Mark Ronson & The Business Intl. - 10/11/2010 - Music Hall of Williamsburg

Taking into account Mark Ronson's new album "Record Collection" and the Brooklyn show last night, I would hazard a guess his vinyl / cd / mp3 collection is chock full of electro-80's goodness. And for that, we thank you!

Ronson is a hipster of many hats. DJ. Producer. Writer, yada, yada. And apparently many hairstyles based on that bleached crown he rocked ever so delicately last night. Yet one thing you can not fault the man for is the stable of artists who play on both his records and in concert. For this album and abbreviated promotional tour throughout Europe and the US, Alex Greenwald from Phantom Planet, Spank Rock, MNDR, and a host of diverse, talented musicians joined him onstage at the Music Hall of Williamsburg last night to bring a ray of euro-disco 80's effluvia to the wet, huddled Brooklynites clustered around the small stage.

This was my second time seeing Mr. Ronson and group perform live; the first being a promo. show in NY for his first all covers album "Versions". At the time I told myself, "Wow, Mr. DJ really lucked out with that one. Great album, great show, good luck, wink, wink". Consider me a fan for life after last night's event. My companion for the evening turned to me and said "this is just a damn fun show". And indeed it was. From the moment the group took the stage you could not help but be bound up in the energy and music as the group ran through the highlights from both the new release as well as some of the stand-out tracks from "Versions". This is not for those who like their music filled with ennui and shows deliberately shoe-gazed. Which I normally am a firm proponent of. Great grooves, fun performances, light-hearted new wave dances, etc. This is not for the furrowed brow set but for the dancing pop set and a hearty thumbs up for that. In the abysmal stateside charts where Ke$ha and a variety of other dastardly shit rule the pop radio waves, it's a bit disheartening this album in particular is not getting fair shakes over here outside of the NY / LA media elite. Because Mark Ronson and friends have made a damn fine album that isn't saying anything new but hell, during these times we need a bit of comfort to make the medicine go down. And this band live does that!

Set:

1) Selector

2) Circuit Breaker

3) Just

4) Lose It

5) Oh My God

6) California (Phantom Planet Cover)

7) You Gave Me Nothing

8) Ronson DJ Set

9) Bang Bang Bang

10) God Put A Smile Upon Your Face

11) The Night Last Night

12) Stop Me

13) Record Collection

Encore:

14) The Bike Song

15) Valerie

LCD Soundsystem - 09/24/10 - Philadelphia Naval Yard

For all intents and purposes, LCD Soundsystem (the brainchild of writer / composer / producer / lead singer James Murphy) should be one of those bands that permanently reside in the exclusive realm of the alt. music ghetto, playing small celeb-packed clubs while garnering love letters from the media cognoscenti who fancy themselves the gatekeepers of all that is worth listening to. The music is a pastiche of simple electronic beats married with introspective, melancholia drenched witticisms decrying the state of the world in Mr. Murphy's distinctive, scream-laden vocal stylings. Tracks from the group's new album "This Is Happening" and from their previous 2 full-length albums can stretch into the 8-10 minute run times, leaving the listener exhausted yet oddly exhilarated at the same time. In other words, this shit isn't simple!

Yet at Friday night's show at the Philadelphia Naval Yard celebrating the 10th anniversary of the "Making Time" party event, Mr. Murphy and all his friends (bandmates Pat Mahoney, Phil Mossman, Tyler Pope, Nancy Whang, and assorted others) laid to rest any sort of argument that electronic-based music is virtually impossible to replicate in a concert setting. Taking the stage after a rather jarring opening set from electro-noise rockers Sleigh Bells, LCD completely owned the place, opening with "Dance Yourself Clean", easily one of the best songs released this past year. Blasting through tracks from the new album as well as select favorites from past releases such as "Daft Punk Is Playing At My House" and "Get Innocuous", the soldout, glowstick-laden crowd went narcotic-induced apeshit while I retreated to the relative safety of the back of the venue to better observe the general nuttiness of it all. Having seen the band play before, I understand the power of this group live. Incorporating a full band that has an amazing rhythm section combined with a frontman who knows how to nuance his shrill vocals into crescendo induced agita packs a mighty fine wallop in a live setting. It might not be pretty. But it damn sure is powerful!

