October 2008
Halloween Mix!
Friday, October 31, 2008 | 10:21 AM
Like I like to do for most holidays, I've created a Halloween mix for you today. Feel free to gather up the following songs, throw 'em on a CD, iPod, Zune, computer hard drive, or whatever you listen to music on these days, put your music listening device next to the jack o' lantern, and crank the volume as you handout candy to all the neighborhood trick-or-treaters.
Note: You'll notice that "Monster Mash" and "Thriller" did not make the list. If I have to see one more group of young teenagers break into a choreographed Michael Jackson dance routine, I'm gonna--
1. "Night Of The Living Baseheads," Public Enemy
Get it--a play on Night Of The Living Dead? This is a fun one, cause Chuck D says "BASS!" about a hundred times during the song. Even if you've never heard it before, you'll be singing "BASS!" by the end.
2. "Chocolate," Snow Patrol
Mmm.
trick...or...treat
Friday, October 31, 2008 | 9:34 AM
As promised, for one day only, Tim Fite is giving away a free Halloween EP, Ding Dong DITCH, on his website today (as it turns out, he is also making last year's free Halloween EP, It's Only Ketchup, available as well).
(left: Have you been a good boy this Halloween?)
When you get to Tim Fite's website, make sure you click on the "treat" link and not the "trick" link.
B-Boy B-Day!
Friday, October 31, 2008 | 8:54 AM
Beastie Boy Adam Horovitz celebrates his 42nd birthday today. He and the Beastie Boys will be taking a night off from their Get Out and Vote tour today, but if you would like to wish the King Adrock belated birthday wishes, he'll be in St. Paul, MN tomorrow night.
"October 31st that is my date of birth, I got to the party and I did the Smurf."
-Adrock ("The New Style")
LIVE: 2008 CMJ Showdown Lowdown
Thursday, October 30, 2008 | 6:53 PM
It's the Wednesday after CMJ has ended, and if the lack of emails in my inbox is any indication, all the music industry folk have still not recovered from those five crazy days. This year I ended up going to a show every night and boy was it tiring.
(left: Late Of The Pier performed on Friday night. Sarah was feelin' them, Rachel, not so much.)
Here's the lowdown:
Tuesday, October 21
We (my sister Sarah and I) headed over to The Delancey to catch Magnum PR's showcase. My friend informed me that The Delancey never runs on time--she wasn't kidding! They were about two hours behind, and since the first band didn't go on until 10:45PM, I knew we were in for a long night.
IT'S LIKE THAT: Highlights For Your Music
Thursday, October 30, 2008 | 8:01 AM
If anyone has read the Indie Ear blog since it's inception, you should know that I have a not-so-secret obsession with sports.
C'mon, pairing indie bands against each other in a NCAA-style tournament didn't give it away? How about when I sketched out drawings of my favorite indie artists posing as 2008 Summer Olympians?
(above: Music and sports have more in common than you think.)
Though a high school band geek getting bullied by a varsity football player on a daily basis might disagree, music and sports have a lot in common. Both have the ability to inspire, make us root for an underdog, or give us a good reason to cry. Music, like sports, can also bring out the best and worst in us (both have a rich history of triumphs and tragedies, bloated egos and fist fights, and heart-warming affairs of humanitarianism and love).
Joe "The Singer"?
Thursday, October 30, 2008 | 5:33 AM
Joe "The Plumber" Wurzelbacher has reportedly signed a deal with a Nashville-based PR firm to "create new media" opportunities, one which may also include a record deal. Did I stutter? I said RECORD DEAL!
So let's role play for a second. If this does happen, and let's say all recorded music is destroyed by a force of nature, except for albums by William Hung, Randy "Macho Man" Savage, Scarlett Johansson, Paris Hilton, and Joe Wurzelbacher, who would be your new favorite artist? Hmm?
