"You're Kurt"

December 12, 2012 12:10 PM

"Somebody whispered to me, 'That's Nirvana. You're Kurt.'" For the (scalper's delight) 12-12-12 Benefit Concert for Hurricane Sandy (and anti-poverty programs), Paul McCartney will front a reunited Nirvana.
posted by mrgrimm (386 comments total)

I find it hard to believe that Dave Grohl can't play guitar and drums at the same time.
posted by theichibun at 12:17 PM on December 12, 2012 [32 favorites]

what no
posted by mhoye at 12:17 PM on December 12, 2012 [10 favorites]

Next up, Ringo sits in with The Mentors.
posted by ryanshepard at 12:17 PM on December 12, 2012 [13 favorites]

Can the mods put a warning on that first link because that picture is not safe for anyone.
posted by bondcliff at 12:18 PM on December 12, 2012 [21 favorites]

Not surprising consider he filled in for the real Paul. /ducks

Also looking forward to Dave Grohl drumming on Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey. /ducks again
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 12:19 PM on December 12, 2012 [6 favorites]

I suppose they had the left-handed Jaguar and Mustang lying around anyway, so if they are looking for a high-profile left-handed guy to play them, it is Macca or Tony Iommi.

Iommi would be a better call.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 12:19 PM on December 12, 2012 [3 favorites]

Weird that the first article refers to Grohl as a "founding member" of Nirvana. Wasn't he like their fifth drummer?
posted by mr_roboto at 12:20 PM on December 12, 2012 [5 favorites]

Whatever I just rolled in a saving throw against insanity obviously did not work.
posted by komara at 12:20 PM on December 12, 2012 [22 favorites]

I guess the odds of them playing "Happiness is a Warm Gun" are pretty low.
posted by dubold at 12:21 PM on December 12, 2012 [44 favorites]

Ewwwwww.
posted by malocchio at 12:21 PM on December 12, 2012

Paul McCartney will front a reunited Nirvana

Guess the world really is ending. Hopefully.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 12:21 PM on December 12, 2012 [5 favorites]

Now if they could have gotten Neil to do this...
posted by mr_roboto at 12:22 PM on December 12, 2012 [8 favorites]

Weird that the first article refers to Grohl as a "founding member" of Nirvana. Wasn't he like their fifth drummer?

Somewhere Aaron Burckhard is grinding his teeth. Of course, he and Pete Best have something to talk about.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 12:22 PM on December 12, 2012

Weird that the first article refers to Grohl as a "founding member" of Nirvana. Wasn't he like their fifth drummer?

Yes, that is "weird" ... or just plain wrong. (The main reason I used The Sun link was for the You're Kurt quote. And that beautiful computer graphic.)

"The first time I met the first drummer we were at a laundromat and he comes in... and he hands me some quarters and he goes, 'I'm gonna get in the drier; put those quarters in once you close the door.'"

Dave Grohl: 'Nirvana's Drummers Were All Mad'
posted by mrgrimm at 12:24 PM on December 12, 2012 [2 favorites]

Prior to now, I had marked Weezer's release of the music video for Beverly Hills (shot at the Playboy Mansion) as the moment that the 90s were the deadest that they could possibly be.

NOPE!
posted by Parasite Unseen at 12:27 PM on December 12, 2012 [5 favorites]

He's the one who writes all those pretty love songs...
posted by inturnaround at 12:30 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

Not surprising consider he filled in for the real Paul.

"My wings are broken and so is my hair. I'm not in the mood for words." - William Campbell
posted by mrgrimm at 12:31 PM on December 12, 2012 [3 favorites]

Is there a way to work the corpse of Michael Jackson into this for the ultimate 90s/80s craziness mash up?
posted by spicynuts at 12:32 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

Go big or go home right? Is there anyone with a bigger musical legacy, and widespread name recognition, besides maybe Bob Dylan, or one of the Rolling Stones?
posted by Ad hominem at 12:32 PM on December 12, 2012

Awww, come on. Sure, this is somewhat horrifying on some level, but it's also, I don't know, kind of charming as long as you don't get too emotionally invested in it. I'm sure he'll do fine. In some sense, at least.
posted by Flunkie at 12:34 PM on December 12, 2012

"...a mega-show featuring Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, the Who, Paul McCartney and the Rolling Stones..."

Holy shit, that sounds like an amazing show! What's that you say? It's 2012, not 1973? Oh.
posted by The Card Cheat at 12:34 PM on December 12, 2012 [35 favorites]

"I hope I die before I turn into Pete Townshend Paul McCartney."
posted by entropicamericana at 12:34 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

How long can we keep going with this crazy deification of Nirvana, and this acting like their legacy is so sacred it cannot be looked upon or breathed on lest we anger the Gods of stuff white kids who hadn't heard Led Zeppelin thought was awesome in the early '90s?

Every time anything whatsoever happens it's "OMG Kurt would be rolling in his grave." I mean

a) This stuff has been done to the legacy of much much much much much better bands. If you want to get pointlessly angry, why not go for Paul Rogers fronting Queen?

b) Kurt himself had a good sense of humor about himself and the band. He enjoyed being parodied by Weird Al and I bet he would get a kick out of this too.

c) They're too good to be fronted by one of the Beatles now? Really? *Really?*
posted by drjimmy11 at 12:35 PM on December 12, 2012 [63 favorites]

Spent a good hour this morning discussing the best song for Paul to sing.

School or Milk It were our faves

Picture Paul screaming "Doll Steak Test Meat"
posted by JPD at 12:36 PM on December 12, 2012 [3 favorites]

If anything, Sir Paul shouldn't be lowering himself to play with the 90s most over rated band.
posted by COD at 12:37 PM on December 12, 2012 [4 favorites]

No, this is Nirvana, not Pearl Jam.
posted by MartinWisse at 12:38 PM on December 12, 2012 [34 favorites]

Have you seen Polythene Pam Polly?
posted by emelenjr at 12:38 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

Best version of "Helter Skelter" ever?

Also, the thought of Mac singing "About A Girl" sounds about right. Heck, make the "I do's" three part Lennon-McCartney-Harrison style Harmonies, speed the song up a little and it wouldn't necessarily be out of place on Revolver.
posted by Joey Michaels at 12:39 PM on December 12, 2012 [4 favorites]

bondcliff: Can the mods put a warning on that first link because that picture is not safe for anyone.

You mean thats not a recent picture of Kurt Cobain?
posted by dr_dank at 12:39 PM on December 12, 2012 [7 favorites]

and all they play is "Simply Having A Wonderful Christmastime" for three hours.
posted by boo_radley at 12:39 PM on December 12, 2012 [45 favorites]

It is just such an odd match. I would have thought someone from his musical generation if anyone.
posted by a shrill fucking shitstripe at 12:39 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

Smells Like Octogenarian Spirit
posted by Atom Eyes at 12:39 PM on December 12, 2012 [5 favorites]

What is that spinning noise I hear
posted by jokeefe at 12:40 PM on December 12, 2012 [2 favorites]

Also, also, Paul Rodgers fronting Queen is an abomination.
posted by Joey Michaels at 12:40 PM on December 12, 2012 [6 favorites]

I've got an idea.

Ringo: drums
Paul: bass and vocals
Pete: guitar and vocals
Roger: lead vocals

They could call themselves The Whotles! You're welcome, concert promoters.
posted by The Card Cheat at 12:40 PM on December 12, 2012 [8 favorites]

Actually, Ray Davies fronting Nirvana would kind of kick ass...
posted by Joey Michaels at 12:41 PM on December 12, 2012 [15 favorites]

Sorry I think this belongs in the Worst Marketing Decision of the Year thread.
posted by shakespeherian at 12:41 PM on December 12, 2012 [14 favorites]

What is that spinning noise I hear

it's the table saw with which i shall now end my life to escape this horror
posted by elizardbits at 12:42 PM on December 12, 2012 [18 favorites]

I also think it is an almost comical overreach. Not as bad as using some sort of alien resurrection technology to bring Bach back from the dead to play keyboard for 'N Sync but, because that would be more amazing due to alien technology than comical, but still this is pretty comical.
posted by Ad hominem at 12:43 PM on December 12, 2012 [2 favorites]

There's a word for this sort of thing: NO.
posted by tommasz at 12:44 PM on December 12, 2012 [2 favorites]

They're too good to be fronted by one of the Beatles now?

How long can we keep going with this crazy deification of The Beatles, and this acting like their members would be capable of playing punk rock in their 70s without humiliating themselves?
posted by Egg Shen at 12:47 PM on December 12, 2012 [6 favorites]

Not to be outdone, Keith Richards got a hold of East Bay Ray and Klaus Flouride and here comes the apocalypse.
posted by griphus at 12:47 PM on December 12, 2012 [11 favorites]

Also, isn't Ringo Starr's kid drumming for what's left of the Who?
posted by griphus at 12:49 PM on December 12, 2012

They could call themselves The Whotles!

I support this only if they do Beatles/Who songs mash-ups:

Got To Get You Into My Squeezebox
Sgt. Boris' Lonely Spider Band
Ob-La-Di, Baba-la-da
Won't Get Bulldog-ed Again
Komm Gib Mir Deine Hand, Sehen Sie Mich, Glauben Sie Mir
posted by Joey Michaels at 12:49 PM on December 12, 2012 [10 favorites]

Michael Stipe would be a better choice, but he'd probably just get up there and sculpt for 20 minutes.
posted by davebush at 12:49 PM on December 12, 2012 [12 favorites]

More like Smells Like Has-Been Spirit amirite?

Here all week, try the veal etc.
posted by gompa at 12:50 PM on December 12, 2012

If this concert had happened in 1982, they could have gotten Fred Astaire to replace John Lennon.
posted by The Card Cheat at 12:50 PM on December 12, 2012 [3 favorites]

Hey, the thought of Prince filling in on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" sounds weird on the face of it, as does Red Hot Chili Peppers teaming up with P-Funk. But sometimes the wacky stuff works.

