When: 7/2
Where: Silent Barn
There were so many things to be confused by upon walking into the latest Shellshag-curated show at Silent Barn, it's hard to know where to begin. The band playing first (mid-set when I walked in) consisted of a couple of 250 lb, heavily tattooed, heavily tanned biker-ish dudes playing a bass guitar and a keyboard respectively (and their less noticeable but similarly presented drummer). And when I say keyboard, I don't mean synthesizer. I mean electric piano. The gentleman on the bass had long hair and was wearing overalls with one side undone, and no shirt, while the keyboardist (and lead singer) sported a wife-beater and mullet.
Their small audience, who on average were about fifteen years their juniors, were jumping around enthusiastically when they suddenly plunged into a brief but surprisingly faithful cover of "A Whole New World." The song from Aladdin. Aside from the singer's gruff voice, it was pretty true to the Disney original, but somehow fit with the rest of their blue collar hair-punk (like hair-metal, get it?). The band, as it happened, were called Chicken & Whiskey and it was one of their first ever shows (or so I was told). And you know what? They were good. Everything about them was just right - their not-so-typical-for-the-Brooklyn-DIY-scene appearance, the balance of their masculine sound and look with their not-so-manly keyboard and cover song selection, effortlessly tight, effortlessly and subtly melodic.
It's no surprise that when they finished their set, the audience called out for more songs. They're exactly the kind of songs you want to hear more of when you go to a place like Silent Barn. Then several audience members began calling for the band to "freestyle." And guess what! They did, and they were good at that too. [old video]
I've seen Fiasco many times and for all the band is impressive, the most enduring impression they made on me was as being a band of unequal skill. Not unequaled, unequal. While Jonathan Edelstein and Lucian Buscemi split guitar, bass and vocal duties, Edelstein's parts always outmatched Buscemi's. The band was great but it was frustrating to think how much better they would sound with two Edelsteins.
I didn't really have that issue at Silent Barn. Silent Barn is a stageless and equipment-strapped DIY space and while there are certainly worse acoustics to be found in the city, the audio isn't exactly pristine either. As such, I couldn't hear the minutiae that revealed the band's lopsided skills and was free to simply enjoy their energy.
All that aside, Fiasco are good at what they do. And what they do is awesome. Their incredibly fast and complex parts (often involving finger-tapping on guitar) flip between time-signatures without losing their brutal force. It's not the newest trick in the book, but it's a pretty good one. And one that's beyond the technical prowess of most bands as young as Fiasco.
I've only seen Unstoppable Death Machines once, and that was also with Fiasco. They are a duo with a setting that's nearly identical to Lightning Bolt - two guys, one bass, one drum kit, an echoey mic in the mouth and a whole lot of distortion. For all that, though, they sound pretty different from Lightning Bolt, who thrive on sheer speed. UDM's songs are more like, well, songs. Their tempos are slower and their rhythms simpler. Of course, they don't have the sheer originality of Lightning Bolt, but on the other hand, their music is easier to enjoy. And regardless of who they're not, they are pretty fucking ferocious.
Amid the massive distortion and skull shattering feedback, an interesting thing happened - the audience lifted the drummer and drumkit in the air at the end of the set. The drummer hopped on someone's shoulders while various other people lifted his snare and cymbals in reach. It reminded me, oddly, of the dinosaur rock bands and their interminable drum solos, during which the drummer's platform would rise up above the stage for an unlistenable ten, fifteen or twenty minutes. But while the drummer's levitation evoked such concerts, in a strange way, it was exactly the opposite. This is DIY and it's the opposite of a Rock God solo. Not only did the bass continue in its assault, but also those drums that could not be lifted were taken over by various audience members who pounded wildly on them for a good ten minutes. While the aerial rock drummer rises above the audience a show of superiority and separation from mere mortals, UDM's altitude was a part of the absolute annihilation between performer and audience. [video of a previous show at the same venue]
Or, more to the point, it was fucking fun.
I have nothing new to say about Shellshag, having reviewed them 8,000,000 times before. If they don't make you smile, your face is broken.
Showing posts with label Shellshag. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shellshag. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Monday, May 16, 2011
Live: Songs for Moms, Future Virgins, Landlords
When: April 29
Where: Silent Barn
Another very tardy live review (and now several days more tardy thanks to Blogger's disappearing act last week). There was a showcase of sorts for Shellshag's Starcleaner Records at Silent Barn a couple of weeks ago. Shellshag canceled their own set at the last minute, but the rest of the bands were plenty to carry the show.
Landlords had played energetic punk that was just a bit country-influenced. Honestly, I don't have that much to say about it (I know!). It was very enjoyable.
Future Virgins were even better. They started their set at full tilt and hit that perfect balance of hardcore and pop (perfect balance is not the same as an equal balance - they are way more hardcore than pop). They were tight, they were aggressive and they were fun. This is one of the best punk bands I've seen in a long time. They're fairly traditional, but they've got their own voice
Of course, the highlight of the night was Songs for Moms, a trio of ladies from California. They've got this feminist cow punk thing going on that, while maybe not musically revolutionary, sounds very fresh. There is a country twang in all of their songs, but the cues they take from country are the genre's greatest strengths, often overlooked by rockists who like "everything except country." Country music has a long history of powerful women with powerful voices and it's an appropriate reference point for the tough wail of SFM's two frontwomen.
The band is more punk than country, though. Their songs are loud, aggressive and often shouted. There's a lot of anger in their music (several songs are about the band's personal experiences with rape and sexual assault) but also a lot of compassion and depth. Their lyrics on their album We Used To Believe In the West are some of the best I've heard in recent years - courageous, personal, insightful, simple yet oblique enough to leave them open to interpretation.
The band is tight. Although their music is purposefully simple - SFM don't need any trickery - their arrangements are deceptively difficult. The band has an exceptional ear for songwriting and arrangement, with instruments dropping in and out, answering back to the vocals, breaking into split seconds of silence, cutting or doubling tempos and cutting through some breakneck licks without ever making a big deal of it. Their melodies are also consistently excellent, very catchy but still interesting.
My only disappointment with the show is just that the band didn't play many songs off We Used to Believe. I love that album and there's not a song on there I wouldn't like to hear live. But the band hit a few of them and their other songs, both older and newer, were of equal caliber.
Songs For Moms aren't cutting edge in sonic experimentation or anything like that - that's not what they're about. They're about seeing how they can carve a space for a new voice using traditional country and punk frameworks. And while they aren't off exploring music's frontiers, they don't sound quite like anyone else I've ever heard. They are a group of rare talent and rare heart. [myspace]
##
Where: Silent Barn
Another very tardy live review (and now several days more tardy thanks to Blogger's disappearing act last week). There was a showcase of sorts for Shellshag's Starcleaner Records at Silent Barn a couple of weeks ago. Shellshag canceled their own set at the last minute, but the rest of the bands were plenty to carry the show.
Landlords had played energetic punk that was just a bit country-influenced. Honestly, I don't have that much to say about it (I know!). It was very enjoyable.
Future Virgins were even better. They started their set at full tilt and hit that perfect balance of hardcore and pop (perfect balance is not the same as an equal balance - they are way more hardcore than pop). They were tight, they were aggressive and they were fun. This is one of the best punk bands I've seen in a long time. They're fairly traditional, but they've got their own voice
Of course, the highlight of the night was Songs for Moms, a trio of ladies from California. They've got this feminist cow punk thing going on that, while maybe not musically revolutionary, sounds very fresh. There is a country twang in all of their songs, but the cues they take from country are the genre's greatest strengths, often overlooked by rockists who like "everything except country." Country music has a long history of powerful women with powerful voices and it's an appropriate reference point for the tough wail of SFM's two frontwomen.
The band is more punk than country, though. Their songs are loud, aggressive and often shouted. There's a lot of anger in their music (several songs are about the band's personal experiences with rape and sexual assault) but also a lot of compassion and depth. Their lyrics on their album We Used To Believe In the West are some of the best I've heard in recent years - courageous, personal, insightful, simple yet oblique enough to leave them open to interpretation.
The band is tight. Although their music is purposefully simple - SFM don't need any trickery - their arrangements are deceptively difficult. The band has an exceptional ear for songwriting and arrangement, with instruments dropping in and out, answering back to the vocals, breaking into split seconds of silence, cutting or doubling tempos and cutting through some breakneck licks without ever making a big deal of it. Their melodies are also consistently excellent, very catchy but still interesting.
My only disappointment with the show is just that the band didn't play many songs off We Used to Believe. I love that album and there's not a song on there I wouldn't like to hear live. But the band hit a few of them and their other songs, both older and newer, were of equal caliber.
