More reasons to hate the MTA:

Much like the FBI cracking down on Porn –because they’re really kicking ass at terrorism- the MTA has nothing better to do, so it decided to start a campaign againt it’s own damn riders. Here are a few of the new rules:

-No open drinks in the subway car… not even water! Fine: $25 How about sippy cups?
-No passing between cars Fine: $75
-No putting your feet up on the seat. Fine: $50

Wait a second….No feet on the seat? Gimme a break.
Here are some other rules the MTA might have in store:

-You must raise your hand and ask permission to get off the train.
-Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
-No Farting or otherwise smelling foul. Fine: $80
-No Undressing passengers with your mind. Fine: $110
-No Terrorism or Terrorist-looking people. Fine: $10
-No stealing someone else’s iPod. Fine: $25
-No falling asleep waiting for a train at 3AM. Fine: $60

And did you hear about this guy:
No making free subway maps for your ipod. Fine: a Cease-and-Desist..

And not to mention all the honest people that mistakenly light up a cigarette on an outdoor platform only to be busted by an undercover cop. What a SCAM!!!!

Fuck the MTA.

2005. What am I missing?

We are 75% through 2005. Here’s a list of every artist whose full-album I’ve listened to. There are a lot more artists that don’t make the list because I’ve only heard select tracks. If you don’t have any of the (+++) artists, I’d highly recommend them. Similarly, if there is anything on here that I definitely need to check out, let me know.

(I'd put a "jump" here, but I have no clue how to do it. any help?)

(+) denotes comparative frequency of plays
No (+) denotes either “not my thing” or “boring to me”, but not necessarily bad.

Andrew Bird
Antony and the Johnsons
Art Brut +
Ben Lee +
Bloc Party +++
Bright Eyes
By the End of Tonight ++
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah ++++
Cloud Cult ++
The Cribs +++
Death Cab for Cutie +
The Decemberists +
Devin Davis +++
Doveman +
Editors +++
Eels (Disc 1) ++
Eels (Disc 2) +
Four Tet
Franz Ferdinand
Gorillaz
Hard-Fi ++
The Head Set +++
The Hold Steady +++
Hot Hot Heat +
Kaiser Chiefs ++
LCD Soundsystem +
Low
M.I.A.
M83
Mountain Goats +
New Pornographers ++
Okkervil River ++
The Ponys +
Rogue Wave +
Sam Champion ++
Sigur Ros
Spoon +
Stars +++
Stephen Malkmus ++
Sufjan Stevens
Voxtrot (EP) +++
Wilderness
Wolf Parade ++
Youth Group +++

Gandhi Not Assassinated by T. Reid's 'Hooters'

[via Molly]
The mystery surrounding Ganhdi's assassination has been slightly cleared up. Once thought to be attributed to Tara Reid's boobs, she has now vehemently denied they were involved. Still, as a precaution has put them under house arrest. Here's the report:

"People act like it was the worst crime in the world. It was a mistake, you know! But you would think my boob had popped out and shot Gandhi! My hooters are under control. I'm taped up now, totally. I'm using double tape. Double double tape. My boobs are going nowhere again."

I feel much safer now.

Janet Jackson's chest is still under investigation for the involvement of the assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II. She was unavailable for comment.

Every Philosophy Class has One

I can relate to this article in the Onion, titled “Guy In Philosophy Class Needs To Shut The Fuck Up”.

When I was in a Logic class in college, which is the most esoteric babble I’ve ever encountered, I’d take furious notes, only scrawling a fraction of the info spewing from my professors brain. Every class, this one dude, dressed as haggardly as any street bum, would come in an hour late and sit down right in front. After settling in, he’d start a discussion -the rest of us were too puzzled to ask questions. “But in David Hume’s treatise on the factors that separate Ultimate Cause and the ‘Death of Man’, didn’t he prove and then go on to disprove his own existence?” *

And this comment would come out of the blue. We weren’t talking about any of those subjects, seemingly, except that somehow we were, and the professor would go on and I’d sort-of see that he was right.

I wanted to raise my hand and ask, “Will this be on the final?”


*that’s totally made up bullshit. I’m pretty good at creating fake philosophical sounding sentences that have no semantic implications, not even ones based in our perceived meta-reality. It helps to define what you’re using as your extra-systematic realm of Truth of course. Well, to be more precise, the truth-based realm that semantics is grounded in, (we’ll call it the base/root system) is barely distinguishable from the false-predicate system.

Turn Around Bright Eyes

After LCD Soundsystem, we went downstairs to see who the “Special Guest” would be. It turns out to be a band called Hurra Torpedo. What? Doesn’t ring a bell? Yeah… me neither. As we slowly inched our way closer in order to see, we saw the trio wearing matching Adidas jogging suits. A little closer and I noticed they were banging on a stove and a refrigerator.

“That’s funny,” I said to Angela. “I once saw a video of some dudes from Iceland covering ‘Total Eclipse of the Heart’ by banging on a stove and fridge.”
“These guys are from Norway,” Angela replied.
“Ohhhh. Too bad.”

And then I thought:
Gee, there are a lot of Scandinavian bands that play on stoves and fridges.

As soon as I realized my mistake I made the connection –it literally took me about 3 minutes to figure out that maybe I was wrong about the Iceland part. Then I started yelling out my request. “Total Eclipse! Total Eclipse!”

I’m sure at that point everyone around me thought I was nuts. That is, until they actually broke into the cover. It was magical. I sang all the words.

Here’s the video: Hurra Torpedo “Total Eclipse of the Heart” (wmv)

When you watch it, you’d think it was made in the 80s. If you asked me a couple months ago, "What are the odds of ever seeing this group live?" I would say a zillion to one.

I wonder how –and why- Spin booked them.

Review: Spin Party: LCD and DCFC

After loading up my stomach with fuel –Tequila- Ang, Stan, and I, headed over to Webster Hall. Bumped into J. on the way in, and introduced myself to Kristen –or is it Christine?- who works there and sells me tickets at the Mercury Lounge on Tuesdays. Also I think I spotted N. from across the room during Nightmare of You, and I spoke briefly with Jack of S.C. who I now see everywhere.

LCD played a strong set –Daft Punk had a whole new beat that made it nearly unrecognizable. Yeah and Movement were again the highlights. I think Webster Hall was built for DFA.



Oh yeah. And nobody was there. I actually longed for a packed dance floor for LCD; it’s just not the same without all the sweaty bodies grooving together.

We went down stairs for the Special Guest who ended up being far more special than I could ever have imagined –to me at least. More on that later.

Juliette Lewis the “hostess” looked terrible. Lee Lee Sobieski looked awesome. She was right behind us for Death Cab. I think she slapped my ass. Or was that you Stan? And why was she there with that dude? Drop the zero and get with the hero honey.

Since we got there at 9:15 we missed Drive by Truckers, and I thought Lady Sovereign… but when went upstairs for DCFC, some little girl was on stage rapping. I was actually impressed by her even though I don’t really like Hip Hop. At least I don’t think I do. Even by the time Death Cab played, the main floor was porous. How porous? Well, I was four people back, and if I had the urge to start break dancing -and believe me, I almost did- I would have had no problem clearing a little space.

With all the freaking sponsors, the high ticket price, and the large VIP crowd, they should have had an open bar everywhere. I mean if freaking Diesel-U can do it, why not Spin? Freaking Shampoo vendors. Who would take shampoo samples? WHO!?!?! :)

Show Withdrawl Ending Right about...

I've been to two shows in the last ten days following CMJ. I knew I needed a break, but this is becoming a problem. That will end tonight. Following tonight's Spin show, here's what else I'll be doing:

-Friday at Maxwell's: The Hold Steady (yay!)
-Saturday at Sin-e: Beat Radio
-Sunday at Webster Hall: Interpol (I'm only barely literate with their two albums)
-Monday on Fox: watch Prisonbreak.
-Tuesday at Irving: Presidents of the United States of America (There are two bands I know of that could tour forever on a single album. This is one of them)

-And don't forget United State of Electronica are playing next Friday at the Knitting Factory. If there was anyway I could convince you all to go, I'd do it. They are not to be missed. and only for $8! Golly!

