Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Joe Strummer was the truth.

Today is Joe Strummer's birthday. 
He would have been 61 years old.




I went all deep last year... so I won't go all deep this year. I just really love Joe Strummer. And I really love The Clash. Joe Strummer is one of my heroes... and he was taken from us much too early. Waaaaay too early. Joe Strummer's a legend. Joe Strummer's an inspiration. Joe Strummer was genuine. Joe Strummer was the truth... and he will always be the truth. Know Your Rights. 

It's time for some tuneage. I've been jamming to The Clash all day... mostly to Sandinista! However, I think I will end my night with the same album that I started off my morning with: The Clash.


Artist: The Clash
Released: April 8, 1977
Label: CBS
Producer: Mickey Foote

1. Janie Jones 0:00 2. Remote Control 2:08 3. I'm So Bored with the USA 5:11 4. White Riot 7:36 5. Hate & War 9:33 6. What's My Name? 11:40 7. Deny 13:22 8. London's Burning 16:28 9. Career Opportunities 18:41 10. Cheat 20:35 11. Protex Blue 22:42 12. Police & Thieves 24:25 13. 48 Hours 30:32 14. Garageland 32:08




Happy Birthday, Joe!!! 
We miss you





Peace, Love & The Clash,
~Lizzy Lepp


P.S. - This place RULES! "Strummers" located in Fresno, California

Saturday, August 10, 2013

Duran Duran Appreciation Day 2013!

Yes, it's that time again!

 I'm not going to go in full fangirl mode again... I did that last year. In case you missed it, here's the link: Duran Duran Appreciation Day 2012 Ha!

I will post some tunes, though!! I wanted to post Duran Duran's first album in full, buuuut Youtube doesn't have it. Well, they do but it's not available in my country. Boooo!!! Soooo... I've decided to post this, instead...

Duran Duran's third album, "Seven and the Ragged Tiger" 
(The full album)
  01 - The Reflex 00:00
02 - New Moon On Monday 05:29
03 - (I'm Looking For) Cracks In The Pavement 09:45
04 - I Take The Dice 13:24
05 - Of Crime And Passion 16:41
06 - Union Of The Snake 20:31
07 - Shadows On Your Side 24:51
08 - Tiger Tiger 28:54
09 - The Seventh Stranger 32:14

 Happy Duran Duran Appreciation Day, to all of my fellow Duranies!



Peace, Love, & D2,
~Lizzy Lepp  

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Foreigner Unauthorized

I went and seen a Foreigner tribute band tonight. I've never been a huge fan of Foreigner but I decided to go anyway. It was free, my Dad expressed interest in wanting to go, and it would give me something to do on a Thursday evening. Huge bonus: the weather was absolutely perfect tonight (it was an outdoor show).
It was the second to the last concert for Sierra Vista Mall's "Rock the Mall" summer concert series. I didn't attend any of the other shows but I have a good feeling that THIS show was the one to attend! The shows run from 6pm-9pm, with a couple of breaks (or intermissions) in between sets. Foreigner Unauthorized played 3 sets. 


The first set was probably my favorite. It was absolutely badass. (This is coming from someone who isn't a Foreigner fan. I like one or two... maybe even 3 songs, but that's about it.) After a few songs in, I felt the sudden urge to run to a record store and buy me a Foreigner album. I've never felt that urge before.
I don't remember what the first song was, but I believe the second song was "Head Games"... and "Feels Like the First Time" was played shortly after. When we saw Foreigner open for Def Leppard a few years ago, that was the LAST song they played... I had to sit through everything just to get to THAT song. That killed me. So hearing that tonight, almost right from the start, was amazing! The first set consisted of about 6 or 7 songs? They played most of Foreigner's hits (they saved a few "hits" for the last set). The second set was a bit longer. It mostly focused on their awesome, yet lesser known songs... and a few 'newer' songs. "Low Down and Dirty" was without a doubt, my favorite song from that set. I don't think I've ever heard that song before... I Youtubed the video when I got home... the video looks freakishly familiar... but I never would've known it was Foreigner. Lou Gramm wasn't singing it... as it was from 1991. It just looks like some generic, badly made, hair metal-ish video. Yikes. Anywho, I also really dug "Mountain of Love". They also shared a few "Foreigner facts" with the audience. The "Waiting For A Girl Like You" story was pretty interesting.

