Butch Walker -Sycamore Meadows Tour

Listening to Butch Walker is like taking your first bite into a freshly baked cupcake, swimming in the Caribbean and walking through the park on a crisp fall day. You feel blissful, exhilarated and free.

Sometimes though, it's like getting a flat tire on the highway in the midst of a three hour drive or watching one of those Sarah McLachlan commercials for the ASPCA. It's life in all its ironic, tragic and timeless moments bottled up into three-minute unforgetable melodies.

From his glam-rock Marvelous 3 fronting days that launched him to semi-stardom with the hit "Freak of the Week," to his heart wrenching sophomore solo effort, Letters, and the get-the-party-started disc o'fun- The Rise and Fall of Butch Walker and the Let's Go Out Tonites- Walker has proved he's the underground Elvis of modern times. A living legend if you will. Sure, he gets the most recognition as a mega producer for Pink, Avril Lavigne and other chart-toppers, but the magic's in his own music.

His new album, Sycamore Meadows, is out now. It's arguably his most personal effort to date. "The Weight of Her" keeps the old fans happy and tracks like "Here Comes The..," and "Passed Your Place, Saw Your Car, Thought of You" are the heart wrenchers that will be stuck in your head. One of the standout tracks is now doubt the jazzy "Ponce de Leon Ave," along with "Going Back/Going Home," Walker's life story in three minutes.

Planet Verge had the pleasure of filming our upcoming Web-TV show, On the Verge, with Walker this past week. It was a splendid time. Here are some photos from his NYC and NJ shows. This was a quiet an intimate tour and I must say the damn drunk fools and WHOO HOO girls rained on the NYC show. But if they stick around, they'll learn and bow their heads in shame at their old ways. Guess that's what happens when the radio starts to play your music (FINALLY) and mainstream press catches on to what's cool-- the unappreciative newbie folks come out. Oh well, at least NJ showed Butch the respect he deserves!

















Listen: www.myspace.com/butchwalker.

Concer Junkie: Wonders Why?

**Spoiler alert for anyone who hasn't seen Religilous yet.**

French philosopher Rene Descartes once said, "I think therefore I am." What we learn from this quote and other philosophers is that we can't exist without the mind. We need the mind for feeling, learning, thinking and more importantly doubting. Now I separate thinking and doubting because some people can think, but they cannot doubt. For example, take the subject of religion. Its filed under the "Don't ask, don't tell" section, along with Sex and Politics. We've come to enjoy the jokes of Sex and Politics, sometimes combined(Larry Craig, Ted Haggard, Bill Clinton, etc.) But people still cannot embrace the occasional quip or question about religion. Why? Why is it so difficult to question belief? The recent film Religilous, which features comedian Bill Maher, takes the agnostic approach to the major faiths and asks the questions most true believers fail to ever ask.

The film takes you on a Questioning-of-Faith Journey to various states in the U.S., Netherlands, Israel, Puerto Rico, Italy and London. The first interview Maher conducts is in Raleigh, NC at a Trucker's Christian Chapel. Maher asks only one question and one trucker decides to walk out. The rest stay and answer as honestly and wholeheartedly as they could. Some other interviews were with the Jesus at Prophet Land, which is a religious amusement park in Orlando, FLA. Preacher Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda of Puerto Rico, who claims to be the second coming of Jesus, does not realize the silliness he is spewing from his lips (watch and you will hear). Another was also with an Anti-Zionist Jew. But my favorite was with a Senior Priest at the Vatican in Rome. Maher was able to get this priest on camera to say honestly that religion is "silly."

I'm not an atheist. I never ever claimed to be. I was born and raised Jewish, but as I read more and more, I embrace doubt. America was founded on the basis of religious freedom, and people have the right to believe in whatever they want, even in aliens and magic underwear (to an extent, when it comes to murder, rape or incest a line should be drawn). Why is it that with all the charity, peace and good will religion preaches, why is there war carried out based on these beliefs?

