October 2007 Archives
Page of 9You should take my absence from the interwebs (on a week where I have not one but two Morrissey shows on tap in addtion to the MLS playoffs coming to town and the NBA tipping off) as an indication at just how frigging busy I am at work right now. Lots of stuff to be said but no time to say it.
At Natalya's behest, I saw Jimmy Eat World last night at the 9:30 Club. They were good but not great. Actually they are great at what they do but I'm not really a fan of that. They tend to have two types of songs: shouty and sing-alongy. The set was more the former than the latter. Although "The Sweetness" was pretty bad ass. Always secretly liked that song. Due to the dreaded ticket snafu(it eventually got sorted), I missed 90% of Viva Voce's set, which is a shame because I really wanted to check them out. But I loved what I did get to see. I had to sign a photo waver for the headliners, so head over to DCist to see a few photos from the show.
After the show I came home all ready to watch some NBA only to have my cable and internet go on the fritz. Thanks Comcast. Also, I'm going to have to pull a Sports Guy and run my NBA preview over the weekend or next week. I got my Washington Wizards press credentials renewed this year so (assuming he's not traded for Kobe) expect more leaf v. Agent Zero posts in the very near future. Best.
Morrissey at Ram's Head (capacity 600) tonight. I decided just to shoot photos at the D.C. show on Friday (still waiting on confirmation). I hope I don't end up regretting that one.
Here's an mp3 to make up for this lame post:
Due to the week ahead, I didn't even stay up all night celebrating Boston's second World Series win in four years. I have two monstrous projects bearing down on me at work and something going on Tuesday through Saturday. And to top it off, there are a ton of good shows this week. If we got all the shows on Tuesday spread over a week, I would be a happy camper. As it is, I have to choose and miss out on a lot of bands I want to see. Oh, and Morrissey's in town, D.C. United hosts the Chicago Fire in the MLS Playoffs and the Wizards home opener is Saturday. Whew. Here's the rundown:
Monday:
> The Comedians of Comedy (Patton Oswalt, Maria Bamford, Eugene Mirman and Brian Posehn) @ Black Cat
Tuesday:
> Jimmy Eat World w/ Viva Voce @ 9:30 Club (Early)
[MP3] Viva Voce | When Planets Collide
[MP3] Viva Voce | We Do Not Fuck Around
> The Go! Team w/ DJ Will Eastman @ 9:30 Club (Late)
> Ryan Adams & The Cardinals @ D.A.R. Constitution Hall
> Say Hi (To Your Mom), The Velvet Teen & The A-Sides @ Black Cat
[MP3] Say Hi | Northwestern Girls
[MP3] Say Hi | Toil and Trouble
[MP3] Say Hi | Zero to Love
Wednesday:
> The Bravery @ 9:30 Club
> Lucero w/ Bobby Bare. Jr. @ Black Cat
> Be Your Own Pet @ Rock and Roll Hotel
[MP3] Be Your Own Pet | Bicycle, Bicycle, You Are My Bicycle
> Morrissey @ Rams Head Live (Baltimore)
Thursday:
> David Bazan w/ Lavender Diamond & All Smiles @ Black Cat
[MP3] Lavender Diamond | You Broke My Heart
Friday:
> Morrissey @ D.A.R. Constitution Hall
> Band of Horses @ 9:30 Club
[MP3] Band of Horses | Funeral
> The Sketches w/ No Second Troy @ Black Cat
Saturday:
> The Thermals @ Black Cat
[MP3] The Thermals | No Culture Icons
[MP3] The Thermals | How We Know
Sunday:
> The Black Angels @ Rock and Roll Hotel
My grandmother, a Red Sox fan until the end, lived a long and full life and never saw a Red Sox team crowned World Series Champion. She died in June of 2004 and never got to see The Idiots conquer the Yankees and sweep aside the Cardinals.
She's definitely on my mind tonight.
So's my grandfather. He's lived to see two Red Sox Champions.
So have I!
It's a wonderful feeling and it never gets old. '04 was a different sort of ride, but I got the goosebumps and the shit eating grin all over again tonight.
It's a great feeling.
I know being a member of Red Sox Nation today doesn't mean the same thing it did in '03 or '04 (or before that for that matter) but I don't give a fuck. Haters can hate all they want.
