Hezekiah Jones...can't wait for the new EP and Album

I first heard Hezekiah Jones open up for Hayden back in mid 2008.  I instantly loved the folk music and the beautifully crafted lyrics. Excerpts taken from their myspace page...Studio Hezekiah Jones is Raphael Cutrufello who writes the songs and plays piano, guitar, rhodes piano, harmonica, melodica, slide whistle, vocals, pots and pans, kazoo,xylophone, accordian, along with many others on every other instrument you can think of. Live Hezekiah Jones is Raph and variations of different people and instruments. Raph's lyrics are just amazingly constructed, his sound is prefect. I sat there last night thinking to myself, "Gosh, I wish I had extra money laying around so I could help fund this guy because he has so much talent."

When I first saw Hezekiah Jones, it was just Raph playing solo. It probably wasn't until the 4th or 5th time that I saw them play that I realized that there was actually a band that played with Raph. Every time I see HJ play, I am never let down. Last night I had the chance to see the full band play with two other great Philadelphia artists; Christopher Bohn and Joshua Park. This is the 2nd time I have had the chance to see this bill and the 3 of them never seem to disappoint.

 I had the chance to talk to Raphael last night before the show. I was really hoping that the new EP would be available. Unfortunately it was not. I have to wait until November to get it. There is nothing wrong with the previous EP and LP, but I want some new music. Luckily we had the chance to hear two new songs off the EP last night which was exciting because Raph had just got done saying that he doesn't like to play new songs until they are released. Thanks for playing them Raph. I highly recommend that you give Hezekiah Jones a listen, especially if you like inide/folk music. Simply beautiful.

Click here to link up to their Myspace Page. 

Some great tunes to listen to are Cupcakes for the Army, Albert Hash, Agnes of the World, Postpone, Dark Hollow, and How You Feel About Traveling, I've Got A Little Room.

I also have to mention that I had some great craft beers last night to share with Rich. I had Southern Tier Pum King and a 2006 Stone Double Bastard.  Oh, oh so good! The Double Bastard had a great smell, went down smooth, it was amazing. As far as Pumpkin beers, Southern Tier, Shipyard, and Dogfish Head are my favorite. I also bought the new Heavy Seas Imperial Great Pumpkin to try later. Cheers!

Some bands to check out, concerts, etc

I have been into this band from Philadelphia for awhile now.  They are called Canadian Invasion and for some reason I just can't get enough of them. They are def worth checking out. They are an indie/pop/rock band as described on their Myspace page. I hear why this band is labeled "pop," but I don't think they are much pop as they are indie rock. I like it all a lot. 

Another band that I have been into very recently is The Rocketboys. Another solid Indie/Ambient/Rock band out of Texas. From their Myspace page...

Residing now in Austin, The Rocketboys continue to improve their signature sound, described by The Austin American-Statesman as showing “a mastery of mood and subtlety” and complimenting singer Brandon Kinder’s soaring melodies with “clear, ringing guitars and full-bodied keyboard arrangements, hard-driving drum lines and well-practiced transitions between calm and controlled chaos."
Their newest effort, and debut full-length album, 20,000 Ghosts, was engineered by Louie Lino (Nada Surf, Matt Pond PA). Describing the new album, guitarist Daniel Wheeler said, “20,000 Ghosts displays a new range of diversity and maturity in our music, while maintaining the pop-sensibility that fans have come to love. We try to find the balance between a light, drum-driven brand of indie rock and darker, more atmospheric sounds coupled with lyrics and melodies you can’t get out of your head.”
20,000 Ghosts was released in late September and The Rocketboys will be touring North America in October.

I have a few new concerts coming up that I am really looking forward to here in Philly.  This Friday October 9, I am going to check out Hezekiah Jones once again for the 5th time? Probably more. Something about this guy...he just writes good music. The following Friday I am going to see Matt Duke who I first heard on XPN. Matt writes some good music and I love both of his albums.  Both of these shows are at Burlap and Bean. October 21st I am going to make a strong attempt to see The Rocketboys at some small unknown location in Philly called The Blockley Pourhouse. This is a weekday show and they are hard for me to make, but I am really interested in this band's sound.

