This Weekend: Stars at Firestone

My favorite Canadians are going to be in Orlando tomorrow night, headlining Firestone Live, or Club Firestone, or just Firestone – whatever they’re calling it now. Anyway, I’m stoked that I getting to see Stars twice in the past year: their live show is one of the best. If you like indie rock (think Broken Social Scene, which all of the members of Stars are also are a part of) and melodramatic, theatrical songs about ghosts, love and heartbreak, then you’ll be into this show. I promise. Tickets are $15 and still available. (Plus, no fees if you buy them at the Firestone box office!)

I got to talk with Amy Millan, Stars’ babe of a co-lead singer, about the new tour, plans for future music, and what’s on her playlist. Check it out!

You toured last year in support of Five Ghosts, and since then you've released The Bedroom Demos, the demos from 2007's In Our Bedroom After the War. What can expect to hear most of on this current tour? A good mix of old and new?

It’s interesting having five albums and four EPs -- there is SO MUCH TO CHOOSE FROM!! For our own sanity we need to mix it up and challenge ourselves for every new tour, which means the setlist is always a mixed bag. We always want to make sure we are playing some fan favorites because the fans are the ones buying the tickets and we wouldn't want to disappoint. Playing the favorites always means we get a sing along as well, which is the very best of anything.

You and Torquil (fanciest name ever) split most of the band's vocals, is the band's songwriting also a collaborative process?

All publishing is split between the five of us on every song – that’s how collaborative it is. No song would be the song without every member present.

Are there any current plans to record new music in the future?

YES! We are in the middle of recording and writing the next album, and we are actually playing some of the newest and freshest tunes on this tour. It’s terrifying and exciting! We have never played songs that have yet to be even finished before.

What's on your playlist right now?

PJ Harvey, Neon Indian, Beach House, Twin Sister and King Creosote.

Do you have a favorite place/ or is there anywhere you're looking forward to visiting while you're in Orlando?

Well, we just made it to the beautiful beaches of Florida and we are LOVING IT!

5 Can't Miss Fall Shows - Amy's Picks

Fall is here (even if it doesn't quite feel like it yet) and besides the insane amount of pumpkin bombs I'll be enjoying for the next couple months, I'll also be reaping the benefits of the onslaught of incredible touring acts making their way through town. Here's my Top 5 ... Becky will be posting hers later this week, plus check out the column on the right for even more listings.

Mates of State, The Social, October 7
It’s been a not-so-secret goal of mine to marry a musician babe and tour around the country with our daughters in tow like Kori Gardner and Jason Hammel of Mates of State do. They’re out in support of their seventh album, Mountaintops, which is more guitar-heavy than previous releases (which used to be just drums and keys), but it's still just as upbeat and melodic. Expect lots of pretty people and tambourines.

Stars, Firestone Live, October 15
Last year I drove to Atlanta to see this band of Canadians (half of them also play in Broken Social Scene), because I thought, "Oh they'll never come to Orlando." Well, here they are, less than a year later, touring in support of the same album (Five Ghosts). This means they’ll likely play the same set I saw last year which doesn’t really bother me one bit because they are one of the most hauntingly beautiful bands I’ve ever seen.

Butch Walker & the Black Widows, The Social, October 31
He was a one hit wonder in the 90s (Marvelous 3, anyone?) and now he's more banjo than bad-ass, but I still have a really strange crush on him. If you go to the show you’ll see why, or just think I have weird taste, but whatever. Butch is on tour with his folk backing band, The Black Widows, promoting the release of their brand new album, The Spade.

M83, The Beacham, November 2
Turns out I’m not going to be in town for this show, but I’m still so excited about it for your sake that it had to be included. Hurry Up We’re Dreaming is my favorite new album of the year, and I’ve never seen M83 live, so someone needs to go and tell me how it is. Okay now I’m sad.

Orlando Calling Festival, The Citrus Bowl, November 12
I realize this first-ever festival has the potential to be a giant, shitty mess -- annoying crowds, expensive beer (may I suggest a flask?) -- but this is The Killers’ first show on U.S. soil in more than two years, and there’s a bunch of other excitement-worthy acts on the bill (The Avett Brothers, The Roots, Gogol Bordello) that may make this worth it.

What You Should Be Doing Tonight!

Check it:

Mythology Mural Show at Bold Hype



Brice Stephens' show at Stardust Video (conveniently located next door to Bold Hype!)



Girl Talk at Firestone



False Alarm Warehouse Party (free admission with your Girl Talk ticket stub)



Happy Saturday!

Diplo vs. Tricky

Allright, kids, here are your best choices for tonight.

Florida’s own superstar DJ slash producer, Diplo, at Icon. He really looks like a Florida guy, doesn’t he? I can’t explain what it is but I’m sure I’ve seen him buying cigarettes at a gas station wearing a wife beater and jeans (boxers showing, of course). After making some lame comment to the cashier, he takes off in his pickup truck, blasting either country or hip-hop... you never can tell with those guys.



