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This is gonna' be cool, you should probably go... A special one night only screening of the highly talked about documentary film Heima by Icelandic post rock band Sigur Rós.
So yeah, it's been too long since I've updated. I've been pretty busy with work and other extra-curricular activities the past few months so we'll have to see what the future holds for this here blog. Don't worry, I still read your blog, listen to new music, and check out bands around town.
Anyway, here are some shows I checked out recently but never got around to posting on the site:
>> Stars of Track and Field live @ 7th Street Entry 10/19/07
Caught the last 45 minutes of their set in the Mainroom after crossing over from the Entry. I'm not really into Southern Rock, but I was thoroughly entertained by these Georgia rockers. Wow, they really jammed out in true "Skynyrd" style. I haven't seen a Jack Daniels bottle being passed around on stage in quite a while. Poplife has more on the gig.
The Raveonettes have blown me away every time I've seen them. This night was no exception. I still can't believe I got to see them in the Entry. Wow, the new stuff from the forthcoming album "Lust, Lust, Lust" (out 2/19/08) sounded brilliant. More on BRIAT. Rave on.
Nicole and her band opened for The Raveonettes. I was pleasantly surprised by her performance, as I really didn't know too much about her. What did she sound like? I think the description on her MySpace sums it up: "Roy Orbison as a chick fronting a band of elves."
Another very fine performance supporting label-mate Matthew Dear. The new album "Heaven" is great, and live the songs sounded even better. I still can't believe these guys aren't huge yet...
Hmmmm, I don't know, I wasn't that impressed. I liked the DJ-ing and electronica aspect, but really didn't dig the singing and band. I guess the show was ok. To be perfectly honest I missed 1/2 of it as I was talking with the guys in Mobius Band...
What a pleasant surprise this dual CD-release (Stook!, Dan Israel) gig turned out to be. I had a great time and really enjoyed all 3 artists (and all the guest musicians who appeared). HWTS has more. And yeah, being on stage with a bunch of friends and singing backing vocals to final tune of the evening "Rockin' in the Free World" was pretty sweet...
They opened for M.I.A. and their shit was dope. They sounded like a mix between The Beastie Boys and Run DMC... which got the crowd nicely warmed up for the main act.
Saved the best for last... M.I. mutherfuckin' A. simply destroyed sold-out First Avenue. One of my favorite shows of the year. Some highlights:
The audience was totally into it. Kids were dancing their asses off.
M.I.A. was all over the stage and really gave it her all. Singing, dancing, crowd-surfing, climbing into the balcony. That girl really has some energy.
For "Bird Flu" (see photo above and video below) some of the crowd got to join M.I.A. on stage.
The light, stage, and video screen show were really amazing. A complete multi-media experience.
The after-party at Foundation Nightclub was pretty cool as well. What a night...
Here are a couple of live videos from the show.
M.I.A. - "Bamboo Banga" live @ First Avenue 11/20/07: (Opening tune - 4:57)
M.I.A. - "Bucky Done Gun" | "Bird Flu" live @ First Avenue 11/20/07: (Features lots of people on stage during "Bird Flu" - 11:03)
OK, so that about sums it up for now. I think I'm finally caught up. I'll probably try to put up a few more posts before year-end. Maybe I'll do a list of sorts. Actually, probably not. I'm really sick of year-end lists already and it's not even December. Plus you know my top song of the year already (and my top album in a sec)...
I'll conclude with the latest video from my top album of the year (no surprise). Peace, take care.
So I just got back from First Avenue... Holy shit, a fucking car crashed into the side of the building last night! Here's what I heard happened: Car and limo collide. Car goes into side of First Ave and hits a couple of people standing outside.
I saw one woman walk away (in shock) ok. One other guy was more seriously injured. I think he had a broken leg... First Avenue had hardly any damage. I still can't believe ~ 14 police cars showed up. I thought another bridge went down ;)
And yeah, I did watch Stars of Track and Field tonight. I also managed to get some photos of Drive By Truckers. They were actually really entertaining... Crazy night. More to come.
