NYCUG

SAUL WILLIAMS @ Irving Plaza - 4/9

2008-04-08T23:44:00.005-04:00

Slam poet, actor, musician and all-around Renaissance man Saul Williams will be coming to NYC this week at Irving Plaza. You probably know his music from the undeniably catchy "List of Demands" from the latest prime time SPARQ commercial featuring basically every important Nike-sponsored athlete, but his music cuts much deeper than hocking medicine balls. His latest record The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of Niggy Tardust was produced by none other than Nine Inch Nails' Trent Reznor and spans all types of music. Anybody who can get samples cleared form the likes of Bono and Beck must be doing something right. Tackling social issues in many walks of life on this crazy Earth of ours is a task many attempt but some, like Williams do much better than others. Sometimes it takes brass medicine balls to do it. Open your mind and see him this Wednesday in lower Manhattan. Otherwise, rent the movie Slam to see what we're talking about.

Saul's Website | Saul's MySpace

RIYL: The Last Poets, Public Enemy, The Dirtbombs, KRS-One

Here is NIN and Saul performing 'List of Demands'

THE RAVEONETTES (w/ Black Acid) @ Bowery Ballroom - Wed. 3/26

2008-03-26T00:08:00.002-04:00

Danish Boy-Girl group The Raveonettes hit the Bowery this weekend with much critical acclaim following the release of their latest record Lust Lust Lust. Having survived the deluge of early 00's the The bands, the great Danes continue to reinvent themselves while staying true to their original form. Since making the indie dive, they have not strayed much from the leather-clad ballsiness of their major label releases, but their sound has become more sonically savory and complex. If Rebel without a Cause came out today, this would certainly be the soundtrack. See them this Wednesday in the Lower East Side.

The Raveonettes' MySpace | The Raveonette's Website

RIYL: My Bloody Valentine, BRMC, Jesus and Mary Chain, The Black Angels

The Raveonettes playing 'Lust' live:

JUNIOR BOYS (DJ Set) w/ Matthew Dear & Shy Child @ Hiro Ballroom (Maritime Hotel) - 3/13

2008-03-12T17:42:00.001-04:00

With SXSW Festival taking place in Austin this week, the whole music industry is out of town along with many, many, underground bands. This leaves NYC with fairly limited options for live shows (compared to a normal week), but that doesn't mean there's nothing to see. Hamilton, Ontario's Junior Boys are riding the neo-dance electro-pop that so many lesser known bands are trying, but the JB's do it better than most. Their music is both danceable and dark; angular and appealing. It follows in the path of many 80's British synth-pop bands and has been critically acclaimed: their latest effort So This Is Goodbye, garnered a 9.0 by Pitchforkmedia.com. Also be sure to check out the up and coming openers Matthew Dear and Shy Child at the Hiro this weekend.

JB's MySpace | JB's Website

RIYL: Baby Dayliner, Depeche Mode, New Order, Fischerspooner, Tubeway Army

RA RA RIOT @ Bowery Ballroom - Fri 3/7 and @ Living Room - 3/9

2008-03-05T18:44:00.003-05:00

Syracuse, NY's Ra Ra Riot will be playing a couple of shows in the city this weekend, both of which should be very cool. Following the untimely death of John Pike, the original drummer this summer, the band has regrouped and are creating some refreshing and heartfelt music. SPIN magazine claimed they are "one of the best young bands we've heard in a really long time." Big words from a very powerful publication, but it would be hard to argue otherwise. They fit the indie rock bill quite nicely (save for some beautiful cello/violin work), but they have some other intangible quality that most bands do not have. It's a wonder why they are still unsigned. It would be worth your time to check these guys out, the Ballroom Show is sold out, but you can still snag a ticket for the Living Room show.

RIYL: Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Cursive, Spinto Band, Yo La Tengo, ZOX

Ra Ra Riot performing "Dying is Fine" live in Chicago:

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

2008-02-28T17:40:00.002-05:00

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

2008-02-21T11:17:00.003-05:00

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

2008-02-12T12:56:00.000-05:00

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

2008-02-01T19:59:00.000-05:00

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!

VAMPIRE WEEKEND @ Bowery Ballroom - 1/29 - 1/30

2008-01-28T15:26:00.001-05:00

The kids from Brooklyn are having a short homecoming this week when they swing through lower Manhattan. Although the shows are sold out, there are usually scalpers kicking around the Bowery and of course you can always try Craigslist at the last minute. There has been a good amount of press behind Vampire Weekend for their debut release on XL Recordings and with good cause. It's hard to tell how the public will eventually judge this band, their music is unconventional and yet it is very listenable at the same time. The boys take their music to an interesting level by adding various world instruments and styles such as African drums/percussion and Caribbean sounds. Think about Paul Simon's Graceland if it came out today and was packed full of indie pop goodness.

RIYL: Gogol Bordello, Beirut, The Walkmen

BANKSY @ Vanina Holasek Gallery (502 W 27th St) – 12/02/07 – 12/29/07

2007-11-27T17:14:00.001-05:00

Alright, so Banksy isn’t a musician or a band, but the ultra-hip street artist is just as cool as anything coming through New York in the next month. This faceless master is as infamous for his political graffiti-art tagged all across London as he is for his unmistakable gorilla (pun intended) stencil graf style. His Los Angeles exhibit last year featured an actual live elephant walking around and completely painted in the Banksy style...but possibly the funniest part of that exhibit was realizing mega-celebrities like Brad Pitt would go to an abandoned warehouse in the shittiest section of LA just to see it...but, Banksy himself was, of course, nowhere to be found. If you were one of the lucky few who bought his “revamped” (pun intended again) version of Paris Hilton’s landmark CD or saw his artwork hung by the man himself at the MoMA or Brooklyn Museum, you will know what we here at NYCUG are talking about. Love him or hate him, laugh with him or get laughed at by him, the guy stirs controversy. See some of his works all month in Chelsea this December.

NYCUG Fashion: BLING IS THE NEW BLACK

2007-11-13T10:47:00.000-05:00

WHO: Rachel Leigh Bravman, former Yves Saint Laurent publicist-turned-jewelry designer. The brainchild of an artist and a doctor, Bravman mixes an innate sense of uptown chic with downtown glam – repeatedly inspired by the runway collections of Karl Lagerfeld, Alber Elbaz, Giles Mendel, Philip Lim, and none other than Muiccia Prada.

WHAT: Costume jewelry presented in three annual collections – Spring/Summer, Fall/Winter, and Resort/Holiday – introducing approximately 300 new necklaces, bracelets, rings, and earrings per season. A mix of vintage castings and hand-made bobbles plated with 14k gold, sterling silver, and often iced with a rainbow of Swarovski crystals. To date, all pieces are proudly made in the heart of New York’s garment district off of Seventh Ave. With price points between $60 and $300, there is truly something for everyone.

WHY: When the experts at Lucky Magazine steal the ring off your finger to run a feature entitled “One to Watch,” you don’t ask ‘why’ – you ask ‘how.’ Although if presented this question today, Bravman would likely respond with a mix of aesthetic drive and business-minded ambition – looking to future endeavors that include private label, fine jewelry, and charitable collaborations with key unmentionable Hollywood darlings.

WHEN: Fall ’04, when at the request of buyers, editors, and New York fashionistas, Bravman officially launched Rachel Leigh Jewelry. Having since moved the business from the living room of her Upper East Side apartment, the company now boasts showrooms in New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, San Francisco, Sweden, Germany, Japan, Korea, and Canada – not to mention a customer base including high-end department stores, fashion sites for forum and shopping, and a growing number of privately-owned boutiques across the world.

WHERE: Check it out at the semi-annual sample sale: Tuesday + Wednesday November 13th and 14th from 9am to 6pm. 252 W 38th Street #904 (between 7th and 8th). At up to 80% off, there is no excuse not to make an enormous dent in your holiday gift list. For more information, call 646.290.6034.

JENS LEKMAN @ Webster Hall - Sat. 10/27

2007-10-23T15:26:00.001-04:00

Jens Lekman hails from Sweden, bringing with him a really very jazzy, laid back, and swinging assortment of indie music. He has garnered a bit of attention from his Secretly Canadian releases in the past few years, but this year’s Night Falls Over Koertedala may very well be his best effort to date. His music is pleasant enough for pretty much anyone, from checkerboard-chuck hipsters, to their parents and everyone in between. Lekman doesn’t do anything pretentious, just look forward to a night of simple, sweet upbeat tunes.

RIYL: Richard Hawley, Lee Hazelwood, Rufus Wainwright, Todd Rundgren

MAN MAN @ Webster Hall – 10/02/07

2007-10-01T13:29:00.001-04:00

This Tuesday, Webster Hall will host Philadelphia/New York’s own Man Man. First noticed by after a South by Southwest show, Man Man combines waltzy timing, a circus-like stage show, experimental indie rock attitude, and lots and lots of shouting. The stage show is out of the ordinary, as the band faces each other and not the crowd for the majority of the time. And it gets much weirder after that. This show will not be for everyone as it gets a little insane at times, but if you’re feeling a change of pace and want to see a real spectacle, give this a shot.

RIYL: Modest Mouse, Tom Waits, Captain Beefheart, O’Death

Thurston Moore @ Music Hall of Williamsburg 9/26

2007-09-24T22:15:00.000-04:00

Sonic Youth's royal tuff titty Thurston Moore is touring in support of his new record Trees Outside the Academy, his first widely-released solo effort since 1995's Psychic Hearts. The new material sees Moore straying from his usual sprawling electric guitar squalor, instead showing his chops as an acoustic-guitar-toting songwriter.

Tickets are a steep $17. Worth biting the bullet on this one, I think.

Solo:

BEIRUT @ Brooklyn Masonic Temple – Thus. 9/20

2007-09-17T11:16:00.001-04:00

Zach Condon’s success has gone mostly unnoticed by the general public, but fans of underground music might recognize this native New Mexican by his widely inspired orchestra-style tunes. Somewhat of an overnight story, Beirut, as Condon is professionally known, really takes from all over the world by combining african drumbeats, middle eastern horns and rhythms and good ol’ indie rock lyrics and vocals. See his live show this week in his second home: Brooklyn, but try to get there early just in case because it should be a good show. Plus he’s playing in a Masonic Temple, which is pretty badass.

RIYL: Gogol Bordello, Neutral Milk Hotel, Bright Eyes

Dan Deacon, et al. @ The Yard 9/16

2007-09-10T19:09:00.000-04:00

This Sunday afternoon delivers what may be your last outdoor show until next summer, at "The Yard" (outside of where the Issue Project Room used to be) in South Brooklyn. At the helm of the ship is casiotone-wielding weirdo Dan Deacon, who describes his music as what really cool six-year-olds might come up with if given free reign of an array of vintage keyboards and pitch shifters.

