Fresh Bread

Top Commercial Parodies Of All Time

Via American Copywriter via Nerve.  Pretty hilarious.  Watch the Top 10 here or all 50 here.

This would have been my number 1:

 

Blue Jays v White Sox, Rogers Centre (Toronto) - 05.04.2008

The wifey and I were in The Great White North, Canada, this past weekend.  On Sunday, she got her hair done and I went off to the old Sky Dome to take in the Blue Jays / White Sox game.  The seats were pretty awesome.  The game was great too:

read the game recap here.

Will IT Happen Tomorrow Night At the Jammys?

(Photo by Danny Clinch)

...and everything I do to get the title, but when they use it on me I reject it. ("Halley's Comet")

For those of you that care, Phish will receive a lifetime achievement tomorrow night at The 2008 Jammy Awards.  As you may or may not recall, they disbanded back in 2004.  I was supposed to be at Coventry, the last Phish show. but due to severe rain (and the car I was in not being mine) we did not walk in once the announcement that no more cars would be allowed in the camping area came over radio at 7 am on the day of the show.

The big question for tomorrow night at The Theater at MSG:  will the band reunite and perform (like Buddy Guy performing in 2006 when he received his Lifetime award).  Gut says......wait for it....yes. 

By Pitchfork Standards, I'd Be In "Best New Music" Section

8.7....not too shabby.  They'd (blogged.com) say it is "Great." 

Pacifika - S.O.B.'s 05.05.2008

Yesterday I saw a band that, coincidentally, was both perfect music for Cinqo de Mayo and a band I get to work with....AND they just happen to be really talented.  Pacifika is out to chill your mind and vibe your body with its accessible latin jazz fusion pop. 

The description on the band's myspace is pretty accurate:

...the Vancouver based trio is making a new kind of global pop, music that nods to its diverse international influences, while forging its own unique voice. Jazz infused and Latin tinged, marked by gently flowing melodies, deep grooves, waves of cracking percussion and the occasional burst of exhilarating guitar noise, Pacifika’s comfortable, complex sound defies categories, creating soothing soundscapes held together by (lead singer Silvana) Kane’s smooth, intimate vocals.

They released their debut album, Asuncíon (Six Degrees Records), earlier last month.  Most of the set consisted of the album's ten tracks with a couple songs I didn't recognize thrown in.   

Read a good review of Asuncíon by the Wall Street Journal here.

I definitely suggest watching the video for "Me Cai":

 

Rosey - Rockwood Music Hall 04.29.08

Rosey - Rockwood Music Hall 04.29.08

New Coldplay Song Is....

....is a lot different than what I thought it would be.  Good.  Not "blown-away" good, but good.  I'd almost say solid.  Definitely a departure from their previous sound - more aggressive, rocky, with "Petty-esque" riffs throughout.  The piano outtro is classic Coldplay though. 

Check for yourself:

Coldplay - "Violet Hill".mp3

Photos Of The Day - Bansai Fisherman

Fiery Furnaces w/ Kyle Hollingsworth - Southpaw 04.26.08

It all sounded the same during an early Fiery Furnaces show at Southpaw, but I can’t say it wasn’t intended to, and not that any of it wasn’t good. Two sets of keyboards laid the foundation for the jams, and Eleanor Friedberger sang coolly with radiant eyes, whether the topic was a lost dog, husbands, or sons of bitches. Stories after stories her voice never faltered, while the cut of her face to the jerks of her movement all matched the aesthetic of the music. She cannot not be the face of the sound, an incarnation of a summer at least four decades old. Her brother Matthew warmed the stage with grinding keys, goofy smiles, forgotten lyrics and an ocassional cheer for Kyle Hollingsworth from String Cheese Incident who took on the second set of keys. While he and the drummer took a beer break backstage, Eleanor played drums while Mathew sang with missing lyrics. (Brooklyn Heathen)

This was my first Fiery Furnaces show.  As you probably could have guessed when I bought the ticket for the show, I was there to see and support Kyle Hollingsworth.  Nice to see him jump into the indie scene in such an exploratory way.  The vibe was crazy, herky-jerky, willie-nillie, and a little okalee-dokalee.  Not sure I'd see them again without KH though.

If I Were In Chicago On May 1, I Would DEFINITELY Go See This

"JUSTICE TOUR" Special guests: Ben Harper, Sen Dog of Cypress Hill, Shooter Jennings, Perry Farrell, Boots Riley of the Coup, Ike Reilly and more to join Morello's alter ego, The Nightwatchman & the Freedom Fighter Orchestra!!!

