"My Dad's a Fucking Alcoholic. Must Be Me, Or His Irritating Job, My Dad Drinks Everynight"

That's this little video on an amazing new band that I've talked about before named The Nextdoor Neighbors from Washington. I hope they win there competition, I sure likes 'em. I really really wish they reposted the song that they used to have that had the lyric: Sometimes I get drunk and I scream and I scream and you breathe, so I breathe" because it was awesomeomeomeome.

Anywaize, check this little tidbit out:

"In 1981, Wax Trax Records co-owner Duane Davis formed the in-store label called Local Anesthetic and released the debut single by Denver band Gluons featuring Allen Ginsberg on vocals. Local Anesthetic went on as the only continuous independent label in Colorado, staunchly documenting the underground music scene of the early 80s. Now, Smooch Records’ The Local Anesthetic compiles all of the 7-inch singles, along with a few other gems. Although the singles all fall under the punk umbrella, they're a diverse collection of hardcore, new wave, artsy fartsy, goth, and experimental recordings from 1977-83. The drug-damaged punk played through broken amps of Frantix’s “My Dad's a Fucking Alcoholic” caught some national attention prompting Peter Buck of REM and Thurston Moore to learn every detail of its creation."

Way-to-go Denver! you want a taste of this gem? herez:

Your Funeral - I Wanna Be You
White Trash - Wake U
Bum Kon - The Draft
Jeri Rossi - I Left My Heart But I Don't Know Where


Also Die! Die! Die! (a band I'll be talking about here in a few days [i.e. album review]) is going on tour. Sadly they're not coming to Denver as of yet:
03/07 Los Angeles, CA @ Echo
03/08 Los Angeles, CA @ Echo
03/12 Austin, TX @ Red Eye Fly SXSW
03/12 Austin, TX @ The Wave SXSW
03/13 Austin, TX @ The Dirty Dog
03/14 Austin, TX @ Emo’s Lounge
03/15 Austin, TX @ 219 West Bar
03/16 Austin, TX @ TBA
03/17 Dallas, TX @ The Cavern
03/20 Orlando, FL @ Taste (Backbooth)
03/21 Tampa, FL @ Crowbar
03/22 Jacksonville, FL @ TSI
03/24 Atlanta, GA @ Earl
03/25 Washington, DC @ DC 9
03/26 Philadelphia, PA @ Northstar Bar
03/27 Toronto, ON @ TBD
03/28 Montreal, PQ @ Zoobizare
03/29 Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
03/30 New York, NY @ Highline Ballroom

"Or Were You Just Making Conversation?"

Do The Right Thing as performed by Muppets

So I've finally buckled down and admitted that I've been sick for basically the past month and bought some Emergen-C, which I've been told is basically the holy grail of sick remedies. Well it looks like it's working because the nasty cough I've had for the past few days isn't as nasty. ... I guess all that is pretty irrelevant as far as this whole blog thing goes...

Aaaanyway here is some music I've been listening to recently and what I think of it (you know the drill by now):

The Diggs - ctrl-alt-del
Verdict: Love (<) +
Nice, pained music with dancy baselines and ghostly guitar work. For some peculiar reason they remind me of something that Jimmy Eat World could have become if they evolved more around their slower stuff. Their songs just sound amazingly genuine. I wish my version of the title track was better because I really really like it, but, alas, it is what it is. Also, "Brigante" is a super rad tune which I wish I had a better version of so I could host it unabashedly.
The Diggs - Careen
The Diggs - Recovery Forever
The Diggs - Two Months Off (Underworld Cover)

The Terrordactyls - The Terrordactyls
Verdict: Love More (<3)
Adorable Twee-Folk with some really rather intelligent and heartwarming lyrics. I mean, if Kimya Dawson likes them, who couldn't automatically just adore them? Haters ... that's who. Don't hate, appreciate:
The Terrordactyls - I Want to Cry
The Terrordactyls - Zombie Girl
The Terrordactyls - Long Live The Party (Andrew W.K. Cover)
The Terrordactyls - Devices (feat. Kimya Dawson)

[Guess what? Terrordactyls are coming to a town near you ... and Denver! to Rhinoceropolis! Yay!:
03/01 Olympia, WA 1502 Legion Way
03/06 Seattle, WA Fusion Cafe
03/07 Seattle, WA The Vera Project
03/08 Portland, OR Kurt’s House
03/09 Oakland, CA Ghost House Gallery
03/10 Santa Barbara, CA The Oven
03/11 Phoenix, AZ The Phix
03/12 Austin, TX SXSW Fanatic Promotion Showcase
03/21 Durham, NC Bull City HQ
04/02 New York, NY The Canal Room
04/08 New York, NY Pianos
04/13 Columbus, OH Wholly Craft
04/20 Denver, CO Rhinoceropolis]

Matt Costa - Unfamiliar Faces
Verdict: Love (<)
First listen through, I was bored. Upon further review, I got awkwardly nostalgic, and really enjoyed it. At times sounding like a 4 person band version of the White Stripes w/ a horn section. Sometimes it sounds like a Scottish M. Ward (don't ask me why I think that, I just do)
Matt Costa - Emergency Call
Matt Costa - Trying to Lose My Mind
Matt Costa - Heart of Stone

