Tuesday, July 29, 2008

This Week's (Very Belated) Shameless Budgeteer Plug

Cracker, Leane Perius, Maudlin and garden shots galore!

"Discover Duluth: Western Garden Tour" :: Each summer, the Western Garden Tour, in conjunction with Spirit Valley Days, allows some of Duluth’s finest gardeners to be recognized for their hard work. (Pictures from two of the featured gardens in upper Smithville.)

"Maudlin Records Twin Ports Podcast" :: LocalM.com spares no expense when it comes to podcasts. Before Maudlin's show Saturday night in Superior, the site's Craig Rhode Jr. had the St. Paul group at the Evil Clown studios down the street recording a couple songs. Photos from the fateful night. A companion piece to my Q-and-A with the group, "Meet Them Before They Meet You." DuluthBudgeteer.com exclusive!

"Outgoing: Duluth Says Goodbye to Leane Perius (and Brendan Flynn Too!)" :: Just when everyone was starting to fall in love with her, Leane Perius up and moves to Perham on us. And, as if losing one talented singer/songwriter to Perham wasn’t bad enough, Perius’ departure is a double blow for the Twin Ports: she’ll be taking significant other Brendan Flynn with her. (And, since this article was published, I found out that equally as talented Duluth singer/songwriters David Mehling and Mary Bue will also be leaving us soon. <- Our scene is crumbling!)

And, finally, my Cracker trilogy: I A) briefly review the group's show in Superior last Friday night, B) out myself as a Cracker "superfan" and C) interview guitarist and co-founder Johnny Hickman!

Friday, July 25, 2008

Cracker's Superior set list for July 25, 2008


Here's what you missed last night at the Head of the Lakes Fair.* (As an added service for those in attendance, I've included the album names so you'll know exactly where to find those songs you loved oh-so-much!)

1. "Teen Angst (What the World Needs Now)" (from "Cracker")
2. "100 Flower Power Maximum" (from "The Golden Age")
3. "Euro-Trash Girl" (from "Kerosene Hat")
4. "Lonesome Johnny Blues" (from "Kerosene Hat")
5. "Mr. Wrong" (from "Cracker")
6. "Happy Birthday to Me" (from "Cracker")
7. "Waiting for You Girl" (from "Gentleman's Blues")
8. "One Fine Day" (from "Forever")
9. "Gimme One More Chance" (from "Greenland")
10. "The Riverside" (from "Greenland")
11. "Sweet Thistle Pie" (from "The Golden Age")
12. "The World is Mine" (from "Gentleman's Blues")
13. "The Man in Me" (Bob Dylan cover)
14. "How Can I Live Without You" (from "The Golden Age")
15. "Everybody Gets One for Free" (from "Greenland")
16. "Low" (from "Kerosene Hat")

-ENCORE BREAK-

17. "Get Off This" (from "Kerosene Hat")
18. "I Need Better Friends" (from "Greenland")

*More photos available on the Budgeteer's Web site, where I A) briefly review the show, B) out myself as a Cracker "superfan" and C) interview guitarist and co-founder Johnny Hickman!

Thursday, July 24, 2008

sys15 :: 50 CUPS OF COFFEE AND YOU KNOW IT'S ON


Taking a break from the oh-so-addictive-in-HD Olympics action, it's ... the latest in my awesome (self-proclaimed) mix tape series. Joy!

1. Beastie Boys - "Super Disco Breakin'"
This one sure knows how to introduce itself: "Well it's 50 cups of coffee and you know it's on."

2. Doomtree - "Game Over"
Here too: "Welcome to the future." (Read my review of Doomtree's first "official" debut here, in which I might've said: “Game Over (Go Big or Go Home Boy),” a summer blockbuster if I ever did hear one, is a testament to what hip-hop is capable of. With cuts by Turbo Nemesis and top-notch beats from Paper Tiger — in case you’re unfamiliar with Doomtree, each member traditionally serves a specific role within the context of the group, though members like P.O.S. have proven equally adept at rhyming and producing beats — the track is an ideal vehicle for Mictlan’s wildly exciting rhymes: “It’s all this coke, it’s all that liq / It’s all the fame / It’s all been done, it’s all been fixed / It’s all the same / I got no time for games, lames or dames.”)

3. Odawas - "Benjamin"
This sounds familiar and Canadian, but, in all actuality, it's A) not and B) only from Chicago. Regardless, this is dreamy lo-fi rock at its finest. Fans of Neil Young and Neutral Milk Hotel (at least Jeff Mangum's slower numbers) will find much to love here.

