Bobapalooza 2014: Clash of the Titans – The Final Bobapalooza

Posted: June 25, 2014 | Author: Bob Bonsall | Filed under: Bobapalooza, Culture, Internet | Tags: Bobapalooza, Bobapalooza 2014, Clash of the Titans, culture, music, music festival, pop music, rock and roll | 1 Comment

First I want to thank all of my wonderful contributors: Janet Currie Konigsberg, Matt Foster, Scott Soper, Yillah Natalia, and Marek Swiderski. You gave me a wide range of talent to choose from, and you make it worth it every year.

But that’s not what you came for. You came to see –

THE FINAL BOBAPALOOZA LINEUP!!!

That’s right, folks. You heard it here first: the Clash of the Titans is the ultimate and final Bobapalooza. As the Kurgan once said, “it’s better to burn out than to fade away.” But let us not dwell in sadness; let us instead revel in THE GREATEST BOBAPALOOZA EVER.

First we have the band that needs no introduction, but is going to get one anyway. The winner of the Clash of the Titans, and the headliner of Bobapalooza 2014: Pink Floyd! This was a hard-fought victory against some of the greatest artists of all time, and as a long time Floyd fan myself, I can’t deny being quite pleased to see them win. Their catalogue of legendary songs is extensive, and Dark Side of the Moon spent over 11 years on the Biilboard Top 200… consecutively. (It was on even longer if you tally the total time it spent there, and Billboard actually changed the rules to prevent albums setting records like that again.) Titans indeed.

And then we have the STAGE OF LEGENDS. This year I offer you a blend of old and new, heavy and soft, sweet and sour and what the hell? Bands that have undoubtedly left their mark on music, one way or another. They are:

Jefferson Airplane (Nominated by Scott Soper) – From Scott: “Go big or go home. When it comes to the one band you’d break your leg to go see in their prime it has to be Jefferson Airplane. Maybe they’re so compelling because they broke up so tragically and never got a chance to perform for so many of their fans. So many songs were at peak power when those artists were just starting out; you can only imagine what they might have done with more time.”

AC/DC (Nominated by Matt Foster) – You have to love AC/DC. Angus Young himself said “I’m sick to death of people saying we’ve made 11 albums that sound exactly the same. In fact, we’ve made 12 albums that sound exactly the same.” And we still keep coming back for more. The stage show is even better: “When I’m on stage the savage in me is released. It’s like going back to being a cave man. It takes me six hours to come down after a show.” – Angus Young

Weezer (Nominated by Matt Foster, seconded by Janet Currie Konigsberg) – Weezer has long been one of those bands I love to hate, right up until one of their songs comes on and I find myself singing along. How long? Oh, only about twenty years or so. Janet Currie Konigsberg finally convinced me they deserve a place among the Legends: “Twenty years ago Weezer came on the scene with Undone (The Sweater Song), and immediately filled the gap between Nirvana and Pearl Jam perfecting Nerd Rock. As each single was released, Weezer’s fan base grew by leaps and bounds. The crunchy chords and heart-wrenching vocals spoke to post teenage-angst 20-something slackers. I’ve always referred to Weezer as “My Beatles”; they are pop and punk and bubblegum and crunch, they are raw emotion and ADHD. The songs range from kick-ass-psych-you-up (Hash Pipe), to how-did-you-know-how-broke-my-heart-was?? (Say It Ain’t So), to romantic-but-the-world-doesn’t-understand-us (Island In The Sun), to I’m-not-really-sure-what-the-purpose-is-but-dammit-I’m-ME! (Pork and Beans). On top of great music, catchy lyrics, and a beat you can dance to, Weezer has made some of the best music videos of all time and managed to do so in an era where music videos have almost completely lost their importance in pop culture. Weezer: No self-respecting Stage of Legends (or Main Stage, for that matter!) would be complete without them.”

So…. Yeah. You can argue with her if you want. Not me.

Black Sabbath (Nominated by Scott Soper) – Scott nails it once again: “When it comes to Legends, there is one who has retained his title as the Prince of Darkness unchallenged across decades of American Popular Rock. The one, the only: Black Sabbath! Ozzy Osborne by himself would be a worthy contender for the Stage of Legends, but reunited with the original Black Sabbath for the new album 13 he seems completely at home, a master having traveled full circle. I would NOT go back in time to see Black Sabbath at their prime, and maybe that’s another test passed for a true Legendary band.

