Yes! - The Red Sox are playing Tampa Bay in the ALCS. Rock!
Maybe? Hey, The Future Mrs. Leaf and I are going to be in Florida next week! Maybe we can scalp tickets and go to one of the games! YaWooooo! Nomah!
Crap. They're in Boston when we are down there. Oh well. But after attending Game One of the NBA Finals in which the MIGHTY Boston Celtics bitch-slapped the pathetic LA Lakers (and all the "experts") to win their 17th NBA title, perhaps I should not push my luck.
Besides, We'll be down there for Honeymoon, Part One.
That's right, we are getting married this weekend. The site won't be updated for a while, but I hope you'll still be here when we get back.
Rock.
PS - Celtics v Sixers tonight in preseason action. It's On!
Basketball, I missed you.
I am a bit spoiled when it comes to Stereolab. When I lived in NYC from '97-'03 I must have seen them 10 times in that period and I never paid for a single show. My roommate and one of my best friends both worked for Elektra, so I could always find a free ticket when they came through. Looking back I don't think I realized that I was getting to see the band on a regular basis smack in the middle of their heyday. Much like Luna, I took these guys for granted because they were always around, always releasing records and always playing shows in the city.
Five or so years on and one amazing show in D.C. and I am falling back in love with the 'Lab. it certainly doesn't hurt that they are touring behind their supremely catchy new record Chemical Chords (pick it up if you haven't already). The set alternated between old faves ("Ping Pong", "Lo Boob Oscillator") and soon to be faves ("Neon Beanbag") and was totally enthralling. I am so mad that NPR wasn't there (are they out of money for the concert budget or something, they've been very silent in the last few months), but luckily NYC Taper was on the scene at Irving Plaza.
My only regrets were leaving before the band played "Cybele's Reverie" (I was exhausted) and not getting to hear the dearly departed Mary Hansen sing back up vocals on songs like "Lo Boob Oscillator." I am a sucker for backing vocals and Mary was one of the best. That was my first time seeing the band since her passing and she was definitely missed.
The band are on tour in the US and Canada until the end of the month. Go see 'em!
[Photo Gallery]
Stereloab @ 9:30 Club
THE GOOD:
The Tunes: Hard not to love their decidedly retro Editors-meet-Phil Spector arena ready pub rock. "Geraldine" is a total smash, as is "Go Square Go."
The Accents: If it's not scottish, it's crap!
The Look: Poofy hairdos, leather jackets and Ray-Bans. They've got the retro look down.
The Crowd: It was crowded without being packed and everyone was really into the show. It was a great vibe. Also, I got to chat with Howard Wolfson, who is incredibly nice and a great guy.
The Openers: By far the best set I've seen the Soft Complex do.
The Bad:
The Sound: I really hate to play the sound nazi card (because I absolutely hate it when other people do it) but at times I think the sound at the Rock n Roll Hotel might be the worst in the city. I think the extremely low ceilings are to blame, but I have yet to walk out of that club saying "Wow, they sounded amazing tonight!" Pela came closest earlier in the year but that's the only show I can think of. On Friday all I could hear was the bass and the vocals, the guitars were all over the place and not in a good way.
The Roadies: The band positioned a very large roadie at the side of the stage and he refused to let anyone use the downstairs bathrooms (you have to walk by the side of the stage and down a long hallway to get to access said lavatories). Plus, he wasn't very nice about it. Methinks someone (and by that, I mean the band) are a bit too big for their britches.
The Lies: Lead singer James Allan told the crowd this was their favorite gig on the tour. Yes, I am sure a mostly filled Rock n Roll Hotel holds no water to Radio City Music Hall. Please.
I would definitely go check out the band when they come back through in January. Hopefully that gig, wherever it is, will have good sound and access to all of the venues bathrooms.
Jeebus! Look at all these great shows on Saturday!
Black Cat
Jukebox The Ghost, Say Hi & Junior League Band, $12
I STILL haven't seen Jukebox The Ghost (although I really cannot get into their album), but I am more bummed about missing Say Hi. They were great when I saw them earlier this year.
9:30 Club
Chromeo & Treasure Fingers - SOLD OUT
Chromeo was pretty damn good when I saw them at the Virgin Festival in August. Should be a fun show.
Rock and Roll Hotel
Evangelicals, These United States (CD RELEASE PARTY), Parenthetical Girls, The Silent Years, $12
Man, I haven't seen tUS in what seems like forever. it's been really satisfying to see them get love from Daytrotter, Brooklyn Vegan and other bigtime online outlets. So happy for Jesse, Tom and Co. You'd be hard pressed to find nicer people in this town.
Velvet Lounge
Matmos and a whole bunch of other bands as part of the Sonic Circuits Festival.
Which one will I be at? None of the above. I'll be at the D.C. United game on Saturday.
I'm going to a gig tonight, though: Glasvegas & Soft Complex at the Rock and Roll Hotel. Looking forward to it. If you need a Glasvegas primer, head over to Gotham Acme, aka Glasvegas-central. Not only did H.W. interview the band, he interviewed their producer. Producer interviews: Some say best.
See you there!
I skipped the Jenny Lewis show last night to check out the New Kids show at the Verizon Center and have no regrets about doing so.