To start off November I would like to check out a band from my hometown, Train. They have had a few hit singles and have made a great name for themselves. I know they have hit Top 40 status in years past, but the current ticket price for their shows is something like $40+.  I just bought U2 tickets for a grand total(all fees included) for $60. I have a hard time justifying this $40+ price. November 8th is The Swell Season which I am pumped for. I saw them once a few years back and it was great. This next one is still up in the air. November 14th is a good possibility of seeing Minus the Bear and As Tall As Lions in West Chester. I also have another great event going on that day which might stop me from this concert, no biggie seeing I just saw ATAL and I know MTB will be back supporting their new album. But I am very excited to see Minus the Bear for the first time.  Lastly for Nov. is a band called Blind Pilot. Again, a weekday show so this might be hard to get to and yes I do like their album, but we will see.

December sees an early show in The Bacon Brothers at the Electric Factory. This is a benefit concert for The Mummers. I am really excited about this show. I enjoy Kevin and Michael Bacon's music and I think with the Mummers, this will be very exciting.

I think this rounds out my shows for the 2009 year.  There really isn't an etc. section to this blog... so enjoy your day!

Mute Math in Philly

I can't find any write ups from this show on the 25th of September. Two things to describe Mute Math shows. 1. The most electrifying show you will ever see, ever! and 2. You have to experience it for yourself. I first heard the name Mute Math on XPN one afternoon. Sounding like an interesting name, so I thought I would check the band on this here Internet. I was glad that I did, they instantly became one of my favorite bands. Their electronic rock style of music was something that I had never heard before and was loving it.

I first saw them a few years ago at the TLA and I was really impressed, they actually made my Top 5 concert list with that show. I was very impressed and Paul Meany was crazy on stage, actually the entire band was crazy on stage. For months (years) I was anticipating anything new Mute Math that I could get my hands on to. Their S/T album and energetic, frantic, quick, raw, and just an all around great electronic rock album. Typical is the major single off that album that started to make a lot of noise for the boys. I found the Reset EP and loved that as well. Peculiar People is probably my favorite song off their EP. Finally their 2nd album came out and at first listen I was disappointed. I enjoyed the album, but it wasn't so much like their S/T. After a few more listens, I think it has become one of my favorite albums of all time. You could see the growth and maturity from the band and their were taking themselves to new levels.

So now the second show at the TLA. Sold out this time and deservingly so. I planned ahead and bought my tickets the first day available, only to come and find out that I had previously purchased U2 tickets at Giants Stadium that same day. I was crushed because these are 2 of my favorite bands. Only thing worse could have been if Nada Surf was playing the same day, thankfully they weren't. Eventually I exchanged my U2 tickets to the Thursday night show so I was set. There was some first time Mute Math concert goers around me and I told them to anticipate one crazy show. They were impressed with the energy from As Tall As Lions(which is one of my top 10 favorite bands), who was the opening band. I was impressed with them as well and they are a great band, but Mute Math was the reason I was there. Once Mute Math came out I was slowly disappointed because they did not come out like they did the first time they did at the TLA. Less energy, slower songs, etc. I suppose I should have anticipated this because Armistice is much slower, thought out, and mature. As they got through a few songs, I thought to myself, this is what I should have expected because of the growth on the 2nd album. I was content and really enjoying the show.

The 2nd half of the show as totally different and it was a great build up. Next thing I know they were still mature and developed as a band, but they went back to their roots to end the show. Hyper, energizing, refreshing, loud, explosive! At one point Paul starts to stand on his keyboard, Greg is jumping around and Darren playing the drums as crazy as ever. Paul throws the microphone out into the crowd and crowd surfs while not missing a beat to the song. To top it off Darren does something I have never seen from any band before, he throws his bass drum out into the crowd and then stands on top of it. CRAZINESS! The band is playing, Darren is standing on his drum in the crowd as they hold him up and then he does a front flip onto the stage. The encore was extra long, which was great because NO ONE wanted to go home. Not many bands play more than a two song encore, Mute Math gave the crowd a lot extra. Not to mention they play for almost 2 hours, what band can do that who only has 2 albums out and 1 ep? Not many, this goes to show how great their music really is. After I walked out of there I couldn't believe the show I just saw. If you have never been to a Mute Math show, now is the time to go see them, travel to NYC or DC if you have to, well, well worth it.

Just a little side note...don't miss your 3rd chance to see As Tall As Lions in 4 months, November 14th with another great electronic rock band Minus The Bear at the Note in West Chester, PA.

