New Stars Song

September 25th will see the release of a new album from Canadian group Stars. The album is called In Our Bedroom After The War and it will be out on Arts & Crafts. Their last album, Set Yourself on Fire, was more or less their breakthrough, and this record should continue to expand their fanbase.

[EDIT] Here's the tracklisting
1. The Beginning After The End
2. The Night Starts Here
3. Take Me To The Riot
4. My Favourite Book
5. Midnight Coward
6. The Ghost Of Genova Heights
7. Personal
8. Barricade
9. Window Bird
10. Life 2: The Unhappy Ending
11. Bitches In Tokyo
12. Today Will Be Better, I Swear!
13. In Our Bedroom After The War

[Myspace] Stars
[mp3] "The Night Stars Here"

The Magic Numbers On Tour

The sophomore release from The Magic Numbers, Those The Brokes, finally gets a proper release in US on July 17th through Astralwerks. I've caught these guys a few times, and while being on the fence at first, I have really begun to embrace.

8/14 Los Angeles El Rey Theatre **
8/15 San Francisco Great American Music Hall **
8/17 Seattle Crocodile Cafe **
8/19 New York City Central Park Summerstage *
8/21 Boston Avalon Ballroom *
8/23 Columbus, OH The LC Pavilion *
8/24 Ann Arbor, MI Michigan Theatre*
8/25 Chicago Ravinia Pavilion*
8/27 Milwaukee Pabst Theater*
**with The Little Ones
*with Rufus Wainwright

[Myspace] The Magic Numbers

The Cribs Get Remixed [By CSS]

I missed CSS last time they were in town, and it was a pretty awesome lineup since Yo Majesty was opening. Anyway...the Brazilian group has just remixed "Men's Needs," which is the first single off of The Cribs' new album, which is out July 17th. The band kicks off their North American tour next month, and as of now, there is no Boston date.

July
23 San Diego, CA @ The Casbah *
24 Los Angeles, CA @ Troubadour *
25 San Francisco, CA @ Slim's *
27 Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge *
28 Seattle, WA @ Capitol Hill Block Party *
29 Vancouver, BC @ Richards On Richard *
August
01 Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry **
02 Milwaukee, WI @ Pabst Theatre **
04 Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle **
05 Chicago, IL @ Lollapalooza
06 Detroit, MI @ Magic Stick **
07 Toronto, ONT @ Lee's Palace **
09 New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom **
10 Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brendas **
11 Washington, DC @ The Black Cat **

* w/ Sean Na Na
** w/ White Rabbits

[Myspace] The Cribs
[mp3] "Men's Needs" [CSS Remix]

New 120 Days Song

This Tuesday will see the release of a new seven track EP from Norwegian group 120 Days on Vice called Sedated Times. I still can't quite put my finger on what these guys sound like. Doomcore? Dark wave dance? Dark indie electronica? Who the fuck knows, but whatever, it's good times.

[Myspace] 120 Days
[mp3] "Justine"

Matters + Dunaway: New Track

It's been said that I don't represent local Boston bands enough here, and I don't think that's entirely true. I've given plenty of props to Taxpayer, Protokoll and Matters + Dunaway, who have just unleashed a new song onto our collective ears. "Control The Night" is yet another genius slab of electronica, the type we all wish that MTV was trying to push on us ten years ago. Expect a new album from these guys later this year.

The band plays at Great Scott on July 16th opening for The Field.

[Myspace] Matters + Dunaway
[mp3] "Control The Night"

New Song From The Walkmen

NYC group The Walkmen have posted a new song on their Myspace page. It's an instrumental called "Lemon Hill" and it can be downloaded below.

[Myspace] The Walkmen
[mp3] "Lemon Hill"

John Doe

John Doe has been making music longer than I've been alive. Over his thirty year career, he's experimented with a variety of styles, playing punk in the seminal L.A. punk bank X, rockabilly-infused country in The Knitters, and [a slightly more pop leaning] alt-country as a solo artist. I must admit that I never listened to any of Doe's musical incarnations until 2005, when he released one of the year's best albums Forever Hasn't Happened Yet, which incidentally enough contained one of the year's best singles "Hwy 5."

Fast forward to the present, Doe just released another great solo record on Yep Roc entitled A Year In The Wilderness. The album is cut much from the same vein as his last. It's full of great melodies that showcase his devastingly weathered voice, not to mention his penchant for writing great female harmonies and heartfelt lyrics. Although it doesn't feature a song as overwhelmly catchy as "Hwy 5," there isn't a weak song on it. My favorites are the sunny little heartbreaker, "The Golden State," and the driving stomper,"Hotel Ghost."

[Myspace] John Doe
[mp3] "The Golden State"

New Andre 3000 [Outkast] Track

I don't know anything about this cartoon Class of 3000, but it seems that Andre 3000 from Outkast has produced the soundtrack, which drops on July 3rd through Zomba.

From the press release: "Set to the backdrop of Atlanta, Class of 3000 follows international music star Sunny Bridges, voiced by Benjamin, who gave up his flourishing music career to teach a group of gifted musical prodigies at his alma mater, the Westley School for the Performing Arts. New episodes of the series air Thursday at 7 p.m. (ET, PT) on Cartoon Network."

Anyway, this track is pretty good.

[Myspace] Outkast
[mp3] "Class of 3000 Theme Song"

Ryan Adams On Tour

“Easy Tiger delivers what it promises: the most Ryan Adamsy Ryan Adams record since his first.” - All Music

Yesterday saw the release of the new Ryan Adams album Easy Tiger on Lost Highway. He's on the road in support of it, coming to Boston Friday night, but for those of you that don't have tickets good luck -- it sold out what my co-worker said was "two minutes." For the devotees, and I know there's a lot of you there, get ready to queue up outside the venue. Or visit this helpful site.

