October 31

Today's October 31; how's that for a birthday? I guess the good part is, people dress up for your birthday. But who's really thinking about presents, when everybody wants candy? And that's if you're actually into the ghosts and goblins thing.
We're here to celebrate birthdays for unsung heroes, so I'm giving a nod to Johnny Marr, who's been called the "Guitar Anti-Hero". That's because when other guitarists were slinging crotch-thrusting solos in the 80's, Marr developed a jungly, ethereal sound that influenced everybody from the Stone Roses to Radiohead, and every smart rock band that followed them.
He's one of the few guitarists with a sound I recognize from band to band: The Smiths, Modest Mouse, Electronic... Heck, there's one The The album I return to every couple of weeks for the last 15 years ("Dusk"); I can't even name another one.

Here's a few of his greatest hits:

The Smiths - How Soon Is Now
by beautifulcynic

the the - Dogs of lust
by nico2oo6

Modest Mouse - Ocean Breathes Salty
by Jeoss

and here's another band that he just joined. I'll probably pick up this album, too...



UPDATE:

Apparently, I posted a Modest Mouse song from before Marr's tenure with the band. So, here's one from the "We Were Dead" album, with a video I've never seen but wish I had. I love these short films that marry well with the songs, even through they don't visualize the lyrics. Enjoy...

October 30

A day away from Halloween, and I'm still recovering from yesterday's skit/blog, so I'll keep today simple. Today, we're talking about Charles Martin Smith, an actor-turned-filmmaking hyphenate.
His best acting performance: the wolf researcher in "Never Cry Wolf." As a director, he's responsible for such films as "Air Bud" and "Boris and Natasha" (the first attempt to bring those spies to a live-action film.) But we're going to watch the trailer for something much less family-friendly; the trailer for "Trick or Treat," his first film in the director's chair:

October 29

Our birthday spotlight shines on Winona Ryder, actress and 80's/90's hottie. To commemorate the occasion, I've invited the Winona Riders (not to be confused with the early 90's punk band Winona Ryders) to share one of their after-school practice sessions at our little party here.


Hey, look! It's Blake Sennett, her indie rocker ex-boyfriend. He's co-founder of the band Rilo Kiley. Look's like he's got something to say...


And there's her ex-boyfriend Rhett Miller, singer/songwriter and frontman for the Old 97's. What's on his mind?



There's Ken Stringfellow, singer/songwriter and frontman for the Posies...



There's Ryan Adams, singer/songwriter and- hey, wait a minute...



I'm sensing a trend here...



Funny; that doesn't look like Pete Yorn...



Hey! Page Hamilton from Helmet! Somebody that rocks!



Look! Matthew Sweet's written a song for her...



So has Les Claypool!

Here comes Dave Pirner. He looks pissed...



Look, I know, this joke is going to get old in about two more clips. If I can get another six or so after that...



It'll be effin' hilarious...



It's the "funny by overkill" rule in comedy. Will Ferrell does it all the time...



Look, don't consider this an attack on Winona's character. For crying out loud, she's been on the dating scene since the 80's. I'm just making light of the fact that sensitive rockers seem to be her kryptonite. Honestly, this list reads like the dating history of any typical indie club talent booker...



I mean, if you got together all the bands that have an ex-boyfriend of Winona Ryder's for one superconcert, it would be cooler than Coachella. And two days longer, probably...

Winona's also dated a few actors, comedians, one or two directors... The latest I found, she's hooked up with ex-actor-turned-professional-rapper Joaquin Phoenix. So that's progress, I'm sure...



Meanwhile, what's going on with her acting? The biggest role she's had in years was playing Spock's mom in the new Star Trek. Otherwise, parts have dried up to the point that she's signed on to a sequel for Heathers (Christian Slater, too... and that works HOW?!? Is he going to be some Jigsaw-level evil mastermind delivering videotaped instructions from beyond the grave?)



Oh, now he's not even a real musician! What's he doing in here?



Mike Nesmith?!? Really? She dated a Monkee?

Okay, this ain't funny anymore; girl needs an intervention. Somebody find her a nice orthodontist, stat!

October 28

Still in a slightly melancholy mood while researching, when I found this video by "Les Cowboys Fringants" (that's The Dashing Cowboys, if you don't parlez-vous...) I place this Quebecquois band in the same vein as Devotchka and Gogol Bordello, infusing the music of their forefathers with the energies and issues of modern times. (Lead singer Karl Trembley was born today in 1976.) The music's clean and sweet- and if I had my French-English dictionary, I could say their lyrics are profound and humorous, as well (instead of taking someone else's word for it.)
I don't need subtitles to appreciate the video for "Entre deux taxis": the disintegration of a love affair between a bull-headed boy and a fishy-lipped woman...

This song's on their L'expedition album, which came out a year ago. They're touring on that and a follow-up right now; they expect the tour to end next August. Plenty of time to polish up my French...

October 27

I'm in a low mood, which may explain why I've gravitated toward observing Sylvia Plath's birthday today. (My lady, meanwhile, has been obsessed with the last days of Poe.)
It reminds me how misused the appelation 'emo' has become: the only time it's used is to ridicule any music that isn't... rockin' enough? When did All-American Rejects and Fall-Out Boy become emo? I thought Dashboard Confessional and anybody that sang Morrisey songs un-ironically was emo. I swear, anybody who uses the emo label in front of me is going to get a copy of Plath's "Daddy", and they will have to read it out loud, while I provide musical accompaniment on the accordion. Now that's emo.
But today is about one of the few vital poets of the 20th century that wasn't a lyricist. So here's a smooth performance by Ryan Adams on piano, of his song "Sylvia Plath":

UPDATE: to the anonymous commenter- thanks for the correction, brah. i put i in the wrong place, once again...

October 26

I'm taking it easy today, and the band of today's birthday boy will help. Today's the birthday of Keith Strickland, guitarist for the B-52's. Can't believe how long they've been going on, and they're still going, making album when they feel like it, playing where they like, looking as good as they ever did. (I'll probably post about Kate Pierson on her birthday.)
Meanwhile, let's play a B-52's song that's great to play on Rock Band:

B-52's - Roam
by jpdc11

Since I've so little to write about today, let me ask of you: if I don't mention the birthday you think I should, post it in the comments...

October 25

Today's birthday girl is Nika Futterman. She's a vocal artist by trade, which would keep you much busier than you might expect.
The first thing that comes to my mind is cartoons, and she's certainly done plenty of those: Clone Wars (Asajj Ventress), CatDog (Lola), Brave and Bold (Catwoman), and more...

She also does voiceovers for commercials, video games (Brutal Legend, Psychonauts, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, etc...) She even writes her own music, apparently.
She's got her own website displaying the breadth of her vocal dexterity. But nowhere on her resume does it mention what may be her highest-profile vocal gig:

Yup, she has the opening line on the Offspring's "Pretty Fly for a White Guy". Those five words alone are worth a birthday nod here at the B-Blog. Send her a birthday greeting today... but you probably want to mention something besides the Offspring when you do; she's far too multi-faceted...