NEW BLOG

If you dug what you saw here at Music is a Sin!, please check out my new Blog:
Sex Sux (Amen)

Que? QUE! Que.

OOOOOO I gotta apologize for the lack of postings. I'm working on a fresher blog that you will appreciate. Be patient, give me time, but for now, this blog is being retired. Thanks for the views, hit me with an email if you have any comments, ccharron34@gmail.com.

Stay tuned for the newest in new....

Concert #9: 3/19 Psychedelic Horseshit @ AS220

Under attended show at AS220. Too bad, Psychedelic Horseshit were wonderful!!!

Concert #8: 3/14 - Black Pus @ Hilarious Attic

Moon Mama (half of afrirampo) http://www.myspace.com/moonmama2013
Waterfai http://www.myspace.com/waterfai
MIKKO
Nautical Almanac http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m77yr5SDJS8
Weyes Bluhd http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2tqMWYg8VI&feature=related
Black Pus http://www.myspace.com/theblackpus

Strange show in the best way possible.

The Strange Boys and CB GB's

Live Velvet Underground Footage

After researching for the earlier Richard Hell post I came across some insanely wonderful live Velvet Underground footage:

Femme Fatale (with Nico)

Velvet underground - femme fatale
by love15

Heroine (John Cale and Lou Reed, technically not The VU)

Heroin - The Velvet Underground
Uploaded by musiclivesat. - Music videos, artist interviews, concerts and more.

Sister Ray (audio) Part 1 (My favorite VU track)


Sister Ray (audio) Part 2

Richard Hell - The Blank Generation DVD

To celebrate the re-release of The Blank Generation film on DVD, I am providing you with a couple beautiful-sounding live Richard Hell and the Voidoids tunes:

The Blank Generation

Richard Hell And The Voidoids - Blank Generation

Rab | MySpace Video

Liars Beware

Concert #7: I Destroyer, Infernal Stronghold

I went to 17 Mules last night and enjoyed the four bands on the bill:

I, Destroyer (Providence)
Infernal Stronghold (Philly)
Brain Shivers (Providence)
Back Stabbath (Providence)

Highlight: Infernal Stronghold stole the night in my opinion. Their metal guitar assault tickled my fancy. I did quite a bit of head banging. I especially appreciated their ability to build songs up into a loud and tormented frenzy, creating a slightly possessed crowd reaction.

Lowlight: None. Coming off of the Surfer Blood massacre, this show was perfect in every conceivable way. Loud guitars, no turdy indie kidz, and plenty of music to forget that the Oscars were happening.

Beavis and Butthead Meet The Clash, Shonen Knife, Beck

Beavis and Butthead - Whip It

To follow up such a whiny post, here's a Beavis and Butthead music video:

Devo - Whip It

Concert #6: Surfer Blood at AS220

Text message conversation about Surfer Blood from last night between me and David (An Uncontrollable Urge):

Me: Vampire Weekend soundalikes mark the end of civilization.
Him: We enter the age of apocalypse.
Me: Death has shat on my earlobes.
Him: Hahahahaha Dude one of those guys looks like an alien baby.

The first awful concert of 2010 has hit Music is a Sin! Last night I attended the Mast/Turbo Fruits/Surfer Blood/Black Clouds show at AS220.

I'll try to keep this brief. I've been trying my best to keep the blog on the positive side. Negative nancies are despicable. Too much good music out there to waste my time complaining.

But sometimes a show blows my mind in the wrong direction and I must take a stand.

Last night started with Mast, a tight local band that played high decibel metal/hard rock that disturbed the corny 'indie rock' crowd, to my delight. I overheard a couple turds complaining that they 'didn't come here to see such garbage.' I disagree. Mast were the best band of the night.

Turbo Fruits came on next. I kind of liked their first self-titled record, it was loose and fun and sloppy punk. I predicted their material would be solid for an opening band.

The first half of the set pulled mostly from their first record, including the heavy stoner punk anthem "Volcano", an ode to the infamous vaporizing device. Things took a plunge for the worst when they started playing newer material, sounding like post-Vampire Weekend garbage. I was angry and paced around AS220 until Surfer Blood came on.

