Queenkv’s Brainpickings

I love this song.
It’s the only song I know by Europe. But it’s awesome. It’s something you sing when you’re ready for something big…

World Cup.
Black Diamond Run at Squaw Valley.
Election Day.
Season premiere of Burn Notice.

So – I also enjoy Freezepop’s version of this 80s anthem.
Rock on. Rock on.

My birthday gift from my hubby: Flight of the Conchord tickets. Joy!

Last night, we sat in the same seats I had for graduation at the Greek Theater and watch the New Zealand duo rock my world. Sure, most concerts at the Greek are about the music. Last night, it was all about entertaining the Cal crowd.

Binary Solo! from Kris Vera-Phillips on Vimeo.

Susan and Tom introduced us to this band via their self-titled HBO series. I remember listening to the soundtrack as we drove home from Vegas a few years ago. Either way, they were funny and I enjoyed their homages to all genres of music; from 70s space rock ala David Bowie to boomin’ raaga beats for the dance floor.

After opening up their show with “The Humans are Dead,” Bret and Jermaine tangled with classic tunes like “Beautiful Girl” and “Too Many Dicks (on the Dance Floor).” They also hit up some new tunes as well.

My favorite part of the evening: an encore with “Business Time.” You know what it means when Jermaine’s down to his socks….it’s Business Time. Ah yeah.

After work, I’m often bopping down I-80 with new music thanks to the “All Songs Considered” podcast.

[From http://stepthroughtheportal.com/]

The last episode reminded me of my college radio DJ days at Cal with a new track by Apples in Stereo, “Dance Floor.” Solid, glitchy riffs paired with sweet lyrics add up to a dance party in my little Corolla.

Let’s get this party start. Quickly. Right!

After passing by this nursery in Lockport, I think it would be cool to add a Statue of Liberty to my front yard.

This was one of the many roadside landmarks we passed by on our Buffalo vacation.

We also had a chance to check out the Artpark in Lewiston. I knew about the spot from Ruth Reichl’s memoir: “Tender at the Bone.” In the 1960′s, the New York Times food critic spent a summer at Artpark. Inside the artist commune, she made a name for herself
by baking some amazing brownies without weed.

Our trip to Artpark was a blast to the past. Thousands showed up for Tuesday in the Park. It’s a free concert series and on that night, Peter Frampton was the headline act.

AMHERST, NY — Mark’s nephew plays the drums in Red October. The band played at a local showcase at Club Infinity in Williamsville on Sunday.

They rocked! If you like loud beats, screaming lyrics and tight guitar riffs – Red October will rock your world as well.

Meet Little Al. We featured this State Fair star on our morning show this week. His handler said I had to mind his personal space when leaning in for a picture.
He’s a cutie!

Little Al, originally uploaded by queenkv.

We had a blast at the State Fair this week. Our $8-admission ticket also granted us access to the Weird Al Yankovic concert. It’s the best concert I’ve been to this year.

That Anakin Guy from Kris Vera-Phillips on Vimeo.

Weird Al and crew played their own twisted, at times polka-lovin’, versions of hip-hop, rock, R & B and pop hits. I was tickled to hear the Weird version of Complicate, Beat It, Gangster’s Paradise and Don McLean’s epic American Pie. Weird Al is brilliant, sharp and outrageous with his lyrics. According to Wikipedia, he’s been cranking out hits since his first parody tune aired on the radio in 1979.

Good times.

Earlier this month, we checked out the Davis music scene with a KDVS concert. One of my favorite bands from my KALX days, Casiotone of the Painfully Alone, headlined the $5 concert at on the UC Davis campus.

LA-Based Foot Foot opened up the show.

Foot Foot @ UC Davis from Kris Vera-Phillips on Vimeo.