March 4 – Baltimore, MD at Charm City
March 8 – Washington, DC at the Black Cat
March 9 – Richmond, VA at Strange Matter
March 10 – Chapel Hill, NC at the Nightlight
March 11 – Columbia, SC at Hunter Gatherer
March 12 – Asheville, NC at Broadway’s
March 13 – Jacksonville, FL at Warehouse 8B
March 14 – Tallahassee, FL at the Farside
March 15 – Tampa, FL at Transitions Gallery
March 16 – Gainesville, FL at the Wayward Council
March 17 – Atlanta, GA at the Drunken Unicorn
March 18 – Athens, GA at the Caledonia Lounge
March 19 – Birmingham, AL at the Spring Street Fire House
March 20 – New Orleans, LA at the Euclid Records
March 21 – Baton Rouge, LA at Perkins Parlour
March 22 – Austin, TX at Trailerspace
March 23 – Tulsa, OK at the Sound Pony
March 24 – Albuquerque, NM at Blackbird Buvette
March 25 – Phoenix, AZ at Sound Kontrol
March 26 – Los Angeles, CA at TBA
March 27 – Santa Barbara, CA at the Biko
March 28 – Oakland, CA at TBA
March 29 – Santa Rosa, CA at the Arlene Francis Center
March 30 – Portland, OR at Red and Black Café
March 31 – Olympia WA at the Northern
April 1 – Seattle, WA at Healthy Times Fun Club
April 2 – Missoula, MT at Zootown Arts
April 4 – Minneapolis, MN at TBA
April 5 – Beloit, WI at the C-Haus
April 6 – Carbondale, IL at Hangar 9
April 7 – Louisville, KY at Keswick Democratic Club
April 8 – Chicago, IL at Strangelight
April 9 – Detroit, MI at the Trumbullplex
April 10 – Cincinnati, OH at Goetz Alley
April 11 – Columbus, OH at Carabar
April 12 – Cleveland, OH at Now That’s Class
April 13 – Ithaca, NY at The GreenStar Annex
April 14 – TBA
April 15 – Boston MA at TBA
hello all ..
merry christmas and happy new years..
there is a part of me that thinks this might be my last posting for a bit.
more on that later.
however 2010 was a pretty crappy year overall for me with the exception of some
new musical loves, some nice trips and meeting some new people.
let’s start with www.thepunkguy.com’s top records of the year, let me say that I don’t and can’t
really put these in order I don’t think…. so here in random…
Kanye West – My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy -
I find it difficult to believe that I might be able to say or do anything that hasn’t
already been said about this man or this album.
I think Kanye is wise enough to surround himself around some great artists,
(fine artists, musicians and designers). And you know like us and Nick Hornby
says, “It’s not what you’re like, it’s what you like…”
And just the idea that someone like Kanye West put one of our favorite artists
like Bon Iver on his album well, damn..
here are the two stand out tracks for me.
tallest man on earth – the wild hunt -
I kind of tell people, the Tallest Man on Earth (aka Kristian Matsson, nice name, eh?)
is a bit of like a Swedish Bob Dylan. I tell them, they’ll hate him for the first ten seconds and
then love him from there on out.
it’s a great album and has a great deal of meaning to me this year.
enjoy.
also, live, he has a tendency to mumble a lot. anyone else notice this??
this is off of his first album but I love this track nonetheless..
http://www.myspace.com/thetallestmanonearth
ass – salt marsh-
yes Ass is back, still same ridiculous name, same beautiful instrumental music.
ASS (aka andreas söderström, another swede) has made another astonishing unnoticed
record. This time he has added some horns and strings and completely made
a instrumental record (prior records have had vocals).
here is the only thing I could find but it’s off his last record.
Once again, Rosetta is back up in the top of this year with their new record. Not much
has changed in the way things are done by Rosetta on this record, with some minor diversions
such as one track with a melodic vocal track . TDOM is just a great heavy slow moving
metal record with vocals used as an instrument, far back in the mix and manipulated.
check out these two tracks.
live..
rocky votolato – true devotion -
I have always liked rocky votolato since his first album but for some reason this record just
really hit home for me this year.
it’s a pretty singer / songwriter album with some nice hooks and some very sincere
and genuine moments to it.
My only issue is that sometimes the lyrics can be a bit too overt.
check out these two tracks.
live:
year of no light – ausserwelt -
the finest thing to come out of France since cheese is this metal band Year of No Light
and their second album Ausserwelt. This is an instrumental doom record with some of the
best crescendoing music I have heard in a long time.
