Death To Your Speakers. DEATH TO YOUR SPEAKERS!!

Every summer I latch onto a few bands/albums that will forever be remembered as “That summer song/band/album” You know the type…You’ll play it out until all of your friends hate the song, but you’ll continue to love it. Then years down the road (you probably won’t even own the album anymore) you hear it on the radio or see it on VH1 Classics…and you will recall that summer. The heat, the broken AC unit, Mr. Tasty rolling down the street playing that shit happy music… Bonde do Role is at the forefront of that list with its Domino Records Debut “With Lasers”.

Baile funk rhythms, 80’s metal guitars, Portuguese vocals…What more could you ask for?

With Lasers is the perfect summer rooftop dance party album from beginning to end. Their first single Solta o Frango (which translates into something like release the chickens) is a good indicator as to what to expect from the rest of the album. The current single Office Boy, which you can stream from Domino’s Website, is produced by Brazilian mastermind DJ Chernobyl and is by far one of the best arranged songs on the album. From its classic 70’s rock riff to the indie funk bass line, and those baile beats that pretty much define the entire album.

For all of you who have been waiting for Bonde’s return to the states…you may remember reading about the band canceling their summer US tour with CSS. Well the bad news is that they still won’t be around this summer…the good news though is that they will return in September for a coast-to-coast tour that is sure appease everyone.

Tour dates via (Pitchfork)

09-11 Washington, DC - Black Cat
09-12 Baltimore, MD - Sonar
09-13 Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda's
09-14 New York, NY - The Powerhouse @ American Museum of Natural History
09-15 Brooklyn, NY - TBA
09-17 Allston, MA - Harper's Ferry
09-18 Montreal, Quebec - La Sala Rossa
09-19 Toronto, Ontario - Cabaret
09-20 Detroit, MI - Magic Stick
09-21 Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle
09-22 Minneapolis, MN - Triple Rock Social Club
09-25 Vancouver, British Columbia - Richards on Richards
09-26 Seattle, WA - Neumos
09-27 Portland, OR - Holocene
09-28 San Francisco, CA - The Independent
09-29 Los Angeles, CA - Echoplex
10-01 San Diego, CA - Casbah
10-02 Tucson, AZ - Plush
10-04 Austin, TX - Emo's Jr.
10-05 Dallas, TX - Palladium Loft
10-06 Baton Rouge, LA - Spanish Moon
10-08 Tallahassee, FL - Beta Bar
10-09 Gainesville, FL - Common Grounds
10-10 Jacksonville, FL - TSI
10-11 Orlando, FL - The Club at Firestone
10-12 Atlanta, GA - MJQ Concourse
10-13 Chapel Hill, NC - Local 506

Bonde do Role – Solta o Frango

Office Boy Video

Death Comesto Matteson – Ship of Fools, Ship on Fire

(Speak Music Media / 2007)

A few weeks ago, a friend of mine asked me to attend a show @ Mercury Lounge…The band he manages, Death Comesto Matteson from Nashville,TN were finishing up their tour, and he said their last show would be a good one. The show had its technical difficulties, but I still found myself owning a copy of their full length debut, Ship of Fools, Ship on Fire.

The album released on Speak Music Media in 2007 sounds like a polished version of their live show. Lead vocalist Peter Matteson vocals intertwine with cymbal feedback, while lead guitarist, Steven Bohn, and Bassist, Joseph Ash, keep counter melodies and rhythms bouncing of each other.

Ship of Fools sings of lost lovers and a journey to the center of one’s self. Matteson dark brand of pop music is reminiscent of the Afghan Whigs and Explosions in the sky, or Palace Music with an edge that cuts deeps.

I definitely recommend the purchase of Ship of Fools, Ship on Fire. I would also tell you all to see them live, but I recently found out that Death Comesto Matteson in the form I witnessed has gone their separate ways…leaving drummer, Mike Walker, and Peter to carry on where Ships left off.

Chairlift & Mixel Pixel @ Luna Lounge 20-June-2007

On Wednesday night I attended the Chairlift and Mixel Pixel show at The recently opened Luna Lounge in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. I had yet to see a show there and I was over whelmed by the size of the venue. 50+ people barely took up the a 8^th of the entire space. Needless to say I still love both Mixel Pixel and Chairlift. I don’t know what it was…The empty space, poor sound, or just a bad night for everyone, but Everything sounded empty and distant. Not the usual show these guys put on…Mixel Minus one member were as energetic as ever, singing and dancing to their drum machine and throwing out little gifts to the crowd. While Chairlift reminded me of an old folk group singing love songs to each other more then to the crowd. It made you feel warm inside, but still a little left out from the inner circle.

