Prague, you lucky Lushies, you…
“¡Viva la Gloria!” – Green Day – Prague, 6/29/10
Monthly Archives: June 2010
Mystic Knights of the Cobra and @PrimaDonnaBand at Toot’s tonight!
Just an FYI: The third leg of Prima Donna’s and the Mystic Knights of the Cobra gig in San Jose is canceled for tonight. If you can head to Toot’s Bar in Crockett, CA at the last moment, you can catch the bands tonight with Bobby Joe Ebola and the Chicken MacNuggits. It’s going to a party at the hometown bar. Warning: liver damage ahead! I’m flying back to NYC today and will miss the shenanigans. Have a great time if you head up there and see you, East Bay, in September!
The MKOTC and Prima Donna tour will continue tomorrow (6/28 at the 16th Street Cafe) in Sacramento. A second show for Prima Donna in the NYC area was added over the weekend. The band will be at the Bowery Electric on July 25th as originally planned and then again at Maxwell’s Bar in Hoboken, NJ on July 26th. See you there!
Highlights of The Breakdown – Green Day at Wembley Stadium
Punks Play for Autism
I missed Green Day’s show at Wembley Stadium. I had a ticket, but could not afford the airfare across the pond (told you Lushie luck runs out occasionally). My ticket had a fabulous time with Jax May, the folks at Nova-Caine, and the Raxorbax gig that happened the night before Wembley, at the Luminaire Club. The Punks Play for Autism gig raised over a £1000 for the organization. Major success! Hopefully some video will be coming from the show in the future, possibly a soundboard mix. The boys known as Green Day donated a vinyl copy of 21st Century Breakdown, the only one of its kind that is signed by the full touring band including Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt, Tre Cool, Jason White, Jason Freese, and Jeff Matika. How awesome is all of that?
Greet, a Lushie Nun Mother from Belgium who attended the Razorbax show was the successful bidder winner. And here’s the baby here:
21st Century Breakdown Vinyl signed by Full Green Day Touring Band for the Punks Play for Autism Benefit, London - Green Day 21st Century Breakdown Tour 2009-2010. Photo by Greet Druyts
Green Day at Wembley Stadium
I tried writing about this show, but frankly, I was a little sad that I couldn’t go, so it was a little hard writing about the show since A) I wasn’t there, and B), well, sadly, I wasn’t there. Sigh. I’ve been a bit whiney about it, too, but hey, it happens, lol. I hear from folks who went that it was great, and really, I believe it.
What I really missed out on was hearing for the first time on Green Day’s 21st Century Breakdown tour, the band singing “Waiting.” Sigh.
“Waiting” – Green Day Wembley Stadium – June 19, 2010
I did watch several clips of this show and read every page of the Wembley thread at the Green Day Community, so I feel in a way that I was there, but it’s all in bits and pieces of lore. Some good stories, too, of long lines at Wembley, what Billie Joe said about leaving Green Day in a coffin, of how Tre sang during the “Shout” part of the night, and hey, Mike grabbed the mic at one point too and kicked his legs higher than Tre!
Green Day Blow Themselves Up at Wembley! What a Show! Photo by Unknown Photographer found by Greet Druyts
I also saw a clip of the pyro that went off during the “Minority” encore, but I saw it only on Facebook and can’t seem to locate it on the Youtubes at the moment. Suffice it to say, at the part where the blowers go off and confetti goes flying through the air, there were fireworks that seem to almost blow the band up! Luckily, they survived and appeared a few days later in Glasgow, and will be playing tomorrow night, 6/23/2010, in Dublin.
Ah, good times.
Here’s a Facebook link to Greet Druyts’ photos from London from both the Razorbax and Green Day shows. Take a look, they are fantastic!
With that, I’m off tomorrow to the San Francisco Bay Area! The Mystic Knights of the Cobra and Prima Donna are on a four-night mini-tour, and I’m going to go and dance a bit for two of them! And do some other stuff, too. Later!
