Help my band, win free stuff!

[Copied from bulletins/the band's blog]

Wotcher, Creative Wizards and Witches!
http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif
As you can probably see, we have the design for our Album's cover all finished, but the only problem is that WE DON'T KNOW WHAT TO CALL IT!! So, it's up to you, fair fans to name the album. Go check out the cover in the Posters/Logos/Album Art folder, and start brainstorming. You can send your entries to us by leaving us a comment, sending us a message, or talking to us on AIM (tonksntheaurors) or Skype (tonksandtheaurors). Duplicate entries will be determined by whoever suggested the title first. We will announce the winner Next week sometime in our blog, so stay tuned!

Werewolf nuzzles,
Tonks & the Aurors

YOU can enter at our myspace page HERE

To prepare you for the tour...

The best television performance of the last 15 years:



Bruce & the E Street Band on Conan O'Brien in 2002 playing "Kitty's Back," a song off of one of Bruce's first studio albums that definitely doesn't get enough air time. Bruce has at least 3 outstanding guitar solos in the video (one in the first 30 seconds) and the band sounds amazing with the horns from the Max Weinberg 7 backing them up.

Definitely legendary.

I'm PUMPED!

Springsteen Update for 9/4/07

The video for the first single off of "Magic" was released through amazon.com. It's awesome to see the E Street Band back together, and the video just gets me even more excited for the album and reunion tour.

Watch the video here.

Thursday 13 #30: Potter Pics

My Thirteen Favorite Pictures that I took at the Harry and the Potters Concert in Ann Arbor!

1. Draco & the Malfoys opening the show...


2. Harry Potter 7th Year (Paul) during "Voldermort Can't Stop the Rock"


3. HP7 with his party hat on because it was Harry Potter's Birthday!


4. Harry Potter 4th Year (Joe) with the Library Sign


5. HP7 breaking it down...


6. HP4 demonstrating the new Hagrid song with dance moves!


7. An awkward moment with Bill Weasley on drums during "The Weasle"


8. HP4 rocking out during "The Weasle"


9. HP4 letting loose


10. The signature HP4 Mic Cord move


11. I really just love this picture of Paul. Adorable.


12. SAXY TIME!


13. The Weapon We Have is Love!


Want more from Harry and the Potters? Check out their Myspace

Springsteen Update 8/22

Yesterday, Bruce Springsteen announced the release of his latest album titled "Magic".

"Magic" is a return to the more traditional "rocking" style of Springsteen music, according to Jon Landau. With this return, Springsteen also welcomes back the E Street Band as his band. Rumors previously claimed that this could be the Full E Street Band album and tour, due to Clarence Clemons' declining health. Fans have waited five years since "The Rising," the multi-platinum and grammy winning album that last featured the E Street Band.

If you want to hear what could be the last hoorah with "The Big Man" on sax, I would advise you to buy this album and fight to get some tickets to the inevitable tour with the E Street Band.

The album comes out October 2nd, and more information can be found at www.brucespringsteen.net

Band to Look for...

So, there's this new Wizard Rock Band that's trying to tear up the nation, and I thought I'd give them a plug. Head over to their Myspace and hear their awesome demos!

Thursday 13 #29: Harry AND THE Potters!

After another summer hiatus, here's a great Thursday 13 to make up for it! One of the best live bands ever is a band called HARRY AND THE POTTERS, the original Wizard Rock (WRock) band, and still the best. If you hadn't guessed it already, Harry and the Potters play songs only about Harry Potter and even dress as Harry Potter. The two brothers play Harry Potter 4th Year and Harry Potter 7th Year, who met during a night of time travelling and decided to form a band together. Check out their albums, which are now available on iTunes! So without further ado...


13 of my favorite Harry and the Potters songs

1. Dumbledore
Written after Dumbledore's death in book 6, the song can make me cry.
"You were the best we ever had (you were the best)/I wish we could have shared more together/But now you're off on your next adventure/DUMBLEDORE WE WILL FIGHT FOR YOU TONIGHT!...Your love is keeping us alive!"

