T.Raumschmiere is really pissed off now. The video for his electro-punk-thrashed "Sick Like Me," from Blitzkrieg Pop, is one part Kraftwerk, two parts Aphex Twin. What, were you expecting a Ramones parody? Watch video via Windows Media Player. Record out now on Mute.
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
You know sometimes when the video makes the song seem better than it really is? Well, this is one of those times. "Weakest Ones" by A.R.E. Weapons is from their album Free in the Streets, out today on Defend Music. I'm still trying to figure out this electro-rock-glam band, though the first thing that's coming to me is a combination of Fischerspooner, Fatima Mansions and Suicide. Now if I can just figure out what the hell is going on in the video.
Friday, September 16, 2005
BREAKING NEWS: local commercial radio station 94.3 WMJC played FIVE relatively good songs in a row. Coldplay "Speed of Sound," Squeeze "Tempted," Semisonic "Closing Time," Depeche Mode "Precious" (from new album), U2 "Beautiful Day." Then they ruined it with the Dave Matthews Band. [note on Semisonic: the drummer is rather outspoken about the corruption of the radio and music industry, if you haven't heard].
In related local radio news, WLIR, which back in the day was the only commercial station I listened to and in its later days became less of an "alternative," has been eliminated. Well actually it changed format to "NeoBreeze," which, as reported in Newsday, will be "an easy-listening format that's slightly hip: Alongside Frank Sinatra and Yanni, you might hear R.E.M." Really f*cking sad, dude. Did I mention they fired all the DJs? Well, they did. There's no DJs. It's all automated like that Jack junk. This is yet another reason to listen to WUSB.
In related local radio news, WLIR, which back in the day was the only commercial station I listened to and in its later days became less of an "alternative," has been eliminated. Well actually it changed format to "NeoBreeze," which, as reported in Newsday, will be "an easy-listening format that's slightly hip: Alongside Frank Sinatra and Yanni, you might hear R.E.M." Really f*cking sad, dude. Did I mention they fired all the DJs? Well, they did. There's no DJs. It's all automated like that Jack junk. This is yet another reason to listen to WUSB.
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
BREAKING NEWS: Dirty on Purpose, who I originally shunned because I didn't like the name, became one of my favorite new bands in a matter of minutes after seeing the video for "Mind Blindness." They got this whole Pale Saints thing going. And boy, do I miss the Pale Saints. The band's debut EP, Sleep Late for a Better Tomorrow, came out September 6 on North Street records. They'll be at the Mercury Lounge in NYC this Saturday for CM-Schmay.
Acid House Kings: Sing Along with the Acid House Kings (27 records) Since when did they start sounding like Belle and Sebastian? They're supposed to sound like the Smiths! Released today, September 13.
Listen:
That's Because You Drive Me
This Heart Is A Stone
Oh yea and records from these artists are out today as well: Sigur Ros (which I have not heard yet, dammit! don't tell me anything please), stellastarr* (the jury is still out), Dandy Warhols (they're tight with Regis), Coco Rosie (they're strange dude), Devendra Banhart (wrote a review for Resonance magazine), Super Furry Animals (damn them for being prolific!), Annie Hayden (the most underrated artist on Merge), and the Cranes (what? they're still around? no way, is this a proper record?). Over and out.
Sunday, September 11, 2005
Depeche Mode tour dates announced; opening acts will be the Bravery (who one-ups Interpol with most shows played) and the Raveonettes. Both opening bands have been interviewed by Kenyon, both bands are unknown to most fans of Depeche Mode.
Yet more music for the masses October 18.
Yet more music for the masses October 18.
Thursday, September 08, 2005
advanced news ticker: Peter Cetera of the band Chicago was totally wearing a Bauhaus t-shirt in the video for "You're the Inspiration"; VH1 (which is obviously insecure about itself because they like to make fun of other people) accuses it of being one of the most "awesomely bad love songs".......The Bravery compete with Interpol for NYC band that plays too many shows.......Kanye West suddenly seems bad-ass now....The Dandy Warhols will play at CBGB on September 14th; new single still kinda weak.....Doves look to break record for most played festivals in shortest amount of time, scheduled for CMJ Music Marathon September 14, Texas's Austin City Limits Festival September 25, Across the Narrows Festival October 2 and San Francisco's Download Festival October 8.......Broken Social Scene record out October 4, Kenyon still says they're overrated up the gazoo.......Metropolis records to release DVDs from Skinny Puppy and Front 242 (enter witty remark about kids today not aware of these important bands here)...Kenyon coins the term "post-hipster."
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
The extra super premium prolific John Vanderslice has got some songs available from Pixel Revolt, out August 23 on Barsuk. Unlike extra super premium gas, the price of his CD will not be rising within the next 10 minutes.
Exodus Damage
Trance Manual
JV is playing a huge amount of shows that go into November, which include these dates in New York:
September 14 at Mercury Lounge (with Aqueduct)
October 14 at Knitting Factory (with Portastatic)
October 15 at Southpaw (with Portastatic)
Sunday, September 04, 2005
"Venus in Cancer" by Amusement Parks on Fire. Why settle for just an arcade? Yea, so anyway, this is some killer noise-pop.
QuickTime
http://www.filtermmm.com/apof/audio/apof_vic_hi.mp3 http://www.filtermmm.com/apof/audio/apof_vic_med.mp3
WindowsMedia
http://www.filtermmm.com/apof/audio/apof_vic_hi.wma http://www.filtermmm.com/apof/audio/apof_vic_med.wma
Playing at the Mercury Lounge, September 17 during CMJ.
Saturday, September 03, 2005
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Monday, August 29, 2005
The idea of a Cars reunion without Ric Ocasek or Benjamin Orr (he's dead, that's his ghost to the right) is pretty dumb. But Pollstar felt they needed to write about it anyway, even though it's just a rumor. And there must be a better headline than "Revving Up the Cars." I was thinking of something along the lines of, hmm..."Just What We Needed?".
Sunday, August 28, 2005
While MTV is handing out awards tonite for most of the 20 videos they play (oh you know, that 30 minutes in between The True Life of Real College Students Who Play Beer Pong and How to Add Subwoofers to Your Car), you can go online and seek out videos such as Athlete's "Half Light," which, in between my reviews and news, gets the award for best cinematography. And come on, you know it's all about the cinematography. Can't you tell I love that word? watch video via windows media player
Athlete: they've been doing
push-ups.
Athlete: they've been doing
push-ups.
Thursday, August 25, 2005
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
advanced news ticker: Just Like Heaven, a romantic comedy starring Reese Witherspoon, Mark Ruffalo, and Jon Heder (Napoleon Dynamite) starts September 16 and will include, on the soundtrack, a cover of the Cure's "Just Like Heaven" by Katie Melua just to piss me off....Echo and the Bunnymen are called "shoegazers" at livedaily.com, when frontman Ian McCulloch definitely said on 120 minutes in 1992 that he was a "stargazer," but whatever cause they're post-punk......new video from Dandy Warhols has a bunch of dogs, a really hot keyboard player and a song that sounds like 30 seconds of thought was put into it.....sub-heading on blogs with the words "random thoughts" are still dull and cliche....episodes left on 90210 with Dylan: 3.....a bunch of bands are playing in NYC, Sept 14-17.
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Sunday, August 21, 2005
The Cloud Room
Hey Now!
by Kenyon Hopkin
You wouldn't expect it from a suave rock band from Brooklyn, but J of the Cloud Room plays third base in a kickball league on a team called the Orange Sleeves. Sounds like fun, sure, though when you don't know about the gimmicks teams create, it can turn violent. "The Robot Pirates are known for being the bad guys and they heckle everyone," explains J, who, not to be confused with the member of White Zombie using the same letter, doesn't reveal his full name. "It's funny when new teams join and don't know how things work, they take what the Pirates say seriously. Yesterday this girl got so fed up that she smashed a bottle on a guy's head and kicked him in the ribs."
The competition sounds fierce. And it's not too far fetched to compare it to the competition with today's rock bands, especially when you have the Killers bad-mouthing the Bravery. The Cloud Room, who are like a more upbeat Interpol, is facing that feeling as well. "I completely get jealous of bands who are newer than us that suddenly get buzzed about," he explains. "Most of the time their music doesnt do anything for me. Sometimes there were bands that blew me away. It sorta pisses me off that we've been around longer and had to trudge around all these awful clubs playing to six or seven people. But we all chose to come to New York so I'm not gonna whine about what people are like".
Arriving in New York five years ago from California, J was originally trying to break into the film business, persuing a job working for director Hal Hartley. When that fell through, he shifted his focus to the band. And has he been able to watch his films lately? "Just by chance I haven't seen any of his films since. But it wasnt my doing, it was his doing because I heard they were pretty awful." Yikes!
Today he's calling from his job at a law firm, where, after four years, it's his last day before the Cloud Room--J, bassist Jon Petrow, keyboardist Benjamin Nugent and drummer Jason Pharr--goes on tour. How does he manage the job, band and kickball in such an expensive city? "That's why I work these freelance gigs. I normally work at nights. I found a way to make the most amount of money and still have time for the band. Everyone else in the band works at night, so we practice during the daytime. I have friends in other towns who brag about having an entire house for $300. But there's no other town that offers this kind of access, so you pay for it."
After starting the band four years ago, J finally made some inroads in the NYC circuit. About a year ago, they started pushing themselves and things took off after making a new demo. Later, they signed with Gigantic records, released a solid full-length and got the video for the first single, "Hey Now Now" on MTV2. "Sometimes it's good to just pester the hell out of people."
Now that they have some sort of following, does the Cloud Room want to remain in indie rock obscurity or rise to something bigger? "What we're going for is trying to be like immortal bands that we love and not the band of the moment," says J. "It seems like so many indie rock bands these days are not going for greatness. I dont think we've achieved this but thats what we're striving for."
Hey Now!
by Kenyon Hopkin
You wouldn't expect it from a suave rock band from Brooklyn, but J of the Cloud Room plays third base in a kickball league on a team called the Orange Sleeves. Sounds like fun, sure, though when you don't know about the gimmicks teams create, it can turn violent. "The Robot Pirates are known for being the bad guys and they heckle everyone," explains J, who, not to be confused with the member of White Zombie using the same letter, doesn't reveal his full name. "It's funny when new teams join and don't know how things work, they take what the Pirates say seriously. Yesterday this girl got so fed up that she smashed a bottle on a guy's head and kicked him in the ribs."
The competition sounds fierce. And it's not too far fetched to compare it to the competition with today's rock bands, especially when you have the Killers bad-mouthing the Bravery. The Cloud Room, who are like a more upbeat Interpol, is facing that feeling as well. "I completely get jealous of bands who are newer than us that suddenly get buzzed about," he explains. "Most of the time their music doesnt do anything for me. Sometimes there were bands that blew me away. It sorta pisses me off that we've been around longer and had to trudge around all these awful clubs playing to six or seven people. But we all chose to come to New York so I'm not gonna whine about what people are like".
Arriving in New York five years ago from California, J was originally trying to break into the film business, persuing a job working for director Hal Hartley. When that fell through, he shifted his focus to the band. And has he been able to watch his films lately? "Just by chance I haven't seen any of his films since. But it wasnt my doing, it was his doing because I heard they were pretty awful." Yikes!
Today he's calling from his job at a law firm, where, after four years, it's his last day before the Cloud Room--J, bassist Jon Petrow, keyboardist Benjamin Nugent and drummer Jason Pharr--goes on tour. How does he manage the job, band and kickball in such an expensive city? "That's why I work these freelance gigs. I normally work at nights. I found a way to make the most amount of money and still have time for the band. Everyone else in the band works at night, so we practice during the daytime. I have friends in other towns who brag about having an entire house for $300. But there's no other town that offers this kind of access, so you pay for it."
After starting the band four years ago, J finally made some inroads in the NYC circuit. About a year ago, they started pushing themselves and things took off after making a new demo. Later, they signed with Gigantic records, released a solid full-length and got the video for the first single, "Hey Now Now" on MTV2. "Sometimes it's good to just pester the hell out of people."
Now that they have some sort of following, does the Cloud Room want to remain in indie rock obscurity or rise to something bigger? "What we're going for is trying to be like immortal bands that we love and not the band of the moment," says J. "It seems like so many indie rock bands these days are not going for greatness. I dont think we've achieved this but thats what we're striving for."
Thursday, August 18, 2005
Because I know so many of you love Death Cab for Cutie, here's the audio streams for "Soul Meets Body" from the upcoming Plans, out August 30.
WINDOWS Media Player
REAL
WINDOWS Media Player
REAL
New York City band Group Sounds (not to be confused with the Sounds. You know, "Living in America"? Come on it was only a couple years ago) is another post-punk influenced dance rock band similar to Maximo Park, Futurheads, Kaiser Chiefs and yes, the Jam!
Check out their very silly video.
Or go to their website if you'd rather create your own images.
Check out their very silly video.
Or go to their website if you'd rather create your own images.
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
advanced news ticker: huge outdoor shows in Brooklyn and Staten Island, October 1 and 2, artists include Pixies, Killers, Beck, Interpol (of course) and Oasis....new record from Black Rebel Motorcycle Club very folky, very good...and very copy-protected........Brian Jonestown Massacre teaser EP isn't genius......Seth Rogan is wearing a Sonic Youth t-shirt in the trailer for The 40-Year-Old Virgin....Kenyon still hasn't heard from Pitchfork......Broken Social Scene record out October 4, still baffling how they found all those members........Kenyon casts spell to get Warlocks cd.....Gary Numan live recordings from 1979-81 finally on cd, "Cars" not his only good song.....Nine Inch Nails sells out Madison Square Garden, Kenyon insists he saw them when most fans were in elementary school......U2 at MSG less than two months away, latest album still a bore.
dude, listen:
the mainline. with kenyon.
http://electricmainline.blogspot.com/
indie/space/dream/electronic/synth/rock
wednesdays 2:30-5:00PM (EST)
WUSB 90.1 FM (http://www.wusb.org/)
the mainline. with kenyon.
http://electricmainline.blogspot.com/
indie/space/dream/electronic/synth/rock
wednesdays 2:30-5:00PM (EST)
WUSB 90.1 FM (http://www.wusb.org/)
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Sharp-dressed....band?
