Jellyfish Special November 2

Saw this on the AndySturmer Yahoo group:

Still crying over split milk? Wishing to Call Sarah? Well Tuesday November 2nd from 6 to 8 pm EST will be your day to do so! Our show will feature some of Jellyfish's best works including demos, live performances, solo projects, collaborations, and a few surprises! You can either tune in at WNTE.com or you can tune in at our chat room at http://caravan.popchats.com/.

Have to miss it? No worries! We'll be later podcasting at the show at http://caravangems.podbean.com/

Great New Interviews with Roger J. Manning and Jason Falkner

These are great interviews (they are multiple pages long, look for page numbers you can click on at the bottom):

http://popshifter.com/2008-07-30/speaking-the-language-of-pop-an-interview-with-roger-joseph-manning-jr/

http://popshifter.com/2008-07-30/creating-utopia-an-interview-with-jason-falkner/

Man, this is weird

I work from a home office (so no commute) and I've got the house all rigged so that almost 100% of my music listening is done through MediaMonkey. MediaMonkey plugs my listening habits into last.fm. So if you look at my last.fm profile, it's a very solid showing of what I've been listening to since joining in Jan 2006 (so almost 2 years worth).

My musical history, of course, goes back much further than the past two years. You can't really tell from my last.fm profile that I've actually listened to a ridiculous amount of Led Zeppelin, Beatles and Metallica in my lifetime. So, ok, whatever. Let's take a look at the last two years. It's interesting to see how my favorite bands of all time fare compared to new stuff I've been listening to lately.

So first, here are the favorites of all time (meaning they got lots of listens prior to 2006):
The Beatles, Jethro Tull, Genesis, Metallica, Led Zeppelin, Ramones, Pink Floyd, Jellyfish, Jars of Clay, Vangelis and Joe Satriani

Now let's look at my top most listened to artists of the past 2 years and see how these fare (the number in parentheses shows how many times I've listened to any song from that artist):
1. Jethro Tull (832) - Wow, I'm still listening to a lot of Tull. Part of this number being so high is that I went through and listened to every track in an effort to organize, catalog and rate them. Also, they have a lot of material. Also, they're awesome.

2. Porcupine Tree (707) - I was introduced to them in spring 2005, so relative newcomers. They are, in fact, now one of my favorite bands of all time. It's obvious that they are so high because they are a new favorite. Also, they're awesome.

3. Vangelis (555) - This is up there because it's great music to listen to while working. Also, he's awesome.

4. The Beatles (479) - Their complete awesomeness means they'll always be up near the top in listens. Also, this high number in the past two years has a lot to do with introducing my kids to them, whereas the Jethro Tull number is mostly made up of listening without the kids around. I've yet to really play Tull for the family much.

5. Rush (389) - This was a bit of a surprise. I haven't felt like I've been into Rush lately as much as I was in high school and college. I attribute this to the organizing and rating exercise. Although, there are some key Rush tracks that my 7-yr-old son loves.

6. Jars of Clay (379) - Every album is different and every album is good. So they get lots of listens even nowadays. Plus it helps that they are safe to play around all the kids.

7. Genesis (283) - I also did the organizing and rating with these guys (they have a lot less output than Tull, though). I haven't yet played much of Genesis for the family, though.

8. "Weird Al" Yankovic (248) - This is weird, eh? Here's what happened: (1) My kids really got into Weird Al this past summer and (2) he's awesome!

9. Led Zeppelin (215) - Here again, I haven't really pushed this on the kids yet. So this is from organizing and rating the songs. They're still awesome, though!

10. Jellyfish (182) - For a band that only put out two albums to be in the top 10 really says something. They will always be perfect to listen to anytime.

That's the top 10. Here are some surprises: Aerosmith and Van Halen (which were favorites in high school and college) are in the top 20 and higher than Pink Floyd. I haven't been feeling much in the mood for Aerosmith or Van Halen so not sure how that happened. Also, Pink Floyd is good for listening while working, so I need to play them some more. Poor Metallica is way down at #42, below ZZ Top, Billy Joel and Phil Collins. Can you believe that? And that's even counting the fact that in the last two years I've really rediscovered my love of metal. "Pour Some Sugar On Me" by Def Leppard is in the top 20 of most listened to songs. What? I dunno. My most listened to Rush song is "Force Ten", but that is not one of the ones that my son is playing all the time. My most listened to Genesis song is "The Knife". Wow! It'll be interesting to see how that stat changes once I start trying to get my kids into them. Which era will I push first? Gabriel? Hackett? The Good 3? The Pop 3? If you know me, you might be able to guess the answer.

It's also funny that, according to last.fm, my listening habits are most closely matched by a 16-year-old girl in Brazil, a 14-year-old guy in Norway and a 25-year-old in Austria. Small world.

