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Popmatters has a feature today that discusses who's going to be on top of every writers' Top 100 Best Bands...Ever!! list in 2025. Their theory is that these lists now are controlled by the iron fist of the Baby Boomers and that when Gen X/Y, etc. become the dominant generations with the editorial influence that the Beatles and the Stones will be brought down in the rankings. Personally, I disagree and I think that these bands (along with Dylan) are still at the top of the lists because they made great records. This is recognized by more than just the 50-60 year old demographic, and they'll continue to be at or near the top of these lists for quite a while.
Rather than call for a revolution of rankings, I'm interested to see which of these bands move up alongside Lennon, Jagger, and Zimmerman. I'd guesss that the gestation period of these rankings fall somewhere around 20-25 years, meaning that The Joshua Tree won't start to show up until sometime between, well, now and 2011 (I'm still waiting for the 2011-2016 window when Achtung Baby and Automatic For The People are "eligible"). In Rolling Stone's last top albums list (2003, I think) the newest record in the top 10 was The Clash's London Calling (1979). I think that Radiohead, U2, Nirvana and others (not DMB, pshaw), might start to infiltrate that hallowed list, but only at the expense of The Beatles' five albums in the top 10, and not at the expense of The Beatles as a whole. These albums are classics because they really are just that good, not because (although it's influenced by) the Boomers' youths.
Who else do you think might end up on Rolling Stone's list in their big 60th Anniversary issue in 2027?
Jerad posted this in Music | Comments (0)
I was searching this impossible lot today trying to find a space before going into Trader Joes and Microcenter. Finally, I found someone who was pulling out so I patiently waited for them to leave the spot. While I was sitting there with my windows down (it's a beautiful day for January), a guy pulled up next to me and said, "Excuse me, I can fix that crack in your bumper for you if you want. I won't even have to replace the part." Now, I haven't taken much action in getting this bumper fixed since it was hit almost a year ago, but I was pretty sure that some guy in the parking lot sitting in his old Toyota wasn't the route I was going to take for repairs. I kindly declined. Looking back, I wish that I had gotten a little more information from him. Can you fix it right now, while I get my groceries? Should I just give you my keys and you'll bring it back when you're done? Does this method usually get you a lot of business?
Now playing: We Are Scientists - With Love and Squalor (my first 2006-released purchase)
Jerad posted this in Nuttin Much | Comments (0)
I've finally started to use my Flickr account. Right now there are just some NAMM pictures there, but I'll probably be adding more soonly. That site can get pretty addictive if you start to search for some favorite keywords in the tags. If you're also snapping photos, feel free to point me to them in the comments.
Jerad posted this in Photo | Comments (0)
As I mentioned, I spent the weekend in Anaheim at the NAMM Show working the Source Audio booth and checking out the show floor. SA's Hot Hand really did seem to be one of the products with the biggest buzz at the show, especially for a company in Hall E (where they throw all the new kids). It even made it on the cover of the Orange County Register after the first day of the show. The only celeb demo (that we know of) was Reeves Gabrels, Bowie's old guitarist who is known for his effect use. Unfortunately, apart from the Hot Hand, I didn't find any really overwhelmingly great new products. That's not to say that there wasn't plenty there that I would like to add to my music room, but I didn't come across much new stuff that got me drooling. Here's a short recap of what I saw and thought of some booths of interest:
Rickenbacker - Nothing really new, but hey, it's Rickenbacker. Their R&D department can't really consist of much more than figuring whose signature is going to be on the next custom edition (I'll wait for Peter Buck) or which 1960s model to re-issue. I'm not complaining, they're still my favorite.
Vox - They were showing a new Brian May special-edition AC30 with just one knob (volume, natch) and a new edition of the AC15. I haven't heard much about the quality of these new Chinese-built amps vs. the British-made ones, so I'm holding off on finally getting my Vox for now.
Line 6 - I haven't been really excited about anything they've come out with since the first modeling pedals (not the newer stompbox ones). I mean, they've modeled amps, pedals, guitars, and basses, so what's next? Synthesizer modeling...umm...? Plus, their "booth" was just a meeting room. At least show some products.
