*Photo by Zach Timm.
Showing posts with label rock. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rock. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Soundgarden Set List
I wasn't at last night's Soundgarden show at Hammerstein Ballroom but a couple of friends were there. The set included some of my favorite tracks ("Flower", "Beyond The Wheel", "4th of July", etc.), which were absent from last week's show. Hopefully, tonight's set list will be just as good. Now I just need someone to hook me up with tickets (they start at $80 on StubHub).
Friday, January 18, 2013
Video: Dinosaur Jr. "Pierce The Morning Rain"
I've never been much of a DJ fan but I know some of you old stoners are so I figured I'd post this. Also, Henry Rollins beats the shit out of some nerd in the video and then gets beaten by said nerd, so that's something.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Gang Of Four Announce New Album
The great Gang Of Four are releasing a new album in January 2011, entitled CONTENT. It's there first album in 16 years. With most bands I'd be weary of a new album after a sixteen year layoff but this is Gang Of Four. The rules do not apply.
Every bit as powerful and insightful as their classic work, CONTENT, the new album from Gang Of Four, sees founding members Jon King and Andy Gill continuing to deliver intelligent, powerful and liberating rock & roll that is both provocative and simply thrilling. "What we're trying to do is keep it totally stripped down, where everyone in the band makes an equally intense contribution," says King. With the simple but tough and loud sound of drums, guitar, bass and vocals on new tracks like "Who Am I?," "You Don't Have To Be Mad," "I Can't Forget Your Lonely Face" and "I Party All The Time," the songwriting on CONTENT is just as challenging and unconventional in 2010 as it was in 1978.
"What I've been thrilled by over the years is that our music still seems to make sense to our audiences, however old they are, and these days they're mostly under 30," says King. "They tell us that our music means something, that it makes them want to go start a band. That amazes me. I would never have imagined when we started off that we would have this impact after such a long time."
From creating one of music's pre-eminent debut albums (1979's ENTERTAINMENT) to influencing a wide range of punk, post-punk and indie rock bands (R.E.M., Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sonic Youth, Bloc Party, The Rapture, Franz Ferdinand and hundreds more), Gang Of Four have triumphantly defined their place in rock 'n roll.
Set for a January 25th release on Yep Roc, CONTENT is the band's first album of new material in years and was written by King and Gill, and recorded and produced by Andy Gill.
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Video: Maylene & The Sons Of Disaster "Step Up (I'm On It)"
A long time ago I was introduced to a heavy as fuck (at the time) band called Underoath. They've since softened up quite a bit and I lost interest. Part of the reason they started to suck was they kicked out their old screamer dude, Dallas Taylor.
To keep busy Dallas started a southern rock/metal type band called Maylene & The Sons Of Disaster. I was pretty excited to hear that he had a new band when they started up...and then I listened to them. It wasn't terrible but, um, well it wasn't very good either. So I dismissed them and never bothered listening again.
Today I was on MetalSucks and they were raving about the new video so I gave it a chance. Well shiver-me-timbers! The Maylene boys got good, real fucking good. This is like straight up ass kicking southern metal, not the watered down shit I heard the first time I listened to them. So give it a spin, you might recognize the video.
To keep busy Dallas started a southern rock/metal type band called Maylene & The Sons Of Disaster. I was pretty excited to hear that he had a new band when they started up...and then I listened to them. It wasn't terrible but, um, well it wasn't very good either. So I dismissed them and never bothered listening again.
Today I was on MetalSucks and they were raving about the new video so I gave it a chance. Well shiver-me-timbers! The Maylene boys got good, real fucking good. This is like straight up ass kicking southern metal, not the watered down shit I heard the first time I listened to them. So give it a spin, you might recognize the video.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Tonight: Hoarsebox, All The Way From Ireland
If you haven't heard of Hoarsebox yet I suggest checking them out tonight at Arlene's Grocery. Last time they were in town Tom and I saw them at Pianos. They're one of those bands that even if you're not a fan of their style of music they do it so damn perfectly that you can't help but like them anyway. Seriously they're one of the tightest bands I've heard. Plus everyone in the band sings and they ALL have lead singer quality voices, which is very rare. Fun fact: The band was recently chosen as an Artist To Watch by Clear Channel.
