I'll be the first person to admit that I've spent a majority of my life being pretty narrow minded about music. My name was pretty synonymous with the phrase "music snob" in social circles. Over the years though, my snobbiness has waned I suppose you could say. I've been more up for broadening my horizions, expanding my musical palette so to speak. Me going off with all that word vomit about Grizzly Bear last week was the norm. Me having praise for an album by Propagandhi is new. It's a wild streak. Most people would probably be surprised that I am even willing to give them the time of day.
So let's be honest. I didn't listen to Supporting Caste by choice at first; the album blared on repeat for days here at the SiS HQ and it was only time until it would pump through my blood stream. The songs would eventually become one with me - "Dear Coaches Corner" staying with me the most. There's this little bit of dialogue that opens up the song before sprawling in to this mess of guitars and drums. Apparently I'll be seeing them this weekend, first time I'll be amassed in any form of mosh pit since I don't even know when. I'm not an angry guy, but I guess I should find music that I can channel my, um, energy in to to vent my frustations by chance.
Manchester's Airship are young, talented, and buzzing with good press. With comparisons to Modest Mouse, the Pixies, and Coldplay, their ambition is getting them a lot of kudos. The band members of Airship aspire to make music that echoes in space, emotions that shiver down your spine, and dreamy vocals that linger in between chimeric guitar riffs and pummeling cymbals. Their music carries both the zeitgeist of a dream and the energy of a noisy rock band.
It's the ultimate irony, the original fake rock band,Spinal Tap, is doing a reunion tour. They’ve planned a 30-city tour starting this April. Michael McKean, Christopher Guest and Harry Shearer. This time around they will be doing acoustic versions of the original This Is Spinal Tap material. A statement from the band reads, "You'll never hear Tap songs less loud."
On April 18th we will be celebrating Record Store Day. It’s not a holiday, but actually just a clever marketing gimmick. Independent record stores will debut exclusive releases and sport live performances. But it’s for a good cause, these stores are becoming an endangered species.
FREE RECORD FOR DOWNLOAD: My Two Robodads is giving away their first EP beat that!Go here.
Coolio got busted this week. At the security check at Los Angeles International Airport, screeners found crack cocaine in his pockets. Coolio then got physically aggressive and was detained. He was later released on $10,000 bail. This is better than his appearance on Big Brother.
Former Monkee Peter Tork has been diagnosed with Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma a rare cancer. The 67-year-old guitarist discovered he had cancer after a biopsy of his tongue last week. Tork will have to undergo radiation but is expected to make a full recovery.
On March 25th Mindless Self Indulgencewill release a 2-disc special edition of their most recent album "IF." The release is planned for Japan-only and comes out via Vinyl Junkie Records. The import will feature a variety of previously unreleased material. Bastards!
Inexplicably Miley Cyrus is releasing her first biography this month at the age of 16. The tome of fluff is titled Miles to Go and was launched at a New York Barnes & Noble. Jose is utterly nauseated. It's a must-have for pedophiles everywhere.
El Grupo Nuevo de Omar Rodriguez Lopez, solo project of Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, is finally releasing a set of long-rumored solo albums. The three albums were recorded in 2006 this first of which, Cryptomnesia, will see daylight this May. All three are planned to be released through his own label, Rodriguez-Lopez Productions.
Amy Winehouse has raised the bar. I never thought I’d care about Amy again but she’s now in trouble for slapping a photo-snapping fan. The incident occurred at a charity ball in London last year. Ms. Sheren Flash has stated that the infamous crackhead/soul singer hit her eye at the event on Sept. 26. A court date is scheduled for March 17.
Fatboy Slim is in rehab! Mr. Norman Cook has checked himself into a clinic in the UK to dry out. Apparently he's having trouble with the bottle again. For Jose this leaves the question: Can sober people DJ?
