Music – Page 36 – The Dishmaster

Monsters Calling Home at The Mint — Incredible!

This band blew me away. I was rudely mid-conversation when they took the stage, and their music shut me up immediately. “Who are these guys?” I said to my friend. “Why aren’t they hugely famous? Why aren’t they selling out venues?” The group is called Monsters Calling Home, and it has six members, including Alex Hwang (lead vocals, guitar), Daniel Chae (Guitar, Violin, Bass, Keys), John Chong (Drums), Jennifer Rim (Violin), Sally Kang (Keys, Guitar), and Joe Chun (Bass, Guitar ). After doing some research, I found that they are “inspired by stories of immigrant families and the wildly appropriate 90s children TV show Aahh!!! Real Monsters.” The members met at their church and began playing local venues before performing together at the Kollaboration entertainment competition at the Nokia Theater, a competition that promotes Asian Pacific American talent. Considering their incredible stage presence, I was shocked to discover that they have only been together for six months. I’m told by their frontman Alex Hwang that before they release their first EP, they want to “get comfortable on stage, play the songs that we have to their best potential, create as much content for people to look for online and be good to our fans.” When he said that I scratched my head for a moment and thought, “you’re out of your mind if you think your stage presence needs to be more developed. You guys are ready. Get on it.” But his attitude is likely the reason they will be successful. Self-criticism can be very valuable. Watch their video for “Growing Up” below.

Monsters Calling Home – Growing Up from dchae on Vimeo.

Brad Paisley v. Paul McCartney — Paisley Insults ‘Kisses on the Bottom’ Album Title

Thanks to Brad Paisley, I finally feel comfortable insulting Paul McCartney’s new album title, Kisses on the Bottom. When I first heard it, I thought: “Either I have a dirty mind, or Paul McCartney really has a romp fetish.” Paisley is the only person with the guts to address the icon’s decision, saying, “It’s only February, but Sir Paul is an absolute lock for worst album title of the year. Actually, maybe all time… It’s like he’s kidding. He’s got to be kidding. Tell me he’s changing the title back to the real one, right? Oh then how we’ll laugh and laugh.” He then rightly took aim at McCartney’s creative team that signed off on the idea, saying, “Dear Team of ‘Yes Men’ surrounding Sir Paul: you really have taken it to a new level. No one said… ‘uh, Sir, uh… what about..um..hey maybe…” I’m actually quite curious what the album title was really meant to suggest. Has my tainted imagination skirted over some very deep, poetic meaning?

Oasis’ Noel Gallagher Demands Concertgoers Stand — High Maintenance?

Whenever I think my brother and I are dysfunctional I remind myself of the Oasis brothers, who make my brother and I look like members of The Partridge Family. All this time I blamed Liam for their issues, but ever since Oasis split up amidst their kin-infighting, I realized they both might be to blame. During a recent concert, Noel Gallagher demanded that his concertgoers stand, saying they looked as if they were “at the cinema,” and he then called out, “Do you have to sit down?!” I absolutely hate when people stand at a concert when it’s unnecessary. In fact, I’m always tempted to throw M&Ms at people who are swaying back-and-forth during lower tempo songs while getting drunker. Sure I’ll dance for Britney Spears, but Noel Gallagher?

Adam Lambert Joins Queen — Good Decision!

When Adam Lambert finished American Idol, rumors circulated that Queen asked him to join their band. But he chose a solo career instead, presumably because he wanted an independent career, which he thought would give him more industry longevity. But years later, he might have changed his mind. According to reports, he’s joining the band on their summer tour. Personally, I think this is something he should have done a long time ago, but better late than never. After all, when one of the world’s greatest bands in history asks you to be their lead singer, you accept. Watch him perform Bohemian Rhaphsody during his American Idol audition. He sure has come a long way.

Elton John’s Pepsi Super Bowl Commercial — With Melanie Amaro! — Yes!

The real king in Elton John’s Super Bowl commercial is Simon Cowell, who somehow managed to hook up X Factor winner Melanie Amaro with a Super Bowl commercial. The man is a genius. The success of X Factor is dependent on his winners becoming stars in the real world, so this choice was brilliant. Plus, the commercial is funny. Watch below.

Paula Abdul Talks ‘X Factor’ Firing — Handles it With Class

To be fair, Paula Abdul was not technically “fired” from X Factor. Her option was not renewed, which in Hollywood is a fancy way of saying that the network doesn’t want someone’s services for the following year. To be “fired,” you’d probably have to bad-mouth a producer (see Charlie Sheen). But the sad fact remains the same — Paula Abdul, whom I love, won’t be returning. And to prove why my love for her is valid, here’s what she said about her departure:

Yes, it’s true; I won’t be returning to The X Factor next season. I’ve learned through my longevity in this industry that business decisions often times override personal considerations. Simon and I, along with Fox and Fremantle, have been communicating about this for a while now, and I have absolute understanding of the situation.

Simon is, and will remain a dear friend of mine and I’ve treasured my experience working this past season with my extended family at Fox and Fremantle. I want nothing more than for The X Factor to exceed ALL of their wildest dreams. This truly has been a blessing and I am most grateful.

