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Guns n' Roses - The Spaghetti Incident? - Really A Lot More Unweak Than You Think Albums - 8.17.10 |
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Even then I just bought it to fill the hole in my GnR collection and I didn't really plan on listening to it much - I don't think I even realized it was a collection of punk cover tunes. Having just finished reading Please Kill Me, read the STW review here, the tracklist/list of bands caught my eye and I was looking forward to listening to the album. This album covers all the punk staples and the song selection is pretty incredible. Now, following right in line with what Guns n' Roses had become - an overblown, oversized charicature of its former self - this album is horribly overproduced....which goes against pretty much everything punk rock is about. That being said, there are a few good renditions on here. Before I get down to the purpose of this post, I will take a step back and give a little background on how this came to be. Originally the Use Your Illusion albums were going to be a 4 disc set, and one of those discs was going to be full of punk covers. They had been playing Attitude, by the Misfits, in concert for a while, and they had played a few of the other songs live as well, such as Down on the Farm at Farm Aid. When the 4 disc idea was scrapped, the punk tunes were scrapped and just laying around. After the monstrous 2+ year Use Your Illusion tour, the band needed to release something to tide fans over. They had Izzy's replacement, Gilby Clarke, come in and re-record his parts, and I think they recorded a few additional songs to fill out the album. A side not about the album title, there was a lot of speculation as to the meaning of the album title, and I think the final stance is that it refers to either a food fight between Axl and Steven Adler, the original drummer, or when one of the band members ate all of Adler's plate of spaghetti, leaving him with no food. Adler later sued Guns n' Roses and in court his attorney spoke of this spaghetti incident as an example of how the band treated the drummer poorly and was cruel to him As I said before, what you are left with is semi shitty, or flat out shitty depending on your tastes, renditions of some of the best punk songs around. If you aren't into punk or if you are a big Guns fan, this may not be so blasphemous and you may actually like some of the tracks, as I do. Either way, below I have included a track by track comparison of the original songs vs their GnR covers. Check them out, it is really a sick collection of tunes. If you aren't into punk, this is a great place to start and basically shows why you should like punk. Since I Don't Have You by The Skyliners
gnr version:
New Rose by The Damned
gnr version:
Down on the Farm by the UK Subs
gnr version
Human Being by the NY Dolls
GNR Version
Raw Power by The Stooges
GNR Version:
Ain't It Fun by The Dead Boys (personal favorite)
GNR Version
Buick MacKane - TRex and Big Dumb Sex by Soundgarden
GNR Version
Hair of the Dog by Nazareth
GNR Version
Attitude by the Misfits
GNR Version
Black Leather by the Professionals
GNR Version
You Can't Put Your Arms Around a Memory - Johnny Thunders (2 versions because its another favorite)
GNR Version
I Don't Care About You by Fear
GNR Version
Alright, there we go, that is that.....a long post, but worth it. As I said, the songs are pretty awesome and maybe will put some new found respect for the Spaghetti Incident? in you.
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New Music Poll - Email tweak@stoptheweakness.com Albums - 8.16.10 |
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I meant to put this up a few weeks ago, before going on vacaction, to get people's opinions first and then see how they compared to what I end up liking. Now we are doing it a little bit in reverse, and the responses I get from readers won't affect my listening. So, have at it - which of these CDs do you like? which don't you? favorite? what do you hate? I haven't made up my mind fully on these yet, but regardless I will post the results along with my review of each this week.
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Workout - These are the Years - Extremely Not Weak Song / Workout - 8.3.10 |
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We love Workout around these parts, and I went searching for some Workout on Youtube earlier today. There are only a few videos and the majority of them are acoustic versions of them hanging out in Jack's living room (I think). They are both funny and awesome at the same time, which pretty much sums up the band anyway. Check it out for yourself:
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New Bright Eyes Song, Coyote, and Reunited Desaperacidos @ Concert for Equality Song/Show/Misc / Conor Oberst - 8.3.10 |
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So last weekend Conor Oberst was busy at the Concert for Equality - a show in Nebraska protesting anti-immigration laws - putting on shows with two of his bands, Bright Eyes and Desaparecidos. This was a cool occasion as Bright Eyes has been basically been on hold the past few years while Oberst recorded and toured with the Mystic Valley Band and Monster of Folk, and Desaparecidos hasn't done anything steady, or at all really, since their sole album was released in 2002. It is also interesting on the Bright Eyes front as Oberst announced last year that the next Bright Eyes album will probably be the last. In any case, you can check out the video below of a new Bright Eyes song written for the occasion/cause, as well as some videos of Desaparecidos. You have to suffer through some political rants, but it's protest concert, so this is expected, and the songs are pretty great, so it is worth it. I strongly dislike politics in my music, so no need to email us about it, just check out the songs. I would really like to see Desaparecidos some day.
Sadly this video is ruined by the crowd singing over the band:
A few annoying people singing along, but it's one of my favorites, so.....
