Video: Motel Motel - “Coffee”
Motel Motel - Coffee (Official Video) - dissentfilms.com from Matthew Murphy on Vimeo.
Pool Party No.3, July 26, 2009: The Black Lips, Health, crowdsurfing and rain
When I was a teenager, I used to go to VFW halls with my rowdy friends to see insane punk shows. It was nothing like what I usually see now in New York. The bands all pretty much sucked, but there was a special youthful energy to everyone in the room. Everyone was far less self-conscious than the typcial NYC showgower, and because of that they let loose.
The Black Lips performance at this Sunday's Pool Party at Williamsburg Waterfront was a lot like those shows. It only took a few minutes into their set before the young crowd was bursting through the barrier into the photo pit, onto the stage and then through the air (malt liquor bottles in hand). The historically raucous Black Lips were eating up every minute of it, while playing their blend of simple energetic rock & roll. The further the set rolled on, the crazier the kids got, and the better the Black Lips sounded. By the time they were playing the set highlight "Bad Kids," security was lining the stage, and members of the band were riding atop the heads of the crowd.
For as wonderful and fun as the Black Lips set was, it wasn't supposed to be the last performance of the day. And You Know The Trail of Dead was set follow Black Lips and Health to continue the path towards the most chaotic Pool Party ever, but the lightening cracking in the sky, and the looming storm forced the concert cut short before they ever took the stage.
Siren Music Festival 2009 Recap
Have you ever gone to a concert and were too busy drinking and talking to remember a single minute of the concert?
Was getting wasted and being seen really your only intent for going in the first place?
Hidden behind the main stage at Siren Music Festival, a large contingent of hipper-than-thou music industry insiders managed to spend much of their day avoiding great performances by Built to Spill, Thee Oh Sees, A Place to Bury Strangers, and Frightened Rabbit.
While I hopped back and forth between the 2 stages for the long long day, I couldn't help but take notice of the always crowded VIP section. Even when indie music icon Frank Black took the stage with Grand Duchy, the free alcohol remained too important to leave behind. VIP's and press had access to a special area right in front of the stage—"the best seats in the house"— and though that area was usually cluttered, it wasn't ever too congested and it always seemed to be the same bunch of us.
The music industry is a social network, and as most of my friends are members of the industry, it must be noted that some of those people I criticize here are my own friends. In their defense, I know some of the fools are really large music fans, but how do you go and let alcohol take priority over an epic performance by Built to Spill or Thee Oh Sees guitar-biting, spit-catching return to true rock and roll?
This all is nothing new. A lot of the time when you're at a show, the people talking in the back, or the guy text-messaging all night are members of the music industry, too cool to actually get themselves wrapped up in what's happening on stage. Sure, they may have seen a bunch of these bands before, but so have I, and still that Built to Spill performance had me completely stunned.
If you've lost that ability to enjoy live music anymore, then I feel sorry for you, because no matter how many shows I see every year, I never tire of it, and when the stars align for a great band the resulting performance is breathtaking.
Tiny Masters of Today: The youngest band I've ever seen. These three really shouldn't already be sharing a stage with people like Frank Black and Built To Spill, but they also don't deserve to be trashed like they were on Pitchfork. Give them a couple more years, and these kids could be garage rock stars.
Blue Van: Pretty generic anthemic cock rock that made me miss Diamond Nights.
Micachu & The Shapes: The first really good performance of the day. Poppy female-fronted British band with a unique electronic sound behind folk guitar and Mica's interesting voice.
Bear Hands: A Brooklyn band that prefers pounding out a good rock song in the vein of Jawbox.
Japandroids: Energetic guitar and drums duo played a strong set, but nothing comparing to the hype that surrounds them.
Thee Oh Sees: Set of the day. John Dwyer and co. played a very very short set, but every minute of it was as inspired as anything I've ever seen.
Frightened Rabbit: Another heart-stopping performance by this Scottish band
Future of the Left: Most heavy-hitting performance of the day
Grand Duchy: Pretty disappointing for a Frank Black project, yet still good
A Place to Bury Strangers: As good as I've seen them musically. The sonic assault was turned all the way up.
The Raveonettes: The Jesus & Mary Chain-influenced Danish rockers weren't at their best, but were still pretty amazing
Built to Spill: Those guitars snaked through each other creating an epic whirlwind that engulfed us all, peaking on "Carry the Zero."
Pool Party # 2, July 19, 2009: The Dirty Projectors, Magnolia Electric Co, and Crystal Antlers
Seeing The Dirty Projectors play small rooms only a few years back, I could have never guessed that come 2009, they'd be headlining a massive free concert at Williamsburg Waterfront. But last Sunday, they did just that, and the suddenly popular band had the new outdoor venue much more packed than a week earlier, with a very very long line forming outside the entrance.
Bitte Orca may very well be the best album of the year, but it's still a bit surprising to see just how big of a leap in popularity The Dirty Projectors have made.
