Upcoming Shows: Bonnie "Prince" Billy, Werewolves + more

[Upcoming Shows Playlist]

TOMORROW, Thursday, April 1

Werewolves + Soft Black @ Union Pool | Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Either this is an extremely cruel April Fools prank, or Werewolves un-broke up and are playing a show at Union Pool. Werewolves, if you didn't know it, are one of my favorite NYC bands. They play some mixture of late 60's psychedelic rock'n'roll and 90's shoegaze, with warm layers of guitar and keyboard sounds and gnarled vocal melodies. [myspace]

Bonnie "Prince" Billy + Lichens @ Monster Island Basement | Williamsburg, Brooklyn | $12
Bonnie "Prince" Billy plays intensely sad folk music that's more desolate and spooky than mopey. He was one of the seminal indie artists of the 90's. I don't know if he's still as good, though. Still, this is the most intimate venue at which you'll ever have the chance to see him.


Friday, April 2

Bonnie "Prince" Billy @ Monster Island Basement | Williamsburg, Brooklyn | $12
Two shows, early and late. See above.

The Bronx @ Music Hall of Williamsburg | Williamsburg, Brooklyn | $15
The Bronx sits on the heavy, thrashy side of hardcore, but they aren't without their big rock'n'roll pop appeal. They are really rad. [myspace]

Blank Dogs, Wetdog (Captured Tracks Showcase?) @ Glasslands | Williamsburg, Brooklyn | $10
This was once listed as a showcase for the Captured Tracks record label, but it's not now. Doesn't matter, the bands are the same. Blank Dogs, a.k.a. Mike Sniper (who runs Captured Tracks) plays goth music buried under intense layers of lo-fi noise. It will give you the willies. Wetdog are a kind of post punk band of ladies from the UK and I'm not so into them, but they are quite well regarded and popular of late. [blank myspace] [wet myspace]


Saturday, April 3

Soft Pack (f.k.a. Muslims), Nodzzz, Male Bonding @ Music Hall of Williamsburg | Williamsburg, Brooklyn | $12
Soft Pack were cooler when they went by Muslims but they are still pretty good, sort of alt-rock-ish pop punk. Nodzzz are really, really scuzzy, fuzzy lo-fi pop. And Male Bonding play exceptional punk rock, some of the best out there. As one of SubPop's newest signees, they won't be an opening act for much longer. [soft myspace] [nodzzz myspace] [mb myspace]


Monday, April 5

White Suns, PRSMS, Genders, Passive Aggressor @ Bruar Falls | Bruar Falls | FREE
Hardcore shows are always great, but when they're free...well you just can't beat that. Some of the best. Go to this show, no excuses. [white suns myspace] [prsms myspace] [genders myspace] [pa myspace]


Tuesday, April 6

The Bronx @ Bowery Ballroom | LES, Williamsburg | $15
See above.

Asa Ransom @ Cameo | Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Madhouse dance-punk quintet Asa Ransom are having a residency at Cameo. Their stark percussive sound and untamed vocal yelps make them one of the more interesting up-and-coming bands in Brooklyn. Check them out at this or one of their other Cameo shows (later in April). [myspace]


[Upcoming Shows Playlist]
The long view...

April
8
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club @ Webster Hall (SOLD OUT)
High Places @ Market Hotel

9
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club @ Webster Hall
Pissed Jeans, Himalaya @ Knitting Factory
Pygmy Shrews @ Death by Audio
Xiu-Xiu, Tune-Yards @ Bowery Ballroom

14
A.R.E. Weapons @ Death by Audio

15
Liars @ Bowery Ballroom

18
Liars @ Music Hall of Williamsburg

19
Snoop Dogg @ Brooklyn Bowl

20
Snoop Dogg @ Fillmore at Irving Plaza
Sweet Apple (feat. J. Mascis) @ Mercury Lounge
Thermals @ Brooklyn Bowl

21
Apples in Stereo @ Bowery Ballroom
Killing Joke @ Fillmore at Irving Plaza
Thermals @ Brooklyn Bowl

22
Gang Gang Dance @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
Los Campesinos! @ Fillmore at Irving Plaza
Quasi, Let’s Wrestle @ Bowery Ballroom

24
Don Giovanni presents: Measure (SA), “Special Guest” (smart money is on Screaming Females, I think – but it’s no sure thing) @ Mercury Lounge

25
Don Giovanni presents: Shellshag, Noun (Marissa Paternoster of Screaming Females), Black Wine, Pregnant @ Mercury Lounge

30
Styrenes (mems Mirrors, Electric Eels) @ Death by Audio

May
2
Echo & the Bunnymen @ Fillmore at Irving Plaza

3
Chapterhouse @ Bell House

7
Broken Social Scene @ Webster Hall
Caribou @ Music Hall of Williamsburg

8
Broken Social Scene @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
Caribou @ Bowery Ballroom
Primitives, Frankie & the Outs @ Bell House

11
Sleigh Bells @ Market Hotel

15
Parts & Labor, Talk Normal @ Knitting Factory
Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra @ Music Hall of Williamsburg

16
Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra @ Bowery Ballroom

19
Spectrum, Vacant Lots @ Knitting Factory

July
24
M.I.A. @ Governor’s Island


[Upcoming Shows Playlist]

Upcoming Shows: Fucked Up, Screaming Females, Trail of Dead + more

[Upcoming Shows Playlist]

Tomorrow!!! Friday, February 19

Fucked Up + Kurt Vile, Frankie & the Outs @ Europa | Greenpoint, Brooklyn | $13
Fucked Up have redefined what hardcore punk can be. And they are one of the most powerful live acts you can see. [(unofficial) myspace]

Andrew WK @ Santos Party House | Chinatown, Manhattan
Andrew WK y’all. Rock’n’roll pianist.

