February 16, 2008
Success!
Can I get a w00t w00t?
The perfect way to start a three day weekend.
Anybody else score? My ticket buying experience was surprisingly easy.
Posted by Kyle at 10:07 AM | Comments (1)
February 3, 2008
Radiohead on Later...With Jools Holland
"Weird Fishes / Arpeggi"
Is it me or does Ed O'Brien totally make this song? He's the new Mike Mills. His band's songs don't work (or perhaps I should say work MUCH better) when his backing vocals are up high in the mix. But I digress...
"Body Snatchers"
"House of Cards"
Posted by Kyle at 8:13 AM | Comments (1)
February 1, 2008
File Under: These Guys Should Be HUGE
Elbow's new track “Grounds For Divorce.”
Wow. Just amazing.
Posted by Kyle at 9:36 AM | Comments (2)
January 22, 2008
Does It Bore You? Yeah.
*Yawn*
Wake me when MMJ, The Verve, Portishead and Spiritualized all do proper tours.
Otherwise...meh.
Posted by Kyle at 9:14 AM | Comments (1)
January 15, 2008
Coachella East?
Let's hope it comes off better than Field Day or Across the Narrows did.
Posted by Kyle at 10:20 AM | Comments (0)
January 11, 2008
R.E.M.'s Accelerate Is Apparently Going To Be Pretty Good
At least, so says Editors lead singer Tom Smith. Here's a snippet of the interview I conducted with him yesterday.
I've also read that you personally are a big R.E.M. fan and last year the band recorded a great cover of "Orange Crush." How do rate their more recent records? I used to be a huge fan but they've lost me with the last few albums.
The first records are the records that I continue to listen to. I'm still intrigued by new R.E.M. material. I still think there are moments of greatness on all of their records, but I was disappointed by the last record. But I still listen to New Adventures In Hi-Fi quite a bit.
That is by far their most underrated record.
It's too long and there are too many songs on it but as far as ideas go, there are some great songs on there. It's a record they wrote and recorded on the road, which is quite an accomplishment. But yeah, they've had a bit of a shake up and now their recording with Jacknife Lee.
I think they needed things turned on its head. I've heard half of the record and it sounds like they're having fun. A lot of fun. And it sounds loud as well. I've only heard it once and it hasn't really sunk in yet, but yeah, I think they're doing the right thing.
-----------------------------
Head over to DCist early next week for the entire interview.
Editors are on currently on tour here in the States. They hit the 9:30 Club next Tuesday.
[mp3] Editors | Orange Crush
[mp3] R.E.M. | Just A Touch (live in the studio)
[mp3] R.E.M. | Crush With Eyeliner (live on T.V.)
Posted by Kyle at 10:35 AM | Comments (3)
December 19, 2007
Told Ya
Me on Nov. 29th about In Rainbows:
"I think the big story here isn't the "pay what you want" sales model. It's the new time line for releasing records and figuring out how a band can take advantage of it. Instead of recording an album and sitting on it for four months while the label gets their marketing plan together, just release it for cheap on the internet (low bitrate files aimed squarely at people's iPods) as soon as it's done and then follow it up with the proper physical release when the label is ready. This way the band "leaks" their own album... "
Thom Yorke as interviewed by David Byrne:
Byrne: I'll start by asking some of the business stuff. What you did with this record wasn't traditional, not even in the sense of sending advance copies out to the press and such.
Yorke: The way we termed it was "our leak date." Every record for the last four — including my solo record — has been leaked. So the idea was like, we'll leak it, then.
Byrne: Previously there'd be a release date, and advance copies would get sent to reviewers months ahead of that.
Yorke: Yeah, and then you'd ring up and say, "Did you like it? What did you think?" And it's three months in advance. And then it'd be, "Would you go do this for this magazine," and maybe this journalist has heard it. All these silly games.
Byrne: That's mainly about the charts, right? About gearing marketing and prerelease to the moment a record comes out so that — boom! — it goes into the charts.
Yorke: That's what major labels do, yeah. But it does us no good, because we don't cross over [to other fan bases]. The main thing was, there's all this bollocks [with the media]. We were trying to avoid that whole game of who gets in first with the reviews. These days there's so much paper to fill, or digital paper to fill, that whoever writes the first few things gets cut and pasted. Whoever gets their opinion in first has all that power. Especially for a band like ours, it's totally the luck of the draw whether that person is into us or not. It just seems wildly unfair, I think.
Posted by Kyle at 1:31 PM | Comments (1)
December 18, 2007
Oh Dear Lord
I got my first promo email for SXSW 200-and-effing-8 today.
Make it stop!
Posted by Kyle at 12:33 PM | Comments (0)
December 17, 2007
[Lists] Concert Photos of the Year - 2007
Rueters has released their photos of the year. Pitchfork too.
Time for mine! Here are some of my favorite photos from my year in concerts.
Sidenote: The alternative title for this post was "I shot a shitload of bands this year."
Row One:
Superdrag, Ben Kweller, Pela, The Good, The Bad & The Queen, Jay-Z
Row Two:
My Chemical Romance, Velvet Revolver, LCD Soundsystem, Blood Baby, Kings of Leon
Row Three:
Ted Leo, The Good, The Bad & The Queen, The Hives, Peter Bjorn & John, Bad Brains
Row Four:
Morrissey, M.I.A., Jay-Z, The National
Row Five:
Bloc Party, Spank Rock, Wu-Tang Clan, Maroon 5
Row Six:
Morrissey, Bjork, Taking Back Sunday, The Arcade Fire
Row Seven:
H.I.M., Travis, Amy Winehouse, Andrew Bird
Row Eight:
These United States, Middle Distance Runner, The National, Silversun Pickups
Row Nine:
Common, Kenna, The Pipettes, Pela
Row Ten:
The Rosebuds, Be Your Own Pet, Silversun Pickups, The Bravery
Row Eleven:
Jet, Spoon, TV on the Radio, The Dance Party
Row Twelve:
Modest Mouse, Interpol, Snow Patrol, OK Go
Row Thirteen:
Bjork, Blood Baby, Incubus, These United States
Row Fourteen:
Spoon, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Wu-Tang Clan, Linkin Park
Row Fifteen:
Gruff Rhys, Wilco, Ben Harper, Panic! at the Disco
Row Sixteen:
Mew, The Decemberists, Middle Distance Runner, Nelly Furtado
Posted by Kyle at 11:03 AM | Comments (0)
December 13, 2007
Thursday Linkage
I'm in meeting hell today, so here are some music files to keep you busy:
[mp3] Saul Williams | Sunday Bloody Sunday
RCRD LBL has some new MP3s up:
Dirty on Purpose - Leaving
Sam Champion - Your Party Was Yesterday
I heart Sam Champion. They need to come play D.C. again ASAP.
