Green Day @ Webster Hall, 5/19/09

This show was an absolute blast. Apparently, Green Day have evolved into a six-piece live band. I had no idea. Thankfully, they didn't play the entire new album because the first set felt a bit flat at times (although I could have gone for my favorite new track "Horseshoes and Handgrenades"). "Jesus of Suburbia" was intense and I'm amazed that I can still remember words from songs that I haven't heard in 15 years. "80" was far and away my favorite song from Kerplunk. Such nostalgia...

I actually took some pics last night and will get them up here soon.

SET 1:
21st Century Breakdown
Know Your Enemy
East Jesus Nowhere
Before The Lobotomy
Last Of The American Girls
Murder City
Viva La Gloria (Little Girl)
The Static Age
21 Guns
American Eulogy (Mass Hysteria/Modern World)
See The Light

SET 2:
American Idiot
Jesus Of Suburbia
St. Jimmy
Longview
Coming Clean
At The Library
80
Basketcase
She
Surrender [Cheap Trick]/ Bastards of Young [The Replacements]
King For A Day/Shout [The Isley Brothers]
Minority

Updated with some photos:

Dark Night of the Soul: The CD That Wasn't

Absolutely ridiculous.  This is an awesome album that people should go out of their way to hear. Unless I missed it, I haven't seen how this is planned to be released in the States but I am definitely curious to see the photographs that Lynch has put together.

'Revenge' (featuring The Flaming Lips)
'Just War' (featuring Gruff Rhys)
'Jaykub' (featuring Jason Lytle)
'Little Girl (featuring Julian Casablancas)
'Angel's Harp' (featuring Frank Black)
'Pain' (featuring Iggy Pop)
'Star Eyes (I Can't Catch It)' (featuring David Lynch)
'Everytime I'm With You' (featuring Jason Lytle)
'Insane Lullaby' (featuring James Mercer of The Shins)
'Daddy's Gone' (featuring Nina Persson)
'The Man Who Played God' (featuring Suzanne Vega)
'Grim Augury' (featuring Vic Chestnutt)
'Dark Night Of The Soul' (featuring David Lynch)

Wilco (the Album) stream

Stream the album on Wilco World.

Green Day

Green Day, for a period of time in the early nineties, was one of my favorite bands. I owned (still do, actually) 39/Smooth and Kerplunk and was proud of that. I lost interest in them around the time of Insomniac only to give them another shot (along with the rest of the world) with American Idiot. I've never seen them live before so when I saw that they announced a show at Webster Hall this week, I had to give it a shot. 60 bucks later, I got a ticket. This is a band that's sold more than 60 million albums playing in a 1400 capacity venue. I am pumped.

Franz Ferdinand @ Roseland, 5/7/09

This has been a crazy week.  3 shows, our co-op board interview, and one of my all-time favorite players gets suspended for 50 games.  I'm exhausted.  

Wow, Franz Ferdinand put on one hell of a show. There really isn't much to say beyond that. They bring a UK arena rock swagger that can even make Roseland appear to be a great venue.

Bite Hard
Dark Of The Matinee
No You Girls
Tell Her Tonight
Michael
Turn It On
The Fallen
Walk Away
Twilight Omens
Do You Want To
Take Me Out
What She Came For
40
Outsiders
------
Ulysess
Lucid Dreams
This Fire

Ben Harper & The Relentless7 @ Webster Hall, 5/5/09

To paraphrase Ben Harper last night: "I've heard a lot of requests for Sexual Healing and Burn One Down. I ain't going to play any of that shit anymore. I'm not a human jukebox." He says before busting into a flawless version of Queen's "Under Pressure." That's not exactly an easy song to pull off but they absolutely nailed it. 

This may be a new band for Ben Harper but he still has nearly 20 guitars at his disposal on stage. They led off the night with Zeppelin's "Good Times, Bad Times" and BHIC tune "Better Way" before rolling through all of the songs from the Relentless7 album (with one Fight for Your Mind track for the die hards in the audience) . They took songs from a pretty good album and made them great in a live setting.  It's part of what makes Ben Harper such an amazing performer.  After technical difficulties marred "Fly One Time" he asked the audience whether it was ok to do it again.  They did and it was well worth it.  It's one of the better songs on the album and BH wanted to get it right.  

