Smoking Popes Concert Review

Tuesday, July 26, the Conservatory was graced by the presence of Chicago's Smoking Popes. The Popes are currently on a short break from their tour with Alkaline Trio and on their way back home to Chicago to meet up with the Trio again.

This show was absolutely outstanding and I can say without a doubt in my mind that this is the best concert I have ever been to.

You see, I have been listening to the Popes for a long time. A really long time. I was in Chicago in the summer of 1993 when their debut album Get Fired was released. I was browsing around in the Wax Trax Records store there in Chicago and came across the CD in the local bands bin. I have to admit that I bought it primarily because I thought the name was cool but ever since my first listen of that CD I have been hooked.

This was the first time since I started listening to the Popes that I have been able to see them in concert and I am really glad that I was able to get off work to go check this show out because I was certainly not disappointed (aside from the low turn out that is).

Local band They Stay Dead opened up the night for us, playing a pretty healthy opening set of great songs that I'm sure we will all look forward to seeing on an upcoming intended full length album that they will recording soon. In fact, a little bird told me that they might be recording this album up in Tulsa with Stephen Egerton at his studio. That would be really awesome.

The next opening band was another local band called Fellowship Students. I'm not really going to say much about them. They are a little bit too experimental for my tastes. The crowd was into them though so I'll give them that.

Then, the Popes finally took the stage. They were amazing. They were energetic and the song selection of their set list was just about perfect. I was told by another little bird that this set list is different from the set they play on the tour with the Trio because they were able to play a little bit longer here than on the tour.

They opened up with the 1st 2 songs from Destination Failure and then blasted into the 1st track from the new one This Is Only a Test. The show was a pretty good mixture of old and new songs and the crowd was into each and every one of the tunes they played. One of the highlights of the set was when the everyone from the band except Josh left the stage and Josh led the crowd in a low-key sing-a-long of the song "Pretty Pathetic" which is obviously a fan favorite (I have to admit that it is one of my favorites as well).

I wish there would have been more people at this show simply for the fact that I really wish more people could have experienced it for themselves. I can think of one person in particular that I really wish had been there. They know who they are, I don't have to mention their name.

The music aside, the guys in the band are really some of the nicest guys you will ever meet. I got a chance to talk to them a little bit before the show at the record store next door and they are all really cool. I also got a chance to talk to them more in depth after the show. They were around for quite a while after the show to hang around and talk to people.

Quite frankly, all around, this show was a great experience for everyone that was there.

Here is a list of the songs that they played.

Star Struck One (from 1997's Destination Failure)**
No More Smiles (from 1997's Destination Failure)**
Wish We Were (from 2011s This Is Only A Test)**
Rubella (from 1994s Born to Quit)**
Can't Find It (from 1997's Destination Failure)
Paul (from 1997's Destination Failure)
How Dangerous (from 2011s This is Only A Test)
Gotta Know Right Now (from 1994s Born to Quit)**
Let's Hear It For Love (from 1993's Born to Quit, also re-released on 1997s Destination Failure)
Writing a Letter (from the 1993 EP 2, also released on the 2010 compilation album It's Been a Long Day)
Double Fisted Love (from 1993s Get Fired)
Punk Band (from 2011s This is Only A Test)**
Megan (from 1997's Destination Failure)
First Time (from 2006s Stay Down)
Need You Around (from 1994s Born to Quit)**
Pretty Pathetic (from 1997's Destination Failure)**
Brand New Hairstyle (from the 1991 EP Inoculator)**
I Know You Love Me (from 1997's Destination Failure)

** These songs were listed as songs on my dream set list a little while back.

Otisburg - Typical Love Story

This is a song that was written about the same time as when Otisburg wrote the Born Yesterday tracks but it was never released.

Today, it was released online at Otisburg's My Space site.

Enjoy!!!!........................(or don't).

Find more Otisburg songs at Myspace Music

Otisburg - Doughnut Riot

Here is the 4th and final track from the Otisburg Born Yesterday EP.

Find more Otisburg songs at Myspace Music

Otisburg - Hey Jennifer

Here is the 3rd track from Otisburg's Born Yesterday EP.

Find more Otisburg songs at Myspace Music

Otisburg - Punkrocksong.com

Here is the 2nd track from Otisburg's Born Yesterday, "Punkrocksong.com"

Find more Otisburg songs at Myspace Music

Otisburg - Goodbye California

Here is the first track from Otisburg's Born Yesterday, "Goodbye California."

Find more artists like Otisburg at Myspace Music

Lefty's CD Review: Born to Quit

Last month, Dave (aka Lefty) reviewed the Smoking Pope's album Born to Quit.

