If you think these suck then go to Whats Up NYC for more.
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Tonight's Picks
GO out tonight - there's plenty to do. I'm not going to write about what I found interesting, instead I'll just post the flyers and you make your own damn decision.
If you think these suck then go to Whats Up NYC for more.
If you think these suck then go to Whats Up NYC for more.
Dropkick Murphys on Conan
Tonight the kings of Irish punk, Dropkick Murphys, are performing on Late Night with Conan O'Brien. As always the show starts at 12:30 - Dropkick Murphys will probably go on around 1:20 or so. This is going to be good, so stay the fuck up - you're not that old yet.
Leeway Video from CBGBs 2/24
Thanks to this dude for linking to BSC. I also wouldn't have found this amazing video from the show without him. This is the entire Leeway set from 2/24, now you can see what I was talking about. This shit is amazing.
Leeway @ CBGB - 2/24 (video)
Monday, February 27, 2006
First Impressions Of Earth Are A Shitty Band
I came across this today while I was at work - by far the dumbest review ever. It's so ridiculous that I think it might be on purpose, in which case it's genius - but I don't think that's the case. This guy appears to have no idea who the Strokes are. I have mixed emotions about them but what fucking cave dweller hasn't even heard of The Strokes. Anyway, just read this thing it's fucking hilarious.
Link:
The Strokes by First Impressions Of Earth
**Yeah it's definitely on purpose - and therefore genius. Next time I'll compare shit like this to other reviews before commenting. Nonetheless this review is still fucking funny.
Sunday, February 26, 2006
Yeah Yeah Yeahs At Bowery Ballroom
Last night marked concert number 6 in seven days. This was the last of the bunch and what a note to go out on. I arrived at the Bowery Ballroom around 9:45, I was under the impression the first (and only) opener went on at 9PM. So I was a bit surprised to see that no one was there yet and the stage wasn't even set up. I hung out downstairs on one of the couches for what seemed like an hour before the opener came on.
I can't remember who it was and I'm too damn lazy to go look it up but I wasn't impressed at all. So I stayed on my little couch and waited them out. While I was down there I was able to scope out the crowd. James Iha was there trying not to be noticed. I also saw the guy with the fro and the huge beard from TV On The Radio - I don't think he even attempts to go unnoticed at this point. I also saw this guy who was quite interesting looking - he was wearing a weird white turtle neck with a corduroy suit. He also had long hair and a huge Duane Allman 'stache, when he walked by he flipped his hair - it was hilarious. I think he was the secret gay Allman brother - Fabrizio Allman.
Ok, sorry - back to the show. After what seemed like forever, the opening band finished their set and I headed upstairs - beer in hand. I managed to snag a decent spot to the side of the stage, not too far from the front. There was an abundance of johnny-come-latelys who were trying to push there way towards the center. It was really fucking annoying and I barely resisted the urge to choke slam a few of them. Anyway, the YYYs took the stage and the crowd started cheering. (I just realized that was the first time I actually mentioned the YYYs)
Karen was totally out of control - she knows how to put on a good show. The new guy was kinda annoying, he looked like he didn't belong. He was "rocking out" a little too much, like he was trying to be a rock star or something. Nick is a skinny fucking freak but damn he can play guitar. I don't mean that in any sort of virtuoso way - he just plays huge. The drummer, whose name I don't know, is fucking sick. The fills he was playing were very unique - I never really noticed the drums before last night.
The show was great and the band managed to get to most of their hits. I have new respect for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs after this show. They definitely deserve the hype they've been getting building up to their new album. They are playing NYC again in May - I recommend you go.
Sorry, this review is half-assed - I'm tired and burned out from too many concerts. But I still got some decent pics.
