April 2007

The Hidden Track Baseball Preview is coming to a close with two final columns. Today we feature an essay from Joel Cummins of Umphrey’s McGee about the Chicago Cubs. After we gave his band mates Ryan Stasik and Andy Farag a chance to talk about their teams, we thought it only right to get Joel’s thoughts on the Cubs. UM’s keyboard specialist took his assignment seriously, retuning an essay worthy of the Sun-Times sports section. Kudos to Cummins for taking our bait and landing multiple shots at Stasik’s Bucs. Take it away Joel…..

Spending over $300 million dollars in the offseason had to be an enjoyable endeavor for Cubs GM Jim Hendry. After a dismal finish in ’06, a complete overhaul of the club was necessary, and (almost) completed by Opening Day with the exception of a soon-to-be-finished contract extension for perennial All-Star pitcher Carlos Zambrano. Hendry’s job wasn’t just to rise back above the lowly Pittsburgh Pirates, he wants to win the division and get his club into the World Series now.

Starting at the top, new manager and former World Series champion as a player and manager, Lou Piniella brings fire and urgency to the entire club. Given the key additions of superstar Alfonso Soriano, veteran pitchers Ted Lilly and Jason Marquis, second baseman Mark DeRosa, slugger Cliff Floyd and pinch hitting specialist Daryle Ward, Piniella knows that winning will be the only acceptable result in ’07.

Read on for the rest of Joel’s carefully crafted Cubs column…

The site was down for a few hours this morning, and I’m not sure we’ve finished ironing out the 40-foot cockroach in the system. Stick around, and hopefully soon we’ll return to flagrantly

I like to listen to all types of music, but sometimes I just want some good ol’ rock and roll music. This week’s Grousing The Aisles takes a look at four bands that, for the most part, play straight-up, guitar-driven rock. We start off with a tasty Little Feat show before we check in on Perpetual Groove, a Rolling Stones compilation from ’78 and a ridiculous Police show from ’79. It’s all waiting for you:

Little Feat 9/1/88 FM (MP3, FLAC, STREAM):

Little Feat called it quits after Lowell George’s untimely death in 1979. But then less than a decade later, a new generation of fans started discovering the band’s music. So naturally they decided to get back together, and they added vocalist/songwriter Craig Fuller to the mix just before they entered the studio to record some new music. The revamped Feat released Let It Roll, a rare, great album of tunes from a band that just experienced a nine-year layoff.

After touring for a few months, Little Feat was on fire heading into this show from San Francisco’s Fillmore Auditorium. The setlist is chock full of Little Feat classics, with a few songs from Let It Roll getting some love as well. It’s almost eerie how well Fuller sang Lowell George’s songs — check out Spanish Moon for a fine example of his style. The rest of the band sounded great, including Paul Barrere’s fine guitar work on Time Loves A Hero. Other highlights include Rock and Roll Doctor, which was dedicated to Lowell, and the Dixie Chicken at the end of the set. Thanks to the wonders of the Live Music Archive, you can stream or download this crispy sounding show. Read on for plenty more Grousing…

Rumors of Phil Lesh’s new band sucking balls have been greatly exaggerated.

Maybe this temporary, mismatched hodgepodge was as bad as people said on Monday night, a glorified bar band. But last night, Phil and his conglomerate of new and old friends rocked a 400-person club around the corner from my apartment with sick sound and great lights. So really, what’s not to love? We laughed, we head-bobbed, we danced like white people: a night to remember.

We knew right away this night would take a 180-degree from the prior when John Molo stood outside the club as we walked up to SOBs. There he stood, looking healthy and standing tall, receiving what I could only imagine were some of the warmest handshakes and hellos of his life. People actually cheered as he walked in, and again when he hit the stage to throw down his sticks. Do drummers usually get standing ovations before concerts? In this case, everyone knew his return to the lineup would steady the kit and anchor the shaky band.

The group emerged from the shadows just after 8:30, and we strapped on our game faces. Warren Haynes rumors circulated, the lights dimmed and the flicker of lighters and a waft of smoke permeated the room. We were ready for Take II.

Read on for many more photos and the rest of my review from SOBs…

As our friend Richard suggested to me, this is “improper concert behavior at its cringiest.” Agreed, that’s what we like to refer to as unfettered douchebaggery. [youtube]oyiftU7GL90[/youtube] Some friends weigh in:

Tea Leaf Green’s Scott Rager grew up in Southern California a true blue Dodgers fan. Before TLG’s recent Irving Plaza show, I sat down with Scotty to talk about his thoughts on the upcoming season and the progression of his band:

Bernstein: How closely are you able to follow the Dodgers from the road?

Rager: As soon as we check into our hotel, I’m definitely checking the scores. I watch them on TV when I can, but even up in San Francisco we don’t get too many games. When I’m home in LA I try to make it to a game. My father has season tickets, so I get to see a few [games] at Dodgers Stadium.

SB: Do you ever get to see any baseball games at interesting stadiums when you are on the road?

SR: Yeah, I’ve made it Wrigley twice and Jacobs Field twice. I try to hit other stadiums when I can.

SB: Some people have predicted that the Dodgers are going to win it all. What do you think of the Dodgers chances this year?

SR: I think it’s kinda up in the air. Their pitching staff is questionable, as far as staying healthy. Penny is always hurt, Schmidt is a big question mark, and Derek Lowe has hardly lived up to his contract. I think the biggest problem is going to be their [lack of] power. I like Furcal and Pierre at the top of the lineup. Those guys are pretty quick.

Read on for more of the Dual Scotty Interview on the ballclub and the band…

Les Claypool and his Fancy Band are embarking on a major tour beginning in May and wrapping up in July. Up-and-coming rock duo Two Gallants will open most of the shows. The