Here is an excerpt:

"Born to Quit, released in 1995, was the Smoking Popes second album and first for major label Capital Records.......The album itself is a mixture of pop punk and power pop with Sinatra-meets-Morrissey lounge-esque vocals...."

Here is the link to the full review at Oklahoma Lefty.

Lefty Reviews Born Yesterday

Dave, aka Lefty, wrote a review yesterday of Otisburg's Born Yesterday EP.

Here's a link to it:

Oklahoma Lefty's EP Spotlight: Born Yesterday

Currently Watching: Jericho

I started watching this TV series about a week or so ago. I first heard about the show at a meeting of the Eastern Oklahoma County Libertarians. My wife found it on Netflix so we both have been watching it almost nonstop.

It was originally broadcast by CBS from September 2006 to March 2008.

Interesting thing about this show is that after the first season, the network cancelled it. However, because its large fan base basically protested the network, it was given a 2nd season (although the 2nd season only last 7 episodes).

A 3rd "season" has been made, although it is not on television. The 3rd season is a 6-part comic book series. There are also talks about a movie being made.

Anyway, the first season is about the residents of a small town in western Kansas (the town is called Jericho) as they deal with the life after the United States is torn apart by multiple nuclear attacks that destroyed almost all of the major cities in the country.

The 2nd season (which I have not completed watching about) so far is about how the resident of Jericho deal with the new "legitimate" government of the United States, the Allied States of America.

It's a pretty good show. I'd recommend checking it out.

You can read about the show here on Wikipedia.

Top 6 of 7

I haven't done one of these lists since back in January 2009 when I did the Top 6 of 6.

So these are my 6 favorites in 7 different categories (in no particular order, just as they come to me):

BANDS (w/links to their official websites)

Descendents

Smoking Popes

Face to Face

Alkaline Trio

U2

Emery

MOVIES (w/Wikipedia article links)

Batman Begins

High Fidelity

Book of Eli

Boondock Saints

The Dark Knight

Mother Night

BOOKS (w/Amazon links)

Jesus Wants to Save Christians by Rob Bell

The Barbarian Way by Erwin McManus

Mother Night by Kurt Vonnegut

Batman Year One by Frank Miller

Animal Farm by George Orwell

This Present Darkness by Frank Peretti

ALBUMS (w/Wikipedia article links)

Everything Sucks by Descendents

I'm Only a Man by Emery

The Joshua Tree by U2

Crimson by Alkaline Trio

This Is Only A Test by Smoking Popes

Born Yesterday by Otisburg (no Wiki article on this one, just a link to the band's MySpace site)

WRITERS (w/Wikipedia article links)

Kurt Vonnegut

Rob Bell

Frank Miller

Geoff Johns

Jeph Loeb

Frank Peretti

TV SHOWS (w/Wikipedia article links)

Big Bang Theory

Smallville

Firefly

Jericho

Dollhouse

Heroes

WEBSITES

The Otter Limits

Oklahoma Lefty

WikiPedia

Internet Movie Database

Superhero Hype

Facebook

Smoking Popes: Dream Set List

As I have mentioned several times in the past few days, the Chicago band, Smoking Popes are gracing Oklahoma City with their presence at the Conservatory on Tuesday, June 26.

This is my "dream" set list of their show. I know a couple of these won't get played because in my interview with Josh earlier this week, he stated that the Pope's don't do Duvall songs. But one can dream, can't he?

Brand New Hairstyle (from 1991s Inoculator)
Let's Hear It For Love (from 1993s Get Fired)
Let Them Die (from 1993s Get Fired)
Not That Kind of Girlfriend (from 1993s Get Fired)
Rubella (from 1994s Born to Quit)
Need You Around (from 1994s Born to Quit)
Star Struck One/No More Smiles (from 1997s Destination Failure)
Before I'm Gone (from 1997s Destination Failure)
Pretty Pathetic (from 1997s Destination Failure)
Seven Lonely Days (from 2001s The Party's Over)
The Moon Looks Like a Tomato (from 2001s Standing At the Door)
Racine (from 2003s Volume and Density)
Welcome to Janesville (from 2008s Stay Down)
If You Don't Care (from 2008s Stay Down)
Wish You Were (from 2011s Wish We Were)
Punk Band (from 2011s Wish We Were)

CD Review: This Is Only a Test

Not many punk bands would consider releasing concept albums (Green Day's American Idiot and 21st Century Breakdown in fact are the only ones that come to mind) but the band Smoking Popes have figured out a way to make it work. They have used a concept that only Smoking Popes could have pulled off, the story of an American high school teenager and his feelings on the chaos and confusion that is….well…the life of an American high school teenager.

