The Useless Critic 2.0

For a band that describes themselves as "NewCountryPunkWave," Max and the Wild Things are certainly carving an interesting niche for themselves in the world of music. They've been compared to, by at least one critic, as " breezy Jonathan Richman-with-a-banjo approach to rock." They name Johnny Cash and the Misfits among their inspirations. (Where is Maurice!)  I first learned about them via the magic/wonders of last.fm. Struck by the name and then proceedingly hooked onto their catchy and charming songs, I sent a few questions over to Cole Traynor, their general manager. They were then answered by Aidan, lead singer/guitarist/banjo player. NO MONSTERS SPOTTED IN THIS BAND! W here did you get the idea for your band from?  The idea to form a band came from my brother, Cole. I was performing alone and he had recently quit his job as a traveling ale salesman. He bought bass and we found a drummer, then few more.  How have things been going for yo...

Okay, so after the Oscars I started reading about Steve Martin, and I learned that he has won 4 grammys. I was a little surprised because I thought he only had maybe one for a comedy album. But 4 is impressive. I started listening to his grammy award winning "The Crow: New Songs for the 5 String Banjo." Steve Martin is a notorious banjo player, but honestly I just don't think Bluegrass is my genre. However, the first thing I ever heard from him was this duet with Paul Simon on "Fallon." Think of the gravity of Steve Martin playing with Paul Simon. WOW! QATFYG: Anyone want to throw out some good bluegrass names?

FIRST, in Edinboro , there is a bluegrass band playing called J.D. Crowe and the New South. I'm laying out my section as I type (ha, multitasking, not really, I have other work I should be doing) and I believe tickets are $5 to the public and free to EUP students. Not my cup of tea really but I have to go and I'm not completely sure I'm going to have room for this story. meh . I really should get a pull-out section. NO WAY I AM TRIMMING THAT "REVOLUTIONARY ROAD" REVIEW. IT'S ART. Then, in Cleveland, there is the Cleveland International Film Festival. I cannot go to this. but I'd like to go to this. www.clevelandfilm.org. I have not heard of any of those films, because I'm uncultured like that. but if you're into that stuff....you pretentious bastard... Moving on, Tuesday- and normally I would not announce things like this, because the music is minimally interesting to me- the Albers Trio is playing at noon at Penn State Behrend . But then I saw ...