CUT OF THE DAY: GARY CLARK, JR. – “BRIGHT LIGHTS”
This is the new school of blues. Your teacher for the duration of this lesson is Gary Clark, Jr. Straight from Austin, Texas, he’s been proclaimed as the savior of the blues. I can’t wait to see this dude at Bonnaroo. If there’s a bandwagon parked somewhere, I’m on it and I’m there to stay. He makes it look easy. This guy is a serious badass with a case of the nasty blues.
He’s been playing guitar since the age of 12. Rolling Stone named him “Best Young Gun” in last April’s “Best of Rock” issue. They also had the Bright Lights EP at #40 on their list of top 50 albums of 2011. This guy made people shit bricks when he debuted “Bright Lights” at Eric Clapton’s 2010 Crossroads Guitar Festival. I have a major crush on this guy.
STREAM THE BRIGHT LIGHTS EP BELOW (only if your device supports Flash, me sorry)
SKRILLEX – “BANGARANG”
This hot song comes off another EP from a different kind of Bonnaroo act. I have to come right out and say it, this dude is totally bizarre-looking. Who has a hairdo like that? Sonny John Moore is 24 and he’s the current king of electronic dubstep. I remember seeing this kid in Spin a while back. They were pretty sure he was going to blow up. They were right. He just won 3 Grammys and he’s on top of the world.
The Cali dude’s 7-song EP is his 4th extended play and it’s alright at best. It’s only fair to mention that this isn’t my favorite type of music. My little son and I listened to it on a trip to Home Depot. “Breakn’ a Sweat” says it’s Skrillex & The Doors. It’s really just some random guy saying “come on baby light my fire.” Lame.
A friend of mine once named her NFL pick’em team Shabangarang and I’m pretty sure that’s where Skrillex got the idea for “Bangarang.” Sexy name. I like to bangarang. If I had to bet, I’d say this dude has one of the late night sets at Bonnaroo. I won’t be at it with my glow sticks unless somebody spikes my punch again. I still hope to hear “Bangarang” as I’m walking in the other direction.
FOSTER THE PEOPLE – “PUMPED UP KICKS|DUBSTEP”
Sticking with the Bonnaroo dubstep idea, here’s Butch Clancy’s “Pumped Up Kicks” remix featuring the most amazing dancer on Earth, Marquese Scott. I used to dance like that, but I always thought it was weird that I was dubstepping by myself near a park bench in slow-motion.
It’s unclear whether I’ll seek out Foster the People at Bonnaroo. When they released their self-titled EP, I liked all 3 songs – “Houdini”, “Pumped Up Kicks” and “Helena Beat.” When the full-length Torches came out, I realized I only liked the 3 songs mentioned above. Major letdown. I was expecting big things. Still curious what they sound like live for a full set. I saw them last summer on Landsdowne Street during the WFNX Clambake, but playing outside behind Fenway Park just doesn’t sound that great.
TIM WAKEFIELD
I had to do a Wakefield legacy package for work and it’s another big Sox story on a Friday night. I also had the pleasure of cutting goodbyes for Terry Francona and Theo Epstein. It made me a little sad again. Quite honestly, it’s so hard to say goodbye to yesterday. Wakefield will always be one of my favorites. He’s been an emotional guy throughout his career and it’s as real as it gets. He talked about wanting to spend more time with his family and it reminded me of Mike Lowell when he retired. It was painful when Wake was stuck on 199 wins last year, but I’ll never forget 200. He helped us grab 2 World Series rings during the golden years and he’s in my personal hall of fame with Lowell.
49 days with no caffeine or alcohol.
18 days til Black Keys and beers.