This Is Only a Test, Smoking Pope’s second studio album since reuniting and the follow up to 2008s Stay Down, gets off to a good start with “Wish We Were,” which uses a theme all too familiar to high school teenage boys, unrequited love. It slows down a bit for the piano-introduced number “College” a first-person perspective of a boy that sees no future in becoming a slave to the man. It picks up immediately after with “Punk Band” another first-person perspective song of the boy deciding what he wants to do with his life, namely “living in a van” and “sleeping on the floor.” The rest of the album tells the rest of the story such as the boy trying out for, making, and ultimately regretting, the school football team and his continuing search for love.

Musically, the album, quite simply, sounds like a Smoking Popes album. Much like Stay Down before it, This Is Only a Test picks up where 1997s Destination Failure left off, while still sounding new and fresh at the same time. They even experiment a little bit with the electronically-laced Excuse Me, Coach.

Overall, I really like this album. I think the Pope's have progressed quite nicely over the years. They have taken what they have done really well over the past 20 years, well-crafted, melodic, pop-punk songs and taken them to the next level.

My personal favorites on the album are "Wish We Were" "This Is Only a Test" "College" "Punk Band" "Diary of a Teen Tragedy" and "Letter to Emily."

My Favorite Posts

What I did was look through all of the posts that I have done since Otter Limits started back in 2005 and came up with a list of my favorites.

So here they are and Happy 2000th post Otter Limits!!!


P.O. Box and a Pager (3/23/2005).

One of the first posts that I wrote for The Otter Limits. I just thought this was a pretty cool little autobiographical journal type thing that I'd throw up on here for all to read.

Discography of the Moment: AudioRageGarden (1/17/2007).

This is the first one of these things that I did. To date I have done nearly 200 of these DoTMs but this is the one that started it all.

Brad on the Issues (12/15/06).

Little report I did on the governor (at the time) of Oklahoma and where he stood on certain issues. This is the post that started both the On the Issues and the Sounding Off on...columns.

The Failure of the War on Drugs (6/20/08)

Has just always been one of my favorite things that I have written.

Why Led Zeppelin Sucks (6/13/09).

This was posted initially as a joke (although truthfully, I really don't like Led Zeppelin) this post sparked probably the most commented post on the Otter Limits to date and usually shows up on the stats of one of the posts with the highest all-time hits.

Unbecoming the Elephant (6/27/10).

This was a short essay-type thing that I did on why I left the Republican Party and (if I'm being perfectly honest with myself) the reason why I never should have joined them in the first place.

Oklahoma State Questions in 2010 (7/25/10).

I didn't really think that this post was all that interesting when I wrote. I just thought I'd post some information about the State Questions for my few readers. How strange how something so simple can make such an impact though. To date, this post has the highest hits of any one post here on the Otter Limits. As of the writing of this post, it has been viewed almost 3700 times!

Interview with Josh Caterer

Tuesday, July 26, Smoking Popes will be coming to town! They are playing at The Conservatory. Doors open at 8pm. I definitely plan on being there.

Yesterday, I emailed Josh (Caterer, singer and guitar player for the Popes) and asked if he would be willing to do an interview. I was pretty amazed at the quick affirmative response he gave. I would have figured he would be too busy (since they ARE on tour and everything) to get back to me but not only did he agree very quickly, he always responded to my interview questions pretty quickly. So anyway, here is the interview I did with him:

What made you originally want to play in a band ?

I always loved music. Ever since I was a little kid. We grew up listening to all kinds of stuff...rock, blues, big band, country, then started getting into punk rock and decided that was the way to go.

How did the Smoking Popes get together?

The Popes just kind of happened. My brothers and I had been jamming together since we were kids, so it seemed pretty natural to put a band name on it and start playing out.

From what I understand Smoking Popes were disbanded because of your heavy involvement in Christianity. Are you back together now because you are not involved in that anymore? What made you decide to put Smoking Popes back together?

When I became a Christian in 1998, it was such a huge change for me. Jesus changed my whole life, and it took me some time to adjust. I had to put everything else aside and just focus on my faith for awhile. After a few years, I felt grounded enough in my faith to be able to play rock music again without compromising in any way.

What is it like playing in a band with 2 of your brothers? Any sibling rivalry going on there?

No, we've always been great friends. We get along really well. I think being brothers helps us because we grew up with the same musical tastes and we can communicate really easily when we're arranging music.

What are some of the differences you have noticed between working with Capitol Records as opposed to, say, Asian Man Records?

We love working with Mike Park at Asian Man. He's a great guy. Being on Capitol was an interesting experience, but I think we're more of an indie band. We like being able to do things the way we want without a lot of red tape.

What is the song writing process like? Do you write lyrics first or music first?

