Libertines in 2010?

Okay so a while back I wrote a piece for GenArt about bands I'd love to see reunite. Of that list, all that could possibly reunite have aside from the Libertines. Now it appears, based on an NME interview, that one of my favorite bands I never got to see play live may actually reunite! Read the interview here. Yes, it's still quite speculative but we can all hope!!

Mogwai - US Tour Dates

If you've ever been on this page before then you know just how much I love the 'gwai! Well the boys will be back in town (Brooklyn) in April! The best part...3 dates at Music Hall of Williamsburg! How sweet is that! Well the rest of the tour dates are below. The tickets for the Brooklyn shows are not on sale yet, and I'll let you know when they are.

04/20 Houston, TX- Numbers

04/21 New Orleans, LA- Republic

04/22 Birmingham, AL- Workplay Theatre

04/23 Asheville, NC- Orange Peel

04/24 Carrboro, NC- Cats Cradle

04/25 Philadelphia, PA- Trocadero

04/27 Brooklyn, NY- Music Hall Of Williamsburg

04/28 Brooklyn, NY- Music Hall Of Williamsburg

04/29 Brooklyn, NY- Music Hall Of Williamsburg

05/01 Boston, MA- Wilbur Theatre

05/02 Northampton, MA- Pearl Street

05/03 Montreal, QUE- Metropolis

05/04 Toronto, ON- Phoenix

05/05 Buffalo, NY- Tralf Music Hall

05/06 Pontiac, MI- Crofoot Ballroom

05/08 Chicago, IL - Congress Theatre

05/09 Milwaukee, WI - Turner Hall

05/10 Minneapolis, MN- First Avenue

05/11 Omaha, NE- The Slowdown

05/12 Denver, CO- Bluebird Theatre

05/13 Salt Lake City, UT- In The Venue

05/15 San Diego, Ca- Belly Up Tavern

05/16 Los Angeles, CA- Orpheum Theatre

Pomegranates

Pomegranates are prepping to release their sophomore album, "Everybody, Come Outside!" Not only that but they will have quite the stage to bring it to the public on...namely the SXSW festival! 

I have to admit, I really enjoyed their first album, but never gave it the attention I probably should have...that being said I plan to give their sophomore release a lot more listens! You can pick up the first album here, and here one of the tunes from the album below.

Corriander

Spanish Dancer - Not What You Think

I just ran across this promo of Spanish Dancer's new album "Burned Up Bred High" which is worth a listen, and will likely require a few before you fully understand and appreciate it. Luckily the kind folks over at Fanatic Promotions have offered up a promo of the album for us all to check out. Check it out below:

Burned Up Bred High (promo)

Sample tracks:

Hustler

The Bloods

The Lovetones - For Valentine's Day

Just in time for Valentine's Day Matthew Tow, former Brian Jonestown Massacre leader, is releasing his new band's (Lovetones) debut "Dimensions" on Planting Seeds Records! From the sound of the first single it will definitely be worth checking out when it is released on February 29th. To hold you over here's the first single "Journeyman" below:

Journeyman

It's Been A While!

Well it has been WAY too long and I've realized that I truly do miss writing on this site...so hopefully while I pick it back up I'll actually improve it quite a bit (who knows).

In my absence I've attended a few outstanding shows, notably Mogwai (yeah it's been that long) at Terminal 5, Vampire Weekend at Terminal 5, Devotchka at Terminal 5, and Beirut at BAM. All four of these shows were drop-dead amazing! These shows also had another thing in commo

n...horrible crowds. I don't know what's happened but for some reason it appears that more and more people go to shows to talk throughout the performances. At Devotchka I had the pleasure of watching 5 grown men have a full body thumb wrestling war...what the heck is that all about? Anyway I didn't intend to start off with a rant, but I guess I did...sorry!

