Satan's Luau

We'll be there for the 1st show on Saturday, February 16th.

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Update:
Well, tickets went really fast on main sale day, basically sold out in 37 minutes besides the odd single. Glad to have had a FC membership.

Update 2:
Second show added. The second show will take place on Sunday, February 17th.

Show History
Police with Bryan Adams & Stevie Ray Vaughn, Aloha Stadium. 02/25/84
Police with Fiction Plane, MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas. 06/15/07
Police with Fiction Plane, Blaisdell Arena. 02/16/08

Posted by at 9:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

No Country for Old Men: A++

A very excellent, compelling suspense film that brings a modern context to the classic, hardboiled Western.

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Spoiler-free observations.

1. Javier Bardem's Anton Chigurh is the most compelling, disturbing and evil sociopath since the Hopkins did Lecter in SOTL.

2. Sometimes people do the wrong thing to the wrong people. Sometimes you don't understand that you did it, there is a cost to that ignorance.

3. Josh Brolin does a great, hardboiled everyman character who stumbles on the fortune of a lifetime. He is on a major roll this year.

4. Tommy Lee Jones and Woody Harrelson do a good job in filling in some of the blanks, with good performances.

5. Lastly, I admire the structure of the storytelling. Your expectations of who the story is about will change, not like Star Wars is really about DarthVader/Anakin -- but similar in that you need to pay attention or you may be disappointed with the ending.

Posted by at 8:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hawaii 39 Boise 27

For the first time, UH has won the WAC conference football conference outright.
Third conference championship since 1992.

Update: 11/25:
UH is now ranked #12 in the BCS standings, which is the required ranking to receive an automatic bid to a BCS bowl.

Posted by at 8:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Or, when political debates are manipulated, to someone's ends and not necessarily for the good of the people. I watched the UNLV Dem debates, and came away with my limited impressions confirmed about the frontrunning 3.

The Pants Suit: Seems almost Kerry-like out of touch with the "(wo)man on the ground", the salt of the earth, the average Joe/Joanne -- at this point, have yet to feel the humanity behind the finely tailored pants suits.

The Orator: Can really smack people down in debates, I am wondering whether all these cool soundbites will amount to progress, if he were elected President

The Country Lawyer: Seems too defensive, like he is fully aware of his 3rd place standing, and cannot articulate where he is on issues -- always needs to be on the attack of the Pants Suit

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Read an interesting blog today about the questions used in the debate. Now, obviously there must be some sort of vetting of questions -- more along the lines of keeping it interesting and relevant for a national audience. However, I was disturbed by the "diamondznpearlz" question, and sought out more information about it.

Once again, the net doesn't let me down. Interesting blog piece on the possible manipulation of the forum by that big elephant in the room, see-en-en.

Read it here.

Posted by at 3:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

With regards to the Bonds indictment, the message here is don't lie in a federal grand jury proceeding. I think what is even more alarmingly stupid or arrogant is the fact that he was provided immunity vs. prosecution for being a steroid user -- and could answer these questions candidly and truthfully, without criminal repercussions. He lied anyway, and no matter what his motives may have been -- I think he may have finally and ultimately tarnished the legacy of his career. I do not believe he will play again, I do not believe his records will stand, and I do not believe he will be elected to the HOF. At the end of the day, the most talented player of his generation was so personally flawed -- arrogant, jealous, covetous -- that he brought down his own house.

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ARod looks to have begged his way back on to the Yankees. I find this move by the Yanks to be curious, but understandable given the composition of their team without him. Personally I would have let him hang out to dry, after all those shenanigans he and his agent pulled. I find it odd as well that other teams "interested" in him likely would have made offers that were $100M less than the package agreed on in principle. In fact, at the Ducks-Cats game last night, Angels owner Arte Moreno said they would have offered 1/2 the amount. Why the Yanks are essentially padding this contract to an ingrate who had to beg his way back into their favor is unbelievable as well. Unbelievable, totally unbelievable.

Posted by at 8:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

My favorite all-time New York Ranger.