This does indeed sound kinda weird in theory, though, yeah.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 12:51 PM on December 12, 2012 [6 favorites]

Kurt's dead. Miss him. Miss him.
posted by Atom Eyes at 12:51 PM on December 12, 2012 [6 favorites]

I think they should've gone with Tom Jones tbh
posted by elizardbits at 12:51 PM on December 12, 2012 [3 favorites]

Just want to echo drjimmy11 and say I think this is delightful. Who gives a fuck.
posted by timshel at 12:51 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

During this state of remergency, I understand they will be trucking in ben-gay and viagra per the concert riders and the governor will impose price caps to avoid gouging of these essential rock and roll supplies. Any fans caught tossing their depends on stage will be evicted from the show.
posted by srboisvert at 12:51 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

> I support this only if they do Beatles/Who songs mash-ups:

Got To Get You Into My Wife
posted by The Card Cheat at 12:52 PM on December 12, 2012 [25 favorites]

"...a mega-show featuring Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, the Who, Paul McCartney and the Rolling Stones..."

Holy shit, that sounds like an amazing show! What's that you say? It's 2012, not 1973? Oh.

One day the baby boomers will die and we can have our own culture.
posted by Stagger Lee at 12:52 PM on December 12, 2012 [21 favorites]

They got the idea from Chris Cornell's new gig fronting the Doors of the 21st Century.

Actually Cornell Hotel has a ring
posted by Beardman at 12:53 PM on December 12, 2012

Go big or go home right? Is there anyone with a bigger musical legacy, and widespread name recognition, besides maybe Bob Dylan, or one of the Rolling Stones?

...

I'm sure he'll do fine. In some sense, at least.

Personally, I'm not much of a Beatles fan, but I think Paul had a GREAT voice. The key word there is "had." I haven't heard him lately, but I'd be surprised if he could go where Kurt went. That still doesn't mean he won't be fine.

Me? Are you insane? I'd LOVE to see this set live.

Michael Stipe would be a better choice, but he'd probably just get up there and sculpt for 20 minutes.

Gifted: 1 chicken dinner for you.
posted by mrgrimm at 12:53 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

wait wait wait

Jello Biafra and the E Street Band
posted by griphus at 12:53 PM on December 12, 2012 [8 favorites]

I dunno, I think J.B . and Bruce would get along OK.
posted by boo_radley at 12:55 PM on December 12, 2012

I wish it were Donald Fagen instead, that would be awesome
posted by thelonius at 12:57 PM on December 12, 2012 [4 favorites]

I'd vote for Henry Rollins.
posted by perhapses at 12:58 PM on December 12, 2012

I've got an idea.

Ringo: drums
Paul: bass and vocals
Pete: guitar and vocals
Roger: lead vocals

They could call themselves The Whotles! You're welcome, concert promoters.

Yeah, Ringo's son is filling Keith's chair now, and Pete's brother does other instruments. I saw them a few weeks ago in DC, and despite Roger doing everything he can to take Gary Busey as a role model, they kicked some absolute ass still.
posted by Navelgazer at 1:01 PM on December 12, 2012

They made the switch since Kurt is with Wings.
posted by Capt. Renault at 1:02 PM on December 12, 2012 [3 favorites]

> I support this only if they do Beatles/Who songs mash-ups:

Got To Get You Into My Wife

Future generations will erect statues to commemorate the awesomeness of this joke.
posted by mintcake! at 1:03 PM on December 12, 2012 [6 favorites]

Got To Get You Into My Wife

I Can't Explain John and Yoko
posted by Joey Michaels at 1:04 PM on December 12, 2012 [2 favorites]

I think they should've gone with Tom Jones tbh

I'm afraid you're going to have to settle for Tom Jones fronting Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young.
posted by Flunkie at 1:05 PM on December 12, 2012 [4 favorites]

As far as I can tell McCartney is not "fronting Nirvana," he's jamming with Grohl and Novoselic. While it's possible they'll play a Nirvana song or two, this is not the New Nirvana y'all are worried about.
posted by wemayfreeze at 1:05 PM on December 12, 2012 [4 favorites]

I'm on my time with everyone
I have four of fish and finger pies

Sit and drink Penny Lane Royal Tea
He likes to keep his fire engine clean
Sit and drink Penny Lane Royal Tea
It's a clean machine
posted by gompa at 1:06 PM on December 12, 2012 [4 favorites]

Imagine the fever dream of a 22-year-old Krist Novoselic in 1987, he's with his band, but he doesn't know who this drummer is, and Sir Paul McCartney is playing guitar and singing, and some promoter is trying to get him up to speed, explaining that Paul is there because Kurt couldn't be there. No, Paul is the singer of the band now. Because Kurt isn't here anymore. Well he isn't. Anyway, get out there, because we need you to help save New York from a massive storm, why else do you think we're doing this? Well, also because it'll probably troll the shit out of Kurt's widow. Just drive her up the wall. Why would we want to do that? Oh, you'll see...
posted by Navelgazer at 1:08 PM on December 12, 2012 [38 favorites]

So does anybody know what time the trainwreck starts and where one can watch it on the internet?
posted by entropicamericana at 1:09 PM on December 12, 2012

> One day the baby boomers will die and we can have our own culture.

2037: EDDIE VEDDER TO FRONT ONE DIRECTION REUNION FOR CHARITY CONCERT
posted by The Card Cheat at 1:09 PM on December 12, 2012 [12 favorites]

This is like that Fake Ayn Rand thing yesterday, right?

Speaking of, I think Yoko Ono is going to play with Hole now.

(I would actually pay to see that, so maybe I should shut up.)
posted by MCMikeNamara at 1:11 PM on December 12, 2012 [2 favorites]

Polly in the Sky with Crackers
Smells Like Old Brown Shoe
The Long And Heart Shaped Box
posted by Joey Michaels at 1:12 PM on December 12, 2012 [5 favorites]

> I support this only if they do Beatles/Who songs mash-ups:

Got To Get You Into My Wife

Isn't that a George Harrison / Eric Clapton duet?
posted by leotrotsky at 1:14 PM on December 12, 2012 [23 favorites]

Merzbow and Abba

Xasthur with The Bangles

The Beach Boys, Now With More Burzum

A man can dream....
posted by BitterOldPunk at 1:16 PM on December 12, 2012 [3 favorites]

I support this only if they do Beatles/Who songs mash-ups:

I'm One after 909
Happy Jack is a Warm Gun
I'm Free as a Bird
Armenia City in the Sky with Diamonds
Ob-La-La-La-Lies
Long Live Rocky Raccoon
Twist and Shout and Shimmy
Trick of the Inner Light
Getting Better You Bet

And if we are counting solo Townshend:

I've Just Seen a Face the Face
posted by ricochet biscuit at 1:16 PM on December 12, 2012 [4 favorites]

Oooh ohh ooh

SKRILLEX AND KRAFTWERK


lol
posted by BitterOldPunk at 1:17 PM on December 12, 2012 [2 favorites]

This wasn't a twitter joke? Um. wow.
posted by hellojed at 1:18 PM on December 12, 2012

SKRIFTWERK
posted by griphus at 1:19 PM on December 12, 2012 [3 favorites]

This wasn't a twitter joke? Um. wow.

I was more surprised that this tag had never been used before.
posted by mrgrimm at 1:20 PM on December 12, 2012

Cee-Lo and Bread. Oh wait ...
posted by mrgrimm at 1:21 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

PAUL MCCARTNEY PLAY WITH DAVE GROHL! KRIST NOVOSELIC! FINALLY! DRUNK HULK TWO FAVORITE BAND UNITE! WINGS AND FOO FIGHTERS!
posted by jbickers at 1:22 PM on December 12, 2012 [8 favorites]

All you naysayers have driven me to a knee-jerk reaction of upgrading my opinion from "Sure, maybe it's horrifying in some sense, but kind of charming" to "I bet it'll be fun!"
posted by Flunkie at 1:22 PM on December 12, 2012

Out here in Strawberry Fields
I tax all your meals
Got to get you back into my living
I don't need someone
To follow the sun
And my guitar ain't the only one weeping...

Old Age wasteland...
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 1:23 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

We're all old. Kurt died almost twenty years ago.
posted by mrbill at 1:25 PM on December 12, 2012 [2 favorites]

How long has it been since Paul died?
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 1:27 PM on December 12, 2012 [5 favorites]

We are at the end times.
posted by LarryC at 1:30 PM on December 12, 2012

And in the end times
The money you take
Is equal to the love
You fake
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 1:32 PM on December 12, 2012 [4 favorites]

"Something (in the way)"
posted by Navelgazer at 1:35 PM on December 12, 2012 [2 favorites]

Here's another clue for you all
The walrus was Paul
posted by blucevalo at 1:40 PM on December 12, 2012

it's lolrus now
posted by elizardbits at 1:43 PM on December 12, 2012 [5 favorites]

I think this is a poor fit. In addition, I find it unsettling because Paul McCartney is so much older than Kurt ever was and yet the former is still alive while the latter is dead. The symbolic resonance of that fact would be impossible to overlook. What's more, even in his younger and more vital days, Paul could never do what Kurt did, and I don't think becoming an old man has potentiated that for him.
posted by clockzero at 1:47 PM on December 12, 2012 [5 favorites]

It should have been PJ Harvey.
posted by oddman at 1:50 PM on December 12, 2012 [14 favorites]

...I notice also on the site that Eddie Vedder and Roger Waters are teaming up for something as well...
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 1:50 PM on December 12, 2012

I don't understand. Nirvana's bass player is still alive.
posted by mcmile at 1:53 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

Joey Michaels: "Actually, Ray Davies fronting Nirvana would kind of kick ass..."

To be fair though, Ray Davies fronting just about anyone would kick ass.
posted by theichibun at 2:00 PM on December 12, 2012 [2 favorites]

mr_roboto: Now if they could have gotten Neil to do this...

I think that would be frought with troublesome connotations, to say the least:

A part of a lyric from the song ["Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black"], "it's better to burn out than to fade away," became infamous after being quoted in Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain's suicide note. Young later said that he was so shaken that he dedicated his 1994 album Sleeps with Angels to Cobain. Because of Cobain's suicide, in live concerts he now emphasizes the line "once you're gone you can't come back".
posted by dhens at 2:01 PM on December 12, 2012 [3 favorites]

It should have been PJ Harvey.