Or, British trip-hop icon, Tricky (aka Gary Oldman’s right-hand man in the Fifth Element!!!), at Firestone.



Not bad for a Thursday, huh? Be sure to save some juice for Girl Talk this weekend.

Prohibition Is Over! Now, Let's Drink!

December 5th is a big day in the history of drinking. Remember that time, back in the 20’s, when alcohol was illegal? Me neither. But today you can thank Utah for being the 36th state to ratify the 21st Amendment, which canceled out that lousy 18th Amendment for those of you playing along at home. So this weekend, why not raise a glass to Utah -- something I doubt you will ever do again -- to celebrate this glorious date in history. Then get wasted in honor of it. Here are some options to help you out.

Tonight, kick off your drinking binge at Heritage Square with the Orlando Holiday Brew Fest. For the (mere) $25 admission fee, they promise food, entertainment and (obviously) lots and lots of beer.



The boys of Get Mental are back tonight at Sky60 after a month-long hiatus. Not sure if this weekly party is going to continue in the future, but they promise madness and mayhem tonight. The weather will be in the 50s, which is not cold, people. So don’t complain, throw on an extra layer and enjoy the un-humid, non-sticky evening outdoors. Password for free admission: Fuck Rent, Let’s Party.



First Friday means one thing at the Peacock Room - Mexican wrestlers. The holiday edition of Club Queso features the usual cast of characters: Q-Burns, Atnarko and Sleazy McQueen. Free CD to the first 50 people.



Also tonight, Taste will be hosting a benefit party for Syd Zed. I don’t know the guy personally, but he got injured on the job, was misdiagnosed, and is now dealing with all kinds of workers comp hell on top of his injuries. If you click the info website, you can see pretty horrific photos of his foot or just read more about how he is being fucked over by the man. Support him tonight, along with local bands Franchise, The Mondellos, Jim O'Rourke, Hot Hands, The Saved 666 and DJs Cub and Dirty Sneakers.



Or, if you just feel like catching a movie, the Enzian will be presenting Gremlins as part of Popcorn Flicks at Winter Park Central Park at 7PM.



On to Saturday! You may have heard about the party I am throwing, but just in case... join Miss Becky (that's me!), Nigel and Cub for The Non-Denominational Holiday Funfest at the Peacock Room. God, I love The Simpsons.



A little band called The Misfits are also performing at Firestone on Saturday night. I’m guessing if you want to go see them, you probably wouldn’t come to my party anyway. And, since I can never resist a Jem and the Holograms reference, “We are The Misfits. Our songs are better. We are The Misfits, The Misfits, and we’re gonna get her!”



Have a lovely weekend and don’t forget to get drunk -- after all, it’s your constitutional right as an American. Thank you, Utah!

Flyer-Only Friday

My apologies for the boring-ness that is to follow. Waaaaaay too busy.

Friday Night:

Get Mental will be back next week. In its place @ Sky60:


At Peacock Room:


At Crooked Bayou:


Saturday Night:

The return of Turbo Love Machine at Peacock!!!


Roger Sanchez at Firestone:

Keep Feeling Fasciinatiion

The Faint is back in Orlando tonight, making a stop at Firestone on tour to promote their new album, Fasciinatiion. They put on a hell of a live show at The Social Pavilion a few years back, packing the parking lot venue and turning it into an electrified indie dance party.

The Faint - The Geeks Were Right.mp3
The Faint - Paranoiattack.mp3

And bonus remix from Does It Offend You, Yeah
The Faint - The Geeks Were Right (Does it Offend You, Yeah remix).mp3

Pop Off is hosting an official afterparty over at The Social, which is free with your ticket or $5 otherwise. BEWARE: The Social has recently converted to non-smoking (probably a good thing) and JACKED up their drink prices ($9 for vodka + soda?!?!?! You have to be out of your mind!!! This is not Miami!!!). While we definitely want to support the Pop Off guys because they kick so much ass, this will most likely force us to promptly head next door to more reasonably-priced Bar BQ Bar for alcohol.

Guru + Obamarama + Disco Express 666 + other weekend shiznet

Unlike a lot of people I know, I can admit when I’m wrong. And this Saturday, Orlando will prove me wrong. There is absolutely nothing going on. Okay, that’s not entirely true but it’s pretty fucking close. Yes, the almighty Dew Tour is happening and, yes, there’s an official afterparty at Firestone with Hawthorne Heights and These Green Eyes. Not my scene. Other people are probably excited about Dolly Parton at the UCF Arena. No one I know, of course, but I’m sure there has to be somebody who can’t wait to fork over $95 to see her boobs in person. Maybe the Dublife party at Crooked Bayou will be awesome, but with LTJ Bukem earlier this week, I’ve already had my fill. Here’s the flyer regardless:



Tonight, on the other hand, is completely going off. It sill fascinates me that these events can’t be spread around a bit more. We’ve got GURU at Firestone (!!!!!!!!!!!!):



Get Mental at Sky60 (Password: Dew Something):



A party promising disco at Peacock Room (I’ll believe it when I hear it):



An Obamarama Concert for Change at the The Plaza Theatre:



And finally, Taste’s 5th Year Anniversary Party (No flyer or additional info).

