Movie of The Month: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.

Truly an epic, American, classic film.  It is definitive of the Western genre, falling into the category of the Spaghetti Western as it was directed by Italian film director Sergio Leone.  Typically the quality of the Spaghetti Western were sub-par, however, Leone's films are considered some of the greatest Western films of all time.  The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly was the third installment and prequel to A Fistful of Dollars and For a Few Dollars More.  The film accompanies Leone's brilliant screen writing with director of photography Tonino Delli Colli's beautiful, sparse, and sweeping cinematography along with film score composer Ennio Morricone's iconic musical themes.

I confess I have not seen many Westerns and therefore my opinions are limited and sophomoric at best.  But I certainly enjoyed the film.  It epitomized restraint and displayed a penchant for allowing the dramatic elements of the story to build gradually, which I appreciated very much.  Let's just say I appreciate the slow build, big fan; allows for a stronger definitive conclusion.

This particular Western provides the acting skills of Eli Wallach (the ugly), a young Clint Eastwood (the good), and Lee Van Cleef (the bad).  I will say that they don't make movies like they used to.  This style of film does not really fly with today's standard of limited attention spans.

Anywho, perhaps you will indulge in this classic American gem of the cinema and enjoy it or not.  Perhaps you are already a fan of the film.  Either way, give it up for classic Western film.

Speaking of film, I would again like to direct your attention to Calm Dog Productions.  My cousin Lee and girlfriend Jenna have started a film production company which is doing great stuff out of New Orleans.  Check 'em out!

Calm Dog online
Calm Dog Facebook page

Til next time

Ty

MOVIE TIMES WITH 28 NORTH (NOT MOVIE OF THE MONTH) & THE MINT THIS FRIDAY!

So we caught a few flicks recently.

I’ll start with our first questionable extravaganza - G.I.Joe: Retaliation 3D.  I know, many of you have immediately reacted with an audible groan and subsequently “de-liked” us on Facebook.  However, I am not one to shy away from harsh honesty and my juvenile excursion into the realm of nostalgia.  That is correct.  Guess who was a MASSIVE G.I. Joe enthusiast as a child?  This guy.  So there is that and I was also not going to accompany Taylor and Kristle to see Evil Dead.  I do not do horror.  Not for me.

Anywho, I completely enjoyed the movie.  Was it shitty?  Absolutely.  Entertaining though?  100%.  The action was fun, the dialogue hilariously bad, and the story - horrifically predictable and inconsequential to my enjoyment.  There is a distinct entertainment that a crappy movie provides.  It allows me to embrace the awareness that I am consuming a product intended to entertain a much less mature demographic than I (or rather the immature demographic deeply ingrained in my psyche).  Also, Mike and I were the only patrons in the theater, which is my preferred setting to take in a flick.  It allows one to kick back (literally) and howl at the movie screen and be obnoxious with no regard for others, just like at home.  Super fun.  And on a side note, I recently attempted to watch some of the old cartoon on Netflix, let’s just say animation has come a looooooong way.

Next up we have Jurassic Park 3D.  For starters, this is simply one of the greatest movies of all time in my opinion.  I have probably watched it a hundred times, I know nearly the entire script by heart.   But I never did see this movie in the theater.  My folks wouldn’t let me even though I was probably eleven years old at the time it came out.  Not to mention this was at a time when a movie could stay in theaters for like two years!  I mean COME ON!!  Anywho, I subsequently had a Jurassic Park themed birthday party when it came out on VHS (that’s right) and watched the movie obsessively.  So, seeing this epic monumental film on the Imax 3D big screen was a bit of a dream come true for me.  Unfortunately there were no extra scenes added but it looked incredible and I can only imagine the amount of work it took to adapt the film to fit the big screen 3D parameters.  So in my unnecessary opinion – totally satisfied.  I encourage fans of the movie to go see it in Imax 3D.  As for those who were not born when the film came out, probably not for you.  But that’s okay, you can go see Oz The Great and Powerful or whatever.  Which I also saw and it did not merit any commentary from me...

So there you have it.  I’ll have the official “Movie of The Month” for you later this week.

Also, we are very excited to be playing at The Mint this Friday April 26^th in Los Angeles!  For those in Southern California, this is a show not to be missed.  The Mint is truly a fabulous venue and very much worth a visit.  Not only one of the best clubs in Los Angeles but one of my favorites that I have ever played.  So please join us and catch this fantastic show that will feature The Empire Assembly, Porter Lori, Caty Ivy, and Almost Classy!  ‘Twill be EPIC!!  Tickets/info here.

Til next time,

Ty

TYENCE! Adventures in Griffith Park Part 1

That's right folks!  Time for another questionable edition of TYENCE!

So.  This past week we had a grand ole time visiting the Los Angeles Zoo and Griffith Observatory located in Griffith Park.

It was my first time to both of these fine establishments and I was not disappointed. 

Though the LA Zoo may not be the San Diego Zoo or even the Cleveland Zoo for that matter, it is certainly a quality institution.  The lush rolling hills of Griffith Park provide for a scenic and rigorous stroll through the fine display of wildlife from around the world.

They had all the classics: zebras, elephants, tigers, giraffes (my personal favorite), and gorillas.  The lion exhibit was temporarily non-existent which was unfortunate as what is a zoo without a lion, and the black bear was nowhere to be seen when I passed by.  This particular zoo is also devoid of polar bears which I find rather disconcerting.  I do not mean to say this zoo sucks but they could certainly step it up a little bit.

