News: Satellite Bar Opens in Williamsburg

OK, this isn't directly music news, but it's important and here's why: Satellite Bar is owned and run by Rob Sacher, who has been a mainstay in the New York indie scene for, well, a long-ass time.

He's owned several clubs in Manhattan and Brooklyn included the legendary 80's goth club The Mission and the recently shuttered venue Luna Lounge. Sacher is a step ahead of the curve when it comes to local bands - he was one of the very first club owners to book the Strokes in New York, and many of the bands he's touted early in their careers have gone on to be big names around the world.

Yeah, Satellite isn't a music venue, but it does feature DJing by Sacher's own iPod. Which means you'll never have to worry about the music sucking. Never.

Also, Sacher's clientele at his previous endeavours has included everyone from Lydia Lunch to Bjork to TV on the Radio. He has a knack for creating a hip vibe wherever he sets foot, and NYC's creative edge has a knack for finding him.

See for yourself at the Grand Opening this Friday and Saturday. The awesomeness starts at 9.

143 Havemeyer Street between S 1st and S 2nd.

Album: Longwave - Secrets Are Sinister

Album: Secrets Are Sinister
Original Signal, 2008
Rating: ******** (8/10)

As I promised yesterday...

Longwave have been around a while now, and they've been to the brink of making it huge in the past (in 2003, the band was signed to RCA and opening for acts like the Strokes), only to fall back into relative obscurity in recent years. But their fourth full-length release, Secrets Are Sinister, may well be what finally pushes this group over the final hurdles and onto the charts.

The album opens with a crushing wall of sound that sounds like the best of early Smashing Pumpkins, and indeed, when the vocals come in a few bars later, I could swear this was a song by the Pumpkins' groupies the Silversun Pickups. But there is a lot that sets this song apart from those bands - while the guitars are at times very early-90's, they also ring strongly of 70's guitar rock, from the Who to Pink Floyd.



The standout track on this album is, hands down, "Satellites." There is no reason on earth this song couldn't hit the Top 40 charts. The heavy sections are shoegaze-inspired alternative rock in its finest form (think Catherine Wheel), while the softer chorus is heartbreakingly beautiful. Lyrically, Steve Schlitz is at his best here, warm and emotional without being banal.

The subsequent tracks "The Devil and the Liar" and "Life Is Wrong" take the band in different directions. While not Secrets' strongest tracks, these songs do round out the record nicely (though I would have liked to hear "Life Is Wrong" as an album closer instead of a centerpiece). Then the band is back to their old tricks with the simply outstanding "Eyes Like Headlights" and "I Don't Care." The album ends a bit awkwardly on the 80's-esque title track "Secrets Are Sinister," which, while a fine song, doesn't seem to fit as a closer. But then, it doesn't much matter, since you're going to start the CD over when it ends anyway.

Secrets Are Sinister is an ambitious and professional project and shows the band at a level of maturity and confidence that could take them all the way to the top. It has its weaknesses - the oft-cliched lyrics come to mind - and it isn't at the cutting edge, but it's the kind of solid guitar-heavy pop that leaves you satisfied.

The album hits the shelves TODAY!

Live: Longwave

When: 11/9
Where: Sound Fix Lounge, Williamsburg

When I heard Longwave was doing an acoustic set at a cafe this weekend, I certainly raised an eyebrow. If you're not familiar with Longwave, you'll have to trust me that they are not an acoustic band. They are known for their wall-of-sound, effects-laden guitar music. Unplugged, I was curious what would even be left.

As it turns out, a lot. Acoustic sets by electric bands usually involve everyone strumming their acoustic guitars just like electric ones and hoping the audience can imagine what effects would kick in where. But unlike so many bands, Longwave took the time to write new arrangements for the show, transforming their songs into something completely new but equally beautiful. Replacing overdrive pedals with ukulele and a full drum-kit with shakers and a snare drum, the band's acoustic set-up allowed their songwriting to come to the fore.

All of the members showed great restraint in never overplaying, even when members had to sit out. The set was refreshingly short and while I would have loved more, it's nice to hear a band limit themselves to the songs that they know are good for the show. I left the concert impressed not only with this band's musical talent but also with their outstanding respect for their fans. If all musicians were as considerate as these, concert tickets would be worth their prices and the world would be a much kinder place.

[I should mention that this show was in support of Longwave's new album, officially released tomorrow. I'm going to try my best to get an album review up very soon, so stay tuned.]