... And what you say about their company

Yes, I am a Rush fan. They remind me of childhood. I have so many fond memories of driving in my family's 1984 Camaro with my Dad as Detroit's own WRIF and WLLZ (R.I.P.) delivered the hard rock hits. I cannot count the times I heard "Subdivisions" and "Tom Sawyer" by Rush. My teen years weren't just about English post-punk, Britpop, and alternative rock radio. I played as much Rush as I did Blur, Ministry, and Joy Division. When I was a college freshman at Michigan State University, I hustled up to Wherehouse Records for the midnight release of Test for Echo. And I finally saw 'em live in summer 2002.

According to CBC News, the Canadian rock trio -- composed of bassist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and drummer Neil Peart -- will perform their radio classic "Tom Sawyer" on The Colbert Report Wednesday night (July 16). Rush, who are currently wrapping up their North American tour in support of their latest album, Snakes & Arrows, haven't performed on U.S. television since 1975.

Why are they doing this? Why the hell not! Tune in to Comedy Central tomorrow at 11:30PM EST. Set your TiVo. Yeah!

I said 39 times that I love you

You have to love Jack White. He keeps it real no matter what. Oddly enough (or is it?), the White Stripes frontman recently (re)professed his love for the Motor City in a poem exclusively for the Detroit Free Press. Say what?

May I ask why? Why the hell not is the question. Since leaving the dirt and grime of that old automotive town behind for Nashville in 2006, some questioned White's loyalty to his former hometown.

Say what you want about Jack White's poetic imagery of the D. He's still the coolest MF in rock'n'roll.

'Courageous Dream's Concern,' by Jack White

I have driven slow,
three miles an hour or so,
through Highland Park, Heidelberg, and the
Cass Corridor.
I've hopped on the Michigan,
and transferred to the Woodward,
and heard the good word blaring from an
a.m. radio.
I love the worn-through tracks of trolley
trains breaking through their
concrete vaults,
As I ride the Fort Street or the Baker,
just making my way home.

I sneak through an iron gate, and fish
rock bass out of the strait,
watching the mail boat with
its tugboat gait,
hauling words I'll never know.
The water letter carrier,
bringing prose to lonely sailors,
treading the big lakes with their trailers,
floats in blue green chopping waters,
above long-lost sunken failures,
awaiting exhumation iron whalers,
holding gold we'll never know.

I've slid on Belle Isle,
and rowed inside of it for miles.
Seeing white deer running alongside
While I glide, in a canoe.
I've walked down Caniff holding a glass
Atlas root beer bottle in my hands
And I've entered closets of coney islands
early in the morning too.
I've taken malt from Stroh's and Sanders,
felt the black powder of abandoned
embers,
And smelled the sawdust from wood cut
to rehabilitate the fallen edifice.
I've walked to the rhythm of mariachis,
down junctions and back alleys,
Breathing fresh-baked fumes of culture
nurtured of the Latin and the
Middle East.
I've fallen down on public ice,
and skated in my own delight,
and slid again on metal crutches
into trafficked avenues.

Three motors moved us forward,
Leaving smaller engines to wither,
the aluminum, and torpedo,
Monuments to unclaimed dreaming.
Foundry's piston tempest captured,
Forward pushing workers raptured,
Frescoed families strife fractured,
Encased by factory's glass ceiling.

Detroit, you hold what one's been seeking,
Holding off the coward-armies weakling,
Always rising from the ashes
not returning to the earth.

I so love your heart that burns
That in your people's body yearns
To perpetuate,
and permeate,
the lonely dream that does encapsulate,
Your spirit, that God insulates,
With courageous dream's concern.

(Photo courtesy of Big Matt)

Dead Souls

I never understand the urgency to deface, let alone steal, someone's headstone. I mean, what for? You just take away the joy from anyone who chooses to visit such a site and celebrate the life of someone else.

During the week of June 30th, the memorial stone belonging to the late Ian Curtis -- which was inscribed with "Ian Curtis 18 - 5 - 80" and the words "Love Will Tear Us Apart" -- went missing from the grave in Macclesfield Cemetery. The former Joy Division frontman committed suicide on the eve of the band's first-ever U.S. tour. He was just 23.

Curtis' former bandmate and New Order drummer Stephen Morris recently shared his thoughts with NME.com, remarking, "You couldn't sell it on eBay - it's ridiculous and very upsetting."

Welcome to Summer

FINALLY! Summertime is here. All 54 outdoor pools opened this weekend! From Saturday, June 27th to Monday September 1st, New Yorkers living in all five boroughs can enjoy the city's public pools. Lucky for the Sultan and me, we live near the fantastic watering hole known as Astoria Pool. Boo ya!

Just Because...

Somewhere in Austin, Texas @ SXSW: March 2007 (photos courtesy of me)

She's a Carnival

Happy 51st Birthday to the ultimate punk priestess, Siouxsie Sioux. The former Banshees frontman is prepping to hit the European festival circuit this summer in support of her latest solo offering, Siouxsie. I had the chance to catch her tour opener in February and the lady looked fantastic. She still makes it all look easy. Looking 51 years young, m'dear.



Additional birthday wishes go out to Crowded House's Neil Finn, who also turns 51 today.

[Siouxsie image by Eric Nowels]

I KNEW he was a total punk

So apparently New York Rangers left wing Sean Avery is interning at Vogue? So what, the dude had nothing better to do since losing to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second round of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs earlier this month? Are you freaking kidding me?

If this is a joke or some kind of clever publicity stunt, it's the lamest move EVER! But I suppose I should expect this from a punk like Avery, who acted like a complete tool during the opening series versus the New Jersey Devils. For those who were paying attention, remember the scuttlebutt between him and Devils goalie Martin Brodeur? In Game 3 in mid-April, Avery delivered some juvenile hand-and-stick-waving act to distract Brodeur; let us not forget the constant waving of his hands in Brodeur's face. Say what you want about Brodeur, but I wouldn't have shaken Avery's hand either.

The Sultan and I were at Game 4 where the Devils lost to the Rangers. NY Rangers fans are CORE! They love that team more than life itself. To me, it's like the Michigan vs. Ohio State rivalry times 10. Wonder what Rangers fans think of Avery now?

Again, joke or publicity stunt, it's a lame ass move, Avery. Don't wish you were back with the Wings?

GO WINGS!!!!!!!!

Good Looking Man About Town

Ah yes, it's today ... the 49th birthday of Morrissey, my favorite star. Still a charming man (heh), the former Smiths frontman is readying the release of "All You Need is Me," the second single -- out June 2nd according to morrissey-solo -- from his latest Greatest Hits collection. Mozzer, you don't look too shabby.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T?

"The dismal fact is that self-respect has nothing to do with the approval of others -- who are, after all, deceived easily enough; has nothing to do with reputation, which, as Rhett Butler told Scarlett O'Hara, is something people with courage can do without."

-- Joan Didion, from her chapter On Self-Respect, Slouching Towards Bethlehem

[Image courtesy of Mostly Americana]