Posted the pics to Flickr, I'll add the titles later on.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/szostek/sets/72157601332198136


-C-

Oh the ways in which my legs hurt.

So it's day three and I overslept a little. I woke up just in time to realize that my train was leaving. The next train left at 12:47. I thought about driving in today and then woke up and re-aligned my logic. Off to the trains! Damn the torpedo's!

It was to the benefit of my health though, I got a full nights sleep and had time to get food in me before heading out. Unfortunately I missed allot of great music. I missed Rodrigo y Gabriela, who were playing their first U.S. show today. I missed the Black Angels as well. Today seemed really short.

The first act I saw was the Annuals. The first track didn't really grab me, after that it was nonstop greatness. This is a band that has two full drum sets, guitars, bass, and synth's. The frontman was decked out in this great steam punk inspired piece and is, I am convinced, part animal. Which animal? The kind that makes faces threatening to eat its synth's if they look at him funny. The entire band is multi instrumentally talented. I have a pic of the singer, with his guitar on his back, in front of the synths, banging on a drum off to the side. They, like all the bands, were really happy to be at the show and they gave an outstanding performance. It's alt rock with 15 drums.

After that we wandered over near Iggy. I didn't get even remotely close to the stage as that was impossible, not that I needed to. The mans power flows through crowds only to stun those that are not paying attention. From what I heard, I was impressed. The last "new" thing I heard from him was a longish time ago, it was a track called "V.I.P." and it was crap. So, go check his new stuff out, it's on my list.

We were hanging out waiting for the Bound Stems (local Chicago alt/indie band) to start. The Wailers were about to start very near where we needed to be so we saw some of that.

I dig reggae, but I couldn't tell you a single track that they played. All in all it was what I thought it would be, a reggae show. Maybe I missed something or maybe it would have been better if I knew their tracks a bit more. It was great, but not to memorable. What was hilarious was that about 3 minutes into the set, we saw this rather large cloud of pot smoke emanate from the crowd. I don't smoke it, I really can't even stand the smell of, but if you dig it then go for it. I just found it funny that with all the cops around the festival, here is one location where the atmosphere has been replaced by weed. Two cops even went through the crowd, I assume looking for "criminal" show goers getting high and about to start a nap riot.

The other rather odd part about this set was that we could still hear Iggy powering over the Wailers, the contrast was interesting. Here is a reggae band playing some really mellow tunes, then you have Iggy shouting about "killing" people for fun?

Off to the Bound Stems show. Good show, would be better in the Metro. I want to hear more, but it really didn't grab me as anything other than another indie/alt band. Great, make me care though.

We tromped over to see what we could of Modest Mouse. I was really looking forward to this band, but the way the schedule was set, we could either see all of Modest Mouse in a really great spot as long as we fought our way up. Or we could hang back, catch other bands and then get close to T.V. On The Radio. We chose the latter. Being where we were in the field, Modest Mouse was less than great. I think allot of that had to do with where we were, but also that I would much rather see them at a smaller venue. The outside environment hurt them more than helped them.

We left in time to get really close to see T.V. that part of the park was already filled with people waiting for Pearl Jam while watching My Morning Jacket. T.V. puts on a great show.

I have more to say tomorrow, more on T.V. and on bands that I missed and all. Maybe some photo links too.

Until then, it was a great weekend, I hurt & I've never walked from a crowded show at Grant Park to Ogilvy station in under 26 minutes before.

Good night and good luck.

-C-

OK, this one is going to be a bit short. The reality of walking around for 10+ hours a day for two days straight is taking its tole. Monday should find a more clear review.

Today was odd, the train schedule got us there an hour later than yesterday. Compound that with my suffering from sunburn and the feet/legs hurting a hell of allot (yes I stretched out today again). It was a long ass day.

We started the day with "Tapes 'n Tapes", not a bad band, actually very talented. I have some great pics of the synth master playing a horn instrument, it was really cool. The only thing that lacked was something that made me care. I know that sounds bad, but here it is. The band on a whole is solid, great presence, lots of crowd interaction (which I love), but over all I was constantly blinded by thinking that the singer sounded allot like a loud Jim Morrison to often. Thats just my opinion, I do recommend checking them out. Not really my thing, but a solid sound and a great live show.

Next up was the "Cold War Kids". Great sound. I had had enough of crowds at this point and headed for the trees to relax a bit while listening. They are good, but nothing really grabbed me about the whole set. Maybe it's me? The stage area was packed so I think it is me.

