Quick News

The Gaslight Anthem have given details about their third record. The Jersey punks latest, American Slang will arrive in June, singer Brian Fallon told NME.com “For the last record we looked really into it and we asked ‘What are our influences and how do we jam them in?’ And on this one, we’re writing songs that we feel are relevant to us.” American Slang is the follow up to the band's breakthrough 2008 release The '59 Sound.

The Strokes are aiming for a September release on their fourth record, the follow up to 2006's First Impression of Earth. Drummer Fab Moretti told BBC "we're just running around like kids in a candy shop." The band has been recording in New York City with producer Joe Chiccarelli (The Shins, U2).

We Are Scientists, who have been rather quiet the past few years, announced their latest record Barbara will arrive in June. The first single "Rules," will hit airwaves in April. We Are Scientists are now joined by former Razorlight drummer Andy Burrows.

Kaiser Chiefs had to get really bored in ordered to get inspired. Interesting take on creating art, but who am I to judge. After a few months off the road, energetic front man Ricky Wilson told BBC "Then I got really bored, then mind-numbingly bored and that's when you start thinking about the fact you want to get up and do something again." He then went on to say "I haven't felt this creative since we first started." The band's last record, Off with Their Heads was released in 2008, no word on when the band's latest will be released.

MGMT have given the track listing to their forthcoming record, Congratulations. The album is due out in April, take a look at the track listing below..

'It's Working'
'Song for Dan Treacy'
'Someone's Missing'
'Flash Delirium'
'I Found a Whistle'
'Siberian Breaks'
'Brian Eno'
'Lady Dada's Nightmare'
'Congratulations'

Live Pix - Them Crooked Vultures @ Roseland

Here are photo's of the 2/8/10 Them Crooked Vultures concert at Roseland. Review is in previous post. These pictures were taken by THE CREATURE.

Live Review - Them Crooked Vultures @ Roseland

This review could be summed up in one word - unbelievable. Simply, unbelievable. It is easy to put what I witnessed last night at Roseland into words, but the experience and pleasure cannot be described. Arriving sharply on stage at 9pm, the super group Them Crooked Vultures struck their first note seconds onto arriving and didn't let up for nearly two hours. Opening with "No One Loves Me, and Neither Do I" then getting into "Dead End Friends" the band hit hard and jammed in interludes of each song extending them longer than what was on their debut, which was released in November. It is one thing to see a rock and roll band live, it is another to witness legends in the making. Them Crooked Vultures features Queens of the Stone Age front man Josh Homme on lead vocal and guitar duties, Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones on bass, piano, guitar, mandolin and plenty of other instruments, and everyone's favorite Dave Grohl on drums with assistance of Queens of the Stone Age guitarist Alain Johannas as their special guest on the road. This is not a normal band by any means, the talent that is exuded from these lads has been unforeseen. Them Crooked Vultures are not only the loudest act I have witnessed, but the most musically talented as well. Any band that can get John Paul Jones on stage with them, you know is something special, watching him play is not only awe inspiring, it is an honor and privilege. Watching Jones play off of Dave Grohl, the two have established themselves as one of the greatest rhythm sections ever, even just being in existence for less than a year. The look on Josh Homme's face all night resembled that of someone asking him to pinch him if what he was doing was real.
Playing their debut in its entirety, including many moments of impromptu jam sessions, Homme would joke in between the long songs about his band mates. Referring to Jones as "Zeppelin," and how Grohl will have sex with everyone in the crowd as well as nursing a hangover that was caused by him drinking Jager till 5:30 AM that morning, these guys look like they are having the times of their lives. The fun they have together as a band is displayed in their power, which again, with a line up like this is expected, and they rose far above all expectations. What was unexpected was that a few fresh new Vultures songs were played, but no covers. Not a single cover from any of the bands these guys have played with, which for the better proves they can stand out on their own. The follow up to their debut will be out this summer, and they will easily be an act that will be hard to catch. Them Crooked Vultures are how I like my rock and roll - loud, fast and dirty.

EXCLUSIVE! Semi Precious Weapons INTV!

