Whipped cream and other Swedish delights

Monday night I went to see Jens Lekman at the Beachland Ballroom. It was one of the best live shows I have seen in a long time.

Jens had a back up band consisting of 6 women, one of whom was his opening act. They were all dressed in some sort of white frock. That sounds like it would be sexist and stupid, but it really was kinda cool.

The backup band had trumpets, saxophones, accordions, recorders, COW BELLS, etc. At one point my friend Sharon who was at the show suggested that it was a bit Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass.

It was....but in a GOOD way.

During an encore he played the song Julie. He was up on stage all alone with his guitar playing along and then all of the sudden the horns came in from behind the audience. Part of the band had formed behind the crowd. It was really lovely. I am rarely surprised by anything at live shows, other then the amount of second hand smoke that I am huffing in at about a pack an hour.

Here are a couple of songs for you if you don’t know his work. Black Cab (my fave) and Sweet Summer's Night on Hammer Hill.

If you like them, go buy the cds at Music Saves!!

Whipped cream and other Swedish delights
Originally uploaded by bitterbutter.

The Terrible Twos!

The Terrible Twos!
Originally uploaded by bitterbutter.

Saturday I went to the 2 year birthday party of my favorite record store. Music Saves.

it's just the best place to find yr indie rock and pop gems.

Also the owners Melanie and Kevin are the nicest people.

I love when folks call my radio show and ask where they can find that Jens Lekman ep, Maple Leaves. I happily send them to Music Saves.

There was also a concert next door at the Beachland Tavern to help celebrate the occasion.

I went so I could see Machine Go Boom. Check em out. They, like all the other indie kids, have a MySpace page. Kinda like the Thermals, but more Cleveland-ish.

"Take me out to the ballllllllllll gaaaaaame

"Take me out to the ballllllllllll gaaaaaame
Originally uploaded by bitterbutter.

I have not been updating this blog like I would like to. I can blame computer crashes and nothing to really write about. Both sorta true...both not true enough.

Last Friday I took Monica to her very first professional baseball game.


She likes to tell the story about when she moved to the United States as a 12 year old and had the pleasure of her very first American Jr. High gym class. They played softball. A game she knew nothing about.

The gym teacher, being the sensitive caring type that most gym teachers are handed her the bat and chose her to go “up to bat” first.

Monica told me that she didn’t even know how to hold the Louisville Slugger so she cradled it in her arms like a baby and went and stood in the middle of Home Plate. That’s what she thought she was supposed to do. They eventually showed her how to swing the bat and she hit the ball. After she hit it everyone yelled at her to “RUN”!

I think she said she ran out towards the pitcher.

Even with all that emotional damage she loved going to see the Indians get their butts kicked by the Minnesota Twins. I think it had something to do with all the snacks that were available and the 7th inning stretch. She did not believe me when I told her that everyone was going to stand up and sing a song.

The main interest in life and work

is to become someone else that you

were not in the beginning.

If you knew when you began a book

what you would say at the end,

do you think that you would

have the courage to write it?

What is true for writing and for a
love relationship is also true for life.

The game is worthwhile insofar as

we don’t know what will be the end.

-Michael Foucault

Prostituting oneself for a bus ride

I took the bus into work this morning. I needed to because my scooter is at work and I wanted to be able to ride it home.

While I was waiting for the 326 to take me from Public Square to W. 73rd and Detroit I saw posters for the new "trolley" line of busses. The sign said something like "Smile and Ride for Free."

Something about that bothers me.

I wonder if they make EVERYONE smile.

I wonder if male bus drivers make men smile before they get on the bus.

I can just see that.

A male bus driver telling men trying to get on... "C'mon....let's see a smile!" "Come on...smile for me!"

Yeah. I kinda guess that doesn't happen.

From the press release:
If the nostalgic green-and- gold vehicles, complete with cow catchers, wooden rails, and brass bells, don't put a smile on the face of downtown travelers, the price of riding will. The trolleys are free now through Labor Day for -- a smile. This was accomplished through a partnership between RTA and the Cleveland Convention & Visitors Bureau. RTA is studying the feasibility of maintaining the appealing smile fare indefinitely.

Ick.

Whose crying now?


I DJ every Monday night at the Grid, a queer nightclub here in Cleveland.
The night is called SpinTheBottle and it's an indie rock and pop music extravaganza.