Another favorite:
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Primus @ Williamsburg Waterfront 7/30/10 - Are They Ever Weak? Show / Primus - 8.2.10 |
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* Pudding Time Play * Here Come the Bastards * Golden Boy * Those Damned Blue Collar Tweekers * Over The Falls * Sgt. Baker * American Life * Jerry was a Racecar Driver * Over the Electric Grapevine * Drum and Whamola Jam * Eleven * Harold of the Rocks Encore: * Southbound Pachyderm * Tommy The Cat w/ "The Awakening" jam in middle
PRIMUS SUCKS. A little background for those non-Primus fans out there....back in the beginning of Primus, fans were cheering for Primus and yelling how good they are and Les said, no we suck, and the solgan stuck. From there on out "Primus Sucks" has been the endearing cheer of fans. A little counter intuitive, so I thought I'd throw it out there. Ok, enough nerd talk for now, onto my side of the review.
All that being said, the show was sick. They played the top 2 songs I badly wanted to see, Over the Electric Grapevine and Southbound Pachyderm, and the rest of the set was great too. Seas of Cheese heavy and I could have used some more tracks off Frizzle Fry, but I am not complaining at all. They also had a good amount of jamming in my opinion. The songs didn't get too out there, but you didn't feel like you were listening to the cd. Pretty much a classic Primus show in my mind. Oh, the Whamola/Drums jam that was mentioned before. Les Claypool bands really are the only ones I have ever seen that have drum solos, not only worth watching, but that are just as good as the rest of the show. Typically, Les uses the drum solo as a set break, which is a great idea as it doesn't kill the flow of the show, but here he stayed out there and played the Whamola. The Whamola is a one stringed instrument made for Les by a fan and given to him at a show. The one string is on a vertical piece of wood that sits on the floor and then connected to a handle at the top which is used to change the pitch. It is then played with a drum stick. Les has used it at most every show since he got it, and you can actually hear it in the "new" Southpark theme. I say "new" because it has probably been this way since 2005 or so. Alright, that is a lot for a secondary review. The show was good, but it was tough to get into. I can't really complain though because I could have pushed my way up to the front and it would have made all the difference. Oh, another thing, bring cash to these shows. None of the vendors take credit card, and there was not an ATM on site. I guess there is one usually, but there was not one this time around and it sucked. Also, you have to not only find bracelets to drink, but then you have to buy beer tickets, and then you have to go over to the roped off beer drinking area. Very much a hassle. Primus Sucks.
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Crystal Fighters - In the Summer - Not Weak Songs / Crystal Fighters - 7.29.10 |
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Alright, so this single goes a little more pop than the previous singles, but I think it's great. I may not like it more than Xstatic Truth, but I think it beats out I Love London for sure. It also gets you wondering what the album will be like as it takes a pretty big turn from what's been released before. You can download the song on their website and buy the vinyl there too if you want it. Cool video too:
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Ghostface/Slick Rick - The Sun - Stops the Weakness Songs - 7.29.10 |
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This was supposed to be on Bulletproof Wallets, Ghost's 2001 album, but didn't make it due to sample clearance issues. Ghostface and Slick Rick together is something I like:
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Primus/Gogol Bordello Show This Friday Williamsburg Waterfront - Go to it News/Misc / Primus - 7.27.10 |
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I think this show is not to be missed. I haven't seen Primus since 2003 at Roseland and, even though that show/tour was heavily influenced by Les' new found love for the jamband scene, it was still the tops. The band had been on a hiatus and they got back together and played two sets: the first was different each night and the second they played Sailing the Seas of Cheese in its entirety. It was absurd. Claypool's Frog Brigade shows at the time were not to be messed with, but they couldn't bring the rock like a Primus show. People were going crazy. In fact my fellow STW writer got thrown out after someone punched him in the back of the head and he turned around and returned the favor. I stated before, the one downfall was Claypools recent move into the jamband world. At times the songs dragged and got a little too spacey for a Primus show. After the Seas of Cheese tour, they followed it with a Frizzle Fry tour, which, as shown in the Hallucino-genetics DVD, was still jam heavy. Anyway, they then took another break, but when they toured again in 2007 they were back to their original form - to the point, hard funk metal rock. This is what I am hoping for on Friday, and I am pretty sure this is what we are going to get. So without further rambling, here are the songs I'd most like to hear on Friday. Well, one more ramble, Herb is supposedly out of the band, replaced by Jay Lane (the original Primus drummer), so they are playing songs from the Brain era again...so those are fair game here, which is cool. Over the Electric Grapevine -
Southbound Pachyderm -
Too Many Puppies -
Shake Hands with Beef -
Nature Boy -
Bob -
Is It Luck? -
Those Damn Blue Collared Tweakers -
Fish on -
The Toys Go Winding Down -
I could have kept going and these aren't in much of an order....but....I would just suggest picking up tickets for Friday night.
