The 2009 Gig Thread

[Fiona]

Going to see Billy Childish in a bit. Very much looking forward to it, haven't seen him before.

[tinobeat]

taking the bus to NYC on Feb 7 to see Blank Dogs, Wavves, Woods, Nodzzz and Gary War. Hopefully some of you jerks'll be there...

MV/EE on Sunday, Thomas Function a week from Monday, too.

[dola]

I'm looking forward to seeing Blank Dogs in nyc too. I can't decide whether to go to Market Hotel or Less Artists More Condos. I went to LAMC to see Psychedlic Horseshit last Friday and though the show was awesome the loft/venue was just...weird. Maybe it was the crowd, maybe it was the location.

[Dave]

taking the bus to NYC on Feb 7 to see Blank Dogs, Wavves, Woods, Nodzzz and Gary War. Hopefully some of you jerks'll be there...

MV/EE on Sunday, Thomas Function a week from Monday, too.
Make sure you get there early. LAMC is not that big and it will most likely be a total mob scene.

[9000]

probably going on the 6th now just to avoid the riffraff.

[tinobeat]

Make sure you get there early. LAMC is not that big and it will most likely be a total mob scene.

I kind of wish I could go to the friday show but thats not gonna happen so this is what I have to deal with. I don't care, I've kinda got shit-all to do, I'll get there at like 6pm and loiter with a book or something. Or a friend if I can find one, haha...

[Fiona]

You knew there was going to be a photograph...
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3393/3204382760_082ab6897e.jpg

The gig was awesome! And probably one of my favourite shoots ever.

I know nothing next to nothing about guitars, but Billy's looked (and sounded) very cool.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3090/3204386816_ff5f63f5fb.jpg

Julie had a well cool Hagstrom bass, too.

[Miss Tasty Princess]

Fiona is well known!

http://www.foreverdoomed.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=8109&start=19

[Fiona]

Fiona is well known!

http://www.foreverdoomed.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=8109&start=19

:o Morto! At least I didn't come out of that badly...

[earl grey]

saw department of eagles tonight. it was only their fourth show ever, which showed. it was good though, especially the new songs. alas no "teenagers," even though it seemed like half the crowd was shouting for it at the end.

here we go magic opened up. don't know them, but i liked what i saw a lot. droned out and bouncy.

seeing animal collective tomorrow - excited for that (esp. as i am loving their new record). but i missed out on max tundra this past weekend, which is a shame...

[9000]

:o Morto! At least I didn't come out of that badly...

the comments on the radegast biergarten bathroom wall are as flattering.

[Fiona]

the comments on the radegast biergarten bathroom wall are as flattering.
Union Pool?

[Fiona]

seeing animal collective tomorrow - excited for that (esp. as i am loving their new record). but i missed out on max tundra this past weekend, which is a shame...

My sister saw Animal Collective in the UK last week, she really enjoyed it though I've only enjoyed one of the three shows I've seen them play. Ironically it was the one in which Dave Portner was so sick with a cold they focused on the songs he doesn't sing on, and on Panda Bear songs.

I passed on Max Tundra here tonight, sadly. Too much going on -trying to get to everything is futile.

[9000]

Union Pool?

yeah, there too.

[earl grey]

saw au tonight - great show. i expected five or six people on stage but there were only two! and no guitars. yet they pulled off the songs really well, almost as if they were intended to be played that way.

and animal collective last week were excellent. it was my third time seeing them and easily my favorite. the long transitions between songs were gone, and the new songs were almost universally (and unsurprisingly) very good (but not as good as on record). it was kind of crazy to see how nuts the crowd was going ... five years ago, i would have never guessed AC would end up being so big.

[vesper]

wow, what did the au folks have on stage? it's hard to imagine how they'd play much with anything less than a full band!

[earl grey]

i know, totally! they had just drums and keyboards on stage. the keyboardist is the main guy - he plays lots of things on the albums, and i think he also writes the songs. he had three keyboards, and one of them was programmed with his own sounds (incl. some guitars) - lots of pedals too, and with some looping, they were actually able to get a pretty dense sound going. his technique was pretty impressive - apparently he is classically trained.

[dola]

Magik Markers are playing at Glasslands this Saturday, but it's also the night of UFC 94 Penn vs. GSP which I'm not about to miss. This sucks. Hopefully they'll be playing again in NYC sometime soon.

Blank Dogs coming up Friday and twice next week. Should get to see em at least once.

[otto midnight]

friday can't get here fast enough for me, paul collins beat/gentleman jesse show should be great. venue has pricey beers but the sound is usually good so i guess it evens out.

[tinobeat]

Blank Dogs coming up Friday and twice next week. Should get to see em at least once.

I'll be at the Saturday night show, if all goes according to plan.

[Fiona]

I'm going to see Ireland's best Guided By Voices tribute band's second gig on Saturday. If anyone's got a line to Captain Bob, they'd love to have him guest with them.
They've got the set-up:

[baconfat]

Ireland's best Guided By Voices tribute band

You mean there's more than one?

[Fiona]

You mean there's more than one?
No.

[Fiona]

TWO THOUSAND POSTS!

(and one)

[Patrick]

Wow did you just hit Answering Machine status Fiona?

[9000]

Wow did you just hit Answering Machine status Fiona?

she secured that long before her 2000th post.

[Fiona]

Wow did you just hit Answering Machine status Fiona?
With probably my briefest post to date.
she secured that long before her 2000th post.
Next up for you: SNOOZE

[otto midnight]

friday can't get here fast enough for me, paul collins beat/gentleman jesse show should be great. venue has pricey beers but the sound is usually good so i guess it evens out.


fucking great.

[vesper]

valentine's day at le poisson rouge: grouper, the sight below, lusine, and some dude playing erik satie songs. ugh, this is such vesper-bait, it isn't even funny. i have no idea whether or not it is vesper's-girlfriend-bait, though.

[vesper]

hey, look it is.

[dola]

great depression 2 over!


Thee Oh Sees tour (http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2009/02/thee_oh_sees_20.html)

[tinobeat]

great, thanks for skipping the Boston area AGAIN, Oh Sees.

maybe I can go down for those NY shows, but goddamn.

[9000]

maybe I can go down for those NY shows, but goddamn.

did you make it down last sat? i went to the brooklyn show on friday and still smell like an ashtray.

[tinobeat]

Did make it down to the saturday night show. There was no smoking inside, so no ashtray odor, though by the end of the night the room where the show was smelled oppressively bad and was about 30 degrees warmer than the rest of the loft, so I observed Blank Dogs and Wavves from the door. I was right up there for Gary War and Nodzzz though. GW was sweet, Nodzzz totally killed it. The buddy I was there with had seen the Friday show and said Nodzzz were just meh, but really loved them Sat, so I'm glad I caught that.

the Bolt Bus tickets are so cheap, I should really hop down for shows more often..

[Dave]

did you make it down last sat? i went to the brooklyn show on friday and still smell like an ashtray.

I've given up for looking for folks I know at Market Hotel. So dark in there & the smoking is total culture shock for me every time. I enjoyed the show though.

[Fiona]

I read some funny things about that loft show.

Wavves here tonight for 20 minutes or however long he plays for.

[otto midnight]

boystown / av murder / fucked up on saturday

hoping for an air of animosity in honor of valentine's day.

[Salman]

Somehow I agreed to go to a Celine Dion concert on Friday in Montreal... I don't know how to get out of it!

On a brighter note, I'm going to be in San Francisco during Noise Pop week and can't wait to see Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks, Deerhunter, Goh Nakamura, Tyvek, A.C. Newman, Dr. Octagon and No Age.