Full lineup:
Dan Deacon
USAISAMONSTER
Aa
Best Fwends
Bill Cosby & His White Puddin' Pops
High Places

2 pm, The Yard
400 Carroll St, Brooklyn
$8

Dan Deacon:

The E-Xecutioners - The Knitting Factory - 09/05

2007-09-05T21:36:00.000-04:00

The New York based, DJ group extraordinaire known as The X-Ecutioners are heading downtown for a night of scratch mayhem. It's a rare occasion to witness multiple turntablists working together on one stage. Since the disbanding of The Invisibl Skratch Picklz in 2000, there have been hardly any followers nothwithstanding the X who've excelled and gained comparable recognition as a turntablist band. Consisting of Rob Swift, Roc Raida, DJ Eclipse and Mista Sinista, the X-Ecutioners tend to dismiss melody in favor of a kind of rhythm that could be considered experimental or avant-garde. The idea that not one, but four DJs can scratch a word, such as "Fresh" and break down its sound and pitch into a sequence of reverberating fragments is something worth seeing.

AGAINST ME! @ Music Hall of Williamsburg, Brooklyn – 9/5

2007-09-04T10:21:00.000-04:00

Blowing up would be an apt way to describe Against Me!’s meteoric success story this year. Touring behind what Spin magazine described as “the best rock record of the year” and including appearances at Lollapalooza and Letterman, their current tour is in a whirlwind. This Gainsville, Florida quartet combines old school hardcore punk and folk/protest music to make music that, this is the fun part, sounds nothing like Green Day. These guys are not new to the scene by any stretch of the imagination, having been working on their craft for nearly ten years now, but sometimes it takes time for people to notice. You can go notice them this week in Brooklyn…just please don’t confuse them with Rise Against.

RIYL: Black Flag, Billy Bragg, Replacements, Bad Religion

Against Me! on Conan:

A.C. Newman @ Beacon Theater – Sun. 8/26

2007-08-24T13:10:00.000-04:00

A.C. Newman, for those unaware, is the lead singer/songwriter/creative force behind indie pop-rock sensations the New Pornographers. But Carl’s solo work, while still maintaining a signature sound, can, at times, be more stripped down to the bare framework of the song, giving the audience a more intimate listening experience. But don’t fear New Pornos fans: there will still be plenty of poppy fun and songs chock full of engaging hooks to get those feet moving. Casual and hardcore fans should check this show out this Sunday.

RIYL: New Pornographers, Neko Case, The Shins, Spoon, Peter Bjorn and John

Social Registry's 4th Anniversary Festival 8/11 & 8/12

2007-08-10T11:36:00.000-04:00

This weekend, Brooklyn-based in/out record label the Social Registry celebrates its 4th year with a balls-out music festival. Saturday's show features Psychic Ills and Jah Division; Sunday sees Gang Gang Dance and Growing. Both days run from 1pm to 9:30 pm @ The Yard, 400 Carroll st, Brooklyn NY 11231. Full lineup below.

Saturday:
Psychic Ills
Jah Division
Artanker Convoy
Ghost Exits
TK Webb
Samara Lubelski
Mike Bones
Sian Alice Group

Sunday:
Gang Gang Dance
Sian Alice Group
Growing
Electroputas
Douglas Armour
Christy & Emily
Sleepy Doug Shaw

Tickets:
Saturday only - $15
Sunday only - $15
Saturday & Sunday - $25

GGD:

Special Thanks to The Isles

2007-08-10T08:43:00.000-04:00

Thanks again to The Isles for rocking out at NYCUG's LOW ART Series last night (8/9). For those who missed it, definitely keep an eye out for these guys as they start gigging around more later this year, it's not a show to be missed (find out more at theislesnyc.com). A couple pics of the guys in action below, and of course, keep it tuned to NYCUG for the latest in live music and the for more on the next event in the series.

TONIGHT. NYCUG LOW ART: Featuring THE ISLES. Gallery Bar.

2007-08-09T00:13:00.000-04:00

TONIGHT, NYCUG invites you to a new experience in music and art- featuring a live performance by Brooklyn's own THE ISLES, DJ Sets by Dizzy D, and drink specials all night at the one and only GALLERY BAR on the Lower East Side. There's no cover before 10, so get there early, drink like only a person drinking cheap drinks does, and discover an awesome band.

If you haven't checked them out already, head to the LOW ART event site to download free mp3s from The Isles' latest LP release, Perfumed Lands. We've been posting a different free mp3 everyday this week. Today's track: "We Give a Receipt, We Take a Receipt."

So check out the sounds, and DON'T MISS IT. Doors at 8. Drink specials all night. No cover.

See you out.

Thursday, August 9
GALLERY BAR
Orchard & Rivington
No cover before 10.
$4 Wells & Drafts All Night.

WEDNESDAY'S FREE MP3- THE ISLES "FLYING UNDER CHEAP KITES"

2007-08-08T14:36:00.000-04:00

Leading up to Thursday's event-- NYCUG LOW ART: Featuring the Isles-- NYCUG will be posting FREE mp3 downloads off of THE ISLES' latest release, Perfumed Lands. Each day of the week, we'll be offering a different track for download at http://www.nycug.com/LOWART.

Today's track: The Isles- "Flying Under Cheap Kites"

Thursday, August 9
GALLERY BAR
Orchard & Rivington
No cover before 10.
$4 Wells & Drafts All Night.
http://www.nycug.com/LOWART

TUESDAY'S FREE MP3- THE ISLES "TERRAFORMING"

2007-08-07T18:19:00.000-04:00

Leading up to Thursday's event-- NYCUG LOW ART: Featuring the Isles-- NYCUG will be posting FREE mp3 downloads off of THE ISLES' latest release, Perfumed Lands. Each day of the week, we'll be offering a different track for download at http://www.nycug.com/LOWART.

Today's track: The Isles- "Terraforming"

Thursday, August 9
GALLERY BAR
Orchard & Rivington
No cover before 10.
$4 Wells & Drafts All Night.
http://www.nycug.com/LOWART

FREE MP3 DOWNLOADS: THE ISLES

2007-08-06T13:28:00.000-04:00

Leading up to Thursday's event-- NYCUG LOW ART: Featuring the Isles-- NYCUG will be posting FREE mp3 downloads off of THE ISLES' latest release, Perfumed Lands.

Each day of the week, we'll be offering a different track for download at http://www.nycug.com/LOWART, so check in and hear more from a great up-and-coming band. Today's track: The Isles- "Eve of the Battle"

Thursday, August 9
GALLERY BAR
Orchard & Rivington
No cover before 10.
$4 Wells & Drafts All Night.
http://www.nycug.com/LOWART

NYCUG LOW ART: Featuring THE ISLES- Gallery Bar, 8/9

2007-08-02T12:52:00.000-04:00

On Thursday, August 9th, NYCUG invites you to a new experience in music and art- featuring a live performance by Brooklyn's own THE ISLES (myspace), DJ Sets by Dizzy D, and drink specials all night. There's no cover before 10, so get there early, drink like only a person drinking cheap drinks does, and discover an awesome band.

Since the release of their debut full-length album, Perfumed Lands, the Isles have toured relentlessly- gracing stages everywhere from Brooklyn to Europe to Austin's famed SXSW festival.

With a sound decidedly reminiscent of Morrissey and the Smiths, the Isles in many ways take us back to the 80's alternative Brit-pop scene, but also play with a distinctively modern edge that pushes a familiar sound into the present. You might say The Isles start from the Smiths and work out, carving out their own territory with the same ease that they conjure up Johnny Marr.

So DON'T MISS IT, Next Thursday, August 9, the Isles will be playing their first NYC show in months at Gallery Bar (Orchard & Rivington), debuting an all new lineup and new material. DOORS AT 8. DRINK SPECIALS ALL NIGHT. NO COVER. RSVP RECOMMENDED ON GOING.COM.

Thursday, August 9
GALLERY BAR
Orchard & Rivington
No cover before 10.
$4 Wells & Drafts All Night.

NEGATIVLAND @ Highland Ballroom – 8/2

2007-07-31T18:57:00.000-04:00

Half comical and half experimental, Negativland creates a unique world of samples pulled from all over the place, mushed and smashed together, ultimately ending in something as rare as it is undeniably interesting. This band has actually been around for nearly thirty years and only now is the rest of the industry catching up to their ingenuity by way of tape music landscapes and other such experimental forms of music. Much easier to listen to than Japanese counterparts such as Merzbow or more recently the Boredoms, some of Negativland’s sound collages is reminiscent of John Cage, John Zorn, or even Captain Beefheart. This is a show that is certainly worth checking out if you are a fan of the genre and are interested to see where many contemporary artists got their inspiration.

RIYL: Ween, Neu!, Dead Kennedys, Frank Zappa, Lightning Bolt, Pere Ubu

Update on TV ON The Radio - Ths Sunday

2007-07-26T11:54:00.000-04:00

...should be a good time

Sunday July 29th, McCarren Park Pool

HELIO and JELLYNYC present:

TV on the Radio
Celebration
Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson
and
DJ Ryan Rasheed

The RSVP list at newyork.going.com/poolpartiesjuly29 is currently Full, There will be a separate line at the front gate for those that RSVPed from 2pm-4:30pm and a limited number of people will be allowed entry on a first come first serve basis so your best bet if you hadn't already RSVPed is to show up as close to 2pm as possible.

No-Neck Blues Band @ Greene Naftali Gallery 7/24

2007-07-20T15:37:00.000-04:00

The mysterious improv/experimental collective No-Neck Blues Band (or NNCK, for those in the know) are coming out of hiding for a (free?) public performance at an art gallery in Chelsea on Tuesday.

Thurston Moore (helmsman of the greatest band ever in the history of the universe, Sonic Youth) claims they're "the greatest band ever in the history of the universe," an indication that they might be worth checking out. Beware though, NNCK appeals to the furthest stretches of musical possiblity - far out/out there.

RIYL: Wooden Wand & the Vanishing Voice, Acid Mothers Temple, Sunburned Hand of the Man, Excepter

Greene Naftali Gallery: 508 w 26th St, 8th Floor, 8pm

"The Black Pope"

Jelly NYC Preview

2007-07-20T12:22:00.000-04:00

So...we've posted about Jelly NYC Pool Parties in the past, and for many of you this free concert series and the bands that are performing are familiar or old news. For those of you who are catching the buzz and are a little less familiar, here is a brief intro to some of the remaining performances. Now get AMPED!!

Band of Horses - 7/22

TV on The Radio - 7/29

Blonde Redhead - 8/5

Ted Leo and the Pharmacists - 8/12

Ghostland Observatory - 8/19

Just Announced: REVENGE OF THE BOOKEATERS 8/26 at the Beacon Theater

2007-07-20T09:25:00.000-04:00

Great show for a really good cause. A little pricey at $35 - $50 but there aren't enough organizations dedicated to fostering artists from a young age.

An all-star evening of music, comedy and storytelling featuring:

A.C. Newman (of The New Pornographers), Grizzly Bear, Feist (a solo reading performance), Jim James (of My Morning Jacket), Sarah Vowell, Demetri Martin (host).

Tickets on sale Friday July 20 at 10 AM!

THIS EVENING WILL BENEFIT 826NYC, A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING STUDENTS AGES 6 TO 18 WITH THEIR CREATIVE WRITING AND EXPOSITORY WRITING SKILLS, AND TO HELPING TEACHERS INSPIRE THEIR STUDENTS TO WRITE.