Damn. Sorry, davebush. I gotta take that chicken dinner back and give it to oddman. (Kim Gordon would be another good choice.)
posted by mrgrimm at 2:02 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

This doesn't make any sense at all. First of all, I can't imagine why Grohl would want to do this given his post-Nirvana success. The bass player was always totally forgettable and history has proven that to be true. And of all people, why in the world would McCartney be the one to pick for this? How about Frank Black or David Yow or King Buzzo or pretty much anyone with some connection to that music scene?

I can't stand the Beatles on their own, but this will truly be an audio atrocity.
posted by blaneyphoto at 2:02 PM on December 12, 2012

Dave, 43 . . . Krist, 47 . . . Pat Smear, 53.

What does it matter if they get an 80 year old or a 40/50 year old to sing for them, it isn't Nirvana. This idea that these people are Nirvana, or there is still such a thing as The Rolling Stones in 2012 or that someone upthread recently saw The Who is absurd. Just because the people that were in the band, or some of them, are still playing together 20 to 50 years later doesn't mean they are still the same band. Rock & Roll, if we are to assume such a thing exists and one or all of these bands are some form of whatever that is, is music made for young people by young people. Nirvana was a group of people in their 20's in the late 80's and early 90's. The Beatles were the same thing in the 60's. The entire idea of these zombie bands offends me in the same way Beetle Bailey or post-season 8 Simpsons does. All art should be like British television shows, great for like 7 months and then gone forever. So, in conclusion, I don't care about several old people playing instruments while an extremely old person sings and plays an instrument. It has no relation to the music that young people with the same names and similar if less wrinkled faces made in different times that a young person who looked similar to me but less wrinkled enjoyed. Generation X needs to learn to let shit go or we risk becoming the fucking baby boomers.
posted by ND¢ at 2:06 PM on December 12, 2012 [7 favorites]

Kim Gordon would be good, too!
posted by oddman at 2:07 PM on December 12, 2012

It worked for the old blues guys because they were born old.
posted by jfuller at 2:09 PM on December 12, 2012 [3 favorites]

Dave continues to rock, thank you very much.
posted by Atreides at 2:10 PM on December 12, 2012

This idea that these people are Nirvana, or there is still such a thing as The Rolling Stones in 2012 or that someone upthread recently saw The Who is absurd. Just because the people that were in the band, or some of them, are still playing together 20 to 50 years later doesn't mean they are still the same band.

You can't do heroin in the same river twice.
posted by FatherDagon at 2:16 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

Ok, so. It's the late 90's, and my dad had recently retired from the Air Force after 20 years and started driving semi for a living. And the feeling of freedom from military culture and bureaucracy after two decades resulted in your stereotypical midlife crisis, and as part of this he starts listening to new music for the first time since like 1985. Before this, his music collection was only 60's and 70's rock, and 70's and 80's country. But, suddenly, he's a kid again! And he is obsessed with everything he hears on rock radio all across the country as he drives his truck. Picks up a bass for the first time in 20 years, grows his hair long, all that. So he really likes Nirvana, but this is the late 90's, so he doesn't really get why they were special because there are a million bands that co-opted their sound at this point so they're just another bit of rock radio fodder. He also really likes... preeeetty much every single other rock band that gets air time. So: lots of shitty bands, too. The quality of the music doesn't even seem to matter to him, it's just the first new loud rock music he's gotten into since the 70's so it's all good to him.

Anyways, one day he's at home watching some big countdown thing or other on VH1, and they have a bit on Nirvana and the voice over person says something about how, ever since Nirvana, people are always waiting on, and speculating about, the "next Nirvana".

And my dad, extremely undiscerning late 90's rock radio sponge as he was at the time, says "I think it's going to be Creed."

And I just quietly slipped out of the living room, went to my room, and laughed and laughed and laughed.

Thankfully, his tastes have gotten a little better since then.
posted by jason_steakums at 2:18 PM on December 12, 2012 [8 favorites]

Nirvana was a group of people in their 20's in the late 80's and early 90's. The Beatles were the same thing in the 60's. ... All art should be like British television shows, great for like 7 months and then gone forever.

How about Mr. Shankar or Mr. Cohen: should they have called it quits 40 years ago? BOLLOCKS.

Also, I dare you to show me ONE funny Beetle Bailey cartoon EVER.
posted by mrgrimm at 2:19 PM on December 12, 2012

Rock & Roll, if we are to assume such a thing exists and one or all of these bands are some form of whatever that is, is music made for young people by young people.

I would not be surprised if, someday, "Rock & Roll" officially becomes Old Person Music. Assuming that hasn't happened already.
posted by IjonTichy at 2:19 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

First of all, I can't imagine why Grohl would want to do this given his post-Nirvana success.

When I'm old and rich and successful (ha), I will do whatever I want that sounds like it could be fun. Playing in a band with Paul McCartney? Yep.
posted by inigo2 at 2:24 PM on December 12, 2012 [2 favorites]

[disclaimer: "old" = older than now. I'm not saying 40s is old.]
posted by inigo2 at 2:25 PM on December 12, 2012

First of all, I can't imagine why Grohl would want to do this given his post-Nirvana success.

Because a headline like "Nirvana gets together with ex-Beatles" can help draw attention to and generate a lot of money for a charity?
posted by Joey Michaels at 2:26 PM on December 12, 2012 [11 favorites]

ND¢: "Rock & Roll, if we are to assume such a thing exists and one or all of these bands are some form of whatever that is, is music made for young people by young people."

So what defines an entire genre of music is primarily the age of the performers and the audience, and not of things like rhythm, melodies, chord structure, and composition?

Is there some sort of cut-off for "young" and "not young"? Is every album a "Rock & Roll" band puts out less "Rock & Roll" than the last, because the performers (and presumably, the audience) have all aged? Is this phenomenon you describe limited to Rock & Roll, or does it cover other genres as well?
posted by tonycpsu at 2:27 PM on December 12, 2012

Is there some sort of cut-off for "young" and "not young"?

21, and then the gem in your hand goes dead and you have to go to the carousel.
posted by Joey Michaels at 2:31 PM on December 12, 2012 [8 favorites]

I hope I die before I get old.







Too late.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 2:34 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

Because a headline like "Nirvana gets together with ex-Beatles" can help draw attention to and generate a lot of money for a charity?
posted by Joey Michaels

Well it'll sure make people watch to point an laugh, that's for sure. But the Foo Fighters would've produced an large draw as well... and would, you know... play music that wasn't a joke. Not that I'm much of Foo Fighters fan either, but this McCartney thing is just nonsense.
posted by blaneyphoto at 2:52 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

Here we are now, entertain us
posted by twoleftfeet at 2:55 PM on December 12, 2012

Here we are now, entertain defibrilate us
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 2:57 PM on December 12, 2012 [6 favorites]

I like to think that if Kurt was still alive he'd have put all of that adolescent punk you're-a-sell-out bullshit behind him by now.
posted by dobie at 2:57 PM on December 12, 2012 [8 favorites]

I find it unsettling because Paul McCartney is so much older than Kurt ever was and yet the former is still alive while the latter is dead.

I find it unsettling (well, slightly disorienting) that when McCartney was the same age that Cobain was at his death, McCartney had just begun recording Abbey Road. It doesn't seem like this guy who has been at least middle-aged more or less forever ever might have been 27.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 2:57 PM on December 12, 2012

Here's the deal. This isn't a Nirvana reunion! It's McCartney and Grohl playing, and Grohl called up his old friend and said, want to play with McCartney?
posted by thelonius at 2:58 PM on December 12, 2012 [5 favorites]

This doesn't make any sense at all. First of all, I can't imagine why Grohl would want to do this given his post-Nirvana success.

Because all the members of Nirvana idolized the Beatles? Not only can you hear it in the music, but they've said so themselves. "About a Girl" was written after Cobain spent all day listening to Meet the Beatles. Nirvana would not have been Nirvana without the Beatles. Grohl played "Band on the Run" when McCartney was honored at the Kennedy Center. As weird as it is that McCartney will be singing even though his voice is pretty much shot, I can see why everyone else would be stoked to play with him. Dave Grohl has already done so, in fact.
posted by oneirodynia at 3:09 PM on December 12, 2012 [12 favorites]

> Generation X needs to learn to let shit go or we risk becoming the fucking baby boomers.

Too late.
posted by The Card Cheat at 3:10 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

ring ring
"'lo?"
"Hey, uhm, I'm calling 'cause we're organizing a fundraiser concert for charity..."
"For who?"
"This is for the victims of Hurricane Sandy, which devastated the homes of thousands--"
"I follow the news, thanks. What do you want?"
"We here have all been big fans of your music, and we know you know what it's like to have started out, struggling, and what any help people offered--"
"So you want me to do a couple numbers?"
"We'd be honored."
"Where will this be?"
"We haven't booked an arena yet, but it's going to be a public concert; we're sure that with you on the bill it will be easy to--"
"What would you like me to do?"
"We are willing to leave that up to you."
"I'm in."
"Th--"
click

Sir Paul McCartney rubs his hands together, an evil grin slowly spreading across his face.
posted by ardgedee at 3:16 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

The Beach Boys, Now With More Burzum

Actually, if you listen to the all synth stuff when they took away his guitar, John Tesh fronting Burzum wouldn't be such a stretch.

However, in the immortal words of Michael Caine:

“I have never seen listened to it, but by all accounts it is terrible. However, I have seen the house that it built, and it is terrific.”

posted by ennui.bz at 3:20 PM on December 12, 2012

So what you're saying is... we should kill Michael Caine... and sell his house... for charity?
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 3:22 PM on December 12, 2012 [2 favorites]

Just to be clear, when Paul McCartney was the same age as Kurt was when Kurt died, he had revolutionized pop music and, more generally, western culture 3 or 4 TIMES. And then, as an encore, he set out to make Abbey Road, which, you know, doesn't suck.
posted by fingers_of_fire at 3:26 PM on December 12, 2012 [3 favorites]

Actually, Ray Dave Davies fronting Nirvana would kind of kick ass...

Fixed that for you.
posted by FelliniBlank at 3:26 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

Oh, its on, FelliniBlank, its so on.
posted by Joey Michaels at 3:27 PM on December 12, 2012

So what you're saying is... we should kill Michael Caine... and sell his house... for charity?