I believe they played "Head Games" twice... which didn't bother me one bit. Ha! First and third set. Third set had songs like, "Cold As Ice", "I Want To Know What Love Is", "Urgent", "Hot Blooded"... a long with a few more. "Juke Box Hero" was the last song. A lot of people, including myself (and my Mother), kept yelling for them to play, "Juke Box Hero"... I was totally into it. It was quite amusing. They also mixed in a few non-Foreigner songs during 'Juke'... I recognized a Van Halen riff and they also did some Zeppelin ("Whole Lotta Love"). I went nuts.


Here's what they played (not in order)

Foreigner Unauthorized is absolutely badass. I would definitely go see them again! Michael Nagy's voice is amazing. The guitar solo's might not have been spot on/perfect (my Father brought that up after it was over), but I didn't even notice, nor did I care. They rock and that's all that really matters. I think I appreciate the music of Foreigner a lot more than I did before.


Foreigner Unauthorized is:
Michael Nagy (Vocals)
Max De Vivo (Guitar Vocals)
Rik Willmitch (Guitar, Sax, Synth, vocals) )
Jim Belt (Bass)
Joe LoFreso (Keyboards, Synth)
Scott Nielsen (Drums)



Peace, Love, & Music,
~Lizzy Lepp

Thursday, July 11, 2013

It's official... NEW Pearl Jam music is here!!!

I cannot contain myself. 
NEW PEARL JAM MUSIC!!!! 
Also... AN OFFICIAL RELEASE DATE FOR THEIR NEW ALBUM!!!! AHHHHHH!!!! 

On Monday, Pearl Jam announced the dates for their
 2013 North American tour (http://pearljam.com/tour)

THIS was today's announcement (posted 2 hours ago):

You can listen to this lovely tune right here!
(Linked from Pearl Jam's official Youtube page, I do not own this.)

With the new song also came the details for their new album!! Their tenth studio album, Lightning Bolt, is set to be released on October 15th, 2013!! I can't friggin' wait

You can pre-order Lightning Bolt here:

 


Peace, Love, & Pearl Jam,
~Lizzy Lepp

Saturday, July 6, 2013

On July 6, 1957...

These two lovely lads met for the first time!


The rest is history.
♥♥

Thursday, July 4, 2013

An epic record store find!

I went to Rasputin Music tonight (or last night, rather... since it's 1:20 in the morning!). I did the usual and checked out the $1.95-$2.95 section... I stumbled upon something I've been searching for for years!!

THIS
Michael Hutchence's solo album!!

This thing is out of print and is somewhat of a rare find. Sure you can find it on ebay or Amazon... but it won't be $1.95 AND that wouldn't be any fun. Call me crazy, but I love the feeling of walking into a record store and stumbling across something that is truly amazing. Something that is rare, out of print, limited edition, first print, specially numbered, etc... which causes you to explode with joy (to the point where people are looking at you like you're crazy), then grabbing it in your hands (refusing to let go)... and then wanting to sprint down the aisles to the nearest available check-out counter (I didn't do it this time, as I was completely in shock.) That is a total high. I love those moments.

I'm still on the lookout for "Up In Smoke" (Gin Blossoms EP) AND the first print of "New Miserable Experience" (Gin Blossoms), the one with the desert/cactus cover. 






Peace, Love, & Music,
~Lizzy Lepp

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Hanson finally came to Fresno!

It only took them 16 years to come here... but better late than never.

Hanson played an acoustic set at the World Sports Cafe, this past Sunday, June 23rd (courtesy of Y101). Two other bands were on the bill (Parachute and Honor By August) but Hanson was the main focus for many... and the main only reason why I went.

