Ted Leo Solo - Dancing In The Dark - Video

After playing about 5 originals and 11 covers Friday night, Ted Leo came out and played one more cover. Probably the last song I will ever hear at Northsix before it becomes "The Music Hall of Williamsburg." Ugg. More on this show coming soon.

Aeroplane Pageant - Record Release Party

Aeroplane Pageant will be having a record release party for their new album, Wave to the Moon, at Mercury Lounge on Sat, Feb 24. Here's the full lineup:

- 11:30 -
O'DEATH
- 10:30 -
BLACK HOLLIES
- 9:30 -
NOUS NON PLUS
- 8:30 -
AEROPLANE PAGEANT

Excellent. I'll finally get to see O'Death too!

Cloud Cult @ Mercury Lounge - Sat April 14

Thanx to Bumpershine for the heads up that tix are onsale for Cloud Cult at Mercury Lounge on Sat(!) April 14. Very exciting. The band suggests that you get tix asap, because it will likely sell out, and I agree.



Can't wait to hear the songs from their new album, The Meaning of 8, which you can purchase at their website starting tomorrow, before it is in stores on April 10. Via their Myspace:

On Monday, January 29, 2007 Cloud Cult will begin posting songs from The Meaning of 8 on our MySpace page. One new song will be posted every day for 18 days. The Meaning of 8 will be available in stores nationwide on April 10, 2007. However, on Monday, January 29, 2007 the new album can be ordered online only at www.cloudcult.com. Albums will be shipped within 1-2 weeks.

If you haven't seen it yet, check out the video for "Chemicals Collide", which is on the new album:

Chrome Children Videos

Have you seen these Chrome Children videos? In case you are wondering, Chrome Children is this.

Neon Lights @ The Delancey - Sat Feb 17

More info here.

Tokyo Police Club @ Mercury Lounge - April 9

Good news. The sold out Cold War Kids shows at Bowery Ballroom will not be your only chance to see Tokyo Police Club while they are in NYC in April. The band have added a headlining show at Mercury Lounge (yay!). But it's on a Monday (booo). Mon April 9th to be exact. No word yet as to who else will be playing with them. Their Myspace says that admission will cost $10,000! wow! Ahhh, the beauty of decimal places.

Update: Tix onsale. $12. Not $10,000. Phew.


Previously:

Vote For Tokyo Police Club
Tokyo Police Club, TL & Rx, Beirut
Top 5 Favorite EPs of 2006

Tonight @ Union Hall

Scott Sounds Off - Ten Speed Racer

Well he's not really sounding off this time, but anyway:

For a few years now I have been haunted by a single track that only seems to show up on random once every six months or so: "Don't Go Out" by Ten Speed Racer.

The band came strongly recommended by another Irish band, Orphan Code (formerly Nero), but here in the States I've found it very hard to find anything by them or about them. After some late-night googling I stumbled on this song and it stopped me in my tracks. An acoustic b-side version of a song that feels like I've known my whole life.

So on this semi-annual resurgence of the song I decided to do a little more searching and finally came across these 4 freebies (sadly, not "Don't Go Out"). Enjoy:

Awake
Ballad of a Greedy Man
Angel Headed Hipster
Sidewalk Monkey Typhoid

I couldn't find a website or Myspace for this band. This is all I could find. Anyone have any more info?








Previously:

Scott Sounds Off - The State

Nada Surf @ Nelson Hancock Gallery - Feb 1

As I stated way back in the beginning, I love seeing Nada Surf acoustic. I still find myself thinking about Matt and Ira acoustic at SoundFix. That was one hell of show. Fitting that their first NYC show in a while is an acoustic one. Not much info out there except for this - Nada Surf acoustic. Thurs Feb 1. Nelson Hancock Gallery. FREE!!. Barsuk says it's an "Acoustic performance for Peter Ellenby's opening party." The Nelson Hancock Gallery is located at 111 Front St. Their Myspace says that the show is at 7:30PM. If this is open to the public, I would recommend getting their as early as you can.

Sneak Peak - New Radiohead Album Art???

These and some other new pics over at DAS.

Up The Empire / Life In Bed - Moved To Galapagos

The other day I mentioned that Life In Bed would be at R&R with Up The Empire on Fri March 2. Just found out that R&R has closed and that the show has been moved to Galapagos:

Friday March 2, 2007
Galapagos, 70 N6th St., Williamsburg, NY
10pm-4am
Cover $8

Crashin'In Presents

Djs: Oil (KanineRecords), Toby Rascal (KanineRecords), and Gerald(OtherMusic)

Brit/Indie/PostPunk/Grime/Nu-wave/Remix Dance Tunes

(10:30pm) The Depreciation Guild live performance
(11:30pm) Saints and Lovers live performance
(12:30am) Vampire Weekend live performance
(1:30am) Up The Empire live performance
(2:30am) Life In Bed live performance

Air (Astralwerks) "Pocket Symphony" new album listening/release party with giveaways from Filter.

