W♥M

07/08/2025

Mpls: August 8 to August 14, 2025

Amazon Prime Day 2025

Amazon Prime Day (July 8-11, 2025)

Amazon

Then, since Amazon Prime Day/week, I’ve had two packages that were delivered to the wrong location. I believe both were delivered by the USPS… so now I … read more

Kindle

As you may have heard, Amazon is releasing its first color Kindle called the Kindle Colorsoft on October 30, 2024. The device is a 7-inch tablet that use Kaleido 3 does not appear ... read more

Amazon Prime Day is here. The event will run through July 11. I ask you to not buy anything on those dates, because Amazon will mess up on your orders (wrong items, wrong location, missing deliveries)… it’s almost not worth it for the savings. I’ve experienced these problems first hand. Oh, also, I should also add to the note that the delivery time takes much longer. Normally you get your products in one or two days, but on Prime Day (this also applies to Black Friday), it may take up to a week! It’s incredibly frustrating, so again, I urge you wait two weeks after July 11, if you plan on buying anything on Amazon.

In the first part of my do not buy (on Prime Day) list, I gave you some items that I personally have purchased for the home. In my second do not buy on Amazon Prime Day list, I compiled some items that I’m thinking of getting for the home. Again, I did not buy these (except for one item), so I can’t testify if they are good products or not.

P.S. Also worth noting is that Walmart and Best Buy have their own similar deals/sale. Walmart Deals are July 8 to July 13, while Best Buy is called Black Friday in July (ends July 13).

Kindle Colorsoft Essential Bundle

As I previously mentioned, if you were in the market for the new Kindle Colorsoft, you can get a bundle with a case and wireless charging station for $212, that’s a huge savings considering that the Colorsoft itself costs $280. And if you’re already thinking of getting the charging station and a cover for it (great for traveling) … this bundle makes a whole lot of sense. Just think of it as getting the accessories for FREE.

My logical sense tells me to wait it out. Wait for a larger Colorsoft or wait for a version 2.0 of the Colorsoft. Keep in mind that the first generation of the Colorsoft is the poorest reviewed product from Amazon because of the yellow bar defect.

In my Top 10 Reasons to get a Colorsoft, one of the biggest selling points is that the Colorsoft is waterproof. I also urge you to read Top 10 Reasons to avoid the Colorsoft.

Kindle Colorsoft Essential Bundle

Still, that $212 is very tempting. If you were to buy the individual items, the price is nearly 50% off.

Price	Item
$280	Amazon Kindle Colorsoft
$43	Plant-Based Leather Cover
$45	Wireless Charging Dock
$368	Grand Total

Weather Stations

Weather Stations

Since moving to Jacksonville, it’s been a struggle for me to deal with the Summer heat. Lately, it’s been averaging above 90 degrees, so I have my personal Air Conditioner on all the time. This makes it hard for me to tell how hot it is outside. So, I would like to have a large display showing the temp (and maybe the time and date). These things are called Weather Stations, and they usually come with in two parts: the display and the sensor. You hang the sensor outside (on a tree or under your roof) and it will wirelessly send the readings to your display.

The average prices are about $40, which I think might be too expensive for me. Especially if I don’t really know how good or accurate the wireless transmitter readings are. For the time being, I think I can live with opening my phone to get the temperature. At least I know the phone’s data is gospel.

Bidet

Bidet

I’ve own two bidets, the first one is no longer being manufactured and I got it around the pandemic (since it was hard to find toilet paper). Since I moved to the new home, we had to install a new toilet… and obviously that didn’t come with a bidet. For a few months, I thought I could live with just using toilet paper. I’ll admit it was hard to return to paper. One time, I ran out of toilet paper in a middle of a ‘session’!

So, I caved in and bought a cheap bidet attachment. This model that I bought is currently on sale for $25, and is made by HOPOPRO. I bought it based on its very slim and compact design. This one also seems to work with most toilet designs, including those one-piece toilets.

It was easy to install, but can get messy and difficult if you have limited access to your water pipes. They only offer the hose at one size, so make sure it matches with your toilet’s hose.

The Hopopro model offers a standard rear wash and a ‘feminine’ wash, which, if you use it side-by-side, I cannot tell the difference. I think it just shoots at different angles, but as far as water pressures goes, there is no difference.

My only minor complaint is that this model does not offer any sort of hot water option. Being in a hot area, such as Florida, that is not a problem a problem for me… but I would have liked to have the extra option.

Flowtron Bug Zapper

Bug Zapper

One of the biggest changes for me, new to Florida, is dealing with all the bugs and gnats! I’ve never seen so many insects in my life, and every day I’m discovering new ones. I think it’s so cool, but sometimes, especially with the Summer, I cannot handle the flies and mosquitos. They are irritating, especially if I’m sitting on the patio or trying to eat food.

I haven’t purchased a Bug Zapper yet, but I am considering getting a really nice portable one. Unfortunately, the average prices are too much ($30-$40), in my opinion. The one I really want to buy is the Flowtron, but it costs $70. I’ll have to do additional research later… but it might be worth it, just based on the testimonials and their photos.