4. Leane Perius - "Dead Body"
So sad, Leane's going away. <- As are Brendan Flynn, David Mehling and Mary Bue.

5. Ayla Brook - "Wake Up Early"
A terrific Canadian singer/songwriter you should probably know by name. For real(sies).

6. The Motion Sick - "The Owls are Not What They Seem"
Great song, but the "Twin Peaks" reference all but secured its spot on this here mix tape.

7. Women - "Black Rice"
Recommended if you like the Zombies, old-timey (scratch that: vintage) exploration pop.

8. Neutral Milk Hotel - "Naomi"
One of my all-time favorites. If there's anything you take away from this mix tape, it should be that this track is brilliant. (I'm so dramatic, aren't I?)

9. Maudlin - "Low"
Look, my quote made Maudlin's MySpace page -- yay!

"Need a new favorite band? Try on St. Paul’s Maudlin for size. Raised on a steady diet of the Pixies (and every other Frank Black or Kim Deal side project, for that matter), you best believe the group’s twin vocalists, David and Priscilla Priebe, know a thing or two about post-punk and slightly off-kilter power pop. "
-- Matthew R. Perrine Budgeteer News


10. Dr. Pepper Family - "Cherise"
If you'll allow me one addendum to my Neutral Milk Hotel request, please let it be that this track piggybacks along.... Truly inspired post-punk from Belgium.

11. Dirty on Purpose - "Girls & Sunshine"
More appetizing than "Sunshine & Farts," I'm sure. (An explanation....)

12. DNA feat. Suzanne Vega - "Tom's Diner"
I've been hanging around my wayback machine, I'm afraid.

13. The Chap - "They Have a Name"
I seem to have forgotten why I was drawn to this song in the first place....

14. Willie Nile - "Police on My Back" [Clash cover]
It's hard to screw up this rollicking number.

15. Poster Children - "Clampdown" [Clash cover]
And this one too, though I'm glad they didn't try, because I really appreciate the Poster Children.

16. Elvis Costello and the Attractions - "Pump It Up"
"Rock Band 2," baby!

17. Cracker - "Ain't Gonna Suck Itself"
F------ hilarious!

18. Dinosaur Jr. - "Feel the Pain"
Speaking of my wayback machine, here's J. Mascis in all of his dreamy goodness (I'm referring to his sense of melody, of course ... man, I really need to work on my phrasing tonight).

19. Sloan - "If I Could Change Your Mind" [LIVE]
In case you don't know (you probably don't), LimeWire -- yes, that LimeWire -- recently opened up a music store and Canadian rock gods Sloan were one of the first groups to record a "Live at Lime" digital EP. Well worth your $5.94.

20. Brand New - "Mix Tape"
A little too emo for my tastes most days, but I like Brand New and, dammit, the world needs more songs about mix tapes!

21. Glen Hansard (of the Frames) - "Say It to Me Now"
I finally, finally, finally saw "Once" and, yes, Marketa Irglova is every bit as dreamy as you've most likely heard. (If only polygamy were legal....)

22. Nine Inch Nails - "Something I Can Never Have"
Mesmerizing through and through. A classic.

Thus concludes your fifteenth dose of SHAKE*YOUR*SHORES.

Monday, July 21, 2008

Republicans use Ciresi's Budgeteer quote against Franken

So it seems a right-wing attack Web site is using an interview with Mike Ciresi my coworker and I did against Al Franken. Ugh, this doesn't look good for the Democrats....



From MinnesotaDemocratsExposed.com:

Team Franken can’t run an ad praising Franken’s accomplishment on behalf of Minnesota because he doesn’t have any accomplishments. Even one of Franken’s rivals for the DFL endorsement, Mike Ciresi, said Franken hasn’t “delivered for Minnesota”:

Let me ask you, what has Al Franken delivered for Minnesotans? The answer is self-evident: He hasn’t. … I have got things done for Minnesotans my entire career, and Al hasn’t.” (Matthew R. Perrine and Matt Suoja, “Minneapolis Lawyer Mike Ciresi Discusses His Bid For U.S. Senate,” Budgeteer News, October 12, 2007)

And, after a quick Google search, it looks like at least one other Republican-backing Web site has used that same quote from Ciresi (who has since dropped out of the race for Norm Coleman's U.S. Senate seat).

See what all the fuss is about by reading the original article.

Friday, July 18, 2008

sys14 :: IF THE SHOE FITS, BURN IT


I have to keep reminding myself that "Sonic the Hedgehog" will still be there in the morning....

