THE MORNING BRIEF, Vol. IV, #33 (August 13, 2001) --- All in the Head.

CONTENTS

Bush Makes Decision
Historical Re-enactment
Embryonic Sidebar
Head Check: Spago Las Vegas
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Fashion Statements
The Real Price of Pennies
One Hit Wonders
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Hed Kandi
TOONAGE: Crystal Method @ The Mayan
Return to the Airhole
TOONAGE: Buckwheat Zydeco @ Santa Monica Pier
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SIX DISK CHANGER
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UPCOMING CONCERTS
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CONTRIBUTIONS

BUSH MAKES DECISION >>> President Bush made a decision last week. One of those damned if you do, damned if you don't kind of things. Very "Presidential." The problem with making Presidential decisions is that Presidential voters may not like what you decide one way or another. Especially if it's a controversial issue. Especially if you got elected by trying to be completely uncontroversial.

Bush's artful non-decision decision last week managed to have something for everyone: scientists, pro-lifers, unconcerned moderates. Unfortunately for him, the continued pressure of the radical right to temper every Bush move with their moral guidelines (no new embryos!) will only serve to further illustrate the problem with leaving leadership to the radical right: no progress.

Progress is the inertia that moves capitalist societies forward. It is the fuel behind free enterprise. Combined with his complete lack of interest in technology, Bush's inability to really get behind scientific initiatives will leave him, and us, with a middling, go-nowhere economy just like the one his Daddy gave us. If the nifty little spinning done on Sunday is an indication: one advisor told ABC the President is "not close-minded, he's open-minded," while another told CNN: "The President is very strong in his position."

HISTORICAL RE-ENACTMENT >>> I'm guessing the debate among the Presidential Leadership Team went a little something like this:

OVAL OFFICE - NIGHT

"Dance a Little Sidestep," from "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" soundtrack playing in the b.g.

BUSH: Is Science really bad, Uncle Dick?

CHENEY: Science is bad when it costs us votes, Little Georgie. But not when it helps us mine oil from wildlife reserves. It just all depends.

BUSH: It just all depends. I can say that! It just all depends.

EMBRYONIC SIDEBAR >>> One of my favorite moments in "Notting Hill" is when Hugh Grant's William, heart sick from losing Julia Roberts' Anna, entertains a series of set-up dates. The most looney proclaims herself a "fruitarian," who believes that only food which falls from the tree shuold be eaten. "So these carrots?" quizzes a concerned William. "Murder," his date responds gravely.

Perhaps we have a name for our new moderate party? Any fruitarians out there?

THE THRONE AT SPAGO LAS VEGAS >>> It is an integral part of The Morning Brief's mission to bring you critical analysis of the people, places and things that shape our world. To that end, the ongoing critique of the world's most prestigious men's commodes brings us to the Throne at Spago Las Vegas.

The spacious, alpha-stall is located in the back of the upstairs commode, luxuriously appointed with an elegant, oaken door, stainless steel fixtures, an auto-flush toilet, and a dual T.P. dispenser that offers both smooth and textured tissues. I believe you're supposed to use the textured first, then the smooth. Additional amenities include a stereo speaker directly overhead, and a very cool in-laid steel circle that generously swoops underneath the door. Quite decorative.

Far from the world's most luxurious W.C.s, the Throne delivers just what you'd expect from Spago's, modern, ornate chic with a focus on originality and comfort.

FASHION STATEMENTS >>> If Aerosmith is so fucking fashionable, how come Steven Tyler is still wearing cowboy boots?

THE REAL PRICE OF PENNIES >>> A recent debate in the Congress focused on the elimination of pennies from the U.S. monetary system. Pennies, the argument goes, are worth less than the bronze they're made from. If they'd only done the math. Far worse than the lack of value, the effort expended to tote around these little nothings can add up to millions and millions of tons of wasted energy each year.

Let's do the math. If 90 pennies equals a pound, and world citizens lift and move only one penny a day, then 365 pennies moved divided by 90 times 6,000,000,000 people divided by 2000 equals 12,166,666.67 tons of needlessly lifted and moved cents. If we simply eliminated all of this pointless coinage: one yen pieces, half-pence, single lire, think of all the things that could be accomplished with all of the surplus energy? Astonishing. Add the increased value of pennies once they've been completely commodotized out of currency and into collectors items. It's really adding up.

Next on the coinage hit-list: eliminating nickels in favor of dimes. Dimes weigh about one-fifth of what a nickel does, but they're worth twice as much. Go figure.

ONE HIT WONDERS >>> I looked forward to proclaiming this one from the first moment I laid eyes on their twirpy, little, pretty boy lead singer: Guns and Roses.

The next Stones. Right. Sweeeeeeet Chiiiiiiiiild of My-e-ine. One hit, and history.