Did I mention they're from Ireland? That means they spent a lot of money to come play so show some support.
Did I mention they're from Ireland? That means they spent a lot of money to come play so show some support.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Superdrag Played Bowery Ballroom 4/9
Gabe and Irv headed over to the Superdrag show at Bowery Ballroom on Thursday. Here's a recap Gabe wrote with some photo's from Irv.
-------------------------------------------------
We were supposed to meet at Bowery Ballroom at 8pm. Irvin (BSC picture-taker aka Mr. Photog) and Ethan were waiting for me out front. I was about 20 minutes late.
Ethan- “Nine, Ten, Eleven. Remember those numbers,”
“What’s that? Why?”
“That’s all he said when I asked him when the show starts.”
He looked over his shoulder to a 250 lb bearded Suge Knight look-alike checking IDs at the door.
“…Asshole.”
I couldn’t tell if he was talking to me or Suge.
“So the first band doesn’t go on for another forty minutes? Sorry guys.”
Yes, I am absent-minded. I think most of my friends realize this by now.
“Well, look on the bright side: gives us plenty of time to get drunk. What bars are around here?”
Irvin- “Crash Mansion or R Bar. There’s not much else around.”
I’m not a big fan of either of those bars, and I expressed as much. But Mr. Photog makes friends everywhere he goes. Not only is he incredibly affable and energetic. He LOVES taking pictures of people, and it shows, which is inherently flattering to anybody getting their picture taken by him.
Pia was bartending at R Bar. Friendly, funny, and beautiful, (Pia, if I had a phone, I might have the balls to ask for your number) she poured us beers as a terrible band’s guitarist squealed away from the back room.
Pia- “So you guys are actually sort of working right now?”
Sobering reminder of the task at hand. She had been regaling us with tales of blackout drunkenness. All the stories were second-hand, since she didn’t remember any of it herself. Try saying “21-34 30th Ave at 31st St” next time you get into a cab after 12 cosmos. He dropped her off in Times Square.
I looked at my watch. It was after 10 o’clock. We had to get back.
Bowery Ballroom. Downstairs we saw my two old roommates, Valeria and Stella. They are both big fans of Superdrag. In fact, they went to both NYC shows on both nights. And I think I remember Stella saying something like, “They are my favorite band ever. But you have to understand, I was like 15 when they came out.” An unprovoked apology for liking the band.
I’ve heard a lot of that stuff about Superdrag. Somebody else I know, who’s musical tastes are usually on the same rails as mine, has autographed and framed setlists from two of their shows. My awareness of them is as a band from the mid-90s glut of post-grunge MTV bands. And I don’t like to do that to bands. I don’t like to pigeonhole them into one-hit wonderdom just because I’ve been unaware of their output over the years. They have a respectable following, even after these 15 years, and after an alcoholism-induced breakup and subsequent Christian output by their main songwriter. But they’re back now. New record. New tour. And I was at Bowery Ballroom to listen and hopefully discover what I’d been missing. And they brought their friends from Knoxville to open up for them.
We got there just at the end of The Tenderhooks set, and Irvin disappeared into the scattered bodies near the front of the stage. If not for the lightning flashes from his camera, there would’ve been no evidence of his presence. Inter-gender country vocal harmonies, while the guitarist finger-picked his way through a humble progression. I’m such a sucker for that stuff. “Raise high the roof beams, dancing” was their final refrain for the night. I thought it set a nice theme. Suddenly Irv reappeared at my side against the bar.
“They sound good. Look at these pictures I got.”
He scrolled through a few of the shots he’d snapped on his camera’s view screen.
Next band was The High Score. Shiny new Les Pauls crunched out some good ole Tennessee bar fare. They reminded me of the Black Crows, without the recklessness. Nothing really to think about. I was getting it. Music’s fun. You don’t have to analyze it and write an 800 word blog about it. A nice thought. I wish I could subscribe in earnest. “It’s a mighty good wine” they sang.
Something a little peculiar happened when Superdrag walked onto the stage. First of all, they were setting up all their own equipment, plugging into amps and pedals, setting levels. There wasn’t a curtain or anything to hide them. They were exposed, and everyone in the room was silently staring at them. Judging from the eavesdropping I was doing, most people there were long time fans excited to see one of their favorite bands reunited. You would think there would be some positive heckling. “I love you John Davis!” Something like that. It was silent. They were looking at them as if looking into an aquarium.