2. Save Ginny Weasley
The song that helped start the movement!
"We've got to save Ginny Weasley from the Basalisk!/We've got to save our school from that unseen horror!"

3. Save Ginny Weasley from Dean Thomas
"My Wizard Scar still burns for you..."

4. Fred & George
A great stuttering rock song that is so punk and so catchy
"So what's your deal? Are you a prankster? Or are you just looking for some skivving snack boxes to get you out of class?

5. Dumbledore's Army
"Oh my god you look like a frog/Oh my god you look like a frog/Umbridge you're going down, Umbridge you're going down"

6. Platform 9 3/4
"The bus don't run to Hogwarts/You have to take the train/We'll take the train from platform 9 and 3/4

7. We save Ron's life (part 8)
A really funny song about all the times Harry and Hermione save Ron's life

8. Phoenix Song
One of the best produced Harry and the Potters songs, and it's got a gorgeous intro. Just go download it!
"Put your wand in your hand!/Put love in your heart!/Get your friends by your side!/And tear evil apart!"

.9. I am a Wizard
I think you get what this is about, right?

10. Song for the Death Eaters
"You're running scared/You run and hide/your hearts have nothing warm inside"

11. The Weapon
And there's one thing that I've got/One thing that you've got inside you, too/One thing that we've got/And the one thing we've got is enough/To save us all/The weapon we have is love"

12. The Human Hosepipe
"I'd rather not talk about your dead ex-boyfriend over coffee...Cho Chang, what have I done?"

13. Cornelius Fudge is an ass
"Do you wanna go back to the way we were?/And do you wanna stay how we used to be?/And do you wanna pretend that the Dark Lord didn't come back?"

I've been saying it for 6 years...

Avril Lavigne sucks, is not punk rock, and now she's a theif...



I hope the Rubinoos take her down.

What do you think?

Thursday Thirteen #27: Lyrics

Thirteen song lyrics I love.


1. Jack's Mannequuin- Bruised
I lace my Chucks, I walk the aisle/I take my pills, the babies cry/All I hear is what's playing through/The in-flight radio/Now every word of every song/I ever heard that made me wanna stay/Is what's playing through/The in-flight radio

2. Tally Hall-Greener
Wherever you are/Is breaking my heart/Don't leave it alone/Don't leave it alone/You fit just right/Right next to me

3. Rent-Finale B
Women sing: "The hand gropes, the ear hears, the pulse beats/Life goes on, but I'm gone/Cause I die without you/I DIE WITHOUT YOU"
Men Sing: There's only now, there's only here/give in to love or live in fear/no other path, no other way/NO DAY BUT TODAY"

4. Bruce Springsteen- Jungleland
Outside the streets on fire in a real death waltz/Between flesh and whats fantasy and the poets down here/Dont write nothing at all, they just stand back and let it all be/And in the quick of the night they reach for their moment/And try to make an honest stand but they wind up wounded, not even dead/Tonight in jungleland

5. The Beatles-Blackbird
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see/All your life/You were only waiting for this moment to be free/Blackbird fly, Blackbird fly/Into the light of the dark black night.

6. Dashboard Confessional-This Ruined Puzzle
But I’ve hidden a note/it’s pressed between pages/that you've marked to find your way back/It says Does he ever get the girl?

7. Elton John-Ticking
Oh they pleaded to your sanity for the sake of those inside
"Throw out your gun, walk out slow just keep your hands held high"
But they pumped you full of rifle shells as you stepped out the door
Oh you danced in death like a marionette on the vengeance of the law

8. Ludo-Save Our City
(This is one of 5 songs from a mini-rock opera)
O'er the Mayor's ruined head, the boy steps the window/and cries out from the ledge to the people below:
"There's a time to pray, and there's a time to fight.
Anything can be a weapon, if you're holding it right.
Defend what is yours, they will not take our souls.
It's time to rise, and fight!"