What in the world could country-rock band My Morning Jacket have in common with Kanye West, Jude Law, Jay-Z, Bill Clinton? Besides being, well, people? According to Esquire magazine, they are all some of the "Best Dressed Men in the World." Yea, I also thought it was a typo. I mean, Bill Clinton, best dressed? Why, cause he was president? But seriously now, MMJ? The band "looks the way it sounds," says Esquire. Oh gee. That's just so nice of you to notice, Esquire.
Other listees are Coldplay's Chris Martin (why, cause he's the singer?) and Franz Ferdinand frontman Alex Kapranos (why, cause he's the singer?). Kenyon Hopkin wasn't on the list only because Esquire never saw him singing on a Friday night.
For a fuller story see this article in USA Today, which has a Top 20 list that actually goes to 21. Must be a Spinal Tap thing.
Bill Clinton's got nothing on My Morning Jacket.
In related, and more important MMJ news, the band's latest record, Z, will be out October 4, with a US tour beginning October 6 (Oct. 18 in New York, expect a detailed review from Shannon). Did I mention that USA Today can't count? -Kenyon
What in the world could country-rock band My Morning Jacket have in common with Kanye West, Jude Law, Jay-Z, Bill Clinton? Besides being, well, people? According to Esquire magazine, they are all some of the "Best Dressed Men in the World." Yea, I also thought it was a typo. I mean, Bill Clinton, best dressed? Why, cause he was president? But seriously now, MMJ? The band "looks the way it sounds," says Esquire. Oh gee. That's just so nice of you to notice, Esquire.
Other listees are Coldplay's Chris Martin (why, cause he's the singer?) and Franz Ferdinand frontman Alex Kapranos (why, cause he's the singer?). Kenyon Hopkin wasn't on the list only because Esquire never saw him singing on a Friday night.
For a fuller story see this article in USA Today, which has a Top 20 list that actually goes to 21. Must be a Spinal Tap thing.
Bill Clinton's got nothing on My Morning Jacket.
In related, and more important MMJ news, the band's latest record, Z, will be out October 4, with a US tour beginning October 6 (Oct. 18 in New York, expect a detailed review from Shannon). Did I mention that USA Today can't count? -Kenyon
Monday, August 15, 2005
Stryper. Honestly!
Following in the footsteps of just about every other band with a few hits from the '80s, Christian hair-pop-metal band Stryper has reformed and will release a new album tomorrow, its first since 1990's Against the Law, just before goodtime metal was killed by grunge. The tour begins September 22, with a date on Long Island September 28! Holy Jesus! The new album is called Reborn (duh!) and features original members Michael Sweet (lead vocals, guitar), Oz Fox (lead guitar) and Robert Sweet (drums), joined by new bassist Tracy Ferrie. Could it get any sweeter?!
"Our fans have said they would like to hear Stryper with more edge, but I didn’t want to do something so heavy that it would limit us," says Michael Sweet. "We were able to deliver the edge yet still keep the melody and catchy guitar riffs." Yeah yeah! More edge! That's what I've been saying all along! Seriously though, it's so awesome when you can play "Honestly" on the piano. -Kenyon
the obligatory THEN and NOW photos:
THEN:
NOW (not bad compared to flock of seagulls):
Following in the footsteps of just about every other band with a few hits from the '80s, Christian hair-pop-metal band Stryper has reformed and will release a new album tomorrow, its first since 1990's Against the Law, just before goodtime metal was killed by grunge. The tour begins September 22, with a date on Long Island September 28! Holy Jesus! The new album is called Reborn (duh!) and features original members Michael Sweet (lead vocals, guitar), Oz Fox (lead guitar) and Robert Sweet (drums), joined by new bassist Tracy Ferrie. Could it get any sweeter?!
"Our fans have said they would like to hear Stryper with more edge, but I didn’t want to do something so heavy that it would limit us," says Michael Sweet. "We were able to deliver the edge yet still keep the melody and catchy guitar riffs." Yeah yeah! More edge! That's what I've been saying all along! Seriously though, it's so awesome when you can play "Honestly" on the piano. -Kenyon
the obligatory THEN and NOW photos:
THEN:
NOW (not bad compared to flock of seagulls):
Thursday, August 11, 2005
best of 2005. so far. (or, records most played on my radio show).
Mercury Rev: Secret Migration (v2)
the Bravery: s/t (island)
Embrace: Out of Nothing (atlantic)
Cloud Room: s/t (gigantic)
Russian Futurists: Our Thickness (upperclass)
Bloc Party: Silent Alarm (vice)
Architecture in Helsinki: In Case We Die (barnone)
Northern Chorus: Bitter Hands Resign (sonic unyon)
Elkland: Golden (columbia)
Manual: Azure Vista (darla)
British Sea Power: Open Season (rough trade)
Project Skyward: Strange Synchronicities (nebula)
Maximo Park: A Certain Trigger (warp)
----------------------------------------
best songs of 2005 not on a best album. so far.
Ian Brown: "Keep What Ya Got"
Hot Hot Heat: "Middle of Nowhere"
Shout Out Louds: "Very Loud"
Lou Barlow: "Catepillar Girl"
Raveonettes: "Somewhere in Texas"
Brendan Benson: "Spit it Out"
New Order: "Krafty"
Spoon: "I Turn My Camera On"
Fischerspooner: "just let go"
White Stripes: "Doorbell"
-------------------------------------
worst/biggest let downs of 2005 so far.
Adam Green: Gemstones (rough trade)
Daft Punk: Human After All (virgin)
VNV Nation: Matter+Form (metropolis)
-----------------------------------------
looking forward to: Stellastarr*, Warlocks, Brian Jonestown Massacre, BRMC, Ladytron, Richard Hawley, Devandra Banhart, Sigur Ros.
Mercury Rev: Secret Migration (v2)
the Bravery: s/t (island)
Embrace: Out of Nothing (atlantic)
Cloud Room: s/t (gigantic)
Russian Futurists: Our Thickness (upperclass)
Bloc Party: Silent Alarm (vice)
Architecture in Helsinki: In Case We Die (barnone)
Northern Chorus: Bitter Hands Resign (sonic unyon)
Elkland: Golden (columbia)
Manual: Azure Vista (darla)
British Sea Power: Open Season (rough trade)
Project Skyward: Strange Synchronicities (nebula)
Maximo Park: A Certain Trigger (warp)
----------------------------------------
best songs of 2005 not on a best album. so far.
Ian Brown: "Keep What Ya Got"
Hot Hot Heat: "Middle of Nowhere"
Shout Out Louds: "Very Loud"
Lou Barlow: "Catepillar Girl"
Raveonettes: "Somewhere in Texas"
Brendan Benson: "Spit it Out"
New Order: "Krafty"
Spoon: "I Turn My Camera On"
Fischerspooner: "just let go"
White Stripes: "Doorbell"
-------------------------------------
worst/biggest let downs of 2005 so far.
Adam Green: Gemstones (rough trade)
Daft Punk: Human After All (virgin)
VNV Nation: Matter+Form (metropolis)
-----------------------------------------
looking forward to: Stellastarr*, Warlocks, Brian Jonestown Massacre, BRMC, Ladytron, Richard Hawley, Devandra Banhart, Sigur Ros.
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Sympathy for the Anton
Dang, I am so glad I got to see the Brian Jonestown Massacre pre-Dig! (October 2002 --or was it 03, oh man I got so wasted that night I don't remember. Just kidding). They played at the Bowery Ballroom to a room that was less than half-full until the house lights went on (no thanks to the less-than-entertaining Dead Meadow and the Realistics playing before them). Now, a few years later, just after the release of the film Dig! (in case you don't know by now, it follows the paths of BJM and the Dandy Warhols), the band sells out two shows at Bowery, July 30 and 31. Hmmm, any connection? Front guy Anton Newcombe definitely deserves this, but he certainly doesn't deserve people coming to the shows behaving like a**holes by provoking him because they think that's what you're supposed to do at a BJM show. I was tempted to go July 30. But after reading some reviews, I'm glad I didn't, at least not to the first show. The consensus is that the band walked off prematurely on Saturday and played for two hours on Sunday.
some reviews:
One Louder (saturday)
Simple Mission (sunday)
IAMalik (sunday, includes a conversation with Anton before the show)
Now would be a good time to post my photo of me and Anton, but honestly, I look stupid, as I had yet mastered my technique of posing with a rock band. So instead, here's his signature on the promo for my radio show. Not sure why he put "all the best" in quotes.
In related news, the Dandy Warhols (the friends/rivals featured in Dig!) will release their fifth album, Odditorium or Warlords of Mars, September 13 . The promotional "Suitcase Tour" will consist of sets at radio stations using only instruments that fit into a single suitcase (insert witty joke here). Plus, they'll play at CBGB for the first time ever during the CMJ Music Marathon in September. August dates on the West coast next week, while full U.S. tour will start in November. -Kenyon
Oh yea and, they'll be playing the first single "Smoke It" on Live with Regis and Kelly (what the f*ck?) on September 13.
Dang, I am so glad I got to see the Brian Jonestown Massacre pre-Dig! (October 2002 --or was it 03, oh man I got so wasted that night I don't remember. Just kidding). They played at the Bowery Ballroom to a room that was less than half-full until the house lights went on (no thanks to the less-than-entertaining Dead Meadow and the Realistics playing before them). Now, a few years later, just after the release of the film Dig! (in case you don't know by now, it follows the paths of BJM and the Dandy Warhols), the band sells out two shows at Bowery, July 30 and 31. Hmmm, any connection? Front guy Anton Newcombe definitely deserves this, but he certainly doesn't deserve people coming to the shows behaving like a**holes by provoking him because they think that's what you're supposed to do at a BJM show. I was tempted to go July 30. But after reading some reviews, I'm glad I didn't, at least not to the first show. The consensus is that the band walked off prematurely on Saturday and played for two hours on Sunday.
some reviews:
One Louder (saturday)
Simple Mission (sunday)
IAMalik (sunday, includes a conversation with Anton before the show)
The latest record from BJM is available at Tee Pee records.
Now would be a good time to post my photo of me and Anton, but honestly, I look stupid, as I had yet mastered my technique of posing with a rock band. So instead, here's his signature on the promo for my radio show. Not sure why he put "all the best" in quotes.
In related news, the Dandy Warhols (the friends/rivals featured in Dig!) will release their fifth album, Odditorium or Warlords of Mars, September 13 . The promotional "Suitcase Tour" will consist of sets at radio stations using only instruments that fit into a single suitcase (insert witty joke here). Plus, they'll play at CBGB for the first time ever during the CMJ Music Marathon in September. August dates on the West coast next week, while full U.S. tour will start in November. -Kenyon
Oh yea and, they'll be playing the first single "Smoke It" on Live with Regis and Kelly (what the f*ck?) on September 13.
Monday, August 08, 2005
Various Artists
Never Lose that Feeling Vol. 1
(Club AC30)
release: September 12, 2005
rating: ***
I've got mixed feelings about Never Lose that Feeling. On one hand, it's interesting to hear an interpretation of early '90s shoegaze classics by a newer band. But like Texas Chainsaw Massacre or War of the Worlds, is a re-do really necessary? Although I'll be the first to admit that I love playing songs by these bands and would even love to record them and be on the next volume of this comp, do we want to fool with songs that have been so close to our hearts? Oh, such a dilema. Nevertheless, you gotta give it up for Club AC30 (which is also a club nite in London) for assembling this tribute to the original shoegazers. Most of the bands doing the covers are relatively unknown (at least in the U.S), but most of the songs you will know if you're hip to Slowdive, Curve, Swervedriver (the comp's title is a song by them), Medicine and the Pale Saints. Some tracks are reconstructed, some are stripped down. Some are a complete revision, some are nearly carbon copies. Nothing here really blows my mind, but hey, when you're 16 years old and Ride or Lush is the best thing since INXS and U2, you've got a lot with which to compete. -Kenyon
Saturday, August 06, 2005
Last night California's Dusty Rhodes and the River Band played at the UltraSoundLounge (where I DJ) and I can easily say, hands down, they were one of the best touring bands I've seen at the club. And being there nearly every week for the past year and a half, I've seen quite a lot of bands. Sort of a fusion between folk, rock, country and prog (they cite Woody Guthrie, Yes, the Band and Hank Williams as some influences), they basically can capture your attention after one song (oh whoops, that sounded cliche). They're that damn good. The instrumentation for the six-member group included violin and accordion, enhancing an already brilliant set. Good energy, good tunes. If I start a promotion company for bands not on Long Island, these people would be one of my first picks. They're not on a label yet, but expect that to change and assume you will hear them on my radio show. --Kenyon
Monday, August 01, 2005
The Cloud Room, one of Kenyon's favorite new bands of 2005, will host Subterranean on MTV2, September 28th. Band will play Mercury Lounge August 5.
Saturday, July 30, 2005
The latest from clairecords, which helps keep the shoegaze (and some indie pop) flowing.
