The Bum Out Eternal

Los Angeles group The Bum Out Eternal manages to do what very few of the bands of that hit me up on e-mail don't -- write insanely catchy songs that I can't stop listening to. The two songs the band sent me owned my iPod last night and I wouldn't be surprised if they continued their occupation this weekend. They are another great outfit to slide up right next to CSS, Lily Allen and Diplo. Look for an album later this year.

MySpace: The Bum Out Eternal
Audio: "Lines Through Lines"
Audio: "Promises and Hearts"

Justice

Justice formed in Paris a few years ago and since then, they have been cobbling together an oh so sweet blend of electro-tinged dance. They've rocked a ton of remixes for heavy hitters like Franz Ferdinand, Daft Punk and Britney Spears. Yes, I just mentioned Britney Spears on Exitfare!

They have just dropped the Waters of Nazareth EP on Vice with an LP to follow later this year. This will be a perfect soundtrack to the dance parties in your basement that you wish were like the drunken/drugged-out hipster parties you've read about in Montreal. Or something like that. Just listen, this EP is solid.

Buy: Waters of Nazareth EP
MySpace: Justice
Audio: "Waters of Nazareth"

Dirty Pretty Things

[Photo Credit: Roger Sargent]

By Beth Mueller

l admit it, I was never a fan of The Libertines. Although the band always seemed to make compelling music, I never particularly liked Pete Doherty's voice. Plus, I should add that I have this debilitating mental block against groups that get more attention for their dramatic tabloid antics than their music. I just can't seem to listen to their music without thinking of sarcastic, largely inappropriate jokes at their expense (did you hear that one about Whitney Houston and her crack dealer?).

Anyway, after Pete Doherty started to crack up, crack out, and basically stopped even coming to shows in 2004, The Libertines replaced him for the rest of the tour with singer/guitarist Anthony Rossomando. Though the band officially dissolved by the end of the year, three quarters of members would ultimately find a new home in Dirty Pretty Things.

Not straying far on the sonic spectrum, Dirty Pretty Things toes a gamut of styles from breakneck punk ("You Fucking Love It") to almost cabaret inspired Britpop ("The Enemy") though most songs fit snugly in the dancey post-punk category. Their debut, Waterloo To Anywhere, drips with punchy sarcasm, poppy riffs, and the most infectious choruses you've ever heard. Seriously, there isn't a dull moment on the entire album. One of the stand-out tracks is the riff-driven "Gin & Milk" on which Rossomando urgently demands the listener to "give me something to die for." Add me to the list of hormonal females who silently think: die for me, cutie.

If you like The Libertines, Razorlight, Maxïmo Park, or basically any of the other awesome British bands out right now, then you'll definitely want to pick up Waterloo To Anywhere when it is released stateside in August. Or go see them live, I hear they put on a great show.

08.08 – Los Angeles, CA (Henry Fonda Theatre)
08.09 – San Francisco, CA (Slim's)
08.11 – Chicago, IL (Schubas Tavern) SOLD OUT
08.13 – Boston, MA (Great Scott)
08.14 – New York, NY (Bowery Ballroom)
08.15 – New York, NY (Bowery Ballroom)

Buy: Waterloo To Anywhere
MySpace: Dirty Pretty Things
Audio: "Gin & Milk"

Muse: New Single

Holy shit, Muse is dropping their new album on July 11th in the U.S. It's called Black Holes and Revelations and it's pretty sweet! Look at that picture! Isn't it crazy?? The band is reflected in the table. Crazy!

Pre-order: Black Holes and Revelations
MySpace: Muse
Audio: "Knights of Cydonia" [Windows Media] | [Quicktime] [Sorry, I only have a stream]

Boston: Shows [Week of 06.26.06]

06.26: The Lashes @ Great Scott

06.27: Mr. Lif/Cage @ Middle East Down

06.27: The Lashes @ O'Brien's

06.28: Psapp/Jose Gonzalez @ MFA

06.28: Aberdeen City/Porsches on the Autobahn/Silent Service @ Middle East Down

06.29: Cex/The Love of Everything/Radka @ Middle East Up


[Photo Credit: Piper Ferguson]
06.29: The Walkmen/Radio 4 @ Avalon
Radio 4 are back with their fourth album, and by the end of the song, it's obvious that the band is not resting on their laurels. They've been doing the dance punk revival thing since before everyone else was on the bandwagon, and on Enemies Like This, they easily ramp things up a notch.
Audio: "Enemies Like This"