I usually write the music and melody first, then I'll work on lyrics. Sometimes the music comes pretty quickly. I can put it together in one sitting. Then I'll spend weeks looking for the right words. It took me three months to write the lyrics to Pretty Pathetic.

Is your other band, Duvall, still technically together and just on hiatus or had it been completely disbanded? Do you play any Duvall songs on tour with Smoking Popes?

Duvall didn't officially disband, it just got eclipsed by the Popes reunion. Duvall did a couple shows last year, and I play Duvall songs when I do solo acoustic shows, but we don't play them at Popes shows. I'm not sure why, it just doesn't seem like the thing to do.

What sort of bands/artists have you been listening to lately?

I've been listening to the Secret Sisters album a lot. I love it. Other than that, I pretty much listen to old stuff. Beatles, Stones, Ramones, stuff like that.

What sort of things do you like to do outside of playing music?

I like to ride around on my motorcycle. I also like to watch movies with my wife. We get old movies from Netflix. I also very much enjoy sleeping.

Smoking Popes: The Videos

This one is from the new album This Is Only a Test.



From Destination Failure





This one is from the album Stay Down. This is probably my favorite song from that album.



This one was originally released on their first full length album, Get Fired. This song is one of my all-time favorite Popes songs.



Another one of my favorites. This one is from the album Born to Quit. It also showed up on a couple of movie soundtrack albums, namely on Clueless.

Ranking the Albums: Smoking Popes

One of my favorite bands, Smoking Popes, will be in town on July 26 at the Conservatory. I'm pretty stoked about being able to see them.

Dave suggested that I do a ranking the albums post on them. I did one of these back in March on the Dropkick Murphys. Like that one, this ranking is based on studio albums only. Not live albums. Not compilation albums. Not splits with other bands. Just studio albums.

So here it is.....

Destination Failure
This album was released in 1997 by Capitol Records.
Singles from the album included "I Know You Love Me" and "Before I'm Gone."
My personal favorites from the album are "No More Smiles" "Before I'm Gone" "Megan" "Pure Imagination" and "Pretty Pathetic."

This Is Only a Test
This is their newest album that was released in March of 2011 by Asian Man Records.
It might be a little strange that such a new album ended up so high on the list but I've it really is a great record and I consider it to be a much better album than its predecessor Stay Down.
Personal favorites on this album are "Wish We Were" "College" "Punk Band" "Diary of a Teen Tragedy" and "Letter to Emily."

Get Fired
This was their first full-length album. It was released in 1993 by Johanns Face Records. It was the first album that I had ever heard by them. I picked it up at the Wax Trax Record store in Chicago.
My personal favorites on Get Fired are "Lets Hear It For Love" "Let Them Die" and "Not That Kind of Girlfriend."

Born to Quit
This one was originally released in 1994 by Johanns Face and then was re-issued by Capitol Records after they signed with them.
Personal favorites are "Rubella" "Need You Around" and "Adena."

Stay Down
Released in 2008, this was the first studio album that was released after they reunited. It was released by Curb Appeals Records.
My favorites on the album are "Welcome to Janesville" "If You Don't Care" and "Stefanie."
To be honest though, I'm really just now trying to absorb the album because when it first came out I was kind of disappointed with it.

The Partys Over
This album was released by Double Zero Records in 2001. It was supposed to be the band's last release for Capitol Records but the lable rejected it and let them out of their contract. This was the last album released before the band broke up.
It is an album of covers by artists such as Willie Nelson, Burt Bacharach and Kris Kristofferson.
I was not really a big fan of this album and I don't have any favorites on the album.

Smoking Popes: DoTM 2

I actually did do one of these back in February 2007 but I was looking at it tonight and saw how lame it was so I figured it could use an upgrade.

Inoculator
Released in April 1991 by Radius Records.
Band lineup:
Josh Caterer - guitar, vocals; Matt Caterer - bass; Dave Martens-drums
Tracks: 5
"Brand New Hairstyle" "Missing Out" "No Time For Your Lies" "Sandra" "Theme From Cheerleader"

Break Up
Released independently in 1992.
Produced by Phil Bonnet.
Lineup changes:
Dave Martens was replaced by Mike Felumlee.
Tracks: 4
"Waiting Around" "Down the Street" "Never Coming Back" "Breaking"

2
Released independently in 1994.
Produced by Phil Bonnet.
Lineup changes:
Eli Caterer joined as a 2nd guitarist.
Tracks: 4
"Writing a Letter" "Stars" Under the Blanket" "First Time"

Get Fired
Released in 1993 by Johann's Face.
Produced by Mass Giorgini.
No lineup changes.
Tracks: 9
"Lets Hear It For Love" "That's Where I Come In" "Let Them Die" "Double Fisted Love" "Don't Be Afraid" "Can't Find It" "Off My Mind" "Not That Kind of Girlfriend"
"Days Just Wave Goodbye"

Born to Quit
Released in 1994 by Johanna Face; re-released in July 1995 by Capitol Records.
Produced by Phil Bonnet.
No lineup changes.
Tracks: 10
"Midnight Moon" "Rubella" "Gotta Know Right Now" "Mrs You and Me" "Just Broke Up" "My Lucky Day" "Need You Around" "Can't Help the Teardrops" "Adena" "On the Shoulder"
The song "Need You Around" also appears on the Clueless soundtrack.
The song "Lucky Day" also appears on the Tommy Boy soundtrack.

