There are two bands that paved the way for my music tastes; Smashing Pumpkins and Phish. The latter performed this weekend in Hampton, VA for a three day celebration that I was lucky enough to attend. Phish fans from across the world united in a scene that I can only describe as sublime. The energy, as well as the apprehension, were tangible prior to Friday night's opener. All of us remember the pre-2000 precision that Phish was capable of, and, probably more notably, the shell of a band they'd become after their hiatus. Coventry was a particularly relevent topic leading up to Friday night, and the hope was that they'd leave the tears of that event behind and forge forward...
This hope proved to be more than well-founded.
Phish entered the Hampton Coliseum to a thunderous roar from it's most adoring fans. Instead of picking an easy tune to warm up with, Fluffhead, (a song not performed live in over 8 years) was the choice to begin the new era. Following Fluffhead was The Divided Sky, another technically difficult tune that seemed to be a sign that they were prepared to give each and every fan the show of their lives. With all due respect to the Widespread's and Umphrey's and Moe.'s of the world, Phish made a statement this past weekend. They announced their return with uncanny accuracy and emotion, and proved without a shred of doubt, that they truly are THE live act of past 20 years.
It was an unforgettable weekend with good friends, good beer, and great music, and the band should be proud of the fact that they made us all feel like teenagers again for 6 incredible sets...
To view set lists, visit http://www.phish.com/
Jeff - wa
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Friday, February 6, 2009
Focus and Clarity
It's been close to a full year since adding anything to this tiny corner of the WWW, and, through some cosmic bumblefuck, the world has continued to inexplicably rotate correctly.
My original idea for this blog was to focus on the distinct cultural differences between my two favorite music scenes; you see, as I sit here writing, the sweet scent of Nag Champa fills my living room with comfortable ease, while, at the same time, Refused blares from my speakers. I think there is something to discuss here, but is it worthy of passage upon passage of unrelenting drivel? I think not. Moreover, as you can see from previous posts, my obsession with sports overtook any real message I had planned on conveying anyways, so I guess the whole thing was destined to be lost on any reader that meandered along it's words.
So, friend, let's start fresh. Forge a new path of un-readership. Boldly go where many, many, many people have gone before.
A question has consumed my thoughts over the past, oh, 7+ years, and I hope that this blog will bring an end to my speculation on the topic. As a college student in East Lansing, MI, my friends and I frequented the local thrift shops for buried fashion treasure. Finding that perfectly funny T (Dan's Big Bone Lick), was always a welcome surprise, and one trip in the summer of 2001 was no different. Sifting through the racks of shirts I came across perhaps the best shirt I own, which brings us back to the aforementioned question...
WHO IS TWILLA? (see above)
I am the proud owner of this fantastic shirt, and, subsequently, the proud owner of what would become a very common nickname for me. What should not be lost in this twisted tale, however, is I AM NOT the first man or woman to be called Twilla. I implore the original Twilla to please stand up.
I wonder if I'll ever meet the orignal Twilla, formerly of TRIN Company? It's uncertain. What I do know is that Twilla is probably a damn good American with whom I'd love to enjoy a cold beer with on a hot, summer day.
More to come, friends.
Listening to: Arch Enemy, Phish, Ray LaMontagne, and the flawless Jose Gonzalez.
Cheers,
Jeff(wa)
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
NFL Season Wrap Up
Well,
My weekly blog didn't turn out so well. At least I got something right, though. As expected, the Lions went 7-9 (see my preseason prediction within my previous entry). Also, as expected, the Bears came tumbling back to earth.
That's all that needs to be addressed right now, minus the fact that Ben Wallace is officially a role player making 12.5 million a year. Hilarity.
D-town love,
Jeff
My weekly blog didn't turn out so well. At least I got something right, though. As expected, the Lions went 7-9 (see my preseason prediction within my previous entry). Also, as expected, the Bears came tumbling back to earth.
That's all that needs to be addressed right now, minus the fact that Ben Wallace is officially a role player making 12.5 million a year. Hilarity.
D-town love,
Jeff
Monday, August 20, 2007
Chicago Sports Fans...
Ok,
For entry #2, I am compelled to discuss something that really irritates me; the Chicago Bears and their fans.
