Deep down in the Cave

You load sixteen tons . . . what do you get?
Another day older and deeper in debt
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
I owe my soul to the company store

Last night I had a great time at the Cave in Chapel Hill. Performing was The Virgo 9 and a touring band called Cicada Omega. The Virgo Nine was tight with their blues-punk sound, and Cicada Omega just drove it all home with their transcendental junkyard blues style. Towards the end of their set, Cicada Omega performed "Sixteen Tons." At first, I thought it seemed so outdated, but when I read this article in the NY Times today- "Gas and Food Prices Push Up Inflation", I thought that choice of a song was right on.

The article and the show made me think of Sunday night when I was eating dinner, and I made this dish that I call my depression era meal- thin spaghetti with sautteed tomatoes. Trying to always be quick like a bunny with my cooking and cheap, I am going to give you my recipe for a 15 minute meal. Yeah, beat that Rachel Ray! This will feed 2 people easy. You can use any pasta you have in the house. I just like thin spaghetti because it cooks up in 7 minutes.

6 cloves of garlic, minced
2 tablespoons of olive oil
1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes
2 teaspoons of dried basil (fresh would be better, but this is cheap eating)
1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
a pinch of salt
4 fresh roma tomatoes, diced

Heat the olive oil in the pan and then saute the garlic til it's soft, then saute all the other ingredients in the pan with the garlic. Saute for about 5 minutes later throw it on your noodles and you have dinner.

On the side steam some squash or broccoli, cause you need to eat your veggies.

Yes, yes!

Yesterday I was lucky to receive a demo CD of the Virgo 9. First thing I did when I got home last night was pop it into the CD player. I can't wait to hear a full length. The Virgo 9 takes rock n' roll by the balls and squeezes until you beg, baby, please, please, please, please. It's garage-punk that takes you back to their Southern roots with hints of blues and gospel. One of their best songs is the visceral "No Means No," but when you hear it you are going to say, "Yes, yes!"

photo by Gavin Wissen

QLAB has been been a lame reviewer

Yeah, I know I have been a bad music reviewer. Life and its goings on have just not been conducive to sitting down to reviewing. Instead, I have really been into gardening, working in the backyard, and having friends over to eat and relax. I suppose you could say I have been domestic.

So, I am going to give you a rockin' recipe for Thai Peanut Sauce, that is awesome on just about anything you are willing to put in your mouth. I prefer to throw it on some noodles with veggies for a quick meal.

I am not kidding this sauce rocks and it is quick and easy. So, there is your quick like a bunny for ya'.

All you need is a food processor or blender to make it in a few minutes.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup of water
4 tablespoons of rice vinegar
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup soy sauce
2 limes- use the juice of
6 cloves garlic, minced and crushed
1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon of fresh grated ginger
1/2 teaspoon of black pepper

Whirr it all together and VOILA you have peanut sauce.

Toss it with some noodles, snow peas and garnish with some cilantro and you have dinnah.

While you are in the kitchen, you could listen to music. So you might want to check out these bands...Sugar in the Dirt or The Virgo 9.

If you are looking for a really great food blog, then I also recommend Rockin' the Stove.

When I was Young and Always Gray

Before I even listened to Gray Young's new CD, I had it in my mind that it was going to sound just like a shoegazer album. But I was completely wrong. At times, the music on their EP "Kindle Field" takes me back to the days of Archers of Loaf and the Connells. Oh yes, the days of the Brewery and when Margaret still owned Local 506. Eons ago.

"Kindle Field" is plentiful with lush guitar but it's no lullaby. Gray Young keeps it current by adding in noise and distortion at well placed moments within each song. Their technique adds auditory interest and keeps you listening. Overall, the vocals are sparse, but the warm fuzz of the guitar will fill that void for you and put you in the mood to rock out. I say chill out with Gray Young and check them out when you get chance. Do it. You won't regret it.

Everyday is Like Sunday

On this cold and rainy night, I was fortunate to come home and find a package in my mailbox. It was the new EP, "The Meeting after the Meeting," for the Greensboro, NC band Citified. Really, on a night like this I couldn't have come home to a better surprise. Immediately, I popped it into the CD player to check it out.

The shoegazey sound on this disc is what you want to listen to on a drizzly night. With a very lush sound that takes you back to early R.E.M., the Doves, and Mojave 3, Citified is band that will transport you back to the 90's. The music is opulent sounding with their musical arrangements. Simply put, it's a lovely sounding EP. Now all I need is nice cup of Earl Grey.

The Great Band Swap!

The Great Band Swap at Duke Coffeehouse was the place to be last night. The evening was created to be a benefit for BCHQ. By the look of all the people it seemed like a success. Many new faces were out and about to check out the show, which in the long run seems like a bonus for BCHQ and the community. I found myself laughing so hysterically at times. Especially, with Ever Party's (Eberhardt) rap version of the Midtown Dickens "Big Screen" and their reinvention of FKON's "10 Simple Murders." Beloved Binge always managed to throw in their Greek Rubble Punk sound into each song- bum-bum-bum-bum.....BUM. The Midtown Dickens performed a lush, alt-country set. When Catherine sang, her voice soared through the Coffeehouse and wound its way into your heart. Just beautiful.

The Future Kings of Nowhere were basically true to their FKON-y sound, but they switched up the players a bit on us. On one song Dan came out from behind the drums and played lead guitar and sang on a Midtown Dicken's song while Shayne played a Theremin. The Theremin was an interesting alternative to the saw that Catherine normally plays.

Sadly, I missed the Wigg Report, which I heard was a fantastic set. The most moving set of the evening was Megafaun's. They were completely unplugged and played a rendition of the "Job Song" by the Midtown Dickens that was so beautiful and powerful, that I felt tears well up in my eyes.

Special Guest, Man Blossom, all manly in their their burly bare-chested way let us all know they were going to take us to a very dark place. Who knew that "A.M. Dial" could be transformed into a death metal song?

Overall, the evening was a great time and seemed to be enjoyed by all who attended. Now I am waiting to see a Des Ark/Cantwell Gomez and Jordan song swap! That would be truly something to behold.

Rock 'em Sock 'em

Last night, November 16, at the Duke Coffeehouse was a once in a lifetime chance to see a Rock Off between two legendary bands- Cantwell Gomez and Jordan vs. Aimee from Des Ark. Armed with a four string guitar and banjo Aimee took on the entire band of Cantwell Gomez and Jordan. There was lots of trash talking and below the belt punches, but in the end I can't tell you who won. Each musician brought such incredible force and talent, that I think it was a draw. It was definitely a unique event to see.

Also playing that night was Veronique Diabolique and Polynya. As alway V.D. was true to their French Gothic-ness. When I arrived at the Coffeehouse, the staff was playing Siouxsie and the Banshees which was the right tone to set with Veronique Diabolique in the house. They took me right back to the 80's with their sound.

Not to be missed is Polynya. A solid indie band from Chapel Hill. I was most impressed by Amelia Schull, formerly of Roxotica and a teacher at the NC Rock n' Roll Camp for Girls. She played drums and sang lead throughout their set.

It was definitely a small intimate show and I was glad to be there.