Band of Horses, McCarren Park Pool, 7/22

2007-07-18T11:40:00.000-04:00

This Sunday, in the latest of the weekly McCarren Park Pool Parties, Band of Horses takes the stage to headline, supported by Annuals and The Oxford Collapse.

Coming off of their debut release, Everything All The Time, Band of Horses has earned critical acclaim and almost devout fan support with their brand of slightly melancholy anthemic rock. With intricately layered guitar textures, heavily-reverbed vocals, and lyrics that run the gamut from playful to insecure, Band of Horses specializes in turning the melancholy, and even the mundane, into soaring vocals and driving guitars that feel majestic, not mopey. (One exception: “Weed Party,” which, as the name would suggest, is... well, not a sad song.)

Check these guys out this Sunday at McCarren Park. A band this good playing a free show is a rare find. Visit thepoolparties.com for more and to RSVP, and tell ‘em NYCUG sent ya. They've also got a couple of free mp3 downloads available on their official website. Website // MySpace

NYCUG HIP HOP SERIES feat. NO QUESTION & DIZZY D - 7/27

2007-07-17T22:38:00.000-04:00

Due to popular demand, NYCUG is throwing a Party Series dedicated to showcasing some of the hottest Hip Hop artist emerging out of NYC. This is the first of many to come, so come out and show your support!

Friday, July 27th 2007 at 8:00pm

Come check out one of the illest groups coming up - NO QUESTION. Along with NYCUG's very own DJ DIZZY D.

DRINK SPECIALS BEFORE 10pm

$5 shots/ $4 Draft and Well

no cover - rsvp for guaranteed entry

For all questions or to be considered for future events, email hiphopseries@nycug.com.

NO QUESTION is a dynamic trio made up of WhatzIsFace, GuessWho, and H.Fraud. Informally collaborating as far back as '98 - each has achieved modest success individually. WhatzIsFace has performed on several stops of the Warped Tour '05 and has opened up for notables such as BLESSTeNATION. Guesswho, formally of Bad Newz, reps the underground hip hop circuit equally as hard having performed several shows locally and on the Lyricist Lounge Tour. H.Fraud, producer and DJ, did A and R for the recently released Black August Album.

I saw NO QUESTION recently opening up for Mark Ronson and the Cool Kids - and straight up, these guys have something special worth checking out. They come with a high energy performance, veteran level stage presence, hard hitting lyrical content, and complex rhyme structures that range from arrhythmic draw to rapid fire. Check out their Myspace pages where you can sample tracks from their upcoming Got Game Mix Tape(dropping 9/11), where Guessy Guess and WhatzIsFace rip it over their take on our favorite Nintendo game soundtracks. Also, look out for the video for Double Dragon - due out mid august.

Mark Ronson and the Cool Kids - tonight!

2007-07-11T13:54:00.000-04:00

Mic Check...

Sorry for the late notice but hear dis! Mark Ronson and the Cool Kids - tonight!

Opening up the night for the Cool Kids, and DJ Mark Ronson is a filthy emerging group outta NYC - No Question (that's What's His Face and Guess WHo).

In an appropriate plug - No Question is also going to opening up the first annual NYCUG Summertime Hips Hop Series. Peep their sh*t and check back for more details!

*links comming soon*

Excepter @ Monkeytown 7/14

2007-07-10T23:56:00.000-04:00

After several months of non-activity, the Brooklyn avant-electro fetishists known as Excepter emerge from hibernation this Saturday for a pair of live sets at Williamsburg's Monkeytown (8pm & 10:30pm). Now operating as a sextet, Excepter are ready to inspire awe with their unique take on psychedelic experimentation.

RIYL: Black Dice, Gang Gang Dance, NNCK, Animal Collective
Entry is $5, reservations recommended.

The "Rock" Stepper:

Interpol Tickets On Sale Friday, 7/13

2007-07-10T23:23:00.000-04:00

Keep an eye out this Friday for tickets to Interpol's first NYC show following the release of Our Love to Admire, which hit stores today.

Tickets go on sale Friday, 7/13, at 12 noon on Ticketmaster. The show itself is Friday, September 14 at MSG, but tickets are sure to go fast, so get online right at noon if you want your best shot.

TORTOISE @ Webster Hall – 7/8/07

2007-07-06T18:37:00.000-04:00

Genre-defying Tortoise has been wowing both critics and concert goers for nearly twenty years now with their unique vision of avant-garde music. It would be easy to say that these Chicagoans are solely an indie-rock jazz band, but that would really only scratch the surface of their true nature. A now six-man live act, combine a huge amount of influences from punk to jazz to European experimental electronica to heavy dub reggae and a whole lot more to boot. Their live songs themselves can run anywhere from a 2 minute Ramones-style aural blitz to a 25 jazz-jam that would embarrass any jamband not up to snuff. So if you are planning on catching them this weekend plan on expecting the unexpected.

RIYL: Can, Stereolab, Mogwai, Sea and Cake, Glenn Branca, Jim O’Rourke

Boredoms (77 Boadrum) @ Brooklyn Bridge Park 7/7

2007-07-04T19:13:00.000-04:00

Osaka, Japan's avant-psych-rock gurus Boredoms have some pretty ambitious plans for this Saturday afternoon: a performance with 74 drummers in addition to their usual three (that's 77 in all, for the arithmetically-challenged). 77 drum kits sounding off on 7/7/07 -- a spectacle not to be missed. Among the guest drummers are Andrew W.K., and members of Gang Gang Dance, Excepter, NNCK, Prefuse 73, Lightning Bolt, and more. That's a pretty star-studded cast.

It's a free show, but guests are asked to RSVP in advance. Things kick off at 4pm.

Pela: A Midnight Snack For Your Ears

2007-07-03T14:18:00.000-04:00

Music can be food for the soul. Some bands taste like Thanksgiving gravy and others like a tart lollipop – each tune satisfies specific cravings, of course. Seeing Pela the other night made me feel like a kid again, shoving gummy bears and ding dongs into my ears. Like most desserts, they provide an immediate rush with a side of instant gratification.

The Brooklyn based band played a sincere show last week at the Mercury Lounge, ending their 19-day tour with “Brakes, Brakes, Brakes,” and “Electric Soft Parade.” The vibe was intimate, and the crowd was casual. I was surprised to see so many bodies out on a Sunday night, but these people didn’t just drop by to try and dig a new sound. They were here for the music they had come to love—obvious from their dead-on lip-synching. When the music started I felt as though I was seeing the first performance of a garage band that had spent years banging and plucking away and was just now emerging from their metal cocoon. Their sound was real, yet polished and therefore spectacularly ripe. Pela played engaging, tight songs with high energy. Tunes included crowd pleasers such as “Philadelphia,” “Lost Highway,” and “Saving Clyde the Cop.” Each member of the band kept a careful watch on the others, connecting with each other, and in turn, connecting with the audience.

I caught up with bassist Eric Sanderson after the show for a closer look. In a search for beer, I was lead down to the dingy dressing room where the bands reconvened after a thrilling performance of, “Calvary” where each member of the tour took the stage with instruments such as tambourines, water coolers and toilet plungers. Lead singer Billy McCarthy entered soaked in sweat with a wide grin on his face shouting, “That was amazing!” Eric and I escaped to the hallway where I tried to see where this band had been and where they were going.

“You’ve been together for 5 years, but have just now released your first album, ‘Anytown Graffiti.’ Why has it taken so long?”
“Money. Half of this album is compromised in our eyes. We really piecemealed everything together.”

He informs me that they paid for and produced the album themselves. Dan Long engineered and mixed a lot of the tracks, but they couldn’t get enough funds together to have him work on the entire album.

“You’ve been traveling around America for nearly three weeks. What is the first thing you will do once you get home?”
“Sleep—I think all of us are really shot at this point. Billy might have a broken foot and I’ve been sick for days. We’ve been driving a lot and drinking a lot.”

Eric continues to tell me that the group got an average of 4-5 hours of sleep per night. He surmises that this might be a good time for some much needed detox.

“What can Pela fans expect from the new album? Will you keep the sound you’ve cultivated or go in a new direction?”
“It’s definitely going to change, but not drastically. We’re going to bring out a lot more horns. We’re really going to push ourselves and be a lot more experimental. We kinda reinvent ourselves every time we go into the studio.”

For my taste, this band is not palatable like a fine piece of fish accompanied with a dry wine. I didn’t go home and savor the flavors of the night or reflect on the composition of what I ingested. Instead, I got into bed, worn out from a sugar high of rock and roll.

For those of you with a sweet tooth, check out Pela next on August 25th, 2007 8:00pm @ Bowery Ballroom (Advice: Get tickets early. Their last two New York shows have sold out.)

A Conversation with Danny Ross

2007-06-29T09:22:00.001-04:00

Like so many musicians before him Danny Ross was just an avid music fan before being exposed to the later work of The Beatles. After hearing the bands third anthology album he went from being somebody who enjoyed music, to being somebody who loved music.

Growing up with parents who played the music of the 60's in the house, he admits "I knew The Beatles from 'She Loves You', and not 'Happiness is a Warm Gun'."

The self professed do-it-yourselfer, rediscovered a previously discarded piano in his parents basement and began teaching himself how to play.

"When I started out, I could only play songs that I'd written, because I didn't know anything else" he admits. Ross has come to learn a lot about his craft since those early days at the piano, he went on to study music at Cornell University and graduated in May of 2006.

Before graduating, he perfomed a piece which was written for seven instruments in front of an audience of 300 as his senior thesis. The ambitious composeur was rewarded with Sum Cum Laude distinction at graduation.

Ross' thesis, which he describes as "A rock concept album", influenced his EP, the aptly titled "Introducing Danny Ross." While none of the thesis material made it onto the album, Ross will be performing certain selections from that work as well as his EP this Saturday, June 30Tht at The Bitter End as part of his album release party.

3rd Annual Afro-Punk Film and Music Festival 6/29 - 7/7

2007-06-25T20:04:00.000-04:00

In a previous post about Summer festivals, i described myself when I was young as a punk. To clarify, back then I didn't have any particularly alternative way of dressing and would not have been outwardly described as a Punk. I never got into major trouble but my activities and mindset were some what punk-ish.

Thinking about what I meant in my loose usage of "punk", coupled with my reading on the 3rd Annual Afro-Punk Film and Music Festival, brought me to a interesting internal debate. Because my initial definitions of Punk were a mixture of something superficial, violent and negative - it was ironic to me that the Afro-Punk Festival seemed intellectual, loving and positive.

The Afro Punk movement originated from the documentary "Afro
Punk", directed by emerging Director James Spooner, which explores race and identity within the punk scene. This work galvanized a group of people who were the under represented minority existing in the rebellious sub culture of society - Punk. The 3rd Annual Festival will be the official unveiling of James's second major work "White lies Black Sheep". Screeners of both as well as a very entertaining blog can be found on James' personal myspace page.
As a member of the African diaspora, who has spent a major portion of his life immersed in white culture - Afro Punk really engages my thoughts and reflections on race and culture. It celebrates things that are undeniably "black" with the same breath that embraces things that are stereotypically "white"... That tension has inspired so much beautiful art - ranging from music, to film, to fine art - and a healthy sampling will be on display at the festival.