There have been hints from Mr. Murphy that this may be his last album under the LCD moniker, retreating into relative obscurity to think it all up again after this tour closes out in Japan at the end of the year. Considering the passion this group's fans have combined with their growing popularity (they are headlining the Hollywood Bowl later this year), I sincerely hope more people have a chance to see this extraordinary band live before the DFA label head calls it quits. Unfortunately if that is not to be the case, then indeed, to paraphrase one of the groups songs, I might be losing my edge but I was there!

Set:

Dance Yourself Clean

Drunk Girls

Get Innocuous

Yr City's A Sucker

Daft Punk

I Can Change

All My Friends

You Wanted A Hit

Tribulations

Movement

Yeah

Encore:

Someone Great

Losing My Edge

Home

The Pixies - 09/07/10 - Philadelphia - Tower Theater

Taking the stage at the historic Tower Theater in Philadelphia Tuesday night, the Pixies opened the final leg of their Doolittle redux tour with a blast of nostalgia, melting faces both young and old in the process. Over the last year, the band has jumped on the "front to back" touring bandwagon, focusing on one album from their oeuvre and playing all tracks from said feature, sprinkling the set list with b-sides and other rarities from that period in their career. As "Doolittle", their seminal art-punk-rock-pop album released in 1989, is considered by many to be a touchstone in the alterna-rock category, it was cause for celebration for hipsters everywhere as the band strolled on-stage, opening the set with the obscure b-side "Dancing The Manta Ray". Backed by a rather elaborate lighting / video system synced with the bands efforts, the group plowed through such hits as "Monkey Gone To Heaven", "Hey", and "Gouge Away", delivering meaty riffs and classic lyrics from what many still consider the halcyon glory days of indie music.

Francis Black, Kim Deal, Joey Santiago and David Lovering have had one of the more well-publicized, tempestuous relationships in the annals of broken rock-and-roll bands. Moving on to varied solo careers and session work, the band reconvened 4 + years ago to milk the alterna-nostalgia market. Unlike the majority of like-minded ventures by other bands of their ilk, this reunion was rapturously well-received from the outset, introducing a new generation of skinny jeaned, floppy-haired youths to the harsh yet soothing soundscapes the band so elegantly captured back in the late 80's. Their talent and virtuosity was on full display Tuesday night as they plowed through the album in its entirety, making minimal small talk yet producing maximum volume as hands were waved and lyrics were mangled / shouted. Two encores later, the crowd was sated as the band took their final bows together as a group. I'm not sure we'll ever have the pleasure of hearing new music from this band again. However, I am sure the pleasure recognized from seeing them live more than compensates for this in so many ways.

Set:

Dancing the Manta Ray

Bailey's Walk

Weird At My School

Manta Ray

Debaser

Tame

Wave of Mutilation

I Bleed

Here Comes Your Man

Dead

Monkey Gone To Heaven

Mr. Grieves

Crackity Jones

La La Love You

#13 Baby

Ther Goe's My Gun

Hey

Silver

Gouge Away

Encore 1:

Wave of Mutilation (UK Surf)

Into the White

Encore 2:

Nimrod's Son

Isla de Encanta

Vamos

Where Is My Mind

Tears For Fears - 08/19/10 - NYC - Hammerstein Ballroom

It's been 25 yrs. since I've had the pleasure of seeing this band live. Barring the shit seats and the copious amount of inebriation, it was well worth the wait. Plus the fact I was absolutely a young scamp in this audience. Combined with $5 well margaritas and a generous bartendress, my night could not have been better.

Set:

Mad World (DD version)

Secret World

Sowing the Seeds of Love

Call Me Mellow

Mad World (original)

Memories Fade

Quiet Ones

Woman In Chains

Advice for the Young at Heart

Seven of Sunday

Billie Jean (cover)

Pale Shelter

Break It Down Again

Head Over Heels

Encore:

Floating Down the River

Shout

The Big Pink - 03/31/10 - Philadelphia - North Star

Freakishly small bar / pub in Philly - check. Lackluster crowd filled with hipsteratti - check. Headlining and opening bands who deserved more than the banal setting of last night's show - check.