The vinyl release is absolutely beautiful and I suggest ordering it from Europe today.
check out these two tracks.
arcade fire – the suburbs -
I am sure you bought this and loved it also.
two great tracks below.
and if you haven’t already seen my friend Chris’ video for this video. go NOW.
villagers – becoming a jackyll -
this one came out of nowhere with me. I love this record but seeing them live
was about 15 times better than their actual record is. Conor O’Brien is just stunning
to watch and his intensity and emotion is pretty powerful.
for anyone who likes bright eyes or maybe even something along the lines of wilco
without the country. check it out below.
live..
deftones – diamond eyes -
just forget what you know. listen to this record and relearn to love this heartfelt
metal record.
the black keys – brothers -
this is what, the black keys 6th studio album, and how they are continuing to grow
and still write great songs are beyond me. I have literally seen these guys go from
playing in front of like 14 people in pittsburgh on their first tour to playing arenas
and they only get better and better.
if you don’t know, they write great blues inspired rock songs with a soulful skinny
ginger guy singing..
.
B.O.B. – Gangsta Grillz (mixtape) -
yes I know. his pop inspired album is kind of eh.. but this mixtape is so fucking good.
you need to download it and all the rest of them.
if you’re interested in a really talented young (he’s 22) MC / singer / musician, check
out this mixtape and skip the label released Airplanes bullshit.
check it.
some honorable mentions..
the gaslight anthem – american slang, horse feathers – thistled spring, menomena – mines,
the black angels – phospherene dream, dan mangan – nice, very very, nice. pajo – scream with me (misfits cover lp)
some of the best live shows I saw this year:
villagers – mercury lounge
rosetta – union pool
arcade fire – madison square garden *(thanks chris)
dan mangan – mercury lounge
tallest man on earth – webster hall
So some new music from two artists I really like.
the Sword has a new MP3 and some tour dates..
press release..
“With merely six weeks away from the release of their third full-length, Warp Riders (August 24th; Kemado), The Sword are finally ready to give a taste of their eagerly awaited new material. Click below to hear the album’s first single “Tres Brujas” in exchange for an email address (embed code for widget is at bottom). The scorching, groove-heavy number is proof that the band has successfully expanded into new territory while maintaining their cherished heaviness. As the second track on the album, and the first with lyrics, “Tres Brujas” is also the first chapter in the epic sci-fi narrative that spans Warp Riders.
The song encapsulates the “space opera meets post-apocalyptic western” tableau of the record, where dualistic themes such as “light vs dark” and “organic vs artificial” are explored. The metal stalwarts will reveal the plot in more detail through a three-part video saga beginning with the “Tres Brujas” video, followed by clips for “Lawless Lands” and “Night City.”
-
press release:
“Adam Haworth Stephens, lead singer and songwriter of San Francisco duo Two Gallants, is proud to announce the release of his debut solo album WE LIVE ON CLIFFS. Set for a September 28th release on Saddle Creek, WE LIVE ON CLIFFS spotlights Stephens’ ability to craft compelling and intelligent songs that have forged an intimate and emotional bond with fans and captivated critics with words so personal they’re universal. Beginning August 7th in Salt Lake City, UT, Stephens will head out as a four-piece band for a 9-date club tour to premiere these new songs to fans. Tour dates below.
To get fans excited, Stephens is offering the exuberant first track, The Cities That You’ve Burned for free download at HERE
Tour Dates:
* Indicates show with Blitzen Trapper
August 7 Kilby Court Salt Lake City, UT
August 9 The Aquarium Fargo, ND
August 10 Gabe’s Oasis Iowa City, IA *
August 11 Bourbon Theatre Lincoln, NE *
August 12 Ogden Theatre Denver, CO *
August 14 Solar Culture Tucson, AZ
August 15 Casbah San Diego, CA
August 17 Spaceland Los Angeles, CA
August 18 The Crepe Place Santa Cruz, CA
.”
h. Crownhate Ruin demos have found themselves ONLINE.
i.
j. so Shane Carruth the dude who directed one of my favorite indie movies of all time, Primer IMDB HERE, has a new movie coming out and this is all that can be seen about IT>
I am really fucking excited about the new ASS record coming out very soon.. I know it’s a terrible name but his music is just my fucking favorite. andreas söderström is an multi instrumentalist that tours with El Perro Del marr and Taken by Trees and releases albums under the moniker ASS, which I am just guessing here is probably his initials.