Simon & Garfunkel (Nominated by Matt Foster) – Everybody knows a Simon & Garfunkel song. Start whistling “The Sound of Silence” at a punk rock show and everybody around you will be singing along inside of a minute (if they don’t curbstomp you first; they’re still punks). From hippies to metal heads, there’s nobody who doesn’t like Simon & Garfunkel; they have a gentle, insistent sound that insinuates itself into your soul and makes you a better person for it.

Now you’re probably expecting the Main Stage, but there’s so much more this year! For the first time ever, I present to you THE BOBAPALOOZA MIDWAY!

When you get the urge to dance, slip in to the ALL NIGHT RAVE TENT, with special guest DJ RUST-RYU (http://www.mixcloud.com/rustryu/bangers-and-mashups/)! He’ll be spinning all night long, and of course he’s super request-friendly!

And don’t forget to stop by Uncle Scott’s Concession Stand, where you can pick up fresh kabobs, veggie treats, and of course all your favorite Bobapalooza swag (http://www.printfection.com/bobapalooza)! Uncle Scott will also be running his favorite (exceptionally weird) videos on his Jumbo-Tron monitor right over the concession stand! Here’s just some of the “fun” in store for you:

And now, the MAIN STAGE! There’s plenty of variety and flavor this year, and many thanks to everyone who contributed.

The Thermals (Nominated by Janet Currie Konigsberg)
Boney M (Nominated by Marek Swiderski)
The Cult (Nominated by Matt Foster)
George Thorogood (Nominated by Scott Soper)
Kae Sun (Nominated by Yillah Natalie)
Metric (Nominated by Janet Currie Konigsberg)
Disturbed (Nominated by Matt Foster)
Al Green (Nominated by Scott Soper)
Sitali (Nominated by Yillah Natalie)
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes (Nominated by Janet Currie Konigsberg)
The Black Keys (Nominated by Matt Foster)
Soundgarden (Nominated by Scott Soper)
Petite Noir (Nominated by Yillah Natalie)
James (Nominated by Matt Foster)
DJ Kool (Nominated by Scott Soper)

Be sure to check out all these artists and support their endeavors. The Official Bobapalooza 2014 Playlist™ is still to come, so stay tuned!

Once again, I’d like to thank all of my wonderful contributors from Bobapalooza past and present. You’ve made this entire endeavor worthwhile, and it’s been a blast. I hope you’ve all enjoyed it as much as I have.

Bobapalooza 2014: Clash of the Titans!

Posted: June 2, 2014 | Author: Bob Bonsall | Filed under: Bobapalooza, Culture, Internet | Tags: Bobapalooza, culture, festival, music | Leave a comment

The time has come at last for the next installment of the greatest music festival that never was: Bobapalooza 2014! This year we’re taking it to a whole new level. It’s not just legendary; it’s TITANIC.

So here’s the deal: I’ve been sharing my musical past with all of you for a while now, and it’s time to broaden my horizons. I’m looking for new music, and I’m hoping you, yes, YOU will provide it. Specifically, I’m giving ANYONE the chance to get me to listen to the music you love.

Here’s how it works: imagine you’ve heard about a music festival coming to town, and on the list of bands is THE band. The one that makes you say, “I don’t care what the ticket price is, I will sell my own children if I have to, I MUST BE THERE.” Any band, any era, living or dead, still together or not. Pick your favorite song and post it to the Facebook event page for Bobapalooza 2014.

But wait, there’s more! Some of you may remember the Stage of Legends from past Bobapaloozas (2011, 2012, 2013). It’s back once again, and there are five brand-spanking new Legend spots up for grabs! That’s right, not only can you nominate your favorite garage band for the main stage, you can nominate your favorite garage band to be a Bobapalooza Legend!

BUT WE’RE NOT STOPPING THERE. Even among the Legends, there are a rare few who have changed the face of music as we know it. They’re not just Legends, they’re Titans. And this time, they’re going to go head to head to see who is the one true greatest music act of all time, to secure the honor of headlining this year’s Bobapalooza! What’s more, you nominated them, so YOU decide who wins!

