Words: Jimmy Coulas

With the exception of two arena shows at the U.I.C. Pavilion back in October to support Wilco (The Album), Wilco (The Band) hasn’t played a full show in the Chicagoland Area since the Riviera Residency in February of 2008. When this show at the Overture Center in Madison, WI was added to their seemingly never-ending touring schedule, I knew that I had to go because I wasn’t sure when they would return to their hometown of Chicago.

[All photos by Richie Wireman via WilcoWorld]

My favorite venue in Chicago to see Wilco is the stunning Auditorium Theatre. For a few years, Wilco called the Auditorium home, playing most of their hometown shows at the iconic venue. While the Overture Center is only a few years old and lacks the charm of the Auditorium, it is truly a beautiful venue and the acoustics are marvelous.

As the lights dimmed the band walked on stage to the Olympic March, which is fitting considering most of the shows on this tour are north of the border, and the band recently played an outdoor show in Vancouver for the Olympic’s. Wilco (The Song) kicked off the festivities with the band sounding very fresh and dialed in.

After the chaotic Bull Black Nova, the opening chords to You Are My Face resonated through the venue. The song explodes with a heavily distorted guitar riff by Jeff Tweedy and then once again calms down towards the end. As the song faded out, keyboardist Mikael Jorgensen and guitarist Pat Sansone added some lullaby like textures as if they were putting the song to sleep. READ ON for more from Jimmy on Wilco in Madison…

In an effort to focus our attention on something besides Phish for a change, we’ve decided at HT headquarters to (hopefully) drum up some good chatter about the final season of the greatest television show in the history of the idiot box. Check in on Wednesday of every week during Season 6 to share your thoughts, theories, complaints and assessments of the previous night’s episode. Big time SPOILER alert for anyone didn‘t watch yet.

Synopsis: As always, with the help of our good buddy the Joker from Coventry Blog.

Geronimo Jackson, 2/23/2010

Set I – (Off Island): Scar Tissue (1) > Jeepster (2) > You’re No Son of Mine (3) > I’m Not Ready to Make Nice (4) > White Rabbit (5) > Mother (6) > Piano Man (7) > Secret Agent Man (8)

Set II – (On Island): Ghostbusters Theme (9) Tic Tac Toe (10) > Tunnel Vision (11) > Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For (12) > Dharma Lady (13) > All Along the Watchtower (14) > All Eyez on Me (15) > Mirrors (16)

Encore: Sanity > My Friend, My Friend (17)

(1) Red Hot Chili Peppers; Jack on vocals, Jack’s mom on bass
(2) T. Rex; Jack on vocals
(3) Phil Collins; Jack on vocals, David on drums
(4) Dixie Chicks; David on vocals and banjo
(5) Jefferson Airplane; David on vocals, lyrics by Jack
(6) Pink Floyd, Margo Shephard on vocals
(7) Billy Joel, David on Piano
(8) Johnny Rivers; Dogen on vocals with alternative “Secret Asian Man” lyrics
(9) Ghostbusters; Hurley on Vocals
(10) Kyper; Miles and Hurley rapping
(11) Tuesday Blue; Hurley on vocals
(12) U2; Kate on vocals
(13) Geronimo Jackson Original; Claire on vocals, last time played S5, Ep. 6
(14) Bob Dylan; Hurley on vocals, Jack on guitar
(15) Tupac Shakur; Jack on vocals
(16) Disco Biscuits; Jack destroys drum kit
(17) Phish; Claire on vocals, Fake Locke on “Knife” chants

Epic One Liner of the Week: Hurley’s reaction to the obvious gaping plot hole in this week’s episode, that somehow after six years of episodes, the characters managed to find a new lighthouse this week? “Maybe we just weren’t looking for it?” Um… Right.

READ ON for more and to talk Lost with Ryan and Joker…

While this weekly feature is normally a good way to recap what touring bands were up to by way of choosing audio and video to embed for our readers, this week we’re also going to give you a recap of last week’s shenanigans involving the Disco Biscuits and this publication, Hidden Track.

At around 2PM last Thursday afternoon, Disco Biscuits bassist Marc Brownstein simply tweeted the URL www.planetanthem.com. With no real fanfare, tDB had launched a fun, and somewhat hilarious, pre-order site for their first studio release in eight years, Planet Anthem. While some of the items available for purchase were pretty standard (i.e. signed CD’s, a copy of the CD plus entry to the record release shows at the TLA in Philly), some were much more interesting (i.e. for $500 you and four friends get to sing the “Oooooooo” part of tDB epic Basis For A Day at Camp Bisco or $250 to get the Disco Biscuits to remix a song for you).