So they start the first song. People sing along. Verse-Chorus-Verse-Chorus-Bridge-Chorus-Out. They do it again. And again. They are good songs. There is NOTHING to think about. So why am I thinking about it? I have another drink. There are cheers. But the band looks a little affected. Especially Davis. Is there some sort of underlying Christian guilt about reforming a band that drove you to addiction, the sin of false idolatry? Is he thinking about it too much? Am I? Yes. Definitely. They are good songs. Just shut up and enjoy them. Ethan finishes off a beer, burps, and says “I feel like I’m eating dry white toast that’s 15 years old. Let’s get outta here.”
I never even got to hear them sing it: “Who sucked out the FEEELAAAAANG?”
-------------------------------------------------
We were supposed to meet at Bowery Ballroom at 8pm. Irvin (BSC picture-taker aka Mr. Photog) and Ethan were waiting for me out front. I was about 20 minutes late.
Ethan- “Nine, Ten, Eleven. Remember those numbers,”
“What’s that? Why?”
“That’s all he said when I asked him when the show starts.”
He looked over his shoulder to a 250 lb bearded Suge Knight look-alike checking IDs at the door.
“…Asshole.”
I couldn’t tell if he was talking to me or Suge.
“So the first band doesn’t go on for another forty minutes? Sorry guys.”
Yes, I am absent-minded. I think most of my friends realize this by now.
“Well, look on the bright side: gives us plenty of time to get drunk. What bars are around here?”
Irvin- “Crash Mansion or R Bar. There’s not much else around.”
I’m not a big fan of either of those bars, and I expressed as much. But Mr. Photog makes friends everywhere he goes. Not only is he incredibly affable and energetic. He LOVES taking pictures of people, and it shows, which is inherently flattering to anybody getting their picture taken by him.
Pia was bartending at R Bar. Friendly, funny, and beautiful, (Pia, if I had a phone, I might have the balls to ask for your number) she poured us beers as a terrible band’s guitarist squealed away from the back room.
Pia- “So you guys are actually sort of working right now?”
Sobering reminder of the task at hand. She had been regaling us with tales of blackout drunkenness. All the stories were second-hand, since she didn’t remember any of it herself. Try saying “21-34 30th Ave at 31st St” next time you get into a cab after 12 cosmos. He dropped her off in Times Square.
I looked at my watch. It was after 10 o’clock. We had to get back.
Bowery Ballroom. Downstairs we saw my two old roommates, Valeria and Stella. They are both big fans of Superdrag. In fact, they went to both NYC shows on both nights. And I think I remember Stella saying something like, “They are my favorite band ever. But you have to understand, I was like 15 when they came out.” An unprovoked apology for liking the band.
I’ve heard a lot of that stuff about Superdrag. Somebody else I know, who’s musical tastes are usually on the same rails as mine, has autographed and framed setlists from two of their shows. My awareness of them is as a band from the mid-90s glut of post-grunge MTV bands. And I don’t like to do that to bands. I don’t like to pigeonhole them into one-hit wonderdom just because I’ve been unaware of their output over the years. They have a respectable following, even after these 15 years, and after an alcoholism-induced breakup and subsequent Christian output by their main songwriter. But they’re back now. New record. New tour. And I was at Bowery Ballroom to listen and hopefully discover what I’d been missing. And they brought their friends from Knoxville to open up for them.
We got there just at the end of The Tenderhooks set, and Irvin disappeared into the scattered bodies near the front of the stage. If not for the lightning flashes from his camera, there would’ve been no evidence of his presence. Inter-gender country vocal harmonies, while the guitarist finger-picked his way through a humble progression. I’m such a sucker for that stuff. “Raise high the roof beams, dancing” was their final refrain for the night. I thought it set a nice theme. Suddenly Irv reappeared at my side against the bar.
“They sound good. Look at these pictures I got.”
He scrolled through a few of the shots he’d snapped on his camera’s view screen.