I love the indie rock and pop. I love that I can play Arcade Fire and people dance to it.

Here's the rub... for some reason, the 20-somethings request and LOVE cheezy 80s music. Music that I have heard enough of. Journey gets 'em on the dance floor, Heart, Billy (M)Idol, all the stuff that was overplayed ON Y103 in my '73 TransAm car radio as a teen.

All the stuff that was overplayed on my best friends clock radio when I would sleep over her house every Friday night after the football games.

All the stuff that was overplayed at the "teen dances" on the basketball court at the campgrounds I stayed at every summer.

ALL THE STUFF THAT IS BEING OVERPLAYED ON VH1 RIGHT NOW!!

Last night on the way home from the bar I was trying to remember what I was listening to in my mid-20s that drove people in their EARLY 40s crazy. I think there was a sorta psychedelic 60s scene. I remember reading something about a cult of kids (remember...this is in the late 80s early 90s) who just WORSHIPPED the song "The Time has Come Today" by the Chambers Brothers. They built a whole scene around that song. I think it was that song. Oy. Then there were the swirly paisley Three 'O Clock. A band of fey boys with 60s girl haircuts.

I believe 40 somethings probably rolled their eyes at them quite regularly.

It would be cool to go back in time. Talk to my 1981 self. That's the year I went to see Journey at the Richfield Coliseum with "Peaches" and Julie. Two juniors. I thought I was such a cool sophomore

If I could go back in time I would:


Suggest a better college.

Suggest a better haircut.

Suggest NOT buying the Hoodoo Gurus album


Okay... so here's a compromise. Giant Drag covering Journey. Doing a much better job than Steve Perry ever did.

I just can't help myself. I love Smiths covers.
Especially this one by the band Saloon.
Just gorgeous.

Too late. I removed the MP3.

Sorry.

Prince Albert in a can

This past Sunday I found out that I had a brush with royalty a few years ago and did not even know it.

We had the big black out here in the rust belt on August 14th, 2003. It was sooo hot and humid. It felt crazy.

Monica called me from the East side and wanted me to come over so we could go forage for something to eat in a city sans power. I was living in Old Brooklyn at the time.

It was kind of stupid of me to drive over there...but still kind of exciting too. At the time we had no idea how much of the area the power failure had reached.

We drove around thinking we'd find something. It took a while but finally we did. The only place in the area that had power was Nighttown Restaurant. They had some sort of giant generator going.

We didn't have tons of money but decided to give it a try anyway. I'm glad we did. It was so amazing. The place was packed and everyone was talking to each other. We waited in line with a bunch of people. The lighting was dim and foggy. It was kinda coolish in there, like a cave. I felt a little drunk just being there.

After about 30 minutes they led us to this wonderful old style vinyl corner booth with a crisp white tablecloth. Just sitting there felt so refreshing.

The waitstaff was so kind and good humored. Monica and I enjoyed two wonderful salads and a few glasses of wine. We had such a great time, it felt like being on an amusement park ride. Scary and dangerous...but really isn't.

Okay...skip ahead almost 3 years. I was having coffee at the E. 185th St. Arabica with Dan P., Laura and Monica. Two people stopped and chatted with Dan P. They were talking about musicians and shows. I eventually found out that the guy is the owner of Nighttown. I told him about what a wonderful time Monica and I had that night of the blackout and he asked us if we enjoyed having dinner with the Prince of Monaco.

He proceeded to tell us the story of how one of the pricey hotels, I think the Ritz called him and asked if they could accommodate 12-14 people ASAP. He told them that his local customers come first but he would do what he could. Then the hotel told him who it was and how the Prince and his posse could not get into their rooms because of the power outage.

When they arrived he was able to set them up and said they stayed for hours eating and drinking $400 bottles of wine. He said they were very kind and generous. He said he joked with Prince Albert about having an Irish mother.

Okay...so Monica and I didn't ACTUALLY break bread with Prince Albert....but it's still kinda cool we were there huh?

NO!? You think this story is lame?

Okay...well then here is a song for you. It's from the new PonyUp! cd called "Make Love to the Judges With Your Eyes" The song is called 'What's Free is Yours'. I just love her voice on this song. It's gorgeous.

Lazy.

I have been terribly lazy about updating my blog. Maybe not as much lazy as not wanting to "share".

