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Lightning Bug Rocks My Face OffYesterday

As I’ve mentioned in a number of blogs here before, I spent the last year living in Philadelphia.  At times, it was a rough ride to get through each and every day.  Being from Florida, the six month cold spell was difficult to deal with.  I didn’t leave my house often, which ultimately led to me sipping on a lot of soup and drinking a lot of beer with my roomies.

The times when I did venture out of my house to brave the cold it was usually to see a show in the Northern Liberties/Fishtown area.  This one particular cold night back in March I went to go see one of my favorite Florida bands, Band Marino, perform at the M-Room.  I was happy to experience a bit of sunshine from home while standing inside the cozy bar pretending as if the 30 degree weather and rain outside was non-existent.  After Band Marino wrapped up, Lightning Bug, a band native of Philly finished out the night. And I have to say I’m extremely happy my Florida butt braved the cold that night.

The first thing that popped out to me about this band was their stage presence.  Too many bands I know simply stand on stage, still and lifeless, while playing their music. Seeing a band is an experience, and these guys not only have enjoyable music, but have a good tim

‘Notorious’ Is Going To RuleJanuary 7

 

…unless you’re Li’l Kim.

On January 16th (next Thursday) the biopic “Notorious”,  about the life of Christopher Wallace, aka the Notorious B.I.G., hits theaters.  The trailer, embedded after the jump, premiered at the BET Hip Hop Awards in late 2008 and has had me waiting on pins and needles ever since. In this writer’s humble opinion, there is no single rapper alive today that can hold a candle to Big Poppa, and I’m really interested to see how Notorious”, directed by  George Tillman Jr. (also responsible for Soul Food and Men of Honor), captures that.

 

  

For having not seen the movie, I think it looks pretty awesome. Normally I dread biographical movies about musicians I admire (with the exception of “Ray”); someone almost always gets part of the story wrong or the actor that plays the main character does such a disservice to their subject that I want to run out of the theater and apologize to their loved ones. “Notorious”, however, has a fighting chance of not disappointing, mainly because of the involvement of several key figures in Biggie’s life in the film.

Buy This Album: Me and My Friends by Matt ButcherJanuary 7

My favorite thing about listening to music is how it sounds when I’m driving in my car. Whenever I get new music, the first thing I do is get in my car and drive aimlessly through the country backroads of our rural Florida town. It’s a very intimate experience, and even after repeated listens I often harken back to that first time in my car when I heard the album. I’ve been doing this for several years now, and while it’s taken a substantial toll on my gasoline budget, I honestly don’t think I can truly digest an album without following this routine.

Matt Butcher’s debut solo release Me and My Friends is one of those albums that is tailor made for this kind of drive. It’s not an album in the vein of Born To Run that will make you drive fast enough to get several traffic violations, but a slow burning affair that serves as the perfect soundtrack for a pensive, moonlit drive. A gorgeous collection of alternative country songs, Me and My Friends sneaks up on you in a way that seems innocuous at first but eventually reveals itself to be a remarkable composition.

Since debuting with former band The Heathens in 2005, Matt Butcher has always been a preternaturally talented lyricist. With The Heathens, many of the songs dealt with

Ultra Lineup Phase 2 - Prodigy is Coming to MiamiJanuary 6

What did I get for Christmas this year? The best rave ever.

Flyers are already hitting the streets and if you were out at all this holiday season in South Florida, you already know: Ultra’s phase two lineup is out and the third and final list is coming soon. Let’s skip the foreplay and jump straight to what I want: Prodigy headlines the Main Stage Saturday night.

Some stages are announced, and imaginary setlists have already started forming in my head. I wonder if Pendulum will spin right before Roni Size, or will Rabbit In The Moon close out Friday at the Bayshore Stage. Oh, you didn’t know Pendulum was coming? Pendulum is coming.

Day One seems like a return to our roots at the same time showcasing what electronic music has evolved to. David Guetta will be on the same stage as Tiesto and Deadmau5 - and so will Santogold and Bloc Party. Roni Size & Reprazent will be making their first stop in seven years, playing the same stage as Pendulum, RITM and Kevens! Carl Cox’s playground features a DJ legend, Richie Hawtin (Richie Rich? 2006 Winter Olympics Music?). Rounding out

Sharks On Ice - The Festivus BlogDecember 24 2008

It’s cold and the people in the tv box are telling me to buy stuff to prove I love my family. Smells like Christmas.

My favorite part about the holidays is the perfect arrangement of federally enforced days off. Stack your paid time off correctly and that’s a two week party! And a lot of time on Youtube. So whether you’re looking to escape your family for a bit or cue up some amazing music for your (insert appropriate religious/cultural winter solstice holiday) party - we’ve got you covered.

GAP wins the award for best holiday marketing campaign. Admit it, they’re good at anything with scarves.

A Punk Rock Christmas

Drop Those XMas Beats

Not those beats, these beats

Try not to kill anyone… And remember, you’re gonna get wasted if you can hold out til New Year’s.