Next band was The High Score. Shiny new Les Pauls crunched out some good ole Tennessee bar fare. They reminded me of the Black Crows, without the recklessness. Nothing really to think about. I was getting it. Music’s fun. You don’t have to analyze it and write an 800 word blog about it. A nice thought. I wish I could subscribe in earnest. “It’s a mighty good wine” they sang.
Something a little peculiar happened when Superdrag walked onto the stage. First of all, they were setting up all their own equipment, plugging into amps and pedals, setting levels. There wasn’t a curtain or anything to hide them. They were exposed, and everyone in the room was silently staring at them. Judging from the eavesdropping I was doing, most people there were long time fans excited to see one of their favorite bands reunited. You would think there would be some positive heckling. “I love you John Davis!” Something like that. It was silent. They were looking at them as if looking into an aquarium.
So they start the first song. People sing along. Verse-Chorus-Verse-Chorus-Bridge-Chorus-Out. They do it again. And again. They are good songs. There is NOTHING to think about. So why am I thinking about it? I have another drink. There are cheers. But the band looks a little affected. Especially Davis. Is there some sort of underlying Christian guilt about reforming a band that drove you to addiction, the sin of false idolatry? Is he thinking about it too much? Am I? Yes. Definitely. They are good songs. Just shut up and enjoy them. Ethan finishes off a beer, burps, and says “I feel like I’m eating dry white toast that’s 15 years old. Let’s get outta here.”
I never even got to hear them sing it: “Who sucked out the FEEELAAAAANG?”
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Valient Thorr & The Sword 12/6
This is long overdo and therefore I'm not even going to try and give a detailed recap. Here's what you need to know about this show: Black Cobra opened and while I didn't love the music the drummer was amazing. The riffs varied from sludgy to thrash and was good at times. They even managed to sound a bit like Sepultura at times, minus the vocals.
Next up came the mighty Valient Thorr. The reason I came to this show was to see VT, not The Sword like everyone else. To put it simply Valient Thorr is an amazing live band. Decked out in jean vests and each sporting a heavy beard they come off like a Viking biker gang. The music is intense and the band is too. But it's clear they're just having fun up there and everything is done tongue-in-cheek. The set was fantastic and I suggest you get off of your ass next time they're in town and check them out live.
Next up it was The Sword, to be honest I never really got why people were into this band so much. They remind me of Wolfmother or one of those other Deep Purple wannabe bands that everyone is into these days.
The Sword also attracts a very interesting crowd. There were very few metal heads, a few scattered hipsters, but mostly it was douchebags from North Jersey and LI. They were literally bumping chests and high fiving each other the whole time. They were everywhere and they were trying to be tough. It was a DB pit, you know what I mean? A bunch of big dudes who aren't familiar with heavy shows so they think they have to mosh, except they don't know what that means so they just run into each other like retards.
Anyway, let's get back to The Sword...they're boring. Plain and simple. I lasted about 3 or 4 songs and then I went home. I just don't get why people dig such a boring band. Valient Thorr blew them off the stage in my oh so humble opinion.
Next up came the mighty Valient Thorr. The reason I came to this show was to see VT, not The Sword like everyone else. To put it simply Valient Thorr is an amazing live band. Decked out in jean vests and each sporting a heavy beard they come off like a Viking biker gang. The music is intense and the band is too. But it's clear they're just having fun up there and everything is done tongue-in-cheek. The set was fantastic and I suggest you get off of your ass next time they're in town and check them out live.
Next up it was The Sword, to be honest I never really got why people were into this band so much. They remind me of Wolfmother or one of those other Deep Purple wannabe bands that everyone is into these days.
The Sword also attracts a very interesting crowd. There were very few metal heads, a few scattered hipsters, but mostly it was douchebags from North Jersey and LI. They were literally bumping chests and high fiving each other the whole time. They were everywhere and they were trying to be tough. It was a DB pit, you know what I mean? A bunch of big dudes who aren't familiar with heavy shows so they think they have to mosh, except they don't know what that means so they just run into each other like retards.
Anyway, let's get back to The Sword...they're boring. Plain and simple. I lasted about 3 or 4 songs and then I went home. I just don't get why people dig such a boring band. Valient Thorr blew them off the stage in my oh so humble opinion.