Sometimes ya kinda don't want to talk. That's me lately.

So to make up for it, I am going to share. I discovered this song last week. It's by Kimya Dawson who used to be part of Moldy Peaches. (too late...I removed the file. Go BUY IT!)

Kimya Dawson has a new cd out called 'Remember that I Love You'. I really like the whole thing.

The song I really love tho is one I can't stop playing in my car. I play it over and over and it almost feels like a prayer of sorts. A prayer I need lately.

If you like the song, support the artist and go buy her cd at an independent record store.

Gabba Gabba Hey!

I just love the Headcoatees.

I wish I was half as cool as they were.

Their song, Davey Crockett
makes me want to smoke cigarettes.

I don't know why.

Listen for the handclaps. I love the handclaps. sigh.

There's a taste in my mouth

I am a sucker for cover songs. I just love them.

There are a few out there that are covered to death. One of them is Love Will Tear Us Apart. Originally by Joy Division. Such a beautiful desperate song.

Jose Gonzalez has recently covered it. It's a gorgeous sparse version that I think really gives you the feel of the lyrics more then most all the other covers.

Lucite LED Disco Heels

I had an interesting night this past Saturday.

I met Rebecca and her fauxsband Dave at the "Nickel" for discussions on sex and music. We found out that each of us are self-proclaimed good kissers. Rebecca's friend Megan/Meegan showed up too late for the sex talk.

We bullied the dj into playing some Magnetic Fields, Broken Social Scene and Electrelane. (We brought the cds in of course) The ladies at the Nickel were not happy about the Electrelane song. We had the dj play the Valleys. It has a choral break in it. Not the best soundtrack I s'pose for beer, shooting pool and Tribe talk.

The four of us decided to change the scenery and go to Muggs which is a kind of skeevy queer bar next door to a plasma donation center. Perfect.

We went there because they had bar bowling. My very favorite sport. The crowd was interesting.

Ya got yr lesbians with the long denim shorts, white leather sneakers and official assorted Cleveland team shirts. All with mostly the same haircuts... sort of mullet....sort of farmer's wife. NEVER messy. Always perfect. Oh...and always with a cigarette and/or a Bud Lite in hand.

Ya got yr 40-something or older gay men who still live in the 70/80s with very anachronistic moustache, open polyester blouses and tight slacks. There were 2 of them under the disco ball with arms in the air and huge smiles dancing like it was 1981 and they were at Traxx.

Then ya got yr pudgy wives and/or fag hags of these gay men sitting at the tables not 4 feet away from the dancing. They were dressed in tight little skirts and high heels. Tight uncomfortable smiles.

One of the women who really stood out was about 5' tall and wearing a pair of 4" high acrylic disco heels with lights that flashed inside them when she walked. She walked around the place a lot.

After Muggs we went to Bounce. We should rename the place. Let's call it "Club Dryer Sheet"

Anyway, it was "ladie's night" at Club Dryer Sheet so I was surprised and disappointed when we walked in and there was a drag show going on. I don't have any problems with drag shows...but most of the ones I have seen in Cleveland have been soooo damn dull. All the same crap-ass music. This one turned out to be fun.

It was TrannieDrag Queen (guy with huge boobs) then straight looking dull female stripper. Why would they not have a hot dykey stripper? Like a chick in a UPS uniform or maybe a hot field hockey player? Maybe that's just me. Then they had a kind of boring regular drag queen. Dull song, dull outfit. THEN... a huge tragic black drag queen came out. SHE was fabulous. I felt her fierce attitude wash over me like a blast of hot RTA bus exhaust in August as she strutted by on stage.

Megan/Meegan gave her a dollar in the correct "give the drag queen a dollar" pose. Ya know, one arm outstretched in front of you at about eyebrow level, wrist limp with hand turned down a bit, dollar neatly folded in half length-wise between your index and middle finger. Head respectfully lowered with gaze going up.

After the show the four of us went and hung out in the other area of the club and complained that we were sooooo much cooler then the rest of the homos there and how not one of the gay men would be able to tell Dave what their favorite Belle and Sebastian song was.

It's so hard being the cool creative fish in the big lame-ass boring pond isn't it?

My Name is Mrs. John Murphy.



















I have always been a fan of the Pixies, Breeders, the Amps... anything Kim Deal had her paws in.

