The Lemonheads...Live at The Bijou in Knoxville

Where did 20 years go? I mean seriously...this album is as fresh in my mind as it was listening to it in my dorm room.
Evan Dando stepped on stage Saturday night and  gave us a real gift.  As Evan is a true genius songwriter, I will assume this step back in time to play It's a shame about Ray is not as enjoyable for him as it was for all of us belting out his songs right along with him Saturday night.  I really hope he feels some peace and sense of pride that this album is cherished by so many and that it has stood the test of time.  Not many artists have had one hit song their entire career and here is a pure album from start to finish that so many still know every melody and lyric like it was the first time they opened the CD and put it in their CD player.
As soon as he finished Ray I just wanted to tell him to play whatever the hell made him happy. My wife and I had a great time and we appreciated him for coming to Knoxville to play an all-time favorite album for us live.

The voice hasn't changed a bit and the trio knocked out the album from "Rockin Stroll" to "Frank Mills."
There was an acoustic break and appropriately the first song played was "Knoxville Girl" and then proceded to rip through songs from 2006 album The Lemonheads and Car Button Cloth from 1996 and Come on Feel the Lemonheads.


Make some time to go see him. The dream of the 90s is still alive in many of us.


TOUR DATES

Mar 4, 2012 Asheville NC The Orange Peel
Mar 5, 2012 Louisville KY Headliner’s Music Hall Mar 6, 2012 Columbus OH The Basement
Mar 9, 2012 Richmond VA The Canal Club
Mar 10, 2012 Baltimore MD The Ottobar
Mar 11, 2012 New Hope PA New HopeWinery
Mar 12, 2012 Hoboken NJ Maxwell’s
Mar 13, 2012 Hoboken NJ Maxwell’s
Apr 16, 2012 Galway Ireland Roisin Dubh
Apr 17, 2012 Dublin Ireland Academy
Apr 18, 2012 Edinburgh UK Picture House
Apr 19, 2012 York UK Duchess
Apr 21, 2012 Derby UK The Venue
Apr 22, 2012 Wolverhampton UK Slade Rooms
Apr 23, 2012 Norwich UK Waterfront
Apr 26, 2012 Paris France Nouveau Casino
Apr 27, 2012 Luxembourg Luxembourg Rockhal
Apr 28, 2012 Utrecht Netherlands Tivoli
Apr 29, 2012 Antwerp Belgium Trix
May 1, 2012 Hamburg Germany Ubel & Gefahrlich
May 2, 2012 Copenhagen Denmark KB18
May 3, 2012 Oslo Norway John Dee

Mike Smith, The Showbiz Kids

Black Friday: Record Store Day

I don't necessarily suggest you camp out,but I would suggest you get an early start Friday morning to your local record store in order to find these special issues for Black Friday Record Store Day.  Here is a list of  the special releases.

You've seen countless ads on TV about Black Friday shopping at big chain stores,but I expect your record store experience doesn't involve trampling or eye gouging.  No, I bet you'd have a great time looking for cds or vinyl that you've had on yours or someone specials Christmas list...think ahead...if you know you're on the naughty list go ahead and pick up what you think Santa might not leave next to the lump of coal.

At this moment I'm digging Spoon "My Mathematical Mind"as I write this blog...music is a fulfilling part of my everyday experience.  As a side note, we need to be thankful for the Arts...music is as important to our ongoing culture as anything else.

Be sure to read this article 10 Reasons To Visit Your Local Record Store On Black Friday by Clare Flynn on NPR's All Songs Considered Blog.

