Tyler Wetzel: Blog

Every Day Is Yours To Win

2011-04-23T15:43:00.002-04:00

I'm driving up to Ohio next week, so it be a little while before I make another post here, unless there is any news I hear on Orlando Calling or if I get bored.

I'm going to make it a tradition that at the end of my posts, I will be including some music or a music video of bands that inspire me, that I really like, and/or just into at the moment. The following falls into the bands that inspire me - it's Hüsker Dü!

"Makes No Sense At All" from 'Flip Your Wig' [1985] by Hüsker Dü

(The song actually ends at 2:34 with the b-side "Love Is All Around" finishing the video)

Excuse me. When did the Mongols rule China?

2011-04-15T23:39:00.009-04:00

Hey, welcome to the second re-birth to this blog - I know I haven't kept up with it in the past, due to being busy and sheer laziness at the same time. But, I started to think, I need a place where I can just release ALL of my passion for music and films. So, I'm back, again, but this time with an actual purpose.

Something that has been on my mind for the past couple of months - Orlando Calling Music Festival 2011 at the Florida Citrus Bowl Area, November 11-13th. It is going to be headed up by Melvin Benn & Festival Republic - the promoter of the Reading & Leeds Festivals and the amazing Glastonbury Festival. They will be announcing headliners sometime "soon" - that is what they are saying, at least. I will post everything I hear about this here. The following video is the announcement of the fest by Mr. Benn back in January (turn up the volume, it's a bit quiet)

Note: I attended the previous Citrus Bowl Attendance Record, mentioned in the video, back in 2008 - Wrestlemania XXIV.

________________________________________

Well, I will leave you with this. I've been listening to a ton of soundtracks lately, mostly 80s movie soundtracks (i.e. Bill & Ted, Fast Times, Breakfast Club, Ghostbusters, Rocky IV, Back to the Future, Eddie & The Cruisers, etc etc). I had a Group Presentation I had to do for class and, honestly, this song actually jumped in my head right before I had to start speaking - totally messed me up, ha.

Second Half of 2010 Recap!

2011-02-24T14:24:00.003-05:00

Wow, I haven't updated this in almost a year. Well, I'll try and 'some up' June 2010 through February 2011 in a quick post:

In June, I flew up to Ohio and, from there, drove down with 4 vehicles full of friends to Manchester, TN for Bonnaroo. It was quite possibly one of the greatest weekends I've ever experienced - which I'm going to leave for another post to tell all about it (let's just say I achieved one of my goals, to meet and talk with Conan O'Brien).

After Bonnaroo, I stay around in Ohio for a while and went to Ceder Point, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and other places. In September, I took a "Man vs. Food Pilgrimage" up to Sarasota, FL and ate at all of the places Adam did in the filming of his show - 'The Salty Dog' is one of the greatest things. ever.

In October, went to two concerts. First was the rescheduled Flaming Lips show in Orlando - I ended up meeting and hanging out with Wayne Coyne, Kliph Scurlock, and all of the fans that travel with the band. Very fun night, indeed. I, also, got to see The Eagles a few weeks later. They played a very long set, I was pleased. I was happy to finally see them, they are one of my long time favorite bands.

Talking about long time favorites - In November, I witnessed something I never thought I'd ever see. Roger Waters performing The Wall. This definitely needs its own post. A show I used to dream about seeing, finally becoming a reality. [Now if U2 can just bring back ZooTV Tour, I can die a happy concert goer]

In December, went up to Orlando again for two more concerts. This time, André Rieu and the Johann Strauss Orchestra, then Trans-Siberian Orchestra. André was awesome, I'm so glad I got to see him (I have some refined music tastes, too). TSO was amazing, like always - It's kind of a Christmas Tradition to go see TSO.

Now, I'm still in college at FGCU (yes, FGCU and not UCF - they didn't go as planned, so I'm not living in Orlando). Trying to find a job. Awaiting for the Summer (Ohio in May - U2 in Miami, June).

I will end this 'first' new post with a video I shot of 'The Blue Danube Waltz' by André Rieu.

