TOP 5 TUESDAY: OPENING ACT SURPRISES

Here we are, another week, another Top 5 Tuesday. It's my week to choose the topic…ALL MINE.

…ahem. Anyways.

I decided to veer back towards music on this one. So this week's top 5: TOP FIVE OPENING ACT SURPRISES.

I've been to lots of shows. I've seen lots of bands. I've seen lots of godawful opening acts, but I've also had some bands REALLY surprise me. So here we go.

#5. Chris Mills

Chris Mills is a fantastic singer-songwriter out of Chicago, and I got to see him open for Ben Folds at Lupo's back in 2006. (By the way, it was the best time I ever saw Ben Folds…we got "Emaline" and "Underground". My shit was flipped.)

Mills' albums are generally grandiose affairs, beautiful horn arrangements, a full string section, lots of flutes. This time though, it was just Mills on an electric guitar accompanied by a drummer. I'd never heard of Chris Mills before this show, but I was pleasantly surprised. He played some solid Power-Pop tunes with a HUGE amount of energy.



#4. Pela

This one is funny. I first saw Pela during the CMJ Festival in 2007. I actually went to the show for the first opening band, Stardeath and White Dwarfs, who were pretty good. I was followed by my buddy Ian, who was there for the headliners, British Sea Power (they were terrible. He would disagree, but this is my blog, goddamnit.).

I really didn't know what to think when they took the stage. The bass player looked like the blue Power Ranger, the singer resembled an army douchebag, and the lead guitarist was wee and Spanish looking. The second they started playing, however, everything changed. The singer, Billy, had a smile as wide as the stage, and was just putting all of his heart and joy into the music. As they kept on playing their early U2 inspired indie-rock, I was hooked. The passion, the happiness, and the hooks caught me.

Unfortunately, they broke up about two years later, never releasing their second album. I heard rumors that they have reformed under a different name. I certainly hope so, because they were / are amazing.

A nice touch is that this video is from the show I was at. You can see me nodding my head in front, between the singer and bassist. Random side story, but this is also the night that I met MTV's John Norris, and talked to him for about 10 minutes about how good it was that real Rock 'N Roll seemed to be coming back. It was funny how much he didn't seem to care about my rambling.



3. Titus Andronicus

When I first saw Titus Andronicus, I really didn't know what to think. I saw them open for Lucero at Pearl Street in Northampton in 2009.

I had heard things about them. Ted Leo talked about them constantly in interviews, I'd heard that they had some Hardcore influences, as well as some Shoegaze. This made me very skeptical that I'd like them. Then they took the stage. They were filthy, had gear that was half falling apart, and had terrifically terrifying beards.

All Sara and I could do was stand in the back of the room and take in the explosion that was happening on stage. Patrick Stickles' yelps were almost painful, but they were rocking the fuck out. This was less than a month into Sara and my relationship. The entire time I was terrified that Sara was hating this, and that she was going to leave me immediately after the show. But as Titus Andronicus left the stage, after finishing up a cover of Elvis' "Jailhouse Rock", Sara turned to me and said: "That was amazing…"

Funny enough, we left two songs into Lucero's set, because of some stomach problems, and since then I haven't listened to Lucero once. Their fans were so terrifying that I kind of realized that I didn't want any part of that scene.



#2. The Figgs

The Hold Steady played about a half-hour from my house this past October. My former band tried to get on the bill, to no avail. I came into the show kind of frustrated, and I expected to shit on the opening act a bit, because they weren't us, and I was so sure that we would have been a better fit. (Note: We wouldn't have.)

The Figgs took the stage, and needless to say, I was taken aback. These guys were older than the Hold Steady. I settled in expecting some boring-ass Dad rock. That didn't happen though. Instead I got the best set of Power-Pop / Rock that I'd ever heard. It was also the first time that I've ever seen an opening act get called back for an encore.

After their set, I was basically ready to leave. I didn't really care about The Hold Steady at that point, because I'd just had my face melted off with pop-rock. I was convinced to stay, and while The Hold Steady were great that night, The Figgs were outrageously good. On the way out I bought five of their albums, spending money that I absolutely did not have. I didn't care though, it was worth it.



#1. The Hold Steady

I saw The Hold Steady a week after I finished my Junior year of High School. They were opening up for the Get Up Kids on their "farewell tour" (only to come back less than 5 years later…)

I'm not gonna lie, I thought the Hold Steady was fucking terrible. The singer couldn't sing, he kept on clapping really fast, and there weren't any chorus' in the songs. I made jokes about them on the way home, in-between talking about how blown away I was by The Get Up Kids performance. (They really were great, they played a good deal of everything, unlike last year when I saw them in New Haven, and were painfully bad.)

