Up to Our Knees

How low are you willing to go

Before you reach all your selfish goals

Punch line after punch line

Leaving us sore, leaving us sore

Absorbed in your ill hustling

Feeding a monster, just feeding a monster

Invasion after invasion

This means war, this means war

Someday you'll be up to your knees

In the shit you see

All the gullible that you mislead

Won't be up or it

Where to, will you relocate

Now that it's war, now that it's war

Weener

Oh how I love this band. I recently read a story about Dean Ween "borrowing" Carlos Santana's guitar to record the solo for "Transdermal Celebration" off of 2003's "quebec" album. It makes sense now that I think of it. Whether imitating or originating, Ween always did things their own way. 

One of the best live shows I've had the pleasure of seeing was Ween at Portland's Crystal Ballroom in 2003. It was one of those shows where it seemed incomprehensible to miss a second of. In fact, I was asked to go to the bar and grab a beer at one point during the set. I turned it down to remain firmly planted, or in that case, bouncing (the Crystal Ballroom is notorious for its bouncy flooring) along with the band and the audience. The following video was recorded that same year and brings it all back home. All hail the Boognish.

QOTSA

To be honest, I never really got into Kyuss because I never really liked John Garcia's voice. Some will say I'm crazy, others will agree that they don't like it either. When Josh Homme ventured out and put together Queens, it was a decision that undoubtedly stamped an X on the forehead of the believers and non-believers. 

While I still like their first album the best and the lineup continues to change as Homme sees fit - he likes to fire people regularly to keep things fresh - they are all good. Lately this one has been getting a lot of playtime. 

All Hail the Queen(s).

Music for a Mellow Monday

I almost forgot how great this album is until I stumbled across it again today.
Thanks, interwebs.

Elevated Sessions

Being a big fan of Austin Psych Fest, and admittedly have never gone, I recently stumbled into the Elevated Sessions, an eclectic mix of psychedelic, electronic, garage and other goodies. Enjoy.

There's a Reason Popeye Liked Spinach

While I've been on the psychedelic music roller coaster as of late, it's important to remember that the current trend of amazing bands bringing back this special genre got their influence from those who came before them. One such group is Boston's short-lived Ultimate Spinach. Their 1968 debut album included many goodies, including the standout opener, "Ballad of the Hip Dead Goddess." It's a romp that includes all the elements that make a great psych song: drony, tribal, and soaked with reverb, featuring lyrics that could be from a Slayer song in their prime such as, "Touch my hand and you will know / Touch my hand your heart will cold."

Remember to eat your veggies. 

Night Beats Bring the Ruckus to Lo-Fi

I'm still reeling from seeing Night Beats on Friday evening. Best show I've seen in a decade, easily. Those Seattleites by way of Texas are the real deal. Small venue, rowdy crowd, witnessing a band in their prime. It was so good I even had a 4-foot plastic Santa Claus statue bounce off my forehead at one point and helped Tarek, the bass player, levitate over our heads. Do not miss this band when they come to your city/town/street/basement/garage, etc. All-time.