Setlist:
Good Times, Bad Times
Better Way
Number With No Name
Shimmer and Shine
Lay There & Hate Me
Why Must You Always Dress in Black
Skin Thin
Fly One Time x2
Keep It Together (So I Can Fall Apart)
The Word Suicide
Boots Like These
-----
Another Lonely Day
Faithfully Remain
Under Pressure
Up To You Now

Dark Was The Night @ Radio City, 5/3/09

Photo by Rev Avissar @ Tripwire

My hat is off to Bryce and Aaron Dessner for putting together an incredible 3+ hours of music last night.  Dirty Projectors started the night with a few songs, the last of which was the David Byrne collaboration "Knotty Pine."  I like that song quite a bit but the others didn't do much for me.  My Brightest Diamond was out next to sing an incredible version of her Nina Simone cover, "Feeling Good" with The National as her backing back.  Matt Berninger then joined to kick off a 4-song set.  They began with "Slow Show," and then a piano driven new song called "England," followed by "So Far Around the Bend" and then another new song called "Vanderlylle?? Crybaby" featuring a rare (for the National) guitar solo from Justin Vernon and backing vocals from Shara Worden (My Brightest Diamond).  Both of the new songs were excellent and now has me completely pumped for a new album.  Dave Sitek was next to perform his DWTN tune. I saw Kyp Malone before the show but he didn't make an appearance on stage. David Byrne closed out the first half performing three songs from past Red Hot compilations: "Don't Fence Me In," "Dreamworld: Marco de Canavezes" - with Justin Vernon, and "Waters of March (Aguas de Março)" - duet with Feist (pic above).

Bon Iver started the second half with a four song set. I loved the song that he did on DWTN but prior to that I've never really taken much interest in his music. He completely won me over last night. He's an immense talent. In addition to "Brackett, WI" he performed "Blood Bank," "Big Red Machine" (also from DWTN) with Matt Berninger, and "Flume" (also with The National). Feist followed with a 4 song solo set including "Train Song" with Justin Vernon and Sharon Jones brought down the house with the Dap Kings. Good cause. Good times. Now if I could only find my No Alternative cd...

Coachella 2009: Part I

APRIL 17
Definite: The Black Keys, Franz Ferdinand, Paul McCartney, The Hold Steady
Potential: Girl Talk, Beirut, Silversun Pickups
Ringer: Leonard Cohen
Victim: M. Ward (The Black Keys)


APRIL 18
Definite: TV on the Radio, Mastodon, Drive-By Truckers, Cloud Cult, Band of Horses
Potential: Fleet Foxes, Thievery Corporation, Chemical Brothers
Ringers: Liars, Henry Rollins
Victim: Blitzen Trapper (DBT's), MSTRKRFT (Mastodon)


APRIL 19
Definite: Okkervil River, Lupe Fiasco, Peter Bjorn & John, Clipse, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Cure
Potential: K'naan, The Kills
Ringer: My Blood Valentine
Victims: Fucked Up, The Gaslight Anthem (Okkervil River)

The Once and Future Kings

Blood, sweat and b-side love. I am officially back on the Bloc.
Setlist:

"One Month Off"
"Trojan Horse"
"Hunting for Witches"
"Positive Tension"
"Signs"
"Waiting for the 7.18"
"Song for Clay (Disappear Here)"
"Banquet"
"Ion Square"
"The Once and Future King"
"Mercury"
"So Here We Are"
"The Prayer"

"Sunday"
"Halo"
"Flux"
"Helicopter"

"Ares"
"This Modern Love"

Next stop: Indio, CA.