I love Hanson. Mmhmm, and I am not afraid to admit it. I have loved Hanson since I was 11 years old and I have never been ashamed of doing so.

I have no clue why Hanson has never played Fresno before? We have a few places here that would suit them perfectly... we even have a Fair that happens ever year in October, that would also be perfect for the lovely trio. I was a little (okay, a lot) shocked to find out that they were playing at the World Sports Cafe. It's a restaurant/cafe, for crying out loud! 

The basics: Y101 announced the show last Monday. I wasn't awake at 8am, nor was I listening to the radio. I found out a little before noon, on good ol' Facebook. I scrolled down and saw a picture of Hanson on my news feed... my eyes briefly skimmed over "Y101 Unplugged show Sunday June 23rd..." I scrolled down a bit more... and then my brain finally registered what I had just read/saw. I flipped the f*ck out. I went back and fully read the announcement... "1st come 1st serve." THAT made me flip out even harder. I know how Fansons are. Trust me, I know. Hanson... at a place that small... no one knew the capacity, hardly any questions were being answered... first come, first served... show started at 1pm and doors opened at 11am. I knew we would HAVE to get there ridiculously early. I was NOT going to miss this. No way in hell. People were saying they were going to get there at 6am. Fansons! Turns out, people started lining up around 12am Sunday. Then came more Fansons at 4am...6am... 8am...
We were part of the 8am squad. Mmhmm, 8am. I was freaking out because I wanted to get there around 7:30... hey, I knew what I was in for. We got there a little after 8, maybe like 8:15-ish? There were about 30 or so people there already. It wasn't as bad as I thought.  We were guaranteed a spot inside and that's all that mattered at that point. People kept coming... and coming. I'd say about 100 people were in line before 9:30am. 250 - 300 around the time the doors opened. I'm not kidding. That's what I was expecting... but I expected that to occur much earlier. They had to bring out the wrist bands for fear of going over the capacity. The capacity was 400, by the way. They should've said from the beginning. No way that place holds 400. Maybe if they did standing room only?

So, can I just say that I am freaking glad we got there when we did? We were in the perfect spot. A little before 10am, one of the people in charge (or one of the helpers to the people in charge) told a few of us to move up (or move down) a little bit and/or to move our stuff to the side briefly, because they were coming through that way. "Who's on their way?" "Hanson." We all thought, 'Yeah, right. Don't do that to us." 10am. A black van pulls up in front of me... I'm like the ONLY person who noticed Taylor Hanson sitting in the passenger seat (some lady was driving). I quietly told my Mother, "Taylor Hanson is inside that van..." He got out. People went nuts. Not overly nuts, but they were screaming and pulling out cameras. There Taylor Hanson stood... no more than maybe 5 ft away. He stopped and made brief convo with the crowd for a minute or two...

This happened. For real.

Taylor Hanson made my right hand shake. I am seriously surprised my 3 pictures of him did not turn out blurry. Actually, I was shaking in general. Certain bands and people in them have that kind of effect on me. This did not surprise me one bit. Tears may have been or may not have been shed, as well. All of this after Taylor walked through that side door thing, of course. How old am I? 11? Geez. That's okay, because I was not alone. There were people also in their late 20s-early 30s shaking and getting all misty-eyed, as well. Hey, it happens, okay? Ha! Then, a few seconds after Taylor went inside, an SUV drove up. Zac and Isaac were in the backseat. They rolled down their windows and waved to the people around. I yelled, "HI ISAAC!!!" he smiled, waved, and said, "Hi!" Yep, mmhmm, Isaac Hanson waved and spoke to me. I was, again, a semi-mess. Hush.