I left the trees to catch the highly hyped "CSS". Well, during the Cold War Kids set they announced that CSS had been held up at an air port and couldn't make it. i had heard so much hype I was a little sad. Luckily though, I had already rushed up front and the replacement band was Matt and Kim!!!! I had no idea who they were until today, but I am an official fan now. Two people, one on drums, the other on keyboards/synths/organ thing. The stage presence alone is worth seeing them. I've not seen that much joy and energy in a performance in a long time. Damn they are good. Google them and find some videos, they smile all the time. It was great!

After that we went to see DJ Craze and DJ Klever. Most of the time I had to spend was watching them set up, then one of them had some tech issues (an ongoing theme this year). What I did catch was two kickass DJ's doing what they do, mixing music to make you move. My friend will have a more justified review than I can hope to post. I'll send a link when I get it.


So, now I move over to the stage that Patti Smith is playing at, about 45 minutes early to get close. In the interim I am subjected to the trash known as "Snow Patrol". Wow what a bunch of crap. I was ok with them dedicating a track to every other artist on the bill except Iggy and Patti, thats fine maybe not your groove. However, when the set closed they told the crowd that the next show was Intepol in two hours, when in reality the next show was Patti in the right hand corner of that part of the park. Hell, I was watching them, all the crowd had to do was turn left!!!


I just found it a bit disrespectful considering how much of an icon she is in the music world.


Not a bother though. I showed up in time to get second row (standing position). At this point in the day I am standing on blacktop, my feet already hate me due to the last 24 hours, and I have another hour to kill. It sucked! There were three people near me that I swear I recognized as old skool punks now in there late 50's, I just couldn't put names with faces. The thing that made me believe it is that people (older than I) kept introducing themselves and having really great conversations. One of the trio kept glancing at me and I really wanted to talk to him but something about approaching someone and asking "hey, didn't you used to be a punk icon" while he is wearing Prada shoes< & I look like a sunburned indiana jones but retarded, seemed in bad taste. I will find you sir!!!! The internet tells all!

Patti Smith...

Can anyone really say anything about her? Here is the deal. I got my three day pass for $60 total, without knowing who was playing. Once I got the list I was awestruck by a number of bands. Once I read Patti Smith, I thought, "Fuck me, thats $60 right there". Of all the bands I've seen. that is the one show that went to quickly. At 61, Patti kicks more ass than anyone else at lolla, and I will kill you if you decide to argue. I got up front and saw god. I really wish I could put it into better words, but the woman just possesses you.

I learned that she was born in Chicago, which is cool. Okay here is what I can say.

She comes on stage and pulls out an old skool camera, it had a squeeze box body on it (don't know the tech term), and she starts taking pics of the crowd. Then tells us how happpy she isto be in Chicago. Then the show starts. I'm not going to give a play by play because I can't. What I will say is that she is the most passionate musician I have seen thus far. Daft Punk captured yesterday, but overall Patti has stolen the show for me. The climax was the end when she was ripping the strings off her guitar and commanding the crowd that if we want the world that we want, then NOW IS THE TIME!!! It breaks down to "quit bitching and start a revolution".

Maybe I'll be able to proclaim this more clearly later, but right now, you had to be there or you need to talk to me face to face.

It was godlike.

Tomorrow I am looking at "Rodrigo y Gabriela", might catch a little of Iggy Pop (though he hasn't impressed me lately). Might see the Wailers and then !!! (I hate that name). The highlights are going to be Modest Mouse and T.V. on the Radio. Headlining the whole festival for some dumbass reason is Pearl Jam? Nothing against Eddy or anything, I just don't care. It's fucking lolla for fucks sake! Why them? Why not the White Stripes or the Decemberists? Someone that has not been a household name since 1992?

So we are cutting out early on that to hit a record store that is staying open late for the lolla crowd on Madison Ave. It's Reckless Records and you should give them your cash! Went there tonight after walking out on Spoon and Interpol, who both had lackluster shows. Very loud and to many lights for no reason.

Thats all I have for tonight.

See you tomorrow.

-C-

(need more rum)

it's saturday, i'm on the train to Chicago and I look like a cheap indiana jones rip off. Yesterday was great except for me forgetting the sun screen and thinking it would be alright. So, here I am. Lobster boy! today I am smart, greased up with the spf sauce, wearing a very light long sleaved shirt & because I don't own any normal hats i'm wearing my fedora. Add the side bag to that & you get indiana lobster face & the hope for cloud cover (dear god please keep it overcast). more later.

Hrmm. It seems that only two of my posts were actually posted. Well here is a recap of day one at Lolla 2007.

