Before there was the playstation or xbox,  even before the regular Nintendo, there was the Atari.   When E.T. was selling tickets on the big screen, E.T. tried the gaming scene.  Only to be crushed out of it's misery.  Now, I know it's old, but I happen to just thought of this band when I was watching a trailer for a game.  I don't know why, but I just did.  The music video you 're about to see is the story of a game company thinking a game would sell on the basis of name and not quality. The group Wintergreen sums it up nicely with a little history.  Although it's true that the game bombed (Millions of copies not sold),  you can't just go to New Mexico  and dig up the game.  Atari actually crushed them and poured cement over it to prevent people for taking them.  It does make you wonder how much that game would cost as a collector's item.  It's kind of the embodiment of the 1983 game industry crash. As far as the band, they are a band from LA.  With currently in the band Drew Motinger (Lead Vocal/Guitarist), Trevor Sherwood (Vocal/Guitarist), Danny Young (Bass), and Matt  Casebeer (Keyboard).  Their breakout hit was when their video "When I Wake Up" hit the internet, they gained a following.  They've since since released an EP ( The Extended Play) and a full album (Around & Around Again).

Visit Wintergreen HERE.

Do you want to see something unique and hear some nifty sounds? Check Meeting of Important People's music video called "Brittney Lane Don't Care". It was directed by Thom Glunt. For all you Chicagoans, this is the type of indie video you'd see on JBTV. Last time I checked MTV, I've haven't seen this type of video there. There's no visible "obvious" CG, but there's plenty of stop motion animation using cardboard for the characters and environment. Who would've thought of using such materials for a music video would look cool? The music carries a nice melody and is quite refreshing.

More info of Meeting of Important People: http://www.myspace.com/meetingofimportantpeople Visit the Director, Thom Glunt's website: http://www.thomglunt.com/

Holy Cowabungi, the Get Up Kids are coming back to Chicago!  On October 21 and 22 they'll be playing at the Metro with Kevin Devine and The Life and Times.  I've never seen these guys live.  I've seen The New Amsterdams a couple of times and even The Terrible Twos at a Chicago North-side bar (with lots alt-rock yuppies jamming with their little toddlers). Ann Arbour, Mass Pike, and On With the Show Live?  This will be one heck of an October.  Keep an out for Renderphase's review of this rock show this October. http://www.myspace.com/thegetupkids http://metrochicago.com/shows/

To all Chicago MxPx fans, the band Tumbledown will be playing at Reggies in Chicago's South Loop neighborhood. Tumbledown is a country-rock band lead by Mike Herrera.  The sound is quite different from the MxPx sound, but there are still some awesome melodies.  Catch the band on September 18, 2009 at 5:00 PM.

Reggies: http://www.reggieslive.com/rockclub/ Tumbledown: http://www.myspace.com/tumbledowncountry

Today we look at the band Big D and the Kids Table.  Hailing from Boston, they are a ska band that are fun and very talented.  Their newest album Fluent And Stroll, gets away from the ska and goes back to when big bands and jazz where the mainstream.  Add a little reggae and some folk and this is what you get.  Don't get me wrong, there is still some ska in it, but if you're all into hardcore ska, you might be pushed away a little.  Give it a chance though,  you may not like it the first time, but a couple more times it grows on you and you'll find out that it's an actually great album.  Below is their new video for their new album.  Enjoy.

Also here is one of my favorites from their previous album.  The song is called Shining On.  Make sure you listen to the lyrics, this is one of the reasons I love this band.

You can find more information about Big D and The Kids Table at  www.bigdandthekidstable.com.  Don't forget you can purchase their albums at Amazon.com or your local music store.

Got another music video here for Friday.  The band is called Lost Levels and the song is called The Early Sheets.  Lost Levels is from the United Kingdom.  They really are an indie band.  They aren't even signed to a record company.   The video fits perfectly with the music.  From the characters to the 8bit sounds to the hook,  this a group to watch out for.   Not too fancy or in your face.  It's very easy on the eyes.

Band Site: myspace.com/thelostlevels

Director's Site: radarmusicvideos.com/users/eyebath