[9000]

So dark in there & the smoking is total culture shock for me every time.

surely, you lived in pre-bloomberg new york?

[tinobeat]

Well, Cambridge has only been smoke free for 5 years now, and I'm still totally weirdly baffled when I'm at a show you can smoke in, like I'm in a different world.

[Dave]

Well, Cambridge has only been smoke free for 5 years now, and I'm still totally weirdly baffled when I'm at a show you can smoke in, like I'm in a different world.

Yeah, what tino said. When it comes to smoking at shows I'm always reminded of the immortal words of Springa "Don't you dare steal my air!"

[otto midnight]

due to babies/relocation a lot of my favorite bands are no longer or on hiatus but damn, i've got a band in chicago to look forward to seeing again. drought is over.

[earl grey]

saw lambchop last night - very enjoyable. the set was heavy on 'OH (ohio),' which is what i was hoping for. no horns in the current setup, which wasn't what i was hoping for, but they still sounded great.

[Benjamin]

Valentine's Day in Chicago is Fucked Up! I'm totally psyched and can't believe the gf is going along with it.

[otto midnight]

Valentine's Day in Chicago is Fucked Up! I'm totally psyched and can't believe the gf is going along with it.


are you going to the av-aerie or the bottle?

[bitterfruit]

Well, Cambridge has only been smoke free for 5 years now, and I'm still totally weirdly baffled when I'm at a show you can smoke in, like I'm in a different world.


I was so tempted to walk someplace from my apt (because I was royally trashed) at 3AM to buy a pack of smokes.

I'm tempted to start smoking again, but my wife would have my ass.

[Benjamin]

are you going to the av-aerie or the bottle?

I'm going to the av-aerie. Will you be at that one? If so, I would love to buy you a soft drink (I don't think beer is an option at this all ages performance) as I am still deeply appreciative of the cartridge you gave me last year.

[otto midnight]

i'll be at the bottle, sorry. should be a good night for shows all the way around.

[otto midnight]

i guess i'm missing the attraction of fucked up.

[Benjamin]

i guess i'm missing the attraction of fucked up.

I like the records a lot. I wasn't so crazy about the show - in my case it was because I just couldn't hear anything. The sound in the av-aerie was terrible.

[tinobeat]

saw The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart last night, and the verdict is... nah.

[otto midnight]

I like the records a lot. I wasn't so crazy about the show - in my case it was because I just couldn't hear anything. The sound in the av-aerie was terrible.


i was pretty psyched because i heard the av aerie show was insane. boystown and av murder were pretty great, i think the headliners were maybe feeling the effects of two shows or something. drummer seemed like he was the only one who wasn't tired.

[Brushback]

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y142/Brushback/One-Base/RooftopVigilantesGradys21509-1-550.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y142/Brushback/One-Base/RooftopVigilantesGradys21509-2-550.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y142/Brushback/One-Base/RooftopVigilantesGradys21509-3-550.jpg

^^ Rooftop Vigilantes, from last night... I've been listening to their CD a lot over the past two weeks, and their live show did not let me down. (They closed with a cover of "Can't Hardly Wait", the Tim version!) Definitely worth checking out for anyone who's into the Douchemaster/In The Red sort of thing.

[tinobeat]

Major Stars and Spectre Folk tomorrow night at Cake Shop. What Matadorks can I expect to see there? I'm gonna be wandering around the city with my wife tomorrow and sunday, but this is one of our only definite destinations.

[9000]

Major Stars and Spectre Folk tomorrow night at Cake Shop. What Matadorks can I expect to see there? I'm gonna be wandering around the city with my wife tomorrow and sunday, but this is one of our only definite destinations.

i'm gonna try to motivate over to the 92Y tribeca to the see the psychic ills tomorrow night.

[vesper]

i'm going to a play in the afternoon, but will probably get dinner in greenwich around 7 or 8. do you have my number? or has yr number changed since the last time you were around?

[tinobeat]

i'm gonna try to motivate over to the 92Y tribeca to the see the psychic ills tomorrow night.

oh DAMMIT I knew there was something else happening in town that night. Hrm, well, I'm definitely having dinner with my people at like 6 or so and then the show, but have fun at Psychic Ills, I love that band...

vesper, same number!

[dola]

I've been out of town and couldn't see White Magic at 92YT but I'm psyched to be able to check out The Smell while here in LA. Should I go tonight or tomorrow?


Friday February 27th:

NASA Space Universe
Moment Trigger
The Amazements
Knight Rider


Saturday:
Emergency Ensemble (members of Abe Vigoda)
Mi Ami (SF)
Extra Life (NYC)
Thank You

[9000]

psychic ills were ill!

[tinobeat]

Cake Shop show was awesome. Spectre Folk were great, Lights were kinda weird, but not without charm, and Major Stars played one of the best sets I've seen from 'em. Amanda's really stepping up to the plate vocally, too, and taking it to another level...

[Dave]

Cake Shop show was awesome. Spectre Folk were great, Lights were kinda weird, but not without charm, and Major Stars played one of the best sets I've seen from 'em. Amanda's really stepping up to the plate vocally, too, and taking it to another level...

The Major Stars are my favorite band. No one can touch them. Tino is right about Amanda too. 3rd show in and she's killing it!

[earl grey]

saw david byrne on friday night. didn't have much in the way of expectations, but i thought he was pretty astounding, especially on the talking heads songs (which were plentiful). definitely one of the most appreciative crowds i've ever heard - it was so LOUD after each of the 'remain in light' cuts.

and then last night i saw thurston moore solo. i figured he would be doing some sort of instrumental/noise set, but all he actually played were songs from 'the eternal'! it was just him on an acoustic, so i imagine they'll sound pretty different on the record, but i still really liked what i heard. it was all quite catchy, at least in that setting. if memory serves, he played "thunderclap," "leaky lifeboat," "sacred trickster," "antenna," "poison arrow," and "no way."

EDIT: oh and ralph white opened up for thurston, i thought he was excellent. long, loose songs on banjo, accordian, or kalimba, really good - very easy to get lost in it. it's a shame the crowd was so damn talkative through his set.

[9000]

crystal stilts and blank dogs the weekend before last at music hall of williamsburg. somehow i think crystal stilts could sort of blow up if they tightened up a bit live and moved onto a more prominent label... that said, i did dig them live. blank dogs: i enjoyed them this time more than the last time around, but i just don't know. i will say that i definitely prefer the songs with lots of vocal effects.

if my nasal cavities can tolerate it, wavves at market hotel this upcoming saturday.

[otto midnight]

got my tix for the oblivians/gories reunion shows in memphis, CAN NOT WAIT.

[tinobeat]

Attn NYC Matadorks: My band is playing next sunday (4/5) at Cake Shop at 8PM. We will also be going over to Mercury Lounge to see Thee Oh Sees at 10pm (because those bastards refuse to come to Boston). Maybe some of y'all can do that pub crawl with us, if you wanna!

Other than that, Ariel Pink on April 1 at TT the Bear's, Brian Jonestown Massacre at the Paradise on April 2, and Greg Ashley of the Gris Gris' new band on April 22nd at a venue TBD, I'm workin on it. Though I might come down to NYC to see them with Box Elders on Saturday 4/25 too no matter what.

[otto midnight]

just found out the effigies will be playing outdoors across the street from me in june? ok!

[stevethehouse]

Are Tyvek any good live? They're playing a show at a gallery space tonight. I'm kind of on the fence about going.

[Salman]

Saw them in February and they put on a great set. Very loud.

