The Adventurers Club

Journey's Eclipse - The Downside of Retailer Exclusives

Journey's Eclipse album came out in May of 2011 as a Walmart exclusive.

Falling far short of their previous CD it spent a mere six weeks on the charts, peaking at thirteen and falling every week afterward.

Unfortunately, its lack is success meant all those copies ordered by Walmart never sold and are still hanging around. My local Walmart has stacks of them eighteen months later, all at $10, but going nowhere fast. This kind of poor planning doesn't help the already reeling record industry. Sure, the previous CD sold well, but it was a three disk set with a DVD and a greatest hits set included. Did Walmart's buyer really expect this to come close to the previous record's sales? Apparently so, which would account for all of the units remaining to be sold.

Journey - Eclipse - Walmart Exclusive Bomb

 

So, what does Walmart do with their exclusive agreement now that they have stacks of CDs no one wants? Can they ship them off to someone else? Kind of voids that "exclusive" agreement doesn't it?

For what it's worth I've always thought of Walmart as a pretty sad place to buy music. Unfortunately, in today's market with all the big record chains dead or dying; Walmart, Target, and Best Buy have all the negotiating power.

'til someone buys all of these Journey Eclipse CDs

@Adventuretom

Mountain Goats Tour Poster

Here's the tour poster from the upcoming Mountain Goats tour. The art is by Drew Millward.

Mountain Goats Tour Poster

'til they come back to our town

Keep the Adventure Alive,

@Adventuretom

 

Dollyrots KickStarter Update

The Dollyrots KickStarter campaign is moving along nicely and they've reached another milestone. Check out the video update and visit the Dollyrots KickStarter page.

You can help support independent music. It's easy. It's Fun. It's awesome.

Kickstarter supporters can join up for as little as a dollar. See how easy it is to support the arts?

'til the new Dollyrots album is released

Keep the Adventure Alive,

@Adventuretom

The Dollyrots are making an album and you can help KickStart it!

We love The Dollyrots and we couldn't be happier to contribute to their next record. Check out the KickStarter page, you might want to contribute too!

There are tons of great incentives, as if a new Dollyrots album wasn't enough. 

 The Dollyrots KickStarter

If you haven't already, click that text right there ^ to see the Kickstarter page.

'til The new Dollyrots album is released

Keep the Adventure Alive,

@Adventuretom

Joey Ramone and the World Trade Center

Joey Ramone with the twin towers of the World Trade Center in the background.

Joey Ramone with the World Trade Center in the background.

This was sent to me by a friend and I have no info on the photo at the moment, including who the photographer was. It just seemed like a very fitting tribute for my blog. If this is your photo, forgive me, and thanks.

Gabba Gabba Hey.

Keep the Adventure Alive,

@Adventuretom

 

The Dollyrots - Arrested Youth

The Dollyrots have a new EP out today, Arrested Youth. It's a three song EP and the track list includes "Play with Fire", "Interaction", and "Free at Last".

"Interaction" veers away from the norm, featuring a lead vocal from Luis. This is a really strong track and I hope they add it to the set list. If you've listened to a lot of Dollyrots tracks you've heard Luis on background vocals, so you already know he has a great voice. He just further proves that here.

The Dollyrots - Arrested Youth

The Dollyrots - Arrested Youth

All the songs have a very live feel because, as Kelly said, they didn't want to fix anything after the fact, so they played each song straight through until they were happy with it.

I think it gives the record an energy level similar to their live shows.

The lead single The Dollyrots are promoting from the EP is "Playing with Fire". This is a catchy uptempo track with a killer chorus. I see lots of singing along at Dollyrots shows for this one, especially during the Oh! Ay! part.

Be sure to check out the video for Playing with Fire. Our youngest adventurer makes a quick cameo at 2:21.

This is a great companion to the split single with Bowling for Soup and is a great way to keep new Dollyrots music coming until the next album in 2012.

The EP is available on iTunes and other online music stores, or as a physical CD at shows, and soon at The Dollyrots website.

'til Chris gets a lead vocal

Keep the Adventure Alive,

@Adventuretom

The Dollyrots versus Bowling for Soup

Two of our favorite bands, The Dollyrots and Bowling for Soup, have a new split single out in August.

The 7" vinyl features The Dollyrots performing "High School Never Ends" and Bowling for Soup covering "Because I'm Awesome."

The vinyl is a limited edition which will be sold during the BFS and Dollyrots shows in August with a limited amount of the physical singles available at the Bowling for Soup Store.

The Dollyrots - High School Never Ends - Bowling for Soup - Because I'm Awesome

'til Kelly Ogden guest stars on Phineas and Ferb

Keep the Adventure Alive,

@Adventuretom

The Dollyrots at Fuzzfest 2011

Here's some great footage of The Dollyrots performing at Fuzzfest 2011. 

Fuzzfest is a benefit concert, and this year it joined forces with the Rock n' Roll Camp for Girls in Los Angeles. All proceeds from the concert went to providing financial aid to girls attending the 2011 Summer Camp.

The Dollyrots - Brand New Key

Brand New Key is from the CD Because I'm Awesome

'til Fuzzfest 2012

Keep the Adventure Alive,

@Adventuretom

The Dollyrots Video Blog Summer 2011

Here's a new video blog from Kelly Ogden of The Dollyrots. Kelly is wearing make up from a Day of the Dead photo shoot. We're not sure where the photos will ultimately turn up, but Kelly and Luis were posting them to their Twitter accounts during the application of the makeup.