*new and old school sk8 videos projected on a huge screen all night long!

Let Me Plan Your Week

This week is ridiculously stacked with talent. Many excellent options every night of the week. If you need help deciding, here's my advice:

Tonight:

Go see Mason Proper at Pianos.

Tomorrow:

Go see Benzos at Maxwells (get tix quick, almost sold out) if you don't already have tix for this:



If Benzos sells out, go to this:



which is also this:



Friday:

Hopefully you got your tix to go see Ted Leo solo with Medications at one of the last Northsix shows. If you didn't get tix, go check out Cinema, Cinema at Fat Baby or this:
























Saturday:

The best show of the week BY FAR is this one:



If you are going to leave your house on Saturday, if should be because you are going to Sin-e, but I have to also mention that my friends The Mugs are going to be at Rockwood, Apollo Sunshine will be at Southpaw, Man in Gray/Jealous Girlfriends at Union Hall, and Muggabears/Mancino at Mercury Lounge.

Ace Of Clubs - Sat Feb 10

Previously

Oh, and I forgot to mention that this is Big Bang TV's live debut. Via their Myspace:

Fuuuucking Finally!!!!!!!!

On Saturday, February 10th, Big Bang TV will be giving their debut performance at the Ace of Clubs.

...I peed a little just writing that sentence. It's gonna be quite a spectacle, folks!

The spectacularity (spectaculiciousness?) of it all will be enhanced by sets from our esteemed collegues Fave Deddock, Square Wave Punch and Mussels.

Say goodbye to your beautiful faces, because come 12AM, February 11, they will have been rocked clean off.

I believe it.

BTW - While I was listening to The Undisputed Heavyweights' insanely good BreakThruRadio performance (do yourself a favor and listen to it), I noticed that BreakThruRadio are bringing Square Wave Punch into the studio next week on Tues Jan 30.

Almost As Good

This stupid outfit has been making me laugh, but it doesn't beat this.

Video - Sloan w/ David Cross @ Onion Party

Have you seen this yet?



ROCK!

Went down at this controversial show. Thanx to Scott (who drove from Albany to Buffalo to see Sloan, only find out that the show had just been canceled at the last minute) for pointing this out.

The Rosebuds - Acoustic - Wed Feb 14

While in town for a show at Union Hall on Sun Feb 11, The Rosebuds will also be playing a short, two 3 song sets as part of Amanda Sterns "The Happy Ending Music & Reading Series" at Happy Ending on Wed Feb 14.

I HIGHLY recommend attending this as part of your Valentine's Day activities. You know that Ivan and Kelly will be playing love songs and looking into each others eyes. C'est l'amour.

The following info is listed for tonight's show and most likely applies to the show on 2/14 as well:

show starts @ 8pm sharp
(doors open at 7:00pm)

It is recommended you get there early.

Books sold on-site by Mobile Libris

Host: Amanda Stern

Happy Ending Bar
302 Broome Street @ Forsyth; 212-334-9676
(B,D to Grand Street or F, J, M, Z to Delancey)

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah @ Mercury - Tonight

Tix onsale. $10.

Update: Sold out.

Download New Songs From The Muggabears

Just got this. The brand new The Muggabears Night Choreography EP. Seven(!) amazing new songs. The EP is a bit more Interpol than Pavement (like their Teenage Cop EP), which is cool. Good to see the band expanding their sound and exploring new territory. The vocals are still Malkmus, but the instrumentation is a bit darker, moodier, and dare i say, atmospheric. On first listen it's hard to pick favorites, because every song stands out. Nothing weak here. I've got permission to throw up a song or two, so I think I'll go with these, which I guess are my early favorites:

We Were Priests - mp3

Automatic Others - mp3

You can also listen to two more new songs, "Dead Kid Kicks" and "Rings", at their Myspace.

I didn't think it was possible for me to get more excited for KNOCKOUT! Round 2, but apparently it is. I can't wait to hear this new material live. Come out to Union Hall on Fri Feb 16.



This Sat:
























Previously:

The Muggabears - CMJ Pics, Shows
The Muggabears / The Slats
The Mugs / The Muggabears
CMJ 2006 - Day 1

Free Blood / Myth Takes

Of the three bands playing the last ever show at Northsix, the one that I am most interested in is the !!! side project Free Blood. So far, only heard the two songs on their Myspace (which is where I got the pics. lots more of them there), but that's all that it took to get me excited. Currently, the final Northsix show (on Wed Jan 31 w/ Radio 4, The Big Sleep) is the only upcoming show listed at their Myspace. This is a band that I would love to check out at Glasslands. Someone make it happen.