[otto midnight]

Are Tyvek any good live? They're playing a show at a gallery space tonight. I'm kind of on the fence about going.



go.

[dola]

Thee Oh Sees at Bell House last night. They ruled but didn't seem to have as much fun. Something was off with the crowd. It's not a sock hop but people really needed to loosen up. The band was obviously giving a lot but I have a feeling that I caught Dwyer give the drummer a look of resignation right as they brought the last song home. Maybe I was just too stoned and imagined things. Maybe tonight at Mercury will be better.

[9000]

it's time to bring back sunday matinees. have you seen the jay reatard MHOW show footage that was on the matablog? embarassing. the crowd, that is.

[Patrick]

Yeah that crowd sucked huh, 9000? Industry scum.

[Fiona]

Easy come, easy go. Most crowds at gigs here are lifeless and/or spend their night yapping at the bar. You came to see a band, yeah? 'sake.

Last week or so:
A Place To Bury Strangers, Darker My Love, Dead Confederate at Whelan's, Animal Collective, Dent May at Tripod. To be honest, not one of those bands excited me much. I'm giving up on AC - pleasantly hypnotic on record but incredibly dull live. Best gig recently was Lucky Dragons at a house party down the road last weekend. Excellent!

[9000]

that was a particularily lame crowd, but overall, all ny crowds seem to have become overly blase these days. i'm definitely not asking for a wall of death at every show, but perhaps a little enthusiam and maybe even some dancing. i'd much rather worry about a boot to the head than my view being obscured by someone's camera phone.

[the Pawnbroker]

Brian Jonestown Massacre in Philly this weekend. Four guitars, a bassist, and super-fun.

[tinobeat]

Thee Oh Sees at Mercury Lounge last night, TOTALLY killed it. They looked like they were having a ton of fun, even if their gear was kinda fighting them, what a tremendous band.

What's not tremendous is driving back from NYC at midnight. Luckily I don't have to work today but my poor buddies who had to be at work at 10AM this morning.. rough.

[dola]

Thee Oh Sees at Mercury Lounge last night, TOTALLY killed it. They looked like they were having a ton of fun, even if their gear was kinda fighting them, what a tremendous band.

What's not tremendous is driving back from NYC at midnight. Luckily I don't have to work today but my poor buddies who had to be at work at 10AM this morning.. rough.


Fuckin Palm Sunday. Fuckin family.

Did you get one of their misspelled buttons? Collectors item!

[9000]

man, i'm kicking myself for not seeing thee oh sees this weekend. the new album is fuckin' bananas.

[otto midnight]

mr. qintron & miss pussycat\psychedelic horseshit\stranger waves show last night killed me. i'm typing this from beyond the grave.

[Miss Tasty Princess]

I haven't been to a show since November. WTF?

I have a ticket to see The Horrors in a coupla weeks, though. I'm lookin' forward to that. Tempted to go see Tom Jones in July, too (never have and I'm a massive fan).

[Fiona]

Camera Obscura's new album has been something of a revelation to me. Up until this point I never really liked them, but I've fallen for My Maudlin Career hard. The grá (http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/gr%C3%A1) I have for the album was the reason I went to see them at Andrew's Lane last Thursday, despite long-time fans telling me they'd found the band poor on previous visits here.

The first half of the set backed those fans up - slack, unenthusiastic playing and woefully off-key vocals was about the sum of it. Now it turned out that Tracyanne Campbell had a cold and earlier that evening there had been some doubt over whether the gig would go ahead. A pity she didn't preface the set with that announcement rather than waiting until halfway through. A lot of people would have felt less disappointment at the performance. Having said that the band really turned things around in the second half; Miss Campbell's (I sound like the NYT here) vocal cords loosened and there seemed to be a lot more energy about them as a whole. A bit of a late save, but a frustrating hint at what it could've been.

Naturally, the camera came with:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3572/3497653995_d4c4199691.jpg

[bitterfruit]

praise be to Camera Obscura

I'm rather moved by this record too.

[tinobeat]

Hey BF, you going to check out Vivian Girls on Sunday at the Middle East?

[vesper]

oh yeah, i'm going to see junior boys in a couple hours!

[johansen smith]

I don't understand the sudden conversions for the new Camera Obscura album (and Fiona isn't alone, it's widespread), it's just a retread of everything else they've ever done. It's good because they've always been good, but there's nothing new there

[bitterfruit]

Hey BF, you going to check out Vivian Girls on Sunday at the Middle East?

Not going to be able to make it unfortunately.

I was stunned when I saw them open for M.Ward.

[tinobeat]

whoa, when did they open for M. Ward? Also, good stunned or bad stunned?

[bitterfruit]

whoa, when did they open for M. Ward? Also, good stunned or bad stunned?


I saw them open for M.Ward in February at the Trocadero in Philly.

Good stunned for sure. Since you like TNV, you will love the Vivian Girls.

[tinobeat]

Oh I know I love them, got all the records and actually saw 'em play WITH Times New Viking too, just happy to finally see them in a small place (instead of opening for Deerhunter and TNV at the Paradise). That's cool that they played with M Ward. weird but appropriate mix, there, I think.

[vesper]

oh yeah, i'm going to see junior boys in a couple hours!

fucking gear problems. they got through a poor version of "hazel," tried "the equalizer" a few times, played a decent but still off version of of "work," then eventually said they couldn't get their shit to work and that we should hang on to our tickets to see them when they came back through.

[baconfat]

fucking gear problems.

serious bummer!

of course, not as much of a bummer as just plain forgetting that they were playing in dc earlier this week. oh well, it's not like i could've gone anyway - i'm really swamped with work right now. but i'm looking forward to seeing ghost and magik markers on sunday and then the field (opening for juan maclean) in a couple of weeks.

[dola]

I'm on the fence with that Magik Markers show (Saturday at the MHoW). I don't know if I can drag a friend I'm supposed to hang out with to this weirdo show.

[threelobed]

i'm all over the markers/ghost show in chapel hill on monday. it will rule.

[bitterfruit]

Oh I know I love them, got all the records and actually saw 'em play WITH Times New Viking too, just happy to finally see them in a small place (instead of opening for Deerhunter and TNV at the Paradise). That's cool that they played with M Ward. weird but appropriate mix, there, I think.

Oh, shit. Sorry, didn't know you were a fan of VG. TNV and VG? Together? Must have been good.

Bummed that you DJ on Thursdays. My lady fasts that day and only has one meal a day, so we make it a special night.

[bitterfruit]

I don't understand the sudden conversions for the new Camera Obscura album (and Fiona isn't alone, it's widespread), it's just a retread of everything else they've ever done. It's good because they've always been good, but there's nothing new there

I have all of their records, but don't think any of the previous are quite as solid as this one.

[dola]

despite a wee overzealous fan on tambourine for the last three songs of their set, tnv owned @ bowery tonight. more continuity from the deerhunter tour: now headlining vivian girls songs still all bleed into each other for me (unless lifting the entire riff from 'time for livin' - wtf?! - in some other otherwise unremarkable song).

[tinobeat]

Vivian Girls on Sunday we fantastic. I can imagine songs running together if you're unfamiliar, but I guess listening to the records a lot and knowing the songs, I was really blown away by how well they played them live and how much fun they were having, really a first class band.

Last night, Pants Yell and So Cow really blew the roof off the place too. Pants Yell are buddies of mine (they share personnel with my band too) and they're gonna have a record on Slumberland soon and its really gonna be incredible so keep an eye out (SORRY FRIEND PROMO DAMN). But SO COW, holy jeez, that band is totally amazing. Really sweet dudes to hang out with too, and man, the songs that guy writes are so sweet. Really put on a corker of a show too, 18 songs in about 40 minutes, pretty breakneck pace. We were trying to talk him into moving to Cambridge and staying.

