When the San Francisco Symphony played at Plaza de Cesar Chavez in October, I thought it would be a once-in-a-lifetime treat. So I was incredibly thrilled to find out they were putting on another free concert on Tuesday: and now it’s just foosteps away from our office. In a way, the outdoor concerts are nicer…
Category: music
Best Music Video Ever!
Thanks to James Hudnall for discovering “Gorbachov: The Music Video.” If this isn’t everything I’ve ever wanted in a music video….. Socialist realist imagery! Zombie Stalins! Super Conan the Barbarian Gorbachov! Russian folk music interlude! Conspicuous consumer glee! Tacky sexual innuendo! It’d be even better if the Russian singers were singing it in Russian, but…
Seven Songs I’m Into Right Now
Joel just tagged me to list 7 songs I’m into right now, or actually 7 songs I’m listening to now, whether I like them or not. I haven’t been listening to music as much as I usually do, since a) I’m driving a lot less, and b) I’m busy homeschooling Neil. But I could still…
Child Protective Services Threatens to Fine Germany’s “Idol”
In preparation for my trip to Germany, I’m watching YouTube clips of “Deutschland Sucht ein Superstar,” (DSDS) Germany’s version of “American Idol, and reading Germany’s tabloid newspaper, Das Bild. The two converged recently in a story that puts the nanny into “nanny state.” Just as context, DSDS is a lot like “American Idol” and the…
Who Was Dean Reed?
The Berlin & Beyond German film festival is going on at the Castro Theatre, and one of the films that caught my eye was one called “The Red Elvis.” Who was that I wondered? I know of several Russian rock icons; maybe this was a film of one of them. But rather, “the red Elvis”…
My Freakin’ Insane Week
For me, 2008 has definitely started off with a bang. Just take a look at how my last week has gone: Monday: We all go to the mall to buy Peter new jeans. We return with a couture top and a new car for me. World fails to take notice. Tuesday: It’s 2008! Our family…
The Next Great American Band
As you can tell from the multiple postings below, my family and I are huge fans of the new television show The Next Great American Band. It’s a natural fit for our interests. We all love music, and Peter and I love live music, as well as discovering new worthwhile bands. Neil’s taken up guitar,…
Desperately Seeking Self-Absorbed British Judge
American Idol has set a standard for musical competition shows, and we expected the same of the judges on The Next Great American Band. To a certain extent, the American judges exceed the standard. I used to dread Sheila E. so much I was in a state of consternation when I found out she was…
Light of Doom Must Go
Light of Doom is the freaky young teen heavy metal band on The Next Great American Band. For some people, they’re the token heavy metal act, not a novelty show, but it’s beginning to be obvious they’re being judged on a different level that any of the adult bands (other than Rocket, the token feminist…
Rocket Must Go
From their unimpressive audition in which they barely managed to muddle through a cover of the Ramones’ Blitzkrieg Bop, one of the simplest tunes ever, we’ve been filled with contempt for the all-girl band Rocket. Peter and I dread all-girl bands from experience. It’s not that an all-girl band is has to be bad: there…