Gorillaz tickets just went on sale for five NYC shows at the Apollo, April 2-6. I can't justify the expense, but if you want em, get em now. They'll likely sell out quickly: [link]

Yo, bicyclops, I was too tired to follow up on your post about Greg Reeves last night, but you're absolutely right. I wasn't familiar with the guy, mainly because I think there was only one letter worth keeping in CSN&Y.

And I should point out that my RT mix originally had tracks in every category, but it was nearly 3 hours long.

Gorillaz tickets just went on sale for five NYC shows at the Apollo, April 2-6.

I'd love to see Gorillaz in concert. I love their music.

Though I'm slightly baffled as to how an animated band gives a concert.

Let's hope it's better than their performance at the Grammys.

I'd love to see Gorillaz in concert. I love their music. Though I'm slightly baffled as to how an animated band gives a concert.

They toured for the first album with images projected on a screen with the actual performers silhouetted on it from behind. Their new tour is apparently going to be a lot more like their Grammy performance, with a 3D projection/mirror techniques called Pepper's ghost. According to Wiki, it's the trick they use in the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland. I've never been.

I have a cowbell question: it is, in fact, prominent in Prince's "New Position," yes? Or is it some other instrument that has the protective cowbell coloration?

JZ! Thank you for the pockets link! My position is that pockets are always good, but people are sometimes stupid and don't deserve the pockets they are lucky enough to have.

Holy Shit! Tommy Keene is playing in Robert Pollard's band on the current tour. [link] I knew they were working on a project together, and I knew that Tommy opened for GBV on the last tour, but this is still really exciting!

t edit and drummer Jon Wurster was in Superchunk.

My mix, she is uploaded!

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1. The first song you'd put on a mix tape for somebody you were attracted to

The Flamin' Groovies - Shake Some Action
I remember reading that Jim Barber (music A&R/Producer guy), succeeded in winning Courtney Love's heart by making a mix tape for her that started with this song. And if it worked on Courtney Love, I figure it would work on anyone. Except that they're no longer involved. And she's insane.

(as an aside, I knew Jim in the mid-80's when he was at Harvard and I was at MIT, and it FREAKED ME THE SHIT OUT when I discovered they were involved)

2. A song that makes you think of BTVS that was never used on the show

Old Time Relijun - Vampire Victim
I went for the obvious here.

3. Cross-genre cover song (such as a soul musician covering a country song)

Birdsongs of the Mesozoic - The Rite of Spring
A classical classic performed by... something that's not. This early line-up of BotM (which included a couple members of Mission of Burma) had keyboards and percussion (just like Stravinsky!), but also guitar.

4. Quotes another song, either in the music or words - bonus points if by the same artist

Proud Scum - Suicide 2
This NZ punk classic quotes from their earlier "hit" titled... you guessed it... "Suicide." In the earlier song, their (former) lead singer Johnny Atrocity threatens to jump off Grafton Bridge in Aukland. In this follow up, the rest of the band gives him some encouragement. The story goes that Johnny, who had moved to England, first heard this song while listening to John Peel.

5. Makes you want to get high, drunk, or, if it's your druthers, dizzy & giddy from spinning around in circles

Yo La Tengo - Drug Test
It's hard to tell if this song encourages or discourages drug use. In either case, it describes it really well in a very concise way. I suppose I could have also used this for #21, but there was another song I wanted more for that category.

6. Features a great bridge and 15. An upbeat song about a sad thing.

Heavenly - Hearts and Crosses
A song that seems all happy-go-lucky... until the bridge!

7. A song released the year you turned 21 and 14. A song by a band that you could have, but didn't, write about for Lost in The Grooves.

Pushtwangers - Naked in my Car
From a vinyl only EP that came out in 1985. This Swedish band put out a couple of LPs after this one, but nothing came close to the power-pop boy-centric cuteness of the songs on this debut. I do appreciate the irony of placing this song immediately after the Heavenly one.

8. A song dedicated to your nemesis (or who you imagine your nemesis to be)

The Monks - I Hate You
"You know I hate you baby... but call me?" Because all the good nemesis relationships are really messy.

9. A song about committing a crime

Big Black - Kerosene
From Steve Albini's liner notes: "In small towns, there are few forms of amusement. Two prominant easy ones are sex and arson. When the more simple exercises lose their bang, new combinations develop."

10. A song from a tribute or charity album and 13. A song that does not feature a guitar or a piano as the main instrument

The Lothars - The Call Up
I couldn't resist including a theremin song for #13, and this is being included in on a CD that's both a tribute (to "Sandinista") and a benefit (for Amnesty International and The Joe Strummer Memorial Forest). This hasn't been released yet, so you lucky folks get a sneak preview (ooh! ahh!).

11. A song with a year in the title

V; - 1926
V; (yes, there was a semicolon in their name) was a Boston band from the early 80's. This song was covered a year or two ago by Thalia Zelek.

12. A song about traveling

Damien Youth - Travelling.
One more trip on the Obvious Train. By the way, this isn't a band; the guy's name is Damien Youth.

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16. Midnight driving in the rain music and 24. A song that haunts you

Freakwater - Scratches on the Door
Here's an upbeat tune to play every year at Christmas! It's based on a true story. I guess I like to be haunted while driving in the rain at midnight?

17. More cowbell: A song containing that essential instrument

Big Star - Kangaroo
Be patient. You'll hear the cowbell in good time. Strangest. Use of cowbell. Ever.

18. A song that reminds you of your first love

Modern English - I Melt With You
I'm going with the idea that it's not love unless the girl likes you back. In that case, my first "love" was a girl I knew at college. We once went to a club in Hampton Beach, NH to see Modern English play. Like everyone else in the world, the only song we knew was this one.

19. A song that references some kind of technology and 22. A song that relates to science

The Pulsars - Technology
Could I be more obvious? I think not!

20. A song with a chorus that compels you to sing along or that you cannot not dance to and 25. A song that you would sing to yourself if you were ever in a dire situation and needed it to keep going

The Bags - Frilly Underwear
I originally was going through the album on which this song appears in search of cowbell. Surprisingly, given the sound of the Bags, I didn't find any. However, I really wanted to include them, and these categories gave me an adequate excuse.

21. A song that starts with a bassline

Mission of Burma - Peking Spring
I was worried Hayden would also pick this one!

23. A song you sing (or would sing) to your pet and/or child

The Banana Splits - The Beautiful Calliopa
This is the first song I can remember running around the house singing. It was on a 45 I got by sending in cereal boxtops.

26. A song by a band with an awful name

The New Pornographers and Neko
The first time I ever heard this band was on a Vancouver, BC compilation in which they were credited with this extended name (they quickly dropped the "and Neko"). Now, years later, I've gotten somewhat used to the name, but at the time I thought it was horrible.

27. A song that even when you know it's time to LEAVE the BAR someone can put on the jukebox to make you stay

All of them - Seriously
I know this is a cheat, but I think any one of these songs would make me want to stick around!