Bradley’s Almanac

The Pain Inside My Brain…

Posted on September 17, 2004 at 12:09 pm | No Comments

Ok, change of plans. It’s day two of my caffeine-and-nutrasweet-free existence, and the brain-pain is intense. Straight back from my left eyeball, feels like it’s going to pop out and roll around my desk. All I can think about is how good a Dunkin’ Donuts coffee would taste right about now. So I take another sip of water and try to focus on work.

Can’t do it. And so my ill-advised attempt to quit both coffee and Diet Coke simultaneously comes to an end. What was I thinking?! Instead, I’m just going to focus on the nutrasweet, cutting out the Coke, but enjoying the precious nectar that is Dunkies brew. I’m now holding one in my hand, and all feels right with the world…

Pond at Vermonstress

Finally got Pond‘s live set from this 1992 Sub Pop Festival in Burlington, Vermont transferred and posted to my Vermonstress page.

Probably my favorite performance of the whole fest, Pond was a revelation. Hadn’t heard them until the week before, when I inhaled a preview copy of their debut disc, and was equally impressed by them live. Eight songs (the last two are one mp3), all from their first album, except a cover of Bo Diddley’s “Pretty Thing”. These recordings sound pretty good, but can’t reflect the energy that came offa that stage. I’ll never forget it.

Ah, bless you Silkworm. To maintain such a consistent level of creativity for so many years is an inspirational thing. I picked up their new mini-album, “It’ll Be Cool”, on Tuesday, and it is so totally rockin’ me.

I knew that a new release probably meant a tour, but imagine my surprise when a random surf-by showed Silkworm playing the Plan in Allston. Can it be? It’s in a little bar called Great Scott’s, just a few blocks from where I live, and I’m stunned. Not only are they one of the best live bands going, but they’re playing in a tiny place with the stellar Karl Hendricks Trio. Glorious. That’s November 11th.

Hey, look… free, new Hot Snakes! A preview track called Hi-Lites from their upcoming record “Audit in Progress”. It’s quintessential Snakes, and has got me even more excited for their live return to Boston on November 14th.

Here’s a real treat… Marm0t has posted a link to what may be my favorite song off Elliott Smith’s upcoming final album, “From a Basement on the Hill“. It’s called Twilight, and it’s near perfection. Beautiful and heartbreaking at all at once.

A new, super-economical compilation is out this week called “For Whom the Casio Tolls: First Blood“, on Asaurus Records. A mere 4 clams via PayPal. As the title implies, all the songs were created using Casio keyboards, and my pal Colin has contributed the song “Remember in November”. Any resemblance between that title and the second line on the new Jimmy Eat World record is purely coincidental. Neither concerns my birthday, but both do address the same thing: a much-needed change. Which brings me to…

I was fairly annoyed that the Republican National Convention caused me to miss Snow Patrol’s appearance on Letterman a few weeks back (well, one of several reasons that whole suck-fest annoyed me). Bush’s babbling, and the talking-head coverage afterwards, bumped the Late Show beyond my TiVo’s pre-set recording time. Woke up the next day to check out SP’s performance… dee-nied.

Thankfully, Snow Patrol’s U.S. site has just posted a recording of the performance, and while it’s not the best quality, they looked and sounded like they really pulled it off. “Run” may not be my favorite from the record, and it’s too bad the guys had to self-edit the song to get the length down for Dave, but I’m just glad to see them get the attention. Our nation’s gradual recovery from the hell that was Nu-Metal and Creedy-crap continues on.

Looking for something to read in the bookstore yesterday, I happened upon the brand new George Pelecanos paperback, Shoedog. Didn’t even realize it was due out, but it’s exactly what I’m in the mood for.

Not only is the man the master of D.C. crime fiction, but he’s one of the contributing writers to the best drama on TV, HBO’s The Wire. He joined up at the start of last season and you can just tell. His style is all over it. There’s a reason people call The Wire “the best novel on television”.

Speaking of which, the new season starts up on Sunday, and I can’t wait. Not only does Pelecanos remain on board, but Boston-based scribe Dennis Lehane, one of my faves (and the man behind Mystic River), has joined the writing team this season. F’in sweet.

After the bookstore I swung by EB Games to grab the new Call of Duty expansion pack. Arguably the best wartime first-person PC game, the original CoD hooked me hard, and I’m a sucker for it’s online action.

