The Weakerthans' upcoming tour dates have been updated with openers and additional shows. Those plans include a West Coast run in July and an East Coast second leg in September. Jason Collett of Broken Social Scene opens for the band in July, with Rock Plaza Central (who have a new album out) and Tomte opening the band's September dates. The latter include the Weakerthans' NYC dates on September 17th and 18th, when they play the Music Hall of Williamsburg and Bowery Ballroom, respectively. Tickets for those are on sale.

An acoustic session and interview with Weakerthans' John K. Samson (whose great lyrics have been repped by Craig Finn and others), with all tour dates, below...

Continue reading "The Weakerthans - updated tour dates & openers (Jason Collett in the West, NYC w/ Rock Plaza Central & Tomte)"

DOWNLOAD: The Weakerthans - Plea From A Cat Named Virtue (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: The Hold Steady - Your Little Hoodrat Friend (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: The Hold Steady - live on KEXP (Oct 16, 2007) (MP3)

a coffee cup and some plastic daffodils (CRED)

I always stress how great the lyrics are when I introduce someone to the Weakerthans. The music might have to grow on you, but their words allow you to instantly follow along. So, this quote by Craig Finn of the Hold Steady was cool to read:

John Samson from the Weakerthans—he is the lyricist that I can say, without hesitation, is better than I am. But almost everyone else I think I'm in contention with. [Other favorites are] Blake Schwarzenbach from Jawbreaker/Jets to Brazil, obviously Dylan, Springsteen—that kind of thing. But John Samson is the best right now. [Craig to the Stranger] (via)

Not surpringly, it wasn't that hard to find a few pictures of Weakerthan lyric-inspired tattoos. That one above with the plastic daffodils is the best. Two more tattoo pics, and some videos for you to sing along with, below....

Continue reading "Craig Finn, John Samson's lyrics & Weakerthans tattoos"