we have all the time in the world

New Model Army FRIDAY FRIDAY FRIDAY!!!

2010-08-30T21:45:00.000-07:00

I don't care if it's the millionth time I've seen them... Autumn doesn't start until I've seen New Model Army

An Evening Of Unknown Pleasures... i don't know dude

2010-08-29T14:32:00.000-07:00

So Peter Hook is playing Unknown Pleasures live for the 30th anniversary of Ian Curtis' death and he will be visiting NYC in December. Am I going? hmmmmm.....
Hell yes!

Crunchy bass vibrating my ear drums
As close as I'll ever get to seeing Joy Division
SHADOWPLAY
Peter Hook's beard
Hearing the "back in the day" stories by grandpa goths at the bar
Maybe randomly playing Monaco's "What Do you Want From Me"

Hell to the no!

Co$t... this is going to hurt
"What do you mean Love Will Tear Us Apart wasn't on this album?"
Has a new band, has a new club... Anniver$ary of Ian Curti$' death?
"I have the rare textured sleeve... got it off ebay"
It will prob. be packed= elbows in the tits
Webster Hall smoke machines smell like ass syrup

I'll let you know in December!

photo by Man Alive

What is wrong with me? BIG TAKE OVER

2010-08-29T12:27:00.001-07:00

I can't even think about why I haven't posted anything on The Big Takeover show I went to a couple of weeks ago...

The evening began with rushing out of work, piling in whoever needed a ride into my baby blue station wagon and sitting in traffic while my olfactory organs were enticed by the smell of fancy cologne and Japanese cakes. So my working class fancy folk smelling friends and I made our way to The Bell House in Brooklyn mainly to see two people... Steve Drewett of The Newtown Neurotics and Mark Burgess of The Chameleons...

(note to those going to The Bell House in Brooklyn on an empty tummy... bring a snack, bring a snack, BRING A SNACK... There is nothing around there and filling my belly with whiskey sours wasn't an option because I had been at work since 6am, it was only 6pm, and Mr. Burgess wasn't going on till around midnight.)

Steve Drewett went on pretty early. Beginning his set solo. He played some songs including a new one called, "You Break my Heart", which was super catchy with doo doo dooooooos! and fun guitar riffs. He later was joined by his backing band featuring Jack Rabid on drums. After some potty humor and drum seat problems, the band, who rehearsed for no more than a hour, played an awesome set including Neurotic songs "When the Oil Runs Out" and "Kick Out the Tories".

My friends and I got a chance to talk with Steve Drewett outside the venue for a while with his sweetheart wife. So what has he been doing all these years? WEB DESIGN! After making a this quick career move, he finally has decided to go back where he belongs... THANK YOU! He told us fun stories about sleeping on Justin Sullivan's floor and having Kajagoogoo's tour bus when he was in the Neurotics. They didn't take the big Kajagoogoo off the side of the bus and they were confused for the two-toned-spiky-i dunno what the fuck is going on hair-pop band- when they were on the road... He must have been one of the happiest men I've ever met and I really hope he decides to come back to NYC really soon!

The rest of the evening I spent walking around the venue and dropping in and out of sets by Jon Auer of The Posies and For Against... Most importantly staring down Mark Burgess while he was enjoying a smoke outside because I am a total creep... I was ready to hear this man's howling voice.

This was the closest I'm ever going to come to The Chameleons... They played all my favorites like "Perfume Garden" and "Pleasure and Pain". The set was all Chameleons except for ending their set with Alternative TV's "Splitting in Two"... Mark Burgess was jumping around with his red Big Take Over tshirt on full of energy. I was really impressed with the eye-lined backing band and my ears were ringing for a few days after this show.

I'm still in "did that just happen?" mode...

Where have you been?

2010-06-10T17:02:00.001-07:00

So I've been a tool and haven't been updating this blog at all and it's all because of Netflix screwing up my sleeping patterns and I'm going to try to update this thing on a regular basis! Keyword= TRY...

I've been to great shows in the last couple of months. Including The Specials and Echo and The Bunnymen... check out those links that'll lead you to my reviews of the shows for The Aquarian.

But just some key hightlights from those shows.

1. Ian McCulloch is not a wide-eyed awkward cutie anymore, but his vocals are still very youthful even though he now looks like a chubby Liam Gallagher.

2. Terry Hall has a great sense of humor. From asking for his socks back to hiding on stage behind beams and amps... brownie points!

3. No annoying elbows in the tits... A+

lazy days...

2010-04-08T16:59:00.000-07:00

So working in a cupcake shop has taken over my life... well almost! I've still been writing at The Aquarian. I've reviewed a couple of good albums, so please check them out! For now... I leave you with a song I've had stuck in my heads for the past 4 weeks.

r.i.p Mugsy

2010-02-19T10:38:00.000-08:00

I wish The Uncle Floyd show was still on the air. There's something charming about plaid suits and slapstick comedy...

The Residents!

2010-02-10T12:43:00.000-08:00

Last night I went to see The Residents. I'm not a hardcore fan, but I've always have been really curious about their live shows. I headed over to Webster Hall last night and I did enjoy their set. I think it's funny when people say things like "I could do that" about bands like The Residents. Then why haven't they? Even I appreciate them and I started getting a little restless after an hour or their two hour set. I liked the story-teller part of their performance with different disoriented characters. I've never experienced anything like that at a show and it's definitely a unique one of a kind performance. It freaked me out at points, but that's what The Residents want, no?

I like THE THE and it's not because of Empire Records!

2010-01-03T20:34:00.000-08:00

accordions rule...

underated bands

2010-01-03T20:22:00.000-08:00

I'm going to start posting about some underated bands that I think should be acknowledged more... so here's The Chameleons

Mark Burgess has played around me twice within the past couple of years and I've missed him both times. I'm such a sucker for echoey guitars and chunky bass lines. I've been looking for their record Script on Bridge, but it's always too much. I will have to cave in and pay $20-30 bucks, it's that good!

Bobby Steele and The Undead

2009-12-02T19:11:00.001-08:00

I forgot to post about The Undead show at Clash Bar a couple of weeks ago. I was a little iffy at first because Bobby has gotten a little shaky over the years, but it turned out to be a fun show. The drummer in the band Hitomi is a really petite lady who can hit the crap out the drums and Hiromu is an awesome bassist with a friendly attitude. Yay for Japanese band members! Bobby's vocals were good along with his guitar solos and he spent most of the set shirtless.

The Undead covering "Rat Fink" by The Misfits

NOFX New EP Cokie The Clown Review

2009-12-02T18:57:00.000-08:00

original review in The Aquarian
I’ve never seen a Punk-O-Rama compilation without NOFX on them. Does that make them super punks? Even though NOFX has graced the t-shirts of teenage adolescents with bad acne for more than two decades, the band still remains at the top of punk rock charts. Why? Because people will always associate punk with acting like assholes, musicians selling their soul to bad hair, and having less than two minute songs, which NOFX fits perfectly into that punk rock formula.

NOFX have always been clowns in my book, so it’s perfect that their new EP Cokie The Clown has a portrait of Fat Mike as a drugged up clown that’s snorted one too many lines. I hate to admit this because I’ll probably loose around 100 punk rock points, but I liked all of the strung out pop punk songs on this EP. The title track has funny lyrics about a drug cocktailing clown’s stage show accompanied by fast bass lines and simple guitar solos. The EP also features an acoustic version of “My Orphan Year,” which is a heart-warming song about Fat Mike loosing his parents in 2006. Though it’s strange hearing a sincere tune from NOFX, it’s a straightforward likable song. The rest of the songs are your average everyday fast NOFX that people can’t get enough of. The band really are those annoying circus slapstick acts that you’ve seen over and over again, but you still end up smiling no matter how bad they are.

Cokie The Clown shows that NOFX still have a sense of humor and they can make fun of themselves like they’ve been doing since 1983. It’s nice that these guys don’t take themselves seriously, so you can’t bash them for their sloppy stage show and crappy lyrics. Though I stopped listening to NOFX years ago, they still haven’t changed and for once that’s a good thing.

Lee Harvey Osmond A Quiet Evil Review

2009-11-20T11:04:00.000-08:00

original article from The Aquarian

Marinate the members of Blackie and The Rodeo Kings, Cowboy Junkies, and Skydiggers. Then sauté their folk rock flavors together in a black cauldron of spooky malevolence, and you’ll end up with a pot of beatnik hippies, who could sound anywhere from Kenny G to Shawn Mullins and still be considered cool.