[mp3] Beach House | Gila
I think BH are incredibly boring, but here's their new track.
Some holiday themed tunes:
[mp3] Mink | Little Drummer Boy
[mp3] Robbers on High Street | Seasons Greetings
Posted by Kyle at 12:44 PM | Comments (0)
December 11, 2007
Please Explain
Oh no! First Liam and now Captain Rock!
Yes, that's Richard Ashcroft at last night's Led Zep gig. Yuck. [via]
Posted by Kyle at 1:33 PM | Comments (0)
December 7, 2007
Cover Me
No shows for me this weekend, I have two Xmas parties and an art show opening, which sadly means I'm going to miss both shows at the 930 Club by my email buddy Ted Leo. Boo! It's always hard to carve out time for shows in December. It is, after all, the 31 days of drinking.
Ted's always good about dropping an awesome cover song into his set. Here are a few of my favorites:
[MP3] Ted Leo | Dancing in the Dark (live)
[MP3] Ted Leo | Since U Been Gone (live)
[MP3] Ted Leo | Ex-Factor (live)
Posted by Kyle at 1:32 PM | Comments (0)
December 6, 2007
More Gifts
Q: What's better than a holiday themed video with a twist (make sure you watch it all the way through) for one of my favorite songs of the year by my favorite band?
A: Goldenfiddle's recap of the Victoria's Secret fashion show.
Posted by Kyle at 10:17 AM | Comments (0)
November 29, 2007
Re: In Rainbows
While I was in Seattle, KEXP played "House of Cards" while we were driving around and it occurred to me that maybe everyone is missing the point regarding In Rainbows.
I think the big story here isn't the "pay what you want" sales model.
It's the new time line for releasing records and figuring out how a band can take advantage of it.
Instead of recording an album and sitting on it for four months while the label gets their marketing plan together, just release it for cheap on the internet (low bitrate files aimed squarely at people's iPods) as soon as it's done and then follow it up with the proper physical release when the label is ready. This way the band "leaks" their own album and hopefully makes a bit of cash before the P2P users do their thing. Ideally they (and the label) won't lose all of their retail sales because people will want to get the physical product, especially if the band does the normal touring and press behind the proper release.
We won't know if this actually works until January, when the physical copies of In Rainbows hit the record shops.
[MP3] Radiohead | Reckoner (Live webcast version)
[MP3] Radiohead | Faust Arp (Live webcast version)
[MP3] Radiohead | Nude (Amplive Remix)
[MP3] Radiohead | Nude Instrumental (Amplive Remix)
PS - "Bodyguards" "Bodysnatchers" is totally about Coldplay.
Posted by Kyle at 1:25 PM | Comments (2)
November 20, 2007
[Product Review] Miscrosoft Zune - 4GB
Early last week I got an email telling me to keep my eye out for a special package containing a pea green 4GB Microsoft Zune that I was supposed to take for a spin and review. I was actually very excited about this and looked forward to comparing the Zune to my beloved iPod. But that was before I tried to load all the software onto my Dell laptop. First I had to update the Windows Software Updater. Then I had to upgrade all sorts of other programs, which made me wary, since I was worried that half the software on my laptop would stop working once I installed all these "upgrades."
Well, the screenshot above is the result of me trying for over an hour to load the Zune Marketplace software onto my machine and format my loaner Zune. Obviously it didn't work, so my loaner Zune sits on my living room coffee table, little more than a paper weight. It won't work until I can sync it with my machine.
It goes without saying iTunes works just fine on my machine. In fact, I'm listening to it right now as I type this.
Once I get some free time I'll give it another shot, but I'm not holding my breath.
Posted by Kyle at 12:51 PM | Comments (2)
November 19, 2007
Oakenfold Ticket Giveaway
I have a pair of tickets to give away for Paul Oakenfold's Washington D.C. gig on Wednesday night at the club Ibiza. To enter, all you have to do is email me with "Oakenfold Giveaway" in the subject line. I'll pick a winner at the end of the day.
Oakenfold is currently touring behind the release of his "Greatest Hits" disc. Check out the album sampler and eCard.
Posted by Kyle at 10:50 AM | Comments (0)
November 14, 2007
Agh! Almost Forgot!
When I was at the Black Cat on Monday I saw a poster for Buffalo Tom (nice site redesign BTW) on January 25th! John Stewart's favorite band ever (mine too!) back in D.C.!!! Exclamation points abound!
I started jumping up and down I was so happy. People looked at me like I was weird. I did not care.
So effing excited for this show. I saw B Tom at least eight times in college. I hope they still got it.
Check out this recent setlist:
1. Gravity (bill, chris joins)
2. Butterscotch (chris, bill)
3. Porchlight (chris, bill)
4. My Responsibility (chris, bill)
5. Taillights (tom joins on bass)
6. You’ll Never Catch Him (acoustic band)
7. CC & Callas
8. 4th of July (Tanya Donelly joins)
9. Wiser
10. Scottish Windows (Tim)
11. Crutch (Tim)
12. Pendleton (Bill on piano)
13. Oh Sister (Hilken Mancini joins)
14. Good Girl (Hilken and Chris Toppin)
15. Spider and the Fly
Intermission
1. Sodajerk
2. Kitchen Door
3. Frozen Lake
4. I’m Allowed
5. Bottom of the Rain
6. Late at Night
7. Tangerine
8. Hearts of Palm
9. Larry
10. Thrown (Tim)
Now I just have to track down my Let Me Come Over t shirt from 1992. It's around here somewhere.
Posted by Kyle at 3:49 PM | Comments (1)
November 13, 2007
Love of Diagrams Ticket Giveaway
Hi all, I have a pair of tickets up for grabs to see Love of Diagrams open for Enon on Thursday at the Rock and Roll Hotel. To enter, all you have to do is tell me who Love of Diagrams opened for last time they played D.C. For a hint, you could look here or here.
Just email me with your answer and I'll choose a winner by noon tomorrow.
