BBC™ BLOG

Ra Ra Riot - "Ghost Under Rocks"

2008-09-05T00:00:00.002-04:00

The first video from Ra Ra Riot's Barsuk Records debut, The Rhumb Line.

They were on Conan the other night too:

RaRaRiot.com

Sarah Palin Gender Card

2008-09-04T15:00:00.005-04:00

C'mon guys, let's not play the gender card with Sarah Palin.

Sarah Palin Fun Facts:
• Palin recently said that the war in Iraq is "God's task." She's even admitted she hasn't thought about the war much—just last year she was quoted saying, "I've been so focused on state government, I haven't really focused much on the war in Iraq." 1, 2

• Palin has actively sought the support of the fringe Alaska Independence Party. Six months ago, Palin told members of the group—who advocate for a vote on secession from the union—to "keep up the good work" and "wished the party luck on what she called its 'inspiring convention.'" 3

• Palin wants to teach creationism in public schools. She hasn't made clear whether she thinks evolution is a fact.4

• Palin doesn't believe that humans contribute to global warming. Speaking about climate change, she said, "I'm not one though who would attribute it to being manmade." 5

• Palin has close ties to Big Oil. Her inauguration was even sponsored by BP. 6

• Palin is extremely anti-choice. She doesn't even support abortion in the case of rape or incest. 7

• Palin opposes comprehensive sex-ed in public schools. She's said she will only support abstinence-only approaches. 8

• As mayor, Palin tried to ban books from the library. Palin asked the library how she might go about banning books because some had inappropriate language in them—shocking the librarian, Mary Ellen Baker. According to Time, "news reports from the time show that Palin had threatened to fire Baker for not giving "full support" to the mayor." 9

• She DID support the Bridge to Nowhere (before she opposed it). Palin claimed that she said "thanks, but no thanks" to the infamous Bridge to Nowhere. But in 2006, Palin supported the project repeatedly, saying that Alaska should take advantage of earmarks "while our congressional delegation is in a strong position to assist." 10

Notation from Fun Facts above:
1. "Palin: Iraq war 'a task that is from God'," Associated Press, September 3, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=24701&id=13701-9942100-N26hGsx&t=6
2. "Palin wasn't 'really focused much' on the Iraq war," ThinkProgress, August 30, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=24702&id=13701-9942100-N26hGsx&t=7
3. "The Sarah Palin Digest," ThinkProgress, September 4, 2008
http://thinkprogress.org/palin-digest/
4. "McCain and Palin differ on issues," Associated Press, September 3, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=24703&id=13701-9942100-N26hGsx&t=8
5. Ibid
6. The Sarah Palin Digest," ThinkProgress, September 4, 2008
http://thinkprogress.org/palin-digest/
7. Ibid
8. Ibid.
9. "Mayor Palin: A Rough Record," Time, September 2, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=24704&id=13701-9942100-N26hGsx&t=9
10. The Sarah Palin Digest," ThinkProgress, September 4, 2008
http://thinkprogress.org/palin-digest/

Other Related Links:
Palin Vs. Reality
The Daily Show
MoveOn.org

Muxtape: a simple way to create and share MP3 mixtapes

2008-06-09T12:28:00.000-04:00

I love this website-- if only it allowed scrobbling.
Please send me a link if you upload a mix!
<3

• Muxtape: muxtape.com
• Asthmatic Kitty Records "Works in Progress" on Muxtape: asthmatickitty.muxtape.com
• Menomena on Muxtape: menomena.muxtape.com
• BBC™ Vs. Muxtape: buildblackclouds.muxtape.com

Spinto Band: New Song + Video

2008-03-21T22:58:00.000-04:00

I love this band. "Summer Grof" appears on the forthcoming Spinto Band release, "Moonwink".

www.spintoband.com
www.myspace.com/thespintoband

for higher res version visit
www.albertbirney.com

Kid Sister: Pro Nails (Ft. Kanye West)

2008-01-17T12:19:00.000-05:00

I love this video.

Happy Endings - This Saturday, January 12th

2008-01-08T17:52:00.000-05:00

It's the first Happy Endings of 2008!!
Featuring a live performance by Semi Precious Weapons.
Look Sharp: Photos by David Day for Nicky Digital.
RSVP for reduced admission here: myspace.com/popthecork

Flyer by me: Build Black Clouds

Boston: All Together Now!!!