Lee Harvey Osmond’s new album A Quiet Evil combines elements of folk, country, soul, blues, and indie rock to enjoy on an early Sunday morning. With the slide guitar, cello, harmonica, and Tom Wilson’s tender baritone voice, it’s a nice ensemble of silky melodies. “The Love of One” is the best track on the record due to its soulful organ and smooth vocal harmonies between frontman Wilson and guest vocalist Suzie Vinnick, who sounds a lot like Emmylou Harris. “Lucifer’s Blues” starts off with a spoken word and quickly goes into a catchy Jack Johnson-like song with jangly guitars and bongos. Most of the songs have a laid-back country vibe to them, but not so soothing that it’ll put you to sleep.

A Quiet Evil doesn’t go overboard with its ensembles. Even with all the instruments featured on the album, Lee Harvey Osmond balance them throughout the whole album so it wouldn’t sound like a train wreck of jam solos all on one track. The album is consistent with its moonshine-fueled tone, dark ambiance, and quixotically keeps you on your feet with a downy, velvet sound.

The Cult at The Wellmont

2009-11-18T15:46:00.000-08:00

original article from The Aquarian

MONTCLAIR, NJ- I remember first buying the album Love by The Cult. It wasn’t 1985, but I probably did have too much hairspray and eyeliner on at the time. I knew a couple of their hits and liked Ian Astbury’s ruffled shirts, so I figured it’d be a good filler record to have in my collection. Instead of lumping it with the rest of the fillers that made few trips to my turntable, it ended up getting listened to repeatedly. So when I saw that The Cult was playing their entire Love album at The Wellmont Theatre, I was curious to see what these guys sound like after forming 26 years ago.

No opening band? Awesome! Starting the show close to an hour and a half late? Eh! I wished there was an opening band instead of hearing the same five songs on loop over the speakers. I did however enjoy listening to the grandpa Goths talk about seeing Southern Death Cult “back in the day.” It sucks being born around three decades too late.

They did a great job playing through Love. “Hollow Man” sounded enormous and the crowd roared once “She Sells Sanctuary” started. Pleasing fans with other hits such as “Fire Woman” and “Wild Flower, The Cult played a solid set of guitar howls, crooning vocals, and sultry bass lines. Ian Astbury looked like “L.A. Women” era Jim Morrison with his grizzly beard, but his vocals haven’t aged a bit. Even though he looks nothing like he did in the ‘80s, he did have on leather gloves and a raccoon tail hanging by his hip. Guitarist Duffy blew me away with his echoed solos and white holy body guitar that looked bigger than he was.
Though I was expecting Astbury’s infamous tribal hip shakes, instead he complained about how the concrete stage was giving him pain from his recent hip surgery and commanding the Wellmont to use the stage lights instead of the spotlight. What a rock star! The psychedelic video in the backdrop of nature, people, and trippy effects made the show better and livened up the lack of movement from the band. By the end of the show, Astbury threw the tambourine he was playing into the crowd, Duffy threw a bunch of picks, and the overpriced beer fueled crowd went nuts over them. Let’s hear it for big hair, leather, and combat boots!

According to Ian Astbury, there are rumors of The Cult going into the studio soon, so hopefully they’ll have a new album out within the next year or two.

FOR VIDEOS OF THE SHOW.... CLICK HERE!!!!

Volcano Choir New Album Unmap

2009-11-08T08:59:00.000-08:00

original article from The Aquarian

The word volcano conjures thoughts of hot lava engulfing buildings, ruining cities, and leaving nothing but dust. So with a name like Volcano Choir, wouldn’t you expect a huge explosion of sound powerful enough to melt your face off? Sadly, this Wisconsin band is a bunch of indie rockers that have probably snorted too much dust making their looping melodies and moaning vocals.

Unmap sounds like a bunch of whales talking to each other while listening to ambient synthesizer music. Some tracks abruptly end instead of smoothly transitioning into each other and have lots of tone clusters. “Cool Knowledge” starts off well with some awesome throat singing, but is quickly ruined with the cat-like vocals that come in, but I probably only liked that track because of its short length. The vocals that sound the best are on the song “Still,” but it’s because they use auto-tune. The rest of the album is uncanny reverberations of gobbledygook accompanied by whispering vocals.

Though Unmap does have a euphoric sound at some points, it’s ruined with nasally vocal harmonies, unpleasant popping percussion, and weird spacey sampling. The whole ambient thing is about being avant-garde and different, but it’s no good when you end up sounding like a strung out zombie singing Radiohead.

photo by http://www.flickr.com/photos/36936836@N02/ / CC BY-NC 2.0

Talk Normal New Album Sugarland

2009-11-08T08:44:00.000-08:00

original article from The Aquarian

It’s like every time I turn my head, there’s another artsy noise band of Brooklyn transplants jamming a drumstick against something to make a fresh weird sound. They either went to art school there or moved from somewhere in the Midwest to try to get a job at Academy Records or Beacon’s Closet. Talk Normal are a female No Wave duo from BK that sound like a mix of The Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Cop Shoot Cop, but they lack something that both of those bands have: good songs.

Their new album Sugarland is anything but sweet. It has a very loud chaotic sound, accompanied by the whiney vocals of Sarah Register and Andrya Ambro. The vocals on “Hot Song” sound exactly like Kim Gordon’s whispering voice and it’s the soundest song on the album thanks to the dancey drumbeats and catchy fuzzed guitar. The vocals and drumming on “River’s Edge” are drowned out by a vast high-pitched guitar squeal. The album ends with the track “Outside,” which features a really bad saxophone solo and industrial-like sounds in the background. Though this may be what Talk Normal wanted, their music is never steady and feels like a hurricane of racket that’s never going to end.

It’s annoying when noise bands like Talk Normal have every intention of being one of a kind, but end up sounding like every other new and hip noise band. Though they do set themselves apart by being women, they can’t play that card after hearing their music.

photo by http://www.flickr.com/photos/mercurialn/ / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Volbeat ... Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood

2009-11-03T20:26:00.000-08:00

original article in The Aquarian
Volbeat can’t seem to make up their mind. They could easily be poppunk thanks to their vocal harmonies and chewy pop melodies, metal because of their breakdowns of thrash guitar riffs, one of those radio friendly hard rock bands, or rockabilly due to Michael Poulsen’s doo-wop styled vocals. Fusing the esthetic of Queens of The Stone Age and No Use For A Name, this Danish rock band’s genre jumping annoying and overdone.

Their new album Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood starts off with a clunky resonator playing bluesy riffs and quickly goes into their hard rock title track, which introduces the ‘50s theme of the album. “Back To Prom” features hopeless romantic lyrics with catchy poppunk bass lines and “Wild Rover of Hell” is a thrash metal song that injects pleasing vocal harmonies during the breakdowns. By themselves the songs are okay, but as a whole it doesn’t work. Though the graphic novel/ film noir theme was a good idea, it doesn’t make any sense without the specific explanations before the lyrics in the booklet.

Though Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood may appeal to a wide audience because they sound like a twist of AFI and Johnny Cash, it ends up sounding like a mush of different tracks with the same lead singer. Poulsen’s voice is really powerful and clean, but the vocals aren’t rugged and rough enough to match with the band’s shadowy melodies.

no good no good no good!

Peter Hook had a band???

2009-10-27T20:34:00.000-07:00

yep! I randomly found out about his band Monaco after finding an old mixtape of my sister's and fell in love with the song "What Do You Want From Me." It's so catchy and dancey... I only wished the rest of their stuff was as good as this song.

UKEPUNK!!!!

2009-10-27T20:17:00.000-07:00

So we all know about Jake Shimabukuro and how he's mastered "the guitar face", but lets try something simple this time.... Love Punk? Love Ukuleles? You'll love UKEPUNK... Such good covers!!! Even though his voice is a little bit low, his uke sounds awesome. Check him out!

WFMU RECORD FAIR THIS WEEKEND!

2009-10-23T07:54:00.000-07:00

For all you record collectors and music lovers out there, this weekend is your chance to get your hands on that super rare import you've been digging crates for thanks to one of the best radio stations out there, WFMU.

There will also be a bunch of live broadcasts from The Trashmen, Heavy Trash, and many other... plus movies in the AV Lounge...

My suggestion would be to go on Sunday because the dealers just want to get rid of what they're selling, so you have a chance of getting music at a lower price... but then again, who knows what will be left after tons of people thumbed through before you.

They have a coupon you could get in for $5 instead of $7 and for desperate collectors, you could pay $25 to get in early and get free re-entry all weekend.

So it's today Friday, Oct. 23 through Sunday, Oct. 25 at The Metropolitan Pavilion (125 West 18th St. between 6th and 7th aves in NYC.

for schedules and floor plans click here!