Now the rules:

MAIN STAGE

1. You have to pick a band you would sit through the entire set. Not “I love this song!” I want “I love this band!”
2. Yes, you can post as many as you like, but really, how many bands are THAT good?
3. If you intend to post more than one, please don’t spam the feed (more than 10 bands a day from one person is a bit much. I do have a life. And see 1 & 2.)
4. If you post it I will listen to it, so please, be gentle.
5. Please note that this is a Main Stage entry.
6. Any band that made it to the show in 2011, 2012, or 2013 (main stage or Stage of Legends) will not be considered for the main stage this year.

STAGE OF LEGENDS

1. All of the rules for Main Stage apply, only even more. I mean, think about 1 & 2 especially. These guys are supposed to be LEGENDS.
2. Testify! Tell me (and the world!) why you think this band deserves to be named a Legend. For an idea of the sort of thing I have in mind look at the write up from Bobapaloozas Past.
3. Any band that made it to the Stage of Legends in 2011, 2012, or 2013 will not be considered this year, however Main Stage acts may still be nominated.
4. Just as Master Yoda told us, “Do, or do not; there is no try.” Once a band has been nominated for the Stage of Legends, they are no longer in the running for the main stage. The whole point of the SoL is to give a fair shot to lesser known bands. If you think your favorite band has what it takes to compete with the big boys, put ‘em in, but don’t hedge your bets. Go big or stay home.

ALL NEW! CLASH OF THE TITANS

1. The match-ups were determined by hacking into the NCAA’s computers and using the same secret algorithms they use for ranking college sports teams. (My lawyer insisted I add the following discalimer: This is a total lie, but it sounds a lot cooler than the truth, so go with me on this one.)
2. Vote by visiting http://tinyurl.com/lwm79nw.
3. The polls open June 2nd (that’s today!). Each round will last for three days, with a day break in between to update the results.
4. Visit http://tinyurl.com/ktevstr to see the current state of the contest at any time!
5. Just like high school, this is a popularity contest, so vote early and vote often!

Starting June 18 I will decide who the winners are, and I will post my fifteen favorite bands for the main stage and the five act Stage of Legends, as well as The Titan of Bobapalooza 2014 by June 25 (Flying Spaghetti Monster willing). I will also give credit to the first person who suggested them, so get in early for your shot at fame!

If you still have questions, please feel free to comment on this blog post or on the Facebook event page. Insightful questions will receive careful, well-thought out answers. Off-hand questions will get off-hand answers. Questions that prove you didn’t bother to read everything I already wrote will be met with shame and ridicule, not necessarily in that order.

For those about to rock: we salute you!

Bobapalooza 2013: The Playlist and the Loot!

Posted: January 29, 2014 | Author: Bob Bonsall | Filed under: Bobapalooza, Culture | Tags: Bobapalooza, culture, festival, music, playlist | Leave a comment

Hello everyone and welcome back to The Greatest Music Festival That Never Was! I know most of you are freezing right along with me and it’s hard to remember those soft, warm summer days when we all got together and basked in the glow of our shared love of music and good times. But that’s why I’m here today! To remind you of the joy, the laughter, the fun.

And to pimp my wares.

That’s right, Bobapalooza is selling out, just like all your favorite bands! But first, the moment you’ve all been waiting for:

The Official 2013 Bobapalooza 2013 Playlist

The Doors – Break On Through
Nirvana – In Bloom
Death – Politicians in My Eyes
The Heavy – Short Change Hero
Preston Reed – Ladies Night
Divine Fits – Civilian Stripes
Awol Nation – Not Your Fault
Matsiyahu – King Without a Crown
Sting – Desert Rose
Garbage – #1 Crush
KMFDM – Juke Joint Jezebel
Nine Inch Nails – Head Like a Hole
Animal Collective – My Girls
Axis of Awesome – King of the Hipsters
Nirvana – All Apologies
Volbeat – Sad Man’s Tongue
Johnny Cash – Ring of Fire
K’Naan – Take a Minute
Sting – If You Love Somebody (Set Them Free)
Aesop Rock – None Shall Pass
Dream Theater – Pull Me Under
Nine Inch Nails – The Hand That Feeds
Johnny Cash – Hurt
The Doors – Riders on the Storm

In many ways this is probably the most challenging playlist for Bobapalooza to date. I feel it has levels of complexity and depth that have been missing from the others, and a richness of character that has only been hinted at before. Not only that, I actually had to go back and look over the nominations from last summer to put this list together, and I have to say again how overwhelmed I was and still am with the sheer quality of artists nominated for Bobapalooza. Just to give you an idea of what I’m talking about, I turned down James Brown. THE GODFATHER OF SOUL. That’s how fierce this competition gets, and it’s all because of you, folks. Thanks for being a part of this.

