11.29.2006

Guster's Backstage Food Demands

Ever wonder what Guster asks be available for their refreshment backstage? Evian water just won't do! We've all seen on TV the rockers requesting the oddest of things be available backstage in their contracts, but I'd never actually seen one of those lists, or imagined that people actually made special requests like this that actually got honored. These requests, called "contract riders," can include some pretty crazy stuff.

I feel bad blogging about something from the same source twice, especially in such quick succession, but I really had to share this article from the Signal with you, as it gave some really cool insights on what the band is really like. This is unique, interesting information that's usually not available to the public because of different confidentiality agreements, making this article a rare opportunity to learn about your favorite band.

Among my favorite of Guster's requests: fresh, healthy meals prepared by a chef (pizza and takeout don't count), a DVD movie (preferably an "indie film" or a "cult classic"), and a package of black athletic socks. Don't ask why...I don't know. Take a look at the lists, and you might be a bit surprised. It seems Ryan, Brian, and the guys might be a little bit on the finicky side about certain little things. Only has to make you like them just a little bit more--unless you're trying to fill those pesky little demands.

11.28.2006

Guster is Non-Mainstream AND Good!

I had to laugh at this editorial that appeared today in the Chicago Maroon, the University of Chicago's student newspaper.

The author brings up some great points about people who like non-mainstream bands, most of them sounding almost exactly the same. Have you ever heard someone tell you, "I really like insert obscure band name here's music. You've probably never heard them, because they're not on the radio, but their songs just SPEAK to me. Blah, Blah Blah. "? I have a few times. What kind of joy do people get out of the fact that their bands are obscure? Most obscure bands are obscure for a reason: they're just NOT THAT GOOD!

I liked how this article used Guster as an example of an obscure band that actually has a good, unique, enjoyable sound. Certainly nothing else out there really compares, especially to some of the new ground the band has broken with Ganging Up on the Sun. I really don't think the band deserves its obscurity. I'm sure Guster would like to become a little more mainstream, earn a little bit more money, and sell out shows across the country. They certainly have the talent to do it, but I doubt they'll ever have the following of U2. Unfortunately, some things look like they'll never change.

It's a rare occasion, but I always smile when I hear Satellite or One Man Wrecking Machine on the radio. Maybe it's a good thing that the songs aren't killed by too much radio play, but I would like to hear a bit more Guster on my radio stations. What do you think about Guster's status as an obscure band? Please comment and let us all know.

Guster Satellite Lyrics

Guster
Satellite

Shining like a work of art
Hanging on a wall of stars
Are you what I think you are?

You’re my satellite
You’re riding with me tonight
Passenger side, lighting the sky
Always the first star that I find
You’re my satellite

Elevator to the moon
Whistling our favorite tune
Trying to get a closer view

You’re my satellite
You’re riding with me tonight
Passenger side, lighting the sky
Always the first star that I find
You’re my satellite

Maybe you will always be
Just a little out of reach

You’re my satellite
You’re riding with me tonight
Passenger side, lighting the sky
Always the first start that I find
You’re my satellite
You’re my satellite

Notes:
Satellite is one of my favorite new Guster tunes, one that's seen a lot of time on my iPod recently. It's got the perfect melody, beat, and layering of sound to really pull in your attention and elicit some emotion. What a great song. Thanks to Off Base, On Target, a fun blog that posted these lyrics a little before me, for putting them up.

New Jersey Concert Wrap-Up

Hey all,

In case you're interested in the Guster show that happened in New Jersey a little over a week ago, there's a pretty good article, called The Luster of Guster that appeared in the University of New Jersey's school newspaper and just appeared online. There's a concert wrapup, some cool pictures, and a few other interesting remarks. Read what they have to say, and enjoy. Hopefully a Guster show is coming to your town, too, in the very near future. Not a bad article, either.

Guster Street Team


Do you like Guster music? Free Guster concert tickets? How about talking it up with your friends about Guster? Well, now's your chance to do all three, plus get a free download of the song Empire State in the process. I just joined the Guster Street Team, an informal group of fan promoters. As a member of the team, you post Guster posters to help the band advertise the shows (and I'm sure you can keep one for yourself), you can sell copies of the albums to your friends cheap, and you can receive free concert tickets in return for your services. I'm really excited about that one. They're probably pretty good seats, too, since you're getting them from the band.


I think the team is a great email list to sign up for--who knows, maybe something really cool will come of it for me. At the very least, I got the opportunity to download Empire State. Already have the new album, so it's nothing too exciting for me, but who knows...maybe one of you would like a free mp3. It's time for you to make a purchase, though--Ganging Up on the Sun is a great album! Anyway, I thought I'd pass these comments along. Click to Join the Guster Street Team.

11.16.2006

Guster Interview on Musical Style

I just found a great blog post--this interview on Bring Back Sincerity, with members of Guster, finds discusses the band's musical style, their roots as a small, college-frat type band with bongos (and sweet bongos, I might add) to their current position in the music market, where they're not exactly one of the "cool bands" but find themselves being passed around virally through their fans (like me and you!). Not bad ranks, though, hanging around the music scene with the likes of Dave Matthews and John Meyer. Give this blog post a read. It's a great interview with the band.

11.08.2006

Free Guster Streams and Downloads




Did you know that there are literally hundreds of Guster recordings available for completely free streaming and download? It's 100% legal and 100% free. No credit card required, no nothing--just download and enjoy!