I will eventually buy one, I just can’t commit to one right now, because I have to travel in the next couple of weeks. Once I get back, I will need to buy a Zapper to help control the pests.

Hope that gives you an idea, if you’re also in the market of decorating or updating your home.

vu ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Posted at 12:01 AM in Amazon, Best Buy, Black Friday, Kindle, Technology, Walmart, Weekend Gamer | Permalink | Comments (0)

07/07/2025

Jax: August 1 to August 7, 2025

07/06/2025

Cancellation Television

Sandman: Season 2 (2025)

The Sandman

The next big title to be given the Netflix treatment will be Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman… it’s currently in development. Everyone is excited about the … read more

Constantine

The Constantine finale is partly an adaptation of Hellblazer #4. It's not a great finale, especially because it doesn't wrap up all the setup from the pilot. … read more

Tori Amos

Tori Amos, May 31, KC Music Hall, The piano songstress has returned, out on her Ocean to Ocean Tour supporting her sixteenth studio album. Written … read more

The Sandman: Season 2
netflix.com

After three long years, The Sandman returns to its final season. I am assuming Netflix didn’t want this release or at a later date, due to the cancellation of Neil Gaiman. I know many fans (now ex-fans) will boycott all his books and projects.

While I am hesitant to support Gaiman’s future projects, I still love the original The Sandman from Vertigo Comics, so naturally I am committed to seeing the television series to its conclusion. In my review of the first season of The Sandman, it broke my heart that I didn’t love it. I couldn’t get past the unnecessary race and gender swap, but I did admit that the story is still very good (“I think the story still holds up.”)

Season 2 starts with the Sandman having to go back to hell to save his former lover, Nada, who was condemned to hell. Instead of finding confrontation, Lucifer gives Dream the key to hell and quits being the ruler of the realm. Now all the demons, Norse gods, Fairies, and Chaos, all came to the Dreaming to demand the key be given to them. After that resolved, we’re introduced to the rest of Dream’s family: Destiny (the oldest brother), Delirium (formerly Delight), Desire, Despair, and Death (who we already met in Season 1). We then start the real plot of Delirium wanting Dream’s help to finding their missing brother Destruction. In order to find him, Dream has to confront his son, Orpheum… where we then get the backstory.

Again, because I own all the comic books and various hardcover collection, I was already familiar with the source material. I did forget some of the details, but for the most part the show adapted the stories faithfully. I had to look at some of the comics, particularly “The Song of Orpheus”, because I couldn’t quite figure out how his newly wed wife died on the television show. She was bitten by a snake, which is clearly shown in the comic book, but in the show, you had to draw that conclusion. In the show, they briefly show a snake (nowhere near them!) and then she suddenly falls to down. I wish they could have made it a little clearer, by maybe showing a something snaking away from her feet.

Anyway, if you know the Greek story, you know he travels to hell to save his wife. Hades gave him two conditions, she must walk behind him, and he must never look back until they are clear of hell. As you know, he did look back and ultimately lost his wife a second time.

The Orpheus storyline was a real highlight for me, especially when we’re re-introduced to Lady Constantine. I will admit, now it made sense to cast Constantine as a woman… You see, as a favor to Constantine for saving Orpheus’ head, the Sandman gave her immortality. That is how I read it, otherwise it wouldn’t make sense for the same character to live through the centuries. In the comic books, John Constantine helped the Sandman, and his ancestor, Johana helped the Sandman in the French revolution. Perhaps the real reason to leave John Constantine out of The Sandman, is perhaps a legal reason. Constantine, after all, has a television show of his own, an animated movie and a second film in development with a brunette version with Keanu Reeves as the titular character.

I think when the show follows the source material, I will overlook some of the problems I have with the show. Again, it still bothers me that Death is does not have that goth iconic look. What they did get right, I do appreciate. Delirium was based on Tori Amos, a chaotic colorful flighty child-like fun character. Some people might find that character annoying, but not me, because that’s how I pictured her from the comic book. They also got Destruction right, although I would have prefer an older-looking actor. They got the talking dog right too. If they turned the dog into a cat or Destruction into a girl, I would complain.

So far, Season 2, which adapts Season of Mist and The Song of Orpheus I like it a lot. We don’t see much of Death, but that will all change with the finale (it won’t air until late July), which adapts Death: The High Cost of Living, the comic by Gaiman and Chris Bachalo.

The second half of Season 2 will air in a few weeks, and it adapts the Kindly Ones other stories. Based on the strong part one adaption of the comic book, I am looking forward to seeing the conclusion.

NOTE: It appears that the show is avoiding A Game of You, which is a good choice, in my opinion, because that story barely had Dream in it.

