en http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/uk/ Thu, 1 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 Thu, 1 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 60 http://www.audioscrobbler.net/data/webservices http://www.last.fm/user/coregamer/journal The Last.fm journal for coregamer. Last.fm journals are a place to talk about all things music. http://www.last.fm/user/coregamer/journal/2010/08/14/3uchhg_i_hate_required_titles%21 Sat, 14 Aug 2010 04:47:56 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/coregamer/journal/2010/08/14/3uchhg_i_hate_required_titles%21 Fri 13 Aug – Molson Canal Concert Series: Tears for Fears

This was a really good show.

I came for Tears for Fears. I hadn't heard of any of the openers, and I didn't watch them play. We arrived around 6:40, me carrying a backpack, and were immediately told to remove it. So I had to go back to the car, conveniently parked right in front of the venue. I came back with a camera bag which I never used.

We walked around, I bought some merch (several peculiarities: (1) they seem to pretend that Elemental and Raoul never happened. seriously, there's nothing post-split related to be found. ELAHE picks up after the Seeds of Love and (2) they sell signed albums and posters. i've never seen a band sell signed stuff before. it seems kind of presumptuous to me. i bought both anyway.), we ate a bit, and finally 8:30 came and Tears for Fears took the stage.

Roland looked friggin' euphoric. I don't know if he always looks this happy, but he just seemed really happy to be there. It was infectious actually. He even winked at a guy in the audience who waved at him. It made me laugh.

The setlist had a lot of their singles, a surprising amount from the Seeds of Love era, a few from their new album, and a low-tempo cover of Michael Jackson's Billie Jean, oddly enough.

I think the highlight, personally, was Break It Down Again, seeing as it was the ONLY. ROLAND-ERA. SONG. they played. Raoul and the Kings of Spain has been exiled for whatever reason, which is disappointing. Second-place highlight? Maybe Quiet Ones.

They came back for an encore, playing Advice For The Young At Heart (for the first time in twenty years) and Shout, which the crowd seemed to be waiting for. Then they left again, feeling cheated out of my Year Of The Knife.

If you were wondering what kind of person I was there, I was the one who knew every lyric to every song and yelling along to it all. I can't help it. I love these shows.

All in all, TFF puts on a really good live show. I guess after A Flock of Seagulls I was expecting some old guys who were past their prime, but Roland and Curt seem to be playing just as well as they did twenty years ago. Neither look very old.]]> http://www.last.fm/user/coregamer/journal/2010/08/09/3txvl4_fun_fun Mon, 9 Aug 2010 04:37:05 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/coregamer/journal/2010/08/09/3txvl4_fun_fun Fri 6 Aug – Festival Of Friends

[just a note in advance: i was only there for the last day, to see the last three bands]

So going to see bands you barely know (read: one song) can be an awkward experience.

A Flock of Seagulls were pretty good. The crowd didn't seem to know their catalogue (neither did I), and so swayed gently to the beat of the songs without really singing or etc. The notable exception being the front center group of people, singing along loudly. However, this all changed with their closer, I Ran, that song everyone knew and sang along loudly for. I ended up moving to the middle just to participate with them.

After they left, I wandered around some more. There were a ton of people around, walking and buying things. I signed up for their contest to sit on stage with the band. The older clerk said I had a "really good look" and "should consider modeling". I kind of said okay quietly and walked away awkwardly.

Next came Peter Murphy, who I didn't know at all. People seemed more psyched for him, with a higher attendance overall. I don't really know what to say. It started pouring heavily midway through his performance, and since I didn't know the songs I ended up daydreaming through a lot of it though some of his songs I got into. I should make a note to try downloading some later.

The best performance of the night was Squeeze, of course! The crowd was huge by this point (9:30?). The band themselves seem to have fun on stage (or at least the keyboardist. I loved him most of all, the way he kept dancing like hell behind his keyboard and just looking enthusiastic), though they didn't talk much until the end, saying brief thanks and continuing. However they have some amazing ability with their instruments, improv-playing sections with call and answer, having the audience sing a part after they do...after their encore, apparently the festival people wanted to avoid multiple ones, so they said thanks for coming and the crowd dispersed.

