The Script in NYC: Yes, #1.

December 6th, 2009 Dublin sensation The Script took the stage at Terminal 5 in New York City and I had to give myself time before writing a concert review for this show. Could I have seen the top concert of my career thus far? No, this couldn't be true I said to myself days after. The smile from my face reliving moments from the show just would not go away. Maybe it was? I've got to sit on this. And so I sat. Tonight is December 28th, 22 days after the show and here I am attesting that yes, that was the BEST show I've seen thus far in my life.

What makes a good show a good show is a combination of the band's general stage presence + the crowd's reaction to said performance. What makes a good show great has more in the equation and something that just cannot be truly pinned down. It is that feeling where the crowd and the performer become larger than themselves, a moment in time of total unity and cooperation. Of appreciation and excitement and involvement and belief that this moment in time is so special it can only be categorized in one way - unforgettable.

The Script remain at the moment a little obscure on the American Music Scene despite appearances on VH1 as "you outta know" artists' on the rise. But then again, how often does VH1 pick people you "really outta know?" They did predict The Fray who reminded contemporary radio that you can still have a hit song that doesn't involve hip-hop and not be called Rob Thomas. They also predicted "Colbie Calle" who I believe has 3 Grammy nods this year. So they are pretty good a picking 'em.

John, aren't you Mr. Alt-Rock Elitist? Well yes, yes I am. I look for new music anywhere I can get, and after hearing "Before the Worst" by the Script I needed another fix.



Awesome right? I thought you'd agree. The show opened with that song, the audience in its entirety singing along to every word. Lead singer Danny O'Donoghue had a look on his face after that of pure amazement and excitement that shouted "Aren't we suppose to be an obscure band still? Why the hell did we sell out New York City?" Because Danny, you're self-titled album rings and connects to so many people. It's the album to help you through a breakup, it's the album to sum-up that moment in life where you aren't sure where you're suppose to go next, it's the album to pick you up and keep you moving. The album is inspired from the tragedies the band faced while recording. Danny was close to death with a collapsed lung while finishing up the vocals on ironically "The End Where I Begin." Guitarist and other big songwriter Mark Sheehan shuffled from the studio in his backyard to the hospital where his mother battled cancer until she died. And Glenn Power, the drummer, was a wandering session player his entire life until Mark and Danny asked him on board where he had just about given up being a professional musician. Their collaboration created The Script and the songs that made this crowd in New York City feel alive.

Every song was echoed back to the band. Every song. And with the sing back of voices that had a true connection to the music. Summed up by Danny asking the crowd to sing "The Man Who Can't Be Moved" only to watch to the band's amazement as the entire song was shouted back before one note by them was played. They played it again, with an obvious new lease on life.

The Script were brought back out for their encore via an "OLE!" chant. I totally started it, which the band mentioned their after they never were called back to OLE but prefer to only be done that way from here on out. I contribute yet again to the world of music. It was their last night in America before going on a break before heading into the studio for their next album. New York sent them home with the knowledge that they have made it in America as serious musicians and have changed lives with their tunes. They sent us, the crowd, home knowing we just saw the most electric show of our lives.

Other Songs to Check Out by the Script: We Cry, Breakeven, The End Where I Begin

Gotta Hear This: Julian Casablancas - 11th Dimension

Missing The Strokes? Well if you were, I'm sure you found the dozens of bands that copied their style since their "intermission from music" probably related to their big alcoholism problem. You'll hafta keep "Is This It" on loop till they recover from that, or run out of money from partying to give rock life a try again on the road.

But what if you missed singer Julian Casablancas' voice that sounded like a boy band took up smoking for 10 years, I know I did. Enter his solo record "11th Dimension" out now and the title track from said album. It sounds nothing like the Strokes but sure as hell is fun. Welcome back to the stage Mr. Casablancas

Gotta Hear This: The Riot Before - Words Written Over Coffee

After I found This Charming Young Man via last.fm (user name: MightyStag) I found The Riot Before. They are my favorite form of rock: Folk Punk and this song is one of my top picks from the band.

Words Written Over Coffee brings you into a contemplative mood as you revisit your own life as lead singer Brett Adams revisits his own wondering if its all worth it and where to go now. Maybe life isn't where it's suppose to be despite the promise you foresaw in it. It's raw, it's loud, it's honest, it's what it's all about

http://www.last.fm/music/The+Riot+Before/_/Words+Written+Over+Coffee

Gotta Hear This: WWPJ - Quiet Little Voices

We Were Promised Jetpacks. Now that's a band name! A band defiant to the times saying with such a name "Hey future, weren't you suppose to be better than this?" Bold. Now for the catchy first single from this Glasgow band entitled "Quiet Little Voices." It's been in my head for days since the first time I heard it and just won't leave. I hope the same effect happens to you. "Quiet Little Voices" tracks the inner monologue of a man slowly loosing his mind over that somebody special. "I'm young again, I'll fall for you, I'll die for you." Their debut album "These Four Walls" is out now.

