While watching the Major League Baseball Playoffs unfold, I can't help but think of Cat Power every time Chicago Cubs' pitcher Sean Marshall's name is mentioned.

Why?

Though spelled differently (Chan Marshall), Cat Power shares the same first and last name pronunciation as the Cubs' hurler. As you'll see below, that's about the only thing these two [shawn] Marshalls have in common:

By Jim Shearer in HOGE POGE | Link | 0 Comments | Recommended (2)

Tags: Cat Power, Chan Marshall, Chicago Cubs, Matador Records, Sean Marshall

There's only one way I celebrate after a big Vice Presidential debate, make a video playlist.

As an homage to both Joe Biden and Sarah Palin, here are some songs that I would like to dedicate to them.

(left: Joe Biden and Sarah Palin, you both represented! Now kick off your shoes and watch the following music videos!)

Enjoy!

By Jim Shearer in VIDEO BLOG | Link | 0 Comments | Recommended (2)

Tags: Hey Joe, Jefferson Starship, Jimi Hendrix, Joe Biden, Sarah Palin, Say It Ain't So, Volvo Driving Soccer Mom

Black and music go together like ebony and ivory. No matter the time period or genre, there will always be songs, artists, and band-names shouting out what seems to be the choice color in music.

Johnny Cash was the "Man In Black," AC/DC was "Back In Black," Metallica was known to "Fade to Black," and one of the most famous "black" groups of all-time, Black Sabbath, introduced heavy metal to the masses, whose followers wear nothing but black. Hip-Hop also has its share of "black." Mos Def dabbled in Black Star and Black Jack Johnson, and who can forget about mainstream hip-hop darlings, Black Eyed Peas? During the last few years, "black" has also engulfed the world of indie music (many of its "black" bands are listed below).

So here's the question for you, are you able to identify the following "black" artists?

Black Lips
Black Flag
Black Rob
Black Ghosts
Black Mountain
Black Francis
Black Kids
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Black Keys
Black Tide
Black Sheep

By Jim Shearer in HOGE POGE, LISTS | Link | 1 Comments | Recommended (2)

Tags: Black Bands, Black Flag, Black Francis, Black Ghosts, Black Keys, Black Kids, Black Mountain, Black Rob, Black Sheep, Black Tide, BRMC

Two weeks ago venerable pop-punkers New Found Glory announced that they signed a deal with Epitaph Records. Yesterday, the record label announced that they also signed the venerable emo-punk group Thursday.

(left: Thursday find a new home, again.)

Like New Found Glory, Thursday has had a history of having problems with their record labels, bouncing from indie to major to indie again. Because Epitaph has a rich history with established punk bands, both groups should be used to their full potential. The moves also re-establish Epitaph as an authority amongst the Warped Tour crowd, whose road-tested, punk-rock appeal seemed to be waning over the last handful of years.

By Jim Shearer in NEWS | Link | 0 Comments | Recommended (2)

Tags: Epitaph, New Found Glory, Thursday

Yesterday, underground hip-hop fave Murs, released his brand new album titled, Murs For President. After thinking about it for a second, it doesn't seem like such a bad idea after all.

Here are 10 reasons why I think Murs would do al'ight in the Oval Office:

10. Murs' State of The Nation addresses would be done in 16-bar freestyles. Who wouldn't tune in for that?!

9. Murs can skateboard. When was the last time you saw John McCain or Barak Obama pop an ollie?

8. John McCain's running mate, Sarah Palin, played in her high school's state basketball finals with a broken ankle. So what--Murs was tossed into a dumpster by John Cena.

7. Hailing from Los Angeles, a melting pot of various cultures and ethnicities, Murs may be able to relate to the nation a little better than certain other candidates in the 2008 Presidential race.

6. In a world of hip-hop dominated by rappers spending money foolishly (sounds familiar, doesn't it?), Murs gets by just well, promoting his art form on an indie-shoestring budget.

By Jim Shearer in LISTS | Link | 0 Comments | Recommended (2)

Tags: Barack Obama, Election, Joe Biden, John McCain, Murs, President, Sarah Palin

...does it seem like hand-drawn block letters (with hand-drawn drop shadows) is the quickest way to grab an indie-minded kid's attention?

By Jim Shearer in IS IT ME? OR... | Link | 1 Comments | Recommended (1)

Tags: Block Letters, Hand Drawn, Juno, Nick and Norah

In the latest episode of IFC News' Independent Music Panels, Ryan Schreiber (Pitchfork), Howard Wulkan (Expansion Team), Sean Roberts (Juggernaut), Geoff Harrison (GSH Music Management) discuss the role of A&R in 2008. With many bands getting discovered via the internet, where does that leave the A&R rep, who traditionally scouted out new talent in music?

You can watch the discussion unfold HERE.

By Jim Shearer in VIDEO BLOG | Link | 0 Comments | Recommended (1)

Tags: A&R, Expansion Team, Geoff Harrison, GSH Music Management, Howard Wulkan, IFC News, Independent Music Panels, Juggernaut, Pitchfork, Ryan Schreiber, Sean Roberts

Ani DiFranco, Red Letter Year (left)
Just thinking aloud, but I wonder what Ani DiFranco thinks of Sarah Palin?

Murs, Murs For President
Doesn't seem like such a silly notion any more.

The Nightwatchman (Tom Morrello), The Fabeled City
This is me just being a brat, but when are we going to get a new Rage album?

T.I., Paper Trail
You know what they say about paper trails? Never leave 'em.

Sen Dog, Diary of a Mad Dog
Don't know about the rest of the album, but I bet the hooks are going to be great!

Kinky, Barracuda
Maybe Kinky will let the G.O.P. use some of their songs off Barracuda for Sarah Palin theme music, since they can no longer use "Barracuda" by Heart--who wrote them a cease-and-desist letter.

By Jim Shearer in SUPER TUESDAY | Link | 0 Comments | Recommended (1)

Tags: Anberlin, Ani DiFranco, Ben Folds, Jack's Mannequin, Kinky, Murs, New Album Releases, Robin Thicke, Sen Dog, Super Tuesday, T.I., The Nightwatchman, Tom Morello

Let me introduce you to the "burnout."

This now rare species roamed the earth from the 1970's through the 1980's. They could be easily identified by their untied high-top sneakers, tight pants, and a jean jacket with a patch of their favorite heavy metal band emblazoned on the back. A cigarette could usually be seen hanging from their bottom lip, and when they weren't inflicting pain on neighborhood children, they could be found waxing their automobiles, while blasting their favorite heavy metal tunes of the day.

I grew up in the same neighborhood with many "burnouts," and let me tell you--like AC/DC suggested--they made my life a "Highway To Hell." Now that I look back, I guess I was perfect fodder for a burnout attack. My family went to church two times on Sunday, I wasn't allowed to listen to anything but "Christian" music, and swearing was strictly prohibited (even the word "fart" was off limits).

(above: The sight of one of these used to send me running home.)

By Jim Shearer in IT'S LIKE THAT | Link | 0 Comments | Recommended (3)

Tags: And Justice For All, burnouts, Death Magnetic, James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett, Lars Ulrich, Master of Puppets, Metallica, Ride the Lightning, Rob Trujillo