Being a database guy and a stats nerd, it's fun to see these kinds of stats about my listening habits. Maybe for you, not so much. So... sorry for the self-indulgent diversion. We'll be back with more news and other stuff soon.

Jellyfish tribute available for pre-order

"Sensory Lullabies: The Ultimate Tribute to Jellyfish" is finally available for pre-ordering! The official release date is September 11th, 2007 - the albums will be shipped then. Here's some exciting information I got from Alan Heaton (exec producer of the project):

You already know that "Sensory Lullabies" is going to be pretty special - it's 35 tracks filling 2-CDs to their limit - almost 2.5 hours of Jellyfish covers! And if that's not enough, everyone who orders the Album from our online store will receive a Free Exclusive Bonus CD ONLY available here containing covers of the 3 Jellyfish originals that wouldn't fit on "Sensory Lullabies" - you will therefore get covers of EVERY original Jellyfish song ever released on CD! Quantities of "Sensory Lullabies" and especially the Bonus CD are going to be extremely limited.

The price of "Sensory Lullabies: The Ultimate Tribute to Jellyfish" is US $24.99, and it can be pre-ordered at Burning Sky Records.

New Release: L.E.O. - Alpacas Orgling

I'm 10 days late on the release, but it's finally here: "Alpacas Orgling" from L.E.O. I don't have it yet, so read this cool review here: http://www.bullz-eye.com/cdreviews/harris/leo-alpacas_orgling.htm.

Here a two excerpts in case you're not sure you want to click the link:

The phrase “pop collective” has been used to describe L.E.O., and it’s as good a description as any. The project came about courtesy of Bleu, the singer/songwriter probably best known to mainstream audiences for “Somebody Else,” the song of his that ended up on the soundtrack to the first “Spider-Man” movie. Serving as the album’s executive producer, Bleu pulled together a decidedly diverse crowd of performers, including Paula Kelley, Andy Sturmer (Jellyfish), Mike Viola (the Candy Butchers), John Fields (the Rembrandts), Tony Goddess (Papas Fritas), Matt Mahaffey (sELF), Jason Scheff (Chicago), Steve Gorman (the Black Crowes), and…wait for it…Hanson.

Sturmer even takes lead vocals during a brief portion of “Goodbye Innocence”…though it only lasts long enough for you to say, “Hey, you son of a bitch, it’s been thirteen years since Spilt Milk and, clearly, you still sound awesome, so where’s that fucking solo album already?” (Actually, you might not say that. But that’s totally what *I* said.)

Jellyfish on YouTube

Knock yourself out:

Live

• The Man I Used To Be


• The King is Half-Undressed


• Sugar & Spice


• She Still Loves Him


• Now She Knows She's Wrong


• No Matter What


• I Wanna Stay Home


• Calling Sarah


• Bye Bye Bye


• Baby's Coming Back


• All I Want is Everything


• Mr. Late


• Will You Marry Me


• Hello


• Taking Requests


• MTV Theme


• No Matter What (1993)


• Joining a Fanclub


• The Ghost at Number One


• Sebrina, Paste And Plato


• Calling Sarah (1993)


• No Matter What


• He's My Best Friend


• That is Why (in store appearance 1993)

Videos

• The Ghost at Number One


• New Mistake


• Baby's Coming Back


• BONUS: Boy or A Girl by Imperial Drag


• BONUS: Blackhole Sun by Moog Cookbook


• BONUS: Joining A Fan Club by Puffy AmiYumi

Other Cool Stuff

• Beatnick Beatch


• Rehearsal from Jan 2006: Mike Andrews & Jason Falkner "Nothin In The World..." by The Kinks


• Eric Dover: Slash's Snakepit - Back and Forth Again (live acoustic)


• Jamming with Roger Manning Jr.


• Jason Falkner (live) - Toronto NXNE June 9th, 2006


• Black Crowes: Seeing Things (6/6/1991) (Jellyfish on background vocals)

WTF

• "Sebrina, Dolls & Plato" (stay for the end when dad walks in)


• Ignorance is Bliss (The SSBM version) Starring Bowser (which was inspired by this cool Flash video)

My Ears Are Still Ringing!

Myself, three other editors here (Gordon, Joe, Dan) and Joe's wife headed out to the International Pop Overthrow show at Spaceland Tuesday night. In short... It was fantastic.

The act we were there to see, of course, was Roger Joseph Manning Jr. (Jellyfish, Imperial Drag, Moog Cookbook, TV Eyes). But we got there early to ease our feet with scant coveted bar stools and got to see five acts ahead of Mr. Manning.

