Wowzer holy cow! new Circulatory System and tour dates and junk.

The very long awaited Signal Morning will be in CD and digital September 8, 2009. Taking seven years to finish, Circulatory System is pretty much Olivia Tremor Control and a couple people from Neutral Milk Hotel. Amazingly, leader W. Cullen Hart put this together while battling Multiple Sclerosis. New cut "Overjoyed" is available now and is a stunning piece of subcultural bliss. Are we looking at the next Loveless? Prolly not, but it's still gonna RULE. -Kenyon

[mp3] - "Overjoyed"

Dates with the nite-

08/15 - Asheville, NC - Transfigurations 2009
09/07 - Chapel Hill, NC - Nightlight
09/08 - Philadelphia, PA - Kung Fu Necktie
09/09 - New York, NY - Le Poisson Rouge
09/10 - Worcester, MA - The Grind at Clark University
09/11 - Purchase, NY - The Student Center at SUNY Purchase
09/12 - Monticello, NY - All Tomorrow's Parties
09/14 - Boston , MA - YMCA Theatre
09/15 - Geneseo, NY - Union Plaza at SUNY Geneseo
09/16 - Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop
09/17 - Pontiac, MI - Pike Room
09/18 - Chicago, IL- Chopin Theatre
9/19 - Lexington, KY - Al's Bar
09/20 - Knoxville, TN - The Pilot Light

With Pipes You See, Pipes You Don’t and Nesey Gallons except 8/15 and 9/12.

someone sure dropped the ball on THAT ONE!

NIN presale for terminal 5 in NYC already sold out in like 5 minutes. Regular public sale next friday.

Naked Raygun to record new tracks for first time in like a hundred years. + U.S East Coast tour dates!

Influential Chicago punk band Naked Raygun will record tracks for a series of 7" records. That's hardcore old school, like the band has been frozen in time since 1992. No mention of digital in the press release. Raygun put out a bunch of albums back in the day. And if it wasn't for MTV's 120 minutes airing the video for "Home" in the early 1990s, i wouldn't have heard of them. The band broke up in 1992 and had a brief reunion in 1997. In 2006 they reunited for Riot Fest in Chicago. People liked that, so they're still doing stuff. The lineup, which changed several times since they formed in 1980, consists of where the band left off in 1992- Eric Spicer on drums, Bill Stephens on guitar, Pierre Kezdy on bass and Jeff Pezzati on vocals.

U.S East Coast dates with Shot Baker and Paint it Black

September 9, 2009- The Mideast (Cambridge, MA)
September 10, 2009- First Unitarian Church (Philadelphia, PA)
September 11, 2009- Ottobar (Baltimore, MD)
September 12, 2009- The Music Hall of Williamsburg (Brooklyn, NY)
September 13, 2009- Maxwell’s (Hoboken, NJ)

and now finally, an excuse to post this video! throw sh*t at the wall, yea!

Polly Scattergood: s/t (Mute)
style: tragic indie songwriter pop
similar: Portishead, Dot Allison, Bright Eyes
[rating: ****] Scattergood was intent on having her vocals upfront in the mix for her debut album, so it's unavoidable to notice her tragic revealings of low self-esteem and heartbreakings. The young, British Scattergood therefore commands our attention. Some examples come with "Other Too Endless" and "Unforgiving Arms," both of which demonstrate serious potential. Though her voice gets a little peculiar in parts of "Poem Song," Scattergood's otherwise girlish whispery words stand strong among the piano, percussive electro beats and pillowy synth. Joy. -Kenyon

sent to destroy.
Combichrist at Crazy Donkey June 29, 2009
with Julien-K (ex-Orgy)


selections included: (not in order) - sent to destroy, electrohead, this is my rifle, this sh*t will f*ck you up, f*ck that sh*t, today i woke to the rain of blood, all pain is gone, what the f*ck is wrong with you?, shut up and swallow.


clicky on images to make bigger.

julien k

julien k

dear mike tramp, please get the REAL band back together and THEN play at the crazy donkey.