June
28 - Philadelphia, PA - The Fillmore
29 - Boston, MA - Somerville Theater
July
10 - Charlottesville, VA - Paramount Theatre
11 - Louisville, KY - Brown Theatre
12 - Germantown, TN - Germantown Performing Arts Center
14 - Austin, TX - Paramount Theatre
19 - Los Angeles, CA - Wilshire Ebell
21 - Santa Cruz, CA - Catalyst
26 - Portland, OR - Aladdin Theatre
27 - Seattle, WA - Moore Theatre
28 - Vancouver, BC - Orpheum Theatre
31 - Salt Lake City, UT - Red Butte Garden
August
3 - Morrison, CO - Red Rocks Amphitheatre

[Myspace] Ryan Adams
[mp3] "Two"
[mp3] "Everybody Knows"

Figurines: New Song

[Photo Credit: Simon Birk]

Danish group Figurines have just wrapped up their studio work and are set to release When The Deer Wore Blue on September 11th through The Control Group. I could tell you that Pitchfork loved the last album, but no one gives a shit about them. I caught the band last year when they played in Boston with Tapes n' Tapes and Cold War Kids, and I was quite impressed. This new record should see the band contiue their love affair with '60s rock from both sides of the Atlantic.

[Myspace] Figurines
[mp3] "Hey, Girl"

Interpol Video "The Heinrich Maneuver"

This is for Interpol's first single off of Our Love To Admire, which is out July 10th on Capitol.

[Myspace] Interpol
[Video] "The Heinrich Maneuver"

Superbad: NYC + LA Screenings

Superbad is the latest project from producers Judd Apatow and Shauna Robertson [The 40 Year Old Virgin] and screenwriters Evan Goldberg & Seth Rogen ["Da Ali G Show"]. The movie looks pretty funny and features Michael Cera [George Michael from Arrested Development] and Jonah Hill [Knocked Up], and fits into that whole smart-assed/awkward high school comedy genre. The movie opens on August 17th, but there are two early screenings this week in NYC and LA.

NYC: RSVP @ 212.833.5493 or superbadmovie@yahoo.com [Wed. June 27th at 7 pm]
LA: RSVP @ superbadmovieLA@cornerstonepromotion.com [Tues. June 26th at 7pm]

[Trailer] Superbad

New Thurston Moore Album

Thurston Moore released his first solo album in 1995 and it's only taken him 12 years to prepare a follow-up. It's not like he's been sitting on his ass doing nothing, as Moore is the prototypical workaholic, but Moore is also a perfectionist who is able to craft songs that sound like nothing else. Trees Outside The Academy drops this September on Ecstatic Peace and it feels a lot like home, as Steve Shelley holds down the drums throughout the record, plus J Mascis, Christina Carter, Andrew Macgregor, John Moloney and Leslie Keffer all pop up as guests.

1. Frozen Gtr 4:06
2. The Shape Is In A Trance 4:39
3. Honest James 3:49
4. Silver>Blue 5:51
5. Fri/End 3:19
6. American Coffin 3:56
7. Wonderful Witches 2:24
8. Off Work 4:12
9. Never Day 4:01
10. Free Noise Among Friends :34
11. Trees Outside The Academy 5:50
12. Thurston@13 2:37

[Myspace] Thurston Moore
[Video] Album Preview

Nick Drake Podcast

Nick Drake's Family Tree, a collection of unreleased tracks, drops on July 10th through Tsunami LG/Fontana. Below is a podcast which is narrated by KCRW's Nic Harcourt featuring excerpts from the album, thoughts on the icon's life and influence and a heartfelt letter from Drake's sister Gabrielle entitled "Dear Nick." Many of these songs originated before Drake's first album, so it's bound to be a great look at his early development.

[Myspace] Nick Drake
[Podcast] Family Tree Podcast

The Wombats Come Back To The US

Some news courtesy of The Tripwire, it looks like one of Exitfare's favorite new bands is coming back to the States. After seeing them four times [including twice in one day!] at SXSW, we're still not sick of them. Girls, Boys & Marsupials fell into my lap very late last year and I am still trying to figure out where these came from and how every song they've recorded is a total fucking hit.

08.06.07 - Los Angeles, CA (The Roxy)
08.07.07 - Los Angeles, CA (Cinespace)
08.08.07 - Los Angeles, CA (Spaceland)
08.09.07 - San Francisco, CA (Popscene)
08.11.07 - Toronto, ON (Mod Club)
08.13.07 - Boston, MA (Great Scott)
08.15.07 - New York, NY (Annex)

[Myspace] The Wombats
[mp3] "Summer Hit"

Black Lips/Yacht Contest

The Fader is a solid magazine [umm download the new issue here in beautiful PDF form] and you can't say enough good things about Southern Comfort. Since the magazine and the drink make such a great team, they've decided to produce a limited run of these amazing 7"'s [pictured above] that feature "Wild Man" from Black Lips and Yacht's "No Favor Policy." You can win one by e-mailing me here.

[Myspace] Black Lips
[Myspace] Yacht

The Motorettes/Apartment and Shows in Boston This Week

It's officially summer here in Boston and it's obnoxiously beautiful outside. The sun is shining, there's not a cloud in the sky, and pretty much everyone across the city is stuck inside working the 9 to 5. It succkkkks. I do have a bit of a bright spot for your day--I came across a weird promotional website for the Audi TT (that's a car) that features some pretty awesome bands covering some pretty awesome songs. The Motorettes took on "Kids in America," which I admit I first heard while watching Clueless back when I was a pre-teen. It's an upbeat power punk cover that reminds me of Dirt Bike Annie--if only they were British. Apartment tackles the Patsy Cline classic "Crazy," providing an updated take that is totally devoid of the schmaltz of the original. It's haunting in its unemotionality and yes, it totally rocks. Hit up the website for some more, including covers of New Order's "Blue Monday" and Elvis' "That's Alright".