Speaking of !!!, I finally got my hands on a copy of Myth Takes and have been listening to it and dancing around like a fool ever since. I think it's better than Louden Up Now, which grew on me. This I liked right away on first listen. It's good to hear the band playing to their strengths, experimenting but not taking it to far, and keeping it dancey. If you haven't heard Heart of Hearts yet, check it out at their Myspace.

I'm patiently waiting for the possible announcement of a last minute hometown warm up show before they leave in a few weeks to go dominate the world and don't return until May.

More Antifreeze Pics

Might not be that many more crappy camera phone pics here at The Battering Room. Jules got a brand new camera and is now official Battering Room staff photographer. She took the Life in Bed pics here and here and she just sent over some more pics of the rest of the bands at Antifreeze. Click pics for larger version.

The Lisps



The Lisps w/ "William S. Burroughs"



Another of Life In Bed



Beat Radio





Mistakes

The King Left EP Release Party

This show is also THIS show. Check out The King Left here and here.

Coachella Flyer

The mother of all flyers. Via Productshop:



Happy Mondays?!?! DJ Shadow! Sat is stacked. I imagine there will be a lot of sucky set time conflicts that day. Sunday won't be as bad. Regardless of RATM, still think I prefer the rumored Bonnaroo lineup.

Magnetic Field - This Friday - Jan 26

This could be interesting.
























Freshly banned from Piano's, Magnetic Field are proud to host FUCK MONKEYS, a night of off-the-wall entertainment featuring the writers, producers, comics, and musical acts behind The Colbert Report and Strangers With Candy!

Tonight's performers: Julie Klausner, Matty Goldberg, Roger Hailes, Victor Vornado, Katie Bruggeman, Zack Rose, and Catie Lazarus. Music by Mike Stock and Brian Ajjan.

More info here and here.

What A Game!!!

Well the Super Bowl just got a lot more interesting. Congrats to Peyton Manning for finally beating the Pats. A Super Bowl win and he's a lock for the Hall of Fame. Congrats to Dungy and Smith for being the first two black head coaches to make it to the Super Bowl. Can't even begin to describe how big the smile on face was seeing Belichick sweating on the sideline in those last two minutes.

KNOCKOUT! Round 2

As I've previously mentioned:

Advance tix are now on sale. $8.

The lineup:

8:00PM - The Antlers Myspace
9:00PM - The Muggabears Myspace
10:00PM - Sure Juror Myspace
11:00PM - Johan Myspace

Rachael of The Underrated Blog will be spinning between sets.

Flyer designed by Bunkre.

Cinema, Cinema

Brooklyn band Cinema, Cinema made my night last night. Got home, looked in thee ole' mailbox, pull out a package from the band. What do I find inside the package?



Their Viva! EP! Listen to it straight through about 4X. Hot damn, this fucking rocks. Love the guitar sound. I definitely hear the Radiohead sound (which I am notoriously a sucker for) that they mention on their Myspace. Now I want to see the band live. Good thing they have 2 dates coming up:

Fri Jan 26 - Fat Baby

Sat Feb 24 - Lit Lounge

Go to the band's Myspace and listen to the EP. And then when you begin to feel the same way I did, go buy Viva! here.

Who Wanna Rock With The Aqueduct?

Um, yes please.

Rockin the joint that he rocked so hard during CMJ '05. Mercury Lounge. My first time, of many times, seeing him live. Dance! What a great show. Made up for arriving at CBGB earlier in the night and finding out that The Whole Fantastic World had just canceled. Aqueduct saved the night!

And now he's coming back to Mercury Lounge on Tues April 10.

Seriously though? A Tuesday? Ugg.

This show is part of a tour that begins late next month in support of his new album, Or Give Me Death, which Barsuk is releasing on Feb 20. You can listen to three tracks from the album, "Living A Lie", "As You Wish", and "Keep It Together", at his Myspace. Or you can download:

Living A Lie

As You Wish

I'm very familiar with "Keep It Together". I think he played it every time I have seen him. Love that song. "Bitch, don't even try." Living A Lie is vintage Aqueduct. Very fun, electrotinged, sweetness.

Checking In With The Antifreeze Bands

The Lisps



In addition to the FREE show above, The Lisps will also be at Fontana's w/ Bell, La Laque on Thurs March 1. Word on the street is that the band may also be opening for a certain awesome band at a certain awesome venue in Brooklyn on a certain Sunday in February. Hmmmmmm

Life In Bed

Life In Bed will be back in NYC on Fri March 2 for a show at R&R with another one of my favorites, Up The Empire. It's a safe bet that I will be in attendance.