At 2:40pm EST, I sent ScottyB an email to ask a) if he had seen the Pre-Order page and b) if this situation was ripe for satire. With a little help from tDB guru Matt Quinn we went live with a B List at 5pm titled 10 Rejected Planet Anthem Pre-Order Items.

The post was well received with a few of our readers joining in on the comment section to offer up their own entries of funny would-be pre-order items. I also got a couple of emails from friends saying they enjoyed the piece and we were all happy with the way it went. Fast forward to 8:06am the following morning when I got a text message informing me that a number of the jokes listed in our B List had magically appeared on the actual pre-order page! While some of the Hidden-Track inspired items have been purchased, fans still haven’t been able to pool together the $1 million to get tDB to make their triumphant return to the Pacific Northwest.

READ ON for more on this highlight in Hidden Track history and for LWS selections from tDB, Trey, Wilco, George Clinton & P-Funk and MMW…

Last week in our CPR edition of Friday Mix Tape, Ryan via my recommendation dropped a tune from the Mumford & Sons – whom I described as “the UK’s answer to the Avett Brothers”. I thought I’d use today’s edition of Pullin’ ‘Tubes to more formally introduce you to the music of this four-piece act who have only been around for a handful of years. The London-based act plays a mix of traditional English inspired folk music, channeled through the high and lonesome sound of American bluegrass with influences from the Beard Rock movement of the last few years.

The results arrive at a unique blend of something that sounds like a mix of Gomez meets Incredible String Band meets The Avetts meets Bill Monroe.The band, who already has three self-produced EPs to their name, saw their  their full-length debut Sigh No More get its stateside release last week – which had previously landed in the UK iTunes Top Ten and yielded a number one single in Australia. Mumford & Sons made their network television debut when they stopped the Late Show to perform Little Lion Man…

Mumford & Sons will return to the States later this year with high profile appearances at the Bonnaroo and Sasquatch music festivals.

It would be easy to develop a salty predisposition toward Americana/Soul act Dawes. Upon releasing their debut LP North Hills in early 2009, the music media enveloped them in a roar of buzz like a swarm of locusts, quickly propelling them to “it“ band status. Fortunately for Dawes and their fans, the band possesses an intangible quality that dispels any need for distaste toward this group of youngsters – one whose oldest member clocks in at just 24 years old. That intangible is humility.

In a coming out party of sorts on Friday night at the Bowery Ballroom, the band radiated pure joy and genuine appreciation about getting to where they are today, so much so that it became almost impossible not to root for them. Not only did frontman Taylor Goldsmith repeatedly reflect on previous trips to the city, playing to less attentive crowds and minimal accolades while supporting other bands and in much less glamorous rooms, but they made it clear that it wasn’t just about them. It was about a collective “us.” Goldsmith literally thanked the fans at every opportunity, making it clear that it wasn’t just Dawes that’s been getting bigger, it was about everybody in the room getting bigger together. These guys understand that they aren’t doing this alone.

To put it simply, Dawes is a happy band. North Hills, while a very solid album, does almost zero justice to the band’s live performances. Taylor Goldsmith possesses charisma on par with Bruce Springsteen and their songs – while simple at their core – serve as lightning rods to channel the band’s electric personality out to the crowd. During the highlight tune of the night, When My Time Comes, a song with an overt metaphor for the evening, the band had the entire crowd not just singing the title lyric, but (I kid you not) screaming it at the tops of their lungs. They even got the crowd dancing, singing, and belting out unabashed cheers. I know that I got goosebumps on three separate occasions and I doubt if I was alone.

READ ON for more from Ryan on Dawes at the Bowery…

It’s no secret that we’re big fans of the gorgeously shot Take Away Shows, who have featured some amazing performances in equally unusual locales. The site recently posted this stunning video of the The Low Anthem performing Apothecary in the middle of Grand Central Station’s Great Hall…

The Low Anthem – Apothecary

Trey Anastasio and Classic TAB are about to take the stage at The Pageant in St. Louis for a show that will be webcast on iClips. Some fans had issues accessing the site, but once you get connected the video and audio is fantastic. We’ll recap tonight’s setlist here…

Trey Anastasio and Classic TAB
February 23, 2010
The Pageant
St. Louis, MO

Set 1: Shine, Push On Til The Day, Cayman Review, Night Speaks to a Woman, Valentine, Alaska, Mozambique, Gotta Jibboo, Tuesday, Kill Devil Falls*, Bathtub Gin*, Backwards Down The Number Line*, Wilson*

Set 2: Simple Twist Up Dave, The Birdwatcher, Drifting, Sand, Let Me Lie, Liquid Time, Money Love and Change, Goodbye Head, Mr. Completely, Black Dog

Encore: Show of Life, First Tube

* – Trey Solo Acoustic

Are you able to watch the show? Let us know by leaving a comment below…

Welcome to the inaugural edition of Strange Brew our new monthly column dedicated to – as you probably have already guessed – beer. Each month, we’ll take a close look at a new or notable brew, or just one we think you should be drinking, all without too much beer geekiness.