HED KANDI >>> Heard about the Hed Kandi compilations in New York City, and picked up the Sampler at Tower Records back in L.A. There's four different categories of music: chill out (Winter Chill), cool soul (Nu Cool), beach house (Beach House), and ultra beautiful disco (Disco Kandi). Each set includes two CDs, and about 2 1/2 hours of brilliant music for around $20. Some familiar stuff, but mostly ground-breaking, ass-shaking music that percolates, grooves and soars, depending on the genre.

You'll recognize the label by the highly stylized, cartoonish women depicted on the front, kind of a cross between a Nagel and Japanimation. Even the packaging is extra cool, with a cardboard double jewel box (boo!) that latches shut with a magnetic seal. Quirky liner notes, too. But what you'll really love is the music. There's so much of it, and all of it's great. Go get you some Kandi.

TOONAGE: Crystal Method @ Mayan Theatre >>> Crystal Method is one of those rare, post-techno bands that, like Underworld, combine groovy synthetic sounds with a rocking edge. Both of these bands provide a double threat: polished studio recordings which add up to a powerful album, and a really exciting, involving, live performance. Thursday at the Mayan, Crystal Method followed up and comers Uberzone and Jason Bentley with a tremendously entertaining, dance-friendly set.

The band had never played the Mayan before, but they seemed to really be enjoying the space, and playing in their new hometown. The crowd was definitely pleased. Great interaction, especially for an L.A. show. The new material, from the band's just released second album, "Tweekend," fit comfortably with music from their debut, "Vegas." In fact, the only song that didn't quite mesh with the rest of the set was "Busy Child," their breakthrough single. Good thing they saved it for last.

While "Vegas" was a prodigious debut, one record does not longevity make. With a great live presence that's still getting better and another album of worthy material, Crystal Method continues to move in the right direction. More of this and they're going to be around for a while.

BACK TO THE AIRHOLE >>> Wandering yet again into that old, wondrous, mezzanine Men's Room at the Mayan just before the Crystal Method's encore. That big, sooty, square, gnarly airhole, sootier and gnarlier than ever, staring straight through the inhabitant of the middle stall. And lying there still, after how many weeks?, that chewed through, mint green piece of gum. A beacon in the darkness. The zen of HVAC.

TOONAGE: Buckwheat Zydeco @ Santa Monica Pier >>> Incomplete review because I had to duck out early to get to Crystal Method downtown. Buckwheat in great live form as usual, upbeat, smiling, bringing the crowd along with him. They're always great live. And the music on the Pier getting better each week. Next up: vocal group, Venice.

@ @ @

SIX DISK CHANGER >>> Including top picks from the Hed Kandi catalogue:

1. Disco Kandi 4, Disk 2
2. Disco Kandi 3, Disk 1
3. Beach House 2, Disk 1
4. Hed Kandi, "Summer Sampler 2001"
5. Yoshiesque II, "Disk 1
6. Zero 7, "Simple Things"

7. Basement Jaxx, "Rooty"

@ @ @

Beginning next week, The Morning Brief will have a new feature. Track of the Week. Here's how it works. Each week I pick one track and mention it in the Brief. If you're interested in the track, just e-mail me and I'll send you an MP3 snippett via e-mail. If you'd like to get the Track each week automatically, let me know that, too, and I'll include it with your issue of the Brief. Hope you like it.

Have a heady week.

Your pal,
David.
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Heads up!

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DISCLAIMAGE >>> Please feel free to forward The Morning Brief to whomever you like. If you do, in part or in segments, or if you'd like to re-publish, please copy me or just let me know. Thanks for reading!

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Notable shows in and around Southern California.
Highly recommended shows this color.
Red alert; must see!