Morello will partner with Service Employees International Union for April 30 Walk a Day in Our Shoes event and May Day rally in Grant Park May 1 (Nightwatchmanmusic.com)

Looks pretty sick.  Ben Harper is playing as a special 3-piece with Innocent Criminals Juan Nelson on bass and Oliver Charles on drums.  Tickets are still available...only $10!

Megadeth - Hammerstein Ballroom 04.22.08

(cred and more pix)

When a friend offered me a free Megadeth ticket for their first of two nights at the Hammerstein Ballroom as headliners on the Gigantour, I didn't have to think long before accepting.  I had wanted to catch Dave Mustane and company for a long time.  Also, one of my three older brothers is a HUGE metal head and would probably kick my ass had I turned it down.  It was....everything I thought it would be.  Big, loud, and a spectacle for the eyes - we were in the Mezz and able to see the massive mosh pits going on the entire hour and half set.  Maybe it was the buttload of Guitar Hero 2 I played but my favorite Megadeth classic from the show was "Hangar 18."

Music In Ads - Saxon Shore In New Sony Spots

2007 was the year of "iconic" catalogs for my company, Primary Wave.  Kurt Cobain, Steve Earle, Hall & Oates (yes, they are iconic; I'm more of an Oatesy fan though).  2008 is shaping up to be a year where our new artists stand up and demand to be noticed...starting with a new spot featuring our Explosions in the Sky-like band (instrumental rock), Saxon Shore.

Based out of Philly, SS is the brain child of lead songwriter, Matt Doty.  Quiet and confident, Doty has a penchant for writing both big and small, bold and subtle, anthemic and sparse instrumental rock songs.  One track has stood out to me since we signed them earlier this year - "Marked With The Knowledge" (from 2005's Exquisite Death of Saxon Shore).  It's a bouncy and bright jam with an instantly likable melody.  I'm not the only one who likes it either.  180/LA liked it so much they decided to use it in their latest creative for Sony - the "Tumble" campaign. 

Sony Electronics today launched an integrated marketing campaign in the U.S. where its new Alpha digital SLR cameras, Handycam(R) camcorders and Cyber-shot(R) point-and-shoot cameras literally “tumble” from a mountaintop. (PR Newswire)

Peep the ad here.

Check out the full version of the song:

Saxon Shore - "Marked With The Knowledge".mp3

The band is currently working on a new album which will hopefully drop this year.  You can listen to a demo on their myspace.

Haley Bonar Announces New Album, Big Star, Out June 12th

Fresh Bread has been my outlet numerous times to state how much I dig Manitoban Haley Bonar.  Her voice is very distinct - gorgeous.  Her lyrics are just as unique - very deep (peep "Car Wreck" or "Us").  I loved her last album Lure the Fox and now am very excited to hear about her new album Big Star - out June 12 on Afternoon Records.

You can stream a few of the tracks on her homepage  and myspace.  Hopefully she'll come through the city on tour this summer.

"Us" - Haley Bonar.mp3

Virginia Tech Tragedy, One Year Ago Today

I posted the below one year ago today and post again in memory to the victims, their families, and fellow Hokies affected by the tragedy.

I live in NYC but my heart is always in my home state of Virginia.  I am deeply saddened and shocked by the events today at my alma mater Virginia Tech. My heart goes out to the families and friends of the victims as well as the entire VT family and community.

Fiery Furnaces Get Cheesy On Upcoming Mini-Tour

Via Hidden Track, confirmed by Pitchfork, Fiery Furnaces are about to head out for six shows with Kyle Hollingsworth.  You say "who," I say sweeeeeet.  Kyle played keys for Colorado band, String Cheese Incident (who I saw a handful of times including two nights at Radio City in 2002).  SCI disbanded not too long ago - nice to see Kyle move into the indie scene - this particular collaboration could be quite interesting. 

4/18 Wooster, OH - Lowery Center Patio @ College Of Wooster   
4/19 Chicago, IL - Lakeshore Theater   
4/20 Ann Arbor, MI - Blind Pig   
4/23 Cleveland, OH - The Spot @ Case Western University – Students Only
4/25 Boston, MA Cafe - 939 @ Berklee College of Music 
4/26 Brooklyn, NY - Southpaw

Tickets are still available (here) for the Brooklyn show.