HEALTH - HEALTH
Verdict: Love More (<3)
Believe the hype.
HEALTH - The Problem Is (Thrust Lab Remix)
HEALTH - Crimewave
HEALTH - Triceratops
HEALTH - Heaven

Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks - Real Emotional Trash
Verdict: Love (<) -
The root songs were pretty well done, but all the ridiculous jamming out was, I felt, unnecessary, and took away from my enjoyment of the album. But, it is Malkmus, who will probably never not be on top of his game.
Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks - Real Emotional Trash
Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks - Baltimore
Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks - We Can't Help You

The Teenagers - Reality Check
Verdict: Like () +
Wow. Few bands have been so unexpectedly vulgar and dancy at the same time. It was fun, but not the explosion of fantasticasm I was expecting, especially with all the hype around them. Id still Love to seem them live however.
The Teenagers - Homecoming
The Teenagers - Sunset Beach
The Teenagers - Fuck Nicole

P.s. here's the stop-motion video for The Terrordactyls song with Kimya Dawson "Devices":

when I talk about bands that have mostly instrumental songs I have a hard time with titles to the posts because I normally make them out of lyrics

Oh yeah, and HEALTH is continuing their Bombastic tour, playing a bunch of shows with Crystal Castles.
plus there's this new remix floating around:

HEALTH - The Problem Is (Thrust Lab Remix)

* w/ Crystal Castles

02/22 Hamilton, ON @ The Casbah*
02/23 London, ON @ Call The Office*
02/26 Detroit, MI @ Magic Stick*
02/27 Chicago, IL @ The Abbey Pub*
02/28 Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock Club*
02/29 Winnipeg, MB @ Pyramid Cabaret*
03/01 Regina, SK @ The Exchange*
03/02 Calgary, AB @ The Warehouse*
03/03 Edmonton, AB @ The Starlite Room*
03/05 Vancouver, BC @ Richards On Richards*
03/06 Seattle, WA @ Chop Suey*
03/07 Portland, OR @ Backspace*
03/08 San Francisco, CA @ The Indipendent*
03/09 West Hollywood, CA @ The Roxy*
03/10 San Diego, CA @ Casbah*
03/11 Phoenix, CA @ The Rhythm Room*
03/12 Albuquerque, NM @ Launch Pad*
03/14 Austin, TX @ La Zona Rosa 1 PM
03/14 Austin, TX @ The Side Bar 4 PM
03/14 Austin, TX @ The Flamingo Cantina 8 PM
03/15 Austin, TX @ Austin Convention Center 2 PM
03/15 Austin, TX @ Volume 4 PM
03/15 Austin, TX @ Mrs. Beas 8 PM
03/16 Denton, TX @ Hailey's*
03/17 Springfield, MO @ Randy Bacon Studio & Gallery*
03/19 Dekalb, IL @ House Cafe*
03/21 Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop*
03/22 Philadelphia, PA @ Transit*
03/23 Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar*
03/24 Annandale on Hudson, NY @ Bard College
03/25 Brooklyn, NY @ Studio B*
03/26 New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge*
03/27 Montreal, PQ @ Musee Juste Pour Rire*
03/28 Toronto, ON @ Circa*
03/29 Rochester, NY @ Bug Jar
03/30 Purchase, NY @ Suny Purchase
04/02 Providence, RI @ As220
04/03 Philadelphia, PA @ Danger Danger Gallery
04/04 Washington, DC @ Velvet Lounge
04/05 Baltimore, MD @ Talking Head
04/06 Richmond, VA @ The Camel
04/07 Raleigh, NC @ Downtown Events Center
04/08 Columbia, SC @ 112 Huger St (House Party)
04/09 Atlanta, GA @ Drunken Unicorn
04/10 Birmingham, AL @ Bottletree
04/11 Baton Rouge, LA @ Spanish Moon
04/12 Houston, TX @ The Mink
04/13 Austin, TX @ Emos
04/15 Denton, TX @ Rubbergloves
04/16 Lubbock, TX @ Bash Riprocks
04/18 Phoenix, AZ @ Trunk Space
04/20 Los Angeles, CA @ The Smell
04/25 Troy, NY @ EMPAC
05/07 London, UK @ TBD
05-13 Brussels, Belgium - Les Nuits Botanique*

"Whoa-ooo-ooohhh-ooo-oohhhh!"

This band named HEALTH came to town, and I went to see them, because that's what you do when HEALTH comes to town. It was at Rhinoceropolis, so it started somewhere around 10PM and went until Late-O'clock, but that's part of the charm of Rhinoceropolis. As luck would have it the batteries for my audio recorder were dead, so this time I only had the camera. Oh well, maybe one day both of them will be working at the same time.