Photos are going to be posted to the Flickr account on Monday(ish) as my phone takes shit pics. I may post a few random close shots of things if I can.

Disclaimer:: There are only a handful of artists at this event that I actually know. It's been awhile since I was getting promos sent to me and even longer since I was hitting the Metro to see whomever was playing. So allot of these bands are very established, this weekend is more for me getting back in touch with whats going on than it is about me giving a pop culture review of the shows. Thus far, the event has been amazing!

Day one:

Illinois:: A band from Pennsylvania named "Illinois"? Unfortunately they had a massive technical atrocity happen, wherein the keyboard decided not to work and then one of the main microphones . All in all though, this is a band I am going to pick up. I was immediately interested when I saw a banjo on stage with synthesizers and drum machines as well as the standard guitar bass and drum line up. Late into the set (post tech issues) the singer was unsing a mic that was a telephone head. GREAT STUFF! I only wish they had the opportunity to really shine.

The next band was Ghostland Observatory. I'd never heard of them, but Fuck me that was a great set!

Two guys (I recently learned this). One handles synth's, drum machines, effects (both vocal and other), and plays drums and piano/keyboards through the whole set while wearing a rather tragic cape. The other is a powerhouse of emotion and stage command! The only thing I could compare him to is Meg Lee Chin that is not a fair comparison, though they both OWN the stage. Its on my list to buy.

After that we wandered for a bit before catching the Polyphonic Spree.

My event mate is not to familiar with them and I begged him to reconsider out spot (right in front of the amp tower).

Polyphonic Spree, 24-27 members, a freaking orchestra +12. Do you really need to amplify a tympani?

Apparently the answer is YES, my ears are still bleeding because of it!


Other than the pain, this show has re solidified my appreciation for the band/cult. The energy that went into the show is such that is rarely seen. The interaction with the crowd, the somewhat scary amount of koolaid happiness they have, the leaving the stage in black only to tromp through the crowd n the Halbop white sheets following a trombone before performing an encore. It was a performance that truly appreciated the fans. It is one of the main highlights of the day.

Post Spree we ate. I was surprised at the low cost of the food, yes I shelled out $6 for a veggie burrito, but damn did it do what I needed. We were allowed to bring in 2 bottles of sealed water up to 1 liter per bottle which I did. The nice thing is that it was in Grant Park so I was able to refill the water bottles for no cost.

Next show was M.I.A.....

So here is my M.I.A. thing.

When she had her debut a few years back a friend was really excited a hyped her up allot. I took a listen at a B&N (this was the same year that Interpol released there second album which should been titled "I'm sorry this sucks!") So I took a listen and was not impressed. Over the years I have heard clips of her music in Toyota commercials and on some mashups that I dig. So we decided to give it a shot. Jason pointed out that it's really hard to do a good hip-hop performance live. I call BS on that, only because countless others have done it well live. I still like her studio/commercial work, but live? Go watch a movie.

After that we joked about throwing rocks at G. Love and his sucky sauce.

We saw a bit of the Rapture while hiding in the shade, they are alright, I don't think I'd ever buy it but it's not bad. It just didn't do anything for me overall.

Next up was The Black Keys.

Two man set of guitar and drums blues.

I wasn't sold on it at first because I kept getting images of "Blues Hammer" from "Ghost World" in my head. J described them as the White Stripes but actually playing blues instead of being influenced by it.

The singer/guitar player, Holy hell is he good!

Passion and talent.

The track that got me interested (I don't know the name so I will give it the chorus) was "Stag killed Bill", it's a play on a classic blues story song about Staggolee/Stack 'O' Lee/Staggerlee and Billy Lions.

--from wikkiepedia---

"According to some sources, Stag Lee was a person named Lee Sheldon. A story appearing in the St. Louis, Missouri Globe-Democrat in 1895 says:

William Lyons, 25, a levee hand, was shot in the abdomen yesterday evening at 10 o'clock in the saloon of Bill Curtis, at Eleventh and Morgan Streets, by Lee Sheldon, a carriage driver. Lyons and Sheldon were friends and were talking together. Both parties, it seems, had been drinking and were feeling in exuberant spirits. The discussion drifted to politics, and an argument was started, the conclusion of which was that Lyons snatched Sheldon's hat from his head. The latter indignantly demanded its return. Lyons refused, and Sheldon withdrew his revolver and shot Lyons in the abdomen. When his victim fell to the floor Sheldon took his hat from the hand of the wounded man and coolly walked away. He was subsequently arrested and locked up at the Chestnut Street Station. Lyons was taken to the Dispensary, where his wounds were pronounced serious. Lee Sheldon is also known as 'Stag' Lee.[1]

Lyons eventually died of his injuries. Sheldon was tried, convicted, and served prison time for this crime. This otherwise unmemorable crime is remembered in a song. In some older versions of the song, the name of the other party is given as "Billy Deslile" or "De Lion"."