Posted by Kyle at 11:07 AM | Comments (0)
November 10, 2007
Radiohead Covers The Smiths
Drool.
Even though I still think In Rainbows is majorly overrated, props to Yorke and Co. for doing stuff like this. They are one of the few bands that can cover The Smiths and not sound like total wankers. Call it the Ed O'Brien factor (see "Knives Out")
Via Dead Flowers, who also has the MP3.
Yes, I'm up at 8 a.m. on a Saturday. Don't ask.
Posted by Kyle at 8:28 AM | Comments (2)
October 25, 2007
Mistakes and Regrets
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
Posted by Kyle at 12:30 PM | Comments (1)
October 16, 2007
Photos: Stellastarr*, Pela & Exit Clov
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.
Posted by Kyle at 1:25 PM | Comments (1)
October 10, 2007
Obligatory Radiohead Post
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.
Posted by Kyle at 1:58 PM | Comments (1)
October 8, 2007
Spoon on SNL
Awesome. I love this song, especially with the horn section.
Posted by Kyle at 9:15 AM | Comments (0)
October 6, 2007
Pipettes Skip D.C. On Rescheduled Dates
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]
Posted by Kyle at 9:37 AM | Comments (1)
October 5, 2007
An Airbag Save My Life
Via StopOkayGo, a marching band plays Radiohead.
Posted by Kyle at 11:43 AM | Comments (1)
October 4, 2007
Obvs.
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.
Posted by Kyle at 1:06 PM | Comments (0)
October 1, 2007
WaitWaitWait
There's a band called 1990s and a band called The 1900s?
Seriously?
I'm not listening to either just out of principle.
There's no way I could ever keep them straight.
They have no one to blame except each other.
Posted by Kyle at 1:42 PM | Comments (2)
Ha
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.
Posted by Kyle at 1:15 PM | Comments (1)
September 27, 2007
Concert Tickets Giveaway!
Hey now! I have some concert tickets to giveaway!
If you would like to win 1 pair of tickets to see Patrick Wolf at the Black Cat on Monday, October 1st, then email me the name of the movie that Mr. Pink gets his name from.
If you would like to win 1 pair of tickets to see Voxtrot at the Black Cat on Saturday, October 6th, then email me the name of the band's home town.
Please indicate which show you are entering for in the subject header.
The Patrick Wolf winner will be chosen tomorrow and the Voxtrot winner on Monday.
Thanks and good luck!
Posted by Kyle at 3:20 PM | Comments (0)
September 20, 2007
Tonight!
As if I haven't been busy enough lately, tonight kicks off a show filled week for me (so much so I had to skip the Dan Deacon/Girl Talk show at the Cat last night). Here's the schedule:
Tonight: Gruff Rhys @ Rock and Roll Hotel
[MP3] Gruff Rhys | Gyyru Gyrru Gyrru
Unlike the link last week, this one works. So get to downloading. I'm interviewing Gruff later tonight and I'll have the results next week. His tour is just starting, so be sure to catch him when he comes through your town.
Friday: The Mountain Goats @ Sonar in Baltimore
First time seeing these guys. I've heard great things.
Sunday: Kings of Leon / Black Rebel Motorcycle Club @ 9:30 Club
Finally! I'm very excited about seeing two of my favorite albums of the year played live.
When this is all done, I'm totally going to pull a Mr. Pink.
Posted by Kyle at 1:44 PM | Comments (1)
September 11, 2007
Ruh Roh
Rumor (unconfirmed as of now It's been confirmed) has it that the White Stripes are canceling their Austin City Limits performance. Drat. I was hoping to have the Arcade Fire photo pit all to myself.
The Kaiser Chiefs just canceled their US tour but they are still doing ACL and two other shows.
Posted by Kyle at 2:28 PM | Comments (0)
September 7, 2007
Also...
After something like 18 months, I finally "get" My Morning Jacket. Z, specifically "Gideon" and "Knot Comes Loose," has been stuck in my head for the better part of this week. Which is a bit strange because some of Z screams Jimmy Buffet.
I bring this up only because I am having a hell of a time choosing between covering MMJ or Wilco at Austin City Limits next week. They both play at the same time. Right now I'm leaning towards taking photos of Wilco (who I've never seen) and then rushing over to catch the end of MMJ's set. Mostly because Jim James is a mountain of big hair (see above) that doesn't move around very much on stage. If this is a bad idea, please advise.
Lastly, Ticketmaster just sent me an email to let me know Morrissey is playing Baltimore and Tijuana(??). As if I didn't learn anything from my last Morrissey road trip.
Posted by Kyle at 12:47 PM | Comments (6)
Friday Playlist
SeeqPod Music beta - Playable Search
I was playing around on the net last night and came across Seeqpod, a cool little app that lets you form playlists of all the available MP3's on the nets, so I made a playlist for the weekend. Now if only it could export the MP3s and playlist order directly into my (and your) iTunes. That would be hott.
I can't recommend the Gruff Rhys track enough. Figures I find the perfect summer song just after Labor Day. Oh well, definitely give "Gyrru Gyrru Gyrru" a listen, it's absolutely brilliant and would have fit in perfectly on Guerilla. Quite possibly my favorite song of the year. I've probably listened to it 20 times since yesterday. Head over here to download the MP3. Also, here's the video that was directed by Dylan, who does all the visuals during the Super Furries live show. Gruff is touring the US at the end of the month and I've set up an interview with him during his stop in D.C. on the 20th, so look for that later this month.
I'm heading out of town for the weekend, which is a shame because there are some great shows tonight and tomorrow. Tonight is the Kora Records Third Anniversary party tonight at the Black Cat featuring Meredith Bragg and The Terminals, Donny Hue and The Colors and Olivia Mancini and The Housemates. I'm a big fan of Olivia and the Housemates, so I'm a bit bummed that I can't make the show. Instrumental Analysis has all the details on the show as well as some MP3s for you.
Tomorrow is the big Blisspop Presents show at the 9:30 Club with Georgie James, Soft Complex and The Dance Party and the DJ stylings of the one and only Will Eastman. Again, totally bummed I'm missing this. It should be a good time. Doors are at 11 p.m. (it's a late show) and tickets are a mere $10. If you need some MP3s, head over to I Guess I'm Floating.
MTV was on the set during filming on Chuck Palahniuk's Choke. How excited am I for this movie?