[Photo Gallery]
New Kids on the Block @ Verizon Center
Seems like the price on everything has shot up in the last month or so, especially breakfast products. My regular sized smoothie at Robeks went from $4.94 to $5.13 three weeks ago and then today my bagel & small OJ pairing at Au Bon Pain went from $4.80 to $5.18. Guess it is time to stop eating out.
Did they talk about this during the debate last night or was it all shout outs to their grade schools?
I really enjoyed this documentary on Dig Out Your Soul. I'll have a proper review of the record on Monday.
Here is the ticket info for the tour. I already snagged a pair of tix for the Patriot Center. Super excited about seeing them in a venue of that size.
Oasisinet is very pleased to be able to offer a Pre- Sale to the fans. While tickets go on general sale on October 3rd (October 4th for the Chicago gig), Oasis fans can apply for tickets through the Pre-Sale from Tuesday 30th September @ 10am (local time) until 10PM (local time) Thursday 2nd October (Chicago Pre-Sale open until 10pm Friday October 3rd).
The Pre-Sale password is: OASISINET
---
The full details of the tour are:
Dec. 3: Oakland, CA - Oracle Arena. Tickets available from Ticketmaster, Live Nation, Oracle Arena Box Office and charge by phone at (510) 625 8497
Dec. 4: Los Angeles, CA - Staples Center. Tickets available from Ticketmaster, select Macy's stores, WhereHouse Music, Beverley Center, Ritmo Latino, Staples Center Box Office and charge by phone at (213) 480 3232 and (714) 740 2000
Dec. 6: Las Vegas, NV - The Pearl. Tickets available from Ticketmaster, The Pearl Box Office, and charge by phone at (702) 474 4000
Dec. 8: Denver, CO - Broomfield Events Ctr. Tickets available from Ticketmaster, select Macy's stores, select FYE stores, Cherry Creek Shopping Center Guest Services Desk, Official Visitors Center (1600 California St.), Twist & Shout, and charge by phone at (303) 830 8497 & (719) 520 9090.
Dec. 10: Minneapolis, MN - Target Center. Tickets available from Ticketmaster, Live Nation, Target Center Box Office and charge by phone at (651) 989 5151
Dec. 12: Chicago, IL - Allstate Arena. Tickets available from Ticketmaster, Allstate Arena Box Office and charge by phone at (248) 655 6666
Dec. 13: Detroit, MI - Palace of Auburn Hills. Tickets available from Ticketmaster, Live Nation, Palace of Auburn Hills Box Office and charge by phone (248) 377 0125
Dec. 15: London, ON - John LaBatt Centre (rescheduled 9/9 date). Tickets available from John Labatt Centre, Fanshawe College BizBooth, The Bookstore at Western, Book Plus & (519) 667 5700
Dec. 17: New York, NY - Madison Sq. Garden. Tickets available from Ticketmaster, Live Nation, Madison Square Garden Box Office and charge by phone (212) 465 6000
Dec. 19: Camden, NJ - Susquehanna Center. Ticketmaster, Live Nation, Susquehanna Bank Center Box Office and charge by phone (856) 338 2000, (215) 336 2000, (302) 984 2000 &
Dec. 20: Washington, DC - GMU Patriot Center. Tickets available from Ticketmaster, GMU Patriot Center, 9:30 Club Box Office, Merriweather Post Pavilion Box Office and charge by phone at (703) 993 3000, (800) 551 7328 or (202) 397 7328
After the hype and the accompanying backlash against The Black Kids I had to go down to the Cat and check them out last Saturday. The verdict: I thought they were great. Great energy, great hooks and lots of fun. I haven't listened to any of their recorded output but they definitely won me over with their live show, which was one of the loudest sets I've ever heard at the Black Cat.
The Virgins opened up and while I'm not sure the world needs yet another dancey, indie-rock J. Giles Band, they are good at what they do. But over the course of a 40 minute set, their one trick started wearing thin.
In case you want another POV, Valerie has a great review of the show over at DCist.
[Photo Gallery]
The Black Kids at the Black Cat
I have a pair of tickets to giveaway for this Friday's gig at the Rock and Roll Hotel featuring D.C.'s own Soft Complex and Howard Wolfson's favorite band, Glasvegas. Should be a lot of fun. All you have to do is email me the name of your favorite D.C. band and your favorite band from Scotland. Please put "Ticket giveaway" in the subject line. I will pick a winner on Friday morning so make sure you check your email.
Oasis & Ryan Adams - 2008 Tour Dates
Dec. 3 - Oakland, CA Oracle Arena
Dec. 4 - Los Angeles, CA Staples Center
Dec. 6 - Las Vegas, NV The Pearl
Dec. 8 - Denver, CO Broomfield Events Ctr.
Dec. 10 - Minneapolis, MN Target Center
Dec. 12 - Chicago, IL Allstate Arena
Dec. 13 - Detroit, MI Palace of Auburn Hills
Dec. 15 - London, ON John LaBattCentre (rescheduled 9/9 date)
Dec. 17 - New York, NY Madison Sq. Garden
Dec. 19 - Camden, NJ Susquehanna Center
Dec. 20 - Washington, DC GMU Patriot Center
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!