MOVIES MUSIC REVOLUTION!

Afro-Punk Festival

June 28-July 7

This Independence Day, celebrate some true revolutionaries during the third annual Afro-Punk Festival at BAM, featuring film, music, and art united under the banner of black rebellion. This year's festival is focused on the Black Panther party, including a discussion with Black Panther co-founder Bobby Seale, two programs on July 4 featuring documentaries about them, and an exhibit of archival photographs by the Black Panthers party photographer Stephen Shames. For the full line-up, visit BAM.org/afropunk.

OPENING NIGHT: On Thu, June 28, legendary Black Panther co-founder Bobby Seale discusses the history of the movement: where it's been and where it's going. Tickets are $15.

FILM: Music docs, cult classics, documentaries about the Black Panthers, and more. Highlights include a new print of Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (with clear parallels to the civil rights movement), Samuel Fuller's White Dog (about a dog programmed to attack black people), The Final Comedown, Eyes of the Rainbow (a documentary about Black Panther leader Assata Shakur), and more.

ART: Selections from the book The Black Panthers: Making Sense of History. This exhibition looks at the history of the movement through the lens of official party photographer Stephen Shames. In partnership with Aperture Foundation.

MUSIC: The Afro-Punk Festival features live concerts and DJ sets by bands from the Afro-Punk scene, including Tiombe Lockhart, Cutlery, Dragons of Zynth, Bear in Wolf Fur, No Surrender, CX Kidtronik, and much more.

AFROPUNK BLOCK PARTY: Celebrate Brooklyn's DIY spirit at the first-ever Afro-Punk Block Party, featuring live music, artists, vendors, crafts, food, and more.

Click here for full information and to buy tickets.

Introducing Danny Ross - Album Release 6/30 @ 8PM - Bitter End

2007-06-25T13:38:00.000-04:00

During day light hours, Danny Ross is the most unlikely musician. By day the up and coming piano rocker is a congressional staffer for Congressman Jerold Naddar.

By moon light, Ross is on the road to being the real deal. Bringing a heavy blend of piano and traditional rock instruments and lyrics in the vein of the best of pop-rock, Ross' music is most closely compared to other budding virtiousos such as Jamie Cullum and Sondre Lerche.

That is to say a musician ripe for mainstream success, and the talent to ensure that a big break wouldn't be a waste.

Next week, Ross will be hosting a release party for his first album Introducing Danny Ross on Saturday, June 30th @ 8 PM at the Bitter End.

In addition to being an album release party, the singer/song writer will be on hand to perform cuts from the album as well.

For more information visit the following sites :

Myspace
Artist Website

Free Concerts - Central Park Summer Stage, June 8th - September 16th

2007-06-24T06:10:00.000-04:00

Five years ago I was a punk kid with minimum income who spent most of his summer looking for shit to do during the summer. Currently, I'm a young adult working and living in the city and trying to spend as much time and as little cash outside as possible. Thankfully, many NYScenters share my plight and thus a market has been created for really good cheap/free entertainment. Next up on NYCUG's profile of free concert series in NYC is The SummerStage in Central Park. This series hosts numerous events throughout the summer ranging from music to dance, and even spoken word. Many of the events are free, while others require advance tickets and serve as benefits for the summer series.

The series kicked of 6/8 with a benefit show featuring Common and Joss Stone. If you haven't already begun taking advantage, start today 6/24, with Canada Day! Featuring Broken Social Scene offshoot Apostle of Hustle. Some other concerts that i'm marking on my personal schedule include Rodrigo y Gabriela (7/1), Junior Reid (7/8), Femi Kuti & the Positive Force(7/11), Grizzly Bear and the Decemberist (7/16 - Paid), Neko Case (7/20), Brazilian Girls (7/22), Wildstyle 25th Anniversary Reunion: A celebration of the beginnings of Hip-Hop (7/29).

Central Park Summer Stage is the largest, most diverse, and longest running public event series in NYC... I'm a big fan and would actually love to work with them in the future. Check out their website and full event schedule. I'd be surprised if you didn't find something worth attending, especially since it won't cost much but your time and energy.

Full Schedule

Sunday, June 24: 3-6 p.m.
Canada Day!: Sloan, Apostle of Hustle, Duhks
Our annual showcase of music from our Northern neighbors.
Free

Thursday, June 28: 6:30-10 p.m.
The Levon Helm Band
SummerStage Benefit Concert Ticket Information

Saturday, June 30: 3-6 p.m.
Ozomatli, Babylon Circus, DJ Joro Boro
It’s a day of fusing music styles at Summerstage.
Free

Sunday, July 1: 3-6 p.m.
Rodrigo y Gabriela, Vietnam, JDH and DAVE P
Two acoustic guitarists kick up a noise and a rock foursome lay down the feedback frenzy as SummerStage welcomes July.
Free

Friday, July 6: 8-10 p.m.
Ronald K.

Brown / Evidence, Full Circle Soul Productions
SummerStage showcases African-American dance in all its complex and varied glory.
Free

Saturday, July 7: 3-6 p.m.
Cinematic Orchestra, RAMP, El Michels Affair, Kevin Michael, DJ Spinna
The art of the groove is on full display for this mid-summer event.
Free

Sunday, July 8: 3-6 p.m.
Junior Reid, Djakout Mizik, Diams, Black Alex & Mecca a.k.a "GRIMMO", Wyclef Jean & Papa Jube
The rhythms of the Caribbean will be in full effect at this event.
Free

Monday, July 9: 6-10 p.m.
Bob Weir & Rat Dog, Keller Williams
SummerStage Benefit Concert Ticket Information

Tuesday, July 10: 7-10 p.m.
Nortec Collective, Fedrico Aubele, Film screening: So What's Your Price?
This night’s artists explore globalization in music and film.
Free

Wednesday, July 11: 7-10 p.m.
Femi Kuti & The Positive Force, DJ Rich Medina [rb]Film screening: Music Is a Weapon
The power of Afrobeat is showcased live and on film.
Free

Saturday, July 14: 3-6 p.m.
Café Tacuba, Pacha Massive, La Sista
Program featuring three Latin artists who’ve incorporated rock, hip-hop and electronica into their sound.
Free

Sunday, July 15: 3-6 p.m.
Global Family Day: Hip-Hop Harry, Sippy Cups, Break!
Kids music that will not bore their parents to tears.
Free

Monday, July 16: 6:30-10 p.m.
The Decemberists, Grizzly Bear, Land of Talk
SummerStage Benefit Concert Ticket Information

Thursday, July 19: 7:30-10 p.m.
UCB Theatre's Comedy Cabaret: Human Giant, Demetri Martin, Rebecca Drysdale, The Defibrillators
New York’s best up-and-coming comedians.
Free

Friday, July 20: 7-10 p.m.
Neko Case, Eric Bachman
Country and folk get an update through the highly personal work of two great singer-songwriters.
Free

Saturday, July 21: 3-6 p.m.
Shrhabeel Ahmed, Aboaraki Al Bkheid, Yousif El Moseley, Hadia "Al Balabil" (Humming Bird), Ali Al Segid, Rasha Sheikh Aldein, Al Wareef Sheikh Aldein, Brides of the Nile Dance Group, Emmanuel (South of Sudan), Omer Ehsas (Darfur), The Nile Music Orchestra
A showcase of the music and culture of Sudan.
Free

Sunday, July 22: 3-6 p.m.
Brazilian Girls, Cat Empire, HIMALAYAS conducted by Kenny Wollesen & Jonathon Haffner
Two groove-heavy groups and an avant-garde marching band.
Free

Thursday, July 26: 7:30-10 p.m.
Marisha Pessl, Jennifer Egan
Two novelists read from acclaimed recent works.
Free

Friday, July 27: 8-10 p.m.
David Parsons Dance, Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet
An evening of dance from two of New York’s most exciting modern companies.
Free

Saturday, July 28: 7-10 p.m.
Liz McComb, King Britt presents Sister Gertrude Morgan featuring Ben Jaffe
A special gospel evening.
Free

Sunday, July 29: 7-10 p.m.
Wild Style 25th Anniversary Reunion: The Chief Rocker Busy Bee, The Cold Crush Brothers, GrandMaster Caz, DJ GrandWizzard Theodore, Fab 5 Freddy + special guests, Film screening of Wild Style
A grand celebration of the beginnings of hip-hop.
Free

Thursday, August 2: 7:30-10 p.m.
Amiri Baraka, Sonia Sanchez
Two literary giants from the Black Power era.
Free

Friday, August 3: 8-10 p.m.
Philadelphia Dance Company (Philadanco), Camille A Brown & Dancers
Two companies with unique visions of modern dance.
Free

Saturday, August 4: 3-6 p.m.
Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Spam Allstars, Tato Torres Y Yerba Buena, Bobbito Garcia a.k.a Kool Bob Love
Classic salsa, Latin electronica and Boricuan rhythms.
Free

Sunday, August 5: 7-10 p.m.
Cine Fest Brasil: AfroReggae Film screening: Zuzu Angel
The sounds and sights of Brazil.
Free

Thursday, August 9: 6-10 p.m.
Black Crowes
SummerStage Benefit Concert Ticket Information

Friday, August 10: 8-10 p.m.
Complexions Contemporary Ballet, TAKE Dance Company
Evening of dance includes works of explosive creativity and calm command.
Free

Saturday, August 11: 3-6 p.m.
Celebrate New Orleans: Soul to Soul III, Galactic & special guests Big Chief Monk Boudreaux & The Golden Eagle Mardi Gras Indians & Soul Rebel Brass Band
Our annual celebration of the Big Easy with jam band sounds and deep second-line voodoo.
Free

Sunday, August 12: 3-6 p.m.
Zap Mama, Angelique Kidjo, K'Naan
The music of the African continent is brought to life.
Free

Sunday, August 19: 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Rufus Wainwright
SummerStage Benefit Concert Ticket Information

Sunday, September 16: 1:30-6 p.m.
New York World Festival - Sounds of the Mediterranean: Hassan Hakmoun, Orchestre de Tanger, Amalia Papastefanou, Chris Tiktapanides, Dimonis de Mallorca
The music of the Meditarrean and North Africa will be celebrated this special day of performance and education.
Free

Free Concerts - Jelly NYC Pool Parties, June 24th - August 19th, McCARREN PARK POOL

2007-06-23T18:47:00.000-04:00

**Guest Post from Aaliyah**
Some people complain about New York City in the summer...smelly streets, long waits at your favorite brunch spots, Time Square style crowds galore.. the list goes on. So, many New Yorkers beat the heat with long weekends in the Hamptons, Block Island and basically anyplace outside of the city. But... if you're like my friends and myself you LOVE New York City summers. Mango slushies, summer Fridays at work, roof top relaxation, bike rides, 900 open flea markets, and loads of shows at the parks. A lot of these outdoor shows are free in the summer, you can literally walk around your neighborhood and find yourself at a show - I have! Let's start with the Jelly NYC Pool Parties at McCarren Pool in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. These free concerts already started but you can still check out bands in July and August - Erase Errata, Ted Leo/Rx, The Thermals, Ghostland Observatory, Octopus Project, Man Man, Illinois, I'm from Barcelona, Dengue Fever, TV on the Radio, Blonde Redhead, The Coydogs and more. It's first come first serve so RSVP and make sure you bring a blanket for lounging.

