James Blunt, Stone Pony Ska Show!

From the BBC..

Singer Blunt 'irritates public'

UK'S MOST IRRITATING THINGS
1. Cold callers
2. Caravans
3. Queue-jumpers
4. James Blunt
5. Traffic wardens
6. People who tailgate
7. Brown-nosers
8. Chantelle and Preston from Big Brother
9. Ex-smokers
10. Noisy neighbours

Hahahaha! Take that James Blunt! Even Britain hates you now!


So I went to a Ska show at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park yesterday. First of all, it's a cool club with alot of history. For those of you who don't know, the Stone Pony is where Springsteen started out. Asbury park is a dump though. Very tough town. It was a really fun show though. There were two stages, one indoors, one outdoors (didn't know this). The indoor stage was a local stage, and Awful Waffle was awesome once again. The main stage had this Ska/Disco band that had a dancing horn section, it was really cool. The reggae band was very good as well. Big D & The Kids Table were alot of fun, and very loud. And Catch 22 was fun to see.

Now here's the good stuff...
We actually met Catch 22. Not just met them, we were in their tour bus! Sam Spakony is indirectly related to the bassist I believe, and he got us past the gate. We got all their autographs and whatnot, and they signed a plate saying: C22 <3's Bangin' On A Trash Can! They also gave us offical permission to cover their songs. We talked to them about the whole Streetlight/Catch 22 controversy, and they are pissed off at Thomas for remaking Keasby Nights with Streetlight. It was originally going to be a remake with the whole original lineup of Catch 22 for old time's sake, and to get a better sounding product out there, but Thomas scratched that idea and did it himself. They also said that as a matter of principle, they shy away from playing the songs that he wrote with Catch 22 live. It was very interesting to hear the truth, and very cool that they invited us to their bus to sign some stuff and just hang out. Some pictures were taken with other's camera's so when i get them I will post.

Also, congradulations to my cousin Katie & her husband Chris on their wedding on Saturday! It was a b-e-a-utiful ceremony and a fun party too!

Album Reviews and ramblings

Hey guys. I've bought a lot of albums recently, so I will take the time now to break them down for you

Ben Folds Five - Ben Folds Five

As I've said many times, my favorite Ben Folds Five Album is The Unauthorized Biography Of Reinhold Messenger, but most Ben Folds fans say that it's their least favorite of his records. For awhile I could never understand why. Just recently I finally understand where they're coming from. They missed the sheer upbeat, and often silliness of the band that you find on this stellar record. On their debut album, Ben Folds Five dares you to not smile once at their silly lyrics. On Julianne, they open with, "I met this girl who looked like Axl Rose". Hilarious. Each song is its own pop hook in itself. So catchy it should be a crime.
Ugly Rating: 5/5
Ugliest track: The Last Polka

Sonic Youth - Rather Ripped

As I unwrapped the CD and looked at the picture of the band as I put the CD on, the first thought that came to my mind was, "Wow, Sonic Youth is so old!" And they really are folks, but their age doesn't take away from the fact that in their 25th year as a band, they are still making cutting edge rock music. This album is no Sister, or for that matter, its especially not Daydream Nation. Unlike those albums, this one is very accessible, and not difficult to listen to. It's comparable to their previous album, Sonic Nurse in that respect. Its again very jammy, and still has the classic guitar produced noise that makes Sonic Youth who they are.
Ugly Rating: 3.5/5
Ugliest Track: Pink Stream

I have some other albums to review, put I'm too damn tired to bother with it right now. It's been a long week folks. This summer has just been a really confusing one for me, and I'm not in the best moods right now.

I'm off to my cousin's wedding tomorrow, then Catch 22 w/ Big D & The Kid's Table on Sunday.

See you all soon.
Peace & Love,
Lowden

Episode 21 and more news!

Hey guys!