Songs For Moms aren't cutting edge in sonic experimentation or anything like that - that's not what they're about. They're about seeing how they can carve a space for a new voice using traditional country and punk frameworks. And while they aren't off exploring music's frontiers, they don't sound quite like anyone else I've ever heard. They are a group of rare talent and rare heart. [myspace]
##
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Upcoming Shows: Songs for Moms, Gang Gang Dance + more
Tonight!! Thursday, April 28
Lightning Bolt, Pterodactyl @ Le Poisson Rouge * Greenwich Village, Manhattan * $12 adv / $14 dos
Both of these bands are named after cool things from the sky. There are two people in Lightning Bolt and they are both named Brian. One Brian plays a heavily distorted bass guitar very very very very fast and very very very very loud. The other Brian plays the drums very very very very very very very fast and yells into a mic that he has in his mouth. Pterodactyl are not as heavy, but have just as much energy as Lightning Bolt - their manic noise rock is chaotic but tight. They are one of Brooklyn's best and most unrated bands. [lightning myspace] [ptero myspace]
Other shows
Woods (otherworldly psych-folk) @ 285 Kent ($10)
Grooms (Sonic Youth-y post punk, not headlining) @ Santos Party House ($12)
Tomorrow!! Friday, April 29
Shellshag, Songs for Moms, Landlord @ Silent Barn * Ridgewood, Queens
Shellshag are basically mom and dad to the young Brooklyn pop-punk scene. They have fun and you will too. More importantly, Songs for Moms are playing - they are from California and not exactly frequent tourers, so this is not to be missed. Their album I Used to Believe in the West was #12 on my best of 2009 list. They are three ladies who play country-tinged punk, but in such a good way, you can't even believe it. [shellshag myspace] [moms myspace]
Other shows
...and You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead @ Bowery Ballroom ($20)
Saturday, April 30
Titus Andronicus, Dinowalrus @ Music Hall of Williamsburg * Williamsburg, Brooklyn * SOLD OUT
Titus Andronicus are a band from New Jersey who play music that evolved from hardcore punk, but tends to be epic, emotive rants about history and moral struggle. But they rock so hard and mean it so truly that their music never gets weighed down by the size of the emotions and issues their songs tackle. Dinowalrus are psychedelic as fuck, and very good. [titus myspace] [dino myspace]
Other shows
Japanther @ Brooklyn Fireproof East ($10)
Wednesday, May 4
Gang Gang Dance @ Music Hall of Williamsburg * Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Gang Gang Dance are too cool for words. They are an experimental dub group from Brooklyn whose music is steeped in hip hop, dub and a thousand rhythmic styles from Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. But they aren't some cheesy world-fusion bullshit, their music is dark, primal and truly their own. Their frontwoman, who goes by "The LZA" (how cool is that?), is totally wack. [myspace]
Other shows
Fiery Furnaces (Bluesy pop by WACK bro and sis duo) @ Rockwood Music Hall ($20)
Pterodactyl (see above) @ Silent Barn ($8)
The long view...
May
5
Thermals, Twin Shadow, Tyvek (poppy, gritty punk) @ Le Poisson Rouge ($10)
C Spencer Yeh, White Suns, Dainolith (mem. AIDS Wolf) (avant garde/noise) @ Death By Audio($7)
Fiery Furnaces (see above) @ Rockwood Muisc Hall ($20)
6
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart (saccharine indie pop with subtly dark lyrics) @ Webster Hall
K-Holes (lady noise!) @ Cake Shop ($8)
Total Slacker (sick sick sick) @ Death By Audio ($7)
NYU Strawberry Festival feat. Secret Guest, Ducktails, Pterodactyl, So So Glos
10
Yo La Tengo (inventors of noise pop) @ Bell House (Sold Out)
11
Yo La Tengo (see above) @ Bell House (Sold Out)
CSS (ultra hip crazy dance pop with punk attitude from Brazilian ladies), Sleigh Bells (ultra hip duo with danceable heavy hip-hop beats + girly vocals + metal/hardcore/industrial sheets of guitar noise + some screaming) @ Webster Hall (Sold Out)
Vaz (noise) @ Cake Shop
12
CSS, Sleigh Bells (see above) @ Music Hall of Williamsburg (Sold Out)
15
CSS, Sleigh Bells (see above) @ Bowery Ballroom (Sold Out)
Hunters, Yvette @ Death By Audio ($7)
19
The Antlers (sad noisy music) @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
20
The Antlers (see above) @ Bowery Ballroom
Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth), I Feel Tractor @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
27
Pterodactyl, Screens, Zulus @ Death By Audio ($7)
June
2
Stiff Little Fingers (late 70's UK punk)
12
T.S.O.L. (original SOCAL hardcore) @ Santos Party House ($12)
23
Dinosaur Jr (late 80's/early 90's loud proto-alt rock, performing their classic album Bug), Fucked Up (wall of sound meets hardcore/thrash meets best thing ever) @ Terminal 5
26
Archers Loaf @ Webster Hall
July
12
Animal Collective @ Prospect Park
August
12
Sonic Youth @ Williamsburg Waterfront
The Streets @ Terminal 5
Lightning Bolt, Pterodactyl @ Le Poisson Rouge * Greenwich Village, Manhattan * $12 adv / $14 dos
Both of these bands are named after cool things from the sky. There are two people in Lightning Bolt and they are both named Brian. One Brian plays a heavily distorted bass guitar very very very very fast and very very very very loud. The other Brian plays the drums very very very very very very very fast and yells into a mic that he has in his mouth. Pterodactyl are not as heavy, but have just as much energy as Lightning Bolt - their manic noise rock is chaotic but tight. They are one of Brooklyn's best and most unrated bands. [lightning myspace] [ptero myspace]
Other shows
Woods (otherworldly psych-folk) @ 285 Kent ($10)
Grooms (Sonic Youth-y post punk, not headlining) @ Santos Party House ($12)
Tomorrow!! Friday, April 29
Shellshag, Songs for Moms, Landlord @ Silent Barn * Ridgewood, Queens
Shellshag are basically mom and dad to the young Brooklyn pop-punk scene. They have fun and you will too. More importantly, Songs for Moms are playing - they are from California and not exactly frequent tourers, so this is not to be missed. Their album I Used to Believe in the West was #12 on my best of 2009 list. They are three ladies who play country-tinged punk, but in such a good way, you can't even believe it. [shellshag myspace] [moms myspace]
Other shows
...and You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead @ Bowery Ballroom ($20)
Saturday, April 30
Titus Andronicus, Dinowalrus @ Music Hall of Williamsburg * Williamsburg, Brooklyn * SOLD OUT
Titus Andronicus are a band from New Jersey who play music that evolved from hardcore punk, but tends to be epic, emotive rants about history and moral struggle. But they rock so hard and mean it so truly that their music never gets weighed down by the size of the emotions and issues their songs tackle. Dinowalrus are psychedelic as fuck, and very good. [titus myspace] [dino myspace]
Other shows
Japanther @ Brooklyn Fireproof East ($10)
Wednesday, May 4
Gang Gang Dance @ Music Hall of Williamsburg * Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Gang Gang Dance are too cool for words. They are an experimental dub group from Brooklyn whose music is steeped in hip hop, dub and a thousand rhythmic styles from Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. But they aren't some cheesy world-fusion bullshit, their music is dark, primal and truly their own. Their frontwoman, who goes by "The LZA" (how cool is that?), is totally wack. [myspace]
Other shows
Fiery Furnaces (Bluesy pop by WACK bro and sis duo) @ Rockwood Music Hall ($20)
Pterodactyl (see above) @ Silent Barn ($8)
The long view...
May
5
Thermals, Twin Shadow, Tyvek (poppy, gritty punk) @ Le Poisson Rouge ($10)
C Spencer Yeh, White Suns, Dainolith (mem. AIDS Wolf) (avant garde/noise) @ Death By Audio($7)
Fiery Furnaces (see above) @ Rockwood Muisc Hall ($20)
6
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart (saccharine indie pop with subtly dark lyrics) @ Webster Hall
K-Holes (lady noise!) @ Cake Shop ($8)
Total Slacker (sick sick sick) @ Death By Audio ($7)
NYU Strawberry Festival feat. Secret Guest, Ducktails, Pterodactyl, So So Glos
10
Yo La Tengo (inventors of noise pop) @ Bell House (Sold Out)
11
Yo La Tengo (see above) @ Bell House (Sold Out)
CSS (ultra hip crazy dance pop with punk attitude from Brazilian ladies), Sleigh Bells (ultra hip duo with danceable heavy hip-hop beats + girly vocals + metal/hardcore/industrial sheets of guitar noise + some screaming) @ Webster Hall (Sold Out)
Vaz (noise) @ Cake Shop
12
CSS, Sleigh Bells (see above) @ Music Hall of Williamsburg (Sold Out)
15
CSS, Sleigh Bells (see above) @ Bowery Ballroom (Sold Out)
Hunters, Yvette @ Death By Audio ($7)
19
The Antlers (sad noisy music) @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
20
The Antlers (see above) @ Bowery Ballroom
Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth), I Feel Tractor @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
27
Pterodactyl, Screens, Zulus @ Death By Audio ($7)
June
2
Stiff Little Fingers (late 70's UK punk)
12
T.S.O.L. (original SOCAL hardcore) @ Santos Party House ($12)
23
Dinosaur Jr (late 80's/early 90's loud proto-alt rock, performing their classic album Bug), Fucked Up (wall of sound meets hardcore/thrash meets best thing ever) @ Terminal 5
26
Archers Loaf @ Webster Hall
July
12
Animal Collective @ Prospect Park
August
12
Sonic Youth @ Williamsburg Waterfront
The Streets @ Terminal 5
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Live: Don Giovanni Showcase feat. Noun, Shellshag + more
OK, so I've been taking a little unannounced vacation from the blog and I'm at least two months behind in live reviews, so I'm just gonna plow through in about three sentences per band and get up to speed.
