The Chicago Bulls Sing "Chop Suey!"

Man, you guys NAILED it.

Check Out My Band

We're called the Scott Burrell Blues Explosion. Our name used to be Toni! Toni! Toni!, but due to some sort of copyright infringement we had to change our name. So, for now, we're the Scott Burrell Blues Explosion.

As you can probably guess from my shirt, our name, and our fan club (the Rockabullies -- that's one in the red and black tanktop), we're a post-slowdrive, blues infused, meaningfulcore band that is heavily influenced by the 1997-98 Chicago Bulls. In fact, we've all taken pseudonyms when we're performing. Here's the line-up:

• Dickey Pimpkins - lead guitar, backing vocals
• Get Down Randy Brown - bass, backing vocals
• Rusty LaRock - drums
• Harper - harmonica, effects, harmonica effects
• Jumpin' Jud (me) - rhythm guitar, organ, lead vocals

We've played all around the Chicagoland area. Our manager says we'll probably be able to schedule a national tour in the next few months, but word on the street is that we won't be able to perform in Washington, Arizona, Utah, Michigan, Ohio, and parts of New York and California. I guess time hasn't healed those wounds yet.

A long of our songs are written from the perspective of different players, or about the players. Probably our most famous song, so far, is "Taco Joe." It's about Joe Kleine. Here's the chorus:

Hey-ey Joe

Get us a tac-o

Hey-ey Joe

We want that tac-o

I wrote that particular lyric, but Dickey usually writes the songs. He's really good with melody. You can find our demo right here, and it'd be cool if you could hand that off to anyone you might know. Who knows, we could end up in a town near you.

And yes, we do do a cover of "Sirius" by the Alan Parsons Project. It's our first song every night.

Occasional Observations on Several Subjects VI

Lollapalooza headliners edition

• I'm exhausted. We didn't even really go to that many bands but between wearing Nike Free 5.0s and Nike Fire Biscuits, my feet are struggling. And I had a basketball game on Sunday before we went. I'm not in good shape. Ergo, no pictures yet. I'll scramble together what relevant thoughts I have on the festival's headliners.
• Radiohead is one of those bands I wanted to see before I perish. They're the main reason we bought tickets, in fact. And beside the fact that they were strangely quiet, they were amazing. I'm going to see them again, indoors. However, the fireworks during "Fake Plastic Trees" were poignant. Yes, poignant.
• I've been regretting missing out on seeing Rage Against the Machine since I was a senior in high school. After seeing them Saturday night, I'm pleased. They were everything you'd expect from Rage Against the Machine. Creepy leg dance from Morello. Lecturing and general juicebagginess from De La Rocha. Stupid fans. It was a great time.
• Except for the De La Rocha lecture. He's so wrong about so much.
• This Kanye set was way better than the United Center one. No more weird space travel "plot." Less autotune. "Put On." It was bangin' the whole time through and it was awesome. Go see Kanye, please.

Occasional Observations on Several Subjects V

Pitchfork Festival edition

• As recently as two years ago, I was devoted to the Pitchfork music festival. I'd be there from the first notes of the first set (Pelican, if I remember right -- terrible) and wouldn't leave until the very last song of the last artist. Things done changed. I was at Union Park for a total of 4 hours on Sunday. Spoon wasn't worth staying for. Ghostface and Rae were dope and King Khan was fantastic. After those two acts, I didn't really care for anyone else there. Sorry, Bon Iver.
• It can only be assumed that the mid-1990s Charlotte Hornets are the hipster choice of NBA team. I counted at least 3 Alonzo Mourning jerseys, 2 Larry Johnsons, and 1 Muggsy Bogues.



• About that King Khan set; Fiancee and I showed up about halfway through and were blown away. Not only did it sound awesome but the stage show was hilarious. Headdresses, capes, and a cheerleader. But really, isn't Khan just a much more talented Har Mar Superstar? Is there any chance he can keep up what little success he's had without turning in to a total joke? Enjoy it while it lasts.
  
• I'm a well-dressed fellow. This is a certainty. However, I'm also not above taking chances stylistically and I definitely don't frown upon people doing their own thing. All that being said, there was a gluttony of terrible, TERRIBLE fashion choices this weekend. There is a very distinct reason that deep v-necks and short jogging shorts went out of style. No one wants to see that much skin on a man. Ever. And while it's pretty played out to say "all these people want to be individuals but they dress the same," it's also painfully true.
  
• The Animal Collective set was perfect for a last set in the dark. Their ambient stuff is way better live than on record.
  
• I met Jeff Weiss and he was the most earnest and genuinely happy blogger I've met. And aside from the wristband, the least affected. Good people. Also, no homo.
  
• I wonder if when Ghost and Rae joined Wu-Tang they ever thought they'd be performing to 10,000 sweaty, white kids who know all the words to all their songs? That can't have been part of RZA's plan.
  
• If you're a musician playing at Pitchfork, it's probably pretty easy to walk around and see some other bands since there's at least 25 people who look exactly like you.
• Raekwon HAS to be related to Kirby Puckett.
• Number one most punchable at the festival: Tom Breihan

Kevin Garnett Intenses Summer Music Releases

Wolf Parade - At Mount Zoomer

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Beck - Modern Guilt

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Nas - Untitled

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Weezer - Weezer (The Red Album)

Muxtape Quiz, part 1

I entered the FreeDarko Muxtape Madness with this Spurs tape. Each song represents one of San Antonio's rotation players. Check out the songs and decipher which song is which player. Leave your answers in the comments.

• I'm Glad I Hitched My Apple Wagon to Your Star - The Boy Least Likely To
• Frenchy, I'm Faking - Architecture in Helsinki
• The Underdog - Spoon
• Kick, Push - Lupe Fiasco
• Rich Kid Blues - the Raconteurs
• Long Slow Goodbye - Queens Of The Stone Age
• Of Angels and Angles - the Decemberists
• Business Time - Flight of the Conchords
• The Dirty Dirty - Tapes 'n Tapes
• Say Hello (To The Bad Guy) - Jay Z