I was lucky to get a couple tickets for the Beck show on Saturday. This was a warm-up gig at a small club called the Echo in Silverlake. A bigger KROQ show followed Sunday night. Funny that I've never seen Beck before and getting to see him in an intimate setting made it that much sweeter. Highlights included "Hell Yes", "Paper Tiger", and "Black Tambourine". Here's a few pics.

It's been a while. Things are good in California. Anytime you can hit the beach on December 3rd with your shirt off is a good thing. I first want to say congratulations to the Ohio State Buckeyes as they will take on the Florida Gators in Glendale, Arizona on January 8th for the college football national championship. Now all I need is a ticket. Troy Smith will pick-up his Heisman trophy next Saturday and attribute it to the guys up front. Hopefully he will be raising another trophy consisting of crystal and shaped like a mini-football soon.


Also a shout out to the big man Greg Oden for making it back from the wrist injury a month ahead of schedule for the #1 ranked Buckeye men's basketball team. Things are about to get real interesting on the hard-court.


Top 10 Albums of 2006
10. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Show Your Bones
09. Badly Drawn Boy - Born In The U.K.
08. Muse - Black Holes & Revelations
07. The Kooks - Inside In/Inside Out
06. The Futureheads - News & Tributes
05. Dirty Pretty Things - Waterloo To Anywhere
04. Bob Dylan - Modern Times
03. The Fratellis - Costello Music
02. We Are Scientists - Love & Squalor
01. Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not

Here are a couple pics from the Noel Gallagher and Gem acoustic show here in LA in late October. Noel and Gem have been touring in celebration of Oasis' greatest hits collection Stop The Clocks. Fans have been waiting for a Noel acoustic tour for 12 years and of course, it was a special night as the Chief pulled out favorites including bsides "Listen Up", "Fade Away", and "Half The World Away" among classic acoustic versions of "Slide Away", "Cast No Shadow", "Don't Look Back In Anger", and "Wonderwall". Noel played acoustic guitar while Gem strummed an electric, George Harrison like, while playing a little organ too. The show took place right up the hill from where I live in Brentwood. We actually walked to the show which is unheard of in LA.

The last week has been a whirlwind of concerts, work, and thinking about Ohio State playing in Glendale on January 8, 2007. It started last Wednesday with the Badly Drawn Boy concert at the Troubadour.

I never walk out disappointed from a Badly Drawn Boy show. You're mesmerized by the tunes, comforted by the wooly hat, and entertained by the inner anger that fuels the indie, coffee house singing, Manchester native. Why is it that two of my favorite artists come from the industrial English city? I know, they not only make great music, but bleed confidence. Two qualities that mix well in rock-n-roll.

The next song is "Degrees of Separation" which leaves you stone footed. The beat in "Journey From A To B" will be in your head for weeks. This tune is reason enough to stop by the merch table on the way out to fork over your hard earned money for the new album Born In The UK. You know you have a good album in your hands when each week a different track is your new favorite.

The classics "Further I Slide" and "Silent Sigh", complete with a "Like A Virgin" piano-driven opening, fill-out the meat of the show. Finishing out the first set were first album highlights "The Shining", "Once Around The Block", and "Disillusion". Amid sounds problems that BDB described as "Fucking atrocious", the crowd assured him they were hearing only sweet music.

As Damon left the stage in a pissy mood, the crowd could see in the box above (that is the "backstage") that he wasn't happy, throwing a tirade over the sound problems. He declared he wouldn't return for the second night of two sold-out shows unless it was figured out. Twenty minutes later he graciously returned for an encore that included "Fall In A River", "Everybody's Stalking", "Pissing In The Wind", "Magic In The Air", and finally b-side favorite "Golden Days". I was lucky enough to get the new album's booklet signed by him outside the venue as he smoked a cigarette before the show.

On to Friday as the Two Gallants played to a packed house at the Troubadour in West Hollywood. The bluesy two-some rolled through songs from their first two albums and EPs with a calmness that was opposite to the melee with police only nights earlier in Houston, that included taser guns. If you don't know this band, pick-up The Throes.

Tuesday night came along with the one-off club show for the Beastie Boys at the Henry Fonda Theater. Equipped with patented orange jump suits and Mix Master Mike spinning the beats, the Beastie Boys restored the urban, old school hip-hop that only they can produce these days. They stormed the stage with opener "Root Down". The floor was bananas with a mix of crazy dancing, sing-alongs, hand waving, and clouds of smoke. "No Sleep Till Brooklyn", "So Whatcha Want", and "Egg Raid On Mojo" filled out the middle part of the 80 minute set. The show peaked with the lyrics from "Intergalactic", "...I'll stir-fry you in my wok". The BBoys shook the walls with a frantic version of "Sabotage" to close the set.

