Butch Walker: He's the Best for a Monday Morning

Yes, it's agreed by all who matter--these are some cool guys I met in front of AC/DC's hotel in Paris, Manu, Didier and Robert--and I think they would go along with Bibi:  there is nothing finer in Carolina (or Texas) on a grey and dreary Monday that is also the first class day (yikes!  what a stomach-churning combo!) than listening to Butch Walker to make the day somewhat less foreboding.  Just hearing:   And I don't want to remember, but I don't want to forget, That no one will believe me if I say:  So honey don't you call now, don't pick up the phone now, don't you know we're better off this way? mellows me out.  That lovely, lovely voice, the Todd Rundgren vibe in the words...we can be in love for just one day...so I met you by the bathroom to escape....Aaaaahhhh! 

Sometimes, listening to Butch sing, Bibi thinks that Butch so loves to hear his voice.  Not saying it in a "he's so full of himself" way.  What a gift he has!  Not just the sound/texture/shading of his voice, but the lyrics he writes, the phrasing he uses.  (sigh) AND, he's sharing it with us, his lucky, lucky fans!!!

Here's Butch reportedly singing Ponce de Leon Ave. sometime in the past.

It's a different look from the one he currently has, but the voice is still as fab as ever!  Of course, the camera adores Butch as much as ever--that hair! those eyes, those cheekbones, that thoroughly adorable nose!--though, emphatically, he's so much more than a pretty face.

Love you, Butch!

Butch Walker: Post-Show Blues

Every day's a Monday now that the show has come and gone, right?  Bibi's been really busy at work and suffering from a diagnosis-proof toothache, living on Advil, and a lack of Butch Walker shows.  Guess, toothache or not, had to unfold this way for the fans lucky enough to see Butch in Chicago.  Like Tom Petty says:  waiting is the hardest part--until the new album hits and the supporting tour.  The BWAE (Butch Walker Ameliorative Effect) has been put to the test all week, helping Bibi through the pain, but really!  Just want it to go away and never come back!

Confession:  haven't been upholding my duties as a fan.  Want to make a new mixtape cd--the songs that Butch sang on December 30 at the Double Door, sans the new ones, of course--and have run out of the Butch cards I give out to those whom I want to become familiar with Butch's work.  Did get more card stock today and think/hope I'll be up to putting together the setlist for the new batch of cds later today.  There's a new indie-looking eatery next to the library and wanted to offer them the BWM II.2 (without the s and f words), but need to make a few more of those, as well.  Geez, really behind in carrying out the fan oath of purpose and obligations!  Did I even remember to pay dues recently? Priorities, Bibi!  lol

Did talk up (through the mist-inducing pain) Butch, the recent show, his talent, his persona on stage to two new people at work--that's when I realized I was out of cards and BWM II.2.  Bibi loves Butch's work and understands about the use of the s/f words--they fit in the flow, meaning of the songs, are not hate-inspired, mongering--but the idea is to introduce Butch to simpatico listeners, not give them the opportunity to get hung up on details. 

My competency with the phone camera at the show was really challenged.  Show pics would make very effective ppt-like effects while I'm talking about Butch.  But, have been able to let folks see photos other people took; some are quite good.  Very appreciative of those.  LOVE this pic someone took on NYE while Butch was singing....you know the song lyrics this gesture fits....tick, tock, tick, tock....ok, Race Cars and Goth Rock. 

Thinking that next time I see Butch, will try to get closer to the front, just for the sake of pictures.  Given different factors, Bibi's strategy had been to leave the struggle, time consumption of being at the front, difficulty of going to the bathroom or getting drinks to others, but re-thinking that.  Not something that ever bothered Bibi at AC/DC concerts--and have the pictures to prove it (ha, ha)--but with Butch playing such small venues, seems absurd not to have great pictures of him performing.  Plus, the camera LOVES Butch and the Internet needs more pictures of him looking totally fab.

Who could argue with that need?

Love you, Butch!

Butch Walker: Suggestions for Tour Dates

Butch tweeted about an upcoming tour for the Flaming Lips and the Black Keys:

4-28 Kansas City, MO - Sprint Center

4-30 Pittsburgh, PA - CONSOL Energy Center

5-02 Atlanta, GA - Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood

5-03 Nashville, TN - Bridgestone Arena

Wouldn't it be cool if Butch played the same cities a day or two before or after these shows?  that way, Bibi would have a chance to see both!

Just saying.

