THURSTON MOORE & ROKY ERICKSON @ Webster Hall - Sat. 3/1

This is a show to catch if you can. Thurston Moore and Roky Erickson separately would be huge shows to go to, but together, these veritable monsters of underground music could be one of the finest shows of the year here in New York. Thurston Moore is the prolific frontman from the legendary noisemakers Sonic Youth and now he is performing on the heels of his latest acoustic release Trees Outside of the Academy. Being that he lives in the city, he plays quite frequently in New York and you can read about his older shows here. Roky Erickson maybe lesser known to most people but he was the frontman of the 60's psychedelic cult band the 13th Floor Elevators. He experimented heavily with drugs and was in and out of psychiatric hospitals for the majority of the 60's through the 90's. However around 2005, he started playing live music again (most notably at Austin's SXSW Festival) and now plays frequently. See what all the fuss is about one night only at Webster Hall on Saturday.

RIYL: Sonic Youth, 13th Floor Elevators

Thurston Moore on Jimmy Kimmel:



And Roky Erickson performing "Cold Night for Alligators":

THE NATIONAL @ Brooklyn Academy of Music - 2/22 - 2/23

The boys from The National are back in town and if you didn't see them during their last tour, you should see them this time around. You can check out NYCUG's early posting on them here. Their heavily melodic music derives directly from the British scene of the late 80's and early 90's and like many other bands who were influenced at the time, the result can be very dark and gloomy at times, but can also be a bit sweet at times. While they do put on an excellent live show, if you expect to be moshing or slamdancing, this is not the show for you. If you're looking for a more cerebral evening, find it in Brooklyn this weekend.

RIYL: Interpol, British Sea Power, Broken Social Scene, Clearlake

THE BLUE SCHOLARS @ Mercury 2/15

Seattle rap duo bring the neo-Northwest sound to NYC this Friday at the Merc and it is your opportunity to see what the buzz is about. By championing a new high intellectual scene in Seattle with fellow contemporary rap groups, the Blue Scholars manage to produce socially conscious rhymes and groovy beats that can work on several levels for their listening audience. By the close of 2004, the duo had pressed their own debut album to sell at shows and with help of local Seattle media such as progressive radio station KEXP and alternative press Seattle Weekly, The Blue Scholars LP was named the album of the year in Seattle. Come out this weekend to see the self proclaimed "true-school" hip hoppers in action.


RIYL: Jurassic 5, Hilltop Hoods, Gangstarr, Common

This is the Scholars opening for Kanye West in Seattle:

I'm back Mother F*ckers

Tings did gone real sour over 'er. Mi let business turn mi passion ina work, messin roun' wit people who dou' really know how much-a-clock-a-strike...But nuttin de bout like a hard tune to bring a man back. BUCK BUCK BUCK BUCK!!!!!

This sh*t remind me of Bedstuy. Early 90's. New Years and Forth of July. When i was a likkle yute. When yardies dida run Brooklyn. Poppin off dem mack 10 ina the air ina celebration. Liting up one massive ganja spliff. Big up all mi yard massive!