The Dead Weather @ Bowery Ballroom, 4/14/09

(PHOTO CREDIT: Andrew Parks)

Well, it should come as no surprise that Jack White is also a good drummer.  I'm a Jack White fan first.  I love The White Stripes and like The Racounteurs.  I don't expect The Dead Weather's music to compare to either but it was one hell of a fun show.  I'm still giddy over seeing White in a 550 capacity venue and as I, and everyone else, had hoped, he picked up the guitar for one song to remind all of his rock star worthiness.  That will be my fondest memory and was well worth the price of admission.  While the talk going in was on White, I think everyone walked out last night completely floored by Alison Mossheart.  I don't even love her voice but it's impossible not to be awed by her commanding stage presence.  The band played like they've been together for years (as many of them have).  It was uncompromising rock n roll and I'm certainly not going to complain abou that.  

The Dead Weather

The iTunes single was pretty good, hell it's Jack White.  The Dead Weather's first show is at Bowery Ballroom next Tuesday night and when tickets went on sale this morning, I somehow managed to get one @ around 10:07 (after 7 minutes of trying).  It's Jack White.  At Bowery.  Maybe he'll pick up the guitar?

Paul McCartney, David Lynch Foundation, Radio City

I really wish I hadn't seen this. Wow. This looks like it was a special night at Radio City.

SETLIST: Angelo Badalamenti - Theme from "Twin Peaks" / Moby with Bettye LaVette - Natural Blues / Moby with TM Kids Choir - We Are All Made of Stars / Bettye LaVette with Moby - As Close As I'll Get to Heaven / Sheryl Crow - Riverwide / Sheryl Crow with Ben Harper - My Sweet Lord / Eddie Vedder - Far Behind / Eddie Vedder - Rise / Eddie Vedder - Arc / Ben Harper with Eddie Vedder - Indifference / Ben Harper - Fly One Time / Ben Harper and Eddie Vedder - Under Pressure / INTERMISSION / Donovan with Jim James - Hurdy Gurdy Man / Donovan with Jim James - Wear Your Love Like Heaven / Donovan with Sheryl Crow and Moby - Season of the Witch / Donovan with Paul Horn - Isle of Islay / Paul Horn - Meditation / Ringo Starr with Ben Harper - Don't Come Easy / Ringo Starr - Boys / Ringo Starr with Sheryl Crow and Eddie Vedder - Yellow Submarine / Paul McCartney - Baby You Can Drive My Car/Jet/Got to Get You Into My Life/Let It Be/Lady Madonna/Blackbird/Here Today/Band on the Run/Can't Buy Me Love/ Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr - With a Little Help From My Friends // ENCORE: Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and all performers - Cosmically Conscious/I Saw Her Standing There

via

All Points West Schedule

I was so sure that last year's APW festival would be my first and last.  It really wasn't a great experience, even with Radiohead.  Well damn it they've managed to pull me back in.  This year's lineup is much better.  I'll probably regret this later but Saturday is a given.  It's now just a question of whether its worth going all weekend.  Ugh.

Friday, July 31: Beastie Boys, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Vampire Weekend, The National, Fleet Foxes, MSTRKRFT, Q-Tip, The Pharcyde, Organized Konfusion, The Knux, Ra Ra Riot, Seasick Steve, Telepathe, Shearwater, Heartless Bastards, Flying Lotus, College Humor Live, Arj Barker, Eugene Mirman and Bo Burnham.

Saturday, August 1: Tool, My Bloody Valentine, Gogol Bordello, Arctic Monkeys, Neko Case, The Ting Tings, Yelle, Crystal Castles, St. Vincent, Tokyo Police Club, The Cool Kids, Kool Keith, Cage the Elephant, Chairlift, White Rabbits, Electric Touch, The Postelles, Black Gold, College Humor Live, Tim & Eric, Judah Friedlander and Jim Jeffries.

Sunday, August 2: Coldplay, Echo & The Bunnymen, MGMT, The Black Keys, Elbow, Silversun Pickups, Mogwai, We Are Scientists, Ghostland Observatory, The Gaslight Anthem, Etienne De Crecy, Lykke Li, Akron/Family, Steel Train, Kitty, Daisy & Lewis, College Humor Live, Janeane Garofalo, Michael Showalter and Todd Barry.

