Exams, etc.

I've been drowning in the mire of end of semester papers and exams lately, hence the lack of posts. However, I got a break and figured I'd throw you some odds and ends to get you through the dark times of life without Jay the Intern. Huh?

First, check out Tulsa. I've been listening to this Boston-based three piece's new I Was Submerged EP on repeat lately. They do sound like My Morning Jacket's younger brother, but it's not that brother who tries to do everything big brother does and seems lame. It's the one that learns from big brother and takes that knowledge and does something awesome to create a name for himself. That's a verbose way of saying "buy this fucking record."

I should've as posted this as soon as I got it, but I didn't. And then it got lost in the shuffle. Anyway, here is a video of Dead Confederate from their performance at the Cave a few weeks ago. The song is called "It Was A Rose." Though the sound quality is a little spotty and lead singer Hardy Morris breaks a guitar string midway through, you can still see that this band brings the heat. Thanks to Betsy for the video.

Dead Confederate was in Seattle this weekend play the KEXP Yule Benefit with Yeasayer. Should be interesting to see how that went.

If you haven't checked out Yeasayer, you should definitely do that. "2080," from their debut, All Hour Cymbals, has rollicked onto my Top Ten Songs of the Year. I just found their Daytrotter Session. Definitely go check that out.

Yeasayer--Various Songs live in the Daytrotter Studios

That's it for now. I'm out like Hatton in the tenth round. I'll try to make more posts this week, but I'm not making any promises. For the rest of you college-goers out there, Good Luck.

TONIGHT!!

Just a reminder that Dead Confederate and Hammer No More the Fingers are playing at the Cave tonight at 10. So come outta that Tryptophan coma and get yo azz to 452.5 West Franklin Skreet. And bring $5 dollars (and some earplugs.)

And if you are as excited as I am, here's a Dead Confederate cover of Neil Young's "On the Beach," posted today by Aquarium Drunkard. Should tide you over until tonight.

Dead Confederate--"On the Beach" [from Aquarium Drunkard]

Jay the Intern Presents: Dead Confederate and Hammer No More the Fingers at the Cave, 11/26

Dead Confederate is stopping by the Cave next Monday on their way to open for this band, Dinosaur, Jr., in D.C., and they're getting some pretty awesome support from Durham's Hammer No More the Fingers. Judging by what I have heard and seen and by what others have been saying, this should be one hell of a show. Check this out:

Yesterday’s performance from Georgia-band (Athens and thereabout) Dead Confederate blew us away here at the Gibson showroom in NYC. These guys have a live act not to be missed.--KEXP.org

Hammer No More the Fingers' CD release party at Duke Coffeehouse Saturday night stands as one of local music's best moments this year. A perfectly executed four-band bill with consistent energy and an eager shock of fans from start to finish, Saturday night's show left an overflowing coffeehouse covered in sweat and smiles.--Independent Weekly

Doors open at 10 PM and entry is $5. HNMTF's self-titled debut is out now on Power Team Records. It rips. Dead Confederate's Dead Confederate EP hits the shelf at your local record store today. Mixed by Mike McCarthy (Ga Ga Ga Ga), the album features two new songs; the piercing acoustic tale, "Memorial Day Night," and the ominously rousing rocker, "Tortured Artist Saint," along with stronger versions of "The Rat," "Shadow the Walls," and "Get Out." Go pick up a copy now and come rock off your turkey gut on Monday Night!

Danimal Society/ Reverberation Publication

Gorilla vs. Bear posted some new Animal Collective tracks from the group's recent visit to BBC 1's Rob Da Bank show and--needless to say--they are pretty out there. The best way to describe them would be to say that these dudes will still be an influence in 75 years.

Check those out:

Doggy/ Hey Light [from gvsb]

From a Beach/ On a Highway [from gvsb]

Also, I wrote a review of the Animal Collective set here a few months ago. When American Songwriter made the switch to the new site, it got lost in the fray. Check it.

I will never forget Noah Lennox’s solo Panda Bear set in Lisbon, Portugal at B. Leza. A treacherous two minute trek from our hostel, the venue was a run-down African dance club with high ceilings and a rabid audience. One that spent nearly ninety minutes trying to gain access through the clubs backwards entry system. Anyone remember that letter that Pitchfork posted from the mother angry about the Philly Animal Collective show? Well, let’s just say she probably would have held that Satan was running the door at B. Leza. Let’s also say, “Thank you, Satan, for letting us in.” Lennox—in a rare appearance and straight stuntin’ after the release of his steamin’ hot Person Pitch—paper-Mache-ed segments from that album with new tunes, such as “Laughed for A World Filled with Fantasy,” to fashion an adventurous performance and a vibrant sonic mosaic.

So as I headed into the Animal Collective show at Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro, NC, I prepared myself for anything. I really had no idea what to expect from the experimental outfit other than the fact that I knew their set wasn’t going to be what I expected. I certainly didn’t begin to suppose that Cat’s Cradle would seem more like a 3^rd World dancehall than B. Leza did back in April. However, Animal Collective, a Deakin-less threesome on this particular night, fed the audience an eerie—and often primal—potion of worldly rhythms and never-ceasing madness. Drawing on a hefty dose of dazzling new material and selections from the tangy Strawberry Jam, Lennox, along with Avey Tare and Geologist, transformed the mostly college-age crowd into a possessed mass of sweaty, bobbing bodies. During numbers like “Peacebone,” “House” and “Pan Flute Jam,” the whole scene was simultaneously fanatical and tribal and otherworldly. As ritualistic rhythms blared, 80’s rave lights cast bizarre colors through skeletons that decorated the stage. The show was an acid trip without the acid; one minute melodious, thoughtful and flowing and the next menacing, scatterbrained and spastic. Perhaps the tune that best summed up the entire night was “Brother Sport,” a new song that begins in a Berlin trance and morphs into a nonsensically infectious and celebratory Carribean booty shaker. Like Animal Collective, it was a contrasting concoction that—for some odd reason—always seems to go down the right way.

I also went and picked up some new music publications yesterday. Originally, I only planned to get the new American Songwriter. However, after seeing My Morning Jacket and Band of Horses on the cover of Magnet and Filter, respectively, I had to snag those as well. I guess it's reverb month in the music publication world. Definitely drop by your nearest bookstore and grab all three of 'em.

Raiding the Forkcast

Forkcast has a lot going on today. I'm sure most everyone has seen the Radiohead webcasts by now so I won't post those, but you can check them out here. However, I do want to post a few things.

The first is The National's recent Black Cab Session, which I've never heard of before, but is simply the video of a band/artist playing a tune in the back of a British cab. Here is Matt Berninger and one of the Dessner twins performing, "You've Done it Again Virginia," the b-side from their 2005 single, "Lit Up." In case you didn't already know, I really like the National.



Really, really nice.

Next, Okkervil River hit up the Daytrotter studios to play some cover tunes and one from their latest, The Stage Names. I just recently got into Okkervil River--and Daytrotter for that matter--so I am pretty psyched about this as well.

Okkervil River--Daytrotter Session

If you haven't picked up a copy of The Stage Names, I suggest you do that ASAP.