So that made that band worth while.

Next up was LCD Soundsystem.

Not too familiar with there stuff beyond the "Daft Punk is Play'n at My House" thing.

The band was great and the sense of humor was better. They played the aforementioned track only after stating, " Yea, so this is a song that the band thats going to be playing right over (points across the field) there has probably heard. Funny? weird?!" They then bust into the track. Great show, another band I will be buying from.


All of this pales to the mighty headliner of the night.

That is Daft Punk.

I had to somewhat convince J that this was going to be good. He really had not heard anything beyond the first disc.

So here is the scene.

The field is packed, lights are out, we start to hear the alien theme form Close Encounters.

This goes on for a bit, then the lights come up and a very large pyramid is on stage. Then the top comes off and we see the robots that are Daft Punk. Beyond that all I can say is YouTube it!

They made the sunburn worthwhile.

Just google "lollapalooza 2007 + daft punk" at do a video search. I'll send links tomorrow, the internet is being stupid and I need some sleep before day 2.

Thanks for reading.

Please post Q's and comments.

-C-

szostekdesign.com

We are in and right up front to see illinois. Don't know them but there is a banjo & a drum machine

Just got into chicago. It's hot & we have a long walk. Getting excited though.

Hope tthis works. Will also have some form of flikr thing.

Test post. Tomorrow is the first day of lollapalooza. I will be reporting from the field.

Sitting at home and rather unmotivated right now, so I An watching silent hill and futzing with the teo, I Joined Twitter tonight, Will post a linky later on, Lots of drawing going on and digging about online for ways to sell work, Currently looking at Etsy.

-C-

Hope this works

I Finally have the mobile posting thing working, so this is now going to be the hub of those events. It's friday night, I spent today at my new gig as a designer at a sign shop, tonight I spent a few hours with a really good old friend and after setting this up I am watching land of the dead. This post is rather random as I Am happy to get all this going. Back to my zombies.

C

Mobile image

This yet another mobile test

I recently did an interview over at What to Wear During an Orange Alert. It's a great music, art and writing review blog.

Here is some new art.



-C-

Hey.

So, I did some research and learned that LJ wants money from me for the luxury of posting from my phone. This is really upsetting to me.

For those of you that are interested in my mobile postings please reset your links to This site

I had really hoped that I could limit my postings to this site and my own site. Eventually I will find a modul for drupal that will allow me to consolidate everything into one site. Until then, I apologize for the inconvenience. By the way, you should check out my friends blog at

So, it is January 2007. The year has already started off in an interesting manner. Found an old friend who has become an important friend again after so many years. The year began with a speeding ticket and a lost dog. The dog was found and the ticket paid. In a few weeks I should be getting my Treo 700p which should allow for actual posting. I feel a strange electricity about this year, I think it's going to be an interesting one. It might not be all good or all bad, but it should prove to be an interesting year either way. I'm excited and on guard.

-C-

get away from me you commie spies!!! I see you there in the closet trying to get a fix on my EFF membership! Your not even real commies, your some bizzaro commie faction, built to fill me with goo!

It's getting late.

-C-

It's 4:00 A.M. Chicago time and I just got done working for the night. I grabbed the new FireFox today and had some issues with the install. If you use a Mac and get an odd error where the data window is split in two and the actual content is on the left in a 20px wide thing that you can't expand do this.

Run it in safe mode and turn off all of your extensions and extra crap from the old version.

Here is how.

Mac OS X

On Mac OS X, go to Utilities (in the Applications folder) and open Terminal, then run (for Firefox):

/Applications/Firefox.app/Contents/MacOS/firefox -safe-mode

If you have installed the application to another location, modify the path as such. It's the "-safe-mode" command line parameter that's crucial here.

Anyway. New version is rockin once you fix that.

Not much else to write other than I'm becoming obbseced with mobile tech again and have decided to buy a Treo 700P in January to try the whole Moblogging scene. That & I've become re-interested in my webcam again. Pics and video may follow. Either here or on my site.

To whoever is out there. G'night.

-C-

Wow. I have not used this in about a year. Ok maybe less. I just really for me see no point. I have wordpress up on my site and a private sector for my friends to view. Anyway. The only reason I ressurected this is to keep tabs on one friend. Anyone else that stumbles on this. You should already know how to find me.

-C-