First of all, here is episode 21! This is yet another acoustic podcast, and we have some sweet tracks on here. We're getting close to having another new music podcast coming, so watch out!

iTunes:
http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=CB2B1B8E71E2139F

Everyone else:
http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=AB8F8ABA1CFABC33

Now to music news!

Stop! Collaborate and listen! BK's back with a brand new invention!!
That's right folks, Ben Kweller has a new album coming out in September. It is titled simply, "Ben Kweller", because he plays all the instruments on this one.

And that's the album cover!
He has a full tour, including 2 dates in New York City!
Friday, Oct 20 Webster Hall New York, NY
Saturday, Oct 21 Webster Hall New York, NY
This is all so exciting! He also has an mp3 from the new album that is especially delish!
http://www.rcarecords.com/benkweller/site/audio/Ben_Kweller_-_Penny_On_The_Train_Track.mp3

It's called Penny On The Train Track, and you can save that one right to your computer!
I'll let you bask in the warm Kweller glow, I'm out!

Peace & Love,
Lowden

Ryan Adams & The Cardinals: 7/20/06

First I must say, amazing show. The band was so tight, and it was the best setlist that Ryan has ever had when I've see him.
Set 1:
Shakedown On 9th St.
What Sin >
Dear Chicago >
Magnolia Mountain
Cherry Lane
Please Don’t Let Me Go
To Be Young
Beautiful Sorta
Mockingbird Song
A Kiss Before I Go
This Is It

Set 2:
The End
Improv Song: Martians, Will Smith & Harry Connick Jr.
Let It Ride
Wish You Were Here
Two Hearts
I See Monsters
Note To Self
Easy Plateau

Encore:
Why Do They Leave
Chin Up, Cheer Up
Blue Hotel
Two
Come Pick Me Up

Before the show as we were waiting outside, Ryan comes out of the venue on his skateboard with his guitar tech andsomee other guys. We also spotted Brab Pemberton (drummer), and Jon Graboff (pedal steel) coming out of the bus. We got into the venue and got decent spots on the right side of the stage. Neal Casal was the opening act, and he also played in the Cardinals with Ryan. He was okay, I was just really anxious to see Ryan. Shakedown was as always alot of fun.; What Sin into Dear Chicago was mind bending! Easily the highlight of the first set. Ryan was all business the first set, and didn't say a word to us until the last song of the first sent. The second set he was quite chatty, and very funny. He did the funniest improv song basically about the movie Independence Day. He played alot of Rock N Roll songs, which was suprising, and very exciting to hear. Wish You Were here and Note to Self: Don't Die wereburstingg with energy. I See Monsters was stunning to hear with a full band backing him. Easy Plateau was the best and most refreshing that I've ever heard it. Ryan left the stage saying goodbye, and the house lights came up. The roadies started to take apart the stage, and everyone in the audience was confused. He haden't even played 2 hours, and there wasn't anacoustice guitar in sight the whole show. We put that aside, and I went to get a setlist from the stage. As I waswaitingg, right at theedges of the stage, dead center, the band walks back on stage looking confused. Everyone jams back into place on the floor, and the roadies bring back their microphones. Ryan was like "We're not done, we just stepped out for a cigarette". Unfortunately when the house lights came up, the security guard at Starland forced the people at the back of the venue out. And when the band came back on, they weren'tallowedd to come back into the venue. Fightseruptedd, and cops arrived and arrested a few people. Starland really messed up. I was lucky enough to have stayed around, and Ryan was in top form for the encore.






By the way, Catherine Popper is still very hot. Just thought I'd mention that


So for Come Pick Me Up, Ryan stands on top of a piano bench and plays to the crowd. It was simply stunning. They walked off, and this time, we all knew it was over. I'm still digesting this show, so I can't really compare it with all his other performances that I have seen. I will say that this time, I could at least see his face. At the Beacon I had terrible seats, and the lighting was so dim. Last time I saw him at Starland it was more like Grizzly Adams. It was an awesome show, and I can't wait to get the bootleg of this. Bound to be a classic.

