Mars just finished another week at Rock Academy here in Asheville. At the finale concert the kids tore the roof off with an eclectic mix eight cover songs. Mars recommended this Riptides cover from their instrumental record Mental Therapy. Very surf rock and I love it. Notice Mars’s attention to stage presence. He’s fun to watch, because he looks like he’s having fun.

The kids also did a great cover of Herbie Hancock’s “Chameleon.” Dig the laid back drum solo around the two minute mark. That kid rocks steady! Mars was not in this one.

And I should have shared this one here earlier this summer. Mars and the kids did Motorhead’s “Ace of Spades.” With Mars on vocals?!? I think he killed it. Can’t stop the rock!

Two years ago to the day I posted Les Rita Mitsouko’s The No Comprendo. A record that is pure French-weirdo-pop genius. I love this song “Marcia Baila” and tragically it’s not on Comprendo, the only album of theirs that I have. I thought I should share it with you.

Keep up with Les Rita Mitsouko at their site.

This blog is about anything related to music, right? At Christmas we came down from the mountain to visit the folks in Tidewater, VA. This arcade and mini golf joint in town has become a regular vacation stop. Mars picked a good song for this round of Guitar Hero, Satch’s “Surfing with the Alien.” Is this also on our home version?

I got to see Joe Satriani on this tour. Note the ticket stub and dig the album art. Back to hard rocking Mars, I wish you could have seen the couple minutes right before I started recording. This is subdued in comparison.

My old pal and fellow Fool Jonathan Mudd has a new album! Here are the details straight from J-Mudd himself…

The music is now available through my brand-spanking-new website at http://www.muddmusic.com, where you can sample tracks, download MP3s and (best of all!) purchase the full-length CD.

Truth Lies contains 11 new songs I wrote over the last few years. Please give it a listen—I think you’ll find big melodies, big guitars, big beats…a few bright ideas…and maybe even a couple of happy accidents.

I had the great fortune to play with some incredible musicians on this album, including old friends like Greg Miller and Andrew Luthringer, who laid down monster bass grooves, and new friends like Jaime O’Connell, who beat the hell out of the drums, and Mark Williams, who contributed stinging slide guitar (and one funky cowbell).

The material was recorded in four different locations on two coasts, and then melded and mixed by Mark Williams at his great-sounding new Maryland studio, Sucker Punch Recording Co.

Check it out—and if you like what you hear, please tell a friend! Again, the web address is http://www.muddmusic.com.

Finally, for all you concert-going dudes and dudettes, I want to let you know that I’ve assembled a great band to get out there and play these songs live. Check my website for more information—we plan to hit the stage in the next few months.

Mad Tea Party - Zombie Boogie vinyl 7 inch

Went to a great show with my son last weekend: Mad Tea Party and Southern Culture on the Skids at the Grey Eagle in Asheville. More pics, videos and yapping after the jump. Check it out.

So here’s the full story. My son Mars desperately wanted me to take him to see Switchfoot at the Orange Peel. I think they’re OK, but wasn’t excited about going. When I realized Southern Culture on the Skids was the same night at the Grey Eagle I suggested to him that this was the show he ought to see. Somehow he discovered rockabilly on his own and has recently been obsessed with Reverend Horton Heat. Now, we have a very large music collection and a fair portion of it is this type of music, but again he found the roots by himself.

The rock gods were on my side last Friday. Switchfoot sold out. We drove down there, just in case, and after one look at the mostly teenage masses bulging out in both directions from the Peel I told him there was no way we were trying to get in. To be honest, I would’ve been happy to go home and watch TV. Thankfully, Mars got my lazy ass off the couch.

I have seen SCOTS several times, but literally decades ago, late ’80s, mostly in Norfolk, VA at the tiny dive called The Corner. I have always enjoyed their music and live shows, but I was surprised that they’re even better now! They’ve had a lot practice over the years. But the real surprise was Mad Tea Party. I can’t believe what I’ve been missing. I am a massive fan of this type of garage rock, garage pop, or whatever it should be called. Fuzztones, Sonics, Tell Tale Hearts, etc. I love this stuff.

This show was a really good time. People of all ages were there, we had a great time, and didn’t get hit by any flying fried chicken (SCOTS). Best of all it was 100% angst-free.

Being a vinyl freak I had to have this hand printed seven inch EP that was for sale at the show. My thirteen year old son had to have it autographed by drummer/guitarist/singer Jason Krekel. Mar plays guitar and drums, but not at the same time. Be sure to check out the videos below.

My son got Jason Krekel's autograph.

Mars decided to buy their latest album on CD, Found a Reason.

Mad Tea Party - Found a Reason

See them in action. This is my new favorite song, “Every Way” by our new favorite band, Mad Tea Party. Note the use of guitar head as drumstick.

Next up is “You Spooked Me.”

And headliners Southern Culture on the Skids were also fantastic. Oh man, this makes me I wish I could really play guitar. New song, don’t know the name.

“House of Bamboo” and a new song I think is called “Mojo Box.”

That is all.