2007-12-27T16:06:00.000-05:00

Flyer by Build Black Clouds.

Featuring:
OMG MICHELLE (LIVE!)
w/ DJs:
KINGDOM (NYC, TODO MUNDO, PROMISE)
LONE WOLF (TODO MUNDO)
MORGAN LOUIS (HEARTHROB, POP!)
IAN MICHAEL JACKSON + BROWN BEAR (HAPPY ENDINGS)
E-MARCE (PAPER, THROWED)
BASSTOWN RESIDENT DJs ETAN + DIE YOUNG (BASSTOWN, SOLID!)

Pictures by David Day for Nicky Digital!
Only $5.00 ...and yes, the Pats on the TV.

Click HERE for MP3s and much more info!

CHARM SCHOOL! (I'm DJing)

2007-11-05T18:25:00.000-05:00

CHARM SCHOOL
w/ DJ Caitlin Heinous and Guest DJ Aaron B.
This Thursday night, November 8th
at O'Brien's Pub, 3 Harvard Avenue, Allston
9pm-1am, 21+, $3

Spanish Dancer - Hustler 12"

2007-10-19T12:47:00.000-04:00

"Here is a link to the new 12", all the tracks, remixes, art, everything. Post it up? xo" - Spanish Dancer

Have at it kiddies:
http://www.luminalrecords.com/spanishdancer_hustler.zip

MySpace:
http://www.myspace.com/spanishdancerrr

BLACK KIDS ROCK.

2007-10-18T00:01:00.000-04:00

Holy crap, listen to this now.

MP3: Black Kids: "I'm Not Gonna Teach You"
[From the Wizard of Ahhhs EP]

Links:
Black Kids on MySpace

The Polyphonic Spree covering "Lithium" by Nirvana

2007-10-11T13:12:00.000-04:00

Have you heard this?

MP3: The Polyphonic Spree: "Lithium"

Happy Endings Turns 2!

2007-10-08T15:10:00.001-04:00

w/ Tiger City + Guest DJ Ben Sisto

Links:
Tiger City
Ben Sisto
Happy Endings
The Paradise Lounge

Stream The New Beirut Album!

2007-10-03T12:57:00.000-04:00

On their MySpace page... shh!!

"The Flying Club Cup"

Track Listing:
01. A Call To Arms
02. Nantes
03. A Sunday Smile
04. Guyamas Sonora
05. Le Banlieu
06. Cliquot
07. The Penalty
08. Forks and Knives (La Fete)
09. In The Mausoleum
10. Un Dernier Verre (Pour la Route)
11. Cherbourg
12. St. Apollonia
13. The Flying Club Cup

Stream:
Beirut "The Flying Club Cup"

SHAKE 'EM DOWN - DON'T SLEEP BOSTON!

2007-10-02T20:39:00.000-04:00

This Thursday, October 4th FREE!!! FREE!!! FREE!!!

Shake 'Em Down
with DJs Chris Devlin, Red Foxx, E-Marce
Hosted by Cool Disco MC Spank Rock + Harmony Thug
Hip Hop, Free-form, Baltimore Club
First Thursdays / 21+ / 9:00 PM / Free

From the Milky Way Lounge website:

"A recent Baltimore to Jamaica Plain transplant, DJ Chris Devlin instantly became one of the city's best party starters. Jumping on events such as Paper, Throwed, Thunderdome, and a host of shows he's brought his unique style city-wide. Expect great guest DJs and live artists each month."

Related Links:
Milky Way
Chris Devlin
Redd Foxx
MC Spank Rock
Prince Klassen
E Marce

Radiohead Basically Give Away Their New Album

2007-10-01T16:56:00.001-04:00

The entire record industry just shit their collective pants! Awesome.

Check it out: "In Rainbows"

Basstown Official Relaunch Party

2007-09-29T14:35:00.000-04:00

Tonight at Great Scott, featuring live performances by Purple Crush (Brooklyn) & The Peasantry (Boston) and sets by Basstown DJs Mistaker, Die Young, and Etan.