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Beck's One Foot in the Grave Deluxe - Extremely Not Weak Album Review - 7.21.10 |
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There are a few songs on here which Beck would later re-record and/or were released unchanged on singles etc. These include It's All in Your Mind which was released as a single in '94 along with Whiskey Can Can and Feather in Your Cap. Feather in Your Cap was also re-recorded during Odelay sessions and given more studio attention and cleanliness. I like the roughness of early Beck so the later versions are not necessarily better, just different. They may be a tad better, but that isn't the issue here - it is really the lack of upbeat fun, which I think is the problem with later Beck albums as well. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying this album is in the same league as Geuro or anything after.....this album destroys those albums. I just wish it was a little more lively and fun. So, yeah, I would have to say that the deluxe version of One Foot in the Grave is a big improvement over the original album. As I said, the additional songs are maybe stronger than the original album and just have the jester fun I like out of Beck. If you like One Foot in the Grave I would say you have to buy this album - it is more than doubly better than the original. |
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Ok, I know what everyone is thinking, the Spaghetti Incident blows, it blows every worse than Chinese Democracy, it is a sad reminder of the once biggest band in the world going away.....or, maybe I just think about it that much and most people just think it fucking sucks. Well, I was in that group for a long time. I didn't even own a copy til I bought it for $7.99 at a rest stop off the NJ Turnpike while stopping for some Roy Rogers and dip. This was circa 2002 when driving from CT to DC. 
So in Phila (2 weeks ago) I went by my favorite spot, aka, and picked up a few records. I have had the Wu Massacre cd for a while but since I have come to love it, I picked up the vinyl. It's a pretty sweet package if I do say so myself. Anyway the CDs I picked up are the new Gogol Bordello, Band of Horses, Wolf Parade, Flying Lotus, and Kings Go Forth.
So Primus, Waterfront in Williamsburg. I mean there’s not a whole lot to say, Primus just kind of rocks and the show was no exception. Highlight for me was the Drum and Whamola Jam, which is just fucking awesome to see someone rip up the drums and keep the crowd dancing, or pumping or whatever they’re doing, but moving and into it. I really just enjoyed everything about it, sick solos, sick stage setup/lighting and solid, kind of best of, set list (below). Also, nice little side show was some juiced-up-gorilla-Jersey-Shore dudes everyone seemed to be trying to avoid in the mosh pit (tats, bald, retarded, huge).
The one thing I would note about that venue is that while it’s an awesome view of the city, the hill slopes the wrong way down away from the stage, so if you’re short you’re kind of shit out luck because tall people will block your view if you’re close (I had this problem and I’m over 6 feet tall). The problem with standing far away, aside from not being able to see, is that the sound kind of sucks and doesn’t carry, so you basically need to be close, which gets so packed you literally can’t move. I don’t know why these idiots can’t just put the stage in front of the water so everyone can see, you get the sweet view of the city and sound would probably carry better since it wouldn’t just carry over you.
So above-writer-man and I didn't go together but were supposed to meet up there, which didn't end up happening til after the show. Last time we saw Primus together he got kicked out, so maybe it was for the better....especially since I heard he was shirtless the entire time . Anyway, what else do I have to add....as was already said, the sound of this place is not great unless you are right up front and center, which I was not. When we saw Faith No More there on the 5th, I thought the low energy was due to it being the day after 4th of July weekend and ten million degrees out. After this, I realized that another pretty big contributing factor was that the sound quickly disappears into the air, so you need to be close to the stage and centered to really get into the show. In fact, when we were walking to the show, we were listening, trying to hear if Gogol Bordello had gone on already and we couldn't even hear, not even faintly, until a block or two away. This is great news if you live in the area and hate the shows put on at this venue, but as someone in attendance, it is not really ideal. It's an outdoor venue though, so what are you going to do. It also didn't help that the awesome weather/venue on the river seemed to get people way more in hang out talking mode than at a normal show. Add to that the fact that Les Claypool dragged the Primus name through the jamband scene, and unless you were up front, there was a good chance you had a few groups of people hanging out and talking to your right and left and then some dirty hippies noodling in front of you, and some people dressed in costume with glowsticks freaking out behind you. 
So Primus is playing on the Brooklyn waterfront this coming Friday, and I thought I'd do a top ten list of my favorite Primus tracks to get ready. Also, there are still tickets left so I thought I'd show those of you who are ticketless what you are missing out on. 
You know, cool people always say One Foot in the Grave is Beck's best album and really cool people try to claim Stereopatheticsoulmanure is the best, which is plain too cool for school in my book. Personally, Mellow Gold is where its at, but I can respect the One Foot in the Grave choice. In fact, if you cleared away all the shit tracks off Stereopathetic you would be left with a collection of tracks that could compete with both but that's neither here nor there. For some reason, though I like it, One Foot in the Grave has always fallen a little flat for me. I think this is because, though his early folk stuff is some of my favorite, these tunes just lack some of the upbeat fun that makes me like early Beck. Anyway, I have gone on about my love for deluxe edition albums here before and this one's no different. In fact, the bonus material, which is enough to fill a full album, is probably better than the actual album.