MP3 of the Day

The movie Heathers was released on this day in 1988. It starred Winona Ryder, Christian Slater, and Shannen Doherty. The movie follows a four-girl clique who rule over their Ohio high school. Three of the girls are named Heather. It's a classic for sure. Today we have the song Winona Ryder by Unrest.

Dion vs. Dickinson

Back in the early days of Tullycraft, we had a driver/merch guy that traveled with us named Aaron. He was the third person to fill this position. Our prior drivers (Alex and Ken) each only lasted one tour, while Aaron managed to stick with us for a few years. One of the reasons I especially enjoyed having Aaron on tour was because he didn't really like our band that much. In fact, after we'd play each night I'd ask him, "So Aaron, how do you think we sounded tonight?" And he'd say something like, "You sucked as usual." I expected these responses and I loved them. He wasn't joking, we weren't really his cup of tea. You might be asking: Why was he there? Well, he loved to be on tour and we all got along, so it worked out pretty well. Since indiepop wasn't really Aaron's thing and since he was exposed to it nightly, he (and Jeff) instated a "no indiepop will be played in the van" rule. This meant we listened to a lot of Slayer, Behead the Prophet, Iron Maiden, and a live Ozzy Osbourne album that Jeff was particularly fond of.

I'm telling this anecdote because I noticed that the Iron Maiden album, The Number of the Beast was released on this day in 1982. This was the band's third album, but the first to feature vocalist Bruce Dickinson. I heard this album more than a few times on tour, and I must say after repeat listens I came to really like it. Who knew?

Although, it wasn't all hardcore and heavy metal on the road. I managed to find a loophole in the "rule" when I purchased a Céline Dion cassette along the way and insisted it receive equal airplay. You may be asking: Was Céline Dion allowed to be played in the van? She was. And I actually think Aaron may have enjoyed it the most. Who knew?

Today we have a live recording of Superboy & Supergirl. This was recorded at the Empty Bottle in Chicago in 1996. If you notice near the beginning of the song... my bass cuts out. I can't remember if I broke a string or if I was having amp problems. Either way, Jeff and Gary were champions and played right through until I was able to deal with my bass issues. The show must go on! - for the handful of people in attendance. Happy Monday!

MP3 of the Day

Boyracer is playing tomorrow night at the Rickshaw Stop in San Francisco, CA. Does anyone else remember when Jen Turrell posted this on the Indiepop list on Aug 6, 2008?

"...We also wanted to mention Boyracer will play their last ever (honest) show at Athens popfest, 15th Aug at the 40 Watt Club. We have a shithot drummer (at last, just as we throw in the towel)."

At the time I was bit skeptical.

I'm sure the show will be great. Today we have the song Smile On Cue by Boyracer from the Insults & Insights ep. Happy Friday!

MP3 of the Day

On this day in 1998 The Promise Ring played a show at Brodie's Warehouse in Orlando, Florida. Shortly before the band's Orlando appearance, they were involved in a serious accident. The van they were traveling in flipped on an icy road and every passenger was thrown from the vehicle. All of the band members were hospitalized, but fortunately each recovered and managed to continue the tour. At the end of the Orlando show Jason Gnewikow announced that although the set was supposed to be over the band would play one more song, "A Picture Postcard." The song was dedicated to Molly Anderson who was celebrating her birthday that evening.

With all hype surrounding the MTV show, today I'm posting the song Jersey Shore by The Promise Ring. Great song, terrible show.

TULLYCRAFT TUESDAY

Today we have a video of Chris and Jenny singing the Jay-Z and Alicia Keys' song "Empire State of Mind" at a Karaoke bar. The video quality is grainy and poorly lit, but it's an awesome performance. Enjoy!

MP3 of the Day

On this day in 1999 the indiepop band Bis released their second full length album, Social Dancing. The album was recorded at Apollo Studios in Glasgow, Scotland. Today we have the song Making People Normal from Social Dancing. Happy Monday!

MP3 of the Day

On this day in 1957 Elvis Presley purchased Graceland, a large white-columned mansion and 13.8 acre estate in Memphis, Tennessee for approximately $100,000. Today we have the song Tennessee by The Galactic Heroes.

