Godspeed, You Black Emperor
Casey Rea will be leaving Burlington in roughly one week — or as Casey might say, not fuckin' soon enough. I'm not sure that he planned it this way, but I do find it curious that the week he and his lovely wife Brooke chose to fly the coop is the one week that I'd likely have too much to write about in my column to publicly acknowledge his departure . . . Or maybe he just doesn't like jazz. In either case, shrewd move my dark friend — but you ain't getting off that easy.
I've known of Casey for some time, originally as the the guitarist for local metal heroes Rocketsled, then later as the quintessential record store guy at Pure Pop. It was there that I had my first real encounter with the man, the myth, the legend that is Casey Rea.
About four years ago, I wandered into the dank music Mecca to all things hipper-than-thou, looking for a birthday present for my younger sister, Ariel. At the time, she was particularly enamored with a certain cheesy songwriter named Mason Jennings, who'd just released a new album which, for the life of me, I couldn't find anywhere in the store. I'm typically not the type of person to ask a clerk a for assistance unless it's absolutely necessary, and what follows is a perfect example of why.
I approached the counter and asked an attractive young girl if she knew where I might find the record in question. Puzzled, she turned to the man in black behind her and asked if they had any left in the store. Looking up from some sort of paperwork, a pained expression crossed his face. "Bleccchh," was all he said before turning around and exiting the store through a door in the back.
I ended up buying the album at Borders, and Casey, you were right. The album was totally bleccchh.
I won't bore you — or piss off Casey — with fawning flattery. But I would like to say thanks. What we do isn't easy and Burlington has been very lucky to have an advocate — and critic — of your considerable abilities. I truly do have some big black shoes to fill.
Also, on behalf of Burlington, I'd like to say, Fuck The Washington Post.
I'm kinda broke, so this is all I could do as a parting gift, but I think you'll like it.
Good luck, man
Casey can make space portals appear via mystical means unknown to this generation of Men, but it only works at Pure Pop. And Brooke is totally lovely.
Posted by: Molly | Tuesday, June 05, 2007 at 08:52 AM
Take Care, Casey!
Posted by: bigbadbrad | Tuesday, June 05, 2007 at 11:38 AM
Vocalist, dude. I was the guitarist for a bunch of other crappy bands.
But thanks for the love. And you all know where to find me.
Posted by: casey | Tuesday, June 05, 2007 at 11:58 AM
Whoops! I knew that. Really, I did. That's what happens when you blog at 2 a.m. all hopped up on allergy medicine and PBR. My bad.
Posted by: dan | Tuesday, June 05, 2007 at 12:05 PM
My favorite mixer!
A decent substitute is Benadryl and Boone's Farm.
I should probably say something like, "do your homework," but you're ready to skip a grade or two, so fuck it.
Posted by: casey | Tuesday, June 05, 2007 at 12:39 PM
Tequila and 5-Alive is pretty sweet too.
I actually did poke around a bit on the interwebs, but even at BHW, there's precious little info left about Rocketsled. Or sadly, The Skamaphrodites ... sniff.
Serves me right for relying on my questionable memory. You were the drummer in Zola Turn though, right? ;-)
Posted by: dan | Tuesday, June 05, 2007 at 12:57 PM
When RS broke up, we went to great lengths to destroy all traces of our existence. KInd of like Sylvester Stallone did with that porn flick he made.
Long live the Skamaphrodites!
Did I ever tell you I was in that goth/comedy/ska band, Skathedral?
PS: I'm listening to the new Paul McCartney album instead of packing. It's not horrible, actually.
Posted by: casey | Tuesday, June 05, 2007 at 01:17 PM
Are you drinking Starbucks too?
Posted by: dan | Tuesday, June 05, 2007 at 01:22 PM
What's with McCartney's pout on the poster at Starbuck's? That wasn't even okay when he was a Liverpudlian lad.
Posted by: Bill Simmon | Tuesday, June 05, 2007 at 01:40 PM
No Starbucks (or pouts) for me.
I'm subscribed for 90 downloads a month at e-Music, and they actually had it, believe it or not. I figured what the hell? Curiosity would've gotten the better of me anyway.
Posted by: casey | Tuesday, June 05, 2007 at 01:59 PM
Hee Hee, I remember Skathedral! Did you open for the Skamaphrodites once?
Posted by: Tyler | Tuesday, June 05, 2007 at 05:13 PM
Goodbye, Casey.
Posted by: Jason | Tuesday, June 05, 2007 at 09:37 PM
So Casey, you'll have to show me where Pure Pop's secret back door is before you leave.
Posted by: Molly | Wednesday, June 06, 2007 at 09:36 AM
I just found a rocketsled split 7" up at WRUV. Maybe I'll play it next time I'm on the air.
Posted by: Max | Saturday, June 09, 2007 at 04:12 PM