On to the new music I've been getting into. While the band isn't "new" they are planning to release their first new album in nearly 8 years! I'm not sure how many of the re

aders of this site have ever listened to a Spain album, but to sum them up I would say truly relaxing jazz-infused...yeah well I can't properly explain/describe them. Just listen. These are a few new tunes the band has put up on various member-sites (free of charge) so I figured I'd help spread 'em around.

Cast Away

Walked on Water

I'm Still Free (highly rec'd)

You can grab live shows of their on archive.org here.

Gratuitous mp3 Post

Okay in honor of my issue-laden computer I've decided to hook up everyone with some tunes. For the most part these are bands that have either just released EP's or have an album coming out in the near future. In any event, I know I'm definitely hoping to hear more! Check them out below:

This is Ivy League - I don't know how to explain it, but think new Beach Boys music with a NYC flair
The Richest Kids (highly recommended)
London Bridges (highly recommended)
Crown of Love (cover of Arcade Fire)



Saxon Shore - if you read this blog somewhat regularly, you know how much I love instrumentals and "post-rock", definitely in that genre (think Asobi Seksu)
Marked with the Knowledge

Sunny Day Sets Fire - I cannot wait for this album to drop, and I know I'm not the only one!
Brainless (highly recommended)

Ferns - For fans of lo-fi rock, picture the Moldy Peaches recording Death Cab
John the Barber (highly recommended)
Build You Down

Saint Bernadette - I Wanna Tell You Something

Sorry, once again it's been a while, my computer has been giving me fits recently. Anyway...I've been listening to a bunch of new stuff I have just recently gotten. One being the EP in the title of the post, which is a strikingly smooth offering. The tunes have a range from Beth Orton-esque sounds with a slight PJ Harvey tone. The biggest complaint I have thus far is that it's too short.

Don't let the duo, and married status fool you, Saint Bernadette have a rage inside of them, and the lyrics tend to be flipped out with abandon, hence the PJ Harvey reference. The five-track EP, "I Wanna Tell You Something" is quite a solid listen. The EP comes on the heels of their debut LP "In the Ballroom" which was released back in October. For whatever reason the more I listen, the more I really love Meridith's voice, and it reminds me more and more of Helium. So there's another hint...anyone who enjoys Helium, this is definitely up your alley!

You can check out a few of their tunes from "I Wanna Tell You Something" below:
In Between
Love Is A Stranger

Holy Crap - MBV ATP Announcement

Damn, I just read this, so I'm sorry if it's a bit late in the day to get it out! Anyway the My Blood Valentine curated, NY-based, All Tomorrows Parties has just been announced. The 30+ bands include a TON of my personal favorites! The odd thing is that it's being held outside of Manhattan, near the site of the original Woodstock festival. The even odder thing is that the site is actually a country club, Kutshers Country Club! The dates for the festival are September 19-21, and tickets go on sale this Friday! And some of the bands are...

My Bloody Valentine
Mogwai
Built to Spill performing PERFECT FROM NOW ON IN!
Meat Puppets performing Meat Puppets II
Tortoise performing Millions Now Living Will Never Die
Thurston Moore performing PSYCHIC HEARTS
Shellac

Random - Back in the Swing mp3 Post

Okay its definitely been way past due for this...so here's some new flavors in your ear.


Bridges & Powerlines - Ghost Types
The Golden Age
Middle Child
Uncalibrated

Health - Health
Triceratops
Crime Wave
Perfect Skin

Terrordactyl's - Mike Bowers EP
Overcast Summer (Terrordactyl's)
Overcast Summer (The Pharmacy)

The Pharmacy
Little Toys on a Shelf
Mirror
Adieu, Adieu

Sorry!