Thunderdome VII: Baller'more Vs. Boston

2007-09-18T11:40:00.000-04:00

Feat. Scottie B., plus Chris Rockswell and XXXChange of Spank Rock.

Friday, September 21st
21+ / 10pm – 1am / $7

American Legion Marsh Post
1 Gerry’s Landing Road
Cambridge, MA 02138

MP3: Kid Sister: "Let Me Bang [XXXChange Remix]"

Links:
Thunderdome on MySpace: myspace.com/onemanleaves
At a new location just outside of Harvard Square:

View Larger Map

It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia - Season 3!

2007-09-11T11:55:00.000-04:00

WHAT'S THE MATTER-- DON'T YOU LIKE COMEDY?

Watch an exclusive web only pre-season episode here:

"Mac is a Serial Killer"

Sunny MySpaceTV.com advertising:

Related Links:
Sunny on MySpace
Sunny on FX

826 Boston: BOOK EATERS!

2007-09-10T13:18:00.001-04:00

826 Boston announced its Revenge of the Book Eaters fundraiser, featuring an eclectic lineup of writers, actors, and comedians including Dave Eggers (co-founder of the 826 National program and author of What is the What), Eugene Mirman (comedian and actor, Flight of the Conchords), Davy Rothbart (creator of Found magazine) and Rodney Rothman (Emmy nominee and author of Early Bird). Music will be provided by Kevin Barnes and Bryan Poole from the band Of Montreal, by San Francisco based duo Mates of State, and Via Audio, a group of Berklee grads whose debut album will be released next month. Book Eaters will take place on Wednesday, September 26th, at the Berklee Performance Center. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

You can get tickets to this events through Ticketmaster.

Happy Endings - This Saturday, August 11th

2007-08-08T14:05:00.000-04:00

The Official Gravy Train!!!! After Party...

COLOR - This Friday, August 3rd 2007

2007-08-02T22:51:00.000-04:00

I haven't made it to one of these parties yet, but I've heard good things.

Cloud City & The Weekly Dig & Dewars Present
COLOR with Resident DJ Joseph Colbourne
Disco, Underground Funk, Italo, Boogie, & Dance
Ben Sisto also has something to do with the night
First Fridays at The Milky Way Lounge.

COLOR: Friday August 3rd 2007
403 Centre Street
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

9:00 Doors, 10:00 DJ, Open till 1:00, 21+, $8.00*
Free Parking (next door in the "Hi Lo" lot)
*10% door profits go to local charities TBA

Happy Endings - This Saturday, July 14th

2007-07-09T18:54:00.000-04:00

Dancing, pork swords, party wizards, and more of your favorite things.

And...
• Listening party for Uncut [Paper Bag Records]
• Giveaways for The Cribs and Editors
• Photos by Nicky Digital.com

When Six Flags Attacks!

2007-06-25T18:05:00.000-04:00

A 13-year-old girl visiting Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom lost both of her feet when a ride malfunctioned Thursday afternoon. It happened about 4:45 p.m. on the Superman Tower of Power, formerly known as the Hell-a-Vator.

Here's how the Superman Tower of Power works: riders are strapped in and slowly taken up to 177 feet before a free-fall of 154 feet, reaching a speed of 54 miles-per-hour before easing to a stop about 20 feet above the ground.

A Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom spokesperson said that they inspect each ride every day before the park opens, and officials released the following statement late Thursday afternoon.

At approximately 4:45 p.m. on Thursday, 6-21-07, the Superman Tower of Power ride at the Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom Park in Louisville, Ky. malfunctioned and injured a 13-year-old female, whose legs were severed above the ankle. The EMTs at the park were on the scene immediately and the girl was transported to UL hospital, where she is currently being treated.

We have been in contact with both the hospital and her family.

The ride has been shut down and will remain so until a full investigation has been completed.
We will continue to closely monitor the situation and provide whatever assistance we can.

My Latest Submission to FOUND Magazine

2007-06-20T15:19:00.000-04:00

In case you can't make out what the writing inside the cover of the matchbook says:

"Dear Jonatan,
Thanks for the good time at the no-pants party.
[heart] Crystal"

I found this matchbook in front of my old apartment on Boston Ave. in Medford, MA. I was so pumped when I found it again in a box of papers under the bookshelf in my room. Here's a link to a previously featured "Find of the Day" (08/13/06) of mine: Identity Crisis.

