The Long Winters

One day back in 1999, John Roderick decided to travel from Amsterdam to Istanbul.
By foot.
He set out on May 4th, supplied with some extra clothes and an atlas, and began his 50 kilometer a day trek, hiking across the mountains and valleys of ten different countries, and arrived on Sept 21st of that year, five months after his departure, at his final destination.
I find this pretty impressive.
These days, Roderick heads a band called The Long Winters. They’ve got three ... MORE

13th of February 2007-Decided it was time to at least write a little something about this gig. First time to this venue, its small. Very Small. Stage was pretty much none existent...and pushed into the corner. The four members of the Long Winters were crammed on to the stage. Plus the cider pump wasn't working so I couldn't get my cider 'N' black. A nice venue for a smaller bands but so unfitting for The Long Winters. The Support-The support were two local sixth form/... MORE

I went to see The Long Winters last night with my friend, Jaye. Now, it was at my favorite venue, The Showbox, in Seattle and I think I might like the Wiggles if they performed there, but it was terrific. John Roderick and the band seemed to be so very happy to be there; they constantly had huge smiles, interacted with the crowd, and played an extended set. The audience was filled with fans and newbies and everyone there was feeling the tunes! About half through... MORE

Before you call me a blasphemer, check these guys out live and watch them blast their way through a two hour set filled with some seriously catchy and literate power popping rock. Sure, they were drinking bottles of water instead of beer after beer, but John Roderick was definitely channeling his inner Bob. The stage banter was obscenely witty and quick. The guy has a career as a stand up comedian if he wants it. Their last effort, When I Pretend to Fall, is filled w... MORE

The Long Winters in Graz photographs:

I had to copy this from teh Forum. It was too funny to remain unknown outside the board. "We arrived in Liechtenstein shortly after the Swiss invasion. The streets were calm and quiet. No troops were visible, despite the paramilitary incursion, and order was maintained. The proud and noble Liechtensteinians repelled the invaders with their sophisticated anti-Swiss defense system: a solitary raised eyebrow. The only sign of heightened military readiness was at the Austri... MORE

Every year, I look back on the music that I've listened to and rank my top 10 favorite new albums (yes, I realize that I'm an enormous nerd for doing this, obviosuly... no need to make fun). These albums don't have to be newly released per se, just new to me. This is the first year that I've really had an outlet for my musical musings ("Musicalings?" No, that's stupid), so I thought I'd share my list with you, dear reader.The following is the (un)official list of My Top ... MORE

The Long Winters played a show at the Flex in Vienna last Sunday. Although I've been to many great concerts this year I'd have to say that the Long Winters concert was (by far) the best show. Apart from writing brilliant songs John Roderick is really fun to watch and listen to during songs. I thought it was especially funny when he mocked Madonna and absolutely hilarious when the band played a cover of "Stairway to Heaven" because someone in the audience had yelled "A band... MORE

Hey everybody, it's been a pretty boring week for me. I'm just sitting around waiting for Thanksgiving.. I've gone to the mall 3 times this week - that just shows how bored I've been. But while I was there, I went to the EB Games and played this game called Guitar Hero. It's super sweet. The controller is a guitar! I sucked at first, but got better as I played for about an hour. :) Best song - War Pigs by Black Sabbath. It's like 10 minutes long, but it flows like gravy... MORE

If you don't have satellite radio or the free time to sniff through the web, it's extremely easy to forget what really good music sounds like. In most cities terrestrial radio is a god-awful mess of absurdly limited playlists oozing with the latest dreck and mold-ridden classics. Philly is hands down the worst (except for the venerable WXPN), unless you love Ozzy or need to be welcomed to the jungle every hour on the hour. It's depressing. You just want to give up on mus... MORE

Next Friday I will be going to Atlanta. I will be seeing The Long Winters and Menomena. Saturday I will visit the Aquarium, and that evening will be watching track bike racing at Dick Lane Velodrome. Awesome.

The Long Winters are a great band on Barsuk Records, and they have recently made five tracks available as free downloads on their site. Their recently released album, "Putting the Days to Bed", is quickly becoming one of my favorites of 2006. There is even a handy zip file containing all five tracks for all you lazy MOGgers out there (I know who you are)! Get them while they're hot!

Well, MOG's "Recently Played" list may be ignoring the fact that I've played this record straight thru twice, but how can it ignore a disc this good? A lot of records need time to sink in before I take to them, but this one's reeling me in with a barbed hook through my cheek from the get go. I loved their last record When I Pretend to Fall, though I recall having reservations upon hearing one of it's less familiar songs late one stoned night while Winamp was on 'random'... MORE

My God. John Roderick (the genius behind The Long Winters) is completely bloody brilliant. The new album, Putting The Days To Bed, is all I had hoped for and more. It combines Roderick's perfect pop sensibility with his ability to write disturbingly intimate lyrics. If there is one album you should buy this month, it's this one. I am stunned. One of the things that really pushed me over the edge and into adoration is the new recording of my favorite Long Winters tra... MORE