No, what I'm saying is that Paul, after filling in for Kurt (we're all on first name basis here), will find himself inexplicably drawn to Seattle, where he will buy a mansion and a shotgun and start hanging out in his new gaaaarage with his shotgun umm... shooting up and then one day, he'll stick the shotgun into his mouth and realize... hey, actually cocaine is a hell of a drug, and hire the pool-boy to shoot himself in the face instead.
posted by ennui.bz at 3:33 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

How long can we keep going with this crazy deification of Nirvana, and this acting like their legacy is so sacred it cannot be looked upon or breathed on lest we anger the Gods of stuff white kids who hadn't heard Led Zeppelin thought was awesome in the early '90s?

You don't even have to like Nirvana to think that McCartney is a bad fit, musically speaking.

One day the baby boomers will die and we can have our own culture.

There's a ton of post-boomer culture and it's pretty great. Just because McCartney, or whoever, is still famous and playing music, this doesn't mean other interesting cultural things aren't happening right now. It's just that the world is more fragmented in its attention in a way that it didn't use to be, and that is neither good or bad; it is just different.
posted by ersatz at 3:35 PM on December 12, 2012

So...

The surviving members of the Beatles are the bassist and drummer.

The surviving members of Nirvana are the bassist and drummer.

Clearly they should form a supergroup and play Ruins covers.
posted by ardgedee at 3:50 PM on December 12, 2012 [5 favorites]

You know, I was thinking of better "fits" and if I could pick anyone to sing with Nirvana it would be Brian Keith. No doubt.
posted by mrgrimm at 3:57 PM on December 12, 2012

Lithium to the tune of "When I'm 64."

There's your viral YouTube earworm. You're welcome.
posted by gusandrews at 4:00 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

I've not convinced Brian Keith ever played with No doubt. Also, they usually capitalize the "D."
posted by Joey Michaels at 4:00 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

And like a number of people previously said, this is McCartney jamming with Grohl and Noviselic. Saying "Nirvana" is good, effective shorthand. Have we forgotten that most great musicians generally don't just play with one band in their lifetime? All the rock musicians I know enjoy gigging with new combinations of people, because the results change more and more comes of it. Are we in some era when we presume a one-band model? (Would that be because the bulk of what's on the radio is highly marketed crap more about demographics than sounds?)
posted by gusandrews at 4:08 PM on December 12, 2012 [2 favorites]

133 comments and not one person has mentioned Courtney.
posted by foggy out there now at 4:11 PM on December 12, 2012

The ex-Mr. Kim Gordon would really knock this out of the park. Out of fucking orbit. And Kurdt would no doubt approve, from his Leonard Cohen afterworld.

Had this concept/concert/superstorm happened ten years ago, I'd've loved to have seen and heard Wesley Willis do his thing with Krist and Dave. What a wardownhellride that would've been!

But, really, with the end of time approaching, all possibilities are collapsing into an uber-singularity. I'm deeply grateful for the McCartney-Nirvana amalgam that we've coalesced around rather than what we could've had with the second four years of Rumsfeld-Rice or what have you. The future's so bright, ya gotta wear shades.

(and it's still my holy grail hope that Frances Bean is preparing the ultimate emogrungefolkpunknoise band called Ten Thousand Broken Penises)
posted by riverlife at 4:14 PM on December 12, 2012

133 comments and not one person has mentioned Courtney.

DAMMIT, FOGGY OUT THERE NOW!
posted by Joey Michaels at 4:17 PM on December 12, 2012

Actually, Ray Davies fronting Nirvana would kind of kick ass...

I would pay in blood to see that show.
posted by Lipstick Thespian at 4:20 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

133 comments and not one person has mentioned Courtney.

Well, not in the "Ctrl+F Courtney" sense, but there's been a reference to Yoko Ono playing with Hole, as well as a mention of "Kurt's widow".
posted by Flunkie at 4:20 PM on December 12, 2012

Courtney kind of ties this all together and helps it make sense, once you connect the dots.

Kurt Cobain "killed himself" at 171 Lake Washington Blvd in Seattle. At the time, his neighbor was Howard Schultz, the founder and CEO of Starbucks Coffee. Paul McCartney was the first to sign to the Starbucks music label.

So you begin to sense the dense web of conspiracy and intricate payoffs at play here.

Courtney Love was a pivotal figure here, because of her connection with Paul McCartney. The ex-Beatle had a long relationship with her, composing many songs about her, starting with Love Me Do, written fully two years before she was born (that's how crazy he was about her.) You can find other references to "Love" in McCartney's early lyrics, if you look carefully.

So I think the evidence is pretty clear that Paul McCartney conspired with Courtney Love to kill Kurt Cobain so McCartney could take his place. And we're just seeing that evil plan come to fruition now.

But does anybody object? No!

These are sad times.
posted by twoleftfeet at 4:43 PM on December 12, 2012 [15 favorites]

Y'know what? Fuck the ageism in this thread! I have no particular love for Cobain or Nirvana (though some of their stuff kicked some genuine ass), and my feelings for McCartney's music run hot and cold (hot = Beatles, mostly; cold = almost everything post-Beatles except Band on the Run), but I am fucking tired of hearing that someone is too old to play music. You might be too old to strut the stage and act like you want to fuck all of the women and fight all of the men, but that doesn't mean you're too old to belt out some three chord rock with conviction. You can still rock hard at 40, 50, or even 70. Music != competitive gymnastics.

It's very convenient if a musician dies at his or her peak, as we never have to see them decline, or try and discover a second or third act to their careers. "I hope I die before I get old" is a great ethos at 17 or 23, but by 25 it's lost its luster. Jimi Hendrix would have turned 70 this year, but instead he's forever 27; despite his magnificent zombie performance at Coachella last spring, Tupac will be forever 25; John Bonham will never be any older than 32. They each made some tremendously powerful music before their deaths, most of which is still enjoyed if not revered. Would we shun them if they were still alive and performing today? I'd like to think that we wouldn't, but if the standard is that the music they made in their youth is their only "authentic" music, then I suppose we would. Which is bullshit.

It isn't enough to be a lightning rod for a generation -- you have to be immortal, too. Short of dying young that's a tough combo to pull off. Cut the survivors some slack, Jack.
posted by mosk at 4:46 PM on December 12, 2012 [17 favorites]

I regret that I only have one favorite to give your comment, twoleftfeet. I also regret that I just picked up your contract from McCartney.

*aims*
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 4:48 PM on December 12, 2012

... [Grace] Slick, who was never shy about the idea of getting old, stated that the main reason she retired from the music business was that "all rock-and-rollers over the age of 50 look stupid and should retire". In a 2007 interview, she repeated her belief that "you can do jazz, classical, blues, opera, country until you're 150, but rap and rock and roll are really a way for young people to get that anger out." and "it's silly to perform a song that has no relevance to the present or expresses feelings you no longer have".
posted by Egg Shen at 4:51 PM on December 12, 2012

Wow twoleftfeet, I never considered that. At this point it really does show that the former head of the Beatles fronting Nirvana truly is a sign of the impending apocalypse.
posted by Nackt at 4:51 PM on December 12, 2012

Are folks watching this live? It's available streaming and on just about any channel you can tune into.

Bruce just brought Bon Jovi up on the stage.
posted by mrzarquon at 4:56 PM on December 12, 2012

Did no one else notice Bruce's giant boner?!?!
posted by sallybrown at 5:01 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

Bruce's giant Bono?
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 5:02 PM on December 12, 2012

God bless Jon Bon Jovi's poofy hair. It's like he's made peace with his inherent '80s-ness.
posted by mcmile at 5:06 PM on December 12, 2012

>You can still rock hard at 40, 50, or even 70.<

Indeed! Until the appearance of one Elvis Presley on the world stage, if you were known in your field at 35, you were the boy or girl wonder. Most people did not achieve notice nor reward for their work until they were sixity, or sixty-five or seventy, or, most likely, dead. Elvis changed all that: post-Presley, if you weren't huge by the time you were twenty-five, you were shit.

I hope we're beginning to return to the historical norm somewhat, though the big media viewpoint still seems to greatly prefer the Biebervibe to the artist/craftsperson/scholar who has paid dues and truly become and continues to become a master. Mozarts and Byrons only come along every so often.

(yah, end of the world, hope for the future, I know I'm bipolar, whatev. Love ya!)
posted by riverlife at 5:06 PM on December 12, 2012

i like the idea of pj harvey a lot - but i'd like to hear dead sara's emily armstrong fronting them

(they're usually electric - and she can really wail - a LOT more intense than this)
posted by pyramid termite at 5:09 PM on December 12, 2012

Roger Waters and Eddie Vedder?
posted by mrzarquon at 5:11 PM on December 12, 2012

The irony being that fetishism of youth is, itself, a hoary cliché long past retirement age.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 5:11 PM on December 12, 2012 [4 favorites]

I Hate Myself And Want To Live And Let Die

bring Bach back from the dead to play keyboard for 'N Sync

Wrong group. "BachStrasse's Back, in Ordnung!"
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 5:14 PM on December 12, 2012 [2 favorites]

Holy shit, Roger Waters sounds fantastic.
posted by mintcake! at 5:16 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

Though hearing other guitarists hack through the 'simple' 'ABITW Part 2' riff makes you realize how nimble Gilmour's rhythm playing is.
posted by mintcake! at 5:20 PM on December 12, 2012

Yeah, not too shabby for a 69-year-old pensioner.
posted by riverlife at 5:20 PM on December 12, 2012

using some sort of alien resurrection technology to bring Bach back from the dead to play keyboard for 'N Sync

Please email this to Rudy Rucker, subject line "Idea for short story".
posted by kengraham at 5:22 PM on December 12, 2012

Paul has a leg up on Mr. Cobain, since he died 46 years ago.
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 5:22 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

hah, the censors didn't read the lyrics did they? Just heard them miss the bleep on bullshit.
posted by mrzarquon at 5:24 PM on December 12, 2012

Indeed! Until the appearance of one Elvis Presley on the world stage, if you were known in your field at 35, you were the boy or girl wonder.

frank sinatra
benny goodman
charlie parker
miles davis
dizzy gillespie
bing crosby
johnny ray
louis armstrong
tommy dorsey
doris day
count basie
ella fitzgerald
billie holiday
artie shaw
the andrew sisters
spike jones
duke ellington
rosemary clooney
hank williams
kay starr


ALL under 35 when they became known in their fields
posted by pyramid termite at 5:37 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

Yup, that is Eddie Vedder warbling comfortably numb.
posted by mrzarquon at 5:39 PM on December 12, 2012

[Grace] Slick... "it's silly to perform a song that has no relevance to the present or expresses feelings you no longer have".