-Also Youth Group will be playing Mercury Lounge on October 20th (the same night they open for Stars and DCFC at Hammerstein?)

Jerry Yeti Says: Let's Drink!

This is the first result in Google. It pretty much sums up this post.

If you are headed to Webster Hall tonight, meet up with me at the Cherry Tavern at 8:00. Last time the bar tender hooked us up with so much free Tequila I barely remember what show I head to (it was either Les Savy Fav or Bloc Party). It’s $5 for a shot-o’Tequila and a Tecate, or just $3 for a shot. Who needs so much beer to fill you up anyway?

Go here for some personal accounts of my favorite East 6th establishment.

It’s on East 6th between 1st and A…. Just a short stumble to Webster Hall.

Books My Co-workers Read

My co-worker is reading this book. She says it's very biological and scientific. It was written by a PhD at least.

Me -being 13- had to say:
"One Two Three Four I declare a Sperm War!"

(Not related to the "Tug-of-War.")

(At least I don't think so.)

PFM: Neutral Milk Hotel Stock Rises 1.3 Points

Today Pitchfork gave the re-release of In the Aeroplane Over the Sea a 10.0. That beats the 8.7 rating it got in 1998 (you can see the old score when you do a search for "Neutral Milk Hotel")

Read the new 10.0 review here.

Art Brut Tickets for Mercury Lounge on sale

Finally. Get tickets here.

Brief Notes: Brooklyn Responds

Here are my quick notes from Brooklyn Responds last night:

Richard Buckner – played 4 surprisingly good songs. Much better than I remember. Could really rock out if only he had a drummer.

They Might Be Giants – highlight of the night. Played longer than I’d expect. Best songs were “Fingertips” and the ABC Nations song, but really everything was enjoyable. Flansburg was absolutely hilarious.

Aziz – still just as funny the third time, if not better.

Wrens – no drummer, and so they didn’t play their best stuff. Seemed a bit lost even. Charles Bissell’s opening solo song was really really good. Very short set.

Nada Surf – tight songs geared towards 13 year old girls. Not my thing, but pleasant enough.

Sam Champion – about 35 people remained for their set. Fantastic. More enjoyable than their official show Friday, which was waaaaay too crowded. They still rocked out.

Also: saw Sam Champion on Friday. I was tired and cranky, so I’m glad they played Southpaw last night when I was far happier. I saw Jordan Blaugrund of the Head Set at the Mercury Lounge, but didn’t want to disrupt his conversation to say hello. They play Tuesday at Knitting Factory.

Can't stop the Beat (Radio)

I am not an mp3 blog. Mp3 blogs have an infinite amount of knowledge and discovery that I just can’t come close.

That said, occasionally I will come across a band by accident that I just have to share. So for this post, I’ll be that guy writing about that obscure band. Why? Because I love these songs, and I know a LOT of other people will to (especially bloggers like Rachael, Jeff, and Nora). Trust me:

Beat Radio – Treetops (mp3) Ecstatic EP Version (release this fall)
Beat Radio – Elegy (mp3) Demo

Beat Radio play Sin-e this Saturday, 10-01. I am there.

If you recall, I even mentioned them once before. And it looks like they recently got the seal of approval from my arch-nemesis Indie Don’t Dance.

You Look Like David Bowie: Bowie on "new bands"

David Bowie, the indie-appointed arbiter of cool, recently performed at the Fashion Rocks (Awards?) at Radio City Music Hall, with none other than his band the Arcade Fire. Or is that the other way around?

In an interview for the Fashion Rocks supplement of the New Yorker, Bowie tells us exactly whats on his mind, at the very first question:

Q: Can we talk about the intersection of fashion and music in your career?
A: I'm really not very good at that. Let's talk about new bands!
Q: We'll get to that, I promise you...

I think I bust out laughing for ten minutes straight. When questioner finally does oblige Bowie with his hobby, he answers:

Arcade Fire has a very strong theatrical flair, a boisterous, college kind of feel to what they're doing, and also there's a wave of enthusiasm to it. But their show is theatrical nonetheless, because it doesn't alter much from night to night. I've seen them many times, and I love them very much. I think the're exhilarating.

Secret Machines, too, but in a different way. They're almost invisible on stage. The light is behind them, so they're just three dark silhouettes. But the power of their music and of their unseen presence is fantastic. The third one would be TV on the Radio.


Q: How do you keep up with all this music?

A: Well, fortunately, I'm not working. [laughs] So I'm resting. I get out a lot. I am a New Yorker, very much, and I get out in New York. It's just a place that I adore. And I love seeing new theater; I love seeing new bands, art shows, everything. I get everywhere - very quietly and never above 14th Street. I'm very downtown.

Q: At the end of last year, your music, as sung by a Brazilian musician, played a very significant role in shaping the aesthetic of Wes Anderson's film The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou. Was it at all bittersweet for you, aside from "Queen Bitch", it wasn't your voice on the soundtrack?

A: Oh no! I simply adored that soundtrack album. I thought it was fabulous. I loved that particular take on my work.

Read the whole interview here.

Oh, I was sooo off.

The results are in, and I was waaaaay off... well 0.8 off. A good 64% were more optimistic than me. PFM gave Wolf Parade a 9.2.

The review for Apologies to the Queen Mary is up now: "In a few years, other folks will still remember where they were when they first heard Apologies to the Queen Mary."

I believe they increased the rating from a 9.1 sometime this morning since Matt Moroccan originally reported that score.

Katrina Benefit Set Times

Thanks to Kathyrn for passing this on, and for letting me know that Jerry Wren (yes, that's his online moniker) will be playing. I was going to forgo tonight's Sam Champion show but now I think I'll go... just so I don't have to stick around after the Wrens set on Sunday. And Richard Buckner should be good. Don't expect the guy to be like on the Volkswagon commercial though. He likes his loop machine.

You think the Harlem Shakes will be able to set their shit up in 5 minutes? Good luck.

CHRIS GRACE (solo) 7-7:25
EIFFEL TOWER 7:40-8:05
Ira + Matthew duo (NADA SURF) 8:20 - 8:50
RICHARD BUCKNER (solo electric) 9:05 - 9:35
AZIZ ANSARI comedy set
THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS 10 - 10:30
THE WRENS 10:40 - 11:25
HARLEM SHAKES 11:30 - 11:55
SAM CHAMPION 12:10 - 12:35

Tickets still available for a cheap $15.

Video: Bloc Party "Pioneers"

Have you seen this yet?! The first half is humorous seeing our favorite Brit band as animated rock stars (and way better than the Gorillaz Demon Days). The second half is even better.

The Cribs Sign My Trading Card.

Shortly after the Cribs played at the Tribeca Rock Club last week, they disappeared downstairs, having a road crew take care of their equipment. For months I’ve had this idea that I wanted to get an Insound trading card signed by a band. I only had three opportunities, because I only had three of the ten available cards: Spoon, Jim Yoshii Pile-Up, and the Cribs. Spoon was too big to get close too and Jim Yoshii just didn’t interest me. So that left…

Since the Cribs have a road crew to pack up the gear, the only way I was going to get this damn thing signed was to go backstage. So as soon as they left stage, I followed them straight downstairs. I found them sitting on the couches looking pretty worn out, and then curious who I was. I explained my idea, and they were more than happy to oblige. We chatted for a short bit, and then took off for our next show. Here’s the card:


As soon as I went downstairs I realized I had never been “backstage” –anywhere. It might seem kind of dumb, because I talk with loads of musicians, but suddenly I felt like I was not myself. What didn’t help was the fact that the Cribs told me that they actually saw me from the stage, and that, I was the only one singing along. In hindsight, I think that’s great, but at the moment I felt even more like I was 13.

Off to the Polls -Wolf Parade and Pitchfork's Rating

So, I thought I'd test out a Poll (see Poll box to your left right). Gorilla Vs Bear did one to predict Death Cab for Cutie's Plans. I know that I have 1/10th the readership he does, but oh well. If you want to be more precise and guess exactly what you think it will be, leave it in the comments.