[Myspace] The Motorettes
[mp3] "Kids in America"
[Myspace] Apartment
[mp3] "Crazy"

This Week In Boston
06.25: Go Motion @ Abbey Lounge
06.26: Morrissey @ Bank of American Pavilion
06.27: M. Ward @ Symphony Hall
06.28: Wilco/Low @ Bank of America Pavilion
06.29: The Pill @ Great Scott
06.29: The Fiery Furnaces/Dios Malos @ The Paradise
06.29: Protokoll @ TT the Bears
06.30: The Luxury @ TT the Bears

The Cure New Album & Tour Details

[Photo Credit: Andy Vella]

This fall will see the release of a new album from The Cure on Suretone/Geffen, and for those of you who are counting, it will be number 13. Robert Smith is producing the as yet untitled album, which is their first since 2004's self-titled affair. Outside of Smith, the current lineup includes bassist Simon Gallup, drummer Jason Cooper and guitarist Porl Thompson, who is back in the band yet again.

Thu-Sep-13 Tampa, FL St. Pete Times Forum
Sat-Sep-15 Atlanta, GA Gwinnett Center
Mon-Sep-17 Charlotte, NC Charlotte Bobcats Arena
Wed-Sep-19 Washington DC Patriot Center
Fri-Sep-21 Philadelphia , PA Wachovia Spectrum
Sun-Sep-23 New York, NY Madison Square Garden
Tue-Sep-25 Boston, MA Agganis Arena
Wed-Sep-26 Montreal, QC Bell Centre
Thu-Sep-27 Toronto, ON Air Canada Centre
Sat-Sep-29 Chicago, IL Allstate Arena
Tue-Oct-02 Denver, CO Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Thu-Oct-04 Salt Lake City, UT E Center
Sat-Oct-06 San Francisco, CA Shoreline Amphitheatre - Download Festival
Mon-Oct-08 Seattle, WA Key Arena
Tue-Oct-09 Vancouver, BC General Motors Place
Thu-Oct-11 Santa Barbara, CA Santa Barbara Bowl
Sat-Oct-13 San Diego, CA Cox Arena
Sun-Oct-14 Los Angeles, CA Hollywood Bowl
Tue-Oct-16 Houston, TX Toyota Center
Wed-Oct-17 Dallas, TX American Airlines Center

[Myspace] The Cure

Editors Announce US Tour

New album is out on July 25th in the States, that way you'll know all of their songs by the tour. Editors hit Boston on Sept. 6th at The Paradise.

9/4 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
9/6 - Boston, MA - Paradise Rock Club
9/7 - NY, NY - Webster Hall
9/8 - Montreal, QC - Osheaga Festival
9/9 - Toronto, ON - Virgin Festival
9/11 - Chicago, IL - Park West
9/12 - Minneapolis, MN - Fine Line Music Cafe
9/14 - Denver, CO - Monolith Festival
9/15 - Salt Lake City, UT - Club Sound
9/17 - Vancouver, BC - Richard's On Richards
9/18 - Seattle, WA - Chop Suey
9/19 - Portland, OR - Berbati's Pan
9/20 - San Francisco, CA - Fillmore
9/23 - San Diego, CA - Streetscene
9/24 - Los Angeles, CA - The Wiltern

[Myspace] Editors
[Stream] "Smokers Outside The Hospital Doors"
[Video] "Smokers Outside The Hospital Doors"

New Music For The Weekend: 06/22/07

Roll Deep: This London crew that spawned Dizzee Rascal, Wiley, Riko, JME and others is back with a new, self-released album [Rules & Regulations]. This track is the latest single, which was reworked by JME.
[mp3] "Celebrate" [JME Remix]


Frankel: LA's Frankel just released Lullaby For The Passerby, a surprisingly confident album that was mixed by Earlimart's Aaron Espinoza. File under early [good] Wilco and Elliott Smith.
[mp3] "Thermostat"


Editors: The band's new album An End To A Start is out on July 17th, a record that's quickly becoming as addictive as their debut. Here is the band performing their latest single on The Jools Holland Show.
[Video] "Smokers Outside The Hospital Door"

A Brief History of Saint Etienne: Part One

I didn't realize it at the time, but Saint Etienne would become a watershed group for me. When I first came across them, via the ever trusty WXAC in Reading, PA, most of the music that filled all of the mixtapes I made was indie rock, punk or hardcore. It was 1995 and I was into bands like Sonic Youth, Fugazi, Jawbox, Blur and the Manics, but Saint Etienne, more than anyone else, opened me up to dance music. While St Et have always been as much as dance as they are indie rock, they were a band that was open to new ideas and experimentation -- what else would you expect from ex-music journalists?

While "He's On The Phone" didn't fit in next to all of the guitar-heavy songs I was into, it was the song's uniqueness that set it apart, and the more I heard from the trio, the more I was intrigued. There has always been a very international/cosmopolitan feel about them and growing up mired in the boredom of suburbs, I was transfixed by their transformative power. When Good Humor dropped in '98, I was hooked and there was no looking back.

If you want a standard history of the band, there's plenty of options for you, like Allmusic, Wikipedia, etc, but what I hope to do here is accurately communicate what this group has meant to me over the past 12 years. I have plenty of stories to share as well as rare b-sides and live tracks that I rarely get to share with anyone. I was even lucky enough to work the band last year, but more on that later.

This is simply an introduction, and there will be many more installments like this over the next several weeks. There's a lot I have to say about these guys, plus every now and then I'd like to take a break from talking about new music.

[Myspace] Saint Etienne
[mp3] "Hand In Glove" [Smiths cover, live in San Francisco]

Vote for the Cold War Kids

Cold War Kids need your help! They are competing against a few bands to win the chance to open up the Virgin Festival in Baltimore this summer. Please click on this link and vote for them! We don't people to hear awful shit like Mute Math or Aiden. You can also text "COLDWARKIDS" to 68710.