These Lineups are Bad for Your Liver – Prima Donna with Mystic Knights of the Cobra (San Francisco Bay Area), Insubordination Fest (Baltimore) and Skatopia (Rutland, OH)
This past weekend I missed a bunch of things that were happening in New York and New Jersey. This coming weekend, I’m heading out to the San Francisco Bay Area to see Prima Donna with the Mystic Knights of the Cobra. The Insubordination Fest in Baltimore and the Skatopia Festival in Rutland, Oh are also taking place this weekend as well.
What I Missed Last Weekend
Lucky Seventeen Photography Display - Arts All Night 2010, Lawrenceville, NJ
Punk Island 2010 - Governors Island, NYC
Last weekend in New York, historic Governor’s Island in New York Harbor turned into “Punk Island” for the weekend. A bunch of local bands (LINK – BAND LIST) took over the former military installation and played loud and fast in the blazing sun for the entire day. I missed the event as I also missed Michelle Lawlor hanging out at the fabulous Arts All Night in Lawrenceville, NJ (here’s a review link via Michelle with examples of art works presented) as well as Honah Lee playing in a lineup at the Mill Hill Basement. Honah Lee is on a bit of a break after the Party! Party! Party! Tour, a mini-tour of the Mid-West, and gigs for the past two weekends. Tim, the lead singer and guitarist, is getting married this month! Congrats, Tim, and all the best to you!
I also missed the Queen of all Events, the Annual Mermaid Parade in Coney Island. This year’s King and Queen of the Parade were Lou Reed and Laurie Anderson. Visit the Mermaid Parade Flickr Pool for incredible photos from this year’s parade. UPDATE: Some of my friends, formally known as the “Andi Warholas” teamed up this year with the “Sandy Warhols” for Factory fun and mayhem on the beach. Check out some photos here and here
Three liver-damaging music events are happening on both coasts as well as in America’s heartland this weekend.
Prima Donna with the Mystic Knights of the Cobra – San Francisco Bay Area, June 25-28, 2010
Prima Donna and Mystic Knights of the Cobra in SantaCruz, June 25, 2010
If you are in the San Francisco Bay Area, check out the Mystic Knights of the Cobra and Prima Donna playing a four-show mini-tour. The bands will be making stops in Santa Cruz (with Luxury Sweets and SA90 at the Blue Lagoon, 6/25), Oakland (the Uptown 6/26), San Jose (Voodoo Lounge 6/27) and Sacramento (16th Street Cafe 6/28). I’ll be at two of the shows, and I can’t wait! More info on the gigs can be found at both MKOTC’s Myspace and Prima Donna’s Myspace pages.
Prima Donna is on a States-wide tour at the moment and will be playing New York City’s Bowery Electric on July 25, 2010. They’ll be touring the States until August 21st and then head off to Europe starting on September 30 until November 6, 2010. As Tre Cool said, Prima Donna are really big in Spain and Portugal (and all points in between). Don’t miss them here in the States and in Europe, too!
American Skate Skatopia 2010 – Rutland, Ohio, June 25-26, 2010
Punk Globe writer Lisa Booth sent out a reminder that Interpunk.com presents American Skate Skatopia 2010 in America’s Heartland on June 25th and 26th. Tickets may be purchased here. Fishbone AND Gwar! You cannot go wrong with those two bands alone.
Interpunk.com Present American Skate Skatopia 2010, Rutland, OH, 6/25 and 6/26, 2010
Insubordination Fest – Baltimore, MD, June 25-26, 2010
Closer to home here on the East Coast, this year’s Insubordination Fest is also taking place in Baltimore. Here’s the lineup for Friday, June 25th and the lineup on Saturday June 26th.
Insubordination Fest 2010 - Baltimore, June 25th and 26th, 2010
Any one of these three shows and festivals can kill your liver! Be kind to it and have a great time whatever you do this weekend.
Frustrators News from the Bunker Coming July 1st – Jason Chandler Interview with Lisa Booth of Punk Globe
Mysterious Frustrating Image by A Mysterious Frustrator
Breaking News!!
