Treasure Island Music Festival - Day Two

Sunday I had the opportunity to take a ride to San Francisco to drop by the second day of the Treasure Island Music Festival. It was a very small place-8,000 people-compared to the Outside Lands Festival. There were two stages, and the bands switched off. The Kills would play the smaller stage, then Spiritualized would play the bigger stage.
When I got there, The Morning Benders were playing. My favorites to see were, of course, The Raconteurs, Vampire Weekend, and Okkervil River.
The Raconteurs were amazing. Same with Vampire Weekend and Okkervil River. My only crticism, and believe me, I'm not complaining, but I did want the Raconteurs to play "Together," one of their softer songs. But the show was great. They weren't letting cars drive and park on the island, so we parked in the San Francisco Giant's ballpark parking lot. Then we took a shuttle over to the island. They got us in and out of there very quickly, so it was great.

Amazing Drumming

I won't usually post videos up here, but I just had to show you all this one. This is Tim Jackson playing drums like you've probably never heard before. Amazing. Just watch.


Amazing Drumming Phenom - Funny videos are here

Outside Lands Music Festival: Day 3: Wilco, ALO, Andrew Bird, Stars, Broken Social Scene

Day 3 of the Outside Lands Festival. The headliner was Jack Johnson, but I went to see Wilco. Nothing against Jack, I just listen to Wilco more. I got there real early to get good seats, and they were supposed to open the gates at 11. No. An hour later, they open up. But, I got good seats. Front row.
The Animal Liberation Orchestra (ALO) started off the show, and let me tell you; they are their own Jack
Johnson. No surprise. Jack and ALO are good friends. (above left corner) Zach Gill pounds on the keyboard. Their music puts a twist to the easygoing rock of Jack Johnson.
Then Stars came on. The band certainly isn't ALO or Jack Johnson. They have a hard rock, almost punk-y sound. They're also pop, electronic, new wave, and alternative. None of their music sounds the same.
(right) Amy Millan rocks out and Torquil Campbell toots.-->
After Stars came Andrew Bird, who has a sound of his own. He is amazing. He may be one man, but he can do a lot. He will play a note or a melody, and then the speakers, or whatever, will keep repeating it. Like an endless loop. Anyway, he's awesome. He's a folk/rock orchestra all by himself.
(Below) Andrew Bird sings and plays.

Broken Social Scene followed Andrew, and. They. Rocked. Period. I had heard about these guys, but never really listened to them. I was too occupied with other music. But trust me. I'm getting more of their music. Their last song was an awesome song. They had everybody scream as loud as they could. Sounded awesome. (Below left) BSS on stage.

Finally came my favorite band of the day. Wilco. I've been listening to them since I was, like... for a long time. Anyway, they rock. They have an independent sound; they can be rockin' or playing softly. They have been playing two new songs on their tour, "Sunny Feeling" and One Wing." Sadly, they did not play it at this concert. They definitely needed an hour or two more to play. Oh well. I still had front row seats.
I put two pictures up, one to show Wilco and one showing Glenn Kotche, the drummer for Wilco, being goofy.

(Below left) Jeff Tweedy and Pat Sansone solo together on "Impossible Germany." (Below right) Glenn Kotche being crazy.

Well, this ends my Outside Lands Festival segment. Support these bands by buying their music. Some sample are below.




Lady Loop - ALO
The First Five Times - Stars
Heretics - Andrew Bird
Almost Crimes (Radio Kills Remix) - Broken Social Scene
Impossible Germany - Wilco

Outside Lands Music Festival: Day 2: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

Photo courtesy of gussifer/Flickr --->

Day 2 of the Outside Lands Festival I did not get a chance to go to, so I don't have much to say. I did hear it was great, though. Apparently, TP brought out Steve Winwood for "Can't Find My Way Home" and "Gimme Some Lovin'." Here was the set list: You Wreck Me / Listen to Her Heart / I Won’t Back Down / Even the Losers / Free Fallin’ / Last Dance With Mary Jane / End of the Line / Can’t Find My Way Home / Gimme Some Lovin’ / Saving Grace / Breakdown / Honey Bee / Learning to Fly / Don’t Come Around Here No More / Refugee / Running Down a Dream / Gloria / American Girl

Here you can get Tom Petty's "Free Fallin'", and Steve Winwood's "Dirty City."
Free Fallin' - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Dirty City - Steve Winwood

Outside Lands Music Festival: Day 1: Radiohead

Last Friday, I went to check out the first ever Outside Lands Festival. The headliners were Radiohead (day 1), Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (day 2), and Jack Johnson (day 3). I got there just in time to see Radiohead on day 1, who I really enjoy. They played a variety of music from their catalogue of songs. They started off the show with "15 Steps", from "In Rainbows."
Yet in the middle of the show, they played "Just" and "Karma Police", from "The Bends" and "OK Computer." Here is Radiohead playing "Bodysnatchers" off of "In Rainbows."
Bodysnatchers - Radiohead

Amoeba Music In-Store: Two Gallants

So recently, I went to check out a band that I had never heard of, called "Two Gallants". (Pronounced too-guh-lonce) It consists of two guys named Adam Stephens and Tyson Vogel. The duo, from San Francisco, was unveiled in 2002, and debuted their first album, "The Throes", in 2004. "what the Toll Tells" came out in 2006, and "Two Gallants" was released in 2007. The folk/indie rock duo seemed not to have wanted to be swept away by all the other new-wave bands, and gave it their own spin. They were signed on by Saddle Creek Records, who also hosts "Bright Eyes." The two could be Bright Eyes' sound-alike. Their style imitates what Bright Eyes does, but they mix it up quite a bit.

So I ended up buying 2GS' third CD, "Two Gallants". They signed it afterwards, and the guys were really nice.

Here is a song off of "Two Gallants", called "Despite What You've Been Told."
Despite What You've Been Told - Two Gallants

And...we're rolling!

Hello everybody, and welcome to "Me And The Rocker." You guys (and gals) can come here to check out new bands that are performing, rising bands, or old bands, live or making a new record. I will also have sampler mp3's for you so that you can try out some music. But this is very important: I AM NOT POSTING TO GIVE FREE ALBUMS TO ANY FANS. THIS IS STRICTLY FOR PROMOTIONAL SERVICES ONLY. I am only posting the songs so that you can try the artists out. If you like the songs, go support the artist and buy their albums. Also, if an artist or record company either wants their song up here or wants a song taken down, contact me ASAP, and I will do my best to fulfill your needs. And please, NO SPAMMING OR INSULTS.

Well, that's pretty much it. Go tell your friends about me. Support "Me And The Rocker." Thanks, and enjoy the site.