And now for the part I’m most excited about: the Bobapalooza Swag Store is now open! Love the show? Get the gear! Show your support for the greatest music festival that never was! Remember, I only make a tiny little commission on every purchase, so make sure to buy a lot! Tell your friends, tell your enemies, tell your frenemies! I have no artistic integrity! The Bobapalooza Swag Store: Selling out since 2014.

Bobapalooza 2013: The World is Not Enough – The Final Lineup At Last!

Posted: June 24, 2013 | Author: Bob Bonsall | Filed under: Bobapalooza, Culture | Tags: Bobapalooza, culture, entertainment, festival, music | 5 Comments

First I want to thank all of my wonderful contributors: Braum Katz, Janet Currie Konigsberg, Matt Foster, Scott Soper, Greg Beyerlin, Jenn Stevens Booth, Jim Riegel, Michael Reinemann, Patrick Hoolahan, Yillah Natalia, and Micah Stromberg. It was another great year filled with talent and diversity, and I had a devil of a time choosing the acts that would make it.

But that’s not what you came for. You came to see –

THE BOBAPALOOZA 2013 LINEUP!!!

Ah, I do so love my dramatic moments. Anyway, let’s start with THE STAGE OF LEGENDS. While I had a lot of great acts to choose from, in the end I decided to go with the five acts that have had the most lasting impact on music. Either directly or indirectly, through their influence they have made a mark on the world of music that is as enduring as it is undeniable. They are:

Nirvana (Nominated by Braum Katz) – For those who don’t remember the state of music before grunge, let me just say the world was a very different place As Janet Currie Konigsberg put it, “There will never be another like Nirvana. That was magic that truly changed the state of music. They not only kicked down pretentious doors of radio and television, they heralded a much needed fashion revolution. The world of music today owes a debt to Nirvana.”

The Doors (Nominated by Matt Foster) – Despite Jim Morrison’s death over 40 years ago, the Doors have managed to maintain a level of popularity that other bands still aspire to. They have influenced bands, movies, and pop culture for decades, and likely will continue to do so for decades to come.

Sting (Nominated by Scott Soper) – If you want to secure Legend status, fronting one of the greatest rock bands of all time is not a bad way to start. Going on to have a wildly successful solo career that is enough to make you a legend in its own right just sweetens the deal. Sting combines beautiful arrangements with deep lyrics that continue to push the boundaries of musical artistry.

Nine Inch Nails (Nominated by Janet Currie Konigsberg) – One of the first techno bands that most people were exposed to, and still one of the greatest. In the words of Janet Currie Konigsberg: “I can’t think of another band that managed to unite so many different music fans under one banner. Industrial? Techno? Hard Core? Metal? Dance? Trance? Rock? Alternative? Yep. All covered. And when Johnny Cash covers your stuff, what else is there in life left to achieve?” And speaking of…

Johnny Cash (Nominated by Scott Soper) – The Man in Black is one of the greatest crossover stars of all time, having accomplished the rare feat of earning a place in the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. He brought a social consciousness to his music long before it was the popular thing to do, and as Scott Soper put it, he made it so that “even a metal head can love a little country.”

And now, the MAIN STAGE! I expect this one to be even more controversial than the Stage of Legends. I had to turn away a lot of great bands, some because they just weren’t to my taste (hey, it’s BOBapalooza), and others because there are only fifteen places on the stage and I couldn’t put everyone up there I wanted to. But you’ve heard all those excuses before. Here’s the lineup you’ve been waiting for:

Matsiyahu (Nominated by Braum Katz)
Awol Nation (Nominated by Janet Currie Konigsberg)
Volbeat (Nominated by Janet Currie Konigsberg)
Divine Fits (Nominated by Jenn Stevens Booth)
Axis of Awesome (Nominated by Jim Riegel)
Garbage (Nominated by Jim Riegel)
KMFDM (Nominated by Matt Foster)
The Heavy (Nominated by Matt Foster)
Aesop Rock (Nominated by Michael Reinemann)
Animal Collective (Nominated by Michael Reinemann)
Preston Reed (Nominated by Patrick Hoolahan)
Dream Theater (Nominated by Scott Soper)
Death (Nominated by Yillah Natalia)
K’Naan (Nominated by Yillah Natalia)

Be sure to check out all these artists and support their endeavors. The Official Bobapalooza 2013 Playlist™ is still to come, along with a couple of other surprises, so stay tuned!

