Thursday, January 7, 2016

Song of the Day: The Arcs "Lake Superior"

I just started watching "Making A Murderer" on Netflix, which is now the third time in pop culture that the country has become obsessed with a true-crime story that is still unfolding in real time. While many have signed petitions (or criticized people and companies for making money off a real-life tragedy), Dan Auerbach's band, The Arcs, have written and recorded a song.

Best lyric: "Your alibi will never do/when the town is got it out for you."

Monday, January 4, 2016

Song of the Day: Wolf Mother "Victorious"


New year brings new music. And "The Attagag" will provide a first and close look at all the music that 2016 will offer, from major players to little-known and local acts.

Kicking off the new year with a new song from Wolfmother, who are releasing their new album (also titled Victorious) in February. This marks their first album in almost seven years. It's been a full decade since this band from Sydney, Australia made a big splash in the US with their debut album and hit single "Woman", which earned them a Grammy for Best Hard Rock Performance in 2007. "Victorious" is a high wattage track that promises to become a big hit and a catchy song to sing along to during their upcoming tour and shows.

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

R.I.P. Percy Sledge, 1941-2015

Percy Sledge has passed away at age 73, losing a battle to liver cancer. He is best known for this heartbreaking, soulful song, "When A Man Loves A Woman", which was inspired by a break-up following losing a construction gig. The song hit #1 on Billboard in 1966. Despite having a lengthy career and several more hits, "When A Man Loves A Woman" became his signature song.

“When I came into the studio, I was shaking like a leaf. I was scared. The same melody that I sang when I was out in the fields. I just wailed out in the woods and let the echo come back to me.”

He enjoyed a career renaissance when the song peaked at #2 in Britain, thanks to an appearance in a TV commercial for Levi's and in the Oliver Stone film "Platoon." 



Sledge still gave it his all, even going down on his knees, in this live performance.



The song inspired the name and the heartbreaking love story for the 1994 drama "When A Man Loves A Woman", starring Andy Garcia and Meg Ryan.



This is "I'll Be Your Everything", which was his last entry in Billboard's Hot 100, where it peaked at #62 in 1974, six years after the last of his hits appeared on the chart.

R.I.P. Percy Sledge, 1941-2015

Monday, February 3, 2014

R.I.P. Philip Seymour Hoffman: A Look Back at His On-Screen Roles

One of the greatest and most entertaining actors of our time (or of any time), Philip Seymour Hoffman, has died, which is a damn shame. He was 46 years old.

Philip Seymour Hoffman, R.I.P. :(

Hoffman was always the best part of every movie and role he was in, from studio comedies like Along Came Polly and Charlie Wilson's War to fringe independent features like Synedoche, New York and

Monday, January 20, 2014

The Week in Mustaches

Some men look great with facial hair. Some men don't. Here is a look at what happened this week in pop culture in terms of the mystery fascination that is the mustache.




On Sunday night, two different shows presented viewers with two different characters who are in transitioning periods in their on-screen lives. One man is still struggling to come to terms with the loss of his unrequited love friend, which was not easy considering that both men often drove each other insane. The second man is attempting to move forward professionally and personally, but still would like to initiate a probably meaningless fuck with a new co-worker.

The one thing they have in common is that they sport mustaches.

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Going for the Gold: Some Thoughts On Oscar Nominations (UPDATED)

We are now only a short time away until everyone gathers together around giant flat screens and root and jeer for some of the finest competitors, who have given their all into their performances. The men and women in these categories are the best of the best in their respective fields, and it's a shame that they must compete to determine who is the best of the best (of the best? Who is the best cubed?). The winners will see their lives changed instantly. The race for the gold is now in full swing.
You go multiple-colored snowboarding machine!
But enough about the Winter Olympics.

An artist's rendering of "the lord of all knickknacks."


Wednesday, January 15, 2014

EMPIRES is Back!

One of Chicago's finest rock bands returns with a new album and a tour. Their new single, "How Good Does It Feel", is now available to stream online. (The music video is posted below.)

Their new album, Orphan, is set to be released in February, followed by a tour, which begins in Indianapolis on February 20 and ends in Arkon, Ohio on March 8. From there, they are heading out to SXSW, which takes place March 7-16. They will perform two shows at Township on Friday, February 28 (with Basic Cable) and Saturday, March 1 (with Secret Colours). Tickets are available here.