Back in March I reported that there were mysterious and frustrating images appearing on the Frustrators’ Facebook page. The photos were a series of shots with bits and pieces of band equipment and body parts. And lunch. Since the photos appeared, wild rumors of a new album from the Frustrators have been running rampant among the zombies in the bunker, and we’re all… uh, THEY are all… waiting with baited breath (if they could breathe) to hear what’s up with the Frustrators.
I’m happy to report that Lisa Booth, a writer for Punk Globe Zine, has managed to tickle her way through those breathless zombies to interview the elusive lead singer of the Frustrators, Jason Chandler. Chandler’s always working on something or another in the bunker, but he managed to literally break himself away from his work and speak with Booth. I’m not quite sure what they will discuss (maybe confirmation of a new album? maybe playing a gig? maybe what he had for lunch?) so you’ll just have to wait for the next issue that comes out on July 1st. The article will be posted both on Punk Globe and afterward on Booth’s blog, located here.
This zombie is very excited to hear the news, indeed!
Green Day Authority Goes to the Tonys
Static Noise Podcast with Art Work by Violeta Kalfova
Ok, the Green Day Authority really didn’t go to the Tonys, but site leader Andres Martinez and moderator J’net Newton, along with American Idiot Road Trip winner, Katie Pansy McGrogan, did go to the Opening Night After Party back on April 20th. As mentioned last week, the three talk about their adventures during opening night week on the Green Day Authority’s new Static Noise podcast. Prior to talking about their opening night adventures, Andres and Alex chat again on all things Green Day, including last Sunday’s Tony Awards.
Click on the picture and take a listen. And don’t forget to subscribe to the Static Noise weekly Podcast on iTunes.
The Tonys What? – American Idiot Wins Two Tony Awards
Broadway What? - Green Day at the Tonys - Click on Pic for More Tonys Photos
Green Day made their Broadway entry into Tony Award history last night by flying into New York after a storm-filled concert in Austria on Saturday to appear at the Tonys on Sunday night and actually singing two Green Day songs with the cast on stage. They also played at their cast after party at Espace in Manhattan. I had an opportunity to go to the party, but “responsibility” kicked into my brain and I went home to sleep for work. What an idiot! (UPDATE: But lookie here: they were actually at Bowery Electric playing! Hmm… )
While American Idiot did not win the big award last night – Best Musical of the Year (that honor went to Memphis as predicted by Tony insiders) – the show did pick up two much-deserved Creative Awards, Best Set Design by Christine Jones and Best Lighting Design by Kevin Adams. Although in my heart of hearts I wanted American Idiot to win the top award, I also knew there wasn’t a chance in hell that they would. Broadway hates that American Idiot exists, though the Tonys will use Green Day as artists for ratings in a heartbeat (and thankfully a slew of kids who never thought of Broadway before have now been exposed to the possibilities of theater, too.) However, it’s great that the Tonys acknowledged the set and lightning design as it is some of the most creative and out there tech design on Broadway. Big kudos to Jones and Adams for their work.
I’ll post more thoughts on the Tonys at a later time. In the meanwhile, enjoy the performances below!
Green Day Authority has a few posts up regarding last night’s broadcast here and here, including videos of last night’s performance.
DJ Rich Russo posted a short Twid Vid of the band playing “It’s Fuck Time,” joined by composer Tom Kitt and Theo Stockman here. Ha! I hope the cast, crew, and Green Day all sleep well today… all fucking day.
American Idiot and Green Day at the Tonys – June 13, 2010
Broadway Billie in Red Hat by Erial Grove - London, O2, Oct. 24, 2010
Tony Awards – New York City – Sunday, June 13, 2010
The biggest day on Broadway is happening tomorrow night and American Idiot is nominated for three Tony awards: Best Musical, Best Set Design (Christine Jones), and Best Lighting Design (Kevin Adams). American Idiot is up against three shows for the top award: Memphis, Fela!, and Million Dollar Quartet. Rumors have it that the American Idiot cast will do two songs (or portions of them) for the broadcast: “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” and “American Idiot.”