The Red Sox are World Series Champs again!
Time for Manny to hit the strip club.
**UPDATE** Like Ghostface, I just want to celebrate.
[MP3] Ghostface | Celebrate
And you too, Fox.
It's the 8th inning of the fourth game of the World Series and you announce that Purple Lips is filing for free agency now?
The Red Sox are six outs away from their second World Series in four years.
The offseason hasn't even started yet!
What's next? An update on Kobe's trade demand?
This is a new low.
**UPDATE** Go get 'em Petey!
[via]
I couldn't stay long at the Jens Lekman show last night and that turned out to be a real shame. He was brilliant. It was a cold, rainy night outside but this guy was just emanating sunshine from the stage. And he managed to turn a good show into a great show in just the second song of the night, when during the last little bit of "The Opposite of Hallelujah" he dropped in a sample of "Give Me Just A Little More Time" by The Chairman of the Board. The crowd went crazy, as well they should have.
I'll put it to you this way. The show was so good I had no problem missing all of the D.C. United playoff loss to Chicago and most of Boston's 2-1 Game 2 win to see it. I immediately downloaded his new album from eMusic when I got home. Think of The Housemartins with a little more bossanova thrown in. Best.
I followed a referral link to one of those new aggregation sites that pull in yr info from the 37 various web services you (we) all use on a daily basis and this is what was displayed from my site:
I think my work is done here, people. Thank you and goodnight.
To celebrate, we'll be pre-gaming at Bar Pilar (they have TV's) before Jen Lekman tonight.
Say 8ish?
Feel free to RSVP by email.
I'm kind of regretting not being able to see ...And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead when they came through town last week. But at the same time, I'm not regretting staying home to watch glorious Game 7 of the ALCS. Still, from what I've read, ...Trail of Dead have gotten their fastball back (if I may use a baseball term). Here are some tunes from back in the day when they seemingly could do no wrong:
[MP3] ...And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead | A Perfect Teenhood (live)
[MP3] ...And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead | Baudelaire (live)
[MP3] ...And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead | Mark David Chapman (live)
They are getting ready to embark on a college tour sponsored by Adult Swim. Here are the dates:
10/29/07: University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, N.M. *
10/31/07: University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Nev. ^
11/01/07: University of California, Los Angeles, Calif. ^
11/02/07: University of California, Berkley, Calif. *
11/05/07: Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colo. #
11/07/07: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minn. #
11/08/07: University of South Dakota, Vermillian, S.D. #
11/11/07: University of Colorado, Boulder, Colo. #
11/13/07: Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Ill. #
11/14/07: University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wis. #
11/17/07: University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kan. ^
11/18/07: Northwestern University, Chicago, Ill. #
* Free concert. Open to students and non-students. No tickets.
^ Students only. No advance tickets. Show ID night of concert for entrance.
# Students only. Contact box office for ticket information.
For more information visit: www.adultswimpresents.com
The promo people are slacking this week. Here's the only good thing I got:
[MP3] The Black Lips | Veni Vidi Vici (Diplo Remix)
I Am Fuel, You Are Friends has a shit-ton of Superdrag songs for you to download, including this awesome cover of one of my favoritist songs ever by one of my favoritist bands ever:
[MP3] Superdrag | Radio (Teenage Fanclub cover)
I played the original CONSTANTLY on my college radio show. Thirteen kinda sucked overall, but there were some gems on there if you looked hard enough. And if this isn't the perfect song for Superdrag to cover, I don't know what is. I say Buzz.
I recommend the "Bastards of the Young" cover as well. It's so good it's currently melting my headphones. Go get that shit.
I'll be interviewing John Davis when they come through for the D.C. show in a few weeks. So excited!
By now you surely seen/downloaded/heard "The Thaw Session" by The Verve(and if you haven't, hop to it!), which is basically their first rehearsal after reforming. I'm kinda on the fence about it, but I think Frank makes an excellent point:
At least it sounds like The Verve and not solo Richard Ashcroft.
Urban Hymns was good and all, but it's no Northern Soul. Because Northern Soul is straight-up Godhead. When Ashcroft sang "I'm gonna die alone in bed," you had no reason to doubt him (back then. Shame.) Still, I think this bodes well for the future. Also, this finally gives me a reason to put together my favorite Verve b-sides into a post, something I've been meaning to do for about three years now. "Back On My Feet Again," anyone? Best.