Here's the first of many:
When: 4/24
Where: Mercury Lounge
I saw indie pop punk mainstays The Measure at the first night of a two night Don Giovanni showcase at Mercury Lounge in April. My friends' reaction was pretty much the same across the board - they wished they had as much fun listening to the music as the band had playing it. The Measure are fun and love what they do and put on a good show, but the songs are just unmemorable. Enjoyable, but unmemorable. [myspace]
Screaming Females headlined. They ruled the fucking stage. They always do. I've reviewed them at least 17,000 times, so that's about all I have to say. [myspace]
When: 4/25
Where: Mercury Lounge
Night two of the Don Giovanni showcase kicked off with the ever excellent Pregnant, whose awkward but brutal hardcore is some of the best unknown music in Brooklyn. The band consists of a skinhead, a glasses-wearing hardcore type and a tall girl who fucking destroys on bass. Not every song is a winner, but as the set went on, their tunes seemed to get better and better. There are some fucking great songs on there that I better have on my ipod soon or I'm gonna be seriously pissed. [myspace]
I'm always impressed by Black Wine, whose simple punk, despite touching on emo, packs in a lot of energy. It's youthful and heartfelt and all three of the band members RULE at their instruments. The singing is not the most technically adept but the down-to-earth feel is a big part of their charm. The other big part is how great their songs are. Which is PRETTY DAMN GREAT. [myspace]
Full of Fancy, featuring Black Wine drummer Miranda Taylor on guitar alongside one Erin Hays (I think that's her name) on bass. They are more pop than punk and their incompetence isn't quite as charming this go around. They aren't awful - better than I expected, based on what I'd been told - but they're skippable, sorry to say. [myspace]
In a continuing busy night for Miranda Taylor, she also drummed on half of the next set, Marissa Paternoster of Screaming Females performing her solo material as Noun. This was my first time hearing Noun, as it was most people's, and it was as good as expected. Better, even. Paternoster's solo material is more varied and less complete sounding than her band's work, but it's less lowkey than msot solo projects tend to be. She hit some hushed songs but also some burning rock numbers with sick guitar. Her lyrics here seem a little more bare than in Screaming Females, with some gut-punch self-loathing and good old depression appearing here and there. She pulls it off, though, without ever getting whiny or self-absorbed. The talented Taylor, as always, proved up to the task, following Paternoster's screaming, raging lead and not missing a step. The rest of the set was drummed by Angela Boylan (ex-Cheeky) and I was much less impressed by her work. Her snare drum's distinctive tone was clearly intentional, but I wasn't into it. In fact, that "tock tock tock" sound was really irking me the whole time and her drumming in general seemed to flatten Paternoster's songs instead of adding dimensions. Still, all in all, a great set from one of the greatest guitar heros I've ever seen. Check it out. [myspace]
And finally, Shellshag closed out the night. The duo, at least one of whom I knew to be very hung over, pounded out their slurred, riotous, fuck-off style punk with as much enthusiasm as always. I don't know what to say about this band - they have a special little place in my heart but most of all, they are just plain fun. And while I've seen them attempt a drum tower many times (stacking all Jenn's drums, stands included, into a single tower), this was the first time I saw it stay up. Well done. [myspace]
Here's the first of many:
When: 4/24
Where: Mercury Lounge
I saw indie pop punk mainstays The Measure at the first night of a two night Don Giovanni showcase at Mercury Lounge in April. My friends' reaction was pretty much the same across the board - they wished they had as much fun listening to the music as the band had playing it. The Measure are fun and love what they do and put on a good show, but the songs are just unmemorable. Enjoyable, but unmemorable. [myspace]
Screaming Females headlined. They ruled the fucking stage. They always do. I've reviewed them at least 17,000 times, so that's about all I have to say. [myspace]
When: 4/25
Where: Mercury Lounge
Night two of the Don Giovanni showcase kicked off with the ever excellent Pregnant, whose awkward but brutal hardcore is some of the best unknown music in Brooklyn. The band consists of a skinhead, a glasses-wearing hardcore type and a tall girl who fucking destroys on bass. Not every song is a winner, but as the set went on, their tunes seemed to get better and better. There are some fucking great songs on there that I better have on my ipod soon or I'm gonna be seriously pissed. [myspace]
I'm always impressed by Black Wine, whose simple punk, despite touching on emo, packs in a lot of energy. It's youthful and heartfelt and all three of the band members RULE at their instruments. The singing is not the most technically adept but the down-to-earth feel is a big part of their charm. The other big part is how great their songs are. Which is PRETTY DAMN GREAT. [myspace]
Full of Fancy, featuring Black Wine drummer Miranda Taylor on guitar alongside one Erin Hays (I think that's her name) on bass. They are more pop than punk and their incompetence isn't quite as charming this go around. They aren't awful - better than I expected, based on what I'd been told - but they're skippable, sorry to say. [myspace]
In a continuing busy night for Miranda Taylor, she also drummed on half of the next set, Marissa Paternoster of Screaming Females performing her solo material as Noun. This was my first time hearing Noun, as it was most people's, and it was as good as expected. Better, even. Paternoster's solo material is more varied and less complete sounding than her band's work, but it's less lowkey than msot solo projects tend to be. She hit some hushed songs but also some burning rock numbers with sick guitar. Her lyrics here seem a little more bare than in Screaming Females, with some gut-punch self-loathing and good old depression appearing here and there. She pulls it off, though, without ever getting whiny or self-absorbed. The talented Taylor, as always, proved up to the task, following Paternoster's screaming, raging lead and not missing a step. The rest of the set was drummed by Angela Boylan (ex-Cheeky) and I was much less impressed by her work. Her snare drum's distinctive tone was clearly intentional, but I wasn't into it. In fact, that "tock tock tock" sound was really irking me the whole time and her drumming in general seemed to flatten Paternoster's songs instead of adding dimensions. Still, all in all, a great set from one of the greatest guitar heros I've ever seen. Check it out. [myspace]
And finally, Shellshag closed out the night. The duo, at least one of whom I knew to be very hung over, pounded out their slurred, riotous, fuck-off style punk with as much enthusiasm as always. I don't know what to say about this band - they have a special little place in my heart but most of all, they are just plain fun. And while I've seen them attempt a drum tower many times (stacking all Jenn's drums, stands included, into a single tower), this was the first time I saw it stay up. Well done. [myspace]
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Upcoming Shows: Japanther, Titus Andronicus + more
Tomorrow, March 4
Japanther @ Mercury Lounge * LES, Manhattan * $12
They may be kind of full of themselves and annoying at times, but Japanther make some damn good and ofter underrated punk. It's heartfelt and youthful and they are releasing a record and the party is tomorrow so you should go hear them. Plus, their excellently-named friends Cerebral Ballzy are opening. [myspace]
Sunburned Hand of the Man @ Death By Audio * Williamsburg, Brooklyn
If Japanther are too conventional for your tastes, check out the highly experimental, psychedelic, folk inflected noise of Sunburned Hand of the Man. [myspace]
Friday, March 5
Shellshag, Stupid Party, the Measure, Groucho Marxists @ Cedar Mansion * Bushwick, Brooklyn
Everyone knows the best shows are house parties and everyone knows the best house party shows are hardcore punk and everyone knows the best punk rockers around the tri-state area these days hang around the Don Giovanni Records crowd. So it follows that now that you know this show exists, you also know it's the greatest show ever. Duh. [shellshag myspace] [stupid myspace] [measure myspace] [grouchy marxists myspace]
Saturday, March 6
Titus Andronicus, Parts & Labor, Babies @ Bowery Ballroom * LES, Manhattan * $13 adv. / $15 dos.