Big time this past weekend. Caught Dead Confederate, Summerbirds in the Cellar and Warm in the Wake at the 40 Watt in Athens, Ga on Friday night and then Patterson Hood in a very intimate setting on Saturday afternoon. Check back for more on that and a review of DC's new EP, the Dead Confederate EP.

Long Overdue: Deer Tick

I got a fever--Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever that is. I got it from Deer Tick aka John McCauley, one of two acts on Jana Hunter's new-er label Feow! Records. I've had it since I listened to his debut, War Elephant, way back in July, and I wrote about this wonderful ailment in the July/August issue of American Songwriter.

Deer Tick is John McCauley, a baby-faced, twenty-one-year-old
singer/songwriter hailing from Providence, Rhode Island. McCauley
writes songs wise beyond his years and sounds a lot more rural East
Texas than folky New England. His voice is quite similar to that of
Jim Croce, also a northerner who dabbled in southern-flavored
songwriting. And like another proclaimed influence, Townes Van Zandt,
McCauley has a knack for lyrical imagery. On the dismal "Dirty Dishes"
he sings, "And that cold wind will blow/ Tear the skin off your nose/
And you got nothing to be grateful for/ But your list of wishes." It's only one example of the inventive wordplay—and undeniable talent—displayed on War Elephant.

If you aren't sweating bullets and having cold chills after reading that scintillating piece of critical prose, you'll certainly become stricken after listening to some tracks.

Deer Tick-Various Tracks from War Elephant [Stream]

It's embarrassing that it's taken me this long to post about Deer Tick. Oh, here's a live video of "Dirty Dishes." It's definitely my favorite song from the album.

The National Is My Friend

Since I'm posting the Hold Steady review from the AS website, I'll link to this article I have over there about Boxer, and how it kept me sane this summer. Check it out here.

Also, in case you haven't seen it, check out the National's Daytrotter session.

The National--Various Songs live on Daytrotter

If you haven't heard of Daytrotter, please, please go check it out. If you have and don't take advantage of it, then give me a call and I will come hit you over the head with a tack hammer. And if you do utilize the site, Good for you!

The Hold Steady Live at the Lincoln Theatre

This is from the American Songwriter website.


As cliché as it sounds, if I could drink with any band, I would definitely drink with the Hold Steady. Yeah, yeah, everyone talks about how this is the best live band, how they party their asses off, and how all of their music is about partying their asses off. And it’s redundant for me to say it. But you know what, I’m going to say it anyway. Hell, I’d scream it with a strung-out Craig Finn rasp if I could—because it’s fucking true.

On the 24th of October we ventured to Raleigh to the Lincoln Theatre to catch Art Brut and the Hold Steady, playing together on the NME Rock and Roll Tour. I had seen both bands before; Art Brut at the Empty Bottle the night before Pitchfork ’06 and the Hold Steady at the Astoria in London and also briefly this summer at Bonnaroo. My experience with the former was a bit awkward the first time around. I had actually never heard of the British outfit before (gasp!) and the raucous punk atmosphere they inspired was a little overwhelming. (I had been traveling since 8 am that morning.) This time it was exactly what I was ready for, but despite the fact that Eddie Argos and crew brought the noise, the crowd was pretty tepid during their set. Clearly the contingency gathered in the newly renovated Theatre yearned for the Hold Steady.

By the time the Brooklyn via Minneapolis band cracked into opener “Hot Soft Light” the audience had pushed its way towards the stage, eager to get their Hold Steady fix. Fueled by their swing for the fences rock—and God knows what else—Finn and company motored through numbers from Almost Killed Me, Separation Sunday and Boys and Girls in America like stories told around a coffee table. Just like the spastic front man sings in the aforementioned opener, the night “started recreational, ended kinda medical.” By the time the set was coming to a close and the Hold Steady had chugged through feverish performances of songs like “Massive Nights,” “Multitude of Casualties,” and “Hornets, Hornets,” the crowd was hooked on Finn’s every word. Fists were pumping. Sweat was pouring. Smiles were stretching. Catharsis was breathing. And when Finn exclaimed, “This brings us so much joy” before act closer “Most People Are DJs,” one definitely got the feeling that it was fucking true.

The Hold Steady--Various Songs live at CMJ on KEXP

No Need for Paranoia

Despite what they sing on Emotionalism's "Paranoia in B Flat Major," Jay the Intern favorite the Avett Brothers don't have much to worry about after last week's Americana Music Awards at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. The Concord, NC natives received two of the three awards for which they were nominated; "Group/Duo of the Year" and "New/Emerging Artist." Emotionalism lost "Album of the Year" to Patty Griffin's Children Running Through. Griffin also won "Artist of the Year," Buddy Miller won "Instrumentalist of the Year," and Darrell Scott won "Song of the Year" for "Hank William's Ghost." Here's a big Jay the Intern and American Songwriter congrats to all the winners.

The Avett Brothers--"Pretty Girl from Chile" [Stream]
Patty Miller--"No Bad News" [Stream]

The Whigs- "Already Young" live on MOKB

Dodge from My Old Kentucky Blog posted a live acoustic recording of a new track, "Already Young" from the Whigs' upcoming album, Mission Control. In the acoustic version, the song gives a strong Neil Young, especially with the reverb turned up the way it is. Quite contrary to the live delivery, which is heavy and grungy and pretty f**king sinister. Can't really argue with either.

The Whigs- "Already Young" [From MOKB]
from Mission Control 1/22/08 on ATO

Wax Fang Update

Wax Fang has posted two tracks from the previously heralded La La Land on their Myspace. Both "The Doctor Will See You Now" and "Avant Guardian Angel" illustrate the complexities I mentioned last week. "Doctor" is an intricate, carnival rock concoction about keeping your cool, while the latter is a post-rock instrumental that carries you into the heavens upon the wings of soaring electric guitars and arena-size drums. Guess that's where the "Angel" idea comes from. Check 'em out for yourself and let me know what you think.

"The Doctor Will See You Now" [Stream]

"Avant Guardian Angel" [Stream]

[Update]La La Land will be available for purchase on Wax Fang's Myspace and on their website on November 17th.

I'm in La La Land

After his show on Thursday night, Parker Gispert from the Whigs slipped me an advanced copy of the debut from recent tour mates, Wax Fang, and I am fucking glad that he did. La La Land, set to drop on November 17th on Don't Panic Records, is a thrilling musical amalgam that Gispert truthfully declares, "will rock your d**k off." Frontman Scott Carney and his Louisville, KY-based gang of merry rockers have molded a rollercoaster record that blends everything from psych-pop to Irish folk to post-rock to 80s hair fare. Beautifully orchestrated and hyperdynamic, La La Land's highlighted by some seriously kickass axe-wielding and drum-whooping, as well as Carney's off-kilter lyrical prowess. If I were you, I would be counting down the days until November 17th.

Check out some tunes from Wax Fang at their myspace.

Also check out this video of "Hearts are Made for Beating," live from Headliners in Louisville.

