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| The Mae Shi @ Mohawks, SXSW, Austin TX Posted: 27 Mar 2009 03:15 PM PDT Every square inch of the room inside Mohawks was packed with fans trying to see LA experimental punk group The Mae Shi. So when a few songs in to their set I heard a voice say, “Excuse me, coming throug,” I braced myself to deal with another idiot audience member trying to push forward when their was nowhere to go. Annoyed, I turned around, but to my surprise it wasn’t a crazed fan, but a member of the Mae Shi holding his guitar above his head, still playing along with the rest of the band. Like Moses with the Red Sea, the crowd parted to let this guy back to the stage where he joined his band mates without missing a beat. The Mae Shi was my surprise favorite act of the festival. I usually don’t do so well with loud, screaming music, but with the Mae Shi I found myself shaking my ass instead of the expected disapproving shaking of my head. Their set was simply balls to the walls energy. With a band as expressive in both their playing and facial expressions, it is hard to not reciprocate that sort of enthusiasm.   The Mae Shi: website | myspace  Related Posts |
| Starfucker, What Laura Says @ Radio Room, SXSW, Austin TX Posted: 27 Mar 2009 02:15 PM PDT Toss together some sweatbands and synthesizers and you’ll end up with Starfucker. This Portland quartet with their quirky garb complete with feathers had audience members dancing to their multiple synthesizers: an impressive feat considering the time of day and that half of the crowd was ready to pass out from walking around downtown Austin for the last six hours. They were fun, but I was too tired to get up from my seat and join in the electronica dance music. If you get a chance to see these guys, make sure you are well-rested.
Since, I was trying to catch as much as possible, I bounced from Radio Room indoors where Starfucker was wrapping up to see what was going on in the outdoor tent. Though inside the same venue, it was like stepping in a wormhole. Instead of the dark, strobe lights and electronica music of Starfucker, I found a jam band in a well lit tent. Arizona’s What Laura Says was jamming away and building on dominant chords. I’ve heard some buzz about this band, but didn’t really know too much about them. They weren’t bad, but not worth some of the hype I’ve heard about them. They do have one multi-instrumentalist member that was fun to watch as he used almost any tool or item he could get his hands on for percussion purposes. Not being much for the power chords and jamming, I soon headed back inside for the rest of Starfucker after the appeal of the gimmick of pot-banging wore off.
Starfucker: myspace | @ the manhattan room  Related Posts |
| Vans Warped Tour Kick Off Party; Pre-sale Begins April 1 Posted: 27 Mar 2009 01:15 PM PDT With the weather still mildly cold, summer may seem a ways off, but Vans Warped Tour is getting ready to heat things up for its 15th anniversary year. The 46-date punk rock extravaganza officially begins June 26 in Pomona, California, but pre-sale tickets go on sale April 1st. Following the pre-sale on April 2nd, Warped is hosting its Kick Off Party featuring Adolescents, TSOL, Sing It Loud, TV/TV, and TAT at Hollywood’s Key Club. For $25, pre-sale packages include a concert ticket, compilation CD, a donation to Camp Hollywood Heart, and a chance to win exclusive prizes. Some of the bands on this year’s tour include 3oh!3, Anti-Flag, Bad Religion, Bayside, Dear and the Headlights, Flogging Molly, Hit the Lights, NeverShoutNever, POS, Thrice and many more. Tour Dates:  Related Posts |
| Posted: 27 Mar 2009 12:35 PM PDT
Unlike War Elephant, Born On Flag Day features the three new members of Deer Tick that principal songwriter John J. McCauley III recruited to become the band’s current incarnation: Andy Tobiassen, Dennis Ryan and Chris Ryan. Born On Flag Day reflects a natural evolution from a singular vision of one songwriter to something much greater. The album is set for a June 23rd street date on Partisan Records. In June, the guys will hit the road with Jenny Lewis in support of the album. Tour Dates: * = w/ Phosphorescent Tracklisting:  Related Posts |
| Bishop Allen Tour Dates and Mp3s in Support of “Grrr” Posted: 27 Mar 2009 12:15 PM PDT To support the release of their new album Grrr, New York duo (and friends) Bishop Allen are embarking on a tour following their highly-acclaimed SXSW performances. Check out a few songs from Bishop Allen below and be sure to pick up Grrr and see their live show if they’re coming to a city near you. Bishop Allen - “Click Click Click Click” Bishop Allen - “The Ancient Commonsense of Things” Tour Dates: Bishop Allen: website | myspace  Related Posts |
| Super Satellite to Play Special Show with The Gourds; Drop New Album Posted: 27 Mar 2009 11:15 AM PDT New Jersey indie rockers (and new Popwreckoning BFFs) Super Satellite are getting ready to take over with their fresh blend of feel-good retro rock. After already playing with artists like The Gin Blossoms and the Ataris, the boys in Super Satellite are getting ready to play at NYC’s Famed Mercury Lounge on April 1, 2009 with The Gourds. This show will serve to introduce audience members to songs from the band’s debut album set to come out April 7, 2009. If you like feel good music and the sounds popularized by groups like The Kooks and Oasis, Super Satellite is the group for you. So instead of sitting around on April Fool’s Day trying to avoid pranksters, a safer bet would be to check out Super Satellite at the Mercury Lounge. They’re good and that’s no joke.  Related Posts |
| Pitchfork Music Festival announces addition of Flaming Lips to Sunday’s line-up Posted: 27 Mar 2009 10:35 AM PDT
2009 Line-up (thus far): Saturday Sunday Pitchfork Music Festival: website | tickets Related Posts |
| Anni Rossi @ Peckerheads, SXSW, Austin TX Posted: 27 Mar 2009 10:15 AM PDT I willingly walked into a place called Peckerheads solely because Anni Rossi was scheduled to play. Her Afton EP captivated me and I had to see her live to make sure she was the real thing. Rossi’s live performance is much less dissonant than her recorded efforts, so those of you who aren’t into what you’ve heard, I do encourage you to check her out live.