My prediction, having only heard 4 songs? 8.4

Cloud Cult - "Mr. Tambourine Man" MP3

I extracted this from their KEXP podcast because I just had to have it. Same version they played at Brooklyn Vegan's Pre-CMJ show. One of my favorite tunes covered by one of my favorite groups.

Cloud Cult - Mr. Tambourine Man (Savefile- follow link).

We have a new winner!

Remember when I did that chart breaking down Death Cab For Cutie's Plans and how fast the reviewers use the term "The O.C."? Go here for the chart.

Well, I thought the record would be unbreakable. Although not an official "review" source, Productshop today reviewed a few albums. Here it is in it's entirety:
If you like the O.C., you will probably like this.
Wow. Three words! With a total of only ten! Can this be beat?

KEXP Live Performance Podcasts

If you have iTunes, go here and it will whisk you away to all the free KEXP podcasts. All the CMJ podcasts from last week are doubled up, so if you only want Devin Davis, you also get the Cary Brothers.

Here's the full list, with running times:

Brooklyn Responds Tix on sale.

Brooklyn Responds tix for Sunday at Southpaw are on sale now, available here.

Tickets for tonight's show are also still available.

Official Website.

Japanese Smoking Etiquette Signs

Script already posted this but he said it himself, "It deserves it's very own post everyday from every blog." More here, but here are my favorites:


Fuck! It takes over 60 minutes to make a snowman?! ...and then to have it ruined by a giant cigarette. Sacre Bleu! To answer the sign's question: Doesn't Frosty already smoke tobacco from his corncob pipe? What? It's not tobacco you say?

Here's another:

Your face? What? Waaaaaaaiiiiit a second. Oh I get it. No. Wait. No, I don't.

One more:

Right on. Everyone loves a good fart. Rrrrrrrrrrrrrip. Ahhhhhhh.

We Are Scientists NYC date.

W.A.S. will open (open? dammit!) for Ambulance LTD (double dammit!) at Bowery Ballroom (at least that's good news) on Thursday October 27th. Tix on sale now.
All of the U.S. Dates so far:
Tue 18 Orlando, FL / The Social
Wed 19 Tallahassee, FL / Club Downunder
Fri 21 Carborrow, NC / Cat's Cradle
Sat 22 Washington, DC / Black Cat
Wed 26 Boston, MA / Paradise Rock Club
Thu 27 New York City / Bowery Ballroom

FYI: If you try to snoop around their site looking for hidden mp3s (a few months ago they had a bunch), you get this message:

you muthafuckas tryin' go browsin' 'round on dis site?
"naw! naw!" you swear, but we know the truth...
and of course we can't blame you.
who, armed with what looks like a treasure map, would not set off at a trot?

Slow Tuesday

Nothing to say today. So here's one of my favortie Perry Fellowship comics:

Google Failure

I found this tip in my inbox:

Go to Google (located at http://www.google.com) and type in "failure" into the prompt window. Then click the button that says "Search" on it.

Or, heck. I'll do it for you: Just go here.

DCFC + LCD +others @ Webster Hall Next Week

If you went to the Webster Hall website today, you would have noticed the addition of the "Spin 20th Anniversary Party" next Wednesday, September 28th.

Who's playing? According to Ticketweb:
Public Enemy / Death Cab for Cutie / LCD Soundsystem / Drive-by Truckers / Lady Sovereign / and More / Hosted by Juliette Lewis / Partial proceeds to MusiCares Hurricane Fund / DJ Sets By: Afrika Bambaataa / Diplo / DFA / DMC / The Rub & Others

Tickets on sale tomorrow at Noon (just in time to lock-out those dependent on the Village Voice). $37.50+fees.

The Monday Afternoon Funny Pages (Links)

-McSweeny’s takes on CYHSY’s band name (via Daily Refill)

-Jay takes on CMJ in Haiku format. One of my favorites:

Devendra Banhart @ Bowery
Showed Up On Last Song
Devendra Looks Like Jesus
Give Me Tequila

Much more CMJ haikus here.

-Haiku Five-O writes Haikus about fonts. This one about a font named "Labyrinth":

What modern times lack
is Bowie wearing spandex
in the Labyrinth.

-Spam hits YANP’s comments:
Do You Need a Trunk Monkey?
Do You Need a Trunk Monkey?
I learned of the trunk monkey ads
from my friend's blog smack my booty .
refinance mortgage we can help you.

(The image to your left is the second hit when you Google-Image “Trunk Monkey.”

-Go here for a picture of a Trunk Monkey and a half-naked girl.

(I love the non sequitur “smack my booty” with the segue into “refinance mortgage” ad.)

Holy Moly: Brooklyn Responds Line-Up Finalized

Just when I thought I'd take it easy this week and watch some TV.

Website here. I say "Holy Moly" because to have TMBG and the Wrens(even not full-strength) will be awesome. No word on tickets. Cost: $15/show. (TMBG is not listed on the Southpaw site).

CMJ: Sunday (Early Early Morning)

Blue Van-Fredalba-Amusement Parks on Fire

BlueVan @ Crash Mansion -$12 admission was expensive, but I didn’t want the night to end and I wouldn’t have minded to see the Cribs to close it all. This group was decent, and the food welcoming.

As soon as they finished, what do I hear playing? The Editors! After a second, I thought a) how cool it was for the DJ to play this, and b) how many DJs even know of the Editors? Well, I definitely knew of one, so I looked around to see where the deck was set up, and yup- I was right: it was none other than Nora. I went up to her to request some W.A.S. and she figured out right away that I was the same Jerry as the frozen abominable snowman. Seriously though - it was freeeeeeezing in that basement. She already played WAS earlier, but made up for it by reading my mind and playing some Tom Vek (whom I just missed an hour previously).

Fredalba played next, and if I could imagine a more ridiculous Saturday Night Live sketch, I couldn’t. What was it that made them so bad they were great? Was it the dude rapping around with no shirt and two gold necklaces? Was it the chick playing Jazz flute to the Metallica cover? This group was stuck in the year 1994. Imagine seeing a fledgling band whose main influence is House of Pain with a Flute. Now imagine some guy in the back of the crowd, walking a round throwing ice cubes from his drink at the band. Yes. It was awesome.

Near the end of the set, who shows up, but none other than Youth Group. They came ready to party and proceeded to pretty much dominate their section of the dance floor. Now, if that wasn’t coincidence enough -the very next thing that happened was just plain surreal. All of a sudden, Nora throws on “Laid” by James - the single most group that Y.G. gets compared to - and rightly so.

So there they were: one of my favorite current bands dancing to one of my all-time favorite songs, of which the two share an undeniable likeness.

I didn’t stay for the Cribs. I just couldn’t make it. I gave up. It was 4:15 and Amusement Parks on Fire were four songs into their set . To no fault of their own, APoF were far far too loud in that space, and all the sound was garbled into one constant noise.

I now find out that the Cribs didn’t even play. Nora says someone got shot at the hip hop club upstairs. I"m really glad I didn't stay

Thanks to all the people I briefly met, chatted with, or hung out with this week:

Angela
Kathryn
Prav and Kristen
Jay from Loose Record
Jack from Sam Champion
The fellas of the Cribs
Patrick from Youth Group (for both times I ran into him)
Jinners of Jinners
Peter from Pop Matters
The couple we shared a Cab with after Wolf Parade
Nora from iRockiRoll

(It's Talk Like a Pirate Day)

Glossary (from Talklikeapirate.com):

Ahoy! - "Hello!"

Avast! - Stop and give attention. It can be used in a sense of surprise, "Whoa! Get a load of that!" which today makes it more of a "Check it out" or "No way!" or "Get off!"

Aye! - "Why yes, I agree most heartily with everything you just said or did."

Aye aye! - "I'll get right on that sir, as soon as my break is over."

Arrr! - can mean, variously, "yes," "I agree," "I'm happy," "I'm enjoying this beer," "My team is going to win it all," "I saw that television show, it sucked!" and "That was a clever remark you or I just made." And those are just a few of the myriad possibilities of Arrr!