The next morning though, I had "Your Little Hoodrat Friend" stuck in my head. I went online and streamed it at their website about 6 or 7 times, and it started growing on me. A few weeks later I went to the record store and bought their most recent album, "Separation Sunday". I gave it a listen and thought it was only okay. Then I started listening to it more and more. I got pulled into the stories, and the songs hooked me in.

Within the next six months, The Hold Steady was my favorite band. I tried to convince everyone I knew as to how great they were, a few people even listened.

Cut to six years later. I've seen the band thirteen times. I've travelled up and down the eastern seaboard to see them, and I've met some amazing people, along with making some great friends. This band literally changed my life. To think, I wouldn't have gotten to hear them unless I loved Pop-Punk so much in High School.

TOP 5 TUESDAY: BATMAN.

Here we are, another week, and another Top 5 Tuesday. Continuing on Sara's theme last week, I'm doing the TOP 5 BATMAN MOVIES.

For those of you that don't know me, I love Batman. In my opinion he's the best superhero ever created. He's not unkillable like Superman, nor does he have overly cheap powers. The dude is just crafty. He knows how to use weapons, and is stealthy, as well as intimidating. He's the only superhero I could actually believe to be real.

In the many Batman films out there, he's been portrayed many different ways, some better than others. For my Top 5, I have to say with great glee that George Clooney will be nowhere close to making it on this list.

Anyways, on to the list.

#5. Batman Forever

I know this isn't a good movie. Val Kilmer is his usual stiff-as-a-board self, and Robin still sucks. The movie reeks 90's, and while that CAN be a good thing in some places, it's not a good thing here. It may just be me, but I hate Tim Burton's style (note: I know that Schumacher directed this one. Burton still produced, so shut up.) Gotham doesn't need to be this stylized.

However, I think that like the 60s series, this is good camp fun. Jim Carrey was nearly perfectly cast as the over the top Edward Nigma / Riddler, and for how it was written, Tommy Lee Jones did great as Two-Face.

I grew up with this one, so I can't knock it too much. Go back and watch it. It's not great, but it's better than Batman on Ice.

#4. Batman - Mask of the Phantasm

The left field choice. The definitive animated Batman film. The 90's series is gorgeous in how it was drawn, and it was actually a cartoon that had incredible writing on it too. Characters were fleshed out, things took time to grow, a backstory was present, it was amazing.

They didn't really skimp on the violence either. I rewatched this again last year, and I'm still baffled at how violent this was for what was supposed to be a children's cartoon. Something like this couldn't be made today for network television.

Anyways. This is dark, violent, well-written, and honestly, well acted. C'mon, it has Luke F'ing Skywalker as the Joker. Even though I love Heath Ledger's Joker, when I imagine the Joker laughing, I still think of Mark Hamill.

#3. Batman Begins

I saw Sara's post last week where she talked about her great dislike of Batman Begins, and because of this, I get to say something I've wanted to say for a while in the actual context where it makes sense:

"Sara, you ignorant slut."

Batman Begins was a kick in the pants to my childhood conception of what Batman was. I grew up with Burton's Batman. While it could be dark (see: Returns), it also always had that subtle wink and nod saying "this is still camp".

Batman Begins however, was dark, moody, and had character development for Christ's sake. We still know that Bruce's parents are dead, but we also get to see why he's this incredibly violent force. We get to see that he's a real person, he gets injured, he sucks at his job, but he still has a buttload of money to back him up on being Batman.

The voice is hilarious at points, I'm not going to deny that, but it makes sense. It feels real. Dude's gotta hide his voice. It's not a magical world where Clark Kent can look EXACTLY like Superman (exception of the glasses), and talk the same way and have no one notice. Batman has a cover. It's more realistic.

#2. Batman

Michael Keaton was great as Batman. Not the best Bruce Wayne, but a hell of a Batman. I grew up on this movie. Heck, I think we wore out our original VHS copy, but I'm pretty sure we dubbed a new copy on to a blank VHS we had laying around. I really do hate Tim Burton, but for some reason this movie really works for me. The characters pop out like they're from the comic books, the colors are all there, the story is there, and while it's dark, it's never really brooding.

Jack Nicholson was perfectly cast as the Joker here. He's over the top, funny, and sadistic. The only scene where it's a bit over the top is the art gallery scene, but then again, the strong majority of movies have their faults, and this one is fairly minor. (I'm trying to ignore the Batdance as much as possible…)

#1. The Dark Knight

Might be one of the few perfect movies in my opinion. Certainly the best Comic Book film ever made. Note that I said "Film" rather than "Movie". There is a difference. This can sit up there with the Godfather.It's beautifully shot, it's intelligent, and it doesn't pander to the audience.

