Glory Days

January is shaping up to be a pretty big month for Springsteen fans the world over. His brilliant song, "The Wrestler", is nominated for a Golden Globe Award this weekend. His 16th studio album, "Working On A Dream", will be released January 27th. And the month will come to an end with everything culminating on February 1st, when Bruce and the E Street Band will play the halftime show at Superbowl 43 in Tampa, FL (the Buffalo Bills, not wanting to upstage the Boss, have gracefully withdrawn from the event).

To help celebrate what might go down as the biggest month in the history of E Street, we here at seanmcallum.com will be paying tribute to the man and the band with periodic samplings of some of his finest moments.




There's a line in a song by The Beta Band (said song made a fantastic cameo in one of the all-time top 5 movies about working in a record store: High Fidelity) which states: "This is the definition of my life". And not that a single song could ever adequately define someone's entire life, but this is about as close as it gets.

The indisputable highlight of my summer (2008) came when The Blackwater Trio played this song at my buddy Foley's wedding (photographic evidence of the all-time white guy air-guitar sing along shown below); at my buddy Rosco's wedding, I was introduced to the reception with this song blaring from all corners of the hall; and, well, let's be honest: "I hope when I get old I don't sit around thinking about it... but I probably will".

This performance took place during Letterman's last show for NBC (June 25, 1993), and it wouldn't be a stretch to call this one of the highlights of Letterman's long and ridiculously illustrious career. And if you don't think these eight minutes were the absolute apex of The World's Most Dangerous Band, then you're kidding yourself. I mean, look at the smile on that drummer: that's exactly what I looked like after drinking out of the Stanley Cup, which, not coincidentally, was the supreme highlight of my life.


Thanks to Buffalo Blake for sending this along about a year ago (there's really no excuse for not having posted it sooner - I apologize to all of the dotcomrades for leaving your lives unnecessarily empty until this moment). And not that anyone could ever top one of the Boss's live performances, but I'd have to say that Buffalo Blake's rendition comes pretty damn close.

Click HERE for the original E Street video in all of its 80's splendour. I honestly can't get enough of the obscure Graig Nettles reference at the end.





There are simply no words to describe how much I love this photo. Thanks to Jill for her mastery on the Polaroid.

Friday Diversion

After a three week hiatus, the Diversion makes its triumphant return with a slew of dotcomrade recommended reading. As always, here's a little something to help you celebrate the fact that seanmccallum.com fan favourite Ron Cherry was givin' em the business as the head referee in last night's BCS National Championship game. Atta boy Ron!


Greening the Ghetto
By Elizabeth Kolbert

A fascinating look at the life of Van Jones ("The Green Collar Economy"), and his ambitious ideas for improving both the environment and the economy. Critics denounce Jones' ideology for being too lofty, but as Jones himself points out:

"We used to have a country, allegedly, but you couldn’t drive across it, because all we had was a bunch of old dirt roads. Somebody, in the name of national security, said, ‘Hold on a sec. What if we get invaded on the West Coast, how can we get troops from the East Coast?’ So we created an interstate-highway system that connected the country to itself.”

He lowered his voice to a grumble: “ ‘Oh, we can’t afford to do it! This is insane!’ We couldn’t afford not to do it. Because the minute you did that the economy went through the roof. It was such a good idea that we did it again. In the name of national security, people in the Pentagon said, ‘If we have one big communications tower, and somebody knocks it out, then we’re blind, deaf, and dumb. We’ve got to figure out a way to distribute our information system.’ So they came up with the idea of the information superhighway—for you young people, that’s what we call the Internet. ‘We can’t afford to do this!’ We couldn’t afford not to do it. The minute we connected the country to itself, the economy went through the roof. All we’re saying is, let’s do it again. But this time, instead of connecting the country to itself to move bodies and vehicles or data around, let’s connect the country to itself so we can move clean-energy electrons around. Then you’ve got the strongest economy in the world.”

Inspiring. And I couldn't agree more.


The End of the Financial World As We Know It
By Michael Lewis

Michael Lewis explains how the implosion of Wall Street was a result, not simply of greed ("we are as likely to eliminate greed from our national character as we are lust and envy"), but of an almost comical lack of checks and balances, and an inherent system of misaligned interests that bordered on the criminal.

Thanks to Flats for the link.


