This weekend was a pretty damn fun one for me. I spent a lot of time out and about having fun with people I like, though not all the people I like. Here's a rundown for your reading enjoyment...
Friday:
I was good on Friday, DJing at Chris' Knockout show until the 2-for-1 well drinks hour hit. I had already been drinking beer the whole night but decided to go crazy and have a few whiskey sours to finish the night in style. Well I spent a good portion of the night after that in the bathroom and then passed out on the couch. When I was awoken the next morning most of my memory was gone again. It seems this happens at every blogger sponsored show that I go to. They are bad influences those bloggers.
As for the show it was terrific. Sure Juror played a much tighter set then the last time I saw them, preferring to let their instruments talk instead of talking themselves. The Mugs were the best new band I've seen in a while, though I forgot to pick up their CD so now I will have to search for it. Mussels were as good as I remember them to be, and Beat Radio was as good as I have ever seen them. I think I did okay DJing I didn't hear too many complaints not even when I paired Avril Lavigne's "Girlfriend" and Kelly Clarkson's "Since You've Been Gone" back-to-back.
It was a good night, but I must remember not to drink myself into oblivion the next time I attend a blog show.
Saturday:
After waking up completely hungover I made it into work before noon and dragged my ass around all day moving phones from location to location. It was a boring day, and a complete waste of the nice weather outside. I'd like to not work this Saturday but it doesn't look like its going to go that way.
Following a day of work Rachael and I went to see Hot Fuzz, a wonderful movie by the guys from Sean of the Dead. I would recommend this movie to anyone with a sense of humor. The death scenes in it are especially good.
Sunday:
Played two horrible games of softball, caught up on all the TV shows I missed last week, took a short nap, ate family dinner, watched The Sopranos and Entourage, and went to bed.
5 Mistakes NYU Made with this Show:
1. Booking an opening act of NYU students that call themselves Michael Jordan. This may have been the worst band I have ever seen. Normally when I see a band open a show and not do so well I choose to omit them from my review of the show, this time though the band was so awful I just can't possibly do that. The emo-ish sextet attempted to copy Yellowcard all night and couldn't even handle that relatively simple task. Their violinist, if you can call him that, butchered his instrument, occasionally playing with his teeth and for some reason making it sound like a kazoo coming out of the amps. Their drummers, that's right two drummers, were even worse. They spent the entire set out of time and with only the vaguest sense of rhythm. But what really got me about the band was the lead singer's heinous voice, it was just awful. I don't even have anything to compare it to, maybe a cat wailing in an alley somewhere. If the cat had just been shot. And had its ears cut off. And was being raped by a bulldog. This band should really disband in a hurry.
2. Claiming the show was a sell out and then having only half the venue full. What the fuck is that about? I know a lot of people that would have loved to come to this show, but couldn't because they were told tickets were sold out. Then The Thermals played to a half empty venue and The Hold Steady played to even fewer cause I'm pretty sure a few people thought Michael Jordan were The Thermals and The Thermals were The Hold Steady! NYU really dropped the ball in this area.
3. Not serving alcohol. I understand its a college campus and you are not supposed to promote the use of alcohol on a college campus, but come on! The Hold Steady are probably the drunkest college band since The Replacements and as a fan of the band I expect to try and match them drink for drink when I see them play live. I probably should have heeded my girlfriend's advice and snuck in some 40's but I get paranoid doing shit like that so it wasn't to be.
4. Poor sound equipment. Maybe it was the lack of bodies to bounce off of, or maybe the equipment was just to small for the large room, but for some reason the sound was a bit off throughout the night. If you were standing in the front it was way too loud and if you were standing in the back it was way too quiet. Maybe I should have tried standing in the middle.
5. Not really NYU's mistake, but the lake of t-shirts for big guys. This is a problem everywhere I go but it really got to me on Thursday. There were some pretty sweet Hold Steady shirts that I would have bought had they been in my size. Why can't bands make a couple XL and XXL shirts! Not all your fans are skinny little hipsters guys!!!
5 Positives from the Show:
1. The Hold Steady! Even without a drunken audience the band played an amazing show covering material from all three of their albums. They got things started with "Positive Jam" and played through the best of their songs over the course of an hour long performance. They played a bunch of my personal favorite songs like "Your Little Hood Rat Friend" and "Massive Nights" kept the pace fast and furious, slowed it down for one three song stretch, and had Tad scale the speakers to do a little solo for us. It was a pretty sweet performance, not the best I've seen them, but damn good for sure!
2. The Thermals! The last time I saw The Thermals perform they played as a quartet, had loud sound, and a great amount of energy. Thursday night they were back to being a three piece (with lead guitar parts being piped out in pre-recorded loops), had a bit less energy, and still rocked harder than 68% of band out there! The set included stuff from their last couple of albums but mostly focused on the newer material from last year's brilliant The Body, The Blood, The Machine. They had a few some hiccups with the drums that slowed the show, but managed to recover and pick up the pace a little after that. I'd see this band anywhere and anytime, but I think they need a packed house to be on top of their game.
3. The couple that danced during the entire Hold Steady set on stage. Have recently found a new girlfriend and embraced the idea of being in a relationship for the first time in a long time I have a new found respect for cutesy couple that display their affection in public. Not the couple that just smothers each other in the crowd, making out the whole damn show, but the kind of couple that has a blast together watching music. These danced their asses off, shared a couple of quick kisses, and looked like the happiest people in the world. Its always nice to see that kind of thing.
4. The kid that kept stage diving during The Thermals. I think he did it three or four times and might have done it during The Hold Steady as well but man did he have the art of stage diving down. He knew how to take off and land gracefully, though I'm sure some of the people in the front wouldn't agree with me. I think in this day and age of crowds watching bands with their arms crossed this kind of exuberance should be applauded especially at a show that rocks as much as this one.
5. They allowed us smokers to come and go as we pleased so we didn't have to watch Michael Jordan for very long. Thank you very much for that one!
1. Booking an opening act of NYU students that call themselves Michael Jordan. This may have been the worst band I have ever seen. Normally when I see a band open a show and not do so well I choose to omit them from my review of the show, this time though the band was so awful I just can't possibly do that. The emo-ish sextet attempted to copy Yellowcard all night and couldn't even handle that relatively simple task. Their violinist, if you can call him that, butchered his instrument, occasionally playing with his teeth and for some reason making it sound like a kazoo coming out of the amps. Their drummers, that's right two drummers, were even worse. They spent the entire set out of time and with only the vaguest sense of rhythm. But what really got me about the band was the lead singer's heinous voice, it was just awful. I don't even have anything to compare it to, maybe a cat wailing in an alley somewhere. If the cat had just been shot. And had its ears cut off. And was being raped by a bulldog. This band should really disband in a hurry.
2. Claiming the show was a sell out and then having only half the venue full. What the fuck is that about? I know a lot of people that would have loved to come to this show, but couldn't because they were told tickets were sold out. Then The Thermals played to a half empty venue and The Hold Steady played to even fewer cause I'm pretty sure a few people thought Michael Jordan were The Thermals and The Thermals were The Hold Steady! NYU really dropped the ball in this area.
3. Not serving alcohol. I understand its a college campus and you are not supposed to promote the use of alcohol on a college campus, but come on! The Hold Steady are probably the drunkest college band since The Replacements and as a fan of the band I expect to try and match them drink for drink when I see them play live. I probably should have heeded my girlfriend's advice and snuck in some 40's but I get paranoid doing shit like that so it wasn't to be.
4. Poor sound equipment. Maybe it was the lack of bodies to bounce off of, or maybe the equipment was just to small for the large room, but for some reason the sound was a bit off throughout the night. If you were standing in the front it was way too loud and if you were standing in the back it was way too quiet. Maybe I should have tried standing in the middle.
5. Not really NYU's mistake, but the lake of t-shirts for big guys. This is a problem everywhere I go but it really got to me on Thursday. There were some pretty sweet Hold Steady shirts that I would have bought had they been in my size. Why can't bands make a couple XL and XXL shirts! Not all your fans are skinny little hipsters guys!!!
5 Positives from the Show:
1. The Hold Steady! Even without a drunken audience the band played an amazing show covering material from all three of their albums. They got things started with "Positive Jam" and played through the best of their songs over the course of an hour long performance. They played a bunch of my personal favorite songs like "Your Little Hood Rat Friend" and "Massive Nights" kept the pace fast and furious, slowed it down for one three song stretch, and had Tad scale the speakers to do a little solo for us. It was a pretty sweet performance, not the best I've seen them, but damn good for sure!
2. The Thermals! The last time I saw The Thermals perform they played as a quartet, had loud sound, and a great amount of energy. Thursday night they were back to being a three piece (with lead guitar parts being piped out in pre-recorded loops), had a bit less energy, and still rocked harder than 68% of band out there! The set included stuff from their last couple of albums but mostly focused on the newer material from last year's brilliant The Body, The Blood, The Machine. They had a few some hiccups with the drums that slowed the show, but managed to recover and pick up the pace a little after that. I'd see this band anywhere and anytime, but I think they need a packed house to be on top of their game.
3. The couple that danced during the entire Hold Steady set on stage. Have recently found a new girlfriend and embraced the idea of being in a relationship for the first time in a long time I have a new found respect for cutesy couple that display their affection in public. Not the couple that just smothers each other in the crowd, making out the whole damn show, but the kind of couple that has a blast together watching music. These danced their asses off, shared a couple of quick kisses, and looked like the happiest people in the world. Its always nice to see that kind of thing.
4. The kid that kept stage diving during The Thermals. I think he did it three or four times and might have done it during The Hold Steady as well but man did he have the art of stage diving down. He knew how to take off and land gracefully, though I'm sure some of the people in the front wouldn't agree with me. I think in this day and age of crowds watching bands with their arms crossed this kind of exuberance should be applauded especially at a show that rocks as much as this one.
5. They allowed us smokers to come and go as we pleased so we didn't have to watch Michael Jordan for very long. Thank you very much for that one!
Monday: Rock Central Plaza @ Mercury Lounge 9pm $10
Rock Central Plaza started the year off great getting a load of press and buzz built up over their release Are We Not Horses but some how that buzz has tapered off a bit lately. I don't know why that is as the album is terrific and I hear their live show is something worth seeing. Seems like a good way to spend a Monday evening.
Rock Central Plaza - "My Children Be Joyful"
Tuesday: Peter Bjorn & John w/Fujiya & Miyagi @ Webster Hall 8pm $20
When Peter Bjorn & John were last in New York I took in one of there three shows and was treated to a sweet performance of wonderful tunes off all their albums. Since that show I have been looking forward to seeing them again and that time is finally here! To sweeten the pot the amazing Fujiya & Miyagi will be opening the show!!! Should be amazing!
Peter Bjorn & John - "Up Against the Wall"
Fujiya & Miyagi - "Collarbone"
Wednesday: Peter Bjorn & John w/Fujiya & Miyagi @ Webster Hall 8pm $20
Same as above, might even be worth seeing twice in a row!!!
Thursday: Up the Empire w/Man in Gray @ Luna Lounge 6pm $8
I was going to recommend one of my personal favorite bands for tonight as Ra Ra Riot is playing an opening spot for The Cribs, but that show is now sold out so I'm going to have to go in a different direction here tonight. Man in Gray features one of my blogging buddies, Bryan from Subinev, and wonderful music from all of the members. Up the Empire has been recommended many times by another blogging buddy of mine Chris from The Battering Room. I haven't seen them yet but I trust Chris and his musical taste and so should you.
Man in Gray - "Sleeping"
Friday: Six Parts Seven @ Union Hall 8pm $8
Sunset Rubdown sold out months ago and I still haven't found a ticket for the night so I'm going to be looking else where for my musical enjoyment this Friday. Six Parts Seven is slowly building up a lot of buzz over their instrumental, relaxing rock music. Should be a good one.
Six Parts Seven - "Stolen Moments"
Saturday: Konono No. 1 @ Bowery Ballroom 8pm $20
Two years ago Konono No. 1 blew the world's mind with their part of the wonderful compilation series known as Congotronics. Using home made instruments and a desire to hear to make their people dance, the African group is changing what the world is looking for when they look for music in the world music genre. Konono No. 1 is a brilliant band and this should be an amazing show.
Konono No. 1 - "Lufuala Ndonga"
Sunday: Beirut w/Final Fantasy @ Bowery Ballroom 7:30pm SOLD OUT
I tried to get away from recommending sold out shows this week but I just can't help myself with this one. Beirut is one of my favorite new bands of 2006 and since they canceled their shows in November I have been yearning to see them again! The addition of Final Fantasy to this lineup makes this a can't miss event! So stand outside early, buy some scalped tickets, do whatever you can to get in!