Don't bring all your money with you unless you want to be broke by the end of the weekend, but if you don't care, go for it!

photobyhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/valeriebb/ / CC BY-SA 2.0

Star Fucking Hipsters Never Rest In Peace

2009-10-16T11:12:00.000-07:00

original article from The Aquarian

Thanks to Choking Victim, Leftover Crack, and the newest of the C-Squat bands, Star Fucking Hipsters, we now have a bunch of baby anarchists with trust funds running around the streets of the Lower East Side brown bagging 40 ounces of malt liquor and who knows what else in their patchy backpacks. I forgive them though, especially Star Fucking Hipsters, for their dueling vocals between front woman Nico de Gaillo and guitarist Scott Sturgeon (aka Stza Crack); also for not overdoing it on those crusty shrieks because everybody needs a little melody, even if you’re the punkest thing on earth.

Their new album, Never Rest In Peace, jumps from fast-paced dirty punk songs to skank-worthy tunes, to bouncy pop-punk, while still sticking to their strong political lyrics. It begins with a speedy intro of thrash beats and transitions into “3,000 Miles Away,” which is a catchy song against brutality. “Star Fucking Hipsters Theme” will easily become a sing-along anthem at live shows with its chanting vocals and militant drumming. Though this album is short, I think it’s a perfect length for their energetic speedy tunes.

Though Never Rest In Peace is an enjoyable album and shows traces of Choking Victim and Leftover Crack, I wish Star Fucking Hipsters would try something different instead of their usual of beating up melodies with their crusty rock steady sound.

Heavy Trash Midnight Sould Serenade

2009-10-16T11:05:00.000-07:00

original article from The Aquarian

Jon Spencer is a hot mess, and I mean that in the nicest way possible. Rockabilly bands are the tightest I’ve seen live, but when it comes to Heavy Trash, Spencer and Matt Verta-Ray pull off a muddled rockabilly sound with their mix of blues and garage punk.

Their new album, Midnight Soul Serenade, is what Jack White would’ve wanted The White Stripes to sound like with their crunchy blues guitar, hip-swaying drumming and crooning vocals. “Bumble Bee” is an amusing track with Jon Spencer’s buzzing reverbed voice. “The Pill” is a spoken word song that has a Jim Morrison feel, while Spencer sounds like a growling Nick Cave. It’s pretty funny, but not in the Henry Rollins spoken word sort of way. The last song “In My Heart” ends the album with an echoing love song accompanied by Santo and Johnny-like guitar licks and soulful organs.

Though this album will definitely make cherry lipped pompadour-wearing women swoon over Spencer, it also is perfect music for a lazy Sunday afternoon. It would’ve gotten an A, but that spoken word track threw me off and didn’t fit in.

Halloweeny Shows!

2009-10-15T06:29:00.000-07:00

Alright! So there's a bunch of stuff to do on Halloween, but for those looking for something after seeing parades or going trick or treating, maybe a show wouldn't be such a bad idea. recommended shows in orange...

NY SHOWS

Weezer @ Hammerstein Ballroom... This show is sold out, but there's a bunch of giveaways for it. I'm sure there will be extra tickets somewhere.
Above and Beyond @ Roseland Ballroom... Oontz oontz music on Halloween

Karl Denson's Tiny Universe @ Bowery Ballroom... Lenny Kravitz's sax players funky band.

Justin Bond @ Joe's Pub... drag queen goodness!

Vivian Girls and Crystal Stilts @ 171 Lombardy St @ Varick Ave, BK... nom nom nom reverb... yummy!

Frankenstein Rock Musical @ Highline Ballroom... dude, Frankie comes to NYC...

The Get Up Kids @ Irving Plaza... emo kids

King Khan & BBQ Show @ The Bell House... garage rock by Canadians

The Figgs @ The Knitting Factory... a mix between Glen Mercer and Elvis Costello

World Inferno Friendship Society @ The Grand Ballroom... everyone should experience at least one Halloween with Jack Terricloth

Black Taxi @ Mercury Lounge... lead singer likes body paint?

Lez Zepplin @ Music Hall of Williamsburg... all girl zepplin tribute band

Thievery Corporation @ Terminal 5... dubby electronic dudes

Tegan and Sara @ Town Hall.. sold out, but maybe some girl with a bad haircut has an extra ticket so try it out!

NJ SHOWS

Stevie Wonder @ Borgata... fancy blazers and shades!

Senses Fail @ Starland Ballroom... lacrosse rock? no thanks!

Snoop Dog featuring method man and redman @ House of Blues in Atlantic City... for shizzle?

Black Heart Procession @ Maxwell's... spooky indie dudes

JOHN EDDIE'S ROCKIN' HALLOWEEN @ Stone Pony... this video says it all

Robert Earl Keen & Todd Snider @ Wellmont Theatre... yeehaw?

comment if I missed any... I'll add them!

Documentary About The Blitz Kids

2009-10-07T14:26:00.000-07:00

Yeah... I have a soft spot for Boy George, Marilyn, Soft Cell, and Visage. It's so much drama, I really can't ignore this scene. These are the things I watch when I'm wide awake at three in the morning. It's a really good doc. about the new romantic era and has a fun soundtrack.

thanks for the video poshtottyvoice

DUDE... YAT-KHA

2009-09-25T09:02:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the editor at my internship, I now know about YAT-KHA. They are a group of throat singers from Tuva, Russia that create their own songs, but are more known for covering bands like Joy Division, Motörhead, Kraftwerk, Captain Beefheart, etc. It must be one of the coolest things I've ever heard...
Check out their cover of Motörhead's "Orgasmatron."

And their cover of Fleetwood Mac's "Black Magic Woman"

photo by cactusbones

Shows Coming Up In October!

2009-09-20T10:45:00.000-07:00

Ne w Model Army @ The Mercury Lounge on Oct. 1
Just in case you missed these Celtic knot punks last week, check out my review from their show at The Saint.

The Doughboys @ The Stone Pony on Oct. 2
Loud rock n' roll from the '60s. Yep, they're still around!

Teenage Jesus and The Jerks @ Music Hall of Williamsburg on Oct. 3
NY No Wave Gods... Lydia Lunch... enough said!

Psychedelic Furs and Happy Mondays @ Roseland in NYC on Oct. 9
Happy furs and psychedelic Mondays. Manchester jangly guitar goodness, The Happy Mondays are finally playing a show! The Psychedelic Furs are really cute and still sound great after all these years. Check out my Furs review from their show in June.

Pierced Arrows at The Mercury Lounge on Oct. 9 and @ Maxwells in Hoboken on Oct. 10
It's pretty much Dead Moon back together playing different songs... awesome!

Type O Negative at Starland Ballroom and @ Nokia Theatre on Oct. 22 If you can listen to Black No. 1 and not laugh your ass off, there's something wrong with you. With Peter Steele's chained double bass

strapped on him and their spooky tunes, you can't go wrong.

Revolting Cocks @ Irving Plaza On Oct. 17
Now that Ministry said bye bye to touring, I think this the only way you'll be able to see Al Jourgensen play live. Though I won't be surprised when Ministry has a reunion tour in a five years.

The Trashmen @ Maxwells in Hoboken on Oct. 24 and at Southpaw in

Brooklyn on Oct. 23
Well, don't you know about the bird? Well, everybody knows that the bird is the word!

New Model Army, Sept. 16, Asbury Park

2009-09-17T18:19:00.001-07:00

You know how there's always that one guy at shows who's REALLY into it? Well, he's been around the last three times I've seen New Model Army and guess who was the first person I saw when I walked in the door... 4th times a charm, no? Though I was a little upset that he didn't start as many fights or stick his fists up that much, I enjoyed his company so here's to you THAT GUY! I think no New Model Army show is complete without you.

This must have been the first show in a while that I actually liked all the opening bands. The Obvious sounded like a mix of X, The Rezillos, and Hole with their crooning singers and goofy stage antics. The F Bombers were a nice clean punk band with raspy female vocals and fun bass lines.

Like I've said before New Model Army ALWAYS brings something new each time I've seen them. Whether it's new t-shirts with some of Joolz's awesome artwork or new songs, it always puts a smile on my face.

They did an amazing job playing and the set list was great. Most off them were off Today Is A Good Day, High, Thunder And Consolation, and one song off of Strange Brotherhood. It's cool how they don't have to play all their hits to get the crowd going. Though I was a little surprised they didn't play anything off of The Ghost of Cain, the songs off of the new album made up for it, so please support the band and buy it! They're so underrated and deserve so much more acknowledgement for their talent.

Shame on the DJ for announcing that NMA is from London. I did however enjoy some guy singing The Smiths' "Panic" at the end of the show. HANG THE DJ!