Goodbye for now, Paula. It’s the end of the Simon/Paula era and it’s mighty sad. But I’m certain she’ll be fine.

Paula Abdul, Nicole Scherzinger, & Steve Jones Fired from X Factor — Gasp!

Well, folks — it’s the time of year when The Dishmaster says, “I told you so.” According to reports, Paula Abdul, Nicole Scherzinger, & Steve Jones have all been fired from X Factor (or as Hollywood puts it — their options were not picked up). Though I love to pat myself on my back, this prediction was an easy one. Jones received criticism for months and Scherzinger was not only a terrible host, but she also caused outrage for eliminating Rachel Crow. Also, Simon took a legitimate swipe at her on the air, which proved true the rumors of animosity. As for Paula Abdul, I’m sad to see her go, but it had to happen. Choosing her made the panel look like a poor man’s American Idol.

Jim Carrey’s Daugther Got Special Treatment — Who Cares?!

Hollywood is run by nepotism, and so is every other industry on the planet. So lets stop feigning outrage at Jim Carrey’s daughter skipping the line on American Idol. Have you ever asked your parent to recommend you for a job? Have you ever pulled strings to get back stage at a concert? We’ve all wiggled our way through a line in our lives, it’s just that some people are better at hiding it. And as an aside, why is Jane Carrey “waitressing on and off?” Isn’t she Jim Carrey’s daughter? Watch her audition below.

Sister Hazel Interview — ‘Heartland Highway’

I can’t remember where I was when I first heard Sister Hazel’s biggest hit, “All For You,” but I certainly remember singing it excessively. In fact, I’ve played . . . Somewhere More Familiar hundreds of times. So when my good friend – Rob Columbus – told me he was playing drums with the band for a few of their shows (because their regular drummer, Mark Trojanowski – had a baby), I immediately asked if he could land me an interview. He asked, and the band kindly agreed. I’ve never been more nervous. I spent the entire day immobile on the couch thinking of everything that could go wrong. Rob attempted to squash my panic by assuring me that the band members are “five of the nicest guys he’s ever met,” but nothing worked. Finally, I met the band. It became immediately clear that Rob wasn’t exaggerating. We did the interview in their dressing room at the Los Angeles House of Blues prior to their show. When we began, Ken Block (lead vocals, acoustic guitar) hilariously turned things around and started to interview me. Andrew Copeland (rhythm guitar, keys, vocals) laughed and said, “isn’t she supposed to ask the questions?” Thanks to Ken — I loosened up. It’s nice to meet a band with the perfect combination of success and humility. Enjoy!

I love that you still play the songs that made you famous. I know a lot of bands that get angry about playing their biggest hits. Is it difficult to sustain the energy playing those songs so many years later?

Ken: We’re fans of music, too. There are artists that we like to see, and we want them to play the songs that we love. People ask us if we get tired of playing “All For You.” It’s so fun to see how much it continues to resonate with people so long after that song came out. It’s more a feeling of gratitude that people still care and it can still make people sing every word no matter where we are in the world. And one of the things that’s so gratifying about our fan base is that they sing along to [our news songs, too].

Andrew: Even if they don’t know the words, they’ll just move their mouths as if they know the words. That’s even more fun to watch.

When you write a song about a tough personal experience in your life, does it reopen the wound every time you perform the song?

Andrew: There are certainly times when you fade back to something that reminds you of that time. It takes you back to what inspired the song.

Ken: There’s one song that I wrote that we had done for years, and after Andrew lost his dad he said he couldn’t do it anymore.

Andrew: He wrote it about losing his younger brother to cancer. I sang it with him forever, and I was always amazed that he could make it through without much of an issue. And when my dad passed away, I tried to sing it a couple of times and I couldn’t do it.

What song is that?

Ken: It’s called “Running Through the Fields.”

What about you Ryan? I know you wrote songs about your divorce. Is it difficult to keep singing those songs after you’ve healed?

Ryan Newell (lead and slide guitar, harmony vocals): The songs definitely helped me get through [my divorce] at the time and put my feelings into music. It’s like therapy. But I don’t go back to that place from where they came from. Once they went into the song they took on a life of their own. I don’t relive it every time we play the song. They don’t have that weight anymore.

Continue reading “Sister Hazel Interview — ‘Heartland Highway’”

Dia Frampton Tours With Blake Shelton — And Her Meg & Dia Band

The greatest thing about getting famous is that you get to bring your friends along with you for the ride. That is — if you remember them on your way to the top. And Dia Frampton definitely remembered. She was one of the finalists on NBC’s breakout hit, The Voice, and she began her career as a struggling independent artist for years in the band Meg & Dia, where she performed alongside her sister. Though she’s now touring as a solo artist, she’s still performing with every member of her original band, a loyal choice that makes me love her eternally. When asked if her band was okay with the transition, she said, “There isn’t one straight path to get you to the end. There are stops, and reversals, and perhaps other routes . . . ” Listen to her song, “The Broken Ones,” from her new album, Red.