Promiscuity rules!

Well, for one nite anyway...

So last evening I went to FINALLY see Eagles of Death Metal at the Variety and I actually had a hell of a time. For someone who digs the rock music as much as I do, I really found it hard to believe that anyone else could follow their opening act. But someone like Peaches really could follow them up... and I must say that she really lived up to the task.

Eagles brought all of their rock, lady-lovin', fist-pumpin', riff fest out in full force. I wasn't too sure once they got started because, as is the usual with myself, I wasn't too familiar with the opening selection of tunes (as per my knowledge of mainly introductory/early album tracks). In the latter half of their set, I was really digging them though. "Cherry Cola" and "Speaking in Tongues" just tore the floor up... almost literally. I couldn't believe that a pit was forming during an opening set, but it was somewhat understandable for such a band. But once I realized that a bunch of meatheads and douchebags were the driving-force behind it, my questioning was laid to rest.

Peaches really exceeded expectations, whatever I might've had prior to the show. My previous knowledge of Peaches is based from her opening slot for Queens of the Stone Age back in '02. It was just her and some other random chic and pre-recorded beats. Kinda uninspiring and really awkward... on first listen, which is how it was for me. I did accept the novelty of her act, but I found it hard to really establish any sort of credibility behind it. How people just adored her was over my head and I just dealt with that. Fine, whatever. So I decided to really give her another chance and see what might be any different from my other experience with her. Well, this was like Peaches, Part Deux... for me, at least. A full band accompanied her (fantastically named "The Herms", in the same thought as "Peaches and Herb", I'm sure), which included Samantha Maloney... much to my surprise! In reality, I really shouldn't have been surprised because I knew that she worked with Peaches on her new album and that she also had involvement with Eagles of Death Metal. So it was a treat to watch her play and I will admit that one of the reasons I stayed as long as I did for Peaches was because of Samantha Maloney. But Peaches with band was definitely a plus and she did a great job of performing. Her antics were unquestionably up there with the likes of Tim from Les Savy Fav... and that one dude from Like Hell eons ago. All around, it was a great show and I was sweetly rewarded for my curiousity.

Pics from the show? Check out the decent to the overtly blurred out fotos:





Up next on the calendar? That would probably be the Eels show coming up in a couple of weeks at the same venue. Granted, my familiarity runs a little thin with Eels, but I know that their show really shouldn't be missed. I've rarely heard of them touring, especially in the Southeast. I've loved their album Electro-shock Blues and their last one is such a comforting listen... so mellow and laid back with a few little groovers thrown into the mix.

Eagles of Peaches?

Tonite's a show I've been looking forward to for a while now - Peaches/Eagles of Death Metal at the Variety. I was never too fond of EoDM's debut record, Peace Love Death Metal, that is until I really got sucked into their latest album, Death by Sexy. When PLDM was released a few years ago, I just shook it off as being some sort of novelty act, especially with the Josh Homme name-checks EVERYWHERE. But I never accepted the album and just cast it away. But when I was first exposed to "I Want You Soo Hard", I realized that maybe I was missing out after all. Granted, the songs really aren't that amazing or mindblowing or make you question anything... but listening to them is a guaranteed great time. I decided to give them a second chance before this year's Coachella... and still wrote them off. It was actually watching live footage of them at Coachella that really got me going. And then there was the Letterman performance that was not in studio, but ON THE STREET. Pretty bad-ass if you ask me. Here it is, if you're interested:



And that's when it hit - I couldn't miss them the next time around. When they opened for the Strokes a few months ago, on one of their off days, EoDM played the uber-tiny The Nick in Birmingham and I absolutely wish I had been there for such a show. I saw Verbena there a couple of times in the past and it really is the CBGB of the South. But this time at the Variety... with Peaches... and an opening slot? Regardless, I'll have to put my displeasure for Peaches aside for just one nite and deal with it.

Although something does need to be said of Ms. Peaches. Having seen her open for (you guessed it) Queens of the Stone Age some years back, she actually was a good time live. I'll forever have the image of her with a rubber dick on the outside of her shorts, singing "Shake Your Dicks". I questioned her whole set, but THAT seemed to make things a little better... as odd as that may seem. Maybe we'll see more of that tonite? Who knows? But I know that if that happens again, I'm gonna do my best at bringing my camera into the super secure Variety.

Peaches / Eagles of Death Metal @ the Variety Playhouse... 8PM... all ages.

I need an Editor...

Yes, all jokes aside from my lame attempts at humor, last nite, Lindsey and I went to see Editors (sans 'The', much to the chagrin of many, I'm sure) kick off this latest leg of North American tour dates. While I have listened to their album a bunch in the past few months, last nite made it apparent that either I'm still unfamiliar with the band or this tour provides a road-test for their newer material. Or, in typical fashion, I clearly ignore the latter half of a great album. Which could be the case, actually. Regardless, they started off the show with tunes that weren't immediately familiar to my ear. If it was current stuff, I need to pay more attention to the overall product. If it were new tunes, then starting off a show like that is always questionable. The band played a tremendous set, however, and really booted my own personal Interpol comparisons aside. They are different from the Joy Division-meets-2001 set and that's through the live format. Having seen Interpol twice (once on their first run through Atlanta in late '02 and on their opening stint for the Curiosa tour two years ago), it's safe for me to say that their stage ANTICS (hyukhyukhyuk) leave much to be desired. But Editors, especially their frontman, really put on a charged set. This was initially made apparent to me when I sampled them at this year's Coachella incarnation, albeit for a few minutes (while waiting for goddamned Madonna). The songs definitely hold their own live, but their presence is wonderful. It gets a little crazy at points simply because their lead singer channels Coldplay's Chris Martin. If anyone has ever seen Coldplay's Live DVD or a Coldplay performance, you know that guy is everywhere on stage. Same applies to Editors' frontman. That aside though, they were a treat to watch and I'm glad I got a more representative sampling of Editors as a band. Pics can be found after clicking here:



This evening's airing of Bravo's Project Runway was kinda interesting but also seemingly confusing. I didn't necessarily get the whole "inspiration" aspect of the challenge, but I definitely was scratching my head at the doggy detail of this week's feature. Of course, having caught the episode halfway through didn't help, but a second viewing of the show didn't help my confusion. Garment standouts were definitely Uli's winning design, Laura getting past the dog aspect and designing something eye-catching (again!), and ATL's (Mr. Knight, in case you're wondering) sophisticated take. Yes, Michael's (the other Michael, I think?) red dress was nice (and kinda reminiscent of his winning design, I thought), but he left out the much-needed dog accessory COMPLETELY. It wasn't such a shock to see Katherine get the boot this week as her work wasn't that border-pushing. A.Kesslar can design (and that's what inevitably got her through again once again) but her attitude and vision is just so out there. Next week's episode proves to be classic Project Runway and I'll find myself counting down the days until I find out who's getting the official boot and who's really getting their ass handed to them.

tough to title

Coming Soon ---

Report on Editors' show last nite, including poor pictures...

and some post-show talk about Project Runway, new episode airs later on tonight...

and some praise for something new in my life (psst, it's not the blog!)...