Beirut - "Elephant Gun"
Final Fantasy - "Song Song Song" (via B(oo)log)
Rock Central Plaza started the year off great getting a load of press and buzz built up over their release Are We Not Horses but some how that buzz has tapered off a bit lately. I don't know why that is as the album is terrific and I hear their live show is something worth seeing. Seems like a good way to spend a Monday evening.
Rock Central Plaza - "My Children Be Joyful"
Tuesday: Peter Bjorn & John w/Fujiya & Miyagi @ Webster Hall 8pm $20
When Peter Bjorn & John were last in New York I took in one of there three shows and was treated to a sweet performance of wonderful tunes off all their albums. Since that show I have been looking forward to seeing them again and that time is finally here! To sweeten the pot the amazing Fujiya & Miyagi will be opening the show!!! Should be amazing!
Peter Bjorn & John - "Up Against the Wall"
Fujiya & Miyagi - "Collarbone"
Wednesday: Peter Bjorn & John w/Fujiya & Miyagi @ Webster Hall 8pm $20
Same as above, might even be worth seeing twice in a row!!!
Thursday: Up the Empire w/Man in Gray @ Luna Lounge 6pm $8
I was going to recommend one of my personal favorite bands for tonight as Ra Ra Riot is playing an opening spot for The Cribs, but that show is now sold out so I'm going to have to go in a different direction here tonight. Man in Gray features one of my blogging buddies, Bryan from Subinev, and wonderful music from all of the members. Up the Empire has been recommended many times by another blogging buddy of mine Chris from The Battering Room. I haven't seen them yet but I trust Chris and his musical taste and so should you.
Man in Gray - "Sleeping"
Friday: Six Parts Seven @ Union Hall 8pm $8
Sunset Rubdown sold out months ago and I still haven't found a ticket for the night so I'm going to be looking else where for my musical enjoyment this Friday. Six Parts Seven is slowly building up a lot of buzz over their instrumental, relaxing rock music. Should be a good one.
Six Parts Seven - "Stolen Moments"
Saturday: Konono No. 1 @ Bowery Ballroom 8pm $20
Two years ago Konono No. 1 blew the world's mind with their part of the wonderful compilation series known as Congotronics. Using home made instruments and a desire to hear to make their people dance, the African group is changing what the world is looking for when they look for music in the world music genre. Konono No. 1 is a brilliant band and this should be an amazing show.
Konono No. 1 - "Lufuala Ndonga"
Sunday: Beirut w/Final Fantasy @ Bowery Ballroom 7:30pm SOLD OUT
I tried to get away from recommending sold out shows this week but I just can't help myself with this one. Beirut is one of my favorite new bands of 2006 and since they canceled their shows in November I have been yearning to see them again! The addition of Final Fantasy to this lineup makes this a can't miss event! So stand outside early, buy some scalped tickets, do whatever you can to get in!
Beirut - "Elephant Gun"
Final Fantasy - "Song Song Song" (via B(oo)log)
I'll be here tonight spinning tunes, will you???Sure Juror - 9pm
The Mugs - 10pm
Mussels - 11pm
Beat Radio - Midnight
Me and the Sluts DJing between sets and all night long!!!
I've been in a weird music listening place all week, and I'm blaming it on my ridiculous work schedule. I've been jumping all over the place listening to really upbeat, dance-ish music during the day to get myself going and then turning it over to the more quiet, folk singer stuff at night to get myself relaxed and ready for bed. Now that I write it out like that it doesn't seem as strange as I thought, I guess my normal listening regimen is a bit odder in reality. Anyway, I've been listening to a singer/songwriter named Blair from New Orleans a lot lately.Blair is precisely the type of music I need to calm my jangled nerves; quiet, mellow, deeply emotional, a wonderful lilting voice, its everything I look for when I need a few moments alone in my mind with someone cooing to me. The music is teeming with the hushed guitar sounds and lovely, melodic voice every singer/songwriter should have, but like the very best of her genre it is the lyrics that catch you, hold you, and draw you into a longer and more meaningful listens to her music. From the very first bars of music it is easy to call her the female Connor Oberst, but doing so is a cheap and easy way out. Instead of just copying the Bright Eyes style she adds flavor to it, using melody and her cooing, gentle voice to take that type of music in her own direction.
On her forthcoming EP, Pluto, Blair tackles the changes in her life since Hurrican Katrina ravaged her town and the songs that have been posted from the album are beautiful and deep and captivating all at the same time. I am really excited to have found Blair and her music and I'm hoping you all feel the same way.
Blair - "Mona Lisa"
Blair - "Blues Song"
Blair on Myspace
Jagjaguwar, and their sub-label Brah, have been keeping well stocked when it comes to excellent releases so far this year. With amazing releases from Nurse & Soldier and The Besnard Lakes, to go with upcoming releases by Parts & Labor, Lightning Dust, and probably a few more the label is really making a push for some label of the year honors if there were such a thing. This week we get another stellar release from them in the form of Pterodactyl's self-titled debut album. Starting off with the squawking of a real life pterodactyl (probably not true), the album is loud and abrassive and utterly brilliant with some of the sounds found on it.The majority of the album is fast paced, rife with wonderful guitar licks and fantastic, up tempo beats, and full of completely distorted vocals that you must listen to several times to fully hear. But to believe this is your standard guitar/bass/drums/vocals album would be to sell the album very short. Along the way we find ourselves meeting synthy sounds, keyboards, and some time of wind instruments at points. All together they bleed together to become one large sound that is a distorted mess for the first few listens, but somehow becomes beautfiul and harmonies after a few times through the album.
Clocking in at just under 40 minutes if rocking goodness, this is the type of album that truly doesn't overstay its welcome. Where some noise rock bands tend to draw out the songs with overlong solos or additional fuzzed out sounds, Pterodactyl keeps most of their songs short and simple, packing in as much as possible in as short a time frame as they can. It all works though and each listen to the album leaves you wanting more. The first couple of times I listened to the album I actually sat there after the whole thing was done waiting for the next song to come on, it just doesn't seem like it should be over, but it is.
This is an album I can't recommend enough to people who like their music loud, and a bit difficult at times, but still fun. This week the band will be opening a pair of shows for Deerhunter here in New York so if you have the opportunity to check them out I would suggest you do so. And make sure you pick this up when you visit the record store today!
Pterodactyl - "Esses"
More on Myspace
Also Released:
Monday: The Robot Ate Me & Run Chico Run @ Piano's 8pm $8
If you're like me you totally slept on getting tickets to see Spoon knowing they'd be playing a free show in the city this summer. However, we still have to select a show for tonight so I'm going to pass on the recommendation of a few of my blogging cohorts to see this show at Piano's. From what I've heard The Robot Ate Me is a dude that performs with a dog's head on his head. Run Chico Run is supposed to be equally fun, but without the mask. If the other bloggers are close to right on this one it should be a damn fine time.
The Robot Ate Me - "Djien"
Run Chico Run - "Fucking Up Can Be Fun"
Tuesday: Pela & Man In Gray @ Mercury Lounge 10pm $10
Pela's new album, Anytown Graffiti, has been burning up my ears lately and tonight I get another chance to see the band do its thing live. The last time I saw them was my last visit to Sin-e before the venue shut its doors and the show was frantic and exciting from start to end. I expect more of the same tonight, and the throw in of Man In Gray ain't too shabby either.
Pela - "Lost to the Lonesome"
Man In Gray - "Sleeping"
Wednesday:
Thursday: The Hold Steady & The Thermals @ NYU Kimmel Center 7:30pm $7
I don't know what the availability of tickets to the general public will be like on Thursday but this is hands down the best show of the day, and that's saying something cause their is a slew of amazing show's tonight. The Hold Steady may just be my favorite band out there right now. Their '06 release was my favorite album of the year. In '05 their album made number 2 on my list, and their first album would have made a list had I been a blogger back then. Oh, and did I mention they have put on several of my favorite shows in the last two years. Yeah. The Thermals are right up there with The Hold Steady as I find myself going back to their ridculously amazing album, The Body, The Blood, The Machine, all the time. This should be an amazing time.
The Hold Steady - "You Gotta Dance With Who You Came to the Dance With (live @ Fingerprints)"
The Thermals - "Here's Your Future"
...or Deerhunter @ Mercury Lounge SOLD OUT
I know this show is definitely sold out but I've had pretty good luck trying to grab an extra ticket at Mercury Lounge, so if I can't get into the above show I am most likely going to try and get in here. Deerhunter have been picking up steam all over the place thanks in part to not one but two best new music picks by Pitchfork. Their album Cryptograms and their brand new EP are brilliant from top to bottom showing off a fine new band and keeping me entranced throughout both. I am dying to see them after the fine reviews the received during SXSW but will have to settle for this being my back-up plan tonight.
Deerhunter - "Wash Off"
...or Constantines, Tim Fite, and Goes Cube @ Luna Lounge 7:30pm $12
Finally for all the folks that do not get into the above shows go to this one. Goes Cube is awesome, Constantines rock, and Tim Fite is hands down the finest performer I have seen so far this year.
Constantines - "On to You"
Tim Fite - "It's All Right Here"
Goes Cube - "Song 26"
Friday: Knockout Round 4 @ The Delancey 8pm $8
Friday night I will be co-handling the DJing duties at Chris' latest installment of Knockout. This time around we are celebrating the 2 Year Anniversary of one of my favorite bloggers with a great line-up featuring Sure Juror, The Mugs, Mussels, and Beat Radio. Along with The Music Sluts I will be rocking your bodies before, between, and after the bands rock your asses off. Be there, it'll be fun. Chris will buy you a drink!
Beat Radio - "People Are Talking"
Mussels - "Dinner"
The Mugs - "Paper Scissors Rock"
Sure Juror - "Smut"
Saturday: Bishop Allen @ The Knitting Factory 6:30pm $10
Last year Bishop Allen took full advantage of the new internet friendly muisc world by releasing twelve EP's, each named for the month it was released in. The amazing part of that feat was the amount of stellar material that dotted all twelve releases. We haven't heard anything new from them yet this year, but are sure its only a matter of time before they get back to releasing some new stuff.
Bishop Allen - "Butterfly Nets"
...then Professor Murder @ Canal Room 11:59pm $10
Immediately following Bishop Allen I will be making a bee line for the Canal Room (its mere blocks away people!) to see one of New York's finest bands of the moment Professor Murder. Just be sure to bring some comfy shoes cause Professor Murder is sure to get you dancing all night!
Professor Murder - "The Mountain"
Sunday: Yo La Tengo @ Webster Hall 7:30pm $25
Sure its a bit pricey at $25 a ticket, but Yo La Tengo is worth every penny!
Yo La Tengo - "Pass the Hatchet, I Think I'm Goodkind"
If you're like me you totally slept on getting tickets to see Spoon knowing they'd be playing a free show in the city this summer. However, we still have to select a show for tonight so I'm going to pass on the recommendation of a few of my blogging cohorts to see this show at Piano's. From what I've heard The Robot Ate Me is a dude that performs with a dog's head on his head. Run Chico Run is supposed to be equally fun, but without the mask. If the other bloggers are close to right on this one it should be a damn fine time.
The Robot Ate Me - "Djien"
Run Chico Run - "Fucking Up Can Be Fun"
Tuesday: Pela & Man In Gray @ Mercury Lounge 10pm $10
Pela's new album, Anytown Graffiti, has been burning up my ears lately and tonight I get another chance to see the band do its thing live. The last time I saw them was my last visit to Sin-e before the venue shut its doors and the show was frantic and exciting from start to end. I expect more of the same tonight, and the throw in of Man In Gray ain't too shabby either.
Pela - "Lost to the Lonesome"
Man In Gray - "Sleeping"
Wednesday:
Thursday: The Hold Steady & The Thermals @ NYU Kimmel Center 7:30pm $7
I don't know what the availability of tickets to the general public will be like on Thursday but this is hands down the best show of the day, and that's saying something cause their is a slew of amazing show's tonight. The Hold Steady may just be my favorite band out there right now. Their '06 release was my favorite album of the year. In '05 their album made number 2 on my list, and their first album would have made a list had I been a blogger back then. Oh, and did I mention they have put on several of my favorite shows in the last two years. Yeah. The Thermals are right up there with The Hold Steady as I find myself going back to their ridculously amazing album, The Body, The Blood, The Machine, all the time. This should be an amazing time.
