For Your Consideration: Midlake Sounds Like: CSNY & The Moody Blues goes to college. For Fans Of: Nuggets. Led Zeppelin, Sea Wolf Album:The Courage Of Others (Released 2/2 – Bella Union) Free Live Set MP3: The Denton Session (Guardian UK) Streaming:NPR Music First Listen Websites:Midlake.net
It took me a bit to get into this Denton, TX band Midlake. Their music reminds me of everything Led Zeppelin did that required a flute. I would be remiss in forgetting to tell you that in addition to the CD and digital album release, the band will release a deluxe edition of The Courage Of Others, featuring a copy of the band’s short film directed by Jason Lee, a double LP, 45 rpm version of the record and a 32-page book and a live CD. This theme of bands releasing short films with their records has been HUGE lately (see Melissa Auf der Maur post). Is this a big demand to the fans? Does it influence whether or not you’d buy the record? Leave us a comment and let us know!
It’s still the Summer of the SUPERGROUP! The next assembly to follow Chickenfoot, Monsters of Folk and the Dead Weather is THEM CROOKED VULTURES which feature Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters, Nirvana) on drums, vocalist & guitarist Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age, Kyuss, Eagles of Death Metal) and bassist & keyboardist John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin)…thats right LED FUCKING ZEP. The band also has Alain Johannes (QOTSA & Eleven) as live guitarist. The band’s debut album, Never Deserved the Future, will be released in October. Here is a clip!
If you come visit me in Chicago, I’ll probably feel obligated to take you for some classic deep-dish Chicago style pizza. But if you care about me at all, you’ll let me skip over the typical touristy crap, and take you straight to Kuma’s. The name may be Japanese, but this place is straight up American comfort food. Actually, the word ‘Kuma’ means ‘bear’ in Japan, which is where the spot’s namesake (the restaurant owner’s 8 year-old Akita) originated.
Kuma’s Corner is a dark, cozy, cave-like place, with an atmosphere that made a freak like me feel right at home the minute I first walked in. There where paintings of half-naked women with top hats and whips, the Blues Brothers movie was playing on the flat screens, and of course, heavy metal music was booming over the speakers.
Oh yeah, did I mention, every burger (giant, 1/2 pound monsters that would make a vegetarian tremble and weep at the sight of them) is named after a heavy metal band? That’s right, you can have an Iron Maiden, a Judas Priest, or even a Goblin Cock (if you dare). My first time, I had the Black Sabbath-blackening spice, chili, pepper jack, and red onion on a pretzel bread bun. It was a veritable meat party in my mouth (interpret that however you wish). ‘Multiple orgasms of the mouth’, I believe was my comment to my roommate. I didn’t even want to wash my hands when I got home, they smelled so heavenly. We’ve made a vow to never get the same thing twice, until we can check them all off the list.
This place is definitely packed on the weekends, or after any local metal or punk show in the area, but it is always worth the wait. In the summer, they have outdoor seating, and if you get bored waiting for a table (which I doubt is possible), chill at the bar and order a drink (I recommend the Mother Puncher or the Angel of Death).
Long story short, if you happen to be in Chicago, do yourself a favor and forget about Gino’s or Giordano’s. Get on a Belmont bus and hit up Kuma’s. And bring me with. It’ll knock your dick in the dirt.
For Your Consideration: Midlake
