tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720985340805993932024-02-06T21:11:58.270-05:00unrescuable schizoScotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13940962238010514191noreply@blogger.comBlogger446125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-472098534080599393.post-70854795625739859262023-03-15T17:07:00.004-05:002023-03-15T17:08:06.495-05:00More Blog Updates: Music + TravelEvery couple years I check back in here on the old blog and share what I've been doing.These days, I'm still in Seattle, blogging and freelance writing for a living.I've revived my old music site, Total Music Awards, which focuses on the Grammy Awards and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Check out my Rock & Roll Hall of Fame predictions, and my extensive list of music award shows.Back on theScotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13940962238010514191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-472098534080599393.post-46937064369728412132020-03-04T18:07:00.002-05:002023-03-15T16:53:59.583-05:00New music blog posts on QTGChecking back in here with an update on my writing and blogging endeavors. These days, almost all of my efforts are focused on the travel blog, Quirky Travel Guy, which is now my full-time job.
I've published several music-related posts over there that are worth sharing:
-How to visit Graceland for free
-Visiting Freddie Mercury's Birth House in Zanzibar
-50 photos from the Rock & Roll HallScotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13940962238010514191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-472098534080599393.post-16451148692252447772017-04-20T20:53:00.003-05:002017-04-20T20:53:43.875-05:00The annual life and writing updateChecking in with updates on my concert life and my freelance writing career. Last fall, I attended several great shows in Chicago, notably Sigur Ros and Stevie Nicks with the Pretenders. I also saw Kishi Bashi, who is a very underrated performer.
For the first time in 10 years - since before I started this blog - I no longer cover music for any outlet. I dropped my freelance position with Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13940962238010514191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-472098534080599393.post-43441803166256925632016-07-09T12:16:00.000-05:002016-07-09T12:16:17.028-05:00Weird Al Yankovic interviews posted here for archival purposesFor a brief time before I started freelancing for professional outlets, I covered music for examiner.com. The site is closing down this week, so here I'm copying the text of my two interview posts with Weird Al Yankovic so they do not get lost.
This interview took place in May 2011 just before he released the Alpocalypse album.
“Weird Al” Yankovic has been recording hit parodies for more than Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13940962238010514191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-472098534080599393.post-8954132787583204712015-05-15T13:57:00.006-05:002023-06-15T00:24:47.134-05:00Latest summer concert and personal updatesThe 2015 Three Rivers Arts Fest is now only a month away, and I'm super excited that I'll be in Pittsburgh for part of it to catch some of the great music. Here's who I'm most looking forward to seeing:
Hurray for the Riff Raff (right): I love, love, love this band! I published a feature on them on AXS last summer. They had one of last year's best albums with their folky debut and they performScotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13940962238010514191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-472098534080599393.post-58524518215414901642014-04-05T14:45:00.003-05:002023-06-15T00:25:37.109-05:00Concert and personal updates
The 2014 Pittsburgh 3 Rivers Arts Fest lineup looks pretty solid. You can't go wrong with Jeff Tweedy, Amos Lee, and the Kaiser Chiefs.
I’m especially excited about the weekend of June 14-15, when Lucinda Williams
and Jake Bugg play on consecutive nights. I’ll be back in the Burgh that weekend and hope
to check out both shows.
I've been a big Bugg fan since last year, when I discovered hisScotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13940962238010514191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-472098534080599393.post-26770752299774578272013-06-19T12:21:00.000-05:002013-06-19T12:21:26.185-05:00Summery concert stuff and latest updatesA few updates for the summer...
I'll be attending Lollapalooza once again. This year I'm most excited to see Tegan & Sara, the Postal Service, Band of Horses, Emeli Sande, Lianne La Havas, Cat Power and Matt & Kim. I'm a little disappointed by how many retreads are on the lineup, bands coming back for a third or fourth Lolla appearance. Also disappointed by how many unknown bands are at Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13940962238010514191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-472098534080599393.post-66595497401517769232012-12-14T01:45:00.001-05:002023-06-15T00:26:57.239-05:00More music updates from around the web
I'm popping in again to point to some music news and info on my other projects around the web.
My new site Total Music Awards is starting to step into high gear with predictions for the 2013 Grammy Awards, as well as a Grammy Awards winners archive that, very soon, will list every winner and nominee in the 54-year history of the Grammys. It's an epic undertaking and it's going to be amazing. Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13940962238010514191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-472098534080599393.post-56020158965716145162012-05-17T10:43:00.004-05:002023-06-15T00:27:13.095-05:00Pittsburgh's 3 Rivers Arts Fest Lineup for 2012 is Solid!
