Brian Wolfman Fallon

I've had 45 on repeat all day, but I keep getting distracted by that beard. Is it just me or does it make Brian Fallon look like a werewolf?

Don't get me wrong - I'm really looking forward to the album and the tour. I just can't get this image out of my head.

UPDATE: Here's a werewolf Spotify playlist too. I couldn't resist. Used to be a DJ back in the day and all that.

Wolfman meets Bearded Singer.

Gaslight Anthem - 45

Check out the brand new video from The Gaslight Anthem! 45 is the first single from their upcoming album Handwritten.

It's the singer not the song

Just listen to Brian Fallon of the Gaslight Anthem sing his version of I Do Not Hook Up. It gives me goosebumps every time I listen to it. His voice and his performance really gets under my skin.

I Do Not Hook Up was written by Katy Perry who never released the song. She gave it to Kelly Clarkson who recorded it in 2009. You can find her version here.
Brian Fallon completely transformed the song from a teen-pop number to an acoustic ballad. Mick Jagger was right. It's the singer that makes all the difference.

The Gaslight Anthem - Bring It On

Yeah, I've still got a writer's crush on Brian Fallon...

Gaslight Anthem at KB or why I love social media

Dragged my tired self to KB last night to check out Gaslight Anthem. They were great live and they played two songs I requested on twitter!

Gaslight Anthem. I kinda wish I'd brought my system camera.

Singer Brian Fallon actually checks his twitter before soundcheck to see if there are any requests for the show that night. So I asked for two of my favourites, Wherefore art thou, Elvis? and Señor and the Queen, both are from the EP Señor and the Queen.

On the train home I said thank you for a great show and nearly fell out of my seat when I got a reply within seconds.

Brian Fallon can be found on twitter as @briangaslight

I streamed parts of the gig via bambuser. I've had some run-ins with the security at KB about bringing my camera, so I left it at home. The light was great and would have made some great shots, but in the end it was nice to simply watch the show and enjoy being in the moment.

Guess who's playing?

The Gaslight Anthem are coming to KB in Malmö on Thursday! I've only had my ticket since July...
More details on the gig here.

Writer's Crush

Ever had a writer's crush? Ever read words that just find their way to your heart? It's like falling in love with a song or another work of art; part admiration for the work itself and part admiring the artist who created it.

My current writer's crush are the lyrics written by Brian Fallon from The Gaslight Anthem. I've been listening to both their old stuff like Señor and the Queen EP and their latest album, American Slang. Let me tell you, that young man from New Brunswick has a way with words.

Brian Fallon

The lyrics and the way he delivers them is amazing.
"I need a Cadillac ride, I need a soft summer night, say a prayer for my soul Senorita."

And if there ever was a song that describes how I feel about my boys in the saint 21 crew it's Blue Jeans & White T-Shirts.

"Still we sing with our heroes, 33 rounds per minute
We're never going home until the sun says we're finished
I'll love you forever if I ever love at all
With wild hearts, blue jeans, & white t-shirts"

It's both weird and wonderful that the words of someone I have never met can move me and stir my feelings.

It reminds me of reading Shakespeare, CS Lewis and Laura Ingalls Wilder as a girl. Words can be relevant to someone else long after the writer has left this world.
Anyone who creates something leaves a little piece of themselves behind, for someone else to find. I think it's a very human thing. All most of us want in the end is to know that we made a difference, that us being here mattered.

High top sneakers and sailor tattoos

I saw Polar Bear Club, Frank Turner and The Gaslight Anthem last night. Great show, even if The Gaslight Anthem had a little trouble living up to their own hype.

Didn't bring the Nikon, because KB are such bitches about their "no system cameras allowed" policy. Shame, because I would have gotten some great shots, especially of Polar Bear Club. Hardcore bands tend to be fun on stage.

But all I got were a few shots with my cellphone camera. Then again, it's nice to go to a show and just enjoy the music, rather than working. Once I get in photo-mode I have a hard time enjoying the music because I'm constantly thinking in images and looking for good shots. Even when I've put the camera down.

Punk rock singer/songwriter Frank Turner was the evening's pleasant surprise. I bought his album and I want to stock his music at the HepCat Store.

The Gaslight Anthem seemed to be a little shy at the beginning of their set, but quickly warmed up once they had gotten hits like The '59 Sound and Great Expectations out of the way. At the end of the gig singer Brian Fallon was actually smiling and having conversations with the audience. All in all, a good night and a great show.

Brian Fallon and blurry Alex Levine of The Gaslight Anthem.

The Gaslight Anthem

For once I have discovered a new band the week before they play a show near me. The Gaslight Anthem are playing in Malmö on Thursday.

I've only heard a few songs, so I'm just gonna show up with an open mind and hope for some great music.