9.Elvis Costello-Radio Radio
You either shut up or get cut up/they don't wanna hear about it/It's only inches on the reel-to-reel/And the radio is in the hands of such a lot of fools/tryin' to anaesthetise the way that you feel

10. Harry & the Potters-Human Hosepipe
well maybe I shouldn't have mentioned hermione/and maybe you shouldn't have brought up cedric diggory/because I'd rather not talk about your dead ex-boyfriends over coffee...Cho Chang, what have I done?

11. Patty Griffin-Long Ride Home
Headlights searching down the driveway/The house is dark as it can be/I go inside and all is silent/It seems as empty as the inside of me
I've had some time to think about you/And watch the sun set like a stone/I've had some time to think about you

12. Ted Leo & The Pharmacists- Me & Mia
(two faves from this one!)
a. "Do you believe in something beautiful? Then get up and be it!"
b. "Not doctors, nor your mom and dad, but me and Mia, Ann and Ana/Know how hard you try. Don't you see it in my eyes?/Sick to death of my dependence, fighting food to find transcendence/Fighting to survive, more dead but more alive

13. U2-Sometimes You Can't Make it On Your Own
(two from this one too)
a. "We fight all the time/You and I...that's alright/We're the same soul/I don't need...I don't need to hear you say/That if we weren't so alike/You'd like me a whole lot more
b. "Can - you - hear - me - when - I -/Sing, you're the reason I sing/You're the reason why the opera is in me"


I Could probably do another 13 if I wanted to!

Loving Love

One of the room mates finally burned me a copy of The Beatles' LOVE, the collection of remixes from Cirque du Soleil. All I can say is WOW. This album takes these Beatles tunes to a whole new place, and it's a good place.

7 Songs...for 7 Brothers?

The rules are post 7 songs you've been listening to lately, and tag 7 people...but as far as I've seen, all the people I visit regularly have done the meme, so consider yourself tagged if you haven't.

1. Queen-Somebody to Love

2. Lily Allen-Alfie

3. Elvis Costello-(I don't want to go to) Chelsea

4. The Living End-Short Notice

5. The Spring Awakening Soundtrack-And Then There Were None (And the rest of the album for that matter)

6. Seven Places-Even When

7. Big City Rock-Sink

Definitely give these songs a look!

Thursday Thirteen #20: Bruce Springsteen

The Thirteen Best Bruce Springsteen Songs

In case you didn't know, the name "Cosmic Kid" comes from a song by Bruce Springsteen, who is one of the most influential musicians in my life. In honor of him, here's my 13 favorite Springsteen Songs

1. Racing in the Street
There's too many amazing lyrics to choose from in this song, but here's one I love:
Some guys they just give up living/And start dying little by little, piece by piece/Some guys come home from work and wash up/And go racin' in the street

2. Jungleland
For me, this song is 10 minutes in heaven...
the poets down here don't write nothing at all/they just stand back and let it all be/And in the quick of the night they reach for their moment/And try to make an honest stand but they wind up wounded, not even dead/Tonight in Jungleland

3. It's Hard to Be a Saint in the City
The acoustic version on the Tracks box set is my favorite
The devil appeared like Jesus through the steam in the street/Showin' me a hand I knew even the cops couldn't beat/I felt his hot breath on my neck as I dove into the heat/It's so hard to be a saint when you're just a boy out on the street

4. Dancing in the Dark
Sure, it's got a terrible video, but it's a great dance song!
Message keeps getting clearer/radio's on and I'm moving 'round the place/I check my look in the mirror/I wanna change my clothes, my hair, my face
5. She's the One
A great live song...
And no matter where you sleep tonight or how far you run/Oh-o she's the one, she's the one

6. Thunder Road
One of the most beautiful songs ever written, possibly.
so Mary climb in/It's a town full of losers/And I'm pulling out of here to win.