Friday, March 30, 2007
The Ponys, Black Lips, and Panthers @ Bowery Ballroom 3/26
On Monday I headed over to the Bowery Ballroom to see the Black Lips. The last time I saw them was the infamous gig which got them permanently banned from the Mercury Lounge. That show put the Black Lips on the map and made little places like the Merc no longer necessary anyway.
Needless to say, I was pretty excited to see the Lips again. I've also been meaning to catch a Panthers show so that was an added bonus.
I got to the Ballroom a little earlier then I should have so I sat at the bar downstairs and had a few beers. When I heard the band start I went upstairs and got a spot up front. The Panthers came out swinging, despite a non-receptive crowd. I was actually surprised that people seemed disinterested, it seems like Lips fans would dig rowdy rock n' roll like the Panthers deliver. One chubby girl was dancing around like crazy and got a shout out from the band. I think she might have pissed her pants - which I didn't notice until I looked at the pictures.
After the Panthers cleared the stage the Ballroom filled in fast. I had to fight to keep my spot up front as the rabid fans poured onto the floor. When the Black Lips started everyone went fucking crazy. There was a mini-pit going on up front, more akin to CBGB pogo pits then their more brutal NYHC cousin.
My "great spot" turned out to be kind of shitty. All I could hear was the one guitar and not much else. After about 4-5 songs I abandoned my post and took a few steps back where I could hear the whole band. Now that I could actually hear what was going on I was stunned. The sloppy garage punks cleaned up their act big time. They sounded like (gasp) a professional band...and they were fucking awesome!
The vocals, coming from all four members, sounded amazing and truly vintage to the 60's garage sound. The crazy fuck guitar player that drank his own piss last time I saw him kept the antics to a minimum. He did manage to self induce vomiting and left a little puddle on stage. Other then that and a brief make out session with the other guitar player things were pretty tame.
I really can't stress how much better the Black Lips have gotten since I last saw them a year ago. A band that started out using shock antics to draw crowds can now draw the people in on their musical merits alone.
After the smoke cleared I noticed that Karen O. from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs was right up at the front of the stage. Apparently she was there the whole time bopping along to the Black Lips.
When the set was over the room cleared out and the Ponys set up. I really never listed to the Ponys much but I figured they would be something to stick around for. When they started the crowd seemed noticeably thinned out. Clearly the Lips were the main draw despite the Ponys claiming the headlining spot. Nevertheless, those who stayed seemed to be into the music.
I was a bit confused by the set they played. After two furious sets by the Black Lips and Panthers, The Ponys started with some mellow shit. This was a huge buzz kill for a lot of the people there. They did eventually get into some rocking tunes but they built up to it, instead of coming out with guns blazing like they should have. Ride the waves kids...ride the waves.
The Ponys were good but I would take a set by either of there openers any day. This was a Black Lips show through and through. Just like they stole Wolfmothers thunder a year ago tonight they stole the stage from the Ponys.
I got to the Ballroom a little earlier then I should have so I sat at the bar downstairs and had a few beers. When I heard the band start I went upstairs and got a spot up front. The Panthers came out swinging, despite a non-receptive crowd. I was actually surprised that people seemed disinterested, it seems like Lips fans would dig rowdy rock n' roll like the Panthers deliver. One chubby girl was dancing around like crazy and got a shout out from the band. I think she might have pissed her pants - which I didn't notice until I looked at the pictures.
After the Panthers cleared the stage the Ballroom filled in fast. I had to fight to keep my spot up front as the rabid fans poured onto the floor. When the Black Lips started everyone went fucking crazy. There was a mini-pit going on up front, more akin to CBGB pogo pits then their more brutal NYHC cousin.
My "great spot" turned out to be kind of shitty. All I could hear was the one guitar and not much else. After about 4-5 songs I abandoned my post and took a few steps back where I could hear the whole band. Now that I could actually hear what was going on I was stunned. The sloppy garage punks cleaned up their act big time. They sounded like (gasp) a professional band...and they were fucking awesome!
The vocals, coming from all four members, sounded amazing and truly vintage to the 60's garage sound. The crazy fuck guitar player that drank his own piss last time I saw him kept the antics to a minimum. He did manage to self induce vomiting and left a little puddle on stage. Other then that and a brief make out session with the other guitar player things were pretty tame.
