I saw two of the best rock shows I can remember this weekend...there￢ﾀﾙs not a single excuse to miss either of these bands if they come your way...
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Explosions in the Sky at the Palladium - it was like watching a film. I never use the word ￢ﾀﾜepic￢ﾀﾝ to describe things, but that￢ﾀﾙs the only word I can think of for these guys. I￢ﾀﾙve never seen dudes play guitars like that and I￢ﾀﾙve never been at a show with such heavy-hitting mixed with light, beautiful melody. The guys would play until their guitars fell off. They￢ﾀﾙd drag the guitars around the stage. Then they￢ﾀﾙd play the most delicate solos...
I don￢ﾀﾙt know how many bands can captivate a bunch of kids for an hour and a half without any lyrics, everyone was glued to the stage, rocking out. The almost-Pavlovian response from watching so many episodes of ￢ﾀﾜFriday Night Lights￢ﾀﾝ is one thing, but the cinematic and awe-inspiring show was a complete surprise. A must-see.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Phoenix at the Wiltern - WOW. I can￢ﾀﾙt remember the last show I saw in LA that had a crowd as fired up as the one last night. Our little foursome all agreed after the show that we had seen something special. I love the new record, but that show blew my mind. I almost forgot how many great songs they have... something about these guys on stage was just magic.
And to top that, they￢ﾀﾙre French!
Thomas, the lead singer, jumped down in the pit to dance with the kids during the encore...pretty cool. But the coolest...
After the end of the show, the band left the stage...then ￢ﾀﾜRock With You￢ﾀﾝ immediately came on over the PA. I don￢ﾀﾙt think a single person left the venue - the house lights were up, but the place instantly became a huge dance party...the mixed emotions of what we￢ﾀﾙd just seen and the tribute to MJ was pure bliss. After a cursory glance online, I￢ﾀﾙm thinking that Phoenix is doing this after every show (which is tremendous)...but it should become law: every venue must play a Michael Jackson song after the end of every show. No better way to end (or begin) the night...
We're having a big sale in the online store for the next few weeks. A little Spring Cleaning, if you will. A lot of the items in the store will disappear after the sale ends, so if you've been holding off on that tour shirt or hoodie, now might be the time to grab it. Take it from me, there's nothing as temporarily satisfying as an impulse buy (I may or may not be staring at a ShamWow and stack of unopened, unwatched DVDs right now).
Some details on the sale:
*All tour shirts and event tees are $5 *All vintage shirts (c. 2002-2007) are 50% off *All shirts from 2008-2009 are 25% off *Posters, Calendars, and Programs are $5 *All hoodies and outerwear are $38 *New Era fitted caps are $20, all other headwear is $15 *All orders over $25 receive 2 free trinkets and 2 free stickers
I know I just told you about my love for this dude, but I really can't shake this. Right now, I feel like if I listened to Souljaboy every minute of every day for the rest of my life, it wouldn't be enough.
Let's take another look at "Turn My Swag On" - the chorus:
"hopped up out the bed turn my swag on took a look in the mirror say what's up (sup sup) yeah I'm gettin' money, ohhhwww"
So: He wakes up. He immediately turns his swag on (no brushing teeth, no contact lenses, no coffee, no breakfast - just straight to "Swag: ON!"). He looks in the mirror. He asks himself, "what's up?" He responds to himself, "Yeah, I'm getting money. Ohhhhwww."
If you don't love that, I don't love you.
The rest of the song is equally as wondiculous (just made that up - half wonderful, more than half ridiculous)...last verse:
"now every time you see me spit every time you hear me rhyme every time you see me in your state or town say what's up (sup sup) yeeeaaaah, yeeeeaaaahhh"
Now...I get that if I see him in my town I should say "what's up." But if I see him in my state? That's pretty broad, no? But wait - every time I see him spit OR hear him rhyme, I'm supposed to say "what's up"? EVERY TIME? That's going to lead to a lot of what'supping. I'm going to be like a what'supbot, roaming the streets of America saying "what's up (sup sup)" until I die.
I don't care. It's worth it.