Rick & Morty: Season 8 (2025)

Rick and Morty

We recently mentioned that his song, “Flowers” was used on Adult Swim’s Rick and Morty, “The best part of the episode is actually Minneapolis-related. Apparently, … read more

Mark Mallman

The best part of the episode is actually Minneapolis-related. Apparently, during Morty’s “sex” scene, the song you hear, “Flowers” was by Ryan Elder and Mark Mallman! … read more

Rick & Morty: Season 8
adultswim.com

After Justin Roiland, co-creator and voice actor for Rick and Morty was fired/cancelled from his own show due to domestic violence and allegations of misconducts with underage girls…. Rick and Morty Season 7 and 8 seems just fine without him.

As of this writing, only six episodes of Season 8 have aired and they’re all pretty good. You can watch each episode by itself and it wouldn’t really matter, because each episode stands on its own. You can watch it out of order or skip a few episodes, it’ll be fine.

There are some episodes that would reference previous shows, such as the cloned Ricks and Morties… and, in fact, the clones might come back in a future show.

The first episode is about Morty and Summer trapped in a simulation designed to teach them a valuable lesson: never take a phone charger without permission. In the second episode, Space Beth asks for Rick’s help to investigate an assassination … Get gets fired from her job. The third episode is about those clones, the fourth episode is about Jerry turning into an Easter Bunny. Fifth episode is Rick and Morty tries to rob a sleeping ship. In the sixth and latest episode, Beth and Space Beth (not fired from her assignation job) are hanging out and they turn themselves into 12 year olds. It’s my least favorite episode, Beth, as a child is a monster.

Anyway, all the music has been pretty good. We previously covered some of Rick & Morty’s usage of music in their shows, but this season is a real banger. I love the Tori Amos mentioned in Episode 3… her song, “Little Earthquakes” was also played in that same episode.

My favorite song so far is “Pennies” by Ryan Elder. If Elder’s name sounds familiar, he previously teamed up with Minneapolis’ Mark Mallman for their song “Flowers” for an original song for Rick and Morty.

You can listen to both Elder songs on Rick and Morty’s official music channel.

P.S. Speaking of Mark Mallman, if you’re in the Kansas City or Minneapolis area, he will be headlining Minibar on August 1st and the Parkway Theater on August 8th, in support of his 11th studio album Magic Time (Hygh Tension Records). I’ll be posting more details about the Parkway Theater show soon, stay tuned.

Rick and Morty: Here's some more sh** for your a** soyboy!

vu ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Posted at 03:39 PM in Adult Swim, Comic Books, DC Comics, Greek, Mark Mallman, Neil Gaiman, Netflix, Television, Tori Amos | Permalink | Comments (0)

Joan Jett & the Blackhearts at Taste of Minnesota (July 5, 2025)

Taste of Minnesota (July 5-July 6, 2025)

Joan Jett & The Blackhearts Setlist

Victim of Circumstance
Cherry Bomb*
Do You Wanna Touch Me (Oh Yeah) (Gary Glitter cover)
Change the World
You Drive Me Wild*
Light of Day (Bruce Springsteen cover)
Fake Friends
Androgynous (The Replacements cover)
Lie to Me
(Make the Music Go) Boom
Different
Love Is Pain
Everyday People (Sly & the Family Stone cover)
I Love Rock 'n' Roll (The Arrows cover)
Crimson & Clover (Tommy James & the Shondells cover)
I Hate Myself for Loving You
Bad Reputation^

* The Runaways song
^ Joan Jett song

Cheap Trick Setlist

Hello There
Dream Police
Come On, Come On
Elo Kiddies
Ain't That a Shame (Fats Domino cover)
If You Want My Love
Voices
California Man (The Move cover)
I Know What I Want
It All Comes Back to You
The Flame
I Want You to Want Me
Surrender
Goodnight

Billy Idol / Joan Jett Tour Dates

Billy Idol is returning to the road for It’s a Nice Day To… Tour Again! Fellow superstar Joan Jett & the Blackhearts will join Idol on all shows.

AUG 16 TD Pavilion at the Mann Philadelphia, PA

AUG 17 Broadview Stage at SPAC Saratoga Springs, NY

AUG 20 Madison Square Garden New York, NY

AUG 22 Merriweather Post Pavilion Columbia, MD

AUG 23 Xfinity Center Mansfield, MA

AUG 26 Maine Savings Amphitheater Bangor, ME

AUG 28 Pine Knob Music Theatre Clarkston, MI

AUG 30 Ruoff Music Center Noblesville, IN

AUG 31 Summerfest Milwaukee, WI

SEP 3 Red Rocks Amphitheatre Morrison, CO

SEP 5 Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre West Valley City, UT

SEP 12 Acrisure Arena Palm Desert, CA

SEP 14 The Greek Theatre at UC Berkeley Berkeley, CA

SEP 17 Toyota Amphitheatre Wheatland, CA

SEP 19 Cascades Amphitheater Ridgefield, WA

SEP 20 Climate Pledge Arena Seattle, WA

SEP 23 North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre Chula Vista, CA

Joan Jett & the Blackhearts

Joan Jett, Vocals / Rhythm Guitar

Michael McDermott, Drums

Hal B. Selzer, Bass

Doggie Needles, Guitar

Joan Jett

Highlight of the festival for us was Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. The band played Bikini Kill’s “Rebel Girl” full song, before walking on stage in a triumphant stance. … read more

Taste of Minnesota is a long tradition, starting back in the early 1980’s in Saint Paul, struggling through changing times, and now happening in downtown Minneapolis. A chance for local businesses, particularly restaurants, to show off their wares. One of the ways they draw people in is by having free live music, this year on three different stages, usually with some very impressive acts. On the first day, as the light rain had ended earlier in the afternoon and looked to hold off for the remainder of the evening, the headliner was Joan Jett & The Blackhearts.

