Mostly music news + reviews, but we also cover film, tv, and anything else that catches our fancy
IT’S MY BIRTHDAY WEEEEEE!!!
As a birthday present to your (usually) humble blogger, I’m asking everyone to get ready because in ten days there is a show I want everyone to go to at Glasslands. I’m sure you’ve all heard by now that the place is closing down. Well you can say goodbye to the venue and hello to a visiting band from Texas at the same time on November 11th. More details can be found here. Hope to see a bunch of people come out and support a cool touring band.
First off, I have a real quick entry on the latest chapters in the Nerdist Book Club. Then there’s a super big update on the band I kinda sorta work with. It’s super exciting news so stay for the whole post (or just skip ahead, I won’t be offended).
Ok, so in Ch 5-8 of The Silmarillion we get to see Galadriel introduced and what her family line looks like. I love getting to see how this history stuff connects to the world we know in LotR, so that bit is pretty cool. We also see the big bad guy Melkor get released from bondage (as if I have to tell you that this only ends in sadness). I find it fascinating that a group of people that are supposed to know everything that goes on in the world are so easily fooled. I guess that is just a metaphor for how we in general are often blind to the evil that surrounds us or people we may know. The real big thing we get in this section though is the creation of the Silmarils – three great jewels of unknown substance. Even though we don’t know what they’re made of, I picture that just means they are an odd combination of all the things and SUPER SHINY. I can’t blame Melkor for being his usual jealous self at the thought of them.
That concludes my real quick thoughts on the latest section of Nerdist Book Club. Next week’s entry I will be on the road, so there might not be a post on it. Which brings me to my big announcement…
The Pandemics are going on tour! And I’ll be traveling with them as merch girl extraordinaire!
That’s right, kids, your humble blogger gets to travel starting tomorrow all the way till August 3rd. If you happen to be in any of the following areas, please come to the show. Stop by the merch table and mention this post and I’ll see if I can hook you up with a sticker or something. Or just buy things from me and make me look good. PLEASE!
Tour dates are as follows:
The dates that have their own Facebook events I linked to where I could. The full list of dates and other information (like prices and other bands playing) can be found in one handy little spot here. I really hope this post brings a few people out. Like I said, definitely come say hi to me at the table so I know I’m not just talking to dead space. If you can’t make the show, I’m gonna try to take as many pictures as possible while chained to a merch table. You can expect the results of that when I get back and recover a bit. I’m also gonna try to do a tour journal but we’ll see how that goes (if I have internet and/or interesting things to say). Until next time (to steal Wil Wheaton’s catchphrases) PLAY MORE GAMES and DON’T BE A DICK.
As I mentioned in my most recent post, I plan on adding a lot more content to this site. I also mentioned a certain band I’m associated with called “The Pandemics,” and that I would be writing about a recent trip to Philly they took. The show itself was nothing special, but it was still a worthwhile trip. For one thing it was their first show since November, so it was good practice for a bigger show they have coming up later this month with Mephiskapheles and Inspector 7. For another, it was the first time the band had gotten together for 2 or 3 weeks, since holidays got in the way of their rehearsing schedule. So, even though they were competing against the Eagles game and didn’t have many people in attendance, it was still a great trip out for everyone. That’s an important lesson for touring bands to learn. When you first get out on the road, you don’t always make money on tour. In fact, your first couple times out you should expect to lose (or at best break even). But it’s still great for you to get your name out there and also get some bonding time with your bandmates. If you play your cards right, eventually the money will follow.
Thanks for waiting patiently while we dust ourselves off from a rough year. Here’s some picks from the road to hold you over until next time:
PS – If you’re interested in the Meph/Inspector 7 show I mentioned, it’s Jan 24th at Revolution Bar & Music Hall in Amytville, NY. Message me on the Facebook page and I’ll tell you how to get reduced price tickets from the band. Support your local ska scene!
The guys from Jukebox the Ghost have been quite busy lately. They’re fresh off a tour from Europe and have another one coming soon in the U.S. In between all of that they added a new music video to the internet. This one is for the song “Half Crazy,” which is off of their last album, Everything Under the Sun. It has been posted below for your viewing pleasure.
Their December tour starts on the first in DC and continues the next day to Brooklyn Bowl in NY. Full list of dates are:
12/1 – Washington, DC – 930 Club %
12/2 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Bowl (21+)%
12/3 – Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer &
12/4 – Pittsburgh, PA – Brillobox %
12/8 – Providence, RI – The Spot
12/9 – Hamden, CT – The Space
% = w/ Spinto Band, Deleted Scenes
& = w/ Spinto Band, White Birds
You can be sure I will be attending the Brooklyn Bowl gig and taking a gratuitous amount of photos.
Rachael Yamagata has one of the smoothest, most soulful voices of just about anyone I’ve heard. From the first notes of “Saturday Morning” you know you are in for an experience that will both sooth and awaken you. “I Don’t Want To Be Your Mother” is a beautiful ballad that hits you in places you didn’t know you had, while “Even If I Don’t” has a more driving force behind it that will make you want to get up and face whatever life has in store for you. I have always been impressed with the voice quality Yamagata brings to the table, and this album did not disappoint my expectations in the least.