Things have been crazy to say the least on a personal level over the last few weeks, and I haven't really had the time or inclination to write...for that I do apologize. Needless to say I just wasted $44.95 this past weekend on the UFC fight, which for all intensive purposes was a joke! I mean 3 of the main card fights stunk (including this gem Starnes v Quarry at least they cancelled Starnes' contract this afternoon, but that ain't getting me back my $45), and Dana White gave out the bonuses for fight of the night, submission of the night, and knockout of the night to three fights all on the undercard, which in his infinite wisdom he decides not to show on the 3 hour PPV. How is it possible that you have 3 hours of alloted time and can only show 4-6 fights, but if I buy the DVD the entire disc with all of the fights (including prelim's) are included at only 170 minutes...last time I checked that's less than 3 hours! Am I missing something? Aside from the next PPV? All I can say is...bring back the Pride Fighting Championships!

With that said, I have received a few mp3's and an amazing album by M83 (Saturdays=Youth), which I thoroughly apologize for not reviewing. For those of you that don't know about M83, his albums are always worthy of the attention that they seem to get and in my opinion well-deserving of more attention! His newest creation is by no means an exception! For fans of laid-back electronic compositions, his albums always have multiple layers that necessitate multiple listens, akin to a Pink Floyd disc! Anyway, I cannot recommend the album highly enough, so if you haven't bought it go get it! (not that I'm forcing you!!) You can check out a few mp3's below from the album below.

Saturdays=Youth
Graveyard Girl
Kim & Jessie

Chuck - Snuff Tour Dates!

Yep, it's that time again...Chuck is on tour again! He's going to be touring to promote his new book coming out in May entitled "Snuff"! Definitely sounds like a hoot! You can pick up a signed copy through St. Helen's Book Store here. I'd recommend them because they are incredibly helpful and Lu is so sweet! So anyway, to the tour dates...as you can see below Chuck will be once again hitting the Barnes & Noble in Union Square NYC and this time I fully expect to attend! Also of note is that the interviewer for the NYC date is Amy Hempel who Chuck has readily named as a major influence in his writing style!

Tuesday, May 20 – Ann Arbor, MI
7:00pm
Borders – Live at 01
Interview, Q&A, signing @
612 E. Liberty
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
WITH DON POLLOCK
*Interviewer: tk

Wednesday, May 21 – Minneapolis
7:30pm
Magers & Quinn Booksellers
Interview, Q&A, signing @
Triple Rock Social Club
629 Cedar Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55454
WITH DON POLLOCK
*Interviewer: Alexis Mckinnis, columnist for weekly paper VitaMN

Thursday, May 22 – Denver
7:30pm
Tattered Cover – at the adjacent event hall
Interview, Q&A @
1628 16th Street
Denver, CO 80202
NO SIGNING
*Interviewer: Robin Vidimos, Denver Post critic

Tuesday, May 27 – St. Louis
7:00pm
Left Bank Books
Interview, Q&A, signing @
Mad Art Gallery
2727 S. 12th Street
St. Louis, MO 63118
WITH DON POLLOCK
*Interviewer: tk

Wednesday, May 28 – San Francisco
7:00pm
Booksmith
Interview, Q&A, signing @
Sundance Kabuki Theater
1881 Post Street (at Fillmore)
San Francisco, CA
*Interviewer: TBD

Thursday, May 29 – Seattle, WA
7:00pm
University Bookstore
Interview, Q&A, signing @
Offsite address tk
*Interviewer: TBD

Monday, June 2 – New York
7:00pm
Barnes & Noble – Union Square
Interview, Q&A
33 E. 17th Street
New York, NY 10003
NO SIGNING
*Interviewer: Amy Hempel!!!

Tuesday, June 3 – Washington, DC
8:00pm
Olsson’s
Interview, Q&A, signing @
The Avalon Theater
5612 Connecticut Ave NW
Washington, DC 20015
*Interviewer: Eric Nuzum, writer

Wednesday, June 4 – Atlanta, GA
7:00pm
Georgia Center for the Book
Clarkston Campus of Georgia Perimeter College
Interview, Q&A, signing @
Fine Arts Building -- Marvin Cole Auditorium
*Interviewer: Charles McNair, book editor, Paste Magazine

Thursday, June 5 – Austin, TX
7:00pm
Book People
Interview, Q&A, signing @
Offsite address tk
*Interviewer: Pat Beach, book reviewer for the Austin Statesman

James - Hey Ma

Yep, that's the title of the new James album, which is apparently being released April 8th. The band released an official statement on it, which you can read below:

"Well, the album is all done & dusted and will be released as planned on April 7th. It's called 'Hey Ma' and like any proud parent we think it's wonderful, below is the album cover and track listing.