I'm looking forward to Tears for Fears in a few days, to say the least. I forgot how good concerts are.]]> http://www.last.fm/user/coregamer/journal/2010/03/31/3j1mbc_titles_are_required Wed, 31 Mar 2010 05:32:15 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/coregamer/journal/2010/03/31/3j1mbc_titles_are_required Tue 30 Mar – Two Hours Traffic, Dead Letter Chorus

Incredible. However, it's 1:30am so I'll sum it up.

Cute redhead girl! Who were you? Why didn't I say hi?

Guy from Arkells! Why were you hanging around casually in the background? You lended coolness to the whole show.

Pre-opener opener band! I forgot your name but you were pretty good. Release a CD so I can buy it.

Dead Letter Chorus! Stop begging me to buy your album out of guilt, even if it is good.

Finally, Two Hours Traffic! You guys were really nice and fine with me acting like a groupie, getting you to sign an album. I only knew half your songs, and even though you didn't play my favourite (No Advances), Stuck for the Summer made up for it. What an encore.

What a night.

Let's do this again sometime.]]> http://www.last.fm/user/coregamer/journal/2009/08/21/2ycmiz_when_i_was_thirty-nine_years_old Fri, 21 Aug 2009 06:25:35 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/coregamer/journal/2009/08/21/2ycmiz_when_i_was_thirty-nine_years_old 1. Put your music player on shuffle.
2. The first lines of twenty songs = a poem; the first line of the twenty-first song is the title.

WHEN I WAS THIRTY-NINE YEARS OLD
When time is like a needle
Jane be jane
I see the stars
From Jamaica to the world

Mr. Macho loves his women with such dedication
I don't want to play football
What's your name?
Sleeping is giving in

You said you want me
Don't don't don't let's start
Hallelujah, the king is dead
Help, I need somebody

I wrote your name upon the back of my hands
I've seen it with my own eyes
We spun like birds on fire
I don't know why, I don't know how

Beautiful girl, lovely dress,
I remember the year I went to camp
Was a long and dark December
We'd come seven hours down

1. Los Reyes Católicos (Reprise)
2. Jane
3. The Stars
4. Love Generation
5. Tough as Nails
6. I Don't Want To Play Football
7. Fred The Beard
8. Rebellion (Lies)
9. Disco Lies
10. Don't Let's Start
11. Year Of The Knife
12. Help!
13. Twilight Omens
14. Going On
15. King Rat
16. Domino Dancing
17. Gone Daddy Gone
18. Purple Toupee
19. Violet Hill
20. O New England

21. John Lee Supertaster (Glasgow)]]> http://www.last.fm/user/coregamer/journal/2009/02/18/2hutdp_best_concert_of_my_life Wed, 18 Feb 2009 06:32:52 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/coregamer/journal/2009/02/18/2hutdp_best_concert_of_my_life Tue 17 Feb – Ben Folds, Miniature Tigers

Though it's the first concert in my life. Okay, so let's start with the basics.

The Miniature Tigers opened, then Wibi did an acapella cover of Underground, which was decent, followed by an unknown song, then an acapella cover of Don't Stop Believin, with a vocal guitar solo. Good opener, in my opinion.

After about a half hour (with a show starting supposedly at 7pm, they hit the stage at 9:30pm...), the three came onto the stage and immediately began playing Bitch Went Nutz. Here's the entire setlist:

Bitch Went Nutz
Effington
Brainwascht
You Don't Know Me (with Jared doing Regina Spektor's part. Remarkable vocal capabilities on this man!)
Annie Waits (thank god! old songs!)
Alice Childress (half the crowd didn't know this)
Army (albeit a fake, improv version. I have a vid)
Way to Normal
Cologne
Zak and Sara
Landed
Lovesick Diagnostician
Dr. Yang
Hiroshima
Fred Jones, Part 2
Lullabye (only piano)
Emaline
Kylie From Connecticut
Free Coffee (With altoid tins! And an effects pedal! And it didn't suck!)
Tom and Mary
Don't Stop Believin' (improv; lots of cavity searches)
Army (the crowd automatically knew the horn part, and I screamed "GOD PLEASE SPARE ME MORE REJECTION" as one of the few people. It was amazing.)
Kate
Not the Same (I had to do the falsetto part of the chorus since nobody else in the crowd seemed to)