[VIA]
The Hives vs. The Roofies
Wednesday, October 29, 2008 | 1:47 PM
You may have seen this blurb on the internet this week, but if not, here goes:
Guitarist, Jason Shapiro reportedly filed a plagiarism suit against The Hives, claiming that the song, "Why You?," recorded with his band The Roofies in 1997, sounds a little too similar to The Hives', "TIck Tick Boom" which was the opening track off their most recent album The Black and White Album (2007).
I love these kind of stories, because you can play both songs side-by-side and have hours and hours of fun musical debate with your friends.
Grasping for straws? Elaborate internet ruse? A sad attempt to get more YouTube views? Coincidence? Straight up thievery? You be the judge:
The Roofies, "Why You?"
The Hives, "Tick Tick Boom"
Who Would You Rather See?
Tuesday, October 28, 2008 | 11:14 AM
Guns N' Roses without guitarist, Slash (and, well, the rest of the band) or Led Zeppelin without frontman, Robert Plant*?
*and of course John Bonham
LUNCHBOX: Halloween Costume Tips
Tuesday, October 28, 2008 | 8:29 AM
SUPER TUESDAY: New Album Releases (Oct. 28)
Tuesday, October 28, 2008 | 8:10 AM
The Cure, 4:13 Dream (left)
Is some of this album predictable? Sure, but the high points are lots of fun!
Snow Patrol, A Hundred Million Suns
Are you thinking what I'm thinking? Yeah, that's hot!
Lady GaGa, The Fame
My guilty pleasure of the year.
Jesse Malin, On Your Sleeve
Covers album.
Tom Gabel, Heart Burns
This is why people call Against Me! a folk-punk band. Their frontman goes back to his roots.
honeyhoney, First Rodeo
My sleeper-pick album of the week. A foot-stompin' fun time is to be had by all!
P!nk, Funhouse
Finally, more P!nk songs. That "So What" song was getting on my nerves.
The 88, Not Only...But Also
More songs for TV montages.
Kaiser Chiefs, Off With Their Heads
Whose heads?
Bloc Party, Intimacy
I haven't listened to a Bloc Party album since they disrespected me in an interview (one of the setbacks of meeting bands in person).
Craddle of Filth, Godspeed on the Devil's Thunder
Just in time for Halloween.
LOST TREASURES: Orange 9mm
Monday, October 27, 2008 | 3:26 PM
In the pantheon of music, many bands become household names and the rest don't. New York City-based, Orange 9mm (pronounced "Orange Nine" by fans), could be classified as the latter--although they came pretty darn close to the former between 1994-1996. Their post-hardcore classification could be a bit misleading, since they brought various influences (punk, metal, skate-thrash, and even a dash of hip-hop) to the table.
(left: Orange 9mm, the post-hardcore band that just nearly missed becoming household names.)
Orange 9mm's blessing and curse was--that as much as they had in common with bands they toured with--they were always slightly different than everyone else. They were a little too funky for the Helmet, Quicksand, Sick Of It All set, and a little too hardcore for groups like the Deftones and Korn, who were beginning to garnish some of their material with hip-hop influences. Another possible reason Orange 9mm didn't reap mainstream success was because following the release of their sophomore effort, Tragic (which initially was given a decent major label push), founding member, co-songwriter, and guitarist Chris Traynor decided to leave the band and join Helmet. It was hard to hate Traynor for his decision, because, damn, who wouldn't have wanted to play guitar with Helmet in the mid-90's?
Everyone Will Be Indie Soon...
Monday, October 27, 2008 | 1:15 PM
Another major label takes another major hit.
(left: A wise man with a white beard once said, "In the future, everyone will be indie.")
One More Chance To Ask Ian
Friday, October 24, 2008 | 8:00 AM
Ian MacKaye, a man synonymous with indie music, is wrapping up a tour of question-and-answer speaking engagements that have been taking place in Southern California. The last date of the tour is this Sunday, October 26 (Hollywood, CA).
For a man that has kept concert prices cheap over the years, it's no surprise that MacKaye is only charging $5 for admission.