Thanks everybody, and we’ll see you again next year!

Bobapalooza 2013: The World Is Not Enough – Submissions Close Saturday, June 15!

Posted: June 9, 2013 | Author: Bob Bonsall | Filed under: Bobapalooza, Culture | Tags: culture, festival, music | Leave a comment

The action so far has been wild, with nominees ranging from Fiona Apple to Testament! The only thing that’s certain at this point is that the window for nominations closes at 11:59 PM on Saturday, June 15, so get in there today! Main Stage or Stage of Legends, let us know who YOU want to see!

https://www.facebook.com/Bobapalooza2013

Bobapalooza 2013: The World Is Not Enough

Posted: May 31, 2013 | Author: Bob Bonsall | Filed under: Bobapalooza, Culture | Tags: culture, festival, music | 1 Comment

The time has come at last for the next installment of the greatest music festival that never was: Bobapalooza 2013! This year we’re throwing the doors wide open to allow ANYONE to nominate their favorite bands. World tour? Not even. It’s bigger than that. It’s the whole internet! THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH.

But wait, there’s more! Some of you may remember the Stage of Legends from 2011 and 2012. It’s back once again, and there are five brand-spanking new Legend spots up for grabs! That’s right, not only can you nominate your favorite garage band for the main stage, you can nominate your favorite garage band to be a Bobapalooza Legend!

Now the rules:

MAIN STAGE

1. You have to pick a band you would sit through the entire set. Not “I love this song!” I want “I love this band!”
2. Yes, you can post as many as you like, but really, how many bands are THAT good?
3. If you intend to post more than one, please don’t spam the feed (more than 10 bands a day from one person is a bit much. I do have a life. And see 1 & 2.)
4. If you post it I will listen to it, so please, be gentle.
5. Please note that this is a Main Stage entry.
6. Any band that made it to the show in 2011 or 2012 (main stage or Stage of Legends) will not be considered for the main stage this year.

STAGE OF LEGENDS

And remember, just as Master Yoda told us, “Do, or do not; there is no try.” Once a band has been nominated for the Stage of Legends, they are no longer in the running for the main stage. The whole point of the SoL is to give a fair shot to lesser known bands. If you think your favorite band has what it takes to compete with the big boys, put ‘em in, but don’t hedge your bets. Go big or stay home.

Starting June 15 I will decide who the winners are, and I will post my fifteen favorite bands for the main stage and the five act Stage of Legends. I will also give credit to the first person who suggested them, so get in early for your shot at fame!

For those about to rock: we salute you!

The Official Bobapalooza 2012 Playlist ™

Posted: May 30, 2013 | Author: Bob Bonsall | Filed under: Bobapalooza, Culture | Tags: culture, festival, music | Leave a comment

Straight Outta Compton – N.W.A.
Feel Good Inc – Gorillaz
Smooth Criminal – Michael Jackson
Africa – Amadou & Miriram (feat. Knaan)
Timebomb – Rancid
Some Nights – Fun.
No Woman, No Cry – Bob Marley
If I Die Young – The Band Perry
When Your Mind’s Made Up – Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova
Someone Like You – Adele
Strobe – Deadmau5
Lullaby – The Cure
Let’s Dance – David Bowie
Changing – The Airborne Toxic Event
I Like It – Foxy Shazam
Bloody Mary (Nerve Endings) – Silversun Pickups
Wrong Number – The Cure
Crystalize – Lindsey Stirling
I Shot the Sheriff – Bob Marley and the Wailers
The Man Who Sold The World – David Bowie
Thriller – Michael Jackson
Oblivion – Grimes
I’ve Got Friends – Manchester Orchestra
Uprising – Muse
Gangsta Gangsta – N.W.A.