I can't remember who it was and I'm too damn lazy to go look it up but I wasn't impressed at all. So I stayed on my little couch and waited them out. While I was down there I was able to scope out the crowd. James Iha was there trying not to be noticed. I also saw the guy with the fro and the huge beard from TV On The Radio - I don't think he even attempts to go unnoticed at this point. I also saw this guy who was quite interesting looking - he was wearing a weird white turtle neck with a corduroy suit. He also had long hair and a huge Duane Allman 'stache, when he walked by he flipped his hair - it was hilarious. I think he was the secret gay Allman brother - Fabrizio Allman.
Ok, sorry - back to the show. After what seemed like forever, the opening band finished their set and I headed upstairs - beer in hand. I managed to snag a decent spot to the side of the stage, not too far from the front. There was an abundance of johnny-come-latelys who were trying to push there way towards the center. It was really fucking annoying and I barely resisted the urge to choke slam a few of them. Anyway, the YYYs took the stage and the crowd started cheering. (I just realized that was the first time I actually mentioned the YYYs)
Karen was totally out of control - she knows how to put on a good show. The new guy was kinda annoying, he looked like he didn't belong. He was "rocking out" a little too much, like he was trying to be a rock star or something. Nick is a skinny fucking freak but damn he can play guitar. I don't mean that in any sort of virtuoso way - he just plays huge. The drummer, whose name I don't know, is fucking sick. The fills he was playing were very unique - I never really noticed the drums before last night.
The show was great and the band managed to get to most of their hits. I have new respect for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs after this show. They definitely deserve the hype they've been getting building up to their new album. They are playing NYC again in May - I recommend you go.
Sorry, this review is half-assed - I'm tired and burned out from too many concerts. But I still got some decent pics.
METAL!
James Iha amongst the commoners
R.I.P. Don Knotts
Today is a sad day folks - Don Knotts is dead, he was 81 years old. The world is worse off without the man that played Barney Fife. I lived in Morgantown, West Virginia a few years back. Don was from Morgantown and he is a hero there. In fact, a stretch of the road I lived on was called Don Knotts BLVD. Take it easy Don.
Stop... Hammer Time!
I stumbled upon this gem while I was randomly searching the internet. It might be the greatest blog my eyes (and ears) have ever happened upon. The mythical beast known as M.C. Hammer has his own blog. Yes, that's right - Hammer is a fucking blogger. What else you'll learn while at the Hammer blog is that he still makes music, and it still sounds like 1990. Make sure you listen to his audio posts and you absolutely must watch his new video, which he posted to Google Video - Hammer is sooo fucking 2.0!
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Cro Brains At CBGBs
I headed over to CBGB's last night to see the legendary Bad Brains. As always it was 700 degrees inside and smelled like ball sweat and gym socks. I got there about ten minutes before Ensign took the stage. At first I thought I missed them but luckily that wasn't the case. I moved towards the front but stopped at the end of the bar on the stage side. I'm not 15 anymore and I sure as hell wasn't in the mood for the pit.
Ensign took the stage and thanked John Joseph and Bad Brains for letting them play. I was excited to see Ensign, they've been on top of the Jersey scene for years. It's hard to believe that this was the first time I got to see them. Anyway, they bust into the first song and the place goes fucking apeshit. The whole floor opened up and the spin kicks and face punching commenced.
I haven't been to a real hardcore show in a while so this was fun - like the good old days. The insanity of the pit died down after the first song and never really picked upp again until the last two. I have to say I was a bit disappointed with Ensign. Maybe I had my hopes too high but they just didn't live up to the hype I've been hearing the last few years. In their defense though they weren't playing in the most ideal timeslot.
I think by this point in the show I had lost about 2 pounds, so I grabbed a beer to nourish myself. Leeway was up next and the place started filling up fast. Honestly, despite all my years in the hardcore scene I never really heard much of Leeway. Of course I heard the name a thousand times and the occasional track but for the most part they slipped under my radar.
I could tell by the make up of the crowd that I was in for a good time. All the LES thug core maniacs came out of the woodwork. Anytime, I start seeing these guys I know the fucking place is going to explode. Leeway took to the stage and the singer (who looks like he was about 90 pounds) grabs the mic and starts talking shit in a heavy NYC accent. The second they went into the first song the goddamn place went berserk. I haven't seen CB's this nuts since Madball a few years back.