Anyway, the first band was a new group by the name of Hot White. Being somewhere in the range of 16 years old, I have to hand it to them for not only having the balls to play this type of music, but do it at Rhino ... but, then again, I was ignorant to most things this hip when I was 16, so maybe this is a trend that will become more prevalent. I personally hope so. That said, they were all right. Not the best thing ever, but I pride effort over performance with bands like this, which is sometimes a fault of mine. After their performance they handed out free white Hanes shirts with "Hot" spray-painted on it. Now all I want to know is whether or not it'll ruin my other clothes if I wash them together. I guess I'll just have to find out... Anyway, I honestly expect to see these guys to some good in the music scene, just listen to their demos:

Hot White - Ocho
Hot White - De Ocho
Hot White - Song Four

Up next was Everybody's Stomached. Their performance reminded me of a more noise oriented version of High Places, with a percussionist and a singer, except the percussionist also played what looked like an electric ukulele and the singer also played guitar. I only got one good photo of them, and it's of the singer so that's that. They were interesting but I really couldn't really make out much of what was going on. If that was the point, then well done fellas. I can't find any music site for them, so I guess if you're interested in them, just watch for fliers.

Legendary HEALTH began to set up shortly after, and that took a little while, which gave the crowd ample time to ... well ... crowd the front. Julio, who was there to see HEALTH and to a photo essay for the Denver Post, was promptly pushed right up and next to me. HEALTH began, and the crowd went nuts sending many people flying in different directions (including Julio who ended up breaking his flash a little bit). Dance Noise Math Punk, my friends, is ... well ... Freaking rad when HEALTH plays it. The room was nuts for their entire set, rarely letting up. I wish I could see them every night.

HEALTH - Crimewave
HEALTH - Triceratops
HEALTH - Heaven
HEALTH - Perfect Skin

After HEALTH were all packed up, the majority of the audience left, which was really a shame, because Pictureplane was up last. After he set up, the lights were dimmed and he shit was turned way up. The crowd was in a rowdy mood after HEALTH, so Travis' stuff was almost knocked over a few times, but everything turned out all right, the new songs were very well received, and everyone who stayed had a bombastic time, including me.

Pictureplane - Found Too Low RMX (Featuring Zach Condon of Beruit)
HEALTH - Lost Time (Pictureplane Remix)
Pictureplane - double sets of lungs now

Go here to get a Pictureplane live set I recorded a long time ago (if it's not working and you still want it, let me know, sometimes those old links die pretty quickly)

"If You're So Smart Why Don't You Wear Glass So You Can See What You're Doing To Me"

So yeah, that's this amazing little video this amazing woman made which is not only informative, but entertaining ... who'd'a thought the two could be combined?! haha, anyway, it's superduper rad and if you want to see a higher quality version of it, you should go to her website.

So, this day's post is just FULL of music, because this time I didn't have as many mega-awesome-awesome-awesome music files as I usually do. This stuff is still pretty good, but nothing mind-blow-tastic ... but that's just my opinion, you may find your new favorite band.

P.S. I went to this rad show last Saturday ... HEALTH played, Pictureplane played, I'll talk about it soon, I swearz

a faulty chromosome - as an ex-anorexic's six sicks exit, ...
Verdict: Love (<) +
Lovely little neo-shoegaze from the shiny little town of Austin, Texas. At least good music comes from Texas ... well ... that's a bit geographically-centric ... I'm sure there are a whole bunch of good things that have come out of Texas ... and ... well if anything proves that it's the music! what a round about way of saying that I think these fellas have a bunch of potential.
a faulty chromosome - Jackie O
a faulty chromosome - Them Pleasures of the Flesh
a faulty chromosome - This is Far From A Belle Epoque

Sebadoh - Smash You Head Into the Punk Rock
Verdict: Like ()
You know ... I was actually kind of disappointed with this album. It didn't reach out and grab me like the others by Sebadoh have, so maybe I didn't give it enough of a chance. Still, pretty nice.
Sebadoh - Crisis
Sebadoh - Brand New Love
Sebadoh - Pink Moon

The Fashion - The Fashion EP
Verdict: Like ()
eh, it was okay, but nothing phenomenal. They really could go either way as far as a full length goes. Here's what I hope to hear more of:
The Fashion - Solo Impala (Take The Money And Run)

Ghostwood - Ghostwood EP
Verdict: Like ()
same as The Fashion ... here's what I want to see:
Ghostwood - Pencils

The Hoosiers - The Hoosiers EP
Verdict: Like ()
Huh ... well ... same here (interesting the the last two were bands who probably got their names from movies... even more interesting the the Hoosiers are not even American):
The Hoosiers - Worried About Ray

Lightspeed Champion - Falling Of The Lavender Bridge
Verdict: Like ()
You know, I get the feeling this album is supposed to be tapping into some sort of feeling or emotion in me that it's just not, so I'm not very effected by it. It was all right. A lot of other people seem to like it a whole lot more than I do though.
Lightspeed Champion - All To Shit
Lightspeed Champion - Midnight Surprise
Lightspeed Champion - Let The Bitches Die

"This Negativity Just Makes Me Stronger, We Will Not Retreat, This Band Is Unstoppable."

