Thursday, November 30, 2006

Sound Fix Instores - Dec '06

Via Sound Fix:

Sat Dec 2, 2:00 PM

Geoff Mullen, Black Hand, MGR

Something a little different this Saturday ... We're featuring three exciting artists from Barge Recordings, the label that has just released the first-rate "Innature" compilation of electronic and avant-garde musicians. This afternoon showcase will feature plenty of noise and atmospherics, from the Neil Young-ish guitar of Geoff Mullen to MGR, a solo project of Mike Gallagher of ISIS.

Sun Dec 10, 3:00 PM

TK Webb

We're having a record-release party for local hero TK Webb, the amazing blues-folk troubador whose raspy-voiced anthems channel the roots rockers of years past and present. He'll be performing songs from his superb new album on The Social Registry, "Phantom Parade."

Thurs Dec 21, 7:00 PM

Jim Noir

We love this guy. Twenty-four-year-old Mancunian Jim Noir is a supremely talented pop songsmith; on his debut on Barsuk, "Tower of Love," he plays every instrument, writes hooks worthy of Paul McCartney and Brian Wilson, and delivers a delightfully melodic record recalling British acts from the Nuggets-era to XTC to the Smiths to Super Furry Animals. This will be an amazing show!

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

In The Meantime - The Scourge of the Sea

















Been home for less than 5 hours total since Mon morning. Therefore - not much posting. Gonna be more of the same tomorrow. Got a list of stuff I want to post about, including my list of favorite albums and eps of 2006. Maybe I'll get around to that on Thurs. In the meantime - here's a flyer for a show that you should go to. Diggin this band a lot. More on them where I get a chance.

Sunday, November 26, 2006

I've Had Enough

Manning sucks.

I'm done with giving this guy the benefit of the doubt.

Giants had a chance to limp back into a tie for first place and make next weekend's matchup with the Cowboys that much more interesting.

Not all Manning's sucking though. Where did the defence go in the second half? What was up with that blown sack? Hideous.

I'm pissed.

At least the Jets bounced back this week and are still in the hunt.

Man Man @ Bowery - Fri Jan 5
















In case you haven't noticed - Man Man will be playing @ Bowery Ballroom on Fri Jan 5. Tix are on sale. $14

Thoughts about this show:

1) If I were to make a year-ending list of my favorite, most memorable performances of 2006 (excluding Radiohead, because that's just not fair), Man Man @ the Spiegeltent would be in the top 3. I'm sure performances by the band will be on others' lists as well. Therefore - this show is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Buy tix NOW.

2) No offence to Patti Smith and her fans, but I feel that this show would have made a MUCH MUCH better NYE show for Bowery Ballroom. I know, I know, it's a tradition, blah blah blah. Whatever. I have never been to a show on NYE, but I WOULD go to that show.

Saturday, November 25, 2006

Hundred Reasons, Related Ramblings...






















A very cool, random moment at the KNOCKOUT! show was when the sound guy put on one of my favorite albums, Hundred Reasons' Ideas Above Our Station, in between sets. It was similar to when the sound guy at White Rabbit put on Morning Stanzas in between sets at The Gothamist House during CMJ. But getting back to Hundred Reasons, I kind of lost interest in the band after IAOS, but have been looking out for the band to come to NYC. Apparently they have only been to the US once for a SXSW show in 2003, but have toured extensively in Europe and have had multiple trips to Japan. They just recently announced dates for a Jan '07 tour and still no US.

Almost 400 shows and only been to the US once? Anyone know why?

Speaking of KNOCKOUT! - you may have noticed that another date is now listed on Matchless' calendar. Save the date - January 13th. However, this show is NOT going to be a KNOCKOUT! show. Instead, it is going to be something else TBA, and is being co-promoted by Pat of Pop Tarts Suck Toasted. We are picking two bands each. If you do some investigative work you can figure out who one of my bands is, if you really care. Otherwise, an announcement is coming soon and you'll find out then.

Oh - and KNOCKOUT! Round 2 is also coming soon. ROCK!

Reminder - Pat's 26th B-day party/show is TONIGHT. Happy B-day Pat!

Frailty

Something random always comes up at Thanxgiving dinner. This year we started talking about the movie Frailty, which is one of my favorites. Talking about the movie lead to going out to rent the movie and watch it again. Rewatching the movie lead to remembering why I love this movie so much. The first time I rented it was after hearing Howard Stern raving about how great it was, in the same way that I rented Tao of Steve after hearing him raving about that movie. And Tao of Steve was good, so I went out and rented Frailty. Stern was right again.