They were even worse. Total Vampire Weekend rip-offs. At least VW played music that sounded a little original. (Did I just compliment VW?)

Horchata is still the worst song of 2010. (Whew, redeemed)

I left six songs into Surfer Blood's set. Sorry, Black Clouds, I'll see you some other time.

I never considered the flurry of bands that are going to come out and sound like Vampire Weekend that are going to take over the next few years of the indie rock scene, the post-getting-big haze. AKA cash-in hors trying to make a buck by brain-washing the lambs.

Happened to Arcade Fire, Broken Social Scene, Wolf Parade, etc. There are so many bands that sound like those dudes it makes me want to puke.

In conclusion, world of post-Vampire Weekend may mark the end of my ties with this vacant music scene. I spent most of the night analyzing the ramifications of this band getting the blog hype buzz and realized we are all doomed.

I listened to this live Oxford Collapse performance from my last CMJ trip and I feel less pissed off about this whole ordeal. They should have been bigger than Vampire Weekend and Surfer Blood. RIP.

The Return of Beavis and Butthead

Someone recently uploaded more Beavis and Butthead music clips! JOY!

Pavement - Cut Your Hair


Gary Young - Plant Man (This video explains why he is no longer in Pavement)

Required Pavement Posting

Pavement finally reunited in Australia blah blah blah.

Here's an interview Malkmus did with Klosterman. Blah.

Here's Here.


My jokes are always bad...

Also, here's a sloppy wet live versions of Summer Babe, Frontwards, and Angel Carver Blues/Mellow Jazz Docen, with Gary Young nailing it on drums. These tracks are found on Slanted and Enchanted Luxe and Reduxe.


Damn right I have my Pavement tickets for September in NYC.

Wire - Chairs Missing

Wire's second release, Chairs Missing, was pumping out of my stereo last night while I played N64's finest game, Perfect Dark. The record is vastly different from their first album, Pink Flag, but retains a certain intense element that makes shooting people in video games much more exciting.

I Am the Fly.

Bob Dylan - Like a Rolling Stone

Just found my CD copy of this performance and is, incidentally, being played loudly on my stereo.

Context education: He seems pissed because somebody yelled "I'll never listen to you again," and he replied, "I don't believe you, you're a liar," and then someone called him Judas, to which he replied, "Play it fucking loud."

This proves that crowds should always heckle talented musicians in order to to provoke their inner demons.

The Rolling Stones Covered Muddy Waters

The Rolling Stones covered this Muddy Waters original for their "No. 2" record, released in 1965 in England and in 1972 on the More Hot Rocks compilation in America.

Muddy said they did a "pretty good job." I agree.

Comix To the Rescue!

This comic comes from Derfcity, who contributes his art frequently to the Providence Phoenix.

Those Darlins - Lonesome Cowboy Bill

Those Darlins will be playing with Deer Tick April 2 at Jerkys and April 3 at Firehouse 13. Here's a Velvet Underground cover (via Duke Street Blog):

Those Darlins - "Lonesome Cowboy Bill" from DUKE STREET on Vimeo.

McLusky - Day of the Deadringers

I love Future of the Left. I've been digging through my endless mess of burnt CD's and found McLusky Does Dallas. Turns out, McLusky are related to Future of the Left and rock out about as hard. Enjoy:

The Pack AD - Canada Wins Gold In Rock Olympics

Vancouver's The Pack AD have a new record coming out April 27 on Mint Records called We Kill Computers.

Here's a new song from the record.

Here's a promo video for the record:

Sunday Morning Song: Trains Across the Sea

Good morning. Here's Why? covering the Silver Jews:

Concert #5: Punk Rock at 17 Mules

Winners: She Rides was the best band of the night, in my stupid opinion.
Losers: The smog that enveloped the crowd during Homostupids. Ew gross.

Concert #4: Bellows in Pawtucket

Winners: Bellows set was Hot Hot Hot.
Losers: Me, cuz I had to leave before Tinsel Teeth got on.

Warning: Don't Download The New BSS!!!

