Here’s a little something for all you Hunter S. Thompson fans out there.  Today (July 4) marks the limited release in theaters of a brand new documentary that centers around the career and larger-than-life persona of the Gonzo journalist and whacked-out novelist Hunter S. Thompson.  For his part, Thompson became famous for his political coverage of American affairs in the pages of Rolling Stone magazine as well as for his cult-classic novels including Hell’s Angels and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.  Thompson died in February of 2005 from a self-inflicted gun shot to the head.  He was 67 years old.

The documentary, titled “Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson”, is directed by Alex Gibney (”Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room”, “Taxi to the Dark Side”), and features interviews with those who knew Thompson (Jann Wenner of Rolling Stone, writer Tom Wolfe) as well as with the politicians he covered over the years (Jimmy Carter, Pat Buchanan, George McGovern).  And as you would expect, there are loads of archival film footage collected from Hunter’s own life.  Johnny Depp, who famously portrayed the writer in Terry Gilliam’s film adaptation of “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas”, serves as the film’s narrator by reading passages from Thompson’s work throughout the film.

Again, the film opens today in a limited release in theaters across the country.  At the time of this post there are no scheduled listings for Charlottesville theaters (Vinegar Hill being the best bet if it does come to town), but it is showing in Arlington beginning this weekend and will begin showing in Richmond on July 18.  [You can check out the trailer for the film after the break].  Anyone interested in seeing this one besides myself?  I’m hoping it comes to C’ville…soon. »Read More

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GOD BLESS AMERICA ROCK SHOW!

Received this one yesterday afternoon in my inbox.  Thought I’d share it with you.  This one gives a whole new meaning to wrapping yourself up in the flag.  (or unwrapping yourself as the case may be) 

Here’s the details on the show:  Play hosts The Stabones, Culdera, Against Grace, Two Kings, and Alien Cabbage later this afternoon (July 4).  Doors open at 4pm! show starts at 5pm!?!.  If you’re not familiar with Play, it’s located behind Rivals Sports Bar and Grille.  You can check out the venue’s MySpace page here.  $9 cover.  Rock n roll, I salute thee!

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While there are a lot of great music performances coming up this weekend (Black Crowes, Jesse Winchester, and Bill Kirchen to name just three), all eyes will be on the skies come Friday evening as fireworks will light up July 4th in Charlottesville and surrounding areas.  There are a number of 4th of July events on tap and Haidee over at cvilleStyle has the details a-plenty.  Check ‘em out here:  Guide to July 4 festivities in Cville.  As for your music calendar for the holiday weekend…. 

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07/03:  Song of the Day.  Jimi Hendrix–The Star-Spangled Banner

In keeping with our continuing 4th of July theme this week, there really is no way I could avoid posting this one.  Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock, playing the Star-Spangled Banner is a must-hear for me every 4th of July, in much the same that I have to hear Arlo Guthrie’s “Alice’s Restaurant Massacre” on Thanksgiving and Cheech & Chong’s “Santa Claus and His Old Lady” at Christmas.

This was essentially the last big performance of Woodstock and actually took place on Monday morning after almost two-thirds of the estimated 500,000 people had already left.  Hendrix, playing here with the band he called Gypsy Sun and Rainbows, performed one of the longest concerts of his brief career at the festival (nearly two hours long) and closed his set with this version of the Star-Spangled Banner that we’ve all come to know and love.

Take it away Jimi!  [video after the break]

And Happy 4th of July everyone!

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Here’s a little something for those of you out there that wouldn’t mind adding a little wine to your Independence Day celebration before heading out to catch the fireworks.  Afton Mountain Vineyards is having an Independence Day Celebration on Friday, July 4th with live music, simple picnic fare, and of course…Wine!  The vineyard opens to visitors at 10am and the event runs until 7pm, leaving you plenty of time to get back and check all things sparkling, booming, and exploding.

Live music begins around noon and ends at 6pm with performances by Beleza Brasil and a flamenco guitar duo.  Admission price is $4 ($3 is you’re a wine club member), children under 12 get in free.  While you’re there, grab a cup of Shinko’s Gazpacho and feel free to bring your own picnic lunch.  If you’ve never been, it’s a beautiful setting!  In addition, Afton Mountain Vineyards will be releasing their 2007 vintage Pinot Noir and Sangiovese.  For more info, give them a call.  540.456.8667.  For directions, click here and scroll down to the bottom of the page.

