I hereby declare that creators of indie music podcasts should no longer use the words "totally" or "amazing" unless something is truly, "totally amazing."

Thank you.

By Jim Shearer in HOGE POGE | Link | 0 Comments | Recommended (0)

Tags: amazing, podcast, totally

This weekend my wife and I attended our seventh wedding of the year (I think that has to be some kind of record for us). Anyway, we had a great time visiting with friends and family, the cake was delicious (love the fruit filling), the weather was nice, but one thing irked me (as it has during the other weddings I've been to this year):

When did Michael Jackson's "Thriller" become a mandatory crowd participation dance?

I understand there are a gazillion YouTube videos with wedding parties doing the "Thriller" choreography to a T. There's also world record attempts and entire prison yards partaking in the ghoulishly fun activity, but if I don't know the precise moves, why should I have to leave the dance floor?

(above: Clear the floor, it's time for the damn "Thriller" dance.)

By Jim Shearer in IT'S LIKE THAT | Link | 3 Comments | Recommended (1)

Tags: Dance, Michael Jackson, Prison Yard, Thriller, Thriller Choreography, Weddings

10. Listen to Metallica's or Jay-Z's Black Album.

9. Count how many times Black Rob says "whoa" in his 1999 hit, "Whoa."

8. Take the Indie Ear Black music quiz.

7. Give your black cat a fist-pound.

(left: This is my black cat, and, yes, I already gave her a fist-pound today.)

6. Pull out your guitar and attempt to play AC/DC's "Back In Black" while simultaneously duck-walking like Angus Young.

5. Watch one of the funniest music videos of the year, The Black Keys' "Strange Times."

4. Cross your fingers for the sake of our economy and hope that Sunday is also "black" by listening to Cypress Hill's seminal Black Sunday album. (Singing "Insane In The Brain" can also be very cathartic after fighting long lines all day at the mall.)

3. Play six-degrees-of-separation by connecting Black Sabbath to the Black Kids.

2. Go to a karaoke bar tonight and sing Pearl Jam's "Black."

1. Pop in Amy Winehouse's Back To Black album and think back to last year at this time when music critics were praising her, instead of gossip columnists trying to bury her. If you're feeling a little saucy listen to the Ghostaface Killah remix of "You Know I'm No Good."

By Jim Shearer in HOGE POGE | Link | 0 Comments | Recommended (2)

Tags: Amy Winehouse, Back In Black, Black, Black Friday, Black Sabbath, Pearl Jam

Another Thanksgiving come, another Thanksgiving go.

Here are some of my higlights and low-lights from yesterday:

T-DAY HIGHLIGHTS:

Four Pittsburghers celebrating Thanksgiving in a small NYC apartment.

The homemade meal was strong, and because I haven't puked within the last 12 hours, it means I didn't undercook the turkey (whew).

(left: I'm thankful for 1. Me not cutting off a finger while carving the turkey, 2. Trimmings, trimmings, and more trimmings, and, 3. Spending T-Day with these three lovely ladies!)

Foo Fighters as the special guests on Top Chef. Dave Grohl critiquing Thanksgiving dinner equals television gold!

Green bean casserole with french-fried onions on top (a suburban classic...mmm).

Not having to go downtown to see the Thanksgiving Day Parade.

T-DAY LOWLIGHTS:

Missing the Thanksgiving Day Parade (as you can see I'm torn on whether I like or dislike this yearly tradition).

Popping in a new Christmas CD, Booker T. & The MG's In The Christmas Spirit only to realize that track #7, "Merry Christmas Baby" is the song used in a Cialis commercial. I'll never be able to listen to the song without thinking about erections lasting longer than seven hours.

If you asked me to tell you my 5-favorite things in life, music, food, and sports would be strong contenders. Unfortunately, yesterday I only got one out of the three. The two yearly Thanksgiving football games (excluding the one shown exclusively on the NFL Network) were total lopsided blowouts and the half-time shows, featuring Jesse McCartney and the Jonas Brothers, were equally as horrible. I don't know why, but after witnessing a bad pop music performance I just get really angry.

By Jim Shearer in HOGE POGE | Link | 0 Comments | Recommended (2)

Tags: Booker T & The MG's, Foo Fighters, Jesse McCartney, Jonas Brothers, Top Chef

That's right. It's never too early to start planning your summer music festival.