MP3 of the Day

On this day in 1992 Unrest released Imperial f.f.r.r. on TeenBeat Records. This is such a goood record! Today we have the song Suki from this awesome album. Enjoy!

MP3 of the Day

On this day in 1997 Bunnygrunt performed at Chris Munford’s house in Seattle. The band convinced both Chris Mac and Chris Munford to join them on the song I Am Curious Partridge. Unfortunately, the show ended abruptly when a fuse blew during the song Constantly Fighting. (Both of these MP3s are live recordings from that show).

On Saturday Chris Mac opened a record store called Jigsaw Records in downtown Ballard, WA (5459 Leary Ave NW). It would have been very fitting if Bunnygrunt had played the grand opening... they didn't. But both Math & Physics Club and Dave Crane (from Boat) did. No fuses were blown, but Chris Munford was in attendance, so I'd say the circle was almost complete.

MP3 of the Day

On this day in 2003 the British newspaper, The Guardian published its review of a Dixie Chicks concert that had occurred two nights earlier in London. The article ignited the biggest international music-related story of the year. In that review, The Guardian's Betty Clarke included the following line from the concert: "Just so you know,' said singer Natalie Maines, 'we're ashamed the President of the United States is from Texas." (Clarke left out the middle of the full quotation, which was, "Just so you know, we're on the good side with y'all. We do not want this war, this violence. And we're ashamed the President of the United States is from Texas.") That line quickly became fodder for a grassroots anti-Dixie Chicks backlash. It began with thousands of phone calls flooding country-music radio stations from Denver to Nashville - demanding that the Dixie Chicks be removed from the stations' playlists. Soon some of those same stations were calling for a boycott of the recent Dixie Chicks' album and of their upcoming U.S. tour. Fellow country star Toby Keith joined in by performing in front of a backdrop that featured a gigantic image of Natalie Maines beside Saddam Hussein. Today we have the song Satisfied Mind by Jonathan Richman from the album Jonathan Goes Country. Happy Friday!

MP3 of the Day

In the mid-1950s, Lilli was a cartoon character found in a German newspaper called Bild. She was intended for adults, and became so popular that the publication began manufacturing a Lilli doll which was sold at news stands and cigarette kiosks. In 1956, while visiting Europe, Ruth Handler (founder of Mattel toys) discovered the Lilli doll which sparked the idea of manufacturing a similar doll for children. Handler bought the rights to Lilli and made her own version. The result was Barbie, which was introduced at the American Toy Fair in New York City on this day in 1959. Since that first year, more than 800 million dolls in the Barbie family have been sold around the world. Today we have the song Trash by the 80's band Doll.

Happy Birthday Chris!

It's Chris Munford's birthday today.

Chris joined Tullycraft just prior to the recording of our ill-fated sophomore album, City of Subarus. Even though that record might not be everyone's favorite, I still like it and I think Chris does too. I certainly know we had a lot fun making it. Today we have a live performance of Ticket Tonight recorded before City of Subarus was released.

MP3 of the Day

On this day in 2009, Vince Neil opened a Mötley Crüe themed restaurant in downtown West Palm Beach called Dr. Feelgood's Rock Bar and Grill. The restaurant features music memorabilia, guitars and motorcycles. They serve American-style food, which includes burgers, sandwiches and pastas. Today we have the song Maneaters by Cub. Happy Friday!

MP3 of the Day

On this day in 1995, Bikini Kill performed at the Sailors Union Hall in downtown Seattle with Team Dresch, Phranc, Mary Lou Lord, and Elliot Smith. Today we have the song Star Bellied Boy by Bikini Kill from the album Pussy Whipped.

MP3 of the Day

On this day in 1944, the Academy Awards were televised for the first time. Jack Benny served as master of ceremonies for the event, which was held at Grauman's Chinese Theater in Los Angeles. Due to lack of network interest, the show was only broadcast locally, on two Los Angeles TV stations. Today we have the song The Girl Who Lost Interest In Everything by The Hepburns.

MP3 of the Day

On this day in 1994 Luna released the album, Bewitched. Today we have Luna covering the Rolling Stones' classic Waiting On A Friend.