Chesapeake will be released Oct 11th on Yamagata’s own Frankenfish Records. Tour dates start Oct 24th at Port City Music Hall in Portland, ME and run through December, ending with two nights in NYC at City Winery Dec 21st & 22nd. She will also be at Maxwells in Hoboken on Dec 19th and 20th. Full list of tour dates is as follows:
OCTOBER
10/24 Portland, ME @ Port City Music Hall
10/25 Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground
10/27 Ithaca, NY @ Delilah’s on Cayuga
10/28 North Hampton, MA @ Iron Horse
10/30 Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall
10/31 Philadelphia, PA @ World Café Live
NOVEMBER
11/1 Alexandria, VA @ Birchmere
11/2 Baltimore, MD @ Sound Stage
11/4 Brooklyn, NY @ Knitting Factory
11/5 Pittsburgh, PA @ Club Café
11/6 Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Ballroom
11/7 Detroit, MI @ St. Andrew’s Hall
11/8 Chicago, IL @ Logan Square
11/10 Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Ballroom
11/11 Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line
11/12 Davenport, IA @ Redstone Room
11/14 Kansas City, MO @ Record Bar
11/16 Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge
11/18 Salt Lake City, UT @ State Room
11/20 Spokane, WA @ A Club
11/21 Vancouver, Canada @ Media Club
11/22 Seattle, WA @ Crocodile
11/23 Portland, OR @ Doug Fir
11/25 San Francisco, CA @ Slims
11/27 San Diego, CA @ Casbah
11/29 Los Angeles, CA @ Troubador
11/30 Tuscon, AZ @ Crescent Ballroom
DECEMBER
12/2 Austin, TX @ The Parish
12/3 Houston, TX @ Fitzgeralds (Upstairs)
12/4 Dallas, TX @ The Loft
12/5 Tulsa, OK @ Cain’s Ballroom (2nd Stage)
12/7 St. Louis, MO @ Blueberry Hill
12/8 Nashville, TN @ 12th and Porter
12/9 Birmingham, AL @ Work Play
12/10 Atlanta, GA @ Vinyl
12/12 Charleston, SC @ New Brookland
12/13 Charlotte, NC @ Local 508
12/15 Chapel Hill, NC @ Local 506
12/16 Charlottesville, VA @ The Southern
12/17 Louisville, KY @Headliners
12/18 Columbus, OH @ The Basement
12/19 Hoboken, NJ @ Maxwells
12/20 Hoboken, NJ @ Maxwells
12/21 New York, NY @ City Winery
12/22 New York, NY @ City Winery
You can find more information on her website, and follow her on Facebook and Twitter.
The recent album by Jim Jones Revue, Burning Your House Down, is a flashback to what old time rock ‘n’ roll used to be. If you like the classic rock bands from the 70’s, you will enjoy this band. They have the raw energy and style of other bands of this era, such as Led Zeppelin. I defy you to listen to these songs and not want to groove with the music. The band has upcoming tour dates in September, including Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn and Maxwell’s in Hoboken. Complete list can be found after the jump.
9/1/2011 – Vancouver, BC – The Biltmore Cabaret
9/3/2011 – Portland, OR – Doug Fir Lounge
9/4/2011 – Seattle, WA – Bumbershoot Festival
9/7/2011 – San Francisco, CA – Independent
9/8/2011 – Los Angeles, CA – Echo
9/10/2011 – Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg
9/11/2011 – Allston, MA – Brighton Music Hall
9/12/2011 – Montreal, QC – Casa del Popolo
9/13/2011 – Toronto, ON – Horseshoe Tavern
9/14/2011 – Chicago, IL – Schuba’s Tavern
9/16/2011 – Philadelphia, PA – The Blockley Pourhouse
9/17/2011 – Washington D.C. – Black Cat
9/18/2011 – Hoboken, NJ – Maxwell’s
The Amplify Peace Tour starts Friday, June 17th in Delaware. Here is the press release from Property Of Zack:
PropertyOfZack could not be more stoked to exclusively announce The Amplify Peace Tour featuring Koji and Jeff Pianki. In March of 2011, Koji and Colormake partnered with the advocacy group Resolve to share the stories of communities in central Africa that have been affected by the Lord’s Resistance Army, or LRA. The Resolve Tour urged audiences across the entire United States to call on their members of Congress to pay attention to the LRA, and to take action on it. Koji is now taking it one step further with The Amplify Peace Tour. Inspired by the stories of Ugandan women using songs to let their abducted children know that they are forgiven and will be welcomed back home, Koji and Colormake will be partnering with The Voice Project, an organization that is using the power of music and the radio to call these abducted soldiers home. Attendees of The Amplify Peace Tour will have the opportunity to lend their voices to a Voice Project/Colormake recording project that will be broadcasted to abducted LRA soldiers in the Congo, encouraging them to lay down their weapons and come home.