Bobapalooza: It Became a Legend…

Posted: May 29, 2013 | Author: Bob Bonsall | Filed under: Bobapalooza, Culture | Tags: culture, festival, music | 2 Comments

After the success of the first Bobapalooza, there was actually demand for a second. To my great surprise (and more than a little gratitude) I actually had friends asking me when I’d be doing it again, and some folks were even planning ahead. Who was I to say no? And so… _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Well, here we are at last. Like the man once said, “Let the battle cry go forth: GIVE THE PEOPLE WHAT THEY WANT.” You hoped for it, you cried for it, by the ones and twos you demanded it, and now at last it’s back: Bobapalooza! Only this time, it’s 2012, and that can only mean one thing – Bigger. Louder. Faster. (Okay, that’s three things. This is music, not math.)

So here’s the deal: I’m looking for new music, and I’m hoping Facebook will provide it. Specifically, I’m giving all my Facebook friends the chance to get me to actually listen to all the music they’ve tried to expose me to over the years I’ve steadfastly ignored up to now.

So here’s how it works: imagine you’ve heard about a music festival coming to town, and on the list of bands is THE band. The one that makes you say, “I don’t care what the ticket price is, I will sell my own children if I have to, I MUST BE THERE.” Any band, any era, living or dead, still together or not. Pick your favorite song and post it to my Facebook wall, and please note that it’s for Bobapalooza 2012.

But wait, there’s more! Some of you may remember the Stage of Legends from 2011. It’s coming back this year, with a twist: this time, YOU get to decide! That’s right, not only can you nominate your favorite garage band for the main stage, you can nominate your favorite garage band from Seattle circa early 1990’s to be a Bobapalooza Legend!

Now the rules:

MAIN STAGE

1. You have to pick a band you would sit through the entire set. Not “I love this song!” I want “I love this band!”
2. Yes, you can post as many as you like, but really, how many bands are THAT good?
3. If you intend to post more than one, please don’t spam the feed (more than 10 bands a day from one person is a bit much. I do have a life. And see 1 & 2.)
4. If you post it I will listen to it, so please, be gentle.
5. Please note that this is a Main Stage entry.
6. Any band that made it to the show last year will not be considered for the main stage this year.

STAGE OF LEGENDS

“Do, or do not; there is no try.” Once a band has been nominated for the Stage of Legends, they are no longer in the running for the main stage. The whole point of the SoL is to give a fair shot to lesser known bands. If you think your favorite band has what it takes to compete with the big boys, put ‘em in, but don’t hedge your bets. Go all the way or don’t go at all.

Starting June 15 I will decide who the winners are, and I will post my fifteen favorite bands for the main stage and the five act Stage of Legends (yes, I am heavily influenced by the sadly departed HFStival. Sue me.) I will also give credit to the first person who suggested them, so get in early for your shot at fame!

If you still have questions, please feel free to comment in this thread or on my Facebook Wall. Insightful questions will receive careful, well-thought out answers. Off-hand questions will get off-hand answers. Questions that prove you didn’t bother to read everything I already wrote will be met with shame and ridicule, not necessarily in that order.

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The response was, if anything, even more overwhelming than the previous year. But don’t just take my word for it when you can… well, you can still take my word for it:

Bobapalooza 2012: The Lineup!

First I want to thank all of my wonderful contributors: Chuck Stewart, Corey Carpenter, Erin Wendt, Janet Currie Konigsberg, Jenn Stevens Booth, Jennifer Bonsall Zetlin, Kae Bieber, Leigh Bonsall, Matt Foster, Micah Stromberg, Mike Reinemann, Myke Harryson, Nayden Hitchev, RL Mirabal, Scott Soper, and Yillah Natalia. With over 100 acts to choose from, this year was amazing and wonderful, in terms of both talent and diversity. The truth is I could have picked at random and still had a great lineup, I had so many great acts to choose from, and I thank you all for that.

But that’s not what you came for. You came to see –

THE BOBAPALOOZA 2012 LINEUP!!!

Ahem. Sorry about that. I get a little excited sometimes. Anyway, let’s start with THE STAGE OF LEGENDS. While I had a lot of great acts to choose from, in the end I decided to go with the five acts that, for my money, have most changed the way that we approach music. Either directly or indirectly, through their influence they have made a mark on the world of music that is as lasting as it is undeniable. They are:

Bob Marley (nominated by Leigh Bonsall) – How do you know someone is a legend? Well, it never hurts to have even Eric Clapton covering their work. As Leigh put it, “He’s Known worldwide and started not only a music movement but a lifestyle.”