Fender - Too crowded, so I didn't really get to see much of anything. I didn't even feel like waiting in the long line for the Gibson booth.
Electro-Harmonix - It looked like they had some cool new pedals, but all of their stuff was just sitting in a single glass display case. Dude, you need a demo setup.
EBow - These guys must be doing alright with what they have, becuase they sure don't seem to be in any hurry to bring out a new product. No, the EBow Plus doesn't count. I wanted to hear a demo from someone who (presumably) knows how to use the thing really well, but the demo chair was empty every time I walked by. Oh well.
Propellerhead Software - I got a free Reason 3.0 demo CD, so that's cool. I probably could've downloaded this from their website, but I'm lazy like that. Swag is always good.
ProCo - Props for being quite friendly when I was just browsing their booth. They were very nice and eager to show me their new Solo distortion pedal. I'm a big fan of my Vintage Rat, so I'll probably check out this new pedal when it's in stores in a few months.
Pigtronix - These guys had a small booth down the aisle from Source Audio. Their two pedals, an "Envelope Phaser" and "Disnortion" both sounded pretty good. They always had some good demo guitarists and bassist playing. It made the walk to the food stand or restroom much more enjoyable.
Orange - I don't really have much to say (I didn't play one), but these guys are cool. I mean, their amps are bright orange and they're from the UK. Maybe after my AC30.
Roland - Okay, your V-drums are cool, and you've got some really great effects pedals, but a V-Accordion? Really? Maybe they have a big market in Italy that I'm not familiar with.
Finally, a big "way to go" to the booth in the back of hall E with the sign that said "Made in China but Made by Korean People." I guess that might be a selling feature. Somewhere. Unfortunately, I forgot to get a picture. (Update: I found one here)
So, that was my weekend. I'm back at home now and I've spent the last two days sick on the couch. Things are about to get a whole lot better soon, though, because I'm about to go pick up my new Denon receiver. Does anybody want to buy a three-year old Denon AVR-3803 that's still in great condition?
Update: Here are my Source Audio booth photos.
Now retiring my 3803: The National - S/T
Jerad posted this in Nuttin Much | Comments (0)
Today is three years until our esteemed President is out of office. For a brief primer on what he's done up to this point, check it out.
Things at the NAMM show are busy and going well. The Hot Hand is getting a lot of positive response on the show floor, and some interesting press online. Tomorrow night's post-show expedition is out to Long Beach to eat on the Queen Mary (yes, the one from the Wolf Parade album title) and then out to a club to see Average White Band and Tower of Power. Not my typical night out, but hey, I might learn something. All I really know about Tower of Power is that one of my college roommates got into them because of their super-cool album covers.
Jerad posted this in Thinking | Comments (0)
You asked for it, so the setlist for Sunday's British Accents show is below. I'll be in Anaheim for the rest of the week at the NAMM show. If you don't have a chance to stop by their booth at the show, then check out Source Audio's new Hot Hand effects at their website. This is one of the first truly unique innovations in guitar effects in quite a while. It takes some time to get used to controlling a wah-wah with your picking hand (or head) rather than a rocker pedal on the floor, but it really allows some great sounds that you otherwise couldn't get. It gives you a whole new reason to do more Pete Townshend-esque windmill strums, not that you ever need excuses for that. Yeah, I'm friends with the company's founders, but they've got an amazing product. Check them out.
I'll try to post from Anaheim, especially if I find some more good stuff at NAMM, but it might be a bit quiet around here for a few days.
You can also listen to an archived MP3 of the British Accents show here for the next few weeks. Setlist, after the jump:
Jerad posted this in Radio | Comments (1)
I'll be DJing on British Accents on WMFO again on Sunday from 4-6. As always, it's 91.5 MHz locally and streaming online (from either the website or iTunes) everywhere else. Post any requests in the comments. I imagine that I won't be doing this terrestrial DJ thing for much longer since it can't be too long before Sirius or XM pick me up for one of their channels. So, catch me on the air now while it's still free.