Hey Kiddos, I've not got a whole lot to say because I'm super swamped, so the next regular post is going to be delayed, but here's some rad info on good old 65daysofstatic:

Remember their full length last year and how rad that was? well as it turns out they're releasing a new EP here in a April that goes by the ridiculously long name "The Distant and Mechanized Glow of Eastern European Dance Parties EP." They're also re-releasing the "Hole EP" and their first full length, "The Fall of Math" It's ridiculous Post-Rock that may end up being a household name (as far as post rock goes that is).

No leaks of the new stuff as of yet, but here's some stuff to keep tide you over in case you haven't heard it before:

65daysofstatic - 23kid
65daysofstatic - Climbing on Roofs
65daysofstatic - Morning in the Knife Quarter
65daysofstatic - The Major Cities of the World Are Being Destroyed One by One by the Monsters (Skin of the Horse's Teeth Version)
65daysofstatic - When We Were Younger & Better
65daysofstatic - Don't Go Down to Sorrow

Also, 65daysofstatic is going on tour, and just check out where they're playing in the CO (I'll be attending the second night I think):

* w/ The Cure

02/18 Warsaw, Poland @ Warsaw Tower *

02/19 Katowice, Poland @ Katowice Spodek *

02/21 Prague, Czech Republic @ Saska Arena *

02/23 Vienna, Austria @ Bank Austria Halle, Gasometer *

02/25 Munich, Germany @ Olympiahalle *

02/27 Zurich, Switzerland @ Hallenstadion *

02/29 Rome, Italy @ Palalottomatica *

03/02 Milan, Italy @ Palasharp *

03/04 Marseilles, France @ Le Dome *

03/06 Madrid, Spain @ Palacio de Deportes *

03/08 Lisbon, Portugal @ Pavilhao Atlantico *

03/10 Barcelona, Spain @ Palau Sant Jordi *

03/12 Paris, France @ Le Bercy *

03/14 Antwerp, Belgium @ Sportpaleis *

03/16 Oberhausen, Germany @ Konig-Pilsener *

03/18 Rotterdam, Netherlands @ Ahoy Rotterdam *

03/20 London, UK @ Wembley Arena *

04/09 Bristol, UK @ Thekla

04/10 Nottingham, UK @ Rescue Rooms

04/11 London, UK @ Indigo

04/12 Leeds, UK @ Cockpit

04/13 Brighton, UK @ Concorde 2

04/14 Wolves, UK @ Wulfrun

04/15 Manchester, UK @ Academy 2

04/16 Portsmouth, UK @ Wedgewood Rooms

04/17 Brussels, Belgium @ TBD *

04/18 Amsterdam, Netherlands @ TBD *

04/19 Koln, Germany @ TBD *

04/20 Hamburg, Germany @ TBD *

04/21 Copenhagen, Denmark @ TBD *

04/22 Berlin, Germany @ TBD *

04/23 Prague, Czech Republic @ TBD *

04/24 Vienna, Austria @ TBD *

04/25 Munich, Germany @ TBD *

04/26 Milan, Italy @ TBD *

04/28 Paris, France @ TBD *

05/09 Washington, DC @ Patriot Center *

05/10 Philadelphia, PA @ Wachovia Spectrum *

05/11 Hoboken, NJ @ Maxwells

05/12 Boston, MA @ Agganis Arena *

05/14 Montreal, PQ @ Bell Center *

05/15 Toronto, ON @ Air Canada Centre *

05/15 Toronto, ON @ El Mocambo

05/16 Chicago, IL @ Allstate Arena *

05/16 Detroit, MI @ The Magic Stick

05/17 Chicago, IL @ Beat Kitchen

05/18 St. Louis, MO @ 2 Cents Plain

05/19 Kansas City, MO @ Starlight Theatre *

05/21 Denver, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheater *

05/22 Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge

05/23 Salt Lake City @ E Center *

05/24 Boise, ID @ The Venue

05/25 George, WA @ The Gorge Sasquatch! Festival *

05/26 Vancouver, BC @ General Motors Place *

05/28 San Francisco, CA @ Bottom Of The Hill

05/29 Santa Barbara, CA @ Santa Barbara Bowl *

05/30 Los Angeles, CA @ Troubadour

05/31 Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Bowl *

06/01 San Diego, CA @ The Casbah

06/02 Anaheim, CA @ Chain Reaction

06/03 San Diego, CA @ Cox Arena *

06/04 Phoenix, AZ @ Dodge Theatre *

06/04 Phoenix, AZ @ The Sets

06/06 Dallas, TX @ American Airlines Center *

06/07 Austin, TX @ Music Hall *

06/07 San Antonio, TX @ Rock Bottom

06/08 Austin, TX @ Emo’s

06/09 Houston, TX @ Toyota Center *

06/11 Tampa, FL @ St Pete Times Forum *

06/12 Orlando, FL @ The Social

06/13 Fort Lauderdale, FL @ Bank Atlantic Center *

06/14 Gainsville, FL @ The Atlantic

06/15 Atlanta, GA @ Gwinnett Civic Center *

06/16 Charlotte, NC @ Charlotte Bobcats Arena *

06/18 Cleveland, OH @ Cleveland State University *

06/19 New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge

06/20 New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden *

06/21 New York, NY @ Radio City Music Hall *

"Shake, Shake, Shake, Shake the Frame of This House"

Despite how much I honestly don't care, today is a sort of "Love Appreciation Day," so, in keeping with the tradition, today's blog will only be concerning music that I've recently come across that I absolutely love (that I haven't all ready talked about). I even posted a live set at the bottom of the post. It's top notch!
p.s. that picture has nothing to do with anything, except that it's funny, especially out of context.

