Of Buzz Bands and Obnoxious Fans

Confession: I tend to ignore buzz bands.

Too long for my own good, really. Obviously if everyone is talking about them, they have to be good right? Usually they are...but it has so become a part of myself to go against the grain that I often overlook these types of bands. Most of the time, I'd rather discover something for myself.

Fitz & the Tantrums April 18 at House of Blues

Fitz & the Tantrums is one of those bands I had been ignoring. (And against my better judgement.)

Thankfully Paste shamed me into finally giving them a listen with the typical music magazine tag line: "If you like band XYZ, you'll LOVE this band!"

In this instance, band XYZ was Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings who I am head-over-heels in love with. So last Monday when I came across my friend Amanda's Facebook status: "survived the birthday! now onto full detox, fitz and the tantrums and freelance whales! thanks again for all of the love." I dug up their Houston show - for that night - and a few clicks later, I was on my way to see Fitz & the Tantrums.

Officially, it was the best last-minute musical decision I've made in a long time.

Record Store Day 2011

Record Store Day 2011 post, aka how Cactus Music saved my LIFE.
True Story.
Seriously.

Cactus Music's RSD line-up

This was my second year participating in Record Store Day. But instead of Record Store Day, my experience kind of turned into Record Store Week.

It started with a post on Facebook. The Beach Boys announced they would release a double 78 of "Heroes and Villains" and "Good Vibrations" - easily, two of my absolute FAVORITE songs by them. Considering they're my favorite all-time band since age 7, I kind of completely freaked out. And decided as long as I got that record - even though I have both songs on vinyl and multiple albums on my iPod - I didn't care what else I acquired.

Oh, little girl who calls herself Good Groupie. How you over-estimated the other Beach Boys fans slash vinyl snobs in Houston...

I am wasted, but I'm ready...

BK BABY!

I'm not used to being outnumbered at shows.

By which I mean, I listen to a lot of music a typical girl would listen to: pretty boys playing guitar or piano, singing about lost love and harsh break-ups. I'm used to being in a crowd of fellow good groupies.

So when I looked around last Thursday at the Ben Kweller/Pete Yorn show and saw the sea of guys...I was kind of confused. I became even more confused when several of the guys around me proceeded to sing along to every song BK played.

The night was fratastic, to say the least.

thegoodgroupie DOT net

So, I know, I know...things have been a bit quiet on the Good Groupie front since SXSW. Much too quiet for my liking - and not for a lack of trying. As of tonight, I've blown through three shows (Guster, Warpaint and - heartbreakingly - the Raveonettes...) I kind of really wanted to see...simply because I couldn't find anyone to go with. So lame!

But that all changes tomorrow night with Ben Kweller (BK BABY!) and Pete Yorn at the House of Blues. I'm very much looking forward to seeing these two gentlemen together. (I've been in love with Ben Kweller since Mel fell for him in 2003, and the few songs by Pete Yorn Katie and I caught at ACL were fantastic.) And then Saturday, of course, is second Christmas, aka Record Store Day, and I'm super excited about nabbing that Beach Boys release among other things.

I have a few other things in the works. One of these days, I'm going to finish out those top five tour stories, get started on that Beach Boys listening project just in time for summer and school you all in the many awesome ways you can support the bands you're loving right now. I also have a birthday coming up, and I'm pretty excited about my music-oriented party theme no many how many crazy looks I get from my less musical friends. But for that one, you'll just have to wait and see... 

In the meantime, in case you missed it, The Good Groupie got a little upgrade in the URL department:

That's right. I am officially at a sparkly new address, thegoodgroupie DOT net! No need to update bookmarks because you'll still be directed right here via ye ol' Blogspot address...but it is a heck of a lot easier to tell all your friends to check me out.

And while you're doing that, be sure to track me down via all my other social media avenues. I'm kind of a social media nut, so don't hesitate to add everything and say hi.

Several shows coming up over the next few weeks - many of them personal faves - so be sure to keep you eyes here and over on prettyriot.com for updates. Until then, leave a comment and let me know what music you're digging lately! I'm in need of a playlist upgrade.

xx.The Good Groupie