The Whigs: New Album

Athens, Georgia favorites The Whigs have announced January 22, 2008 as the release date for their ATO debut, apparently titled Mission Control. The album was produced by Rob Schnapf (Elliot Smith, Beck) in Sunset Sound Recorders in L.A. Both Pet Sounds and Exile on Main Street were recorded there. After hearing a number of these songs live, I am very excited for this thing to drop. Check out a stream of "Like A Vibration" below.

"Like A Vibration" [Stream]

As expected folks, this one seems like it's going to be a rock record.

Whig out this fall.

10-19-07: Lexington, KY. - The Dame w/ Jason Isbell
10-20-07: Atlanta, GA. - The Variety Playhouse w/ Jason Isbell Buy Atlanta Tix
10-23-07: Knoxville, TN. - World Grotto w/ The Broken West Buy Knoxville Tix
10-24-07: Asheville, NC. - Grey Eagle Tavern w/ The Broken West Buy Asheville Tix
10-25-07: Chapel Hill, NC. - Local 506 w/ The Broken West Buy Chapel Hill Tix
10-26-07: Philadelphia, PA. - Khyber w/ the Broken West Buy Philly Tix
10-27-07: Washington DC. - Rock and Roll Hotel w/ The Broken West Buy D.C. Tix
10-30-07: Nashville, TN. - The Exit / In Buy Tix Buy Nashville Tix
10-31-07: Cincinnati, OH. - 20th Century Theatre w/ The Broken West Buy Cincinnati Halloween Tix
11-01-07: Indianapolis, IN.- Birdy’s w/ The Broken West Buy Indianapolis Tix or Call (317) 254-8971
11-02-07: Chicago, Ill. - Schubas w/ The Broken West Buy Chicago Tix
11-03-07: Minneapolis, MN. - 7th Street Entry w/ The Broken West Buy Minneapolis Tix
11-04-07: Spearfish, SD – The Back Porch w/ Wild Sweet Orange
11-06-07: Boise, ID – The Bouquet w/ Wild Sweet Orange
11-07-07: Portland, OR – Roseland Grill w/ Wild Sweet Orange
11-08-07: Eugene, OR – John Henry’s w/ Wild Sweet Orange Buy Eugene Tix
11-09-07: Seattle, WA – University of Washington (KEXP Presents.....) w/ Wild Sweet Orange
11-12-07: San Francisco, CA – Café Du Nord w/ Wild Sweet Orange Buy San Francisco Tix
11-13-07: Los Angeles, CA – Spaceland (Aquarium Drunkard Presents.....) w/ Wild Sweet Orange
11-15-07: Austin, TX – Stubb’s w/ Wild Sweet Orange Buy Austin Tix
11-16-07: Dallas, TX – Club Dada w/ Wild Sweet Orange
11-17-07: Shreveport, LA – Sharpie’s w/ Wild Sweet Orange
11-29-07: Detroit, MI – The Crofoot w/ The Redwalls and Johnathan Rice
11-30-07: Toronto, ON – El Mocambo w/ The Redwalls and Johnathan Rice
12-01-07: Buffalo, NY – The Mohawk w/ The Redwalls and Johnathan Rice Buy Buffalo Tix
12-03-07: Boston, MA – TT The Bears w/ The Redwalls and Johnathan Rice Buy Boston Tix
12-04-07: New York, NY – Knitting Factory w/ The Redwalls and Johnathan Rice Buy NYC Tix
12-06-07: Cleveland, OH – Beachland Tavern w/ The Redwalls and Johnathan Rice Buy Cleveland Tix

Dead Confederate on KEXP

Fall break is here and I gotta run but before I do check this shit out. Dead Confederate played KEXP's CMJ Broadcast yesterday and fucking rocked "The Rat" and three new songs ("Heavy Petting," "Is It A Rose," and "Tortured Artist Saint"). These fellers destroyed my house party in Chapel Hill on Saturday night. Crowd surfing, mosh pit, the works. Click below to find out why and if you are in NYC this weekend make sure you check them out.

Dead Confederate live on KEXP

Dang.

What Would You Do If I Sang Out of Tune?

So tonight is Two Gallants and Blitzen Trapper at the Local 506. I am pretty stoked.

Almost as stoked as this guy.



Jayess!!!

Last Night Was A Surprise

So last night I wanted to catch folkster Ferraby Lionheart opening for the Brunettes at the Local 506. Well, I only got to see the last two songs because the damned team we were playing in the intramural flag football tournament wouldn't give up and we ended up having to put them down in overtime. It was still very good stuff--two songs I'd never heard before. I talked to Ferraby after the show and it sounds like he has really enjoyed the tour. If you haven't gotten his full length debut, Catch the Brass Ring, you need to, because it's great. (I gave it four stars in the upcoming edition of American Songwriter.)



I'm sure you've guessed by now that the surprise was the Brunettes. I knew it was going to be an interesting show when male lead Jonathan Bree set up his guitar and mic in the stripper cage (?) that the 506 has across the floor from the stage. This made for incredibly amusing New Zealand banter between the band and Bree and also magnified the chemistry between Bree and his lovely female counterpart (and band co-founder)Heather Mansfield. I laughed for most of the show, as they also had a "name game" band introduction and a dance contest, things that apparently they've been doing for awhile but were still quite funny. But that's not to say the music was a joke. Drawing from their new Sub Pop debut Structure and Cosmetics as well as 2002's Holding Hands, Feeding Ducks, the set was a great blend of sunny guitar and piano pop sprinkled with sparkling hand percussion, charming harmonies, and bubbly brass. Highlights included the choreographed "Brunettes Against Bubblegum Youth," almost Arcade Fire coda-ed "Her Hairagami Set," and set-ender "Small Town Crew." Bree says the latter will be the albums's first radio single, as well as a new music video, scheduled to be shot in a few weeks.

The Brunette's Myspace, where you can stream a number of new tracks from the S and C.

Also, here's a breezy video of Ferraby Lionheart's "A Crack in Time," from The Ferraby Lionheart EP.


How nice.

Wow, I'm back. / Portugal, The Man

Ok, I've been gone for awhile. But now I'm back and I don't think I'm going anywhere.

First on the platter is Portugal, The Man, a band I was supposed to go see the other night with a buddy of mine. I'm not sure how he met them, but their myspace says they are from Wasilla, Alaska. I must say after listening to some of the tracks from Church Mouth it sounds like that extra daylight up there has done them well. They remind me a lot of another northwestern outfit, Blitzen Trapper, in that their music transcends genre. It's an Alaskan snowball packed with grungy soul, rock, and roots that either wallops you in the face or envelops you in a druggy haze. And there's certainly enough talent here to get past the fact that the lead vocalist sounds like he took lessons from Jack White. Check it out some tracks on their myspace. I recommend "Telling Tellers Tell Me," and "Shade."

Portugal, The Man's Myspace

Also, here's a video of them with the Fall of Troy and Tera Melos jamming on "Tommy" from 2006's Waiter: You Vultures.



Kicking myself I didn't see them live.