06.29: Alexi Murdoch @ The Paradise


06.30: Echo & the Bunnymen/Boy Kill Boy @ The Paradise
Boy Kill Boy is one of my favorite new bands from the UK, as they are able to mix it up in the same class as your Blurs and Libertines. Expect a much-warranted tsunami of hype when their debut drops later this year.
Audio: "Suzie"


07.01: The Futureheads/The French Kicks @ The Paradise
The Futureheads' debut album was all wiry hyperactivity and a massive sugar rush, but this time around, they slow things down without losing any punch. I just interviewed the band, who happened to remember my drunk stage diving antics from a November 2004 show, so with any hope, I can up the ante this time around.
Audio: "Skip To The End"

07.02: We Are Scientists/The Double @ The Paradise

Silversun Pickups: On Tour

[Photo Credit: Autumn DeWilde]

Not much to say right now, as I am immersed in the Phillies/Red Sox game and the weather today sucks. I just grabbed these Silversun Pickups dates off of their website. I am pumped for the Boston date, but I think I am more excited to see them when I am in LA. Catching a band on their home turf is always a little extra special.

07.06.06 - Los Angeles, CA (Hammer Museum sponsored by Indie 103.1)
07.23.06 - Brooklyn, NY (McCarren Pool Party)
07.28.06 - Portland, OR (The Doug Fir)
07.29.06 - Seattle, WA (Capitol Hill Block Party)
07.30.06 - Vancouver, BC (Richard's on Richard's)
08.03.06 - New York, NY (Mercury Lounge)
08.05.06 - Boston, MA (Great Scott)
08.06.06 - Washington, DC (Black Cat)
08.09.06 - Cincinnati, OH (WOXY in-studio performance)
08.10.06 - Indianapolis, IN (Midwest Music Summit venue tbd)
08.11.06 - Milwaukee, WI (Stonefly)
08.13.06 - Chicago, IL (New New at Hideout)
08.31.06 - San Francisco, CA (Popscene)

Pre-order: Carnavas
MySpace: Silversun Pickups
Audio: "Well Thought Out Twinkles"

Primal Scream: New Album

Primal Scream has always been all over the rock map and Riot City Blues, which hits the states on August 29th, is no different. They are embracing their soulful/blues side once again, which is a sound that brought out a lot of haters back on Give Out But Don't Give Up, but seriously guys, that was a great album and this one is totally up to par!

Buy: Riot City Blues
MySpace: Primal Scream
Audio: "Country Girl" [Windows Media] | [Real Player] | [Quicktime] [Sorry, I can only offer the stream]
Video: "Country Girl"

In other news, I will be in LA from July 5th-8th, so I am looking forward to hanging with some of my West Coast buds. If you're around, let me know.

JJ72 Breaks Up

I seriously love this band, and I am so sad to see them go. I've been waiting for their third album for more than four years, but apparently record label troubles have led Irish trio JJ72 to break up. Here's a posting from their website:

Reader, we are to let thee know,
JJ72's body only lies below;
For could the grave JJ's soul comprise,
Earth would be richer than the skies.

JJ72 was born during an Easter many seasons ago; today it dies on the cusp of midsummer eleven years later.

Mark Greaney, Fergal Matthews & Sarah Fox wish to express their deepest and darkest gratitude to all of those with impeccable taste who helped and supported the band.

We remember everything, from mechanical birds in Japan to angels in arid Arizona, from broken bones and Berlin birthdays to predatory Portsmouth spiders. For those who disliked and perhaps despised (gasp) JJ72, thank you - how did beautiful photographs exist without a negative?! We crafted two monuments of magnificence for the future aural pleasure and pain of all would be JJ believers and doubters....and for those who care not for the passing of the petulant yet powerful pup....shame on you! Thank you to Hilary Woods for being a dazzling damsel and thank you to all who played music in/with the band. You know who you are.