Mark Messier, "The Captain", is now in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Achievements
* 5 Stanley Cups: 1984,1985,1987,1988, 1990, 1994
* Only player to captain two different teams to the Stanley Cup
* 2 Hart Memorial Trophies (NHL MVP): 1990, 1992
* 2 Lester B. Pearson Awards (NHL Most Outstanding Player): 1990, 1992
* Conn Smythe Trophy (Playoffs MVP): 1984
* 15 All-Star game appearances
* Ranks 2nd all-time in the following categories: regular season points scored (1,887), playoff points (295), and in games played (1,756)
* One of only 40 players to score 500 or more goals

Posted by at 10:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I'm feeling the urge to get the lead out and write. So, for no apparent reason, I will discuss my latest downloads from the iTMS. My first music buys in a while. Feel really out of touch with what's going on. That being said ...

All song titles are linked to iTMS, if you wish to further explore the tracks.

Missing You - Alison Krauss & John Waite

A country pop version of the ubiquitous 80s classic, Missing You. Alison Krauss is one of the very best voices in country, a bit underutilized here. I suppose I just haven't heard the song in quite a while, and it sounds very fresh to me -- yes, I realize the corresponding impact that this may reflect about my physical health.

And, of course, the classic ... one of my TOP 5 favorite songs of the 80s from John "The Voice That Haunts Your Wait To See The Doctor" Waite ... Missing You

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Winter Windows - Sea Wolf

I really like the choice of instruments here -- lotsa accordion. Maybe that scared you off, don't let it. Great retro sensibility to this one, simple and timeless indie pop

Also recommend the following to explore from this artist:
The Cold, the Dark & the Silence
You're a Wolf

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Affection - Zap Mama

As a long-time Sade fan, I've been waiting ... a) for more music, b) for more music, c) for someone to come out with world music that has that same jazzy, soulful sensibility, which is accessible. I think I've found it, and I'm happy about that.

Also recommend the following to explore from this artist:
Supermoon (song)
Bandy-Bandy (feat. Erykah Badu)

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Silver Lining - Rilo Kiley

Complain, complain. Has Rilo Kiley sold out? You would think so, to read comments from long-time fans. As a LT fan, I would say that it's a nice experimental turn for RK to take on 70s styled pop. Silver Lining is just darn catchy and happy, nothing wrong with that.

Also recommend the following to explore from this artist:
Under the Blacklight
Dreamworld

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The Good Soldier - Nine Inch Nails

Mr. Trent has been quietly rebuilding the greatness of the empire that was/is NIN. Mostly under the radar in 2005, TR put forth the most compelling, accessible NIN tracks in several years, Only and The Hand That Feeds. Well, he's back with a soundtrack to a dark, nihilistic future -- YearZero -- strong NIN offering all-around, very straightforward and focused, and a message for life in the present day.

Also check out these tracks from YearZero:
Capital G
The Beginning of the End

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Lazy (Lazy) - Architecture in Helsinki
I like the bouncy, articulate, quirky pop that is Talking Heads. Well, Architecture in Helsinki is here right now for your BAQ pop needs, while hell awaits its next ice age in lieu of a new TH record. Fun song to listen to.

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Patient Eye - Midnight Movies

All Hail the dark wall of sound -- music to shoegaze to, sit out a rainy day, or just wear all-black, just because. Just a neat sounding song.

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Cruel Thing - The Sharp Things

Good ol' UK R&B? ... actually its from a little band from NY. Perry Serpa's vox evokes that late UK sound of Erasure and SimplyRed, a revival of good old blue eyed soul. Lush, poppy, what's not to like?

Also, recommend Demon of Love.

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If I Could - Blue Merle

This song is from a few years back, prior to a lot of everyone sounding this way. Borrows liberally from DMB and CP in terms of sound ... or even Tears4F -- simple, chilled out pop, great for the the weekend or late night.

Everyone's been asking about this song, as it concluded last week's ep of Friday Night Lights.