Sciflyer: The Age of Lovely, Intimate Things EP
What Swervedriver would sound like underwater. About 50 feet underwater. As usual with Sciflyer, the vocals are way way buried in the mix and the guitars are droney. The Age, which is two "lost singles" and some "b-sides," includes a song called "Never Come Down" that clocks in at 14 minutes. So they pretty much should have called the band Vervedriver. -Kenyon
released: August16, 2005
similar: Swervedriver, Skywave, Moose, Sianspheric
--------------------------------------------------------
Silver Screen: The Greatest Story Never Told
Cris Miller (aka Silver Screen) got started playing music by trying to play songs by OMD on a Casio. You can definitely hear an influence from OMD here, but The Greatest Story is more about guitars than keyboards. Those guitars are pretty and so are Miller's vocals. -Kenyon
released: May 24, 2005
similar: Riverside, Lucksmiths, Starlet, Cocteau Twins, Lightning Seeds
-----------------------------------------------------------
Eau Claire: s/t EP
Members of Experimental Aircraft and Clear Horizon, residents of Texas and Ohio. Four tracks of whispery ambient pop.
released May 24, 2005
similar: Softies, Sugar Plant, American Analog Set
Sciflyer: The Age of Lovely, Intimate Things EP
What Swervedriver would sound like underwater. About 50 feet underwater. As usual with Sciflyer, the vocals are way way buried in the mix and the guitars are droney. The Age, which is two "lost singles" and some "b-sides," includes a song called "Never Come Down" that clocks in at 14 minutes. So they pretty much should have called the band Vervedriver. -Kenyon
released: August16, 2005
similar: Swervedriver, Skywave, Moose, Sianspheric
--------------------------------------------------------
Silver Screen: The Greatest Story Never Told
Cris Miller (aka Silver Screen) got started playing music by trying to play songs by OMD on a Casio. You can definitely hear an influence from OMD here, but The Greatest Story is more about guitars than keyboards. Those guitars are pretty and so are Miller's vocals. -Kenyon
released: May 24, 2005
similar: Riverside, Lucksmiths, Starlet, Cocteau Twins, Lightning Seeds
-----------------------------------------------------------
Eau Claire: s/t EP
Members of Experimental Aircraft and Clear Horizon, residents of Texas and Ohio. Four tracks of whispery ambient pop.
released May 24, 2005
similar: Softies, Sugar Plant, American Analog Set
Friday, July 29, 2005
"We've got a lot riding on this record," says O.A.R. vocalist Marc Roberge. "We tend to get pigeon-holed as a jam band, a college band or a touring band. We haven't been taken seriously as songwriters."
Cue violin.
------------------------------------------------------
As reported earlier, "Any Way that you Want Me" by Spiritualized (originally by the Troggs) is on the soundtrack for Me and You and Everyone We Know. Warning: those hoping for the song to be played during a magical, romantic moment in the film will be a tad disappointed. In fact, you, me and everyone we know may never think of the song the same way again.
-------------------------------------------------------
Music by M83 is in the trailer for the wierd looking sci-fi/thriller/apocalyptic film Night Watch, out today, July 29, 2005. See the trailer HERE. Mute records will re-issue M83's debut album on September 6, 2005, originally released by French label Gooom in 2001.
Cue violin.
------------------------------------------------------
As reported earlier, "Any Way that you Want Me" by Spiritualized (originally by the Troggs) is on the soundtrack for Me and You and Everyone We Know. Warning: those hoping for the song to be played during a magical, romantic moment in the film will be a tad disappointed. In fact, you, me and everyone we know may never think of the song the same way again.
-------------------------------------------------------
Music by M83 is in the trailer for the wierd looking sci-fi/thriller/apocalyptic film Night Watch, out today, July 29, 2005. See the trailer HERE. Mute records will re-issue M83's debut album on September 6, 2005, originally released by French label Gooom in 2001.
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
This time they didn't forget the gravy.
Worked Up so Sexual!!!!
Gravy Train!!!! at the Knitting Factory, NYC. July 25, 2005.
by Shannon Ronan
A lot has changed in the two years since Gravy Train!!!! released their hella dirty, hella danceable debut, Hello Doctor. For starters, Drunx has been replaced by the aptly-named Junx, (imagine half the clothes and double the gay-chic of Andrew McCarthy's quirky sidekick, Hollywood, in the 1980's flick Mannequin). Oh yeah, and Chunx has noticeably lost most of her chunk. You follow?
There's no doubt that Gravy Train!!!! could have easily coasted by forever, fueled by shock value alone. Sure, Gravy Train!!!! is gimmicky and often over the top, but they are undeniably the best at what they do. Though the new album, Are You Wigglin?, includes a track called "Pussy Sauce" the sound here is way more mature. Okay, well maybe not mature, but certainly more developed. Even if the best song on the 22-minute album happens to be a cover ("I Wanna Wanna Wanna Wanna Wanna Wanna Wanna Get Rid of You"), Wigglin still proves Gravy Train!!!! to be the sexually-liberated phoenix rising from the ashes of the short-lived and long-dead "electroclash" movement, churning out new songs with lyrics that could make Peaches blush and keyboards that leave Le Tigre to lie flat as a cat nap.
The Train managed to pack another show at The Knitting Factory. But more noteworthy is the way they made even the too-cool-for-dancing kids dance themselves into sweaty summer oblivion. Junx proved to be the best addition to the band, swinging his pink pom-poms and flinging his trunks into the audience while informing rowdy dancers, "we're not here to be shady. We're just here to be fierce." Still, the seemingly harmless on-stage dancing and off-stage diving soon emboldened a few front row titty-grabbers to grope Chunx, who I then believed punished New York City leaving "You Made Me Gay" out of the short set, choosing instead to close the show with other old favorites such as, "Titties Bounce" and "Sippin 40s." Despite the awkward tension of the show, Hunx proclaimed it to be one of their best ever and I concur, having once again been convinced that Gravy Train!!!!'s synchronized dance moves and impromptu humping never flunx.
Monday, July 25, 2005
The soundtrack for Me and You and Everyone We Know came out July 12 (whoops) on Everloving records and it includes "Any Way that You Want Me" by Spiritualized (originally by the Troggs). Enough said. Ok well, the rest of the soundtrack should be neat too (I haven't seen the film yet, don't want to spoil it by listening) because the original score is by Michael Andrews, the same guy responsible for the soundtrack to Donnie Darko, which all the kids seem to like so much.
Thursday, July 21, 2005
Just listen to yourself!
As I have experienced, it's hard (sometimes impossible) to be objective about your own music. What else could account for the latest records from Billy Idol, Rob Thomas, Daft Punk or, say, some trashy local rock band that thinks being 'indie rock' means not being on a major label? Well, apparently post-grunge/metal/punk-pop kiddie band CKY (come on, it stands for Camp Kill Yourself) is still in denial about this, and will fire back at anyone who says their new record is shit. That includes Rolling Stone of course. Oh man, I can't wait to tell CKY that they suck, just so I can get a pissed-off response from them.
As I have experienced, it's hard (sometimes impossible) to be objective about your own music. What else could account for the latest records from Billy Idol, Rob Thomas, Daft Punk or, say, some trashy local rock band that thinks being 'indie rock' means not being on a major label? Well, apparently post-grunge/metal/punk-pop kiddie band CKY (come on, it stands for Camp Kill Yourself) is still in denial about this, and will fire back at anyone who says their new record is shit. That includes Rolling Stone of course. Oh man, I can't wait to tell CKY that they suck, just so I can get a pissed-off response from them.
Very very few records released this week. That's very very odd for mid-July. Ok, so Frank Black released his like, 20th solo album.
some upcoming records to look forward to:
August 23- stellastarr*, John Vanderslice, BRMC
August 29- Ladytron (UK only)
September 6- Warlocks, Richard Hawley
September 13- Sigur Ros
October 4- My Morning Jacket
some upcoming records to look forward to:
August 23- stellastarr*, John Vanderslice, BRMC
August 29- Ladytron (UK only)
September 6- Warlocks, Richard Hawley
September 13- Sigur Ros
October 4- My Morning Jacket
Brian Jonestown Massacre sells out two shows at Bowery Ballroom, obviously attributed to the film Dig! (which BJM frontman Anton hates). I can gladly say I saw them, pre-Dig!, a couple years ago at Bowery, when the venue was less than half full and there was plenty of space to dance. I'm still, however, gonna look around for a guest list.
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
There was no entry yesterday. In fact, I didn't even touch a computer yesterday. What could possibly be better than sitting in front of computer? Being an extra on MTV's High School Stories, of course. Filming was all day yesterday and today. And damn, it was warm out. Episode will air during the fall season, at which point you can see Kenyon portraying a Catholic high school student. For real.
Friday, July 15, 2005
Well, tomorrow, July 16 is the celebrated (or should I say notorious?) Siren Music Festival at Coney Island. I haven't gone to one yet, don't plan on going to this one. I don't even think it matters to me anymore who is playing. Spoon, Mates of State (ok fine, Jason is a really nice guy), Ambulance Ltd, VHS or Beta, et al. Whoop dee freakin' doo. Oh how I would just love to spend my day in the hot sun, packed together with thousands of other suckers, including the people that would normally be there who picked the wrong day to go on the rollercoaster. I would like, however, to hear some opinions of this show. Anybody? As for me, I'll be gearing up for a "performance" taking place on Monday and Tuesday. Stay tuned.
Thursday, July 14, 2005
Ghostly International has become the first record label to give Advance Copy links to mp3s, specifically for use on blogs. werd. oh and the music is pretty decent too.
The curiously named Skeletons & The Girl-Faced Boys offer the title track from their album Git (released June 28), a bit of light electro-pop:
http://www.ghostly.com/audio/clips/Skeletons-Git.mp3
The title track from the upcoming record by Mobius Band (out August 9) makes me think of Longwave, for sure:
http://www.ghostly.com/audio/clips/MobiusBand-TheLovingSounds.mp3
-Kenyon Hopkin
The curiously named Skeletons & The Girl-Faced Boys offer the title track from their album Git (released June 28), a bit of light electro-pop:
http://www.ghostly.com/audio/clips/Skeletons-Git.mp3
The title track from the upcoming record by Mobius Band (out August 9) makes me think of Longwave, for sure:
http://www.ghostly.com/audio/clips/MobiusBand-TheLovingSounds.mp3
-Kenyon Hopkin
VOODOO MUSIC EXPERIENCE 2005 to take place October 29-30, 2005, in New Orleans' City Park. Sure to make people from Long Island once again feel crappy about the failure of the Field Day festival, but others thankful that their town's environment wasn't ruined.
Over 80 acts slated to perform, including Nine Inch Nails, the Bravery and the Neville Brothers (what?).
Tickets went on sale July 8 at www.voodoomusicfest.com (which rejected my "back" button on the browser) and at ticketmaster. Single day tickets will be on sale in September.
Acts scheduled so far: Nine Inch Nails, The Flaming Lips, Queens of the Stone Age, Billy Idol, Social Distortion, Tiesto, My Chemical Romance, Secret Machines, New York Dolls, Cake, Ryan Adams, Mickey Hart's Voodoo Drum Circle, The Bravery, Louis XIV, LCD Soundsystem, Handsome Boy Modeling School, Digable Planets, Carl Cox, Brazilian Girls, The Decemberists, Death From Above 1979, VHS or Beta, and many more.
-Kenyon Hopkin
Over 80 acts slated to perform, including Nine Inch Nails, the Bravery and the Neville Brothers (what?).
Tickets went on sale July 8 at www.voodoomusicfest.com (which rejected my "back" button on the browser) and at ticketmaster. Single day tickets will be on sale in September.
Acts scheduled so far: Nine Inch Nails, The Flaming Lips, Queens of the Stone Age, Billy Idol, Social Distortion, Tiesto, My Chemical Romance, Secret Machines, New York Dolls, Cake, Ryan Adams, Mickey Hart's Voodoo Drum Circle, The Bravery, Louis XIV, LCD Soundsystem, Handsome Boy Modeling School, Digable Planets, Carl Cox, Brazilian Girls, The Decemberists, Death From Above 1979, VHS or Beta, and many more.
-Kenyon Hopkin
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
Electro-pop duo Goldfrapp will release its third album, Supernature, in the U.S in February 2006 on Mute records. That's FEBRUARY 2006, seven months away. It will be released in Europe August 22, 2005 because, well, we're not as worthy. (well, actually it's a part of a "global strategy.")
European tour dates begin this summer with festival dates and continue into the fall with club dates. The duo--Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory--are currently in the middle of a European promotional tour.
Alison Goldfrapp says Supernature is "an über world of sound and hybrid creatures. It's a place to take part in fortnightly disco séances, where people dance with spirits and howl like beasts of the forest wearing lycra and stilettos." Uhh, yea, cool...I think? -Kenyon Hopkin
European tour dates begin this summer with festival dates and continue into the fall with club dates. The duo--Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory--are currently in the middle of a European promotional tour.
Alison Goldfrapp says Supernature is "an über world of sound and hybrid creatures. It's a place to take part in fortnightly disco séances, where people dance with spirits and howl like beasts of the forest wearing lycra and stilettos." Uhh, yea, cool...I think? -Kenyon Hopkin
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
Two killer records out today, July 12, from bands of which you likely haven't heard, which have a pretty good chance of landing somewhere between #30-40 for my best of 2005:
OXFORD COLLAPSE: A Good Ground (Kanine Records)
Similar to Stellastarr*, Les Savy Fav.
also out today on Kanine is the latest from Mixel Pixel. Watch for my interview with the band, coming soon. Kanine will release the next Mommy and Daddy record September 27.
THEE MORE SHALLOWS: More Deep Cuts (Turn)
Similar to Grandaddy, Earlimart.
Thankfully, these records cancel out Bronson Arroyo and William Hung. -Kenyon Hopkin
OXFORD COLLAPSE: A Good Ground (Kanine Records)
Similar to Stellastarr*, Les Savy Fav.
also out today on Kanine is the latest from Mixel Pixel. Watch for my interview with the band, coming soon. Kanine will release the next Mommy and Daddy record September 27.
THEE MORE SHALLOWS: More Deep Cuts (Turn)
Similar to Grandaddy, Earlimart.
Thankfully, these records cancel out Bronson Arroyo and William Hung. -Kenyon Hopkin
Boston Red Sox Pitcher Bronson Arroyo releases Covering the Bases today.
