Happy New Year

HateT&T

You always hear about the guy who got a mouse in his McDonald's order. Sure one in every billion Chicken McNuggets is a mouse head, but what about the other 999,999,999 golden delicious nuggets? Same goes for Verizon. I have had Verizon since I was a tween and I've never had to complaint. You hear the stories about the guy who some how got screwed with a $10,000 bill once in a while, but that's what happens when you're the number one cell carrier in America. I love Verizon.

Over a year ago we moved to Northport where Verizon's service is crap. Even the East Northport Verizon store can't get a signal. The iPhone had just come out and being a designer and a mac guy, I had planned on buying one at some point. At the time it was still $600 so I was okay with waiting but since I needed to switch service anyhow, I got set up with the iPhone provider - AT&T.

The AT&T signal is sufficient in Northport and the little phone I bought was excellent. It was my 60th cell and by far the most durable. I am not exaggerating when I say my girlfriend washed and dried it with the laundry and it still worked. Christen had bought the same phone and one morning after a bender in Key West, we woke up find the screen of her phone looked like a decorative snow globe. Filled with water. You could shake it and it looked like a digit blizzard. But it still worked.

They were solid phones but the rough-houseing got the best of mine after about 6 months. It couldn't have come at a worse time. I was meeting a couple friends at one of the 10 bars in Bay Shore. Which one was unclear because I was going to be there about an hour before everyone else. They could simply call me to see where I was. I'd rather not go into the details of that night but I can say that with out notice my phone had given up on me.

I went to AT&T to get the insurance information on my phone. That's where I learned somehow I didn't have insurance. hm? I have always had insurance. I guess when I switched over to AT&T I had forgotten to set it up. That explains why Christen's bill was always slightly more than mine. Small oversight on my part but not the end of the world. It was time to upgrade to the super phone.

Before I bought the super robot phone, Christen got me a mac gift card for the iPhone price. It had come come down from $600 to $500 new (still overpriced) and $200 with an new AT&T contract. Emphasis on new. Because I was only 6 months into my contract, they wouldn't give me the phone for the $200s (the value of the gift card). If I wanted to set up the iPhone it would be the full $500 regardless of being an AT&T customer. Bull shit. The main reason I switched was for the iPhone down the line. Why didn't the guy I switched with mention this detail. He knew my intentions. Seriously? The $200 deal is for new customers only? People who are switching from a different company or being asked to start a new contract. At Verizon if ever I wanted to buy a new phone I could get it at the contract price and the two years would just start over from that point. Not with AT&T. It was either pay full price or wait until I was up for renewal. F this. I walked out.

Rather than dealing with the problem I just ignored it. I spent the end of the summer without a phone. I felt betrayed and it was to painful to deal with so I just didn't. After about 2 months I heard of the family plan. The family plan: For an additional $9.99 a month you could share minuets with another line. I went to the mac store and told them I wanted to turn my current line into a family plan and the new phone I wanted to add was the iPhone. No problem. That will be $200. Done. I got the phone for the contract price and all I'd be out was the 10 bucks until I can cancel my original line. I win.

This time I asked for insurance but, sadly, they don't do insurance on the iPhone. It is too expensive to insure so... no luck. Well to be safe I planned in getting a case and the screen cover... at some point. About 3 weeks later I am walking into the new Croxley Ales in Farmingdale to meet some friends. I went to stick my new super amazing robot phone in my inside jacket pocket... and missed. Four feet away it hit the sidewalk completely shattering. Piece of shit. In the iPhones defense it still worked flawlessly, I just had to deal with a plate of shattered splinters going into my finger.


When I got back to the Mac store my finger was bleeding. I figured there would be a way to replace the glass for a smaller fee than completely replace the phone. They said sure. $200. Okay, sounds fare. Let's do it. He took out the sim card, threw out the phone and opened a new iPhone package. When you have to fix or replace anything on the iPhone it's $200. They just give you a new one at the new contract price.

I guess when all was said and done I ended up paying $500 for the phone anyway. The first $200 plus the second $200 plus the $100 for the case and screen cover that I did purchased with my replacement. I don't really blame or hate AT&T. But they're no Verizon, that's for sure.

Oh, and there was a fried mouse in my phones box—spread the word.

She and Cutie

The first couple of indie rock. She & Him's Zooey Deschanel is engaged to Death Cab for Cutie's Ben Gibbard.


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Ben Gibbard and Zooey Deschanel performing together in August 2008
Can't wait to see what Baby Mozarts these two produce.
Photo: Timothy Norris/Getty Images

If Kerouac Wrote Music

There was this band that kept poppin up on XM. The name was too long to remember so it took noticing them probably 10 times before I wrote it down. Margo and the Nuclear So and So's. When I went to buy the album I couldn't find it. Not even on iTunes. Turns out the band pressed it's first album of only a limited number and they ran out. Crazy. I really wanted the album because the 2 songs I had heard I thought I loved. I knew I liked them, but because it was so rarely I heard the songs I wasn't positive it was full blown love.

