Russman's blog
Record haul in Vancouver!
Radiohead - The Bends
Their second album and easily my favourite. "Just" is worth it alone, but add "High and Dry", "My Iron Lung", "Planet Telex", etc. and you have a classic. And the last album before they started going all wacky.
The Pixies - Doolittle
I bought this one on cassette tape in 1990. Only 20 bucks for one of the most influential and greatest albums of the last 25 years! "Gouge Away" is simply one of the coolest songs you'll ever hear.
Beastie Boys - Check You Head
Finally got some Beastie's on vinyl. I have plenty of Beastie Boys CD's, but didn't have this one, so it worked out! This is their 3rd album from 1992, the first one to feature them as musicians as well as rappers. "So Watcha Want" and "Pass The Mic" were the big hits off this one. Also has, "Jimmy James", "Gratitude" and "Funky Boss". And it's a double album that has a gatefold cover with lyrics and a bunch of cool pics to stare at for hours!
Jon Spencer Blues Explosion - Jukebox Explosion Mid-90's Punkers
The coolest band of the 90's! I saw them in 1998 in Vancouver at what used to 86th St (forget what it was called in 98). They're from New York, garage punk blues rock trio that I'm not surprised you haven't heard of. This record is a collection of songs that were previously only on limited edition 45's and stuff. The cover is great, the JSBX digging a grave and shoveling records from all the big 90's bands in.
Art Brut - Art Brut vs Satan
Cool new British band that my roommate turned me onto. If you like (or even heard of) the Replacements, you'll love Art Brut. If you haven't heard of the Replacements but like ass-kicking garage rock with a British twist, you'll love also love Art Brut.
Macy Gray - The Id
I have this on CD already, but the record was only 8 bucks! I couldn't pass up the chance to hear, "Oblivion" on vinyl. And, now I can keep the CD in the car.
Black Mountain - In The Future
Another one I already have on CD, but is waaaay cooler on record. I've blogged about this album already and love it even more on vinyl!
Kanye West - The College Dropout
Kanye's first album and another one that I already have on CD. Although, it's one of those that's too long to listen all the way through in one sitting. It's a double album too and will be perfect for a 20 minute shot every once in awhile. Kanye's great at parties.
Outkast - Big Boi & Dre Present....
A greatest hits album of their best before the "Speakerboxx/Love Below" breakthrough discs. Early Outkast can be pretty trippy, this album trims the fat and is a good one for entertaining the ladies.
Jimi Hendrix Experience - Are You Experienced
Their are plenty of Hendrix records in the shops. But, most are compilations, live albums and assorted mish-mash. It's actually tough to find copies of the 3 original Hendrix albums in good condition. I have this one on cassette somewhere and it's my favourite of the 3. I lost an auction on Ebay for an original mono copy of this record recently. But, found a this copy at Vinyl on Hastings, so it worked out.
Otis Redding - Dock Of The Bay
I'm a big Otis fan and he's another guy who's hard find original copies of his stuff in good condition, especially in Calgary. This was the record that was released after he died and it was another find at Vinyl, in great condition too!
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Live
This was the band I went to Vancouver for. Saw them on Saturday night and bought this record on Sunday. I didn't even know they had a live album, so it was a good score! They are the coolest band in the world right now.
Check em out!
I'm totally digging the CD "Fino & Bleed" by Die Mannequin. They're a band out of Toronto. According to the web they're a "sleaze rock" band! Not exactly what came to mind when I first heard the disc. But, after repeated listens and checking out a couple of their vids on youtube, yeah, "sleaze rock" fits pretty good!
They're a 3 piece and led by a girl named, Care Failure on guitar and vocals. Aside from that fact that it kicks ass, the new disc has some great songs on there. She sings it because she means it! They've been around for a few years now and this is their first full album.
Kickstart MY Heart!
So I was hanging out with Nikki Sixx the other night.
Finally, I get to use that line! After 15 years in the radio biz, the last 6 in Calgary, I got to meet one of the guys responsible for making music my life. "Shout At The Devil" was the second record I bought when I was 12 (Van Halen, "1984" the first). Still have the same record and got Mick Mars' autograph on it when I interviewed him in his dressing room before Crue Fest a few years ago. Now I have a Nikki Sixx signature on there after hanging out on his bus before the show last week.