[threelobed]

both the magik markers and ghost, each in their own ways, tore it up at the local 506 in chapel hill last night. both were quite massive - noisy explorations of tracks from both balf quarry and boss from the markers and pretty much everything from ghost. they don't have many more shows together - catch 'em if you can...

[Fiona]

Probably the best weekend of music EVER. Future of the Left was the band I enjoyed the most, certainly the band I lost it most to. Other performances I loved:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3376/3526896504_a61673fb59.jpg
Never thought I'd get to see these guys.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3604/3526890350_ed6d36b6cb.jpg
Never thought I'd get to photograph these guys.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3376/3526885460_543e435df8.jpg
LOL at the guy who kept shouting "PLAY THE RIFF, MARNIE!"

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3314/3526067583_97b63af202.jpg
I love Ed Droste. He probably thinks I'm stalking him at this point.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3415/3526868890_817ddc95a4.jpg
Never thought I'd get to see these guys either.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3386/3526866546_ed1f17aa05.jpg
This guy RULES. Almost as good as FotL. Had I seen David Tibet join him for "Party Hard" he probably would've been my #1 of the weekend. And BAD BRILLIANCE!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3401/3525000138_6ea5d219d2.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3538/3524997122_8a4927c761.jpg
Did themselves and Matador proud on the main stage, very impressed. The new material from both bands was great.

Not pictured but very much enjoyed Harvey Milk, Grails and Qui.

[Patrick]

Nice shots. Fill in the band names for me on most of them, please?

[tinobeat]

Jesus Lizard
Spiritualized (?)
Marnie Stern
Grizzly Bear
DEVO
Andrew WK
and I'm guessing.. Cave Singers and Shearwater maybe? Of all the bands, the Matador bands at the end are the ones I don't know!

[Fiona]

Thanks Patrick, it was a successful weekend on the photography side of things. The Cave Singers in particular were great to shoot. David Yow on the other hand... And Shearwater early Sunday - had the shakes from excessive cider consumption. Oh well, when in Somerset... Here's hoping this weekend goes as well. Sorry for not posting names, it was late, thought they were reasonably recognisable, but I suppose we can't all be as nerdy as tinobeat ;) Full marks, mister! You can be on my pop quiz team any time.

[Patrick]

Ha! I guessed one of the top ones was probably Jesus Lizard. I wouldn't recognize Grizzly Bear in a million years. Devo was obvious, as was Marnie Stern but only due to your caption.

I actually know Andy, but I find him strangely difficult to recognize.

I'm not great with faces at the best of times.

[vesper]

at first i thought marnie stern was gwyneth paltrow and i said, what in the hell???

[Patrick]

Those are great shots of Derek and Jonathan, Fiona.

[dola]

I feel like i just saw one of those Camera Obscura shots somewhere recently! Brooklynvegan? It's a good thing this board doesn't get jealous of ITS MOST TALENTED ARTIST (aside from when Patrick takes photos of anything with pesto sauce).

ed: Speaking of food, I wish that was Gwyneth Paltrow and she were singing about how skeevy Mario Batali is on that show they do.

[Fiona]

Those are great shots of Derek and Jonathan, Fiona.
Ah, thanks - they genuinely were my favourite bands to shoot that weekend. It wasn't easy to get a good shot of Derek though - he has a tendency to rock forward and back so a) locking focus and b) getting good light on his face was tricky.
Re Jonathan, as I remarked to Natalie: "I prefer floppy-haired Jonathan"! Also the length of time he can sustain a note for is quite remarkable.

The full set of photos of Shearwater, Cave Singers and other Fans' ATP performers is here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/redheadwalking/sets/72157617937779209/).

[Fiona]

I feel like i just saw one of those Camera Obscura shots somewhere recently! Brooklynvegan?

:o Well, I don't read Brooklynvegan so maybe... it's rare anyone asks or lets you know when they borrow a photo. Or perhaps it was on Camera Obscura's website? The band used my photos from that gig on it.

[Fiona]

Hah, exhaustion fogged my memory so much I forgot to mention this weekend's ATP action. Another fun weekend, though the fabulous weather of weekend one, coupled with more bands I love and more friends there gave it the edge.

For the time being, for photos you'll have to head to a well known music website, but I can manage a few words.

Friday's unexpected highlight was Mr. Lif, in particular his hilarious rap about personal hygiene. I missed Throwing Muses as I completely forgot they were playing, so much was I enjoying my pints of Tetley's and cider.

Of the three days, Saturday's line up had me most excited. Th' Faith Healers completely shredded the centre stage. You'd never believe they split up, what, 15 years ago? Awesome. Because of having to slope off to photograph Shellac, I only caught 20 minutes of Teenage Fanclub, which would have made me very sad except that it was a glorious 20 minutes, and as soon as Shellac took the stage I remembered just how BLOODY AMAZING they are live. Surprise of the day (or morning, they played until 2:30 am) was how much Holy Fuck rocked the place. Lots of jumping around.
Major bummer of the day was missing The Frogs as their slot was moved forward an hour and a half and the notices went up very late in the day (like, 15 minutes before they went on I think).

I'm sure getting to the centre stage for 2:15 on a Sunday afternoon was as hard for Times New Viking as it was for me. But we all managed to pull ourselves together and enjoy it. Nothing like a bit of TNV to clear the cobwebs. Or a bit of Melt Banana. Deerhunter were excellent but band of the day (AGAIN) was Shellac. It was something like their 75th appearance at an ATP event. Fully expect the century.

[vesper]

here are two pictures from black meteoric star at MoMA last night. it was a seriously excellent show. i think he played 4 songs, but each was 30 minutes long. and an amazing visual arts collective- assume vivid astro focus- provided masks and glasses (the 2nd pic is through those glasses) along with an insane video/light/sculpture show.

unfortunately the pic i took of 9000 pulling his "deep-down-in-a-k-hole" moves at the peak of "dominatron" didn't come out well enough to post.

(whoah those were big... hold on)

[vesper]

much better.

http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o463/alexjoanna123/0523092201.jpg


http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o463/alexjoanna123/0523092228.jpg

[9000]

i came out of said hole to a foot-long italian hero and black meteoric star streaming from my laptop last night. i guess i didn't want the party to end. anyway, yeah, the show was pretty awesome. we'll have to bring our glasses (and appetites) to BBML at studio b.

[vesper]

we will definitely have to do that for bbml. i just looked up the show last night, actually, and i see it's on june 11th - which is perfect. let's plan to go.

[9000]

TVOTR at summerstage tonight. can't wait to stand in the rain! oh, fun!

BBML next thursday w/ vesper at studio b.

the only redeeming part of having to travel to SF for work next weekend, will be possibly getting to see thee oh sees and jay reatard at the independent. oh, and getting to go to terroir natural wine bar.

[vesper]

BBML next thursday w/ vesper at studio b.


great show, and much louder than i expected brightblack to be. during the first song, my pants were seriously vibrating against my legs! the dudes on horns were pretty awesome at holding down the groove and then bursting out of it with some wild squawking. also, i swear at one point the drummer was holding down some dubby rhythm while everyone else jammed along.

how was the encore, 9000? we'd been standing around for so long that, by the time they came back out, we felt we'd gotten our fill and decided to leave. (is this what getting older is like...?)

[Patrick]

(is this what getting older is like...?)

Yes!

[9000]

Yes!

ditto.

i didn't last much longer. grabbed two slices on the way home.