Posted by Kyle at 8:22 AM | Comments (1)
August 29, 2007
New(ish) Travis Video
It's a week or two old, but here's the video for "My Eyes" by Travis, perhaps my favorite track off of their new record. The video is typically cheeky and totally awesome.
Posted by Kyle at 4:08 PM | Comments (0)
August 13, 2007
Top Gear, Man
Let me be the latest person to express their regret at the passing of Tony Wilson, the man behind Factory Records and author of one of the greatest quotes about the music industry ever - "You either make money, or you make history." Truer words were never spoken.
Also, let me also express my condolences to Jen Chung and her hubby Jay as they recently lost their cat Travis. I've been keeping tabs on Travis' plight via Jen's Flickr account and was incredibly sad to read the news this morning. Losing a cat is like losing part of the family, something I definitely have experience in.
Posted by Kyle at 2:07 PM | Comments (0)
August 3, 2007
Out Like Shout
If you want me this weekend, I'll be here. Visual evidence across multiple media outlets to follow on Monday.
Posted by Kyle at 1:27 PM | Comments (0)
July 27, 2007
Weekend Listening
I'll be posting my photos from Whartscape next week, but until then, here's a shot of Spank Rock, who turned in the best set of the weekend (even though I only stayed for like 5 songs of it). He was awesome. But don't take my word for it. Butterteam has some audio from the performance.
Also for your listening pleasure:
[MP3] Robbers on High Street | Married Young (The Glass Remix)
New album out now.
[MP3] OFFICE | The Ritz
Album out 9/25.
[MP3] Sea Wolf | You Are A Wolf
Touring with Nada Surf in October. Album out 9/25.
[MP3] Parts & Labor | Fractured Skies
Parts & Labor need a new drummer. Seriously. Their's just left to become EIC of Paper Thin Walls. Send them an email if you're interested.
Lastly, in honor of Beyonce's recent tumble at her show in Orlando, I give you this cover song:
[MP3] The Magic Numbers | Crazy In Love
Posted by Kyle at 8:14 AM | Comments (3)
July 26, 2007
Virgin Festival Schedule
Click for bigger version.
Posted by Kyle at 4:32 PM | Comments (0)
July 25, 2007
Consternation
Apparently an interview I did last year with John Vanderslice is causing some among the "media elites." At least according to Popmatters (scroll down a bit). Sweet.
Speaking of interviews, I conducted another awesome one yesterday with Ed Lay, the drummer from Editors. Unfortunately I had a technical malfunction and my tape recorder only recorded my questions during our chat and not his answers. Worst. Still, I'll try and make something of it and have it up soon. It's a shame too, because he was incredibly nice and had some great thoughts. And I'm not just saying that because he thought the name "information leafblower" was "brilliant."
Posted by Kyle at 12:10 PM | Comments (0)
July 24, 2007
Not As Cool As "Dancing In The Dark"...
but still pretty fucking awesome.
Posted by Kyle at 4:03 PM | Comments (0)
July 18, 2007
Today Is A Good Day
Got two pieces of great news today!
But you won't find out until Friday at the earliest.
Maybe tomorrow.
It'll be worth the wait.
Promise.
Some MP3's that found their way to my inbox:
[MP3] White Rabbits | The Plot
The White Rabbits are touring with The Cribs and they will be hitting the Black Cat on August 11th.
[MP3] Blitzen Trapper | Sci-Fi Kid (Principal Participant 'Kingswood' Remix)
Blitzen Trapper is at the Rock n Roll Hotel with David Vandervelde on Sunday, July 22nd.
Also, absolutely loving the Dappled Cities remix over at The Tripwire. Go get that shit and put it on repeat.
Posted by Kyle at 2:44 PM | Comments (0)
July 16, 2007
It's Shite Being Scottish*
Before we recap our weekend, let us first look forward to tonight.
Allow me to geek out for a moment. I heart Travis. Much more than any music snob should in fact. I can't really explain it. If I had to try, I'd chalk it up to a bunch of good memories that their music brings on. I worked on their first record when I was an intern at Epic Records, The Man Who reminds me of living in Queens right when I moved to NYC, hearing everyone (and I mean EVERYONE) singing along to "Why Does It Always Rain On Me" in between bands at the 2000 Reading Festival... the list goes on. I even like the much maligned 12 Memories.
Funny thing is, best I can recall, I haven't seen them since they opened for Oasis at Radio City Music Hall on the Standing On Shoulder of Giants tour. That was ages ago. So obviously, I'm stoked for tonight. And assuming my photo pass is there when I get to will call, I'll have some visual evidence for you all tomorrow.
That's the band performing "Selfish Jean" on Jools Holland above. Check out The Hype Machine for tunes from their latest disc, The Boy With No Name. Instrumental Analysis also has some MP3's for your listening pleasure.
* completely untrue
Posted by Kyle at 11:24 AM | Comments (0)
July 13, 2007
On Call
The Kings of Leon have just announced a US tour with Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. I have yet to see either band, so color me excited. Above is KOL performing "Fans," my favorite track off of their latest record.
Here are the dates:
Minneapolis, MN First Avenue (August 2, 3)
Chicago, IL Grant Park Lollapalooza (5)
Seattle, WA Bumbershoot Festival 2007 (September 2)
San Francisco, CA Warfield Theatre (4)
Los Angeles, CA Greek Theatre (7)
San Diego, CA SDSU Open Air Theatre (8)
Tempe, AZ Marquee Theatre (10)
Las Vegas, NV The Joint- Hard Rock Hotel & Casino (11)
Morrison, CO Red Rocks Amphitheatre (14)
Council Bluffs, IA Stir Cove at Harrah's Casino (15)
New York, NY Radio City Music Hall (19)
Upper Darby, PA Tower Theatre (21)
Washington DC 930 Club (23)
Boston, MA Orpheum Theatre (28)
Providence, RI Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel (29)
Detroit, MI The Filmore (October 4)
Atlanta, GA Fox Theatre (9)
Birmingham, AL Alabama Theatre (10)
Nashville, TN Ryman Auditorium (18)
New Orleans, LA Voodoo Island City Park (28)
Posted by Kyle at 11:19 AM | Comments (0)
July 12, 2007
Editors Giveaway
My favorite records of the year so far (in no particular order)
- Favourite Worst Nightmare / Arctic Monkeys - Half of this record is absolutely amazing, the other half I skip over.
- Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga / Spoon - Reminds me of Girls Can Tell. Solid.
- An End Has A Start / Editors - Without a doubt the record I have listened to the most so far this year.
The Editors record isn't out until next week, but I'm giving you the chance to win one of three Deluxe-Editions of their new album. All you have to do is email me and tell me the name of one of the two awesome cover songs of the Editors have recorded and released. One was one a single from their first record and the other was on a compilation from Q Magazine. I'll keep the contest open until Monday.
Here's the band doing the first single from the record live on Jools Holland:
Click here to buy the album from iTunes.
Posted by Kyle at 5:25 PM | Comments (0)
July 11, 2007
I Think He Wants His Guitar Turned Down
Questionable fashion choices aside, this is some great footage of New Order performing "Temptation" live at the BBC studios some time in 1984. You'd think they were in Ibiza, not the Radio 1 studios, by looking at those outfits.
Here's the studio version:
[MP3] New Order | Temptation
Posted by Kyle at 1:27 PM | Comments (3)
July 10, 2007
Hott Ness
Yes!
Straight from the inbox:
Superdrag will be back on tour this Fall, with all four original members. Last seen onstage together more than 8 years ago, the original line-up of John Davis (guitar, vocals), Don Coffey Jr (drums), Brandon Fisher (guitar) and Tom Pappas (bass) have 6 performances scheduled for 2007.
Though Superdrag may be best-known for their 1996 major-label debut Regretfully Yours and the hit single “Sucked Out” that helped launch the band towards international success, the follow-up Head Trip In Every Key, issued in 1998, was widely regarded as the band’s creative peak. Amidst label woes and line-up changes, namely the departures of founding members Pappas and Fisher, the band would issue their third and fourth full-lengths In The Valley Of Dying Stars and Last Call For Vitriol to universal critical accolades, and expand their hard-won fan base through incessant touring, with the help of bassist Sam Powers and guitarist Mic Harrison. Many of Superdrag’s latter-day fans have never had an opportunity to see the original line-up onstage together…until now!
Tickets will be available pre-sale Thursday July 12th at 12 PM EST at superdrag.ducatking.com
For more information regarding Superdrag visit superdrag.com or myspace.comsuperdragofficial
Dates:
10.05.07 City Hall Nashville TN
10.13.07 Metro Chicago IL
10.20.07 Barley’s Tap Room Knoxville TN
11.02.07 The Fillmore @ Irving Plaza New York NY
11.03.07 Paradise Rock Club Boston MA
11.08.07 Nightclub 9:30 Washington DC
I've gone on record before about my love for the criminally underrated Head Trip In Every Key.
Also, I humbly submit the following tune as an example of the perfect pop song:
Posted by Kyle at 7:07 PM | Comments (3)
Virgin Fest Lineup Additions
I got a press release from the Virgin Fest yesterday announcing three new acts to the lineup:
With less than a month to go, Virgin Festival By Virgin Mobile is heating up with even more acts signing on. Theatric pop band Panic! At the Disco; post-rock, instrumental act Explosions In the Sky and Baltimore-based ‘absurdist’ electronic music composer/performer Dan Deacon will join the Sunday lineup as nearly forty artists and DJ's take to the stage over two days on August 4 and 5 at Baltimore's Pimlico Race Course.
Looks like those Alice In Chains rumors were ultimately untrue. Still, that's a pretty strong lineup up there. I, for one, am certainly looking forward to it. I'll be there taking photos so expect a full report come August.
Posted by Kyle at 10:45 AM | Comments (0)
July 6, 2007
Your Friday To Do List
Well, Moz canceled the NJ gig I was scheduled to go see today, so there's been a slight change of schedule. Here's a gameplan for me and you over the weekend:
Watch Spoon's video for The Underdog. I'm pretty much over music videos at this point but every once in a while I see one that really grabs me. This is one. It's brilliant and does a great job of showcasing Britt Daniels' knack of not overdoing anything in his songs. He doesn't fill up space that would be better served with nothing there. Watch the drummer. I never really noticed how little he plays on this song. Great stuff.
Watch the seven stages of British Indie Rock documentary. Great footage here, although no Verve, no Radiohead and NO ELASTICA. I think people tend to forget how big Elastica were during the Britpop days. They were bigger than Blur was over here in the States and they are the spiritual forbearers of bands like The Libertines and The Strokes. Don't sleep.
Download and listen to my favorite Dandy Warhols song, which I saw last night featured in a Saturn commercial.
[MP3] The Dandy Warhols | Dandy Warhols TV Theme Song
The "ooh ooh oohs" are killer.
Also here are some other MP3's that I've been meaning to post:
[MP3] Fields | Song for the Fields (Ewan Pearson Remix)
[MP3] Fields | If You Fail We All Fail (SebastiAn Remix)
[MP3] Fields | If You Fail We All Fail (Badlands Remix)
[MP3] Fields | Song for the Fields (Album Version)
[MP3] Stars | The Night Starts Here
From their upcoming album In Our Bedroom After the War which will be released in September.
[MP3] The Cribs | Men's Needs (CSS Remix)
Also, tonight at the Black Cat:
Middle Distance Runner / Myspace
Unbuckled alums all. Be there.
Posted by Kyle at 10:15 AM | Comments (1)
July 5, 2007
I'm Sure It Was
Grambo, Peabs, Damore, your work here is done.
Posted by Kyle at 10:36 AM | Comments (2)
July 2, 2007
Here's The Deal (Kinda)
Without trying to be too vague, this stands to be a VERY exciting week for yours truly for reasons other than "Hey, I get the chance to see Morrissey three times in the next five days." More on that when the time comes. Apologies in advance for being so mysterious.
So then, the plan is:
Tonight: D.C./Northern Virginia - Wolf Trap
Tuesday: Baltimore - Rams Head Live
Friday: Holmdel, NJ - PNC Bank Arts Center
*fingers crossed* I might even throw in some Robbers On High Street action on Thursday. We'll see.
Semi-related: Ms. Smith and I booked our hotel in Philly via Hotwire, which meant we couldn't cancel the room, so off to Philly we went on Friday. We were in a good mood when we left, despite the canceled show, but that soon changed when our quick drive north turned into a five hour ordeal with traffic backups in every state we passed through once we left good ol' Virginia. Long story short, we left at 7 and finally pulled into our hotel just before midnight, just in time for the hotel bar to close up right when we walked in. Joy.