Here's another pic of the guys from Antifreeze:



Beat Radio

This one should be extra cool. Wes has asked Beat Radio to participate in one of his special acoutic Cross Pollination shows at Pianos this Tues, Jan 23. Speaking of Wes:



And oh yeah, here's Beat Radio's Antifreeze set list:



Mistakes

Attention Rude Boys - Mistakes have TWO NYC shows coming up. One is at Cake Shop on Sat Feb 24 w/ Call Me Lightning, Chariots, and Titus Andronicus. The other is at Galapagos on Fri March 9.


Previously:

Checking In With The KNOCKOUT! Bands
Antifreeze - Tomorrow

Introducing....Johan

I was going to write up a little post about Johan (Myspace), but figured that my friend Adriaan, who helped facilitate getting Johan to appear at the next KNOCKOUT, could do a much better job of it. Here's what Adriaan has to say about them:

Johan was founded by Jacco de Greeuw. They released their debut album Johan on Excelsior Recordings in 1996. Johan instantly put Excelsior Recordings on the map as THE indie record label in The Netherlands. Three singles were released; 'Swing', 'December' and the 1997 anthem 'Everybody Knows'. Johan was out there and the press and public were ready for the follow-up.

But Jacco takes his time when it comes to song writing. 5 years after their debut album, Johan released Pergola. Rave reviews, prestigious awards for another excellent album. 3 more singles: 'Pergola', 'Tumble and Fall' and the classic pop song 'Day Is Done'. Pergola is one of those albums that are on the Dutch All Time Albums list. The album brought the band to New York for the first time, playing the CMJ festival in 2001.

Frontman Jacco is a man of traditions. All the wrong ones unfortunately. So we had to wait another 5 years for another release. But it was surely worth the wait. 10 years after their debut, Jacco is the only member left in the band. Currently the band plays with Jacco de Greeuw on vocals and guitar, Maarten Kooijman on guitar and vocals, Diets Dijkstra on bass and backing vocals and Jeroen Kleijn (of Daryll-Ann fame) on drums.

In May 2006 Johan released THX JHN. A thank you for all the fans that had to wait so long for a new album. The 'Oceans' single had an accompanying video that features Marta, a fan who travels from Argentina to the Netherlands to see Johan play their first show in years. Besides 'Oceans', Johan released the singles 'Walking Away' and 'She's Got A Way With Men'. THX JHN topped end-of-the-year lists in The Netherlands in 2006. You can watch an excellent video of the band's performance at Paradiso in Amsterdam on Oct 25, 2006 here.

But now it's 2007. Time to see Johan perform in New York for the first time since 2001! Check them out on February 15th, supporting The Mooney Suzuki at Rebel and February 16th, headlining Battering Room's Knockout at Union Hall (Tix on sale).

THX JHN!

Well there you have it. My first guest post! Thanx Adriaan!



Wow. I don't know if all those folks are going to fit into Union Hall.

*Rumor* Bonnaroo '07 *Rumor*

UPDATE: The real lineup has been announced. Check it out here.

Maybe you have seen this already, maybe you have not. A lil birdie just whispered this in my ear:

The Police, Bob Dylan, and Pearl Jam have been confirmed to headline the 2007 Bonnaroo Music Festival. The lineup also includes Tom Waits, Willie Nelson, Umphrey's McGee, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, The Black Crowes, Ryan Adams, My Morning Jacket, Arcade Fire, Keller Williams Band, Hot Chip, America, TV on the Radio, Fountains of Wayne, Modest Mouse, Les Claypool, The Shins, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Toots and the Maytals, The Roots, The Decemberists, Of Montreal, Cat Power, Ozomatli, Perpetual Groove, Band of Horses, John Butler Trio, Nickel Creek, Medeski Martin and Wood, Lily Allen, Neko Case, Keiren Hedben (Four Tet) & Steve Reid, The Hold Steady, Earl Scuggs, Charlie Louvin, Man Man, Grizzly Bear, Konono #1, The Slip, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Uncle Earl, Annuals, Beirut, M. Ward, Cold War Kids, and Girl Talk. Superfly Productions plans to officially announce the lineup on January 31st.

Wow. The Police and Pearl Jam??? Insanity. Is this the year that Pearl Jam finally break down and do a festival?

And what about the rest? Moving even further away from the jam band model? This lineup had me at Man Man. Between this and Jeff's ravings about last year's fest, perhaps 2007 is the year that I finally get my ass to Tennessee.

The dates for Bonnaroo '07 are June 14-17. Early bird $125.00 tix are already sold out.

Update: The Police are headlining Coachella. And apparently Rage Against The Machine are also headlining.