It seemed like a natural choice to kick off this first edition of Strange Brew with the latest seasonal offering from venerable Vermont brewery Magic Hat – Vinyl Lager. Magic Hat, who have been producing their fine assortment of beers since 1994 including their ubiquitous lot staple #9, have rotated in and out an assortment of beers that have ranged from porters to IPAs all with their unique spin. For Vinyl Lager, their new Spring Seasonal, the South Burlington-based company turned to none other than concert poster extraordinaire Jim Pollock to design the bottle’s fantastic looking label.

Why You Should Drink It: Besides the fact that you can save the bottle and pass it off as piece of art, what better way to get yourself ready for the warmer months ahead then with this very smooth and drinkable lager that pours a deep orange-rust color with a light foam head and leaves you with a bit of a dry malty almost biscuit-y bite? Vinyl will warm you up just enough on those last cold days of winter, but is also perfect for drinking outside when the Spring air still has a bit of a chill in it.

Brewer’s Description: Vinyl Lager is a beer with deep amber hue, sweet malt taste and a slight balancing hop touch. This beer is produced using a lager strain of  yeast and is fermented at the low end of ale fermentation temperatures, allowing the beer to maintain its easy-drinking, lager-like characteristics.

Availability: For a limited time in 12 oz. 6-packs, 12-packs, 22 oz., on draft and in the Spring Fever Variety Pack

Beer Geek Stats:

Style: Amber Lager, Yeast: Lager, IBUS: 16, ABV: 5.1, Malt: pale, crystal, munich, victory, Hop: Northern Brewer

Have you tried Magic Hat’s Vinyl Lager? Leave your thoughts about their latest offering in the comments section…

As Mike Gordon’s solo band prepares to take the road for an eight-show tour next week starting at Revolution Hall in Troy, NY; the bassist has announced the release of a blockbuster show from his last tour with the five-piece band, 10/03/2009 from the Town Ballroom in Buffalo, on CD and as a download (in both MP3 and FLAC formats) at LivePhish.com.

This two-disc set contains tight versions of Mike’s latest and greatest tunes (Can’t Stand Still, Spiral), gems from his first few albums (Beltless Buckler, Dig Further Down), a Phish tune (Meat) and a slew of well-played, re-invented covers (Cities, Takin’ It To The Street, 15 Step). Cactus remixed this release himself from the group’s multi-track recordings.

We’ve got five copies of the CD to giveaway to our listeners as well as a grand prize of a pair of tickets to a March show of your choice. To enter, simply leave a comment below with your name, age, hometown and a song that you think the Mike Gordon Band should cover. All entries must be received by 11:59PM on March 3. We will pick one entry at random to win the tickets and then five entries at random to win the CD. We’ll only accept one entry per person.

READ ON for the tracklist of Mike Gordon’s latest release…

Our friends at HeadCount have teamed up with untz masters the Disco Biscuits for a benefit concert and volunteer initiative called Bisco Power Mission with the goal of outfitting a Philadelphia public school with solar power. On Sunday, March 21, the Biscuits will perform at Brooklyn Bowl – the nation’s largest LEED Certified green music venue – in Disco Biscuits’ bassist Marc Brownstein’s hometown of Brooklyn.

Tickets go on sale Thursday at noon through the group’s ticketing site and are expected to sell out within minutes. Additional tickets will go on sale on Friday at noon through TicketFly. 

Here are some additional details about this most worthy cause and event…

General Admission tickets are $40 and a limited number of VIP/Bowling tickets are available for $75. Lanes are assigned on a first come, first serve basis. For more information, visit the Bisco Power Mission web page: www.discobiscuits.com/bpm

Biscuits fans can also add to the energy by participating in “Adopt-a-Watt,” an opportunity for fans around the country to have their names immortalized on a ceremonial plaque displayed at the school. The way to Adopt-a-Watt is to pre-order a limited edition Bisco Power Mission print. Prints can be purchased with tickets or separately (see website for ordering info). Adding to the fun at Brooklyn Bowl, the person who bowls the highest score of the night will win two free VIP tickets to Camp Bisco IX, courtesy of CID Entertainment and MCP Presents.

