trouser mouse

Behind The Scenes Video from Tropfest @ Tribeca

2007-10-08T10:39:00.001-04:00

If you couldn't make it, Lewis has made it possible for you to feel as if you did. Although, I'm still not talking to you.

Seriously, though. Great job, Lewis.

The Eames Era - "When You Were A Millionaire"

2007-08-21T16:41:00.000-04:00

Even after hearing this song about 1,100 times in the edit, it's still my favorite song of the year.

"The Wrong Kid Died!"

2007-08-18T13:19:00.000-04:00

Judd Apatow, after years of being a Hollywood underdog with many failed series and movies and a cult following, is now relentlessly assaulting the box office. First it was 40-year Old Virgin, then Knocked Up, and Superbad which is, as I type, undoubtedly printing money. And now he's released a trailer for his next conquest, Walk Hard. I personally miss the bittersweetness of his ill-fated show Freaks and Geeks over the broad comedies, but he's still making broad comedies better than anyone. And this spoof of musician biopics just might be his funniest yet.

I have an iPhone

2007-07-05T18:57:00.000-04:00

And a case of priapism.

New Mini-Games Coming For The Wii

2007-06-28T12:39:00.000-04:00

Whadd'ya say my place, november, some virtual beer pong, skee-ball, and darts. Because real drinking games can be so tiring.

Homegrown Daft Punk Video

2007-06-21T13:03:00.000-04:00

Skip to the one minute mark and then witness the budgetless brilliance.

Super Mario, Now With Death

2007-06-19T16:28:00.000-04:00

The classic game from your childhood got a bloodlusty makeover. Spill some koopa blood here.

Paul McCartney Is One Lazy Billionaire

2007-06-19T12:51:00.000-04:00

I like Paul McCartney a lot, but I watched his new iPod commercial in horror. I like the spot as an ad, I like the suit and sneakers look for the admittedly difficult question of "How should a really old rock legend dress?" It's cool that he's promoting a new song, and I don't mind the song musically.

But the lyrics, Paul, the lyrics. Good god, man. I mean, honestly. This is going to be heard by people. With ears. Connected to brains. That have not been lobotomized.

Hold Steady Frontman Fronts On Dead Frontman

2007-06-18T15:38:00.000-04:00

I've always found The Doors to be the best example of "accessible edginess" also know as "non-edginess". Their music hit me, even at an early age, as indulgent, mediocre and pseudo-intellectual, much like Oliver Stone's movie about them(and all his other movies). And really, what was their contribution to rock history? To pave the way for Lenny Kravitz and a bunch of other so-so musicians who look good in giant belt buckles?

Brooklyn Vegan points to this article from The Guardian asking musicians to call Bullshit on a "classic" album. Makes for a good read, though I think the wise ones chose dead musicians. Craig Finn of The Hold Steady chose The Doors L.A Woman but particularly seems to go after the man in the leather pants. It makes sense seeing as how Craig is the polar opposite of the lizard king in every imaginable way. It's also nice how the other musicians used words like "attitudinising" and "unreconstructed" to detract, my man just calls Jimmy a "drunk asshole". Full piece below:

"The Doors LA Woman
Nominated by Craig Finn of the Hold Steady

In America when you're growing up, you're subjected to the Doors as soon as you start going to parties and smoking weed. People think of Jim Morrison as a brilliant rock'n'roll poet, but to me it's unlistenable. The music meanders, and Morrison was more like a drunk asshole than an intelligent poet. The worst of the worst is the last song, Riders on the Storm: "There's a killer on the road/ His brain is squirming like a toad" - that's surely the worst line in rock'n'roll history. He gave the green light to generations of pseuds. A lot of people told him he was a genius, so he started to believe it. The Velvets did nihilism and darkness so much better - they were so much more understated; what they did had subtlety, whereas the Doors had little or none: they were a caricature of "the dark side". I actually like Los Angeles, but the Doors represent the city at its most fat, bloated and excessive. Morrison's death does give rock some mythic kudos, but that doesn't make me want to listen to the music. In fact, if it comes on the radio, I change the station."

Triumph The Insult Comic Dog At The Tonys

2007-06-14T23:27:00.000-04:00

Fantastico. Don't miss the last 30 seconds.

Google's Unbelievably Cool/Creepy New Feature

2007-05-31T10:42:00.000-04:00

Ever wonder what your front door looks like? As you slept soundly one morning last fall, some Google geeks drove by your house and filmed it.

You Shouldn't Need Convincing, But...

2007-05-21T21:24:00.000-04:00

With 2 out of 4 members in Scottsdale last week, Untucked shot a promo to prove two things: my stepdad Reg is the undisputed man and The Eames Era are playing the two can't miss shows of the summer.

New HBO Show - Flight Of The Concords

2007-05-16T16:42:00.000-04:00

It's like a hipster "The Office", with all your favorite lower-east side comedians popping up. Here's the first episode in it's awesome entirety:

Flight of the Conchords - Pilot

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Outdoor Summer Concerts I Care About (So Far)

2007-05-16T12:43:00.000-04:00

Summer Concerts are a mixed bag, I find. Some are free which is great because I like money. But as a result the crowds seeing your favorite bands are much bigger and less devoted. The ones that cost fix that problem but still usually have beer line issues, sweletering heat, etc.. I will probably be more selective this summer than years past, but these three shows are musts for me:

The Thermals @ McCarren Pool (Free, Sunday, date TBA)

Cat Power/Built To Spill @ McCarren Pool ($40, Saturday July 7th)

The Hold Steady @ Prospect Park (Free, Thursday, August 9th)

Patrick Wolf Gets Untucked

2007-05-15T13:40:00.000-04:00

The boys and I shot this Virgin Megastore appearance. You can see the entire show here.

Pulp Muppets

2007-05-03T12:45:00.000-04:00

You'll never believe who plays Eric Stoltz.

Just Admit It

2007-05-01T15:59:00.000-04:00

You love this clip.
You'd love to work here.
You love this song.
You want a SILF shirt.

You think the response is damn good too:

The Hold Steady @ NYU

2007-04-27T13:28:00.000-04:00

For better or worse, the crowd of NYU students and hardcore fans who finagled their way in was the most rowdy of any Steady show I've seen. The moshing and stage diving makes me slightly proud of my Alma Mater, but for some it was a bit much. Not that it was aggressive, but it was constant and pretty intense. Not bad for a booze-free venue.

