― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 11 December 2002 21:57 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Shakey Mo Collier, Wednesday, 11 December 2002 22:28 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Shakey Mo Collier, Wednesday, 11 December 2002 22:30 (twenty-one years ago) link
― slutsky, Wednesday, 11 December 2002 22:39 (twenty-one years ago) link
either "baby it's you" off the first record or "number ten" and "destroy the evidence" off of pocket symphonies for lonesome subway cars which came out last year but it's going up as my #1 for 2002. -- gygax! (gygax0r@[...), December 11th, 2002.
― gygax!, Wednesday, 11 December 2002 22:44 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 11 December 2002 23:20 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Shakey Mo Collier, Wednesday, 11 December 2002 23:36 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Shakey Mo Collier, Wednesday, 11 December 2002 23:39 (twenty-one years ago) link
i rattle off my three favorite songs of his (for the MP3 bounty hunter half-orc goblins) and then declare his latest record as my favorite of the past year (for the ethical consumer nice hobbits)? what more would YOU ask for?
or do you think that the question begs for more of an academic multi-paragraph B+ english-major approach:
"the pragmatic low-fidelity keyboard enthusiast in me considers the second side of his OOP seven inch on CassingleUSA records to be vastly superior to his later, more transgressive period which invokes a pinot noir-like splash of aural complexity..."
c'mon Ned, you know i'm right!!! :D
― gygax!, Wednesday, 11 December 2002 23:44 (twenty-one years ago) link
cftpaforever
― gygax!, Wednesday, 11 December 2002 23:51 (twenty-one years ago) link
― gygax!, Tuesday, 31 December 2002 21:12 (twenty-one years ago) link
could you edit this atrocious amg bio:
Casiotone for the Painfully Alone is the lo-fi solo project of Portland, OR, [he started in SF, then Foster City, then Portland, then Seattle, now back in Oakland] indie-boy Owen Ashworth. His songwriting is part Bright Eyes [nononononono!!! EDIT EDIT EDIT!!!] sensitive singer/songwriter heartache balladry and Atom & His Package battery-operated antics. His weapons of choice are Casio SK-1 and his hot-rod ["hot-rodded"?] Casiotones. His lyrics are a coy-edged blend of Stephin Merritt sarcasm and the Mountain Goats earnestness.His first recording, Answering Machine Music: A Brief Album in Twelve Parts, was released in 1999 on his own label Cassingle USA and loosely a concept album of clever musical voice mails. Some of the tracks, including "Theme From David Hanna," were first recorded into his machine. [a horribly worded and arguably worthless sentence... maybe clarify "his answering machine"] Pocket Symphonies for Lonesome Subway Cars followed in 2001 on Tomlab and included several "real" instruments including cello and drums. [how about a "real" bio, Daphne?] — Daphne GA Carr
― gygax! (gygax!), Friday, 21 February 2003 23:06 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 21 February 2003 23:21 (twenty-one years ago) link
― gygax! (gygax!), Friday, 21 February 2003 23:22 (twenty-one years ago) link
― lauren (laurenp), Saturday, 22 February 2003 00:35 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Shakey Mo Collier, Saturday, 22 February 2003 00:37 (twenty-one years ago) link
― gygax!, Saturday, 22 February 2003 02:04 (twenty-one years ago) link
I like the 'white castle' song.
― derrick (derrick), Saturday, 22 February 2003 08:19 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Carey (Carey), Tuesday, 18 March 2003 17:22 (twenty-one years ago) link
― gygax! (gygax!), Tuesday, 18 March 2003 18:36 (twenty-one years ago) link
there are 26 steps to your doorbut i won't be counting those anymore
i've got seventeen seconds on in my room tonightand when that's over, i've got faith, so alright. alright. alright. i burned all the pictures and let the letters loosei taped over the mixes, cut the noose
there are 26 steps to your doorbut i'm not counting anymore
i'm not counting anymore.