The Dodos
upcoming album + tour dates

The Dodos, who can quote me as saying they make "some of the most intriguing low-key post-Elephant 6 music this side of the equator," announced details for the next album and tour dates. See the interview with them on this blog from January 2008, when they were promoting the stellar Visiter album. Their third work, Time To Die, is due mid-September through Frenchkiss. The duo added a third member to play vibraphone, while allowing production skills from Phil Ek (Built to Spill, Fleet Foxes, The Shins). The Dodos will tour with the kaleidoscopic Ruby Suns. -Kenyon

Dodos live 2009.

9/26 - Henry Miller Library - Big Sur, CA
9/27 - El Rey Theatre - Los Angeles, CA
9/28 - Casbah - San Diego, CA
9/29 - Club Congress - Tucson, AZ
9/30 - Modified - Phoenix, AZ
10/2 - House of Blues, Pontiac Garage - Dallas, TX
10/3 - The Orange Show - Houston, TX
10/4 - Austin City Limits Festival - Austin, TX
10/6 - Club Downunder - Tallahassee, FL
10/7 - The Earl - Atlanta, GA
10/8 - Grey Eagle - Asheville, NC
10/9 - Rock and Roll Hotel - Washington DC
10/10 - Talking Head - Baltimore, MD
10/12 - First Unitarian Church - Philadelphia, PA
10/13 - Music Hall of Williamsburg - Brooklyn, NY
10/14 - Bowery Ballroom - New York, NY
10/15 - Middle East Downstairs - Cambridge, MA
10/16 - La Sala Rossa - Montreal, QC
10/17 - Lee's Palace - Toronto, ON
10/19 - Bottom Lounge - Chicago, IL
10/20 - Turf Club - St. Paul, MN
10/22 - Bluebird Theater - Denver, CO
10/24 - Neurolux - Boise, ID
10/25 - Aladdin Theatre - Portland, OR
10/26 - The Biltmore Cabaret - Vancouver, BC

Annie and the Beekeepers
Squid Hell Sessions EP
release: May 12, 2009
style: country folk with no drums
similar: Gillian Welch, Tori Amos, Neko Case
[rating: ***1/2] The tragedy of disappearing bees inspired the name for this talented group, and hopefully they can tie in some awareness to a potential environmental danger. The Berklee College-bred group sings in pretty pastel colors while playing upright bass, cello, accordion and mandolin. The strangely titled EP--named after the studio where they recorded--includes the touching "Nobody" and the lilting "Pirate's Life." Lyrically, the songs address the confronting of suffering and getting through the pain. Everyone has problems, don't forget it. But if all those bees go away, we are all going to have serious problems up the ying-yang. -Kenyon

www.myspace.com/annielynch

Jeff Buckley
Grace Around the World DVD/CD
(Legacy/Columbia/Sony)
release: June 2, 2009
Blossoming into the limelight a couple years after Nirvana broken big, Jeff Buckley tragically disappeared from this world before most of us had email. The latter fact suggests one of the reasons as to why, according to the liner notes, it wasn't easy to collect a live recording of every song from the Grace album, as technology has changed. Buckley had an unmistakable, haunting vocal and guitar style that few, if any, have replicated. His songs never seemed to follow the conventional verse-chorus-verse, and when/if they did, his extended, spiritual cooing could throw you for a loop anyway. 15 years later after its initial release, given the example of Around the World, the compositions off Grace are naturally timeless, and there is no reason for them to ever become dated. Performances--let's not forget about his band, as it may as well been called the Jeff Buckley Band--were recorded in London, Frankfurt, Japan, New Orleans and New York. The DVD is interspersed with short interviews original aired on MuchMusic, in which he says he looks like crap all the time and offers deep philosophical insight on life and music. At the end of the extra features, however, he does make defensive remarks aimed at some French journalists. Included is every song from Grace except "Corpus Christi Carol," with the additions of an instrumental titled "Vancouver" and "What Will You Say." In whatever manner he was expressing himself, Buckley always appeared to be true to himself and his fans. In 1994 he said, "I only go out and play solo to make money to pay the phone bill and the rent." You could sorta tell that by his limited wardrobe, which only points to the fact that he cared more about substance than the latest fashion trends. -Kenyon