Don't get me wrong. I am thrilled to be able to take advantage of situations such as the one noted above when bands whom I really dig come to town promoting albums I am currently in love with. No shoving morons. Easy access to front of stage placement. Room to dance my ass off and the list goes on. However, it begs the question as to what sort of "scene" there truly is in Killadelphia when two bands of this caliber can barely pull 100 people into a room with a ticket price under $20. I mean, REALLY?? Enough with the negativity, now for the goodness.

It was my third time having the pleasure of seeing A Place To Bury Strangers live. The Brooklyn trio always delivers in terms of sonics and trippy light eye-candy. These noisecore vets. create screamingly good walls of feedback-drenched esoterica perfect for dancing one's eyes out. It's part shoegaze M. B. Valentine headfuck mixed with an off-key melodic sensibility that really translates both in concert as well as on disc. Check their self-titled debut and 2009 release "Exploding Head". Your brain will thank you later.

Comprised of Robbie Furze and Milo Cordell, The Big Pink has slowly been making in-roads here in the States via their extraordinary debut "A Brief History of Love" via 4AD. Lead single "Dominos" and follow-up "Velvet" should be all over the place by now instead of the alterna-ghetto they now reside in here in the USA. Front to back this album is pure pop sadness / goodness with hints of the JM Chains and a smattering of V. Underground thrown in for good measure. Easily one of the best albums of the last year. Live, the band perfectly captures the distorted spirit of their output to date with a rousing stage show backed by a really tight rhythm section seamlessly recreating the addled soundscapes found on their album. The bitchy NME set has already embraced it with open arms. It's our turn dammit!

Notes: Ran up on Milo after the show (if you by chance read this M., thanks for putting up with my drunken ramblings). Highlights include excitement about upcoming Coachella show, working on new music, coming back to the US for a possible fall tour, and a bunch of other stuff I can't recall at the moment. Also please look up BP's covers of Beyonce's "Sweet Dreams" and the Cure's "Love Song" online. You won't be disappointed, promise!

Setlist:

Too Young To Love

At War With The Sun

Frisk

Velvet

Crystal Visions

A Brief History of Love

New Song?

These Arms Are Mine

Dominos

Muse - 3/2-5/10 - Philly / NYC - Wachovia / MSG

It feels like I have been waiting forever for a band who can truly match what I saw U2 accomplish back in 92-93 on their Zoo Tv tour. That is, meld fantastic rock music with a truly spectacular, over the top light / video show that leaves audiences minds discombobulated. For me, that wait is over.

I'll admit I was a bit late to the Muse party. Introduced to them via Absolution when the album was released but didn't have the chance to see them live stateside until the Black Holes and Revelations tour (at MSG no less). From that moment on, this band became a must-see live act for moi as it was readily apparent they not only strived to bring it sonically (note for note I can't name a band I've seen live in a long while who matches them in terms of sound) but also visually, incorporating huge video screens, lasers, and compelling stage sets fully integrated into an arena setting.

All you would get from me in a full-blown review of this show / this band is a bunch of fawning adjectives describing how much they do not suck. Therefore, I have attached a more dispassionate yet on-target review from Jon Pareles at the NY Times who checked the same show in NYC.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/08/arts/music/08muse.html?scp=4&sq=Muse&st=cse

One note: It is easy to dismiss Muse as a pastiche of sorts. All of the "real" rock critics tend to do so, but in a begrudgingly admirable manner. "Queen". "Radiohead-esque". "Pink Floyd of the aughts". And on and on and on. And you know what? They aren't necessarily wrong. However, if I was in a band and had to be compared to predecessors, that's not such a shabby list in this reviewers humble opinion. Sorry to say but I'm not looking for Kid A when I go see a live show. I want The Wall. Times 10. That equals Muse!

Setlist:

1. Uprising

2. The Resistance

3. New Born

4. Map of the Problematique

5. Supermassive Black Hole

6. Guiding Light

7. Interlude

8. Hysteria

9. Nishe

10. United States of Eurasia

11. Feeling Good

12. Helsinki Jam

13. Undisclosed Desires

14. MK Ultra

15. Starlight

16. Plug In Baby

17. Time is Running Out

18. Unnatural Selection

Encore:

19. Exogenesis Pt. 1

20. Stockholm Syndrome

21. Knights of Cydonia

Patti Smith - 1/19/10 - NYC - B&N Upstairs at the Square

Before I begin, would just like to wish everyone a belated Happy New Year. Now the 5 of you can return to what you were doing.

