"Sticker Fun" and the DC/ATS Tour Pics

Here are some pics from the Dead Confederate/All the Saints tour I was on in in early June. Here are some highlights from the flickr set, "Sticker Fun." Besides the fact that most of these shots are from the streets of Philly, I don't think I need to explain what is going on here.

Remember to check out "Sticker Fun" to see the rest of these pics. Also go here to see a bunch more from the DC/ATS spring tour.

Crystal Antlers

I love how some of my favorite bands like Dead Confederate, All the Saints, and Dead Meadow understand that you dont have to flaunt your cock to put the balls back into rock music. Sludging shows a set, too. Another outfit that's on the same page is Crystal Antlers. I'll admit that I am a little late on this Long Beach-based contigency. They've already had the rave Pitchfork review a while back. Once again, it took the Ice Cream Man's rec to get me to really give them a listen. When I hear Jonny Bell's ragged vocals seep through the band's murky sound prism, I picture Atreyu in the Swamp of Sadness, grueling through the mire with that wolf-beast breathing down his neck. Like the flying dog saved him, CA's energy will save you, providing the push to perserve through whatever shit might be bogging you down. Don't wait to listen to this band. Crystal Antlers could tour with any of the other three I mentioned above, as well as a number of others. Here's to hoping that it happens soon, or that they play down south. Come on Fleet Team. I'm looking at you.

Crystal Antlers--Various Songs--Myspace

And a here's a video of the band performing "The Owl," from their heralded EP, at the Mercury Lounge in NYC. Hot. Damn.

Crystal Antlers - The Owl from Joey Angerone on Vimeo.

Say Hallelujah!

Picture credit to Victor Gutierrez

I'm in Chicago right now with the Ice Cream Man and he turned me onto to something good, good, good last night. It's the good word, The Good Gospel Truth, a raucous Brooklyn via Nashville four-piece featuring members of the Brooklyn indie rockers and Les Savy Favs, Detachment Kit. This jagged fare draws sounds form northwest indie rock, as well as NYC post-punk, and runs those influences through a rusty combine, creating some of the most immediate hooks I've heard in a good bit. It'll sound perfect on a creaky porch come Labor Day, or perhaps a dusty basement party once the the leaves turn and the band's kinetic energy is all that's left to create warmth. Cautiously listen to squalid roar of "This is Not a House of Life" or the Brock-ish but broiling scuzz of "I've Got the Lord's Protection." You'll only want to start the weekend early.

The Good Gospel Truth--Various Songs--Stream

Yo

It's been awhile. But I'm back. Got to keep things short today but just wanted to give y'all a heads up on a few videos my good friend Brack Bradley created. Brack and I were on the road with Dead Confederate and All The Saints in June for a week and a half. The first video features Dead Confederate's "The Rat" and was created from footage compiled from said tour as well as a live track of the song performed in Asbury Park's The Saint.

"The Rat"




The second video is for All the Saints' "Half Red Half Way." It's taken from footage from a documentary short, "ATS: Trust Your Ears" that Brack directed and produced for the band last year. "Trust Your Ears" highlights All the Saints' first journey to SXSW as well as their time in the studio creating their debut album.

"Half Red Half Way"



Also, hear is a teaser trailer for "ATS: Trust Your Ears."



That's it for now. Expect a lot of pics and words from said tour here in the next week. There will also be other news and updates. Jay the Intern is back.

Long Time No See

Sorry, It's a been a busy time a lately. Here's some quick news.


Chaz Bundick aka Toro y Moi is at it again. This time with Sides of Chaz, a new experimental/ambient project resulting from the fact that Chaz "found recording on a whim and free styling lyrics to be very FUN." Well Chaz, we're finding it pretty doggone fun, too. So if you don't mind, keep having fun.

Sides of Chaz--Assorted Songs [Stream]



Local screwgrass trio Megafaun got some love from P4K the other day. I saw them for the first time opening for Bon Iver, and it was one hell of a spectacle. These fellers put the row-d in Crowd Interaction. You know that feeling at a show where you don't want to go get another beer because the music is so fucking intoxicating? That's how it was with Megafaun. They've got a record out too, Bury the Square, on Table of the Elements. You must go and purchase it. You must.

