Monday, May 26, 2008

Scout Niblett

One of the best perks of working in downtown Pittsburgh is CD shopping at the local record stores. We don't have anything small independent record stores in Beaver County any longer. But in downtown, there's still Dave's Music Mine in the South Side, Paul's cd's in Bloomfield and Eide's Entertainment in the Strip District. I know there are others, but these are the ones I frequent. Since working in downtown again, I've probably picked up at least 40 Cd's. Not spending more than $10 on a one of them. I personally want to support the artists and discover new music, but I don't want to spend $18 at Best Buy taking a flyer on an unknown artist. Well, truth be known, I don't want to spend anything at Best Buy. These are still locally owned record stores. I want to do my part to help them survive. And don't even mention on-line music shopping. I'm proud to say I've never purchased a single song online. On-line music shopping leaves me cold. There something about riding my bike after work to the South Side or Bloomfield and sniffing through the bins, finding something that looks interesting, slapping down some cold hard cash and walking out with an unknown artist and going for a celebratory beer somewhere.

On Thursday of this past week, during lunch hour, I walked down to Eide's and perused the "buck bin" as I like to call it. This bin mostly contains promo CD's for upcoming releases and since I'm always promoting music to people, I figure it's there for me. Anyway, this past week I scored three great cd's for a total of $5. Well, I'm here to do some of that promoting.

Now, I use lots of triggers to decide which cd's I will pick up and look at and which ones I'll pass over. The first trigger for me is the artist's name. I'll usually pass over an artist named "Vomiting Death Clowns" (only one of of those words would cause me to skip it, can you guess which word?), but one named "Honky Donkey Ponies" will probably be in my hands pretty quickly. The second pick-up trigger is the cd's title. This one's a little more tricky, but again, if I like these sounds of the title, I'll pick it up. Once I pick it up I look at the cover art and see if there's anything interesting there (Hey, is that Jesus on that Donkey Pony?). Next I'll flip it over and give a look at the song titles. After that I'll open it and check out the inside cd booklet. At this point I'm looking at instruments used (Banjo=good, Vibes=bad, although, believe it or not, I actually found a cd one time that had a banjo and vibes on the same songs. It was Pete Wernick's "On a Roll" and, being an optimist, I let the good outweigh the bad and so I bought it. It's a pretty good cd, but as I suspected, the songs with the vibes suck! But it wasn't every song and he can play the banjo quite well... but I digress.). After instruments I'll see if there are any cover songs on the cd. This is important. A Tom Waits cover usually indicates good things. Even a Madonna cover can be good if it turns out it's a bluegrass band or something (Yes, The Meat Purveyors (great name) did an inspiring blue grass Madonna trilogy). So use your own judgement on this one. Next, I'll go to the end of the booklet looking for "thank you's" and other notes as to who inspired the artist or perhaps worked them or toured with them, etc. If the cd passes these tests and it's $10 or under, I'll usually take a stab at it. Of course, the closer the price to my upper limit, the more criteria it has to pass.

Anyway, back to the reason for this post. One $3 cd I spied last Thursday was by an artist called Scout Niblett. This was good. The cd title was "This Fool Can Die Now". That stretched the single to a double. So I pulled it out but found no cover art as there was no cd booklet inside. Promo cd. So I turned over to the back and read the promotional verbiage. First good sign, recorderd by Steve Albini. Contains duet's with Will Oldham (aka Bonnie "Prince" Billy) keeps this cd heading towards third. Words like "emotive vocals duel with country infused harmonies, bluesy guitars, crashing drums and soaring strings" make this recording look like a potential stand up triple". Now looking at the song list shows the first track called "Do You Want to be Buried With My People". Hey, that's a might big lead out there. Another track called "Kiss" and another called "Elizabeth (Black Hearted Queen)" and one called "Dinosaur Egg", with the last song titled "Fishes and Honey" and this one' showing all indications of stealing home.

So of course I buy the cd and once I get back to work I promptly google "Scout Niblett" images and I'm immediately presented with this image...
Yes, she's riding a bike. And not just any bike, a beautiful old Schwinn cruiser with coaster brake, a fender and a rack. No helmet, sensible footwear and an infectious smile makes this appear to be a home run for me. Then I put the cd in my computer and headphones on my head and immediately realize the bases were loaded. My apologies for the baseball metaphors, but Ladies and gentlemen...
we have a winna!!!