Just returned from the Patti Smith reading / performance / book signing held on Tuesday night at Barnes & Noble in Union Square as part of their "Upstairs at the Square" series of events. In all honesty, I'm not the biggest fan per se of Ms. Smith's music. Yes, I've listened to Horses and like a few tracks off of it. Yes, I know I'm supposed to bow my head in reverence to the Godmother of Punk while intoning thanks to the gods for gracing us with her presence. Far more intriguing (to me anyway) is the coterie of friends, lovers, et al she has surrounded herself with throughout her storied career. And in this regard, tonight she did not disappoint.

Celebrating the release of her new book "Just Kids" which primarily concerns itself with detailing her and Robert Mapplethorpe's relationship, Patti read a few passages from the book interspersed with some off-the-cuff anecdotes combined with a 3-song acoustic performance accompanied by long-time bandmate Lenny Kaye.

Hearing her speak so eloquently about her times at the Chelsea Hotel on the arm of Mapplethorpe as they struggled to make a place for themselves in late 60's, early 70's NYC I finally got the appeal. She's a damn amazing storyteller. Whether it was humorously mentioning a non-reciprocated crush on William Burroughs or recounting a particularly sad tale about Janis Joplin being spurned by a potential hook-up who then needed to be baby-sat, she consistently captivated the packed house with her unique point of view. Having the opportunity to briefly page through the book, I can already tell this is going to be one of my "best of's" for the year. If you don't necessarily like her music, I'm here to tell you..that's ok. Because there is so much else to like about her (her life, her writing, her place in pop culture, her politics, her feminism, and the list goes on) that at times, the music may seem secondary to a life lived to its absolute fullest.

Happy Mondays / Psychedelic Furs - 10/7/09 - Philadelphia - Trocadero

Entering the 80's arena yet again this year, I learned a valuable lesson after last night's Happy Mondays / Psychedelic Furs co-headlining show at the Troc. in Philly. Let's refer to that lesson as "The Absolute Necessity For A Good Front Man".

Taking the stage first, Shawn Ryder and company (sans Bez, vexed yet again by U.S. immigration issues) performed a very abbreviated set last night, hitting all the right notes in terms of the band's performance but woefully lacking in the front man charisma department. Glued to his adlib monitor as if it was the burning bush, Ryder barely moved at all from his center stage perch, all the while mumbling incoherent shout-outs to friends and Steve McQueen alike in between songs. Taking Bez's place (and thank god for it) was a magnetic female singer and hype artist whose name unfortunately escapes me. She brought the fun and the stage presence. Unfortunately all Shawn had to bring last night was his lumpen English self who couldn't be bothered.

At the other end of the spectrum, there's Richard Butler. I'm not sure what deal this man has made with El Diablo but suffice to say I would like to make a similar one. Looking shockingly good and sounding amazing, Mr. Butler and company ran through a 17 song set-list heavy on the hits while not missing a beat in terms of poncey twirls, audience interaction, and general Bowie-esque fabulosity. I've seen this band many times over the last 20 + years and never once have they disappointed. Last night was no exception (with the exception of not playing Heartbreak Beat but I'll survive). Winner = Psychedelic Furs by a wide margin!

Happy Mondays Set List:

1. Kinky Afro
2. Monster
3. Loose Fit
4. Reverend Black Grape
5. Hallelujah
6. Nasty
7. Anti Warhole on the Dancefloor
8. Jellybean
9. Mumbo Jumbo
10. Step On

Psychedelic Furs Set List:

1. Love My Way
2. Heartbeat
3. Like a Stranger
4. President Gas
5. The Ghost in You
6. In My Head
7. All of This and Nothing
8. Believe
9. Pretty in Pink
10. No Easy Street
11. Sister Europe
12. It Goes On
13. I Don't Wanna Be Shadow
14. Heaven
15. Encore:
15. Forever Now
16. She Is Mine
17. Dumb Waiters

School of Seven Bells - 9/26/09 - Philadelphia - Johnny Brenda's

Every once in a while I'm lucky enough to catch a band at the beginning of what I hope to be an extraordinarily successful career trajectory. This would be one of those bands and one of those times.