7. Growin' Up
My namesake!
I took month-long vacations in the stratosphere and you know it's really hard to hold your breath./I swear I lost everything I ever loved or feared, I was the cosmic kid in full costume dress

8. Born to Run
It's the song that most people identify Bruce with, and it's an incredibly layered song musically and lyrically
Baby this town rips the bones from your back/It's a death trap, it's a suicide rap/We gotta get out while we're young/'Cause tramps like us, baby we were born to run

9. If I Should Fall Behind
This song closed out the entire 2001 Reunion tour, and the version off the Live in NYC record, is gorgeous...
We said we'd walk together baby come what may/That come the twilight should we lose our way/If as we're walkin a hand should slip free/I'll wait for you/And should I fall behind/Wait for me

10. Born in the USA
This is not a triumphant american anthem, and if you think it is, go take another listen and you'll see why Ronald Reagan was stupid to try and use it as a campaign anthem.
Come back home to the refinery/Hiring man says "Son if it was up to me"/Went down to see my V.A. man/He said "Son, don't you understand"

11. Stolen Car
I discovered this one when Patty Griffin covered it, and it's a really raw, heart wrenching story
And I'm driving a stolen car/On a pitch black night/And I'm telling myself I'm gonna be alright/But I ride by night and I travel in fear/That in this darkness I will disappear

12. Land of Hope and Dreams
Now this is an American Anthem!
(This train) Carries saints and sinners/(This train) Carries losers and winners/(This Train) Carries whores and gamblers/(This Train) Carries lost souls/(This Train) Dreams will not be thwarted/(This Train) Faith will be rewarded/(This Train) Hear the steel wheels singin'/(This Train) Bells of freedom ringin'


13. One Step Up
The Tunnel of Love album has a few gems on it, and this is the best.
There's a girl across the bar/I get the message she's sendin'/Mmm she ain't lookin' to married/And me well honey I'm pretending

Honorable Meantions: Rosalita (I named my dog after that one), You're Missing, Jesus Was an Only Son.

You can stream all of these tracks at www.brucespringsteen.net under the SONGS section

SHE LIVES!

Yes, I'm still alive!

For an entire week I suffered with a broken computer...which turned out to be something easy to fix, and I fixed it myself.

Aside from that, I was in Memphis, TN visiting family and the roots of rock music. I enjoyed 5 days of Rest, Relaxation, and Rock & Roll! I'll post some pics soon, since I'm catching up on class work I was supposed to complete over break!

Thursday Thirteen #15: Recently Played

Thirteen songs that have been recently Played in my itunes...that I would reccomend to you

1. Handle With Care-Jenny Lewis & The Watson Twins
Been beat up and battered 'round/Been sent up, and I've been shot down/You're the best thing that I've ever found/Handle me with care

2. Short Notice-The Living End
I said I wanna see you/I really meant I wanna leave you/I said I wanna touch you/I really meant I wanna punch you/I said I wanna kiss you/I'm never gonna miss you
If you had a clue you would never stay/If I told the truth I would have to say/We're going round, round, round
Short notice - and now it's time to go/Misguided - shot down when you didn't know/Short notice - and now it's time to go

3. The Bitch of Living-The Original Cast of Spring Awakening
It's the bitch of living/with nothing but your hand/just the bitch of living/as someone you can't stand....
See previous post to stream the song/music video

4. Let My Love Open the Door-Pete Townshend
When people keep repeating/That you'll never fall in love/When everybody keeps retreating/But you can't seem to get enough/Let my love open the door/To your heart

5. Everybody's Up to Something-Brian Setzer
I saw a man on a TV show, Said "Don't drink alcohol/please don't smoke no cigarettes/don't drink no coffee at all"/Later on, I'm watchin' the news as the man from the TV show/get's stopped by the cops and in his trunk/was a suitcase of...well, you know

6. I Walk the Line-Johnny Cash & The Tennessee Two
I keep a close watch on this heart of mine/I keep my eyes wide open all the time/I keep my ends out for the ties that bind/Because you're mine/I walk the line