Happy Birthday, Trogdor. May you happily burninate for many more years.
Now Playing: The Clash - Give 'Em Enough Rope
Jerad posted this in Radio | Comments (1)
Scratch what I said the other day. Powerbook 2.0 is only going to stay with me for less than the Amazon-alotted 30 days before being sent back. Expect good deals on that one soon - why would anybody buy that with the new Macbook Pro out? Anybody, including myself. Right after Mr. Jobs announced these sweet new laptops I used my education discount and ordered one for the same price I was paying for the Powerbook. February 15th (estimated ship date) can't come soon enough.
Completely unrelated, does anybody know if there's any relation in either way between the Yeah Yeah Yeahs Karen O and the Six By Seven song of the same name?
Jerad posted this in Mac | Comments (0)
Kula Shaker got back together just before Christmas to play a surprise gig in London. In typical KS-fashion, there is no news about whether this is permanent, only a cryptic Myspace note. I get the impression that Kula Shaker are one of those Britpop bands who I'm just supposed to smile and forget about, but I love 'em. They put out two really great albums and then just disappeared. Crispian (son of Hayley Mills of Parent Trap fame) went on to front the alright band The Jeevas. Alonza played with Johnny Marr's Healers for an album and a tour. Jay has been playing keyboard with Oasis on tour (and didn't pay at the "reunion" show), and I have no idea what Paul has been up to.
This isn't the first time I've mentioned Kula Shaker on these pages. Their show that I saw at the 9:30 Club is still one of the best shows I've ever seen. Almost no band could keep the energy going from beginning to end like those guys. It was always amazing that they were so tight considering how incredibly high they usually were. I remember Crispian once said about Alonza somethink like, "I can't believe he's able to stand up, let alone play bass, with the amount of weed that guy smokes." I played a tribute to them (and was mocked for it) on WKPS when I first heard that they had broken up, but these guys were awesome. Bring on the reunion.
Thanks to British Accents Dave for the news.
Update: It's real. They're back.
Jerad posted this in Music | Comments (2)
It wasn't quite as dramatic as this, but the beloved (less than one year old) Powerbook called it quits last week. That tends to happen to laptops when a Guinness candle is dropped on the keyboard by a cat performing some high-impact testing. The logic board is probably toasted, and the Apple store told me that it would be a flat $955 repair fee. Ugh. Instead, I'd like to welcome to the Drive Blind family Powerbook 2.0. Let me know if you want to buy some Powerbook parts. More regular posting and updates will resume once the new family member is settled in later this week. I'll have a good story about losing car keys 150 miles from home.
Jerad posted this in Website | Comments (4)
It's written somewhere in the Blogger Code that I'm required to do a post detailing 100 things that give you a better understanding of who I am. I know this because I've seen it done. The beginning of a new year seemed like a good time for this expose, especially with the new vigor I'm trying to inject into Drive Blind. I guess I could also use this post to finally add some content to that "About" button on the left. Here goes.
1. My name is Jerad
2. I select "Engineer" is the Occupation drop-down box
3. I attended Penn State University
4. I'm again attending PSU through a distance ed course
5. I live with my wonderful girlfriend fiancee
6. We share two cats, Simon and Kerry
7. This is not my first blog
8. R.E.M. has always been, and always will be, my favorite band
9. Radiohead and Pulp aren't too far behind, though
10. I have met and chatted with Peter Buck, Robyn Hitchcock, Grant Lee Phillips, all of the guys in Kula Shaker, the Unbelievable Truth, and Scott McCaughey, and I'm not ashamed that I'm proud of that
11. I live in Somerville, MA
12. I moved to the Boston area about 4 years ago
13. My ride is a Techno Blue VW New Beetle
14. My favorite baseball player is Cal Rikpen and I went to the game (2131) where he broke Lou Gehrig's consecutive games played record
15. I own this shirt, though I like Blur
16. My parents still live in PA in the town where I grew up
17. The only "F" I ever got was in high school phys ed
18. I was able to get the grade changed, because I wasn't as involved in the incedent leading to the F as my friends were
19. My favorite beer is probably Belhaven Scottish Ale
20. I watched my first World Series from a baby swing. The Pirates beat the Orioles
21. I went to my high school's prom three times with three different girls, and each time I sat at a table with a friend of mine who's one year older