Titus Andronicus are another of the best hardcore bands around, though lately they've backed slightly off of the straight-up punk model and turned a bit slicker, rockier and more polished. They write good drinking songs and act like wild men on stage. Parts & Labor make great, dramatic, sweeping pop songs and then drown them out with massive amounts of noises. I haven't heard Babies yet, but it's members of Woods and Vivian Girls, so it's at least of interest. [titus myspace] [p&l myspace]
Sunday, March 7
Tyvek, Talk Normal, Awesome Color @ Market Hotel * Bushwick, Brooklyn
Tyvek come down from Michigan every now and then to play us some awesome punk songs. They are kind frail looking kids, like the kind who live in the basements of college libraries because they melt in sunlight. But they are kind of angry and have fun yelling about things in punk songs they write. Talk Normal are two weird ladies who make strange, droning songs with muttering and shouting and some erratic banging of a tom-tom. Awesome Color play punky psychedelic rock and look cool. [tyvek myspace] [talk myspace] [awesome myspace]
Monday, March 8
Dinowalrus doesn't list this show, but Cameo does, so check before you go. Dinowalrus make psychedelic experimental music that wanders around without losing track of its strong beats and melodies. It's a rare band that can so well balance being fun and accessible with being musically edgy and innovative. [myspace]
Update: No show. Just a private performance for a music school seminar. So never mind - but do check out Dinowalrus soon.
Tuesday, March 9
Aa, Screens, PC Worship @ Death by Audio * Williamsburg, Brooklyn
This should be an extremely rad show - three of Brooklyn's most original bands at its best venue. Aa are a Brooklyn mainstay with a highly percussive core. Their music is their rhythms and their rhythms are awesome. Screens are one of my new favorites, an experimental band with driving beats and rich, scared-sounding melodies. PC Worship are another new favorite. They often keep it toned down a bit, mixing quiet lo-fi songs with inspired sonic experiments. If you don't go to this show, you'll end up really regretting it. [aa myspace] [screens myspace] [pc myspace]
The long view...
March
10
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
Friday, February 19, 2010
Live: Don Giovanni showcase
I'm happy to say I was right about the Don Giovanni showcase. It was a great punk show, the kind you remember when you’re telling your kids about your wild days in the New York music scene when you’re trying to convince them you were once young and hip too. Much to everyone’s surprise, I think, the show sold out very early on. I can’t tell you how nice it was to see Bowery packed with true underground punk types, most young and all truly there for the music and the community. Well, almost all – there was a mysterious contingent of bimbos around who took off pretty early. Which is fine, I’m glad they’re checking out such good music, I just don’t really understand how they ended up there. But, the more, the merrier!
The Groucho Marxists kicked it off with their hard-edged pop punk. They aren't original and I wouldn't call them bold, but they are true to their punk heritage and could easily be alt/pop-punk radio material, though a damn sight better than most of what makes it on the air. Their live show matched - nothing revolutionary, but certainly energetic. They're a bit more outward looking than most punk bands, just a little more audience-focused rockstar mindset. They're definitely still down-to-earth and having fun, though, and that’s what matters. [myspace]
Black Wine were a surprise favorite and while it’s hard to pick highlights from such a thoroughly amazing line-up, this would have to be one. It’s rare to see a band have so many things so right. Though the parts were fairly simple, they were just right for the songs and all three members played their instruments with comfort and intuition. Drummer Miranda Taylor particularly stood out, but everyone was right on. They also clearly have a knack for songwriting. Again, the arrangements and compositions weren’t too elaborate, but they were exactly right. The only real problem was when the band slid towards emo - I’m not one of those people who hates all things emo, but none of the band members had the singing ability to pull of the slower, more exposed melodies. Off-key singing is a fine aesthetic but it doesn’t work in all contexts and the band’s slower songs weren’t really doing it for me. Aside from that, though, this band shows a rare talent and I will certainly be keeping an eye on them from now on. [myspace]
The Measure played next and I have to say, they were the least memorable band of the night. Of course, that’s not too grave an insult with a line-up like that. They were energetic, with lovable pop punk tunes and creative arrangements. Drummer Mikey Yannich drove their music full-speed ahead, while Lauren Measure and Fid shared guitar and vocal duties with great male-female balance (she leading). You’d have to mosh pretty hard to keep up. [myspace]
Though this was certainly a punk show, it had two rock bands right in the middle. The first of them, Jeff the Brotherhood, positively killed. Guitarist Jake Orrall started the show with the lights out, standing atop his guitar cabinet. While gave the set a grand five-minute guitar solo intro, his brother and drummer Jamin illuminated the scene with a bare-bulb camping light. Jake leapt down and continued to solo while the audience’s anticipation built. When Jamin finally took his seat at the drums, everyone in the room was wrapped around the band’s little finger. They plowed through much of their recent debut, more or less in order, one great tune after another. Jake seems to enjoy playing the mighty rock god, but it’s got a hint of tongue-and-cheek. Only a hint though, because like it or not, he is a rock god. He’s king of the stage and master of the riff and everyone who was in that audience knows it. [myspace]
Luckily for everyone, one of the few acts that can follow Jeff the Brotherhood did - Screaming Females. Screaming Females are the greatest rock band on earth, and at Bowery, they were on fire. Marissa Paternoster is a bonafide guitar hero and an unforgettable singer/screamer to boot. She and her bandmates are a great songwriting team. Although the guitar riffs make take the spotlight, Mike Abbate’s rolling bass lines are just as good and he played them well, despite being already a bit worn out from being in the center of the moshpit during Jeff the Brotherhood’s set. But this band has got as much stamina as they have talent. Which is just one more thing that makes them the greatest. [myspace]
I never got to see Jawbreaker live, but they one of my all-time favorite bands and seeing Forgetters was as amazing an experience as you’d expect seeing one of your heroes for the first time would be. Blake Schwarzenbach is the same as ever, with the same sort of songwriting, the same jumpy guitar, the same lamentable lyrics and low, mumbly, major-key melodies. Bassist Caroline Paquita is different from Jawbreaker’s Chris Bauermeister - Bauermeister played with poppy jumps, while Paquita lays down a more solid foundation. And drummer Kevin Mahon also has his own distinct style, playing with more levity and energy but less rhythmic complexity than Jawbreaker drummer Adam Pfahler. The result is a post-grunge pop punk band with strong, steady songs but without the magical chemistry you usually find in a young musician’s breakout band.
Bringing the night to a close, everyone’s darlings Shellshag celebrated the release of their album. With seven bands, the night ran pretty late and most of the audience had cleared out by time they played. The crowd peaked for Jeff the Brotherhood and Screaming Females, but Shellshag are a cult act. I wouldn’t say there’s a limit on how large that cult could grow, but they don’t have the same mass appeal of some of the bands with whom they shared the Bowery stage.
Large or small, Shellshag’s fan base are intensely loyal and really the best of the bunch. Those left moshing to the duo at the front of Bowery at 1 AM were the true punks, and a great group of kids they were. And Shell and Shag are themselves a wild pair. Facing one another with their Y-shaped mic stand between them, they hollered and twisted to their f-u songs. At the band’s best, Shell’s bare-bones guitar and slurred baritone vocals dominate the band’s sound while Ms. Shag’s dry bells and primal pounding drop the bottom out of the whole thing. It’s boisterous, untamed and charmingly sardonic. No one has more fun on stage that these two. [myspace]
The Groucho Marxists kicked it off with their hard-edged pop punk. They aren't original and I wouldn't call them bold, but they are true to their punk heritage and could easily be alt/pop-punk radio material, though a damn sight better than most of what makes it on the air. Their live show matched - nothing revolutionary, but certainly energetic. They're a bit more outward looking than most punk bands, just a little more audience-focused rockstar mindset. They're definitely still down-to-earth and having fun, though, and that’s what matters. [myspace]
Black Wine were a surprise favorite and while it’s hard to pick highlights from such a thoroughly amazing line-up, this would have to be one. It’s rare to see a band have so many things so right. Though the parts were fairly simple, they were just right for the songs and all three members played their instruments with comfort and intuition. Drummer Miranda Taylor particularly stood out, but everyone was right on. They also clearly have a knack for songwriting. Again, the arrangements and compositions weren’t too elaborate, but they were exactly right. The only real problem was when the band slid towards emo - I’m not one of those people who hates all things emo, but none of the band members had the singing ability to pull of the slower, more exposed melodies. Off-key singing is a fine aesthetic but it doesn’t work in all contexts and the band’s slower songs weren’t really doing it for me. Aside from that, though, this band shows a rare talent and I will certainly be keeping an eye on them from now on. [myspace]
The Measure played next and I have to say, they were the least memorable band of the night. Of course, that’s not too grave an insult with a line-up like that. They were energetic, with lovable pop punk tunes and creative arrangements. Drummer Mikey Yannich drove their music full-speed ahead, while Lauren Measure and Fid shared guitar and vocal duties with great male-female balance (she leading). You’d have to mosh pretty hard to keep up. [myspace]
Though this was certainly a punk show, it had two rock bands right in the middle. The first of them, Jeff the Brotherhood, positively killed. Guitarist Jake Orrall started the show with the lights out, standing atop his guitar cabinet. While gave the set a grand five-minute guitar solo intro, his brother and drummer Jamin illuminated the scene with a bare-bulb camping light. Jake leapt down and continued to solo while the audience’s anticipation built. When Jamin finally took his seat at the drums, everyone in the room was wrapped around the band’s little finger. They plowed through much of their recent debut, more or less in order, one great tune after another. Jake seems to enjoy playing the mighty rock god, but it’s got a hint of tongue-and-cheek. Only a hint though, because like it or not, he is a rock god. He’s king of the stage and master of the riff and everyone who was in that audience knows it. [myspace]
Luckily for everyone, one of the few acts that can follow Jeff the Brotherhood did - Screaming Females. Screaming Females are the greatest rock band on earth, and at Bowery, they were on fire. Marissa Paternoster is a bonafide guitar hero and an unforgettable singer/screamer to boot. She and her bandmates are a great songwriting team. Although the guitar riffs make take the spotlight, Mike Abbate’s rolling bass lines are just as good and he played them well, despite being already a bit worn out from being in the center of the moshpit during Jeff the Brotherhood’s set. But this band has got as much stamina as they have talent. Which is just one more thing that makes them the greatest. [myspace]
I never got to see Jawbreaker live, but they one of my all-time favorite bands and seeing Forgetters was as amazing an experience as you’d expect seeing one of your heroes for the first time would be. Blake Schwarzenbach is the same as ever, with the same sort of songwriting, the same jumpy guitar, the same lamentable lyrics and low, mumbly, major-key melodies. Bassist Caroline Paquita is different from Jawbreaker’s Chris Bauermeister - Bauermeister played with poppy jumps, while Paquita lays down a more solid foundation. And drummer Kevin Mahon also has his own distinct style, playing with more levity and energy but less rhythmic complexity than Jawbreaker drummer Adam Pfahler. The result is a post-grunge pop punk band with strong, steady songs but without the magical chemistry you usually find in a young musician’s breakout band.