First of all, where have the Thermals been all my life? Best set by an opening band I'd never heard of in a long damn time. I guess it was kind of a double bill, since they have a following. For three people who look more like a study group than a rock band, they tear in up. I bought their latest CD and can't wait to listen to it, though I can't seem to find it this morning.

The Steady started with Positive Jam, and you immediately knew this crowd was going to toss you around a bit. The setlist was pretty standard, no major surprises. Craig made a crack about A-Rod finally hitting, which I guess is better than him referencing that they're in last place. Lots of people snuck through a side door and onto the stage to stagedive/crowdsurf. In the Killer Parties encore, Tad Kubler(guitar) surfed while playing. Then as, Craig prepared to follow, my friend Dan stole his moment and beat him to it. There was a little bit of second encore blue balls, as it took a minute for the lights to come on. We were out of smuggled Beam anyway. It's so hard to rank Hold Steady shows. It's more a feeling of another great night to put on the memory shelf.

Also, the whole show but especially the Thermals were insanely loud. I guess we're old, but there is rampant hearing loss among my crew today.

RIP Kurt Vonnegut

2007-04-12T12:07:00.000-04:00

Woke up to see my favorite author has died from brain injuries suffered during a fall two weeks ago. He was 84. His writing always struck me as totally original for blending wit, fantasy, absurdism and morality. He often wrote about beings from another planet, I believe, to have something to contrast people with. He seemed to speak for the human race to a vaccuum, with equal parts shame and pride. He also like to draw anuses.

Some of my favorite quotes:

"It used to be the whole point of smoking was that we were killing ourselves, and we didn't care."

"Be careful what you pretend to be because you are what you pretend to be."

"I tell you, we are here on Earth to fart around, and don't let anybody tell you different."

"True terror is to wake up one morning and discover that your high school class is running the country."

"1492. The teachers told the children that this was when their continent was discovered by human beings. Actually, millions of human beings were already living full and imaginative lives on the continent in 1492. That was simply the year in which sea pirates began to cheat and rob and kill them."

"By saying that our leaders are power-drunk chimpanzees, am I in danger of wrecking the morale of our soldiers fighting and dying in the Middle East? Their morale, like so many bodies, is already shot to pieces. They are being treated, as I never was, like toys a rich kid got for Christmas."

"The big trouble with dumb bastards is that they are too dumb to believe there is such a thing as being smart."

"The worst thing that could possibly happen to anybody would be to not be used for anything by anybody. Thank you for using me, even though I didn't want to be used by anybody."

"So it goes."

YouTube Gem

2007-04-12T11:17:00.000-04:00

Stumbled on this while cruising youtube. I can't remember seeing a short this funny in a long time. Don't know anything about it except it stars Nick Frost, half of the comedy team behind Shaun Of The Dead and Hot Fuzz, out next Friday.

The Clay Steady

2007-04-10T15:58:00.000-04:00

Here's Steve's kickass video for the Hold Steady's video competition. He, Nicole and Chuck worked really hard on it and every bit of their labor paid off. Now give him the prize already.

Brooklyn Bars (almost) As Bad As Manhattan Ones On Weekends

2007-04-10T11:40:00.000-04:00

If I knew photoshop I would have pasted little trucker hats on these fish.

Time Out is crushed that 90% of the great Brooklyn bars are mob scenes on Friday and Saturday nights. The article points out that "just a few years ago, the borough’s Tuesday and Saturday bargoing experiences were nearly identical" but that now a line to get in is not uncommon at the ridiculously popular community-center-like Union Hall.

It is true that on weekends a nagging feeling in my gut says, find a house party, hit an out of the way bar like O'Connor's or B61, or stay home. A recent Saturday at Floyd was jammed, and had some of the worst meatheads I have ever seen fall backward onto a bocce court and refuse to apologize to the nice people playing.

At least BBQ season is getting close.

(Thanks Lewis)

Hold Steady Play Bruce Springsteen Tribute Show

2007-04-06T12:37:00.000-04:00

Someone said it was a little boring overall. But what a finish. I shouldn't have cheaped out. I saw Craig & Co. at Hi-Fi afterward, they were glowing.

Here's hoping they sell the audio on iTunes.

Bright Eyes Cassadaga

2007-04-03T20:32:00.000-04:00

First off, this a Bright Eyes record, so if the sound of his voice makes your soul hurt, then this record is not for you. But if you love him, prepare to keep right on loving. Musically, it's closest to I'm Wide Awake It's Morning. Buttery and elegant, with that perfect amount of slide guitar/pedal steel bluegrassiness(32.8%). There's the perrenial weird first track, some lady yammering about the spiritual town in Florida called Cassadaga. He still doesn't like Bush. If The Brakeman Turns My Way instantly claims squatter's rights in your head. Like Poison Oak off IWAIM, many songs build to swells that are very worth the wait. The first listen didn't wow me, but man is she a grower.

BTW, I choose to believe the song Classic Cars is about Conor having a night of life-changing sex with Emmy Lou Harris. Seriously, listen to it. He's not even really cryptic about it. He may as well just call it "I got all Harold and Maude in Emmy Lou's business".

Human Giant Premiere

2007-04-03T14:46:00.000-04:00

I've seen bits and pieces of the new MTV sketch comedy show Human Giant and I wish I could buy stock in it. Set your tivos and divos. Thursday night at 10:30.

MTV Human Giant Season 1 Trailer

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Arcade Fire Tickets On Sale

2007-03-30T10:18:00.000-04:00

While Ticketmaster did start to wig, in the end it held together and I got two tickets Row S for the monday show. Way to earn that convenience fee, Ticketbastard. So it looks like there may not be a sequel to this:

Hold Steady Video

2007-03-28T15:41:00.000-04:00

I shot this with the Untucked Crew for the band's video contest. Steve and Lewis each did one too. I will post em as soon as they're on youtube. JBL gift certificate here I come.

Feist - The Reminder

2007-03-22T21:01:00.000-04:00

I found this leak last week on a message board(read: I'm cool). To my amazement it's challenging Modest Mouse and Arcade Fire for the much coveted Jonathan's Favorite Album Of The Year So Far Award. I thought her first one had its moments. This thing is wall-to-wall moments. Heartbreakers and toe-tappers abound, and she can really belt 'em out for a skinny white girl. Maybe I'll buy my dad the CD and see if he gives it a better review than Regina Spektor("This is the worst music that has ever been recorded").