I propose that "We Built This City" never had relevance to anyone nor expressed any feeling anyone ever had.

Except maybe the people at the 2012 Republican Convention, but they were just faking.
posted by Joey Michaels at 5:47 PM on December 12, 2012 [4 favorites]

Eddie Vedder has goat vibrato, but seems nice enough I guess.
posted by Red Loop at 5:47 PM on December 12, 2012

come to think of it, caruso was 29 when he first started recording and billy murray was 27 when his records started charting

that's going WAY back ...
posted by pyramid termite at 5:48 PM on December 12, 2012

I propose that "We Built This City" never had relevance to anyone nor expressed any feeling anyone ever had.

Like no one has ever stolen the stage on which you wanted to dance? Don't forget your roots, man.
posted by mintcake! at 5:49 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

Like no one has ever stolen the stage on which you wanted to dance? Don't forget your roots, man.

Man, its hard to remember my roots when there are all of these runaways eating up the night.
posted by Joey Michaels at 5:53 PM on December 12, 2012

hearing other guitarists hack through the 'simple' 'ABITW Part 2' riff makes you realize how nimble Gilmour's rhythm playing is

I think many rock guitarists consider working on playing simple parts with a clean tone to be beneath their dignity or something. The distortion pedal hides a lot of slop.......
posted by thelonius at 5:53 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

I love this new-to-MF hazing. :) All my pet theories shot to shit upon entry. :)

MetaFilter: Under 35 when it became known in its field.
posted by riverlife at 5:54 PM on December 12, 2012 [3 favorites]

WHY IS THIS HAPPENING this is terrible. And the music is even worse than the hair.
posted by sallybrown at 5:56 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

I just want hologram Tupac to show up.
posted by elizardbits at 5:57 PM on December 12, 2012 [2 favorites]

Due to my freshman roommate playing Bon Jovi non fucking stop, I have the tv muted currently.
posted by mrzarquon at 5:57 PM on December 12, 2012

You know those guitars that are like, DOUBLE guitars?

APPROVED
posted by thelonius at 5:59 PM on December 12, 2012 [2 favorites]

It's nice to see Spinal Tap 3.0.
posted by riverlife at 6:03 PM on December 12, 2012

I find it totally weird how guitar solos in classic rock songs have become canon parts of the songs-- Eddie Vedder playing note-for-note Dave Gilmour's solo from 1979 after Roger Waters wrested the rights away from him seems bizarre.
posted by shakespeherian at 6:03 PM on December 12, 2012

Oh that's right, Bon Jovi is like half a country act now.
posted by mintcake! at 6:05 PM on December 12, 2012

I'm a pacifist, which is why it's hard to explain why I wish Bruce would beat Jon Bon Jovi to death with his guitar right now.
posted by FelliniBlank at 6:07 PM on December 12, 2012 [6 favorites]

So, Hurricane Sandy was a dreadful thing. Currently, it looks like there's a reasonably good chance that the 60 billion aid package proposed by President Obama may get held up in the House of Representatives (the Senate, unworkable as it is, actually passed it).

Anyhow, worst case scenario here is Dave, Krist, Pat and Sir Paul get up on stage and do a mediocre new song and a couple of sloppy versions of Beatles tunes or 1950's rock songs. No matter how lousy they are, you're looking at a couple million dollars - maybe several million dollars - being funneled into relief for people who desperately need it. Krist leaves the gig with a big goofy grin thinking "my life just can't get any stranger than that."

Love me some Nirvana, love me some Beatles, think this would be an awful regular gig for all four of them, but think this is a really good way of raising a bunch of relief money. If somebody on Staten Island can say "that really crappy version of 'Helter Skelter' Bea-vana performaned paid to fix my house," I can live with that and won't hold it against any members of either band, alive or dead.
posted by Joey Michaels at 6:08 PM on December 12, 2012 [8 favorites]

SEÑOR WENCES WAS HERE 2012
posted by mintcake! at 6:10 PM on December 12, 2012

DESTROY ALL TALKBOXES
posted by mintcake! at 6:14 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

Okay, whew, Jon Bon Jovi by himself is fine; it was just really upsetting to watch an actual musician next to him. WHOA-OH, livin' on a prayer.
posted by FelliniBlank at 6:15 PM on December 12, 2012

For anyone interested in watching the Concert LIVE TONIGHT, concert streamed via youtube
posted by MechEng at 6:16 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

Yeah, what was the deal with the talkbox. You have to imagine some guy sitting around, saying, "if only there were a way to make my guitar sound like a duck". Stay in school, kids.
posted by thelonius at 6:20 PM on December 12, 2012

Mike Richter! 1994, the number, another summer, sound of the funky drummer
posted by mintcake! at 6:20 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

Smells like steam table buffet.
posted by Pudhoho at 6:48 PM on December 12, 2012

Brian Williams did not just suggest people in Africa and South America should feel free to make donations by calling the number on the screen. (Yes, he did)
posted by absentian at 6:48 PM on December 12, 2012

It'd be pretty awesome if Nirvana decided at the last minute to replace McCartney with Weird Al.
posted by blaneyphoto at 6:49 PM on December 12, 2012

@thomaslennon - If you're into Butterscotch Fender Telecasters this benefit concert is like a porno.
posted by mintcake! at 6:54 PM on December 12, 2012 [2 favorites]

I watched the first 45 minutes or so, because of Bruce, and after him it was wall to wall older white guys. I just got home and tuned in again, and it's the Stones (older white, etc.). It's a Boomer's boy's club wet dream, and I'm finding it pretty damn tedious, which I can say as I was born in 1958 and listened to all this stuff through high school. Anyway, it's for charity, so I feel a bit guilty for kvetching, but seriously, who made the decisions here? Who thought that Pink Floyd was the appropriate band to play a benefit for New Jersey? I'm assuming that it's another bunch of older white guys who set this up, because what does PF, or the Stones, have to do with New Jersey? Let alone The Who. Let alone McCartney. It's like a weird sort of 60s class reunion.
posted by jokeefe at 6:57 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

I would seriously give a body part to see Titus Andronicus play this show.
posted by jokeefe at 7:01 PM on December 12, 2012 [2 favorites]

jokeefe, check this out.
posted by mintcake! at 7:01 PM on December 12, 2012

Thanks mintcake!
posted by jokeefe at 7:04 PM on December 12, 2012

I can't wait til like, twenty-five years from now, when all these "old British musicians", as Mick has it, are assembled as the house band at the Scunthorpe Retirement Home on Sunday afternoons.

>It's like a weird sort of 60s class reunion.<

Other than mostly indifferent-to-oppressive oligarchs and their corporate "families", who besides the baby boomers as-a-group have any money left to re/build up any of America? I am, regrettably, not being facetious.

mintcake!, thanks for the My Morning Jacket, Joseph Arthur, et al. Jan. 2 info.
posted by riverlife at 7:07 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

I had such hopes for Kanye with Olivia Wilde in the Mike Meyers role, but -- alas -- nothing.
posted by Capt. Renault at 7:11 PM on December 12, 2012

seriously, who made the decisions here?

Why does PBS show Grateful Dead film during fund-raisers? It probably works, for raising funds. And so with the classic rock buffet you are now enjoying.
posted by thelonius at 7:16 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

Put Your Cell Phones In the Air, a hit new single.
posted by shakespeherian at 7:17 PM on December 12, 2012

I'm assuming that it's another bunch of older white guys who set this up, because what does PF, or the Stones, have to do with New Jersey?

I was hoping that Bruce would truck out Pete Seeger, who seems custom-built for this sort of event, but as Old White Guy as this already is, Pete would double it.

Full disclosure: I love Pete.
posted by Capt. Renault at 7:21 PM on December 12, 2012

Steve Buscemi surrounded by firefighters and not knowing to what to do.
posted by mrzarquon at 7:22 PM on December 12, 2012

MOAR DRUNK SANITATION WORKERS NAO
posted by Capt. Renault at 7:26 PM on December 12, 2012 [2 favorites]

Steve Buscemi looked pretty uncomfortable there with DSNY.
posted by Brian Puccio at 7:29 PM on December 12, 2012

(for those wondering, Buscemi is a former firefighter with Engine 55 in NYC, and returned to volunteer for the search and rescue of other firefighters on 9/12, so I imagine he is seen as more of one of the guys than other celebrities).
posted by mrzarquon at 7:29 PM on December 12, 2012 [2 favorites]

Yeah he seemed more to be getting razzed by drinking buddies than anything else.
posted by shakespeherian at 7:31 PM on December 12, 2012

Holographic Keith Moon? EAT DRUMS!
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 7:35 PM on December 12, 2012 [2 favorites]

I miss The Ox.
posted by bondcliff at 7:37 PM on December 12, 2012

When did this become New York Celebrates Keith Moon?
posted by shakespeherian at 7:40 PM on December 12, 2012 [2 favorites]

Christ. I knew this was Boomerfest going in, but man -- I'm bored out of my fucking skull. Were there really no current, recent, or semi-recent New York bands that were available tonight?
posted by Capt. Renault at 7:45 PM on December 12, 2012

Why does it always have to be the same old warhorses? I'd love to see these guys bust out ANYTHING different. Squeeze Box. Anything.
posted by thelonius at 7:46 PM on December 12, 2012

Arena rock is not about the subtlety, I know.
posted by thelonius at 7:47 PM on December 12, 2012

The Stones did a two song set. You could do a shitload of two song sets from everybody in New York in the last thirty years, and it'd be INCREDIBLE and the artist list would be SO LONG.
posted by Capt. Renault at 7:50 PM on December 12, 2012

What the hell was that "turn on your cellphones" nonsense?