It was about 3 years ago and I had a trip to DC coming up that would require an early, early train ride from Penn. Turned out Margot was preforming the night before down at Mercury Lounge so I figured what the hoot, catch them and stay the night. That night I get to the venue with no ticket but at Mercury, if the band is an obscure act, typically you can buy tickets at the door. I was one of the first to arrive so I had plenty of time to spend at the bar. As I sit there, slowly people file in and the two other bands set up some merch. Also small acts, I don't remember who they were. Probably some little band MGMT or something.

Eventually, some little guy shows up and starts setting up Margot stuff. I go over hoping to buy my girlfriend a shirt or whatever. I ask the guy if he knew anything about an album. He tells me they would be re-releasing it soon and in the mean time he gave me their 4(?) song EP for free. I thanked him and explained how I thought I might love the band but I wasn't sure. He then thanked me and excused himself politely. He walked up to the stage and then onto the stage. He was the lead singer of Margot and the Nuclear So and So's.

What followed was the most magical performance I have ever witnessed. Have you ever watched a show that brought you to tears. An ensemble of almost a dozen people all beautifully banging away at there respective instruments (and sometimes toys). Not rock stars but young talented kids all acting out the same beautiful story in the same beautiful play. Not sobbing but definitely misty.

The bio I had in my head was this: By luck these guys all happened to live in the same mid-West town or surrounding area. They were kind of bums for the sake of following their music but none of them were really exceptionally talented enough to become famous on their own. Except for one; the driving visionary of the group. By his lead they were all given direction. The kept odd jobs and all lived together while they played and grew together. It was like the fight club house. They cut a small record which made it's way only to a couple places. One of which was XM. They bought a crappy van and drove to Mercury Lounge.

The visionary I assumed was the lead singer, who I also gave the story telling credit. Lyrics like Kerouac. When the act was over I went over to him on stage to express my gratitude and let him know I was pretty sure about my opinion now. He thanked me again and gave me his pick.

Since then I have seen these guys four or five times and I will see them as many more. No show has been as good as the first but all have been great. I blame the recession on booze and the road but I am sure you will agree—they are still impressive.

Everyone meet Margo. Margot, everyone.


Margot and the Nuclear So & So's - As Tall as cliffs - A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

Austin City Limits 2008

It's been over a month since my girlfriend Christen and I had the privilege of attending Austin City Limits (ACL) in Austin Texas. The festival was three days—Friday September 26 through Sunday the 28th—and as best I can, I'd like to share this experience:

I was invited to attend a bachelor party in Vegas for a friend who I am loosely aquatinted. Not close enough to go to the wedding, but close enough to celebrate his marriage over drinks and a craps table. It was scheduled for late August. I was excited. I'd never been to Vegas and I enjoy giving money away by the thousands. I had saved up a good amount and I had already written a check for the airfare and hotel. We were good to go.

Christen didn't seem to mind like some girlfriends would in a young relationship. At least that's what she said. But as soon as everything was all set up for Vegas, she pulls this move. Vampire Weekend, MGMT, Jenny Lewis, Conor Oberst, Tegan and Sara, Silversun Pickups and Foo Fighters all performing late September. I love music, I think more so than the average plumber. Live music is a regular part of our agenda and over the past three years Christen and I have probably seen 100 different shows together, all of which have been here on the east coast.

A slight problem I've been having is I feel we are getting older but Bamboozle and Warped Tour have stayed the same age. This line up was Warped Tour for adults. Beck, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, Gnarls Barkley, The Raconteurs, N.E.R.D., The Mars Volta, David Byrne, Against Me!, Iron & Wine. This show was perfect for me. It was however all the way down in Texas and to get there would mean flight and hotel. It would probably cost about as much as I had saved to get to Vegas and I simply couldn't afford both. I had to make a decision. An easy one. I got my money back for the flight and hotel and booked our new trip to the Mid-West. (Did Christen trick me?)

Every year, for the last 10 years or so, ACL puts together about 150 bands, from the big names to the up-and-comers, scheduled over three days between eight stages. It is held across a river from the beautiful, young and hip city of Austin in Zilker Park. Because there are so many bands you would think there is a good chance you will find yourself having to make some tough choices, but for the most part they line acts up so people with certain musical tastes can easily thread their itinerary together. One person could spend Sunday with Octopus Project, Flyleaf, Against Me! Silversun Pickups, Okkervil River, The Raconteurs, Band of Horses and Foo Fighters. Simultaneously someone else could have been watching Priscilla Ahn, Stars, Neko Case, Blues Traveler, Gnarls Barkley, Tegan and Sara and, of course, Foo Fighters.

