Video @ Turbo Claw

Dan’s Sweet-Sweet-Ass Summer Jam Mix, Track #2:
The Go! Team - Junior Kickstart

In honor of their show tonight at the Stick, this week’s summer jam selection is Junior Kickstart by The Go! Team.

Download The Go! Team - Junior Kickstart (mp3, 5.6 MB)

Dan’s Sweet-Sweet-Ass Summer Jam Mix, Track #1:
Tim Armstrong - Into Action

Beth and I have been spending a ton of time on the road this summer, and consequently, listening to a lot of music. Our last road trip down south got me thinking about putting together a mix CD (Sorry, hipsters - I know a mix TAPE is much more authentic and meaningful, but welcome to 15 years ago and fuck off) of only the hardest summer jams.

Because I’m a music snob and totally convinced that my musical taste is superior to yours, I’ve picked the first track on your Sweet-Sweet-Ass Summer Jam Mix: Tim Armstrong’s Into Action. If you occasionally long for the long lost, 3rd wave ska filled glory days of the late ’90’s, like at least one of my pals, this is right up your alley… Only SO much more fun than you remember!

Download Tim Armstrong - Into Action (mp3, 6.7 MB)

Mighty Mighty Reunion

Live Bosstones shows (especially in the pre-frat boy yelling “play Knock on Wood!” era) have always been a special occasion. It’s tough to explain how great the early shows were to people that just know them as another late 90’s fad ska band, but they really were something special. I haven’t missed a Detroit area Bosstones show since 1993, so obviously I was beyond excited when they announced their reunion tour after a six year hiatus. Finding out that their reunion tour would be spent opening for the bland, psuedo-Irish, oi also-rans, the Dropkick Murphys was, to say the least, disappointing.

But, given the conditions, the boys played a great set, and it made me feel like a kid again to see them back in plaid! Here’s hoping for a headlining club tour later this year!

Robbie Badd Gets Married

There are only a handful of people that I’d drive 1200 miles in a weekend to be at their wedding. Robbie Badd is definitely on that short list. Beth and I left Pontiac early Friday morning, arriving in Houghton/Hancock late Friday evening, only to turn around and make the 11-hour drive home on Sunday morning. It was a busy weekend, without many opportunities for sightseeing on Beth’s first trip to the western U.P., but, in every single way, it was worth going.

Rob and Katie’s wedding ceremony was at her parents’ house on the shore of Lake Superior (which was way more beautiful than it sounds) with a short reception and drinks at the bar afterward. “Bridgefest” was in full swing back in Houghton, with fireworks and a cover band playing Jackyl (seriously) to cap off Saturday night.

It was great to see Rob (a good friend that I don’t see nearly enough of) and to be there for his big day. Congratulations!

(Here are our photos from the trip)

Storm Damage

The Breeders @ the Magic Stick

Beth and I went to see the Breeders earlier this week and, as promised, it was a great show. Even though they’ve been around for nearly 15 years (jeez, am I getting that old?), they still deliver. Their new songs, while not quite as good as the classics, are still better than most of the B.S. today’s kids are into. (Shit. I am getting old.)

In addition to the Divine Hammer video above, I also took videos of (my personal favorite) No Aloha, New Year and Cannonball (just by random chance, all off of Last Splash) and some photos of the evening.

The Nixon Summer Concert Series is just getting started!