While you're there, check out the band doing a live version of "Saint John."

[Myspace] Cold War Kids
[mp3] "Heavy Boots" [demo]
[mp3] Tonite, You Belong To Me"

UNKLE Video

Believe it or not, UNKLE has been around for 14 years, and as they gear up for a new album later this summer, bits and pieces have slowly started to filter out. Although the video for "Rabbit in Your Headlights" was pretty awesome, the whole idea of trip hop was not, but irregadless, I'm excited for the new record. There's a link for a behind the scenes video for "Burn My Shadow" below featuring commentary from James Lavelle and Ian Astbury [The Cult].

The new album War Stories is out on July 24th through Lavelle's Surrender All imprint, which is distributed through Red Ink. There are currently a handful of European dates with a North American tour forthcoming.

1. Intro

2. Chemistry

3. Hold My Hand

4. Restless (feat. Josh Homme)

5. Keys To The Kingdom (feat. Gavin Clark)

6. Price You Pay

7. Burn My Shadow (feat. Ian Astbury)

8. May Day (feat. The Duke Spirit)

9. Persons & Machinery (feat. Autolux)

10. Twilight (feat. 3D)

11. Morning Rage

12. Lawless

13. Broken (feat. Gavin Clark)

14. When Things Explode (feat. Ian Astbury)

[Myspace] UNKLE
[Video] "Burn My Shadow"

The Features

One morning back in 2004, I fell down the front steps of my apartment building. Most people would say the embarassment of face planting in front of fifty people hurts more than the actual pain of the resulting injury, but those people are pussies. I barely noticed those fifty people laughing at me and completely forgot about them by the time I limped over to the emergency room. Yada yada yada, none of my friends expected me to go out that night to see Kings of Leon play the Black Cat.

I'm glad that I did, because all of the members of Kings of Leon had really awesome haircuts. Awful music, but awesome haircuts. The real highlight of the evening was the opening band, The Features, who overnight became my favorite band of the year. The cute little group of Tennesseans pumped everything that they had into every one of their two minute pop songs. There was this intangible energy in the air, it felt like I was watching a superstar group in the making. I remember jumping around in the crowd in spite of my badly injured foot, because the songs were so catchy and the energy so infectious that I just couldn't help myself.

At the time, the band was touring in support of their album Exhibit A, which was released by Universal Records to solid press but little other attention (big surprise that three years later, they're no longer with the major label). They self released an awesome EP, Contrast, last year which is just as catchy... but there still is an utter lack of public awareness of the band. I don't get it. The Features play a jacked up indie rock full of shrieking vocals, clever lyrics, sixties era pop organ, great distorted guitar hooks, and upbeat drumming. Literally every single song of theirs could be a hit. I feel like a used car salesman, but I promise that if you download the song below or head over to their website for more mp3s then you'll leave a happy customer.

[Myspace] The Features
[mp3] "Wooden Heart"

New Small Sins Album

The sophomore effort from Toronto band Small Sins, Mood Swings, will be out on Sept. 25th through Astralwerks. Band leader Thomas D'Arcy recorded the album at his home, striking a balance between working on his own and with the rest of the band. While the band's debut was solid, I became a true fan when I finally saw the band live, and hopefully this new album will display some of that power.

Here's the tracklisting:
I Need A Friend
Morning Face
What Your Baby’s Been Doing
On The Line
Prove Me Wrong
Drunk E-mails
On The Run
It Keeps Me On My Toes
Airport
On A Mission
We Will Break Our Own Hearts
Holiday
Bullet

[Myspace] Small Sins
[mp3] "Necessary Change"

New DJ Never Forget Mix

It's the summer, so it's the perfect time for good music. I've posted his mixes before because they've all been pretty awesome, and I was going to wait until Friday to get this one up [cuz it would be the freakin' weekend and all that], but I needed a quick post to drop on everyone.

Intro | Terry Diabolik
Beeper (Shake It Down) | Sinden & Count Of Monte Cristal / Blaqstarr
The Party feat. Uffie (LA Riots Remix) | Justice (EXCLUSICE)
Ce Jeu (them jeans edit) | Yelle
Thou Shalt Always Kill | Dan Le Sac Vs. Scroobius Pip
patrick122 | Mr. Oizo
Yea Yeah (Flosstradamus Remix Final) | Matt & Kim
D.A.N.C.E (mstrkrft Remix) | Justice
Hearts On Fire | Cut Copy
Sea Lion (Chromeo Remix) | Feist
Running Up that Hill (Vocal Club Mix) | Prax Paris
New York (Teenager South of Houston Mix) | Eskimo Joe
Thunderous Bumps (Back from Japan Edit) | Spank Rock + Justice/Thunderous Olympians Remix
Pogo | Digitalism
Pro Nails | Kid Sister feat. Kanye West

[Myspace] Dj Never Forget
[Mix] "Down And Out At The Rooftop Hang"

A Passing Feeling + Shows In Boston This Week

Friday night was a bit of a flashback for me. Growing up in the Philly area, there were always a ton of really great house shows, just basements full of good friends, great bands and a few kegs. In the past few years, situations like this have been few and far between, as the few house shows I've attended in Boston have sucked, but this one was the most fun I've had at a show all year.

A Passing Feeling's set in Allston Friday night was everything you could want in a basement -- it was hyperactive, exciting, and of course, fueled by cheap beer. I've had plenty of time to become familiar with the band's latest album We Might Not Sleep At All This Year, but seeing the band live really lit up the album for me. The highlights of the night were the new songs -- I didn't really catch the titles or anything, but keep an eye out for a new release from the band, who just seem to keep getting better and better. Their sound is in the vein of The Thermals with Conor Oberst as a lead singer [vocals, not lyrics], although the band is definitely coming into their own.