The one thing I always found interesting about this movie, and the reason I'm posting about it, is the way that it was marketed. For instance:
























Seems like the cover art is meant to attract fans of horror flicks like The Ring, etc... The opening credits and even the name of the movie seem to be trying to attach it to that genre. But this movie is NOTHING like those movies. I wonder if the marketing worked. How many people rented Frailty hoping for a The Ringish sort of movie, and got something completely different. On the flip side, how many people didn't rent it because they avoid that kind of movie. If you've seen it, you know what I mean. If you haven't seen it yet, go rent it now. Great. Movie.

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Union Hall - Yacht Rock, Sam Champion, Tonight

Very exciting Yacht Rock news!!

Just noticed on Union Hall's calander:

Wed Dec 13 - A VERY SMOOTH YACHT ROCK XMAS!

No info yet at the Yacht Rock Myspace.

And then, two days later:

Fri Dec 15 - Sam Champion

They played almost all new songs at the Productshop/Studio B CMJ show, which is cool, but I would have liked to hear a few more older songs.

And don't forget, TONIGHT:

Monday, November 20, 2006

The North Atlantic - Scientist Girl Video, NYC Show

Love it:



They're back in NYC on Tues Dec 5 for a show @ Rebel w/ Shelby, The Life and Times. Tix

Saturday, November 18, 2006

Union Hall - Thanxgiving Eve - Wed Nov 22
























Previously

Thursday, November 16, 2006

This Is Where I Would Be On NYE...

...if I lived anywhere near Melbourne.

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Nice Painting Stanley


















Some nice new pics over at DAS. Thom seems to be hiding though.

HondaTron

Have you seen this commercial yet?



Tron...mmmmmmmm

Lots of You Tube today.

Gomez Opening For...O.A.R.

Here's the dates:

Jan 18 @ U.S. Bank Theatre at U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati, OH
Jan 19 @ UIC Pavilion in Chicago, IL
Jan 20 @ AJ Palumbo Theatre in Pittsburgh, PA
Jan 21 @ Bryce Jordan Center in State College, PA
Jan 24 @ Tweeter Center at the Waterfront in Camden, NJ
Jan 26 @ GMU Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA
Jan 27 @ Madison Square Garden

Good for them! Pre-sale tix here tomorrow at noon. General on-sale tickets will be available Sat Dec 2.

Friction - Wed Dec 13 - Flyer
























I wonder if it was designed by a lady. Teasing...

Previously

Listen to Takka Takka's WOXY Lounge Act

Takka Takka performed live in the WOXY lounge today.

Here's the mp3.

Mike likes to get in band photos recently:



















The Big Sleep are in the lounge on Thurs. The Scourge of the Sea on the 30th.

Check















Boston wins right to negotiate with Daisuke Matsuzaka.

Zito's coming to the Bronx. You can bring it to the bank.

BTW - Girardi's going to be in the booth in '07. I liked him on the YES postgame. But it won't last, he will eventually get a job managing somewhere.

A Band After My Heart







Update: Apparently this is old news. New to me. Some more video here. And read this.

Mazarin Break Up, Sort Of

Via their Myspace:

yes it is true. as reported in pitchfork today

Formed in 1999 by principal member and songwriter Quentin Stoltzfus, MAZARIN's time on earth is up. Unfortunately having only recorded a few albums (Watch it Happen, A Tall Tale Story Line, We're Already There) for release on labels (Sub Pop, spinArt, I and Ear, Bella Union, RocketGirl, Houston Party Records, Sinnamon, V2 Europe, Remote Control Records, Rock Records Japan, Wah Records Japan) in a mere four continents (North America, Europe, Australia, Asia), can..t spare you from the begrudging agenda of a rock band whom happen to have performed under the same name, and released records no one can find.

Giving the latter Mazarin the benefit of the doubt, let's refer to them as MAZARIN A.

From what information is available on MAZARIN A (which is very little, considering the only mention of MAZARIN A on the internet, has been written by MAZARIN A) the band released a few albums on a label called First Class Records, of which MAZARIN B can find no trace of.

Between 1999 and 2006, every time things would start looking up for MAZARIN B, MAZARIN A would find out. By late 2005, MAZARIN A for reasons unknown had had enough. MAZARIN A hired an attorney who formally issued a cease and desist. Considering MAZARIN B was tirelessly touring the United States and Europe, building the name MAZARIN (ohh the irony), with barely two pennies to rub together, the band was without the resources to retaliate.

MAZARIN B's first suggestion to resolve the situation was to allow both bands to co-exist. MAZARIN B was more than happy to share the market. MAZARIN A and their attorney, to no surprise, weren..t having it. In their opinion, they were the only Mazarin, in fact - "Rock and Roll Legends of Long Island."

