Super excited for this evening. I’m heading to the Hawthorne Theater to see Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers.

I’ve been looking for this CD, “Live Dog 98” for years! I have never seen it in a record store. I’ve never seen it available on the artist’s or label’s website.

It’s lived for years at the top of my “CDs to Look For” note, the note I use to refresh my memory just before I go into a record store.

Like the great white whale, it had become more of a legend than an actual CD.

So imagine my surprise when I opened the gift from my sister.

I was so taken by the surprise, that I didn’t even notice the autograph on the front cover!

In the photo, above, I have the Live Dog CD on top of one of my other prized Bob Mould CDs, a promotional version of his first solo album, “Workbook.”

🎵

My metal moods eventually incorporate the middle era of Skinny Puppy.

This video has the album version of the track, but it’s video from a live show.

But it also feels like the tamest performance. No makeup, no spewing body parts, no whips, no chains, no giant bugs with knives. Crazy visuals and vocal effects, though.

It is a true representation of the song, but not the performance.

Skinny Puppy “Tin Omen”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTIq2HyLThA&feature=youtube_gdata_player

This video is more like the Skinny Puppy I know and love. Same song, different time & place.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngQP8-gjK_k&feature=youtube_gdata_player

I had a dream last night.

I was at the Canadian border and the border guard came to my window. It was a cold night. I could see his breath as he approached.

I rolled down my window and he bent down and asked "Is that your music?"

What? What did he mean? I was expecting him to ask me about any produce or contraband.

But now, with the window down, I could hear the music. It was familiar. I heard loud guitar riffs, zipping along, drums hammering. Was that... Scatterbrain?

At that time, I woke up and realized that I had fallen asleep with my iPod shuffle playing.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbW_vEjVOBI&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01]

The title of this post is the chorus from one of my favorite Visqueen songs. 

It’s a simple, catchy song. I love the bass, I love Rachel’s voice, the tune, the song rocks!

Another catchy ditty is “Sailor”

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATK1jWj9XPA&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01]

An example of my favorite style—loud and melodic.

Visqueen has released a new album today, “Message to Garcia” (Amazon link).

When I saw them in April, I did not know who they were. But it was such a great show! Lots of energy and great tunes.

I’m sorry I didn’t know they’ve been around since 2000.

These videos were shot at Seattle’s Crocodile Café. The sound isn’t great, but it’s enough. The videos show the energy and fun. I mean, when’s the last time you saw someone slide their pick up the strings? Probably a Boston cover band. But, here, it’s great!

[Update] I have a couple of cel pix that I took. You can see them on my Flickr site.

Topic - Here’s a list of ipod docks that I found over at Amazon. - The only requirements were that they have an AM/FM radio. They’re listed below, sorted by price. - It’s a mixed bag. Some are portable, some require that you be plugged in. Be sure to check the “iPod compatibility” some won’t charge the newer iPods (like the newest 4G nano, or iPhone, or iPod Touch (2G).

Click on the item’s name to go to Amazon. Be sure to click on the “Explore Similar Items” link on the page.

If you have any questions, lemme know!

• iLive Portable Boombox

• Memorex Mi3005BLK

* iLive IBCD2817

* iLuv i552

* Imation Boombox

* Sony ICFC1iPMK2

* Sony ZSS4IP

* Macally Flat-Panel Stereo System with AM/FM, Alarm Clock, and iPod Dock

I’m currently lusting after a MacBook Air for my mobile life.

For the past 5-6 years, a laptop has been my main system. But I was recently blessed with an iMac, which has become my “main” machine.

Mostly, I use my iBook for browsing the ‘Net, and writing. My iBook is a 600MHz G3 with a 802.11b airport card.

But I must say, when listening to 128K radio streams or music from our music library (a TiBook that’s now our media server), it works great!

[UPDATE] As I re-read this few days later, I realize that I said that I’ve been using a laptop for the past 5-6 years, but I just remembered that before my TiBook, I was using a PowerBook 3400. As a freelancer, it was a great machine. And being mobile was efficient and freeing! I purchased my 3400 (200Mhz 603e) in ‘98 or ‘99. 10 years ago! Yikes!

Sometimes, while browsing with my iBook, I’ll open up iTunes and listen to a radio station. I usually listen to my local classical station, KPBS.

When I tuned in, I wasn’t really interested in what was playing. I hopped over to the listings under Ambient, and I found “Birdsong Radio.”

I thought “clever name” and I clicked on the link. I was expecting some ambient chill, but it really is birdsongs!

I can totally see putting this on when I don’t know what I want to listen to. I love the ‘Net!

Great news! Apple will now allow you to choose the songs you want to update to iTunes Plus!

There’s more info at Ars Technica – Per-Song iTunes Plus Upgrades Now Available.

At 30¢ a song, I think it’s a good deal. In the past, I’ve upgraded my songs whenever possible, Once a month I’d check to see if I had any songs that were eligible, and if they were, I’d upgrade. A few cents here, a buck there. Nothing too much.

After the announcement at the latest Macworld, I went to upgrade my songs. It turned out that it was going to cost me $50! I can afford $10, but $50’s a bit much for me, right now. I did not realize that I had so many iTunes purchases. (that’s X songs, FYI)

There are some songs in there where I’d really like to have them at 256K, but there are some where it’d be nice, but not so important.

I think I see some iTunes browsing in my future…

(Thanx to Daring Fireball)