Destination Failure
Released in August 1997 by Capitol.
Produced by Jerry Finn.
No lineup changes.
Tracks: 16
"Star Struck One" "No More Smiles" "I Know You Love Me" "You Spoke To Me" "Paul" "Can't Find It" "Capital Cristine" "Before I'm Gone" "Megan" "Let's Hear It For Love" "Pure Imagination" "I Was Right" "They Lied" "End of Your Time" "Pretty Pathetic" "Follow the Sound"

Smoking Popes Live
Released in March 2000 by Double Zero Records.
No lineup changes.
Tracks: 22

The Party's Over
Covers album released in September 2001 by Double Zero Records.
Produced by Phil Bonnet.
No lineup changes.
Tracks: 10
"Seven Lonely Days" "Valentine" "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered" "The Party's Over" "Farther Along" "Zing When the Strings of My Heart" "Stormy Weather" "Wake Up Crying" "You'll Never Walk Alone" "Why Me"

At Metro
Live album released in 2006 by Victory Records.
Line up changes:
Rob Kellenberger replaced Mike Felumlee on drums.
Tracks: 23

Stay Down
Released in August 2008 by Curb Appeals Records.
No lineup changes.

Tracks: 12
"Welcome to Janesville" "If You Dont Care" "Stefanie" "Sweet Pea" "Little Jane Marie" "The Corner" "Stay Down" "Grab Your Heart and Run" "Its Never Too Late for Love" "Maybe I'll Stay" "Into the Summer Sky" "First Time"

It's Been a Long Day

Compilation album released in February 2010 by Asian Man.

Tracks: 20

This Is Only a Test

Released in March 2011 by Asian Man.

Produced by Matt Allison and Smoking Popes

Lineup changes:

Rob Kellenberger was replaced on drums by Neil Hennessey.

Tracks: 10

"Wish We Were" "How Dangerous" "This is Only a Test" "College" "Punk Band" " Freakin Out" "Diary of a Teen Tragedy" "Excuse Me Coach" "I've Got Mono" "Letter to Emily"

And here are some videos I wrangled up of them:

A video for the song "Need You Around" from the album Born to Quit



Live video for the song "Pretty Pathetic" originally from the album Destination Failure. It was recorded in Nashville in May 2008.



Live video for the song "Megan" from the same album.



This is another live video. It is for the song "First Time" which was originally released on 1993s 2. This song was performed in February 2009.

Here is a video for the song "Punk Band" which is a newer song that was released on their 2011 album This Is Only a Test.

MLB Roundup 2011 (July 9)

AMERICAN LEAGUE

East
Boston
NY Yankees
Tampa Bay
Toronto
Baltimore

Central
Cleveland
Detroit
Chicago White Sox
Minnesota
Kansas City

West
Texas
Los Angeles Angels
Seattle
Oakland

NATIONAL LEAGUE

East
Philadelphia
Atlanta
New York Mets
Washington
Florida

Central
Milwaukee
Pittsburgh
St. Louis
Cincinnati
Chicago Cubs
Houston

West
San Francisco
Arizona
Colorado
San Diego
Los Angeles Dodgers

STATS

ERA
Jered Weaver (Angels) - 1.86
Jair Jurrjens (Braves) - 1.87
Ryan Vogelson (Giants) - 2.17

Wins
CC Sabathia (Yankees) - 12
Jair Jurrjens (Braves) - 12
Roy Halladay (Phillies) - 11

Saves
Craig Kimbrel (Braves) - 27
Heath Bell (Padres) - 26
Joel Hanrahan (Pirates) - 26

Batting Average
Adrian Gonzalez (Red Sox) - .355
Jose Reyes (Mets) - .354
Jose Bautista (Blue Jays) - .330

Hits
Adrian Gonzalez (Red Sox) - 126
Jose Reyes (Mets) - 124
Michael Young (Rangers) - 115

Home Runs
Jose Bautista (Blue Jays) - 29
Mark Teixeira (Yankees) - 25
Curtis Granderson (Yankees) - 25

ESPN Power Rankings (first 10)
New York Yankees
Philadelphia Phillies
Boston Red Sox
Atlanta Braves
Tampa Bay Rays
San Francisco Giants
St Louis Cardinals
Cleveland Indians
Milwaukee Brewers
Texas Rangers

The Exploited: DoTM

The Exploited are a punk rock band from Scotland. They formed in Edinburgh in 1979.