Bringing the night to a close, everyone’s darlings Shellshag celebrated the release of their album. With seven bands, the night ran pretty late and most of the audience had cleared out by time they played. The crowd peaked for Jeff the Brotherhood and Screaming Females, but Shellshag are a cult act. I wouldn’t say there’s a limit on how large that cult could grow, but they don’t have the same mass appeal of some of the bands with whom they shared the Bowery stage.
Large or small, Shellshag’s fan base are intensely loyal and really the best of the bunch. Those left moshing to the duo at the front of Bowery at 1 AM were the true punks, and a great group of kids they were. And Shell and Shag are themselves a wild pair. Facing one another with their Y-shaped mic stand between them, they hollered and twisted to their f-u songs. At the band’s best, Shell’s bare-bones guitar and slurred baritone vocals dominate the band’s sound while Ms. Shag’s dry bells and primal pounding drop the bottom out of the whole thing. It’s boisterous, untamed and charmingly sardonic. No one has more fun on stage that these two. [myspace]
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Upcoming Shows: Screaming Females, Shellshag, Jeff the Brotherhood, Forgetters (that's all one show!)
Sorry for my long absence. If I told you what happened, you'd never believe me. Suffice it to say it involves the Wild West, Mexican wedding dances, swine flu, two Buddhists, four evangelical Christians and a fraudulent hedge fund. No, seriously.
[Upcoming Shows Playlist]
TONIGHT!!! Thursday, February 4
Cold Cave @ Mercury Lounge | LES, Manhattan | SOLD OUT!!
Cold Cave is a bleak and nihilistic New Wave synth group with hints of krautrock, but a dark pop edge. They are really, really loud. [myspace]
Friday, February 5
Sounds Like Brooklyn: The Antlers + Ra Ra Riot @ BAM | Fort Greene, Brooklyn | $20-25
The Antlers are sad and make incredibly sad music about abuse and mental illness and cancer. Peter Silberman has a unique and poignant voice that wavers over the shaky ambiance of his band. Ra Ra Riot are a poppy indie band with a whole bunch of young kids. They are really sad too sometimes because their drummer died. Musically, they are just so-so. Enjoyable, not exciting. [antlers myspace] [ra ra myspace]
Saturday, Feburary 6
Don Giovanni Showcase: Screaming Females, Shellshag, Jeff the Brotherhood + more @ Bowery Ballroom | LES, Manhattan | $13 adv / $15 dos
IT'S FINALLY HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OK, I know I'm totally nerding out but I am so excited about this show, I have been basically counting down the weeks (not days, I'm not that insane!). OK, so Don Giovanni is a great label. A first-rate punk label. The headliners of this show are 1. Screaming Females, who I have written about so many times now, I don't know what more to say. Best rock band of our g-g-g-generation. I mean that, 100%. If you know one better, show me. [myspace] 2. Forgetters, which is the band of Blake Schwarzenbach (formerly of Jawbreaker, Jets to Brazil). Jawbreaker has been one of my favorite bands (top 20, easily, maybe top 10) for many years, and since they are no more and have not been in existence for a long time, forgetters is what we got, and it's also got Kevin Mahon from Against Me! so that's not bad at all! and 3. Shellshag, that lovely punk duo who played my show in December. They are one of the most fun bands you can see live in NYC right now. They destroy things. They jump around and shout into their trademark Y-shaped microphone and "Shag" beats the crap out of her drums while "Shell" sarcastically croons and stabs at his guitar with his pick. They are PUNK RAWK and I love them in my little heart! [myspace] Opening, we have Jeff the Fucking Brotherhood, who are two brothers, neither named Jeff but both rock prodigies born of the Nashville music scene. They play the meanest guitar riffs out there, and all on three strings. [myspace] Veteran New Brunswick and East Coast punks the Groucho Marxists as well as the illustrious Black Wine and The Measure will also perform. [tgm myspace] [bw myspace] [meas myspace] This is the punk rock event of 2010. DO NOT MISS IT. I mean seriously, DO NOT MISS IT. You will tell your grandkids about this show.
Sunday, February 7
28 Degrees Taurus @ Bushwick Music Studios | Bushwick, Brooklyn | $5
Another band that's played a Radio Flyer Review show, 28 Degrees Taurus are from Boston. They are one of the most original bands around these days. Their bizarre psychedelic shoegaze is spacey and warped, nihilistic, fun and mysterious. [myspace]
Tuesday, Feburary 9
The Residents @ Webster Hall | East Village, Manhattan | $30
The Residents are some weird, weird folks. They formed in the 60's and nobody knows who they are because they wear big eyeball masks on their heads. They make strange, avant-garde music and really hit their stride in the early no-wave/post-punk years. Like Captain Beefheart and Frank Zappa, their West Coast contemporaries, they mixed elements of noise, free jazz and avant-garde classical but the Residents don't have the hard rock of Zappa or the blues of Beefheart. There is little to hold on to, just strange spoken word, percussive electronic drones and distortion, mixed with too much acid and not enough ritalin. They may not be for everyone, but we are all indebted to their fearless exploration of new sonic terrain and redefinition of what rock could be.
[Upcoming Shows Playlist]
The long view...
February
10
Harlem @ Mercury Lounge
12
Jonathan Richman @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
13
Jonathan Richman @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
The Magnetic Fields @ Brooklyn Academy of Music
14
Jonathan Richman @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
19
Fucked Up, Kurt Vile, Frankie Rose & the Outs @ Europa
Andrew W-K @ Santos Party House
20
Crystal Stilts, Beets, Beach Fossils, German Measles @ Music Hall of Williamsubrg
21
Dum Dum Girls, Frankie Rose & the Outs @ Mercury Lounge
26
Wild Beasts @ Bowery Ballroom
27
Glenn Branca (record release) @ Le Poisson Rouge
28
Wild Beasts @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
March
5
Muse, the Silversun Pickups @ Madison Square Garden
6
Titus Andronicus, Parts & Labor, Babies @ Bowery Ballroom
10-11
The Magnetic Fields @ Town Hall
12-13
Henry Rollins @ The Fillmore
18-19
Killswitch Engage @ The Fillmore
23
Black Lips @ Brooklyn Bowl
25
Nada Surf play Let Go + surprise guest @ Bowery Ballroom
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
15
Liars @ Bowery Ballroom
18
Liars @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
[Upcoming Shows Playlist]
TONIGHT!!! Thursday, February 4
Cold Cave @ Mercury Lounge | LES, Manhattan | SOLD OUT!!