7. The Sweetest Thing-U2
My love she throws me like a rubber ball/(Oh oh oh, the sweetest thing)/She won't catch me or break my fall/(Oh oh oh, the sweetest thing)/Baby’s got blue skies up ahead/But in this I'm a rain cloud/You know she wants a dry kind of love/(Oh oh oh, the sweetest thing)

8. Everybody Wants to Rule the World-Tears for Fears
Welcome to your life/Theres no turning back/Even while we sleep/We will find you/Acting on your best behaviour/Turn your back on mother nature/Everybody wants to rule the world

9. London Calling (Live @ the Grammys)-(Tribute to Joe Strummer)Bruce Springsteen, Little Steven, Elvis Costello, Dave Grohl, etc.
The ice age is coming, the sun's zooming in/Engines stop running, the wheat is growing thin/A nuclear era, but I have no fear/Cause London is drowning and I, I live by the river

10. Baba O'Riley-The Who
Don't Cry/Don't Raise Your Eye/It's Only Teenage Wasteland

11. Mixed Tape-Jack's Mannequin
And this is my mixed tape for her/It's like I wrote every note/With my own fingers

12. Save Ginny Weasley-Harry and the Potters
We've got to save Ginny Weasley from the basilisk/We've got to save the school from that unseen horror/We've got to save Ginny Weasley from the basilisk/We've got to save the school again

13. Hey Jane-The Pink Spiders
Hey Jane I know your hungry honey/But I promise you that things will change/Just don't let your life's income determine your life's outcome

Broadway for Everyone

I'm going to give everyone here a big tip right now, so listen up.

If you buy one musical soundtrack this year, make it SPRING AWAKENING.
If you find yourself in New York and can only see one show, see SPRING AWAKENING.
If you think you don't like musicals, watch the video I've posted below, or at least listen to only the music. I promise, this is an amazing show.
Music by Duncan Shiek....sure, his solo career hasn't been amazing, but this is some very well written music. Give it a try.



www.springawakening.com

Thursday Thirteen #10: Sufjan Stevens

My Thirteen FAVORITE songs off of Sufjan Stevens' album Songs for Christmas


The Michigan native Singer/Songwriter, Sufjan Stevens, has been earning acclaim for many years now for his one-of-a-kind music. Sufjan has recently been in the spot light because of his mission to record an album dedicated to each of the 50 States. Already tackling Michigan and Illinois (IL got 2 albums, technically), Sufjan has released a 5 CD box set for Christmas. Songs For Christmas started as a simple tradition that Sufjan started, by quickly recording Christmas EPs for his friends and family, and the following box set is the result of 5 years worth of EPs. The production quality improves with each disc/year, but Sufjan's original approach and heart-felt delivery of each song brings new meaning to many christmas classics. Sufjan also supplies brand new Christmas songs that are infused with his creativity and humor. The following list is a very small selection of the 2 hours of sonic bliss that I promise you will experience while listening to these albums.


1. Holy, Holy, Holy (Disc 5 version)

2. Get Behind Me, Santa!

3. The Little Drummer Boy

4. Angels We Have Heard On High

5. The Incarnation

6. O Come, O Come Emmanuel (Disc 1 Version)

7. Star of Wonder

8. Ding! Dong!

9. Lo How a Rose E'er Blooming

10. Only At Christmas Time

11. Once In Royal David's City (Disc 5 Version)

12. Christmas in July

13. The Winter Solstice

Concert Review: Ben Taylor @ Borders

Ben Taylor featuring Sonya Kitchell and David Saw
Friday, December 1, 2006
Ann Arbor-Downtown Borders

Ann Arbor's 107one, local radio station, has a feature on their station called Studio A2, where they have national artists perform and get interviewed. Last year they started doing Studio A2 ON THE ROAD at the downtown borders. This was an interesting event, since it was technically just a live radio interview, that just happened to be at Borders.