Punk's Not Dead
Released in 1981 by Secret Records.
Produced by Dave Leaper and The Exploited.
Band lineup:
Wattie Buchan - vocals; Big John Duncan - guitar; Gary McCormack - bass; Dru Stix - drums.
Tracks: 15

Troops of Tomorrow
Released in 1982 by Secret Records.
Produced by Tony Spath and The Exploited.
Lineup changes:
Dru Stix was replaced on drums by Danny Heatley.
Tracks: 13

Lets Start a War
Released in 1983 by Combat Records.
Produced by Wattie Buchan and Marcus Featherby.
Band lineup:
Wattie Buchan - vocals; Billy - guitar; Wayne Tyas - bass; Willie Buchan - drums.
Tracks: 12

Horror Epics
Released in 1985 by Combat Records.
Produced by Wattie Buchan and Phil Chilton.
Lineup changes:
Billy was replaced on guitar by Karl.
Tracks: 11

Live at the Whitehouse
Live album released in 1986 by Combat Records.
Produced by The Exploited.
Tracks: 16

Death Before Dishonour
Released in April 1987 by Rough Justice.
Produced by Dave Pine and Wattie Buchan.
Lineup changes:
Karl was replaced on guitar by Nig and Wayne was replaced on bass by Tony Lochiel.
Tracks: 12

The Massacre
Released in 1990 by Rough Justice.
Produced by Colin Richardson and Wattie Buchan.
Band lineup:
Wattie Buchan - vocals; Gogs - guitar; Smeeks - bass; Tony - drums.
Tracks: 12

Beat the Bastards
Released in 1996 by Rough Justice.
Produced by Colin Richardson, ZM and Wattie Buchan.
Lineup changes:
Gogs was replaced on guitar by Jamie Buchan, Smeeks was replaced on bass by Jim Gray and Tony was replaced on drums by Willie Buchan.
Tracks: 13

Fuck the System
Released in October 2003 by Spitfire Records.
Produced by Simon Efemey and Russ Russell.
Lineup changes:
Jamie Buchan was replaced on guitar by Robbie Davidson and Jim Gray was replaced on bass by Mikie Jacobs.
Tracks: 13

Tiger Army: DoTM

Tiger Army is a psychobilly (see Genre of the Moment: Psychobilly) band that formed in 1995 in Berkeley, California. They were signed to Hellcat Records by co-owner (and Rancid vocalist) Tim Armstrong.

Tiger Army
Released in October 1999 by Hellcat Records.
Produced by Nick 13.
Band lineup:
Nick 13 - vocals, guitar; Adam Carson - drums; Rob Peltier - bass.
Tracks: 13

Tiger Army 2: Power of Moonlite
Released in July 2001 by Hellcat.
Produced by Nick 13.
Lineup changes:
Rob Peltier was replaced on bass by Geoff Kresge. Adam Carson was replaced on drums by London May.
Tracks: 13

Early Years
Released in October 2002 by Hellcat.
Produced by Roger Tschann and Andy Ernst.
Lineup changes:
London May was replaced on drums by Fred Hell.
Tracks: 6

Ghost Tigers Rise
Released in June 2004 by Hellcat/Epitaph Records.
Lineup changes:
Geoff Kresge was replaced on bass by Jeff Roffredo.
Tracks: 13

Music from Regions Beyond
Released in June 2007 by Hellcat.
Produced by Jerry Finn.
Lineup changes:
Fred Hell was replaced on drums by James Meza.

Top 4 Films: Ned Beatty

Happy 73rd Birthday Ned!!!


Superman (1978)
In this Richard Donner directed movie about practically the most popular super hero in comic book culture, Ned plays the henchman to Lex Luthor, Otis.
The scene of his that I will always remember is toward the end when Luthor is talking to Superman about his grand plan to restructure the west coast of the United States and while pointing at his "revised" map points to a town called Otisburg, which is written in crayon on Luthor's carefully constructed map.
Mr. Beatty reprised his role in the 1980 sequel but he was not in the movie for very long.

Back to School (1986)
Ned plays Dean David Martin in this, probably my favorite, Rodney Dangerfield flick about a rich businessman that decides to enroll in college in an effort to keep his son from dropping out.
Another interesting thing about this movie is the unexpected cameo of Kurt Vonnegut Jr as himself.