In short, MAZARIN A and their attorney decided: either cease and desist, or we go to court.

Considering MAZARIN B had no disposable income to fight the case, plus information had come to light revealing that one of the members of MAZARIN A was in very very poor physical health, yet still paying his attorney some four hundred dollars an hour, all the while desperately soliciting donations for their legal and medical funds via their website, MAZARIN B and their management concluded the whole predicament was so sad and despairing that instead of dragging out a lengthy litigation, which they had neither the time nor money to commit to; fuck it. Clearly, the name is cursed.

As for the future, Quentin Stoltzfus (and every contributing member to have ever played in Mazarin) is still making music with every intention of making it available to you, in time!

MAZARIN, the band from Philadelphia, will play their final show at the newly opened Johnny Brenda's venue in Philadelphia on Saturday Dec 2nd. MAZARIN would like to thank everyone, everywhere.


Derrr. The ugly half of LI shows it's face. Crappy.

That show on Dec 2 is definitely worth the trip to Philly. But I wanna see Icy Demons. Hmmm... Tonic? Something to think about, although I'll probably just stick to the plan.

Icy Demons
























Recommend by a friend yesterday. Been listening to their album, Tears of a Clone, all day today. Icy Demons shares band members with Man Man and you can hear it in their music, which sounds like smoothed out Man Man. HIGHLY recommened for casuals fans of Animal Collective. I also hear some Akron Family in there. And even a little bit of Islands. Definitely an enjoyable listen. Check out some tunes at their Myspace.

Two local dates coming up:

Tue Nov 28 Tonic W/ Buffalo Stance, Nymph
Sat Dec 2 Glasslands w/ Coyote, Big Digits

I'm gonna try to catch that Glasslands show, because that place is rad and is an ideal place to see this band for the first time.

Porsches on the Autobahn

For Electric Six fans:



I want to stick my d!&k in her pupil! I want to see the rest of the DVD:

On December 12th they are going to be releasing their debut DVD album which has 11 original music videos, over 60 minutes of extra videos of the band, and an mp3 album.


Porsches on the Autobahn are having their DVD release party at Sin-e on Tues Dec 12. You can listen to more of their music at their website and their myspace.

Monday, November 13, 2006

So Jealous

Daft Punk performed at the Bang Music Festival in Miami this past weekend. Here's some pics I've found on the net:




















































Lots of little video clips on You Tube. Here are some.

Please please please come to NYC. I must see them live before I die to make my life complete.

Download Recent WOXY Lounge Acts

Via WOXY:

Cold War Kids - mp3

Cold War Kids
Performed October 23, 2006

Track Listing:
We Used To Vacation
Hospital Beds
- interview -
Passing The Hat
God Make Up Your Mind


De Novo Dahl - mp3

De Novo Dahl
Performed October 20, 2006

Track Listing:
Sky Is Falling
Shout
- interview -
Subject Of The Kill
Make Some Sense


Frank Black - mp3

Frank Black
Performed October 31, 2006

Track Listing:
The Water
That Burnt Out Rock 'N Roll
Cactus
Put The Needle In My Arm
Raider Man


Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - mp3

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin
Performed October 30, 2006

Track Listing:
Lower The Gas Prices Howard Johnson
Let's Get Tired
- interview -
What'll We Do
I Am Warm & Powerful


Pela - mp3

Pela
Performed October 24, 2006

Track Listing:
Waiting On The Stairs
- interview -
Drop Me Off
The Trouble With River Cities
Philadelphia


Oh No! Oh My! - mp3

Oh No! Oh My!
Performed October 27, 2006

Track Listing:
I Love You All The Time
Reeks And Seeks
- interview -
Oh Be One
Lisa, Let's Make Love! (It's Okay!)


Mommy and Daddy - mp3

Mommy And Daddy
Performed October 25, 2005

Track Listing:
Good Deal
Top Down
- interview -
Way West Way
Pretty Loser


Minus The Bear - mp3

Minus The Bear
Performed October 18, 2006

Track Listing:
Memphis & 53rd
The Game Needed Me
- interview -
The Fix
Pachuca Sunrise


The Wrens - mp3

The Wrens
Performed October 17, 2006

Track Listing:
The House That Guilt Built
Per Second Second
- interview -
Thirteen Grand
This Boy Is Exhausted

Playoffs????

Maybe???
























And I love this pic and caption (via Newsday):


















New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) sits on the turf as the New York Jets celebrate after Brady was sacked on the last play of the football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Nov. 12, 2006. The Jets defeated the Patriots 17-14.

