Two-Star Tabernacle (early Jack White) - 1998 - Live at the Gold Dollar

Two-Star Tabernacle didn't last long and there isn't a ton of material out there but Live at the Gold Dollar is prime pickings. Two-Star Tabernale is an early "punk" band that Jack White had his hands in way back in the day. There is an early version of The White Stripes White Blood Cells songs "Hotel Yorba" and "Now Mary," pretty cool to hear them this early on. Dan John Miller & Tracie Mae Miller from the band Blanche and Damian Lang make up the rest of this Detroit foursome.

Give this a listen, while Jack doesn't get vocal on every tune you can definitely hear that sinister Jack White guitar in the background.

Sean R., thank you my friend.

Check out "Red Head" below:

 

   01 Who's To Say

   02 Itchy

   03 Hotel Yorba

   04 Worst Time Of My Life

   05 Garbage Picker

   06 Now Mary (Early Version)

   07 Zig Zag Springs

   08 Red Head

   09 Jesus And Tequila

   10 So Long Cruel World

   11 Sixteen Tons

Download - Two-Star Tabernacle (early - Jack White) - 1998 - Live at the Gold Dollar

My Morning Jacket "Live on Letterman"

Check out some pictures and the actual video to My Morning Jacket's concert on Letterman last night. Also, at the very end, check out their actual late show performance.


All photos by: Heather Wines of CBS

My Morning Jacket Live on Letterman Webcast

Don't forget to check this out tonight guys!

My Morning Jacket Official

My Morning Jacket Amazon

via MyMorningJacket.com:

My Morning Jacket will perform on The Late Show with David Letterman tonight  (tuesday, october 12th), and then play an exclusive performance for fans on Live On Letterman. The Live on Letterman concert event will be webcast live at 8pm ET / 5pm PT at CBS.com.

It's that time again . . .

That's right.  It's Monday again.  Some people are surprised that it's Monday, but, in all honesty, how could you possibly be surprised?  Monday rolls around once a week.  I learned that in kindergarten.  I seem to remember a song that told us all about the days of the week.  Aside from the lingering hangovers and  questionable choices you made in that guy/girl from the other night, this is a Monday like all the rest.  The silver lining around this otherwise dour cloud is this:  you're here, reading this.  I'm not sure how that helps me, but I'm pretty sure you get some sense of enlightenment and/or absolute truth (yep, the same absolute truth that Plato believed) once you've finished reading this stuff.  If you don't . . .well, thanks for playing.  The wonderful folks here at The Steam Engine have some nice parting gifts for you.  I, on the other hand, will extend to you one courtesy and one courtesy only . . .my middle finger.

Yes, that's me.  Yes, there's beer in that cup and NO, I don't know how that crayon got there and since we're all becoming fast friends, I feel it necessary to divulge a few things about myself.  For example, I was born in Germany, on October 31.  I've had the privilege of living all over the world.  I went to a boarding school outside of London in a town called High Wycombe.  I detest white socks.  I have an incurable weakness for women with great legs and a witty sense of humor.  My taste in music is varied, to say the least.  As an example of that, I'll be discussing two bands this week: Gayngs and Gamble House.  One of the acts sandwiched in between those two bands in my library are these guys. Other things you will find in my musical library: Son House, John Coltrane, The Cure, The Police, Deftones, Sky Drops, Circle Jerks and a whole lot more.

Well, let's get this show on the road, shall we . . .

Over the last week or so, I've listened to Relayted, the debut from Gayngs, over and over and over.  What initially attracted to me to this project was hearing that Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) was involved.  I'm a big fan of Bon Iver.  I'm not going to make a horrible attempt at being objective here, because what's the point.  I'm talking about music that I happen to like, so why not be up front about this stuff, right?  Anyway, as i listened through the album, I heard so many different sounds, so many layers that I was truly taken aback.  What was this sound?  This didn't sound like the Justin Vernon I was used to at all.  This was different.  This was just an album written in a shack somewhere, lonely and longing.  This was sexy.  This could play in a dimly lit room with someone for whom you had a major jones.  This, boys and girls, is the white, indie version of Barry White, complete with lush, layered harmonies, jazzed out horns and a rhythm that could be physically emulated.  This would be the result of a love child between Bon Iver and Portishead with a postman's Barry White contribution.  To say I was not expecting this would be a gross understatement and I had to find out more.