The new expansion, United Offensive, recreates the U.S.’s Battle of the Bulge, the British Invasion of Sicily, and the Russian Battle for Kursk. If you’re CoD-curious, you can download free demos of the expansion and the original right here. The new game and I will be no doubt be spending some quality time together this weekend.

I’d better hurry up and finish it, though, along with the still-in-progress Doom 3, because Half Life 2 is getting closer.

On deck for this weekend: The Raiders of the Lost Ark Adaptation at the Coolidge. A group of friends spent 6 years filming a shot-for-shot recreation of Raiders, and it’s gotten rave reviews, if not for it’s technical achievement, but for it’s obvious enthusiasm and the persistance of the creators. The director, Eric Zala, will be at the screening. My first question: Did you try to get the fly to land on Toht’s face?

Also hoping to check out Thai film Ong Bak at the Boston Film Festival. Gotta make the time.

Prolific fiction writer Peter David will be in Boston tomorrow, appearing at New England Comics in Brockton at 2:30 PM, and at the one on Harvard St. in Brookline at 6 o’clock. He’ll be there to pimp a couple new comics he’s got out, sign some books, maybe make some fanboy conversation. Take a gander at his biliography, it’s mighty impressive.

And looking far ahead: Boston gets treated to the Stella Comedy Tour on November 18th. This three-man funny-groop is Michael Ian Black, Michael Showalter, and David Wain, who’ve been doing their thing together, individually, and as part of the comedy collective The State for nearly sixteen years. The Stella show started in ’97 at the Fez in NYC, and I’m pretty psyched I finally get a chance to check it out up here.

For fans of Da Ali G Show, this is absolutely freakin’ priceless. I’ve wondered what actual residents of Khazakhstan thought of Ali G creator Sacha Baron Cohen’s character Borat Sagdiyev, who hilariously pretends to be Khazakhstan’s sixth most famous man exploring America. Hell, I wondered if they’d even heard of him. Well, they have, and they are not amused. That whole silly article is nearly as funny as some of Borat’s escapades. But not quite.

Well, how about that? My coffee cup is nearly empty and my headache is almost gone. Funny the way that works.

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  • BOSTON-AREA LIVE SHOW ACTION
    Thursday, March 28th
    Thus Love
    Native Sun
    Robber Robber
    @ O'Brien's

    Thursday, March 28th
    Arlo Parks
    Chloe George
    @ the Royale

    Friday, March 29th
    Grouplove
    Bully
    @ Roadrunner

    Friday, March 29th
    The Rolling Stones
    @ Gillette

    Saturday, March 30th
    Ex-Hyena (release show!)
    The Shallows
    CMB (Casey Desmond/Jimmy Rossi Jr.)
    @ Deep Cuts

    Saturday, March 30th
    Guster
    Fruit Bats
    @ MGM Music Hall

    Saturday, March 30th
    The Cavedogs
    @ the Burren Back Room

    Monday, April 1st
    Adam Ant
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    @ the Wilbur

    Friday, April 5th
    Joe Pernice (solo)
    @ a Boston living room

    Friday, April 5th
    Richard Thompson
    @ the Cut, Gloucester

    Saturday, April 6th
    Choo Choo La Rouge
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    The Bret Tobias Set
    Jay Walsh
    @ the Midway Cafe

    Saturday, April 6th
    Land Of Talk
    @ Rockwood Music Hall

    Saturday, April 6th
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    @ Brighton Music Hall

    Saturday, April 6th
    Choo Choo La Rouge
    Lupo Citta
    The Bret Tobias Set
    Jay Walsh (of the Douglas Fir)
    @ the Midway Cafe

    Saturday, April 6th
    Colin Hay (Men at Work)
    @ the Wilbur

    Monday, April 8th
    Swami & the Bed of Nails
    (John Reis of Hot Snakes/RFTC/etc)
    The Freqs
    @ Crystal Ballroom

    Tuesday, April 9th
    Moron's Morons
    Andy California
    Adult Learners
    G. Gordon Gritty
    @ O'Brien's

    Thursday, April 11th
    Trash Sun
    @ O'Brien's

    Thursday, April 11th
    Hotline TNT
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    @ the Somerville Armory