The Hold Steady - "You Gotta Dance With Who You Came to the Dance With (live @ Fingerprints)"
The Thermals - "Here's Your Future"
...or Deerhunter @ Mercury Lounge SOLD OUT
I know this show is definitely sold out but I've had pretty good luck trying to grab an extra ticket at Mercury Lounge, so if I can't get into the above show I am most likely going to try and get in here. Deerhunter have been picking up steam all over the place thanks in part to not one but two best new music picks by Pitchfork. Their album Cryptograms and their brand new EP are brilliant from top to bottom showing off a fine new band and keeping me entranced throughout both. I am dying to see them after the fine reviews the received during SXSW but will have to settle for this being my back-up plan tonight.
Deerhunter - "Wash Off"
...or Constantines, Tim Fite, and Goes Cube @ Luna Lounge 7:30pm $12
Finally for all the folks that do not get into the above shows go to this one. Goes Cube is awesome, Constantines rock, and Tim Fite is hands down the finest performer I have seen so far this year.
Constantines - "On to You"
Tim Fite - "It's All Right Here"
Goes Cube - "Song 26"
Friday: Knockout Round 4 @ The Delancey 8pm $8
Friday night I will be co-handling the DJing duties at Chris' latest installment of Knockout. This time around we are celebrating the 2 Year Anniversary of one of my favorite bloggers with a great line-up featuring Sure Juror, The Mugs, Mussels, and Beat Radio. Along with The Music Sluts I will be rocking your bodies before, between, and after the bands rock your asses off. Be there, it'll be fun. Chris will buy you a drink!
Beat Radio - "People Are Talking"
Mussels - "Dinner"
The Mugs - "Paper Scissors Rock"
Sure Juror - "Smut"
Saturday: Bishop Allen @ The Knitting Factory 6:30pm $10
Last year Bishop Allen took full advantage of the new internet friendly muisc world by releasing twelve EP's, each named for the month it was released in. The amazing part of that feat was the amount of stellar material that dotted all twelve releases. We haven't heard anything new from them yet this year, but are sure its only a matter of time before they get back to releasing some new stuff.
Bishop Allen - "Butterfly Nets"
...then Professor Murder @ Canal Room 11:59pm $10
Immediately following Bishop Allen I will be making a bee line for the Canal Room (its mere blocks away people!) to see one of New York's finest bands of the moment Professor Murder. Just be sure to bring some comfy shoes cause Professor Murder is sure to get you dancing all night!
Professor Murder - "The Mountain"
Sunday: Yo La Tengo @ Webster Hall 7:30pm $25
Sure its a bit pricey at $25 a ticket, but Yo La Tengo is worth every penny!
Yo La Tengo - "Pass the Hatchet, I Think I'm Goodkind"
Labels:
beat radio,
bishop allen,
deerhunter,
knockout,
live music,
mp3's,
the hold steady,
thermals
In the history of me selecting a band of the week I have rarely selected a band from outside of the United States. This has not been done purposely but I do tend to highlight bands from my general region because I am partial to live music and this affords me a great opportunity to see bands more frequently. However, some bands are just too good to ignore wherever they are from and that is just the case with Brazil's Nancy. Obviously Brazil has once again become a hot bed of the indie music world thanks to the Tropicalia compilation and a number of younger bands that are poised to take the ropes. Nancy is definitely one of those bands to watch out for.Most of the songs on their myspace page are sung in Portuguese, a language I am not at all familiar with, yet the voice of lead singer Camila Zamith is so powerful and captivating that I can almost understand the words she sings to me. The music behind her fluctuates between loud and soft which adds extra strength to each verse and each chorus. Some songs start quietly before exploding into a frenzy of sounds, lulling you into a false calm and then ripping you apart, but all the while staying melodic throughout. Their music affects you all the way through.
They have an album posted on myspace which I have yet to purchase but probably will do in the very near future. For now their myspace page is playing whenever I log onto the computer and it keeps me company as I type out these little blog posts for all of you to read. Here's hoping the band keep recording beautiful music and maybe make it out to the States for a few shows here and there.
Nancy on Myspace
Nancy - "Two Blue Lights"
Nancy - "Goiania Rock City"
Last night I took in Art Brut for about the one millionth time. Some people might say that following a band around this closely is excessive and bordering on stalking, personally I find it to be an agreeable pastime that I may just keep at for a while.
The night got off to a solid start with O'Death, who I have recommended in the past but had yet to catch. Basically O'Death remind me of the Soggy Bottom Band without the looks. Who's the Soggy Bottom Band you ask? Well that's the band from the George Clooney classic O' Brother Where Art Thou?, and I happen to enjoy the music from that film quite a bit. The band cross bits and pieces of country, bluegrass, pop, and some other genres crafting a unique sound that captivates throughout the show. Four members play while sitting on their behinds, yet they still emote more than half the indie bands I've seen in the past year, and two members play without their shirts on wowing the ladies with their remarkably muscular bodies (not that I should be talking). Its a fun experience that I wouldn't mind taking in again.
Art Brut is the show stopper though. If any band ever has thoughts of having Art Brut open for them again I would think twice about doing that because they will blow you out of the water with their show. Though last night's performance wasn't as sharp or as addictive as some of their other shows, it was still a wonderful time. I'm really hoping that Eddie is planning something new for his between song banter. Its still amusing but it's beginning a decline into the rotten milk level. Luckily the band have a whole album of new songs, a lot of which they shared with us last night. Each of the new songs bear a resemblance to the Art Brut we grew to love from their first album, but show a better handle on songwriting and much better musicianship throughout them. The guitars shred harder, the drum pounds more furiously, and the bass out thumps anything on the previous album. Eddie continues to be Eddie though, struggling through awkward relationships and his own insecurities as if her were a sixteen year old boy all over again. Hopefully this will lead to new banter.
The band didn't just stick to old shtick and new songs though, they played their classic show stoppers as well breaking out "Emily Kane", "Modern Art", and both songs about weekends to which the crowd went nuts. These songs are terrific but something tells me in a few months we will all be going just as crazy for the new songs as we did the first time we saw "Formed A Band" live.
The night got off to a solid start with O'Death, who I have recommended in the past but had yet to catch. Basically O'Death remind me of the Soggy Bottom Band without the looks. Who's the Soggy Bottom Band you ask? Well that's the band from the George Clooney classic O' Brother Where Art Thou?, and I happen to enjoy the music from that film quite a bit. The band cross bits and pieces of country, bluegrass, pop, and some other genres crafting a unique sound that captivates throughout the show. Four members play while sitting on their behinds, yet they still emote more than half the indie bands I've seen in the past year, and two members play without their shirts on wowing the ladies with their remarkably muscular bodies (not that I should be talking). Its a fun experience that I wouldn't mind taking in again.
Art Brut is the show stopper though. If any band ever has thoughts of having Art Brut open for them again I would think twice about doing that because they will blow you out of the water with their show. Though last night's performance wasn't as sharp or as addictive as some of their other shows, it was still a wonderful time. I'm really hoping that Eddie is planning something new for his between song banter. Its still amusing but it's beginning a decline into the rotten milk level. Luckily the band have a whole album of new songs, a lot of which they shared with us last night. Each of the new songs bear a resemblance to the Art Brut we grew to love from their first album, but show a better handle on songwriting and much better musicianship throughout them. The guitars shred harder, the drum pounds more furiously, and the bass out thumps anything on the previous album. Eddie continues to be Eddie though, struggling through awkward relationships and his own insecurities as if her were a sixteen year old boy all over again. Hopefully this will lead to new banter.
The band didn't just stick to old shtick and new songs though, they played their classic show stoppers as well breaking out "Emily Kane", "Modern Art", and both songs about weekends to which the crowd went nuts. These songs are terrific but something tells me in a few months we will all be going just as crazy for the new songs as we did the first time we saw "Formed A Band" live.
With nearly two weeks past since this show I really can't remember the show enough to fairly describe it. Luckily a picture is worth a thousand words so here's a few thousand.
Normally on Thursdays I like to introduce you folks to my band of the week, but this week due to time constraints and other miscellaneous obligations I have not yet gotten to the writing (or the picking) of a band of the week. I'll try to get one up there for you tomorrow but I make no promises.
In other news I have two shows that I have write some review about and they'll be up in the not to distant future. The first show was the Ra Ra Riot/ Tokyo Police Club show last Monday at Mercury Lounge (I know I'm really slipping here) which was an absolute blast. The second show was last night at Studio B, my first time seeing the locally hyped O'Death and one of the best live bands in the world, Art Brut, for like the nine thousandth time. Both were great shows for different reasons which you will learn of soon.
Hope everyone is having a wonderful Thursday just wanted to let you all know why there was no band of the week yet. Peace out cub scouts.
In other news I have two shows that I have write some review about and they'll be up in the not to distant future. The first show was the Ra Ra Riot/ Tokyo Police Club show last Monday at Mercury Lounge (I know I'm really slipping here) which was an absolute blast. The second show was last night at Studio B, my first time seeing the locally hyped O'Death and one of the best live bands in the world, Art Brut, for like the nine thousandth time. Both were great shows for different reasons which you will learn of soon.
Hope everyone is having a wonderful Thursday just wanted to let you all know why there was no band of the week yet. Peace out cub scouts.
- The rain has really dampened my spirits to begin this week. I have been cranky and sleep deprived and generally unpleasant thus far but hopefully some sunshine will break me out of that right quick. If it ever comes.
- I didn't really care about all the Imus coverage last week, but I do care about the MTV interview with Snoop Dogg explaining why its okay for rappers to call women ho's but not Imus.
- Sports Note #1: Let's GO Rangers!!! Last night the Rangers posted a huge 7-0 win over the Atlanta Thrashers giving them a commanding 3 - 0 series lead in their best of seven series. I finally got to watch a whole game and boy was it a good one. Keep up the good work guys, we're all rooting for you!!!
- Double Viking has listed the five hottest chicks in indie rock right now and his list is pretty straight forward with Lily Allen and Joanna Newsom. If I were to make a list it would look a bit different including people like Freddy Feedback from Art Brut, Anna Spence from Annuals, Petra Haden once violinist for The Decemberists now doing her own thing, The Pipettes, and LOVEFOXXXX of CSS. But you know that's just me.
- TV Note #1: Human Giant is the funniest sketch comedy show on TV right now, no doubt about it. My one problem with it is that it may just save MTV for the time being and allow the channel to continue producing horrible dating shows and other crap.
- A few week's ago I posted about the Take Away Show featuring Arcade Fire, this week they do The Shins!
- The weekly series at Piano's known as Cross-Pollination released a compilation album earlier this week featuring some stellar acts like My Brightest Diamond and The Undisputed Heavyweights. The kicker in all this is that you can download it for free here. I got the details from Rachael.
- You've heard this already, but Will Ferrell has brought his funny to the internet.
- TV Note #2: This week I have spent more time hearing about how 24 has jumped the shark than about how good the last two episodes have been. First Jack is hanging terrorists from chains, after killing a dozen of them by himself, then he's going after the Chinese cause they have his love. Most importantly though is that he pointed a gun at Ricky Schroder which means its only a matter of time before he does it and pulls the trigger!
- Ornette Coleman won the Pulitzer Prize in music this week. I didn't even know there was one.
- Sports Note # 2: Could the Yankees get a pitcher? Please.
- Tiny Mix Tapes weighs in on the recently announced Urban Outfitter Free Yr Radio shows in a way that only Tiny Mix Tapes can.
- As a last note I would like to send my thoughts and prayers to everyone involved in the terrible event at Virginia Tech on Tuesday. It is a shame that in this day and age extreme occurances of violence like this still exist. Lets hope this is the final time anything like this ever takes place.
And finally some tunes for your downloading pleasure!!!
My Brightest Diamond - "Hi, Remember Me?" (via Underrated)
Stars - "Time Can Never Kill the True Heart" (Uncut remix)
Today is definitely one of my favorite days of the year because it is Ben & Jerry's FREE Cone Day!!! As a kid growing up I remember all the times my parents would take us into Hyannis while we were on vacation in Cape Cod for Ben & Jerry's, and to this day I will tell anyone who asks that my favorite food on this Earth is Ben & Jerry's Chubby Hubby Ice Cream. So even though the weather may not be cooperating, I will still celebrate the day by picking up my free cone at some point today. The event lasts from 12pm - 8pm so make sure you get there. And don't be greedy, one cone is more than enough for your fat ass!
This week is another extremely weak week for new releases. We have the two "big" releases from Avril and NIN but neither one of those are albums I'll listen to very much (though that "Girlfriend" single is like the song version of crack!) and there weren't any indie albums that really piqued my interest this week either. So I'm going to roll out the red carpet for a couple of albums that have been burning up my iPod playlist lately and maybe you should all go out and buy them, if you haven't already of course.