Making my way to downtown Minneapolis and working through the entrance line, I got there in time for the set up for Cheap Trick. First formed in the early 1970’s, these guys are an institution, and outside of replacing their drummer over financial disputes, this is still the original band. Now in their 70’s, they have been continuously at play, with 20 albums, and over 5,000 live performances. And though they have recent albums, including 2021’s In Another World, their live shows focus on those early albums that most fans would recognize.

It started the only way it could, with Hello There, an absolute classic. That these guys are all in their mid-70’s definitely showed, but their experience and love from the audience carried this to a certain height right out of the gate. Dream Police got a switch of guitars (the first of many) and our first call out to Minneapolis and a handful of guitar picks thrown into the crowd.

Sporting a classy pale suit and broad brimmed hat, lead singer Robin Zander certainly didn’t act like he was just checking boxes. Great support on the change of instruments from the crew kept things moving like clockwork and an extended drum solo form Daxx Nielsen gave a small break for the band, before the long build up to Ain’t That a Shame, which included a stellar vocal close. We got the first sing along for If You Want My Love, and the majority of the crowd happily obliged. Playing the slower ballad Voices really showed off how much this band’s continued success is dependent on Zander’s ability to still belt it out, though the rest of the band was still nailing their parts as well. A square looking guitar for Rick Nielsen gave a darker sound for the start of California Man.

Everyone got their moments, with bassist Tom Petersson getting the long intro and lead lyrics on I Know What I Want. After a slower section, with Zander showing some real emotion on The Flame, the band quickly ramped up a crowd favorite of I Want You to Want Me. They rocked it out with Surrender getting the expected crowd love. Playing almost exactly an hour, Cheap Trick closed out an impressive set.

Side note, as we watched the set up for the headliner. Turning on a fog machine in an outdoor venue? On a pretty windy evening? Sigh.

Joan Jett at Minnesota Yacht Club (July 19, 2024)

Joan Jett & The Blackhearts was up to finish the evening. If Cheap Trick is an institution, Joan Jett is pantheon. Another relentless performer, Jett seems to always be on the road (W♥M last saw her at July 2024’s Minnesota Yacht Club). Jett first came up as part of the outstanding band The Runaways (which she co-founded), before forming this band (and her own record label) in 1980. Coming out clad in all black, Jett was a monster from the beginning, going from Victim of Circumstance into Cherry Bomb. You might argue that Jett was only playing the hits, but I would counter that that is all she has. A quick “Minnesota, how are you?” was about the extent of the early talk, as Jett and the band focused on rocking. The sing along of the “oh yeah” chorus on Do You Wanna Touch Me (Oh Yeah) was an early highlight in the set.

Joan Jett with Cheap Trick T-Shirt (1977)

A thanks to Cheap Trick brought the story that The Runaways had played a lot of shows with them, “So, I’ve played with them since I was 17, and I’m an old b*tch now”. Onto You Drive Me Wild had the crowd bopping along and then they moved into a Bruce Springsteen written number for a movie Jett did with Michael J. Fox, Light of Day. (Side note: I know this song, and I know a lot of movies, and I… somehow don’t know this one? Huh.). This was how the first half of the evening went; a song started, it was instantly recognizable, and they proceeded to eat it up. Rinse and repeat.

The backing Blackhearts (guitar, bass, and drums) were all on point, backing Jett as needed on each song. A favorite cover for Jett, The Replacements’ Androgynous, was fun for the Minneapolis crowd, and Jett noted that she wouldn’t really do it justice, but loved the song. (Side note: Hey, the smoke machine’s effect was almostnoticeable near the drummer by the tenth song!)

Make the Music Go Boom was off the most recent album, 2023’s Mindsets, and was a pure banger. I was impressed at the near seamless transition between songs, and how they jumped across the entire discography. Long Time had excellent backing harmonies and stood out. An introduction of the band led to Everyday People. I had just stepped back from the very front of the stage and it was a lot of fun to see the audience singing I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll with wild abandon. As Joan Jett & The Blackhearts started to wind up, the hits kept coming and Jett continued to sound phenomenal. A true rock & roll Hall of Famer had come through with a fantastic set and performance on a pretty nice evening, making for a memorable end of the first day of Taste of Minnesota.

