The Maccabees - "Love You Better"

[YouTube]

The Maccabees Website | MySpace

Pet Shop Boys at the Brits

[YouTube]

Brody is throwing a party tomorrow and you're invited: Joey Ryan & the Inks | Victory Ship | Sika @ 400 Bar Saturday 1/17/09

Hey, you should come out to Brody's show on Saturday! Wish I could go, however I have my own engagement party to attend ;)

Strib Writeup (see Random Notes - lol "new blog")
Tickets

Sika MySpace
Victory Ship MySpace
Joey Ryan & the Inks MySpace

And here's Brody and I being dorks at a show. Maybe he'll shoot video on stage again tomorrow? ;) Enjoy, have a great weekend!

Birdmonster Live At The Varsity

Girls Aloud - The Loving Kind

I've mentioned I'm a sucker for pop music and anything Pet Shops Boys, right? Here ya go:

Via: Idolator - Girls Aloud Take A Visit To The Pet Shop [Videodrone]

Girls Aloud Website | MySpace
Pet Shop Boys Website

Related:
Pop Justice - The new Pet Shop Boys album: it's quite good

Glasvegas

Hi, missed ya! I'll explain my extended absence another time ;) So, I think I'm gonna' go old-school with my blog and just post whatever I want. Old, new, hyped, non-hyped, pop, indie, rock, hip-hop, world beat, country, etc.... Whatever, who cares?! K? K. I love this band from Scotland, Glasvegas. Check 'em out, I think you will too.

Glasvegas - Geraldine - Jools Holland 5/17/08:


And I love this dude covering "Daddy's Gone."

Glasvegas Website | MySpace

Cheers,
Steve

New video: Madonna ft. Pharrell - "Give It 2 Me"

Not a huge fan of the new album, but really digging this tune and video (via):



mp3: Madonna - Dress You Up (YSI)

Madonna Website | MySpace | Hype Machine

The Wombats cover Leona Lewis

Sweet. The Wombats: "Bleeding Love" (Leona Lewis cover)

Adele live on the Current

Stream the interview and live performance here. Also, looks like Jon Bream thought her live show at Jeune Lune the other day was pretty good ;)

Adele Website | MySpace | Hype Machine

Previously:

Adele live at Theatre de la Jeune Lune 6/2/08, Minneapolis, MN

Adele covers The Strokes

Everyone Nose

Rex is prob right, hip-hop jam of the summer (until Carter III comes out). Pretty sweet. Even features Lindsay Lohan. Check it.

N.E.R.D. - "Everyone Nose":

Also: Live on Letterman

N.E.R.D. Website | MySpace | Hype Machine

Band of the week: The Ting Tings

I'm so addicted to these guys . Yep, you've heard 'em on the iPod commercial. I've posted on them before. Their new album We Started Nothing is out next week, 5/20/08. It rocks, pick it up. You can stream the whole thing here.

One of my fave songs of 2008 below (def going on my summer mix). Enjoy.

The Ting Tings - That's Not My Name:



And the same on Later w/Jools Holland:

YouTube: The Ting Tings on Later

Flight of the Conchords might even do a cover in the future... They must be good, right? Right.

Peace. Have a great week!

The Ting Tings Website | MySpace | Hype Machine

Adele covers The Strokes

Big Voice: Last Night

Adele Website | MySpace

The Last Shadow Puppets - "The Age Of The Understatement"

Come on, you knew it was coming ;)



The Last Shadow Puppets Website | Hype Machine

Lightspeed Champion - "Men's Needs"

I'm digging it (and the Star Wars sticker on the guitar): Lightspeed Champion Covers The Cribs

Lightspeed Champion Website | MySpace | Hype Machine

The Ting Tings - Great DJ

Whoa, why haven't I heard of this band until now? Check it, awesome tune:

The Ting Tings -Great DJ


The Ting Tings Website | MySpace | Hype Machine

Concert Round-up 10/19/07 - 11/20/07: Stars of Track and Field, Raveonettes, Nicole Atkins, Mobius Band, Sunset Rubdown, M.I.A., and more...

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


Flickr: Photos | Slideshow

One of the best light shows I've seen in the Entry. The band musically was pretty good. Kind of a mix between The Postal Service and Mobius Band.

mp3: Stars of Track and Field - Movies Of Antarctica

Stars of Track and Field Website | MySpace

>> Drive-By Truckers live @ First Avenue 10/19/07


Flickr: Photos | Slideshow

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.

mp3: Drive-By Truckers - World of Hurt
mp3: Drive-By Truckers - Loaded Gun in the Closet

Drive-By Truckers Website | MySpace

>> The Raveonettes live @ 7th Street Entry 10/21/07


Flickr: Photos | Slideshow

mp3: The Raveonettes - Dead Sound
mp3: The Raveonettes - Aly, Walk With Me
YouTube: The Raveonettes - Dead Sound

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.