Freakishly flamboyant, amazingly entertaining, New York City's Semi Precious Weapons have been gigging around their home city for years, within the past year or so they have risen from tiny Lower East Side clubs and onto main stages and into the eyes and ears of new fans around the world. 2009 was a major year and landmark for the band as they headlined celebrity blogger Perez Hilton's Perez Presents tour, opened for Lady Gaga on her Monster Ball World Tour and found time to even record a new record. As the band just gets off the road with Gaga and sets to release their latest You Love You, I had the opportunity to speak with the hilarious, charming and insanely fun front man Justin Tranter. Justin and I discussed what is in store for the band in 2010, the new record, life on the road and of course that rumored collaboration with country bumpkin Kellie Pickler that he confirms and puts to the test. Take a look at my interview with Justin below...

2009 has been a tremendous year for the band, how do you plan to top it in 2010?

JT: 2009 has been gorgeous! 2010 will be even more magical. We plan on doing that by having our major label debut come out, touring the WORLD with GaGa, wearing nothing but the color nude, and being even filthier.

When will the band begin recording the follow up "We Love You?"

JT: We just finished recording our new record "You Love You". We bought ourselves out of our Indie deal, and "We Love You" is going to disappear. Because "You Love You" is a lot more of what we sound like now after 200 more shows and a new guitar player. Jack Joseph Puig produced "You Love You" with us, and we couldn't be prouder of it.

You just did the Perez Hilton Tour this fall, how was that experience? What was it like being on the road with all of those artists?

JT: The Perez tour was fucking fabulous. We went from opener, to support, to co-headliner. It was like a teen movie montage. Ha! Being with LadyHawke for a month was beyond awesome. We miss her very much.

You were also picked to open for Lady Gaga on her much anticipated Monster Ball Tour. Is there any inside secrets you can give us on what to expect from her?

JT: Its been more than I could ever dream of, I mean, 10,000 people at every Canadian show! Playing the Wang Center in Boston, and I use to sing covers at a piano bar right across the street for tips while I was in college. Amazing.

You were voted Village Voice best NYC band in the current readers poll. How much do you appreciate this title from your hometown fans?

JT: We appreciate it VERY much. We love NYC, and most of NYC loves us. I think. Hahaha!


The sound and style of the band is so unique, but also reminiscent to another NYC band, The Scissor Sisters. Are they influences of yours? Would you ever consider working with them?

JT: The Scissors are wonderful, but they make dance pop, and we make rockNroll. But we do all dress well aka like crazy people, so I think that's where the comparison comes from. I'd love to work with them one day.

Recently it has been reported that Justin will work with Kellie Pickler. How did this relationship come about? Will Kellie be dabbling into glam? Will you dabble into country?

JT: I am a HUGE country fan. Kasey Chambers, Lucinda Williams, and Buddy Miller are some of my favorite songwriters of any genre. I met the incredibly sexy Ms Pickler backstage at fashion week, and we became fast friends. After her Madison Square Garden show with Taylor Swift we ended up writing a song in bathroom at 3am sparkling on champagne. Its was stunning.

You have made a big impact across the pond in the UK. How do the UK fans differ from US fans?

JT: We only played a week of shows in the UK, but by the last show it was sold out. We can't wait to get back there in 2010. We have a lot more work to do over there. Well we have a lot more work to do everywhere actually!

From Perez to Kate Moss to The Sounds to Lady Gaga, your celebrity fan base has grown in such big ways. Does it mean alot to you to have celeb fans as opposed to regular fans coming to shows and buying the records and merch? Or is it just two levels of fandom?

JT: Well, anyone loving our music is great. Celebs loving our music helps spread the word through press and is REALLY flattering, but fans and friends loving our music is what means the most.

There is so much attitude in your lyrics, sound and live shows, yet it stems from a fun place. Do you take yourself seriously? Or just having fun living the dream?

JT: We take our music very seriously. We all went to music school, we have all been playing since we were kids, and we always try to learn new shit. But obviously there is humor in my lyrics. And obviously the point of our shows and music is to have fun and get people laid. So I guess you could say we take playing music, having fun, and getting people laid VERY seriously!

Special thanks to Justin, Debbie Pressman and the Girlie PR team for this interview!