Epic Boot Camp - Rated a Top 5 fitness company in Philadelphia

I wanted to write about a quality fitness company in the Philly area. Jaocb James Right and I have been friends for about 10 years now. He was a fraternity brother of mine in college. He had recently moved to Phoenixville to start the company out here and keep it going in Pittsburgh. One day while I was walking down the street with another one of our fraternity brothers, Tom, we both saw him sitting on the sidewalk. Next thing you know, Jiggy (as we called him in college) was following us. Next thing you know I move in with him and things have taken off. The company is called Epic Boot Camp and it has been around for a few years now. It is a outdoor fitness company for women. I have been a trainer for the company for a little less than a year now and I have to say that I love it. The women see results, they enjoy camp, it gets them out of the house, it helps them stay motivated, it is all around just tons of fun. We recently had a camper from one of our Pittsburgh locations lose 65lbs in a year. Can you believe that? Amazing stuff!! Visit the website for more information.They also posted a new Fitness Blog which will provide tips, nutrition information and a social network for their campers.

Better Fitness, Better Health, Better Life!

Epic Boot Camp is a four-week outdoor fitness program that offers fitness training, motivation, and nutritional counseling. We have researched and applied the most efficient ways in training to help you burn fat, tone muscle, and increase cardiovascular endurance. Combined with fun activities designed to help women of ALL fitness levels reach their goals. Some of the things you can look forward to happening in just four weeks with Epic Boot Camp:

* Eliminate 5-12 Pounds or more
* Eliminate 3-5% overall Body Fat
* 30% Increase in Strength
* 5-15 Inch decrease in overall body composition
* 30% Improvement in Endurance

Women at all levels of fitness, ages, and sizes are achieving awesome results with Epic Boot Camp! Is there a special event coming up? Do you want to drop that extra baby weight? Are you looking to develop a healthy and fit lifestyle, or do you want to jump-start or change your current fitness routine; join us!

1. 4 weeks of 1 hour classes
2. Less than $15 per class when you sign up for 5 classes per week
3. No Two Class are the Same
4. Monday through Friday
5. 3 or 5 day per week options
6. Fun, energetic, certified fitness instructors
7. Free nutrition class and support
8. Supportive, team like environment
9. Before and After Evaluation

U2 Giants Stadium Day 2 9/24/09

What  a great show in NYC. U2 never disappoints. I have to admit that I wish the setlist was better, but there is nothing wrong with something different. This was my second time seeing U2, the first being Miami. I wish they would have played Kite as this is probably my favorite song next to Sunday Bloody Sunday. The show even broke the all time record crowd for that stadium going 84,000+ strong, gathering more of a crowd than the Pope in 1995. New album and tour coming in 2010?

1. Breathe
2. Get On Your Boots
3. Mysterious Ways
4. Beautiful Day / She's A Rainbow (snippet) / Blackbird (snippet)
5. No Line On The Horizon
6. Magnificent
7. Elevation
8. I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For / Stand By Me (snippet)
9. Unknown Caller
10. Until The End of the World
11. Stay (Faraway, So Close!)
12. The Unforgettable Fire
13. Mofo (snippet) / City Of Blinding Lights
14. Vertigo
15. I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight
16. Sunday Bloody Sunday
17. MLK
18. Walk On
19. One (w/ Amazing Grace snippet)
20. Where The Streets Have No Name
Encore
21. Ultraviolet
22. With Or Without You
23. Moment Of Surrender

A nice bootleg of this show, really great quality. It is in flac, so download switch to change it to .wav

http://www.u2start.com/bootlegs/2009-09-24/East%20Rutherford,%20New%20Jersey%20-%20Giants%20Stadium/#general

Pics

 

Rugby White Horse RFC vs. PCOM

Knocking some player down from PCOM for my first try of the spring season '08. If anyone gets a chance to check out the game of rugby, you def. should. Visit www.whitehorserugby.com.

Bruce at Hershey Park May 15, 2009. It was a great show, not much of a Bruce fan until I went to the show. What a great introduction!

Ticket Fees

I can't handle it anymore...I'm livid with these ticket fees. I remember back when I was a teenager and not understanding why Pearl Jam refused to work with ticketmaster and they didn't tour for years. A lot of fan got mad at PJ for not touring. Last year I went to 20 shows and it was the best concert year of my life. I loved all the shows and I was willing to pay the price for shows. Now this year I have purchased tickets for 5 shows and have already reached almost $500 for tickets so far this year. Do you want to know what most of the money is??? It is damn TICKET FEES! These ticket fees are total BS. I just purchased tickets off of Live Nation for the Keane show and the tickets were $32. Not bad considering. The ticket fees were $15 dollars, that's right, $15 dollars. Thats almost half the ticket. I have so much for Pearl Jam now sticking up for their fans and not letting companies like Live Nation and Ticketmaster rape their fans. And now companies like Ticketmaster own companies like Ticketexchange where they get to sell tickets that are marked up 50% + and rip fans off even more. This is crazy...and we are in a economic crisis. The rich get richer and the poor get poorer.