ICM: Girl Talk

Why in the name of the Summer Solstice was Tag Team’s “Whoomp, There It Is,” the Cranberries, “Dreams,” and Peter Bjorn and John’s “Let’s Call It Off,” being played within the same set at Bonnaroo? Why was every soul in the overcrowded “Other Tent” screaming their lungs out to Kelly Clarkson’s “Since You’ve Been Gone?” Why was there a skinny DJ onstage in his underwear screaming orders at the crowd? Better yet, why was the crowd listening? Was this the sign of the Apocalypse?

No, no, no, it was the work of that rascally mash-up mad scientist, Girl Talk. The Pittsburgh native, born Greg Gillis, throws a party like no other. Imagine (or remember) how fun it would be (or was) to get hammered at a middle school dance party, because that is basically what Girl Talk’s set is like. Rockin’ only a Mac, Gillis stewed A.D.D. cuts ranging from the aforementioned artists to T.I. to the Band to Hot Chip to Nirvana. No joke. Fans were shaking their asses on stage. Hippies were doing the robot. Newcomers were slapping themselves for ignorance. I was swinging my T-Shirt over my head. It was hypnotic mayhem. I mean, at one point, everyone was so spellbound by Gillis’ melodic experiments that he stopped and ordered the tent to “stop looking at the f***ing stage, turn to the person beside you and f***ing dance.”

Yes, sir, Mr. Girl Talk, sir. You are officially the king of Late Night Bonnaroo.

Ice Cream Man

Tons of pics up on the Bonnaroo Review at the Ice Cream Man site. Be sure to head over there today and check them out.

The Police

I will admit that I didn't go to the Police in a critical state of mind. I actually spent most of the walk to "What Stage," screaming, "I'm ready to get stung!" Lame, I know. Drinking bourbon out of a Camelback will do that to you. I will also say this: I've been to plenty of shows just to have a good time and been disappointed. And I know there are a lot of cool kids saying the Police weren't protecting and serving like they used to. But I'll tell you what, Sting, Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland were very entertaining. Sure, Sting couldn't hit some of the high notes on songs like "So Lonely," "Don't Stand So Close to Me," and "Roxanne," but the trio still sounded great, especially for a band that hasn't played together in over 20 years (and a bunch of old dudes). Not to mention that basically every song you heard was a Top 20 Hit, and that five of them; "Message in A Bottle," "Walking on The Moon," "Don't Stand So Close to Me," "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic," and "Every Breath You Take," were #1 on the UK charts. You can't help but feel a bit warm and fuzzy on the inside that you're seeing them played live. Plus, how often can you scream "Da Do Do Do, De Da Da Da" at the top of your lungs and not feel like an idiot? Never, but I did it anyway. Yeah, so maybe you think I'm not cool because I had fun at the Police. I don't give a...

ICM: Wilco

Wilco
Just like their new album, Wilco's set at Bonnaroo was solid. I mean, they pulled out the really big guns; "Jesus, Etc.," "I'm Trying to Break Your Heart," "Via Chicago," "Handshake Drugs," "Shot in the Arm," "War on War," "Hummingbirds," "I'm the One Who Loves You," "Spiders," etc. That's bleeping all-star. And except for obnoxious drums and really cheesy synth on "Via Chicago," the music was on point. But for some reason, it just didn't resonate. Maybe it was the size of the stage. Maybe it was because it was the last day; I was tired and couldn't stop thinking about the White Stripes. Maybe it was because of the fact that of the five new songs played, only "You Are My Face," and "Walken," really held up. I think it was probably a combination of those things. I will say this, Jeff Tweedy looked as happy as I have ever seen him, and Matt was grooving a few rows in front of me. And I said it was solid. Ain't nothin' wrong with that.

ICM: The Hold Steady

The Hold Steady

This has been one of the most talked about sets from the weekend. Much to my chagrin, I only caught six songs because I was in the middle of an interview. From what I did see, it’s no surprise that the Minneapolis-based bar rockers’ performance has received high acclaim. The short stint I caught featured some of the band’s most balls-out fare, such as Boys in Girls in America’s “Hot Soft Light,” “Chips Ahoy,” “Stuck Between Stations,” and “Southtown Girls,” as well as Seperation Sunday’s “Hornets, Hornets,” and “Lil’ Hoodrat Friend,” with spastic front man Craig Finn inciting the well-buzzed crowd to chant “Yankees Suck” during the latter. The inebriated roar following that exclamation was unlike any I heard the entire time I was in Manchester. From what I can gather, the Hold Steady’s act screamed with the same drunken intensity.

ICM:The White Stripes

The White Stripes
The setting of the White Stripes’ Sunday evening performance radiated devilish mystique. Hell (whoops), if a bible-thumping local had been there, they’d probably tell you satan hisself was in the festival grounds. As an abnormally large smoke ring floated in the sky, the little remaining sunlight illuminated the White “siblings”—clad in their traditional red and white and backed by a cherry red curtain—like the fiery depths of Hades. It was a scene straight from the cover of Weekly World News, with headlines reading, “Lucifer Seen at White Stripes Concert. Porta-lets Burst into Flames”

And you can bet your ass that the Stripes played like musicians possessed, slaying numbers from their new release, Icky Thump, as well as selections from past albums all the way back to debut The White Stripes—like the sweaty, biker bar romp, “Stop Breakin’ Down.” Strumming his guitar, “Rita,” Brother White took on the persona of an old country star, addressing the crowd in an amped-up southern dialect while performing countrified fare like the oft-covered hit, “Jolene,” the rockabilly strutting “Hotel Yorba,” and the moonshine still punk-rocker “Black Math.” It was a definite demonstration of this band’s range, as was the final stretch, which saw the White Stripes blister the crowd with squirrelly distortion on “Blue Orchid,” cruise in the Cadillac with “I Just Don’t Know What to Do with Myself,” become hippie-friendly with “We’re Going to Be Friends,” and then tear off into the night with “Seven Nation Army.” Then Jack and Meg took a bow for the audience, as the former left us with the following;

“God Bless Ya. Thank you for buyin’ our records. Have Fun. Get home safely.”

Thank you, Jack and Meg. That was a mighty fine performance.

ICM: Tortoise

Tortoise

I had never listened to Tortoise prior to Bonnaroo. I’m a fan of the Sea and Cake, so I was excited to see what John McIntire’s main project had to offer. The instrumental five-piece’s genre-bending post-rock was a perfect fit for the new festival demographic. It was jamming enough to please the patchouli-friendly folk and artistic and credible enough to attract the indie crowd. But all appeasing aside, this band is insanely talented and created a variety of instrumentals that left this guy scratching his head in bewilderment. And I was sober. I can’t imagine what that bug-eyed dude next to me must have been thinking.