So I started digging for more info.  What I found was this: the "band" consists of 23 different musicians including, Justin Vernon, producer, Ryan Olson and various other Minneapolis based musicians.  To say that this is eclectic collection of musicians would be entirely accurate considering the sheer size of the band and the musical backgrounds of its members.  Relayted is eleven songs of pure bedroom mix.  All but one of the songs, "Faded" meanders through your ears at 69 beats per minute.  I'm not sure if there's something to be implied by that nugget of trivia, but considering the feel of the album, I'd say there is.  I was trying to explain the sound to someone recently and I really couldn't.  It's a hybrid of chill/r&b/soul and a few more styles that would just make the description redundant.  I could continue to beat this dead horse, but it's pointless.  Given a listen below and form your own opinions or download their Daytrotter Session and marvel at their gorgeous cover of Sade's "By Your Side."

Gamble House is basically the brain child of musician, Ben Becker.  It began with Becker just writing songs here and there, and when he had enough material, he began recording in his bedroom and various other studios.  All the initial instrumentation, multi-tracking, recording and re-recording were done by Becker and, after relocating, got together with a few friends and the result would become this album.  Like Gayngs, Gamble House crosses over into different genres like psychedelic folk, Americana and even has hints of 60's pop.  When I sent a sample to TSE, he immediately responded with a perfect comparison: Grizzly Bear.  After thinking about it for all of three seconds, I heard it, too.  I also heard a lot of the lush soundscapes you hear when you listen to Sufjan Stevens, Animal Collective and Fleet Foxes.  I would even go as far as saying that Gamble House have a spaced out, melodic sound that points you towards the infamous Beach Boys album, "Pet Sounds."  I dare you to listen to the layered vocals on "Bonny Doon" and disagree with me.

Gamble House is truly independent.  They are not signed to any label, so head over to their Bandcamp site.  You can listen to the entire album.  After you listen to it, BUY IT.  It's well worth it and we should all be happy to support amazing artists like these.

My Morning Jacket - "Tonight I Want To Celebrate With You" Live Buzz Session

This is certainly excellent.

The Steam Engine Presents: The My Morning Jacket Interview Contest

**CONTEST CLOSED**

Just a reminder post to get your submissions in!!!! We've had quite a few (and really excellent questions, I'm amazed by a lot of them (no pun intended)) entries so far and I'd like to see quite a few more. I'll post the details below, deadline is Friday, October 8th 2010 at NOON Central time.

=======================

The way the contest works:  Submit 5 questions, one to each band member.  We here at The Steam Engine will then pick the winning questions and present them to the band.  We will pick 5 questions for each band member to answer.  So, please remember to submit 5 questions per entry because you’ll increase your chances of one of your questions being answered, you get me?

Rules:  Please refrain from asking any personal questions of My Morning Jacket.  We’re thrilled that the guys agreed to do this, so we’d like to respect their privacy and keep the questions focused on things that matter to them and us the most; The Music.  Ask about songs, recording processes, touring, instrumentation, and things like that.

Send your questions in the below format to:  thesteamengine23@gmail.com:

Yim Yames:  Question
Tom Blankenship:  Question
Patrick Hallahan:  Question
Carl Broemel:  Question
Bo Koster:  Question

Don't forget to add the name you would like displayed if you are chosen as well as your city/state/country.

Best of luck!

