How _________ Affected Me: A Music Blog

Screaming Females @ The Blue Nile. 11/2/11

Last Wednesday, five bands came out to the Blue Nile to put on what was one of the most entertaining shows of the semester. Presented by MACRoCK,  Chestpiece, The Demon Beat, Big Eyes, Ran Forever and Screaming Females performed to a packed crowd of people downtown.

Playing first was Chestpiece, a Harrisonburg unit made up of five JMU students. They opened the show with mostly new material, which will be  on their upcoming album, due out hopefully this semester. Their set was short and sweet, throwing fast, refined melodies at the audience.  At one point during the set, lead vocalist Robert Mathis noted something along the lines of “if you don’t stick around for the rest of these bands, I will personally beat you up.”

Next up was Demon Beat. Hailing from West Virginia, they played with just as much energy as Chestpiece, and entertained the crowd with their garage rock sound.

The band Ran Forever was a surprise appearance at the show, and brought all kinds of power, fitting in nicely with the night’s other acts.

Waiting for ‘Females,’ Big Eyes seemed to fly by, but only in terms of their pace. With a mostly power-pop sound, Big Eyes hit the Nile in order to promote their new album, Hard Life, out on the Don Giovanni label.

By the time New Jersey natives Screaming Females took the stage, the entire crowd was hyped up. The buzz was extremely elevated, and the band met the highest of expectations. They played tracks off all of their albums, and for a band that has been touring for the past few months all over Europe and the United States, sounded impeccable. The trio brought some of the best energy the Blue Nile has seen so far this semester. It is very safe to say they stole the show.

Screaming Females’ pop-punk sound has won over the likes of audiences everywhere, including big names in the publishing world such as Rolling Stone, Spin, and New York Magazine.  Their music sounds like a blended assortment of the work of the Pixies, Best Coast, Blondie, and Patti Smith, and they have perfected the “punk-girl” sound very nicely. The band is fronted by spunky Marissa Paternoster, who made the set further entertaining by dancing, screaming (no pun intended), and shaking her probably ironic-hipster bowl cut. One of the highlights was the band’s hit “I Don’t Mind It,” which Paternoster belted with finesse that matched the album version.

The event was the first MACRoCK show of the year, and the turnout was a huge success. At just seven dollars, there was no reason to miss this show, and to those who did, I am genuinely sorry. You missed an incredible night.

The Horrible Crowes- “Elsie.”

 “Elsie” (currently in rotation) is the debut album of The Horrible Crowes, the side-project of Brian Fallon, the front man and genius behind The Gaslight Anthem. The Crowes formed earlier this year when Fallon teamed up with his lead guitar tech Ian Perkins. Released on September 6, “Elsie” takes a darker approach to Fallon’s usual sound and songwriting style. Unlike the major works of the Gaslight Anthem (“Sink or Swim”, “The ’59 Sound”, “American Slang”) The Horrible Crowes showcases Fallon’s darker side. While Gaslight takes influence from old school rock and blues, Bruce Springsteen, and Social Distortion, the Crowes have a different sound entirely.

            The debut features 12 tracks, all showcasing a darker, more somber sound than Gaslight. While Fallon’s usual work is punk-ish, fast-paced rock, “Elsie” has a slower, angstier echo, sounding somewhat like the work of The Cure, Bright Eyes, or Brand New. While different, The Horrible Crowes still draw focus to Fallon’s powerful drawl and ability to write emotional songs that tug on your heartstrings.

            The first single, “Behold the Hurricane,” is probably the most upbeat, catchy song on the album. The hook involves a series of “oh oh ohs” and a guitar hook that keeps the listeners tapping feet and bobbing heads. Like Fallon’s usual work, the lyrics are haunting and provide rustic imagery. While the song probably won’t draw radio or top 40 attention, it’s a single that could find success on indie rock radio.

            For me, the highlight of the album is the bluesy, almost acidic “Mary Ann,” which encompasses three minutes of Fallon’s twangy enunciation on the coming of Jesus and the importance of the track-title girl. Another favorite, “Crush,” takes the usual vocal intricacy of Fallon’s Gaslight Anthem work and adds a guitar sound unlike their usual work. The lyrics are also sweet (“you’re everybody’s dream, out on the schoolboy yard”), bringing up the common emotion everyone feels of having a crush.