The Mountain Goats - Heretic Pride
Verdict: Love More (<3)
Now, I know I said I'd be waiting until the release date of the album to post songs from this album, but I figured I'd give some early lovin to the Goats fans out there. Oh, and in case you missed what I had to say about the album, just check out this track-by-track review that I did.
The Mountain Goats - Lovecraft in Brooklyn
The Mountain Goats - Autoclave
The Mountain Goats - San Bernardino

Ayreon - 01011001
Verdict: Love More (<3)
Remember when I said this album was going to be astonishing? Well I wasn't lying. This album is one of Arjen's best. I haven't had the chance to listen to it about a million times like I have with the other albums, so I'm not as attached, but I can all ready tell that some time in the future I'm going to be rather nostalgic over this album. Still pretty Pink Floyd influenced, but not as much as the last one. Prog Rock Operas are where it is freakin at. [remember, the songs I'm hosting here are only 3 of like 20, and the since the album is an opera, and you're only getting a glimpse, the lyrics are going to be a little weird. Trust me, it all makes sense in order and with all the other songs]
Ayreon - Age Of Shadows
Ayreon - Web of Lies
Ayreon - River of Time

Xiu Xiu - Women as Lovers
Verdict: Love More (<3)
Xiu Xiu's newest effort is a dream. Awkward as always but just ... oh man ... I can't even really say why this album is so spectacular. Please listen up to them. I can't wait to see them with Thao Nguyen here in a few weeks.
Xiu Xiu - I Do What I When I Want
Xiu Xiu - Black Keyboard
Xiu Xiu - Child At Arms

Thao With The Get Down Stay Down - We Brave Bee Stings and All
Verdict: Love More (<3)
(speaking of Thao Nguyen ...) Some people may know that there is a certain spot in my heart for Thao Nguyen (see these older postings for the back story on why I love her so much). Well there is no way that we live in a universe that would house a non-amazing-Thao Nguyen album, and that's a fact. Still amazing.
Thao With The Get Down Stay Down - Bag of Hammers
Thao With The Get Down Stay Down - Yes So On and So On
Thao With The Get Down Stay Down - Travel

Also, here is a live set recorded just yesterday on NPR:
Band: Thao With The Get Down Stay Down
Date: 2008-02-13
Venue: NPR Studio

(Intro)
Geography
(Interview)
Beat (Health, Life & Fire)
(Interview)
Big Kid Table
(Interview)
Swimming Pools (really good version)
(Outro)

"Too Loud For Greeley"

(That's a pic of Istanbul, the hookah bar. If you couldn't tell, I'm a big fan of just black and white pics. Maybe later I'll start doing color pics. All the following pics are in order of how the artists played: The Shaggy Ponies, Sean Prahinski, Milton Melvin Croissant III, and The Empty Pilot)

[mp3's of the show are at the bottom of the post]

So as you may or may not know I co-hosted a show up in Greeley (Karma Spares No One was the other co-host) in an attempt to get some sort of culture up here, and it went all right. The venue limited the kinds of acts we could host, because it was a chill environment they didn't really want anything to abrasive or challenging or loud, so we were kind of limited, but since it's a gather point for a lot of people, and some of the outdoor spots aren't available now because of the weather, it was the best we could do. We had a rather progressive act set up but they didn't feel comfortable performing in the way we had initially imagined it to go, so they didn't perform (no hard feelings at all though), but the next show JJ and I set up will most likely feature them doing their thing, which I'm very excited for. Aaaaanyway, we did set up this pretty nice show last Saturday and, while it wasn't the most progressive and innovative stuff ever, it was nice a fun and I had a blast, and it seems like everyone else had a good time.

Casey Banker, under the moniker The Shaggy Ponies, was the first act to play. I really like Casey's music, which is why I asked him to play the show. I've known him for a while now so that may mean there is a certain amount of bias there, which means that I'm not really going to be able to give you an unbiased opinion on whether or not her was good. I liked it, not only because I know he's a good guy, but because I honestly think he's a good musician. I think I'd like to hear less covers and more originals, but that's kind of my general feeling toward acoustic shows that I seem to find myself at. But that doesn't mean the guy can't cover songs well ... dawn well. I was super stoked to here him do a cover of Sadie by Joanna Newsom. Listen to the first song he plays though, it's pretty much amazing.

[again, mp3's of the show are at the bottom of the post]

Up second was another good friend of mine (so there's bound to be biased again) Sean Prahinski. Sean has a great voice, knows how to work some crowds, and is a damn good guitar player. I've heard him play his solo stuff a lot (that comes with living with the guy for a year or so), so I'm always happy to hear him play new stuff. His set was filled with a mix of old and new and covers and originals. I personally would have liked to hear more originals and newer material, but that's because I've heard his stuff so often. Either way, no one else seemed to feel the same way, and were fairly happy with his performance, as they should have been.