Composed of Alley and Claudia Deheza (formerly of On!Air!Library) with Ben Curtis (previously of The Secret Machines) on guitar, the trio makes ridiculously beautiful music suitable for all addled headspaces. I hate drawing comparisons but imagine if My Bloody Valentine had their way with the Cocteau Twins while engaging in an illicit affair with Lush. In other words the shit is good. Their first full length album "Alpinisms" (released last year on the Ghostly International label) brought them the attention of the Pitchfork set with their unique pastiche of wah-wah guitars fluidly blending with the Deheza sisters ethereal vocals creating an almost otherworldly sound perfect to consume 'ludes to.

Live, the band elegantly captures the aural tapestries found on their debut album (Forgive me for just typing "aural tapestries". There is no reason for that and I am sorry). Suffice to say make every effort to see this band live before they're headlining large venues in the near future. Roadworking new material hopefully to be found on their next album due March of next year, such new songs as "Bye-Bye" and "ILU" fit seamlessly into their Alpinisms driven set. There is also a "deluxe" version of "Alpinisms" due 10/13 incorporating demo versions, alternate takes, and new mixes of songs off their first album. Check http://pitchfork.com/forkcast/13402-iamundernodisguise-alternate-version/ for the alternate version of iamundernodisguise.

Here are a couple vids. I shot of the band from February of this year in Philly at the Troc. for a taste of their magic. Note to iPhone users. Do not waste your time trying to shoot video on this device at a show. It will sound like the seventh circle of hell. Trust me. -

Tour Dates. Go. You owe it to yourself. Or the terrorists win!:

Friday, September 25th - Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brendas w/Popo
Saturday, September 26th - Baltimore, MD - Ottobar w/ Phantogram
Sunday, September 27th - Washington DC - Rock and Roll Hotel w/ Phantogram
Monday, September 28th - Chapel Hill, NC - Local 506 w/ Phantogram, Graveyard Fields
Tuesday, September 29th - Atlanta, GA - Drunken Unicorn w/ Phantogram, The Tealights
Thursday, October 1st - Austin, TX - Emos Alternative Lounge w/ Phantogram
Friday, October 2nd - Austin, TX - Austin City Limits / Ziker Park
Sunday, October 4th - San Diego, CA - Casbah w/ Phantogram
Monday, October 5th - Los Angeles, CA - Troubadour w/ Warpaint, Phantogram
Tuesday, October 6th - San Francisco, CA - Slims w/ Warpaint, Phantogram
Thursday, October 8th - Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge w/ Warpaint
Friday, October 9th - Vancouver BC - Biltmore Cabaret w/ Depreciation Guild, Warpaint
Saturday, October 10th - Seattle, WA - Neumos w/ Warpaint
Tuesday, October 13th - Minneapolis, MN - 7th Street Entry w/ Depreciation Guild, Warpaint
Wednesday, October 14th - Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle w/ Depreciation Guild, Warpaint
Thursday, October 15th - Toronto, ON - Lees Palace w/ Depreciation Guild, Warpaint
Friday - October 16th - Northampton, MA - Pearl Street w/ Depreciation Guild, Warpaint
Saturday, October 17th - Boston, MA - Paradise w/ Depreciation Guild, Warpaint
Friday, October 23rd - New York, NY - Webster Hall w/ The XX, First Aid Kit

The Nightman Cometh Live - 9/17/09 - Philadelphia

Being a huge fan of the FX television show "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia", it was a pleasant surprise to hear all of the cast were doing an abbreviated tour of the meta - play within a show within a show featured in one of the more popular episodes from last year to promote the premiere of the new season. I won't belabor anyone with a description of the play in question but suffice to say make every effort to see the show if you can. Just imagine Danny Devito playing the troll toll who one must pay to access the "boy's hole". You get the picture.

By 7:30 pm the crowd outside Tower Theater in Philly was chockablock with fans, costumed freaks, and other Killadelphia detritus clamoring to get in. Treated to an abysmal opening comedian (performing with a live band natch), the show officially got underway with a sneak peek look at clips from the show's upcoming Christmas DVD release as well as an ep. from the new season. Finally taking the stage around 9:15, Charley, Dee, Mac, et al were greeted with thunderous applause as the show got underway. A too short 30 minutes later we left the theater grinning like addled 18 year olds wishing more television shows had the presence of mind to do something this craven from a marketing perspective in the near future.