Back?

2007-03-19T00:18:00.000-04:00

So I've kind of missed my little blog. It's a lot of pressure to keep it going. I'm kind of a fleeting obsession kind of guy. There's very little I do day in day out. But maybe I can just post once in a while.

Anyway, which of this blog's massive readership will be the first to notice it being back? Such suspense! Will it be Lewis or Sam? Be the first to post a comment to this and I'll buy you a Cherry Tavern special.

BTW...

I updated to the new blogger and somehow lost my logo. It's not the same. Gotta figure out how to get her back.

The Voxtrot album leaked this weekend. I'm listenting to it right now. I think I like it a lot. The Feist leak is also good. If anyone wants it, let me know.

If you have eight minutes and twenty five seconds, watch this very funny video Ricky Gervais did for Comic Relief.

The Hold Steady @ Warsaw

2006-04-08T23:06:00.000-04:00

Damn. Just damn.

I probably never would have expanded my appreciation of the Hold Steady if I didn't have plans to go to this show. I always thought they had a couple good songs and a slightly jarring lead singer who prefers shout/talking the lyrics.

But I heard they were awesome live so I got tickets and spent a lot more time with their two albums which steadilly grew on me. The lyrics especially began jumping out as funny, weird, smart, and decidedly different from the standard ambiguous, heart-on-sleeve stuff. They're more like stories about really fucked up people with seriously unexpected geographic(Ybor city) and pop culture(Drop Dead Fred) references. They are songs about being young, high and American in very sketchy circles. While the self-destructive world he describes is one we have all encountered at some point and wisely backed away from, Frontman Craig Finn's characters star in it. Nose bleeds from sniffing Margarita mix. Coming into the E.R. drinking juice from a jam jar. Trying to buy drugs from Mackenzie Phillips. He consistently serves up imagery that you secretly wish you had the balls to be a part of.

Last night was a between-tours show in their local hood of Williamsburg(Greenpoint I guess). I have never in my life seen an indie crowd so into a show. It was a solid hour and a half of pogo-ing, capped off with "Killer Parties" as an encore that blew the doors off the Polish National Home. Their rep as a fun-as-hell bar band doesn't begin to describe how fun it is. Know the songs. Then see this band.

My only regret is not hiring them to play my wedding.

Cursive Album Due In August

2006-04-06T03:15:00.000-04:00

It's called Happy Hollow and it will feature a prominent horn section, replacing the unexpected rock band instrument role previously occupied by cellist Greta Cohn. If you didn't know, she left the band to move to New York and have very short, awkward conversations with me in San Loco Tacos.

Anyway, horns rock.

Raconteurs Sell Out Irving

2006-03-30T13:05:00.001-05:00

Jack White and Brendan Benson's indie supergroup, whose album isn't even out yet, just sold out Irving in a minute online, and twenty minutes at the box office. I was waiting on line at the box office but came away with nothing but a promotional button and about fifty stickers. I'm going to the Hold Steady at Warsaw that night anyway, but thought I'd find a good home for a couple hot tickets through barter or generosity. For future reference, Irving holds about 200 at the box office for people in line, but the line forms 15 early and many of the waiters are scalpers.

Anyway, who wants a sticker?

Yeah Yeah Yeahs Album Out Today

2006-03-28T22:19:00.000-05:00

Your cool friends will tell you it's rad. Your too cool friends will tell you it's an audio recording of Karen O being Gwen Stefanized.

I'm squarely on the side of it being the shit. Their feedbacky, gritty, New Yorky, caterwallininess is pretty much gone. They got a new producer who gave their sound a big spitshine, but the bottom line is it's really catchy and rockin'.

It will mean a lot of new fans who were weirded out by everything but "Maps" on their last album, and that will annoy a lot of people. But at least they didn't Liz Phair themselves at all, and there are still plenty of bands out there that you can scare your I. Banker friends with.

Built To Spill Dates Pushed Back

2006-03-28T22:06:00.000-05:00

I had four tickets to see BTS at Irving Plaza in May but the band postponed the show two seasons to the night of my wife's 30th birthday.

I have been informed by my wife that a Built To Spill concert is not quite what she had in mind for this occasion.

Her loss. Who wants her ticket? I'll meet you at
119 before.

BTW, the BTS album is going to be incredible. The three tracks I've heard are crazy good. One's at iTunes, 8 minutes of bliss for 99 cents.

Google Enables Lazy Blogging

2006-03-28T21:53:00.000-05:00

I just got a Dashboard Widget, like a mini app for macs, that allows me to post to the trow mow a lot easier. This may mean a lot more posts with absolutely no pics or hotlinks.

Or it's just one more twitch of energy before the mouse dies quietly in the glue trap of my waning interest.

I'm Not Vic Chestnutt, I'm Not Bob Mould

2006-02-04T13:38:00.000-05:00

M. Ward played a sold-out show at Warsaw last evening. Michael Pitt, famous for playing Kurt Cobain in Gus Van Sant's biopic, opened with his band Pagoda. Apparently, when Gus yelled "Cut" on the final shot of that movie, Michael didn't hear him and is still in character. The look was pretty spot on. The song-writing was not. The crowd was not into it and his decision to smash his amp into smithereens for a big finale was not the right move. He got booed. Then he had to come back onstage and pick up the smithereens. As Sam said, he was an actor-turned-rock-star-turned-janitor.

Ugliness behind us, Matt Ward took to the stage with a rhythm guitarist, bassist and drummer. Halfway through his set, Jim James came out for a few numbers and the crowd was happy a lot. The set spanned M.'s three albums. He did his whole "Look how fast I can touch every part of my guitar" thing. He did a lot of piano numbers. He played a couple new ones including a song about our president being a "punching bag that's gonna get hit". Smart career move after Conor won the Song of the Year Plug Award for his "The President's a Jerk" song. The crowd absolutely demanded a second encore and he obliged with a solo version of "Carolina".

Sorry no pics. They're pretty strict at Warsaw.