I remember the first time I heard them, when their self-titled debut came into my college's radio station, WCUR, and I seriously listened to the shit out of that album. "October Swimmer" was my spring jam that year! Two years later when I To The Sky was released, I dropped $30 because I couldn't wait for the stateside release. That day never came, nor did the release of their third album. Hopefully it's finished and it will see the light of day sometime soon.

Lead singer Mark Greaney has already begun working on a new project.

Buy: JJ72
MySpace: JJ72
Audio: "October Swimmer"
Audio: "I Saw a Prayer"
Audio: "Wicked Game" [Cover - Live Sept. 2002]

Regina Spektor: Album Review

Regina Spektor is a weird one -- she is a kid in an adult's body with an eccentric flair and an amazing talent. Those other piano-playing female singer-songwriters have nothing on her, as Fiona Apple is overrated, Nellie McKay is a kook and Tori Amos is irrelevant and boring. With her third album, Spektor is able to use her eccentricities to craft remarkably off-kilter pop music that straddles everything in-between folk, indie and jazz.

Some of these songs have been bouncing around for years. Spektor is known for her incredibly long live shows [check last fall's three hour Bowery performance] that are filled with nuggets she has been tooling around with that just never seem to come to fruition. "Edit," "Summer in the City" and "Apres Moi" have been knocking about for quite awhile and now that the songs are fully realized, they are that much more captivating. Spektor is one those artists who can thrive in any medium, and while she is a totally different beast live, her recorded output ranges between beautiful and intense.

Regina Spektor has never been an artist that you get right away. She didn't hit me until I saw her perform live, and I am basically sold for life. On Begin To Hope, Spektor remains the same goofy eccentric we all know and love, but she takes another step away from her peers to solidify herself as a classic pop musician who is not afraid to chart new territory.

Buy: Begin To Hope
MySpace: Regina Spektor
Audio: "Edit"

Cold War Kids & Birdmonster: Live

Until I get my act together and write up a real post, visit Kevin over at So Much Silence for two great live sets: Cold War Kids on KEXP and Birdmonster on WOXY.

In other news, the Orioles lost again. I have more faith in a bunch of 12 year olds from the Baltimore County Little League taking the mound at Camden then the bums that the O's have out there this season [not you, Chris Ray].

Boy Kill Boy: New Album + Tour

Sounding kind of like Blur and The Libertines battling it out on the football pitch, Boy Kill Boy are on the road this month with Echo & The Bunnymen. Their debut drops on July 25th through Warner Brothers.

Jun 20 2006: The Roxy Atlanta, GA
Jun 21 2006: House of Blues Buena Vista, FL
Jun 23 2006: Amos South End Charlotte , NC
Jun 24 2006: Norva Theatre Norfolk , VA
Jun 26 2006: The Black Cat Washington, DC
Jun 27 2006: Toads Place New Haven, CT
Jun 29 2006: Theatre of the Living Arts Philladelphia, PA
Jun 30 2006: Paradise Rock Club Boston, MA
Jul 1 2006: Irving Plaza New York, NY

MySpace: Boy Kill Boy
Audio: "Suzie"
Video: "Suzie" [Windows Media] | [Real Player]

Viva Voce: New Album

Guess what? Viva Voce's new album drops on September 12th. It's called Get Yr Blood Sucked Out and you'll be able to find it on Barsuk. This song is pretty fucking intense!

Pre-order: Get Yr Blood Sucked Out
MySpace: Viva Voce
Audio: "So Many Miles"

Boston: Shows [Week of 06.19.06]

06.20: Gomez @ The Paradise


06.21: The Streets/Lady Sovereign @ Avalon
The latest album from The Streets will not do anything to change their standing in the States -- it's just going to be the same indie nerds and Anglophiles rocking this, but those who are still not listening in are missing out. Mike Skinner has perfected a brand of hip hop that is regional in nature, but instead of repping the ATL or LA, he is giving big-ups to London all the way. Lady Sovereign opens.
Audio: "Prangin' Out"

