What's playing in the background?

[Rob DeNunzio]

Certainly we're not all drinking these fine ales and lagers in complete silence. What's everybody listening to these days? I'm always looking for new music to accompany a nice session at home, or live acts to catch when they come through town. And if Shawn and Eli are any indication, there've got to be some music fanatics out there in the Aleumi-Net...

[Michael from MidwestMicroBrews]

Okay, shameless plug here, but I am a manager-of-sorts for a band here in Green Bay, The Crying St. Brendans.

Okay, it is not so much a band, but two guys with accoustic guitars singing about their broken hearts. They are pretty good though. Check out their myspace page here. Good drown-your-sorrows in a pint kind of music.

Outside of that, when I am at my local Irish pub, I expect to be listening to the Dropkick Murphys and old Pogues. It just... feels right.

[Shawn, the Beer Philosopher]

I listen to most all genres of music, depending on my mood. I've been a rocker, a blues fan, an R&B lover, an appreciator of classical and jazz ... and I've even enjoyed some country music now and then. I don't tend to listen to music that is edgy or "hip" because it's edgy or hip. If it's quality music, I like it regardless of it's mass appeal or how trendy it might be at the moment. Having issued that disclaimer, I am actually listening to a lot of James Blunt lately. I also enjoy John Mayer and Coldplay. Then, there is the music that tends to stay with me throughout the years and never goes out of style in my head - U2, Dire Straits, The Police, Peter Gabriel ... a lot of "80's" music. When I want to satisfy my guitar jones (I've been playing off and on for over 15 years myself), I might drop in Stanley Jordan, Stevie Ray Vaughn, or Phil Keaggy ... who knows.

Music is very closely tied to memory for me, so a lot of music is seriously sentimental ... takes me back to a time and place, for sure. Style has less to do with it, for me. If it reaches me in some way, I dig it.

[Chipper Dave]

When I'm listening to tunes, these are usually on my mp3 player: Tom Petty, Sting, Steeley Dan, Crosby Stills & Nash, U2, Journey, Boston, Alan Parsons Project, Queen and the Beatles. I'll occasionally throw in some jazz when I'm in the mood - Herb Ellis & Barney Kessel jamming on their guitars.

[Scott]

I would have to go with the DropKick Murphys ( who I just saw live in Indy last Tuesday, and would have to say they put on a awesome live show). One of the best songs about beer that DKM sing is called Good Rats, if you have not heard it check it out or google the lyrics. Other bands I like to listen to are The Tossers and good old Man-O-War.

[Michael from MidwestMicroBrews]

Great choices meat! I agree whole-heartedly.

[Eli the Mad Beer Man]

Boy... what am I not listening too?!? In the last few weeks I've been rotating the following:


Whitestarr - Luv Machine, Fillith Tillith (just found these guys and the ROCK! Roy Orbison's sons' band - he plays drums)

Cheryl Crow - Detours (very political, but very good)

Lenny Kravitz - It's Time for a Love Revolution (fantastic album!)

Tesla - Reel to Real 2 (been a Tesla fan from day one; they came from my neck of the SF Bay Area woods - GREAT tribute to their influcences album)

Black Crowes - Warpaint (actually dissapointed with this one; was expecting much better)

Seven Mary Three - Day & Nightdriving (been a big 7M3 fan from day one - really don't like this new album - too slow and mellow)

Airborne - Runnin' Wild (fantastic group from Down Under; they sound a lot like AC/DC as one would expect)

Jack Johnson - Sleep Through the Static (very nice, mellow, slow grooving, BBQ and beer music)

Alicia Keys - As I Am (good lord can this woman sing AND play music!!!!!)


Like Shawn, music is very memory oriented for me as well. He said it best, no need to eleborate.

I listen to a ton of stuff (obviously). Blues is my biggest love though. Stevie Ray Vaughn, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Jonny Lang, Joe Bonamassa, etc. I saw BB King and Etta James together in concert at Red Rocks here in CO last year and it was greatest concert I've ever been to. I don't care for country but will listen to the newer breed once in a while. Absolutely destest rap and hip-hop. Garbage. Can't spell "crap" without "rap." I'm not big on Pop 40 stuff either. My music has to have real drums, real guitars and real singers who can belt out the same stuff live as I'm hearing on the CD.

[Da OD]

MY MP3 list is fairly diverse (as are most things in my life). I can listen to everything from Skynard to NWA. From the Chipmunks to Diggable Planets, from U2 to Rare Essence. It just depends on my mood and the company I am with. I try to avoid metals and harder rocks and country. That said I have found my way into a moshpit or two and most of the HRC enjoy their country.

[Leigh @ The Good Stuff]

Hi - Im a brit who loves 'americana', but don't have many people over here who share that love!

At the moment, i can't stop playing the new Fleet Foxes Cd. awesome.

In the last few months:
Springsteen - Magic
Ryan Adams & The Cardinals - Easy Tiger
John Martyn - Bless the Weather
Gillian Welch - Soul Journey
Elbow - anything!!