Tortoise's Myspace

ICM: Hot Chip

Hot Chip

When the first Bonnaroo was in the works, I bet the founders never dreamed that one day, a group of nerdy British guys armed with a variety of synthesizers would take the festival’s second largest tent in the palm of their hand. Sure enough, it was late night in the daytime on Friday afternoon in “This Tent.” UK-based, electronica quintet Hot Chip had a jam-packed tent bumpin’ and grindin’ to selections from their past two albums, Coming on Strong and The Warning, as well as some bangin’ unreleased material. Spruced-up interpretations of songs like TW’s “And I Was A Boy from School,” and unreleased live stalwart “Shake A Fist”—described in my notes as “f***in’ rad”—had new initiates pulling dance moves they never imagined possible. I should mention that this was only thirty minutes into the set. Sadly, I only caught stories of the mayhem caused by “The Warning” and “Over and Over” because I had other shows to check out. Yes, I left. I am an idiot. I know.

Hot Chip's Myspace

ICM: The National

The National

It took a long time for the National to get their Thursday night set started in "That" tent—a delay resulting from the first of many sound issues at Bonnaroo 2007—but once the Cincinatti-based quintet did, it was on. Matt Berninger and company brought the slow-building heat, performing a number of tracks from their critically acclaimed new album, Boxer, such as "Fake Empire," "Mistaken for Strangers," "Green Gloves" and "Slow Show," as well as "Friend of Mine," "Baby We'll Be Fine," "Mr. November," and "Secret Meeting" from 2005's heralded release, Alligator. Sprinting around the stage and climbing atop amp stacks, Berninger sang into the heavens as the stately rock sounds of brothers Dessner and Devendorf soared across an enraptured audience. And for their closing number, the National selected "About Today" from their Cherry Tree EP--its breathtaking, orchestral ascension a perfect summation of the night's performance.

The National's Myspace

Ice Cream Man: Bonnaroo

I am writing a bunch of reviews from Bonnaroo for the Ice Cream Man, which I will also post here. These aren't lengthy reviews, mostly just accompaniament to the loads of awesome pictures he posts. So make sure you go over to his site and check them out. The big review should be up in the next couple of days. Also, if he is ever in your neck of the woods, make sure you go by and get some ice cream. (Or just talk to the guy. It's not like someone who travels around the country giving away free ice cream doesn't have killer stories to tell.)

Toro y Moi

My friend B.K. told me about Toro y Moi a few weeks ago. Toro y Moi is the side project of Chaz Bundick, the front man for Columbia, SC-based band, The Heist and the Accomplice. I listened to a couple of tracks on the myspace page and was instantly hooked. So I e-mailed Chaz and he sent me 19 tracks of his material. Holy moly! It's really good stuff, definitely with some Animal Collective tendencies--there's a multitude of sonic elements present--but much easier to digest. Bundick lists influences ranging from the aforementioned clan to Devendra Banhart to David Bazan. But in all honesty, Toro y Moi is just Toro y Moi. Bundick's plaintive vocals are beautifully layered over an intriguing blend of kaleidoscopic folk and rock to create original, well written songs. To think that he does it all himself makes it that much better. Here's to hoping that Chaz releases an album soon.

Check it out for yourself!









I am working on arranging an interview with Chaz, so look for that in the near future!

Elvis Perkins in Dearland at Bonnaroo

I mentioned Monday that Elvis Perkins' set was my favorite at Bonnaroo this year. Sure the White Stripes killed it and Girl Talk blew us all away with his incredible sampling routine, but I knew that was going to happen. I listened to a little bit of Perkins' debut, Ash Wednesday , a couple of weeks ago, and was impressed by what I heard, but I wasn't expecting the awe I experienced during his afternoon performance with backing band, Dearland. A refreshing breeze blew through the tent as the folk-loving crew blessed a sun-beaten but sizable crowd with an assortment of songs, (relatively) old and new. Perkins' modern folk was a stark contrast from the neo-classic rock blasting from the Wolfmother set across the way, but it was the perfect introspective fare for a tattered, Sunday Bonnaroo population. Beginning with Dylan-influenced, Ash Wednesday opener "While You Were Sleeping," Perkins captivated us before introducing "Hey," a bustling new tune. The wiry, baby-faced songsmith then slowed it down again with the stunning "Emile's Vietnam in the Sky," before picking things up with the jazzy shuffle of "Without Love" and the driving rhythm of "Weeping Pilgrim," a song he informed us was a "dance number in the Civil War days." Perkins and company pulled back on the reins for the next stretch, delving into AW's quirky "Sleep Sandwich;" a new organ flavored tune, "Shampoo," and the bourbon-lulled number "The Night and the Liquor." Dearland left Perkins with his guitar and harmonica for the next selection, "It's Only Me," but their return saw a crowd-pleasing addition, Alec Ounsworth of CYHSY--a band Perkins opened for earlier this year. Donning a straw sun hat, the eccentric front man contributed electric guitar and backing vocals to "Doomsday," the most uplifiting number of the set, complete with spirited trombone, a rollicking drum line, and a "la la la" harmony. And with the carefree, jazz-infused, "1,2,3, Goodbye," Perkins brought his soothing act to a close, instructing the audience to "take care." It was a cheerful ending to an enriching performance, an hour of clarity that reminded us all that great music isn't always about booty-shakin', foot-stompin' or headbangin'--and that Bonnaroo's eclectic line-up allows for such realizations.

Bonnaroo Recap

For some reason when I thought about Bonnaroo today this quote from National Lampoon's Vacation popped into my brain.

"We're gonna have so much fucking fun they're gonna need plastic surgeons to remove the smiles from our fucking faces. We'll be whistling zippity-doo-dah out of our ass holes."

I need a plastic surgeon right now, too. And I'm pretty sure my butt hasn't been this musical in years. But seriously, talk about an awesome weekend.

What should I begin with? Interviewing the Whigs on the Ferris Wheel? Seeing the White Stripes for the first time? Unabashedly removing my t-shirt and waving in the air during a ridiculous late night set from Girl Talk? Chatting about the heat with Elvis Perkins at the coffee bar before his Sunday set--my favorite of the weekend. Eating large amounts of ice cream backstage? Catching awesome performances from the National, Hot Chip, the Hold Steady, Dr. Dog and Tortoise, among others. Singing along with Sting? (I mean, uh....)

Yeah, it was a pretty absurd time. How 'bout I just post some of the pictures that Bob Clement took...

Elvis Perkins and special guest Alec Ounsworth of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah



Hot Chip



Parker Gispert of the Whigs



Scott McMicken of Dr. Dog



Sting



Look for more in-depth Bonna reviews throughout the week.

Bizzle Rizzle Fashizzle Dizzle

Day One of Bonnaroo was a great success. In addition to meeting up with my other employer for the weekend, the Ice Cream Man, I caught some really rad music. Imagine that? First off was the Black Angels, whose eerie pysch rock was nicely complimented by an incredible sunset backdrop. Then after slingin' some scream with Matt, I headed over to the National. Matt Berninger and co. brought the heat on a number of tracks from their recent release, Boxer, as well as a few from Alligator. Their beautiful form of rock 'n' roll sailed across the audience with an awesome intensity. Lastly we caught the Whigs. I haven't seen these guys in a a while and I was really excited to hear some new tracks. The new stuff sounds great, ranging from Nuggets-tinged fare to full on, early 90's grunge metal. The latter was particularly impressive and surprising. Their new bassist/multi-instrumentalist U.S. Gunn seems to mesh really well with Parker Gispert (lead vocals/guitar) and Julian Dorio (drums). They also played a badass cover of John Lennon's "Instant Karma." Crowd was lovin' it.