According to Kelly, "My make-up was done by the super talented and fun Melissa Anchondo!"

The Dollyrots also have a split single coming out with Bowling for Soup. Each band covered a song from the other band, so it sounds like it will be fun. Kelly's not telling what the songs are, but if you follow the Dollyrots on Twitter, you might just have a hint. I'm not telling.

Follow the Dollyrots on Twitter (The Dollyrots, Kelly, Luis, Chris)

Kelly Ogden in the makeup chair:

Kelly Ogden's Day of the Dead makeup progression:

Luis getting his makeup:

Dollyrots Day of the Dead

The Dollyrots Summer 2011 Video Blog:

'til the new Dollyrots and Bowling for Soup single!

Keep the Adventure alive,

@Adventuretom

Michael Jackson meets Weird Al Yankovic, Again

This picture is from Papa Jazz Record Shoppe in Columbia SC. 

We couldn't resist posting this. Silly customers ;)

Michael Jackson and Weird Al Yankovic

'til you buy some records at Papa Jazz

Keep the Adventure Alive,

@Adventuretom

Debbie Gibson - Rich Girl

On December 1st, 2010, Deborah Gibson performed a StageIT concert from her living room. Not sure why I never posted this here, I did put it on Twitter back in December, so here it is now.

Her concert was a very impromptu mix of songs, and very fun and casual.

Toward the end she was taking requests and I typed in Rich Girl. I'm a big fan of Daryl Hall and John Oates and I knew Deborah had also recorded the song.

She saw my request and played this snippet of the song, injecting some humor toward the end.

Debbie Gibson - Rich Girl

Deborah Gibson - Rich Girl

Overall the StageIT concert was a huge success and I hope she does another one.

'til Deborah brings her piano to town

Keep the Adventure Alive,

@Adventuretom

Fishin' for Woos - Another Gem from Bowling for Soup

One of the best live bands ever, puts out another great record.

If you've never seen Bowling for Soup in concert, add that to your bucket list. No one puts on a show quite like BFS. They're one of the most audience friendly bands you'll ever see and no show is ever the same.

With such a great live show you have to wonder how they are on record. The good news is, they are just as amazing!

Fishin' for Woos - Bowling for Soup

Just a few highlights from the new record:

1) I've Never Done Anything Like This - Great duet with Kay Hanley from Letters to Cleo. This will remind you of all those great times in college you tried so hard to forget.

2) Turbulence - A serious song from a not-so-serious band. This reminds us that the four guys are real, just like we are. Put it on when you've had a tough day, I bet it picks you up. Also the first single. Look for the video sometime in the June timeframe.

3) Guard My Heart - The lost BFS song, newly recorded. Written by Erik. In a perfect world this would be the second top ten hit on this record. Let's hope someone in radio gives it a shot at some point.

4) Here's Your Freakin' Song - Classic BFS sing along silliness. About that girl that always wanted you to write a song about HER. She gets her wish, kind of. This one has one of those rambling dialogues by Jaret that always reminds me of their live show. Fun stuff.

5) S-S-S-Saturday and Friends, Chicks, Guitars -  Great pop-punk. The two promo songs that preceded the record release. Reminiscent of songs such as "Almost" and "Girl all the Bad Guys Want". Both are good intro points if you are trying to get a new listener into BFS, or this record.

Another solid record, with not a bad song in the bunch. Run and buy it now so when you see the four boys from Denton Texas in concert, you will know all the freakin'  words!

'til BFS comes back to the Carolinas (Come on Erik lives here!)

 Keep the Adventure Alive,

@Adventuretom

 

 

Octopus Army - The Future of Rock

Thanks to The Dollyrots for pointing out this band.

Just when you think today's generation has no clue how to rock, Octopus Army comes along.

 
This is an amazing cover of The Dollyrots "Because I'm Awesome", but it's not the only song they play. Follow the YouTube link to be impressed with a killer version of Pat Benatar's "Heartbreaker".

Be sure to comment on the video. Tell these kids how much you're impressed.

And don't forget to check out the Octopus Army web page. Yes, they even have a tour schedule which at this time includes an elementary school gig and a trip to see The Dollyrots. I love it!

Kelly, Luis and Chris are going to have a blast with these kids. Come to think of it, I think the Bowling for Soup guys are going to love them too.

'til these kids take over the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Keep the adventure Alive.

@adventuretom

Sick of Sarah - Autograph - The World Famous Milestone

Another video from Sick of Sarah of their performance at The World Famous Milestone on March 27th, 2011.

This video features "Autograph" and includes a lot of interaction with fans at the show. I think it gives you a great idea of what a show at The Milestone is like. 

It begins with Jamie Holm introducing the Milestone to her parents. That clip first appeared in Sick of Sarah On Tour March 2011 Part 16. I encourage to watch that video and all of the "On Tour" clips. They are very entertaining.

Sick of Sarah - 2205 

'til Jamie introduces my next video

Keep the Adventure Alive,

@adventuretom

SheDaisy sends me new music, or do they?

I recently asked SheDaisy when we could expect some music and they answered my question. See the answer below.

 

'til my new music arrives

Keep the Adventure Alive,

@adventuretom