Archive for November, 2007
November 26th, 2007
It’s true that I have an active profile on Myspace but I still maintain the fact that I resent it’s existence (though I do admittedly benefit from it). Before I signed up for an account I was active on the once-phenomenal, now-terrible Facebook. I rarely sign on under my Facebook account but when I signed on this last time I had a ‘New Notification’, and after reading it I was left shocked. It was an invitation for me to attend my high school 5 year reunion! 5 years! I couldn’t believe my eyes. First, the fact that it’s already been five years is a shocker. Second, what would I say? The conversations are sure to go something like this : “Hey, what’ve you been up to?”, I reply, “Remember all those things from senior year….yea…nothing’s really changed…you still dating that girl?”. I am as of yet undecided about whether or not I will attend. 10 years? Absolutely. 5? Hmm.
It got me thinking about high school and the friends I never see. One of these friends was named Greg and he was a year below me. We used to jam together when he was playing with his band, Lorenzo Sweat Band. That was at the start of my music playing days and thinking about it like that I’m happy with what I’ve accomplished. It turns out Greg has an older brother who also plays in a band. This band is more serious than Greg’s and they are terrific. They are called First Round Failure and I contacted them and asked them to provide some information about themselves.
First Round Failure is a 4 piece alternative pop/punk band based out of the suburbs of Chicago. They have been playing together since 2005 in and around the Chicago/Rockford area. Members include Phil Kondos (guitar), Tim Mackin (drums), Shaun Malott (bass), and Matt McGrath (vocals, guitar). They can be seen live at the ELB with Jonathan Bradley, and Hallway Paranoia on January 11th. Check out their tunes at www.myspace.com/firstroundfailure.
November 26th, 2007
Every sitcom should have Patrick Warburton. The fledging
TV format would be doing a lot better if this were the case. And even though it’s not the case, “Rules of Engagement” is one of the best sitcoms on TV. The show finds 40’s something couple Jeff (Warburton) and Audrey (Megyn Price) living down the hall from 20’s something couple Adam (Oliver Hudson) and Jennifer (Bianca Kajlich) with David Spade, playing single friend Russell, thrown in-between. All the actors are great, but Warburton practically steals the show with his deadpan demeanor and quirky humor. Luckily, Warburton is well-matched by Price, whose spunky Audrey perfectly counters Jeff’s over-the-top expectations. “Rules of Engagement” airs on Monday on CBS at 8:30.
November 26th, 2007

One season later, October Road is back on the air with higher marks, though the results still leave something to be desired. The shows centers around a writer named Nick (Bryan Greenberg), whose bestseller depicts his home town and friends in an unflattering light. Nick ultimately returns to town to face both his friends and his former lover Hannah (Laura Prepon). With well-rounded characters and a plot running at full steam, October Road has interesting dynamics, but can’t decide where to focus: Nick’s relationship with Hannah or his of friends. Despite Laura Prepon’s best efforts, the latter direction boasts better writing and a more thoughtful story. October Road airs on Thursday on ABC at 9:00 PM.
November 19th, 2007
According to Merriam-Webster’s, Zenith is defined as : a culminating point. I feel that on Sunday I reached this point in my life. For those of you who read this column on a regular basis you may recall that several weeks back I was a little negative when referring to my state of mind at the time. Several good things happened to me on Sunday as a result of a ‘culmination’ of things. Firstly, Sunday represented an accomplishment at my job that I have been working to achieve for a year. Secondly, I got a chance to see the Green Bay Packers defeat the Carolina Panthers at Lambeau Field. Being there is a magical thing, it really is. I had the opportunity to attend a game last year but it resulted in a loss. This time around I not only witnessed a win but I was able to share the experience with my fiance’. This is extra good, obviously, because chances are this event helped spur an interest in football for my her which would, of course, allow me to watch football more in the years to come.
Now music. On this topic there has been a considerable amount of action in recent weeks. I’m excited to announce that I will be playing a set with First Round Failure and Mike Honson at the ELB in Rockford on January 11, 2008. I really want you to come - seriously, I’m not joking. I would be extremely happy to see a Go NOW presence at this event. I know that people are reading this and no matter what I’m surprised when I hear about that. There’s not much initial reward in writing a column, no matter who or what it’s for. When one plays a set, for example, there’s an immediate response to your contribution but with writing for something like the Go NOW it’s more an investment I suppose. To that end, thank you the reader for the time you take in reading this. Thank You. The majority of next week’s article will be MUSIC UPDATES. Check in next week and Happy Thanksgiving!
