5/29/04 - Hepcat @ Irving Plaza, NYC, NY

2004-05-31 03:10:11 ET Well, it's done. I've finally seen Hepcat. It bothered me, years ago, when I first got into their music, that they broke up shortly afterwards, and I would never get a chance to see them live. But all that's changed, and I am truly impressed. Let's start this review with the first band. I've never really been a fan of Mass Hysteria's live show, tending to favor their album better. Tonight was a little better, but I think the venue suited them better than the last place I saw them (a bar). Also the change in line-up kinda gave a new energy to the band. I dunno. Either way you shake it, the lead singer (Rachel) dances like the whitest white girl to ever dance. *shudders* I did enjoy the new songs, though, especially the couple rock-driven numbers. This band always impresses me on the musical front. Very talented, and a great start to this show. Westbound Train v2.0 finally came into it's own in this show. I've seen the band numerous time since last summer's shake up, and they've never really reclaimed the energy or together-ness that the first line-up had. But tonight they had it down. Again, maybe it was the venue, but Obi had control of that crowd, and the band presented that music as if their lives depended on it. Usually Westbound opens with a kickin' high-energy song, but Saturday started a little slower, with a rocksteady political message called "Election Day." what followed was a series of new and old songs, each one a tightly-rehearsed number. The only time they lost me was during "If I Ever Loose My Way," which this new line-up has turned into a calypso, island song. (For those not familiar with the song, it used to be strict reggae) Not sure where that was going, but it could have used a kettle drum. But they came back in the end with a wild round that had everyone singing along. Welcome back, boys. glad to see you again. Now, Hepcat. There's some bands that you can watch and just know they're having fun. Hepcat was one of them. Greg Lee and Alex Desert just laughed the entire night long, danced back and forth and smiled the whole time. I was actually surprised to see that their horn section was just two people. I always thought they had more folks in the band. Either way, that didn't take away anything. The horns were tight, and the band was nowhere near out of practice. They played for a little over an hour and a half, covering every album (playing the least from " push n' shove), and even some new stuff; they didn't say whether they were going to continue playing/touring, though. Again, I've never seen this band before, so it's tough to gauge the performance, but I enjoyed myself. The crowd loved Hepcat. Everyone was there to see the band and dance. I don't think there was a body in that hall not moving. And swapping dance moves, too! I think I learned a few new things on Saturday night. And we did meet fellow concert-goers at Jammyland before the show. Ira was complaining that everyone was going to see Hepcat instead of the Trenton ska/punk show he and Django were playing at. I can't comment on that. Definately worth the trip, certainly worth $20... I'm still bummed I didn't get to spend two nights with them, but hey - that's life. The Skatalites followed up Hepcat, playing NYC on Sunday night, but I don't think anyone knew about that show. (Why don't they advertise better? Idunno.) Anyway, definately a show that gets a 10 from me. back to you, Jim. p.s. If anyone got a setlist or a bootleg, you know my name. Look up the number.

5/30/04 - Hepcat @ the Trocadero, Philadelphia PA

2004-05-26 13:00:54 ET this is bullshit. from www.thetroc.com HEPCAT Sun. 5/30 with Eastern Standard Time - Westbound Train Doors @ 7:00pm CANCELLED Refunds available at point of purchase that is all. 3 comments

Pure Imagination

2004-05-25 17:19:01 ET Hold your breath Make a wish Count to three [Sung] Come with me And you'll be In a world of Pure imagination Take a look And you'll see Into your imagination We'll begin With a spin Traveling in The world of my creation What we'll see Will defy Explanation If you want to view paradise Simply look around and view it Anything you want to, do it Wanta change the world? There's nothing To it There is no Life I know To compare with Pure imagination Living there You'll be free If you truly wish to be If you want to view paradise Simply look around and view it Anything you want to, do it Wanta change the world? There's nothing To it There is no Life I know To compare with Pure imagination Living there You'll be free If you truly Wish to be - William Wonka 1 comment

The Year of Driving Languorously

2004-05-22 09:42:22 ET Darling roll the window down I can't breathe And I want to feel the northerly down my sleeve I love a sunburnt elbow pointing to the sea And, darling, can't you find us something on the radio? A song to pass the time Sweet and slow Conversation was forsaken long ago It's getting worse You've hardly said a word Since you set eyes on the horizon But I've seen the other side of that ocean there And it can't compare Has it really been a year? How did those days just disappear? We held our breath across each bridge Til we were blue But I wonder if I wished the same as you Like a ten-year-old pretending Summer isn't really ending It's getting worse You've hardly said a word Since you set eyes on the horizon But I've seen the other side of that ocean there And it can't compare to this So I'll steal another kiss Before the sun goes down on this harbor-town we give chase Like all those other days I suppose it's no surprise We drive, time flies Has it really been a year? Where the hell do we go from here? - Donald "The Lucksmiths"

Nothing like the classics.

2004-05-17 17:04:20 ET Inignot: Hello, Carl, I am Inignot and this is Err. Err: I am Err. Inignot: We are Mooninites from the inner core of the moon. Err: You said it right. Inignot: Our race is hundred of years beyond yours. Err: Man, you hear what he's saying? Inignot: Some would say that the Earth is our moon. Err: We're the moon! Inignot: But that would belittle the name of our moon, which is, "The Moon." Err: Point is: we're at the center, not you! Carl: No, the real point is: I don't give a damn. 1 comment

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