The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill

2010-05-12T09:52:00.005-04:00

Last week, we had some family fly down for a while. Went up to Orlando and did the whole Theme Park thing. It was fun, but very very hot. My face got burned to a crisp, so red. Well, I leave for Orlando again tomorrow - I received tickets for all Disney Park for 25 dollars each (the perks of living in Florida). Went to Hollywood Studios last week, now to see Animal Kingdom for the first time, Magic Kingdom (haven't been there since 1997), and Epcot (my personal favorite).

While in Orlando tomorrow, I was to see The Flaming Lips and Stardeath & White Dwarfs, but the show was postponed, due to the hospitalization of Lips member Steven Drozd, to October sometime. I would rather wait to see The Lips so all members are 100% for both my Orlando show and the epic Bonnaroo set to come next month. So, sending all the get well wishes to Steven.

Talking about concerts, again, I bought my tickets for Roger Waters The Wall show in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday (he is doing a two night stay there, I'm going to the first night). I was on the iTunes presale, so I got really good seats - Row 1, Seats 3 & 4. Yep.

The Roger Waters show maybe be the last concert I am buying tickets for. I need to take a break from them and focus everything on school, stop looking up Pollstar everyday. The other reason, I'm broke. So, for the next two so years, my concert devotion will be put on pause.

Plus, I have seen EVERY artist that has inspired me and ALL the bands I love:

Pink Floyd (1994[first concert ever!]) / Roger Waters (2007/2010[upcoming])
Paul McCartney (2010)
Green Day (2002/2005[twice]/2009)
U2 (2001/2005/2009/2010[upcoming])
The Smashing Pumpkins (2008)
blink-182 (2002/2004/2009)
Muse (2009)
& so on.

I have only a few exceptions that I would buy tickets in a heartbeat, while at school:

David Gilmour (never tours/willing to travel a ways to see him)
The Smashing Pumpkins (just because Corgan is one of my generation's guitar gods)
Muse (seen them open for U2, I want a full set)
R.E.M. (never seen 'em)

Ok, have to wrap this up. I leave for Ohio in less than a month, also Bonnaroo is less than a month away. Amazing. I am so ready.

into the flood again, same old trip it was back then

2010-04-26T11:23:00.007-04:00

Last week, I heard about some radio concert happening at one of the ball parks here, the headliner was Alice in Chains and four other bands I never heard before. I wasn't going to go to the show, due to having to save up some money up for next week with family, a Flaming Lips concert, my Ohio trip and Bonnaroo, tickets for Roger Waters, and, last but not least, college.

I received a call from my good friend Evan, the night before the concert, asking me if I wanted to go to the show, he bought his friend a ticket for his birthday, but he had to bail. So, he was giving me the ticket has a thank you for the Paul McCartney concert earlier in the month. (His friend ended up coming anyways, so Evan bought another ticket - he wanted to treat everyone to this)

The show was great. The four bands before Alice in Chains sucked. Just pure shitty bands (that what you get when you go to a "New Rock" radio show). But, when Alice got on stage, they killed it. Even without Layne, they sounded just like the albums - very awesome live band. Jerry Cantrell's solos and Mike Inez's bass lines were very precise and powerful. I really enjoyed myself.

Fort Myers setlist:

All Secrets Known
It Ain't Like That
Again
Check My Brain
Them Bones
Dam That River
Rain When I Die
Your Decision
Got Me Wrong
We Die Young
Grind
No Excuses
A Looking In View
Man in a Box

Encore:
Last of My Kind
Would?
Rooster

Some pictures I took:

isn't this where we came in?

2010-04-13T12:44:00.006-04:00

I swear, this has to be the greatest year in music concerts, for myself at least. Along with the three shows at the end of last year and the shows and festivals coming up - Roger Waters has announced that he is touring "The Wall" starting in September (playing in Florida in November). I never ever thought I would ever see this performed, with all the puppets, pyro, and the actual Wall building and destruction. I have always had this love for stage show of The Wall, back when I was a kid I actually built the whole stage show out of LEGO, just by looking at pictures and bootlegs, seriously.