[VIA]
What's Better Than Shopping For Sneakers?
Friday, October 24, 2008 | 7:24 AM
Duh, shopping for sneakers while getting a FREE show from one of my favorite bands of the year, The Morning Benders.
Indie-poppers, The Morning Benders, have been playing a string of FREE acoustic sets, some inside of Puma stores. This week they played Boston and New York.
So if you're looking for a new pair of Puma suedes and aching to see The Morning Benders (and want to do 'em both at the same time), you have one more chance to do so. If you don't like to mix shoe shopping with your indie music, The Morning Benders are playing a couple more free shows, before fans have to start paying again on October 30 in San Diego:
Oct 27, 8PM, FREE
Spaceland (Kenan Bell)
Los Angeles, California
Oct 28, 1:00PM, FREE
UCSB
Santa Barbara, California
Oct 29, 8:00PM, FREE
Puma In-Store
Santa Monica, California
Oct 30, 8:00PM
The Loft @ UCSD
San Diego (La Jolla), California
Dec 5, 8:00P
Rickshaw Stop, (w/ The Muslims & Miniature Tigers)
San Francisco, California
IS IT ME? OR...
Thursday, October 23, 2008 | 8:17 AM
...does this tote bag design really suck?
You'll notice that it's a SXSW 2008 bag, so yes, this rant is probably seven months too late, but while sitting in front of a computer all day in complete solitude, all types of random thoughts will cross one's mind.
(left: I'll bet you a quarter YOU could draw better than this.)
My wife has always been good about using the free swag I've received over the years, and while blogging yesterday I looked down at the floor and noticed her SXSW tote bag. After looking at it for a couple seconds, I couldn't help but think, "Wow, that's one crappy-ass design." I then noticed the tag on the right-hand corner of the artwork, thurston/moore 2008, which led me to believe that Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore created the picture.
Because I've drawn a picture or two in my lifetime, I came to the conclusion that it took Moore approximately 23 seconds to sketch the design. Each time I looked down at the bag I became more and more angry. Why would SXSW accept a design like that? Did they think we would be so impressed that--ooooooh, Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore took some time out of his busy schedule to scribble some stick figures--we wouldn't notice how shitty it was?
Apologies to CMJ. I guess it's proper etiquette to not talk about another music festival while one is currently going on. I can only hope that five months from now, SXSW will have a better tote bag design for 2009.
Note: If by chance some kid created the design for some type of charity effort, I preemptively apologize. Like I said, some random stuff can cross one's mind while staring at a computer screen all day long.
Tim Fite's Halloween Treat
Thursday, October 23, 2008 | 6:51 AM
Another reason to get excited for Halloween this year:
Brooklyn-based multi-genrist Tim Fite will release a new free, Halloween-centric recording via his website on October 31st, 2008.
Available for one day only, the innovative song cycle entitled ding dong Ditch comes at the culmination of his tour with Man Man and will be celebrated with a special Halloween show at the Starlight Ballroom in Philadelphia.
Fite says "I will be handing out more candy on Halloween this year, and all the bad kids are excited!!!"
It's About Freakin' Time
Wednesday, October 22, 2008 | 7:07 AM
Yes it is, but finally, Les Savy Fav's madman (and I don't use that term lightly) has finally gotten himself a TV show, or is it a web-show? Whatever it is, it should make for some interesting viewing. Les Savy Fav fans will be accustomed to Harrington's dramatics, and as for the rest of the world? Well they will find out soon enough.
(left: This man was born to make television gold.)
Tim Harrington's Beardo premieres next Thursday, October 30 on Pitchfork TV.
Matt & Kim Bring The Daylight
Wednesday, October 22, 2008 | 6:45 AM
One of our Indie Ear faves, Matt & Kim, recently released a a video for their brand new song, "Daylight."
As promised to us earlier this year, Matt and Kim's new material shows off their affinity for hip-hop beat-making (as well as proving that they can perform live just about anywhere). We still await their new full length album, which to the best of my knowledge, has no release date and/or label yet.