Also, I vote yes on the Ride reunion. But only if they play "Time Machine." Otherwise, forget it.
Kegzies also has the new Oasis track for you to download in case you can't pony up the 99 cents (or $3.50 depending on what the exchange rate is at now). This track is straight fire though. Me likey.
Via BV, NYC Taper has last night's Morrissey show from Hammerstien Ballroom. The set list is looking pretty sweet ("Jack The Ripper" is back!, but "You're Gonna Need Someone On Your Side" is gone), so I'm getting excited about the two times I'm going to see him next week. Yes, I am going to see him even though I am still pissed at the way he handled the last tour. My Rams Head tickets cost me $75! Ouch.
Lastly, Veronica Mars - The Complete Third Season
Interesting. Although I think I'll stick to Lightroom.
[via DSLRblog]
Monday:
> The Shins w/ Spoon @ Merriweather Post Pavilion
[MP3] The Shins | Phantom Limb
[MP3] The Shins | Know Your Onion!
[MP3] Spoon | I Summon You (Demo)
[MP3] Spoon | Car Radio
This show has been FUBAR since day one. First Spoon announced two dates at the 930 Club. Tickets went on sale. Then they decided it would be cool to cancel both shows and play one show in fucking Maryland instead. With The Shins. Most people in D.C. were all like "Fuck driving to Maryland," and returned their tickets. Then Spoon decided to play the second show at the 930 Club to make it all better. Cool, right? Nope. Only people with tickets to Merriweather and the people that hadn't returned their original 930 tickets get to go to that show. So fans that bought (and returned) tickets early are left out in the cold.
Tuesday:
> Spoon w/ The Ponys @ 930 Club
[MP3] The Ponys | 1209 Seminary
[MP3] The Ponys | Poser Pshychotic
[MP3] The Ponys | Doublevision
Seriously. How did they think that was a good idea? The Merriweather people buy one ticket and get to go to two shows but people that want to just see the show they originally booked to play can't attend. WTF?
> Yo La Tengo @ The Birchmere
[MP3] Yo La Tengo | The Summer (live on KEXP)
[MP3] Yo La Tengo | I Feel Like Going Home (live on KCMP)
[MP3] Yo La Tengo | Pass The Hatchet, I Think I'm Goodkind
Wednesday:
> The Academy Is... @ 930 Cub
Thursday:
> Jens Lekman @ Black Cat
Friday:
> Boris and Damon and Naomi @ Black Cat
> The Tragically Hip @ 930 Club
Saturday:
> She Wants Revenge w/ Kenna @ Black Cat
I might go see this show. Kenna was pretty good opening for Nelly Furtado. I'm curious to see how he does in a club.
> Bliss w/ Will Eastman @ Black Cat (Backstage)
[MP3] The Hourly Radio | Crime Does Pay (Will Eastman Remix)
> The New Pornographers @ 930 Club
[MP3] The New Pornographers | Myriad Harbour
[MP3] The New Pornographers | My Rights Versus Yours
I'm flummoxed as to why people go see this band. Every show review I read basically says "They were pretty good, but it would have been much better if all the members of the band were actually touring." Why even bother?
Sunday:
> XYZ Affair, w/ Small Sins & Bellflur @ Black Cat
XYZ Affair were pretty good at Unbuckled. If you're looking for plans tonight, have at it.
> Shout Out Louds w/ Johnossi @ 930 Club (Late Show)
This is the one show of the week I'm really looking forward to. Unfortunately doors don't open until 10 p.m. which means I won't be attending. I can deal with a late show on Friday or Saturday, but it's not happening on Sunday.
Enjoy that flight home Cleveland.
We have some excellent parting gifts for you.
Thanks for playing.
I'd be lying if I told you I wasn't a nervous wreck tonight. This thing turned into a laugher at the end but those double plays in the first few innings were driving me crazy! Dustin Pedroia was already a fave in casa de leafblower, so it was all smiles tonight.
I'm so glad they gave the MVP to Commander Kick Ass. Without him this series would have been over real quick like. Youk played great too.
Chris Meyers says Beckett will start Game 1. Bring it!
World Series!
PS - Awesome.