Green Day will be flying in for the awards after their gig tonight in Austria to perform with the cast. It’s a long ride, but I could never picture them missing the Tonys. This show is their baby and the cast kids have become family to them. Break a leg to the entire cast and crew! No matter what happens tomorrow, always know that you fucked Broadway up in the best possible way: by daring to make a loud and fast musical unlike others.
Watch the MTV Full Special on the Show Here.
From the Tonys site, here’s the rundown of tomorrow’s action:
On June 13 – Tony night – the fun begins even before the audience members take their seats at Radio City Music Hall®.
6:00 p.m. ET – The Red Carpet
Broadway and Hollywood celebrities arrive early to meet the press–and walk the Audemars Piguet Red Carpet. We’ll be webcasting their arrivals beginning at 6:00 p.m. ET via live video courtesy of NY1 News.7:10 p.m. ET – The Creative Arts Awards
Then at 7:10 p.m. ET, you’ll be able to watch our live webcast of the InterContinental Hotels® and Resorts Creative Arts Awards, hosted by past-winners Karen Olivo and Greg Jbara. This is the portion of the awards ceremony that takes place immediately before the CBS telecast.8:00 p.m. ET – The Tony Awards Telecast
The main event begins at 8:00 p.m. ET: the 2010 Tony Awards telecast, live on CBS. TonyAwards.com will offer multimedia coverage to complement your viewing experience.Note for West Coast fans: the telecast will be aired on time delay at 8:00 p.m. PT.
Here is more information regarding the broadcast:
International Fans may have to watch them on a few days delay on television. Here’s the Tony Awards site regarding broadcasts.
The Tony Awards will stream the Red Carpet, the Creative Awards, and the Press Room Live. I do not know if this can be accessed by International Fans. Tony Awards site link can be found here.
In New York City, you can watch the live broadcast from Times Square on a jumbotron, including the Red Carpet entries. The simulcast will happen rain or shine. More information about this can be found at the Tony Awards site.
Something to Believe In – The Razorbax – Punks Play for Autism – London, Friday, June 18, 2010
Punks Play for Autism
"Something to Believe In" by The Razorbax
One of the things that I’ve enjoyed about my 21st Century Breakdown with Green Day has been meeting people in line along the way. When I traveled to London back in October to see Green Day perform for two nights at London’s O2 arena, I met tons of English and European fans, and one each from Australia, Brazil, and South Africa. Leigh Bucknall, lead singer and guitarist of the up-and-coming British band, “The Razorbax” is one among the multitude that I met. While we didn’t hang out for long, I’ll never forget him among the 20 or so other Idiots who spent the night at Sharon and Graham’s “Longview” estate in Kent, staying up late into the night eating, drinking and loudly singing Green Day songs. That’s the kind of ‘estate’ I like to be in!
Razorbax on Stage
The Razorbax hail from the English West Midlands area which surrounds the once mighty industrial engine of Great Britain, the rough and tumble city of Birmingham. Their musical sound combines British punk and rock (or punk ‘n roll as they call it) that flows through their anthem-like music. They note that their influences are The Clash, The Jam, and Stiff Little Fingers, with a touch of The Who’s rock sound and a nod to the Birmingham Brum of ska. The Razorbax come from an area with a long tradition of rock ‘n roll ranging from metal (Black Sabbath, Judas Priest), New Wave (Duran Duran) and ska (The Beat) and has a distinctly British sound. Their biggest influence though, is, you guessed it, Green Day. They’ve been listening to Green Day all of their lives and Leigh’s been known to wear the Flag T-Shirt of the Adeline Records logo and their bassist, James Kitchen, plays a Mike Dirnt Fender Bass (the one with the black star). The band’s name, Razorbax, can be found in the title of the Green Day song, “One for the Razorbacks” from 1992’s Kerplunk!