[Myspace] A Passing Feeling
[mp3] "Keystone And Headache"
[mp3] "The New Year"

This Week In Boston
06.18: Big Business/Panthers @ Middle East Up
06.21: Get Him Eat Him @ Middle East Up
06.22: Taxpayer @ TT the Bears
06.22: Wheat @ Middle East Up
06.22: Illinois @ Great Scott
06.22: The Pill @ Great Scott
06.23: Cowboy Junkies @ Symphony Hall
06.24: The Narrator @ TT the Bears

New Editors Video

The new Editors album, An End Has A Start, is slated for a US release on July 17th on The Fader Label/Epic Records. The album's first single is "Smokers Outside The Hospital Doors," a track that is every bit as catchy as anything off of The Back Room.

The band will be announcing dates soon for a fall tour.

[Myspace] Editors
[Video] "Smokers Outside The Hospital Doors"

Los Olvidados On Tour + New Demo

This California band has been among our favorite bands for the last year, and although there great debut album is still sinking in, frontman Alex Jones has been busy recording new material. The songs may be raw but they are among the best I've heard from the group, showing a potential that has yet to be met. These guys are going to be all over the West Coast this summer, and if they are in your town, make sure yoou get out to the show.

Jun 20 2007 the blue lagoon santa cruz, California
Jun 22 2007 Nickel City San Jose, California
Jun 23 2007 brainwash cafe san francisco, California
Jun 24 2007 the shop sonoma, California
Jun 25 2007 The Knockout Room San Francisco, California
Jun 27 2007 Ash Street Saloon Portland, Oregon
Jun 28 2007 Boundary Bay Brewing Bellingham, Washington
Jun 29 2007 Basement Show Seattle, Washington
Jun 30 2007 Pegasus Coffee House Bainbridge Island, Washington
Jul 1 2007 Mars Bar Seattle, Washington
Jul 3 2007 Hot Shotz Bellingham, Washington
Jul 5 2007 Red Room Portland, Oregon
Jul 6 2007 Black Forrest Eugene, Oregon
Jul 7 2007 KSLG Radio Arcata, California
Jul 7 2007 The Alibi Arcata, California
Jul 28 2007 The Brainwash Cafe San Francisco, California

[Myspace] Los Olvidados
[mp3] "American Dragon (You Don't Know Me)"

New Music For The Weekend: 06/15/07

Dizzee Rascal: Dizzee has been quite for a couple of years, save for a leaked track last year, but he's back with Maths & English, which is a return to form. There's no US release date as of yet, but it's out now in the UK.
[mp3] "Sirens"


Grand National: London group Grand National is back this September with their sophomore album A Drink & A Quick Decision, which is full of more Pet Shop Boys-esque dancefloor fillers.
[mp3] "Reason To Hide"


The Lodger: Yet another great band to emerge from the exciting Leeds scene, this band has been knocking around for a couple of years. Their debut Grown-Ups came out on Slumberland Records earlier this month.
[mp3] "Kicking Sand"

Yeah Yeah Yeahs: New EP

Between their two albums, NYC's Yeah Yeah Yeahs found time to write a bunch of songs, some of which ended up on Show Your Bones, and a handful of others, which will be released as the Is Is EP on July 24th. The band loves EPs, and they've made a special live film to accompany this with co-directors KK Barrett [Sofia Coppola films] and Lance Bangs [video director - Sonic Youth, Nirvana and producer of Director’s Cut series of DVDs – Michel Gondry, Spike Jonze, Chris Cunningham].

1.Rockers to Swallow
2.Down Boy
3.Kiss Kiss
4.Isis
5.10x10

[Buy] Is Is EP
[Myspace] Yeah Yeah Yeahs
[mp3] "Down Boy"

The Cribs "Men's Needs"

From what I hear, this video has been banned from MTV before 9 pm due to the violence. Apparently they've banned every other video, too. The Cribs' new album Men's Needs, Women's Needs, Whatever is out now, and check out the aforementioned video below. Editor's note: THIS VIDEO IS NOT SAFE FOR WORK!

[Buy] Men's Needs, Women's Needs, Whatever
[Myspace] The Cribs
[Stream] "Men's Needs" [Windows Media] | [Quicktime]
[Video] "Men's Needs"

Five O'Clock Heroes Debut To Be Released

Transatlantic post-punkers Five O'Clock Heroes are set to release Bend To The Breaks [Glaze Records] in the States on September 18th. The band has built quite the following in the UK, so they are hoping to generate the same kind of buzz back home. Lead singer Antony Eliis hopped on the boat, as they say, and made his way to NYC, and hooked with with mates Nader Khierbek [bass] and fellow Brit Sam Embery [drums] to form a group that merger their love of wiry punk rock and disparate music forms like reggae. The band is doing a run through the European festival circuit, but they will be touring the States this fall.

6/15 Greenfields Festival
06/22 Southside festival
06/24 Hurricane Festival
06/26 Berlin Magnet
06/28 Cologne Prime Club
08/10 Way Out West Festival
08/17 Pukklepop Festival
08/23 Delft Speakers
08/24 Sittard Fenix
08/25 Holland Huntenpop
08/31 Amsterdam paradiso (main room)

[Myspace] Five O'Clock Heroes
[mp3] "In Control"
[Video] "Head Games"

M.I.A.: New Album

You'll have to hold tight until August 21st when M.I.A.'s sophomore album Kala drops on XL Recordings/Interscope, but for those of you that can't wait, two tracks have been leaked ["Bird Flu" and "XR2"] and I was just able to get my hands on the album's first single last night. "Boyz" is another ridiculous dancefloor-filler, one that hints at a sound that consistently changing and molded out of whatever sounds surround her. It will be released as a 12"and limited USB stick on July 17th.

The new album features appearances from Afrikan Boy, Blaqstarr, Diplo, Morganics / The Wilcannia Mob, Switch and Timbaland, while the video for "Boyz" is everything you'd expect from M.I.A. -- an exciting visual event shot in Jamaica. You can check out a making of the video here.