A taste. "Dayman. aaaAAAaa. Fighter of the Nightman"!

Pet Shop Boys - 9/2-6/09 - NYC / AC

Observing Neil's hat. Wanting one for myself.

This was my third Pet Shop Boys tour over the last 15 years and I told myself from the outset "go more than once, asshole. You always regret not doing so". After telling myself to shut the hell up I did just that and purchased tix for both the band's New York and Atlantic City appearances. And I am happy to report it was money well-spent.

There are some bands who are just shockingly good live. PSB is one of those bands. One would assume it would be a rather being boring moment in that Neil and Chris are not the most excitable of characters (both onstage and off). Taking that into consideration they consistently make an effort to surround themselves with dancers, stunning visual effects, and other homosational effluvia. For this round, the backdrop consisted of strategically placed white boxes set up in different dimensional patterns forming a screen of sorts for the op-art, cubist videos being projected upon them. Manipulated in different patterns by both the dancers and "technicians" throughout the show, it reminded me of a futuristic disco fronted by two very English poofs. In other words I want to go to there. Often.

For Atlantic City we procured VIP tix allowing us to interact briefly with the band before the show and affording us prime rail spots. The guys could not have been nicer (droll, witty, making fun of George Michael's sexual exploits = John Love). I reciprocated by becoming disturbingly drunk during the show and making an ass of myself. Yay for video. Or in my parlance "YEEAAAHHHH".

NY / AC Setlist:

1. More Than A Dream (Magical Dub) (truncated)
2. Heart
3. Did You See Me Coming?
4. Pandemonium/Can You Forgive Her? (medley)
5. Love Etc.
6. Building A Wall (incorporating "Integral")
7. Go West (incorporating "Paninaro" and "Opportunites (Let's Make Lots Of Money)")
8. Two Divided By Zero
9. Why Don't We Live Together? (incorporating "Left To My Own Devices")
10. Always On My Mind

11. New York City Boy
12. Closer To Heaven (truncated)
13. Left To My Own Devices
14. Do I Have To?
15. King's Cross
16. The Way It Used To Be
17. Jealousy
18. Suburbia

19. All Over The World
20. Se A Vida É (That's The Way Life Is)
21. Viva La Vida (incorporating "Discoteca" and "Domino Dancing")
22. It's A Sin

23. Being Boring
24. West End Girls

Depeche Mode - 8/1-4/09 - AC / NYC

So I have been completely remiss in updating my blog over the last two months due to outside issues. I know the 4 people who are "following" me on here are now rejoicing, thanking the heavens my nubby little concert reviews are back. Glad to be of service.

First up, Depeche Mode in Atlantic City at the Borgata Resort on August 1. As always, this band live can do no wrong in terms of song selection, quality of presentation, and general nerdy moments for me to scream "YEAAAHHH" at as I'm trying to take video. Coming off of a ho-hum last album (Sounds Of The Universe), DM wisely favored older, more esoteric tracks in their setlist (4 nuggets alone off Black Celebration = Hell To The Yes!!). The concert was cut a full encore short due to Atlantic City's infernal curfew and the venue was more than likely over 100 degrees plus at certain points in the show (thank you Gahan and your delicate voice). Minor complaints compared to the opportunity to see a band of this magnitude in a 2500 capacity ballroom. We sang, we danced, we did waving wheat arms. The world became a better place.

Next up, DM in NYC at MSG on August 4. Not much else to add here with the exception of a full set (inclusive of Master and Servant, Strangelove, and Waiting For The Night. Thank you baby Jesus. Thank You!). I'm still not exactly sure why Madison Square has the reputation it has as the #1 destination venue in the world to see shows. Based on your seat location, the sound can be atrocious. Entering and exiting the place is like maneuvering around the snow covered maze in the Shining (with Nicholson clutching ax chasing you included). Seeing 20,000 New Yorkers lose their shit and sing along to Enjoy The Silence though is something that can always be appreciated, regardless of venue.