As far as mileage on the body festivals like these can be tough, especially in a hot field in Texas, but the presenters have put together one of the best run, most considerate events I have ever attended. I've been a part of my share of dirt and heat festivals where I've left swearing off music for good. This on the other hand was well controlled. Between the handful of shaded lounge areas and free water stations and countless "bars" set up around the grounds, the heat wasn't an issue. They even have Mister stations: fans set up streaming a constant blast of cool mist. The food court offered what seemed like every type of cuisine found on this planet, just short of fresh sushi. There was a huge merch center and a little arts market. The parking and shuttle arrangement was perfect. I over heard the bus driver say there were over 300 buses relaying people all day long between town and the park. I have helped with hosting both a concert and an expo and knowing what goes into these production, these guys do it right.

Here are some of the highlights for me.

What Made Milwaukee Famous: Milwaukee is actually from Austin. Early this year I had heard their single Sultan and immediately deemed it 2008 song of the summer. The song has been played in my life hundreds of times and you would think it would be beaten down by now, but oddly enough, it's still going strong. I bought the album but didn't really love anything else on it. Live however I got a slightly different perspective of the band. The are all very good live musicians (and very good looking) and watching them play in anticipation of that one song, I really enjoyed everything else they were doing. Great start to the weekend.

Vampire Weekend: I love this band. i am actually going to put them on right now. The are very creative and original. It has a sound like something reminiscent of the 80's and lead singer Ezra Koenig looks like a television star from the same era. At the show they were spot on with all of there tracks and the three or four songs from the new album seem to be, believe it or not, even better. If you are interested in catching them Live they are about to do a couple nights at Terminal 5.

Jenny Lewis: As a huge Rilo Kiley fan you would think I am all over Jenny Lewis. But for some reason I have been slow to check out her solo work. I wasn't that into Rabbit Fur coat even though I haven't really given it a try yet and I wasn't really excited for her new Acid Tongue. I think allot of what I love about Rilo Kiley is the quirkiness and allot of that comes from the entire band, mostly Blake Sennett. Regardless, she was a main draw for me coming down to Austin. She has assembled a different band which is comprises male singer Jonathan rice. The band might actually be his band and Jenny just joined in. At least thats the feeling I get from how in sync they all are and how much love you feel on stage. We got up nice and close and they amazed us. What Jenny really brings to Rilo Kiley and now this new album is excellent story telling. Even Christen who has always kidded around about hating her because of how cute she is and how attracted to her I am can not deny Jenny's excellence. Come to think of it, I think I'm going to put Acid Tongue on.

Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band: I don't remember and I loved it.

Swell Season: An Irish bartender has suggested I checkout the movie Once. He said "if you love singer songwriters you will love this". It is a film about a young street musician with a guitar who hooks up with a young lady with a piano and they make an album. It is completely not a Hollywood film with allot of music. I thought I was watching the biography of Damien Rice and Lisa Hannigan. From that movie spawned the band The Swell Season, Glen Hansard (also lead-singer of The Frames) and Marketa Irglova. I bough the album. As I listened closer it seemed to me everything great about them was stolen from Damien Rice. I kind of dismissed the album because of it's plagiarism until ACL. The sun had just set and the crowd was huge. So was their sound. It was brilliant. it was beautiful. Seeing them Live helped me identify them as really very different from Damien Rice, who I have also seen. One of the highlights of the performance was Hansard covering Van Morrison's Astral Weeks. It really displays how passionate and talented he is. Highlight of the weekend.

MGMT: These kids are too cool for the field. You could have sworn they were headlining. We couldn't get even close to close enough. Top image

Octopus Project: This was not a performance I had intended on catching but the base beat you could feel from three stages away just pulled me in. This was a large ensemble of young multi-instrumented musicians just whaling away. It had a very heave DJ feel that followed no typical structure. For me it was somewhere between Minus the Bear and Sigur Ros. I've been meaning to dig deeper into them. I'll let you know how it goes.

Against Me!: It was the first protest I've ever been apart of.

Silversun Pickups: They have been referred to as the new Smashing Pumpkins which accurately describes how different, weird, talented they are. But they really inspire a feeling unique to Silversun Pickups. This is what I looked forward to most. So much so that I left the band I was watching about 45 minuets before Silversun went on just to get up close. They were on one of the bigger stages and when I got there apparently I wasn't the only one really intent on seeing them. The girls in front of me were smoking a joint before the band came out which seemed like a good idea. They came out and the crown filled in. Not even one song in one of the girls started throwing up and they had to get her out of there. The now empty area filled only by a little puke puddle gave us great perspective through the crowd. It's not uncommon for people not familier with the band to think lead-singer Brian Aubert is a girl. Aubert sings in a very meek and interesting tone that is easy on the ears. He can then turn that into this screech that sounds like metal hitting metal of a car crash. Very impassioned and very beautiful.