CMJ: Saturday

Voxtrot-Foreign Borns-Cordero-Bobby Bare Jr.-Fruit Bats-Rogue Wave-Wolf Parade

Saturday was a long and phenomenal day. I’ll keep it as brief as possible:

Voxtrot at Rothko at 3:00 PM- even better than their previous performance. If I was Nostradamus, I’d say once an LP comes out, they’ll be able to sell out Bowery Ballroom. They’ll appeal to a pretty wide audience. I’m glad I see them every chance I get.

The Joggers Foreign Borns at Cake Shop 4:00- After seeing this band, I asked the sound man who they were, just to make sure (I obviously only vaguely know the Joggers) He said that they were the Foreign Borns and not the Joggers as was previously posted to play at 4:00; also, he said that Apollo Sunshine was next. Fortuntely these guys were good enough for me, and definitely worth my time stopping by. I now see that the Joggers got moved to after Apollo Sunshine.

Cordero at Union Pool, 5:15 - $10 admission that includes BBQ and a couple PBRs? What a deal! Codero, a hybrid of Latin and Country, were pretty blah. But that type of music isn’t for me anyway…what is? Glad you asked:

Bobby Bare Jr. at Union Pool at 6:15- One of my favorite performers. With a baritone sax substituting for bass guitar, the trio still rocked as hard as ever. Bare’s voice is one of my favorites, and he is such a goof-ball; for example, song titles: Mayonaise Brain, The Monk at the Disco, Flat-Chested Girl from Maynardville. The new song, “Stop Crying” that he always plays at the end is Bobby at his finest, and usually causes my eyes to water. So beautiful.

Sub Pop at Bowery Ballroom:
Fruit Bats - one of the best surprises all week. I knew I liked a few of their songs, but they are just so good and enjoyable live. It was their first show in NYC in 2 years, and Eric Johnson kept asking permission to play older songs. They are obviously way too nice. They're back in town to open for Son Volt next month, but I’m hoping for their own show at Mercury Lounge or somewhere comparable.

Rogue Wave - (I retreated downstairs for Kinski)- Much better than the last time I saw them -when I actually left early. Angela, a big fan of “Out of the Shadow”, was still unmoved. I was more familiar with their forth-coming album, so I really liked them. And I didn't leave early this time.

Wolf Parade - I won't really say much about them because I know others will say it much better. They are every bit as good live as their album let on, but are far less like Modest Mouse or Arcade Fire when they perform. The energy on stage and in the crowd was pretty excited, but not nearly as intense that I predict it will get in a few months. It’s definitely music you can mosh to, although that didn’t occur yet, on Saturday. Not yet.

After that show, people kept stealing our cabs that we were trying to hail for 5-10 minutes. When the next couple that hailed one right in front of us, I ran up to them as they got inside and asked them where they were headed. Fortunately they said Knitting Factory which is just around the block from Tom Vek at the Tribeca Grand. We all cut our cab fair in half.

When we arrived at the hotel, we had to wait in an immobile line. Knowing Tom Vek would probably finish any minute, we gave up at headed back to the LES for the final show at Crash Manion.

CMJ: Friday

Youth Group-Voxtrot-Chin Up Chin Up-Dios Malos-Cribs-The Vaz-Dirty on Purpose-Youth Group
(aka: The progression from Bass to Red Stripe to Budweiser to Busch to Natty Light):

Youth Group played a really nice set for KEXP in the morning. I only wish the vocals for those performances could come through better in that room. Those four guys are super nice and play some of my favorite songs at the moment. In the interview they talked about Chris Walla discovering them, and about not missing Australia all that much. I also think they said the were going to start recording in January, which would make me happy.

Later on that day, I ditched work early to get to Tribeca Rock Club for the Loose Record show. The $2 Red Stripe special didn’t start till 6, so I had a Bass and took in the greatness that is Voxtrot -at least the last four songs they played. Next up: Chin Up Chin Up. They sounded much better than I remember from their Pre-Siren Show. Several beers later, Dios Malos went on, but I didn’t pay much attention during their set. A few more beers. The Cribs went on and played another killer set like they did on Wednesday. I was completely embarrassed when I accidentally spilled a little beer on the girl in front of me. I felt like such an ass. The Cribs ended their set again with “Wrong Way to Be” which is still on constant repeat in my iPod. Following that, I followed them backstage for reasons I'll make clear later. That deserves it’s own little post.

Over to Williamsburg to the Death by Audio show, at the the Dirty on Purpose home. If I wasn’t drunk yet, this place was my undoing. Usually when a place offers free beer, it’s limited supply. Not here. Yes, it was Busch beer, but free Busch is better than a $5 Bud at Tribeca Rock Club. I proceeded to drink an indefinite amount of beer, switching to Natty Light when the Busch ran out. Natty is even more remarkable a beer than Busch, but I was in no state to care, and so I drank and drank and drank. I was pretty good and hydrated for Dirty on Purpose, and the band before them, Vaz. Despite seeming really cool to have the stage 10 feet above the crowd, it probably separated them a bit too much. By the time Youth Group came on, my exhaustion compounded with the Nattys, Busches, and Buds and I started to fade. In the morning I was pissed at myself for having squandered my best chance to see Youth Group play a set. Looks like I’ll be going to their opening slot for Death Cab after all.

CMJ Thursday:

(Sound Team-Arcade Fire-Jim Yoshii Pileup-Goblin Cock-Wrens)

Following work, I took in a few or six free Red Stripes at the World’s Fair party before heading up to Summerstage. I couldn’t really hear/appreciate Sound Team all that well; others seem to have been similarly under whelmed. Arcade Fire took the stage a little earlier than their expected time, coming out strong, but falling in a rut when they played all the EP and B-side songs in a row -none of which impress me. Of course, David Bowie came out later and the crowd went crazy. The expected “Power Out“>“Rebellion (lies)” was the highlight, in addition to the Bowie encore. Luckily the grand finale covered for the less than stellar mid-set song selection.

The Absolutely Kosher showcase at the Mercury Lounge was nearly empty when I got back downtown. The only reason I went was because Kathryn warned me that the Wrens weren’t going to play full-strength at their benefit show this week. Jim Yoshii Pile-Up fell flat to me, and it forced me to start drinking again just to stay awake.

Goblin Cock came on next, and they completely woke me up. Laughter will do that. One of the most ridiculously named bands at CMJ, it’s now clear why. They took the stage dressed all in black, including black hoods that they wore for the entire performance. I’d say that they sounded like a touch of heavy metal but their vocals were far too catchy. “Heavier Rocking Pinback” is what I was told to expect, but the only Pinback-ness was that they share a band member (the one in the black hood). Between songs, the singer goblin cock would filter his speaking voice to sound like a sinister evil overlord from a far-off planet, and every time it would crack me up. They were equally as infatuated with their own name as we were; this was made apparent by the fact that they kept saying: “We. Are. Goblin Cooooooooock!” Even their song titles were precious, ie: “The Revenge of Snufalufagus." (Picture stolen from Kathryn Yu)

The Wrens went on after that, but I’ve already written how good they were. But you already knew that.

No time to post...

It's 4:30, and I getta leave work early for the Loose Record show. Here's a recent yeti spotting courtesy of Spin.

Look how spacious it was for the "sold out" Devendra show. I hope it is like that for the Sub Pop Showcase tomorrow.

Enjoy your weekend!

CMJ: Friday Morning Briefing

Just got back from the Youth Group at KEXP session. Can't wait to see them tonight. Since I gotta actually do work today at work, I can't go into detail. maybe later.

but first:
THE WRENS RULE!
So awesome. One of the best shows I've seen all year, one of the best shows I've seen ever. It even dwarfed that show earlier in the night, by that other band... Arcade Fire. Not that The Arcade Fire were bad- not at all. They rule too. But the Wrens set was flawless. Without flaw.

And Goblin Cock? HAHAHA. Goblin Cock!!! Oh man. That was exactly what I needed last night. Hil-ar-i-ous.

Not the Uno game. The Ungame!

Did anyone have the Ungame growing up? It’s the coolest game ever invented. Ever. I’m not sure if I ever actually played, but I was always drawn to the concept of an ungame… like it was Dark Matter or a Black Hole –something that existed, but didn’t. Not a game…but an ungame. Kinda like the Endgame, but not.