            As a whole, “Elsie” is excellent. It showcases Fallon’s talent on a different spectrum than the usual work of The Gaslight Anthem, and shows a more sensitive, slow side. The tracks are all listenable, lyrically impressive, and appealing to those who like mostly unhurried music that still packs a punch. 

An Evening with Ty Segall.

This is a piece I wrote for the music magazine at my school. Hope you enjoy!

(Photo credit: Mimi Guido)

The scene inside Festival is usually an assortment of moving images: students studying, eating, and catching up with friends. On September 25, the building’s Ballroom A buzzed with a different kind of energy.

            At first, the building seemed deserted, but as 9 pm approached, the space was flooded with anticipation. On this particular evening, JMU’s student-run radio station WXJM hosted three superb acts to a crowd of about 100 students and townsfolk alike. The show featured local Harrisonburg band Malatese, California’s Mikal Cronin, and headlining, the incomparable Ty Segall, hailing from San Francisco.

             Although the event happened very recently, months of planning went into it before the pieces could fall together and bring the show to life. It all started in May, when Segall’s booking agent contacted local Harrisonburg concert promoter and organizer Patrick Walsh. Shortly thereafter, Walsh teamed up with WXJM and booked the Festival ballroom.

             WXJM’s Big Events Directors, Marisa Cagnoli and Natalie Strickland, were among the students who worked to get Segall and company to JMU. Once the date and bands were set, WXJM Publicity members took to the streets of Harrisonburg, handing out flyers, putting up posters, and spreading the word on Facebook.

            “I was so happy because there were over 100 people there and it’s different, because we don’t live in New York City and there is a small community that contacts that type of music here in Harrisonburg,” said Cagnoli, junior.  “The energy was awesome because people were dancing and bobbing their heads, regardless of if they’d heard of the bands.”

            While many of the big acts JMU books appeal to pop music fans (like those who attending the Chiddy Bang and Chris Webby concert on October 8), Segall, Cronin, and Malatese offered an alternative for those who don’t enjoy the Hip-Hop or Rap featured on Top 40 radio. Freshman Hannah Chapple, a DJ for WXJM, enjoyed the variety that the Ty Segall show brought about.

            “I thought it was a great opportunity for the people that aren’t a fan of the other music played here to expand their horizons musically,” said Chapple, who helped take tickets at the door.

            The tickets, which sold for $3 each, admitted students into the Festival ballroom, which featured just a simple platform stage and a small table for merchandise. While the room wasn’t filled to the brim like the scene of the much larger Chiddy Band concert in Wilson’s Auditorium, people of all ages crowded as tightly together and as close as possible to listen to the three bands’ sets. In what amounted to a giant pit, there was dancing, moshing, singing, and all kinds of camaraderie. At one point, a state flag was hoisted into the air in a strange act of concert enthusiasm. Jon Reed, a senior and the drummer of Malatese, was excited by the display.

            “It was the most rewarding thing at the show to see such a large and electrified crowd. The audience is such an important aspect for creating a great show experience,” said Reed. “The crowd at the show really came out and had a blast; people were running around on each other’s backs, constant crowd surfing which ultimately led to a giant Virginia state flag being waved and carried by crowd surfers. It just contributed such a positive feeling to the show.”

            While the biggest spectacle was surrounding Ty Segall, for me, Mikal Cronin stole the show with his feel-good surf pop and rock fusion. Cronin played for roughly half an hour and continued to pump up the crowd for the main event.

            “It was a really, really great experience. We definitely were extremely disciplined in regards to practicing before the show,” said Reed. “Ty and Mikal are great artists who have really honed their craft, we wanted to make sure we represented as best as possible. It was really interesting to watch them and see how they reproduced tracks on their records. “           

            By the time Ty Segall took the stage, the crowd was as rowdy as any large-venue show.  The music, that blended punk rock with psychadelic sounds, filled the area at full volume. All through his set, the ballroom shook from the speakers and the sneakers, keeping the energy up until Segall closed with an adrenaline-filled cover of Black Sabbath’s “Paranoid.”

