Xchoboomer

So I missed this weeks SNL weekend report but I heard that their was a parody of the Bush and Kanye thing. I thought to myself now that should make for some interesting tv so I decided to check it out on you tube. I wasn’t impressed. Sure the part about Bush interrupting the country for 8 years made me chuckle but I am so disappointed in the writing for this skit. They had so much material to make this funny. I was really looking forward to it. I want my 5 minutes back!

So apparently Rage Against the Machine has just announced a show next week, July 23 at the Hollywood Palladium in support of SoundStrike which supports PUENTE Arizona and The Florence Project all in protest of  SB1070, Arizona’s controversial immigration law.

I was excited to hear that today. Minus Coachella and Rock the Bells  in 2007 which were just east of LA and both large festivals, the LA band hasn’t played a show in Los Angeles in ten years. Considering one of there last performances in LA was at the Democratic National Convention and got shut down by 2000 police in riot gear shooting rubber bullets and getting some “stick time” in, as they(cops) like to put it, this rare LA show is welcome news to Angelino’s whom have largely opposed SB1070 in masses. So a show at a legendary and intimate venue like the Hollywood Palladium with the most politically influential and loudest voices in the Rock and Hip-Hop world is gonna be off the hook! Now the problem is gonna be getting in? I’ll have to figure that out as they haven’t yet announced when tickets are going on sale and its just 8 days away!

True to their roots of political activism, led by the revolutionary Zach de la Rocha, RATM are catalysts of the democratic process and are doing what they do best. Using there massive influence and turning awareness into action by galvanizing the masses and changing the system from within to act upon policies that don’t make sense all in the name of freedom and democracy. Awesome! I hear after the show Zach de la Rocha is leading a convoy straight from the Palladium into the heart of Flagstaff, Arizona for a coup d’etat! Who’s in?

I caught a short clip about the contraversy surrounding Window Seat on the evening news tonight. My first reaction from what little I did see was  did she really just do that. Hallowed ground, kids around or not it was beautiful. I just had to check it out for myself as I’ve always been a fan of hers and downloaded the album a few days ago but haven’t had a chance to listen to it yet. I actually came across Erykah’s interview with the Dallas News before I caught the full video at her official website. Her explanation is actually fascinating.

“Liberating yourself from layers and layers of skin or demons that are a hindrance to your growth or freedom, or evolution.”

I can relate to that. I have layers and demons that need to be shed. I’m not going to shed my clothes in front of the grassy knowl but I can respect the artistic freedom of expression in this and its inspiring to my own self expression.

The guerilla video is absolutely amazing.  In the article with the Dallas News she talks about being petrified and frightened as she began shedding her clothes and the insecurities and vulnerabilities about her body. You could actually see it in her eyes and face as she gets closer and closer to being completely naked.  I love how politically charging Erykah has always been and this is why the place is important and the panorama shot at the very end showing the 360 degree view of the grassy knoll, the Texas School Book Repository, and the American flags waving in the background.

I love this whether or not she just dropped an album and is doing it for the publicity. Of course shes doing it for the publicity. That’s the business. But she has always been true to the artist within her and conciouse of the politics and social environment . This is no exception. And I love what she says in response to whether she considered the children. She was honest. “I didn’t think about them until I saw them, and in my mind I tried to telepathically communicate my good intent to them.”

embedded by Embedded Video

YouTube Direkt

Although I’ve always wanted to make it to Austin for SXSW, I missed it again this year. However, the end of SXSW always reminds me of the awesome music festivals a little closer to home right here in Southern California. Although I’d much rather see an artist perform in the intimate setting of a small club or bar, I love the ambiance and energy that is generated with the right artist and crowd. Sometimes, If I am lucky enough to catch that moment, that very natural mystic as the sun sets over the mountain, the hue of the sky is a color I have never seen before, and the winds of change blow from the hills, down through the canyons, into the valley I stand as it swirls around me, the music enveloping,  an undescribable electricity in the air reminds me that I am here, right now, in this very instant of time and space which will never be again. Then, like that, it is gone! If you’ve ever experienced what I just did my best to describe, you know how magical that fleeting moment is, especially if your with the right person or people.  And as this epic summer approaches I look forward to seeing some of my favorite artists as well as discovering some new music and talented artist that grabs me by my soul, not to mention finding that moment in time I will never forget!