Hello Tokyo @ Arlene’s Grocery 21-June-2007

Thursday night brought me to Arlene’s Grocery to see Hello Tokyo. I recently played a show with Pawns (who share members with Hello Tokyo) and was eager to see the guys {and girl} again…

Hello’s hard-hitting power pop is driven by its 4 members (individually as well as together). The first thing I noticed was how well every instrument intermingled with one another…the bass playing off the drums the vocals harmonizing with the guitar and everyone going every which way while never straying far from the core of the song. They have a great stage presence and sound. I can’t wait to see them again…maybe I’ll take pictures…

Great Northern @ Bowery Ballroom 14 June 2007

LA’s Great Northern came to New York City late last week and I had the opportunity to see them at their Bowery Ballroom show Thursday. As I walked to the venue I began to worry about the show. Great Northern’s debut on Eenie Meanie Records, “Trading Twilight for Daylight” is such a well produced album I felt that the guys and girls in GN would fall short trying to re-create the lush undertones of the record. To my relief and delight all my fears were vanquished 20 seconds in to the set. Great Northern played a loud, yet crisp set. Every vocal was right on, every instrument…crystal clear. If you’re going to play in New York…you might as well play at one of the best sounding venues. Great Northern will hopefully be returning to the area soon, and I advise all of you to make the trek out to see them.

No, that is not funny sir…

Monday evening I received a text stating that David Cross was appearing at Mo Pitkins. No one could confirm this fact, although a few people that saw him Sunday at Union Hall said he was going to be @ Mo Pitkins the following night (Monday). So I left work and hurried in the rain to 3rd & A and entered a rather crowded bar. There was no flyer, no one in the bar was saying anything. So I waited patiently for the comedy show “youtube Show and Tell”, hosted by JULIE & JACKIE, with Rachael. The show scheduled to start at 8:30pm was almost 40 minutes behind due to a poetry reading. When we finally made it up stairs handed over our $6/person and sat down, did we see Mr. Cross. The show started, and my gawd that wasn’t funny. The funniest joke was the duo’s first one “You just paid six dollars to do something that you could do at home for free.” Oh, the joke was on us. I was forced to sit through 2 hours of some of the most non-humorous youtube I’ve ever seen. As the night ended and other people around me chuckled and gasped at a slideshow of an Asian couples wedding (funny? not in the delivery), I began to wonder if my hero would actually be taking the stage. Finally his name came up and I was happy. To my surprise and heartbreak, even the great David Cross couldn’t save this show. His video’s were meant to portray the every day youtube, and he picked this video blog by aember25. 1 (A thank you to her subscribers), 2 (A response from one of her 832 suscribers), 3 (A video post about rape not being funny…come on we all know that)…So that was Monday.

Tuesday was exciting, because I got to go see an amazing band from Nashville. Death Comesto Matteson (pronounced Death Comes To Matteson). The show was great despite severe technical difficulties with their bass rig. Singer Peter Matteson incredible vocals kept the crowd in awe, and the times when the full band came in behind Matteson it made your heart pound with the music…I picked up their first full length, Ship of Fools or Ship on Fire, and will be doing a proper review once I have enough time to listen to it from start to finish. For now…Go here and buy their stuff

Yesterday was suppose to be my girl’s night…I had planned to start the night of with The pipettes’ in store appearance @ Other Music at 7:00pm, but left my wallet on my dresser. So I had to walk back and grab it and by the time I got there it was packed. So I missed out on the synchronized dance moves and black poke-a-dot dresses. But it turns out that the ladies were busy as well. Making an appearance at the CMJ office before their in store and then headed to Highline Ballroom. Phew! Busy night like I said. So woo is me, I missed them…but that wasn’t the end for me…no no no no. Next stop on my journey and what would turn out to be my last as far as shows was Piano’s. It was at Liberated Matter’s weekly showcase, Cross-Pollination where I caught folk singer, Jan Bell . I quite enjoyed the set, with her lo-fi sound, and strong yet clever voice with my front row seat I could just listen and take pleasure in the music and in life . I would of stayed for Lonesome Heroes, and possibly the Cross-Pollination, but I ran into a couple friends and decided to catch up. I did convince one of my cohorts to attend the final show in my night ‘o wonder. Lay Low, an Icelandic blues/folk singer opened up for the night’s downstairs lineup. It was once again first-rate music, which isn’t that hard to come by in this city. She reminded me of a folk Bjork meets a blues Mirah which when I thought about it made me very happy. I ended the night sitting in the local 138 meeting new people and catching up with some old ones. It was one of those nights that you want to remember, but will probably get lost in the shuffle of shows and drinking anyone can enjoy any night of the week here.