[tinobeat]

Fiery Furnaces tonight. I have no idea what to expect, saw 'em once years ago and they played most of Bitter Tea arranged so differently it was unrecognizable. Apparently this tour they're playing mostly the new record, but arranged like the new record, so who knows?

[9000]

got to say it felt great to dust off the foam finger tonight. it's been too long.



http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3347/3636872835_2e752cb087.jpg?v=0

[dola]

What kept the kids away, the clouds? The lack of mgmt? Oh well, they rocked.

[9000]

caught up on a bunch show going this past week . man, felt good.

BBML :: happy to have finally gotten to see them. studio b wasn't the best venue though.

jay reatard :: totally shredded. but damn, not one new song played!

art brut :: i kind of tuned out after that first album, but enjoyed seeing them again. a lot of fun.

jsbx :: uh, yeah!

the beets/baby shakes/hunx and his punx/nobunny :: show completely rocked. not sure why it came as a surprise that i was blown away by nobunny live. amazing.

[dola]

posted on brooklynvegan. anonymity is a license to be such a dick. oh well i stand by these ramblings. i'll help an older lady cross a street or something today.

Market Hotel:

-"What did weather.com ever do for anyone anyway?"

-Bands didn't want to cooperate with the tight "everything 45 minutes earlier" schedule which Todd P audible'd last minute. Soundchecking interminable. Not so loosey goosey, but I gets the bands "felt the moment."

-"... tear us was apart" a real lyric, not a cover,' from one of the bands tonight.



"Nice review of the Market Hotel---what about the bands? What about the fucking music?"


psychedelic horseshit: is on some mission to JAM right out of the gate and provoke people to the most annoying extent possible with screeching "textures" and phenomenally bad rap interludes (not kidding) from someone who i thought was the roadie. they ruled at less artists more condos, and have sucked at union pool (mr. whitehurst was wasted) and last night (he was sober, but snotty). the sad part is i really like the albums. i'll just skip PH shows, put on the record and save myself sight of him acting like a prick to the soundguy in the middle of the set.

mayfair set - dee dee is the cover of Goo come to life, and you don't just roll out of bed like that! yes they're the band that has the chorus about stuff tearing them apart, which i guess is supposed to be an homage? folk and rap music all builds on straight up lifted elements from those that went before, why not noise-pop?

blank dogs - set their songs on 'uptempo party time speed.' a little underwhelmed, but i'm shallow would've probably more impressed if they'd actually wear those masks! sniper and co. just look too well fed for the music they play.

[9000]

anyone go to the woodist/captured tracks fest on the 4th? how was it?

[tinobeat]

The only thing I know is I got a text message from a friend that read "this psych horseshit set is fucking awful"

[Patrick]

Jemima Pearl
Ponytail
Fucked Up
Mission Of Burma

this afternoon at williamsburg waterfront.

[9000]

Jemima Pearl
Ponytail
Fucked Up
Mission Of Burma

this afternoon at williamsburg waterfront.

thought the new location worked really well, save for the ridiculous alcoholic beverage quarantine area.

okay, i know ponytail are kids and all, but they were just god awful.

fucked up brought it and almost made me want to return to the pit, but some things are better left in the 80s. i enjoyed, fiona.

burma and marty markowitz are classics. not going wrong there.

[9000]

okay, i know ponytail are kids and all, but they were just god awful.


wait, i so thought the lead singer of this band was a little boy.

[otto midnight]

the dutchess & the duke with jered and melissa from the ponys were unbefuckinglieveable tonight. full band, strings, percussion, but jered playing keys added so much w/o being intrusive it was great. totally loved it.

[Miss Tasty Princess]

Was gonna go see Dirty Projectors Friday night, but had an extremely bad sore throat. Was gonna go see Portugal. The Man a few weeks ago, but Phil broke his foot the day before and was not doing well on crutches, so I didn't feel right leaving him home alone. Was gonna see Wreckless Eric a week or so ago but . . . forgot. I've not been to a show in eight months, now. WTF?

[dola]

well the ohsees were on time but i wasn't. (would've loved to have teleported to this (http://bicyclefilmfestival.com/?p=sanfrancisco&d=01) on thursday night too. oh well!)

future of the left sounded great. surreal context for those songs. i wish the albini 'non-story' hadn't been brought up just to be tossed off in more than one preview this week. an essential jobz.

built to spill have so many great songs. happy to see many current collegians agree!

*coney island still an awesome night. thor equities signage spotting to a minimum, unlike visits last year. sharp thinking, fellas!*

[Dave]

the dutchess & the duke with jered and melissa from the ponys were unbefuckinglieveable tonight. full band, strings, percussion, but jered playing keys added so much w/o being intrusive it was great. totally loved it.

So jealous!

[otto midnight]

So jealous!


not the intimacy of the hideout but enjoy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEyvXXNeTMw

[Dave]

Thanks! Totally great!

[Moon Pix]

So jealous!

Me too. That D&D record is the best thing Ive heard from a new band in ages.:)

[9000]

crystal stilts, little claw, fergus & geronimo, and magic kids at the 92Y tribeca. killer.

[Fiona]

crystal stilts, little claw, fergus & geronimo, and magic kids at the 92Y tribeca. killer.

What did you think of the dj? ;)

[9000]

What did you think of the dj? ;)

why, who dat?

[baconfat]

my bloody valentine in richmond tonight, bitches.

[sostark]

hey guys

coming through NY next week from Detroit with my band the Oscillating Fan Club. We're playing Arlene's Grocery on Tuesday, Fontanas on Wednesday and then onto the Black Cat in DC on Thursday. We're after a surfy pyschedelic sound. itd be cool to meet some of you in person. Pierce

[Moon Pix]

my bloody valentine in richmond tonight, bitches.

Look after your ears.:)

[tinobeat]

Just found out that I'll be playing on a bill with Thee Oh Sees, The Fresh & Onlys and Hospital Rats in October. Just knowing that show is coming to town is enough for me, but man, being a part of it? I tell you what... My year is made.

[Fiona]

2009 has been so much quieter on the gig front than 2008 was. Thankfully it's beginning to pick up in terms of quantity and quality.

Recent outings for me:

Last night, Blues Control in Thomas House, my local. Fantastic, so exciting to see and hear them play live.

Deerhunter at Whelan's: Of all the times I've seen them, probably my least favourite, but nonetheless good. I prefer their pounding, swirling material that sweeps you up live, but this gig focused on more shoe-gazing songs. Not as exciting.

Oneida, Cap Pas Cap, Sea Dog at Whelan's: Unbelievably, my first time seeing Oneida. The place was rammed, and almost everyone was losing their shit for the entirety of Oneida's set. Well impressive!
First time seeing CPC 2.0 as well. There's no doubt Gavin is a big loss to them but they were still great, and hopefully they'll continue to be when it comes writing new material.
Sea Dog are immense live. Lots of 70s rock riffage going on.

Voided By Ponces, The Jimmy Cake at The Twisted Pepper: Best GBV tribute band I've seen, hands down. That's it. Not a big fan of Jimmy Cake. That's it.

Crocodiles, Wounds, Upstairs at Whelan's: Both bands really impressed me, and that's saying something when one of the lads from Wounds brought a snare into the middle of the floor then did a running dive over it, knocking over my pint (:mad:), and sending some of the contents into a pal's pint.

Neil Hamburger, Eugene Mirman, Iveagh Gardens: Funny guys, eh?

[threelobed]

good night in chapel hill last night - jack rose doing a live collaborative set with the black twig pickers. they ran through a lot of tracks off of their collaborative LP from earlier this year as well as some tracks off of jack's upcoming LP on thrill jockey. good stuff all the way around.