I'm not sure what I'd rather see, Entwistle playing bass or Daltrey putting his shirt back on.
posted by Brian Puccio at 7:50 PM on December 12, 2012

Whenever I see Townsend now all I can think about is if years of that windmill move has left him in chronic pain in that shoulder or if it's more of a yoga stretch kind of thing.
posted by anastasiav at 7:52 PM on December 12, 2012

Do up your shirt, old man. You're not Iggy.
posted by Capt. Renault at 7:54 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

Daltry is a trillion years old and I would have much rather watched Mock pelvis around for another three songs than this embarrassment.
posted by shakespeherian at 7:54 PM on December 12, 2012

We all miss Moonie and Entwistle and Daltrey, but I think you guys are being too hard on the Hoff here.
posted by riverlife at 7:57 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

Oh, good. a cuppa tea. Because this show wasn't sedate enough. Fuck me.
posted by Capt. Renault at 7:58 PM on December 12, 2012

The Who....WHY?
posted by Jody Tresidder at 7:59 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

Whenever I see Townsend now all I can think about is if years of that windmill move has left him in chronic pain in that shoulder or if it's more of a yoga stretch kind of thing.

I read in his book that due to a car accident he's got a metal plate holding his wrist in guitar-playing position.

He's more machine now than man...
posted by wabbittwax at 8:00 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

HAVE A FUCKIN' BEE-AH
posted by lazaruslong at 8:02 PM on December 12, 2012

People, this is PBS. Twenty years ago they were doing fundraisers with the hits of the 40's and 50's. These days, it makes sense that they're doing fundraisers with the hits of the 60's and 70's.

Assuming PBS survives another 20 years, the fundraisers will feature 311, Limp Bizkit and Korn.

For a group to be big news on PBS they need to be thirty years past their hit making peak.
posted by Joey Michaels at 8:10 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

So I'm on FB bitching that I didn't know this was on a station I get until 2 hrs in and I MISSED THE STONES. Then joked that I knew it wasn't all about me. Ahem. Ya know. Bitching about the concert.
posted by NorthernLite at 8:10 PM on December 12, 2012

Kanye West is allowed on because, even though he's a current artist, he's sampled King Crimson.
posted by Joey Michaels at 8:14 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

Is kanye wearing a dress?
posted by MechEng at 8:15 PM on December 12, 2012

JPD: "Spent a good hour this morning discussing the best song for Paul to sing.

School or Milk It were our faves

Picture Paul screaming "Doll Steak Test Meat""

Right Wing Broken Wing...

Test Meat, you say? (interestingly, I always thought it was Dead Meat. The more you know).

I figure that Yesterday and Today prefigures In Utero by a good...

Oh.

My.

God.

27 years.
posted by symbioid at 8:15 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

Has anyone mentioned yet that this is the Woodstock generation doing a callback to itself, sort of like the elves leaving Middle-Earth?
posted by vrakatar at 8:17 PM on December 12, 2012 [3 favorites]

It always feels so slow, but it's really amazing, to me anyway, how far we've grown as a...whateveryouwannacallus in the past few years. Last time we had a big concert-for-the-hurricane, Kanye was roundly scorned and became somewhat radioactive for saying that "George Bush does't like black people." We're now in our fifth year of a black presidency, and the same Kanye's playing this hurricane relief concert without meriting a second glance or thought. Remarkable, if you ask me. Go us!
posted by riverlife at 8:23 PM on December 12, 2012

Kanye is wearing a kilt.

Kanye is Greg Nog.
posted by shakespeherian at 8:26 PM on December 12, 2012 [2 favorites]

Kayne has taken over the show.
posted by Windigo at 8:29 PM on December 12, 2012

Hey I'm just proud of myself for getting all the way through the Clapton bit without making one single Blues Hammer crack.
posted by FelliniBlank at 8:29 PM on December 12, 2012 [3 favorites]

I am really confused about which words are getting bleeped here.
posted by shakespeherian at 8:30 PM on December 12, 2012

More to the point, he's wearing a kilt AND LEATHER PANTS. I expect this to be an on point hipster trend before the year is out.
posted by anastasiav at 8:30 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

Kanye would look much better in his fab kilt - if he didn't appear to be so boiling hot.
posted by Jody Tresidder at 8:31 PM on December 12, 2012

Mick didn't need no Autotune.
posted by Capt. Renault at 8:32 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

"We have here from 30 Rock ... Kenneth?"

"Jack McBrayer."
posted by Brian Puccio at 8:36 PM on December 12, 2012

Brian "Le Big Pusse" Williams is just stoning this in. Good on 'im.

And now I really would like to see Kanye in for Kurdt.
posted by riverlife at 8:37 PM on December 12, 2012

I totally love Brian Williams. He's funnier than half the comics on this thing.
posted by shakespeherian at 8:38 PM on December 12, 2012 [2 favorites]

Ok. Drunk uncle finally made me hit mute.
posted by anastasiav at 8:38 PM on December 12, 2012

MESSIER IS ON THE PHONE BANK
posted by Capt. Renault at 8:38 PM on December 12, 2012

Wow. Drunk Uncle outside of SNL is seriously unfunny. Put the horse down sort of unfunny.
posted by Capt. Renault at 8:40 PM on December 12, 2012

Kanye was definitely the highlight; missed the first hour, though :(
posted by FelliniBlank at 8:42 PM on December 12, 2012

We need to only allow UK bands if they are paired with NYC artists. Paul McCartney and Living Colour should do "Cult of Personality". Debbie Harry should replace Daltrey. Lou Reed should sing the entire 2nd side of Dark Side Of The Moon.
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 8:43 PM on December 12, 2012

Wow. Drunk Uncle outside of SNL is seriously unfunny.

I disagree.
posted by grubi at 8:43 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

I also disagree with the implication that he is funny on SNL.
posted by shakespeherian at 8:46 PM on December 12, 2012 [2 favorites]

Anyone catch that flugel in Miami 2017?

I almost missed it, I spent the entire song trying to figure out why the piano man was so lacking in piano.
posted by Brian Puccio at 8:48 PM on December 12, 2012

I also disagree with the implication that he is funny on SNL.

Very clever, but you understood fully what I meant.
posted by grubi at 8:48 PM on December 12, 2012

YEAH I LIKE DRUNK UNCLE AND BILLY JOEL.

Let me have my fun.
posted by grubi at 8:48 PM on December 12, 2012

Lou Reed should sing the entire 2nd side of Dark Side Of The Moon

Oh shit oh shit oh shit totally why I joined MF!!!!! Can he and Laurie Anderson do The Wall for dogs?!?

Wow. Drunk Uncle outside of SNL is seriously unfunny.

That bit at the end soliciting sextapes for Paul McCartney at ZIP 100000000000069 was pretty sweet tho.
posted by riverlife at 8:49 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

I never meant to imply that he was funny on SNL -- my apologies. It was certainly never my intention.

I meant only to say that he is less funny outside of SNL than on, which is, if you think about it, a considerable achievement in comedic poverty.
posted by Capt. Renault at 8:49 PM on December 12, 2012

Oh jesus fuck, get over it.
posted by grubi at 8:50 PM on December 12, 2012

HEY GUYS BILLY JOEL COULD PLAY KURT.
posted by Joey Michaels at 8:51 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

golly i wish i could be hep as all of you
posted by grubi at 8:52 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

More cuppa teas. ROCK ON PARTY DUDES
posted by Capt. Renault at 8:52 PM on December 12, 2012

MetaFilter: A considerable achievement in comedic poverty.
posted by riverlife at 8:52 PM on December 12, 2012 [2 favorites]

Billy Joel played a Christmas song. I donated. BAM.
posted by Joey Michaels at 8:54 PM on December 12, 2012

Because he used the "muddle through somehow" line instead of the "shining star on the highest bough" line. Respect.
posted by Joey Michaels at 8:55 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

'kay - I love me some Billy Joel, and I absolutely love "Miami 2017". But he's played that at three completely different "New York Has Been Clobbered by Something And We Are Having A Benefit concert So This Song Is Now Eerily Appropriate" concerts now, and as much as I love that song I really, really hope this is the last time Billy will have to play it under these conditions ever again.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 8:55 PM on December 12, 2012 [3 favorites]

I see your point, EmpressCallipygos. I'm just glad I'm not the only one who wants to be all Pitchforky on my boy Billy Joel here on MeFi (you know who you are, haters).
posted by grubi at 8:56 PM on December 12, 2012

I own ten Billy Joel albums on vinyl and have at least 15 of his songs in my iTunes library, but also think he deserves as much ribbing as any successful artist. Perhaps more because of "Always a Woman."
posted by Joey Michaels at 9:00 PM on December 12, 2012

I donated during the Bruce Springsteen trouser incident (which my husband & I are now calling "The Rising.")
I have to say - as an expat Brit - that the Brits have been awful tonight. Vain & uncool.
posted by Jody Tresidder at 9:00 PM on December 12, 2012 [2 favorites]

Billy Joel Linda looks like a penis in that turtleneck, guys.
posted by Windigo at 9:00 PM on December 12, 2012

fie on all you









okay most of you
posted by grubi at 9:01 PM on December 12, 2012

I can't make fun of Billy Joel's looks because, hey, that's me in another 25 years or so.
posted by grubi at 9:03 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

grubi do you need a refresh on your drink?
posted by shakespeherian at 9:03 PM on December 12, 2012 [2 favorites]

Joelvana:

Its Still Teen Spirit To Me
The Radio Friendly Alexis
Lithium State of Mind
posted by Joey Michaels at 9:03 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

I just don't understand why a man as wealthy as Mr Joel can't get a suit jacket that fits when he's sitting down.
posted by anastasiav at 9:05 PM on December 12, 2012

I hate the hate, shakespherian. Mr Joel has brought me many enjoyable years of wonderful music, and the internet is full of people who feel they're too cool and amazing to deign to enjoy him.

FIE
posted by grubi at 9:05 PM on December 12, 2012

I just don't understand why a man as wealthy as Mr Joel can't get a suit jacket that fits when he's sitting down.

And somebody point me to that tailor, because I have the same problem. Yikes.
posted by grubi at 9:06 PM on December 12, 2012

Any guesses as to what song (or artist or do you think it will be all of them together) will be closing this out?
posted by Brian Puccio at 9:06 PM on December 12, 2012

Billy's voice really sounds good tonight. This is still pretty effortless for him. He may look like the guy who works at the deli who gives me shit when I ask for a napkin (and, indeed, I'll look like that someday, too), dude sounds the same as he did thirty years ago. Credit where its due.
posted by Joey Michaels at 9:07 PM on December 12, 2012

Oh, that wasn't a dig against Billy Joel, Grubi. It was more like an uneasy little squeal of god dammit that song was supposed to be fantasy science fiction but it's actually become true three times now and i'd like for life to stop imitating art please.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:07 PM on December 12, 2012

Hey, I'm back from a rousing Board meeting at my housing co-op. Did I miss anything?