Cold Cave is a bleak and nihilistic New Wave synth group with hints of krautrock, but a dark pop edge. They are really, really loud. [myspace]
Friday, February 5
Sounds Like Brooklyn: The Antlers + Ra Ra Riot @ BAM | Fort Greene, Brooklyn | $20-25
The Antlers are sad and make incredibly sad music about abuse and mental illness and cancer. Peter Silberman has a unique and poignant voice that wavers over the shaky ambiance of his band. Ra Ra Riot are a poppy indie band with a whole bunch of young kids. They are really sad too sometimes because their drummer died. Musically, they are just so-so. Enjoyable, not exciting. [antlers myspace] [ra ra myspace]
Saturday, Feburary 6
Don Giovanni Showcase: Screaming Females, Shellshag, Jeff the Brotherhood + more @ Bowery Ballroom | LES, Manhattan | $13 adv / $15 dos
IT'S FINALLY HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OK, I know I'm totally nerding out but I am so excited about this show, I have been basically counting down the weeks (not days, I'm not that insane!). OK, so Don Giovanni is a great label. A first-rate punk label. The headliners of this show are 1. Screaming Females, who I have written about so many times now, I don't know what more to say. Best rock band of our g-g-g-generation. I mean that, 100%. If you know one better, show me. [myspace] 2. Forgetters, which is the band of Blake Schwarzenbach (formerly of Jawbreaker, Jets to Brazil). Jawbreaker has been one of my favorite bands (top 20, easily, maybe top 10) for many years, and since they are no more and have not been in existence for a long time, forgetters is what we got, and it's also got Kevin Mahon from Against Me! so that's not bad at all! and 3. Shellshag, that lovely punk duo who played my show in December. They are one of the most fun bands you can see live in NYC right now. They destroy things. They jump around and shout into their trademark Y-shaped microphone and "Shag" beats the crap out of her drums while "Shell" sarcastically croons and stabs at his guitar with his pick. They are PUNK RAWK and I love them in my little heart! [myspace] Opening, we have Jeff the Fucking Brotherhood, who are two brothers, neither named Jeff but both rock prodigies born of the Nashville music scene. They play the meanest guitar riffs out there, and all on three strings. [myspace] Veteran New Brunswick and East Coast punks the Groucho Marxists as well as the illustrious Black Wine and The Measure will also perform. [tgm myspace] [bw myspace] [meas myspace] This is the punk rock event of 2010. DO NOT MISS IT. I mean seriously, DO NOT MISS IT. You will tell your grandkids about this show.
Sunday, February 7
28 Degrees Taurus @ Bushwick Music Studios | Bushwick, Brooklyn | $5
Another band that's played a Radio Flyer Review show, 28 Degrees Taurus are from Boston. They are one of the most original bands around these days. Their bizarre psychedelic shoegaze is spacey and warped, nihilistic, fun and mysterious. [myspace]
Tuesday, Feburary 9
The Residents @ Webster Hall | East Village, Manhattan | $30
The Residents are some weird, weird folks. They formed in the 60's and nobody knows who they are because they wear big eyeball masks on their heads. They make strange, avant-garde music and really hit their stride in the early no-wave/post-punk years. Like Captain Beefheart and Frank Zappa, their West Coast contemporaries, they mixed elements of noise, free jazz and avant-garde classical but the Residents don't have the hard rock of Zappa or the blues of Beefheart. There is little to hold on to, just strange spoken word, percussive electronic drones and distortion, mixed with too much acid and not enough ritalin. They may not be for everyone, but we are all indebted to their fearless exploration of new sonic terrain and redefinition of what rock could be.
The long view...
February
10
Harlem @ Mercury Lounge
12
Jonathan Richman @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
13
Jonathan Richman @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
The Magnetic Fields @ Brooklyn Academy of Music
14
Jonathan Richman @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
19
Fucked Up, Kurt Vile, Frankie Rose & the Outs @ Europa
Andrew W-K @ Santos Party House
20
Crystal Stilts, Beets, Beach Fossils, German Measles @ Music Hall of Williamsubrg
21
Dum Dum Girls, Frankie Rose & the Outs @ Mercury Lounge
26
Wild Beasts @ Bowery Ballroom
27
Glenn Branca (record release) @ Le Poisson Rouge
28
Wild Beasts @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
March
5
Muse, the Silversun Pickups @ Madison Square Garden
6
Titus Andronicus, Parts & Labor, Babies @ Bowery Ballroom
10-11
The Magnetic Fields @ Town Hall
12-13
Henry Rollins @ The Fillmore
18-19
Killswitch Engage @ The Fillmore
23
Black Lips @ Brooklyn Bowl
25
Nada Surf play Let Go + surprise guest @ Bowery Ballroom
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
15
Liars @ Bowery Ballroom
18
Liars @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
Friday, January 8, 2010
Albums to Watch for in 2010
*** DISCLAIMER: As with last year's list, these are albums I would like to see in 2010. Some have not been announced, and some probably don't and won't exist. I'm not trying to start rumors, I'm just an optimist!!***
Dinowalrus - This one is real and it's coming out soon. Like, in a week. I haven't listened yet, but I'm pretty sure it's going to kick ass. The band's experimental psychedelic drone probably isn't for everyone, but if you're into that stuff (and you should be!), this is as good as it gets. [myspace]
Dum Dum Girls - The debut is out in March. Dum Dum Girls are what's right about this whole lo-fi pop revival. [myspace]
My Bloody Valentine - A girl can hope, right? Right?
Ringo Deathstarr - I was hoping for this one last year, but this year it's actually looking promising. The loudest, densest, prettiest shoegaze in ages. [myspace]
Seawhores - Heavy and confrontational, yet melodic, Seawhores have earned their cult following. I don't know if they are planning an album, but since they signed to Death By Audio Records, they must intend to release something at some point. [myspace]
Shellshag - This one is real too, it comes out in February and it's going to rock. The band's two members like to get fucked up and fuck up and fuck you up. What else could you want? [myspace]
Titus Andronicus - Titus Andronicus play hardcore punk that's at once traditional and original, pushing boundaries with their ambitious compositions, shoegaze-influenced guitars and thoughtful lyrics. [myspace]
And keep an eye out for these too...
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (March)
Fiasco (we'll see...)
Interference (February)
Liars (March)
Los Campesinos! (January)
Quasi (February)
Radio Dept. (February)
Sisters (we'll see...)
So So Glos (we'll see...)
Spoon (January)
Dinowalrus - This one is real and it's coming out soon. Like, in a week. I haven't listened yet, but I'm pretty sure it's going to kick ass. The band's experimental psychedelic drone probably isn't for everyone, but if you're into that stuff (and you should be!), this is as good as it gets. [myspace]
Dum Dum Girls - The debut is out in March. Dum Dum Girls are what's right about this whole lo-fi pop revival. [myspace]
My Bloody Valentine - A girl can hope, right? Right?
Ringo Deathstarr - I was hoping for this one last year, but this year it's actually looking promising. The loudest, densest, prettiest shoegaze in ages. [myspace]
Seawhores - Heavy and confrontational, yet melodic, Seawhores have earned their cult following. I don't know if they are planning an album, but since they signed to Death By Audio Records, they must intend to release something at some point. [myspace]
Shellshag - This one is real too, it comes out in February and it's going to rock. The band's two members like to get fucked up and fuck up and fuck you up. What else could you want? [myspace]
Titus Andronicus - Titus Andronicus play hardcore punk that's at once traditional and original, pushing boundaries with their ambitious compositions, shoegaze-influenced guitars and thoughtful lyrics. [myspace]
And keep an eye out for these too...
Monday, December 14, 2009
Live: Stupid Party, Shellshag, Slingshot Dakota
When: 11/28
Where: Death By Audio
What more can I say about Stupid Party? They are too cool for words. They bang out punky rock and roll with raw energy and a fuck-all attitude. There has been one change, and it's a biggie - the addition of a second guitarist. Ultimately, it wasn't nearly as disastrous as it could have been. Adding a member usually seems to cramp everyone's style, but from what I could gather in this situation, it just helped jack everything up a level. I'm not sold yet - I can still see it weighing the band down and costing them spontaneity. I'll check them out again soon and report back. [MySpace]
I'd never heard Slingshot Dakota before and frankly, they confused the hell out of me. There's a dude who plays drums and a chick who plays keyboards and they both sing (though she sings more) and the whole concept provoked my immediate disdain cause I like guitar and keyboards are usually cheesy. And here's the thing - it was cheesy! The band just played sappy, over-the-top pop songs. Yuck! Right?
But for some reason, I really liked it. The band slammed out their songs with passionate disregard for precision. Each number came out as one simple, sloppy, heartfelt wail. Carly Commando's voice is perfect, tuneful and strong, but with raw, punk-rock abandon. The music as a whole comes unrefined, unpolished and desperate from the bands' hearts to your ears.
The only real problem came between songs. This is one of those bands that thinks it's a super idea to tell everyone what all the songs are about, which kind of ruins them for me. I'd enjoy a song more not knowing for sure that it's about a van. They also got a bit preachy, with the longest little speech regarding sexual assault and rape in the indie scene. I have mixed feelings about this - they said to anyone out there who's experienced this, "we believe you." On the one hand, as a human being, I can't fault anyone for using whatever platform they have to give that message - having someone say they believe you is so necessary and so much harder to come by that it should be, and I'm sure there was more than one person the audience who life was touched by hearing those words. But the music critic in me was unhappy because it indicated that the songs were moralistic,* and if there's one thing I hate, it's overtly preachy music. I prefer to think of music's messages as more sublime. That said, if you have to go all political and have "messages," at least this one is personal.