So, to say I'm excited is a fucking understatement.

Now, aside from music but not really, I bought my plane tickets for June. I will be flying AirTran and arrive at Columbus Airport on Sunday April 6th at 1pm (4 days till the mighty Roo). I cannot believe it is just 54 days away - it seems like a long time, but it will be here before I know. The fun that will be had at that time will be amazing, good vibes all around.

In a few weeks, I have some family coming down - we will be going to Disney's Hollywood Studios (MGM) in Orlando, which is the best park of theirs. Also, a Flaming Lips concert at the House of Blues. This year is full of WIN.

I have included some video I shot when I last saw Roger Waters, back in 2007 for his Dark Side of the Moon tour in West Palm Beach.

venus and mars are alright tonight

2010-04-05T15:23:00.007-04:00

The Paul McCartney show last Saturday in Miami was amazing, I had a great time. I don't have a whole lot of time to type up a long post on how awesome this show was - I'll just say this, One of the greatest concerts I've ever been to.

Thank You, Paul.

Setlist:

Venus and Mars / Rockshow
Jet
All My Loving
Letting Go
Got To Get You Into My Life
Highway
Let Me Roll It / Foxey Lady (Coda)
The Long And Winding Road
Nineteen Hundred And Eighty Five (1985)
Let 'Em In
My Love
I'm Looking Through You
Two Of Us
Blackbird
Here Today
Dance Tonight
Mrs. Vandebilt
Eleanor Rigby
Something
Sing The Changes
Band On The Run
Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da
Back In The U.S.S.R.
I've Got A Feeling
Paperback Writer
A Day In The Life / Give Peace A Chance
Let It Be
Live And Let Die
Hey Jude

Encore 1:
Day Tripper
Lady Madonna
Get Back

Encore 2:
Yesterday
Helter Skelter
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)
The End

2010 Concerts

2010-03-13T20:17:00.006-05:00

This year is proving to be an awesome one already, well, for the music I like. A whole bunch of great concerts are happening this year. I've always wanted to see Sir Paul McCartney, as he and Roger Waters (whom I've seen back in 2007) are two of my biggest inspirations for picking up a bass guitar, also they're both from two of my favorite bands (The Beatles and Pink Floyd).

I actually just bought a Flaming Lips ticket, before typing up this post, for the show on May 13th. Then, a month later, I'll see them again at Bonnaroo performing Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon". Very cool.

Also, CONAN O'BRIEN will be at Bonnaroo. Words cannot describe how awesome this is and how happy I am.

My 2010 Concert Schedule:

Paul McCartney - 'Up And Coming' Tour
Sun Life Stadium, Miami, FL - Saturday, April 3rd

The Flaming Lips
w/ Stardeath and White Dwarfs
House of Blues, Orlando, FL - Thursday, May 13th

The 2010 Bonnaroo Music Festival
List of Bands and Performers
Manchester, TN - June 10-13th (4 Days)

U2 - 'The 360° Tour'
w/ Interpol
Sun Life Stadium, Miami, FL - Friday, July 9th

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Also, as a follow-up from my Oscar Predictions post:

I only got three of my picks right. As never heard of Hurt Locker until then, I didn't think it would win all it did. I think the Academy hates Tarantino or something. I'm glad Bridges won Best Actor.

Overall, the show was a bit boring and way too damn long.

Living For The City

2010-03-03T14:23:00.005-05:00

Back from my trip up north to Ohio. That was one of the most fun trips I've had in a very long time. It was full of good times, Mardi Gras party, masks, video games, old friends, new friends, snow, ice, High Street foods, and big city lights. I wish I could have stayed longer, I can't wait for Bonnaroo in June.

Ok, I will post more later. Have a good day all.

Ohio Winter Trip - February 2010

2010-02-18T00:23:00.003-05:00

It's been 8 days since my last post and it'll be at least another 2 weeks until a new one, after this one, of course.

I am making my way to Ohio starting tomorrow, visiting friends and family, partaking in some festivities, freezing, and other stuff. I still have to pack up, so I shall make this a short post.

