Ticket giveaway!

Spider shown actual size.

Hello, boys and girls.

Seven Days is proud to announce the first show in our Hot Ticket Series! In conjunction with Higher Ground, we'll be promoting one concert per month. This not only means great music, but chances to win free passes to each event.

On Wednesday, Dec. 7, Big Apple-based trio Tarantula A.D. bring their classical 'n metal-infused crescendo rock to the Higher Ground Showcase Lounge.

The band are quickly becoming darlings on the indie scene. Their latest record, Book of Sand features vocal appearances from hipster faves Devendra Banhart and Cocorosie. And, according to web reports, they put on an absolutely riveting show. You'll want to check it out, if for no other reason than to brag about seeing them back when.

Click the flaming ticket for details about how to win free tickets to the festivities:

Name that tune.

This random title generator was designed for writers, but it'd be perfect for nascent neo-proggers trying to keep up with the Voltas.

Credit where credit due: http://wordsmiths.net/

Also: Why folks don't get my jokes.

Yay democracy!

Go here to vote for your favorite underground/indie music stuffs for '05.

Make sure you pick Dusted Magazine in the best online music site category!

Could be useful...

I found an alphabetical list of popular music stars' real names.

You're welcome!

Wanna play?

Burlington Telecom and me.

My esteemed co-worker and fellow blogger Cathy Resmer has had her eye on Burlington Telecom for a while. A recent post on 802 Online links to BT's new "triple play service." It looks terrific, and I really want to support this community technological endeavor.

Here's what I posted in Cathy's comments section:

OK. I was getting REALLY excited about their Premium package, which includes HBO, Cinemax AND Showtime for much less than Adelphia's "Silver" package, which only lets you choose one of the above. IFC and Sundance are included! Plus, they have DVR boxes, and you can customize your package. This means Brooke and I could choose the smallest phone setup (we don't need long distance) and the largest cable and internet bundle. (Heavy computer/cable users.)

Here's the rub: 71 Peru St. (mere feet away from the Post Office) is not in their initial service area. But oddly, most of the South End is. Hmmm, do I detect North End discrimination here? Does BT believe that the underpriveledged sods north of Maple Street don't deserve -- or can't afford, more likely -- to be part of this program? Here's their explanation:

"The Initial Service Area we will provide a unique variety of scenarios that involve underground cabling, aerial drops, rental multi-unit housing, single family homes, and small businesses. This variety will provide valuable experience while limiting expenses."

Whatever.

As you may infer from my flippantly juvenile use of the "W" word, I am annoyed.

BT does allow us North Enders a sliver of hope however: They claim that more areas "will be included soon." Of course, this depends on the success of the initial rollout.

I want this package before The Rapture, so sign up now, you lucky Southie bastards!

Mixing Bored.

This board doubles as a device for contacting dead loved ones.

Tonight there are two shows  that might be worth checking out — The Cush with Nest Material over at Club Metronome, and Lobot with the woefully named NYC band Morningwood at Higher Ground. Unfortunately I won't be attending either — I'm knee deep in mixes. It's probably for the best, as the finances are a tad tight at the moment, and booze is pricey.

So, let me know if you went to either of these shows. I'd particularly love to see Nest Material again, but I have a feeling that by the time I tear myself away from the music computer, I'll be too bleary-eyed to leave the house.

Brooke's got a poetry-esque reading at the Firehouse Gallery tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m. After that, we might try to catch the tail end of So Percussion's Steve Reich piece at the Flynn.

PS: Don't miss The End of the World!

Off to see the Wizard.

Fun for the whole family!

Chunk 'o randomness...

Nothing too exciting to report, but some of my fellow bloggers have uncovered a few funny links.

This one is via Candleblog. Hee-larious!

Here's another laugh riot from False 45th.

An article in the Guardian UK about convoluted modern music writing, courtesy BrooklynVegan.

Has anyone seen that documentary on The Minutemen? (Watt & Boon, not George Washington's  Kill Squad.)

I haven't. Really want to, though.

That and Sarah Silverman's movie.

Guns N' Roses are supposed to have a song on the Da Vinci Code soundtrack. The last official release from Mr. Rose and company was also tied to a film;  Ahh-nold's action-fest End of Days. That was back in 1999. Wonder if it'll be 6 more years before the next single?

Somtimes I check the official Gunner website to see if I played on Chinese Democracy and simply forgot.

A quick one, while he's away.

Here's some fast fun: The super-hipster BrooklynVegan recently linked to a compendium of bad album covers.

Name the rock group who have an album that shares a title with this post, and win a chance to do my dishes.

Hint: Band name in previous sentence!

I'm back.

Sorry for the break in updates, folks. I know how much you look forward to my peculiar humor and rants.

I was in sunny Florida, "meeting the parents."

While there, I swam with wild dolphins in the azure Gulf Coast, watched an aligator devour a giant snapping turtle and consumed expensive wine in an expensive hotel overlooking the ocean.

What were you kids doing?