"Daylight" can be downloaded HERE.
This Saturday night, Matt & Kim will host the iheartcomix CMJ Party at the Music Hall of Williamsburg.
LUNCHBOX: On the Shitter
Tuesday, October 21, 2008 | 9:05 AM
Bowery Ballroom Line-Up For CMJ
Tuesday, October 21, 2008 | 8:42 AM
A favorite amongst indie fans and musicians, here's the line-up at the Bowery Ballroom for this week's CMJ Music Marathon:
SUPER TUESDAY: New Album Releases (Oct. 21)
Tuesday, October 21, 2008 | 8:10 AM
Of Montreal, Skeletal Lamping (left)
Of Montreal is pretty freakin' awesome on their own indie budget, but imagine if they had money to throw around--we'd see set-pieces and on-stage costumes that would blow peoples' minds. Album-wise, Of Montreal make another fun one!
Sebastian Grainger, Sebastian Grainger & The Mountains
I really wanted to hate this, just to justify why Death From Above 1979 shouldn't have broken up, but I can't. Well done Sebastian.
The Dears, Missiles
Just in time for CMJ.
Electric Six, Flashy
Dick Valentine once played badminton in my backyard--he was pretty good too!
Tommie Sunshine, Relax This Won't Hurt
This compilation album will turn any room in your house into a dance club. I know cause it just happened to me.
Roll The Tanks, Suffer City
Don't know much about this group, but I like what I've heard so far. Just indie and mainstream enough to make both groups of people happy.
IT'S LIKE THAT: How She Move
Monday, October 20, 2008 | 2:40 PM
If there's one thing I've learned about the upcoming Presidential Election, it's that I'm (usually) not allowed to discuss it with friends and/or family. Despite keeping an open mind when they are talking about their candidate of choice, the conversation-valve is usually clamped shut when I open my mouth. I guess that's one of the disadvantages of coming from a background of one-platform-ponies (not saying standing on one platform is necessarily a bad thing, but when your candidate of choice contradicts many of your own moral beliefs, standing on one platform, and one platform alone, seems a little silly).
(left: Yo, that Sarah Palin got some fresh moves!)
There's one key-figure in this whole race that I'm just dying to talk about though: Sarah Palin. Since being named John McCain's tag-team partner, she's been turned over to the media short-order cooks, who have fried her like a big piece of (almost) Canadian bacon. Does she deserve it? Absolutely. When you're attempting to be the No. 2 Man/Woman for the most powerful country in the world, you damn well better expect criticism, fact digging, comedic beat-downs, and public scorn and ridicule.
Muse Fight Cancer With B-Side Bootleg
Monday, October 20, 2008 | 1:31 PM
On Muse's website, a bootleg performance of the B-side, "Fury," was recently posted and made available for download. The songs is just a taste of their one-off show (held earlier this year) at Royal Albert Hall, benefiting the Teenage Cancer Trust.
There are rumors swirling of a full-length unofficial DVD getting released, with the proceeds going towards the Teenage Cancer Trust.
My hunch?
Seems pretty plausible, considering the performance of "Fury" is soundboard quality, and the video obviously wasn't shot with a cell-phone camera.
Kid Meevin is also digging the set-list for the Royal Albert Hall show, more so than the one from Muse's recent live release, HAARP.
Indie Ear Crossword Puzzle #2 (w/ Answers)
Friday, October 17, 2008 | 9:46 AM
Continue to Answers...
Is It Really Going To Happen?
Friday, October 17, 2008 | 7:37 AM
You may have heard, but Guns N' Roses have not only released a track listing, unveiled album artwork, and had a blogger arrested for leaking tracks off their "new" album, but they have also officially posted a release date for their highly-anticipated (but-not-so-much-anymore) Chinese Democracy album, which by the way, will only be available through Best Buy.
