b.rox

So, I was listening to Kenny G’s Intelligent Design show on WFMU yesterday, and he starts playing a piece by Steve McLaughlin called “Run for Your Life.” The piece consists of all of the Beatles albums, from Please Please Me to Let It Be, played at eight times normal speed. The whole thing is just [...]

These lyrics keep going through my head.

I’m on the creep, with no sleep
I ain’t trynna rest till the enemy six feet
It’s game time, and I’m ready to play
Gimme my remote and my remote is my K
I spray with it, I’m from uptown
I gotta stay wit it
When we murder, we know how to get away wit [...]

Everybody knows that X is the coolest letter in the alphabet, yet there was only one X movie on my list: X: The Unheard Music (1985). It’s a documentary about the band, X. The band is great, but the movie is merely good with some great moments (and of course great music). I think the [...]

Dr. Paul Gailiunas has been my hero ever since I met him — what, five years ago? It seems like I’ve known him forever.
He’s the only punk rock anarchist vegan doctor I’ve ever known.
But he is a hero for how he’s lived his life, dedicating himself to helping the poor, the hungry, the uninsured. He [...]

Yesterday, as I was cooking dinner, I heard the beat of drums outside our house. I recognized that sound immediately and knew what it meant: Warren Easton marches again!
It’s probably the coolest thing about living on my block. The high school marching band comes down our street almost every school day. Or rahter, they did, [...]

I’ve heard of the 9th Ward hipster scene, but I never checked it out until this past Saturday night, when Mr. Quintron and Miss Pussycat re-opened the Spellcaster Lodge. I’d never been there before, but I’ve been a fan of Quintron ever since I heard his Satanic croaking organ cover of Lesley Gore’s “You Don’t [...]

Today’s musical accompaniment (mp3) provided by Admiral Stereo.
My psychic powers kicked in early this morning, as I was puttering around the house, getting ready to go to work. Some inner voice told me I should check on my bike. I went into the living room and peered out the window onto the front porch.
Gone.
Looking through [...]

Today is the fourteenth anniversary of the premiere of the very first episode of ROX.
In honor of this august yet shameful occasion, I’m posting a song by Scott Evans, fortuitously titled “Fourteen Years” (mp3, 1.5 MB) — although to be honest the title is a sheer coincidence. This was recorded live at the Neutral Ground [...]

Now more than ever, it’s time to remember that the Fourth of July is International Flag-Burning Day. To celebrate, I’m posting this fantastic anthem (mp3) by New Orleans’ own Troublemakers. It is truly one of my favorite songs ever.
A lot of Americans get whipped up about the notion of anyone “desecrating” the American flag. [...]

It’s that time of year again.
I’ve been trying to muster up some enthusiasm for the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. I’ve been trying for years. But somehow I never seem to work myself up into the appropriate fervor. And if I am lacking in enthusiasm, Xy is downright negative.
When I admit that we are [...]

Red Cross came through and gave me accounts
Now I’m at your town getting golds in my mouth

I got this New Orleans bounce track off a compilation CD which was given to Xy by one of her students. I can’t ID it, and of course that’s driving me crazy. Googling the lyrics gets me nothing but [...]

Even as I type this, I’m having a beer and checking out PJ Christie onstage as he kicks off Musical Family Tree Fest: a whole bunch of music at four venues in two cities over two nights. Right now we’re at Locals Only in Indianapolis. Later we’ll hit the Patio. Then tomorrow, it’s back to [...]

About a week before Katrina hit, I turned on WWOZ and heard some super heavy jazz organ. I thought it was pretty cool, and paid special attention to the DJ when he announced it was Robert Walter.
The Friday before Katrina hit, the entertainment section of the Times-Picayune revealed that Robert Walter had recently moved to [...]

I know school’s back in session, cuz I can hear the Warren Easton High School Marching Band. Right now they’re directly in front of our house, playing “Sweet Dreams Are Made of This.” It’s a good thing I like that song. I’ll be hearing it pretty much every day from now until Mardi Gras.
They are [...]

It’s rare enough for me to pull an all-nighter anymore, but this one took be totally by surprise.
See, Xy’s cousin Rusty is in town this weekend with a bunch of buddies from Bloomington, including Dylan, who’s getting married soon — a roving bachelor party.
And then there’s this guy Avocado Tom. I’d never met him before [...]

We went to see a musical duo called One Ring Zero at my favorite bookstore. It seemed like everyone we knew was there, including Ben Hearst — turns out his brother Michael is one of the guys in the band.
The music was awesome. They perform quirky pop ditties with lyrics written expressly for them [...]

Have you heard Morrisey’s new single, or seen the video? It’s nothing spectacular, nor is the music. But I can’t remember the last time I was so impressed by the lyrics of a pop song. Scratch that — it’s not even the lyrics. The title alone says it all: “I Have Forgiven Jesus.” Wow. I’m [...]

I took a bike ride. The I-10 was just about empty. At Xavier they were putting some newspaper dispensers on the back of a truck.
Homan came by with some hurricane mix. We made a few drinks and, with Xy, took a walk to the Bayou St. John to see what we could see before the [...]

Thursday night means pub trivia at the Crown & Anchor. That can sometimes lead to Vaughn’s to see Kermit Ruffins, if I’m lucky.
Tonite I got lucky.
Kermit rocks. And I say this despite the fact that he never ventures into the rock idiom. He’s all about the jazz. Cool, sweet jazz — [...]

Here’s some things that happened over the last few days:
Got drenched to the skin on the way to work Friday morning. It rained real hard and it rained for a real long time. They cancelled Jazz Fest for the first time in thirteen years! I brought a change of clothes with me [...]