This Mountain Goat was looking for a fight

Giraffes are the coolest

So.  Griffith Observatory. 

An iconic Los Angeles landmark.  This place is pretty neat.

Its location atop Griffith Park provides a commanding view of Los Angeles that is amazing.  The building itself is beautiful and underwent a massive renovation within the last decade.  Part of the renovation included an addition which contains a giant star map, displays with info of our solar system, a section dedicated to earthquakes with a seismometer, and the Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon theater.  That can all be found in the basement area.  Upstairs on the first floor you find the pendulum in the main entrance, hallways with brief educational displays, and the sun room which is dedicated to, you guessed it, the sun.  There is another wing and the planetarium which I did not get to.  Alas, another trip to Griffith Observatory is warranted.

Downstairs, the new addition

Til next time,

Ty

Album of The Month

Dawes - Stories Don't End

I really cannot stop listening to this record.  It is so gratifying when you get to witness a great band become greater.  And Dawes truly has with this most recent effort.

Stories Don't End is a continuation of the groups' mature, heartfelt approach.  Sonically, Dawes departs from the gritty roots production of Jonathan Wilson and embraces the cleaner and ethereal aesthetic of producer Jacquire King (Kings of Leon, Norah Jones, Tom Waits).  And I approve of this shift with grand emphasis.  Now Dawes' previous two releases were truly wonderful, however I find Stories Don't End naturally more exciting.  Even in the softer sparse tunes there is a sense of immediacy and intensity that I prefer.

Singer, writer, guitarist Taylor Goldsmith has outdone himself lyrically on this record.  He has sneakily become one of the greatest songwriters of his generation with lyrics that resonate in unexpected chambers of the heart.  Lines like,

"Have you ever thought your little girl glamour shots
And the events of that whole day spent at the mall
Is maybe a part of you, you didn't know you were clinging to
As if that's where the secret had taken it's hold most of all"

slap me in the face with a subtlety that gives me cause to rearrange my entire concept of self.  Now even if I got these words right, I still could not explain why the sharpness of these lyrics hit me with such gravity.  And therein lies the beauty of songwriting.

The record begins abruptly with an affect that is both soothing and startling at the same time.  It continues with undeniable grooves which drummer Griffin Goldsmith drives with accumen beyond his years while he simultaneously adds vocal harmonies and occasional leads that provide a welcome and satisfying curveball.  There is nothing like siblings harmonizing but these dudes really nail it.  Bassist Wylie Gelber bestows lines that bump and thump and define perfection.  I particularly love the breakdown section which features Gelber grooving hard underneath Goldsmith's vocal in "Someone Will", he truly shines here.  Keyboardist Tay Strathairn feeds the maturity meter with his beautifully composed organ and piano parts.  Nothing allows a band to rise to incredible heights as well crafted keyboard parts can and Strathairn kills in this department.  I am also quite pleased with the choice to include Blake Mills' fantastic song "Hey Lover" on the record.  Dawes really nail this number and the song provides a perfect alternative palette with its bold and at times raunchy lyrical content.

Stories Don't End is a fabulous record.  Well done sirs.

Key tracks: "Just Beneath the Surface", "From a Window Seat", "Most People", "Hey Lover", and "From the Right Angle".

Dawes - Stories Don't End on iTunes
Dawes - Stories Don't End on Spotify

Happy listening,

Ty

Spring Shows and Feelin' The NOLA Funk

Howdy folks!

First off, got some shows this month I'd like to tell you about.

On Friday April 12th we will making our first appearance at El Cid in Los Angeles.  We are excited to play a new venue and share some fresh tunes with you all.  Also, we are pumped to be on the bill with The Elizabeth Kill, Badwater, and Falling Still.  Gonna be a great show, do not miss!  More info here.  FACEBOOK Event.

Then on Saturday April 20th (420 bro) we will be returning to O'Brien's Pub in Santa Monica.  Always a blast to play all night long at this tiny beach town venue.

And on Friday April 26th we will be returning to one of our very favorite spots to play The Mint!  This room is truly one of the best in Los Angeles showcasing immense talent in an intimate setting.  We cannot wait to share the stage with Almost Classy, Caty Ivy, Porter Lori, and The Empire Assembly!  Without a doubt this will be a fantastic show!  Not to be missed!  Tickets/info here. FACEBOOK Event.

So, last night we had the pleasure of witnessing some true funk come alive at The Roxy Theater in the form of New Orleans-based Dumpstaphunk.  Wowsers was it a groovy show.  These cats throw down like only those from New Orleans can.  Led by Ivan Neville of the legendary New Orleans-based Neville family of musicians, Dumpstaphunk showcases the wicked skills of bassists Tony Hall and Nick Daniels III, Neville family member Ian Neville on guitar, and Neville family member Nikki Glaspie holding it down on drums.  All of them stellar musicians.  A little sample:


Dumpstaphunk online
Dumpstaphunk iTunes
Dumpstaphunk on Spotify

We also had the grand pleasure of seeing Galactic perform at The El Rey theater last month.  The NOLA vibe runs strong and true and we have certainly gotten a quality dose recently.  In case you have not witnessed or heard the glory that is Galactic led by the superb drummer Stanton Moore,  please check them out:

Galactic online
Galactic iTunes
Galactic on Spotify

Ty