All rambling aside, I would definitely go to hear this band again. And I'd buy their albums too. In fact, I'm getting a little antsy not being able to get my hands on their music right this second. [MySpace]
Shellshag recently played at my Radio Flyer Review showcase, so I can't decide if reviewing them so close to that is tacky or not. It's definitely not as tacky as reviewing them immediately beforehand, though.
Shellshag are an awesome duo with drums and guitar. I think they are certifiable, which is why they are so awesome live. You just never know quite what to expect - except awesomeness, obviously. They play very minimal hardcore music with out-in-the-open vocals and unconventional drums (a tom-based kit and a drummer with bells tied around her so she has to bounce around in time to the music). At the end of the set, they smashed a drum. [MySpace]
* "Moralistic" does not equal "moral."
Where: Death By Audio
What more can I say about Stupid Party? They are too cool for words. They bang out punky rock and roll with raw energy and a fuck-all attitude. There has been one change, and it's a biggie - the addition of a second guitarist. Ultimately, it wasn't nearly as disastrous as it could have been. Adding a member usually seems to cramp everyone's style, but from what I could gather in this situation, it just helped jack everything up a level. I'm not sold yet - I can still see it weighing the band down and costing them spontaneity. I'll check them out again soon and report back. [MySpace]
I'd never heard Slingshot Dakota before and frankly, they confused the hell out of me. There's a dude who plays drums and a chick who plays keyboards and they both sing (though she sings more) and the whole concept provoked my immediate disdain cause I like guitar and keyboards are usually cheesy. And here's the thing - it was cheesy! The band just played sappy, over-the-top pop songs. Yuck! Right?
But for some reason, I really liked it. The band slammed out their songs with passionate disregard for precision. Each number came out as one simple, sloppy, heartfelt wail. Carly Commando's voice is perfect, tuneful and strong, but with raw, punk-rock abandon. The music as a whole comes unrefined, unpolished and desperate from the bands' hearts to your ears.
The only real problem came between songs. This is one of those bands that thinks it's a super idea to tell everyone what all the songs are about, which kind of ruins them for me. I'd enjoy a song more not knowing for sure that it's about a van. They also got a bit preachy, with the longest little speech regarding sexual assault and rape in the indie scene. I have mixed feelings about this - they said to anyone out there who's experienced this, "we believe you." On the one hand, as a human being, I can't fault anyone for using whatever platform they have to give that message - having someone say they believe you is so necessary and so much harder to come by that it should be, and I'm sure there was more than one person the audience who life was touched by hearing those words. But the music critic in me was unhappy because it indicated that the songs were moralistic,* and if there's one thing I hate, it's overtly preachy music. I prefer to think of music's messages as more sublime. That said, if you have to go all political and have "messages," at least this one is personal.
All rambling aside, I would definitely go to hear this band again. And I'd buy their albums too. In fact, I'm getting a little antsy not being able to get my hands on their music right this second. [MySpace]
Shellshag recently played at my Radio Flyer Review showcase, so I can't decide if reviewing them so close to that is tacky or not. It's definitely not as tacky as reviewing them immediately beforehand, though.
Shellshag are an awesome duo with drums and guitar. I think they are certifiable, which is why they are so awesome live. You just never know quite what to expect - except awesomeness, obviously. They play very minimal hardcore music with out-in-the-open vocals and unconventional drums (a tom-based kit and a drummer with bells tied around her so she has to bounce around in time to the music). At the end of the set, they smashed a drum. [MySpace]
* "Moralistic" does not equal "moral."
Monday, December 7, 2009
Thanks!
Thanks everyone who came to the show Friday! It should go without saying, the bands were all amazing. Everyone sounded the best I've ever heard them, seriously. I want to thank all four bands not only for putting so much energy into their sets, but also for helping me organize and promote the event. And thanks especially to Ric Leichtung of Market Hotel for helping me out with the whole process and for taking care of all the logistics so I didn't have to run around in a state of panic on Friday! Ric is awesome.
Monster Island Basement were wonderful hosts, and I have to mention the sound engineer in particular, because for a DIY basement venue, the sound was unbelievable. For any sort of venue, the sound was unbelievable.
Thanks again everyone! It was a really fun night! And if you didn't make it out, check out these bands another time, cause they are seriously fuckin awesome!
Shellshag - "The White Stripes on steroids and crack" (Jersey Beat 2007) [MySpace] [Official Site]
Big Troubles - "Big Troubles is Ian and Alex, two guys from Ridgewood, New Jersey looking to give you a sonic shoulder rub if you can stand it. Just as their fellow Ridgewoodians Real Estate tend to dunk theirs underwater, Ian and Alex blanket most melodies in loads of fuzz and distortion. Lots of kids are doing it these days, few are doing it as well as these two." (The Tripwire) [MySpace] [Official Site]
Sisters - "The Brooklyn duo Sisters pull nineties alternative rock into the twenty-first century, skillfully tempering Gen X slacker aesthetics with an earnest optimism and youthful vigor." (The New Yorker [!!!]) [MySpace] [RFR Review]
The Sundelles - "The band's sound is as classic garage as you can get and there is something reminiscent of Sid Vicious in the singer's voice. This track is filled with youthful exuberance and defiance. Definitely mixtape worthy!" (Rock Insider) [MySpace]
Monster Island Basement were wonderful hosts, and I have to mention the sound engineer in particular, because for a DIY basement venue, the sound was unbelievable. For any sort of venue, the sound was unbelievable.
Thanks again everyone! It was a really fun night! And if you didn't make it out, check out these bands another time, cause they are seriously fuckin awesome!
Shellshag - "The White Stripes on steroids and crack" (Jersey Beat 2007) [MySpace] [Official Site]
Big Troubles - "Big Troubles is Ian and Alex, two guys from Ridgewood, New Jersey looking to give you a sonic shoulder rub if you can stand it. Just as their fellow Ridgewoodians Real Estate tend to dunk theirs underwater, Ian and Alex blanket most melodies in loads of fuzz and distortion. Lots of kids are doing it these days, few are doing it as well as these two." (The Tripwire) [MySpace] [Official Site]
Sisters - "The Brooklyn duo Sisters pull nineties alternative rock into the twenty-first century, skillfully tempering Gen X slacker aesthetics with an earnest optimism and youthful vigor." (The New Yorker [!!!]) [MySpace] [RFR Review]
The Sundelles - "The band's sound is as classic garage as you can get and there is something reminiscent of Sid Vicious in the singer's voice. This track is filled with youthful exuberance and defiance. Definitely mixtape worthy!" (Rock Insider) [MySpace]
Friday, December 4, 2009
TONIGHT!!! Shellshag, Sisters, Big Troubles, Sundelles
Shellshag - "The White Stripes on steroids and crack" (Jersey Beat 2007) [MySpace] [Official Site]
Big Troubles - "Big Troubles is Ian and Alex, two guys from Ridgewood, New Jersey looking to give you a sonic shoulder rub if you can stand it. Just as their fellow Ridgewoodians Real Estate tend to dunk theirs underwater, Ian and Alex blanket most melodies in loads of fuzz and distortion. Lots of kids are doing it these days, few are doing it as well as these two." (The Tripwire) [MySpace] [Official Site]
Sisters - "The Brooklyn duo Sisters pull nineties alternative rock into the twenty-first century, skillfully tempering Gen X slacker aesthetics with an earnest optimism and youthful vigor." (The New Yorker [!!!]) [MySpace] [RFR Review]
The Sundelles - "The band's sound is as classic garage as you can get and there is something reminiscent of Sid Vicious in the singer's voice. This track is filled with youthful exuberance and defiance. Definitely mixtape worthy!" (Rock Insider) [MySpace]
It's at Monster Island Basement
[Edit: Apparently it isn't technically a.k.a. Secret Project Robot, that's a difference space in the same building. The show is at Monster Island Basement, my bad! Sorry for any confusion.]
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Upcoming Shows: FRIDAY @ Monster Island Basement
Shellshag - "The White Stripes on steroids and crack" (Jersey Beat 2007) [MySpace] [Official Site]
Big Troubles - "Big Troubles is Ian and Alex, two guys from Ridgewood, New Jersey looking to give you a sonic shoulder rub if you can stand it. Just as their fellow Ridgewoodians Real Estate tend to dunk theirs underwater, Ian and Alex blanket most melodies in loads of fuzz and distortion. Lots of kids are doing it these days, few are doing it as well as these two." (The Tripwire) [MySpace] [Official Site]
Sisters - "The Brooklyn duo Sisters pull nineties alternative rock into the twenty-first century, skillfully tempering Gen X slacker aesthetics with an earnest optimism and youthful vigor." (The New Yorker [!!!]) [MySpace] [RFR Review]
The Sundelles - "The band's sound is as classic garage as you can get and there is something reminiscent of Sid Vicious in the singer's voice. This track is filled with youthful exuberance and defiance. Definitely mixtape worthy!" (Rock Insider) [MySpace]
It's at Monster Island Basement a.k.a. Secret Project Robot art gallery a.k.a. 210 Kent Ave., at the corner of Kent and Metropolitan. Doors at 8 PM, costs $7.