― gygax! (gygax!), Tuesday, 25 March 2003 07:26 (twenty-one years ago) link
― lauren (laurenp), Tuesday, 25 March 2003 15:45 (twenty-one years ago) link
San Diego May 17th w/ THE LOCUST (!!!!), the blood brothers, the rapture and others... wowowowow.
― gygax! (gygax!), Thursday, 8 May 2003 23:12 (twenty years ago) link
― gygax! (gygax!), Thursday, 8 May 2003 23:21 (twenty years ago) link
I wish I was going to Sonar :(
― Nordicskillz (Nordicskillz), Friday, 23 May 2003 09:19 (twenty years ago) link
― Nordicskillz (Nordicskillz), Friday, 23 May 2003 09:38 (twenty years ago) link
― ambrose (ambrose), Tuesday, 29 July 2003 12:04 (twenty years ago) link
"tales of urban heartbreak over casio synth pop."
i say do it and then email him!
― gygax! (gygax!), Friday, 1 August 2003 17:38 (twenty years ago) link
"Jeane, If You're Ever In Portland"could be a cover of Belle and Sebastian's "Sleep The Clock Around"
"Toby, Take A Bow""there is a boy that never goes out..." is possibly the best line on the record. gauzy tones and the melody line on the off-beat.
"Half Ghost"his songs pay-off most when he ups the ante in the noise department (cf: "number ten" on the last record), but he really teases you with it here. the first verse is a killer.
"Calloused Fingers Won't Make You Strong, Edith Wong"this is the single (or should be). VERY different from early live versions with the upbeat percussion, instead of just the lone drone. the pause then switch to double time for the last 2 verses is a very nice touch, is that a dr. rhythm (i sense some mild programming what with the snare lead-in just prior)?
"Casiotone For The Painfully Alone In A Yellow T-Shirt"The trilogy continues... The rhythm here is that controlled-chaos (overdriven canned beats with tiny squeals of squelch-back) that he does so well.
"Roberta C."Are your friends are smarter than you? Too smart for themselves? "is it all gonna change? maybe tonight..."
"The Attic Room"his neatest chord progression since "baby it's you"
"Twinkle Echo"there are tones that only exist in lo-fi heaven (cf the instrumentals on the recent sentridoh "wasted pieces" reissue)
― gygax! (gygax!), Friday, 12 September 2003 23:49 (twenty years ago) link
the next san francisco casiotone for the painfully alone show is halloween night at the hemlock tavern. also playing is nate denver's neck. this show is the kick-off for a month long nate/owen national tour.
the casiotone for the painfully alone set will be a one-time only karaoke performance, where all of the songs will be sung by people who aren't normally in the band. the instrumental accompaniment will be provided by the normal band members.
if you would like to sing a casiotone for the painfully alone song or this show, please email [cftpa email] and let me know which one you are interested in singing. it's ok if you don't know all of the words. i can email them to you. song choices are first come, first serve, so email soon, if you're interested.
already requested:casiotone for the painfully alone in a green cotton sweater
― gygax! (gygax!), Friday, 26 September 2003 01:10 (twenty years ago) link
in addition to the tracks mentioned above, "hey eleanor" needs major props.
― toby (tsg20), Friday, 26 September 2003 05:15 (twenty years ago) link
― gygax! (gygax!), Friday, 26 September 2003 06:48 (twenty years ago) link
― gygax! (gygax!), Saturday, 27 September 2003 00:06 (twenty years ago) link
― adaml (adaml), Saturday, 27 September 2003 00:21 (twenty years ago) link
We Have Mice is my favourite OMD cover ever. Oh, wait...
― Momus (Momus), Saturday, 27 September 2003 09:54 (twenty years ago) link
― adaml (adaml), Sunday, 28 September 2003 18:00 (twenty years ago) link
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Sunday, 28 September 2003 18:11 (twenty years ago) link
irony defined:when casiotone for the painfully alone starts dating your ex-girlfriend.
― gygax! (gygax!), Tuesday, 7 October 2003 04:25 (twenty years ago) link
And for what it's worth...