06.22: The Plastic Constellations @ Middle East Up


06.23: Blanks @ Great Scott
Blanks is more or less Boston's version of Bloc Party, a group that can rock with the best of them, but is totally down with the arty remix kids. The Pill continues to be a great showcase for local bands and some of the best Friday night drunk dancing.
Audio: "Pouncer"

06.23: Nine Inch Nails/Bauhaus @ Tweeter Center

06.24: Asobi Seksu/Slow Signal Fade @ Great Scott

06.24: Buffalo Tom @ The Paradise

06.24: Keane @ Axis

06.24: Evermore @ T.T. The Bears

06.25: The Paper Chase @ Middle East Up

06.25: Morningwood/Rock Kills Kid @ Axis

06.25: Devotchka/Norfolk & Western @ T.T. The Bears

Silversun Pickups: Album Review

[Photo Credit: Tony Steinberg]

If last year's Pikul EP was an indication, then it will not be long before Silversun Pickups are huge. On Carnavas, the band operates off of the same canvas that bore Grandaddy and Earlimart, but the band is able to further that sound by looking beyond the desert of California. The band's strongest material draws on the passion and aesthetics of shoegaze, adding a powerful extra layer to a familiar sound. Album opener "Melatonin" brings male and female vocals together in a way that Rainer Maria used to do in the late '90s, the perfect song to listen to on your drive down the shore. "Future Foe Scenarios" is one of those tracks that gently seeps out of your stereo, but by the two minute mark, it's an explosion of guitars and nervous screaming -- the sort of rocker to get your jaded ass moving at a show. "Lazy Eye," which was previewed on a KEXP in-studio a couple of months ago, is cut from the same cloth as "Kissing Families." And there are tracks like "Checkered Floor," "Waste It On" and "Well Thought Twinkles," which rank as some of the year's best.

Carnavas will be available on July 25th through Dangerbird Records.

Pre-order: Carnavas
MySpace: Silversun Pickups
Audio: "Well Thought Out Twinkles"

Lady Sovereign: New Song

Remember when I posted about Lady Sovereign every other day? Well, now I have a reason to do so again -- Stereogum just posted up a new track from her upcoming album Public Warning. It's less grimey and more electronic than her earlier songs, which to a lot of people is a bad thing, but I really like it.

Buy: Vertically Challenged EP
MySpace: Lady Sovereign
Audio: "Gatheration"

Los Olvidados: West Coast Tour

Moorpark, CA band Los Olvidados leaves tomorrow for a whirlwind tour of the West Coast. They will be on the road with Polar State, and these string of dates will be setting the band up for a big end of the year. They have passion to burn and recently, Rob from Limbeck has taken notice. Merging the best parts of the Old 97s and Tom Petty, this road trip is a perfect time for everyone [but not me since I am in Boston] to check them out.

june 16 the owl club roseville CA
june 17 crux arts chico CA
june 18 the alibi arcata CA
june 19 the tonic lounge portland OR
june 20 chirbin’s bellingham WA
june 21 house show bellingham WA
june 22 clissetah house bellingham WA
june 23 tba seattle WA
june 24 the hall tacoma WA
june 24 tba shelton WA
june 25 sabala’s portland OR
june 26 club pow sacramento CA
june 27 bear’s lair berkeley CA
june 28 red rock coffee mountain view CA
june 29 the mainzer theater merced CA
june 30 queen bean coffee modesto CA
july 1 the brunswick modesto CA

MySpace: Los Olvidados
Audio: "Pacifist"

Siren Fest 2k6

It's that time again -- scorching sun, gentle breeze, the creaking of the Cyclone and some of your favorite bands. Hosted by the Village Voice, the 6th Annual Siren Fest is going down on scenic Coney Island on July 15th from 12pm - 9pm and will be your best bet for sunburn and warm beer. The music isn't too shabby either, as there will be appearances from Scissor Sisters, Man Man, The Cribs, Art Brut, The Rogers Sisters, Tapes 'N Tapes, The Stills and a number of others. Looks like there are more than a few reasons for me to attend, but the best part of all, this shit is free!