Bishop Allen Resurface, Declare 2006 "Their Year"

2006-02-01T11:52:00.000-05:00

The Harvard Popsters are releasing a new album soon, but in a pretty well-concieved gimmick, they are realeasing an EP every month until the full length drops. The new one is out today, only 1,000 will be pressed. I ordered one for anyone that wants to burn it. It will also be on iTunes eventually.

They have the first track as an mp3 on their site. It's not any of the new songs we've heard live and is pretty mellow. Check it.

They're playing Piano's on Friday, Feb 10th. San Loco afterparty, yo.

Silver Jews Touring

2005-12-16T14:33:00.000-05:00

March 17th. Webster Hall. No it's not an indie misprint. While they have performed near their home before, they have never toured to play their 6 album or so catalogue. Head Jew Dave Berman hinted that it will be something resembling a weirdo showcase of musci, def poetry from ex-pavement members, and "country comedy". He is probably kidding but you never really know with a guy who sings "I love you to the max!" without a drip of irony. As long as he plays "Tennesse", he can be as absurdly post-modern as he likes.

Blake You Beautiful Man

2005-12-02T12:52:00.000-05:00

Pitchfork reports a new Elected album from everyone's favorite Rilo Kiley side project(sorry Jenny, though the Travellng Wilburies cover was a nice try) is hitting stores January 24th. It's called "Sun, Sun, Sun" and it should be leaking any minute. He will then tour the country baring his soul on stage while being called McFly by some mook in the back. Why is that guy here anyway?

Healthy Political Dialogue

2005-11-18T12:22:00.000-05:00

I may have my opinions on this administration, and like everyone, sometimes they get a little passionate. But sometimes the best thing is to listen, really listen, to informed, articulate, intelligent people that happen to disagree with you. It's the only way we might connect in the center again, and it may be the only hope our country has.

Open your mind and listen.

Arrested Development Cancelled

2005-11-15T13:18:00.000-05:00

Could the silver lining be the return of Tinkle, the mostly defunct comedy show starring Todd Barry, Jon Benjamin and David Cross? I think Arrested Development is what defuncted it in the first place when they were dicks enough to employ Mr. Cross. It was every Sunday night at Piano's, only $5 (free upstairs) and pretty consistently awesome. Invite Them Up has done a great job of filling the void since.

New Bright Eyes video

2005-11-14T15:36:00.000-05:00

It's done by the same girl who did the stop motion video using yarn for "Bowl of Oranges". It's pretty durn good and you can watch it here.

Songs That Make People Think Their Cell Phones Are Ringing

2005-11-11T15:42:00.000-05:00

These five songs have a sound or noise or something in them that will make listeners reach for their motorollas every time. Throw a party and play them all!

The Winner Takes It All (Abba)
Your Cover's Blown (Belle & Sebastian)
Summer (Modest Mouse)
Nothing Came Out (Moldy Peaches)
Should I Stay or Should I Go? (The Clash)

I'm Not Alone

2005-11-04T17:20:00.000-05:00

I always thought I was probably the only person who enjoyed violent video games and Elliott Smith music. Turns out I was way off-base.

Watch Bobby Brown & Mike Tyson Sing "Monster Mash" on Jimmy Kimmel

2005-11-03T11:01:00.000-05:00

Trust me.

MASH!

Indie Rock Bedtime Story

2005-10-28T16:45:00.000-04:00

I was out sick yesterday and this is how I made use of my time. All the dialogue is indie rock song titles. It helps if you imagine both characters are foreign.

"No More Workhorse Blues" by Trousermouse (Palace)

Fade in.

Little Girl: Mister, would you please help my pony? (Ween)

Man: Sick? (Echo & The Bunnymen)

Litlle Girl: Sad and lonely. (The Secret Machines)

Man: Sometimes a pony gets depressed. (Silver Jews)

Little Girl: They shoot horse don't they? (Quickspace)

Man: If you're feeling sinister… (Belle & Sebastian)

Little Girl: Go ahead. (Rilo Kiley)

Man: Look away. (Apples In Stereo)

Little Girl: Don’t wanna. (Lemonheads)

Sound Effect: Bang! (Yeah Yeah Yeah's)

Man: There goes my gun. (Pixies)

Sound Effect: Bang! (Yeah Yeah Yeah's)

Little Girl: Staying alive. (Cursive)

Sound Effect: Bang! (Yeah Yeah Yeah's)

Little Girl: Don't Stop Now. (Guided By Voices)

Sound Effect: Bang! (Yeah Yeah Yeah's)

Man: Where's your patience, dear? (Matt Suggs)

Sound Effect: Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! (Yeah Yeah Yeah'sX5)

Man: Stop Breathing! (Pavement)

Sound Effect: Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! (Yeah Yeah Yeah'sX17)

Little Girl: Dead. (Pixies)

Man: Monkey gone to heaven. (Pixies)

Little Girl: Horse. (Sodastream)

Man: Yeah. Oh yeah. (Magnetic Fields)

Man: Looks like a mess. (Sunday's Best)

Little Girl: Hungry? (Stereo Total)

Spoon @ Warsaw 11-06

2005-10-27T10:56:00.000-04:00

I love their last album and have never seen them. I like Warsaw and all especially considering they're playing the new Nokia Live theater in Times Square(capacity 2100) the night before. What I don't like is $30 tickets after Ticketmaster convenience charge. I'm torn like Imbruglia.

Wolf Parade @ Northsix 10/25

2005-10-26T23:34:00.000-04:00

IMG_2305.JPG
Originally uploaded by jonemmerling.

Lofty expectations made a really good show seem like a slight letdown, as Wolf Parade played the capitol of hip last night. It was my second time seeing them but my first after getting my grubbies on their mp3's last spring and more recently their hot shit album. Four gentlemen played their flaming hearts out, a theremin was rocked, and wind chimes took a beating. It was undeniably enjoyable, though the little hairs on my arm stayed down. I did finally get a handle on which guy sings which songs. To me they both just sound like Will Ferrel's impression of Harry Cary.

New Years Eve Show Update

2005-10-24T14:34:00.000-04:00

Now the band's website and ticketmaster are saying they are playing with a "very special guest to be announced". David Byrne? David Bowie? Chris Dingillian?