David Bowie (nominated by Kae Bieber) – Who is David Bowie? What year is it? This man raised self-reinvention to an art form before most of us even knew who we were the first time. Kae nailed it when she said “he is a music and writing genius, gets hotter with age and he’s not a shabby actor either.”

Michael Jackson (nominated by Scott Soper) – The King of Pop. Over the course of a tragic and tragically short life MJ defined and re-defined pop music again and again. Like the legendary phoenix, he became even more renowned after his passing, and as Scott noted, ” if dying is the best thing he ever did for his career, is that not the definition of a legend?”

The Cure (nominated by Janet Currie Konigsberg) – They may not have created goth rock, but they defined it, mostly by refusing to be defined by it. The Cure have always had a distinct, unique sound, that Janet sums up best: “A band like the Cure often goes overlooked when speaking of legends, yet are loved by many and have often played a huge part in many Gen X’ers lives. They came on the scene over 30 years ago and honestly, you couldn’t suck cool air in the 80’s or 90’s without taking in some of their particles. The best part? They still sound amazing today! The Cure: the band that made you want to slice your wrists, yet kept you from doing it simply because you wanted to keep listening.”

N.W.A. (nominated by Scott Soper) – Ice Cube or Dr. Dre could make a run for the Stage of Legends all by themselves. Add in Eazy-E, MC Ren, and DJ Yella, as well as an album that changed not only the way we view music but arguably had a major impact on society as well, and this was an easy pick.

And now, the MAIN STAGE! I expect this one to be even more controversial than the Stage of Legends. I had to turn away a lot of great bands, some because they just weren’t to my taste (hey, it’s BOBapalooza), and others because there are only fifteen places on the stage and I couldn’t put everyone up there I wanted to. But enough hedging. Here’s the lineup you’ve been waiting for:

Gorillaz (nominated by Corey Carpenter)
Silversun Pickups (nominated by Kae Bieber)
Amadou and Mariam (nominated by Yillah Natalia)
Rancid (nominated by Jenn Stevens Booth)
Lindsey Sterling (nominated by Leigh Bonsall)
The Band Perry (nominated by Erin Wendt)
The Airborne Toxic Event (nominated by Matt Foster)
Manchester Orchestra (nominated by Janet Currie Konigsberg)
Grimes (nominated by Mike Reinemann)
Deadmau5 (nominated by Erin Wendt)
Fun (nominated by Leigh Bonsall)
Glen Hansard (nominated by RL Mirabal)
Muse (nominated by Matt Foster)
Foxy Shazam (nominated by Micah Stromberg)
Adele (nominated by Erin Wendt)

Thanks everybody, and we’ll see you again next year!

Come back tomorrow for the Official Bobapalooza 2012 Playlist™, and Friday for the big Bobapalooza announcement you’ve been waiting for!

The Official Bobapalooza 2011 Playlist ™

Posted: May 28, 2013 | Author: Bob Bonsall | Filed under: Bobapalooza, Culture | Tags: culture, festival, music | Leave a comment

Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band – The Beatles
It’s The End of the World as We Know It – R.E.M.
What’s Left of the Flag – Flogging Molly
Sabotage – Beastie Boys
Run to the Hills – Iron Maiden
The Number of the Beast – Iron Maiden
Superman’s Dead – Our Lady Peace
Immigrant Song – Led Zeppelin
Down Boy – Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Palaces of Montezuma – Grinderman
Little Lion Man – Mumford & Sons
Down by the Water – The Decemberists
Everlong – The Foo Fighters
Kashmir – Led Zeppelin
Wish You Were Here – Pink Floyd
Lewis Takes Action – Owen Pallett
No. 6 Von Karman Street – A Sunny Day in Glasgow
Price Tag – Jessie J (feat. B.o.B.)
La Se Foi Meu Verao – Marquinho China/Evandro Lima/Moyseis Marques
Grace Kelly – Mika
Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da – The Beatles

Bobapalooza: It Started as an Idea…

Posted: May 27, 2013 | Author: Bob Bonsall | Filed under: Bobapalooza, Culture | Tags: culture, festival, music | 2 Comments

Back in 2011, I was tired of listening to the same music over and over again on either my iPod or whichever music service I was leeching off at the time. I decided it was time to cave in and listen to some of the music all of my friends had been trying to get me to listen to for so long. Of course, I never do things the easy way. Here’s the original announcement from all the way back then…

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Now the rules:

Starting next week, I will decide who the winners are, and I will post my fifteen favorite bands (yes, I am heavily influenced by the sadly departed HFStival. Sue me.) I will also give credit to the first person who suggested them, so get in early for your shot at fame!