I just caught the lineup for the 2012 3 Rivers Arts Fest in Pittsburgh, and it's a very good one.
Kathleen Edwards, the Wailers, and Bruce Hornsby are solid scores.
There's not as much indie rock as I'd prefer, but Dawes on June 5 is a nice addition. And there's a bluegrass day! Bluegrass is perhaps the most underrated genre of music.
Of course, all the shows are free, so you can't go wrongScotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13940962238010514191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-472098534080599393.post-64505934251603553772011-11-20T22:20:00.000-05:002020-12-05T21:12:42.581-05:00Grammy news and predictions for 2012It's time to drop back in with an update on the 2012 Grammy Awards. The Dance categories at the Grammys will look a whole different from now on, because Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Rihanna, Kesha and other dance-pop artists have been banned from the Dance awards.
As I noted over at Examiner, the Grammys have changed their policy on dance music so that only DJs and electronic artists like SkrillexScotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13940962238010514191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-472098534080599393.post-37174153795522160832011-05-21T11:45:00.003-05:002011-05-21T11:49:41.971-05:00What I've been up to: Travel blogs & concert reviewsJust thought I'd pop in with another update on what I've been up to lately.As promised in the last post, I've started a new travel blog called Quirky Travel Guy. It provides photos and stories about interesting travel attractions across the country. Check it out, and follow us on Twitter and Facebook!I'm no longer freelancing for AOL Radio Blog, but I've moved on to popcrush.com, where I post Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13940962238010514191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-472098534080599393.post-83871815845237375702010-12-27T08:46:00.002-05:002010-12-29T13:18:46.133-05:00Unrescuable Schizo: It's the End of the World As We Know It...Greetings, yinz. The time has come to announce that Unrescuable Schizo is going on hiatus.I'm suspending the blog for two reasons. First, some of you may know that I moved away from Pittsburgh a while back. While I love the city and its music scene, at this point it no longer makes sense to write about shows and venues I cannot attend.Second, I've turned my attention to writing as a career and Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13940962238010514191noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-472098534080599393.post-56620846031189707792010-12-20T08:06:00.002-05:002010-12-23T09:25:15.846-05:00My Top 10 Albums of 2010I held off on my Top 10 Albums list just in case the new Michael Jackson album was worthy of inclusion, which turned out to be an unnecessary delay. These are the ten discs that did it for me in 2010.10 OF THE BLUE COLOUR OF THE SKY, OK GoTim from OK Go promised when I interviewed him that this record was inspired by a lot of 1999-era Prince, and he wasn't lying. The music would be worthy of Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13940962238010514191noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-472098534080599393.post-40175697571935280392010-12-06T11:20:00.009-05:002010-12-09T17:36:44.447-05:00Ticket giveaway: Ghostland Observatory at Mr. Small'sEdit: Winners have been notified. Thanks for entering!One of our favorite bands, Austin electro-dance-rock duo Ghostland Observatory, is playing two all-ages shows this weekend at Mr. Small's with other local and national electronic acts and we have two tickets to give away.You can win two passes to either Friday or Saturday night's show (whichever you prefer). Just email your full name and whichScotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13940962238010514191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-472098534080599393.post-20527917655781778652010-12-01T09:27:00.002-05:002020-12-05T21:15:19.713-05:00December Pittsburgh concerts MUST-SEE SHOWS:
12/3-4 Girl Talk @ Stage AE
12/16-17 Wiz Khalifa @ Stage AE
The new Stage AE venue is open and Pittsburgh's two biggest names are ready to christen it. Girl Talk just dropped his newest album All Day and celebrates with two big shows. Meanwhile, local rapper Wiz Khalifa prepares to hit the stage just as he's finally starting to break through to the bigtime. His single "Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13940962238010514191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-472098534080599393.post-35783931264304965302010-11-29T22:20:00.037-05:002010-12-06T00:09:33.056-05:00My Favorite 100 Songs of All-Time, Part 3 (songs 30-1)If you missed the first two parts:Part 1 (Songs 100-66)Part 2 (Songs 65-31)30. Peter Schilling "Major Tom"This is one of the few '80s songs on this list that I only started to enjoy in the 2000s. Hearing this song reminds me of fabulous '80s nights dancing at Belvedere's and Lava Lounge.29. Joy Division "Love Will Tear Us Apart"And this one reminds me of Ceremony, the goth night at the Upstage.28Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13940962238010514191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-472098534080599393.post-5971533347558450762010-11-29T21:28:00.001-05:002010-12-06T00:08:20.084-05:00My Favorite Songs of All-Time, Part 2 (songs 65-31)Here's part 2 of the list, covering songs 65-31. If you missed it, check out Part 1 