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

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

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

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

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

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: