Miami Nights

Did everyone hear that loud thud back in October? That was the sound of Bang Music Festival's organizers falling flat on their faces after offering South Floridians the weakest festival lineup I've ever seen. Nope, not even the lure of Kanye West and the Smashing Pumpkins could get us off our asses to buy tickets. Rumor is that prior to canceling, the event barely had sold 20 tickets. Well, Bang's Web site has been updated to say "BANG! A Higher Musical Experience Coming In 2008."

I don't fault them for trying, Bang 2006 still goes down in my book as the best festival event ever held south of Lake Okeechobee, even if Daft Punk single-handedly made it unforgettable. But don't hold your breath Miami, rumors were swirling back in October that promoters felt Miami wasn't as profitable as they had hoped, instead deciding to take their bland pop/rock/hip-hop line-up north to where everything is commercialized and consumer-oriented. Yes, if rumors prove to be correct, Orlando could be the home of Bang in 2008. I'd personally like to see Bang organizers try the multi-stage, one-day format I personally fell in love with and book acts that are pushing musical boundaries. But if bland is what they want, by all means Orlando, keep it.

Looks like the squeaky wheel gets the grease for once. Bang Music Festival, newly expanded to two days for 2007, and scheduled to go down at Bicentennial Park on November 10th & 11th, has been mysteriously "postponed". After many lineup complaints and what I assume to be lackluster ticket sales compared to last year's rager, they are offering no explanation, as well as full refunds to the 17 people that actually bought tickets.

The lack of information on the bang website gives me images of a next-day walk of shame down the frat house hallway while some guy at the end takes a polaroid of your face as you slither off  to your car, oozing regret and old spice...not like I would know.

Will they return with a Stronger lineup?
Will they turn it over to the city and have a Bay of Pigs Memorial Thug-Rave?
Will I ever stop posting links?!

I don't know, I'm not a doctor. But what I do know is, this will make for some sweet, sweet comment fights.

Let the rumors begin!

I am serious when I say that this is no joke.

For my next review, I have decided to go with another sophomore effort. It’s no joke that this year has had some sort of alignment of the stars which is forcing bands to record and wrap up their second albums. Some have brought a completely new direction, others have just kept up what they believe will score more hits, and most have re-invented themselves to the likes of let’s say good old’ Madge herself. Proof of Youth seems to be more of a straight to DVD sequel to the bands debut rather than a kick ass boundary pusher. That’s not to say The Go! Team as a whole is not already pushing boundaries, who else can lead a band which was crafted together in their leaders parent’s kitchen into international success?

I do not want to come across on this review as not fully supporting the albums effort. To be quite honest I did enjoy it, I just wasn’t 100% in love with some sequels, this album being one of those. Thunder, Lightning, Strike was filled with inventive ways to put together samples and loops of sounds we all have some sort of childhood memory too while also mixing live instrumentation. Not to mention that the album was a complete remix friendly masterpiece. One thing apparent on this album is the enlisted help of some new and old legends. The only problem with this is, their big band antics drown out some of this enlisted help. With backing vocals from Bonde Do Role’s Marina Ribtaski and Solex, Double Dutch Divas, and the Rapper’s Delight Club Kids you would think the band would focus on their direct contribution to the record. This is just not the case. Although, on Flashlight Fight it is much noted they also enlisted the help of hip-hop veteran Mr. Chuck D. Fake ID the only song on the album which is fresh stuff, not one sample was used yet the track is absolute genius. It’s got that California bleached bimbo feel to it. Well after a few hits of LSD and a night of Frankie Avalon movie sessions. Now I know using samples is a part of the band’s whole niche, but this track makes me realize just how much they could really create all on their own.