For those of you who don't know, Ben Taylor is the son of James Talyor and Carly Simon. I first saw Ben when he was on tour with his mom as the opening act. He immediately blew me away with his great acoustic guitar lines, brilliant lyrics, and his voice sounds exactly like his father! After seeing him that one time, I became addicted to his album "Another Run Around The Sun" and was hoping he would come back to the Ann Arbor area. A year later, he finally returned! Unfortunately I couldn't go to his concert at the Ark, but 107one set up this great in-store appearance.


The set up was incredibly simple, just 3 stools, the sound equipment, and a backdrop. I was really impressed with how good everything sounded eventhough the venue isn't suited for this kind of performance.

Finally, between the cookbooks and coffee shop, Ben, Sonya, and David appeared from behind the backdrop and were introduced by the local radio personality. Sonya Kitchell performed her song "No Matter What" first, which had a great guitar line, lyrics, and featured her voice really well. David Saw accompanied her on guitar, and Ben provided back-up vocals.

I was completely floored to find out during the radio that Sonya was only 17 years-old! She says that "[I] was born, and started singing." She was raised in a very creative household, since her parents are both visual aritist, and they have always been supportive of her music career and her dreams.

After the brief interview with Sonya, Ben played a new song called "Wicked Way," which was a really witty song that immediately had the crowd laughing and clapping at his lyrics. The song will hopefully be on his next album, which “About...0%” has been recorded, according to Ben.

Once the song was over, Ben talked about growing up as the son of James Taylor and Carly Simon. Their advice to him was to always remember that "music is blue collar; don't be fooled that everything is glamorous." He took this to heart, understanding that his parents came from a time when it was much easier to be successful in the music bussiness, and that the industry has changed a lot since they started.

Sonya played one more song live on the air for the radio audience, which had a very sophisiticated melody, and wonderful lyrics. David and Ben both played guitar, and their strumming/picking styles blended very well together. Unfortunately, the song hasn’t been recorded yet, and probably won’t be any time soon, since she’s touring in Europe in the spring, and will be unable to get any recording done until the fall of 2007.


Ben played one more song for the in-store audience, which is one of my favorite songs off of Another Run Around the Sun, called “Ghost”. Ben apologized to the audience, since he had flown from Dublin the night before and on top of that he was pretty sick, so he was afraid he sounded terrible. But honestly, I thought he sounded great!

Over all, I thought the morning was really fun, and this intimate setting made me enjoy it all the more. I hope that next time Ben comes through town I’ll be able to see a full concert of his!

Thursday Thirteen: Trapped on an Island

Thirteen Albums I'd want to have with me if I was trapped on an island


1. Rent-Original Motion Picture Cast Recording (Delux Edition)

2. Bruce Springsteen-The Wild & The Innocent & the E Street Shuffle

3. U2-Best of 1980-1990

4. Beastie Boys-To the Five Burrows

5. Elvis Costello-North

6. Dashboard Confessional-The Swiss Army Romance

7. Jack's Mannequin-Everything In Transit

8. Bruce Springsteen-Live 1975-1985




9. Joni Mitchell-Blue

10. Radiohead-OK Computer

11. Wicked-Broadway Cast Recording




12. The Who-Ultimate Collection


13. Ted Leo-Shake the Sheets




On a Side note: Go buy Sufjan Stevens' Album Songs for Christmas if you want to hear some of the most beautiful music I have ever heard! If you buy this box set and can't find at least one song that you like, I will buy the CD back from you.

A very rockin' birthday...

My birthday is next thursday, and my mom bought me a new guitar for my 20th birthday and christmas this year. I decided I needed to make the investment in a 12 String Acoustic, so I immediately went to my favorite guitar store to test out guitars. I've been eyeing the Seagull brand for years now, so I was pretty sure where I'd land.

I went home with a brand new Seagull S12+ (with a Godin Quantum I pickup) this tuesday. The guitar is gorgeous. The tapered headstock keeps the guitar in tune longer, and makes it easier to tune too. The top is Solid Cedar, and the back and sides is the beautiful Wild Cherry wood that canadian guitars are becoming known for. I can't wait to test it out at mass this sunday!

So far I give it &hearts &hearts &hearts &hearts &hearts (out of 5)