Never Unappreciated Kelly Clarkson Covers

Recently, Brian Fallon of the Gaslight Anthem stopped by BBC's Radio One for an interview and some acoustic renditions of Gaslight classics. And In typical Radio One guest fashion, he was asked to prepare a gnarly cover song to play on the airwaves. He's been hailed in the past for his covers like Bruce's "Backstreets" so what could it be on Radio One? More classic Springsteen? The Clash? Surprising all listeners Fallon chose "I Do Not Hook Up" by Kelly Clarkson. Scoff not readers, this rendition of the indomitable Clarkson takes a pop tune and turns it into a heartwarming strum of honesty. Brian knew what he was doing from the start.

http://www.switchbladecomb.com/mp3/the-gaslight-anthem-i-do-not-hook-up-kelly-clarkson-cover/

The Legend of the Monroes

Laugh away at the above band photo, but The Monroes may be the greatest band that never was. For those of you unfamiliar with the epic 80s New Wave Classic known as "What Do All the People Know" I recommend calling all your loved ones and saying "Goodbye" because I'm about to blow your mind.



Pretty Earth shattering isn't it? I've been a fan of the song all my life since I first heard it back in my car seat days singing along with my dad (true story.) As I grew older and continued to hear the wonderful sounds of The Monroes asking if "it's just another game that you and I pretend to play?" I started asking around my local record stores inquiring where I could get their album and continue getting my fix of New Wave Goodness. The trouble was, nobody had ever heard of the Monroes ever putting out a record. Then I hit the internet to find the missing LP and lo-and-behold, all I can find is "What Do All the People Know" on 80s Compilation CDs.

I then began to assume that the band of the Monroes were time travelers from the future who came back to 1982 for a social experiment, releasing the infectious hit single to see it's affects on humanity and study the song from the distant future but were saddened to see it rise up the charts without an album or single available for purchase. Here's the real story to a song that touch America's hearts and fell victim to poor label support.

The year is 1982 and keyboardist Eric Denton of San Diego set out with a group of friends to change the world. Following rock stars "The Ramones," Eric wanted his new band to have a cohesive identity so these random musicians from San Diego became "The Monroes" and using stage names like "Bob Monroe" and "Tony Monroe" (real names Bob Davis and Jesus Ortiz respectively.) They played a few gigs at small clubs on the San Diego scene and get approached by Japanese record producers at Alfa Records. Alfa is small time in Japan in the year 1982 and thought it was a brilliant idea to expand to US Markets to try and boost its reach and "success." Of course, the young band jumped at the chance to have their songs recorded and signed their musical lives away to Alfa.

The fan favorite "What Do All the People Know" was the clear choice as the bands first single. The agreement with Alfa enabled them to cut an EP and see how it does before recording the full album. The song quickly rushes to the top of the local charts in San Diego and then jolts across the country. The Monroes are an overnight sensation and get asked to open for the then mega-star Rick Springfield on a national tour. So the boys hit the road with Rick and all his "Jessie's Girl" catalog of sing-alongs. Everything is falling into place with signs the Monroes are destined for greatness.

But then, tragedy strikes. Alfa Records decides to shut-down its US division and file for bankruptcy. All before the presses are finished on the EP with their hit single. The Monroes' Self Titled EP is never released, never pressed, never bought by fans, never made to a mix-tape for a friend, never getting the chance for dust to collect on its jacket-sleeve, never anything. The Monroes' lose the steam behind the hit single after a few months and without an EP or another single to release (Since Alfa still had the rights and no longer existed) they fall to obscurity and "What Do All The People Know" is only available on the FM airwaves. Two years later, The Monroes sign with CBS records, but management there shelved the one project they worked on, the band members slowly get replaced by in studio musicians until the official breakup soon after.

One moment rock stars and the next back to obscurity. All the band members remain friends and play solo for the most part these days. But The Monroes are now radio-legends. More than 20 years since their brush with fame, they are still a staple of radio cycles. All the people tell me so, but what do all the people know?

Concert Review: Chali 2na

Every once in awhile I'll go to a concert and will do my best to copy Mark's format for reviewing concerts. And not just any copied review, I'll grade everything that goes into a good concert going experience (10 categories) and then average out that score out in the end. Grading scale goes from 1 to 10, 1 being the lowest score and 10 being highest.