22. My Fireglo Rickenbacker 360 is my favorite guitar ever.
23. The first CD I bought was Eric Clapton Unplugged and the first tape I bought was MC Hammer's Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em
24. I'm a gadget junkie of the worst kind
25. The only iPod that I've bought for myself is the Shuffle
26. This website doesn't look right on Internet Explorer, but I never view it there, so I never remember to fix it
27. My grandfather died on Christmas morning 10 years ago
28. My two favorite cities that I've visited are Venice and Singapore
29. I don't speak any language other than English
30. I own the DVDs of all seven seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer
31. Using songs as ringtones annoys me
32. I was a DJ at WKPS at Penn State, and occassionally DJ at WMFO now
33. I have been to 18 different countries and 43 US states
34. My Treo 600 is the only cell phone I've wanted to keep for more than a year
35. I like to cook best when I make simple recipes up as I go, although they're usually too bland
36. I spent a semester at Leeds University in England
37. I hate reggae music with a passion
38. I try to keep an open mind, but I can't see myself voting for a Republican for any office any time soon
39. My sister works for Club Med and has lived on resorts in Florida, Colorado, and The Bahamas, although I'm not jealous of her job
40. The Union Jack is my favorite flag and I don't think that makes me unpatriotic
41. I only drink coffee when I want the caffiene kick, and I avoid sodas altogether
42. This is a great number
43. I love to surf the web and I started Drive Blind so that I could add something back instead of just being an information leech
44. One of my most unfavorite things is the sound of styrafoam rubbing against anything else
45. The first concert I saw was Live with Catherine Wheel opening at Hersheypark Stadium
46. I wish that surround sound music was more popular so that more things would be released in a 5.1 format
47. I snowboard, but I still don't try anything but the easiest trails
48. The best beef I've had has always been Argentinian
49. Bands I wish I had seen play: Nirvana, Joy Division, Talking Heads, The Beatles
50. This list is easier than I thought it would be
51. I have thankfully never had any broken bones or other major health problems
52. I like to run, but I don't do it often enough
53. My favorite pizza is College Pizza in State College, PA
54. I rent my apartment, but I want to buy a condo this year
55. I hate going to bed before midnight
56. I think that every band should be required to play at least one cover in each of their shows.
57. My first job was at Subway. I'm really glad that I left before their Jared ad campaign started.
58. Choosing a Halloween costume gets me stressed and I usually end up wearing an obscure costume that nobody recognizes
59. I feel cramped if I'm not using dual monitors on my computer
60. I started to need to wear glasses about four years ago and I'm still trying to resist
61. I taught myself to write in block letters during my high school social studies class with the teacher I hated
62. I wish that I would have gotten to know my Dad's father better.
63. Vandalism baffles me
64. I always wear earplugs at concerts now and don't understand how most people tolerate the sound levels without them
65. I worry that my entire generation is going to end up with severe hearing loss and repetetive stress injuries in our wrists
66. Chips and salsa is my favorite snack
67. I find it hard to talk to people I don't know well
68. I used to try to push to the front of every concert I went to see. Now I'm happy to have some room to drink a beer and listen to the show from the middle of the floor
69. I get a lot of complements on my watch, which my parents gave me for high school graduation
70. Last year I ripped all of my CDs to MP3, but I still would rather listen to the disc and hold the jewel case in my hand
71. I don't want to live somewhere that doesn't have four distinct seasons
72. It's not possible for me to eat just one packet of Smarties
73. I'm afraid to use any city's public transportation until I'm absolutely sure that there's no chance of me getting lost on it
74. So, I like to walk to places if I can
75. I wish that I got into more snowball fights
76. I have wondered what my hair would look like dyed black, but I've always either been talked out the idea or never been brave enough to do it
77. My pets have included: lots of fish, a couple of hermit crabs, a parakeet, a cockatiel, and a cat
78. Until I was about 13 years old I was afraid of all rollercoasters, but I'll ride any of them now. I still hate the swings.