Main Stage

Audience

Cheap Trick Fans

Cheap Trick

Joan Jett & the Blackhearts

Joan Jett & the Blackhearts at Taste of Minnesota, Minneapolis (July 5, 2025)

thaddeus ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Posted at 10:00 AM in Bruce Springsteen, Cheap Trick, Fats Domino, Joan Jett, Music Festival, Taste of Minnesota, The Replacements | Permalink | Comments (0)

Mpls: August 5 to August 7, 2025

07/05/2025

Minneapolis This Week (July 13, 2025)

07/04/2025

Flashback: Oasis at Melarkey's, Sacramento (Sep 27, 1994)

Oasis USA Tour (1994)

Oasis at Melarkey's Setlist (Sep 27, 1994)

Rock 'n' Roll Star
Columbia
Fade Away
Digsy's Dinner
Shakermaker
Live Forever
Bring It On Down
Up in the Sky
Slide Away
Cigarettes & Alcohol
Married With Children
Supersonic
I Am the Walrus (The Beatles cover)

setlist courtesy of setlist.fm

Oasis 1994 USA Tour Dates

The Definitely Maybe Tour was a concert tour by English band Oasis in support of their hugely successful debut album Definitely Maybe. The tour, which spanned the UK, Europe, Japan, the US and Canada, included 143 shows over a period of several months in 1994 and 1995 amidst 10 different tour legs.

09/23/1994 Seattle - Moe's Mo' Rockin' Cafe

09/24/1994 Portland - Satyricon

09/26/1994 San Francisco - Bottom of the Hill

09/27/1994 Sacramento - Melarky's

09/29/1994 Hollywood - Whisky A Go Go

10/14/1994 Minneapolis - Uptown Bar

10/15/1994 Chicago - Metro

10/16/1994 Detroit - Saint Andrew's Hall

10/18/1994 Cleveland Heights - Grog Shop

10/19/1994 Toronto - Lee's Palace

10/21/1994 Boston - Local 186

10/22/1994 Pawtucket - The Met

10/23/1994 Philadelphia - JC Dobbs

10/26/1994 Washington - 9:30 Club

10/28/1994 Hoboken - Maxwell's

10/29/1994 New York - Wetlands Preserve

Oasis

Oasis is also the subject in a recent Supersonic documentary, set for release on October 2nd in limited UK theaters. Director Matt Whitecross was granted an unparalleled … read more

Today, July 4, 2025, marks Oasis playing their first gig since they broke up in 2009. Setlist, per their press release, includes all their well-known hits, including “Wonderwall”, “Rock ‘n Roll Star”, “Slide Away”, and my personal favorite, “Supersonic.”

Surprisingly, many Americans were among the 62,000 fans at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium to see the historic event, because they didn’t think the two brothers, Noel and Liam Gallagher, would be corrigible with each other by the time they land in America.

Oasis at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium (April 13, 1996)

John suggested I should re-run Oasis at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, San Francisco (April 13, 1996), which was a fine tour - but at the point in time, the band was massive thanks to their mega-hit song “Wonderwall” had taken over the radio airwaves. Oasis, in 1996, were on top of the world.

I’ll do one better, as I previously mentioned, I have seen the band two years prior, in 1994, at Melarkey's, in Sacramento.

Let me set up this story for you. In the early 90s, I was already well on board into British Rock (which would later be known as Britpop). I was into Blur, Pulp, The Auteurs, and, of course, Sleeper (as far back as 1993). Naturally, this new band called Oasis came onto the scene with their explosive 1994 debut single, “Supersonic”. I was already familiar with the band before their single came out, as they were regularly being featured in the NME and Melody Maker weekly music papers.

Oasis’ songs were unapologetic rock and roll. Lyrically, Oasis didn’t hold a candle to The Smiths (which Noel had expressed was some of their inspiration), but Noel’s lyrics just sounded good against the aggressive guitar sound. The songs just sound so good, and there was no singer that sounded like Liam’s exaggerated pronunciations.

By the time the band released their debut album, Definitely Maybe, I knew Oasis was going to take over the world. Definitely Maybe is one of the few albums that I can listen from start to finish. That’s a rare thing, as every album had one or two bad songs, not Definitely Maybe. That entire debut album had nothing but hits.

Vu’s FCC Radio License (Jan 26, 1995)

That summer in 1994, I was working at KFSR 90.7 FM with my friend Melinda (RIP), and we had arranged to interview my new favorite band Oasis when they were doing a small promotional tour that September (I didn’t officially get my FCC Radio license until 1995). We had a few options to see them (Los Angeles, San Francisco or Sacramento), we had chosen the city that would have the least amount of people: Melarkey’s in Sacramento, California.

It proved to be a good choice, as when we got there for soundcheck, the band was casually just hanging around the city. Liam and Bonehead was sitting outside; fans were just walking up to them. No securities, they weren’t famous in America… at least not yet.

I long-lost the cassette tape with my interview with Liam. I’ve lost that photo of Liam and I. What I will forever have is my fond memory of the whole event: I could not literally understand Liam’s thick Manchester accent.