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 7 October 2003 04:35 (twenty years ago) link
*Shock*
― adaml (adaml), Tuesday, 7 October 2003 04:39 (twenty years ago) link
― geeta (geeta), Tuesday, 7 October 2003 04:41 (twenty years ago) link
― adaml (adaml), Tuesday, 7 October 2003 04:43 (twenty years ago) link
i mean how painfully alone can you be touring the world with the rapture and going out with my xgf? </stand-up routine worthy of jess harvell dismissal>
― gygax! (gygax!), Tuesday, 7 October 2003 04:48 (twenty years ago) link
ps- perhaps "casiotone for the painfully alone dating your ex-girlfriend" is gonna be on the next record?
― lauren (laurenp), Tuesday, 7 October 2003 11:23 (twenty years ago) link
― lauren (laurenp), Tuesday, 7 October 2003 11:27 (twenty years ago) link
i will take a raincheck on your consoling pats; however, your promise of stuffed peppers/eggplants does not meet a similar fate... what is your recipe?
yr. ob'd'nt servant, &c., &c.,gygax!
― gygax! (gygax!), Tuesday, 7 October 2003 20:23 (twenty years ago) link
― hstencil, Tuesday, 7 October 2003 20:26 (twenty years ago) link
― lauren (laurenp), Tuesday, 7 October 2003 21:28 (twenty years ago) link
― ke[hm, Thursday, 4 December 2003 16:47 (twenty years ago) link
― gygax! (gygax!), Thursday, 4 December 2003 22:03 (twenty years ago) link
― gygax! (gygax!), Thursday, 3 February 2005 18:03 (nineteen years ago) link
― the bluefox, Thursday, 3 February 2005 18:11 (nineteen years ago) link
― gygax! (gygax!), Thursday, 3 February 2005 18:12 (nineteen years ago) link
here's my take:
Back in townWith blown-out lungs, and shot eardrumsAnd misplaced kissesAnd someone who missesWho misses me in Kansas
The second I got out of the vanI saw you giving your cash to the doormanI saw the X on your handAnd I knew you were the oneI knew you'd understand, but oh...
I wish we could have talked all nightWe had to be in Illinois by daylightAnd what I wouldn't give to be your manBut I can't break up the band
And Jeane, there must be more than letters and phone callsSo say "I'll come see Maine when the snow falls"...Just say "I'll come see Maine when the snow falls"
There's kissing in Kansas, but that's not homeAnd we sigh when we're on the phoneBut the voice in my earSays "It wouldn't be the same if you moved here"
But it's just milesIt's only milesIt's just milesAnd miles and miles and miles and miles and miles...
― gygax! (gygax!), Friday, 25 March 2005 00:18 (nineteen years ago) link
― gygax! (gygax!), Friday, 25 March 2005 01:04 (nineteen years ago) link
http://www.cftpa.org/
1/19/06
Young Shields CDEP & 7 out now on Tomlab! Young Shields is the first single from Etiquette, which will be released in March 2006.