Bands: Prophit, The Ear Force, Elemental Kazen, Sons of Kalal, Whosane feat. Pangaea, Chali 2na
Venue: Middle East Downstairs, Cambridge, MA
When: 7.16.09

The Lowdown: Chali 2na was once the much-beloved baritone MC from hip-hop group Jurassic 5. Two years after J5 went their separate ways, Chali 2na has just released his first proper solo effort "A Fish Outta Water". I went with a couple of friends to see if he could live up to the hype that J5 had set him up to deal with.

The Venue: Middle East Downstairs
Score: 9
I love Middle East Downstairs. It is definitely one of the best club venues in the Boston area. The place has a good sized floor and a raised floor to the right of the stage so it's always fairly easy to get a place where you can see clearly. The sound was solid and with two bars serving $3 tall boys, it's a great place to party. Plus, you can snag some tasty eats upstairs before the show.

Price: $15 at the door.
Score: 7
Totally reasonable, although I've paid less for shows there.

The Chicks
Score: 4
There were definitely a some attractive girls there but they were either slightly trashy or not interested in talking to anyone new. Wasn't the kind of show I expected to find tons of friendly chicks at so it wasn't a problem.

Jail bait
Score: 10 (1 being full of it and 10 being none at all)
I try not to deal too heavily in non-21+ shows these days...

The Crowd
Score: 5
Honestly, the crowd was much smaller than I expected it to be. I thought that the draw of Chali 2na would be enough to convince all the suburban white boys who thought they knew hip-hop to come out for this show, but apparently I was wrong. The people who were there were really into it, but the numbers were weak. Also, it was mostly white suburban dudes, like myself.

Ganja Factor
Score: 10 (1 being I could have gotten a contact high, 10 being sXe)
Nada. Middle East security was pretty tight and the crowd wasn't big enough to have lit up.

Hilarity Factor
Score: 8
Funny might not be the exact word but between how much we laughed as some of the opening acts and how much Chali 2na made everyone smile, I'll put it up there.

Douche Factor
Score: 8 (1 being full of douches, 10 being none at all)
There really were not too many douches around. At worst, there were some guys who thought they were fairly "hard" but they weren't bothering anyone. A pretty good crowd all in all.

The Opening Bands: Prophit, The Ear Force, Elemental Kazen, Sons of Kalal, Whosane feat. Pangaea
Score: 5
I was going to give this category a 6 because 3/5 of the openers were solid but I had to bring it down a notch because The Middle East shouldn't have allowed there to be five openers in the first place. They ran into Chali 2na's 11:45pm start time, which is late for a Thursday when I have to work at 8am, and some of the openers were terrible. Prophit (Queens) started off the show with a good set that presented those who were there early enough with a taste of what's going on in New York's scene right now. The Ear Force (Boston) was an absolute joke. Out of four MCs, only one had decent flow, so why not spend at least a quarter of your set free styling? Terrible. Elemental Kazen (Seattle) brought some fury. A rapper originally from Cambridge, brought his rapid fire rhymes back to his home town and was nothing short of impressive. Sons of Kalal (New Hampshire) were the second terrible four-MC group of the night. At least they gave everyone something to laugh at. Whosane (Brooklyn) feat. Pangaea (So. Africa) was the opening act of the night. Whosane brought heartfelt and well spoken rhymes to the stage and kept the energy high the entire time. Pangaea added a wonderful female vocal part to many of his songs and the chemistry between them was great. Check them out if you have a chance.

The Main Act:
Score: 8
Chali 2na had a room filled (well, actually, quarter-filled) with people there almost solely because of his former crew Jurassic 5. With such high expectations, 2na did a great job not disappointing. Playing with the only live band of the night, 2na kept it funky and fresh throughout his whole set. The biggest pitfalls where his renditions of J5 classics What's Golden? and Quality Control, although he did a great job with Freedom. I can understand why he wanted to work a couple J5 tracks in there but without the whole group, it's near impossible to do those songs justice. Fortunately, his solo material had plenty of groove and funk to keep everyone dancing throughout the set. His hypeman/backup MC, whose name I don't remember, had a great energy and held his own with the larger than life 2na. Their occasional choreographed dance moves helped keep the energy going too. While Chali 2na's flow can get a bit repetitive over the course of a set (and no doubt on his new album), he is such a charismatic character on stage that his live show is simply one big party. The best part was that he might have been having more fun than anyone in the house and when an entertainer can get that across, you know they're in it for the right reasons.

Average Score: 7.4

Final Thoughts:
Aside from the lengthy opening sets, and the fact that two of them were terrible, this was an awesome show. Certain things like a lack of loose women weren't really a concern and Chali 2na wasn't deterred by the lack of a full house. It ran a bit late for a weekday show but 2na made it all worth it in the end. I would recommend checking him out in you get the chance.

Worthwhile:
Elemental Zazen
Whosane feat. Pangaea
Chali 2na