November 19th, 2007
If only Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum could switch places with James Patterson’s Lindsay Boxer (Angie Harmon). While Plum must vent her love life troubles through every quirky case she works, Lindsay Boxer’s love life seems to coincide with her cases. When Boxer has a bad date, the entire police station – and several suspects – seems to line up at her doorstep, making the crime drama seem glib. On the other hand, the show has a solid premise, as a cop, a reporter, an assistant D.A and an examiner all intersect to solve mysteries together as frequently as girl’s night out. The show seems so focused on Boxer as opposed to her more-interesting partners that it suffers. The Women’s Murder Club airs on ABC Fridays at 8:00.
November 19th, 2007
With shows like “Damages”, “The Shield” and “The Riches”, FX has a franchise on the morally ambiguous, and “Nip/Tuck” is almost a step in the same direction – though it confuses style with substance. The tale of two extremely successful LA plastic surgeons, “Nip/Tuck” does well with creating characters we love to hate, but not so much with character we really like. The only exception to this rule is the Julian McMahon’s ironically-named Christian, who despite bouts of sleazy megalomania is ostensibly the only transparent character is the entire show. “Nip/Tuck” is a truly provocative show, but like its premise, it becomes far too enamored with its own twisted beauty for its own good. Nip/Tuck airs on FX Tuesday at 9 P.M.
November 12th, 2007
No, “House” hasn’t become a reality TV show, though the parallels are unmistakable. After his team essentially implodes last season, the grumpy doctor gathers together a group of medical miscreants to compete for places on his new team. Many of these prospective doctors follow House’s maverick lead, leading to competition for the spotlight which ranges from life-threatening from downright ruthless. Fortunately the contest itself isn’t center stage – House is, and four seasons haven’t dampened the rude and morally-challenged medical practitioner’s skills or sarcasm. Easily one of the most compelling shows on prime-time, “House” still has plenty of thrills left in its medicine bag. “House” airs on Fox Tuesdays at 8:00 P.M.
November 11th, 2007
Now I’ve never much been a fan of the longtime silver medalist, Burger King. At all times during the day I would much rather grab a McD’s or a tasty Culver’s instead. This all changed when after viewing a life-changing commercial I decided to break my self-imposed boycott of BK. This commercial depicted three innocent soccer mom’s finding themselves reduced to having to plead for the King’s blood to be shed. What I said might’ve just shocked you, but let me reiterate. They wanted the King DEAD!! Now you may be thinking, “What could possibly drive a human to such action?”. I’ll tell you. It was Burger King’s newly released, Double Bacon Homestyle Melt. Holy something - this thing is delicious. I’m not joking with you right now. I realize this article is called, “The Music Scene”, but allow me to validate this topic. I feel with 100% of my being that in 2 years time the Billboard Top 10 List will be peppered with songs titled something like, “You’re not my Homestyle”, “I Can’t Help but Melt in Your Arms”, and quite possibly, “I Love Homestyle Melts”. You might also be asking yourself, “Is this guy losing it?”. Maybe. BUT - discover for yourself what lies in between those two slices of glorious buttered bread. Ok, on to more musical matters. There is a new acoustic artist from Rockford who is establishing a presence on Myspace. His name is Mike Honson (www.myspace.com/mikehonsonmusic). He is recording some new stuff and I think people will really get in to his sound. I don’t know Mike very well but I’ve gotten a chance to have some dialogue with him and I like what he’s about and where he’s coming from. He’s young and new - but think of this - it’ll give people a chance to see just how a young artist develops. Check him out. Thanks.
November 5th, 2007
At the height of the Seth MacFarlane hit’s peak, it seems like a blasphemous question. But even though the answer is a resounding “Yes”, the question still needs to be asked. As of 100 episodes, the Kool-Aid Man crashing through the wall never gets old, but sometimes pop cultures homage for the stake of pop culture homage does become long in the tooth. Make no mistake, Family Guy is still the hilarious breakneck comedy fans have embraced season after season, but only at its most random is Family Guy ever as electrifying and side-splitting. Family Guy concludes the second part of its 100th episode 8:00 PM on Sunday.
November 5th, 2007
A spin-off to Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice has Kate Walsh leading an ensemble cast of actors pulled from dumped ABC series, including Taye Diggs (Daylight) and Tim Daly (The Nine). The show works surprisingly well through well-cast character interaction, with the warm California colors highlight the spin-off’s contrast to its parent series. The show is admittedly better suited tackling the vibrant romances of its lead characters than taking on the ethics of modern medicine, but this isn’t actually a bad direction for the show. Still, the conflict between these two themes might very well decide the show’s fate. Private Practice airs on ABC Wednesdays at 8:00.
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