Iceland Vacation

I'm off on vacation so a photo series from my last vacation in Iceland.

Iceland Vacation

I'm off on vacation so a photo series from my last vacation in Iceland.

Iceland Vacation

I'm off on vacation so a photo series from my last vacation in Iceland.

Iceland Vacation

I'm off on vacation so a photo series from my last vacation in Iceland.

Iceland Vacation

I'm off on vacation so a photo series from my last vacation in Iceland.

Iceland Vacation

I'm off on vacation so a photo series from my last vacation in Iceland.

Iceland Vacation

I'm off on vacation so a photo series from my last vacation in Iceland.

Iceland Vacation

I'm off on vacation so a photo series from my last vacation in Iceland.

Happy Thanksgiving 2012

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Raves: 13-10

What could we expect with Ben Roethlisberger out for the game?

Well, it was a close game with Pittsburgh's defense playing solid; however, it just wasn't to be.

Byron Leftwich just wasn't ever able to get the offense rolling and it looked like he was playing injured.

Hopefully, we get it together next week.

The Record Company at The Satellite

The Record Company is the residency band for November.  Their lead singer at times sat and other times stood.  Either way, this band held your attention throughout their set.  Folks were dancing.  Blues and rock moved the body.

The Nervous Wreckords at The Satellite

The Nervous Wreckords commanded the stage at The Satellite. 

Some of my friends showed up randomly.  I soon understood why as I noticed that one of the band members came from a band that I used to see every so often called Roses on Her Grave.  The sound is different, but her style is not.  Everyone in the band was dressed down, but she was in tight leather, looking like a Sunset Strip woman (I used to see Roses on Her Grave at the Viper Room.)  

The crowd was packed close to the stage.  It was totally warranted. 

Trapper Schoepp & The Shades at The Satellite

Trapper Schoepp and The Shades come from Milwaukee.  They started their set at The Satellite with a group vocal and then went all rock 'n roll on us.  Trapper does the vocals while his brother carries a tune as well.  You also have a violinist who wows. 

Moment of the set:  I was checking my settings on my camera when suddenly Trapper jumps off stage and is playing right at my feet.  I was briefly the center of attention.

Duke Basketball vs. Kentucky: 75-68

This was the first meeting between these two teams since 2001.  This was also the first time I saw Duke play this season . . . well, considering it is only their second game it isn't like I'm that late to finally catch a game.

Duke was the better basketball team.  Kentucky has the better players.  And for this game team play beat up on talent.

Honestly, throughout the game it looked like Duke was going to win this game.  What kept Kentucky in the game appeared to be just their great talent.  A swear there were a couple plays where it looked like Kentucky had some power NBA players going.  But at other times, you could tell that you were watching freshman just getting taken advantage of by a veteran team.

As is my constant complaint about Duke:  the team only went 7 deep (Murphy and Jefferson only played a combine 6 minutes so I don't count them as "playing").  I'd really like to see those two get more minutes.

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Kansas City Chiefs: 16-13

Bad weather equaled a game where both teams struggled.  Honestly, looking at the past games the Chiefs have lost, the Steelers should have blown this game wide open.  They weren't able to do this because of the play of linebacker Derrick Johnson who seemed to stuff a Steelers' running back on every play.

The big news is the injury to Ben Roethlisberger.  From what I'm reading and watching, he's probably out for one week.  Bad news, but it could have been worse news.  Let hope he is out for only one game.

Up on Intraffik: movie review of Flight

I'm up on Intraffik with a movie review of Flight.

Peter Pants at The Smell

Peter Pants was the last band of the night for me at The Smell. I swear it felt like I'd seen them before.  I think the answer; however, is no.  Maybe I've just seen them around the scene.  Anyways, this was the last gig for the drummer.  In some ways, she seems like the heart and soul of the band with her wild style on the drums.  This is a band where the bassist plays it calm while everyone else is going wild.  Crowd surfing was the norm for this set.  

Surf Curse at The Smell

Surf Curse came into The Smell from Nevada.  This two piece band played the smaller section of The Smell.  The place was packed.  Both the drummer and guitarist share vocals in this lo-fi band.

Comment of the set:  This isn't just a press zone.

The Aquadolls at The Smell

The Aquadolls were the first band up at The Smell.  My first thoughts, Sarah Jeanette and The Mulhollands.  That was driven more by style.  The sounds are much different.  The Aquadolls scream it out loud.  And on occasion you had a mosh pit forming.  On the other hand, like The Mulhollands, fun fun fun.  

Comment of the set  You're supposed to dance to this song or you're technically breaking the law.


 

The Child at the Spare Room

I missed the last few The Child sets. I didn't want to miss this one.  It was a little dark in the Spare Room to take photos, but who cares:  the set was great and sped pass too quickly.

This was my first time at the Spare Room.  Folks were bowling on a 2 lanes while The Child played.

Drive He Said at Silverlake Lounge

Silverlake Lounge is back doing residencies. Drive He Said is the residency band for November. This band was previously known as Maxim Ludwig.  A band I believe I first saw at Hotel Cafe.  Well, not being a new band, they didn't have a problem convincing the crowd that they were the real deal -- though perhaps they had a bit of a problem getting the crowd to singalong for one song; it worked out in the end as the lead singer is a convincing fellow.