One of my questions that I asked Liam, and I assumed he wrote Oasis’ songs (remember this was kind of pre-internet) and asked him about the songwriting process. I think Liam got offended by it. I only remember that answer, “I’m the fooking singer.” I should have put two-and-two together, because we saw the soundcheck - and guess who was doing all the work? Noel. He sang and played the guitar. I don’t recall any of the other band members checking their instruments either!

Oasis: Definitely Maybe (autographed)

After the interview, I got the entire band to sign my CD. Noel refused to sign it. Noel was a true artist. He doesn’t do autographs. His PR person basically forced him to sign my album. That did leave a sour taste in my mouth about Noel, but it didn’t stop me from enjoying the band’s music.

We spent the rest of the day walking around the city and then came back to the venue when the concert started. We didn’t see the opening band (Melinda didn’t care for them), and we didn’t stay for the full show, because it was a two-hour drive back to Fresno, and we both had to work in the morning. I think we left when they played “Live Forever”, which I thought could be a good single (and it was eventually a hit single).

Nicole Garrison (May 22, 1994)

The best part is on the walk back to Melinda’s Toyota, I spotted a personalized license plate that read: “MOZ FAN”. We both recognized that this car belonged to a big Morrissey fan, so Mel decided to write a little hello note to leave on their windshield. While we were writing, the owner of the car showed up. As it turned out, the car belonged to Nicole Garrison, the owner of the Morri'zine (a long running fanzine dedicated to Morrissey and the Smiths). It was cool, we had met another hardcore Morrissey fan and we exchanged contact information. She would later show up to one of our Morrissey Birthday Party, in Fresno. I’ve long lost contact, but, man, those were the days.

Yeah, we did see Oasis again in 1996 (as regular fans) and have followed their musical career until their end in 2009, and I still love the band. It would be nice to see them in 2025, on their 30th anniversary of Definitely Maybe… but seeing as their entire tour is sold out (and at astronomical prices) and at very limited three USA venues (nowhere near Jacksonville!), it is just not possible to see them now.

Still love Oasis, I am very happy to see them back together again.

Oasis (Liam Gallagher) at Melarkey's, Sacramento (September 27, 1994)

photo by Michael Spencer Jones

vu ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Posted at 11:05 PM in Britpop, Flashback, Liam Gallagher, Noel Gallagher, Oasis | Permalink | Comments (0)

Prime Time: Housewarming

Amazon Prime Day (July 8-11, 2025)

Amazon

Then, since Amazon Prime Day/week, I’ve had two packages that were delivered to the wrong location. I believe both were delivered by the USPS… so now I … read more

With Amazon Prime Day coming up on July 8 to 11, I want to remind people to not get anything on those dates. It’s from firsthand experience, but due to the influx of orders, Amazon will often screw something up on your orders or deliveries. I’ve had wrong items or mis-delivered items… and they only happen around Prime Day.

The deals are never that good. The only deep discounts you’re going to find are Amazon’s own products, such as their Kindle eBook readers… so if you’re thinking of buying the poorly reviewed Kindle Colorsoft, now might be the best time. Although, I would personally hold back on buying it until they announced that they fixed the yellow bar on the device.

If you must buy anything, I suggest order items before the event (like right now until July 8) or two weeks after the event. With that said, I have compiled a few items that I have ordered for the new house, ahead of Prime Day. These are things that I personally ordered, based on my own needs or were on sale.

Note: The Sugar Bowl (a much-needed item) was not on sale.

Magnetic Duck Key Holder

Magnetic Duck Key Holder

As you know, I recently moved to a new house, and we don’t really have a designated area where I can leave my house and car keys. So, this Silly Duck key holder is the perfect solution for me. There is a magnet under the duck’s beak to hold my keys. In addition, there is also a bowl underneath, that I can also drop my keys or wallet. It’s normally $20, but currently it’s on sale for $10.99.

It stands at nearly 7 inches and comes in white/marble, white/black, yellow/marble, or wood.

Easter Island Head Eyeglass Holder

Easter Island Head Eyeglass Holder

I actually sometime forget where I leave my glasses. It got so bad that I keep a pair of glasses in my car’s glove compartment, just in case of such emergencies. Now that I am in the new house, I would like one place where I can always leave my glasses… why not have a special ornament to hold it? How about this funky Easter Island Head made of resin and stands at 4 inches high? Now, I will always know where my glasses are.

I got the item in hand and I do wish the resin head was a little heavier. Your glasses won’t knock it over, but I feel like an accidental wave of your hand can easily knock this thing over.

I only saved $2, but a deal’s a deal, right? The eyeglass holder is on sale for $8.

Fruit Sugar Bowl

Fruit Sugar Bowl

I drink coffee and I take sugar. Right now, the house doesn’t have any sugar bowl. Sure, you can get any old container at the dollar store… but if you want a cool-looking ceramic storage sugar bowl, consider this fruit-shaped bowl for $10. They’re meant to contain spices and such, but I’m using it as a sugar bowl. To be perfectly honest, I think I may have overpaid for it.