A woman of sort stature, Rossi stood on a suitcase, into which she stomped her feet in percussive efforts as she played the violin and sang all alone on stage. Her set was brief as she had to head over to the Central Presbyterian Church to play an official showcase just an hour later, but had amassed a large crowd in front of the tiny stage and managed to blow every single person away, apparent at the end of her set when countless members of the audience approached the petite crooner to shake her hand and tell her what a beautiful performance it was. I had hoped to catch Rossi’s encore set at the Church, but was discouraged by long lines and wandered off in search of Radio Room to score a great spot for Kevin Devine and the Goddamn Band’s set later that night. Anni Rossi: myspace  Related PostsThis posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| The Twelves and Project Jenny, Project Jan @ Rusty Spurs, SXSW, Austin TX Posted: 27 Mar 2009 09:15 AM PDT When I wandered into Rusty Spurs awaiting Project Jenny Project Jan’s late night set, I walked in on a massive dance party with saturated bass lines, full disco beats and a crowd that couldn’t stand still for a hot second. After finding my way to the back of the crowded dance floor, I was transfixed by the aural grandeur. When it hit me that I had no idea who I was watching spin, I hightailed it to the nearest flyer and, what to my wondering eyes did appear, I discovered that I was listening to The Twelves in all their glory. I immediately texted resident remixologist Ali Hussain that I was in the same room as his favorite Brazilian duo and that it was the most glorious DJ set I’d ever heard. My favorite remixes were Snoop Dogg’s “Sensual Seduction” and Black Kids‘ “I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance”; pure genius. It was more than disappointing when The Twelves were ushered off the stage so that the night’s final act, Project Jenny, Project Jan, could take the stage. While the rest of the audience immediately removed their sweaty selves off the dance floor, I rolled up closer to the stage, excited for the New York duo to round out the night with a wild party. Unfortunately, simply setting up their equipment put Jeremy Haines and Sammy Rubin in such a foul mood that their performance wasn’t exactly what I’d remembered from Philly Popped! last summer. Part of their white sheet-cum-screen fell, leaving some of the visual stimulation lost on the dark stage curtain, the projector refused to cooperate with Haines in reaching the appropriate angle for proper viewing, and Rubin seemed slightly agitated at his synth. Despite a less than optimal set up, Haines transformed into a great entertainer when he picked up the microphone letting the audience know he’d just gotten off of work (explanation for the dapper suit he always sports) and introducing Rubin as his uncle. The pair exploded through a high energy set of songs from former releases EP and Xoxoxoxoxo and previewed material from their upcoming The Colors EP. Immediately they grabbed the attention of those who’d left the dance floor when The Twelves left Rusty Spurs, and with only slight hestitation, the bar crowd moved back onto the dance floor as Haines jumped around stage and Rubin fiddled with his laptop. I slipped out midway through the pair’s set to head over to Dirty Dog Bar and catch the tail end of Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head’s set. At first I was skeptical at how awesome this band would be (the name, come on), the opinion of new friend James of Under the Gun Review, but was wowed by The Faint-cum-80s synth pop tunes that flowed from the stage. I wouldn’t call NPSH anything but a jokey band, but they’re perfect for a late night dance party when you’ve been out all day, but aren’t ready to go back to the hotel at 2AM. The Twelves: myspace  Related Posts |
| Ozomatli @ World Cafe Live, Philadelphia Posted: 27 Mar 2009 07:45 AM PDT Salsa and surprises is what was dished up on Saturday, March 14th with the L.A. based Ozomatli. I’ve been a long time fan of Ozomatli, but never got a chance to see them at a venue that wasn’t a huge outdoor sweaty summer festival people trap.
When I heard they were playing World Cafe Live! with their amazing indoor sound and oh so nice air conditioning, I was all over it.
As far as surprises go, I was totally shocked when after a couple songs, the one and only dope M.C., Chali 2na hopped on stage. I have been wanting to see 2na since about 2001 when I first heard him with Jurassic 5. A couple months ago I read that he was “formerly” of Ozomatli, and was not expecting him to be touring with them. Imagine my surprise when out comes the deep voiced hip hop icon that I’ve been listening to for years.
The band played to a hot, sweaty sold out crowd properly warmed up by Baltimore Reggae act Lionize. Unfortunately, after dancing for almost 2 hours to just Ozomatli alone, I left before I was just about to fall asleep while standing. Ozomatli thoroughly wore me out. Definitely check out these titans of endurance, but as much energy as you’ll be putting out, maybe be safe and check with a doctor to make sure you can hang!
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