Toolmaster is playing on the Current right now.  There is something about hearing that song serendipitously that inevitably produces euphoria. 

What a song.

And the Current has me dialed in lately.  Caught the Dead Milkmen’s Punk Rock Girl on Saturday afternoon, Sufjan Stevens’ Chicago on Sunday morning, and now Toolmaster.  The back catalog of my life.

So, I swore that I would stay away from Toolmaster of Brainerd discussions and comments since I’m sure Matt and John are beyond tired of hearing “Toolmaster” yelled out by somebody at every show…

However, after reading psh’s excitement in simply hearing Toolmaster on the radio I can’t resist a quick comment.

Obviously, my favorite live versions of Toolmaster included long, rhyming ramblings from Matt after the Toolmaster “rap” in the middle of the song.

However, I still smile at the live version from their promo disc where Matt also opens the song with this choice rhyme.  I’m sure you all have heard it but I still give a little chuckle every time I hear it.  And one of my favorite things to do is play this version for someone that knows the song but hasn’t yet heard this version.  I love watching a face break out into laughter as Matt quotes the last line.

Toolmaster came from a small Northern town
Where they dug iron out of the ground
And all the kids that didn’t go straight to the iron mine got to milk the cows

That’s not an easy life
You can get - white lung

And if you really put your whole mind, body and soul into milking

You can get - white tongue

Play on Toolmaster!

2 points.

Point 1: Yells for “Toolmaster” will from now on be replaced by screams for “Rebecca”.  Matt and John will soon long for the days when they only had to deal with “Toolmaster”.

Point 2:  To everyone who’s never lived above the 45th parallel in Minnesota…which apparently includes Matt: The iron range is north.  Far north.  The cities of Brainerd and Cloquet are NOT ON THE IRON RANGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey, Robbie, I’ve heard that version of the Tool and it is really rather funny, even if it’s geographically incorrect…...

There could indeed be many more cry-outs for Rebecca! Imagine if they played it…that would be incredible!!!!

Robbie, that “white tongue” always produces a smile. 

Dr. Neau, having spent many of my formative years drinking the same Hibbing water that Robert Zimmerman did, I consider myself an honorary Ranger.  When mistakes like this are committed, we Rangers have to be very deliberate about our reactions.  In this case, we have the mitigating circumstance of musical genius.  We’re talking about the “Penny Lane,” or maybe to be more topical, the “Girl of the North Country,” of 1988.  Given Matt Wilson and company’s musical contributions over the years and the undeniable place Toolmaster has in musical pantheon*, I think it is right and proper that we extend some Ranger generosity toward our geographic offenders and assume that this was not an error derived of ignorance, but rather the result of artistic license and a desperate, improvisatory grope for a rhyme.  Are you with me?

-psh

*I see it now.  Orpheus is preparing the way.

Kara - 22 February 2010 11:00 AM

There could indeed be many more cry-outs for Rebecca! Imagine if they played it…that would be incredible!!!!

If, you ask?  I’m sorry but I’m with Jeff on this one; it is now it is an unobjectionable requirement from the Pantage’s audience.

We paid good money for these tickets.  What better song could there be for a Dan and Matt only show than the sharp looking, factory shirt wearing, ‘Rebecca’!

...we can all bring"baby dolls” to throw onstage as we request the song…****GASP***...Dan has a song titled Baby Doll…what does this mean…?

Obviously he is haunted by Rebecca, the baby doll inspector…even if he doesn’t know it..which I’m sure is the case….

If this indeed going to be a career retrospective, then Rebecca needs to be on the setlist.

I can see ignoring something that was never recorded….but this was released for Pete’s sake!!

I’ve put a hold on Pantheon judgement until after the brother show.

I’m sure he will not toot his own horn (or, yes, he probably will…)

However, for all of you Facebucharists, take a look at what Dr. Neau has been up to:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30467661&o=all&op=1&view=all&subj=54930032974&aid;=-1&id=1247404199#!/photo.php?pid=30467661&op=1&o=global&view=global&subj=54930032974&id=1247404199
(posted on The Twilight Hours page; fan photos)

I pretty much blew beer out of my nose when I saw this.

I too, hereby withhold my Pantheon judgement until ‘Rebecca’ is again sung live (to an audience of over 20 people)

Now, the Pantages could be the perfect opportunity but I would still respect you if you wait to unleash it at Shubbas instead.

For all of you not on FB, I have to attach a low-rez version.  Jeff, this made my week!

Very nice.  I hope to see that at a show some time soon.

Anyone been to Brainerd?  Is it a worthwhile stop on a short trip to Minneapolis?

I wish our radio would play local music at least for an HOUR a day. I dunno tho…I haven’t really listened to the radio for about 10 years now. And I’m only 24!

When you live in vegas, the radio stations start catering to either people at work, or to tourists listening to the radio.

I remember hearing something about them not really playing The Killers and Panic! At The Disco too.

Sounds like a nice place to live, up there all mid western and cold. Trees and wilderness and a river….of music

dansheehan - 01 March 2010 10:43 PM

Anyone been to Brainerd?  Is it a worthwhile stop on a short trip to Minneapolis?

I’m not sure Brainerd would be worth the drive, if you’re talking about making the trip in March. 
Renting a place on a lake up there in July, not that would be another story.

Robbie V - 23 February 2010 04:57 PM

I’m sure he will not toot his own horn (or, yes, he probably will…)

However, for all of you Facebucharists, take a look at what Dr. Neau has been up to:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30467661&o=all&op=1&view=all&subj=54930032974&aid;=-1&id=1247404199#!/photo.php?pid=30467661&op=1&o=global&view=global&subj=54930032974&id=1247404199
(posted on The Twilight Hours page; fan photos)

I pretty much blew beer out of my nose when I saw this.

I too, hereby withhold my Pantheon judgement until ‘Rebecca’ is again sung live (to an audience of over 20 people)

Now, the Pantages could be the perfect opportunity but I would still respect you if you wait to unleash it at Shubbas instead.

For all of you not on FB, I have to attach a low-rez version.  Jeff, this made my week!

Shirt worn tonight.

Only 1 person had enough guts to ask me what the hell it meant.