1. Maudlin - "Dancecaster" (listen here)
I wasn't lying when I said this could easily be your new favorite band, as the boy/girl vocals of David and Priscilla Priebe are probably the best I've heard since the inspiration for them: the Pixies' Black Francis and Kim Deal.

2. Splitsville - "Forever"
This effectively accomplishes the "Up with music!" goal of every Polyphonic Spree album.

3. Beck - "Modern Guilt"
Am I getting so old that I prefer the musicians I grew up with to be more dependable than visionary? Not really, but Beck is certainly starting to fit that mold, and that open question was, more or less, my way of coming to terms with his situation. The new album's great, but by no means groundbreaking or innovative.

4. Phish - "Talk"
You're right, I am well on my way to becoming a dirty, stinkin' hippy -- and I love it!

5. The Wrens - "Surprise, Honeycomb"
Some newer fans of the Wrens like to s*** on the group's glorious back catalogue, and that's just sad.

6. The Dead Trees - "Shelter" (Daytrotter session MP3s)
At the Fetus' price of $2.99 -- new -- for this group's magnificent new EP, there should be no reason you don't own it. It's just glorious, glorious music; in fact, it reminds me of the time I was introduced to the band Roy in a Sioux Falls record store. My life and outlook on the music scene at large will never be the same having heard and enjoyed the Dead Trees.

7. Liz Phair - "Flower"
One of the most notorious alt-rock songs of the '90s ... I was actually kind of surprised it was a good song.

8. Sims - "Key Grip (FAX)"
Something to keep me occupied until the Doomtree (official) debut drops July 29.

9. M.Anifest - "Babylon Breakdown"
This one wouldn't sound out of place at the Zorbaz pizzeria in DL <- aka the place I discovered the tragically underrated PBR.
10. Big Quarters - "August"
Uh ... did he just make a rhyme out of Wellstone's heartbreaking plane crash?

11. Bob Dylan - "Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)" [Mark Ronson Re-Version]
Who cares if this is blatantly the spiritual successor to Junkie XL's remix of Elvis' "A Little Less Conversation"? They both turned out lovely.

12. Ol' Yeller - "The Universe"
And another gem from the "North Country."

13. Camera - "Bump Into Beats"
Heard this on Walt's show -- one of the most unoriginal band names, but pretty catchy (and slightly in the key of the B-52's, yay!) nonetheless.

14. Blueline Medic - "Over the Lawn" (DL "Up Against the Fault" here)
While Fueled by Ramen's roster definitely took a divebomb of late, groups like the Impossibles, the Stereo, the aforementioned Roy and, of course, Blueline Medic will always remind me of the good ol' days.

15. Traffic - "Heaven is in Your Mind"
Every couple months this gem from way back floats into my daydreams, thus forcing me to plead for this nation of millions to love it as much as I do.

16. Death Cab for Cutie - "Death of an Interior Decorator"
I must say, classic awesome mix tape material.

17. Submerge - "If the Shoe Fits"
In case I haven't already told you a million times, this group from Virginia features none other than Matt and Tony from Motion City Soundtrack. I am, of course, forever grateful to Matt, both for the recent interview in the Budgeteer and mailing me out a copy of Submerge's excellent disc, "East, Meet West." (Released on Actiondriver Records, in case you are interested in seeking it out -- which is something I highly recommend you do ASAP.)

18. Mountain - "Don't Look Around"
Soon to be heard in the Seth Rogen/James Franco -- "Freaks and Geeks" alumni together again, yay! -- blockbuster "Pineapple Express." Killer ... nay, supersweet.

19. Karate Bike - "Death to Our Enemies"
Indie rock for all the small towns. (Take that as you will, I guess....)

20. The Soviet Machines - "Call You Out"
Speaking of Walt's show earlier, this barnstormer* seems almost tailor-made for late-night KUWS. Rock on, scubatron. *I know, no one uses language like this anymore -- isn't it great?!

21. Ryan Adams - "Boys"
This song just makes me want to drive. Fast. Windows down. The missus by my side. (I know, I'm weird: I actually like my wife!)

22. Filter - "Kill the Day"
The perfect summer song?

23. Gus Black - "Certain Kind of Light"
Man, I feel so stupid; I just realized this is the same guy who used to record as plain ol' "Gus." His 1999 album, "Word of Mouth Parade," produced one of that year's most touching tracks: "Floodlights."

24. Bone Appetit - "Wrecking Yourself"
I know this group isn't known for its ballads, but "Wrecking Yourself" rides one gracious melody.

