We’re big fans of the Phish-Coventry blog, so it’s with great excitement that we welcome The Joker aboard to review shows in the Denver-area. First up for The Joker was Lotus at the Ogden Theater…
Often times in my life I go to see music for an escape…Friday night in Denver was no exception. Coming off the worst week in Stock Market history I came into Lotus with a body and head full of worry and negativity…as the song goes some dance to remember, I like to dance to forget.
The Ogden was not sold out, but there was quite a scene getting in. It was one of the first cold nights of the season in Denver and standing out on Colfax in a complete clusterfuck seemed like the wrong start for me – I had hassles all week and did not need another hassle getting in. We had been outside for about 15 minutes when an underage blonde girl stumbled into us- she had big black X’s on her hand and had been kicked out. Some drunk/spun kids are endearing, but this girl was a complete mess. My friends and I tried to assist her in her quest for re-entry. As a vet of many music experiences with drugs and alcohol sometimes you just have to stand in the corner and come down…but the security and police were watching her so we parted ways at the entrance. Where were her friends? No where. (Wags Finger at Readers) Kids, you have to stick together- seeing music with friends and partying is fun but you have to look out for each other.
Upon entering and taking my first sip of beer I began to calm down. The Ogden was comfortably crowded with plenty of energy and room to move. We secured a place front and center in the balcony. I was surrounded by more music lovers than scenesters, more younger dancers than jaded vets and it felt good. The flat-billed hats and crystals were left at home and the focus was on the music. Lotus opened the show with Juggernaut, an in your face dance party song with the focus on their lights. I could not see the band until mid way through the first set, only outlines of them in front of large blue squares.
Whether it’s performing in a moo moo, making a grand entrance in a giant joint, or covering Snoop Dogg tunes, jam bands have never shied away from getting their dork on. Well, the newest generation of jammers have added a new element of dorking out to the repertoire - the video game cover. For this edition of Bust Outs, we’re taking a trip down memory lane as we present a handful of playful renderings from our favorite video game theme songs of yesteryear.
Ulu – Super Mario Brothers Theme
The list obviously starts with Ulu and their Internet mega-hit rendition of the Super Mario Brothers theme. Back in Napster’s prime, this remarkably true-to-form homage to both levels 1-1 and 1-2 conquered the world and made Ulu a household name – well, depending on whose households you frequent I suppose. The segment where Mario hops off the flagpole and descends down the green tube represents the musical highlight. When that gnarling bass line kicks it, you know it’s time to look out for those irritable Spinys. Ulu was the first band I know of to cover a video game track and for my money, nobody has yet to do it better. There’s no doubt in my mind that the Ulu boys know to jump into that warp zone all the way to level nine when this song comes to close. READ ON for more…
It seems like every week iClips brings us another killer webcast. This weekend they’ll be simulcasting parts of the Voodoo Festival live from New Orleans. Today we get to check out performances by former Drive By Trucker Jason Isbell, JJ Grey and MOFRO, Toots and the Maytals among others. Toubab Krewe, New Orleans Social Club and Dumpstaphunk headline Saturday’s schedule, and we’ll be watching Paolo Nutini, The Black Crowes and Plain White T’s on Sunday. Sweetness.
Remember to return next week (or just read us daily) for a killer Dave Vannphoto gallery from the Voodoo Festival, but for now, check out these links:
This guy refuses to shave his beard until Metallica releases a new album
It’s time to tell your folks, your friends and your employers how much you really need a long weekend of introspection, how much you need an extended weekend overseas for personal reflection that includes somber visits to the Anne Frank House and the Van Gogh Museum. Some time around mid-March 2008.
Jam in the Dam organizers upped the ante this morning, announcing the event will stretch to six bands playing over four nights, a first for each number. After the fan-supported artist poll gauged proper interest, the festival has decided to add the Disco Biscuits, Perpetual Groove and Dark Star Orchestra to the 2008 edition of Jam in the Dam, a triumvirate that joins Umphrey’s McGee, Tea Leaf Green and Lotus on the bill. And if you want to see which bands are playing in which time slots, they’ve already released the schedule of events. Bully for us.