Megafaun--Assorted Songs [Stream]





Another JTI fave, Deer Tick, recorded a cover of Sean Kingston's "Beatiful Girls." I admit, I hate this song with a fucking passion, but you got to give it up to John McCauley. Kid knows how to have a good time. Thanks to Dodge at MOKB for the tip.

Deer Tick--"Beautiful Girls" [from MKOB]




Tomorrow Night, if you're in Chapel Hill, go to Hell, because All the Saints will be there. Wait, that don't sound right. Okay, let me try again. Atlanta psych-rock trio All the Saints are bringing their acid-induced thunderstorm to Hell (below Bub O'Malleys) tomorrow night. If you like Dead Confederate, Dead Meadow, Dino, Jr., Pink Floyd, Ozzy, etc., then you'll love All the Saints. They actually just got finished with a little stint opening for that second Dead band and they've got a new record out, which is awesome.

All the Saints--Assorted Songs from new Self-Titled LP [Stream]


That's it for now. But I've seen a lot of live music lately so be on the lookout for some reviews. Here is my parting shot.



That's even better than Dogs Shot with a Wide Angle Lens.

AS Interview, JJ

As promised, here's my interview with Al Doyle from Hot Chip. Check it out and have a great weekend.

Interview

Also, feast on this video of Jim James singing Bob Dylan's "Going to Acapulco." His cover is available on the "Im Not There" Soundtrack. Have a goodun'

Spicy Chipper

Here's my review of the new Hot Chip album, Made in the Dark. I interviewed Al Doyle, one of the Electro-nerds, in December and AS.com should be posting that interview soon. When they do, I'll post it here as well.

In the meantime, check out this video of "Ready for the Floor." Human Tetris anyone?

Biscuit Bloggin'

I am now an official contributor to The Biscuit Blog. For those of you that haven't gotten your fill of biscuits yet, the blog is run by Joel, a buddy of mine who recently moved from Atlanta to Austin. He blogs about everything from the perfect chicken wing to stupid Sky Mall products, but mainly concentrates on music. That's where the expert (hah), yours truly, comes in. Every Tuesday, George Fontaine, from Livewire Recordings picks his two favorite releases from that day. Then I'll follow up with reviews of the albums the next Tuesday. If you ask me , the whole situation's fun as biscuits and gravy. So get over to TBB and check it out!

Sup Pob Sweets

Sub Pop has two bands right now that I am super excited about. The first is Fleet Foxes, with vocals reminiscent of MMJ, and two other Sub Pop bands--Band of Horses and the Shins. But they aren't resting on these influences. There's gospel, folk, and chamber pop present here, creating breathakingly ethreal songs that wash over you like a hot shower after a long slumber. Whenever I listen to these songs, I feel like Delmar getting baptized in "O Brother Where Art Thou." Or put it this way, if this were a church choir, I would have been twenty minutes early to church when I was seven years old.

Stream--Fleet Foxes

The next is Grand Archives, the new project of Mat Brooke, formerly of Band of Horses. GA sounds like the half-brother to BoH and the grandchild of CSNY--pretty awesome if you ask me. "Torn Blue Foam Couch" features a lovely blend of lush harmonies and ascending instrumentals. It's also probably just as good if not better than most of the songs on Cease to Begin. Brooke and Bridwell sure do know how to write some fucking songs.

Stream--Grand Archives

BTW, Fleet Foxes is opening for another Sub Pop outfit, Blitzen Trapper, on March 23rd at the 506. You can bet your sweet ass I'll be there.

Also, that band I posted the video of rocking Letterman last night will also be at the 506 tomorrow night. The Sammies and Bull City open. Prepare to, in the words of Parker Gispert, rawk your nuts off.

"Power Trio, Paul? Love it!"

Letterman liked it and so do I. The Whigs rocked Late Night with "Right Hand on My Heart" last night. Check it out.



I gotta run to class, but I got lots of goodies when I get back.