            “It was a really good turnout, everything was great with the dancing, and I can say I gave Ty Segall a place to stay, which was cool,” said Tess Duncan, senior and Programming Director of WXJM.

            The concert proved overall a success for WXJM as a whole. Raising over $300, the money will be put towards bringing other alternative acts to JMU and offering students a different musical experience. For those students who choose to attend the event, the show proved to be all that and more.

            “I feel like there’s more of a sense of community to the shows [WXJM] makes happen,” said freshman Mary Menchel, a member of WXJM’s tight-knit population. “It makes me feel like more of a part of JMU.”

How The Strokes Affected Me.

The Strokes found me at an interesting point in my life. I was struggling with anxiety, depression, and all around, feeling like shit. My best friend burned me a copy of Is This It, and I began listening to it in my car in the mornings on my way to school. It was funny, I found myself leaving my house early just to have the fifteen minutes alone in the parking lot, sitting in my car and listening to music. The album immediately became burned in my brain.

I loved the sound. I related to the lyrics. And I felt the emotion of Julian’s vocals. Listening to “Is This It” and “Someday,” I connected to the feelings of remorse, negativity, and all around sadness. It was my therapy, as music always is for me.

When Angles was released, I listened to it immediately and added it to my collection. It struck the same chord that their debut album hit me with and I was hooked. I bought Room on Fire, and began talking to my best friend obsessively about the band members, songs, and everything related to them.

In May, I went to the Sweetlife Festival and saw them headline. It was amazing, I didn’t think anything could top it. But a week later, I boarded a plane to New Orleans, visited my best friend, and together we approached JazzFest with anticipation. We knew we were going to see The Strokes and we were going to be doing it together.

We waited against the metal barrier all day. The band was set to come on at 7:30, and we stood in that spot from noon on. We didn’t have food or water, just a pack of Camel Blue’s and high spirits. We talked to the other fans in the crowd, decided what we wanted to hear, and discussed our expectations for the show.

By the time the Strokes hit the stage (fashionably late, of course) we were so hyped on sun-burnt hysteria and dehydration that it was an almost out of body experience. We danced so hard that the older men in the VIP section recorded us on their phones. We danced so hard that we appeared on the Jumbo Tron screen for all of Jazzfest to see. We held hands, grooved, and screamed the lyrics to our favorite songs like we were going to die.

We were close enough to the stage to make contact. At one point, I yelled “Hawaii” to Albert, the guitarist, and he laughed, mouthed it back to me, and shook his head, smiling. It was so strange. These idols who made the music I lived through were actually within my reach. When the band finished, with no encore, Sophia and I decided that was not good enough.

We walked around the racetrack that was hosting the event until we found the van that the band was set to leave in. We waited, anxiously, until they walked out. It was the most amazing thing…being able to see one of my favorite bands in the flesh, shake their hands and make polite conversation. I talked “Hawaii” with Albert, sunglasses with Julian, and how great the show was with Nick. We blew kisses at Fab, who returned the gesture. It’s interesting to think that these five men were just there, doing their job, while we were having one of the greatest nights of our lives.

Afterwards, Sophia and I talked of nothing else, bragged to anyone who would tolerate us, and kept listening to The Strokes on repeat. Room on Fire is currently in the CD player in my car, and it’s not about to leave. The Strokes give me a feeling I can relate to. The idea that I’m not so young but not so old yet either. It’s nice to love a band that is current, that I can go see and converse with, and I don’t have to wonder what it was like to be able to see them perform. They are a band of my era, and I love being in the generation to experience their music first hand.

The Strokes changed my life, pulled me out of my funk, and helped me fall for my boyfriend. They brought me closer to my best friend, gave me experiences I won’t forget, and became the band that played when I first kissed Matthew. 12:51 is our song. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

MLTA Tunes.

For the last month (roughly), I’ve spent all my time in four cities with my best friend. We’ve been to Springfield, Harrisonburg, New Orleans, and Niceville, so, naturally, we’ve listened to a lot of music. So here is a brief playlist that basically sums up our time together and honestly, our friendship.