You can hear The Razorbax single, “Something to Believe In” if you go to their site located here.
Razorbax. Photo by Connar O'Keefe
The guitars are fast but melodic and the drums and bass call out a steady beat for the head to bop to their rhythms. The Razorbax capture a young, English, working-class rage about their world, but with a sort of sweetness thrown in. Leigh’s voice is a bit… angelic with a rough edge around it… and when he sings out “Wake Up! Wake Up!” [LYRICS HERE] you kinda go, ok, I will! Their self-financed debut album, Something to Believe In, released on March 15, 2010, weaved its way onto independent charts in England when it came out. The band, which includes Bucknall on lead vocals, guitar, and piano, Kitchen on bass and vocals, Jack Perry on guitar and vocals, and Louis Bowen on drums and percussion, will be performing at the Luminaire Club in London on Friday, June 18th, 2010, as the headlining band for a benefit, “Punks Play for Autism.” They will also release their album title song, “Something to Believe In” with “A Better Place,” and proceeds from the show will benefit The Autism Trust in England. The Autism Trust was founded by a mother with an autistic child, Polly Tommey, and the organization’s mission is to “create a future with purpose for children and adults everywhere with autism. We aim to do this by developing an international network of innovative, high quality environments: Centres of Excellence in Autism.” Read more and get involved at their site here.
You can hear “A Better Place” and see the video, dedicated to the Autism Trust, below. For more information on the event itself, including tickets and venue, check out Nova-Caine.com. Opening bands include Sam Maloney, The Write-Offs, and SH!ftY SaRaH. You can’t beat it for £6.00 in advance, £8.00 on the door.
The Razorbax – “Better Place” – For the Autism Trust
The band is currently in the running for the semi-finals of Surface Unsigned, a British festival of competing unsigned bands across Europe. Winning bands get a record deal. If they make it through the next round on July 31st, then it’s off to the finals at the 02! Good luck, guys!
I was supposed to fly to London to see Green Day perform at Wembley Stadium on June 19 and see the Razorbax on June 18, but unfortunately, finances have gotten in the way of both and I won’t be able to make it. If you are in London on June 18, I highly recommend that you head on over to the Luminaire Club for a night of British punk ‘n roll. I am sad that I will be missing this show, I would really love to see the Razorbax live, but I hope all of you that have the chance to go to London for Green Day at Wembley will take some time out to support not only the Razorbax, but the Autism Trust, too.
A big shout out goes to their spunky DIY promotion team, Nova-Caine Music. Go on over to their site and check out bands Kuda Bux and Army of Freshman. And support unsigned bands!! Cause you know, as Thom Yorke says, the record industry is on the verge of collapse… all the more reason why independents need your support!
Tre Cool on the Radio
Green Day Tonys Splash
Yesterday, June 7, 2010, Tre Cool did a series of on-air interviews with various U.S. radio stations. I listened to two of them yesterday, one from KROQ Radio (h/t DJRossstar) and one from a podcast called Cara’s Basement (h/t Robin) from Chicago’s WTMX. Take a listen as Tre, calling from Helsinki, talks with Cara about Rock Band, Lollapalooza and verbally confirms that the band will be flying into New York for the Tonys. This last part makes me happy because even though there’s a big splash page at Greenday.com saying that the band was “set to take the stage” for the Tonys, there was still confusion among fans as to whether or not Green Day would fly into New York for the June 13 Awards, as they have a gig in Austria the night before on June 12. However, I noted a while ago somewhere around here that they have a break in their European tour schedule until June 16 when they hit Manchester, so, God willing and the crik don’t rise, the boys will be with their American Idiot cast kids no matter what happens at the Awards. I couldn’t even imagine Green Day not being with them for it.
You can click on the image below to hear the interview:
Tre Cool Interview in Cara
Update: The Green Day Authority posted two more interviews from yesterday:
93.3 in Denver [AUDIO]
This interview link is no longer available: 93.3 WMMR Philadelphia [AUDIO] GDA notes that the interview comes at 1:50
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