I really can't stress how much better the Black Lips have gotten since I last saw them a year ago. A band that started out using shock antics to draw crowds can now draw the people in on their musical merits alone.
After the smoke cleared I noticed that Karen O. from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs was right up at the front of the stage. Apparently she was there the whole time bopping along to the Black Lips.
When the set was over the room cleared out and the Ponys set up. I really never listed to the Ponys much but I figured they would be something to stick around for. When they started the crowd seemed noticeably thinned out. Clearly the Lips were the main draw despite the Ponys claiming the headlining spot. Nevertheless, those who stayed seemed to be into the music.
I was a bit confused by the set they played. After two furious sets by the Black Lips and Panthers, The Ponys started with some mellow shit. This was a huge buzz kill for a lot of the people there. They did eventually get into some rocking tunes but they built up to it, instead of coming out with guns blazing like they should have. Ride the waves kids...ride the waves.
The Ponys were good but I would take a set by either of there openers any day. This was a Black Lips show through and through. Just like they stole Wolfmothers thunder a year ago tonight they stole the stage from the Ponys.
The Ponys
The Black Lips
Panthers
Link:
A whole lot more pictures @ BSC Flickr
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Dateline: To Catch A Rock N' Roll Predator
Chris Hansen and Dateline have turned sexual predators into prime time gold. It's everyone's favorite show now. But the real sexual predators are still out there, touring the country and writing songs about their adventures with 15 year olds. Chris Hansen, you're dealing with small timers my friend - the rock stars are out there but you can't catch them with a computer. 
Chris Hansen's most wanted list...
Top 5:
#1 Jerry Lee Lewis (AKA The Killer) - Married his 13 year old cousin at the age of 23. But then again, "in the old time it was not a crime."
#2 Jimmy Page (Led Zepplin) - At the age of 28 was in a public relationship with 14 year old Lori Maddox. Many other affairs with underage girls are rumored .
#3 Elvis Presley (AKA The King) - Elvis had "an insatiable hunger for underage girls" and started dating Priscilla Wagner when she was 14.
#4 Pete Townsend (The Who) - Busted for possession of kiddie porn, claimed it was for "research."
#5 David Bowie & Angie Bowie - Rumored to have taken the virginity of, above mentioned, Lori Maddox when she was 13 years old.
The Watch List:
#6 Steven Tyler (Aerosmith) - Rumored to have numerous affairs with underage girls.
#7 Chuck Berry - Penned the song "Sweet Little Sixteen," what do you think that's about?
If you see any of these dangerous predators please contact Dateline NBC.
Chris Hansen's most wanted list...
Top 5:
#1 Jerry Lee Lewis (AKA The Killer) - Married his 13 year old cousin at the age of 23. But then again, "in the old time it was not a crime."
#2 Jimmy Page (Led Zepplin) - At the age of 28 was in a public relationship with 14 year old Lori Maddox. Many other affairs with underage girls are rumored .#3 Elvis Presley (AKA The King) - Elvis had "an insatiable hunger for underage girls" and started dating Priscilla Wagner when she was 14.#4 Pete Townsend (The Who) - Busted for possession of kiddie porn, claimed it was for "research."#5 David Bowie & Angie Bowie - Rumored to have taken the virginity of, above mentioned, Lori Maddox when she was 13 years old.The Watch List:
#6 Steven Tyler (Aerosmith) - Rumored to have numerous affairs with underage girls.
#7 Chuck Berry - Penned the song "Sweet Little Sixteen," what do you think that's about?
#8 Kip Winger (Winger) - Penned the song "Seventeen," again what's that about? Oh right, "Daddy says she's too young, But she's old enough for me"
#9 R. Kelly - Likes to piss on 14 year old girls...and also have sex with them. (Would have been higher, since he was caught, but he's not rock n' roll)
#10 All Rock Stars - Come on, like you would trust any of these dudes with your 15 year old daughter/sister.
#9 R. Kelly - Likes to piss on 14 year old girls...and also have sex with them. (Would have been higher, since he was caught, but he's not rock n' roll)
#10 All Rock Stars - Come on, like you would trust any of these dudes with your 15 year old daughter/sister.
If you see any of these dangerous predators please contact Dateline NBC.
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