I've probably seen this about 30 times now, and it has yet to get old. I saw it on midnight the night it came out, and throughout the entire film I had the largest shit-eating grin on my face. For the first time in my life, I actually yelled in a theater. (Gordon getting killed! C'mon! You had me going, Nolan!)

The only mark against The Dark Knight is the terrible CGI for Two-Face. It just looks cheesy. Aaron Eckhardt did AMAZING as Dent/Two-Face, but that CG…blegh.

There's not much more I can say about it. I'm not even going to write about Heath Ledger's Joker, because it's not worth it. Everything that could have been said about that amazing performance has been said better elsewhere.

I'd be lying if I said I weren't counting down to the next Batman movie. I'm really curious to see where Nolan goes next...

Top 5 Tuesday: I'm Batman

As I write this, my dad’s in the living room watching Daredevil and I’m wondering what happened to Jennifer Garner’s career.  (Answer:  Ben Affleck)

So it got me thinking.  What Superhero movies do I actually like?  Can I even come up with five?  Not really.  But I do like me some Batman movies.

 Now, I know nothing about the comics; literally all I know are the Tim Burton movies, the series from the ‘60s, and the Christopher Nolan reboot.  So, if you happen to be a Batman aficionado, I apologize and you will hate my list.  Except for number one.  Everyone will probably agree with number one.

Note:  There is a dearth of Batman Begins on this list.  The reason is simple:  I don’t like it.  When I first saw it, my friend turned to me after it was over and said, “You do realize that wasn’t a comedy, right?”  I can’t help it.  I can’t take Christian Bale’s Batman voice seriously.  I get the whole covering up the sound of your actual voice thing, but it’s so cheesy.  And the worst part is, unlike the series from the 1960’s, the cheese is unintentional.  Yell at me all you want, but my opinion still stands:  Christian Bale has a terrible Batman voice.

#5:  Batman & Robin

You might think that this is a joke.  That I actually enjoy Batman & Robin, especially over Batman Begins.  But, you know what, I do.

Come on.  It’s hilarious.  First off, let’s talk about Arnold Schwarzenegger for a minute.  “What killed the dinosaurs?  The ice age!” and “Allow me to break the ice.  My name is Freeze.  Learn it well.  For it's the chilling sound of your doom.” And of course “Tonight's forecast... a freeze is coming!”  Add in Arnold’s voice and it’s just comedy gold.

This is even funnier.

#4:  Batman (1989)

Michael Keaton is by far my favorite portrayal of Batman.  And I liked Vicky Vale and all, but the winner is Jack Nicholson.  Could they have found a better Joker at the time?  (Note:  We all know what number one is going to be and why, but bare with me here on the whole Joker front.)  Like, seriously, I don’t think they had to do the prosthetics.

#3:  Batman (1966)

Two words:  Shark repellant.  Two more words:  Adam West.  One word:  Camp!

Need I really say more?

 

 

#2:  Batman Returns

My whole scale for rating these movies seems to have a lot to do with the villains.  I mean, you need a villain in order to have a hero, right?  In this case, it’s Catwoman.  I’ve always liked her.  She’s my favorite superhero villain pretty much ever.  (Well, no, maybe Mystic is my favorite… but that’s another list for another day.)

And, come on, Christopher Walken!

A little off topic:  So, there’s this webcomic I read called Shortpacked! that features Batman a lot.  It’s where the title of this post comes from (you’ll have to check it out to understand what I am saying.).  Anyway, talking about this movie made me think of this comic:

Click on the picture to see it full sized.

#1:  The Dark Knight

This one is so obvious that I don’t even feel the need to talk about it.  So I’m not going to, because I think it speaks for itself.

Note:  If for some reason you haven't seen it and you don't know what the pencil trick is, it will probably be a little disturbing.

Screw You, I like Taylor Swift.

I guess I have what some people would call a "Hipster's Taste" for music, I would disagree, but that's not really the discussion. In the last decade or so people have forgotten that pop music can be great, and redeeming; it was also forgotten that you can enjoy pop while still loving your underground hits.

Look back at the 70s, it was more than okay to love The Who as well as lets say, the Sex Pistols. Or even the 80's, it is easy to imagine someone digging the Cars while having a Replacements album waiting to be put on next. The 90's even had this. Tons of people loved Nirvana and Pearl Jam, did that mean they couldn't also be all about Pavement or Archers of Loaf? No, no it didn't.

In the 2000's though, pop started having a stigma. Rejection of the mainstream is a cultural badge of the so-called "Hipster Movement". I realized though, it's time to break the mold. I need to make a confession.

I adore Taylor Swift's music.