Charlie Wilsons War (2007)
A really great political film starring Tom Hanks and based on a novel of the same name by George Crile, which was published in 2003. The screenplay was written by Aaron Sorkin, who also wrote The West Wing, A Few Good Men, and The American President, other good political films (ok West Wing wasn't a film but you know what I mean). It also starred Julia Roberts and Philip Seymour Hoffman.
Ned plays Congressman Clarence 'Doc' Long (Democrat from Maryland) who at the time controlled the foreign aid budget for the House of Representatives.

Toy Story 3 (2010)
In this 3rd installment of the beloved Toy Story series, Mr. Beatty does the voice of the "villain" Lots O' Huggin' Bear.
Good film. Good cast.
I saw this one in the theater in 3-D with my son. In fact, I think this might have been the first 3-D movie I saw in the theater.

Honorable Mention
Rudy (1993). Beatty plays the title character's father, Daniel Ruettiger, Sr.

Matthew Sweet: DoTM

I got the idea to do this DoTM from Dave's Review of Sweet's Girlfriend on Sunday.

I have to admit that I am not a big fan of Matthew Sweet but I do like the albums Girlfriend and 100% Fun. I also really enjoy the covers albums that he did with Susanna Hoffs.

So a short bio. Sweet was born in October 1964 in Lincoln, Nebraska and moved to Athens, Georgia after graduating from high school. He was in a band briefly with Michael Stipe's (REM) sister Lynda while there.

DISCOGRAPHY

Inside
Released in 1986 by Sony Music.
Produced by Matthew Sweet, David Kahne, Francois Kevorkian, Stephen Hague, Ron Saint Germain, Don Dixon, and Dave Allen.
Tracks: 11

Earth
Released in 1989 by A&M Records.
Produced by Dave Allen, Fred Maher, and Matthew Sweet.
Tracks: 11

Girlfriend
Released in October 1991 by Zoo Entertainment.
Produced by Fred Maher and Matthew Sweet.
Tracks: 18
Singles:
"Girlfriend" "I've Been Waiting"

Altered Beast
Released in July 1993 by Zoo Entertainment.
Produced by Fred Maher and Matthew Sweet.
Tracks: 15
Singles:
"Time Capsule" "The Ugly Truth"

Son of Altered Beast
Released in 1994 by Zoo Entertainment.
Produced by Matthew Sweet.
Tracks: 7

100% Fun
Released in March 1995 by Zoo Entertainment.
Produced by Brendan O'Brien
Tracks: 12
Singles:
"Sick of Myself" "We're the Same"

Blue Sky on Mars
Released in March 1997 by Zoo Entertainment.
Produced by Brendan O'Brien.
Tracks: 12

In Reverse
Released in October 1999 by Volcano Records.
Produced by Matthew Sweet, Greg Leisz, Fred Maher and Jim Scott.
Tracks: 14

Time Capsule
Compilation album released in September 2000 by Volcano.
Tracks: 18

To Understand the Early Recordings of Matthew Sweet
Compilation album released in October 2002 by Hip-O Records.
Tracks: 22

Kimi Ga Suki
Released in April 2003 by RCAM Records.
Produced by Matthew Sweet.
Tracks: 12

Living Things
Released in September 2004 by RCAM.
Produced by Matthew Sweet.
Tracks: 11

Under the Covers Volume 1
Covers album released in April 2006 in collaboration with Susanna Hoffs (singer for the Bangles).
Produced by Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs.
Tracks: 15
Highlights:
"And Your Bird Can Sing (Beatles cover)" "Cinnamon Girl (Neil Young cover)" "The Kids Are Alright (Who cover)"

The Pillowcase EP
Covers album released in August 2006 by Shout Factory in collaboration with Susanna Hoffs.
Produced by Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs.
Tracks: 4
Highlight:
"I Can See For Miles"

Sunshine Lies
Released in August 2008 by Shout! Factory.
Produced by Matthew Sweet.
Tracks: 13

Under the Covers Volume 2
Covers album released in July 2009 by Shout! Factory in collaboration with Susanna Hoffs.
Produced by Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs.
Tracks: 16

Platinum and

Duran Duran: DoTM

So here is a very strange DoTM indeed.


Duran Duran is a band from Birmingham, England that formed in 1978. They were a very successful band in the 1980s that probably attributes most of its success to the rise of MTV (back when it played videos).

