Tuesday October 16, 2007
I recently took in 20 to Life: The Life and Times of John Sinclair, which comes out on MVDvisual at the end of the month. John Sinclair is a poet, revolutionary, band manager, activist and lover of rhythm and blues who arose up from the intense cultural climate of the sixties to become a hero and a legitimate political prisoner. 20 to Life tells Sinclair’s story through interviews with him and his friends, family, and cohorts from the past. Sinclair sought to destroy the status quo by a “total assault on the culture by any means necessary” through “a new music, new politics, and a new way of life.” Managed by Sinclair, the MC5 were the music, and as their popularity grew, he had a plan that the band would get huge and they would take all the money and buy radio stations to disseminate information to change the culture. The government was obviously concerned with the going ons of Sinclair and his growin influence, considering the amount of time the authorities spent hassling him. His ultimate goal was freedom and to challenge the “constitutionality of Michigan’s marijuana laws” (especially after have received an extremely harsh sentence for only two joints). Sinclair spent about two years in prison and was released within days of the John Sinclair Freedom Rally – where John Lennon & Yoko famously performed (perhaps the place where Lennon’s trouble with the U.S. government started).
20 to Life is an interesting look at Sinclair’s life, and the White Panther Party, Detroit Artist’s Workshop, and Translove Energies collectives which he organized. Indeed, this was a time when there was so much happening that anything seemed possible. John Sinclair appears all throughout the documentary, looking back at his exploits, and at one point even states that the blind idealism they displayed was only possible, because of all the LSD they took. The documentary is entertaining and gives an insightful glimpse into a time when real change seemed possible. The thing I found most reassuring is the way in which the present John Sinclair is positive and enjoying life, and hasn’t succumbed to the bitterness that often comes from the fall of idealism. In the end, Sinclair’s message is that “we have a right to our bad habits, and it ain’t nobody’s business what we do.” If you’re a fan of the sixties culture, then 20 to Life, will be right up your alley.
video clip
http://mvdb2b.com
http://www.johnsinclair.us/10for2/
Tuesday October 16, 2007
The Warlocks have a new record Heavy Deavy Skull Lover coming out next week on Tee Pee Records. Coming off of 2005′s Surgery on Mute, The Warlocks found themselves back on the ground again. Now, they’ve created for us Heavy Deavy Skull Lover, an album of dark, murky passages, music that often feels like it is floating, and sometimes the record even has a shoegaze(albeit gloomy) feel. This one is more about the journey and definitely meant to be listened to as a whole. Rob Cervera who recorded the band’s first EP Rise and Fall, returned to the controls for this one. The Warlocks will be playing the Tee Pee CMJ showcse Friday night.
music:
so paranoid
The Warlocks Tour Dates:
Oct. 18 New York, NY @ Club Midway (Tee Pee CMJ day party, 1pm)
Oct. 19 Brooklyn, NY @ Luna Lounge (Tee Pee CMJ evening showcase)
Oct. 20 Los Angeles, CA @ Safari Sam’s (w. The Upper Crust, Lords of Altamont)
Oct. 26 Long Beach, CA @ Alex’s Bar
Oct. 30 Marfa, TX @ Ray’s Bar*
Oct. 31 Austin, TX @ The Mohawk*
Nov. 02 Birmingham, AL @ The Nick*
Nov. 03 Atlanta, GA @ Drunken Unicorn*
Nov. 05 Washington, DC @ Rock N Roll Hotel*
Nov. 06 New York, NY @ Knitting Factory*
Nov. 07 Philadelphia, PA @ Jonny Brenda’s*
Nov. 09 Chicago, IL @ Logan Square*
Nov. 10 Minneapolis, MN @ 400 Bar*
Nov. 13 Seattle, WA @ Crocodile Cafe*
Nov. 14 Portland, OR @ Doug Fir*
Nov. 16 San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of the Hill*Nov. 17 Los Angeles, CA @ Troubadour*
* with Darker My Love
http://myspace.com/thewarlocks
http://thewarlocks.com/
http://www.teepeerecords.com/
Tuesday October 16, 2007
Apes will release their fourth full-length album, Ghost Games through Gypsy Eyes on February 19, 2008. This is the follow up to “Baba’s Mountain” (Birdman, 2005) and is the first album to feature the new singer, Breck Brunson. Check out “Beat of the Double” from the forthcoming album.
BeatoftheDouble.mp3
Apes live during CMJ:
Thurs Oct 18 Brooklyn, NY @ Sound Fix (in-store, 3pm)
Fri Oct 19 New York, NY @ Irving Plaza (8pm w. Spank Rock & Noisettes)
Fri Oct 19 New York, NY @ Knitting Factory (11:30pm w. Ruins, Old Time Religun, Aids Wolf, etc)
http://www.myspace.com/apes
http://theapes.com/
http://gypsyeyesrecords.com/
Tuesday October 16, 2007
New York 5-piece TheGoStation offer an upbeat rendition of New Order’s classic, “True Faith,” all guitar-ridden and charming and a respectful nod to its predecessor. The fine art of the cover song is a talent that some bands abuse, while others utilize to their advantage.