[A-Squared]

good night in chapel hill last night - jack rose doing a live collaborative set with the black twig pickers. they ran through a lot of tracks off of their collaborative LP from earlier this year as well as some tracks off of jack's upcoming LP on thrill jockey. good stuff all the way around.

That sounds great. I've seen both separately on numerous occasions, but I've never seen them together. That LP is one of my favorites this year without a doubt. I'm hoping to go see the Twig Pickers at the Floyd Country Store this weekend.

Last Friday in Durham was a killer Yo La Tengo & Endless Boogie show. Both bands slayed. YLT was in rare form - "Shaker", "Nowhere Near", a phenomenal "Blue Line Swinger" and a Paul Majors-assisted "I Heard Her Call My Name"

[threelobed]

yeah, friday's YLT/endless boogie double bill was very nice. it's been a long-ass time since i've seen "nowhere near," "shaker" or "i heard her call my name." all ruled.

[Fiona]

Absolutely, unquestionably, indubitably, undeniably best damn gig of the year:

Mps7wfW-F30

Button Factory, last Tuesday.

New Yorkers! They're playing on November 17, The Fillmore at Irving Plaza. Go go go.

[Patrick]

YLT took the roof off of Roseland last night. Incredible sound, string section for some of the new songs, incredible 18-person Gary Panter / Josh White light show directed from behind the screen, and the most intense version of Blue Line Swinger I've ever seen.

Set list (I'm pretty sure):

From A Motel 6
More Stars Than There Are In Heaven
Avalon Or Someone Very Similar
Stockholm Syndrome
Tears Are In Your Eyes
Here To Fall
If It's True
Mr. Tough
I'm On My Way
Tom Courtenay
When It's Dark
Cherry Chapstick
Periodically Double Or Triple
Deeper Into Movies
Nothing To Hide
Blue Line Swinger

Encore:

Autumn Sweater
Dog Meat (Condo Fucks)
Whole Of The Law

(edit - couple corrections made - I'm rotten at remembering YLT song titles. picture of set list here (http://http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v719/ci1025/0926090052.jpg), and thanks to choccosalo on Twitter)

[Miss Tasty Princess]

Sounds killer! Last week's show in Atlanta was fantastic. I told them after that they need to record a 30 minute version of "Deeper into Movies," like Unrest did with "Hydroplane." As their record company, I expect Matador to make them make good on this.

[vesper]

...a 30 minute version of "Deeper into Movies"...

please make this happen!

[vesper]

the fever ray concert last night was one of the best shows i've seen in a long time. it hit me that her tracks seem to exist in their own little world, not in dialogue with anyone/thing else, and that that world is so immersive yr forced to submit to its weirdness. even the relatively quiet, somnolent tracks on the record sound huge and menacing live. lasers, fog, costumes, and lighting probably helped.

[dola]

Why so expensive though?

[vesper]

there was a pretty elaborate stage set-up and lighting effects, so i'm sure that it's pretty expensive to haul all that around. there was also enough up there, i guess, that they couldn't even have an opener that required much set-up/breakdown time. the artist who opened, whose name i did not catch, mostly played a chord organ jammed way to the front of the stage. i mean, it does seem lame to pay $33 + service fee for a fever ray show, but i thought it was incredible and worth the money (i'll never get over the cost of a drink in that venue though).

but i think the short answer to yr question is: webster hall?

[dola]

Ha, yeah I was just coming here to edit the last post and be like: "Oh, ok." (http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2009/09/fever_ray_webst.html)



Fuck, now I know for next time hopefully.

[Brushback]

TV Ghost this past weekend was definitely one of the top five sets I've seen this year.

[Fiona]

Pixies last Friday blew me away, surpassed all my expectations. They were so dull the last time I saw them, but a combination of a crowd that was really up for it, a beautiful, intimate venue, a smashing set-list (Doolittle plus b-sides) and the band being incredibly tight and on form made it a brilliant night.

If the Doolittle 20th anniversary tour comes your way, I recommend you go.

[Fiona]

On record, I'm much more of a fan of King Khan with BBQ than with the Shrines, no doubt. Live though I'm nowhere near as sure. KK and his Shrines brought it to Whelan's last night. KK has a whole different kind of fun onstage, what with his focus being mostly on the vocals - whether crooning or shrieking -and having a good time. Totally infectious.

Jack of Heart was support. Disappointing. And mildly disturbing.

[Miss Tasty Princess]

Just got home from my second gig of the year, the final night of Faust's US tour. I was certain it was tomorrow night but not sure what time it would start, so I checked the club website only to discover it was tonight and the doors had already opened nearly two hours prior! And it was in Athens, an hour's drive away! Luckily, I know the headliners often don't make it on 'til midnight at the 40 Watt and it was only 10:40 p.m. I grabbed some $$ from Phil's wallet (yes, I asked permission), hopped in the car and hit the road. They were already playing when I arrived, at pretty much exactly midnight, but I still caught a solid hour of the show. I also snagged one of the two tour CDRs they were selling (the other was already sold out but I'd bought a copy from them by mail several months ago)

[Patrick]

I heard they were playing the classics this time through, including "Giggy Smile" ?

[9000]

thee oh sees, golden triangle, and the fresh and onlys at the bell house on friday. thee oh sees: super-intense, super-awesome, all-around-super-amazing. golden triangle were pretty great as well--thought the crowd would be into them more than they were, though. i can't say i was feeling the fresh and onlys as much as the other two bands, but really want to give their material a serious listen sometime soon.

and thankfully the show ended just in time for me to catch the last G train outta south brooklyn. fuckin' MTA.

[Miss Tasty Princess]

I heard they were playing the classics this time through, including "Giggy Smile" ?
What I remember (in original release order, not set order):

It's a Rainy Day, Sunshine Girl
So Far
Krautrock
The Sad Skinhead
Läuft...Heisst das Es Läuft Oder Es Kommt Bald....Läuft
Jennifer

There was no saxophone, so Jean-Herve and the woman whose name I can't recall did the ". . . Rainy Day . . ." sax part via baba bababababa's. :D Oh, and Zappi played a piece of sheet metal with a rotary sander on "Jennifer." It was beautiful.

[Fiona]

Just got home from my second gig of the year, the final night of Faust's US tour. I was certain it was tomorrow night but not sure what time it would start, so I checked the club website only to discover it was tonight and the doors had already opened nearly two hours prior! And it was in Athens, an hour's drive away! Luckily, I know the headliners often don't make it on 'til midnight at the 40 Watt and it was only 10:40 p.m. I grabbed some $$ from Phil's wallet (yes, I asked permission), hopped in the car and hit the road. They were already playing when I arrived, at pretty much exactly midnight, but I still caught a solid hour of the show. I also snagged one of the two tour CDRs they were selling (the other was already sold out but I'd bought a copy from them by mail several months ago) (here's a song from the first one (http://hcisongoftheday.tumblr.com/post/113735693/wanken-faust-faust-rehearsals-cdr), if anyone's interested).

Nice one. Definitely one my gig highlights of last year. Did they have chainsaws this time?

Went to see GIRLS last night at the Night & Day Café in Manchester. Future legends. Beautiful.