Secret Machines + Bear in Heaven @ Glasslands | Williamsburg, Brooklyn | $12 / $15
Secret Machines once had a bit of a hit. Alt rock with just a touch of shoegaze, nothing to write home about. But if you like them, you should see them at Glasslands because it’s the coziest venue you’ll see them at.


Saturday, February 20

Pygmy Shrews @ Bruar Falls | Williamsburg, Brooklyn | FREE!
These guys are fucking awesome. They are hardcore mo’fos with song titles like "your party sucks." Their cutting distortion and feedback this like a bulldozer. And this show is free. [myspace]

Coyote Eyes, El Jezel @ Union Hall | Park Slope, Brooklyn | $8
Coyote Eyes is one of the most promising bands in Brooklyn, and they’re coming into their own more and more. Their dark web of sound is laced with captivating, catchy melodies. I haven’t heard El Jezel in a long time but they’re pretty okay themselves. [coyote myspace] [el jezel myspace]

Crystal Stilts + Beets, Beach Fossils, German Measles @ Music Hall of Williamsburg | Williamsburg, Brooklyn | $13 adv. / $15 dos
Another big line-up of bands that think they are super cool. Unfortunately for all of us, the Crystal Stilts make some of the best music around. They have a pretty uninspiring live show, though. I’d skip this, but thought I’d let you know just in case. [myspace]


Sunday, February 21

Dum Dum Girls + Frankie Rose & the Outs @ Mercury Lounge | LES, Manhattan | $10
Dum Dum Girls are mostly one girl who is not dum at all. Her name is Dee Dee and she writes great songs and sings them well. She’s a little lo-fi, a little indie pop and maybe a little smidge punk. [myspace]

PRSMS, Unstoppable Death Machines @ Death By Audio | Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Both these bands play aggressive experimental punk. PRSMS are great. UDM are not quite there yet, but they are certainly enjoyable. [prsms myspace] [uds myspace]


Tuesday, February 23

Screaming Females, Jeff the Brotherhood, Stupid Party @ Death By Audio | Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Umm. This is only going to be like the greatest show ever. No big deal. Seriously, Screaming Females are the best rock band on earth right now. Jeff the Brotherhood are not very far behind and Stupid Party, more than any other band right now, represent what is good and right in punk. See, you probably think I am exaggerating, but I’m not. Three of the best bands ON THE FRIGGIN’ PLANET at the best venue I know. [screaming myspace] [jeff myspace] [stupid myspace]

Her Vanished Grace @ Bell House | Gowanus, Brooklyn | FREE!
The only reason you should miss the above show is if you’re dead. But if you’re dead, you might try this one, because it’s free. Her Vanished Grace is a great noise pop band who know how to take control of a stage. Great melodies, great songs, great noise, they’ve got it. [myspace]


Wednesday, February 24

…and You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead (original line-up) @ Union Pool | Williamsburg, Brooklyn
I am trying to figure out if I am hallucinating this listing. You had better double check. [myspace]


[Upcoming Shows Playlist]
The long view...

February
26
Wild Beasts @ Bowery Ballroom (Sold Out!)

27
Glenn Branca (record release) @ Le Poisson Rouge

28
Wild Beasts @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
Shilpa Ray, Asa Ransom @ Cameo
Shoot Spires (mems. Parts & Labor), Pterodactyl, Unstoppable Death Machines @ Union Pool

March
4
Japanther @ Mercury Lounge

5
Muse, the Silversun Pickups @ Madison Square Garden

6
Titus Andronicus, Parts & Labor, Babies @ Bowery Ballroom

7
Awesome Color, Tyvek, Talk Normal @ Market Hotel
Washed Out, Small Black @ Mercury Lounge (sold out)

8
Dinowalrus @ Cameo
Washed Out, Small Black @ Mercury Lounge (sold out)

9
Aa, Screens @ Death By Audio

101
The Magnetic Fields @ Town Hall

11
The Magnetic Fields @ Town Hall
Iran @ Knitting Factory

12-13
Henry Rollins @ The Fillmore

18
Killswitch Engage @ The Fillmore

19
Killswitch Engage @ The Fillmore
Oneida + Sightings @ Knitting Factory

23
Black Lips @ Brooklyn Bowl

24
Black Lips @ Bowery Ballroom

25
Nada Surf play Let Go + surprise guest @ Bowery Ballroom
Jello Biafra and Guantanamo Schools of Medicine @ Brooklyn Masonic Temple

26
Nada Surf play The Weight Is a Gift + surprise guest @ Bell House
Spoon, Deerhunter @ Radio City Music Hall

27
Nada Surf play Lucky + surprise guest @ Music Hall of Williamsburg

30
Big Pink, A Place to Bury Strangers @ Webster Hall

April
2
The Bronx, Japanther @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
Captured Tracks Showcase: Blank Dogs, Wet Dog + more @ Glasslands

3
Soft Pack, Nodzzz, Male Bonding @ Music Hall of Williamsburg

6
The Bronx, Japanther @ Bowery Ballroom

8
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club @ Webster Hall

10
Washed Out, Small Black @ Music Hall of Williamsburg

15
Liars @ Bowery Ballroom

18
Liars @ Music Hall of Williamsburg

21
Apples in Stereo @ Bowery Ballroom

May
3
Chapterhouse @ Bell House


[Upcoming Shows Playlist]