here. Part 3 will feature the Top 30 and will be published next.65. ABBA "Dancing Queen"It's funny how bands like the Bee Gees and ABBA were made fun of for years, but their work is now appreciated. These days, if you don't like "Dancing Queen," you're pretty much a commie.64. Berlin "Take My Breath Away"This songScotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13940962238010514191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-472098534080599393.post-39719898688783445472010-11-29T18:54:00.000-05:002010-12-06T00:07:26.987-05:00My Favorite 100 Songs of All-TimeAfter several weeks of brainstorming and calculating, I'm finally ready to unveil my Favorite 100 songs of All-Time list. This is not the list of a typical music blogger. It’s the list of someone who grew up religiously listening to Casey Kasem's weekly Top 40 countdown and who unabashedly loves cheesy '80s love ballads.I'm not joking - Bette Midler's "The Rose" is on the list. If that kind of Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13940962238010514191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-472098534080599393.post-9021937521998380412010-11-15T09:48:00.003-05:002010-11-15T20:54:13.250-05:00New Girl Talk album free download!Girl Talk's All Day is officially available right now via his website for free - no donation or any kind of strings attached.I'm writing this before I've had a chance to check it out so I have no review to post yet, except to say I can't wait to hear it since his last two albums have been two of my favorite records of the 2000s.Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13940962238010514191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-472098534080599393.post-232258601985653502010-11-08T20:17:00.003-05:002010-11-08T20:25:43.255-05:00New fake Michael Jackson song: What in God's name is Sony thinking?The long-awaited new single from Michael Jackson arrived today, and it resulted in pretty much the worst possible outcome: The song sucks, and it's NOT EVEN MICHAEL JACKSON SINGING.Sony is sticking by its claims that the song is all MJ, but several of Michael's family members - his nephews, mother and children - all say the main vocal on the track "Breaking News" isn't Michael's. I don't think itScotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13940962238010514191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-472098534080599393.post-12469951680088223072010-10-31T08:27:00.002-05:002010-10-31T08:27:00.608-05:00November Pittsburgh concertsMUST-SEE SHOW: 11/4 Gogol Bordello @ Mr. Small'sI've seen these crazy gypsy punks four times now, always at large festivals - twice at Lollapalooza, once at Bonnaroo and once at All Points West. I can't imagine how their manic energy would blow the roof off a small venue.ALSO WORTH ATTENDING: 11/2 Frightened Rabbit @ DieselFrightened Rabbit were one of the highlights of Lollapalooza 2010 with Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13940962238010514191noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-472098534080599393.post-18567893195429678612010-10-22T20:20:00.000-05:002020-12-05T21:21:05.675-05:00Musician tweet of the week: Weird Al Yankovic Weird Al offered this nugget of wisdom recently:
Re: signing a contract with Satan – never use your own blood, just regular ink.
http://twitter.com/alyankovicScotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13940962238010514191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-472098534080599393.post-62055093281278620762010-10-20T14:20:00.029-05:002010-10-20T22:17:29.279-05:00I can tell you I'm sorry, but I can't tell the truthCONCERT REVIEW: Fall Q Ballfeaturing Steven Page, David Archuleta, & Gin Blossoms October 19, 2010 Altar Bar, PittsburghThe Fall Q Ball, a fundraiser for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation sponsored by local radio station 92.9, was a mish-mash of old and new pop artists that didn't quite fit on the same bill. I skipped out on openers Christina Perri and Ryan Star but arrived in time Deenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13721556761438392088noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-472098534080599393.post-11783684854744974022010-10-17T20:41:00.003-05:002010-10-17T20:52:01.911-05:00Recent listening: Sugarland and My ChemThe two songs I've been listening to most often lately:Sugarland are back with a new single, "Stuck Like Glue." Besides featuring a strange reggae breakdown, it's the first country song ever to use Auto-Tune. Thanks T-Pain, your reach is now greater than you ever could have imagined! (The Auto-Tune is subtle and only during the final chorus.) My favorite country song of the year so far.Video: Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13940962238010514191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-472098534080599393.post-88155262294386865802010-10-11T14:22:00.004-05:002010-10-11T14:22:00.222-05:00MIA's new album is horrifying... and fantasticA few months ago, "Paper Planes" heroine M.I.A. released MAYA, a record I only got around to listening to recently. I was intrigued after reading a review on Coke Machine Glow with the opening sentence: "MAYA, M.I.A.’s third and so obviously worst album, is the sound of a devoted audience getting fucked over by a musical sociopath."So I listened and realized that review was correct. The album is Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13940962238010514191noreply@blogger.com2