The Gaslight Anthem - July 2012

The above quote is from Brian Fallon, albeit that's all he shared, making sure too keep his lips sealed in order to save face about his run-ins with famous people over the past couple of years since Gaslight has made it.

Last night the American boys from Jersey brought down the muhhaah-effin house. Brian Fallon, not only the lead vocalist with heart, but a comedian and inspirational talker? Yes, all true. Fallon shared stories about his encounters with Bossman Springsteen and also reflected on their new album being #1 in various countries in Europe! "Not to sound cheesy," he shared, "but if we can do it, proves anyone can!" As an aspiring rock goddess/journalist-extraordinaire, I got the chills! Here is their tweet from a mere 7 hours ago. Check out the hashtag, love!

The Gaslight Anthem

Handwritten is out NOW in the US and it’s number 1 on iTunes rock chart, let’s do it, let’s go for number 1!!!!!! #followingdreams

Playing  '45' and 'Handwritten' from their new album, Handwritten, released today, along with 'Great Expectations,' and 'Here's Looking At You, Kid' off their 2008 album, The '59 Sound . All those amazing beats that hooked fans in the first place sounded better than ever last night.  The show brought me back to college when I first started listening to them.  Their lyrics all remind me of summer lovin'  and I was blasted back in time when they played, "Old White Lincoln." 

                                              'Like a dream I remember from an easier time..'

Brian, Benny and the two Alex's covered Dave Matthew's, "Crash Into Me"  They played 'Handwritten' for the first time in the states. Casually making history in a strip mall in upstate NY, I'll take it! When they played, "American Slang," I was secretly hoping Bruce would come out of a smoke cloud in the back like he did in New Jersey last year, but I guess he was busy or something?  Instead Brian's stories and impersonation of him sufficed. Fallon's demeanor is so genuine and the passion he has for the music is so apparent. His vocals are an emotional treat and the group dynamic screams, "humble appreciation!" About a third of the crowd last night were fans from Philly and Jersey and after attending my first Gaslight show I can see why their following is so loyal.

I traveled solo to this show. I planted myself fairly close to the stage and held my ground. The show was packed, not as crazy as the Matisyahu/Dirty Heads on Friday, but packed. I was running on 4 hours of sleep from my Sunday-Funday shenanigans, but managed to muster up energy to dance like a rock princess, once the adrenaline kicked in from the vibes of the show I was in heaven.

When I started writing this blog post, only 8 of the 15 songs had downloaded from the new album. Now after first listen, my top picks in no particular order are "Keepsake,"  "Biloxi Parish,"  "45," and "You Got Lucky."  From the buzz it seems "Teenage Rebellion" will be the next single to hit the radio, which is also amazing.  I can't wait to listen to it 107 more times today. I wish I could skip work and drive around with my top down. Soon. : )

On an unrelated note, I breezily walked passed Gavin Rossdale holding his son Kingston, on Broadway in Saratoga Springs yesterday. Gavin is in town opening for Nickelback at SPAC this evening. I think NB should open for Gavin, but that's just my opinion. Gavin, if you saw me too and you're reading this, I love you.

"Play for the lovers." -Another heart-string pullin' tweet from The Gaslight Anthem.

Matisyahu - July 2012

Last night The Dirty Heads and Matisyahu stopped by Northern Lights Upstate Concert Hall, in Clifton Park, NY. 

This was TDH's second visit to upstate NY, and they were even better than the first.  Busting out rhymes from their new album, 'Cabin By the Sea.' Duddy B and Dirty J killed it with their laid-back, SoCal stage presence. Their vocals sounded stronger than last too, however maybe they were just drowned out by the sold out crowd. I have never seen that venue SO crowded, not even for Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros! Regardless, they deserved their spot on that broken down stage that upstate NY loves so much. I won't spend too much time blogging about how awesome they are, my love for them, and how they are the perfect summer concert, but I will say, "read my previous blog about them and check out their new album!" Oh to be a surfer girl/yogi living in the California sunshine with Duddy...one day. ;)

Matisyahu graced the stage prior to his set to join TDH's to perform their single together, 'Dance All Night.' We did, until we fell. Sweaty dancing, too. My friend and I maximized every square inch in order to rock out properly. Bang!

For those who don't know Matisyahu, he is reggae/alternative rock musician known for blending his traditional Jewish themes into his music. His story is quite interesting and the timeline of events that lead him to where he is now it fascinating in comparison to the lives of your typical pop/rock star. I'll let you Wiki that on your own and instead I will rip on him for being a TOTAL sell out. Don't get me wrong, his beat-boxing and rhymes were on point. His dance moves were groovy and his stage presence was dead sexy, BUT, he was cleanly shaved and donning faint, blond tints in his hair. This swagger is the COMPLETE opposite of the Matisyahu look we all know and respect. His long beard got the boot about a year ago, claiming his look was more of an "alias." Here is his Twitter post, from 2011, reporting the news:

   "No more Chassidic reggae superstar. Sorry folks, all you get is me...no alias. When I started becoming religious 10 years ago it was a very natural and organic process.  It was my choice.  My journey to discover my roots and explore Jewish spirituality—not through books but through real life.  At a certain point I felt the need to submit to a higher level of religiosity...to move away from my intuition and to accept an ultimate truth.  I felt that in order to become a good person I needed rules—lots of them—or else I would somehow fall apart.  I am reclaiming myself.  Trusting my goodness and my divine mission. Get ready for an amazing year filled with music of rebirth.  And for those concerned with my naked face, don’t worry...you haven’t seen the last of my facial hair."

With that, I say, "bullshit," Matisyahu, aka  Matthew Paul Miller (if that's even your real name.) I think that LA$ is looking pretty nice to a white rapper with blond tips, but that is just my opinion. I also feel this way because of his lack of thanks to my favorite radio station last night. As ya'll know, I'm a huge fan of WEQX The Real Alternative. Although I came across Matisyahu's music on my own, EQX was the station to share most of his collection not just his #1s. EQX was the station that made me enjoy him. Where am I going with this? Last night he made it a point to thank a couple other stations in the capital region and LEFT OUT EQX. What da what??? It was strange, especially because I was expecting Jeff, Amber or Duncan to jump on stage and to my surprise he completely disregarded this awesome INDEPENDENT radio station.
Blond tips, no beard, no respect. Epic disappointment in my eyes.

The music though, the music was fun. He is dang good and no one can take his talent away from him. I'm glad I can tuck that show away in my memory as a super fun, summer dance party!

Matisyahu casually hanging from the celing rafters.