Fluxblog's review of PJ Harvey's recent NYC gig made me very jealous that she isn't hitting D.C. on her short (just two dates - NYC and LA) U.S. tour. I've seen her twice and she was fantastic both times.
Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea is one of my all time favorite records, but Uh Huh Her was fairly underwhelming. I still haven't picked up White Chalk yet. Anyone out there have it? Any good?
[MP3] PJ Harvey | Big Exit (Live from KCRW, April 2001)
[MP3] PJ Harvey | This Is Love (Live from KCRW, April 2001)
[MP3] PJ Harvey | This Wicked Tongue
Also, anyone out there have the PJ Harvey Peel Session album? yea or nay?
Buy Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea
Buy White Chalk
Buy The Peel Sessions 1991 - 2004
J.D. Drew would like to apologize for ruining your Sunday dinner plans.
The Cleveland Indians are one game away from elimination.
Josh Ritter is embarking on a new tour. here are some MP3's:
[MP3] Josh Ritter | To The Dogs Or Whoever
[MP3] Josh Ritter | Rumors (live in Berlin)
[MP3] Josh Ritter | The River (Bruce Springsteen cover)
Chris interviewed Josh for DCist.
You Ain't No Picasso has my internet friend and email pal Ted Leo covering one of my favorite songs, The Jam's "That's Entertainment."
KEXP has Le Loup's studio set from the NYC festival that shall not be named. Woxy has some similar content for bands like Sam Champion and Bound Stems.
For Kula Shaker, Dodgy and the rest, the Britpop hangover lasted a decade. That's what makes the revival so much sweeter, they tell Dave Simpson.
Related: If you do one thing on the internet today, head over to Chris Floyd's website and peep his "Nineties" photo gallery. It is AMAZING. Noel, Liam, Massive Attack, Billy Bubbles, The Charlies... I can't even tell you how much I love this photo. So perfect. Take a close look to find out who that smiling guy just off center is.
On tap for the weekend: Absolutely nothing tonight, a date with IKEA on Saturday followed by the D.C. United game and (drumroll please) work on Sunday. Boo.
The Cleveland Indians are now two games away from elimination.
I had the worst day yesterday. Work was stressful as hell but I eventually got everything done and sorted and some time after 7 p.m. I made my way down to the Verizon Center to see The Hives and Maroon 5. Only my ticket and photo pass weren't at will call. Sigh. But I eventually talked to the right person and was granted a photo pass (but no ticket). So basically I could shoot the show - the first two songs of each artist - but that's it. Luckily the little waiting area we were confined to had a TV and I could watch the game. But I digress...
This was the first show I'd ever shot at the Phone Booth and also the first show where I didn't actually get to see the show. But it wasn't so bad. I got home at a decent hour and wasn't up all night editing photos (just watching baseball).
Anyone heading to the Black Cat tonight to see The Hives is in store for a great show. I've seen them a few times before (even toured with them a bit in my former music industry life - nicest guys ever) and they can still bring it.
Buy Tyrannosaurus Hives
"Remember the days when the 2007 Red Sox bled pitch counts? They ended about three days ago without any real explanation. I don't get it. I continue to be mystified by this sudden collapse-in-progress, as well as the manager's abject unwillingness to shake things up in any way."
I know it's not fashionable to quote The Sports Guy these days (unless he's knocking Dane Cook - BTW, this is hilarious), but he pretty much nails it here. Last night's game was muy depressing.
I should be more depressed about all of this, but
1) I think Ms. Smith has been assimilated! She was watching the game without me last night.
2) NBA season starts in 13 days and KG is going to be wearing Green! That still hasn't totally sunk in for me yet. Wow.
I am super swamped at work today so I'll have to keep this semi-short. Saturday was my third time "seeing" Stellastarr*, a band I really do not care for at all. But I absolutely love it when they tour!
Why?
because they have this cunning knack of bringing along opening bands that totally blow them off the stage. To wit:
Oct. 6th, 2005 - I helped get Cedars on the bill for this show, so I went early to see their set. The middle band? Giant effing Drag, who totally blew me away and quickly shot up to "my new favorite band" status.
March 30, 2006 - I go to see this opening band from England called Editors. I walk out with my jaw on the floor. They were that good. Also worth noting, that was my very first gig with my then brand-new Canon Rebel XT.