[Myspace] M.I.A.
[mp3] "Boyz"
[Video] "Boyz"

Arctic Monkeys "Fluorescent Adolescent" Video

From this side of the Atlantic, it seems that the new album from the Arctic Monkeys hasn't hit as hard. Whether people are distracted by other bands or they don't think this one is as good, it seems that the band is dangerously close to becoming a "has-been." This is unfortunate because Favourite Worst Nightmare is a really good album, but it's a grower, which is something that a lot of people don't have time for. If you were disappointed by this album the first time around, go back and give it another listen -- the band is maturing by leaps and bounds over a very short time. Here's the video for their new single "Fluorescent Adolescent."

[Myspace] Arctic Monkeys
[Stream] "Fluorescent Adolescent" [Windows Media] | [Quicktime]

Cold War Kids Touring With The White Stripes

Things continue to look up for LA's Cold War Kids, as this fall they embark on a tour opening for The White Stripes, as well as a handful of dates with Muse.

Their next single will be "Hospital Beds," which is easily one of the best songs I've heard in the past few years. If there was any justice in the world, this song be all over every radio station, but in reality, it will be ignored for the awful new single from Papa Roach or whoever. If you like what you hear below, make sure you pick up the band's amazing debut album Robbers & Cowards.

The Cold War Kids with The White Stripes:
9/19/07 Inglewood, CA @ The Forum
9/21/07 Berkeley, CA @ Greek Theatre
9/24/07 Anchorage, AK @ William A. Egan Civic Center
9/26/07 Seattle, WA @ Paramount Ballroom
9/27/07 Seattle, WA @ Paramount Ballroom
9/28/07 Boise, ID @ Idaho Center Theater
9/29/07 Salt Lake City, UT @ The E Center
9/30/07 Jackson Hole, WY @ Snowking Center
10/2/07 Rapid City, SC @ Rushmore Plaza Civic Center
10/3/07 Fargo, ND @ Fargo Civic Auditorium
10/4/07 Lincoln, NE @ Pershing Center Auditorium
10/6/07 Chicago, IL @ Aragon Ballroom
10/7/07 Chicago, IL @ Aragon Ballroom
10/11/07 Albuquerque, NM @ Kivs Auditorium

The Cold War Kids this summer:
6/08/07 Ventura, CA @ KJEE's Seaside Beach Ball - Ventura Park
6/09/07 Mountain View, CA @ Shoreline Amphitheatre
6/15/07 Manchester, TN @ Bonnaroo Music Festival
8/01/07 Toronto, ON @ Arrow Hall
8/04/07 Chicago, IL @ Lollapalooza
8/06/07 New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden*
8/10/07 Philadelphia, PA @ Penn's Landing*
8/11/07 Boston, MA @ Agganis Arena*
9/08/07 Madison, WI @ Alliant Energy's Willow Island
9/16/07 San Francisco, CA @ Treasure Island Music Festival
9/22/07 San Diego, CA @ San Diego Street Scene
* with Muse

[Myspace] Cold War Kids
[mp3] "Heavy Booys" [demo]
[mp3] "Indoor Fireworks"
[mp3] "Fast As You Can"

Division Day Signs With Eeenie Meenie

I recently tried to figure out what band I've written about the most, and if you're asking why I did this, then you don't know me that well. I love statistics and I love keeping lists, and this would have been just another in a long list of lists. I never figured this out because with almost 600 posts, this ended up being an imposing task, but if there was a band that I've written about the most, it would be LA's Division Day.

After a ton of buzz at CMJ and SXSW, packed shows on both coasts and some record label bullshit, the band has found a home on Eenie Meenie, who have also released albums from Oranger, Scissors For Lefty and Irving. Beartrap Island finally gets an official release in September. The band has a handful of dates, all of which are out west.

June 9 Visalia / Brewfest
June 14 San Francisco / supporting the Fratelli's @ the Fillmore
June 16 Los Angeles / supporting the Fratelli's @ the Avalon
June 22 Los Angeles / Safari Sam's - Sea Level goodbye party
July 21 Visalia / Cellar Door - All Music Festival
July 23 Los Angeles / Viper Room - Indie 103... Check One, Two
Aug 18 Los Angeles / Sunset Junction – Bates Stage @ 12:50pm

[Myspace] Division Day
[mp3] "Lights Out"

New Against Me! Album + Shows In Boston This Week

July 10th will see the release of Against Me's major label debut New Wave. Not much has changed with the band, as they are still writing catchy, punk rock anthems, further solidifying themselves as The Clash for the 21st century. The album was produced by Butch Vig and features a guest appearance from Tegan Quin of Tegan & Sara. The first single "White People For Peace" is up on Itunes now.

[Myspace] Against Me
[Stream] "White People For Peace" [Quicktime] | [Windows Media]
[Video] "White People For Peace"

This Week In Boston
06.13: Mary Timony @ Middle East Up
06.13: Mika @ Avalon
06.14: Self Righteous Brothers/Bitter Bitter Weeks @ Middle East Up
06.14: The Brakes UK/Pela/Electric Soft Parade/Static of the Gods @ TT the Bears
06.14: Albert Hammond, Jr. @ The Paradise
06.15: The Pill @ Great Scott
06.16: Paolo Nutini @ Avalon
06.16: Dear Leader/The Information/Age Rings @ The Paradise
06.17: Apostle of Hustle @ Great Scott

Mother Vulpine

I'm about to get on a red eye to Miami, so I thought I'd end my hiatus from Exitfare with a quick post. I wrote about Mother Vulpine back in November, lauding them for their energetic playing, theatric crescendos, and thunderous wall of sound. The Leeds based band continues to impress with their debut single, "Keep Your Wits Sharp (Her Words Are Quick)," a furiously angular post punk gem. Check out the self directed video for the single--which is, in a word, intense. It reminds me of the classic British music videos like "Karma Police" and "Rabbit in the Headlights."