He's promoting a new venture of his, radio! While on tour, he wanted to take the opportunity to meet radio programmers across the country. Being Music Director, I'm one of those guys. So, my boss and I got to bring a friend to meet Nikki. There were 5 of us and we just hung out and chatted. It was a lot more casual than the usual meet and greet scenario. There were only 5 of us and Nikki was schmoozing us!
Who's playing halftime?
If you haven't heard, The Otherside and their song, "Going Blind" were the regional winners of the National Songwriting Competition. Catchy tune, good bunch of guys and they're off to Toronto to represent Calgary for Canadian Music Week in March. You can check them out online here, http://www.myspace.com/TheOthersideOnline
And you can vote for them for the grand prize here, www.radiostar.ca
What's with the Who for halftime at the Superbowl? Who's picking the bands for this thing, Jay Leno? Let's pick the safest, most recognizable band that is still mostly alive. Remember, half of the Who have left us. Roger and Pete can still pack a punch but really.....is there not someone a little more current they could have picked. For halftime of a football game too!! I can understand why they wouldn't pick Def Leppard, the NHL learned the hard way with them. U2, Tom Petty, The Rolling Stones, they've all done it.
Three Days Grace...smokin' interview!
I got to hang out with some contest winners for the Three Days Grace soundcheck party yesterday. Or more fitting, I got to wait around with some contest winners. As is per usual in this business, your always waiting for the band. I think we ended up spending an hour and a half waiting in the lobby before finally going in. Although it's a long hour and a half when you're standing in that corrider, it wasn't really that long in retrospect. There's been times that I've waited upwards of 3 hours to do an interview, only to be told they wouldn't get there till after I had to leave.
That would make a great song....too
Now, I'm taking part in another songwriting seminar coming up in a couple of weeks. This one looks like this...
On Saturday, December 5 at the Cantos Music Foundation in Calgary, the Songwriters Association of Canada will host SONGPOSIUM, a one-day intensive seminar for songwriters. Acclaimed songwriter DAN HILL, as well as music industry veterans JANIS NIXON, Director of Marketing, Digital, Universal Music Canada, RUSSMAN, CJAY 92's Music Director, and Calgary singer-songwriter TIM HUS will be on-hand to impart invaluable wisdom and advice about the business of songwriting.
You wanted the best?
So I've been getting ready for the big Kiss concert next week the only way I know how, listening to lots of Kiss records.
Like a lot of people who grew up in the late 70's/80's, I was introduced to Kiss by older brothers. I had posters of them on my wall and didn't even know they were a rock band when I was 6 or 7 years old. Eventually I discovered the music when I started down my rock and roll journey years later. But I vividly remember my brother getting a phone call from his friend and then saying, "Kiss is on TV and they're using magic!!" It was 1978 and the movie was, "Kiss Meets The Phantom Of The Park".
Shady Grady!
Last weekend, I went to see Grady down at the Hi-Fi. That's Gordie Johnon's new band, I've seen them a few times now and always a great show. He's an amazing guitar player and just a treat to watch.
The new CD is called, "Good As Dead". You should get it.
My new favourite song!
We just added their single, "Crawl Back In" to our playlist and I love the tune! Their CD, "Out Of Ashes" came out this week and I had a chance to listen to the whole thing. Unfortunately, there wasn't much else on the disc that really caught my attention. But, "Crawl Back In" kicks ass!
That'd make a great song!
Had a great time at the songwriting seminar last weekend. It was at the Hotel Arts, which is a very cool place to have a seminar. Been at a couple there now and nothing beats a poolside bevie when your done. Although parking proved to be a challenge and did you know they have photo-parking tickets now? I found out the hard way.
If you don't know, it's a seminar put on by the folks who run Radio Star, the National Songwriting Competition. The seminar is in its second year and was started to give budding songwriters a better insight into the craft of writing a song. A sort of heads up before the Radio Star competition which starts taking entries October 5th.It was really cool to hear Ralph Murphy do his presentation. He's been writing and performing since the 60's and one of the smartest song guys I've ever met. I've never heard someone put into words what it takes to write a song so simply. If you missed him and are at all curious, check out his web page http://murphyslawsofsongwriting.com