Thus concludes your fourteenth dose of SHAKE*YOUR*SHORES, another awesome mix tape if I ever did hear one.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

This Week's Shameless Budgeteer Plug

Wii video game reviews, Maudlin, Rubber Chicken (the comedy troupe, not the fun toy), Indigenous, a man with dice, Ryan Rapsys, a clarification on my Xhaust CD review and ... what, that's it?

"Indigenous Headlines FinnFest Concert at Bayfront" :: South Dakota blues-rock outfit Indigenous is a bit of an anomaly in the music industry. I speak with frontman Mato Nanji, who I've admired for the better part of a decade. I've seen this impeccable group twice in concert (once at Walker's Moondance Jam and then at Fargo's blues festival) and I was thoroughly blown away both times. Hail!

"In Duluth, Finn Equals Funny"
:: Forget Ole and Lena; Duluth’s comedy troupes are celebrating Finnish culture in a way that might actually make you laugh. Includes a DuluthBudgeteer.com-exclusive photo gallery of Brian Matuszak and his Rubber Chicken crew rehearsing "The Betrothal" at Proctor Area Community Center Monday night.

"Maudlin: Meet Them Before They Meet You"
:: St. Paul’s premier post-punk outfit, Maudlin, will hit Norm’s in Superior Saturday, July 26. Though they’re sharing a bill with Portraits for Judith and Xhaust, expect more power pop than thrash metal. I "speak" -- electronically, that is -- with the two Priebes in this trio, David and Priscilla. DuluthBudgeteer.com exclusive!

"Video Game Reviews: The Yin and Yang of Nintendo's Wii" :: As far as Nintendo Wii games go, “Super Smash Bros. Brawl” and “Endless Ocean” couldn’t be more different. DuluthBudgeteer.com exclusive!

"Duluth's Ryan Rapsys Gets Music on iTunes" :: To say Ryan Rapsys is keeping busy is almost laughable. In addition to collaborating on the Brewhouse’s new commercial, the Duluth composer recently announced that his record label will be releasing music on iTunes and Amazon MP3. DuluthBudgeteer.com exclusive!

Window washer man ... in which I learned the definition of "rappelling." A DuluthBudgeteer.com exclusive feature photo!

Finally, last week's Xhaust EP review now comes with a disclaimer: UPDATE: It has come to my attention that the review copies of this EP were erroneously sent out with the wrong, unmastered files on the disc. So, given this, completely disregard everything I wrote about sound problems. —MRP <-May they have a wonderful CD release show with Maudlin, one of my new favorite bands!

Monday, July 14, 2008

Bob Dylan makes 'Rock Band' debut!


As you may already know, it's E3 time and "outed" video game dorks are busy wetting themselves ... ANYWAY, it's still early in the week, but some amazing information has already been released, like:

Rock Band 2 On-Disc Track List:

1. AC/DC "Let There Be Rock"
2. AFI "Girl's Gone Grey"
3. Alanis Morissette "You Oughta Know"
4. Alice in Chains "Man in the Box"
5. Allman Brothers "Ramblin' Man"
6. Avenged Sevenfold "Almost Easy"
7. Bad Company "Shooting Star"
8. Beastie Boys "So Whatcha Want"
9. Beck "E-Pro"
10. Bikini Kill "Rebel Girl"
11. Billy Idol "White Wedding Pt. I"
12. Blondie " One Way or Another"
13. Bob Dylan "Tangled Up in Blue"
14. Bon Jovi "Livin' on a Prayer"
15. Cheap Trick "Hello There"
16. Devo "Uncontrollable Urge"
17. Dinosaur Jr. "Feel the Pain"
18. Disturbed "Down with the Sickness"
19. Dream Theater "Panic Attack"
20. Duran Duran "Hungry Like the Wolf"
21. Elvis Costello "Pump It Up"
22. Fleetwood Mac "Go Your Own Way"
23. Foo Fighters "Everlong"
24. Guns N' Roses "Shackler's Revenge"
25. Interpol "PDA"
26. Jane's Addiction "Mountain Song"
27. Jethro Tull "Aqualung"
28. Jimmy Eat World "The Middle"
29. Joan Jett "Bad Reputation"
30. Journey "Anyway You Want It"
31. Judas Priest "Painkiller"
32. Kansas "Carry On Wayward Son"
33. L7 "Pretend We're Dead"
34. Lacuna Coil "Our Truth"
35. Linkin Park "One Step Closer"
36. Lit "My Own Worst Enemy"
37. Lush "De-Luxe"
38. Mastodon "Colony of Birchmen"
39. Megadeth "Peace Sells"
40. Metallica " Battery"
41. Mighty Mighty Bosstones "Where'd You Go"
42. Modest Mouse "Float On"
43. Motorhead "Ace of Spades"
44. Nirvana "Drain You"
45. Norman Greenbaum "Spirit in the Sky"
46. Panic at the Disco "Nine in the Afternoon"
47. Paramore "That's What You Get"
48. Pearl Jam "Alive"
49. Presidents of the USA "Lump"
50. Rage Against the Machine "Testify"
51. Ratt "Round & Round"
52. Red Hot Chili Peppers "Give it Away"
53. Rise Against "Give it All"
54. Rush "The Trees"
55. Silversun Pickups "Lazy Eye"
56. Smashing Pumpkins "Today"
57. Social Distortion "I Was Wrong"
58. Sonic Youth "Teenage Riot"
59. Soundgarden "Spoonman"
60. Squeeze "Cool for Cats"
61. Steely Dan "Bodhitsattva"
62. Steve Miller Band "Rock'n Me"
63. Survivor "Eye of the Tiger"
64. System of a Down "Chop Suey"
65. Talking Heads "Psycho Killer"
66. Tenacious D "Master Exploder"
67. Testament "Souls of Black"
68. The Donnas "New Kid in School"
69. The Go-Go's "We Got the Beat"
70. The Grateful Dead " Alabama Getaway"
71. The Guess Who "American Woman"
72. The Muffs "Kids in America"
73. The Offspring "Come Out & Play (Keep 'em Separated)"
74. The Replacements "Alex Chilton"
75. The Who "Pinball Wizard"