The Raveonettes Website | MySpace

>> Nicole Atkins & the Sea live @ 7th Street Entry 10/21/07


Flickr: Photos | Slideshow

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."

mp3: Nicole Atkins & the Sea - Party's Over
YouTube: Nicole Atkins & the Sea - The Way It Is (live on Letterman 10/30/07)

Nicole Atkins & the Sea Website | MySpace

>> Mobius Band live @ Triple Rock 10/24/07


Flickr: Photos | Slideshow

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...

mp3: Mobius Band - Friends Like These
mp3: Mobius Band - Hallie
YouTube: Mobius Band - Friends Like These

Mobius Band Website | MySpace

>> Matthew Dear live @ Triple Rock 10/24/07


Flickr: Photos | Slideshow

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...

mp3: Matthew Dear - Dog Days

Matthew Dear Website | MySpace

>> Stook! | Dan Israel | Martin Devaney live @ Varsity Theater 10/26/07

Martin Devaney & Stook!:


Dan Israel:

Flickr: Photos | Slideshow

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...

mp3: Dan Israel - Hurt and Love

Stook! Website | MySpace
Dan Israel Website | MySpace
Martin Devaney Website | MySpace

>> Sunset Rubdown live @ Triple Rock 11/2/07


Flickr: Photos | Slideshow

Spencer Krug can do no wrong in my book. Yep, the show was awesome. Wolf Parade still reigns supreme in my book, though.

YouTube: Sunset Rubdown - Us Ones In Between (live in Chicago)

Sunset Rubdown Website

>> The Cool Kids live @ First Avenue 11/20/07


Flickr: Photos | Slideshow

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.

YouTube: The Cool Kids - Black Mags

The Cool Kids MySpace

>> M.I.A. live @ First Avenue 11/20/07


Flickr: Photos | Slideshow

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)



And my favorite song of the year:

mp3: M.I.A. - Paper Planes

M.I.A. Website | MySpace

Related:
PopLife has more and the setlist.
Star Tribune review.
Reveille photos.

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.

Arctic Monkeys - Teddy Picker:



Arctic Monkeys Website

White Light Riot returns with new tunage

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:

Stream / Lyrics: Out of Sight
Stream / Lyrics: Charlatan
Stream / Lyrics: Grey Divide
Stream / Lyrics: In a Shotgun Whirlwind
Stream / Lyrics: Tin Soldiers

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:

MOV: White Light Riot - Out of Sight

White Light Riot - Out of Sight (live @ St. Kate's, Sept 2006)



St. Kate's "is the largest Catholic college for women in the country". I bet the boys had a LOT of fun there...

What else? Upcoming tour dates:

• 04/15/07: White Light Riot - Sacre Bleu Wine Party @ Trocaderos.

• 04/24/07: White Light Riot / This World Fair @ Varsity Theater.

They rock, so check 'em out.

White Light Riot Website / MySpace

In other news:

LCD Soundsystem. I should talk about this. Puuuuleeeaase, have music critics gone absolutely insane? Don't believe the hype:



Have a nice Thursday!

- Steve

BRMC: Baby 81

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 3rd 4th 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...

Here's the first single from the album:

WM: Weapon Of Choice
QT: Weapon Of Choice
Real: Weapon Of Choice

BRMC Mp3s here.

They're also launching a major tour:



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):



Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Website / MySpace
The Fratellis Website / MySpace
The Horors MySpace

Related: BRMC live @ Varsity Theater 2/7/06

The Rakes - Ten New Messages

These London boys really put on quite a show when I saw them a Varsity Theater 7/11/06. I love love love their new album "Ten New Messages". Such a great departure from the debut. Along with Amy Winehouse's "Back to Black" this is my front-runner for album of the year so far. Check out a couple of tunes:

mp3: The Rakes - Suspicious Eyes (A+)
mp3: The Rakes - When Tom Cruise Cries (love the song title alone)

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.

The Rakes - We Danced Together:



The Rakes Website / MySpace

Mickey Avalon Alert!

Dude rules:

• City Pages "Filth and Glitter - Glam-Rapper Mickey Avalon plays dirty in Beverly Hills"

• Mickey live in Minneapolis Thursday 3/15/07 @ Foundation Nightclub. This seems like an event I should attend ;)

OK, good excuse to post another vid:

Mickey Avalon @ Jimmy Kimmel Live:



Mickey Avalon Website / MySpace

New Travis

I LOVE Travis. I've seen them 5 times and met Fran Healy; all before I started this blog. I better do a post on some of their new stuff, right?! Ok...

• Karaoke-style video "Big Chair"
• "Closer" video:

I really like it...

Their new album "The Boy With No Name" drops 5/7/07 in the UK.

Travis Website / MySpace