Oh hurrah, another old white guy! It's like a parade. A parade of old white guys.
posted by jokeefe at 9:07 PM on December 12, 2012

Mr Joel has brought me many enjoyable years of wonderful music, and the internet is full of people who feel they're too cool and amazing to deign to enjoy him.

And Drunk Uncle?
posted by shakespeherian at 9:07 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

Oh, and have we had the McCartneyalypse yet?
posted by jokeefe at 9:08 PM on December 12, 2012

Any guesses as to what song (or artist or do you think it will be all of them together) will be closing this out?

I'm going to put my virtual money on an all-star jam of "All You Need Is Love."

Second tier bet is on all-star jam of "The Weight."
posted by Joey Michaels at 9:08 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

Please, please, please - don't end this thing with the big "everyone back on stage for the Hey Jude singalong" thing. Please, no.
posted by davebush at 9:08 PM on December 12, 2012

And Drunk Uncle?

I just find it funny. The clueless old guy who misuses terminology and randomly sings. I get the giggles.
posted by grubi at 9:09 PM on December 12, 2012

Oh, that wasn't a dig against Billy Joel, Grubi. It was more like an uneasy little squeal of god dammit that song was supposed to be fantasy science fiction but it's actually become true three times now and i'd like for life to stop imitating art please.

Yeah, good point. It was more fun when it was crazy talk. "The mob's not taking over Mexico, Billy! You goof!"
posted by grubi at 9:10 PM on December 12, 2012

The lack of women is pretty staggering.
posted by Jody Tresidder at 9:10 PM on December 12, 2012 [4 favorites]

Any guesses as to what song (or artist or do you think it will be all of them together) will be closing this out?

Maybe some Stevie Wonder?
posted by grubi at 9:11 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

Please, please, please - don't end this thing with the big "everyone back on stage for the Hey Jude singalong" thing. Please, no.

But that is exactly what is going to happen. I feel it.

Also, I feel a disturbance in the Force in the direction of wherever Bono is at the moment. Seems like this is the kind of thing he'd hate to miss.
posted by jokeefe at 9:11 PM on December 12, 2012

My did my phone correct kinda into Linda? That's a new one. Siri must be a Billy Joel fan.
posted by Windigo at 9:12 PM on December 12, 2012

O no! I LOVE U2, but if Bono plays with KristDavePat you're right, game over.
posted by riverlife at 9:12 PM on December 12, 2012

Right. I'm bailing on account of work in the morning. I was hoping to see this through, but... It's not encouraging. Good luck to you all.
posted by Capt. Renault at 9:12 PM on December 12, 2012

Wait, so is Martin playing with Nirvana and Macca? Weird.
posted by anastasiav at 9:13 PM on December 12, 2012

Maybe some Stevie Wonder?

Oh God, please please please. I just started listening to Innervisions again this month and if its actual Stevie Wonder singing his songs I would be thrilled beyond thrilled.
posted by Joey Michaels at 9:13 PM on December 12, 2012

I saw Stevie play at the Eddie Murphy thing a couple weeks ago, and... well.. he's still goddamn Stevie Wonder.
posted by grubi at 9:15 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

I am old - who is this young lady talking about Fairfield, CT?
posted by Joey Michaels at 9:15 PM on December 12, 2012

Maybe something really awesome will happen, like Azealia Banks will come out at the encore and perform 212.

I can dream.
posted by jokeefe at 9:16 PM on December 12, 2012

Wait, so is Martin playing with Nirvana and Macca?

Coldvana?
posted by Joey Michaels at 9:16 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

The lack of women is pretty staggering.

Also

younger artists
people of colour
hip hop
Americans
actual pop music that can be currently found on the radio
posted by jokeefe at 9:18 PM on December 12, 2012 [3 favorites]

"I Used to Rule the World" seems... like a bad choice.
posted by dhens at 9:18 PM on December 12, 2012

I'm afraid you're going to have to settle for Tom Jones fronting Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young.

Wow! That's actually really fucking awesome.
posted by Sys Rq at 9:18 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

Oh, this is better.
posted by anastasiav at 9:18 PM on December 12, 2012

STIPEY!
posted by jokeefe at 9:19 PM on December 12, 2012

Okay, Davebush is clairvoyant.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:20 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

Oh dammit. I am suddenly emotionally involved. Curses.
posted by jokeefe at 9:20 PM on December 12, 2012

Stipe should teach Eddie how to warble.
posted by mrzarquon at 9:20 PM on December 12, 2012

Stipe is starting to look weirdly like Billy Joel....
posted by anastasiav at 9:20 PM on December 12, 2012

Hey Windigo, is that a wedding ring that Stipe is wearing?
posted by jokeefe at 9:20 PM on December 12, 2012

Stipe is starting to look weirdly like Billy Joel....

Billy Joel goes backstage... five minute later Stipe comes on stage. Coincidence?
posted by Joey Michaels at 9:21 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

My dream for a Stipe solo album flickers back to life.
posted by davebush at 9:21 PM on December 12, 2012

.... Not that I'm complaining. This has hit the alt acoustic for karate moms sweet spot for me, actually.
posted by anastasiav at 9:22 PM on December 12, 2012

Oh Chris Martin, you are such a fucking dork.
posted by jokeefe at 9:24 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

Okay, I am actually mildly surprised that it seems that Chris Martin is NOT going to do "Fix You".
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:24 PM on December 12, 2012

I was surprised he didn't launch into "The Scientist," but good for him for playing some different stuff.
posted by Joey Michaels at 9:25 PM on December 12, 2012

Y'know, Zac Starkey is the drummer for The Who, and Martin just said "the Beatles". Bet Ringo is there.
posted by anastasiav at 9:26 PM on December 12, 2012

So I have my harp sitting about four feet away from the kitchen table, where I am now, and a string just broke. Bang!

Coincidence? I think not.
posted by jokeefe at 9:26 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

Katie Holmes and Jason Sudeikis look ADORABLE together. I'm just saying.
posted by mintcake! at 9:29 PM on December 12, 2012

"Not for The Jets."

No, no not this season.
posted by Joey Michaels at 9:29 PM on December 12, 2012

Seriously, I've gotta start drinking/smoking for every badass it'stheendoftheworldIdon'tgiveafuck Brian Williams joke. I'd be like seven or so in by now.
posted by riverlife at 9:29 PM on December 12, 2012

LOVE TO RED HOOK
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:30 PM on December 12, 2012 [2 favorites]

Ok, I just laughed out loud at Tarantino's outfit.
posted by Joey Michaels at 9:34 PM on December 12, 2012 [3 favorites]

Breezy Point has a volunteer fire department? I thought it was FDNY for all of the city with the vast majority of LI fire departments being volunteer.
posted by Brian Puccio at 9:35 PM on December 12, 2012

suck it haters
posted by FelliniBlank at 9:35 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

Goddamn right he plays "Helter Skelter".
posted by grubi at 9:36 PM on December 12, 2012 [2 favorites]

Screw everything, the intro to 'Helter Skelter' is still pure hair-on-the-back-of-my-neck awesomeness.
posted by mintcake! at 9:36 PM on December 12, 2012 [3 favorites]

I think I see a Foo Fighter, but so far no Nirvanas.
posted by Joey Michaels at 9:39 PM on December 12, 2012

Well this isn't bad at all.
posted by mintcake! at 9:42 PM on December 12, 2012

I think I see a Foo Fighter

Yeah, no, I'm just old and blind.
posted by Joey Michaels at 9:42 PM on December 12, 2012

Paul is not dead.
posted by davebush at 9:45 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

Note to self: eat more veggies.
posted by FelliniBlank at 9:45 PM on December 12, 2012

I was pleased that I was not the only one shouting "whoo" when he said "this one is for the Wings' fans."
posted by Joey Michaels at 9:47 PM on December 12, 2012

It's funny. With Shankar's death yesterday I was all set to sit down and watch Concert for George tonight, but instead I get this. Call me a sappy fan but I can't help but miss Macca's missing band mates. And Kurt too. This whole final set will be peppered with the ghosts of those not here. Appropriately for an event like this, I guess.
posted by anastasiav at 9:48 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

Hey, the thought of Prince filling in on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" sounds weird on the face of it, as does Red Hot Chili Peppers teaming up with P-Funk.

George Clinton produced the RHCP's second album, so that doesn't sound weird at all.

Now, George Clinton teaming up with Thomas Dolby, on the other hand...(ah, but wait, Dolby had already produced Whodini's "Magic Wand" a couple of years earlier. Skinny white boy had the funk from day one.)
posted by Lazlo Nibble at 9:48 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

So good. Good Lord! He's the best bass player goin', a great guitar player, soundin' almost like Johnny Johnson on the keys, the voice is still pretty great, and the songs he wrote!!!
posted by riverlife at 9:50 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

Trivia: George Clinton lives (at least part-time) here in Tallahassee, Florida. His personal recording studio is literally 100 feet from my back door.
posted by grubi at 9:50 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

...and the world re-adds Band On The Run to its iPods during this new song.
posted by mintcake! at 9:51 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

doin' it to grubi in his earhole!
posted by FelliniBlank at 9:52 PM on December 12, 2012

Hearing him say "My wife, Nancy", gave me pause for a minute, I have to say. Just so used to thinking of Paul and Linda.
posted by jokeefe at 9:52 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

doin' it to grubi in his earhole!

There's a lot of parties over there. Such funky parties. That no-one invites me to.