Reminder - Tomorrow @ Trash

Square Wave Punch / Mussels @ Ace Of Clubs

If you missed Square Wave Punch yesterday or Mussels at Subinev's showcase, like I did, here is a chance to catch them both together, and it's a Saturday. Sat Feb 10 to be exact. Ace of Clubs. $8. The full lineup:

11 PM Mussels
10 PM Square Wave Punch
9 PM Big Bang TV
8 PM Dave Feddock

I've gushed plenty about Mussels, but have not yet about Square Wave Punch, one of my new favorites. They sound like a collision of the first two influences listed on their Myspace - Pavement and The Beatles. I also hear a little bit of sunny California in there as well - think Rooney, Phantom Planet.

Bonus - Big Bang TV. Just recently heard them for the first time. Very promising. Via their Myspace:

If the Pixies, Igor Stravinsky and DJ Shadow (subverted all we know about biology and) had a child…

…well, that child would be absolutely hideous looking.

But somewhere in the magical afterbirth there’d be a chunk called Big Bang TV.

Yummy.

BTW - This is only one of two (!) upcoming shows that Mussels have posted on their Myspace. The other is at Southpaw on Feb 25. Keep it up guys! And how's the new album coming along?

Speaking of past KNOCKOUT bands, in addition to their show at Rockwood on Sat Jan 27, The Mugs will be at the brand new Luna Lounge on Sat Feb 10. Can't wait to see the new space! I'm not the only one.

Anyone Want To...

...fly me out to San Fran so I can go to this show tomorrow:



Please?


Previously:

Finest Dearest - New Song
Finest Dearest - New 7"
WOXY / Finest Dearest

The Soundscapes - A Week Of Flyers

Last night:



Bummed I missed that one. Love Square Wave Punch too.

Tomorrow night:



Also tomorrow night:



If you aren't familiar with The Soundscapes, check out their Myspace immediately.

Morning Theft - Mercury Lounge - Thurs Jan 25

Antifreeze - Thank you

Thank you to Matchless for having us again, to The Lisps, Life In Bed, Beat Radio, and Mistakes, for 4 fantastic, fun, inspiring sets of music, to Pat, my partner in crime, to Tim, for many hours of skilled djing, to Scott, for another beautiful flyer, to everyone who told a friend to come or wrote about the show, and most importantly, to everyone who came out, because of you there will continue to be more of these shows in the future.

Once again, if you have any pics, send them my way so that I can post them. So far, I only have pics of Life In Bed. Here is one:



I should have more pics soon. Maybe by tonight. Click on pic for larger version.

Now, a little about the next KNOCKOUT show. Union Hall. Fri Feb 16.

Advance tix are now on sale. $8.

The lineup:

8:00PM - The Antlers Myspace

RIYL - Neutral Milk Hotel, Elliott Smith, Antony & The Johnsons

9:00PM - The Muggabears Myspace

RIYL - Pavement

10:00PM - Sure Juror Myspace

RIYL - Talking Heads, CYHSY

11:00PM - Johan Myspace

RIYL - The Smiths, REM

This is only 1 of 2 shows for Johan while they are in the US. The Underrated Rachael will be spinning (mostly yacht rock) between sets. Come and commiserate with everyone else who didn't get Arcade Fire tix.

BTW - Tix are also now on sale for The Rosebuds at Union Hall. $10

This just in: Listen to Johan live from their show this past Saturday. It's streaming here.

It's Rare....

...that I find myself agreeing with P-Fork. This is one of those occasions.



9.0 today. Still don't see why this album is necessary though, given the existence of Full Clip, one of my favorite Best-Of albums ever. P-fork agrees:

Mass Appeal is Gang Starr's second best-of, following the excellent 1999 2xCD Full Clip, which is still in print. The new collection includes some lukewarm rarities and rescues a couple of tracks from the spotty 2003 album The Ownerz, but all of Mass Appeal's best tracks were already on Full Clip, and Mass Appeal's single-disc constraints make for a couple of puzzling exclusions: no "You Know My Steez"? There's also a DVD that collects the music videos, which would be awesome if YouTube didn't exist. Still, Mass Appeal makes for a deeply satisfying end-to-end listen, an hour-long submersion into the group's dusty warmth.

KEXP @ CMJ - Photos, Streaming Performances

Yes! Finally! KEXP have posted some of the performances from their recent week long CMJ stint. But booooo, none of them are the performances that I attended. Oh well, at least there are pictures.



Bound Stems


Darc Mind



Forward, Russia!



Tokyo Police Club

Antifreeze - Tonight in Greenpoint @ Matchless

That's it Mother Nature, this is strike two. You are officially on notice. First KNOCKOUT and now this. I swear, if it isn't sunny and warm in Park Slope on Fri Feb 16, you will pay big!