Now, admittedly, I live in Chicago, but only because my beloved hometown (area) of Detroit is in such economic decline. I like to think that I take up one job here that otherwise would have been designated for a smelly Bears fan. It's official; the Bears' contingent of fans gets my "one bullet," as in the death blow designated for a mortal enemy. Living here has only fueled my hatred of the Bears, and Chicago sports fans in general. These blowhards have even managed to ruin the fun of being a casual fan of the Cubs, the only Chicago professional team in which Detroit teams do not share a divisional rivalry with. The complaining is endless; the misinformation, relentless; the bandwagon, full/empty depending on the situation.
The meltdown occurred this past Saturday night. I'm at a bar with some fellow Detroit transplants, discussing the Lions, Detroit's pro football team. (Let this be on the record; the Lions are easily the worst pro franchise of the past decade...perhaps of all-time.) It goes without saying that I understand how bad this franchise is. Regardless, I still love them; perhaps more than any team in the world. It came as no surprise that the typical Bears fan overheard our conversation, and just had to chime in.
Those of you that reside in Chicago know this guy; slightly overweight from drinking too much in his mid-20's and probably strung out on a constant diet of uppers and blow, his verbal assault begins immediately, and without provocation. His arguments go from senseless to insane in about 4.7 seconds, and I swear his receding hairline lost a good centimeter in the process. I got the typical "Rex will be better" and "Hester as a wide out will be unreal," with no mention of the outright fact that Rex Grossman is one of the most inconsistent players in the NFL, and Hester has yet to play 20 snaps at wide receiver. Is Hester an amazing player? Absolutely. Would I state, without any uncertainty whatsoever, that he'll be a Pro-Bowl receiver? Not unless I want to get laughed at. His arguments were also laced with sexist/racist remarks; another of his remarkably unsavory characteristics.
Here are 2 consistencies that I've noticed in the "irrational, homer, Chicago sports fan." 1) The almost guaranteed reference to the 90's Bulls or 80's Bears. Ladies and gentlemen. Those teams are now DECADES old. If I wanted to bring up the fact that the 84 Tigers, 97, 98, 02 Red Wings, 89, 90, 04 Pistons all won championships, I would. Unfortunately, it's usually not relevant, unless the discussion revolves around overall city performance. (FYI, Detroit was just voted sports city of the year. http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=248801) Has Chicago had some great teams? Of course, although I hate admitting it. People of Chicago! Here me now! Jordan is bald, fat, and gone. Ditka is a trendy word to say in a southside accent. It's over. Let it go. 2) Bandwagon fans, almost all of them. I can't stress this enough, and therefore will probably make mention of it 5 more times in this entry. The United Center is the perfect place to see a home game for the Pistons and Red Wings. 4,000 fans? In a hockey town? Please. Also, when your slogan (Bulls) becomes "because it's so much fun!", things are officially dire. (and they're not even that bad, regardless of how crippling the Ben Wallace contract will be for the next 3 years...)
There are individuals like my dear friend here in every camp of sports fans. Chicago is a great city, but the one thing it lacks is an objective and respectful view of its sports teams. I've met great Chicago sports fans; they exist, if only in very small numbers. Unfortunately, the vast majority of them are flip-flopping, wagon hoppers, looking for their next high.
8-8 looks like a fair projection for the Bears this year. 7-9 looks like a fair projection for the Lions. I certainly hope that the Bears' march back to mediocrity comes true, and, hopefully, I'll get a chance to see my old friend again; that is of course if he hasn't been put in a wheelchair by pissing off the wrong person.
Much love, respect, and go Lions.
Jeff
For entry #2, I am compelled to discuss something that really irritates me; the Chicago Bears and their fans.
Now, admittedly, I live in Chicago, but only because my beloved hometown (area) of Detroit is in such economic decline. I like to think that I take up one job here that otherwise would have been designated for a smelly Bears fan. It's official; the Bears' contingent of fans gets my "one bullet," as in the death blow designated for a mortal enemy. Living here has only fueled my hatred of the Bears, and Chicago sports fans in general. These blowhards have even managed to ruin the fun of being a casual fan of the Cubs, the only Chicago professional team in which Detroit teams do not share a divisional rivalry with. The complaining is endless; the misinformation, relentless; the bandwagon, full/empty depending on the situation.
The meltdown occurred this past Saturday night. I'm at a bar with some fellow Detroit transplants, discussing the Lions, Detroit's pro football team. (Let this be on the record; the Lions are easily the worst pro franchise of the past decade...perhaps of all-time.) It goes without saying that I understand how bad this franchise is. Regardless, I still love them; perhaps more than any team in the world. It came as no surprise that the typical Bears fan overheard our conversation, and just had to chime in.