1. Lust for Life-Girls.

2. Electric Feel-MGMT.

3. Only Sixteen-Sam Cooke.

4. Reptillia-The Strokes.

5. Hips Don’t Lie-Shakira.

6. The Lovecats-The Cure.

7. The Longest Time-Billy Joel.

8. Mansard Roof-Vampire Weekend.

9. Weekend-Smith Westerns.

10. Jungleland-Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.

11. Brandy-Looking Glass.

12. Knock Three Times-Tony Orlando and Dawn.

13. Everyday-Buddy Holly.

14. Mouthful of Diamonds-Phantogram.

15. Automatic Stop-The Strokes.

16. She’s So Cold-The Rolling Stones.

17. Boogie Down-MGMT.

18. Like a Rolling Stone-Bob Dylan.

19. El Scorcho-Weezer.

20. Rich Girl-Hall and Oates.

21. Maneater-Hall and Oates.

22. Lemon Tree-Trini Lopez.

23. Taken for a Fool-The Strokes.

24. Funky Nassau-The Beginning of the End.

25. Barbarella Theme.

26. Who Says-John Mayer.

27. Lotsa Jay Reatard.

28. Where is my Mind-Pixies.

29. Birthday-The Beatles.

30. Let’s Fuck-Sexual Hot Bitches.

31. That Time-Regina Spektor.

32. Left of the Dial-The Replacements.

Obviously, there was a lot more, but these stand out. Month Long Tour of Awesome has been an incredible experience in my life and the music involved played a big part in that. I love you, Sopha.

Summertime.

The summer is my favorite time to listen to music. So many songs take me right to where I spend my summers. Whether it’s walking around Springfield, sitting at the Jersey Shore, or driving in my car, I just love summer music. So here are a few of my favorite summer jams.

1. Sherry Darling-Bruce Springsteen. Bruce always reminds me of summer, this song especially. It’s on the “Cape May Tape” my dad made when we were kids and we listened to every summer in New Jersey. It is forever a happy beach song for me. “I got some beer and the highway’s free, and I got you and baby, you got me.”

2. The Backseat-The Gaslight Anthem. This song perfectly sums up the attitude that I have as a teenager in the summertime. It has a sense of intensity, a longing to get out of your routine and town, and I’ve always felt that sort of restlessness. I have a quote from this song written on a notecard and taped to my dashboard. I love this song. “You know the summer always brought in that wild and reckless breeze.”

3. When I’m With You-Best Coast. This song is great for a lot of reasons. It has a very summery, beachy vibe and makes me want to go run around in a field or drive in the sunshine or something. Plus it totally reminds me of my boyfriend and how happy I am. “The world is lazy. But you and me, we’re just crazy.”

4. Under the Boardwalk-The Drifters. Honestly, one of my all time favorite songs. “Down by the sea, on a blanket with my baby, that’s where I’ll be.”

5. Hey Jealously-Gin Blossoms. This is one of my favorite songs to drive to. It just makes me really happy and it’s great to jam to. I love it. I actually have a very strong appreciation for the Gin Blossoms. Highly underrated in my opinion. “Past is gone but something might be found to take its place.”

6. Seaside Bar Song-Bruce Springsteen. To me, Bruce is summertime music. This is another song that takes me right to the Jersey Shore, with my feet in the sand and reading a great book. When I hear it, I see myself in Atlantic Books, at the Dry Dock, and walking to Kohr Bros. with my dad. This song is the essence of happiness to me. “There’s something about a pretty girl on a sweet summer night that gets this boy excited.”

7. Lust for Life-Girls. This song is another one I associate with driving in my car and just dancing to myself. It’s kinda silly, but those types of songs are some of my favorites. Plus the raw sound that Girls has kind of reminds me of the beach. I don’t know why, my associations are sometimes strange. “Oh, I wish I had a beach house. Then we could have a big fire every night.”

8. The Modern Age-The Strokes. The Strokes are really, really, really fucking great. I’ve been listening to them pretty much non-stop and while all of their music is amazing, this one feels especially summery. Julian Casablancas is a genius and meeting him changed my life. Almost as much as his music. “In the sun, sun having fun, it’s in my blood. I just can’t help it.”

