Like a Southern boogie influenced Faces, The Auctioneers took to the stage at the Mercury Lounge last night and played a ferocious set, complete with big riffs, expert three part harmonies and even some fuzzed out feedback squall filled jams.

I’ve seen the band a bunch now, and each time they seem to get tighter and together. Erik Broberg is a monster on guitar, Ryan Alexander Gregg attacks his keyboard, and drummer Donovan Pyle and bassist Chris “The Monster” Kapica are completely locked in. Tying it all together is lead singer EB Sollis, whose soulful voice and infectious personality help wrap the crowd in The Auctioneers powerful rock and roll swagger.

Can’t wait for their show tomorrow night at Santos Party House, part of Dim Mak’s Cloak & Dagger party. Last month they played the party and brought out a horn section for a Band cover, wonder what surprises they’ll pull out Thursday night.

Check out this video of their track “Young Man’s Blues” to get a taste of the band live.

A brief non-sequitur diversion for this brilliant nugget of digital flotsam and jetsam that came across the transom:

It’s only a guess but I can’t help but wonder if Wayne & Garth are involved in this one, perhaps a prop from a deleted bonus scene just after the opening credits:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YDwj-BRKwc]

I hesitate to question art, in all its permutations, but I have to say if I had been this anonymous spray can wielder responsible I might have taken a slightly different tack on the wording, to dovetail with this masterpiece:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8a0asUbAcM]

Bonus side note, the latter song was the official processional at my wedding a couple years ago, live, acoustic, and instrumental.

Best part about using Metallica in an otherwise traditional ceremony? I enjoyed putting “Composer: J. Hetfield” in the program for sure. But I have to go with the pleasant smiles from Grandpa on the “lovely classical guitar” followed by high fives and “duuuuude…” from your 15 year old cousin with blue hair and piercings. Now that’s cross generational appeal.

But, um where was I? Oh right, cool mattress pic ain’t it?

The Shore Fire Oscar Pool ballots are in! And despite a couple contrarians (Stanley Tucci for best supporting actor? Seriously?), some clear favorites emerged. Though the winner will probably come down to who picks the foreign movies and docs that none of us have seen, here’s the office favorites in the top categories. It’s worth noting that Mo’Nique was the only nominee from the below list that delivered 100% of the Shore Fire voting block.

Best Picture: Hurt Locker
Best Director: Kathryn Bigelow
Best Actor: Jeff Bridges
Best Actress: Meryl Streep
Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz
Best Supporting Actress: Mo’Nique
Best Original Screenplay: Inglourious Basterds
Best Adapted Screenplay: Up in the Air

If you ever find yourself driving on the NJ Turnpike (you have to be driving though. The bus does not count), I highly recommend including the following songs on your playlist:

“Ooh La La” The Faces, “Starstruck” The Kinks, “Motor Away” Guided By Voices, “Abel” The National, “Stay Positive” The Hold Steady, “Jungleland” Bruce Springsteen, “Money City Maniacs” Sloan, “Tin Soldier” The Small Faces. Preferably in that order. You can thank me later.