The Ponzi Scheme in Every Hedge Fund
By Ari J. Officer

This article from Time Magazine explains how every hedge fund is essentially a watered down version of Madoff's $50 billion swindle

It is articles like the two listed above that almost make me happy about the fact that my complete lack of financial stability has resulted in my only ever being able to invest in second hand vinyl and copious amounts of hard liquor with which to stonewall my liver.

Thanks to Rosco for the hookup.


How To Save Rock and Roll
Rolling Stone Magazine

A short piece about how Arts & Crafts founder Jeffrey Remedios is helping to change the face of modern music, and in turn indirectly granting me access to more shows than one fledgling blogger should be allowed to attend.

Thanks to Browner for the nod.


Spend Less Time Online, More Time Face-to-Face
By Joshua Errett

A few tips on how to avoid wasting your life away on sites like the one you are currently wasting your life with.


Into The Woods
By Sasha Frere-Jones

A look into the sound of Bon Iver, "Northern Exposure", and the act of turning heartache to phonic gold.



The YouTube clip of the week comes courtesy of G-Town Petey. I'm a huge fan of all urinal related humour, and needless to say, if I were a Brit, I would describe the following sequence as "fucking brilliant":

Terrible Beer... Great Commercials

While watching Team Canada dominate the gold medal game at the World Junior Hockey Championships last night, I saw that "Unwritten Code" commercial for Molson Canadian for the hundredth time and thought to myself: "You know what? These guys make some pretty damn good commercials". Sure, I have yet to meet anyone over the age of 19 who actually drinks the piss they pass off as beer, but still... At the very least, the good people at Molson need to be commended for their marketing genius. And I know that all of the Canadian readers out there will have surely seen these ads a thousand times, but for our countless international dotcomrades, here is a sampling of some of the most entertaining beer commercials to have graced the Canadian airwaves over the past few years.

(Let the record show that I abhor everything about those "My Name is Joe, and I Am Canadian Commercials", as well as any of the other asinine ploys to play on the alleged ignorance of our neighbours to the south. Those commercials just basically sicken me.)


"Chasing Beaver" - I don't even know if this was ever allowed to air, but it is brilliant.




"Your Sister" - Pretty sure I had this exact conversation with a buddy on New Year's Eve.




"I'm So Mad At My Boyfriend" - Ummm... If this doesn't get you off the couch, nothing will.




"Unwritten Code - Part I" - This commercial implies that there exists some kind of an ice scraper beyond a man's arm... Mysterious 'ice scraper' had yet to be identified at the time of publication.




"Unwritten Code - Part II" - I can unequivocally say that I have one, have gone on many, am proud to know one, have felt equally bad, have used with surprising success, always do, agree that it can, have been more than I'd like to admit, and most certainly have without any reservations whatsoever... In short, if I had 30 seconds to introduce myself to someone, I'd basically just play this commercial for them and then buy a round of Steamwhistles.

Top 10 Albums of 2008

Big run on ultra-hip music here at SeanMcCallum.com.

My buddy Browner is the resident music savant, and he's here to weigh-in with his picks for the best-of this past year. I should tell you that 75% of the new music I listen to comes courtesy of Browner; he works for quite possibly the coolest record label in Canada; and he routinely doubles-up on bottles of Labatt 50 while posing for photos in front of walls decorated with Kenny Rogers albums. If that isn't enough to heed his advice, there's no hope for you.

---

Some of you occasionally harass me for musical suggestions. Others harass me ABOUT my musical suggestions. Either way, I figured I might as well put together a list of my faves from the past year to give you ammunition for your ipod or our next debate.

10. Death Cab For Cutie- Narrow Stairs- Another solid record from these guys which sees them taking things in a slightly new direction... just different enough to keep it interesting.

Check out: I Will Possess Your Heart

9. She and Him- Volume One- A great countrified pop album with a '50's throwback feel to it.

Check out: Sentimental Heart, This is Not a Test, Why Do You Let Me Stay Here

8. Flobots- I won't pretend to be completely in tune with the hip hop world, but there was less good stuff that crossed my radar this year than usual. This was the exception.

Check out: Stand up, Rise

7. Land of Talk- Some Are Lakes- These guys have opened for Neil Young and their lead singer has been singing with Broken Social Scene. Works for me.

Check out: Some Are Lakes

6. Bon Iver- A beautiful minimalist album. I read a review that said someone should put Iron and Wine on notice that he has a new challenger. Sounds about right.

