Who's Driving the Bus?

Superchunk and Oakley Hall @ McCarren Pool

2007-06-24T21:57:00.000-04:00

The first Pool Party of the summer at McCarren Pool was today. It was a great time as always. The weather was perfect and all of the bands sounded amazing. This years lineup promises a lot of great shows so be sure to check out a few. I got there today in time to hear all of the bands. +/- started things off really well. Up next was a personal favorite of mine, Oakley Hall. As always they were great. I can't say enough good things about them. The day ended with Superchunk who I have never been a huge fan of but their set seemed to go over really well with the crowd.

See the rest of my photos here.

Mermaid Parade

2007-06-24T21:51:00.000-04:00

The 25th annual Mermaid Parade at Coney Island was yeasterday. It was a really great time. I hope that this isn't the last one, but it looks like it may be because there are plans to destroy Astroland and build luxury condos.

See all of my photos at my flickr account

The White Stripes @ the Fillmore at Irving Plaza

2007-06-20T01:31:00.000-04:00

Um...Yeah...um....Well....That fucking rocked. This show was amazing and to think it is only the appetizer before the main course. Jack and Meg just flat out destroyed Irving Plaza tonight. In my opinion the show really got going in the Icky Thump>Canon mash up. This version awesome as Jack just jammed on that opening line of Canon before unleashing the furry. The set which lasted for 2 hours just seemed to fly by. Check out my longer review over at Hidden Track and check back all summer for more pictures and reviews from the White Stripes shows at Halifax, Glace bay, MSG, Virginia, Connecticut and ACL.

See more photos here.

Three Years on and I still say WTF.

2007-06-18T15:05:00.001-04:00

Today marks the third anniversary of one of the top 2 what the fuck moments in Phish history. Three years ago Phish shocked a sold out audience in Coney Island by announcing Jay-Z as there special guest. Some would argue that the collaboration that followed was horrible. While others thought it was brilliant. Me I just thought it was a typical Phish move. The band always knew just how to surprise their audience the best. Although my biggest what the fuck moment was definitely when Kid Rock came out in Las Vegas this was still a pretty cool thing to witness.

Success! I will be at Irving Plaza on Tuesday

2007-06-16T11:15:00.000-04:00

I got to the Fillmore at Irving Plaza around 5:30 this morning there were about 75 people in front of me. By about 7am the line was numbering 200 people and an hour later it seemed to be at 400 people. Someone said that they only had 500 tickets to sell. I kind of doubt that but you never know. Around 10am they gave out numbers I was 89. Then around 11 I was finally able to buy tickets! I am super stoked for Tuesday.

Akron/Family @ Bowery Ballroom

2007-06-14T15:23:00.000-04:00

This was a great show. In my opinion this was the best of the 12 or so times I have seen them. Check out my full review over at Hidden Track. I really hope that Akron/Family play New York again soon. I also really wish these guys would think about putting out an official live album.

See more photos here.

BOOKER T. & THE MG'S with guest SHARON JONES @ Rockefeller Park

2007-06-14T11:09:00.001-04:00

Sharon Jones was great last night. The rest of the show was o.k in my opinion. Hidden Track has a much longer review.

See more of my photos here.

The Whitestirpes live on the Jools Holland Show

2007-06-03T13:21:00.000-04:00

The Whitestripes stopped by the Jools Holland show to play few new songs. This was my first time hearing "Icky Thump" live and I must say it rock even harder than the album version. This was also my first time hearing "Effect and Cause". I am digging this cut a lot. It has a great country blues feel similar to their cover of "Rated -X". After a brief interview the band finishes their performance with a version of "My Doorbell" featuring Jack on bass and Jools on keyboards.

Icky Thump

Effect and Cause

Interview

My Doorbell

Ryan Adams covers Alice in Chains and debuts new material

2007-05-23T13:40:00.000-04:00

Ryan Adams played a few shows last week to promote the upcoming release of his new album, "Easy Tiger". These shows saw Ryan confined to playing only the piano and singing after suffering from an undisclosed injury. I hope Ryan recovers soon but I have to admit I really like the sound of the Cardinals at these shows. Ryan and the band took kind of an unplugged/Reckoning approach to these shows by performing all acoustic sets. In addition to the striped down sound, the band also all sat upon stools which if I remember correctly was an unplugged requirement. In addition to debuting new material from "Easy Tiger" Ryan also debuted his take on the Alice and Chain's song "Down in a Hole". All I can say is "wow". This was a great choice and done beautifully. Here are two tracks from the Kingston show. But I urge you to check out the whole recording over at Ryan Adams Archive.