Live Review - Moby @ St. Anne's Warehouse

Just underneath the beautiful Brooklyn Bridge and on a very cold night, as the city was preparing for what they were calling "Snowmageddon," the heat cranked up and energy was alive at a private concert at the small St. Anne's Warehouse in the DUMBO section of Brooklyn. New York City hit and beat maker, the multi talented and eclectic Moby gave a performance for the ages showcasing his talents, style and technique. In a taping for the PBS series Soundstage, Moby pulled out his bag of tricks and broke into a great two hour long set. Coming on stage with his guitar strapped on, Moby and his seven piece band sounded pitch perfect. Within the first 30 minutes, the famous band musician did not sing much he let that duty go to his amazing and showstopping backup singer Inyang Bassey, a woman who is as voluptuous as Jennifer Hudson but has the voice and soul of Billie Holiday. She was simply breathtaking to watch and listen to. Yet, once Moby got onto his vocal duty, the hits kept coming. Moby broke up his set into sections, in the first 30 minutes it was guitar oriented rock and roll, then within the second part of first hour he broke into an acoustic set spanning covers from Johnny Cash to Led Zeppelin to Nirvana and a few fresh re images of his own work. Yet, once the second hour came, it was hit after hit after hit. From "Porcelain," to "Body Rock," to "South Side," to "We are Made of Stars," I forgot how vast his catalogue actually went. He even got into his old school ways and did live mixing and electronic work on stage with his band.
As the small crowd of invite only guests got into it, we all realized there was one major problem - This was a seated venue! The idea that it took place in a Warehouse sounded like a great idea at first, lots of space to pack people in and move around, yet unfortunately with chairs bolted to the ground, it proved to be a challenge to get into the dance friendly set. However, his fans managed. In between songs Moby would discuss his love of cover bands, give out weird trivia questions and talk about his upbringing, he is a nerd through and through, but you have to love him. Insecure, introverted at times when he is just speaking to the crowd, yet once the music kicks in Moby is a changed man, alive with the glory of sound. As his set winded down, playing disco tracks off his brilliant 2007 release Last Night, the generators inside St. Anne's died and all the lights went out in the house. After closing the show in partial darkness and back up lights, Moby in true showman fashion came back on stage for a 20 minute encore and drove the set home.
Moby may not be the radio friendly artist that we have seen and known at the top of last decade, yet he is comfortable doing what he does and still one of the world's premiere entertainers.

Jonsi / Black Francis Covers & Tracklistings

This year is going to be packed with amazing releases, true story. As Sigur Ros is on indefinate hiatus, following a report last week, front man Jonsi is set to release his solo effort, Go in April. Take a look at the cover and track listing below.

1."Go Do"
2."Animal Arithmetic"
3."Tornado"
4."Boy Lilikoi"
5."Sinking Friendships"
6."Kolnidur"
7."Around Us"
8."Grow Till Tall"
9."Hengilas"

Another one of the years most talked about releases comes from music legend and Pixies front man Frank Black aka Black Francis. His latest solo effort NONSTOPEROTIK, will be out March 30. Take a look at the cover and track listing below.

1. Lake of Sin
2. O My Tidy Sum
3. Rabbits
4. Wheels
5. Dead Man’s Curve
6. Corrina
7. Six Legged Man
8. Wild Son
9. When I Go Down On You
10. Nonstoperotik
11. Cinema Star

The Bravery on Kimmel!

The Bravery hit up Jimmy Kimmel Live this week and gave the city of LA a free concert as well. Closing down a few streets, The Bravery performed the songs "Hatefuck," and "Slow Poison," off their latest record, Stir the Blood. "Hatefuck," of course was edited and changed to "Hateful."
Take a look!

Quick News

As I said during my album reviews, Surf-punk is going to make a big splash this year, another band I have covered before is going to further that hypothosis. New York City's The Postelle's is set to do a spring tour with Portland's Hockey. This is going to be one hell of a fun tour! The Postelle's are currently working on their debut, which has been produced by Strokes member Albert Hammond Jr. Take a look at my interview with The Postelle's from June HERE.

Speaking of The Strokes, the legendary New York City band is currently working on their latest album!!! This comes after a few years of hiatus, The Strokes are working with producer Joe Chiccarelli (Beck, U2, Bjork) in New York.

Just after being tapped as one of 2009's best live acts, Them Crooked Vultures are set to release the follow up to their self titled debut this summer. The band, who are currently out on the road (stay tuned for a review this week, I am catching them at Roseland on Monday), have been jamming away pounding out new material for the summer release.

Another fast follow up will come from Jack White's Dead Weather. Recorded over two weeks in December, the band is set to release their latest, a follow up to last years debut Horehound, in April. White is currently mixing the record now.