The only reason I didn't recommend the new album by The Field, From Here We Go Sublime when it came out was because I honestly don't know how to write about this type of ambient electronic music. I'm not too well versed in the technical aspects of music making the breaking down of a complex electronic album almost impossible for me. With most of my music writing I make up for the lack of technical knowledge with sheer enthusiasm for the music, but for some reason I don't think that would come of clearly on an album like this. The Field have crafted one of the most enjoyable albums I've heard all year though and this is it. I just can't explain why I enjoy it so much so you'll have to go and hear it for yourself to make your own judgement on it.
The Field - "Little Heart Beats So Fast"
Present the Paisley Reich is by far one of the loudest and best albums I have heard all year. It is a complete noise-rock album in every way, it is loud, fast paced, tough to understand, and down right confusing at times. All of that only makes the album better when you reach tracks like "New Times, New Hope" that feature intricate melodies all noised up and fuzzed out. The songs rarely exceed the two-minute mark which is perfect for a quick session of pure rocking, and by the end of the album if you rock straight through you will be sore and exhausted by thoroughly pleased!
Times New Viking - "Teenage Lust"
Also Released:
The only reason I didn't recommend the new album by The Field, From Here We Go Sublime when it came out was because I honestly don't know how to write about this type of ambient electronic music. I'm not too well versed in the technical aspects of music making the breaking down of a complex electronic album almost impossible for me. With most of my music writing I make up for the lack of technical knowledge with sheer enthusiasm for the music, but for some reason I don't think that would come of clearly on an album like this. The Field have crafted one of the most enjoyable albums I've heard all year though and this is it. I just can't explain why I enjoy it so much so you'll have to go and hear it for yourself to make your own judgement on it.The Field - "Little Heart Beats So Fast"
Present the Paisley Reich is by far one of the loudest and best albums I have heard all year. It is a complete noise-rock album in every way, it is loud, fast paced, tough to understand, and down right confusing at times. All of that only makes the album better when you reach tracks like "New Times, New Hope" that feature intricate melodies all noised up and fuzzed out. The songs rarely exceed the two-minute mark which is perfect for a quick session of pure rocking, and by the end of the album if you rock straight through you will be sore and exhausted by thoroughly pleased!Times New Viking - "Teenage Lust"
Also Released:
Monday: Benefit for Callum Robbins feat. Radio 4, Bob Mould, Annuals, Special Guests @ Bowery Ballroom $25 7pm
The weeks gets off to a good start for live music tonight with this benefit concert for Callum Robbins. Obviously the lineup for the even is pretty darn solid, but really the benefit part of it is more important than the music. You can read more about the benefit here and donate in case you can't make it to the show.
Annuals - "Brother"
Radio 4 - "Enemies Like This"
Tuesday: Art Brut @ Bowery Ballroom 8upm $16
Art Brut is back at long last. Well actually it wasn't that long as they have kept a pretty damn busy tour schedule while recording their new album that's due this summer. I have already seen this band six or seven times, but they are so much fun live that it is impossible for me to ignore them whenever they are in town. Tonight they'll be playing with another favorite of mine Ra Ra Riot. You all know the love I have already for Ra Ra Riot so I'll go a week without bashing it into your brain, but if you're going to this show make sure you make it for the opener!!!
Art Brut - "Emily Kane"
Ra Ra Riot - "Each Year"
Wednesday: Art Brut @ Studio B
Yeah they are so good live that I am thinking about seeing them twice in two days. You got a problem with that? I didn't think you would. Also O'Death is playing with them this night so you gotta like that too.
O'Death - "Down to Rest"
Thursday: Hot Chip @ Webster Hall 6:30pm $22
Hot Chip burst onto the scene last year, with an album that was full of infectious dance-rock music. When I saw the band live at the South Street Seaport last year it was literally the loudest concert I went to all year but was positively mesmerizing. The only problem I have with tonight's show is that its at Webster Hall which I have a long running problem with. So if you can brave that small problem this should be one heckuva show.
Hot Chip - "My Piano"
or...Battles, O'Death, & Dirty Projectors @ NYU Kimmel Center 7:30pm $5 ($7 for non-students)
I'm not really sure how the shows at NYU work but I know that they are booking some amazing shows right now. Tonight the ridiculously good Battles plays with O'Death and Dirty Projectors for what should be an awesome time. So find someone with an ID to buy you advance tickets or show up the day of the show with your fingers crossed!
Battles - "Tonto"
Friday: Harry & the Potters @ Sugar Factory 8pm $tba
With each day that passes we get closer and closer to the release of the seventh Harry Potter book! Sadly, it will be the final book, so does that mean the death of Harry & the Potters as well? I'm hoping not as their brand of pop-punk styled around the books has been amazing me for some time now. If you haven't heard them yet, you'll probably love them.
Harry & the Potters - "Save Ginny Weasley"
Saturday: The Muggabears @ Cakes Shop 8pm $7
At this point even I am getting a little tired of tooting The Muggabears horn as much as I do, but everytime I listen to their new album I am reminded of how excellent this band really is and what to talk about it all over again. Tonight the band celebrates the release of that album with an intimate little show at the Cake Shop. Stop by, check out the band, and pick up the new CD.
The Muggabears - "Sister Now"
or...White Rabbits @ Luna Lounge 8pm $10
Another band I've been loving a lot lately is White Rabbits, a band that has ridiculous rhythms and beats within their tuneful rock music. The couple of times I've seen this band they have played amazing shows that had me rocking out the entire time and I'd expect much of the same this time around. Its going to be tough deciding between this band and The Muggabears but either way it should be fun.
White Rabbits - "While We Go Dancing"
Sunday: Time New Viking @ Luna Lounge 7:30pm $7
Present the Paisley Reich is quickly becoming one of my favorite albums of the year. It is loud, and furious, and impatient music made for kids that may have a touch of the ADD. Obviously this fact makes Times New Viking one of my favorite new bands of the year and a must see. Unfortunately this appears to be their only New York appearance scheduled right now and even worse I'll be in Philly for most of this day an will most likely miss this show. Don't let that happen to you be at this show and brag to me about how good it is.
Times New Viking - "Teenage Lust!"
The weeks gets off to a good start for live music tonight with this benefit concert for Callum Robbins. Obviously the lineup for the even is pretty darn solid, but really the benefit part of it is more important than the music. You can read more about the benefit here and donate in case you can't make it to the show.
Annuals - "Brother"
Radio 4 - "Enemies Like This"
Tuesday: Art Brut @ Bowery Ballroom 8upm $16
Art Brut is back at long last. Well actually it wasn't that long as they have kept a pretty damn busy tour schedule while recording their new album that's due this summer. I have already seen this band six or seven times, but they are so much fun live that it is impossible for me to ignore them whenever they are in town. Tonight they'll be playing with another favorite of mine Ra Ra Riot. You all know the love I have already for Ra Ra Riot so I'll go a week without bashing it into your brain, but if you're going to this show make sure you make it for the opener!!!
Art Brut - "Emily Kane"
Ra Ra Riot - "Each Year"
Wednesday: Art Brut @ Studio B
Yeah they are so good live that I am thinking about seeing them twice in two days. You got a problem with that? I didn't think you would. Also O'Death is playing with them this night so you gotta like that too.
O'Death - "Down to Rest"
Thursday: Hot Chip @ Webster Hall 6:30pm $22
Hot Chip burst onto the scene last year, with an album that was full of infectious dance-rock music. When I saw the band live at the South Street Seaport last year it was literally the loudest concert I went to all year but was positively mesmerizing. The only problem I have with tonight's show is that its at Webster Hall which I have a long running problem with. So if you can brave that small problem this should be one heckuva show.
Hot Chip - "My Piano"
or...Battles, O'Death, & Dirty Projectors @ NYU Kimmel Center 7:30pm $5 ($7 for non-students)
I'm not really sure how the shows at NYU work but I know that they are booking some amazing shows right now. Tonight the ridiculously good Battles plays with O'Death and Dirty Projectors for what should be an awesome time. So find someone with an ID to buy you advance tickets or show up the day of the show with your fingers crossed!
Battles - "Tonto"
Friday: Harry & the Potters @ Sugar Factory 8pm $tba
With each day that passes we get closer and closer to the release of the seventh Harry Potter book! Sadly, it will be the final book, so does that mean the death of Harry & the Potters as well? I'm hoping not as their brand of pop-punk styled around the books has been amazing me for some time now. If you haven't heard them yet, you'll probably love them.
Harry & the Potters - "Save Ginny Weasley"
Saturday: The Muggabears @ Cakes Shop 8pm $7
At this point even I am getting a little tired of tooting The Muggabears horn as much as I do, but everytime I listen to their new album I am reminded of how excellent this band really is and what to talk about it all over again. Tonight the band celebrates the release of that album with an intimate little show at the Cake Shop. Stop by, check out the band, and pick up the new CD.
The Muggabears - "Sister Now"
or...White Rabbits @ Luna Lounge 8pm $10
Another band I've been loving a lot lately is White Rabbits, a band that has ridiculous rhythms and beats within their tuneful rock music. The couple of times I've seen this band they have played amazing shows that had me rocking out the entire time and I'd expect much of the same this time around. Its going to be tough deciding between this band and The Muggabears but either way it should be fun.
White Rabbits - "While We Go Dancing"
Sunday: Time New Viking @ Luna Lounge 7:30pm $7
Present the Paisley Reich is quickly becoming one of my favorite albums of the year. It is loud, and furious, and impatient music made for kids that may have a touch of the ADD. Obviously this fact makes Times New Viking one of my favorite new bands of the year and a must see. Unfortunately this appears to be their only New York appearance scheduled right now and even worse I'll be in Philly for most of this day an will most likely miss this show. Don't let that happen to you be at this show and brag to me about how good it is.
Times New Viking - "Teenage Lust!"
In honor of Monday being Tax Day I have created an excellent mix of music that pertains to the IRS. Of course I don't mean the filthy beauracrats in Washington that take your money, no I mean the record label I.R.S., which was home to some excellent music in the early 80's and also some truly horrific stuff. Here's a mix of the good an the bad and I hope you all enjoy it while you're trying to get your returns in this weekend!!!
R.E.M. - "Radio Free Europe"
The Go Go's - "We Got the Beat"
The Buzzcocks - "What Do I Get"
The Notwist - "Pick Up the Phone"
Fine Young Cannibals - "Suspicious Minds"
Oingo Boingo - "Only A Lad"
Squeeze - "Tempted By the Fruit of Another"
The Concrete Blondes - "Joey"
R.E.M. - "Radio Free Europe"
The Go Go's - "We Got the Beat"
The Buzzcocks - "What Do I Get"
The Notwist - "Pick Up the Phone"
Fine Young Cannibals - "Suspicious Minds"
Oingo Boingo - "Only A Lad"
Squeeze - "Tempted By the Fruit of Another"
The Concrete Blondes - "Joey"
The first time I caught The Lisps way back in December I was actually treated to a fantastic opening band from Brooklyn called Creaky Boards. Since then I have pretty much gone on Lisps overdrive and almost completely forgotten about the Creaky Boards. Well lucky for me the band e-mailed me about a show they're playing Friday (see the flyer to the left!!!) and I went and re-visited their wonderful album, Where's the Sunshine.Featuring loads of sounds similar to those of the Beach Boys, Creaky Boards favors melodies, harmonies, and quirky lyrics over loud abrasive noises or experimental sounds. A lot of bands can't handle comparisons to bands like the Beach Boys, but Creaky Boards actually seem to embrace it, having fun with their multi-part harmonies and the playfulness behind all of their songs.
Really I can't believe I forgot about this band for so long, but I'm really glad they gave me the heads up for tomorrow's show and pressed me into listening to this album again. Its been a good couple of days with this record on my iPod! So go check out the band at Galapagos, cause the music is good and the price is right (ahem free!!!). Here's some tunes to get you moving.
Creaky Boards on Myspace
Creaky Boards - "Waiting for My Train To Come"
Creaky Boards - "Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum"
Before taking in their show on Friday night, I was invited to interview The Lisps at their apartment in Brooklyn. After regaining my breath from the five floor walk-up I was treated to be able to watch the band film a video for their song "Compromise" before we sat down for a formal Q&A. Watching the band interact as they shot the video I realized why I had come to love this band, and that's mainly because they are so damn loveable while being really good musicians at the same time.
After the video had been shot for the third or fourth time and everyone was happy with the final results we sat around the living room and talked about their upcoming tour, recording new material, and the history of The Lisps. It was a pleasant evening all around, and for a first interview I'd like to think it came out pretty well.
You guys are about to head out on a month long tour of the United States, are there any cities in particular you are looking forward to playing?
Sammy - I'd have to say Austin.