Cover of "Hunger Strike" causes an expressionless look on Eddie Vedder's face. More at MLB.
Not to be upstaged, William Hung one-ups Arroyo with Miracles, also released today. Thousands across America wonder why he's still allowed to make records.
Neither one deserves a photo here. -Kenyon Hopkin
Cover of "Hunger Strike" causes an expressionless look on Eddie Vedder's face. More at MLB.
Not to be upstaged, William Hung one-ups Arroyo with Miracles, also released today. Thousands across America wonder why he's still allowed to make records.
Neither one deserves a photo here. -Kenyon Hopkin
Secretly Canadian signs I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness, a band with one of the best names ever. Bluffington, a runner-up for one of the best names ever, remains unsigned. Full-length debut from ILYBICD (whew!) will be produced by Paul Barker of Ministry (!) and slated for release in early 2006.
MP3 from their 2003 EP.
MP3 from their 2003 EP.
Sunday, July 10, 2005
LIVE 8. July 2, 2005.
If you missed Live 8 last weekend (and hell, why would you want to watch TV all day and miss most of it anyway due to commercials and the fact that it's in several cities at once?), all the performances are online at AOL. god damn i love technology. also there's a lot of good/funny comments at Stereogum, who I hope will trade blog links with me sometime within a year.
some highlights:
U2
Although they played it way too safe with the non-surprising "Beautiful Day," "Vertigo" and "One," I'm still looking forward to October 10 at Madison Square Garden.
Pink Floyd
Roger Waters was there. Really, you need to bow down to them.
Coldplay with the Verve's Richard Ashcroft for "Bitter Sweet Symphony." Unfortuntely, no signs of Verve guitarist Nick McCabe. Rolling Stones probably recieved a small royalty for the sample in the song.
The Cure
What? the Cure played? oh hell yea! Except there didn't seem to be a keyboardist. And the guitarist is...hmm, looks like Porl Thompson, otherwise it's someone new. That'd be sweet if it's Porl Thompson.
Will Smith Dude, come on man, he did "Summertime."
Scissor Sisters. they can dance
the Killers just one song but pretty sweet
Duran Duran original line-up
a-ha yea!
-Kenyon Hopkin
If you missed Live 8 last weekend (and hell, why would you want to watch TV all day and miss most of it anyway due to commercials and the fact that it's in several cities at once?), all the performances are online at AOL. god damn i love technology. also there's a lot of good/funny comments at Stereogum, who I hope will trade blog links with me sometime within a year.
some highlights:
U2
Although they played it way too safe with the non-surprising "Beautiful Day," "Vertigo" and "One," I'm still looking forward to October 10 at Madison Square Garden.
Pink Floyd
Roger Waters was there. Really, you need to bow down to them.
Coldplay with the Verve's Richard Ashcroft for "Bitter Sweet Symphony." Unfortuntely, no signs of Verve guitarist Nick McCabe. Rolling Stones probably recieved a small royalty for the sample in the song.
The Cure
What? the Cure played? oh hell yea! Except there didn't seem to be a keyboardist. And the guitarist is...hmm, looks like Porl Thompson, otherwise it's someone new. That'd be sweet if it's Porl Thompson.
Will Smith Dude, come on man, he did "Summertime."
Scissor Sisters. they can dance
the Killers just one song but pretty sweet
Duran Duran original line-up
a-ha yea!
-Kenyon Hopkin
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
tomorrow, wednesday, july 6.
live phone interview with lo-fi indie rock band MIXEL PIXEL (kanine records)
the mainline. with kenyon.
http://electricmainline.blogspot.com/
indie/brit/space/dream/electronic/synth/rockwednesdays 2:30-5:30PM (EST)
WUSB 90.1 FM (http://www.wusb.org/)
live phone interview with lo-fi indie rock band MIXEL PIXEL (kanine records)
the mainline. with kenyon.
http://electricmainline.blogspot.com/
indie/brit/space/dream/electronic/synth/rockwednesdays 2:30-5:30PM (EST)
WUSB 90.1 FM (http://www.wusb.org/)
Sunday, June 26, 2005
Lost in the Shuffle in 2005:
Lou Barlow
Emoh
(Merge)
released January 25, 2005
rating: ***
Emoh? No, Lou Barlow hasn't gone post-hardcore on us. No, no, Emoh is home spelled backwards. Oh Lou, so clever! Oh wait, why didn't anyone else think of this before? Record title analysis aside, this solo effort from one of indie rock's favorite songwriters is actually, well, impressive. Unfortunately, given all the attention to his participation in the reunion of Dinosaur Jr and their subsequent tour, Emoh could very well be overlooked instead of drooled over. The record is consistent, that's for sure: accompanied sporadically by cello, light percussion, et al, Barlow and his acoustic guitar work wonders on several numbers. "Caterpillar Girl" is among the highlights, skipping along with Barlow's comforting vocals, while "If I Could," in which he doubts a relationship, will have some critics swooning and comparing him to Elliott Smith. The unexpected cover of Ratt's "Round and Round" is likely one of the best acoustic covers of an '80s pop-metal song, ever, as Barlow brings out a desperately heartfelt side that we never knew was there. "Holding Back the Year," which could have folks wondering about a mid-life crisis based on song title alone, beckons to be examined. And that's enough emo for 30-something, longtime fans to last for months. -Kenyon Hopkin
Lou Barlow
Emoh
(Merge)
released January 25, 2005
rating: ***
Emoh? No, Lou Barlow hasn't gone post-hardcore on us. No, no, Emoh is home spelled backwards. Oh Lou, so clever! Oh wait, why didn't anyone else think of this before? Record title analysis aside, this solo effort from one of indie rock's favorite songwriters is actually, well, impressive. Unfortunately, given all the attention to his participation in the reunion of Dinosaur Jr and their subsequent tour, Emoh could very well be overlooked instead of drooled over. The record is consistent, that's for sure: accompanied sporadically by cello, light percussion, et al, Barlow and his acoustic guitar work wonders on several numbers. "Caterpillar Girl" is among the highlights, skipping along with Barlow's comforting vocals, while "If I Could," in which he doubts a relationship, will have some critics swooning and comparing him to Elliott Smith. The unexpected cover of Ratt's "Round and Round" is likely one of the best acoustic covers of an '80s pop-metal song, ever, as Barlow brings out a desperately heartfelt side that we never knew was there. "Holding Back the Year," which could have folks wondering about a mid-life crisis based on song title alone, beckons to be examined. And that's enough emo for 30-something, longtime fans to last for months. -Kenyon Hopkin
Currently getting the most air-play on college radio stations nationwide (from CMJ).
1-SLEATER-KINNEY The Woods Sub Pop
2-GORILLAZ Demon Days Virgin
3-WHITE STRIPES Get Behind Me Satan V2
4-COLDPLAY X And Y Capitol
5-SPOON Gimme Fiction Merge
6-FOUR TET Everything Ecstatic Domino
7-STEPHEN MALKMUS Face The Truth Matador
8-DRESSY BESSY Electrified Transdreamer
9-BELLE AND SEBASTIAN Push Barman To Open Old Wounds Matador
10-SMOG A River Ain't Too Much To Love Drag City
11-MOTION CITY SOUNDTRACK Commit This To Memory Epitaph
12-ALKALINE TRIO Crimson Vagrant
13-WEEZER Make Believe Geffen-Interscope
14-NINE INCH NAILS With Teeth Interscope
15-DEAD 60'S The Dead 60's Deltasonic-Epic
16-AQUABATS! Charge!! Nitro
17-CARIBOU The Milk Of Human Kindness Domino
18-BECK Guero Interscope
19-TEENAGE FANCLUB Man-Made Merge
20-TEAM SLEEP Team Sleep Maverick
1-SLEATER-KINNEY The Woods Sub Pop
2-GORILLAZ Demon Days Virgin
3-WHITE STRIPES Get Behind Me Satan V2
4-COLDPLAY X And Y Capitol
5-SPOON Gimme Fiction Merge
6-FOUR TET Everything Ecstatic Domino
7-STEPHEN MALKMUS Face The Truth Matador
8-DRESSY BESSY Electrified Transdreamer
9-BELLE AND SEBASTIAN Push Barman To Open Old Wounds Matador
10-SMOG A River Ain't Too Much To Love Drag City
11-MOTION CITY SOUNDTRACK Commit This To Memory Epitaph
12-ALKALINE TRIO Crimson Vagrant
13-WEEZER Make Believe Geffen-Interscope
14-NINE INCH NAILS With Teeth Interscope
15-DEAD 60'S The Dead 60's Deltasonic-Epic
16-AQUABATS! Charge!! Nitro
17-CARIBOU The Milk Of Human Kindness Domino
18-BECK Guero Interscope
19-TEENAGE FANCLUB Man-Made Merge
20-TEAM SLEEP Team Sleep Maverick
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
Bass player from alt-rock band Soul Asylum (when the term "alt-rock" meant something) dead at 41.
NEW YORK (Billboard) -- Karl Mueller, bassist and founding member of the Minneapolis-based rock act Soul Asylum, died Friday at his home, according to the Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune. He was 41.
Diagnosed with throat cancer in May 2004, Mueller underwent radiation treatment and was said to have been in and out of the hospital in recent months.
In the early 1980s, Mueller formed Loud Fast Rules with singer/guitarist Dave Pirner and drummer Dan Murphy, a band that became Soul Asylum three years later. After a period of underground notoriety, the band achieved mainstream success with its 1992 breakthrough, "Grave Dancers Union" (Columbia).
The album peaked at No. 11 on The Billboard 200 and has sold 2.14 million copies in the United Stated, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The set featured the single "Runaway Train," which peaked at No. 5 on the Hot 100.
NEW YORK (Billboard) -- Karl Mueller, bassist and founding member of the Minneapolis-based rock act Soul Asylum, died Friday at his home, according to the Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune. He was 41.
Diagnosed with throat cancer in May 2004, Mueller underwent radiation treatment and was said to have been in and out of the hospital in recent months.
In the early 1980s, Mueller formed Loud Fast Rules with singer/guitarist Dave Pirner and drummer Dan Murphy, a band that became Soul Asylum three years later. After a period of underground notoriety, the band achieved mainstream success with its 1992 breakthrough, "Grave Dancers Union" (Columbia).
The album peaked at No. 11 on The Billboard 200 and has sold 2.14 million copies in the United Stated, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The set featured the single "Runaway Train," which peaked at No. 5 on the Hot 100.
My Morning Jacket to release next record in September, 2-Cd collection of early work and rarities released by Darla still goes overlooked.
My Morning Jacket have announced the release of their upcoming album, Z, to be released September 20. The psychedelic country band from Louisville garnered acclaimed with 2003's It Still Moves, released on Dave Matthew's ATO records. Tour dates listed at ATO.
source: CMJ , ATO
My Morning Jacket have announced the release of their upcoming album, Z, to be released September 20. The psychedelic country band from Louisville garnered acclaimed with 2003's It Still Moves, released on Dave Matthew's ATO records. Tour dates listed at ATO.
source: CMJ , ATO
Smashing Pumpkins may, just may, reform.
Billy Corgan, apparently not satisfied enough with his solo record, wants to reform a band that we pretty much figured he wasn't happy with. Full story at Billboard.
Billy Corgan, apparently not satisfied enough with his solo record, wants to reform a band that we pretty much figured he wasn't happy with. Full story at Billboard.
COLDPLAY'S X&Y DEBUTS AT #1 ON BILLBOARD 200 AND TOPS CHARTS IN 22 COUNTRIES TO DATE. (which means there's no escape from the band for the rest of 2005).
Sales of A Rush of Blood to the Head and Parachutes Top Catalog Chart (and people didn't previously buy the records because...?)
38-Date, 36-City North American Tour Launches August 2nd, including September 6, 7 at Madison Square Garden (where i will be seeing U2 October 10 and November 21)
Sales of A Rush of Blood to the Head and Parachutes Top Catalog Chart (and people didn't previously buy the records because...?)
38-Date, 36-City North American Tour Launches August 2nd, including September 6, 7 at Madison Square Garden (where i will be seeing U2 October 10 and November 21)
I always think it's amusing when a TV show (comedy, drama, whatever) places music-related items or dialogue into the show. Like, posters of a band that you know the characters would never ever be listening to or probably never heard about. Or when characters are talking about going to see a band play. It's also slightly disturbing and surreal, because sometimes a band who you thought was far from the mainstream is mentioned. One time (don't know what program it was), a boy was upset with his dad because he felt he didn't know anything about his life. He asked his father, "what's my favorite band?" The kid was wearing an INTERPOL shirt. The father still didn't know. Then the boy said "INTERPOL, dad."
Here's one involving Alternative Press magazine that's notable. Someone pretending to write for them is introduced in this clip from the WB's One Tree Hill. It's all just clever marketing, I know. But it's like, worlds colliding!
Here's one involving Alternative Press magazine that's notable. Someone pretending to write for them is introduced in this clip from the WB's One Tree Hill. It's all just clever marketing, I know. But it's like, worlds colliding!
Saturday, June 18, 2005
Friday, June 17, 2005
Let's Have a Ball (based on coolness factor alone).
Pixies/Interpol/LCD Soundsystem @ Jones Beach, Long Island June 14, 2005
by Shannon Ronan
Okay, so I probably shouldn't have shunned those extra squirts of bug spray. And I shouldn't have assumed that the breeze off the water might create enough of a chill to make dragging around a sweaty cardigan sweater seem practical. And surely, I should have spent less time leisurely sipping vanilla vodka and cola in the parking lot and more time rocking out to the seemingly dance-worthy beats of LCD Soundsystem.