9. Everyday-Buddy Holly. This song is probably in my top ten favorites of all time. It’s so simple, yet so beautiful, and it honestly makes me want to cry. But in the best way. Buddy Holly was a wonderful musician, and it’s simple songs like this one that remind me why I love rock music. And the bells in this song are literally one of the most beautiful sounds I’ve ever heard. “Come what may, do you ever long for true love from me?”

10. If You Want To Sing Out, Sing Out-Cat Stevens. If you’ve never heard this song, look it up right now. Literally I can’t even begin to explain it’s melodic beauty. “And if you want to be free, be free. Cause there’s a million things to be.”

11. (Just Like) Starting Over-John Lennon. This is one of those strange, very out of character songs that all the ex-Beatles released in their later years, but I love this one. It’s so soulful, and it’s funny that a forty year old white man from Liverpool can pull off a soulful, bluesy style voice. It’s fantastic. “But when I see you, darling, it’s like we both are falling in love again.”

12. Santa Monica-Everclear. I don’t care what anyone fucking says, I love this song. My little cousin and I text each other every time we hear it and it always makes me so happy. It played in the limo on the way to my prom and it just made everything that much better. “We could live beside the ocean, leave the fire behind, swim out past the breaker, watch the world die.”

13. Swingin’ Party-The Replacements. This song is classic. Paul Westerberg changed everything for me, and this song describes how I’ve been spending my summer pretty much. “If being wrong’s a crime, I’m serving forever.”

14. Better Things-The Kinks. The optimism of this song gives me hope for my future. I was in a dark place a few months back and I’m really still trying to get out of that. And when I listen to this song, I have a good feeling that I know I can get back to a good place in my life. I listen to it with my dad and it feels like everything is going to be ok. Songs like this make me believe in the world. “It’s really good to see you rocking out and having fun, living like you’ve just begun. Accept your life and what it brings. I hope tomorrow you’ll find better things. I know tomorrow you’ll find better things.”

When the change was made uptown and the Big Man joined the band.

I’ve been thinking a lot about what to say here.

When the news hit me that Clarence Clemons, the saxophonist for the E Street Band had died, I went into a state of shock. I immediately broke down and began to cry. It was quite embarrassing since I was with my boyfriend, watching TV. But that’s the emotion that hit me: sorrow. I immediately called my father, who shared my sense of sadness. It’s hard to put into words what a single band can mean to you, and even more, a single member.

When I was ten, I was able to join the band at my elementary school. I picked to play the sax for one reason alone, the solo on “Born to Run.” My family’s obsession with Clarence was nothing short of a God-like one. We treated him as an equal with Bruce, which is saying a lot for us.

Clarence was my favorite. He still is. When I went to Bruce’s shows (seven of them) I was mystified by the giant man in the black cape and big hat. In the later years, he had a giant throne, he was a God to me. The God of the E Street Band.

I bought an autographed copy of his book at the last show I went to, and after having read it, it almost seemed like Clarence knew he didn’t have all that much time left. He always possessed a sense of peace, with his health, with his position in the band, and with his life.

I hope that one day people look back on this great man as what he was: the biggest man in the world. Thank you Clarence, for the inspiration, the magic, and the good times. I love you. I hope you find peace in the universe. R.I.P. 

The “I’m in like with you” playlist.

I Wanna Be With You-Bruce Springsteen.

Automatic Stop-The Strokes.

I Want to Hold Your Hand-The Beatles.

In the Aeroplane Over the Sea-Neutral Milk Hotel.

Portions for Foxes-Rilo Kiley.

I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend-The Ramones.

Bones-The Killers.

There is a Light That Never Goes Out-The Smiths.

These Arms of Mine-Otis Redding.

Destroyer-The Kinks.

Whistle for the Choir-The Fratellis.

Pretty (Ugly Before)-Elliott Smith.

Everyday-Buddy Holly.

All I Have to Do is Dream-The Everly Brothers.

Sleepy songs.