Ryan Adams and the Cardinals
Ulster Performing Arts Center
Kingston, N.Y.
May 16, 2007
Down in a Hole(Alice in Chains Cover)
Magnolia Mountain

There plenty of Ryan Adams else where on the web
Aquarium Drunkard has excerpts from both Exile on Franklin St. and the Destroyer Sessions
The Punk Guy has a few live MP3s.
That Truncheon Thing has a MP3 of "Everybody Knows" from the upcoming album.
Product Shop NYC also has two new tracks

Jesus and Mary Chain @ Webster Hall

2007-05-23T10:45:00.000-04:00

I heard the Jesus and Mary Chain for the first time when I was 13 or 14. I would often fall asleep listening to a nightly radio program called "Night Waves" that was broadcast on the local college radio program. This show served as my guide for what was cool for many years. I don't really remember what my initial reaction to the Jesus and Mary Chain's music was but I do remember going to a record store and being unable to determine what song it was I had heard on the radio so I bought both "Psychocandy" and "Stoned and Dethroned".

Later that year that same record store held a contest to win tickets and a chance to meet the band before their up coming show at Bogart's in Cincinnati, Ohio. Now I have never been a very lucky when it comes to raffles or give aways but I was that time. The record store called my house about a week before the concert to inform me that I had won and how I could claim my prize. There was barely a moment leading up to the show that I didn't think about what it would be like to meet the JAMC.

After what seemed like an eternity the night of the show finally came. I arrived at the back entrance of Bogart's and was escorted up to the backstage area. I think most people were a little confused on how a nerdy young kid had won the contest because I remember getting a few "What the Fuck?" looks as I waited for the band. As I waited in a dark dank room for the band I became more and more nervous. Once they arrived the meeting was pretty uneventful. We all shook hands and I think I told them that I was a huge fan and then they presented me with an autograph poster and I was told they had to do a sound check then, but my tickets would be waiting at will call. I memories of the show are all good ones but I think it may have been the entire experience that I was impressed with.

So when it was announced that the Jesus and Mary Chain would be performing 2 nights at Webster Hall I was really excited to relive a moment from my childhood. Although this time I was nearly as excited as I was then. Last night's show although it was not the most energetic concert it was definitely a lot of fun. It was great to hear so many amazing songs live again. I was a little surprised at how most of these songs still seem relevant. Although I do hope for the best for Reid brothers I am not sure I will need to see them again live. This show kind of closed a chapter in my life. Thanks for the great memories.

The Whitestripes live return and lots of new press.

2007-05-21T10:22:00.001-04:00

The Whitestripes performed their first concert in almost 2 years this past Friday. Early report are all pretty good. The concert was announced late last week and was billed as "an intimate show". The band opened with a cover of the Hank Williams Sr song "Tennessee Border" and played both new and old material. People on Ws.net are talk about how much that the live version of "Icky Thump" raged. NME has the entire setlist and a nice review. NME will also be giving away limited edition Whitestripes 7-inch with the June 8th issue.
In other Whitestripes news they will also be on the cover of Nylon magazine and they made this funny little video to go with it.
NYLON TV + THE WHITE STRIPES

Add to My Profile | More Videos

Beastie Boys new album and videos

2007-05-18T11:11:00.000-04:00

The Beastie Boys are preparing to release their brand new all instrumental album "The Mix Up". If the two music video they have posted on their website are any indication of what the rest of the album is going to be like we are definitely in store for one awesome album. I have been listening to a lot of old Beastie Boys specifically "Check Your Head"(which imo is their best) and the infamous "Live at Randy's Rodeo" bootleg. But these new vids are just getting me so stoked.

I can only hope they add a few more North American tour dates. I would love to see one of these all instrumental shows. But for now I will just have to settle for their set at V-Fest which I am not sure will be all instrumental. Check on this video of "Off the Grid" or head over to their website to see more, also check out this great photo set of new B-Boy photos.

!!! @ Bowery Ballroom

2007-05-17T14:30:00.000-04:00

The !!! show at the Bowery Ballroom last night was off the charts. The energy level and fun level were blown through the roof. It seemed like the whole audience danced and rocked out from start to finish which rarely happens at any New York City show. Ace will probably have a better review up on Hidden Track later or check out Brooklyn Vegan or the Music slut for more reviews.

A few more photos here.

Silversun Pickups @ Webster Hall

2007-05-16T16:09:00.000-04:00

It took about half the show for both the band and the audience to get into it but in the end I thought it was a pretty good show.

See more photos on my Flickr account

New Orleans Jazzfest 2007

2007-05-10T15:32:00.000-04:00

I am back from New Orleans and Jazzfest was amazing. I put a bunch of photos up on my Flickr account. Also Hidden Track posted a bunch of them. So check out both.