I just think she is the coolest version of a cornfed Ohio girl you are ever going to get.

Well my friend Liz in San Francisco sent me a clipping out of a local weekly talking about a new musical going on in the East Bay about Kim Deal. It's called "The Unauthorized Autobiography of Kim Deal".

"

Ms. Deal is known to most of the Western world as the single coolest human being who has ever lived. Above and beyond the mesmerizing stratosphere all female bassists already occupy, Kim's complete (and utterly sexy) nonchalance makes her particularly worthy of worship.

"

A-freakin'-men!

Telethon time

What a great weekend

Telethon is over and I raised over $2800 on my 2 hour radio show. I was so nervous this year. More then most years for some reason. My knees were actually shaking.

The station did not reach it's goal but we are keeping online donations open on the web for the next two weeks. Hopefully we will get to the $55,000 that we need.

It was a lot of fun to be at the station and be around so many people that love music so much. People that love music and have very good taste in it.

I answered phones on Sunday for Ed and Sarah's show (Sarah, Brandt and Ed at right) called Chasing Infinity. Tom of Your Serpantine Pad was there helping me.

Here is a picture of he and Brandt at the phones. Brandt is the king of all things "indie". Mention any indie rock artist and he has a story about them. How he "met/partied/rode/made out" with them.

I've met Lois Maffeo. That was the thrill of my life. I did not party, ride, or make out with her tho. Maybe next time.

WRUW Telethon
Originally uploaded by bitterbutter.

Fortunate son

Today I got my hands on a cd called WED-ROCK.

It was recorded live a year or two ago at a benefit concert for Freedom to Marry.

There is a really good version of Fortunate Son by Sleater Kinney on it. They send it out to the "Ultimate Fortunate Son, George Bush."

That rat bastard.

What the HELL are we waiting for?!













A country is not only what it does—
it is also what it puts up with, what it tolerates.
—Kurt Tucholsky

More here.

Every dream I dream's a dream of dreamy little you

Sunspot
Originally uploaded by bitterbutter.

I rode my scooter to work this morning. It was a balmy, sunny 40 degrees. I loved it!

The sky was beautiful, everything felt new and clean.

Whenever I ride my scooter through downtown Cleveland in the morning I feel as if I am on vacation.

The way it looks. The way it smells. How happy and unencumbered I feel.

I love my scooter.

Thank you Pride of Cleveland scooter shop for being you!

First South Dakota...
next...
THE WHOLE DAMN COUNTRY!!!


Link to comic strip homepage.

Double negative

I found this song online.

I hate the Rolling Stones.

I have always thought they were overrated.

But when PJ Harvey and Bjork get together and do a Stones song....well that's something to listen to.

I can't get no...

Cleveland springtime sunset.

cleveland springtime sky
Originally uploaded by bitterbutter.

Well, almost springtime. When I got home from work the other night and had to take my little dog outside the sky was so beautiful.

It had been cold, wet, and dark all day, but near sunset there was a break in the clouds. It just lit up the trees and houses against that PMS#533 sky.

Speaking of PMS colors. What is yours?

Mine is Veridian Green. I am "Quick, Sophisticated and Capable".

Yeah. Sure.

Toni, with an i

Toni, with an i
Originally uploaded by bitterbutter.

On Sunday I met Rebecca for lunch at Tommys. We ate and then decided to trek out to Pat Catans. She was going to do some painting and needed canvas.

I needed nothing but that never stops me. We found these sexpot heads on sticks for 25 cents each. We bought four and went on a photo shoot.

We went down to Wildwood Park to make the magic happen. Here is the magic.

Our work is a bit derivitive of Slint don't ya think?

You're like water for my soul, when it gets thirsty.

I just got to work about an hour ago and I have listened to this song about 8 times already. I love it! It's the one that is on Mtv all the time. The kids love it and now I do too. It's Matisyahu. The song is "King Without A Crown".

I was just doing some research on Matisyahu and came across the Pitchfork review of his new album. Ouch! Here is an excerpt.