The Brixtones at Silverlake Lounge

I caught The Brixtones at Silverlake Lounge on a recent Monday night.  This was a Brit invasion with a flair for the 70s.  

Raw Geronimo at El Cid

One of my favorite local bands, Raw Geronimo, closed out the night at El Cid recently.  They were dressed for the dead.

Noticed:  the band started off with the members shifted to one side.  I thought that was a bit strange.  They did shift quickly to a more symmetrical assembly, which made me feel like the universe was better aligned.

As always, a solid fun set. 

The Peach Kings at El Cid

It was a celebration of the dead at El Cid. The Peach Kings hit the stage first.  It was their video release party.  They had some technical problems with playing the video so they played their set first before showing the video.

One person described their music as bluesy.  Okay, I'll go with that.  From what I can tell, they are a two piece band that has a rotating drummer for hire situation -- yes, this was my first time seeing them.

My fun:  how many times would the guitarist have his hat fall off his head.  Let's just say it fell off his head a number of times.

What did I think of the set?  I loved it. 

Dia De Los Muertos at Hollywood Forever

It was off to Dia De Los Muertos at Hollywood Forever. As noted by the website, the day is "a vibrant traditional procession in the home of Hollywood's Immortals with traditional Aztec blessings and Regional Musical-Dance group dedications."

I went with friends, but in a way I wish I had gone by myself.  They zoomed pass many of the altars, while I wanted to stick around and contemplate the lives that were being celebrated.  Oh well, it was a fun night.

Ozomatli was the headliner band.  They had me jumping.  Unfortunately, I was too far away to take a decent photo of them so no photos posted of Ozomatli.



  

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. New York Giants: 24-20

This was the second straight Steelers game that I've caught.

This one wasn't as easy as the game against the Washington Redskins.  It makes sense as the Giants are better than the Redskins.

First, I think the Giants got some favorable calls from the refs -- perhaps a little bit of pity for Hurricane Sandy?

Second, the Steelers front line allowed four sacks, an increase from last week; however, they proved themselves by helping the running game.  I do believe the front line is 2x as good as last year's version -- that is probably an exaggeration, but the front line is looking solid.

Third, Mike Wallace looked like he was no where to be found until he erupted for a touchdown.

Fourth, the Steelers defense looked awesome.  Earlier in the season, it looked like the defense just couldn't be trusted (especially in the Tennessee game -- I only caught a portion of it).  Against Washington, I thought the defense got a little lucky considering the Washington receivers couldn't seem to catch the ball.  This game was just total Steeler defense, especially in the fourth quarter where I believe the Giants had the ball three times and couldn't get a first down.

Fifth, I admit I was worried the Steelers were going to lose when they were down by 10, but even then I couldn't help but be pleased with how they were playing.  With Baltimore a bit beat up, we might actually have a good chance of winning the division.  If anything, I don't see why we can't have a solid 11-5 record come the end of the season.  12-4 I suspect is a more appropriate target.

Sixth, Sanders got taken down by the Washington kicker.  I figure, if you're going to get taken down by the kicker, at least slam into the kicker at full speed, yes?

Sirens vs. Varsity Brawlers: 144-125

It was off to see the Derby Dolls for the Championship Game: Sirens vs. Varsity Brawlers.  This was one close game.  The Sirens appeared to score most of their points via hard fought full jams.  The Varsity Brawlers made it close via 3-ish power jams.  I believe nearly half of the Brawlers points came from 3 power jams.  The Brawlers had tough defense, but the Sirens just had the better jammers that were able to score points here and there.

As for music:  The Magnificent gave an energetic half time set.

One bad thing:  they had what I believe were a couple powerful flashes around the building.  I unfortunately stood near one during the first half.  Near the flash, there was a void of folks as many decided to just leave the area.  It wasn't cool. It was powerful enough that I wouldn't be surprised if it caused one or two folks to come down with migraines.


 

Mr.Elevator & The Brain Hotel at The Bootleg

I caught Mr. Elevator and The Brain Hotel at The Bootleg this past Monday.  The audience was dressed in Halloween costumes.  The band gave us a touch of a beach sound.  Costumes worn by band:  western, fortune teller, snow bum.  

The Herbert Bail Orchestra @ The Bootleg

I caught the back end of The Herbert Bail Orchestra at The Bootleg.  They kicked it.  A little touch of Americana to steal your heart.


 

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Washington Redskins: 27-12

This is the first time I saw RG3 and I have to say he looked pretty good for a rookie.  He was only 16-34, but that was driven by the fact that his receivers dropped 10 balls.  I'd say at least half of those looked like sure catches.

As for Pittsburgh, everything was clicking.  The defense played solid -- though obviously helped by the Redskin receivers.  Even then, they only allowed 86 yards of rushing.

As for the Steelers offense?  Where did that front line come from.  And how did they get that running game going?  If they had that running game, I'm sure they would have beaten Tennessee -- I'm speculating there as I only saw the last few minutes of that game.  And Big Ben looked smooth -- no sacks probably helped out.

And now it is the NY Giants this Sunday.