79. I don't understand souped-up Honda Civics
80. I wish I were a better writer
81. One of the things that excited me when I first met my girlfriend was that she owned a red couch. You can't go wrong with someone who owns a red couch
82. I think I remember being in the hospital just after I was born and being carried in somebody's arms, but the memory might be of me seeing my sister like that
83. My rock star crushes have been Justine Frischmann, Sarah Nixey, and JJ72's ex-bassist
84. I play guitar and bass, but have never been in a band
85. I love to play Trivial Pursuit
86. I have never liked washing dishes by hand
87. I played trumpet in my high school band, but didn't keep up with it after graduation
88. My favorite book is The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy
89. Wine interests me, but I don't see myself ever being someone who "knows about wine"
90. I need to find a place to wear my shirt with the dart board on the back
91. I'd like to know if you've read this far
92. I don't casually watch many TV shows; the ones that I watch I try to catch every week. Now, I'm watching The Office, The West Wing, Arrested Development, Commander-in-Chief, Lost, and My Name Is Earl
93. I have unreasonable issues with New Hampshire
94. I like when I remember my dreams, even if they're disturbing
95. I really dislike zucchini
96. I buy much more tea than I could ever drink
97. I don't see my college friends as much as I'd like because I moved further away than any of the rest of them did
98. Since I got my first pair of Doc Martens in college, I've bought very few shoes from other brands
99. I wonder if I could be a good teacher
100. It's doubtful that Drive Blind will have another post this lengthy for a long time
Thanks for reading.
Jerad posted this in About Me | Comments (6)
Google's year-end Zeitgeist has been posted. Check it out to see what the rest of the world was searching for and when they were searching. Does anyone want to put bets on when "Google backlash" will peak on their search rankings?
Also, this kept me up until 1:30, so I have to mention it. Nice work, Lions.
Jerad posted this in Links | Comments (0)
I just read a New York Times article from Christmas day about Jann Wenner, publisher of Rolling Stone. It discusses the upcoming 1000th issue this year, next year's 40th anniversary issue, and the Wenner Media empire that he has built. Are any of you still reading Rolling Stone? I was glued to it through high school and the beginning of college, but I let my subscription lapse around 1999. Since then, the only issues that I've bought have been the ones featuring Radiohead and the 500 Best Albums issue. I stopped reading around the time that I was getting more into the college/indie bands, and I just felt that the magazine didn't cover those artists as well as I was looking for it to do. That's not to say that I gave up on pop music, but I just didn't feel a connection with the features in the magazine any more. Since then, I haven't subscribed to any music magazines except Spin, and that was only because I got a free year. I've threatened for years to get subscriptions to either NME or Q, but they're now also looking increasingly blah and the US subscription cost seems prohibitively high. The NYT article mentions that Rolling Stone will be increasing its web presence over the next few months, which I'll be looking forward to seeing. It always had a pretty weak website, considering the clout of the print magazine. So, do any of my readers still check out RS regularly?
Since I mentioned Rolling Stone's 500 Best Albums list, I should note that I got Dylan's Highway 61 Revisited from my sister for Christmas. This album also includes the #1 song from the RS Best Songs list. It's not surprising, considering the magazine's name (check out #2, as well). I pulled out the best albums issue to show my family and noticed that this completes my collection of the top 10 albums on that list. In case you're curious, I have 119 albums off of the full list.
Now Playing: Metric - Live it Out
Jerad posted this in Music | Comments (4)
I've recently discovered that my beaten-into-my-brain habit of two spaces at the end of every sentence may not be generally accepted in the publishing world. Of course, I've just always done this because that's what I was told in second grade when I first banged out some words on an Apple IIe. I've been trying to type single-spaced sentences for a few days now, so I'm getting the hang of it. Are these the kind of issues that are argued at English conferences, resulting in splinter groups breaking away from the MLA? Give me your thoughts, with as many spaces between sentences as you want.
Jerad posted this in Nuttin Much | Comments (4)
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