[vesper]

Just got home from my second gig of the year, the final night of Faust's US tour. I was certain it was tomorrow night but not sure what time it would start, so I checked the club website only to discover it was tonight and the doors had already opened nearly two hours prior! And it was in Athens, an hour's drive away! Luckily, I know the headliners often don't make it on 'til midnight at the 40 Watt and it was only 10:40 p.m. I grabbed some $$ from Phil's wallet (yes, I asked permission), hopped in the car and hit the road. They were already playing when I arrived, at pretty much exactly midnight, but I still caught a solid hour of the show. I also snagged one of the two tour CDRs they were selling (the other was already sold out but I'd bought a copy from them by mail several months ago) (here's a song from the first one (http://hcisongoftheday.tumblr.com/post/113735693/wanken-faust-faust-rehearsals-cdr), if anyone's interested).

that song is rad. i walked around on sunday saying, "daaanke... dAAANke."

[dola]

thee oh sees, golden triangle, and the fresh and onlys at the bell house on friday. thee oh sees: super-intense, super-awesome, all-around-super-amazing. golden triangle were pretty great as well--thought the crowd would be into them more than they were, though. i can't say i was feeling the fresh and onlys as much as the other two bands, but really want to give their material a serious listen sometime soon.

and thankfully the show ended just in time for me to catch the last G train outta south brooklyn. fuckin' MTA.

Saw Thee Oh Sees at Mercury Lounge and The Bell House and my only complaint is that their set is way too short. Not Reatard Visions short, but 40 minutes when they have so many albums is kinda paltry. That said, maybe they've got the right idea because I was very close to going to see them at DBA for the late night show on Friday. Best spitter in the business.

[9000]

john dwyer vs. jon spencer in a sweaty microphone eating contest. total toss up there.

[johansen smith]

Just got back from the first show of the Dirty Projectors' new tour. They killed, despite some real duds from Bitte Orca still getting trotted out (though they still sounded way better live than on record)-- but they also played "Fucked For Life," which absolves all sins in my book. Their opening act, Givers, ruled too and pretty much played a full set of jammy grooves-- I look forward to what they do in a studio soon beyond their EP. A+ all around

[vesper]

as a proudly self-identifying broadcast superfan, i'm sad to say that last night's show was disappointing in the extreme. i don't know if it was just that the sound was extremely fucked (when they played "black cat" i could barely hear anything apart from the bass drum; "corporeal" was even worse) or if they were "off" or what, it just didn't seem like it was coming together at all. what makes it worse is that while listening to the tour ep, i recognized one of the songs and... it's great on record, but god it wasn't good last night.

i did get to hear atlas sound for the first time. they were good but i doubt i'll buy the albums, cos it's not the type of thing i'm likely to get really into beyond a few listens. best part of the evening was running into one mr. earl grey.

[baconfat]

did broadcast start their set with a 20-minute tuneless "jam" wherein trish spent the entire time looking at the video screen, emitting formless coos and chants, and ignoring the audience? that's what we got in dc. i thought some parts of it were cool (like i imagine what gang gang dance might sound like live), but they definitely went on with that idea way too long. folks who were expecting to hear actual songs were quite restless.

[tinobeat]

Fair warning, dudes. I'm seeing Broadcast in a little less than 24 hours, I'm fucking stoked. I have deep wells of forgiveness when it comes to them, so we'll see in about a day whether I'm as bummed as you guys.

As of now, still TOTALLY STOKED.

[vesper]

pick up the tour ep and the new record while yr there, tinobeat, cos both are excellent.

[tinobeat]

Picked up a T-shirt, missed the tour EP I guess.

The opening thing was interesting, if I had been with different people who are more into that kind of thing I probably would have enjoyed it, but I just kind of felt bad for my friends who wanted to hear songs.

Then when they started with the songs the bass drum on the drum machine was so loud you literally couldn't hear anything else, so it was kind of a failure of a show. Though they played two new songs that were incredible that didn't have the big drum machines and so that was something.

[dola]

cos it's not the type of thing i'm likely to get really into beyond a few listens.


It's been a while now and I could listen/watch this all day: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FnEy3XDNxE

[vesper]

i recognize that song, dola, and he did a very, very different version of it if i remember correctly. it was slowed waaaaay down, to a ballad pace, and i think him and the backing band added a feedback heavy jam on the end of it. pretty good song.

the jam section at the beginning of the broadcast show didn't bother me, actually. i wished that the parts had gone together a little more, because it seemed like they were working out something and then would very suddenly decide to toss it out. that said, though, it had more to do with the video projection than any other part of the show that i can recall. really it was that bass drum that bugged me. maybe i've repressed the other parts that weren't working for me, because i do remember the show being a bit better than i thought at the time.

the new songs were quite good. one is from the tour ep, tino, so i'll find a way to get it to you.

[Fiona]

Lots of events happening in Dublin at the moment. DEAF (ublin lectronic rts estival) kicked off last Thursday with Alexander Tucker and Soap & Skin, but I couldn't make it. The little I've heard by Soap & Skin really intrigues me, and I was really disappointed to miss her set. Has anyone here listened to her at length? Alex Tucker I've seen a few times, so felt less aggrieved about missing him.

The first event I attended was Isis at the Button Factory. Isis isn't a band I listen to to any great extent but having heard so much in the way of good reports of them live decided to go. Dear god they are punishing live, and in a really good way. Aaron Turner has ridiculously long fingers! He was playing some amazingly complex chords... the extension of his pinky was freakishly long.

Later that night went to see Beardyman and Dam Funk at The Twisted Pepper only to find their sets were running concurrently in different rooms. Dam Funk was a nobrainer, but it was nearly 2am before he grabbed a mic and hit the decks. Really struggled to appreciate it due to tiredness.

Saturday I caught Somadrone's New Spaces for Music set. The New Spaces concept is to bring music to different or unusual spaces. Somadrone's set took place upstairs, under the dome of Dublin City Hall, which was built in the 1770s. There's a large amount of echo in the building and that coupled with reverb on the electronics made it louder and very interesting with the sound bouncing around the round room.

After that managed to see a more few local acts - Kevin Blake, Hunter-Gatherer and Children Under Hoof - in the basement of Filmbase, all were awesome. Beanbags on the floor and a BYOB policy made it a very laid-back event. Children Under Hoof are great - psychedelic/noise/krautrock.

The plan for Saturday night was to go to see No Age and Thread Pulls (NOT part of DEAF though Gavin and Thread Pulls are performing at DEAF events), but the show got canned due to airline staff in Oslo-Torp treating Dean like crap and not letting them board the flight... (they eventually made it and the show was rescheduled for last night, yay!).

Anyway because of No No Age, yesterday's plans got reshaped a bit. No Age and Thread Pulls were doing an all-ages show in Exchange in the afternoon, so I hit that and of course they were both awesome. Just as that was ending, Sarsparilla's New Spaces show was kicking off in Cow's Lane around the corner so hit that. Deadly 80s-style electro-beat (if you ask me).

Rounding off the weekend was Warp @ DEAF - live sets from Bibio, Clark and Plaid, and dj sets from Rustie and DJ N>E>D. Stonking stuff! Bibio impressed me live, and Plaid's "classics" set was just that. For all the live stuff, it was Rustie's dj set that hit the spot for me - brash, audacious and smart. LOVED that he dropped this tune (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owKkSxGT8Ng) - haven't heard it in years - and roughed it up nicely. Whatever happened to to Craig David?

Anyway DEAF is ongoing 'til next Sunday and there's plenty more happening - update next weekend.

[Fiona]

Vashti Bunyan is playing Whelan's next month. I'm still rubbing my eyes. Couldn't be better unless she was playing in my living room! The remainder of the bill is mind-blowingly good - Adrian Crowley, Andy Irvine, Minotaur Shock and Lord Cut-Glass - and there are still more acts tbc. Excited!

