Grammys 2010: Butch Walker Steals The Show! (at least I thought so haha)

Hey Everyone!

So the other night I was watching the Grammys as I do every year... dont ask why because honestly, I dont even know why I do it haha. Anyways, Taylor Swift performed so I un-muted the TV to get a listen so I could have some valid commentary... and I'm glad I did. Despite not being the worlds best vocalist (and she knows this- but she IS a fantastic writer and musician so kudos to her!) she put on a great show. Her medley was well done, and it involved a couple key players. For one, the absolutely stunning and super talented Stevie Nicks (oh yeah- it happened) and the equally brilliant... BUTCH WALKER?! How many of you noticed him up there? Be honest!

My roommate will vouch for me, he caught my eye immediately but I couldnt put my finger on why. I was taken with this guy, he was just SO into his performance... with a banjolin of all things! That takes guts and non-chalence if you ask me haha. Not anyone can pull that off. Anyways, he was generally in the back of the frame everytime but there was just something that had my attention. And suddenly, when HIS version of You Belong With Me began to play, and the light shone enough to make those tattoos stand out against his skin, I had a eureka! moment.... no word of a lie, I actually let out a "OH MY GOD- BUTCH WALKER. THATS WHO THAT IS, I KNEW HE WAS FAMILIAR!" which made my roommate snap out of her Farmville trance and try to figure out what I was going on about haha.

Anyways, if you missed it, check it out below and keep your eyes peeled for that eccentric banjolin player on your left haha. As much as Stevie and Taylor are great, Butch is the underrated genius here. Lets give him some attention. If you dont wanna watch the whole thing, it starts around the 3:57 mark. Enjoy!

What do you think? Good performance in my opinion, but he just steals it from no where!

No one can rock the banjolin like Butch haha

Rock On!

- Girl At The Rock Show

21 Guns Re-Released With Cast Of New York Musical

Hey Everyone!
So not long after their performance (which was great ps.) at the Grammy Awards last night, Green Day officially released their new video for 21 Guns featuring the cast of their New York bound broadway musical. The video is very simple, it just shows the recording process in a kind of raw, fun way. You see the band interacting with the cast as they all watch this dream come to life. Its pretty cool. I love the way the guys watch the cast sing and you can just see it in their eyes... its like, "yeah, this is it, this is exactly how we imagined it".

Its also kind of interesting the way this song takes on a new life. On one hand, you have a softer side of Green Day. A rock ballad. And on the other hand, you have this musical epic. The cast brings a whole new dimension to the song... I dont care if its "punk" or not to make your music into a musical, when it works it works. Thats really all there is to it haha. And this? DEFINITELY works.

There is so much emotion in this short little ballad. The way the band comes in with them, its phenomenal. You can tell that this isnt about making a quick buck, the guys put a lot of thought into this production. The interactions with the cast make that pretty evident- they're friends. So for everyone who saw this as a move to make a big profit, I have to disagree. They are already loaded... 20+ years in the music industry, and 16 years of hits will do that for you. Not to mention, they started it in a little Berkely theatre... not in some huge NY production. It just did well so Broadway made sense.

New Video: HERE

And otherwise, here's the Grammy performance! Beautiful. Seriously, I am oddly overwhelmed by this version of the song with the cast... its just a stunning arrangement.

Personally, I will be buying tickets for New York once I figure out my exam schedule. Who wants to come with?
Rock On!
- Girl At The Rock Show

2009 Grammy Awards Announce Nominees!

Hey Everyone!

So its that time of the year again... no, I'm not talking about exams, or snow, I'm talking about Grammy nominations! Yup, thats right, the 52nd annual Grammy Awards have released their list of the year's nominees. Among the names are Paramore, Underoath, Death Cab For Cutie, MGMT, Silversun Pickups, Green Day and Katy Perry.

Not a bad list in my opinion. Kind of nice to see acts like Silversun and Underaoth up for grammys since their music and popularity are a little more discreet than some of the other major acts. The awards will air on January 31, 2010. They will be aired live from The Staples Centre in L.A. For a full list of nominees and more details on the selection process, click here.

So what do you think of the nominees? Anyone you'd like to see recognized or win? Let me know!

Rock On,

- Girl At The Rock Show

Song of the Day: Little Bribes by Death Cab For Cutie... off their 2009 EP, The Open Door, for which they are nominated under the category of Best Alternative Album.