So this thing is in my head all day long and I can't help but change the words to the chorus...which leads me to my new segment, "Turn My News On" via twitter...Anderson Cooper, you and your 360 IQ got nothin' on me when it comes to presenting the issues of the day:
I finally finished the full-length video of the "I'm In A Race" parody. Not sure if it's a low or a high point... Thanks again to Andy Grush for helping record the track. I wrote the lyrics and did the singing, but the song would have sounded like someone stepping on a child had Andy not sprinkled some magic dust on it.
Warning, this thing is pretty explicit (as is the original) - I mean, what else better to get fired up about and drop some f-bombs?
"I'm In A Race" by Scotty Crowe
Aww sh*t! Get your Nikes ready, it's about to go down.
Everybody in the place hit the f*ckin' streets But stay in the motherf*ckin' house
We runnin this, lets go
I'm in a race I'm in a race Everybody look at me cause I'm running in a race
I'm in a race I'm in a race Take a good hard look at the motherf*ckin race
I'm in a race motherf*cker take a look at me Straight running real fast in my new Nikes Running mad miles, wind blowing in my face You can't stop me motherf*cker cause I'm in a race
Take a picture trick I'm in a race b*tch I'm drinkin grape gatorade cause I'm so sick I got my head band And my black tighties I'm burnin calories, you at home in your tighty whities
I'm running a marathon Eatin oranges and sh*t The race is long, getting everybody to quit Cause this ain't Forrest Gump This is real as it gets I'm in a race motherf*cker, don't you ever forget
I'm in a race and I'm running fast and I got a 13 year old I'm runnin' past and I'm at the front of the pack, runnin' fast like a Kenyan If you see my back, then you sho' ain't winnin'
Get the f*ck up This race is real!
F*ck the gym, I'm in a race motherf*cker F*ck treadmills, I run the streets motherf*cker I'm in the race with my boys motherf*cker My iPod nano make noise motherf*cker
Hey ma if you could see me shine Arms spread wide as I cross the line Gonna run the marathon in 1 hour, 9 Like Usain Bolt, anything is possible!
Never thought I'd run in a race It sucks when my whole body's chafed Prefontaine, look at me
Never thought I'd see the day With a finish line coming my way Believe me when I say I pooped my pants!
I'm in a race I'm in a race Everybody look at me cause I'm running in a race
I'm in a race I'm in a race Take a good hard look at the motherf*ckin race
So you've probably heard my favorite song of the moment, Turn My Swag On ...and maybe you recall a little gem from the late 90s called How Many Cans?...
Anyone else wondering if DeAndre took a little something from Doughty? Or at least praying for a mashup of these two (Mick, where you at!)? I can't listen to one without singing the other on top of it...and then, with a little research, I find out that these guys look eerily similar in promotional shots:
Souljaboytellem about the Crank Dat
SoulCoughingfrontman about to Crank Dat
Souljaboy stuntin', glasses on, with approximately $140 in hand
Soul Coughing stuntin', glasses on, with approximately $140 combined in pockets
So let's get this remix going!
How many cans must I stack up to wash you out from my mind out of my consciousness? yeahhhhhh get money ohhhhh
How many times must I cash out to bring you back the check fat off of my slenderness yeahhhhhh get money ohhhhh
They say you're supposed to change running shoes every 500 miles. I'm somewhere around there on my current Nike+ Sensor and Lunaracers and decided to replace them as prep for the Portland Marathon begins.
The old (which first hit the streets in January) and the new (which will run the streets this summer). Notice the crazy difference in tread!
We had our Big Show at View Park Prep Elementary last week - it was an absolute blast. We had the best crew for this session - 11 of the coolest mentors and 11 of the brightest, funniest, talented young writers you could find.
We all worked together for 8 weeks - the writers' 5 page scripts that came to life at the Big Show were nothing short of amazing. The Scripts and Writers, along with my best attempt at a logline for each story:
"Teddy Grahams" by Kaitlyn The 3 Teddy Grahams have an adventure that tests their friendship!
"The Boy Who Changed His Ways" by Kaila Some Juniors at Hawaii High School learn an important lesson about humanity!
"It Will Come To Me Later" by Howard A magical stone helps an alligator and his crab friend out of a bind!