Concerts for 2009

Here is my list of shows that I want/am going to see so far this year...if you are interested, let me know.

January 29th - Frightened Rabbit at Reward Boutique - Free acoustic show
The same night...Ryan Cabrera (his new stuff isnt poppy) and Zack Hexum
February 19th - Bacon Brothers - Dennis Flyer Memorial in Blackwood, NJ
March 1st - Blitzen Trapper - First Unitarian Church
March 5th - The Whigs - The Note in West Chester, PA
March 27th - Glasvegas (indie band from Scotland) - The Note (not sure if I am going to see this one yet...still need to listen to more of their music)
April 7th - Death Cab For Cutie, Ra Ra Riot, Cold War Kids - The Tower
April 29th - Bruce Springsteen - Wachovia Spectrum

Shows for 2009...

Some exciting new shows coming up in 2009...this upcoming Thursday Zack Hexum (brother of 311 frontman, Nick Hexum) is playing in the city...Death Cab For Cutie is playing at The Tower with Ra Ra Riot and Cold War Kids (you HAVE to go to this show with this line up), Propagandhi, The Killers, The Whigs are playing down at The Note in West Chester, and Blitzen Trapper, which is a new band of interest in playing Philly in March...These are some good bands to check out to start your new year off right!!!

Brain

And it begins...2009

Oct. 19, 1996 - Marilyn Manson - Agora Thearte, Cleveland, OH

Oct. 19, 1996 (same night) Mushroomhead - Peabody's, Cleveland, OH

Aug. 19, 1997 - 311 w/De La Soul - Darien Lakes PAC, Darien Lake, NY

July 11, 1998 - Third Eye Blind, Our Lady Peace, Eve 6 - Darien Lake PAC, Darien Lake, NY

Oct. 14, 1998 - Barenaked Ladies - Gund Arena, Cleveland, OH

Nov. 10, 1998 - Jars Of Clay - Warner Theatre, Erie, PA

Dec. 28, 1998 - Barenaked Ladies - Pittsburgh Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, PA

1998-1999 Bands like Never Say Never, Thick as Thieves, Earth Crisis, and many more local bands in Erie

Early 1999 - Train - Media Center Music Store - Erie, PA

1999 - Train - Warner Theatre, Erie, PA

June 3, 1999 - Dave Matthews Band - Star Lake Amphitheatre, Pittsbrugh, PA

June 19, 1999 - Ben Folds Five - I.C. Light Amphitheatre, Pittsburgh, PA

June 30, 1999 - Collective Soul, Train - Warner Theatre, Erie, PA

July 27, 1999 - Barenaked Ladies - Star Lake Amphitheatre, Pittsburgh, PA

Sept. 19, 1999 - Sugar Ray, Smash Mouth, Edwin McCain, Christina Aguilera - Star Lake Amphitheatre, Pittsburgh, PA (this was a free show, I didnt pay to go to it, stop laughing)

Nov. 17, 1999 - Pennywise, Strung Out, ALL - Agora Theatre, Cleveland, OH

2000? - The Clarks - Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, PA

2000? - Naughty By Nature - Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, PA

November 21, 1999 - Counting Crows, The Wallflowers - Cleveland Music Hall, Cleveland, OH

Feb. 13, 2000 - No Use For A Name, Frenzal Rhomb, Mad Caddies - Agora Ballroom, Cleveland, OH

Aug. 2, 2000 - Third Eye Blind, Vertical Horizon, Nine Days - I.C. Light Amphitheatre, Pittsbrugh, PA

October 31, 2000 - Elliott Smith, Grandaddy - Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA

Dec. 8, 2000 - Dave Matthews Band - Bryce Jordan Center, State College, PA

2001? Less Than Jake, Anti-Flag - Club Laga, Pittsburgh, PA

March 25, 2002 - Art Alexakis, Sister Hazel - Florida Atlantic University, Baco Raton, FL

Aug. 14, 2002 - Vans Warped Tour, Bad Religon, NOFX, NUFAN, Lagwagon, Flogging Molly, New Found Glory...etc - La Salle Park, Buffalo, NY

2004? Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera - Pittsburgh Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, PA (free again, relax!)