If you can’t find anything Saturday, just rest up for Blow Sundays at Tanquerays:

Ghost Tours and Tourist Traps

Sometimes the nightclub isn't exactly what you want to do. Occasionally, when the mood strikes, you want to go camping in the woods, hiking along a walking path or something equally as random. That's the great thing about Florida, we have an amazing array of strange things to do.

So, if you've still got your panties all in a bunch over that whole Firestone fiasco that took place a couple of months ago, and refuse to go there for whatever reason. Or maybe you went out Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and just want something a little different to do.

Tonight, The Kissimmee City Center invites you to step into the world of the unknown with their Ghost & History Tour for a hair-raising ninety-minute walking tour into the spirit realm of Kissimmee. Hear the tales of murder, mayhem and mystery.

$9 - $19 will get you in and Reservations are Required and can be made by calling 321-251-5204.

And then, if you're still feeling spry, you can always hit the downtown Disney clubs and theaters, get drunk enough and actually end up at Firestone.

The Feinberg-less Firestone

I feel the need to post about something that's driving me insane lately: something I like to call the "Feinberg-less Firestone." Let's take a look at the talent Mike Feinberg has helped bestow upon Orlando's club scene in the past few years:

Justice
DJ Mehdi
MSTRKRFT
Chromeo
Girl Talk
Tommie Sunshine
Diplo
Digitalism
Bonde do Role
Tittsworth
Surkin
Para One
Curses (aka Drop the Lime)
Peaches
CSS
Steve Aoki
Them Jeans
Toxic Avenger
Flosstradamus
Kid Sister
Princess Superstar
Guns 'N Bombs
Kissy Sell Out
The Rub
Orgasmic
Villains



And now that Feinberg is gone, here is the upcoming lineup:

DJ Mea
BT
DnF
Uberzone vs. Bassbin Twins
Friction and Spice
DJ Icey

Seriously?!?!? I feel like I should grab a pair of glowsticks, throw on some Jncos and set my Delorean for the year 1998. Haven't Orlando breaks died a horrible death by now??? Things are not looking good.

Be prepared for all flyers to start looking like this:

Friday the 13th !!! (and the 14th)

There are plenty of bloodcurdling events taking place tonight to help you get your Friday the 13th on. First up are Killer Robots at The Peacock Room -- join Strobo, Maximilian, and Auto as they perform in Daft Punk meets Gwar fashion. The visual aspect alone is worth the cover charge.



Next up, we have a themed punk rock show taking place at BackBooth, aptly named Mosh of the Zombies. If you want to get in on the zombie-fied action, stop by A Comic Shop between 5 PM and 7 PM to get free zombie make-up. Makeup will also be provided at the door and zombie films will be playing throughout the event.



Crooked Bayou is hosting a "5-hour Nightmare of Terror," with Latenight Society and T.A.R.D. providing the tunes. Since the music won't be very scary, take advantage of the terrifying drink specials: $5 Bloody Marys, $4 Red Death shots and $3 drafts.



Grab your bike for a ghoulish midnight trip from cemetery to cemetery. The Ghost Ride will be gathering at the Baldwin-Fairchild Cemetery (301 N.E. Ivanhoe Blvd.) at 11:30 PM and riding over to Greenwood Cemetery (1603 Greenwood St.) promptly at midnight (which is technically Saturday the 14th, but who's counting?). Ghost and zombie costumes encouraged!



The hockey mask antics continue on to Saturday the 14th, with the return of MSTRKRFT to Firestone. Every time these guys play, they are on point: it's definitely a show you don't want to miss. Andrew Spear and MOT will be opening and have hinted at a special surprise in the works. Hmmmm....



And finally, this has absolutely nothing to do with Friday the 13th but is still awesome enough to list. Saturday night, Hard Rock Live is hosting Classic Albums Live featuring Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles. With all the layered studio work this album encompasses, I can't even fathom seeing this album performed live -- especially considering the 35-piece Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra will be backing up the musicians. It should be pretty spectacular, to say the least.



Be safe this weekend, be wary of your friends named Jason and try to avoid any zombie bites!!!

Tonight: Ladytron + Datarock

Quick and dirty post since I am way too busy today.