Still, after making my way through the obnoxious barrage of gigantic Tommy Hilfiger logos and the masses of red and black clad pre-teens, I reached my seat just as Interpol had taken the stage, easing me gently into my summer concert life with a delicate yet heartfelt rendition of "Next Exit". Honestly, they pretty immediately garnered my undivided attention based on coolness factor alone, failing to miss a single note while at least three band members simultaneously smoked cigarettes mid-song. It was more likely the hypnotic effect of the nostalgic but never overly sappy nature of the songs themselves that truly won me over. Having never before seen the band perform, I was thrilled to indulge in personal favorites such as "Obstacle 1" and "Leif Erikson" and though I may have rolled my eyes ever so slightly, I even secretly enjoyed "Slow Hands" and "Evil". The thing is, that when the opening band, primarily made up of a bunch of baby-faced scenesters possesses more stage presence than the headlining act, you realize Interpol is probably too good to be opening for anyone (even the Pixies!), and when they left the stage I'm sure I wasn't the only left feeling disappointed.
Allowing for just the right amount of anticipation to build, the Pixies finally appeared, boasting the sort of calm confidence that can only be acquired over time. But they only showed their years in terms of focus, playing straight through almost thirty songs, never stopping to chat and rarely stopping to breathe in between tunes. True, they lacked enthusiasm at first, but after just a few songs, their looks of boredom faded and Frank Black began delivering guttural screams with ease, Kim Deal gave a smile or two, David Loverling led the band into the super cute "La La Love You" and guitarist Joey Santiago (if for one night only) dethroned Thurston Moore and became the reigning king of reverb. Mixing a heavy handful of well-known classics (i.e. "Monkey Gone To Heaven," "Here Comes Your Man," "Gigantic") with a few surprises (Kim Deal's melodic version of "In Heaven") and downright hard rock breakdowns (during "Tame" and "Something Against You"), the Pixies managed to appease their diverse audience of both diehard fans and more inexperienced ones. Let me assure you, even if the nosebleed seats were empty, the Pixies are still deserving of all the increasing hype which has surrounded them since their original break-up in 1992.
While nothing can quite compare to indulging in semi-sweet harmonies and crude bass lines while the sun sinks into the ocean, Jones Beach (excuse me, Tommy Hilfiger) Amphitheater is unfortunately just large and conveniently located enough to draw entirely too many ambiance-wreckers (i.e. girls in skin-tight camisoles dancing drunkenly and screaming "I love you" to the angelically indifferent Carlos D. and Frank Black). Still, I'd be a liar to suggest that the lack of seats combined with the familiarly sticky feel of city floorboards beneath my aching feet could have made this show any cooler.
setlists-
Interpol: Next Exit, Slowhands, Say Hello To Angels, Narc, Not Even Jail, Leif Erikson, Evil, Take You On A Cruise, Obstacle 1, PDA.
Pixies: Is She Weird?, Subbacultcha, Dead, Wave of Mutilation, I Bleed, Broken Face, Monkey Gone to Heaven, #13 Baby, In Heaven, Where is my Mind?, La la love you, Nimrod's Son, Mr. Grieves, The Holiday Song, Vamos, Here Comes Your Man, Bone Machine, Stormy Weather, The Sad Punk, Something Against You, Isla De Encanta, Allison, Cactus, Gouge Away, Tame, Debaser, Hey, Gigantic, Encore: Caribou.
Pixies/Interpol/LCD Soundsystem @ Jones Beach, Long Island June 14, 2005
by Shannon Ronan
Okay, so I probably shouldn't have shunned those extra squirts of bug spray. And I shouldn't have assumed that the breeze off the water might create enough of a chill to make dragging around a sweaty cardigan sweater seem practical. And surely, I should have spent less time leisurely sipping vanilla vodka and cola in the parking lot and more time rocking out to the seemingly dance-worthy beats of LCD Soundsystem.
Still, after making my way through the obnoxious barrage of gigantic Tommy Hilfiger logos and the masses of red and black clad pre-teens, I reached my seat just as Interpol had taken the stage, easing me gently into my summer concert life with a delicate yet heartfelt rendition of "Next Exit". Honestly, they pretty immediately garnered my undivided attention based on coolness factor alone, failing to miss a single note while at least three band members simultaneously smoked cigarettes mid-song. It was more likely the hypnotic effect of the nostalgic but never overly sappy nature of the songs themselves that truly won me over. Having never before seen the band perform, I was thrilled to indulge in personal favorites such as "Obstacle 1" and "Leif Erikson" and though I may have rolled my eyes ever so slightly, I even secretly enjoyed "Slow Hands" and "Evil". The thing is, that when the opening band, primarily made up of a bunch of baby-faced scenesters possesses more stage presence than the headlining act, you realize Interpol is probably too good to be opening for anyone (even the Pixies!), and when they left the stage I'm sure I wasn't the only left feeling disappointed.
Allowing for just the right amount of anticipation to build, the Pixies finally appeared, boasting the sort of calm confidence that can only be acquired over time. But they only showed their years in terms of focus, playing straight through almost thirty songs, never stopping to chat and rarely stopping to breathe in between tunes. True, they lacked enthusiasm at first, but after just a few songs, their looks of boredom faded and Frank Black began delivering guttural screams with ease, Kim Deal gave a smile or two, David Loverling led the band into the super cute "La La Love You" and guitarist Joey Santiago (if for one night only) dethroned Thurston Moore and became the reigning king of reverb. Mixing a heavy handful of well-known classics (i.e. "Monkey Gone To Heaven," "Here Comes Your Man," "Gigantic") with a few surprises (Kim Deal's melodic version of "In Heaven") and downright hard rock breakdowns (during "Tame" and "Something Against You"), the Pixies managed to appease their diverse audience of both diehard fans and more inexperienced ones. Let me assure you, even if the nosebleed seats were empty, the Pixies are still deserving of all the increasing hype which has surrounded them since their original break-up in 1992.
While nothing can quite compare to indulging in semi-sweet harmonies and crude bass lines while the sun sinks into the ocean, Jones Beach (excuse me, Tommy Hilfiger) Amphitheater is unfortunately just large and conveniently located enough to draw entirely too many ambiance-wreckers (i.e. girls in skin-tight camisoles dancing drunkenly and screaming "I love you" to the angelically indifferent Carlos D. and Frank Black). Still, I'd be a liar to suggest that the lack of seats combined with the familiarly sticky feel of city floorboards beneath my aching feet could have made this show any cooler.
setlists-
Interpol: Next Exit, Slowhands, Say Hello To Angels, Narc, Not Even Jail, Leif Erikson, Evil, Take You On A Cruise, Obstacle 1, PDA.
Pixies: Is She Weird?, Subbacultcha, Dead, Wave of Mutilation, I Bleed, Broken Face, Monkey Gone to Heaven, #13 Baby, In Heaven, Where is my Mind?, La la love you, Nimrod's Son, Mr. Grieves, The Holiday Song, Vamos, Here Comes Your Man, Bone Machine, Stormy Weather, The Sad Punk, Something Against You, Isla De Encanta, Allison, Cactus, Gouge Away, Tame, Debaser, Hey, Gigantic, Encore: Caribou.
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Gouge Away (anti-review)
Pixies/Interpol/LCD Soundsystem @jones beach, June 14
by Kenyon
I didn't go because:
1- don't need to go to something (concert) just because it's there.
2-it was hot and humid. about 85 degrees.
3-already saw interpol twice.
4-not buying into hype of pixies. (hell, i even saw them in 1991 opening for U2!)
5-seats. which means there's no escape from someone annoying you.
notes: the show wasn't even sold out. whoa! and people on craigslist were desperately trying to sell them, tickets were down to $25. (yea maybe cause pixies just played 10 shows last december in new york, and like i said, interpol plays too many shows, check my song out about that) prolly could have gotten in for like $5 if i went down there, but didn't because of above reasons.
Pixies/Interpol/LCD Soundsystem @jones beach, June 14
by Kenyon
I didn't go because:
1- don't need to go to something (concert) just because it's there.
2-it was hot and humid. about 85 degrees.
3-already saw interpol twice.
4-not buying into hype of pixies. (hell, i even saw them in 1991 opening for U2!)
5-seats. which means there's no escape from someone annoying you.
notes: the show wasn't even sold out. whoa! and people on craigslist were desperately trying to sell them, tickets were down to $25. (yea maybe cause pixies just played 10 shows last december in new york, and like i said, interpol plays too many shows, check my song out about that) prolly could have gotten in for like $5 if i went down there, but didn't because of above reasons.
Monday, June 13, 2005
Mahogany
Memory Column: Early Works and Rarities 1996-2004
(Darla)
released: May 16, 2005
rating: ****
Auburn Lull
Regions Less Parallel: Early Works and Rarities 1996-2004
(Darla)
released: May 16, 2005
Two stellar, dreamy bands. Each with a compilation of their impossible to find, non-album tracks released by Darla. A cause for a double review? You're darn right.
Mahogany, the more pop-oriented of the two, is probably one of the prettiest things you'll hear. Like, ever. Their control of spacious guitar effects and synthesizer, blended with cutesy, high-octave girl vocals is a lost art. And the fact that they're from New York City (originally Michigan) is reason to appreciate them even more, given the enormous number of rock bands from NYC that play, well, just plain rock. The only problem with Mahogany is that they haven't released a full-length since 1999's Dream of a Modern Day, a wondrous work that's still a highlight in the wave of recent shoegaze and dreampop bands. We still have to be patient while they put the finishing touches on their next proper album, so thank goodness that at least Memory Column became a reality. This two-disc collection, all 20 tracks of it, is just as brilliant as anything on Dream. Enveloping you like a warm, soft blanket, the pieces are too soothing to even bother wondering what the hazy lyrics are or when a verse starts and a chorus ends. All you can really do is lay back, look through a kaleidoscope and take in its rapturous beauty.
After the absolutely gorgeous Alone I Admire, Auburn Lull had a lot to live up to. As a result, follow-up Cast from the Platform couldn't match its predecessor, nor take the band in any new directions. Regions Less Parallel, a collection of non-LP work, is, well, more of the same: quiet vocals, guitars drenched in atmospherics and gentle (REALLY gentle) percussion. Don't get the wrong idea, it'll be perfect for meditation and yoga. It's just that we've already heard this, and with better dynamics, on Alone I Admire. -- Kenyon Hopkin
similar: Lush, Flowchart, Saloon, All Natural Lemon and Lime Flavors, Lali Puna, Flying Saucer Attack, Transient Waves
styles: Dream Pop, Ambient Pop, Indie Electronic
Buy directly from Darla.
Saturday, June 11, 2005
Smashing Orange
1991 [reissue]
(Elephant Stone)
released: May 31, 2005. originally released in, yep, 1991.
rating: **1/2
We all know about pumpkin smashing. But Smashing ORANGE? They were never on 120 minutes, so where were they hiding? Well, there's good reason why the band fell under the radar. 1991 (great year in music, by the way) compiles swirly, guitar-effects rock that's too lo-fi, too conventional and too disconnected to compete with such dreampop greats as Swervedriver or Ride (the Orange even had the same equipment as them!). Lots of psychedelic noise attacks like "Only Complete in You" and "Sugar" have the right idea, but aren't able to flesh out something that would go well enough with a multi-colored light show. Still, Smashing Orange should feel lucky that they were a part of that era, playing in the U.K. and opening for Lush in New York. Hell, what kid into shoegaze wouldn't be happy with that? - Kenyon Hopkin
styles: Dream Pop, Shoegaze, Noise Pop
similar: (early) Brian Jonestown Massacre, Pale Saints, (early) My Bloody Valentine, Skywave
Monday, June 06, 2005
White Stripes
"Blue Orchid"
from the album Get Behind Me Satan, out June 7, 2005
rating: *
Did anyone else hate this first single on first listen as much as I did? "Seven Nation Army" didn't hit me right away, likely due to its minimalism and non-immediate hook. Eventually I learned to like it. Not love it, just like it. After about four listens to "Blue Orchid," it still comes across as unfinished, empty and pretty much annoying. It's not just because Jack White sings in a falsetto. Or because the guitar is heavily processed. There's just not much to grasp onto, especially at 2.5 minutes. Fortunately, I've heard another song from the record that ensures the band can at least redeem themselves a little. And while I'm willing to bet my red and white shoes that the critics are going to once again go ga-ga over the Stripes, this song is still less appealing than the worn-out socks in those shoes. -- Kenyon Hopkin
"Blue Orchid"
from the album Get Behind Me Satan, out June 7, 2005
rating: *
Did anyone else hate this first single on first listen as much as I did? "Seven Nation Army" didn't hit me right away, likely due to its minimalism and non-immediate hook. Eventually I learned to like it. Not love it, just like it. After about four listens to "Blue Orchid," it still comes across as unfinished, empty and pretty much annoying. It's not just because Jack White sings in a falsetto. Or because the guitar is heavily processed. There's just not much to grasp onto, especially at 2.5 minutes. Fortunately, I've heard another song from the record that ensures the band can at least redeem themselves a little. And while I'm willing to bet my red and white shoes that the critics are going to once again go ga-ga over the Stripes, this song is still less appealing than the worn-out socks in those shoes. -- Kenyon Hopkin
Sunday, June 05, 2005
Nobody
And Everything Else...
(Plug Research)
released: May 17, 2005
rating: **
C'mon Nobody. You're somebody. Even if, in the press photo, you need to cover half your face with your fully tattooed hand to prove it. Really, though, maybe Nobody (Elvin Estela) isn't sure who he is on And Everything Else. I mean, first he covers the Flaming Lips' "What is the Light" and a little later he includes a snippet of (I'm pretty sure) a song by Brian Jonestown Massacre. Oh, he does originals too, exploring his Spanish influences, hip-hop beats and sampling, while collaborating with the likes of Prefuse 73, among others. Still, it ends up a tad confusing. To his credit, Estela does some sorta interesting things here, just sorta. It's mostly that sleepy electronic experimental stuff that you can leave for the background while you're writing some emails, cause it sure isn't noticeable enough to distract you from any deep thought. -- Kenyon Hopkin
styles: post-rock, experimental, bedroom, laptop
And Everything Else...