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 20:38 (eighteen years ago) link
ETIQUETTETomlab #65 CD/LP released 2006
01 Etiquette I.D.02 New Year's Kiss03 Young Shields04 I Love Creedence05 Nashville Parthenon06 Scattered Pearls07 Happy Mother's Day08 Holly Hobby (version)09 Cold White Christmas10 Bobby Malone Moves Home11 Don't They Have Payphones Wherever You Were Last Night12 Love Connection
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 20:40 (eighteen years ago) link
February 10th
@ The University of Chicago1212 E. 59th Street Chicago, IL 60637Ida Noyes Third Floor Theaterw/ Saturday Looks Good To Me & The Passerines9pm all ages
Casiotone for the Painfully Alone & The DonkeysMarch 2006 US Tour
3/3 Los Angeles, CA @ The Smell3/4 Pomona, CA TBA3/5 San Diego, CA @ Che Cafe3/6 Phoenix, AZ @ Trunk Space3/7 Santa Fe, NM @ College of Santa Fe3/8 Oklahoma City, OK @ The Conservatory3/9 Dallas, TX @ Good Records (6pm instore)3/9 Denton, TX @ Rubber Gloves (9pm show)3/10 Austin, TX @ Beerland (free show!)3/11 Houston, TX @ The Proletariat3/14 Memphis, TN TBA3/15 Knoxville, TN @ Pilot Light3/16 Chapel Hill, NC @ Nightlight3/17 Fredericksburg, VA TBA3/18 Arlington, VA @ Galaxy Hut3/19 Philadelphia, PA @ Kensington South Forum3/21 Manhattan, NY @ Cakeshop3/22 Brooklyn, NY @ Glasshouse3/23 Northampton, MA @ Gallery TK3/24 Somerville, MA @ PA's Lounge3/25 Albany, NY @ Valentine's Downstairs3/26 Rochester, NY TBA3/27 Columbus, OH @ Skully's Music Diner3/28 Grand Rapids, MI @ DAAC3/29 Bloomington, IN TBA3/30 St Louis, MO @ Lemp Arts3/31 Iowa City, IA TBA4/1 Chicago, IL @ Beat Kitchen
Hear The Donkeys: www.myspace.com/thedonkeys
Later:April/May Europe & U.K. tour w/ The Dead Science(www.thedeadscience.com)
Watch http://cftpaforever.livejournal.com for tour updates!
― Le Baaderonixx de Benedict Canyon (baaderonixx), Saturday, 25 March 2006 10:09 (eighteen years ago) link
I think 'Etiquette' is my favourite record this year so far.
― boney (b0n3y), Saturday, 29 April 2006 13:43 (seventeen years ago) link
has a really rather lovely version of 'Streets of Philadephia' on his myspace at the moment.
and he's playing an extra London show at the Luminaire at the end of his current UK tour. good stuff.
― Upt0eleven, Wednesday, 12 March 2008 16:13 (sixteen years ago) link
Following up the just previous post -- both that and a cover of "Born in the USA" are on the new comp track/singles collection and both I like more than the originals, big surprise. But of Casiotone's own songs on the collection my new favorites are "Holly Hobby" and "The Best Way to Cry."
― Ned Raggett, Sunday, 8 February 2009 20:02 (fifteen years ago) link
RIP
was thinking the other day how of all the SF-based bands that we played with when we started out, Owen was like the only other one still going
― "Information by surprise" is even legal in Sweden (Shakey Mo Collier), Tuesday, 7 December 2010 23:21 (thirteen years ago) link
p sure he is not dead, unless a dead man slept on my couch last night
― cop a cute abdomen (gbx), Tuesday, 7 June 2011 21:00 (twelve years ago) link
Really?
I saw him once and he seemed like a really nice/shy guy.
my answer to this question would be "Jeane if you're ever in Portland" at least I think that's what it's called. I listened the hell out of that song in like 2003.
― \(^o\) (/o^)/ (ENBB), Tuesday, 7 June 2011 21:03 (twelve years ago) link
He's totally nice!
― Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 7 June 2011 21:06 (twelve years ago) link
he's not dead, my RIP was for the "band"!
I love Owen and know him from way back (we did our first shows together) he is a solid dude
― S'cool bro, I only cried a little (Shakey Mo Collier), Tuesday, 7 June 2011 21:17 (twelve years ago) link
For once Shakey Mo is sad somebody died! Or something.
― Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 7 June 2011 21:19 (twelve years ago) link
More than a solid dude he delivers his lyrics in a way that is both convincing and devastating
― Forget the rest / this breast test is best (Ówen P.), Wednesday, 8 June 2011 06:40 (twelve years ago) link
ok i was waiting for someone else to say something first but i guess i will: advance base album came out last week, i'm on some of the songs
― congratulations (n/a), Monday, 21 May 2012 17:10 (eleven years ago) link
it's good!