More sports:

Sheffield gone = good. Boston doesn't get Sheffield = better. We get 3 promising pitching prospect = best. Story

Wright is also gone and we get another young reliever.

Pat's 26th @ Martini Red
























More info here.

Saturday, November 11, 2006

Movable Hype 10.0 - This Tues 11/14
























Bad Veins! Check it.

The Muggabears - CMJ Pics, Shows

Was so glad I caught their set that I'm posting these pics regardless of how sucky they are. At Midway on Halloween:




















































Another blue pole pic (like the one on their myspace, via Pat).




















































The bag was Travis' Halloween costume. He was Missy Elliot.

The Muggabears have a bunch of NYC shows coming up. In addition to the Sentamentalist party tonight, this show at The Delancey, and next month's Friction, they will also be at Union Hall w/ The Diggs (excellent!) on Wed Nov 22 and Goodbye Blue Monday on Fri Jan 12 w/ Ludlow Lions (decent band name) and I Love You (horrible band name).

Friday, November 10, 2006

FREEDM @ PS1

Word. Thanx Jerry.

The Alaskan Pipeline - The End

Bummer. The Alaskan Pipeline were one of those bands that I was rooting for to make it to NYC, along with the oktober people, Jeniferever, and others. Unlike The Plot, I will not be able to see them live before they call it quits. Here's word from the band:



















Sucks. They have posted their Fear of Losing mini album on their website. Go download it.

Thursday, November 09, 2006

Sentimentalist Fall Issue Release Party

It's a safe bet that this is where I will be this Sat.
























Apparently there will be free beer, cake, and pie from 7-11. And The Muggabears. BEAT THAT!

Chin Up Chin Up - Download WOXY Lounge Act

Via WOXY:

Chin Up Chin Up
Performed November 7, 2006

Last fall, we met Chin Up Chin Up when they played as part of a CMJ party we co-hosted in New York City. A year later, we were finally able to get them into our studios for a performance. It was well worth the wait.

This Chicago-based band have been out on the road supporting their first record on the Suicide Squeeze label called "This Harness Can't Ride Anything." In this set, the guys perform 3 tracks from the new album and close out with a track from their debut disc.

Track Listing:
This Harness Can't Ride Anything
Landlocked Lifeguards
- interview -
Islands Sink
Virginia, Don't Drown


Download the mp3

Here's a pic of the band with WOXY Mike:



















Just recently got my hands on the new album This Harness Can't Ride Anything. It's just as great as We Should Have Never Lived Like We Were Skyscrapers. When I put it into my stereo for the first time, I listened to it straight through on repeat about 5 times. Definitely a fav album of 2006. Was psyched to finally see them a month ago at Glasslands. Missed the Flameshovel CMJ showcase and their set at Sound Fix, but! - they will be back in NYC at the end of the month for a show at Rare on Thurs Nov 30. Oh dear god, it's one of those Camel sponsored shows. Does that mean I have to smoke at the show? oh man...

BTW: Here's what's coming up in the WOXY lounge:

11/14 Takka Takka 3:00pm
11/16 The Big Sleep 4:00pm
11/30 The Scourge Of The Sea 1:00pm

The Delancey - Sun Nov 19

I feel like I'm being targeted. First it was the lineup for the next Friction and now this:










I full, completely, thoroughly, and entirely endorse this lineup.

Monday, November 06, 2006

More CMJ '06 Pics

Here's the best of the rest of the pics I took @ CMJ. For a magical experience, click the pics and they will grow. Unfortunately, I did not have a camera for Fri and Sat.

Forget Cassettes @ Pianos - Late night set









































iV Theives @ Fader


















What Made Milwaukee Famous @ Bowery




















































Genghis Tron @ Knitting Factory



































Dapples Cities Fly @ Fader


















Bound Stems acoustic @ White Rabbit / Gothamist House



Dim Mak Showcase @ Lit

Oh No! Oh My! were surprisingly very dancey. For some reason, I wasn't expecting that. Their live show left an even bigger impression on me than their album did. Here's two pics:



































After Oh No! Oh My! was Born Ruffians. Have been obsessing over their EP and was very much looking forward to this set. They delivered. Danced some more. Crowd was slightly hesitant at first, but was completely won over by the end. Some pics:

























































Two of my fav CMJ sets, back to back. Left Lit buzzing and with a big smile on my face.

The Plot To Blow Up The Eiffel Tower - Pics

A lot of my CMJ pics came out like crap, but happily, my pics of the The Plot aren't that bad. As always, click pic to see larger.
























































































































What a fantastic show. So happy I can say I saw them before they broke up. Would have been so bummed if they became another McClusky, Dismemberment Plan, Rage, etc.