Saturday we tried to go to the Phillies / Mets game but it was sold out. So we spent the afternoon at the McFaddens attached to the baseball stadium and just enjoyed what turned into a tremendous people watching experience. Wow. You had the blue-collar Philly peeps on one side of the bar, all the douchebag Mets fans (gel in hair, collars popped) from NYC in the other and the McFaddens waitresses walking around pretty much falling out of their "uniforms." I kept telling Ms. Smith that was much more entertaining than the game would have been.
Hey, I finally finished putting my photos from Europe online. Maybe one day I'll actually go back and tag them appropriately.
Photos - Koln, Germany
Photos - Rhine River Valley (St. Goar and Bacharach)
All you could ever want to know about the upcoming concerts for the next three or so months in the D.C. area.
Yay!
Boo!
Posted by Kyle at 12:58 PM | Comments (0)
June 28, 2007
Memo to the NME
That's not John Squire. Obvs.
Posted by Kyle at 11:58 AM | Comments (0)
June 26, 2007
A New Decade?
Is Captain Rock getting back in the saddle? The Verve are reforming and touring the UK in November. Like woah.
The Verve are set to reunite for a winter tour.The original band of Richard Ashcroft, Nick McCabe,Simon Jones and Pete Sailsbury have got together for the first time in almost a decade.
In a statement, the band have announced they were: "Getting back together for the joy of the music."
It is believed they will take a summer break and then return to the studio to complete their next album.
While this is certainly intriguing, I'd be more excited for this if Mad Richard hadn't spent the last few years becoming a house-trained pussycat, writing music for married people. That said, I certainly got chills when Ashcroft graced the stage with that lot of students during Live 8:
Can he become Capitan Rock again? Can he make The Verve relevant again? Hell, can he even make music that's relevant again? I hope so, but if The Verve aren't at least going to be as good as the following two videos, don't bother:
Posted by Kyle at 11:25 AM | Comments (1)
June 22, 2007
Fire Hazard
It's Friday. I'm exhausted. I could barely keep my eyes open last night. So what did I do about it? Went to two shows. Tried to see Le Loup at the Velvet Lounge but I was running late and it was already packed by the time I got there. I listened to one song while I was standing on the stairs and decided the 20 people also perched on said stairwell constituted a fire hazard and Le Loup aren't worth dying over. That and some really sweaty and VERY smelly bike messenger decided to start rubbing up against me. Yuck.
So off I went to the Black Cat to check out The Slip. I wanted to like them but in the end I gave up after about four or five songs. Don't believe anything you read about them ditching their jam band past for their new-found pop glory. Lies. They kept doing this "Let's see how many weird sounds we can coax out of our guitars" thing before every song that was just driving me crazy. I wanted to grab the collar of the lead singer's shirt, yank him down to my level and yell "Just fucking get on with it already!" The 20 minutes they made us wait after they set up before starting their set was also pretty ridiculous considering there were maybe 75 people there. On the plus side, they have their own lights as part of their show (their gear was crazy insane, the guitarist and bassist each had two HUGE groups of pedals) so I finally know that it is indeed possible to have some sort of light show at the Black Cat. Although, for the record, the Cat has been much, much better with the lights the last few shows I have seen there. But I digress...
I took some photos with my new lens (happy birthday to me!) last night but decided I didn't want to stay up and edit them. Maybe this weekend.
J. Freedom of the Lake's review of Wednesday's National show is much more eloquent than mine and hits the nail on the head. I'm pretty sure I was standing in front of the WaPo photographer for the first few songs. We have similar photos.
The great blogger mock draft of 2007. Cool idea. yes, I'm on top of the whole KG-to-Boston, wait nevermind, saga. We don't need him. He won't put us over the top (Doc Rivers is still our coach). I'd rather keep Al Jefferson and just make the pick at #5.
Shhhhhhhhhhhhh...Don't tell Ms. Smith. We're going to Philly in a few weeks.
Ha. Everyone else can fuck right off, I guess.
While I am very excited that the Furries have added 'Northern Lights' and 'Torra Fy Ngwallt Yn Hir' back into their set, dudes need to retire 'God! Show Me Magic' and 'Do Or Die.' Perhaps next week I will do a post on what I consider to be the perfect SFA set.
Check out Editors perfomring "Racing Rats" on Jools Holland:
Posted by Kyle at 10:57 AM | Comments (0)
June 15, 2007
Hmmmmmmmmmmmm....
I wonder if these guys support and approve of this. While they are most definitely down with Okkervil River, I can't help but think they would not approve of lending their name to any music festival that does not include The Hold Steady. Or maybe Wolf Parade. Perhaps I should summon the awesome power of the information leafblower!
Posted by Kyle at 4:49 PM | Comments (2)
Carbon Monoxide Handshake
Happy 10th Birfday (tomorrow) OK Computer. Until today I hadn't listened to this record in ages, but after giving it two consecutive spins on my iPod, I put forth the two immutable truths:
1) OK Computer is a classic record, but The Bends is still better. You absolutely cannot convince me otherwise.
2) OK Computer is probably the best sounding headphone record ever made. It sounds heavenly on my iPod and crappy $40 Sony earbuds. Respect to you, sir. Have I ever told you my "Meeting Nigel Godrich story?" A quick check of the archives, says no. I really need to write that up for posterity's sake. It's a doozy.
Winner of headline of the day?
No alarms and no surprises, pliés. You know, about the Radiohead ballet? Get it? Nevermind.
Speaking of Birfdays, mine is next Wednesday. Yes, next week the worlds oldest music blogger gets even older. Trust me, it's more traumatic for me than it is you. Since I already got what I asked for, what I want is for you to come to the show and come get a drink with me beforehand at DC 9. Rock!
Speaking of Nevermind. Totally overrated. So is Meat is Murder. And Pet Sounds. And Marquee Moon. And a bunch of other "classic" records.
If you do one thing today, you really need to watch this nutter pushing Robbie Williams off the stage during one of his shows. Hilarious. And while you're at it, be sure to watch the two interviews with Liam where he calls the new batch of Brit bands "indie shitheads" and someone asks him a question about The Darkness and he replies, "WHO?" Awesome.