I have so much to post with music news, and a podcast in the works, but I must restrain myself!

Peace & Love,
Lowden

Episode 20 and more

Hey all,

Yesterday I was at the Starland Summer campout, and that was pretty awesome. I'm still digesting a very long 10 hour concert, so I will post about it some other time in the future. All I can say is that I slept for 12 hours to recover from yesterday. I did a heavy duty cleaning in my room today, and discovered notes and such I haven't seen in almost 2 years. I wish I didn't find them, I hate reliving moments in the past I'd rather forget.

Episode 20: Mia's Guest Podcast!
I've had this in my laundry list of podcasts that I need to do for awhile, but just kept putting it off/forgetting about it, so the wait is over, and here it finally is!

.mp3 format
http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=ED3B51C95485A5C0

iTunes format
http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=3A3799790DAFB5A5

I still haven't figured out how to work this archive system, so I'm still using yousendit. Sorry. Remember, 7 days until the link expires so download soon!

Upcoming events: Ryan Adams & The Cardinals this Thursday at the Starland Ballroom! I will be there with a pen, paper, and camera! Watch out!

Peace & Love,
Lowden

Ryan Adams: Another 3 album year??

2005 was quite a year for Ryan Adams fans. He released 3 very different albums in one year, and according to message board posts on ryanadams.org, he plans to release 3 more in the remaining months of 2006. On said website, username "whatever its ryan" has been posting as Ryan Adams, and there is much debate to if this is actually him, or just an obsessive fan. I believe this is actually him, but I still take it with a grain of salt.

First record is getting mixed and mastered while we are on the road. Its the first of three. Its solo.
Its called "Blackhole". Johnny on drums, me on everythinbg else. lots of raw guitar and kinda sexy/ damaged tunes. My favorite easily.
Second record. I am in the studio as we speak finishing it. Its a double record, meaning around 30 songs. Its called, and I know its bogus but I dont care, its called "War and Peace". Its about cleaning up my act. I play everything and it has every style, every true guitar part, every type of soing (sometimes within one tune) to express what I have been going thru for awhile. Its hard to listen to back for me lyrically but musically all over the map. punkish stuff, some sabbath garteful mix, some silly pop, smiths disco, and sonic youth vibes and me and the songs on the piano like everything dies, and dont get sentimental and lighthnouses.
the third, CARDINALS, we started this already before our break before rehearsals for this tour, and we have 16 tracks, but half of those are good enough and half arent. "Two hearts" "Two" and a few others people might remember from past live shows are included. its gonna have just 11 songs, just 11 so maybe that"ll shut em" up after rest. no album title for that. might be called "star wars" if we caan get away with it as there is a badass tune called starwars on there. its pretty funny/
stoney.

If this is actually him, then I'm very excited! He will be touring the USA this summer, starting July 20th at the Starland Ballroom. Of course, I will be there.

I will put links for Episode 20 when I get home, so we all have something to look forward to!

Peace & Love,
Lowden

Say it ain't so! Weezer done?

Hey guys. So today I read an article concerning the possibiblty of Weezer being done for good, and here is what I think. Honestly, I love Weezer. The Blue Album, and especially Pinkerton, were one of the best albums of the 90's. But after that, their music has sucked! I mean, the Green Album?? Come on! 30 minutes long, and every song is basically the same! Also, their last album, Make Believe, I maybe listened to it two or three times. Its mediocre at best. And Beverly Hills sucked too. I'd hate to see Weezer go on such a low note, but they haven't done anything productive in 10 years.

Episode 20 soon to come!

-Lowden

Syd Barrett, founder of Pink Floyd, dies

Taken via yahoo.com

LONDON - Syd Barrett, the troubled genius who co-founded Pink Floyd but spent his last years in reclusive anonymity, has died, a spokeswoman for the band said Tuesday. He was 60.