> T.O.G.P.T.F.F.S.O.T.W.O.T.H.E.A.T.S.Y.O.A.: I know what you're thinking, WTF? OK, here's what the band name means: "Three Old Guys Play the First Five Songs Off the Wipers' Over the Edge Record and the Song "Youth of America"... They were NSFG, "not so fucking good."
> The Ponys: I loved these guys last time I saw them in the Entry. This time they were ok. They started out kinda' average, but once the set got going they really jammed out. Their last couple of tunes rocked.
> Spoon: Wow! Amazing, love these guys. The chronological setlist was brilliant.
I think that's all I need to say. Others have already covered it:
* Feature length documentary tour film 'Lord Don't Slow Me Down' in stereo and surround sound. · Bonus audio commentary - Noel, Liam, Andy and Gem guide you through the film with their recollections of the tour. · A Noel Gallagher Q&A session with fans runs alongside out-takes from the film.
Bonus Disc:
* Oasis live at City of Manchester Stadium on 2nd July 2005 - sixteen classic tracks shot in HD with stereo and surround sound. · Bonus Disc also features unique footage and pictures sent in by fans who attended the concert.
Sweet... Oasis is currently preparing a brand new album for release in 2008.
Show of the year!!! Ha ha, just kidding. It was pretty insane, though. YouTube SuperstarTay Zonday was pretty good... for a novelty act. I don't know... my Karaoke version of "Chocolate Rain" would be more entertaining, I think. One thing is for sure, the guy definitely can't dance.
Girl Talk (Greg Gillis) had the mostly intoxicated college crowd going absolutely nuts inside First Avenue. I danced my ass off. I had never seen crowd-surfing at a DJ club show before... All in all, Girl Talk really impressed me. "Smash Your Head" ruled. Boy knows how to mix up the tunes...
Alert! Local rockers White Light Riot just posted 3 new tunes off their forthcoming album "Atomism" (July 2007 via 50 Entertainment) on their revamped MySpace.
Also, since it's a long time until July, they've just put out a new limited release EP titled "Out of Sight". It features the same 3 songs, as well as a re-produced version of the single "Out of Sight", and b-side "Tin Soldiers". More details on their website. You can also check out all the songs from the EP below:
Their main website is all new all is well. They even have a new blog. Head over and leave them a "blog warming" comment. Perhaps this will make them put up another post soon ;)
If you were at the October 11, 2006, gig @ 7th Street Entry, you may also find yourself in this new promo video:
Luke's Angels, Maps of Norway, and Ice Palace were pretty cool. Duplomacy, I always like. The rest was so-so. The Kiln, wow, that's definitely not for me...
This was certainly an event for people with ADD. I saw 9 bands in less than 3 hours ;) I had a lot of fun to say the least...
Are the guys in the band about the nicest people you'll ever meet?
Yes, obviously they're all true. What a great and absolutely fun show. And yes, they had never played any song twice in the same set before this gig...
To give you an idea what Birdmonster is like live, here's a (shitty) video I shot at the show:
Birdmonster "Cause You Can" live @ Varsity Theater 3/23/07:
Yeah, I know, worst quality ever... Ok, we'll do one better. Brody has some footage of what it's like being on stage with the band:
> San Francisco's Birdmonster returns to the Twin Cities tonight @ Varsity Theater. To say these guys are fun live, would be a great understatement. I would know, as I wound up playing the drums on stage last time they were here @ 400 Bar. Don't miss 'em; Pulse and Brody agree. Local bands Belles of Skin City, Aneuretical, and Jayber Crow open the show. Birdmonster will also appear in-studio on The Current today between 9:00AM - 11:00AM.
WTF Moz? Milwaukee, but no Twin Cities... You HAVE to be kidding me.
> Solace and I were interviewed as "local music experts" over on the great blog Culture Bully. Read it here. I think it turned out pretty well. I laughed very hard at the picture they used of me... The original photo is up on my MySpace.