“true faith” audio
http://www.TheGoStation.com
http://www.MySpace.com/TheGoStation
Tuesday October 16, 2007
Brooklyn-based multi-genrist Tim Fite will release a free, Halloween-centric six-track recording via his website on October 31st, 2007. Available for one day only, the song cycle comes in advance of Fite’s November tour dates with My Brightest Diamond.
Tour:
November 8, La Sala Rossa, Montreal
November 9, The Drake, Toronto
November 10, Calvin College , Grand Rapids , MI
November 11, Lakeshore Theater, Chicago , IL
November 12, 930 Listening Room, Louisville , KY
November 13, Wexner Center , Columbus , OH
November 14, Andy Warhol Museum , Pittsburgh , PA
November 15, North Star Bar, Philadelphia , PA
November 16, Iota, Arlington , VA
November 17, Blender Theatre at Gramercy , New York , NY
November 18, Museum of Fine Arts , Boston , MA
http://www.myspace.com/timfite
http://www.timfite.com/
http://www.epitaph.com/
Tuesday October 16, 2007
Today, Soulsavers’ album It’s Not How Far You Fall, It’s The Way You Land comes out in the U.S. on Columbia records. Having recently canceled a handful of US shows with Jesus and Mary Chain, Soulsavers have just announced their own headlining US trek in late-November. Rich Machin will be headed stateside for some highly anticipated shows, bringing an 8-piece band fronted by the incomparable Mark Lanegan along with gospel singers, Carmen Short & Wendi Rose.
“Revival” Video Streams:
WMQT
Soulsavers US Tour Dates:
11/27 New York, NY – Gramercy Theater
11/28 Philadelphia, PA – North Star Bar
11/29 Washington, DC – Black Cat
12/1 San Francisco, CA – The Independent
12/2 Los Angeles, CA – Troubadour
http://www.columbiarecords.com/
http://www.thesoulsavers.com/
http://www.myspace.com/soulsavers
Monday October 15, 2007
I’m a big fan of the Under Review series, and the latest installment I want to praise is on the subject of Nick Drake. The manic depressive is often a great artist and music is often the only way through which he can communicate. Rejecting the overwhelming American blues influences of the time, Nick Drake made music with a distinct “English fatalism” in a time when very few were even in the same orbit. This English flare in Nick Drake’s music perhaps finds its’ roots in the literary influences of writers like William Blake and Alfred Tennyson. Nick was also fascinated by the modal structures of musicians like Miles Davis, and the way in which they freed him from the traditional manner of playing jazz. Indeed, it was that modal jazz sensibility married with the folk technique that defined Drake’s style. It is particularly interesting to witness the examination of Drake’s unusual guitar style, and some of his influences such as Davey Graham, and Jackson C. Frank. His music is set apart by many things, not the least of which is by the time of his debut he already had a fully developed sound. Amid the massive cultural changes of 1967, Nick became a musician and came into his own while attempting to develop a career during his stay at Cambridge. It was during this time, that through a Fairport Convention connection, he met Joe Boyd, signed a deal and recorded his wonderful music. The pastoral “Five Leaves Left,” the more decadent “Bryter Layter,” and his final work “Pink Moon,” are all examined and itemized fairly extensively through various commentaries on this well thought out documentary.
Nick Drake:Under Review is full of lots of highlights, not the least of which is the praise of “Bryter Layter,” my favorite Drake album, but his most underrated as a result of the fuller band sound and the colorful pop influenced arrangements. Finally, the fragile beauty so evident in all of Drake’s music is surrounded in a murk that calls for quiet reflection, and is not just some pond of melancholia to wade through on the way to firmer shores. As the city envelopes the country, Nick Drake’s music will remain to evoke images of English gardens, long and winding roads, and breathtaking landscapes.
http://www.mvdb2b.com/
Monday October 15, 2007
Fun Fun Fun Fest is right around the corner on November 3rd & 4th, and Austinist.com is sponsoring the event. This years lineup is packed with some powerhouses: Neurosis, Girl Talk, Battles, Ted Leo, Cat Power, Explosions in the Sky, Okkervil River and many more are all scheduled to perform.
*
Monday October 15, 2007
Not too many bands can say they made their best music after their stint as nineties MTV darlings, but Nada Surf can and if you’ve heard their last two albums The Weight is a Gift and Let Go, you know what i’m talking about. Nada Surf will be releasing their new record LUCKY, on February 5th, 2008 on Barsuk Records. Lucky includes guest appearances by Death Cab’s Ben Gibbard, Ed Harcourt, John Roderick of the Long Winters , and guitarist Phil Wandscher of Jesse Sykes & the Sweet Hereafter.