O.K., gotta go, boss needs the comp. More updates later. Stay tuned.

It's Business Time!

Pretty behind on the blog 'cause there's lots of stuff goin' on right now.

First off, Last Thursday we caught the spirited roots-rock duo Two Gallants at the Basement here in the Music City. Adam Stephens and Tyson Vogel gave us a hearty dish of the well-written, wild west rock 'n' roll found on their last album, What the Toll Tells. Highlights included the set opening intro to "Steady Rollin'," with tripped-out, oriental flavoring that invoked images of the opium den scenes from Tombstone. Fontaine's guitar and vocals were searing on numbers like "Seems Like Home to Me" from their new EP, The Scenery of Farewell(released on Saddle Creek on June 17), and crowd favorite, "Las Cruces Jail," on which Edneud illustrated his highly-energetic rhythmic tendencies. Two Gs also debuted tracks from their upcoming LP, one titled "The Country Emo Song." Stuff sounds pretty similar to their current songs live, but that stuff is awesome in my book, so I look forward to the new release.

Check out "Seems Like Home to Me" here.


Tomorrow we head to Bonnaroo. Hee-haw! This will be my third year going to the fest and I really can't say enough good things about it. Heck, I guess I'm really excited to see Manu Chao Radio Bemba Sound System, the Hold Steady, the National, the Black Angels, the White Stripes, Dr. Dog, the Black Keys, Feist, The Whigs, Charlie Louvin, Girl Talk, the Flaming Lips at Midnight, El-P, the Superjam with John Paul Jones, Ben Harper, and ?uestlove, and number of other super duper bands that will be playing. I could really go on and on. Oh and the Silent Disco. If you're reading this and going to Bonnaroo, please go there. I will never forget dancing with 75% of My Morning Jacket two years ago in the ring of happiness that is the Silent Disco. It was the night before their show and I am pretty sure that dancing near me was the reason they rocked so hard the next day. Obviously I am kidding but it was still awesome.

Ok, sorry to nerd out there. Here's some tracks that I can't stop listening to.

The first is by Z.A.K. and lays the lyrics from Clipse's "Mr. Me Too" over the music from Lee Fields' "Honey Dove." It's the equivalent of a cool summertime breeze. It's taken from P4K

The second is "FaFaFa," a funk-infused dance track from Datarock and though most of y'all might know about 'em, I just found out about the Norwegian dance duo from my friend, Rachel. Slow, I know. You can find it on their Myspace page.

Oh, and I almost forgot. I am pee my pants excited to see Flight of the Conchords. Here is a video of those guys performing their song, "Business Time." So awesome.


That's it for now. If I don't post tomorrow, I'll see everybody on Monday.

Summerbirds in the Cellar

Athens/Orlando-based, electro-psych quartet Summerbirds in the Cellar have a pretty rad string of dates coming up. First, they open in Tallahassee for poppin' off art-rock sensations, Battles. Then Summerbirds bust three nights with another Athens band, Elf Power, and the falsetto-loving, junkyard dogs, Man Man. They also have a new album, Druids, that drops soon. Indie Mom posted three demos over at Speed of Dark, and these electro-heavy rockers sound very nice. The vocals are somewhat similar to Hot Chip , but that's really only if you really want to make a comparison. Should be a really good time when this record drops.

[From Speed of Dark]

Summerbirds in the Cellar- wicked world (move softly) [demo]

Summerbirds in the Cellar- the hero boys, the folding [demo]

Summerbirds in the Cellar- the night thief [demo]

Summerbirds in a cellar near you:

Jun 15 2007
9:00P
40 Watt w/ Maserati (CD RELEASE!)
Athens, Georgia

Jun 20 2007
9:00P
Beta Bar w/ Battles
Tallahassee, Florida

Jun 26 2007
8:00P
BackBooth w/ Man Man and Elf Power
Orlando, Florida

Jun 27 2007
9:00P
Studio A w/ Man Man and Elf Power
Miami, Florida

Jun 28 2007
8:00P
Orpheum w/ Man Man and Elf Power
Ybor City, Florida

The Avett Brothers--Whippin' It

Concord, NC-based, genre-defying trio the Avett Brothers are really kicking ass right now. Released on May 15th, their sixth studio album, Emotionalism, debuted at #1 on the Billboard Heatseekers Chart, #134 on the Billboard Top 200 and #13 on the Billboard Indie Chart. Not bad for a group of guys who used to throw their instruments in the van and play wherever they fancied--sidewalk, parking lot, you name it. Hopefully you also caught them on Conan a few weeks ago when they performed "Paranoia in Bflat Major." The lanky, red-headed comedian was so amped following their set that he gave Scott Avett's bass drum a few kicks during his closing remarks. Righteous.

Here's the video from that performance:



Also, the Avett Brothers will be on NPR's Weekend Edition this Saturday. That show takes place from 8-10 A.M. If you can't get it on the radio then check it out at npr.org.

And finally, here is my review of Emotionalism, which will appear in the July/August issue of American Songwriter. It's probably the best issue yet, featuring a cover story on Ryan Adams, an interview with Jack White about Icky Thump, and a rad piece on Elvis' songwriters in honor of the 30th Anniversary of the death of the King--in addition to tons of other great reads. Look for it to hit newsstands in about two weeks.


Emotionalism
Avett Brothers
Ramseur Records
4.5 Stars


The Avett Brothers have never been afraid to sew their hearts on their sleeve. Among the many labels that have been placed on the Concord, N.C.-based trio over the years, there has been one that has always ringed clear: honest. On their sixth album, Emotionalism, integrity is once again the pervading theme. In an age they say “where playing it cool is the way to be,” the Avett Brothers lay their thoughts and beliefs on the table for all to examine, hoping that others will do the same.

This is a band created from the urge to try something new, when Scott and Seth Avett decided to unplug from their hardcore band Nemo and start the eclectically acoustic row they now hoe. So it’s no surprise that they—along with bassist Bob Crawford—utilize a fresh bag of tricks on Emotionalism. Listening to the pop-friendly production of opener “Die Die Die,” one senses that the Avetts have given a shave and a haircut to their normally rough-hewn sound. It’s as big of a risk as the lyrical material, but dang if it doesn’t work. On “Shame,” a song that finds the brothers lamenting over the loss of a girl due to adolescent confidence, light organ compliments one of the cleanest and best Avett melodies to date. “Will You Return” begins as an insecure Mignonette-esque banjo and guitar shuffle, then rides a bubbly, orchestral interlude into a passionate, drum-backed finish. Four Thieves Gone contributor Paleface adds bluesy harmonica and his Marlboro-tattered rasp to “Go to Sleep,” a reassuring barroom sing-a-long that also incorporates keys, fiddle, cello and drums.

It’s not all upbeat production. Such as on the timeless affirmation of love “All My Mistakes,” the Avetts shift on a few numbers from the back porch to the parlor, allowing solemn polish and stunning lyrics to pull the heartstrings of the listeners. After Emotionalism, honest is going to have to get used to the company of another label: brilliant.

