2012 In Review: Dick Dale

I was able to partake in quite a few concerts this year which certainly made me feel better about my lack of doing so in 2011.  One of my favorite concerts this year was Dick Dale at The Continental Club in Houston. 

I've been a lover of surf music pretty much my whole life because my father listens to it all the time.  My first concert was The Ventures in Corpus Christi, TX when I was about 6 years old.  I still remember it and how cool it was to see those guys perform so getting to see The King of the Surf Guitar perform helped me feel like perhaps I had come full circle in my concert going experiences. 

In case you've never been to a Dick Dale show, let me tell you that it is loud.  And by loud, I mean three F-16 jets trying to break the sound barrier loud.  I was prepared with my ear plugs in tow, but even then that man must have a level past 11 on his amps to get it that loud.  I'm not complaning by any means, just sayin'.  Dick Dale was certainly a crowd pleaser playing all of his classics like "Bandito", "Esperanza" and of course "Misirlou".  The man is 75 years old and still rockin' like he did in the '60s.  It was a great experience that I'm very happy I was able to be a part of.  I hope he continues to tour because I would love to see him again.  Below is my favorite song by him. 

'Tis The Season

As I'm recovering from my turkey coma and the spiked egg nog, it's time to start thinking about how another year has flown by and before we know it we'll all be watching the ball drop in Times Square as another year shuffles in.  It's also time to reflect on all of the music that I experienced this year. 

2012 was a great year musically with the releases of some stellar albums and seeing some classics in concert.  From now until the end of the year, I'm going to reflect on some of those experiences and look forward to 2013 and what that is going to bring to all of us music fans.

What were some of your favorite albums of 2012? Did you see any great shows that really stood out to you in 2012? Who are you hoping to see or hear some new music from in 2013?

Interpol's 'Turn on the Bright Lights' Turns 10!

Wow, I can't believe how fast time flies. Ten years ago today New York band Interpol graced the world with their debut album, Turn on the Bright Lights, forever changing the landscape of indie and post-punk modern music. At least for me it did.

I discovered this band back in 2004, so just a couple years later than many others. They were part of the touring line-up for Robert Smith's summer "festival" concert Curiosa which featured acts like Head Automatica and Mogwai. Muse was also a part of this line-up, but prior to the Texas shows, lead singer and guitarist Matthew Bellamy broke his wrist and the band had to quit the tour. Interpol opened for The Cure and although I knew the band's set opener, "Obstacle 1", I was unfamiliar with the complex, emotional lyrics and driving rhythms created by Paul Banks and company that made up the rest of their songs. After hearing "NYC" I was hooked. I went out and bought the album the next day and it has been on heavy rotation in my life ever since.

Interpol has released three more albums since their 2002 debut, but for many, TOTBL still holds the top spot as the true fan favorite. I think the reason it has withstood the test of time is because it came into the world at just the right time and it resonated with so many fans that were ready for what this band had to offer. Plus, former bassist Carlos D. was hot and that certainly didn't hurt.

It was too difficult to choose just one song to mark this special occasion with so I'm posting the entire album. Happy Birthday to a truly spectacular album!

Electric Youth Releases New Single

I fell in love with Electric Youth after watching (and also falling in love with) the movie Drive.  The soundtrack definitely made that movie and Electric Youth's track "A Real Hero" has quickly launched this electro pop band into the spotlight.  Yesterday, they released their new single, "The Best Thing" which was a collaboration with Depeche Mode, Yaz & Erasure founder, Vince Clarke.  The duo plans to work with Clarke on more music once they complete their current tour.  I can only speculate that it will be greatness just as this first single.  Listen for yourself and check out the video for "A Real Hero" below!

Interpol Fans Rejoice! New Paul Banks Album Coming Soon

For those of us that have been longing for some new Interpol material, it can seem like eons since their 2010 self-titled release.  But fret no more, frontman Paul Banks is going to help quench that thirst with a new solo album set to be released October 23rd on Matador Records.  This time around he's dropping the Julien Plenti moniker and is diving head first into this album full of his familiar intensity.  The first single, "The Base", was released via Matador's web site today and it is fantatic!  You can check it out here.  I can't wait for this album and I hope we don't have to wait too long for more Interpol. 


(photo by Helena Christensen)

The Cure, Depeche Mode, New Order..Oh My!

So yesterday saw a lot of buzz going on over in Cure camp as Robert Smith announced that while the current touring line up is taking a month long break from playing European summer festivals, they plan to do some recording of new material.  RSX also said that Cure fans should expect the long awaited Mixed Up 2 to be released right around Christmas of this year, hopefully just in time to be the perfect stocking stuffer! This time around, Robert is giving some of his favorite bands such as Mogwai and Cranes an opportunity to do the remixes rather than producers as was the case on the previously released Mixed Up.  Take all of this surprising news however you wish.  We Cure fans know to be a bit hesitant to believe everything RSX says.  Just where is that "dark" album follow up to 2008's 4:13 Dream and those DVD releases of In Orange and Show?! I for one hope he's going to give us something we've been waiting four years for!

Over in Depeche Mode land, manager Jonathan Kessler confirms that the new album will be released in April 2013 with a "full world tour" to follow.  Martin Gore had previously mentioned this year that the album would be released in the early part of next year and it looks like it's actually happening.  Frontman Dave Gahan has been somewhat busy with a side project with band Soulsavers with whom he performed a surprise show this past weekend, but mates say he's back and focused and ready to work.  I'm excited to hear where the band is going with this album.  I liked Sounds of the Universe, but I also miss their old sound.  Doesn't matter, I'll be at the concert because they put on a hell of a performance.  Let's start a petition to get DM and The Cure to tour together! How awesome would that be!!

Finally, news that I think just about every one I know is excited to hear and that is that after seven years of being away, New Order has announced a handful of North American dates set for this fall.  After much excitement over the reunion of Bernard Sumner, Stephen Morris and Gillian Gilbert, the band has played select shows in Europe and is even tapped to play a closing ceremony gig for the 2012 Olympics in London with fellow country mates, Blur.  Much has been said about the band touring without bassist Peter Hook, but I think fans will still flock to see this lineup.  The tour will only take them to a few select cities ranging from California to Texas to Canada, so you better snatch up your tickets as soon as you can.  Tour dates are below.

New Order North American tour dates:
Oct. 5: Fox Theatre, Oakland, CA
Oct. 7: Greek Theatre, Los Angeles, CA
Oct. 10: 1stBank Center, Broomfield, CO
Oct. 12: Palladium, Dallas, TX
Oct. 18: Roseland Ballroom, New York, NY
Oct. 21: Aragon Ballroom, Chicago, IL
Oct. 23: Sony Center, Toronto, ON

World, Meet Blouse

I recently fell in love with this band from Portland, Oregon.  I was actually supposed to see them at Fitzgerald's the night I was in my car accident so I totally hope they make it back down here soon. 

The group is made up of Charlie Hilton (vocals), Patrick Adams and Jacob Portrait.  The trio started laying tracks down in Portrait's warehouse studio and their ethereal, electronic pop sound was born.  In 2011, Blouse was signed to Brooklyn-based label Captured Tracks and have since released a bunch of singles as well as a self- titled debut album that was released last November.  If you like their stuff, check them out on Facebook. 

I love them.  I hope you do too! This is one of the singles off their self-titled album.  Enjoy!