Posted by Kyle at 12:06 PM | Comments (2)
June 14, 2007
Eff You Maximo Park
Seriously. Other than opening for the Pixies in Maryland (a scant two weeks after the Pixies did two nights at DAR), they've never played a D.C. date. A disappointing trend that will continue on the forthcoming MP tour.
July 11th – Great Scott – Boston, MA
July 12th – Webster Hall – New York, NY
July 13th – LaTulipe – Montreal, QC
July 14th – Mod Club – Toronto, ON
July 15th – Double Door – Chicago, IL
July 17th – Varsity Theater – Minneapolis, MN
July 19th – Larimer Lounge – Denver, CO
July 20th – Club Sound – Salt Lake City, UT
July 22nd – Chop Suey – Seattle, WA
July 23rd – Richard’s On Richard’s Cabaret – Vancouver, BC
July 24th – Doug Fir Lounge – Portland, OR
July 26th – Popscene – San Francicso, CA
July 27th – El Rey – Los Angeles, CA
July 28th – The Casbah – San Diego, CA
Monsters Are Waiting will be opening on all the dates above.
Posted by Kyle at 9:34 PM | Comments (2)
May 16, 2007
Get My Snob On
Pizfork! (from last night's Veronica Mars episode)
Posted by Kyle at 10:55 AM | Comments (1)
May 15, 2007
Giving You The Slip
One of the wonderful (or horrible, depending on your POV) things about iTunes is that because of the sheer amount of music most of us have, your library tends to have a few undiscovered little gems hiding in plain sight, songs you added long ago and never listened to. And when they get served up, occasionally they make you perk up and say "This is fucking awesome, but who the hell is it?" and when you see who it is, you're all like "Really?"
This happened to me a few weeks ago. The song was "The Children of December" by The Slip. I saw The Slip open for My Morning Jacket last year at the 9:30 Club, but didn't remember much about them other than their funny hats. I had another song of theirs, a happy-go-lucky space-rock jam named "Even Rats" that I liked, but for some unknown reason, I never listened to "Children of December." But when I finally did, it made me sit up and take notice. The song sounds like Matt Pond PA playing a long lost Sloan song and it is, in a word, brilliant.
Anyway, I gave them the short shrift when they came through last year, so I'm going to have to do some research and get some more of their stuff. In the meantime, here are those two songs for your listening pleasure:
[MP3] The Slip | Children Of December
[MP3] The Slip | Even Rats
Posted by Kyle at 12:22 PM | Comments (0)
May 11, 2007
Worst, But Yet, So Best!
Last night, after winning 60 bucks on slots at Paris, Las Vegas and wandering around the Strip drinking crappy draft beer while trying in vain to get a hold of a decent beer (seriously, the beer selection in Vegas casinos is teh suxxor), I came back to my room at the relatively early for Vegas 11 o'clock (effing jetlag) and checked my email before hitting the sack. In it was a message from someone named "Teddy" that basically said, in a somewhat playful way "'Treading water?!?' Do you have any idea how hard I worked on that you no good so and so..." I'm thinking to myself, "Who the fuck is this? I don't know anyone named Teddy." And then a light went off and I realized who it was.
That email was from Ted Leo.
He was emailing me about an unrelated matter and I guess he was poking around on my site and found my half assed review of Living With The Living. Ouch. Imagine trying to explain to one of your favorite artists why you aren't really feeling their latest release. Let's just say I was backpedaling like a motherfucker. Luckily for me Ted was just taking the piss and we've exchanged emails since then. Best.
Seriously, I ask you, how can you not heart Ted Leo?
He's on tour in Europe right now, but next time you see him, tell him "Fuck information leafblower!"
Posted by Kyle at 11:31 AM | Comments (2)
May 10, 2007
Festival Check
While I was in Europe, the lineup for the Virgin Festival at Pimlico was announced and, while it's not exactly a slam dunk, it's still pretty good and strong enough not to make me regret not ponying up for a flight to Chicago for Lollapalooza. Of course, it doesn't hurt that many of the bigger bands on the lineup are playing both festivals.
Here's how the lineup shakes out:
Day 1
Amy Winehouse / Beastie Boys / Ben Harper / Booka Shade / Cheap Trick / Danny Tenaglia / Sasha & John Digweed / Felix Da Housecat / Fiction Plane / Fountains Of Wayne / The Fratellis / Incubus / LCD Soundsystem / Miguel Migs (Petalpusher) / Modest Mouse / Paolo Nutini / Peter Bjorn And John / The Police / Sander Van Doorn / Shout Out Out Out / TV On The Radio
Day 2
311 / Bad Brains / The Crystal Method (DJ Set) / CSS / Deep Dish (Dubfire and Sharam) / Dieselboy & Andy C / Girl Talk / Infected Mushroom / Interpol / James Zabiela / M.I.A. / Matisyahu / Regina Spektor / Smashing Pumpkins / Spoon / Velvet Revolver / Wu Tang Clan / Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Chris Cornell was originally announced as part of the lineup but has since decided to pass. Accordingly, chatter on the 9:30 message board says there are still a few more bands to announce.
Overall, the lineups for the festival circuit in general is kinda lacking this year. Lolla is meh, same for Pitchfork. I can't ever see me going to Bonnarroo, no matter how great the lineup is, because leaf doesn't do camping. I'd have to say the best festival lineup of the year has to be the newly announced Austin City Limits which has somehow booked all of the available heavy hitters in one place.
Posted by Kyle at 9:30 AM | Comments (0)
May 8, 2007
Fun In The Sun
Alternate post title: Damore, You Can Just Skip This One
Depending on your tastes, Saturday's DC101 Chili Cook-Off either got considerably worse or much better with the addition of indie rock whipping boys The Bravery. Count me among the latter. We've been through this all before, but I'm a fan and am curious as to how their upcoming album, produced by Brendan O'Brien, will sound. I'm hoping it will be better than The Music's abysmal Welcome to the North, although I have to say most of the material I've heard so far has been middling mid-tempo indie meh. Drummer Anthony Burulcich recently said The Sun and The Moon will see the band "branch off and get experimental - slow tempo songs, mid tempo. We all sing background harmonies on this record as well." Hmmmmmmmm...
Here's the band's new video for "Time Won't Let Me Go."
Slightly related: This probably only interests me, but it wasn't so long ago that I thought photos like this were pretty good. Yikes. I've come a long way in just two years.