(Plug Research)
released: May 17, 2005
rating: **
C'mon Nobody. You're somebody. Even if, in the press photo, you need to cover half your face with your fully tattooed hand to prove it. Really, though, maybe Nobody (Elvin Estela) isn't sure who he is on And Everything Else. I mean, first he covers the Flaming Lips' "What is the Light" and a little later he includes a snippet of (I'm pretty sure) a song by Brian Jonestown Massacre. Oh, he does originals too, exploring his Spanish influences, hip-hop beats and sampling, while collaborating with the likes of Prefuse 73, among others. Still, it ends up a tad confusing. To his credit, Estela does some sorta interesting things here, just sorta. It's mostly that sleepy electronic experimental stuff that you can leave for the background while you're writing some emails, cause it sure isn't noticeable enough to distract you from any deep thought. -- Kenyon Hopkin
styles: post-rock, experimental, bedroom, laptop
Monday, May 30, 2005
Mercury Rev
The Secret Migration
(V2)
release: May 17, 2005
rating: ****
Believe it or not, there were actually records released on September 11, 2001 (it was a Tuesday, afterall). Mercury Rev's last outing, All is Dream, just happen to meet that fate. Like many records released around that time, there was a double-edged sword involved. Some releases weren't given the attention they should have gotten, while others, released within the year before or after, were attributed with greater significance (it still doesn't make U2's All That You Can't Leave Behind an impressive piece of work). All is Dream sorta falls in between, in that it was greatly overlooked, yet is a powerful companion to the Fall of 2001. The Secret Migration, which follows the band's gorgeous chamber rock from Deserter's Songs and All is Dream, will likely not recieve the credit it deserves either. And this time, there's just no good reason as to why. Simply put, Migration is yet another beautiful, uplifting album from Mercury Rev. And though it may not exactly match the emotional highs and lows of Dream, it's still a touching affair. Everything here--and I do mean everything--is delicate, soaring and pretty, made possible by Jonathan Donahue's falsetto and the band's firm grasp on a variety of instruments (lots of piano, strings, et al). "Secret for a Song," "Across Yer Ocean" and "Black Forest" are just a few of the small masterpieces here that require at least a second listen to appreciate the songwriting. By the end of Migration, there does seem to be something missing. Perhaps it's missing that darker side of their music, which some other critics have pointed out. It could also be that the songs aren't quite as strong. Still, it's a big step above most other bands attempting rock on such a grand scale. -- Kenyon Hopkin
styles: Chamber Rock, Neo-Psychedelia
similar: The Flaming Lips, Deserter's Songs, All is Dream
Saturday, May 28, 2005
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
i see the dustcloud disappear without a trace. (U2 setlist spoiler!) by Kenyon Hopkin
i got tickets the day before the show! holy wow! this is much better than star wars opening nite! this review is also at u2tours.com.
lots of great photos at INTERFERENCE
U2 at Continental Airlines Arena, the Meadowlands. May 18, 2005.
===============================================
short version!
favorite moments were: obviously, the minute or so between when the lights went out and the band first came on, the lyrics from "stories for boys" during "vertigo", "zoo station" to start the first encore and "bad" closing the show. none of those i expected. "streets" was awesome too. anytime a band member was walking on the ramp on our side, we were pretty close. i would say those were the moments where i definitely had tears in my eyes i was so ecstatic. oh, and the people who actually sang "40" with me after the show. oh and our seats were freaking sweet!
least favorite moments: people around me not more excited just before the show was going to start, some guy dancing in the aisle to the music on the PA well before the show, holding a beer bottle which i was scared would fling from his hand and hit someone in the head, "elevation" which i don't like at all, very few peopel knowing "the ocean" and sitting down during slow songs, bono talking about social/political stuff, not enough people singing "40" during "bad," and the people who didn't sing it with me after the show.
wierd moments: the local band on stage for "still haven't found" and that deal with the cell phones.
unmoment: no "with or without you"
set list: City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo (snippets from Stories for Boys, Pump It Up), Elevation, Gloria, The Ocean, Beautiful Day, Miracle Drug, Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own, Love and Peace or Else, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Bullet the Blue Sky (snippet from When Johnny Comes Marching Home), Running to Stand Still, Pride, Where the Streets Have No Name,One
first encore:Zoo Station, The Fly, Mysterious Ways
second encore:All Because Of You, Yahweh, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, Bad (chorus from 40).
i got tickets the day before the show! holy wow! this is much better than star wars opening nite! this review is also at u2tours.com.
lots of great photos at INTERFERENCE
U2 at Continental Airlines Arena, the Meadowlands. May 18, 2005.
===============================================
short version!
favorite moments were: obviously, the minute or so between when the lights went out and the band first came on, the lyrics from "stories for boys" during "vertigo", "zoo station" to start the first encore and "bad" closing the show. none of those i expected. "streets" was awesome too. anytime a band member was walking on the ramp on our side, we were pretty close. i would say those were the moments where i definitely had tears in my eyes i was so ecstatic. oh, and the people who actually sang "40" with me after the show. oh and our seats were freaking sweet!
least favorite moments: people around me not more excited just before the show was going to start, some guy dancing in the aisle to the music on the PA well before the show, holding a beer bottle which i was scared would fling from his hand and hit someone in the head, "elevation" which i don't like at all, very few peopel knowing "the ocean" and sitting down during slow songs, bono talking about social/political stuff, not enough people singing "40" during "bad," and the people who didn't sing it with me after the show.
wierd moments: the local band on stage for "still haven't found" and that deal with the cell phones.
unmoment: no "with or without you"
set list: City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo (snippets from Stories for Boys, Pump It Up), Elevation, Gloria, The Ocean, Beautiful Day, Miracle Drug, Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own, Love and Peace or Else, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Bullet the Blue Sky (snippet from When Johnny Comes Marching Home), Running to Stand Still, Pride, Where the Streets Have No Name,One
first encore:Zoo Station, The Fly, Mysterious Ways
second encore:All Because Of You, Yahweh, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, Bad (chorus from 40).
Monday, May 23, 2005
ready to let go of the steering wheel. (u2 set spoiler!) . long version. by Kenyon Hopkin
U2 at the meadowlands. may 18, 2005. =========================
before you read on, let me just say that U2 is one of my all time favorite bands, they were my ..1 for a few years, circa 1989-1992 or so. i have liked them pretty much since they first started, but really got into them seriously in between rattle and hum and zooTV tours. i saw them first in 1992 for zooTV at nassau coliseum on long island (most of which i hardly remember) and twice on popmart in 1997, also at the meadowlands, but giants stadium.anyway, i missed the last tour, i wasn't really interested because i didn't like the direction they were going. in fact, one nite they played madison square garden in oct 2001 i was in nyc seeing spiritualized (!). so by 2004 i was incredibly anxious to see them again, in a more stripped down, "intimate" setting. at the end of january, i basically let a ticket for the first show at MSG slip through my fingers, and i had been mad at myself ever since. (however i later got tickets for oct 10 and nov 21). still, i really didn't think i could handle waiting 6 months! so on tuesday (day before show) i get a call from my editor, saying there's two tickets for me, which i had asked about back in the first week of february, and never thought i had a chance. whoa. amazing. even better, the seats were in section 121, pretty damn close to the stage and catwalk.that all said, it really upsets me that people pay $60, $100, or even $170 (not to mention $10 for parking, etc) to drink beer, talk, play with their cell phone, not be totally focused on U2 the entire time, or even *walk out during a slow song you don't know to go pee or get a drink*! i mean, c'mon, this is one of the greatest rock bands ever playing one of the best shows you'll ever experience. you're ruining it for other people. but whatever, that's your loss. i know a lot of you serious fans on here agree with me, i read your posts.finally, the actual performance. yea yea, kings of leon were ok, whatever. the music on the PA was all like, on the fineline between hip and mainstream, i was surprised. 10 minutes before 9pm, i was getting really pumped. first the killers' "mr brightside", then coldplay "clocks." oh man. then just before 9, some other song which i didn't know, but i was just really feeling it and the music got louder so i stood right up and put my arms up before most, if not all the peopel in the rows right around me, because i knew u2 was about to go on. the lights went off and then of course everyone got excited. the edge appeared on stage playing guitar and then i guess it was a distraction or something because bono then just appeared out of nowhere at the end of the oval catwalk. at first i didn't think "city of blinding lights" was a good choice for an opener, but if they had to pick something to start with, i guess that's the best one. most of the crowd was actually into that song, that was a surprise. "vertigo" of course was next, i could see that coming. however, bono slipping in some lyrics from "stories for boys", which i'm sure not many people knew, was nice."elevation" i dont know why they played that, it seems like a weak pick and they played it enough on last tour. "gloria" definitely made up for that though. "the ocean" was like, wow, i can't believe they're playing this, but overall probably a bad idea because it's quiet and really obscure. "beautiful day" of course picked up the pace again and everyone was into that, no surprise. then three songs from the new album, kinda boring but i was just happy to be there. "sunday bloody sunday" and "bullet the blue sky" kept it going. "running to stand still" i was so into and most peopel in my area had sat down, i couldnt believe it. i was singing "hallelujah" like there was no tomorrow. again, they picked up the pace with "pride" and "streets", no shock there. "one" i don't feel much for, but at least they didn't do the boring "walk on" or "stuck in moment" thank goodness. the start of the first encore was probably the most exciting for me. before they came back on, there were images on the screen that were totally from the zooTV tour. so i got really psyched, yet had no idea what would be next (i never look up setlists before shows). they kick into "zoo station," and i was like yeaaaaaaa! i mean, it's not the best song in their catalog but i have watched the video for zooTV live in sydney like 1000 times and i so longed for that kind of experience. "the fly" was ok, don't like that song much, but again they did the zooTV thing with the "manipulative" words on the screen. "mysterious ways" rocked i guess, but i had my fill of that from last tour. second encore: two songs from new record, and then they brought this local band on stage to play "still haven't found." this was wierd, i didn't know what was happening. so they do the song, i'm not getting into detail about that, other people wrote about it. i didn't think it was the best idea though, honestly i'd rather see u2 do it for real, sorry guys (i actually met them after the show and told them to rock on though).finally, and something i was so much hoping for, was "bad". it was decent, but i needed bono to look more into it, like move around a lot more and seem passionate, walk around the ramp or something. plus it wasn't as long as it could have been. however, they did add the chorus to "40". i've been reading that they've ended previous shows on this tour with a full version of "40", it's too bad they didn't do that here. well maybe it's ok because the crowd just couldn't keep the sing-along going. i'm really glad they didn't do "vertigo" again, that's really dumb to play a song twice when they have so many others. myself and probably 5000 other peopel were waiting for "with or without you" towards the end, but strangely enough, they never played that. hmmm. so after the second encore, the lights stayed off for a few minutes, but then went on, and everyone got teased.i was still feeling the u2, but of course, hardly anyone else did. i'm talking outside leaving the arena. everyone just wanted to go home i guess, but i had to try and get a small group of people singing "40". i mean come on, how often am i gonna have that chance. why doesn't anyone do this? so i probably went up to like 15 different people/groups and just started singing "40". they probably thought i was nuts, half of them i'm sure didn't know the song, i really don't care. maybe you saw me or heard me. some peopel were just totally NOT into it, that's kinda sad (not as sad as t-shirts for $35 though). so i got a few different people to sing with me (you know, "how long to sing this song.") this one guy was actually really hip and he was into primal scream and stone roses, stuff like that, and we started singing songs by those bands, that was sweet, high five dude. so finally me and my friend (who was really awesome for putting up with me) left and drove back to long island. hallelujah!
