TODD NUKE 'EM
TODD'S BLOG
My review of the Depeche Mode concert.
Share:
Thursday, August 27th, 2009 @ 12:24PM
Depeche Mode at E Center 8/25
These guys have been around for a damn long time, yet they still know how to get a crowd to scream and foam at the mouth. Watching the gyrations of Dave Gahan—the dancing, strutting, and hip-thrusting—you’d never guess that he recently had surgery to remove a tumor in his bladder. Mr. Gahan owns the stage, and he knows how to make the whole audience feel like we’re up there dancing with him. His vocals were crisp and amazing all night long and his butt shook to every beat. (My wife screamed every time he’d show the crowd his backside.)
The onstage chemistry between Dave Gahan and Martin Gore is fun to observe from the front row. They exchange knowing grins throughout the show and are clearly having the times of their lives performing some of the greatest songs on earth. Martin Gore stayed on guitar most of the night, rarely retreating to his bank of keyboards. He rocked up “Personal Jesus” and “Enjoy the Silence” almost as if you’d expect a Depeche Mode song package to arrive for Guitar Hero any day now. Highlights of the show included Martin singing piano-only versions of “A Question of Lust” and “Shake the Disease” along with a lesbian foot fetish background movie during “Strangelove.”
Martin and Dave ended the show with a dazzling stripped down version of “Waiting for the Night” where their vocal harmonies were haunting and amazing.
I had the opportunity to be on the front row, right in front of Martin Gore. It was amazing to watch this brilliant songwriter perform an excellent evening of music that has impacted my life significantly. It was truly spectacular, and I am one lucky bastard to have enjoyed this experience!
todd’s iPod
10:20 “Rock the Casbah” The Clash
1:20 “Tomorrow” Silverchair
The Green Day Kid.
Share:
Tuesday, August 18th, 2009 @ 1:02PM
Green Day 8/16/09 in Salt Lake
Nobody puts on a show like Green Day. Nobody. Billie, Mike, and Tre are gods of the stage. Their first song is like the grand finale for every other band I’ve ever seen live. These three little hell-raisers are known for having lots of fun, too. Back when Nimrod came out, I had to drive them in my wife’s Plymouth Neon from their hotel to the X96 studio for an interview. We had to cram all three of them, plus their road manager and record rep into that tiny car. I had Mike pretty much sitting on my lap as I drove. They even stuck a bunch of Nimrod stickers all over our building. There isn’t anybody with the stage charisma of Green Day.
Well, with one exception.
Meet Justin Nelson from Springville. Billie Joe pulled him onto the stage to sing the last half of “Longview” and he nailed it. Look at him getting down with his bad self! It was an awesome show and I could tell that Justin was having his ultimate Guitar Hero/Rock Band fantasy coming true. You made Utah proud, Justin! Just look at the expression on Billie’s face. I’ve seen Green Day a millioin times, but this was the best onstage guest performance ever. It kicked ass!
todd’s iPod
10:20 “Everything Counts” Depeche Mode
1:20 “I Want You To” Weezer (BRAND NEW SONG!)
Todd’s Video Train Adventure!
Share:
Wednesday, August 12th, 2009 @ 12:32PM
A train nerd in train paradise.
I love trains and that’s all there is to it. I recently went to the Nevada Northern Railroad in Ely, Nevada for some train nerd fun! Watch and enjoy. There are a few moments where it is clear that I worship John Michael Higgins (from Best in Show, Cath and Kim, Arrested Development, and others) a little too much.
todd’s iPod
10:20 “Smashing the Opponent” Infected Mushroom
1:20 “Stand by Me” Pennywise
Football season is coming!
Share:
Tuesday, August 11th, 2009 @ 1:22PM
Man, oh man. Do I love football?
This is my favorite time of the year. Summer is still churning along, but we’re getting ready for football season. I freaking love it! Do you realize that in one month, the leaves on the mountain trees will be turning red and yellow?
todd’s iPod
10:20 “Not My Slave” Oingo Boingo
1:20 “Brimful of Asha” Cornershop (Everybody needs a bosom for a pillow!)
John Hughes, we will not forget.
Share:
Friday, August 7th, 2009 @ 11:45AM
Legendary filmmaker died yesterday at age 59.
There are few moments in my life where I had a work of art blow my mind. The first time I read To Kill a Mockingbird as a sophomore at Roy High in Mr. Hein’s classroom opened my thoughts in a way I’d never seen before. Other works like East of Eden and The Grapes of Wrath by Steinbeck were equally impressive. Of course these are classics and had stood the test of time to remain relevant to society. I was surprised to find works in the contemporary genre that meant as much.
John Hughes (director and screenwriter) had the same impact. I remember the first time I saw The Breakfast Club on a rented VHS tape at a drama club party, and not being able to sleep afterward because of the way I connected with all of the characters in many different ways. It floored me. Somebody actually understood teen angst and had been able to portray life as we knew it. Hughes wrote so many movies that to look at his resume on http://www.imdb.com is staggering. He will truly be remembered for his 80’s teen flicks like Pretty in Pink, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Sixteen Candles, Some Kind of Wonderful, and She’s Having a Baby. He also penned some of the greatest comedies of all time including Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, and Vacation.
Hell, half of my DVD collection was written by John Hughes.
He was one of the first filmmakers to understand the importance of utilizing the alternative music of the era in his movies. Bands like The Smiths, OMD, Psychedelic Furs, The Dream Academy, and New Order were featured heavily in his work.
John Hughes was able to reach into the hearts of a generation of misfit teenagers and spoke to us in a way that nobody has been able to do since. He was a writer/director that loved his characters and developed them with heart and compassion. Even romps like Vacation left you with a sort of warm feeling about family bonding—even though the family was a bit dysfunctional. (Is there anything more charming than Chevy Chase and Anthony Michael Hall sharing a beer?)
Last night I watched The Breakfast Club from start to finish. At the end of the film Judd Nelson walks across the football field, throws his fist in the air, and then the frame freezes as a perfect photograph of triumph and victory while Simple Minds launch into the anthem “Don’t You Forget About Me.” That’s how I’ll remember John Hughes. He was the voice of our generation.
todd’s iPod
10:20 “Pretty In Pink” Psychedelic Furs
1:20 “Don’t You Forget About Me” Simple Minds
Comments (1) •