I'll be sure to let you know how this one turns out.

David Cross featured in episode 5 of 'Clark and Michael'

2007-06-19T17:28:00.000-04:00

Episode 5 of "Clark and Michael, the series!" is going to be posted tomorrow on ClarkAndMichael.com. This episode features David Cross of "Mr. Show" and "Arrested Development" fame! It's known around the internet as 'the lost episode' (for some reason) and is now for the first time being brought to you! I've been watching these episodes every week (or however often new episodes are being released) and I'm definitely enjoying them a lot. You should check them out if you get a chance!

Also- I found this image while searching for an image of David Cross for this post. It's David Cross' actual AMEX card with his businesses name on it:

"Liberal Jewrun Media" - Oh man.

Four Eyed Monsters: Entire Film on YouTube

2007-06-18T18:16:00.000-04:00

The last I knew the entire film was only supposed to be up for a week. However this has since been extended through August 15th. Pretty awesome. You should definitely check it out, I probably will this evening or tomorrow sometime. You can watch it right here [below] if you'd like.

Four Eyed Monsters:

It's the summer time, Sunday is the new Saturday.

2007-06-14T18:08:00.000-04:00

Real World: San Diego's Frankie Dead At 25

2007-06-13T17:00:00.000-04:00

I was never a big fan of MTV's "The Real World"-- until the San Diego season in 2004. I have some very fond memories of RWSD- my roommates [7W3] and I would always make a point of watching it. I realize that probably sounds ridiculous; an apartment full of dudes in there 20's being stoked on MTV's "R-Dubs". But it's completely the truth. There was something about that cast that we loved. We must've felt like we could relate to them somehow. Maybe it was the way that they were all such different people but still managed to get along pretty well in spite of their obvious differences, maybe it was all of the 40oz beers that they drank? Also they weren't exactly your typical RW cast in that they weren't really whores, at least I don't remember them that way. I don't know, but there was just something about those kids that made us want to keep watching- Jacquese, Brad, Big Ran, Cameran, Frankie, Robin, Jamie, and Charlie (a later addition to the cast brought on to replace Frankie when she eventually left the show - not pictured above).

[Just to clarify- I haven't watched that show since season 14, except for maybe the following season for a few episodes. It just wasn't the same though.]

In any case, I'm sorry to report that over the weekend Frankie passed away. Even though she would sometimes make things more interesting on the show, we were never huge fans of her. I can remember coming home from an evening class the night that the episode where she got caught cutting herself aired. One of my roommates at the time had recorded the episode for whoever missed it, and the label to the VHS cassette read "FRANKIE THE CUTTER" in big black marker. Somehow her self-mutilation became a joke around the apartment after that (not to say that people cutting themselves is funny- at all). But let's be realistic - this was the same girl who had cystic fibrosis and still smoked cigarettes all of the time. It's hard to take someone like that very seriously.

"Frankie Abernathy, the punk rock-adoring former "Real World: San Diego" housemate whose struggle with cystic fibrosis helped to further raise national awareness about the chronic lung disease, died Saturday evening in her mother Abbie Hunter's Shorewood, Wisconsin, home. An official cause of death has yet to be determined; Abernathy was 25."
Read more at MTV.com: 'Real World: San Diego' Alum Frankie Abernathy Dead At 25

Michael Moore's New Film 'SiCKO'

2007-06-13T09:49:00.000-04:00

'SiCKO' opening June 29, 2007

Here's a synopsis of the film directly from Michael Moore's website:

"The words "health care" and "comedy" aren't usually found in the same sentence, but in Academy Award winning filmmaker Michael Moore's new movie 'SiCKO,' they go together hand in (rubber) glove.

Opening with profiles of several ordinary Americans whose lives have been disrupted, shattered, and—in some cases—ended by health care catastrophe, the film makes clear that the crisis doesn't only affect the 47 million uninsured citizens—millions of others who dutifully pay their premiums often get strangled by bureaucratic red tape as well.