I need to formally apologize for the recent post referring to the free Broken Social Scene single that is available to download. I forgot it wasn't 2004 and well, it sucks. It sounds like poop on rye. Like 98% of all of the Arts and Crafts stable, the music is boring and I deleted it from my hard drive after one listen. Sorry!

See, I didn't actually "listen to the song" before I posted it. My excitement for new Broken Social Scene music was more nostalgia-driven than I first realized. Yeah, that was a mistake.

Cokemachineglow summarized the mediocrity more eloquently here.

Here is a tune way more interesting and listenable and makes me proud about listing on this blog:

New Broken Social Scene Single

There's a new Broken Social Scene single in town, called "World Sick." You can find this on every other blog in the universe. I threw up a post only because after you download the single, it asks if you want to embed it to your website, and I clicked, Yes. Thought it would've been a waste of a copy. Also thought asking to embed was a very bright move, making that the first available option after downloading the track. Now every single underground rock blog will be peer pressured into posting this new mp3, starting the buzz for the new Broken Social Scene record! Smart Canadians!

PS: They are fucking incredible live if you have a chance to see them play. Go see them. Thank you.

The Johnny Cash Show: Best Performances Part One

I spent last night watching two hours straight of The Johnny Cash Show. I still have the second DVD to watch. Here are my favorite three performances from Part One. Stay Tuned for Part Two.

Bob Dylan: I Threw It All Away/Girl From the North Country (With Johnny Cash)


Louis Armstrong and Johnny Cash: Blue Yodel No. 9


Waylon Jennings: Only Daddy That'll Walk The Line/Duet With Johnny Cash/Brown-Eyed Handsome Man


Bonus: Eric Clapton, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash: Matchbox

Most Awkward Mission of Burma Interview Ever?

Bob Weston looks uncomfortable and/or angry in this hilariously bad interview.

Dirty Laundry Presents: Mission Of Burma from Dirty Laundry on Vimeo.

Here's an interview the AV Club did with Peter Prescott. I'm glad this interviewer did more research than glancing at a Wikipedia entry...

Black Tambourine - Slumberland Records Release

Black Tambourine have a reissue coming out on Slumberland on March 30.

I was introduced to the early Slumberland band when I was a DJ at 91.1FM WMUA. I took on the project of reorganizing the vast 7''s collection that had been scattered across the station over the years. I recall one of the cooler records I stumbled across was by Black Tambourine:

By Tomorrow was the 9th piece of music released by Slumberland in 1988 and the first recording by the group. My fondness for bursts of Jesus and Mary Chain/Velvet Underground noisey pop led me to obsess over the record, especially the first song, By Tomorrow, found below.

By Tomorrow:


Bonus:

For Ex-Lovers Only
(Via Pitchforkmedia.com)

What The Hell? Violent Femmes on Sabrina the Witch

What a weird cameo, The Violent Femmes appearing on 90's crap Sabrina, the Teenage Witch. I used to watch this show all the time and vaguely remember this episode but didn't know who the hell The Violent Femmes were when I was nine years old.

(Via The AV Club)

Concert #3: John McCauley at The 201

Concert #3: John McCauley, lead singer of Queer Dick (the way he introduced himself), performed at the small bar at 201 Westminster St., known as The 201, Providence, RI, on Thursday night, February 11.

A few of John's friends performed as the warm-up acts: Chris Paddock, Liz Isenberg, and Vio/Mire.

Highlight of opening acts: Chris Paddock ripping apart his original tune, "These Old Shoes." You might have heard it performed before by Deer Tick on War Elephant.

Mr. McCauley hit the stage with an electric guitar for forty minutes and played ONLY new songs and covers. I was cool with the lack of "hits" since, being a local artist, I've seen them performed many times.

John mentioned the fresh cuts were recorded for a new, separate project from Deer Tick.
More details forthcoming!

The covers included:
The Replacements: "Can't Hardly Wait" (I think)
The Beatles: "Black Bird"
Bill Haley: "Rock Around the Clock"

Throw in an Otis Redding cover (I think, I missed the name) and one line from the Silver Jews' "New Orleans" and Thursday night made for an intimate, exciting night of music at The 201.