BTW - Matt saw The Lisps last night. Here's what he said:

The band's 45-minute set included many tunes from their debut EP, The Vain The Modest And The Dead, as well as a handful of newbies and even a spoken word performance with assistance from their friend 'William S Burroughs' (love it!). The poem was about what a lackluster year 2006 had been, and it was read with extreme disgust... hysterical! Definitely a highlight of the night, as was the set-closing 'Pepper Spray', which is easily my favorite track of theirs. Having never seen The Lisps before I definitely felt an anti-folk vibe to many of their songs (a la a less confrontational/naughty Moldy Peaches). In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if Cesar was a long lost relative to Adam Green! Cesar and Sammy exchange and combine vocals for nearly their entire set always running the fine line between hilarity and provocativeness. Is the South Bronx the new Sidewalk Cafe? Hmm.

Nice. I can't wait! Everything you could want to know about tonight's show can be found here.

See you there!

Underrated Presents - Sat Jan 27 @ Sin-e

Umm...sweet!

Sure Juror (8 PM)
Seth Kallen + The Reaction (9 PM)
White Rabbits (10 PM)
The GoStation (11 PM)
Liam & Me (12 AM)

Part of the craziness that is the last week of Jan in NYC. More on that to come.

Info here.


Previously:

Underrated Magazine CMJ '06 Showcase
Underrated Presents "Birdmonster NYC"

Gomez - Webster Hall - March 8 & 9

This just in from Gomez:

NEW YORK DATES ADDED

We are pleased to announce two additional shows on our February/March tour at Webster Hall in New York on March 8th & 9th. Both shows are co-headline dates with Ben Kweller. Tickets go on sale to the general public next Wednesday, January 17, but are available NOW through Gomez's secure ticketing site.

Kweller. Ugg. NOT a fan.


Previously:

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

Antifreeze - Tomorrow

Better late than never?



The night of my KNOCKOUT show, significantly inebriated, Pat and I discussed co-promoting a show together, where each of us would pick two bands. Tomorrow night is the culmination of that slurred conversation. I picked a band from Pittsburgh and a band from Long Island. Pat decided on a band from the Bronx and a band from Brooklyn. An interesting combination, to say the least. Here's the lineup w/ set times:

8 - The Lisps - Myspace
9 - Life In Bed - Myspace
10 - Beat Radio - Myspace
11 - Mistakes - Myspace

First, and definitely, certainly not least, hailing from the Bronx (mmmm....Yankees) we have The Lisps, who's debut EP, The Vain, the Modest, and the Dead, has received countless spins in my stereo (Love "The Winter That I Missed"). But what really sank it's teeth in me, was the video for their song "I'm Sorry." Obsession is an understatement. Which leads to this:

Song I want to hear the most - "I'm Sorry"

Next we have the band that is traveling the farthest for this show - from Pittsburgh - Life In Bed, who are another band that I fell in love with last year, but did not have a release in '06, ala Mussels, The Mugs, etc. In 2005, the band released their Exercises for Translation EP, which I like a lot, but not as much as their debut album, Two Point Perspective. A strong, forceful album, it's sort of an indie rock version of Brand New's Deja Entendu.. If you want loud, and I know I do, this is the band in the lineup that you want to catch. Although the juxtaposition from The Lisps, to these guys, and then to Beat Radio, should be quite interesting.

Songs I want to hear the most - "Weight of an Atom" "30 Seconds"

Then we have a band from the greatest place on earth - Long Island. Started to dig Beat Radio after Rachael recommended checking out their debut album The Great Big Sea, which you can download FOR FREE in it's entirety at their website and Myspace. Immediately after listening to the album, I was hooked. Similar to The Mugs, these guys play well composed, gentle pop. Gets me every time. Then I found out they were from LI, and there are few things that thrill me more than good music coming out of Long Island. Subvert the dominant paradigm!

Songs I want to hear the most - Just play The Great Big Sea all the way through. : )

Finally, wrapping up the show, we have a band from Brooklyn - Mistakes, who are the band that I know the least about, and therefore, am most intrigued to hear tomorrow night. From the mp3s that I have been able to gather up and the songs on their Myspace player, it is clear that this band has an abundance of talent - and creativity. What I've read about their 3-part Crying Lady Tiger EP sounds very interesting. Check out what Pat has to say about it.

Song I want to hear the most - Anything will do*

Directions (cut/pasted from the KNOCKOUT post):

McCarren Park Pool is right across the street and Warsaw is right down the block on Driggs, so if you have been to either of those places, you know how to get to Matchless. Relatively easy to get to by subway. Take the L to Bedford, walk one block to Driggs and then walk down to Manhattan Ave. If you don't feel like walking that far (it's really not that far), take the G to Nassau and walk down one block to Driggs. If coming by car, let mapquest be your guide. It's pretty much right off the BQE. When you arrive at Matchless, the performance space is located behind the bar, to the left when you walk in.