First up was a band that David Bash (IPO organizer) found on myspace, the Kite Flying Society from San Diego. They were really good - kind of a softer power pop with an emphasis on driving acoustic guitar, vocal harmonies and a violin. Their self-described influences include The Kinks, The Shins, Harry Nillson's "The Point", Brian Wilson and Fruit Bats. Had I more cash on me I would've bought the CD (too bad it was $15 instead of $10). I'll have to pick it up online sometime.

Next up was the completely out-of-place folk rock of Carolyn Edwards. I'm not going to diss her or her talent, but I thought she would've been more suited for playing a park in San Francisco. Look, I'm married with kids. On the rare occasion that I get out to a rock show, I don't want to sit around listening to some woman's melancholy bitching and whining. I'm sure she has an audience somewhere, but how bad is it when the performer has to ask her friends in the audience to leave the bar and come stand in the vast empty space at the front of the stage. And she's got a big giant broken image on her web site!

Next up was the promising, but seemingly inexperienced Let's Go Sailing. I was surprised to find that the News section of their web site goes back to Jan. 2004 referencing performances. These guys are another myspace find and we really thought this was one of their first performances in public. They had no stage presence at all... unless you count the corny jokes by leader Shana Levy about being turned up to 11, no wait - 12. The left-handed guitarist was in his own little world, the school librarian keyboard player was shaking (from nerves?) when she was left standing front and center with a tambourine so that Shana could play the keys, and a little asian girl was able to keep the rhythm on her bass but she moved around like a more subdued version of the Elaine dance from Seinfeld. And every single one of them spent almost the entire show looking down at their instruments while they were playing.

This was weird to see visually, because what I heard was actually good songcraft. I liked the songs and I liked Shana's voice. I hate to gripe more at the moment when I'm focusing on the positive, but the songs really would've benefitted from layering on some vocal harmonies (Shana was filling some in herself at the end of her lines). But none of the other bandmates had mics. Anyway, I liked the songs... kind of a mellower pop sound. I just think Ms. Levy might want to surround herself with more mature and dynamic musicians.

Then, all of a sudden, Kristian Hoffman came out and kicked all our asses. The songwriting genius behind the Mumps had a tight four piece outfit... and his band was pretty good, too. He's been rocking the joint since I was a kid and I hope he keeps going. His songs were expertly crafted power pop gems - the very definition of the genre. His set was a real highlight and a welcome blast of energy.

Next was another welcome surprise in Checkpoint Charley. With non-stop energy, the heaviest twin guitar attack I've heard in a non-metal show, and fantasticly catchy songs these guys had me bouncing my head and tapping my feet from start to finish. Think the Tories meets Jellyfish. Click on the link above and listen to at least the first three songs (which should be Cardiac Arrest, Free and Bellyfish). Thank me later. After the whole show was over, we went to the merchandise table to buy their CD, but the table was already empty. But as we were doing the slow cattle-herd-shuffle to the exit, I found myself right next to lead singer-guitarist Kevin Packard trying to sneak out with a box of CDs under his arm. After adulations and handshakes, we slapped him $20 for two CDs and Dan and I were happy campers. The CD's been stuck in my player all day.

But before that happened, I stopped to ask the DJ a question. I can't remember her name, but David Bash introduced her as the DJ for the night and this gal was spinning real geniuine 1970s vinyl records of some fantastic old school power pop. After I heard a fantastic cover of The Beatles' "It Won't Be Long" right before Roger J. Manning's set, I had to stop in and ask her who the band was. It was The Quick - one album in 1977 with a line-up that included Danny Wilde (Rembrandts) and Steve Hufsteader (Dickies). I wish I could get a copy of her playlist for the whole evening.

Ok, but before that, Roger Joseph Manning, Jr. came out and killed us all. When invited to play the IPO, Roger didn't have a band, so he quickly reunited with Imperial Drag's Erik Skodis on drums and picked up a killer bassist (Linus of Hollywood) and a virtual stranger on guitar (Aaron Kaplan who was introduced to Roger through Linus). Anyway, they opened with Queen's "Fat Bottom Girls" and rocked ridiculously hard throughout. Roger sprinkled five more covers in amongst selections from his forthcoming solo album ("The Land of Pure Imagination" due Sept. 12) including Fleetwood Mac's "Go Your Own Way", Edgar Winter Group's "Free Ride", Thomas Dolby's "Europa and the Pirate Twins", The Quick's "Pretty Please Me", and an insanely killer cover of Elton John's "Funeral For a Friend / Love Lies Bleeding". And, don't forget his new songs are fantastic. Get Roger's new album, it'll be just what you're hoping for from this incredible talent.

I wish I could go to all the IPO shows (sorry, Maple Mars, we'll miss you on Thurs. at the Knitting Factory in Hollywood)! Thanks David Bash for another awesome (and cheap) show!