About Jelly NYC Pool Parties

JELLYNYC's brainchild POol PARTIES is back!!! Over the course of nine consecutive Sundays from June 24th - August 19th, from 2pm- 8pm, music lovers, sun bathers, slip 'n' sliders, hula hoopers, dodgeballers, water volleyballers, and more will get to experience the MAGIC for FREE first hand. POoL PARTIES brings together crowds of young, old, black, white, straight, and gay, creating an inclusive vibe unparalleled in New York City. Over 50,000 friendly faces passed through the arches of the McCarren Pool last summer, we expect way more this summer, so be sure to arrive early and be sure to RSVP to guarantee entry. We can't wait to see you this summer!

Full Schedule

June 24: Superchunk; Oakley Hall
+ / -

DJ Todd O-Phonic Todd

July 1: Man Man
Illinois
Dengue Fever

DJ sets by
The Dirty Work DJs

July 8: Octopus Project
Erase Errata
Dan Deacon
OCDJ

The Rub DJs featuring
Mark Ronson

July 15: PONDEROSA STOMP-LOOK OUT BROOKLYN! VERSION

Performances by:; Roy Head
Bobby Patterson
Willy Tee
Tammi Lynn
Ray Sharpe
(backed by The A-Bones)
Tommy McClain (backed by Yo La Tengo); With house band:; Teenie Hodges
Scott Bomar
Willie Tee
Willy Hall

DJ sets by
Dave "The Spazz"
Rex "Fools Paradise"

July 22: SPECIAL LINE UP TO BE ANNOUNCED

July 29: TV on the Radio

August 5: CURATED BY
Pop Montreal and Noise Pop Festival; Blonde Redhead
I'm From Barcelona
The Coydogs

The Rub DJs
featuring Morse Code

August 12: Ted Leo and the Pharmacists
The Thermals
Birds of Avalon

August 19: Ghostland Observatory
Yacht

The Rub DJs

DJ Ayres:
THE BALTIMORE BASS CONNECTION (featuring
many surprise special guests)

PANDA BEAR @ Bowery Ballroom – 6/23

2007-06-20T10:39:00.000-04:00

The Animal Collective’s co-founder will be in the city this weekend to promote his newest release on the Paw Tracks label entitled Person Pitch. While Noah Lennox’s solo work is different and less experimental from Animal Collective, there are still and awful lot of similarities in the overall feel and mood of the music, as would be expected. His solo work is not as disjointed as Animal Collective and there are a lot more vocal harmonies, conjuring up shades of Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys. The compositions themselves are also slightly more conservative in the indie rock sense and not as avant-garde. His shows prove to be a fun time and you can check it out for yourself.

RIYL: Animal Collective, Xiu Xiu, Four Tet, The Unicorns

Pela @ Maxwells on 6/15 and the Mercury Lounge on 6/16, 6/17

2007-06-15T13:00:00.000-04:00

Pela’s tunes have that classic “give me a hamburger and fries” sound. They are a rare form of American Rock that is both traditional of the genre as well as innovative. Vocals are a bit reminiscent of lead singer Michael Glabicki of Rusted Root, while the music itself is steady, full, and solid. Check out the song “Venom” on their myspace page and their debut album, “Anytown Graffiti,” now available for sale. This song makes you want to wash that fast food down with some whiskey.

Check them out at http://www.myspace.com/pela to prep for the three shows this weekend.

Television, Apples in Stereo, & Dragons of Zynth @ Central Park Summerstage 6/16

2007-06-14T12:33:00.000-04:00

Mid-1970s NYC downtown art-rock quartet Television is playing what may be their final show this Saturday afternoon at the Central Park Summerstage. Television was essential to planting the seeds of early punk music, as well as pioneering their unique lead-guitarlessness: instead of one guitar taking a "rhythm" backseat to the other, both guitars are featured prominently, collide with one another, and ricochet off into infinity.

Television broke up in 1978, but got back together in 2001 for a splattering of live dates. Guitarist Richard Lloyd has claimed this Saturday's performance will be his last with the band, putting an end to the reunion. Hopefully no pre-breakup bitterness makes its way onstage.

Apples in Stereo & Dragons of Zynth are also playing - what a bill! Plus, you've got no excuse not to go; it's free!

Television plays "Foxhole" live in 1978:

Keith Fullerton Whitman & Ikue Mori @ Issue Project Room 6/15

2007-06-12T23:29:00.000-04:00

It will be an evening of high-art electronics Friday at Brooklyn's Issue Project Room. 8:00 pm, $10.

Synthesizer whiz Keith Fullerton Whitman (AKA Hrvåtski) has been extraordinarily eclectic in his output in the last few years, issuing work ranging from techno-influenced dance music to experimental minimalism. He is in the midst of composing his first "through-composed long-form work...for Egyptian Oud, Serge and Doepfer Analog Modular Synthesizers, and computer control/processing." Hopefully he'll preview some of it Friday.

Ikue Mori began her musical career acting as drummer for late-1970s NY No-Wave trio DNA, where she developed her unique asymmetrical skin-beating style. She has since shaped herself into a composer, and has performed with many NY-based avant-gardists (including John Zorn, Kim Gordon, & Bill Frisell) over the past 30 years. Having largely abandoned live drumming in lieu of an array of programmed drum machines & samplers, Mori remains on the cutting edge of electronic & experimental musics.

Ikue Mori w/ Lotte Anker & Sylvie Courvoisier:

PINK MARTINI @ Carnegie Hall – 6/13

2007-06-11T13:33:00.000-04:00

Although they have been around for over ten years, Pink Martini has never reached the success critics prognosticated for them over the years. This could be a result of their extremely niche genre, being Cabaret-Lounge-Jazz-Pop and though that may sound hard to swallow, their music is extremely accessible for folks who may not typically listen to this type of music. They have gotten some exposure recently, however. On the heels of a track on the Sopranos, their latest release Hey Eugene! cracked the Billboard top 40, so things may be looking up for them. You’ll have a chance to catch them at Carnegie Hall this week.

RIYL: Esquivel, Stereolab, Pizzicato Five, Henry Mancini

The Subjects & The Rosewood Thieves, 6/13 @ Pianos

2007-06-11T00:20:00.000-04:00

Great bill this Wednesday at Pianos, featuring (among others) The Subjects and The Rosewood Thieves.

With Brooklyn’s own The Subjects headlining this gig, you’re definitely in for a high-energy show. Gotta love the tightness these guys bring to lo-fi, with guitar jangles reminiscent of The Kinks and The Strokes and-- if you really crane enough to hear it-- a little bit of Sting in front man David Sheinkoff’s voice. They're at their best on the burner "Seems to Me."

Meanwhile, the Rosewood Thieves, playing a supporting role in this show, create the sort of lush textures and foot-stomping grooves that, when coupled with painfully earnest lyrics and almost-overly-reverbed vocals, get by on the stuff that Elliott Smith and John Lennon would be proud of.

In particular, check out featured tracks "Los Angeles" and "Cold in the Country," although their true range can be shown off on more contemplative tracks like "Untitled Demo" (currently up on their myspace, but for who knows how much longer).

Backroom at Pianos is the spot this Wednesday.

Melt Banana @ Knitting Factory 6/10

2007-06-09T17:48:00.000-04:00

Melt Banana is sort of a misnomer. This Japanese noise-troupe is really in the business of melting faces, not potassium-rich fruits. Equally as tasty, they'll be at Knitting Factory Sunday evening in support of their latest, Bambi's Dilemma. Bring earplugs.

RIYL: Lightning Bolt, Boredoms, John Zorn, Merzbow

Spoon announces tour dates

2007-06-09T16:41:00.000-04:00

Spoon will be touring all summer and in to the fall in support of their new album "Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga". They will be making two stops in New York (7/11 - Rockefeller Park for River to River Festival and 10/20 - Roseland Ballroom). Click the headline for more info.

Krs-One @ Sputnik - 6/9

2007-06-08T22:34:00.000-04:00

Native New Yorker, Kris Parker, also known as Krs-One will appear at Sputnik Saturday night. The Krs-One show could be the ride of your life as it was for me 4 years ago when he performed at Toad’s Place, in New Haven. Note that the price is also a bargain for any of you hip-hop fans. Furthermore, $5 of the $15 will be donated to the Darfour Coalition. It goes without saying that Krs is bound to not only demonstrate superior skills on the mic, but also wax philosophical on topics, such as faith, culture and the current state of hip-hop. He is going to challenge you to perceive hip-hop as more than just a mere source of entertainment. “You are not just doing hip-hop, you are hip-hop/like if you have a badge and a gun you are the cop/like if you practice medicine you are the doc/you just forgot that rappers rap about cars a lot.” While having never gained much airplay on the radio, Krs’s unrivaled longevity in the rap game is a testament to his underground appeal and lasting substance as an emcee. Go see how Knowledge Reigns Supreme Over Nearly Everyone…that is to say, KRS-One breaks it down.

The Spinto Band @ Mercury Lounge 6/9

2007-06-08T09:39:00.000-04:00

Bred in Deleware, The Spinto Band offers a familiar yet refreshing sound. How is this possible? Listen to their new hit, "Mandy" and you'll say to yourself, 'I swear I've heard this before!' I'm not talking about a Vanilla Ice/Bowie and Queen type situation. This is no rip off. This 6-piece band just makes you feel comfortable. Catchy like the Magnetic Fields and earnest like Sondre-Leche, you'll want to check out this band if you haven't already. Do it sooner than later this Saturday @ 11:30 or at

http://www.myspace.com/thespintoband or http://www.spintoband.com/.

ARCHITECTURE IN HELSINKI @ Fillmore NY (Irving Plaza) – 6/8

2007-06-07T10:09:00.000-04:00

With a band and stageshow as large as their name, Architecture in Helsinki delivers an exciting night out for everyone and will be playing at the newly renamed Fillmore NY at Irving Plaza. The Melbourne, Australia octet blends horns and synths and other various instruments to embellish what is, at its core, an indie pop sound. Their last two releases have been critically acclaimed and their fanbase has grown to include the likes of David Byrne and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. You’ve got a chance to check them out tomorrow. Now what is it about the architecture in Helsinki anyways?

RIYL: Broken Social Scene, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Enon, Oppenheimer

The Clientele @ Bowery Ballroom, Fri 6/8

2007-06-03T23:37:00.000-04:00

Usually I adhere pretty closely to the old piece of wisdom that says: if you’re in a band, and you sound at all like the Monkees, it’s probably about time to hang up the old tambourine.

Enter The Clientele. These cheery British balladeers, who may evoke a little Davy Jones from time to time, do it only in the most tasteful and unapologetic of ways. Blending pure pop with more than a touch of the psychedelic, The Clientele are a blast from the past and a breath of fresh air all at once. There’s no pretension here, and the lack of angst is as refreshing as you'd think it would be.