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07/01:  Song of the Day.  The Violent Femmes–American Music

We’ve almost completed Side A on our 4th of July mix tape Our Crazy Uncle, Sam.  If you haven’t added a song/video yet just click on the link here and add your colorful twist to the musical mix.  In the meantime, to get you ready for Side B (which in a way has already begun), here’s a little ditty from back in the early 90’s that would fit in just fine.  From the 1991 album Why Do Birds Sing? here’s the Violent Femmes with your Song of the Day.  [Video for “American Music” after the break]

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Just because the Fourth of July falls on Friday does not mean that the fireworks are over for the weekend here in Charlottesville.  Case in point:  The next big show coming up at the Charlottesville Pavilion featuring The Black Crowes with opening guests Grace Potter and the Nocturnals.  The Crowes, who just kicked off their 90-date North America tour on June 28th, will be lighting up the July 4th weekend in Charlottesville on Saturday, July 5th.  Tickets for the show are still available.  For more info, click here.

[After the break, check out the Black Crowes’ recent performance of “Wounded Bird” on Late Night with David Letterman.]

[photo:  WireImage]

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Time for another mix tape.  This will be the sixth edition in our continuing series of reader submitted song selections.  I tossed around the idea of pulling out a previously submitted theme, but with the 4th of July coming up at the end of the week, I thought we’d use this particular mix tape to celebrate Independence Day.

There’s a lot of different ways we could go about this, but here’s where I think I’m going to take it.  We’re going to do a Side A and a Side B, with each side having a different theme.  I’m going to give you the Side A theme first.  Once we fill up Side A (10 songs), then I’ll give you the theme for Side B (10 songs).  Got it?  Hopefully by now everyone knows how this works.  As always, we add our gentle reminder:  Please add a video URL link with your song submission.  First come, first serve and in order to allow more folks to play:  1 submission per person per side.

SIDE A THEME:  Red, White, and Blue (songs with one or more of those words in the title)
SIDE B THEME:  Aint’ That America

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Ever since we broke the news here on these very pages back in late April, Modest Mouse’s scheduled concert at the Charlottesville Pavilion has been circled in bright red on the summer concert calendar.  This was the first big addition to the Pavilion’s summer schedule after announcing their initial line-up back in March and for a number of local music fans, the announcement was greeted with celebration and aniticipation.  Well at long last the day finally arrived as Modest Mouse, joined by openers The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, tore through the Charlottesville Pavilion on Sunday, June 29.

Folks started lining up Sunday afternoon to get into the venue well before the announced gate time of 6pm.  When the doors were finally opened, there was a line stretching back a good city block, as many fans hoped to get a coveted spot as close to the stage as possible.  By the time Dirty Dozen Brass Band took the stage to open the show an hour later, a rather large crowd had gathered on the Pavilion’s sloping concrete floor.  The Dirty Dozen, for their part, got the evening off to a strong start with a fantastic 45 minute set of New Orleans jazz-infused funk and blues that got quite a few in the audience up and dancing and drew considerable applause from the crowd.

But as the Dirty Dozen headed off and the stage crew began preparing for the arrival of the evening’s headliner’s, the real crush of folks moving to the front began.  By the time Modest Mouse hit the stage shortly after 8pm, the space from the soundboard all the way to the stage was literally packed.  As the crowd roared, the band took their places on stage, and the evening was off and running.

[Photo:  Modest Mouse on the Pavilion stage by Tom Daly]

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[Tonight I’ve got a couple of new songs for you and a couple of older ones.  It’s midnight, I’ve been on the road, driving the highway.  Just thinking about music, listening to it, holding the wheel.  Here are a few songs that have been driving my day.  Any songs been driving yours?]

I love driving at night in the summer.  I can feel the interstate stretching from here to the ocean.  The interstate has a rhythm.  You signal, you pass, one, two, you signal, you return, three, four.  Try counting the broken white lines in sixteens and thirty-twos.  The guardrail posts every eight beats.  The windows are rolled down with that sticky air that feels cool only because it’s moving at 70 mph.  Your light is the stereo, the instrumental panel, and on occassions the moon or the headlights of the car behind you.  Sometimes that when the songs sound the best. 

[After the break I’ve included a few songs heard and a few that would have fit in nicely, while taking a late night drive, heading east on I-64] »Read More

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