(left: Whatever happened to the boy that cried "wolf"?)
For kids not familiar with Guns 'N Roses, let me give you the quick breakdown:
At the dawn of the 90's they were the biggest rock band on the planet. They imploded soon after, and the world has been waiting for the release of this Chinese Democracy album for years and years. It's also been common practice for music magazines and online blogs to post fake Chinese Democracy album reviews every April Fool's Day.
Many people, just like the ones who claim that they see the image of Jesus on a piece of French toast, say that the album is really going to be released on November 25 of this year. If that indeed does happen, I promise to dedicate a whole day of blogs to Guns N' Roses. Damn I'll even draw a special picture of Axl Rose to commemorate the occasion. Stay tuned...
Rachel's CMJ Playbook
Friday, October 17, 2008 | 6:54 AM
Hopefully she doesn't get upset with me for posting this, but at a recent music blogging convention I came across blogger extraordinaire, Rachel Pesin's, notebook. Inside the spiral bound, college-ruled notepad (with lots of cute stick figure drawings on its cover) was scribbled Rachel's plans for next week's CMJ Music Marathon, taking place in New York City. If you want to know what Rachel's seeing next week, here goes:
(left: Yes, sometimes I do get desperate enough to steal a fellow blogger's notebook.)
October 19
(A wee bit pre-CMJ) at Sound Fix in Brooklyn. We're seeing my old boss from The Big Takeover play with his old band, Springhouse. They finally reformed and I can't WAIT to see them! Shoegazy stuff.
October 21
At the delancey:
Gringo Star, awesome name, southerny rock.
The High Wire - shoegazy.
Radio Luxembourg - basically like Super Furry Animals, welsh and fun poppy goodness!
October 22
Nothing I really want to go to, but might see Margot and The Nuclear So and So's at Bowery
October 23
Delays (and like 2098 other bands) at Bowery. Delays are not everyone's cup of tea, his voice is kind of irritating and their new stuff isn't that great, but i've only seen them once and it was a zillion years ago and I loveee their first album, so it's time to see them again!
October 24
The Whip, Late of The Pier, Soulwax, 2 Many DJs at Irving Plaza. Basically it's going to be dance night at Irving Plaza, lots of crazy ravey bands, but hopefully not everyone is doing drugs :(
October 25
Finally I get to see my current favorite band, Fanfarlo at Fat Baby. I discovered them at SXSW totally by accident (they just happened to be one of the bands playing while i waited for another band, and i fell in love). They're folky but upbeat, lots of fun instruments. No one I introduce them to ends up liking them, but my love shall not waver!! Ha-ha.
America's New Hero: Joe Plummer!
Thursday, October 16, 2008 | 10:32 AM
He's played drums with Modest Mouse, The Black Heart Procession, The Magic Magicians, Bare Minimum, and All Smiles. He was even one of the 88 drummers that participated in the Boredoms' 88 Boadrum Performance, taking place for 88 minutes on August 8, 2008, at you guessed it 8:08PM. But last night the journeymen drummer finally got his due as Presidential hopefuls John McCain and Barack Obama shouted out Joe Plummer about 88 times during their final Presidential Debate.
(left: Last night was Joe Plummer's moment in the spotlight.)
During the discussion of America's future, Joe Plummer became bigger than a percussionist, last night he symbolized the American people. Joe Plummer will walk in the shadows of Isaac Brock and Johnny Marr no more. Joe Six-Pack and Joe Biden move aside, Joe Plummer is the new Joe in town!
Note: I'm only assuming, of course, both John McCain and Barrack Obama are big fans of indie music and were talking about Joe Plummer the drummer, not Joe Plumber the plumber.
Let's Watch Some Political Music Videos...