Those of you that reside in Chicago know this guy; slightly overweight from drinking too much in his mid-20's and probably strung out on a constant diet of uppers and blow, his verbal assault begins immediately, and without provocation. His arguments go from senseless to insane in about 4.7 seconds, and I swear his receding hairline lost a good centimeter in the process. I got the typical "Rex will be better" and "Hester as a wide out will be unreal," with no mention of the outright fact that Rex Grossman is one of the most inconsistent players in the NFL, and Hester has yet to play 20 snaps at wide receiver. Is Hester an amazing player? Absolutely. Would I state, without any uncertainty whatsoever, that he'll be a Pro-Bowl receiver? Not unless I want to get laughed at. His arguments were also laced with sexist/racist remarks; another of his remarkably unsavory characteristics.
Here are 2 consistencies that I've noticed in the "irrational, homer, Chicago sports fan." 1) The almost guaranteed reference to the 90's Bulls or 80's Bears. Ladies and gentlemen. Those teams are now DECADES old. If I wanted to bring up the fact that the 84 Tigers, 97, 98, 02 Red Wings, 89, 90, 04 Pistons all won championships, I would. Unfortunately, it's usually not relevant, unless the discussion revolves around overall city performance. (FYI, Detroit was just voted sports city of the year. http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=248801) Has Chicago had some great teams? Of course, although I hate admitting it. People of Chicago! Here me now! Jordan is bald, fat, and gone. Ditka is a trendy word to say in a southside accent. It's over. Let it go. 2) Bandwagon fans, almost all of them. I can't stress this enough, and therefore will probably make mention of it 5 more times in this entry. The United Center is the perfect place to see a home game for the Pistons and Red Wings. 4,000 fans? In a hockey town? Please. Also, when your slogan (Bulls) becomes "because it's so much fun!", things are officially dire. (and they're not even that bad, regardless of how crippling the Ben Wallace contract will be for the next 3 years...)
There are individuals like my dear friend here in every camp of sports fans. Chicago is a great city, but the one thing it lacks is an objective and respectful view of its sports teams. I've met great Chicago sports fans; they exist, if only in very small numbers. Unfortunately, the vast majority of them are flip-flopping, wagon hoppers, looking for their next high.
8-8 looks like a fair projection for the Bears this year. 7-9 looks like a fair projection for the Lions. I certainly hope that the Bears' march back to mediocrity comes true, and, hopefully, I'll get a chance to see my old friend again; that is of course if he hasn't been put in a wheelchair by pissing off the wrong person.
Much love, respect, and go Lions.
Jeff
Friday, August 17, 2007
My First Blog.
Well world,
Here I am. Online. Eventually it had to happen, and My Space just wasn't an option.
Why a blog? Well, for one, no one will give a sh*t about this, so I will remain relatively hidden from those "searchy" types that have to know everything about everyone they've ever come into contact with. You know them; totally weird if you ask me. Heck, you may be one of them. Secondly, I've secretly wanted to discuss my thoughts with a completely anonymous audience. That's where you come in. Thanks for reading.
In conclusion, I am the hippie/punk rocker in general terms. I base this statement off of my previous lifestyle choices and music consumption. Anyone else out there that can throw on Widespread right after a furious bout with The Dillinger Escape Plan? Let me know. I'm going to try and organize what I want this whole "blog thing" to be about, so bear with me you 2. It'll be up and running soon.
Oh, and I love vinyl. Records that is.
Pizza Party, (the boys from college get the credit for this sign off)
Jeff - Jephwa
Here I am. Online. Eventually it had to happen, and My Space just wasn't an option.
Why a blog? Well, for one, no one will give a sh*t about this, so I will remain relatively hidden from those "searchy" types that have to know everything about everyone they've ever come into contact with. You know them; totally weird if you ask me. Heck, you may be one of them. Secondly, I've secretly wanted to discuss my thoughts with a completely anonymous audience. That's where you come in. Thanks for reading.
In conclusion, I am the hippie/punk rocker in general terms. I base this statement off of my previous lifestyle choices and music consumption. Anyone else out there that can throw on Widespread right after a furious bout with The Dillinger Escape Plan? Let me know. I'm going to try and organize what I want this whole "blog thing" to be about, so bear with me you 2. It'll be up and running soon.
Oh, and I love vinyl. Records that is.
Pizza Party, (the boys from college get the credit for this sign off)
Jeff - Jephwa
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