U2 at the meadowlands. may 18, 2005. =========================
before you read on, let me just say that U2 is one of my all time favorite bands, they were my ..1 for a few years, circa 1989-1992 or so. i have liked them pretty much since they first started, but really got into them seriously in between rattle and hum and zooTV tours. i saw them first in 1992 for zooTV at nassau coliseum on long island (most of which i hardly remember) and twice on popmart in 1997, also at the meadowlands, but giants stadium.anyway, i missed the last tour, i wasn't really interested because i didn't like the direction they were going. in fact, one nite they played madison square garden in oct 2001 i was in nyc seeing spiritualized (!). so by 2004 i was incredibly anxious to see them again, in a more stripped down, "intimate" setting. at the end of january, i basically let a ticket for the first show at MSG slip through my fingers, and i had been mad at myself ever since. (however i later got tickets for oct 10 and nov 21). still, i really didn't think i could handle waiting 6 months! so on tuesday (day before show) i get a call from my editor, saying there's two tickets for me, which i had asked about back in the first week of february, and never thought i had a chance. whoa. amazing. even better, the seats were in section 121, pretty damn close to the stage and catwalk.that all said, it really upsets me that people pay $60, $100, or even $170 (not to mention $10 for parking, etc) to drink beer, talk, play with their cell phone, not be totally focused on U2 the entire time, or even *walk out during a slow song you don't know to go pee or get a drink*! i mean, c'mon, this is one of the greatest rock bands ever playing one of the best shows you'll ever experience. you're ruining it for other people. but whatever, that's your loss. i know a lot of you serious fans on here agree with me, i read your posts.finally, the actual performance. yea yea, kings of leon were ok, whatever. the music on the PA was all like, on the fineline between hip and mainstream, i was surprised. 10 minutes before 9pm, i was getting really pumped. first the killers' "mr brightside", then coldplay "clocks." oh man. then just before 9, some other song which i didn't know, but i was just really feeling it and the music got louder so i stood right up and put my arms up before most, if not all the peopel in the rows right around me, because i knew u2 was about to go on. the lights went off and then of course everyone got excited. the edge appeared on stage playing guitar and then i guess it was a distraction or something because bono then just appeared out of nowhere at the end of the oval catwalk. at first i didn't think "city of blinding lights" was a good choice for an opener, but if they had to pick something to start with, i guess that's the best one. most of the crowd was actually into that song, that was a surprise. "vertigo" of course was next, i could see that coming. however, bono slipping in some lyrics from "stories for boys", which i'm sure not many people knew, was nice."elevation" i dont know why they played that, it seems like a weak pick and they played it enough on last tour. "gloria" definitely made up for that though. "the ocean" was like, wow, i can't believe they're playing this, but overall probably a bad idea because it's quiet and really obscure. "beautiful day" of course picked up the pace again and everyone was into that, no surprise. then three songs from the new album, kinda boring but i was just happy to be there. "sunday bloody sunday" and "bullet the blue sky" kept it going. "running to stand still" i was so into and most peopel in my area had sat down, i couldnt believe it. i was singing "hallelujah" like there was no tomorrow. again, they picked up the pace with "pride" and "streets", no shock there. "one" i don't feel much for, but at least they didn't do the boring "walk on" or "stuck in moment" thank goodness. the start of the first encore was probably the most exciting for me. before they came back on, there were images on the screen that were totally from the zooTV tour. so i got really psyched, yet had no idea what would be next (i never look up setlists before shows). they kick into "zoo station," and i was like yeaaaaaaa! i mean, it's not the best song in their catalog but i have watched the video for zooTV live in sydney like 1000 times and i so longed for that kind of experience. "the fly" was ok, don't like that song much, but again they did the zooTV thing with the "manipulative" words on the screen. "mysterious ways" rocked i guess, but i had my fill of that from last tour. second encore: two songs from new record, and then they brought this local band on stage to play "still haven't found." this was wierd, i didn't know what was happening. so they do the song, i'm not getting into detail about that, other people wrote about it. i didn't think it was the best idea though, honestly i'd rather see u2 do it for real, sorry guys (i actually met them after the show and told them to rock on though).finally, and something i was so much hoping for, was "bad". it was decent, but i needed bono to look more into it, like move around a lot more and seem passionate, walk around the ramp or something. plus it wasn't as long as it could have been. however, they did add the chorus to "40". i've been reading that they've ended previous shows on this tour with a full version of "40", it's too bad they didn't do that here. well maybe it's ok because the crowd just couldn't keep the sing-along going. i'm really glad they didn't do "vertigo" again, that's really dumb to play a song twice when they have so many others. myself and probably 5000 other peopel were waiting for "with or without you" towards the end, but strangely enough, they never played that. hmmm. so after the second encore, the lights stayed off for a few minutes, but then went on, and everyone got teased.i was still feeling the u2, but of course, hardly anyone else did. i'm talking outside leaving the arena. everyone just wanted to go home i guess, but i had to try and get a small group of people singing "40". i mean come on, how often am i gonna have that chance. why doesn't anyone do this? so i probably went up to like 15 different people/groups and just started singing "40". they probably thought i was nuts, half of them i'm sure didn't know the song, i really don't care. maybe you saw me or heard me. some peopel were just totally NOT into it, that's kinda sad (not as sad as t-shirts for $35 though). so i got a few different people to sing with me (you know, "how long to sing this song.") this one guy was actually really hip and he was into primal scream and stone roses, stuff like that, and we started singing songs by those bands, that was sweet, high five dude. so finally me and my friend (who was really awesome for putting up with me) left and drove back to long island. hallelujah!
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
Goon Moon
I Got a Brand New Egg Layin' Machine
(Suicide Squeeze)
rating: *
released: June 7, 2005
New egg layin' machine? Oh man. But will Goon Moon actually use it? Hey, would you expect anything less from a band that's made up of members from such oddball acts as Marilyn Manson, Hella and Masters of Reality? No, of course not. Believe it or not, this actually sounds like all three of those bands combined--in a battle to determine which one is the most challenging. No one really wins here. Egg Layin' Machine is like scraps of ideas that were junked, then put together haphazardly for this short record (it's supposed to be a "mini-album," though there's ten tracks). For a while, it's closer to the noisy instrumentals of Hella, but then out of nowhere they add robotic vocals for "Rock Wierd," which is even too awful to be on the recent disappointment from Daft Punk. The last two "songs" attempt to be conventional with verses and choruses, practically transforming Goon Moon into a different (and better) band. At that point you might wonder why they just didn't go that route to begin with. If everyone can just go back to their respective groups now please. -- Kenyon Hopkin
style: Experimental
similar: Lightning Bolt, the Mae Shi, End., Vaz
I Got a Brand New Egg Layin' Machine
(Suicide Squeeze)
rating: *
released: June 7, 2005
New egg layin' machine? Oh man. But will Goon Moon actually use it? Hey, would you expect anything less from a band that's made up of members from such oddball acts as Marilyn Manson, Hella and Masters of Reality? No, of course not. Believe it or not, this actually sounds like all three of those bands combined--in a battle to determine which one is the most challenging. No one really wins here. Egg Layin' Machine is like scraps of ideas that were junked, then put together haphazardly for this short record (it's supposed to be a "mini-album," though there's ten tracks). For a while, it's closer to the noisy instrumentals of Hella, but then out of nowhere they add robotic vocals for "Rock Wierd," which is even too awful to be on the recent disappointment from Daft Punk. The last two "songs" attempt to be conventional with verses and choruses, practically transforming Goon Moon into a different (and better) band. At that point you might wonder why they just didn't go that route to begin with. If everyone can just go back to their respective groups now please. -- Kenyon Hopkin
style: Experimental
similar: Lightning Bolt, the Mae Shi, End., Vaz
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
Friday, April 29, 2005
VNV Nation
Matter + Form
(Metropolis)
released: April 12, 2005
rating: **
It's hard to not like VNV Nation after they released the phenomenal Empires five years ago. Even after the slightly disappointing follow-up, Futureperfect, the EBM duo is just so damned passionate about what they do that you could feel rather guilty turning your back on guys who have songs referring to the deep complexities of life, death, war, et al. And that's more or less the case with Matter + Form. Ronan Harris' vocals (the other guy, Mark Jackson, just plays electronic drums at shows, and it's freakin' sweet) are full of passion, sure, but there's just no melodies--or even music--to go with it. And instead of dance-floor anthem after dance-floor anthem, they again start retreating to some much slower tempos (dare I say, ballads?) and three or four instrumental trance tracks, none of which really get the gears going. Strangely, one of the better moments doesn't come until track nine, which has a comforting synth melody reminiscent of their epic "Further." Still, given the lack of immediately engaging songage here, it's not going to be easy to stand by VNV, as they end up sounding like a band trying to pay tribute to themselves. -- Kenyon Hopkin
style: EBM, Industrial Dance, Electronic
similar: Covenant, Assemblage 23, Icon of Coil
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Astralwerks will release Kraftwerk's first official live recording, Minimum Maximum, on June 7. The group will play some very selective dates (perhaps following the lead of New Order, maybe these bands just don't have the energy anymore) where robots may or may not be present for the pioneering band's electro-pop.
5/30 Washington, DC 9.30 Club
5/31 Washington, DC 9.30 Club
6/01 New York, NY Hammerstein Ballroom
6/03 Detroit, MI State Theatre
6/04 Chicago, IL Riviera Theatre
6/06 Los Angeles, CA Greek Theatre
5/30 Washington, DC 9.30 Club
5/31 Washington, DC 9.30 Club
6/01 New York, NY Hammerstein Ballroom
6/03 Detroit, MI State Theatre
6/04 Chicago, IL Riviera Theatre
6/06 Los Angeles, CA Greek Theatre
Merge records will release Teenage Fanclub's 8th album, Man-Made, on June 7th, 2005. The band's previous releases have been on such labels as Geffen, Columbia and Matador. If you were hip to 120 minutes back in the day, you probably remember the wonderful videos for the Bandwagonesque record. And if you're like me, you didn't think the band was still around.
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
RAVEONETTES U.S tour dates. Second full-length Pretty in Black out May 3, though it doesn't have any songs that sound much like the Jesus and Mary Chain's Psychocandy. Hear some of the new record and video for "Love in a Trashcan" at http://www.theraveonettes.com/ .
4/26/05 New York, NY Mercury Lounge
4/27/05 New York, NY Mercury Lounge
4/28/05 Brooklyn, NY Southpaw
4/30/05 Indio, CA Coachella
5/3/05 San Francisco, CA Great American Music Hall
5/5/05 Vancouver, BC Richard's
5/6/05 Portland, OR Dante's
5/7/05 Seattle, WA Neumos
5/10/05 Minneapolis, MN 1st Avenue
5/11/05 Chicago, IL Double Door
5/12/05 Milwaukee, WI Mad Planet
5/13/05 Indianapolis, IN Patio
5/14/05 Nashville, TN Exit/In
5/16/05 Dallas, TX Gypsy Tea Room
5/17/05 Austin, TX Parrish
5/19/05 New Orleans, LA Twiropa
5/20/05 Tallahassee, FL Beta Bar
5/21/05 Orlando, FL Social
5/22/05 Ft. Lauderdale, FL Culture Room
5/24/05 Tampa, FL State Theater
5/25/05 Athens, GA 40 Watt
5/26/05 Atlanta, GA Smith's Olde Bar
5/27/05 Chapel Hill, NC Cats Cradle
5/28/05 Washington, DC Black Cat
5/29/05 Baltimore, MD Otto Bar
5/31/05 Hoboken, NJ Maxwell's
6/1/05 Philadelphia, PA North Star
6/2/05 Boston, MA Paradise
6/3/05 Montreal, QUE Petite Campus
6/4/05 Toronto, ONT Lee's Palace
6/6/05 Cleveland, OH Beachland Ballroom
6/7/05 Cincinnati, OH Southgate House
6/8/05 Detroit, MI Magic Stick
6/9/05 Pittsburgh, PA Mr. Smalls
6/10/05 Buffalo, NY Show Place Theater
6/11/05 New York, NY Webster Hall
4/26/05 New York, NY Mercury Lounge
4/27/05 New York, NY Mercury Lounge
4/28/05 Brooklyn, NY Southpaw
4/30/05 Indio, CA Coachella
5/3/05 San Francisco, CA Great American Music Hall
5/5/05 Vancouver, BC Richard's
5/6/05 Portland, OR Dante's
5/7/05 Seattle, WA Neumos
5/10/05 Minneapolis, MN 1st Avenue
5/11/05 Chicago, IL Double Door
5/12/05 Milwaukee, WI Mad Planet
5/13/05 Indianapolis, IN Patio
5/14/05 Nashville, TN Exit/In
5/16/05 Dallas, TX Gypsy Tea Room
5/17/05 Austin, TX Parrish
5/19/05 New Orleans, LA Twiropa
5/20/05 Tallahassee, FL Beta Bar
5/21/05 Orlando, FL Social
5/22/05 Ft. Lauderdale, FL Culture Room
5/24/05 Tampa, FL State Theater
5/25/05 Athens, GA 40 Watt
5/26/05 Atlanta, GA Smith's Olde Bar
5/27/05 Chapel Hill, NC Cats Cradle
5/28/05 Washington, DC Black Cat
5/29/05 Baltimore, MD Otto Bar
5/31/05 Hoboken, NJ Maxwell's
6/1/05 Philadelphia, PA North Star
6/2/05 Boston, MA Paradise
6/3/05 Montreal, QUE Petite Campus
6/4/05 Toronto, ONT Lee's Palace
6/6/05 Cleveland, OH Beachland Ballroom
6/7/05 Cincinnati, OH Southgate House
6/8/05 Detroit, MI Magic Stick
6/9/05 Pittsburgh, PA Mr. Smalls
6/10/05 Buffalo, NY Show Place Theater
6/11/05 New York, NY Webster Hall
Friday, April 22, 2005
Project Skyward
Strange Synchronicities
(Nebula)
rating: ***1/2
released: ????
Tons of reverbed male-female vocals, swirling melodies, lots of atmospheric guitar and electronic effects. In other words, most of this sounds just like Slowdive. Which means it's totally worth the journey. -- Kenyon Hopkin
styles: Space Rock, Shoegaze, Ambient
similar: Slowdive, Sianspheric, M83
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
My Epiphany
Miribilia
(Eyeball/Bardic)
released: May 10
rating: ***
Dang, these guys are on the little Eyeball label? I guess that's impressive for Eyeball, but once you get through even the first solid emo anthem on Miribilia, you'd be sure that My Epiphany were already on a major label, or at least Victory or Drive-thru records. It's not that they sell out to the mainstream and sound all accessible, it's just that this is pretty damn polished and engaging. Oh, and don't be put off by the "emo" tag here. The guitars and vocals sound that way, but the lyrics stretch beyond the boundaries of personal conflicts. Well, most of the time. The synthesizer also helps them stand apart from the hundreds of other post-hardcore/emo bands, including the big ones they've played shows with (Thursday, The Used). Although it doesn't seem totally necessary to use the piano or synth, when they use it for the little interludes and intros it adds something that's just a little bit haunting. -- Kenyon Hopkin
style: Emo
similar: Taking Back Sunday, Straylight Run, Early November, the Movielife
Miribilia
(Eyeball/Bardic)
released: May 10
rating: ***
Dang, these guys are on the little Eyeball label? I guess that's impressive for Eyeball, but once you get through even the first solid emo anthem on Miribilia, you'd be sure that My Epiphany were already on a major label, or at least Victory or Drive-thru records. It's not that they sell out to the mainstream and sound all accessible, it's just that this is pretty damn polished and engaging. Oh, and don't be put off by the "emo" tag here. The guitars and vocals sound that way, but the lyrics stretch beyond the boundaries of personal conflicts. Well, most of the time. The synthesizer also helps them stand apart from the hundreds of other post-hardcore/emo bands, including the big ones they've played shows with (Thursday, The Used). Although it doesn't seem totally necessary to use the piano or synth, when they use it for the little interludes and intros it adds something that's just a little bit haunting. -- Kenyon Hopkin
style: Emo
similar: Taking Back Sunday, Straylight Run, Early November, the Movielife
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
DINOSAUR JR. U.S Tour Dates
Thur July 7 House of Blues Orlando, FL
Fri July 8 Variety Playhouse Atlanta, GA
Sat July 9 The Norva Norfolk, VA
Sun July 10 Cat’s Cradle Carrboro, NC
Mon July 11 9:30 Club Washington, DC
Wed July 13 Electric Factory Philadelphia, PA
Thur July 14 Central Park SummerStage New York, NY
Fri July 15 Avalon Boston, MA
Tue July 19 House of Blues Cleveland, OH
Wed July 20 Clutch Cargo’s Pontiac, MI
Thur July 21 The Madison Theater Covington, KY
Fri July 22 The Eagles Club Milwaukee, WI
Sat July 23 The Quest Minneapolis, MN
Sun July 24 Lollapalooza Chicago, IL
Thur July 7 House of Blues Orlando, FL
Fri July 8 Variety Playhouse Atlanta, GA
Sat July 9 The Norva Norfolk, VA
Sun July 10 Cat’s Cradle Carrboro, NC
Mon July 11 9:30 Club Washington, DC
Wed July 13 Electric Factory Philadelphia, PA
Thur July 14 Central Park SummerStage New York, NY
Fri July 15 Avalon Boston, MA
Tue July 19 House of Blues Cleveland, OH
Wed July 20 Clutch Cargo’s Pontiac, MI
Thur July 21 The Madison Theater Covington, KY
Fri July 22 The Eagles Club Milwaukee, WI
Sat July 23 The Quest Minneapolis, MN
Sun July 24 Lollapalooza Chicago, IL
FISCHERSPOONER U.S. tour dates.