After detailing just how the system got into such a mess (the short answer: profits and Nixon), we are whisked around the world, visiting countries including Canada, Great Britain and France, where all citizens receive free medical benefits. Finally, Moore gathers a group of 9/11 heroes – rescue workers now suffering from debilitating illnesses who have been denied medical attention in the US. He takes them to a most expected place, and in addition to finally receiving care, they also engage in some unexpected diplomacy.

While Moore's 'SiCKO' follows the trailblazing path of previous hit films, the Oscar-winning BOWLING FOR COLUMBINE and all-time box-office documentary champ FAHRENHEIT 9/11, it is also something very different for Michael Moore. 'SiCKO' is a straight-from-the-heart portrait of the crazy and sometimes cruel U.S. health care system, told from the vantage of everyday people faced with extraordinary and bizarre challenges in their quest for basic health coverage.

In the tradition of Mark Twain or Will Rogers, 'SiCKO' uses humor to tell these compelling stories, leading the audience conclude that an alternative system is the only possible answer."

The Trailer:

Watch The Entire Film: SiCKO
[...actually it's been removed from this location, sorry!]

Website: michaelmoore.com

Cursive Announce "Bad Sects" Remix Winners

2007-06-12T17:19:00.000-04:00

The winning remix will be used as a b-side on a future Cursive single.

Grand Prize Winner:
Bad Sects (A Crude Mechanical) - A Crude Mechanical

Runner Ups:
More Bad Sects - EzScene
Rough Sects - Plus Move Does Cursive
Bad Sects (Jameson Whiskey Mix) - Optronix
Bad Sects (OCELOT rmx) - OCELOT
Bad Sects (Crane Style Remix) - Matt Crane

Stream: Cursive:"Bad Sects" Remixes
MP3: Cursive: "Bad Sects"

Bad Sects remix webstie: badsects.com
Creative Commons website: creativecommons.org

The Blow Must Go On

2007-06-11T15:31:00.000-04:00

In a MySpace bulletin with the subject line "The Blow is not over" - Khaela Maricich had this to say earlier this afternoon:

"Don't worry everyone, The Blow is not done making music and touring. Jona decided he wants to focus on YACHT (his solo project) so he won't be making the beats anymore, but Khaela is still going strong! you definitely haven't heard the last of The Blow."

Related Pitchfork Article: Jona Bechtolt Quits the Blow, Does YACHT Full Time

MP3: YACHT: "The Summer Song" [Feat. Claire L. Evans]
MP3: The Blow: "Parentheses"

Queens of the Stone Age

2007-06-05T14:42:00.000-04:00

Queens of the Stone Age have confirmed two weeks of U.S. tour dates in support of their forthcoming album, Era Vulgaris (out June 12th via Interscope Records). The "Duluth Tour", as it has been coined, starts July 22nd in Costa Mesa, CA. The small venue tour then makes its way to the north, heading east to such places as Missoula, MT, Fargo, ND and of course Duluth, MN. The fun doesn't stop there! Queens of the Stone Age continue to make their way to the south with stops in Little Rock, AR and Oklahoma City, OK. Apparently Boston will just have to wait for it's turn.

The Duluth Tour
7/22 - Costa Mesa, CA - OC Fair
2/24 - Chico, CA - Senator Theater
7/25 - Eugene, OR - McDonald Theater
7/27 - Boise, ID - The Big Easy
7/28 - Missoula, MT - Wilma Theater
7/29 - Billings, MT - Shire Auditorium
7/31 - Fargo, ND - Playmaker's
8/01 - Duluth, MN - DECC Arena
8/04 - Indianapolis, IN - Egyptian Room
8/07 - Memphis, TN - New Daisy Theater
8/08 - Little Rock, AR - The Village
8/10 - Tulsa, OK - Cain's Bathroom
8/11 - Oklahoma City, OK - Diamond Ballroom

In addition to touring this summer, Queens of the Stone Age are also releasing renditions of songs by Tom Waits and Elliott Smith. These are available from their European online store now, the limited edition single of "Sick Sick Sick" features covers of Tom Waits' "Goin' Out West" and Elliott Smith's "Christian Brothers" as B-sides, along with a remix of "I'm Designer"-- (a track from the forthcoming Era Vulgaris LP). [pf]

Stream: Queens of the Stone Age: "Goin' Out West" [The limited edition digipack can also be purchased here.]