Everytime I took it out of the box, however, it didn’t magically become awesome. It was actually pretty lame. Just how lame was it? Here ya go:

Players progress along the playing board as they answer questions such as "What are the four most important things in your life," and "What do you think life will be like in 100 years?" This non-competitive game can be a great ice-breaker or a serious exchange of thoughts, feelings and ideas. As the best selling Christian family communication game in history, the Ungame® continues to encourage sharing and understanding in a "safe" atmosphere.

Not a safe environment… No, a “safe” environment. With "quotes." If that doesn’t scare little Christian boys...

But how cool is that? What better way to hang out with your foolks and play a game where you share your feelings? There is none! Especially since you can’t win or lose!

Here’s a testimonial:
Mike and I have been happily married nearly 9 years now and still play fairly often. It is especially good when we realize we are not "connecting" like we usually do.

You can’t “connect” eh? Heheheh.

Looking for new positions to "connect?" Try these variations:
8. Play the Ungame as though you are a group of 9 year-olds (or teens, or 90 year-olds).

16. Leave the board game on a coffee table all the time, letting family members know they can suggest playing every time there's something that needs to be shared.

26. Video tape a group playing the Ungame and view it a year later.

-----------------------------------------------------
The Ungame says: If you felt FEAR recently, go to Fearful Forest

Jerry Yeti says: If you feel like drinking, follow me.

Found Notes.

Angela passed along this website for Found Magazine. It's pretty cool. I know I've found quite a few notes/letters in the past that have baffled and/or cracked me up. I wish I save them. Good thing these alert readers did. My only problem is that I want to see more than one at a time on the website.

I think my sister must've written this one:

Songs:Illinois posted a whole slew of songs about monsters, from Boy Least Likely To... to Cookie Monster.

Pela, The Cribs, Devendra Banhart

Last night at Bowery Ballroom I was surrounded by an armada of badge-holders, all looking upon my barren lanyard-bare neck as an industry-outsider peon. Humiliated at my lack of connections to obtain one –or sheer laziness to even try- I was forced to just enjoy myself, and drink. At one point there was a distinct gradation of age from the front of the room to the back. Neither old, nor young, I took my spot in the middle.

Pela (pronounced Pay-la, not Peh-la, like I thought) were a nice surprise and they really knew how to rock. Local boys, I guess they are playing next week for that Hurrican benefit show(s).

The Cribs were every bit as awesome as I hoped. I’d give them a 3.0 on a scale of 1 to 3.5. I was surprised to discover that both bassist guitarist sing lead vocals equally, trading lines back and forth. I wonder if that’s why sometimes I don’t hear ‘L’s pronounced: “I’m awone, and I’m cowd, Just another number…” They closed with my favorite song “The Wrong Way to Be” and caused a little mayhem on stage at the end. In fact, the lead guitar was fairly aggressive throughout the set –contrasted by the bassist’s demeanor.

Wholly uninterested for Bean and Holy Fuck, I chilled in the “Spin Lounge” downstairs. Leafing through the copies of Spin that were laid out, I realized it’s not the same cool magazine I thought it was when I was 13.

Devendra Banhart, of course, closed the night. I was worried that the Hairy Fairy would destroy the preciousness of his songs. Fortunately, the performance only disappointed twice –when Banhart didn’t have the lead -both songs were Hairy Fairy songs I think- too hippie and not enough folk. When he did have the lead, he carried just as much animation as Jake Shears. In fact, near the end, the songs did more resembled the Scissor Sisters than something off of “Rejoicing in the Hands."

"Now With Even More Ways to Cut Yourself Shaving"

You knew this was coming:

Some had expected Gillette to bring out a four-bladed razor, perhaps a self-lubricating one. Instead, it jumped to five blades, or six including the trimmer, and will sell Fusion-branded shaving gels and after shave balm.

"There was never a plan to go to four," he said. said Peter Hoffman, president of Gillette's blades and razors business, who said Fusion was in the development pipeline for several years.

Here's an excerpt about me cutting myself shaving from my defunct blog:
I cut myself shaving today. You would think with at least seven years (ok, maybe five good years) of daily experience I would be an expert. But Jerry, you say, there must be some days you don’t shave? True, but that’s balanced by all those times when I was 14 and used to shave three or four times a day.

But no, I am no expert (which haphazardly rhymes with sexpert). Instead, I let the tale-tell sign of reddening shaving cream tell me when I need to change razors. Sometimes I can get away week after week without seeing blood. But not today. And I always cut myself in the best places. Today, it was at the corner of my mouth. And as ritual, instead of changing razors then, I punish myself and finish the job…. which more often than not results in cutting myself twice. So as I was finishing my shave, the blood was a lot more than usual, and started to run, both down and slightly sideways, onto my lip. By the time I was done, I look like I had just finished drinking a glass of blood, alla vampire. In fact, I spent the next five minutes in the mirror making faces and saying, “I vant to suck your blooooood,” and “Come into my chamber, for a little drrrrink.”

"BMJ" at Tonic

Dave Deporis – decent songs. amazing vocal range/complexity/arrangement. Intriguing live performance: adorably sloppy and spontaneous.

Aziz Ansari – (or as I started referring to him last night: d’Aziz) He’s really honing his comic genius, and he’s almost there. All the big press he’s been getting is well-deserved. Straight up hilarious, even jokes I’ve heard before. I’d probably see him more often if kept coming up with new material more often. How hard can it be? Being a comedian is sooooo easy. (Looks like his bag got stolen last night. Poor Aziz)

Dovemen – Incredible. In-fucking-credible. I don’t know what it is about them. They really blew me away again. When the trumpet player sets his mute down on the floor during a song, he does it so softly, as if it will shatter into nothingness. And he has five (5!) mutes. The guitar player used his own arsenal to create a variety of sounds, and the drummer kept breaking his cymbal. He was obviously playing way too loud.

They opened with “Honey”, which is hands-down one of my favorite songs of the year. They also played a few covers: Ryan Adams, Mazzy Starr, and they finished with “Dancing” that turned into “Free Falling.” Earlier this week, or last week, Doveman wrote on Sixeyes that: “Thomas and I only heard this song for the first time a couple weeks ago, a fact that is seriously disturbing to our friends. Alas, this was apparently one of the casualties of growing up in Vermont in the '80s.”

Cloud Cult: HeartonaStick sums it up nicely. I’ll only add that when they started to play Transistor Radio, I leaned over to Angela and told her that I really like that song. With that, I think I jinxed it. After three failed attempts to begin it, they moved on. –Doh!-

What happened to that painting? Everyone cleared out after the show as if the National were about to play next or something.

Ok. Ok. I know. That was a low blow.

Devin Davis on KEXP

Oh man. I am already exhausted, and CMJ has only now begun. I don’t even think Cloud Cult finished all that late last night.

I just got back from the Devin Davis show with KEXP at the Museum of TV on the Radio, I mean, TV AND Radio.

I was pretty surprised how laid back everything is at the KEXP set-up in midtown. Minutes before Devin played he was tooling around with songs, and various sounds weren’t balanced or guitars were out of tune. Then when they went live, everything corrected itself.

After four songs and an odd little interview, it was over. The last two were “Sadie” and “Desert Island,” the latter backed by a background track of waves crashing on a beach and seagulls making...uh... seagull noise. “Who opened the window?” he quipped. The bass player was ready for the beach, showing off his nice legs in some sweet cut-off shorts. Someone should tell him it’s Fashion Week in New York.

Then again. This is just radio.

Don't you wish you lived in Chicago?

Once again, Tequila Red -that most famous maven west of the east coast and east of the west coast- has listed her favorite classes to take at Chicago's Lifelong Learning Center, whence apon visiting their website you'll discover that these classes actually do exist, ie: "How To Fix Anything".

Anything, eh? How about a broken marriage? The war in Iraq? How about a cat? Let's see you get a cat fixed, buddy.

Read TR's "Fall Preview".

Last time she posted her top-ten (see classic TR post here), she left me rolling on the floor in laughter and merriment.