The Gossip: Music for Men (Music with a Twist/Columbia)
release: June 23, 2009 (digital)
style: rock 'n roll, post post-punk, dance-rock
similar: Peaches, Le Tigre, Erase Errata, Yeah Yeah Yeahs
[rating: ****] We don't need to get into a heated discussion about Beth Ditto's unabashed characteristics right now (i'm pro-Beth Ditto, in case you didn't figure that out). That's a debate we can check at the door. This is about Music for Men, where the Gossip has had its rough edges smoothed by producer Rick Rubin and its recording supporting by Sony Columbia, who probably saw dollar signs flashing when Ditto was on the cover of a popular celebrity tabloid. Regardless of that type of publicity, the Gossip was ready to take it to the next level and has done so by focusing more on adept songwriting and less on rawness. In fact, Ditto's vocals are a welcome improvement without compromising her attitude and sincerity. Although first single "Heavy Cross" could be a polished re-doing of "Standing in the Way of Control," there is much to like on this mostly dance-ready album which uses synth sparingly yet effectively. This includes "Love and Let Love" and "Four Letter Word," where Ditto offers the line "love is a four letter word that should never be heard." "Love Long Distance" features the drama of a long distance relationship carried by electric piano. Music is love-heavy, though don't count out the peppy punk of "Spare Me from the Mold" and "Pop Goes the World" (not the song by Men Without Hats), the latter of which calls for social action while still having fun. Listen up! -Kenyon

The Gossip * new video + audio * "Heavy Cross"

Damn, Beth is hot here. Album out June 22, 2009.

forever now.
Psychedelic Furs at Crazy Donkey June 7, 2009

so much better with the saxophone


set included (not in order)- goodbye, ghost in you, pretty in pink, heaven, heartbeat, i wanna sleep with you, mr. jones, dumb waiters. plus a bunch of songs i didn't know. did they play heartbreak beat? me don't remember.

didn't play- love my way, here comes cowboys, president gas, into you like a train, house, until she comes, sister europe.

tonite! + k3nyon DJing between bands, wooo!

-----------------------------------------

"Love My Way" vs "Ain't No Right"

The concert scheduling conflict for tonite is killing me softly. Psychedelic Furs at Crazy Donkey (with Tom C and Me DJing) vs Nine Inch Nails and Jane's Addiction at Jones Beach. Seems like a no-brainer on which for you to choose. But here i go to analyze. As we all know, shows always sound good in theory and on paper and on your computer screen. Especially the big festival ones. But that doesn't factor in the crowd, the weather (actually it's gonna be nice tonite) and if it's all really worth the money. Unfortunately when NIN played Jones Beach in 2006, the deadbeats in my section wanted to sit, including the guy behind me who had a shitfit cause i was standing. Even though like 90% of the entire crowd was standing. Psych Furs were on long island around 2001 and 2005. Both bands have recently played here, so that gets cancelled out.

The big draw is Jane's Addiction, who haven't toured in several years and are with original bassist Eric Avery, who i am pissed at cause he said he would never ever re-join (thanks a lot Trent Reznor for being the mediator). It's a sure thing there will be a large percentage of people at Jones Beach who are under, let's say 23, and there for NIN and who never ever listened to Jane's Addiction, or who only know one song (let's be safe and say it's "Jane Says"). This means trouble. Also, security at Jones Beach, last time i was there, doesn't allow regular point and shoot cameras AND guys must check any bags (in this case, my messenger bag). So F that. The price of tickets shouldn't be addressed. Obviously, the Jones Beach show is overpriced. But if you are the small percentage of people there who love both bands, then you can look at it as $30 (shitty mezzanine seat), $60, or $100 for two great bands.

