Gonzo on the Air, 11/28

Foo Fighters-This is a Call
Ra Ra Riot-Too Dramatic
Spoon-Is Love Forever?
Band of Horses-Compliments
Fleetwood Mac-Secondhand News
Warren Zevon-Excitable Boy
Violent Femmes-American Music
Spinal Tap-Big Bottom (REQUEST)
The Replacements-Lay it Down Clown (REQUEST)
Delorean-Endless Sunset
Phantogram-Bloody Palms
Twin Sister-Lady Daydream
Mynabirds-Numbers Don't Lie
Beach Boys-That's Not Me
Erin McKeown-Slung-Lo
Miike Snow-Animal
LCD Soundsystem-I Can Change
+/- - Queen of Detroit
Flaming Lips-Race for the Prize
Yeasayer-Love Me Girl
New Young Pony Club-We Want To
My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult-Hit n Run Holiday
Budos Band-Rite of the Ancients
La Roux-Quicksand
The Roots (feat Monsters of Folk)-Dear God
oOoOO-EGYPTYNLVR
Brian Eno-2 Forms of Anger
The Books-The Story of Hip Hop
Portishead-Only You

Happy T-Day

Ow!

Gonzo on the air, 11/21

I was a little limited this week, as the computer was temporary off limits. Alas.

--
The Pixies-Hey
We Are Scientists-Nobody Move Nobody Get Hurt
The Killers-Mr. Brightside
Black Keys-Tighten Up
Dead Weather-Die by the Drop
New York Dolls-Chatterbox (live)
Sleigh Bells-Infinity Guitars
Fugazi-Waiting Room
Jucifer-Superman
REM-Bang and Blame
Patti Smith-Because the Night
The Cure-Just Like Heaven
Belle & Sebastian-I Want the World to Stop
Sweet-Man from Mecca
Wolf Parade-Cloud Shadow on the Mountain
Barry and the Remains-Why Do I Cry
The Searchers-Needles and Pins
Frank Zappa-Joe's Garage
Aloe Blacc-I Need a Dollar
Cee-Lo-Cry Baby
The Miracles-Going to a Go-Go
Jr. Walker and the All-Stars-Road Runner
Robert Palmer-I Didn't Mean to Turn You On
Dam-Funk-Mirrors
The Whispers-Rock Steady
Stevie Wonder-Part-Time Lover (12" mix)
Erykah Badu- Agitation/Turn Me Away (Get Munny)
Luther Ingram-If Loving You is Wrong, I Don't Want to Be Right

Twin Sister: "All Around and Away We Go"

New video for my favorite cut from one of my top picks of 2010.

Gonzo goes to Amoeba Music

I've just returned from a trip to San Francisco. While my primary purpose in visiting was a conference and catching up with old friends, I was also stoked to visit the legendary Amoeba Music.


This is actually one of three stores Amoeba has in California, the others being in Berkeley (the original) and Hollywood. Amoeba consistently ranks in those "Best Records Stores" lists, and I've heard years of personal testimony. I never doubted, but now I can confirm that Amoeba Music is a) worthy of such praise b) really fucking big and c) totally overwhelming.

(Note: this image does not include the video department, the 45s, or the new releases).

Prior to entering, a long-time friend, music geek and current SF resident said "it's better if you have a list. Otherwise you'll get overwhelmed pretty easily." I did not have a list, and yes, I was overwhelmed. I would browse for a bit in one section, then think of something to look for somewhere else, rinse, wash repeat.

The prices seemed fair, but not incredible deals nor overpriced (I admit, my price-gauge on vinyl has been immensely spoiled by Jerry's Records in Pittsburgh). I did find some gems, however. It's rare anymore that I come across Prince 12 inches that I either don't have or are out of my price range (limited promos and such). But I filled two gaps there ("Diamonds and Pearls" and "Black Sweat"), as well as a remix 12" for MJ's "You Rock My World" - featuring Jay-Z! Didn't even know that existed. I also found a bunch of nuggets in the clearance bins, which are easy to miss. Mostly funk and r&b stuff (filling many Earth Wind and Fire gaps). The coolest thing that I found was a recent release of an old New York Dolls show:


The label touted it as the best-available recording from the era, plus you got a cd copy with the 180-gram vinyl. Count me in! I listened to the cd on the way home from the airport, and it is pretty great (though Johannsen's vocals are mixed a little low). It's not exactly a bootleg release, but from what I can gather it's a Russian company putting out some excellent reissues and previously unreleased gems from all over the musical map - the Dolls, the Cure, the Who, Stevie, Can, Bob Marley and many more. Something to keep an eye on.

Fortunately, my friend found me amidst the bulging aisles and gestured that we should leave. "I've found it unwise and financially unsound to spend more than an hour in here." Which is probably good reasoning (I did leave my place in line to check for one more thing).

Anyhow, if you're ever in Cali, Amoeba is a must. I can't imagine that being my local record store, though. Living in California is expensive enough as it is!

An old favorite

(head asplodes)

Gonzo on the air, 11-7

Thee Almighty Handclaps-Full Time
Gore Gore Girls-Fight Fire
The Drums-Me and the Moon
Surfer Blood-Anchorage
No Age-Glitter
Adam Ant-Goody Two-Show (REQUEST)
XTC-Generals and Majors
MGMT-Brian Eno
Love is All-Early Warnings
Hot Hot Heat-Le Le Le Low
The Blue Up?-Going all the Way
Twin Shadow-Tyrant Destroyed
Grinderman-Palaces of Montezuma
The Replacements-Skyway (REQUEST)
Big Star-Kizza Me
The Sugarcubes-Chihuahua
Iknoika-Millie
Brian Eno-Horse
Crystal Castles-Pap Smear
Rainbow Arabia-I Know, I See, I Love, I Go
Ratatat-Bare Feast
Film School-Heartful of Pentagons (Alan Wilkis remix)
Robyn-Criminal Intent
La Roux-Quicksand
AnaRobik-Communicate
Chromeo-Night by Night
The Time-Wild and Loose
Parliament-Fantasy is Reality

Gonzo on the air, 10-31

Misfits-Halloween
Misfits-Hallween II
The Ramones-Pet Cemetery (live)
Siouxsie and the Banshees-Halloween
Ministry-Every Day is Halloween
David Bowie-Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)
New York Dolls-Frankenstein
Rolling Stones-Dancing with Mr. D
Alice Cooper-Welcome to My Nightmare
The Sonics-The Witch
Gore Gore Girls-Where Evil Grows
Screamin' Jay Hawkins-I Put a Spell on You
Classics IV-Spooky
The Lollipop Shoppe-You Must Be a Witch
Fantomas-Rosemary's Baby
Zombi-Sequence I
White Ring-lxC999
DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince-Nightmare on My Street
Whodini-Freaks Come Out at Night
Fat Boys-Are You Ready for Freddy?
Yvonne Gage-Doin' it in a Haunted House
Rockwell-Somebody's Watching Me
Outkast-Dracula's Wedding
The Jacksons-This Place Hotel (live)
Michael Jackson-Off the Wall
Michael Jackson-Thriller