Here's a sample from that June List:
7. Blackjack For Blood
Just so you know, blackjack is NOT the one where you have to slap the jack every time it comes up. Casino dealers hate that. "I will take you virtually into a casino setting and help you understand what they know." So you can virtually win virtual money. What virtual fun! $59
ALTERNATE CHOICES: Old Maid for Old Maids; Go Fish

CMJ - Everything Zen FREE

Words-n-Rhymes has compiled a CMJ list, like so many others. This, however, only lists what's going on for free... $0.

Here you go. Thanks, Erica.

Big day In Music.

What a Tuesday. So many releases out today, that I don't know what to do. Here's my to-buy list:
-Sam Champion Slow Rewind - out today, available at eMusic.
-Devendra Banhart Cripple Crow- out today, available on eMusic
-Stellastarr* Harmonies for the Haunted - out today, available at stores.

I also still need to get some more Devin Davis when my eMusic refills next week, some Cloud Cult (although I have 10 tracks, they've grown like an infection and I need more), and some Fruit Bats if I'm impressed by Saturday's show.

Failure in Iraq, same reason in N.O.?

From this Newsweek article "How Bush Blew it":

...the scale of the effort slowed [itself]. TV viewers had difficulty understanding why TV crews seemed to move in and out of New Orleans while the military was nowhere to be seen. But a TV crew is five people in an RV.

If you substitute "TV crew" for "insurgent", and "New Orleans" for "Bagdad", we have the same problem in two locations.*

It's time something got fixed here.

*we also get a humorous image of insurgents in Winnebagos

PS- "The RV Insurgency" would make a great band name.

Review: Bloc Party at Roseland

So, here we are: Bloc Party at Roseland. The verdict? Yes? No? Good? Bad?

In short, when Brooklyn Vegan said in his weekly Gothamist post to see them “in a big venue, or a small venue if you compare it to the one they'll probably play next,” I don’t think he was kidding. Their sound filled the cavernous Roseland, just as it did Webster Hall, and I have no doubt they could decimate any venue they come across.

The show was a hair shy of reaching the intensity of their second Webster Hall show –which is legendary- and one of their finest moments yet. Dancing, moshing, shouting – it was all there. Bloc Party just has to play a few notes of a single riff to send the crowd into complete uproar.

And uproar we did. Although I thought they’d whip out much more new stuff, they mainly stuck with “the hits” –basically any song off of Silent Alarm. “Two More years” was O.K., but lacked the familiarity that the crowd new from their debut, most who had never seen this spectacle before. Two guys near me didn’t believe me when I told them this was my fifth time. They just discovered them on MTV or something. Should I even admit facts like that? I dont want to be like those fans who've seen some bands 50,60,70 times (ie: watch the TMBG documentary). I guess I have a ways to go before 5 turns into 50.

Roseland holds about 3,500 people. It sold out in 3 days months ago. It was their largest headlining show to date, and it won’t be their last if that was any barometer.

Their encore was a laughable joke. It was one of those where the band goes off stage for such a brief moment, you actually forgot you’re in the encore portion of the show. When they did play an encore, their second “official” one if you’re counting, they did leave the stage empty for a substantial time. I was still waiting for the song… you know which one. The one I goes nuts for. That's right: “The Answer.” Nuts, well, that’s a mild term. Apeshit – much more accurate. When Kele came back on and announced they were going to play an older one, I had my hopes up. But then, unfortunately, they broke into something that was quite unknown.

My heart sank. Oh well. They closed their surprise encore at Webster Hall with my favorite at least. I can’t be too greedy can I?

So I went from hopeful expectation to pondering what this new “old song” might be. I was sure I must know it. They were jamming, and not really going anywhere, when all of a sudden… they stopped. And bust into…

The Answer.

No kidding.

And I was true to my word. I went apeshit. They fooled me with a little intro. Those sneaks!

So, The Verdict on Bloc Party at a big venue… or shall I say The Answer? They can back up any hype/expectation you can throw at them.

If their sophomore album doesn’t fail, no more dinky venues like Roseland.

My weekend: Exercise, RANA, Football.

I keep joking with my friends that I’m going to slowly turn this into an exercise blog –since I’ve gained XX pounds since starting a Drinking/NYC Music site. Just wait. “Sweatin’ to the Indies” workout videos are just around the corner.

With that in mind, Saturday I biked over the bridge to listen to RANA at Wash Square Park (pronounced Rah’-na, not Ray’na as I had previously thought). I didn’t pay as close attention, since I sat on the grass and read some Borges, but several times I paused to hear more intently. Perfect combo. I wondered beforehand if the police-cops would shut them down, but I assumed that they were so good that the NYPD didn’t care -or were too busy doing drug raids in the park. The real answer: they got a permit, according to Jay.

I learned several things this weekend:
-there are a lot of good looking girls that go to NYU. I’ve known this before, but I always forget.

-there are a lot of good looking girls that shop at Target in Brooklyn. Chicks like bargains, I guess.

-A bowl of Cheerios will not pass as a meal. I will only be hungry again in 90 minutes.

-Fox Sports will always cut the last 20 seconds of a football game just as the team is about to attempt to win it all with a long-shot field goal; even if that underdog team is from a city that has been obliterated by a recent “storm” that garnered “some” national attention. If fact, after watching said game for two hours, not only will Fox cut from that game, but will play commercials for 2 whole minutes before even showing the stupid kick-off for the Giants game. By the way, they did this last year with 40 seconds left as the Bills were about to upset the Patriots. Needless to say, in that case the Bills didn’t win… because I wasn’t watching.

My tentative CMJ schedule:

Tuesday September 13
6:00 Devendra Banhart @ Virgin Megastore (Free)
9:00 Dave Deporis, Doveman, Cloud Cult @ Tonic ($8 - benefit)

Wednesday September 14th
10:00 AM Devin "I am not Dave Deporis" Davis @ KEXP session (Awesome nickname)
8:00 The Juan Maclean @ Soundfix (free)
9:00-12:00 Pela, King of France, The Cribs, Devendra Banhart @ Bowery Ballroom ($15)

Thursday September 15th
7:00-10:00 Arcade Fire w/SOUND Team @ Summerstage ($30)
(Turn in Early) or:
10:30- ???
1:00 Wrens @ Mercury Lounge ($15)
2:00 LEVY @ Pianos ($5)

Friday September 16th
10:AM Youth Group @ Museum of Television and Radio (free)
5:00-9:00 Voxtrot, Chin-Up Chin-Up, Dios Malos, The Cribs ($8)
9-12:00 Dirty on Purpose, Youth Group @ in Brooklyn ($5)
1:00 !!! @ S.O.B.’s ($17)(if I get tix)

Saturday September 17th
3:00 Voxtrot @ Rothko (Free)
4:00 The Joggers @ Cake Shop
6:00-7:00 Bobby Bare Jr. @ Union Pool ($10)
9:00-1:00 Rogue Wave, Fruit Bats, Wolf Parade @ Bowery Ballroom ($15)
1:00 Tom Vek @ Tribeca Grand (free)
2:00-4:00 The Cribs, Amusement Parks on Fire @ Crash Mansion. ($12)

Sunday
5:00 Fruit Bats, Rogue Wave @ Soundfix (free)

TV on the Radio at Union Pool

TV on the Radio –Dreams (mp3)

I’ll write about my weekend in reverse, starting with the TV on the Radio show last night and maybe by the end of today get to the Bloc Party show on Friday.

I arrived at Union Pool, via my motherfuckin mongoose, at 9:26. By 9:32 the line had tripled in length. Talk about good timing! Eventually I saw the people at the end of the line at 9:45 get inside. I’m not sure how many, if any, were never allowed entrance. I did see a girl get literally picked up and removed though. She thanked the bouncer by pouring her beer on him.

When I got in, the place was packed, but they were doing a good job not allowing it to get worse. The performance space was very warm and stuffy, and thus not as crowded between acts. I couldn’t stay in there for too long without fresh air… which is kind of disappointing in a way, for those opening bands, because what I heard at the end of their sets was pretty damn good.

TV on the Radio played around 12:15, and the stage area filled to capacity. Dancing and revelry ensued. How do I write about music I can barely describe? Since I’ve never seen them play their own show or a full set I was very impressed –even with the pretty lousy sound system. Temporary moshing was quelled by slower songs, and they finished with something new. With one -or was it two?- doing a basic beat box into the mic, the other sang as passionately as ever. It was simple but very effective. They played one final song after some question as to whether they would actually play an encore. No "New Health Rock", but the set was so strong on its own, I wasn't disappointed.