[Myspace] Mother Vulpine

LCD Soundsystem Contest

I am guessing that everyone has LCD Soundsystem's new album The Sound of Silver by now, right? We've been rocking out to "North American Scum" for a few months, and the good news is that the new album isn't a one trick pony, as all of the hip kids are starting to groove to "All My Friends."

Those of you yet to get your hands on the record, you're in luck, as I have a cute little gift basket for you. Included is The Sound of Silver double LP, All My Friends 12" [Dutch Import; Side A: "All My Friends" & Side B: "All My Friends (B Harvey's Mix)"], "North American Scum" 12" single [Side A: "North American Scum"/"North American Scum (Kris Menace Remix)" & Side B: "North American Scum (Onastic Dub)"] and a limited edition silk-screened poster. Holy shit, that's a lot!

I should make this a little tougher on you, so if you want the prize pack, send me a haiku telling me why you deserve it!


"All My Friends"

[Myspace] LCD Soundsystem
[Stream] "All My Friends"

WFNX Best Music Poll

Tonight in Boston is the annual WFNX Best Music Poll, which goes down on Lansdowne St. and the surrounding clubs [Kenmore on the Green Line] starting at 5 pm. There's a great lineups of bands, including Bloc Party, Silversun Pickups, The Cinematics, Kings of Leon, The Bravery, Snowden, Say Anything and others. Tickets are $32.50 and honestly, I have no clue if they're still available.

The weather tonight should be perfect this, and then tomorrow I am off to Miami.

[Myspace] WFNX.

Dappled Cities: New Album

The new album Granddance from Australia's Dappled Cities dropped this week on Dangerbird, which highlights their gorgeous experimental pop. The band will be playing select US dates, and their worth checking out -- I caught them at CMJ last year and were very good. They've also filmed a video for "Fire Fire Fire," which is linked below.

July
13 New York, NY – Mercury Lounge (w/ Besnard Lakes)
17 Grand Rapids, MI - The Intersection Front Room *
18 Indianapolis, IN - Birdy's Bar & Grill *
21 Denver, CO - Larimer Lounge *
23 San Francisco, CA - The Independent *
25 West Hollywood, CA - Troubadour *
26 San Diego, CA - Beauty Bar *
27 Phoenix, AZ – Anderson’s Fifth Estate *
29 Austin, TX - Emo's *
* = w/ Tokyo Police Club

[Myspace] Dappled Cities
[mp3] "Fire Fire Fire"
[Video] "Fire Fire Fire" [Windows Media] | [Quicktime]

The Trials of Darryl Hunt

August 7th will see the release of the soundtrack to The Trials of Darryl Hunt on Young American, the companion piece to the HBO documentary of the same name. Darryl Hunt is an African-American man who spent twenty years in prison after being wrongly accused of killing a white woman. It hits theaters this summer, which will be followed by a DVD release later this year. I watched this doc a couple of months ago, and it's worth checking out -- HBO really knows how to make great television.

The soundtrack is full of some great names, including Dead Prez, Mark Kozelek, Portatstatic and Spider Loc.

All net proceeds from the sale of this soundtrack will be donated to the Darryl Hunt Foundation, which works to protect wrongly convicted individuals.

1. Introduction - Official Motion Picture Score by Paul Brill
2. "Not Guilty" - RAS KASS - A blazing new track and call for justice from the "Kingof the West Coast," Mr. Rass Kass himself, featuring newcomer Michelob.
3. "To Go Home" - M. WARD
4. "You Blanks (Demo)" - PORTASTATIC
5. "Ladders" - CALIFONE
6. "The Hunt Is On" - DEAD PREZ feat. Sticman
7. "Did What I Did" - SILVER STATE
8. "Powerlines" - PAUL BRILL
9. "Five O" - THE LAST POETS feat. DALEK
10. "Paint The Silence" - SOUTH
11. "Trial Theme" Official Motion Picture Score by Paul Brill
12. "Behind Bars" - SPIDER LOC
13. "Yankee Go Home" - CLAP YOUR HANDS SAY YEAH
14. "Things You Shouldn't Do" - MARGOT and The NUCLEAR SO & SO's
15. "Have You Forgotten (Live)" - MARK KOZELEK
16. "Good Souls" (Acoustic Live) STARSAILOR
17. "Happy Day (Live)" - ANDREW BIRD
18. "Prison Theme" - Official Motion Picture Score by Paul Brill

[Myspace] The Trials of Darryl Hunt
[mp3] Ras Kass f/ Michelob "Not Guilty"
[mp3] Paul Brill "Powerlines'

Manic Street Preachers US Release Date

After six long years, the Manic Street Preachers are releasing a record in the States! Send Away The Tigers drops on July 24th through Red Ink/Columbia Records and features the band's rockingest songs in the post-Richey era. The first single will be "Your Love Alone Is Not Enough," which features guest vocals from The Cardigans' Nina Persson, while the rest of the tracks are listed below.

It's great to see the band put out a strong album late in their career, as it's something that most likely helped along by Nicky and James recording two [great] solo albums last year. And not too ask for too much, but maybe we'll see the Manics play a show or two on these shores as well.

01. "Send Away The Tigers"
02. "Underdogs"
03. "Your Love Alone Is Not Enough"
04. "Indian Summer"
05. "The Second Great Depression"
06. "Rendition"
07. "Autumnsong"
08. "I Am Just A Patsy"
09. "Imperial Bodybags"
10. "Winterlovers"


"Your Love Alone Is Not Enough"

[Myspace] Manic Street Preachers
[mp3] "Your Love Alone Is Not Enough"

Bloc Party: MP3 Giveaway

I think we've made it pretty clear how we feel about Bloc Party around here and we're not even close to getting sick of their new album. Since Vice hasn't made any tracks off of A Weekend In The City available for free download [which is pretty stupid, btw], they still wanted to do something to repay the fans. For the past week, Vice's mp3 blog has posted several exclusive tracks, all of which are lined below.