So, I was fortunate enough to start this Spring off right by catching a local rock/reggae favorite of mine last week @ the Roxy. For the hip-hop head and huge fan of the la underground in me, I’m switching gears with the Paid Dues Festival coming up quick in less then two weeks. Although I’ve seen many of thee artists before more then a few times I’m always excited to see Ice Cube, The Dogg Pound, Dilated Peoples, Psycho Realm, and one of my favorites People Under the Stairs – all LA staples. I’m especially excited to see see some some shit I grew up with in the 90′s who I haven’t seen play live in years. You didn’t have to be a part of the LA underground scene in the mid 90′s to know the sounds of the Freestyle Fellowship and Aceyalone or even the Shape Shifters and AWOL ONE. There reputations preceded them around the world. But if you were lucky enough to see them both play the same show you were probably as high as I was and just cant wait!

Coachella, the ultimate summer music fest is a few weeks away. The lineup was announced a month or two ago and it is quite the eclectic mix as always. The headliners are not what I expected this year but nonetheless some compelling acts. I thought Jay-Z was retired but apparently he’s headlining Friday and in a Coachella state of mind. I’ve never seen Muse but there supposed to have amazing shows so I’m really looking forward to seeing them headline Saturday night. The Gorrilaz close the show on Sunday night and I’ve always been a big fan of Noodles, Murdoc, and the gang but I don’t think I’ve ever seen a virtual band so I’m curious to see how the guys from Blur, Mos Def, and Del lay this puppy down. Ussualy its the headliners that have a lot to do with dragging me out to the dessert in years past but this year I’m looking forward to seeing some of the other bands and names I already know and love but have never seen such as Them Crooked Vultures, Vampire Weekend, The Specials, Street Sweeper Social Club, MGMT, The Dead Weather, Les Claypool, Thom Yorke, Pavement, Spoon, and De La Soul. I’ve also been trying to listen to as much of the music as I can from some of these other artists and I’ve liked some of what I’ve heard already.  Check out Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeroes,Yo La Tengo, and Local Natives. Theres a bunch of Coachella mixes out there like this one and this one to help get to know some of these bands so get out there and explore. To quote Ringo Starr, “You listen to what you listen to. ”

I think Stagecoach is a week after Coachella in Indio at the same Empire Polo club. Ya not a big follower of country music so I’m not gonna say much on this except some of those cowgirls are hot.

Word of advice – skip Bamboozled. Not knocking the bands playing it, well not all of them but most of the corporate bumblegum bullshit. I was unfortunate enough to attend this festival a few years back and it sucked so bad! I believe its in another venue this year, but that year I ended up standing on blacktop all day and it felt like I should of been escorted there by someone over 30, except I think I was the escort. The whole thing reminded me of a cheap twisted  wanna-be of Perry Ferrell’s 90′s era Lollapalooza except it felt more like I was at a carnival or in a Stephen King remake of IT. And for an event that is a New Jersey transplant and feature Jersey shore bands such as The bouncing souls they neglected to book a NJ band that had one of the better and refreshing albums of 2008-2009. Although I might think less of them if they actually played this show so I’m glad the hardest Saturday night managed to stay away.