I got back on my bike, and rode through stunningly desolate streets of Brookyln. On Heyword and Harrison, I felt like I was alone in the city, wedged between a block-long fortress and a barren school obviously quite asleep at 2 AM. The twin lights from downtown followed me home, and almost as a cliché: a firetruck returning to station stopped at a redlight. Being officially September 12th, and clear of being insincerely symbolic (“support our ...."), I waved hello as they drove on. Only one of them saw me –they all looked exhausted- and he raised his head from resting on his arm and nodded back.

The cutest thing you'll see today:

Watch little Ryan on his first day of Kindergarten. I just randomly found these pictures his dad put up, and they are oh-so cute. His dad even stealthily follows him to school.
Go here to see them all. (unfortunately each picture is it's seperate post).


Quiz: Which of these parents looks least thrilled for this day?

Happy back to school for all those who are luckily enough to still be there!

Local News Leaves Me Wanting

A few weeks ago I was watching the evening local news when they did a human-interest story about a farmer looking for love via a personal ad. Unlike using craigslist to get laid, he planted it in his crops (dare I say “spread his seed?”) so it was only visible from the sky.

They did the entire segment, showing clips and interviews with him and such, but by the end, it was quite clear something was missing. When they cut back to the news desk to wrap-up, I couldn’t put my finger on it, but the story seemed incomplete. Luckily, the co-anchor seemed equally puzzled and said, “You know what would have made that story good? If you actually showed us the personal ad.”

I just burst out laughing. The other journalist was left speechless. It was the most obvious part of the whole story! Everyone watching probably felt the same way.… thinking “is this some kind of a joke? Lemme see the field!”

Imagine a magician who builds up his trick, only to end it before the big reveal, saying “That’s it! Wanna see another?”

“Uhhhh…but where’s my card?”

(you can see the field here).

Confusion, Rumors, and a Name-Change

-I keep thinking Devin Davis is playing Tonic on Tuesday… not Dave Deporis. I’m so dumb. And I was really liking Davis; now I gotta find out who Deporis is.

-The Village Voice says CYHSY “rumored to be signing to Columbia.” Rumored by whom? Is the Voice starting it’s own rumor?

-The Diggs play tonight at Sin-e if you aren’t going to Bloc Party or CYHSY/National. They play with Dirty Perfect, whom I’ve heard of, and Unlove, whom no one has. That’s because they used to be called “COMA” just two weeks ago.

- Everything is pretty finalized for my CMJ week, except what to do after Arcade Fire. What to do, what to do.

-I went to bed at 8:45 last night, then woke up at midnight thinking it was time to wake up for work. The next 7 hours of sleep were bliss. What did I dream about? Being very very very drunk.

Devendra Banhart -Free Show at Virgin

Just a reminder, since this might get overlooked in the run up to CMJ, but Devendra Banhart will play a free show on Tuesday 9/13 at 6:00 in the Virgin Megastore Union Square. I'm late on this, since I just got his album from 2004 last week and have been impressed.

I think I delayed because in every photo of him I've seen, he looks like that profile picture of me to the right there. Not that I need all my musicians to look like Katrina Kerns, hubba hubba, but it sure helps to move records. (C'mon- you don't think Sufjan could've sold all those albums without her, do you?).

-UPDATE: More Tix just made available for the Devendra/Cribs/Pela/King of France CMJ show here, while they last.
-sample Devendra's new album here.
-get his other albums via eMusic.

A time to laugh, a time to cry:

Did anyone else read the NYU blurb about tonight's show? I mean there is a time to be sensitive to the situation in New Orleans, a time for the occasional light-hearted pun... but not this. Not yet. Not while the wound is so fresh:

Break out those bikinis and swimming caps for one last summer swim - this year's mystery concert is going to be a wet one. It will begin with The Hold Steady's category-4 strength gusts of raucous, guitar-driven bar rock, covering you in the sweat of 1,000 of your closest friends.

Once the perspiration slows, Iron and Wine (aka Sam Beam) will bring the emotional pain. His Charmin-soft voice and emotive lyrics will cause the tears to flow - but what better way to welcome freshman to NYU life than by holding their heads under the waters of ultra-cool indie rock?

If that doesn't make you a little bit angry, then you havent been watching the horror that was, and still is, going on. It could almost be written-off as a 'swimming pool' metaphor -except for the direct allusion to the hurricane that did cause many "tears to flow." It turns the "holding...heads under the waters" into a pretty grim image.

CMJ ShmeeMJ

Some of the best shows next week aren't even official CMJ shows, only confirmed further by this bill organized by Jinners.
We've got Cloud Cult, Doveman, Devin Davis at Brooklyn Vegan's show on Tuesday; Voxtrot, Chin-Up Chin-Up, Dios Malos, and the Cribs at the Loose Record show on Friday. And now this, immediately after, with my favorites Youth Group and Dirty on Purpose.

No Fashion Rocks, No Hold Steady

I guess I didn’t get picked to be a seat-filler for tonight’s Fashion Rocks show. And I don’t go to NYU to get into the Hold Steady. And… well…

Is there anything good on TV tonight? :(

I went to the Warsaw for the CYHSY/National show. Decent venue. Wasn’t impressed by the Polish beer though. The opener Qatsi didn’t move me either. Truthfully... I didn’t even feel like sticking around for the National after CYHSY. Now before you -‘you’ being that National fan that is going to flame me in my comments- start in about how good the National "are", I have seen the National before, have even listened to a bunch of their stuff on my own, and they just don’t do it for me.

Clap Your Hands were good… but that was my seventh time seeing Alec Ounsworth this year (and my fifth CYHSY show). It was just as good as the others, and once again verified my adoration for their record. Really not much else to say.

Here’s what they played:
(Unknown), Is this Love, (Unknown), Skin Yellow Country Teeth, Over and Over, Home on Ice, Details of the War, Gimme Some Salt, Satan Said Dance, Tidal Wave

Oh- and I think I’m the only one not enraptured by that Satan song. It’s not bad… but it doesn’t seem to have the depth their other stuff’s got. Angela thought he was saying “Zaytoons” – a favorite mid-eastern restaurant in Brooklyn. I’ve also read elsewhere that someone thought he was saying “Saint Etiene”.

I’d kind-of like to imagine it’s an homage to wine from that region in Bordeaux. Mmmmm wine. ...with shwarma....

NYE: TMBG -2 shows

"I'm your only friend, I'm not your only friend..."
It may seem early, but the first New Year's Eve shows have been confirmed: They Might Be Giants at Northsix.

One of the first "Indie" bands, TMBG haven't played a normal venue in almost forever (at least to me, since I missed last year's Irving shows). They were one of my favorite groups growing up, and when I saw them in Febuary at Borders, Columbus Circle, they still had it -even though they mostly played their newer Children's songs.

12/31 - 7:30 for $20 (get tix now)
12/31 - 11:30 for $30 (get tix now)

My thoughts on Katrina

NOLA, of course, is that cutesy term coined (or at least used) by the city to promote -from it's own Google summary- "tourism, travel, hotels, sports, Saints, chat, and Mardi Gras". Now if you go to that website, the first thing you will see is GET OUT! It would be ironic, if it wasn't so awful.

Why has my corner of the blogosphere been so silent -that is, assuming sphere's could have corners? It's not that I'm not equally fucking pissed off and saddened... but because I really can't fully grasp the magnitude of it... even now. I watch the news every night, hour after hour. I can't understand why the government didn't fucking help out. I can't understand why excuses are easier that just doing it.

Anyone could have seen this coming had they tuned into the news that weekend. I do agree to some level that the blame for preventing the aftermath must be shared by all of society. But mostly, it's our leaders who are in charge and it is them who have the responsibility to guide their people so we don't neglect each other. [Or course it's also half the public's fault for electing our government]

Who's responsible for the levies breaking? Well, in general, it's the government that has the responsibility to guard against foes we might not even be aware of -even if that makes them seem unpopular. If gosh darnnit I want a tax-cut, but that means neglecting protecting our infrastructure... then well, who really wants a $300 check, just once. Do you think the poor would rather have that check, or their homes and family?