[otto midnight]

going to see the ponys for the first time in over two years on saturday, playing with france has the bomb (mpls) and other locals a/v murder.

[Salman]

going to see the ponys for the first time in over two years on saturday, playing with france has the bomb (mpls) and other locals a/v murder.

How were the new songs?

[Fiona]

Two days later and I've calmed down to the point where I talk about Yo La Tengo's show at Tripod with going "waaah!!!" or something similar. Easily one of the best nights out I've had. It's thrilling seeing a favourite band on top of their game, and even more so with an audience that was quietly respectful at the appropriate moments and rowdy, loud and fun when they needed to be. It's wonderful how classic the new material already sounds; fits so well into the canon yet still so fresh. Anyway, waaaah! it was amazing! I'm all excited again! :D

Setlist, pilfered from elsewhere as I'm useless at remembering song titles and the order in which they were played:

Pass the Hatchet, I Think I'm Goodkind
Avalon Or Someone Very Similar
Periodically Double Or Triple
Stockholm Syndrome
Tears Are In Your Eyes
Here To Fall
If It's True
Mr. Tough
I'm On My Way
Tom Courtenay
When It's Dark
More Stars Than There Are In Heaven
Deeper Into Movies
Autumn Sweater
Big Day Coming
Nothing To Hide
Blue Line Swinger

Encore:
Little Honda
You Can Have It All
Our Way to Fall

Encore 2:
Yellow Sarong
What Can I Say

And some photos what I took:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2580/4082533627_b8a72eeb3b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2717/4082508645_fe97643b2f.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2714/4082501471_fd684092a7.jpg

The rest are here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/redheadwalking/sets/72157622753501346/detail/)

[Fiona]

Anyone other than me going to gigs these days?

Shred Yr Face 3 stopped off at Crawdaddy last Wednesday week. The Cave Singers/Espers/Woods line-up was one that I was looking forward to. Three bands I like a lot and, who, while complementary, are totally different propositions live.

On the Dublin leg it was Espers' turn to kick things off. Have to say that they didn't live up to their previous turn at Crawdaddy. On that occasion they were fluid and completely harmonious as an entity. This time around they felt awkward and a little stilted. A total shame as when they're on it's so incredibly beautiful.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2541/4129299306_ec5b20bff6.jpg

Woods took the middle slot and were completely bonkers. I don't know what I was expecting with their live set-up, but it wasn't seeing vocals channelled through an effects board and lots of thrashing about. Love the records, but this was so much better!

(with each band, the stage lighting grew dimmer)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2688/4128455815_8fce114eb2.jpg

The Cave Singers had the honour of headlining on the night and wore it well. The kind of music they play goes down really well here, and so it was on the night. Small crowd, big reaction and well deserved.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2742/4128407211_157256e158.jpg

As already reported, Jay Reatard provided the entertainment for my birthday. Seriously, the guy just gets better and better live. Totally miss Billy, and Stephen especially, when it comes to stage presence; the new guys need to feel it a bit more, but can't say they brought it down any. It'll be interesting to see how the dynamic develops over time. Biggest surprise of the night was the length of the set. 35 minutes - a marathon. We've been waiting a long time for this gig in Dublin, and not a soul felt let down. So many of my friends burbling about gig of the year (sorry, YLT still owns that for me, along with AC/DC).

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2620/4114986079_247bdf4d7f.jpg

Last Thursday was another exciting one for me, in getting to see Hauschka perform. It was just wonderful seeing his piano preparations in person! He played a single piece each from Ferndorf and Substantial and the remainder was improv. Watching his technique was so interesting, as a pianist. It's a very compact, condensed style - his hands are very close together for most pieces - which when you're playing quickly can be tough. He employs a lot of staccato and rapidly too, which can be very tiring.
Also, he's incredibly charming and open - a delight to be in the presence of.
Support act Hulk definitely warrant a mention - looped, reverb zither (I think) with percussion accenting and guitar (courtesy of Adrian Crowley) washing over. Lovely.

[tinobeat]

Lately it seems there's no show that's too awesome to miss, for me.

I just haven't had the energy, will or money to do much showgoing, its sad really.

[awol]

Anyone other than me going to gigs these days?

I've been going to a good amount of shows recently, since moving to Philly. Best sets I've seen in the past few months have been by Birds of Maya, Dum Dum Girls, Brown Recluse, Pants Yell!, Blues Control, Mad Scene & The Axemen. Birds of Maya were far and away the best show of the bunch.

[9000]

nice pictures.

looked into going to sonic youth, but it was sold out. also wanted to go to kurt vile at europa, but was too hungover, tired, old and pathetic to make it over a few blocks.

going to rally once i figure out what's going on.

[Patrick]

Do you think you could pick me up a large shake and some fries

[9000]

???

[Patrick]

Reread the last line of your post, and think about it

[9000]

ah. i'm already big.

[dola]

All the regulars in the last couple of months: Jeff Lewis, Thee Ohsees & TNV. I really gotta branch out a bit more. I'd like to see Yellow Fever, US Girls and Future Islands who all play in December.

[Fiona]

Birds of Maya were far and away the best show of the bunch.
KV recommended those guys to me a few months back, I really need to check them out. Dum Dum Girls have already been added to the Primavera line-up - very happy to see that.

[Fiona]

Inevitably, after a long weekend of going to bed at 4am and even then getting very little sleep, I've come down with a cold. When my head's less melted I'll post an update on ATP, but for now here's my favourite photo from the weekend.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2692/4171877798_60b6b18235.jpg

Also, this definitely warrants a caption competition:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2627/4167163599_580224e19b.jpg

[dola]

Also, this definitely warrants a caption competition:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2627/4167163599_580224e19b.jpg

"See the way I remember it was that I dated her sister first. Then with Kim I guess you could call it 'hot and heavy.' Pretty soon we killed her parents and stole my dad's convertible."

[tinobeat]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2627/4167163599_580224e19b.jpg

"You know, putting a blue cap on this will NOT magically make it a Fiji. Goddamit Kim, do they even READ the rider?"

[jef]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2627/4167163599_580224e19b.jpg

"Kim, Do you think Beefheart has the same disdain for tapwater that I do?"

[Brushback]

Anyone other than me going to gigs these days?

Crippled Youth!

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y142/Brushback/One-Base-on-Overthrow/CrippledYouthCafeNine11-27-091-1.jpg


http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y142/Brushback/One-Base-on-Overthrow/CrippledYouthCafeNine11-27-092.jpg


TV Ghost:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y142/Brushback/Brushback/TVGhostWesleyan10-3-0951225-1.jpg


Sonorous Gale:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y142/Brushback/Brushback/SonorousGaleFDZ829093-900-1.jpg


Bombs Away:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y142/Brushback/OneBaseOnOverthrow/BombsAwayWhitney11-10-09-500.jpg


Oiltanker:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y142/Brushback/Brushback/OiltankerWhitney8210961-737-1.jpg


Estrogen Highs:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y142/Brushback/Brushback/EstrogenHighsDanielSt7-2-0933-80-1.jpg

[Moon Pix]

The best gig I went to this year was actually the other night when I saw Madness in Birmingham. Amazing. It was one of the most enthusiastic crowds Ive ever seen at a gig. The band themselves were just flawless. They really catered for everybody, playing all of the hits that the more casual fans like myself would recognise and throwing in a few more obscure ones for the real hardcore fans.

Even the walls were sweating.:)

[Fiona]

I should really do that ATP post, but I'm slacking on finishing the photos (mostly because I've been coughing into my 'puter screen for the best part of the last week).

Until then, Matador artist I would most like to adopt: Kurt Vile