I bought a new camera, a Sony Cybershot DSC-TX1. I love this thing, gonna break it in on my trip, so - pictures of my trip, coming soon...

Bye Florida sunshine, Hello Ohio whiteout.

Bonnaroo 2010

2010-02-10T14:14:00.005-05:00

After keeping up with the "long and painful" announcements on Bonnaroo's Myspace page and thinking about it awhile, I have decided to go this year along with friends. This will be my first time at Roo, so it will be an experience I won't forget.

There are some hit or miss bands on the lineup this year, in my opinion, but overall it is a diverse lineup of bands I like, don't like, and never heard of (which I might like or not).

Artists I like that are announced:
Conan O'Brien, The Flaming Lips, Kings of Leon, Stevie Wonder, Tenacious D, Weezer, The Dead Weather, Phoenix, Daryl Hall, John Fogerty, Les Claypool, Jeff Beck, She & Him, Dropkick Murphys, Kris Kristofferson, Aziz Ansari, Jeffrey Ross, They Might Be Giants, Doug Benson, and GWAR (ha).

One of the highlights is, in my opinion, The Flaming Lips. At midnight on one of the nights doing a set of their own songs, then at 2:30am, with Stardeath and White Dwarfs, they will perform their version of Pink Floyd's “Dark Side of the Moon”. Bonnaroo Freakout, indeed.

Dave Matthews Band is appropriate for a festival like this, they're not a band I really like or would go to see at their own concert, but there are far worst bands out there in the world.

Jay-Z should be fun. Not a big hip-hop/rap fan, myself, but I know he puts on great shows.

EDIT: Conan O'Brien is at the Roo. SO FREAKING AWESOME!

The rest of the bunch are of bands and artists I have never heard of or only heard little bit about and with "More Artists to Be Announced!"

I was kinda hoping for some of rumors I heard leading up the announcements to come true, for example: Roger Waters performing "The Wall" (which is rumored to be a tour of his for 2010/2011 - The 30th anniversary of the album), The Who, Sir Paul McCartney, and Neil Young. Well, there is always hope, with more to be announced later.

Ok, I need to go and look up those tickets now.

The Reason for the Slow Updates

2010-02-09T09:11:00.004-05:00

I have just started this blog, but I haven't been updating it as much as I would've liked. I have been very busy with a personal family matter, which will take me up to Ohio for a while, next week.

I will try to keep posting to this blog when I can.

PS. Bonnaroo announces it's lineup today, I'm excited. 2010 might be the year I experience my first festival.

Oscar Nominations 2010

2010-02-02T13:21:00.002-05:00

Today, they announced the Nominations for the Academy Awards 2010. I am really happy that Inglourious Basterds is nom'd 8 times, I hope it does extremely well. Avatar is up for 9 noms, which is great, but I dunno. I liked the film, but it is a bit 'overhyped' in my opinion.

So, Here is my predictions:

Best Picture:
Inglourious Basterds
(but it could go to The Blind Side or Hurt Locker)

Best Director:
Quentin Tarantino
(He deserves it, not Cameron)

Best Actor:
George Clooney
(Don't like it, but he will win)

Best Actress:
Sandra Bullock
(but it could go to Helen Mirren)

Best Supporting Actor:
Christoph Waltz
(Hands down, winner)

Best Supporting Actress:
One of the two ladies from Up in the Air

Best Original Screenplay:
Inglourious Basterds

Best Adapted Screenplay:
Up in the Air
(or it could be Precious or District 9)

Best Animated Feature:
Up
(Pixar ALWAYS wins, duh)

Best Foreign Language Film:
The White Ribbon (Germany)

Best Original Score:
Avatar – James Horner
(or Up – Michael Giacchino)

Best Cinematography:
Inglourious Basterds
(or The White Ribbon)

Best Film Editing:
Inglourious Basterds
(or Avatar)

Ok, the Awards are on March 7th, 2010.

2010-02-01T01:28:00.001-05:00

Hello.

This is my first post in this new blog of mine.

I want to use this to post pictures, reviews of stuff, my thoughts, videos, and other random crap that I find interesting.