Butch Walker: Highly Anticipated Album of 2013

Like Bibi didn't already know, Butch's upcoming album showed up (first one listed) on a survey of highly anticipated albums for 2013.  Here's an excerpt; the entire article is at http://www.westernherald.com/arts-and-entertainment/a-glance-forward-music-in-2013-kalamazoo-and-beyond/ : 

Editor’s Picks: Most Anticipated Albums


Butch Walker

Butch Walker, though he may not be a familiar name to many college students, is one of the biggest players in today’s pop music. He’s written hits for the pop-princess likes of Avril Lavigne, Pink and Katy Perry, produced records from Dashboard Confessional, Weezer and The Academy Is and even joined Taylor Swift onstage at the Grammy’s a few years ago when she won pretty much every award in sight. But while Walker certainly knows his way around a pop song, his own music has wandered through a dozen different genres, from his early hair-metal days to his tenure as the frontman for nineties one-hit wonders, the Marvelous 3; from the power-pop of his early solo albums to records that mined the history of glam, classic rock, folk, Beatles pop and alt-country. I had the pleasure of seeing Walker in Chicago to ring in the New Year (this side of Bruce Springsteen, there’s not a better live performer working today), and his new songs are sounding great: twangy and sentimental without feeling cheesy, anthemic and sing-along-ready without overreaching. The album should be along in time for spring or summer, so if you discover one artist in 2013, make it this guy.

Ryan Adams
A few years back, Ryan Adams was one of the most prolific singer/songwriters in the game, saturating his fanbase with solo albums, full-band records, rarity collections and unreleased gems. More than anyone else in the industry, Adams was hearkening back to the days when Bob Dylan and Neil Young (and, to a lesser extent, Bruce Springsteen) would just write and record constantly, putting out a record once a year or more. He’s slowed down a bit recently, but there were rumblings last summer that Adams was in the studio (and with Butch Walker, no less), and a few of his songs just recently graced the soundtrack for the Judd Apatow comedy This Is 40, so hopefully that means the man is gearing up for a return.

+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=
Like that Butch was first on the list (natch!) and that the commentator and I fully agree on Butch's status and readiness for discovery by the music world at large.  I could be mistaken, but I think Ryan Adams was onstage with Butch on the first night of Petty Fest and was the one that more appropriately acknowledged Butch at the end of Breakdown, so Bibi really likes him.  So cool that he was working with Butch in the studio.  

Butch Walker and Revenue Generation, one at a time

Woo hoo!  Was talking to one of the people at the office, D (mentioned him before), who asked me about seeing Butch on December 30.  Giving him a quick rundown on how UNBELIEVABLY FANTASTIC Butch was, trying to express Butch's allure, singing, songwriting, guitar talent, and especially his ability to enthrall the crowd.  If you've seen Butch live, you know what I'm saying.  Anyway, he asked me my favorite album--what a decision!--and I went with The Spade.  It rocks, it rocks, it rocks AND it has Sweethearts and The Closest Thing to You I'm Gonna Find.  While we were on the phone, heard some music from his side and then, D said:  OK, bought the album from ITunes.  SO COOL!  D subscribes to the concept that artists who are really good--Bibi had effectively talked Butch up--deserve to make money from their art.  Bibi feels like a revenue-generating fan (R-GF).  It's a good feeling!

[Whoa, just saw a teaser for a new NBC show and A Man Like That is the music playing over the action!  Hope this means something good for Butch.]

Bibi is still processing the fab, fab time in Chicago.

Well, okay, mostly reviewing the show at the Double Door, especially now that such great pictures and videos have been posted by some of the other fans.  Check out Synthesizers here:

Synthesizers/Eileen

Butch knows how to get the crowd jumping, singing, and, of course, an all out performance from him.

Butch rules!

Btuch Walker at the Double Door, Chicago, December 30, 2012

Once Bibi got to the Double Door, it was clear that strategic maneuvering would be required to get a primo view of Butch.  Actually, everyone was intent on doing the same thing, but were congenial about it.  Ages ranged from 21 to none of your business, but let's say mature, probably late 50's, early 60's.  The audience for Butch dressed to express themselves:  some jeans and t-shirts all over the fashion continuum to sequins/spangles and/or men in suits!  Whatever, everyone was angling to establish a preferred viewing space and a couple of drinks.  There was seating in a small, dark upstairs area; seemed like it would be somewhat obstructed view, so no loss to Bibi not to sit there.  Anyway, who wanted to sit?  Found a place at the bar (on the left side of the room, left side of the stage).  The couple next to Bibi had seen Butch a few times before as had the group of 3 girls on the other side of Bibi; was glad to have them around me for comparison data.