"Spoiled Nancy and LMF" by Ava A Christmas Carol meets Clueless!
"A Starry Journey" by Kilea Two stars take a trip to Sacramento!
"63" by Shannon A daughter is frustrated by her mother's love for cats!
"King Kai's Planet" by Taj Space explorers take a dangerous journey to find an important artifact!
"The Magic Wristwear" by Jade Three siblings are empowered by their new mysterious wristbands and bracelets!
"The Worst Prom Ever" by Janiya Drama at prom like you've never seen!
"Joyful.J.Holiday" by Josh A boy finds himself at the Disney Alien training facility!
"2 Days of Hard Work" by Sieara A girl finds out what it's like to take care of a child!
The kids also gave me an awesome card at the show...thank YOU guys - you were actually the ones who did all the teaching and inspiring...
And I know I've said this before, but Young Storytellers is in need of support. If you or anyone you know can make a contribution (no matter how big or small), it will go a LONG way. This program needs to be in every elementary school in Los Angeles, but without help it may have to downsize. If you can help in any way, it is much much appreciated. Visit this page for more information on how to make a difference.
Thanks thanks thanks...can't wait for next semester!
I was lucky to see both my mom and grandmom last weekend in SEGA for my little sister's wedding (congrats and best wishes to Colleen and Brian - I hope you're managing to have a good time in Tahiti)...we all had a blast on Jekyll and St. Simons. Somehow, Willie's was missed on this trip....I'm confused as well.
Anyway, Happy Mothers Day to two of the most incredible women the world will ever see. I love and miss you both.
Hanging with my grandmother at the rehearsal dinner.
Me and moms at the rehearsal dinner.
Me and moms breaking it down at the reception (thank you, DJ, for the Lil Jon and Ursher - I thought for a minute there that I'd be able to make it out with my dignity. No such luck.).
PS: True story - I set up a twitter account for my mom today...she asked me what it was and I decided it'd be the greatest thing in the world for her to have an account. She put up some resistance, but I think she'll be getting her twit-tastic tweetness on soon! Get to following and know what's going down in Brunswick!
The way it worked: 177.8 miles (minus 32.1 that had to be shuttled due to course changes) Two 15-passenger vans Twelve runners per team (we were a few runners short, so some folks ran extra legs) Runners 1-6 in Van 1, Runners 7-12 in Van 2 We were Team 98: "Relay Relay Ridiculously Good Looking"
Our team: Runner 1: Sonia Runner 2: Alex Runner 3: Meredith Runner 4: Meredith Runner 5: Theresa Runner 6: Rob Runner 7: Raul Runner 8: Sub spot Runner 9: Andy Runner 10: Katie Runner 11: Gionne Runner 12: Scotty
Our schedule: FRIDAY 7:00 AM - Wake up in West Hollywood, CA
9:00 AM - Pick up two 15-passenger vans from rental car location in Beverly Hills, CA
11:00 AM - Pick up 3 other runners, drive from Sherman Oaks to Santa Barbara, CA for race start.
12:45 PM - Meet the other 6 runners of our team at the start line in Santa Barbara
1:00 PM - Runner 1 from Team 98 starts the relay. Van 1 follows her. Van 2 goes to have lunch.
4:00 PM - Runner 6 hands off to Runner 7. Van 2 starts the course, Van 1 goes to the next major checkpoint to rest.
7:30 PM - Runner 11 hands off to me just north of Malibu, CA. I run 6.9 miles down the PCH (CA-1) at sunset. It's silent, exciting, and absolutely beautiful. Around 7:50 PM, my flashlight dies...I run in the dark until a CHP patrol car decides to follow me in, illuminating the highway with its spotlight and clearing my path by blocking traffic. Thanks, dudes (their presence absolutely made me run faster - partly because I didn't want to seem weak in front of the cop, and partly because I heard you're always supposed to run from the police).
8:11 PM - I arrive at the major checkpoint in Leo Carrillo State Beach in Malibu. Our team dances, has dinner, rests, watches Eastbound and Down, and tells riddles.
10:30 PM - Van 2 drives to next exchange point at the Santa Monica Pier.