The Long Winters: Album Review

By Beth Mueller

What's in a name? The name The Long Winters screams to me: EMO BULLSHIT. STAY AWAY. STAY FAR AWAY!!! Luckily, The Long Winters meld together a myriad of influences on their new album, Putting The Days To Bed (out on July 25th), none of which really include emo.

You may remember the criminally overlooked Barsuk band from 2003's gorgeous album When I Pretend To Fall, featuring clever lyrics referencing international crime ("Blue Diamonds") and love lost ("Cinnamon"). Or from the fact that the band is every critics favorite offshoot from Harvey Danger. Though this latest outing doesn't feature anything as [annoyingly] catchy as "Flagpole Sitta," the album is a solid bout into Americana, pop, and indie rock territory.

There are plenty of good moments on the album—from the breezy opening track "Pushover" to uplifting chorus of "The Sky Is Open." But the best moments occur when the band does something completely unexpected. The moody, slow build up of "Teaspoon" ultimately explodes into a shiny, happy jam featuring a hard downbeat and an infectious brass section. "Rich Wife" sounds like any pop song, something that is offset by sneering lyrics about a woman who is "in love with someone you don't like." But it really is the rambunctious "(It's A) Departure" with its punchy guitar work, screaming choruses, and fantastic energy that is not to be missed.

MySpace: The Long Winters
Audio: "(It's A) Departure"

New Razorlight + Awesome Tour News

I am sick as all hell, and the thought of updating this blog and letting everyone know about the latest song that is killing my iPod is normally fun, but today I just don't feel like doing it. Luckily for you guys I am dedicated and I am going to rock a post anyway! Razorlight will be dropping their sophomore album later this year, but for now I have their latest single for you to eat up. Much like "Up All Night," this song is a burner, perfect for all of those summer barbeques down the shore.

MySpace: Razorlight
Audio: "In The Morning"
-------------------------------------------------
In other news, this looks like it's going to be one of the best package tours this summer: Sound Team, Cold War Kids and Midlake. This is all the more exciting because I can not stop listening to the new Midlake disc. For the most part, this is an East Coast/Midwest affair, but it's a perfect opportunity to catch these three up-and-comers on the same stage.

SOUND TEAM + COLD WAR KIDS
7/19 new orleans, la the parish @ hob
7/20 atlanta, ga the earl
7/21 nashville, tn exit/in
7/22 cincinnati, oh alchemize
7/24 washington, dc black cat WITH midlake
7/25 philadelphia, pa northstar bar WITH midlake
7/26 cambridge, ma t.t. the bear's WITH midlake
7/28 new york, ny mercury lounge WITH midlake
7/29 new york, ny mercury lounge WITH midlake
7/30 montreal, pq the green room
7/31 toronto, ont horseshoe tavern
08/01 detroit, mi magic stick

Also, some Sound Team non-headlining dates
8/02 University Park, PA Bryce Jordan Center Supporting Death Cab for Cutie and Sonic Youth
8/03 Cuyahoga Falls, OH Blossom Music Center Kuyahoga Festival with Flaming Lips, Death Cab for Cutie
8/04 Chicago, IL Grant Park Lollapalooza

Show Review: Birdmonster @ Great Scott [Monday June 12th]

Birdmonster's first show in Boston was a triumphant one, despite a losing battle with my camera. Out of the 20 or so shots I took, only a few were usable. Looks like my camera and I are going to have some alone time this weekend.

Everything about this show seemed to fit into place, as the weather was perfect, a lot of friends were there and I even saw some fellow Boston bloggers. Most importantly though was that the Birdmonster boys were spot on and you knew that they knew it -- their energy could power a small town. Last night was a fitting start to their first jaunt east, and if there were any naysayers in the audience, surely they were won over by the band's presence and approachability. "Balcony" and "Ball of Yarn" were just some of the highlights, as well as the encore, "Spaceman." Anyone up for a little roadtrip to NYC at the end of the month?

MySpace: Birdmonster
Audio: "Balcony"

Boston: Shows [Week of 06.12.06]

There have been a lot of awesome shows as of late -- Cold War Kids, Rademacher and now Birdmonster tonight. After being fed up with a lot of indie rock last year, my opinion has definitely swayed.