SXSW Recap

From my good friend and fellow FNL super fan, BC, the man who introduced me to The National and Cloud Cult many years ago:

It exceeded even my lofty expectations. 3 days straight of non-stop music. I'm talking 12pm to 2am every day, with a short power nap in the early evening to re-charge for the evening. An incredible party scene, and literally music coming at you from all sides of the street. Here is a quick run-down of the week....

Wed. Night - land at 10pm, in time to catch School of Seven Bells at midnight (they kinda sucked)

Thursday:
12noon-5pm: Wavves, Lucero (I like these guys a lot), The Hard Lessons (very cool husband/wife duo from Detroit - they fuckin' rocked) and a sick show from The Hold Steady.

Wavves

7pm-2am: More bands than I can't remember, but highlights were The Thermals and 1 am set from The Wrens. Those guys are still great.

The Thermals

Friday:
12 noon-6pm: A weird Swedish music showcase that was surprisingly good, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart (these guys are good, but like 18 years old), The Thermals (again) and The Hold Steady (again). Can't get enough of them.

The Hold Steady

Friday night: Silversun Pickups followed by a "surprise show" by Metallica at Stubb's, a 2,000 person venue. Wow. They thrashed. Hard to follow that up, but we tried with a midnight set from Grizzly Bear followed by a 1am set from Dinosaur Jr.

Unknown

Saturday:
2pm-6pm - Viva Voce, Peelander-Z (possibly the most fun show of the weekend - crazy Japanese band), Camera Obscura, Chairlift.

Peelander-Z

9pm-2am: The Duke Spirit and closed things out with an absolute rockin' show from Silversun. Their new stuff is GOOD.

Silversun Pickups

Also forgot that we caught Dirty Projectors as well right after Metallica - they are weird, but interesting. Also saw this New Zealand band called Cut Off Your Hands - not that cool.

The badge is M O N E Y. We had to wait at the most, about 5 minutes, but we never got shut out of a show, including Metallica. If you don't buy the badge however (and it ain't cheap), then its much harder to see stuff. Start planning on next year - we've already booked a hotel room.

JK: I really need to stop making excuses and go next year.
NF: Roger, that.

Around the Web

- Kudos to U2 for picking Muse to open their Giants Stadium show. Muse will tear the turf off of that field. Given the quality of this show, ticket prices seem very reasonable.

- It appears that The Mars Volta have a new album coming out in June. There are very few people in rock as busy as Omar.

- There is a solid interview with one of rock n roll's finest, Patterson Hood, on the AV Club site. I had no clue he was 45.

- Surprised and excited to see that Phoenix will be on Saturday Night Live this weekend. The new album is very good.

- Kasabian (remember them) is giving away their first single for free on their site starting March 31st.

- I'm happy that Doves are back. It's been four years and I had forgotten how much I enjoy listening to their music. This is another solid album from a rock solid band.

Where the Wild Things Are Trailer

This trailer was blowing up all over the internet yesterday and for good reason.  This is my favorite book from childhood and along with The Road, my most highly anticipated movie of the year.  Add the Arcade Fire and the result is chills.

Video: Yeah Yeah Yeahs - "Zero"

Karen O. on the leak.

Friday Night Lights Plug

At this point, I don't see how anyone, in any age group, is not watching this show. Season three has cemented this show's status as one of the best television dramas of my time. I can't think of anything on network television that compares. For anyone who has yet to give this show a chance, rent season one. You won't regret it. Once you're done and you've fallen in love, do yourself a favor and skip right over to season 3.

It's status for next year is once again up in the air and while I don't expect it to last much longer, we need one more season. Now, where can I buy one of these Crucifictorious shirts?

Ten Reissue and Eddie Interview

“People offered us money to sell out but do I look like a whore?"

No Eddie, you do not.  Read the interview in today's Sun.  

My Ten reissue has shipped and I am impatiently awaiting its arrival.

Psyched.