Davy Knowles & Back Door Slam - 2009-06-23 - The Bob & Tom Show

Davy Knowles, the 23 year old guitar god from the Isle of Man, has become one of my "artists to watch" in the last year. The guy has it all; song writing ability, insane guitar skills and a voice that's destined to sing the blues. Catch this guy on tour now before he blows up and he's no longer playing 250 person venues.

Fun fact: I was thrown out of my first and only Davy Knowles concert. The bouncers thought I was a guy randomly strangling people in the venue. Needless to say, they were wrong. Regardless, I still ended up with my a*s on the concrete 15 minutes into the show. It's funny now, not so much at the time!

This is a short set from Davy, look at it is a preview of what he's capable of. I'm searching for legal live downloads from this guy and I have emails out to Davy and his management about attaining some. For a full featured live taste check out "Live From Bonnaroo 2008."

Also, check out this version of "Tear Down The Walls," it's a rager.

Davy Knowles Official

Davy Knowles Amazon

 Back Door Slam - Tear Down the Walls by thesteamengine

01 Riverbend

02 Tear Down The Walls

Download - Davy Knowles & Back Door Slam - 2009-06-23 - The Bob & Tom Show

Neil Young 'Le Noise" Film Stream and Download

A super excellent film for a super excellent album. Whatever "it" is, Neil still has it.

Neil Young Official

Neil Young Amazon

Download - Neil Young  'Le Noise" Film - HD 720p

The Black Keys - 2010-06-22 - Live Canal+ - Paris

This is definitely the best recording I've heard of the new Black Keys material. We get new tunes from their incredible record Brothers, as well as a stable of classics. It's interesting to see/hear them play as a four piece but they pull it off without losing any of that Black Keys edge. Check out "I'm Not The One" below.

Cannot wait to spend New Year's Eve with these guys this year. Anyone else going?

The Black Keys Official

The Black Keys Amazon

01 Breaks

02 Girl Is On My Mind

03 10 A.M. Automatic

04 Tighten Up

05 Next Girl

06 I'm Not The One

07 Howlin' For You

08 Sinister Kid

09 Everlasting Light

10 She's Long Gone

11 Ten Cent Pistol

12 Too Afraid To Love You

13 Your Touch

14 I Got Mine

Download - The Black Keys - 2010-06-22 - Live Canal+ - Paris

New Music Monday

"New Music Mondays" is a fresh segment here at The Steam Engine. The Steam Engine's first contributor, Chris H., is a self proclaimed "terrible adult" with a mean ear for good tunes. He does occasional writings about tunes/life HERE and HERE and really likes Red Stripe beer. Much of the new music I've gotten into in the past few months is because of Chris. Enjoy what he has to say, he deserves to be heard.

-Jason

===================================================

Well, here we are . . . Monday.  Another week is beginning and you're probably not completely recovered from the weekend (well, I'm not and I guess I'm just assuming everyone is like me.  why not, I'm the coolest person I know.).  That's ok.  Just because it's Monday and you're half asleep, generating TPS reports or whatever you do, doesn't mean someones not looking out for your musical well being.  After all, that's what TSE is for, right?

Well, all that being said, the powers that be here at TSE saw fit to promote me.  I have gone from quasi-stalker music snob to potential contributor here and this is basically a test to see if I can offend as few people as possible.  Although I usually like to start out my week with an off color comment about someones kid or that Bieber girl, I will refrain in the spirit of exposing the readers here to some amazing, lesser known musicians (as opposed to exposing myself).  So, let's get to it, shall we?

This was a difficult thing for me to do, since I'm constantly hearing new things and telling people that that they may like this stuff.  In an effort to keep this fairly short, I narrowed it down to two bands that I've been listening to recently: The Interns and The War on Drugs.