This thing’s becoming more and more can’t-miss by the day. I must ask, though, are they actively trying to collect the worst band names in music on one bill?
It’ll be more patchouli than pacifiers, blotter than beans. The Deadheads must be much happier than the Biscokids today following Jam Cruise’s initial lineup announcement that includes Dark Star Orchestra and Warren Haynes making their first appearance on the six-day floating party festival at sea.
On January 4th, 2008, Jam Cruise 6 will depart from Ft. Lauderdale with a full boat and a lineup of musicians that mixes heady ship vets with a couple of new additions. Soulive, Toots and the Maytals, Sharon Jones, and The Funky Meters join Warren Haynes and DSO amongst the newcomers. Returnees include Karl Denson, Perpetual Groove, Galactic, and Yonder Mountain String Band. And it’s officially a festival: Michael Franti will be on the boat. How you feeelin? Seasick!
Noticeably absent from the initial lineup are Jam Cruise fixtures Umphrey’s McGee and the Disco Biscuits (no B.D. Eggman Revisited?). Strange, seeing as this is one festival that doesn’t even attempt to book bands outside of the scene. You won’t find Dr. Dog or Kings of Leon chillin’ on the Jam Cruise poop deck.
Rotan, Honduras and Costa Maya, Mexico — two places we’ve never heard of — serve as the ports of call for this year’s festival. Read on full Jam Cruise 1-5 lineups and an insane amount of downloads from past Jam Cruises…
Shit. We’re 10 months away, and already next year’s March is filling up fast. We’ve got the annual pilgrimage to Langerado, a fantasy baseball draft in a city to be named later, and now…uh oh, we may have to make a quick jaunt to Amsterdam.
Jam in the ‘Dam organizers want you to get in on the act early, and today they announced three headliners for the 2008 event. Following what I thought was a really suspect lineup in 2007, it seems this weekend in the Netherlands is well on its way to full musical resurrection: Umphrey’s McGee, Tea Leaf Green and Lotus will lead the festivities the weekend of March 16th - 18th.
But we’re not done yet. This year the organizers are bringing an extra act to the ‘Dam, and it’s up to us to decide (kinda). And like all fan-voting endeavors, I imagine this idea that’s paved with good intentions will end up in calamitous ruin:
The other change, is that we will be doing FIVE artists next year! We will run three per night in the Old Hall, with a slightly reduced set time. Announcing this early will let us take our time to get feedback from our most loyal fans on who the last two bands should be. Please take part in the poll on our message board:
Sure it’d be nice to see another couple of jambands in there, but since they’re asking for it, I say we stuff the ballot box with votes for Tiffany, Debbie Gibson, and Taylor Dayne. I mean, Umphrey’s and TLG are good enough for me — wouldn’t you want to see a heady Professor’s Blues > I Think We’re Alone Now or a Get in the Van > Only In My Dreams? Either way, let’s starting talking Amsterdam.
Like I needed a music ‘n travel-related erection at work today. Damn you.
Les Claypool and his Fancy Band are embarking on a major tour beginning in May and wrapping up in July. Up-and-coming rock duo Two Gallants will open most of the shows. The members of the Fancy Band haven’t been announced, but a good guess would be Skerik, Mike Dillon, Gabby La La, and Paulo Baldi. What else?
The Vapour Brothers website features a video of Radiohead in the studio
Greyboy Allstars, Lotus, and Galactic are among the bands that have been added to the Trancegression lineup
Jethro Tull is hitting the states for some dates in the fall
The downloads from this weekend’s kickoff to festival season are starting to emerge, and we figured we’d throw them out as soon as they come to our attention. So here’s the first batch of torrents and sendspaces for you to devour, and we’ll update this post as often as we can.