Grace Slick?

In addition to creating one of my favorite websites, Moustache May, Mackle at Yewknee posted two tracks the other day from the White Rabbits debut, Fort Nightly. I checked 'em out this morning and am loving what I hear. Both of these songs utilize multiple sound layers for an upbeat latin flavor that is really, really catchy. I actually saw this disc sitting in the stacks yesterday and I have been kicking myself over the fact that didn't pick it up before I went out of town for the weekend. Oh, well. I definitely have something to look forward to on Monday.

Yeah, so throw on your dancing shoes this weekend and shake to the sounds of White Rabbits.

White Rabbits- Kid On My Shoulders (from Yewknee)

White Rabbits- I Used To Complain Now I Don't (from Yewknee)

White Rabbits' Myspace

Blitzen Trapper

I've been meaning to get something up about Portland's Blitzen Trapper since I heard their new disc, Wild Mountain Nation, a few weeks ago. Pitchfork posted the bourbon-soaked title track on their Forkcast last week, and it's a good reflection of how badass this record is. Set to drop on June 12th, the band's third album is a barrel full of psychedelic roots-rock that'll probably soundtrack most of your summer drinking excursions. Album opener "Devils A-Go-Go" begins with a roaring guitar riff, swirls into a Tijuana haze and then rocks out in the back room of a smoky arcade. "Miss Spiritual Tramp" is a meth-distorted, six-string punisher that struts around on high heels and features a front stoop harmonica breakdown. It's not hard to see why they're opening for the Hold Steady for the next few weeks. Damn, if only they were playing in the area.





Wild Mountain Nation will hit record stores near you on 6/12/07!

Blitzen Trapper's Myspace.

Caribou

Dan Snaith's Merge Records debut, Andorra, hits the shelves on August 21st. The Dundas, Ontario whiz, who has performed as Caribou since a legal dispute over the Manitoba moniker with Handsome "Dick" Manitoba in 2004, says he has never been this excited about his music and it's easy to see why. Snaith blends airy vocals, sunny psych-pop and complex layers of Krautrock-infused electronica for one of the best releases we've heard this year. Snaith also holds a Ph.D in Mathematics, probably one of the reasons songs are so beautifully calculated and composed. We literally haven't taken it our of our record player since it came in on Monday. "She's the One" features Junior Boys front man and longtime friend Jeremy Greenspan and album closer "Niobe" is a nearly nine minute long, super-addicting, electronica treasure.

You can go here to listen to tunes from some of Snaith's previous releases, such as "Jacknuggeted" from 2001's Up in Flames and "Bees" from 2005'sThe Milk of Human Kindness.

Also, check out this video for "Bees" by the Delicious 9. It's pretty rad.

Schlansky Does Dylan

Any of y'all that read American Songwriter know Evan Schlansky for his regular column, "The Schlansky Files," as well for a load of other great stuff he's contributed over the past few years. Schlansky also works for that other music magazine, Rolling Stone, and if you check out their Rock Daily blog today, you'll find a video that features him singin' "Hurricane" and "Quinn the Eskimo (The Mighty Quinn)." Evan, another AS contributor, "Under the Radar" scribe David Mead, some RS staffers, and, you know, Tracy Bonham, The Pierces, and members of Albert Hammond, Jr., Mooney Suzuki and the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, are all performing as the Rolling Thunder Reborn Band. The act was created to honor the 66th birthday of THE American Songwriter, Bob Dylan. It looks like it was a hell of a good time. We've been wondering why he didn't get Jann to send the RS jet down here to Nashville to bring the AS staff up for the party. Maybe next year. Seriously, though, rock on, dude.

By the way, Happy Birthday, Bob.

Man Alive!!!!

While laying witness to the bizarre, kitchen sink-loving, gypsy-punk that was the Man Man set at Nashville's The Mercy Lounge last night, I leaned over to my buddy and said, "This band is like the clown you were always afraid of when you were a little kid." As weird and frightening as they are at times, you can't take your eyes off of Honus Honus and crew. The Philly quintet unleashed spoon throwing, oxygen tank beating, kazoo(?) blowing, furious drum banging, falsetto squealing, stool-pogoing, and a bundle of other Krusty's Funhouse madness to deliver an electrically entertaining set. Selections from their upcoming release abounded, and let's just say that it's gonna be off the chain. Man Man also delivered a number of favorites from last year's Six Demon Bag and their debut The Man in A Blue Turban with A Face such as "Engrish Bwudd" (with the crowd screaming "Get the F*** out of my house), "Banana Ghost," "101b Moustache," a speedy "Black Mission Goggles," and the rousing show closer, "Van Helsing Boombox." There was certainly never a dull moment, and if anyone left the show dissapointed, then that person needs to think about some things.

Man Man's myspace page

Manly Times
Tue 06/26/07 Orlando, FL Back Booth*
Wed 06/27/07 Miami, FL Studio A*
Thu 06/28/07 Tampa, FL Orpheum*

Fri 06/29/07 Athens, GA 40 Watt Club
Sun 07/01/07 Brooklyn, NY TBA
Fri 07/27/07 Akron, OH The Lime Spider

w/Elf Power

Dead Confederate

Dead Confederate hails "from Atlanta by way of Augusta, Georgia." I heard about them from a friend back in December, but the tip got lost amongst the chaos of planning my overseas expedition. Today I found out that they just signed with Gary Gersh, who brought Sonic Youth and Nirvana to Geffen. I also hear that there are some BIG names in the producing mix for their debut LP. They released the Dead Confederate EP in 2006, and it definitely isn't a another gravy-laden southern rock record. There's shades of Nirvana, Pink Floyd, Neil Young, My Morning Jacket, and Explosions in the Sky in Dead Confederate's ominous psych-rock sound. Imagine an acid trip in a 4x4 hearse down a backwoods Georgia dirt road. Sometimes scary and menacing, sometimes beatiful, always badass. Check out their myspace page for selections from the EP as well as a few other songs. I recommend "News Underneath," "Shadow the Walls" and "The Rat." Actually, listen to all of 'em.

Dead Confederate will be playing throughout the Southeast for the next month.

May 25 2007 10:00P
11:11 Tearoom...w/Morning State...Free Show, Free Beer Atlanta, Georgia

Jun 8 2007 10:00P
JJ's Bohemia...w/The Nim Nims and All the Saints Chattanooga, Tennessee

Jun 9 2007 9:00P
The Bottletree...w/All the Saints and Taylor Hollingsworth Birmingham, Alabama

Jun 14 2007 10:00P
Mercy Lounge...w/All the Saints & TBA... Nashville, Tennessee

Jun 16 2007 5:30P
City Stages Festival Birmingham, Alabama

Jun 17 2007 11:00A
Reg's Coffehouse Radio Program Birmingham, Alabama

Jun 22 2007 10:00P
40 Watt Club, Athfest...w/Dexateens, Mother Jackson, and Madeline Athens, Georgia

Jun 29 2007 10:00P
Jinx...w/All the Saints and Sovus Radio Savannah, Georgia

Jun 30 2007 10:00P
The Pourhouse...w/Two Cow Garage Charleston, South Carolina

Back in the Saddle, Cracked Out

After some other obligations last week, I'm back in the bloggin' saddle. Expect multiple daily posts from here until August.