There are many options, you can get Green Pomelo, Orange, Pomegranate, Watermelon, or Yellow Pomelo. They all come with its own spoon.

I have the item in hand, and although the ceramic bowl is nice and sturdy, the spoon is made of plastic… which is quite disappointing. I would have preferred the spoon to also be ceramic, or at the very least a long-lasting stainless-steel spoon. I do have a tea-spoon that I may swap out should the plastic spoon break.

Hope that gives you an idea, if you’re also in the market of decorating or updating your home.

vu ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Posted at 12:26 PM in Amazon, Kindle, Weekend Gamer | Permalink | Comments (0)

awakebutstillinbed and For Your Health at Pilllar Forum, Minneapolis (July 3, 2025)

awakebutstillinbed / For Your Health
at Pilllar Forum (July 3, 2025)

For Your Health Setlist

Davenport (A Rotten Pear)
Flowers for the Worst of Them
With Empty Promises & Loaded Guns
birthday candles in the effigy
charlie brown's gotta be damn near public domain by now
push the f***ing rock, sisy
Gaia Wept
The Rotting Pair
Longinus
Clementine
Lamb Without Fold
Your New Curse
save your breath, you're gonna need it to blow my head off

Tour Dates

Awakebutstillinbed and For Your Health are co-headlining Summer MMXXV Tour.

July 3 Minneapolis, MN Pilllar Forum

July 4 Des Moines, IA The Church

July 5 Kansas City, MO Farewell

July 6 St. Louis, MO Sinkhole

July 7 Indianapolis, IN Healer

July 8 Cincinnati, OH Northside Tavern

awakebutstillinbed Band Members

Shannon Taylor - vocals, guitar

Johnny DeBorde - (touring) bass

Brendan Gibson - guitar, keys

Erik Lobo - drums, percussion

For Your Health Band Members

Hayden Rodriguez - Vocals

Johnny DeBorde - Bass

Rosa O. Delgado - Guitar, Vocals

Nicholas Marzluf - Guitar, Vocals

Simona Morales - Vocals, Synthesizers, Keys

Melanerpes Band Members

Sofia Green - vocals, guitars

Juno Collie - bass

Gretchen - guitars

Max - drums

Hey, ily! Band Members

Caleb Haynes - Rhythm Guitar, Vocals

Skyy Haman - Keyboards

Trevin Baker - Lead Guitar

Stephen Redmond - Bass

Conner Haman - Drums

awakebutstillinbed

Damian Chacon: guitars; Johnny Deborde: bass; and Sandro Zambrano-Villa: drums. Awakebutstillinbed, As We Were Before, and Heccra all open. … read more

For Your Health

Awakebutstillinbed and For Your Health are co-headlining Pilllar Forum on July 3, 2025. For Your Health just released their new album, This Bitter Garden, via Periphery's 3DOT Recordings. … read more

Hey, ily!

Caleb Haynes, aka Hey, ily! (Hey, I Love You!), will be headlining the 7th Street Entry on August 14, 2023. This project came from Haynes’ love of Super Smash Bros. … read more

Though I don’t follow different bands relationships with each other closely, I am intrigued by all the ways they can interact. Bands can be rivals, friends, guest on another band’s songs, produce each other albums, even form supergroups (hello, Traveling Wilburys). On a scorching evening in Minneapolis, the bands awakebutstillinbed and For Your Health performed at Pilllar Forum (yes, that is three l’s). While I’m a little unclear on the full relationship of the two bands, they released a four track EP in 2022, hymns for the scorned, where each band contributed two songs, seemingly without crossover between the bands. And here in the summer of 2025, they are co-headlining a tour together with a full night of post-hardcore punk rock.

The evening started with (now) local Minneapolis band Hey Ily (AKA: Hey, I Love You). Caleb, part of the band, told me after their set that they relocated here from Billings, MT about eight months ago. With a great album title (a theme of the bands for the evening) in 2022’s Psychokinetic Love Songs, the quartet (dual guitars & vocalists, bass, and drums) came out firing, as was appropriate for the genre. One vocalist being more a screamer and the other more a singer contrasted well in the early going, with those hefty guitars underneath. Calling for a circle to be made for the more active dancers, I was glad I had found one of the few chairs on the far wall of the venue’s space. (Old man side note: I’m too old to be jumping with the kids. But good for them.) One of the singers called for everyone to move back up to the front, and I have to say I’m not sure I’ve seen such a compliant audience. That guitar heavy sound was definitely not just loud, and there was a good blend of that power noise with good harmonies in the music. Constantly checking on their time, the band used their twenty minutes extremely effectively. The last song was their slowest number for the front half before exploding into the close, with the bassist’s only vocals a primal set of screams. Hey Ily closed on a wall of distortion and quickly headed off stage.