Encore (of course; though it took 10 minutes of applause)
Fair (I WAS WAITING FOR THIS, YES)
Philosophy (though the ending was Dr. Pyser)

Then they exited once more, and for good this time, and the crowd kept cheering. We exited a while after and got Nick's Miniature Tigers CD signed (I fist-pounded the lead singer! Yay!).

Now it's 1am and I'm really tired.]]> http://www.last.fm/user/coregamer/journal/2008/12/20/2cfx1v_top_bands_meme Sat, 20 Dec 2008 02:44:56 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/coregamer/journal/2008/12/20/2cfx1v_top_bands_meme 1. How did you get into 29?
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Well, since I was a kid I heard them on the radio.

2. What was the first song you ever heard by 22?
Polysics - Jhout. HELL YES. It's such an awesome song, really fast and energetic.

3. What’s your favorite lyric by 33?
Harry and the Potters (Hermione's Birds And Boys):

Well you look smart, but it’s just book smarts
‘Cause you don’t act so smart around us lately
‘Cause throwing canaries (throwing canaries)
At your friends is not a sign of affection

4. What is your favorite album by 49?
mrSimon - Don't really have one.

5. How many albums by 13 do you own?
New Order - My parents own the Best Of.

6. What is your favorite song by 50?
Juttman - Imaginary People. It's just so nice and happy.

7. Is there a song by 39 that makes you sad?
Jonathan Coulton - Nopers.

8. What is your favorite album by 15?
Oingo Boingo - Very likely Good For Your Soul. All my favourite tracks are on it.

9. What is your favorite song by 5?
Ben Folds Five - Mess. It's sad, yet flows really well.

10. Is there a song by 6 that makes you happy?
Ben Folds. A few, actually. Rockin' The Suburbs. Hiro's Song. Bastard. Rent a Cop. Way to Normal. For an artist with a lot of sad songs, there are quite a few happy ones.

11. What is your favorite album by 41?
R.E.M. - Don't have one. I only listen to a few singles.

12. What is your favorite song by 10?
Arcade Fire. - Good question, actually. Hmm...I'm going to have to go with Intervention. It's a really moving song, that seems to be a big, long crescendo.

13. What is a good memory you have involving 31?
Barenaked Ladies - Seeing the video for Lovers in a Dangerous Time for the first time.

14. What is your favorite song by 38?
梶浦由記 - Key of the Twilight, I suppose.

15. Is there a song by 19 that makes you happy?
Gorillaz - No. Depressing as hell band.

16. How many times have you seen 25 live?
songstowearpantsto.com - No.

17. What is the first song you ever heard by 23?
Yuka Tujiyoko - The opening credits to Paper Mario?

18. What is your favorite album by 11?
Modest Mouse - Good News for People Who Love Bad News.

19. Who is a favorite member of 1?
Lemon Demon - Well, Neil Cicierega of course.

20. Have you ever seen 14 live?
Gnarls Barkley - Nopers.

21. What is a good memory involving 27?
Moby - Stroking that man's shiny, bald head. It was so soft, yet supple...wait, that didn't happen.

22. What is your favorite song by 16?
Grim Fandango - Blue Casket Bop, I guess.

23. What is the first song you ever heard by 47?
The Police - King Of Pain, my dad used to play it on his stereo all the time. Good song.

24. What is your favorite album by 18?
The Decemberists - The Crane Wife, as it's so pleasant. It's cleanly mixed and has such wonderful lyrics.

25. What is your favorite song by 21?
CAKE - Opera Singer! The drum beat is so blah yet the bass is so awesome.

26. What is the first song you ever heard by 26?
Radiohead - 15 Step. The album was free, so I decided to give them a shot.