― 40oz of tears (Jordan), Monday, 21 May 2012 18:13 (eleven years ago) link
It's very good! And I should have said something earlier, true.
― Ned Raggett, Monday, 21 May 2012 18:13 (eleven years ago) link
new video up on pitchforkhttp://www.pitchfork.com/tv/musicvideos/2021-summer-music/it's pretty twee
― congratulations (n/a), Wednesday, 23 May 2012 15:51 (eleven years ago) link
owen's songwriting is vastly underrated. haven't heard this new thing yet.
― Roger Barfing (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 23 May 2012 15:57 (eleven years ago) link
apparently the guy who did the video is from the jim henson studios
― congratulations (n/a), Wednesday, 23 May 2012 16:01 (eleven years ago) link
wow uh not kidding about the tweeness
― Roger Barfing (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 23 May 2012 16:06 (eleven years ago) link
album is up on spotify if you want to listen to ithttp://open.spotify.com/album/5479sSiKx80I05WLfA1Wo6
― congratulations (n/a), Monday, 11 June 2012 20:41 (eleven years ago) link
i like it a lot but not as much as the old stuff...
re: thread qn i guess either 'scattered pearls' or 'calloused fingers wont make you strong, edith wong'
― Lamp, Friday, 29 June 2012 19:58 (eleven years ago) link
this is also p much my favorite music rn with the possible exception of 'ladies of the canyon' and i listen to his songs everday when i ride my bike home from work in the heat, thinking about midwestern winters
― Lamp, Friday, 29 June 2012 19:59 (eleven years ago) link
The lyrics on this record are nowhere near as strong as thse on Vs. Children.
Sounds pretty though.
― to welcome jer.fairall, pie is served. (jer.fairall), Friday, 29 June 2012 20:52 (eleven years ago) link
I assumed he was done making music when he retired CftPA; glad to see otherwise. He's so good at saying so much with so few lyrics. One of my favorite songwriters.
― musicfanatic, Friday, 29 June 2012 23:54 (eleven years ago) link
daytrotter session is up: http://www.daytrotter.com/?_escaped_fragment_=%2Fconcert%2Fadvance-base%2F20056095-37383301, you can listen with a free trial registration. really happy with how it turned out, probably a better reflection of the full-band live sound than the album. i play bass on three songs and autoharp on two.
― congratulations (n/a), Tuesday, 25 September 2012 15:26 (eleven years ago) link
plastic owen band!https://advancebase.bandcamp.com/album/plastic-owen-band
― Οὖτις, Monday, 3 November 2014 21:59 (nine years ago) link
This is my favorite song on the new album: http://consequenceofsound.net/2015/07/advance-base-shares-new-song-pamela-listen/
― Immediate Follower (NA), Friday, 10 July 2015 15:06 (eight years ago) link
I really think he's a super under-appreciated, low-key, songwriting genius, thought so for years and years. His gift for both melody and economy of words = everything I look for in an artist.
― Rod Steel (musicfanatic), Thursday, 28 January 2016 04:18 (eight years ago) link
Glad there is a thread for this guy.
Toby, Take a Bow is a great. Bitter irony. Wry and self-deprecating allusions.
― treeship., Sunday, 12 September 2021 23:42 (two years ago) link
And in excellent timing, new covers album:
https://advancebase.bandcamp.com/album/wall-of-tears-other-songs-i-didnt-write
― Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 14 September 2021 01:42 (two years ago) link
Saw him do his first SF show in a while the other day. Had some thoughts.
― Ned Raggett, Friday, 21 April 2023 20:02 (eleven months ago) link
I only recently learned that this guy is local. Like, practically down the street local? His wife plays mahjong with my wife every week.
― Josh in Chicago, Friday, 21 April 2023 20:19 (eleven months ago) link
That rules!
― Ned Raggett, Friday, 21 April 2023 20:35 (eleven months ago) link
they are good people
― na (NA), Monday, 24 April 2023 13:42 (eleven months ago) link