Which brings me to the Bonaroo Festival in Mid June. This lineup is amazing and much the talent has had an unmeasurable effect on me.  I wish it was in so cal but what better place to hear some amazing artists then just outside of Nashville, the heart and soul of the music world. Stevie Wonder headlines and amazing lineup. No Shit! Here’s a quick rundown of the part of the lineup I’d really like to see but not sure if I can swing it. Kid Cudi, Damian Marley and Nas, Norah Jones, Rise Against, Dave Matthews Band,Kings of Leon,Stevie Wonder, Jay-Z, Conan O’Brien, Tenacious D, Weezer, The Flaming Lips performing Dark Side of the Moon featuring Stardeath and White Dwarfs, The Dead Weather, Tori Amos, Les Claypool, The Black Keys, Dropkick Murphys, Deadmau5, Ozomatli, The Gaslight Anthem, They Might Be Giants, Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, Manchester Orchestra, Local Natives, Rebelution, Lucero, and so many others.

If that isn’t enough Lollapalooza ends the summer season in Chicago with another great lineup. A lot of these musicians are playing both Bonnaroo and Coachella but if you need an excuse to see Chicago, this is it. Who wouldnt want to see Tool, The Killers, Perry Ferrel and Juana’s Addicion, Kings of Leon,  Ben Harper, Snoop Dogg, Santigold, Atmosphere, Cold War Kids, Airborne Toxic Event, and Manchester Orchestra. Again I wish this was a little closer to home. And why in the heck did Lollapalooza leave the LA scene. I had some amazing times there as a kid and I wish it was still rockin’ the south bay. It was a fun festival.

Well this is going to be an amazing summer to see some live music and there’s a myriad of other festivals and shows sprinkled between the major ones like Movement Electronic Festival , the Sasquatch festival in Washinton, and the Harmony Festival in Santa Rosa the same weekend as the Bonnaroo featuring Michael Franti & Spearhead, India.Arie, Matisyahu, CAKE, Dead Kennedys, Bad Brains, Pepper, and Rebelution. The New Orleans Jazz Festival looks interesting with Simon & Garfunkel, Pearl Jam, Elvis Costello. BB King, The Neville Brothers, Van Morrison, George Clinton, and the Black Crowes.

I wont see them all unfortunately but I will get my fix. And I’ll be looking for that moment again.

Yesterday Haiti was hit with a devastating 7.0 Earthquake that rocked Port-au-Prince. This has been a devastating blow to an impoverished nation. It is estimated that over 100,000 people are feared dead. That is just a  staggering number to think about and I can’t imagine the horror of the situation. These people need help and I really wish I was in a  situation and position to be able to volunteer. I’ve been looking at ways to help and in times like these humanitarian organizations need money and cash flow to operate. So if your like myself and unable to volunteer this is one of the best ways you can indirectly contribute to the situation. One of the most innovative and easiest ways to contribute was announced by Clinton’s Chief of Staff Cheryl Mills on the US State Departments blog. Text “HAITI” to “90999.” to make a $10 donation that will automatically go to the Red Cross to help with relief efforts. I’ve been looking online and also  compiled a short list of sites that have more information on contributing

• http://www.state.gov
• http://www.interaction.org/crisis-list/earthquake-haiti
• http://www.redcross.org/
• http://www.unicefusa.org/
• http://www.liveunited.org/

UPDATE: Haitian born Wyclef Jean has had such an influence in my life through music. Who would I be without The Fugees – The Score album in 1996 and the solo The Carnival album which both had such a personal resonance with me. Those two albums literally changed me from within and are engrained into my soul.

Wyclef is literally in the streets with his wife picking up dead bodies. He is asking for everyones help but hes especially calling on his own American Haitian people to rise to the occasion and donate which is very commendable and respectable. He is empowering his own people to make a difference which is in and of itself very inspiring. I might not be Haitian but I am one of his peoples and I have already pledged my donations. He needs our help and we have to return the favor. Donate $5 to his charity Yele Haiti by texting “Yele” to 501501. Everyones got $5. Everyones got a phone. It’s the least we can do for one of our generations most influential and inspirational artist.

embedded by Embedded Video

YouTube Direkt