In the past few years, I’ve developed my perfect blend of the ultimate “pretty songs” playlist. I can put these songs on in any mood and automatically feel calm and relaxed. It takes a lot for a song to make it onto this list, and although it’s developed over time, it’s always constant. It will not disappoint! 

1. Thirteen-Big Star.

2. Pale Blue Eyes-The Velvet Underground.

3. Skyway-The Replacements.

4. On My Way-Ben Kweller.

5. Simple Twist of Fate-Bob Dylan.

6. In My Life-The Beatles.

7. Wild Horses-The Rolling Stones.

8. Sunday Morning-The Velvet Underground.

9. Give It Up-The Format.

10. Alison-Elvis Costello.

11. Still Fighting It-Ben Folds.

12. Jersey Girl-Bruce Springsteen.

13. Landslide-Fleetwood Mac.

14. Either Way-Wilco.

15. Sea of Love-Cat Power.

16. Say Yes-Elliott Smith.

17. Lua-Bright Eyes.

18. The Funeral-Band of Horses.

19. The Angel-Bruce Springsteen.

20. Sadly Beautiful-The Replacements.

Seriously, if you need to sleep and cannot, put this playlist on and revel in its beauty.

A small taste of springtime jams.

I’m starting to feel the spring fever so I thought it was time I made a list of my favorite springtime songs to get in the spirit of the season. Bring on the warmth!

1. All Day and All of the Night-The Kinks. This is such a feel good song. I could listen to this over and over and I’d still want to dance to it every time. It also ties into my rekindled ’60s obsession. “The only time I feel alright is by your side.”

2. Help Yourself-Sad Brad Smith. I first heard this in the movie “Up in the Air” and it’ a really pretty song. The guitar and the harmonies compliment each other nicely. It just works well and is pleasant to listen to. “Take the time to take apart each brick that sits outside your heart.“

3. Elenore-The Turtles. The 1960s had the best love songs. They weren’t overly romantic or cheesy. They had the right simplicity that this song embodies. Definitely a good springtime song. “Your looks intoxicate me even though your folks hate me.”

4. Save it for a Rainy Day-The Jayhawks. The first time I heard this song, I could not get the melody out of my head. There’s not much to say about this song besides the fact that it’s awesome. “Waiting for a breakthrough, what will you set your mind to?”

5. Laura-Girls. My best friend first introduced me to this band and they are great. To me they sound a lot like a surf rock band; very Beach Boys. This song has had a lot of relevancy in my life recently and I’ve discovered it’s a good one to belt out while alone in my car. “Where did this start? We used to be friends. Now when I run into you, I pretend I don’t see you. I know that you hate me.”

6. West Coast-Coconut Records. I’ve liked this song for a while but recently I’ve had it pretty much on repeat. Jason Schwartzman succeeds at pretty much everything he does and music is just the same. “You never did like this town. I talk out loud like you’re still around.”

7. Here Comes the Sun-The Beatles. George wrote this song in Eric Clapton’s garden on the first spring-like day of the year. So naturally, it fits in nicely on a playlist devoted to the end of winter. Plus it’s arguably George’s best Beatles song. “Little darling, it’s been a long, cold, lonely winter.”

8. Ruby Tuesday-The Rolling Stones. Every season is a good season for the Stones. This happens to be my current favorite. “Don’t question why she needs to be free, she’ll tell you it’s the only way to be.”

9. The Diamond Church Street Choir-The Gaslight Anthem. Gaslight is amazing no matter what they do, and this is one of the highlights on American Slang. The feeling of this song reminds me of summers at the Jersey Shore, and I’m ready for spring to kick off the warm weather associated with this. “But the beat never leaves and the tempo’s a relief to my aching bones rambling all over.”

10. Out in the Street-Bruce Springsteen. When it gets warmer, I start spending a lot more time outside, especially my nights. This song embodies that carefree attitude of knowing that summer’s coming and you get a break from your real life. “And Monday when the foreman calls time, I’ve already got Friday on my mind.”

11. Unsatisfied-The Replacements. This one is for all of time in-between the start of spring and the start of summer. “I’m so, I’m so unsatisfied.”