I wrote a poem on a dog biscuit

And your dog refused to look at it

So I got drunk and looked at the Empire State Building

It was no bigger than a nickel

And if it don’t improve

Then I have to move

I never thought that I would end up here

Maybe I should just change my style

But I feel alright when you smile

I stayed at home on the Fourth of July

And I pulled the shades so I didn’t have to see the sky

And I decided to have a Bed In

But I forgot to invite anybody

And when I fell asleep

The neighbors had a peep

I never thought that I would end up here

Maybe I should just change my style

But I feel alright when you smile

–Dean Wareham, Galaxie 500 – “Fourth Of July”

Happy Independence Day to those readers who are inclined to celebrate it.

Thanks be to Patrick, who sent me a big ol’ stack of Wilco bootlegs. I got two Jeff Tweedy solo shows, two Wilco shows and one disc of Wilco, Uncle Tupelo, Golden Smog and Coffee Creek (the Anodyne-era UT lineup doing all covers under a secret name – they played four shows in total, ever) all doing Neil Young covers. Quality varies across the board, but there’s some good stuff here. Somehow I am amassing quite the collection of Wilco boots. They are becoming my Grateful Dead. Except I don’t drive around the country following them around. And I bathe. But besides that stuff, they are my Dead.

Zounds! Rhino is remastering and reissuing Television’s classic Marquee Moon on September 23 complete with bonus tracks.

np – Wilco / Memorial Chapel, Union College – Schenectady, NY Apr 27, 2002

God, hockey just pisses me off. Being a Leafs fan may well be THE most futile pastime in the history of professional sport. The Avalanche sign Kariya, Selanne, and what are the Buds doing? NOTHING. Oh wait, they’re waiting to see if 40-year old Doug Gilmour can play next season. Well they’ll see if he can WALK after knee surgery first, then worry about playing.

And now for something completely different – Minister struck by lightning after asking for a sign from God.

np – The Replacements / All Shook Down

“Bring on attacks”, says Bush. Wow, what a tough guy. I bet the 18-year old on the front line in Baghdad feels real good that his commander in chief is inviting hostiles to kill him from the security of the Oval Office in Washington. Why don’t you strap on a flak jacket and head over to Iraq, Dubya, then see how tough you talk? Or maybe one of your daughters – they’re old enough to enlist. Fucknut, fucknut, fucknut.

np – Lloyd Cole & The Commotions / 1984-89

NPR discussed music file sharing on their Talk Of The Nation show, featuring a few interesting guests:

Matt Oppenheim

*Senior vice president of business and legal affairs, Recording Industry Association of America

Wayne Rosso

*President of Grokster, an online file sharing program

Tom Adams

*President, Adams Media Research

Jenny Toomey

*Executive Director of the Future of Music Coalition

Listen to it here.

On a bit of an editorial note, I want so badly to kick Matt Oppenheim’s ass from here through Tuesday.

np – The Shins / Oh, Inverted World

Okay, so the year 2010 is more accurate, but congratulations to Vancouver-Whistler for being awarded the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

(note – I am one of those people who genuinely enjoys the Olympics)

np – Mogwai / Young Team