Video for "Sick Sick Sick":

Queens of the Stone Age have also released an alternate video for their first single "Sick Sick Sick". I don't like it as much as the original. I think it sort of looks like a racy low-budget iPod commercial or something. If you're interested you can check it out here: YouTube.com

MP3: Queens of the Stone Age: "Sick Sick Sick" [feat. Julian Casablancas of The Strokes]
MP3: Queens of the Stone Age: "Era Vulgaris" [feat. Trent Reznor] - Not actually on the album.
MP3: Queens of the Stone Age: "3's & 7's"

Website: qotsa.com
MySpace: myspace.com/queensofthestoneage

Ra Ra Riot Drummer John Pike Found Dead

2007-06-04T11:34:00.000-04:00

I would like to take this chance to extend my condolences to John's family, friends, and bandmates. My thoughts are with them during this extremely difficult time.

I briefly had the pleasure of making John's acquaintance in 2006. This was at Great Scott in Allston, which I believe was also the first time that I saw Ra Ra Riot perform (w/ The Bikini Carwash Co. 08/30/06). They just blew me away, and on top of that- after the show they proved to be some of the friendliest, most down to earth people you could ever hope to meet.

Here's one of my favorite live recordings of the band, live on WOXY.com:

Track Listing
1. Fever
2. Everest (working title was "Digging" when performed)
-- interview --
3. Can You Tell
4. Each Year (working title was "At Night" when performed)
5. Dying Is Fine
-- interview --
6. Hounds of Love (Kate Bush cover - not listed on WOXY.com)

MP3: Ra Ra Riot: WOXY.com Lounge Act 9/12/06 (36:43)

This is what Pitchfork wrote about John's passing:

Twenty-three year old John Pike, drummer for Syracuse sextet Ra Ra Riot, was found dead near Fairhaven, Massachusetts yesterday (June 3).

According to a SouthCoastToday.com report, Pike had gone missing early in the morning on June 2, after attending a house party. He had played Providence, Rhode Island's Living Room with Ra Ra Riot before the party on the night of June 1.

Police found Pike's body in approximately seven feet of coastal water, in an area known as Wilbur's Point. Authorities believe the cause of death to be drowning, but will not confirm until an autopsy has been performed. [Update: Drummer's Autopsy Reveals "No Determination" -BBC™]

Ra Ra Riot have been amassing an enthusiastic fanbase on the strength of a high-energy live show and one of the best "Hounds of Love" covers this side of the Futureheads. The band's self-titled debut EP is available now and due for proper release via the Rebel Group on July 10th. They have a series of dates lined up with Tokyo Police Club in July, although it is unknown at this time whether those shows will go on as planned.

Ra Ra Riot dates:

06-08 Hartford, CT - Sweet Jane's [CANCELED]
06-29 New York, NY - South Street Seaport Festival
07-24 Cleveland Heights, OH - Grog Shop *
07-25 Cincinnati, OH - Decibel Lounge *
07-26 Chicago, IL - Beat Kitchen *
07-29 Austin, TX - Emo's #
07-30 Houston, TX - Meridian Red Room #
07-31 Dallas, TX - Cambridge Room at House of Blues #
08-01 New Orleans, LA - The Republic #
08-02 Atlanta, GA - Vinyl #
08-04 Greenville, NC - The Spazzatorium Galleria
08-07 Washington, DC - Rock and Roll Hotel #
08-08 Baltimore, MD - Sonar #
08-09 Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda's #
08-10 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom #
08-11 Hoboken, NJ - Maxwell's #
08-12 Cambridge, MA - Middle East Downstairs #
09-14 Morrison, CO - Red Rocks Amphitheatre (Monolith Festival)

* with Mason Proper
# with Tokyo Police Club

--

MySpace: Ra Ra Riot
MySpace: The Bikini Carwash Company

Best of YouTube - May '07

2007-05-30T16:37:00.000-04:00

Ted Leo on The Human Giant 24 hr special
Ted's amplifier comes unplugged at one point during "Me and Mia". It's a great moment in live television - not to be missed.

