What? Karate played up there?! That must've been Jon's fault, I'm guessing. But yes, a great live band whose albums are remarkably consistant.

I remember hearing the first Karate album when previewing records for the radio station my first year at school. It was so different than anything else out there...still is. It became one of those albums that tied 3 or 4 of us together for years.

I see what you mean about the major chords in the chorus, but this is a real nice song. sounds like they still know how to do it.

actually, Karate has played several times up there. When I saw them, Haywood opened up, and even though no one was there it was still a really great show. I'd kill to see that line-up again.

karate was actually the first real live band i ever saw. my first ever concert was fugazi, unwound, and karate. karate were the first ones to go on. this would have been in '93 or '94 in portland, maine. no one had heard of them and i think all they had out at the time was a 7". i remember liking what i saw of them but i may have been overwhelmed by the whole experience. anyway, it's good to see that they're still around.

damn! another line-up I'd kill to see today. Fugazi, Unwound and Karate? Jesus. I bet it was only $5 too.

I got hot and cold on Karate, I love "Unsolved", but I didn't really dig "Some Boots". I like this, it's the best song named 'Cacophany' I've ever heard, just ahead of Blink 182's version. Actually, the Blink one really isn't bad, not enough poopy jokes, though. Am I kidding?

needs more diminished and augmented chords... this sounds like Uncle Tupelo or something...

oh, there was a little bit in there at the end for me... they didn't land on the I chord.

i ahve to beg to differ; Hai Karate has let me down on numerous occasions. Especially when taken orally.

Sounds interesting - glad I discovered your blog, I'll be back. ;)

Sounds like we don't need someone else to mention this, but I was also at that Karate/Haywood show, and it was incredible. Long live both bands.

Upon further listening, yes, this is much better than the Blink 182 song of the same name. This is actually my fave Karate song in ages.

I don't know if this is general knowledge or not, but for those still flying the flag for the late lamented Haywood, they are recording a new record, tho i don't think there are no plans to tour at all in support of it. But I've heard the demos and they are pretty great.

So, what does this have to do with cheesesteaks and Tastykakes? Way too many hyphens..
Anywho, you can blaim me for bringing Karate to Bates. The first show was a solo performance by Geoff Farina and was, well, amazing. I remember hating myself for forgetting to bring my MD recorder to record off the board. And that I could have recorded all those songs so long before the record released as solo, live material... too bad we didn't blogs back then. With about three people there it seemed like they were playing just for me. What a racket I ran: the college gives me money to bring bands that I wanted to hear. So what if no one showed up; that's their problem. Well, like the Ivory Coast I brought them again, this time it had promise being the entire band and because I got a good deal on booking them together. That's how it goes. [09/23/00 Rose of Sharon / Ivory Coast / Karate (still before the record released)] For some reason the second show really lacked the energy of the first show. But if anyone wants me to post any songs from that show I did remember my MD recorder that time (listening to it now). It just seemed like no one really wanted to be there and was just doing what booking agent wanted. Geoff's girlfriend was there, seemingly, to console him. 'it's okay, honey, we'll be leaving maine soon.'

There's a song on the new album about pennsylvania, which contains the line about cheesesteaks and tastykakes.

Now, I don't remember the farina solo show, and nor did I see the show with Ivory Coast. I swear that the first show was with the band, but maybe I'm just remembering wrong.

Ah, but Karate has deep Maine roots - one of its members used to babysit Liv Tyler somewhere around Casco Bay. I do not lie.