I feel guilty. I am so sorry. I, too, have fallen victim to the curse on this industry that is the leak. I’ve been a bad fan. It’s just been so hotly anticipated by not just me, but by everyone, the entire community that aligns themselves with the term “hipster” or “scene” or some other word. I just align myself with the idea that some bands just make good music. Grizzly Bear do make great music - they just instead have taken what they do great to the next level, a plateau far out of the reach of some of their contemporaries to make what Mr. Fleet Fox tweeted as “the best album of the ‘00s.”
It’s been on repeat since Tuesday afternoon. Most times from start to finish, other times in pieces. The other night at 1AM, it was the haunting piano and children’s choir filling up the empty spaces of album closer “Foreground” that I left on repeat while taking another dose of Tylenol PM to try and reduce the amount of sniffling and coughing I have done for the better part of the week. This morning, it’s the ’08 summer jam “Two Weeks”, with it’s exploding chorus. As Ed Droste extends the word ‘always’ in the chorus, his voice becomes more and more affected by reverb. At the same time, sparkles of keyboards and samples also flourish to accompany the harmonies of Beach House’s Victoria LeGrand.
I keep reading about “Ready, Able” and every word said about the song that starts off the second half of the album is true. Pockets of starbursts between every line Droste delivers in verse. The breakdown in the middle, where everything builds a trail to, is finally realized and might be the greatest moment in the entire 52 minutes that Veckatimest lasts. Easily in the competition of best album moment is the grand finale of the epic “I Live With You”. Drums out of sync, organs swell and burst like the night is on fire. Or is it a hot afternoon? Before you have a chance to answer it ends abruptly, moving in to the “Foreground” mentioned above.
“Cheerleader” has been something I’ve had on repeat in live form since getting my hands on the MFA Bootleg. It sounds just as hollow on record than it does live. If weren’t bogged down by just 128 bits of sound, maybe we’d find things to be fuller, more enriched. There’s even more catchy bursts that are also in “About Face” and those harmonies on “Dory”. Every time you listen you can find 12 more reasons to like this record. I know I do every time. But for now "Ready, Able" is just the shiniest of shiny moments to me - the apex of the highlight of their career thus far. We all know they're bound to make more. And I just now realized I didn't even mention the awesomeness of "While You Wait For The Others". Sigh.
Records don’t come like they used to. Wrapped in plastic, different booklets emitting different scents and aromas. Now they come in the form of files, zipped and rar’d up for all to consume at the price of nothing. I’m as guilty as the next person when it comes to albums and when they leak; it doesn’t help that I also have a rather large streak of impatience in my blood. But this album, and it leaking three months ahead of its release date, it makes me sad. It makes me want to be 12 again, getting Pinkerton off the shelf at Wal-Mart, or my Dad surprising me at age 11 with Mellon Collie & The Infinite Sadness, which I have had since its third day of release. I want that excitement back; I want the whole music community to be that way again, but I know it will never happen. I want people waiting in lines at midnight and I want listening parties, collectives of people taking the entire thing in together for the first time in the same bed, dorm or living room, not the same chat room or message board.
I’ve bought tickets to two shows. I’ll be buying the album. Odds are I’ll buy a shirt, too, but I’ll still feel guilty. What can I do to make this guilt go away? Make a pact to never download another album illegally ever again? Go and buy everything that I've ever obtained in that matter? This album is so special, so perfect to me that it just saddens me that I've ruined a moment I use to cherish so many times every year for many years.
All I ask of you dear readers if you haven't yet, it to just wait. Wait to soak this all in for the first time in May, when the sun is shining and it's warm out, when you can support the band properly. Until then, just take in this performance of "Ready, Able" from their performance at BAM last weekend.
Here comes another Rumble event, presented by The Owl, Sonic Living, Future Sounds, and Stranded in Stereo! Rumble will be hosting the event on March 4th at the Harlot in San Francisco (46 Minna Street) in SF. Hot Challenge and Lilofee will show off their impressive talents starting at 8pm. If you don't want to miss these up-and-coming bands perform, then you better bring yourself and your friends to this event! You are bound to have a great time!