DISCOGRAPHY

Duran Duran
Released in June 1981 by EMI Records.
Produced by Colin Thurston.
Band lineup:
Simon Le Bon - vocals; Nick Rhodes - keyboards; John Taylor - bass; Roger Taylor - drums; Andy Taylor - guitar.
Tracks: 9
Singles:
"Planet Earth" "Careless Memories" "Girls on Film" "Anyone Out There" "Sound of Thunder"

Rio
Released in May 1982 by EMI.
Produced by Colin Thurston.
No lineup changes.
Tracks: 9
Singles:
"My Own Way" "Hungry Like a Wolf" "Save a Prayer" "Rio"

Seven and the Ragged Tiger
Released in November 1983 by EMI/Capitol.
Produced by Alex Sadkin, Ian Little and Duran Duran.
No lineup changes.
Tracks: 9
Singles:
"Union of the Snake" "New Moon on Monday" "The Reflex" "Tiger Tiger" "Shadows on Your Side" "Make Me Smile"

Arena
Live album released in November 1984 by Capitol.
Produced by Duran Duran and Nile Rodgers.
No lineup changes.
Tracks: 10

Notorious
Released in November 1986 by Capitol.
Produced by Duran Duran and Nile Rodgers.
Lineup changes:
Roger Taylor left the band and was replaced with session drummer Steve Ferrone.
Tracks: 10
Singles:
"Notorious" "Skin Trade" "Meet El Presidente"

Big Thing
Released in October 1988 by Capitol.
Produced by Duran Duran, Jonathan Elias, and Daniel Abraham.
Lineup changes:
Andy Taylor left the band. Session players Warren Cuccurullo and Chester Kamen played guitar on the album and session players Sterling Campbell and Steve Ferrone played drums on the album.
Tracks: 12
Singles:
"I Dont Want Your Love" "All She Wants Is" "Do You Believe in Shame?" "Big Thing" "Too Late Marlene"

Decade: Greatest Hits
Compilation album released in November 1989 by Capitol.
Tracks: 14

Liberty
Released in August 1990 by Capitol.
Produced by Duran Duran and Chris Kimsey.
Band lineup:
Simon Le Bon - vocals; Nick Rhodes - keyboards; John Taylor - bass; Warren Cuccurullo - guitar; Sterling Campbell - drums.
Tracks: 11
Singles:
"Violence of Summer" "Serious"

Duran Duran (aka The Wedding Album)
Released in February 1993 by Capitol.
Lineup changes:
Sterling Campbell was replaced by session drummers Steve Ferrone, Vinnie Colaiuta, and Fergus Gerrand.
Tracks: 13
Singles:
"Ordinary World" "Come Undone" "Too Much Information" "Drowning Man" "None of the Above" "Breath After Breath" "Femme Fatale"

Thank You
Covers album released in April 1995 by Capitol.
Produced by John Jones and Duran Duran.
Lineup changes:
Session drummers were Steve Ferrone, Terry Bozzio, Tony Thompson, Roger Taylor, Abe Laboriel Jr, and Anthony Resta.
Tracks: 12
Singles:
"Perfect Day" "White Lines" "Lay Lady Lay"

Medazzaland
Released in October 1997 by Capitol.
Produced by TV Mania and Syn Pro Tokyo.
Session drummers were Steve Alexander and Anthony Resta.
Tracks: 12
Singles:
"Out of My Mind" "Electric Barbarella"

Night Versions
Compilation album released in March 1998 by EMI.
Tracks: 12

Greatest
Compilation album released in November 1998 by Capitol.
Tracks: 19

Strange Behaviour
Remix album released in March 1999 by EMI.
Tracks: 24

Pop Trash
Released in June 2000 by Hollywood Records.
Produced by TV Mania and Syn Productions.
Band lineup:
Simon Le Bon - vocals; Warren Cuccurullo - guitar and bass; Nick Rhodes - keyboards.
Session drummers include John Tonks, Steve Alexander and Greg Bissonette.

Singles Box Set 1981-1985
Box set released in May 2003 by EMI.
13 CDs

Singles Box Set 1986-1995
Box set released in September 2004 by EMI.
14 CDs

Astronaut
Released in October 2004 by Epic.
Band lineup:
Simon Le Bon - vocals; Nick Rhodes - keyboards; Andy Taylor - guitar; John Taylor - bass; Roger Taylor - drums.
Tracks: 12
Singles:
"Reach Up for the Sunrise" "What Happens Tomorrow" "Nice"

Red Carpet Massacre
Released in November 2007 by Epic.
Produced by Duran Duran, Danja, Timbaland, and Justin Timberlake.
Lineup changes:
Andy Taylor was replaced by session guitar player Dominic Brown.
Tracks: 12
Singles:
"Falling Down"

Live at Hammersmith 82!
Live album released in September 2009 by New Wave Records.
Tracks: 10

All You Need Is Now
Released in March 2011 by Tapemodern/Alido/S-Curve.
Produced by Mark Ronson.
No lineup changes.
Tracks: 14
Singles:
"All You Need Is Now" "Girl Panic" "Leave a Light On"