But NYC was fun -- I spent most of my time in Brooklyn seeing friends and attending a rooftop party. Standing on the roof of a seven floor building in Williamsburg offers a pretty killer view of the city.

This week is shaping up to be a good one, and it all starts tonight.

Go see Birdmonster!

I will have a Rademacher show review up this week.


[Photo Credit: Julie Schuchard]
06.12: Birdmonster/The Talk @ Great Scott
The most blogged about band of the year finally makes their way to Boston with a headlining gig at Great Scott. All of those kids that have been doubting what the West Coasters and SXSW attendees have been saying can now come out and see the proof before their eyes. All of the hype is completely for real.
Audio: "Spaceman"

06.12: The Boy Least Likely To/Pants Yell! @ T.T. The Bears

06.13: The Bellrays @ Great Scott

06.13: Tilly & the Wall/David Dondero @ T.T. The Bears

06.14: The Starlight Mints/The Octopus Project @ Middle East Up

06.16: Taxpayer @ T.T. The Bears


[Photo Credit: Mark Hunter]
06.16: Protokoll @ Great Scott
If I gave out an award for this year's best Boston band, it would be these guys. Their EP is insanely catchy, they're huge in the UK and their live show is one that is not to be missed, filled with wiry energy and a crowd that knows how to move.
Audio: "Moving Forward"

06.17: Sam Roberts/The Damnwells/Slow Runner @ T.T. The Bears

Exitfare Road Trip!

[Central Park from the sky]

I will be in NYC from this evening through Sunday, so there will be very little posting until Monday. Tonight I am checking out Joan Jett & The Blackhearts at North Six and then tomorrow, after a day filled with meetings, Fresno, CA's awesome awesome Rademacher will be tearing it up at The Delancey. If you're in the city, you need to be at this show.



Before I run, I want to throw a little Evermore at you. They're originally from New Zealand, but they live in Australia now and rock it much like Travis or Starsailor, which sometimes is not much rock at all, but it's most definitely good times. Sorry about the audio stream, but the label says no to mp3s.

MySpace: Evermore
Audio: "It's Too Late" [Real] | [Quicktime] | [Windows]

Muse: New Album

July 11th sees the release of the new album from Muse called Black Holes and Revelations and it sees the band continue to perfect their psychedelic space rock formula. The first single will be “Knights of Cydonia," and it will be available on their MySpace page on June 13th. Until then, enjoy the rock I have below!

MySpace: Muse
Audio: "Supermassiveblackhole"

------------------------------------------------------------

As promised, here are the other blogs that have those Sound Team video shorts:
The Underrated Blog, Indie Interviews, Gorilla vs. Bear, My Old Kentucky Blog, Coolfer, So Much Silence.

Grandaddy: Live at Other Music

Grandaddy is no more, and this is what will most likely be their last NYC performance. It went down at Other Music last month.

MySpace: Grandaddy

Show Review: Cold War Kids @ Middle East Down [Monday June 5th]

The idea that music is a life-changing force can be debated until we're all dry in the mouth, but I know that when I was 12 and I first heard Sonic Youth, something changed. Ever since then, a great song or band has always had the power to buoy me and I saw that in action last night at the Middle East.

As soon as the Cold War Kids took the stage, it was like a switch was flipped. They went into action with the passion of a preacher and the ferocity of a hardcore band sprinkling their blend of soul meets classic rock onto the twenty or so people at the front of stage. A few songs later, the crowd had doubled and then tripled. The band was more than four guys with their instruments -- they were one of those groups that simply clicks, feeding off one another from song to song. By midset when they pulled out "Hospital Beds," my arms were covered in goosebumps -- it was that kind of show. Tapes n' Tapes are a good band, but it's hard to figure out why they chose to tour with a band that is probably upstaging them every night.



I know these pictures suck -- I'll have better ones up tonight.

MySpace: Cold War Kids
Audio: "We Used To Vacation"

Sound Team: Debut Album Drops Today!

Happy Sound Team album release day! See why all the hype is true and grab yourself a copy of Movie Monster at one of the following places:

-iTunes
-Newbury Comics

That way you can enjoy the album as the world comes crashing to an end today.