Beirut [with Final Fantasy and other members of the Arcade Fire]: "The Gulag Orkestar"
Beirut and Final Fantasy performed Sunday, May 6th at New York's Bowery Ballroom and, not surprisingly, the bloggerati and seemingly every other indie musician in NYC was out for the show. As Brooklyn Vegan described it: "Final Fantasy (Owen Pallett) played first. Beirut came out to play with Final Fantasy for one song. Beirut played second. Final Fantasy played with Beirut for about half of their set. Four members of the Arcade Fire, Final Fantasy, and even more musicians who I didn't recognize, came out to play a song with Beirut during the encore. Sufjan Stevens, members of the National and Grizzly Bear were in the audience." [Pitchfork / Brooklyn Vegan]

Same performance (a little easier on the ears):

Clark and Michael: The Series - Preview
Internerd comedy series written and directed by-- and co-starring Michael Cera (George Michael from Arrested Development) with Clark Duke (Check IMDB if you care). The series debuted May 23rd on clarkandmichael.com it's pretty funny, but they definitely have room to grow. Some really great people are involved with the project (David Cross, Martin Starr, Tony Hale, Andy Richter, John Francis Daley, Patton Oswalt, Joe Lo Truglio), so I'm looking forward to see how this series progresses for these guys.

Last.fm bought by CBS

2007-05-30T12:31:00.000-04:00

Last.fm founders (Left to right: Martin Stiksel, Felix Miller, Richard Jones)

It's official, Last.FM was just sold for $280million to CBS.

BBC article: Music site Last.fm bought by CBS

Handsome Furs - Denied!

2007-05-23T00:32:00.000-04:00

The duo of Handsome Furs is comprised of Montreal residents Dan Boeckner (Wolf Parade) and his fiancé Alexei Perry. They were supposed to be on a short stint in the U.S. this week supporting there Sub Pop debut, Plague Park. This included a gig Friday night at TT's in Cambridge, MA -- BUT United States Customs kept those freedom-haters in Canada. Really.

What I'm getting at here is that you can just forget about throwing any red paint on Alexi this weekend. Aww, bummer- but hey, I'm sure there'll be other opportunities to act like an asshole to Canadian musicians soon enough.

I like these songs a lot. Maybe you will hate them and tell me all about it.

MP3: Handsome Furs: What We Had [from the Plague Park LP, out now]
MP3: Handsome Furs: Dead + Rural [from the Plague Park LP, out now]

Website: Handsome Furs
Website: Wolf Parade
Label: Sub Pop Records

P.S. If you're reading this and listening to the MP3s - please leave a comment, I'd love to hear from you.
Also- I have mad LOVE for Canada.

Fabriclive.33 Spank Rock

2007-05-22T21:26:00.000-04:00

“The thing is, we fuck around a lot, all the time...and I think a big part of the aesthetic of our performances and how we roll, as far as making the party, is debauchery and fun. And if something's sloppy, you kind of own that a little bit, you know? So we just sort of carried that over into the fabric mix, we thought maybe it would be good to have a little bit of humour in it. And there's some other stuff - we did a lot of recording, we made a lot of sound effects. For example, there sounds on there that sound like bombs dropping, which we made by mic'ing the sound of us picking up amplifiers and dropping them. There's little stuff in there that took a while to make, and yeah...there's some stuff in there you gotta check for. It was really fun to make.” - Spank Rock

Stop wasting your time. Buy Fabriclive.33 right away.

MP3: Fabriclive.33 Spank Rock: Let's Make Love And Listen To Death From Above (CSS)

Trey Told 'Em: Cheer It On [remix]

2007-05-21T19:29:00.000-04:00

I've been sitting on this for a few weeks now. Not sure why I waited to post this. Shit's hotter than a set of twin babies. Trey Told 'Em is Gregg of Girl Talk and Frank of Hearts of Darknesses. Download this track NOW- you will not be sorry.