So after waiting in line for what seemed like forever... and talking to fellow boy band lovers (they were talking about *NSYNC, Five, O-Town, etc) for what seemed like forever... we were finally let in. That was an absolute mess. It should've been standing room only. It wasn't. That place wanted to capitalize on the hundreds of fans waiting for the show, so they had tables out and in order to secure a table you had to buy either a drink or an entree. About an hour or so later, they realized that they'd shot themselves in the foot with that decision. I could talk more about that, but I won't. We had a good spot but it could have been better.

The "fans"... yes, I put that in quotes. From what I could see and hear... the level of fandom was split down the middle at almost 50/50. There were the fans who have loved them since 1997... and have stayed with them... fans who appreciate more than just "MMMBop". The rest of the fans were fans of theirs during the "MMMBop" days... and were only around for the "Middle of Nowhere" album. It happens, and that's okay. But for those who are in the latter category, I feel sorry for you. I feel sorry for you, because you have missed out on about 5 solid albums that are filled with loads of great songs... songs that are much better than "MMMBop". Not to mention, a Christmas album, some live albums and a few EPs. Oh, and I can't forget about the heap ton of "fan club only" songs.

Which brings me to this little story: I was drinking way too much Dr. Pepper which led to 3 trips to the lovely restroom. After round 2, I was annoyed at the chatter I kept hearing while waiting in line. Round 3 was fun... muahahaha!! I can't deal with the "I'm only here because I want to hear "MMMBop", "I just like MMMBop", "OMG do you think they'll play "MMMBop?" people. I can't. I might smile for the most part... but no, I can't. I was talking to about 8 or so girls and the topic was the set list. I told them, "I reeeeaaaally hope they play "Penny & Me". I'd also love to hear "In the City" but I know that won't happen." Those chicks looked at me like I was an alien or something. Those girls: "I don't know those songs." Blah, blah, blah, "Omg MMMBop!" blah, blah, blahhhh, "What if they don't play MMMBop?!" So, I did my duty, washed my hands... "Oh, and I'm sorry to tell you, they don't play 'MMMBop' anymore..." HAHAHA!!!!! I have never seen that many mortified looks in my life. I thought they were going to kill themselves. "Dude. Of course they're going to play "MMMBop"... give me a break. But they do have other songs, ya know..." Yes, they could've killed me, but I couldn't help it. That was too easy.

Show time. Hanson took the invisible stage (they were on floor level sitting on stools) around 2:25pm. They opened the acoustic set with "Fired Up", which is a song from their new album, Anthem (which came out last Tuesday, I'll write a review soon!) I love that song!! It's one of my favorites off the album! It got the crowd going. Hell, they could've read the phone book and it would've got the crowd going. Next up was "Where's the Love"... it was 1997 all over again. It was precious. Absolutely precious. "Precious" was the word of the day... or at least for the duration of their set. It was amazing. Pop/rock songs stripped down, unplugged... and they still managed to rock and get the crowd dancing and going nuts. It was amazing. "Thinking 'Bout Somethin'" was next... I absolutely adore that song. I can safely say that about half of the fans in attendance felt the same way. Song #4 (which is also my favorite number, by the way) was... wait for it... "Penny & Me". PENNY & ME!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG I died. I went into total friggin' fangirl mode. It was disgusting... and amazing... all at the same time. They were talking before the song, about Zac rocking out too much while pounding on his box (no drums, pounding on a wooden box thing), about the vibe of the room, Fresno, etc. Anyway, Isaac started to briefly play the intro to "P&M" and I yelled, "OH MY GAWD!!!!!" And it was loud. No shame. Nope, none whatsoever. Next up was "Cut Right Through Me", another song from Anthem. "MMMBop" was next and the place completely erupted. I think the fans were singing louder than they were. That was probably one of the coolest things I've ever seen. The guys were full of smiles. Almost the entire time. I also think they were absolutely shocked... I don't know if they had only expected 50 people to be there or what... but they looked surprised, grateful... ecstatic... and absolutely adorable. I used to be a Taylor girl with Isaac tendencies... but I've been a Zac girl for a while now... haha! Actually, I'm just a Hanson girl, because dammit, I love them all. I refuse to even pick one. *Fangirl moment over, back to the set* "Get the Girl Back" was next, which is their first and current single from Anthem. The crowd went wild for that one, too. Fully equipped with the cute little hand clap. The set ended with "Waiting For This" (from the album, Shout It Out)... the crowd was still loving every second of it. Then it was over. Bam. Just like that. Is that even legal? How dare they. Haha! 8 songs... and roughly 38 minutes or so. But those 38 minutes were probably the best 38 minutes of my life. That was the greatest thing I've ever witnessed. I'm not even kidding. 