This week, Bamboozle announced that Fall Out Boy and No Doubt will be headling thier festival (good news for me, cause I've been waiting seven long years for the follow up to No Doubt's Rock Steady).

(left: Yes, let it be known, I do love me some No Doubt.)

All Tomorrow's Parties has also announced a handful of artists that will be performing at their 2nd annual ATP New York festival:

By Jim Shearer in NEWS, SUMMER FESTIVAL '08 UPDATE | Link | 0 Comments | Recommended (1)

Tags: Animal Colelctive, ATP, Bamboozle, Fall Out Boy, No Doubt

I realize that yesterday's GN'R smorgasbord on this blog must've been an indie purist's worst nightmare. To make up for it, here's a free download of Nada Surf's "No Quick Fix."

This B-side from the Let Go (left) sessions is one of the goodies available on their limited edition mega-box-set that was recently released.

As always, enjoy!

No Quick Fix.mp3

By Jim Shearer in FREE SONGS | Link | 0 Comments | Recommended (1)

Tags: B-side, Barsuk, Box Set, Nada Surf, No Quick Fix

Here's a look back at some of my favorite Axl Rose personas over the years. Enjoy!


Catcher's-Vest Axl
Not only was Axl's catcher's vest a nice fashion accessory, but I'm sure it also protected him on many occasions when drunk fans chucked beer bottles on stage.






Young-Backwards-Baseball-Cap Axl
He looks so young, so innocent, how could this kid ever get on someone's bad side?




Hairspray Axl
Though GN'R helped put an end to let's-all-dress-up-like-girls-and-play-hairspray-metal, even Axl had an affinity for the product back in the band's early days.




Dinner-Party Axl
Honey did you make the reservations for 7PM? Are Bob and Lisa still coming? Did we get the table next to the window with the fantastic view? Greeeaaaat, just checking.






Half-Mesh-Jersey-Kilt-Wearing Axl
Just have to say, this was one of my favorite Axl looks.








Plastic Axl
I don't know a lot about botox, plastic surgery, or hair extensions, but something doesn't look right about this Axl.






Sunset-Strip Axl
This is the Axl that many rock die-hards loved and adored (and still do).








American-Flag-Groin-In-Your-Face Axl
Gotta love the patriotism. In a weird rock-star kind of way, you also have to appreciate that big bulge coming from his spandex shorts.








British-Flag-Groin-In-You-Face Axl
Kind of like the American-Flag-Groin-In-Your-Face Axl, but without the stars and stripes.








Jerry Rice Axl
During Axl's early 00's comeback, he just loved wearing his Oakland Raiders Jerry Rice jersey. (I wonder how many of these he still has in his closet?)








Headband-Flannel-Around-The-Waist Axl
This Axl always reminded me of a guy who was just about to go out and work on his car.




Current Axl
I'm liking the western-style jacket. Still waiting for the braids to go, but at least Axl has retired the XXXL Jerry Rice jersey (at least for now anyway).






Pretty Axl
How many women would kill for that silky head of long, flowing hair?




Music-Video Axl
What a great Axl this is, huh? Utilizing the bracelets and rings from Sunset Axl and the bandana and hat from Young-Backwards-Baseball-Cap Axl, it's no mystery why this Axl was the biggest rock star on the planet at the end of the 80's. (Can't deny the power of that white jacket either.)

By Jim Shearer in HOGE POGE | Link | 0 Comments | Recommended (3)

Tags: Axl Rose, Catcher's Vest, Guns N' Roses, Jerry Rice jersey, Many Looks, Mesh Cut-off, White Jacket

A month or so ago I said that if Axl Rose (ahem, Guns N' Roses) really does release Chinese Democracy this year, I'll dedicate a day's worth of blog postings to him.

(left: "That's right, you said a whole day of nuthin' but GN'R.")

Well, he kept good on his word, so I'll keep good on mine. Join us today for random Axl Rose and GN'R blog postings...

By Jim Shearer in HOGE POGE | Link | 0 Comments | Recommended (2)

Tags: Axl Rose, Chinese Democracy, Guns N' Roses