Jeremy - I've heard really great things about San Francisco.
Eric - New Orleans, Austin, Kansas City.
Cesar - Mejicali, which is kind of a rough city but its really exciting to be playing our music for a totally different group of people. And I'm also really looking forward to playing L.A., not because I like L.A., but because we have so many people out there that have never seen us play; friends and family and the like.
Now being in a relationship, with a member of your band no less, how do you plan on handling all the groupies that you guys are bound to attract?
Cesar - We have a don't ask don't tell policy.
Sammy - We actually want all the sexual energy that's focused on our band to be funneled towards Eric. But Cesar and I...what is our policy? I think if someone famous wants to sleep with one of us it'd be okay. If Scarlet Johansen wants to sleep with Cesar its okay.
Cesar - If Scarlet Johansen wants to sleep with me monkeys might fly out of my butt.
Are you guys planning on trying out some new material on the road?
Cesar - Yeah, we actually have a new song and Sammy has written her first Lisps song. Its a great song, its not finished but hopefully we can finish it while we're on the road.
Sammy - There's actually a cover I want to do, The Faint "Worked Up So Sexual".
Cesar - Its a dance rock song that we do in our slow folk style and its actually a moral tale about strippers.
And you're playing with a jump roping squadron on the tour?
Cesar - The two bands we are doing more than one show with are Double Dutch Will Take You Higher, which is a performance art jump roping troupe from Cleveland. Every show they do they have a different theme and they have all sorts of costumes and things. Then we are playing with our friends Senryu from Tennessee. They use melodicas...
Sammy - its really frightening we saw a video of one of their songs...
Cesar - and it was just like one of our songs...
Sammy - this guy and his girlfriend are in the band, and well their songs could be our songs.
How did the melodica thing come about? What made you guys decide your songs needed melodicas?
Cesar – I was in theUK
Sammy - And then he needed another one, and another one...
Cesar - I started doing these compositions with them so I needed to get a few different varieties. There's actually a melodica that's wooden, its called a mylodica - so if you wanna get me a Christmas present. But anyways, we don't play accordion and we used to play this massive wind organ and lugging it around to gigs was a nightmare. So the melodica is pretty much cheaper and more convenient.
So your band bio says you played together for the first time at the Pompidou in Paris. Is that actually true?
Sammy - Yep, the whole thing is true.
Cesar - We were trying to busk and it started to rain and it really wasn't going well so I switched to a sax cause its easier to busk with and all. It wasn't until almost a year later that we first played as a band. I had been doing a solo thing and I kind of just gave it up because I was so sick of being on a stage by myself. Once I had heard Sammy sing some of my songs I came up with this idea of The Lisps. We had joked about creating a band called The Lisps, and really all it was going to be was a recording project. A kind of fictional band and it'll be me and Sammy and whoever else we can get to play with us. But then one of my friends asked us to play his birthday party and I told them we weren't really a band, but I thought it would be fun. So for that reason we put the band together and that was our first show October of 2005, about a year and a half ago.
What's going on with the new album? How far along are you guys with that?
Cesar - I feel really good about it. We got all the bass and drum tracks done and like two thirds of the guitar. So now we have like a karaoke track and now you're just adding to it and creating. We also have a few new songs that Eric's probably going to record and we're going to try and wrap it up over the summer. My goal, and I'm sticking to this goal, is to have the CD's in my hand by the end of the year.
Okay guys last question, what albums are you bringing on the road with you?
Sammy - Oh god.
Cesar - This is a point of contention.
Jeremy - About 3,000 songs worth of iTunes!
Sammy - On the last tour I said at one point if you guys don't put on a classic rock station in the next five minutes I'm gonna blow my brains out.
Cesar - Me and Jeremy have this habit of listening to really strange art music and stuff and it drove Sammy and Mikey crazy.
Sammy - There's a time and a place for stuff like that and on a road trip is not one of those times. I am definitely bringing some Fleetwood Mac.
Cesar - You don't have any Fleetwood Mac.
Sammy - My friends are making me some tapes.
Cesar - Tapes?
Jeremy - I'm bringing the Warhammer CD and some Soul Radio.
Sammy - Oh god.
Eric - I plan on doing a lot of driving and the only thing I listen to when I'm driving is Closing Time by Tom Waits.
Sammy - Okay that's good.
Cesar - I'm so busy right now, I bought like four albums the other day like a month ago and I haven't even opened them yet. I can't listen to music at all right now, it seems like I only listen to music when I'm flipping through people's myspace pages. I bought the new Adam Green and I'm excited about that.
Sammy - There's two albums I really wanna buy to bring on tour are the Amy Winehouse
Jeremy - Oh god I was just telling Eric about that...
Sammy - I really like that "Rehab" song.
Jeremy - That's the song, that's the song that pisses me off.
Sammy - Why?
Jeremy - Because I think she should go to rehab! I had a positive experience in rehab.
Sammy - Well I also want to hear the Lily Allen...
Cesar, Jeremy, and Eric - GROAN!
and here's the new video for "Compromise"
The band's tour dates can be found here.
After the video had been shot for the third or fourth time and everyone was happy with the final results we sat around the living room and talked about their upcoming tour, recording new material, and the history of The Lisps. It was a pleasant evening all around, and for a first interview I'd like to think it came out pretty well.
You guys are about to head out on a month long tour of the United States, are there any cities in particular you are looking forward to playing?
Sammy - I'd have to say Austin.
Jeremy - I've heard really great things about San Francisco.
Eric - New Orleans, Austin, Kansas City.
Cesar - Mejicali, which is kind of a rough city but its really exciting to be playing our music for a totally different group of people. And I'm also really looking forward to playing L.A., not because I like L.A., but because we have so many people out there that have never seen us play; friends and family and the like.
Now being in a relationship, with a member of your band no less, how do you plan on handling all the groupies that you guys are bound to attract?
Cesar - We have a don't ask don't tell policy.
Sammy - We actually want all the sexual energy that's focused on our band to be funneled towards Eric. But Cesar and I...what is our policy? I think if someone famous wants to sleep with one of us it'd be okay. If Scarlet Johansen wants to sleep with Cesar its okay.
Cesar - If Scarlet Johansen wants to sleep with me monkeys might fly out of my butt.
Are you guys planning on trying out some new material on the road?
Cesar - Yeah, we actually have a new song and Sammy has written her first Lisps song. Its a great song, its not finished but hopefully we can finish it while we're on the road.
Sammy - There's actually a cover I want to do, The Faint "Worked Up So Sexual".
Cesar - Its a dance rock song that we do in our slow folk style and its actually a moral tale about strippers.
And you're playing with a jump roping squadron on the tour?
Cesar - The two bands we are doing more than one show with are Double Dutch Will Take You Higher, which is a performance art jump roping troupe from Cleveland. Every show they do they have a different theme and they have all sorts of costumes and things. Then we are playing with our friends Senryu from Tennessee. They use melodicas...
Sammy - its really frightening we saw a video of one of their songs...
Cesar - and it was just like one of our songs...
Sammy - this guy and his girlfriend are in the band, and well their songs could be our songs.
How did the melodica thing come about? What made you guys decide your songs needed melodicas?
Cesar – I was in the
Sammy - And then he needed another one, and another one...
Cesar - I started doing these compositions with them so I needed to get a few different varieties. There's actually a melodica that's wooden, its called a mylodica - so if you wanna get me a Christmas present. But anyways, we don't play accordion and we used to play this massive wind organ and lugging it around to gigs was a nightmare. So the melodica is pretty much cheaper and more convenient.
So your band bio says you played together for the first time at the Pompidou in Paris. Is that actually true?
Sammy - Yep, the whole thing is true.
Cesar - We were trying to busk and it started to rain and it really wasn't going well so I switched to a sax cause its easier to busk with and all. It wasn't until almost a year later that we first played as a band. I had been doing a solo thing and I kind of just gave it up because I was so sick of being on a stage by myself. Once I had heard Sammy sing some of my songs I came up with this idea of The Lisps. We had joked about creating a band called The Lisps, and really all it was going to be was a recording project. A kind of fictional band and it'll be me and Sammy and whoever else we can get to play with us. But then one of my friends asked us to play his birthday party and I told them we weren't really a band, but I thought it would be fun. So for that reason we put the band together and that was our first show October of 2005, about a year and a half ago.
What's going on with the new album? How far along are you guys with that?
Cesar - I feel really good about it. We got all the bass and drum tracks done and like two thirds of the guitar. So now we have like a karaoke track and now you're just adding to it and creating. We also have a few new songs that Eric's probably going to record and we're going to try and wrap it up over the summer. My goal, and I'm sticking to this goal, is to have the CD's in my hand by the end of the year.
Okay guys last question, what albums are you bringing on the road with you?
Sammy - Oh god.
Cesar - This is a point of contention.
Jeremy - About 3,000 songs worth of iTunes!
Sammy - On the last tour I said at one point if you guys don't put on a classic rock station in the next five minutes I'm gonna blow my brains out.
Cesar - Me and Jeremy have this habit of listening to really strange art music and stuff and it drove Sammy and Mikey crazy.
Sammy - There's a time and a place for stuff like that and on a road trip is not one of those times. I am definitely bringing some Fleetwood Mac.
Cesar - You don't have any Fleetwood Mac.
Sammy - My friends are making me some tapes.
Cesar - Tapes?
Jeremy - I'm bringing the Warhammer CD and some Soul Radio.
Sammy - Oh god.
Eric - I plan on doing a lot of driving and the only thing I listen to when I'm driving is Closing Time by Tom Waits.
Sammy - Okay that's good.
Cesar - I'm so busy right now, I bought like four albums the other day like a month ago and I haven't even opened them yet. I can't listen to music at all right now, it seems like I only listen to music when I'm flipping through people's myspace pages. I bought the new Adam Green and I'm excited about that.
Sammy - There's two albums I really wanna buy to bring on tour are the Amy Winehouse
Jeremy - Oh god I was just telling Eric about that...
Sammy - I really like that "Rehab" song.
Jeremy - That's the song, that's the song that pisses me off.
Sammy - Why?
Jeremy - Because I think she should go to rehab! I had a positive experience in rehab.
Sammy - Well I also want to hear the Lily Allen...
Cesar, Jeremy, and Eric - GROAN!
and here's the new video for "Compromise"
The band's tour dates can be found here.
- Summer is right around the bend, and do you want to know how I can tell? No its not because of the unseasonably cold temperatures, or the fact that the calendar says its getting closer, its because every blogger in New York is posting about the free shows around town! This is the reason we all live in New York, because we get the best free shows all summer long. This year we have, Malajube, The Hold Steady, Animal Collective, The New Pornographers, Fujiya & Miyagi, and that's just naming a few. Man I love this town! (P.S. - I'm sure I'll have more about this in the near future)
- Bryan from Subinev recently posted info regarding a compilation album that will benefit Callum Robbins, who has been diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy a truly horrible disease. Not only is the compilation album for a good cause but it features some tremendous acts like Mission of Burma and Jawbreaker. So make sure you go out and pick this one up!
- Sports Note #1: It was a rough first week for the Yankees, well not so much for the hitters who took advantage of some horrendous pitching but couldn't quite make up for their own horrendous pitching. I'm sure the staff will come around, and the addition of Roger Clemens in a few months and getting Chien Ming-Wang of the shelf will be major boosts. Oh and when does the A-Rod MVP chants at the Stadium get under way???
- TV Note #1: Watching the first episode of Human Giant this weekend I couldn't help but be a little bit bummed when "The Shittiest Mix Tape" was completely different than the original. Apparently the guys had problems securing the licencing for it as Aziz explains on his blog. The rest of the show was aces thought and I will be sure to DVR every episode until it is unceremoniously dumped for another reality dating show.
- Stylus has a tremendous article on humor in music up this week. I cannot emphasize enough how much I enjoy Stylus' content on a daily basis. Some of the best writing on the web by far!
- LiveEarth, the Al Gore backed musical extravaganza to raise awareness about global warming, announced its US and UK lineups today. The festival is boasting shows on all seven continents so I'm holding off on buying tickets till the announce the Antarctica show. Seriously folks, they wanna do a show in (on?) Antarctica! Count me in, I love crowd surfing on penguins!
- Sports Note #2: The Rangers open the playoffs on the road tomorrow night against the inexperienced Atlanta Thrashers. They should stand a chance in this series unlike last year's debacle against the Devils. GO Rangers!
- Pitchfork reported today that the Long Blondes will finally be releasing the brilliant Someone to Drive You Home in the States thanks to Beggars Group on June 5th! What's even better is the band will be touring in support of the US release and I'm hoping that means the normal British band at Mercury Lounge stop! Dates will be posted as soon as they are released!