It's great the see the boys on a smaller scale. Although I don't think they have the greatness they once possessed to control an arena, the small venue gave an intimate feel that was all love. MCA is full salt-n-pepper up top, with Ad Rock showing no signs of aging, including three straight screw-ups that warranted a time-out in the corner from Butthead look-a-like Mike D. The Beastie Boys left LA with everyone thinking it was off the hizzee.

Wednesday night rolls around with the first LA appearance for the Brighton band The Kooks at the Spaceland in Silverlake, CA. We showed up early as tickets were gobbled up by industry types, establishing a spot stage right in the small, 200 person capacity venue. Although the crowd was irritated by an 11:15pm take to the stage, only to be attributed to an in-store appearance, The Kooks rolled through their first album with a swagger. "Sofa Song", "She Moves In Her Own Way", "Eddie's Gun", and "You Don't Love Me" highlighted the set. The crowd chanted for album favorite "Jackie Big Tits" before the last song but were denied for some odd reason. Although a short set and no Jackie, it's always inspiring to see a good, young English band come across seas with much-hype and deliver an exciting set.






I know my bed time tv watching is spent on nightly, dual reruns of Scrubs. Don't forget that new episodes of the quirky, hospital comedy start November 30.

Also, professional golf legend and OSU alumnus Jack Nicklaus will be dotting the "i" during the half-time show of Saturday's Ohio State game against Minnesota. He joins former Ohio State President Novice G. Fawcett, actor/comedian Bob Hope, former Ohio State football coach Woody Hayes and OSU ticket director Bob Ries as only the fifth non-member of TBDBITL to the accorded the honor. Go Bucks!

Best of Today's BitTorrent
Kings Of Leon San Francisco, CA 10.15.06
Badly Drawn Boy San Francisco, CA 10.15.06
Beastie Boys New York City, NY 10.04.06

I'm still buzzing from the Kasabian show last week at the Fonda Theater but I'll slow things down folk-style tomorrow night as Damon Gough, aka Badly Drawn Boy makes his way to Los Angeles' Troubadour for two sold-out shows. The last time I saw BDB I was at the Grog Shop in Cleveland with my mom warning her that his temper could blow at any time due to the hooligans in the back of the club talking over the wooly-wearing singer. Sure enough, BDB left the stage and made his through the crowd, who mostly only saw his bobbing stocking cap go by, and confronted the annoyance. A few smashed beer bottles later out of the hands of the hooligans, BDB stormed off the stage for a 45 minute delay. He returned, apologized and continued the show with a hilarious story about his first encounter with "The Boss", Bruce Springsteen. We left around 12:30am to head for home as he continued his marathon set.

Hopefully the show tomorrow night goes a bit smoother, as the BDB hits LaLa land to celebrate the release of his fifth album, Born in the UK, which hit stores Tuesday. It's his most personal album to date and is growing on me with every spin. It's mid-tempo rock at its best that will warm the chilled feeling of the coming of winter. Stand-out track and first single 'Nothing's Gonna Change Your Mind' finds BDB singing in a higher pitch that can only comfort the soul.

Click here to hear the new album, or here to listen to the AOL Sessions, or here to download a few live shows and sessions.

Click here to see the excellent new animated Oasis video for 'The Masterplan'. Oasisinet.com describes the video as follows:

"The animated video sees Oasis transported into a stunning world based entirely on the paintings of legendary northern artist L.S Lowry including subtle modern day twists and detailing."

Oasis will release a new EP entitled Stop The Clocks EP on November 13. It will feature two non-album classics 'The Masterplan' and 'Acquiesce' along with a demo version of 'Cigarettes & Alcohol' and a live take on 'Some Might Say'. The greatest hits collection Stop The Clocks will be released one week later on November 20.

Ah, an album to look forward to in the early new year. Sondre Lerche will follow-up his Duper Sessions with a new album entitled Phantom Punch due February 6, 2007. Lerche, who splits time between Norway and NYC with his wife model Mona Fastvold, promises that the album will pull the sounds of Brazil and psych-disco. Sounds fascinating.

On the metal front, Metallica will release a new DVD '2 of One' on December 4, featuring all of their promotional videos. Previously only available on VHS, the tracklisting is as follows:

'One'
'Enter Sandman'
'The Unforgiven'
'Nothing Else Matters'
'Wherever I May Roam'
'Sad But True'
'Until It Sleeps'
'Hero Of The Day'
'Mama Said'
'King Nothing'
'The Memory Remains'
'The Unforgiven II'
'Fuel'
'Turn The Page'
'Whiskey In The Jar'
'No Leaf Clover'
'I Disappear'
'St Anger'
'Frantic'
'The Unnamed Feeling'
'Some Kind Of Monster'

Extras:
'2 of One' (Introduction)
'One' (Jammin' Version)
'The Unforgiven' (Theatrical Version)
'Metallica : Some Kind Of Monster' (film trailer)

With all of the annoying Kevin Federline stories, appearances, and pathetic attempts at an RnB, or rap career, this gives me pleasure to present you with something I never thought could happen. Click here to see WWE Champion John Cena punish K-Fed with his finishing maneurve, the FU, from Monday Night Raw. I'm now a fan of Cena.

