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Buntology’s 2009 Year in Music–Thanks for the Memories!

Wow! We can’t believe 2009 has come to an end. This year saw a lot in music, and so did the staff at Buntology. Between Phish, festies, and a smattering of new and classic rock concerts, it’s going to be hard to top all of the awesome performances 2009 had to offer.

But, before we look at the music, let’s take a second to remember the great musicians that passed away this year: Ron Asheton (The Stooges), Jay Bennet (Wilco), Bob Bogle (The Ventures), Ean Evans (Lynyrd Skynyrd), Adam Goldstein (“DJ AM”), Kelly Groucutt (Electric Light Orchestra), and Michael Jackson (Jackson 5). Rest in peace!

But with death comes rebirth, and this year the stork brought us many new “super-groups” like Them Crooked Vultures, The Deadweather, Further and Tinted Windows. This past year we have seen the rise of young artists like Passion Pit,  Asher Roth, Matt & Kim and Gogol Bordello. We have also seen some older bands dust off their Fenders and start playing again, like The Flaming Lips, Weezer and Blink 182.

Blink 182 reunited this year, not only to record, but also to tour and play shows through the US last summer. Though Blink has not released any new music yet, they have are currently working on a new album. Another band that reunited after a break for a few years was Phish. They released a new album “Joy” and have went on an extensive summer and fall tour. Of course one of the highlights of Buntology staffer Ivan’s summer was the performance by Sir Paul McCartney, who played a show at Fenway Park in Boston, Mass.

How about some other musical highlights of the year? In no particular order…

Sheer Talent? More Like Sheer Humiliation

Have you ever tried to start a band? If you’re anything like me (and for God’s sake let’s hope not) then you probably have.

I can still remember the day me, my twin and our girlfriends decided to form B.E.G. That’s an acronym for “Brown Eyed Girls.” None of us knew how to play any instruments, or sing, or write music or lyrics, but that didn’t matter, dammit! It was about the passion. And passing time on a snow day.

From what I remember I was basically the Paul, John, and George Martin of the band. I wrote songs, attempted the guitar and I think I even made a website devoted to us. Of course we broke up before we could release our EP, but Buntology has recently uncovered a demo that’s sure to wet any cult B.E.G. follower’s appetite.

Check out the exclusive release of Heart on a String (You Do Nothing)!

Lyrics by Angela & Jackie Bunt, lead vocals by Jackie and backup
vocals by Angela, guitar by Angela.

Ivan Knows Who Makes the Super Bowl Rock

The NFL Super Bowl is arguably one of the most watched games of the year. It is a night when people get together to chill and

enjoy a good game. It is a night for people jump on the bandwagons to cheer for “their” team. It is a night girls come out and pretend they follow the sport and go to a Super Bowl parties. It is a night to remember.

What’s so special about it this year? Well, the Super Bowl is also a night for hosting a grand musical performance during its halftime show and this year is no different. This year British rockers The Who will take the stage.

A Little Bit Furthur Than We’ve Gone Before

I have been scratching my head for a while now. If there is a God (and no, I am not trying to stir a debate), he is very pleased with us at the moment.

Hmm, maybe not pleased with all of us, but those immersed in the live music scene are getting what they want. Spring was sprung. Summer was stupendous. Fall was fantastic. Winter will be wondrous. Yes, wondrous.

I have devoted so much time making up for Phish’s five-year hiatus over the summer and fall that I think I forgot about my roots. No, not the ones stabilizing my trees. I am talking about the Grateful Dead. When Phish was dead I spent my free time either rocking with Phil Lesh and Friends, slow dancing to RatDog or getting through those shaky spring shows the Dead put on.

Crooked Vultures Not Your Average Rock n’ Rollers

Based out of Los Angeles, rock supergroup Them Crooked Vultures (featuring Josh Homme, Dave Grohl and John Paul Jones) has emerged.

Homme plays lead guitar and Grohl is at drums again, like back in the days of Nirvana. As for JPJ, what doesn’t he play? Of course he is ripping on the bass, but the new album consists of more than just regular guitar, bass and drums. Jones also plays keyboard, piano, mandolin, slide guitar and keytar.

The new album was released on November 17

A Tale of Two Phish Shows: Albany Review

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After a two-day Phish run in Albany, N.Y., complete with singing, dancing and partying till the wee hours of the morning, it’s solidified– Neil and I are party animals

The weekend started with a full belly, as the first show was only a day after Thanksgiving and I had stuffed myself to the point of wrenching pain less than 24 hours earlier.

[You can thank Rod Bunt and his delicious stuffing for us being well-fed. – Neil]

Me, Neil and some of our friends stayed at the Clarion in Albany (Neil’s hometown), and when we arrived at the hotel around 3 p.m. the hippie invasion had already begun.

Pandora: Perfect for Your Christmas Cheer!

One of the best parts of the holiday season is the music. While I start listening to “The Muppets Christmas Carol” soundtrack in early November, others wait until after Thanksgiving to pop in the ol’ Christmas classics.

Sure- the old classics are great, but I like to add some new tunes into the mix. One of the best ways to discover new music is on the ultimate online radio station, Pandora.com.

Eric Hutchinson is ‘Alright With Me’

I may be out of the music loop, because I just discovered singer/songwriter, Eric Hutchinson.  Thanks to Pandora I came across this young biddy and really liked what I heard.

His hit single “Alright With Me”, became stuck in my head, and after hearing a few more tunes off his album, “Sounds Like This”, I decided to buy the CD.

Hutchinson released his album, “Sounds Like This”, on his own in 2007, and the album soared to number 5 on the Itunes Store. Warner Bros. Records picked up the album in 2008, and now the 29-year-old is touring with Kelly Clarkson.