11.13.2008

R.I.P. Mitch Mitchell

from jambase
"Mitch Mitchell, the innovative drummer who anchored the Jimi Hendrix Experience, has died at the age of 62. Mitchell passed away on November 12 in Portland, Oregon of natural causes. The London native had completed an 18 city American tour as a featured performer with Experience Hendrix, a series concert series celebrating the legacy of Jimi Hendrix featuring an all-star line up of artists including his one-time Hendrix bandmate and dear friend Billy Cox. Other performers on the tour included Buddy Guy, Hubert Sumlin, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Jonny Lang, Brad Whitford of Aerosmith, Robby Krieger of the Doors, Mike McCready of Pearl Jam as well as members of Los Lobos and others. Portland was the tour's last stop and Mitchell had been staying in town for some vacation time before his planned return to England."

11.06.2008

Deftones bass player Chi Cheng in a coma

from Bitten & Bound

"Rock band Deftones bass player Chi Cheng was involved in a car accident yesterday in Santa Clara, California. The band member is reported to be in stable but serious condition."

read more here

10.24.2008

R.I.P. Merl Saunders


from jambase -
Merl Saunders was born Merl Saunders Washington (he dropped the "Washington" for show biz purposes) in San Mateo, California on February 14, 1934; he passed away early this morning (October 24, 2008) at Kaiser Hospital in San Francisco.

Saunders grew up in San Francisco and was a proficient piano player by age 10. He attended Polytechnic High School, Served in the Air Force and Attended University of Mainz in Germany. Saunders married Betty Crenshaw and leaves behind three children (Anthony Saunders, Merl Saunders Jr., Susan Saunders) and a number of grand kids.

Saunders became one of the preeminent Hammond B-3 player of his generation; beginning his long strange trip by apprenticing with the great Jimmy Smith. In 1970 Saunders began playing with Jerry Garcia in the Bay Area under bands called Legion of Mary and then Garcia/Saunders. The duo recorded a number of famous albums including Heavy Turbulence, Fire Up, and Live at the Keystone. Their 1990 collaboration, Blues from the Rainforest, was a Billboard Top 10 in the New Age category.

Saunders contributed to the Grateful Dead album Grateful Dead (1971), and in the mid-1980s worked with the band as musical director for the "Twilight Zone" television show.

He became known as the senior member of the jam band scene having played with Phish, Blues Traveler and Widespread Panic. He was instrumental in allowing young talent to play and record with him, giving first opportunity to the likes of Sheila E, Chris Hayes (Huey Lewis & the News), Bonnie Hayes (Billy Idol) and Bob Steeler (Hot Tuna).

In parallel to his rock career, Saunders worked as a jazz trio player, performing and recording with Harry Belafonte, Frank Sinatra, Lionel Hampton, Miles Davis, B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt, and Paul Butterfield. He also contributed to the scores of the films "Heavy Traffic" and "Fritz the Cat."


a take on hope


just wanted to share one of the great takes on Fairey's Obama/Hope design. straight from Hoff's site, this one is good but the best one has to be the Palin/Nope design that i just ordered as a t shirt. wait 'till you see me rockin' this shit beyaatches.

10.23.2008

Cheech & Chong on Tour


I just read a great review of a Cheech and Chong performance at jambase.com, here. I also grew up listening to these guys. I still have their albums that I stole from my brother and dad when I was a kid. Yes...my copy of Big Bambu still has the GIANT rolling paper in it! I really hope they bring this tour to our area.

Jane's Addiction Reunites!


There has been some speculation online about a secret Jane's Addiction show this week. Well, there is no need to speculate... Jane's Addiction will be performing tonight (Thursday, October 23), at La Cita Bar (336 South Hill Street) in downtown Los Angeles. The night is hosted the band's friend, artist Shepard Fairey. This will be the first Jane's Addiction show in years with the original lineup of frontman Perry Farrell, guitarist Dave Navarro bassist Eric Avery and drummer Stephen Perkins.

from jambase

10.09.2008

Amendola & Parker Tonight @ the Palms


"Bay Area jazz player Scott Amendola is one of those rare drummers whose talent is so distinctive that he can be billed as the leader of the band. He has been nominated for a Grammy with the band T.J. Kirk, recorded three records with Charlie Hunter toured the world, and appeared on national television, and has recorded or performed with dozens of musicians, including Bill Frisell, John Zorn, Tony Furtado, Phil Lesh among many others. Amendola's inspiration stems from such stylistic influences as African music, jazz, blues, spirituals, rock, and the avant garde. He is among the most musical of drummers we have had the pleasure of listening to. This evening Amendola is joined by pioneering Chicago avant/jazz guitarist Jeff Parker. From his website: Jeff Parker is “ jazz guitarist with pro credentials, widely travelled and prized by top soul-jazzers and hard-boppers…inveterate rocker who revitalized Tortoise with his ferocious improvising and tasty licks…. experimentalist willing to try new dub, hip-hop,electronic, collage, free, chamber - anything worthwhile, irrespective of genre or orientation. Community expander, boundary buster, restless explorer - Jeff Parker is constantly trying out new things with new partners.” On bass is longtime Amendola collaborator Jeff Schifflett."