- Radiohead released a new video today of them fooling around in the studio. In other news the band still have no label and no plans of releasing any of the material they are fooling with in the video. Take what you can get Radiohead fans, and here's to 2008! Thanks CMJ!
Here's some tracks to listen to:
Bad Veins - "Gold & Warm"
Parts & Labor - "Fractured Skies"
Midnight Movies - "Coral Den"
BARR - "The Song is the Single"
Labels:
bad veins,
barr,
hump day,
links,
midnight movies,
mp3's,
parts and labor,
sports,
thoughts,
tv
So Ozzfest is gonna be free this year. Does that mean it's gonna be worth going to? You are basically getting a free shot at seeing Ozzy, Lamb of God, and a bunch of shitty metal bands. I guess its cool if you've never seen Ozzy, but let's face it Black Sabbath is ten times what Ozzy's solo material was and now this guys as old as the hills. So, with not a single show in New York will it be worth traveling to Jersey or Philly just to watch people sweating because they are wearing black and leather in the middle of the summer? Probably not, but for those that want to here's the information regarding how to get your free tickets!"You’ve heard about how OZZFEST is boldly redefining the concert industry this year by making all the tickets to the summer’s premiere touring concert festival entirely free for fans.
Well, Ozzfest fans have a number of ways to score a pair of tickets to “FreeFest”--which will rock mightily with festival’s namesake OZZY OSBOURNE and Lamb of God, Hatebreed, Lordi, Behemoth, Mondo Generator, Nile, Ankla, Circus Diablo, The Showdown, 3 Inches of Blood, Daath, Chthonic and In This Moment.
Ticket codes will be distributed through sponsor websites beginning May 12. Details on these programs are available on ozzfest.com, livenation.com, monsterenergy.com, jagermusic.com and fye.com. In the meantime, various sponsors will have offline initiatives, details of which will also be available via their respective websites.
These codes can be redeemed for tickets beginning June 12--exactly one month before the first OZZFEST 2007 show in Seattle. Fans will return to the site where they registered or www.livenation.com/ozzfest, enter their code and download two tickets to the show of their choice. Note: To ensure that everyone gets the chance for free tickets, there is a limit of two tickets per customer.
The 24-city earth-pounding 12th annual OZZFEST will launch July 12 in Seattle, WA at the White River Amphitheatre. OZZFEST will also hit George, WA, Sacramento, CA, Mountain View, CA, Devore, CA, Phoenix, AZ, Albuquerque, NM, Denver, CO, Kansas City, MO, Dallas, TX, San Antonio, TX, St. Louis, MO, Columbus, OH, Tinley Park, IL, East Troy, WI, Indianapolis, IN, Holmdel, NJ, Hartford, CT, Boston, MA, Philadelphia, PA, Pittsburgh, PA, Detroit, MI, Charlotte, NC and West Palm Beach, FL.
Stay tuned to www.ozzfest.com and www.LiveNation.com for the most up to date information on this summer’s extravaganza."
About a month ago I had the foresight to name Love of Diagrams my band of the week. Not to toot my own horn or anything, but since that day their Matador debut, Mosaic, has done nothing but grow on me, wrapping itself up inside my brain and forcing me to play the entire album on repeat more often than I care to admit. The Australian trio have done a wonderful job with this album, wearing their UK post-punk and American No Wave influences on their sleeve but also creating their own sound and energy.The band relies on a brilliant rhythm section helmed by drummer Monika Fikerle and bassist Antonia Sellbach and the ever steady guitaring of Luke Horton to garner its aggressive sound, and uses excellent harmonies from Antonia and Luke to push the music deeper into the listeners ears. The vocals are often layered with effects causing them to come off a bit muddier than I normally am fond of, but the delivery style actually works here with the music backing it step for step. "Form and Function" kicks off the album with a fast beat and picks up the tempo from their with a squealing guitar added in and finally the quickly paced vocals. For an opening track it immediately grabs you and pulls you head first into the rest of the album. From there the band alternate bewteen furiously paced songs that make you want to mosh around and slower tracks that balances out all the enrgy on the faster songs.
Several of the songs found on the album were found on the band's self-titled EP, released earlier this year by Matador to build the hype surrounding the band. The songs manage to fit in among the new songs extremely well, showing us that Love of Diagrams has found its sound and is perfectly content where they are right now with their music. Its a good move that breeds some familiarity for their older fans, while also allowing new fans to jump right in where they are now.
Mosaic is a really solid album from top to bottom, which shouldn't be all that surprising considering Matador's track record with bands. Currently on tour with Ted Leo, Love of Diagrams is poised for a breakout year based on the stength of this album and the constantly growing buzz around the band. This is definately an album you should add to your shopping list this week, and it should easily make an appearance on tons of year end lists later this year.
Love of Diagrams - "Form and Function"
Love of Diagrams - "All the Time"
buy it at insound!
Also Released:
Monday: Tokyo Police Club & Ra Ra Riot @ Mercury Lounge 7:30pm SOLD OUT
I know its probably wrong of me to keep highlighting completely sold out shows, but I just can't help myself. Tonight's bill features two of my favorite new bands of 2006 and should be a rocking good time. Of course Ra Ra Riot has just released a brand new EP where they have re-worked a couple of their songs so their set should be a bit different, and Tokyo Police Club is working on new material as well. Should be fun if you can get yourself in.
Tokyo Police Club - "Cut Cut Paste"
Ra Ra Riot - "Every Year"
or...Meneguar & Pterodactyl @ The Woodser 4pm $5
If you can't get yourself into Mercury Lounge you can go in a completely different direction with Meneguar and Pterodactyl. Instead of melodic, pop-rock these two bands play loud and noisy rock that should make you deaf for days. Certainly worth the price of admission despite the strange start time.
Meneguar - "The Temp"
Pterodactyl - "I Can See A River"
Tuesday: Blonde Redhead @ The Apple Store SoHo 8pm FREE
The buzz is building for Blonde Redhead, and you can see it in person tonight for the absolute best price of nothing! The band will be releasing their album 23 today and to celebrate they'll be playing a set at the Apple Store. So go buy the album then head over to watch it in person!
Blonde Redhead - "Heroine"
Wednesday: Annuals @ Virgin Megastore Union Square 7pm FREE
Annuals are playing a really expensive show with the freaking Kaiser Chiefs on Thursday. I do not suggest going to that show, but I do think you should catch Annuals at any cost, and when the cost is $0 well you should really make it a point to see them. I'm sure there will be a fair sized line for this so get there a bit early to get primo spots!
Annuals - "The Bull and the Goat"
Thursday: KAPOW!, Palomar, Illinois, & The Oranges Band @ Mercury Lounge 8pm $10
Out of this entire lineup I have only heard music from Illinois, but that music and recommendations from several of my friends about the other bands, should be enough to get me to this show. Maybe that's enough for you as well?
KAPOW! - "Five Finger Discount"
Palomar - "Our Haunt"
Illinois - "Alone Again"
The Oranges Band - "All Ghosts In Your House"
Friday: Enon, Cheeseburger, & The Muggabears @ Mercury Lounge 8pm $10
Here's my weekly Muggabears mention! If you still haven't listened to me and gone to see this band, please do so now. I have no idea what these other two bands do, but I am intrigued by the name band named Cheeseburger.
Enon - "Natural Disasters"
Cheeseburger - "Derby Day"
The Muggabears - "Dead Kid Kicks"
Saturday: Page France @ Union Hall 8pm $12
Page France is all the rage these days. They've been talked about all over the internet and are finally starting to get noticed by the mainstream press. Its about time you check them out, and Union Hall is a great venue to do that.
Page France - "Hat and Rabbit"
Sunday: Oneida, Cause Co-Motion, & Vampire Weekend @ Barnard College 12:30pm FREE
Three free shows in one week, what more can one ask for? Well how about a free show that's also a bar-b-q! That's right the folks at Barnard College's radio station, WBAR, have booked the years first bar-b-q! Thsi should be lots of fun with a ton of solid bands, the best of which are listed above. Go for the grub, stay for the bands!
Oneida - "Up With People"
Cause Co-Motion - "What's Your Rupture"
Vampire Weekend - "Oxford Comma"
I know its probably wrong of me to keep highlighting completely sold out shows, but I just can't help myself. Tonight's bill features two of my favorite new bands of 2006 and should be a rocking good time. Of course Ra Ra Riot has just released a brand new EP where they have re-worked a couple of their songs so their set should be a bit different, and Tokyo Police Club is working on new material as well. Should be fun if you can get yourself in.
Tokyo Police Club - "Cut Cut Paste"
Ra Ra Riot - "Every Year"
or...Meneguar & Pterodactyl @ The Woodser 4pm $5
If you can't get yourself into Mercury Lounge you can go in a completely different direction with Meneguar and Pterodactyl. Instead of melodic, pop-rock these two bands play loud and noisy rock that should make you deaf for days. Certainly worth the price of admission despite the strange start time.
Meneguar - "The Temp"
Pterodactyl - "I Can See A River"
Tuesday: Blonde Redhead @ The Apple Store SoHo 8pm FREE
The buzz is building for Blonde Redhead, and you can see it in person tonight for the absolute best price of nothing! The band will be releasing their album 23 today and to celebrate they'll be playing a set at the Apple Store. So go buy the album then head over to watch it in person!
Blonde Redhead - "Heroine"
Wednesday: Annuals @ Virgin Megastore Union Square 7pm FREE
Annuals are playing a really expensive show with the freaking Kaiser Chiefs on Thursday. I do not suggest going to that show, but I do think you should catch Annuals at any cost, and when the cost is $0 well you should really make it a point to see them. I'm sure there will be a fair sized line for this so get there a bit early to get primo spots!
Annuals - "The Bull and the Goat"
Thursday: KAPOW!, Palomar, Illinois, & The Oranges Band @ Mercury Lounge 8pm $10
Out of this entire lineup I have only heard music from Illinois, but that music and recommendations from several of my friends about the other bands, should be enough to get me to this show. Maybe that's enough for you as well?
KAPOW! - "Five Finger Discount"
Palomar - "Our Haunt"
Illinois - "Alone Again"
The Oranges Band - "All Ghosts In Your House"
Friday: Enon, Cheeseburger, & The Muggabears @ Mercury Lounge 8pm $10
Here's my weekly Muggabears mention! If you still haven't listened to me and gone to see this band, please do so now. I have no idea what these other two bands do, but I am intrigued by the name band named Cheeseburger.
Enon - "Natural Disasters"
Cheeseburger - "Derby Day"
The Muggabears - "Dead Kid Kicks"
Saturday: Page France @ Union Hall 8pm $12
Page France is all the rage these days. They've been talked about all over the internet and are finally starting to get noticed by the mainstream press. Its about time you check them out, and Union Hall is a great venue to do that.
Page France - "Hat and Rabbit"
Sunday: Oneida, Cause Co-Motion, & Vampire Weekend @ Barnard College 12:30pm FREE
Three free shows in one week, what more can one ask for? Well how about a free show that's also a bar-b-q! That's right the folks at Barnard College's radio station, WBAR, have booked the years first bar-b-q! Thsi should be lots of fun with a ton of solid bands, the best of which are listed above. Go for the grub, stay for the bands!
Oneida - "Up With People"
Cause Co-Motion - "What's Your Rupture"
Vampire Weekend - "Oxford Comma"
Labels:
annuals,
blonde redhead,
illinois,
live music,
mp3's,
oneida,
page france,
ra ra riot,
the muggabears,
tokyo police club
Another day, another free concert announcement, this one courtesy of Lolita Bras! I'll let the band do the talking here, via their myspace bulletin:"Hey People -
It's been a while since we've played in Manhattan, but we'll be back this Friday, and there are lots of reasons to come. First off there's the awesome bands (our good friends Seems So Bright and The Press among them!); then there's the free vodka bar from 9-10pm and all night drink specials; and did we mention it's FREE ADMISSION if you RSVP to rsvp@newyorkunderbelly.com??"
So there you have it, get on this people!!!
Since I first heard "Pepper Spray" about 8 or 9 months ago I have had the uncontrolable urge to see The Lisps just about everytime they have ventured out of their Brooklyn apartment to play a show for the welcoming masses. Some people might deem this behavior to be obsessive, or even odd, but I prefer to look at it as a sort of addiction. And as far as addictions go there are much worse ones than loving sugary sweet folk pop with a twist. Last night the band played their bon voyage gig before they head across the country to spread the good word.
