hero is making more and more band-specific games these days. And they just released the tracks for their Van Halen version. This will be a must-buy for me. I'm extremely happy that they're including 'Atomic Punk', 'Ice Cream Man', 'Hang 'Em High' and 'I'm The One'. Also, there will be 'Best Of You' by Foo Fighters, 'Master Exploder' by Tenacious D and 'Dope Nose' by Weezer as additional songs. This'll be fun! December 22nd. Hello Christmas!

Dave Grohl - Nirvana, Late!, Foo Fighters
Josh Homme - Kyuss, Queens of the Stone Age, Eagles of Death Metal
John Paul Jones - Led Zeppelin

THEM CROOKED VULTURES

Yes. It's a cream-dream rock and roll super group. They'd been working on material for a little while, and last week they played a post-Lollapalooza show in Chicago. No recordings, video or audio, have managed to surface.

They then posted a snippet of a teaser to a song, Nobody Loves Me And Neither Do I, on YouTube last week:



But I have since found this! Today they posted a better teaser will some footage from the studio.



They're playing in Amsterdam tonight. Gah. I just want to listen to their album. Soon enough, I know.