LARS is in an in-between period, I'll admit. But things are shaping up for the better. In the meantime, a quick note about an upcoming mention: INOUK at the Mercury last night were amazing. Really fucking great. I wasn't able to take many pictures among the sold-out crowd (I still need to master the art of politely muscling my way for a shot). So here are the select few for now, along with an mp3. More to come later.
Search For The Bees
Twenty-four and there's so much more/Live alone in a paradise/That makes me think of two-S.
Finally it's here and I'm already addicted:
CORNERSHOP present their new material in the name of Bubbley Kaur
What gets turned to smoke/Was in our hearts-S.
The SHOUT OUT LOUDS, yet another stellar group of Swedish origins, are playing the Mercury Lounge tonight (217 E. Houston at Ave. A, $8, 7:30pm). They are by far and away one of my favorite bands; their simple pop is unique and catchy with a great whine of a vocalist.
Website
THE DAMNWELLS also know how to please a crowd, and tonight the lucky audience is at Maxwells (1039 Washington St., Hoboken NJ). Lucky in the sense that they're getting to see a great band with nicely tuned rock chops. And lucky in the sense that they're also getting to see aforementioned band open for none other than JESSE MALIN, the great NYC rocker/balladeer. I myself am a rather large Malin fan as well after having heard his great single, "Queen of The Underworld". Also, of course, any man who can do justice to a Bruce Springsteen cover is alright by me (and yes, that includes David Bowie, see below).
The Damnwells Website
Jesse Malin - Queen of The Underworld Video
Jesse Malin - Hungry Heart cover
David Bowie - Growin' Up Cover (off of the newly rereleased Diamond Dogs)
Rock Photo:
Because cycling is so much more than guys on bikes. Because it takes guts to come back from cancer which has invaded your brain and the majority of your body. Because winning the most prestigious and hardest endurance event in all of sports could be enough for a mere mortal. Because winning it six years in a row (roughly 120 miles per day for three weeks at an average gradient of 3%) is enough for you.
Lance Armstrong, though his closest proximity to rock n' roll is his current love, is indeed quite rock n' roll in my book. And finally, today in America, my beloved sport of cycling is finally getting some long-overdue coverage. Rock on Lance. You did it.
Taken by Wolfgang Rattay on 7/25/04 on the Champs-Elysees in Paris. For CORBIS.
I swear I lost everything I ever loved or feared-S.
You know, I was not originally thrilled with The Libertines. I certainly didn’t buy into the near-rabid hype that was mainly supplied by the habitually-suspect British music press. But somehow “What A Waster” wouldn’t leave my skull. And now we have the new single “Can’t Stand Me Now”. Certainly apt when it comes to the boys’ tenuous relationship, as well as all the ridiculous, three-ring circus drama that has clouded the band for the past year now. But this song is just such a beautifully clear-eyed declaration of love. Love for the craft, love for the life, and certainly love for The Clash (“Revoluion Rock” anyone?). It’s so wonderfully put together, particularly with the two-part vocals and that great dub beat in the chorus. What nails it all together is the harmonica ending, which just screams to be compared to the equally-poignant “You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go” beginning. And it made me realize that beneath the veneer of British bad boys, behind the glazed-over eyes that stare out at us on glossy pages of Vice Magazine (see below), there are two musicians there who originally got into this quagmire to make music for us. Color me impressed.
NME Homepage for the new Libertines video, Can’t Stand Me Now
Caption from Vice Magazine’s latest Photo Issue (which, if you ordered it ahead of time, comes with a simply wicked DVD jampacked with music videos, including the post-9/11 Stills video).
“Pete Doherty (at press time formerly of The Libertines, but he’ll probably be back in by the time this comes out—or maybe he’ll be dead) smoking crack.”
Photo by Jamie-James Medina.
Try imagining a place/Where it’s always safe and warm-S.
People throw around the word “punk” nowadays like they slap down money for fast food. The face of punk has gone from The Ramones and The Damned to the likes of Avril Lavigne and Blink 182. So it always pleases me when a band like THE BRONX come down to a venue to punch some true punk spirit back into our skulls. Their self-titled LP is unlike anything I’ve heard in a long while; “Heart Attack American” starts things off with a guttural scream and furious three-chord guitars, and the pace doesn’t slack until “Strobe Life”, a showcase for one of the best voices in punk, Matt Caughthran. One of the main reasons why The Bronx draws me in is that there is a certain genuine angst going on, a desperation to get out of harm’s way and the inability to do so that creates a true punk rage. And I could go on and on interpreting one of my new favorite groups, but instead, I think this excerpt from
the band’s website does it best:
“theses days rock is dead, punk - we won't even go there, and emo dudes are carrying purses. music... well, music is exactly where it should be.
fuck your silverlakes, fuck your melroses, fuck your sunset strips. this is Hollywood Blvd. just a bunch of junkies, hookers, pimps and bookies.”
Tonight, The Bronx takes it to the masses at the Knitting Factory, with HURRY-UP OFFENSE, YOUR ENEMIES FRIENDS, and READ YELLOW. 74 Leonard St., $12, 7pm.
The Bronx – Heart Attack American
The Bronx – White Tar
Video For False Alarm by The Bronx
Hurry-Up Offense – Punk Life (Juicy)
Your Enemies Friends Website
Read Yellow Website
Events Calendar for shows from the likes of TED LEO/RX, MAN IN GRAY, THESE BONES, and more.
And, because it bears mention…
I F-ING LOVE THE HIVES. I always have, back when The States were blessed enough to catch wind of their amazing material nearly three years after they originally released it. And I love them now with the same intense passion reserved for a select few. Rock on Hives. And rock on with your bad selves if you saw them live at Irving. Myself? I decided to save money to go see Devo in Central Park. Toss up if ever there was one, let me tell you. But worth every fucking penny. I am one happy spud right now.
’They say it’s new/But I have to doubt it’: The Hives – Walk Idiot Walk Video
Rock Photos:
Of course, The Hives. First one by Kristian Anttila, second one taken by Rune Hellestad at the 2002 Leeds Carling Festival for CORBIS.
Got told the school of human thinking/Teaches only truth/And one of its educations/Is gonna find you-S.