Don't miss Ladytron laying on the floor with candelabras and Datarock doing hooded bicycle headstands tonight at Firestone. Early show - doors are at 8!!

Bruce Campbell + Big Jef

Obviously, if you already have tickets to see Vampire Weekend, then you don't need my blog to tell you where to go tonight. Have fun cramming into Firestone with 8 million of your closest friends! If you don't have tickets, please read on!



Coliseum of Comics at the Fashion Square Mall has put together a comic book nerd's wet dream. Tonight is a very special double feature of "Evil Dead 2" and "Army of Darkness" at Premier Cinema (that's the semi-trashy mall movie theater with really bad graphic design in case you weren't sure). Tickets are only $10 for this awesomely cheesy event.



Also playing tonight at hole-in-the-wall Uncle Lou's is Big Jef Special, a self-proclaimed "eclectic blend of punk, country, rockabilly, blues music for the soul." Be sure to hit up Wally's across the street first to get your drink on.

A three-day weekend on my mind

Of course, you know about The Worst Music Party® by now, so I will only briefly say that it is THE BEST thing going on in Orlando tonight!!!! And this post is mostly for other weekend events, so let's get on with it.


Kick your Saturday night off in the Winter Park Village at the quaint little robot toy store slash comic book shop, Überbot. Apparently the store is in danger of closing and needs your support to continue thriving. How can you help? Visit the store between 7 and 11 PM for their fund raiser and art show -- local artists include Phil Noto, Terribly Odd, Erik Jones and others. All sales will benefit the store so get off your ass and help support our local businesses!!!



The world's most recognizable DJ, Tommie Sunshine, will be playing Saturday night at Firestone. Also on the bill is the man rarely photographed without a hat, Junkie XL. These super-mega tours are getting confusing: first MSTRKRFT paired up with John Digweed and now this. Picture this scene: a boardroom meeting full of stuffed shirts sitting around a conference table, intensely discussing how to make a larger profit from the "rave scene." A young go-getter named Mark jumps up and exclaims: "By, George, I've got it! We can match two DJs/Producers with completely opposite music taste, force them to go on tour together, and thereby doubling our potential audience! Plus we can charge twice as much to see them both!!!" Well, Mark got promoted, makes way more money than me, and made me want to see the show much less. Thanks, Mark! I can't wait for the Boys Noize and Tiesto tour next year!!!



Hailing from the deep depths of Austin, Texas is heavy metal band, The Sword, who will be unleashing their wrath and fury upon The Social on Saturday night. They may look more like writers than rockers, but everyone knows the die-hard metal people are super nerds! Trust me, I just saw Ace Frehley last weekend. Yes, I am a nerd too.



What better way to enjoy your long weekend then by getting drunk and biking around Orlando? Yep, it's time for another world famous Beer Bomb Bike Tour! You know the drill -- meet on Sunday at Mills Market around 6:00 PM, have some beer, bike to some bars (hopefully not Wally's, yikes!), lather, rinse, repeat.

Ok kids, be safe, have fun, say no to drugs, don't do anything I wouldn't do, etc. etc.

Kids in the Hall + Yo Majesty + She Wants Revenge

The original gay-not-gay boys, Kids in the Hall, are bringing their "we-really-need-to-pay-our-bills-so-we-reunited" tour to Hard Rock Live this evening and I can't figure out why I'm not going!!! I was obsessed with KITH all throughout high school, thanks to the Comedy Central reruns. I had a whole collection of VHS tapes filled with Kids and The State (hopefully I won't get sued for admitting that here) that my friends and I would watch and quote endlessly. I would love to see their live comedy on the stage: Sir Simon Milligan & Hecubus, the Chicken Lady, Rod Torfulson's Armada featuring Herman Menderchuk, I'm Crushing Your Head, a gay Buddy Cole monologue... damn, why am I not going??? Oh yeah, because THE WORST MUSIC PARTY® is tomorrow and I have a bajillion and one things to do.

Anyways, here is my absolute favorite KITH sketch with Kevin and Dave about the guy who is never wrong about anything, especially the movie Citizen Kane.

If you like all that crunk-punk-rap B-more music, then head on over to BackBooth to see Yo Majesty. Hey, if nothing else, at least you'll see boobs:


LOL! View original photo at: Kevin Collier's website

Maybe not the boobs you wanted to see, but, hey, they'll be there. Also playing are Rosetta Stoned, Mostbangin'est, Justin Scott, Miss Fit and a super secret special guest. Oooh, mysterious!



I'm not a big fan but since some people are, I will mention that She Wants Revenge is performing at the House of Blues this evening. After the show, Adam 12 (the guy without the hair in the above photo) will speed over to Firestone for a DJ set.

But tomorrow is the real meat and potatoes because it's finally time for the Worst Music Party® Volume 12!!!!!!!!



Don't even think about doing anything else!!!