Check out: Skinny Love, Lump Sum, Re Stacks

5. Duffy- Rockferry- This was another great throwback album. The common comparison is Amy Winehouse, but I prefer Duffy.

Check out: Rockferry, Stepping Stone

4. Kathleen Edwards- Asking For Flowers- What can I say about Kathleen Edwards? One of the best singer/songwriter to come out of Canada since Neil Young.

Check out: Asking For Flowers, The Cheapest Key, Scared At Night

3. The Constantines- Kensington Heights- Everything came together for vets the Constantines on this album. Noone could more credibly deliver the line "I will not sing a hateful song, though it's in me to sing" than Bry Webb with his trademark growl. And was there a more timely song in 2008 than Credit River?

Check out: Our Age, Time Can Be Overcome

2. The Hold Steady- Stay Positive- Springsteen influenced songs about partying way too hard? Yeah, can't put my finger on what it is I like about this band... perhaps lines like "If she asks don't tell her that I'm living hand to mouth. Don't tell her I've been sleeping on your couch. If she asks just tell her that we opened for the Stones. It's her favourite band except for the Ramones. If she happens to suggest a love based on trust and respect, tell her I've been wasted since last week."

Check out: Lord I'm Discouraged, Constructive Summer, Stay Positive

1. Kings of Leon- You already know about these guys, right? Right?

Check out: Sex on Fire, Use Somebody

Honourable mention: The Buffalo Builders, My Morning Jacket, Ra Ra Riot, Matt Mays, The Stills, Los Campesinos!, Airborne Toxic Event

Modern Acoustic Dejection Showdown

Conor Oberst and The Mystic Valley Band - Cape Canaveral



Because victory is sweet even deep in the cheap seats.


Vs.


Bon Iver - Re: Stacks



Because it's hard to find it when you knew it / When your money's gone / And you're drunk as hell.


Vs.


Bruce Springsteen - The Wrestler



Because these things that have comforted me, I drive away / This place that is my home I cannot stay.


All three of these tracks have been getting serious spin-time in recent weeks here at SeanMcCallum.com world headquarters. But there is only one way to go in this showdown. Because a song written by Bruce Springsteen for Mickey Rourke only comes around once in a lifetime.

The Year in Band Names

Every year, The A.V. Club compiles a list of the best and worst band names it has come acorss over the course of the past 365 days. Needless to say, it is essential reading.

You can catch 2008: The Year in Band Names HERE (note: it is 6 webpages long)

(The 2007 List can be found HERE)

And despite the fact that Buster Hymen and the Penetrators were inexplicably ommitted, this directory of epithets is inarguably a tour de force. It runs the gamut from seriously disturbing (just about everything in the Metal or Metal-Sounding category), to wonderfully witty ("Barry Whitesnake"), and downright bizzare ("Midnight Spaghetti and the Chocolate G-String"), all in the name of a name, with the hopes that a moniker alone is enough to lure you into the club (are you telling me you wouldn't pay money to see a band called: "Yes! Yes! Take Off Your Dress!"?)

Some of our favourites here at SeanMcCallum.com include the following:

Fatal Kitten Rampage

Fuck... I'm Dead

One Whore's Town

Sega Genocide

Coup de Ska

Justice of the Unicorns

Menstrual Tramps

Yuzo Nieto & The Hand That Rocks The Dradle

The Self-Congratulatory One-Man Reach-Around

Carlos I'm Pregnant

Piss Pissedofferson

The Unnecessary Gun Point Lecture

Bonus:

Maybe the best band bio ever, courtesy of Jesus Causes Cancer:

"Jesus Causes Cancer! With that said, come and see a show. Do a beer bong. Fight the band. Buy us vodka. Boo and heckle us! Bring a Jew!"

New Year's Eve - Partying Like It's 1999

...And I mean that in the most literal sense. As in: "I was at this exact party in 1999".

My friends and I have this running joke that we've been stuck in some kind of a time warp that has kept us acting as if we were 19 for the past 10 years. And it's true; the way we act does look a lot like the way we might have acted some 10 years ago. Sure, these days we have a little more money to throw around, and we tend to get into a little less trouble with the law, but on the whole, it's basically the same group of high school buddies going out every weekend, binge drinking as if we were sharing a case of Maximum Ice in a poorly lit suburban park, running with the same jokes that were funny during the Clinton administration, and basically acting like a bunch of drunken assholes. Some people find this brand of camaraderie charming. Others say we should move on with our lives. Make new friends. Grow up.

We generally don't see much of those who suggest the latter.