Wednesday, December 2
Werewolves @ Glasslands | Williamsburg, Brooklyn | $5
I wouldn't hold my breath because the Werewolves have cancelled the last two times I tried to see them. But assuming they are going to do the show, you should be there. Werewolves manage to still the best of pretty much every variety of psychedelic music, from 60's rock and roll to shoegaze to noise. Hazy sounds, great melodies and squalling noise combine to make some of NYC's best music. [RFR Review] [MySpace]
Thursday, December 3
Young Boys @ Shea Stadium | Greenpoint, Brooklyn | $7
Young Boys are a badass noise pop duo who sound like an even drunker, even more nihilistic Jesus & Mary Chain. Everything is minimal, from the simple vocal melodies to the untamed, feedbacking guitar to the programmed keyboard beats. It's fucking great. [RFR Review] [MySpace]
Friday, December 4
Shellshag! Sisters! Big Troubles! Sundelles! See above!
Saturday, December 5
The Nymphets @ Dead Herring | Williamsburg, Brooklyn
The Nymphets are a minimal punk duo from Canada. Their music is simplistic and raw, their songs instantly lovable and their attitude badass but endearing. Check it. [RFR Review] [MySpace]
Monday, December 7
Jeff the Brotherhood, Dinowalrus, Sisters, Coin Under Tongue @ Mercury Lounge | LES, Manhattan | $8
Um, only four of the best bands on the scene right now, plus a DJ set by a fifth great (my recent obsession Stupid Party). Jeff the Brotherhood play raw psychedelic punk. Dinowalrus make experimental music that rocks hard but with complicated rhythms and unusual sounds. Sisters write enthusiastic, lo-fi pop songs. Coin Under Tongue yell all post-hardcore/thrash style into the microphone while making mammoth, distortion-laden riffs. However you look at it, this is a dream line-up. [JtB RFR Review] [JtB MySpace] [DW RFR Review] [DW MySpace] [Sisters RFR Review] [Sisters MySpace] [COT RFR Review]
The long view...
December
10
Reagan Youth @ Trash Bar
11
Fiery Furnaces @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
Forgetters (mems Jawbreaker, Against Me) @ Market Hotel
12
Fiery Furnaces @ Bowery Ballroom
13
Blank Dogs + Silk Flowers @ Monster Island Basement
14
The Slits + Sisters, Sundelles @ Highline Ballroom
15
The Antlers @ Bowery Ballroom
16
Raekwon @ The Fillmore
17
The For Carnation @ Knitting Factory
Black Dogs, Led Er Est @ Death By Audio
Pterodactyl @ Cameo
29-31
Patti Smith @ Bowery Ballroom
January
15
Gang Gang Dance, DJ/Rupture @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
16
Dinosaur Jr @ Bowery Ballroom
17
Dinosaur Jr @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
25
Cheap Trick @ The Fillmore
29-30
Mission of Burma @ Bowery Ballroom
February
9
Residents @ Webster Hall
13
Magnetic Fields @ Brooklyn Academy of Music
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Upcoming Shows: Screaming Females, Meat Puppets + more
TOMORROW!!! Wednesday, November 25
Meat Puppets @ Bowery Ballroom | LES, Manhattan | $16 adv. / $18 dos.
The Meat Puppets formed in the earliest years of hardcore punk and were immeasurably influential on the West Coast scene. Their countryfied punk is the best of its kind. And don't be scared of the word "countryfied" (unless you're scared of made up words), because it's so punk in spirit, with a steady stream of bright, major-key guitar riffs, that it won't bother even the worst country-music hater. Seriously, the Meat Puppets!!! [MySpace]
Screaming Females, So So Glos @ Bell House | Gowanus, Brooklyn | $8 adv. / $10 dos.
Screaming Females are single-handedly saving rock music from the hipsters. This NJ trio is fronted by guitar hero (and literal screaming female) Marissa Paternoster, with two non-screaming non-females making up a masterful rhythm section. The band is simply writing the best rock music of anyone around - solid riffs, great tunes and, well, screaming. They will remind you of everything good about punk rock, everything good about the early 90's and everything good about electric guitar. The So So Glos are a great hardcore punk band, so you get even more bang for your buck. [SF MySpace] [SF RFR Review] [SSG MySpace] [SSG RFR Review]
Sonic Youth @ Music Hall of Williamsburg | Williamsburg, Brooklyn | SOLD OUT!
If you aren't going to see Sonic Youth tonight to free up tomorrow for either of the shows above, I think you're making a mistake. Anyway, this show is sold out but I'm sure it's worth a try to see Sonic Youth in such a good venue.
The Pixies @ Hammerstein Ballroom | Midtown, Manhattan | SOLD OUT (I think)
If you didn't go to see the Pixies at their other Doolittle shows this week, and you have to miss Meat Puppets or Screaming Females to see them, that's your own fault. They also have a 1 AM show that's not sold out and costs over $60. I have no idea what's up with that.
Friday, November 27
Fuck Buttons, Growing @ Market Hotel | Bushwick, Brooklyn
This is some great experimental music involving lots of loud electronics (both bands). I mean, really great. Go see it! [FB MySpace] [Growing MySpace]
Saturday, November 28
Stupid Party, Shellshag @ Death By Audio | Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Are there two punk NYC punk bands I love more than these two? Stupid Party are as cool as their name implies. They play their songs like they are mad at them. Shellshag, who are also playing my December 4 show at Monster Island Basement, are a duo who write really good pop songs and then annihilate them with distortion and yelling. [SP MySpace] [SP RFR Review] [Shell MySpace]
The long view...
December
2
The Mountain Goats @ Bell House
4
Radio Flyer Review presents Shellshag, Sisters, Big Troubles & the Sundelles @ Monster Island Basement!!!!!!
7
Jeff the Brotherhood, Dinowalrus, Sisters, Coin Under Tongue + DJ set by Stupid Party @ Mercury Lounge <<certainly the best line-up since Woodstock. Actually, better, because Sha-Na-Na isn't playing.
10
Reagan Youth @ Trash Bar
11
Fiery Furnaces @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
Forgetters (mems Jawbreaker, Against Me) @ Market Hotel
12
Fiery Furnaces @ Bowery Ballroom
13
Blank Dogs + Silk Flowers @ Monster Island Basement
14
The Slits + Sisters, Sundelles @ Highline Ballroom
15
The Antlers @ Bowery Ballroom
16
Raekwon @ The Fillmore
17
The For Carnation @ Knitting Factory
Black Dogs, Led Er Est @ Death By Audio
Pterodactyl @ Cameo
29-31
Patti Smith @ Bowery Ballroom
January
15
Gang Gang Dance, DJ/Rupture @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
16
Dinosaur Jr @ Bowery Ballroom
17
Dinosaur Jr @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
25
Cheap Trick @ The Fillmore
29-30
Mission of Burma @ Bowery Ballroom
February
9
Residents @ Webster Hall
13
Magnetic Fields @ Brooklyn Academy of Music
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
RADIO FLYER REVIEW PRESENTS...
I am so excited about this show! We've got four kick-ass bands who make really loud noise and write great songs. They're among the very best punk/lo-fi/pop music you'll find these days.
Shellshag - "The White Stripes on steroids and crack" (Jersey Beat 2007) [MySpace] [Official Site]
Big Troubles - "Big Troubles is Ian and Alex, two guys from Ridgewood, New Jersey looking to give you a sonic shoulder rub if you can stand it. Just as their fellow Ridgewoodians Real Estate tend to dunk theirs underwater, Ian and Alex blanket most melodies in loads of fuzz and distortion. Lots of kids are doing it these days, few are doing it as well as these two." (The Tripwire) [MySpace] [Official Site]
Sisters - "The Brooklyn duo Sisters pull nineties alternative rock into the twenty-first century, skillfully tempering Gen X slacker aesthetics with an earnest optimism and youthful vigor." (The New Yorker [!!!]) [MySpace] [RFR Review]
The Sundelles - "The band's sound is as classic garage as you can get and there is something reminiscent of Sid Vicious in the singer's voice. This track is filled with youthful exuberance and defiance. Definitely mixtape worthy!" (Rock Insider) [MySpace]
It's at Monster Island Basement a.k.a. Secret Project Robot art gallery a.k.a. 210 Kent Ave., at the corner of Kent and Metropolitan. Doors at 8 PM, costs $7.
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