The spokeswoman — who declined to give her name until the band made an official announcement — confirmed media reports that he had died. She said Barrett died several days ago, but she did not disclose the cause of death. Barrett had suffered from diabetes for many years.

Barrett co-founded Pink Floyd in 1965 with David Gilmour, Nick Mason and Rick Wright, and wrote many of the band's early songs. The group's jazz-infused rock made them darlings of the London psychedelic scene, and the 1967 album "The Piper at the Gates of Dawn" — largely written by Barrett, who also played guitar — was a commercial and critical hit.

However, Barrett suffered from mental instability, exacerbated by his use of LSD. His behavior grew increasingly erratic, and he left the group in 1968 — five years before the release of Pink Floyd's most popular album, "Dark Side of the Moon." He was replaced by David Gilmour.

Barrett released two solo albums — "The Madcap Laughs" and "Barrett" — but soon withdrew from the music business altogether.

He spent much of the rest of his life living quietly in his hometown of Cambridge, England, where he was a familiar figure, often seen cycling or walking to the corner store.

Despite his brief career, Barrett's fragile, wistful songs influenced many musicians, from David Bowie — who covered the Barrett track "See Emily Play" — to the other members of Pink Floyd, who recorded the album "Wish You Were Here" as a tribute to their troubled bandmate.

The band spokeswoman said a small, private funeral would be held.


Shine on you crazy diamond, shine on..
-Lowden

Ask A Ninja: Pirates Of The Carribbean Review

I haven't seen the movie yet, so I can't give my opinion, but here is what the ninja thinks:



Have you seen it yet? If so, leave a comment about it. Share with the Ugly Podcast Community we have here

-Lowden

Sweet sweet vinyl!

Oh boy do I love my vinyl.



When I was in Saratoga over the weekend I came across a record store, and were selling new and used vinyl. So I spent an hour and 50 bucks there. If you can't tell from the pictures, I got:

R.E.M.-Murmur
R.E.M.-Document
Billy Joel-Songs From The Attic
Pink Floyd-The Wall
Phil Ochs-Greatest Hits

They will make a nice addition to my now large collection:



Sorry if you've heard this from me before, but vinyl is so much better then any other format! It gives you a much warmer sound, and adds a depth that you miss on a CD. Analog can handle all frequencies, while digital can't so it compromises some of the frequencies which explains why you miss that depth.

Remember kids, I need you to tell me what song you would want played at your funeral, or I can't do this podcast! I only have one so far, so chop chop!

-Lowden

Lowden's Ugly Podcast: Episode 19 (Cover Songs)

Hey,

So while I get my issues worked out with this hosting site, I still have to use www.yousendit.com to put out this podcast. Remember kids, these links will expire in 7 DAYS! Download soon!

This podcast's theme: Cover Songs!
This one's fun, and also pretty long, so watch out!

As mentioned at the end of the podcast, I am asking you all to send me the song that you would want played at your funeral. I know I have a very sick mind for thinking this up, but I really don't care. Make a yousenditlink, and e-mail it to uglypodcast@yahoo.com! I will build this into a podcast eventually, and also play the song I would want played at my funeral. Remember, only one song! I will check my e-mail on monday when I get back from Saratatoga.
Links
iTunes:
http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=8D385EBD47427E93

.mp3
http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=260322A82D3B1CED

Enjoy!

Peace & Love,
Lowden

First post!

Hey all!

Welcome to the Lowden's Ugly Podcast blog! This will be THE place to get all the podcasts you would ever want! Here you will have access to my archive of my podcasts, and also the newest ones. I found a website that can host my files, so they won't expire! On this blog you will also hear me talk about anything i want to, but mostly music. As always, uglypodcast@yahoo.com will be the way to reach me, and send in your playlists, band suggestions, and requests! Again, thanks for listening and enjoy!

Peace & Love,
Lowden