I love the Jews

2005-10-24T10:11:00.000-04:00

The Silverjews released Tanglewood Numbers last week and it's really good. To celebrate I will share some of my favorite Dave Berman lyrics. They are one part Gram Parsons, one part Steven Wright. Or maybe just Jerry Seinfeld on blotter acid. Anyway, they will not be making anyone's yearbook page.

-Punk rock died when the first kid said "Punk's not dead".

-You can't change a feeling, but you can change the feeling about the feeling.

-All my favorite singers couldn't sing.

-Tanning beds explode with rich women inside.

-I am the trick my mother played on the world.
Seventeen doctors couldn't decide
Whether I should be allowed in the game.

-What can't monsters get along with other monsters?

-I've been working at the airport bar
It's like Christmas in a submarine.

-My horse's legs look like four brown shotguns.

-I love to see a rainbow from a garden hose
Lit up like the blood of a centerfold.

-People ask people to watch their scotch.
People send people up to the moon.

-My ski vest has buttons like convenience store mirrors

-The drums march along at the clip of an I.V. drip
Like sparks from a muffler dragged down the strip.

-They sat there with their hooks in the water
With their moustaches caked with airplane glue.

I'm Back

2005-10-17T16:58:00.000-04:00

And I miss concerts. Two weeks and already I don't know who half the bands mentioned on BrooklynVegan are. Arctic Monkeys?

Wolf Parade next tuesday at Northsix. Thursday at my Alma Mater. I have one extra for tuesday but so far no one is willing to commit and swear against bailing. I think it's going to be the show of the Fall. This ring feels weird.

Booking Agents Dabble In Irony

2005-09-22T14:27:00.000-04:00

Oct. 16th. The Faint. B.B. King's Blues Club.

New Years Eve Show

2005-09-21T10:03:00.000-04:00

Yes. It's September. No one knows what they're doing yet. Take it up with Clap Your Hands Say Yeah who are playing Irving Plaza for $25. It was definitely a headscratcher but that is one cheap New Years show and I always thought the band's music was missing the sound of those cardboard and plastic blowhorn things. 119 preparty/postparty? Tix on ticketmaster or fee-free at the Irving box office. The Hennings and The Emmerlings will be in attendance with a possible appearance by the King(lewis).

Such Nice Kids

2005-09-11T01:38:00.000-04:00

From the newsletter:

"Many of the artists on the Saddle Creek roster have taken some time in the last week to record some new tracks and organize a compilation to benefit the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The final tracklist for the compilation is coming together now and will feature Bright Eyes, Cursive, The Faint, The Good Life, Mayday, Orenda Fink, Maria Taylor, Andy LeMaster, Broken Spindles, Criteria, and others. The compilation will be made available on iTunes very soon and a CD version will be on the website and in stores as soon as possible. 100% of the proceeds from this will go to the Red Cross."

"A full tracklisting and more info will be posted on the Saddle Creek site on Monday, September 12. Our hearts go out to everyone affected by the hurricane."

Where Did You Hear About Them?

2005-08-26T12:46:00.000-04:00

Most people love to tell you how long they've loved a band, how early they were to the party. But you didn't come out yo mama's clam with indie cred so let's be honest and give props to those who let us into the party. It's hard to imagine anyone was able to hear any new music before blogs, but we did manage. So here are my top fifty favorite bands and how I was introduced to them.

The 6ths- Mixtape by Alyssa
Apollo Sunshine- Followed Bishop Allen at Rothko
Arcade Fire- Brooklyn Vegan
Belle & Sebastian- Mixtape by Alyssa
Beulah-Mixtape by Alyssa
Bishop Allen- CD handout outside Shins show.
Bloc Party- General Blogosphere
Bright Eyes- Mixtape by Alyssa
Broken Social Scene- Lewis Recommend
Built To Spill- Mixtape by Alyssa
Cat Power- Matador Sampler CD
Cursive- Mixtape by Alyssa
Desaparecidos- Association w/ Bright Eyes
Destroyer- A friend's friend who is in We Are Scientists recommend
The Elected- Association w/ Rilo Kiley
Elliott Smith- Andrew recommend
Eminem- MTV
The Faint- Mixtape by Alyssa
The Flaming Lips- MTV
The Good Life- Association w/ Cursive
Grandaddy- Opened for Elliott Smith
GBV- Mixtape by Alyssa
Hefner- Mixtape by Alyssa
Interpol- Opened for the Faint
The Kinks- Mixtape by Alyssa(well I had heard of them)
Lemonheads- MTV
Liz Phair(pre-lobotomy)- Honestly Can't Remember
M. Ward- Association w/ Bright Eyes
The Magnetic Fields- Mixtape by Alyssa
The Mendoza Line- Mixtape by Alyssa
Modest Mouse- Mixtape by Alyssa
The Muffs- MTV
The New Pornographers- Coworker's Friendster Page
Neutral Milk Hotel- Mixtape by Alyssa
Palace Music- Mixtape by Alyssa
Paul Simon- My Dad
Pavement- Mixtape by Edward
Pixies- Mixtape by Jenn
Postal Service- MTV2
Pulp- Honestly Can't Remember
Ramones- Mixtape by Edward
Rilo Kiley- Association w/ Bright Eyes
The Rolling Stones- Pitchfork
Silver Jews- Mixtape by Alyssa
The Shins- Association w/ Isaac Brock
Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks- Association w/ Pavement
Ther Strokes- Opened for GBV
Ugly Cassanova- Association w/ Isaac Brock
Weezer- Janeane Garafalo recommend
White Stripes- General Buzz
Wilco- Betsey recommend
Yeah Yeah Yeahs- Other Music
Yo La Tengo- Mixtape by Alyssa

Man I wish Alyssa still made me mixtapes. At least Isaac Brock and Conor Oberst still associate with people.

3 Letter Song Reviews

2005-08-23T23:51:00.000-04:00

A lot of great bands have new songs available for download. With respect to your busy schedules:

Bloc Party- "Two More Years"...LUV
Grandaddy- "Pull The Curtains"...BLA
Fiery Furnaces- "Seven Silver Curses"(c/o Fluxblog)...WTF
Silverjews- "Farmer's Hotel"-(taken down)...AOK
Broken Social Scene- "Shorelines"(taken down)...ROX
New Pornographers- "Use It"...HOT
Franz Ferdinand- "Do You Want To?"...POO

Of Montreal

2005-08-16T00:21:00.000-04:00

I've always thought Of Montreal was a decent member of the Elephant 6. Somewhat weird, somewhat catchy. Their latest single "Wraith Pinned to the Mist and Other Games" is somewhat weird and extremely catchy. Nice adjustment. Watch the video here.