Yes, we know that some of your faves aren't on there, but the process of making a James album is a strange and mysterious one that even baffles us at times. The tracks we didn't include simply avoided capture or else developed a character during recording that was incompatible with the rest. Some of them will return no doubt (especially 'Not So Strong') and some will be available as a limited special treat.

This album has been a wonderful, and at times very intense, journey that has taken up all of our time and energy since last September. As a result we haven't been able to focus on our web site, which was only supposed to be a short-term measure. We suspected that the designers had been cryogenically frozen, but it turns out all they needed was a double shot of Jägermeister and Whiteboy played really loud on their iPods to get them moving and the results should be available to you all over the coming days.

On Friday we'll be kicking off a 10 day countdown to the album 'unleash' date, previewing a new album track each day for you... we hope you love them as much as we do!

Lots of other good news below regarding radio sessions, a festival packed summer of fun and some nice intimate warm-up and promo shows for you to put into your blackandblueberries.

Hope to see you soon and enjoy the album.

Fond regards,
larry"

The track list for the album is as follows:
1. Bubbles
2. Hey Ma
3. Waterfall
4. Oh My Heart
5. Boom Boom
6. Semaphore
7. Upside
8. Whiteboy
9. 72
10. Monsters And Heroes And Men
11. I Wanna Go Home

Another Post About The Hawk Is Howling

I swear, you'd think I was officially affiliated with the band (Mogwai), based on the number of posts I put up about them, but Barry just posted a little humorous update on the bands official website about their new album. You can read it in it's entirety below:

Nearly Done!
Good day. We are almost finished mixing our howling hawk of a new record and we're so pleased with it that we might never release it and instead just put it on our own iPod shuffles and walk the streets of Glasgow, never speaking, Syd-Barrett-style forever.

It's got it all, dreamy ballads about forbidden love gone awry, one minute pointless instrumentals and even some spoken word about the future of the music industry in India. If and when you allow yourself to hear these bitching jams you're going to want to buy some seriously good crystal meth just to take the edge off.

You know how Radiohead let their album be downloaded for free? Well, our very own John Cummings had his own method of doing this when he left his new mogwai-new-album-containing laptop in Nice n Sleazies by accident the other night. Don't worry, it's all fine.

Okay, just a wee update. I hope you are all well.

Barry

A few bonus live mp3's:
Mogwai - Ithica 27o9 - Live at Southside Festival 6-27-04
Mogwai - I Know You Are But What Am I? - live at Supersonic 2007

Some mp3 Nuggets to Share

It's been a little while since I did an mp3 post, as I've been running across a ton of interesting news but not much in the way of sharing of tunes. I apologize for that.

...so without further adieu here you go!

Bridges and Powerlines
- Uncalibrated (from debut album Ghost Types)

We Were the States
- Up Your Sleeve
- Till Morning Comes
both songs from their album Believe the Thieves

Flat Duo Jets
- Rawhide
- Everybody's Movin
- Rock House
highly recommended tunes from a great extremely influential band, the tracks come from the soundtrack to the documentary "Two Headed Cow"

Chuck Palahniuk News - Another New Book?

Wow...2008 thus far has been one heck of a year for the artist currently known as Chuck Palahniuk! As you may know if you check this blog out frequently you've noticed I'm a HUGE fan, and would consider Chuck to be one of my all-time favorite authors. Well as I've posted a few times here, his new book "Snuff" is due out May 20th, and is about a special kind of subject matter, that I'll leave to "the Cult" website to explain.