Unlike Ensign the craziness did not let up at all, in fact it continually intensified. There were literally people climbing on the fucking air ducts. One guy did a flip off the stage and smashed into the hanging speaker on the side. Another guy, some old crusty LES thug, climbed on top off the bar then made his way over to the PA perch and launched off into the crowd. The old school cats just know how to fuck shit up.
Leeway was so fucking tight - this was, without question, one of the best HxC sets I've ever seen. That's saying something when you consider I don't know a single fucking song by them. I'm pretty sure I'll know quite a few in the near future. Leeway owned this show - this wasn't about Bad Mags, this was all fucking Leeway.
Unfortunatly, Leeway's set ended and I had a choice to make - join the rush to the bar or take advantage of the empty floor and get a spot up front. I decided the beer could wait and I pushed my way up front to the side of the stage. Side stage was like being in a fucking oven - within seconds I was totally drenched in sweat. Of course, the one smelly asshole without a shirt on decideds to stand directly in front of me.
The wait for Bad Brains to take the stage was fucking ridiculous. It seemed like 30 minutes, but that was probably because of the heat. After the majority of the water in my body had been sweated out the Bad Brains took the stage - well, two of them at least. I knew Jon Joseph from Cro-Mags was filling in on vocals but I didn't know Mackie from Cr-Mags was going to be on drums. It was at this point I realized how ridiculus this line-up actually was. This ain't the fucking Bad Brains, man.
The Cro Brains started playing and everyone went nuts and blah, blah, blah. Mackie was fucking killing the drums - he's so goddamn good. John Joseph on the other hand... well he was trying to fill HR's shoes. As in one of the most distinct voices in punk rock HR. John gave it one hell of a shot - you could tell he was trying his best. It just didn't really work though. On the classics it didn't matter because the crowd was singing so loud you couldn't even hear him.
About five songs in I started to lose interest and I worked my way back to the bar. All the old school cats that were going apeshit during Leeway were back here relaxing. Apparently they weren't very impressed with this line-up either. I grabbed a beer and realized I was standing next to Hoya Roc from Madball and I think another guy from Cro-Mags. The crowd started getting less and less tolerant of this faux-Brains and halfway through people started leaving. I was tempted to do the same but the $25 dollar cover kept me in my place.
Bad Brains without HR are not Bad Brains - just stop it. Please go find HR in whatever looney bin he's locked up in (he's fucking crazy as shit), have a few practices, and then call yourself Bad Brains - until then take a vacation. Maybe you should keep Mackie in the mix, he's pretty fucking amazing on drums. To sum up this review: Bad Brains D+, Ensign C+, Leeway A++. Leeway fucking owned!
**Update: Video of Leeway's entire set here.
Ensign took the stage and thanked John Joseph and Bad Brains for letting them play. I was excited to see Ensign, they've been on top of the Jersey scene for years. It's hard to believe that this was the first time I got to see them. Anyway, they bust into the first song and the place goes fucking apeshit. The whole floor opened up and the spin kicks and face punching commenced.
I haven't been to a real hardcore show in a while so this was fun - like the good old days. The insanity of the pit died down after the first song and never really picked upp again until the last two. I have to say I was a bit disappointed with Ensign. Maybe I had my hopes too high but they just didn't live up to the hype I've been hearing the last few years. In their defense though they weren't playing in the most ideal timeslot.
I think by this point in the show I had lost about 2 pounds, so I grabbed a beer to nourish myself. Leeway was up next and the place started filling up fast. Honestly, despite all my years in the hardcore scene I never really heard much of Leeway. Of course I heard the name a thousand times and the occasional track but for the most part they slipped under my radar.