"Authenticity and showmanship appear to be the stumbling blocks and great emancipators for Matisyahu. Inexplicably, he attracts jam-rock blaggards and disoriented hipsters with nowhere else to turn with his wacky ability to make beat noises out of his mouth. It was annoying when Justin Timberlake did it and it's annoying now. Still, as large venues continue to sell out, Baby Boomers remember they luuuhve Marley and hey, this guy, at least, kinda sounds like him if you can't remember the 70s that well. Plus he's worth an extra 20 minutes of convos at the steak house before the show. "Wait, he's Jewish? You're kidding!?!" It's sad that relatively innocuous musicians are indicted on the strength of their audience, but sometimes the demographics don't lie."

Tell me what you think. (too late...I removed the MP3)

By the way...I had a great weekend. More later. With pictures!

Banjo picking grrl

Banjo picking grrl
Originally uploaded by bitterbutter.

Last night I went with Monica to interview a bunch of folks who have a weekly "old-time" music jam at the Algebra Tea House on Murray Hill Road in Little Italy.

It usually starts around 8pm and any talent level I believe is invited.

The people were all so nice. The music was really good. I enjoyed being there and taking pictures. I plan to use the pictures for a zine Monica and I are putting together for her telethon radio show on April 3rd. She is going to give them away to people who donate so much to her show. I don't think she knows what the donation amount has to be yet.

Praise Chicken

Praise Chicken
Originally uploaded by bitterbutter.

Jesus died for our dinner.

Hail Mary, full of JoJos.

In the name of the Father,
The Son, and the Value Pak.

"Brokeback" wins gays place in Hollywood history

I thought this headline from "Reuters Entertainment News" was pretty funny. What's next?

LESBIANS START EXPLORING PHYSICAL EDUCATION FIELDS


or


BROADWAY FOUND TO ATTRACT GAY MEN TO IT'S AUDIENCE


Jeez.

Okay...here's another song for ya. It's the Stars covering The Boss.(Sorry, too late. I removed the link. C'mon! Keep up!) I'm not sure if I like it or not yet. Tell me what you think. It's a live recording.

The Amen Break

This is really cool. I have always loved this drum beat and never knew anything about it. It's like a drug. Whenever I hear it, I immediately want to hear it more.

Listen to this whole thing. You'll be glad you did.

2 Songs

These are two songs I have been listening to today. The first one is a Kimya Dawson song I downloaded from my fave MP3 site, Said The Gramophone. The song is called My Rollercoaster. It's a lot of fun. Silly fun.

The other song is from the new Stereolab cd called Fab Four Suture. The song is called Vodiak. It's a lot of fun. It makes you do the head turn dance. Like when those guys on Saturday Night Live do their Christmas song.

Enjoy these two songs. I am only going to have the links up for a few days. Sorry, the songs have been removed. Snooze, ya looze.

Taste

On the way to work today I was listening to the Jose Gonzalez cd, Veneer. I was thinking, "Hey, I should make a copy of this for someone. It's so beautiful."

Jose Gonzalez is from Sweden and supposedly very big there. He and Jens Lekman both.

Anyway, I was trying to figure out who I should make the copy for. I thought of a couple of people. People who I think have really good taste in music. I thought if they have "good taste" in music, how could they not like something that is this good.

Then I thought about how that sometimes doesn't work. How two people with very good, refined taste in music could not find the beauty in each other's favorite songs.

I thought, maybe it was like a literal "taste" like in foods. I HATE onions. I cannot eat them without feeling like I want to throw up. So if someone makes the most AMAZING French Onion soup I can't ever think it tastes good.

Nah. I don't think it's the same kinda thing. I think if you can't hear the beauty in songs that are considered brilliant, you really don't have good taste in music. You can't tell what is good and what isn't. That doesn't mean you don't LOVE music. It just means you don't really know what "good" music is.

Holistic Veterinarian

This past weekend I went to visit my parents. My mom wanted me to go with her to take her dog, Cheech, to the vet. They have had Cheech for about a year now and he's never been to a vet. He's about a year old and has only had one "puppy shot", whatever that means.

Cheech is one freaky little dog. He's a Chihuahua but really tall and spazzy. I have been around a lot of Chihauhuas and have never met one this nutty.

My mom got a gift certificate for $50 worth of veterinarian services at a local office. When my mom handed me the certificate to look for the address I noticed it was for an "organic, holistic" vet. I was worried.

Then I saw the name. Nan Decker. She is was a vet in Cleveland Heights and then in Euclid for a long time and I heard nothing but good things about her. I stopped with the smart-assed comments in my head.

It turned out to be a nice visit and Cheech is in good health.