Bonus Songs
76. Abnormality "Visions"
77. Anarchy Club "Get Clean"
78. Bang Camaro "Night Lies"
79. Breaking Wheel "Shoulder to the Plow"
80. The Libyans "Neighborhood"
81. The Main Drag "A Jagged Gorgeous Winter"
82. Speck "Conventional Lover"
83. The Sterns "Supreme Girl"
84. That Handsome Devil "Rob the Prez-O-Dent"

Thanks, Joystiq!

sys13 :: HIGHWAYS AND DANCEHALLS


You're in for a treat with this latest awesome mix tape, as each and every selection listed here today would easily be a No. 1 hit on Funkotron. Enjoy!

1. Filter - "Under"
I got to interview Richard Patrick today and, man, what an entertaining conversation -- I just hope that comes across when I finally write my article. (No, this isn't some random interview; Filter will be in town Aug. 3 at Bayfront Festival Park with *get this* 3 Doors Down, Staind, 12 Stones and Hurt. Who in the hell comes up with these lineups, anyway?)

2. Strong Bad - "Trogdor" theme
You'd be surprised (or would you?) with how well these first two tracks work together.

3. Motion City Soundtrack - "1,000 Paper Cranes"
In other interview/Duluth concert news, I got to interview MCS's Matthew Taylor -- really nice guy, by the way -- for their show at Grandma's Sports Garden July 24. (The Spill Canvas and Sing It Loud open.)

4. R.E.M. - "She Just Wants to Be"
From "Reveal," the summer album and, not coincidentally, on my all-time Top 10 list. Seriously!

5. Weezer - "The Greatest Man that Ever Lived (Variations on a Shaker Hymn)"
How could the Twin Ports' best DJ not like the new Weezer album? This s*** is pure gold.

6. Soundgarden - "She Likes Surprises"
A bonus track on the copies of "Superunknown" sold outside the United States ... what's with that, Soundgarden? While it's slightly more "Badmotorfinger" -- or even "Down on the Upside," for that matter -- than "Superunknown," it's a great addition to any Soundgarden superfan's collection.

7. PAS/CAL - "Glorious Ballad of the Ignored"
Pardon me Beck but ... is "I Was Raised on Matthew, Mark, Luke & Laura" going to be the album of the summer? We'll find out July 22, now won't we?

8. The Watson Twins - "Bar Woman Blues"
A great song for a small town. Bar, that is.

9. Aerosmith - "No More No More"
There are about 1,000 ways I could think of that would've made Aerosmith's "Guitar Hero" good, and this is just one of them.

10. Joan Jett and the Blackhearts - "Jezebel"
Similarly, why wasn't this "deep cut" a bigger hit back in the day?

11. XTC - "The Everyday Story of Smalltown"
What's with this intro? Do I hear kazoos? Regardless, another lovely XTC gem.

12. The Motion Sick - "30 Lives"
Easy, breezy and ... beautiful? A resounding "uh huh." (p.s. I just heard a remixed version of this song -- listen here -- will be featured in an upcoming "Dance Dance Revolution" game. How weird is that?)