I could tell by the make up of the crowd that I was in for a good time. All the LES thug core maniacs came out of the woodwork. Anytime, I start seeing these guys I know the fucking place is going to explode. Leeway took to the stage and the singer (who looks like he was about 90 pounds) grabs the mic and starts talking shit in a heavy NYC accent. The second they went into the first song the goddamn place went berserk. I haven't seen CB's this nuts since Madball a few years back.
Unlike Ensign the craziness did not let up at all, in fact it continually intensified. There were literally people climbing on the fucking air ducts. One guy did a flip off the stage and smashed into the hanging speaker on the side. Another guy, some old crusty LES thug, climbed on top off the bar then made his way over to the PA perch and launched off into the crowd. The old school cats just know how to fuck shit up.
Leeway was so fucking tight - this was, without question, one of the best HxC sets I've ever seen. That's saying something when you consider I don't know a single fucking song by them. I'm pretty sure I'll know quite a few in the near future. Leeway owned this show - this wasn't about Bad Mags, this was all fucking Leeway.
Unfortunatly, Leeway's set ended and I had a choice to make - join the rush to the bar or take advantage of the empty floor and get a spot up front. I decided the beer could wait and I pushed my way up front to the side of the stage. Side stage was like being in a fucking oven - within seconds I was totally drenched in sweat. Of course, the one smelly asshole without a shirt on decideds to stand directly in front of me.
The wait for Bad Brains to take the stage was fucking ridiculous. It seemed like 30 minutes, but that was probably because of the heat. After the majority of the water in my body had been sweated out the Bad Brains took the stage - well, two of them at least. I knew Jon Joseph from Cro-Mags was filling in on vocals but I didn't know Mackie from Cr-Mags was going to be on drums. It was at this point I realized how ridiculus this line-up actually was. This ain't the fucking Bad Brains, man.
The Cro Brains started playing and everyone went nuts and blah, blah, blah. Mackie was fucking killing the drums - he's so goddamn good. John Joseph on the other hand... well he was trying to fill HR's shoes. As in one of the most distinct voices in punk rock HR. John gave it one hell of a shot - you could tell he was trying his best. It just didn't really work though. On the classics it didn't matter because the crowd was singing so loud you couldn't even hear him.
About five songs in I started to lose interest and I worked my way back to the bar. All the old school cats that were going apeshit during Leeway were back here relaxing. Apparently they weren't very impressed with this line-up either. I grabbed a beer and realized I was standing next to Hoya Roc from Madball and I think another guy from Cro-Mags. The crowd started getting less and less tolerant of this faux-Brains and halfway through people started leaving. I was tempted to do the same but the $25 dollar cover kept me in my place.
Bad Brains without HR are not Bad Brains - just stop it. Please go find HR in whatever looney bin he's locked up in (he's fucking crazy as shit), have a few practices, and then call yourself Bad Brains - until then take a vacation. Maybe you should keep Mackie in the mix, he's pretty fucking amazing on drums. To sum up this review: Bad Brains D+, Ensign C+, Leeway A++. Leeway fucking owned!
**Update: Video of Leeway's entire set here.
Bad Brains
Leeway
Ensign
Friday, February 24, 2006
Bad Brains Tonight
One of the greatest and most influential punk bands takes the stage tonight at CBGB's. Despite the fact that it appears HR won't be there I'm still pretty excited. I mean - it's Bad Brains at fucking CBGB's. You can't get much more punk rock than that - at least not since the Ramones died.
I have an extra ticket so if anyone happens to see this before 8:30 and wants to go send me an email:
I have an extra ticket so if anyone happens to see this before 8:30 and wants to go send me an email:
BrooklynSkiClub@yahoo.com
YYY's Tix On Sale Saturday
Tomorrow I am going to see Yeah Yeah Yeah's at the Bowery. I'll have pictures and all the normal shit for you on Sunday.
In related news YYY tix for May 2nd at the Roseland go on sale tomorrow (Saturday, 25th). The sale starts at the wee hour of 11AM. This line is the link.