 A nice girl let me take a picture of her set list :)

I've been to a lot of concerts and "shows"... but this one, I can't even explain this one. I mean, I couldn't even sleep that night. I think I finally fell asleep around 5am? This day and this show... this 38 minute show, was the greatest thing ever. I don't care what anyone says, Hanson is a great f*ckin' band and I love them. Plugged in or unplugged, their live shows friggin' rock. They celebrated their 21st "birthday" this year and they're still going strong. Personally, I think they are better than ever. Hanson forever





Peace, Love, & Hanson,
~Lizzy Lepp



-P.S. This also happened, after the show.
 Zac was driving!
See ya, Ike! Come back soon!

Monday, June 10, 2013

Vivian Campbell is battling cancer

Def Leppard is my favorite band. It's hittin' hard.

I woke up to the news this morning, on Facebook, naturally. I found out while reading Jeff Scott Soto's status. My first reaction: "Wait... WHAT?????" I then went directly to Vivian's Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/officialviviancampbell) and soon became numb. My second reaction: "WHAT?!?!?! Omg. Wow. NO!!!!!" Fuck.

This:
"I feel fortunate that my cancer sent me an alarm call in the form of ‘the cough that wouldn’t quit’. Otherwise, how would I have known? After several months of trying every inhaler known to man, my doctor finally had me X-rayed. A further CAT scan revealed that enlarged lymph nodes were doing wrestling manoeuvres on my windpipe – hence the cough. What was causing the enlarged lymph nodes, however, was yet to be determined, so I underwent a surgical biopsy on March 11th, the first day of Leppard rehearsals for our Viva Las Vegas shows. Obviously, I didn’t make it to rehearsal that day, but it’s okay; I know the songs by now...

My diagnosis was Hodgkin's Lymphoma and 6 months of chemotherapy is the prescribed treatment. I’m about 2 months in and feeling rather spiffy, all things considered. Hodgkin's has an over 80% cure rate, so by my reckoning, if you’re going to have a cancer, Hodgie’s is the one to have!

The reason I’m sharing this with you is because, despite cancer and chemo, me and my new aerodynamic hairstyle (read: no hair) are going on tour this summer with the band and I don’t want anyone to be so shocked by my new look that they ask for a refund. Simple economics, really.

My family, friends and bandmates have all been extremely supportive through this and I look forward to a summer full of shows with both Def Leppard in June/July and the debut of Last In Line this August.

Viv"

I knew about the coughing problem but I had no idea it was cancer related. It appears that he's doing alright and is in good spirits, as well as keeping his humor. That is a very good thing. 
Even though the cure rate is incredibly high for this particular cancer, Viv needs all the good vibes, good thoughts, prayers, and well wishes that he could possibly get!


I wish Viv a full and speedy recovery! He's Irish... he's a fighter... he's got this! 
 (This picture is NOT mine. I don't know who the owner is, but I love you... and please don't sue me!)




Peace, Love, & Music,
~Lizzy Lepp 

*P.S. - I wanted to post the video for Dio's "Rainbow In the Dark", but apparently, it isn't on Youtube? 

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Because Steve Clark was a boss...

... and today would've been his 53rd birthday. 

Steamin' Steve Clark will always be one of my favorites. Always.


Happy Birthday, Riff Master!!! 
I bet he's jamming upstairs with the rest of the rock gods who are no longer with us!!! \m/

Speaking of jamming, let's jam!



