Supergroups

Well it’s been a busy year for supergroups, and I’ve definitely had a pretty big taste of Supergroup Stew this year. Many people I talk to don’t particularly like what feels like a new phenomenon. For the most part I disagree. And I have some evidence to back up my findings.

Oysterhead
Consisted (past tense, unless you hold out hope they’ll get back together) of Trey Anastasio (Phish), Les Claypool (Primus and 100 other bands) and Stewart Copeland (the Police).

As far as I’m concerned, this is the ultimate jamband supergroup. For my money, Les is one of the best bassists around. I’ll take him any day to back my rhythm section, but then on top of that you add Stewart Copeland?!?! Stewart Effing Copeland?? My god! Legend. And then the cherry on top is Trey? Wow.
In my mind they didn’t disappoint. The live show was fun and entertaining. From what I recall I couldn’t stop watching Copeland. Just a real good time. The album stays in the rotation and gets an occasional listen. Some huge Les/Primus influence. Not that that’s a bad thing!

Overall Grade: B/+


Chickenfoot
This might be the most blatant, hey I lost all my cash when the market went to shit, cash grab of them all. Chad Smith (Chili Peppers), Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony (Parts Unknown) and Joe Satriani (one of the best guitar shredders of all time!) teamed up for an album release and a small venue tour, followed by an amphitheatre run.

I was able to see them on the first leg of their US run at the Middle East downstairs in Boston. I think they had about 5 live shows under their belt at that time. If you haven’t been to the Middle East, the place is about as big as my basement. Only it was packed with Marshalls stacks. I was actually scared for my hearing when I walked downstairs. But having an opportunity to see Satriani up THAT close? Once in a lifetime. Well worth the $30 I ponied up.

The album was alright. Paint by the numbers rock. Nothing mind shattering or that original.

Final Verdict: Sammy and Michael? Cash grab. No doubt. Chad Smith? Most likely partying and passing the time until the Chili Peppers get back into the studio. Joe Satriani? Not really sure….

Overall Grade: B- (the venue saved them)

Dead Weather
Jack White is one of my favorite current musicians. No doubt about it. In my mind he’s one of, if not the best, song writer and musician going.

With Dead Weather he changes it up. He’s behind the drum kit instead of on lead guitar. First time since he was like a teenager. But not to worry. The band has plenty to offer.

Allison Mosshart from the Kills provides an amazing front woman presence. Definite punk background there. Rounding out the group are Dean Fertita (Queens of the Stone Age) on guitar and Jack Lawrence (the Raconteurs).

Album verdict? Yummy. Really enjoyed it. No surprise it’s a mashup of the Stripes, Raconteurs and, from what little I’ve heard the Kills. It was essentially confirmed in a Rolling Stone interview with Jack White recently that there is a new album in the works. Look for a spring 2010 release.

Live? Phenomenal energy. Allison Mosshart did not disappoint. Jack Lawrence was steady as he goes. I did feel as though Dean Fertita was playing like Jack White was looking over his shoulder. He probably was. About halfway in he seemed to loosen up. Jack White was a pretty steady rudder for the band. Not bad for a lead guitarist willing to take a risk.

At just over an hour it was a tad bit short for me. Definitely felt as though they needed another album under their belt to carry a live show.

Overall Grade: B (points off for a short live show)

Them Crooked Vultures
This has been Dave Grohl’s wet dream for years- to play with Zeppelin! Oh wait…..this is only part Zeppelin.

I bring you John Paul Jones (if you need an introduction please stop here, go to your favorite record store and get every Led Zeppelin CD available, and call me when you’re done) Dave Grohl (some bands called Nirvana; Foo Fighters) and Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age aka QOTSA) who for the time being are together under the name Them Crooked Vultures.

I saw them recently at the House of Blues in Boston. All I knew about them at the time was what I could find on YouTube. From what little I could see there I could tell that there was a nice energy, and a tremendous sound. Some definite potential.

Well that was confirmed and then some. I left the HOB after about 90 minutes completely impressed and ready for more. Not bad for a band I had never seen live or even really heard before. They were that good.

Their debut (not sure if there will be more?) came out November 17th. I have a buy recommendation out for all of my clients. It's a fun rock album with some interesting sounds and arrangements.

Overall Grade: B/+

Hear My Train a Comin’

No need to worry, that’s just the sound of Phish barreling down the highway. Again.

Fresh off their successful 3 day run at the site of the Coachella Festival in southern California, Phish just wrapped up their first fall tour since 2000.
More please. I’m officially a Phish junkie.

Unlike some of my fellow long time listeners I feel as though I can listen with an open mind. Is this vintage ’92-’95 or ’96-’98 we’re hearing? No. Not quite. Yet. But it’s still pretty damn good. Best jamband out there. Not even close.

What I’ve heard on the Fall tour and the end of their summer tour is that they’re getting their musical legs back. Especially Trey. I felt as though on parts of the the 2009 summer tour, Trey was the little brother running down the street trying to catch up with his older brothers. Page and Mike definitely came back ready to retake their place as the best jamband this side of the Grateful Dead.

And they appear to be doing it a different way- they’re having fun again. I don’t profess to know every single nugget about the band, but it seems like they’re enjoying each other’s company. And it shows with their recent performances. I can’t imagine what mental and physical toll you put your body and your band’s relationship through while on the road. And if you have your wife and kids in tow, then that just adds another dimension.

For those of you that just want to bitch and complain that Phish 3.0 sucks, stay the F off the internet and stop going to shows. Seriously. More tickets are available for me, and less idiots for me to deal with when I do go to a show. Because you know what, who else are you going to follow? Dave Matthews Band? Go have fun with that.

Because when you’re rubbing elbows and sharing a keg stand with all the frat dudes at a Dave show, I’ll be the narc in the parking lot rolling a fattie with the smelly hippies. And hanging out with some guy in Portland that looks just like the rocker dude from Forgetting Sarah Marshall, and he’s wearing nothing but a blue robe. In the front row. In November. Now that’s funny! True story.

My god I must have 100's of stories like that. Need to do a braindump on that. More later....

Guns n' Roses to tour?!

That is no misprint my friends, or some drug induced title. Wow. Talk about a traveling circus. And what an amazing train wreck that would be! Great theatre. The rumors I’ve seen so far are of a tour in Canada, eh! And now South America. Notice no mention of the music? Yeah, that’s intentional.

Have you bought, listened to or stolen a copy of the long anticipated Chinese Democracy? Full confession. I bought it. Yep. I slapped down my $9.99 like a card carrying member of Gn’R nation. My first reaction was disbelief. As if I couldn’t believe I put my ears through that. I felt as though I owed my ears an apology. It’s an absolute mess that’s so far over mixed it should be illegal. I think I get what Axel was going for? I think. But there’s way too many layers here that make my ears want to barf.

It just makes me wish that I was a fly on the wall for some of the mixing sessions that dragged out for what seemed like 10 years. Just seeing Axel Rose, that neurotic S.O.B. losing his mind over the smallest detail would have been worth the price of admission. Now THAT’S a reality show I’d watch!