So the plan according to Justin Sullivan is to meet up in 15 years on Sept. 16 at The Saint with the same lineup and I'll be there, right next to THAT GUY.

A little clip of their song,"White Coats."

New Model Army Coming To The Jersey Shore!

2009-09-08T10:03:00.000-07:00

original article from The Aquarian

I love how every time I’ve seen New Model Army, I’ve never had to pay over $15 and I leave feeling like I’ve experienced something new. Having punk undertones with a touch of goth and folk rock, it’s hard to categorize this band as they keep on reinventing themselves. With Justin Sullivan’s manic stares, poetic lyrics, and dynamic voice, it’s surprising how the band injects the same amount of talent into their militant, yet soulful sound. From their visas being denied to long time managers dying unexpectedly, it seems that after 30 years nothing can stop this band from touring. They will be playing The Saint in Asbury Park on Sept. 16. Ages18 and up.

BUY TICKETS

photo by Ralf

Hugh Cornwell of The Stranglers Playing NJ and NYC

2009-09-08T09:19:00.000-07:00

The Stranglers have always been different from the punk bands of the '70s. Their bass is raw and chunky, while the keyboards add a nice melody along with Hugh Cornwell's recognizable voice.

After The Stranglers' breakup in 1990, Cornwell has been going solo. His music does have a little bit of a Stranglers feel, but his sound focuses more on guitars and harmonizing. You could download his new album for free off of his site.

The Brighton Bar on Wednesday Sept. 9 at 8:30 pm.
121 Brighton Ave, Long Branch, 07740, US

He will also be playing The Highline Ballroom in NYC on Sept. 12 at 8 p.m., doors open at 6 p.m. $15.00
BUY TICKETS

photo by g_cowan

Motörhead playing NJ and NYC!

2009-09-03T16:04:00.000-07:00

original article in The Aquarian

My ears rang for two weeks after seeing Motörhead play the Birch Hill when I was 13, but all is forgiven because I got to see Lemmy and his trademark cocoa puff play some of the best rock ‘n roll out there today.

Being the only original member left in the band and staying preserved and pretty with his coke and whiskey, Lemmy remains untouched and still pumps out the same energetic music as he did in 1975.

Even if fans can’t tell what song they’re playing because of how loud they are or if Lemmy really does play his bass the wrong way, you have to love them!

They will be playing The House Of Blues in Atlantic City on Sept. 5 and Roseland Ballroom in NYC on Sept. 9.

BUY TICKETS!

photo by Mark Coatsworth

The Squirrel Nut Zippers Lost At Sea

2009-09-03T14:22:00.000-07:00

It’s hard to put Squirrel Nut Zippers into a genre, so let’s just say they’re like the jazz funeral bands from New Orleans who make people feel great and get everyone to dance away their troubles. This North Carolina band blends together delta blues, swing, gypsy jazz, and a bunch of other genres, achieving worldwide recognition during the Swing Revival of the late ‘90s and not disappearing after the fad faded away.

Their new and first live album Lost At Sea is a perfect gumbo of sound, which is surprising when it was recorded in the dead of winter at the Southpaw in Brooklyn, a dingy little club. Their songs live transition extremely well with little musical interludes between them and it’s a very clear and well-balanced recording. With classics like “Hell” sung by Jimbo Mathus and slow sultry songs like “Blue Angel” sung by Katharine Whalen, the energy of the album makes up for the band not releasing anything in the past nine years.

Lost At Sea is a great example of how to do live recordings. Surprisingly none of the instruments overpower each other and the clapping and screaming of the fans doesn’t get annoying, enticing people to see The Squirrel Nut Zippers live.

photo by Joshua Smelser

FREE MUSICFEST WITH AMAZING BANDS

2009-09-03T11:22:00.000-07:00

MUSICFEST is a free festival that has awesome bands playing every year. It's at a new location at Oak Ridge Park in Clark, NJ. There's plenty of things like amusement rides, midway games, food, bmx exhibitions, market place, laser tag, kids kingdom, and walkathons. Free parking or $10 on site parking. For more info, go to http://www.ucmusicfest.com/

BANDS!

Saturday, Sept. 12

Cy Curnin (of The Fixx)-12 p.m.

Fastball- 1 p.m.

Tommy James & the Shondells- 2pm
The Alarm- 3:30 p.m.

The Minus 5- 4:45 p.m.

Kenny Wayne Shepherd- 6 p.m.

Uncle Kraker- 7:15 p.m.

Third Eye Blind- 8:30 p.m.

Sunday, Sept.13

1910 Fruitgum Company- 11:30 a.m.

Spring Standards- 12:30 p.m.

Tonic- 2:30 p.m.

Glenn Tilbrook (of Squeeze)- 3:30 p.m.

Gin Blossoms- 5 p.m.

They Might Be Giants- 6 p.m. and 1:30pm kids show

Pete Yorn- 7:30 p.m.

My recommendations in red!

they might be giants photo by Bryan Bruchman

Aluminum Babe/17/Lucero Records

2009-08-28T10:04:00.000-07:00

original article in The Aquarian

If Cibo Matto and Blonde Redhead took a lot of speed and dueled, Aluminum Babe would be what’s left of the wreckage. This NYC band blends together pop melodies with disco beats and a punk garage sound, which achieves one thing, being the perfect band for pseudo hipsters to flip their side parts to.

With their distorted synthesizers, sharp guitars, and looping samples of weird noises on their new album 17, everything comes across as dying cats. The lyrics usually consist of one word being repeated for most of the track and there are no real build-ups in the music, making it hard to tell the songs apart. Their first song ”Infatuation,” begins with a dance floor feel, but it quickly changes into a bad clusterfuck of high frequencies. Even when they calm things down on songs like “If You Like It,” the end result is irritating samples looping over singer Anna Liedberg’s falsetto voice.

17 is a great example of when bands try something new and overdo it. Aluminum Babe used to be a charming punk band with short simple songs and Liedberg, who is from Stockholm, was more likely to sing in French. Now they are trying to sound like Deerhoof with the addition of all these layered electronic tracks and allow their talent and allurement to get lost.

rant time...

2009-08-26T20:47:00.000-07:00

I hate it how all I see are digital cameras and phones when I go to shows. There's no other way to say it than how my friend did...

"How am I suppose to pretend it's 1984 with all this shit in the crowd?"

photo by Scott Ableman

admit it, you like them!

2009-08-26T20:31:00.000-07:00

I really want to go see The Pet Shop Boys and dance my ass off. YOU SHOULD TOO!

Sept 1 Hammerstein, NYC
Sept 2 Hammerstein, NYC
Sept 6 House of Blues, Atlantic City, NJ
BUY TICKETS!

photo by baldiri

Celebrating 75 Years!

2009-08-10T17:16:00.001-07:00

Music Country in Cliffside Park, NJ will be celebrating their 75th anniversary on Friday Aug. 14 by having a little party with music.

If you're interested in records, tapes, CDs, comics, old memorabilia, they have a lot of great things in this store and the prices are pretty fair. The people who own it are extremely nice and the cat who is usually on the counter is sweet too.

728 Anderson Ave.
Cliffside Park, NJ 07010

Come out and support one of the oldest independent record shops in NJ!

photo by: Michelle's House of Disco

Sorry... been busy!

2009-08-01T22:54:00.000-07:00

I've been interning at THE AQUARIAN since June and have written some spotlights on artists... Most of them are shitty bands and I'm either being way too nice or being brutally honest.

check out some of my spotlights!

Go see Toots and the Maytals for $15 TONIGHT!!!

2009-07-17T12:03:00.000-07:00

Fuck all these Reel Big Fish and Sublime cover band shows... go see some REAL reggae ska legends!

TONIGHT at 8 p.m. at Joey Harrison's Surf Club in Seaside Heights, NJ
Then on July 21st at 8 p.m. at BB Kings in NYC.

They're touring all over so try to catch them if they come near you!

TOUR DATES!

<
If Otis Redding was Jamaican, he'd be Toots...

photo by Trojan Warrior

video by mrrk

If you could make it to NYC in 30 min... GO SEE WALTER LURE!

2009-07-15T17:58:00.001-07:00

he still wears that tie!

Seriously! One of the few punk rock legends that are still alive and kicking is playing at the Bowery Electric in NYC at 10p.m. TONIGHT!

Not only is Walter Lure known for being the guitarist in The Heartbreakers, but his work with The Waldos is amazing!!! What better way to celebrate JT's birthday then with his fellow bandmate? This is as close to Johnny Thunders as you're gonna get!

video by thiswasnotpunk

Show this week that's not sold out (yet)! Camera Obscura!