Somethings I felt the movie failed to mention is the Scientology boom on Hollywood Blvd. For a long time, no one really knew of this religion and science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard (Battlefield Earth is pretty bad). Some other facts it might have also wanted to mention are the amounts of rape/incest incidents among Mormon families, or the kidnapping of young girls once they turn 11. However, I know there were some time constraints and Maher did not cover every single religion. If he did the movie would have been two and half or three hours instead of two.

With the facts and topics discussed, Maher did an overall excellent job. Religilous is directed by Larry Charles (Borat). Whether you are a believer or not, go see this movie. It will open your eyes and mind. Do not be afraid to question the unknown, since that is all that it is.


By Lori who was watching the finale of TRL and will blog about that tomorrow.

Val Emmich @ Maxwells

Val Emmich's show at Maxwells last night was so jam packed that fans new and old tried to bribe the door man to get in. It was obvious who the new-thanks-to-Ugly-Betty fans were because they were up front going ga-ga for Val, but didn't know the words to any of the songs except for "Get On with It."

But who cares? Now they've discovered the man who was NJ's best kept secret for years and can continue to spread the love!

Go pick up LITTLE DAGGERS, Val's intoxicatingly addictive new album now: www.myspace.com/valemmich, www.valemmich.com

I shall say no more, because you'll be able to WATCH our interview with Val on the brand new Planet Verge Internet show, ON THE VERGE very soon. He's going to be stopping by our studio and will even play some acoustic tunes for you! Requests? :)

Those interested in joining the Val Emmich street team, please visit www.myspace.com/vestreetteam

* By Joelle, who first interviewed Val about six years ago outside The Saint in Asbury Park. They sat on the curb and chatted about coffee and his first concerts. She has been a faithful fan ever since.

Concert Junkie Gets Political, Again

Wow! Really? Wow! I don't know how else to describe my feelings. Wow is the best word. In 2004, I went to bed feeling queezy. Last night, I went to sleep with ease. America chose wisely. Today, we woke up to a refreshed America. An America that has no more limitations. Anyone can be anything they want to be, so as long as they do not give up hope.

When Obama recited his Lincoln/FDResque acceptance speech, an overwhelming feeling of relief swept me. Wars will end. Unity will be in sight. Our environment will be a priority (finally). Healthcare can eventually be solved. I know most of these issues will not be solved in his first year or term, but good things come to those who wait. America, we are patient. After all, we did wait a long time for this moment.

I started to reflect about history when Obama spoke about the 106 year old woman from Atlanta. As he went through each historical moment, I kept thinking what it would have been like to be a person in that time period and to go through the struggle. America, we have come a long way.

To take some of the words from the great Martin Luther King, Jr., we chose an African American President based on the content of his character and, very rarely, was he judged on the color of his skin (except for maybe in Utah and Oklahoma). I also want to associate Obama to King's speech about climbing the mountain to the Promise land. Even though King, unfortunately, did not live to see this moment, we sense his spirit. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tb9m81OwYH0

Over here in NJ, the heavens are crying happy tears from all the late great ones who fought and died for this moment. While the rain soaks the sidewalks and windshields, I can not help but think about the old documentaries of Civil Rights marches and the chants of "We Shall Overcome." America, we overcame and we are so much better for it. We can do anything.

By Lori: who is so happy all the Civil Right protesters and activists did not die in vain, and wished they could have physically been here to see this moment.

THE WALK with Hanson

Hanson's 102nd Walk around the world to raise AIDS awarness was held Nov. 1st at Montclair State Univeristy. Planet Verge's Joelle & Roe walked one mile barefoot, with the band and about 200 other action takers. Hanson generously donates $1 per person to help African children. Be sure to check out www.takethewalk.net for more information and Tom's Shoes, who has partnered with Hanson for the cause.

After The Walk & before the show that evening, PV sat down with the band to tape Episode 2 of our upcoming Internet show, On the Verge. So stay tuned to watch our chat with the band AND some of their fans who camped outside the Wellmont Theater for two days waiting to see them!

*By Joelle, who is now a Hanson devotee.

Here are some of our pictures from The Walk!