Tim Boyle/Getty Images

If you're lucky enough to live in Knoxville, for a city this size, there are a bunch of local record stores for you to choose from

Disc Exchange
Raven Records
Wild Honey Records
Lost and Found Records


Mike Smith, The Showbiz Kids

"The Times They Are a-Changin' "



ear X-tacy in Louisville, KY

If you've read any of our blogs you know there's a love affair with vinyl and classic rock & pop music.  You've also had to endure my tour guide reports of my stops at local vinyl retail stores while I'm travelling.  My love for vinyl stores sticking around is not just that I selfishly like to thumb through records but that its one of those tangible,interactive,non electronic experiences that have to elbow for our attention amongst all the modern technological devices that occupy our day.  For instance, Starbucks made buying coffee an "experience" by creating a place to come and hangout and buy expensive coffee that would make our grandparents shake their heads.  So as Starbucks stores has created an "experience" so has the record store.  There is nothing magical about finding a sought after record on itunes or any downloadable site.  Its quick and convenient,but that's not always what life is about.

Here are some articles of good news and bad news.  Unfortunately we're losing an independent record store,ear X-tacy, in Louisville, KY .  Criminal Records in Atlanta is fighting to stay alive,but across the US there seems to be several record stores opening and thriving. 

Here are a few things to read:

statement from Jim James from My Morning Jacket about ear X-tacy closing

Here is an entry Indie Stores Closing-And Opening from Matador Records Matablog.

Below are excellent Knoxville stores that sell vinyl.  In fact Wild Honey Records just opened in September.  Here are their websites.
Wild Honey Records, Disc Exchange, Raven Records

Mike Smith, The Showbiz Kids

Brett Dennen...Red Hot Loverboy at the Bijou 10/21/11

Brett Dennen was simply a lot of fun at the Bijou Theatre this past Friday night!
My wife and I were familiar with his music for a while,but on a recent road trip we heard him guest dj on Sirius Internet radio station and really fell in love with him.  He has a lot of endearing features...he's tall,red headed and quirky but with a great unique voice.  Whenever we hear him on the radio we always do our best impression of him from his guest dj show "Hey this is Brett Dennen."

His music is infectious and makes you want to get up and dance.  His voice is mesmerizing and it makes you want him to turn off all the electronics and do a whole show acoustically.  In fact there was a moment in the concert that he did a few acoustic numbers.  One specifically he did because a fan got his attention and claimed he promised to sing it.  Of course he gladly did so and then afterwards asked, "is there anything else I promised anyone ?" The crowd laughed and shouted other favorite song titles.  Brett then played "Ain't No Reason" and it was one of my favorite musical moments of the night because it was just his soulful voice and his guitar and the Bijou at its best amplifying the sound.
Get out to see him if you can...here are some tour dates.

Also go here to see his latest video for "Comeback Kid (That's My Dog)".  It was filmed at the Oakland A's ballpark and its a great song off his latest album Loverboy.

Mike Smith, The Showbiz Kids

October 23rd Record & CD Show in Knoxville TN

Time & Location:
Sunday October 23rd from 10am-5pm
Holiday Inn Select on Cedar Bluff I-75/I-40
Knoxville TN

Details: 
Record & CD show. Free admission
Show Logic Productions
http://www.myspace.com/showlogicproductions

Brent Thompson at Homegrown Series live radio show

What I like about Knoxville is we keep getting cooler but the city doesn't get so busy that it takes away from small music hangouts like Preservation Pub Speakeasy and hearing musicians like Brent Thompson.  Wednesday evening was a great mix of music and audience with Market Square as the perfect backdrop.

The musical talent in Knoxville has always been here,but if you missed one of Knoxville's talented, Brent Thompson, then you just plain missed out.   Brent played a live radio show for WFIV 105.3 and not only is his music great but in between songs he is extremely entertaining just answering questions.  I was aware that Brent and even his brother are musicians but didn't know the talent of the Thompson's "Partridge" family extended even to his sister Kellye who added great vocals to several of Brent's songs.  The ever talented Wes Lunsford on guitar and Hunter Deacon on brushes & snare were onstage to add their musical touches as well.

eleven o'clock Rock website

During business hours you can find Brent as co-host of eleven o' clock rock which is an Internet video broadcast network featuring live local and touring musicians,interviews and news.  Its an entertaining and humorous (intentionally) show so check it out here.


Mike Smith, Showbiz Kids