2009-06-21T07:18:00.000-07:00

I LOVE this band. They're what indie-pop should be...

I haven't been able to make it to their shows because they've been sold out last time they came around.

If you like good pop music by cute girls that look like they stepped out of the '60s, go to this show!

Their new album is great too! Check out my review...

WEDNESDAYJune 24th, Webster Hall, $20

We'll see if I could make it out to the city this week

Photo by Oliver Lopena
oliverlopena.com

GRACE JONES IS COMING TO TOWN...

2009-06-18T16:30:00.001-07:00

July 30th, Hammerstein 8:00pm... Tickets go on sale tomorrow at 10am.

This show should be full of costume changes, red lipstick, lots of bitch, and her awesome voice... time to start saving up!

photo by Nat Urazmetova

Psychedelic Furs at the Wellmont

2009-06-14T22:27:00.001-07:00

Alright, so I was REALLY pissed when I walked into the Wellmont and they put seats in the standing area. Huh??? I understood that it was an "older" crowd, but that doesn't mean that they can't stand. Stand up, you're at a show! I was really happy we found seats and were able to stand up against the stage, but please Wellmont don't do that again... It's silly.

The opening band wasn't too impressive. Drum machines, side parts, bass and snare drum kit, slide guitar, long greasy hair, synths. They offered dance beats that got some people bopping, but eh... I dunno. None of the songs stuck with me or gave me that "damn" feeling. Sorry boys!

So this would be my second time seeing the furs live and while I did think that it might be a little repetitive, it wasn't at all. Though Richard Butler had a few shaky moments with his vocals and admitted to sounding like a "train wreck" (it seemed he was having trouble with his ear piece), all and all it was a good show.

I can't help but say the word CUTE when it comes to seeing these guys live. They're super smiley and with Richard Butler's jumping and hip shaking and swirls, you can't go wrong. The saxophone player, Mars Williams, was AMAZING. They didn't have him play when I saw them back in 2005(i think?). This guy may be a little short, but he has a lot of energy to belt out the solos that he did. I was a little upset not to see guitarist John Ashton, but the new guitar player was great. The keyboardist wasn't really needed on most songs in my opinion, I'm sure she's awesome and really sweet! Tim Butler will always be cool with his shades and bass lines. It was also cool to see drummer, Paul Garisto, who toured with them in the mid '80s.(thanks Anna at D16 sorry for the fuck up)

Here's a clip of them playing "Heaven", where you'll see Richard Butler doing his signature praying spin at 0:33..haha

I liked the set list a lot more last time I saw them, but this show's set was good too. Alright so I have the set list all jumbled in my mind... So here's just the songs they played in no order. I think I might've missed some!

Goodbye, I Just Wanna Sleep With You, She is Mine, It Goes On, Heartbeat, Dumb Waiters, Heaven, So Run Down, Like a Stranger, I Don't Want to be Your Shadow, All of This and Nothing, No Tears, My Time, Pretty in Pink, Ghost in You, Love My Way..

It was a fun show, some of the crowd was really sweet, while others were yelling "play stuff we know" and "pretty in pink" from the beginning of the show.... lame.

The Furs have supposedly been working on new material. I'm curious to hear what it sounds like. Hopefully it'll be good!

Photos by: Ray Schwartz
Video by http://www.youtube.com/user/ashydave

Three shows coming up that will make you feel like it's 1988 ...(NJ and NYC)

2009-06-07T22:03:00.000-07:00

For those of us who were learning how to color inside the lines during the '80s, this is our chance to go to a show, block the camera phones and digital cameras out of sight, get your pointy black boots on, and dance around like it's 1988.

PSYCHEDELIC FURS
Friday, June 12- House of Blues, Atlantic City, NJ- $25- Ages 18+
Saturday, June 13- Wellmont Theatre, Montclair, NJ- $23- All Ages
(click on the link for tickets)

These guys are awesome live! They have a lot of energy after all these years. Richard Butler has nice dance moves and is really sweet. Last time I saw them, he held on to my hand and sang his heart out... Yes, I melted even though he's in his 50's. I also recall him ripping up a dollar bill and fans going crazy to grab the pieces..(I got some!) They play a variety of songs from their albums and not just their hits like "Pretty in Pink".

Photo by Jeremy Brooks

PETER MURPHY
Monday, July 6 and Tuesday, July 7, Highline Ballroom, $35, All Ages

C'mon dude... It's Peter Murphy! Bauhaus? King of da Goffics? (haha) I've never seen him live, but I've heard that his shows are an experience that people never forget. From things like him giving the microphone to the audience and doing a Q&A session with them (how sophisticated!) and other things like covering Joy Division, he doesn't seem to disappoint.

Photo by Charlois

THE CHURCH
Wednesday, July 8th, Irving Plaza, $30 Advanced $35 at the door, Ages 16+

This is the show at the top of my priority list. I can't and will not miss this show. I've never seen them, but that doesn't matter. I know this show is going to be amazing because The Church is just that. If you don't have a copy of Of Skins and Heart and/or Starfish, there is something wrong with you! They are really underrated and deserve a lot more recognition!
Photo by Tiare Hellberg

At least at these venues you have the chance to see them up close and get right up on that stage. Hope to see you there!

A STATEMENT FROM EXENE CERVENKA ( a sad one)

2009-06-02T07:47:00.000-07:00

from X's website

"After some months of not feeling 100% healthy, I recently had some medical tests run and the prognosis is that I am suffering from Multiple Sclerosis. Apparently, it has been affecting me for quite some time.

Although this is obviously unfortunate news, I am choosing to see the positive in it.
I, and X as a band, have supported the Sweet Relief charity since the mid-1990's; the irony of this is not lost on any of us. Sweet Relief was started as an aide to uninsured artists by musician Victoria Williams when she herself was diagnosed with MS in 1992.

While this diagnosis will most certainly mean some changes for me, personally, it will not affect my commitments to the current X U.S. tour, nor will it affect my solo album that is slated for release this fall on Bloodshot Records.

My focus will certainly be on maintaining my health--many people remain strong and continue to live their lives as productively as they had before an MS diagnosis and I plan to be one of those people. "

To find out more about Sweet Relief please visit:www.sweetrelief.org

To find out more about X please visit:www.xtheband.com

photo by Volker Neumann

Simple Minds Graffiti Soul

2009-05-29T20:45:00.000-07:00

It's hard for bands like Simple Minds to break away from their one hit that they had it the '80s and it's hard for people like me to get John Bender out of my head and repeatedly sing the "don't don't don't" part of the song.

Sadly, Simple Minds have fallen into the one hit wonders to some due their song "Don't You (Forget about me). I like that song and I'm too a fan of their other hit "Alive and Kicking," but to me, their earlier albums are SO much better. (YES, I SAID IT.... DEAL)

I'm more a fan of songs like "Love Song," which has a Danceteria feel to it and "Chelsea Girl," which has a power pop feel to it.

So when I heard that Simple Minds were coming out with a new album, I was curious to see how it sounded, due to their changes in sound from the late '70s to now.

Graffiti Soul is an album that radios could play comfortably because it's easy listening, but with a little bit of an edge. It's a lot like their albums from the '90s till now, average.

Most of the songs run in the four to five minute range and they could be shorter in my opinion. Yes, I am a fan of songs that are less than two minutes long, but I can tolerate longer songs if I don't get bored with it and it stays inventive. None of these songs did.

I was almost into the third track, "Stars Will Lead the Way," due to it's powerful guitar punch in the beginning, but the song died out very quickly.

I will say that I really enjoyed the guitar on this album. It's very dreary and echoed, which always gains points for me. I also thought that Jim Kerr, lead singer, doesn't sound like he's aged too much either with his smooth voice.

This album seems to be more for hardcore Simple Minds fans. So if you like everything they've made so far, you'd probably love this album.

If you're looking to listen to music where your feet will be enticed and feel like it's 1985, Sorry!

Dave Gahan...Tumor Found

2009-05-29T13:27:00.000-07:00

You know something is wrong when bands like Depeche Mode, who do anything for their fans, cancel a show. On May 12th, lead singer, Dave Gahan, was rushed to a hospital due to gastroenteritis, forcing them to cancel their show in Athens.

After fans were freaking out and writing get well soon cards to Gahan due to his hospitalization, it has been revealed that "a low-grade malignant tumour" was found in his bladder according to the band's website.

The tumor has been removed and it was a successful surgery. Their tour starts up again on June 8th, Leizig, Germany.

Depeche Mode has cancelled nine shows in their European tour and eights others have been affected also. The cancelled shows are still be be determined.