This tour will prove to be a night of good music for an important cause. Koji is a fantastic performer and person, always engaging the audience with his music and stories.
Dates for the tour are as follows:
6/17 – Limestone Presbyterian – Wilmington, DE – Event – Tickets
6/26 – Archway Center – Altoona, PA – Event – Tickets
7/19 – Midtown Scholar – Harrisburg, PA – Event– Tickets
7/21 – Musica – Akron, OH – Event – Tickets
7/22 – The Crofoot Ballroom – Pontiac, MI – Event – Tickets
7/23 – Beat Kitchen – Chicago, IL (17+) – Event – Tickets
7/27 – The Studio at Webster Hall – New York, NY (19+) – Event – Tickets
7/28 – Treehouse Books – Philadelphia, PA – Event – Tickets
7/29 – TBA
7/30 – Bull Run Unitarian Universalist Church – Manassas, VA – Event – Tickets
Fans of April Smith and the Great Picture Show have something to get excited about today, as they have announced new tour dates for March and April:
03/20: Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Bowl
03/25: New York, NY – Apple Store (14th Street)
04/10: Cincinnati, OH – 20th Century Theatre
04/11: Asheville, NC – The Orange Peel
04/12: Charleston, SC – The Music Farm
04/14: Atlanta, GA – The Loft at Center Stage Atlanta
04/17: Mobile, AL – Soul Kitchen
04/18: Houston, TX – House of Blues – Bronze Peacock
04/19: Austin, TX – La Zona Rosa
04/20: Dallas, TX – House of Blues – Cambridge Room
04/22: Santa Fe, NM – Santa Fe Brewing Co.
Personally I’m very excited about this because 1) I missed the recent Mercury Lounge show due to illness, and 2) Brooklyn Bowl is a fantastic venue that I think will serve them well. Look for a review of the Brooklyn show here after it happens.
Remember back when we thought Aerosmith was going to replace Steven Tyler as their lead singer and I predicted that would be the end for the classic rock band? Well fans should be glad to hear that not only did that not happen, but the band is going on tour this summer. The NY/NJ area dates are Jones Beach and PNC Bank Arts Center. The rest of the dates are:
7/23, Oakland, CA (Oracle Arena) *
7/26, Paso Robles, CA (State Fair)
7/29, Irvine, CA (Verizon Wireless Amphitheater)
7/31, Las Vegas, NV (MGM Grand Garden Arena) *
8/3, Dallas, TX (Superpages.com Amphitheatre)
8/5, Woodlands, TX (Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion) *
8/7, Tampa, FL (Ford Amphitheatre)
8/9, Fort Lauderdale, FL (BankAtlantic Center) *
8/12, Wantagh, NY (Nikon at Jones Beach Theater) *
8/14, Boston, MA (Fenway Park)
8/17, Toronto, ON (Air Canada Centre) *
8/19, Omaha, NE (Qwest Center) *
8/22, Tinley Park, IL (First Midwest Bank Amphitheater)
8/24, Holmdel, NJ (PNC Bank Arts Center) *
8/26, Syracuse, NY (NY State Fair)
8/28, Atlantic City, NJ (Boardwalk Hall) *
8/31, Detroit, MI (The Palace at Auburn Hills) *
9/2, Cincinnati, OH (Riverbend Music Center) *
9/4, Uncasville, CT (Mohegan Sun Arena)
* w/ support from Sammy Hagar and the Wabos
Stay tuned to this station for all the latest in music news.
If you’ve been waiting for the chance to see Arcade Fire live, well your wait is officially over. The band announced a tour that, among other places, will hit Madison Square Garden in August. There haven’t been many other US dates announced as of now, but the list has been growing for the past couple of days, so if you don’t see your city then don’t panic just yet. The dates that have been announced so far are:
Jun 28 – Helsinki, FI @ Senaatintori
Jun 30 – Rättvik, SE @ Dalhalla
Jul 02 – Arendal, NO @ Hove Festival
Jul 04 – Werchter, BE @ Rock Werchter
Jul 09 – Eadestown, IE @ Oxegen
Jul 12 – Quebec City, QC @ Festival d’ete de Quebec
Jul 13 – Ottawa, ON @ Ottawa Bluesfest
Jul 31 – Montreal, QC @ Osheaga Music Festival
Aug 03 – New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden
Aug 08 – Chicago, IL @ Lollapalooza
Aug 12 – Toronto, ON @ Toronto Centre Island
Aug 27 – Leeds, UK @ Leeds Festival
Aug 28 – Reading, UK @ Reading Festival
Aug 29 – Saint-Cloud, FR @ Rock en Seine
Aug 31 – Berlin, DE @ Tempodrom
Aug 02 – Bologna, IT @ I-Day Festival
Oh, and for those curious about the opening act, that was announced too: Spoon. The same band that headlined Radio City in March. Me thinks whatever these tickets (which go on sale June 12th) cost is going to be worth it.