Nowhere was this discrepancy between age and maturity more evident than on New Year's Eve. Because I am 30 years old. And believe me when I say that I most certainly did not act like a 30 year old on this night. Not even close.

Sure, I breifly attended a few functions that were becoming of a man of my advancing years.

There was a pre-dinner party with hors d'oeuvres and suitably pleasant mood music at a friend's house. There was a newborn baby, some married couples, some friends that were newly engaged. The host was wearing an apron. It was a pleasant setting, to be sure. We left after 20 minutes.

There was a highly civilized dinner party for another friend's birthday that was beautifully prepared with all of the accoutrements you might expect from such a classy affair, including candles and quiet music. The dinner was top notch, and the conversation only veered into the realm of inappropriateness a dozen or so times. (It is probably worth mentioning that this dinner party took place at my buddy's mom's house, and that we have been attending this function every year since his 15th birthday. Whether that fact makes us more or less mature is open for debate.)

There was yet another civilized party that we dropped in on at the house of a married couple we know. There were plenty of hors d'oeuvres and happy couples. There was even a Karaoke machine. It had all of the makings of a very enjoyable evening... But we only stayed at this particular party for half an hour. We needed to get back to Toronto. There was a time warp awaiting. We needed to dial in to 1999.

Our designated driver (God bless her soul) drove us back to the city, and we dropped off the car. We proceeded to drink in public on our walk to the subway, and then again while riding the subway. We arrived at the bar (The Underground Garage) shortly after 11pm. A friend had rented out this particular bar for a private party, and it warrants mentioning that we had previously attended a private New Year's Eve party in this exact bar in the year... you guessed it: 1999. You really can't make this stuff up.

So what do you do when you're 30 years old and you enter a bar 30 minutes prior to midnight on New Year's Eve? You proceed to drink yourself into complete and utter oblivion with a bunch of 30 year olds who are also under the impression that it is 1999.

In all honesty, this was one of those legendary New Year's Eve parties that goes way beyond raucous. It was triple-fisting bottles of Labatt 50 all night long. It was endless rounds of Jagermeister, Sambuca, and Liquid Cocaine. It was completely inappropriate comments at unbelievably inappropriate times (when I complemented a pregnant friend by telling her how great she looked, my buddy Foley - celebrating his 29th birthday on this night - shot back with the greatest line in the history of primetime television: "Now Drew, I'll be the first to admit that I often think of pregnant women while disgracing my body in the shower, but to actually date one?? That's just perverted"). It was couples going at it on the dance floor like Spike and Shane on Degrassi. It was rocking out to the band as they cranked out Tom Petty and Big Wreck covers. It was bumping into TSN's own Jennifer Hedger, engaging in a boderline meaningful conversation, and then having said conversation hijacked by my endlessly-networking brother. It was calling my parents at 2:30 in the morning and serenading them with whatever song the band happened to be playing at that time (my dad hung up halfway through the phone call, unbeknownst to us as we kept wailing away. His response to our well-wishes when I spoke to him today? "That was fucked up..."). It was drunkenness to the point of tears. And it was stumbling out of the bar at 3 o'clock in the morning and walking home alone in -15 degree weather, falling flat on my ass on Queen Street because my Cherry Docs were completely unsuitable for snowy conditions, and because my condition was somewhere between weaving-into-oncoming-traffic and comatose.

In short, it was everything New Year's Eve is supposed to be.

And not that there's anything wrong with candles, kids, quiet music, and hors d'oeuvres; it's just that those things weren't really my bag in 1999. And as far as I can tell, it's going to be 1999 in my world for quite some time to come.

One more NYE note:

I love the text messages and voicemails that are exchanged every New Year's Eve. The best of the night came from my buddy Sweet Nate (he of The Boozy Call fame). A bunch of my "grown-up" highschool buddies attended one of the civilized, mature parties that you might expect people approaching middle age to attend on New Year's Eve. And in his message, he had me completely sold on his whole grown-up status. His message was sombre, profound, heartfelt, meaningful... All of it... Right up until the very end:

All my groomsmen are here... Four of them: Damen, Stinky, Skeeter, Phatty... You're the missing link... I pause, because I'm smoking a cigar... I love you to death. I love you. I love your family. You're important to me... Happy New Year, brother... I will see you in the new year. You are gonna be the man at my wedding. Make some notes. Take them mentally... Maybe a slide show. We'll be in touch... I love you. All the best for 2009...... I hope your penis gets bigger.

I couldn't be happier about the fact that there's still a trace of 1999 coursing through his veins.