MP3: Tokyo Police Club: Cheer It On (Trey Told 'Em remix)

Also, now that he's a "full time music man" -- Here is a list of non-music plans that Girl Talk's Gregg Gillis has in mind for summer 2007 [straight from his MySpace blog]:

play basketball all the time
sun tan
walk around shirtless
eat ice cream outdoors
get a season pass to Sand Castle water park
check out the Genesis reunion show
eat at Peppi's and Village Pizza a ton
watch movies
do push-ups
get to some some beaches
Pirates games

Unreal. Homeboy is such a baller.

HELLMETS.ORG

2007-05-21T01:54:00.000-04:00

Gordon Riker and Kelly Wallace both were killed in automobile accidents while riding their bikes through the streets of Boston (*Gordon was wearing a helmet when he was hit). These two individuals had their entire lives ahead of them and this organization is trying to help prevent more of Boston's youth from dying in senseless accidents.

Helping Everyone Live Longer (HELL) is raising money to purchase and distribute free helmets to anyone who wants one. In the meantime, if you would like to purchase a helmet at cost, please contact Kerry Simon at Proletariat. They will only set you back $18-$25 and could save your life.

Go here: HELLMETS.ORG and please pass this along.

Protect those brains and ride safe, babies!
xxo

LCD Soundsystem + YACHT 5/11/07

2007-05-18T19:18:00.000-04:00

Before Friday night I had never seen LCD Soundsystem live and really had no idea what to expect. Listening to DFA co-founder James Murphy's studio jammms I had always wondered how they would translate to a live performance. I'm happy to report that the entire performance was off the wall (with the exception of ending a dance-punk show with a ballad- odd choice). The audience danced start to finish- Mr. Murphy had them in the palm of his hand while the rest of the band backed him up with an incredible wall of sound. Touring with James was keyboardist Nancy Whang and drummer/Mr. Rosso lookalike Pat Mahoney with Phillip Skarich on bass and Hot Chip’s Al Doyle on guitar.

Quote of the evening: "Hey you guys down there dancing, and banging into each other [James to dudes slam-dancing in the audience]- take a look to your left and to your right; if you don't see a girl within three feet of you, you're dancing wrong." (or something to that effect)

Unfortunately this electro-dance-punk shindig was held at the Avalon. This meant that it would be an early show so that those a-holes could get all of us cleared out of there by 10PM- only to refill it with the sites and smells of the Jerseyesque club crowd; blow-out hairdos, alcoholic Red Bull drinks, and most likely way too much cologne. If I'm sounding bitter it's because as a result of this "no fun" policy that Avalon has, show-opener, YACHT (electro-pop project of the Blow’s Jona Bechtolt) went on at 7PM!! Needless to say, we missed this part of the evening.

Video I shot at the show:

Video footage that YACHT/Jona threw together from the LCD tour:

Website: LCD Soundsystem
Stream: LCD Soundsystem: "All My Friends"

Website: YACHT: Maker of Fine Grunge Musics & Hugs.
MP3: YACHT: "See a Penny (Pick It Up)"

Arcade Fire 5/10/06

2007-05-14T04:55:00.000-04:00

Right now I'm listening to the set that Arcade Fire played at TT the Bears Place [Cambridge, MA - 11/12/04] which you can find AND download for your listening enjoyment here: Bradley's Almanac

John and I just saw Arcade Fire the other night at the Orpheum Theater in Boston and it was easily one of the best live performances that I've seen in a very long. (I can only imagine how incredible it must've been to be at the TT's show back in 2004.) They played with so much enthusiasm and had a really fantastic stage set-up with about a dozen live feed cameras, 6 small projection screens, and they were projecting onto the velvet curtain behind them as well. Very fucking cool and completely worth every penny. The only thing that I found annoying about the show [besides how unbelievably hot it was inside the theater] was that the audience felt the need to clap along with almost EVERY song that Arcade Fire played. Normally I like clapping along with a band, but it made it difficult to hear the band a lot of the time, and these people were clapping along with songs which required 0% audience participation. A little annoying, but still nice be with a crowd that was exited about the band that they payed to see. (If you were there, and you were a constant-clapper, no offense!)

Video that John shot from where we were sitting [balcony seats]:

Video from MUCH better seats:

Here's a link to a good photo set from the show that I found on Flickr. Which were actually taken by Brad from the above mentioned blog, Bradley's Almanac: bradsearles