The albums lead single Grip Like A Vice is a very strong way to open the album. It encompasses the various genres The Go! Team is notorious for using. Titanic Vandalism and The Wrath of Marcie are a few of the diamonds in the rough on the record. Cuts like these two prove that The Go! Team’s member and freestyle vocalist Ninja is as essential to their success as the copyrights to the samples they use. All in all, the record closes in at a precise 36 minutes and 26 seconds. For hardcore fans this can only mean we can see a handful of “deleted scenes” on some type of bonus disc. For other fans this is can be a sigh of relief that the “ending credits” are rolling up the screen. Thankfully, the album sure does sound as if it will play itself enthusiastically on the big stage. If there was any “proof of youthfulness” on this record, it only goes to show that lightning can strike twice. Generally speaking, only the first strike is usually the brightest. Now, do you see just how optimistic I can be?

The Go! Team webby
The Go! Team myspace

Our earlier post regarding Bang Music Festival rumors has garnered a lot of attention and anger from readers all over the web. So I figured I'd bring it up again with some updates and some of the furor readers have been displaying in comments. I must admit I had high hopes for this years festival. Last year's, while not financially successful, was very promising. Fusing electronic with traditional bands is something that brings a diverse and lively crowd out for an all day festival. However it seems this year the Bang Festival organizers have ditched that formula and turned the festival into a two day, mainstream-only event. Officially this is what has been released on the Bang website for confirmed acts:

• The Smashing Pumpkins
• Kanye West
• Riverboat Gamblers
• Spoon
• Explosions in the Sky
• The Bravery

Weaksauce! WTF? Who is going to pay $145 for a two day pass to see that? What's worse is I don't even see an option to simply buy a one day pass. Ok ok, I know there are still alot of unconfirmed and yet to be announced acts that may turn this whole thing around but if that is the case the Bang people better start leaking some juice now cause people are pissed and starting to shop around. Here are a few select comments from peeved readers on the internets:

by -

no thank you! I don't have any desire to see anyone on the line-up thus far, and if its going to go according to what the miami-herald article says [pop,rock,rap ONLY] I will not be there for sure.

by shocked

i cant even believe that all the rumors are true. what a let down. after last years amazing turn out of bang i expected more. how can they just go from electro to straight hip hop and rap? worst lineup. i will be definitely not be attending ...

by JAY

I really like Kanye, but he's not enough to make me wanna go, even if I am only 3 hours away from Miami.
If the lineup sucks, I'll probly use what money I'd use there to possibly go to Vegoose to see Daft again. 

I don't know who is in charge of the talent acquisition for Bang but they better start trolling the internet to see how disappointed people are with their current acquisitions. Listen to the people! It's not too late to schedule in some sick underground talent.

People, post your wish lists here and let's pray that the powers that be (powers that bang?) listen! 

Just a quick note to everyone who is planning their trip to Bang (and seemingly ovulation cycle, investments, workout routine..) around the Smashing Pumpkins appearance at Bang Music Festival 2007: they are now performing on Sunday instead of Saturday. Plan accordingly.

As for me, I'm not sure if I'll be attending. I'm waiting to hear if they bring Solja Boy, because I haven't heard that song enough this summer.  

It's happening, sources say at Cooljunkie's forums, and speculation on who will be headlining is already swirling. Some say the Smashing Pumpkins (or the Frankenstein band Billy Corgan now calls the Smashing Pumpkins) and Kanye West have been confirmed as headliners for Bang Music Festival at Bicentennial Park this year. Not as daring as Duran Duran and Daft Punk, but if it is true, this ought cause a riot at ticket booths everywhere. Here is my wish list of other performers that I would love to see at Bang:

• M.I.A.
• Uffie
• Justice
• Bjork
• New Young Pony Club
• The White Stripes
• The Knife

Wouldn't it be sweet to have Bjork and the Knife? God, I would die. Do it to it Bang organizers, all these people are currently touring so they shouldn't be too hard to nab.

Oh, and in case you haven't seen the latest incarnation of the Smashing Pumpkins, below is the video for their (and by their I mean Billy's) latest single "Tarantula":