13. Beulah - "A Good Man is Easy to Kill" [Free MP3s Here]
Perhaps no man is more romantic than Beulah's Miles Kurosky (who's busy* working on a solo album, by the way), and here's my proof: "Don't know about God, but I believe in you."

14. Doomtree - "Flex"
Was turned onto this one by the Star Tribune's excellent article "Hip-Hop Dads," of all things.

15. Indigenous - "Little Time"
Have been a fan of Indigenous' brash fusion of blues and rock for years -- seen 'em twice in concert, actually -- so it's with great pleasure to repeat the following: FinnFest 2008's Saturday night headliner is ... Indigenous!

16. Charlie Parr - "Right Between the Eyes" [Free MP3s Here]
What's not to love? I know at least Saint Anyway agrees with me on this one.

17. Damien Jurado - "Murderer" [Low cover]
I know there are legions of Low fans around nation, but, if you stop and think about it, that's actually really cool!

18. Jackson Browne - "The Road"
Thanks, "Freaks and Geeks," for reminding of another lonely gem from the past.

19. Blues Traveler - "Girl Inside My Head"
20. Live - "Top"
21. Collective Soul - "Where the River Flows"
In even more Duluth concert news, these three acts -- all of which performed at Woodstock '94** -- will perform together at Bayfront Festival Park July 22.

*From BeulahMania.com: It's been four years since Beulah's breakup, and five years since "Yoko," Beulah's final record was released. Many of you have long known that Miles has been working on a solo record and have asked if it was turning into another "Chinese Democracy." Come on Axl, what's up? Anyway, we're happy to announce that at least one finished track from Miles can be heard here.
**And try to avoid any "Wow, 15 years ago this actually would've been an impressive concert..." jokes, you ungrateful bastards!


Thus concludes your thirteenth dose of SHAKE*YOUR*SHORES.

Today's Moment of Zen: The Beerbelly

Underdevelopment Inc. has the cure for those summertime blues: The Beerbelly, a "removable spare tire that also serves a stealth beverage. So now you can not only sport the look that’s legit to the touch (and the frisk), but you can also enjoy a tasty beverage wherever you want, whenever you want!" Yeah, it can even hold up to 80 ounces! In other hot-product news, Underdevelopment also released a product for the ladies called the Winerack -- you can just imagine what that's all about. Bonus: Click here for some amusing alternate names proposed for this "bra as beverage rack."

~Image and information courtesy of Underdevelopment

Friday, July 11, 2008

This Week's Shameless Budgeteer Plug

The musical stylings of Saint Anyway, records from Portraits for Judith, Xhaust and the Histronic and pictures of Kingsbury Creek/Willard Munger State Trail! (Oh, and a serioushankerin' to play "ToeJam & Earl" on Virtual Console tonight!)

"Saint Anyway: Tangled Up in the North Country" :: Finding inspiration in such Duluth-bred favorites as Bob Dylan, Charlie Parr and Trampled by Turtles, upstart Cloquet duo Saint Anyway is as “North Country” as they come. I sit down with BFFs Jamie Kallestad and Tony Petersen (with an "E"!).

"CD Reviews: Portraits for Judith, Xhaust and the Histronic" :: Reviewed this week: Portraits for Judith’s “The Mirror’s Reflection,” Xhaust’s self-titled EP and the Histronic's self-titled debut. Two local/one MPLS.

"Discover Duluth: Kingsbury Creek" :: Lake Superior Zoo and Fairmont Park are great, but what would they be without Kingsbury Creek? My photo-essay series returns with -- I always say this, I know -- new favorite hiking spot! DuluthBudgeteer.com exclusive!

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Today's Moment of Zen: The Fabulous Furniture

Today I heard what might've been the best news I'll ever come across in my entire life. Apparently "back in the day" there was a group in Duluth called The Fabulous Furniture -- or at least The Furniture (my source told me at least two dozen funny band names from the Duluth music scene of yesteryear, so it was kind of hard to keep up) -- either way, the group had one hell of a slogan: DON'T FUCK WITH THE FURNITURE. Yeah! I can imagine the T-shirts now....

Thursday, July 3, 2008

This Week's Shameless Budgeteer Plug

Motion City Soundtrack, Lake Superior's Honeywell barrel problem, the Pot Bellied Stallions, lawn sports and a picture that's sure to make you faint!

"Road Warriors Motion City Soundtrack Back in Town Already" :: It hasn't even been a year since MCS headlined Stockfestapalooza, but they'll be in town July 24 at Grandma's Sports Garden with the Spill Canvas and Sing It Loud in tow.

