bjaiken

You should try it, especially because you live in Southern California. We get so many great shows here that it's a shame to pass them up based on someone else's schedule or willingness to go. Like I said before, I do other activities in order to be social. I go to a show because I am a die hard music fan, and that's probably the case for anyone who takes the time to post on a music message board. I guess I don't necessarily treat concert going as a social activity. I only want to go with other people who are interested in having the same type of experience as me. I do have some friends like that, but I can't track them down for every show I want to go to.

^ I agree that it's disgusting how some people can not make up their minds on their own, and they use the words of a celebrity, of all people, to form their world views. That said, I do like it when musicians talk about political or social issues. In other words, I wouldn't want music to be apolitical. However, I do quickly grow tired of musicians being all "preachy." For example, I love Bruce Springsteen, and his music has moved me tremendously, but I know during every show I am going to have to listen to him spout off about his political views. I wish he wouldn't do it, but I love the guy's music, so I'm forced to endure it. I think these people have too much time on their hands and not enough immediate problems to solve. I spend much of my day simply worrying about how I am going to successfully make it to the next.

^ I agree that there is no way John Lennon could adequately articulate a plan of action toward making any type of significant change. That's not really an easy thing to do. Even people who are highly trained in politics understand that you are often dealing with competing goals and viewpoints. I actually think being a skilled politician is very difficult. Again, I think he should be credited with providing songs that got people to think about a kinder, gentler world during an era of war. I don't really have higher expectations of him. Celebrations and memorials are always going to be overblown because he is a Beatle.

^ I don't know what kind of stance you would want him to take. When I think of John Lennon, I associate him very strongly with peace activism, and I think his songs provided a backdrop to all who felt this way in a time of war. I think that music is supposed to get people to think and feel a certain way, which can often act at as catalyst for monumental political and social change. No, I don't think Lennon could probably perform the high level policy analysis or program evaluation needed to solve public problems, but I don't really hold a musician to that standard.

^ Oy...I can handle gradual aging, but that is abrupt. That's like 30 years of aging overnight.

I go to shows all the time by myself. In fact, it's my favorite way to go. There are several reasons. First, if you using an automated ticketing system, an odd single in a fantastic location will often pop up when a pair is way further back. Also, I buy a lot of tickets from scalpers, and it's always easy to negotiate down a single ticket to a low, low price. I also like to go really early to get in on all the pre-show hype and stay really late to see if I can meet the band. Not too many people I know are willing to put in that kind of time. Also, a lot my friends simply don't like the same music as me. It's either go alone or not go at all. I usually choose the former. What often happens is a group of my concert going friends and I will meet up at a venue. We will all try to find ourselves an odd single ticket (good price and location) and meet up after the show. To me, I am most interested in seeing the band. I try to take everything in so that I can give an accurate account of the events I witnessed. I go to movies, out to dinner, etc. to be social, but I go to concerts to hopefully have a spiritual experience.

I think it's marvelous how much his 70th birthday is being celebrated. Usually, I don't get overly wrapped up in this stuff, but this one is so well deserved. Happy Birthday, John.

I hit up the Arcade Fire show last night at the Shrine Auditorium. Surprisingly, the venue is very small. I also had a very good ticket, which made me feel pretty lucky. I would imagine that this is the last time I will get to see them in a venue this small, so I tried to savor the opportunity. This is the first time I've ever seen Arcade Fire, so I really didn't know what to expect. One thing that surprised me was the involvement level of the audience. Keep in mind, I live in Southern California, and Los Angeles crowds are notorious for watching a show with their hands in their pockets. Not last night - people were on their feet, hands in the air, and chanting along when appropriate. It was very cool to see, as obviously the band was really connecting. Like I said, I think Arcade Fire are going to do nothing but get bigger, and that's a crazy statement in light of how popular they have already become. The best songs for me were those off of Funeral. It's just epic music that really fills the space of an arena. You just can't beat Rebellion, Wake Up, Neighborhood #1 and Neighborhood #3. Good stuff. I haven't connected with the new material as much as the old. I don't know if it's because it's not as strong, or perhaps I just need to let it grow on me some more. I did like Sprawl II. To me, that was the strongest new song of the night. I do find Arcade Fire (Win especially) to be a bit odd. Win talked about a comment he made the night before where he congratulated Barcelona for beating the Lakers in a pre-season game. Naturally, the crowd didn't really appreciate that statement. He set it up by saying something along the lines of 'this is where we say something negative about the city', or something to that extent. I know he was joking, but it just felt awkward to me and not really funny at all. After the show, I hung around to see if I could meet the band. Sure enough, all of them came strolling out at 1 o'clock in the morning. Sarah was the sweetest. She stuck around and chatted with everyone there. Richard and Will also spent a moment with the fans. Regine and Win were a bit weird. I had a picture of the two of them together. I asked both of them to sign it and they each simply said no. I was kind of taken aback by their outright refusal. I mean, they were walking out of the venue and I met them each in a one-on-one setting. It was almost as if they couldn't be bothered, and they both walked right past me. Oh well, I was there for the show, which was fantastic. A pleasant interaction afterwards would have been great, but it wasn't the reason I was there. However, I must say, I wish I would have just gone home as opposed to leave on a sour note. Maybe next time it will be better.

Dave Grohl is always funny.

U2 has to headline after canceling last year. I think that is almost a forgone conclusion.

AROBTTH - I love that album.

That's a good bit on A Day in The Life. I think that's from Anthology. I know I've seen it before.

That's a good bit on A Day in The Life. I think that's from Anthology. I know I've seen it before.

From what I understand (having not lived throught the 60s myself ;)), George Martin was vitally important to the Beatle's development. All of my friends who are hardcore Beatle fans look at him with almost the same amount of reverence usually reserved only for the band.

I haven't listened to the last album in it's entirety, but many songs off it are pretty good. I know what you mean about the band still calling themselves The Who. I would have more of a problem with it if Pete were not still alive. As it stands, you still have the singer and songwriter in the band. Unfortunately, we lost two of the all time greats when Keith and John passed. The one thing I will stay is that Zak Starkey keeps that band moving. He is a fantastic drummer. His dad should be proud :)

Jimmy Eat World - Invented

I saw The Who 3 or 4 years ago, and they were very, very good. I will check this one out.

Yeah, if the HOF is looking to save money by pre-ordering plaques, they can go ahead and order them for PJ and Radiohead. That's the safest bet ever.

To me, it's super important. Unfortunately, I think it's grown less important in the digital downloading era. It's too bad, especially when you think about all the iconic covers. I'd rank it at an 8 or 9.

^ both kings of Leon and coldplay have the potential but it's way too early to evaluate. If both bands ended today, obviously they wouldn't have the credentials. We'll see what the future holds.

Like most hall of fames, this one is getting watered down. I understand the nod to a band like Bon Jovi, especially since they sold unthinkable amounts of concert tickets and albums. Also, they were the biggest band of a particular era of music - hair metal. That said, I've never heard any artist mention them as an influence. They are a populist band. Not that I see anything wrong with that, I just don't think it belongs in a music hall of fame. This is especially true when influential bands like the smiths and the cure can't get a nomination. And I don't think it should be open to other genres of music. Nothing against rap, but it is called the rock n roll hall of fame.

Pearl Jam and Radiohead are locks. I would say Green Day, too.

First: stone temple pilots in 1995 Last: zac brown band Next: arcade fire

huh? Is that code?

I can only speak for myself, but I really don't care if people believe me. I do it because I want to meet the people who have helped shape my life. The autograph or picture is just a keep sake that stems from that experience.