After a bit of a set up, Milton Melvin Croissant III played, which was honestly the highlight of my evening. I've described his stuff so many times that I have trouble finding new ways to say how astounding it is. He's a wizard. Period. I loved his set for many reasons. Punk rock. Loudness. His set is where we get this posting's title. (someone said it right after his set)

Last but hella not least was Chris Jones A.K.A. The Empty Pilot. Chris hasn't played a show in probably over a year, but that doesn't mean he's out of practice. Some say he sounds like Dashboard, other say Bright Eyes. Whatevs, that doesn't matter, all that matters is that this guy is not only a damn smart lyricist, but a sharp guitarist. Talent, my friends, is something I appreciate. I appreciate this fella.

Everyone played better than I could have hopped for, and everyone had more fun than I was counting on, so, all in all, I'd have to say, it was a fairly good evening. Now, enough of this lallygagging, here's the music:

Bands: The Shaggy Ponies, Sean Prahinski, Milton Melvin Croissant III, & The Empty Pilot
Date: 2008-02-9
Venue: Istanbul Hookah Bar, Garden City, CO

The Shaggy Ponies - Apologies and Underwear
The Shaggy Ponies - Boston (Vampire Weekend Cover)
The Shaggy Ponies - Okay That's Fine
The Shaggy Ponies - Sadie (Joanna Newsom Cover)
Sean Prahinski - Two Days
Sean Prahinski - Harrisburg (Josh Ritter Cover)
Sean Prahinski - Myth
Sean Prahinski - Space Flight
Sean Prahinski - Toxic (Brittany Spears Cover)
Sean Prahinski - Safety Net
Sean Prahinski - Untrue Dream
Milton Melvin Croissant III - The Snare Of Love
Milton Melvin Croissant III - (unknown title)
Milton Melvin Croissant III - (unknown title)
Milton Melvin Croissant III - (unknown title)
Milton Melvin Croissant III - (unknown title)
The Empty Pilot - Unsure Branches/Steady Tree
The Empty Pilot - Sailor Tattoos (Movielife Cover)
The Empty Pilot - For When You Forget
The Empty Pilot - Row Old Let
The Empty Pilot - Fear in the Past Tense
The Empty Pilot - Sailors

"Oh, We'll Take the Time to Turn It Out"

So the show last night went pretty well. I had a blast, and so did everyone who played, so I'm happy. I'll give a full report here in a little bit (gimme a day or so to collect myself).

Looking for something to do here this Friday? Well we here in Denver have the option to go to this hear Slam Poetry what not. And by "option" I mean "you need to go if at all possible because it'll basically be the most rad thing to happen as far as poetry goes in a while." Don't get my wrong, the Merc's poetry slams are pretty made crazy, but this'll be like that but several times more mad. And if you've never seen anyone Live-Paint before, then this'll definitely be quite the experience for you (or you could just go to a Cloud Cult show).

Or if Poetry is not your thing, HEALTH is playing again On Saturday with the notorious Pictureplane, who hasn't played a show in a while. Love it, and you should too. Rhinoceropolis at 9:30ish, 10 PM. Be there, and Get Creep, I know I will.

I've also run across a few Raveonettes remixes and a new song by our friend French Quarter. here are those bad boys:

The Raveonettes - Dead Sound (Digital Leather Remix)
The Raveonettes - Dead Sound (Peter Holmstrom and Jeremy Sherrer remix)

French Quarter - Overpassing

Sia - Some People Have REAL Problems
Verdict: Love More (<3)
Sweet soft and folky at times, but also roughish and soulsy like you wouldn't believe (though not more than you could probably guess). Her true power lies in her ability to write lyrics fairly proficiently, but that doesn't mean the music isn't equally as gorgeous. But chances are, with all the press she seems to be getting (her CD was for sale in my neighborhood starbucks for christsake ... if that doesn't sell you some albums, nothing will) you all ready know that. If you don't, here's the hipster handbook on Sia's new album:
Sia - Lentil
Sia - The Girl You Lost To Cocaine
Sia - Soon We'll Be Found

60 Watt Kid - 60 Watt Kid
Verdict: Like ()
One of the more schizophrenic albums I've heard in a while. Don't get me wrong, I love it when bands mix it up and have trouble sticking to the same genre of music from song to song, but that doesn't mean it's any less jarring when I come across it. I think I need to let this one sink in a little more.
60 Watt Kid - American Standard, Pt. 1
60 Watt Kid - Going Home
60 Watt Kid - I Got Money

Raheem Devaughn - Love Behind The Melody
Verdict: Didn't Like (ø)
I couldn't even make it 1/2 way through this album, so maybe there are redeeming tracks on the 2nd half, but I highly doubt that. All in all a fairly awful and unoriginal album. It's like watching 6 year olds do Othello when you just saw it on Broadway.