10.07.2008

Dark Star Orchestra Tonight @ The Crest


i'm not a huge D.S.O. guy but tonight is all about supporting Jam Bands in Sac. not to mention, the Crest is my favorite local music venue, as underused as it is. hope to see some of you phreaks there!

10.01.2008

like a pheonix


PHISH HAMPTON 2009 from Phish on Vimeo.


phreaks, phriends and phamily......the boys are back! a lot of you know this isn't a huge suprise to me but i must admit, the news left me feeling much happier thatn i had expected. happy isn't even the right word. i am filled with love, joy, gratitude, memories and great hopes for the future. i am here. now.

my ticket request is in. we'll see. no expectations. of course, my best man, bear, lives in virginia. of course, bear and i are known to have seen a phish show or 30 together. of course, we have scored into a handful of impossible shows too. we'll see.

just one thing. PLEASE, PLEASE don't come through the best coast around my wedding. PLEASE!

9.24.2008

Keller Williams Band - Live Tonight - Free Stream of Show


from iClips..
Tune in to iClips.net on Wednesday, 9/24 for an exclusive webcast of the Keller Williams w/Moseley, Droll & Sipe concert at the Barrymore Theatre in Madison, WI. Cornmeal will be opening the show, and their set will also be broadcast on iClips.

The show will begin at approximately 8pm CST, with Keller hitting the stage around 9:30pm. No matter where you are located, you’ll have the best seat in the house as iClips delivers the excitement of KW’s live performance right into your home!

Singer, songwriter, and guitarist Keller Williams is literally a one-man jam band. His fascinating live shows feature him solo on-stage with a Gibson Echoplex Digital Pro looping unit, and he creates his backing loops in the moment, building and improvising as he goes on his custom-made ten-string guitar, and thanks to his equally as quirky, upbeat, and semi-surreal songs (which he frequently weaves into extended, half-improvised medleys) and his warm, friendly tenor singing voice, Williams is an utterly unique performer whose musical eccentricities don't keep him from being immediately accessible.

9.22.2008

Devin Hoff - Solo - Tonight in Sac


Devin Hoff is a master of the bass, double bass, contrabass and an all around, bad-ass, motha'. I just realized that Mr. Hoff is playing a solo gig tonight at the Java Lounge. He is scheduled to play from 8 - 9 p.m.
All day I have been going back and forth on whether I should go to the City tonight for a show, You see, The Brian Blade Fellowship is playing at Yoshi's. The Fellowship is, imo, is the absolute sickest jazz band of the last 15-20 years! I've been fortunate to see them once. But once is not enough. It's been a long day of self inflicted torture on this one. But now, Mr. Hoff has presented an alternative. The same? NOT EVEN! But, hey...the Fellowship will be back and a master of the Bass Guitar in my backyard is always a great thing!

Hope to see some of you freaks there!

9.15.2008

Pink Floyd founding member Richard Wright dies


from jambase -

Pink Floyd
keyboardist and founding member Richard "Rick" Wright passed away today (Monday, September 15). According to a post on David Gilmour's website, "Richard died today after a short struggle with cancer." He was 65.

Wright co-founded Pink Floyd in 1965 with guitarist Syd Barrett, bassist Roger Waters and drummer Nick Mason. Known primarily as a keyboardist, Wright also sang and earned songwriting credits on several of Floyd's most popular albums including Dark Side of the Moon and Wish You Were Here.

Wright continued to work with Pink Floyd through the 80s and 90s and is featured heavily on the final Floyd studio album, 1994's The Division Bell. He also participated in the Pink Floyd reunion that occurred for Live 8 in 2005 (read the review here).

In addition to his work with Pink Floyd, Wright put out two solo albums, 1978's Wet Dream and 1996's Broken China, as well as 1984's Identity with Dave Harris.

The pastor who clashed with Palin


"Baptist minister Howard Bess, who wrote a book Palin wanted banned and who fought her on abortion and gay rights, says the country should fear her election."

read more at Salon here

Greenspan: This Is The Worst Economy I've Ever Seen


just came across this article from the Huffington Post

McCain - The Maverick Sells Out


Trooper Gate Continues


catch the latest from ABC here

Powell still undecided, says Obama win would be 'electrifying'


just came across this article from CNN.