> Last but not least. My awesome roomie once again told me "Dude, you gotta' post this!" OK, Brian:
Alex Gaudino - Destination Calabria: (probably NSFW)
Such a sweet video (in so many ways)... The tune is an anthem in Ibiza. I really need to go there soon.
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, what a great name for a band... And what a great band they are. I've loved these guys since the first time I saw them in tightly packed 400 Bar. Or was it the time they blew out the speaker system at the Quest Club with The Rapture?! I don't know...
Anyway, they're coming out with their 3rd4th record "Baby 81" 5/1/07 and everything I've heard from it sounds like dynamite. It's like somebody told them to combine the best elements from their previous 2 albums...
As much as I'd like to see The Fratellis, I'm actually looking forward to seeing The Horrors... these guys were absolutely nuts at SxSW. I highly encourage that type of behavior ;)
Here's the video for the tune that blew out all the speakers at Quest Club (no surprise):
BRMC - Whatever Happened To My Rock n' Roll (Punk Song):
I guess a little "music shing ding" went down last weekend in Austin, Texas. Turns out Pete Townsend joined The Fratellis on-stage for a set-closing rendition of The Who's "The Seeker". Is it considered a "cover-tune" if Pete joins you on stage? I'm not sure ;) Anyway, watch the whole video here. (Thx Solace)
The album just dropped 3/19/07 in the UK... I'm not sure when the CD will be released in the US; if you don't feel like paying the import price, you can also get it digitally via eMusic.
I talked about this a couple of times before. Well, did anybody catch the best 2 hours of radio in a long time, late night Friday 3/9/07 on KFAI? Needless to say I thought it was brilliant. The US terrestrial radio premiere of "Brianstorm" by you-know-who blew me away...
DJ John Carlson was kind enough to email me the complete playlist and full mp3s of the show:
The Clash- London Calling Arctic Monkeys-Brianstorm Sugababes- I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor Oasis- Acquiesce Keane-She Sells Sanctuary KT Tunstall – Other Side of the World Aqualung- Pressure Suit (radio edit) Corinne Bailey Rae- Munich Editors- Fingers in the Factories Waterboys- Glastonbury Song The Police – Da Do Do, Da Da Da Da (Spanish) Imogen Heap- Clear the Area The Fratellis- Flathead Vega 4- Life is Beautiful
Lily Allen- LDN Art Brut- Formed a Band Sandi Thom – What If I'm Right Pet Shop Boys- Dreaming of the Queen Computerman- No More Broken Hearts Katie Melua- Just Like Heaven Lamar- I Believe in a Thing Called Love The Wombats- Lost in the Post Lloyd Cole- Woman in a Bar David Ford- If You Only Futureheads- Hounds of Love Kate Bush-Love and Anger Marillion- You're Gone (single mix) Travis- Side Razorlight- Golden Touch
(Big Ben Chimes outro)
The show is available in other media formats here, file names: Hour 1: cftp-bonus-2007-03-10-a.wav Hour 2: cftp-bonus-2007-03-10-b.wav
Now... if you'd like to support the show, and perhaps make it become regular programming, please email either londoncallingradio@gmail.com or the Program Director at KFAI richmond@kfai.org with loads of compliments. Don't be shy.
I actually managed to get out a little bit last Saturday. Downtown Minneapolis was crazy; I had loads of fun. Check the photos for more evidence, the rest is censored ;)
I spotted this:
Who's going to the show with me?!
Good excuse to post a Benassi video, right? Right.
Honestly, SxSW is soooooo overrated! I'm really sick of reading / hearing / and receiving emails about it... All the great acts will come to a venue near you soon, anyway. Attend a cool event instead.
Presale tickets for their upcoming North American tour are available via their live music Website, Riot Van. I just got mine and I suggest you do the same. I don't see these guys playing smaller venues in the US for too much longer.
P.S. I do realize my posts have been a bit news-and-youtube-heavy lately. Don't worry, I'll get some more creative stuff and mp3's up soon, including the London Calling playlist... Anybody else listen to it? I seriously rocked out...