HOT CHALLENGE Hot Challenge is one of the few bands that successfully combine elements of rock, pop, rhythm and blues, and dance to create a catchy and distinctive sound. Hot Challenge, a San Francisco based band, has been compared to The Killers, Bloc Party, and even said to have a touch of the Cure and Muse. Hot Challenge will re-energize you with their quirky onstage jokes and their upbeat synth-infused pop rock. Make sure you don't miss them perform their riveting hit song "Eyes Open" at the Harlot!
LILOFEE Lilofee is an enthralling group that will have you wanting to hear more and more. They are heavily influenced by '60s girl bands, '80s dark pop, '90s industrial, and the Beatles. Kim Recor's bold voice and Rob Easson's catchy guitar riffs breathe electric seduction. With lyrics that speak to all and with undeniably unique yet gripping melodies and beats, Lilofee will leave you begging for more. They are unquestionably infectious.
DJ Aaron of Popscene and Live 105 (spinning 10-11)
Sonic Living, The Owl, Future Sounds and Stranded in Stereo have a deep love and respect for the indie music community. Having produced successful events and promoted emerging indie artists, their collaboration promises to continue a tradition of supporting independent music, while at the same time providing locals with a place to party. Through the reach of an online music publication, indie rock internet radio station, indie retailers and online social networking sites, our connection to the music community is broad.
While promoting his recent solo release Happy In Galoshes, Scott Weilandlet slip that Stone Temple Pilots will be releasing a record sometime in 2010. The stars are aligned the DeLeo brothers have begun writing music and Scott’s back on heroin.
The Swiss hardcore band Solid Ground has recorded one final EP This World Keeps Spinning Without You before breaking it off as a group. Let it Burn Records is making it available as a free download here
Faith No More has announced a reunion tour. The reformed lineup will include Billy Gould, Mike Patton, Mike Bordin, and Roddy Bottum. They even invited guitarist Jon Hudson, who only played on Faith No More's 1997's release Album of the Year. There is no planned US tour.
Jewel has copped out on performing on “Dancing with the Stars.” She attributes the bow out to tendinitis in both knees . The program would have started March 9. Jose was really looking forward to her cleavage. Bummer.
Lil' Wayne is now facing criminal gun possession charges at a trial scheduled to begin April 20, a New York judge said on Tuesday. Prosecutors allege a gun was found in his tour bus in July 2007 and if Wayne is convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of up to 15 years in prison
The Melvins are 25 years old! This may seem strange since King Buzzo is 45. For the anniversary they are planning a string of shows where they will perform the "Houdini" record in its entirety. Additionally they will do a set of material dating to their "Mangled Demos" circa 1983. Jose will not miss this tour. Jane’s Addiction is putting out a box set this April. Despite a series of reunions much of their catalog remains rarities. Rhino Records will release A Cabinet of Curiosities. The box set includes one DVD and three CDs focused on the band's original lineup with Eric Avery.
Also dropping a box set this April is theJesus Lizard. Their box set Inches contains exceedingly rare out-of-print material and will only be sold at independent record stores. Bob Weston remastered the material and Touch & Go Records does the honors.
Tigers That Talked is a Leeds group that has flown under our radar until very recently, but it seems as though all of the right people in England have been paying attention to them. Their recent single "23 Fears" has received nods of approval from Steve Lamacq, Zane Lowe, Radio 1, and Q Radio while the band is busy prepping their debut album. First time listeners will notice similarities to Elbow and the Arcade Fire, but the band puts their own mystical spin on the formula. The band has relocated to a chapel in Lincolnshire with Adam Noble (the Guillemots), and while they still in midst of recording, expect the finish product sometime later this year.
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I'll be the first person to admit that I've spent a majority of my life being pretty narrow minded about music. My name was pretty synonymous with the phrase "music snob" in social circles. Over the years though, my snobbiness has waned I suppose you could say. I've been more up for broadening my horizions, expanding my musical palette so to speak. Me going off with all that word vomit about Grizzly Bear last week was the norm. Me having praise for an album by Propagandhi is new. It's a wild streak. Most people would probably be surprised that I am even willing to give them the time of day.