Midnight - Runner 7 starts the second half of the relay from Santa Monica.
SATURDAY 1:30 AM - Runner 9 is to begin his 2nd leg of the relay in Manhattan Beach, CA. He is wearing tights. A drunk girl (who will never be married or trusted around her friends' kids) talks sh*t about Andy's outfit. Before we can respond, she slips and falls down Manhattan Beach Blvd, landing in a spread eagle sprawl in front of a large group of people. One by one, we walk by her. Three guys outside of a bar ask if we know her, to which I respond "F**k that b*tch." I realize this goes against the southern gentlemanly chivalrous way I was raised, but...eff that bee for reals!
3:45 AM - I take the baton from Runner 11 in Torrance, CA. I run my 5.3mi leg as fast as I can and pass 17 other runners on the route.
4:14 AM - I arrive at the checkpoint in Cabrillo Beach Park, San Pedro, CA. Van 1 resumes the course. Van 2 goes to rest.
5:05 AM - Van 2 stops at Harbor House Cafe in Seal Beach, CA for breakfast.
6:15 AM - Van 2 arrives in Huntington Beach, CA to wait for the arrival of Van 1. I lay out my goose down comforter in lieu of not having a sleeping bag.
6:30 AM - I close my eyes to go to sleep.
7:15 AM - I wake up.
8:00 AM - Runner 7 starts Van 2's final leg of the relay.
10:40 AM - I join Andy to run the last 4 miles of his final leg with him - he ended up with a 10.2 mile route, the longest of the relay.
12:50 PM - I begin the 36th and final leg of the relay. We're in Laguna Beach. I'm dressed as a ghetto superhero - a child's Batman mask, a child's Harry Potter cape, black Under Armour tights with an XS blue Speedo over them, and yellow latex kitchen gloves. Another team starts to tell me to lose the tights and just run with the blue Speedo. I find out later that the instigator from that team may or may not have been Kelly Kapowski. True story.
1:11.26 PM - I cross the finish line at Salt Creek Beach Park in Dana Point, CA. The entire team runs the last 100 yards together.
3:00 PM - Team dinner.
6:00 PM - Drive back to Sherman Oaks to unload the van.
9:00 PM - Return the vans to the rental car location in Beverly Hills, CA.
10:00 PM - Take my first shower in more than 36 hours and after running nearly 20 miles.
11:30 PM - Sweet, sweet sleep.
In total: Santa Barbara to Dana Point 177.8 miles (minus 32.1 miles omitted from the course) = 145.7 miles 20 hours, 22 minutes, and 26 seconds 3rd place in our class/category 19th place overall
I leave you with me talking trash to the world after my second leg completion at 4:15 AM...
Okay - so I know there's been a lot of vote-talk around here lately, but it can make a big big difference. So Joy from Union is in the Nike iD Royale semi-finals - let's make sure she gets a shot at winning the whole thing.
The show above is her latest entry...the AM97 was the canvas, and the 2 LA contestants were supposed to come up with a design inspired by brush fires...as you can see, thems is hot!
You can vote for her as many times as you want - go here and click away as much as you can before Wednesday night. It feels good to point and click while you watch your DVR'd SNL, the NCAA Mens Championship Game, or the T.I.'s Road To Redemption re-run marathon.
I went and saw our friends, Zac Brown Band, tonight at Club Nokia and was reminded how much I love love love this band. I love that I felt like I was back in Cochran (what up MGC) for 50 minutes...referencing to the great state of Georgia in every song will do that.
Anyway - mucho importante - our boys are up for an ACM award and we can all help 'em out. Go here to vote for them for Top New Artist of the Year - it takes a quick minute to register if you don't have a CBS login (though if you're registered at CBSSportsline or any other sister sites, you're all set). One other thing - TODAY MIGHT BE THE LAST DAY TO VOTE - the show's on Sunday, so go ahead and start your Saturday off right by helping these boys out.