Opening their performance with "Two Doves," a stunning Nico-esque tune sung by the equally beautiful Angel Deradoorian, The Dirty Projectors lived up to all of the hype. The set, which was a mix of cuts from Bitte Orca and Rise Above, was the best I've ever seen them play. Each member was on their mark, and the triple threat of female vocalists created a whirlwind of backing harmonies behind Longstreth's very unique voice and cutting guitar playing. The highlight of the set came with "Useful Chamber," a shape-shifting song that really displays the range of The Dirty Projectors talents.
If a mindblowing performance by Dirty Projectors wasn't enough, those who arrived early enough caught an unbelievable performance by California psych-rockers Crystal Antlers. The band was one of the most talked about bands during 2008's CMJ Marathon, and they've gotten bigger and better. Knowing a good opportunity when they see one, they played a ferociously energetic set for the large crowd.
Sandwiched inbetween the 2 energetic sets was the somewhat sleepy Magnolia Electric Co.. Jason Molina and company just weren't exciting enough to make an impact on the crowd who was waiting for The Dirty Projectors to take the stage.
Today's Pool Party promises to be a raucus one with Health, Black Lips and And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead all set to perform. And the looming rain storms may only add to the expected insanity.
July 22, 2009: Benefit Concert for Empty Cages
I know it's a silly question, because seriously, who doesn't love kittens and good music?
To not love such things is for those who have only darkness where their heart should be. And don't tell me you don't like cats because you're a dog person. I love pups and kittens. If they can live in harmony, there's no need to choose sides.
On July 22nd, 2009, I will be hosting a special Benefit Concert for Empty Cages, a local volunteer-run no kill animal rescue/shelter that primarily handles our feline friends, but also has the heart to help any animal in need. (more info on Empty Cages below).
We're talking about cute kittens, and it's gonna be the heart of summer, so I found 4 bands who give me that same warm feeling that I get from kittens, sunshine, and all the good things of the world.
A Benefit for Empty Cages
MY TEENAGE STRIDE
THE DRUMS
PAUL & THE PATIENTS
NEW NUMBERS
(members of Jealous Girlfriends, Sam Champion, The Comas)
Wednesday, July 22nd @ Bell House
Doors at 7pm, Bands at 8pm
$10
All Ages
MY TEENAGE STRIDE www.myspace.com/myteenagestride
"One of 8 NY Bands You Need to Hear "-- The L Magazine (2007)
"The most prolific band in town" -- NY PRESS
"If the Beatles conceived a lovechild with The Kinks while Pet Sounds blasted in the background and then made him listen to a lot of 60's pop music - this lovechild would be Jeddediah Smith." -- Gothamist
THE DRUMS www.myspace.com/thedrumsforever
"The Drums are one of the most refreshing bands we've seen in quite a long time. They'll be HUGE...This band just knows how to write a song that shimmers and sparkles and jingles and jangles. It sounded like every song they played was a potential summer hit." -- Oh My Rockness
"From start to finish, they play a totally refreshing set that shed a bright joyful light over the entire room." - NY PRESS
"They are teen dreamers...their post-war optimism rides on the pink, paradise island surf" -- RCRD LBL
PAUL & THE PATIENTS www.myspace.com/paulandthepatients
"I am exploding with the need to talk about a band I am fucking obsessed with right now: Paul and the Patients" -- Ultragrrrl
"I've whined a lot over the years about how bad I think pop music was in the '80s, only to find myself liking new bands today that sound an awful lot like groups from 25 years ago -- or that at least borrow heavily from that period. Add Paul & The Patients to the list. A quintet from Brooklyn, it doesn't crib entirely from the '80s; in fact, the group's sound is really fresh. But there's an unmistakable '80s ring to the guitars and some of the melodies on the band's new EP, To the Lions." -- NPR, All Songs Considered Blog
NEW NUMBERS www.myspace.com/newnumbers
"In today's musical landscape, bands may come and go, but some things do happen for the right reasons. Take the coterie that is "New Numbers", featuring Josh Abbott (guitar, vocals) and Mike Fadem (drums), both from kinetic Brooklyn band The Jealous Girlfriends. Sharing similar attitudes and a passion and daring to explore entirely new sound avenues, the duo have also enlisted long-time touring-mates Noah Chernin (lead guitar) of Sam Champion and Matt Sumrow (bass) from The Comas. Rooted in guitar-based rock, but with an incredibly free, exploratory attitude, the band truly look set to carve out their own niche. New Numbers represent a new direction for this group of four with quite impressive pedigrees in the NYC/Brooklyn music scene."
Free Islands EP- DOWNLOAD
The Empty Cages Collective (ECC) is a New York-based animal and environmental advocacy organization. ECC aims to cultivate a culture where animals are recognized as fellow sentient beings worthy of respectful and compassionate treatment. Through advocacy, education, hands-on rescue and assistance, the ECC envisions a world free of animal exploitation, abuse, and ecologically destructive behavior.
http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/emptycages.html
or email: emptycagescollective@gmail.com