"Dave Gahan sincerely thanks his fans for their support, understanding and patience. Depeche Mode deeply regret any problems or inconveniences the cancellations and postponements may have caused."

Doctors' orders are for Gahan to take a break from the tour and I think it's the best thing for him right now.

It'd be insane for Gahan to keep up with the tour now. He gives more than 100 percent every show. Have you seen the way this guy moves live? Check this out!

For now, Dave Gahan... Get well soon and I hope for a healthy recovery!

Check out my review of Depeche Mode's new album, Sounds of the Universe.

photo by Peter
video by http://www.youtube.com/user/lovethieves101

The Damned at the Stone Pony

2009-05-16T20:45:00.000-07:00

It’s hard for people like me, who were born a couple decades too late, to actually get to see a band that was around when punk music was at its prime. Some of these punk bands that are still around now consist of just one original member and put on horrible shows and makes me wonder why they still use the original band name. Then there are bands that may have had a few line up changes, but allow fans to go back in time and enjoy a taste of punk rock bliss. The Damned did just that when they played at the Stone Pony yesterday.

The bands that opened up for them were Electric Frankenstein and The BellRays.

Though EF seemed to pump up some people in the crowd, others just stood around. They’re one of those bands that feel the need to turn up their scratchy guitars up way too much, when really; they could use a cleaner crisp sound and some more melodies. There wasn’t even a need for the singer to have a guitar honestly. It’s not that they’re a horrible band, they just sound like a lot of other generic bands that I’ve seen.

The Bellrays on the other hand, really blew me away. If the MC5 had a woman with a huge afro singing, that’s what the Bellrays sound is. Wayne Kramer himself has shared the stage with them in the past. They got the crowd energized with singer, Lisa Kekaula’s shrieks and soulful voice. They were really tight!

The place wasn’t that packed, but once Pinch came out to his drums, more people edged their way up to the front. Captain Sensible (guitar) with his red beret, Monty Oxymoron (keyboards) wearing a skull patterned shirt, Stu West (bassist) wearing his striped shirt, and Dave Vanian (vocals) in a suit, white button down shirt, and a black cravat.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, How do!”

The Damned put on such a great show. From fixing the light fixtures themselves, to the traditional stage banter, to Captain and Monty drum soloing, to Dave dancing with one of EF’s daughters during, “Little Miss Disaster;” it was a very memorable night.

Their set list ranged from early Damned songs like “Love Song,” to their infamous cover of “Alone Again or” (they sang the trumpet solo), to songs like “Dr. Woofenstein,” from their newest album, So, Who’s Paranoid? It’s nice to see a band that doesn’t just play their new album with one or two old songs. Though I wouldn’t mind a few more off the new album, it’s pretty good!

The Damned definitely made sure they hit different songs from the different decades they’ve been around for. Captain Sensible talked about being able to jump from decade to decade with songs and joked about how bands like Green Day couldn’t do that.

My only complaint was that I couldn't hear Monty that well, but it could’ve been because I was on the opposite side right up front by where Captain was.

My face hurts today because I was smiling all night long. I hadn’t seen them since 2002. I love seeing this band live, it gets better and better. I hope they come back soon!

SET LIST

Love Song
Second Time Around
Anti-Pope
New Rose
Alone Again or
Under the Wheels
There will come a day
Disco Man
Dr. Woofenstein
Eloise
Perfect Sunday
Neat Neat Neat
Dark Asteroid

Encore
Curtain Call
Noise Noise Noise
Little Miss Disaster

Melody Lee
Smash it Up

Bellrays photo by Mosieur J.

Damned Photos by Tim Bugbee
(Check out his awesome photography here and here)

(photos are actually from the Boston show, but the band wore the same thing)

Alex Chilton and the Box Tops at the Hoboken Arts and Music Festival

2009-05-03T20:45:00.000-07:00

This show was amazing! The Box Tops played for a little over an hour and had a lot of people shaking their hips even on a rainy day... With hearing rumors of Alex Chilton being strung out, I thought this show wasn't going to be too great, but he totally washed those rumors away. He sounded great!

They played favorites like "Neon Rainbow" and "The Letter", but they also played other songs like "I'm Your Puppet" and "Cry like a Baby."

I was by the speakers for these videos, so the sound is pretty bad on them. Also the show was under a tent, so the image isn't so great either... Sorry!

photos and videos by me: Stina Jimenez

Camera Obscura... My Maudlin Career

2009-04-30T21:22:00.000-07:00

Camera Obscura is a band that hasn’t changed much since 1996 and for once, that’s a good thing. From their echoing guitar riffs to their whimsical string arrangements, they’ve managed to keep their chipper soda pop shop melodies bound tightly to singer Tracyanne Campbell’s lyrics, which are full of calamitous heartbreak. After all these years and with the release of their fourth album on 4AD, their ironic tunes have yet to get monotonous.

The music on this album was a little predictable, but still is very haunting. The jangly guitar of Kenny McKeeve and the consistency of Lee Thomson’s drums keep the energy up through out the album. Carey Lander adds her piano, organ, and backup vocals on most tracks, which gives the album a ‘60s vibe. Sadly, Gavin Dunbar’s bass gets lost within some tracks due to things like Nigel Baillie’s trumpet and extra percussion.

It’s obvious that most of Campbell’s songs are about heartache, but she comes up with clever ways to express this without being cliché. Her voice executes her wispy feelings of love in “My Maudlin Career,” when she sings how a past kiss on the forehead is now giving her a concussion. In the upbeat single “French Navy,” Campbell takes listeners on a journey from seeing someone in a dusty library to being with them on a silvery lake only within the first verse of the song, showing how quickly she falls in love.

The rest of the 10 tracks have an early Sunday morning feel to them, but it’s hard to see the individuality between certain songs. The tracks that have a country vibe to them, like the song “Swans,” allow Campbell to become more like a modern day Patsy Cline with the sliding guitar in the background.

While hopeless romantic fans probably play Camera Obscura alone in their bedrooms, they depend on Campbell never to find her true love so the band won’t lose their morose charm they are known for.

My Maudlin Career is an album that couldn’t have come out at a better time than now. While spring pushes up life from dirt, Camera Obscura does the same thing; they make simple pop music, put some life into it, and make rich catchy songs.

Depeche Mode: Sounds of the Universe

2009-04-23T20:28:00.000-07:00

original article in the montclarion

When it comes to bands from the '80s, it's almost impossible to forget to mention Depeche Mode.
After forming in 1980 in Basildon, Essex, England, they have become one of the most triumphant and influential bands from that era.

After close to 30 years, David Gahan, Martin Gore and Andrew Fletcher are still making their unique mark in music with the release of their 12th album, Sounds of the Universe.

Though Depeche Mode has always had a futuristic tone with their synthesizers and industrial clangs, Sounds of the Universe takes their darkwave roots and mixes it with outer-space-like music.

The album begins with "In Chains." The song starts with long, droned out tones that get louder and resemble a futuristic car revving up its engine. One would think this album would start out with a big bang after the climax of these notes, but it's quickly lowered to minimal drum beats when Gahan begins to sing. His echoing, reverberative voice entices ears to listen to each word he sings, making one's mind hang on to them. With Fletcher's synth chords holding the song together and Gore's melodies, they both keep with the intergalactic theme of the album. Though this song is one of the best on the album, it wasn't the right choice for an opening track.

"Wrong" is definitely the one track that stands out in this album. Having a sensual slapping beat accompanied by Gore's composition of heavy old school synthesizers, the music screams out "sexy." Gahan's voice sounds like it did in their song "I Feel You" from their 1993 album, Songs of Faith and Devotion, with his powerful shouting yet soothing voice. Though the lyrics talk about being repetitively wrong, Depeche Mode couldn't be more right with this track. No wonder this is the first single to come out; it takes elements of each album and puts them into one song perfectly.

"Come Back" has a shoegaze feel when it comes to the guitar sound in this track, which resembles legendary band My Bloody Valentine. The high reverb and distortion in the guitar creates a dream like symphony of music that is perfectly accompanied by Gahan's voice, which is higher then his usual baritone voice.

"Jezebel" is the only total disappointment when it comes to this album. Gore sings on this track, and it sounds like music one would hear in an elevator or lounge. This track doesn't fit in with the others. Sorry Martin! I usually like the songs you sing!

The deluxe box set of this album includes never-heard tracks, photo books and films, showing that Depeche Mode is all about pleasing their fans.

Though this album doesn't have the classic and catchy synth-pop sound that Depeche Mode is infamous for, it still manages to get people up to dance. It adds to their eclectic variety of music on their albums, and shows how far Depeche Mode has come. From band members leaving to Gahan's long-gone drug problem which left him dead for two minutes, it looks like nothing can stop this band from creating new innovations in music as they did years ago.