The way it works is this...
Guster is one of the few bands that actually allows people to record their live shows as long as the venue permits it. These live recordings are posted as open, public domain, free for everyone's listening pleasure on Guster's page at archive.org. You might expect lousy sound quality out of this (and rightfully so, in some cases), but many of these recordings are extremely good. Check out the page, and I think you'll be extremely pleasantly surprised.


I started streaming one concert and thought the audio quality was so good that I'd download a song or two. I now have a GREAT live recording of the Guster song Satellite live from the Austin City Limits Festival that I paid absolutely nothing for. The band is perfectly OK with it, too! I'm a huge fan of live recordings, especially Guster live recordings, so this made my day. Check out the site and see for yourself!

Ganging Up on the Sun Review


Hey folks,

I just found a great litte review of Guster's new CD from a fellow fan. I thought I'd point you the way to check it out. It's a nice litte community we belong to as Guster fans. Funny how that happens when your band unfairly receives very little radio air time. Check out BJ's music blog on MySpace to read.

11.07.2006

Guster at Hill Auditorium, Michigan

Check out this article in the Michigan Daily, dealing with the band's show on Election Day (tonight!). The paper kept a very tongue-in-cheek approach to its interview with Ryan Miller. I got some great insights from the article, including:
1. Guster is not Rage Against the Machine, nor Barbara Streisand.
2. One of the most severe problems facing America today is overfishing.
3. The band lets others make political decisions for themselves. It's interesting how the political views of their fans are changing, though.
4. Guster understands that theis evolving sound may alienate some of their fans (have you listened to the difference between Parachutes and GUOTS?
5. It's more fun to get drunk with Bob Dole than Dan Quayle!

I thought this was a rather fun addition, even though there's no possible way I could make the show tonight. Good to see the band in papers.

Current listening selection on the iPod: Airport Song, Guster. (gotta love those ping pong balls)

C'mon Guster music video


So, I just checked out the new C'mon music video on YouTube. I gotta thank the folks at Music Ramen, another cool blog, for pointing it out for me. I'm still rather partial to the One Man Wrecking Machine video, and I've commented on it already, but this is a classic as well.

Who doesn't enjoy watching people on Segway scooters beat up those riding lesser-quality scooters? I mean, really--a gang of Segway thugs? C'mon! C'mon back! This is some pretty funny stuff. I wonder what kind of initiation rites you have to pass through for that gang...

Check out the video at YouTube by linking this post's title, and you'll know what I mean. Not bad on the timing, either--Music Ramen said it took Guster a mere 45 minutes to film the whole music video! Not a lot of retakes and studio production here.

11.01.2006

Upcoming Guster Tour Dates

Is Guster coming soon to a theater (or other concert venue) near you? Here's a list of some upcoming shows!

Nov 3 2006 7:00A State Theatre, Minneapolis
Nov 4 2006 6:00P DePauw University, Greencastle
Nov 7 2006 7:00P University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Nov 8 2006 7:00P Lifestyle Communities Pavilion (PromoWest), Columbus
Nov 10 2006 7:00A The Eagles Club, Milwaukee
Nov 15 2006 6:30P Smith Opera House, Geneva
Nov 16 2006 7:00A Maine Center for the Arts, Orono
Dec 3 2006 6:30P Standford University - Memorial Auditorium, Stanford
Dec 5 2006 7:00P Whitman College, Walla Walla, WA
Dec 14 2006 8:00P Ogden Theatre, Denver, Colorado
Dec 16 2006 6:00P Aragon Ballroom, Chicago, Illinois
Jan 15 2007 12:00P Ships and Dip Cruise with BNL, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Feb 16 2007 7:30P House of Blues - Orlando, Orlando, Delaware
Feb 17 2007 7:00P The Tabernacle, Atlanta, Georgia
Feb 20 2007 7:30p Bogart's, Cincinnati, OH
Feb 21 2007 Champaign, IL
Feb 23 2007 Saint Louis, MO
Feb 24 2007 Indianapolis, IN
Feb 25 2007 Cleveland, OH
Feb 26 2007 Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Feb 28 2007 Washington, DC
Mar 1 2007 Providence, RI
Mar 3 2007 Philadelphia, PA
Mar 31 2007 Crawfordsville, IN


To buy show tickets, visit:
Guster Ticketing: http://www.gustertickets.musictoday.com (password: guster) or
Guster on Ticketmaster: http://www.ticketmaster.com/artist/781894/

Scooter for a Day Contest

Have you ever wanted to be Scooter? Guster has an exciting new contest on their website where you can play the role of "Scooter" (actually Andrew Laubacher), the band's drum technician, for a day--while on board a caribbean cruise! Make sure Brian's drums are working (I'm sure he'll test them for you), and faint in ecstasy as you enjoy being in the presence of the band, up close and personal. They'll probably even get to know your name! All you have to do is submit a video on YouTube.com that explains why you should become "Scooter for the day" and you and a guest could be onboard the "Ships and Dip" cruise in January, as well as appear ONSTAGE with Guster! If you thought it didn't get any better, Barenaked Ladies will be on the cruise as well! (No, not the naughty vixen kind, the Canadian rock kind). For all of the details, check out Guster.com. There's a link along the right side of the page with all of the official details. Make sure your video follows all the rules, or they may not even know it exists!