Belief Crossroads I Don't Trust Myself (With Loving You) Good Love Is On The Way Slow Dancing In A Burning Room Vultures Merch Q&A Session With The Crowd Waiting On The World To Change Wheel Bigger Than My Body encore: Inner City Blues* Gravity
For You* Turn Around Sweetest Berry** Have You Ever Been To Electric Ladyland? Used To This Pretty Girl (Shining Star, How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You, Let's Get It On, The Most Beautiful Girl In The World, Your Body Is A Wonderland, I Want You To Want Me) Yesterday Shutting Down If I Had A Dime The Hunter Legs
*solo *with JM on guitar
Yessir, let's hear it for 1 AM shows! It was a late Sunday night party - everybody came out to play...Bob, Brad, and Robbie joined in and rocked Yesterday Shutting Down and The Hunter. JJ, Hurley, and Chaves killed it as usual. John sat in on Sweetest Berry (the stage was hot - just before David's set, John did a stand up set and hosted a sort of open mic for anyone in the room. great stuff...).
Gonna go get some sun...more soon from the last day at sea.
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Sponsor me in the Young Storytellers MENTOR-A-THON here.
Belief Crossroads I Don't Trust Myself (With Loving You) Good Love Is On The Way Slow Dancing In A Burning Room Vultures Heart Of Life (In Repair) Waiting On The World To Change Wheel (Comfortable reference in a story) Why Georgia Bigger Than My Body Heartbreak Warfare* Burning Down The House*> Love Soon* 3x5 (If I Had A Boat)* E: Gravity (Dreams to Remember)
*John solo
Spectacular show at Spectacular Spectacular (the "Spec Spec" to those in the know). John was in a talking mood - every break between the songs had a little something special. Mr. Bob Reynolds did his thing in Vultures and Wheel - all the guys really did their thing tonight though. The songs all seemed to have a new edge to them. Heartbreak Warfare made its second appearance and was followed by the first Burning Down the House I've ever seen. John took a request and closed the set with 3x5 that included an apropos Lyle Lovett reference. He closed the night with a 12-minute Gravity.
I just realized I didn't give you details on the DRH show last night. It killed in El Moroccan...a slew of classics and a phenomenal performance. JM sat in for a tune or two. Great show. So much that I think multiple people walked out pregnant. And I say "people" because I saw 2 dudes after that looked like they might have a bun in the oven. The show was that powerful.
And...I also will say that the one thing I am incredibly impressed with is the variety of old tour merch I've seen on the ship. I'm talking like more than 100 different shirts from tours from the last 8 years. It's pretty amazing to see the spectrum of styles, shirts, and hoodies...some of you guys don't realize you're wearing one of like 75 shirts that exist. Special shoutouts go to the dude with the "Home Life" tee and the guy with the Brett Dennen 2007 Tour shirt with the tourdates in my handwriting. STUDS!
We hit Cabo in the morning...more soon. Must eat my 3rd pastrami sandwich in the last 24 hours. What?
-Scotty
**
Sponsor me in the Young Storytellers MENTOR-A-THON here.
AND - it's WORKING!! Joy (Union) has moved on again in the NIKEiD iD Royale tourney. She's now in the Elite Eight - vote for her as many times as you can...this round's design slate was the Air Stab:
Most of the contestants played it safe or played it unwearable this time around...help make some magic and vote for Union like it's your job!
John Mayer Sail Away Show Lido Deck March 27, 2009
Good Love Is On The Way Belief My Stupid Mouth Clarity Sucker Heartbreak Warfare Heart of Life Who Did You Think I Was Neon
*most of the set with David Ryan Harris
Getting online is pricey out here, but I wanted to keep y'alls updated...John debuted Half of My Heart last night at the One Splendid Evening gala. He, Robbie, and DRH played four (as I can recall) songs (the other three being Belief, Free Fallin', and Waiting On The World To Change). Then he and Jordin Sparks closed the night duet-style (he playing guitar, she singing)...One Step At A Time, Tattoo, and Find Another You.
The we set sail yesterday...John and DRH kicked it off outside. They delighted us with another new one: Heartbreak Warfare. Dudes was goin' crazy when Sucker came out.
Okay - gotta head to dinner. More from the boat soon.
-Scotty
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Sponsor me in the Young Storytellers MENTOR-A-THON here.