Up next was another local band, Melanerpes. Their pithily titled 2023 album is called Making a Meal of It. Another quartet (again, dual guitars, bass, and drums, with multiple vocalists), they started with an almost dreamy intro of guitars before the distortion picked up with the vocals. In the middle, the singer stepped away for the drummer to first speak, then scream lyrics. The genre’s wide variance of sung to screamed was in full display in the first few songs from Melanerpes. A brief bit of banter and thanks for audience and they jumped back into the music, with the bassist taking lead vocals. This one ripped, both tempo-wise and with the quicker vocals. Being told they had five minutes left, the band laughed and simply said, “I guess we have one more song for you”. The other guitarist got the lead vocals, and it was interesting to see those different styles and how they sculpted the overall sound differently, even with a lot of the same instrumentation. Ending with a repeated scream of “You’re going to reap just what you sow” was a powerful message in these times, and Melanerpes’ cathartic and epic instrumentals after that was a highlight to their brief set.

Side note of the weird. The venue almost completely emptied between each act. I’ve never seen anything like it. Not that I wasn’t thankful, as it got very warm with the full audience packed in. And they all came pouring back in when the next band was about to get going. Also, we had different films and even video game footage behind the bands throughout, and I was quietly amused when scenes from Ingmar Bergman’s The Seventh Seal showed up.

Moving into “the touring bands”, the first of the co-headliners up was For Your Health, a Columbus, Ohio band headed by singer & songwriter Hayden Rodriguez. They have three full length albums, including the very recent 2025 release of The Bitter Garden. Breaking the mold of the earlier bands, this was a quintet (vocals, keys/backing vocals, guitar, bass, and drums). This was the first band of the evening leaning straight into the screamo, post-hardcore sound. Rodriguez’ punishing scream style was perfectly matched to their music and the crowd was more aggressively into it on the floor (again, thank you table and chair along the wall, you have saved me. Because even with the chair, I had to watch my left side for flying people). This was intense in every way; absolute bonkers energy and tempo from the stage and near chaos in the crowd. Rodriguez and the rest of the band seemed to amp up on that frenetic crowd, but also kept things moving.

Announcing they had their new album for sale at the back, “we’re going to play a lot of songs from it”. The first number from it (I couldn’t catch names) was perhaps the most screamed, which was really saying something. I may not be the best narrator, as I was distracted with trying not to get hurt (several people next to me took major shoves straight into the table on my left; dear reader remember, first, protect thyself). Some throbbing keyboard effects added to the sonic assault (that somehow seems an understatement). After a brief recorded interlude, the crashing drums introduced another number, this one including the slowed down tempo and driving bass riff to finish it off. I loved a brief moment where Rodriguez stated that he’s been a big fan of Hey Ily for a number of years and this was the first time they had gotten to see the band live. But it was right back to the music, with a song that might have been the most musical vocals of the evening, and a bit reminiscent of Coheed and Cambria. Back to the screaming approach, the guitar work was all heavy metal stylings. Closing out strong, including a crowd surfed Rodriguez, For Your Health had checked all the boxes that much of the crowd had come to have ticked.

I spoke with Rodriguez briefly after the set. Asked how the tour was going, he mentioned how much fun it was to be on the headlining side rather than only in support; “If people are here, they are more likely to be here for us”. Travel and schedule have been fine, which always impresses me to hear from a band when they are well in the tour. We also talked of stops that have historically been good or not so much, and how the band has to go into the latter believing that they can have a great show. If energy can translate to great shows, Rodriguez and the rest of For Your Health should have nothing but bangers.

The last band for the evening was awakebutstillinbed, led by singer, composer, and guitarist Shannon Taylor out of California. There’s two brilliantly named albums, including 2023’s chaos takes the wheel and i am a passenger. The sound is variously described as post-hardcore and math rock, which I interpreted as a more musical alternative punk than the straight up screamo, post-hardcore that we had just witnessed. Back to the quartet set up of guitar/vocals, guitar, bass (same person as For Your Health), and drums, there was definitely more of the mix of screamed and sung vocals. Taylor’s singing was actually a solid counter to the distorted guitar work. Several of the early songs slipped between the harder edged post-hardcore and a little more alt punk rock. The keyboardist from For Your Health made an early appearance to sing backup vocals and provided nice harmonies. The bass player got a great driving riff to close it out. A bit of banter from Taylor slowed things down momentarily, with a much quieter start to the next song, with just Taylor singing and on guitar. The rest of awakebutstillinbed started to join back in, and that piece meal addition was very effective prior to the full, loud sound, including a more gravelly sound from Taylor.

The next number was livelier and had the audience jumping in fervor again. The layered guitars on life were great and Taylor perfectly played the slightly quieter verses against the louder chorus. Keeping a close eye on time, the band headed towards a final number and it was for full mosh mode, but still counter balanced with brief respites of the verses. Rodriguez was suddenly on stage to provide backing vocals, and things were clearly winding down. With a hard stop due to a local noise ordinance for the venue, awakebutstillinbed was finished and a long and loud evening had successfully come to a close.