...anyway the most current news around the campfire is that Chuck has already finished the first draft of his new-new book due out in 2009, which is tentatively entitled "Pygmy". You can read about the plot below. If you have never read a book by Chuck before, it should be noted that 9/10ths of the humor, wit, sarcasm and storyline is in the back story, which is never revealed even through the first few chapters. Any and all of his books are HIGHLY recommended, although it should be noted (without specificity) that his stories are not for the faint of heart!

"I’ve just finished the first draft of a novel called "Pygmy," a dark comedy about terrorism and racism. The lead character is a 13-year-old foreign exchange student sent to live with a suburban, white, middle-class family. Oh, and they’re Christians. The visit is for six months, and he’s one of a dozen similar kids, all shipped to America to live with typical families.

The secret truth is that Pygmy is a terrorist, trained since infancy in martial arts, chemistry and radical hatred of the United States. He has six months to build a prize-winning project for the National Science Fair. If he succeeds, he and his project will go to Washington, D.C. for the finals competition -- where the project will explode, killing millions."

New Album - Arms "Kids Aflame"

The Brooklyn-based Arms, aka Todd Goldstein, LONG-awaited full-length will be release June 8th on Melodic (UK based label), I don't have any links yet to give you to pre-order, but as soon as I get more info I'll post it. You can here a bunch of tracks off of the album on their myspace page. Definitely worth checking out for fans of Clap Your Hands and Bogmen!

They've also got a show coming up in NY details below:
Saturday March 22nd - 9PM @ "Rehab"
25 ave B @ 2nd St
Tickets are only $6!

Soundpool - Dichotomies & Dreamland

Just checked the old inbox and came across a band I had seen open for Asobi Seksu that I figured I had to pass along. As you can guess by their stage-mates, Soundpool are in the shoegazer genre, and do it quite well! If you haven't witnessed them live, then I would highly recommend checking them out in their current tour (dates below). Although the band, hailing from NYC, is typically compared to other gold-standard shoegazer bands, they tend to highlight much more of the electronic-end of the spectrum similar to Asobi, and both Beautiful Lunar Landscape and Keser (two of this blogger's favorites!). They have just released their sophomore album entitled "Dichotomies & Dreamland", which you can check out a few tracks from below:

mp3's to peak your interest:
Pleasure and Pain
The Divides of March
Lush (What Becomes of You)

Also check out their debut "On High" which is also a great listen!

Tour dates:
03/21 Allston, MA @ O'Briens
03/22 New York, NY @ Piano's
03/23 Philadelphia, PA @ The Khyber
04/12 New York, NY @ The Annex
04/26 Arlington, VA @ Galaxy Hut
05/09 Baltimore, MD @ Metro Gallery
05/10 Detroit, MI @ Contemporary Art Institute Of Detroit

Mogwai - Not Touring US this Spring!

As I have been quick to post any and all news regarding these Scots, it is with great unhappiness I tell you that the band has no plans to tour the US until the late-summer/fall time period. So be on the lookout then for dates, I'll post 'em as soon as I hear!

Clinic - New Album & Tour

Our favorite fake surgeons, Clinic, have just announced an upcoming US tour to coincide with the release of their new album "Do It", which hits "shelves" (am I the only one who still likes to buy albums in stores?) April 8th. Check out the dates below:

5-08 Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall Of Williamsburg !
5-09 Boston, MA - Paradise Rock Club !
5-10 Montreal, QC - La Sala Rosa !
5-11 Toronto, ON - Lee's Palace !
5-12 Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle !
5-13 Minneapolis, MN - 7th Street Entry !
5-16 Seattle, WA - Neumo's !
5-17 Vancouver, BC - Richard's On Richards Cabaret !
5-18 Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge !
5-19 San Francisco, CA - The Independent !
5-20 West Hollywood, CA - Troubadour !
5-21 Tucson, AZ - Plush !
all "!" with Shearwater