Accepting Submissions

2005-08-12T15:47:00.000-04:00

An open letter to all those musical artists I don't know a lot about but everyone else does:

If you are a musical artist with a hit song in the last ten years, Trouser Mouse has exciting news for you. The T-Mouse staff will be throwing a week-long invitation-only party in Key West, Florida this fall. We are currently building a music library of every crowd-pleasing, non-crap song ever recorded. While we still have our usual standards, we acknowledge that not listening to the radio or watching MTV, VH1 or the Grammy's in the last seven years has left some gaps in our knowledge.

Duff sisters, Simpson sisters, 50 Cent, Kylie Minogue, L. Lo this is your one chance to hobknob in playlists with giants like Joy Division, Neutral Milk Hotel and the Faint. If you think you may be elgible, please submit your name, song name and documentation of its success on the Billboard chart. We will then go online and steal your song and listen to it once. If we think it sucks balls we will immediatley purge it from our iTunes. However if it only sucks, this could be your lucky day.

If you are John Mayer, Coldplay or the Black Eyed Peas please don't bother.

Pixies & Rilo @ Coney Island

2005-08-05T18:37:00.000-04:00

I can't find any more info on this but it's listed on pollstar as the "Across The Narrows Festival". It's at Keyspan Park on Saturday, October 1st. Beck plays the next day. I will be a little busy that week.

M. Ward @ Maxwell's

2005-07-23T14:48:00.000-04:00

Five things I learned last night in Hoboken:

1) There is a really cool series of posters for Absolut vodka on the PATH tunnel walls that animate as you speed by.
2) A cab from the PATH station to Maxwell's is only $4 and very worth it.
3) There are three pizzerias for every Hoboken resident.
4) Maxwell's has mashed potatoes that impress Southern people.
5) Once M. starts growing on you, it does not stop.

Bloc Party @ Roseland 9/9

2005-07-19T13:44:00.000-04:00

Where does it end?

Clap Your Hands/Dirty On Purpose Preparty

2005-07-18T12:25:00.000-04:00

What is just a few drunken steps from Southpaw, has $3 dollar drinks and one of the best juke boxes in the city? What's the only family-run Irish pub with equal parts scenesters and geriatrics? What was Elliott Smith's favorite Park Slope haunt? It's O'Connor's(39 5th Ave.) and they don't have a website to link because fuck that shite. (Note: This is an unofficial pre-party and the band will not be there, but I will be. I'll be the guy hanging out with the child stars, child stars, child stars, child stars, child stars, child stars, child stars, child stars, child stars, child stars,child stars, child stars, child stars, child stars, child stars, child stars.)

God Bless the EP

2005-07-15T14:33:00.000-04:00

Boston's Apollo Sunshine are a bunch of bearded acid kids that can muster some serious adrenaline to curtail too big a hippie following. Their debut 2003 LP, Katonah, was like a hackeysack session with roid rage. Their live show is hit and miss. It's either a rockin light show musical extravaganza or a jammy, indulgent mess with technical difficulties. They have had a couple of very unfortunate NY shows lately and I am therefore boycotting them for at least six more months. None of this takes away from their catchy, bipolar songwriting. Their new EP The Other Side Of The World is available exclusively on iTunes.

Katonah mp3's here and here.

Isaac Brock sobered up one of his favorite young bands long enough to record a self titled EP and a full album to be released in September. Wolf Parade have a very meaty, classic indie sound and remind me of a less serious, more catchy Walkmen, without the slowjams. The EP is good(and available on insound or iTunes). The album should be unbelievable.

Download a ridiculously good Wolf Parade song.

Celebrity Crooklyn

2005-07-15T01:08:00.000-04:00

Okay, I am not and never will be a name dropper. But I am a total starfucker. So I will say that my Mississipian friend and I played Battleship at the Boat tonight against the advice of a very famous actress who was sitting next to us at the bar. She recommended Scrabble instead. This follows several page six reports about celebs like Leo and Liv at that Frankie's 187 place. If I see Liev Shrieber at Gowanus Yacht Club, I may be forced to check out the rents in Staten Island.

The Eames Era @ Piano's tonite

2005-07-10T14:53:00.001-04:00

The endlessly entertaining Eames Era are touring for their forthcoming release "Double Dutch" which I haven't heard but has been praised by trustworthy people. Listen to a song from their first EP here.

Celebrate Brooklyn Afterparty @ Southpaw

2005-06-24T10:35:00.000-04:00

Not clear if the NP's are playing, DJing or hanging out, but sounds interesting.

JELLYNYC Presents
JELLY
special 1 am performance by 33 Hz
CELEBRATE BROOKLYN's
THE NEW PORNOGRAPHERS & special guests
after party
w/ Roof Top Films
10 pm doors
21 & over
$5 cover

Unlocking Shared iTunes Playlists

2005-06-22T13:12:00.001-04:00

If you have shared iTunes playlists at work, and some coworkers with good taste in music, Outunes is a program that will let you download, not just listen to, all music on the network. It downloads an album in about 7 seconds. Works for Mac or PC's. The best part is telling people non-chalantly that you hacked itunes. (Thanks MM)

Celebrate (Canada in) Brooklyn

2005-06-21T15:58:00.000-04:00

Indie-pop canucks the New Pornographers are playing Prospect Park bandshell this Saturday with financial support from the Canadian Consulate General in New York and stage support by Stars and the Sadies, eh.

Bottles, cans and cameras are verboten but boxes of wine are allowed. One 96 oz. Franzia per man oughta do it. Don't worry aboot bringing food as Two Boots is the food vendor. If you don't know any of the bands just think of it as a drunken picnic with a great soundtrack.

If it starts to pour I recommend getting to a port-o-john quick. They hold aboot three people each. It's called triple-douching.

Listen to a new mp3, an old mp3, and an older mp3 from the New Pornographers. Middle one's my fave.

Bring your dog to dog beach before the show.

M Ward Coming Back to NYC

2005-06-07T00:19:00.000-04:00

He'll play two shows in July without those dead weight Jim and Conor guys. He's the greatest thing going if you ask me or my best man.