C'mon, Steve, get it...


And... my personal favorite Leppard song

Rock God.




Peace, Love, & Steve Clark,
~Lizzy Lepp







Monday, April 8, 2013

The Band Perry

I am now a firm believer of The Band Perry.

I wasn't at first but they grew on me. I knew it would happen... eventually. Kimberly Perry has a great voice... Reid and Neil are great musicians...  but I hate to say it, their debut album did very little for me... and it still kinda doesn't it. They released The Band Perry in 2010, and the album produced 5 hit singles: Hip To My HeartIf I Die YoungYou LieAll Your Life, and Postcard From Paris. Now, I'm not saying it's a bad album, because it isn't. It's filled with great harmonies, decent songs, and good songwriting... it's just... well, rather bland. The 5 singles mentioned above are some of the best songs off of the 11-track album. However, I still think Double Heart takes the cake... it's a mixture of rock 'n' roll and country sass. It's a good first album, but it just didn't grab me. I mean, I've never had any of the songs off their first album get stuck in my head. Well, maybe two, "Double Heart" and "You Lie"... but they weren't stuck in my head for very long. I knew they had potential and I knew they had the potential of growing on me... they just needed that one song. That one song that you can't get out of your head. That one song that you find yourself tapping your foot to (even when it isn't playing). That one song that you find yourself dancing or singing to (even if when it isn't playing). The one you bob your head to. That one song that drives you crazy (in a good way).

  Well... here is that one song: 

"DONE."

This song currently owns my life. And it's owned my life since mid-March... or whenever SiriusXM's "The Highway" started playing it. My obsession with this song has gotten worse, to the point where I cannot hide my love for it. This is the song that is stuck in my head. This is that song that I find myself tapping my foot to (even when it isn't playing.) This is the song that I find myself dancing/singing to (even when it isn't playing.) And I think everyone can relate to this song in some way or another. I also can no longer hide my love for Reid Perry. He's the bass player. Yeah, yeah, I know, another bass player obsession. I can't help it... it's purely a coincidence, I swear. He's been dubbed as being the band's "rock 'n' roller"... so, yeah. He is absolutely gorgeous. But that's not what's important here...

What's important, is that their new album, Pioneer is absolutely fabulous!!!

(Siblings: Neil, Kimberly, and Reid Perry)

Pioneer came out last week, April 2nd... and I can't stop listening to it.

Their debut album was their 'here we are' album... but this album is clearly their 'WE ARE HERE!" album. And that message definitely shows. This album is filled with great hooks, fabulous harmonies, better songwriting... and just better songs overall. This album shows more of a musical confidence, as well as band confidence. This album shows another side of The Band Perry. It's edgier, sassy, and has more of a pop/rock vibe... but still retains their country sound. This album is more musically diverse as opposed to their debut album... it combines the elements of pop, rock, country, and folk (the folk influence can be found on the title track, "Pioneer").
This album is filled with amazing/memorable songs that will get stuck in your head, and will stay in there for a while. Guaranteed. This is a solid album, from start to finish. Better Dig Two (the album's first single, released in late Oct '12) is what slowly reeled me in... and raised an eyebrow. Then "DONE." was released as a single (March '13) and that pretty much did if for me. I am hooked. Mhm.

I'm a believer.

ALSO (which is an important 'also') they've said that they listened to a lot of Queen while writing the song "Forever Mine Nevermind". Freddie Mercury and Brian May were a huge influence on that song. (Actually, a few of the songs have a bit of a Queen-vibe in them). Done. Sold. Yeah, that makes me love this album/band even more. Freddie Mercury will forever be a boss... and you cannot go wrong with Queen. You can never go wrong with Queen.


So if you like country music... or pop country... or even pop music, listen to this album. And if you love it, buy it. If you've never heard of The Band Perry, go straight to this album. This is the album.




Peace, Love, & Music,
~ Lizzy Lepp