Wistful, sincere, and definitely cheesy- The Clientele do it all, and while they may not become your favorite band of the year (although they just might), these indie vets have a style not often heard these days, and are definitely a great act to catch live. Tickets are only $15, so start your weekend off with a little British invasion and you’ll be feeling groovy before you can say bloody fantastic. Myspace | Website

The Stills w/ vhs or beta - Wednesday 6/6 @ Don Hills - $15

2007-06-02T21:13:00.000-04:00

These Canadian rockers have been ripping the New York Scene pretty consistently for the past four years. They've been around the world and back on major national and international tours...I say this only to highlight the rarity of seeing a band this established, playing such an intimate venue as Don Hills. Add to it that buzz band VHS or Beta will be spinning DJ sets - this is one show you won't want to miss. Don't thank me now - buy me a drink at the concert.

Method Man and the Gza @ Webster Hall - Tuesday 6/5 - $15

2007-06-02T20:33:00.000-04:00

I remember when I was a kid, kicking it in the courtyard of middle school during recess...all the boys in the crew gathered around jostling to be, for that day, their favorite member of the Wu Tang Clan. I always tried to be Method Man but somehow always ended up settling for the legendary ODB. The Wu Tang Clan was very instrumental in taking the torch from the forefathers of Hip-Hop and running it in to it's dominance over Pop Culture for the next decade plus. I've never had the pleasure of seeing the Wu-Tang Clan, rolling out Deep with the Clan’s 10 plus members, or any of their numerous offshoot solo projects. Not going to miss the opportunity to check out two of these living legends, Mr. Meth and the Genius, live in concert this coming Tuesday at Webster Hall.

THE NATIONAL @ Bowery Ballroom- 5/28 - 6/1

2007-05-25T15:43:00.000-04:00

Touring in support of their latest release, The Boxer, The National hit Bowery Ballroom for a run of shows this week (May 28- June 1). While they’re all technically sold out, keep an eye out for last-minute ticket releases from the box office-- as always, these guys are bound to put on a great show. Had the chance to see them open up for Arcade Fire a few weeks ago, and while I can’t say they stole the show (I mean, it was Arcade Fire), they definitely held their own to say the least and played a great set for those of us who arrived before the suits rolled in -- playing a lot of their new material but also peppering in some cuts from earlier albums The Alligator, etc.

If you haven’t seen or heard of the National yet, give these guys a listen. I hear them compared to U2 from time to time, which really isn’t a fair comparison because really the only things about The National that are actually similar to U2 can be probably summed up in two words: “epic” and, well “reverb.” Even so, one of my favorite rainy day bands, and another New York band done good. Check ‘em out. website | myspace

BRIGHT EYES w/ Gillian Welch @ Town Hall – 5/25 – 6/1

2007-05-24T11:16:00.000-04:00

Oberst and friends will be in town for a stunning week long run starting this Friday. What is more interesting, though, are his “very special guests” that will be joining him onstage throughout the week. We’re not going to spoil it for you, but some of the biggest names in rock, country, college and underground music will be up there with Conor. Even a casual fan of theirs will get a kick out of this marathon, but undoubtedly there are the hardcore fans that will buy tickets to every single show to see what the surprises are each night. We would tell you, but that would ruin all the fun.

RIYL: Cursive, early Wilco, Rilo Kiley, Commander Venus

Gang Gang Dance @ Monkeytown 5/18

2007-05-17T14:35:00.000-04:00

Our friends in NYC's own Gang Gang Dance are releasing Retina Riddim (their very first DVD) next Tuesday. In celebration, they're having a screening and afterparty Friday evening at Williamsburg's (recently mentioned in the NY Times) Monkeytown.

According to Monkeytown's website, the extravaganza is broken down into two parts:
7:30pm, Supper Seating; $5, $10 Minimum (limited capacity: 36)
10pm, Screening, DJ set, Live Music; $5 (open capacity: 180)

RIYL: Black Dice, Boredoms, Excepter, Animal Collective

A clip from Retina Riddim:

POP LEVI w/ Mando Diao and the Films @ Bowery Ballroom – 5/14

2007-05-09T15:25:00.000-04:00

English born and bred Pop Levi is one artist to watch in the upcoming months. Borrowing heavily from Marc Bolan / T. Rex style glam rock and dipping into drug-addled folk to boot, Levi makes a sound that is somehow both unique and familiar. The final result is a set that schizophrenically whiplashes between both wildly energetic and intensely soulful. How a musician of this caliber wallowed in the quagmire of British music for so long with little or no exposure is a mystery, but be glad he finally broke out of his shell. He will be in town this upcoming week, though technically, he is opening for the not-so-interesting Mando Diao, but you don’t really have to stick around for that.

RIYL: T. Rex, Roxy Music, Devendra Banhart, Beck, Spacemen 3

KONONO NO. 1 @ Bowery Ballroom – 5/5/07

2007-04-30T15:14:00.000-04:00

In the spirit of opening our readers up to new types of music, this week NYC will be hosting one of the stranger stories in popular music, that of Konono No. 1. Part electronic music, part afro-beat Konono No. 1 is a group of Congolese musicians who literally built their soundsystem themselves out of spare parts, trash, and other paraphernalia. As it wasn’t a perfect science, the experiment resulted in the system emitting a huge and intense reverberation throughout their sets. Instead of scrapping the system, they decided to build their sound around it, making it their signature style. The final product is music that somehow toes the line between traditional and cutting edge. Now you will have a chance to get lost in the intensity of the sound Konono No. 1 puts together.

RIYL: Lightning Bolt, Sun Ra, Fela Kuti, Black Dice

Acid Mothers Temple & The Melting Paraiso U.F.O. 4/26 & 4/27

2007-04-23T17:29:00.000-04:00

Japanese experimental-psychedelic-unearthly-surf-rock occultists Acid Mothers Temple (in their "Melting Paraiso Underground Freak Out" incarnation) launched their North American "Crystal Rainbow Pyramid Tour" last week, and are hitting NYC this Thursday (@ Knitting Factory) and Friday (@ Southpaw). They're like the aural equivalent of the "Jupiter and Beyond the Infinite" scene in 2001: A Space Odyssey.

RIYL: Boredoms, Melt Banana, Amon Duul, John Zorn, Guitar Wolf

Soft Circle @ Monkey Town 4/21

2007-04-20T07:07:00.000-04:00

Accomplished visual artist Hisham Bharoocha, from 1998 to 2003, was the driving force (drummer) behind NYC noise/electro weirdos Black Dice. Prior to that, he was involved with this little RISD band known as Lightning Bolt. But when his former BD bandmates went off to pursue more electronic efforts as recent DFA signees, Bharoocha took his creative energies to a different (more psychedelic) place. In 2007, he released the album Full Bloom, the first of his solo performing moniker, Soft Circle.

He's playing at Monkey Town (58 N 3rd St, Brooklyn) on Saturday with fellow experimentors of sound David Daniell, Lichens, and Corridors. 9pm, $10.

Here he is playing percussion for a Doug Aitken piece at MoMA:

PINK NASTY @ Pete’s Candy Store, Brooklyn – 4/18/07

2007-04-17T15:15:00.000-04:00

Pink Nasty is the female constituent of the Die Nasty federation including Black Nasty and the Kevins from Wichita by way of Austin. Unlike her brother/counterpart Black Nasty, Pink has got some real talent for the singer/songwriter genre and has been backed by the likes of Will Oldham and Britt Daniel. While she has written songs with BN and has sung backup on some of his songs, her solo career is really starting to take off. When Black raps, he focuses on the often hilarious and occasionally hard to stomach stories of utter depravity (listen to Real Animal Lover). Pink, on the other hand, has a much softer side and a real knack for making simply good songs all around. Check her out in Brooklyn this week.

RIYL: Lucinda Williams, Cat Power, Throwing Muses, Palace, Iron & Wine

RJD2 w/Busdriver @ Webster Hall - Friday - 4/13

2007-04-12T20:42:00.000-04:00

He’s not a club dj, but knows how to rock a party. With his timely scratching, and versatile technique, RJD2 has become something like a phenomenon in underground hip-hop. At the same time, his 2004 solo album, “Since We Last Spoke,” showcases his aptitude as an indie-electronic producer. But it is essentially the way in which he combines scratched-up funk 45s from the 70’s with modern digital effects that gives him his signature style. Just go see for yourself what he does with merely a sampler, two turntables and a crate of choice records. Like Dangermouse, RJD2 is an auteur producer who is currently getting more love in the mainstream, despite his recent decision to sign to the independent label, XL Recordings. Now is your chance to witness him live at Webster Hall performing alongside the lyrically talented rapper Busdriver.

CHEESEBURGER w/ Enon @ Mercury Lounge – Fri. 4/13/07

2007-04-11T14:00:00.000-04:00

One of Kemado Records’ latest signings, Cheeseburger, will be playing at the Merc this Friday and it is your chance to experience the hype and search for the substance behind this band. Basically, Cheeseburger is a direct new-millennia translation of early Stooges or Iggy Pop’s very early solo work. Intact are all of the growls and roars Iggy was known for but this rendition has all of the over-produced guitars and drums typically associated with contemporary industry-influenced punk music. So bring your green and black striped shirts and remember kids, these days it’s not “ripped off”, it’s “inspired by”.

RIYL: Stooges, Iggy Pop, Glenn Danzig era Misfits, The Darkness

"Do You Remember" by Cheeseburger

Add to My Profile | More Videos

Black Dice @ Studio B 4/4

2007-04-02T15:44:00.000-04:00

Experimental mzk concert guru Todd P is throwing an event this Wednesday at Brooklyn's Studio B featuring DFA darlings Black Dice.

I posted this on NYCUG back in November:
"Black Dice, in case you don't know, are something of an anomaly. The only experimental act on an otherwise disco label (DFA records), the band makes use of all sorts of electronics to create the otherwordly tones their soundscapes are made up of. Use caution, though, casual music listener- a Black Dice show can prove to be overwhelming (and possibly pretentious?) to the unready ear."

One-man-shred-factory Mick Barr (AKA Ocrilim) is opening, as well as No Age.

Black Dice on Peruvian TV:

Diplo with Bonde Do Rolo - 3/30 - 8pm - Studio B

2007-03-29T19:59:00.000-04:00

Boom. Cha. Boom. Boom-chica-chica. Boom-cha-boom - in your ear, for you to hear, this Friday night in Brooklyn. Experience the essence of Baile Funk, a marginal genre on-the-rise reminiscent of Miami Bass. And who better to see than the dj who has almost single-handedly exposed this genre to the nothern hemisphere through his notorious Fabriclive mixtape and a coveted series of Baile Funk cds/lps. You may also know him as the dj/producer for M.I.A.; his trip-hop album, Florida; his affiliation with Big Dada; or perhaps the spread he received in The New Yorker two years ago after rocking Brooklyn. In any case, the Florida native is on top of his game as he is now running his own independent label, Mad Decent. His recent single, "Gasolina," features the Brazilian sensation Bonde Do Rolo who will also be performing at this event that is bound to be a ball (pronounced the same as baile). Now go get funk'd up!