Depeche Mode's Sounds of the Universe tour already has sold out shows across Europe and the United States, showing that fans can't get enough of them even after all these years.

photo by U2005.com

Phil Spector = Jailbird!

2009-04-16T20:51:00.000-07:00

original article in the montclarion

No longer wearing his sunglasses and overdone teased wigs, it's safe to say that legendary music producer and songwriter Phil Spector is done with his hypnotizing melodies, as he was recently convicted on Monday for shooting and killing B-movie actress Lana Clarkson.

After the shooting in 2003, Spector, at 68, was convicted of second degree murder and faces a minimum of 18 years in prison.

Though there was a history of Spector threatening women he has dated and pointing guns at artists while recording, let's try to put those aside (even if it's for a second) and remember the genius that was Spector.

Born in the Bronx in 1940, Spector dealt with tragedy at a young age when his father committed suicide in 1949. In his high school years, Spector became proficient in songwriting, and played instruments like guitar, piano and French horn.

He formed the group the Teddybears with high school friends in 1958. They became number one on Billboard's Hot 100 singles chart with their hit, "To Know Him is to Love Him," which was inspired by words on his father's grave. After experiencing stage fright, Spector decided that he'd be better behind the stage, producing music rather than performing it.

Over the years, Spector had become a well-known name, producing and co-writing hits like "Spanish Harlem" by Ben E. King and "Uptown" by the Crystals. The early 1960s were when Spector made his signature "wall of sound" technique, including amazing multi-layered ensembles of instruments in his recordings.

His ear was known to recognize a hit, and Spector proved this, having close to 20 hits within only three years. Groups like the Righteous Brothers, the Ronettes and the Crystals have Spector to thank for the hits that brought them fame and fortune.

After not having much success in the mid -60s, Spector made his comeback when he produced the Beatles' Let It Be album, which topped music charts in England as well as in the United States. Spector also worked with George Harrison and John Lennon on their solo projects, which were very successful.

Not only did Spector collaborate with well-read musician and novelist Leonard Cohen, but he also took on producing New York's famous punk rock band, the Ramones, with their album End of the Century, showing that Spector had no borders when it came to genres of music.

Spector was to artists of the '60s what Timberland is to recent artists, guaranteeing a hit to whoever worked with him.

He has had a huge influence on music, and his songs are covered by many artists today, including Neutral Milk Hotel's cover of "I Love How You Love Me," which has simple lyrics about love that make hearts flutter along with the beat.

Whoever wrote or produced a song that's still being played close to 50 years later must have done something right for it to remain timeless in this generation of getting songs with just the click of a button.

Too bad Spector has washed away his praise and recognition from some fans with just the click of a trigger.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs... It's Blitz

2009-04-09T15:18:00.000-07:00

original article in the montclarion

The Yeah Yeah Yeahs have traded in their "garage rock" sound for synthesizers and dance beats on their third album, It's Blitz, released on March 31.

The new sound on the album keeps away from their traditional scratchy and loud guitar riffs to more mellow electronic melodies that would start an instant dance party.

The album as a whole has traces of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs mixed in with a new electronic pop sound that's similar to bands like Ladytron. Singer Karen O's voice glues Nick Zinner's buzzing guitar riffs and Brian Chase's strong beats together throughout the album, creating catchy earworms that will take days to get out of your head.

The first song, "Zero," begins by showing O's softer side with whispery vocals that build throughout the song; while Chase's drumming remains consistent during the song, Zinner's guitar is drowned out by all the synthesizers and goes unnoticed. This fallout is quickly forgotten when O's voice becomes stronger, and her repetition of "Oh's" at the end of the song leaves fans hypnotized.

The lyrics on the album are a little disappointing. While past Yeah Yeah Yeahs songs have never been in depth or had many layers to them, It's Blitz seems to have too much repetition. Many "Oooo"s and "Ahhh"s fill up measures where needed lyrics should be, making it feel like something's missing.

"Soft Shock" resembles their past hit "Maps" off of their Fever To Tell album that came out in 2003. With simple keyboards and O's whining, yet sweet voice, a bit of heartbreak is felt in the song when it ends with the repetition of the pleading lyrics "Don't leave me out."

The deluxe edition of this album has acoustic versions of "Soft Shock," "Skeletons," "Hysteric" and "Little Shadow," which leave all the complicated synthesizers out and replaces them with a rich accompaniment of strings.

While this album has been praised by some, it has left other fans wondering where the raw energy of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs has gone. Has it been replaced by technology forever?

While it's great that this band is trying something new, one can only hope that the Yeah Yeah Yeahs have not forgotten the roots of their music that match their powerful live show stage antics.

Anyone who is willing to give the Yeah Yeah Yeahs' new sound a shot will definitely appreciate this album, but for those who are looking for music that resembles their past albums, you'll have to wait and see for the next one.

photo by Guus Krol

Morrissey at the Wellmont

2009-03-26T09:30:00.000-07:00

above photo by Sean Salmon

original article in the montclarion

Usually people show up to a concert an hour or two early to feel their idol's sweat drops on them, but at the Wellmont Theatre on Monday, March 16, fans of Morrissey started to line up at 11 a.m. for his sold-out 8 p.m. show. As the line wrapped around onto Bloomfield Avenue, the doors opened, and the pastel-colored theatre was quickly filled with excited fans.

Red Cortez opened the show with explosive drum beats, smooth jangly guitar riffs echoed by the soulful voice of frontman Harley Prechtel. With Prechtel not wearing any shoes and the rest of the band in a Bohemian style, one would think that this was just another boring indie rock band, but Red Cortez fueled Morrissey fans with their upbeat songs and howling lyrics.

Shortly after Red Cortez's set, a mix of videos played on a white sheet that covered the awaited set. This mix included videos from '60s band Shocking Blue, Vince Taylor dancing the twist, the drunken "The 12 Daze of Christmas" and of course the infamous video of David Johansen of the New York Dolls smoking a "marijuana cigarette," which was the cue that the show was about to start.

As the white sheet dropped, five musicians, identically dressed in denim, started to play, and Morrissey came out to a vibrating uproar from the audience.

"I'm working on a dream," sang Morrissey, and then he quickly stopped and said, "No, I'm not."

Why was Morrissey tastefully mocking the chorus of Bruce Springsteen's recent single? It was his way of welcoming New Jersey, and it shows that after all these years, Morrissey's still as sharp as ever.

With a set list that ranged from songs of The Smiths to his most recent album, Years of Refusal, Morrissey didn't disappoint long-time fans waiting for that Smiths B-side, like "I Keep Mine Hidden," to be played.

While most solo artists' music tends to get dry and die out after time, Morrissey's new album is very loud and energetic. With songs like "I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris," Morrissey demonstrates how his age hasn't given him any grief in his career.

After stripping off a number of button-down shirts and teasing the crowd with his bare chest, Morrissey threw them into the audience, causing havoc among fans.

A memorable image of the night was when a heart-shaped sweat mark formed on his back, showing that Morrissey really does sing his heart out to his fans when he plays.

After hilarious remarks from Morrissey in between songs, saying that all he knows about Montclair is there's a Whole Foods and asking what one does in the town, the crowd laughed at his witty gentleman-like humor.

Once the show was coming to an end, fans started to make their way to the stage doing whatever they could to get a hug from Morrissey, which is typical at his shows. One fan made it onto the stage, past the security guards and the large gap in between them and the audience. People pushed so hard that the barricades were going forward, causing a security guard to take the stage and tell everyone to move back before the encore.

Finishing his set with, "First of the Gang to Die," Morrissey left the stage, leaving fans mesmerized by his charm, gratitude and, of course, his music.

all other photos by o.J. Lopena

Lux Interior of the Cramps dies...

2009-02-26T10:00:00.000-08:00

original article in the montclarion

Lux Interior, famous front man of the Cramps, died at 62 due to a pre-existing heart condition on Feb. 4.

The Cramps helped rockabilly get its way into the New York punk scene in the late '70s. With long-time fellow band mate and wife Poison Ivy, he created a sound and act that set them apart from the CBGB scene.

Though the line-up of drummers, bassists and guitarists has changed throughout the years, this didn't stop Interior and Ivy from touring and making albums with the same raw edge as they had years ago.

They have been considered to be the founders of psychobilly by some, which is a genre that is an incredible mash-up of rockabilly and punk music.

The Cramps have performed and recorded various covers ranging in artists and genres. They have explored rockabilly, surf and '60s garage rock. The Cramps made ghoulish interpretations out of anything from Peggy Lee's "Fever," to the Trashmen's "Surfin' Bird."