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Quick hitters: Getting tired of writing

Shadow of the Wind - Black Sabbath (w/ Dio) (DOOM!!!)

Shrinking Universe - Muse (Rock for a post-apocalyptic future of rage zombies)

A Good Start - Maria Taylor (Too bad no one's looking for competent pop anymore)

Modern Love - The Last Town Chorus (excellent down-tempo cover of Bowie)

One Man Revolution - The Nightwatchman (Tom of RageATM, acoustic, angry)

Transparent Things - Fujiya & Miyagi (neither is Jpnse, hi-q electro-pop)

Girl Sailor - The Shins (Shins can do no wrong, apparently -- gold)

Tarantula - Smashing Pumpkins (Part of me feels so dirty -- SP still rox)

Slide Away - Joseph Arthur (One of the great indie artists of all-time)

Ain't No Reason - Brett Dennen (Poppy folk, compelling vox)

River in Reverse (acoustic) - Elvis Costello (This song breaks your heart.)

People Gonna Talk - James Hunter (50s-60s style retro fun, pre-dance hall fun)

Friends - Whodini (Lost classic of rap. Beats, message, beats)

South Bronx - KRS One & Boogie Down Productions (A little hip hop history lesson)

Posted by at 1:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I suppose curiosity got the best of me last week -- but for a good cause, really ...

I downloaded the two Metallica Bridge School acoustic shows from livemetallica.com. The eternal good about buying these shows is that the proceeds go to a great charity

My curiosity was piqued because of some of the song choices, many interesting cover choices. Songs such as:

I Just Want To Celebrate - Rare Earth
It was interesting to hear Metallica go Trujillo and bring the funk -- Rob Trujillo has such a great sensibility for funk in his bass playing, quite awesome. The first night's version was pretty much a mess -- they pressed too hard on it, it seemed like a bad mix.

The second night had a good flow to it, and the energy really came across great with better control, particularly from a more swingy, loose vocal from James.

Please Don't Judas Me - Nazareth

Honestly, not one of my favorite Naz songs. I think I know why Met picked it -- and they dressed it up spaghetti western style. Overall, it was okay, the performances were spot on, just not my taste.

Only Happy When It Rains - Garbage (1st night)

A remarkably straightforward cover -- a turn the crank performance. I think the band sounded a bit bored with it, it wasn't exactly a musically scintillating or interesting performance -- and James could not find the vibe of the song, sounded like a struggle throughout.

Brothers in Arms - Dire Straits

Probably the hands down best cover done in both shows, 2nd night a bit better, 1st night had some kinks to work out -- this is one much like the Seger cover that fits James. Nice guitar solo work by Kirk. This was a nice rediscover for me, haven't listened to my DS-BinArms cd in a long time

Veteran of the Psychic Wars - Blue Oyster Cult (2nd night)

Metallica does a good job on BOC covers. Very straightforward cover, well played. Nice to rediscover deep tracks from the classic Fire of the Unknown Origin album (also 25 years old, like Wrath of Khan)

Turn the Page - Bob Seger (1st night)

Quite possibly, the best Metallica cover ever -- well, at least, of a non-metal music variety. The band nails it time after time, after time. James always hits that emotional, road weary groove in his vox

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As for the Metallica songs that were acoustified. Disposable Heroes seemed to me to be a jumbled mess of remix. Nice to hear All Within My Hands finally performed, I thought that the revision for acoustic for this song maintaining the frenetic emotion of the balls-out original. And, as always, nice execution on the Unforgiven and Nothing Else Matters -- two of the more obvious acoustic choices, but well done. I think it may be time to restore the Unforgiven to future sets, sounds fresh again as an acoustic number.

Posted by at 10:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Nice time to check out the Heaven and Hell RCMH DVD and NIN Beside You in Time

Nothing like rain and gloom -- perfect match for Birmingham doom and dark electronica

Posted by at 2:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Noles 27
#2 BC 17

College football is crazy.

Noles win first game against Top5 team since they were a perennial BCS team several years ago.

Posted by at 8:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)