Growing @ Rockies Bar Death By Audio 3/31

2007-03-26T21:56:00.000-04:00

The ever-prolific Growing has put out 4 studio albums since their start in 2003. Their 5th drops in April on Troubleman Unlimited's Megablade imprint. Taste the fruitful drone on Saturday at ~~Rockies Bar (s. 5th st. & Kent Ave, Brooklyn)~~ Death By Audio (49 S 2nd St btwn Wythe & Kent, Brooklyn). Ocrilim and Thrones are playing too.

RIYL: Merzbow, Godspeed You Black Emperor!, Tortoise, Spacemen 3, Psychic Ills, Drone music

THE BLACK LIPS / THE PONYS @ Bowery Ballroom – 3/26/07

2007-03-26T16:45:00.000-04:00

The Bowery Ballroom will be host to two of the hottest bands on the brink tonight in The Ponys and the Black Lips. The Black Lips have gained a huge amount of press/notoriety following breakout performances in last year’s CMJ Music Marathon and last week’s SXSW Festival in Austin, TX. You can read NYCUG’s previous post about them here. Chicago’s Ponys are former In The Red labelmates of the Black Lips and, like the Black Lips, they have made the jump to a larger label, in this case Matador. And while their music has certainly dropped off since their 2004 debut, they are still worth checking out live. Although, it must be said that their shows are either really good or really bad (i.e. stomping off the stage after 20 minutes for seemingly no reason) so be forewarned.

RIYL: The Dirtbombs, The Monks, Pavement

NO FUN FEST @ Tonic – 3/22

2007-03-21T15:44:00.000-04:00

Tonic will be hosting a plethora of underground bands this week in their No Fun Festival series. Most notably, this Thursday will feature the likes of the legendary jack-of-all-trades Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth as well as underground artists such as Keith Fullerton Whitman, Prurient, and Burning Star Core among several others. You can expect to hear some tape music, experimental, avant-garde, and other noise sub-genres from this marathon. If you are an avid fan of these artists or are looking for a great introduction to the underground, you can’t miss.

OOIOO @ Knitting Factory 3/20

2007-03-17T00:09:00.000-04:00

When she's not battling pink robots or drumming for Japanese experimental-rock all-stars Boredoms, Yoshimi P-We fronts her all-female side project, OOIOO (pronounced "oh-oh-eye-oh-oh"). Their latest effort, the impressive Taiga, was just released in the USA this past Fall. They'll be at Knitting Factory Tuesday night to show off their chops.

RIYL: Boredoms, Deerhoof, Blonde Redhead, Enon

Knitting Factory, Tuesday 3/20, 8pm. Buy tickets here.

The Double @ Cake Shop 3/16 & 3/17

2007-03-14T14:41:00.000-04:00

As far as I'm concerned, The Double are the most underrated act signed to Matador Records (although it could possibly be argued that Dead Meadow hold this title). The Double may also boast the "least-easily-navigable-website" in indie rock. In any case, this Brooklyn quartet is playing 2 shows at Cake Shop thisweekend.

The Double make left-field pop music - allowing dissonant guitar & organ noise to creep into otherwise seemingly harmless melodies.
RIYL: Suicide, Liars, Black Dice, The Fall, Excepter, Animal Collective

Mike Wexler opens up the Friday show. Crystal Stilts and The Japanese Beetles open up the Saturday show. Both shows begin at 8pm.

"Black Diamond" live @ Tonic September '06:

THE GOOD, THE BAD, & THE QUEEN @ Webster Hall – 3/12/07

2007-03-12T15:11:00.000-04:00

Damon Albarn’s latest brainchild, The Good, The Bad, & The Queen will be in town tonight at Webster Hall. In his latest effort, Albarn enlists what seems to be comprised of a veritable all-star cast including Clash bassist Paul Simonon, Verve guitarist Simon Tong, and Fela Kuti’s afro-beat enthused drummer, Tony Allen. While virtually taking a 180-degree turn from Gorillaz style synth-hop, GBQ sounds much more like Albarn’s days with Blur, but it is certainly more downbeat than the majority of Blur’s footy-hooligan rowdiness. Since Blur will likely never get back together with their original lineup, this show will act as a good substitute for those Albarn fans out their.

RIYL: Blur, Oasis, Supergrass, Air, Pulp, Super Furry Animals

The Shins @ MSG 3/14

2007-03-12T14:02:00.000-04:00

Having successfully changed the life of that dude from Scrubs, indie-pop darlings The Shins are ready to rock yr world too. They're playing @ the Theater @ Madison Square Garden on Wednesday in support of their latest effort Wincing the Night Away.

Tickets are kinda steep @ $37.50 apiece.

OF MONTREAL @ Irving Plaza – 3/9, 3/10

2007-03-05T16:45:00.000-05:00

Athens, GA madman Kevin Barnes and his merry band will be invading the Irving Plaza this weekend and you will have a chance to see a real spectacle of a show. Ever since Barnes virtually hijacked Of Montreal and made it his own, they have gotten considerably weirder than they originally were on their Bar/None releases. In fact, Barnes may very well be the weirdest of the former Elephant 6 consortium and that, my friends, is saying a lot. Case in point, earlier this tour, Barnes’ penis made its on stage debut, much to the chagrin of a Las Vegas crowd. Let’s hope this doesn’t happen again. The eccentricities are not all bad, though. Their newest release on Polyvinyl, Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer? is a much more mature album in terms of subject matter than their two previous critically acclaimed albums, Satanic Panic in the Attic, and The Sunlandic Twins, but the danceable, upbeat compositions and hyper-intellectual lyrics remain well in tact. We may never know why the bizarre Barnes felt it necessary to whip out his wanker on stage, but it could have just been another Outback Steakhouse advertisement.

RIYL: Olivia Tremor Control, Marshmallow Coast, Apples in Stereo, Elf Power

Beach House @ Mercury Lounge 3/5

2007-03-01T19:32:00.000-05:00

Baltimore's Pitchfork-approved Beach House are playing a slew of NYC shows next week. They are opening both sold-out Grizzly Bear shows at Bowery Ballroom on Tuesday and Wednesday. If you dont have tix for that, scope them at Mercury Lounge on Monday evening.

I first came to know of this band when seeing them open for Avey Tare & Kria Brekken back in November; they blew me away. Beach House is a duo comprised of Alex Scally on guitar and organ, and Victoria Legrand on keys and vocals. Together, with the assistance of prerecorded drum loops via laptop, they make (delightful) dreamy pop songs. Listen here. Buy tickets here.

RIYL: Spiritualized, Mazzy Star, Azure Ray, Nico

THE THERMALS @ Bowery Ballroom – 3/4/07

2007-03-01T18:08:00.000-05:00

Oft discussed Lo-Fi indie punkers the Thermals will be hitting the
ballroom this Sunday night in NYC. It's pretty much a guarantee the
Hipsterati will come out in droves to see the Portland, OR all-star
team work the crowd with their high energy stage show. They have a
tendency to combine fuzzy punk riffs and the typical snotty sarcastic
indie vocals/lyrics to create songs that barely top three minutes in
duration. While not the best nor the most innovative band in their
field, they do put on a good show and it is a lot of fun. They are
touring on the heels of their latest release The Body The Blood The
Machine on "independent" label SubPop.

RIYL: Bratmobile, Nerf Herder, Nada Surf, Presidents of the United
States of America

BRIGHT EYES @ Bowery Ballroom – 3/2/07, 3/3/07

2007-02-28T15:47:00.000-05:00

Conor Oberst et al. will be in New York’s Bowery Ballroom for two dates this weekend behind their upcoming Saddle Creek release Cassadaga. Seemingly every review for any Bright Eyes album or show brings up two points: how young Oberst is (he’s fucking 6!) and how he is such a gifted songwriter. And while most of his work up until this point has been basically folk music coupled with Oberst’s signature vocal warble, his newer compositions take a decidedly more country turn, opening up a whole new spectrum for the Bright Eyes faithful. Don’t worry though; his style has not changed enough as to alienate his audience. His bleak and cathartic outlook on life is still intact, so if you hate governments and relationships, you will still be right at home.

RIYL: Cursive, early Wilco, Rilo Kiley, Commander Venus

Just Announced: CSS @ Irving Plaza 6.01

2007-02-27T19:34:00.000-05:00

Dude - Oh shit, I forgot to cop a ticket and the CSS show is Sold Out.

Other Dude - No dick, that was last time, they just announced their US dates.

Chick - Ah La La, ah la la

CSS have extended their UK/Euro trek to include North America. They play New York April 1st.

Peep the video then look out for tickets.

DALEK @ Mercury Lounge – 2/27/07

2007-02-26T17:41:00.000-05:00

Combining elements of shoegaze, trip-hop, ambient noise, and poignant rap lyrics, Newark’s Dalek are forerunners in the newest wave of underground rap, challenging their listeners both verbally and musically. While many critics claim that contemporary rap has reached a lull, DJ Oktopus creates sprawling ambience not typically associated with rap or hip-hop; the type of music that hearkens back to early Sonic Youth, Radiohead, or later Brian Eno. To top this off, MC Dalek, flows with an intense tone that would not be out of place for the likes of Mobb Deep or Talib Kweli. They have already won plenty of critical acclaim and it shouldn’t be long before the rest of the music world takes notice. Look for the newest release, Abandoned Language, on Mike Patton’s label, Ipecac later this month.

RIYL: TV on the Radio, Glenn Branca, Gang Starr, Tricky, Blackstar

Dirty On Purpose & Saxon Shore @ Mercury Lounge 2/15

2007-02-12T18:33:00.000-05:00

This St. Valentine's week seems to be the week of sold-out shows: tickets for Sonic Youth, Explosions in the Sky, and five Arcade Fire shows are all unavailable. Luckily, however, there are some other events going on. This Thursday, for example, Dirty On Purpose, Saxon Shore, and Lymbyc System are playing at Mercury Lounge.

Dirty On Purpose is a Brooklyn-based indie outfit, drawing influence from a range of all-star underground rockers, including Yo La Tengo, Sonic Youth, Guided By Voices, Pixies, etc. This band borrows a good deal from these, their forefathers, yet their music remains very much their own.

Saxon Shore are perhaps the most underrated band in what I'll call the 2nd wave of post-rock (Explosions in the Sky, et al.). RIYL: beautiful soaring instrumental guitar rock music.

Tickets are only 10 bucks.

CALEXICO @ Lincoln Center – Thursday 2/8/07

2007-02-07T12:07:00.000-05:00

Blending conventional rock music and Southwestern genres from across the board, Tucson’s own Calexico are pushing the boundaries of mainstream indie and fans are taking notice. Typically, when a band ambitiously tries to blend rock, jazz, meringue, country, and Latin-beat, the result usually winds up being a disastrous amalgam lacking the cohesiveness to draw in casual listeners. This is not the case with Calexico. Masterminds Joey Burns and John Convertino use their classical training and experimental skills to compose harmonies and performances elegant enough to captivate both the most technically well-versed listener as well as the average music fan looking for a change of pace. Also worth checking out are Calexico’s several full length releases, especially Feast of Wire and The Black Light.