4/29 Orlando, FL House of Blues
5/05 New York, NY Canal Room
5/06 Houston, TX Hush
5/12 New York, NY Canal Room
5/19 New York, NY Canal Room
5/26 New York, NY Canal Room
6/01 Los Angeles, CA Henry Fonda Theatre
6/02 San Diego, CA House of Blues
6/03 Anaheim, CA House of Blues
6/04 San Francisco, CA The Fillmore
www.fischerspooner.com
4/29 Orlando, FL House of Blues
5/05 New York, NY Canal Room
5/06 Houston, TX Hush
5/12 New York, NY Canal Room
5/19 New York, NY Canal Room
5/26 New York, NY Canal Room
6/01 Los Angeles, CA Henry Fonda Theatre
6/02 San Diego, CA House of Blues
6/03 Anaheim, CA House of Blues
6/04 San Francisco, CA The Fillmore
www.fischerspooner.com
PETER MURPHY 2005 U.S. TOUR DATES
May
12 - Lake Buena Vista, FL - House Of Blues
13 - Atlanta, GA - Masquerade
15 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
16 - New York, NY - B.B. King's
17 - Cleveland, OH - The Odeon
18 - Chicago, IL - Metro
20 - Denver, CO - Ogden Theatre
22 - Portland, OR - Roseland Theatre
23 - Seattle, WA - The Showbox
24 - San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore
26 - San Diego, CA - House Of Blues
27 - Los Angeles, CA - Henry Fonda Theatre
28 - Anaheim, CA - House Of Blues
May
12 - Lake Buena Vista, FL - House Of Blues
13 - Atlanta, GA - Masquerade
15 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
16 - New York, NY - B.B. King's
17 - Cleveland, OH - The Odeon
18 - Chicago, IL - Metro
20 - Denver, CO - Ogden Theatre
22 - Portland, OR - Roseland Theatre
23 - Seattle, WA - The Showbox
24 - San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore
26 - San Diego, CA - House Of Blues
27 - Los Angeles, CA - Henry Fonda Theatre
28 - Anaheim, CA - House Of Blues
Friday, April 15, 2005
VNV Nation Formation Tour 2005.
May 06 Ft. Lauderdale, FL Culture Room
May 07 Tampa, FL The Masquerade
May 09 Charlotte, NC Tremont Music Hall
May 11 Atlanta, GA Earthlink Live
May 12 Nashville, TN Exit/In
May 13 New Orleans, LA House of Blues (18+)
May 14 Austin, TX La Zona Rosa
May 15 Dallas, TX Gypsy Ballroom (17+)
May 17 Phoenix, AZ Marquee Theatre
May 18 Anaheim, CA House of Blues **
May 19 Los Angeles, CA Avalon **
May 20 San Diego, CA 4th & B ** (21+)
May 21, 22 San Francisco, CA The Fillmore **
May 24 Portland, OR Aladin Theatre
May 25 Vancouver, BC CAN Commodore Ballroom (19+)
May 26 Seattle, WA Showbox
May 28 Edmonton, AB CAN Starlite Room (18+)
May 29 Calgary, AB CAN The Whiskey (18+)
May 31 Salt Lake City, UT Lo-Fi Café
Jun 01 Denver, CO Gothic Theatre
Jun 02 Kansas City, MO Madrid
Jun 03 Minneapolis, MN Fine Line Music Cafe (18+)
Jun 04 Milwaukee, WI The Rave
Jun 06 Chicago, IL House of Blues (18+)
Jun 07 Cleveland, OH House of Blues
Jun 08 Detroit, MI Majestic Theater
Jun 09 Toronto, ON CAN The Phoenix
Jun 10 Montréal QC CAN Spectrum
Jun 12 Boston, MA Axis (18+)
Jun 14 Covington, KY Madison Theatre
Jun 15 Philadelphia, PA Trocadero
Jun 16 Washington, DC Nation (18+)
Jun 17, 18 New York, NY Irving Plaza **
Jun 21 Buffalo, NY Club Infinity
Jun 22 Albany, NY Saratoga Winters
Jun 23 Hartford, CT Webster Theatre
All shows are "All Ages" unless otherwise indicated.
** A different set list will be played at these shows
May 06 Ft. Lauderdale, FL Culture Room
May 07 Tampa, FL The Masquerade
May 09 Charlotte, NC Tremont Music Hall
May 11 Atlanta, GA Earthlink Live
May 12 Nashville, TN Exit/In
May 13 New Orleans, LA House of Blues (18+)
May 14 Austin, TX La Zona Rosa
May 15 Dallas, TX Gypsy Ballroom (17+)
May 17 Phoenix, AZ Marquee Theatre
May 18 Anaheim, CA House of Blues **
May 19 Los Angeles, CA Avalon **
May 20 San Diego, CA 4th & B ** (21+)
May 21, 22 San Francisco, CA The Fillmore **
May 24 Portland, OR Aladin Theatre
May 25 Vancouver, BC CAN Commodore Ballroom (19+)
May 26 Seattle, WA Showbox
May 28 Edmonton, AB CAN Starlite Room (18+)
May 29 Calgary, AB CAN The Whiskey (18+)
May 31 Salt Lake City, UT Lo-Fi Café
Jun 01 Denver, CO Gothic Theatre
Jun 02 Kansas City, MO Madrid
Jun 03 Minneapolis, MN Fine Line Music Cafe (18+)
Jun 04 Milwaukee, WI The Rave
Jun 06 Chicago, IL House of Blues (18+)
Jun 07 Cleveland, OH House of Blues
Jun 08 Detroit, MI Majestic Theater
Jun 09 Toronto, ON CAN The Phoenix
Jun 10 Montréal QC CAN Spectrum
Jun 12 Boston, MA Axis (18+)
Jun 14 Covington, KY Madison Theatre
Jun 15 Philadelphia, PA Trocadero
Jun 16 Washington, DC Nation (18+)
Jun 17, 18 New York, NY Irving Plaza **
Jun 21 Buffalo, NY Club Infinity
Jun 22 Albany, NY Saratoga Winters
Jun 23 Hartford, CT Webster Theatre
All shows are "All Ages" unless otherwise indicated.
** A different set list will be played at these shows
Monday, April 11, 2005
Doris Henson
Give Me All Your Money
(DeSoto)
released: March 22
rating: **1/2
Oh, these bands with the tricky names. Perhaps a little too tricky, as this quintet from Kansas is only going to confuse people. I bet they got the name from some obscure actress from the '40s or it's some girl that hangs out in bars in Kansas. Name-critiquing aside, Doris Henson (which has a couple members that prove there's life after a ska band) can be pretty old school indie rock. Well, sometimes at least. The opening track starts the record with a field recording of some girl talking about...bees (guys, get to the music, you're wasting time). After the first song, which doesn't do too much, they really get the album going with "The Most," which has the semi-memorable lyric refrain "do the most with what you have, do the most from what you want." "A Dark Time for the Light Side of the Earth" is where the indie rock really kicks in, as they do their best impression of Built to Spill. From there, however, they change the pace. "Let You Down" starts with a wacky vocal intro and then burns rubber with harder rocking guitar. They pretty much slow it down from there, but don't let their guard down on energy. And hey, they must be doing something right cause they're playing some shows with Trail of Dead! -- Kenyon Hopkin
styles: Indie Rock
Give Me All Your Money
(DeSoto)
released: March 22
rating: **1/2
Oh, these bands with the tricky names. Perhaps a little too tricky, as this quintet from Kansas is only going to confuse people. I bet they got the name from some obscure actress from the '40s or it's some girl that hangs out in bars in Kansas. Name-critiquing aside, Doris Henson (which has a couple members that prove there's life after a ska band) can be pretty old school indie rock. Well, sometimes at least. The opening track starts the record with a field recording of some girl talking about...bees (guys, get to the music, you're wasting time). After the first song, which doesn't do too much, they really get the album going with "The Most," which has the semi-memorable lyric refrain "do the most with what you have, do the most from what you want." "A Dark Time for the Light Side of the Earth" is where the indie rock really kicks in, as they do their best impression of Built to Spill. From there, however, they change the pace. "Let You Down" starts with a wacky vocal intro and then burns rubber with harder rocking guitar. They pretty much slow it down from there, but don't let their guard down on energy. And hey, they must be doing something right cause they're playing some shows with Trail of Dead! -- Kenyon Hopkin
styles: Indie Rock
Friday, April 08, 2005
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
NEW ORDER concert dates in U.S. yea, too bad i only just found out about the new york date. looks like a teaser promo tour. let's just hope they don't wind up getting involved in some 5-band tour package in the summer or fall with green day, garbage, nine inch nails and queens of the stone age. what? oh no thats not happening, i just randomly picked those bands.
Apr 29, 2005 Henry J. Kaiser Arena - Oakland, California (US)
May 01, 2005 Empire Polo Field - Indio, California (US)
May 03, 2005 Aragon Ballroom - Chicago, IL (US)
May 05, 2005 Hammerstein Ballroom - New York, NY (US)
first single/video from Waiting for the Sirens' Call:
http://www.neworder.cc/
Apr 29, 2005 Henry J. Kaiser Arena - Oakland, California (US)
May 01, 2005 Empire Polo Field - Indio, California (US)
May 03, 2005 Aragon Ballroom - Chicago, IL (US)
May 05, 2005 Hammerstein Ballroom - New York, NY (US)
first single/video from Waiting for the Sirens' Call:
http://www.neworder.cc/
Friday, April 01, 2005
Mando Diao
Hurricane Bar
(Mute)
released: March 8
rating: ***1/2
Right now, Mando Diao (maybe one day I'll know how to pronounce this) is probably the biggest and best rock 'n' roll band from Sweden that you haven't heard of yet. Probably. But just you wait, cause I'm sure you'll hear one of their songs in a commercial for Old Navy or iPod or something. Produced by Richard Rainey (who worked on U2's All That You Can't Leave Behind, thanks a lot! that record is awful!), Hurricane Bar surprisingly outdoes the band's debut Bring 'Em In, in terms of energy and songwriting. It's pure rock 'n' roll, with nods to garage and mod-punk. Somehow, Mando Diao pulls off youthful showmanship like "God Knows" and "This Dream is Over" with ease, and you forget that these guys are totally arrogant. -- Kenyon Hopkin
styles: Garage Rock, Rock & Roll
similar: The Jam, The Hives, Mooney Suzuki, The Libertines
DOVES / MERCURY REV. TOUR DATES.
4/30 Indio, CA Coachella Valley Music Festival
5/01 San Francisco, CA The Fillmore
5/03 Seattle, WA The Showbox
5/04 Portland, OR Aladdin Theatre
5/06 Vancouver, BC Commodore Ballroom
5/08 Salt Lake City, UT Club Sound
5/09 Boulder, CO Fox Theatre
5/11 Kansas City, MO Madrid Theatre
5/12 Minneapolis, MN The Quest
5/13 Chicago, IL The Vic Theatre
5/14 Detroit, MI The Majestic Theatre
5/16 Toronto, ONT Kool Haus
5/18 New York, NY Webster Hall
5/19 New York, NY Webster Hall
5/20 Boston, MA Avalon
5/22 Philadelphia, PA Theatre of the Living Arts
5/23 Washington, DC 9:30 Club
4/30 Indio, CA Coachella Valley Music Festival
5/01 San Francisco, CA The Fillmore
5/03 Seattle, WA The Showbox
5/04 Portland, OR Aladdin Theatre
5/06 Vancouver, BC Commodore Ballroom
5/08 Salt Lake City, UT Club Sound
5/09 Boulder, CO Fox Theatre
5/11 Kansas City, MO Madrid Theatre
5/12 Minneapolis, MN The Quest
5/13 Chicago, IL The Vic Theatre
5/14 Detroit, MI The Majestic Theatre
5/16 Toronto, ONT Kool Haus
5/18 New York, NY Webster Hall
5/19 New York, NY Webster Hall
5/20 Boston, MA Avalon
5/22 Philadelphia, PA Theatre of the Living Arts
5/23 Washington, DC 9:30 Club
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