Top Facts Everyone Must Know About Sarah Palin - From Grizzly Bay

photo - weekly standard


from GRIZZLYBAY.ORG

Top Facts Everyone Must Know About Sarah Palin

All facts below about Sarah Palin are backed up by links to credible news sources

1) She is opposed to abortion even in cases of rape and incest (even if victims are children)

2) She offered a bounty of $150 for each left front leg of freshly killed wolves

3) She is presently under investigation in Alaska for abuse of power

4) She strongly supports drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

5) She promotes aerial hunting of wolves and bears even though Alaskans voted twice to ban the practice (VIDEO)

6) She used $400,000 of state money to fund a propaganda campaign in support of aerial hunting

7) She is a champion for big oil and her campaign slogan has become "Drill, baby, drill!"

8) She believes creationism should be taught in public schools

9) She believes man-made global warming is a farce

10) She is opposed to listing the polar bear as an endangered species because it might limit oil exploitation

11) While mayor of Wasilla she tried to fire the city librarian because the librarian refused to censor books

12) She supports the Alaskan Independence Party which seeks independence from the United States (VIDEO)

13) As mayor of Wasilla, she made rape victims pay for their own forensic evidence kits

14) She obtained her first passport just last year (2007)

NOTE: We live year-round in Alaska

Please send our website to any and all media outlets

Download Top Facts About Sarah Palin in various formats: PDF, DOC, HTML, TXT

Use text and photos freely. Help us spread the truth by adding our banner (see bottom)


New Rules


if you know me, you know of my affections for Bill Maher. his sarcastic take and extremely funny insights are my cup of tea. it seems that as the season turns political, so do we here at the fake offices. this whole Palin thing has just put the sake in my bomb......if you know what i mean.
Mr Maher is taking some heat from his comments on Palin. Last week, on the first show of the new season, Maher called her a "stewardess". much to my delight but not so much for others, apparently. Maher defended himself this week by restating that Palin is nothing more than a stewardess. aah, did i mention i love this guy? also, this week, he had Janeanne Garafolo and Roseanne Barr as guests. Garafalo gave Bill some shit for his opening skit but didn't take offense to anything after that. Roseanne, who if you are not aware, is a very popular blogger and a new favorite political pundit of mine. she also didn't take offense to any of Bill's comments. those are two.....semi-extreme feminists. you be the judge.

#spinewatch - help the media "grow a pair"


I don't 'subscribe' to many blogs. I wish I could follow more but I really don't have the time. there are a few, however, hip, seedy and informative, that I check religiously. One of them is Craig Newmark's blog. He, of course, started Craigslist and is quite honestly one of my living heroes. Really Jalew? Yep. Really. If your familiar with his path, his personal choice NOT to sell out one of the internets most used and potentially most profitable web sites and his passions and projects outside of running CL, then you understand why. The man stands for A LOT and it ALL is to OUR benefit. That said, I would like to share this from his blog..



#spinewatch: Help the media regain its spine

There are good signs that the media is resisting bullying from the McCain/Bush/Rove axis, and we should encourage 'em. They realize that the reporting some years ago regarding WMD was, maybe, not so good, and they're starting to report on the bad guys again.

Jay Rosen of PressThink and NewAssignment.net has a great idea, let's encourage the press by cheerleading them on Twitter:

Spread the meme. Use #spinewatch for key links and quotes showing the press beginning to hit hard on McCain's "facts don't matter" attitude.

I use the following to track #spinewatch:

http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23spinewatch

I've seen at least one McCain scammer operating.

Steve Outing noticed right away.

However, Rachel Sklar has the best observation I've seen:

Please note that, though Fey stole the show with her Palin (never mind the look, wow did she ever nail the voice!), the best line of the entire show belonged to Poehler's Hillary: "In conclusion, I invite the media to grow a pair. And if you can't, I will lend you mine." BRAVA!

UPDATE: #spinewatch is spreading:

Good commentary here

here's a good aggregation of comments like:

from Michael Kingsley:

"The media have trouble calling a lie a lie, or asserting that one side is lying more than the other -- even when that is objectively the case. They lean over backwards to give liars the benefit of the doubt, even when there is no doubt. Objectivity can’t be objectively measured. What can be is balance. So if the sins of both campaigns are reported as roughly equal, the media feel they are doing their job -- even if this is objectively untrue."


Disclaimer: I encouraged Jay to do this and have supported him in a very minor way to find new ways to fund investigative reporting.

9.14.2008

Bakumatsu Koshashin ..