RIYL: Friends of Dean Martinez, Oakley Hall, Howe Gelb, Bonnie “Prince” Billy

2007 Plug Awards @ Irving Plaza 2/10

2007-02-06T16:49:00.000-05:00

Indie-rock-loving comedian David Cross is hosting this year's Plug Music Awards, featuring an all-star lineup of performers. Sugar-pop-no-wave-freakoutists Deerhoof and ex-Pavement frontman Stephen Malkmus (and his backing band, the Jicks) are the highlights. Silversun Pickups, El-P, and Tokyo Police Club are playing too.

The evening promises to be much hipper than your average award show, and for just ten bucks! It's also not too late to vote, do so here.

Jonathan Richman @ Knitting Factory 2/1, 2/2 2/3, & 2/4

2007-01-31T13:12:00.000-05:00

Since the eponymous Modern Lovers' album dropped way back in 1976, Jonathan Richman has been a prominent figure in underground rock music. That first album, culled from demos recorded by the Velvet Underground's John Cale, led directly to what would become American punk rock & new wave. Regardless of his backing band, Richman has been putting out solid gold ever since. His influence extended well into the 1990s, paving the way for indie rock groups like the Replacements, Pixies, and Pavement.

This former Modern Lover is kicking off his 2007 North American tour with four successive nights on the Knitting Factory's main stage.

RIYL: Talking Heads , Television, Lou Reed, Iggy Pop

Get tickets here, here, here, and here. They're $20 apiece.

DEERHOOF w/ Busdriver + Proton Proton @ Irving Plaza – Friday 1/ 26/07

2007-01-23T09:47:00.000-05:00

Half cute, half insane, Deerhoof have carved their way into the independent music consciousness in recent years with the help of several terrific albums courtesy of Kill Rock Stars. Although their lineup has changed several times since their inception in the early 90’s, their mission and sound have stayed relatively constant. Deerhoof manages to toe a fine line between charming indie rock and noisy, no wave inspired punk. Their unique approach to music has garnered opportunities to share the stage with the likes of the Flaming Lips and the Fiery Furnaces. Offbeat rapper Busdriver will be opening this Friday.

RIYL: Black Dice, Cibo Matto, The Microphones

The Bad Plus @ The Village Vanguard, 1/23 - 1/28

2007-01-22T21:49:00.000-05:00

Nearly four years ago, three Midwesterners—a pianist, a drummer and a bassist—rocked The Village Vanguard with a set that resulted in a recording contract with Columbia. Their debut, These Are The Vistas, appeared shortly thereafter. With re-arrangements of classic hits including Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” and Blondie’s “Heart of Glass,” The Bad Plus are known to leave the scent of rock, while their rhythms are consistent with the flavor of post-bop.

Their show at the Blue Note several months ago had the audience captivated: you just simply didn’t know which guy to watch since Iverson, King and Anderson were all getting far too ill. Whether it be their colorful display of call and response, improvisation or the surprise in hearing a familiar bassline from an 80’s pop song, it’s clear that they thrive in a live setting. Now, having produced two more albums since their debut and having gone on worldwide tours, The Bad Plus is bound to deliver on this six-day homecoming stand.

Alarm Will Sound performs Edgard Varèse @ Miller Theatre 1/20

2007-01-18T12:54:00.000-05:00

This Saturday, Columbia University's Miller Theatre presents a retrospective of experimental composer Edgard Varèse (1883-1965) as part of their ongoing "Composer Portraits" series. Alarm Will Sound, perhaps most famous for their 2005 album of Aphex Twin covers, will take on Varèse's work. This ensemble will perform 10 Varèse pieces, including his famous tape experiment Poème électronique (how they will perform this live, I am not certain):

Ionisation, Intérgrales, Offrandes, Octandre, Un grand sommeil noir, Dance for Burgess, Hyperprism, Poème électronique, Density 21.5, Déserts

Tickets are $25 for general public, $7 for Columbia Students

The Juan Maclean & Professor Murder @ Hiro Ballroom 1/18

2007-01-16T13:19:00.000-05:00

The Juan Maclean AKA John Maclean: former Six Finger Satellite guitarist reinvents himself as an electronica all-star; the DFA's secret techno weapon. He's going without his backing band on this one, performing a DJ set Thursday night at the Maritime Hotel's Hiro Ballroom.

RIYL: LCD Soundsystem, Hot Chip, Kraftwerk, DFA

Up-and-coming fellow indie-electronicsters Professor Murder are playing as well. Their debut EP Professor Murder Rides the Subway came out this past year, and they're looking to show their live chops.

RIYL: Mixel Pixel, The Rapture, Le Tigre

The show is a steep $20, but evidently one can get in for free via this.

O'Death @ Sin-e 1/13

2007-01-11T11:11:00.000-05:00

Brooklyn's genre straddlin' laddies O'Death seem to be playing about a bazillion shows in NYC these days. Their next appearance is this Saturday at Sin-e, with Mahogany, Daylight's For The Birds, and Relay, as part of the club's Friction series, a "monthly showcase of bands that are on the forefront of New York City's local independent music scene organized and sponsored by CrackersUnited.com."

O'Death fuses twangy country/bluegrass music (they've got banjos, fiddles, and the like) with a more agressive 'punk rock' feel. There's a hint of vintage college rock in there too (Tom Waits seems to be a clear influence- plus last time I saw O'Death, they did a bunch of Pixies covers). If you're looking for a full-fledged hootenanny this Saturday, go check them out.

buy tickets

DJ STEVE SHELLEY @ Googie’s – Thursday 1/11

2007-01-08T18:25:00.000-05:00

The Lower East Side’s hotspot The Living Room has a newly renovated upstairs stage where faithful scenesters can see the occasional live show in a very intimate setting. This Thursday, you will be able to catch Sonic Youth’s very own Steve Shelley on the decks. When not drumming for the seminal New York noise pioneers, Steve has been known to DJ at various clubs in and around Manhattan, but don’t expect and insane scratching, as he has a much more laid back approach to the turntables. He has made a career out of adding ambiance for people in the know and Thursday should be no different. You should be able to expect some good tunes such as Suicide and Kraftwerk.

RIYL: Sonic Youth

Black Dice & Excepter @ Bowery Ballroom 1/6

2007-01-03T15:30:00.000-05:00

I've seen both of these acts in the last 2 months. I've even written about both acts on this very website. Here is what I had to say:

"Black Dice, in case you don't know, are something of an anomaly. The only experimental act on an otherwise disco label (DFA records), the band makes use of all sorts of electronics to create the otherwordly tones their soundscapes are made up of. Use caution, though, casual music listener- a Black Dice show can prove to be overwhelming (and possibly pretentious?) to the unready ear."

"NYC's own Excepter kick out some of the most interesting electronic music of the 00's. This group seamlessly fuses experimental and house music, with results that can fall anywhere between psychedelic krautrock, abrasive noise squeals, and squiggly techno.
What should you expect from Excepter? Warbly synth tones, driving drum box beats, incoherent ramblings, the unexpected."

RIYL: carefully organized confusion

Prepare to be captivated/have your mind blown.

buy tickets here.

The Fiery Furnaces @ Northsix 1/5

2007-01-03T15:12:00.000-05:00

NYC-by-way-of-Illinois-based brother/sister indie rock outfit The Fiery Furnaces are playing in Brooklyn this Friday night, and are not to be missed. Matthew and Eleanor have certainly kept busy these past few years, releasing 4 albums (5 if you count Matt's solo record) & an EP since their 1st one dropped in 2003. These siblings have a wonderful ear for music, adopting everything from pop, indie rock, electronica, and even showtunes into their idiom - creating somewhat disjointed yet cohesive mega-albums.

However, let it be known that the group makes no effort to have their live songs resemble their recorded counterparts (i.e.: playing all the keyboard parts on guitars, having Eleanor sing Matthew's vocal parts, cutting sections out of songs, playing songs at different speeds, etc.). This, by the way, is not a bad thing. Go and see for yourself.

tix

PARLOR MOB EP DUE OUT IN 2007

2007-01-01T13:48:00.001-05:00

Thanks to everyone who came out on New Year's Eve, we all had a blast. And if you were there, you know The Parlor Mob absolutely killed it. Stay tuned to myspace.com/theparlormob for more info on the Parlor Mob's upcoming EP release, and remember to keep it here at NYCUG.com for the best underground music the city has to offer.

Congrats to the Parlor Mob on tomorrow's live TV appearance!

2006-12-23T01:18:00.000-05:00

NYCUG here - giving a warm congrats to our homies, and one of the most talented emerging acts out there, the Parlor Mob.

They are playing on Live TV tomorrow, Saturday night the 23rd of December at 1:00 A.M. on Fox 5, on Fearless Music TV(this is technically Sunday Morning but you get the point). Go to www.fearlessmusic.tv for the Fearless website to see what channel it airs on for you. It's on Fox; NJ/NY area, that's channel 5. Tune in and watch their performance.

You can then see them live, up-close-and-personal, on New Years, as they help us ring in the New Year at the inaugural NYCUG New Years Celebration.

Click the flyer for details.

don't forget - Fearless Music, Fox 5, Sunday/ Saturdayish at 1:00 A.M.

TK Webb @ Europa 12/22

2006-12-21T01:11:00.000-05:00

Have the pre-holiday blues? Then check out the Social Registry's token gritty-folk-singer TK Webb @ Greenpoint's Europa this Friday.

Webb is not your typical dude-with-an-acoustic-guitar-and-harmonica. Sure, he channels Neil Young & Bob Dylan just like everyone else-- but he's also got an abundance of the "Waiting for the Man" guitar-chugging cool so lacking in Average Joe Indiefolk.

check out his tunes here, and buy tickets here.

TRACHTENBURG FAMILY SLIDESHOW PLAYERS @ Knitting Factory – Fri. 12/22

2006-12-19T11:14:00.000-05:00

Here’s one for you outsider music enthusiasts. This is a band literally comprised of the Trachtenburg family; Jason (the father), Tina (the mother), and Rachel (the daughter). While Jason sings and plays guitar, Rachel drums fairly well for a young’un and Tina clicks her way through old slides of family vacations, various landmarks and road stops. Tina also used to bake food for the audience, but their popularity has increased a little too much so she had to put a stop to that, but you might get lucky. Although Jason looks like a David Cross character, the topics of the songs may be a bit bizarre to most people and his voice can get very annoying at times, however, you will see a better drummer in Rachel than, say, Meg White. You can also pick up their release on Bar/None records if you feel so inclined.

RIYL: Wesley Willis, Daniel Johnston, The Frogs

Psychic Ills & Indian Jewelry @ Knitting Factory 12/16

2006-12-12T21:08:00.000-05:00

Psychic Ills and Indian Jewelry are closing their joint U.S. tour this Saturday at the Knitting Factory. It is a night of kicked-out jamz not to be missed.

The Social Registry's latest it-band, NYC's own Psychic Ills, create a seamless blend of psychedelia, drone, and shoegaze; imagine an even-spacier Spacemen 3. Their live show is a captivating and somewhat overwhelming spectacle (expect a full-on wall-of-sound assault). Check out some of their tunes on the band's myspace.

Indian Jewelry come from a similar school of thought as their touring buddies: they too encorporate electronics and psychedelia amidst their (carefully-planned) chaos & confusion. Have a listen here.

Psychic Ill's fellow Social Reg. labelmates Telepathe are opening.

tix