Wednesday, October 15, 2008 | 2:37 PM
What better way to gear up for the big presidential election happening in just a few weeks, than by watching some politically charged music videos? Well, come to think of it, there are many better ways to gear up for an election (register to vote, educate yourself on the issues, persuade your lazy friends to get out to the polls, etc.). However, if you're sitting in front of your computer today and want to watch some quality music videos chock full of of political empowerment, then I suggest the following:
Note: Notice how I didn't call the below list the "greatest" political music videos of all-time. Whenever you use the phrase "Top 10," "The Greatest," or "All-Time Best," you put your neck on the line. That and you're always bound to forget one or two. I compiled the following videos, because all of them (whether I 100% agree with them or not) made me critically think about certain political and social issues.
Anyone Good With Interpreting Dreams?
Wednesday, October 15, 2008 | 9:54 AM
Two nights ago I had a--I wouldn't call it a bizarre, but maybe more of a random--dream. This doesn't come close to some of the doozies I've had in the past. My friend Bob (a frequent commenter on this very blog) has been immortalized in couple of my weirdest dreams ever--one involving a grandma in a muumuu and another starring James Earl Jones in an airport bathroom (let's save those for another day though).
(left: Why were Matt Bellamy, Thom Yorke, and Chris Martin sitting together at a hockey game?)
So a couple nights ago while I was sleeping--from left to right--Muse's Matt Bellamy, Radiohead's Thom Yorke, and Coldplay's Chris Martin appeared in my head. They were sitting in upper deck seats of a hockey arena. During a break in the action, Muse's "Knights Of Cydonia" started playing on the P.A. system. Bellamy and Yorke began singing along to the song, and not to be outdone, Martin began singing the song too, but did it while hopping along the rafters of the arena's roof.
As Martin began dancing, the scene focused to me, watching all of this unfold on my television set. I then realized I had a plastic guitar in my hand and was playing the video game Rock Band. I don't own (or regularly play) Rock Band, so I don't even know how that got into my dream?
I've checked a couple dream interpretation websites, but I have no idea what this means. If anyone can clue me in, I'd be forever grateful.
Hey, Isn't PA a Swing State Too?
Wednesday, October 15, 2008 | 9:30 AM
In a rousing example of bipartisanship, the Beastie Boys--my favorite group of all-time (have I ever mentioned that in this blog before?)--have decided to cross musical-genre lines, and will tour with the likes of Sheryl Crow, Jack Johnson, and Norah Jones for the next few weeks to drum up voter interest for Barack Obama in swing states (states in which no candidate has overwhelming support).
Because the Beastie Boys have only played Pittsburgh once--my favorite city of all-time (have I ever mentioned that in this blog before?)--and because Pittsburgh is in Pennsylvania, a swing state, I think this is as good of a time as any for the Beasties to play my hometown.
Considering the Beastie Boys have booked shows from October 27-November 2, that only gives them one day to play Pittsburgh (I'm assuming they won't be performing on Election Day, November 4). So if Sheryl Crow, Norah Jones, or Jack Johnson are reading this blog posting (which I know you probably aren't), please, give the boys a little nudge and send them to the 'burgh.
LUNCHBOX: Top 10 Songs of 2008 (Thus Far)
Tuesday, October 14, 2008 | 1:55 PM
SUPER TUESDAY: New Album Releases (Oct. 14)
Tuesday, October 14, 2008 | 10:58 AM
The Mighty Underdogs, Droppin' Science Fiction (left)
Call them underdogs if you will, but with Gift of Gab (Blackalicious) running the point and appearances from Mr. Lif, Chali 2na, DJ Shadow, and MF Doom, I'd say you've got yourself quite a squad.
Keane, Perfect Symmetry
Madonna's main man, Stuart Price, is helping the Killers with their new album, and helped out Keane with a few on this one.
Nikka Costa, Pebble To A Peach
Gimme some funk, gimme some soul--Nikka!
I'm From Barcelona, Who Killed Harry Houdini?
Isn't it that dude who punched him in the stomach?
Lucinda Williams, Little Honey
David Letterman recently introduced her as the "Aaaamzingly, talented Lucinda Williams." I'm not one to argue with David Letterman.