The Flaming Lips @ Brown University

2007-04-23T13:31:00.000-04:00

Check out my review of Flaming Lips at Brown University on Hidden Track and to see photos from all of the band head over to my flickr account.

Also I recently found this video of The Whitestripes and Flaming Lips from New Year's Eve 2003/2004. I was at this show at it has been fun to re-live it with the help of YouTube.

Roky Erickson @ Southpaw

2007-04-16T14:30:00.000-04:00

Roky fucking rocked! I had been waiting the last 10 years of my life for this show. Check out my full review at Hidden Track.

Also here are a few awesome videos I found on youtube.

Jandek @ the Abrons Arts Center

2007-04-16T08:41:00.001-04:00

This past weekend was reclusive Texan musician weekend here in New York City. On Friday and Sunday there were Roky Erickson shows and sandwiched in between was Jandek. Wikipedia has the following to say about Jandek:

“Jandek is the assumed name of an outsider musician who operates in or around Houston, Texas. Since 1978, Jandek has self-released 49 albums of unusual, often emotionally dissolute folk and blues songs without ever granting more than the occasional interview or providing any biographical information. Jandek often plays a highly idiosyncratic and frequently atonal form of folk and blues music, often using an open and unconventional chord structure. Jandek’s music is unique, but his lyrics closely mirror the country blues and folk traditions of Eastern Texas.”

I personally had never heard of Jandek before a year of so ago when he made his first New York appereance. Since then I have pick up a few of his recordings and struggled with most them. But being a music fan I wasn’t going to miss a possible once in a life time chance to see him perform. The show on Saturday was scheduled to be at Tonic but was moved at the last moment to the beautiful Abrons Arts Center. Jandek performed at a 3 piece band and it was unlike any of the recording I had heard. The music was a mix between rock and free form noise. Most of the songs lasted for close to 15 minutes and moved between multiple arrangemnets and structures. I was really captivated by parts but just flat out borded by others. Here is short video I shot of his performance

Dr.Dog @ Bowery Ballroom

2007-04-09T10:01:00.000-04:00

Hidden Track posted my review of Dr.Dog's excellent show at the Bowery Ballroom. So go check it out here and check out more of my photos on my flickr account.
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Les Savy Fav @ The Bowery Ballroom

2007-04-02T09:51:00.000-04:00

Les Savy Fav totally rocked the Bowery Ballroom last night. The band debuted a bunch of new material that all sounded great. The addition of the 2nd guitar player also added a really cool new dimension to the band. The night got started with the really cool Call Me Lightning and the the always fun The Big Sleep.

For more photos head over to my flickr account

Last of the Breed @ Radio City Music Hall

2007-03-23T08:32:00.000-04:00

I had a a great time at this concert last night. Ray Price started the evening with his own band and they were amazing. Ray's vocals haven't lost anything at all. The highlight of his set was "Heartache by the Numbers". Merle Haggard was up next and although he didn't play all of the hit I wanted to hear he was still great. I guess the problem is that he just has so many amazing songs it is hard to pick which ones to play. He closed his set by performing my favorite tune of his "Sing Me Back Home". He was then joined by Willie Nelson for "Okie From Muskogee". Willie's appearance received the biggest cheers of the night. After a brief set by both Willie and Merle, Ray came back and they all performed a few songs together including this Hank Williams songs. Sorry about the bad video quality but I was sitting the cheap seat.

Steve Earle and Allison Moorer @ the Blue Note

2007-03-13T23:39:00.000-04:00

Last night I went over to the Blue Note to see Steve Earle. Overall I thought his performance was pretty good. He performed mostly songs from him extensive back catalogue and a few newer songs. The highlight for me was hearing "The Mountain" which Steve dedicated to coal miners in Kentucky. Steve also spoke quite a bit about living in New York City and how it was different from the country. He also briefly mentioned his character in my favorite television show the Wire and how they were going to be filming this summer. Allison Moorer opened the show and performed a beautiful version of the Sam Cooke classic "A Change is Gonna Come".

Here is clip of Allison Moorer performing "A Change is Gonna Come"

Steve Earle performing "Hometown Blues"

and here is Steve performing "My Old Friend The Blues".

The Good, The Bad and The Queen @ Webster Hall

2007-03-13T13:01:00.000-04:00

It was a great show. Easily my favorite of the 30 shows I have seen this year. Check out my full review over at Hidden Track.

Charlie Louvin @ the Gramercy Theater

2007-03-09T10:14:00.000-05:00

I will post a longer review later but until then enjoy this video from Charlie Louvin's fantastic performance at the Gramercy Theater.