Katie Goes To Tokyo - Katie Goes To Tokyo
Verdict: Like ()
At times the album sounds like a Natalie Imbruglia song, at times like Avril. There was something about it that made me like it though. Granted it's no album of the year, and I won't be listening to it every day for a month, but it's a nice album
Katie Goes To Tokyo - Everywhere I Go
Katie Goes To Tokyo - The Girl Who Ruined Your World
Katie Goes To Tokyo - If It's Alright

Death From Above 1979 - You're a Woman, I'm a Machine
Verdict: Love More (<3)
This album is a bit of a blast from my past, but I recently heard it again and wanted to reiterate my love for this band: I love them. Dance Punk Duo Jesse F. Keeler and Sebastien Grainger for a short time owned the skies. Unfortunately they decided to drop the band and pursue other things, which, while good, are no where near as a-freaking-stonishing as DFA1979. Revel:
Death From Above 1979 - Turn It Out
Death From Above 1979 - Cold War
Death From Above 1979 - You're a Woman, I'm a Machine

Epilogue: For your entertainment, Drew Danburry smacking his head into a light (I can't wait until he comes back into town:

Between Blogging New Update On Things I Enjoy

1) If you've been reading this blog for any amount of time, you probably know that I'm a huge fan of the Web-show We Need Girlfriends, which was picked up by that notorious thing called Television and will, some day, be on your screen in the living room. Well there's a rather rad article in the New York freaking Times about them that is rather amazing. Check it out.


2) If you've read this blog even once in the last few months, there is a good chance you know that I'm a huge fan of the Monolith Music Festival. Monolith Music Festival's New site is up and running, and, while not full force as of yet, it's doing a great job of making me fairly antsy.

"Just Another Love To Give"

So did you participate in the Caucus Race? Over here in Colorado we did it up tonight and got all sorts of Politicrazy. Wonder if it'll do any good...

I've been listening to a whole lot of different music recently and, really, only about once per album, because, while I found it to be all right enough to sustain me through 1 listen, I didn't really find any great desire to listen to it again and again, so I've been contemplating whether or not I should write a whole bunch about the albums or just host a few mp3's that I found to be rather nice. None of the albums reviewed below really apply to that, but some of the ones that I'll be reviewing in the the next few blogs might be subjected to this new idea. We'll just have to see. But for now:

Jennifer O'Connor - Jennifer O'Connor
Verdict: Like ()
Her unforgiving voice is what drew me in the first time I heard her music. She doesn't need to sing in an outrageously beautiful way to portray her emotions and thoughts or to tell her stories, her minorly gruff vocals actually add a certain amount of personality to her music. Where the album comes up short, in my mind, is in the lack of inventive guitar playing. Still, it gets the job done.
Jennifer O'Connor - You Did
Jennifer O'Connor - Pink Florida
Jennifer O'Connor - Begger's Cup

Vashti Bunyan - Just Another Diamond Day
Verdict: Love More (<3)
It took me a while to finally obtain a copy of this album, and man ... it was worth the wait. After hearing Vashti's new B-sides release, I knew I needed to finally complete my Vashti Bunyan collection, and what better place to start than her first album. Hell of a debut ... it's just a shame that her second album came out a full 35 years later. It's good that she got some recognition, then found out about it, and released new stuff (and old stuff :))

Vashti Bunyan - Where I Like To Stand

Vashti Bunyan - Jog Along Bess
Vashti Bunyan - Come Wind Come Rain
Vashti Bunyan - I'd Like To Walk Around in Your Mind (Bonus Track)

Clinic - Visitations
Verdict: Love (<)
The manic mad man behind the microphone makes the album seem a bit like the devilish music of a creepy circus, the ringmaster hypnotically coaxing you to your seat while the stage is set on fire and acrobats fly over, around, and through ... and that's just the first track. From there the band goes from sounding like a demon version of the Velvet Underground to a demon version of the Violent Femmes. Such a rad album.
Clinic - Family
Clinic - Paradise
Clinic - Jigsaw Man

We All Have Hooks For Hands - The Pretender
Verdict: Like ()
Campy and fun, these 9 fellas certainly sound like they're having a bunch of fun. Dancey and ridiculous on purpose, juvenile as an after thought (that's not to say they're not talented musicians), this album will warm your heart. It's only down fall is that it often feels like a barrage of sounds, and can get a little overwhelming. When it's not though, it's pretty fun.
We All Have Hooks For Hands - The Secret Life of Dolls and Doldrums
We All Have Hooks For Hands - The Teeth That Feeds The Lions
We All Have Hooks For Hands - Oh, I'd Expect

Black Cat # 13 - I Blast Off EP
Verdict: Love (<)
DFA1979 side project? I'm in. You should know that it's not nearly as dancy or ridiculous as Death From Above 1979, but, instead, more Hardcore. Still synthy in nature, and a grenade full of fun, but don't expect the same old spiel. I'd like to hear more than just this EP.
Black Cat # 13 - I Sleep With Astronauts

Oh yeah, one last thing: Doesn't this look like the worst movie made in a long, long time?

Coachella '08

Okay, I'm sure we all know how good Jack Johnson is, but ... seriously ... headlining?

