The Ruckus | Your mother wouldn't like it.

People We Like: Conan O'Brien

In addition to being a brilliant comedian, Conan O'Brien has been a fixture of my evenings since 1993. O'Brien an avid guitarist himself, which he makes use of in comedy sketches, to accompanying musical guests, to penning the famous Marge vs. the Monorail episode of The Simpsons.

Conan O'Brien has also been bringing new music into my life for the last seventeen years. From The White Stripes' week long gig in 2003 on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, to thenewno2 in early 2009, to the U2-centric episode in 2005, to Mazzy Star in 1994, to Ani DiFranco in 1997.

My heart was touched when I saw Ted Leo post this to his twitter:

"Conan had us on his show twice, when no one else gave a crap. He was warm and enthusiastic and funny - a class act all around. Go Conan!"

and then made this blog entry:

"This is a mushy story about how a big and famous late night TV host helped a scrappy cynical punk guy who WANTED to believe, learn to believe (a little bit)... Sounds heart-warming already, doesn't it? Well let me assure you, it is! With all of this ruckus being kicked up about NBC's late night TV line-up, I thought it might be nice to revisit my thoughts of 2003, when Conan O'Brien gave us our first of two appearances on his show - to date, the ONLY late night TV appearances we've ever made"

If this is indeed the end of O'Brien's late night reign, he won't be forgotten anytime soon.

People We Like: Fanfarlo

I'm kind of in love with Fanfarlo (kind of very), this phenomenal London based indie pop band that I first heard at random about a year ago (they're still new - if you get in on this now, you can claim a little indie cred later when everyone is on the bandwagon). With an elegant mastery of multiple instruments (mainstays like guitar and drums are prevalent, but they make extensive use of the trumpet, violin and mandolin as well), this six person band (featuring lead singer Simon Balthazar and multi-instrumentalist Cathy Lucas's ethereal, dreamy harmonies) will make you think of Arcade Fire, in the very best way.

And lucky for you (if you're on the West Coast), they have announced more U.S. headlining dates kicking off February 20th at Los Angeles’ El Rey Theatre.

February 2010 U.S.TOUR DATES:

February 20 El Rey Theatre Los Angeles, CA
February 22 Great American Music Hall San Francisco, CA
February 23 Doug Fir Portland, OR
February 24 Crocodile Café Seattle, WA
February 25 Knitting Factory Spokane, WA
February 27 Urban Lounge Salt Lake City, UT
February 28 Larimer Lounge Denver, CO

In other news, on February 16th Fanfarlo will release an exclusive 6-song iTunes Live EP. Additionally on that same day the band will release a 7” vinyl that will feature “Harold T. Wilkins” on the A-side and a live version of “Comets” from their recent iTunes session on the B-side.

You can catch Fanfarlo at Fanfarlo.com, and on MySpace.

People we like: The Ryan O’Reilly Band

With the folk scene on the rise again in London, it’s no wonder that we have been given the talented ‘Ryan O’Reilly Band’. Ryan O’Reilly’s voice just melts around you, yet makes you stand and pay attention; like gravel and honey. Ryan’s poignant vocals with the band’s harmonies are perfect; they deliver folk and blues from harmonica, piano and mandolin, all of which combine to set them firmly within the folk scene.

I have been fortunate enough to have seen them play several times. One of the most memorable for me was at the Half Moon, in Putney. The pub has seen some pretty legendary performers including The Rolling Stones, Kasabian, and Van Morrison. Personally, I’m a little bit in love with more intimate venues and living in South West London made the Half Moon a bit of a haunt for me. Seeing the band perform on St Patrick’s Day at the Half Moon was remarkable; Ryan O’Reilly’s soulful Irish twang set the scene and many a Guinness and Bulmers were flowing. (Side note: The Half Moon is facing closure in January 2010; please see here to help fight this.)

People We Like: Julian Casablancas

Julian Casablancas is a New Yorker unlike any other. First off, he is currently based in Los Angeles, which is a little strange for someone so attached to the city that never sleeps. His youthful, eager, yet slightly confused face first emerged on the scene in 2001 when his equally young and eager band, The Strokes, permeated the surface of what used to be rock'n'roll and left a print that was to be followed by so many peers for the following decade that their beginning opus, Is This It, has been named one of the top five albums of the Noughties. Not bad for a bunch of over-educated white collar Lower East Siders.

People We Like: King Charles

King Charles from Black Cab Sessions on Vimeo.

So, I discovered King Charles while casually perusing the Black Cab Sessions on Vimeo awhile back. I'm not usually so easy, Internet, but it took me about 30 seconds to fall for this song (which I believe is called "Ivory Road"). Essentially what I'm saying is that if this were a date, I'd be putting out right now. King Charles is from London, which is completely unsurprising given the tunes that are coming from across the pond. You'll want to check YouTube for more of his music, soonest.

His new single, "Love Lust" will be out on October 26th (via Mi7 Records). Babies, it is not an exaggeration when I say that "Love Lust" is my new favorite song (and I was equally blown away by the B-side, "Mr. Flick"). You know what I mean, right? It's a rare and wonderful thing, and I love when it happens.

King Charles - Love Lust

Download: Love Lust

More at MySpace

People We Like: Jamie T

Back in 2006, South Londoner Jamie T gained a huge following with his anthemic tune, "If You Got the Money". In 2007, he won the Best Solo Artist award at the NME Awards, and played a lot of festivals. Then, well...nothing. Until yesterday, that is, when his new album Kings and Queens dropped in the UK. Jamie's music is fantastic, and as has come to be expected, the is album full of big tunes. That's the video for his single, "Chaka Demus," up there. We love the lyrics, which are irreverent without being unaffected:

Think with their heads, argue with a gut/ Draft if you leave the door open it might encourage customers, then I wish the bar maid shut/ look like shit, down on my luck/ Two world wars, and one world cup/ Screamed by the desperate divided crutch/ Used to have an empire then we grew up/ Lost everything, who gives a fuck?

If you've never heard Jamie's music, give it a try; we think you'll like it.

Get more at Myspace or (if you're in the UK), buy the album from iTunes.

People We Like: John Hughes

John Hughes died, tragically young, on Thursday afternoon. He was an incredible writer, director and producer whose films helped to shape the lives of children of the 80s (I'm one of them, as I'm sure are many of you), and continue to do so with each new generation.

The gentleman was inimitably brilliant. His films are timeless, undeniable classics, and he will be keenly missed. I'm sort of at a loss for words, but Summer Pierre isn't. She said it better than I could have with a fantastic tribute to Hughes and some of his best films, so go read that. Other moving tributes by great bloggers can be found here and here.

What is your favorite John Hughes film? The Breakfast Club tops my list, followed closely by Pretty In Pink, Sixteen Candles, and Some Kind of Wonderful.