Surely there are enough people who would rather see the Psych Furs who don't care that much about or are over NIN/Jane's Addiction. Anyone? We will see. Full report on Psych Furs tomorrow. Tonite i get to DJ with them, and given all the factors, it's where i'd much rather be. Choose your own adventure. -Kenyon

Pete Yorn.
New album + dates.

If i wanted to make fun of Pete Yorn, i would say, "Pete Yorn? More like Pete YAWN." But i am not making fun of him. I was down with Yorn when his first record was out in 2001, when he showed he was more interesting than John Mayer and a little less deep than Joseph Arthur. Now he's opening for Coldplay. Nothing is higher than that. Except for doing a collaborative album with Scarlett Johansson. That album was released digitally last week and physically in September. Now there is nothing left for him to do. Except headline his own tour! He'll be promoting his fourth album, the suggestively titled Back and Fourth, which comes out June 23. It includes "Don't Wanna Cry" and "Shotgun," both at his myspace. -Kenyon

July 09 San Diego CA - House of Blues
July 10 Anaheim, CA - House of Blues
July 11 Tucson, AZ -Rialto Theatre
July 13 Austin, TX -La Zona Rosa
July 14 Houston, TX - Meridian
July 16 Nashville, TN - Cannery Ballroom
July 17 Atlanta, GA - CW Center Stage
July 20 Washington, DC - 930 Club
July 21 Baltimore, MD - Ram's Head
July 25 Philadelphia, PA - XPN Radio Show - Wiggins Waterfront Park
July 26 Boston, MA - House of Blues
July 28 New York, NY - Webster Hall
July 29 New York, NY – Webster Hall
August 02 Pontiac, MI – Clutch Cargos
August 03 Chicago, IL - Park West
August 04 Chicago, IL - Park West
August 07 Kansas City, KS - Harrah's Voodoo Lounge
August 08 Council Bluffs, IA - Whiskey Roadhouse at Horseshoe Casino
August 09 St. Louis, MO - Pageant
August 12 Minneapolis MN Fine Line Music Cafe
August 13 Minneapolis MN Fine Line Music Cafe
August 15 Denver, CO - Ogden Theatre
August 16 Salt Lake City, UT - Murray Theater
August 21 Vancouver, BC - Venue
August 22 Portland. OR - Roseland Theater
August 24 San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore
August 27 Los Angeles, CA - Henry Fonda Theatre
August 28 Los Angeles, CA - Henry Fonda Theatre

Sippy Cups
The Time Machine (Snacker Disc)
release: June 16, 2009
style: kindergarten kiddie pop-rock
similar: The Hipwaders, Recess Monkey
[rating: ***] Be sure not to confuse the Sippy Cups' "kid-rock" with Kid Rock. You know what i'm saying. This group's second outing--inspired partially by their own offspring--is loosely a concept album regarding a Time Machine, though the Cups want you to know that it's not about a Time Machine per se. It's about ourselves and the growth and journey through life. The Time Machine is kid-friendly, parent-approved. Oh wowzer that was so clever of me to type! At live shows they have a guy who juggles and potrays different characters, represented here in songs such as "Seven is the New 14," which is a math lesson that i didn't exactly follow ("6 1/2 is still 6 1/2"). So follow THIS: "Super Guy Saves the Dad" is a quick, lighthearted lesson in anger management to be taken seriously. -Kenyon

www.myspace.com/thesippycups

The Charlatans UK Announce U.S Fall 2009 Tour
Tenth album You Cross My Path out now and in September

What a better band than the Charlatans to post about after two weeks of dead blogging. Remember, blogs are like sharks. Stop blogging and we're dead. So i guess Advance Copy was injured. The irony here is that the Charlatans were around long before blogging, well before digital cameras, and haven't been on any hiatus.