John was especially loose, since of the 30 or 40 people in the audience, most of them seemed to be a friend.

Check out Deer Tick playing at Jerky's and Firehouse 13 in Providence, April 2 and 3, with Those Darlins.

Here's Deer Tick covering "Can't Hardly Wait" on decent quality video.

The Steve Wilkos Show White Rapper

Early January I was lucky enough to attend The Steve Wilkos show, a mix of Jerry Springer violent humor and Maury Povich earnest dysfunctional weirdness. The following two clips features one of the most goofy humans ever attempt to freestyle. He is my personal savior.

RIP Fannie the Elephant

There once was an elephant that lived in Slate Park in Pawtucket, RI, a nice ten minute ride from my house. Here is a tribute to Fanny:

Chicago, Don't Let Me Explode

I read this a couple days ago on another blog and thought it was a good idea for a post:

My Three Months Last FM page's Top Five Musicians
(Note: This doesn't count the cassette tapes in my car, my CD's, and my records)

1. The Hold Steady – 352 spins
I have the great Separation Sunday recording jammed onto my iPod. The perfect suburban Americana record of the past decade and their best effort to date.

Your Little Hoodrat Friend


2. Circulatory System – 213
I don't know how many times I've screamed about Signal Morning, but add another strike to that long list. Shut up and buy it, you sissy.

Overjoyed


3. Mission of Burma – 167
Slowly have become one of my favorite bands ever. They have zero bad records and each take about six months to fully comprehend. Check out their newest release, The Sound, The Speed, The Light you poser!

1,2,3 Partyy! (THIS VIDEO IS FUCKING ESSENTIAL!!!)


4. Bob Dylan – 113
Those Yesterday Sessions are some of the best unreleased Dylan music you can ever find. I blogged about the amazingness here if you haven't checked it out yet, by all means, download it, suckah!

5. Of Montreal - 60
I have a bootleg of all a live album, named 2-18-02, from Of Montreal it features a bunch of covers the Athens group have played on tour the past over the years. When I saw them, they played Nirvana's Smells Like Teen Spirit, and it was the best performance of the night. The record I have includes a few originally cut by The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Beatles, and The Velvet Underground.

Smells Like Teen Spirit (The guy front row with poofy blond hair isn't me, I swear..)

Twitter Rules. Leads To This Blog Post

I've been deluged with new music since joining Twitter. It feel good to drown in instant mp3 gratification. Following my favorite writers and fellow snobs has opened my ears up to one of the better parts of the internet takeover of the music industry.

Here are three bands that I picked up on because of the good old twitter.

1. Mi Ami (via Tinymixtapes.com)

My buddy Alex raved about Mi Ami's last record Watersports when he DJ'd with me at 91.1 WMUA. Check out his blog/radio show here. I think their older stuff sounded more kraut-rock-y, now they sound a little more noise/dance-y but they retain the good old build-up-to-the-point-of-explosion, mesmerizing sound that the Germans perfected back in the 1970s.

2. Mess Folk (via Viceland.com)

This guy plays some noisy, slightly offensive, anti-art punk rawk and roll. Love.

3. Scratoa! (via Tinymixtapes.com)

Reminds me of Captain Beefhart and the Steve Reid and Kieran Hebden projects. Kind of. Not really able to describe this properly. Just listen to it!!!

Here is a picture of me with Boston Celtic folk hero Walter McCarty. (Via Twitter) Thanks, Luke!

Stephen Colbert, Professional Satirizer

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Sarah Palin Uses a Hand-O-Prompter
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor Economy

Half-Ass Super Bowl Thoughts From a Bored Dude

Thoughts on last night's American Coliseum Championship:

Super Bowl 44 was boring. Besides the onside kick, the Peyton Int, and yeah, that's it.

Join hands, suck face, and FUCK Tim Tebow.

The onside kick reminded me of how you can always come back in NFL Blitz.

Peyton and Brett's game losing INT's were my favorite plays of the otherwise mediocre NFL season.

I laughed harder at commercials that weren't supposed to be funny. I also am a fan of Stella. This has some relevance.

The Who were so bland, they landed a C- from me, and everyone at the party agreed was accurate.