Anyway, it’s pretty and usually the perfect music to relax, work or sleep to..
ASS has posted two new songs from Salt Marsh HERE. Check them out. they’re really beautiful.
an older song:
check out an article on him HERE.
ASS on last.fm HERE.
buy his records HERE.
usually you can get his records HERE too but when I click on it it’s down. maybe it’ll be back up soon.
as you know I have been covering this band forever and I think they’re great. anyway, they have a new album coming out called MINES on Barsuk. Check out the presale for their Lp / CD HERE.
This Will Destroy You to Kick Off US Tour
Gives You a Taste of Their “Communal Blood,”
FREE Mp3 of the First Single off
Their New Album, Tunnel Blanket
“If they haven’t already destroyed you, Texas post-rockers This Will Destroy You, will do just that. After conquering Europe with their cinematic brand of post-rock, the quartet — comprised of with a line-up of guitarists Chris King and Jeremy Galindo, bassist/keys Donovan Jones and drummer Alex Bhore — returned to the U.S. newly invigorated. They went straight to the studio and began recording their much-anticipated album, Tunnel Blanket, with critically acclaimed producer John Congleton (Explosions in the Sky, Modest Mouse, Chairlift). The Congleton sessions found the band taking an evolutionary step forward from their previous release, S/T. The end result, Tunnel Blanket, explores darker, more challenging territories than their previous releases. ”
This Will Destroy You Tour Dates
05/26 DENTON, TX @ The Boiler Room
05/27 AUSTIN, TX @ The Mohawk
05/28 SHREVEPORT, LA @Silver Lake Ballroom
05/29 BIRMINGHAM, AL @ Bottletree
05/30 TAMPA, FL @ New World Brewery
06/01 JACKSONVILLE, FL @ Jack Rabbit’s
06/02 ATLANTA, GA @ The Drunken Unicorn
06/03 NEWPORT, KY @ Southgate House
06/04 CHICAGO, IL @ Lincoln Hall
06/05 TORONTO, ON @ Rivoli Cabaret
06/06 MONTREAL, QC @ Petit Campus
06/07 ALISTON, MA @ Great Scott
06/08 BROOKLYN, NY @ Knitting Factory
06/09 NEW YORK, NY @ Mercury Lounge
06/10 WASHINGTON, DC @ DC9
06/11 PHILADELPHIA, PA @ Kung Fu Necktie
06/12 CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA @ Random Row Books
06/13 CHAPEL HILL, NC @ Local 506
06/15 CHARLESTON, SC @ The Oasis
06/16 KNOXVILLE, TN @ Pilot Light
06/17 NASHVILLE, TN @ The End
06/18 NEW ORLEANS, LA @ Saturn Bar
06/19 HOUSTON, TX @ Mango’s
b. ex blood bros band Past Lives release new music HERE.
c. new band of the moment Surfer Blood cover NMH..
d. Rocky Votolato on tour..
True Devotion on the road:
February:
13 RENO, NV Rainshadow CCHS !@
24 NEW YORK, NY Mercury Lounge (CD Release Show) !, #
26 CHICAGO, IL Schubas (CD Release Show!) $
March:
02 PORTLAND, OR Mississippi Studios #
04 SAN FRANCISCO, CA Bottom of the Hill @
05 LOS ANGELES, CA Troubadour @
07 SAN DIEGO, CA Casbah #
08 PHOENIX, AZ Rhythm Room @
09 ALBUQUERQUE, NM Launchpad @
10 DENVER, CO Hi-Dive 16+
11 PROVO, UT Velour @
13 SEATTLE, WA Neumo’s (CD Release Show!) @
April:
01 MINNEAPOLIS, MN Triple Rock $
03 LANSING, MI Mac’s Bar %, @
05 TORONTO, CANADA Drake Hotel %, 19+
07 ALLSTON, MA Great Scott %, $
10 PHILADELPHIA, PA First Unitarian %, @
11 WASHINGTON, DC DC 9 %, $
13 PITTSBURGH, PA Garfield Artworks %, @
14 AKRON, OH Musica %, @
15 NEWPORT, KY Southgate House %, @
@ All Ages
# 21+
$ 18+
! with My Flag Is On Fire, The Bindle Stiffs
% with Brooke Waggoner
Download and share “Red River” from Rocky Votolato’s True Devotion [Barsuk Records]: HERE.