The band is still on the road, and they'll be in Boston on Wednesday for the WFNX Best Music Poll.

3 Jun 2007 DAR Constitution Hall WASHINGTON, Washington DC
5 Jun 2007 Tower Theatre Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
6 Jun 2007 WFNX Best Music Poll Boston, MA
7 Jun 2007 Convention Hall Asbury Park, New Jersey
11 Jun 2007 Uptown Theatre Kansas City, Missouri
12 Jun 2007 Ogden Theatre Denver, Colorado
13 Jun 2007 The Pearl Las Vegas, Nevada
16 Jun 2007 Concerts in the Park Alpine, California

[Myspace] Bloc Party
[mp3] "Say It Right" [Nelly Furtado cover]
[mp3] Bloc Party vs. Gwen Stefani "What You Hunting For?"
[mp3] Bloc Party vs. Coldplay "Hunting For Witches In My Place"
[mp3] "I Still Remember" [Live @ WFNX]
[mp3] "Sunday" [Live @ WFNX
[mp3] Bloc Party vs. Madonna "Groovecopter"

Cary Brothers On Tour + Shows In Boston This Week

"(Brothers is) one of the emerging acoustic talents in Los Angeles... If he'd been old enough in the late '60s, he probably would've grabbed a few rounds with a young David Crosby or shared a smoke with Joni Mitchell after an appearance together at a local coffeehouse..." - Billboard

Los Angeles singer-songwriter Cary Brothers will be living on the road this summer in support of his new album, Who You Are on Bluhammock. I know the whole "singer-songwriter" tag can be a red flag from people, but influences that range from The Stone Roses, Pete Yorn and Snow Patrol give him an edge that shines through both live and on disc.

7/11: Santa Barbara, CA @ Soho Restaurant & Music Club
7/12: San Francisco, CA @ Cafe Du Nord
7/14: Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge
7/15: Seattle, WA @ Tractor Tavern
7/16: Vancouver @ Richard's On Richards Cabaret
7/18: Boise, ID @ Bourbon Street at Big Easy
7/19: Salt Lake City, UT @ Burt's Tiki Lounge
7/21: Denver, CO @ Soiled Dove
7/23: Omaha, NE @ The Waiting Room
7/24: Minneapolis, MN @ The Varsity Theater
7/26: Chicago, IL @ Schubas Tavern
7/27: Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop
7/28: Detroit, MI @ Shelter at St. Andrew's
7/29: Toronto @ El Mocambo Club
7/30: Montreal @ Petit Campus
7/31: South Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground
8/01: Northampton, MA @ Iron Hourse Music Hall
8/03: Boston, MA @ Paradise Lounge
8/04: Highmount, NY @ Belleayre Music Fest
8/06: New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
8/07: Atlantic City, NJ @ Dante Hall Theater of the Arts
8/08: Philadelphia, PA @ World Cafe Live
8/09: Vienna, VA @ Jammin' Java
8/10: Chapel Hill, NC @ Local 506
8/11: Atlanta, GA @ Smith's Olde Bar
8/12: Birmingham, AL @ Zydeco
8/14: Nashville, TN @ Exit/In
8/15: St. Louis, MO @ Blueberry Hill
8/17: Dallas, TX @ The Cambridge Room at HOB
8/18: Austin, TX @ Stubbs Jr Bar-B-Q
8/20: Phoenix, AZ @ The Rhythm Room
8/21: Solana Beach, CA @ Belly Up Tavern
8/22: West Hollywood, CA @ Troubadour

[Myspace] Cary Brothers
[mp3] "Ride"
[mp3] "Who You Are"

This Week In Boston
06.04: The Pipettes/Smoosh @ Great Scott
06.05: Great Lake Swimmers/Eleni Mandell @ Middle East Up
06.05: Priestbird @ TT the Bears
06.05: The Sea & The Cake/Loney, Dear @ The Paradise
06.06: Califone/Geoff Farina @ Middle East Up
06.06: WFNX Best Music Poll/Lansdowne St: Bloc Party/Kings of Leon/Snowden/Silversun Pickups/Clap Your Hands Say Yeah/Shiny Toy Guns/Say Anything
06.07: The Stills @ Great Scott
06.07: The Horrors/Schoolyard Heroes @ The Paradise
06.08: The Fleshtones/The Downbeat 5 @ Middle East Up
06.08: The Bon Savants/Aberdeen City @ The Paradise
06.08: The Long Blondes/Nicole Atkins & the Sea @ Great Scott [9 pm]
06.08: The Pill @ Great Scott [11 pm]
06.09: The Veils/The Phoenix Foundation @ Great Scott
06.09: Feist/Grizzly Bear @ Berklee Performaning Arts Center
06.09: Kevin Devine/The Everyday Visuals @ TT the Bears
06.09: The Clientele/Beach House @ MFA

John Pike of Ra Ra Riot is Missing

EDIT (6:30PM EST) I'm sorry to report the bad news, but South Coast Today is reporting that the body of John Pike was found this evening in Fairhaven, MA. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and bandmates at this awful time.

EDIT (10:21 EST) Read the NME story here.

I just received this email from Josh Roth from Ra Ra Riot, and thought I would pass it on:

"I am sorry to send out such a large message, Our beloved drummer and friend of Ra Ra Riot, John Pike has gone missing. He was last seen last night (Friday June 1st in Fairhaven, MA) at a party in Fairhaven, MA. If you have seen him or if there is anything you can do to let people know about this we would greatly appreciate it. He has been gone for over 24 hours and we haven't been able to find him. Please call his mother Paula Pike at (978) 835 2140 or myself at 240-988-7836.

Thank you.

--
Josh Roth
Ra Ra Riot
www.rarariot.com
www.myspace.com/rarariot