We read about them in British magazines NME and Select and saw their first videos on 120 minutes. I was lucky enough to see them at the Limelight in 1992, when it was a given to crowd-surf at nearly every rock show. Unlike several bands that were spawned from the same heyday of Madchester (Lush, Happy Mondays, Ride, Stone Roses), the Charlatans--although the line-up changed a little bit since 1991--are still around, surviving many storms in the shifty music industry environment and consistently released record after record. They now have ten, which is rather remarkable, considering all factors. I admit i stopped listening to them closely when the third album, the less-inspiring Up to Our Hips, came out in 1994. Since then i've all but ignored them. Now that it's been almost 20 years (!) since their inception, i can honestly say--along with Primal Scream--i've found new respect and love for the Charlatans, even in the wake of vocalist Tim Burgess' sobering up.

Mixed by the one and only Alan Moulder, You Cross My Path was first released last year for FREE in MP3 format. The new album already got physical release via Cooking Vinyl and will get more physical release for us Americans. The video for single "Oh! Vanity" is so 1992, while the band itself stays slick and true to its signature sound. -Kenyon

US FALL 2009 TOUR
Sept 17 - The Casbah - San Diego, CA
Sept 18 - Henry Fonda Theatre - Los Angeles, CA
Sept 20 - Double Door - Chicago, IL
Sept 21 - Magic Stick - Detroit, MI
Sept 22 - London Music Hall - London, ON
Sept 23 - The Mod Club Theatre - Toronto, ON
Sept 24 - Les Saints - Montreal, QUE
Sept 25 - Paradise Rock Club - Boston, MA
Sept 26 - Music Hall Of Williamsburg - Brooklyn, NY
Sept 27 - Theatre Of Living Arts - Philadelphia, PA
Sept 29 - Bowery Ballroom - New York, NY
Sept 30 - Maxwell's - Hoboken, NJ
Oct 2 - Ottobar - Baltimore, MD
Oct 3 - Black Cat - Washington, DC
Oct 4 - The Orange Peel - Asheville, NC
Oct 5 - The Loft - Atlanta, GA
Oct 6 - One Eyed Jacks - New Orleans, LA
Oct 7 - The Parish - Austin. TX
Oct 8 - Granada Theater - Dallas, TX
Oct 12 - The Detroit Bar - Costa Mesa, CA
Oct 13 - Glasshouse - Pomona, CA
Oct 14 - Bimbo's 365 Club - San Francisco, CA

www.myspace.com/thecharlatans

That's entertainment.
Fischerspooner
Music Hall of Williamsburg May 7, 2009.
With Drop the Lime and a person with a boob exposed singing horribly.

setlist: amuse bouche*, happy, get confused, kick in the teeth, money can't dance*, supply and demand*, danse en france*, emerge, cloud, fucker, sweetness, best revenge* <> encore <> never win, we are electric* . *denotes song on new album, Entertainment.

clicky on photos to make bigger.

quotables from casey:

"madonna is here!"
"electroclash is dead. you should boo us!"
"press space bar"
"you sure you want to hear [emerge]? it's old and tired. that's what the newspapers say. what's a newspaper? the internet made me a star."

Coney Island + Schmiren Fest + Current Status Via Photos
-------------------------------------
2009 Siren Schmest in Coney Island was announced last week.
The initial line-up for July 18 is:

BUILT TO SPILL
THE RAVEONETTES
FRIGHTENED RABBIT
GRAND DUCHY
MONOTONIX
MICACHU & THE SHAPES
more TBA

Built to Spill is a logical choice for headliner, though the Raveonettes are too cool to be subjected to psuedo schmipsters at a free show to see Built to Spill or Frightened Rabbit. Coney Island is not even a place were the elite music snobs hang out on any other day. Not to mention the Village Voice print version has shrunk. It was in the pool. There was significant schrinkage. The exclusive beer sponsor is Budweiser. BUDWEISER. This is very important if you want to get trashed there and irritate people.



It just so happens that i was in Coney Island April 26. There is some confusion about the status of Coney Island's operation. Some of it has closed, though much is still opened. Here is the proof, which includes lights on the rides, stuffed animals in place for artistic photos, and a mannequin vomitting into a toilet. -Kenyon

Pretty Things Peep Show
last nite at Broadway, Amityville
(this is where i DJ yo, come down next friday!)

clicky on photos to make the burlesque bigger.