Bleu update

So I saw that Chili's commercial for building your own burger and heard this great song in the background. I couldn't place it right away and I was right in front of my computer, so I IM'd Joe and he did a quick Google (why didn't I think of that; duh) and found out it was "Get Up" by Bleu. If you haven't heard Bleu, you need to do that right away. I apologize for sending you to myspace, but it's probably the quickest way to get you to hear some of his tunes. Anyway, he's playing in Hollywood at The Hotel Cafe on Thurs. Aug. 17. Let me know if you want to go. Also, he's been working on another project called L.E.O. I heard some tunes (again... myspace (different account)) and it's really good. Here's the description from myspace:

L.E.O. is a power-pop-collective..a recording project that began as a tribute to the idiosyncratic genius of Jeff Lynne and the Electric Light Orchestra. It has become a Traveling Wilburys-esque creative outlet for a gang of like-minded musician/producers...it was originally conceived by Bleu and includes the diverse talents of Andy Sturmer (Jellyfish), Mike Viola (The Candy Butchers), Jason Scheff (Chicago), Steve Gorman (The Black Crowes), Matt Mahaffey (Self), John Fields (big-time pop-producer), Tony Goddess (pApAs fritAs), Hanson, Eric Barao (The Cautions), Scott Simons (The Argument), and Paula Kelley, among others..

Quite a few names in there I dig! Check it out. Now.

Puffy Ami Yumi covers Jellyfish

So one of my wife's good friends from high school is a director on the Cartoon Network show Hi Hi Puffy Ami Yumi which is based on a real life J-pop girl group called Puffy Ami Yumi. The last time I had a chance to visit with my wife's friend, I grilled her for information on Andy Sturmer who produces the band's music and, I correctly assumed, was involved to a certain extent with the music on the show. But, at the time she had only been with the show a short while and didn't really know too much about Sturmer. Anyway, it's been a while since I've seen her which you will notice by the fact that this news is already more than a year old, but it's new to me. Thanks for the info, Shelley! Not! :-)

Anyway, go to the band's web site and click on "Video" to see the video of their cover of Jellyfish's "Joining A Fanclub". Don't let the opening keep you from getting to the "rock out" part near the end. It rocks well. Not as well as Jellyfish, of course, but quite well.

The song can be had on the soundtrack CD for the show.

Yet Another Power Pop Band

Not like that's a bad thing, mind you. We all know it's not. But Rodney Bingenheimer spun a track the other day from a Bay Area band called The Well Wishers, and it sounded like a lost track off of The Posies "Dear 23" album. Not surprisingly, the group's lone album, "Twenty-Four Seven," has deep influences in such power-pop icons Jellyfish and Matthew Sweet as well as the aforementioned Posies. According to AMG, the band a spinoff of International Pop Overthrow veteran the Spinning Jennies, so some of us have probably seen some of the band in action. Check 'em out!

Tiny Volcano

Thanks to Dan, I've been enjoying that Coverville show quite a bit. I've downloaded every episode (!) and have been making my way through them. During a show back in November, Brian (host of Coverville) played a song called "Father Nature" by Tiny Volcano. It was a great song, so I followed up on the band checking into various links to hear more song samples. Very much a Jellyfish influence and very cool stuff. If you like any of the Jellyfish and post-Jellyfish "Not Lame" pop, be sure to check out Tiny Volcano.

Coverville

I just found this great podcast site today called Coverville which is just what the title implies...Covers.

I've already listened to 4 of them here at work and they are great fun. The very first show Brian (the shows creator) did in Sept 2004 started with "Hold your head Up/Hello" by you know who. This guy is a big power pop fan and you can tell by the covers he unearths.

Give a listen while idling the day away, it's fun I tell ya.

RJMJR website

Check it out...http://rogerjosephmanningjr.com

I guess he also has a solo album he put together from over 20 years worth of stuff called Solid State Warrior. Go up to the right hand corner to access it. It's .wma files that allow you to listen to it 3 times before you have to buy the track.

Oh yeah, there's a list of all the work he's done as well as a history of sorts.

OK...I've now poked around the website even more and have found a couple intriguing things. First thing is that Eric Dover has a band he calls Sextus. He uses that as his moniker a la Ziggy Stardust. Dunno if it's any good or not, you can find his crappy website at www.sextus.com

A couple of years ago I was hanging out with the drummer from Imperial Drag, Eric Skodis. I asked him what happened and he basically said the 2nd album was pretty much finished when Sony pulled the plug on them because Dover went off the deep end. They were put into band counseling and everyone went their separate ways. He said Roger had the demos for the second album but he didn't have any copies. Years later, it looks as if Roger is finally has released these demos (which I've heard a couple of, but not all) at http://www.arsdivina.com/ImperialDrag/

Be aware this is a new file download network called "Weed" and after three listens you will have to pay for it.