Bri Blahg… Stooges Yes, Kiss Yes, Genesis No… Music News Round Up 9/23/09

by Brian Phillips (@BrianBlahg)

Kiss, Peppers, Genesis Head Rock Hall Nominees

Longest shot? Probably Kiss, though in my opinion, their influence on what a rock show can be, is incalculable. That said I think the industry sorts holding those votes have always tended to look down their noses at Kiss. Yes Gene is an insufferable, money grubbing pervert. Yes Paul’s chest hair looks like John Holmes’ sex dungeon shag carpet. Sure Peter Criss couldn’t play. Of course their last great song was recorded in 1977. And my God they’ve treated the only true genius in the band Ace Frehley like garbage……. You know what, just induct Ace.

Also nominated…. Red Hot Chili Peppers (don’t ask me, I spent too many years playing them on the radio. If I never hear another Peppers song, that would be more than fine.) Genesis (yeah I guess you have to let them in, but it would be better in my mind to just induct Peter Gabriel for his far more worthwhile solo career. Phil Collins? Do you remember “Sussidio? The prosecution rests) Jimmy Cliff (yes absolutely), The Hollies (great pop band, who probably deserve more respect than they’ve enjoyed) and LL Cool J (“Mama Said Knock You Out” kicks ass, but I’m not sure his career as a whole has been that weighty, though I’ll listen to arguments)

Returning nominees include The Stooges. I’m not saying another word. I’m on record everywhere as saying The Stooges should not only be in, but have their own building out back. Iggy could live there and we could visit. Instead I give you Bonus Coverage:

Yes, “the kids” do seem to enjoy it.

Bri Blahg… Muse Row Up The River Prog

by Brian Phillips (@BrianBlahg)

I’ve come a long way in my listening. As a teen my favorite band was Rush. In college I discovered punk rock, post punk, and indie rock. Any album with a whiff of a narrative thread was dismissed out of my hand as pretentious twaddle. (Husker Du’s “Zen Arcade” and any Who album were of course exempted.) It’s only been many years later that I’ve come to at least a partial accommodation. Rush have found their way back into my collection as has Pink Floyd, and I enjoy those records perhaps more than I did then. Muse’s new album “The Resistance” is the latest to feel the cool breeze of my Prog Spring.

Bri Blahg… Gibbard And Deschanel Marry. Winehouse Gets Adults To Give Her Money. Music News Round Up 9/21/09

Ladies And Gentlemen Mr. and Mrs. Emo

Congratulations to the The Gibbards, Ben and Zooey. I hope they’re honeymooning on a Caribbean Cruise. I don’t know why I just think it’s funny imagining Ben Gibbard on a cruise.

Ladies And Gentlemen... The Gibbards!

Bri Blahg… Music News Round Up: Monday August 31, 2009

by Brian Phillips (@BrianBlahg)

Travis Barker and DJ AM

Remember the plane crash that nearly claimed the life of Blink 182′s Travis Barker? Another survivor of that horrible accident was DJ AM. AM was found dead over the weekend. It appears drug related. Blink played a show just after learning the news with heavy hearts. I shouldn’t speculate, but psychologists say survivor guilt is very real. Not everyone lived through that plane crash.

Bri Blahg… Music News Round Up: Tuesday August 25, 2009

by Brian Phillips (@BrianBlahg)

Arctic Monkeys "Humbug"

As I write today I’ve fired up the new Arctic Monkeys record “Humbug” . Taking a quick peek at the Amazon reviews I’d say some are put off by their new, more downcast and heavier direction. I like the first track “My Propeller.” Slower, but still with some good groove. Maybe I dig it more than their old stuff because I’m not very good “On The Dance Floor.”

The LA County Coroner has ruled Michael Jackson’s death a homicide. It seems this doctor was bound and determined to get Jacko to go to sleep one way or another. I know we’d like to believe doctors always have our best interests at heart, and usually they do. My grandmother had a Doctor Feelgood. He kept her in pills even after she overdosed several times. Eventually he went down for doing this to multiple patients.