One of their most popular songs was "Human Fly," where the Cramps give onomatopoeia meaning with Interior's buzzing and Ivy's echoing guitar. Other favorites are "I Was a Teenage Werewolf," "Goo Goo Muck" and "Garbage Man." It's hard to resist shaking one's hips or bobbing one's head to these tracks.

Their popularity was in its prime in the '80s, with their albums Psychedelic Jungle and Songs the Lord Taught Us.

With Interior's gender-bending fashion and horror-fueled lyrics accompanied by Ivy's mysterious glares, stage presence and guitar riffs, the Cramps put on a show that one would never forget.

Having memorable concerts like a free show at the California State Mental Hospital with patients dancing and singing along in 1978, to a show just as entertaining over 30 years later, the Cramps finished their most recent tour this past November.

Interior's infamous stage antics of stripping down to leopard print g-strings, shoving microphones in his mouth while singing during many songs and having those never-ending bottles of wine pour out of his lips; he made recent so-called shock rockers look like absolute amateurs.

Interior had also been an animal rights activist until his death. Instead of flowers, fans were asked to make donations to his favorite charity, Best Friends Animal Society.

The Cramps' official website said that Interior's death "was sudden, shocking and totally unexpected. Five days of heroic measures were unable to save him."

Leaving fans full of regret that they never went out to see the Cramps, or grateful that they got to see them in action(lucky me!), Interior will always be remembered as one of the most eccentric, creative and energetic frontmen and ring leaders of underground music culture.

b&w photo by Chad Johnson, colored by Stephen L Harlow

Estelle Bennet of the Ronettes Dies...

2009-02-26T09:16:00.000-08:00

original article in the montclarion

With their dark, cat-eye makeup, high beehives and tight clothing, the Ronettes topped the charts with their hits "Be My Baby" and "Baby, I Love You" in the '60s. Though their unique look may have set them apart from other girl groups, their music made them become one of the most memorable groups of all time.

One of the trio, Estelle Bennett, was found dead in her apartment in Englewood, N.J., on Wednesday, Feb. 11. Her cause of death is unknown; she was 67.

The Ronettes composed of Bennett sisters Ronnie and Estelle and their cousin Nedra Talley started in 1959 and broke up in 1966. Being from New York City, their big break was in 1961, when they were supposedly confused with another trio and put on stage at the infamous Peppermint Lounge. They covered Ray Charles' "What'd I Say," and their talent quickly stunned many as they worked their way up to getting a record deal.

The group helped producer and songwriter Phil Spector perfect his signature "wall of sound" technique. By having a layered echoing ensemble of instruments behind the group's candy-coated, yet fiery voices, Spector and the Ronettes created music that remains engrained in people's minds after all these years.

After making a few recordings as a solo artist following the Ronettes' split, Bennett stopped making music. Her life changed drastically from fortune to dealing with the hardships of mental illness.

Bennett hid from the public eye, struggling with anorexia and schizophrenia (according to Talley) after her fame with the Ronettes.

The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007. Bennett refused to perform for fear of being overwhelmed, but gave a quick "thank you" and an awkward, "I'm Estelle of the Ronettes," at her acceptance speech during the ceremony.

Even though Bennett was a backup singer in the Ronettes, she had played a big part in creating their image. The overdone eye makeup and tall beehives that the group made their trademark can still be seen on fashion runways and on artists like Amy Winehouse, showing that their classic look hasn't gone out of style.

Bennett's death has touched many fans, leaving them devastated, along with her sister, Ronnie Spector, who left a note on her website saying, "To my beloved sister, Rest in peace, You deserve it."

Leaving behind her daughter, three grandchildren and sister, the memories of her synchronized dance moves and timid, yet sweet stage presence as one of the Ronettes will never be forgotten.

Liselotte Eriksson

2009-02-12T08:07:00.000-08:00

original article in the montclarion

"A messy, easily distracted and often filthy record store clerk/artist with a great love for photography, chestnuts, dead things, avocado, big hair and Lady Grey tea with milk and shameful amounts of honey."

This is how Liselotte Eriksson from Sweden sees herself, and like every artist, her authentic personality sneaks its way into her art.
Eriksson, 28, grew up and still lives in Åkersberga, Sweden, just north of Stockholm. Having not taken any extra art classes other than the ones required in school, one is surprised by her talent in her illustration, photography and clothing/accessory-making skills.

Though influenced to make art by "anything and everything," Eriksson said that music in general has been very inspiring to her. A lot of her paintings are illustrations of her favorite songs.

"The Cure, definitely," said Eriksson when asked about music that's influenced her. "I discovered them when I was about 15, and it changed my life completely. Their way of being themselves no matter what other people think has greatly inspired me to do the same, to dare to be bold and express myself in any way I feel like."

From her self portraits as a bloodsucking zombie to illustrations of creatures from folklore and myth, her imagination is definitely intact, along with her amazing execution.

Her photography shows many different characters with staged shots, but also depicts regular days with her colorful friends. Her photo alterations in contrast and colors show the softness of a redheaded mermaid to the hard edge of a green-mohawked beauty.

Her newest project, Changeling's Closet, is a website where one can buy her wearable creations.

"It is an online shop where I sell handmade, wearable art inspired by nature and the world of faerie, such as charming little hats, horns, acorn pendants and hand-painted clothes. So far, it's all my own stuff, but I will eventually get work up by other people as well, jewelry and knitted hats among other things, and I'm hoping to sell unique perfumes as well," said Erikson.

She sells prints of most of her art online
http://www.liselotteeriksson.com/ and has had customers from all around the world buy her art thanks to her website.

"I have had websites of different kinds since I was about 16. I started selling art online about nine years ago, and since then it has been my primary way to get my art out there," said Eriksson.

So if you want to add some color to any room, any of Liselotte Eriksson's creations are perfect for adding uniqueness to any bare wall.

all photos and art by Liselotte Eriksson

Billy Idol, Stone Pony Sept. 12th, 2003

2003-09-13T18:33:00.000-07:00

this one is going to be short... sorry guys!

The bassist comes out, along with the drummer, and STEVE STEVENS!!! Everybody is going insane.

Most of the crowd were 80s moms and older people. My friends and I were probably the only 17-year-olds there.

Billy Idol comes out and wow. I love this man even if he's the biggest asshole on earth! He puts on AN AMAZING show. If he ever comes around your town, GO!

Steve Stevens sounded awesome. He had great solos, including a classical spanish guitar sounding one. good stuff!

I thought "Blue Highway" was the best sounding song that night. It was really together and amped me up alot and it's not one of my favorite songs by him.

Billy Idol changes clothing during guitar solos, which I thought was pretty funny. Despite his outfit changes, Billy Idol has a great stage presence.

They only played one Generation X song, Ready Steady Go... Though it was expected, I'll take it!!!

It was really windy and he was wearing an open shirt and the wind blew it back! NO HUGE CHEESEY FAN NEEDED... it looked so perfect. all in all, a fun show.

photos by Suzi Blakely

Murder by Death, An Albatross, The Gossip at Maxwells

2003-07-11T06:44:00.000-07:00

Murder by Death- I did hear really good rumors about this band, though I've never listened to their music, so I was curious to see how they sounded like. All of the sudden see an electric cello and the usual instruments accompanied by band members come on stage, who all looked pretty mysterious. They started off with intensity, then brought it down a bit by not having as much cello, but then blew everyones ears off with the last song. I don't know if I would like the band if they didn't have the cello in it, but regardless, I enjoyed their set a lot and would def. see them again.

An Albatross- I've already heard some of their music and thought it was alright. Once they got up onstage, I felt chaos creeping up the walls of Maxwell's. The music starts and they start this "pit", which was pretty much people moving around or doing their own little hipster dances. The lead singer wore eyeliner, had long black hair, cowboy boots, and had his hand down his pants for most of the show. He then starts to kiss these boys in front of the crowd saying, "i want your sex".. After their set, the singer goes into the crowd and starts making out with some girl. This is the type of band that you'd appreciate more after seeing them live, but they're music is eh...

The Gossip- When people start pushing little by little to get to the front, you know it's going to be good, but this show was a little different. I've seen the gossip twice before and it wasn't their greatest. Beth didn't strip and the crowd wasn't dancing enough. Wasn't too energetic either. We danced our asses off regardless, but people would just stand there. How could you stand still to the gossip??? Seems like the Gossip is going to change a lot now that they're getting more popular, but I still enjoy them for the time being.

murder by death photo by Christian Fuehrer, an albatross photo by Bryan Bruchman, the gossip photo by Ian Mackinnon