Posted by Kyle at 11:18 PM | Comments (0)
April 20, 2007
Spring Forward
Finally, some warmish weather for D.C.! To celebrate, here is my favorite Pulp b-side, from the "Disco 2000" CD single:
[MP3] Pulp | Ansaphone
Easily one of my favorite "guy gets dumped by girl" songs ever. I've listened to it many a time.
And just for the heck of it, here's the video for "Disco 2000":
Won't it be strange when we're all fully grown?
Posted by Kyle at 1:56 PM | Comments (0)
April 16, 2007
The Freaks of the Industry
Could it be? If so, I am so there.
Doowutchyalike, ya'll!
Posted by Kyle at 2:19 PM | Comments (0)
April 13, 2007
Squalor Victoria
When the D.C. area Arcade Fire show was announced way back when, I didn't pay much attention to it because I quickly figured out that I would still be in Europe on that date, so there was no need for me to get worked up about it. And while I like Neon Bible, I honestly haven't listened to it THAT much and it hasn't really blown me away when I have. I'm sure I'll go back and revisit it in-depth in a month or two when the hype dies down a little, but until then I am secure in the feeling that there was no way the upcoming DAR show would ever top their show in January of '06 at the 9:30 Club.
That was, until today. The National were announced as the openers for the Arcade Fire's DAR show show and six others. Holy fucking hell. I doubt I'll even remember the gig is happening while Ms. Smith and I are frolicking around in German beer gardens and eating our weight in schnitzels, but I'm sure everyone that already has tickets is a very happy camper today. At least, they should be.
In case you were (like me) unaware, The National have set up a new website for their new album Boxer. Here it is. Also, here's a a promotional video by Vincent Moom for one of my favorite tracks off the new record:
I heartily encourage you to go buy the record when it drops in late May, but if you can't wait that long, you can get the above song a few others here. At the very least, be sure to catch The National on their headlining tour around the country in June. As I've mentioned before, they're playing D.C. on my birthday!
Posted by Kyle at 2:12 PM | Comments (0)
April 11, 2007
Lollapalooza Lineup?
For 2007? If so, I say meh.
Pearl Jam, Daft Punk, Ben Harper, Muse, Iggy & The Stooges, Modest Mouse, Interpol, My Morning Jacket, Satellite Party, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Snow Patrol, The Roots, Patti Smith, Kings Of Leon, The Black Keys, Regina Spektor, Spoon, Lupe Fiasco, TV On The Radio, Pete Yorn, G. Love, Paolo Nutini, Amy Winehouse, LCD Soundsystem, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Silverchair, Femi Kuti, Yo La Tengo, Hold Steady, Jack's Mannequin, Stephen Marley, STS9, MIA, Slightly Stoopid, Blonde Redhead, Sparklehorse, Sean Lennon, !!!, Blue October, Son Volt, Motion City Soundtrack, Polyphonic Spree, Peter Bjorn & John, Silversun Pickups, CSS, The Rapture, The Wailers, Roky Erickson, Tapes N Tapes, Heartless Bastards, The View, The Cribs, The Fratellis, Ghostland Observatory, Tokyo Police Club, Rhymefest, Soulive, Cold War Kids, Annuals, Fields, Electric Six, Jim Noir, Elvis Perkins, Sam Roberts, Black Angels, Charlie Musselwhite, Aqueduct, Juliette & The Licks, Dios, Viva Voce, David Vandervelde, Los Campesinos!, Chin Up Chin Up, Ryan Shaw, Colour Revolt, Satin Peaches, Illinois, Arckid, Mickey Avalon, The 1900s, Bang Bang Bang, Bound Stems, High Class Elite Carey Ott, Matt Roan
We'll know for sure when the official line-up is announced tomorrow. More here...
Now the big question. Is this line-up good enough to make me travel to Chicago and skip this year's V Fest at Pimlico?
[thanks Chromewaves]
Posted by Kyle at 4:54 PM | Comments (0)
April 10, 2007
Live Earth Line-Up Revealed
The line-up for the Concerts to Combat Global Warming on July 7th, 2007 have been revealed, and as usual, the US gets shafted in the line-up department. The U.S. leg of the show, to take place at Giants Stadium in scenic East Rutherford, NJ will be:
AFI
AKON
ALICIA KEYS
BON JOVI
DAVE MATTHEWS BAND
FALL OUT BOY
JOHN MAYER
KANYE WEST
KELLY CLARKSON
KT TUNSTALL
LUDACRIS
MELISSA ETHERIDGE
RIHANNA
ROGER WATERS
SMASHING PUMPKINS
THE POLICE
And the line-up for the London leg of the show, to be held at Wembley Stadium will be:
BEASTIE BOYS
BLACK EYED PEAS
BLOC PARTY
CORINNE BAILEY RAE
DAMIEN RICE
DAVID GRAY
DURAN DURAN
FOO FIGHTERS
GENESIS
JAMES BLUNT
JOHN LEGEND
KEANE
MADONNA
PAOLO NUTINI
RAZORLIGHT
RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS
SNOW PATROL
Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. EDT on Monday, April 16 and will be available at livenation.com/liveearth or by calling Ticketmaster.
Posted by Kyle at 8:09 AM | Comments (0)
March 31, 2007
Ticketmaster Can Bite Me
Thanks for waiting until noon to put tickets on sale and then not having any available.
**UPDATE** - Thanks to loyal reader Chad, I went to the venue's website and got a ticket for Moz's Baltimore show! Talk about best case scenario...I have a ticket and didn't pay Ticketmaster a dime. Thanks Chad!
Posted by Kyle at 12:08 PM | Comments (1)
March 30, 2007
Venus and Serena Understand!
Super Furry Animals have titled their forthcoming album Hey Venus!.
The record, the follow-up to 2005's Love Kraft, will be released at the end of August.
Frontman Gruff Rhys told NME.COM earlier this year to expect a "speaker-blowing" LP, though no further details have been made available at the moment.
Related:
On the road with the SFA: Washington D.C.
On the road with the SFA: Norfolk, VA
On the road with the SFA: Chapel Hill, NC
On the road with the SFA: NYC
Posted by Kyle at 3:37 PM | Comments (1)
March 22, 2007
Tony P, Wassup?
Yep, that's San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker with the ill flow. It's hard to sound gangsta when you're rapping in French. You sound like a wussy Sean Paul. Le bounce!