Tegan and Sara: Just as Swell Season had caught us just as the sun went down, Tegan and Sara had the perfect ambiance. Despite playing at the same time as Band of Horses, which would typically attract the same type of fans, This stage was packed. The twins are from Canada and one if not both are gay. They sang and played beautifully and exchanged stories and liberal views with the crowd. I went into it liking their music and owning all their albums but seeing them as a new Ani Difranco—really geared toward girls. I was wrong. It was for me.

Foo Fighters: A fireworks display is always ended with the grand finale. That's what this was. A firework grand finale complete with the flashing lights and explosive drum solos. Hit after hit. New versions of old songs. Every song expanded to sometimes 15 minutes. Dave Grohl entertains even between songs with jokes and stories and insults. Drummer and sometimes singer Taylor Hawkins drove allot of the show with showy drum solos and dramatic song ending that would end, start again, and end again. It was a two hour exhibit of professionals. Even though we had been beaten down from three days of sun and dancing, we had to see Foo to the end.

New to me: Priscilla Ahn, Okkervil River, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss

In addition to the show being just absolutely perfect, the city of Austin is great. An excellent night life. Bar after restaurant after museum after bar. Music thrives there. The entire experience was they greatest musical event I've been a part of and possible the best weekend of my life. Keep an eye on next years line up. If music is important to you and the acts look good, I couldn't recommend it more highly. And maybe I'll see you there.

Naturally

I thought this was important to share. www.maxwellanddunnes.com/

If you poke around www.longislandpress.com long enough you will find this. But for those of you that might have otherwise missed it or if you found me through other means than the press site, this is Maxwell and Dunne's Natural Steakhouse.

I deliver this url for two reasons.

First: because what they are doing over there is an amazing thing; a completely natural steakhouse striving to be as earth and human friendly as possible. Natural is just like saying organic but because they feed the cows allot of corn toward the end of their lives (to really make them delicious), which is not something they would do in the wild on their own, they have to call it natural, not organic. It's a very noble and high risk business model but I know the two proprietors and they both live this life. They have educated themselves of the hazards and benefits of what goes into our foods mostly for their families and daughters. Being that they also feed thousands of Long Islanders, they felt a responsibility to share this consideration with their patrons. Being a steakhouse it might take a while to catch on but if people give it a shot... man is it good.

Second and mostly: I want to brag for Ryan. Ryan is an extremely talented designer who is in charge of both our print ads and our online development. He cranks out print ad after print ad—at times 30 a day—and he still finds time to work on projects like this. He has a team of other designers to help him along the way, but this site was almost 100% Ryan. And it is excellent. Especially if you know what I know—he built it in about 2 weeks.

He'd never say it himself so... I just thought I'd brag a little for him.

Karma Cash

Sometimes I have to buy "props" for photo shoots. I do my best to find things among our staff I can borrow rather than going through the hassle of buying something and returning it. But when I can't find something, it's off to the store.

Last week we did a story on how parents are choosing to take their kids to soccer practice instead of church. The cover image we decide on was Jesus playing goalie in a soccer game and the ball is sailing by him. Because Halloween is right around the corner, finding a Jesus outfit wasn't a problem. As for the soccer equipment, I just ran around the corner to Woodbury Sports and picked up a ball and goalie gloves. Some men might have such equipment laying around the garage between their big metal tool rack and the vintage car they're restoring. You will find none of these things in my garage. In my garage the closest thing to sports equipment you will find is a hula-hoop.

I bought the items Tuesday, shot it at the park down the street Wednesday, and went to return the props Thursday. Thursday being Yom Kippur, Woodbury Sports was closed. At least that's what they thought. Lights were off and a sign stated Closed. The door however was unlocked. I yelled inside to see if maybe some employee had stopped by for a moment and they would lock up when they left. No answer.

As I drove back to the office I called the precinct to let them know the situation. The cop I spoke with said he would send somebody by to check it out and get in touch with the owners. He didn't ask anything about me including my name which I though was odd. I guess had I gone in and stolen anything I probably wouldn't be the type of person to call.

The following day I went away to the Bahamas (I'll tell you all about it as soon as I find a free moment). I didn't get back until last night and this morning I went to return the two items. When I bought them I told the woman cashing me out what I was using them for and that they would be returned. She said not a problem, I wouldn't even need a receipt because I was in the system now. Today, they let me make the return but because it had been more than 7 day I could only get store credit. I explained to the owner the relatively small deed I preformed the week before and he was relatively thankful. Enough so to give me my cash back. I did him a favor. He did me a favor.

Between the gloves and the ball it was about $100. That would have been $100 of store credit that would never get used... unless I break my hula-hoop.