27. What is your favorite album by 3?
They Might Be Giants - I'm deciding between Apollo 18 and John Henry. So many people hate Apollo 18 yet it has I Palindrome I. How can you hate the album that contains that track?

28. What is you favorite song by 2?
Belle and Sebastian - Your Cover's Blown. Yes, oddly, an EP track. Then a friend sent over If You're Feeling Sinister, and I was in love.

29. What was the first song you ever heard by 32?
John Linnell - Technically, Illinois since I did a full album playthrough.

30. What is you favorite song by 8?
Daft Punk - Probably Face to Face. It has this rickety, machine-like beat that's still fluid. It's a nice combination of both that's pretty refreshing compared to most House.

31. How many times have you seen 17 live?
Pixies - Nada.

32. Is there a song by 44 that makes you happy?
dMb Music - Not eally.

33. What is you favorite album by 12?
Jeremy Soule - None.

34. What is the worst song by 45?
Franz Ferdinand - Do You Want To.

35. What was the first song you ever heard by 34?
Billy Reid - I'm Typing LOL. Saw it on youtube one day.

36. What is you favorite album by 48?
The CamPanulas - The debut (and only) album.

37. How many times have you seen 43 live?
Peter McConnell - None. Just give up on the live questions, I've never been to any concerts.

38. What is you favorite song by 36?
The Lady Sails - Hmm...Jude the Obscurer. Randomly, on the acoustic guitar-driven album, is this piano-heavy piece. There's something about the combination of piano and percussion that makes it very pleasant to the ear, and it's a very calm track. It's free, too, so give it a listen.

39. What was the first song you ever heard by 28?
Foals - Electric Bloom.

40. What is your favorite album by 7?
The Beatles - Love?

41. Is there a song by 30 that makes you happy?
Supertramp - Not really.

42. What is your favorite album by 42?
Sam Roberts - Don't have one.

43. What is your favorite song by 35?
Weezer - Let's go with Perfect Situation.

44. What is a good memory you have involving 46?
Free Radical Design - Frolicking through the flowers.

45. What is your favorite song by 53?
RIP SLYME - Dandelion!

46. Is there a song by 9 that makes you happy?
Beck? No.

47. What is your favorite album by 4?
Logan Whitehurst & The Jr. Science Club - Goodbye, My 4-Track. It's so well made and the songs are really good. All of them.

48. Who is a favorite member of 37?
Stabilo - I don't really have a favourite. The lead singer knows what he's doing lyric-wise, though. The other guy, not so much.

49. What is the first song you ever heard by 40?
The Flaming Lips - I think the Yeah Yeah Yeah Song, but I'm not too sure.

50. How many albums do you own by 20?
Sloan - Two. Parallel Play and Twice Removed.]]> http://www.last.fm/user/coregamer/journal/2006/12/23/72ts2_christmas_vacation%3A_day_1 Sat, 23 Dec 2006 22:03:54 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/coregamer/journal/2006/12/23/72ts2_christmas_vacation%3A_day_1 Well, it’s Saturday, 11am. I’m bored as ever. And it’s the first day of vacation. >_> I wonder if Jake can come over…

Anyway, my mom and dad are gone. My mom will leave later to go Christmas shopping. Again. I wonder why she’s going so last minute. That’s all for now, I might add more later if something happens.

EDIT(1:37pm): I just realised that today’s Festivus! Happy Festivus, everyone!

My mom and dad are back. Apparently the Harders are having an open house next Friday. Oh joy. It really bugs me about how they hold so many parties yet aren’t too keen to go to other people’s houses. Do they hate our house? Do they hate us? Are we just their pawn, their piece to the social mansion they’d like to keep standing?

Anyway, I still have no plans. I’m booooorrreeeddd.

EDIT(4:59pm): darksarcasm01 helped me with my sax a bit. Some useful stuff came out of it. He taught me Taps, which I’ll play sometime tomorrow, I don’t know if I should. :P Anyway, I’ve been looking for some new songs to listen to. So far, I’ve listened to Barenaked Ladies, Eminem, and Run DMC. And that was the last 3 hours.]]>