Sept. 21, 2005 - Our Lady Peace - Trocadero Theatre, Philadelphia, PA

Oct. 5, 2005 - Athlete, Rob Dickinson, The Working Title - World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, PA

Oct. 6, 2005 - Acceptance, Paramore, - Electric Factory, Philadelphia, PA

Oct. 13, 2005 - Foo Fighters & Weezer - Wachovia Center, Philadelphia, PA

Nov. 13, 2005 - U2, Institute - American Airlines Arena, Miami, FL

June 19, 2006 - Good Clean Fun - LAVA Community Center, Philadelphia, PA

Aug. 15, 2006 - 311, Jurassic 5 - Festival Pier Penns Landing, Philadelphia, PA

Oct. 26, 2006 - Death Cab For Cutie - Tower Theater, Upper Darby, PA

March 14, 2007 - Mute Math, The Cinematics - TLA, Philadelphia, PA

May 27, 2007 - Keane, Rocco DeLuca & The Burden - Tower Theater, Upper Darby, PA

July 28, 2007 - 311, Matisyahu - Festival Pier Penns Landing, Philadelphia, PA

Oct. 3, 2007 - Michael Franti & Spearhead - The Fillmore at the TLA, Philadelphia, PA

Nov. 2, 2007 - Nada Surf, Sea Wolf - 8x10, Baltimore, MD

Nov. 10, 2007 - Jimmy Eat World - The Electric Factory, Philadelphia, PA

Nov. 14, 2007 - Citizen Cope (Special Acoustic Solo Show) - Tin Angel, Philadelphia, PA

Jan. 22, 2008 - Band of Horses - The Fillmore at the TLA, Philadelphia, PA

April 10, 2008 - Ben Folds, Eef Barzelay - Kirby Sports Center at Lafayette College, Easton, PA

April 13, 2008 - Nada Surf, Illinois - Trocadero Theatre, Philadelphia, PA

April 15, 2008 - Paddy Casey, Jason Collett - World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, PA

May 5, 2008 - Flight of the Conchords - Tower Theater, Upper Darby, PA

May 20, 2008 - The Swell Season - Tower Theater, Upper Darby, PA

June 7, 2008 - Hayden, Haley Bonar, Hezekiah Jones - North Star Bar, Philadelphia, PA

June 12, 2008 - Death Cab For Cutie, Rouge Wave - Mann Center, Philadelphia, PA

June 14, 2008 - Jimmy Buffett & The Coral Reefers - Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA

July 31, 2008 - The Long Winters - Castle Clinton, Battery Park, New York City, NY

Aug. 12, 2008 - Radiohead - Susquehanna Bank Center, Camden, NJ

Sept. 6, 2008 - Ben Folds w/ the Philadelphia Orchestra - Mann Center, Philadelphia, PA

Oct. 20, 2008 - NOFX, Dillinger Four, The Flatliners - Trocadero Theatre, Philadelphia, PA

Nov. 7, 2008 - Joshua Park, Christopher Bohn, Hezekiah Jones, Jared Costa - Chaplin's Music Cafe - Spring City, PA

Nov. 20, 2008 - Michael Franti & Spearhead feat. Cherine Anderson, Tom Morello: The Nightwatchman, Boots Riley - Electric Factory, Philadelphia, PA

Nov. 28, 2008 - Steel Train, Dear and the Headlights, Forgive Durden - The First Unitarian Church, Philadelphia, PA

Dec. 4, 2008 - Nada Surf, Delta Spirit - Trocadero Theatre, Philadelphia, PA

Dec. 16, 2008 – Matt Duke – Burlap and Bean – Newtown Square, PA

Jan 16, 2009 – Frightened Rabbit, Arc in Round, Right on Dynamite – Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA


Frightened Rabbit put on a good show for Philly. This was their opening show for their current US tour. They performed well in this small venue, had a lot of fun and rocked out. I had never been to Johnny Brenda's. I have to admit, I liked it a lot to show a smaller show. I liked being up top on the balcony and viewing the band from up above. Right on Dynamite from Brooklyn put on a great show as well. I don't think FR could have found a better opening band. Look for them in the near future to start making headlines in the indie music world.

Some other great shows coming up in the Philly area...March 1 - Blitzen Trapper and March 13 - old school vegan punks, Propagandhi. Keep your ears posted and check out some new music! Cheers!