October 13, 2007 - They play again and Pela is on the bill with them. Now, I've obviously seen Pela a few times by this point, including the year before at a DAM!Fest show. I liked that performance so much that I booked the band to play Unbuckled for DCist. That was another great show, but while it was easy to see that while the band had all the tunes they needed, they were more energy than anything else at that point. The chops still weren't there. More of the same when I caught them in San Fran a few months ago, although they showed improvement. Then the gig on Saturday. Holy hell. They were brilliant. Forced to do a 30 minute set due to the schedule, they wasted no time and pulled no punches, delivering one of the best sets of music I've seen this year. They were damn near perfect. The choruses were big and soared when they needed to and Billy showed a newfound talent for pulling back a bit and showing a bit of restraint during the slower songs. Nate supplies and endless supply of killer riffs and hooks while Eric and Tomislav keep it all in check. That was a fucking good show.
The venue certainly added a bit to the atmosphere. It was at the Historic 6th & I Synagogue, which has fabulous acoustics and and superb soundsystem. I'd go see another show there in a heartbeat.
I spoke to Nate for a minute before they went on and he said after that festival thing in NYC this week that I've promised not to mention, they'll be going into the studio and the band plan to have a new record out by middle of next year. I, for one, cannot wait.
I did stick around a bit for a few Stellastarr* songs, but I just couldn't get into it, so I split and caught a bit of Craig Wedren at the Rock n Roll Hotel. I got my "Red House" fix after a while (props for playing it mid-set) and went home and crashed. Not a bad Saturday night in D.C. Not bad at all.
Overall, attendance at this year's DAM!Fest seemed spotty at best, which I assume doesn't bode well for the future. Not sure why that was. Seemed like a lot of people were out of town last weekend, but the ones that were here didn't show up.
Monday:
> Cat Power @ 930 Club
[MP3] Cat Power | The Greatest
Normally I would be all over this show but the Sox and Game 3 beckon. Plus, I have a busy week otherwise.
> Birds & Batteries @ Velvet Lounge
[MP3] Birds & Batteries | Ocarina
[MP3] Birds & Batteries | Turnstyles
I've heard very good things about this San Fransisco outfit.
Tuesday:
> Maroon 5 w/ The Hives @ Verizon Center
[MP3] The Hives | Tick Tick Boom (via Rocknblog)
I am TOTALLY going to this show.
> Shout Out Out Out Out @ Rock n Roll Hotel
Wednesday:
> The Hives @ The Black Cat
I expect the Cat (already sold out) to be a zoo, which should make for an awesome show.
> Shortstack w/ The 1900s @ Rock n Roll Hotel
[MP3] 1900s | Bring The Good Boys Home
Friday:
> British Sea Power w/ Two If By Sea @ The Black Cat
[MP3] British Sea Power | Atom
> H.I.M. @ 930 Club
I was excited to see H.I.M. during Projekt Revolution, but they came off as a third rate Queensryche.
Saturday:
> Stars @ 9:30 Club
[MP3] Stars | The Night Starts Here
> Middle Distance Runner @ The Black Cat
[MP3] Middle Distance Runner | The Sun and Earth (via the always excellent and totally RSS-worthy IA)
This is the record release party for MDR's new E.P., which I have yet to receive a copy of.
*cough*Ian*cough*
I'll probably try and swing by this show, pending how late the D.C. United game goes.
Sunday:
> Rodrigo y Gabriela @ 930 Club
> Film School @ Rock n Roll Hotel
[MP3] Film School | Lectric
> ...And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead @ The Black Cat
This show seemingly came out of nowhere. I just found out about it last week. I hated ...Trail of Dead's last record, but I'll still be there. I need to hear "Mistakes and Regrets." Best. Song. Ever. I would give it six stars in iTunes if I could.
I know these are hella late, but...*shrug* I'm a busy man.
I was really happy with this batch of photos. Definitely worth clicking through if you have a spare 10 minutes on this fine Friday afternoon.
Plans for this weekend:
Sox! - Obvs.
DAM!Fest - Pela tomorrow!
Work. - Ugh.
British Sea Power has a new E.P. out and they'll be at the Black Cat on Friday, Oct. 19th.
[MP3] British Sea Power | Atom
The Castanets have a new record out soon on Asthmatic Kitty. They're at The Red and The Black on Oct. 21st.
