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Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Videos / News Video: 8Ball & MJG's "DJ Bring It Back"
Posted By Mike McCray on Wed, Mar 31, 2010 at 2:47 PM
It's always good to hear from highly under appreciated Southern duo, 8Ball & MJG, and about a minute into their video for "DJ Bring It Back" I decided I had to hear this one in the vicinity of "shoe models" (those are strippers for the uninformed).
Not only did they get the man who invented scratching records, Grandmaster Flash, in the video but also cameos from Killer Mike, Young Buck, Jazze Pha and Nitty (who produced the track). Oh yeah, Young Dro spits his Polo-loving verse from horseback!
The bass vibrating my crappy Macbook speakers almost made me have a flashback to the days when I was white tee and Atlanta Braves fitted up. Yes, we all would've been cool not having to watch MJG simulate a shit (of which he wiped his ass with money), but this combination of bounce, cool whips, thick and oh so flexible chicks made me long for BET Uncut.
Some scenes are corny and poorly shot but it's a stereotypical rap video in every sense and it's dedicated to Jam Master Jay — I love it! Who's coming to Onyx Charlotte with me?
Concert Announcement / News Concert announcement: John Mayer
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Wed, Mar 31, 2010 at 2:40 PM
John Mayer's Battle Studies World Tour will kick off in Charlotte on July 16 with Train opening at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre. Other dates on the tour will be opened by Owl City or The Avett Brothers.
News / Concert Announcement Avett Brothers join John Mayer tour
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Wed, Mar 31, 2010 at 11:13 AM
Congrats to the Avett Brothers who just announced they'll be joining John Mayer on four dates of his current Battle Studies tour:
Jul 31 Bristow, Va.
Jiffy Lube Live
Aug 13 Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
Blossom Music Center
Aug 14 Tinley Park, Ill.
First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
Aug 15 Noblesville, Ind.
Verizon Wireless Music Center
Videos / News Janelle Monae releases new video
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Wed, Mar 31, 2010 at 11:08 AM
Janelle Monae's new album, The Archandroid, doesn't hit stores until May 18, but her first single is out now. She has released the video for "Tightrope" and it's a pretty solid representation of her live show's energy... Check it out:
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Concert Announcement / News Concert announcement: Levon Helm Band
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Tue, Mar 30, 2010 at 4:58 PM
Levon Helm Band is coming to the Knight Theatre on May 7. Tickets go on sale on April 2 at 10 a.m.
Jeff Hahne / News When do bands do laundry?
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Tue, Mar 30, 2010 at 2:32 PM
It's funny, the other day I was having a conversation/debate that dove into the depths of wondering where bands do laundry when they're out on tour.
Think about it — band A goes from gig to gig, usually traveling all day and performing at night. So, when do they find time to do laundry?
There are a few ideas:
A) at the hotel before/after the gig.
B) they don't... and they stink.
C) bring enough clothes for a couple weeks, recycle them until the tour is over or go home every couple of weeks to do laundry.
D) big bands have tour people to do it for them.
E) some other answer...
During a recent interview with Rachel Sage, I figured I'd ask... Her answer: "They do have laundry facilities at most hotels, believe it or not... I tend to bring a lot and all of my clothes are quite diaphanous. So, I can fit two weeks worth of wardrobe in one mid-sized suitcase. It's a feat. I should chronicle this on a flip-cam. There are probably three people who'd really like to know... It is funny. When we have an off evening or off afternoon, there are three of us or so that say we need to do laundry. We should be out exploring a new place or city and instead we're in the laundry room."
For more from Rachel Sage in regards to her upcoming show at The Evening Muse on April 8, pick up next week's edition of Creative Loafing.
Opinion / Mike McCray / News A lifetime of loathing shitty R&B singers
Posted By Mike McCray on Tue, Mar 30, 2010 at 2:13 PM
Few things conjure up my inner hater like the would-be, local R&B singer.
Not their music per se. No qualms with that, but I loathe their tactics and the absolute power they are able to derive from their voices alone. Trust, the jealousy emitting from my booming baritone is palpable.
As far back as elementary school, I can remember the kid who could sing being such a big deal.
Whether he was belting out the National Anthem before a Hornets game at Charlotte Coliseum or a rendition of Whitney Houston's “Greatest Love of All" at D.A.R.E. graduation. He had all the girlies. It continued into middle school where talent shows and field trips were a chance for them to channel their inner Bobby Brown. A pelvic thrust might as well have been sex to a 6th grader back then.
New Releases / News This week's new releases (3/30/2010)
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Tue, Mar 30, 2010 at 2:01 PM
Here's a quick rundown of some of the new albums out today:
Erykah Badu New Amerykah Part Two: Return of the Ankh
Barenaked Ladies All in Good Time
Alan Jackson Freight Train
Paper Tongues Paper Tongues
Usher Raymond vs. Raymond
Warped Tour Warped 15th Anniversary
Gretchen Wilson I Got Your Country Right Here
News / Jeff Hahne Alive After Five has you 'covered'
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Tue, Mar 30, 2010 at 10:46 AM
Once again, the brainchild behind Alive After Five has gone with a plethora of cover bands — one every week — instead of trying to give local bands a chance. Fantastic. Some people in the past said — "no one pays attention to the music, they're just out there to socialize," which is even more of a reason to give locals a chance. Have a local open up for a craptacular cover band, at least. Nope, not even one local. All cover bands, all the time.
Then again, why support your local music scene? Whisky River is trying... and I give them credit (Evelynn Rose is there on April 15), but events like this aren't going to help the reputation of the area.
And, while the event is free each week, you know the bands are getting paid some money. I bet local bands would get paid less, help save the event some money and get some exposure to large crowds in the process.... It's just sad. I will say they did hire one local — Skate Rink Jukebox — and one regional original ban
This year, the event will be held at Wachovia Center for the first month and then move to the Epicentre. The schedule follows...