music: “See These Bones” from their forthcoming release Lucky
SeeTheseBones
Nada Surf tour (w/ Sea Wolf supporting)
10/15 Columbus , OH Basement
10/16 Cincinnati , OH 20th Century
10/17 Louisville , KY Jim Porters
10/18 Indianapolis , IN Birdy’s
10/19 Chicago, IL Schubas
10/20 Chicago, IL Schubas
10/22 St. Louis , MO Gargoyle Club
10/23 Nashville , TN Exit Inn
10/24 Birmingham , AL Bottle Tree
10/26 Tampa , FL State Theatre
10/27 St. Augustine , FL Café Eleven
10/29 Athens , GA 40 Watt Club
10/30 Asheville , NC Orange Peel
10/31 Carrboro , NC Cat’s Cradle
11/1 Charlottesville , VA Satellite Ballroom – UVA
11/2 Baltimore , MD 8 x 10
http://www.nadasurf.com/http://www.myspace.com/nadasurf
http://www.barsuk.com/
http://www.myspace.com/barsukrecords
Monday October 15, 2007
Magnet’s fourth album The Simple Life is out on Filter U.S. recordings. The Simple Life is full of sexy pop grooves, often lush instrumentation, talk of love and lust, and overall just something extra I haven’t felt on earlier releases. “You Got Me” begins to a sultry rhythm that is guaranteed to make you want to get nasty if you like to get nasty. This is the hit if there is one, and how can you miss with lines like “Cause it’s not ok to fuck my body, if you’re gonna fuck with my head too.” Even I feel you buddy, because I’ve wanted to tell countless women the same thing. I love the flamboyant pop of “Lonely No More,” which is reminiscent of something Culture Club might have done in their prime, and it even includes harmonica. “She’s Gone” is a breezy island intoxicant complete with whistles, which sees Even channeling Bobby McFerrin and Jack Johnson. I’ve enjoyed Magnet in the past, but only on the level of a quiet passerby who never felt truly drawn to the music. I’m not sure what happened to Even Johansen, but whatever it was gave Magnet the mainline it needed. If you’ve got any life left in you, The Simple Life will have you tapping your feet and doing the worm before you even realize it.
lonelynomore.mp3
http://www.homeofmagnet.com/
http://myspace.com/magnet
Monday October 15, 2007
Shoegazers Soft are planning a busy week in New York to promote the impending release of their debut album Gone Faded on October 23rd. The Brooklyn 5-piece sold out of their first release, the Soft EP, while creating quite the buzz amongst indie music bloggers, then headed up to a ranch in upstate New York to record these 11 songs for a full-length gleaming with layered guitars and atmospheric pop.
higher.mp3
Tue 10/16: Official CMJ Showcase @ Delancey 10:30 PM $5 without badges/FREE with badges
Fri 10/19: Crashin’ In Party @ Galapagos 2:00 PM $5
Fri 10/19: Soft Showcase @ Zebulon 9:00 PM FREE w/ My Best Fiend
Wed 10/24: Soundfix Instore @ Soundfix 8:00 PM(110 Bedford Ave, Williamsburg)
http://www.thebandsoft.com/
http://www.myspace.com/Soft
Monday October 15, 2007
The Grateful Dead always had an affinity for the Hampton Coliseum. The spaceship held some great Dead shows, and often brought out the more mystical elements of the band. They played many an inspired show at Hampton, not the least of which were those legendary Fall ’89 shows. On the 20th of March 1986, during the second night’s show, the Grateful Dead threw out some of their crazy magic dust in the way of their first performance in thirteen years of the Phil Lesh rare classic “Box of Rain.” It may seem like small potatoes to some of you, but to deadheads this was more than just being about a song; 1973 was a long time ago even then. Moreover, the people in attendance for the most part were well aware of the night’s cosmic significance. I can’t talk about it anymore . Listen below to the crowd go manic as they realize what is going on…..(it is like some of those art flicks – if you don’t think it’s cool, then you just don’t get it). Thanks to archive.org for being such a great resource.
box of rain 20 March 1986
http://www.dead.net/
http://www.gdhour.com/
http://www.gdradio.net/
http://www.archive.org/
I recently took in 20 to Life: The Life and Times of John Sinclair, which comes out on MVDvisual at the end of the month. John Sinclair is a poet, revolutionary, band manager, activist and lover of rhythm and blues who arose up from the intense cultural climate of the sixties to become a hero and a legitimate political prisoner. 20 to Life tells Sinclair’s story through interviews with him and his friends, family, and cohorts from the past. Sinclair sought to destroy the status quo by a “total assault on the culture by any means necessary” through “a new music, new politics, and a new way of life.” Managed by Sinclair, the MC5 were the music, and as their popularity grew, he had a plan that the band would get huge and they would take all the money and buy radio stations to disseminate information to change the culture. The government was obviously concerned with the going ons of Sinclair and his growin influence, considering the amount of time the authorities spent hassling him. His ultimate goal was freedom and to challenge the “constitutionality of Michigan’s marijuana laws” (especially after have received an extremely harsh sentence for only two joints). Sinclair spent about two years in prison and was released within days of the John Sinclair Freedom Rally – where John Lennon & Yoko famously performed (perhaps the place where Lennon’s trouble with the U.S. government started).