The band kicked off their set with their melodica warm-up routine before kicking straight into "Chaos". This may have been the 50th time I've seen "Chaos" performed (note, 50 is an exageration) but each time I see it I am amazed that they can pull off the tightly packed lyrics so perfectly. Personally I'd be out of breath by the second line of the first verse, damn you Marlboro! The band then continued on their merry way playing a mix of old favorites and new ditties that will soon become favorite. They left out two of my favorite songs "Pepper Spray" and "Winter That I Missed", but that only allowed me to hear some songs I haven't heard as much which is always a wonderful experience when you're listening to a band like The Lisps.
My one complaint about Lisps shows, and this goes for everyone I've ever been at, is they are way too short. After about 40 minutes of playing this band makes you want more. They force you find their quirky romance endearing, they make you fall in love with their coordinated outfirts, and most importantly they implant their songs into your brains so you are humming them till the time you go to be the next night. So last night's show was a bit bittersweet knowing the band will be gone for a month exploring other worlds and meeting new fans. But they'll be back and when they are you know I'll be there!
Ah Easter, what can I say about this holiday except that it is probably one of my least favorite holidays of the year. I'm not an overtly religious person so I don't really care that Christ supposedly rose from the dead on this day, my family has the potential to drive me nuts though sometimes they can amuse me, and well I'm not a kid anymore so the Easter Bunny really does nothing for me. That said my mom and dad usually come through with some sweet Reese's eggs for my brothers and me, so there is a silver lining to everything! Here's a mix to commemorate Easter '07, its a fairly odd mix that you may love or may hate and that is probably a little too rabbit heavy but its all good. Hope some of you enjoy it! Happy Easter!
Andrew Lloyd Weber - "Superstar"
The Moldy Peaches - "Little Bunny Foo Foo"
The Shins - "Red Rabbit"
The Magnetic Fields - "Lets Pretend We're Bunny Rabbits"
Dead Rabbit - "Sunday"
Bishop Allen - "The Rabbits"
Midlake - "We Gathered in Spring"
U.N.K.L.E. - "Rabbit In Your Headlights"
Lavender Diamond - "Rise In the Springtime"
My Birghtest Diamond - "Magic Rabbit"
Neutral Milk Hotel - "King of Carrot Flowers Part 2 & 3"
Animal Collective - "My Favorite Colors"
The Hold Steady - "How a Resurrection Really Feels"
Andrew Lloyd Weber - "John Nineteen: Forty-One"
So rollingstone.com and Jose Cuervo are teaming up to bring us some free indie rock here in New York next Tuesday (that's April 10th folks!). The show is featuring three up-and-coming bands, Heavy Trash, The Big Sleep, and American Princes. I don't know much about two of these bands, but I can totally vouch for The Big Sleep as being a band you should definately check out, plus free is the right price no matter how you slice it. The only draw back to the show is it is 21 and over, and you have to RSVP at rollingstone.com. But check it out if you have nothing else to do on Tuesday! Now here's songs from the bands...
The Big Sleep - "You Can't Touch The Untouchable"
Heavy Trash - "Mr. K.I.A."
American Princes - "This Is The Year"
The Big Sleep - "You Can't Touch The Untouchable"
Heavy Trash - "Mr. K.I.A."
American Princes - "This Is The Year"
Labels:
american princes,
big sleep,
cuervo,
free show,
heavy trash,
live music,
mp3's,
rolling stone
For months now the music world has focused on Sweden to get its fill of indie pop, but its high time we shift the focus to another part of Europe and that land is one called Denmark. I know absolutely nothing about Denmark, but I know what I enjoy listening to and one of my latest obsessions is an electronic-pop band called People Press Play.People Press Play takes four solo artists, three of whom were members of Future 3, and puts them together in a room to make sweet music together. The band relies heavily on synthetic sounds and the vocals of Sara Savery to create its unique and relaxing sound. This isn't the type of electronic pop you want to get up and dance to, though I'm sure you could if you really wanted to, rather this is music for those relaxing times when you want something quiet to soothe you into relaxtion.
The band is about to release its debut self titled album on Morr Records out of Berlin, and the album has been increasing in rotation as the days go by for me. Every time I listen to this album I am lifted into a state of utter peace and ease that I find very difficult to get to most times. It is because of music like this that I have not been completely driven mad by the crazy world we live in. So if you're tense, or just need something to relax those nerves of yours I would highly suggest checking out People Press Play.
People Press Play on Myspace
People Press Play - "Hanging On"
People Press Play - "Studio"
- Sports Note #1: So the Yankees got the season off to a pretty decent start beating up on the Devil Rays despite three bone headed errors and a mediocre pitching performance from Carl Pavano. The good news is that the bats look good, they look real good!!!
- This week Daytrotter has Tilly and the Wall in the studio for some wonderful tracks. Last year Tilly and the Wall's Bottoms of Barrels was criminally overlooked at the end of the year, so make up for it by checking out these tunes!
- TV Note #1: This Sunday, after all the Easter eggs have been found and the family has gone their separate ways we get to settle into the final 8 episodes of The Sopranos and the new season of Entourage. I am overly excited for both of these shows and I think its with good reason. For all the down notes people had for the last season of Sopranos it had some great moments in it, and hopefully led up to a brilliant close to an amazing series. As for Entoutrage we all want to know what's going to happen with Ari. I don't think there's another character in any tv show I like more than Ari, he's a riot in every scene he shows up in. Here's hoping for some great things from HBO on Sunday!
- Trains are a big part of my daily life living in New York City, so I really enjoyed Stylus Magazine's Top 10 Songs About Trains this week. Good stuff.
- I saw Jon Stewart walking down the street yesterday with his wife and kid. Not that it matters to you.
- Everyone and there mother is covering the rumored Lollapalooza lineup that can be found here. All I have to say that if the Pavement rumor comes true I will be at Lollapalooza and not Pitchfork this year!
- Sports Note #2: The Rangers are 1 point away from clinching a playoff spot! They could have done it last night but couldn't quite finish the Islanders off. Oh well, at least we'll be making the playoffs!!!
- I was just reading a list of the 25 greatest rumors in rock history as compiled by the people at Rolling Stone's attempt at a blog. After perusing the list I've come to the conclusion that most of these so called rumors are actually true. Like #9, isn't that true? And #1 is certainly true! And don't even get me started on #3! What do you think about the list?
- TV Note #2: I just learned that the Black Donnelly's has died a quick and painless death. I don't understand this, every year I jump on a midseason replacement that seems catered to me (Love Monkey) and it gets taken off the air almost instantly! Hey TV execs stop canceling shows I like!!!
People Press Play - "That Walk"
Battles - "Rainbow"
Hot Chip - "My Piano (DJ Kicks)"
Peel - "Oxford"
It seems in this day and age that bands are coming and going at an ever quickening pace forcing us to sort through loads of crap before we come up with something worth listening to. It was with a tepid ear that I began listening to The Twilight Sad's new album Fourteen Autumns and Fifteen Winters a few weeks ago. But as I listened I was drawn further and further in by James Graham's deep brogue and the band's ability to switch from beautiful melodies to grinding noise. This in, addition to rave reviews from SXSW, led me to the Knitting Factory on Monday to take in the sound of the band for myself in the first person.
The night got started with a band called A Northern Chorus. Never before had I heard of this band, and my expectations were set at a very low level for the band, but man did they impress me! Using six members, including the additions of a cellists and a violinist to your standard band fare, the band managed to be the perfect opener for The Twilight Sad. Their music was at once engaging and sad, emotional yet enjoyable, surprising pretty much everyone in attendance or so it seemed. Outside after the band played I overheard several people expressing their pleasant surprise that the opening act was so good, but those chats would be short lived with the set The Twilight Sad were about to play for us.
The four members of The Twilight Sad took their places on the stage and began to mystify the crowd with the first notes of "Cold Days from the Birdhouse". Graham, eyes closed on stage, began to sing the song with only a quiet guitar strumming behind him, slowly the music built up before exploding into the competing noise I have come to love from the band. At these moments the band were furiously loud, letting the instruments in their hands accentuate the depth of the lyrics. But all eyes were on James Graham for most of the night. The Scottish singer draws your eyes away from everything else with his lush voice and overly dramatic movements. It seems Graham was on the verge of tears the entire night and that type of stage presence will always push the music to new levels.
Over the course of their 45-minute long set the band played most of the material off of Fourteen Autumns..., missing a track here or there, but putting the audience in complete awe. The way they handled the dichotomy in their music was truly breathtaking, at one moment you would have Graham quietly crooning to us and seconds later the band would burst out with heavily effected guitar and throbbing rhythms. It was actually startling at times, especially when you found yourself fully lost in Graham's voice.
So this is the reason we sort through all this new music being forced down our throats, because every once in a while we come across a nugget that has the potential to wholly captivate us. This was an excellent show by a very young band, but one I am sure we will be hearing a lot more from in the near future!
More pictures here
Video coming soon!!! (it's up above!!!)
The night got started with a band called A Northern Chorus. Never before had I heard of this band, and my expectations were set at a very low level for the band, but man did they impress me! Using six members, including the additions of a cellists and a violinist to your standard band fare, the band managed to be the perfect opener for The Twilight Sad. Their music was at once engaging and sad, emotional yet enjoyable, surprising pretty much everyone in attendance or so it seemed. Outside after the band played I overheard several people expressing their pleasant surprise that the opening act was so good, but those chats would be short lived with the set The Twilight Sad were about to play for us.
The four members of The Twilight Sad took their places on the stage and began to mystify the crowd with the first notes of "Cold Days from the Birdhouse". Graham, eyes closed on stage, began to sing the song with only a quiet guitar strumming behind him, slowly the music built up before exploding into the competing noise I have come to love from the band. At these moments the band were furiously loud, letting the instruments in their hands accentuate the depth of the lyrics. But all eyes were on James Graham for most of the night. The Scottish singer draws your eyes away from everything else with his lush voice and overly dramatic movements. It seems Graham was on the verge of tears the entire night and that type of stage presence will always push the music to new levels.
Over the course of their 45-minute long set the band played most of the material off of Fourteen Autumns..., missing a track here or there, but putting the audience in complete awe. The way they handled the dichotomy in their music was truly breathtaking, at one moment you would have Graham quietly crooning to us and seconds later the band would burst out with heavily effected guitar and throbbing rhythms. It was actually startling at times, especially when you found yourself fully lost in Graham's voice.
So this is the reason we sort through all this new music being forced down our throats, because every once in a while we come across a nugget that has the potential to wholly captivate us. This was an excellent show by a very young band, but one I am sure we will be hearing a lot more from in the near future!More pictures here
It is undeniable that Timbaland has had a huge hand in crafting the pop music scene over the past decade. He turned Justin Timberlake from a skinny teeny bopper into the prince of pop, he has taken rappers from small time rhymers to multi-platinum recording artists, and he is responsible for some of the sickest beats in the history of music. All this makes the fact that he is releasing only his second solo album ever even more remarkable than it really is. On Timbaland presents Shock Value, the man behind the boards comes out front once in a while and brings an incredible roster of artists along for the ride with him.The album itself is full of beats that the man has obviously hoarded for himself, from the simple beats found on "Scream" to more complex works on tracks like "Release" and "Come & Get Me". Rarely does he step in front of the mic on the album preferring to do what he normally does, crafting dense rhythms to make the world dance, while his friends add words to make them radio friendly and addictively catchy. I admit there is some filler material on here, and not all of the tracks are meant for the dance clubs and radio stations Timbaland has owned for almost ten years. But when the album is at its best it is pretty remarkable.
"Release" is probably the standard bearer for the entire album, which makes sense considering the success Timbaland and Justin Timberlake have had together. Its a song that gets you going with the back beat to Inspector Gadget being played over and over before Justin throws in his slick rhyme-sing style to it with a chorus that will be echoed across the globe for the entire duration of the summer. Its so good we will all be sick of it by June. "Come & Get Me" featuring the kid beater Tony Yayo and 50 Cent is also a really impressive track, but doesn't break from Timbaland's track record enough to truly awe an audience.
The really impressive pieces of the album are when Timbaland starts collaborating with rock bands like The Hives, Fallout Boy, and Elton John. "Throw It On Me", which features The Hives, could easily be mistaken for a track from The Neptunes but stands on its own two legs thanks to it fast pacing and really short length (2:11). The Fallout Boy track "One & Only" is unmistakeably a Fallout Boy song, but Timbaland puts enough of himself into it to strip it of its whinier aspects. Elton John sparkles on the piano, as he normally does, on the final track of the album "2 Man Show". Its slower than most of the tracks on the album and shows off Timbaland's abilities with actual instruments mixing with the synthetic pieces of his work.