Still having beef after all these years, former Incubus DJ Gavin Koppel aka Kid Lyfe, was ordered to give up fire arms and was slapped with a restraining order in California this week after he threatened current Incubus DJ Chris Kilmore. The incident, which happened December 28 occurred when Koppel harassed Kilmore about a previous restraining order, according to TMZ Koppel said to Kilmore "You will get killed if you don't lift that order... people get killed in the street for that." Kilmore then reported the incident to authorities and the restraining order was just granted.

Hot Chip w/ The Roots on Fallon!

My generations Devo, that is what I am calling Hot Chip. I believe I have said it before, but just in case I am saying it again. Hot Chip along with The Roots played the title track off their fresh new masterpiece One Life Stand on Jimmy Fallon this week. Take a look!

Quick Spins

I promised many changes in 2010, one of them was more album reviews. You will be getting album reviews twice a month, take a look at round one.

Spoon – Transference
The Austin indie band fires back in a big way returning to form and making a comeback since 2007’s Ga Ga Ga Ga. Transference is a perfectly produced album that the more you listen to it, you find out something new each time and it keeps getting better and better. From cleaver lyrics to great musical qualities, Spoon show why after all these years they are bigger and better than ever.
FINAL GRADE: A

Bouncing Souls – Tales of the Boardwalk
In 2009 Jersey punkers Bouncing Souls celebrated their triumphant 20th anniversary. As a gift to fans, the band on the first of each month released a song to celebrate the band’s two decades making music their way. In celebration of that effort, the band has packed this compilation of songs into one record. The songs are typical Bouncing Souls goodness and its nice to see those the band has influenced from Dave Hause of Loved Ones to Brian Fallon of Gaslight Anthem contributes vocals to some of the songs. A great compilation and one for ever Souls fan to go along with the collection of great material this band has given us through the years.
FINAL GRADE: A

Surfer Blood – Astro Coast
If the Beach Boys did not take hallucinogens during their hay-day and did heroin instead, they would sound like Florida’s Surfer Blood. I have no idea what this band does in their downtime and I am not saying they are drug users, but that is the best way to describe this bands catchy and thrashing sound. Surfer Blood are drawing inspiration from everyone from Beach Boys to The Strokes, and are a band to watch out for this year. Combining fuzzy guitars, catchy and cleaver hooks, this Florida band is one not to be missed. Astro Coast is a solid debut that will see this band rise like the tide.
FINAL GRADE: B

The Soft Pack
I am making a prediction now, 2010 will be the year that surf-punk makes a big comeback. With acts like Vampire Weekend, Surfer Blood and California’s The Soft Pack, this indie style will come back in a big way this year, and these are only bands that we know of. The Soft Pack, formally The Muslims, is fun and catchy on their debut linking sounds from great Cali bands like Weezer and Rooney and bridging that preppy fun in the sun sound with distortion ala Spoon. It takes everything one would love about the Pacific Coast and jams it into a short yet succinct album.
FINAL GRADE: B

Chew Lips – Unicorns
If Karen O fronted Air and it was produced by the members of Hot Chip, it would sound like Chew Lips, I also think I just thought of a great super group. This UK electro band has been making waves back in their native land and are set to take the US by storm this year with their debut, Unicorns. Singer Tigs vocals are so seductive you are not sure if she would be a femme fetal or the perfect lover.
FINAL GRADE: B-

Screaming Females – Singles
This New Jersey DIY band has been making big waves the past 12 months. From opening to everyone from Bouncing Souls to Arctic Monkeys to Dead Weather, Screaming Females have been doing everything on their own and are now having the light caste on them. This young band has such a raw energy and great style of playing that they are a live act not to be missed. Their latest EP Singles is a compilation of old songs as the band begins to work on new material. It is a nice collection that displays the bands raw power yet lacks the bands live energy.
FINAL GRADE: B-

Motion City Soundtrack – My Dinosaur Life
When Motion City Soundtrack busted onto the scene in 2003 they were a pop-punk/emo band that sounded like no one else, they were fresh and original. They had cleaver lyrics, ultra catchy hooks and 80’s style synths laid over punk rhythm and style. Now with the scene pretty much dead, Motion City Soundtrack is starting to sound like the peers who fronted that genre and further from themselves. Maybe that is why the title of their latest is called, My Dinosaur Life, the scene is extinct like the former roamers of the Earth. Still the album finds moments of typical MCS style that we have loved over the years; fast hooks, jumping rhythms and most of all, singer Jean Pierre’s voice still remains one of the most original and distinct in all of music. Unfortunately the sound is not as fresh as they once were.
FINAL GRADE: C+