[MP3] The Castanets | Sway
[MP3] The Castanets | This is the Early Game
The Dirty Projectors (above) are generating a ton of buzz right now. I saw them at Whartscape and thought they were pretty good.
[MP3] The Dirty Projectors | No More
West Indian Girl have a new record out on October 23rd.
[MP3] West Indian Girl | To Die In LA
Bonus: You Want Me To Give Back $19.9 Million? Man, F--k That.
I'm currently giving In Rainbows its second listen.
"Weird Fishes/Arpeggi" is brilliant.
"Nude" (aka Big Ideas [Dont Get Any]) sounds absolutely gorgeous.
I can't seem to get all the way through "Reckoner." I keep starting it over and listening from the beginning.
I wanted more rawk, but so far so good.
Also, my mancrush on Ed O'Brien continues unabated.
Hey did you hear the one about the Radiohead Tenspiracy?
No matter what you think about the record, big ups to the band for returning the element of surprise and air of significance to album release day. Not previewing the album or sending out an MP3 before the release date couldn't have worked better for them.
I made my way down to the 9:30 Club on Monday night to check out this "Nu-Rave" thing the kids are going on and on about. The Klaxons are the torch bearers of the movement I suppose, seeing as how they won the 2007 Mercury Music Prize for their album Myths of the Near Future. The verdict? Let's just say it's not my thing. All the kids (and there were a lot of x's on hands around me up front near the stage) were totally into it though, so I was in the minority. I had a hard time getting photos of the band because the people in front were jumping around so much.
D.C.'s own Washington Social Club scored the opening spot for the gig after Sh*t Disco was forced to cancel due to visa issues. I missed them last time they played the 9:30, so it was nice to get to see (WSC bassist) Olivia Mancini do her thing. She is quite possibly my favorite local musician. She and the Social Club played an energetic set of clever, Stones-inspired pop nuggets to the late arriving crowd. So score another one for the openers upstaging the headliners. At least in my book.
[MP3] Klaxons | Atlantis to Interzone
[MP3] Washington Social Club | Diamond Hipster Boy (via TWF)
Two songs into Voxtrot's set Saturday night at the Black Cat lead singer Ramesh Srivastava told the crowd he was feeling unwell, so if the band was less than stellar that night, that was why. Turns out he wasn't kidding. He had some sort of surgery after the band's gig in Philly on Sunday and the band has had to cancel at least two shows in Canada this week, although Frank says all the Canadian dates are off. As for the show, yes, the band was a little off, but they gave it their all and they get nothing but respect for that.
For me, it was the openers that stole the show. Ms. Smith has been a fan of The Little Ones for a while now and I'm finally catching on. I saw them late last year at a museum in Orange County, CA and liked them, although they didn't blow me away. That changed Saturday night. I guess it took a proper gig at a proper venue for everything to click. You know how I always say I love bands that do mainly verse-chorus-verse songs with a "do do do," "la la la" or "woo woo woo" thrown in there at some point? The Little Ones generally do all three in most of their songs. Think of an American version of I Should Coco-era Supergrass. Tons of energy, lots of smiles on stage and plenty of chances to clap along with their songs. And it's pretty impossible not to sing along with the "hey-oh"'s in "Lovers Who Undercover." I had a ball during their set.
[MP3] Voxtrot | The Start of Something
[MP3] Voxtrot | Trouble
[MP3] The Little Ones | Lovers Who Undercover (via MFR)
[MP3] The Little Ones | Face The Facts (via IA)
The big attraction this week in the 2nd annual DAM!Fest, a mini-CMJ of sorts, with shows spreading out over various venues from Thursday to Monday. Last year's edition booked some great acts (that was where I first saw Pela) but had some scheduling issues (I don't think anyone likes 5 bands on a bill). And although some of the scheduling snafus remain, this year's acts are bigger and better and WOXY is on board as one of the sponsors, which is awesome. I'll be out and about all weekend, so expect a full recap next week. Below are some of the shows around town this week. DAM!Fest shows are notated accordingly.
Monday:
> Klaxons & Washington Social Club @ 9:30 Club
[MP3] Klaxons | No Diggity (Blackstreet Cover) (via)
[MP3] Klaxons | Gravity's Rainbow (Soulwax Mix) (via)
The 2007 Mercury Music Prize winners. I'll be at this show getting my Nu-Rave on. Sh*t Disco had to cancel their opening spot, hence the just added Washington Social Club. Get there early.