This album is sure to spawn off several singles, sell millions of records, and be the soundtrack to a lot of people's summers. By the time we get to Labor Day weekend this album may have run its course, but will be remixed and edited in a billion different ways to keep it feeling fresh and new. Its about time Timbaland stepped out and did his own thing, and its a fairly impressive piece of work from top to bottom with only a few rough patches in the middle.
Timbaland (feat. Justin Timberlake) - "Release"
Timbaland (feat. Tony Yayo & 50 Cent) - "Come & Get Me"
Timbaland (feat. Elton John) - "2 Man Show"
Also Released:
Monday: The Twilight Sad @ The Knitting Factory 8pm $12
During SXSW people began buzzing about The Twilight Sound and their dark brand of indie rock. Featuring one of the best broughs in all of music, the songs from this Scotish band are dark and gloomy, but entirely catchy and addictive. Check them out now before they do the usual indie band explosion we've become accustom to.
The Twilight Sad - "I'm Taking the Train Home"
Tuesday: Land of Talk & The Muggabears @ Union Hall 8pm $10
Last week I caught Land of Talk open up for Menomena and the Canadian trio definately made an impression on me. As for The Muggabears, I have sung their praises many many times in the past. If you have not heeded my advice and gone to say them yet, well here's your chance.
Land of Talk - "All My Friends"
The Muggabears - "Dead Kid Kicks"
Wednesday: Sons and Daughters @ Bowery Ballroom 7pm $15
We're in the middle of a mini Scotish invasion this week. First we get The Twilight Sad on Monday now here comes Sons and Daughters attacking us with their cross breed of different styles blended together to make one sweet sound of rock music. Their lead singers brogue isn't as deep but we're not holding it against them!
Sons and Daughters - "Johnny Cash"
Thursday: Patrick Wolf @ Hiro Ballroom 10:30pm FREE
I'm not sold on the whole Patrick Wolf phenomena. I haven't been nearly as enamored with his album as some of my blogging cohorts have been and I don't know that I ever will come to love it. That said a free show is a free show. And they'll probably be serving booze!
Patrick Wolf - "Bluebells"
Friday: The Lisps @ Galapagos 8pm $TBA
This Friday we wish The Lisps a bon voyage as they embark on their maiden voyage across the United States bringing their wonderful sounds to towns that have been without them since the Dark Ages. Come and send them off in appropriate fashion, with waltzing!!! Lots of waltzing people!!! If you don't understand that, come down and watch the band anyway.
The Lisps - "Machine"
Saturday: Knockout #3 feat. Bridges & Powerlines, Benzos, The Diggs, and Square Wave Punuch @ Matchless 8pm $TBA
Every few months Chris from The Battering Room and I get together to throw a show in honor of whatever season we happen to be in. Tonight you get to warm for our next one in May with a solid lineup of bands. Benzos and The Diggs happen to be two of the hottest bands in the New York scene right now! As for Bridges & Powerlines and Square Wave Punch I don't know much about them, but I'm trusting Chris not to let us all down.
Bridges & Powerlines - "Carmen"
Benzos - "Glass Soul"
The Diggs - "Trouble Everyday"
Square Wave Punch - "Alice"
Sunday: Xiu Xiu & Shearwater @ Bowery Ballroom 8pm $15
What better way to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus than by hanging out with one of the best shoegaze bands on the planet - Xiu Xiu. Also on this bill is another one of those highly touted Matador signees Shearwater. I hear their pretty good, but have not yet heard for myself. So when you're done with your bonnet and you Easter egg hunts head over to Bowery for a promising night of great music.
Xiu Xiu - "Clowne Towne"
Shearwater - "Palo Santo"
During SXSW people began buzzing about The Twilight Sound and their dark brand of indie rock. Featuring one of the best broughs in all of music, the songs from this Scotish band are dark and gloomy, but entirely catchy and addictive. Check them out now before they do the usual indie band explosion we've become accustom to.
The Twilight Sad - "I'm Taking the Train Home"
Tuesday: Land of Talk & The Muggabears @ Union Hall 8pm $10
Last week I caught Land of Talk open up for Menomena and the Canadian trio definately made an impression on me. As for The Muggabears, I have sung their praises many many times in the past. If you have not heeded my advice and gone to say them yet, well here's your chance.
Land of Talk - "All My Friends"
The Muggabears - "Dead Kid Kicks"
Wednesday: Sons and Daughters @ Bowery Ballroom 7pm $15
We're in the middle of a mini Scotish invasion this week. First we get The Twilight Sad on Monday now here comes Sons and Daughters attacking us with their cross breed of different styles blended together to make one sweet sound of rock music. Their lead singers brogue isn't as deep but we're not holding it against them!
Sons and Daughters - "Johnny Cash"
Thursday: Patrick Wolf @ Hiro Ballroom 10:30pm FREE
I'm not sold on the whole Patrick Wolf phenomena. I haven't been nearly as enamored with his album as some of my blogging cohorts have been and I don't know that I ever will come to love it. That said a free show is a free show. And they'll probably be serving booze!
Patrick Wolf - "Bluebells"
Friday: The Lisps @ Galapagos 8pm $TBA
This Friday we wish The Lisps a bon voyage as they embark on their maiden voyage across the United States bringing their wonderful sounds to towns that have been without them since the Dark Ages. Come and send them off in appropriate fashion, with waltzing!!! Lots of waltzing people!!! If you don't understand that, come down and watch the band anyway.
The Lisps - "Machine"
Saturday: Knockout #3 feat. Bridges & Powerlines, Benzos, The Diggs, and Square Wave Punuch @ Matchless 8pm $TBA
Every few months Chris from The Battering Room and I get together to throw a show in honor of whatever season we happen to be in. Tonight you get to warm for our next one in May with a solid lineup of bands. Benzos and The Diggs happen to be two of the hottest bands in the New York scene right now! As for Bridges & Powerlines and Square Wave Punch I don't know much about them, but I'm trusting Chris not to let us all down.
Bridges & Powerlines - "Carmen"
Benzos - "Glass Soul"
The Diggs - "Trouble Everyday"
Square Wave Punch - "Alice"
Sunday: Xiu Xiu & Shearwater @ Bowery Ballroom 8pm $15
What better way to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus than by hanging out with one of the best shoegaze bands on the planet - Xiu Xiu. Also on this bill is another one of those highly touted Matador signees Shearwater. I hear their pretty good, but have not yet heard for myself. So when you're done with your bonnet and you Easter egg hunts head over to Bowery for a promising night of great music.
Xiu Xiu - "Clowne Towne"
Shearwater - "Palo Santo"
Last Tuesday A Brief Smile participated in an on-air interview with JV & Elvis of The Dog House on 92.3 Free FM. Here's what JV & Elvis have to say for themselves...
"Last week the guys from A Brief Smile sat around the Green Room waiting for their time to get some airplay. Little did they know that time was a whole week away.
So the boys came back today, and you finally got to hear them. Bodhi and I both thought the band had promise when we checked out their Myspace page last week. Like I said then: "It's original, it's depressing and I think I love it!"
You, the dear listeners, had your chance to rate the band today. And boy, oh boy... this didn't go well. Why are bass players such tools? Seriously...
Four members out of the five piece showed up today. Three of them were cool, one was a complete waste. He started off the interview saying he USED to listen to Krock (when the station was "good") and that he has never heard the Dog House program which is on "what once a week?". He also says he only listens to WFMU when he turns on the radio. And that's when his ass was kicked out of the studio.
After JV continued his bashing of the pansy bass player, said pansy bass player returned to the studio (un-invited this time) to lambast JV for using the word "Faggy". He says he takes offense to that word, being a boy of mixed sexual tastes (that means he's half a fenook like Rudy), and more or less asked for an apology.
JV was having none of that ish! He explained that by "faggy" he means "dorky" and that his comments had nothing to do with the pansy bass players sexual preferences. Then he kicked him out again.
Oh yeah... the music, right! The studio crew thought A Brief Smile sounded really good, but the listeners weren't feeling it. Looks like no sticky link for them."
I don't know how this type of language is still acceptable in this society. If the DJ's would have used any type of racial epithet they would have been fined and thrown off the air. But because gays are so frowned upon by our right wing government they won't be touched for their actions on this day. So I am hereby boycotting this station until these two jerks are pulled off the air for good. I hope you all will back me with this and follow suit. Leave some comments below letting me know if you support me or not! Thanks everyone!
"Last week the guys from A Brief Smile sat around the Green Room waiting for their time to get some airplay. Little did they know that time was a whole week away.
So the boys came back today, and you finally got to hear them. Bodhi and I both thought the band had promise when we checked out their Myspace page last week. Like I said then: "It's original, it's depressing and I think I love it!"
You, the dear listeners, had your chance to rate the band today. And boy, oh boy... this didn't go well. Why are bass players such tools? Seriously...
Four members out of the five piece showed up today. Three of them were cool, one was a complete waste. He started off the interview saying he USED to listen to Krock (when the station was "good") and that he has never heard the Dog House program which is on "what once a week?". He also says he only listens to WFMU when he turns on the radio. And that's when his ass was kicked out of the studio.
After JV continued his bashing of the pansy bass player, said pansy bass player returned to the studio (un-invited this time) to lambast JV for using the word "Faggy". He says he takes offense to that word, being a boy of mixed sexual tastes (that means he's half a fenook like Rudy), and more or less asked for an apology.
JV was having none of that ish! He explained that by "faggy" he means "dorky" and that his comments had nothing to do with the pansy bass players sexual preferences. Then he kicked him out again.
Oh yeah... the music, right! The studio crew thought A Brief Smile sounded really good, but the listeners weren't feeling it. Looks like no sticky link for them."
I don't know how this type of language is still acceptable in this society. If the DJ's would have used any type of racial epithet they would have been fined and thrown off the air. But because gays are so frowned upon by our right wing government they won't be touched for their actions on this day. So I am hereby boycotting this station until these two jerks are pulled off the air for good. I hope you all will back me with this and follow suit. Leave some comments below letting me know if you support me or not! Thanks everyone!
The crowd at Bowery Ballroom on Friday night was a tale of two crowds. On one hand you have the music fans, the kids that go out to shows three or four nights a week and let the music consume the souls. Those kids were packing the middle of the cramped floor and ready to dance the entire evening. Then you had the people that wanted to be seen along the outer walls, in the balcony, and especially at the bars of the place. I think these are the people James Murphy wrote "New York I Love You" for.
But this isn't about the crowd, well not entirely at least, its really about the fabulousness of LCD Soundsystem. Featuring some of the most gifted musicians I have seen in a long time, and of course the leader of it all James Murphy, LCD Soundsystem positively rocked Bowery Ballroom on Friday night. The band tore through the material from the latest album, Sound of Silver and mixed in some of the best tracks off of the earlier eponymous album. From the opening notes of "Us vs. Them", through the slight set delay after the drummer broke his snare drum, and to the grand finale of "New York I Love You" LCD Soundsystem owned the place and wasn't giving it back any time soon.
The kids in the middle only added to the fun. Watching them flail about all over the place (sorry I was too tired to join in the fun that night), spontaneously hugging each other, cheering along with every word and every beat, I was reminded why music is so important to so many of us. It allows us to let go of the outside world for a few minutes at a time and lose ourselves within a delicate and beautiful piece of art. I won't say the show on Friday was my favorite ever, or the greatest, but I will say it reinforced my absolute love of music. Thanks James, thanks band members, and thank you kids in the middle cause without you guys and your passion we'd be overrun by the people standing along the walls and that is not the type of place I wanna live in!
The Sluts have pics and words
But this isn't about the crowd, well not entirely at least, its really about the fabulousness of LCD Soundsystem. Featuring some of the most gifted musicians I have seen in a long time, and of course the leader of it all James Murphy, LCD Soundsystem positively rocked Bowery Ballroom on Friday night. The band tore through the material from the latest album, Sound of Silver and mixed in some of the best tracks off of the earlier eponymous album. From the opening notes of "Us vs. Them", through the slight set delay after the drummer broke his snare drum, and to the grand finale of "New York I Love You" LCD Soundsystem owned the place and wasn't giving it back any time soon.
The kids in the middle only added to the fun. Watching them flail about all over the place (sorry I was too tired to join in the fun that night), spontaneously hugging each other, cheering along with every word and every beat, I was reminded why music is so important to so many of us. It allows us to let go of the outside world for a few minutes at a time and lose ourselves within a delicate and beautiful piece of art. I won't say the show on Friday was my favorite ever, or the greatest, but I will say it reinforced my absolute love of music. Thanks James, thanks band members, and thank you kids in the middle cause without you guys and your passion we'd be overrun by the people standing along the walls and that is not the type of place I wanna live in!
The Sluts have pics and words
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