@ZackTeibloom When you love an artist from their early days, you have expectations for them. You watch their career and feel emotionally invested in the direction it takes. This can be an incredibly disappointing pursuit. Ultimately you have no control over what they do, and nine times out of 10, they’ll disappoint you. They could have a sophomore slump, change the direction of their sound, sell out, go soft, break up or die young. It’s incredibly rare that they don’t let you down in a major way, but you can’t help rooting for their career to go the way you envision, ideally growing with each album and constantly re-inventing themselves in a way that still suits your interests. In my life, I’ve loved a lot of bands, but Weezer, Beck and Jack White stand out as ones I loved from the very beginning, and following them has been three different rides.
Weezer has had far more misses than hits in the last decade, (Hurley, anyone?) They had to resort to playing their first two albums, Blue Album and Pinkerton, live 15 years after they came out to connect with their original fans. I don’t even bother listening to their new stuff anymore. I don’t know anyone who does. I loved seeing them live last summer, but only because they were almost exclusively playing old stuff. They’re way too young for that to be OK, but that’s their reality. It’s been a joy to watch Beck’s “Mutations” from Odelay to Sea Change to Midnite Vultures to Guero and The Information, but it’s been a hollow few years. He hasn’t put out an album in going on four years, and his “Record Club” was a far better idea than it was executed. I still have hope for a lot more greatness in Beck’s future. With Jack White, the ups and downs have been unlike any artist I’ve ever followed. I’ll detail it in painstaking detail in the next couple paragraphs, but it was absolutely killing me to see him spending so much time producing or playing drums or buying an elephant’s head on American Pickers, when I just wanted to scream “pick up a guitar and sing to me!” but on Friday night, he showed us the next phase of his career and became everything I always dreamed he would be. And then some. Read the rest of this entry »
@ZackTeibloom There are few times I wish I was still in Chicago. This last week is one of them. The weather was gorgeous, the hardest rocking supergroups in the world were in town and Conan came to Chicago with two more legends. Thankfully, Brett was there to cover it all for us. Without further ado, the first of many posts for the newest member of Festival Crashers’ beta class.
@ZackTeibloom Never underestimate my Jack White obsession. Why would you? We ran a contest to see how much I’d end up seeing of The Dead Weather show despite the intriguing Van Morrison conflict. Van was scheduled to start at 3:35. Jack, I mean The Dead Weather, at 3:45. Two stages on the complete opposite side of the festival with a swarming crowd. And it had just started to rain.
@ZackTeibloom It’s getting discouraging. I know I should just accept that Jack White plays drums and is a back-up singer in the band he’s most committed to. Nope. It doesn’t feel right. I was hopeful the new album would feature Jack coming out from behind the kit and picking up the guitar at least a couple more times. Nope. He’s relegated to one song wailing away on the guitar and it’s by far their best.
Third Man Vault posted details on The Dead Weather’s upcoming 11-date two week tour in late April, continuing into May. Pre-sale is currently only available for Third Man Vault members, which I’m happy to say I am. Here in Austin, we’ll be saying goodbye to April showers and bringing in May flowers with a month-ending show at Stubbs. Personally, I hope it pours that night. The Dead Weather will be coming back to Austin after their incredible ACL show last year with a new album to promote. No title or tracks have been leaked yet, but Vault members will soon be treated to vinyl pressings of tracks they’re working on. Full line-up of Dead Weather Spring tour dates after the jump. This is one show I’ll be buying a ticket for. See ya at Stubbs, Austin. See ya soon, Jack White.
@ZackTeibloom That Third Man Record club membership finally paid off. In a big way. Jack White jumped on the video chat to hype the new singles from his label, Third Man Records. As he put it, “This is a paid commercial announcement from the president of Third Man Records to his favorite people, on The Vault.” He even answered some questions and he picked three of mine. Yes, my hands are shaking.
@ZackTeibloom Jack White may have gotten his start on drums, and he’s no slouch at the kit, but an electric guitar needs to be in his hands at all times. The Dead Weather has capable guitar players that produce a rich, full sound with Dean Fertita on lead and Jack Lawrence on bass with Alison Mossheart even playing on a couple songs, but when JWIII picked up the axe for closer “Will There Be Enough Water*,” a strong rock band turned world class. My jaw dropped. 
@ZackTeibloom Jack White day was glorious. You all sent some wonderful video and quotes and some of you Re-Tweeted some of my Jack White love fests. Now it’s time to crown the winners.