If you grab the album at iTunes, you get an exclusive Tunebook – which includes short videos, the music video for “Your Eyes Are Liars,” a photo gallery, tracklisting and lyrics, plus “Surfing” - a 22 minute movie created by Bill Baird with an original score.

Check out a preview of one of the short videos here [Quicktime]. There are a handful of these shorts out there, and once I know which blogs they are on, I'll be sure to link up.

MySpace: Sound Team
Audio: "Your Eyes Are Liars"
Audio: "Movie Monster"

Boston: Shows [Week of 06.05.06]

I went to Maine for the first time this weekend, but I forgot my camera, so I can't show you pictures of me crossing the state line or me posing with a lobster or some crazy shit like that. I didn't venture too far into the state -- only made it the Wells/Kennebunk area, and despite the rain, it was a good day. Figures that the sun would come out today, when I had to go to work.

Not a lot of shows this week. The good ones are going down tonight, as Radiohead is playing for the second straight night in Boston. My co-workers are going, so I'll hear plenty of reviews tomorrow, but really, the spectacle of a big show is not for me. Unless it's Journey! Cold War Kids, who were here just over a month ago, are back and I could not be more excited.


06.05: Tapes n' Tapes/Figurines/Cold War Kids @ Middle East Down
Last time Fullerton, CA's Cold War Kids came to town, it turned out to be a two date affair where they shored up their support in the suburbs before laying the entire city on its ass with their tight interpretation of soul and classic rock. A month later, the band is on tour again, returning as champions on a bill that is filled with some of the best rising bands of this year.
Audio: "We Used To Vacation"

06.05: Radiohead/Willy Mason @ Bank of America Pavillion

06.06: The Black Angels/Pink Mountaintops @ Middle East Up

06.07: Transistor Transistor @ Great Scott

06.08: Glass Candy/Chromatics @ Great scott

06.08: Dungen/Witch @ Middle East Down

Dizzee Rascal

All of the news reports that I am getting say that Dizzee Rascal's new album, Maths and English, is being pushed back with no proper release date. In the meantime, Mr. Mills is fostering his own Dirtee Stank Records and appearing in his first film role, in the British gangster film Rollin' With The Nines. For now, be content with this new track -- I promise, there will be more soon!

MySpace: Dizzee Rascal
Audio: "G.H.E.T.T.O."

Sound Team: New Video

All they needed was an elephant and a miniscule budget for Sound Team to rock their first video. It's for "Your Eyes Are Liars" and you can check it out below!

MySpace: Sound Team
Video: "Your Eyes Are Liars" [Quicktime] | [Windows Media] | [Real Player]

Birdmonster: On Tour

The Birdmonster show is going on the road this summer, and they're finally coming East, bringing Charlotte's The Talk with them. The band's No Midnight is by far one of the best albums this year, and this is your chance to see the band before they blow up [well, anymore than they already have]. If you have yet to get their album, you can get it by clicking here.

06.04.06 - Los Angeles, CA (Little Radio BBQ)
06.10.06 - San Francisco, CA (BFD)
06.12.06 - Allston, MA (Great Scott) w/ Age Rings
06.13.06 - Washington, DC (Black Cat)
06.14.06 - Pittsburgh, PA (Garfield Artworks)
06.15.06 - Columbus, OH (Bernie's Distillery)
06.16.06 - World 'o Internet, (WOXY.com)
06.17.06 - Cleveland, OH (Grog Shop)
06.18.06 - Chicago, IL (Hideout)
06.21.06 - Nashville, TN (The Exit-In)
06.22.06 - Cumberland's (Chaleston)
06.23.06 - Cincinnati, OH (The Comet)
06.25.06 - Charlotte, NC (Tremont Music Hall)
06.28.06 - Norfolk, VA (Relative Theory Records)
06.29.06 - Baltimore, MD (Sonar)
06.30.06 - New York, NY (Sin-e)
07.01.06 - New York, NY (Knitting Factory Tap Bar)
07.15.06 - San Francisco, CA (Bottom Of The Hill)

MySpace: Birdmonster
Audio: "Spaceman"