Check it out here:  Hilary Duff Live at the Gibson Amphitheatre

C’mon!  You know you secretly want a copy of this.  Don’t lie.

So why is it that so many of the current bands simply SUCK at performing live?  They release a fine studio recording, which is all good, but their live show is a big let down.  I’ve had the good fortune (or misfortune depending on how you look at it) of listening to a handful of bands recently on tour, and it is with great displeasure that I tell you that more than a few of these well-known acts simply SUCK! Actually it’s MOST OF THEM SUCK at performing live.

They either can’t sing in tune, or they can’t play their instruments, or they cannot tune their instruments.  Apparently, their guitar techs can’t tune their shit either.  Just as bad, they will end up with 3 or 4 guitar amps on stage THAT ALL SOUND THE SAME!  Are you kidding me?  Don’t they have a manager who listens to the sound check or who attends their rehearsals?  Don’t they know these guys suck?

It’s called PRACTICE, my friends.  Practice with your instrument and we wouldn’t have these problems!  I mean, if you’ve taken the time to compose and record what you think are some pretty cool songs, wouldn’t you want to at least be able to play what you’ve written?

Something else that bothers me is the fact that those attending the shows don’t seem to care either.  They scream and applaud and carry the torch, obviously oblivious of the fact that their favorite band actually SUCKS!  I guess being tone deaf or rhythmically challenged is a virtue.

What happened to the craft of making a record?  Of going into the studio and not expecting the engineer to just fix everything you can’t or are too lazy to perform correctly?  Of rehearsing until your fingers bled? Of knowing your songs backwards so that when you did get a chance to be on stage, you just killed it?

Now I know what you are thinking.  You think I’m just an angry geezer whose cynacism out weighs his love of the music he is so fortunate to be involved with.  Am I biting the hand that feeds me, sort of thing.  Well maybe so, but I think it’s time we demand better.  You are the ones paying for the tickets, paying for the records or downloads (you are paying right?).  So why not demand better?  It’s your money.

“TUNE YOUR GUITAR!”

Thank you and goodnight.

Here is a link to the iTunes page:  Ryan Kirwan - “10th St. Breakdown”

You can purchase the digital audio version at iTunes here.

More songs from The Annamites! That you can count on!

Let’s pray for the Arts, my friends…

Get more info here:  DrumChannel.com, Bombastic Meatbats

Happy Holidays!

I’ve been listening to Natalia LaFourcade’s latest record, ” Hu Hu Hu.”  I’ve always liked everything she touches, as I have her previous albums, but this is fantastic.  Incredible melodies and rythmic textures which hit you like that fall sun you’ve waited for all morning to warm your cold, damp feet.  My spanish may suck, but this record does not.  I don’t know what she’s singing about half of the time, but it doesn’t matter, I believe her.  Her voice just slays me.  Listen to “Tiempo al viento.”  Wonderful.  Now I can forget about all that is not right in this world… at least for one hour.  Thank you, Natalia.  And if you want to sing on one of “The Annamites” songs, I have this great idea…