I made the 400 mile drive from New York to my hometown of Cleveland to see The Black Keys (one of my favorite bands) perform at The Agora (one of my favorite venues). Since The Keys are from Akron, the show was super packed. I was fortunate enough to see the performance with the band’s family from the loges at stage right, which was pretty exciting. Also exciting were the 24oz tall boys of Coors Light that the Agora sells for $4.50. Being accustomed to NYC prices, the bartender slams down the beer and says $4.50, to which I retort, “$14.50??” “No! $4.50,” she says as the sheer joy washes over me.

The show was absolutely worthy of the long drive. The Agora is such a great old school venue and I’m glad The Keys choose to perform there as opposed to The House of Blues. Over the past couple of years Cleveland has been losing some of its great venues due to either mismanagement or the increased competition from HoB. I hope that the Agora is able to weather the storm and host great bands for many years to come.

Part of what makes living in New York City tolerable is the fact that everyone comes through for one reason or another. This week I was lucky to hang out with one half of the Freeman Transport team, Mr. Benjamin Ferencz. We met up for lunch at Cafe Select to shoot the shit. It is especially cool to meet Ben (for the first time), since we have been emailing and talking between New York and Montana for the better part of a year. Look out for big things from Ben (who’s a fellow Selectism columnist and a helluva nice guy) and Freeman Transport in the near future.

Ever wonder what the guy that runs Selectism does on the weekends? Without comment, I offer photographic proof…

I’m dying to go to Copenhagen this year. I need to just make a decision to visit, crappy economy or not. I found this great video that combines a panoramic photo of the Danish capital, tilt-shifting and the Ken Burns effect. Pretty amazing stuff.

A few weeks ago an ACL reader emailed me a link to Kentucky Correctional Industries, who makes Dickies style workwear, furniture and even mattresses using incarcerated workers in the state of Kentucky’s prison system. As you would imagine — thanks to the super depressed labor cost the — KCI prices are dirt cheap. (One of these days I’m going to order some pants etc., and try them out just for the hell of it.) Now I have to admit, KCI is one of the stranger um, “brands” that has been suggested for my American List. Then today I discovered the Hamburg, Germany based Haeftling, who makes a collection of “jail wear.” No joke. Most of the clothes look pretty average (the items shot on models look downright freaky), but the metal cafeteria tray and wool blanket look pretty cool. The Haeftling products aren’t actually made by prison labor, but the line does draw its inspiration from jail attire. That is one type of manufacturing that you don’t have to worry about being sent offshore since there is no cheaper labor than prison labor. Gives new meaning to Folsom prison blues now doesn’t it.

File this under things I want but do not need. BMW R65 WWII replica motorcycle with sidecar. How long do you think I would last on the highway with that fake machine gun before some statey had me in a choke hold? I suppose you would have to leave some of the props at home.