"Q-and-A with Motion City's Matt Taylor" :: Find out how Motion City Soundtrack bassist Matthew Taylor went from an office temp job to touring the world in one of Epitaph's most popular bands in this exclusive interview with [YOURS TRULY]. DuluthBudgeteer.com exclusive!

"Re-examining the Honeywell Barrel Fiasco" :: The question isn’t whether or not there are Honeywell barrels on the bottom of Lake Superior, there are. The question is — rather, the questions are: What exactly is inside those barrels, whose responsibility are they and when, if ever, will anything be done about them? (Includes many great quotes from Herb Bergson, Duluth's former mayor.)

"Up on Chester Creek" :: Our front-page cover, of the Pot Bellied Stallions' lovely Maxine Rhodes (aka Miss Minnesota Country Music '94).

"Minnesota Drops Blood Donor Age to 16"
:: The story's not mine -- it belongs to our intern, Brooke Naland -- but the photo is. (WARNING: Not for the faint of heart!)

And, finally, as promised last weekend ... "This Summer's Entertainment Hotspot? Your Own Backyard," which first appeared in the Budgeteer's Blueprint special. A synopsis: Lawn games are an excellent way to save gas and bring the neighborhood together.

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

sys12: THINGS THE GRANDCHILDREN SHOULD KNOW


Back by popular demand -- one reader requested it -- the following, my latest awesome mix tape, comes complete with witty, funny, satiric, musical, exciting, bizarre, political, thrilling, frightening, metaphorical, comic and/or sardonic comments. Enjoy!

1. Bill Janovtiz - "I'll Keep You Satisfied" [Beatles cover]
Buffalo Tom's lead singer on the horribly underrated "From a Window: Lost Songs of Lennon & McCartney" ... sounding eerily similar to Cracker's "100 Flower Power Maximum." Ah, who cares, this is a great song!

2. Bicycle - "Electrolux"
Speaking of underrated, the fact that none of your friends have this group's terrific genre-bending/shape-shifting debut from '99 (self-titled) borders on criminal. I would say it featured contributions from Presidents of the United States frontman Chris Ballew, but I'm not entirely sure that would help my cause. If Bicycle's Kurt Liebert was given a chance, I have no doubt in my mind that he would be the next Beck.

3. Death Cab for Cutie - "Your New Twin Sized Bed"
I usually don't pay too much attention to lyrics (I'm kind of a space cadet, so it's hard...), but I try to listen when Ben Gibbard says something. I usually find it alluring and heartbreaking all at once. This track from "Narrow Stairs" -- a terrific album, I must add -- is no exception.

4. N*E*R*D - " Sooner or Later"
While Spymob hasn't been doing a lot lately, I'm glad to hear two of its members are still connected to the Neptunes' N*E*R*D machine. This is a brilliant example of how well they work together.

5. Perfect - "Catch 'em Where They Land"
Consider me a horrible Tommy Stinson fan: I had no idea this was his group when I made this (awesome) mix tape! I recently found this track '98 Sam Goody compilation called "The Unvailed Alternative Collection" and just thought it was a great song. I saw one of the songwriters last names was Stinson, but I thought, No way, I would have had to hear about this guys before ... right? Wrong. I tried searching low and high for the album was credited to, "The Making of an ...," but, alas, I finally found this listing on Amazon under the name "Once, Twice, Three Times a Maybe": "After legendary critics favorites the Replacements called it quits in the early '90s, founding ‘Mats member and bassist Tommy Stinson formed a new rock band in 1995 – Perfect. Their album, a near- (dare we say?) perfect mix of driving rock, sophisticated pop and smartass lyrics recalls the Replacements at the height of their rocking irreverence and should’ve been an instant classic. Unfortunately, record company politics intervened and the album was never released – until now!" Hail!

6. Radiohead - "Permanent Daylight" [Live from Dublin, Summer 2000]
I found this gem -- the original can only be found on the "My Iron Lung" EP (I believe) -- on a CD at the Park Point Rummage Sale for 50 cents. Again ... hail!

7. The Clash - "Complete Control"
I'll admit it; I'm a sucker for the "Guitar Hero" games. I mean, how sad is it that I was at Wal-Mart's midnight sale for the Aerosmith edition this past Saturday? Wait, wait ... don't answer that.

8. The Misfits - "Attitude"
Always a big Danzig fan, but never really got into the Misfits. I now think I may have been missing something.