AC Setlist:
1. In Chains

2. Wrong
3. Hole To Feed
4. Walking In My Shoes
5. It's No Good

6. A Question Of Time
7. Precious
8. Fly On The Windscreen

9. Jezebel
10. Question of Lust
11. Come Back
12. Policy of Truth
13. In Your Room
14. I Feel You
15. Enjoy The Silence

Encore 1:
16. Stripped
17. Personal Jesus
18. Never Let Me Down Again

MSG Setlist:

1. In Chains

2.Wrong

3. Hole To Feed
4. Walking In My Shoes

5. It's No Good
6. A Question Of Time
7. Precious
8. Fly On The Windscreen
9. Jezebel
10. Question of Lust
11. Miles Away/This Truth Is
12. Policy of Truth
13. In Your Room
14. I Feel You
15. Enjoy The Silence

16. Never Let Me Down Again

Encore 1:
17. Stripped
18. Master And Servant

19. Strangelove

Encore 2:
20. Personal Jesus
21. Waiting For The Night

New Muse Single - Finally!!

Check the new Muse single "United States of Eurasia" off their upcoming album scheduled to drop worldwide 9/14. One great big Queen pastiche. It is going to not suck live!

The Pixies Are Coming, The Pixies Are Coming!!

After a brief summer sojourn in Europe, The Pixies are returning to the US in November to commemorate the 20th anniversary release of their seminal album "Doolittle", performing the album in its entirety along with corresponding B-sides and other gems. Um, yes please!

Dates and on-sales below:

NOVEMBER
4 The Palladium, Los Angeles, CA - on sale TBA
8 Fox Theater, Oakland, CA - on sale August 16
9 Fox Theater, Oakland, CA - on sale August 16
12 Paramount Theatre, Seattle, WA - on sale August 1
13 Paramount Theatre, Seattle, WA - on sale August 1
14 Hult Center, Eugene, OR - on sale August 14
16 The Fillmore, Denver, CO - on sale September 12
20 Aragon Ballroom, Chicago, IL - on sale September 12
21 Aragon Ballroom, Chicago, IL - on sale September 12
23 Hammerstein Ballroom, New York, NY - on sale August 14
24 Hammerstein Ballroom, New York, NY - on sale August 14
25 Hammerstein Ballroom, New York, NY - on sale August 14
27 Wang Center, Boston, MA - on sale September 12
30 Constitution Hall, Washington, D.C. - on sale September 11

Black Moth Super Rainbow - 7/25/09 - Johnny Brenda's

A crazy fun good time was had by all last Friday night in the bowels of Philly, PA. as Pennsy bred band Black Moth Super Rainbow took to the stage at Johnny Brenda's with their unique blend of psych poptronica. Fronted by a hype man dressed as Gorilla Judge Ito and backed by a video montage hodgepodge featuring nutty murderous hipsters and unicorn starshine, the sold out show was a nice respite from the norm. cookie cutter affairs bands of their size normally throw at this stage in their careers. Glowsticks were thrown about, copious amounts of herb was smoked while Boots and I took in the show both onstage and off. By the end of the event, there was no difference between the two as some of the crowd clamored onstage for their "look at me Ma" moment to shake their white-girl asses to music they more than likely didn't really comprehend.

With a nod to the Flaming Lips, this band really knows how to throw a proper hootenanny.

I give this show a resounding 4 hits of white blotter acid up!

The Secret Machines - 6/19/09 - Santos Party House

Very rarely would I classify a show as being worth it if all you got was an abbreviated 5 song set from a band I could happily listen to play for 3 + hours. This was definitely one of those "worth it" moments. Setlist: Fire Is Waiting - Nothing new here - Vid. is partial Terrible Light - New song - In my humble opinion, it was brilliant! Like I Can - A revival from the Annex shows - Josh confirmed it's making the new album. Pure psych-pop goodness. Walls Are Starting..Nothing new here but really strong version overall - Vid. is partial Dreaming of Dreaming - By far the most exciting, bass-tastic version of this song I've seen / heard live. It melted hipster faces. Phil tore this shit up at the end! Being a forgetful douche, I forgot to inquire about a drop date for the new material. They are "wrapping up recording now" and I'm assuming we'll see something by fall / winter if hopefully not sooner. Possibility of more live dates soon but don't quote me on that. Viva La TSM!