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I got an astounding response and had a great time doing it, and it ended up looking something like this:

Bobapalooza 2011: The Lineup!

First, let me thank everyone once again for taking the time to make so many fantastic suggestions. I had a wonderful time discovering a lot of new music and new bands, as well as a few old favorites. Credit will be given to the first person to post each selected artist, but please know that I tried to pay attention to everyone’s thoughts and I did listen to every song that was posted, so your efforts did not go to waste.

So here it is, the lineup for Bobapalooza 2011!

First, the big surprise: I promised 15 bands, but after seeing all the amazing recommendations, I just couldn’t keep it to 15. Specifically, there were a few bands that got put out there that made me think, “Well, of course I’ll include them,” and how is that even a contest? When it goes from “15 bands” to “10 bands and of course“, there’s only one thing to do. So I present to you:

THE STAGE OF LEGENDS

There are certain bands that define their genre. These five bands, all suggested for Bobapalooza 2011, are to me so great that to ask any other group to vie against them just isn’t fair, and I’ll tell you why. Even better, I’ll let you tell you why.

1. The Beatles, suggested by Jenn Stevens Booth. “Their entire catalog. Period. That’s it. Your festival is complete.” –Jenn Stevens Booth
2. Rush, suggested by Scott Soper. “Go on! Try to play it!” – Scott Soper (Sadly, that doesn’t narrow down which Rush song Scott was referring to. Which is why I love Rush.)
3. Led Zepplin, suggested by Sondra Fry Benoudiz. “They have a song for every mood and occasion.” -Sondra Fry Benoudiz
4. Iron Maiden, suggested by Scott Soper. If you love metal, you love Maiden. If you don’t love metal, go read the lyrics for most any of their songs, particularly “Aces High”, “The Trooper”, or “The Longest Day”. Pure poetry.
5. Pink Floyd, suggested by Scott Soper. As Barnaby Felton put it, “Band of all time is such a toughie, you are talking about someone that can take a listener through all parts of their psyche, and still maintain musical skill and credibility.” For me, Pink Floyd is that band.

And now, the lineup for the main stage, in no particular order:

Flogging Molly, suggested by Jenn Stevens Booth
The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, suggested by Michael Reinemann
The Decemberists, suggested by Janet Currie Konigsberg
Mumford and Sons, suggested by Jocelyn Waite
Owen Pallett, suggested by Michael Reinemann
Regina Spektor, suggested by Jenn Stevens Booth
Moyseis Marques, suggested by Yillah Natalia
R.E.M., suggested by Sondra Fry Benoudiz
Grinderman, suggested by Michael Reinemann
Foo Fighters, suggested by Jenn Stevens Booth
Mika, suggested by Jocelyn Waite
Our Lady Peace, suggested by Janet Currie Konigsberg
Jessie J, suggested by Jenn Stevens Booth
A Sunny Day in Glasgow, suggested by Michael Reinemann
The Beastie Boys, suggested by Jenn Stevens Booth

Be sure to check out all the winning bands, as well as all the submitted entries. There were too many great suggestions and not enough slots!

Thanks again, everyone! Hope to see you all for Bobapalooza 2012!

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Come back tomorrow for the Official Bobapalooza 2011 Playlist™, and all week to hear more about Bobapalooza!

My Not So Humble Opinion

An occasional font of wit and wisdom.

Bobapalooza 2014: Clash of the Titans – The Final Bobapalooza

Bobapalooza 2014: Clash of the Titans!

Bobapalooza 2013: The Playlist and the Loot!

Bobapalooza 2013: The World is Not Enough – The Final Lineup At Last!

Bobapalooza 2013: The World Is Not Enough – Submissions Close Saturday, June 15!

Bobapalooza 2013: The World Is Not Enough

The Official Bobapalooza 2012 Playlist ™

Bobapalooza: It Became a Legend…

The Official Bobapalooza 2011 Playlist ™

Bobapalooza: It Started as an Idea…

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