Tuesday:
> Josh Ritter @ 9:30 Club
[MP3] Josh Ritter | To The Dogs or Whoever
> Caribou & Bellflur @ RnR Hotel
I've seen Caribou a few times opening for the Super Furries and they were brilliant. Definitely worth checking out.
Wednesday:
> Minus the Bear @ Black Cat
[MP3] Minus the Bear | Dr. L'ling
> Secret Machines @ RnR Hotel
Why in the world are Secret Machines playing a place as small as RnR Hotel? Weird.
Thursday:
> Sunset Rubdown @ Black Cat
[MP3] Sunset Rubdown | Up On Your Leopard
> Dirty on Purpose @ RnR Hotel (DAM!)
[MP3] Dirty On Purpose | Mind Blindness
Saturday:
> Stellastarr* w/ Pela, Exit Clov and Sanawan @ Sixth & I Historic Synagogue (DAM!)
[MP3] Pela | Lost To The Lonesome
[MP3] Pela | Lonesome Hearts (Cassettes Won't Listen Remix)
> Craig Wedren & iLIKETRAINS @ RnR Hotel (DAM!)
[MP3] iLIKETRAINS | The Deception
> These Unites States @ DC9 (DAM!)
Sadly I want to go to all three of these shows but that's not possible. So I'll start out at Pela/StellaStarr and maybe make my way across town to catch Craig Wedren.
Sunday:
> The Death Set @ DC9
[MP3] The Death Set | Paranoia
[MP3] The Death Set | Intermission
The Pipettes had to cancel their already scheduled US tour due to visa issues or something like that, but they've gotten that all straightened out now and booked new dates. Great news, right? Not for D.C. The group's previously scheduled show at the 9:30 has been moved up 95 to Baltimore's Sonar. Doubt I'll be making that trip.
Here are the new dates:
October
25 - Los Angeles, Calif. @ Echoplex
29 - San Francisco, Calif. @ Bimbo's 365 Club
31 - Portland, Ore. @ Wonder Ballroom
November
1- Seattle, Wash. @ Crocodile Cafe
2 - Eugene, Ore. @ John Henry's
3 - Vancouver, British Columbia @ The Plaza Club
5 - Denver, Colo. @ The Walnut Room
7 - Austin, Texas @ The Parish
9 - Atlanta, Ga. @ Vinyl
11 - Baltimore, Md. @ Sonar Club Stage
12 - New York, N.Y. @ Blender Theater At Gramercy
15 - Boston, Mass. @ Great Scott
16 - Montreal, Quebec @ Petit Campus
18 - Toronto, Ontario @ Lee's Place
19 - Pittsburgh, Pa. @ Diesel
20 - Cleveland, Ohio @ Beachland Ballroom Tavern
21 - Chicago, Ill. @ Double Door
And some MP3's for you:
[MP3] The Pipettes | The Burning Ambition of Early Diuretics
[MP3] The Pipettes | I Think We're Alone Now
[via a la discotheque]
Lots of good shows this weekend:
Friday:
Child Ballads & These United States (and a whole lot of other bands) @ 9:30 Club
Child Ballads MySpace
These United States MySpace
The Brunettes & Ferraby Lionheart @ RnR Hotel
The Brunettes My Space
Ferraby Lionheart MySpace
Saturday:
Voxtrot w/ The Little Ones @ the Black Cat
[MP3] Voxtrot | Kid Gloves
The Little Ones MySpace
Sunday:
Pinback @ 9:30 Club
[MP3] Pinback | Manchuria
[MP3] Pinback | Lyon
Two Gallants & Blitzen Trapper @ RnR Hotel
[MP3] Two Gallants | The Hand That Held Me Down
[MP3] Two Gallants | Despite What You've Been Told
Blitzen Trapper MySpace
I'll be at the Voxtrot show, but other than that, I've already promised my weekend to the Red Sox.
From the Rock n Roll Hotel website:
Clearly the space-time continuum was not going to let this happen.
PS - Copycat.
