Eric's posterous

Things learned tonight, and things to expect Saturday

  • This guy really can't sing for shit, but you won't mind because of ...  (see below)
  • Canadians have an understated sense of humor.  True fact.
  • Music does sound better when you close your eyes and tilt your head back just the right amount.  It helps when you know all the words.
  • Three beers is a good number.  Four might be preferable.  Other might be best.
  • Smells include cigarette smoke, perfume, and incense, but barely any weed and almost no BO smell.  Disappointing.
  • You will find a pleasing amount of collared, plaid shirts on stage.
  • You will find a pleasing amount of hoodies in the audience.
  • You will find an appropriate number of songs concerning buildings, basements, Manitoba, and a cat named Virtute.
  • I know that ear plugs are good for me, but they do put a barrier between you and the music.  I will bring foam ear plugs (which suck) for yalls, but I advise you to be judicious when using them.  I.e. I wouldn't wear them during the awesome songs.
  • Tickets are no longer available for the Saturday show.  I hope you guys bought in time.
  • The show is at 9pm.  There will be one opener.  There will be dinner plans in the neighborhood near the Independent.
  • Canada!


I hope John Samson never stops making music.

eeeeeeee,
-E


PS.  You will want to study both, actually:
Reunion Tour - they will play this album from start to finish
(overall favorite tracks from all albums) - they will play the fast songs after they finish Reunion Tour


On Mon, Nov 28, 2011 at 11:44 AM, Eric Balin-Watkins  wrote:
OMG it's coming!  You guys are all signed up for the Saturday show.  It starts at 9pm at the Independent, 628 DIVISADERO, SAN FRANCISCO, CA.

I have tickets for:  me, PJ, eehern, shannon, brenna, erica

These people should buy tickets for themselves:  Jeff, Will, Ariel, Lina

We'll figure out carpooling and possible dinner plans later this week.

-Eric

PS.  Study:  Reunion Tour - download mp3's of this album here


On Sun, Oct 2, 2011 at 1:56 PM, Eric Balin-Watkins wrote:
Dear Most People I Know,

I've waited along time for the Weakerthans to come back to town.  My favorite band from Canada.  Or just a favorite in general.  If you like bands such as Phoenix, Modest Mouse, the Stars, and Neutral Milk Hotel, then you'll probably appreciate the Weakerthans.  It's like all of those bands, but with better lyrics, stuff about Canada, loads of nostalgia, a punk rock backbone, and a melancholy that comes from accepting a life that turned out different from how you expected.  They rock.

They are playing 4 nights in a row - one album per night.  I've bought tickets for 3 of the nights.  I need lucky volunteers to join me for all of them.  All shows are at the Independent in SF.  Best of all, tickets are around $20 with fees.


Wed, Nov 30 - "Fallow" - one spot open

Thr, Dec 1 - "Left and Leaving" - one spot open

Sat, Dec 3 - "Reunion Tour" - five spots open


Let me know if you're interested.  I'm especially looking at you, Canadians.

-Eric

PS.  Because I believe in doing homework before going to a show, here are mp3s of the albums.  Study!

(overall favorite tracks from all albums)
Fallow
Left and Leaving
Reunion Tour



Oh hai

Photo

BTW, I met Lyrics Born on Oct 9, 2011.  There is a thing called Lit Quake that happens in SF every year where (I think?) a bunch of authors talk about their books and stuff.  Me and PJ and the Serebrins went up to see Adam Mansbach, author of "Go the Fuck to Sleep", talk about his book with Lyrics Born.  In case you miss the connection, Mansbach frames his book as the result of hip hop culture.  Long story short, I got the book autographed by Mansbach, and I got a picture with Lyrics Born.

"Skinemax is Koyaanisqatsi for a generation raised on late night television and B-movie VHS tapes"

Got this from Victorb:

"It's long form entertainment for short attention spans. An hour long VJ odyssey, it will move your body and warp your mind. A nostalgic look back at a half remembered childhood growing up in the 80s and early 90s, Skinemax takes a close look at the culture of that era. The images that motivated, delighted, and terrified us on the silver screen, set to propulsive modern music that pines for a simpler time."


I found this fascinating.  There were so many movies that I only half remembered from my childhood.  It's weird that I recognize many of them even though I know for sure that I haven't seen them.  I've either seen 5 minutes of them on tv when I was little (I think I used to watch more tv than I do now), or I've been introduced to them as an adult.

On a broader note:  Why are 80's movies so awesome? 

I know, objectively, that they are not good movies.  But they're still important for some reason I just can't put my finger on.  It's like they were still figuring out the medium of film at that time.  They were only just attaining mastery.  And there are so many genres that were defined at that time.  Themes that have been echoed over and over in movies since then.  The 80's was a golden age for action movies and high school romantic comedies.

That, or it's just nostalgia.  Either way -- awesome.  Thanks Vic.