Atlas Sound @ Music Hall of Williamsburg, February 24th, 2008

After a long weekend of debauchery in western mass, I wasn't too keen on seeing a show sunday night, but since I had already bought the ticket, and have been quite impressed by the free music on their their blog, I knew I had to go. Atlas Sound is the spin-off band of Bradford Cox, who needed another avenue to quench his insatiable creative musical energy. Now, I've seen Deerhunter, and was never really blown away by them live, mostly because their heavy-stoned-psych sound has been done a thousand times before, but Atlas is a different animal. Much like Spencer Krug with his spin-off band Sunset Rubdown, Mr. Cox seems much more comfortable and enthusiastic about playing in the Sound than with his original group. As for the music, when they play classic Atlas tracks, it sounds gorgeous, with all the shoegazey dreaminess we know and love (they tried to improvise a couple of covers, specifically a Blue Oyster Cult song, that didn't come out too well -- you have to practice that shit first dudes!!). Anyway, one advantage to seeing Atlas live is that you can hear all the lyrics, which are excellent, and can get buried in effects on record. Mr. Cox must've been in a good mood because he was practically doing stand-up between songs, bouncing around the stage. His stage banter is unique to say the least. I didn't quite understand what he meant when he asked bandmate Adam Forkner to "take us to the field of gated reverb and shoot us in the back of the head," but it accomplished the desired artistic effect. For their encore, the entire band came out on stage topless (even the lady bassist with all boobs-a-flyin') just to make sure everyone blogged about the show the next day. I was going to anyway dudes, you guys rule! I even bought a shirt. =)

Drug Rug W/ Sam Champion, DJ Awesome GoodTimes @ Bowery Ballroom, February 15th 2008

I always love seeing a friend's band for first time, especially when they blow away your expectations... Drug Rug has a catchy hard-driving indie-rock blues sound, kind of like a modern interpretation of The Beatles "Yer Blues," but with some dual screaming vocals on top. I didn't realize it before the show, but I've hung out with Tommy and George from Drug Rug a few times back when I lived in Boston, but never got the chance to check out their band. Well, I'm sure glad I did... they were great!

Sam Champion notched another milestone in their rise to the top by declaring victory over the Bowery with a solid headlining performance. They consistently throw a good show, and satisfy my occasional desire for loud down-home-and-dirty folk-blues that I can raise my fist to. The Champs have a new album coming out on North Street Records sometime soon, so that should be a good pick up...

This show also brought the debut of the self-proclaimed dj supergroup, DJ Awesome Goodtimes, spinning hits from the likes of The Darkness, Baby Shambles and did I hear an early Strokes tune in there? Either way, they brought the party, and we all got down. Good job dudes.

The Teenagers @ Studio B, February 2nd, 2008

I was psyched to see The Teenagers, the latest dance-punk buzz-band from across the pond on their first tour of the US, because their catchy, well-produced debut album seemed like it would be fun in a live setting. Unfortunately the bells and whistles (or should I say synths and background vocals) on the album weren't as prominent in the live show, and they came across more like a generic, nervous punk-new-age band, than the sexy enlightened europeans I had hoped for. Still, the night was a success, with Hot Chip spinning some hot dance beats late into the night. And if you've never been, Studio B pretty much turns into the most ridiculous dance party in Brooklyn on a Saturday night. Imagine a 1000 drunk hipsters getting all hot and sweaty on an acre-sized dance floor till 4 am. Yeah, wow. Or should i say gross?

Six Organs of Admittance w/ Mouthus and Mick Turner @ Mercury Lounge, Tues. Jan. 29th, 2008

Openers Mouthus are an artsy stoner-noise duo, with thick, fuzzed-out guitars over combined live drums and an 80's analog electronic drum pad. Incoherent delayed vocals float above the mix to complete the trance-like groove, that I was just a bit too sober at 8pm to fully appreciate.

Tren Brothers, an instrumental collaboration of Mick Turner and Jim White of The Dirty Three, combined the soft ambiance of Yo La Tengo with the melodic variation of Do Make Say Think, over a free jazz rhythm. Jim White, who set up center stage and provided the majority of the rhythmic details, was phenomenal. He's the guy other rock drummers take lessons from, who can play any style, with any musician, and make it look effortless. It's not often you get to hear someone like that play a full set live, and the way he would bend and stretch the tempo kept the music interesting and dynamic. Mick Turner, on guitar, had to carry the entire melody himself, and was quite exposed to any mistakes, but he kept it together, and without the use of any effects, for probably the best show of the night.

Six Organs of Admittance, opened their show with Ben Chasny solo, playing a mix of traditional and flamenco style guitar over 60s-ish psychedelic folk vocals. After three or four songs he was joined by the effervescent Elisa Ambrogio on lead guitar, who adds that missing dynamic that makes Six Organs records so mysterious. With such a sparse arrangement, at times I would grow bored, but overall the show was pleasant and intimate. They closed their set with my favorite song "Home," so I went home happy. =)

Emergency Party @ Glasslands, January 10th, 2008

So, after Monkeytown I headed over to Glasslands to meet my friend Dave who was there to see this band Emergency Party, whom I've never heard of... Oh. My. God. Emergency Party is sick!!!!!!! Imagine if Frank Zappa, Jack Black, a Pregnant Lady, John Bonham, and a Sitar formed a band. Holy shit their drummer is good. I don't think I remember one lyric from any of their songs but it didn't matter they were so tight. I'm seriously considering buying a Sitar, it sounds amazing in a band setting! I actually crashed at the bass player and lead guitarist's apartment a couple of years ago (I didn't know them, but my friend Mark was living with them at the time) and I remember they had the biggest personal record collection I've ever seen! Floor to ceiling shelves filled with records along two big walls! I just stood in awe and spent an entire afternoon browsing and listening to obscure LPs (what a way to spend a day!). They must've picked up some serious skills from those records cuz that might be the best show of 2008 and it's only just begun!

Gates of Heaven w/ Overlord w/ Bell @ Monkeytown, Wed. January 9th, 2008

First show of 2008! Wooooo! Friends Gates of Heaven lit some incense and fired up a solid night at Monkeytown, playing their classic brand of sample fueled electro-psych behind the moving and award-winning dvd BLACK. Ever prolific, they sparked a few new ones last night which sounded killer brah! Definitely look for them to crash the Pitchfork "All Tomorrows Parties" Festival in England later this year...



Overlord, which is decidedly not a metal band, despite the dark and my guess is ironic name, played a boisterous set of happy pop tunes in synch with a series of custom edited black-and-white home movies. My favorite video would have to be the Diaper Derby, where newborns race, or should i say crawl and fall down on top of each other, to see who can reach their cheering parents first. Why isn't this on ESPN?



Closer, Bell is a charming young Alaskan lady who plays lush, atmospheric keys over emotive vocals in front of a solid jazz-influenced rhythm section. They had some fine moments, but I feel like they might be better on record. Should be interesting to hear their upcoming EP...

Menomena w/ Illinois @ Webster Hall, November 10th, 2007

Phew! This show was a while ago.. I guess I'm just super lazy/busy ;) Either way, Menomena put out one of my favorite albums of last year, and their live show is just as good. This particular show wasn't too packed though, because they played for free at the seaport a couple of months ago (see past post) and I think everyone needed a menomatic-breather. Their drummer has some serious skills, and there was one song where he kept up this Nirvana-esque beat for what seemed like 9 minutes. Crazy stamina!

Openers Illinois have some great catchy songs, but this might've been too big of a venue for them. And you could tell that they didn't travel with a sound-man, as their set didn't sound nearly as huge as Menomena's.