..is a cool 'old timey' photo generator. it's web based, so you don't have to download anything and it's free. of course, the same can be achieved in photoshop but this is quick and simple. check it here

Mcain Pulls Ahead in Florida & North Dakota


please...tell me the dem's can pull this one off.


you can follow each state's electoral 'scorecard' here at Slate. it's great. you can scroll over each state to get the latest numbers and click to find more info. they also have the numbers for the senate, house and governor races across the country.

time to get dirty Barack!

9.13.2008

Peace Day - Sept. 21



are you? if so, make a commitment to manifest peace on 09/21. i just did. just click here.

Green Living Resources - The Healthy Building Network


I'm always looking for new, informative and relevant resources for Green Living. The Healthy Bulding Network has become a recent favorite. HBN has a wealth of information on Green Building, laws and advances in Green Technologies.

McCain Attacks Palin's Experience




ahh, video. it tells a story. a story Mccain would like to forget.


9.08.2008

Phish Reunites.....Kinda'



If you haven't heard, Phish played a short set at Brad Sand's wedding last weekend. The quartet played staples "Suzy Greenberg," "Waste" and "Julius." Afterwards, Police drummer Stewart Copeland joined the Wedding Band for a rendition of The Police's "Can't Stand Losing You" and The Meters' "Fire On The Bayou."

Here is a rough video of some Julius. My favorite has to be when the light hits Phishman....COMEDY!

See you on tour next Phall bitches!

Pics From My Last Job - After


the dry creek bed and the small burm goes in



finally someone to help me move this 700+ pound boulder

ahh...

finished!

Pics From My Last Job - Before


is there a house in there somewhere?


is that a......window?

at least the shrubs give some privacy...


well, i pretty much hate lawns at this point. so this is actually a sign of progress for me. let's get this water whore out of this yard and plant something pretty, functional, low maintenance and sustainable!

grass = :(

ObamaTravel.org


ObamaTravel.org is a platform that connects volunteers who want to travel to a swing state with financial sponsors and swing state host families. It's sort of a political hybrid of craigslist and Team-in-Training - volunteers post profiles and solicit sponsorship from their family and friends. Sponsors can see their donations in action by following the activities of their volunteers.

Confessions of an RNC Rent-A-Cop

"Gov. Palin is staying here -- you gotta be careful. You get what I'm saying? You can't get wood on the job."


Read the HILARIOUS article from Slate, here.

Moose ex Machina


Sarah Palin is trying to seduce independent voters. But she comes across like a whip-wielding mistress who wants to discipline a naughty America.

Read the article from Slate, by Gary Kamiya here.

9.04.2008

Racism is the only reason Obama might lose..


..according to Jacob Weisberg of Slate. read more of his interesting article here.

This Modern World


9.03.2008

The Future Is Here - Dubai



i realize i've uploaded a lot of videos from current lately and i wasn't planning on doing it again until i came across this and knew i had to share it. i've been aware of Dubai for a while now. always reading crazy stories about the developments there. always hearing of the wealth. but i really enjoyed this video documentary. i hope you do also.

"The future is here....and I don't know how I feel about it."

how do you feel about it? amazing advances in engineering, human achievements? or completely disgusting display of wealth and egos?

8.16.2008

REGENERATION - THE NEW FILM FROM STS9!



STS9....musicians, artists, activists and now, film makers. There is NO mold for this group of gentelmen. They continue to push the boundaries of labels and expectations. There really seems to be no fear. Only Love.

8.09.2008

Phil Lesh on Comedy Central



Phil Lesh on Lil' Bush!

Why God hates Amputees

i know, i know. but it's really about questioning everything God. check it out here. i don't think it wil be as bad as you think.

Freedom Isn't Free...And Neither Are Private Contractors


read a "five-part blog series sharing the experiences of Rachel, an Iraq War veteran who was a firsthand witness to many cases of contractor abuse against the troops'' here

Crochet an Orb : A tutorial using a balloon


keeping it crafty with this cool crocheted orb from ressurection fern.

Bandana Pants


fun tutorial on making pants from bandanas. from a cool blog, Make Something Now

Jonny Depp's Eco Island


"Apparently Johnny Depp bought an island for around $3,000,000 a while back. And, since there aren't exactly power lines running to the tiny island, he had to figure out how to power his (ridiculously posh) home. For the green-minded Depp, diesel generators just weren't an option.

So he turned to Mike Strizki to help him build a system that would produce enough power to quench his celebrity-born thirst for decadence while not throwing off massive amounts of greenhouse gas. The result is a solar system that stores excess energy as hydrogen for use at night, or during cloudy times of day (not too common in the Bahamas, but still.)"

read more at eco geek