Here's a couple awesome Half-Time Shows, from past Super Bowls:

The Boss:

Watch Bruce Springsteen Super Bowl halftime in NFL  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

The Prince:

Superbowl XLI Half-Time Show Starring Pr
by Molsonxxx2

Rahm Samberg Buttfuns Sarah Palin

I was complaining about SNL last night and then I saw this. Well played, Rahm Samberg, right on. The real anger is a breath of fresh ammonia.

The Strange Boys - Be Brave Video

I can't hide my embarrassing affection for The Strange Boys and their record Boys and Girls Club. People say they sound like Blonde on Blonde era Bob Dylan. I could contest that comparison with large amounts of my music snob muscle. But I gotta eat some food and besides, in the end it doesn't even matter one ounce who the hell they sound like. They're good, that's all. Check 'em out.

I can say that those two records (Boys and Girls Club, Blonde on Blonde), over the past two months, have been on my turntable more than any other pieces of vinyl I own.

Here's their new video for "Be Brave" starring Jenna from Mika Miko on Sax. (Via Buddyhead, the only major publication who I see giving these guys some attention.)

Dan Deacon - The Glorious Genius

Dan Deacon, please never change.

Dan Deacon - Woof Woof - Bromst - Carpark Records

He Was A Rebel Jew

Ah, I haven't had much to say this week. So fuck it. Here's a bunch of Silver Jews videos, via that Pitchfork beast. They're the fuckin' best.

Top 10 Redneck Moments:


Strange Victory, Strange Defeat


Candy Jail


Aloysius, Bluegrass Drummer

Propaganda Sucks So Listen to Red Mass and Duchess Says

Red Mass are a band out of the boisterous garage scene in Montreal and, boy howdy, they need some lovin' here on Music is a Sin!

Roy Vucino is the man in charge of this shotgun blast of Reverend Horton Heat-inspired rock n roll blasphemy. He's played with Mark Sultan, used to play in now-defunct CPC Gangbangs, amongst other Montreal outfits I assume were brilliant, and is now behind Red Mass. They have a new EP out, reviewed here by yours truly, in less obnoxious terms:

Click here to read my 75orless review.

Most interesting fact about Red Mass:

They are friends with Duchess Says, another Montreal group that are the real deal.

Duchess Says hit us in the nutz in 2008 with their French-Rriot girl punk record, ANTHOLOGIE DES 3 PERCHOIRS.

Coolest Possible Recording Red Mass Has Released:

Their Split 7'' on Alien 8 with Duchess Says!!! Hear it here or buy it.

The following videos are via les sessions bande à part, a French Canadian live music video website that I need to surf for another five hours, based on the footage that follows:

Red Mass - Male Models (From their Self-Titled Ep)
Watch full 24 minute session click here



Duchess Says - Ccut Up - from ANTHOLOGIE DES 3 PERCHOIRS
Watch full 24 minute session click here

Goal for 2010: Go to 100 Concerts

Dear Loyalists to Music is a Sin!

My goal for 2010 is to go to 100 musical concerts, shows, whatever you want to call them.

So far, I've been lucky enough to catch 2 precious rock bands in their primes: Mission of Burma and White Mice.

Slow month of January, 2 down, 98 to go. February is guaranteed to pick up.

Reason why I want to go to 100 concerts: arbitrary number I picked because it looks cool.

Reason why you should care: I will try to review them, starting next gig, probably this weekend.

Odds of reaching 100: 2 to 1.

Here's a picture from that actress from Mad Men. You have earned it for dealing with this post:

Woke Up This Morning, Got Yourself a Gun

"Where the Wild Things Are" was a boring emo movie. This would've made it better:

The Pack AD Never Stop Being Awesome

The Pack AD, my favorite band from Vancouver, have a new record coming out in April!

Here is the cover:


If you haven't heard their first two albums, Tintype and The Funeral Mixtape, I'd recommend getting on that pronto.

For fans of: The Black Keys, The White Stripes, balls-out blues rock music.

I have provided you, my dedicated readers, with the following Pack AD-related gifts:

Two music videos from The Funeral Mixtape.
An interview I did with Maya and Becky that originally appeared in my music/comix magazine, Suffering Jukebox. Read it here!