7/21 @ Castle Clinton(Free)
7/22 @ Maxwells

Listen to him do things with a guitar Bernie Williams only dreams of.

Something I Doubt Conor Saw

2005-05-30T01:25:00.000-04:00

I was just watching the recap of the Yankees/Red Sox game on Sportscenter, and heard the following: "Conor Oberst is to Bright Eyes as Edgar Rentaria is to the Red Sox". If they compare Francona to Mogis I'm gonna freak the fuck out.

Modest Mouse to play the Borgata

2005-05-18T15:38:00.000-04:00

The mouse will go to their happy place on June 17th and play a venue with 1,000 seats, their smallest tri-state venue show since their Rolling Stone sponsored show at Bowery last year. The $40 tix guarantee you'll be the only one to yell out "Fakes!" during Trailer Trash, and are on sale here.

iTunes Celebrity Playlist Roundup

2005-05-06T11:58:00.000-04:00

195 musicians, actors and writers have been kind enough to give us a glimpse into their musical sensabilities by creating virtual mixtapes on iTunes. Reading them all as I did means wading through tons of gutsy endorsements of Bob Dylan, Nina Simone and Otis Redding. I've catalogued the few nuggets of interest for you and present them in no particular order:

Many Indie Rockers like Hip-Hop.

Fred Durst likes Interpol. Interpol does not like Fred Durst.

Richard Marx finds it "so hard to pick a favorite Aerosmith song". Fifth-Grade me agrees.

Jody Watley, Barry Manilow and Sammy Hagar recommend themselves.

Anita Baker loves Marvin Gaye, hates gay people(is it the extra e?)

My Chemical Romance are huge Pavement fans.

Kanye West wanted to mix his album like the Strokes, called "Seven-Nation Army" all black people's favorite white song, and said he can't wait to see Franz Ferdinand live. Quick someone make him a mix that will ruin popular music for him.

Ed Norton's list is just two complete albums and then a 2,000 word essay about them(read:douchebag).

Mischa Barton likes Moon & Antarctica!!!

When an actor tells their agent that they want to be a rock star, the agent's response is "Make an iTunes Playlist!" (see Russell Crowe, Minnie Driver, Jeff Daniels, Robert Downey Jr. and, say it with me, Kevin Bacon)

Liz Phair & John Cusack did a combo list because he desperately wants to be known as a music snob, and she wants to fuck any celebrity until their dick is blue.

Avril Lavigne likes to "get drunk and mosh" to Nirvana's "Rape Me".

DJ Mark Ronson's list is the only one with an interesting concept: an old school hip-hop song, followed by the contemporary song that sampled it.

Danny Masterson(That 70's Show) prefers to be called DJ Donkeypizzle and claims to be totally indie-fied even though he uttered the most un-indie statement ever in Spin: "Scientology really helped me stop being introverted in large crowds."

The best lists for my ninety-nine cents are by: Jesse Harris, Nick Hornby, Flaming Lips, Pedro the Lion and Mouse.

Worst go to Tom Brady, RuPaul, Jennifer Lopez(7 songs and Maroon 5 made the cut?), Jennifer Garner(who I think just submitted a Now That's What I Call Music tracklist)

Classical Musicians want nothing to do with this.

Song of the Summer

2005-05-02T12:18:00.000-04:00

Okay, I think last year the entire country agreed it was "Float on" as Isaac Brock made back all the money that fake Jamaican stole from him.

Year before that, a lot of people gave it to "Me and Giuliani down by the schoolyard" and who am I to argue with !!! fans.

So the criteria seems to be a mid-spring release, possibly a leak, that is perfect for either a backyard bbq at 3PM or a sweaty dancefloor at 3AM, and may eventually be graced with a cover by the Kidz Bop crew.

If it had been released this week instead of two months ago, Belle & Sebastian's "Your Cover's Blown" would have cleaned some clocks. It's a ridiculously danceable and catchy apology for their last album.

So the only song that fits the bill for me right now would have to be "Baby C'mon"(hold down option to download on macs) by Stephen Malkmus for it's swelling garage-iness, SM's return-to-form shoutiness, and the lyrics "Give it to me, Timmy, I'm out here on a limby. Baby C'mon!"

Seriously Timmy, just give it to him.

Modest Mouse @ Central Park Summerstage 6/20

2005-04-21T09:55:00.000-04:00

Let's hope tickets aren't a hosedown like Dinosaur Jr./Broken Social Scene. What happened to free concerts in the Park? I don't remember paying $50 to see the B-52's on the Great Lawn when I was twelve.

On sale noon saturday.

Update: $30

Broken Social Scene @ Central Park Summerstage

2005-04-15T12:25:00.000-04:00

With Dinosaur Jr.. July 14th. No word on tickets but it should time nicely to give us all enough quality time with their new album.

Bloc Party @ Bowery

2005-04-12T20:04:00.000-04:00

The boys took the Bowery stage on thursday night to prove that nice boys do play rock and roll, Axl Rose be damned. The set was short, sweet and cherrypicked their decades of songwriting. Even their slowjams had spunk. I've heard the crowd was more into it Friday, but apparently, this is not a competition.

My camera has been as asshole lately so these aren't so good.

yee-ha iha

New Arcade Fire Video

2005-04-12T08:55:00.000-04:00

It's for Neighborhood #3(Power Out) and it looks to be about an ice storm coming to life and being generally impish. I love it. (Thanks Miss Russo)

see it here.

We're Going To A Party...

2005-04-05T15:15:00.000-04:00

From the Onion:

Nation Planning Surprise Party To Cheer Up Conor Oberst

OMAHA, NE—American citizens are coordinating efforts to lift the spirits of wünderkind singer-songwriter Conor Oberst, sources reported Monday. "I saw Conor's picture in a Spin article about Bright Eyes, and he just looked so down," said Lindsey Keisner of Youngstown, OH, one of the party's 4,000 planners. "The country feels really bad that he's going through such a rough spell, so next Friday, everyone who can should meet in Omaha with balloons, funny cards, and silly little gag gifts." Britt Daniel from Spoon will lure Oberst to Omaha by asking him to overdub some vocals.

