Last night I went to see RUN RUN RUN, an alternative indie rock band, play at the Empty Bottle in Chicago. I know of this band because its lead singer and chief songwriter, Xandr Smith, is a friend of mine dating all the way back to kindergarten. We have known each other for many years! In high school we were in a band together, and in college we toured coffee shops in Los Angeles as a sort of Simon and Garfunkel acoustic group.

It was great to see him, and his band was great! I got to hear about their recent adventures, which were fascinating. Apparently, they had an opportunity to tour Russia with a Russian band called Mumiy Troll. (Mumiy Troll was there last night as well.) As you might expect, if this is the first time you've heard of RUN RUN RUN, well, you're not alone. Breaking into the mainstream of pop culture can be complicated and difficult. But here they are, touring alongside this fairly well known Russian band, and playing these packed stadiums with thousands and thousands of people there going crazy. Pretty surreal for them.

RUN RUN RUN is coming back to Chicago on September 15, at Schubas. You can check out their music here, and below you'll see some highlights from their Russian tour. My friend is the one rocking the 'stache circa 80s Oates...

A couple of noteworthy music news items:

Bob Dylan is staging a concert in San Francisco, and the tickets are being sold at $60 each, at the door only, cash only, one per customer, and when you buy it you must enter the venue. Take that Ticketmaster, Stub Hub, and everyone else who uses ticket vending as a profit venture...

Pink Floyd's post "Dark Side of the Moon" catalogue is now "out of print", because their deal with EMI expired in July. This means that you can't buy "The Wall" anywhere, unless the CD has already been printed, as it is also pulled from iTunes. It's sure to be rectified soon, I just find it odd that in the age of digital, the concept of "out of print" lives on...

This morning I golfed with a Buddhist. I rarely golf, and I rarely find myself hanging out with people who aren't Christians. Mark Dwyer has started a Missional Community through three different golf courses in the Suburbs here. And today, I played the "Divine Back Nine", and met a cool dude who can golf, and who is a Buddhist. Very cool to be providing a way to connect with others through a common interest. I hope he teaches me about how to golf - he's good! And I hope I get a chance to teach him about Jesus - 'cause he's good! Great job Mark for casting a vision and inviting and including everyone.

That is all.

Yep. She did. Lady Gaga says she's celibate, and encourages her fans to be celibate as well. I don't write 'em, I just report 'em. Read the whole article here.

Well, it's time for the girls - they're still being hush hush about Crystal, but they let her go first. Let's go, and I'll try to stay as brief as I can given that any time spent on this is probably superfluous...

Crystal Bowersox: "As Long as I Can See The Light" - I would totally buy this record. Of course, with iTunes I could, and probable won't, but I would. Love it.

Haeley Vaughn: "The Climb" - and the hands releases, and she falls.

Lacey Brown: "Kiss Me" - Good for sixpence to get some royalty $  - she was okay, but it's not a "singer's song." and her nerves get the best of her.

Katie Stevens: "Put Your Records On" - Much better than last week, she's got potential to become a player in the competition.

Didi Benami: "Lean On Me" - Boy I could be okay not ever hearing this song again. She's okay though, this performance shows that her little accents and tone are really her, their not imitating Adele per se.

Michelle Delemour: "With Arms Wide Open" - Congrats Creed, you've arrived. As for Michelle, well... meh. That was a lot of things, but good was not one of them.

Lilly Scott: "A Change is Gonna Come" - Another one where I would totally buy it if I could but I can't even though I can so I won't when I could. Loved it. These indie freaks can actually sing, and they're putting the "singers" who don't have any personality on notice.

Katelyn Epperly: "The Scientist" - That was Streisand-ian. At first I was put off by the dramatic tempo change, but I eventually bought it. A bronze medal for sure.

Paige Miles: "Walk Away" - Simon's right, she's got the best effortless voice. The problem is, the effortlessness looks like she doesn't care as much, so I'm not sure that I do...

Siobhan Magnus: "Think" - She looks like she came off of the Desperate Housewives set. I swear her unpronounceable name will either be her undoing or her saving grace. Holy moley that last note. She might be an alien.

Okay, well, that's it. Lovin' me some Crystal and Lilly. Okay, I know their names now.

Well, last week came and went, didn't it? I would have blogged about the guys last week, but it would have been really short: they were all bad, but the ones who were at least not truly horrible ended up going home anyway. Hmmmm. But, they get to go first since Harmonica girl had an undisclosed medical condition - so the girls sing tomorrow night. Fun. Well, off we go. Here are my thoughts, as usual, before the judges have their say...

Michael Lynche: "A Man's World" - Big Mike kept a James Brown song from being catchy. How is that even possible?

John Park: "Gravity" - This fits for him, but it's not enough of a singer's song for him to be off on even one note. And he was.

Casey James: "I Don't Wanna Be" - Seems too low for him. I actually like him, but wasn't crazy about that song choice.

Alex Lambert: "Everybody knows" - Much better than last week's freakout. Nothing to write home about though.

Todrick Hall: "What's Love Got To Do With It" - I think he's actually a genuine performer, with legit stage presence. One big "eh?" on the song choice and arrangement.

Jermaine Sellars: "What's Goin' On" - could not dislike this any more than I do unless maybe Pee Wee Hermann was next to him doing sign language. No wait, that would make it better.

Andrew Garcia: "something by james morrison" - eeek. That was no good.

Aaron Kelley: "My Girl" - Good, but his face is still looking strained. Tanked the falsetto in the middle.

Tim Urban: "Come On Get Higher" - I am so over this hairstyle for the tween boys. It's like he loses his ability to have breath support so it doesn't seem like singing, it seems like aiming at notes with short arrows.

Lee Dewyze: "Lips of an Angel" - This guy has the authenticity that David Cook wished he had. Not sure he's as good a singer, but he's good.

So there you have it. And since last week I couldn't come up with the names of the girls, here are the three I like: Big Mike, Pretty boy, Gruffy. What do you think? Who's going home?