    Saturday, April 13th
    Dead Gowns
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    Audrey & Karina
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    Saturday, April 13th
    DARK SPRING BOSTON FEST
    with Korine, House of Harm,
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    @ the Middle East

    Sunday, April 14th
    Woods
    Avey Tare
    @ the Sinclair

    Monday, April 15th
    Matthew Sweet
    @ the Wilbur

    Wednesday, April 17th
    Metz
    @ the Crystal Ballroom

    Wednesday, April 17th
    Real Estate
    Marina Allen
    @ the Royale

    Friday, April 19th
    Quattracenta
    Thalia Zedek Band
    Rip Room
    @ the Midway Cafe

    Friday, April 19th
    Drop Nineteens
    Greg Mendez
    @ the Paradise

    Saturday, April 20th Doc Hopper
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    and The Keeper Class
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    Wednesday, April 24th
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    awakebutstillinbed
    @ the Crystal Ballroom

    Friday, April 26th
    Waxahatchee
    Good Morning
    @ the Orpheum

    Friday & Saturday
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    The Town & the City Festival
    @ various venues in Lowell, MA

    Saturday, April 27th
    Kal Marks
    Grocer
    Bedroom Eyes
    Main Era
    @ O'Brien's

    Saturday, April 27th
    Belle and Sebastian
    The Weather Station
    @ the Orpheum

    Sunday, April 28th
    Yot Club
    Boyscott
    @ Brighton Music Hall

    Tuesday, April 30th
    Adult Learners
    Perfectly Lethal
    Over Ends
    Free with food donation
    @ Notch Brewing Brighton

    Tuesday, April 30th
    Teenage Fanclub
    @ the Paradise

    Wednesday, May 1st
    Ty Segall
    @ the Royale

    Thursday, May 2nd
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    @ Deep Cuts

    Thursday, May 2nd
    The Decemberists
    Ratboys
    @ Roadrunner

    Friday, May 3rd
    Ra Ra Riot
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    Saturday, May 4th
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    Lisa Bastoni
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    Saturday, May 4th
    The Lights Out
    Gretchen Shae & The Middle 8
    Brian K & The Parkway
    @ Faces Brewing

    Sunday, May 5th
    Sheer Mag
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    @ Crystal Ballroom

    Sunday, May 5th
    CSS
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    Monday, May 6th
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    Tuesday, May 7th
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    @ MGM Music Hall

    Wednesday, May 8th
    Todd Rundgren
    @ the Wilbur

    Wednesday, May 8th
    Chastity Belt
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    Thursday, May 9th
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    @ Brighton Music Hall

    Friday, May 10th
    Hot Water Music
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    with Quicksand
    & Off With Their Heads
    @ the Royale

    Friday, May 10th
    Sarah Shook & the Disarmers
    @ the Cut, Gloucester

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    SAMUEL s.c.
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    @ Big Night Live

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    Hallelujah the Hills
    Colleen Green
    Mallcops
    @ Deep Cuts

    Sunday, May 12th
    Sunny Day Real Estate
    @ Big Night Live

    Monday, May 13th
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    Monday & Tuesday
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    Mannequin Pussy
    Soul Glo
    @ the Sinclair

    Tuesday, May 14th
    Swans
    @ the Paradise

    Wednesday, May 15th
    Wussy (duo show)
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    Thursday, May 16th
    Helmet
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    @ the Sinclair

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    Tuesday, May 21st
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    Tuesday, May 28th
    Shannon & the Clams
    @ the Sinclair

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    "Rebel Girl" book tour
    @ the Wilbur

    Wednesday, May. 29th
    The Antlers &
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    (solo & together tour)
    @ the Crystal Ballroom

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    The Alarm
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    Wednesday, May 29th
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    @ MGM Music Hall

    Thursday, May 30th
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    @ the Paradise

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    @ the Royale

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    The Flying Luttenbachers
    babyaby_explores
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    @ Cary Hall, Lexington

    Thursday, June 6th
    Jason Narducy & Alison Chesley
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    @ Q Division Studios, Cambridge

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    @ the Crystal Ballroom

    Friday, June 7th
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    & one more artist tba
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    Cat Power
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    Wednesday, June 19th
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    Tuesday, June 25th
    Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit
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