I first heard The Interns on some random "mix tape" that float around the internet.  "Smother," was the song and I immediately stopped to listen.  The reason I stopped to listen was because the singer reminded me of the falsetto we hear from Jim James or Ben Bridwell.  That, in and of itself is a monstrous comparison in my book, so of course I had to find out more about this band.  I did some research, and by research I googled the band and the song.  I didn't find out much at all.  They have a MySpace page that lists the band members, their influences and an embedded music player that allows you to listen to their music.  I noticed that they are unsigned and completely independent, but then I noticed a blog entry titled, "RECORD DONE!!!!!!!!!! DOWNLOAD FOR FREE!!!!"  "Jackpot," I said to myself (I really said it  . . . out loud).  So, I gave a few of their other songs a listen and decided that I had to hear more.  I downloaded the FREE album and was immediately impressed.  The album opens with what would turn out to be one of my favorite songs on the album, "The Demons Inside."  The song begins with echoed vocals reminiscent of Interpol's Paul Banks and then it takes a sharp left into a song that rocked right along like something you would hear from My Morning Jacket (think "It Beats for You").  I was immediately excited.  The song, and, thankfully, the rest of the album, continued down this path and didn't disappoint one bit.  The highlight of the album, for me, is a song called "Man on Fire."  It's a broad song that reminds me of Neil Young circa "Mirrorball" or some of Band of Horses more moderately paced songs or even some of the more spaced out stuff that Spacemen 3 have done (think "Transparent Radiation").  Needless to say, you owe it to yourself, as a fan of music, to go straight over to their Bandcamp site and download their FREE album.

NPR is one of the only things I will actually listen to on the radio.  The rest of it is complete rubbish, as far as I'm concerned.  I'm not going to get into my growing disdain for radio because it's a subject all by itself.  Instead, I'm going to tell you about another band.  The reason I even mentioned NPR is because that's where I first heard The War on Drugs.

NPR described them using the labels, "folk" and "Americana."  They were compared to Bob Dylan and Brian Eno and I could hear a slight similarity to them both.  The comparison that seems most fitting to me is the comparison NPR made to Tom Petty.  You can hear the same kind of road trip-worthy, rocking songs from The War on Drugs as you can on the Greatest Hits album from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.  Everyone has the Greatest Hits album.  You have to because it has our favorite songs by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.  "American Girl" is on the album.  "Learning to Fly" is on the album.  "Learning to Fly, ""Mary Jane's Last Dance" . . . you know the album.  If you like the sound that you get from that album, then you're going to like The War on Drugs.  They have a folksy, Midwestern sounds that begs to be played in some movie montage where the protagonists are driving across the country in an old convertible.  It just fits perfectly and, in so many ways, is a perfect send off for summer.

"Wagonwheel Blues" came out in 2008 and that's the album that NPR was reviewing when I first heard them.  To me, "Wagonwheel Blues" has a serious Wilco feel to it and, being a huge Wilco fan, I love the album.  A few weeks ago, The War on Drugs, via their blog, announced that they'd finished their latest ep/mini album called "Future Weather."  The album will be released October 25 on the always reliable Secretly Canadian label.  The first song I've heard from "Future Weather" is called "Comin' Through."  It's a perfect example of the sunny, road trip sound that makes The War on Drugs such a good band.  It also happens to be a song that sounds like it could have been found on an old Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers album.

Like The Interns, The War on Drugs is a band that you probably won't be hearing on the radio, terrestrial or otherwise, anytime soon, but that shouldn't stop you from supporting these bands.  Unlike what's considered "popular" these days, you won't hear any sampling or any auto-tune from either of these artists.  What you will hear is simply crafted music that's made by musicians that obviously love what they're doing.  Their love for music shows in each and every song you'll hear by both bands.

So, this will end our lesson for today, boys and girls.  Hopefully, you'll be hearing more from me very soon.  If you're interested in all the other dribble I have out in the world, you can find me HERE or HERE.  You can also find me on Facebook and on Twitter.  Until then, feel free to comment below or send me music that you've heard recently.  Feel free to email me HERE. You can tell me about music or you can even tell me that I suck.