8.13.01 - Tool & King Crimson @ Wiltern Theatre
8.14.01 - Tool & King Crimson @ Wiltern Theatre
8.14.01 - Zeni Geva @ Knitting Factory Hollywood
8.14.01 - Depeche Mode @ Staples Center
8.14.01 - Mutabaruka @ The Conga Room
8.15.01 - Depeche Mode @ Staples Center
8.16.01 - Venice @ Santa Monica Pier (Twilight Dance Series)
8.16.01 - Mose Allison @ MOCA at the California Plaza
8.16.01 - Groove Armada @ Sugar (Bossanova)
8.17.01 - Eric Clapton @ Staples Center
8.17.01 - Groove Armada, Photek @ Santa Monica Museum of Flying
8.17.01 - Leo Neocentelli (Meters) @ Knitting Factory Hollywood
8.18.01 - Yellowman @ House of Blues
8.18.01 - Eric Clapton @ Staples Center
8.19.01 - Erykah Badu @ The Greek Theatre
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8.20.01 - Aerosmith @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
8.20.01 - Radiohead @ Hollywood Bowl
8.21.01 - Rahat Fateh Ali Khan @ Conga Room
8.22.01 - Aerosmith @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
8.22.01 - Paloalto @ The Troubadour
8.23.01 - The Reverend Horton Heat @ Santa Monica Pier (Twilight Dance Series)
8.24.01 - Junior Brown @ House of Blues
8.24.01 - The Reverend Horton Heat @ The Troubadour
8.25.01 - The Reverend Horton Heat @ The Troubadour
8.25.01 - Nancy Griffith @ House of Blues
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8.30.01 - Ozomatli @ Santa Monica Pier
9.01.01 - Long Beach Blues Festival (Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Koko Taylor, Jimmie Vaughan)
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9.02.01 - Long Beach Blues Festival (Bobby "Blue" Bland, Little Milton, Shuggie Otis)
9.05.01 - Pete Yorn @ El Rey Theatre
9.05.01 - Belle and Sebastian @ Wiltern Theatre
9.06.01 - Belle and Sebastian @ Wiltern Theatre
9.07.01 - King Sunny Ade @ House of Blues
9.07.01 - Gillian Welch & David Rawlings @ El Rey Theatre
9.07.01 - Latin Alternative Festival @ Universal Amphitheatre
9.08.01 - Taj Mahal & Funky Meters @ House of Blues
9.08.01 - Laurie Anderson @ El Rey Theatre
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9.09.01 - Laurie Anderson @ El Rey Theatre
9.13.01 - Third World @ House of Blues
9.14.01 - The Donnas @ The Palace
9.14.01 - Melissa Etheridge (solo) @ Long Beach Terrace Theater
9.15.01 - Melissa Etheridge (solo) @ Long Beach Terrace Theater
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9.16.01 - Crosby, Stills and Nash @ Greek Theatre
9.16.01 - Melissa Etheridge (solo) @ Long Beach Terrace Theater
9.18.01 - Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds @ Wiltern Theatre
9.19.01 - Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds @ Wiltern Theatre
9.20.01 - Sade w/India Arie @ Arrowhead Pond
9.21.01 - P.J. Harvey @ Hollywood Palladium
9.22.01 - They Might Be Giants @ Wiltern Theatre
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9.23.01 - X @ El Rey Theatre
9.25.01 - Brassy @ The Troubadour
9.25.01 - Cachiata (Buena Vista Social Club) @ Knitting Factory Hollywood
9.26.01 - Cachiata (Buena Vista Social Club) @ Knitting Factory Hollywood
9.27.01 - Southern Culture on the Skids @ The Troubadour
9.29.01 - Money Mark @ The Troubadour
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10.02.01 - Janet Jackson @ Staples Center
10.06.01 - James Taylor @ Hollywood Bowl
10.06.01 - Sigur Ros @ Wilshire Theatre
10.12.01 - Etta James @ House of Blues
10.13.01 - Lloyd's Blues Music Fest (BB. King, Buddy Guy, John Hiatt) @ Universal Amphitheatre
10.19-21 - All Tomorrow's Parties (Sonic Youth, Stereolab, Melvins, Cat Power) @ UCLA
10.20.01 - St. Germain @ Hollywood Palladium
10.22.01 - Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros @ The Troubadour
10.23.01 - Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros @ The Troubadour
10.25.01 - Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros @ The Troubadour
10.26.01 - Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros @ The Troubadour

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HAVE YOU ever reconsidered? HAVE YOU done something on the spur of a moment? HAVE YOU eaten anything extra yummy? HAVE YOU found a haven? HAVE YOU considered moving to a new climate? HAVE YOU got an axe to grind? HAVE YOU taken a deep breath lately?

RE: LAND OF OPPORTUNITY >>> Doesn't it make you proud? Jessie Jackson has added former Chicago democratic congressman Mel Reynolds to Rainbow/PUSH Coalition's payroll. Reynolds was among the 176 criminals excused in President Clinton's last-minute forgiveness spree. Reynolds received a commutation of his six-and- a-half-year federal sentence for 15 convictions of wire fraud, bank fraud & lies to the Federal Election Commission. He is more notorious; however, for concurrently serving five years for sleeping with an underage campaign volunteer.

This is a first in American politics: An ex-congressman who had sex with a subordinate won clemency from a president who had sex with a subordinate, then was hired by a clergyman who had sex with a subordinate. His new job? Youth counselor.

Is this a great country or what?

-- Art Loomstein (Dad!).

RE: PROTECT YOUR PERSONAL INFO >>> I received this message and I have already done it for myself. It will exclude your name from lists of names prescreened by these four credit reporting agencies:  Experience, Novus, Equi-Fax and Transunion.

If you haven't heard the four major credit bureaus in the US. are allowed, as of July 1, to release your credit info, mailing addresses, phone numbers...to anyone who requests it. If you would like to 'opt out' of this release of info, you can call 1-888-567-8688.

It only takes a couple of minutes to do, and you can take care of anyone else in the household while making only one call, you'll just need to know their social security number. Be sure to listen closely, the first opt out is only for two years, make sure you wait until they prompt you to press '3' on your keypad to opt out for good.

I will add that your other credit card suppliers can do the same dastardly deed unless you "opt out" individually with each after you find the numbers on the the new contract/advice notices being included with your billings. Congress, unfortunately, set up the situation this way.

-- forwarded by Shirley Dion.

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