Rise in Blogployment

2005-04-04T23:47:00.000-04:00

Brooklyn Vegan got a job writing for the Gothamist. I think his blog is the best thing to ever happen to what the media has dubbed the "blogiverse". But is that the bloggian's equivalent of signing to a major label? Raise your hand if you think yes.

Bravery Add a Date

2005-04-01T20:52:00.000-05:00

They sold out Irving so they added a Warsaw show.
Tuesday May 17.
Tix on sale now.
The Killers suck.

Willy Mason Emotionally Torn

2005-03-31T12:03:00.000-05:00

I don't know much about Willy Mason but the two things I do know are kinda interesting:

(1) Conor Oberst discovered him and put out his album on his label.
(2) He's opening for the Decembrists at Irving Plaza.

Why is that interesting? Because Colin Meloy of the Decembrists took a shit all over Conor in the Seattle Weekly. Some of the nuts in the turd were calling him "a little shallow and emotionally and creatively corrupt."(BURN!) and crediting conor's success to the fact that he's "really, really hot".

Time to choose your pasty, pretentious overlord, Willy.

Malkmus Single Review

2005-03-29T20:26:00.000-05:00

"Post-Paint Boy", available on iTunes, is the first single from the new SM (sans jicks) album 'Face the Truth'. Not to get all pitchforky and start out on a tangeant but I saw an interview with George Lucas recently who said that the remainder of his career will be spent making movies for himself, that no one else will like. Regardless of the fact that George has already been making movies no one likes for twenty years, he has a point. He has a billion dollars and no amount of failed experiments will tarnish his legacy.

So in my court, as in many, Stephen is an indie-cred billionaire. He has released two albums since Pavement with the air of a musician doing what feels right to him. With success, he slowly went from cool geek to confident, less-interesting guy. His crafted, inspired weirdness has been subjugated to rare appearances on B-sides("Polish Mule" "Fractions and Feelings"). Instead, he indulges in a nine-minute guitar jam. His lyrics shed any enigmatic charm to wear their absurd meaninglessness as a badge. And track after track his vocals obey the speed limit. Perhaps he just got sick of Mark E. Smith egging his house for ripping him off.

The fact that a song this pulled back is the new album's first single is a bad sign for 'Wowee Zowee' fans. It's a tough sell in a time of such exciting new music because I just can't bring myself to grow up with Stephen when I'd rather be clinging to youth with Kele Okereke.

As a Stephen fan I am obliged to say 'Good for Malk'. As a music fan though, it's hard not to wish he were still sharpshooting my very specific tastes. They are tastes that he's hugely responsible for winnowing down.

But what do I know? I've been building Katamaris in an apartment that smells like corned beef and Icy Hot all night.

News from the Interweb 3-27

2005-03-27T01:57:00.000-05:00

I noticed the Magnetic Fields song “One April Day” on a Sprint Commercial which I think is great. It probably paid the rent for Stephin's Williamsburg recording studio for the next two years. And maybe the high concept of his next album will be text-message heartbreaks.

Rilokiley.net has a downloadable new song called "Pull Me In Tighter" from an XM Radio stream. They have some new tour dates but are skipping our little burg.(UPDATE: Two shows at Webster Hall)

Bishop Allen is one of my favorite local bands. They are brainy kids who pledge allegiance to quirkiness and catchiness and toss a quarter in the guitar cases of the Talking Heads and the Kinks on every track. They released a brilliant album two years ago and apparently are shopping their second around. They play at Mercury Lounge and Brooklyn venues frequently and judging by recent shows, the second album Clementines will be no less brilliant. They also apparently provided the soundtrack to, and starred in an indie romantic comedy called Funny Ha Ha which looks pretty interesting. Watch the trailer, catch it in theaters or buy the DVD and let me know if it's decent.

Amid a torrent(pun intended) of Next Big Things bands, there has been zero buzz about the new Stephen Malkmus album and show at Irving Plaza which has been on sale for two weeks without selling out. Apparently you got to pay your dues after you pay the rent too.

Entertainment Weekly's review of SXSW highly recommended the Blood Arm and I'm digging the crap out of their downloadable song "Do I Have Your Attention?".

Still no word on my most anticipated project of '05, the Isaac Brock produced Wolf Parade album. Me wantey.

The Bravery @ Rothko

2005-03-25T13:30:00.000-05:00

K-Rock hosted this pajamajam for $9.23 and gave two free MGD's to each entrant. That was mighty nice of them and I mentally forgave them for being a terrible radio station. Once the room was filled with buzzed hipsters, a band called Action Action(thank me for not linking) took the stage to remind everyone that K-Rock cannot tell the difference between rock music that is the shit and rock music that is shit. The bassist actually mimed slitting his own throat with his bass.

The Bravery did not disappoint at all. The good thing about overhyped indie bands is that even if they aren't the second coming they're usually still a great band. Probably because there aren't publicists involved. That's why the whole Arcade Fire backlash never really took. As sick as you were of hearing about them, you couldn't escape how good the cd was.

Whether or not the Bravery blow up, they wrote a great album and deserve the buzz. They could even be the American Franz Ferdinand. They did just announce a May 16th show at Irving Plaza.

I was hoping for a good Celebrate Brooklyn show in Prospect Park this summer and the New Pornographers answered my prayers. It's Saturday, June 25th and I'm guessing it will be free. Gotta love that bandshell.

Go! Team @ Canal Room

2005-03-24T11:37:00.000-05:00

I’d never been to the Canal Room and it kind of felt like a place for sweet people. It wasn’t too crowded and had good sound though. Judging by other blog reviews, this sounds like it was the best out of their three NY shows(and the cheapest if you avoided the $6 beers).

This band demands that you dance, literally and figuratively. It was hard to feel light on my feet having just eaten at Corner Bistro, but the show was very fun. A lot of people were surprised the horns were prerecorded, and some live brass would be nice, but I can’t complain. I have a feeling next time around we will get to see them with a full horn section, from the back of Webster Hall.

John Cameron Mitchell, actor/writer/director of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, was there. I had just hours before seen his video for "First Day of My Life” by Bright Eyes. I think it’s one of the best indie videos I’ve seen.

Bright Eyes and the Faint are playing five shows in May at (ugh) Webster Hall.

Gonna rush home after work and try to get in a disco nap before F-training it to Rothko to see the Bravery, one of this season's 76 "Next Big Things".