Here's who I'd be excited to see if I even had a chance of going:

Day 1:
-Jack Johnson
-The Verve
-The Raconteurs
-The Breeders
- Fatboy Slim
-Tegan and Sara
-Madness
-The National
-Múm
-Stars
-Battles
-Aesop Rock
-Les Savy Fav
-Does It Offend You, Yeah?
-dan le sac Vs. Scroobius Pop
-Adam Freeland
-Vampire Weekend
-Dan Deacon
-Architecture in Helsinki
- Busy P
-Cut Copy
-Professor Murder
-Modeselektor

Day 2:
-Portishead
-Kraftwerk
-Death Cab for Cutie
-Sasha & Digweed
-M.I.A.
-Cold War Kids
-Animal Collective
-Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks
-Flogging Molly
-Turbonegro
-Islands
-Calvin Harris
-Boys Noise
-Cinematic Orchestra
-VHS or Beta
-Man Man
-Borde Do Role
-St. Vincent
-Akron/Family
-Dredg
-the Bird and the Bee
-New York Pony Club
-120 Days
-Uffie

Day 3:
-Roger Waters
-My Morning Jacket
-Spiritualized
-Justice
-Gogol Bordello
-The Streets
-Autolux
-The Field
-Sons & Daughters
-Sia
-Holy Fuck
-Black Kids
-Black Mountain
-I'm From Barcelona
-Manchester Orchestra
-The Horrors
-Shout Out Louds

Watchout, Here Comes the Next Postsecret

Hey kids! Wanna jump on the latest band-wagon that's hotter than the Black Kids?! Well heeeeeeeere Yoooooooooooooou GOOOOOOO!

Honestly it's both a great website and kind of a pain, because I fear that it'll be the talk of the town and I'm just about over it all ready. But, on the other hand, I think it's pretty rad. I dunno, I'll certainly be checking back again at some point

"Tiny Secrets Made Of Loving Loving Words"

So last night French Quarter was supposed to come back to the old D-town and play at some random kid's house, something I was pretty much excited for. Unfortunately weather deemed this impossible. French Q. was upset, but promised to play here again soon. I'm still excited to see him again.

This week has been crazy. the highlight either had to be the awesome open mic, or the fact that Lost has come back on, or the fact that today is only one week away from the show I'm putting on with my buddy JJ. That's right folks, yours truly along with Karma Spares No One will be hosting a show. Here's the info on that biznatch:

Bands:
The Empty Pilot
Milton Melvin Croissant III
Sean Prahinski
The Shaggy Ponies
Place: Istanbul Hookah Bar, 630 26th St , Garden City, CO 80631
Date: 8PM on Sat. Feb 9th
Price: FREE!

There ya have it. I hope every who can come does come, because it'll be pretty rad. oh, and here's some music:

Lärm - Extreme Noise
Verdict: Love (<)
Brutal Dutch Thrashcore with the usual Straight Edge-er-y themes (though not usual when they came out) and political themes and basically anything you can throw into a 60 second song. This reissue combines basically everything Lärm ever recorded, and, Lärm being one of the most influential Hardcore bands basically ever, that makes this release one that anyone who calls themselves punk needs to pick up.
Lärm - Its Not What It Seems To Be
Lärm - No One Can Be That Dumb
Lärm - Violence Sucks

Róisín Murphy - Overpowered
Verdict: Love More (<3)
Outrageously poppy club dance almost in the vein of Madonna. It's got a deep house feel to it at times, sometimes getting into Burial territory. I like it a lot, but every once and a while it get a little too pappy for me, which puts me off, because there's so much to like about it. Heck, it even sounds a little bit like Bat for Lashes, and who doesn't like them? It's conflicting, but maybe that's another reason I like this album so much: it really pushes my buttons.
Róisín Murphy - You Know Me Better
Róisín Murphy - Primitive
Róisín Murphy - Dear Miami

Tender Forever - Wider
Verdict: Love (<)
Her voice is really one of the more awkward sounding things out there, but after a minute or two it grows on you. Her electro-acoustic dream pop quickly won me over, and her awkwardly lovely lyrics kept me.
Tender Forever - Folded Papers
Tender Forever - Heartbroken Forever
Tender Forever - Doves Vs. Pigeons

Clipd Beaks - Hoarse Lords
Verdict: Love (<)
These guys are strange, and I, for the first time in a long time, have trouble really pinpointing what they sound like. Deep grooving bass lines that sometimes are all thats holding the song together, tortured vocals that are soothing at times, guitars that are as hip as the Yeah Yeah Yeahs (just try to imagine that that's possible), and drum beats that any drum enthusiast would be proud of (this guy is pretty fast at times). It comes off as a derivation of Grunge and Alt. Rock, but to what degree is anyone's guess.
Clipd Beaks - High on Charms
Clipd Beaks - Wrathscapes
Clipd Beaks - Black Glass

LCD Soundsystem - Confuse the Marketplace EP
Verdict:Love (<)
I'm a little afraid that the only reason I loved this EP was because it was, in fact, by LCD Soundsystem, who, in my eyes, can do little to no wrong (save for that 45:33 song ... that was just ludicrous). I'm not gonna lie though, this EP is weird, and rather unnecessary. Hardcore fans and collectors need apply.
LCD Soundsystem - Hippie Priest Bum-Out