R.I.P. Virgin!

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/15/arts/music/15virgin.html?hpw

Fleetwood Mac - 6/13/09 - Boardwalk Hall

Does Fleetwood Mac really need to be "unleashed"? Taking into account the blue-plate-special craving audience at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City Saturday night, I would hazard a guess the answer to that question would be a resounding NO!

Winding down the last leg of this pseudo greatest-hits tour, the Unleashed shows are a gift of sorts to their long-time fans by focusing on the spectacular number of hits the band has achieved over the last 40 + years. As evidenced in the setlist below, there was something for everyone (hell, even Lindsey got to "go insane" from his '84 solo album as it were). The band were in fine form; Stevie bringing the shawls and throaty vocals, Lindsey bringing the virtuoso guitar work and blush bars, John with the thudding bass and Mick with the fucking crazy - brass balls included!  Hearing "Storms" and "Sara" for the first time live was reason enough to shell out coin for tickets to this hela-fun show.

And that brings me to the one negative point of the evening....the audience. Last night's affair was dispiriting to say the least from a crowd standpoint. I thought I was in a surreal production of Benjamin Button, The Early Years as I would guess the median age for this wild-bunch started at 55 +. No complaints there but one would think (especially in this economy) if you spend the money on a ticket and take the time / make the effort to get your sorry ass to the show you plan on displaying some form of joy at being there. Sitting in one's seat throughout the duration of the event and grumbling about people in front of you who would like to *shudder* stand in front of their seat and *gasp* shake their moneymaker a little during Gold Dust Woman is not appropriate manners, even if you did go to grade-school with Mick Fleetwood. If you feel your hip may be in jeopardy of shattering in three places if you stand up too suddenly, sit your decrepit ass at home and wait for the DVD. Please. Section 4, Row 23 I'm talking to you. Sorry you were unleashed upon by this 'mo last night but you so deserved it.

Setlist:

Monday Morning

The Chain

Dreams

I Know I'm Not Wrong

Gypsy

Go Insane

Rhiannon

Second Hand News

Tusk

Sara

Big Love

Landslide

Never Going Back Again

Storms

Say You Love Me

Gold Dust Woman

Oh Well

I'm So Afraid

Stand Back

Go Your Own Way

World Turning

Don't Stop 

Ticketmaster + Live Nation = The Devil!!!!!

Besides stifling competition (what little left there is of it), the proposed (and some now say inevitable) merger between Ticketmaster and Live Nation will effectively price a large majority of concert fans right out of the venue come show time. Note Live Nation's increasing reliance on charging "ticketing fees" up to 1/3 the face value of the ticket price (and this does not include the mandatory $4-$8 charge per ticket for parking at company-owned venues) making one already misty for the days of Ticketmaster's 10-15% service charges.    

For more on this troubling situation see:

http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1903447,00.html

http://dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/15/live-nation-ticketmaster-deal-should-not-proceed-report-says/?scp=9&sq=ticketmaster%20live%20nation&st=cse

http://blog.cleveland.com/business/2009/02/live_nation_and_ticketmaster_i.html

Pet Shop Boys - North American Tour Dates - Presale Info.

PSB begin their "Pandemonium" North American tour Sept. 1 in NYC. Dates are as follows:

Sept 1 New York, NY Hammerstein 

Sept 2 New York, NY Hammerstein 

Sept 3 Washington, DC Constitution Hall 

Sept 5 Boston, MA House of Blues 

Sept 6 Atlantic City, NJ House of Blues 

Sept 9 Miami, FL Fillmore 

Sept 10 Tampa, FL Tampa Bay PAC 

Sept 11 Orlando, FL House of Blues 

Sept 12 Atlanta, GA Chastain 

Sept 14 Chicago, IL Chicago Theater 

Sept 15 Milwaukee, WI Pabst Ballroom 

Sept 19 Vancouver, BC Vancouver Centre of Performing Arts 

Sept 20 Seattle, WA Moore 

Sept 22 San Francisco, CA Warfield 

Sept 23 San Francisco, CA Warfield 

Sept 24 Los Angeles, CA Greek 

Sept 26 Las Vegas, NV Joint

Presale tickets now available at:

https://tix.concertmaps.com/petshopboys/default.asp