Here’s to a superb night and a song that helps remember the night I stood in the back with my eyes closed and just enjoyed the moment.

Lay Low - Please Don't Hate Me

The other night I attended the first annual Rachael’s 23^rd birthday bash at The Delancey. The entire event was hosted by the venerable Pop Tarts Suck Toasted. I wouldn’t be amiss to say that the entire night was a huge success. I saw seven great bands and had a few drinks and very candid conversations with a bunch of friends.

The night got kicked off early by a not-so-acoustic set by members of A Brief Smile. DL (Vocals/Electric Guitar) & Jared (Keyboards) played a very high spirited set, and even threw in a GVB cover. It wasn’t quite the ‘Acoustic’ set I had expected, but I was very pleased to hear their songs with out a rhythm section beefing up the sound.

Next on the docket was Sweden’s own Pelle Carlberg, and he was by far the surprise performance of the night. Pelle and his one man rhythm section/friend Henrik(sp) did well to keep me captivated their entire set…minus the 93 seconds it took me to run up stairs and find Rachael and exclaim that they were covering Mika’s Grace Kelly.

**Disclaimer: It was around this time that a migraine started a ruckus in the right side of my brain, and I tried my best to hang out, but kept to sitting down more often then not, and avoiding speakers next to my head. Regardless, the show was just starting, and the next act was going to be a first for all those who attended.

The Antlers made their full band debut, and I was excited about this even more then the “Surprise Guests”. The Antlers’ front man Peter Silberman blew me away with his songs and pure energy when I saw him perform solo at one of The Battering Room’s showcases. Now he went a head and magnified that energy 5x…With this line up and their latest release…I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for these kids.

The sarcastic wit and charm of Wakey! Wakey!’s Mike Grubbs took center stage next, and with his ever expanding/shrinking cast of musicians. Solid as always, but I felt the set was rushed and fell short of what I expected.

Seth Kallen and the Reaction setup and then gave the reins over to surprise guests Tally Hall, who performed a couple covers for Rachael, then it was back to Seth. His blues infused indie rock picked up where Wakey! Wakey! Left off and set the stage for the nights headliners...Jukebox the Ghost.

Jukebox thrashed through an amazing set, and then surprised Rachael with a very special birthday song, which included members of the other performers from that night and Wes, from the Undisputed Heavyweights...

After what could be called the end to a perfect night, Jukebox the Ghost continue playing to the cheers of the crowd, and Rachael couldn’t be happier.

Hii everybody!! I know its been a while, but I’ve been busy with work and the band and lots of sleeping. I’ve been to a couple shows, some awesome albums came out, but I’ve been out of the loop for the past 2 weeks…

So I’m sure you’re asking what could amazing enough to bring me out of this funk?

Well…THIS

My very best New York City friend is celebrating her 23^rd birthday and her super awesome boyfriend has put together an incredible party/show to help us celebrate.

Now not many people know this, or maybe everyone does, but Rachael is the girl that showed me how to get by in this city. Where to hang out, the “cheap” bars the “it” spots…She basically figured out all the hard shit out for me, while showing me around and getting me super drunk with super cool people. I could gush about her for hours, but that is embarrassing and I’m sure you have more interesting things to do…I will say this though…It’s not New York with out Rachael!!

Pop Tarts Suck Toasted Presents:

Rachael's 23rd Birthday Bash

8:00pm - A Brief Smile

8:45pm - Pelle Carlberg

9:30pm - The Antlers

10:15pm - Wakey!Wakey!

11:00pm - Seth Kallen and the Reaction

12:00am - Jukebox the Ghost

Date: Saturday 2nd June 2007

Location: The Delancey (168 Delancey St, between Attorney & Clinton)

Time: Doors at 8 PM

Cost: $10 (21+)