First things first. My friend B.K. told me about mock-hop duo Cracked Out after he saw them on Human Giant. I checked out their myspace page to listen to "Bennigan'z," and it's dagum high-larious. There's also this video of them performing it on HG, and they say it's a song about "wannabe Gotti boys from Jersey and Long Island, with the moussed up hair and whatnot."

Peep both for yourself and also check out this vid of them giving a "lesson in counting." Never before has math been so fun. Anybody know where I can score one of those pimpy silk jackets?

Another Matt and Kim

The sound isn't great on these two, "It's A Fact (Printed Stained) and "Yea Yeah." It was LOUD! But they're too loony f**kin' awesome to not post. These kids rock.

Josh T. Pearson, Matt and Kim

We're back in the States. Needless to say it's been a pretty strange transition. Here are a couple of vids that Tillery finally uploaded onto youtube.com. The American Songwriter youtube page should be up and running pretty soon.

More of the gothic country of Josh T. Pearson:


Matt and Kim, live at Madame Jojo's, part of "White Heat" night.


You get an idea of how much fun this set was. For their first performance in England, they played a lot of tunes from their self-titled debut. And with a combination of those crack-catchy, punk-pop songs, their jubilant energy, and Matt's comedic stage antics, the night was big smiles, headbanging, and high fives all around. See for yourself.

Better Late Than Never: Josh T. Pearson, Explosions In The Sky--Paradiso, Amsterdam, 2/24/07

Before the Explosions in the Sky show was set to begin at Paradiso back in February, Tillery came up to me and asked, “These guys are from Texas, right?”

“Yeah.” I said.

“I think I met one of them at the cigarette machine. He sounded like he was from Texas. There he is.” He pointed across the venue.

“Over there.”

“Damn, he doesn’t just sound like he’s from Texas.”

Tall and gangly with a long, gold miner’s beard—nearly thicker than his waistline—and donning a ratty cowboy hat and dilapidated garb seemingly stolen from a Deadwood set, the guy looked like he traveled to Amsterdam on a tumbleweed. I immediately recognized he wasn’t in EITS, and when he nonchalantly hopped onto the stage from the crowd, I knew we were in for something interesting.

We soon found out that he was Josh T. Pearson, the night’s opening artist and the former front man of Lift to Experience, an acclaimed indie rock outfit from Denton, Texas—also home to Midlake, Centro-matic, and--ahem--Norah Jones.

On the Bella Union website, Pearson remarks that after his father, a Pentecostal preacher, left him, his mother, and his brother out to dry, he began to his faith in God. Eventually, at the age of 19, “what [he] had known to be the presence of God physically left his body and [that] the music that [he] play[s] on his guitar is still the only thing that brings [him] to [God].”

This is absolutely the truth. From the moment Pearson unleashed his Gothic western sound, characterized by his hauntingly troubled wolf yodel, hornets’ nest guitar distortion, and thunderstorm on the horizon, boot-stomping rhythm, it was clear that the grizzly song smith was channeling energy from an outside source. Songs such as “Angels vs. Devils” and “Sins of a Fall” defined spine chilling—especially when Pearson howled one note for nearly 45 seconds during the former. Listening to his set, one could draw comparisons to the dark country of Cash, the driving song structure of Drums Not Dead, and the eerily mythical leanings of Jim Morrison, but Pearson’s music is really unlike any other. And though his performance was painfully gloomy at times, his strong-willed delivery shone light through the darkness. An uplifting performance in the face of despair.

And to tell you the truth, it’s too bad for Austin-based Explosions in the Sky, an avant-garde, instrumental rock quartet whose sound often encompasses the vastness of West Texas, that they chose Pearson as their opener. Even as majestic as their set was at times—most notably during Those Who Tell the Truth’s “With Tired Eyes, Tired Minds, Tired Souls, We Slept,” How Strange, Innonence’s “Greet Death,” and All of the Sudden I Miss Everyone’s “Welcome, Ghosts,” with the band playing like mystical puppeteers, one moment molding the crowd into an ambient tide of bobbing heads and thrusting it into a cathartic fury at another--I found it impossible to forget the captivating mystique of the apostolic first act. I guess that’s why Explosions in the Sky lists Pearson and Lift to Experience as an influence. Here’s hoping that Pearson's solo album drops soon.

"Who Cares What the Question Is?"

While eating a delicious dinner the other night in a Camden pub, I was intrigued by a music video--think if Wes Anderson had taken a bunch of acid and made The Life Aquatic in claymation...wait a second--playing on the flat screen behind the bar. Initially, the neo-Muscle Shoals piano and crusty slide guitar, basically all I could hear, led me to believe that it was the blues-loving, Detroit roots rockers The Deadstring Brothers. However, when the credits flashed, I saw that it was actually Isle of Wight's The Bees aka A Band of Bees. I missed their highly regarded show at the Astoria when I was here a few months ago and have wanted to see what all the fuss was about ever since. So, yesterday I went and picked up their newest release, Octopus. It's an album seeping with 60's psych-rock influences such as the Beatles, Country Joe & the Fish, and the Byrds("Hot One!," "Love in the Harbor","The Ocularist"). And though the band attempts to illustrate a range wider than stoner rock--they nicely incorporate Meters-eque funk on "Got to Let Go"--The Bees get a little bogged down in Toots and the Maytals with "Listening Man" and practically steal the piano riff from Stevie Wonder's "Livin' for the City" on "(This Is for The)Better Days." Admittedly it's easy to listen to--hell, the band obviously has great influences--but it's an album that keeps you wondering where you've heard a tune before. Here's the video for "Who Cares What the Question Is?" It's actually the best song on Octopus. Tell me what you think.




Check out the Bee's myspace here.

Whiggin' Out in London

Well, I ain't really losing it. However, I'm back in London for the last leg of what has been an epic journey and I've been diggin' on the Whigs' live radio session that Dodge posted on My Old Kentucky Blog last week. Never heard 'em do anything acoustic like this before--don't think anyone has--and I hope this isn't the last time. I have been particularly keen on "Like A Vibration," as it has been one of my favorite songs by the Athens, GA band for a while now. Though this cut doesn't really pack the punch that the electric version does, frontman Parker Gispert's vocals still ring with strong emotion. Check 'em out for yourself and check 'em out in a town near you.

Apr 20 2007 7:30P Vanderbilt - Rites of Spring w/ Drive- By Truckers, Wolfmother.... Nashville, Tennessee
Apr 22 2007 4:00P Cornell University...open to students and general public Ithaca, New York
Apr 23 2007 8:00P Rock & Roll Hotel Washington, Washington DC
Apr 25 2007 8:00P Jewish Mother Norfolk, Virginia
Apr 27 2007 4:00P Salve Regina University Newport, Rhode Island
Jun 16 2007 8:00P Bonnaroo Manchester, Tennessee