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

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.

OPPENHEIMER + THE SLIP @ Tonic – 11/1

This year’s Bar/None Records showcase features two of the hottest bands around in the Slip and Oppenheimer. The Slip hail from Providence, Rhode Island as a jazzy jam band that has toured all over the world with a mission to knock people’s socks off. They have worked with the likes of the Allman Brothers and Mark Ellard, and even have a track off their new album on the video game Guitar Hero, proving their widespread influence. A new addition to the Bar/None roster, the Slip puts on one of the best live performances you will see, so catch them while they are still playing clubs before their popularity skyrockets.

The boys from Oppenheimer have a bit of a different story. Hailing from the cold and foggy reaches of Northern Ireland, Shaun and Rocky weren’t even in a band more than a year before the folks at Bar/None heard their demo and signed them up immediately. It wasn’t long before BBC radio hailed them as the next big thing out of Ireland, mainly on the heels of their breakout single “Breakfast in NYC”. Their crafty execution of electro-pop and flytrap-like catchiness makes this act a sure thing, especially for the Moog or vocoder enthusiast in all of us.

The Black Hollies & Rosewood Thieves - 10/20 - R & R - 9pm

Setting up shop this Friday at R&R are The Black Hollies, The Rosewood Thieves, and The Picture. While most everyone out there will probably focus their attention on this show’s headliner, The Black Hollies, with their towering classic rock sound evoking Zeppelin, Cream, and co., the band that really intrigues me going into Friday isn’t the Hollies, but The Rosewood Thieves.

Think the John Lennon side of the late Beatles. Think Elliott Smith on Either/Or. The Rosewood Thieves debut album, From the Decker House EP, smacks of these influences, with maybe a touch of Whiskeytown (or is it The Band?) thrown in for good measure. Strong melodies- catchy but not obnoxiously so- and sweeping arrangements both fresh and familiar are all par for the course for these thieves. Check ‘em out this Friday at R&R.

Oh, and even though opener Lolita Bras had to cancel at the last minute for a "family emergency," don't miss them in November. For most shows, they’re worth the price of admission alone.

UP CLOSE! with THE COLOUR

Band-Aids Line Up If You Haven’t Already

“You bloggers are what keeps our band alive,” bass player Derek Van Heule told us as an intimate gathering of fans stood around together outside the Mercury Lounge. We had a chance to chat with various members of the band all of whom expressed a similar sentiment: their passion for music. You might’ve felt this from just watching their set. The band had undeniable stage presence – most notably when lead singer Wyatt Hull leaped off the stage and pranced around the audience on “Devil’s Got A Hold Of Me.” With their punchy, Zeppelin-esque riffs and electrifying appearance, these guys are a must-see. We have great expectations for the Colour and wish them the best!

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The Colour @ Mercury Lounge - 9/6 - 8:30

Evidently, the underground single, “Devil’s Got A Hold Of Me,” has fans gravitating towards this blues-rock quintet from L.A. With only a four track EP and a debut album that will soon hit the streets, the band has ALREADY been compared with the Rolling Stones (Spin Magazine). An assertion like this can only be derived from their stellar live performance which you won’t want to miss. Those wanting an amped-up dose of rock and roll should definitely go watch The Colour rip it at the Mercury Lounge.

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You won't want to miss...

Dinosaur Jr. w/ Blood on the Wall & Mouthus @ Warsar - $20 Ages 21+ - 8/29 @ 8:00

Following their very successful, and highly unlikely 2005 reunion, the members of Dinosaur Jr. soldiered on into 2006 bringing their blistering live show to all corners of the globe. Since the unlikely reunion began the band has played sold out shows all across North America, Europe, Japan and Australia. Despite being apart for so many years recent live reviews almost universally suggest that the legendary trioís stage-show is stronger, louder and tighter than ever.

I was a little late getting to know Dinosaur Jr., but i've been listening religously ever since I saw them at last years' Siren Festival. I don't know a whole lot about the other two bands, but from what I hear of Blood on the Wall, i'm curious to see them live. Check out these links for more on Dinosaur Jr.

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