February has been an amazing month for news on archival releases and the fun continues with the announcement of Widespread Panic Archives’ Porch Songs – 07/22/2001. Panic fans remember this barn-burner for the debut of the group’s cover of All Along The Watchtower, a rare E on a G and the first Dirty Business in over a year. Head to the Archives’ blog for an essay on this show and LiveWidespreadPanic.com to purchase.

Though Daniel Lanois is known more for his work as a producer (U2′s The Joshua Tree, Peter Gabriel’s So, Bob Dylan’s Time Out Of Mind to name a few), he has a few albums of his own, and The Maker is arguably his most well-known composition.

The Contestants:

Dave Matthews Band: Dave Matthews has been playing The Maker as far back as 1991. Its frequency has fluctuated throughout the years, it’s even disappeared for periods of over three years, but it keeps coming back in the rotation at both DMB shows and Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds duo shows. Source: Live In Chicago 12.19.98 at The United Center

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Video from the Chicago ’98 Webcast:

Also of note to the Hidden Track readers is that on 10-15-1994 at the Oak Mountain Amphitheater, there was a full-band sit-in where all the members of DMB joined Phish for their encore and after a Drum Duel and a brief Free-form jam, The Maker was performed. Listen to it below. Thanks to hoydog for all he does with the Phish Downloads Spreadsheet.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

READ ON for the scoop on the rest of this week’s contestants…

Well, we come to an end of our third season, with the fifteenth edition, 45th overall, in our little quest to find the hidden truths, the hidden myth, and, yes, the hidden pearls beneath the surface of the cinematic pile. And, damn straight, it’s gotten weird every once in a while, especially lately as films from out of nowhere appear to have gained weight, whereas others, deemed more significant, have faded in importance over time.

Ahhh…time, we’ve hit upon that word. Again. THAT word, buried below, like some lost remnant on an island where time has no meaning; and space, even less, just the two concepts engaged in immortal combat, as it were, with each other. Or, is it with themselves? Climb aboard as we venture out there in the final episode of the third season with a journey to this week’s Hidden Flick, and a film which occupies the second spot on my all-time favorite film list, hidden or otherwise, Andrei Tarkovski’s Solaris.

• Previous Season 3 Hidden Flicks: The Burmese Harp, Tsotsi, The Science of Sleep, Fire In The Sky, The Homecoming, Cabin Boy, To Live and Die in L.A., Eight Legged Freaks, Memories, Slap Shot, The Devil’s Brigade, Der Tunnel, Edge of the City, The Holy Mountain,

Culled from a science fiction novel written by Stanislaw Lem, Tarkovski made some significant changes to the original text, and added more metaphysical dimension to a story which already carried immense noodle-bending gravitas. To be sure, Tarkovski spent his entire career making films about the human condition, asking questions about what it all means to be here, who we are, and the chances of a truly freed soul, which, dichotomically, is crippled by a society which places constraints on expression and free speech, to find those answers. And, in the end, what does one do with them?

READ ON for more on this week’s Hidden Flick – Solaris…

Guitar legends Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck kicked off their North American Tour on Thursday night at MSG. You wouldn’t expect these two guys to cover a song Henry Mancini composed, but they do a splendid job with Moon River. Here’s a clip of two performing the tune at a warm-up gig in London…

Eric Clapton & Jeff Beck – Moon River

We’ve got big news about Big Red this morning, as the former 70 Volt Parade lead singer will induct Genesis into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in New York City on March 15. Anastasio has long professed his love for The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway and other early Genesis LPs and has cited the band as an influence. As we previously reported, Peter “The Prick” Gabriel will not attend the ceremony as he needs to wash his hair or something.

In the past, many of those who have inducted a band have joined said band during their performance or during the all-star jam at the end of the ceremony – see Aerosmith’s Perry + Tyler with Led Zeppelin. We would be thrilled to hear Trey rip up Turn It On Again or Abacab or even Land of Confusion. Luckily, we can all watch Anastasio’s speech and possible sit-in as it happens on Fuse TV. Other presenters announced this morning include Wyclef Jean (inducting Jimmy Cliff), Barry and Robin Gibb (Abba), Billie Joe Armstrong (The Stooges) as well as Jackson Browne (David Geffen).

Tune in to Fuse TV at 8:30 PM EDT on March 15 for the ceremony.