Concert Review: The Swell Season and Bell X1 @ the Palace Theatre (9/22/08)

He doesn’t know it, but Glen Hansard and I go way back. Back in my college radio days at WFAL, we received an album in the Fall of 1995 called Fitzcarraldo by a band called The Frames DC.

I didn’t understand what the “DC” meant, maybe they were from the District of Columbia? Wrong on that account. Turned out they were an Irish band and there was already an American band with that name, so the DC was added to avoid confusion. Good enough.

The album struck a chord with me right way, songs like Angel at My Table, Monument and Say It To Me Now were quick favorites that I’d spin on shifts and pester friends about. But there was no info, no other releases that I could find (at the time), and the band seemed like an anomaly. Little did I know that thirteen years later, I’d see the lead singer step out on a stage with only an acoustic guitar and belt out a solo rendition of Say It To Me Now without a microphone.

Yes, you read that right, he sang it, or rather, screamed it at the top of his lungs like his life depended on it to a captive audience, all the while pounding on his well-worn acoustic guitar. It was a fantastic sight to take in.

The Swell Season, touring on the soundtrack for the independent film Once that starred Hansard and his bandmate Markéta Irglová. Although the set focused mainly on album material, songs that would make up their 2009 release Strict Joy were also included, as well as a Van Morrison cover.

SETLIST
Say It To Me Now
Falling Slowly
The Moon
When Your Mind’s Made Up
I Have Loved You Wrong
Leave
Astral Weeks
Happiness
Low Rising
Lies
Red Chord
Encore:
The Hill
If You Want Me
Blue Shoes
War Pigs
Fitzcarradlo
People Get Ready

New @ Bleacherreport: Bills' Veteran Purge Led to Today's Mediocrity

I've got a new article up at Bleacherreport.com: Bills' Veteran Purge Led to Today's Mediocrity. Here's an excerpt:

While Donahoe's personnel decisions between 2001 and 2005 are often criticized with cause, the decisions since then under Levy from 2006 and 2007 are equally as suspect when it comes to retaining veteran defensive players who left via free agency, and how that impacted the draft strategy in following years drafts.

Photos from Moving Parts Show @ the Newport (8/24/08)

Anytime I've gotten to play the Newport Music Hall here in Columbus, it's felt like a big deal, even if it really wasn't. Way back in 2000, I played with my band The Stepford Five as a part of a college battle of the bands. It was poorly attended and we lost, but still, it was the Newport. The second time we played there was just after our guitarist Jason Dziak sliced open his hand, which left us with no time to find and practice with a temporary fill-in. We went on as a three-piece, and halfway through the set, I broken a bass string (which never happened again), and had to borrow another one from a band, who used a headless Steinberg. It was not a good night.

This time, we got to play to an actual crowd, though it was with The Moving Parts, thanks to headliner Shooter Jennings. It was a good night, the crowd was into it, we got a nice compliment from a member of Shooter's band, and it was fun. Hopefully, more of that is to come.

New @ Bleacherreport: NFL Rookie Salary Cap is Long Overdue

I've got a new article up at Bleacherreport.com: NFL Rookie Salary Cap is Long Overdue. Here's an excerpt:

As it stands now, the NFL pays based on projected talent, not actual production. Try applying this system of compensation to any other industry, and the ridiculousness is evident.
Imagine a lawyer, fresh out of college, being paid more than the senior partners of a law firm, or a first-year teacher being better compensated than a tenured professor. You can’t because it doesn’t happen. Outside the NFL, even in other major professional sports like the NBA or NHL, it doesn’t happen.

New @ Bleacherreport: 2008 NFL Draft By-Position Breakdown of the Buffalo Bills

I've got a new article up at Bleacherreport.com: 2008 NFL Draft By-Position Breakdown of the Buffalo Bills. Here's an excerpt:

Robert Royal has been adequate during his time in Buffalo as a capable blocker and receiver, but there’s no mistaking him for Kellen Winslow Jr. or Tony Gonzalez.  Michael Gaines showed flashes last year, but he bolted in free agency to Detroit, leaving a roster of the untested (Derek Schouman and Tim Massaquoi) and unwanted (Teyo Johnson and Courtney Anderson). 

While it would be nice to add a weapon of Winslow’s caliber to the offense, none exists in this draft.  Fred Davis (USC) seems to be the universal choice as the top tight end available, through Martellus Bennett (Texas A&M) and Dustin Keller (Purdue) may be options for Buffalo if either slip to the third round.

New @ Bleacherreport: Trades the Buffalo Bills Should Make Before the Draft

I've got a new article up at Bleacherreport.com: Trades the Buffalo Bills Should Make Before the Draft. Here's an excerpt:

Considering Allen is only 26, it’s difficult to understand why the Chiefs would want to part with last year’s sack leader.  While at times he has run afoul of the law and NFL rules, his Pro-Bowl season should have been enough ease the minds of Kansas City management.
Apparently not.
With the weaknesses at defensive end opposite Aaron Schobel, Buffalo could afford to send their number one pick along with DE Chris Kelsay to acquire Allen, who along with Schobel, would create quite an impressive pass rushing tandem.

New @ Bleacherreport: Buffalo Bills Defense Needs Big Things from Its Big Men in 2008

I've got a new article up date Bleacherreport.com - Buffalo Bills Defense Needs Big Things from Its Big Men in 2008. Here's an excerpt:

With Stroud projected to start at right defensive tackle, Johnson will most likely rotate with John McCargo at the left defensive tackle spot.  Although none provide the space-filling girth that former Bills’ Pat Williams or Ted Washington provided in years past, they should take up enough space to help patch up the porous rush defense.  With Schobel solidly entrenched at the left defensive end spot, that leaves the right end position in need of an upgrade.

New @ Bleacherreport: 2008 NFL Draft For the Buffalo Bills, Size Matters at Wide Receiver

I've got a new article up at Bleacherreport.com - 2008 NFL Draft For the Buffalo Bills, Size Matters at Wide Receiver. Here's an excerpt:

Last year, New England, Green Bay, New Orleans, Dallas and Arizona ranked first to fifth, respectively, in passing yards per game. Look at passing touchdowns per game, and you have four of the same five teams, just switch out Pittsburgh for New Orleans, which was still highly ranked at number nine overall. 

One of the common factors all these teams shared was at least one of their two starting wide receivers was over six feet tall. New England, New Orleans, Dallas and Arizona all had starting receivers at six foot three or above. Then again, San Francisco and Tennessee had a multiple receivers on their rosters over six feet tall and were statistically among the worst passing teams in the NFL last year.

New @ Bleacherreport: The Smart Move for the Buffalo Bills? Trade J.P. Losman

I've started contributing articles over at new sports blogging website Bleacherreport.com. Here's my first article - The Smart Move for the Buffalo Bills? Trade J.P. Losman - and an excerpt:

One major reason why the Bills should be looking to move Losman is value. 

With one year left on his contract, Losman has stated, again through his agent, that he is willing to play out the rest of his deal with Buffalo in order to become a free agent following the 2008 season. 

This leaves the Bills in a bind. 

If Losman were forced to step in and played well, his market value would rise, making it harder to resign him.  If he sits and leaves, they've repeated San Diego's mistake with Michael Turner.