Enjoy...

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

More "Fist" Details...

More details on Lebowski Fist '08 on Saturday, June 28, 2008

Some changes this year...
  • Earlier start time to allow for more imbibing and "take it easy" time.
  • Longer ride Better showing of the movie on a large projection screen at Wooly Bully's in New Brighton
  • No tickets to buy, just show up and have a good time

Here's the tentative schedule of activities for the day. If you can't make everything, feel free to Meet us at any point to join in on the fun.

3:00pm - Meet at Beaver Valley Bowl in Rochester for White Russians, Sarsaparillas, and Oat sodas

3:30pm - Begin Bike Ride, White Russians, Sarsaparillas, and Oat Sodas

3:45pm - Kelly's by the Riverside for White Russians, Sarsaparillas, and Oat Sodas

4:30pm - Back Door Tavern for White Russians, Sarsaparillas, and Oat Sodas

5:30pm - At Wooley Bully's for some good home made pizza pies, White Russians, Sarsaparillas, and Oat Sodas

6:00pm - Showing of Big Lebowski on the large projection screen, White Russians, Sarsaparillas, and Oat Sodas

8:00pm - Head back to Beaver Valley Bowl for bowling, White Russians, Sarsaparillas, and Oat Sodas

9:00pm - 12:00am bowl, White Russians, Sarsaparillas, and Oat Sodas

Midnight - Parking Lot events including "Ringer Toss" and "Knock out the Nihilist", White Russians, Sarsaparillas, and Oat Sodas

Also, I'm working on getting us some space to crash for the night for those that would prefer not driving home after the event. I'll keep you posted on that.

Costumes of your favorite movie characters or objects from the movie is encouraged.

The inspiration for our event... http://lebowskifest.com/

***NOTE: There will be White Russians, Sarsaparillas, and Oat Sodas

Call me with any questions, or email babeclub@comcast.net

Frank

Sunday, May 11, 2008

BABES Get Results!

Well, just a few weeks after I posted my Whiskey Daredevils lament here, June 20th will mark the Whiskey Daredevils triumphant return to the warm and welcoming confines of the 31st Street Pub in the lovely Strip District of our dear Pittsburgh.

Both the band and the venue are long time BABE favorites and I'm scheduling a city bike ride to Arsenal Lanes for bowling, then to the 31st Street for the show. Come on, let's lynch the landlord! Let me know if you're interested and I'll reserve some lanes. Email me at babeclub@comcast.net

We can discuss details at our BABE meeting on May 24th. Details in next post.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Lebowski Fist ' 08 - 6:28



Bigger. Better. Longer. More what have you.


More specific details to come, but the "high" plans include a bigger event. A longer ride. A better showing of The Big Lebowski, and on the actual day of the "Fist". More what have you extra-curricular activities and trivia games too. Also, no tickets this year. Just show up for the event. In other words, abide.


June 28, 2008

Beaver Valley Bowl

and

other fine Beaver Valley locations.

Saturday, May 3, 2008

PTAG Work Day this Sunday, May 4 at South Park

I've never ridden South Park. Hell, I've never even been to South Park, but all that's about to change. I'm in the mood for adventure.

Digging, riding and imbibing. Sounds like a perfect Sunday to me.

I hope to see you there! Details blow...

==========================================================

10 am ’til whenever

Come one, come all, come early, come late, but please come!

–Meet up at the West Virginia Shelter (directions below)

FREE breakfast from Graham’s Bakery

–Work on the trail network next to the Golf Course, off of East Park Drive
–Bring water, sturdy work clothes, work gloves and some friends, digging tools will be provided.
–If you can bring a wheelbarrow or large bow saw, please do.
–FREE! Mad Mex Burritos and Wings
–FREE! Beer from Erie Brewing and Troegs.

DIRECTIONS:Route 88 South, to gates of South ParkStraight into park on Corrigan DriveAt traffic circle, take 3rd right on Stone Manse Drive Bear left on East Park Drive, go about ½ mile Turn left at stone bridge West Virginia Shelter is in view

Or:

Route 88 South, to gates of South ParkStraight into park on Corrigan DriveTake first left off Corrigan and stay to your right, shelter will be on yourleft.

–Questions? Call or email Gary Terner 412-508-0410 gterner@verizon.net