FYI - The performance space has a curfew and the bands will be done promptly at 12, BUT! Matchless' bar (which as I've said before, has a fantastic selection of beers on tap) stays open until your standard 4 o'clock closing time. BUILT IN AFTERPARTY! Woohoo. After Knockout ended, many of the band's personnel hung around and partied all night. I'm not sayin' that that will happen again this time, I'm just sayin'. And Pat's bro Tim will be spinning great tunes late into the night!

So there ya go. I really should have had this post up much earlier in the week, but I guess if you still needed something to help convince you to come to this show, here ya go. I mean, because the bands have been pimping this show like crazy (Thanx guys!) and Pat has said tons.

In closing - a word about this Battle Of The Bloggers theme. As much as I would love for you to come to our show, I will not be offended if you go to Friction instead, because hell, if we weren't doing a show tomorrow night, that's DEFINITELY where I would be. I have been shouting about their shows since I started this blog. But yeah, come to our show. Don't go to Friction. : p

See you tomorrow!

*not an actual song title

New Born Ruffians Video - Hedonistic Me

LOVE these guys.

Dispatch Add Third Show - Sun July 15

Just got this via email:

Friends:

It has been a wild 48 hours. What we initially intended to be a one-night
charity event at Madison Square Garden turned into two SOLD OUT nights
(July 13 and 14), all via our presale. We cannot thank you enough for your
generous support of the cause at hand.

In an effort to get more tickets into the hands of fans, and raise further
awareness and funds for those in need, we will be adding a third night of
DISPATCH: ZIMBABWE, to take place on Sunday, July 15.

There will be no presale for this show. All tickets will be made available
to the public at 9:00 AM EST on Saturday, January 20. Tickets can be
purchased at that time via Ticketmaster.com, or by calling 212.307.7171.
Also, in an attempt to fight some of the folks who thought it would be
charitable to use EBAY to turn a profit on a charity show, there will be a
6 ticket limit per customer, and 4 ticket limit per customer for floor
seats. Multiple transactions will not be permitted.

We are also working with our production team to explore opening more seats
on Friday July 13, and Saturday July 14. More information on this as soon
as it becomes available.

For now, all we can say is, Thank you.

**TEAM DISPATCH**

Took a week off from posting, but you wouldn't know it from my hits, thanx to this. BTW - I got tix to the Sat show. Section 72, row H. But I am worried that Siren might be that Saturday and I didn't think they would be adding more shows. If anyone wants to trade straight up for comparable seats for Friday or Sunday, let me know.

The Rosebuds - Union Hall - Sun Feb 11

Yes! Finally! I get to say something that I have wanted to say since I started this darn thing:

The Rosebuds are coming back to NYC

Phew. Feels good to finally get that out of me. But wait it gets better:

For a show at Union Hall

Hell yes. Can you say "dream show"? And currently, this is the only upcoming NYC show listed on their Myspace (Hey all you going to SXSX people - 5 shows!).

It's official. On Sunday Feb 11, I will be in Park Slope to see The Rosebuds at Union Hall.

Me = psyched.

Tix are not on sale yet. But tix will be on sale in about a 1/2 an hour for another cool show at UH - Elvis Perkins in Dearland on Thurs Apr 19. $10.

BTW - Wanted to wait until after this weekend to tell you about this, but Union Hall has also let the cat out the bag regarding the next KNOCKOUT. Yes, it is Fri Feb 16. Yes, Johan (all the way from The Netherlands!), Sure Juror, and The Muggabears will be there, but The Antlers will be there as well. Lots more info on that coming very soon.

Sorry for the week long break in posting.


Previously:

News From The Rosebuds
The Rosebuds Want To Play For You
The Rosebuds - Working On Album #3, Demo mp3

The Shins @ Union Square Virgin Records Jan 22

Via their Myspace:

January 9: This is the day that you can pre-order Wincing the Night Away on iTunes.

January 13: The Shins are the musical guests on Saturday Night Live! SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE! It's my dick, in a box!

January 18: Starting on this day, and running through Jan. 21st, you can stream Wincing the Night Away, in its entirety, on Myspace!

January 22: The Shins will be performing live at midnight at the Virgin Records in New York's Union Square. Buy a copy of the record at Virgin and you get in to see them play!

January 23: Not only does Wincing the Night Away come out on this day, but also the band will be playing on CBS's Late Show with David Letterman! DAVID LETTERMAN!

January 26: In the morning, The Shins will be playing on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic. And, in the evening, at 8:00pm, they'll be playing a free in-store at the Amoeba Records in Hollywood.

I assume that by Jan 22 at midnight, they actually mean Jan 23 at midnight, to coincide with a midnight sale??? Or do they really mean Monday morning? Hmmm...