Enjoy!

The Pack AD - Making Gestures


The Pack AD - Blackout

RIP JD Salinger

JD Salinger, dead at age 91. Such a bummer...

My dog's named after Zoey from Franny and Zooey.

He's personally one of the most important writers in my life.

When I read the news I was listening to The Cure's Disintegration. Kinda eerie...

Apparently, he might have some unpublished work. Part of me never wants to read it.

I'm drinking tonight.

Here's a music video, to mourn the death of Mr. Salinger, from The Cure:

Closedown

The Traveling Wilburys Ain't Nothing To Fuck Wit

The True Story of the Traveling Wilburys


RIP Roy Orbison
RIP George Harrison

Go pick up Volume 1 if you know what's good for ya!

Califone Live Footage and Sundance Info

Congratulations to Califone who were invited to the 2010 Sundance Festival for the film that accompanied their last brilliant album, "All My Friends are Funeral Singers." Festivities start today! Good luck!

Here's a live video Pitchfork posted today:

Bob Dylan, Live And In Charge

The above photo was taken during Bob Dylan's infamous Rolling Thunder Revue tour.

I dug up a few videos from one of these shows and you can find them below.

For more Rolling Thunder Revue tunes, check out the Live Bootleg Series Vol. 5, one of the best in the series. (Vol. 4 is the best music ever made.)

For further reading, hop down to your local library and check out On the Road with Bob Dylan, written by Larry "Ratso" Sloman, and the best book ever written about Robert Allen Zimmerman, according to me.

For further astonishing Dylan live footage, please check out the "Yesterday" sessions, recently posted by Aquarium Drunkard. Features little known musician George Harrison on a few tracks.

Bob Dylan - Isis (Rolling Thunder Revue 1975)

John W. Gacy | MySpace Video


Tangled Up In Blue

Ode to Conan: Take a Walk on the Wild Side

I have always adored Conan O'Brien's sense of humor. Unfortunately, when he was moved to 11:30 and The Tonight Show, he ceased being very interesting or funny. Glad that all those plans immediately back-fired and I hope his next project is more along the lines of his older material.

Here's my favorite Conan-related moment ever (I know, it's not from any of his late shows. It doesn't matter): him and Lou Reed, Jimmy Fallon, Adam Sandler, Dana Carvey, and Jack Black jamming out to "Take a Walk on the Wild Side." Hope these types of fascinating collaborations happen again.

Come to think of it, his last moment on The Tonight Show was pretty cool and musically intense, too: Will Ferrell, Beck, ZZ Top, Ben Harper, Max Weinberg and his crew, and Conan play "Free Bird."

Live ATP NYC AND Live Jesus Lizard Recordings

An artist's rendition of my brain after listening to live music from ATP NYC:

I can't remember how I stumbled across this, I wish I could give credit where credit is due. I apologize. Either way, I'm going to pay it forward and present all you music nerd hoodrats with a crucial website:

LIVE RECORDINGS FROM ATP NYC

Includes bands I love: Deerhoof, Atlas Sound, Circulatory System, Panda Bear, Deerhunter, Lightning Bolt, Wooden Shjips, Low...

AND

A whole bunch of other bands I've been meaning to check out: Suicide, Dirty Three, EPMD, and a few more that I'll put some listening time into because it's free.

I'm currently listening to the Deerhoof performance. The sound is perfect. I am so happy right now.

Thanks to The Free Music Archive for offering these for free, as well as other music that is legally downloadable (not a real word, don't care).

Once you're wiping up your drool, please head over to Chunklet and check out all the live Jesus Lizard recordings they just posted. One of their writers went on tour with David Yow and company and has provided some live footage for your listening pleasures...

The Office UK Version IS Funny

I've slept on the original version of The Office for far too long. Turns out it's at least as funny as the American version. The following musical interlude, found in episode four of season one (known as the training episode) brought me into the awkward world of Ricky Gervais's masterpiece. Enjoy!