At first I wanted to hate it. I heard "Love Story", and I called it "faux-Country" (which it still is…nevertheless…). I talked shit about it ("It's pop with a violin! It's so generic!"). But then the song stayed stuck in my head. I found myself humming the chorus as I walked to class from my apartment. I started searching on Youtube for the video, and I'd keep it on a loop while I was online. I was hooked.

I had Sara pick me up the album from her work, and I just immediately attached to it. Everything a music lover would want is there, it's catchy, is filled with great hooks, and is just pleasant to listen to. Sure, the lyrics can be a touch bubblegum on the topic of love sometimes, but so were all the bands I listened to in High School, as well as current favorites such as Bruce Springsteen.

People slag on Taylor Swift for her singing voice, especially live, well I can count many famous indie rock bands who have bad singers. I still love the bands despite it. How many indie rock fans have given Wayne Coyne of the Flaming Lips crap because he can't hit all the notes live? The answer? None. None of them. Because that's part of his charm. The dude has a weird voice. But because Ms. Swift is in the pop spotlight, she gets it laid on her at all times.

Lastly, I have to say, she's just a great songwriter. Compare the lyrics to the title track from her newest album "Speak Now" to just about any indie rock love song. I guarantee you it holds up.

Honestly, give pop music another chance. I did, let the hooks get stuck in you. For once give in to the incessant radio play. Who knows, you might find that it'll do you some good.

Canned Broccoli Would Be My Kryptonite

I hate broccoli.  The smell.  The texture.  The taste.  Cooked broccoli, mind you; I’m ok when it’s raw, but the moment it gets near a pot of boiling water, I run for the hills.  It’s one of those things that starts in childhood and you never really get over sitting for hours, forcing cold, disgusting food down your throat because your parents make you.  Because “it’s good for you.”

Now, answer me this, what is “good for you?”  Because if something has unappetizing as broccoli is good for you, I want no part of it.

Whoever decided boiling vegetables would be a good idea should be slapped.  I can’t think of any vegetables that taste good once they’ve been boiled.  Well, maybe corn.  Is corn a vegetable?  Anyway, we tend to boil the taste out of veggies.

The only thing worse than boiling a vegetable is canning it.  In this day and age, there is no point to canning anything (except tuna and corned beef hash).  If something can’t stay fresh, the freeze it.  There’s plenty of refrigeration around.  I mean, come on, take green beans:  a fresh green bean vs. a canned green bean.  There’s no competition to that’s better tasting (and better for you).  And don’t even get me started on canned peas.  Blech.

I did not intend to write about the foods I hate today.  I love food.  I love cooking.  I love going to restaurants.  I love trying new things.  But there are just some things that should not be done.  And canning vegetables is one of them.

The other is serving me broccoli.

Top 5 Tuesday: Best SNL Characters

This one is a little short today, so I’ve added some videos to peak your interest!

#5:  Vinny Vedecci

“Ayyyyyyyy!!!!!”

Maybe it’s the Italian in me, but I absolutely love Vinny Vedecci.  It took me a while to realize that Bill Hader isn’t actually speaking Italian, but the cadence and the attitude is spot on, so it’s easy to not know.

The best part is when Vinny starts yelling at the crew members, who are sitting at a table eating spaghetti, and then get into this big argument.  Lots of “ayyyyyyyy!!!!” being tossed around.

#4:  Opera Man

“Opera Man, Bye-Byeeeeeeeeeee!!!”

This will forever be my favorite Adam Sandler character.  He cracked me up every time; in fact, anytime I would watch SNL, I would hope that Opera Man would come on during Weekend Update.

#3:  Church Lady

“Well, isn’t that special?”

Church Lady has some of the best catchphrases of any character.  I bet everyone who’s watched SNL in the past twenty or so years can name a few of the lines:  “Could it be… SATAN?”

The recent Church Lady skit from when Dana Carvey last hosted was perfection.  The Kardashians, Snookie, Justin Bieber.  Church Lady still gots it.

#2:  Sean Connery

“I’ll take the rapists for $400.”

My number one favorite sketch ever is Celebrity Jeopardy and my number one favorite character from that sketch is Sean Connery.  Darrell Hammond is amazing.  The writers are fantastic.  I mean, come on, isn’t this how you would picture Sean Connery if he were on the real Jeopardy?  Antagonistic.  Hilarious.  Diabolical.

#1:  Stefon

“New York’s hottest club is…”

Bill Hader is on my list twice for one simple reason:  he’s brilliant.  Stefon is amazing.  Bill Hader never, ever finishes a Weekend Update segment as Stefon without breaking.  When someone as talented as Bill Hader breaks, you know it must be funny.

Watch it.  Love it.