Suggestions + Upcoming...

Hey all,

I'm hoping to redesign Couches on Fire this holiday break, and then we'd like to start putting flyers up around campus trying to inform the unwashed masses that yes, we are here. But before we started all that business I thought maybe I'd ask you, the readers, if you have any suggestions.

Also, it's too late by now but I hope some people are coming out tonight for M. Iafrate & the Priesthood's show. Out-of-towners are Drekka and Vollmar. The former is a side project of Bloomington, Indiana's Turn Pale, who usually channel goth and danceable post-punk at the same time (Bauhaus meets the Liars) but in this form are more compared to Xiu Xiu's creepy ass rantings. Vollmar are, I think, a couple of brothers playing folk music in a style that is compared to Dave Pajo, Nick Drake & Will Oldham. Sounds like a nice evening of alt-country and depressing folk. I'll try to write an account later in the week.

In the meantime, those of you who don't work in Charleston three days a week should count your lucky stars. This week not only will you be able to check out hyperactive new wavers the Epoxies on Monday night with a cavalcade of Myspace-supported punk acts including Against Me, but also get to see Canadian indiepop/dancepunk combo Kiss Me Deadly on Tuesday with newbies Black Giraffe and David Bello and his backing band who change names constantly. I am intensely jealous. Someone better review these shows to rub it in.

Lastly, we are getting another concert by a staple of 80's college rock in January. On Tuesday, January 17th, Camper Van Beethoven will be gracing the stage at 123 Pleasant Street. Surely as big of a coup as Mould at the Rosewood. You may remember Camper Van for their seminal Take the Skinheads Bowling, prominently featured in the documentary Bowling for Columbine. Or, if you will, the non-punk equivalent of the Dead Milkmen. Later, members of the band formed Cracker, whose Low was played constantly on MTV about 1995 or thereabouts. Regardless, mark your calenders.

Never Feel Neglected Again

Has anyone read the UnderDawg's (Oops! Vomited in my mouth again!) new NorthCentral Noize column in the Graffiti yet?

All is normal(ly shitty and boring), until His Royal Dawgness gives us his take on the Bob Mould show:

Down at the Rosewood, it was former Husker Du frontman Bob Mould, solo, on the Body Of Song tour. This guy has been through more permutations than I can count, but never fails to entertain, and he was right on with an affecting vocal style that was reminiscent of Sting, and a guitar technique that brings back memories of early 'Floyd, and Emerson-Lake, & Palmer (sic). He started the set acoustic with some high energy anthems to post industrial angst and finished up electric, which gave the room a strong college radio vibe. Good show. Mould is maturing into a classy, intelligent artist. Catch him if he's in town.

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Need I say more?

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Of course I do!

So I wrote Graffiti a letter:

Dear Once-Great West Virginia Entertainment Guide Whose Name I Refuse to Speak Out Loud,

It's funny how things change, isn't it?

Back when "The UnderDawg" began writing the "NorthCentral Noize" column, myself and a lot of other hardworking, independent musicians here in Touchdown City (you know, the ones that frequent that wacky, crazy "123" place?) were quite miffed by the fact that His Royal Dawgness deliberately ignored every Morgantown band that was worth hearing.

Now, after reading The Dawg's take on a performance by indie/punk legend Bob Mould
-- in which poor Bobby is compared to Pink Floyd, ELP, and Sting -- I realize that being ignored by the Dawgster is really a blessing in disguise, as our canine scribe has little to no musical frame of reference after 1974 or so. In other words, he don't know Dawggie Doo.

So Dawgman, keep up the good work, and keep ignoring us. Please.

Fair Enough,

James Marinelli

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I usually don't do things like this, but I have to let the Graffiti know that at least some of us have standards.