*snif*
posted by grubi at 9:54 PM on December 12, 2012

Oh yay, "Blackbird!"
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:55 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

HERE WE GO
posted by Sys Rq at 9:58 PM on December 12, 2012

And its actually happening.
posted by mrzarquon at 9:58 PM on December 12, 2012

Sounds pretty good.
posted by grubi at 9:59 PM on December 12, 2012

Well, you know, if it gets Grohl playing drums again, how bad could it be?
posted by Joey Michaels at 9:59 PM on December 12, 2012

Krist and Kanye are tied for best outfit.
posted by FelliniBlank at 10:00 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

Wow. What's the opposite of the mefi period?
posted by Brian Puccio at 10:00 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

Nirvana becomes eligible for induction in the Rock Hall next year. I wonder if we're seeing a preview of that show.
posted by anastasiav at 10:02 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

What did that drum kit do to Grohl, he's hitting them SO HARD
posted by mintcake! at 10:02 PM on December 12, 2012 [4 favorites]

70 just became less frightening to me.
posted by davebush at 10:04 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

HELL YEAH
posted by grubi at 10:04 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

So wow, that was actually pretty great!
posted by vibrotronica at 10:04 PM on December 12, 2012 [2 favorites]

O Yeah!
posted by riverlife at 10:04 PM on December 12, 2012

davebush: Totally. I want to get old like McCartney.
posted by Brian Puccio at 10:05 PM on December 12, 2012

I read a reviewer write that David Grohl played drums as if he'd been abused by them as a child and was out for revenge.

Also, "I've Got A Feeling" is an all time favorite.
posted by Joey Michaels at 10:05 PM on December 12, 2012 [2 favorites]

What? No "Polly"? No "Love Buzz"? I AM DISSAPOINT
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 10:05 PM on December 12, 2012

So does anyone know what the song was that they played?
posted by dhens at 10:06 PM on December 12, 2012

No "Love Buzz"?

Here you go.
posted by Sys Rq at 10:07 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

That reminded me a bit of Paul when he plays as The Fireman. Just cutting loose and fuck.

I think it was an original jam, what they just played.
posted by Joey Michaels at 10:07 PM on December 12, 2012

I kept thinking that he was making a pretty good case for still being a vital and engaged artist, playing music that was full of joy and just communicating that joy.
posted by jokeefe at 10:08 PM on December 12, 2012 [3 favorites]

I heard the song was one that was written while jamming together.
posted by Jaymzifer at 10:08 PM on December 12, 2012 [2 favorites]

I missed the grohlination, damn.
posted by vrakatar at 10:09 PM on December 12, 2012

davebush: Totally. I want to get old like McCartney.

Y'know, McCartney was born in '42 and Neil Young in '45. No one would bat an eye at Young fronting a reunited Nirvana. It's not the age that's a mismatch. It's the genre.
posted by anastasiav at 10:09 PM on December 12, 2012 [2 favorites]

It's not the age that's a mismatch. It's the genre.

You know, in my heart, I imagine that's why he opened with 'Helter Skelter.'

"People, you don't think I know how to rock out? I fucking invented rocking out."
posted by Joey Michaels at 10:11 PM on December 12, 2012 [10 favorites]

good case for still being a vital and engaged artist

This times a billionzagillion. Sir Paul could easily do the Thurston/Kurdt thing, or segue into a noise thing, it seems from just this one display. I mean, wow!
posted by riverlife at 10:11 PM on December 12, 2012

So I see they spent the entire budget on effects for Live and Let Die. Probably worth it.
posted by Nackt at 10:12 PM on December 12, 2012

...but, I mean, after a decade of "Coming Up" and "Someone's Knockin' On My Door," is it any wonder we all forget he can rock?
posted by Joey Michaels at 10:12 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

Which is not to say that I didn't think it was awesome, because it was.

I did momentarily think they were doing Lennon's Mother, tho, which would have been perfect.
posted by anastasiav at 10:12 PM on December 12, 2012

"People, you don't think I know how to rock out? I Dave Davies fucking invented rocking out."
posted by FelliniBlank at 10:12 PM on December 12, 2012 [2 favorites]

I AM COMING FOR YOU FELLINIBLANK!
posted by Joey Michaels at 10:13 PM on December 12, 2012 [3 favorites]

Ya know who's had a musically charmed life? Pat Smear, that's who. God Bless him! There should be a 6 Degrees of Pat Smear musical game.
posted by riverlife at 10:14 PM on December 12, 2012 [2 favorites]

This ending is really a pleasant surprise.
posted by Joey Michaels at 10:17 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

I frigging love Pat Smear. Tater Totz 4ever.
posted by mintcake! at 10:17 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

Allright, every1, time to get back to the benzies, embalming fluid, and playing my own muzik. It's been great, thanks for the tolerance, and have a great night. I promise not to do this too very often. Y'all are the best. There's just not a better group o' folk to collapse into one with before collectively rising like a phoenix. Thank you, I love you! May God Bless and Keep you each. Your mileage may vary. USA! USA! USA!
posted by riverlife at 10:19 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

Yeah, man, Pat Smear is proof that being a great musician with a reputation for being an incredibly nice guy can take you everywhere. Watching him play is a joy both because of his talent and because he looks like he just loves what he's doing.
posted by Joey Michaels at 10:20 PM on December 12, 2012 [2 favorites]

Ya know who's had a musically charmed life? Pat Smear, that's who. God Bless him! There should be a 6 Degrees of Pat Smear musical game.

True, though I sort of wonder how aware Sir Paul is that fronting for Pat Smear is like drumming for Spinal Tap.
posted by Sys Rq at 10:22 PM on December 12, 2012 [9 favorites]

So the song they played was called "Cut Me Some Slack." It's going to be on Grohl's documentary Sound City.
posted by XhaustedProphet at 10:23 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

(God damn, but it was great seeing Dave Grohl behind a drum set again)
posted by Joey Michaels at 10:25 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

Perhaps Dan Bern called it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vR30LZiVI8&list=AL94UKMTqg-9B-XfMBJH-gI_D1GI0OuY8m&index=19&t=84
posted by NortonDC at 10:50 PM on December 12, 2012

Okay, I missed that part of the live show, how do I see it now?

My googles are failing.
posted by flaterik at 1:06 AM on December 13, 2012

flaterik: Here you can see their performance.
posted by soundofsuburbia at 2:06 AM on December 13, 2012 [3 favorites]

Oh, man, that was really Nirvana, wasn't it? That filthy, relentless, dangerous stalking bass, the hyperintense percussion, the tsunami of fuzzed out noise...

Paul was outclassed by Kurt's ghost, he knew he was outclassed, so he changed the game a little bit, and brought a cigar box guitar to the party, and went Texas roadhouse on them. I dunno if it really, truly worked, but it was something to see. They blew the roof off the place at the very least.
posted by Slap*Happy at 4:28 AM on December 13, 2012 [1 favorite]

Submitted completely without irony - to watch Dave Grohl behind a drum kit is to witness one of the most joyful expressions of music. He is so fucking in the zone.
posted by ersatzkat at 4:47 AM on December 13, 2012 [6 favorites]

That was actually pretty good. They did a nice job of invoking Nirvana's sound and energy without trying to replace Kurt.

Good on them.
posted by oddman at 5:03 AM on December 13, 2012

Grohl is playing drums on the new QOTSA album. It's going to be incredible
posted by saul wright at 5:14 AM on December 13, 2012 [1 favorite]

Thanks for the link, soundofsuburbia. That was unexpectedly good. Watching Dave Grohl pound his drum set into oblivion was wonderful.
posted by tallmiddleagedgeek at 6:32 AM on December 13, 2012

When Nirvana first started promoting Nevermind, they did a mini-set in the MTV studios. I've never forgotten Grohl's drumming on "Territorial Pissings".

Then when he formed the Foo Fighters, it seemed to me that his moving to guitar - though perhaps a service to his ego - was a betrayal of his true gift.
posted by Egg Shen at 6:39 AM on December 13, 2012

Then when he formed the Foo Fighters, it seemed to me that his moving to guitar - though perhaps a service to his ego - was a betrayal of his true gift.

I'd heard that he started out as a guitarist and only came later to the drums; did I get that wrong?
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:16 AM on December 13, 2012

I'd heard that he started out as a guitarist and only came later to the drums; did I get that wrong?

Per wikipedia, you're right. "While in high school, Grohl played in several local bands, including a stint on guitar in a band called Freak Baby. While playing in Freak Baby, he taught himself to play drums. When Freak Baby kicked out its bass player, Grohl decided to switch to drums, and the new band called themselves Mission Impossible."
posted by inigo2 at 7:30 AM on December 13, 2012

Grohl also taught himself to play the piano a few years back.
posted by Atreides at 8:36 AM on December 13, 2012

Huh... I can't really say that was good... but it wasn't nearly as bad as I was expecting. Really, I just come out of this liking Pat Smear more.
posted by kendrak at 9:55 AM on December 13, 2012

Which Band Acted the Classic-Rock-iest at the 12.12.12 Concert?
posted by Egg Shen at 10:24 AM on December 13, 2012

flaterik: Here you can see their performance.

Wow, they all look so happy. Awesome!
posted by oneirodynia at 10:38 AM on December 13, 2012

So it was just the one song?
posted by flaterik at 1:28 PM on December 13, 2012 [1 favorite]

Generation X needs to learn to let shit go or we risk becoming the fucking baby boomers.

Wow, we pick like one thing to care about and then comes the smackdown.
posted by malocchio at 1:35 PM on December 13, 2012

Red Loop: Eddie Vedder has goat vibrato, but seems nice enough I guess.

Red Loop, I hate you now. HATE YOU! I love Eddie Vedder, but all I could hear when I played the concert back was goat vibrato. I was on the floor laughing. But I still hate you.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 9:46 PM on December 13, 2012

Looks like the earlier YT link got pulled. Here's another one to watch.

Catch it quick. It won't be up long...

MrLodeus 13 hours ago

No offense to the uploader but this was on like 10 channels most in HD and yet I cant seem to find a quality HD version anywhere.

rabidplatypus 2 hours ago

That's because the assholes at Fuse keeping having them removed.

I was lucky enough to see the '93 concert at the Cow Palace. This would have been fun, but no, I don't think it compares, even if Sean Lennon called it the biggest concert since Woodstock.
posted by mrgrimm at 8:34 AM on December 14, 2012

Well, it was better than "passable" at least. Full props to the 70-year-old man, and good to see the man who looks like he's 70 but probably almost 50 up and about.

And yeah, was it just the one song?
posted by mrgrimm at 8:37 AM on December 14, 2012

Pat Smear is playing behind a Beatle.

Pat Smear is playing behind a Beatle!

That is just fucking weird.
posted by goofyfoot at 12:05 AM on December 15, 2012 [2 favorites]