In related news YYY tix for May 2nd at the Roseland go on sale tomorrow (Saturday, 25th). The sale starts at the wee hour of 11AM. This line is the link.
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Sigmund Droid @ Lit
Last night I attended the Sigmund Droid show at Lit. I kinda hate Lit but I really wanted to see Sigmund live so I went anyway. I got there about 15 minutes before they went on. I headed to the bar - which I thought was open. Apparently it wasn't and I ended up paying $4 for a Sparks - yikes.
Anyway, I grabbed my Sparks and headed towards the front. I was trying to figure out who was actually in the band but I wasn't really having any luck. Then I saw a guy go over to the stage and start screwing with the drums - so I introduced myself. I told him I was interested in hearing how only two guys can pull of the sound I heard on the MP3's. He assured me they sound even better live.
With that reassurance I waited for them to take the stage. The first song started with a simple little bass line and slow vocals - oh no! I have to admit I got a little worried at that point, then all of a sudden - pow right in the kisser. The band started rocking and I was immediately impressed by the skill of the bass player/singer. He had fairly elaborate pedal setup and wasn't afraid to use them.
He switched back and forth from bass that sounded like guitar to bass that sounded like bass. It was very fucking cool sounding. On top of it the guy has a pretty killer voice. The drummer kept great time and I was impressed by how tight the rhythm was.
The highlight of the show was "Liverpool Sluts", a song sung in a faux-British accent that is fucking hilarious. The only part of the show I wasn't into was "Black Girls" - based on what they said, a lot of people dislike this song for it's semi-racist lyrics. What bothered me about the song was the corny white-boy funk style to it. It is nothing at all like the rest of their tunes and shouldn't be part of the set. However, if I was in a band and had a controversial song that pissed people off then I would play it every night too.
Overall I have to say that Sigmund Droid was much better than I thought they would be. That's not to say I thought they would be bad - I just didn't think they would be able to match the recordings. Not only did they match what I heard but they far surpassed it. Sigmund Droid is a good fucking band and you need to go check them out. Will Sigmund Droid Rule NY?
Previous post with MP3's
Anyway, I grabbed my Sparks and headed towards the front. I was trying to figure out who was actually in the band but I wasn't really having any luck. Then I saw a guy go over to the stage and start screwing with the drums - so I introduced myself. I told him I was interested in hearing how only two guys can pull of the sound I heard on the MP3's. He assured me they sound even better live.
With that reassurance I waited for them to take the stage. The first song started with a simple little bass line and slow vocals - oh no! I have to admit I got a little worried at that point, then all of a sudden - pow right in the kisser. The band started rocking and I was immediately impressed by the skill of the bass player/singer. He had fairly elaborate pedal setup and wasn't afraid to use them.
He switched back and forth from bass that sounded like guitar to bass that sounded like bass. It was very fucking cool sounding. On top of it the guy has a pretty killer voice. The drummer kept great time and I was impressed by how tight the rhythm was.
The highlight of the show was "Liverpool Sluts", a song sung in a faux-British accent that is fucking hilarious. The only part of the show I wasn't into was "Black Girls" - based on what they said, a lot of people dislike this song for it's semi-racist lyrics. What bothered me about the song was the corny white-boy funk style to it. It is nothing at all like the rest of their tunes and shouldn't be part of the set. However, if I was in a band and had a controversial song that pissed people off then I would play it every night too.
Overall I have to say that Sigmund Droid was much better than I thought they would be. That's not to say I thought they would be bad - I just didn't think they would be able to match the recordings. Not only did they match what I heard but they far surpassed it. Sigmund Droid is a good fucking band and you need to go check them out. Will Sigmund Droid Rule NY?
Previous post with MP3's
TV On The Radio Video Shoot
Tomorrow TVOTR shoot the video for their next single somewhere in Williamsburg. I assume it will be around the whole Bedford strip area. I see the guys from TVOTR almost everyday around there. So keep a look out for that - maybe you can get cast. There is info on Brooklyn Vegan about what types they're looking for and who to contact.
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