9. Soundgarden - "4th of July"
This is so dark, so very, very dark. (Anyone for doomsday?)

10. The Oranges Band - "Ride the Nuclear Wave"
This song is so good, it's getting the ultimate seal of approval: When I die, I want this on my final mix tape -- you know, the one played at your "celebration of his/her life" party. (Used loosely, of course.)

11. Alex Ballard and Sugarfoot - "Talk of the Town" [Pretenders cover]
From the intriguing "Gag Me with a Spoon" compilation put out by Milwaukee's Don't Records -- of which other highlights will surely grace this mix tape series in the near future.

12. Bob Dylan - "Jokerman"
Probably not a track for casual Bobby "Die-lan" fans, but this one has really grown on me. A really good fit for those hot summer days.

13. Doomtree - "Slow Burn"
I've been listening to a lot of Wings recently (again, blame it on the Park Point Rummage Sale), so this McCartney-copping hip-hop anthem has been in heavy rotation in the Perrine household of late.

14. Girl Talk - "Still Here"
And the fact that this track lifts from Procol Harum's "A Whiter Shade of Pale" -- "The Big Chill" soundtrack was basically a second language for me, son of my mother -- is enough to forgive its horrendous segue from Blackstreet's "No Diggity" to a sped-up version of the Band's "The Weight." (Oh, and the Ace of Base sample? Priceless.)

15. Aerosmith - "Spaced"
In addition to the aforementioned "Guitar Hero: Aerosmith" fetish, the wife and I have also been addicted to "Freaks and Geeks" of late -- for whatever reason, I can envision this track working on any given episode of that timeless, misunderstood/ill-fated show.

16. Sloan - "Living the Dream"
After the monumental "Never Hear the End of It," the release of "Parallel Play" was somewhat anticlimactic, but, on the other hand, it's quickly growing on me.

17. Drill Team - "Hold You Down"
For fans of *drumroll please* ... Sloan! (It's OK, I'll pat myself on the back for the killer sequencing job....)

18. The Engagement - "Behind"
Kind of a generic angsty punk sound, but there's a lot of melody here ... even if the leader singer sounds like he escaped from Diffuser.

19. 12 Rods - "Red"
I have to say, of all the bands in my record collection, 12 Rods is definitely one of the most uneven enjoyability-wise. BUT, when they're on, they're on. This track originally appeared on 1996's "Gay?" EP, which, if Wikipedia is to be trusted, received a "very rare" 10/10 rating from Pitchfork Media upon its release.

20. Sybris - "Oh Man!"
Someone's been listening to a little too much Sonic Youth -- "A Thousand Leaves"-era in particular -- but can you really blame Sybris? I saw the mighty SY live in support of that album, and it was a transcendental experience. (By the way: There's also a strong showing of Karen O influence here, so keep that in mind if you download this track -- I'm not totally full of it.)

21. Haley Bonar - "Something Great"
I hate to promote, like, all the time, but *ahem* from my review of "Big Star: "I can’t imagine what her parents must’ve thought at the time, but I’m sure glad Haley Bonar decided to drop out of the University of Minnesota Duluth to pursue her music career." (Read more here.)

22. Eels - "Things the Grandchildren Should Know" (listen here)
This is a little unprecedented -- especially considering what I admitted about lyrics earlier -- but this song, a masterpiece of the utmost brilliance, perfectly describes, in every way, how I feel about everything. So, with respect to songwriter Mark Oliver Everett and his upcoming book (that just happens to share its title with this song's), the lyrics to the most (personally) profound song I've ever come across:

i go to bed real early
everybody thinks it's strange
i get up early in the morning
no matter how disappointed i was
with the day before
it feels new

i don't leave the house much
i don't like being around people
makes me nervous and weird
i don't like going to shows either
it's better for me to stay home
some might think it means i hate people
but that's not quite right

i do some stupid things
but my heart's in the right place
and this i know

i got a dog
i take him for a walk
and all the people like to say hello
i'm used to staring down at the sidewalk cracks
i'm learning how to say hello
without too much trouble

i'm turning out just like my father
though i swore i never would
now i can say that i have love for him
i never really understood
what it must have been like for him
living inside his head
i feel like he's here with me now
even though he's dead

it's not all good and it's not all bad
don't believe everything you read
i'm the only one who knows what it's like
so i thought i'd better tell you
before i leave

so in the end i'd like to say
that i'm a very thankful man
i tried to make the most of my situations
and enjoy what i had
i knew true love and i knew passion
and the difference between the two
and i had some regrets
but if i had to do it all again
well, it's something i'd like to do


Thus concludes your twelfth dose of SHAKE*YOUR*SHORES.