When the lights went down, there was a decided crush toward the stage, so Bibi's bar location really helped. There was a step under the bar which allowed me to be a bit taller than the people in front of us; cool!  Note in case you go to the Double Door:  it's a pretty small place, compared to any bar I've been to in Houston, so you could probably see Butch, even at the back, but Bibi would have been very disappointed to be so far away from the source of all light and life (Butch).

The stage was dark and then, Butch's unmistakable, ethereal  voice began ATL...omg.   Putting this one first, great strategic move from Butch.  He gave himself a low-key intro (he was at the keyboard) and the following songs steadily built momentum and helped increase fan delirium as the set list revealed itself.  The crowd was already hyped up and opening with this acknowledged Butch and fan fave was a great gambit.  Next, Bibi LOVES Passed Your Place, Saw Your Car and me along with the rest of the crowd literally swooned listening to Butch's total immersion and delivery.  His voice--so true--just caressed this one--what a choice selection!  Bibi could make this the longest blog post ever and go through each song.  She could.  They were all excellent, inclusions, revving up from the Sycamore Meadows selections to the classic singalong, She Likes Hairbands, segue-ing into (maybe my favorite of the night) Race Cars and Goth Rock, two of my fave rockers from the Spade, and then 3 Kids in Brooklyn.  Short break and the guys came back for the real finale, Sucker Punch.   Huge Bon Scott scream here!!!

Tough to declare a favorite cut of the night--Butch is such a showman, a complete stage star--he takes the audience to an incandescent in-the-moment place with each song--full out, killing it on guitar and vocals, incredible.  Suffice it to say that Butch knows his material and its effect on his audience and he played it to the max for us.  The setlist built up the intensity, going from mellow to total over the top rock till you drop.  The entire show was unbelievably charged throughout and by the time we go to what the audience knew was the last song, there was a total Butch Walker fan crazy atmosphere--THANK YOU, BUTCH!!

BTW:  Really, who has the BEST rock star hair on earth??  Only one candidate and the winner is BUTCH WALKER!!  Enjoy it/Butch here during Sucker Punch, the finale of the show:

BEST ROCK STAR HAIR

Here's the set list, not including the three new songs:

ATL
Passed Your Place, Saw Your Car
Going Back Going Home
Closer to the Truth
Pretty Melody
Dublin Crow
The Closest Thing
The Weight of Her
She Likes Hairbands
Race Cars and Goth Rock
Synthesizers
Summer of '89
3 Kids in Brooklyn
Sucker Punch

Butch talked a lot about guitar playing, played some ZZ Top riffs and a song I can't identify, yet.  He didn't have to convince the faithful about his guitar skills--we already knew--but if you had expected merely a  great singer who happens to be drop dead good-looking with a fabulous stage persona, you would have been hugely delighted and greatly impressed to hear Butch's playing.  Butch clearly enjoyed himself, showing off, singing and having his lyrics and tunes sung back at him, jumping all over the stage singing and playing some really great music and, said it before:  damn, he's good-looking!  The three new songs sounded up to Butch's usual high standards, a bit more country-influenced, with some slide guitar thrown in--very cool, very self-assured.  Waiting impatiently for the new album.

Maybe next time Bibi gets to see Butch, she'll know how to work the video in the phone.  Then, the only possible constraint will be getting to/staying near the front of the stage, right?

So, overall, JUST LOVED IT, wanted MORE, MORE, MORE!!!  Can't wait for the tour supporting the new album.

Yes, have to say it:  Love you, Butch!

Butch Walker in Chicago, December 30, 2012, Setlist Update

Happy New Year to all of you!  Had a relatively quiet NYE--what could compare to December 30's Butch Walker show, right? 

Butch in one of his favorite places

Here's a bit of an update for the setlist.  Should have included the three new songs in the list; can't remember exactly where in the show they came in, but they didn't detract from the overall buzz.  And, no, did not take Butch's cue to go to the bathroom during either of the new songs.  He's SO funny! 

Glad he did ATL first and of course, wish he had done Sweethearts.

ATL

Passed Your Place, Saw Your Car

Going Back Going Home

Closer to the Truth

Pretty Melody

Dublin Crow

The Closest Thing

The Weight of Her

She Likes Hairbands

Race Cars and Goth Rock

Synthesizers (YES--he played mandolin!!!) And he included Eileen in the lyrics!

Summer of '89

3 Kids in Brooklyn

Butch talked a lot about guitar playing, played some ZZ Top riffs and a song I can't name, yet

Sucker Punched

Hope to get back online later today; hard to say.