Mercury Lounge - Wed Jan 31

Since the Peter Bjorn & John shows are sold out and you need to see Born Ruffians:



- 10:30 -
SHY CHILD
- 9:30 -
BORN RUFFIANS
- 8:30 -
RA RA RIOT
- 7:30 -
VAMPIRE WEEKEND

Tix onsale. $10.

Previously:

Ra Ra Riot @ CMJ
The Annex - Thurs Sept 21, Ra Ra Riot
Top 5 Favorite EPs of 2006
Born Ruffians @ CMJ
Dim Mak Showcase @ Lit

The Heavenly States...

...just tagged my Myspace comments:

Cake Shop - Fri Jan 12

Dispatch - MSG - July 14

WOW. Huge news from Dispatch today. Here's the press release:

On Saturday, July 14, 2007, Brad, Chad and Pete will reunite as DISPATCH for DISPATCH: ZIMBABWE, a concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City. All of the money raised from ticket sales will go towards fighting disease, famine and social injustice in Zimbabwe. A contribution will also be made to local charities.

DISPATCH has partnered with our friends at MySpace to offer "friends of DISPATCH" an exclusive first crack at the best seats at The Garden. The presale will run from 12:00 PM EST on Wednesday, January 10th through 5:00 PM EST on Friday, January 19. In order to be eligible to be included in this presale, add DISPATCH as your friend on MySpace! Friends of DISPATCH will be blasted a Ticketmaster link and Password shortly before the presale begins. Follow this link starting at 12:00 PM EST on the 10th and be among the first to get tickets for DISPATCH: ZIMBABWE.

Tickets will go onsale to the general public at 9:00 AM EST on Saturday, January 20.

To buy tickets online, visit www.ticketmaster.com. To buy tickets via phone, call 212.307.7171. (Tickets for disabled patrons available by calling 212.465.5085)

FOR ALL THE DETAILS, HEAD OVER TO WWW.DISPATCHMUSIC.COM and WWW.MYSPACE.COM/DISPATCH

Never got to see these guys live. Was planning on going to Last Dispatch, but unfortunately had to canceled the trip last minute. Never imagined that I would have another chance to take this band off the list of bands I was never able to see live before they broke up.

Update: A third show has been added. Info here.

SOLD OUT

Clever

And check out this:



Update: This song has been firmly stuck in my head since yesterday. Must get my hands on an mp3 of it. Wish it was on their Myspace. And it's not on their website. Hmmm....

Medications - Northsix - Fri Jan 26

Yesterday, BV posted that Radio 4 are playing the last show at Northsix before the venue is closed and converted into "The Music Hall of Williamsburg" (no commentor, you aren't the only one).

Well the show that I am a TON more interested in is happening a few days earlier. Medications will be at Northsix on Fri Jan 26 w/ The Forms. Tix on sale. $12

I have been meaning to post about Medications, ever since I heard "Twine Time" (mp3) on WOXY a few weeks ago. Such a great song and sooo right up my alley. I have since heard the entire album, Your Favorite Friends All In One Place (buy it here), and it's more of the same rockin'ness. And now I notice this Northsix show. I love that. When a show pops up just as I start to get excited about a band. Here's their Myspace.

BTW - this show is a benefit for Callum Robbins. All the more reason to get your ass to this show.

Update: Thanx to BV for the heads up that one of my all time favs - Ted Leo - has been added to this show. Tix are now $15. Got mine! Seen TL&Rx maybe 10 times, but this will be the first time seeing just TL.

Icy Demons - New Album - Miami Ice

Just noticed this posting over at their Myspace:

Yeah !
New New Icy Demons record "MIAMI ICE" almost done.....
Bright Brilliant Sunshine Music
7 songs, maybe 8....
Rad guest Chicago All Stars.....
Who's gonna put it out?
Who the hell knows..........
Coming soon regardless.......
Love,
ICYS

I figured that with Man Man doing shows, and Icy Demons having just wrapped up a little tour, that their wouldn't be much news from this band for a while. Glad I was wrong. I want to see this band again real bad. Their show at Glasslands a month ago was intense. Definitely a fav of 2006. Glasslands is quickly becoming my favorite Brooklyn venue that is a polar opposite of my other favorite - Union Hall. Looking forward to that Oxford Collapse show.


Previously:

Icy Demons

Finest Dearest - New Song

Happy New Year everyone.

Can't think of a much better reason for the first post of 2007 than to tell you that Finest Dearest have posted a new song on their Myspace player called "Serious" and that it seriously kicks ass. Wow. I'm lame. Just go listen to the new song.

Hopefully sometime before 2008, Finest Dearest will make it to NYC and rock my face.