The Office BBC Episode 4 Training Song

Adam | MySpace Video

White Mice Explode Every Eardrum in America

Baby Guts and Mika Miko Break-Up, Strange Boys Tour

Memorable RRRRRIot grrrl punk bands are hard to come by in this day and age.

The world sucks a little harder whenever I am forced to report the break-ups of truly great bands. So good-bye, Minneapolis' own Baby Guts and LA's punk heroes Mika Miko. Thanks for the music!

I saw Mika Miko play exactly three times and they were wonderful and energetic and everything I ever want in a live punk rock band. The photos found here were taken by me a couple years back in New York City. They stole shows. They will be missed.

I never saw Baby Guts play live. Dammit. But they put out a sick, underrated record, The Kissing Disease, on Guilt Ridden Pop Records. It was number 14 on the WMUA 91.1FM DJ's 2008 Top 20 Rock Records Countdown.

There are exactly 2 silver linings to this otherwise depressing news.

1. Jenna from Mika Miko joined one of my favorite bands, The Strange Boys. Hear her rip up her saxophone on the brand-spanking new tune, Be Brave. While your at it, check out The Strange Boys cover Joe Williams' Baby Please Don't Go.


2. Taylor from Baby Guts has another project going, Teenage Moods.

Throw in a Strange Boys opening slot on the Spoon/Deerhunter tour, and I guess all hope is not lost.

Plus, here are two videos from Baby Guts' last gig, via their myspace:

Patti Smith in Creem Magazine

(Click to Expand)

Horchata?!?!??!?!?

Dear Vampire Weekend,
Please stop this nonsense. This is has gone too far. Your musical formula has already turned into a bad cliche, two albums in. Hand in your guitars. You're fired.


Vampire Weekend - Horchata (Their bullshit new single)


VERSUS

50 Cent - Candy Shop

Buddyhead is a Cool Place, Check Out the Interviews!

The Gza makes me like him even more than I did ten minutes ago:

The Way To Titty City: Buddyhead VS GZA (NSFW) from Buddyhead on Vimeo.

Steve Turner and Mark Arm, Mudhoney, never fail:

Mudhoney VS Buddyhead (interview by Travis 11/14th/2008) from BUDDYHEAD on Vimeo.

John Darnielle, The Mountain Goats, continues the hero-worshipping theme of this post:

Less Queer Than His Fans: Buddyhead VS Mounain Goats from Buddyhead on Vimeo.

J Mascis is Bored

Amoeba Music asks Dinosaur Jr guitarist J Mascis:
What's In Your Bag?

Chunklet Thank You For Being The Best

Chunklet Magazine has a vendetta out against obnoxious music. Their blog abides by the same anti-shit rock guidelines and they aren't afraid to tell you to fuck off.

Most significantly, Chunklet has been posting some dirty old cassettes that writer Henry Owings received from punk rocker Chris Thompson as a gift, uncovering some rare and excellent rock music.

Check out the Getaway Car recordings, my favorite free music from Chunklet in recent memory, posted here.

Getaway Car features (Via Chunklet):

Mike Fellows (guitar): Rites of Spring, Happy Go Licky, Miighty Flashlight and backing member of GI, Silver Jews, Royal Trux and Will Oldham (among others).

Guy Picciotto (drums): Rites of Spring, Happy Go Licky, One Last Wish, Black Light Panthers, Brief Weeds, record producer and recent back-up musician for Vic Chesnutt.

Kim Thompson (guitar): Cupid Car Club and The Delta 72.

Here's a bunch of live videos from bands that are linked to Getaway Car:

Silver Jews - K-Hole/Black and Brown Blues/Wild Kindness:

Fugazi - The Waiting Room (yep, I'm reposting):

Delta 72 - Up in the High Numbers:

Bonus! Stephen Malkmus and David Berman - Blue Arrangements

Charles Barkley Is Alicia Keys

Purchase of the Week: Electrelane "Axes"

I bought Electrelane's "Axes" on vinyl from Providence's best record store, Armageddon Shop. Go there, buy cool shit.

Electrelane pull down the pants of your favorite kraut-rock band and stab them in the ass with an ice-pick.

In the defense of such a hyperbolic statement, here are three tunes from "Axes."