I remember watching the hurricane build all afternoon Sunday. Even before the aftermath, it was all over the news. I mean... that thing was a MONSTER. I don't know why I was so enraptured by the spiraling storm, other than that -by it's shear size- I knew nothing to compare it to. Even my ego was dwarfed by it.

I spoke with my brother on the phone that Sunday, who I hadn't talked to in weeks, and all I could say the whole time was "Damn, Andy, this is the biggest thing I've ever seen." I wish now I had called Bush himself and told him the same thing. Unfortunately, his ego is waaaaay bigger than anything God could cook up.

I wish I was wrong in my initial reaction that Sunday. But more over, I wish FEMA and the Bush Administration would grow up for once, bend over the knee of the Public, and receive punishment like a grown boy. No more spin. No more covering tracks. No more deceit.

I won't stand for any more of these whipping boys. It's his turn now.

Indie Rock Fashion -

"Although he was wearing a lot of clothes for the warm August afternoon, he still looked good and we could tell he had something to say about fashion.
Where does your style inspiration come from?
'Music. The music that I listen to (is) kind of indie.'
Like what?
'Interpol, Bloc Party, Arcade Fire."
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Nothing says "I like Interpol, Bloc Party, and Arcade Fire" quite like a sweater and a snow board hat in August. (Link). [via LHB]

Tonight on Sirius: Ben Gibbard and "Sick of Myself"

No, no. I don't have an mp3 of this... yet. It'll be airing tonight on Sirius Radio's Left of Center at 9:00. So, if anyone can record it, that'd be great.

How do I know? Because this is what Rachel Little Pants said the day Death Cab played Summerstage, from Sterogum's comments:

ben and guitarist did a little acoustic set at my work yesterday for the radio (sirius) i just watched 2 songs but missed them do an impromptu cover of Matthew Sweet's "sick of myself" which i woulda liked to hear...

and then:

well it'll prob air on Left of Center on s irius at some point. not sure when their performance is airing. but i'm sure after that someone'll mp3 it or something. seriously, he was like 'i wanna do Sick of Myself' can someone google the lyrics for me, kthx' it was funny

That's hilarious. I used to listen to Sweet's 100% Fun everyday in 9th grade, on the bus ride home from Ski Team practice.

Here is a nice tribute to the song from 1995:
I'll tell you what my favorite sound in the entire world is right now. It's not the slashing rhythm guitar chords that begin "Sick of Myself", the opening track of Matthew Sweet's new album, though those are a close runner up. It is, instead, the sound of Matthew Sweet hitting his muted guitar strings four times, just before he starts to play, a little anticipatory instrumental throat-clearing that shepherds in the record... (Read on)

Mercury Prize: And the winner is...

Anthony and the Johnsons.

Congrats to them! I still don't have that album of theirs. maybe that'll change now.

Nominee Hard-Fi recently got a 7.3 from Pitchfork. That, actually, seems a bit high compared with recent similar reviews (for often better albums). Do you think the Mercury nomination was an influence? Definitely. But who knows to what degree.

Jason Crock didn't review it this time; David Reposa did, and his all-time average is 7.203. So, if we say the album is 0.1 points "above average," I could agree with that.

The 2005 Mercury Prize Shortlist:

:: Antony and the Johnsons - I Am A Bird Now
:: Bloc Party - Silent Alarm
:: Coldplay - X&Y
:: The Go Team - Thunder, Lightning, Strike
:: Hard-Fi - Stars of CCTV
:: KT Tunstall - Eye to the Telescope
:: Kaiser Chiefs - Employment
:: The Magic Numbers - The Magic Numbers
:: Maximo Park - A Certain Trigger
:: M.I.A. - Arular
:: Polar Bear - Held on the Tips of Fingers
:: Seth Lakeman - Kitty Jay

SOUND Team mp3 Interview

Not big news (yet), since these guys are pretty unknown to me... but BV brought them to our attention last week since they are the opener for the Arcade Fire at CMJ... and Dave even gave us an mp3.

I just put 2 and 2 together (and I did not get 4! ahuck ahuck) and realized that Indie Interviews has had a podcast of an interview with them up (with a sound clip or two of their music) since August 8. The guy's responses at times are a little weak. He probably hasn't given loads and loads of audio interviews.

He will also have a Wrens interview up soon. So keep checking back for that.

Eugene Mirman - Cheapticket Calls

I know this has already been mentioned on other sites (Kathyrn Yu, Fake Century)... but in case you missed it, here they are again. Eugene Mirman is one of the funniest comics I have ever seen. He had a little trouble at a hotel that he booked through Cheaptickets once. Listen to mp3's that he recorded when he tried to get compensated:

Call 1 (mp3)
Call 2 (mp3)

These are via his Village Voice post. I hope he becomes a regular feature.

How was Out Hud?

Don't ask me. BV says it was awesome and I can only imagine. Last time I saw Out Hud I had such a blast. Unfortuntely I drank too much Sunday night and don't remember anything. Now there's "drinking too much"... and then there's, well...

I was pretty good up until I arrived at Eugene's, having drank a bottle of wine and a few beers. I would have been good if I stopped right there. Then, since they didn't open the doors until 10:20, I realized I only had 40 minutes left in the open bar. By 11:00, I was on my sixth or seventh redbull and vodka, and those babies weren't small. I figured I needed to be like a bear storing up some reserves for the long hibernation. By 11:30, my friend Mike arrived. That was my last memory.

I woke up the next morning quite confused. Where am I? What happened? What day is it?

Still drunk... until about 1:00PM. I took 4 doses of Law and Order and pretty much wasted away my Labor Day. I'm half angry that I missed Out Hud, and half-embarrassed at how annoying I must have been at the show. Luckily only one of my friends thought I was as wasted as I actually was. I give credit to Angela for somehow getting me home.

When will I learn?

Northsix shows: Art Brut, Okkervil, The Subways

Just noticed these shows on the Northsix website:

Art Brut - 11/11 (tix),
Also Maxwell's 11/9 (tix) and Mercury Lounge 11/10 (no tix yet)

Okkervil River - 11/12 (tix),
Also Knitting Factory 11/11 (tix)

The Subways - 12/7 (tix) (I expect another NYC area show somewhere)

Stats: Death Cab and O.C. in Tandem

Recently, (via One Louder), Chris Music Snobbery listed five issues he’s sick of reading about. In essence, that, by now, everyone should already know these things and never mention them again. I agree with them all. One of them is that Death Cab for Cutie is associated with The O.C. Chris writes that “it must be some music journalism by-law that the two have to be mentioned in tandem.”

So, me being me –and currently for no reason into stats- threw together this little chart, seeing how fast reviews on "Plans" took to mention the show:

Guardian Unlimited wins. While it has a few more words over all than E! Online, they get extra credit for four of the five words being “Death”, “Cab”, “For”, and “Cutie.”

Random News: Shows, Hurricanes, Cats

This Non-CMJ line-up during CMJ-week that Loose Record has assembled is just as good as nearly anything that the actual festival has put together. In fact, I’ll be skipping out of work a bit early to go catch it –this is in addition to showing up late that same day to see Youth Group in the morning.
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In more serious news… I watched the Dateline special on Katrina last night and I was taken aback. I previosuly underestimated the devestation there. Molly.blogs points out that one religious group is claiming that they know why this happened. The answer: Abortion. Duh! See for yourself:UPDATE: Another Christian Group has claimed responsibility (well, claiming it and then pinning it on the gays). "Christian group Repent America has blamed the gay festival 'Southern Decadence' for the devastation in New Orleans by hurricane Katrina."(via Brooklyn Vegan)

I actually heard that Al-Qaeda has also taken responsibility. They always do. Show-offs.
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In lighter news, A Brooklyn Life has compiled a list of great but strange cat-related sites including CatsinSinks.com and my long-time favorite Stuffonmycat.com. The NY Times did a really a interesting article a few weeks ago on the internet’s fascination with cats. Read it here.(via Moogies, since NY Times makes you $pay$ for articles after a certain time)