**UPDATE** The Oughts were on KEXP's Chicago remote broadcast.
Two Moz shows at the Hollywood Palladium have been canceled due to "plumbing issues." So that's what they're calling slow ticket sales nowadays.
Also, some unplugged Bjork for your listening pleasure:
[MP3] Bjork | Aeroplane
[MP3] Bjork | Like Someone In Love
It appears those retirement rumours are just that. Moz is planning on recording a new record in 2008. And apparently, he's had an offer from Warner Bros. and he loves touring. Ooooooohkay.
[via]
Hey D.C area residents, you can let Mayor Fenty know that you support a new (team financed) soccer specific stadium for D.C. United at Poplar Point in SE by signing the online petition. It takes 20 seconds.
Click here for more info on the proposed stadium.
Above is the new "video" for the Oasis tune "Lord Don't Slow Me Down," which, in my humble opinion, is one of the best songs they've done in ages. It's "The Swamp Song" with lyrics.
This video release coincides with the upcoming release of the DVD tour documentary and digital single, the band's first, all bearing the same name. The new song will be available by itself or as a bundle with "The Meaning Of Soul" (Live @ City of Manchester Stadium) & "Don't Look Back In Anger" (Live @ City of Manchester Stadium). The tracks are on sale on Oct. 21st and the DVD on Nov. 6th.
The DVD will include:
Disc One:
-Feature length documentary tour film 'Lord Don't Slow Me Down' in stereo and surround sound.
-Bonus audio commentary - Noel, Liam, Andy and Gem guide you through the film with their recollections of the tour.
-A Noel Gallagher Q&A session with fans runs alongside out-takes from the film.
Bonus Disc:
-Oasis live at City of Manchester Stadium on 2nd July 2005 - sixteen classic tracks shot in HD with stereo and surround sound.
-Bonus Disc also features unique footage and pictures sent in by fans who attended the concert.
Head over to the official Oasis site for ordering details.
I'm getting the DVD just so I can watch this over and over:
I'm listening to WOXY while doing a bunch of other stuff, and they're playing this Pavement-like indie song with a killer guitar riff and I think to myself "Wow, this is great. Who is it?"
So I click over to see who it is.
Clearly, I need to get with it.
Guess what I did yesterday? Sat on the couch, watched football and drank beer. All day. It was glorious. The only thing that would have been better was having some baseball on yesterday as well. BTW, you're welcome Philly.
Did you know Radiohead has a new record coming out in 9 days? And you can pay whatever you want for the download version? Probably not, unless you were on the internet. Because it's on every effing site everywhere. Good lord. While I'm excited for the new record, I'm more curious as to what this means for the industry.
Some people were rather unimpressed:
"Oh...about the ordering. How did it go? It was miserable. The site was slow, I had to re-enter my credit card number and I had to make six attempts at the security code before my order was accepted."
Some [via Dead Flowers] declared the end of days for the record industry:
"This feels like yet another death knell," emailed an A&R executive at a major European label. "If the best band in the world doesn't want a part of us, I'm not sure what's left for this business."
I love quotes like this, because God fucking forbid any of these labels even try something innovative like this. They sit around doing the same thing for every record they release and wonder why it's not working.
Lastly, some people said it was about effing time:
"R.E.M. went for the cash They could have gone indie. Turns out re-signing with Warner was a good move, for they never sold tonnage again, despite getting PAID for selling tonnage. Springsteen went for the check. As did Neil Young...This is big news. This says the major labels are fucked. Untrustworthy with a worthless business model. Radiohead doesn’t seem to care if the music is free. Not that they believe it will be. Because believers will give you ALL THEIR MONEY!"
I'll probably pony up for the digital version, but not the $80 deluxe physical edition. If you can't wait nine days, Matt Picasso points us to a live compilation of all the new songs.
Curiously, The Charlatans are flat out giving away their new record, but aren't getting anywhere near the press in the blogosphere. But that's nothing new for The Charlies, is it?
TV networks discover life without iTunes. I've never downloaded any TV shows from iTunes, but after reading this bit of news about NBC, I'm skeptical if this will work. I'm constantly amazed at how senior execs in the entertainment industry don't pay attention.
Bose founder discusses audio perfection and digital music.
We paved paradise. So why can't we find any place to park? Because parking is one of the biggest boondoggles -- and environmental disasters -- in our country. Interesting read.
Recent Comments