Best of Today's BitTorrent
The Black Keys Paris, France 10.05.06

The last time I saw Jet they were opening for Oasis and were three years into touring their debut album Get Born. You could tell that they didn't have a whole lot left. It's understandable though in today's music business. There are very few bands that can succeed in the worldwide manner that Jet did after just one album. They were running themselves into the ground while making fans wait for them to even get in the studio to record a follow-up.

They hit the stage at Henry Fonda Theater in West Hollywood with new energy. They were tight and the new songs sounded like old favorites. The brothers stole the show as Nic belted out the lyrics while brother Chris banged away on the drums like Animal. It's good to see the band back in form, even if I felt there was still something missing after a good show.

We watched from the owners box which meant free drinks and a great view. Luckily the owner and my friend Mark have patched things up and from now on, that's where will be for shows at the Fonda. Speaking of that, Kasabian is tomorrow night. Can't wait for that sold-out show. Too bad I can't snap any pics but rules are rules and I don't want to push it, considering there are $70 bottles of red wine sitting around, and a private bathroom.

Click here to watch the eye popping video for Kasabian's second single "Shoot The Runner".

Click here to see The Raconteurs new video for "Broken Boy Soldies". Make your New Year's Eve plans early as the band just announced they will be playing The Riviera in Chicago December 30-31.

Best of Today's BitTorrent
Muse Seattle, WA 10.04.06
Strokes Kansas City, MO 10.01.06

Click here for the trailer for the new Christopher Guest film For Your Consideration. He's the mastermind behind the great fake-documentary films Waiting For Guffman, Best In Show, and A Mighty Wind. He also played guitarist Nigel in the hilarious Spinal Tap.

I'm headed to the Jet show tomorrow night at the Henry Fonda Theater in Hollywood. Hopefully the new tunes sound real sharp live. You can hear their new album Shine On right here.

Click here to hear the new Beck album The Information.

Click here to listen to the new debut solo album from Albert Hammond Jr., the sick guitarist from The Strokes.

Click here to watch the new Gnarls Barkley video for "Gone Daddy Gone", the Violent Femmes cover.

The Magic Numbers will be releasing a new album November 6th entitled Those The Brokes. Click here to view the video for first single "Take A Chance".

Best of Today's BitTorrent
The Black Keys Cleveland, OH 02.25.06
The Smiths Bristol 02.24.84 (SBD)
Elvis Costello Brookville, NY 03.03.78 (FM SBD)

I made it thought the LA traffic last night to get to the Staples Center for the bronze medal fight and finale for ESPN's The Contender. We had great seats not too far from where the fighters enter the arena which were better than a dude from the Black Eyed Peas. The first fight went all 8 rounds with both fighters throwing haymakers throughout. Even though my favorite and underdog Grady "Bad Boy" Brewer won the $500,000 prize, the fight lacked the energy most had hoped for in the finale. Either way it was a good time. Celeb sighting include Sugar Ray, a ton of boxers, Marlon Wayans, Storm Large from TV's Rock Star Supernova, Luke Walton, among other b-level stars.

The Fratellis are a new band from Glasgow that could be destined for greatness. With a mix of post-Libertines (of course) and 60s rock, The Fratelli's hooky debut album Costello Music is in heavy rotation. The band is comprised of singer Jon, drummer Mince and Barry on bass. No word on a US release date but they should be heading overseas soon. To check them out for yourself, click here for "Chelsea Dagger" and here for "Henrietta". Enjoy!



Click here to stream the new Sean Lennon album Friendly Fire. It's his first album since 1998's Into The Sun.
It seems Sean's long layoff has paid off in a more mature album filled with heartfelt lyrics and moody sounds.



Overrated? Although I'm not a fan of The Killers, and I'll admit I'm hoping for a failure, click here to listen to their sophomore effort Sam's Town and decide for yourself. I know the band have been worshipping Bruce Springsteen over the past couple years but come on, it's just too much.


Don't forget that My Morning Jacket released their first live album Okonokos this past Tuesday. The double album captures their captivating and moving live show including personal favorites "One Big Holiday" and "Mahgeetah".



Best of Today's BitTorrent
The Raconteurs Atlanta, GA 09.19.06
Badly Drawn Boy Oxford 09.13.06
TV on the Radio KCRW 09.22.06