Bells


Two For Joy


If Not Now, When?

One, Two, Three: Death Sucks!

Counterculture Death Count: 3

December 30, 2009: RIP Roland S. Howard, Guitarist, The Birthday Party



January 11, 2010: RIP Eric Rohmer, New Wave French Director

January 13, 2010: RIP Jay Reatard, Modern Day Punk Rock Hero

Dear People: Stop Dying!

Obsess Much? I Love Paul's Boutique

"Paul's Boutique" came out last year on Deluxe Edition. I would've picked it up if I had more disposable income but alas, I'm currently stuck with the copy on my iPod.

Lucky for broke/cheap bastards like myself, there are prizes you can find online if you search hard enough. For example, there's the free mp3 of the guys chatting about the making of "Paul's Boutique" while re-listening to the album. An hour-long audio commentary, it includes and extends on several stories you can read about in the wonderful 33 1/3 book, written by Dan Leroy.

There's also the four drug-fueled music videos that you can find below.

If you haven't heard "Paul's Boutique" yet, What's Your Problem?!

Beastie Boys - Shake Your Rump


Hey Ladies

Beastie Boys - Hey Ladies mtv
Uploaded by BullShit_K. - Watch more music videos, in HD!

Looking Down the Barrel of a Gun

Beastie Boys - Looking Down The Barrel Of A Gun
Uploaded by BullShit_K. - See the latest featured music videos.

Shadrach

No Bunny - Boneyard

There's a wings place in my hometown called "The Boneyard." I really want wings from there right now!
In the meantime, here's a video from No Bunny!

More Live Footage from KEXP!!!

Another great live act from 2009, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart had enough fluffy hype to satisfy everyone's bloated ego over at Pitchfork. Fortunately, and surprisingly, in concert these dudes could really bring it. Cheers for saving an otherwise kinda pretentious concert, Pains! (I saw Ponytail play after. Not impressed, sorry guys.)

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - Come Saturday


Yeah, and the Vivian Girls weren't much better in the critics' over-the-top adjectives department. I actually saw them play in 2008 in NYC and they sucked. But I've seen some newer live footage of the girls and it seems like they're playing with more energy, skill, and um, competence.

The Vivian Girls - When I'm Gone


Here's a band you may not have heard before: Athens' own Viva Voce. They have good guitar work, pretty vocals, and overall great songwriting. Cheers!

Viva Voce - Devotion


And finally here's a WWF Smack-Down version of "Easy," from Providence's very own Deer Tick, personally my favorite song from their last album, "Born on Flag Day."

Deer Tick - Easy

The Thermals Live @ KEXP

That last post about The Vaselines led me to the incredible KEXP Live Youtube page, featuring copious amounts of rock n' roll bands from the college radio world.

Here are two videos from The Thermals, one of my favorite live acts of 2009, from KEXP. I'm going to keep adding more videos from that website to this blog until my butt falls off!

The Thermals - We Were Alive

I Can't Let Go

Connecting the Dots: The Vaselines to Nirvana

I have an unhealthy obsession with The Vaselines and have been listening them far more than any other band the past six months. Like most of you, I was first introduced to the perverted Scottish duo by Kurt Cobain on the brilliant MTV Unplugged record, where he covers "Jesus Doesn't Want Me for a Sunbeam". He also cuts versions of "Son of a Gun" and "Molly's Lips" covered on the album "Incesticide."

Speaking of mind-bending Nirvana, I recently picked up the "Live at Reading" DVD for Xmas. After watching the trio destroy the tune "Polly" a thought crossed my mind: that Cobain dude must've listened to a shitload of The Vaselines, too. Cuz that song is a louder version of "Rory Ride Me Raw".

Note: I'm not against Cobain sounding like the Vaselines. In fact, I'm fascinated by the origins of his ideas, what pieces of sounds he borrowed from what bands, and who inspired him.

The lyrics in these two songs are, in construction and in content, very similar. Sex, anyone?

Here are the videos from those songs, first from The Vaselines, then Nirvana. You be the judge.

The Vaselines: Rory Ride Me Raw

Nirvana: Polly